When ever the opportunity presented itself, he would watched her from under his red bangs, taking in the way her brow creased every time something bad happened to her brother, or the way her lips parted when taking a drag from that blasted cigarette, or the way her brown eyes came to life when the wind blew, throwing her hair back.

Yes. It was fair to say that Kurama was addicted… or perhaps, he was simply a stalker. Either way, there was no denying that the fox had it bad for Shizuru Kuwabara.

It was hard to say when this interest started. Perhaps when they met for the first time, during the demon tournament, or could it have been when Shizuru was bitten by those infected mosquitos and fell unconscious in his arms?

Kurama hummed. It didn't matter. His instincts wanted her, and the need grew and grew and grew every day. Some nights, it got so bad that the fox would have lewd dreams about the brunette: pinning her down under him, wrapping his rose whip tightly around her body, biting her, squeezing her—

Kurama felt himself grow warmer and abruptly stopped thinking.

He had to get a grip. This was unbecoming of him, thinking about a female in such a graphic way…

Although, it was nice to imagine her nude body pressed flush against his.

Saliva collected behind Kurama's lips. Disgusted with himself, he swallowed, fisting his hands.

"Everything okay?"

He almost jumped out of his skin.

"Of course," Kurama replayed, turning to face the object of his primal desires.

Shizuru arched an eyebrow, but didn't press further. Instead, she leaned back against the wall of ramen shop they were standing in front of. "Botan said she was bringing your short tempered friend."

"Hiei?"

"That's the one."

"Ah." Kurama felt sweat collect in his palms, the need to make conversation becoming too great to push away. "And the others? Do you know how they are faring?"

"Nope. It's better to focus on our own problems. Yusuke and my brother have their own demons to chase, and we have ours."

The fox nodded. "I see."

"... I care, you know," Shizuru muttered, after a period of silence. "But he's a big boy and can take care of himself."

"I understand."

"Do you?"

Kurama bit the inside of his cheek. "Yes. I also have people I care for."

"... right." Shizuru took another drag from her cigarette. "Well, we have some time to kill. Any ideas?"

Oh he had ideas. If Kurama had it his way, the brunette would be pressed up against the wall, clothes torn, her flesh littered with his brushing kisses and shearing licks.

Shit.

Kurama shook his head. "No. Nothing comes to mind."

Shizuru shrugged and continued to quietly smoke.

After a while, Botan and Hiei made their appearance.

"Good morning. Oh, I hope you two weren't waiting long," Botan said, looping her arm with Shizuru's.

"Don't worry. Kurama was keeping me company." The brunette elbowed the fox. "Weren't you?"

Once again, Kurama's body warmed up and his mind filled with lustful images.

"Yes," he choked out.

Behind the two oblivious females, Hiei arched a dark eyebrow and opened a telepathic link.

Fox.

Kurama tensed.

Hasn't Botan told you, it's rude to invade others thoughts.

Quiet. You reek of hormones.

Kurama hissed a curse under his breath.

…

You crave the oafs sister?

Always the observant one.

I take that as a yes.

Kurama sighed, There was no use in lying.

Yes.

Hiei smirked and put his bandaged hands into his pockets, turning on his heel.

Hn. Your pitiful. If you want her, take her.

It's not that easy.

It was for me.

Kurama smirked. Liar.

The telepathic link shut down and both demons swore to never bring the conversation up ever again.