Chapter 2

"Mother, I'm home," Kurama called as he slipped off his shoes, and entered the house.

"Welcome home, Shu-kun!" Aiyu shouted and jumped on Kurama, bringing them both to the floor with Aiyu straddling Kurama's stomach.

"Aiyu? What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Shuichi, you're back. Aiyu came back, isn't this wonderful?" Shiori asked, coming out from the kitchen to see her son and his childhood friend already tumbling on the ground like little children.

"Yes, just wonderful," Kurama intoned.

"Dinner will be ready in a few. Kazuya (1) will be working late today and Shuichi (2) is at a sleepover party. So I invited Aiyu to join us, I hope you don't mind."

"No, its fine mother," Kurama replied without enthusiasm. "Let me up, Aiyu."

"Okay, Shu-kun," Aiyu pecked him on the nose before jumping off him.

"How did you get here?" Kurama asked as he followed Aiyu into the living room.

"I drove here, silly," she giggled. Okay, now Kurama knew that she was definitely playing games. His mother and he moved one year after Aiyu went overseas and then they lost contact, there was no way that she could know their new address.

"Aiyu, I moved," Kurama said, weary; he sounded like a grandfather talking to his hyperactive granddaughter. How could being in the presence of one human girl for less than a minute wear him out so badly?

"I know," Aiyu turned to him with a smile but did not elaborate, and then she bounded into the kitchen with entirely too much energy. Watching her bouncing steps Kurama understood what it was about Aiyu that worn him down so. It was something that he had grown accustomed to in high school, but finally gotten a break from in college. Aiyu was acting like a lovesick and not to mention over energetic high school fan girl. In college, the females at least attempt to act more mature about their affections. It's been awhile since he's been subjected to an adoring, bubbly high school girl. He thought he had finally outgrown them.

"Shu-kun, dinner's almost ready," Aiyu poked her head out from around the doorframe to the kitchen. "I prepared dessert, I hope you'll like it," she said with a smile and then she slipped back into the kitchen.

Apparently his assumption was a little premature. Kurama sighed. This was going to be long evening.

All throughout dinner the one thing that permeated the room was Aiyu's incessant chatter. She exchanged many of her tales of fandom for childhood stories of Kurama with Shiori. And she was constantly piling food into Kurama's bowl saying he needs to gain some weight. She certainly doesn't remember him having such a "slim figure" when they were children. Thank you for the implications, but the Youko Kurama was never "out of shape" in his life before, not even during his first ungraceful years as a human child.

Kurama had almost poured his dinner down his throat without swallowing. He was finished before both females and quickly excused himself with the excuse of a nonexistent research paper. Aiyu quickly swallowed the bite of food in her mouth. In her haste she choked on it. Shiori offered her a glass of water, and Aiyu quickly washed the lump down her esophagus. By the time she stood up Kurama was already at the top of the stairs.

"Wait Shu-kun, what about dessert?"

But Kurama had already locked his bedroom door and he was content to feign a human's hearing ability.


Footnotes:

(1) Kurama's stepfather.

(2) Kurama's stepbrother.


A/N: Please leave a review if you like this story. They really encourage me to write. BTW, I'm still looking for a beta to help me out along the way. If you're interested let me know. PM or e-mail.
Oh, the rest of the spirit detectives will show up next chapter.