Hey all! Suraki here! The next chapter is a bit long; I hope that doesn't bug anyone. This story is unfolding slowly. I'm not sure where the plot is going quite yet so… be patient with me.

Disclaimer: Must I remind you all that the characters, main story-line…. And everything belongs to someone else? Look at chapter one for the full disclaimer.

Chapter Three: Lost

POV: Yusuke

"Unfamiliar ceiling," I muttered looking up from the couch in Kuwabara's living room. I'd heard that in some anime before. Evangelion or something. It was dark and I didn't know what time it was. I remembered, vaguely, collapsing in a miserable heap there on the couch. What I didn't remember was putting a pillow under my head and draping a blanket over myself. Then the rest of it came flooding back like a tidal wave.

Keiko loves someone else, I thought. "Damn it." A giant cat lay at my feet, purring softly. Is that the same cat I rescued for Kuwabara from that demon all those years ago? It must be over a hundred in cat years. Wait, is there such thing as cat years? I'll have to ask Kuwabara. I sighed and closed my eyes, wishing for sleep but it wouldn't come.

I got off the couch and wondered through the house. I found Kuwabara's room pretty fast. He was sleeping sprawled out like some kind of… weird… something, on top of the sheets and blankets. And he was wearing those ridiculous striped boxers. Wait, have I seen those before? I squinted at him in the dark. Wait a second, this is creepy. I'm watching the dude sleep.

I snuck out as quietly as I could, thanking all the gods in where ever that he didn't wake up while I was in there. I didn't know why I felt suddenly ashamed. No embarrassed. Then my stupid face turned red. I was glad Kuwabara was asleep for the second time.

"Well, Yusuke," I said to myself. "You're officially an idiot."

I walked back through the house to the kitchen and stared at the clock. 6:21 am. What time did school start? Was it even a school day? That whole Keiko thing screwed me up in the head. Or maybe it wasn't that. Maybe it was the whole Makai thing? Betraying my friends. Kurama's hurt look. He thought I didn't see but I did. He was mad at me and Hiei too. Kuwabara actually punched me. I think he was hurt the most. He was the most betrayed by me leaving. It was so soon after I died that I left and I heard every word of his crying confession. This guy loves me.

Loves me? Shit. I really AM crazy. But what was he babbling about us meant to be together? I can't believe I haven't thought about this before. He all but professed his undying love for me and I stood there and let myself get killed. While he was telling me that I was supposed to be there for him and then I wasn't. I let him down. I let them all down. But I let him down the most because he cares about me so much. Maybe more than Keiko. I punched the counter. Not hard enough to dent the wood. Of course he cares more than Keiko. If Keiko cared about me at all she wouldn't have fallen in love with Yukina while I was gone. The least she could have done was show up. I know Kurama knew I was coming back that day. I told him. I told Keiko too. My eighteenth birthday. I made my way back the way I said I would and it was Kuwabara waiting for me to give me a hug and welcome me back. So, no, Yusuke, don't doubt who cares most. It was always Kuwabara.

You're such an idiot.

"If you stare at that counter too long it'll burst into flames," Kuwabara's voice said from behind me. I jumped about a foot in the air and nearly said 'speak of the devil' but I had at least one atom in my brain telling me that wasn't a good idea. Are brains made of atoms? Isn't everything made of atoms? What's the word I want? Hold on. I'm talking to Kuwabara, remember?

I turned to Kuwabara and got a good look at him for the first time. He got cute while I was away. Goddamnit Yusuke, get a freaking hold on yourself and say good morning. "Good morning," I said. Or really squeeked because my voice didn't want to work for me. Crimany, I'm all tongue tied because I thought Kuwabara and cute in the same sentence.

"Why are you leering at me like that?" he said, practically dragging me out of my thoughts.

"Lost in thought, I guess." Then I laughed nervously like a girl who didn't know how to flirt. Shut up, brain! "Is today a school day?"

"No. It's Saturday. Are you all right? You look like you just ate something real spicy. Your face is all red."

Damn it, I didn't even notice I was blushing. "Yeah. Um… good morning?" Open mouth, insert foot. Or even better; open oven, insert head. Stupid stupid stupid!

"Okay…" he said that like I was nuts, which after that random string of thoughts about Kuwabara was highly likely. "Are you hungry? Is that why you're in my kitchen at three o' clock in the morning banging on counters?"

"The clock says…" I looked back at it; 6:21. And blinking. I knew it had been at least ten minutes so I laughed nervously again. "I'm sorry, Kuwabara. I just had a bad dream or something and I woke up and this unfamiliar ceiling was over my head and I don't even know what I'm talking about anymore." Kill me now! "When's sleeping?" Shit, now I'm incoherent. "I mean, when did I fall asleep?"

"Four PM. Are you sure you're okay?"

"You know what? I'm not sure of much of anything anymore so why don't you tell me why you kissed me- missed me so much." Goddamnit, now I know I'm blushing.

"You're my best friend. I miss anyone I care about who goes away for a long time. You should have seen me when Shizuru went on a business trip. I freaked out every day. I'm like you. I don't like being left alone. Which was why Shizuru suggested this in the first place. She had to move because she's getting married and mom and dad still haven't come back from wherever they went the last time… Wait a second. Did you just say 'kissed me?'"

"I had a nightmare. I'm not right in the head."

"What was your nightmare about? Kissing attacks?" Kuwabara laughed.

"Yeah. Shut up." I'm such a crappy liar. I bet he saw right through that nightmare act. He knows something's up. I can tell. Goddamnit, why didn't he put a shirt on before he came out here? It's freaking distracting.

Kuwabara stopped laughing and squinted at me. "You didn't have a nightmare, did you?" A statement, not a question.

"No."

"Why would you lie about something dumb like that?"

"To explain why the hell I'm up at this ungodly hour when I can't even explain it to myself."

"Go sleep in my bed. You'll probably sleep better." I must have looked horrified, or possibly embarrassed again because he said. "By yourself! I'll sleep on the couch. Jeeze, Urameshi, your homophobia is rampant."

"I'm not homophobic!"

"Then you're gay. I don't care. Go to bed."

I looked at him stunned for a minute. Had he just called me gay? Deal with it dumb shit. I walked out and wandered back to Kuwabara's room. He was right, I did sleep better.

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