Chapter Seven: The Truth of Emotions

Disclaimer: This shall be the last time I type a disclaimer in this story. I own nothing but my characters and plot.

A week had passed with Lea training every afternoon. Things had settled considerably and Lea was staying with Kurama. She had gone to her aunt's, gotten her stuff, and "explained" why she wouldn't be staying. She had then called her mom and asked her to send money for an apartment. The elf was in Japan to stay.

That day the gang came over to Kurama's while Lea was training. "I'm bored!" whined Yusuke. The others murmured an agreement and decided to play Truth or Dare. The first turn was awarded to Yusuke and he smirked an evil smirk.

"Okay...since the newbie- I mean Lea isn't here for a proper initiation...I dare Kurama to kiss Botan!"

Botan sweatdropped and Kurama frowned. Why must he insist on daring people to kiss? Specifically me? thought the kitsune. Meanwhile, Lea was coming through the front door whistling. She'd had a great training session, especially since no one had bothered her. She went into the living room smiling.

"Hi-yaghh! Am I interupting something?" The elf had just seen Kurama and Botan kiss. Are they dating? she thought. She didn't let any dissappointment show, though, as she set her stuff down.

"Hey, babe! You're just in time for Truth or Dare!" Kuwabara exclaimed.

"And your initiation," Yusuke added.

Kieko hit the Spirit Detective in the head and said, "Yusuke's lying. Would you like to join us?"

Lea couldn't think of anything else to do and was so relieved that she didn't think of the chaos that could ensue. So she agreed.

"Okay, Lea, go sit by Kuwabara," Yusuke ordered. The elf shrugged and sat down. It was Kurama's turn.

"Hiei, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"I dare you to go a week without sweet snow."

At this, Hiei seemed annoyed. "And if I don't?" he asked.

Kurama gave him a look that only he could decipher. Hiei was glaring and finally exclaimed, "Fine!" Yusuke was rolling on the floor laughing at this point. Lea didn't ask. The detective calmed down enough to say, "Hiei, you should get Lea."

Hiei took this into consideration and smirked. There was a gleam in his eyes as he said, "Lea, Truth or Dare?" The evil look on the fire demon's face should've scared the elf but she picked dare.

"I dare you to kiss Kuwabaka."

"What?! Aren't there any consequences?" Hiei's Jagan glowed and his voice echoed in Lea's mind, "Yes. You'll have to tell the fox your feelings about him in front of everyone."

"But I don't know how I feel," she said out loud. She realized what she'd done and blushed. "I'll just accept the dare," she muttered. So she kissed Kuwabara and then rinsed her mouth with mouthwash. (A/N: Sorry Kuwabara fans!)

"Alright, Hiei! This means war!" Lea declared.

"Whatever, onna."

Lea smiled evilly. "Hiei, Truth or dare?"

"Dare, of course."

Lea's smile got wider. "I dare you to kiss Botan. But you have to do it slowly and where we can see. You have to kiss Kuwabara if you don't."

The fire demon gave Lea an "I'm gonna kill you" look before going over and kissing Botan. Lea could see the faintest of blushes across his face. Yusuke was back on the floor laughing as Hiei sat back down. The demon's glare turned into an evil smile as he asked, "Truth or Dare, Lea?"

Lea gulped and, not wanting to kiss Kuwabara or worse, picked truth.

"Now, you have to tell everyone about your feelings for--" In a flash Lea's hand was over the fire demon's mouth.

"You can stop there, pyro!"

Hiei bit her hand. "Why keep it a secret?"

"Why spoil a perfectly good suprise?"

"Won't work, onna."

Lea sighed. "I don't even know if I like him, yet."

Hiei then replied arrogantly, "But I know."

"No you don't!"

"Yes, onna, I do!"

"Nu-uh!"

"Uh-huh!"

That kept going until they were both so annoyed that they would have fought each other if not for Kurama calming them down. "So what was your question, Hiei?" asked Yusuke, clearly entertained. I'll have to act releived, thought Lea.

"Onna, how do you feel about Kurama?" Hiei was looking at Lea and she faked relief.

"Well..." started Lea in the oldest form of elven she could think of. "I don't know. He's not what I expected, that's for sure. He's sweet and gentle and smart and-" Lea froze. Oh, no! I'm starting to like him! the elf thought. She realized then that everyone was staring and, in order to keep them in the dark, she had to keep up the act. She sweatdropped.

"Uh, that was in elven wasn't it?" she asked. Everyone nodded and she explained, "Sorry. I'm used to speaking it almost all the time. Anyway, I think he's nice." The elf then pretended to forget something and said she had to go. She raced from the house. Things were starting to make sense. Did I only decide to stay because of him? But this is only a crush, isn't it? she wondered as she ran to the forest.

Everyone watched, puzzled as Lea ran from the room. "What's the matter with her?" Yusuke asked, one eye open. Everyone except Hiei shrugged.

"I'll find out," Kurama said as he started for the door.

"Wait for me!" Kelly exclaimed appearing as if from nowhere. When they had left, Kuwabara sat up cluelessly and said, "Does that mean the game's over?"

Meanwhile, Lea was punching the forest floor in frustration. She wanted answers, but the more she searched, the less she got. "Why, why, why?! Why am I starting to like him?! Why can't I get any answers?! Why?" A forest faery flew over to her. She was no bigger than Lea's thumb, but she was beautiful and glowing red. "What's wrong, kindly elf?" she asked.

Lea sighed. "I'm starting to like a demon."

"As long as he's compatible with nature, it's fine," the faery said pointing at the trees.

Lea looked over at the faery. "Is it the same for you guys?" she asked.

The faery nodded. "Faeries have the same standards as elves. I would say more, but someone is coming. Farewell, gentle elf!" The faery giggled, then dissappeared. Lea was stunned a moment, then went back to punching the ground.

"Why? I never expected to like anyone!"

A voice behind her asked who she liked. "None of your business!!"

"Can I at least guess?" the voice questioned.

"Go ahead, but ya won't get nuthin' outta me!"

"Hmm...Yusuke?"

"No."

"Kuwabara?"

"I'd have to be crazy!"

"Good point. Hiei?"

Lea stopped punching the ground at this and demanded, "Are you completely out of your mind? We hate each other!"

"Well, what about...Kurama?"

Lea shrugged and stood up. "Well?"

"Nu-uh. I already told you I wouldn't say who it was. I'm carryin' this secret to the grave!" Lea turned after this and was suprised to see Kelly and Kurama. She felt a blush creep across her features. Kelly analyzed the elf, trying to find answers to her questions. Realization showed on her face.

"Oh. OH! I know who it is! Awww!" the ghost teased. Lea glared, but Kelly continued. "You two could sit in a tree and kiss! It's perfect!"

"Can it!" Lea snapped. Kelly pouted and muttered something about ruining one's fun. The elf grinned.

"You're smiling! It's not so bad."

"But I'm falling for my complete opposite!"

"You may have more in common than you think. Besides, I think the phrase goes "Oppsites attract"?"

Lea growled, knowing her friend was right. She grabbed her bag and started back towards Kurama's. The kitsune and ghost followed, but no matter how much Kurama asked, Kelly said nothing.

A/N: Mwahahahahaha!!!! Finally I can get to some suprising (or not so suprising for those of you who paid attention) revelations!!!! I can't wait! Thanks to those of you who've faithfully been reading! Please review. God Bless!!!!