Lily: Another chappie...

Kurama: Yes...

Lily: (coughs)

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Hiei did not know how long he had been asleep. The girls yelling awaked him.

"BREAKFAST!!!!"

He opened one eyelid to see a very happy and bubbly Carol. She smiled and pointed at his food. He never had seen such food!

What the hell is this?

It was a strip of red meat and yellow bits of egg. Puzzled he stared at the girl who was eating the food on her plate. Gobbling and munching every scrape of her meal as if the world was going to end in a matter of seconds. She then wiped her face and smiled at him.

"Why aren't you eating your bacon and eggs?"

Hiei looked at the reddish piece of meat. Bacon?

"Its really good!" She took her fork and picked up the piece of bacon and shoved it into his mouth.

He swallowed it quickly. It tasted like meat. He then ate his eggs.

"How do you like it?" The girl asked politely.

"I thinks its…" Hiei searched for words to use. "Quite delicious…"

"Glad you like it!" She then caught site of a sign outside.

"Lookie Hiei!" She pointed to the sign. "Only 1098km left!" She clapped her hands excitedly.

Hiei sweatdropped. How long is that?

Dakota

"Guess what I've brought for you!"

"Hm." Kurama lifted his head from his book. Lillian was holding a reddish pink plastic bag.

"Chinese food!" She placed it on his desk.

"And this is for?"

"Eating duh!"

Kurama sweatdropped. "You know what I mean Lillian…"

"I just thought you needed something that reminded you of home!" She sat on the bed. "I know how much you miss home!"

Kurama sweatdropped again. "But I'm not Chinese… I'm Japanese!"

"Chinese… Japanese… Their about the same…"

"No… They're totally different!"

"Oh fine!" She snatched the plastic bag and walked out the door. Slamming it shut.

"Kurama shook his head in dismay. "Lily, Lily, Lily…" He then continued to read.

Few minutes later she came back, this time with a yellow plastic bag.

"Vietnamese!" She placed on the desk and smiled with pride.

Kurama smacked his head. "Lillian… Understand that that is also very different to Japanese…"

"All these 'nese' are confusing!" She took the plastic bag and again slammed the door behind her. Kurama chuckled.

I wonder if she has any transport…

Half an hour had gone and finally she came back. Perspiration dripped from her face and she was breathing heavily. She placed a white bag on the table.

"I searched the whole of China town... walking…" She stopped to catch her breath. "So there's your Japanese stuff…" She fell on his bed, breathing heavily.

"Curse you Japanese restaurants…" She mumbled under her breath.

Kurama chuckled. "Thank you Lillian… I appreciate it." He then started eating the rice ball that was neatly wrapped. As he ate he had a flashback of a very special occasion…

After the defeat of Sensui, they had a grand meal at the dojo where Genkai lived. Kurama had persuaded Hiei to come…

"Why should I fox?" Hiei said angrily.

"Because everyone going to celebrate!" Kurama had said.

"That doesn't have to include me…"

"Of course it does… And you're coming…" Kurama said casually packing up some rice balls.

"How can you be so sure?" Said Hiei glaring at the red head. "I could just slip away right now so as you may never find me…"

"And if that happens…" Kurama returned the glare. "I will chase you to the end of the earth and bring you to the dojo…" He smiled. " So why don't we do it the easy way. You will accompany to the party with your own will."

"Not with my own will… You're forcing me to…" Hiei said annoyingly.

"Well you will look like you have your own will won't you?" Kurama gave him a sly smile.

"You arrogant son of a…"

"I'd rather call myself challenging don't you think?" Kurama finished packing his rice balls.

Hiei sighed. "I give up…"

"Good."

When they had arrived only Genkai, Yukina and Yusuke were there.

"Hey man!" Yusuke grinned. "You're late!"

"Actually were early Yusuke the party doesn't start till six." Kurama placed the packed rice balls on the table next to the instant noodle cups that Yusuke had brought.

"Really? My watch says 8…" Yusuke stared glumly at his worn out watch.

"Yusuke…That watch is ancient of course it's going to malfunction…"

"It works just fine thank you very much…" Yusuke grunted. He was very fond of his watch.

Kurama just smiled and then looked at Hiei and Yukina.

They were having a polite conversation, exchanging news about this and that. Although they looked similar no one would have guessed that they were siblings.

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden shout from outside.

"Yukina!!!!!!!!!!!"

The door slid open and there was the rest of the group was there. They all came in, bustling and jostling. Kurama watched them in silence as they placed their share of the food on the table. He then offered to help them set the table. Everything was set and everyone started arguing on who should open the first packet. No one noticed the fire demon slip away. All except Kurama…

"Would you excuse me for a moment?"

"Oh okay foxy boy!"

He then exited the dojo to see Hiei standing outside looking at the stars.

"Why don't you join us Hiei?" He asked softly.

"It's too noisy…" Hiei said still staring at the dazzling wonders of light in the sky.

"It's Yukina… Isn't it?" Kurama asked sadly.

"Hn."

Hiei loved Yukina. But he did not want to tell her who he was. For fear of rejection and disgust. He was afraid Yukina would not accept him. Kurama knew all this but he wished he didn't.

At that moment Kurama wanted to hold Hiei. To protect him with his life and to heal his wounds but he held back. He walked over to his friend and placed his hand on Hiei's shoulder.

"Come Hiei… It's getting cold."

"I don't care… It doesn't affect me…" Hiei looked down.

"Well I care and it does affect me…" Kurama smiled.

"Hn."

When they were back. The food was prepared and so were the drinks. They were all seated except Yukina who was smiling sweetly.

"Where were you? Come eat!" She tugged gently on Hiei's hand.

Kurama could see Hiei stiffen at the small gesture. He nodded and they both were escorted to their seats. They all ate and drank tons of food. Yusuke and Kuwabara were exchanging remarks (which caused a fight) and Kurama was happily chatting with Yukina and Botan. The night went by quickly and soon it was time to bid farewell to their fellow comrades. Hiei was the first one out the door. Kurama followed him.

"Wait Hiei!" Kurama had caught up with the demon.

"Hn. What now fox?" Hiei said in annoyance.

"Thank you…"

Silence engulfed the two as they walked towards Kurama's house.

"For what?" Hiei broke the silence.

Kurama smiled. "For being there… I appreciate it…"

"Hn."

As the house drew nearer Hiei again broke the silence.

"Kurama."

"Yes?"

"Never ever take me to parties again…" Hiei glared at him. "Ever…"

Kurama groaned. His heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. He looked at his bed. Lillian was still panting but she heard him groan. She sat up and stared at him.

"You okay?"

"Yes…" He assured her. "I'm fine…" He looked at the remaining rice ball in its packet. He gave it to her.

"Really?" She said happily.

He nodded.

"Thanks!" She gobbled it up. "Well I'll see ya tomorrow!" She stood up and smiled at him.

"Goodbye…" He watched her exit the door.

He got up and locked the door so as not to be disturbed. He then took a shower and changed into his nightclothes. He laid on his bed, tired. He felt so cold although he had not turned the AC on. His heart ached badly and he was very restless. He couldn't sleep although he wanted too. All he could think about was Hiei…

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Lily: End of chapter...