So 300,000 people walk into a bar.

It's extremely crowded in there and thus no room for a joke.

Bu dump ching!

Ok, so that was just about the lamest thing ever but I don't care because I've got a cold! *fake sneeze*

Oh, don't you just HATE it when you're sick and you can't even pronounce anything right? It's like "Hey bomb cad you ged be a druinke?" If someone body overheard you they'd think you were a terrorist ready to bomb the Hilton or something!

And then there's all that medicine you have to take and they have it wrapped up so tight, it's like a freakin' war just trying to get into it. ARGGH OPEN OPEN OPEN!! And you're pulling and yanking on the little itty piece of paper *struggling*URGH…DAMN YOU! It's like the company that makes the medicine WANTS you to stay sick! So that you'll keep trying to use their product!!!

Seriously folks, let's give it up for pharmacists!

Ok….I got carried away when I was supposed to be writing for this fic! Did you think it was funny? Didja? Didja?! Hehehe ^_^ And now for the real chapter! ~Jesscheaux

~*~*~*~*~Koenma's POV~*~*~*~*~*

I should've known not to trust Jesscheaux! But that cute pouty face always gets to me! I won't even speak of the terrible events leading up to this Skip Trip! And because I was so conveniently left out of it, THERE'S NO WAY I'M GOING TO LET THEM STAY ANY LONGER THAN THE WEEKEND!

Botan and I found their little ski resort and popped in at a most inopportune time! I got soaked to the bone from their little water fight. Well don't look at me to be a referee! That kind of thing is for my servants…Botan for example….

Ow…she heard that *rubs head* So I joined right in the fight, much to Ms. Jenny's dismay. She hates my guts….I'M SORRY OK! DIDN'T SAYING SORRY HELP ANY?! I guess not. *sigh* But hopefully, she'll tolerate me over time.

There's that evil Jesscheaux now!

"Come on guys, let's go change and get something to eat!" she exclaimed.

Hmm, it appears the group is heading to dinner. Well, I'm not going to miss out on that!

"Aye-aye Captain!" Yusuke answered with a salute.

My agent rolled her eyes, "Yusuke you dork."

"Where will we be eating?" Kurama asked politely as usual.

"The Lodge! Do you see any other place to eat?" Jesscheaux answered, erupting in laughter.

"Of course." Kurama stood and held out his hand to help up Yukina. There's something between them I just know it! "We'll meet you in the lobby soon."

"ALLLLLRIGHTY THEN!" Jesscheaux exclaimed like this American actor she's talked about, I think his name was Jim….then grabbed Kuwabara's hand, dragging him off.

I turned to Botan, "Come on, let's go find some SQUID!!!"

~*~*~*~*~*Jesscheaux's POV~*~*~*~*

Ah, a nice meal in a lodge that I DIDN'T have to cook! This is the life…Thanks Koenma ^_^ *peace sign*

But then, there's Jenny. She seemed happier earlier when we were all in the hottub, but now, her demeanor has fallen. And I don't expect her to get over it over night; it just hurts so much to see her in pain like that.

*sigh* I guess seeing all the couples really made her feel worse. Argh…if I didn't love my husband so much, I'd probably lay off the mushy stuff, but alas, a day without Kazuma is like a day without air. Without joy. Without life. Ok, stop me before I go overboard. Oops too late!

I looked over the table again, "Jenny, are you allright?"

She pushed her food around with her fork listlessly, "Hm? Oh yes…alright…." She stabbed a bite and put it into her mouth, obviously not enjoying it. Even eating becomes painful…

This trip was supposed to make her feel better!

Koenma burst in the room just then, having joined us earlier along with Botan. I was quite pleased to see my boss, but Jenny couldn't be more mad at his presence.

"SQUID AT LAST I HAVE FOUND THEE!" he had a piece of it on a fork and he was running like a mad man.

Botan swiftly followed, oar held in the 'w position', "Koenma…THAT WAS MY PIECE!"

Kuwabara made a face, "Yuck, how can you eat that!" seems I'm not the only appalled at eating those squishy things from the sea.

Koenma gasped loudly, clutching his free hand over his heart, "It's only a DELICASY!" he then proceeded to kneel on one knee, holding the squid on his fork up high, "Squid, squid, wherefore art thou, my lovely Squid? You are the east and the sun!"

Good God. Shakespeare?

"Excuse me if I don't live all high and mighty like you!" Kazuma retorted, folded his arms.

Botan was not to be outdone in the drama department however: "That was THE most pathetic attempt at Shakespeare I have EVER seen!" she cleared her throat and recited, whilst holding up a skull that came from hammer space, "To be, or not to be? That, is the question."

"Edgar Allen Poe is better." Jenny remarked between another bite.

"BOTAN YOU FREAK!" Urameshi erupted at his assistant, "PUT THAT AWAY! PEOPLE ARE GONNA THINK YOU'RE WEIRD OR SOMETHING!!!"

"As if the oar wasn't a dead giveaway…" Koenma trailed off with a roll of his eyes.

"She is the grim reaper." Kurama put in.

"JUST SHUT UP!" the blue-haired ferry girl screamed in her defense, "MR. I HAVE 'JR' TATTOOED ON MY FOREHEAD!"

The lodge became eerily quiet as the guests focused their attention on the little tiff that was happened. Oh man, do they ALWAYS have to do this in public? They're staaaarinnggg….

"Well, not like I had a choice!" Koenma yelled back with a hiss.

"You. Are. INSUFFERABLE!!!" Botan shrieked, whapping the Prince of Hell over the head a few times with her oar.

Oh yeah, they were REALLY staring now. Way to go guys….nice low profile -_-

"Koenma! Shut her up!" Kazuma demanded.

"PIPE DOWN!!!" I put my two cents in, getting sick of this and I'm pretty good at controlling Koenma if I do say so myself, *smirk* "Good God! You're just proving Yusuke's point!"

Yukina, Jenny, and Kurama sported large sweatdrops as the 'battle' raged on.

Koenma wrinkled his nose, "Welllllll at least I didn't have to YELL ABOUT IT! THANKS A LOT YUSUKE!"

Time to put more of my almighty power into action, "KOENMA!!! Do you want me to teach you a lesson? DO YA?!" that should scare him ~_^

But it wasn't me who scared everyone…*shudder* Hereeeee'ssss Jenny!

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH!!! ALL OF YOU SHUT IT!"

My eyes were the size of dinner plates, along with most of the people in the room. Yusuke looked positively petrified!


"*gulp* I didn't know she could yell like that…" he managed to get out.

Jenny took a deep breath and sat down.

Botan was the next to speak, "Ah well yes, mind if we join you all since we've already interrupted?" she looked to Kurama for an answer, seeing as he was the most sane one there.

"Not at all." The calm kitsune answered, "So long as you keep your voices down."

Meanwhile, Jenny was muttering about Yusuke's comment, "Of course I know how to yell like that, my main job was to break up fights, duh."

"Easy Jenny…" I made eye contact with her.

"I'm fine."

Koenma sat down next to me, of course I AM his favorite, much to Yusuke's dismay, and Botan sat down next to Yusuke, her favorite, hehe ^_^

Kazuma immediately put his arm around my shoulders, feeling that husband protectiveness. I guess I shouldn't have told him that I thought Koenma was a total hottie. I even put him on my bishie list SHHH!!!

"Hey, where's Hiei?" Yusuke asked. The tempermental fire demon hadn't been seen since he disappeared from the hottub, "I thought for sure he'd be demanding sweet snow from the waiters about now!"

Kurama's voice produced something that sounded like a sigh and a yawn at the same time, "Hiei was feeling rather silly after joining us. You know how he can get in social situations. I'm sure that is it just a case of embarrassment."

"Why is Hiei-san embarrassed?" Yukina the naïve…grr how I hate her… asked Kurama sweetly.

Kurama smiled down at her somewhat amusedly, "He's a very prideful person, Yukina-chan. I'm sure that he was just slightly uncomfortable expressing his less uptight side."

"You mean the shrimp was acting normal, Kurama!" Kuwabara put in, and thank goodness since Kurama would be blathering on and on if someone didn't stop him.

Kurama sweatdropped slightly, "I suppose you could say that."

Yukina just giggled, she thought Kurama was adorable. I don't blame her; the guy is a looker, but a bit feminine for my tastes. Besides, I'm married to the best man a girl could ask for…

~*~*~*~*

Kurama's POV

~*~*~*~*

Seeing as the conversation would end fairly soon, I decided it would be an opportune time to take my leave.

Standing, I turned to Yukina who was still sitting smiling at a comment Yusuke had said. I got her attention by offering her my arm, "Could I have the honor of accompanying you on a walk?"

Yukina turned and studied me for a moment. A nervousness flitted around in my stomach wondering how she would respond. I smiled inwardly at my actions, despite all of the hopeless battles I had been through; it was this Koorime that had me short of breath and my heart pounding.

She smiled at me, "I'd like that Kurama." She stood and took my arm.

I felt my lips curl into a smile and I turned to the group, "See you all in the morning."

Jesscheaux acquired the biggest grin possible on her face, "Aren't they the cutest couple!"

My face, I'm sure, gained a new shade of red as I turned and led Yukina out of the main lodge to the wooden walkway that led to the rooms.

The path was one of those scenic ones, overlooking a beautiful lake, frozen with ice. The quarter moon, despite its size illuminated the entire picture. The clear night sky was speckled with millions of glittering stars.

The whole thing was a beautiful sight.

I stole a glance at Yukina, who was also taking in the picture. I formed the words in my mind, what I wished to say to her.

"Yukina…"

She turned at the sound of her name, "Yes Kurama?"

"I...wanted to spend some time with you."

Yukina gave me a light smile, "You've spent the entire day with me."

I stopped walking and looked out over the lake once more before turning back to her, "I'm trying to get to know you a little better."

Yukina looked a bit puzzled, "I'm not sure I know what you mean…I'm not very familiar with human customs."

I gave a small nod and let my eyes close. Hiei's words from our conversation earlier flitted though my mind, "I'm aware of the Koorime's way of life…" I drifted off.

I didn't have a clue on how to continue the conversation. So I just left it at that.

Yukina looked up towards the sky, her eyes scanning and drinking in the sight, "You can really see the stars out here, away from the human city."

I watched her lean against the rail to get a better view. I knew she was Koorime and that ice and the cold wouldn't bother her, yet I took off my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.

I stepped closer to her and wrapped my arms around her. I peered up to the sky myself, "The stars...they remind me of you."

It might have been my imagination, but I felt Yukina lean in closer to my touch. She turned her head so she could look up at me, "Thank you…Kurama."

~*~*~*~*

A little bit later

~*~*~*~*

Nothing else eventful happened and I walked Yukina back to the room she shared with Jenny, "I'll see you tomorrow then."

She smiled at me and nodded as she pulled out the room key and slid it into the door. With a click it responded and the door was open.

"Goodnight then," I smiled warmly at her as I watched her start to disappear into her room.

"Goodnight," She made to close the door and I turned to leave, "Oh wait Kurama, your jacket."

I turned to look back at her, "You may keep it." I replied giving her a smile.

Yukina's face had a warm expression on it as she closed the door.

A warming sensation in my stomach made me smile and it took every ounce of self control I had to control my actions. I pulled out the key card to my shared room with Hiei and opened up the door.

I suppressed a loud yawn as I closed the door behind me. When the moment passed I glanced up to see the fire demon sitting on the windowsill, staring out into the dark world that night had claimed.

"Are you hungry, Hiei?" I asked knowing he had not eaten since the hot chocolate…if you could call that eating.

He glanced over at me, "I would like some sweet snow."

I smiled, only he would ask of it in a place like this, "I do believe they have room service."

I picked up the phone that rested between the two beds and ordered to bowls of chocolate ice cream. The person receiving call must have believed I was out of my mind, but complied just the same.

Hiei's face changed just a bit and it now looked a bit eager for the frozen treat. Though he tried to hide it.

I turned to him as I hung up the phone, "You must be starving, you haven't eaten since this morning, correct?"

Hiei gave a short nod and then moved on to another topic to hide the fact that he was starving, "What took you so long?"

Seeing as there was no point in lying to him, I told him what I really had been doing, "I was talking with your sister."

As expected, he gave me a stern brotherly look, "Hn? You didn't try anything, did you fox?"

"Of course not," Well, it was the truth.

Hiei seemed satisfied with my reply and a knock at the door took my attention.

It was the room service. I thanked them for the ice cream and I heard them laughing as I closed the door with my foot. Obviously ice cream wasn't very popular at the ski lodge.

I passed off one of the bowls to Hiei, it was heaping with chocolate ice cream. You could see the spoon stuck into one of the lumps, Hiei grabbed it and started eating ravenously.

I ate my own, but much more slowly. I risked a joke, "Careful Hiei, you might get a brainfreeze."

I chuckled a bit as he paused in his eating long enough to glare at me before hunger drew his attention back to the ice cream.

And so ended the day…

~*~*~*~*

Jenny's POV

~*~*~*~*

*The next morning*

I woke that morning again with the painful feeling of alienation in the strange dimension. I wondered how long I could last.

I stole a glance at the clock that rested on the table between beds, 7:30 am. I yawned, why was it that I loved to stay up late and then, depending on the day, get up extremely early?

Yukina was sleeping peacefully in the other bed; she had stayed out talking with Kurama. I know because I had heard the fox boy outside the room and Yukina graciously told me.

Before, I had never dreamed of coming here, to the Yu Yu Hakusho dimension. I never had the need for it…well there was that one party that Jessi threw 'cause we missed her wedding. I don't think that one should count, because no one remembered me from that anyway.

Working with characters and hearing them speak in the flesh is a pretty weird experience…in the good sense of course.

I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. There was no chance I'd be going back to sleep anytime soon, so I got up to get ready for one more day.

I went around doing my normal morning routine as quietly as possible, so as not to wake the ice apparition in the bed.

I tucked my coat under my arm, thinking about a morning walk or something…and I stole out the door without sound.

~*~*~*~*

I spotted the lake while I was crossing from the rooms to the lodge. It looked completely iced over and a sign that stood next to it brought a smirk to my face. A skating pond.

I loved skating when I was younger. I had taken to it after about half an hour after I first put on skates. It's just like rollerblading; you just have to find that center of balance.

I headed off towards a renting center. Forget the walk, I was going ice skating.

~*~*~*

Less than an hour later found me on the pond, swirling around in little intricate

patterns here and there. Mostly skating around in a circle.

Sadly my moment of quiet thought passed as the others came from breakfast with the same idea I had…

"I'm scared!" Jessi just stood at the very edge of the pond watching the ice as if it was going to bite her, "I don't wanna!!!!"

I slid past her rolling my eyes, "Wimp."

Yusuke seemed to be having a terrible time, he fell face first and went sliding in to the side of a snow bank.

Yukina and Keiko seemed to have no problem with the ice at all. Yukina was Koorime and Keiko…well she's Keiko! She can do anything once she's set her mind to it.

Kurama was in front of Jessi, trying to show her how to skate without falling…too much, "It's simple really."

Jessi just pointed at Yusuke again as he tripped once more, "See that!? Urameshi fell!"

Koenma…was floating over the ice and Botan just sat on her oar which floated some feet above the ice.

"Botan! Get down here! People are going to see you!" Koenma shouted.

Botan just rolled her eyes him, "Like they don't see YOU?"

He growled in reply, but both of them lowered to the ice.

Kuwabara nervously glanced over the ice from his place beside Jessi, "Are you sure it's not going to suddenly break?"

"I'm too scared, I know I'm gonna slip," Jessi stated firmly.

I skated over to the little group and twirled to a stop, "Slipping is parts of skating, it happens, get used to it."

She crossed her arms and glanced at me, "Aren't we nice."

Ah, she was commenting on my tone of voice. I admit, I could have said it in a nicer way…oh great, now I feel bad. I skated away from her, "Then if you are hopeless and won't stop slipping, learn how to fall nice."

"YAAAAHHHH!!!!" Yusuke went sliding by at that moment, as if to prove my point.

Jessi snickered at the detective's misfortune on the slippery pond.

Yusuke didn't look like he could stop and ended up slamming in to Koenma. I suppressed the urge to laugh.

Koenma waved his arms wildly around as he fought for balance. When he got it back, he wasn't too happy, "YUSUKE! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOOOOOIINNNNG!!!!"

I couldn't hold it in, I laughed out loud at them as I skated backwards.

Jessi got up her guts and stepped out onto the ice with shaky legs. After she was almost certain she was safe, she skated a bit away from the edge, "EEK!!"

Kurama had left her a while ago and was now skating around with Yukina, chatting again.

They turned to skate past Jessi and she got this mischievous look on her face. I knew all to well her hatred for Yukina, I didn't even want to think of what was going on through her mind at the time.

Well, whatever she had been planning, it was temporarily forgotten as Kuwabara suddenly skated into her, "YIPE!"

"Jessi!" The protective husband called out, "Are you ok!?"

Jessi looked stunned, "Ow, my head…. You're as bad as me, Kuwabara."

Kuwabara started to help her up, but only to be knocked down again as Yusuke fell on top of their pile, "YUSUKE!!"

"Urameshi!!!" Kuwabara knocked the stunned Yusuke off of him and helped Jessi back up again, "Sorry honey!"

"Thanks," Jessi, gaining her balance back, spotted Kurama and Yukina once more. The evil grin returned to her face as she 'accidentally' skated into the two and knocked them over, "SCORE!!! I mean, so sorry!"

Kurama was blushing terribly as he tried to get off of Yukina, but only slipped again in his haste.

Yusuke was up skating again, but started laughing at the situation and ended up slipping once again in to them, "I CAN'T FREAKIN' SKATE!!!!!"

As I skated over to help Kurama and Yukina up, I heard the reply to Yusuke's deduction.

"That much is obvious, detective."

I turned my head to see the fire demon standing on the shore, a pair of black skates held loosely in his hands.

Look who decided to join the party…

~*~*~*