Hours later, Shuichi had worked through most of his schoolwork. Hiei had not returned. Shuichi wasn't sure how he felt about the small argument. He wasn't exactly sorry for pushing Hiei but his roommate's defensiveness when it came to his sister surprised him. He felt that Yukina really deserved to know the truth about her brother.

The door suddenly banged open behind Shuichi and he jumped out of his chair. Kuwabara and Yusuke barged in.

"Good, you're here," Yusuke said, striding forward and grabbing his arm. "Come on." He pulled Shuichi towards the door.

"What? No. I have to finish my schoolwork," Shuichi protested.

"We think you've been holed up in here long enough, right, Kuwabara?" Yusuke said.

"Yeah," the orange haired boy agreed. "You're coming to practice with us." Kuwabara took hold of Shuichi's other arm as he attempted to break free of Yusuke's hold. Students stared wide-eyed at them as they passed.

"But my schoolwork!" Shuichi protested. His pleas fell on deaf ears as his friends marched him out of the building.

-0-

Shuichi found himself sitting on the gym bleachers with Keiko and Yukina. They were watching Kuwabara and Yusuke spar. Other than a couple of younger students shooting hoops on the other side of the gym, they were alone.

When Shuichi had sat down, Keiko had passed him a bento. He smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you," he said.

She waved away his gratitude. "It's no problem. Where is Hiei today, anyway? Isn't he supposed to be here?"

Shuichi stared down into the contents of the bento. "I don't know where he is," he said, his tone subdued.

Keiko's expression was worried as she asked, "Did the two of you have a fight? You always seemed to get along okay."

"You could say that," Shuichi said.

"You should talk to him," Yukina said. "I'm sure the two of you can sort it out."

Shuichi shrugged. "I guess," he said.

"Hey, there's Ms. Genkai," Keiko suddenly said, pointing towards the floor of the gym. The vice-principal stood, arms folded and observing Yusuke and Kuwabara. As if she'd heard Keiko, she turned to look back up at them. After glancing back once at the boys she turned and walked up the bleachers to where they sat.

"I hadn't expected Yusuke to be so enthusiastic about this tournament," she commented. "It's almost as if he's taking it personally."

"I think he is," Keiko agreed, "but I'm not sure why."

Shuichi knew why but there was no way he was telling them. He stuffed a rice ball into his mouth.

"Haven't seen you in class, Mr. Minamino," Genkai said to him. Shuichi almost choked on his mouthful of rice. "I hope you will be attending class on Monday."

Shuichi hastily swallowed. After several seconds he said, "Yes, I will." There really was nothing else he could say.

She studied his face critically. The bandage was still in place, hiding the 'K' shaped cut but Shuichi felt uncomfortable under her gaze, as if she could see straight through it.

"I'm quite surprised to hear rumours of you getting into a fight," Genkai told him. "It's not usually in your nature."

Shuichi winced. "I would rather not discuss it," he said.

Genkai frowned at him. "Monday, Mr. Minamino," she told him sternly.

"Yes, ma'am," he said. He somehow had the feeling that he'd just been scolded. A glance at Keiko and Yukina showed him that their expressions were sympathetic. It seemed they had picked up on it as well.

"Hiei's training with them, too?" Genkai muttered.

Shuichi's head shot around to see that Hiei had joined Yusuke and Kuwabara.

"I have the feeling that something is going on here," the grey-haired woman said.

"Me, too," Keiko muttered under her breath.

-0-

After their practice session ended, Shuichi hoped he could go back to his room but he was cornered by Yusuke and Kuwabara. Yusuke had a firm grip on Hiei's arm and the spiky-haired boy's expression was murderous.

"What's going on, you two?" Yusuke demanded. "You were all buddy-buddy before and now you both look miserable."

"I'm not miserable," Hiei snapped, trying to pull his arm free from Yusuke.

"Whatever the hell you two are fighting about, you'd better get over it," Yusuke told them. "Neither of you need this shit right now."

Hiei's face dropped and so did Shuichi's. Still, neither of them said anything.

Yusuke sighed. "Do I have to lock both of you in a closet somewhere?" he asked. "Because I swear, I will."

Shuichi's mouth twitched upward. Hiei looked horrified at the thought.

Shuichi knew that Yusuke was right. Hiei had been a huge help to him over the last few days and he had repaid him by prying into his private business.

"I'm sorry," he said. He held out his hand to Hiei in a gesture of goodwill.

After a moment, Hiei said, "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that." He grasped Shuichi's hand.

With a relieved sigh, Yusuke released Hiei's arm. "Now that you lovebirds have made up, care to share with the rest of us what that fight was all about?"

Hiei's expression turned panicked.

"No," Shuichi said firmly. Hiei's shoulders sagged in relief. He'd obviously thought that Shuichi would spill the beans about Yukina being his sister, but Shuichi knew that it wasn't his place.

"Leave them alone, Urameshi," Kuwabara protested. "They've made up so that's all that really matters."

"Whatever," Yusuke said. "I was just curious."

"Can I go now?" Shuichi requested. "I still have some homework to catch up on."

"Fine," Yusuke said. "But you're coming to dinner, right?"

Shuichi paused, mind racing to find an excuse.

"I'll drag him there," Hiei told them before Shuichi was able to respond.

"Good man." Yusuke clapped him on the shoulder. "Nice to know we have an accomplice."

Shuichi glared at them. "I hate all of you," he said flatly.

"We know," Yusuke told him, grinning broadly.