Last time on The Letter

Hiei argues with Kuwabara. Kanoli argues with Gina. Yusuke argues with Hiei. Both Kurama and Kuwabara pay a visit to the park where Shizuru is resting. They have a conversation with Shizuru, or that little voice in their head, whichever way you interpreted it.

Both men were silent during the ride to the coffee shop in Kuwabara's car. Kuwabara rehearsed an apology and tried to organize a tactful way of expressing his concerns. Kurama rehearsed an explanation of the nature of Shizuru's and his relationship.

"Why here?" Kuwabara asked as they walked into the coffee shop. "This is pretty far out."

"Shizuru and I used to come here often. It was where we started our relationship."

Kuwabara's face fell. Kurama smiled to himself. Inside they picked a table in the corner. Kurama ordered a caramel mocha with extra cream and caramel syrup. Kuwabara ordered a green tea with honey and ginseng.

"Geez Kurama," Kuwabara observed. "That's a lot of sugar and caffeine. Hiei would never let me have something like that so late."

Kurama chuckled. "Caffeine doesn't affect demons in the normal way."

"Yeah, Hiei can go through two pots before he wakes up. I grind a lot of beans. Speaking of which…" he motioned for a waitress. "Can I see a list of your fresh coffee beans?" Kurama raised an eyebrow.

"Hiei likes fresh ground coffee," Kuwabara explained. "And freshly squeezed orange juice. He's really high maintenance sometimes."

"I am aware." Kurama was aware that Kuwabara was stalling and trying to lighten up the mood. "Shall I start?" Kurama offered.

"No Kurama, let me."

Kuwabara residence: Living room

"So where do you think they are?" Yusuke asked Hiei as he flipped through the channels.

"No idea," Hiei answered. "But I think it's safe to say that they are together. And give me that," Hiei snatched the remote and flipped through the menu.

"Hey!" Yusuke protested. "I'm a guest."

"No, you're not. I've seen way too much of you and the fox lately."

"Aww that's almost sweet, Hiei."

Hiei shot Yusuke a look.

"So what are you watching?" Yusuke asked him.

Hiei found his favorite show and pressed 'record'. "I'm recording it for later. I do not allow talking while my show is on."

Yusuke read the title. "Hey, isn't that a soap-"

"Shut up."

Yusuke snickered.

Upstairs

"So I guess you two know," Kanoli addressed her two cousins.

"Yes my dad told us," Kohai responded.

"My father told me too. I wonder why they told us? I just knew my father was going to say 'it's none of your business," Kanoli said.

"I guess they figure we were going to find out anyway," Kohai reasoned.

"Yeah, we would have figured it out," Kanoli confirmed.

"What's this I hear about you going to hit Gina?" Kohai said to Kanoli.

Kanoli narrowed her eyes. "I already apologized for that."

"Well, Gina is going to be my sister soon so you can't talk to her like that." Gina glowed with pride and scooted a little closer to Kohai.

Kanoli rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"Kanoli?" Gina addressed her cousin.

"Yeah, what?"

"What is 'mating'?"

Back at the coffee shop

"Look, Kurama I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said."

Kurama raised his eyebrow.

"OK, I didn't mean to say it like I did."

"Well how did you mean to say it?"

"I mean, I just don't understand. Why Urameshi? And why so soon?"

"Well let's deal with your second question first. Why is a timeline so important to you?"

Kuwabara shrugged and stirred his tea. "I don't know. It just seems like if you really loved Shizuru then you wouldn't be in such a hurry to be with someone else. I mean, she only been gone a year. And Keiko-"

Kurama held up his hand to stay Kurama's rambling. "Kuwabara, what do you think a suitable mourning period is?"

Kuwabara was silent. He hadn't even thought about that.

"I see you don't have that figured out. I propose that whether it is a year, ten years, or a hundred years you would still object to me seeing someone else."

Kuwabara knew it was true. "But I just don't understand. Why were you two together? You didn't love each other."

Even though Kurama's expression didn't change, his eyes grew a little chilly. "I have already told you that I did love Shizuru. Why do you continue to question me on that matter?"

"Because I saw the way you interacted. It was more like…" he paused.

"Friends," Kurama finished for him.

"Yeah. Not like…me and Hiei. Or Yusuke and Keiko were."

"No, it wasn't. Why does that bother you?"

"Because," Kuwabara answered. "I always thought Shizuru would…you know…fall in love and get married or something."

Kurama raised his eyebrow again. "Now Kuwabara, does that really sound like your sister? We discussed marriage and she didn't want to pursue it so I didn't push the issue."

"I guess not."

"Kuwabara, Shizuru and I were friends. We had a happy relationship and a beautiful daughter. We loved each other. No it wasn't the romantic love that you share with Hiei but it was love all the same. I assure that I did not take advantage of or use your sister and was very hurt at the accusation."

Kuwabara stared down at his tea. "Yeah. Sorry about that. Don't know what came over me."

"You were just protecting your sister's honor. Shizuru told me about an incident with someone she was seeing?"

Kuwabara flushed slightly. "She told you that?" Kuwabara remembered it well. It was right after the Genkai tournament. Shizuru was arguing with her boyfriend and he was trying to sleep. He asked them to be quiet but the guy told him to mind his own business and get his "ugly mug" out of his face. Kuwabara shrugged it off but Shizuru was livid. Kuwabara told her it didn't matter; just could they please keep it down? He had a headache. He went back in his room and drifted off to sleep. He woke up again and heard the guy call his sister a 'bitch'. With a speed he didn't know he had, he dashed into the kitchen and punched the guy in the face. Apparently he broke the guy's jaw, nose, and seriously messed up his eye. Not to mention the wall he almost put him through. All with one hit. Weak punk.

"She did. I understand the young man suffered several face fractures."

"Well, I had a temper back then."

"Indeed."

"Yeah well what about my second question. Why Urameshi?"

Kuwabara residence, living room

"I still don't get it," Yusuke was saying. "Why is Kuwabara so pissed about it?"

"Because he's never really been totally comfortable around Kurama," Hiei explained. "You and I are pretty much straightforward but you know the fox. You never know what he is thinking. It unsettles Kazuma when he can't read people."

Yusuke was genuinely shocked. "So all this time he didn't like Kurama?"

"No detective, I didn't say that. I said that he is uncomfortable around him to some degree."

"So he doesn't trust him."

"I wasn't saying that either, but that's closer than what you said the first time."

"So that's why he didn't want him dating Shizuru."

"Yes. Kazuma doesn't understand their relationship. He's way too idealistic; thinks love is a fairy tale with a happy ending."

Yusuke raised his eyebrow at the dragon. "What do you know about fairy tales?"

Hiei snorted. "Kazuma used to read those silly ningen stories to Kanoli."

"Just Kuwabara?"

"Shut up."

Meanwhile, upstairs

Kohai looked at Gina. "I thought your father said he was going to explain it to you."

"Oh, he always say that when he doesn't want to tell me something."

"Well," Kanoli began. "You know how our dads have powers right?"

"Yes," her audience responded. Kohai didn't know what mating was either.

"And you know how my father and your dads are demons?" They nodded. "Well when demons mate, they give some of their energy to someone," she explained. "Kind of like marriage, but you can't break up."

"Really?" Gina asked.

Kanoli nodded. "Yeah, and the person you mate with gets a mark on them. My dad had a dragon tattoo on his side. It looks just like the one father has on his arm."

"How do they do it?" Kohai asked.

Kanoli shrugged. "I don't know. I think they have to bite you or something."

"So like a vampire?" Gina asked.

"I guess."

"I wonder what happens if they try to break up," Kohai asked.

"Don't know that either."

Kohai was determined to find out.

"Wouldn't it be cool if our dads mated?" Gina said.

Kohai nodded. "Yeah." But something about his dad's expression when Gina mentioned it earlier made him wonder.

Coffee shop

"Because I care for him," Kurama replied. "Why does it concern you so much that Yusuke and I are seeing each other?"

"Because Urameshi's my friend…"

"Are we not friends as well?"

"Yeah, but two friends dating; it's kinda weird."

"Need I remind you that you, my friend and Hiei, also my friend, are mated?"

"I know that but it's still different. And don't pretend that you don't know what I mean, Kurama." Kuwabara wasn't in the mood for Kurama's Socratic nonsense.

"Kuwabara," Kurama said, sighing heavily. He had been about as tolerant as he was going to be with Kuwabara. He understood his concerns with Shizuru but no one was going to keep him from Yusuke. "I understand your concerns. But I can't help but think you are being a bit selfish."

Kuwabara stiffened in defense. He knew it was true, but he couldn't let it go.

"Doesn't Yusuke deserve a chance at happiness?"

"Yeah, but Keiko just-"

"Keiko passed seven months ago. And before she passed," he paused; he hadn't planned on mentioning this to Kuwabara. "She asked me to take care of Yusuke and to make him happy."

Kuwabara's eyes widened. "Really?" he asked, almost disbelievingly.

"Yes, Kuwabara. I assure you that I would not lie about something like that."

Kuwabara sighed. All of a sudden, he had grown weary of this conversation. No one was seeing it from his point of view, or at least they were pretending not to. Did his feelings even matter? Perhaps, but he thought back to what Hiei said earlier. It's not your business to determine a suitable mourning period and decide who Kurama should or should not see. He really was trying to control something that he had no control over: people's feelings. And his judgmental and selfish stance on the whole situation was starting to bother him. He knew that for the sake of everyone, Yusuke, Kurama, Hiei, the children, and himself that he would have to let it go. Everyone else supported the relationship so he didn't want to be the one obstacle to a happy family.

"Well let's just forget it, OK?" Kuwabara asked.

"Well we cannot forget, but we can move past this," Kurama replied. Kurama never forgot or forgave such a gross insult but since Kuwabara was family he was willing to let bygones be bygones. And perhaps Kurama was part of the problem. He knew his tendency towards aloofness at times didn't sit well with Kuwabara.

"Kuwabara?"

"Yeah?"

"Perhaps I should apologize as well. Perhaps I did not fully consider your feelings for Shizuru in the matter. And I am aware that the relationship between us has been strained as well. What can I do to make you more comfortable?"

Living room

"So are you going to mark him, detective?"

"Huh? I don't…I mean…we just got together."

"Hn."

"What does that mean?"

"It means whatever you want it to mean."

"Whatever."

"If you say so." Hiei turned the television up.

"I mean, mating is like…forever, you know?"

"I am aware, detective. I am also aware that you were prepared to mate with her."

"Well, I couldn't."

"I am aware of that as well. However those circumstances do not apply in this case."

"I know that. But don't we have a while? It's not like he's gonna…you know, expire or something."

"No, but in another twenty years or so he will shed that human form of his body and return to his other form permanently, if something is not done to prevent it."

"Really?" The thought of being with Kurama in his demon form unsettled Yusuke somewhat. Youko was just so…so…How could he describe it?

"Yes, detective."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Just thought you would want to know. And I know you don't like his Youko form."

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to. You can see it in your face every time he changes forms. And he knows it too."

"What?" Yusuke looked at Hiei, wide-eyed, as if he had been caught doing something he didn't want anyone to know about.

"Oh, come now detective. If I noticed then the fox most definitely has noticed."

"But he was Youko first…" Yusuke stammered, feeling a bit guilty.

"True, but he has adjusted. He probably doesn't like changing forms anyway. Anyway, Kazuma has never seen my true form and I never intend to show it to him."

"Yeah, he'd probably freak out."

"Shut up."

Upstairs

Gina turned to Kohai. "Can I ask you something?" Kanoli had retreated to the kitchen to find snacks for the trio.

"Sure Gina, what is it?"

"Did you mean what you said about me being your little sister?"

"Of course I did.

"Well I'm glad. I always wanted a brother."

"I always wanted a sister."

"Suit yourselves," Kanoli had returned with chips and soda. "I like being the only one. I'm the princess and I get all the attention."

"Sounds like something you would say," Kohai commented.

"You two will get tired of each other," Kanoli predicted. "Watch and see."

"No we won't," Gina insisted.

"If you say so."

Back at the coffee shop

"What do you mean?" Kuwabara asked Kurama.

"I mean that I'm aware that our relationship is strained, Kuwabara; and I am prepared to work towards improving it."

Kuwabara thought on this. Kurama's detached personality got to him at times, almost as if he didn't have emotions. But Kuwabara knew that he could be overly emotional and too sensitive so there would have to be a happy medium.

Kuwabara shrugged. "I don't know…just seems like sometimes you don't care, you know?"

"I will work on that. But I need you to understand that my thoughts are private and respect that if I do not wish to share them."

"Fair enough."

"Agreed."

Kuwabara checked his iPhone. "It's after midnight. And Hiei called three times. He's gonna kill me."

"I'm sure Yusuke is wondering where I am as well. And the children must be worried."

"Yeah, we'd better head out."

Back at La Casa de Kuwabara

Yusuke had just begun to doze when he heard his cell phone 'beep'. Hello Yusuke.

"Finally," Yusuke muttered. Hey fox, he texted. You OK?

I am fine, thank you. I have been with Kuwabara.

Yeah, we figured that.

We?

Yeah, I'm here with the dragon.

Oh, dear. How upset is he?

Very. Tell Kuwabara to be ready.

Yusuke yawned and stretched, giving Hiei a soft kick to awaken him.

Hiei jumped into an offensive stance. "Oh, it's just you."

"Yeah slow down, dragon boy. The fox and the blockhead are on their way."

"Hn."

The Arrival

When Kurama and Kuwabara arrived at the house; they found their partners waiting for them on the couch. Hiei was perched on the arm and Yusuke was sitting in the center; arms folded and legs spread wide.

"Oh, hello Hiei," Kuwabara started. "And Urameshi. What are you doing here?"

"Wondering whether you and the fox were going to tear each other apart."

Kurama chuckled. "We had a very serious, but calm conversation."

"Good, 'cause I though you two were going to duke it out here earlier," Yusuke commented.

"Yeah uh sorry about that," Kuwabara apologized. "I was being an asshole."

"Exactly," Hiei confirmed. "However," Hiei turned to Kurama. "You are not the only party responsible for this incident."

"I suppose you would be talking about me," Kurama said. "I apologize for my insensitivity."

"Good," Yusuke yawned and stretched. "Now let's go home fox. And you're driving. I've done enough driving for the month."

"I'm afraid not Yusuke," Kurama countered. "I will drive home tonight, but you will definitely be practicing your driving."

"Awww," Yusuke whined.

"What's that?" Hiei asked Kuwabara, eyeing the bag in his hand.

"Coffee beans," Kuwabara answered. "A new Kona blend that you might like."

Hiei took the bag and opened it to inhale the beans like a true coffee lover. "Perhaps." That was Hiei's version of expression his approval.

"Well," Yusuke said. "I suppose we could grab the kids and get out of here, though I hate to wake them. So we could come and get them tomorrow-"

"Oh now you don't," Hiei interjected. "You can leave in the morning and take all three of them with you." He definitely wasn't going to let Yusuke and Kurama get away with ruining Kazuma's day off with him.

"I suppose that's fair," Kurama conceded.

"Not so fast fox," Yusuke spoke up. "If we take them this weekend then you have to take 'em next weekend." Two could play this game.

Hiei narrowed his eyes at the detective. All three of them here at one time for the whole weekend? While he was contemplating his refusal, Kuwabara spoke up. "Sure."

Hiei looked at his mate. "What?"

"It's only fair Hiei," Kuwabara insisted.

"Hn."

"I knew you would see it my way," Yusuke joked.

"Whatever. Good night." Hiei shot Kuwabara a look before heading down the hall to bed.

Kuwabara turned to their guests. "Guest room is down the hall on the right," he said before following Hiei to their bedroom.

In the master bedroom

"You've been gone for almost fourteen hours," Hiei informed Kuwabara as they settled in bed.

"Sorry I made you worry."

Hiei didn't confirm or deny that statement. He simply said. "Have you and Kurama truly settled all of your differences?"

Kuwabara was surprised. "All?"

"Kazuma, this goes deeper than the detective or your sister."

"Yeah I know. We talked about that too."

"And?"

"Well he agreed to stop being so mysterious and I agreed to stop trying to figure him out."

Instead of answering, Hiei kissed his mate good night and settled in arms, relieved that this long day had come to an end.

Guest suite

"So fox," Yusuke said as he lay back on Kurama's chest. He had stripped down to his boxers and had tossed his clothes on the floor, which Kurama promptly got up and folded and placed them neatly on the chair beside the bed. "Are you and Kuwabara cool now?"

"Yes. We talked about many issues, not just the one that led to the disagreement today or yesterday rather," it was now after two in the morning.

"Good."

"What did you all do here?" Kurama asked, curious as to how Hiei and Yusuke had passed the time waiting for them.

"Just hung out. Hiei can be quite the talker."

"Oh? What did you talk about?"

"You know, like what Kuwabara's beef with you was about," Yusuke said casually. "And mating."

Kurama sat up abruptly. "What?"

"Uh, fox?" Yusuke ended up flat on his back as a result of Kurama sudden change of position.

"Sorry Yusuke. I was just…taken by surprise is all."

"It's OK."

"Good. Now exactly was this conversation about?" Kurama was curious as to what Yusuke actually thought about them mating. He knew that he had been prepared to mate with Keiko but circumstances were different.

"Well…uh…" Yusuke was suddenly growing uncomfortable with this conversation, wishing that he hadn't brought it up.

Kurama cocked his head to one side and waited expectantly.

"Ummm," Yusuke started. Damnit, me and my big mouth, he thought. How much should I tell him?

"Yusuke," Kurama began. "I promised not to keep anything from you. Can you not show me the same courtesy?"

"Yeah. Sorry fox. He just asked me if I had planned on marking you."

"I see. And you said?" Kurama was almost surprised that Hiei had brought this up. But then, Hiei had been instrumental in this relationship, whether he knew it or not.

"Well I told him that I hadn't really thought about it."

"And that's fine Yusuke. There's no rush. We have plenty of time for that. It's not like I'm going anywhere." Kurama wondered how much Hiei had told him.

"Yeah, me either fox. Sorry but you're stuck with me. But he did tell me something else I didn't know."

Ah, so Hiei did tell him. "And what was that?"

"He told me what was going to happen to your human form in twenty years."

This was a perfect opportunity to Kurama to confirm how he suspected Yusuke felt about his demon form. "What did he say?"

Yusuke squirmed. "Aw come on fox. You know what he said."

"I wasn't here Yusuke, remember?"

"Always the smartass. Anyway, he said that you would lose that form in twenty years. Is that true fox?"

"Actually it's closer to thirty but yes it is, Yusuke. This human body was only meant to be temporary."

"He said that you could keep it if I…you know…marked you before that happened."

"That is true. Would you like me to keep this form Yusuke?"

Yusuke was put on the spot. "Well, it is the form I first met you in and I…like it. But I know you were a Youko first so if you wanted…" he trailed off, not wanted to ask him to keep his true identity to himself.

Kurama touched Yusuke's arm. "Yusuke, its fine. We don't have to talk about this right now. I see you are uncomfortable. And it's late."

Yusuke eye Kurama sheepishly. "So you're not mad?"

"Of course not," Kurama reassured him, kissing him on the check. "We can talk about it at another time. Let's get some rest. We have a busy weekend ahead of us."

So what will this talk reveal about the future of their relationship? Is Yusuke ready for this talk? Find out as The Letter continues.

Notes: It's the return of the coffee/juice bit! If you don't know what I'm talking about, read The Cabin or The Shrink.

Hope Hiei wasn't too out of character. He does get you thinking though, doesn't he?

Medic Alert! I've been diagnosed with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome in my right wrist. What the hell does that mean? Basically that I have put additional stress on my right wrist/elbow from my typing position. But like I always say, writing is cheaper than a therapist so unless someone wants to get hurt at my job then I'll keep typing!

Review! It's part of my therapy!

P.S.: To all you college students on break: I expect great things from you this summer! Cough*Angelus1889*Cough*Cough*Twistedmind29*Cough