Yukina sighed as she brought the receiver to her ear.

It had been a week since she had called him and the strange voice answered. She had been too busy with preparing for homecoming week and cheerleading to call him back, and now she was making her second attempt.

"Hello?" Sakyo's distinct voice answered causing her to light up a bit.

"Hey Sakyo, this is Yukina, I…" she began before being cut off.

"Yukina, I need to my house." Sakyo said abruptly.

His statement caught her off guard. "Uhh…sure, I'm supposed to be meeting some friends in a minute, but I can come over tonig…" again he cut her off.

"No! You have to come now, before it gets too dark." He spoke looking at the clock on the wall, it was four in the afternoon, and the sun would be setting by seven.

"Umm…okay. Is everything alright?" she asked unsure.

"Just hurry, and watch the road for familiar cars. Be safe." He said before hanging up.

Yukina looked at the display screen on her cell phone that now read "Call ended: 4:14pm"

She shrugged and stood to grab her keys. Kuwabara was at work and Shizuru had been gone with her boyfriend since Yukina had come home from practice. She slid her phone up and began to send texts to Keiko and Botan, letting them know she couldn't make it to their lunch.

Botan, 01/13/2008, 04:24pm: Aww… Alright, I guess we'll meet up with another time. Keiko just cancelled to.

Keiko, 01/13/2008, 04:25pm: Okay. I've got to help out at the restaurant anyway.

Yukina replied to both girls explaining that she would definitely meet up with them another time for girl talk before walking out of the door.

Botan shrugged as she read the text from her friend. Yukina rarely blew of a chance to hang out with her friends, so whatever she had to do must have been important. Keiko too had texted her explaining that the shop was really busy and she was going to stay around and help out.

Nonetheless, she was meeting with Yusuke at their usual spot to have best friend talk. Not that the subject matter would be anything new. The Maya situation was growing into a popular subject of many of Botan's conversations. That, and the fact the Kurama spent less and less time around her. At school he would sit next to her and cuddle her, but the first period text messages became more and more brief as the first week of school ended and the second began.

Why was he suddenly becoming so distant? For Botan, the answer was simple: Maya was back in the picture. 'Get it together Botan,' she thought to herself. 'It's you he wants' she gave on last nod before walking out of the house and heading towards the restaurant.

The whole ride there was nerve racking. She passed the Minamino flower shop, and spotted bother Kurama and Maya's cars parked outside. It was Tuesday, so they were closing the shop together once Shiori left a seven. She shook of the thoughts that coursed through her mind and continued in route to the burger shop that the gang always hung out at.

"You seem troubled Furuga, What's eating you?" Yusuke spoke, breaking Botan out of her trance.

Botan shrugged and continued to look out of the window. She was too embarrassed to confide in Yusuke her insecurities. She had revealed her troubles to Yukina and Keiko, but Yusuke's close relationship with Kurama made her weary of letting him in one her secret.

"You're lying Botan, c'mon." he pleaded. "I'm your best friend."

Botan sighed. He was right; he was her best friend. The only guy she trusted fully was Yusuke. "It's Kurama."

Yusuke raised a brow. "Trouble in paradise?"

Botan shrugged.

"What about him?" he asked.

"You know his ex-girlfriend is back around now." Botan began. Yusuke exhaled and chuckled while shaking his head. "See, this is why I didn't want to tell you Yusuke, I knew you'd think I was overreacting!"

"No." he interjected, "I understand why you might feel threatened, but at the end of the day…you're Botan." He said simply.

Botan smirked, "Okay? And…"

"And…Everyone know that Botan is one of the sexiest, coolest, funniest girl in Tokyo!" he gushed, Botan blushed and was just about to scold him for his flattery when he spoke again, "And everyone knows that Kurama fucking love you to death, and not even Maya can come between that."

"But she's just got such a heads up on me!" Botan exclaimed.

"How is that?" he said sitting back folding his arms.

"She knows everything about him! She's always sharing stories with Shiori about the days when they were dating and it's like…" she paused searching for the words. "What if he decides he wants that old thing back? What if he decides he wants to be with her again?" she finished quietly.

Yusuke sighed, "Aww Botan…You know that's not going to happen."

"But I don't know that!" she snapped, "I mean he doesn't even like hanging out with me anymore!"

"Huh?" Yusuke asked surprised.

"He declines all my invites." She explained shortly.

Yusuke shrugged, "Want me to ask him about it?"

"No way. Then he'll really be turned off. I'll be a tattle-tell." She replied solemnly.

"Well I suggest you two talk it over."

Botan nodded, "Yeah…"

Yukina put her car in park and exited the car, making her way up the walkway to the Valdez home. Sakyo had seemed worried when he invited her to come, so now she too was wearily of the visit.

"Daaaaaaaaaddddddddddy!" she heard Mika's squeaky voice yell through the glass screen door. "Yoo-Keen-ah is here!" she added before rushing to the door and opening it for Yukina. "Hi Yukina, Come on in! My daddy's in the den."

Yukina just smiled and nodded as the girl rambled on about her days events. She followed Mika through the house and into the den where Sakyo sat watching the news.

"Hi Sakyo." Yukina greeted taking a seat across from him.

"Hey, how was the trip over?" he asked turning the volume down on the TV and looking over at her.

"What's going on Sakyo?" she asked instead.

He sighed and looked over at his daughter. "Mika, go upstairs and help your mother feed the baby."

"But daddy. She's burr-est feeding. I can't help." She replied still sitting next to her daddy.

Both Yukina and Sakyo chuckled. "Well go up and see if she needs anything sweetie." He instructed. Mika nodded and obediently went to help her mother.

Sakyo looked back at Yukina and sighed, "It's Tarukane."

The name of her uncle made Yukina sick to her stomach. "Wh-what about him?"

"He's searching for you again."

"Well I thought we established that when his goons attacked me." Yukina replied slightly relieved, yet confused.

Sakyo nodded, "He knows I've been in contact with you,"

"How does he know that!" Yukina gasped. "Oh god no! Sakyo I'm sorry! Your family is in jeopardy! This is all my fault!" she was on the verge of tears when he butted him.

"Hey…calm down it's okay." Sakyo assured her, "Gonzo isn't that crazy. He knows not to lay a finger on Momo or the girls. Momo know too much about him, and I know too many of his flunkies that would quickly turn on him. It's you I'm worried about."

"What about me?" she asked.

"He knows that if you're talking to me, then you're still in town. You mean to tell me he hasn't been to your school yet?"

Yukina shook her head. "No, things have been pretty normal." The thought of him finding her at school never crossed her mind. She figure that with Kuwabara always around she was safe. "What about my boyfriend and his sister? What of he finds their apartment? What if he hurts one of them?

Sakyo sighed, "It's a price they'll have to be willing to pay if they want you to stay there. I'll willingly offer you my home." He said motioning to the walls around them.

But Yukina shook her head, "Kazuma wouldn't go for it. Plus I couldn't imagine not being in that house."

"Then you'll have to play low-key." He informed her.

Yukina sighed, "He answered you phone right?" she asked suddenly. "When I called you that day, it was him."

Sakyo bowed his head, "I rarely leave my phone alone around him. But that day…"

"Did he say anything to?"

Sakyo nodded, "He wants me to turn you in. Of course I declined the money he offered, so he got his small timers to come for you. They're ruthless and greedy; they'll do anything for the 150 grand."

Yukina didn't respond and the two sat in silence until Momo entered the room cradling a happy Miyoko, Mika trailed shortly behind them.

"Hello Yukina." she greeted pleasantly. "How have things been?"

Yukina nodded. "Things are okay. Just enjoying the rest of my senior year."

Momo nodded. "Yeah, well this time five years ago, I was pregnant my senior year. So enjoy." she joked.

"I see Miyoko is getting big," Yukina commented, motioning to the chubby baby in Momo's arms. "How old is she now?"

"Almost three months. She's just a chubby girl." Momo replied pinching Miyoko's cheeks.

"Yukina I think you'd better be heading home now. I'd hate for you to be caught out here in the dark." Sakyo commented.

Yukina sighed and nodded, "You're right." She stood and hugged Mika and Momo, and planted a kiss on the baby's forehead, before following Sakyo outside.

"I know this throws a wrench in everything. But it'll pass." he said simply. Yukina remained silent. "Just go home and fill your boyfriend and his sister on everything."

Yukina simply nodded before getting into her car. She put the car and reverse and headed home.

"Here you go honey," Shiori said handing Kurama a case of peonies. "Those are the last ones." Kurama nodded and began unloading the cases. Shiori eyed him as she worked.

She had become fully aware if the tension between Botan and Maya. The two girls seemed to constantly be in competition for her son's affection.

"Kurama." she began. "I wanted to talk to you about Maya."

Kurama cocked a brow and looked back at his mother. "What about her?"

"She seems to still have feelings for you. And Botan doesn't seem to take that very well."

"How is she supposed to take it?" he asked her.

"I love Botan and Maya both. But Botan's insecurities seem to be taking a toll on you." she stated. "Unless there really is something going on between you and Maya that I don't know about…"

Kurama sighed, "No mother. I love her too much to do something like that. Botan I mean. Maya is the problem here. She takes my kindness and displays it to Botan in a negative way. But she's still my friend and I can't just not have anything to do with her."

Shiori nodded. "I just wonder if it was a bad idea for me to hire Maya."

"It'll work out. They just both have to understand that there will never be anything between Maya and I." he replied.

Shiori sighed and nodded. She knew her son wasn't the type to tamper with hearts, she just hoped things would in deed work out in the end. "It's Friday. Maya will be here in about an hour to close the shop with you."

Kurama nodded but didn't respond.

"Maybe I should change the schedule so that…"

"No mother. The schedule is fine. Those to are just going to have to learn to deal with each other." he cut her off.

Shiori sighed.

"I'm so glad you're both available today!" Keiko gushed. "We haven't been able to just hang in forever." She, Botan, and Yukina were all at a local dress shop looking for Keiko's homecoming gown.

"I'm sorry I had to cancel last time. Some stuff came up with Sakyo and…"

"If I didn't know any better I'd say Sakyo was your new male friend." Botan winked playfully."

Yukina gasped, "Oh no! He's just helping me with all of this unfortunate stuff that keeps happening! I swear!"

Botan and Keiko both busted into laughter. "I was just joking girl!"

Yukina blushed. "Oh…"

"Yeah, but what's new?" Keiko asked while examining a black dress. "Is this nice?"

Botan shook her head, "It's cute, but don't wear black."

Keiko nodded and put the dress back.

"Tarukane's looking for me." Yukina spoke, responding to Keiko's question. "He knows I've been in contact with Sakyo, and now I'm sure he knows were to find me."

"Like exact location?" Botan asked, fear in her eyes.

"Not exactly, but I'm sure he knows I'm still in the same area." Yukina replied.

"Have you talked to Kuwabara about this?" Keiko asked choosing another dress. This one was red and strapless.

Yukina nodded, "He insists I stay home and never leave out of the house again!"

"Oh no…I smell some argument brewing." Botan commented. "How did you manage to get out?"

Yukina shrugged, "He's been at work all day. So I just left. I'm tired of being in the house! He hasn't let me leave since I told him about Tarukane, over a week ago!" she huffed. Just then her cell phone sounded. "Oh great its him…" she said gloomily. "Hello? No I'm out with Bo…Huh? Kazuma I'm fine I just needed to get out of the house." she sighed as he continued to cut her off. She signaled to the other girls that she was going to step outside and finish her conversation.

"Kuwabara is smothering her!" Botan exclaimed as she watched her petite friend exit the store.

Keiko nodded, "What about this one?" she asked holding up the red dress.

Botan nodded, "Yes. That's the one! Its not too dress, but not too casual. I like!"

"I'll go try it on." Keiko said heading towards the dressing room.

"So Kurama is closing the shop tonight…with Maya." Botan announced gloomily to Keiko form outside of the fitting room door.

"Botan… It'll be fine. Kurama had absolutely no interest in that girl." Keiko replied.

"I know… It's her I'm worried about. She's got a lot up her sleeve." Botan mumbled.

"Okay, here it goes." Keiko announced as she emerged from the small dressing room. "What do you think?" she asked as she modeled the dress.

Botan smiled weakly. "It's really pretty. And I really mean that. I think you should buy it."

"Yeah that's the keeper." Yukina added walking up behind Botan.

"Okay." Keiko grinned stepping back into the dressing room.

"You Don't think he'd give into anything. You know? If she did try something with him…" Botan asked, more to Keiko.

Keiko giggled, "Seriously Botan? You're joking right?"

"What's going on?" Yukina asked confused.

"She thinks Kurama's going to cheat on her, because he's closing the flower shop with Maya tonight." Keiko explained.

Yukina gasped.

"No it's not that…it's just…" Botan attempted to correct Keiko's bluntness.

"C'mon Botan." Keiko said reemerging from the dressing room. "You know that's the problem. But I'll tell you what. We should stop by there and check up on things." Keiko winked walking towards the register. Botan grinned, 'I love that girl!'

"Well I can't go." Yukina stated as the girls exited the shop. "Kazuma wants me home."

"Oh no! Be sure to have plenty of make up sex after all of that arguing!" Botan advised grinning.

"I hope there is no argument…" Yukina replied.

"I'm sure it'll be fine." Keiko assured her. "C'mon, I'll drop you off and then we'll head over to the flower shop."

"Well there's Maya." Shiori announced as spotted the white Nissan pull in front of the store.

Kurama sighed, "Will you be alright walking? It's pretty cold out there…" he asked his mother.

"I'll be fine son. Just remember to scan out the rest of those roses." she replied walking towards the door as Maya enter. The two exchanged hellos, before Shiori made her way out of the door.

"So I'm all your's tonight." Maya stated playfully walking toward the red head.

Kurama chuckled, "Uhh…Yeah."

"So what should I do?" she asked, already knowing the answer. She never really did anything other than run register.

"You'll just cashier for the night, and I'll do all of the restocking. Were low on our peonies, so be sure to let the customers know that the selection isn't much." he explained.

"I'm sure they'll live without them." she replied smugly "They're not all that."

Kurama eyed her suspiciously. That couldn't have been a subliminal bash towards Botan? He knew Maya wasn't that flower savvy.

An hour had passed and the silence was killing Maya. She had major moves planned in her head, but no plan of action. She decided to be spontaneous, walking right over to him and standing behind him.

It took Kurama a second to notice she was behind him. He turned to find her inches away from his frame, a smile present on his face.

"Uhh…Can I help you Maya?" he stuttered attempting to step back, only to be rendered by the shelf behind him.

Maya didn't speak in response, but only ascended on her tip-toes, and met his lips wit hers. It accompany the kiss, she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, to tighten the kiss.

But Kurama wasn't having it at all. He grabbed her arms and tossed them from around his neck, before pushing her to the ground.

"What the hell Maya?" he growled.

Maya only smirked, "C'mon Kurama, I know you've missed me. And I've missed you."

"I did miss you." he replied sighing, "But in the same way I've missed you in the same way I've missed Kuronue. You guys were my friends."

"Don't remember what I told you!" she screeched. "The last time I saw you back then. I told you I loved you. And I still do Kurama."

Kurama sighed. "But I love Botan."

Maya exhaled slowly. "Kurama she hasn't shared what we've shared."

"Maya, you haven't shared what Botan and I have shared. I'm sorry." he replied.

"Ha! Maybe I haven't, but I know quite a few guys from Hibiya who have!" she shot back venomously.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" he replied calmly, knowing that Maya was only throwing false dirt on Botan's name.

"I remained silent, only because I thought you were just using her like all of the other guys at my school were. But now I see that you really do have feeling for her, and I'm telling you she's not right!" Maya expressed passionately.

"Look Maya I know that's not true so cut the crap." He replied annoyed.

"It is true. Ask her! If she really loves you then she'll tell you!" Maya shot back, finally standing from her position on the floor. "Kurama, where was she when Shiori was sick and I was there with you, by your side!"

"And I appreciate that. I thank you dearly. But as my friend you should understand that I'm in love with Botan." He stressed. She was about to defend herself, but he cut her off.

"Maya, just go back to the register and let me finish my job. And we'll both just act like that incident never happened." he sighed turning his back on her.

Maya stood there for another second, just watching him ignore her. She was heartbroken, but still not ready to give up on him.

"See you later Yukina!" Botan called from the front seat of Keiko's car.

"Yeah, thanks for coming." Keiko added.

Yukina smiled and waved goodbye as the girls pulled off away from the apartment building. She made her way through the lobby and onto the elevator. She twiddle her fingers nervously as she reached her floor. She knew Kuwabara would be angry with her, and the two had had yet to have a real argument.

She stood in front of the door for a few seconds, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Kuwabara had been very stern on his wishes for her to stay home where, according to him, it was safe. And as much as Yukina feared her situation, she still needed to get out of the house and be with her friends! She turned the lock on the front door and stepped inside.

She looked over at the couch and found Kuwabara casually lounging across it talking on his cell phone. He glanced over at her, but then returned to his conversation, so she made way to the bedroom to put her shoes away.

When she returned Kuwabara was still chatting away at the person on the other end of the receiver. 'he's ignoring me!' she said to her said. She flopped down on the couch next to him, and waited for second. After he continued to pay her no mind, Yukina crawled over and cuddled on top of him. Her heart warmed when he casually placed his free arm across her back.

The moment was going pretty nice, until Yukina tuned into the call her made out a girl's voice. She caught a queasy feeling in her stomach. Kuwabara would never cheat on her, would he? Sure she went against what he told her, but still why would he go to those extremes!?

She remained silent until her ended his conversation and kissed her cheek. "Hey Babe," he said. "You know I'm mad at you right?"

"I can tell." she replied softly.

"Huh?" he asked confused, "I was joking Yukina."

"Well then who were you talking too?" she asked.

"Zuki."

Yukina's heart dropped. "You-your cousin's fiancé?"

"Uhh yeah?" he replied, then with a smirk her added, "Who did you think it was?"

Yukina didn't reply. She felt terrible. For a split second she was going to accuse her wonderful boyfriend of cheating on her.

She her him chuckle. "We'll act like this never happened," he added.

"How are things with Zuki and Kaziharu?" Yukina asked changing the subject.

"Sounds fine. Zuki was just calling to tell us to look out for our invitations. The wedding is in March." he replied. Yukina nodded and he spoke again. "Now back to you."

Yukina sighed and looked up at him. "Kazuma…."

"Nope. You didn't listen to me when I said don't leave." He cut her off. "I said that for a reason. I don't want anything happening to you Babe."

"But look at me." she expressed sitting up facing him. "I'm fine. Nothing happened to me. I hung out with my friends and had a great time."

"But, what if he finds you one day?" Kuwabara replied calmly.

"I can't just stay here, cooped up in this house, it'll just be a repeat of living with Tarukane!" she growled in frustration.

"Babe I'm supposed to be protecting you." he replied equally frustrated.

"But you're smothering me!" she shouted back.

Silence fell after her words came. Kuwabara just stared at her in disbelief, while Yukina looked away in shame. Sure, he had taken her in and cared for her, but still the truth was that he had began to be too overprotective of her, to the point where she did feel smothered.

"Kazuma I…" Yukina began before being cut off.

"Nope. If you feel as if I'm smothering you then that's how you feel. I just thought I was doing what was best for you."

Yukina didn't reply, but instead jumped up and walked out of the apartment.

Botan exhaled slowly as Keiko's civic halted in front of the Minamino flower shop.

"Botan, don't be so nervous. I'm sure there's nothing happening in there." Keiko assured her friend before exiting the car.

"Can you go in first." Botan asked softly.

"No. because if something is happening, you need to see it first." Keiko replied shaking her head.

Botan sighed and walked over to the door. She said silent prayer before walking in, causing the door chime to sound.

"Hello, welcome to the…" Maya began before cutting herself off at the sight of Botan. She simply rolled her eyes and went back to reading her magazine.

'So far so good.' Botan thought to herself as she notice Kurama was no where to be found. The door chimed again as Keiko entered.

"Where is Kurama?" Botan asked blandly, scanning the room. She smirked when Maya didn't respond. She was jealous.

"Hey Sweetie!" she heard from her boyfriends voice call from the back of the store.

She turned and smile at Maya, waving a few fingers to taught her, before walking towards his voice. Keiko followed smiling weakly at Maya.

"And what bring you two beautiful ladies all the way over here?" Kurama asked as they approached.

Keiko shrugged, "Headed home, and decided to stop by."

Kurama gave them a look, letting them know he didn't buy the story one bit."

"What?" Botan giggled, "I was just thinking about you, and asked Keiko if we could made a stop by."

"Hmm…" Kurama replied grabbing her and wrapping her in his embrace.

"So how is working with your little girlfriend?" Botan smiled at him. Her smile faded as he whole demeanor changed and his smile faded. "What happened?"

"Nothing" he lied.

"Kurama…" she warned stepping away from him. "What happened? Tell me."

"Nothing Botan." he said smiling. "I just remembered, that Maya hasn't started on that back stock, so we'll be here a little later than expected. I'll probably be walking into the game in the second quarter."

"Oh. Well you should still come." Botan replied, still slightly weary.

"I will. I'll just be extremely tired." he replied, "So did you find a dress?" he asked Keiko.

She nodded, "Yep!"

"That's good." he replied.

There was an awkward moment of silence before Botan decided they had spied enough.

"Well. I guess we'd better go and get ready for tonight." Botan stated, hinting to Keiko she was ready to leave.

"Uhh…yeah I need to go get dressed. Are you riding back to the game with me?" Keiko asked. Botan nodded. "Good. Well Yukina texted me she said she and Kuwabara got into minor disagreement so she's meeting us over my place."

"I wonder what they're arguing over?" Kurama pondered.

"Something about Kuwabara being too protective." Botan replied as they made their way to the front of the store. She looked over at Maya who was lazily flipping through a magazine. "Well, maybe you should have her do those back stocks so you can get out of here quicker." she suggested.

"Umm…I'll just do it. She doesn't know how." Kurama replied nonchalantly.

Botan looked at him suspiciously. "Oh."

"Well, I guess I'll see you tonight." he said bending down to kiss her lips. Botan complied.

"I'll come sit with you at half time." She promised.

"See you later Keiko." he said.

"Later Kurama." Keiko replied, replying to a text from Robbie.

Once the girls were back in Keiko's car pulling away from the curb Keiko turned to her friend and smile. "See, that wasn't bad. Everything seemed innocent to me."

Botan rolled her eyes. 'Whatever you say Keiko!' She thought to herself.

She wanted to give Kurama the benefit of the doubt. She knew he was a good man, but she still could shake the feeling that something was up.

Meanwhile, back at the shop Kurama was mentally kicking himself for lying to Botan. He knew the kiss wasn't his fault and he couldn't understand why he lied.

"I guess being put on the spotlight so suddenly just messed up my rationality." he thought to himself. Now he had to figure out how to go about telling Botan about that kiss.

'This should be interesting'

End Chapter

Long time no update. I know this is short but I've been really busy! And will be still. Hope I haven't lost any readers. Review! I will update!