CHAPTER 37: Lull
"That's not possible! You have to be cheating; I never lose at this game!"
"I have no reason to cheat,' Hiei scoffed. "This is a simple child's game."
The sliding door opened on their conversation, Yusuke walking in and stopping when he caught sight of them. "Hold on…Hiei playing cards?" He looked at Fay. "How did you manage that?"
"It has nothing to do with you, detective." Hiei stood up dropping the cards and moving away.
"No, Hiei! We have to play again! I can't let you walk away with my champion title!" she called out reaching across the table.
"Ha! Why don't you try again when you've actually learned how to play."
'Why I oughta…' Fay gnashed her teeth, glaring at his back.
"I'll play with ye if yah want." Jin said walking over to sit across the table from her.
"Yeah, sure but aren't you tired?" she pointed at his clothes. "And what happened to you, I thought you were training, not playing with swords in a fort made out of mud." Fay looked over at the others. Their clothes were all rumpled, not to mention dirty and torn.
"That is what our type of training does." Rinku walked over to join her and Jin. "It wouldn't be training if we came back with our clothes all in order."
Fay wrinkled her nose. "Does that mean you have to smell like onions…in hot water?" Not that she actually knew what that smelled like.
"It's not like it's my fault," Suzuka grumbled. "If Jin had actually aimed his attack, I wouldn't have ended up in that water."
"I aimed just fine; ye're the one standing in the wrong place," Jin shot back.
"I was not! I specifically remember stating that…"
'Sorry I asked.' Fay thought wryly when the two began arguing.
"Enough with the blue, you two. What I'm needing now is a good-"
"Bath," Shishi interrupted Chu. "I still have leaves in my hair." He looked over at Yusuke. "You do have a place here to take care of that, right?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll show you guys." He turned to Fay. "So, who's cooking this time?"
"I think Botan and Keiko. I would do it myself, but I had a little accident." She motioned to her leg.
"First day of training and you get hurt. You really are accident prone," Yusuke said.
Fay threw the cards still in her hand at him, not that it did any good. "At least I don't look like the wrong version of Cinderella."
Yusuke's eye twitched and he leaned in closer across the table. "What did you say?"
Fay smirked. "You heard me, or do you,' she paused for effect. "Want me to make a play on your name Yusu-" He clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Maybe I should remind you of some stories I know," he taunted.
Fay reached over and pinched his cheeks, stretching them. "Wu douln dare!" she mumbled beneath his palm.
"Does does this happen a lot?" Suzuka asked.
Kuwabara shrugged. "Just when they feel like it. You'll get used to it."
"Shouldn't you be showing the others where they can get cleaned up, Yusuke?"
The two simultaneously released each other, looking over at the door where Kurama and Kuronue stood. "Well she started it!" he pointed an accusing finger down at Fay.
"That's a lie and you know it!" Fay turned to Jin. "Yusuke started it right Jin?"
Jin faltered, looking from Yusuke to Fay. "Emm…right…Yusuke's been starting it." He finally said.
"Jin, you traitor!" Yusuke shouted.
"Sorry, Yusuke, a boy's gotta have priorities!" Jin called back as he took off down the corridor, Yusuke behind him.
"What priorities are those supposed to be!" They heard Yusuke shout.
Fay was about to make a face at Yusuke's departing back when she remembered Kurama was there. "I think you guys should follow him." She told the group of boys instead.
"Hopefully they don't run out some back door," Shishi grumbled.
"We'll see you later, Fay." Rinku ran after the first two, the others following him.
Touya paused by her. "Glad to see you're looking better."
She nodded, waving as he walked away.
"How did you twist your ankle?" Fay turned to Kuronue who approached her and knelt on her right.
"I tried a trick better left for skating," she explained. "No biggie."
"You should be more careful, then." Kuronue didn't look convinced with her explanation, especially when he didn't really know what 'skating' was, but Kurama stepped closer, his eyes narrowing in warning. "You should join the others, Kuronue. I will be there soon."
The two stared at each other in silence for a few seconds, Fay wondering if they'd gotten into an argument, but then Kuronue smiled and stood.
"Take care." He headed down the corridor, leaving Fay wondering what that had been about.
"Aren't you getting along with Kuronue?" she asked Kurama.
His green gaze warmed, a smile curling his lips as he sat next to her. "On the contrary, we could almost be best friends. With the exception of Youko, of course."
"Oh,' she smiled. "That's good to know. I was worrying for a second there."
"You should be on your feet soon,' he said checking her ankle gently. "Provided you do nothing strenuous."
"I won't." she assured him, trying to keep her blush down.
"Good, then I will see you in a little while." He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
Fay reminded herself not to scuttle backward or do something stupid, like squeal. "Kay." She mumbled as he stood.
He turned to the opened door. "Hiei, I'll leave you to look after her until my return."
"Hn!" Came the reply from the shadows of night that had fallen outside. "Like I have a choice."
Kurama simply smiled and headed down the corridor. Fay watched until he was out of sight then turned to the shadow she thought was Hiei. "Okay, I demand a rematch!"
Before he could answer, more voices drifted from outside, soon followed by the girls.
"Someone, help!" Juri whined tears in her eyes as she dragged herself inside. Koto followed, looking worn out. "How can anyone survive more than one day of that type of training," she complained. "I think I hurt my back."
"Don't be so dramatic, Genkai went easy on both of you," Botan chided.
"You didn't have to go through it," Koto grumbled.
"I need a long soak." Juri managed to get to her tired feet and stumbled for the corridor. "And then I think I'll do like Fay and sleep for a week or two."
"It's not like I chose to do that." Fay yelled after Juri.
"We know, sweetie," Botan assured her. "She's just being overdramatic."
"Speaking of which,' Shizuru put out her cigarette before stepping inside. "We better get dinner ready or those boys will revolt."
"You're right,' Keiko walked over to Fay, handing her Puu. "Do you mind looking after him while we take care of dinner?"
Fay shook her head, cuddling Puu. "Nope, I'll be happy to look after Puu."
"Thanks." Keiko headed for the kitchen, while Juri poked her head back into the room. "Uh, where do I go for a good soak?"
"Yukina, show them to the hot spring. I have a few things to look into." Genkai said heading in the opposite direction.
"Of course," Yukina joined Juri, waiting until Koto, who'd half fallen asleep on the ground, woke up enough to follow them.
Botan and Shizuru went to help Keiko, promising to call her as soon as dinner was ready.
'Note to self; try not to end up hurt again.' Fay really disliked not being able to move, when most of her life that's what she'd been doing, moving really fast.
Her shoulders slumped when that thought led her right back to Dante.
"I hope you're going to do something about that." Hiei's voice reached her and she looked back outside.
"About what?" she asked.
"That foolish soft spot you seem to still have for that fool we'll have to kill sooner or later."
Fay winced at his chosen words. "I…" she squeezed Puu but when he squealed slackened her grip. "Sorry Puu." She cuddled him closer her gaze lowered. "I know what may very well happen but…" she turned back to Hiei, her gaze shimmering. "Is it so bad for me to hope he'll go back to being the Dante I knew?"
"Yes." he said cuttingly. "If you make one of us hesitate again, you may very well cause our death. I can assure you that Dante won't hesitate. So start thinking of him as enemy, because apparently, you haven't yet."
Fay looked away, giving a weak nod. "I'll try."
"Do more than try."
"Puu." She looked down as Puu reached up and patted her cheek.
"Thanks Puu, I'll be fine."
"This is nice,' Juri sat herself down in the hot spring water. "I've never been to a hot spring before."
Koto splashed into the water, causing it to splatter over Juri's face.
"Can you not do that!" she wiped the hot water from her face while trying to glare at Koto who'd come up for air.
"Don't tell me you don't like it, I mean you're a water demon after all."
"Of course I like it; I just know how to enjoy it better than some other people."
Koto rolled her eyes. 'Whatever.'
She started swimming around, enjoying the heat that warmed her body. 'It feels great after all that training Genkai put us through.' She had to figure out a way to avoid that training again. 'Anymore and I won't be able to move for weeks.'
"Kuwabara get your butt of my face!"
"It's not my fault, Urameshi! Chu keeps trying to drown me!"
"Would you guys stop splashing around!" They heard Rinku shout. "I'm the one who's going to end up drowning if you keep it up!"
Both girls looked to the high wooden fence between them and the boy's side. "They can't peek in here…can they?" Juri asked warily.
"No." Genkai said as she joined them. "If they try they'll get a nasty surprise."
"That's good to know." Koto said, curious as to what the surprise would be. Maybe she should try to provoke them.
"I don't suggest you try it either." Genkai warned Koto when she took a few steps in the wall's direction. "Or you'll get the same surprise."
'Damn!' Koto stopped, submerging herself deeper in water instead. 'Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait for another fight to break out.'
When the boys finally made it to dinner, the table had already been set and food served.
"Which one's mine? I'm starving." Rinku hurried to the table, looking from one plate to another.
"Whichever you choose,' Botan informed him. "Just do it quickly before they're all taken." Rinku quickly chose, sitting himself on the cushion.
There were several of the low tables placed together by the girls, since one wasn't long enough for everyone to eat on.
It didn't take long for the boys to start in on their food and almost everyone else soon followed, until Botan noticed that Fay kept looking from her chopsticks to the food.
"Don't you like the food, Fay?" That Botan remembered, Fay had never complained about it before.
"Yeah, something wrong, Fay?" Yusuke asked in between bites.
"Umm…no, but…could I use a fork instead?" Until now she'd been using forks, so there had been no problem, and she'd prefer to keep it that way.
"You don't know how to use chopsticks?" Keiko asked. "It's not that hard, here I'll show you."
Fay shook her head. "It's not going to do much good. I've tried this several times before. It never works and I err…end up causing stuff to fall." In a way.
"Oh come on it can't be that bad," Botan encouraged.
Fay sighted. She hated to bring this up. "Look, the last time I tried using chopsticks, I caused what students in my school now refer to as the food fight of 0'8."
That got everyone's attention, as she hoped it wouldn't.
"The what of what, now?" Yusuke asked setting his chopsticks down.
"Please don't make me repeat myself," She mumbled. It was bad enough Kurama was here to hear about it.
"How does you using chopsticks cause a food fight?" Rinku asked curiously.
"Yes, I am curious as well." Kurama's tone was inquiring.
Feeling flushed, Fay explained. "It's not like I didn't warn my friends, but they said it'd be okay this time since I was older. Obviously they forgot I'm banned from ever returning to four Chinese restaurants and two Japanese ones,' she mumbled the last though it was clear enough for the others to hear. "Anyway one day they ended up serving some kind of Japanese noodles, and Nina and Samantha decided it'd be great to try to eat them with chopsticks and…well one thing led to another, and the noodles I was trying to eat ended up on another kid's face, he spilled his food, someone else tripped over it, her food ended up on someone's face…" Fay shrugged. "And all hell broke loose. Then, after the teachers finally managed to stop it, half the students, those who knew anyway, ended up ratting me out!" she groused.
Chu burst into laughter. "Atta girl, Fay!"
"I don't know about anyone else, but I don't feel like having food in my hair just after I cleaned up." Suzuka said seconds before Yusuke burst out laughing. "So, have you gone anywhere that didn't turn into a disaster area?"
Fay turned to glare at him, ignoring that Jin and Kuwabara had decided to join in. "I am not Isis!" she was contemplating splattering food on his face when Shizuru took the chopsticks from her hand and replaced them with a fork. "Here, I don't think Genkai would like to have her place turned into a cafeteria."
"It already is one with all of you in it, but I'd rather not have the walls decorated with food." Genkai said before taking a bite of her food.
"Thanks." Fay mumbled elbowing Yusuke when he tried to stifle his laughter and didn't quite manage. She wasn't going to look in Kurama's direction; she could hear him chuckling anyway.
After dinner the rest of the girls headed for the hot springs while the boys cleaned up the after dinner mess.
"You've really never been to a hot spring before?" Botan asked Fay, who was enjoying swimming around.
"No, but I've been to an indoor heated pool," she answered. "There was this one time we were going to go to one, but my grandma burst into the room and said it was time we get going. Then she pulled out a rope from her backpack, swung it down the window, and told us this way it would be more fun."
All but Yukina sweat dropped.
"Was it?" Yukina asked.
"I doubt it would have been fun under normal circumstances, but add my grandma's shouting to hurry up while someone was trying to break down the blockaded door…and no, not really."
"What…does your grandmother do?" Keiko asked after some hesitation.
"I think we're safer off not knowing." Shizuru put in before Fay could respond.
"It's not like I could tell you anyway. When I first asked she said she traveled for her job, the next time she said she was a photographer, and the next one, I think she ran out of ideas, so she told me she painted houses, then after some thought changed it to portraits."
"I…see." Botan's smile was strained.
They stayed in a little longer, then Keiko, Botan, Yukina, and Shizuru got out. "Don't stay in much longer, Fay." Botan warned her.
"Don't worry; I'll be out in a few minutes." Whether Botan said anything else, Fay didn't hear since she submerged herself in water. 'My ankle's feeling a lot better now, which means I'll be fine by tomorrow.' She had to remember to thank Yukina again. In any other circumstances, she'd be off her feet for a week.
"Fay, it's time to come out now, dear. Kurama's asking for you." Botan slid the door open and walked out, blinking in puzzlement when she didn't see Fay. 'Did she get out already? I didn't see her.' She was about to turn away when she saw the long strands of hazel hair on the water. Her eyes widened in panic. 'Don't tell me,' Botan splashed into the water. "Don't you have any sense of self preservation? You're going to end up running out of lives!" Botan finally managed to grab a hold of Fay by the arms and hauled her up into her own. "If anybody can hear me, I could use some help! Oh and bring Yukina or Genkai!"
When Kurama ran in, Botan spared a thought of thanks that Fay still had the towel draped around her body.
"What happened?" he asked taking Fay from her as she reached the steps leading up. "I think she stayed in a little too long. I did warn her. Oh, is she breathing?"
Kurama leaned closer to Fay, the worry in his face relaxing the slightest when he made out her chest rising and falling and the air coming from her nose. "Yes, she is."
"Is someone attacking? I didn't sense anything." Rinku came to a sudden halt at the scene, causing Jin to stumble over him, while Kuronue just barely managed to jump over the two and land on his feet.
Kurama looked from them to Fay and turned his body to block their view. "A towel, Botan. And all of you,' he glanced over his shoulder at them. "Go get Yukina."
"I'll just stay here." Rinku said getting to his feet with a glare for Jin.
"No way pal, ye're coming with me." Jin hauled the struggling Rinku back with him, stopping only to give a narrowed eye look at Kuronue. "Aren't ye coming with us?"
Kuronue met Kurama's gaze and while the two seemed to silently communicate, Botan ran to fetch a towel. Finally Kuronue turned away. "Apparently I am."
No sooner had they left, then Fay began to stir, her eyes opening and locking onto Kurama's. He smiled in relief. "You had me worried; it seems I'll have to keep a closer eye on you, Fay."
Feeling confused, Fay wondered why he was holding her, not that she minded, and why she felt like she had a fever. Unfortunately for her, she soon remembered and realized she still had that clingy towel on. She gave an embarrassed shriek, the first of her life, and tried to back pedal away. Her sudden movement caused Kurama to lose his balance and the startled duo ended up plunging back into the hot spring.
"I brought several towels and..." Botan's words dwindled off. "Did…I miss anything?"
"I think they fell in." Yukina pointed out.
'Yeah but how, I doubt Kurama's that clumsy.' Which meant that Fay had somehow managed that little bit.
"I'm sorry!" Fay apologized to Kurama, submerging herself in an effort to hide her blush.
Hopefully, since she already had the coloring of a tomato, it wouldn't be too obvious. "That wasn't supposed to happen,' she quickly explained, trying to keep the panic from her voice. "And I wasn't supposed to faint in some stupid puddle of hot water." He probably thought she was total klutz by now! "I swear I've never fainted in my life before! And I've never been this clumsy! And…and…" she trailed off when Kurama's suppressed laughter spilled out.
Fay stared, but the laughter was contagious and she soon found herself laughing along, though why she wasn't exactly sure.
When he finally managed to control his laughter, Kurama waded through the water to her. "You're laughing. I'm relieved, this means you're well." He placed a hand on her forehead, which of course made her temperature rise.
"We should get out; I wouldn't want you catching a cold." When she only sunk deeper into the water he tilted his head in question. "Is something wrong, Fay?"
She gave a nod.
"Uh…if you two are finished, I think it'd be best for you to wait outside while we get Fay out of there, Kurama. We brought some warm clothes along as well," Botan said.
Kurama turned back to Fay, a blush lightly tainting his cheeks. "Yes, of course. In the meantime, I'll go change as well."
He climbed out of the hot spring, sliding the door closed behind him.
"Ready to come out of there now, Fay?" Botan asked, holding out a towel.
Fay nodded, finally climbing out of the hot spring and discarding the wet towel for the dry one.
"Stop with that smile, Botan!" Fay burst out when Botan kept giving her that look.
"What do you mean? I can't be happy for two friends, which I may add, I just happen to have helped enter into a happy romantic relationship?" she finished in a self satisfied, dreamy tone.
Fay took another towel and draped it over her head. She was still feeling slightly dizzy from the heat, but nothing like before, if the embarrassment didn't finish her off of course. It was that word Botan used…romantic.
While Fay did know she loved Kurama, it had never occurred to her to even think about it in that light. But now that it had been shoved in her face…Botan was right, she was in one of those re…re…situations.
The type she'd always gagged at when they were mentioned or her sisters or friends entered into them, and she had to put up with all that huggy-kissy stuff. Fay had always wished they'd go stuff it down someone else's throat cause the whole thing was just way to mushy and complicated for her.
Fay was selfish enough to know that she wouldn't put up with any guy's annoying habits just because one of them had used the L word. To her way of thinking, a re…one of those situations was kinda like stepping into quicksand of your volition; It was stupid, hard to move in, and you were lucky if you got out.
Her legs felt weak, so Fay dropped to her knees, the towel still over her head. "I…really am in one, aren't I?" her words came out half realization, half panic. 'There are so many people who would love to know about this.' It was a good thing all of them were in a different world.
"Hold on!" Botan snatched the towel from her head, making Fay look up at her. "Don't tell me you're developing commitment issues,' she pointed her forefinger down at Fay. "Because I worked too hard on this project…err…I mean, on your happiness for you to get cold feet now!"
"I'm sure that's not it Botan." Yukina said her tone calm.
"That's right." Fay snatched the towel back from Botan and stood. "Just because I don't like the label doesn't mean I'm going to give up Kurama, no way!" she draped the towel over her hair and dried it.
"Well that's good to know. Come on, let's get inside." Botan walked over to the door, sliding it open to check that the door on the other side was closed before motioning to Yukina and Fay to follow.
"Here are your clothes, Fay." Yukina held them out. Fay closed the door behind her and took the bundle, thanking Yukina.
"You should thank me you know," Botan said smugly. "I managed to find you a pair of pant pajamas, and really cute ones."
Fay unfolded the pants and sweat dropped. "Did you have to find one that's so…girly?"
The pajamas where white with pink duckies on them. It was enough to make her want to gag.
"Well I think they're cute. If we ever get the chance, introduce me to your aunt. I'd just love to see what other types of clothes she makes."
"I'll do that." Fay replied wryly. She was pretty sure her aunt would love Botan. She finished putting on her clothes and the three girls left, heading for their room.
"I hope you don't mind having to share a room with Botan and me. The boys took up most of the other rooms." Yukina said.
"No, I don't mind. " Fay responded struggling to weave the rose back into her hair. 'How did Kurama manage this so quickly?'
"Here I'll do that." Botan took the rose from her and wove it back in, surprised when it took hold quickly. 'Must be one of Kurama's tricks.' She'd noticed that the rose hadn't wilted at all either.
Botan had just stepped back to Fay's side when they saw Yusuke coming towards them.
"Hey, Fay. I heard you almost drowned in the hot spring."
"I did not!" Fay denied heatedly. "I just got a little dizzy."
"Right," Yusuke drawled handing over the paper in his hand. "Here."
"What's this supposed to be?" She asked.
"Well, I decided we did really need to take out that insurance on you,' he pointed at several spots on the paper. "All you have to do is sign here, here and here."
Fay's eye twitched and her body tensed in annoyance as she read it. "Get that toothy grin of your face, Yusuke! I'd never do something stupid like admit you're the coolest ever!"
He laughed stepping back. "So you'll only admit it to yourself in private?"
"No way you conceited jerk!" she tore the paper to pieces and threw it at him, but he was already backing down the corridor.
"Come back here, Yusuke! I'll make you pay for that!" Fay shouted taking off after him. "I am not a disaster waiting to happen every time I open my eyes!"
He laughed back at her. "I know some people who would say otherwise!"
"Get back here! I swear when I catch you I'll do what Kuwabara's failed at doing so far! Make you cry to your mommy!"
"Hey!" A door burst open and Kuwabara stomped out, glaring at Fay as she ran past. "Come up with your own catch phrase, that one's mine! And I'll have you know I've been taking it easy on Urameshi!"
"Ha!" Both Yusuke and Fay shouted back at him, irking Kuwabara into running after them.
"Denial's a river in Egypt, Kuwabara!" Fay called back, causing Yusuke to burst out laughing.
"That goes for you too, Fay!"
"What is that supposed to mean? Hey, get back here you!" Both Kuwabara shouted at the same time Yusuke spoke.
"No way," Fay decided to answer Yusuke. "I definitely know a way to make you cry! So stop and face it like a man!"
"Oh, and risk you accidentally tripping over me and bringing down the roof too?"
"What's going on here?" Jin opened his door in time to see three whizzing figures run by.
"No time to explain, but this time I'm definitely making Urameshi eat dirt!" Kuwabara called over his shoulder.
"Eat dirt?" Jin tilted his head in puzzlement. "Hold it! If ye're talking 'bout beating Yusuke, it's me that'll be doing that!" Without wasting time Jin took off down the corridor after the trio.
Two more doors slid open at his words. "No way, mate! That honor's reserved for me!" Chu shouted.
"Only if you catch him first!" Rinku said running past Chu.
"Come back here you drongo!" Chu took off down the corridor after the others.
The next door that opened revealed an irritated Suzuka. "Will all of you stop it with that noise? I'm trying to get my beauty sleep!"
Fay was about to run past him when she suddenly jumped back, much like a startled cat. "Mom, what are you doing here?"
She hit the opposite wall just as Kuwabara passed by, tears of laughter streaming down his face. "Nice mask, Suzuka, what is it made of, cake mix?"
Suzuka bristled. "It takes a lot of work to keep up such a beautiful face, you know!" he shouted affronted. "And you!" he turned to Fay who was snorting with laughter despite the hands over her mouth.
"What was that stupid joke supposed to mean?"
Fay shook her head and took off after Kuwabara. "Go read Cosmo Girl; I'm sure you'll love the article about this winter's best make up tricks!"
"Get back here! Are you trying to insinuate something?" he shouted running after her.
"Only that you'll love the spring catalog, darling," She drawled.
Behind him Suzuka could hear Jin, Chu, and Rinku laughing.
"Wait until I get my hands on you!" he threatened, fist in the air.
Another door slid open, revealing an irritated Shishi. "Why exactly is everyone stomping around like that?" No one stopped long enough to answer him.
"Well, this looks like fun." Shizuru said dryly. She and Keiko had walked out to see what was going on, while Koto and Juri looked on from their doorway. "What does a girl have to do around here to get some sleep?" Koto asked annoyed.
"Yeah, bad guys could show up at any minute you know. I'd like to have at least slept a little before then," Juri put in.
"It's not like it's my fault, it's those guys who're chasing me!" Yusuke said as he passed.
"Puu!" Puu jumped out of Keiko's arms and flew after Yusuke, making happy sounds.
Another door slowly opened, this one two doors down and across from Juri and Koto.
Black hair unbound, hat missing, and black shirt almost entirely unbuttoned, Kuronue leaned against the door frame and peered out. "Not that I mind the sound of raucous laughter, but is this going to go on any longer?"
"Oh, wow." Juri sighted, taking in the bat demon's dishevel look.
'Put him in a fight and I'm all eyes.' Koto thought dreamily.
'He's got a bright future as a model, if he ever decides to become one.' Shizuru thought covertly glancing at Kuronue.
"Cover up will you!" Yusuke stopped long enough to shove Kuronue back into his room and slam the door. "Or at least put on a sweater if you're gonna come out! The rest of us would prefer not being blinded!" He'd also noticed Keiko peering at Kuronue. About the only girl not ogling in one way or another was Fay, but she wasn't too hard to figure out.
"I've got you, Urameshi!" Kuwabara launched himself at Yusuke, who dodged and headed down the corridor. "In your dreams, Kuwabara."
"Coming through, Kuwabara." Fay really did try jumping over him, but she miscalculated and ended up stepping on his head on her way. "Oops, sorry!" she apologized.
"I'm not a stupid stepping stone you know-"
"Then get out of the way!" Suzuka said, stomping over Kuwabara.
"Aye, that'd be best." Jin was the only one who managed to jump over him, the others behind him simply followed Suzuka's example.
"That's it! I'm gonna get you all for this!" Kuwabara shouted jumping to his feet and heading after them.
"Enough with the ruckus, all of you!"
Yusuke tried to stop as Genkai stepped in front of him, didn't quite manage it and stumbled, hitting the floor when Genkai stepped to the side.
Unable to stop her momentum, Fay would have met the same fate, if a door hadn't suddenly opened and she'd been snatched out of the way, so instead Suzuka slammed into Yusuke as he was getting to his feet, Jin plowed into them closely followed by Chu, Rinku, and finally Kuwabara.
"Get your asses of me!" Yusuke shouted, struggling to move out from underneath. "And Suzuka, stop that stuff on your face from dripping on me!"
This was met with laughter, at least from those not tangled on the ground.
"None of you understand the concept of beauty!" Suzuka snapped sounding put out.
"No, I just don't understand the concept of sissiness!" Yusuke retorted, finally managing to free himself.
"Could yah bludgers wait till I'm outta here to argue!" Chu practically threw off Rinku and Kuwabara to get himself up.
"Right, well I'd be wanting to get up, so could you stop using me as the floor then, Chu?" Jin complained.
"And me while you're at it!" Suzuka grumbled, half his mask on the floor.
"Oh, sorry mates." Chu stepped off them, the two scrambling to get up and away from the other quickly.
Yusuke and Kuwabara turned to glare at Fay who was safely in Kurama's arms. "That's cheating; you were supposed to be in that pile up too!"
"Ha!" Fay replied smugly. "It serves you right for handing me those dopey 'life insurance' papers."
Kurama coughed suspiciously. "Like insurance?" he asked.
Kuwabara burst out laughing. "You really did that? You should have told me Urameshi, I would have loved to see it."
Having been watching from a safe distance, Touya finally approached them. "It does sound like a good idea…considering."
"How could you, Touya!" Fay turned large eyes on him. "It's not my fault gravity likes seeing me fall!" At least Touya had the decency to turn away and try to hide his laughter, not that it did him much good but everyone else, especially Kuwabara and Yusuke, didn't really bother.
"If all of you are done acting like fools, maybe we could get some quiet around here." Standing furthest from the group, Hiei glared. "I'm surprised all your noise didn't attract the factions' attention." Although his tone was irritated, there was a smirk on his lips. "Of course,' he turned to leave. "We could always show them Suzuka, it might scare them away."
"Go, Hiei!" Fay cheered.
Suzuka glared after him. "You're all philistines!" he turned a glare on everyone else then stomped to his room, snapping the door shut.
"Enough fun, boys and girls. Get to sleep before the sun rises," Genkai ordered.
"Fine, fine, we're going." Yusuke set his arms behind his head and headed for his room. "See you guys in the morning, provided no one comes calling."
"Let's hope not." Kuwabara muttered heading for his own room.
"I'll be seeing ye, tomorrow Fay. Don't ye go chasing Yusuke without me." Jin said with a grin.
"I'll keep it in mind." She said.
'Now that that's over.' Shizuru headed back to her room, Keiko following after once she'd gathered Puu into her arms. "Night."
Everyone else began dispersing, heading back to their rooms, and although Fay expected Kurama to set her down, instead he walked towards her room. "I can walk, Kurama. My ankle's fine now."
"Yes, I did notice." He answered.
They passed by Kuronue who leaned against his door way much like before.
"Night Kuronue." Fay said. "Yusuke's right you know, you should cover up, we don't want you getting a cold."
He sweat dropped while Kurama turned away, biting his lip.
"I'll keep that in mind." Kuronue replied wryly. "Night." He stepped into the darkness of his room, sliding the door closed silently.
"Do you think it's hard for him to be out in daylight?" Fay asked Kurama. "I mean, isn't he a bat demon?"
"Only lower class bat demons have that restriction," Kurama explained. "Kuronue is of a higher class, so whether its day or night matters little to him, though I do believe he prefers the night."
"Oh…well that's good to know." Fay murmured. "Hold on…classes?"
Kurama shook his head. "It would take too long to explain at the moment. Once we have more time, perhaps."
The door to her room was open though Botan and Yukina were suspiciously absent.
Kurama set her down on the tatami bed. "As Yusuke said, provided nothing happens tonight, I'll see you in the morning." He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, to her surprise, and stood. "Good night, Fay."
"Night." She sighted dreamily, shook her head and tried sounding normal. "Night, Kurama."
Once he left Botan and Yukina entered, Botan with a self satisfied smile on her face. "You're welcome by the way."
Fay decided silence was the best answer; as it were Botan had probably been spying on them…again.
The other two girls readied themselves for bed and after saying their good nights, Botan turned off the light. Soon the girls were asleep, and silence fell over the temple.
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"They're all gone!"
"I have nothing to do with it anymore!"
"No one has seen a girl of her description."
"...the one with delusions of dancing whales."