What happened to Yukina, you ask? ::chuckles nervously:: Well, uh...you know how Kuwabara's so fickle and all...he just kinda...knew it wouldn't work out with Yukina, and Hiei being her brother and all...he just kinda...grew up. Yeah...there we go. The action, so to say, will commence sooner than later...perhaps...in this chapter?? Perhaps, I've said too much...or perhaps I'm just blowing hot air... Well, either way...on with the show!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho.

2

"Are you sure you're alright, Shuuichi?" Shiori asked him as he helped her clear the table.

"Yes, okaasan, I'm fine," he told her. "Really."

"You just seem so distant all of a sudden." Kurama looked at her.

"I'm a little tired," he said. "Perhaps that is why." Shiori nodded and headed towards the kitchen.

"Well, I know you've had an exhausting day. Why don't you call it a night? I'll take care of things out here."

"Are you sure?" he asked. "I wouldn't want to leave you to take care of this by yourself."

"I'll be fine," she said, waving a hand at him as she returned from the kitchen. "Now go on." Kurama kissed her goodnight and went towards his room. He opened the door slowly, still feeling cautious. He looked around, seeing that nothing was out of the ordinary. He sighed and went inside. He pulled off his sweater, and then sat down on the bed.

He pulled his bags across the comforter and walked over to a corner of the room to sit them down. He took some pajamas from the dresser he stood near and dropped them on the bed as he crossed the room to get to the bathroom. In there, he brushed his teeth, flossed and undressed. He went back into the room, slipping on his pajamas quickly and then climbing under the sheets to get warm.

He reached over to his nightstand and grabbed the novel that was sitting on top of it. He opened it up and began reading it, trying to pass the time and tire himself out. He wasn't really tired, and had the urge to go help his mother with the dishes, but she'd already dismissed him. He snuggled deeper into the bed and yawned, blinking a few times before focusing on the words again. The book was not all that interesting, but it would do.

After a half hour, he closed the book and slid it up on the table. He turned to the window and looked out, wondering what he would be doing if he were at home. They'd eaten a substantial amount of snacks; enough, he was sure, to hold him through the night. It was still snowing quite heavily, and he enjoyed watching snowflakes slowly falling outside his window.

He stood up and walked over to it, leaning when he reached it to peer out into the night. This close to the pane, he could see the large snowflakes clearly. The smaller ones seemed to create a large sheet of white against the darkness of the night. The window was slightly frosted over. Kurama reached up and wiped it with his hand, broadly at first, but then wrote his name on the pane. He chuckled, feeling childish and wiped the entire pane clear.

As he stood up straighter, he heard a noise directly outside of the window. He looked out, startled to see a face staring back at him. Whoever it was banged on the window. Kurama shot back, contemplating whether or not he should open it. Who in their right mind would do something like that?

"What are you staring at me for?" the voice on the other side asked. "Go get back in the bed." Kurama's first reaction was to smile and he reached to open the window.

"Hey, you," he said, his entire face brightening.

"What are you doing?" Hiei asked, looking confused. "Go to bed."

"If I wasn't tired before, I'm definitely not tired now. Come on inside, Hiei. Come in and get warm."

"Fire demons are always warm, fox," Hiei said, climbing inside. Kurama closed the window behind him.

"And here I thought you were a murderer or something," Kurama joked.

"I saw the fear in your eyes," Hiei teased back. "I'm lucky you locked it earlier. I saw Yusuke and Kuwabara and Keiko leaving when I came back." Kurama frowned.

"Wait a minute," he said. "If...the window was locked..."

"What?"

"The window was open when I came in here at one point. When I saw you out there, I was hoping it was you that had opened it."

"I saw you walking around in here, putting things in that thing right there." He pointed at dresser. "I tried to open the window, but it wouldn't, so I left."

"So who opened my window? That's been bothering me all night."

"Maybe it was Shiori," Hiei said with a shrug. "It's no big deal."

"You're right..." Kurama said, looking at his door. "So...what brought you over here?"

"Well, I'm not going stay in your apartment when you're not there," Hiei said. Kurama grinned.

"You missed me already?" he asked. "How nice of you to come all the way over here." Hiei looked at him blankly. "Did you leave the door unlocked again?"

"No," Hiei said quickly. "I didn't even go in. I knew you'd already left."

"And so you had to come keep me company," Kurama said.

"Whatever makes you feel good," Hiei said dismissively. Kurama laughed at him. "I'm hungry," Hiei said. "Does Shiori have tuna?"

"I don't know..." Kurama said. "I haven't looked through the pantries. But...we had cake. Want a slice?"

"Yeah," Hiei said, trying to hide his excitement. Kurama nodded and headed for the door.

"I'll be right back." Kurama left the room and went to the kitchen. Shiori was inside, sitting at the counter in her pajamas and a pink robe. She was reading the paper, and one of the first things Kurama noticed was that she was wearing glasses. "You're still up?" he asked. Shiori jumped, quickly taking off her glasses.

"Oh," she said shakily. "Shuuichi...you scared me half to death!" She sat her glasses down and sighed, pressing a hand up to her chest. "My!" She got of off the stool. "I guess I'm not used to having someone else here." Kurama smiled.

"Well, as long as I'm here, you have nothing to worry about," he said, going over to the counter. He took the cover off of the lazy susan in which the cake sat.

"Still hungry?" she asked. "I could make you a sandwich." Kurama smiled at her, shaking his head.

"You just go back to your reading..." he said, taking a slice and putting it on a paper towel. "I'll just be a minute in here."

"You really shouldn't eat sweets right before bed, Shuuichi," Shiori said.

"It's just so good, mother. Just one slice won't hurt." Shiori chuckled.

"Alright...you're a grown man now." She patted his hand. "I love you, Shuuichi," she said sadly.

"What's the matter, mother?" he asked, setting the cake on the counter and turning to her. She shook her head.

"Nothing," she said, giving him a hug. "I've just missed you..." He hugged her tightly.

"I missed you, too, mother." He let go and reached for the cake. "But I'm here for you, now. So don't let those feelings cloud your knowledge of that." He kissed her forehead. "Goodnight."

"'Night, Shuuichi." She smiled at him, watching him leave. Kurama went back into his room. Hiei was standing by the window.

"Here you go," Kurama said, going over to him with the piece of cake. "Mom made it, so you know it's delicious." Hiei looked at the cake hungrily.

"You make pretty good cake." Kurama looked surprised.

"Well, thank you."

"Yeah, sure," Hiei said, grabbing a handful of cake and stuffing his face with it. He made a satisfied noise and ate a little more before looking up at Kurama. "So you're not going to be going to the makai at all, are you?" he asked.

"Not while I'm here."

"How long?" Hiei asked.

"At least a week...but mother might convince me to stay longer. I can't say that my bank account will agree."

"What's the big deal?" Hiei asked. "Oh, yeah, that's right..." He shook his head. "You know, Kurama, if you'd just up and become Youko again, you wouldn't have to worry about things like these." Kurama looked down.

"Don't you ever say that again," he said bitterly. Hiei shrugged and continued to eat his cake. Kurama sat down on his bed and grabbed his book again, settling under his sheets.

"Uh...Kurama..." Hiei began.

"What?"

"You're still upset?"

"No." Kurama sat up. "What is it?"

"If I could go out there and toss this myself, I would...but you have to do it." Kurama sighed and got up, going over to Hiei and taking the balled up napkin. He paused and leaned forward, dabbing Hiei's face with the napkin.

"You're so messy, Hiei," he said. Hiei backed away from him. Kurama smirked and went into the kitchen. Shiori was still reading at the table, and looked up at him quickly.

"Breakfast is at seven, alright, Shuuichi," she said. Kurama paused.

"You sure we can't push it back a few hours," he suggested.

"You're really exhausted, aren't you?" she asked. "Alright, well, breakfast will be when you wake up, then. Unless it's noon, but...you don't sleep in that late do you?" Kurama chuckled and shook his head.

"No, I'll be up before then." He returned to his bedroom. Hiei was sitting in the corner underneath the wall shelves.

"So, can I stay here or what?" he asked.

"If you're not afraid of mother seeing you," Kurama said, going to his bed. "But I don't mind if you do."

"Hn." Hiei settled further in his corner.

"Would you like a blanket?"

"Is it just me, or do you keep forgetting what type of demon I am?" Kurama chuckled and laid down.

"You know...it's a shame you didn't come sooner. Kuwabara's married with children...his wife and kids are absolutely darling."

"What about our Detective?" Hiei asked. "He and Keiko go through those ridiculous ningen practices yet?"

"No, not yet. But I hope they do soon. I can't wait for a bunch of little Yusukes running around."

"I'm glad you're not doing stuff like that." Kurama laughed.

"Why?" he asked. "That's like the epitome of ningen happiness."

"Not you," Hiei said, closing his eyes. "Not you." Kurama stared at him a little longer before turning out the light. He pulled his sheets up and curled up, falling asleep moments later.

The next morning, after breakfast, Kurama set to washing the dishes. Shiori remained at the kitchen island, this time writing down all she needed to decorate the house and for the preparations of her Christmas dinner. She was scribbling on a piece of paper, occasionally scratching something out, or erasing.

"There," she said, turning to Kurama. "Now all I have to do is go to the store. But...I don't know how I'll manage to get out there. I looked out the window and it's got to be at least six inches high out there."

"I'd prefer for you to stay inside, okaasan," Kurama said. "I will take care of it."

"Oh, Shuuichi, that's very nice of you, but I just have to get out of this house. Winter is my favorite season, after all." Kurama turned the faucet off and dried his hands. He looked at her.

"If you insist," he said, throwing the paper towel away. "But, at least let me shovel the walk first."

Fifteen minutes later, Kurama was out in front of the house, shoveling the walk. Many neighbors had already done so and there were a few out at that time. Down the block, Kurama could hear the sound of a snow blower. He preferred the hard labor of manually shoveling, though he was not quite sure why.

He started at the edge of her property, where someone next door had ended, and began to shovel. He continued until he reached the front yard, stopping for a moment to catch his breath. He had become unbearably hot beneath the layers he wore. He pulled his scarf off and stood the shovel up in the pile of snow on the lawn. He breathed in and out heavily, sniffing occasionally.

As he went to reach for the shovel again after his period of rest, he felt that strange ping again; the intuition that something was wrong. He spun around and looked up towards the house. Shiori was at the window. She waved to him and showed him a bag of hot cocoa powder. She gave him a nod and walked away from the window. Kurama grabbed the shovel and turned around again. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the young man standing behind him.

"You scared me," Kurama said, backing away a few steps. The man stared at him.

"Need some help?" he asked. Kurama shook his head.

"No, but thank you." The young man nodded, but didn't leave.

"You have very beautiful hair," he said. "You take after your mother." Kurama looked up at him. "Your mother's a very lovely lady. We threw a house-warming party for her, she's really great company. She told us all about you, Shuuichi. She's very proud of you." Kurama nodded.

"I know. A boy couldn't ask for a better parent." The man smiled at him, taking a few steps closer.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like my help?"

"Positive," Kurama said quickly. The man nodded.

"I'll see you around, Shuuichi." He walked away. Kurama shivered, not from the cold, but from the uneasiness he felt.

On the surface, the man seemed normal. He was just a little taller than Kurama, with long, slick black hair and stunning wisteria eyes. But there was this nature to him that Kurama did not trust. And the way he spoke was unnerving. Kurama shivered again. He quickly finished shoveling and hurried inside. Shiori had a nice steamy cup of cocoa waiting for him.

Later, in his room, he sat down at his desk and waited. He hadn't seen Hiei since the previous night and wondered where he had run off to. Kurama pulled out some paper from his shoulder bag and began to write on it; nothing important, just as a way to pass the time. If he were at home, he would probably get up and go to the office, check his mail and see if there were any checks for him. Alternatively, if he didn't feel like going out, he'd just stay at home, talk to Hiei, gather notes, or watch television.

At the moment, he couldn't do those things. For one, he was on vacation. Secondly, Hiei was not there and, thirdly, the only television in the house was the one in the living room—the same one from when Kurama was growing up. He doubted it worked at all, and did not have the patience to find out.

There was a knock at his door. He slid whatever he'd been working on in his bag and hiked it up on his shoulder. He went over to the door and opened it. Shiori stood on the other side, clad in her winter gear. She smiled at him as he stepped out. He followed her towards the front of the house, zipping and covering himself up appropriately.

"It doesn't ordinarily take long to get over there, but with the snow, who knows what the traffic's like," Shiori said.

"Could you give me the address?" Kurama asked, dead-set on driving. Shiori paused in thought.

"I can't say that I know the address..." she said. "I just know how to get there. It's near the train station...about two blocks down on Elm." Kurama nodded.

"Are you ready, then?" he asked. She nodded. They headed out the door and towards Shiori's car. It was partially snowed in and so Kurama took a little time to shovel a way out. Slush dominated the roads, causing Kurama to slip a little. He helped Shiori into the passenger's side and went around to the driver's seat. They both buckled up before he took off, heading for the train station.

"You know, Shuuichi, I left the house undecorated so that we could do it together..."

"I'm really glad that you did. Decorating for the season is one of my favorite things to do... Since I knew I wasn't going to be home, I didn't fix up the apartment. I'm looking forward to it." Shiori smiled.

"It'll be just like old times," she said. "You know...you don't have to leave so soon after Christmas. I'm sure we can find a nice way to celebrate the New Year." Kurama grinned.

"I'm sorry mother," he said. "As much as I love being here with you, I have a job to do and I can't afford to take too long of a vacation." He paused, looking at her while they sat at a red light. "Although," he said slowly. "By the time my visit is over, I can't say that I'll want to leave. I know I'll want to stay. I really have missed you. Being here is reminding me of old times."

"I feel the same way. Cooking that big breakfast and watching you eat every bite...it was very pleasing to me." She patted his shoulder. Kurama smiled and turned his attention to the road. Once he reached the train station, he turned to her again.

"Which way is Elm?" he asked.

"Take a right...and it should be two streets down." He nodded and got into the appropriate lane. He took a right and drove on. He could see the large Mega-Mart sign as he approached. He stopped and waited for the traffic to slow enough to be able to pull into the parking lot.

"This is a very nice car," he said. "Mine's a little jerky, but this rides very smoothly." She nodded.

"Nathan lent it to me and never took it back," she said, thinking about her American beau. "I still can't believe he hasn't come back for it."

"Perhaps he meant for you to have it."

"Perhaps," she said.

"I would have left you something, as well...although, if I were him, I doubt I would have left you in the first place."

"He didn't really leave me," she said. "We sort of...left each other. It was a mutual agreement." Kurama nodded.

"Well," he said, turning quickly into the lot. "Let's just say I would be regretting that decision right about now. Especially knowing what a great holiday feast I would be about to miss." Once inside, Shiori grabbed a cart and handed Kurama a list and a card.

"Here...you go over to that machine and take out some money. There's another machine next to it that if you type in the things you're not sure where to find them, the aisle number will show up. You take care of the decorations and I'll get the food."

Kurama nodded and headed towards where she pointed. He looked around, but didn't see either machine amongst the lines of carts and shelves of displays. Looking up, he spotted the sign that signified their location. He followed it, walking forward and then turning where the arrow pointed. The two machines were in the far corner of the nook of the store, sitting solitarily with magazine racks and gumball machines.

Kurama went over to them, first taking out money using the information that was on the paper Shiori had given him. Then he moved on to the other machine. The welcome screen was displayed.

He began to utilize the machine, following the instructions and pushing the specified buttons. He jumped suddenly when the machine buzzed at him, indicating that he had done something wrong. His eyebrows lowered and he tried again. This time, at the same part as last time, the machine buzzed twice. He put his hands on his hips and sighed.

"Of all the..." he muttered. He tried yet again, using only one hand, mockingly reading the selections aloud to himself to make sure all was well. BUZZ! His face sharpened fiercely. Sure, the magnificent Youko could crack the most complex codes and seals, but he could not handle this simple machine?

He was well aware that he could just leave and look for the items on the list by using the store signs, but he would figure out how to get that machine to work if it took him all day. He loosened his coat and took it off, setting it next to his shoulder bag.

He concentrated hard, ignoring the notion that perhaps the machine was broken. He tried again. BUZZ, BUZZ! Frowning deeply, he pushed a random button forcefully. He was absolutely startled to see a hand reached over his.

He froze up, catching an odor, one that made his stomach knot. He didn't have to turn around to see who it was.

"Let me show you how," the wispy haired man whispered to him, taking a step closer, and leaning on Kurama's backside. Kurama stepped forward, watching the man's hands press a series of buttons. The welcome screen popped up. He felt annoyed at the man's presence. He could figure it out himself if he wanted to, he didn't need any help!

He watched what buttons the man pressed, seeing nothing different with how he did it. Suddenly, the machine vibrated and out popped a receipt-like slip with all the things Kurama needed to find on it. Kurama frowned again. He didn't see anything different.

"Thank you," he said curtly, snatching the receipt. The man reached his other hand out on the side of Kurama and breathed in deep. Kurama could feel the skin on his neck cool. Was he sniffing his hair? Kurama shivered at the thought of it.

"You're very welcome..." he said, leaning forward again. "You know, Shuuichi... There are many different ways you can repay me for this. Simple things, as it was a simple task."

"Step away from me," Kurama said, angrily. "I said thank you, that was all that you deserved."

"I like them feisty," the man said, backing away. He narrowed his eyes, reaching up to touch Kurama's hair. Kurama slapped his hand away. He could feel the man's eyes on him as he reached for his things and walked away.

"Keep your perverted comments to yourself," Kurama said. "And stay away from me." Kurama walked away quickly, feeling his face burn hot as he became livid. He left the area, heading back into the main part of the store.

How do you like it so far? I'd just love to know. And how shall I find out??? Reviews, of course! ::wink wink:: They would really make my day!

J3