Boo! Did I scare ya? No? ...Okay then. Here's chapter three, anyway.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho.

3

"Shuuichi, dear..." Shiori called out from behind the tree. Kurama stood up and looked over to her.

"Yes?"

"Could you...? I'm not tall enough to get up here..." she said. "Could you take care of the top of the tree?"

"Sure," Kurama said. "Here, you hook the ornaments and pass them to me." Looking the tree over, Kurama saw that the top of the tree was barren. He smiled at his mother and began to place decorations on it, while she handed him ornaments and made the bottom of the tree look better. Once they were done, Kurama placed the star on the top of the tree. Shiori clasped her hands together.

"Oh, how wonderful," she said. "It feels so nice to have a tree this year."

"What was Christmas like with Nathaniel?" Kurama asked, putting all the unused ornaments neatly in a box for storage.

"It was nice, but never this nice," she explained. "I mean...we did celebrate Christmas, but...it just seemed like there was something missing." Kurama nodded. "How did you celebrate?"

"I didn't, really..." Kurama said. "I just bought a small lighted tree and baked cookies and made cocoa....really....I just listened to the Christmas songs on the radio." Shiori looked sad.

"That sounds just miserable, Shuuichi," she said. "Well, no more of that. We will have a proper Christmas this year." Kurama smiled as he stood up with the box. "That goes in the basement for now," she said, reaching for it.

"I've got it," he said, heading towards the back of the house. Shiori nodded. "Well, then Shuuichi...I'm going to be busy wrapping presents so don't come peeking." Kurama chuckled.

"I promise," he said. He walked past his room door and turned down the tiny hall that held the door to the laundry room and to the basement. He opened the basement door and began his descent. The basement was neat, it was nearly empty, containing heaters and things of that nature and a few neatly stacked boxes. He sat the box of Christmas ornaments down next to the other boxes and dusted his hands. He left the basement, going back up to his room. Hiei was climbing in the window.

"Hey, fox," he said.

"Hey, Hiei..." Kurama said as he closed the door. "Where'd you run off to?"

"You'll never guess what I found," Hiei said, closing the window. He wore a satisfied grin on his face. "Training in winter is tiring."

"Oh, you've found a new place to train?" Kurama asked excitedly. "Well, where is it?"

"Back there somewhere. Not a ningen for miles." Hiei grinned again. Kurama smiled.

"That sounds great. You'll have to show me where it is."

"That's why I came here." Kurama looked confused.

"To show me?"

"Yeah. You got a minute?" Kurama nodded.

"Of course." Kurama dressed and told Hiei to meet him out back. He left a note on his bedroom door telling Shiori that he was going to go for a walk. Kurama left the house through the laundry room door, taking the key with him. Hiei was standing near his bedroom window. He nodded at Kurama and went over to him.

"You'll like it," he said. "I remember seeing it when it was fall. It was all flowery and stuff." Kurama smiled.

"Well, what's it like now?" Hiei grinned again.

"It's got this big huge rock formation, and I can see for miles on top of it. Everything's covered in snow, but the brook there isn't frozen over. If only there were demons there for me to kill." Kurama lowered his eyebrows.

"I see where your passions lie," he joked. Hiei grinned again.

"What...? I softened it up with all that nature talk," he said. He shrugged. "I don't know... I just think it would be better if there was something to hunt."

"I know how you feel." Hiei nodded.

"I know." Kurama smiled at him, but said nothing else. He walked alongside Hiei for over an hour before they reached the area in which Hiei referred to. It was a nice place to be in. It was quiet, save the rush of the brook, and everything was indeed covered in a thick layer of fluffy white snow. Hiei grinned again and zip zapped away. Kurama tried to follow him, but couldn't keep his eye on him for long. He ended up on the lowest perch of the large rock formation he spoke of.

"Ah," he said. "Freedom in the most unlikely place." Kurama smiled and walked over to him. He was several feet above ground, staring down at him. Hiei grinned again. "Told you it was great," he said. "You got that look in your eye like when you first saw your room." Kurama looked around him.

"Yes...this is very nice..."

"So now when you come visit Shiori, I'll have a place to stay." Kurama nodded to him, walking up to the formation and climbing up to where Hiei sat. He sat down next to him, looking out at the trees.

"Wow..." he said. Hiei stood up and unsheathed his sword.

"I enjoyed myself greatly..." he said, sounding menacing. Then he loosened up. "But I got hungry. Got some more cake?"

"Yes...it's still sitting there. If we head back now we can make it home for dinner. It would be nice if you'd join us." Hiei stared at his sword.

"It's getting dull..." he said. Kurama gasped.

"Don't change the subject!" he exclaimed.

"Don't suggest things you know are never going to happen." Kurama smiled.

"It'll be nice. She already knows who you are."

"You've got an awfully big mouth, don't you?" Hiei complained.

"You think you're slick, but I didn't have to say a word to her. She saw you... Mothers have a way of doing things without others knowing."

"When, yesterday?" Hiei asked.

"Way back... She knows who you are."

"No, she doesn't."

"Well...she knows that you're one of my best friends...she knows of you."

"Yeah, I'll bet she does."

"She'll be more than happy to feed you," Kurama pressed.

"No." Hiei sheathed his sword. "The less she knows about me the better."

"Why?" Kurama asked.

"I don't need her liking me or anything. Ningens have the audacity to think I'm adorable. I am not adorable."

"You're pitiful," Kurama sighed. "I'm going home."

"You know the way back?" Hiei asked.

"Yes."

"Alright...I'll catch up with you, then."

"I can stay and wait if you want."

"Nah...just a little more time alone before I have to bear all those questions from that woman." Kurama's eyes lit up as he became excited about Hiei change of heart.

"Yes!" he said, climbing down.

"Don't act triumphant or I'll change my mind." Kurama nodded and waved to him.

"Don't be too long!" he called after him, jogging away. Once he was surrounded by trees, Kurama slowed down. He stuck his hands in his pockets and began to walk the rest of the way back. Before long, he realized he was really elated with the fact that Hiei would join them for dinner, but in the back of his mind, he was positive he wouldn't see Hiei again until bedtime.

Kurama continued forward, crunching on the snow beneath him, retracing his steps. Every once and a while, he'd look down and see his breath in the cool early evening air. Breathing out once, he let in air through his nose sharply, catching the scent of something unfamiliar. He stopped and turned around.

"Hey, there!" the stranger behind him called.

"Hello..." Kurama muttered, taking a step or two back as the guy ran up to him.

"You new around here?" he asked as he stopped.

"Just visiting," Kurama said. The stranger nodded.

"That's good," he said. He held out his hand. "I'm Touya..."

"Tou...ya..." Kurama said, shaking his hand. "That name sounds familiar."

"Really?" Touya asked. "I don't think we've ever met like this."

"That I'm sure of. I don't think I would have forgotten what you look like... Aren't...you cold?" Kurama asked the scantily dressed Touya. He was wearing a dark blue shirt over a thin long sleeved shirt with a crosshatched design. He had icy blue hair with five spiked teal bangs that shot down one side of his face and...no shoes? Kurama stared at him, and had the feeling he knew him from somewhere.

"Nah," Touya said nonchalantly. "I'm used to it. So, where are you from?"

"The city," Kurama said evasively. Touya nodded.

"That's cool. So how long will you be here?" Kurama's eyebrows lowered.

"Why?" he asked. Touya shrugged.

"Just making conversation. It's what all the other ningens ask when ningens talk to them."

"You're not from around here, are you?" Kurama asked.

"Kinda. But I don't leave this forest most of the time. Most of the time, I'm just at home." Kurama nodded.

"I just can't place it..." he said, still trying to figure out how he knew Touya.

"Me either," Touya said with a smile. "So it was nice meeting you. Hopefully, I'll see you around, then." He held out his hand again. Kurama shook it.

"Yes," he said. Touya walked away. Kurama lowered his eyebrows. Well, that was weird. How often were people going to be walking up to him like that? Hiei hopped down from the tree directly above Kurama. Kurama was so startled, he nearly fell over.

"Freak," Hiei muttered, watching Touya walk away.

"What?" Kurama asked. "When did you get here?"

"What did he want with you?" Hiei asked, beginning to walk away. Kurama sensed a rise in youki, but he knew it wasn't from himself or from Hiei. He looked up towards Touya, who was looking in his direction. His eyes were fixed on Hiei and he didn't look happy. Hiei either ignored it or didn't notice it. Kurama turned away from Touya as Touya walked off again. "Answer me," Hiei said.

"I don't know..." Kurama said. "We just talked a little."

"Hn." They walked the rest of the way back in silence. Everyone once and a while Hiei would walk a little faster, but, seeing that Kurama didn't attempt to match his pace, he would fall back in step with Kurama.

"A little anxious, are we?" Kurama asked as they approached the back of the house.

"I don't get anxious," Hiei said.

"Oh, no?" Kurama asked. "You still won't use any fixture in the bathroom or kitchen..."

"That doesn't count!" Hiei snapped. Kurama chuckled as he pulled out the key.

"You'll learn one day that those things don't bite," he said, unlocking the door.

"Just go on inside," Hiei said, turning away.

"Where do you think you're going?" Kurama asked.

"I don't do favors for people who tease me," Hiei said.

"That's because you kill them," Kurama said. "But I'm still here."

"Maybe tomorrow. Bring me a slice of cake."

"No way, Hiei. Either you come inside or you get nothing tonight."

"Fox! I've survived for longer than this without food. I can survive until tomorrow." Kurama lowered his eyebrows.

"Why don't you just go back to your little home sweet home paradise and leave me alone."

"Because." Kurama waited for Hiei to say something else, but he was silent. Kurama shook his head at him.

"Because?" he asked. "Because what?"

"Because no, that's what!" Hiei threw his hands in the air. "Inari, you're difficult."

"Me?" Kurama asked, surprised.

"Well, who else?" Hiei asked, pushing past Kurama and opening the door. He looked inside cautiously. "Go see if the coast if clear." Kurama folded his arms.

"She's going to see you anyway, if you go in for dinner."

"You really know how to get your way, don't you?" Hiei asked. "Either you go make sure that woman isn't going to see me right now, or I'm leaving." Kurama sighed.

"Fine." Kurama stepped inside the house and went through the laundry room. He looked down the hall, seeing that Shiori's bedroom door was closed. He assumed she was still busy working on gifts, though it had been several hours since he'd last seen her. Suddenly, he heard the sizzling of something cooking in a frying pan. Ah, so she was in the kitchen. He turned back to the laundry room.

"Mother's just getting a start on dinner," he told Hiei. "She's in the kitchen." Hiei straightened out his clothes and walked over to Kurama. He followed him to his bedroom. Hiei slid inside quickly, watching as Kurama closed the door. "There we are," Kurama said childishly. "That wasn't so hard was it?"

"Eat dirt," Hiei said. Kurama laughed at him, taking off his coat and things.

"You watch too much TV," he said, opening the door to leave. "Good thing there won't be any of that here. I'll go make sure mother's going to cook enough for you."

"No!" Hiei shot out quickly. "I don't want her to know about me, or nothing. So get back in here and have a seat." Kurama stepped back into the room.

"Shuuichi, dear!" Shiori called out from the kitchen. "Could you come here a second please?" Kurama smiled.

"Be right back," he said to Hiei, leaving the room. He stopped at the hall closet to put his coat away and then went into the kitchen.

"You look so red!" Shiori said, giving the vegetables one last stir before turning down the heat. She smiled as she went over to him. "I see you've had a nice walk?"

"Very nice," Kurama said, taking a seat at the kitchen island.

"I just wanted you to know that the tree's all nice and full now and that Kuwabara's going to be coming over early tomorrow to drop more off. He says he expects you to have some for him, too." Kurama frowned a little.

"Well, just how does that work?" he asked. "He's been keeping secrets all this time...I didn't know I would be seeing him at all while I was here...or ever."

"He knew you'd say that," Shiori said with a chuckle. "He says it's no excuse."

"Well...I was hoping the packages would have arrived by now..." Kurama said. "It's been a while and Christmas is almost here. I wouldn't want you all to not get your presents on time."

"They'll get here," Shiori said, nodding. "Just have faith. It will work out. Dinner will be ready at eight, in case you're wondering."

"Thanks, okaasan." Kurama went over to her and kissed her forehead. "I'll be in my room in the meantime. Perhaps I'll convince Kuwabara to take me to the mall for some things."

"I sure he'll do it," Shiori said, going back to stirring her vegetables. "If he calls back, I'll mention it." Kurama nodded to her and then went back to his bedroom. Hiei was sitting in his desk chair, looking impatient.

"Is she still clueless or do I have to kill you?"

"I will not dignify that with a proper response," Kurama said. Hiei smirked.

"Good. Because if you told her, you'd be in for it."

"You'll never harm me...you wouldn't be able to live it down," Kurama said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hiei asked.

"It means..." Kurama said, pulling off his sweater. "That you can't live without me. You wouldn't know what to do with yourself."

"You are so full of hot air," Hiei said. "You just like to hear yourself talk, that's all. I think it's about time you shut up, actually." Kurama chuckled.

"Yes!" he said. "Now that I've got you all riled up, let's talk about things."

"I knew you just liked to hear yourself talk," Hiei said, amused, eyeing him through slanted lids. "Man...you can't go a day without saying something pointless." Kurama gasped.

"You're such a jerk!" he said, putting his hands on his hips. "Well...like what?"

"Like...I wonder who decided to make this sweater green," Hiei mocked. "I mean, who cares?" Kurama folded his arms.

"You're pretty full of useless stuff as well," he said, nodding. Hiei lowered an eyebrow.

"You mean the stuff I say to counter the dumb stuff you say?" he asked. Kurama pursed his lips.

"You've got one more insult, mister," he said.

"You still can't get mad at me."

"I'm plenty mad."

"Does this mean I don't have to stay for dinner?" Hiei asked, looking hopeful. Kurama laughed.

"If it means anything, it means you have to come for breakfast, also, you spineless youkai."

"Hn." Hiei looked around. "I'm not going to dinner, so stop pressing it."

"You said you would!" Kurama said.

"I say a lot of things," Hiei said.

"I should hang you for this," Kurama said, going over to him quickly. "Why can't you do it? You're scared, aren't you? You have no backbone."

"Back away from me fox," Hiei said calmly, almost teasingly. "I don't have time for all this. Remember that...you said...I'm sorry...I don't have time to be arrested and then you left...and then I followed you?" It took Kurama a while to figure out what he was talking about.

"What?" he asked, thrown out of his anger by confusion. "That happened eleven years ago...what does that have to do with anything?" Hiei snapped his finger.

"All that and still no curses," he said. Kurama stared at him in disbelief, nearly falling over, Anime-style.

"You'll be the absolute death of me," Kurama muttered, walking away. He sat down on his bed, shaking his head.

"I'll go to dinner if you do one thing..."

"What's that?"

"Say a curse." Kurama's eyes widened. "Any curse."

"You promised me before without any conditions..." Kurama objected. Hiei held up a hand.

"Once you ask what the proposition is, it's a done deal. You have accepted that there is a provision to my deed. Curse!"

"No!"

"Do it! Now!" Kurama looked at the door guilty, muttering quietly a curse word. "Do it so that the whole world hears it!" Hiei exclaimed, his eyes wide with enjoyment.

"No," Kurama said, still speaking quietly.

"Well, at least so that I can hear it," Hiei said, standing up. Kurama got up and went over to Hiei. He leaned close to his ear.

"Hell," he whispered hesitantly.

"Don't you try to cheat me," Hiei said, looking up at him through slanted eyelids. "You told me before that that's not a curse. Try again, fox." Kurama rolled his eyes again, thinking of a bad one. Hiei could never deny this one.

He leaned down to him again, hoping that this would be forever stricken from his record. Hiei braced himself, still looking excited. Kurama sighed, and then muttered the f-word. Hiei's eyes grew wider considerably.

"Yes," he said, balling his fists. "Yes! I'm the best! I got the all-perfect Shuuichi to say a curse of all things. Yes!" Kurama frowned at him, grabbing his arm and yanking him fiercely over to him.

"Keep your mouth shut, or you're not leaving this room alive." Hiei nodded, smirking.

"Oh, the secrets safe with me," he said, laughing again. "That was great." He chuckled. "Alright now...I will join you and that woman for dinner."

"Good boy," Kurama said. Hiei scrunched his face. Kurama dared him to say something. Hiei didn't; he just sat back down in the computer chair.

For those of you who haven't read the first story, Hiei was always trying to get Kurama to curse, and so that's why that last part is there, tee hee hee. Hiei's a bit of a joker in this story...but things are about to get a little serious... ::claps hand over mouth:: I've said too much! Gotta go! ::runs a few steps, then doubles back:: Oh, right! Please review!

J3