Disclaimer: I don't own 'em.

OK, I decided to change the name and the entire story. I figure just a shounen-ai isn't enough, so I figured the end of the world might be a good subject to tackle. I can't believe Yu Yu Hakusho is going to toonami. It's not really good for kids, but whatever. Have kids learn the word crap, and how to flip people off. We all know it happens in Yu Yu. But if they edit that stuff out, I'm gonna be pissed, and I'll wind up blowing all my money on buying the DVDs. I was hoping I could wait until college and just download 'em. Oh well, I guess it isn't the time or place. Without further adieu, my amended story no longer "First Kiss" but rather "Lovers, Friends, and Foes."

I lied. I have 2 quick adieus. 1: the first scene is taken from real life, I felt the feeling that Kurama felt, which made me start this chapter. And 2: *blah* is talking "blah" is thinking and /blah/ is emphasis on the word(s) in the /'s.

~*~~~*~

Chapter 3: Fighting

Kurama went into his refrigerator and grabbed the carton of orange juice. He opened the orange juice, as he pulled a glass out of his cabinet. He began to pour orange juice, when his heart swelled at the thought of Hiei. He smiled to himself, yet wished the feeling would go away. It was actually an uncomfortable feeling. He frowned. He really wished the feeling would go away. It was rather quite painful.

Shrugging, Kurama walked towards the table, orange juice in hand. The area surrounding his heart was beginning to get upset, because of the lost space that the swollen heart was consuming. Finally, the feeling began to subside. Kurama felt grateful. He loved Hiei, but not enough to feel that amount if discomfort again.

Kurama drank his orange juice contently, and stared into space. His heart began to swell, again, and although Kurama didn't like the feeling, so he figured losing himself in his thoughts would distract him from his discomfort. Kurama began to think about his mother, and how he was planning on explaining the blood in his clothes, yet again. He would just throw them away, once he got to school the next day. Kurama lost a lot of clothes that way, but he hated having to explain to Shiori the blood, guts, and gore that his clothes always found a way of being covered in. Tomorrow. It will all be covered over tomorrow.

~*~~~*~

The monster swiped again. Narrowly escaping, Yusuke got more angry. His spirit energy flowed more powerfully, and he shot his rei gun again. He laughed, as the shot hit the monster right in the chest. He got up and began walking away. Like always, he walked away too soon. Suddenly, the monster was behind him.

*Not nearly hard enough to kill me!* the monster, Hatchuda, yelled as he punched Yusuke in the arm, knocking him sideways and nearly shattering his humorous. Yusuke yelled with pain as he fell on his side, knocking his head against a rock. Yet, those antics that normally knock a person out, only make Yusuke stronger. Yusuke got really angry. Like the Hulk, Yusuke gained new strength, and pummeled the monster into the dirt. Once there, Yusuke kept beating him, to ensure his victory. As the fight was coming to a definite end, Yusuke shot one blast of his rei gun straight at the monster's head. Yusuke had won, definitely.

Botan showed up, and grabbed the monster. *Koenma will love this, Yusuke. It's so wonderful how you've taken to the job. I'm so proud of you!* Botan stated, beaming at her success. Throwing him on her oar, she flew off to the Spirit World, to give the monster to Koenma for further questioning, if needed. Yusuke brushed the dirt off his jacket and hands, then went to where he was supposed to meet Keiko twenty minutes ago. She would be angry, he knew, but she would cool off after hitting him a few times. Life was good.

~*~~~*~

Yukina's laugh lingered for a moment in Kuwabara's ear. He held onto the sound, as he held onto her image in his mind. Those were the aspects he held closely to his heart. She was the first being to ever give Kuwabara the time of day, much less have feelings for him after a conversation. The sun was bright outside Genkai's, and the picnic was delicious.

*Kuwabara, stop it!* Yukina gasped between breaths underneath Kuwabara, who was tickling her heartily. Kuwabara was hell bent on making her pee her pants, which Yukina was not looking forward to. She got very angry, and cooled off her ki. She became an icicle to Kuwabara's touch, and he immediately backed off. Kuwabara had gone one step too far.

*Yukina, I'm sorry.* Kuwabara immediately apologized, in hopes of ending Yukina's rage. He realized he had gone too far, but being a bully at heart had caused a lapse in judgment. He hoped Yukina would understand.

*I couldn't breathe. Why would you try to cause me to stop breathing?* Yukina asked innocently, shocked that Kuwabara would try in any way to harm her.

*It's just.. A ritual here. You try to end the breathing, so the girl notices how strong you are.* Kuwabara stated triumphantly. *But I couldn't bear to see you in harm, so I forwent the ritual, for you.* He added with a smile. He didn't really know why he was tickling her, he liked the power. But he knew she would like to hear that he broke rules for her, his icy queen. Slowly, she began to smile.

*Oh, Kuwabara!* she cried, attacking him and throwing her arms around his neck, *for me?* she asked, looking into his eyes.

*Yea babe, for you.* Kuwabara smiled slyly. "Maybe she'll kiss me!" His sly smile became a giant grin, which frightened Yukina off him. "Oh well, at least she didn't punch me." Kuwabara thought, satisfied at the way he handled the situation.

~*~~~*~

Hiei sat in the dark. He couldn't get the image of the few nights' before, being locked in the chamber. He couldn't remember who the demon was, that had tormented him and his friends and confused him so much. Hiei had sat in the dark, ever since Kurama had taken him home, and Hiei had healed. He had felt bad, leaving the loving embrace of his fox's arms, and leaving before Kurama had risen. He just… he couldn't look at Kurama. It was Hiei's fault he had been hurt. It was Kurama's fault that Hiei had not been on his toes. "That's not fair of me…" Hiei thought to himself. He was so angry with himself. He hated feeling the hated the feelings he was always, always feeling. Why couldn't he push them down again. "What is the fox doing to me!?!?!?" Hiei thought, exasperated. He had to see the fox, or Kurama would go into a state of panic.

He jumped through the trees, towards Kurama's house, where the window was open and the youko was seated at his desk. A wilted rose was next to him, and Kurama seemed to be trying to revive the poor, dead thing. Either revive it, or mourn it. Hiei would never understand that fox.

*You really don't try to mask your ki anymore, Hiei-chan.* Kurama stated, not looking up. He had felt excited the second he felt Hiei-s ki, and had time to place himself at the desk to fake his excitement.

*But you give off such excitement, it makes me jump faster.* Hiei replied blandly. Kurama smiled. Of course the youkai could feel his excitement. His jagan made him aware of everything. It was foolish of Kurama to try to pretend to Hiei. Hiei would always know.

*You want some ice cream?* Kurama asked, half teasing to poor demon and his affinity to ice cream. Hiei nodded resignedly, and followed Kurama to the kitchen, where Shiori was. Shiori greeted the boys, and asked Hiei how he was. Hiei muttered *fine* and grabbed the ice cream that Kurama offered him. He sat at the table and ate it, upset that Kurama knew his weakness. Shiori was upset at being treated with such disrespect, she was about to give Hiei a few words. A look from Kurama told her not to. He would tell her later, the look told her, and she left the kitchen, waiting to hear the excise her son had for his friends' bad manners.

*Shiori is upset with you, thus being upset with me.* Kurama looked at Hiei, trying to read his expression. But, like it normally was, Hiei's expression was completely bland.

*She will understand whatever explanation you give her. You have put her in a permanent state of denial, Shuuichi.* Hiei threw out the last word with menace. Kurama sat back, with surprise. He was /not/ expecting a response like that. He was expecting an apologetic something from Hiei, or an explanation for his attitude. Anything but the menace that Hiei had delivered. "He doesn't love me anymore. It's been a week since he decided he loved me, and now he doesn't again." Kurama thought, petrified at being right.

*Hiei-cha….* Kurama could not finish, *Hiei, what's wrong?* Kurama asked carefully.

*Well, Shuuichi, I'm tired. Of your lies to everyone you know, of your heart always open, ready for bruising, and human. You forget you're not human. You forget you're a fox spirit. You aren't really her son. You stole her son's life. You killed Shiori's son.* Hiei said, showing emotion for Kurama, but not the right kind. Kurama was hurt. He hated thinking that Shiori wasn't his mother. He hated being so damned emotional. Hiei was right, and that hurt more than anything else. Kurama had been a ruthless criminal, and now he was incapable of killing anything. All his enemies were left alive, and ready to come back for revenge. Kurama's disguise as a child in school would not hold up forever. He put himself in more danger, with every enemy he defeated, yet left alive. Kurama was among the strongest demons alive, but he didn't have a chance against the innumerable victims he left to live. He would probably never die, but if he had to keep changing his form, his life would be pointless. Plus, he was happy in this life, and he would hate having to leave Shiori or Hiei or Yusuke or even Kuwabara.

The silence cut through the kitchen. Kurama took Hiei's empty bowl, and took it to the sink. As he put the bowl down, he said *good bye Hiei.* As he felt the ki of his small youkai leaving. He turned, to find Hiei's seat empty. Kurama broke down, and began to cry. Realizing he was doing exactly what Hiei had accused him of, he stopped crying. He walked out to where his mother was. Shiori looked at the door, waiting for Hiei to exit the kitchen, too. Once he didn't she looked at Kurama for an explanation.

*Well, Shuuichi, why was your friend so rude?* She asked. Kurama, upset at the lies he was continually living, looked at his mom. Without a word, he walked to his room. Shiori was very upset at him. She followed him to his room.

*Young man, I will not accept that behavior from you. If you continue to treat me like you just did, you will never be allowed to see Hiei again.* She yelled at him. Kurama felt awful, but he just couldn't lie anymore.

*I'm sorry, Shiori.* He apologized, before sinking into his bed, and allowing sleep to take his body. "Now no one loves me." He thought dimly, right before he was completely under.

~*~~~*~

As he approached the theatre, Yusuke stopped running and instead began to stroll in his monotonous way. He say Keiko, looking visibly upset. As he approached her, she began walking towards him, calmly with a hint of anger in her step. Yusuke braced himself for her punch.

*Yusuke, I can't continue to wait for you all my life. You need to stop this irresponsible behavior, I just can't be able to be with you anymore. It's time I listened to everyone and stopped our relationship. I could be first in our class right now, but I'm not, because you distract me. Not anymore. When you learn how to treat me right, then I might take you back.* Her voice began to waver and crack. It was as hard for her as it was on him. *Urameshi Yusuke, we are now broken up! I don't want to even hear your name until you can treat me like the girl I am! I've always come last to you! I can't do that anymore!* With that, she broke into tears and ran off. Yusuke stood where he was, his mouth hanging open. "Wha--wha--what just happened? I thought she loved me. We were perfect together."

*I love you!* he shouted to her disappearing form. She didn't hear him, like the dozens of spectators did. Keiko had been very loud, and had drawn an audience. *We've been together forever! I won't let you leave me!* He shouted, to no one. "What just happened?" He wondered to himself, as he shoved his hands in his pockets, grimaced at the ground, and threatened the lives of anyone still looking at him. He began his walk towards home, his high seriously damaged.

~*~~~*~

Botan triumphantly brought Hatchuda to Koenma, who looked at the monster skeptically. *Why did you bring him to me?* Koenma asked. He hadn't asked for any demon to be taken to him, and he had plenty of paperwork to do, without Botan bothering him with some petty thief.

*Koenma sir, he stole the…* Botan started, but trailed off as the look that Koenma gave her commanded.

*He doesn't belong here. Take him to the River, drop him off, and come back here. We seriously need to talk.* Botan shuddered at the thought. Koenma did not sound happy, and Botan was afraid of what was going to happen to her. She had made a mistake, and had thrown Koenma's pattern off. There was no saying what he would do to her, and she was more and more frightened with each scenario she thought up. "What happened? I was supposed to bring him to Koenma." She thought, as she took the now dead monster to the River Styx.

~*~~~*~

*And he even stopped the tickling ritual, just because I didn't like it!* Yukina boasted to Genkai. Genkai looked at the girl with confusion.

*What 'tickling' ritual?* Genkai asked.

*Oh, silly. The ritual where they tickle you until you pass out, to show their masculinity.* Yukina explained.

*Silly girl, he lied to you. He felt bad for tickling you, and he lied to you. You really need to learn that the idiot Kuwabara doesn't know anything about custom, much less how to end one, for the sake of another. You have to stop being so trusting.*

Yukina stormed to where Kuwabara was. *LIAR!!!* She screamed at the unsuspecting Kuwabara. *There is no tickling ritual! You just like to torture me!* She screamed at him. Kuwabara's face immediately fell.

*No, Yukina, I can explain. I just… I didn't know why I wanted to* Yukina began to walk away, *Wait Yukina!*

*Go away Kuwabara, I do not like liars. You need to go away forever.* Yukina stated, upset at the boy who dared to lie to her. Kuwabara grabbed her shoulder, but she lowered her ki temperature to the point of frostbite. Kuwabara leapt back in pain, and Yukina continued on. *Don't make me get Genkai to permanently put you out.* She threatened as she slammed her door shut, leaving Kuwabara in pain on the ground in the hall.

"I really screwed up."

~*~~~*~

Kuwabara went to Yusuke's house, to complain about Yukina and ask what to do. He knocked on the door, and was greeted by a very tired looking Yusuke. *Urameshi, I messed up with Yukina. She hates me now. I accidentally lied to her, and she hates me, and she froze my hand, and it hurts and I need your help.* Yusuke closed the door. *Urameshi! You'd better open that door or I'm going to kick you ass!*

*You're the idiot that lied to her.* Yusuke replied, not intending to open the door until Kuwabara was gone. Kuwabara left in a huff after a few minutes of empty threats, heading home to ask his sister what to do about Yukina. She would know. She was, after all, a girl. Yusuke left a few moments after Kuwabara left, in the direction of Kurama's house, to ask the Youko what to do about Keiko. Kurama knew Keiko, and he would know what to do.

Yusuke knocked on Kurama's door. Shiori answered. *Hey, is Ku…er…Shuuichi home?* Yusuke asked her, stumbling over his real name.

*Are you a friend from school?* she asked him, not making any more to let Yusuke in.

*Yes, I am.* Yusuke lied.

*Come in, but Shuuichi is in a bad move, I must warn you. He is an evil boy, who doesn't care for his mother.* Shiori almost began to cry, but took leave of Yusuke before he could see if she did allow a tear to escape her eye.

Yusuke, unfamiliar with the layout of Kurama's house, ascended the stairs, calling out for Shuuichi. Kurama came out of his sleep as he heard his friend calling his name. He opened his door, that Yusuke had passed, and called for Yusuke to come back. Yusuke, relieved that his friend had answered his yells walked to Kurama and entered the room. Yusuke realized that it was his first time in Kurama's room. He looked at the futon, with it's plain gray comforter, then looked towards Kurama's night table with a clock and a lamp, Yusuke passed his eyes over the desk with a wilted flower, a piece of paper and pencil, and a lamp, and finally he looked towards the window without a screen and open, leading to the tree outside. He wondered briefly how Hiei managed to get into the room from the tree, but realized that Hiei could jump from tree to tree and run a lot faster than anyone else, so the chances were a lot more likely than Yusuke. Yusuke then wondered if he could pull it off.

Finding a seat on the ground, Yusuke turned towards Kurama, sitting in the chair at his desk. Kurama had politely been looking at Yusuke, waiting to hear his friend's explanation for visiting him at his home. Yusuke looked guilty, for staring at all of Kurama's possessions before explaining the problem with Keiko. Kurama listened politely, as always, before asking Yusuke to leave.

*But… I need your help! Keiko is being stupid, and I don't know what to do!* Yusuke protested.

*Welcome to the real world. Why don't you try listening to her for once?* Kurama surprised Yusuke with his angered tone. Yusuke stood up and left Kurama's room, without an apology or an explanation. He was just so angry. "What is going on today? Why is everyone being so stupid?"

Kurama almost felt guilty for being so harsh to Yusuke, almost. But it wasn't his job to give relationship counseling to Yusuke, especially when Keiko told Yusuke exactly what he needed to do. Kurama didn't need the problems of others, he needed to know how to fix his own relationships.

He heard his mother saying good bye to Yusuke, and Yusuke mumbling a farewell before running out of Kurama's house and down the road. Kurama briefly wondered if Kuwabara was also having relationship problems with Yukina, since the other three in team Urameshi seemed to not be on speaking terms with their significant other.

Keiko was crying on her bed and thinking of Yusuke, Yusuke was thundering down the street towards home with his fists in his pockets hoping for a fight, Kuwabara was feeding his kitten, Yukina was crying in her room, Kurama was trying to sleep, and Hiei was alone in the dark thinking about Kurama, when Koenma came to them all, telling them to meet at Genkai's. Each one gave an exasperated sigh and thought, "Great, just what I needed today," before huffing in the direction of Genkai's.

Once everyone got there, no one seated together, Botan appeared on Koenma's behalf. *We have an emergency. All of you need to go to Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Keiko's school for a few weeks. There is a monster there, and we need each of you to work together, to sort out who he is.* Botan said without her usual cheeriness, before sinking into a chair. Hiei was the first to leave, followed by Kurama.

*I don't think they're in. Neither am I.* Yukina stated, as she left.

Keiko looked at Yusuke, who looked at her. After a moment, Yusuke got up, and left. Keiko followed shortly, as her eyes betrayed her and started dropping tears. Botan looked at Kuwabara.

*I'm in!* He said happily. Botan rolled her eyes, and flew off to tell Koenma the bad news. She was not looking forward to it, at all. Koenma was going to be very cross. She hoped he got him before his nap.

~*~~~*~

*The said no!?!? Are they allowed to say no!?!?!* Koenma was throwing a tantrum. *They are a team! We need them! The infiltrator in their school is going to bring about an end to the world! He has the apocalypse in his bag!* Koenma continued. Botan was cowering in the corner, afraid to tell Koenma anything about what happened. *This is going to mean the end of man, Botan. If they don't solve their differences, this monster is going to open the wall that is blocking the worlds. People will be slipping in and out of all three, never knowing when it will happen. He has a Degenerator, which is very self-explanatory. This is serious!*

~*~~~*~

At the same time that Koenma was giving his speech to Botan, team Urameshi met. Kurama couldn't look at Hiei, just as Hiei couldn't look at Kurama. Kuwabara was still mad at Yusuke for how he treated him, and Yusuke was mad at all three. Without speaking, they parted, swearing to never speak again.

~*~~~*~

Once again, I hope you like. Please respond, or e-mail me. Pyrotara@aol.com. I got used to the whole "blah" for thinking, so don't worry about telling me how to make italics. I'll be alright. I hope you like the new spin. J