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Disclaimer:  I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho…

Author's Note:  I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…  I really don't have a good excuse for not updating… I was just procrastinating…  Anyway, on with the fic…

            Hiei tried to stay alert with both eyes open in this new situation.  He was finding it hard however, to keep just one eye open.  The bed smelled lightly of cologne, shampoo, human, and laundry detergent.  The heady mix of these smells was making his eyelids feel like lead weights.  Usually he couldn't stand the smell of humans, or he told himself that.  But as he drifted off reluctantly to sleep, he mused that this smell wasn't nearly so bad.

            Hiei slept deeply, his body finally receiving the rest it had demanded for so long.  He was too exhausted to be bothered with dreams, nightmarish or otherwise.  His breathing became shallow and even, and he snuggled deeper into Kuwabara's covers.  For the first time in a long time, Hiei was completely oblivious to the world around him.

~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~

            Kuwabara on the other hand, did not have the blessing of a dreamless slumber.  He fidgeted at every sound, and even when he finally drifted into sleep, it wasn't pleasant. 

            Kuwabara was running through a multicolor forest, oranges, yellows and reds glaring out of the flora.  Neither this, nor the conspicuous turtle riding on his head were attributed to this being a dream yet.  He continued to run after his furry black target, which darted and disappeared in the undergrowth.  Why he was chasing the fuzzy black kitten, he didn't know.  All he knew was that it was direly important to catch the speedy creature.

            After chasing it for what seemed like hours, Kuwabara lost sight of his prey.  He slowed panting for breath as he scanned the area.  His target nowhere in site, he sat down dejectedly at the base of a tree.  He was still not perturbed by the little blue turtle, which had somehow managed to remain on his head.

            Yellow words were scrawled up the red trunks of impossibly large trees.  Every time he tried to read one, it would swirl around into something else.  He was working so hard to comprehend this that he only belatedly heard the thudding of furred feet scurrying in his direction.  His dark eyes widened as he realized his former prey was blazing a path straight for him. 

            He stood so quickly, that he nearly dislodged the turtle.  He felt his heart jump in his chest, indecision locking his legs in place.  Alternating fear and joy at this 180 in attitude played with Kuwabara's being.  That is before the furry black kitting decided to claw its way up his leg, and into his shirt.  The tender creature trembled almost cutely as its sharp claws embedded themselves in Kazuma's soft flesh.  The fresh blood trickling down his abdomen was only a second thought, as he heard another set of feet rushing in his direction.

            He felt he knew who it was long before the form cleared the dense trees.  And sure enough, a red, menacing fox sprung from the shadows and landed neatly before him.  Even Kuwabara knew the meaning of the red canine.  It didn't take long before a large, black, chocolate-eyed hound followed him in.  It took Kuwabara a moment to recognize this beast.  By this time Kurama was already in human form, and oddly enough dressed like some criminal from Cyber City.  Sure enough, the demon fox pulled a large magnum from his holster, and pointed it at Kuwabara's head.

            The turtle now deemed Kazuma's head a place no longer safe, and somehow managed to fly off.  It was about this time that Kuwabara realized he was dreaming.

            "Where is he?"  Kurama's voice sounded unnaturally cruel and cold.  It caused a shiver to run up Kuwabara's spine, and back down again.  The 'he' in question dug his claws deeper into Kazuma's flesh.

            "I don't know what you're talking about," Kuwabara stated evenly.  Even his voice didn't seem right.  The sounds echoed around in the alternate dimension, giving this world a totally surreal feeling. 

            The black being which had until this moment remained silent, inhaled deeply into its large nostrils.  The intake of air causing Kuwabara's shirt to ruffle, and fear to grip him tightly.

            "Fibber, fibber," the canine like muzzle curled back into a sneer.  Rows of sharp teeth gleamed nastily.

            "Well then," Kurama sighed, pulling the hammer back with an audible click.  "You have ten seconds."

            Kuwabara's hackles went up, and he clenched his teeth.  "Never!"  He said bravely.

            "One, two," Kurama looked bored, "Ten!"  He snarled, and a world shattering bang was the last thing our hero heard.  

~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~

            Kuwabara bolted upright in his makeshift bed.  Cold sweat covered his body in a slick film, and caused him to shiver.  His ears picked up the probable source of the bang.  His sister had just entered the house, and was staggering, either sleepily or drunkenly toward her room.  He thought the latter rather maliciously, but got up to greet her anyway.  It was only eleven in the morning, he reasoned to himself.

            Shizuru didn't make it to her room, before she plopped down on the futon at the base of the stairs.  She sighed heavily, and draped her arm across her eyes.  Kuwabara made his way down the stairs as quietly as possible, and eyed his collapsed sister.  He momentarily regretted thinking she was drunk, but the feeling quickly passed.

            "Hey little brother," she drawled sleepily.  She managed to move her arm for a moment to look at her brother, before covering her eyes again.  Kuwabara sighed, and shook his head.

            "I'll get you upstairs," he offered.  She scoffed.

            "I can sleep out here," she murmured.  Shizuru didn't miss her brother's shudder at the comment.  "Oh, quit being such a baby!"  She moaned.  "It was a long time ago."

            "And I never want to see it again," Kuwabara stated clearly.  Shizuru found herself in a giggle fit.  Her brother could be so weird sometimes. 

            "Fine," she said sitting up, "but you'll have to carry me."

            "But you're so…"  Kuwabara trailed off as his retort was cut short by Shizuru's death glare.  It wasn't fair that she have all the fun.  He sulked a little as he lifted her up.  It took all his will power not to 'oof' just to make her mad, as he carried her.

            "So strong," she teased.

            "Shut up, you're making us both look bad."

            As they passed Kazuma's room, Shizuru raised an eyebrow.  "Why is Hiei here?"  Kuwabara didn't have to ask how she knew Hiei was there even with the door closed.

            "He wants something," Kuwabara murmured, more to himself than to his sister.

            "In what way?"  She half laughed.  Her younger brother's eyes silenced an elaboration on her thoughts.

            "In the way that if Kurama, or Yusuke call," he began solemnly, "he's not here."  Shizuru looked shocked for a moment, but nodded.

            "You shouldn't get too involved in this," she warned her little brother.  Her tone was 'why do I have to tell you everything?' but it held a concerned note.

            Kuwabara smiled, not able to conceal the bitterness of it.  "Sorry Sis," he drawled, "I'm already too far to turn back."

            Shizuru shook her head before Kazuma dropped her on her bed.  She grabbed his arm as he tried to leave.  He looked back at her, his dark eyes clouded.  "This might not turn out the way you want," she warned softly.

            "I know," he said, shaking her hand loose.  He closed the door behind him quietly, and his sister stared after him.

            "Do you really?"  She wondered aloud.

****End Chapter 3****

            Hahahahahahaha…  Yeah, well ya know those annoying loading scenes you get when you play the Play Station?  This is like that right?  Thanks for the reviews.