Kurushimi: Thanks to all that have reviewed, I didn't realize that this story had come out as good as you people say. Thanks again! I'm going to keep going on this, maybe even use the idea I was suggested to use, of course with some tweaking. (Thanks the Mr. Kanno) Now, onward and forward! I own nothing, 'cept some of the ideas, but Mr. Kanno will know which is not mine, all credit goes where credit is due.

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Chapter Three: Realizations

            The next week had lethargically pushed along, and the weekend was now upon the Tantei. Kurama had been at work all week, while Yusuke and Kuwabara had been attending some of their college classes. Walking briskly down the park's cheery path, Kurama glanced at his watch, 'Yusuke had wanted to see me by three, if I remember correctly,' the red head thought to himself. Ticking quietly, the watch seemed to stare back at Kurama, the time reading 1:30 exactly.

            Finding a bench in a field of grass, the youkai took a seat and gazed up at the sky, "Things certainly have gotten confusing over the last week," he muttered to himself, "Not only have we lost almost all touch with Hiei, but Kuwabara and Yukina still aren't speaking, and now, with Yukina staying in my home, I just shouldn't think about this," he shook his head and stretched, his shoes raking across the damp and vibrant grass. A weak breeze played through the trees and the fox's hair. Folding his arms behind his head, he closed his eyes and let himself get some rest before his meeting with Yusuke.

            "Hello, Yukina!" Botan cheered, bubbly as ever. She entered the front door of Kurama's home and began playing with the sleeves of her brown leather jacket. Keiko walked in right after the bouncy ferry girl and took a seat next to the other two girls, "How have you been, dear?" the Botan inquired, looking toward Yukina. This question had been asked several times in the past week when the two girls would visit the Ice Maiden. Everyone had to be sure of her security after what had happened, "It sure was nice of Kurama to open his home to you," the so called Grim Reaper went on without an answer.

            Shifting in her seat and blushing at the mention of Kurama's name, Yukina glanced up, "I've been doing pretty well," she answered the first question, "And his hospitality has been so comforting," more red flushed her face.

            Keiko giggled slightly as Botan went on, "Ooh! It sounds to me like someone is thinking about a different red head than usual…" she hinted and winked at the ice apparition. Clearing her throat and sitting up straight, Botan regained her composure, "I'm sorry, that was rude of me Yukina…"

            Shyly, Yukina kicked at the soft, dull blue carpeting beneath her feet, "No, it's ok," she reassured the two visitors, "You may actually be right. I still have feelings for Kazuma, but he just such a…" she trailed off, trying to find the right word.

            "Jerk?" Keiko cut in, "Yusuke's a jerk, but I like that about him. I think you need someone more caring," the brunette suggested kindly, "I think Kuwabara's too brash for you."

            Yukina looked up, a mix of worry and happiness on her face, "You really think so? He has always been like that, but not to me. Do you think I did something wrong?" the ice demon questioned shakily, distracting herself by adjusting a picture frame on the glass covered coffee table. Taking a moment to glance at the picture; it was a group photo of the entire Tantei, accompanied by Botan, Keiko, Koenma, and Yukina. Beside Yukina, was Kuwabara, smirking like a chimp, his arms wrapped around the Ice Maiden. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she failed to notice that the room was filled with a curious silence. Anger suddenly flaring within the apparition, Yukina flung the picture over her shoulder, catapulting it into a nearby wall. Taking nothing with her, Yukina stomped out the door, slamming it behind her.

            "Oh dear," Botan finally broke the building tension, "I do hope she'll be alright…" she ran her fingers through her blue locks. The brunette, meanwhile, had gone to retrieve the thrown object, and brought it to Botan. Ironically enough, only one crack now slithered down the picture's frame. The one that separated Kuwabara and Yukina.

            Kurama sat in Yusuke's room, examining the year old photo of the group. He ran his fingers over the fine coat of dust that graced the photo with its near invisible presence. Rubbing the soft material between his index finger and his thumb, 'Such a normal time we were in,' he thought, glancing himself and Hiei in the photo. Hiei had reluctantly accepted the photo opportunity, but had arrogantly looked the other way, tarnishing the group's otherwise perfect moment, 'Yes, even Hiei was his usual self,' the Yoko looked to Yukina being cradled by Kuwabara, 'More of our normalcy. But why do I hesitate to capitalize on the twist of fate served to us?'

            "Uh, Kurama?" Yusuke finally broke the silence in the room, breaking the thought in Kurama's mind, "I called you here, cause, well, I just wanted to know how Yukina is doing…" he rubbed the back of his neck and looked around the cluttered room, leaning back in his chair.

            The Yoko saw straight through Yusuke in the blink of an eye, "You mean Kuwabara wants to know how Yukina is doing?" he corrected, staring emotionlessly forward. Suddenly finding himself hating Kuwabara, the youkai could see why Hiei had for such a long time, 'He deserves to die,' the Yoko in his head began to show through, 'Yukina should be with you, with me,' the voice chanted to Kurama, 'That ox hurt her, he should pay for his actions…' the red haired demon smiled to himself, 'A truce for now,' Kurama thought to his other self, 'You must see, you two are meant to be one. Now go,' the other voice commanded. The Yoko stood and placed the picture on the desk beside him, his fingers sliding through the dust as he did so, "If Kuwabara wishes to see her, he can talk to me," and with that, the youkai strode out of the room. The dust had been lifted from the frame, but only from Yukina and Kurama's forms.

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Kurushimi: Ooh, a little darkside showing through in Kurama!

Momo:(my buddy) Review!!!!

Kurushimi: Constructive criticism, to be preciese.