Nobara: COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE RAT!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!
Hiei::running away with a carton of ice cream:: You have to catch me first!!
Kurama::holding back a very angry authoress:: Please Nobara, calm down! ;
Nobara: But he stole my ice cream!!
Kurama: Don't you have another carton in the freezer?
Nobara::stops struggling:: You're right ::goes to get other carton::
Kurama::stares after Nobara:: I worry about her sometimes...o.oU
Nobara::from kitchen:: do the disclaimer for me please Kurama?
Kurama: Nobara owns nothing, not me, not Hiei, not any of us, not even the computer it's her grandmother's.
Kurama and Hiei sat on the couch waiting for Yukina and Rose to finish getting ready. Yukina came down at about twenty til wearing a dark blue kimono with silver birds embroidered on it and had her hair pulled back in it's normal style. Hiei tapped his foot irritably as Rose never came back down stairs. "Kurama go get that onna," said the koorime. Kurama nodded and made his way up stairs. Before he knocked on the door it swung open and Rose stood before him. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans ans a black halter top. Her hair hung down around her shoulders in perfect waves and an opal choker was around her neck.
Rose giggled when she saw Kurama's mouth hanging open slightly. With a playful gesture of closing his mouth with her pointer she went downstairs. "About time," grumbled Hiei who was leaning against the door."You look very nice Rose-sama," said Yukina with a smile. "Thanks and you look great too, you have to tell me where you got that kimono," said Rose. "I suggest we be going now, we've only ten minutes before Yusuke decides we're not coming." "How are we going to get down a mountain in ten minutes?" asked Rose as she folded her arms across her chest. Kurama smirked and picked her up bridal style, "Using demon speed to our advantage," said the kitsune. Hiei and Yukina followed Kurama and Rose through the trees and through the city's streets.
"C'mon they're not coming," said Yusuke looking at the watch on Keiko's wrist. "You don't know that," said Keiko jerking her wrist away from Yusuke. "If they were gonna come they'd be here," said Yusuke as he began walking inside. As if on cue Kurama landed on the sidewalk with Rose still in his arms, Hiei and Yukina right behind them. "About time," grumbled Yusuke in greeting," We would have been here sooner but Princess here had to primp," said Kurama as he gently put Rose down. She rolled her eyes and playfully punched Kurama's arm ,"Can we go in already? I want to sing a song for my lovely Yukina!" said Kuwabara taking the hand of Yukina who smiled and patted his hand. Rose watched from the corner of her eye as Kurama held back Hiei while they all screamed NO!
Everyone entered in pairs, Yusuke and Keiko, Kuwabara and Yukina, Botan and Koenma who was thankfully in his teen form, Hiei and Shizuru who had decided she needed a night out of the house, and finally Kurama and Rose. Again Rose saw Hiei throw a death glare at the back of Kuwabara's head and if looks could have killed, she guessed Kuwabara would have dropped on the spot. "Why does Hiei hate Kuwabara so much?" asked Rose in a whisper to Kurama. "Yukina's his sister, but don't let her know, and Hiei's very protective of her," replied the kitsune. They took a large table right next the the stage where a man was singing rather off key. Hiei didn't join them of couse, he was recruited as Shizuru's drinking buddy and wound up at the bar.
Botan and Keiko were rattling on about clothes and Yusuke and Kuwabara were grumbling about the service being slow. "Damn waiter must be at least a hundred years old to not have made it to our table yet," grumbled Yusuke. "I'm sorry it took so long but I assure you I'm not a hundred years old," said a perky female voice from behind Yusuke. Turning around Yusuke saw that the waitress was rather pretty, short blonde hair and bright green eyes, but she had the personality of Botan. "May I take your order?" she asked in her cheerful voice taking a pen from behind her ear and a pad of paper out of her back pocket. They all gave their orders and the waitress went on her way. "Someone should go up and sing," said Botan who sat across the table from Rose twiddling her thumbs.
"I will do it!," said Kuwabara standing up. "Oh no you don't!" said Yusuke yanking him back in his chair. "But I want to sing a song for my lovely Yukina," whined the orange haired oaf. They sat in silence listening to Shizuru's loud drunken laughter from the close by bar, a few minutes later the same said woman staggerred to the stage and took the microphone. Saying something to the dj she took her place center stage as the music began.
Well I'm an eight ball shootin' double fisted drinking son of a gun I wear my jeans a little tight just to watch the little boys come undone
I'm here for the beer and the ball bustin' band
Gonna get a little crazy just because I can
You know I'm here for the party
And I ain't leaving til they throw me out
Gonna have a little fun
Gonna get me some
You know I'm here...
I'm here for the party!
I may not be a ten but the boys say I clean up good And if I gave them half a chance for some rowdy romance you know they would
I've been waiting all week just to have a good time
So bring on those cowboys and their pick up lines!
You know I'm here for the party
And I ain't leaving til they throw me out
Gonna have a little fun
Gonna get me some
You know I'm here...
I'm here for the party!
Don't want no purple hooter shooters
Just some Jack on the rocks
Don't mind me if I start that trashy talk!
You know I'm here for the party
And I ain't leaving til they throw me out
Gonna have a little fun
Gonna get me some
You know I'm here...
I- I-I'm here for the party!
You know I'm here for the party
And I ain't leaving til they throw me out
Gonna have a little fun
Gonna get me some
You know I'm here...
I'm here for the party!
I'm here for the party
Just try to throw me out!
The people cheered at Shizuru's well done imitation of Gretchen Wilson as she made her way back to the bar. Rose looked at Kurama, "Did you know she could sing like that?" ,"Not the slightest idea." Turning to Kurama Koenma said, "Kurama, why don't you grace us with your beautiful singing?" "I'd rather not..." said Kurama politely. "It's either you or Kuwabara," said the lord of spirit world. "What song?" , "I've been actually wanting to hear Elvis lately." Kurama sighed and went to the stage and told the dj his song choice. Taking the microphone that was handed to him Kurama began to sing in a voice that could put the king to shame.
Wise men say
Only fools rush in.
But I can't help
Falling in love with you.
Shall I stay?
Would be a sin?
If I can't help
Falling in love with you.
Like a river flows
To the sea
So it goes
Somethings are meant to be.
Take my hand
Take my whole heart too
But I can't help
Falling in love with you.
Wise men say
Only fools rush in.
But I can't help
Falling in love with you.
The entire time he sang his eyes were locked with Rose's and her with his. Somehow he felt the song expressed what he felt but he'd felt silly about it too. Returning to his seat by Rose several girls came up hitting on Kurama but were quickly dealt with by Rose. Botan had noticed how they acted and a light bulb finally clicked in her head. With a crazy grin she dragged Koenma from his chair and towards the bathrooms. "What Botan?!" asked the irritated Koenma.
"Haven't you noticed it?"
"Notice what?"
"Kurama and Rose!"
"What about them?
"I think they're falling in love!"
"Botan get a grip on yourself, Kuro and Youko hate each other!"
"Sir, I didn't say Youko & Kuro I said Kurama & Rose!"
"Oh, well yes, what about them?"
"Aren't they cute?"
Koenma's eyebrow twitched. You dragged me away from the table to tell me that? Yusuke's probably eaten my food by now." Koenma walked back to the table followed by Botan who was fighting the urge to pop him on the back of the head. The food had arrived and everyone was happily chatting when a guy crashed into the table sending food flying everywhere. "AND DON'T EVER TRY TO TOUCH A GIRL WHEN SHE'S ALREADY SAID NO AGAIN!" The group turned to look where the angry shouting came from and saw Shizuru standing up with one shirt sleeve rolled up shaking a fist at the man on the ground. "You win," said Hiei simply handing Shizuru a ten. Deciding not to ask the others continued what they were doing.
After about an hour or two everyone had sang at least one song except Rose who sat quietly by Kurama. Taking notice of this the kitsune asked "Are you alright?" , "I think I'm deaf. You're right, Kuwabara can't sing...." Kurama and Yusuke sniggered and Kuwabara returned from singing his song. "Why don't you go sing something Rose? It was your idea after all," said Botan in her cheery voice. "Okay," Rose hopped from her seat and onto the stage. Taking the micro phone she told the dj, "Throw on Gretchen Wilson's Redneck Woman." Before the song started Yusuke yelled teasingly. "What is that? Your theme song?" Rose chuckled," How did you guess?"
Well I ain't never
Been the Barbie doll type
No I can't swig that sweet chapange
I'd rather drink beer all night
In a tavern, or in a Honkey Tonk, or on a four wheel drive tail gate
I've got posters on my walls of Skynard, Kid, and Strait
Some people look down on me
But I don't give a rip
I'll stand barefooted in my own front yard
With a baby on my hip
Cause I'm a redneck woman
I ain't no high class brood
I'm just a product of my raisin
I say hey ya'll and yee-ha!
And I keep my Christmas lights up on my front poarch all year long
And I know all the words to every Charlie Daniels song!
So here's to all my sisters
Out there keeping it country
Let me get a big hell yeah from the redneck girls like me!
Victoria's Secret, well their stuff's real nice
Oh but I can buy the same damn thing on a Wal-Mart shelf half price
And still look sexy, just as sexy
As those models on tv
I don't need no designer tag
To make my man want me
You might think I'm trashy
A little too hard core
But in my neck of the woods
I'm just the girl next door!
Yeah, I'm a redneck woman
I ain't no high class brood
I'm just a product of my raisin
I say hey ya'll and yee-ha!
And I keep my Christmas lights up on my front poarch all year long
And I know all the words to every Tanya Tucker song!
So here's to all my sisters
Out there keeping it country
Let me get a big hell yeah from the redneck girls like me!
Yeah, I'm a redneck woman
I ain't no high class brood
I'm just a product of my raisin
I say hey ya'll and yee-ha!
And I keep my Christmas lights up on my front poarch all year long
And I know all the words to every Bocephus song!
So here's to all my sisters
Out there keeping it country
Let me get a big hell yeah from the redneck girls like me!
Rose finished and returned to her table, enjoying the cheers she got from the other people in the resturaunt. "Where did you learn to sing like that?" asked Yusuke patting her on the shoulder. The redhead smiled, "All us redneck women know how to sing, it's bred into us." The blonde haired waitress from before came up with her smile even bigger than before. "Excuse me miss, I heard you singing and I wanted to know if you'd like to be the warm up for Thursday's band," Rose looked a little surprised at first but smiled, "Sure, but don't I need to talk to the owner of this place?" "I am the owner," said the perky woman, "see you Thursday." Yusuke watched her walk away, "Pretty and owns a resturaunt, oh miss!" , "Yusuke!" , "OW! What Was That For?!" Keiko folded her arms and turned to talk to Botan while Yusuke rubbed the hand shaped red mark on his face. (a/n: I couldn't resist... )
Shizuru had somehow bribed Hiei into singing "Story of My Old Man" and surprising the others, he did pretty good on it (a/n: Gomen for the song choices I couldn't think of any and randomly chose them from the mix c.d I'm listening). Out of the corner of his eye Kurama saw Rose yawning, "Are you tired Rose?" She shook her head, "I'm fine, I don't want to have to make you leave so soon." Kurama laughed softly, "It's close to midnight, I don't care to take you back to Genkai's I was planning on going myself." "Well if you don't mind." Rose and Kurama stood up and pushed their chairs in, "Please excuse us, I believe we're going to be going now. See you all later," said Kurama to the others.
Yusuke smiled smugly again (a/n: He does that alot doesn't he, lol) but Rose spoke before he could, "Don't say a word Yusuke, I have a right hook that could drop a moose and I'm too tired to care who I use it on..." The black haired boy just waved," Okay then, see you tomarrow." Rose nodded and began to walk out the door with Kurama. Botan once again grabbed Koenma by the arm and began dragging him away. "For dad's sake Botan please stop doing that!" said Koenma in an irritated voice. "I just wanted to know what you're going to do."
"What do you mean what am I going to do?"
"About Youko and Kuro?"
"I thought you were talking about Rose and Kurama!"
"I was before but what now?"
"What do mean Botan?"
"If you haven't noticed, even though Kurama and Rose have a thing for each other, Youko and Kuro aren't on the best of terms"
"Your point being...."
"What if Youko tries to hurt Rose to keep Kurama from her or vice versa?"
"Hm, I don't think either of them will risk that chance but we'll deal with that later should it come around"
Botan and Koenma began back to the table to be stopped by the spotlight shining on them. "And here's our duet for tonight people! Botan and Koenma!" said the dj. Botan looked at Koenma and Koenma looked at Botan, "I didn't do it," , "Me either..." The two turned to look at the others at the table, mainly at the all too angelic looking Yusuke. With a sigh Botan climbed to the stage dragging Koenma along with her," What are we singing?" , "It says that you two are singing Crow and Kid's 'Picture'," said the dj handing each a microphone.
Rose stumbled on the sidewalk and Kurama caught her before she fell all the way. "Hold on a minute," she said holding onto Kurama's shoulder. The kitsune watched as Rose bent and rolled up her pants legs to reveal knee high leather high heeled boots. Unzipping the first one she took it off and handed it to Kurama, followed by the second. He laugh softly when she took them from him and began walking down the sidewalk, "What?" she turned to look at him. "Nothing," he replied simply walking ahead. She jogged to catch up with him and took his hand. Kurama smiled and twined his fingers with hers as they continued in silence.
Halfway up the mountain Rose began to lag behind a little bit, "Would you like me to carry you the rest of the way up?" asked Kurama stopping to let her catch up the two steps between them. "I don't want to trouble you," she replied through a yawn. Kurama shook his head and picked her up bridal stlye, "No trouble at all." Not really awake but not quite asleep Rose snuggled up against him as he walked up the stairs to the temple. No need to hurry thought the kitsune as he looked down at her peaceful face. Gently kicking open the door with his foot Kurama went into the temple and took Rose up to her room.
Laying her down and covering her with the blanket at the end of her bed Kurama was kind of sad to put her down. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and left the room, "Dream well Princess," he said casting a final look into the room. With a soft laugh he shut the door and went down stairs. "You act like you won't make it to tomarrow," said a pink haired old lady from the kitchen (a/n: She's dead, I know, but for now she lives!!) Kurama blushed slightly, "Don't be embarassed by it boy, love's a good thing," she continued with out looking from the refrigerator. He hated when she did that, it was slightly creepy how she knew that kind of stuff without even looking at the person.
"Do you mind if I stay here? Mom and the rest of them went out of town for the week," said the redhead sitting down on the couch. "I figured you were going to, your room is ready whenever you feel like going to bed," she said again selecting what she wanted. "And before you get to thinking too much, don't worry about if Rose cares for you or not, I can see it everytime you two are near each other. It's so sweet it's almost sickening," she added before going to her room down the hallway with her sandwhich. Kurama shook his head, trying to get the hairs on the back of his neck to lay down, how does she do that? Deciding to go to sleep he climbed back upstairs and went to his room across the hallway from Rose's.
(Rose's Dream)
It was an empty black plain, mist covered the ground and Rose stood looking around. Ahead of her was a tree stump where Kuro sat staring at her, arms folded across her chest. "What do you want Kuro?" asked Rose walking up to her. Kuro sighed and patted to a stump beside her that had popped up from nowhere. She sat down beside the kitsune and folded her arms waiting for Kuroyuri to speak. "You know that I hate Youko and dislike Kurama beyond anything else," started Kuro, "Yes I know that now skip ahead to the part where you tell me why," said Rose cutting off her demon side. Kuro shook her head, "It's hard to explain it so I will have to show you," said Kuro holding out her hand for Rose to take. The redhead took the hand and immediately felt something jerk her forward. Now she stood in a large stone room. Weapons covered the walls and a giant bed was against the far wall. In the center of the room Kuro stood before Youko who had a smirk on his face.
"So you thought you could get away with stealing from the great Youko Kurama?" he asked the stoic faced Kuroyuri. "There's nothing great about you, you're just another common thief," she replied. Youko let out a soft growl and pushed her down by the shoulder to one knee. Kuro growled softly and bent her head in seeming defeat. Youko smiled, "You have underestimated me by thinking you could steal from me then kill me." Rose watched Kuro reach under the edge of her skirt for a dagger that was strapped to her calf. "You underestimate me by thinking I couldn't do it," a flash of silver and Kuro had the dagger tip pressing into Youko's stomach. "You have once again underestimated me, by thinking I wouldn't expect that," Youko had a katana blade pressed the her throat by the time she looked up at him. "One move and you're dead," he said with a smirk, "You kill me and I'll take you to hell with me," she replied.
Youko pressed the sword deeper and Rose could see a small trickle of blood. "You forget, a stab in the gut for me isn't anymore than cut on the arm for me, I'll heal you won't," he said. Kuro growled knowing that her luck had just ran out and dropped the dagger letting the clang echo through the room. Youko moved the katana and picked up the dagger hanging both on the wall. Kuro stood back up and glared at the back of Youko's head. "So you think you're a big man by defeating a woman?" Kuro asked in a mocking voice. Youko turned on his heel and caught Kuro by the neck, his thumb and fingers pressing into the flesh under her jaw joint. Kuro struggled to pull herself away from Youko who now had her suspended in the air, "I think I'm a big man by letting you live."
With that Youko threw her onto the bed and left the room. Kuroyuri took in a deep gasping breath and stood up, "You can't keep me here forever Youko!" Reaching into her long silver hair she extracted what looked like lilles of the valley, but instead of being white they were black. Each small flower became a long whiplike weapon that had small prickly barbs on the ends of them. Flicking her wrist the whips lashed out at the door in an attempt to shred it. After a few more frustrated attempts, Kuro gave up and sank to the floor.
Rose was back in the plain with Kuro. Releasing the kitsune's hand she stood back and stared at Kuro. "That's not all Rose," said Kuro softly, "he made me help him, to steal to gain my freedom. I grew to where I didn't mind being with him, so when he allowed me to go free I stayed." "So what do you have against him if he turned you loose?" asked Rose. Kuro held out her hand again and Rose took it to enter another of Kuro's memories. Rose stood in a hallway watching Kuro stare out an oversized window. A slight smile was on her face as she watched the stars through the window. Kuro began to walk away but a clawed hand stopped her. Turning to face the man who had stopped her she saw it was Youko.
"Kuro?" he looked slightly uneasy about something. "Yes?" asked the woman looking him straight in the eye, amber to amber. He couldn't find the words he'd wanted to say and Kuro could see this. "Youko, I've been wanting to do this for a long time," said Kuro walking up to the kitsune. Standing on her tipetoes she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Not sure how to respond at first Youko looked stunned but soon relaxed and wrapped his arms around her waist and returned her kiss. Finally the need for air became to great for both of them and they pulled back. "Kuro, I want you to be my mate," he said, finding his voice again. Kuro bit her lip and thought it over, "Are you sure Youko? I mean, if you mark me and I you then we can't undo it. Even if one of us died, the other won't be able to take on another mate," she said softly. Youko cupped her face and smiled gently, "I'm sure, are you?" Kuro smiled and nodded.
Youko smiled a bit wider, "Meet me here tomarrow." Kuro nodded again and Rose was pulled back to the plain with Kuro. "So you two were happy, in love, what happened?" she asked standing before the kitsune. Kuro sighed and held out her hand once more. And once more Rose took her hand and was once more shot into a memory. This time she was seeing through Kuro's eyes as Youko stood in the hallway. He was hugging another woman who had long dark brown hair and blue eyes that were crying. "Don't worry about Kuroyuri, I'll always love you Tetsuma," he said kissing her on the forehead. Rose felt he was going to say something else but Kuro had already left the scene. Coming back into the plain with Kuro Rose understood why she loathed Youko so much.
"You know how you take alot of my traits?" asked the kitsune. Rose nodded, "I'm afraid for you if Kurama takes on a few of Youko's." Rose nodded again and sighed about to ask Kuro something but was jerked from her sleep.
(End Rose's Dream)
Rose sat up at the sound of her alarm clock buzzing next to her head. Looking over she saw it was close to ten o'clock in the morning. With a yawn she turned the clock off and crawled out of the bed. Realizing that she was still wearing her clothes from the night before she grabbed her bathrobe and went downstairs into the onsen (a/n: hot spring) house out back (a/n: So Genkai might not actually have one! She does now...hehehe). Kurama heard Rose's door open and her walk down the stairs. Deciding it was time to get up anyway so he crawled out of bed. Walking to the chifferobe where his spare clothes he took out a pair of shorts and a white wife beater (an: I love those things, very comfy).
Going to the back door Genkai was standing in front of the open refrigerator. He gave her a glance and wondered how someone who ate as much as she did was so small. "Kurama before you go out to the onsen-" , "I'll do it later, I need to relax right now," said Kurama through a yawn as he walked outside. "But you should know that-" Genkai began but was cut off by the door slamming shut,"that Rose is already out there. Not like you listen, or anyone for that fact..." Genkai took another sandwhich from the refrigerator and left for her room (a/n: I guess she has the premade deli ones or something...).
Steam rolled from the hot water as Rose pulled off her clothes and hung them on peg by her robe. Sitting on the edge to adjust to the water she splashed her face and leaned back on her arms pondering her dream. Kurama slid open the door and walked inside. Hanging his robe on a peg he noticed that Rose's 'Princess' robe on the next one. His eyes went wide with realization of what Genkai was trying to tell him earlier. The steam began to clear a bit and Kurama saw Rose's bare back facing him. Crimson creeping on his face he backed slowly out of the hut and shut the door behind him softly.
Rose turned when she thought she heard the door shut but shrugged it off and slid completely into the water. After about a hour of bathing she climbed from the water and dried off with a towel she took from the overhead shelf. Reaching for her bathrobe she felt the terry cloth brush against her fingertips and grabbed it. Pulling it on she walked in the house to grab something to eat. Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Botan sat at the bar watching Kurama cook eggs. "Good morning" said Rose cheerily. Kurama looked at her and dropped the egg he was holding, Botan, Yusuke, and Kuwabara turned to look at Rose. Botan gasp, Kuwabara's mouth dropped open, and Yusuke smiled smugly.
Nobara: Warqueen pointed out to me that the spacing in Ch. 1 was screwed up and I'm sorry about that. It didn't look like that on my comp, but then FF got rid of all my lines.
Hiei: Why all the author's notes?
Nobara: Because I was talkative today! But you wouldn't know how it feels to be that way do you?
Hiei: Nope
Kurama: You made it long...
Nobara: Yep, I hope you like it! Read & review, or just read, or maybe just review, but that wouldn't really make sense.... Bye!
Hiei::running away with a carton of ice cream:: You have to catch me first!!
Kurama::holding back a very angry authoress:: Please Nobara, calm down! ;
Nobara: But he stole my ice cream!!
Kurama: Don't you have another carton in the freezer?
Nobara::stops struggling:: You're right ::goes to get other carton::
Kurama::stares after Nobara:: I worry about her sometimes...o.oU
Nobara::from kitchen:: do the disclaimer for me please Kurama?
Kurama: Nobara owns nothing, not me, not Hiei, not any of us, not even the computer it's her grandmother's.
Kurama and Hiei sat on the couch waiting for Yukina and Rose to finish getting ready. Yukina came down at about twenty til wearing a dark blue kimono with silver birds embroidered on it and had her hair pulled back in it's normal style. Hiei tapped his foot irritably as Rose never came back down stairs. "Kurama go get that onna," said the koorime. Kurama nodded and made his way up stairs. Before he knocked on the door it swung open and Rose stood before him. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans ans a black halter top. Her hair hung down around her shoulders in perfect waves and an opal choker was around her neck.
Rose giggled when she saw Kurama's mouth hanging open slightly. With a playful gesture of closing his mouth with her pointer she went downstairs. "About time," grumbled Hiei who was leaning against the door."You look very nice Rose-sama," said Yukina with a smile. "Thanks and you look great too, you have to tell me where you got that kimono," said Rose. "I suggest we be going now, we've only ten minutes before Yusuke decides we're not coming." "How are we going to get down a mountain in ten minutes?" asked Rose as she folded her arms across her chest. Kurama smirked and picked her up bridal style, "Using demon speed to our advantage," said the kitsune. Hiei and Yukina followed Kurama and Rose through the trees and through the city's streets.
"C'mon they're not coming," said Yusuke looking at the watch on Keiko's wrist. "You don't know that," said Keiko jerking her wrist away from Yusuke. "If they were gonna come they'd be here," said Yusuke as he began walking inside. As if on cue Kurama landed on the sidewalk with Rose still in his arms, Hiei and Yukina right behind them. "About time," grumbled Yusuke in greeting," We would have been here sooner but Princess here had to primp," said Kurama as he gently put Rose down. She rolled her eyes and playfully punched Kurama's arm ,"Can we go in already? I want to sing a song for my lovely Yukina!" said Kuwabara taking the hand of Yukina who smiled and patted his hand. Rose watched from the corner of her eye as Kurama held back Hiei while they all screamed NO!
Everyone entered in pairs, Yusuke and Keiko, Kuwabara and Yukina, Botan and Koenma who was thankfully in his teen form, Hiei and Shizuru who had decided she needed a night out of the house, and finally Kurama and Rose. Again Rose saw Hiei throw a death glare at the back of Kuwabara's head and if looks could have killed, she guessed Kuwabara would have dropped on the spot. "Why does Hiei hate Kuwabara so much?" asked Rose in a whisper to Kurama. "Yukina's his sister, but don't let her know, and Hiei's very protective of her," replied the kitsune. They took a large table right next the the stage where a man was singing rather off key. Hiei didn't join them of couse, he was recruited as Shizuru's drinking buddy and wound up at the bar.
Botan and Keiko were rattling on about clothes and Yusuke and Kuwabara were grumbling about the service being slow. "Damn waiter must be at least a hundred years old to not have made it to our table yet," grumbled Yusuke. "I'm sorry it took so long but I assure you I'm not a hundred years old," said a perky female voice from behind Yusuke. Turning around Yusuke saw that the waitress was rather pretty, short blonde hair and bright green eyes, but she had the personality of Botan. "May I take your order?" she asked in her cheerful voice taking a pen from behind her ear and a pad of paper out of her back pocket. They all gave their orders and the waitress went on her way. "Someone should go up and sing," said Botan who sat across the table from Rose twiddling her thumbs.
"I will do it!," said Kuwabara standing up. "Oh no you don't!" said Yusuke yanking him back in his chair. "But I want to sing a song for my lovely Yukina," whined the orange haired oaf. They sat in silence listening to Shizuru's loud drunken laughter from the close by bar, a few minutes later the same said woman staggerred to the stage and took the microphone. Saying something to the dj she took her place center stage as the music began.
Well I'm an eight ball shootin' double fisted drinking son of a gun I wear my jeans a little tight just to watch the little boys come undone
I'm here for the beer and the ball bustin' band
Gonna get a little crazy just because I can
You know I'm here for the party
And I ain't leaving til they throw me out
Gonna have a little fun
Gonna get me some
You know I'm here...
I'm here for the party!
I may not be a ten but the boys say I clean up good And if I gave them half a chance for some rowdy romance you know they would
I've been waiting all week just to have a good time
So bring on those cowboys and their pick up lines!
You know I'm here for the party
And I ain't leaving til they throw me out
Gonna have a little fun
Gonna get me some
You know I'm here...
I'm here for the party!
Don't want no purple hooter shooters
Just some Jack on the rocks
Don't mind me if I start that trashy talk!
You know I'm here for the party
And I ain't leaving til they throw me out
Gonna have a little fun
Gonna get me some
You know I'm here...
I- I-I'm here for the party!
You know I'm here for the party
And I ain't leaving til they throw me out
Gonna have a little fun
Gonna get me some
You know I'm here...
I'm here for the party!
I'm here for the party
Just try to throw me out!
The people cheered at Shizuru's well done imitation of Gretchen Wilson as she made her way back to the bar. Rose looked at Kurama, "Did you know she could sing like that?" ,"Not the slightest idea." Turning to Kurama Koenma said, "Kurama, why don't you grace us with your beautiful singing?" "I'd rather not..." said Kurama politely. "It's either you or Kuwabara," said the lord of spirit world. "What song?" , "I've been actually wanting to hear Elvis lately." Kurama sighed and went to the stage and told the dj his song choice. Taking the microphone that was handed to him Kurama began to sing in a voice that could put the king to shame.
Wise men say
Only fools rush in.
But I can't help
Falling in love with you.
Shall I stay?
Would be a sin?
If I can't help
Falling in love with you.
Like a river flows
To the sea
So it goes
Somethings are meant to be.
Take my hand
Take my whole heart too
But I can't help
Falling in love with you.
Wise men say
Only fools rush in.
But I can't help
Falling in love with you.
The entire time he sang his eyes were locked with Rose's and her with his. Somehow he felt the song expressed what he felt but he'd felt silly about it too. Returning to his seat by Rose several girls came up hitting on Kurama but were quickly dealt with by Rose. Botan had noticed how they acted and a light bulb finally clicked in her head. With a crazy grin she dragged Koenma from his chair and towards the bathrooms. "What Botan?!" asked the irritated Koenma.
"Haven't you noticed it?"
"Notice what?"
"Kurama and Rose!"
"What about them?
"I think they're falling in love!"
"Botan get a grip on yourself, Kuro and Youko hate each other!"
"Sir, I didn't say Youko & Kuro I said Kurama & Rose!"
"Oh, well yes, what about them?"
"Aren't they cute?"
Koenma's eyebrow twitched. You dragged me away from the table to tell me that? Yusuke's probably eaten my food by now." Koenma walked back to the table followed by Botan who was fighting the urge to pop him on the back of the head. The food had arrived and everyone was happily chatting when a guy crashed into the table sending food flying everywhere. "AND DON'T EVER TRY TO TOUCH A GIRL WHEN SHE'S ALREADY SAID NO AGAIN!" The group turned to look where the angry shouting came from and saw Shizuru standing up with one shirt sleeve rolled up shaking a fist at the man on the ground. "You win," said Hiei simply handing Shizuru a ten. Deciding not to ask the others continued what they were doing.
After about an hour or two everyone had sang at least one song except Rose who sat quietly by Kurama. Taking notice of this the kitsune asked "Are you alright?" , "I think I'm deaf. You're right, Kuwabara can't sing...." Kurama and Yusuke sniggered and Kuwabara returned from singing his song. "Why don't you go sing something Rose? It was your idea after all," said Botan in her cheery voice. "Okay," Rose hopped from her seat and onto the stage. Taking the micro phone she told the dj, "Throw on Gretchen Wilson's Redneck Woman." Before the song started Yusuke yelled teasingly. "What is that? Your theme song?" Rose chuckled," How did you guess?"
Well I ain't never
Been the Barbie doll type
No I can't swig that sweet chapange
I'd rather drink beer all night
In a tavern, or in a Honkey Tonk, or on a four wheel drive tail gate
I've got posters on my walls of Skynard, Kid, and Strait
Some people look down on me
But I don't give a rip
I'll stand barefooted in my own front yard
With a baby on my hip
Cause I'm a redneck woman
I ain't no high class brood
I'm just a product of my raisin
I say hey ya'll and yee-ha!
And I keep my Christmas lights up on my front poarch all year long
And I know all the words to every Charlie Daniels song!
So here's to all my sisters
Out there keeping it country
Let me get a big hell yeah from the redneck girls like me!
Victoria's Secret, well their stuff's real nice
Oh but I can buy the same damn thing on a Wal-Mart shelf half price
And still look sexy, just as sexy
As those models on tv
I don't need no designer tag
To make my man want me
You might think I'm trashy
A little too hard core
But in my neck of the woods
I'm just the girl next door!
Yeah, I'm a redneck woman
I ain't no high class brood
I'm just a product of my raisin
I say hey ya'll and yee-ha!
And I keep my Christmas lights up on my front poarch all year long
And I know all the words to every Tanya Tucker song!
So here's to all my sisters
Out there keeping it country
Let me get a big hell yeah from the redneck girls like me!
Yeah, I'm a redneck woman
I ain't no high class brood
I'm just a product of my raisin
I say hey ya'll and yee-ha!
And I keep my Christmas lights up on my front poarch all year long
And I know all the words to every Bocephus song!
So here's to all my sisters
Out there keeping it country
Let me get a big hell yeah from the redneck girls like me!
Rose finished and returned to her table, enjoying the cheers she got from the other people in the resturaunt. "Where did you learn to sing like that?" asked Yusuke patting her on the shoulder. The redhead smiled, "All us redneck women know how to sing, it's bred into us." The blonde haired waitress from before came up with her smile even bigger than before. "Excuse me miss, I heard you singing and I wanted to know if you'd like to be the warm up for Thursday's band," Rose looked a little surprised at first but smiled, "Sure, but don't I need to talk to the owner of this place?" "I am the owner," said the perky woman, "see you Thursday." Yusuke watched her walk away, "Pretty and owns a resturaunt, oh miss!" , "Yusuke!" , "OW! What Was That For?!" Keiko folded her arms and turned to talk to Botan while Yusuke rubbed the hand shaped red mark on his face. (a/n: I couldn't resist... )
Shizuru had somehow bribed Hiei into singing "Story of My Old Man" and surprising the others, he did pretty good on it (a/n: Gomen for the song choices I couldn't think of any and randomly chose them from the mix c.d I'm listening). Out of the corner of his eye Kurama saw Rose yawning, "Are you tired Rose?" She shook her head, "I'm fine, I don't want to have to make you leave so soon." Kurama laughed softly, "It's close to midnight, I don't care to take you back to Genkai's I was planning on going myself." "Well if you don't mind." Rose and Kurama stood up and pushed their chairs in, "Please excuse us, I believe we're going to be going now. See you all later," said Kurama to the others.
Yusuke smiled smugly again (a/n: He does that alot doesn't he, lol) but Rose spoke before he could, "Don't say a word Yusuke, I have a right hook that could drop a moose and I'm too tired to care who I use it on..." The black haired boy just waved," Okay then, see you tomarrow." Rose nodded and began to walk out the door with Kurama. Botan once again grabbed Koenma by the arm and began dragging him away. "For dad's sake Botan please stop doing that!" said Koenma in an irritated voice. "I just wanted to know what you're going to do."
"What do you mean what am I going to do?"
"About Youko and Kuro?"
"I thought you were talking about Rose and Kurama!"
"I was before but what now?"
"What do mean Botan?"
"If you haven't noticed, even though Kurama and Rose have a thing for each other, Youko and Kuro aren't on the best of terms"
"Your point being...."
"What if Youko tries to hurt Rose to keep Kurama from her or vice versa?"
"Hm, I don't think either of them will risk that chance but we'll deal with that later should it come around"
Botan and Koenma began back to the table to be stopped by the spotlight shining on them. "And here's our duet for tonight people! Botan and Koenma!" said the dj. Botan looked at Koenma and Koenma looked at Botan, "I didn't do it," , "Me either..." The two turned to look at the others at the table, mainly at the all too angelic looking Yusuke. With a sigh Botan climbed to the stage dragging Koenma along with her," What are we singing?" , "It says that you two are singing Crow and Kid's 'Picture'," said the dj handing each a microphone.
Rose stumbled on the sidewalk and Kurama caught her before she fell all the way. "Hold on a minute," she said holding onto Kurama's shoulder. The kitsune watched as Rose bent and rolled up her pants legs to reveal knee high leather high heeled boots. Unzipping the first one she took it off and handed it to Kurama, followed by the second. He laugh softly when she took them from him and began walking down the sidewalk, "What?" she turned to look at him. "Nothing," he replied simply walking ahead. She jogged to catch up with him and took his hand. Kurama smiled and twined his fingers with hers as they continued in silence.
Halfway up the mountain Rose began to lag behind a little bit, "Would you like me to carry you the rest of the way up?" asked Kurama stopping to let her catch up the two steps between them. "I don't want to trouble you," she replied through a yawn. Kurama shook his head and picked her up bridal stlye, "No trouble at all." Not really awake but not quite asleep Rose snuggled up against him as he walked up the stairs to the temple. No need to hurry thought the kitsune as he looked down at her peaceful face. Gently kicking open the door with his foot Kurama went into the temple and took Rose up to her room.
Laying her down and covering her with the blanket at the end of her bed Kurama was kind of sad to put her down. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and left the room, "Dream well Princess," he said casting a final look into the room. With a soft laugh he shut the door and went down stairs. "You act like you won't make it to tomarrow," said a pink haired old lady from the kitchen (a/n: She's dead, I know, but for now she lives!!) Kurama blushed slightly, "Don't be embarassed by it boy, love's a good thing," she continued with out looking from the refrigerator. He hated when she did that, it was slightly creepy how she knew that kind of stuff without even looking at the person.
"Do you mind if I stay here? Mom and the rest of them went out of town for the week," said the redhead sitting down on the couch. "I figured you were going to, your room is ready whenever you feel like going to bed," she said again selecting what she wanted. "And before you get to thinking too much, don't worry about if Rose cares for you or not, I can see it everytime you two are near each other. It's so sweet it's almost sickening," she added before going to her room down the hallway with her sandwhich. Kurama shook his head, trying to get the hairs on the back of his neck to lay down, how does she do that? Deciding to go to sleep he climbed back upstairs and went to his room across the hallway from Rose's.
(Rose's Dream)
It was an empty black plain, mist covered the ground and Rose stood looking around. Ahead of her was a tree stump where Kuro sat staring at her, arms folded across her chest. "What do you want Kuro?" asked Rose walking up to her. Kuro sighed and patted to a stump beside her that had popped up from nowhere. She sat down beside the kitsune and folded her arms waiting for Kuroyuri to speak. "You know that I hate Youko and dislike Kurama beyond anything else," started Kuro, "Yes I know that now skip ahead to the part where you tell me why," said Rose cutting off her demon side. Kuro shook her head, "It's hard to explain it so I will have to show you," said Kuro holding out her hand for Rose to take. The redhead took the hand and immediately felt something jerk her forward. Now she stood in a large stone room. Weapons covered the walls and a giant bed was against the far wall. In the center of the room Kuro stood before Youko who had a smirk on his face.
"So you thought you could get away with stealing from the great Youko Kurama?" he asked the stoic faced Kuroyuri. "There's nothing great about you, you're just another common thief," she replied. Youko let out a soft growl and pushed her down by the shoulder to one knee. Kuro growled softly and bent her head in seeming defeat. Youko smiled, "You have underestimated me by thinking you could steal from me then kill me." Rose watched Kuro reach under the edge of her skirt for a dagger that was strapped to her calf. "You underestimate me by thinking I couldn't do it," a flash of silver and Kuro had the dagger tip pressing into Youko's stomach. "You have once again underestimated me, by thinking I wouldn't expect that," Youko had a katana blade pressed the her throat by the time she looked up at him. "One move and you're dead," he said with a smirk, "You kill me and I'll take you to hell with me," she replied.
Youko pressed the sword deeper and Rose could see a small trickle of blood. "You forget, a stab in the gut for me isn't anymore than cut on the arm for me, I'll heal you won't," he said. Kuro growled knowing that her luck had just ran out and dropped the dagger letting the clang echo through the room. Youko moved the katana and picked up the dagger hanging both on the wall. Kuro stood back up and glared at the back of Youko's head. "So you think you're a big man by defeating a woman?" Kuro asked in a mocking voice. Youko turned on his heel and caught Kuro by the neck, his thumb and fingers pressing into the flesh under her jaw joint. Kuro struggled to pull herself away from Youko who now had her suspended in the air, "I think I'm a big man by letting you live."
With that Youko threw her onto the bed and left the room. Kuroyuri took in a deep gasping breath and stood up, "You can't keep me here forever Youko!" Reaching into her long silver hair she extracted what looked like lilles of the valley, but instead of being white they were black. Each small flower became a long whiplike weapon that had small prickly barbs on the ends of them. Flicking her wrist the whips lashed out at the door in an attempt to shred it. After a few more frustrated attempts, Kuro gave up and sank to the floor.
Rose was back in the plain with Kuro. Releasing the kitsune's hand she stood back and stared at Kuro. "That's not all Rose," said Kuro softly, "he made me help him, to steal to gain my freedom. I grew to where I didn't mind being with him, so when he allowed me to go free I stayed." "So what do you have against him if he turned you loose?" asked Rose. Kuro held out her hand again and Rose took it to enter another of Kuro's memories. Rose stood in a hallway watching Kuro stare out an oversized window. A slight smile was on her face as she watched the stars through the window. Kuro began to walk away but a clawed hand stopped her. Turning to face the man who had stopped her she saw it was Youko.
"Kuro?" he looked slightly uneasy about something. "Yes?" asked the woman looking him straight in the eye, amber to amber. He couldn't find the words he'd wanted to say and Kuro could see this. "Youko, I've been wanting to do this for a long time," said Kuro walking up to the kitsune. Standing on her tipetoes she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Not sure how to respond at first Youko looked stunned but soon relaxed and wrapped his arms around her waist and returned her kiss. Finally the need for air became to great for both of them and they pulled back. "Kuro, I want you to be my mate," he said, finding his voice again. Kuro bit her lip and thought it over, "Are you sure Youko? I mean, if you mark me and I you then we can't undo it. Even if one of us died, the other won't be able to take on another mate," she said softly. Youko cupped her face and smiled gently, "I'm sure, are you?" Kuro smiled and nodded.
Youko smiled a bit wider, "Meet me here tomarrow." Kuro nodded again and Rose was pulled back to the plain with Kuro. "So you two were happy, in love, what happened?" she asked standing before the kitsune. Kuro sighed and held out her hand once more. And once more Rose took her hand and was once more shot into a memory. This time she was seeing through Kuro's eyes as Youko stood in the hallway. He was hugging another woman who had long dark brown hair and blue eyes that were crying. "Don't worry about Kuroyuri, I'll always love you Tetsuma," he said kissing her on the forehead. Rose felt he was going to say something else but Kuro had already left the scene. Coming back into the plain with Kuro Rose understood why she loathed Youko so much.
"You know how you take alot of my traits?" asked the kitsune. Rose nodded, "I'm afraid for you if Kurama takes on a few of Youko's." Rose nodded again and sighed about to ask Kuro something but was jerked from her sleep.
(End Rose's Dream)
Rose sat up at the sound of her alarm clock buzzing next to her head. Looking over she saw it was close to ten o'clock in the morning. With a yawn she turned the clock off and crawled out of the bed. Realizing that she was still wearing her clothes from the night before she grabbed her bathrobe and went downstairs into the onsen (a/n: hot spring) house out back (a/n: So Genkai might not actually have one! She does now...hehehe). Kurama heard Rose's door open and her walk down the stairs. Deciding it was time to get up anyway so he crawled out of bed. Walking to the chifferobe where his spare clothes he took out a pair of shorts and a white wife beater (an: I love those things, very comfy).
Going to the back door Genkai was standing in front of the open refrigerator. He gave her a glance and wondered how someone who ate as much as she did was so small. "Kurama before you go out to the onsen-" , "I'll do it later, I need to relax right now," said Kurama through a yawn as he walked outside. "But you should know that-" Genkai began but was cut off by the door slamming shut,"that Rose is already out there. Not like you listen, or anyone for that fact..." Genkai took another sandwhich from the refrigerator and left for her room (a/n: I guess she has the premade deli ones or something...).
Steam rolled from the hot water as Rose pulled off her clothes and hung them on peg by her robe. Sitting on the edge to adjust to the water she splashed her face and leaned back on her arms pondering her dream. Kurama slid open the door and walked inside. Hanging his robe on a peg he noticed that Rose's 'Princess' robe on the next one. His eyes went wide with realization of what Genkai was trying to tell him earlier. The steam began to clear a bit and Kurama saw Rose's bare back facing him. Crimson creeping on his face he backed slowly out of the hut and shut the door behind him softly.
Rose turned when she thought she heard the door shut but shrugged it off and slid completely into the water. After about a hour of bathing she climbed from the water and dried off with a towel she took from the overhead shelf. Reaching for her bathrobe she felt the terry cloth brush against her fingertips and grabbed it. Pulling it on she walked in the house to grab something to eat. Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Botan sat at the bar watching Kurama cook eggs. "Good morning" said Rose cheerily. Kurama looked at her and dropped the egg he was holding, Botan, Yusuke, and Kuwabara turned to look at Rose. Botan gasp, Kuwabara's mouth dropped open, and Yusuke smiled smugly.
Nobara: Warqueen pointed out to me that the spacing in Ch. 1 was screwed up and I'm sorry about that. It didn't look like that on my comp, but then FF got rid of all my lines.
Hiei: Why all the author's notes?
Nobara: Because I was talkative today! But you wouldn't know how it feels to be that way do you?
Hiei: Nope
Kurama: You made it long...
Nobara: Yep, I hope you like it! Read & review, or just read, or maybe just review, but that wouldn't really make sense.... Bye!