Kurama: "Mom! Do you need any help with the laundry?"

Shiori: (smiles) "No thank you, Shuichi. You and Hiei run along and play."

Hiei: *rolls eyes*

Shiori: *laughs at her joke*

Hiei grabbed a Gatorade and began to head up the stairs. Kurama watched him go, then approached his mother.

Kurama: (with a worried expression) "Are you sure you're okay?"

Shiori turned serious as she noted her son's anxiety. Tenderly, she brushed a loose strand of hair out of his eyes, then gave him a motherly smile.

Shiori: "Or course I am, honey. After all, I have you as a son."

She gently kissed his forehead, then went back to separating dirty clothes. Kurama grinned, then proceeded up the stairs.

Hiei was watching with his Jagan. The love between mother and son had captivated him, filling his cold heat with painful longings. 'What was my mother like?' he wondered. 'Would she have loved me enough to kiss me goodnight?'

Kurama: ( giving a friendly call) "Hiei!"

Hiei: (shaking off the strange feelings) "What d'ya want, kitsune."

Kurama paused at Hiei's icy tone, then smiled happily.

Kurama: (tauntingly) "There is a game of chess with your name on it! (forms his voice into a high, squeaky pitch) Hiiieeeeeiii . . .

Hiei: O_o; "If you ever do that again, I swear I'll kill you."

Kurama: T_T;

Hiei: *yawn* "Besides, I'm tired of beating you at chess . . ."

Kurama: (chuckling) "You've never beaten me at - "

Hiei: "ANYway, think of something else to do."

Kurama thought for a second, then mischievously smirked.

Kurama: "How about we see who can withstand the most disgusting, most nauseating food ever to be concocted in this house!"

Hiei: "Huh?"

Kurama: "Just follow me, and watch closely."

Hiei: (Jagan glowing) "That's not a problem . . ."

Kurama led the way to the fridge. He took out a slice of frozen pizza, spread grape jelly over it, then poured chocolate syrup on it. With is face twisted in disgust, he swallowed

Kurama: "Top that, Jaganshi."

Hiei: "Hn, with pleasure!"

Hiei got a bowl from a cabinet, then opened the fridge. After considering his options, he picked out an egg - to began with. He cracked the egg, letting the yolk fall slowly into the bowl. Kurama watched with amusement.

Hiei: "You see, 'Shuichi', you've yet again underestimated my ability to gormandize. My stomach can withstand anything, unlike your half-human one. You should have realized this, oh-smart-one, and now you must face defeat!"

Kurama: "Hiei, just shut-up and eat."

Hiei glared at his friend, then reached into the fridge and pulled out an assortment of items. He poured ketchup, chocolate and strawberry syrup, mustard, mayo, orange juice, milk, and applesauce into the bowl. After that, he grabbed some sugar, pickles, Tabasco sauce, and salad dressing. He stirred his creation together with anticipation, then gulped it down. Every last drop.

Hiei: (wiping his mouth with his hand, then licking it) "It reminds me of a fungus I once ate while traveling in the forests of Makai . . .

Kurama: (clutching his throat) "Hiei, that's just sick . . ."

Hiei: (smirk) "Well, go ahead iron belly. Let's see whatcha got!"

Kurama gazed sadly at Hiei before he started surveying his choices. He unpeeled a banana on to a plate and smashed it up into a gooey substance. He poured cereal, then crushed it into the mixture. Cottage cheese, pickle juice, soy sauce, sour cream, salsa, peanut butter, and strawberry syrup was added after that. With a deep sigh, Kurama got a fork and sat down at the table, unable to start what had to be finished.

Hiei: "Hn, I knew it."

The kitsune began wolfing down the substance. He devoured the obscene mess as quickly as possible. That was when he began to feel queasy.

Kurama: "There, ugh, it's finished. You couldn't beat that if your life depended on it!"

Shiori: "Shuichi! There's a big spider on my . . . Shuichi?"

Kurama: @_@

Hiei: (eyes widening with inspiration) "Where is the spider?"

Shiori: "Oh, it's on my bed. Be careful though, Hiei. That's the biggest spider I've ever seen!"

Hiei dashed into the bedroom and returned with a HUGE spider wriggling in his hand. Kurama watched in horror at what he would do next. First of all, he trapped the spider underneath a cup. He took some sweet- snow, chocolate syrup, whip cream, and a cherry out of the fridge. After that, he decorated the spider with the toppings he had chosen. The spider tried desperately to free itself, but instead died with a sickening CRUNCH.

Hiei: (a spider leg daggling out of his mouth, still trying to run) "Mmmmm, my favorite out of all the insects I've eaten."

That did it for poor Kurama. He dived into the bathroom and slammed the door. Hiei smiled to himself as he plucked the leg from his lips and chewed it.

Hours later . . .

Their night had been filled with root beer floats, cookies, milkshakes, hot chocolate, games & contests, laughter, and friendship. They found themselves lying lazily on the floor of Kurama's room, three sheets to the wind, and slowly drifting off to sleep.

Hiei: "Kurama . . . *hiccup*

Kurama: (eyelids half open) "Yes, Hiei?"

Hiei: " . . . whoyou gonna taketothe dance?" *hic*

Kurama: . . . . . .

Although it may have been the sugar rush talking, Kurama believed there was some logic in Hiei's question.

Kurama: " . . . I'm not sure, Hiei. Whoever she is, she has to be extraordinary . . ."

The Jaganshi didn't hear him, however. He was fast asleep, dreaming of dancing cookies and his mother.

~Please review! An appearance by Botan in the next chapter!