Chapter 16: They're back: Rose's parents return

Solaris: Okay, this chappie is going to be a good one, so I'll just do the disclaimer and get on with it…

Narrator dude: HOLD IT! I DEMAND MORE BENEFITS!

Foxglove: You don't have to hear my complaining 24/7, like Solaris does. Isn't that good enough?

Narrator dude: NO IT ISN'T! I WANT VACATION TIME! IF I DON'T GET IT, I'LL QUIT!

Solaris: Tch. Wouldn't be too much of a loss if you did.

Foxglove: That wasn't nice, but I have to admit, it was the truth. Narrator dude, just SHUT UP and DO THE DISCLAIMER!

Narrator dude: All right, don't be so pushy. Solaris and Foxglove don't own anything famous in this story, least of all YYH. There, happy now?

Solaris: Yes. Now, let's have a talk about these so-called "benefits"…

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"Rose, come on, it's been forever since we had a family dinner…" Rose's dad sighed. Rose's mom noticed something was up. Her brash, brave daughter was acting as though something outside was going to get her. She had never acted like this before. It was strange.

"No! I don't want to go anywhere. I had a really stressful week, I'd just rather not go anywhere." Rose protested.

"You sat around, watched TV, read mangas, and ate ramen all week, how is that stressful?" her dad sighed.

"You'd never believe me if I told you…" Rose said. Her dad gave her a look that said 'you're right, I wouldn't, so stop arguing and just get ready.' Rose looked at her mom, but got no sympathy or help. "Fine. If I can't get out of this, can I at least have a friend along?"

"Sorry, Rose, but no. Family dinner, family only." her mom said. She knew how it was to be a teenager and be forced on a family dinner. The same thing had happened to her on many occasions.

"Then I won't go. No friend, no go." Rose said as she turned away. Rose's mom sighed; when Rose got into one of these moods, there was no changing her mind. Rose's dad looked ready to yell, so her mom stepped in to soothe the tension.

"Dear, I think Rose is right. She looks like she had a tough week. You have to remember she hasn't ever stayed by herself for a week before. Let's just let her rest. We can go out to dinner, she can stay home. It's not like we don't have a week before we have to go out of town again." she said. He caved and so Rose got her way. Just before they left, the doorbell rang. Rose's mom answered it, and smiled as she saw Shuichi. "Hello. Rose is in the den. You might want to steer clear of family topics today. She's in one of her dark moods." she said apologetically. He nodded and soon after, Rose's parents left.

"Dark moods?" he asked.

"Mom calls it that when I feel stubborn and don't want to do anything. I just don't want to leave the house until school starts back." Rose sighed as she sank into her favorite chair.

"I can understand that. After the incident with Lexi, I don't think anyone would want to leave their house again for as long as possible." he nodded. So, while they waited for her parents to return, they talked about everything but Lexi.

~~~

Meanwhile, at Kuwabara's house, the other three members of the Reikai Tantei were talking, when Hiei finally spoke up. "The fox isn't here."

"Yeah, I noticed that. Wonder where he is…" Kuwabara said.

"I have a pretty good idea. It's talking to a red-haired, brown-eyed girl, whose name is Rose. That's where he's been every night this week." Yusuke said. Shizuru came in the room, Botan following.

"Maybe he likes her. Did you think of that?" Shizuru said.

"But that's a weird way of showing it." Yusuke said.

"Just because he doesn't have a spirit egg he can throw in a fire to save her doesn't mean he doesn't like her." Botan giggled. The truth was, she thought it was a perfect match.

"Well, just 'cause he likes her doesn't mean he can skip off meeting us here." Kuwabara complained.

"Maybe somethings are more important than hearing you whine, little brother." Shizuru said as she sat down. (A/n: Sorry for my Kuwabara bashing!)

"Hn." was Hiei's reply. (Translation: She's right.)

"Okay, I didn't understand what you just said, but I think it was an agreement with Shizuru." Yusuke said. Hiei nodded. "Someone's going to have to tell her that she's expected to train with Genkai soon. May as well be him." he sighed.

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Solaris: All right. The narrator dude is on vacation, so it's up to us to do the afterword.

Foxglove: HE'S GONE! YAY!