Yay, Much love to all who reviewed X3 They are very greatly appreciated, even if you were to flame me, I'd still feel somewhat loved that you took the time to do it X3 And…sorry for the delay in updating o-o

Warnings: Same as the previous chapters. Pretty ooc Hiei too…

Disclaimer: Same as the previous chapters

Summary: Hiei is beginning to get a hold of stuff as he listens to the conversation of the other three and when Kurama is alone talking to him. (So apparently, no spiritual awareness? Yea…that would have been no fun XP)

Yusuke put his hands in his pocket and leaned against the doorframe of Kurama's house. Kuwabara stood on the stairs and looked up at Yusuke.

"Aren't you going to knock Urameshi?"

"I'm not the one dieing to see the cat."

"You are so lazy!"

Yusuke casually shrugged and watched as Kuwabara walked past him and knocked on the door.

"Hey, it's me and Urameshi!"

"Hold on!"

Kuwabara crossed his arms over his chest and yelled back to Kurama. "Hurry up!"

"Gee, hold on to your pants, it's just a cat."

Kuwabara smiled. "Yea, a cat that's probably cute and furry, and would just be dieing to play with me."

Yusuke rolled his eyes and sighed. "Whatever man."

Kuwabara went back to the door and banged on it with his fist speaking in-between each hit. "Open…up…this…door…right…now…or…I'll…"

Before Kuwabara could hit the door again it opened revealing a smiling Kurama.

"Or you'll what may I ask?"

Kuwabara blinked at Kurama with his fist still in the air. Yusuke laughed slightly and pushed Kuwabara back some with his hand, stepping in front of him. "I wouldn't really mind him." Yusuke leaned in close to Kurama. "He hit is head on the way over here."

Kurama laughed as Kuwabara began to turn red. "That tree branch should have been trimmed!"

"Man, no one walks straight into a tree branch like that."

"Shut up Urameshi!"

Kurama idly stood in his doorway as the two began to fight. After a minute or two he backed away and began to close the door.

"Hey wait! Why you closing the door on us?"

He opened the door fully again and looked at Yusuke. "I have the air conditioning on, and I didn't think you would want to come in, having to much fun fighting."

Yusuke laughed dryly. "It's not fun fighting someone when you know your going to win."

Kuwabara pulled himself off the stairs. "Hey! I heard that Urameshi."

"Well duh, I wasn't exactly whispering."

"I really hate you sometimes, you know that?"

Yusuke clutched his heart and put one hand to his forehead. "Oh no! The great Kazuma hates poor me. However will I continue my life?"

"Ha ha Urameshi. Very funny." Kuwabara looked up at Kurama who was smiling calmly. "So, can we come in now?"

Kurama stood to the side. "Of course"

Yusuke stepped in first followed by Kuwabara. Kurama closed the door as they took off their shoes. He walked in front of Yusuke and Kuwabara and motioned towards the living room.

Yusuke sat on the recliner chair and Kuwabara sat on the opposite side in a loveseat. Kurama casually made his way and sat on the couch, in between Kuwabara and Yusuke.

"Hey, is there something wrong Kurama?"

Kurama looked up from fixing some magazines on the coffee table in front of him. "Not that I know of, why do you ask Yusuke?"

"I don't know, you seemed kind of, slow there."

"Yea…you do seem to be moving slower then usual."

"Oh, that? I just don't want to move to fast on my leg. That's all, no need to worry."

"That wound still bothering you that much? I thought it would have closed up a lot more by now."

Kurama laughed sheepishly.

"Yea, you should have gone to Yukina with us."

Yusuke rolled his eyes as Kuwabara went into a long speech about how great Yukina is.

"Hey, speaking of things that are cute…where's the kitty?"

"I think he's still in the kitchen."

"Well, I'll go get him then."

"Why don't we just call its name?"

"It's not a dog Urameshi."

Yusuke shrugged. "It's worth a shot."

Kuwabara sighed. "Fine, call for it Kurama."

Kurama turned to face the kitchen some. "Shadow! Come here Shadow."

Kitchen

Hiei looked towards the door as 'his' name was called. Ch, like I really want to go in there with that moron. He should have been able to sense my ki by now anyways.

"Come on Shadow. There are people that want to see you!"

I'm not getting up to have that baka try and touch me.

"See! I told you Urameshi! It's not a dog and wouldn't come when called!"

"Oh well, one point for you then I guess. So that makes it what? One to 100?"

"Just shut it Urameshi!"

Hiei sat and looked at the door thinking. So, I can wait here until one of them gets me, or go out there on my own and prove that baka wrong.

Hiei leapt off the table in favor of the latter. He couldn't be the one to give that baka one point, now could he?

"I'm going to go get him…"

Kuwabara, Yusuke, and Kurama all looked down as Hiei made is way over and jumped onto the coffee table.

Yusuke put his arms back behind his head and smirked at Kuwabara. "Not like a dog eh?"

Kuwabara narrowed his eyes at Yusuke.

"Wouldn't come eh?"

"Now now, lets not get into this. Shadow is here and that's what we wanted right?"

Kuwabara looked at Yusuke a second longer before turning his gaze towards Kurama. "Yea."

Kurama patted Hiei on the head and leaned back on the couch.

"So, you named it Shadow eh?"

Kurama looked at Yusuke. "Yea…why?"

Yusuke grinned at Kurama. "Oh nothing, I just thought you would name it after…"

"After my mom? Of course not…it's a guy…"

Kurama quickly added before Yusuke could finish his sentence causing both Hiei and Kuwabara to look at Kurama puzzled.

Yusuke leaned forward towards the coffee table. "Shadow, I guess it suits him. Though, not a name I thought you would give him."

Kurama leaned forward and fixed the already tidy magazines. "I…don't know what you're talking about…"

Hiei looked at Kurama confused. What's the matter with him? Is he blushing?

Kuwabara looked in between Yusuke and Kurama in confusion. "Well….Shadow looks cute is all I can say."

Kurama looked up at Kuwabara and smiled while Yusuke rolled his eyes.

Oh, that baka is so dead.

"Can I pet him?"

Say no.

"Sure, but he might back away…"

"No worries, all cats love me."

Kuwabara reached out towards Hiei and quickly withdrew his hand. "OUCH!"

Yusuke leaned back and began laughing. "All cats love you eh?"

"I'm so sorry Kuwabara. I didn't think he would scratch you!"

Kuwabara looked at his hand some then at Hiei. "It's okay, nothing to major."

Damn.

"He never scratched me…just…backed away."

"Maybe the great Kazuma was lying about all cats loving him."

"Shut up, it…probably just needs to get to know me better…"

"Sure…you mind if I try to pet him?"

"Uh…sure…but be careful."

"Yea yea, I'll be on my best behavior."

Hiei watched with interest as Yusuke reached out towards him. This is going to be priceless.

Yusuke reached down and patted Hiei's head, who in turn quickly glanced at Kuwabara.

Just as I thought.

Kuwabara's mouth was hanging open with his eyes wide with shock.

Yusuke leaned back again with a smug expression on his face. "Well…it would seem he just doesn't like you." (can you tell I don't really either? XD)

Kuwabara was utterly shocked.

"Um…I don't know what to say Kuwabara…I guess he really doesn't like you…"

Kuwabara stood up quickly "No! I refuse to believe that…maybe if I played with it or something."

Kurama looked at Yusuke nervously while he just shrugged.

"Do you have any string?"

"I think in the drawer over there…"

Kuwabara quickly walked over and searched frantically until he got the string. "Cats can't resist string." Nodding to himself he walked back over and sat down looking at Hiei.

Kurama and Yusuke watched somewhat nervous for their friends' behavior.

"Come on kitty, get the string…" Kuwabara dragged the string on the coffee table, to and from Hiei.

Moron…I don't like you…go away…your task of sensing my ki has failed. And I'm NOT going to get that string!

"I don't think it's going to play with you Kuwa…just face it…it doesn't like you."

"That's not true Urameshi! All cat's love me!" (He's scaring me…) Kuwabara faced Kurama. "Do you have any toys that he likes to play with?"

"Well…I've only had him since this morning really…but…maybe one thing…"

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure it will work…but it's worth a try." Kurama took one of his side locks, bent down and placed it on the table. "Come on Shadow…" He moved his hair around on the table.

Hiei watched with interest as Kurama dragged his hair on the table. The lights highlighting it at different angles when it moved. Mustn't…try…to…grab…Kurama began to push it towards Hiei then slowly drag it back. …I'm only doing this…to make that baka feel worse…not to feel the kitsune's hair again…Hiei got into a pouncing position and waited until Kurama put his hair closer to him again. He pounced on the hair trapping it between both his front paws. Aha! Got it…this time it's not getting out of my grasp! Hiei twitched his whiskers as he brought his nose to examine his prize.

"What?!"

Yusuke laughed at Kuwabara. "Give it up man. He doesn't like you, and won't ever like you."

Kurama gently pulled his hair out from Hiei's grasp. I don't think so…Hiei extracted his claws to try and keep Kurama's hair down, but it only slipped through them.

Hey! Wait…I'm not done with you! Hiei stood up on his back legs and tried to swipe at Kurama's hair but it was already to far.

Kurama smiled down at Hiei and affectionately rubbed his head. "You really like my hair don't you?"

NO! What makes you think that? Hiei looked around himself to find Yusuke laughing, Kuwabara shocked out of his tiny head, and himself standing on his hind legs. He quickly set back down and looked at his paws. Was I doing…what I think I was doing? He looked up quickly to see Kurama smiling down at him then back down. Argh…I was…and to top it all off…his hair still managed to slip from my claws.

"Well…Now that we established that this one cat doesn't like Kuwabara…unless he manages to grow hair like yours Kurama. I say, I tell you about tomorrow."

Kurama faced Yusuke. "Okay, I was going to ask you about that on the phone earlier…"

All three of them turned to face Kuwabara who was leaned back in the chair, still shocked.

Yusuke turned to face Kurama again. "Anyways…"

"Yes. Now what did Koenma what?" Kurama turned back towards Yusuke after he saw Kuwabara wasn't going to move for a while.

"Well, he called this morning to ask what happened to us last night. I explained to him what happened and the thing about where she told Hiei that we have the wrong person."

Hiei was paying attention as casually as he could when he felt something warm on his sides and the coffee table leaving from underneath his paws. The next thing he knew was that he was in Kurama's lap being stroked. He looked up to see Kurama still facing Yusuke.

…Might as well just play the part of the cat…just as long as that baka doesn't try to touch me again.

Hiei shrugged to himself inwardly and put his attention back to Yusuke as Kurama continued to stroke him.

"So, pacifier breath wants to meet with us tomorrow morning to have a chat with us."

Kurama nodded and began to pet Hiei behind his ears. "So, where do I meet you two?"

"Well, I was thinking we could just meet as his place…"

"Sounds good to me. What time in the morning?"

"Ten."

Kurama moved his hand so he was petting Hiei's chin while he thought about what Yusuke said. "Ten…"

Ten…That feels good…if he just moves over…kami…Hiei began to subconsciously purr.

"Something wrong Kurama?"

"Oh…nothing…I was just thinking about what time to sleep so I can wake up refreshed, and still have enough time to get ready and all."

Yusuke nodded and looked around some. "Well, my job is done and seeing as how Kuwa over there isn't going to get to play with Shadow. I guess…I'll be going now."

Kurama picked up Hiei and placed him on the coffee table standing up. "Thank you for the information Yusuke."

Hiei narrowed his eyes as he was placed on the coffee table. It ended too soon…WAIT! What am I saying…I didn't enjoy that…I wasn't purring…

"No problem man! I would get in trouble if I didn't inform you."

"You saying that you're scared of what Koenma will do?"

"Are you kidding me? That toddler, no. It'll slip to Botan I didn't tell you, and Botan will automatically tell Keiko about my 'juvenile irresponsibility'. You know how annoying that speech can get?"

"Honestly?" Kurama raised an eyebrow at Yusuke. (Loving on the straight a student here)

"Ah, just shut up." Yusuke scolded jokingly.

Kurama just grinned. "What should we do about Kuwabara?"

"Ugh, is he still shocked that Shadow doesn't like him."

"It would seem so, should we be worried at how shocked he is?"

"Naw, a simple knock in the head should get him out of it."

Yusuke walked over to Kuwabara and hit him on the head. "Come on! We're leaving now!"

Kuwabara blinked and looked up to see Yusuke and Kurama staring down at him. "What?"

Yusuke roughly grabbed Kuwabara's arm and pulled him out of the chair. "We're leaving."

Kuwabara nodded slowly and began to walk towards the door in a slight daze. Yusuke watched him walk away and then turned to Kurama who sweat dropped. Yusuke then shrugged and made is way over to the door followed by Kurama.

Kuwabara already had his shoes on and was staring blankly ahead.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then Kurama."

Kurama nodded and politely opened the door for the two teenagers. Kuwabara, still in a trance like state stepped out and waved without emotion to Kurama as the got to his front gate.

Kurama watched as the two walked away, waving politely when Yusuke waved near the end of the street.

"Don't forget to tell Hiei!" Yusuke shouted a little to loudly causing one person to look through his window to throw something at him. "Ouch!" Yusuke shook his fist angrily at the person.

Kurama laughed to himself and shut the door; leaning against it he looked at the grandfather clock. "Seems, it's later then I thought." Using his hands to push himself forward some, Kurama made his way back to the couch and lazily plopped down on it. Sighing, he brushed away the strands of hair that fell on his face from lying down. "Been in interesting day, I just hope it remains a normal night." Smiling he looked over to Hiei who was still on the coffee table. "Don't get me wrong…interesting is grand and all, just not tonight." Reaching out he patted Hiei's head and grabbed a book resting next to him. Lying so he was slightly propped up by the armrest, Kurama opened the book and began to read.

He's just going to lie there and read the night away? Well…he always did read when I came over, but that was usually some ningen homework crap. Even then, he would talk to me. What I'm I supposed to do now, sit here and watch him read? Gazing around the living room he contemplated leaving. I would have nowhere to go though. Setting his gaze back on Kurama he watched him flip a page. Wonder what he's reading…

Hiei stood up and leapt over to the armrest. Turning to face the book in Kurama's hands he knelt down and looked at the pages. He had just about got the words in focus when he heard a slight laughter from Kurama.

Kurama moved one of his arms so he could pet Hiei on the head behind him. "Are you that smart kitty, that you can read?" Kurama tilted his head some to cast a look at Hiei. "Or are you just getting closer to play with my hair some more?"

Hiei slowly blinked at Kurama. I'm just trying to see what's so interesting in this book and if I have to get close to your hair…that just happens to be a coincidence. Not that I mind…

"Oh, you know what would be fun Hiei?"

Scarring that fool even more?

"If I read to you."

…

"I always wanted to read to little children or something. My mom states I have a nice voice for doing so."

Can't exactly disagree there…

"But, seeing as how no one is home, and Shuiichi usually doesn't like the kind of books I read…"

What makes you think I will?

"I'll read to you Hiei" Kurama patted Hiei's head once more before turning his attention back to the book. Adjusting himself, so that he was more comfortable on the couch, he began to read the story. (No, Kurama hasn't gone crazy…he's practicing to read long stories out loud. And the following is part of the first page of Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye.)

" Oh, my! Oh, My! Murmured Hermux Tantamoq as he carefully examined the wristwatch. He had never seen such a beautiful watch so badly treated. The crystal was shattered. The hands were twisted like melted wax. The face was chipped and scratched so badly that the numbers were barely legible. The young…."

Hiei slowly blinked his eyes as Kurama turned the page. The words he was speaking, becoming a slow pleasant hum to his ears. He lied himself down on the armrest, his head on his paws. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and smelt nothing but roses. Cracking open one eye, he noticed that by lying down like this, he put himself directly next to the kitsune's hair. He shifted his gaze to see Kurama still reading the book. Guess he doesn't mind…Once again, closing his eyes, Hiei soon drifted off to sleep of mice in clothes, flaming red hair, and roses.

Continuation

Author's Notes::

Oh hey, another chapter down. That wasn't the original ending I had planned for this chapter, but, I have come up with a new kind of twist to this story… which required a change in this, one's ending X3 About the book being about Mice…that was just the closest book I could grab that wasn't a manga. Sorry about the delay in updating this story, I was kinda busy, thinking/writing a little one shot for a fic trade. I've also started school…so that might be a slow down ;; I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can. Please review, and sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes. Another sorry for the update…. review o-o?