Woo! My amazing third chapter of Yume koi! I feel so proud of myself. –Anime teary eyes- By kami, I've just boosted my self esteem two percent! And it's all thanks to you.

Well, I was reading one of Iaragon's stories (can't remember which one…I think it was Matchbox…) and she's got a good idea. So, I'm going to interact with my readers. Why? …Because I want to. O.o So, anyway…here's the question that has stumped minds for ages…

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

I'm too impatient to find out! So, I need your help! Arigato! –Bows-

Enjoy the third chapter!

Naru was sitting on her couch. Doing nothing in particular…

Except staring at a picture on the wall. The woman in the picture had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She had a traditional kimono on, with simple pink petals on the kimono. It was white.

She cradled a baby, whose bright blue eyes were opened wide with curiosity in the picture. Naru felt tears brim the edges of her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away. She flipped on the TV. The channel was on the news station, where she had left it when she left for the mall earlier that afternoon.

"…and in other news, scientists say that they've started their project on finding a cure for cancer…" Cancer… That word hit Naru like a pound of bricks. She threw the remote at the wall. She growled, and walked out the door. "Damn. If they only started when my mother was still alive three years ago…she might be here…and I wouldn't be alone…" she muttered, walking out of her apartment building and into the rain. It was hot, dispite the cool rain coming from the dark clouds overhead.

Rubbing her eyes, she turned the corner and walked into the park. She flopped down with a thud onto a random bench, still rubbing her eyes. "Stop. Itching." She ordered angrily as a pair of gentle hands grasped her wrists. Freezing, she opened one eye to see Hiei. "You'll ruin your eyes, onna," he retorted with a bored tone.

Blushing, her eyes moved to his hands. His fingers uncurled and released her. She watched the empty space where he once stood. "Why does he have to leave?" she complained, standing up and running to Kurama's house, which was across the street.

"What were you doing out there anyway?" Kurama asked, handing her a warm cup of tea. She sneeze, took a sip, then sneezed again.

Sighing, he placed a hand on her forehead. "Fever. Happy?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasem. She rolled her eyes.

"Just pleasant."

He also rolled his eyes. "I will never understand the ways of the women," he grumbled, going up the stairs to get a cold rag and asprin.

While he was gone, there was a loud knock on the door.

Naru didn't move from her spot on the couch, curled up under a whole bunch of blankets with her tea. The visitor continued to knock.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Damn that sound was getting annoying.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

She twitched violently.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

"WHO THE HELL IS IT!" She screamed.

"Naru? What are you doing in Ku- oof! Ura- I mean, What are you doing in Suichi's house?"

"I'm sick. Come in Yusuke and Kuwubara."

The door flung open and the two dripping wet teens walked into the living room, just as Kurama came down the stairs. "I'll get more towels…" he said exasperatedly, turning on heel and walking back up the stairs.

Yusuke flopped onto one of the chairs. "That's not fair, Urameshi!" Kuwubara complained. "I was going there first!" Yusuke rolled his eyes.

"There's a comfier chair in the corner," the female pointed out.

Both boys scrambled up and fought for the chair. Naru sweat dropped along with Kurama when he came down the stairs. "Maybe I should go home?" she inquired.

"I'll drive you." His gaze landed on the teens, who were both sitting in the chair. He stifled a laugh. "I hope you don't destroy my house while I'm gone for five minutes." The two mock saluted. "Your house is safe."

"Somehow, I highly doubt that…" Kurama grumbled as he walked out the door, Naru trailing behind him.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

By god, not that noise again. Naru raised her head off her pillow, blinking her eyes. She coughed, still sick. She didn't get up. Waiting to see if the person left, she twitched violently when she heard it again.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

"WHO IS IT!" She screamed, doubting the person would hear her from all the in the back of her apartment.

"Botan! I've brought you nessessities for your immidete recovery!" she called cheerfully.

Ok. Her doubts were wrong. At least there wasn't that awful-

Bang. Bang. Bang.

She screamed. "TO HELL WITH IT!" Throwing off her covers, she opened the window, stuck her head out and yelled, "WHAT DO YOU WANT!" Hiei fell out of the tree. "I'll take…the stairs," he grumbled, rubbing his head.

A few moments later, Naru was curled up in her bed again, while Botan was out in the kitchen.

"Why are you here, Hiei?" Botan asked. "To make sure Naru gets well?"

"I could care less," the koorime responded.

"Oh. Well, why are you here?"

"To see if I can stay. Kurama's mother is renting out the guest room, and she said I could only stay if I paid." Hiei's eyes narrowed. "I don't know why I came here. I could have just slept in a tree."

Botan sweat dropped. "Uh huh!" she said, nodding. I don't get it, she thought, twitching slightly.

"You can go if you like, Hiei," Botan said softly. "I have everything covered here."

The pancakes burst into flames.

"…Or not," Hiei commented with a chuckle.

You like? Review, and there will be more to come!

Sayanora suckers! (Not.)