Chapter Two

of...

Something Unexpected

a fanfic by Rain Darkwood

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. Jeez, do I really have to do this on every chapter? Maybe I won't do it anymore. You see if I do!

A Few Thoughts, Kazunori the Crazy

Kurama July 20th, 2004

That was a strange day indeed. Perhaps there was something special in the air, everybody seemed just a little different. Except Kuwabara of course. I don't think any kind of magic could make him different. The most obvious change in a person that day was undoubtedly hiei. He didn't really seem so different I suppose, but seeing him talking to a girl was very peculiar, to say the least. I didn't think Hiei was capable of - well, I guess it would be far too soon to make such a prediction.

The mall was boring. Yusuke strolled through the indoor complex slightly ahead of Kuwabara and Kurama, his hands in his pockets as he browsed the wondows at his leisure. Kuwabara followed next to Kurama, scanning each shop window as though absolutely enamored with each one's selection. Occasionally they would reach the window of a lingerie store or another "uncool" store, and Kuwabara would childishly look away as though too cool. Kurama did not browse much, he preferred to stare up at the glass ceiling far above them, as drops spattered silently and streams of rainwater made patterns across the curved glass. Hypnotizing, he thought.

Yusuke was now quite a bit ahead, and ducked into a video store. As Kurama and Kuwabara approached, they found him at a large cardboard display admiring DVD's of the latest action film. Kurama strode up beside him, hands in his pockets.

"Zombie Ninjas vs. Tokyo" Kurama recited, reading the title of the movie. "Sounds like the pinnacle of class."

Yusuke laughed, admitting slight self-mockery. "Okay, what kind of movies do you like, Kurama?"

Kurama looked around at the various displays of movies at the top of their genre. "Hmm. Dramas are fantastic. Tapping into human emotion is a task not even the strongest demon can perform perfectly."

"You do a pretty good job."

"I guess I'm not pretending."

Yusuke chuckled in agreement. "What about you, Kuwabara?"

Kuwabara had strayed from his parent figure, Kurama, and was lingering near the Anime and Comedy. "What?"

"Nevermind."

They came out of the shop, Yusuke dragging Kuwabara. They ahd reached the food court, and Yusuke rubbed his rumbling stomach gingerly. "Time for lunch."

Kurama seemed genuinely surprised. "You had pancakes three hours ago!"

Yusuke licked his lips. "You're right. It's definitely time to eat."

As they approached the food court, Yusuke at the lead, Kurama notcied that the amount of people near them had thinned considerably. They were quite alone as they came near the edge of the cafeteria... or...?

Kurama turned swiftly. Directly behind them was little Kazunori himself, looking quite deadly, if it weren't for the triple-scoop chocolate ice cream cone in his hand. As it were, he looked like an out of place cartoon. Kuwabara turned as well, but Yusuke continued.

In one gulp, Kazunori devoured the ice cream and dusted his hands against each other quickly. "What brings this little comedy troup here today?"

Kurama smiled. "You're one to talk."

Kazunori shrugged. He was a small half demon from the spirit realm who had only recently befriended Yusuke and his friends, with his partner Koji. One of his hands was mechanical, in the form of a minigun. He hid this in public with a particularly long sleeve and a plastic case around the forearm. "I gotta get out of here. Where you guys heading after this?"

"Probably Yusuke's house. Hiei was talking to a girl earlier."

"Well I'll come with you, I've tried all of the - What?"

"You tried all the what?"

"No, what did you say about the demon swordsman?"

"Hiei. he was talking to a girl earlier. A human girl."

Kazunori stared him coldly in the eyes for a moment. "I don't believe you. There are dopplegangers here."

Kurama laughed. "Impersonators? Stop it, you're almost as bad as Kuwabaka. Bara." Kuwabara looked around stupidly.

They continued on toward where Yusuke was now eating at a table. By the time they reached him, he was nearly done with his meal. Yusuke looked up at them. "Hey, so you found a toy? No, wait... that's Kazunori."

Kazunori growled.

"We'd better get moving here soon," Kuwabara said, pointing at the glass ceiling. "I think it's gonna storm soon."

End of Chapter Two

Forgive me for making such a short chapter with very little Hiei involved. I wanted to explore the idea of them hanging out at the mall for a little while. We'll get back to Hiei and Nori next chapter.