I've tried many different things, including going back on quick edit and still the chapter dividers won't show up. I have that because it compltely ruins the flow of the story and often leads to confusion. For this chapter I am attempting this: Between scenes there will be a Z to show the break.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Mmm, I really don't like this next scene, but I can't think of anything else that would work. My problem is that I rushed the Kurama-Yusuke relationship in the beginning and now it's giving me trouble. Does anyone besides me think I should delete this story and re-write the whole thing? (Hmm…I think I've just given myself an idea…) Oh! Yeah! Nevermind, I think I just fixed it!

Warnings: …come on, it's chapter 23. If you don't realize that this is yaoi and I don't own the characters by now, then you really haven't been paying attention

Z

"Urameshi…Hiei…and…Minamino." Mr. Tako frowned to himself as he checked the three names off the roster, brow knitting with concern. "That's four days each of them have been out without a word. And no one's heard from any of them?"

"They're so mysterious!" A girl in the second row giggled.

Rei turned back in her seat to look at her other teammates, a frown on her face. Four days ago she had sensed a surge of dark energy and since then there had been no sign of the three most suspicious people in the class? Hopefully she wasn't the only one to see the connection.

Unfortunately, her friends all seemed as oblivious as usual. Pursing her lips, she silently sent the hand signal they had agreed on to call an emergency meeting after school.

Z

Somehow Yusuke always managed to be away when Kurama came to call. Either that or he had threatened Kuwabara enough that the oaf had gotten over his fear of the demon enough to lie and send him away.

Yet Kurama doubted that Kuwabara had enough skill to fake the completely useless look that had crossed his face when he had informed the fox that he had no idea where the dark haired detective was going to every day. According to Kuwabara, Yusuke was almost never at the house.

And Hiei refused to help, although Kurama was sure he had seen their lover since the argument.

"Thursday…" The fox sighed quietly to himself, feeling decidedly empty. He tried to remind himself that he had lived for years without having Yusuke in his life, but…

And Hiei seemed to hold the separation against him and refused to offer any comfort. Without either of his lovers, his youko side was starving for the touches it so craved. Meanwhile his human side was far lonelier than ever he could remember.

He found himself in the park, sitting on the bench he had found Yusuke on the night they became lovers, and had no idea how he had gotten there.

"So, you've finally found me."

Kurama's head shot up and he stared at the person who had spoken. Yusuke looked much too beautiful to be true in a pair of ripped, faded blue jeans and a long white button down shirt, his tail hidden under the shirt and a blue scarf on his head to hide his ears.

With a soft, unsure smile, the former human sat down beside him on the bench.

"Hi."

"Hello…"

"How are you?"

"Yusuke…"

The dark haired cat sighed quietly to himself. "You aren't going to start again, are you? I…I'm not angry anymore…but I can't come back yet…"

"Yes you can." He argued, desperation clinging to him. How strange, that he, of all people felt such…love. He loved Hiei and he loved Yusuke, both, and when he was without one, it was as if he was without a limb.

"Until you understand, Kurama, I just can't…"

He looked down, biting his bottom lip. "I tried to understand." He said hopelessly. "I followed some great advice from our Hiei and…I told mother about our little situation."

"Kurama!"

"She took it better than I ever would have dreamed…I'm sorry she didn't react the same as yours…but I did try, didn't I? Is there not something to be said for that?"

"Kurama…"

He shook his head, furious with himself. "I thought if I told her you would forgive me my blunder. But…she doesn't want to hurt me with the horror she feels at the thought of her son preferring the company of both women and men. I don't know what else I can do to make you love me again."

"I love you, damn it." He grumbled miserably to himself, staring down at the ground. "You know this isn't what its about."

"Come home, Yusuke." He pled, turning fully toward him and taking his hands in his own, pressing them firmly. "You don't have to be with me if you don't want to, but we will never be able to fix this if you are not around!"

"We barely know each other." Yusuke said quietly, pulling the scarf off his head and scratching an ear as he stared intently at a bird in a tree nearby. "Our relationship just kind of…happened. Overnight we became lovers…within a week I was in love with you. Does it really make since for us to expect it to last?"

"Don't say these things, Yusuke."

"Hiei and I had time. We were alone together for so long – looking for you. We got to know each other better than either of us ever imagined…but I don't know you the same way…and you don't really know me. We shouldn't love each other…"

Horrifyingly enough, Kurama felt the threat of tears.

"Then come home and we can start over." He suggested, fighting for his usual perfect control. "We will share Hiei until you've forgiven me – he won't mind as long as he's getting some action. And you and I can take things more slowly…begin anew."

Yusuke glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "Would I still have to go to school?"

"Eh…"

A wide grin spread across his face, although his eyes were still slightly sad. "I'm teasing, Kurama. I'll come home…but you and Hiei have to keep coming to school, too."

Kurama found himself returning the smile.

"I believe we have an agreement, my dear."

Z

The next day all three of the "cute new boys" returned to school. Rumors abounded as to the cause of their absences, however, the three offered no excuses whatsoever.

Ranma was ignored completely

Z

To Be Continued

Yes, another short chapter.

Yokatta desu ka?