Hey guys! Sorry it took so long for this chapter to be posted, but I'm having some problems with my portable hard drive. Sometimes it likes to misbehave and not work on this computer. You wouldn't believe how many different stories I'm going to update just as soon as I can get them loaded onto the drive and onto this computer. But until then I hope this chapter will satisfy you, even though it is a lot shorter than the first few chapters. But don't worry I have at least two more chapters written for this story so those should be coming out as well.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, for the last time!

Leaving

Chapter 5

Yusuke blinked when his speech came to an end. He was surprised he'd been able to spit all that out without caving in as the pain continued to progress in her eyes.

"Yusuke," Keiko whispered...just before she took off, tears streaming from behind her. Boton shot Yusuke a nasty look and took off after the girl in hopes of calming her down and giving her a shoulder to cry on.

"Come on, Urameshi, don't you think that was a bit harsh?" Kuwabara demanded. "You guys have been together for years and you're just going to end it like that?"

"It's none of your concern, Kuwabara," Yusuke spoke softly, turning away from him. Kuwabara looked as if he wanted to go after Keiko too. "You can go after her too if you want." Kuwabara's eyes widened.

"You mean you're really not going to try to fix this?" he asked.

Yusuke shook his head and sat down against the stone wall feeling a bit defeated. His little spirit was still around him, though she seemed to be faded a bit as if she were trying to give him some space. He gave a sigh and met the indecisive eyes of the orange haired boy.

"Not this time, not this way. I'm not going to go after her just so she can get the wrong idea. You can go if you want. I know you like her." Kuwabara gasped a bit and tried to deny it and Yusuke had to grin, though it came out as a grimace. "What? You thought I didn't know? Listen, I know you like Yukina, but I also know you've always had eyes for Keiko. I've seen you staring at her ass. Can't get anything past me, buddy."

Kuwabara had the grace to blush a bit and Yusuke only chuckled and waved him away. "Go on. It's all right."

Kuwabara hesitated only another couple of seconds before taking off after the girls. Yusuke lost his grin and sat heavily against the wall with a thud, dropping his head into his hands. No matter how easy it seemed, breaking up with his best friend was not something he'd ever thought he'd do. But things change and so do people...at least on the outside. But people rarely change on the inside. And although he had all this power locked deep down inside of him, he was still the same Yusuke he'd always been. He could never change that aspect of himself for anybody, not even Keiko. He was not Yusuke the delinquent, Yusuke the son of a drunk, or even Yusuke the Toushin. He was simply Yusuke. And he was okay with that.

He was only dimly aware as Kurama moved to sit directly beside him, hesitantly drawing the younger boy into a one armed hug while Kuronue moved to stand on Yusuke's other side, looking down at both boys.

Yusuke looked up and into Kurama's wide measuring emerald eyes, inwardly thanking the fox, no matter how weird it was to have another guy embrace him. He knew this was just one of Kurama's quirks hardly anyone knew about. Because Kurama was a kitsune, he thrived on physical contact. It didn't matter whether the contact was sexual or platonic, Kurama simply enjoyed cuddling and making people feel safe. Yusuke was one of the lucky few Kurama had ever showed this side too. Kuronue was the only other one Kurama trusted and that came from Yoko's half who had trusted Kuronue for many centuries already. Yusuke allowed himself to lean on the older boy soaking up what little comfort he could find.

"You're leaving, aren't you, Yusuke?" Kurama whispered, staring out at the setting sun.

Yusuke couldn't help but smirk as he tugged affectionately on Kurama's red hair. "Never let it be said that kitsunes aren't perceptive, especially you." Kurama chuckled softly. "Have you ever wondered if there was something else out there for you, like there was something you were supposed to accomplish before you could ever be satisfied?" Yusuke asked suddenly, drawing his knees up and embracing them.

Neither Kurama nor Kuronue had an answer and Yusuke was content to bask in the silence of that rather rhetorical question.

"Where are you going?" Kuronue asked curiously after a few moments. "I doubt this was something you were planning...otherwise I'd be tagging along."

Yusuke reached over and pulled on one of the kumouri's wings, hidden behind an illusion spell, playfully smirking when the bat shot him an annoyed glance which Yusuke countered by sticking out his tongue.

He dodged as Kuronue playfully swatted at his head. "You're such a child, Yusuke. It's a wonder how we put up with you."

"Sure I'm a kid, compared to you old farts!" Yusuke shot back.

"Hey," Kurama whined, eyes playful. "I'm not old...blame Yoko."

Yoko growled from within the recesses of his counterpart's mind and temporarily took hold of Kurama's body. "What was that?"

Yusuke shot a killer smirk at his red headed friend who's eyes were suddenly gold. "Losing your hearing now grandpa?" He teased, laughing when Kurama's arm tightened around him to drive him into a vicious head lock.

"We'll just see what this grandpa can do when you get back from where ever it is you're disappearing to," Yoko growled back, flipping his hair arrogantly behind his shoulders and releasing Yusuke who's hair was now spiked all around his face.

"Sounds like fun," Yusuke laughed brushing the wayward out of his eyes. He shot a look at Kuronue. "You in...okinawa?"

Kuronue's violet eyes flashed with anger. "I am not a fruit bat! And you're on!"

"Hey, Yusuke remind me to tell you about the time I caught Kuro eating all the grapes in my orchards because he said they were annoying him," Yoko teased.

"I was drunk!" Kuronue declared haughtily. "And they were annoying, always looking like they were staring at me. Damn it, Yoko, I can't help it that your grapes look so much like eye balls. And this coming from the guy who got so hammered that he tried to sleep with that gross cross dresser."

"He was not a cross dresser!" Yoko snarled, then looked thoughtful. "He just happened to like stealing women's garments."

"Yeah, and trying them on!"

Yusuke sat there and listenedto his friends bickered back and forth, a small smile of contentment on his face, as Yoko grabbed his partner in a headlock. He growled playfully when Kuronue reached up and gave him a nuggy. Of course Yoko took that time to recede and give back control to his counterpart, causing Kurama to feel the brunt of Kuronue's fist on his head.

We must leave now, Yusuke, his "Ko-Rei's" voice washed over him and he could feel her presence stronger than ever. It was a wonder Kurama and Kuronue couldn't feel her. But Yusuke figured this was part of his spirit's power and ability to tap into anyone she wanted.

Yusuke's body suddenly felt weightless like he was floating on water. Actually it felt quite like the feeling the first time he died when he became a ghost. His head swam and he clutched at it, trying to block out the sudden rush of pure energy.

"What the-Yusuke you're disappearing," Kurama suddenly remarked when Yusuke's body suddenly felt very light. Both demons were surprised to find Yusuke standing up now, body disappearing by the second.

"Don't worry," Yusuke panted, casting one last look at his two friends. "I'll be back. Take care. Oh...and no stealing my shit. I saw you eyeing my games, Yoko. I'll be back in a year. Tell everyone not to worry. Oh, and watch over Kuwabara. Somebody needs to be here to watch over that baka."

Kurama smiled softly. "Of course, Yusuke," he answered wondering what Yusuke had gotten himself into this time. However he refrained from asking as he knew Yusuke could take care of himself. He would be fine. After all, Yusuke had said he'd be back in a year. And he never broke a promise.

Yusuke felt his body collapse in on itself as his breathing increased and the spirit behind him began pouring more and more energy into his body. He felt her arms surrounding him again, pulling him snug against a tight body. Was it his imagination or was her body becoming less of a presence and more of real flesh and blood? Yusuke could think no more as the energy caused his mind to shut down.

With the last of his energy, he sent one final thought into the minds of his closest friends.

I'll be back. Trust me.

And then, Yusuke knew no more.

Well that's that? How'd you like that little affectionate scene. That wasn't supposed to be sexual in any way. It was supposed to show you how close the three are. Okay, I hope all of you enjoyed tha last chapter and are looking forward to reading more of this story. I had a question to ask you guys. I had an idea to seperate Yoko and Kurama so I was wondering what you guys thought of that? I know I've done that in a few of my stories lately but I had a great idea and it would make it so much easier when I start with the boys' relationships towards each other. So tell me what you think? Should they be seperated or not? Would you guys care or is that just too much?

I hope you all read and review! I love you all, especially KageOtome and Ryukotsusei. You guys are awesome!

Ja ne

Kura-kun's-lovr