Disclaimer: (Me: Blink)

Author's Note: Happy Readings!

ooo

No one had heard word from Chuu, Rinku, Shishi, Suzuki, Jin, or Touya for several days. The storm wasn't terrible, but it certainly was long lasting, and Yusuke couldn't help but be a little curious as to why his friends hadn't contacted him. Usually Chuu and Jin, at least, would show up on his doorstep for a little bit of fun or give him a call, although it was generally the former as opposed to the latter. He wondered if, perhaps, their power had gone out or something along those lines.

Of course, he knew that they were perfectly able to take care of themselves, but he couldn't keep the thoughts from trampling around his mind.

"Yusuke."

The dark haired young man shook his head and looked up to regard the person who had summoned him.

"Yeah, man, what is it?" He asked.

Kurama smiled softly. "I was inquiring as to what you had planned for your and Keiko's anniversary this year?"

Yusuke blinked and proceeded to bite his lip for a moment before allowing that patented sheepish smile to play on his face.

The former youko thief rolled his lovely eyes and set his friend with a frustrated stare. "You forgot again? That's the second year in a row, Yusuke. Keiko will be quite displeased."

Yusuke shrugged. "Hey, calm down fox-boy. Our anniversary isn't until . . . um," he fumbled.

A delicate eyebrow arched upward as Kurama supplied, "Friday."

"Yeah, Friday. That gives me fives days to come up with something cool. And hey, if I need help in the romance department, I'll just give you a call, right, man?"

Kurama merely sighed and rested his chin in his hand, idly stirring his coffee with the other hand. "Irresponsible procrastinator to the very end," he mumbled but could not keep the affectionate smile from his lips.

Yusuke grinned and shrugged easily. He proceeded to bite into his sandwich and munched on it thoughtfully, his mind once again returning to the welfare of his friends.

"Hey, what do you think Jin and those guys are up to?" He asked suddenly.

Kurama tilted his head slightly at the tone on his friend's voice. It was almost too casual, as though he were TRYING to make it sound careless.

"I couldn't imagine, Yusuke," he replied, green eyes watching the other man's reaction with interest.

Yusuke averted his eyes for a moment and softly murmured, "You think they're

okay?"

Kurama didn't answer immediately, and the dark-haired detective looked up sharply to gauge his friend's expression. It was one of mild amusement.

"Don't look at me that way, Kurama," he warned embarrassedly.

The fox only grinned, a playful glint in his eyes. "Yusuke, I think they can manage a little rain, don't you?"

"Hey, I've got reason to be a little concerned about it. Last time there was a storm their power went out, and we found Shishi burning things in the backyard."

Kurama grinned. "He was only burning things because of Touya and Jin's . . . personal explorations," he pointed out.

It was Yusuke's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Eloquently put," he said dryly. "Anyway, the point is that I think we should go make sure that everything is in one piece up there. I mean, hey, we can even grab Genkai. She hasn't seen those guys in ages, and I know she likes them despite the little incident involving Jin, Chuu, Rinku, and the those genetically enhanced fire ants of Suzuki's."

It took more convincing, but Yusuke persuaded his erudite friend to accompany he and Genkai up to the house. He wasn't sure why, but he just felt the need to make sure that everything was running smoothly with his six most interesting friends.