M-Chan: GOMEN NESAI! I know it's been awhile forgive me! I had writers block

Nerwen: that's always your excuse.

M-Chan: not the point, anyway you find out a bit more about Hiei and Jessi's relationship in this chapter. And the long waited uniting of the former partners.

Nerwen: Finally!

M-Chan: yes well here we go, again forgive me…

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Please Tell Me This is Real

Shopping and Partners

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You ever have one of those love/hate relationships? Everyone does, a lot of the time its when it comes to siblings but in this case, its things people do. Now I know that sounds abstract but think about it. I love the fact that Koenma gave me a house, and I actually love the fact that Keiko wants to through me a house warming party, what I hate is that Keiko has this obscene idea that we both need new outfits for said party. So needless to say, she drove us to the mall.

Now shopping isn't my favorite thing to do, but I have a certain tolerance for it. One thing I can't stand is trying on every single outfit that Keiko finds, and if that's not bad enough most of them are PINK. There's only one color I hate more than pink and let's be glad white dresses aren't popular right now.

"What about this one?" Keiko asked. Holding a lacey olive green dress.

"Keiko, hun, I know the party is a formal things but that looks like I'm going to be someone's brides maid." I replied with a sympathetic smile. She shrugged at put it back. I flipped through more outfits on the rack closest to me, and hoped that the next thing Keiko picked out would be for her.

I sighed and allowed my eyes to gaze over the room.

I did something stupid. I left 'Akio' and Kurama by themselves. In my house. Alone. Yes stupid is as stupid does. I figure if either one doesn't find out who the other is by the time if the party I shall force them down and knock some sense into them both.

Good plan, ne?

"Oh my lord," my eyes hazily went to Keiko's face as the words left her mouth. I followed her gaze and locked my eyes on the same object she had. "Jessi, it's perfect for you" I think she's right.

The dress itself was a fancy black color. It was a simple tube dress on top with a decent neckline, and instead of a straight seamed bottom it was jagged like with a flower at each tip.

"Hell yes and guess what?"

"What?" Keiko asked taking the dress off the rack.

"It looks like it's in my size" I gave her my famous wicked smile. "Your turn?" I suggested.

"Oh don't be silly I already have a dress" I gave her a blank stare "What? How else was I gonna get you here?"

"Fairly played," I said with a chuckle. We paid for the dress and left the store. Right in the middle of the isle way was a small jewelry cart. We looked through it in passing.

"Oh, look at that," Keiko said pointing out to a connecting necklace. One half was a lily, the other flames. I picked it up and read the back. I snorted.

"What?" Keiko asked.

"The burning keeps our love alive," I recited from the back of the two necklaces. Only combined could the message be read fully.

"And that's funny?" She asked innocently.

"Well first of all its lame and cheesy but over all it's contradicting. The fact that the lily is the flower of death, and here with the flames it's supposed to represent eternal love."

"Bet it wouldn't sound too cheesy if you were the one getting it," she said simply, pulling away from the cart. The sad thing is, I think she's right.

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I could say it's good to be home but I'm not exactly used to referring to this house as my home. I walked in with my one measly shopping bag, and found and Kurama making small talk in my kitchen.

I wonder home much progress they've made. My my do I feel a devious plan coming along?

"What's up guys?" I asked nonchalantly as I went my bags down and took a seat next to Kurama.

"Jessi," Kurama started in his not so friendly voice, "Why didn't you tell me Akio was a demon?" uh yea not what I was expecting.

"Thought a big boy like you could figure it out" I replied a bit too fast and dipped with a bit of sarcasm. He gave me a gentle glare (is there such a thing?) and turned back to Kuronue. "So other than that anything new I need to know about?"

"Hiei won't be thrilled about Akio staying here" Kurama replied quietly. I tried not to, but I flinched slightly at his name.

"I figured as much," I turned to 'Akio' "Could you give us a minute?" I asked. He stood and left the room politely. Now that surprised me. The fact that Kuronue even listened is what surprised me.

"Kurama I-," I sighed and tried to find the right words. "I don't know where I stand with Hiei."

"I don't understand" Kurama replied, "Your still wearing the ring aren't you?" I held up my hand reveling the ring I had received that fateful day.

"Ring or not, I'm the one confused" I said, Kurama nodded I took the notion and continued. "I can't exactly say that my relationship with the man is anywhere near normal, what happened before; how do I know it was even real? I mean it happened so fast and it's not like we've really shared any romantic moments or anything. The time anyway got me thinking and questioning my own reasoning"

"Are you saying you don't want to be with Hiei?" Kurama asked.

"I'm saying it might have been a mistake to start what and when we did. Half the time I think Jana is the only-."

"Don't," Kurama said interrupting me, "Don't bring Jana into this at all."

"Then what am I supposed to do? Sometimes I found myself thinking he wouldn't even want to be with me if he got to know me better! " I felt my anger raising. What that noticeable?

"Look," He said calming down, "What you and he did may have been spur of the moment, reckless, and over all possibly stupid. But he must have saw something in you Jessi. Something he had never seen before and that must have helped in his feelings for you. And if he didn't want to be with you I think he would have had some way in telling you, I mean the mark is still there isn't it?" I nodded, and he grinned "No worries then"

I smiled and gave him a quick hug.

"He's lucky to have you…. I'm lucky to have you"

Ah yes this is where guilt seeps in. This would be the time to tell him about Kuronue. Well maybe in a little bit. Is it that obvious…I'm a bit freaked about what might happen. At first thought you would think they would be happy to be reunited but on second thought I don't need anything triggering Youko in my house.

….

Fine I'm going, I'm going.

"Wait here I'll be right back,"

I ran up to (what I had dubbed to be) my room. It faced the backyard. It was also very close to the very large very old tree growing next to the house.

…….

My thoughts exactly.

I glanced at the array of papers sitting on the near my desk. It looked a bit messier than I left it, but this is me we're talking about. I'm a slob. I gently placed my dress on the bed and slowly walked back down the room I had sent Kuronue to.

Just breathe Jessi. You know Kurama won't kill you. On the other hand, he wasn't to happy when I didn't tell him 'Akio' was a demon. Fuck this fucked up life. Alright I'm going to try and play cool and casual, maybe if I give them nice big hints they'll figure it out on there own and they wont hate me so much.

…. Then again…

I'll start with Kuronue. Lets see, I'll just strike up a very loud conversation with Kuronue about Kurama. Yes that's a way to start.

"So Kuronue, what was your past life like?" I asked loudly. He gave me a what are you talking about stare and answered me.

"I was a thief,"

My turn to give him a blank stare.

"No shit Sherlock, and I know who your partner was, I just want to know more about what you stole" I saw a figure moving out of the corner of my eye. Good perfect time.

"Well we were going to go after this one jewel, that on of Youko's enemies owned but no I had to go get caught in that god be damned trap." Perfect, now I felt Kurama come in.

"What was your partners name?" he asked shakily.

"Youko, Youko Kurama," Kuronue said eyeing Kurama.

I smiled a big famous smile and turned to Kurama.

"Kurama meet Kuronue….again….. and Kuronue meet Kurama……again,"

Oh I think I'm really gonna like it here

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M-Chan: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! It's done. With some help from Nerwen.

Nerwen: Yes! I get credit. Cheers

M-Chan: Preview?

In the next Chapter…

Jessi has the infamous party. Due to heavy stress, Jessi has a bit too much to drink with a low tolerance to alcohol. A few people then decide to pay her a surprise visit….

M-Chan: okay, buh-bye now, Ciao!