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Kurama's Younger Sister, Kurumi

Chapter 19: The Invitation

Yusuke was sprawled out on the living room floor, drool slowly sliding out of his mouth as his mind was resting peacefully in slumber land. He twitched now and then, but nothing more. Hiei shook his head at the sight.

Why is he just laying there? Why isn't he training? Tst... Oh well... Hiei wasn't pleased with Yusuke's slacking off when their enemy, Tashi, was so close to all of them. Tomorrow they'd fight him... And Kurama could be himself again... But, what if Botan is wrong? What if he was just trying to act human? What if we blow it by assuming? Maybe we should investigate a little longer? He stood up, and walked over Yusuke's body, but was stopped, Yusuke using both hands to hold onto Hiei's right leg.

"Keiko..." Yusuke said and neared his lips to Hiei's ankle. Hiei's eyes lit up with rage and he kicked Yusuke in the head, "Don't you dare do it!" He stormed off, looking for Botan.

"Oww..." Yusuke groaned and sat up, "My head hurts... Did someone step on me!? Huh?" No one was around, the house was quiet. "Ick..." And he sat in silence for a few minutes until there was a knock at the door-just about gave him a heart attack-Great timing, I bet I know who it is...

He stood up and reached the door, and he was right, it was Tashi.

"Hello, Tashi." He said glumly.

"What's with the long face?" Tashi asked, his handsome features expression a hint of worry.

Worry probably for Ku-ru-mi! Oh gee... Yusuke thought.

"Nothing, just you plan to murder Kurama, casually visit us and date his troubled younger sister-hey!" Tashi shoved Yusuke aside and walked in.

"What's your deal you- huh?" Yusuke was interrupted by Tashi's hand, holding up five ticket passes.

"What is-A HOT SRPING!" Yusuke yelled, everything within ten feet heard him; and they both saw Botan rush in. She blushed and smiled, "Umm, am I interrupting something? I'm sorry, I thought Tashi had the hots for Kurumi not Yusuke..."

"Botan! He does not have the hots for me! Look!" Yusuke held up the five passes, and watched Botan's silly expression go dreamy, she wrapped her arms around Tashi and squeezed him. "You're so sweet! I love the hot springs!" She was happy, until she saw Kurumi standing there, he's face pierced with horror and sadness, and Botan's stomach plummeted.

Oh gosh... This probably doesn't look good... She pulled away from Tashi, but Kurama was already heading for the back door.

"No! Kurumi! It's not what you think!" Botan heard Tashi and herself yell at the same time, but Kurumi was already gone.

"I'll go get her!" Botan said and stomped out the door. Kurama was adjacent from her and only fifteen feet away, his back facing their house.

"Kuru-chan!" Botan said roughly, then started in sweet, "Don't be this way... You know I don't care about Tashi like that... I... Didn't realize it would be... Well... What I mean is..." She tried, but was lost for words. Nothing, she couldn't think of how to put it.

"Botan," Kurama said, his voice unsteady, "It's not your fault... I don't know what came over me. I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have acted that way."

He felt Botan's arms around him, her friendly warmth comforting him and his aching heart.

"No, it was good... We have decided not to battle yet until we know one hundred percent that's it... Otherwise... It won't end up a happy story, okay?"

Kurama couldn't help but smile.

Yusuke just gave Tashi the "eye" until he was out of his tree, "Okay, Yusuke! I know you hate my guts! But will you at least show some manners!? Gosh!"

Yusuke shook his head slowly and gave a blank response, "No."

Tashi looked at his watch and sighed, "I gotta go... But I really wanted to see Kurumi longer... I hope I didn't hurt her... I... Please, let her and Botan know to expect me tomorrow mourning, that's when I'll be picking you guys up, alright?"

"Sure, whatever." Yusuke walked him to the door and slammed it as Tashi was in the middle of saying 'goodbye'.

TBC Tsuzuku