Somewhere on Autumn Woods Drive

By Rikku Minouke

Disclaimer: don't own yu yu hakusho

AN: sorry guys, shortest chapter yet...

Chapter eight

I've kept a lot from you, but I thought it might be for the best. I knew some day you would figure things out. Some may call me a fake, and that may be putting things nicely. One thing I want you to know is that my feelings have always been true even when I buttered up the hard stuff.

Sitting down on the floor of my new bedroom, the plush carpet cushioned my awkward landing. I pulled the nearest Home Depot box toward me until it was nestled between my thighs. The top unfolded and I gazed down at a large variety of random crap. This may take a little while.

A knock sounded from my open door. Turning only my head, I saw Kurama peering at me from the doorjamb. I smiled as a way of saying 'Welcome'. His footsteps were barely noticeable on the carpet while I returned to stare at the items in front of me. The bed dipped at my back as Kurama sat on the corner of my deep purple comforter. "You really got every packed in three days. I'm impressed."

I laughed slightly, "Don't be. Most of this was still in boxes from when I moved back from school."

"St. Cloud, right?"

I nodded at his question. Honestly, I had been scared to unpack at my parents place. There was no way of knowing when I would leave. If my dad was going to kick me out or if I would get fed up with his attitude and just leave. On all accounts, this was probably the best option I could have found.

"You seem to have a decent amount done already though," Kurama let his eyes trail around at my things. By the closet, there were two medium suitcases lying open and empty. "The beds made, clothes are hung up, and you have several things on the bookshelf."

My hand pulled out a stack of pictures from the box in front of me. Setting them down next to my hip, I put my hand back in the box to see what else I could find. "Yeah, I've made a nice dent in things. It helps that some of the boxes I can just store in the back of the closet. I don't think we need two sets of plates and silverware floating around out there. Which reminds me, these are huge closets, Kurama!"

He nodded, looking at the open door that I was talking about. "It wasn't a big appeal to me, but I agree, it is nice to have." I could feel his eyes return to me. It was a weird feeling, knowing that he was watching me. I wasn't quite put off by it, but I wasn't over joyed. Kind of like… a 'c'est la vie' effect. "What's that?"

I had been lost in my thoughts as I aimlessly was pulling things out of the box. Blinking several times to focus my brain to the soft object I was holding, I almost dropped it from the disgust that sprang from my heart. The breath stilled in my lungs until I threw it toward my sky blue garbage can. "An ex-boyfriend's shirt." Kurama didn't speak, but I'm sure by my tone he knew that I had some hostile feelings. He was smart enough to know not to say anything. One sleeve of the red and grey plaid shirt hung over the edge.

The bed dipped momentarily as he pushed himself up to stand. "Alright well I need to get ready for work," Kurama told me. "If you need anything at all, just call me. The nice things of overnight, I can use my phone." I smiled slightly and lifted my head from the opening of my box to look at him.

"I should be ok," I tried to hold my smile for his benefit. "But thank you."

His bangs bounced as he slowly nodded several times. "Usually, I get home around 6:30. I'll try not to wake you when I return."

"Don't worry about," I chuckle lightly. "Even if you do, I'm sure I'll fall right back to sleep."

"Ok," he gave me a reassuring smile. By the look on his face I could tell he was still unsure what to say to me. Turning he walked out the door. I watched him still for a minute before turning back and meeting my gaze. "Have a good night Botan. I think it'll be nice to have you around."

"Good night, Kurama," and the soft smile on my face didn't feel as forced as the one from several minutes ago.