I am very apologetic that it has taken so long for this chapter. I've been stressed with work and with the fact that school's starting soon. Thank you so much everyone who's put me on their story alert list and reviewers of chapter one. You all get a cupcake. And a special thanks to Silver-arctos-star who reviewed for both chapters. You get a cherry cake.

Enjoy the next chapter.

I DON'T OWN YU YU HAKUSHO OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS.

"Kurama? Kurama? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything, please snap out of it."

Concern laced Kayko's features like a mask while she was also trying not to draw attention although a couple sitting close stared for a minute than returned to their meal.

Kurama jolted slightly in his seat as he realized how stupid he must look, especially to receive such a look from Kayko who because of Yusuke's 3 year absence had grown more distant and was still distant around people without Yusuke. This concern on her face without Yusuke defiantly meant something was really wrong to her. Kurama regained his icy cool exterior and spoke.

"I'm fine now Kayko, don't worry. True, something is bothering me but it's

something that should be handled by myself. Thank you for your concern though.

Now, shall we continue our meal?

Kayko looked skeptical and Kurama flashed one of his warm smiles that caused his fan girls to squeal and sigh madly. Kayko smiled and they continued their meal making idle chit chat. And after the meal even though Kurama tried to deny her Kayko insisted walking Kurama back to his apartment with Shiori to make sure he was okay. At the door she turned to him, hands on her hips and a somewhat sorrowful expression on her face.

"Kurama," she began softly," I know whatever's bothering you is related to your

heart and feelings and you need to talk to someone. Be it me or Yusuke or your Mom

or whoever's causing your feelings of distress you need to talk to someone. Take it

from me, I had to keep it bottled up for three years cause of that idiot Yusuke and it

wasn't healthy. I don't want a friend to make that same mistake."

Kayko looked down at her shoes slightly embarrassed about revealing that information. Kurama sat back slightly shocked that she was so, so, knowledgeable to an extent.

"Thank you very much Kayko for the offer and the advice but as I said before, this

needs to be handled by myself and myself alone. Have a good evening and take care

on your walk back home."

Kayko sighed, bide Kurama farewell, and made her way home.

Stepping through the door of his own home silence greeted him. He was unsettled because his mother was always home at this hour. He wandered about the apartment, his nerves on edge till he found a note on the table.

Shuichi, sorry I'm not home but your step father

and brother ran into a bit of trouble

And I have to get them out of it. Be back in a week,

money for food in the top right drawer next to the fridge.

I'm so sorry son, call me on my cell phone if you need anything,

Love you lots,

Shiori

Kurama calmed after reading the note.

'Just some minor trouble with the rest of the family and she'll be back soon, good, this'll give

me time to think.'

Kurama skipped dinner, too full from the meal with Kayko and the thoughts running through his head, revolving around what Kayko said and Hiei. A sigh escaped his lips as he stared at the ceiling above his bed; the tears that usually poured down his cheeks just weren't coming tonight.

'I should cry, I should yell and scream my frustration and anger tonight, Mother isn't here to

hear and I could get it out of my system. But I just can't. Was it seeing Hiei today? I couldn't

have let a hope in? It'll only be worse later now, when it sinks in I probably won't see him

again.'

Another sigh and a look of sadness crossed his features as he closed his eyes and listened to the soft breeze blowing in through his window. Kurama bolted up. He hadn't opened the window. He instantly turned to the window and his eyes widened at what he saw. There sitting on his windowsill with a calculating look in his eyes Hiei was staring at him.

"Kurama, I need to know some things, can we talk?"