Chapter 6Now Entering: The Munchkins

The next morning was interesting. Kura had been woken up at 6:12 AM by nothing. She sat up in her bed and looked around. She could barely see anything because the sun was still sleeping, along with most of the house. Kura looked over at Sakura, who was in the same, tucked-in position that she had been in. Kura quickly and quietly got her sweatshirt, put it over her head, and left the room, closing the door behind her. No lights were on on the second floor, and all of the rooms' doors were still shut, indicating that people were still sleeping in them. Watching out for anything that she could possibly trip over or see for that fact. She found the next set of stairs and started to descend to the first floor.

Walking into the kitchen, she saw a faintly lighted lamp on in the living room, then she saw Kurama lying on the couch. His eyes were open and he was staring up at the ceiling. Kura stopped before walking over to the couch and standing at Kurama's feet. He slowly moved his eyes to look at her and he smiled acutely.

"Morning." He said, in a hushed voice.

"Morning." Kura returned then she walked to sit down on the floor at the head of the couch. Kurama turned

his body to where he was lying on his side and could face her.

"What's wrong?" Kurama asked her, seeing that young confused face of hers.

"It's Hiei…. And Briar…" Kura confessed, in a small voice as she looked into his brilliant green eyes with a pair of her own.

"What about them?"

"Well… first of all, Hiei hates me. And… the thing is, I don't even know what I did, Kurama." Kura told him.

"Everything I do or say around him, it's like I can't do anything right!And, when he insults me, it hurts… Kuramait really hurts." Kura's eyes became sad-looking as she confessed to her brother. "And then, it's like Briar hates me too! I just don't want anyone to hate me! Even if I don't exactly like them all that much."

"Well… First of all, have you told Hiei any of this?" Kurama asked her.

Kura shook her head slightly.

"Maybe you should then-"

"But every time I try to talk to him, he insults me or ignores me! There's no talking to him for me!" Kura said, cutting him off from saying anything beyond his half of a sentence he had gotten out.

"Kura-chan," Kurama started. "Calm down.Just give him time. You do know how Hiei is. He doesn't like

to listen to anyone when he can almost already tell what they have to say to him. And with Briar-chan… she needs time too. She feels that you hate her and that you two will never get along with each other. It just seems to me like you need to talk to both of them."

"But.. I don't exactly want to talk to Briar.I just ,sort of, want to make sure that we have an understanding. That's all. I don't to, like, become all buddy-buddy with her or anything." Kura said. Kurama slightly laughed at his sister. "It's okay, you don't have to. I just wish that you would make sure that you two have an understanding and such." Kurama turned to lie on his back again, his hands under his head as he stared at the ceiling again.

Kura noticed the look that he had in his eyes. It was, of course, the look of love. "Kurama….?" She asked.

"Yeah?" He kept his eyes on the ceiling.

"Do you love her?You know, like how mom and dad loved each other… back then..?" Kura questioned.

It took Kurama a moment to answer because he was thinking of the right way to put it to Kura. "Kura…. I do love her. And, yes… it's the kind of love that mom and dad shared, back then." He finally answered her.

Kura was neutral in expression and movement for a few seconds, the time it took for Kurama's words to register and agree within her head. A small, warm smile came to her face. "I'm glad that… you found someone, Kurama…. I really am." Her voice was smaller than it was a few minutes ago.

Kurama disconnected his eyes with the ceiling and sat up to gaze at his sister, who was looking to her lap, with a dreaming look on her face. "Kura…?" He called, softly.

Kura took in a breath and looked up at Kurama. Her eyes had the look of sadness, again.

"You were thinking of Hiei, were you not?" Kurama questioned her, knowing exactly that she was thinking of Hiei moments before he had called her name.

"…Yeah… I was…" She told him, putting her head in her arms on the couch. "I just don't understand…. Why does life have to be so complicated? Why, Kurama? Why?I just don't get it…" She finished, softly crying into her arms.

Kurama put his hand on her head and softly stroked her hair, trying to sooth her. "There are so many things that I don't know the answer to… There are also so many things that certain people are supposed to find out some other time… on their own… for their own purposes… Maybe you're supposed to ask that question some other time in life and then… you'll get your true answer… And you'll be free…" Kurama whispered to her, then he bent down and placed a kiss on her head.

Kura continued to cry softly into her arms. She heard Kurama's voice and felt Kurama kiss her on the head. She couldn't help herself but to cry at this moment. She was happy that her brother had found someone that he loved just like their parents had in their previous, yoko, forms. At least Kurama had a very good chance of being happy for the rest of his life. As of right now, Kura doubted that she'd ever have a chance of having a future with Hiei, much less a future of happiness with anyone.

"Hey…." Kurama called her in a whisper, trying to get her look at him and stop crying also.

Kura raised her head and looked at her brother with a tear-stained face. She wiped off her face with the sleeve of her sweatshirt.

"Come on… it'll be okay… You'll find that, in time, the person you love might not love you back until you express it in the right way…" Kurama gave her that little advice before smiling at her, which cheered her up a little, and it made her smile back at him.

"Thanks Kurama…" She said, standing up, with a smile.

By this time, it was 7 o'clock AM. The sun was rising so Kura found her way onto the roof of the cabin to watch it. To her surprise, Hiei was there also. She thought about what Kurama had last told her before she left the inside for the cold outdoors. She sat down on the roof, just looking at the sunrise. Hiei, on the other hand, stood there, looking at her and to the sunrise every now and then.

"Hiei…?" Kura broke the silence. "Do you think that, well… we'll ever have a future together…?"

Hiei was taken by surprise at her question. "Hn." He started, in his normal tone of voice. "Why do you ask such childish questions?Whatever happens in the future can wait to be discovered until that day… Can't you just accept that?"

Kura stood up and looked at him. "Why can't you just answer me?… Am I that childish just because I want to know what the future has in store for me? God! And, am I that childish to want you in my future and to want to know if I am wanted in your future?"

"You're childish because you reside of 'what-ifs'. That's why you're childish."

"And you're not childish for not answering me?"

"Hn. I don't have to answer to you. You're not my superior."

"And who is? My brother? He is the only one that you'll answer to, isn't he, Hiei?" Kura asked, a serious look on her face.

"I answer to Kurama because I've somehow come to trust him." Hiei answered her.

"Oh. I see… So you can't trust someone that's known you for a little longer… You can'ttrust someone who loves you with all their heart?You know what I learned this morning?My brother has someone that he loves. And I'm pretty damn sure that she loves him back… Why can't it be that way with you, Hiei? I love you with all of my heart, but somehow… you don't love me back, at least that's how it looks. I guess I've wasted my time by even talking to you. I can't make a difference in your life." Kura's voice quieted down a little. "Bye." She said, as she started to jump down off the roof. "Have a nice life.." Were her final words then her feet hit the snow and she went off into the woods.

Hiei wondered why he couldn't tell her the real way he felt. The truth was, Kura had influenced his life, a great deal. She had actually changed him in one way or another. He went inside of the cabin, where others started to stir from their sleep.

Briar was the first other awake. She walked downstairs and herself and Kurama sat with each other at the Kitchen table, drinking warm tea that Kurama had recently made.
"So, Kurama," Briar started. "How was your sleep? I do hope that you got some sleep despite how late we were on that walk last night."

"Yes. I got sleep. Only a couple of hours worth, but it's fine.How did you sleep?" Kurama answered.

"I slept fine." Briar smiled.

Kurama returned the smile. "So… what shall we do today, Briar-chan?"

"Hm. I don't know.Oooh! Great idea! We could take Rinku and Sakura and your sister, if she wants, on a little skiing adventure this afternoon! How does that sound, Kurama?" Briar suggested, randomly.

"Hm…. It sounds like a wonderful idea.Speaking of my sister… where did she run off to? She said that she was just going outside to watch the sunrise, but… the sunrise has mainly ended… I wonder where she could've ran off to…"

"I don't know.. Maybe herself and Hiei were verbally fighting again." Briar suggested.

Kurama just shrugged and then he suggested. "Why don't you and I get dressed and then go for another walk. It's beautiful outside and we can enjoy the time to ourselves…"

"Ooh. A lovely idea Kurama-chan." Briar smiled. "I'll be back down in a few minutes."

"Alright." Kurama said, sitting his tea down on the table as Briar got up and headed upstairs to change.

Botan, Kayko and Shizuru were the next ones to be awake, but they all sat in their room, the same room, for a little while and talked, because they were too lazy to get out of bed.

About 10 minutes later, Briar came back down, ready to go. Kurama had gotten some clothes and changed in the downstairs' bathroom. "Ready?" Kurama asked her.

"Yes." She smiled back to him. They got their coats and left. "Hopefully the cabin wont be burnt to the ground when we return." Briar voiced, as they stepped off the deck and onto the snow.

There was a fresh layer of snow, about an inch worth, on the ground. The surrounding perimeter around Kurama and Briar were snowcapped trees. Kurama and Briar's hands were together. Their fingers were woven together. They worse smiles on their faces. Being with Briar made Kurama happy. Being with Kurama made Briar happy. It's such a perfect match. The two walked for about 30 minutes and then came to this area where there was a frozen lake and a bench was on the shore. The two kitsunes sat down, looking at the frozen lake. Kurama swore, to himself in his mind, that he had the laughs of his two younger, twined siblings, but he just shook the thought from his head. He let go of Briar's hand and put his arm around her shoulders, keeping her warm.

Briar smiled. It was true, she was the most happiest when she was with Kurama. It would just be a whole lot easier for Briar to tell Kurama more often if herself and Kura could get along and accept each other. It sort of seemed like the two were fighting for Kurama. When you have a little sister that loves you that much to the extent where she'll fight with older, smarter people than herself…. You've got to admit. That's pretty admirable. At least Kura hasn't tried to kill me yet. 0.o.0. I should be glad for that. I guess Kurama has a real influence over her. I've noticed, since she's been with him… she's a lot more gentle and she smiles more. And then, when she's with Hiei, she looks like she's always gonna be happy.-Well, until Hiei says some arrogant comment, or snide remark. Briar thought in her head, then laughed slightly out loud. She laughed because she had pictured Kura and Hiei, verbally disagreeing with each other, like they did many times.

"What's so funny?" Kurama asked her, smiling.

"I was just picturing your sister and Hiei. Fighting." Briar admitted.

"Yes. I do suppose it is funny at times." Kurama slightly laughed as they turned their heads to look at each other.

Their faces started to slowly grow closer and closer together. Their lips almost touched, but a disturbance was brought up.

"SUICHII!" Two younger children called as they jumped on their brother.

"Charlie? Maria?Wh-what are you two doing here!" Kurama was taken by surprise. And what a surprise it was! Maria giggled. "Mom brought us!" The red-haired Charlie jumped off his older brother and stood in the snow, nodding in agreement with his also red-headed sister. "What? Mother's here too?" Kurama asked. "Yep! She's right there!" Charlie pointed to behind Kurama. Kurama, A.K.A Suichi, turned around and saw his mother (his human mother) Shiori, smiling at him. "Mother!" Suichii walked to his mother and hugged her. "Suichii! I had no idea that we'd be seeing you here!" Shiori hugged her son back.

Briar stood up, smirking at the two children, who were smirking back. "Hello you two!" She said, then she bent down to whisper to them. "I see you talked your mother into it…" "yep! We did, Aunt Briar!" Maria said. "Yeah! Plus, she thought it was a great idea for Maria, herself and I to sort of hang out together.And the snow is just awesome!" Charlie added.

Shiori and Suichii let go of each other and walked to join Maria, Charlie and Briar. "Well, hello Briar. It's nice to see you here too! I had no idea that you were one of the friends Suichii was taking with him." Shiori smiled. "Hello Ms. Minamino." Briar smiled back. "Oh no dear. Just call me Shiori." "Oh. Alright." "So, Suichii. Who else is here?" Maria asked, pulling on one of Kurama's pant legs. "Well… Yusuke, Keiko, Shizuru, Kuwabara. You know, just some of my friends from the city." Kurama smiled, trying to make it so his mother wouldn't be suspicious of anything. "That's nice, dear." Shiori smiled. "Where are you guys staying?" Briar questioned. "Oh. We're staying in a cabin that's right beside of this huge one! It's soooooooo cool! Last night, we saw these people playing poker and doing funny dances on the beds from the upper floor! It was hilarious, bro!" Charlie said, giggling with his sister. "Oh." Kurama said, then looked to Briar whose eyes were wide. "That…was…er.. That would be where we're staying.-Eheh." Briar confessed to the kids and Shiori. Shiori laughed. "I see. Oh, Suichii… I hope that you weren't up there. Those friends of yours looked very funny. We sat in the living room for hours laughing about them." "No mother. I wasn't." Kurama answered. "I'm glad I raised you right." Shiori said, joking of course.

Charlie and Maria were both now pulling on the legs of Kurama's pants. "Can we pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease come and hang out with you Suichii?" Maria whined. "Yeah! PLEASE! So mom can have some relaxation time all to herself!" Charlie added. "Kids.. Now don't bug your brother. He's on a vacation too." "Oh no. It's quite alright. We wont mind. And I'm sure that Keiko, Shizuru and Botan would love to see them, mom." Kurama said.

"So don't worry. They can come and spend the day and then tonight with us." Briar finished.

"Yes." Kurama agreed, then he heard the munchkins say it as in a victorious way. They finally stopped tugging on his pants.

"Alright. If you insist. Don't let them stay up too late, alright?" Shiori said, kissing all three of her children good-bye. "I will be over in the morning to get you guys, Maria and Charlie of course. Love you all." Then, Shiori started back on her walk.

Kura hid in the bushes, listening to everything and watching everything between Briar, Kurama, the Munchkins and Shiori. She watched Shiori walk away and when she was out of sight, Kura jumped from the bushes and towards her brother. When she reached her brother, she stood right in front of him, looking him in the eyes. "What the hell are you thinking! We are NOT keeping those brats for the rest of the day and over night! NO! I refuse!NO!" "Kura, Calm down!Wait.." Kurama put his hands on her upper arms so that if she hit him, it wouldn't hurt that much.

"You were eavesdropping!" Briar asked her. The two munchkins giggled. "Shut up!" Kura yelled at them, and then looked at Briar momentarily. She, then, looked back to her brother as she spoke to Briar. "Well... I was, sorta, taking a walk after another huge fight with H-H-Hiei..." Kura the glared at the two munchkins, who're "oohing".

"See Kurama-chan! I knew those two were fighting!" Briar said. Kurama put his hands in the pockets of his pants, holding in laughs. "HEY! NOT COOL!" Kura pouted. Maria jumped up onto Kura's shoulders and started messing up her hair. Smiling widely and devilishly, Maria said, "So... you two still fight? Hehe.. you know, I thought you two would've learned to get along with each other because you know that two will probably" "CUT IT OUT!" Kura said, through her teeth as Maria continued to mess up Kura's hair as she still sat on her shoulders.

Charlie was giggling as he was running around Kura's legs closely. "WHAT THE HELL! Stop that!" Kura, half screaming, looked at Charlie. Kurama and Briar couldn't help by laugh. Kura growled at the two, "Bakas!" "Hey! -I can'thelp youbecause..." Kurama tried to say, still laughing. "Because we'retoobusylaughing!" Briar said, then she busted out in laughs. She was laughing so hard ((OOC: just like Shigure from the first epi of fruits basket!))

"You've got them under control, don't you Kura?" Kurama sarcastically asked her. "VeryfunnyKuramaGOD! GET OFF! AND STOP MESSIN' UP MY HAIR!" Kura ended up yelling at Maria and Charlie. Maria jumped off her shoulders and Charlie stopped running around her legs. Kura's hair looked as though she had rubbed her head against a huge balloon. She shook her head rapidly and then she combed her hair out with her fingers.

Charlie and Maria smirked at each other. Kurama and Briar FINALLY stopped laughing and all 5 of them started heading back to the cabin.

By now, it was 8:30 AM. As they walked into the warm house, Kura went quickly, (and when she did, she seemed a little angry/upset, leading everyone else in. By now, at least most of the house was awake.

Sakura, to everyone's surprise was awake. She had conjured herself up her own, "Special" cup of coffee, which she drank while sitting on the couch. "SAKURA! You're awake!" Kura said, very surprised as she sat down in the chair across from her friend. "Yeah. And... I had one hell of a time getting out of my bed!" "Sorry! But that's the only way that you wouldn't sleep walk!" Kura explained, giggling inside. "That's okay. I understand! I would've done the same thing if it was you who were drunk!" Sakura took another sip of her coffee. "But, Sakura... I can't get drunk... Unless you know how to get me drunk, which only one other person besides myself that knows that secret!" Kura said, as she looked at Kurama. "yeah. Sadly, it's true." Sakura sighed in defeat. "Any who, what are the munchkins doing here?" "well, Sakura, the were here with Shiori... But they're staying with us for the rest of the day and night... They were in the cabin just down the small hill next door." Kura said. "They saw us upstairs last night..." "WHAT!" Sakura said, almost spitting out her coffee. "Oh my god! You're not serious!" Sakura half screamed.

The two munchkins bounced over to her and sat down, one of each side, of their "Auntie Sa-Sa".

"Hello Auntie Sa-Sa! What's up?" Charlie asked, smirking widely. "Will you two please leave us alone? You have to be this tall to talk the big people talk..." Kura said, standing up and putting her hands to the height of her shoulders from the ground. Maria stood up and put her hands on her hips and said to Kura, "Gee.. I thought you actually had to be "big", as in tall like Kurama ((OOC: yes, they do call him Kurama because they're demons too!)).. you may be his sister too, but you're not very tall!" Kura put her hands on her own hips. "At least I'm not as small as you are... And you're not even that strong! Come on! Hit me... then I'll hit you and show you real power!"

"Kura! Maria! Cut it out!" Kurama said, looking at the two. "Geez... you two still haven't learned to get along! And to think! You're sisters!" He shook his head. "Sorry bro... I really am.. She started it!" Maria sat back down on the couch.

Kura looked at her brother and dropped her arms to her sides. "KURAMA! Come on! Stop treating me like a little baby! She's clearly the little baby here!Look! She's got you whipped! She's got you to where you'll be on her side for everything! She's not exactly sweet and innocent like you think she is!"

"Kura! That's enough!" Kurama said, his voice raised a little.

I've never seen that look in Kurama's eye before... What is that look for? Briar thought, seeing the look in Kurama's eyes. It's true, the look in Kurama's eyes were very... odd for Kurama. The look was like that of emotions stirring in his mind. Emotions that he hadn't really wanted to ever deal with again.

"Whatever..." Kura muttered, sitting down and pouting.

To annoy Sakura, Charlie sat there, staring at her.

"WILL YOU STOP!" Sakura finally yelled.

"You guys! Please.. be a little quieter.. .we do still have people still sleeping.." Briar said. "Kayko and Shizuru are still sleeping... And Yukina also, I think.."

"And Yusuke..." Touya reminded Briar, as he stepped into the cabin from the back porch.

Briar shivered. "Oh. Morning Touya!" She smiled.

"Morning.." He said, in a low growl.

"Mornin' Touya!" Kura said, ceasing her pouting.

"Oh. So I see Miss Drama Queen has stopped pouting." Charlie said, looking at Kura.

Kura glared at him. "Will you just shut up!" She said, sighing.

Sakura got off the couch and walked over to sit by the sliding glass door that lead to the snow-covered back porch and sat in an orange bean-bag chair.

"Anyway... How did you sleep Touya?" Kura asked.

"I slept okay... It was a little warm though, so I went outside for a while. I guess I fell asleep out there. Clumsy me.." Touya smiled.

Hiei suddenly "appeared" out of "no where" behind Kura as she still sat in the chair. "That's so naïve of you, Touya. One would ponder that you would have more insight than that. You are an ice apparition, what did you think? The house would be freezing just to fit your liking?"

Touya glared at his suddenly-appearing enemy. "Look, I know that you don't like me talking to your girl, but come on. It's not like it's doing you, her nor myself any harm... Besides.. you two just had a huge fight. I heard it all. I was a witness..."

Hiei managed a glare at Touya before growling at him, "You have no right to bear witness in a situation that doesn't concern you..." Hiei tucked his hands in his pant pockets.

"I wouldn't have had to if you two didn't fight." Touya remarked.
"You two! Cut it out! Can't we have one peaceful day?" Briar half screamed.

Kura and Sakura had somehow found their way outside with each other.

"Hey! You know what we should do?" Kura asked her friend, as she smirked. "What are you thinking?" Sakura asked, smirking back. "Well.. I think that we should organize a ball or a party for something.. I mean, that way, everyone has to be nice to each other!" Kura said. "Yeah! That way, Jin and I could have some fun with you and Hiei do! wait.. I forgot... Hiei isn't one to really have fun, is he?" Sakura said.

"You're right... he's not... Ooh! I know! We could always have a late New Years party!" Sakura said, after a few moments of silence.

"Ooh! Yeah! That's a great idea! But first... we gotta figure out how to get everyone to come!"

"Jin will help! He and I know for a fact that Touya will come if you're gonna be there. And Rinku will come 'cause he loves us!" Sakura giggled. I'm just happy that I know Jin will come! Kura heard her friends thoughts and giggled. "WHAT!" Sakura asked, glaring at her patron. "Hehe... nothing! I swear!" Kura smiled, reassuring her friend as they walked through the snow on the back porch. "Do ya think that Jin and I will get married one day, Kura?" Sakura asked her, as she looked at the sky. "I hope so! You two are sooooooooooooooo cute together! You guys would make the best couple ever!" Kura smiled, but was being serious. Sakura looked at Kura, smiling.

"Thanks. I really ll" She tried to say, but couldn't. She thought it would embarrass her if she said thatif she said the "L" word. Kura giggled. She thought it was cute that her friend was embarrassed to say "the 'L' word". "You love him. I know you do. You love him so much, that you can't say it but to only him." She finished. "Yeah.." Sakura said, quietly. "You shouldn't have to be embarrassed to tell anyone that you love someone else... It's the way you let people know that you've found that one person that's for you.. Unless of course it's not a person.. it's more like a demon in your case! And mine, and your sister's, and Kayko's, once ya think about it!" Kura said, brightly, as she leaned on the railing after wiping snow off of it to make a clear spot for her arms.

Sakura giggled. "Yeah. I guess you're right! Yusuke really is a demon, once ya think about it."

"YEP! That's our Unlce Yu' Yu'!"

The two female demons giggled as they started to throw snow at each other.

Later that day, About 1 o'clock. The entrance of the infamous munchkin pair that "everyone just loved" had surprised everyone. Well, Kurama and Briar weren't really ones to "freak out" about the situation. Those two loved the munchkins. Kura loved them, yes, but deep inside. Yes, they were her brother and sister too, but they annoyed the hell out of her and she felt like she had to be the one to act like she didn't like them at all. Picking on them was the way she showed that she cared. Sakura, on the other hand, hated the idea of the infamous twins being there. They annoyed her so much more than they had annoyed Kura. But, alas, she did have to "protect" them if a time they needed it had come up. She had sworn to that. As did Kurama, Kura and Briar.

Kura, Sakura, Rinku, Touya, Jin, Kurama, Briar, Botan, Kuwabara, Yusuke, Maria, and Charlie were in the group that went outside. Everyone else stayed inside to find something else to occupy their time. They all walked until they came to a plain, snow-covered, flat area, ((A.K.A- a clearing)) which was surrounded by trees. They all stood in a circle, with Kura and Sakura in the middle of them. They were all wondering why Kura and Sakura were smirking at each other. Sakura started, "Okay! We have the greatest idea EVER!" "Yeah! We're all gonna have snowball fight!" Kura smiled. "WHAT! Why would we wanna do that?" Charlie asked, putting his hands on his hips. "Because if you don't... you wont see your mommy until we get to our ACTUAL home.." Sakura said, sounding serious but was really just joking. Charlie stuck out his tongue at her.

"okay.. then maybe we should pick teams!" Botan suggested, being in an awfully upbeat mood about the situation.

"Yeah! That kinda would make sense!" Maria said, acting like she knew everything.

"Will you shut up? You're not that smart!" Kura remarked.

"STOP IT!" Kurama yells, before anymore of the verbal fight can continue.

"Anyways.. Let's see..." Sakura and Kura thought out loud, looking at each other. "I'll be a team captain!" Sakura volunteered. "And I'll be the other team captain!" Briar smirked at her sister. "Okay then... I've got Kura!" Sakura called.

"Kurama!" Briar called.

"Jin!" Sakura picked her second.

"Charlie!" Briar picked her second.

"Uncle Yu' Yu'!" Sakura smiled.

"Maria!" Briar looked to the little girl and smiled.

"Touya!" Sakura smirked at Kura, who glared slightly but it just turned into a smile.

"Rinku!" Briar called out.

"Aw, Damn.. it's between Botan and Kuwabara... Fine.. we'll take Kuwabara." Sakura sighed.

"And we have Botan!" Briar reminded Sakura.

"Whatever.. Just play fair and we will too!" Kura smirked to her brother.

"We'll start on this side and you guys start on that side." Sakura pointed, to each side of the clearing.

Each person took their spot, behind a tree, on their correct side. Sakura and Kura stood behind one. huge tree with eachother as they waited for the "games to begin".

Someone finally shouted "FIRE!" and snowballs started to simultaneously fly back and fourth the clearing.

About half an hour later, both sides had seized firing because they had sensed Hiei coming. Some how, they had all managed to think the same thing: hit Hiei with snowballs when he comes to a stop in the middle of the clearing. They were all silent and hidden. Hiei landed in the middle of the clearing, not able to really tell what was about to happen. Then, suddenly, he heard two girls' voices shouting "FIRE!" and the snowballs flew at Hiei. He was taken by surprise as a dozen snowballs hit him.

"INSTANT SNOW MAN!" Sakura yelled as herself and everyone else, except for Kurama, Briar and Jin fell down in the snow, laughing.

All of a sudden, you see Hiei covered in snow, looking exactly like a snowman, just without a large middle section. (-). His blood boiled as the snow ran off of him. He shook the rest off, still being mad, and looked to Sakura and Kura. Sakura was trying hard not to laugh, then Jin grabbed her hand and they took off, making sure that they wouldn't be killed.

Kura just stood there, smiling innocently.

Kurama and Briar quickly and quietly made an exit, hoping not to be killed by the fire demon either.

"Uh.. H-hi H-H-Hei.. W-what's up?" Kura asked, trying to be innocent.

"What the hell was that about!" He screamed.

"What? We were just trying to get you involved in the fun! But waityou don't know what fun is!" Kura yelled back, putting her hands on her hips at him.

"Hn. Fun? Is that what you call being inundated with masses of snow?Heh. You individuals have large tribulations that you need to get sorted outIt isn't anything care anything about." Hiei said, sounding very stubborn.

"Hn." She growled, mocking him. "Whatever." She told him. "You're such an ass!"

"Whatever..." Hiei said, in a low growl. "Where did those two kitsunes run off to?" He asked, not really changing his attitude nor tone.

"Hn. I don't know.. why don't you just use your jagan eye to pinpoint them?" Kura asked him, not changing her tone nor attitude towards him.

"No. Why should I if I have you, Kurama's sister, to ask for his location. You know a lot about him, don't you? I mean, you barely leave his side..."

"I don't stick to his side!" Kura defended herself. "But.. you know.. If I did, you wouldn't know it because you're never around! So there... and when you are around.. you stick around him and only him!"

"Whatever..." Hiei said, then he saw to figures coming back to the clearing.

Everyone else had already started back to the cabin, probably from fear that they would be eaten or something by Hiei's dragon... or something, except Charlie, Maria, and Rinku.

Kurama and Briar arrived back in the clearing, shaking their heads at the fighitng pair and then looked at Charlie, Maria, and Rinku who were all huddle together on the ground, sleeping.

"You guys, maybe we should get them back to the cabin.. so they can nap and NOT get a cold." Kurama suggested, picking up Charlie as Briar picked up Maria.

Kura sighed. "yeah. I'll take Rinku." She picked him up and started to walk, in front of Kurama and Briar. Hiei walked beside of her, looking as though she wasn't even beside of him, his hands tucked in his pockets.

Kurama and Briar looked at each other and sorta made the 'aww. How cute look.' at each other, concerning Hiei and Kura walking beside of each other as they all headed towards the cabin.

As soon as they got back, Kura walked all the way upstairs and layed Rinku in her own bed, tucking him loosely in. She shut the door quietly behind her and walked down the steps, meeting Kurama at the edge of the stairs leading to the first floor.

She fainlty smiled at him and tried to go down the stairs, but he stopped her by lightly putting his hand on her shoulder. "yeah?" She asked, lightly, as she turned to look at him.

"Are you going to talk to her any time soon?" Kurama inquired.

"I" Kura was at a lose of words.

"Do you even intend to?" He questioned once more.

"Yes! I do! I justdon't know when.." Kura told him, quietly, then walked down the steps, Kurama following her after he sighed slightly.

Kurama walked into the kitchen and saw only Kayko and Kura, who was actually in the living room. "Where's Kuroune and Shizuru?"

Kayko looked at Kurama and thought for a moment. "oh. I think they're upstairs somewhere.. But I don't know... I haven't really been seeing Shizuru and him because, I think, they're always together..."

Kurama sighed, rolling his eyes at a random thought. "Alright.. thanks Kayko." Then, Kurama walked into the living room, sitting down in front of Kura who was on the couch. Her eyes were closed, her head resting on a pillow.

"You haven't died on us have you?" Kurama asked, being sarcastic.

"No." Kura sighed, keeping her eyes closed. "I'm just tired... Is the vacation over yet?"

"Not yet... just three more days.. I think you can tolerate it." Kurama told her, smiling and being somewhat amused by Kura's questions.

"I don't know if I can... with the quarrels Hiei and I have.. god, I'll be dead before we can get home!" Kura sat up and looked at him, kidding in someway or another.

Kurama smiled at his little sister, but she wasn't so little. It's ture, she, in Human form, was on the "short side", but she was very smart when she wanted to be. She could also be very polite... if she wanted to be. "Well.. I'll just be upstairs. Alright? Call for me if you are to necessitate something." Kurama then vanished up the stairs.

Kura softly laughed at her brother's choice of words.

At dinner time, which is translated into about 6:30 PM. Everyone had found their way back to the cabin during the day. The last two to arrive back were Jin and Sakura. Everyone made cute faces at them when they came in, it was funny.

After dinner, Everyone sat in the living room. ((OOC: Yes, somehow.. we've managed to get EVERYONE in there.. that's... counts on fingers and toes like, 18 people! wow.. big living room)) Someone (SOMEONE RESPONSIBLE ) hadlit a fire in the fire place, where they'd all be nice and warm as they visited and talked amoungst each other.

Shizuru and Kuroune sat on the right side of the fire place, closely together (-), and on the other side of the fire place, Sakura and Jin sat closely together (-). Sitting on the couch was Kuwabara, Yukina and Touya ((OOC: teehee.. new crush comin' from Touya maybeh... maybeh?.. and I don't mean with him and Kuwabara.. you sick-o's.. lol...jk.. hehehe..)). Kurama sat in one of the chairs, Briar stood at the sliding glass door which lead to the back porch, Kura stood against the wall, in the corner of the room. She looked at everyone and just let her eyes close. Yusuke and Kayko (also spelled: Keiko) sat on the floor. Yusuke watched as Kayko played with Charlie and Maria. She's so beautiful... Yusuke thought, as he kept gazing at Kayko. Botan sat in one of the other chairs. Rinku and Chu stood with each other, on the side of the room that Yusuke was on. Hiei, on the other hand, stood in one of the other corners of the room, trying to be unnoticed, but everyone already knew that he was there.

As everyone conversated, Briar pulled Kura outside, on the deck.
"Yeah?" Kura asked, folding her arms over her chest to keep warm as the cool air blew slightly.

Briar walked over to the railing and looked at the frozen lake that the house looked over. "Y'know... you and Kurama have been fighting an awful lot more than you normally do.. Is there something wrong?" She asked Kura.

Kura stood, leaning against the cabin's outside wall. "No..."

"Kura... I... I think I'm going to break up with Kurama. For your sake. I seem to be the reason that you two are fighting... It would just be easier if you two could spend more time together... It must be hard for you because you've got to worry about fighting with Hiei AND Kurama..." Briar revealed.
"You're going to WHAT!" Kura pushed herself off the wall into an upright position, then took steps towards Briar.

Briar turned around and looked at Kura, holding back tears. "I'm going to break up with Kurama..."

The look of annoyance of Kura's fast was still there. She stepped towards Briar and then.. SMACK. Kura's hand print was left, in a redish color, on Briar's cheek. "Don't you even dare think of that! You'd... You'd break his heart... I would never be able to forgive you... Hehe really loves you... And... I don't want to be the reason why it's all ruined. Don't worry about me... I'll be fine... about Hiei and Kurama..." Kura said, looking down after she took her hand back to her side. "I want him to be happy... And he's truly the happiest when he's with you... And... He seems to give me better advice.He's also given me more advice since he's been around you... So don't hurt him like that... It would hurt me to see my brother hurt..." She said, her voice quiet.

Briar's cheek stung, from the slap. She blinked after the slap and then listened to Kura's words. She blinked once more. "I" She started, but couldn't find any words to say. Then, she found one. "Thanks.." She whispered, a small smile appearing on her face.

At that moment, a bond between Kura and Briar seemed to be starting to sprout, like a flower out of the snow as spring starts to arrive upon the land.

"...I'll tell you what..." Briar started, the red mark on her face now pink and light. "Sakura told me about the ball you guys plan to throw... I'll hook you up with Hiei.."

"WHAT!" Kura didn't scream, but said in surprise.

"He's stubborn, I know. But... since I'm like a motherly figure to him... and since I have ways of persuasion towards him... I can get him to be your date..." Briar explained.

"... Let me guess... I have to make sure Kurama goes...? Right?You want me to escort him there for you?" Kura asked.

"yes. If you don't mind." Briar smiled.

"I don't mind... He is my brother... I'll do just about anything to keep him happy.." Kura giggled slightly.

"okay! Good! Then just bring Kurama to the ball and I'll make sure Hiei is your date." Briar said, closing the deal.

"Alright." Kura said, then she shivered. "I'm going inside.. I need to get to bed... I'm awfully tired."

"yes. It was a big day, with your little brother and sister here..." Briar reminded her.

"Yes... they were a big ball of fun, weren't they?" She asked, half sarcastic, then she went inside and to bed in her own bed up on the third floor.

Everyone else, about two hours later, headed off to bed. In the morning, Maria and Charlie would be returning to Shiori, who they would be going home with that same day. Kurama and the others still had 2 1/2 days ((lol)) to go... Hopefully, no one would be killed before they were able to get home.

11:30 am the next morning.

Kura finally awoke, her hair sort of messy, but she fixed it with a hair brush. She looked to be the last one awake. "I can't believe I slept that late..." She said, looking out the window and seeing Shiori, Kurama, Briar, Charlie and Maria. "Awww.. crap.. I can't go outside until Shiori's gone.. It's bad enough that she's never seen me, but if she does, since I look so much like Kurama, she'll think that something's wierd and she had a child or something without knowing it." Kura whispered to herself.

"It's not good to talk to yourself..." Hiei's voice was heard.

Kura quickly turned around, startled, and saw Hiei leaning against the door. "There's no law against talking to yourself.." She muttered.
"Hn. Whatever.. Don't go throwing punches or anything.. I'm not here to "fight" with you.. verbally nor physically.. I was instructed to keep you up here until those brats and Kurama's human mother was gone.. So you wouldn't cause any trouble, in other words."

"I wouldn't cause trouble!" Kura said, defensively.

"Whatever.. Like I said, I'm not here to quarrel at all with you.."

Kura rolled her eyes and sat on her bed. "I don't know why they sent you to 'guard' me..." She pouted.

"Who knows.." He sighed, lowly.

The next two days went by quickly, and before they knew it... it was time to pack up and go home.