Chapter 12: Night out, and the Day of Bridal Shopping

OOC: WOOT! ANOTHER CHAPTER! I really do love working on this fanfic... even though sometimes it does get hard... Stupid writer's block.. Hey! I remember that episode of the RugRats when Tommy was dreaming and saw the huge block that said "Writer's block" on it! lmao::sigh: The good ol' days with the original RugRats... anyways.. time to start on the chapter!

The Last Month of School, on a Saturday

Kura sat in her room in the window seat. She had her sketch book in her lap and a pencil in her hand. With the pencil in hand, she was slowly sketching onto the paper. She looked to the doorway and saw Sakura and Hiei walking in. "Hey guys." She greeted them, looking back to her sketch.

"Whatcha doin'?" Sakura plopped down on the bed.

"oh, I'm doing a sketch for Art Class."

"Do you and Kurama ever stop doing school work?" Hiei asked her.

Kura put her pencil down and closed her sketchbook. She now sat with her back facing the window. "Hey! I'm not as bad as he is!"

"Oh yes you are! Come exam times.. It's like you're both racing each other with grades." Sakura giggled.

"Oh, be quiet!" Kura shook her head. "So.. what brings you two here?"

"I just came to visit ya." Sakura smiled.

Kura looked at Hiei.

"What?" He questioned the look.

"Well... what do you want?"

"Oh, so I'm not welcomed nor wanted, is that right?" Hiei answered.

Kura began laughing at him. "No, no, no! That's not what I meant!"

"I know..." Hie smiled his rare smile. "I was just.. around and decided to stop by."

"Oh... So there's nothing, really, that you wanted?" Kura teased.

Sakura giggled along with her friend. "Hey Hiei! Aren't you supposed to be taking Kura-" She started but then received a threat through telepathy. "Ohwaitnevermind"

"Wait!" Kura jumped from her seat in the window. "What are you talking about?"

"It's nothing." Hiei assured her.

"no! It's not 'nothing'." Kura wanted to know what it was Sakura had started about.

"It's nothing." Hiei walked out of the room. Kura followed him adn Sakura followed her. They walked into the living room wehre Kurama and Briar were.

"C'mon Hiei! What is it?" Kura kept asking.

"What is what?" Kurama questioned from the couch.

"Hiei wont tell me something!" Kura whined.

"Oh! I know what you're talking about." Kurama and Briar answered in unison.

"Not fair! Why am I always the last one to know about stuff!" Kura plopped down in the chair.

Sakura couldn't help but continue her giggling spree.

Hiei still wouldn't tell Kura.

"Pwease?- Pretty please Hiei-chan!" Kura still begged.

"i'll tell you if he doesn't, Kura." Kurama grinned at Hiei.

Finally, Hiei gave in. He sighed. "We're going out tonight."

"All of us?"

"No," Hiei told her. "Just you and I."

There was silence then Kura stood up. "That's awesome! I can't wait!" She gave Hiei a hug and then walked back into her room. When she was gone Kurama, Briar, and Sakura dove at the chance to pick on Hiei again.

"Awwwwwwww! Hiei-kins has a date!" Sakura was the first and quickest to react.

"That's sooooooooo cute, Hiei!" Briar started. "You finally decided to take her on that date!"

"Yes; it's almost considered a miracle that he actually decided to take her out." Kurama spat out.

Hiei's cheeks burned red and his fist clenched.

-Everyone in the room laughed at their comments which embarrassed Hiei, but they only picked on him because they loved him in some way or another.-

"Oh, that reminds me. Everyone else is going to the movies tonight." Kurama suddenly remembered.

"Who is everyone else?" Sakura asked, slowly.

"You know, Yusuke, Kayko, Yukina, Touya...-- Shizuru's not coming.. neither is Kuronue.."

"And why isn't Jo-Jo coming?" Sakura asked him.

"Apparently he and Shizuru broke it off..." Kurama told her.

"Oh.. That would explain their bad attitudes at the beach last month..." Sakura commented.

"Yeah..." Briar said, then shrugging the convo' off.

"So... Hiei..." Kurama had a half grin on his face as he twisted his head about to glance at his acquaintance by the window.

Hiei countered the slight piece of what could've became a complete sentence with "What?"

"What are you and my sister going to do tonight on this date?" Kurama gave a sly smile.

Hiei glared. "Whatever hell we want to do. None of you shall affect this date, alright?" He said, firmly, then stalked onto the roof.

"Oh my... His temper is starting to get harsh again.." Briar said.

"No.. it's just the fact that we pick on him about his love life that makes it so inhospitable." Kurama corrected her.

"Ah yes... well.. that is true." Briar agreed.

"Ehem...?" Sakura grinned. "Would Jin be coming with us tonight?"

Briar smirked. "If you call him and ask him to come."

Sakura started for the door.

"Where ya goin', Kiddo?" Briar inquired.

"Home.- To call Jinnie- Boy!" Sakura left.

Briar and Kurama shook their heads.

"You know... I really think we should tell the rest of the gang about our engagement, Kurama." Briar told him, feeling as though they were hiding something very vital from their friends.

"yes. I supposed you're right. Shall we tell them tonight?- At least the ones who are to be coming." Kurama planted a kiss on her right temple.

"Alright.- What time does the movie begin?"

"7:30"

"Good! So we have quite a while to relax."

"Yes we do." Kurama established.

Kura finished her sketch and put the sketch book into her school bag. She stood in the core of her room, pondering what to do next. She scratched her head and then got an idea. She left her room. "Where- Where's Sakura?" She asked, slightly confused that her friend wasn't there anymore.

"She went home to call Jin." Briar explained.

"ooooooookaaaaay... Where's Hiei?"

"C'mon Kura... where is he habitually when he's gracing us with his presence?" Kurama asked her, rhetorically.

Kura laughed and then headed onto the roof. "hey Hiei!" She sat down beside of him.

He nodded to her and then resumed gazing at what he'd all the "stupid human city".

"What are you doing up here?"

"Just.. thinking.." He told her as he currently studied the tear gem which hung from his neck, the chain still around his neck.

"Oh! Well... if you'd like for me to leave you alone.. I will. I just thought I'd come up and keep you company." She smiled. To Hiei her smile was so picturesque and chaste.

With the tear gem still in his hand, he looked at her. "You don't have to leave."

"good! Because I don't wanna!" She giggled.

He smiled, shaking his head ever so slightly.

"What?" She questioned his gestures.

"Nothing." He answered, examining the tear gem once more.

"Isn't that your tear gem?- You've started wearing it again. I'm glad." Kura rested her chin on his shoulder, her eyes caught by the gem also.

"Yes. I began wearing it more.. after Yukina found out." He answered her commentary.

"I know she wears hers every day," She spokea gain. "Even before she knew you were her brother.. she wore it then too... Well, after you gave it back to her.."

"Hn." Hiei's crimson eyes continued gazing at the tear gem. His thoughts were mixed between the gem and the girl sitting beside of him. "---When are your brother and Briar going to inform everyone of their engagement?"

Kura sat up, shrugging. "I don't know. They probably will soon."

'Where will the wedding be?"

She shrugged again. "Probably here.- Shiori will want to witness her son's wedding."

"hn."

"You're gonna come right?"

He let go of the gem and it returned to just hanging freely around Hiei's neck. "I'll be there." He repositioned himself to where his whole body faced Kura.

Kura smiled, positioning herself to face him. "So.. what are we gonna do on that date tonight?" She tried to be sly.

"oh no, no, no.. you're not getting a word out of my." He answered, as he reached to tuck a piece of Kura's red hair behind her ears.

"You're so mean!" She stuck out her tongue.

Hiei gave a very slight laugh.

Kura giggled. "Well... just let me know when I need to start getting ready."

"I will."

"So... who do you think.." Kura started to ask him, slowly. " will be the next two to get married?"

"Who are my choices?"

"Let's see... Yusuke and Kakyo... Sakura and Jin.. Botan and Koenma.. or Touya and Yukina?"

"Aren't you leaving a choice out?"

Kura thought. "Who?"

"You and I."

Kura giggled, able to maintain her cool. "Oops! Sorry! Yeah.. or u-us."

"I don't know.." Hiei answered after a second.

Kura stood up, smiling. "Yes.. It's hard to tell anymore."

Hiei got to his feet also.

"Do you remember that necklace you gave me? A while ago?- It had the dragon hanging from it." Kura randomly brought up.

"That silver one?" Hiei searched his memory, then found that specific recollection.

"Uh huh."

"Yes. I remember.- What about it?"

She shrugged. "I still have it."

"oh..." Hiei was slightly taken aback. "Do you really?"

"Uh huh. But... I haven't worni t in years..."

"oh..."

"no offense! I just.. haven't thought about wearing it." Kura sighed. "I guess I'll go now. And leave you to think to yourself."

When she turend to leave, Hiei softly grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"What is it, Hiei?" She faced him again.

His crimson orbs looked into her emerald green ones. He finally started to say what had been lingering in his mind. "Kura... will you..." He attemtped to not stutter/

Kura paid close attention to Hiei, listening to every word he was saying... waiting for the question to unveil.

"Will you.. marry me?" Hiei finally got out.

Kura's jaw dropped to a slight angle. Her heart beat faster; she almost felt as though she could barely breathe.

"Kura...?" Hiei called softly.

"... I..." Kura began smiling again. "I will!" She threw her arms around Hiei's neck; happiness running through her.

Hiei was quite relieved that he got the questionout and he was even more relieved to hear her answer. He almost couldn't believe that he had asked Kura to marry him, actually.

Kura put her arms abck to her side. Hiei took the tear gem from around his neck and put it on, over Kura's head. After planting a kiss on her frehead, Hiei's hands went into the darkness of his pockets. "Don't tell anyone yet." He said.

Kura was slightly confused, but she nodded. "I wont.- I'll see you in a bit. Okay?"

Hiei nodded and watched her disappear from the roof top.

Kura walked through the house, heading towards her bedroom, when she was distracted by her brother. "What's up with you? Acting quite optimistic all of a sudden, aren't you?"

Kura stopped moving. "Well.. Can't I just be happy? I mean... I- I am going on a date tonight." Then she ran into her room, shutting herself in. Briar and Kurama exchanged looks... looks of confusion.

-- Hours later; About 6:00 PM --

Kurama knocked on his sister's bedroom door and stuck his head in. "Briar and I are getting ready to leave... Once Jin and Sakura get here."

"Oh, okay! You kids have fun now, ya hear?" Kura smiled.

"Don't worry! We will." Kuraam returned the smiled with his own then went outside with Briar to wait for Jin and Sakura.

Kura continued to lay on her bed, on her stomach, as she tried to read a book. After a cycle of seconds she sighed out of boredum. "So.. bored..."

Hiei's voice was enough to startle her. "Is the silence boring to you?" He grinned as he spoke.

Kura sat up. She glared momentarily. "You... you.. you.." She tried to come up with something clever to threaten or insult him with but it only came out as an unspoken affront and a smile.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Hiei shook his head at her.

"Okay.. What do you want now?" She grilled him, with fake annoyance.

"Hn. You know exactly what I want." He told her.

"Me?- Yeah. I know." She joked, rising to her feet and going to her closet.

"Heh. Just get ready."

"Where are we going?" She searched through the clothes in her huge closet.

"You'll see." He grinned once more.

"That's totally not fair!" She wined, with the fake-ness mixed into the statement. Taking a gray tank top and a pair of black baggy pants off their hangers, Kura left hte closet. Hiei stoodn in the doorway of her room, still. "Will you.. uh. excuse me?" She asked, the smile still lingering on her face.

Hiei's sly, yet rare, smile continued to be present as he went into the living room to wait.

Kura quickly slipped into her clothes then put on her black tenis shoes and hoodie (with the nifty frotn pocket! XD)). After getting situated in her hoodie, she pulled out the necklace to where it was visible. She brushed her hair out then met up with Hiei int he living room. "Alrighty! I'm ready!"

"Took you long enough."

Kura pushed him slightly. "oh, shoosh!"

Hiei smiled and grabbed Kura's hand; their fingers becoming interwined with each others'. They left the house. On the lawn Kurama, Briar, Yusuke, Keiko, Touya, and Yukina were still waitin for Sakura and Jin. Hiei and Kura stopped by the group. "How long's the wait been?"

"15 minutes." Kurama told his sister.

"oh, where could thost two be?" Briar sighed. Everyone else in the group didn't exactly look happy either. Then, Sakura and Jin POPPED into view.

"We're sooooooooooo sorry!" They said at once.

"SAAAAAKURRRRAAAA! You dummy!" Briar commented.

"C'mon... " Touya stood by Yukina; their hands clamped. "You'll have time to deal with your sister and Jin later."

"You're right, Touya." Briar said, then turned to Kura and Hiei Sakura and jin mouthing 'thank you' to Touya . "We'll be back later! You two have fun!"

"Don't stay out too late!" Kurama warned, still just joking; then the huge group disappeared down the side walk.

Kura laughed. "They're so..."

"So what?"

Kura paused then giggled again. "..Nothing.."

Hiei and Kura then left the yard and headed to the Demon World.

-- Demon World, with Hiei and Kura --

"Hey, Hiei? Do you remember that day at the beach when Sakura burried Jin in the sand?"

"Yeah. She attempted to leave him there over night."

-- Flashback --

Everyone was doing their own thing on the beach at the moment.

Sakura looked over her shoulder to see Jin laying on the sand... sleeping! She smirked and got a bucket. She began dumping sand on his whole, everything but his head. It took her a good 30 minutes to get his body. There was 2 feet of sand on top of him. She giggled. "SAKURA! Come on!" She heard her sister call from the deck. Sakura waved and began walking to the house with Kura and Hiei.

Kura looked at Jin as they passed. "uh... Sakura?-- You're not seriously honna leave him there, are you?"

"Teehee!" Sakura giggled.

Hiei rolled his eyes. "You have got to be one of the most-" But he was cut off by Kura placing a quick kiss on his mouth. She obvisously did it to stop him from completing his sentence.

About 2 hours after dark, Jin's screams were head. Sakura ran onto the deck first, folled by Touya, Rinku, Chu, Yusuke, and Kuwabara. All of them laughed at the sight underneith the light off the deck.

"SOOOMEOONE! HEELP MEEE! OY!" Jin was struggling against 2 very small crabs.

Sakura laughed all the way down to his spot.

Jin continued to struggle.

"Jin! They're just small crabs!"

"Oy!- I-I- D-don't-- CARE!"

"Oh, fine." Sakura unburried him. By now Kura and Hiei had joined the group out of hte deck.

-- End Flahsback --

"Jin was uber pissed at Sakura that night!" Kura finished off anouther round of giggles as they strolled through the murkiness of the Demon World.

"Heh. Yes.. she wouldn't stop chasing him around the house."

"Yeah! I couldn't get to sleep until about 3 A.M.!"

"I journyed to the roof, and it was quite peaceful there." Hiei told her.

"You should've come and got me!" Kura said to him.

The stars ( wow.. there are stars in the Demon World!.. jk) and moon were beautiful as they offered some light to the dark sky. Kura smiled to Hiei. "So.. what else are we to go?"

He just shrugged.

"... Call me crazy, but I like just being here and talking with you!"

Hiei turned his head towards her. "Really?"

"Yep! As long as I'm with you.. I'm happy."

Hiei kissed her temple.

"oh! Yeah! When we get back.. I have something to give you!"

"You don't have to give me anything." Hiei tried to tell her.

"Nonsense!- I mean, I know I don't have to... But I want to!" Kura planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

Hiei had a small smile ( at least it's a smile ) come to his lips.

-- Human World, 9:33 P.M., after the movie --

Everyone was at the park. They had all decided to go for ice cream! every "child's" dream!

Kurama cleared his throat for everyone's attention. ".. WEll... Briar and I have something we'd like to tell you all."

Everyone gave the two demon's their attention.

"Briar and I... are engaged." KUrama smiled to Briar, who back and kissed his lips once.

"Congrats you guys!" Kayko told them, as Yusuke stood beside of her (not being as surprised as he would've been if he and Kuwa' hadn't have been spying on Kurama and Hiei... . ). Touya and Yukina were happy also. Jin and Sakura just acted normal since they had already known for a while.

"Thanks, you guys." Briar told them.

"So.." Kayko started. "When's the wedding?"

"Soon. Probably sometime after school lets out for the summer." Kurama looked to his bride-to-be as she spoke.

"oooh! We should go shopping the dresses and stuff tomorrow!" Kayko offered the idea.

"That's a wonderful idea!" Briar agreed.

Yusuke moaned. "Do I have to come?"

Kayko glared. Yusuke cowered away from Kayko's hand, only about a foot. "You'll come if I say so."

"Okay, okay, okay!"

"You two never quit, do you?" said Kurama as he shook his head.

The group finished their ice cream, then talked for a while. They all, when finished, departed and headed for their own abodes.

"Sakura?" Briar asked her sister as Kurama led the party inside of the apartment. "Are you and Jin staying here tonight?"

"Well, I kinda have to don't I?" Sakura and Jin plopped down in separate chairs.

"Well... yeah.. Hehe. Ya do." Briar giggled.

"Okay. HTen Jin's staying too."

"Wha-? OY! Why ya gotta drag me inta this?"

"Because!"

"Oh, fooie." Jin pouted.

"Well, we're going to bed. Tell Kura I hope her date went well.- Night." Kurama and Briar shut themselves in, what use to be, Kurama's room.

"Oh yeah! Kura and Hiei were goin' on a date tonight!" Sakura remembered.

"Oh really? That's interesting."

'yeah!- It's 10:49... I wonder how much longer they'll be out."

Jin shrugged, standing up to move onto the couch, laying down. "How 'bout we watch t.v. 'till we fall asleep?"

Sakrua got a blanket, laid down with him, and threw the blanket over them. They cuddled as they watched t.v.; the volume low ((cuteness, eh? .)).

At about midnight, Kura and Hiei quietly "snuck" in through the balcony's sliding glass door. Kura saw her best friend and Jin, passed out on the couch. "C'mon..." She whispered to Hiei. They walked into Kura's room; They made sure to shut the bedroom door quietly.

Kura smiled. "Close your eyes."

"Why?" asked Hiei, joking.

"C'mon! Pwease?"

He shut his eyes after her plee.

Kura went to her dresser. Out of a small jewelry box, she extracted a small silver chain. She took off the silver band, which had three small black diamonds planted in it, off of her right-hand ring finger. She put the ring on the chain, and then walked over to Hiei. She hooked the chain around his neck and backed away. "You can open your eyes now."

Hiei opened his eyes and looked down at what she had placed around his neck.

"Kurama gave it to me..." Kura began. "When I came to live with him...- I know that your tear gem means A LOT to you... And I know that that ring will never mean as much as your tear gem... But I treasure it.. And I trust you with it. It was given to me by someone who loves me. Your tear gem was given to you by someone who loved you..."

Hiei couldn't help but study the ring around his neck, then looked back to Kura. "And this was given to me... by someone I love."

"As was this for me."

The exchanged a kiss.

"Maybe you should get some sleep."

"Yeah! Who knows what they have planned for tomorrow!" Kura removed her boots; leaving her hoodie (and the rest of her clotehs) on, she climbed into her bed. Hiei removed his boots and cloak, now only wearing his black tank top, black pants and the white bandana which concealed his Jagan eye. Kura being under the covers, he climbed into the bed to lay beside of her. He slipped an arm around her to have his hand join one of her's. "Good night Hiei... I love you..." Kura whispered. Hiei took a moment to reply. He closed his eyes and returned with a whisper. "I love you too." Kura feel alseep with a smile on her face.

--- Next Morning, 7:00 AM ---

((time to rise and shine! .))

Everyone but Kura and Hiei were awake. Sakura had to be dragged (literally) off the couch by Briar so Jin could get up with out Sakur wacking him upside the head. Kurama made himself some coffee. Sakura had finally woken up, fully, and seemed like her normal, hyper self. Before any one could stop her, she ran (literally) into Kura's room. She hopped onto the bed and began bouncing up and down. "C'mon sleepy heads! Rise and Shine!"

Hiei pryed once of his eyes open. After he saw Sakura jumping up and down on the bed, he gave a low growl. "What in hell's name are you doing?"

Kura gave a tired moan, her eyes staying shut.

Sakura continued to bounce on the bed, giggling. "Waaaaaaale uuuuuuup!"

Hiei sat up, angrily; now glaring at Sakura who seemed to be enjoying herself too much for this early in the morning.

Receiving Hiei's glares, Sakura stopped bouncing. She grinned. "C'mon sleepy heads! Wakey, wakey! Eggs and bacey!"

Kura didn't move nor open her eyes, but spoke. "Sakura.. since when have you been a morning person?"

"Um... Since this morning when i was dragged off the couch... Then got the idea to wake you guys up!"

"By jumping on the bed?" Hiei asked, after a yawn.

"Uh huh!"

Kura finally opened her eyes, looking at the alarm clock. "Oh my god... What in the name of the Spirit World is any one doing up at 7:30 AM!"

Sakura polopped down on the end of the bed, staring at Hiei.

"What!" He growled.

"You look different..." Sakura thought out loud.

Kura quickly stuffed the necklace into her hoodie and then sat up facing her friend.

"How?" Hiei questioned, his emotionless.

Kurama popped his head into the room. "Oh good! You two are awake."

Everyone looked at Kurama, Hiei tucked his necklace into his shirt.

"Kurama... doesn't Hiei look... different?" Sakura brought back up.

"Hm... He looks slightly different.." Kurama shrugged. "Maybe it's because his hair is...-- Let's just say he has a slight case of bed-hair."

Hiei glared then fixed his hair.

"Alright. Breakfast is served." Kurama walked back into the kitchen. Sakura eyed Hiei once more before joining her sister, and soon-to-be brother-in-law for breakfast.

Climbing out of the bed, Kura sighed. "That was close."

"Yeah." Hiei yawned once more.

Kura stretched her arms out. "i wonder what they're dragging me to today!"

Hiei climbed off the bed, shrugging. "I guess I'll come too."

Kura gave him a good morning kiss. "Alrighty then!" She left the room, smiling.

Hiei sighed ((it was a happy sigh! hehe)) and then put his boots and cloak back on.

"So.." said Kura as she sat down at the small bar, facing the table in the kitchen. "I'm awake this early... What ARE we going to do?"

"The girls have planned a shopping trip for today." Briar admitted.

"Seriously!- That measn you told everyone!"

"Yeppers!" Sakura finished off her cereal. "They told the whole gang! WEll, minues you, Hiei... Botan and Koenma..."

"What was everyone's reaction?"

"Well," Kurama looked at his sister. "They were all quite happy."

"I'm glad." Kura giggled.

"So..." The converstion began to transition. "How was yours and Hiei's date?" Sakura finished the question.

Kura smiled instead of blushing. "IT was great! I enjoyed it!"

"What did you guys do?" asked Kurama.

"We went to the Demon World.."

"And?"

"And.. we.. talked.. C'mon guys. What else would we do?" Kura looked at the four who were sitting at the table jin still being half asleep.

Briar stood up. "Well, I do believe that you (kura), Sakura, Hiei, and myself need to get ready."

"Wait.. Jin and Kurama aren't coming?" Kura was slightly confused.

"Nope!" Sakura grinned. "Hiei and Yusuke are the only guys comin' today."

"Uh... whu?"

"Kayko wants to torture Yusuke.. And we figured that you and Hiei would want to spend time together." Sakura's comment was added onto by Briar. "And we need to get his tuxedo for the wedding." ((oh, woah, ho... Boy, did they not know that Hiei-kins wasn't going to be wearing an tuxedo. He already had to for one event... and that was enough for him. )).

Kura stood also. "Okay.-- He said he was gonna come with us anyways."

"We're leaving in 15 minutes."

"Okiday!" Kura returned to her room with Sakura.

"Guess what Hiei!" Sakura frolicked in.

He rolled his eyes. "What?"

"You've got 15 minutes until we're leaving!"

"And where, precisely, are we venturing today?"

"Shopping for Kurama's and Briar's wedding..."

Kura had walked into her closet and changed into a pair of black bagy jeans while the two had been talking. She walked out of the closet, yawning.

Hiei and Sakura were in a tight lock of the eyes. Sakura spoke first. "Alright. You do look different. And it's not your hair!- What is it?"

"Nothing." He told her, hands sliding into the darkness of his pockets.

"You're lying!" Sakura accused him.

"hn."

"Arg!"

Kura watched from the door. "You two! Play nice!"

"But! There is something different 'bout him! I know it!"

"What would it be?" Kura asked her hyper, eager friend.

Sakura was at a loss for words.

"Just c'mon! We're leaving in, like, five minutes!"

Hiei walked out as Kura spoke, then herself and Sakura filed out behind him.

Briar was ready to leave and then question them. "Ready?"

"YEP!" Sa' and Kura giggled at once.

"Have fun with the girls and Yusuke, Hiei." Kurama told his fire demon of a friend.

"Hn."

The four met up with Yu', Kayko, Bo', and Yukina at the Bridal Shop, which was located in the middle of the city.

Yusuke was 1/2 asleep, seeing as how he's normally still asleep until noon (( like me, Whitney! hehe!)). The other three girls looked cheerfully awake.

"Morning everyone!" Botan, of course, was teh first to greet them... and quite loudly.

"Morning Botan!" Briar greeted her the equal cheerfulness.

"Too cheery!" Yusuke wined, sleepily.

"Oh Yusuke. Be quiet." Kayko told him, with out a threatening hand jester nor movement.

"Good morning Hiei! Kura!- Sakura!" Yukina smiled to the three.

"Mornin'!" (Sakura, happily).

"Good morning, Yukina!" (Kura, happily)

"Morning." (Hiei, normally. (lol.))

"Everyone ready to start?" Kayko inquired as they stepped into the store.

A nice lady with blond hair and nice clothes greeted them. "Good morning. My name is Rei. How may I help you?"

"We're shopping for a wedding dress and brides' maids' dresses." said Botan.

"Well, you've come to the right place!" Rei led the group towards the back of the store. There were two curved comfortable couches that surrounded the huge body mirrors and dressing room (yes, only one, but it's quite huge too!). "So.. What shall we begin with?- How about the different wedding dress selections/designs we have?"

Briar agreed. She, along with Botan, Kayko, Yukina, and Yusuke sat on one couch as Sakura, Kura, and Hiei sprawled out on the other couch. Sakura took up 1/2 of the couch and Kura/Hiei took the other half. The three didn't really pay attention as Rei was presenting several different wedding dresses to Briar.

"Hey, Kura!"

"Yeah, Sakura?"

"Who do you think's gonna get married next?"

Kura's heart jumped; She tried to keep her cool. "Hm... I don't know... My money's on you and Jin.. or.. Kayko and Yusuke."

Yusuke laid his head back and spoke, across from them. "Don't bet on it."

"Yusuke! That's really horrible to say!" Kura told him, but he wasn't listening to her so she returned to leaning against Hiei and talking to Sakura and he on the "cool" couch ((lmao)).

"Charlie and Maria are going to be the flower boy and girl."

"Oh, really? The Munchkins.. how nice.." Kura commented.

"Yeah. They should be on their best behavior."

"They'll be calm during the wedding, but afterwards... They'll be hell again." Hiei commented.

"Yes! Hiei's right for once!"

"Sakura!" Kura instantly looked at her.

"oops! Sorry!" Sakura apologized for the comment that just slipped out of her mouth.

"OH! I IDEA!" said Kura, randomly as she gazed at the ceiling. "We should go on a Hot Springs trip! Just You, Jin, Kurama, Briar, Hiei, and I."

"A Hot Springs trip." Hiei questioned the idea.

"Oooh! That's a great idea!" Sakura said, over Hiei.

Hiei shook his head then closed his eyse.

"Oh c'mon Hiei! Admit it! It'd be nice!" Kura tried to get him to smile.

Sakura giggled. "You two are sooooooooooooooooo cute together!"

Yusuke lifted his head. "Oh yeah. CUz you know, Hiei's been with just so many girls before." He commented, sarcastically.

Hiei shot Yusuke an evil glare which said 'I'll kick your ass'.

Yusuke gulped. "Sorry."

Kura giggled. Just then Briar summoned Sakura. Sakura took one look at the dress she was to try on. "Oh, no, no, no, no, no! I'm not even trying that on!" She told here sister as she stood in the door of the dressing room.

"C'mon Sakura! It's my wedding! Please!- Do this for me!" Briar pleaded.

Sakura kept her stern look.

Kura sat up. "Sakura... just do it.- It is her and my brother's wedding. Let's not screw it up."

Sakura heard her friend out and sighed. "FINE." There was a but statement coming soon after. "But! You are gonna take Kura and I where ever we want to go!- Got it?"

"Okay. Fine."

Sakura went to change into the dress.

"Oh God." Kura sighed.

"What?" Hiei asked.

"It's probably something pink." She sighed once mroe and leaned back on the couch as Hiei still sat on the edge of the couhc. "I can only wonder wht the dress really is gonna look like."

"It can't be that bad." Hiei told her, as he repositioned himself to face her.

She shrugged as she looked at him. A question ran through her head: WHy can't we tell anyone!

Hiei answered the thought in a whisper, "Because I don't want anyone knowing right now."

"Hmph. Fine." She said, easily and still smiling. She scooted over a little so sh ecould rest her head on Hiei's shoulder. "I don't know how long we can hide it." Kura whispered to him; Her eyes watching every one of their friends who were present.

"We're going to hide it as long as we can." He assured her.

Sakura seemed to be throwing a fit from inside the dressing room. "I'm not coming out!" She kept saying.

Briar began stressing out; Kayko and Botan tried to calm her down. "Please Sakura! Just come out here! REmember that you only have to wear it today and on the wedding day!"

Kura stood up and walked to the dressing room door. "Sakura?- C'mon. It can't be that bad."

"It's pink!"

Kura sighed. "Sakura!- C'mon.. I'll be wearing it too. You're not gonna be alone."

"Promise?"

"I promise!"

The door opened; Briar breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks Kura." She said.

"It was nothing." Kura returned to her seat, where Hiei was waiting for her return. After exchanging kisses, Kura's head returned to Hiei's shoulder. I can't wait until we get married. She thought about herself and Hiei.

Sakura stood still as Rei took the measurements and etc.. she needed for the dress. Sakura kept her eyues closed. I hate this. She grumbled inside of her mind.

Briar walked over to Yusuke. "Hey, Yus'? Could I borro w your cell for a minute?"

"Sure." Yusuke handed his small silver cell phone to Briar, who stepped out onto the side walk.

At his apartment, Kurama was woken up by ringing of his phone.

"Hello?"

"Morning." Hearing Briar's voice made him smile

"Morning. How's the shopping going?"

"Oh, well... It's... It's going a little better now."

"What's wrong?"

"Oh," Briar sighed. "Sakura was throwing a fit because the Brides' maids' dress that I picked out was pink."

There was a silence; Then Briar could hear Kurama trying not to laugh. "Kurama! It's not funny!" Briar smiled as she looked through the glass at everyone in the store.

"How did it... How was it resolved?"

"Oh! Your sister!" Briar answered.

"What- did she do?"

"She reassured Sakura that she'd be wearing the same dress as she stood beside of her." Briar giggled.

"Wow.- How's Hiei holding up?"

"He's quite content, actually." Briar confessed. "He's just been sitting closey with Kura and having light coversations with her.- And he's actually letting Sakura speak to his lover."

Kurama chuckled. "Well, glad to know it's going well."

"Yeah. I hope there are no more... complications.- I just thought I'd call and check up with you.- Wait.. did you go back to sleep?"

"Heh heh.. Yeah. Guilty there."

"Alright, well... I'll see you when we're done here."
"I love you." Kurama was quick to say.

"I love you too. Bai."

CLICK Briar walked back inside. Handing Yusuke his phone she thanked him and then returned to what she was doing before.

"God! I'm glad Jin didn't come!" Sakura commented, grimly.

Kura and Yusuke laughed at her comment.

Briar smiled and shook her head at her sister as Sakura trudged back into the dressing room to change back into her original clothes.

"Sakura is one interesting person..." Hiei commented.

Krua nudged him in his side, smiling as she di it.

Kayko sat down beside of the almost 'dead-of-boredum' Yusuke. Botan sat down on the other side of Kayko. Sakura came out of the dressing chamber with her all-black clothes on. Briar turned toward Kura. "You're next, kiddo."

As Sakura sat down, Kura stood up and walked over to Briar.

"I wanna says thanks for earlier." Briar told the red head.

"No problem!" Kura said happily. She advanced into the dressing room. Shutting herself in, she removed her shooes, then hoodie. Momentarily holding the tear gem in her hand, she relaxed a little. So what if they see me wearing it?- I don't care. They should know. She thought to herself; then she removed the rest of her clothes, slipping into the pink dress. Okay... It's not that bad. She told herself. Not tucking the tear gem into the dress, she walked out. Sakura, Briar, and Hiei's eyes were all on her. Yusuke, Kayko, Botan, and Yukina were all preoccupied with each other.

Rei smiled. "It looks great. Now.. let's just get your measurements so I may adjust the dress to look perfect." Kura didn't move as Rei came to her. As the assistant took measurements, Kura could feel three pairs of eyes still on her. Hiei's weren't as surprised-looking nor as wide as Briar and Sakura's. "w-what?" She asked the two sisters.

Sakura looked from her best friend, to Hiei, and then back to Kura. "Why... Why are you w-w-wearing H-Hiei's tear gem?"

Kura looked to Hiei with a look which said 'what do I say?'.

Hiei rose to his feet calmly. "We're in love. Lovers share things, don't they?" He grilled Sakura. OOC: sounds like Eiri Yuki! LMAO

"Okay, Okay! I get it!" Sakura defended herself.

Briar knew ther was something more than just two lovers wearing/sharing things with each other. She kept the thought in her mind but didn't press the matter out loud.

"See Sakura? These dressed aren't THAT bad."Kura quickly changed the subject.

Sakura grumbled, "yeah, so you say."

Kura just smiled. She knew her friend was against the color pink, but it was Briar and Kurama's wedding. I'm sure Sakura wants them to have a good wedding too..

"All right! Done!" Rei stood up. "Will there me anything else, Ma'am?"

"No. I don't think so. Tahnk you." Briar told her.

Rei went to the cash register to ring everything up.

Kura quickly changed back into her original clothes. She came out of the dressing room and walked to Briar. "As a wedding gift..." She began. "I'll pay for this stuff."

"No! I can't possibley let you do that-"

"I want to. And I'm going to!" Kura told her. haha! XD. the power of the credit card! She walked to the counter, paid for all the stuff which was selected for Briar's wedding.

Briar's face was blank as she attempted to process what Kura had said; Finally, she smiled.

Kura reapparoached the group. "All right. All we gotta do is come and pick up the stuff after she calls us. I gave her the number to my bro's apartment."

"All righty!" Sakura smiled, relieved that they could all go home now.

"The only two that need outfits are Charlie and Maria." Briar commented as the whole group left the store.

"Thanks Hiei." Kura whispered to him as they walked behind the rest of the group.

"Hn." was his reaction, but Kura knew what he meant by it. Sakura slower her gait so she was able to walk with Kura and Hiei.

Everyone returned to their homes.

Kurama and Briar left their siblings and Hiei at the apartment as they went out for some quality alone time.

"Have you noticed that Kura's wearing Hiei's tear gem?" Briar brought up.

"No. I didn't noticed that." Kurama answered.

"Well... Sakura and I were quite baffled by it today. Neither Hiei nor herself would explain it."

Kurama shrugged. "I'm sure they'll let us know in time." He placed a soft kiss on her lips after his comment.