The Childhood Friend of Kurama Part 14: Kurama the Cook and a Sleepover With the Girls
I smiled as Keikoku splashed around in the tub in our bathroom. When Koenma allowed us to stay here, he made sure to give us a bedroom that had its own bathroom. It wasn't as huge as the other bedrooms here, but it was just enough for me and Keikoku.
"Easy, sweetie. I know you're anxious to eat, but we have to get clean first."
Once we were cleaned up, we headed into the bedroom to get redressed .Since Keikoku's hair is a light brown, I decided to put her in a blue shirt with matching pants. She giggled as she pointed out to the balcony, and I was surprised to see Hiei standing out there.
"Hiei, what are you doing out there?"
"Hn, Kurama suggested I keep watch in case anyone tries to take you again."
I smiled and Keikoku waved at him, a big smile on her face. Hiei smirked and joined us as we went down the stairs.
"Hasn't she gotten on your nerves yet?"
"Only once or twice, but I think she does it just for attention."
Once downstairs ,Keikoku saw Kurama in the kitchen and wanted me to put her down.
"Okay, take it easy. Kurama will still be there when you get to him."
"Hn, looks like you're not the only person she's attached herself to, Ayame."
"Looks like it."
Once I put Keikoku down, she immediately walked up to Kurama, who was just finishing up dinner. He smiled as she tugged on his pant leg.
"Well, looks like your mother got you all cleaned up. Are you hungry?"
"Uh-huh."
"Then I suggest you have your mother find a place for you at the table before the yummy food is gone."
"Did someone say 'food'?"
Keikoku held onto Kurama's leg as Yusuke and Kuwabara entered the kitchen. She was still slightly shy, but she was slowly warming up to everyone. Yusuke smiled as he knelt to her level.
"We're the good guys, kid. We helped you and your mother escape from that bad man."
"Yusuke."
"Yep, that's me."
Kurama set dinner on the table and I was pleased to see it was a wide variety of sushi.
"Sushi?"
"Didn't want to do much food preparing since we just got back from helping you and Keikoku. Do you mind?"
"Oh, not at all. It's been a while since I had sushi."
Kuwabara quickly approached the sushi, but stopped when he heard a tiny growl from Keikoku. Kurama chuckled as he picked her up.
"Apparently, Kuwabara, she wants first take on the sushi. After all, she was here first."
"Aw, man."
"Give me a break ,Kuwabara. She's only 100 years old."
"I ain't gonna risk getting bit, Urameshi."
Kurama's POV:
As everyone dug into the food, I smiled as Keikoku tried to eat the sushi by laughed with me as we watched her.
"She may be a fox demon baby, but she still has to learn like everyone else."
"If she is anything like her mother, she'll do just fine."
She blushed slightly at the compliment I gave her and smiled.
"Thanks, Kurama. You always know what to say."
"Of course I do. That s why I'm the smart one."
"Oh, really? Is that so?"
"Yes, it is."
Ayame giggled as she linked arms with me, an action I was inwardly pleased with. Perhaps Hiei was right about her liking me. Still, I wasn't about to get my hopes up.
"I guess you're right. The smartest thing you did was pick me to be your friend."
"If I recall, Ayame, you suggested we become friends, not me."
"Okay, then. The smart thing you did was agree to it."
"Hello?!"
Ayame smiled as Keiko and Yukina walked in, each holding a duffel bag.
"Girls, what are you doing here?"
"We decided to invite ourselves over for a sleepover."
Keiko smiled as she hugged Ayame.
"It's been a while since we saw each other. This is going to be great."
"I think so, too."
"C'mon. Let's bring our stuff upstairs."
"Here, let me help you."
After Ayame picked up Keikoku, she followed Keiko and Yukina up the stairs. Kuwabara stood by me as we watched them disappear into Ayame and Keikoku's room.
"Think they'll get along. Kurama?"
"I'm sure they will."
Yusuke joined us a minute later and smirked.
"Well since the girls are doing their own thing tonight,what do you think we should do?"
"Perhaps we should do something ourselves."
"Hey Urameshi, it's been a while since we visited Genkai. Let's head to her temple and pay her a visit."
Yusuke seemed to like that suggestion because he smiled the smile he usually uses when he thinks of his former mentor.
"Maybe her gravesite needs tending to, also. Sounds like a good idea, man."
"What do you think, Hiei?"
"Hn, doesn't matter to me. Anywhere we go that's quiet and peaceful is okay with me."
"Kurama?"
I nodded and smiled, but then it disappeared.
"What about protection for the girls? After what happened today, they may need it."
"Oh, yeah. Didn't think about that."
"Hn. Kurama, you stay. Keikoku may not take too kindly to you leaving. It'll also give you a chance to...say what needs to be said."
Yusuke snickered as he saw a slight blush appear on my face.
"So, it's true, huh?"
"What is?"
"Hiei told me you liked her. How long has this been going on?"
"Not long, but I want to do this carefully."
"Hn, hurry up, then. If you wait too long, she may lose interest."
"Yes, you make a good point."
After the three of them left, I began thinking of how to tell Ayame that I liked her. I smiled as a thought came to mind. Hopefully, she'll like the surprise I'm going to give her.
That's a wrap for part 14. Part 15 begins in Yusuke's POV as he, Hiei, and Kuwabara pay a visit to Genkai's temple. Also in part 15,Ayame and the girls begin their sleepover, but are interrupted when Kurama decides to "steal Ayame" so he could tell her he likes her. Stay tuned to see what happens