It tells a story. The way they sleep. Yusuke curled around Kurama so protectively. He isn't smiling, that little frown is so sad in its own way. Almost like he can't reach the right position to satisfy him completely. And Kurama...he shakes every once in awhile presses back into Yusuke like he's trying to get away from something. He only stops when Yusuke moves. It's like they're talking to each other even asleep...

Shizuru watched the two young men from the doorway of Yusuke's bedroom. She had not meant to be at that house at all but something had pulled her here when Kazuma had mentioned coming over. That sense she had learned to trust telling her that she would be needed.

It was not until they had entered the house that she had understood. The pain radiating from Yusuke's bedroom had been a dead give away and she had hushed Kazuma the instant she sensed it. That pain she had first felt two weeks ago, surrounding Kurama and Yusuke. It had brought tears to her eyes which she had quickly hidden by making some excuse to leave the room.

She had not been surprised when her baby brother had mentioned something off about the two. Kazuma's senses were still growing and he had a hard time sometimes telling what it was he was sensing. It almost hurt to be near those two, their pain was so fresh and deep.

She slowly closed the door on the scene, wishing she could help them but knowing they were at least on their way to something that would begin to ease their mutual pain.

"You'll be here to watch them?" she asked digging into her pocket for the pack of cigarettes.

"Yes." Hiei answered from the wall he was leaning against.

"I'll talk to Keiko. She shouldn't bother Yusuke right now." she offered tapping out a cigarette, "This isn't the right time for her to be around him."

"If my suspicions are correct they may sleep for a few days."

She lit her cigarette, taking a careful drag before talking, "It's bad huh?"

"Let's just say it not something I would let slip around the fool you call brother."

It's funny in its own way, how protective they are of each other. You wouldn't think Hiei would be like this. Whatever he knows he won't even tell Kazuma. Must be something horrible that happened to them.

"What are you going to do if Botan shows up?" she asked taking another drag.

"Tell them to find someone else."

"Think they'll listen?"

"If they know what's good for them."

There was real threat in the fire demon's tone. She had no doubt that if he had to Hiei would kill whoever showed up to rouse the two in the room. She sincerely hoped that would not be necessary.

Satisfied she nodded to herself and walked away.

Time was the only thing that could heal the type of pain that surrounded the two young men. For now that time was going to be spent asleep trying to protect each other from whatever clawed at their minds.

She doubted it would be an easy road for the two.

"Hey sis, ready to go?"

She nodded to Kazuma, leading the way out the front door. He closed it quietly behind them. The siblings walked down the hallway that led out of the apartments.

"You guys aren't going to mention knowing anything is wrong are you?" she asked.

"Nah. They want to keep it to themselves. Doesn't seem right to bug them about it." he replied subdued, "Shorty won't even be around when they wake up."

She took the last drag of her cigarette and flicked it away, "That's good. Those two have enough to deal with."

"Tell you the truth we just don't know what to do for them." Kazuma admitted, "Just figure we should play along, let them have as much normal as they want."

I don't think they will get to anything near normal for a very long time.

She shook off the thought, "Come on. I've got to find Keiko before she decides to visit."