"Kurama,

I love you.

For real."

Whom is this from!? I always have secret Valentines, but this one is addressed to "Kurama," not "Suichi." And what does "for real" mean?

"You look awfully thoughtful, Kurama. Everything OK?"

Kurama looked up from the piece of paper in his hands. "I'm trying to figure out whom this Valentine is from…"

Yusuke looked a little jealous. "You always get so many… why is this one any different?"

"It's addressed to Kurama."

"Oh. Well, that's interesting," Yusuke scratched his head. "I'm afraid I'm no good at puzzles and mysteries. Sorry."

Kurama looked up at him and joked, "But you're a detective, Yusuke."

Yusuke scowled. Well, at least he's feeling better enough to make stupid jokes… that's a good sign. He watched the fox a moment longer, before asking, "Whatcha thinking, Kurama?"

Kurama tapped the piece of paper. "I'm thinking it can only be one of several people if they address it to my true name. I'm thinking it could only be you, Kuwabara, Hiei, Botan, Koenma, Shizuru, Keiko, Kaitou, Yukina, Genkai, or," he paused, "Karasu. But it smells human so that eliminates Hiei, Yukina, and Karasu."

"Hang on a second," Yusuke exclaimed. "You can determine it by scent?"

The fox shook his head. "Not quite. I can determine race and sometimes gender by scent. Only with certain individuals who leave a distinct scent—like Botan—can I make a guess. And because this message does not carry Botan's scent, I can eliminate her," he paused to think. "I could also use handwriting to infer gender, but it's typed, so that won't help. However it means that whoever it was must have had access to a computer, so that rules out Genkai and Koenma."

Yusuke interrupted, "And I'd bet my life that Kuwabara's as straight as all sin," he said.

Kurama nodded again. "My thoughts exactly. So that leaves you, Shizuru, Keiko, and Kaitou. Kaitou is too literate and arrogant to write something so abrupt and grammatically incorrect, so scratch him. And I'm pretty sure Keiko has her sights set…elsewhere," he glanced at Yusuke. "So that means it was either you or Shizuru. Shizuru…" he looked thoughtful. "That's a valid possibility…" he stood as his cell phone chirped at them from the next room. "Excuse me, Yusuke. It's probably Mother."

Yusuke watched him go, letting his breath out slowly.

"You're lucky Kurama is so distracted, Detective."

The Spirit Detective yelped in alarm and spun to face the window. "Damnit, Hiei! Can't you ever knock!? And what the hell does that mean anyway?"

Hiei snorted. "It means, you fool, that you're lucky he's so distracted that he can't see the obvious sign you left him," Hiei smirked at the disgruntled human. "Learn some subtlety, Yusuke."

The human looked away. "Yeah, I'm not sure if I want him to figure it out or not…" he tensed as Kurama reentered the room.

The fox smiled at the fire apparition. "Hello, Hiei. What brings you here?"

Hiei smirked. "I came to watch you struggle over something so blaringly obvious, Kurama."

Kurama sighed. "I'll admit my nose is not as sharp as yours, Hiei," he picked up the note again.

Hiei snorted and said, "Hn. It has nothing to with scent, Kurama. Look at the words, you fool."

The fox blinked. "Do you mean the "For real"? That could mean many things. It could mean that what this person feels is no schoolgirl crush. It could also be a plea for me to believe him or her."

His friend closed his eyes and sighed. "You are a fool, aren't you?'

Kurama glared at him. "Well, Hiei, if you're so clever then why don't you inform this fool whom it was that wrote it?"

"Hn. Figure it out yourself." Hiei was gone.

Both boys stared at the now-empty window ledge. Yusuke blinked.

"Well, that was entirely unhelpful," he mumbled.

Kurama stopped mid-nod. Was it? Am I not thinking too critically about this? What else could that "For real" mean? That the writer is honestly and truly in love with me and wouldn't betray me like… Kurama slowly raised his head. …like Karasu did? Then that means that…

Yusuke saw the connection click behind Kurama's eyes. He swallowed. "Ku-Kurama?"

The fox raised his solemn green eyes and found the confirmation of his suspicions staring back at him. He smiled. "Yusuke…I'm actually rather relieved it was you. It would have been very awkward if it had turned out to be Shizuru…"

The Spirit Detective laughed nervously. "So, you're not mad or anything, right?"

Kurama shook his head. "Of course not, Yusuke. Why would I be?" He smiled. "But I do want to hear you say it, Yusuke. It's one thing to write an anonymous letter and another to admit it to my face."

"I know, that's why I wrote a letter," Yusuke said, trying not to blush. "But I do love you, Kurama…"

The fox looked away from him sighing, "I-I'm sorry, Yusuke. I can't—"

"I know, Kurama. But I just wanted you to know I'm here for you if you ever come to your senses—I mean…get over Karasu."

Kurama laughed. Come to my senses indeed! I'm glad Yusuke isn't stupid enough to become all depressed simply because he's been rejected… He looked thoughtfully at his friend. "You know, I did love you… before Karasu returned…"

"Well then, that's all the more reason for me to kick his stupid ass," Yusuke sounded serious, but Kurama could tell he was at least half-kidding. The fox smiled and rested his head on Yusuke's shoulder, secure in his friend's presence. He felt the boy tense, but Kurama knew it was from surprise, and not irritation.

Yusuke wrangled with the idea of putting his arm around the fox's shoulders. He's so trusting….wonder if he'd let me…I mean, he did say he once loved me and I know he's probably starved for affection… but I don't wanna be too forward! What if I offend him? But then, he's the one with his head on my shoulder… Yusuke slowly slid his arm around Kurama's shoulders, deciding that he'd take the chance.

Kurama looked up as Yusuke embraced him, his face flushing slightly. Yusuke… He smiled and buried his face in the detective's shoulder, sighing happily. He's so strong! Karasu will never be able to touch me now…not with Yusuke to protect me. I just wish Karasu hadn't captured my heart like that…it will be a while before I've recovered enough to regain my former feelings for you, Yusuke…

Yusuke could feel his heart hammering in his chest. Damn you, Karasu! The detective turned his head and looked out the window, his brow furrowing. Not only did you cause him so much pain and heartache, but you've stolen him from me, too! I swear I'm gonna rip your freakin' head off if you ever show your stupid face here!

Kurama could feel the rage smoldering in his friend's body. He smiled again. "Yusuke…"

-----------------

Karasu knew he was in trouble. If Urameshi is so determined to protect Kurama, then my chances of retrieving my fox are slim. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. But where there's a will, there's a way. I WILL have you, Kurama! Even if it means I have to take…drastic measures. Don't let your guard down, fox, it could mean death for you and your precious detective!