Title: Meetings at the Park

Summary: Kurama, a single mother. Yomi, a father with limited visitation rights. A chance meeting. GenderBender. AU. YomiXFemKurama. 1st time trying this pairing. YusXKei, KuawxYuk, HixMu.

Rating: T and will most likely stay as such. (Rated suck for band language, as we saw from Kurama last chapter, and will see from Yusuke on and off through the story.)

Pairing: YomixFemKurama, KuwabaraxYukina, YusukexKeiko, HieixMukuro, JinxTouya (the true 'yaoi' pairing in this story…I just can't seem to make Touya a girl in my mind! Oh well, Hope that's okay!), and now bring in KoenmaxBoton

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own the Yu Yu Haksho gang, but I do own all of the OC's (So please ask to borrow!)

OC's (as always, bolded if they are making an appearance): Yuriko (Do I even need to include her anymore! We all know she will be there), Tori, Nyoko, Akeno, Maemi, Kei, Tamae, Teiljo, Kain Tachibana, and Mr. Kita.

Unbetaed: I did not send this out to be read over to be checked in anyway. If you notice something wrong, please let me know in a kind way!

Apology from KaL KeY to her devoted Readers: I know it has been forever…I mean that literally too! Over 3 years…so please do not be mad! I haven't stopped writing and I haven't abandoned this story! See, (short_ update below means it's not abandoned! Life just gets in the way sometimes and working 3 jobs (1 full time and 2 part time) means that I do not even get enough hours in the day to sleep, let along type up stories I am working on! Sadly, I don't get paid to write (I double checked!), so its just going to have to be a back stage hobby for now.

Take Six

Kurama jerked awake, mind still partially asleep. At first, she was unsure what had roused her so suddenly, till her eyes adjusted onto the face of five year old boy standing next to her bed. His eyes were wide with fear, tears gathering in them, voice shaking as he called her name. She sat up quickly, reaching out for Shura. "Shura, what wrong? Why are you up at this time of night?"

"Rama, quick. Come quick!" he pulled on her arm, giving a small sob. The boy was absolutely distraught over something, though Kurama was not sure what or even why he had come to her and not his father. "It's Yuri."

"Yuriko? What happened?" She moved quickly, long legs covering the eight steps from her bed to Yuri's in a blink of an eye. No matter how hurt she was, Yuriko would always come first. Yuriko was sound asleep, laying on her side, facing the door. Kurama knelt down next to her daughter's bed, weaving her figures through the little girls black hair. Yuriko was fine, looking no worse than she did when Yomi tucked her in last night. Kurama breathed deeply, leaning forward to brush her lips against Yuriko's temple. She sat back to ease the pressure on her hip, looking towards the door, knowing without a doubt that Shura would be standing there holding the doorframe. "Shura, what's wrong with Yuriko? Did something happen?"

Shura gave another half sob, moving into the room towards Kurama. She shifted, opening her arms to the distraught boy, who willing moved forward and took up residence within them. "Yuri's hurt." He gave another sob, hands forming small fists in the sides of her night shirt.

"I know Shura, it's okay. She's okay. We are both okay." Kurama began to rock back and forth, rubbing the boys back. She should have realized that he would be upset by this, Yuriko was his best friend and he was very protective of the little girl. "Come on, let's go get you a glass of milk." It was difficult to stand with a crying five year old on a good day, but even more so when some of her muscles did not want to work correctly after the fall she had taken. She managed somehow though, getting them up and to the bedroom door without waking Yuriko.

She moved down the hall, entering the main area of her apartment. Yomi was asleep on the couch, one leg hanging off the side, arm thrown up over his eyes, shirt completely unbutton now. The TV was still on, a late night advertisement for a vacuum playing at a low volume. She smiled, shaking her head. Yomi was a very nice man, staying at her place out of a since of duty. She would have to repay him somehow.

She continued on into the kitchen, shifting Shura from her arms to her left hip as she turned on the light. He was almost too big for her to be carrying like this, closer to the size of a seven year old boy. She didn't even think to put him down though, not was his arms tightened and wet check came to rest against her neck. She pulled out the milk, filling one of Yuriko's sippy cups with it. She handed it to the boy, who didn't even complain about not getting a 'big boy cup' as he took it. He took a big swig out of it, giving another small sob when he was done. She shifted his weight, laying her right hand on his back, rubbing up and down as she would do for Yuriko when the little girl was upset. In all the time she had known Yomi and Shura, she had never seen the little boy this upset. The few times he had gotten hurt or didn't get his way, a few minutes with Yomi would always solve the problem. "Do you want to go back to your dad?"

Shura shook his head, almost dropping the sippy cup in his haste to tightly his arm around her. "No!" Tears were back in his eyes, head shaking widely to convey how strongly he disagreed with that idea.

"Okay, okay. Shh." She kissed his temple, rocking gently. "Would you like to lay down with me?" Shura nodded, going back to his milk, seeming to have calmed down now that he didn't have to worry about her putting him down or leaving him.

Kurama put the milk carton back in the fridge, then flicked the kitchen light back off. With a quick glance at Yomi on her way down the hall, and at Yuriko at the end of the hall, she felt content to return to bed, even with her new bed mate still clinging to her. She set him down on the bed with little problem, brushing long bangs back with a smile and a shake of the head. Yomi had just taken Shura to get his hair trimmed and it was already in his face again. Shura blinked up at her, still drinking his milk as he fell back onto the bed. She laughed lightly, sitting down next to him. She could only think of a handful of times that she was alone with Shura for any period of them, as it was either all four of them together or Shura and Yuriko were playing while she supervised. Really, it only occurred when he was at her apartment and Yuri took her afternoon nap that Shura rarely felt the need to participate in. "All done?" He gave a small nod, holding the cup out to her. She took it for him, sitting it on her nightstand. She laid down next to him, drawing the blankets up to cover them both up. "Good night Sprocket, sleep tight."

Shura grinned at her, eyes lighting up at when she called him. "Night 'Rama." Shura rolled over, reaching out for Kurama. She allowed him to wiggle around till he got her right arm laying across his back, his whole side pressed up against her. It was not the most comfortable position for her to sleep in, as it stretched out the muscles in her bruised shoulder, but she made it work. Shura began to snore lightly, sounding much like a kitten purring. She brushed her lips against the side of his head, then settled back down to sleep. Tomorrow would be a busy day with Yukina's baby shower.

Yomi lowered his arm, using the back of his hand to rub the sleep out of his eyes as he sat up. He glanced towards the clock, checking the time. He signed, stretching his arms up as he stood. There was a couple of hours before he had to be in at the office today, so making breakfast for his son and the two ladies they were staying with was more than doable. He glanced back to the couch, eyes searching over it and the living room for Shura. He raised an eyebrow, wondering when his son had left the room, and where exactly he had gotten off to.

Heading down the hall, he made a quick stop at the bathroom, before moving into Yuriko's room. The three year old was still asleep, though all her blankets were off the bed and she was curled up around a stuffed dragon. Yomi picked up the blankets, shaking them out, covering her back up. Brushing her hair back, he could just make out the purple bruise and split lip that marred her face in the dawn light coming in through her blinds. He cupped the back of her with his hand, leaning down to brush his nose against hers. He wasn't even sure why he did it, knowing full well that it would wake her up, but he also couldn't resist knowing what she had been through yesterday.

She smiled, emerald green eyes blinking open to look at him. "-mi." She said through a yawn, arms abandoning the stuffed dragon as she silently asked to be picked up. He lifted her off the bed, blankets and all, tucking her into the crock of his arm with practiced ease. "Mo-nin."

"Good morning darling girl." He gave her another Eskimo kiss, listening to the giggles that it caused. "Let's go see if we can find your mommy and Shu."

Yomi carried her across the hall, stopping in the doorway of Kurama's room. She was laying on her side, red hair spread out all over the bed behind her, long eyelashes laying softly against her high cheek bones, lips spread slightly in sleep. Shura was laying against her, her arm laid across him to keep in in place on the small twin size bed. Yomi couldn't help the smile, taking in the scene in front of him.

He looked down at Yuriko, who was content leaning against his chest, more asleep than awake. "Cartoons?" Yuriko shifted, thumb finding its way into her mouth as her eyes drifted closed. "Sleep works as well." He tucked the blanket tighter around her to ward off the early morning chill, heading down the hall. He entered the kitchen, turning on the light as he went, making his way over to the coffee pot. It took some effort to get the coffee going with only one hand, as it was not something he was used to doing. Shura did not tend to be clingy, and even when he was, the two would cuddle up somewhere to watch TV or read a book. Yomi never had to learn how to carry a child and still move around and finish tasks. Looking down at Yuri, who had fallen back to sleep will sucking her thumb, he felt a small pang of regret. This was something that he had missed out on, not fighting to keep Shura with him. He couldn't help wondering what other little things had he missed.

Kurama's cell phone decided to give a shrill ring at that moment, causing Yomi to jerk out of surprise. He grabbed the phone up off the counter where it had been charging, answering it with a curt 'hello' before it could wake up the other three in the household.

"Who is this?" the voice on the other end was that of serious young women, someone who obviously knew that a man should not be answering Kurama's phone.

"This is Yomi, I'm a friend of Kurama's. May I ask who is calling?"

"Oh!" a light laugh flowed out of the cell, the women's tone changing to a far friendlier one. "Keiko, I'm Yusuke's wife. I never heard from Kurama last night, which I am not surprised by, given what happened. I'm actually glad that you are there and answered, as I don't want to come over for her and Yuri if she is not felling up to going out. I am sure you have noticed, but she's one to push aside her own good will if she feels that it will please others. How is she doing?"

"I have noticed actually. She was pretty stiff last night when I helped her to bed. She is not awake yet, so I am not sure how she's doing this morning." Yomi headed back down the hall, stopping outside Kurama's door. The redhead was awake after all. She was still in bed, gently rubbing Shura's back as she hummed. "I spoke to soon."

"Is that my phone?" Kurama sat up slowly, eyes questioning him.

"I didn't want it to wake up Yuriko." He explained, giving a half shrug. "How are you feeling?"

She gave a light laugh, shaking her head. "Fine. May I ask who is calling me that you are having such a nice conversation with?"

"Keiko." He turned his attention back to the phone. "She looks better than she did last night, would you like to talk to her?"

"Of course! She sounds to be in a good mood this morning at least." Came the response.

"That she does." Yomi then held the phone out for Kurama to take. "Hungry?" he mouthed to her, as she greeted Keiko.

"Breakfast would be lovely Yomi. Yuriko will want oatmeal." She replied, then turned her attention to the phone call. "I am sorry Keiko, I forgot to call you last night. When were you wanting to head over to Yukina's?"

"Is he making you breakfast?" Keiko asked instead of answering the question. Kurama blinked twice, looking at the phone in confusion. That was not what she had expected to hear.

"Yes he is, why?" Kurama shifted, laying her hand and Shura's back and giving it a small shake. "Shura, it's time to get up." Shura gave a small grunt, rolling over from her.

"I think it's sweet! Yusuke never makes me breakfast." Keiko's voice was raising in volume. Kurama shook her head at her friend's antics, not doubt she was trying to get Yusuke to know she would like for him to do something without ever actually having to tell him. "I would burn it!" came Yusuke's response, causing Kurama to give a small snort. "It's the thought that counts, you jerk!"

"And to think, people used to wonder why you two ever got together." Kurama added, only half of her attention on the conversation they were having. "Sprocket, it's time to get up. We have a lot to do today and you need to eat breakfast."

"Who are you talking to?" Keiko asked, her voice back to its normal level.

"Shura, Yomi's son. It seems he wants to stay in bed all day." Shura gave a small smile at that, so Kurama reach out and tickled his side. Shura let out a squeal, rolling over to face Kurama. "Morning sleepy head, your dad is making oatmeal."

"Yum." Shura jumped up, racing down the hall, Kurama following at a slower pace.

"Anyway, what I was asking is when were you thinking of heading over?" Kurama steadied Shura on his chair, then took the seat next to him. "I can be ready whenever you want to go."

"Are you sure? You have company over and your voice sounds strained. Are you in pain?"

"I'm fine, it's really not that bad." She smiled at Yomi as he placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of both her and Shura. Yuiko was only half awake, leaning against Yomi's shoulder. Yomi lowered her down, allowing Kurama to give her an Eskimo kiss, before going back into the kitchen to get his own bowl of oatmeal. He sat down, placing Yuiko in his lap instead of her high-chair. "Yomi has to go to work in bit anyway, so it's just me and the kids."

"If you are sure, I can have Akeno wrangled into clean clothes and his booster seat in half-an-hour."

"You make it sound like he's an animal Keiko. Akeno is very sweet." Kurama watched as Yomi began to feed her daughter bites of oatmeal, one of his large hands support her back.

In a blink if wasn't Yomi sitting there, but a different person all together. He didn't look like Yomi at all besides the black hair. His hair was longer though, pulled back into a ponytail, a wide grin on his face, shoulder slimmer than Yomi's, easily a few inches shorter. He looked up, hazel eyes clearly full of love both her and the child he planned to raise as his own.

Kurama took a sharp break in, snapping her eyes shut. She opened them again, staring into Yomi's bright blue eyes, easily seeing the worry in them. She smiled at him, turning her attention to her oatmeal. She locked the image away into the back of her mind, where it was supposed to stay. She didn't want to think about him, she didn't want to remember what he was like, to wonder what could have been. Yomi was so much different from him, so why did she keep remembering him.

"Akeno does not behave for us the way he does for you." Keiko's voice cut through her thoughts, making her jerk. She didn't usually get distracted that easily.

"I don't see how that is possible, but if you continue to insist." Akeno's behavior with her had always been a debate between them. Keiko was always asking what she did to rain in the rowdy four year old, but Kurama was admit that he was just a sweet little boy with her and she didn't have to do anything to get him to act like a little gentlemen. "Tell him you are coming to see me if you honestly think that it will help."

"Alright, I will take your advice. See you in a bit." A quick goodbye followed, then the call was disconnected. Kurama sat her phone down, turning her attention to finishing her breakfast.

"Kurama?"

"Hmm." She looked up, relieved when her eyes didn't play tricks on her.

"Are you sure you are feeling alright?" He didn't stop feeding Yuriko, though his attention was on her.

"I'm fine." She stood, moving into the kitchen to rinse her bowl. "I'm going to get changed and take some pain killers. I'll be back in a few to get Yuriko ready."

"Take your time, I can get them started." He handed a napkin to Shura with a smile.

"It's okay. I know you need to get ready for work."

"I have time. Go." He shewed her away with a laugh. "I don't mind helping; that is the whole reason that I stayed last night." Yomi stood, taking Yuriko with him. He gathered both his and Shura's empty bowls. "Come on bud, let's go get Yuriko ready for the day." Kurama watched as he placed the bowls in the sink, then took the two kids down the hall to Yuriko's room. Kurama shook her head with a smile, heading to her own room to get ready.

She really shouldn't be doing this. She knows what happens when she lets someone else in. It was happening though, it was just too easy when she was with Yomi. She had to find a way to not fall in love with this sweet man and his child.

Kurama settled into the front passenger seat of Keiko's car, turning around slightly to watch as Yomi buckled Yuriko into her car-seat.

"Do you need help Shura?"

"I'm okay dad. I can do it!" It took the boy three tries, but he was buckled in by the time Yomi was done with Yuriko. Yomi reach over, tugging on the belt to make sure it was tight enough. "Daaad!"

"Shurrraaaaaa!" Yomi responded, tugging one more time before tickling Shura till he laughed. "Listen to Kurama. I will see you in a few hours."

"Ya hm." He answered, head bobbing up and down to show that he was listening. Yomi ruffled his son's hair, then backed out to stand up. "Dad!"

"What Shura?" Yomi leaned back in, looking at his son.

"You forgot to tell Yuri!" He whined.

"I'm sorry Shura. What did I forget to tell her?" Yomi looked towards the two women in the front seat, hoping one of them could give him a clue to what the five year old wanted. Kurama gave a small shrug, while Keiko had a hand over her mouth trying to silence her laughter.

"Tell her too! She has to be good and you will see her later." Shura explain very slowly, a look of confusion on his face.

Yomi blinked once, looking at Kurama for help. She smiled, but didn't offer any up. "I almost forgot, thank you Shura. I will see you later honey, listen to your mother."

"Ya hm." The little girl responded with a large nod, causing Keiko to laugh harder. "Bye-Bye." Yuriko waved at Yomi as he closed the door.

Keiko took a deep breath, glancing over at the red head next to her. "That was priceless. You have got to explain how you met that one. He's a doll." She shifted her car into gear, pulling away from the apartment building and turning onto the main road towards Yuikna and Kuwabara's house.

"What do you mean by that?" Kurama turned slightly, looking back towards her home and Yomi. She felt her hear jump as she watched him turn and head the other way to get ready for work.

"Really? He's an absolute sweetheart! Look at how he treats the kids. Remember what he did yesterday. Think about what he did today." Keiko looked over, brown eyes meeting green. "He's good for you."

Kurama felt herself flush, which in all honesty took a lot. She didn't blush very often, and the few times she had recently had all been because of Yomi in some way. "We are just friends. We won't be anything more than that. You know that."

"I hope you told your heart." Keiko turned back to the road, dropping the subject as Kurama turned to look out the window. Kurama had no doubt that the conversation wasn't over, because she knew Keiko was waiting for backup. If there was one person in their group of friends that would grab onto the relationship between her and Yomi like a dog with a juicy bone, it would be the Coroner's Assistant: Botan.

Let me know what you thought of the sixth chapter of Meetings at the Park! I am always open to suggestions to add to my stories, so don't forget to offer those up if you have them!