Disclaimer: I don't own the YYH characters...also, sorry if this is too OCC for you...kinda just came up with the idea spur of the moment and haven't really thought it through; but hey, it's an AU so it doesn't really matter. :)

"I can't believe it, Kara. We're GRADUATING?"

Kara ducked under her friend before she would be tackled. "Come on, Stephanie. Was there really any doubt?"

Stephanie pretended to be annoyed. "Well, maybe not for you, miss honors. But for me? Do you know how annoying it is to hear your parents ask 'why can't you be more like your friend, Kara?'"

Kara laughed. "Yeah, my cousins get that all the time, but for it to stem down to my friends…I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, well, I can't believe we both got into our first choice schools," Stephanie replied changing the subject. She knew her friend felt guilty as it was.

"I told you that your essay was perfect," Kara said. "Now who owes me a banana split?"

"Yeah, yeah…tonight, I promise. Our last major celebration before graduating."

"Is anyone else coming?" Kara asked.

"Probably not seeing as neither of us is dating," Stephanie teased.

Kara rolled her eyes. "You know I'm only about the books, Stephanie."

"Yeah, and it's totally funny. You're such a goody-two shoes."

"Yeah, I know," Kara said quietly.

"So you guys are going to the same school for the fall, right?" Yusuke asked.

"Yes, Kuronue and I are going to a school in South Carolina," Kurama replied.

"Well, that's cool," Kuwabara said. "The rest of us are staying here."

"Yeah, we'll miss out on all the cool, wild parties," Yusuke retorted. "You know it was only a party when the five of us are together."

"Speaking of five, where is Hiei?" Kuronue asked.

"Skipping school. I don't know how he's graduating with all the school he's missed. Anyway, gotta get home. See you bitches tomorrow." Yusuke left to head home after class. Kuwabara went with him.

"Ever think they'll realize that Hiei has permission to skip class to take care of his mother and sister?" Kuronue asked.

"No, seeing as Hiei doesn't want them to know," Kurama answered. "It would 'ruin his image.'"

"Screw the image," Kuronue said. "I hate being labeled a 'bad boy' because of my family's mistakes."

"Same," Kurama sighed. "At least we'll be getting away from them in a week or so."

"The week can't move by fast enough," Kuronue grumbled. "I need to get out of this town now."

"I thought you hated moving," Kurama teased.

"I hate moving to avoid my father 'getting caught.' I still don't know what the hell kind of business he's in and luckily I won't have to find out. It'll be you, me, and the beaches of South Carolina."

"Yeah, well let's go practice your speech Mr. Valedictorian."

"You'll call me as soon as you get there, right, Kara?"

Kara smiled and hugged her mother. "Oh course," Kara said. "I know it's far, but I'll be back."

"I know, but don't even think about driving back here without someone with you. It's bad enough you're driving so far to get there."

Kara shook her head and laughed. "I'm good. I have my music, snacks, drinks, and gum. That'll keep me up. It's only a seven hour trip. I'll take breaks. You know I'll be fine."

Kara's mother smiled and kissed her forehead. "I know, but I'll just be happy when I know you're safe."

"I'll be fine."

"Are we almost there?" Kuronue asked.

Kurama chuckled. "Patience, Kuronue. This is a crazy highway, you know. I'm trying to get us there in one piece."

"I know…I'm just getting stir-crazy." Kuronue looked out the window and started shaking. Kurama recognized his friend's discomfort and pulled over at the next rest stop.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Kurama scolded.

"I…I just want to get there. I didn't care if we were going to be in the car for like twenty hours…I just wanted to get to the college."

"Claustrophobia isn't anything to joke about, especially in my car. You know that."

"I'm fine," Kuronue said after regaining his composure. "I'll just be happy when we get there. How much longer?"

"Three hours," Kurama answered. "We'll get there, get settled, and then check out the campus. How does that sound?"

"Fine, whatever…let's just go."

Good thing we're dorming together instead of him being with a complete stranger, Kurama thought.

"Mom, stop calling me," Kara said into the phone. She knew her mother was worried, but she didn't need to call every two hours. Thank the Lord I have a Bluetooth. I'd hate to pull over every two hours just to answer the damn phone… "I have fifteen minutes left of the drive. I'll call you when I get settled in…actually, I'll probably text you. It'll be easier since I still have to get my books and get used to the town."

...

Kara finally arrived to the campus and got her dorm assignment. She was in the honors dorm, which was good for her because that meant she'd have a room to herself, but still be able to mingle with the other students. It would almost be like a sorority, except it was co-ed and they wouldn't throw any crazy parties.

She found her room and started unpacking her clothes, iHome, here pillows and blankets, her small T.V., and some decorations. Kara left her door opened and got a visitor.

"Hey, you must be Kara," another girl said.

Kara was taken by surprise and nearly fell over. She turned to look at her visitor and smiled. "Yup, that would be me," she answered.

"Well, I'm Jennifer. I'm a senior honors student and it's kinda my job to make sure every newbie gets taken care of. You know, show them the ropes."

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Jennifer. I just got here a little while ago."

Jennifer stared blankly at Kara. "And you're already unpacked? Wow, you're fast."

Kara did a mock bow. "Thank you very much," she joked.

"Anyway, me and a few of the others are going out for kind of a welcome dinner tonight. Wanna join?"

"Sure, why not? I have to eat at some point."

"Oh, you and I are going to get along really well," Jennifer said. "If you need me, my room number is 239. It's upstairs. I'll be in and out all day."

"Okay, thanks."

"Okay, you can let go of the handle, Kuronue. We're here now," Kurama said.

"Oh thank sweet, merciful God," Kuronue said, quickly opening the door and running from the car.

Kurama sighed. "Looks like I'm going to start unpacking by myself."

Kara made her room look all homey and then decided to go out to get her books. She exited the dorm and was knocked to the ground by someone running into the dorm.

Kara stood up shook it off as the guy that ran into her stopped to make sure she was okay.

"I'm so sorry," Kuronue said without looking at the girl. "Are you o-" He stopped speaking when he realized he bumped into his old pen pal. He could tell it was her since she hadn't changed much from when they first met. Same blonde hair and blue eyes, he thought longingly.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Not the first fall I've taken, you know?" she asked as she turned to the boy who crashed into her. She gasped in instant recognition. There is only one guy I know that has long, black hair and dark blue eyes.

"Kuronue?" "Kara?" they asked simultaneously.