CHAPTER FIVE

A sigh escaping her lips, Yukina stared out the open temple window. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, but Yukina couldn't see the sun because of the figurative rainclouds drizzling over her.

"Yukina."

But what could she do? Every single thing she tried ended up in failure. Her last job set a new record: she was fired in a mere two hours. How was she supposed to afford to buy Kuwabara or Hiei a present if she kept getting fired?

"Yukina!"

The ice demon sighed again. Maybe she should just give up.

Grumbling under breath, Genkai placed her empty tea cup on the table. "Feh. And Yusuke says that I'm hard of hearing."

From his place sitting across from the spiritual master, Kurama noted, "Yukina-san appears to be quite distraught. Do you perchance know the reason?"

Genkai exhaled as she shook her head. "Earlier today she was fired from her job as a shopping mall greeter."

Kurama choked on his tea. Trying to keep a straight face, he inquired, "And just how does one get fired from being a store greeter?"

"I don't know all the details. It was hard enough figuring out just what had happened because she was so upset. But it seems to me that a couple of thugs had gotten a little too friendly in their greeting to Yukina. Her boss found the men broken and bruised in the alley next to the store."

Kurama hid his smile behind his cup. "Sounds like Hiei or Kuwabara-kun."

Genkai grunted her agreement. "Her boss assumed it was her boyfriend and so he told her to beat it. Just yesterday she was fired from a cooking job at a restaurant. And after I had been teaching her how to make different human foods, too…"

Swallowing, Kurama glanced down at the pile of papers scattered on the table. His eyes spied a page torn from a paper desk calendar. November 30th was circled in red. Three more days until the end of November. Three more days until the bet between Hiei and Kuwabara-kun ends and they give their gifts to Yukina-san in front of everyone here at the temple. Three more days… and I haven't created any strategy to humiliate Hiei and win my bet with Yusuke. What should I do?

Wait a second. Hold on. Kurama picked up the calendar and examined it. It's true that November 30th is the deadline for the bet, but why would Master Genkai circle it? She doesn't care about the wager. Kurama happened to glance at the top of page. No, Yukina-san's name is written here. This must be her calendar. But, again, Yukina-san doesn't know of the bet. So is something else occurring on that day? Something important?

"What are you staring at?" Wordlessly, Kurama flipped the calendar around to show the martial arts master. Genkai narrowed her eyes at the page, before she snatched it out of his hand, crumbled it, and stuffed it in a pocket. "Never mind that! Let's get back to work."

Kurama stroked his chin in thought. So it is important. And she doesn't want anyone to know about it. Hmm. Interesting. I shall have to inquire into the matter later by asking Yukina-san what she knows.

Genkai continued, "A young female demon will be living here starting after Christmas. After a life of familial abuse, she wishes to live as normal human would. Of course that means eventually she'll have to enroll at a school. The question is…" Genkai lifted her cup to her lips and glanced at Kurama over the rim. "Would you be willing to tutor her to fill in the gaps of her education?"

"I'd be happy to."

Genkai returned Kurama's smile and sipped from her empty cup. Then she slammed it down on the table and snapped, "Yukina!"

Yukina jumped. "Yes, what is it?" Genkai angrily held up her cup in the air. "I'm sorry! I'll get you more!" she cried as she disappeared down the hall.

Kurama offered, "I could have brewed more tea for you if you're so inclined."

"She shouldn't just be sitting there dwelling on her past mistakes. It's not good for her health."

Nodding, Kurama explained, "Of course. If she falls ill, there will be no one to make you tea. You'll have to do it yourself."

"Shut up." Kurama just smiled.

"Here it is! I hope you forgive my tardiness," apologized Yukina as she refilled Genkai's cup.

As Yukina hunched over Kurama's cup, pouring hot tea, Genkai proposed, "Why don't you get a job that centers on something you like?"

Yukina paused to blink, "Something I like? Hmm…" A job centered on something I like? Yes, that might work… So far I'd being taking common human jobs. I didn't know those jobs so well, so I fretted over every single detail, and I ended up making a lot of mistakes. But if I take a job that I like, then I'll know more. Also, I'll be more motivated and my boss will be so impressed by how hard I'm working they won't fire me!

Kurama watched Yukina digest the idea for a moment before noticing she hadn't stopping pouring the tea. His cup overflowed onto the table, soaking the reports. Kurama and Genkai scrambled to move the papers away and clean up the mess. Waving a hand over a wet page, Kurama asked, "Why do you wish to be employed so badly? That is, if you don't mind my asking."

"O-Oh, well. Um." Blushing, Yukina chuckled to herself, although she didn't know what was funny. When Kurama raised an eyebrow, Yukina ducked her head and mumbled, "Kazuma-san…"

"Oh gods above," Genkai exclaimed. "It's happening. The end of the world is coming."

"Why do you say that?" Kurama asked, confused.

"Because it'll take until the Apocalypse before she'll ever understand love."

"Oh, really now? Yukina-san understands love enough to have asked Kuwabara-kun out."

"What?! When did this happen?"

"The day after the bet. Kuwabara called me that night and he related all the details. He was so excited I could barely make out what in the world he was talking about. He kept on mentioning an axe wielding Monica for some reason… although it might have been the TV in the background."

Genkai grunted, "I don't believe it. There's no way they're dating."

Kurama leaned back and crossed his arms, a smug grin on his face. "Well then, there's only one course of action remaining. Go on, tell her, Yukina-san." Tell her how much of a genius I am for coming up with that bet.

"What's dating?"

"What?!" Kurama gasped.

"What's dating?" Yukina asked. She leaned forward, raising her fists in determination. "It seems like a good thing, but when I asked Kazuma-san about it he got really sad."

Smirking, Genkai raised an eyebrow and her cup at Kurama as if to say, "I told you so." Kurama exhaled, and turned his gaze to the side. He muttered, "But that doesn't mean it's impossible for her to learn…" His eyes suddenly widened. "Yes, that's it!"

"Huh?" Yukina said.

Kurama grinned wickedly at the ice demon. "Yukina-san, I believe there is a much better person to answer that question."

Putting on her sandals, Yukina called behind her, "Thank you so much for your advice! I promise I'll do my best!" From deep within the temple, a grunt from Genkai was Yukina's reply. Opening the front entrance of the temple, Yukina shouted, "I'll be back tonight!"

"Whatever."

She never changes, does she? smiled Yukina, a familiar warmth melting the ice around her heart. Just where would I be without her? Contented, Yukina turned around to close the door.

"Where are you going?"

For the second time that day, Yukina jumped. She turned around to see Hiei standing on the porch. Despite the chilly November air, he wore a blue muscle shirt and black pants. His expression was blank as ever. Although there seemed to be a bit of remorse as he said, "I could have been the enemy. If so, you would have been dead."

Bowing deeply, Yukina cried, "Yes, you're right. I'm so sorry! I'll watch my back better next time. Please forgive me." As she bowed, a realization hit her. But I don't watch my back, I know you will. And in doing so, you'll need… That's it! I know what I should give Hiei-san! It's perfect!

Hiei stared at Yukina for a moment before adverting his gaze. Not… exactly what I meant. You should be more caref—which brings me back to my original point, Hiei thought, grinding his teeth. "You didn't answer my question."

"Huh? O-Oh, yes." Yukina straightened. Flustered, Yukina pressed her hands together like she was a sinner praying for forgiveness at the foot of an angry Buddha statue. "I was just going out."

Hiei snarled, "So he was right after all."

"I'm sorry?"

"Never mind."

"Hiei-san. If you don't mind, I have a question to ask you." Hiei grunted a "go ahead". "What does 'wife' mean?"

"W-W-What?!" Hiei spluttered. He backed up a step, the breath knocked out of him.

"What does—?"

"I know that! Why do you want to kn—?"

"Oh, good." Yukina clapped her hands. "You know what it means!"

"…" That's… not what I meant.

Clasping her hands together, Yukina leaned forward, begging, "Please, tell me."

"I…" His face flushing, Hiei adverted his eyes, unable to meet her intense stare. He snapped, "Why should I?"

Her shoulders slumping, Yukina let her arms hang. "You won't tell me."

Surprised, Hiei looked up at Yukina. She just assumed I wouldn't answer her. Why? …Maybe because you're an asshole to her? Hiei lowered his gaze. Yeah, probably.

"I'll tell you."

"What?"

"I said I tell you! So just stand there and… listen…"

Yukina smoothed over the folds of her kimono with a hand. She shifted her weight over her feet. Then she beamed at Hiei, her eyes alight.

Hiei sucked in a deep breath. Okay, here we go. "It's…" Hiei's eye twitched. He pressed a hand to his right eye. "That means…" His left eyebrow began spasming. Ignoring the erratic brow, Hiei explained, "A w-w…" Puzzled, Yukina frowned. "A w-w-w… A wi—" Hiei cut himself off and spun around. He panted heavily, exhausted by his attempt to explain.

I can't.

Yukina stepped forward, raising a hand to place on his shoulder. "Are you all right?"

"No!" Yukina flinched. "No, I mean yes! No, I mean…"

I can't explain it.

"I'm all right, Yukina. I am perfectly…"

I can't explain what 'wife' means to my sister!

Trying to reclaim some of his lost dignity, Hiei thrust his chin in the air. He crossed his arms and huffed, "Of all people why are you asking me?"

"O-Oh, well, you see…" Confused, Hiei turned around. Yukina had her hand pressed together by her legs. She swayed back and forth. Her demure eyes refused to meet Hiei's gaze as a delicate blush glossed her face. "It's just I wanted to ask the man I'm closest to…"

Hiei's jaw dropped. Only guttural noises emitted from his mouth. N-No, this can't be happening! She doesn't mean… Hiei whipped around and then claw at his closed eyes repeatedly. The images! The images!

"Stop!" Yukina cried. She ran to Hiei's front and grabbed his wrists. "What's wrong? Why are you doing that to yourself?"

This is… This isn't right. It's downright wrong. I'm her brother. Doesn't she realize that? We can't—That's right. I never… told… her. Shit. No, it's all right. I'll just tell her I'm her brother and—No, I can't tell her that, either! She'll reject me. She'll never want to see my face again. Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Maybe I should tell her. Her rejecting me not wouldn't be so bad now!

Yukina clasped her hands over both of Hiei's hands, preventing him from harming himself. A bolt of electricity shot down Hiei's spine the instant Yukina touched him. His mind began screaming. His body refused to move, and so he remained trapped. Her eyes welling up, Yukina chocked, "Just tell me. What's, what's wi…"

"Yukina, I, er, need to explain something."

"Yes?" Yukina leaned forward, becoming uncomfortably close to Hiei's face. "What is it?"

I should let her down gently. His face burning, Hiei swallowed. Riiiight. "L-Look, I…" Her eyes widening in anticipation, Yukina leaned in even closer. Hiei could smell the scent of vanil—"Just because I come to visit you it doesn't mean I like you."

Yukina dropped Hiei's hands, gaping, "You don't like me?!" Exhaling in relief, Hiei furiously wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. Yukina glanced down, watching him. Her eyes welled up.

Realizing she had misunderstood, Hiei hastened to clarify, "No, I mean, I just don't like you in that way!"

Yukina covered her face with her hands, whipped around, and fled, sobbing. She ran towards the tree line that surrounded the temple. In a moment she would be swallowed up by the forest, gone.

Seeing the jewels fall from her eyes, a horrible tide of guilt coursed through Hiei. He raised a hand out to her. "No, wait!" When Yukina didn't stop, Hiei cursed, "Damn it.

"I care about you!"

Gasping, Yukina stopped dead in her tracks. Trembling, she slowly turned around, jewels falling to the ground. "What?"

"Mattaku." Frowning, Hiei closed his eyes and scratched his head. "So much trouble."

"R-Really?" A faint smile lit up Yukina's face. "Did you… really mean that?" His eyes still closed, Hiei continued to scratch his head as though that was far more interesting than answering her. Swallowing, Yukina lowered her gaze.

"A wife is a woman who has agreed to stay with a man for the rest of her life. The man is called the husband. The woman and the man become family." Crossing his arms, Hiei turned to the side. In a bored tone, he asked, "Are you happy now?" however, his face was shaded slightly pink.

"Become family…" murmured Yukina, touching her heart. "That's amazing."

Hiei bent his knees, about to jump into the trees and leave.

"I want to be your wife, Hiei-san!"

Hiei nearly tripped over himself. "Wh-What?! What the he—"

Smiling, Yukina spread out her arms and spun around. Her hair fanned out in sea green waves behind her. Not a trace of her sorrow remained. A happy blush painted her cheeks in a rosy hue. Her eyes glowed with an inner light that outshone the jewels they had shed. Her high, melodious laughter filled the temple courtyard, ringing out like bells. "I want to be Hiei-san's, and Yusuke-san's, and Kurama-san's, and Kazuma-san's wife! That way we can all be one big happy family!"

Hiei facepalmed. He thought, Mattaku. So much trouble. Sighing, he removed his hand to watch Yukina, lost in her world of ignorant bliss. Does this mean she wants to be a family with me? No! Hiei inwardly shouted. He squeezed his heart until it bled all of its foolish hopes. That's impossible! She just, she just… wants to be friends. That's all. But she clearly said—Shut up! Why was it so hard to convince himself that Yukina would never accept him?

This was troublesome, very troublesome indeed.

Best to leave and forgot about this whole ridiculous encounter. He turned around.

"I want to be your wife, and Yusuke-san's, and Kurama-san's, and Kazuma-san's!"

Hiei froze. …N-No!

"Or maybe I shouldn't be everyone's wife. Keiko could be Yusuke's wife and Botan would be Kur—Ah!"

Hiei disappeared and reappeared by Yukina's side, grasping her shoulder in a death grip. His eyes burned with the fervor of the Dragon of Darkness Flame. Lip curling, he snarled, "Did that stupid moron propose to you?!"

"Who? Propose what?"

"That's why you're asking what wife means! How could I have not realized this sooner?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean…"

Breaking away from Yukina, Hiei clenched both of his fists. "Damn it, I'm going to kill him. He thinks he can date and marry you without my knowledge, does he?"

"There's that word again."

"No, I won't kill him. I'll get that Eternal Sinning Tree or whatever Kurama used on the Elder Toguro. Yes, that'll—what?" Cutting himself off, Hiei turned to Yukina and asked, "What word?"

"'Date'. I don't know what that means either. When I mentioned it to Kazuma-san, he looked really upset and it infuriates you."

Confused, Hiei lowered his fists. "But he told me you and that moron had gone on a date…"

"Shoot!"

At the third voice, Hiei's and Yukina's head whipped towards the trees. "What was that?" Yukina asked.

But when she turned to look, Hiei was gone.

Kurama leaned back against the tree trunk, grinning. After wiping tears from his eyes, Kurama peered through his lens. Hiei's and Yukina's forms came into view.

"Of all people why are you asking me?"

"O-Oh, well, you see…" Her demure eyes refused to meet Hiei's gaze as a delicate blush glossed her face. "It's just I wanted to ask the man I'm closest to…"

Hiei's jaw dropped.

Shoulders shaking, Kurama covered his mouth with his free hand. I never could have dreamed that this would have happened. I'm so glad I'm recording this! Ah, to see everyone's faces when they watch this…

Baiting Hiei to the temple was simpler than Kurama had feared. Sharing the news of Yukina and Kuwabara's new relationship status was enough to infuriate Hiei. Hinting towards the possibility of them dating tonight was enough to send Hiei running. Not that they were actually dating, and not that Hiei needed to know that. Sitting in a nearby tree, Kurama had the perfect spot for his camrecorder to record everything.

The thought that Kurama was going too far crossed his mind. Then he remembered Hiei laughing while he and Botan ran from the police at the mall and Kurama's guilt vanished. Besides, I have three days until my bet with Yusuke. And when the opportunities arise, master thief that I am, I don't say no…

"Yukina, I, um, need to explain something."

"Yes?" Yukina leaned forward towards Hiei's face. "What is it?"

His face burning, Hiei swallowed. "L-Look, I…" Her eyes widening in anticipation, Yukina leaned in even closer. "Just because I come to visit you it doesn't mean I like you."

It was odd that Hiei believed Yukina's desire to know what wife meant referred to him instead of Kuwabara. I suppose the fact that they're siblings is always in the forefront of his mind. Suppressing another fit of laughter, Kurama thought, Ah, this is so much better than I possibly could have imagined.

"I care about you!"

Gasping, Yukina stopped dead in her tracks. Trembling, she slowly turned around, jewels falling to the ground. "What?"

"Mattaku." Frowning, Hiei closed his eyes and scratched his head. "So much trouble."

…And there's our happy ending. Time to go before my luck runs out. After checking to see if the coast was clear, Kurama raised a finger to the red button on his camrecorder.

"…There's that word again."

Frowning, Kurama lifted his finger from the button. Pushing a leafy branch aside, Kurama once again focused the camrecorder's lens down at Yukina and Hiei. What's going on? She's not going to…

"No, I won't kill him. I'll get that Eternal Sinning Tree or whatever Kurama used on the Elder Toguro. Yes, that'll—what?" Cutting himself off, Hiei turned to Yukina and asked, "What word?"

"'Date'. I don't know what that means either. When I mentioned it to Kazuma-san, he looked really upset and it infuriates you."

"Shoot!" Yukina-san, I told you not to mention dating to Hiei! Then Hiei will know that I—

A figure jumped onto the tree branch Kurama was sitting on with such grace that the leaves barely shook. The shrinnnk of a sword being drawn sounded deafening in the close quarters. Hiei smiled down at Kurama.

…lied. Kurama gulped. Then the fox demon smiled warmly. He opened his mouth.

"For someone who already died once…" Hiei lazily examined his sword. "You don't value your life much."

Kurama nervously laughed, "Now, Hi—"

In a blink of an eye, the branch beneath Kurama disappeared, throwing him in a free fall. Kurama landed on his knee. His camrecorder followed, littering the ground before in pieces; the videotape nearly unrecognizable. Kurama didn't know whether to curse in anger or sigh in defeat.

Closing his eyes, Kurama thought, Only one way out of this now. "All right, Hiei, if you're done with your temper tantrum, then I can explain what—"

A trail of white ribbon gently floated down. No, not ribbon, but… Wide-eyed, Kurama whipped his head back to look up. Hiei stood on another branch, a fiery black dragon over his shoulder.

Raising his hands, Kurama pleaded, "Whoa, whoa, hold on. Hold on now! There's no need to go that f—I mean, you're going to burn the whole forest down!"

Hiei grinned.

"Aaaaaaahhhh!"

Startled, Yukina turned to the forest surrounding Genkai's temple. That sounded like Kurama-san! She began to run towards the trees when a memory resurfaced. But Kurama-san left the temple already. He said he needed to get something from his house. So that couldn't have been Kurama. I must be hearing things.

Is it someone who is hurt and needs my help? No, that couldn't be true, either. If so, Hiei would have asked for her assistance by now. Then it must be an intruder.

Yukina turned back to the temple, called, "I'm leaving now!"

It'll be all right. I'm sure of it. Yukina was completely confident that Hiei-san can take care of whoever would dare cross him. She smiled to herself, content. As she descended the temple steps, she happily hummed a tune, blocking out the screams.

Ding-dong.

The front door of the Hatanaka residence opened, revealing Suichi, Kurama's step brother. "Who is—ugh!" Stepping back, Suichi plugged his nose with a hand. "Onii-san, what did you do?!"

A very annoyed and exhausted Kurama stood in the doorway. Mud caked his faces and clothes, plastering a number of leaves to his form. His clothes were ripped and torn as though he thought a jaunt through a rosebush would be fun. His hair stuck up in thousand directions like he had just rolled out of bed. From what Suichi could see, parts of Kurama's hair, his shoulders, and the back of his clothes looked singed. The smell of sweat, burned clothes, and sludge was enough to knockout a pig in a pigsty.

Suichi was stunned into speechlessness as he took it all in. Then he spied something sticking out of his hair. Smirking, Suichi asked, "Interesting choice for a barrette. Is that a new fashion?"

"Wha—?" Kurama reached up and felt a stick poking out of his hair. Throwing it aside, he muttered, "Stupid Hiei. Can't take a joke." Focusing back on his step-brother, Kurama huffed, "Ha, ha, very funny. Now let me in so I can take a shower."

Eyes softening, Suichi lowered his hand from his nose. "Hold on a second." After closing the door partly, Suichi left. Kurama could hear him run up the stairs.

A minute later, Suichi appeared at the door. He tossed a bundle of clothes into Kurama's arms. "Use the hose."

Suichi burst out laughing, leaving Kurama gaping as Suichi slammed the door close in his face.

Next chapter is the last chapter before the day of the bet! So please continue reading! :)