Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. Never have, never will. Similiarly, I lay no claim to the Backstreet Boys or their song 'I Want It That Way.'

"So," I muttered through a yawn, "what's the plan for night four of the indefinite sleepover?" I flopped down in an armchair in Kuwabara's living room, shoving a hand through my hair and trying to untangle it.

I'd been right about Keiko's customers coming back. I just wished they hadn't done so on my second day of work. After weeks of not working, getting back into the swing of things was proving harder than I had initially expected it would be.

Dozens of crazy ass customers hadn't helped. And, quite frankly, tired didn't begin to cover how I felt.

"I was thinking takeout and then movies," Kuwabara answered, emerging from the kitchen with a soda in hand and dropping into a seat on the couch.

"Movies will most definitely put me to sleep," I informed him, my eyes falling shut even as I spoke.

"Something else then," Keiko suggested.

"There had better be takeout involved," Kuwabara insisted.

"And caffeine."

Keiko laughed. "Well, considering how many demands you two are making, would you like to decide what we do?" She took a seat beside Kuwabara and waited silently, watching us.

"I'm too tired to make decisions," I groaned, throwing an arm over my eyes.

"Wow, you're overdramatic," Kuwabara observed. "What do you guys say to takeout and karaoke?"

I sat up straight and gave the idea some thought. "Well, I certainly won't be able to fall asleep with you caterwauling along to some of my favorite songs. Your idea has some merit, but there is one requirement that I feel I must impose." I paused, giving him time to think of all the horrible things I could potentially force him to do, before continuing lightheartedly, "Whatever takeout we get must include french-fries."

Kuwabara stared at me for a second before narrowing his eyes into a glare. "I thought you were going to request something important. I don't care what kind of food we get. Jeeze, Shy, don't scare me like that."

"Isn't it rather pathetic that little, old me can scare the mighty Kazuma Kuwabara?" I asked Keiko, feigning shock.

"Maybe he isn't so mighty after all," Keiko replied, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

"You guys are obnoxious," Kuwabara snapped, standing up and heading for the kitchen. He returned a few seconds later with his phone and a stack of takeout menus. "Pick one," he instructed, throwing the menus into my lap.

Beginning to sort through the pile, I raised an amused eyebrow at him. "How the hell did you manage to get so many in such a short time?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, I just did."

"You order too much takeout," I told him flatly. Deciding on a menu, I dropped the rest of the stack on the floor and opened it, scanning for something I wanted. I settled for a wrap and tossed the menu to Keiko, who picked a meal and handed the menu to Kuwabara.

Once he had made his decision, he called the restaurant and placed our order. Keiko and I nominated Kuwabara to go get the food and he left, muttering about unappreciative, bossy girls.

While he was gone, Keiko began setting up Kuwabara's gaming system for karaoke and I slipped into the kitchen. I drained a can of soda and grabbed another before joining her in the living room. "Why am I so freaking tired?" I asked, dropping into the armchair once more.

Keiko glanced up at me, smiling at my whining. "I didn't realize that you had gotten so lazy."

"Yeah, well, shit happens," I muttered, taking a sip from my soda. "How many of these do you think I need in order to stay awake?" I eyed the soda in my hand, wondering how much caffeine was in one can.

"Do you really expect me to have an answer to that question?"

"No, not really, but I had hope. And now you've dashed it, so I hope you're happy."

"You're annoying when you're tired," Keiko said, rocking back on her heels and preparing to stand up.

"Which disc should we use first?" I asked, changing the subject.

"What do you mean?"

"He has a bunch of discs and each one has different song selections. Personally, I think we should use the 'Best of Backstreet' one, but that's just me."

"'Best of Backstreet'? What is that?"

"The Backstreet Boys! Come on, Keiko. I mean really, were you deprived as a child?" I frowned at her, shaking my head sadly. "They are only the bestest boy band ever."

"Bestest? Did you actually just use that word?"

"Actually, I'm pretty sure it isn't a word," I said, grinning at her cheekily. She shot me an annoyed look just as the door open and Kuwabara entered, holding a bag in one hand and trying to tug his key out of the lock with the other. "You are aware that you didn't lock the door before you left, aren't you?"

"Shut it, Shy!" he barked, nearly dropping the bag when he tugged ferociously on the key and it finally came free. "Come get your food."

"Aw, you aren't going to bring it to us?" I whined, pouting.

"Is she okay?" Kuwabara asked Keiko, eyeing me worriedly.

"She's tired," Keiko answered. She stood and took the bag of food from Kuwabara, placing it on the coffee table. Pulling two styrofoam containers from the bag, she brought one to me and then returned to her seat on the couch.

"Thanks, bestest buddy," I said, popping open my container and picking up my wrap. I took a big bite and smiled contently.

Keiko sighed. "There's that word again."

"It's still not a word," I said, shaking my head at her.

"What word?" Kuwabara asked, glancing between us in confusion.

"It's not a word," I snapped.

Rather than asking his question once more, Kuwabara retrieved his food and took a seat on the couch. "Never mind, I really don't think I want to know."

"That's probably a wise decision," Keiko said.

We ate in relative silence, each too focused on our own meal to bother holding a conversation. My wrap was wonderfully delicious and, much to my delight, so were my french-fries. When we had all finished eating, we cleaned up our mess and returned to the living room to commence our night of karaoke.

I grabbed the controller, turned on the gaming system, and slid in the 'Best of Backstreet' disc before returning to my seat. Kuwabara turned on the television and glanced at me. "Well, what song are you going to sing?" he asked.

"Me? Oh, no. You're going first. This was your idea so it's only right that you get to start things."

He sighed, but didn't argue. "Fine, but can I have the controller so that I can pick a song?"

I snorted and shook my head. "Nope. I'm going to pick you a song." Ignoring his horrified look, I flicked through the song list, trying to find a song that I wanted him to sing.

Keiko attempted to reassure Kuwabara. "Don't worry, I'm sure Shy and I will end up singing too. You won't be on your own the whole time."

"Yeah," I said, grinning as I picked a song. "I call singing all of Kevin's parts."

"You do realize that, as a self-respecting man, I don't know who any of the Backstreet Boys are, right?"

I rolled my eyes and waved him off. "Well, when I start singing you'll know that it's Kevin's part."

"Why do want to sing his part anyway?" Kuwabara asked, raising an eyebrow in question.

"Because he is awesome." I hit play and the first chords of music started. "Sing," I instructed.

He sighed, but looked at the screen and started to sing. It didn't matter that he was off-key and sounded like crap because I had little doubt that Keiko and I would be dreadful as well. It was the very fact that none of us minded embarrassing ourselves that made karaoke fun.

"Yeah. You are my fire. The one desire. Believe, when I say, I want it that way." Keiko and I burst into laughter as Kuwabara focused on the unfamiliar words. His eyebrows had pulled together in concentration and he was leaning forward in his seat, staring at the screen. He grew more comfortable as he reached the chorus, which he probably recognized. "Tell my why, ain't nothin' but a heartache. Tell me why, ain't nothin' but a mistake. Tell me why, I never wanna hear you say, I want it that way."

Keiko joined in on the next verse, singing despite her giggles. "Am I your fire? Your one desire? Yes I know, it's too late, but I want it that way."

I waited through the next chorus, eagerly preparing for Kevin's part. Grinning, I started singing loudly, "Now I can see that we're falling apart from the way that it used to be, yeah. No matter the distance I want you to know, that deep down inside of me…"

I kept singing even after Kevin's part had ended and we finished the song together. I went out of my way to be dramatic and it wasn't long before Kuwabara picked up the television remote and began using it like a microphone. Even Keiko was singing at the top of her lungs by the last line and as the final word was highlighted we all collapsed back into our seats, laughing uncontrollably.

When we had gotten ourselves under control, Kuwabara held out his hand to me. "Okay, Shy, I sang your choice. Now it's my turn to pick a song." Giving in without argument, I passed him the controller and watched as he scrolled through the song list. "Is this all Backstreet Boys?"

"You know it," I said, grinning when he made face.

"What's a good song to make her sing?" he asked Keiko, clearly unsure what any of the songs were.

Keiko only laughed at him. "She isn't going to be embarrassed about having to sing any of these songs, Kuwabara."

"Damn. Well then, I'm changing the disc." He stood up and grabbed the stack of discs, looking through them for a suitable one. Making a decision, he switched out the 'Best of Backstreet' disc for his choice and began flicking through the song list.

And so began some of the most hilarious hours of my life. We each tried to outdo each other, picking increasingly annoying songs and then belting them out at the top of our lungs. Keiko spent most of the time slumped in her seat, laughing too hard to even participate.

Kuwabara was in the middle of a crazy dance to one of the songs when a voice sounded from the doorway. "What the hell is going on in here? It sounds like a cat is being killed."

For a second we all froze, though the music continued playing, and then I was on my feet bolting for the door. I passed Yusuke without a second glance and threw myself at Hiei, wrapping my arms around his neck. A grunt sounded behind me and I assumed Keiko had followed my example.

"Hiei," I whispered, inhaling his scent and smiling as he returned my embrace. I noticed vaguely that he was in the same clothes that he had left in, but I didn't care.

"Hey, babe," Yusuke said. "It's great to see you, too. But, um, would you mind letting go?" Frowning, I pulled away from Hiei and turned to see Yusuke holding Keiko at arms length. He laughed nervously and she frowned at him.

"What's wrong?" I asked Hiei quietly.

But it was Yusuke that answered. He was looking at Keiko and I don't think he had even heard my question. It seemed more like he was trying to explain himself to Keiko before she got too angry. "I, uh, kind of got injured."

"No freaking way," Kuwabara said. He had come over toward the door and was grinning at Yusuke. "Not at tough as you think, huh?"

"Shut up," Yusuke muttered, his eyes still on Keiko.

"How did you get hurt?" she asked, studying him, trying to see where he was hurt.

"Why don't we sit down," Kurama said, gesturing to the couch and armchair.

Grabbing Hiei's wrist, I pulled him over to the armchair and moved to sit on the arm while he took the chair. He got comfortable and, to my surprise, gripped my hips and shifted me into his lap. For a fraction of a second I considered struggling, but then his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me back against him, making me far too comfortable to want to resist. I rested my head against his shoulder and waited for the others to take their seats.

Kuwabara turned off the gaming system and television before sitting down on the air mattress that still took over most of the living room floor. Kurama, Yusuke, and Keiko each sat on the couch. Keiko was watching Yusuke worriedly and I could tell that she was itching to ask him where he was hurt.

"So, feel free to start explaining," Kuwabara said impatiently.

The three fighters exchanged looks and apparently decided that Kurama would be the one to enlighten us. He smiled exhaustedly and began. "Well, our tip was correct. Epsilon was indeed in Alaric and he had only a few of his followers with him. That said, things did not go as well as we would have hoped."

"Meaning what?" Keiko asked.

"Epsilon's powers, whatever they are, proved troublesome. Yusuke and Mukuro focused their attacks on him, but he always seemed to come away unfazed. We assume that his powers are defensively based, but what exactly they are is impossible to say. As for how Yusuke got hurt, I've simply never seen anything like it."

Yusuke snorted. "The hebi freaking caught my attack and threw it back at me. He caught my spirit gun." He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. Directing his gaze to Kuwabara, he said, "Can you believe that?"

I didn't really know much about Yusuke's abilities, but I knew that his spirit gun was one of his strongest attacks. That Epsilon came away from it uninjured and had even been able to use against Yusuke was frightening.

Yusuke shook his head in frustration. "We didn't have a healer on hand. Mukuro only brought one and he was killed. So my chest is a mess. I wrapped it after the fight and Kurama made me drink some disgusting concoction to fight infection, but that's all we were able to do."

There was a momentary silence, which was broken when Keiko took a deep breath and said, "I'll call Botan tomorrow and have her come heal you."

"We already did," Yusuke told her. "She's going to come by tomorrow morning before the diner opens."

Kuwabara spoke up next, asking the same question that had been bothering me, although I probably would have phrased it differently. "Did you kill Mecca?"

Hiei stiffened and his arms tightened around my waist. Without thinking, I pressed a kiss to his collarbone in an attempt to calm him. He didn't react to me and growled, "The scum wasn't there."

"What? But I thought he was Epsilon's strongest follower," I said.

"He is," Kurama replied. "I believe that Epsilon probably left Mecca with the rest of his followers. As I said, only a few of his followers were with him."

"Disma was there though," Yusuke added. "You know who that is, right? The female raion that Botan told us was Mecca's second in command. Hiei kicked her ass."

"Hn, I failed to kill her," Hiei stated flatly. "Had I succeeded, she wouldn't have been able to open a portal and escape with Epsilon."

"What do you mean, shrimp?" Kuwabara asked.

It was Kurama that answered. "Hiei severely injured Disma, but failed to kill her. As a result, she was able to use her powers to create a portal and escape, taking Epsilon with her in the process."

Yusuke sighed. "That was my fault. I was so stunned that Epsilon had hit me with my own attack that I didn't prevent him from getting away."

Another silence descended on the room. I yawned tiredly. Now that we weren't singing anymore, my exhaustion had returned full force and I was having trouble keeping my eyes open. Hiei seemed to notice and he shook me lightly, making sure I wasn't asleep. I tried to suppress another yawn and asked, "Can we continue this conversation at a later date? I'm not going to be able to drive home if this takes much longer."

The others agreed with me and we began to clean up the apartment. Hiei helped me deflate the air mattress and stuff it into its bag. I retrieved my duffel bag from Kuwabara's bedroom and returned to the living room. We bid everyone goodnight and headed for my car. I slung my duffel bag over my shoulder and Hiei carried the air mattress.

As soon as we were alone, I was at a loss for anything to say. I'd thought that I wouldn't know what to say first, but instead I couldn't make any words come. I wanted to tell him that I loved him, that he meant everything to me.

But I didn't. It felt wrong.

I drove in silence, praying that Hiei credited the lack of conversation to me being tired rather than uncomfortable. The reason for my awkwardness hit me suddenly: my realization from a few days ago was eating at me.

I'd been trying desperately to think of something that I had given up for him. To my utter disappointment, I hadn't been able to. All I did was take, take, take, without any consideration for him. That wasn't how it should work. Where was the balance?

Parking my car in front of the apartment building, I forced myself to calm down. The last thing I needed was to freak out. Hiei had just come back from the Makai. He was probably exhausted and certainly didn't need to deal with my crap.

We walked together to the building, our footsteps eerily loud in the deserted parking lot. He didn't seem to mind the silence and it continued as we made our way up the stairs. It was only when we reached the door to our apartment that one of us spoke. "They finally fixed the light," I said, trying desperately to make some kind of conversation.

It was a miserable attempt and I knew it. If Hiei realized the same thing, he didn't indicate it. "Hn, I noticed."

I let us in easily with my key and headed for our bedroom. Hiei followed me, leaving the air mattress in the living room. "I need to shower," he informed me from the doorway. "Do you need the bathroom?"

"Yeah, just give me ten minutes." I fished my toiletries out of my duffel bag and slipped into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth quickly, staring at myself in the mirror. Why did I feel so awkward? It had been so easy before he left and now I was a nervous, jittery mess.

Spitting into the sink, I placed my toothbrush in the holder and finished getting ready. When I returned to our bedroom, Hiei kissed me briefly and then headed for the bathroom. I changed and slipped into bed, rolling onto my side and glaring at the wall.

I listened to the shower, hoping the gentle noise would soothe me.

It didn't.

Hiei joined me in bed a few minutes later. I twisted around to face him and traced a finger over the muscles on his chest. "Shyle, are you alright?" he asked, startling me. It seemed he'd noticed my odd behavior, despite my prayers that he wouldn't.

"Yeah, I'm okay," I lied. Searching for a different topic, I asked, "Did you get hurt at all?"

"I received no serious injuries," he answered. His hand rubbed my back comfortingly and he pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Sleep, Shyle. We can talk in the morning."

I didn't argue. If I was lucky, I'd be back to normal by the morning. "Goodnight, Hiei. I'm glad you're home."

"Goodnight, Shyle."

AN: You're probably wondering why the hell I would pick 'I Want It That Way' for the song for them to sing. And, well, there are many reasons. For one, I love BSB. They're awesome (way better than N'Sync) and their music is pretty good. Plus, I figured that a decent portion of people would recognize the song. And finally, I am very comfortable with their music because my friends and I are pretty obsessed with their band (we had a BSB themed Christmas party last year) and therefore I can recognize who is singing at any given time (hence Shy singing Kevin's part).

Anyway, I'm not thrilled about the chapter title, but I'm pressed for time and don't want to waste any trying to figure out a better title.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. You guys definitely keep me writing. And, just because I'm evil, I'll give you a little teaser: Next chapter is going to be titled Superman. Make of that what you will.