Kurama was glad to get off the city bus, but not so glad to see how busy it was at the mall. With his friends' help, he was able to buy Kazuya's birthday gift fairly quickly, and after that, he said he wanted to buy new clothes, ones that were a little more "modest and somewhat ambiguous," as he put it. Yusuke and Kuwabara already had clothes like that, but they still wanted a few new items, because Yusuke said it was weird to have a closet full of clothes you didn't pick out. So they definitely made clothing their next priority.

"What we need to do," said Kurama, "is find a knowledgeable employee. We can tell her about our tastes, and she'll help us out."

"But which store should we visit?" Yusuke asked.

"Well, I don't know where you get your clothes, but the big department stores carry both men's and women's clothing," Kurama told him.

So that was where they headed. There were a few they steered clear of completely because the prices were so high. Kurama's favorite store charged almost twice as much for women's clothing as they did for men's, so even though he actually liked a lot of the women's clothing there, he had to skip it.

"I had no idea women's clothing was so expensive," Yusuke said in shock.

"Just another thing that sucks about our predicament!" Kuwabara added. "I guess it's a good thing I don't have to buy an entirely new wardrobe."

"Well, I'm pretty close," said Kurama.

Luckily, almost every clothing store in the mall carried apparel for women, exclusively or not. Finally, they found a store where the clothes were affordable, but not cheaply made.

Not counting Hiei, who didn't want to buy anything new anyway, they each knew they would be able to afford what they needed. Kurama had money saved up from chores and holidays; Kuwabara got an allowance from Shizuru; and Yusuke had simply "borrowed" his mother's credit card before he left for Kurama's house, claiming that she would probably want him to use it.

"She's always saying it's for emergencies," said Yusuke, when Kurama glared at him. "If a trip to the bar at two in the afternoon is an emergency, so is this."

Kurama felt a little sorry for Yusuke after that, so he didn't say anything more about it. Besides, if he or Kuwabara ran out of cash, Yusuke could cover them with the credit card, if need be.

"What can I help you find today?" asked a smiling store employee. Her nametag read Yumi.

"We need clothes," said Yusuke.

"What kind of clothes?" Yumi asked.

"Well, we were actually hoping you could help us out with that," said Kurama. "I want a new look, but I'm not sure where to start. My friends here—" (he gestured to Yusuke and Kuwabara) "—aren't really in the market for a new look, but they want to expand."

"And what about you, little boy?" Yumi asked sweetly, bending down to be eye-level with Hiei.

Hiei met her gaze with a withering glare, while the other three looked at each other in surprise. Little boy? But then, Kurama thought as he looked at his shortest friend, it wasn't so difficult to believe. His actual style hadn't changed any, he hadn't grown any breasts or hips, and Shizuru had cut most of his hair off. So they just decided to go along with it.

"Oh, that's just my little brother," Kurama told her. "Hiei doesn't need any new clothes, but I have to babysit today, so I brought him along."

Kurama dodged nimbly out of the way as the other two started snickering.

"He's simply adorable," said Yumi. "How old is he?"

"Almost ten," Kurama replied, again spinning out of the way of Hiei's jab in the ribs. "So…any advice for us?"

"What we need to do is go from the top down," she said, leading them deeper into the store. "First, you need to tell me what you feel most comfortable wearing. Do you like dresses and skirts, or would you prefer a more casual style?"

"Oh, we just like jeans and T-shirts," Kuwabara told her.

"Something stylish, but modest," Kurama added.

"And maybe something cool, like a leather jacket," Yusuke finished.

"Sounds great!" Yumi grinned. "The first thing we need to do is determine what looks best on you."

Yumi examined Kurama first, her scrutinizing gaze seeming to take everything into account, turning her head this way and that. When she was done, she stood up straight.

"Green," she said firmly. "Your gorgeous red hair and beautiful green eyes would go perfect with it."

"See? I told you green is awesome," Yusuke interrupted, but Kurama held up one finger to his lips so Yumi could keep talking.

"Purple, royal blue, and black would work too," she continued. "Stay away from lighter yellows and most pastels. Pretty girl, though, you'd look good in anything."

"Thank you," said Kurama. "What about the others?"

"Blue is definitely your best color," Yumi told Kuwabara, "but avoid anything orange. It's all about contrast and matching, girls."

Kuwabara seemed happy about that, because blue was already his favorite color. Yusuke was last.

"Your black hair and brown eyes should go with most colors," Yumi told him. "But if I were you, I would focus on warmer colors, like red and yellow. If you're going with cool colors, I'd recommend lighter shades."

The next hour or so was well-spent. Yumi helped Kurama, Kuwabara, and Yusuke pick out clothes, with Hiei trailing behind. They were planning to go to a few other stores, but Yusuke treated the group to frozen yogurt first.

"Y'know, I'm glad I went to the mall," he said. "This is awesome. And the clothes I picked out are much cooler than the lame ones I have at home."

"For an inferior world, you have such delicious food," said Hiei, his voice muffled due to having just taken a huge bite of frozen yogurt. He got chocolate, and he had piled it with chocolate chips, fudge sauce, and whipped cream. His chin was a disgrace. Kurama knew chocolate cravings were common in regard to his condition, but in his opinion, Hiei just saw it as a green-light to consume even more chocolate than usual.

After they had all finished eating and Hiei had wiped his mouth, they wandered throughout the mall, buying clothes and accessories. Kurama didn't know about the others, but he could definitely see why it appealed to the many packs of girls he saw there whenever he went to the mall. Buying things was fun, and it was a great opportunity to talk and bond with friends.

Even Hiei got some clothes that looked more "human." Kurama paid for them, partly to make up for pretending he was babysitting (he didn't look that much younger), but also because whenever he had his cloak on in the human world, he looked like he was wearing a Halloween costume. All four of them changed into a new outfit and stuck their old clothes into their shopping bags.

All four were wearing jeans; Hiei was wearing black jeans, Kurama dark wash, and the other two lighter wash. Yusuke was wearing some pre-ripped ones, even though Kurama scoffed. Kurama wore a green sweatshirt with a fox on the front, with a royal blue fitted T-shirt underneath; Yusuke had a plain, loose white T-shirt with a leather jacket on top; Kuwabara had on a blue sweatshirt; and Hiei was wearing a black T-shirt that read "I'm Allergic to Stupidity; I Break Out in Sarcasm," with a long-sleeved white shirt underneath. Women's jeans tended to fit tighter than men's in general, but at least Kurama was able to buy some that were a little looser, and he definitely preferred boot-cut.

"I'm getting hungry," said Kurama finally. "Do any of you want to stop at the food court?"

"I feel like my stomach is eating itself," Hiei said in reply, but that was when another store caught the boys' attention—Fantasy Creations, a lingerie store.

"Can we go in there?" Yusuke asked, pointing.

"What do you plan on buying?" said Hiei doubtfully, and Kurama was sure he just wanted to go to the food court, but Kuwabara and Yusuke were already heading in.

When he and Hiei got inside, Kurama was just thankful there weren't a lot of men, because he was sick of getting stared at. It was neither enjoyable nor flattering, just annoying and uncomfortable. But he did see someone they knew. Keiko was standing in front of a mirror, holding a black lacy slip up in front of her, studying it from all angles. Yusuke had noticed too, apparently, because he stopped so suddenly that Kurama bumped into him.

"We've gotta leave, guys!" he hissed, his face as red as a tomato. "I don't want Keiko to know I saw her buying that thing!"

But it was too late. Before they could even turn around, Keiko had noticed them.

"Hi," she said, walking over. "What are you guys doing at the mall?"

"We're just updating our wardrobes a bit," Kurama replied. "It's a good way to unwind after school. Are you here on your own?"

"No, I'm with Botan," said Keiko. "She's trying something on, too. Hey, Botan, get out here!"

"I think this nightie is a little snug," Botan was saying as she left the dressing room, "but maybe that's the point—oh, hey there, guys!"

"This store is very nice," Kurama said casually, glad to have jeans that weren't so tight he couldn't fit his hands in the pockets. Of course, he hadn't forgotten that Botan was one of the few who would know what had happened to them, and he was hoping she would get them out of this awkward situation. But she decided to have some fun with them instead.

"Fantasy Creations, the kind of lingerie every woman dreams of owning, but only a few will dare," Botan giggled. "Keiko and I are just two who dare. Don't you think Keiko would look beautiful in that slip, Yuki?"

"Yeah, Yuki, I could use your opinion," said Keiko, not realizing Botan was joking. "Do you think this slip would look nice?"

She held it up in front of her again, but Yusuke didn't seem to be capable of speech.

"Perhaps you should try it on for them, Keiko," Botan suggested, clearly enjoying herself.

"Sure, maybe I will," said Keiko, turning to walk into the dressing room, but Kurama put one hand on her shoulder to bring her back. Yusuke looked pretty close to going into shock and fainting right in the middle of a lingerie shop, and he did not need that to happen.

"You don't need to try it on," Kurama said. "It looks fine."

"Thanks," said Keiko, beaming. "Come on, Botan, let's see what else they have."

"Sure you girls don't want to join us?" Botan asked, her eyes laughing.

"No, we're going to the food court," said Hiei impatiently, grabbing Yusuke's arm and hauling him out of the store as the other two followed behind. When they left the store, Yusuke let out a huge gasp of air and swayed on his feet. Kurama gently helped him sit down on a bench.

"Oh my God," he said breathily. "I…I don't know what's happening to me, you guys."

"You're a girl now," Hiei said sardonically. "She doesn't mind asking you about things like that."

"That's not what I meant."

…

Yusuke had no idea how to explain it to them, or even himself.

"I think another girl thing is happening to me," he said finally. "But I didn't know about it."

"Huh?" said Kuwabara.

"Ever since this big switch of ours," Yusuke began, hoping he wouldn't have to describe the feeling outright, "have you guys seen anything that…that would have…made you have a physical reaction?"

Kurama raised his eyebrows slightly. "You mean like…?"

"Yeah."

Yusuke lapsed into silence after that. He was careful not to mention that Kurama's female form did it for him just fine, since he already felt weird enough about that. Hopefully his friends would understand when he was talking about Keiko, because they knew he felt for her in more than a physical way.

"I think you mean that after we got switched, we didn't lose the ability to become aroused," Kurama said finally.

"But it feels different now," said Yusuke, glad someone had said it besides him.

"Well, that makes sense," Kurama told him. "Most things about our bodies are different now. And anything you've felt in the past couple of days, we probably have, too. I'm sure you don't want me to go into too much detail, but—"

"Wait a minute," Hiei interrupted. "Is that what you meant yesterday, Yusuke? When you told me you felt hotdown there?"

Yusuke just glared at him. Hiei had a habit of saying things way too bluntly, and he was not helping. Especially if Kurama figured out how Yusuke really felt when he looked at him. But the last person Yusuke expected to help him in this department was Kuwabara.

"Oh, yeah, I've felt that!" he said. "Whenever I think of Yukina. I thought I was the only one. It's kind of a tingling, and then I feel kind of w—"

"Shut up!" Hiei barked, punching him in the arm. "Don't you dare talk about Yukina like that!"

"Just accept it, Hiei!" said Kuwabara, turning on him. "Yukina isn't romantically interested in you!"

"What makes you think I'd want her to be?!" said Hiei, incredulity written all over his face.

"Why else would you be so protective of her?" Kuwabara shot back. "I mean, you're almost obsessed. But she chose me. Deal with it."

"I think Hiei sees Yukina as family, Kuwabara," Kurama said carefully. Yusuke didn't know how he was able to say it with a straight face. "Especially since he doesn't have any family. It's perfectly normal to be protective of people you see as family. It doesn't always have to be romantic."

"Yeah," said Hiei, looking relieved. "Like how much you love your mom, Kurama."

"Exactly." Kurama set one hand on Hiei's shoulder and smiled. "But you see, Yusuke? You're not the only one who feels things that are…well, less obvious. Even if we don't always understand them."

"I'll tell you what's really different," said Hiei, clearly eager to steer the topic away from Yukina. "Before we woke up in these female forms yesterday, we never talked about our private regions to each other. But now we do it all the time. Am I the only one who's noticed this?"

"You know, you're right," said Kurama. "We're discussing our bodies a lot more."

"Well, maybe that's a girl thing, too," Kuwabara suggested.

"Just because we woke up in the bodies of girls doesn't mean we have to start acting like them," Yusuke said back. "Let's just go eat."

"Detective, you're speaking my language," said Hiei, springing to his feet.

…

Hiei had never been to a shopping mall before, and the food court was glorious to him, especially because he always seemed to be hungry as a girl. It had food from all over the world. He could walk only a few feet and see food from China, Mexico, Italy, something called "Cajun," and a variety of sub shops. Kurama said the ethnic food wasn't "authentic," but it was still nice to have so many options, and they all smelled wonderful. For dessert, Hiei had his eye on a shop that made fudge by hand. Yusuke and Kuwabara went to get tacos, but Hiei and Kurama got waylaid at the Chinese stand, which was giving away free samples.

"You have some sauce on your cheek, Hiei," said Kurama, grabbing a napkin and bending down to wipe it off, but that was when Hiei noticed someone checking Kurama out from behind. He felt rage building up inside him, and he didn't intend on keeping it under control.

"Can we help you?" he demanded, crossing his arms.

"I really like your jeans, ma'am," said the man, his eyes still not leaving Kurama's backside, the way the jeans hugged his curves just right. "And your hair is so pretty."

"Thank you," said Kurama dully.

The man introduced himself to them, then asked for their names.

"We don't have to tell you shit," Hiei snapped, clenching his fists. "Now get your eyes off my friend's ass, you pervert."

"That boyfriend of yours sure has a nasty mouth," the man laughed. Maybe Hiei really could pass for a guy. Kurama normally would have told Hiei to knock it off, but this time, he didn't feel compelled to do anything just yet. He remembered what Aratani had said on the walk home from school, and he didn't even mention that Hiei wasn't his boyfriend.

"I'll do a lot worse than that if you don't clear off," Hiei threatened. "Besides, she's only sixteen."

The man raised his eyebrows, like he didn't quite believe it, but not so much that he would take his chances and hit on someone who might not be legal. Hiei was relieved to see him hurry away. But it was too late. Kurama seemed to have reached the end of his tether.

"Hiei, get me some egg rolls and rice," he snapped, and headed to the table where the other two were already eating. "I'm out of here."