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.Seven.

I eyed the house with some wonder. Kuwabara was only turning twenty-one-they didn't need to make such a big deal about it. I grinned inwardly. We hadn't celebrated his birthday with a large bash in a few years and at least now I could make him drunk feeling guiltless.

If you expected party streamers and balloons everywhere, you'd be surprised. The house looked exactly the same only dimmer and with heavy jazz music in the background. The entrance to the kitchen had been draped with curtains to hide what was happening inside and the counter had been turned to a bar. Shizuru was the one taking charge of handling drinks and boy did she do it well. It made me wonder if she had ever been a bartender before with the way she dealt the shots and bottles. She also had the same idea as me-make everyone drunk till they can't even stand. I found great amusement in this and aided her in this quest. Keiko and Botan had already long fallen victim to the alcohol and were now seen dancing wildly together without a single care in the world.

I leaned back against the wall and crossed my arms. I heard Shizuru snicker beside me and glanced at her curiously. "What's up?" I asked.

She shook her head and gestured to Kuwabara. "My little brother looks like he's having fun, no?" she inquired.

I glanced over at him and promptly began laughing. Kuwabara was sitting on the couch, a drink in his right hand as he gazed up wonderingly at Keiko and Botan. The strangest dazed look was on his face as he smiled.

"Hmm…I wonder if his crush on Yukina has been officially swatted down now," I commented. I looked at Keiko and Botan again and whistled. I never knew those two could move like that.

"If you ask me, this party isn't a party at all."

I turned my head and saw Kurama standing by me, arching an eyebrow wryly. I grinned. "No? Well, what did you expect?" I asked.

"Something a little more…party-like."

I laughed and slugged Kurama in the arm, tilting my head to the side curiously. "Wow, what a way with your words, Kurama! What happened to that fancy vocabulary? You're not getting buzzed are you?" I said, staring at him intently. Since it was so dark in the room, it was hard to catch his expression but Kurama definitely looked like he had a few drinks too many. I snickered at this. Finally, it seemed like I was better than the kitsune at something.

"Shizuru insisted I'm afraid," he replied quietly as he rubbed his eyes.

I smiled. "Haven't you ever been drunk before?" I queried, finding great humor in this. Kurama. Tipsy. My head was rushing with different ideas at this occurrence.

"I usually make a point at not drinking too much, Yusuke. It's not a pleasant feeling," he replied, regaining some of his composure.

I pouted deeply. "What? Don't you drink in the Makai? I know you were a party animal in your earlier days, Kurama," I replied teasingly.

Kurama eyed me darkly. "Alcohol isn't all too common in the Makai, Yusuke. Wine maybe but even that is saved for ceremonious occasions," he said.

I grinned widely and poured another drink before handing it to Kurama. "Well, drink up! I'd say this is a pretty ceremonious occasion. Even Hiei is having fun…sort of," I declared, shooting one look at the short youkai sitting in the corner. He wore a surly expression and looked ready to bolt until Keiko and Botan sauntered up to him, pulling him up from his rooted spot. I held in my laughter as Keiko urged him to dance. Go Keiko, my mind shouted.

"Yusuke. No more, please."

My head snapped back to face Kurama, who looking at the drink I offered with mild disgust. I smiled before latching myself to his arm. "Please? No more after this I swear," I said pleadingly.

Kurama stared at me for a moment before sighing. I was cheering in my mind. He then took hold of the glass and swallowed it quickly with surprising fluidness. I arched an eyebrow. Kurama was a better drinker than I guessed.

"Are you happy now?"

"Yes, very."

Kurama nodded. "Good. Because now I'm going sit down," he said before walking over to where Kuwabara was. He swayed slightly but still managed to keep his balance pretty well. I grinned.

Well, that part of my mission was done now. Even if Kurama wasn't completely drunk, he was enough to lose some of his coolness. That was a big A+ in my book. I placed my hands on my hips and took a shot from the counter and downed it. I was brought up on drinks. Mom kept every kind possible back at home and I learned at an early age what was good and how to make them. A secret talent I suppose but not one worth bragging about unless I entered a drinking contest. Getting drunk for me was a difficult task and definitely not worth the trouble. I think I was probably born with alcohol in my bloodstream already.

"Woo hoo!"

I looked up as Keiko and Botan swung each other around before coming down to a heavy crash onto the floor, knocking everything else around them askew. I shook my head amusedly as they briefly started laughing. Hiei, who was still trying to recover from his brief encounter with the two, was staring at them in complete appall. I then narrowed my eyes and looked around the room in confusion.

"Say…where did Yukina go?"

"I think she had an appointment with the toilet," replied Shizuru as she smiled wickedly.

I snickered at her response. Shizuru was definitely not one to mess with. She probably would have made a great Reikai Tantei with that crafty mind of hers.

"Hey Yusuke! Why don't you come and join us?"

I looked at Kuwabara. Yup, he was officially drunk. He was barely even managing to keep his gaze on me focused. I guess that meant we would have to save the gift opening until tomorrow. Shizuru had already said we all had permission to sleep over. Their parents were out of town for a week. I was definitely willing to take up that offer now. Besides, sleepovers would always entail on even more entertainment-especially now that we had five drunken people. If only Hiei would join in on the fun.

"I'd say we better call it in for tonight. It's almost one," remarked Shizuru as she glanced at her watch. She sighed deeply. "Time passes by quick when you're having fun."

I had to agree with her on that. Of course little did I know what else was going to come in the next hour. As she went to turn off the radio, I began cleaning up the mess. Drinks and cups were strewn all over the place and Keiko and Botan were still chuckling giddily on the floor.

"Come on, everyone! Get ready to sleep!" ordered Shizuru as she clapped her hands.

Only about half of them responded. Kuwabara was staring at her strangely and Keiko and Botan only laughed harder. Yukina had returned from her trip to the bathroom and she looked quite pale as she took a seat by Kuwabara. Kurama struggled to keep steady and Hiei looked utterly furious when Kuwabara placed an arm around Yukina. It was a really messed up picture, I know.

"I think I better get the sleeping bags and pajamas. You think you can watch over them for a few minutes?" inquired Shizuru.

I nodded and crossed my arms. "I think I can manage that," I replied.

She then left me alone with the group and needless to say, they were rowdy. Keiko and Botan had begun singing tunelessly. Kuwabara was unsuccessfully trying to flirt with Yukina, who looked ready for another throw-up session while Hiei glowered dangerously at him. Kurama looked calm where he was sitting but I could tell that he was definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol in his blood by the way his eyes kept crossing over each other.

Naturally, I had a hard time holding in my laughter.

"I think I'll leave this forsaken party now, Yusuke," remarked Hiei suddenly.

I blinked in surprise. "What? You'll miss all the fun. Besides, who's going to watch over Yukina while she sleeps, eh? Kuwabara's even more dangerous when he's sleeping," I said quickly without even thinking.

Hiei glared at me and I applauded myself on my surprising ingenuity. There was still, of course, the situation with Kurama. I couldn't let Hiei go without the great revelation first. But then again…now that nearly everyone else was drunk, I wasn't even sure if I should have even proceeded with the plan. They would probably forget everything by tomorrow morning. Well, at least Keiko knew. And I was sure Kuwabara had his suspicions. Shizuru, probably, already figured it out since she kept gesturing at me and Kurama the whole evening.

"Okay, everybody! Time to change into the sleeping wear!"

I nearly jumped when I heard Shizuru shout. I turned around and saw her throw a pair of spare pants and shirts to everyone. She had already cleared out the table and seven sleeping bags were situated neatly. I caught the clothes she threw at me and arched an eyebrow.

"Where are you going to be?"

She smiled at me. "What, you thought I would be sleeping with you? I'm sorry, but I have a room upstairs thank you very much," she replied dryly.

I narrowed my eyes at her. Typical woman. Suddenly, I saw Shizuru yelp and turned around to see that Keiko had already half undressed herself before everyone. I chuckled as Shizuru covered her up.

"The bathroom, people! Botan, Yukina, come with me," she ordered before bopping Kuwabara hard on the head. "Stop staring, little brother!"

She then quickly led the girls away from the room and I walked over to Kurama, who had already changed into his clothes. I stared at his over-sized blue tee shirt and white pants before shaking my head. I then looked at my own clothes. A black tank top and grey sweatpants. They were considerably smaller than what Kuwabara usually wore so I assumed they were his old clothes.

"For a drunk guy, you hold up pretty well," I commented as I slipped my shirt off.

Kurama watched me. "I'm not drunk, Yusuke," he replied, a small smile on his face.

I arched an eyebrow and stared at him intently. He merely looked back at me calmly. Suddenly I stood up, pointing a finger at him. "You lied before!" I exclaimed accusingly.

He chuckled lightly and that only fueled my suspicions even more.

"Dammit it all. I should have known better than to fall for a trick like that. You are evil, Kurama," I said bitterly, crossing my arms huffily. Well, I guess I could cross out that A+ in my book now. Damn kitsune.

"You aren't mad are you, Yusuke? I couldn't resist myself-especially since I saw how much effort you put in to make me drunk," he said, his voice soothing.

I looked at him and stuck out my tongue. "Never again shall I believe you, Kurama!" I stated before pulling the tank top over my head, effectively drowning out any response he could have made. Naturally, he knew I was only joking.

"But I am surprised with you. You drank even more than anyone else here and you don't look at all fazed," quipped Kurama lightly as he regarded me carefully.

I winked and tapped him on the nose with my finger quickly, taking in the brief look of surprise on his face. "That, my dear kitsune, is a wonder you will continue wondering about," I replied, laughing at my own words. My attempt at being witty was pitiful. That made me admire Kurama even more.

"Is that so? Then I suppose I shall keep wondering till the end of my days."

I threw a look of disgust at Kurama. "Chill, dude. I'll tell you eventually. Let me be the secretive one for once," I retorted.

Kurama looked back at me calmly. "You're quite secretive without even knowing it, Yusuke," he replied mysteriously.

Sometimes Kurama confused me. I didn't what the hell he meant when he said that and still don't to this day. But all I knew was that when he looked at me, it felt like he was actually seeing me for myself and not the hotheaded fighter I made myself seem like. For that moment, it looked almost like the one he may have had feelings for was me and not Hiei. Of course, that thought was quickly erased from my head once the youkai himself began speaking.

"Do we actually have to change into these?"

Hiei held up his clothes like they were the evilest things in the entire world. Kurama broke his gaze with me and started laughing lightly to Hiei's words while I breathed in a sigh of relief. That redhead was sometimes too much to handle-even for me.

"They're not poison, Hiei, and you better change into them before I make you."

Shizuru, of course. She alone had the skill and prowess to deal with a youkai like Hiei without fear. Naturally, the latter glared at her darkly but she just met with his stare evenly. It was then that I noticed their sharp height difference. From my point of view, it looked like a mother scolding her son. Then Hiei began to change wordlessly. I shook my head in wonder. Shizuru was indeed a very skilled woman to be able to control Hiei.

Everyone else had settled into their spots comfortably and without too much difficulty. I glanced at Kurama and shrugged. We then chose the two sleeping bags that were closest to each other and the farthest away from the rest.

"Aaw…Yusuke and Kurama…do you want to be separate from us?" inquired Botan with a small pout.

From the corner of my eye I could see Hiei staring at us and put on a grin. "No, no, that's not the case at all. I don't know why these bags are so far apart," I replied innocently.

"Oh, be quiet, Botan! They want to be alone of course. Let them be," quipped Keiko as she smacked Botan lightly in the arm.

I bit my lip and glanced at Kurama, who bore a neutral expression. This most certainly wasn't expected.

By this time, Kuwabara was also intrigued as drunken as he was. "Why's that?" he asked bluntly.

Keiko giggled happily. "Well, because they're together now, silly! Can't you see that?" she replied.

Kuwabara and Botan both stared at me and Kurama in shock. Yukina was already sleeping soundly in her bag and I didn't even want to see how Hiei was reacting. The plan was for us to reveal our relationship but certainly not like this. I suppose it was better than me doing the talking, though.

"You dimwits. They're not together."

I looked at Hiei in surprise. He looked indignantly at the others with his arms crossed. And suddenly, I felt an arm make its way around my shoulders.

"I beg to differ, Hiei. Keiko is quite right."

I turned my head around to see Kurama gazing at Hiei quite sharply. I blinked. Man, this guy really was good at lying. He put me to an absolute shame. I faced Hiei again and smiled slightly as I relaxed into Kurama's hold.

Hiei narrowed his eyes before snorting. "Kurama. You can drop the act now. You and Yusuke have had your fun I would say," he said offhandedly, though I could sense an undercurrent of doubt in his words.

Kurama's grip on me tightened and I felt him lean in closer to me. "Play along, Yusuke," I felt him whisper into my neck. Goosebumps played along my skin as I forced myself to look at him.

"What do you have in mind?"

His gaze on me softened as he moved closer to me. I knew what was going to happen of course. In fact, we had all but planned on doing this if the others didn't believe us. But even though I saw it coming, I still wasn't prepared for the emotions it would stir inside me. Kurama's lips were soft and warm, almost tantalizingly so. I didn't even had to pretend anymore. I had heard stories about his former days as Youko Kurama but I never expected to experience them for myself. I felt elated and I almost didn't want it to end. However, the rational side of me won over. This isn't real, my mind told me. And I pulled away slowly, opening my eyes to look at Kurama. I licked my chapped lips and smirked lightly.

"I thought we agreed not to put on a show, Kurama," I said just loud enough for everyone else to hear.

Kurama stared back at me for a moment, not saying anything. Then just as quickly, his normal self was back. "You know I can't resist having a little fun," he replied softly, with a hint of mischief in his tone. He then looked at Hiei and surprised me with the fierceness in his eyes. "And now, Hiei, I think you owe us an apology."

Kurama draped his arm possessively over me and I couldn't help but redden slightly at our closeness. I looked back at Hiei and saw him staring at us with steely eyes. His expression was impassive and I took that as a good sign. It meant he was stunned. Well, Kurama certainly did know how to pull an act. My heart dropped at this. An act, my mind said. Don't go and rush blindly into something that isn't real, Yusuke. Of course, by that time it was already too late. I was in too deep and I knew it. But Kurama wanted Hiei, not me. It seemed I was destined to be alone. That didn't keep me from helping Kurama, though. He at least deserved happiness.

"So sweet! Why didn't you tell us before?" wailed out Botan as she clasped her hands over her heart.

She and Keiko then began giggling again. Kuwabara was staring at me, his expression a mixture of surprise and confusion.

"So…you guys are…together?" he managed out.

I nodded slowly.

"Okay."

Then without further ado he fainted dead away into his sleeping bag. I cringed slightly. Kuwabara definitely had way too much to drink. He would have one hell of a hangover the next morning. I glanced at Hiei once again and saw him looking slightly calmer. He didn't look at me or Kurama as he went to settle in his sleeping bag. Keiko and Botan were already dead asleep in their bags. I glanced at Kurama and smiled softly at him.

"Show's over for now," I whispered.

He stared at me for a long moment before nodding. "It would seem so," he replied before he went into his bag.

I moved into mine and just as I was reaching over to turn off the light, Hiei spoke.

"I hope you two are happy."

To anyone else it would have sounded like Hiei didn't care. But in reality, his tone was strained and there was an uncharacteristic note of pain in his words. I looked at him and forced down my sympathy as I smiled brightly.

"Happy? Come on, Hiei. You know me. Who could be happy with me?" I replied humorously.

I felt Kurama's arm snake around my waist, pulling me down to the floor. "Be quiet, Yusuke, and sleep," he chastised lightly. I managed to catch one last glimpse of Hiei's face before I lied down completely. It was one of loss.

I couldn't sleep much that night. Though Kurama and I were in separated sleeping bags, we were still dangerously close to each other-close enough in fact for Kurama to place an arm around me protectively-something I'm still not sure whether it came out of instinct or to further our masquerade. A few hours passed and I still hadn't fallen asleep. I could hear the even breathing of everyone around me, though, and I knew they were all asleep. I turned over and faced Kurama. He breathed softly on me and I watched as several strands of hair fell into his face. I wiped them away gently, touching his cheek briefly.

"Soon…you'll have what you love," I murmured to him.

He only stirred a little and tightened his hold around my waist. I smiled slightly. Soon Kurama would leave me to be with Hiei and all would be right with the world. I could go on being the spirited person I was without any attachments. And as appealing as I tried to make that idea sound, it did little to soothe the pain in my heart.

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TBC

They kissed. :D This chapter is officially my favorite out of all the previous ones. Yusuke came out a bit more contemplative and serious, but for once I don't mind. And now I feel so bad for putting him through this! :( I really do have a bleeding heart, honestly. Well, review if you may!