Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ One Week ❯ Tuesday ( Chapter 3 )

One Week

Chapter Three: Tuesday

"Waaaaaake up, Kura-chan! It's time to get ready for schooooooool!" Karasu yelled merrily at six the next morning.

Kurama grumbled, rolling over so that he faced the wall. "Go `way…"

"Don't be a sleepyhead! I've been up for an hour already!" Karasu said as he crept closer to the bundle of sheets that contained Kurama.

"Mmmnpffffff…" he groaned into his pillow.

Karasu growled, glaring at the bed. "WAKE UP, DARN IT!" He yelled as he hopped onto the jumble of covers, which lurched immediately at the contact.

A pair of green eyes peered out from under the blanket, staring up at Karasu, who was perched happily on his stomach. "AHHHHHHH! GET OFF ME, YOU FREAK!" He grabbed the pillow from beside him and began mercilessly whacking Karasu with it.

Karasu raised his hands in defense as he was bombarded by an angry Kurama. "Oh, c'mon! I didn't mean anything by it, honest!" Karasu said in his best imitation of a five-year old, staring at Kurama with gigantic violet eyes.

"Grr…" Kurama growled as he stood up, still clutching his covers around his body. "I'm awake now. You happy?"

"Indescribably happy, darling!"

"Don't call me that, idiot."

"You're not a morning person, are you?" Karasu asked as Kurama began walking from the room, blanket dragging the ground behind him.

"Not when I wake up in your bed," Kurama said bitingly.

"Ouch…" Karasu winced. "It's not like we slept together or anything! I mean, you made me sleep on the couch!

Kurama grumbled irritably, finally making it to the living room.

Karasu glared at the back of his head. He angrily stepped on the blanket. Kurama's feet kept moving, but he wasn't going forward.

"Huh?" Kurama asked, utterly bewildered; apparently his brain didn't function properly after just being woken up. He looked back, confused, but then put two and two together. "Karasu…"

"Hm?"

"Let go!" Kurama hissed, pounding a fist into Karasu's head.

Tears pricked in Karasu's eyes; his lip trembled slightly. "…Maybe you'd feel better if you took a shower…" he suggested meekly.

"I need some extra clothes. My uniform from yesterday is still dirty."

"You can wear one of my extra uniforms, then!" Karasu declared, instantly brightening.

"You're too tall. Your uniform would never fit."

"Well…uhh… how about you go and take your shower and I'll have your clothes washed by the time you're done?"

"That's fine. You can cook me some breakfast, too."

"Hey! You're supposed to be taking orders from me, foo'!" Karasu yelled, but Kurama had already gone into the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind him.

"…He's mean in the morning," Karasu mumbled as he threw the uniform into the washing machine. "Stupid temperamental redheads!" He watched the water fill for a moment before he remembered the request for breakfast.

"I wonder what he'd like… I know! Pop-tarts! Everybody loves Pop-tarts!" He marched off to the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets. He happily stuffed half the sugar-filled instrument of death into his mouth. He was attempting to swallow it when the washer started making funny sounds-sounds which merited investigation.

It turned out the clothes had stopped washing, so he tossed them into the dryer. He hopped on top of the washer and finished his Pop-tart.

When the uniform was dry, he took it out of the dryer and wandered over to the bathroom. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. He tried again to get the same result.

"Kurama? Are you O.K. in there? You're not dead, are you?" He put his ear to the door, but all he could hear was running water. Significantly worried, Karasu tried the knob; it was unlocked. The door slid open with a creak. Karasu peered inside the room. The shower curtain was drawn around the tub; he stepped forward, hand poised over the curtain.

"Touch that curtain and die."

"Oh, Kurama! I was worried about you! Why didn't you answer me when I called?"

"Put my clothes on the counter and leave."

"…what if I don't want to?" Karasu asked deviously.

"I'll beat you mercilessly with a bar of soap."

"Not from behind that curtain, you won't."

"…"

"Yes, come out and beat me, Kurama."

"No. You'd enjoy it too much."

"You'd enjoy it too!" Karasu said defensively as he plopped down on the floor, uniform held protectively in his arms.

"You're a moron. Leave."

"If I leave, I'm taking your clothes with me."

An exasperated sigh was heard and the shower curtain was pulled back. Kurama stepped out of the tub, a towel wrapped around his waist.

"…wow…" Karasu said, little hearts dancing in his eyes. "You so purty, Kura-chan!"

Kurama glared at him, tightening his grip on the towel. "Clothes," he ordered.

"Uh-huh," Karasu nodded, handing over the clothing with a dazed look. "…I think what you're wearing right now is great, though…" Karasu grinned at Kurama. "Of course, it would be even better without the towel…"

"Get out," Kurama said tonelessly, pointing to the door.

Karasu crossed his arms over his chest, staring resolutely at Kurama. "No. You can't order me around, especially when I'm supposed to be the one doing that."

"I'm going to be late for school."

"You can change in front of me. We're both guys."

"But you're gay," Kurama said, pointing at Karasu, nose wrinkling with distaste.

"So are you."

"Yes, but you lust after me… and besides, I'm shy. See? Watch me blush demurely!"

"You're not blushing demurely."

"So what? You're still leaving!" Kurama angrily pushed Karasu out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Karasu glared at the door. "How rude."

"So, how was it?" Yuusuke asked as soon as Kurama arrived, a happy Karasu attached to his arm.

"Terrible," Kurama answered, attempting to pry the other boy off of his limb.

"He didn't try anything, did he?"

"…no more than the usual, I'm afraid. Where's Hiei?" Kurama asked, after he couldn't find his short friend just by looking around the room.

"I dunno. He's been acting weird lately…"

"Gee, the kid's never acted normal," Karasu cut in.

"Go hang out with your own friends," Kurama ordered.

"…I don't have any friends," Karasu murmured, giving Kurama a take-pity-on-me face.

"…I wonder why."

"You're so mean," Karasu muttered, nuzzling Kurama's arm.

"I feel sorry for you…" Yuusuke murmured sympathetically to Kurama. "Is he taking you home again tonight?"

"Nope!" Karasu said. A tiny bubble of happiness swelled in Kurama's heart at the thought. "I'm going to his house!" The bubble popped inordinately loudly for being so small.

"What?!" Kurama practically shrieked.

"Yup! I mean, I'm going to end up being your boyfriend sooner or later. So, I might as well meet your parents!"

"I abhor you."

"I still love you," Karasu mumbled.

Kurama pushed him away, turning to Yuusuke. "So, umm… what happened after I left?"

"Oh… I dunno. I had to spy on Karasu, to make sure he didn't take advantage of you while you were unconscious… but after a while I got bored and went to the arcade. Needless to say, I didn't make it back to school…"

Kurama sighed. "They'll kick you out of school if you don't start going to class."

Yuusuke laughed. "What do I care? Most of the stuff they teach us is useless rot anyway."

"You're going to get expelled, and then you won't be able to get a job. You'll be homeless, and I'm not going to take care of you!"

"Oh, that's O.K." Yuusuke said, grinning. "I already have my future planned out."

"Oh, really?" Kurama asked, raising an eyebrow quizzically.

"Uh-huh! I'm going to live in a van by the river! …you're welcome to come and visit me once I'm settled."

Kurama sighed, exasperated. "You're incorrigible."

Yuusuke grinned cheekily. "I don't know what that means, but it must be true!"

Karasu was tugging on Kurama's sleeve. "Kuuuuuuraaaaaa…"

"I am not going to the bathroom with you!"

"Noooo! …the midget is here!"

"Oh. Hello, Hiei."

"Hello, shrimp," Kuwabara said.

"When did you get here?' Karasu asked, peering up at the Kuwabara.

"I've been here the whole time!" Kuwabara said, outraged.

"Oh. I guess I just didn't notice you. Silly me." Karasu smiled at him.

"I don't like you."

"No one likes me, silly! I'm an evil, psychotic stalker-man!"

"Excuse me! This isn't a Karasu-centric fic!"

"Yes it is!"

"No it isn't!"

"Hold on, Hiei… I guess you're right. If this were a Karasu-centric fic, YOU'D BE DEAD! DEAD!!!"

The two foes stared each other down.

"…you blinked," Hiei said gruffly.

"So! I'm still cooler than you!"

"Nyah," Hiei said, sticking his tongue out and pulling the skin beneath his eye down.

"Wow… I think Hiei just regressed about eleven years…"

"Midget."

"Idiot."

"Grr…"

"Stop!" Kurama said, thwacking the unsuspecting Karasu over the head with his book bag. (Kurama is acting like Kagome! Tee-hee!)

"…oro," Karasu croaked, toppling to the floor.

"Ha ha!" Yuusuke said, pointing and laughing. "GWA HA HA HA HA HA!"

Kurama sweat-dropped. "I… think I'll be going to class now."

Kurama picked at his food at lunch-being cafeteria food, it wasn't all that great to start with, and then having to sit with Karasu left him with not much of an appetite.

"EAAAAAAAAT, KURA-CHAN! EEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAT!"

"Shut up," Kurama mumbled, nudging his gummy potatoes toward the peas. He dug a hole in the white mass with his spoon and began packing peas into his potato cave.

"…why aren't you eating?" asked Karasu as he rested his chin on Kurama's shoulder.

"Because your presence is nauseating," Kurama ground out, stabbing his fork into his helpless piece of animal carcass over and over.

"Oh, c'mon. If you won't eat for my sake, then eat for Hiei," Karasu said, staring over at the short boy who was still standing in the lunch line. "He loves you almost as much as I do!"

"No, he doesn't," Kurama said, grinding his teeth together forcefully.

"Don't do that! It'll damage your teeth!" Karasu grabbed Kurama's chin. "Stoooooooooooooop!"

Hiei slammed his lunch tray down next to Kurama's. He shot Karasu a warning look as he sat down. "Keep your hands off of him."

"Do I sense jealousy?"

Hiei stared at Karasu for a moment. Then he gave a dry laugh. "No. He just doesn't seem to enjoy it very much."

"Ohhh. Right."

Hiei glared at Karasu as he picked up his tarnished silverware.

"I don't mind sharing, you know," Karasu informed, finally removing his hands from Kurama's face and placing them on the table.

Hiei's knife ended point-down in the table, between two of Karasu's fingers. "Meep." Karasu's eyes were wide. "Possessive little thing, aren't you?"

"Karasu…"

"Hm?"

"Next time… I won't miss."

"Oh, lighten up," Karasu mumbled, picking up his own silverware. He slid his spoon into the pea compartment, and was about to eat the peas when he paused, staring at Hiei.

"What?" Hiei questioned irritably.

"Think fast," Karasu challenged, bending back his spoon and launching the peas at Hiei's head. Hiei raised his tray in order to protect his face; the peas hammered harmlessly into the potatoes, sticking there.

Hiei raked a glob of potatoes and peas onto his napkin. He raised the icky concoction in his palm, smirking at Karasu. "You think fast!" Hiei tossed the blob at Karasu, but he ducked just in time and the mass smacked into the back of the school jock's head.

The jock, a muscled guy who was even taller than Karasu, stood and turned around slowly. "Who did that?" he grunted.

"Him!" the three said in unison; Kurama and Hiei were pointing at Karasu, while Karasu was pointing at Hiei.

The cafeteria doors banged open; Yuusuke, who was apparently cutting class, stepped in. Whistling, he walked over to the site of the disturbance.

"Yuusuke Urameshi," Toguro grunted in recognition.

"Yep, that's my name. What's the problem here?"

"No problem," Toguro said, dropping the contents of his lunch tray on Karasu's head.

Karasu's jaw dropped in shock as he felt the pea juice dripping through his hair. He stood up suddenly, eyes blazing. "Die," he whispered.

A piece of burnt meat slammed into Toguro's sunglasses.

…and pretty soon food was flying across the cafeteria.

"Why did you do it? Whyyyyyyyyyyy?" screeched the head of discipline.

"He put mashed potatoes in my hair," Karasu mumbled tearfully, stroking his damaged hair and pointing at Toguro.

"Karasu threw peas at my head."

"You don't have any peas on your head," the head pointed out.

"I blocked them-with my lunch tray."

"Karasu threw meat at me!"

"So, what's your story?" the head asked of Kurama.

"I had no part in this. I was just there," he crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Karasu and Toguro and Yuusuke and… well, pretty much everyone.

"He's telling the truth, miss. He just hid behind Toguro-you make a great shield, Toguro!"

Toguro grunted.

"And you, Urameshi?"

"Oh, me? I was just minding my own business."

"…and cutting class," Karasu piped up.

The discipline head turned away, as if contemplating what their punishment was to be. "DETENTION!"

"B-but…" Kurama began.

"YOU TOO, MINAMINO!"

"…but I didn't do anything… I never do anything bad. And… and…" Kurama whined under his breath.

"It'll be OK," Karasu said soothingly, patting Kurama's shoulder.

"This is all your fault!" Kurama groused. "I've only been around you for two days and so far I've gotten a bad grade on a test, missed half a day of school, and now I HAVE DETENTION! I… I think I might cry."

"No! Don't cry, Kura-chan!" Karasu shrieked, fussing over Kurama. Of course, tears were already streaming down the redhead's cheeks.

"Pfft," Toguro puffed, turning away.

"You're ruuuuuining my liiiiiiiiife…"

"Don't cry…" Karasu leaned forward, mouth opened slightly; a soft pink tongue caressed Kurama's cheek, licking the tears away.

"Get the hell away from me…" Kurama said in a shaky voice as he stumbled backward-into Hiei.

Kurama paid little to no attention to the boy holding him protectively; he was still staring in shock at Karasu. "Y-you…"

"Let's go to detention, shall we?" Karasu turned and began walking down the hall to the detention room.

"Karasu, wait," Kurama said, finally regaining his voice. Hiei stared at Kurama's back anxiously, wondering what his friend was about to do.

"Hm?" Karasu turned to Kurama, but was only met with a fist right between his eyes. "…I think I've gone bliiiiiiiind!" he proclaimed, falling over with a flump.

"Nice one," Yuusuke remarked, clapping Kurama on the back. "I'll make a gangster out of you yet, Kurama!"

Kurama stared at his knuckles, tears pricking in his eyes. "…ouch."

"I still don't know why you had to punch me," Karasu said as the two walked home later that afternoon.

"You freaking licked me! What was I supposed to do?!"

"You could have blushed and licked me back."

Kurama glared.

"Fine, fine. I won't do it again," Karasu promised, raising his hands in defense.

Kurama walked along the sidewalk, deciding to ignore him. He didn't trust Karasu as far as he could throw him-which, of course, wasn't very far at all.

"I think you gave me a black eye."

"Oh, poor baby," Kurama said, voice dripping sarcasm.

"Hey, Shuuchi…" Karasu mumbled.

Kurama paused to look over at Karasu, taken aback by the sudden sincerity in his voice.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't know it would hurt you the way it undoubtedly did. I was being selfish, I'll admit. Forgive me?" Karasu asked, looking up hopefully.

"No," Kurama stated with finality, and began walking away.

Karasu stared in shock at Kurama's back. "Excuse me?! I ORDER YOU TO FORGIVE ME!"

"NO!"

"Oh, c'moooooooooon…"

"Moron," Kurama remarked, thwacking Karasu with a ruler that he had pulled from his book bag.

"Why are you so violent today?!" Karasu was hit again. "Oww!" And again. "Stop it!" Karasu whined.

Kurama smirked, laughing maniacally. Pretty soon, they had stopped in front of Kurama's driveway; Karasu looked a little worse for the wear, whereas Kurama was grinning brightly.

"Tadaima!" Kurama yelled as he stepped inside, slipping his shoes off at the entrance.

"Oh, welcome home, Shuuichi," Shiori greeted, appearing in front of them. "Who's your friend there?"

"Oh, hello, Minamino-san! My name is Karasu; I'm one of Shuuichi's friends from school." Karasu said, taking Shiori's hand and kissing it.

"Oh, how charming…"

Kurama gagged.

Finished on 7/12/04

Beta-ed on 7/25/04 by Evil Chibi Malik

AN: Erm… to those of you who reviewed with suggestions of what should happen later on… I appreciate it, but I have all but two chapters written already. So, erm… the chapters are staying as-is, and I won't be able to include most of the suggestions in the stuff I haven't written yet. I'm sorry.

But please keep reviewing! I love reviewers! I love reviews! Gwa!