Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ One Week ❯ Wednesday ( Chapter 4 )

One Week

Chapter Four-Wednesday

(starts at Tuesday night)

"…So… ummm…" Karasu was sitting on the edge of Kurama's bed, watching him as he diligently ploughed through his mounds of homework.

"Do you want something?" Kurama asked as he scribbled down the answer to a difficult math problem.

"No… not really," Karasu mumbled, yawning and stretching out on the bed.

"Why don't you do your homework?"

"I don't do homework. It's boring."

"Well, at least stop staring at me!" Kurama said, angrily tugging a heavy textbook from his bag. He slammed it down onto his desk, flipping it open.

"Hmm..."

"What is it now?!"

"It's nothing at all."

"If it's nothing, then stop making annoying sounds!" Kurama threw a Hello Kitty plushie at Karasu's head.

"Oww… you're a big meanie."

Kurama chose to ignore him. A few minutes later, he shut his textbook. "All finished," he murmured, standing. He looked over at Karasu, who was lying on his bed, apparently asleep.

"Get off my bed," Kurama ordered, poking Karasu.

Karasu rolled over, clutching his Hello Kitty. He mumbled something unintelligible.

"Oh, come on! You can't be asleep already! Get off my bed!" Kurama shoved the unconscious Karasu to the floor.

Karasu peered blearily up at him. "What's going on? Did they catch us, Kurama? Are they taking us to jail now?!"

"Get out of my room!"

"Buuuuuuut Kuuuuuuraaaaamaaaaaaaaa…" Karasu whined. "I want to stay with youuuuuuuu!"

"Nobody cares! Leave!"

"No."

Kurama sighed, exasperated. "Fine. But you're sleeping on the floor," Kurama said, moving to retrieve a futon from his closet. He spread it on the floor, tossing a pillow at Karasu. "Now, go back to sleep!"

Karasu plopped down on the futon, deciding that it was best not to argue. "Why are you so mean? …You act like a completely different person when you're around everyone else…"

"Shut up and go to sleep."

"You know, Kurama… I get the impression that you don't like me very much."

"No, really?"

"…I love you," Karasu mumbled.

"Shut up."

Karasu peered up at Kurama, who had his back turned to him. "Why do you always do that?"

"…Do what?"

"Never mind. I'll stop bothering you now," Karasu muttered, settling on his futon. The pillow he was resting against smelled of roses… "Kurama…" Karasu sneezed violently, but the other boy didn't seem to notice. He started itching all over. He sneezed again. "Kuuuuuuuraaaaaa…"

"Ashugashuga?"

"I feel all itchy and scratchy and icky…" Karasu murmured, whining into his pillow. "I think I'm allergic to this carpet...why are you not listening to me?"

"Mgfffn…"

"Waaaah…" Karasu sneezed, standing. "This carpet is evil! Kura-chan, save me from your evil carpet!" Karasu peered at Kurama. "You're asleep already? …Oh no!"

Karasu tried to figure out where he would sleep instead, since the carpet seemed to be giving him an allergic reaction. He cracked the door open, peering out into the darkness. Shiori was sitting on the couch watching TV, so crashing in there was out… and there weren't any comfortable chairs in Kurama's room, either. He gulped, eyes darting back to the sleeping boy on the bed. Kurama was lying on the right side of the bed, as if he was used to the left being occupied by someone else. A wave of jealousy hit Karasu, but he fought it down.

"I need sleep… but Kurama really wouldn't appreciate me sleeping with him…I'll just stay as far away from him as possible… and I'll wake up long before he does. Yes, that sounds like a plan!"

Karasu lifted the sheet, to see a gigantic teddy bear crouching there. He stared at it dubiously for a moment before picking it up and placing it on the floor. Karasu slid gently under the bedcovers, trying not to disturb the sleeping boy. He lay on his side, facing away from Kurama. All the itchy evilness went away when he settled back into the comfortable bed. He sighed, immersed in the scent of Kurama that lingered in the sheets. He blissfully closed his eyes, preparing to go to sleep.

"Mnnnn…" Kurama was making funny sounds in his sleep. "Hnnnnnh…" Karasu's eyes widened as he felt a hand ghost over his back. He threw a glance over his shoulder; Kurama was definitely not awake, but…

"Eep," Karasu squeaked and he felt arms snake around his waist. He'd had some very nice dreams about these types of events happening, but he had a feeling that he wouldn't be happy at all if Kurama found them in that position when he woke up in the morning.

Kurama hugged Karasu tighter, burying his face in the other boy's neck. Karasu felt hot breath blowing across the nape of his neck.

"Oh, dear…" Karasu mumbled. It would not be good to… do that in Kurama's bed. No, no.

"Kuro…nue…" Kurama mumbled happily in his sleep.

Karasu had guessed that this had something to do with him. He gently took Kurama's hands, removing them from his waist. "No, Kurama…" he whispered, untangling himself from the sheets. He stood, picking up the scruffy bear he'd discovered earlier. A tuft of stuffing was coming out of an enormous ear, and a button eye was valiantly holding on to its face with only one string.

Karasu smiled sadly as he placed the bear in Kurama's arms. "There, you'll be fine… see? I'm going to go find somewhere else to sleep… night," he whispered, checking the living room once more. Shiori had apparently gone to bed, so Karasu plopped down on the couch. He clutched his blanket around himself, staring blankly at the dark television set.

He wasn't able to sleep that night.

"I love you," he had said, wrapping his arms around Kurama.

"Love you too," Kurama mumbled happily, settling into Kuronue's embrace. "Will we be together forever?"

Kuronue had let out a short laugh. "Maybe." He leaned down to capture Kurama's lips in a kiss.

Kurama's eyes widened. "Mnnnn…" The two of them fell back against the bedsheets.

"You like this?" Kuronue asked when he was forced to come up for air.

"Hnnnnnh…" Kurama sighed contentedly. He gasped suddenly. "Kuro…nue…"

"So, what am I being forced to do today?" Kurama asked as the two walked out of school the next day.

"You're coming with me to visit my psychologist!" Karasu declared brightly.

"…"

"What? Of course I have a psychologist! I'm mental!"

Kurama sweat-dropped. "So, where is this psychologist of yours?"

"Come on!" Karasu said, grabbing Kurama's hand and running in the direction of the psych office. Kurama, taken by surprise, made a few funny noises before he began running as well.

Karasu finally stopped. Kurama stared up at the towering office building. Karasu plunged through the double doors, heading straight for the elevator; Kurama had no choice but to follow. The two stood in the elevator, listening to the mechanic noises of the box rising through the building.

"Hey, Kurama…" Karasu began, grinning.

"What?"

"…we're in an elevator…"

"And?"

" `And' what! We're in a bloody elevator!"

"Did you take the wrong meds today?"

"You know what, forget it. I was only being facetious anyway."

The elevator door opened with a ding; Karasu and Kurama stepped out onto the landing. Karasu knocked on one of the doors. A few moments later, the door opened and a bearded man peered out at them.

"Oh, hello, Karasu!" he greeted, opening the door and allowing them to enter. "Who is this lovely lady?" the psychologist asked, kissing Kurama's hand.

Kurama coughed. "Boy. I'm a boy."

"This is Kurama-you know, that guy I've been telling you about for the past five years?"

"Ah-well, now I know why you're so obsessed with him. If you don't mind me saying so, you're quite attractive… for a man."

"He's only the prettiest boy in the world!" Karasu said happily, plopping down on the navy daisy-patterned couch. Kurama took a seat beside Karasu, but only because he thought that Karasu would protect him from the funny psychologist-man.

"So, how did you convince him to come here with you?"

"He has to do whatever I say! We made a bet, you see, and he looooooooost! It's nothing against him, though. Nothing can stand in my way when I'm determined to have something!"

Kurama blanched, scooting away from Karasu. Maybe he would've been better off sitting as far away from the both of them as possible…

"Oh. Well, that's great. Gee, Kurama… since you're at the root of quite a few of Karasu's psychological and emotional problems, why don't we talk to you? How do you feel about Karasu?"

"He stalks me."

"But how do you feel? Feelings are the things that matter!"

"I abhor him," Kurama stated.

Karasu gave him the `I'm a heartbroken puppy' face.

"O.K., fine. I just dislike him… a whole, whole lot."

"You didn't act like you disliked me last night…" Karasu whispered.

"What?"

"Oh, umm… nothing," Karasu mumbled.

"But why do you feel that way, Kurama? What has Karasu ever done to you?"

"He's been stalking me for the past three years… and… he licked me yesterday."

The psychologist-man gave Karasu a strange look. "You licked him?"

"On the cheek!" Karasu said defensively.

"But you licked him!"

"He was crying, O.K.! I was only trying to help!"

"And…and… he's always saying things like, `oh, I love you, Kurama!', and `I love you more than Hiei does', and `will you bear my children, Kura-chan? ' !"

"I never said that last one…"

"…Who's Hiei?"

"My best friend… who is not in love with me, thank you very much."

"So, what you're saying is… the things about Karasu that annoy you have to do with him loving you, right?"

"…Pretty much," Kurama admitted.

"You have problems," the psychologist stated matter-of-factly.

"I have problems? What about this basketcase next to me? And you?! If anyone has problems, it's you, Mr. man-with-the-daisy-patterned-couch!"

"I happen to like that couch!"

"My point exactly," Kurama said.

Karasu, sensing the ensuing argument, decided to intervene. "Kurama hates love," Karasu told the psych-man. "Whenever I talk about love, he tells me to shut up…and he throws things at me."

"…Really, now?"

Karasu nodded. "He doesn't like affection either."

"Kurama… have you had any nasty breakups in the past?"

The psychologist had hit the proverbial nail on its proverbial head. Kurama instantly retreated into his shell. "It's really none of your business, is it?" he spat.

"It's not really my business, no-but it doesn't matter how you answer, because I can see right through you. You had your heart broken and you can't get over it now. You're afraid of getting into another relationship."

"No, I'm not."

"Well, then why aren't you attached? I'd bet you could have anyone you want, looking the way you do…"

"I'm concentrating on my schoolwork at the moment," Kurama stated primly.

"How can you be concentrating if I beat you on that test?" Karasu asked, looking puzzled.

"That's why I've been concentrating!"

"Let's calm down, children…" Psych-man intervened. It would not look good to have a brawl during a psychotherapy session, it really wouldn't.

"Pfft," Kurama crossed his arms over his chest angrily and turned away.

"So, would either of you like to tell me about Kurama's failed relationship?"

Karasu stared at Kurama, but it didn't seem as if he was about to say anything. "I know about it, but Kurama wouldn't want me to tell, I bet. He doesn't like it when people know what's going on up there," he said, poking Kurama's forehead.

"Stop it," Kurama warned softly.

"But Kurama… you'll feel a lot better if you tell someone about it…" Karasu insisted.

Kurama stood suddenly, walking out without a word.

"I think he might be even more psychologically messed up than you, Karasu."

"I know… but I love him anyway!"

"Give me my money," Psych-man ordered.

"What money? Today, you haven't helped anybody."

"So? Give me a thousand dollars!"

"You're an idiot. Bill my parents." Karasu turned to leave.

"Wait," Psych-man began, "I don't think it would be the best idea to follow him."

Karasu sighed. "I know. That's why I'm going to go to my house and eat a pint of ice cream."

"Are you that desperate?"

"…No," Karasu mumbled, cheeks coloring. "But it is a nice substitute, isn't it?"

Kurama walked through the city in a huff. He was upset, but there really wasn't any reason to be. It was nothing, right? Six months was a long time-it should have been long enough to get over this. So why did it still hurt so much?

"Hey, Kurama!"

He spun around upon hearing the familiar voice. "Yuusuke," he mumbled, staring everywhere but at the boy's face.

Yuusuke gave him a funny look. "Are you all right, Kurama?" He leaned forward to peer at the boy's face.

"I'm fine, Yuusuke," Kurama said, flashing him a large fake smile.

"Oh… well, if you say so…" Yuusuke scratched the back of his head in thought. "I'm on my way to the arcade-would you like to join me?"

"Thanks but no thanks, Yuusuke… I'm busy at the moment. Maybe some other time?" he suggested, a hopeful look plastered on his face.

Yuusuke looked slightly disappointed. "Kurama… I'm worried about you…"

"I assure you Yuusuke, there's nothing wrong with me… don't worry so much, all right? I can take care of myself," Kurama assured.

"I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow, then."

Kurama nodded. "Well, I should be going now… have fun at the arcade!" He walked briskly until he was sure that Yuusuke had lost sight of him. Then his walking slowed and his shoulders slumped. He spied a rock on the ground. He began kicking it across the sidewalk, following wherever it went. He had gotten quite a ways when he accidentally kicked his rock into some bushes. Instead of going to look for it, he surveyed his surroundings.

Kurama found that his mindless walking had led him to the park. He stumbled over to the swings, plopping down on one. He remembered a day just like this, years ago-his big brother had taken him to the park. Youko had played with his soccer ball, and Kurama had watched him while he played on the swings.

Youko had really liked soccer back then. He brought his ball everywhere, and his and Shuuichi's ventures to the park were no exception. Shuuichi was swinging and not paying much attention to anything else, when his brother called out to him.

"Hey, Shu! I'm going to get my ball, O.K.?" Kurama nodded, smiling. His brother knew how he worried…

Youko wandered over to the forest that his ball had apparently rolled into. He was about to enter its shadowy depths, when a boy walked from the depths of the forest.

"This your ball?" the boy asked.

Youko nodded. The boy tossed the ball to him. "Thanks."

"Can I play?" the boy inquired, smiling brightly at Youko.

"Sure," Youko said, kicking the ball toward the other boy. "My name is Youko. What's yours?"

"Me?" the boy asked, pointing to himself. "I'm Kuronue." He kicked the ball back to Youko. Kurama had stopped swinging; his curious green eyes were turned to the newcomer.

"Who's that on the swings? He's staring at us." Kuronue asked.

Youko gave a short laugh. "That's my little brother, Shuuichi. He doesn't like strangers very much…"

"Hmm…" Kuronue wandered over to Shuuichi's swing, soccer ball in hand. He bent to be level with the boy. "Would you like to play with us?" he asked, flashing a dazzling smile.

"Umm…erm… O.K.," Shuuichi answered timidly, sliding out of his swing.

"Here," Kuronue said, dropping the ball at Shuuichi's feet. "You go first."

Kurama sighed heavily. There was really no point in dwelling on the past. There was no point in being angry, no point in being sad, no point in even thinking of it at all…

"I have to move on. If I don't, I'll never be able to have a relationship again…" he declared, standing. He stared across the park at the children running through the grass, their parents pretending to watch them, and the dogs fetching Frisbees. "Everyone else here seems happy… I can be just like them one day…I only need to try."

With his heart feeling slightly lighter than before, he headed back to his house.

Finished on 7/23/04

Beta-ed by Evil Chibi Malik

…grr. All right, people. I am here to demand reviews. Thank you to the two people who reviewed chapter three: What2callmyself and Hedi Dracona. I appreciate it, you people. Oh, and to What2, yes… I know everyone's OOC. Heh. That kinda happens when you make a bastard like Karasu be nice to people… not to mention all the other characters. Bleh.

Now… as for the rest of you… REVIEW, DARN IT ALL! If I don't get a certain, unspecified amount of reviews, I won't post the next chapter. Yes, I know you're all upset about that (sarcasm). But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do… actually, I'm just a glutton for reviews. Oh well. Just review, won't you? I beg of you! …I PINE FOR YOU, TREVOR!