September.

Another curb. Another yawn. They had been traveling for hours now, stopping only for gasoline and food. They were moving from Tokyo to Misawa, a small town like city in Northern Honshu. The trip would last from eleven and a half to twelve hours and they had left at five in the morning. They would most likely arrive in their destination soon as it was already 4:15 in the afternoon. They were more than halfway there now but the family was getting really bored. They had preferred to use their white colored van so as to enjoy the natural beauty of Japan. It was a rare chance to do so.

"Mother, how many more hours until our destination?" Koenma asked, full of respect and patience.

Shiori smiled, happy and proud of her eldest son's manners. Of her three children, he had always had this air of honor and dignity. "We're almost there, Koenma-kun. Maybe less than an hour."

"Aw man!" Yusuke whined from the third row of their van. He was at the back of his two elder siblings. "Sheesh, this is sooo boring."

"Quit whining. Keep quiet if you're bored. I don't wanna hear your noise right now." Shizuru muttered, not bothering to look back at her younger brother.

"K'so! You're-" Yusuke began.

"Quiet." a low rumble came from the front driver seat. "No cursing, Yusuke."

Yusuke crossed his arms, glaring at a sheep they passed by. He shifted in his seat, his lips moving but no words coming out. He was still bored. He really didn't want to move. Tokyo was *the* city and all his friends were there. Misawa was an old-fashioned little town...okay, city, that slept at the proper time. There was no life in Misawa...none. Nothing at all. Snorting, he finally decided to bring out his game boy and play Yuu Yuu Hakusho again.

When there was peaceful silence once again, Shiori turned to her husband with a smile. "Arigatou, Kazuya."

Kazuya Urameshi just smiled.
 

The 'less than an hour left til Misawa' estimation was finally over and they arrived at a small city with small, old buildings. The people there looked normal compared to Tokyo people. There were not a lot of rushing businessmen on the streets. The teenagers actually weren't wearing that much makeup, that much hair color so it was kind of refreshing.

There were a lot of trees and plants and the air was cool and crisp. A lot of farms were by the streets as kind looking people roamed about without hostility. Of course, there were some really good things about this place too. There was a small airport near the American air base...a place where they planned to visit one of these days.

"That's your school." Kazuya said as they passed a school with teenage boys wearing dark blue uniforms and girls in blue sailor fukus. A marble sign in front of the school said, 'Misawa High School'. Koenma, Shizuru and Yusuke would be studying there starting the next day.

Koenma surveyed the five story building thoughtfully. Maybe it wasn't that fancy and perhaps his former school in Tokyo was way better but this would do. He really didn't have that much of a choice. He loved his parents and wouldn't want to get separated from them just yet. No, he wasn't clingy. Perhaps it was just because he was already a senior and he would only be staying with his family for just one more year. After that, he would be in college and he wouldn't have a chance to spend a lot of time with them - with his kind parents, his dear sister Shizuru and even his bratty brother Yusuke.

Shizuru took a glance at the school then turned away quickly. Misawa was fine but she preferred the city were she grew up. She would adjust soon but it was still different. It took a lot of persuasion for her to move with them to this small city. But she gave in eventually. She could still communicate with her friends from Tokyo anyway.

Yusuke also looked, searching the faces of his would-be school mates. There were a lot of interesting people everywhere. There was a redheaded girl...er, was that a boy? And a blue haired happy girl...and an orange haired funny looking guy...and...more... Maybe school would be interesting here.

They passed by more small buildings, a mall and finally, they trekked a road that was surrounded by a lot of trees. It was kind of dark there but it was okay. Hopefully, it wasn't as dangerous as it looked. Their van then took a small turn and they finally arrived at a western style two story house.

The van stopping finally, the five Urameshis went out and looked at their new home. The house looked simple with white walls and a dark blue roof, a small garden at the front...just as they wanted it.

Kazuya sighed as he took in the sight of his new house. He had earned it with his promotion...his promotion that had led him to move to this city with his family. He was now the second in command in the Misawa branch of their company.

Shiori smiled from his side. "Kazuya, this is wonderful." Indeed it was as, in Tokyo, they had only stayed in a small apartment. This was a five bedroom house complete with parking lot and a garden.

"Let's go in."

Inside, it was warm and cozy; spacious as well.

Yusuke rushed upstairs to find the best room but then stopped when he saw that his things were already in a blue colored room with a small balcony and with a bathroom as well . He smiled in joy. This was much better than his tiny room back in Tokyo. His things were already there, in boxes. He immediately began to fix his things.

"Yu-chan! Come down here! We have visitors."

The black haired teenager paused from fixing his computer to go downstairs. Perhaps his father's bosses were already there to welcome them to their new home - to Misawa.

A woman in her late twenties with long brownish black hair, brown eyes and a slim figure was sitting down on the new sofa, a redheaded teenage boy by her side. She smiled as Yusuke arrived. Koenma and Shizuru were already there.

"Konnichiwa." the woman greeted. "My name is Atsuko Minamino, your father's boss and this is my son, Shuuichi Minamino." she said, gesturing at the long-haired teenager by her side. "He's a junior just like your sister, Shizuru."

Yusuke bowed politely. "Watashi no Yusuke Urameshi desu. Nice to meet both of you." He looked at his family. His parents nodded at him in approval. Shizuru was looking at the red headed guy, Shuuichi, and Koenma...

Koenma was also staring at Shuuichi? He could almost see hearts in Koenma's eyes as his focus was on Atsuko's son. Son! Did Koenma even hear Atsuko say that Shuuichi was a boy? Perhaps he was so enchanted at Shuuichi's beauty to notice. Wait a minute! Did he just say beauty? K'so. Hm, and Shuuchi was now blushing slightly at his older siblings' gazes. Glancing at Koenma again, Yusuke struggled hard not to laugh.
 

Koenma smiled as Shuuichi talked about the history of the shrine near their new house. Shuuichi had offered to show them around while their parents talked and Koenma couldn't have been more happier. He had learned about the shortcuts to school, the dangers of the city and other things while enjoying the attractiveness of the green-eyed teenager. Of course, he knew that Shuuichi was a boy but so what? He didn't limit his tastes to only one sex anyway. Besides, Shuuichi looked way better than all the girls he had dated in the past - combined.

Shizuru walked by Shuuichi as well. She was becoming suspicious of his brother's intent gaze at the bishounen. Was Koenma *ahem* into boys too? She had never suspected. But then, looking at Shuuichi once again, who wouldn't have sexual orientation problems if one was a male?

"As I was saying." Shuuichi said, clearing his throat. It looked like no one was listening to him. Koenma and Shizuru were too busy looking at him and Yusuke was behind them, doing who knows what. "This alley leads to a gym where you could, you know, play sports and work out."

"Hai. Hai." Koenma responded, still gazing at the younger teenager.

Shuuichi was about to say more when a loud voice suddenly erupted.

"Oi, Kazuma, mom said that you'll be doing the dishes tonight. Why are you out here?"

An orange haired teenager protested immediately. "What? I washed the dishes yesterday! It's your turn!"

"What do you mean my turn? I did it two nights in a row already. It's your turn, baka!"

The four of them stopped as they all looked at the loud siblings. Finally, after a few more seconds of bickering, the two teenagers looked at them and smiled.

"Hi!" the girl greeted, waving a hand at them. "Hi Kurama! Hey, aren't the three of you the new people across the street?"

Shizuru nodded. "Hai. My name is Shizuru Urameshi while these are my brothers Koenma and Yusuke."

"Oh! Silly me." the girl said. "My name is Botan Kuwabara by the way and this is my twin brother Kazuma."

Kazuma grinned at them. "Yeah, hi."

The three siblings looked doubtful at first before finally nodding. Twins? It was hard to believe. Sure, Botan and Kazuma were similar in some things but their looks were just so different. Oh well.

"Hey, what year are you in?" Yusuke asked, curious at the two interesting new people. So far, he's met three of the interesting people that he had seen at the school earlier.

"Oh, we're freshmen. You?" Kazuma asked.

"I'm a freshmen as well." Yusuke replied. "Maybe we could go to school together. Anyway, my brother's a senior and my sister's a junior."

"Yeah, sure."

Yusuke grinned at his new friends but then paused as his eyes caught sight of another person.

A small kid wearing a black uniform for junior high school students passed by them, gazing at them once without expression. He had short black kind of spiky hair that fell just below his ears, and deep brown eyes, a black 'Jansport (TM)' on his back. He was walking home, alone, at six thirty in the night.

"Oi." Yusuke whispered. "How come his parents are allowing him to go home this late? Isn't it dangerous for a kid his age to be walking alone at this hour?"

Kuwabara crossed his arms. "Oh, that's Hiei. His father's always not home so I guess it's okay for him. He's alone in his house, I think. You know, the old, brown bungalow down the street. I tried befriending him once but he's a jerk so, hn, whatever."

"Poor kid." Shizuru muttered. "Why didn't you try again?"

"I tried lots of times, you know, but my patience only goes so far. He has no life and he prefers being alone. He's rich anyway so it really doesn't matter. I heard that he's an internet freak."

"Just like you!" Botan exclaimed happily.

"Am not!" Kuwabara protested. "I only go online because of Keiko. Oh, Keiko..."

Yusuke laughed at the hopeful, in-love gaze of his new friend. "Who's Keiko?"

Botan laughed along. "Oh, she's another japanese girl. She lives in America though. Keiko is Kazuma's e-pal. They write each other mostly everyday. It's just so amusing."

Kuwabara made a face at his twin. "You're just jealous, Botan! At least, I have a girlfriend!"

"Che!" Botan responded. "She just thinks you're this great guy and all but when she would meet you face to face, I'm sure she'd be running towards Mount Fuji, pulling her hair out of her head because she met-"

"Kuwabara Kazuma, the man. The greatest."

"Oh shut up."

"Oi, guys, I think they would be worried if we don't go back any sooner." Shuuichi reminded the three siblings.

"Hai." Koenma said, smiling at the redhead.

As the four of them walked towards the new house, Shuuichi was telling them some stories about this place once again. It was interesting really but then, Koenma wanted to know more about this boy before this night ended and before they had to part.

"Shuuichi or er, Kurama?"

Shuuichi turned to Koenma with a kind smile. "Actually, I prefer Kurama as that's what people have called me since I was a child."

"Oh? Why 'Kurama'? Shizuru asked immediately, purposely not allowing his brother to speak.

"Oh, my father was fond of old folk tales about youkais. He particularly liked Kurama. He's a youko who people think is millenniums old now. I'm not really into youkai tales but the name, 'Kurama', just sounded right."

"Where's your father now?" Yusuke asked curiously.

"He died when I was very young." Kurama answered. "I don't remember him that much."

"Sorry." Koenma said, apologetically. He didn't know what it would be like living without a father and he was lucky to still have both parents with him.

"It's okay." Kurama said, smiling once more. "There are a lot more unluckier kids out there, you know. Like Hiei."

Yusuke looked up, interested. For some reason, he wanted to be Hiei's friend. He could only imagine what pain the young teenager might be going through. He was probably only hiding the grief and the truth was, maybe he needed someone. "Where are his parents anyway?"

Kurama shrugged. "I don't really know. No one knows about his mother. His father is a traveling businessman. I think he comes home only once in two months. Hiei's been alone since he was eight. He's now thirteen so he's tough. He can take care of himself."

Yusuke nodded though he wasn't convinced. Still, there had to be pain somewhere there. When he watched Hiei's movements as he was walking away from them, he noticed a hint of loneliness and longing. It wasn't all that obvious as it was covered by a mask of indifference but it was still there.

"Uh, Kurama." Koenma began again, trying once more.

"Yes, Koenma-kun?"

"N-nice hair." Shit! He couldn't say it. Koenma was having a hard time asking the proper questions. Maybe it was because his two younger siblings were here but...damn.

Kurama's brows knitted as he stared at Koenma, perplexed. "Uh, thanks, I guess."

Again, Yusuke tried hard not to laugh.
 

Yusuke stared at the ceiling of his new room thoughtfully. Yes, it was unfamiliar. Yes, he still wasn't quite used to it here but at least, he's already made three new friends. Kurama was nice and kind, attractive too, bringing out the competitive nature of his two older siblings. Kazuma was the average good friend, funny yet caring from his observations and Botan was very friendly, a good company at all times. Smiling at his luck, he finally closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep. It had definitely been a tiring day.
 

Hiei sighed as he arrived at his home. He closed the door and locked it, opening the lights after. He dropped his bag unto to the floor and leaned his small frame against the back of the front door. He was alone again. His father hadn't come home again. Often times, he wondered if his father had really left for good and never would return. Actually, that was fine as he had managed to live his life alone anyways. What would be surprising is if his father would actually spend more than a day home and actually talk to him as a father would to a son. But that was only a dream. His father wouldn't even touch him.

Snorting at his fate, Hiei picked up his bag and proceeded towards his room. It had been a long day again...the usual kind of day for him. He was really getting tired of his life. Here he was, a thirteen year old, smart and intelligent, doing nothing in his life but living and breathing. Nothing else.

Turning on his computer, his thoughts brought him back to the older teenagers that had been staring at him earlier. He hated being stared at! At times, it was because they were mocking him and other times, they were pitying him. K'so! Why wouldn't they look at him as an equal? He was no different from them. He was just being himself. What was so wrong about that?

He also recalled the three new faces in the neighborhood. So, he had new neighbors, eh? So what? New people who would judge him and just stop at that. Gods, he hated his life.

Hiei prepared himself some miso soup and brought it to his bedroom. Another night without anything. He sat at his desk, facing his computer. He had already logged in.

A hundred and five messages. Hn. At least they cared. As he usually did, he first skimmed through the messages, intent on finding the ones he deemed important.

Anime Mailing list...Hackers Mailing List...Gamers Mailing List...Bill...Trevor from America...Akira from Kyoto...Sergeant Jake Arrowhead from Sasebo Naval Base...Kazuma Kuwabara who didn't know who he was...Shuuichi Hatanaka, his classmate who didn't give a damn about him in real life...Shuuichi Minamino who told him that he was hired as his personal assistant at the tape rental shop downtown...junk mail...junk mail...

Ah, there! Yukina.

Yukina was a classmate from school who he was very very fond of. He didn't know. Perhaps he liked her...perhaps there was more but, he really wasn't that sure. No one would bother to explain to him what the meanings of these new things happening to him were. His body was changing. There were new things he was experiencing for the first time. It was frightening at times as he didn't know their meaning and no one was around to explain but then, he could always look for help in the 'net. Cyberspace raised him anyway.

Yukina was excited. She said so in her letter. She said that she liked him as an e-pal very much. He was exciting, she told him, as he was studying in a very fancy school. His father and mother were very supportive and he would be going to Europe for his summer vacation next year. Yukina was being truthful about herself, humble as always. She lived in a cozy house with her grandmother Genkai and her mother, Hina, and her mother's lesbian lover, Rui. She said that she was also a thirteen year old like him, also a first year student in junior high. She said that she had a lot of friends, like him, and that she was very fond of animals.

Hiei frowned. He lied too much but that was necessary. What would Yukina have said if she ever found out that perfect 'koorime_boy' - his screen name - was actually him...Hiei? In fact, what would everyone he's ever met in the 'net say if they actually found out about his real identity? Shit! He was living a damn lie.

And  the bad thing was, to him, it was okay.
 

Shizuru turned her alarm clock off. Five thirty, early morning. Maybe she should sleep some more. She was still tired. Aside from their really long trip yesterday, she and her brothers had gone to walk around the neighborhood with Kurama...

Her eyes snapped open in an instant as she stood up immediately, beggining to prepare herself. Kurama! Now, that was reason enough to like Misawa. Good thing that she had been persuaded. Now if only Koenma would suddenly forget about the bishounen redhead.

She glanced herself at the mirror as she brushed her hair. She had always been conscious of her looks though she always tried to make it not obvious to others. The truth was, she was less confident than people seemed to believe. She wanted...needed someone who would have faith in her. She wished for a boyfriend who was nice and supportive...handsome too...someone like...Kurama perhaps? She smiled, amused at her train of thoughts.
 

"Koenma-kun."

"Huh?"

"Wake up, Koenma-kun."

"Yeah...uh-huh..."

"Koenma, wake up now, Kurama would be stopping by soon. He offered to accompany you all in your first day at school. Koenma?"

Shiori smiled as the door to her eldest son's room suddenly opened, a half-asleep Koenma coming out with his uniform and a towel. The kind woman just shook her head in amusement. "Koenma-kun, you seem to be forgetting that we've already moved and you have your own bathroom now, remember?"

Koenma's eyes widened as realization hit him. Oh yeah. That was right. How foolish of him. Perhaps the name 'Kurama' had been the word that had awaken him. Smiling sheepishly at his mother, he headed back into his room. "Thanks 'kaasan. Ohayo."

Shiori nodded. "Ohayo."
 

Yusuke opened his eyes and closed them immediately as the brightness of dawn welcomed him. He had just slept a few hours ago. He had lost track of time once again when he had logged into the internet. It was just that the 'net was so broad and it was the only way that he could do whatever he wanted to do, be whoever he wanted to be.

He sighed, still exhausted. Well, back to reality. Hopefully, Misawa was going to be kinder than Tokyo.
 

"Oi, Yusuke!"

Yusuke turned as he heard that new yet very familiar shriek. Kuwabara. "Oi, you going to school now?"

"Hai." Kuwabara answered. "Where are Koenma-niisan and Shizuru-neechan?"

Yusuke smirked. "Waiting for Kurama. I wonder why..."

Kuwabara shrugged. "Don't know. Anyway, let's wait a little, okay? Botan's almost out."

"Hai."
 

The three freshmens walked on, talking about all kinds of things, the twins trying to know Yusuke better and vice versa. They found Yusuke to be a very interesting personality. Yusuke, like Kuwabara, was also into cutting classes, breaking the rules and fighting. But of course, he was also a loyal friend, kind and considerate of others.

"Have you both been to Tokyo yet?" Yusuke asked curiously. He missed his birthplace already. He missed his friends, foes and the even teachers there.

"Oh we have!" Botan announced with enthusiasm. "We visited some relatives there. We've also been to Tokyo Disneyland and the Tokyo Tower...and lots of other places."

Kuwabara laughed wildly. "And of course, I, the great Kazuma Kuwabara, was swooned at by all the Tokyo girls."

Botan made a face then whispered something in Yusuke's ear. "Yeah, the girl rats."

Yusuke laughed. "Oh, I agree Kuwabara. You were swooned at."

Kuwabara. "Botan! What did you tell him?"

Botan stuck her tongue out at her brother and then ran.

"Why you-"

The three raced the rest of their way, loud laughter in the early morning sun.
 

Hiei raised an eyebrow as he saw the three immature older teenagers running and laughing. Wasted! Their lives were wasted as they had illusions that to do such things were necessities of life. Locking the door of his house once again, he turned away from the oddness of the three figures. They were useless...useless!

...but why was he feeling empty when he witnessed such display of affection?
 

Kurama smirked in fascination as he knocked at the Urameshi residence. It was amusing that two of the Urameshi kids were having an eye for him. It wasn't new really but who would've though that siblings were going to fight for his affection? Koenma was a bishounen while Shizuru was a bishoujo. Both were beautiful and good people but he really wasn't into relationships these days. That could wait.

Kazuya opened the door and smiled kindly at the redhead. "Ohayo, Shuuichi-kun. Please come in. I'm sorry, Yusuke had already left. I believe that he went to school with his two new friends from the neighborhood."

"Ohayo, Urameshi-san." Kurama replied, bowing politely. "That's okay though. I'll wait out here."

"No need." a feminine voice called out from the inside. "I'm here."

It was Shizuru followed behind by her elder brother, Koenma.

"Yeah." Koenma muttered as they both stopped at the doorway, glaring at his annoying little sister. "*We're* here."

"Ready?" Kurama asked, smiling at his two admirers.

"Hai!" they both answered.
 

"Kurama-kun, what's your favorite subject?" Shizuru asked.

Kurama was about to answer when-

"Oi, Kurama, who's your favorite author?"

"Your favorite color, Kurama-kun?"

"Hey, where's your house, Kurama-kun?"

"Are you free after school?"

Kurama's head was spinning as the siblings bombarded him with all kinds of questions. Having admirers was getting more of a headache than anyrhing these days.
 

Calculus class once again. Boring. It was one of the classes that he had already mastered as a small child. Gods! They had been teaching these things to them for ages. It was getting old.

"Hiei."

The black-haired adolescent looked up as his sensei called his name. Perhaps Sensei Hatanaka, Shuuichi Hatanaka's father, thought that he wasn't paying attention again. Here comes another question.

"Hiei-kun, what is the value of x?"

Hiei stood up as all the other kids stared at him. "5.87027"

Sensei Hatanaka's knows knitted. He could have sworn that Hiei wasn't listening. How did the kid do that? The kid was a genius and that was reflected in his grades but poor child though as no one was really guiding him. He had tried before but the boy was too stubborn. Maybe he could get his son to befriend the loner kid.

Yukina smiled as Hiei looked at her before sitting down again. Often times, Hiei glanced at her, sometimes giving a small smile, sometimes just looking. She really wasn't sure about it but she guessed it was his simple way of showing affection? Perhaps. It was not that she pitied Hiei. It was just that she wished that Hiei would get what all kids deserved - love, affection from caring adults.

Hiei looked back at his sensei, contented that Yukina at least acknowledged him today. Sometimes, these small things brought him so much joy. These small gestures by others to him were already a big deal to him. That's why he couldn't really understand other people. They would forsake the world whenever they don't get one of the things that they wanted. Why was it that way? Didn't they know that they were lucky? That those were the rare things that not all people could get to experience in a lifetime? Hn. They were stupid.
 

Yusuke yawned as he went out of his classroom. Maybe he would skip the rest of the day now. Perhaps he could even take Kuwabara and Botan with him as well.

"Oi, Yusuke!" Kuwabara called out. "Wanna play video games? Come on. Missing half a day wouldn't hurt."

Botan pinched her twin's ear. "No, you won't! Mom said that you can't and so, you can't. Got that?"

"Ow! Ow!" Kuwabara cried out, holding on to his sore ear. "Mom said. Mom said. All you do is listen to her. Why can't you listen to your great brother intead? Maybe I could even teach you how it is to be cool and guide you so that you'd be wonderfully adored by everyone - just like me."

"I believe I don't have a brother that fits that description." Botan said, crossing her arms and facing the other direction. "Unlucky for me."

"What did you mean by that?" Kuwabara demanded. He was about to retort when a hand held him back. Yusuke looked at him with meaning and he understood. Quickly, they ran for it.

Botan looked back, wide-eyed and very mad. "Kazuma! Come back here! Mom's gonna be really mad! Kazuma!!!"
 

Kuwabara and Yusuke had fun the rest of the day, playing games, eating snacks and just resting on the park. It was a magnificent day not to be wasted and so, they did all they could to make it 'worthwhile'. Later on in the afternoon, Kuwabara persuaded Yusuke to sleep over at his house for the night and Yusuke had agreed so now, they were getting set to prepare for a good time together.
 

The door to a video rental shop opened and a small black-clad boy came in. Expressionlessness painted his features. He immediately headed towards the office, set to begin his job and end it quickly.

"Hiei-kun." Kurama said, smiling as he saw the young teenager enter his office. The boy sure didn't know manners as he didn't even knock. He had to teach him that. "So you're ready?"

The brown-eyed being just nodded.
 

Hiei snorted as he sorted through the new tapes that had just arrived. He was at the back, classifying all the kinds of movies. He had a checklist in one hand and a pen at another. Ah, life. Sometimes it got too hard especially when his father would suddenly forget that he had a son and send nothing for the month so he had to do some jobs after school just to make sure that he would be able to eat for the next days of his pathetic life.

After he had done his duty, Kurama had given him the priveledge to choose a movie to borrow for the night, free of charge, and he was now inside the shop once again, trying to figure out which movie would waste his time for the night.

The door to the video rental shop opened again and in came two loud, laughing boys. Kuwabara and Yusuke.

"Oi, Yusuke, you wanna see Evangelion X? I can't believe you! I didn't know you were into those kind of animes."

"K'so! I didn't say that! I said that movie was a big hit in our school back in Tokyo. I said you should watch it to test your manhood."

"Hn. If I know, Yusuke, you're just one of those 'types'."

Yusuke looked at Kuwabara and pouted. "And what did you mean by that?"

Kuwabara just laughed.

"Hey, Kuwa, let's go here in the-"

Yusuke stopped as he saw the kid in black who he had seen last night. It was Hiei again, choosing an anime movie to rent perhaps. He was holding...Evagelion X?

Hiei glared at the two intruders who were staring at him. Shit! They were staring at him again. He didn't like it one bit. Rolling his eyes, he grabbed the tape and moved to leave.

A hand held him and he looked up at its owner. The new guy. What now? "What the fuck do you want?"

Yusuke looked down kindly at the small teenager. "That's not for kids, you know."

Hiei snorted in disbelief. No one controlled him and his actions. No one ever did and no one ever will. "Yeah, well, Kaworu would love to screw you, you know."

Yusuke stared in disbelief. For such a young soul, Hiei had such a bad set of vocabulary. But anyway, he still figured that kindness would do the kid some good. "By the way, my name is Yusuke Urameshi, your new neighbor. I believe we haven't been properly introduced. So, you're Hiei right?"

Hiei rolled his eyes, ignoring the offered hand. He was not the type to shake people's hands just like that. "News spread so fast." He eyed Kuwabara with a glare.

Kuwabara frowned at the small teenager. "Yeah, just do that and I'm sure that you'll be alone forever."

That did it. Though they were just words, Hiei knew that they were true. Not looking at the two older boys again, he rushed to the back of the shop once again.

Yusuke gave a questioning look at Kuwabara. He was upset. No. Those were the things that Hiei didn't have to hear.

Kuwabara just stared back. "What? Not like he hadn't heard those words before. I'm just teaching him to value other people's efforts, you know."

Yusuke shook his head. "You could at least do it gently, you know."

"Believe me, Yusuke. I've tried too hard."
 

Kurama headed to the back as he heard the door slam. It was time to teach Hiei about manners. He opened the door and found the young boy leaning against the back alley's wall, smoking and gazing at nothing in particular.

"Hiei? Haven't I told you before? No swearing. No slamming the door. Always respect authority. Always be courteous to people and-" he moved closer to the boy, pulling out the cigarette from his little employee's lips. "No smoking. That's bad for you."

Hiei snorted. "Kuwabara was offending me. I know my rights as a citizen. I can defend myself against verbal abuse."

Kurama smiled softly. The kid was very smart but still, he needed guidance. "Mercy or Justice. Mercy are for the ones with compassion. Justice for the ones without heart. Just like what you know about the law, what you know about your rights, it applies to that too. So what'll it be? Mercy or justice?"

Hiei smirked bitterly before turning away to leave. "What will I do with compassion when I don't even know what it is?"

Kurama closed his eyes, realizing. Pain at its finest. Childhood gone already. Adulthood fastly conquering the poor soul. Where was Hiei's childhood? Who was the bastard that took it away?!?
 

Hiei slammed the front door of his home loudly, cursing as he did. Damn them! Damn them! They had no right to try and barge into his life like that. Damn all of them!

"Kid, you're finally home, ne?"

Hiei turned the lights on immediately. It was already dark, seven o'clock in the evening.

Red bloodshot eyes. A mean gaze. And that awful stench. His father had come home and it was the worst case tonight. His father was drunk again. The tall man with a big, muscular build, short black hair, brown eyes and mean-looking face was drunk once again. K'so!!!

"Hiei." the big man said, gazing down at his little son. "Aren't you gonna welcome me home? Guess what, son? I'm gonna be home more often than usual. Aren't you happy?"

Hiei didn't answer. He knew better.

The man slammed a fist on the wall. "Answer me, boy! I asked you a question! I said, 'aren't you happy?'"

Hiei winced slightly before his features turned to impassiveness again. "Hai, father. I'm happy."

The man grabbed a fistful of his son's uniform, lifting the boy easily to the air, letting him just hang there. He smiled before striking his first blow.
 

Hiei woke up in the darkness of his room. His body was sore all over. Another present from his father. Those were the ways of how his father communicated with him. Through fists and kicks.

A tear slid down his cheek and he closed his eyes tightly, not wanting his weakness to show. He rarely cried. It was only at times when fear and agony conquered his being that he did and tonight wasn't any different. Tonight, a new wound was cut on his fragile heart once again.

A cold and merciless laughter was heard in his room and he held on tighter to himself. He could feel his father's presence nearby.

"Hiei, I just lost my job. Aren't you happy now? I would be here everyday. Isn't that what you wanted?"
 

Yusuke and Kazuma sat down on the living room floor of the Kuwabara residence as the tape began to play. They were watching a new american movie, 'the bone collector'. The lights were turned off and they were so engrossed at watching the thrilling movie that they didn't notice a white-faced lady suddenly sitting by their side.

Yusuke turned his head slightly, his eyes suddenly widening. He screamed.

The lights were turned on immediately.

Laughter.

"Yusuke, I can't believe that you scream like a girl!" Kuwabara laughed harder. "That was just-" More laughter.

Yusuke's white face quickly became red as he looked away. "Botan, don't ever do that again."

Botan stared at Yusuke, confused. "Eh? Oh, my face? I just put on cold cream on my face every night to enhance my skin. You should try it sometime, Yusuke."

Yusuke muttered something under his breath.
 

"Okay, the movie's over. What are we gonna do now?" Yusuke asked, after they had gone back to watching the damned thing.

Botan smiled. "Maybe Kazuma would show you his letters from Keiko, ne Kazu?"

Kuwabara's face turned red. "Oh, yeah. Keiko-saaaaannnn...."

Yusuke smirked as he saw the amount of mails that his new friend, Kazuma Kuwabara, was downloading. 98. Just a little less than he had. He usually had 117 per day...and that was after he had reduced it from 307.

Excited, Kuwabara raised his two arms barely missing Yusuke who stood at his side. "AH! Here she is! Wahahaha!"

Keiko said:

~
Neko_Lover:

Konnichiwa! How was your day? Mine was hectic as usual. We've reached the finals of the volleyball tournament. Guess what? I'm nominated for the MVP race. Isn't that great? Anyway, it's nice to hear about your new friend Yusuke and your other neighbors. I wish I could go to Japan one day. I haven't been there since I was kid. Ah, the good old days. By the way, they're now showing Gundam Wing here on Cartoon Network. My friends were kind of envious as I knew so much about it...thanks to you. We're on episode 5 now and I think I like Duo and Trowa. Aren't they just cute? And don't get jealous this time cause they're just 2d characters, ok? How's eikichi? Hope that you're feeding him well. ((rubs eikichi belly)). He looks so cute! I wish we'd meet each other one day. You're a really nice person. So anyway, sayonara!

((hugs)),
_Keiko_
~

Kuwabara squealed in delight as his face turned red. "Keiko loves me sooo muuuchhh!!!!!"

Yusuke snickered madly, not because of joy for his friend but because of how Kuwabara was acting. "Baka! You're the one who's screaming like a girl!"

"Oi! You two, be quiet! If you don't want to go to bed then at least let us, okay?"

The two shut up immediately, both still grinning though.
 

"Yusuke, aren't you tired yet?" Kuwabara asked, yawning as he got up from one of the chairs in front of his computer. It was already 2 in the morning, way past his bedtime. "Oi, Yusuke?"

Yusuke continued to browse at a page, still engrossed, showing no signs of fatigue at all.

Kuwabara waved a hand in front of Yusuke. "Yusuke!"

Finally, Yusuke glanced at his taller friend, annoyed. "Whaaat? Can't you see I'm busy?"

Kuwabara looked annoyed. "Hn, are you always like this? Ch, I'm going to bed!"

"Whatever."

3...2...1...

Yusuke grinned in amusement as he heard Kuwabara beggining to snore. Just like some of his friends back in Tokyo. How typical.

He opened Kuwabara's e-mail inbox and thought about the password. Hmm...

If he wasn't mistaken, it was 'keikolovesneko'...

And he was correct! Kuwabara sure was predictable...or was he just that good? He smirked at himself.

Very interesting...but a lot had to do with hentai manga and cats. He looked for personal mails. Interesting...

Seeing some of the most interesting people, he logged on in one of his web-based e-mails and sent the e-mail addresses of those that he deemed very interesting. He would talk to them and get to know them as well. He wouldn't miss up on this opportunity.

One particular name caught his attention though...

Soujiro_incarnate. Interesting name. Interesting likes. Very smart.
 

Kurama looked up as he saw two teenage boys entering the video shop. Familiar. Koenma and Yusuke. Hm, it looks like Koenma wasn't going to rent any tapes. But Yusuke looked like a customer. Well, at least someone was going to rent a tape from the Urameshi family. He smiled as the two approached.

Koenma cleared his throat as he looked at his younger brother.

Yusuke smiled.

Koenma frowned in annoyance, clearing his throat once more.

Yusuke looked innocently at Koenma.

Koenma grumbled something under his breath and finally gave in, fishing out a thousand yen from his pocket and handing it to Yusuke.

With that, Yusuke smiled even wider, happily choosing a movie to rent for tonight.

Kurama gazed back at Koenma. "Anything I may help you with, Koenma-kun?"

Koenma tried to look calm. "Ah, yes. I mean, erm..."

"Yes?"

"I was wondering...erm..."

"Yes, Koenma-kun?"

"What are you doing this friday night? You know, on our school's date night."

Kurama smiled politely, looking at a tape near him. "Oh, Shizuru just called me a few minutes ago and asked me to go out with her. I agreed. So, what was it you wanted again, Koenma-kun?"

Kurama looked back at Koenma and blinked. Where was Koenma?
 

Koenma was pissed...mad... That Shizuru! How dare she! He had seen Kurama first and he had planned that date first! How dare she take the shortcut and court without honor! How dare she! Now, he was fuming.

She was gonna pay! Really pay! Kurama was his! Only his!
 

to be continued...