To Be Me

AN: I was originally going to slap Taree with Yusuke for the hell of it but sister suggested hooking her up with Touya. Not sure about that one, if you have an opinion would be glad to hear it. One more thing, we watched my dvd collection last night. Ever notice Yusuke has a remarkably nice tush?

Chapter Nine


Taree walked up the stairs and knew where he was. His voice could be heard coming from the spare bedroom so that's where she headed. From the sound of it he wasn't alone. There was at least three more male voices in there with him. The door was cracked slightly so she opened it the rest of the way.

They all turned to look at her. There was a small boy with choppy brown hair, a guy with wild short red hair, Kuwabara and of course Yusuke. She smiled at all of them; the one with the horn smiled back.

Kuwabara jumped behind Yusuke. "What's she doing here? Better run for cover guys."

"I'm not that scary am I?" She took a step into the room. Yusuke continued to glare at her making her feel even more guilty. "Can I talk to you for a few minutes?"

"What the hell for?"

"Please in private," She turned and walked out the room. The door to the master bedroom was open so she walked over to it. She hoped Kurama wouldn't mind.

"Fine." He stormed out into the hallway and walked over to her. He looked into the bedroom. "Don't get your hopes up, you're not my type."

"I'll try to remember that but you are kind of cute when you're mad. I just wanted to apologize, I shouldn't have said anything outside." She gave him her most innocent look. "I didn't cause any problems did I?"

"Like you care."

She slumped her shoulders, "So why did you two break up?"

"Cause she doesn't like how much time I spend with my friends. She's not exactly confortable around youkai. Wait why the hell am I explaining it to you?"

"Hmmm. Would she care how much time you spent with your friends if they were human?" She asked.

"I don't know."

"I don't see anything wrong with your friends. They're kind of cool, except the drunk. He really needs some mints." She made a gagging face.

"Well, Keiko doesn't like me around them because I'm usually in danger when I'm around them." He leaned against the doorway. "I fought against many of them before we became friends. I guess seeing me with them reminds her of all the times I came close to dying."

"Do you and your friends spar?"

"Sometimes, Why?"

"That's awesome, I love to spar with Kagome. It's nice when your friends let you smack em around. It's good to have that close a bond with your friends." She heard laughter coming from the room they'd just left. "What are they doing in there?"

"Playing a video game."

"Ah, well I'll let you get back to them. Sorry about earlier." She grabbed his arm, "Don't worry about your girlfriend if she loves you, then everything will work out." She bounced as she trotted down the steps leaving him there.

Mai was cutting up the veggies while Kurama turned the meat. She felt his eyes watching her, it made her nervous. Surely he wasn't interested in anything more than friendship. He handed her a bowl to make the salad in, his fingers caressed hers. Her pulse raced at the contact, he'd done that on purpose.

She threw the lid on the bowl, "I wanna apologize about your carpet. I see I kind of messed it up."

"No need, it's understandable. I've never seen a human with your kind of abilities though. I'm impressed to say the least."

Was he complimenting her? "Thanks, I think. Salad is done, need help with anything else?"

"No, but would like the company if you'd stay."

"Okay," She took a seat at the table. "So tell me about yourself."

He glanced back at her. "What would you like to know?"

"Hmmm, how old are you? Not this body. You?"

"Would you believe it if I said very old?" He turned the oven on low. Dinner was done but he wanted a few more minutes alone with her. The others could wait.

"That's not very specific. Old to me is thirty, I'm human."

"Good point, I've been around for centuries." He took the seat next to her.

"Guess that settles it then. You're way too old for me."

Kagome took a seat down on the couch not sure what to do. Touya took a seat next to her but not too close she noticed. Chu sat down on the floor as did Hiei. She turned her attention to the television, trying to ignore the fire youkai near her feet. Had he really staked a claim a few minutes ago? If so shouldn't she be angry, she wasn't a piece of meat. Of course she really don't want the drunkard hitting on her.

"Mind if I ask you a few questions?" Touya struck up a conversation.

"Nope."

"Just don't ask her what kind of panties she wears. Even I would be embarassed to answer that question." Hiei leaned back, resting his back on the couch.

"You ass!" She blushed five shades of red.

A soft laugh escaped the ice youkai. "That's not exactly what I had in mind. I was going to ask if your friend was spoken for?"

"I think Kurama likes her, why?"

"I wasn't refering to the blonde."

"You mean Taree? No, she isn't but then again I don't know a man that has that much patience." The image of a man trying to handle her made Kagome smile.

"I see."

Just then the subject came strolling into the living room ending the conversation. Taree flopped down on the couch next to Kagome, "I take it Mai is still in the kitchen with Red."

"Yes."

"Ewww, I'm not eating off that table." That got a few snickers. Tar looked down to see Hiei almost sitting on Kagome's leg. "I have a leash that Styles doesn't use anymore if you want it Kags."

Hiei glared at her, "Compare me with that Mutt of yours and you'll find him dead."

"Then you will soon follow." She peered back.

"I think I'm in love." Chu started crawling over aiming for the girl.

"You're liable to lose your head drunkie," Yusuke and the others came walking into the living room. He had his arms folded behind his head.

"Well the other ones are spoken for and she's fiesty. Bet she's a real wild cat in the covers." He leered at her.

"In your dreams. Kagome help me. Keep it away, make it go pass out."

Yusuke took a seat next to her, "You don't mind do you?"

Tar looked up at him, "Nope. Just keep your friend away."

"Riiiggghhtt. Who am I to interfere, you never know he might be the man of your dreams." He laughed at her crestfallen expression.

"Dinner is ready." Kurama came out into the living room. "I guess we can eat out here while we watch the first movie." His brow lifted at seeing Yusuke seated next to the other girl.

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