The sun was bright on the horizon, lazy, white clouds often obscuring it's surface. A warm breeze blew, making the branches and leaves sway in their lofts. Birds chirped happily in their roosts. The day was perfect.
Kurama walked alongside Seth and Touma. They held hands, their fingers tightly intertwined. The youko smiled as he glanced at them from the corner of his eye. He didn't want it to look like he was staring, but it was taking him awhile to adjust to seeing them together. They made a beautiful couple and Kurama was happy for them. He had been afraid for Touma's feelings, especially after he and Hiei had made their own feelings known. Luckily, it turned out that Touma had already found someone perfect to fill the void. It was like a romantic novel, complete with deadly suspense. Kurama chuckled at the thought.
"What's so funny, Shuuichi?" Touma asked, looking at him, his grin sly.
"Oh, nothing. I've been reading too many Harlequins, that's all." Kurama laughed again.
Seth and Touma looked at each other quizzically, but shrugged, not wanting to know what was running through Kurama's vivid imagination. Very soon, the trio reached the park. It wasn't hard to spot Botan's bright blue hair. She and Keiko sat on a huge picnic blanket. They waved when they saw the three boys, smiling happily. Kurama, Seth, and Touma joined them, sitting down and helping themselves to the cookies that were set out.
Not much later, two more figures approached the blanket. Hiei, somber and withdrawn as usual, sauntered up to them. Kuwabara was close behind, grinning once he saw the food. Kurama looked up and smiled at Hiei. The youkai nodded and stepped to the side. Yukina had been standing behind her brother, and now it was plain to see that she was in good health again. Her garnet eyes sparkled as Kuwabara took her hand and bid her to join him on the blanket. Hiei took his own seat, next to Kurama, but careful not to make an obvious contact. Kurama just settled for a quick pat on the leg, pleased to see his usually anti-social youkai attending the little get-together. While Seth and Touma chose not to keep their relationship a secret, Hiei was a bit wary to make his and Kurama's involvement known to their companions. Maybe someday they'd figure it out.
Keiko began unpacking goodies from the monstrous basket as Botan fished beverages from the cooler. The group began eating, chatting nonstop (with the exception of Hiei). Kurama stopped with his drink halfway to his lips as he caught something out of the corner of his eye. Approaching the group was Yuusuke. His usual jovial attitude was replaced by a bitter frown. His eyes were downcast, a stapled packet clenched in one fist. Kurama's heart immediately sank and he looked at Touma. His best friend wore a similar expression. The entire group fell silent. Yuusuke sat down between Touma and Kurama, still not lifting his head to look at them. He said nothing.
"Yuusuke..." Kurama began.
"We're sorry..." added Touma.
"For what?" Yuusuke muttered, his lips twitching strangely. "For being the best damn tutors in school!?" He waved the paper in the air, a huge grin lighting up his eyes and face. "I passed the test with an 87! I'm not going to be held back!!!"
The group let out a cheer and Yuusuke took turns capturing Touma and Kurama in a fierce, grateful hug.
"I don't know how you did it, but I'm sure glad you did!" he said happily. "If there's anything, anything I can do to repay you guys, just let me know!"
"Hey, you fished us all out after Yomi's place collapsed. That's thanks enough," Kurama replied, assured he was speaking for Touma as well.
The pressure lifted, the nine of them started eating again, conversations buzzing around them.
"Well, well, well. Look at what we have here!" a taunting voice sneered.
They looked up to see Shu Huang and his boys standing near the blanket, looking much like wolves that stumbled on a herd of lost lambs.
Yuusuke scowled.
"You're little picnic is on our turf, Urameshi. If you wanna to stay here, you'll have to win the right to do so," Shu warned, punching a fist into one hand.
"This ain't your ground, Huang! Get outta here before I pound your pudgy face in!"
"We'd love to see you try!" Shu retorted.
Yuusuke jumped to his feet, Kuwabara doing the same. Seiji had already detached himself from the group to seek out Botan. Keiko was stomping over to Yuusuke to yank his ear off. Yukina looked shocked, Touma and Seth were oblivious to anything but themselves. Kurama shook his head, smiling. He was thankful for the momentary distraction so that he could take Hiei's hand. Their eyes met and Hiei gave the barest hint of a smile. Kurama returned it, leaning forward to quickly kiss Hiei's cheek. He pulled away just in time to see the brawl begin, Keiko yelling obscenities at Yuusuke, Shu yelling obscenities at Seiji. Mothers nearby were yanking their young children out of earshot. Kurama sighed, assured in his thoughts that some things just never change.
Whew! Thank goodness this is done! Hopefully for the last time! I hope everyone enjoyed the fic, changes included. Stuff came up in later fic ideas that would become loopholes if they weren't mentioned here! Keep an eye out for later stuff. You'll definitely be seeing more of the charas here!
