The cast of Yu Yu Hakusho meets The Oregon Trail

Disclaimer* I own nothing, except the way this game plays out, as this was actually a real game of The Oregon Trail. Even this story idea isn't really mine. It's my sister's. (Isn't that sad?) I am making no money off this, so don't sue me!! I apologize in advance for any OOC-ness or just plain bad writing. This fic contains yaoi implications and general Kuwabara-bashing. Anyone opposed to this should leave now. Enjoy!!

This story opens with our oh-so-loveable (with the exception of Kuwabara, who is not-so-loveable, but still present) Spirit Detective Team sprawled out all over Kurama's room. Most look painfully bored.

"DAMN!!" Yusuke calls out. "This SUCKS!! Where the hell is Koenma?!" The team shrugs in unison.

"And why," ponders Kurama, "was this meeting called in my room?" Again, a team shrug, but also a verbal response.

"Because," and it is followed by our not-so-punctual Spirit World Junior Lord (in his teenage form) flouncing into the room, "you have the best computer.

This statement is met with various glances from all who are present, in varying degrees of confusion. To answer the unspoken question, Koenma brandishes a small, square case.

"This," he says with a flourish, "is why I have called you all here." The amount of confusion only deepens.

"What," asks Hiei, speaking for the first time since they have assembled, "is that?" Koenma opens his mouth to answer, but Kurama beats him to it.

"Its a CD-ROM. A human invention. It contains the information for a game that is designed to be played on a computer." Hiei looks skeptical.

"Indeed, Kurama," Koenma interrupts. "This particular game is called 'The Oregon Trail'." He makes his way to Kurama's computer and motions for the others to follow. They do so, settling into positions in which they can be comfortable and see the screem. Koenma loads the game and explains further as the opening music drifts from the speakers.

"The point of this game is to illustrate the hardships which pioneers had to face while crossing the country in covered wagons. You are put into the year 1848, and set out on your own journey across the United States." Kurama seems the only one interested in this brief history lesson, so Kownma pulls up the next screen.

"Here, you are allowed to choose a profession, each with its own benefits." Kurama leans in closer, and, with no warning, snatches the mouse from Koenma and selects the bubble next to the word "Doctor". Koenma looks startled, and something that might be a laugh rises from Hiei for a split second.

"Okay, then," Koenma continues, flustered. "I guess we'll input our own names as the party members." He begins to do this, when Yusuke gives an indignant squawk.

"Hey, why are you the leader? Last I checked, this was Team Urameshi."

Koenma turns and gives him a condescending glance. "You work for me, Yusuke. Therefore, I am leader." He turns back to the screen and continues filling in names while Yusuke fumes. With that finished, he goes to the next phase, the one for choosing a departure time. Again, Kurama's common sense takes over, and he commandeers the mouse to choose April.

Kurama keeps control as the next screen appears, and he quickly buys supplies for the trip, keeping a close eye on their meager budget. For once, no one complains, as he seems to be the only one who has some experience with how much of certain items are required, and the intelligence to choose them logically. The game begins.

*April 1, 1848*
We started down the trail with:
-8 oxen
-10 sets of clothing
-400 bullets
-2 wagon wheels
-2 wagon axles
-2 wagon tongues
-1000 pounds of food

"Kurama?"

"Hmm?"

"Was it necessary to buy 400 bullets?"

"You never know when you might need them..."

*April 3, 1848*
-Kurama is sick with typhoid fever.

"WHAT?!"

"Okay, that makes no sense to me..."

"Two days. It took you two days to get sick."

"I have a delicate constitution..."

"Those bullets aren't doing you much good, are they, fox?"

*April 4, 1848*
-We decided to rest for 3 days.

"Kurama!!"

"What? You don't want me to die, do you?"

*April 9, 1848*
-We have arrived at the Kansas River Crossing.

*April 12, 1848*
-We had no trouble floating the wagon across.
-Kurama is well again.

"See? I told you. Kuwabara, are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"He's hydrophobic."

"Yusuke, where did you learn that word?"

"Eh, school."

"But, you don't attend classes."

"I go to some!!!"

*April 13, 1848*
-We shot 213 pounds of meat, but were only able to carry back 200 pounds of meat.
-Yusuke has a broken arm.

"There is so much wrong with that..."

"Yes. For instance, if there were only 13 pounds of meat left, why didn't someone make two trips?"

"HOW DID I BREAK MY ARM?!"

"Carrying meat?"

"THAT IS SO LAME!!"

*April 17, 1848*
-Heavy fog. Lost 1 day.

"Wait a minute. Kurama is a...fox-thing...right?"

"Last I checked, yes, though I wouldn't have phrased it quite like that..."

"Then, doesn't he have, like, super senses?"

"Yes..."

"Then why can't he see through the fog?"

"Kuwabara, I don't think this game was made by people who know what youkos are..."

"Besides, I resent being used like that."

"Hn."

*April 18, 1848*
-We have arrived at the Big Blue River Crossing.

"Big...Blue...River...?"

"As opposed to being what? Pink?"

"Not another river..."

"Oh, suck it up, Kuwabara. And stop crying on me!!"

*April 20, 1848*
-We had no trouble floating the wagon across.
-Heavy fog. Lost 1 day.

*April 21, 1848*
-Kurama has a fever.
-We decided to rest for 2 days.

"You really aren't built for pioneering, are you?"

"Leave me alone."

*April 25, 1848*
-Kurama has a broken leg.

"Now, how did you manage that? Aren't sick people usually confined to the wagon?"

"He had this irresistable urge to go frolic in the flowers..."

"Or maybe there was some frolicking going on inside the wagon, if you know what I mean. Yusuke does still have a broken arm, you know..."

"Not helping, Hiei."

*April 27, 1848*
-Broken wagon tongue.
-We couldn't fix the wagon tongue, but we replaced it from supplies.

"Now look what you've done, fox."

"Wh've 've done? How is this my fault?"

"All of your frolicking has put extra strain on the wagon. No wonder the tongue is broken."

"With all that frolicking, it's a wonder Yusuke's tongue isn't broken..."

"Koenma!!"

"Sorry. I couldn't resist."

*April 30, 1848*
-We have reached Fort Kearney.

*May 2, 1848*
-Hiei was bitten by a snake.
-We decided to rest for 3 days.

"BWAHAHAHAHAHA-OW!!"

"Dont. Laugh."

"Now, Hiei, calm yourself. It was probably your fault, anyway."

"Yeah, I'll bet anything that he was taunting it."

"Shut up, Detective."

"Hey, why haven't Koenma or Kuwabara gotten sick yet?"

"Well, nothing can happen to the party leader until all of the other party members die..."

"WHAT?!"

"That's messed up."

"As for Kuwabara, I can't explain that..."

"I'm just strong, I guess."

"Maybe the system has a bug..."

"Yes, that must be it..."

"HEY!!"

*May 6, 1848*
-We shot 331 pounds of meat, but were able to carry back only 200 pounds of meat.

"Ah, buffalo. They truly are a gift from Enma."

"Hn."

"Oh, come on, Hiei, you have to admit it. One animal that weighs 331 pounds? That is nice."

"Whatever."

*May 9, 1848*
-We lost 15 pounds of food due to spoilage.

"So much for your Enma-sent buffalo."

*May 12, 1848*
-Hiei is well again.

"Aaw, Hiei, you're well."

"It's about time, too."

*May 16, 1848*
-Yusuke is well again.

*May 17, 1848*
-Broken wagon tongue.
-We couldn't fix the wagon tongue, but we replaced it from supplies.

"Again?!"

"Well, you know, there were three people sick in the wagon that time. It can only be assumed that there would be more damage. What's more, it was two full demons and a half-demon..."

"Boy, am I glad I haven't gotten sick yet..."

"So are we, Kuwabara. So are we."

"We'll have to get another wagon tongue now. That was our last one."

*May 19, 1848*
-We have reached Chimney Rock.
-We traded 1 set of clothing for 1 wagon tongue.

"Someone's going naked..."

"I vote Kurama."

"WHAT?!"

"He's always sick, anyway. If he's in the wagon all the time, why does he need clothes? Besides, they're only going to get ripped off, anyway..."

"Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, Kurama, because I want you, I need you, oh, baby, oh, baby."

"...."

"I was being sarcastic!!"

"Sure, Yusuke. Sure."

*May 20, 1848*
-Heavy fog. Lost 1 day.

*May 23, 1848*
-We shot 87 pounds of meat.

"That is really sad. Three deer and a rabbit, and we only get 87 pounds of meat?

"Take it from someone who knows a little bit about hunting: That is incredibly unrealistic, especially now that it's spring. They should weigh a lot more."

"This whole game is unrealistic."

"Agreed."

*May 24, 1848*
-Heavy fog. Lost 1 day.

"I think they're running out of ways to kill us."

*May 25, 1848*
-Kurama is well again.
-We found some wild fruit.
-An ox is sick.
-We have reached Fort Laramie.

"All in all, a rather good day."

"At the very least, I suppose we can count on our wagon parts lasting a good deal longer now..."

*May 31, 1848*
-An ox died.
-Hiei has the measles.

"THE MEASLES?!"

"That is utterly ridiculous."

"'Udderly'? 'Cause we do need another ox..."

"That was painful, Yusuke. Painful."

"HOW DO I HAVE THE MEASLES?!"

"Calm down!!"

*June 1, 1848*
-We traded 176 pounds of food for 1 ox.

*June 3, 1848*
-We didn't have any luck on this hunting trip. We returned to the wagon empty-handed.
-We decided to rest for 3 days.

"I don't need rest."

"Quiet, Hiei."

"Hn."

*June 5, 1848*
-We shot 122 pounds of meat.

"Five deer."

"That is pathetic."

"Where, oh, where, have the buffalo gone? Oh, where, oh, where can they be? With their ears cut short
"S
"Someone stop him, please."

*June 10, 1848*
-Hiei is well again.

*June 12, 1848*
-Heavy fog. Lost 1 day.

*June 14, 1848*
-We didn't have any luck on this hunting trip. We returned to the wagon empty-handed.

"We're running dangerously low on food."

"Considering that Kuwabara is part of our party, I'm not surprised.

"Oh, shut up, Urameshi."

*June 15, 1848*
-Heavy fog. Lost 1 day.

*June 16, 1848*
-We have reached Independence Rock.
-We traded 3 sets of clothing for 100 pounds of food.

"Looks like almost everyone is going naked. Only one person can be spared."

"Kuwabara."

"Hey! What-?!"

"No one wants to see you naked, Kuwabara."

"And since you're the only one who's never sick, you're the only one outside the wagon."

"What about me?!"

"Ah, you can go naked, Koenma."

"You know, I bet it'll be good for us..."

"All those raving fangirls..."

"We're bound to get donations."

"It's nice to know you care about my dignity."

"It's for the greater good, Koenma..."

*June 19, 1848*
-We shot 249 pounds of meat, but were only able to carry back 200 pounds of meat.

"Now, that's what I'm talkin' about."

"If only we could find some clothes..."

"Where are those fangirls when you need them?"

"I think I'm sunburned in a very uncomfortable place..."

"Too much information!!"

*June 21, 1848*
-No water.

*June 22, 1848*
-Heavy fog. Lost 1 day.

"That absolutely trounces the laws of science. You cannot have fog without having water. Fog IS water!!"

"Wow, Kurama. Good to know you pay attention in Science Class."

"Well, someone has to. I tell you, this game is a travesty!!"

"It's a sham!!"

"It's a mockery!!"

"It's a...traveshamockery!!"

"...."

"That's...not a word..."

"I knew that..."

*June 24, 1848*
-We have arrived at the South Pass.

*June 25, 1848*
-No water.
-We lost the trail for 2 days.

"See, this is what happens when you let a BABY lead your party..."

"Not another word out of you..."

(a/n: No, this is what happens when you let a MALE lead yourty.rty. They're too stubborn to ask for directions...)

*June 28, 1848*
-We found some wild fruit.

"It was just wandering around on its own..."

"We just happened to stumble upon it..."

*July 2, 1848*
-We shot 340 pounds of meat, but were able to carry back only 200 pounds of meat.

*July 4, 1848HieiHiei was bitten by a snake.
-We decided to rest for 3 days.

"Again?!"

"Hiei, what did I tell you about tormenting the snakes?"

"That I'm not supposed to."

"That's right. And now you know why."

"BUSTED!!"

"Hn."

*July 6, 1848*
-We didn't have any luck on this hunting trip! We returned to the wagon empty-handed.

*July 10, 1848*
-We have arrived at the Green River Crossing.

"First blue, now green..."

"WHY ARE THERE SO MANY RIVERS IN THIS GAME!?!"

*July 12, 1848*
-The ferry got our party and wagon safely across.
-Bad water.

"We just left a river. How can there be bad water?"

"Well, the river WAS green..."

"You could just boil the water to purify it."

"Very true. Unfortunately enough, there isn't a 'Boil Water' command in this game."

"There should be."

*July 14, 1848*
-We shot 298 pounds of meat but were only able to carry back 200 pounds of meat.

"I had to shoot that buffalo 7 times before it died..."

"Its...The Buffalo That Wouldn't Die!!!"

"Dun dun dun!!"

*July 15, 1848*
-Hiei is well again.

"Now, Hiei, what have we learned from this experience?"

"Don't tease the snakes."

"Good boy."

*July 16, 1848*
-Yusuke has a broken leg.
-We decided to rest for 3 days.

"Damn. I just missed Hiei. No frolicking for me."

"Too bad, Detective. I could have used a good frolic, too."

*July 21, 1848*
-Heavy fog. Lost 1 day.

*July 24, 1848*
-No water.

"This game mocks me. There is no water, and yet, there is fog. Where is the common sense behind that?"

"Nonexistent."

"That's what I thought."

*July 27, 1848*
-We shot 233 pounds of meat but were only able to carry back 200 pounds of meat.

*July 28, 184-Bad-Bad water.

*July 29, 1848*
-No grass for the oxen.
-We have reached Soda Springs.

"Someone explain something to me. If there is bad/no water, and the oxen don't have grass, how is it that the other animals have enough water/grass to weigh 233 pounds?"

"It's one of the great mysteries of life..."

"It's not meant to be solved..."

*July 31, 1848*
-Bad water.

"We just left a spring."

"I'm assuming there isn't a 'Gather Water' command in this game, either."

"Nope."

"Of course there isn't."

*August 1, 1848*
-No water.
-We decided to rest for 5 days.

"Things just keep going from bad to worse, don't they?"

"Why are we resting again?"

"Because our collective health is poor."

"Ah. But, won't it just get worse, considering that we have no water?"

"...."

"Damn."

*August 7, 1848*
-No water.
-Kurama has the measles.

"'No water.' Well, thank you, Sir Points-Out-The-Obvious-A-Lot."

"Wow. Where did that come from?"

"I don't know."

"THE MEASLES?!?"

"Now who needs to calm down?"

"I think we're going to need to replace some wagon parts soon."

"That's right. Yusuke still has a broken leg."

"Um, won't that make frolicking a little difficult?"

"Not if he's on the bottom."

"Aw, man. I hate the bottom."

"Get used to it, Yusuke."

"Ooh, the fox is getting feisty."

"Shut up, Hiei."

*August 8, 1848*
-We lost 12 pounds of food due to spoilage.
-We have reached Fort Hall.
-We decided to rest for 3 days.

*August 12, 1848*
We visited the store and bought:
-4 sets of clothing
-200 pounds of food

-Bad water.

"Clothes!!"

"No more going naked!!"

"Aaw. I was beginning to enjoy the freedom."

"You can still go naked, Yusuke."

"We won't complain..."

"...On second thought, gimme those clothes."

"That's all right, too."

"It'll be fun to rip them off of you..."

"I just can't win, can I?"

"Against two demons?"

"Nope."

*August 14, 1848*
-Yusuke is well again.
-No water.
-The trail is impassable. Lost 6 days.

"I think he planned that."

"It was beginning to get tiring, all that frolicking with Kurama."

"What can I say? Demons have more stamina."

*August 16, 1848*
-Kurama is well again.

*August 21, 1848*
-Bad water.

"Well, I guess some water is better than none at all."

"I still think we should be allowed to boil it."

*August 22, 1848*
-We found some wild fruit.

We found an abandoned wagon containing:
-1 set of clothing
-40 bullets
-1 wagon wheel
-1 wagon axle

-Bad water.

"Those wild fruits and abandoned wagons..."

"Always getting lost."

"Hasn't anyone taught them not to wander away?"

"Apparently not."

*August 24, 1848*
-No grass for the oxen.

*August 26, 1848*
-We shot 204 pounds of meat but were only able to carry back 200 pounds of meat.

"It's only 4 extra pounds!!"

"I could carry that myself."

"Is there a point to this game?"

"To make it to Oregon."

"It was a rhetorical question."

*August 28, 1848*
-Bad water.

*August 29, 1848*
-Rough trail.

"I'll rough your trail!!"

"What?"

"I don't know."

*August 30, 1848*
-No grass for the oxen.

*August 31, 1848*
-No grass for the oxen.
-We have arrived at the Snake River Crossing.

"SNAKE river?"

"Maybe we should tie Hiei to the wagon. You know, just in case..."

"Good idea."

"The first person who comes near me with any intentions of trussing me up is going to get their ass seriously singed."

"Maybe...not such a good idea."

*September 1, 1848*
-We had no trouble floating the wagon across.

*September 2, 1848*
-The trail is impassable. Lost 4 days.
-Kurama is sick with typhoid fever.

"Wow. That makes twice in one journey."

"Whatever happened to the concept of immunity?"

"Maybe the disease changed."

"It's entirely possible."

"Hey, Urameshi.?"

"Yeah?"

"You know what they're talking about?"

"You mean, the whole 'immunity' thing?"

"Yeah."

"No idea."

"Me neither."

*September 7, 1848*
-We found some wild fruit.

*September 8, 1848*
-We shot 215 pounds of meat but were only able to carry back 200 pounds of meat.
-Bad water.
-No grass for the oxen.
-Rough trail.

"Wow. That day sucked."

*September 9, 1848*
-Kurama has a broken leg.

"More frolicking, Kurama?"

"But...no one else is sick..."

"Who says one isn't allowed to frolic alone?"

"Kurama! That's dirty!!"

"That must have been some frolicking."

"It was, indeed."

"Okay, can we stop this conversation?"

*September 10, 1848*
-No grass for the oxen.

*September 11, 1848*
-Bad water.

"Why do they find it necessary to tell us the same things over and over again? Do they not think that we can deduce for ourselves that conditions don't change much in 24 hours?"

"Well, they have to tell us something."

"This game is seriously lacking in the ability to hold an audience."

"You're still here, aren't you?"

"...."

*September 12, 1848*
-We took the wrong trail and lost 1 day.

"KOENMA!!"

"So my navigational skills leave something to be desired. Bite me."

"Okay."

"OW! I wasn't being serious!!"

"Hiei, let go of Koenma this instant!!"

"Fine."

"Has he had all his shots?"

"Koenma..."

"I'm not kidding!!"

"No, Koenma, I have rabies. Watch me foam at the mouth."

"Hiei, stop that."

*September 14, 1848*
-Bad water.

*September 16, 1848*
-We have reached Fort Boise.

"This game needs more action."

"It needs more spice."

*September 18, 1848*
-Bad water.

*September 20, 1848*
-No grass for the oxen.

"...And a strange UFO swooped down, abducted Kuwabara, and did Enma-knows-what to him with their merciless probes!!"

"...."

"You said the game needed more spice..."

"I don't think that's what he meant."

*September 21, 1848*
-We shot 241 pounds of meat but were able to carry back only 200 pounds of meat.
-We lost 25 pounds of food due to spoilage.

"Now, that's exciting."

"Hard-core."

"I can die happy now."

"I'm suffocating!! Help!! Too...much...sarcasm!!"

"Hn."

*September 26, 1848*
-Bad water.

*September 27, 1848*
-No grass for the oxen.

*September 28, 1848*
-Bad water.

*September 29, 1848*
-No grass for the oxen.

"...Can I please add something now?"

"Fine."

"Okay, so, Kurama's still sick, and Kuwabara's been abducted by aliens. Now, Kurama gets abducted as well, only, he's too pretty to be probed. So, the aliens dress him up in leather and chains, and make him their-"

"YUSUKE!!"

"What?!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!"

"All right, all right!! Jeez!! Someone's touchy..."

"Besides, if the fox is going to dress up in leather and chains for anyone, it's going to be me..."

"HIEI!!"

"Hn?"

"STOP ENCOURAGING HIM!!"

"Well, guess we know what Hiei fantasizes about..."

*September 30, 1848*
-We shot 273 pounds of meat but were able to carry back only 200 pounds of meat.
-Bad water.

*October 1, 1848*
-We have arrived at the Grande Ronde in the Blue Mountains.
-We decided to rest for 3 days.

"'Cause, you know, Kurama could use a rest after all the-"

"Enough, Yusuke!!"

"I always thought the mountains were purple..."

"...What?"

"Like in the song, you know? 'For purple mountains majesty'."

"Hiei, since when do you know that song?"

"I dunno."

*October 6, 1848*
-No water.
-The trail is impassable. Lost 2 days.

*October 10, 1848*
-Kurama was near death, but the doctor was able to help.

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"Hiei, you made a sort of strangled noise."

"I did no such thing."

"You did! You're worried!!"

"Worried about what?"

"You're worried about me dying!!"

"I am not!!"

"Are so!! Admit it!!"

"I will do nothing of the sort!!"

"Boys, boys!! Settle this discussion later."

*October 12, 1848*
-Kurama is well again.
-We took the wrong trail and lost 5 days.

"Look at Hiei's grin!!"

"I am not grinning. I have not, nor will I ever, grin."

"It's in your eyes, Hiei. You can't hide it."

"Kurama was right. You were worried!!"

"And, luckily, in all this commotion, my getting us lost again has gone unnoticed..."

"Hey, wait a minute..."

"Ah, let's continue with the game, shall we?"

*October 19, 1848*
-We shot 326 pounf mef meat but were able to carry back only 200 pounds of meat.

"That is one fat elk."

"Praise be to Enma!!"

"What happened to your precious buffalo, fox?"

"Love is a fickle thing, Hiei."

*October 22, 1848*
-We have reached the Dalles.

Koenma smiles and stretches. "From here, it's just a matter of rafting down the Columbia River to Oregon. Easy as pie." He catches sight of Kuwabara's pale, frightened face and adds, "Well, maybe not pie."

Kurama turns and laughs. "Actually, pie sounds very appetizing. I think my mother just baked some. If you'll come downstairs with me, we can each have a slice. Or two."

Hiei flickers and reappears at Kurama's elbow. "Will there be sweet snow?" he asks quietly, eyes shining in anticipation.

Kurama chuckles. "Yes, Hiei. I think we have some ice cream as well." He laughs harder as he watches Hiei's face brighten like a child's.

"I'll race you," Hiei murmurs.

"You're on," Kurama responds with glee, and the two shoot out the door and down the hall. Koenma stands, rearranges his robes, and follows, rather more sedately.

Yusuke hauls himself off the floor and moves to follow as well, when Kuwabara catches his wrist and pulls him back.

"Urameshi?" he says, nervously.

"What, Kuwabara?" Yusuke replies impatiently.

"Umm, all that stuff about, you know, 'frolicking'," Kuwabara continues, never once meeting Yusuke's eyes, "that was all a joke, right?"

Yusuke rolls his eyes. "What do you think, Kuwabara?"

Kuwabara's grip on Yusuke's wrist tightens. "That's the thing!! I thought I knew what I thought, but, now, I'm not so sure."

A wicked glint comes to Yusuke's eyes, one that Kuwabara does not see, as he seems so intrigued by some imaginary speck on Kurama's impeccably clean floor.

"Well, I'm not so sure , myself, Kuwabara. You see, I thought I knew what I felt, but, now, I'm not so sure."

Kuwabara drops Yusuke's wrist like a hot iron, and Yusuke fights the urge to burst into hysterical laughter as he adds the finishing touch.

"And with demons, you know, you never really can tell." He sidles closer to his uncomfortable friend. "But, I know I wouldn't mind 'frolicking' with the two of them," he whispers into Kuwabara's ear.

Kuwabara nearly jumps out of his skin and bolts out the door, muttering something about that "thing" he forgot to do.

Yusuke lets his laughter boil over, and he is still laughing when he joins the other three in the kitchen. Kurama hands him a plate.

"Where did Kuwabara have to go in such a hurry?" Kurama asks as Yusuke cuts himself a large slice of pie and tops it with ice-cream. Yusuke shrugs, still chuckling.

"I dunno. He didn't really say."

Hiei and Kurama exchange knowing glances, sensing that this is not the whole story, but Hiei smiles as he holds out his plate for another helping.

"Oh, well. More for me."

Kurama returns the smile as he hands the now-full plate back. He will think of something to justify the sudden disappearance of his mother's pie, but he is sure she won't mind. She loves to cook, and she has met and grown to love Hiei as well. He smiles in contentment as he watches his friends talk and laugh in his kitchen, and he cannot recall a time when he has been happier, despite his 1000-plus years of existence.

Yusuke is still full of good cheer from his little prank, and now he is full of pie and ice cream as well. He decides that today has been a good day, even though he has not had the chance to beat anyone up.

Koenma leans back in his chair, listening to Yusuke's chatter, and realizes that, for once, he is not worried about anything. Not his father, not his paperwork. Nothing. And it is a good feeling.

Hiei momentarily pauses in his eating to glance up at the others. He notices that all have smiles on their faces, and rather reluctantly comes to the decision that he enjoys moments like this.

And so our story ends, with four friends sitting together, enjoying one another's company, as well as some hard-earned sugar.