things to know:Takemi is a character of mine, supposedly Kurama's adopted sister. Rakuen is the Makai version of an akita, just 10 times more vicious when pissed.

'Kemi led her creator to a chair near the computer and pushed her down into it. Rakuen crawled over and she picked him up, depositing him into the girl's lap. "Saa, Take-san, just sit and enjoy. You've been under stress lately, so Kurama and I decided to write this fic for you."

"But-" Take protested weakly. "I hate Romeo and Juliet! Couldn't you have chosen another play?"

Takemi smiled mischeviously. "Oh, I think you'll like our version." Turning her attention to the silver fox seated in front of the keyboard, she told him, "Okay, let's start!"

Act I

Koenma, prince of the Reikai, glowered down at the two Makai lords. The rest of the cast shifted nervously, sensing the Power pressing down on them, making it hard to breathe. "For the last time," he said in a dangerous voice, "no fighting in public! I-" he put the back of his hand to his head and affected a foppish manner, "have a simply horrible headache." Huge sweatdrops appeared on everyone's heads. Koenma blinked. "What?"

Mukuro pulled Jin aside. "Do you know where Hiei is?" she asked.

Jin shrugged. "He comes and he goes as he pleases. I did notice that he's been in a foul mood lately, though."

"So what else is new?" replied Mukuro dryly. "Well, I've got to go run my part of the Makai, so if you do see him, tell the little bastard to snap out of it; he's not improving diplomatic relations any by toasting the ambassadors on a whim."

Not long after, Hiei entered the scene, ignoring Jin and going to sit on a window sill. "Ah, Hiei-san," began Jin, "Lady Mukuro says to tell you to stop 'toasting ambassadors', and to snap out of the bad attitude." Hiei snorted and looked away. "Is it a woman?"

Hiei's head shot up. "Just what the hell do you mean by *that*?" he growled. Jin looked nervously at him, noting the hand at the hilt of the katana. He pulled out a copy of the Shakespearean play and tossed it to Hiei, who caught it deftly. The air demon watched as Hiei's expression grew darker as he read through the lines. "I'm supposed to be in love?!" Jin noticed that the youkai was looking extemely peeved, so he acted wisely; he ran.

Karasu gazed calmly into Yomi's sightless face, violet eyes holding an intelligent gleam. "So I have your permission to...court Kurama?" He smiled behind his mask.

"I said court-with the intent to marry, not kill," Yomi said sternly. "Kurama is my heir, and I would be most...displeased...should he be harmed."

Karasu shrugged, jamming his hands into his pockets. "Fine. I won't kill him." Now, he added silently. He thought a moment. "I'll start the-courtship-tonight at the party." He turned to leave; he had to find a costume, after all. There were a couple of rich citizens in Yomi's city, so he should be able to find something in one of their wardrobes.

Night found Yomi's palace ablaze with lights. Costumed youkai (most dressed as ningen) chatted idly over cups of spiked punch. Kurama, in his Minamino Shuuichi guise, watched with trepidation as Karasu approached him.

Pretending not to have noticed him, Kurama slipped behind a pillar and lost himself in the crowd. It looked like it was going to be a long night. He kept one eye on Karasu and the other on the door, trying to make his way across the room as he could escape. A commotion near the entrance caused him to turn his attention to the front.

Yuusuke and Jin dragged in a struggling Hiei, Shuuichi following close behind. "Lemme go!" Hiei growled. "Are you nuts?! We're in the heart of enemy territory!"

Yuusuke and Jin sighed. "It's in the play," they both chorused. Shuuichi grinned and headed for the punch, fully intending to get sloshed before anyone could discover that he was underage.

"*#$&$ *^&!@# %$&*@#," Hiei muttered, unwilling to raise his voice and bring attention to them.

Yuusuke grinned and released the fire youkai. "You can go spy on Yomi or whatever the heck it is you do. We are going to check out the chicks." Throwing and arm around Jin's shoulders, they disappeared into the crowd.

"Hn."

Kurama spied the tiny figure in black standing alone near the door. He ran his eyes appraisingly over the lithe, well-muscled body. Things were starting to look better. He set off across the floor, lust burning in his-

'Thwap!'

"Oww!" whined Kurama, rubbing his head. "Why'd you do that?"

Take glared at him. "That's enough of that! You're supposed to be following the plotline. That's not up yet, so you'll have to control your galloping libido for a while more." The youko went SD, making big googly eyes at her. "Stop that; you'll get your chance." Take frowned, looking at the computer screen. "Just skip to the balcony scene."

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On to Act II!
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