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Kuwabara sometimes wondered what death would be like for him. He especially wondered what death would be like for him when his body was torn up from some attack from some nameless demon.

Kuwabara had been following Yusuke, Kurama, and Hiei since he could remember.

How many years had passed since that day when he was 14? Since that day when he'd accidentally stumbled upon the amazing world of spirit detectives, demons, and missions. Kuwabara looked at his hands to tell him his age, and recalled when he was a boy he would use his fingers to show his age. Kuwabara could no longer do that. Even if he added his toes to his fingers he couldn't show his age with fleshy digits.

"Oi…I'm 34 right Urameshi?" Kuwabara asked his best friend who currently busied himself with making sure Kuwabara's bandages were good and tight.

Yusuke looked at Kuwabara, a dark brow raised. He then went back to work with the bandages and muttered, "Yeah idiot. You'll be 35 next month."

"Fool," Hiei's voice floated in Kuwabara's head and the human turned to look over at Hiei who held out his hands for Kurama. Kurama was currently bandaging the short demon's burned hands. Normally Kuwabara would have angrily shot back some insult at Hiei, but Kuwabara let it slide. After all, Kuwabara had saved Hiei in battle today, so Hiei was probably nursing a wounded pride.

Kuwabara watched Kurama doctor Hiei's hands with care and then with a sigh leaned back and continued to think about death.

Kuwabara had always followed Yusuke, Kurama, and Hiei into battle.

Kuwabara knew that was his place. To follow his friends into war-into hell if need be!

But Kuwabara knew one thing to.

That though he followed his friends into battle, and into endless wars, it would be him-Kazuma Kuwabara-that led his friends to death. Kuwabara would be first to go, it was just a little known fact Kuwabara always carried with him. Kuwabara wasn't saying he would weakly die in battle…oh no…Kuwabara knew he would grow to be a grandfather, and most likely die in his sleep…or if Kuwabara had his way, still fighting some demon, or villain of the sort.

Though Kuwabara wondered how he would die, he never wondered who would be first in death. Kuwabara always knew it would be him that would die first. It had to be him that went first. He would be the follower in battles…

…but the leader in death…

"What the hell you thinking about?" Yusuke's voice interrupted Kuwabara's thoughts.

Kuwabara blinked and looked at his friends. Kurama, Hiei, and Yusuke were all staring at him as if they knew the subject of Kuwabara's thoughts…even though Kuwabara knew for sure they couldn't possible know. But it was possible that deep down in their souls, or hearts they sensed the dark subject matter of Kuwabara's thoughts.

Kuwabara grinned and looked at his ageless friends. So many years had passed, and Kuwabara was already getting wrinkles, and had even found his first gray hair. Kuwabara shook his head, "Nothing guys. I was just wondering about something."

And with a smile Kuwabara relaxed and continued to wait for the day when he would be the one leading his friends, and not following.