Sidetracked

Kurama watched the girl's long raven hair all afternoon in the soccer field. The girl was standing with one leg trying to fix her socks. Her head turned to the basketball court where Kurama was. She had a sunny smile and waved at him as she took off to play.

Kumi Nishikido is Yusuke's sister by blood through their womanizing human father. Since her mother died, she grew up in an orphanage, but at an early age, she was adopted by Sakyo, one of the multi-millionaires responsible for the dark tournament. She was raised as if she was one of his siblings, and was training to be an apprentice to take over their corporation. Later she discovered her own spirit energy, and having revealed this to Sakyo, they hired the younger Toguro as her mentor to control it. Around the same time she learned about Sakyo's real identity along with his schemes, but she looked passed through it all out of all his kindness to her.

In the midst of the dark tournament, that's when she met everyone, and after all the cases and the tournament in demon world, she and Kurama are now given an opportunity to live as normal human beings.

Kurama was watching over Kumi, making sure that she's alright despite the constant tragedy she has been experiencing.

"That's highly unlikely of you to get distracted. Don't tell me you have another mission again" said Kaito from behind and stood beside Kurama who was still watching the field.

"Everything is fine. There shouldn't be anything to worry about for a while" Kurama replied with his neutral tone. Kurama realized he spaced out again. He seems to lose awareness just by Kumi's presence.

"That's good to know then" said Kaito. "So why don't you ask her out?"

"Sorry?" Kurama looked puzzled. What was Kaito trying to imply?

"You're not the only one who's aiming for her. You have some stiff competition around" said Kaito with a slight smirk.

"I think you're getting the wrong idea" Kurama had a discomfited face.

"Oh, so you don't like her then?" asked Kaito again who was being persistent.

"Not in a way you are thinking" replied Kurama, although he wasn't really sure how to answer that.

They heard the coach blow a whistle dismissing them from gym class. Kaito went off to the lockers to be the first one to change. It was almost like Kurama was saved by the bell from continuing this awkward conversation with him.

Stiff competition huh? Kurama couldn't help but think how easy it was for everyone to like Kumi. He only noticed now that if he tries to analyze her in all aspects, she is every guy's ideal girl: bright, kind and attractive, but some girls are like that too. Still, there was no reason not to like her at all. What he is more worried about was Kumi having to face another heartbreaking tragedy... of losing another loved one. First it was Sakyo, and then...

I suppose it's safe to assume that it won't happen again? He thought to himself. Surely the world can't be that cruel to her.

He had one last look at Kumi in the field who was now helping out gather the soccer balls, then he went off to the showers to change.

Kurama was wide awake that night. His arms were behind his head. Kurama disliked being distracted from his normal human life, but by instinct, he was never into such a world where no strange subject is around the corner. He was always drawn into the unusual circumstances that do not involve human monotony. Thinking of a girl is part of human monotony, but it is certainly atypical for him nonetheless.

Being with Kumi lately seems to make him self-conscious and he's trying his best to hide it from her. It was not that he was not comfortable around girls. He was immune to them: they would suddenly block him on the halls to give him a letter, a gift, or even a little confession. Of course he never entertained them and would politely say no. He never liked anyone of them and he's simply not that interested.

He remembers that the closest he got to liking a girl was when he entered junior high. He saw a young girl wearing an apron from a daycare center nearby. She was chasing kids around the park across the street. One of the kids was almost harassed by a high school bully, and Kurama witnessed the girl block the hit as she hugged the little kid. By the time he was able to cross the street to help her, the police arrived and chased the jerk. He couldn't clearly see the girl's face as the kids were surrounding her. Another police came to help her up, and again, his view was blocked. He only saw her back and she was wearing a flashy unusually-shaped hair pin.

Later on, that girl whom he believed as Maya Kitajima, confessed to him. She was wearing the same design of hair pin, and concluded that it might have been her back then. Then later he had to erase her memories along with her feelings for him to protect her from any more demons. Kurama was not up to having someone's life at risk just to be with him.

This is a different situation though. Kumi can actually defend herself and she's considered more of a threat rather than a prey. Other than the fact that she's directly related to Raizen and Yusuke, her abilities alone are enough for anyone to fear. She could even win the dark tournament if she hadn't forfeited her match against Natsumi. Despite all that, she is still a girl after all, very much prone to being vulnerable.

After that incident, he always had this sense of duty to take care of her. She seems so fragile since then, and he was worried that her grief might end her life anytime if it gets triggered. Then again, he knows it is not normal for him to allow his thoughts to be occupied by a single person, even to a point that he minds her everyday life in school.

The next morning he was asked to pass a letter to Kumi.

Another confession I suppose. He secretly read the contents before handing it to Kumi before class.

So you're not going to ask her out? Kaito's question popped up. Kurama wasn't sure, but he does know that his thoughts about her are not really on the borders of friendship. Maybe it was just pure infatuation, he concluded. He was quite confused. It really doesn't make sense why he would even ponder on these thoughts. Figuring solutions to cases from the spirit world was much easier. This on the other hand, makes him feel more human, almost forgetting his side as a Yoko.

Kurama glanced at Kumi who was holding the letter tightly in her hands. She appears to be bothered that it is making her lose her concentration in class.

Is she nervous about this guy? He thought. Don't tell me she's interested on this one. How will he even accept her double life?

He hated this guy's guts for asking her out.

At the end of the school day, Kurama cleaned up the biology lab after his experiments. He was all set to go and he already had the stuff he needed for homework from his locker. He locked the lab and the clink echoed the halls. Almost everyone had gone home already.

"You're still here" He turned around and saw Kumi holding stacks of papers in her arms.

"Here let me help you out" he automatically volunteered taking some of the load from her. He assumed she was already on her way back seeing her backpack behind her.

"Oh… Uhmm… Thanks…" she said shyly. "You sure you're not bothered?"

"No. I have nothing else to do" he said willingly. Although he planned on helping out his mother with dinner, it was just optional anyway. Again, he couldn't understand why he got himself into this. Choosing this over helping his mother earlier was out of his character.

They headed to the faculty room to submit the papers. Not a word came out until they arrived.

Their homeroom teacher was already gone so they just left the stacks on the desk with a note.

Then one of the faculty members asked them to sort out a few papers for their class, and as model students, they couldn't refuse.

"Thanks again…" said Kumi softly as she closed the faculty room door and fixed the straps of her backpack.

"No problem" said Kurama and they started walking on the halls.

"Are you enjoying our last year in high school?" he asked randomly, just to kill the silence.

"Yes, everybody seems to be nice" she said giggling. "I'm enjoying world peace…"

"That's a good way of putting it" Kurama commented chuckling a bit.

After all, there hasn't been any serious case since the tournament in demon world. Months have already passed since Yusuke's return, and by that time, no other case came out, or at least, not as much as the cases they had before.

"By the way, do you plan on going to university?" she asked as they went through the flight of staircase.

"Not really. I might just work with my father to run his company" he said.

"That's nice. At least you have plans" she said being cautious on going down the steps.

"How about you?" he asked. He was curious what her plans were in the future, and he is hoping she has.

"I'm not exactly sure. I only started living normally just a few months back" she said all clueless taking her last step on the stairs.

"It's not much of a problem. We're not on the pedestal where we're risking our lives. We already have the privilege of living as a normal human" Kurama said as they stepped out of the school's main door.

"That's true" Kumi agreed. "Does that mean you plan to grow old here? With a family of your own?"

Kurama stopped. He didn't get it clearly. He wanted to confirm if they were on the same page.

"Well you know…" she had a teasing tone.

He wasn't sure how to answer this one. This is the second question he received about it that made him think deeply.

"Do you have such plans?" he answered back.

"It depends…" she replied with a silly look and then smiled to herself. "But I do love taking care of kids…"

Her face glowed blending in with the sunset. Kurama could see her daydreaming, and he found it quite adorable, the irony of a girl feared by everyone in demon world and yet can still look fragile the way she is now.

"I got carried away again" she said awkwardly and they continued to walk to the school gates. "See you then. I'll just wait for Mr. Yoshi. He should be here in a few minutes"

Then they heard a beep from Kumi's pocket. Kumi checked her phone. "I take that back. I'll be walking home today"

"Where do you live by the way?" Kurama asked. Regardless of her answer, he already plans on walking her home.

Kurama found out that she lives beside their neighborhood, just a longer route compared to where he usually passes, but still quite convenient for him. Kumi was hesitant with the offer at first, but she agreed.

"I just don't want your fans to get mad at me. They're a lot scarier than demons" she reasoned with a scared tone.

He couldn't exactly deny that there were a few girls who liked him, but it's not like she didn't have her league of followers either.

"Your fan boys would feel the same way" he rebutted. "I suppose you like the one from this morning"

"You mean from the guy who wrote the letter?" she casually replied. "Not possible."

This made Kurama feel a little relieved. He was almost acting like a father wishing for his daughter not to fall in love too soon.

They were almost half-way to Kumi's place. Passing by the park, Kurama saw a couple of young girls playing with some kids.

"Hey look" Kumi pointed out across the street. "It's the daycare I used to work in. May we please drop by for a while?"

"Uhmm… Sure…" Kurama's eyes widened.

It has been some time since he saw the daycare's logo. Small world, he thought. Kumi happily went ahead and they both entered the daycare, which is almost in its closing time. Kurama saw the familiar apron. It was in different color now though.

"Ms. Kazuki!" Kumi called as she ran to a middle-aged woman.

"Kumi? Is that you?" the woman confirmed and Kumi bowed. "How are you? I see you brought a friend" the woman had a genuine smile.

"This is Ku- I mean, Shuichi. Shuichi, this is . She runs the daycare center" Kumi introduced and it was almost at close call.

"It's nice to meet you" Kurama bowed formally.

"My, my, what a well-mannered boy… Is this your boyfriend?" Ms. Kazuki tried to assume.

"No no" Kumi replied quickly and had a little awkward laugh which somehow pinched Kurama's insides. "He's my classmate. I'm studying in Meio now by the way"

"You're doing well as always" Ms. Kazuki took off her apron. "I was just making tea. Would you like to join me?"

Kumi looked at Kurama for confirmation. She looked like she really wanted to stay for a bit longer. He just nodded.

Ms. Kazuki closed the daycare. They all sat down for tea, and they were served with little tarts. Kurama looked around and there were several educational toys displayed on the cabinets. There were paddings all over the floor and there were no sharp objects or edges around. It is rather a safe place for any toddler to be left behind.

"I haven't seen you since you were in junior high. It's a good thing you thought of visiting" said pouring her some milk on her tea.

"A lot has happened over the years" Kumi was a bit sentimental.

"I could tell the difference. Still the same sweet girl, but you seem much stronger now, are you?" sipped on her cup.

Kumi responded with a smile. It seems that she had a good memory of this place and it wasn't hard for Kurama to figure out. The place was filled with good vibes, and though it was already getting dark outside, somehow this place never runs out of light. The conversation went on. Ms. Kazuki shared stories to Kurama on how Kumi was such a magnet for trouble.

"There was actually one time she went out to the park for a break. Next thing we know, she was taken to the hospital because of a bruise on her back" shared Ms. Kazuki. "The girls and I were so worried. We all thought she had a fracture but thank goodness it was nothing serious"

"By the way, is Maya still around?" asked Kumi.

"Well Maya already moved to Okinawa since she graduated junior high" said Ms. Kazuki.

Kurama thought deeply as if trying to play a puzzle. First the daycare and now he finds out about Maya.

"Are you alright?" asked a concerned Ms. Kazuki to Kurama. He looked quite bothered with something.

"I'm fine" he smiled.

"Goodness I thought the recipe for the tarts were bad" Ms. Kazuki said relieved. "By the way Kumi, Maya left me your things in the locker. I kept it safe just in case you come back. Let me just get it"

Ms. Kazuki left the room. Kurama had a bite of the tart. He was now confused as to whether his old hopes were confirmed and should he leave it to its bitter closure back then. How strange it was that when his mind is clouded by a certain question, a part of his past would reappear.

"Sorry for making you stay" Kumi said apologetically.

"I don't mind. It's actually entertaining to hear how different you were back then" Kurama replied comfortingly.

"You think so? Well I was quite a bit of a klutz" she was saying it so proudly.

Kurama's thoughts eased a bit seeing her more radiant. "So about that time you were taken to the hospital, how did you get the bruise?"

Kumi thought hard trying to remember. "Honestly, I can't remember everything, but I got hit by someone with a bat. See? I told you I was careless"

Kurama suddenly spaced out from there. He can recall the girl he saw in the park when he was younger. She was also hit on the back with a bat. He just watched Kumi talk and giggle more over her past. She was somehow foolish, but not selfish.

"Here we are dear!" came in again with a pouch on her hand.

"Thank you thank you !" said Kumi all giddy. "I hope keeping this was not much of a trouble"

"Not at all" Ms. Kazuki replied as she laid the contents of the pouch on the table.

"Hey I was wondering where this went. It was my mother's…" Kumi got all bubbly holding up a hair pin. Kurama was once again stunned. It was the same hair pin from before.

"Maya borrowed it a few times" said Ms. Kazuki.

"Oh right. She was trying to borrow it from me before. I think she was trying to get through her crush back then" said Kumi.

Kurama smiled to himself and had a little sip on his cup. He might have some decent sleep tonight.

Not long after, the tea was all gone, there were more stories but they had to go. It was already a bit late, but there was more than enough time to go home before they reach the minors curfew.

They've said their goodbyes to Ms. Kazuki and started walking home again.

Kumi was acting like a child again, rummaging through the little pouch with much content after crossing a street.

"Kurama, I think you and Maya attended the same school before. Maybe you've met her, Maya Kitajima?" she tried to stack her pouch inside her backpack.

"She used to be my classmate" Kurama replied in his neutral tone.

"Makes sense. Maybe you were her crush back then" she teased again.

"It's been three years since I last saw her" he said as they turned around a corner.

"Same here. Though if not you, I wonder who he could be?" she was looking up. "I guess it doesn't matter now"

They arrived at a huge gate. Kumi's house was a white mansion and had a voice over to open the gates.

"Thanks for walking me home…" she said timidly. "Sorry again…"

"It's alright. I enjoyed Ms. Kazuki's stories about you" he reasoned.

The gates opened and Kumi went in. "Alright... See you in school tomorrow then" she waved goodbye.

Kurama watched her enter the mansion's main door and he walked off.

He got home just in time for dinner. His family greeted him warmly and he sat down on the table with them. As usual, each one was talking about how their day went.

"How about you, Shuichi? Anything happened today?" his mother turned to him.

"Nothing much" he replied. "Although I met someone from junior high today"

"An old friend?" his stepfather asked.

"Yes, you can say that" he said smiling to himself again.

The next day Kurama was quite early for class. He was able to catch some sleep.

"Kumi that looks really cute! Where did you buy it?" Kurama heard from the classroom door which was blocked by a few girls.

"It used to be my mother's. It's a family heirloom" he heard Kumi behind the crowd.

Kumi finally made it out of the girls surrounding her and took her seat which was just beside him. They greeted each other as usual. Kurama noticed she had her hair tied up secured by the same hair pin he had seen years ago.

This is my first YYH fanfic so feel free to share your reviews for improvement. Thanks and hope you enjoyed!