Author's Note: Wow. This is a really strange story that just keeps getting re-written because I can't really decide anything without realizing that it'll eventually run me into a dead end. And I don't want that. I will not tell you the pairings. That's my secret. And, just so everyone knows, this is kind of an experiment fic. I hardly ever write anything in an "I" POV, and I've certainly never written anything in the present tense, so I wanted to see how long I could stretch it out… Enjoy!


Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or any other copyrighted object/show/person/movie/etc. that I happen to use in this fic.

Oh! And before I forget, now pay ATTENTION because this is IMPORTANT: I have permission to use Rika, who is a figment of NothingButAMemory's imagination. That is to say, I did not make her up, nor do I claim her. I just read about her, and randomly decided I wanted to write a story.


Bold - Written

Chapter 1

"Chance Meetings"


I slowly walk down the hall of the new high school. The last bell has just rung, and school is out for the summer. The halls are full of loudly talking groups of friends, all discussing what they are going to do during their break. Well, almost all of them are.

Voices reach my ears; rude comments and laughter at the way I look. I don't much appreciate it, but I do not speak. There's nothing I can say. People talk; I can't stop them. No matter how much I wish I could. I can't - or rather, don't want to - change the way I look.

I have been teased for as long as I can remember. Perhaps that is what drove me to do what I do in the first place. If – no. I cannot lay the blame for what I have done on others. I must take the responsibility upon myself. It is my fault, not theirs. Please, let us continue.

You see, I am a fifteen-year-old assassin. There is more blood on my hands than there are stars in the night sky. I am one of the best in the business; stands to reason, as I have been an assassin for the majority of my life. Since about the age of six.

Though I do suppose I look odd. My hair is white with black stripes. This is, believe it or not, my natural hair colour. It is extremely long; it goes down to my knees when I stand, and would fall even longer still if it were straight. I hardly ever put it up because I believe that it's too much trouble. I've never been that concerned about my appearance. There are shoulder-length black bangs to frame my face from the one time that I did put it up about three years ago. I decided to keep them as a reminder of why I should never do that again. My skin is pale, as though I spend little time in the sun. And truthfully, I prefer the night. My nails are long, like claws, and painted with a deep blue, the colour of the night sky. I do not wear the uniform; I hate skirts. My clothing consists of dirty white sneakers - stained with dirt and who-wants-to-know what else, dark jeans, and a black v-neck T-shirt. Around my waist rests a black belt. A silver cell phone hangs on the belt; always with me should I be needed at work. Probably my most startling features, though, are my eyes. They are a bright, crystal blue that seem to be coated with an endless layer of ice.

I send chills down the spines of the worthless students in this school; I can tell from the way they shrink from me in fear, despite how they might talk. This is not, unfortunately, all due to my appearance. No matter how much I wish it was. I am a tiger demon and though none can tell, there is a certain… aura, so to speak, that causes humans to become more alert and suspicious.

I wear a blood-red bracelet to contain most of my power. It hides my demonic energy from all who might be able to sense it.

I squeak quietly and fall back as I bump into whomever it was that I couldn't see due to the fact that my eyes had been diverted to the ground, as usual. I look up into startling green eyes.

If I have ever wanted to immediately say anything to anyone, this is the moment. See, I love green eyes. However, I shall not, for I don't speak with anyone unless I trust them with all my heart. It's always been that way. An unfortunate side effect from one of my many traumatizing childhood experiences. Currently, the only people I talk to are my sisters, my brother, and my boss, and even that is a very rare occurrence.

I trust no one. No one but myself, that is.

The man offers me his hand, but I brush it away. I stand on my own and gaze calmly into those exquisite emerald eyes. I note vaguely the bright red hair and other delicate features that decorate his face, but my attention never leaves those fascinating eyes. His eyes hold so many secrets and mysteries… things I long to learn, but dare not try for. After all, I don't wish to-

"I am truly sorry Miss…" his gentle voice cuts through my thoughts like my weapons through the flesh of my enemies. He seems to be waiting for my name.

I contemplate my options, and then pull a piece of paper from my notebook. I take a pen from one of the pockets in my jeans. I scribble down my name for the man; he seems kind enough, and I believe myself a good judge of character. You kind of have to be, in my line of work.

Rika

He gives me a strange look and I smile inwardly. I enjoy seeing the different reactions of every person I 'converse' with. "Well, Miss Rika, my name's Suiichi Minamino. Nice to meet you," he says civilly.

I give no reply, my eyes gaining yet another coating of ice. If he is just going to be polite then there is no need for me to continue our 'conversation'.

I begin to leave; after all, I've only been delayed a few minutes; I can probably still meet my sisters before they leave again.

Unfortunately, Suiichi's well-known fan club chooses this moment to step between me and my way out, which lies beyond the ivy-eyed man.

"How dare you run into Minamino-san and not apologize?" a blonde, apparently the leader, demands of me.

I stare coldly at the annoyance as if willing her away. I need to get to that door, but every time I take a step closer the girls close in around me. I stop only because I do not wish to be surrounded. I greatly dislike it when I cannot see a threat and being behind me qualifies anything as threat in my mind. Not that I can't handle them - they are only weak little human girls after all - I just have some very unpleasant memories of being surrounded.

I raise an eyebrow in silent question when Suiichi speaks up on my behalf. "Let her leave," he sighs impatiently.

"But… Minamino-san," begins the blonde, looking thoroughly distraught.

"No, Kayda," Suiichi interrupts. "It was entirely my fault and I already apologized. Miss Rika was just leaving."

Reluctantly, the girls step aside. I nod my thanks to Suiichi and then I am on my way. My sisters have undoubtedly grown tired of waiting and left, but I care very little. While it is nice to see my family occasionally, I don't particularly get along with either Dalli or Ember, and Ember and Dalli don't get along with each other. The last time we met, the tree of us left with several deep and possibly infected wounds. The last time we had worked together… well, it was far too long ago for me to recall.

I walk slowly, having no wish to encounter the people I know wish to speak with me. Skilfully I avoid the detection of any being that walks around me. I can become almost invisible to most; it's a special talent of mine and very handy when sneaking about.

I wonder vaguely why 'Suiichi' was at my school, let alone standing up for me. Moreover, what kind of name was Suiichi? Even with my senses confused as they are by the smell of so many humans, I can tell that the red-haired man that smells of roses holds a demonic power all too familiar to me. I speak, naturally, of none other than Youko Kurama; a famous thief, ruthless and secretive. Of course, the last I remember seeing him, he was running off with my favourite dagger. He had a silver tail and ears then, as well as silver hair and golden eyes. However, that was a long time ago.

I'll have to get that dagger back sometime. It'll go on my to do list.

"Hey, Ri," I hear a familiar voice shout from a few feet away. I look up into the face of my sisters, about to leave, no doubt.

"Hey," I whisper.

Ember hugs me. "We were just leaving," she says. Told you so.

I return the hug. "Sorry I almost missed you," I lie, "but I got held up back at school."

"That's fine," Dalli responds, brushing off my excuse as a normal event. "Things happen."

She too gives me a quick hug. "We'll catch you next year."

She releases me, and then they both stride casually into the park towards the small outcrop of trees in the middle.

I watch until they disappear into the thick green foliage. I let out a quiet sigh. Things never change. No matter how nice we pretend to be in public there was always that sense of anger, that tension threatening to break at any moment.

I stand for a moment longer, thinking about what Dalli had said to me. 'Next year.' Ha. Like I expect her to show up before that.

But I guess you're wondering about my sisters, right? Here, let me elaborate.

Ember is usually a sweet person, but for some reason Dalli and I bring out the worst in her. She loves to fight but killing's not her thing. That's one reason why I'm the only assassin out of the three of us.

Ember's hair goes down to her waist. It's strawberry blonde and slightly curly. Her eyes are a murky ocean blue, like the colour of the deepest waters. She is also a demon, though her blood is of a cat's, not a tiger's. Ember is as tall as I am: five feet. At fifteen we're all short for our ages.

Dalli… now there's a mystery. She shows up even less than Ember, not that I'm complaining. Somewhere along the path of her life she was sidetracked by petty promises and dreams of power. She'd never swear her loyalty to any one being. She's always busy; the other reason I'm the only true killer. All in all, I'd have to say she's more than a little evil.

And she looks it, too. Her hair is sleek and black, falling perfectly down to mid-back. She's always wearing black. Constantly. Usually something she can move in, but sometimes she gets a little carried away. Her eyes are bright green, but not the kind of eyes you want to look into. See, she can do this thing with her eyes that captivates you and it's nearly impossible to look away. She is fifteen as well and most definitely five feet tall. Her demonic blood is of a panther but she is not a full demon. Not anymore. She has been bitten who knows how many times by vampires, and as such she has taken on some of their qualities – demons usually can't become vampires unless they were born with one parent already turned. She is now approximately one-eighth vampire.

Our birthday is January 12. That's the only day we don't even think of killing and no matter what comes up we hang out and get to know each other again. Oh, we have our moments at other times but those are few and far between.

So rare are these moments that we all feel we must treasure them. After all, no matter what they try to do to me I cannot kill them. It would be against my code. I do not kill family. And if your triplets aren't family, who is?

Anyway, that's all I can truthfully tell you I know about my sisters. For now.

I finally reach the house. I look up at the pale beige colour and the white-framed windows. It seems too nice for me to live here. Fortunately the yard is a mess. With Dalli, the only one of us who really gives a crap about the non-existent plants, never around it just sort of died off. It makes me feel much better about the empty dwelling.

The doorknob turns easily under my touch and the door slides open on silent hinges. Such peace and quiet greets me on the other side that I relax for the first time that day. I love the quiet of this old building. Probably because I'm so used to it but maybe there is something else that I gain from the solitude.

I walk into the living room where my sisters had undeniably met for at least five minutes. As if to prove my point, the spotless white couch is in shambles. I don't mind too much; white isn't my colour. Several chairs have been overturned and still more broken. There is blood soaked into the carpet, but I pay this no heed as it truthfully makes me feel more at home. I'll leave it there, a silent reminder of what happened.

With a heavy sigh, I begin to pick up. This might take a while.

The door to my room opens and I stumble wearily to my bed. The soft white light radiates from the ceiling, illuminating a dark blue room, the black metal frame of my bed, hard wood floors, and a small wooden desk in the corner. This is where I spend most of my time.

Kira purrs softly from the pale blue blankets of my bed. Kira is my spirit protector. She's a white tiger cub so she's feisty and almost always full of energy. But it seems that she's a little tired right now. Like me.

I fall asleep with thoughts of Suiichi/Kurama in my mind. I wonder only what he could be doing at my school and how he had changed so much from the Youko that had once so easily terrorized the population of Makai.


Blah blah blah... That's the first chapter, peoples. You can review now.

Miichiko