Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. The original characters are mine.

CHAPTER ONE

It was still dark one Sunday morning but there was already a lot of activity in a certain household. Movers went from room to room, depositing furniture and other items. An hour later, as the sun began to rise, it was just down to one last box.

"Just set that down in the kitchen then you may go," a girl with waist length purple hair said.

"Yes, Miss Aihara."

The movers went to do her bidding then they bowed to the girl and left. She closed the door after them and sighed heavily.

Hiroe Aihara's intense grey eyes surveyed the house she would be calling home from now on. Unwelcome images and memories filtered inside her mind and she shook her head as if to clear it. Now wasn't the time for such thoughts so she went to start unpacking in the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Hiroe heard someone going down the stairs. She called out, "In the kitchen, Hinoto!"

Another girl entered the kitchen, her shoulder length black hair bouncing as she walked. Her violet eyes sparkled and an excited look was on her face. "Isn't this great, Hiroe? I'm almost done unpacking in my room. Oh, we just have to go shopping! I need some curtains and carpets…ooh! And maybe a new bedspread to match!"

Hiroe raised her eyebrow. "How about you just help me unpack the rest of the stuff first, Hinoto?"

Hinoto pouted. "You're no fun, Hiroe. I bet other older sisters would jump at the chance to go shopping."

Hiroe laughed at Hinoto's expression. "Oh, come on. We just got here! Let's at least make this place livable before we start accumulating more stuff. There'll be plenty of time to shop later."

Hinoto's face brightened at this. "Cool!" she said.

The sisters started unpacking again and by midmorning, the first floor of their new house was finished. A pile of cardboard boxes were folded up in the corner of the living room and beside it were some plastic covering that they had removed from the furniture. Hiroe smiled as she looked around.

"Well, we got a lot done this morning. I guess we can take a break now. How about we go out for breakfast?" she asked, turning to Hinoto.

"Finally! I was wondering when we can go exploring. I want to find out where the nearest mall is!" exclaimed Hinoto. She jumped up from her sitting position on the couch and ran up to her room to get dressed.

Hiroe laughed and shook her head. She picked up the plastic and boxes and threw them in the trash. Just then, her cellphone began to ring. She fished in her pocket for it and quickly answered, "Hello?"

"Hiroe? This is Haruo," a deep male voice said.

"Oh, good morning, sir!" Hiroe replied.

Atty. Haruo Ninomiya laughed. "Oh, Hiroe, I told you not to call me 'sir' or 'attorney'. It makes me feel old."

"I'm sorry, sir, I guess I'm just used to it," admitted Hiroe

"Anyway, I called to ask you to pass by my house today. I took the liberty of enrolling the two of you in some nearby schools so could you come by so I can give you your uniforms? There's also some paperwork here that I need to discuss with you."

"Of course, sir. I'll make time after lunch," Hiroe said while checking her watch.

"All right. And please, try to practice calling me Haruo," he chuckled.

Hiroe smiled. "I'll try, Haruo-san."

"See? You can call me by my first name. I'll see you later, OK?"

"OK. Bye!"

Hiroe heard Haruo chuckle again on the other end of the line and then there was a click. She put the phone back in her pocket and went to her room to get dressed.

"Now, let's see if I can find my clothes."

Later that afternoon, Hinoto happily skipped along a row of shops and Hiroe walked a little bit behind her. Hiroe checked her watch and saw that it was time to meet up with Atty. Ninomiya.

"Hey, Hinoto! Wait up a sec!" she called out.

Hinoto stopped skipping and waited for her sister to catch up. "What's up?" she asked.

"I have to go to Haruo-san's house for a while. Apparently he enrolled us in some schools and I have to work out some details with him so we can start tomorrow," Hiroe explained.

Hinoto blanched. "School? Oh, man! Can't we at least get a week off before we start?"

Hiroe said dryly, "In case you forgot, we haven't gone to school for nearly two months now. I think that's enough of a break for you."

Hinoto made a face. "Fine. So, do I have to come with you?"

"Only if you want to. Or we can just meet up again later. We have some grocery shopping to do anyway. The fridge is absolutely empty," Hiroe replied.

Hinoto perked up upon hearing the word "shopping". Hiroe slapped her hand to her forehead and muttered, "Why me?"

Hinoto rolled her eyes at her sister. "Just go already, Hiroe. I'll just walk around and get to know the neighborhood."

Hiroe looked at Hinoto skeptically and retorted, "Right. The only 'neighborhood' you'll be getting to know is the nearest mall. Try not to spend all of our money, OK?"

Hinoto stuck her tongue out at Hiroe. Hiroe laughed, waved goodbye to Hinoto and left.

Hiroe rang the doorbell at the Ninomiya residence. Moments later, a tall, pretty woman with mint green hair and hazel eyes answered the door. Hiroe smiled in greeting. "Good afternoon, Ninomiya-san."

"Oh, it's you, Hiroe! Come on in. And remember, I told you to call me Katsumi!" the older woman reminded her.

Hiroe scratched her head and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Katsumi-san. I just can't get used to calling you and Haruo-san by your first names."

"That's OK, dear. Just go on up to Haruo's study. He's expecting you," Katsumi said as she ushered Hiroe inside the house.

"Thanks, Katsumi-san," replied Hiroe as she hurried up the stairs to Haruo's office. She was about to knock when the door suddenly opened, surprising her a little.

"Ah, Hiroe! I thought I heard you arrive," said Haruo as he waved Hiroe into his office.

"Sorry I'm late, Haruo-san. I was with Hinoto and you know how she gets when she's at the mall."

Haruo chuckled. "Oh, yes. I remember. Yutaka once said that Hinoto can drive a man to bankruptcy."

Hiroe's expression saddened at the mention of her father's name. Haruo quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, here are the papers you'll need for school tomorrow and I also bought the books the school required. I left the uniforms downstairs with Katsumi, just pick them up on your way out."

As Haruo continued to describe the details to Hiroe, she read the papers Haruo gave her. Meiou Senior High School, huh. Hope it's a good school, she thought. Then she noticed something that confused her. "Hinoto and I are attending different schools?"

Haruo glanced back at Hiroe. "Yes. Evidently Meiou is only a senior high school. Since Hinoto's still in junior high, I enrolled her in the nearest one, Sarayashiki Junior High School."

Haruo and Hiroe discussed other particulars and when they were done, Hiroe stood up to leave.

"Thanks for everything, Haruo-san," Hiroe said as she bowed to Haruo.

Haruo looked at Hiroe, a concerned look on his face. "Hiroe, are you sure you won't consider living with us? When your father assigned me as your guardian in his will, I promised that I wouldn't let anything happen to you. I know he stipulated that you'd be the one to decide where you'd stay but I'm not really comfortable with a fifteen year old girl and her fourteen year old sister living on their own"

Hiroe smiled sadly at Haruo. "Haruo-san, I really appreciate all that you've done for us but we don't wish to impose. Besides, Dad provided us with everything we could possibly need so you don't have to worry about us."

Haruo sighed. "I love you like my own daughter, Hiroe, but you sure are stubborn, just like Yutaka. Just promise me something. Make sure to come here every weekend to update me, OK?"

Hiroe nodded. "I promise and thanks again, Haruo-san. I'll make sure to bring Hinoto with me next time." She bowed again and closed the door as she left the room.

Haruo smiled wryly and sighed. "She sure resembles you a lot, Yutaka."

Hiroe went down the stairs and looked for Katsumi. She found the older woman in the kitchen preparing dinner. "Katsumi-san, I'm going ahead. Haruo-san told me to ask you where the uniforms are."

"What? Won't you stay for dinner, Hiroe?" Katsumi asked.

"No, thank you, Katsumi-san. Hinoto's waiting for me and I told her I'd just be quick. We'll probably just order out," Hiroe answered.

"OK, then. Follow me. I put your uniforms in the coat closet near the front door," said Katsumi.

Hiroe followed Katsumi to the front door and waited as Katsumi retrieved the uniforms. As Katsumi handed them to Hiroe, she said, "The blue and yellow ones are for Hinoto. The pink ones are yours. You and Hinoto should buy shoes and socks."

Hiroe's nose wrinkled in distaste. "Ugh, pink? Honestly. Maybe I should switch schools with Hinoto. She loves pink."

Katsumi giggled at Hiroe's reaction. "But your hair matches well with pink."

Hiroe flipped her purple hair and sighed. "Unfortunately, I guess it does. Ah, well. Nothing I can do about it anyway. Well, thanks for your time, Katsumi-san. I'll see you next week, OK?"

Katsumi nodded as she opened the door. "And stay for dinner next time, all right?"

Hiroe bowed to Katsumi. "OK, Katsumi-san. Bye! And thanks again!"

Katsumi waved goodbye and closed the door. Hiroe slung the garment bags over her shoulders, brought out her cellphone and dialed Hinoto's number. After a few rings, Hinoto picked up.

"Hey, Hiroe! Oh, you'll never believe what I found at the shoe store. It's an absolute bargain!" exclaimed Hinoto.

Hiroe sighed resignedly. "Don't you have enough shoes, Hinoto?"

"But this pair is just absolutely irresistible!" gushed her sister.

Hiroe rolled her eyes and said, "Why do I even bother reasoning with you when it comes to shopping? Anyway, since you're there, buy us each a pair of school shoes and some socks. You know my size, right?"

"Of course I know your size," sniffed Hinoto, sounding offended.

"I don't doubt it. When it comes to shopping, there's no one who does it better," Hiroe said sarcastically.

"OK, anything else?" asked Hinoto.

"Nope, that's it for me. I have to pass by our house to drop off these garment bags then I'll meet you in the grocery store in an hour, OK?"

"Yep! See you later, bye! Ooh, miss, do you have this in size 6?" said Hinoto as she ended the call.

Hiroe shook her head as she placed her phone back in her pocket and headed home.

Hiroe stood in front of the grocery store, tapping her foot impatiently. Where the heck is she? She was supposed to meet me here half an hour ago, she thought irritably.

"HIROE!" a voice behind her called.

Hiroe turned to find Hinoto and what must be fifty shopping bags on her arms.

"You're late, Hinoto," said Hiroe with slight annoyance.

"Oh, pish tosh. What's a few minutes? Anyway, I'm here, aren't I?" Hinoto said, her black hair bouncing with each step.

"You are unbelievable. Besides, how are you going to help me with the groceries while carrying all those bags? What did you do anyway, buy everything in the shoe store?" Hiroe said incredulously.

Hinoto grinned sheepishly. "Guess I didn't think of that. Can you do the groceries by yourself then? I'll just go on home."

Hiroe sighed and threw her hands up in the air. "It's not like I have a choice. Geez, Hinoto."

Hinoto winked and blew Hiroe a kiss. She knew her sister wasn't really mad at her. She started walking and called out, "I'll see you at home!"

Hiroe mumbled incoherently under her breath and headed inside the grocery. She went to grab a shopping basket distractedly until she bumped a woman who was getting the same bin. The woman was surprised and almost fell backwards when Hiroe snapped back to awareness and caught her before she fell. Hiroe began to apologize profusely.

"Oh my gosh, ma'am, I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention at all. It was entirely my fault," she said while bowing deeply.

"What's going on, Mother?" a male voice behind Hiroe said.

Hiroe turned to the sound while still bowing. "I'm so sorry! I hit your mom because of my carelessness."

Hiroe felt the woman's hand on her shoulder. She didn't dare look up. Then the woman said, "It's quite all right, dear. I wasn't really paying attention, either. It's as much my fault as yours. Do stand up, please."

Hiroe straightened and saw a petite woman with long black hair smiling at her. She looked at the person standing next to her and her heartbeat quickened when she did so. He was quite possibly the most handsome guy she'd ever seen. Hiroe could feel a blush rushing to her cheeks. She quickly turned away from him and focused her attention on the woman beside him.

"I'm really sorry, ma'am. Here, let me help you with the basket," Hiroe said, trying to slow down her heart rate.

"That's OK, I got it. And here's one for you too," the woman's son said.

Hiroe muttered her thanks and glanced at her feet.

The woman looked at her curiously. "I've never seen you around here before, dear. Are you new in town?"

Hiroe smiled in relief and jumped at the chance to avoid looking at her incredibly good looking son. "Yes, ma'am. We just moved in today."

"Oh, really? I'm sorry for asking, it's just that I know almost everyone in the neighborhood who shop here in this store. I'm Shiori Minamino, by the way, and this is my son, Shuuichi," she said, pointing to her son.

Hiroe reluctantly turned to Shuuichi and caught her breath. Oh, my…, she thought as her heartbeat raced. She bowed slightly in acknowledgement and also to avert her gaze.

Stop it, Hiroe! So, he's the most unbelievably handsome guy you've ever seen. Big deal! Get a grip! she mentally berated herself. Aloud she said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. I'm Hiroe Aihara. We just moved into one of the houses near the woods."

"That's a lovely area! You're lucky, I hear the houses there are pretty hard to get because they're so in demand," Shiori commented.

"Well, my dad bought it a long time ago but we never really got to use it until now," Hiroe replied, trying to keep the sadness out of her voice.

Sensing the change in Hiroe's mood, Shiori quickly changed the subject. "Well, I really should let you get to your shopping then. Your parents must be waiting for you to get home. Maybe I can invite you and your family to dinner sometime to welcome you to the neighborhood. Just give me your contact number, OK?"

Hiroe nodded mutely and quickly wrote down her cell number in the address book Shiori fished out of her handbag. She handed the book back to Shiori and excused herself politely. "I'll be going on ahead. It was nice meeting you both."

Shiori smiled as Hiroe turned to walk away. She called out, "Expect a call from me soon, dear!"

Hiroe again nodded and waved to the pair before turning around and entering the grocery store.

"What a sweet girl, don't you think so, Shuuichi?" Shiori asked after Hiroe left.

Shuuichi, as Youko Kurama is called in the Ningenkai, nodded as his emerald eyes stared after Hiroe.

Shiori looked at her son's distracted face and said casually, "Beautiful too."

"Extremely," was his short but meaningful reply.

Shiori laughed at her son's response. Kurama must have realized what he said and started to blush, "I mean…," he started.

"It's OK, Shuuichi. It's not often that I see your head turn over a pretty girl. Come to think of it, I've probably never seen you staring after a girl even when you can't see her anymore. She must have left quite an impression on you," commented Shiori.

Kurama smiled at his mother and said, "You're not going to start matchmaking, are you, Mother?"

Shiori winked at her son and said, "Well, I do have her number."

Kurama laughed and followed Shiori as she went inside the store, carrying the grocery basket for her. As Shiori shopped, his thoughts went back to Hiroe.

Yes, she's certainly beautiful. I know I've never seen her before, I'd never forget a beauty like that, but why does she look familiar to me? There's something else about her that I just can't put my finger on, he thought. Then he shook his head, figuring he was thinking too much and gave his full attention to his mother.

Hiroe stood at the cashier and sighed. She paid for her groceries and headed home. Along the way, she recalled her encounter with Shiori and Shuuichi Minamino.

Dammit, Mom and Dad. Why'd you have to die? she thought miserably.

When she reached her house, she went directly to the kitchen and started stocking the fridge and cupboards with the items she bought. She heard Hinoto call out from upstairs, "Hiroe, I am so glad you're back."

"Yeah, I'm in the kitchen, Hinoto," she called back.

Hiroe heard Hinoto coming down the stairs. She turned around and was surprised to see Hinoto wearing her new school uniform.

"You've got to be kidding, Hiroe. This shade of blue just blows! And what's with this yellow bow? It totally clashes with my eyes!" complained Hinoto.

Hiroe rolled her eyes at Hinoto. "It's a school uniform, Hinoto, not haute couture."

"Who says you have to be unfashionable when wearing school uniforms? I mean, it's what you wear almost everyday for several years so you might as well try to look good in it. Ugh, how come you get a nice pink color?!" wailed Hinoto.

"Get over it," Hiroe retorted.

Hinoto crossed her arms over her chest and said, "What's got your panties in a bunch?"

Hiroe sighed, "It's nothing. I just miss mom and dad, that's all."

Hinoto was quiet. Then she said softly, "I miss them too, you know."

"I…it's just…I don't know. I'd probably feel more at peace with their deaths if I knew it was really just a car accident. But what you saw…that man…I just…" Hiroe said haltingly.

Hinoto looked away and said, "Maybe it was just a bad dream. Maybe it really was an accident."

Hiroe looked sharply at Hinoto and said, "We both know that your visions are all accurate, Hinoto. Someone murdered our parents, and I intend to find out who it is."

"What are you going to do if you find him? It's not like he can bring our parents back," asked Hinoto.

"I don't really care about that. When I find him, I'm going to kill him."

A/N: I wasn't really sure if Meiou High also has junior high school but for the sake of my story I just made the assumption that it didn't. Ningenkai is the Japanese term for human world.