Okay, this story was on my old account but (I won't repeat that long drawn out rant) because of some complications, it's here now were it will stay. I PROMISE! This whole experience is exhausting and frustrating and I'm never doing this again. But this is the same 'If You Just Realize' that you love but with some tweaks to it! And I've started doing this thing were I give you, the readers, some useless knowledge you can share with friends if you don't know it already...
Did you know? A rat can last longer without water than a camel.
Disclaimer: I don't own yu yu hakusho. Just the characters I created. ENJOY!
If You Just Realize
Chapter 1: You Made My Day
"FUCK!" yelled a 22 year old woman as she slammed her fist on her kitchen counter top. In her other hand she held a memo from her boss about some last minute paperwork that had to be done by Monday morning. And she had completely forgotten about it.
So now she had to run all the way to her job, pick it up and get it done. 'Greeaat'. Her already bad Saturday was getting better and better. She looked down at the memo for the fifth time that day;
Dear April,
Could you be a dear and work on the last case files from Friday. Something came up and now we need them by Monday. I know I said that you could start on them on Monday; but like I said, something came up. Thanks again and see you Monday!
And just like everything else he signs; his stupid stamp was at the bottom of the page, instead of his signature.
She blew her black bangs back to the side of her face where they had escaped when her head was bent. Cursing in three languages she slowly got up from her stool, turned and walked towards her front door.
Putting on simple black flats, she straightened and went to grab her keys from a little blue bowl her niece made for her one Christmas that held her keys and other miscellaneous things, when she caught sight of herself in the mirror that was above the little stand and couldn't help but cringe.
She looked bad. Well, today she did because when the day is crappy; everything is crappy.
Looking down she took in her faded jeans and her layered tops. It had been chilly in her apartment so she decided to put a shirt over her tank top but when she was still cold, she decided to put on her favorite sweatshirt that she had gotten during her days in college.
Though of course being the slight dumbass she was, she realized that she could have just walked two feet over to the wall to change the temperature, but she was just too lazy. But not lazy enough to get up and go get a shirt and a sweatshirt.
Go figure.
Looking back at the mirror she dragged her eyes over her sloppy ponytail and her no make-up face.
Not that she wore a lot of make-up but usually she just wore a bit of eyeliner.
Not today though. Today was her lazy day and she didn't give a fuck what anyone thought about her appearance.
She had bigger problems right now. Like if she didn't get that paperwork done, she would be in so much shit!
April really didn't want to get fired and have to move back to America. Even though she missed it terribly. But her home was Japan now and she was already in love with it after only two years.
She blew out air at her reflection, rolled her blue eyes and shrugged, "Lo que sea." [1]
Moving her eyes to her hairline, April noticed that she would soon have to recolor her roots since her black hair wasn't her natural color. But she's been coloring her hair black since she was seventeen and she loved how she looked so she wasn't about to change it.
With another shrug she walked out the door and locked it. She would just run by the store on her way home and grab some hair color.
Thinking back she was glad her sister had taught her how to color her own hair before she moved to Japan. So now she didn't have to pay lots of money on just her roots.
Not that she couldn't afford to do so; it was just more convenient to her.
And she liked simpler things than very complicated things.
Walking down the stairs and out the front entrance she turned right and walked down the sidewalk. It was such a beautiful day in Tokyo. April was glad she had at least came out for a bit to enjoy it.
Looking to her right she noticed that Mrs. Tochigi, her neighbor, was sitting in a rocking chair on her porch also enjoying the good weather. April waved at her and said hello. Seeing April wave, Mrs. Tochigi smiled and waved back.
She was rather silent these days after her husband had died. When April had first moved here, Mrs. Tochigi had taken her under her wing and showed her around Tokyo. But with her husband being gone and no children around, April made sure to stop by and visit her so that she wouldn't be lonely.
Taking a right at the corner, she saw a small coffee shop down the block; just before the park April went through to get to work. She suddenly had a big craving for a hot chocolate.
This would be weird to most since it was about 85° out and she wanted something hot. But April had very strange sides, so it didn't matter to her.
And besides, when it's hot out and someone ingests something equally as hot, their body will lower its temperature to accommodate making that person feel cooler.
She just could not turn down a cup of delicious hot chocolate. Checking to see that she had some money, she sped up to the small shop.
A portal appeared in a deserted part of the park, as a red-headed man walked out of it and started for the city. His emerald green eyes were downcast as he walked, for his mind was deep in thought.
This man was known to many as Kurama, the human version of the infamous Youko Kurama; but to most humans that he knew, he was known as Shuichi Minamino.
He had just come from a meeting with one of the former lords of Makai, Yomi. Yomi had been given back his power as Lord but he was also on the fourth chair of the Demon Council of Eniki right behind Yusuke and Mukuro.
Which Kurama was sure didn't sit right with Yomi. He knew that the demon lord wasn't too fond of being behind Mukuro when it came to anything.
Especially since her opinion matter more than Yomi's in the Council. He couldn't help but smirk at that thought. When Yomi had asked for the meeting, Kurama was sure that Yomi was going to ask him of ideas on how to get rid of Mukuro.
Though Kurama would never do so, since Mukuro was now the intended mate of Kurama's friend Hiei.
But the meeting was about Yomi offering Kurama back his position as top adviser. But Kurama wasn't sure he wanted it back.
Things were going great for him in Ningenkai and he wasn't sure if he wanted to turn all of it away. E
ven though according to his mother, not having a serious girlfriend wasn't a good thing. But he had plenty of time for that though; he was only twenty-four.
And his girlfriend needed to be someone that could handle not only his three sides; but the three worlds as well. Those were the major requirements he had; otherwise he didn't care about appearances.
Youko, he knew, had requirements in that area.
But with his growing business that he had started, doing very good business, he really didn't want to throw it all away.
He refused to choose between Ningenkai and Makai.
Kurama knew that Yomi wouldn't make him choose at first but he would sooner or later.
Walking onto the main path of the park he started for his apartment. He decided that he was going to go visit Yusuke and Keiko at their place, since they had invited him to supper.
He was going to ask Yusuke how he handled balancing his responsibilities of being on the Demon Council with his life in Ningenkai.
Kurama was so much in thought that he didn't notice that he was about to crash into someone. And that someone had a hot cup of hot chocolate in their hand.
Neither was paying attention to where they were going when they crashed into each other.
April's cup of hot chocolate fell on her sweatshirt as she landed on her butt on the pavement.
Kurama stood there stunned that he didn't even sense someone coming.
He was brought out of his stupor when a rather loud screech was sounded at his feet.
Looking down he saw a young woman around his age, sitting on the ground shaking the liquid off her hands.
He watched as she looked at her sweatshirt and cried out at the sight of the brown liquid that was soaking into her yellow NDSU sweatshirt.
"Are you freaking kidding me? Can this day get any worse? You know what, I don't want to find out," she yelled as she got up and glared at Kurama.
Taking off her sweatshirt, she noticed that the stain had continued to her shirt so she took that off too. She stood in front of Kurama in her green spaghetti strap tank top.
With one hand she held her clothes and with the other she poked Kurama in the chest, "This is all your fault, you jerk! I didn't even get a sip from that stupid drink thanks to you."
Kurama stood there shocked at the girl in front of him.
She was absolutely beautiful.
He could tell that she was American in a second, but the Japanese that came from her mouth was so fluent; it sounded as if she had been speaking it all her life.
His eyes took in her wavy black hair that was pulled back in a messy ponytail with her bangs going down the sides of her heart shaped face to lay level with her eyes.
And what eyes they were.
He had never seen such fire in someone's eyes since Yusuke. But this girl could give him a run for his money.
They were the most exquisite shade of deep blue with unique silver designs in her irises, ending with a small ring of gold around the pupil.
Her nose was small in size but flared out at the end slightly; giving him the impression she was of some kind of Scandinavian heritage.
The girl's bottom lip was fuller and had more of a pout than the top. Those lips looked like they just begged to be kissed.
Her skin was tanned slightly to a warm honey tone. Her figure was to be appreciated as well.
He could tell she kept in shape from her slender yet muscled arms and shoulders. His eyes followed the well pronounced curves of her body.
She had ample breasts, a small yet curvy waist that lead to shapely hips which were connected to a set of long legs. She stood at five inches less than his 5'11''.
Hearing a cough, Kurama met the eyes of the angry yet amused woman. She glared at him, before speaking.
"Well? Aren't you going to say I'm sorry? You did run into me you know," she said with a small shake of her head. One that Kurama wasn't sure she even realized she did.
Collecting himself, he placed his hand on the back of his head.
"I'm sorry about that. I was just so into my thoughts I didn't see anyone around me," he heard her muter 'obviously' in English under her breath, "I apologize for spilling your drink all over your sweatshirt. If you would allow me I would like to help get the stain out."
Her trim eyebrows lifted up, "And how are you going to do that?" she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
He pointed down the road. "There's a Laundromat not that far from here and I would be happy to pay for the removal of the stain and also to buy you another hot chocolate since I spilled the first one." He watched as she considered this. And also noted how her own eyes traveled up and down his body as his had done to her. She nodded, accepting his proposal.
"I guess that would work," she turned and started down the path. Kurama caught up and fell into step with her. "So what's your name stranger?" she asked looking at him through the corner of her eye.
He smiled. "My name is Minamino, Shuichi. And what is your name?"
"Johnson, April."
"That's a very lovely name April-san."
She smiled at him, showing him her white teeth, "Thank you. And I like your name as well. It suits you."
"Thank you," he said thinking she was the first person to ever say that. "If you don't mind me asking April-san, but you're American am I correct?" At her nod he continued, "I don't mean to impose but what are you doing in Japan? Is it business or pleasure?"
Her mouth moved to one side of her face, as if she was considering her answer.
"I guess you could say it is business since I live here. And have been for two years now."
It was his turn to raise his eyebrows. "How did you get a job all the way in Japan if you don't mind me asking."
She smiled and shook her head, "No, it's okay. I don't mind. Well, to make a long story shorter, my boss came and found me a week after my eighteenth birthday and gave me the proposal of coming to work for him. He said that if I received my associate's degree in business from the college I was already enrolled in, that I wouldn't even need a resume and that he would just hire me. He told me the pay I would receive and that he would hook me up with a very nice place to live. But my only objective was that I would be so far away from my family and friends. But after a long talk with my family I decided that I was going to move and start a new life and that's exactly what I've been doing. And I've always wanted to live in Japan so that was a bonus," she said looking up at him. "But I do talk to my family and friends almost daily so that helps, but it still gets lonely."
Kurama nodded. He understood what it's like to have to start a whole new life. Well, there was one thing they had in common.
They stopped by the coffee shop that April had just been to, and Kurama went inside and ordered two hot chocolates. Coming back out, he handed one to her and took a sip from his.
"So what made you want a hot chocolate on a warm day like this?" he asked curious.
She shrugged, drinking from her cup. "I just had a craving for it and so I got one. It doesn't matter if it's hot or cold out; if I want something, I'm going to get it."
He chuckled as they started down the sidewalk to the Laundromat. It wasn't that far away and by the time they got there, both were laughing at a joke April had told.
Still smiling they enter the Laundromat and went to an open washer and dryer. Sitting down on the bench, April watched as Kurama walked up to the lady behind the desk by the door and asked for some stain remover.
The older woman blushed and went to get what he wanted. April noted that Kurama didn't seem to notice the woman's blush or the looks he was getting from the other women in the place. S
eeing as how he was the only male in the room, of course he would be getting attention. He came back holding a small white bottle full of some sort of stain remover.
Taking her sweatshirt from her, he laid it on the bench and also grabbed a white rag that was sitting in a neat pile behind him, and poured some of the liquid on the rag he applied some to the stain.
April watched him work as she straddled the bench in front of him. He looked like he had done this a thousand times before.
She watched as the stain started to clear up on the sweatshirt.
Kurama must have seen it too because he stood up and placed it in the washer that was against the wall. He came back over and did the same thing to her shirt and put that too in the washer.
Closing the lid he started the machine and sat down next to her on the bench. April couldn't help but take a good look at him.
He was of course taller than her and seemed like he worked out some from what she could see. He wasn't too skinny or too muscular to the point of being gross.
He was just right.
He was wearing cream colored slacks with a tan colored polo shirt. Though he looked good, that didn't stop all the attention from going to his hair and eyes.
Normally she didn't go for guys with long hair, but his long red hair worked for him. But it was his eyes that got her and held her.
They were the most beautiful shade of green. But it wasn't just the color that got her; it was the look in his eyes when he looked at her.
His eyes seemed to always be calculating, so calm. But when he had been checking her out in the park, a certain curiosity came over those eyes.
As if she was a puzzle he wanted to figure out. She also couldn't help but notice how cute of a butt he had when he had walked to get the stain remover.
She looked over to see him staring at the washer, looking deep in thought. The silence was beginning to bother her, so she decided to break it.
"So Shuichi," she watched as he turned his head towards her, "Do you have any nicknames that your friends give you? Sorry if that sounded stupid, I was just trying to think of a conversation starter."
He smiled and chuckled, "I do actually, April-san it-."
"April."
He looked startled when she interrupted him. "Nani?"
"You can just call me April. No need to put –chan or –san or whatever behind it. Especially since I've been calling you Shuichi this whole time. I've never been able to remember to add any of those behind anyone's name since I got here."
He smiled again and nodded, "Alright April. My friends do have a nickname for me and I've had it since I could remember."
She leaned forward a bit, "Can I know what it is or is it one of those I'd have to kill you if I tell you things?"
Kurama laughed, "No it's not. My friends call me Kurama."
April tilted her head. "That's really off from your entire name. [2] But I like it. It suits you just like Shuichi. Would it be okay if I call you it?"
Kurama thought for a minute. He still wondered why he told her in the first place but didn't dwell too long on that thought. Finally he nodded.
"Yes, it would be okay, but in public I would like it if you called me Shuichi, if that's alright. My own family doesn't know my nickname. It's just between my friends and I."
She nodded. "Can do."
There was a sudden buzzing noise coming from the washer her clothes were in. Kurama stood up and grabbed them from the wash and put them in the dryer. Starting it, he walked back and sat next to April on the bench.
"So I was wondering April, since I almost destroyed your clothing, I was wondering if you would do me the honor of going to dinner with me one day during the week," he asked looking over at her.
She seemed shocked, but collected herself. Smiling, she agreed. Kurama could feel excitement bubbling up inside him for some unknown reason when she had agreed.
"Great! When would you be free?"
April thought for a minute. "Any day would be okay. As long as it doesn't take you from anything important."
Kurama shook his head. "No, my schedule is fine as well. How does Wednesday at six o'clock sound?"
She smiled. "Sounds good to me."
Kurama smiled and nodded. He reached into his pocket and grabbed cellphone.
"Could you give me your number please?" he asked.
April took it typed in her contact info and quickly sent a text to her own phone so that she had his number.
"There you go and I'll text you my address later," she said winking at Kurama.
He smiled and took his cellphone back. The buzzer rang from the dryer and Kurama got up again and went to the front desk and asked for a bag.
Coming back, he opened the dryer, folded her clothes and put them in the bag. April also got up and followed Kurama out the door. Kurama handed the bag to her and smiled.
"I guess I'll see you again on Wednesday then, ne?" he asked.
She nodded taking the bag, "Yep and I can't wait. It was really nice to meet you Kurama. Even under these circumstances."
Kurama laughed, "Yes, it was a pleasure meeting you as well and I think the circumstances just make it more exciting, don't you?" Taking her free hand, Kurama brought it up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Until Wednesday, then."
He watched her nod with a dazed look and walk towards her apartment. He too turned and started for his apartment, smirking.
She had the most unique scent for a human. Vanilla and Lavender.
Two very calming scents put together. It could explain why he had been so calm around her in the Laundromat when he had zoned out. Something he didn't normally do.
He wondered what would be awaiting him on Wednesday. But all he knew was that he couldn't wait.
A/N: [1] Lo que sea – it means whatever in Spanish. When I said she cursed in three languages, I meant she could speak English, Japanese and Spanish. But that will be explained in later chapters.
[2] Usually when people get nicknames it's a spinoff of their name or because of their habits. Kurama's 'nickname' is from his demon name. And since it's from that, he doesn't like humans knowing it.
I'm only going to explain the Spanish words that April uses. Not any of the Japanese words. If you don't know what they mean than ask. So please review!