Disclaimer: I clearly did not create the characters from Yu Yu Hakusho. Just in case there was any confusion about that. I do not make money from writing about them, but I do get some piece of mind, which I am fairly certain I cannot be sued for.

Author's Note: I have been putting off writing this story for a long time because it does involve an OC. I know OC's are not always looked upon too favorably, but I had to write this. Having issued that warning, please give it a chance.

Chapter 1

Kurama brushed his hair aside softly letting the deep red locks tickle his cheek as he gazed out the open bedroom window. It was morning and the air felt fresh with dew and the light scent of honeysuckle. Kurama breathed it in deeply holding his breath a moment to try to fully absorb the scent and feel of the day. He had always adored morning, more so than any other time of the day. Mornings were a time of possibilities and new beginnings, a flower awaiting its first bloom. Kurama had a passion for flowers.

He was pulled away from his thoughts by the soft call of his mother, summoning him for breakfast. He went through the motions of the dutiful son and was soon on his way to school. As he walked Hiei appeared by his side to keep him company.

The little fire demon was quiet as usual, after his muttered greeting, choosing to walk alongside his companion in silence. Kurama didn't mind, he had grown quite accustomed to his friends quirks and no longer felt the need to force dialog to make himself comfortable with their friendship.

"I may be late getting done today, don't feel like you have to wait for me," Kurama said offhandedly as they approached the school, "I was asked to tutor another student after classes."

"Why would you agree to such nonsense, isn't it enough that you bother attending school in the first place?" Hiei asked, his tone sounded harsh, but Kurama knew his teammate well enough to know he wasn't actually angry.

"You can come by later for dinner if you like," Kurama offered, pausing a little ways from the school building where other students were loudly congregating.

"Perhaps," Hiei muttered and turned to leave. Kurama watched him walk away a few steps then as he turned the corner he disappeared in a burst of speed. Such was his way.

Although he would never admit it to Hiei, Kurama found Ningenkai school to be rather entertaining. It seemed to be a world unto itself with a set of rules unlike any he had ever experienced. Unlike the Makai where hierarchy was determined solely by power here it seemed to be based more on popularity which was based on something else entirely.

Shuichi was popular. Kurama knew this, was reminded constantly by the troves of giggling female admirers that looked away blushing whenever he noticed them. The male students weren't as enamored with his shimmering eyes or gentle features, but seemed to respect his quiet controlled demeanor. As such, for reasons beyond his comprehension, Shuichi Minamino was quite highly regarded at his school. Hiei would have laughed at this, but Kurama felt that coming here everyday was his own secret indulgence.

Kurama carried himself through the day with his usual level of confidence and grace. Answering when called on, smiling when complimented and exchanging the usual pleasantries with all those he came in contact with. After a full day of human interaction he was usually ready to steal away his garden to tend his plants, while Hiei watched from nearby. Today, however, he had other obligations.

"Ah, Shuichi, thank you for coming," Mr. Kitanaka said smiling as he stood up from his desk chair. Kitanaka was a stout man with dark hair and thick glasses. He was responsible for the school's new student tutoring program. Designed to keep all the school's students at the top of their classes, students were matched up with each other to build contacts and work on projects together every Thursday. Shuichi attended a rather prestigious school and as such had often bore witness to ideas to improve the school's over all testing rate, this project was no different.

"I would be glad to help any way that I can," Kurama said earnestly.

"I had hoped you'd say that," Kitanaka smiled, leading Kurama through a classroom of students matched in pairs studying together. Kurama let his eyes wander over the other groups all speaking in hushed voices and scribbling notes furiously. It seemed they were all taking this assignment very seriously.

"I must admit I had a difficult time finding a partner who would adequately challenge you, but I think I may have finally done so," Kitanaka chuckled.

"I shall do my best, Sir."

"Of course you will Shuichi, I have no doubt of your ability to complete the project, none at all. No, the challenge is getting your partner to fully display her talents."

"Sir?" Kurama asked, a little lost in what the instructor was trying to tell him. At the back of the room there was a door which lead to an adjoining classroom. Apparently the tutoring program was more popular than Kurama had realized as it took two rooms to hold all the students. The second room however, was not as full as the first and only a few groups were working here. In the back of the room at a table by the window one student was sitting alone, reading.

"There, there is your partner, Shuichi, the most cleverly inconsistent student in the school."

The girl didn't even look up as they approached, her deep brown hair falling casually over her eyes, head bent low focused on the book she was reading. Kurama turned his head slightly to catch the title, but was stopped short when Kitanaka abruptly stopped walking and turned to face him.

"She tests very well, but just doesn't seem to apply herself in her assignments. Were it not for her test scores I would have placed her in the other group," he gestured toward the room they had just come from, "but after seeing her scores and meeting with her I'm confident that the two of you are our schools best chance at winning the competition."

"I wasn't aware that we were involved in a competition Sir."

Kitanaka smiled and handing Kurama a file folder.

"It's all explained in here, the competition is slotted for the end of the month. The principal asked that all the top students be involved and felt that participating in the tutoring sessions would be beneficial in allowing them more time for their projects."

"I see," Kurama frowned. He had only planned to attend one session to be polite to Mr. Kitanaka, now it seemed he would be obligated to devote real time to this venture.

"Thank you again for your dedication Shuichi, I'll let you two get acquainted and get to work now," Kitanaka smiled again and spun quickly back toward the door closing it hard behind him.

Sighing Kurama turned to face his new partner. She still hadn't looked up from her reading. Impressed by her concentration Kurama lowered himself into the chair across from her and seeing that she was not about to acknowledge him began instead reading over the assignment. When he had finished he glanced up and politely cleared his throat hoping to at last begin dialog.

"Pollution." The girl cut him off sharply.

"Excuse me?" He had heard her, but had no idea what context she had intended the word in.

Shifting slightly she placed a bookmark between her pages and set the book aside. This time Kurama was able to catch the title, "White Fang" by Jack London. An odd choice for pleasure reading, yet he couldn't imagine it was required here.

"We need a topic for our presentation, I trust you read that far in the instructions?" She asked her eyes locking on his. They were a simple blue-grey that held non of the natural radiance of his own, yet Kurama felt something familiar in them.

"I have reviewed the requirements, yes. Though I must ask why you think something general like 'pollution' would be an appropriate topic?"

"The generality of it is what makes it work. Plus I find it presumptuous to pick overly complex topics for these sort of things. You run the risk of speaking over the judges heads. Of course if you had something else sensible in mind I would be open to discuss it."

Kurama smiled, this was a pleasant surprise indeed. It wasn't often that he found someone to talk to that seemed to speak to him on the same level.

"I think we can expand on the idea a bit further perhaps, have you considered pollutions effects on plant life?"

She gave a dismissive wave of her wrist.

"I think you'll be hard pressed to find judges sympathetic to the plight of flowers. I was thinking more along the lines of wildlife."

"Without healthy vegetation I think you'd be hard pressed to find wildlife to be sympathetic with," Kurama pointed out.

The girl smiled then for the first time. Just the slightest upward tug at the corner of her lips.

"Very well then, we can cover both and be rampant over achievers. How's that sound?"

"Mr. Kitanaka will be very pleased I'm sure." Kurama said meaning it in a good-natured joking kind of way.

"I'm sure he will," she said, her tone twinged with more than a hint of sarcasm.

They continued discussing plans for the project, a written essay coupled with a presentation which had to be delivered to members of the educational board. Noticing that most, but not all of the other groups had already dispersed for the evening Kurama checked his watch.

"I'm afraid I really should be going," Kurama said standing to collect the notes he had taken over their ideas, "If you would like I could give you my phone number so we can make plans to meet over the weekend."

She laughed, "you really can't get enough of this stuff huh?"

"I only meant to give this assignment the proper amount of attention. We can continuing only meeting after school if you would prefer." Kurama frowned. He didn't like the feeling that he was being mocked. It wouldn't be the first time he had been teased for being such a serious student. Yusuke was frequently giving him grief over it, but coming from a complete stranger it was less than endearing.

Noticing his quick change of expression the girl's grin faded quickly.

"I meant no offense, here I'll give you my number and we can meet Saturday to start the first draft."

She wrote a number on a scrap of paper and handed it to him quickly as she stood to gather her things. Kurama accepted the paper and watched her go, only after she was gone did he realize that she had neglected to write her name on the paper. Odd as it seemed she had never mentioned it and Kurama hadn't thought to ask, he'd been so wrapped up in plans for the project. Collecting his things he left, hoping to be able to catch up with her.

Outside the school the sun was just starting to sink below the horizon, the sky marked pink and the light diminishing in the early fall afternoon. Kurama picked up his pace and nearly tripped over Hiei who had appeared suddenly in front of him.

"It's about time you came out, I was about to leave," Hiei growled.

"Did you see a girl leave before me? I need to catch up to her," Kurama questioned. Hiei raised an eyebrow but nodded and turned towards the direction he had seen the girl go a few moments before Kurama had exited the school. Kurama dashed off, Hiei paused only a moment before chasing after him.

"Is there any particular reason you are chasing a ningen female into the night?" Hiei asked as he ran beside his friend.

"It's nothing, I just need to work with her on an assignment and forgot to get her name."

"Don't you have to come back tomorrow, why don't you ask her then?"

"It would be rude to call her home and not even know her name," Kurama replied, taking longer strides. Hiei just rolled his eyes and continued following along.

"Are you sure she came this way?"

"Check your eyes Fox, there she is," Hiei scowled and stopped running so he wouldn't have to get any closer. He preferred to let Kurama interact with humans from afar. Kurama saw that Hiei was indeed correct and called out, "Miss, wait for a moment please." She paused and he was able to catch up with her.

"Miss?" Stopping she turned around and made a face.

"Yes, I'm afraid I never did get your name, I'm Shuichi Minamino."

"A pleasure," she said bowing her head slightly. Kurama chuckled.

"And your name if I may? Or would you like to continue going by Miss?"

"Kahli would be sufficient, Mr. Minamino. Kahli Akita."

She reached to shake his hand. Kurama took her hand and shook it formally. He could sense her amusement, but something else had his attention.

"That is an unusual name."

"My you are a charmer aren't you?"

"That came out badly, your name reminded me of someone I hadn't thought about in a long time. It is lovely."

"Well, I'm glad you think so, I'd hate to have to find a new partner because my name was unusual," she glanced back to where Hiei was waiting, "Do you know that boy?"

Kurama turned to make sure that it was indeed Hiei that she had noticed before answering, "Yes, he is a friend of mine and I'm afraid I've kept him waiting a bit longer than I had anticipated today. I look forward to speaking with you at a later time Kahli."

"Call me tomorrow evening, we can make our plans for Saturday then.," Kali called with a wave.

"Why was she looking at me like that?" Hiei asked once Kurama was close to him again.

"She just noticed you waiting and asked if I knew you."

"She was starring at me the whole time Fox, didn't you notice?"

"I think perhaps being in the ningen world so long is making you paranoid."

Hiei growled quietly and said no more as they walked back to Kurama's house. Despite having waited around all afternoon for him Hiei turned down Kurama's invitation for dinner and left him alone on the porch.

Kurama climbed the stairs to his room and laid across his bed resting his eyes a moment.

Kahli... he felt as if he knew the name from somewhere. It had been so long since he had thought of anything having to do with the people he knew in his past life. He had come to terms with Yoko's death, and no longer harbored any animosity about it.

"Kali..." He whispered, the name hanging in the air above him. Why did that sound so familiar?