New Arrival

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho

"Hiei, I can not go with you right now." Kurama insisted in his usual low tone.

"Kurama, why do you insist on continuing this facade?" The black haired man asked pointedly. "You can never leave behind who you really are. Don't deny it."

"I chose to live as a human, and I have strived to do so. I can not change my past, but I can affect my future." The red head turned and walked away from the shorter demon, but stopped in the doorway. "Tell me what you find out about this new demon. If he appears to be trouble we will take care of him."

A wicked smile slowly crept across the face of Hiei. His ultimate victory over his companion was as good as a yes in his eyes. The dark haired demon turned and left very well satisfied. Kurama walked down the street toward the train station. He wondered idly to himself, how he got wrapped up in this whole thing to begin with. If he was being honest with himself, he was more interested in accompanying Hiei and discovering the demon that had recently come into town. This one has been particularly troublesome. There have been an abnormal number of women being abducted, and it was no coincidence. While riding the train downtown, Kurama thought about what Hiei had said about denying his past. Kurama, had never denied his past, but he was trying to leave it behind. However, it was difficult. Yoko was a part of him, and that would never change.

His red hair swayed lightly as he physically shook his head, and returned his thoughts to his current task. Professor Toshio had asked him to meet a student that was coming into town today. An exchange student from America. There was no more information then the students last name. This should be interesting, he thought to himself with a light smirk. Since entering university, Kurama had been able to divide his time between human and demon concerns better. Although, being a top scoring student meant many professors were asking for his time. Today was one thing he didn't mind so much. Meeting new people was always interesting, and someone from the states would be most intriguing. The train slowed to a stop and he exited onto the platform. The bus station was a short walk from here, and it would be pleasant with the weather cooling.

The bus had turned off the main road to a side street that led to the back side of the commuter hub. Other busses were all lined up with passengers boarding and departing, and workers loading and unloading baggage. Abby thought how strange it all seemed in such a small fragile moment, but when she brought the bigger picture into view it wasn't so absurd. Her travels had taken her around the world in a matter of a few years, and this time she was closer then ever to reaching her goal. She looked at her notebook again. She had convinced a college professor that she was an exchange student and would have someone meeting her at the bus station. The pen inked on the paper was one single word. Minamino. Who was coming to meet her? The idea seemed so juvenile, it didn't really matter who this person was. She would use them the way she had used countless others. Abby wasn't a mean spirited person by nature, but her situation had made manipulation a necessity. The few jobs that she had secured recently wouldn't keep her for long. Traveling was becoming very expensive. The last year or so she had been using this exchange student routine to get by, and so far it had worked fine. The drivers loud speaker caught her attention when he announced their arrival and the bus was ready to unload. Abby stood and pulled her rather large ruck sack from the overhead storage. Slinging it over her shoulder, she bolstered it one more time to distribute the weight better. The strange girl filed into line with the other passengers, ready to start off in again in this new city.

The passengers exited one by one, Kurama wondered how he would know the person he was suppose to meet. He had a name and nothing else. Was this student male or female, young or old, short or tall? Deciding that it was best to observe first, he leaned against a nearby pillar and watch closely as one by one the riders left the bus. Each passenger met and joined with their respectively waiting person. Then he saw her. A little taller then the man in front of her, but shorter then himself. Her olive complexion and brown hair was a stand out. She was not a native, that much was certain. He stood himself straighter, watching her, and taking her in. She was very beautiful whoever she was. She carried a large ruck sack over her shoulders. Her deep brown hair would easily go past her knees if it wasn't pulled into a high ponytail. A few thick chunks were pulled around her face, and curls at the ends came to rest against the top of her breasts. These chunks of hair were dyed a vivid dark blue color, that contrasted her crystalline green eyes. Her clothes helped her blend in more though. Muted colors designed to not stand out in anyway. She wore a military green bomber jacket with a short cropped black shirt underneath. The shirt afforded a good view of her toned stomach. Her pants were a loose cargo style pant in a khaki color, ending with a pair of thick soled black boots and capped with a studded black leather belt. She reached for a large duffle bag that had just been unloaded then turned around and began scanning the crowd.

Her gaze fell on him almost immediately. Kurama walked forward, their gaze fixed on one another. The girl began to weave through the crowd, her eyes not leaving him for a moment. When they were a few feet apart the girl set down the enormous duffle bag, her eyes still focused on the red haired man in front of her.

"Are you Minamino?" She asked in a soft melodic tone.

"You must be Simons." Kurama said. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Abby." She insisted while extending her hand. "Abbiegail, is far too formal for my taste."

Kurama looked at her hand for a brief moment then took it up carefully, and she shook it up and down three times. After releasing his hand she bent to a low bow.

'This guy is a demon. I think. It feels different, like he's half demon or something. I need to be careful.'

"Suichi." Kurama offered her before bowing his respect to her. "You speak our language very well."

"I have been studying in Japan for quite some time now. I am very familiar with your culture and your language."

"Impressive. I am honored, Abby." Kurama took her in more carefully 'This girl has unusually high spirit energy. I wonder if she is trained or not. She doesn't seem to have taken notice of my demon energy, or she is not showing it. I will have to watch her closely.'

"Indeed." Abby conceded. 'He is someone to keep a close eye on. I will have to find out his true identify. If he truly is a demon, then I must kill him.' Her eyebrow lifted slightly. "Honored."

Without much more said between them Kurama reached for her large duffle bag, easily lifting it over his shoulder. Abby was impressed that such a light figured man was so strong. She knew from experience that that duffle bag was easily forty or fifty pounds, and he lifted it like it contained feathers. Now she was really interested. She followed after him as he gracefully walked out of the bus station.

"Would you like to take a cab or would you prefer the train?" He asked over his shoulder to her.

"The train. I need to conserve what money I have." Her voice reflected her lighthearted smile; making Kurama grin.

"The train it is." He turned back the way he had come earlier and walked at a slow and steady pace. Abby silently trailed behind for a while, but then moved along side of him.

"So, you must stand out around here as much as I do." She glanced sideways at him. His eyes did not detract from the path in front of him.

"Quite." Was his simple and direct answer. "However, no one bothers me. Most people are use to my red hair by now."

"So, how did you come to have red hair and green eyes. Is your family not from Japan?"

"No, we are all native. I was just a fluke." His eyes still did not meet hers.

Abby could feel that he was hold something back. Figuring it was safer not to make her true self known she didn't reach out with her spirit energy to gauge him; he might bolt. The pair remained silent until they reached the train station. Once on board the train to head back to the university, Kurama continued the slow conversation.

"Are you staying on campus?" He asked.

"I believe so. Professor Toshio was not very clear on my accommodation. In fact, he wasn't very clear on anything. I think that I am inconveniencing him." Abby looked at her toes.

"Don't worry about it. He is like that with everyone." Kurama continued to study her carefully for any sign that she might be a threat. "If they do not have a place for you, we will figure something out."

"I could stay in a hotel for the night." She said looking into his vibrant green eyes. "Thank you for the help."

They left the train and headed for the university. As was expected no room had been arranged for the new comer. Abby was very gracious about the whole thing and preceded to leave on her own. She was barely off campus when Kurama had caught up to her. He took up her large bag again, and walked quietly beside her. She didn't say anything and didn't reach out spiritually either. They had walked a few blocks to a nearby hotel. It wasn't anything fancy, but it would do. Abby looked at it with a soft sigh. Honestly, she was not looking forward to another run down hotel room.

"Would you like to stay somewhere else?" Kurama asked softly.

"I can't afford much else for long." Abby's voice sounded aged and defeated. Kurama wondered as to why she would feel that way.

"I've got a place you can stay if you like." He offered carefully.

"I can't impose. Besides you don't even know me." The sarcasm in her voice was evident.

"It's no inconvenience. It is a spare apartment, you could say." Kurama picked his words carefully.

"A spare apartment." Abby's tone was now laced in suspicion. "Who, just has a spare apartment."

"Well, it is a place that me and my friends use from time to time. We stay there on occasion, and right now it is empty." He was careful not to let too much information out about who these friends were. "It would only be temporary." He added noting her hesitation.

"Just until I find a place." She agreed, and Kurama nodded.

Abby dropped her ruck sack on the bed in one of the two rooms in the apartment, and fell backwards onto the bed. Kurama followed behind with her duffle bag. He couldn't help but look at her flat toned stomach as she lay stretched on the bed. All the while they had been together that afternoon, he had noticed her scent. It was a sweet blend of ginger and lilies. Relaxed on the bed as she was, her scent increased in strength for a moment, until she realized him standing in the doorway. She sat up quickly and straightened herself before standing.

"You must be tired." Kurama said softly.

"Yeah. It's been a long day. I would love to take a shower and lay down." She demurred for a brief moment.

"I'll leave you to it then. I will come back in the morning, and we can figure something out for a more permanent residence."

"Thank you, Suichi." Her voice was very soft as she spoke, and the red haired man turned to leave.

"There is some food in the fridge, but I don't know if it's any good. There is a grocer and restaurant just down the street." He said as he got to the door.

"Oh. Food." Her hand went to her now rumbling stomach. "I hadn't even thought about it."

"You should eat something." He turned to face her for an instant before turning the door handle, and opening the door.

"Suichi." She jerked forward slightly. "Could I take you to dinner? It's the least I could do for everything you have done for me today."

"It's not necessary." He started, but then saw the pleading in her eyes. "But, I would be glad to join you."

"Great, let me shower and change first." Her spirits lifted immediately and she turned and bounced away.

Kurama sat in one of the chairs at the table and waited for his new acquaintance to get herself ready. He could hear the shower running, and the smell of shampoo and soap soon reached his sensitive nose. After about fifteen minutes or so the water stopped and the humidity of the shower began to come out from under the door. Abby exited the bathroom wrapped tightly in a towel. Kurama did not lift his eyes to look at her, but his keen eyesight caught many interesting scars on her legs and arms. She had quickly walked back to the room that she had claimed and softly pushed the door, but it didn't latch. The shuffling sounds coming from behind the door made it clear that she was finding new clothes.

Kurama glanced sideways as the door drifted open slightly. It was little more then a crack in the doorway, but it was more then enough for him to catch a glimpse of the girl in the room. She was standing in view of the slightly opened door. She was completely bare from head to toe. Her long wet hair hung heavy over her shoulders and down the length of her back. When she leaned sideways her hair cleared away from her back, revealing a long deep scar that started just below her right shoulder blade and made its way to the left side of her hips. Kurama couldn't help but gasp at such a sight. Quickly, realizing his slip he diverted his eyes. Before long the door opened completely.

Abby stood in the doorway wearing dark blue jeans, the same black boots and belt, with a dark blue cropped shirt. Her jacket hanging from the finger tips of her right hand. Her hair still wet and tousled around her. She set her jacket on the back of the couch and walked into the bathroom. With practiced hands she separated her colored strands and pulled the rest into the high ponytail like before. Kurama looked her over quickly and noticed how fit her body really was. The clothes did a good job of hiding her true physical attributes. He hadn't realized with the loose jacket she wore that she was a bit more 'endowed' then he had first figured. He almost blushed at this observation, but managed to fend it off.

"You ready." Abby's voice came suddenly.