"You're awake finally." The red headed Kurama spoke softly towards her, glad to see that she finally was moving much better now. He watched as her eyes searched each one of them, confusion written all over her face.

"Yes... "She still didn't reply fully. So many thoughts! So many Questions! Which one did she ask first? She shifted slightly, tucking her dark messy brown hair behind her ear.

Kurama walked towards her and smiled softly, her brown eyes connecting with his green ones. "How are you feeling?"

"Well... confused, mostly. I am a curious as to why I feel better though, physically... You all know each other?" she finally asked, looking around again at the others.

"Yes Annie, but may I ask... how is it that you know all of them?" Kurama asked, causing her to smile softly.

"Yeah, considering I don't know who you are." Yusuke pointed out, trying to concentrate on where he knew her from. She looked familiar but he couldn't put his finger on it...

"Awww come on Urameshi! You don't remember Miss. Aurora from last semester? It wasn't that long ago!" Kuwabara explained and Yusuke's face lit up right then.

"I remember now! Hey, Kuwabara, isn't she the hott chick that was tutoring you in math that you had a crush on!" he snickered, causing his orange haired friend to turn red.

"SHUT UP URAMESHI! And yes... that was until I met the love of my life!" he sighed, as he began to see hearts all around him. "Oh Yukina!" Everyone began to ignore him as he went off into his own little world for a bit. Hiei just glaring at him.

"Hey, sorry about not remembering." Yusuke told her, standing and rubbing the back of his head, chuckling a bit.

"It's no big deal. I'm kind of used to that anyway." she replied, not trying to sound pathetic, but just speaking the truth. "So, yeah, I know Yusuke from school, as well as Kuwabara... Hiei well..." her brown eyes looked over at him and waited for a moment, thinking about her response to that one. "It's a long story I guess." She stated, watching as his crimson eyes met hers for a brief moment.

"Hn." he looked away and began to walk towards the door.

"Where ya going shorty!" Kuwabara asked randomly towards the fire demon.

"You all are boring me. I have better things to do than to take a trip down memory lane." Hiei stated, walking out without another word. Aurora looked down, saddened by his sudden departure. He always fled when she tried to talk to him about that day and it really bothered her.

"Well that was pleasant of him." Yusuke mocked, sighing as he looked over at Kuwabara. "We should probably be going too though." his attention when to Kurama and Aurora then. "Sorry for not staying, I promised Keiko I would meet up with her as soon as possible. Hopefully she isn't pissed at me."

"It's no problem, Yusuke. We will speak again soon." Kurama expressed, knowing their attention would be on their case soon, but for now, he wanted to be with Aurora, and find out who did all that horrible stuff to her delicate body.

They both watched and said their goodbyes to the two men as they left, leaving them alone once again. Kurama's eyes looked over at hers, as she smiled at him.

"Annie, I must speak with you about earlier."

"Earlier?" she asked confused, at least for a moment. Her eyes suddenly went wide and she felt her heart began to pound. "What time is it!"

"It's almost eight PM. Why?" he replied.

"I have to go, I'm sorry!" she panicked, quickly making her way towards the door. "I'm going to be late, and I can't be late again!" she freaked, reaching for the door handle.

She couldn't believe her eyes when Kurama ran over and held the door shut so she was trapped inside. "You are not going anywhere, Aurora."

"Let me go Shuichi!" she pleaded, knowing quite well what would become of her if she was late again. It was Friday. Fridays were always 'friends' night. If she missed this, she would be dead. She studied his features and saw the concern on his face. "I know your worried but-"

"Do you even know how badly hurt you were when I found you!" he gave her a stern look, towering over her. Her hand still on the door knob, hoping, no praying yet again that he would move his force from the door.

"Yes! I know quite well actually! And if you don't want that happening again, you'll let me go before I'm late!" she tried to explain.

Kurama saw the tears filling up her eyes as she pleaded with him. He wanted to let her go, but knew that if he did what she wanted, it would all fall on his shoulders if something were to happen to her.

"I don't understand, Aurora, your father has been dead for years!"

"I HAVE to go!"

"I will not let you go and be beaten like that again!"

"You don't understand!" she cried, removing her hand from the door and hugging herself. "He will find me and he will kill me Shuichi... I have no choice..."

Kurama took a step closer to her and lifted her chin gently with his hand. He finally got to look at her and take in the sight of her eyes. Eyes were the key to your soul and he wanted to see for sure if she was alright. Her brown eyes seemed lifeless as he finally caught them with his own.

"I cannot let you go. Please try to understand me, Aurora. We grew up together, you were my best friend. I never really had a friend that I cared for back then, except you, but things still haven't changed between us. Just lots of time. I do not want to see you hurt, and will not allow it to happen. Please, stay here, I can keep you safe!"

"Oh Shuichi... "she cried, for the first time breaking down and giving in to a male's request. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, him doing the same back. "I...I may act tough around him... I might fight every time, even knowing the outcome... I may refuse to be like them or to be... "she sobbed into his chest, unable to finish that sentence.

"Your safe here."

"I'm scared." she finally admitted. No matter how many times she had truly tried to run away, 'He' had always found her. She was his source for entertainment and pleasure, as well as for his friends and he didn't take well for her to disappear. Her heart fell in fear, but yet she felt a bit... relieved...

"I know. I am here though, and I won't let anything happen to you." He comforted her and allowed her to take her time to calm herself down. They stood there for quite a while, until she became tired and then made her way towards the couch, not straying far from Kurama's side.

"Where is your mother?" she asked him, sniffling and accepting a blanket that he handed her. She wrapped it around herself and held it close as if in a cocoon. Her brown eyes studied her good green eyed friend's.

"Her and my step-father took my younger brother out of town for a week."

"Oh... you have a new family now?" she asked, as he took a seat next to her.

"Yes, she just married a while ago. He had a son; in turn I have a new brother."

"Must be nice." she yawned, rubbing her eyes with her hands.

"Yes, it's quite the change, but nice none the less. You moved in with your Aunt and Uncle, correct?"

Aurora shifted uncomfortably in her seat, scooting a bit closer to Kurama, still awaiting Jack to come find her. "Uh, yeah."

"How are they?"

"Oh... we um..." she tried to find the words to say. "They are just fine. Still traveling all the time, ya know? I stay home though; I would rather stay home and study."

Kurama looked at her, a bit confused at her statement. "You've always wanted to travel."

"People change." she whispered bitterly through gritted teeth. "and yet... they are all the same." she added, sounding perfectly fine in her own thoughts, but confusing Kurama all the more.

"Why don't you try to get some rest, Annie." he finally suggested, seeing that she was reacting strange to this conversation. He needed some time to think, to understand what she had been saying.

"Can we just watch TV or something?" She suggested instead. He of course, didn't refuse and grabbed the remote that lay on the table beside him. Turning on the TV they began to watch just a random show that was on, allowing time to pass in silence.

Now Kurama waited for her to fall asleep, which took forever to do. He smiled softly at his dear old friend who had curled up in the blanket, against him, head on his lap. Her brown curly hair still untamed as she slept soundly. He sighed knowing that this wasn't going to be easy to work with. He really did want her to be safe, for she was purely innocent.

Kurama relaxed and leaned his head back, remembering a certain time...

Young Kurama sat outside under a tree, reading through one of his favorite books. School just got out and instead of going straight home today, he decided to head to the library and grab a few text books. He had such a fetish for learning, for it's the only thing that has really kept him alive all these years. He had to learn, to be one step ahead of everyone else.

"Wahhhh-Ahhh!" a sweet voice screamed and Kurama instantly caught sight of a girl, closer to his age. He watched in surprise as she fell face forward, tripping over a something or... nothing it would seem. A stack of books in her arms leading the way towards the ground. He didn't have enough time to react when her face made impact with the dirt.

"Oh my, are you alright!" he got up and went over instantly, wanting to check on her. Her head rose and looked at him. A grin appeared on his face and he tried so hard not to laugh, but it came out none the less. Kurama was there, bending over laughing at the girl with her face covered in dirt and grass all over.

"Oh yeah, laugh it up." she glared. "Jackass." she whispered as she rose to her knees, wiping her face off with her shirt and then started to collect her books.

"Oh I'm so sorry." he tried to calm down, smiling brightly at her. "I really did not mean to make you upset."

"Oh that's what you were doing? That came across loud and clear." she raised a brow, her brown eyes still lightly glaring at him. She did have to admit that if it were the other way around, she probably would have laughed too. Sighing she finished getting her books and slowly rose to her feet. Kurama doing the same.

"Like I said, I'm sorry. You just caught me off guard. I'm Shuichi Minamino. You?" he asked her.

"Aurora Annabelle Yumira. But I like to go by Annie." she nodded, finally a small smile appearing on her face.

"Can I help you carry anything home?" he offered, but her eyes only got wide.

"Oh no, thank you though. I'm fine, no damage done!" she chuckled, rubbing at the side of her head.

"What are you reading?"

"Oh these?" her eyes gestured towards her full arms. "I kind of suck at math. Trying to study hard so that I can pass my classes."

Hmmm, a dedicated girl. That was something he liked to see. "Well, if you'd like, I can make up for my rude behavior and show you some tricks. I am quite good at math." He offered yet again. She thought for a moment, giving him a confused look. Why would he want to help her at all? She was no one of importance anyways.

"Sure, I'd love that." she replied without thinking about it first. "We can meet here tomorrow? Same time?"

"Perfect."

He couldn't help but smile ta the girl as she did. Her whole face seemed to light up as her lips curled into what should be a natural position for her. It seemed though as if she didn't smile often, for after a moment her smile was lost and she nodded, taking off in the direction of her home.

The sun shined through the windows and onto Aurora's delicate face. She groaned at the sudden realization that it was morning. She began to rub her eyes, slowly opening them as she sat up from her sleeping position. Aurora stretched her small frame as the blanket rolled off her shoulders, and then she looked over at the seat beside her.

She was alone.

Panic filled her as she remembered the past night. She never went home, and now she was alone! She was dead! Where was Shuichi! Aurora looked around the room in frenzy, when her eyes rested upon a short fire demon with unnatural hair.

"Hiei?" she asked.

"Hn." he glared at her, then turning his gaze back out the window. He sat there in front of it, wishing he was in Makai.

"Where's Shuichi?" she tried again, her hand clinging to her chest to try and stop her heart from beating so fast.

"Hn. He had to run off to school and insisted that I stay here and keep you safe. Waste of time if you ask me. I detest babysitting."

"Oh." she looked down. That one hurt, but she didn't care. If he wanted to hurt her fully, he would have to try a lot harder than that. She's heard that one before. "Well then why did you stay?" she asked, actually curious.

"As a favor." he replied, surprisingly not meanly. Hmm... they must be good friends then. Hiei didn't seem the type to do what was asked of him.

A small smile appeared on Aurora's face as she thought about it. Kurama had a way with making friends. He was gentle and kind and very smart. He always knew things in advance. She strived to be like him after her father died.

"What on earth is causing you smile." he asked, only his eyes focusing on her. He glared softly as she looked at him with the same smile. "I just find it strange how you and Shuichi are friends. I mean..." she hesitated. Would he run away again? "What I saw... that day..."

"I'm done talking." he snapped, looking away.

"Right." she sighed. Would he ever face what happened? Hmmm... maybe... just maybe. A smirk played on Aurora's face as she got up and walked into the kitchen. Hiei's eyes followed her, still glaring. What could she possibly be up to?

After a short time of her disappearing Hiei picked up the scent of something cooking. He cringed his nose as if it smelled nasty. In all reality he was fighting off the urge to go see what it was, for it smelled amazing. Strange feelings seemed to fill his body as it seemed to have a mind of its own. His own stomach growled at just the smell of that damn food!

Finally he closed his eyes and took in a big whiff of the air. The smell of was of something spicy, or had a lot of spices to it... and then a mix of something sweet filled his senses. It was a strawberry scent, he recalled.

That damn woman and those smells!

Hiei quickly got up from his seat in the window and made his way to the kitchen. He spotted Aurora cooking something, an apron around her tiny waist causing Hiei to spot all her curves. She had all the right stuff in all the right places that was for sure. Her back was turned to him as he crossed his arms and put a scowl on his face.

"What on earth is that smell?" he demanded to know, causing Aurora to look over to shoulder and meet his crimson eyes.

"Ahhh, well that's for me to know and you to find out."

"I hate playing games woman."

"My name is Aurora."

"That's not of any importance to me." he replied back.

"Well then..." she looked back down at the food before her. "Guess that means I have to eat all this by myself then... since... who I am and what I do is of no importance." she smiled and continued to cook, the steam rising and causing her face to turn red with heat. A pair of crimson eyes continued to watch her closely as she bent over and pulled out a tray from the oven. A huge blast of strawberry and cinnamon filled the room as she did so, causing Hiei's stomach to growl even more. His senses calling out for whatever that was.

"Hn."

"You know Hiei... I did make enough for both of us to eat this... I have my special desert that I've made and a wonderful recipe that I created with this stir fry. Her brown eyes found his crimson ones once again and he glared. "Look, all I ask is that after we are done eating, that we possibly talk about what happened?" she raised a brown in question. She watched his features and finally he looked away.

"Whatever."

She took that as a yes, as he stomach growled again, loud enough for her to hear. It made her giggle and smile. He was one interesting demon that was for sure.

Hiei walked out of the room and sat down, waiting for the food. Aurora within minutes brought out a plate for him and herself. She had to make a couple trips, bringing out their share of desert and something to drink. She also saved some for Kurama, but she would put that away later for him.

Taking a seat at the table in front of the couch she smiled and began to eat slowly, watching Hiei stare at his food. After a brief moment, Hiei finally decided to dig in and boy was he in for a shock. His eyes went wide as he looked at the food in disbelief. "What the hell is this witchcraft!" he demanded to know.

Aurora laughed as she tried to reply. That was surly a different reply than she was used to. "I love to cook once in a while. You like?" she asked and her own eyes went wide as he attacked the food, shoving pieces into his mouth as if he was Yusuke eating! "Wow..." she chuckled, putting another bite into her own mouth. Hmmm. She liked this. "So Hiei... about that day..."

He stopped instantly, plate in hand by his face, and glared at her. Swallowing he finally spoke. "I thought you said after we finish eating."

"Oh right! Yes... Sorry." Aurora chuckled again as he went back to shoving his face full of food. Never had she seen anyone eat her cooking like that before. No matter, she got her way and soon, she would hopefully get things resolved between them.

Hiei finished, went into the kitchen for seconds and then devoured that plate as well, and then went for the desert. Aurora had less on her plate, her stomach still upset from worry. She soon finished as well though, and sighed with satisfaction. Hiei sat there staring at the empty plate as if something was going to happen.

"You... alright?"

"Where did you learn to cook like that?" he asked, still studying the plate.

"Oh well um... I learned on my own I guess." she waited for a response but when none came she changed the subject. "So about before..."

"Hn. I'm not talking about that." he looked at her and watched as her brown eyes widened.

"But you said-"

"I changed my mind." he cut her off.

She crossed her arms and pouted. "Well that was a shitty move." He smirked as if he won something and Aurora just sighed. She wasn't expecting that but oh well, she never got her way in life anyways, and why would this be any different?

"You'll live." he told her, getting up and climbing back into the window. He now ignored her all together and she just mumbled to herself as she took the dirty dishes back into the kitchen and started cleaning up.

Thoughts filled her mind as the hot water washed over her hands as they lathered the dishes clean. Would she really be able to stay here? Be safe? Never have to see that bastard and his friends again? Kurama seemed sure of it, but she wasn't so sure.

He just didn't realize what kind of man he was.

He was evil, pure evil. If everyone knew what her father did, which was made public many years ago, and then he would be a saint compared to Jack. Chills ran down her spine and her stomach turned as she realized that he was probably looking for her already. Would she have to stay inside forever? Be trapped once again in fear of that man finding her? Tears pricked her eyes.

She needed to get out.

Hiei sat there, fully satisfied with the food he just ate and his full belly. It's been a long time, maybe even the first time he felt this good after eating human food. Normally Keiko cooked or Kurama made something up him, other times he just fended for himself. All three weren't bad, but those three weren't heavenly.

Hiei glared out at the town. Stupid woman creating such a desire in his body, even if it was just for food. Of all people, it had to be that one. He cringed at the memory that was now haunting him. He couldn't believe such things happened with such a pathetic weak human. Fighting the urge to kill something, he shifted in his seat, changing his thought process to what the woman might cook next. Hmmm...

Damnit. There he went again, actually thinking of a way to keep her around. First it was because she continuously brought him sweet snow, his favorite food, and now it was the cooking. She had to be a witch. "Hn." He would have none of it. He didn't care what happened to her, and he was just using her for the food.

More thoughts of that day ran through his mind and he growled in frustration.

Will those thoughts ever leave! They were like a nightmare playing during the day!

Hiei still heard the water running as well as some clanking coming from the kitchen. Hmmm... he really needed to get away from that woman and her damn spells. She would be fine without him here. She was smart enough, well he thought anyways, to stay here and wait for Kurama to come home. He would just have to explain that it wasn't a babysitter to the fox.

Especially of that woman.

Opening the window, Hiei disappeared instantly, leaving Aurora, or so he thought, alone in the home.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Yu Yu Hakusho, just my own character, Aurora Yumira.

Author's Note: Okay! So there we are! How was this chapter? I'm really trying to keep everyone it character, but that's what I have always struggled with. Hmmm. How's it looking so far? Are you curious as to what had happened between the two? Tehe. Review and let me know! I would love feedback! :D Ta ta for now!

Sachiya