Disclaimers: I don't own YYH

Hello guys! Wacha doin?

Here's chap 2 juz for you!

Hope you have fun!


SO IT'S YOU

Chapter 2

Accidentally in Love

I closed my eyes.

I can't believe what day I have. I should be having a break with my friends today in Genkai-sama. Yukina had called to tell me she is holding a picnic with the others. Keiko had tried to attract me by telling me the course of food to be shared. I can imagine Yusuke's face when he heard her talking to me like that. I chuckled, remembering how I heard Yusuke's accusing tone by the end of the phone. They ended up fighting and throwing things again, my instincts told me by the sound of clanking metals on the end. Kuwabara-kun tried the least, perhaps, trying to pry my feelings if I have one on poor Yukina-san. Oh well, he didn't get me but he got Hiei swishing passed me that day he told me that. I can imagine them, even from afar, how good Keiko-chan and Yukina-chan's dish are, how Yusuke-kun and Kuwabara-kun would act rowdy due to the food just to be whacked by Keiko-chan to observe food ethics. Hiei would probably be spying on Kuwa-kun in case he did get Yukina-chan alone. I scoffed. I wonder when he'd tell her he is her lost brother anyway… Genkai-sama would probably be silently eating with them. Hmm… still unpredictable perhaps. But I can get a picture of them dancing and splashing by the beach shore.

Well, I cannot blame them at all.

The last time we saw each other was the time Koenma-sama gave us a hard assignment just last October.

I wasn't aware of my expression growing grim. But I have clear recollections of them.

-

"It's who?"

I listened carefully as Hinageshi-chan bring them their latest assignment, one of which Koenma-sama told them they are the ones needed. I even remember Keiko going nuts over it.

"Karasu." Said Hinageshi-chan, holding up a large attaché case to reveal a three-dimensional screen of a kid Koenma-sama.

"But just to make it clear, we had beaten him last tournament when we had the case on Toguro, remember?" Yusuke said, "Kurama was there! He was even the one who beat him, in case you forgot."

"Yeah!" Kuwabara egged on. "He became a demon – uh – the Youko one and even beat him when he was completely alone!"

"Yeah… almost no more powers!"

"Yet he was able to win over it! Right Hiei?"

I sweatdropped. They are too much in describing. "Enough of that guys." I called.

Koenma was staring at them, his large cute eyes turning grim. "Of course I know that."

I looked at him. There was no evidence that he had a chance to escape – my plant had seen to that. But there was more to the eyes of the kid prince.

"The other tanteis of Reikai world had seen to it that no threat would be overlooked. Karasu was nearly reborn, had they been late."

The little prince pressed some buttons and a place – somewhere in Makai, as Koenma describes – was flicked on. The whole area was in ruins. But I had an inkling that it was once a shrine, based on the writings, the style of the edifice. For in the center of the ruins was maybe once a round platform with four pillars. There were scattered large blocks around the flat area. I examined the place as the pictures flicked in and out.

"It's a summoning temple." Hiei said, looking hard as well.

"Yes." I agreed.

"There are summoning temple in Makai?" Keiko asked, intrigued.

I nodded. "Summoning Temples are not only famous in medieval Ningenkai but also in Makai as well – though I thought it had been banished."

"Banished?" asked Yusuke.

Hinageshi cleared her throat. "Summoning rituals include human sacrifice, of course. And they were known to call powerful beings – gods, dead demons – everything. That's why they were banned by Reikai and Makai as well."

"Most of all," I said, resting my back on the chair, crossing my legs and arms. "Summoning doesn't always end successful. That's why there were many lives endangered – particularly those who are gifted to sense things more than the physical because the more powerful they are, the more possibility of calling the most powerful."

"Priests and priestesses, guardians, innocent human beings that possess them had been captured, mutilated, burned according to the rituals. And only few of them ever get passed the sacrificial ritual."

But there was a look in my face that Hiei read.

"Hn."

Yusuke had picked on it. "And why do I have the feeling you don't really like the pictures?"

I leaned forward, uncrossing my legs unconsciously. "It's because the prince is right. The pictures – the pillars – the angle of the edifice were quite accurate and fitting. Perfect angles counts." I pointed to the four bases of the pillars left. "These pillars – as you can see – creates a perfect 90-degree angle square. And the bases have not been uprooted, telling me that there was a powerful aura or shield that protected them before they were destroyed."

Hiei eyed the picture. "Hn." He looked on the smaller screen Koenma-sama was refitted. "I see that you've managed well without us. Why not let them handle this now?"

Kuwabara-kun stood up, anger etched on his face. "Why, you coward now shrimp?" he said, waving a fist on Hiei. Hiei just eyed him and looked away.

"Because the summoning succeeded in freeing the spirit from our hands."

My sense sharpened at once. I did not like the idea of Karasu's spirit wondering around wherever I am. For if I was in his place, I'd hunt the person who killed me first. Koenma-sama seemed to have read my mind.

"He is a spirit – nothing more, nothing less. He is incapable of doing anything, unless the person who summoned him finishes the ritual."

Yusuke looked thoughtful for a while. "So are you saying that Karasu's spirit is wandering right now? And the summon-er person had escaped. And you want to us to find him, is that right?"

The prince looked at him happily. "Wow Yusuke! That was great!"

A piñata popped from the background, as Yusuke celebrate his genius conclusion. Me and the other's sweatdropped.

"A little improvement, Yusuke. But it's two out of three perhaps."

We all bonked our heads.

Yusuke grabbed the sides of the case. "Whatdya mean?" he growled.

"The – the spirit… is not anywhere in the three worlds."

"What?"

Koenma-sama waited us to calm down but the more Yusuke became impatient as Kuwabara-kun joined in to rattle the case.

"The – the summoning was not completed! He – stop that Yusuke-kun! Kuwabara-kun!"

It was Keiko who materialized a large hammer and put huge lumps on their head that Koenma-sama breathed finally. I sweatdropped.

Koenma-sama put on a serious face. "As I was saying, it was never completed due to our intervention. Karasu's spirit had been traveling back. But the entrance had closed. He was caught in between summons. I know not about his whereabouts. All I can say is that it's somewhere between the three – silent, secluded and trapped."

"Now all you need to do is find this demon who possesses ninja skills. He's in the run. The tanteis reported that he was off to find an important thing back in Ningenkai. You must find him before he gets a hold of anything at all. We have little information about this demon, but feel free to examine them. Hinageshi?"

"Yes Koenma-sama." She said cheerily. She faced Yusuke. "Here you go."

But I was thinking of something else. Something more serious.

"Koenma-sama."

He looked at me. His eyes met mine. I know he knows what I am thinking.

"Who was the sacrifice?"

-

It did not take a month to find the ninja-demon whom he called himself Yanazaki – priest of a forgotten family. I remember changing myself into Youko Kurama – mind and heart dominant with me – Kurama.

That moment, I felt nothing but serenity. Youko felt it himself. He had asked about it. I gave no answer. It was a full moon back then, and people wore costumes. But I did not remember thinking of what day it was.

Hiei and I were searching somewhere further the city. We had passed a school. We had decided to split and give each other signs in case of emergency. It was quick. The movements of the demon had slowed due to the wounds I gave him.

And we ended in a strange forest. I heard whining. I felt his power burst. In seconds, I disappeared from where I was. From the higher branches, I saw Yanazaki – charging someone else. I knew it wasn't Hiei – not strong aura. But it wasn't ordinary either. The aura uplifted the serene feeling I had.

In a flash, I deflected the reckless rage that had unusually overcome Yanazaki. He was caught off-guarded. I knew then that I was in the peak of power – both the serenity achieved of fusing both of us into one – not the other dominant over another – and a chiming bells that boosted my inner strength. Yanazaki was down in seconds, unable to move. There was a whine behind me. I turned.

And there, I saw and felt the disappearing chiming aura. A girl was lowering her guard down. She became clearer and clearer to me, unaware that my feet were the cause. It was a girl with long black tresses, fair skin, wearing traditional Japanese clothes of the dead.

But most of all, the most purple-pink eyes he had ever seen. It stood out of her dying appearance – like that of a ghost. And I was drawn.

Down.

To her lips.

-

"Big Shuichi! Big Shuichi! Ei, brother!"

I blinked.

I was brought back to my senses. I almost forgot where I was. A worried look spread across the face of my little brother, Little Shuichi.

"Are you alright? Are you sick?" he asked, putting his hands over my forehead. I gave him an assuring smile.

"No Shuichi. I'm fine. Very fine for the start of your camp."

"Are you sure?" I looked up to another worried face. This time it is my mother's. She was quite guilty-looking for a while.

"Of course! When have I gotten sick anyway, right okaa-san?"

"I'm worried. Maybe I should not have pushed you into this anyway." Said Shiori, her eyes showing sincerity.

"Uh… no okaa-san. I'll do fine." I said, sweatdropping and laughing uneasily.

I noticed the surroundings. The buildings have vanished. I felt my element around me as the wind whipped up against my face lovingly, just like my mother. Refreshing.

"How about we open this radio… wait…"

Shiori-san clicked the radio open, and at that moment, a booming, loud but rhythmic music rocked on.

"Hey I love this song!" Shiori-san cried out as she turned the volume louder.

"So she said what's the problem baby, what's the problem I don't know and baby I'm in love, Thinking 'bout it every time I think about it can't stop thinking 'bout it!" she sang. I joined in. It was at that moment that I noticed I was already on my stop and I was kissing my mother farewell.

"Sing with us sometime, huh Shuichi? Have fun with the summer job!"

And they were off.

I smiled as I started off to my journey. In case of necessity of introduction, I am Minamino Shuichi for this world, Kurama by my friends. I have turned down an invitation to picnic for my responsibility as a brother. Shiori-san had asked me to watch my brother on this summer camp. And I can only do so by becoming one of the teachers myself for Little Shuichi and the other kids. No, I did not tell my mother about Yukina's picnic, in case you are wondering. It did not feel right to turn her down when she needed me. I'm always by her side. Always. She's the only woman I've ever loved and respected – nothing more, nothing less. I'll give anything for her and of course my brother Little Shuichi. Nothing is greater than my filial love to them. Maybe that's the thing that makes me immune from other female fellows' charms and beauty. I'm contented with my family.

"Hey there!" called somebody from the back. I turned to find a good-looking teen like of my age – in present of course, I am older than her by centuries. She was wearing sleeveless white shirt and denim flare pants. I observed that she has the color of eyes same to Keiko, but darker perhaps. She wore her curly chocolate-colored hair free at the back, making an elegant aura. She fixed her backpack carefully and proceeded to greeting me.

"Hi!" she said. I returned the greeting as we started to walk together.

"Are you off to be a camp teacher too?" she asked.

I nodded. "I'm going to the Volunteer Section 1."

She nodded in understanding. "Well, that's my stop too. Though there is less salary than section 2, I don't really need money. I need experience."

"That's great then." I said, thinking there are few people who would want to.

"Since maybe we'll be seeing in the same office, I may of course introduce myself? It's Kitajima, Maya." She said, offering a hand. I stopped to shake it and continued the way now sloping downwards.

"Minamino Shuichi." I said simply. I hid the smile when I saw her frown as if to remember.

"Umm… I've heard that name before. Minamino…" Kitajima-san mumbled. I half-prayed she forgets the name and move on. But somehow, a half-pray isn't powerful enough.

"Are you telling me you're the Minamino, Shuichi of Meiou High? The richest, most good-looking and the most intelligent all girls are talking about?" she asked. I sweatdropped.

"Y-yeah. I'm from Meiou High." I agreed on that part, I don't like bragging, but the idea of another girl swooning in front of me is enough to tell me this camp is not a good plan at all. She ran ahead of me and took one good look. She gave me a smile.

"It's you alright." She agreed, a heavy sweatdrop falling on my head. "I'm happy to meet you! I hope you have good time in the camp, huh?" she said.

I heard it before she turned away to hide her blush. Her heartbeat was beating louder than I could imagine. I sniffed inwardly. My charms are unlimited.

"You are from Hyurei High, right? The school at the end of the street, five blocks from Sarayashiki High?"

She smiled. "So you know my family as well, Minamino-kun?"

I nodded. "How can't I? Your family almost owns half the business in Japan?" I said.

I heard her giggle for no reason at all. I shrugged as she kept up on my pace.

"I heard – "

But whatever I was about to say, vanished to thin air. I heard it. The familiar chimes.

"aaahhh! Heeellllppp!"

The sound vanished replaced by a fast rolling wheels.

"Please excuse me! Coming through! I can't stop! Aaah!"

I did not have time to turn. Instinctively, I shoved Kitajima-san away from me and saw a girl in skates rolling down.

"Hey Miss – " I started but should've known better than to talk. The impact of gravity and her weight pushed me down. To make matters worst, we began to roll down the slope, into the cliff nearby because the road was sloping down to the left. Sure, I've noticed there were railings and signs to tell people or cars that the road has sharp left curve. But there is no way one can stop us since the railings have large holes enough for us to fit in.

I acted quickly, holding the girl by the arm and pulling some seeds from my hair. In a matter of seconds, there were several plants that sprouted quickly and wrapped the hole between the railings like a satin stitch, making a note that Kitajima-san was still down from her fall. We hit the mark and stopped, huffing.

Pain was on my back and arms. I didn't notice the girl move until we looked at each others eyes. I didn't check my expression, but I was sure that I stared long and hard in frown. Those eyes –

Suddenly, the girl fidgeted. She must've realized we were in an awkward position. I noticed her blush. I coughed slightly. The impact had been painful. Suddenly, I was aware of hands wrapped around my face.

"Oh my God, are you hurt?"

It was warm. Sincere. Worried. I did not understand why she acted that way. Yet the way she touched me sent some nerves itching to return the favor. But when she touched my bangs and blundered, I knew exactly what she thought.

She had mistaken it as blood.

"No. My hair is red."

She closed her mouth. I felt her embarrassment as she apologized. The way she's moving told me she felt pain herself because instead of standing upright, she moved to my right, kneeling and bowing her head, saying sorry over and over.

"Are you okay Shuichi-kun?" Kitajima-san asked. I looked up as the girl stood up shakily. The girl held out a hand. I noticed she was still in shock. Knowing more, I refused the hand, for fear we might stumble again, and stood up by myself. I did not notice her grit her teeth though. I distanced a bit further to get a good look.

And I think it was a mistake. A smile can't help but escape my lips.

"I'm really sorry." She said. I felt guilty. She must have noticed she was silently being observed and looked up, her purple eyes showing childish innocence and asked.

Kitajima-san nudged me. "You tell her Shuichi-kun." And giggled. I was slightly inclined to nudge her back. But Kitajima-san's expression could offend her. So I decided to say it myself.

"Umm… zipper." I said simply. She looked down. She must've realized what real mess she was as she excused herself and turned around to fix herself. It was then I noticed something red. Real blood. I pointed at it as I excuse for her for a moment. She turned around, slightly red in embarrassment and anger and jumped up in surprise.

"Is that the time?" And she was suddenly in a hurry, grabbing the left roller-skate and glided by the road.

"I'm sorry again!"

"How rude!" the Kitajima-san said. "Are you alright?"

I nodded. In fact, I didn't think she was rude at all. She looked just a bit of a hurry. Then I noticed something else. I ran up to it and realized it was an MP3. I started to call her but she was already out of earshot. I realized it was still playing. I plugged it in my ear to hear what she was listening to.

"Accidentally, come on come on spend a little tighter, come on come on and the world will be brighter come on come on just get your self inside my love… I'm In love…"

By around nine o'clock, I went to the canteen to freshen up. I had declined breakfast for a cup of coffee instead but found myself starving. I was alone by the time I reached the wooden doors of the cafeteria. There were few customers. Good. The air carried the waft of good breakfast. Yum. I have separated from Kitajima-san for she was suddenly called by the head. She told me she was late because they were supposed to meet by eight thirty. When I was about to line up, I saw a familiar figure. An amused grin returned to my lips.

I noticed her tray. It was really full.

"Hungry?" I called out. She turned. Her glee turned to frown.

"Mind your own business please." It was a snap. It was her turn to pay.

"That would be 100 yen please."

The girl started to fumble for money. I raised my brows.

"You can borrow mine." I offered, enough to meet her clearly irritated purple eyes after sighing.

"I can deal with this okay?" She said and turned to the cashier. I shook my head. I took a large amount of money from my wallet.

"Miss, could you just put this on my – "

"I'm paying for her, miss." I interjected, holding out the money, of which the woman in cashier stared first before taking it.

"But why" they asked at the same time.

I shrugged. Isn't it obvious?

"I never let a woman alone like that." I said calmly as if talking to young children.

The cashier keeled over.

The girl looked at me as if I was the dirtiest guy in the world. She took her tray angrily. I followed.

"Maybe we can share the same table?" I asked.

"Okay, maybe I should huh?" she replied rather sarcastically.

It was my turn to get irritated.

"No. I don't want it to look like you have a debt or something. So long."

I walked away, fortunately spotting a free table and sat alone. It's not my day indeed, I thought. Seconds later, the girl reappeared. She appeared meek.

"Excuse me, may I take this seat?"

Eyes closed and setting down my second coffee of the day, I said "On one condition." I took note of her frown.

"Name."

I heard her scoff.

"What?"

"Nothing… it's just that I thought it was something else, anyway." She sat down and held out a hand across the table.

"It's Mihara, Mihara Botan." She introduced herself, giving me an expression she doesn't want me to call her other than her surname.

"Minamino Shuichi." I said, holding her hand to shake. It felt soft. She started to eat. I didn't. Something must be wrong with this girl.

"I bet you have nice hair." I said, giving a hint.

"Night? Chocolate? Or strawberry like mine?" I asked, leaning forward, not touching anything.

"Why do you want to know?" she munched. Not nice.

"Manners Mihara-san."

I had a feeling she didn't like that as she set down her fork.

"Listen, pal. Nobody and I mean nobody has ever bossed me around like this. So if you're avenging due to the accident earlier, well all I can say is that you're too much."

Accident? Oh… right. I chuckled.

"I'm sorry then Mihara-san. I should've been direct." I leaned back this time, savoring the feeling of communicating with the opposite sex without them drooling around at him. It felt nice and comfortable.

"But I was wondering if you love that helmet so much you won't take it off."

An invisible hammer fell on her head and she started to cry childishly. I held up my hand. I had been too much?

"Ei! You don't have to cry or something – "

"Oh don't mind me."

Everything became serious. But I don't think she really did want to let go of the helmet. Geez.

"Y-you don't have to if you don't feel like – wha – "

I didn't recall finishing my sentence. She unlocked her helmet from her head and immediately, her hair fell down like cascading waterfall. Not contented enough, Mihara-san took off the black pony and shook off her hair. I heard chimes again. I couldn't help but gaze. Just gaze. She is beautiful. I don't know what made time freeze, but for me, I knew time slowed.

"Now is that okay?"

Slowly, she tucked a lost string behind her ear. As if by her own instincts, she looked at me. Her eyes struck me back to reality. I closed my almost half-opened mouth, knocking myself mentally.

"Uh – better." I cocked my head to side and started eating my appetizer.

"So… you're taking Volunteering too?" I asked, covering my sudden embarrassment.

"Um… if you're asking about free salary, honestly no. Actually I've come here exactly for that. I was supposed to meet Royihiko-sempai but I got the schedule wrong." Mihara-san answered, looking at me after chewing her apple.

"Why? Are you planning in buying something?"

"Not exactly. You see, I am living alone. Miu-sama, my great aunt, has been touring the world and I'm left to watch my home – Sarai Temple."

When I looked at her, probing, she smiled.

I frowned as I put my hand on my chin. "You're living alone?"

"Yeah. I was orphaned by the age of five, and ever since I've been living by Miu-sama's roof."

Even though she was taking the subject lightly, I sensed deeper silence and loneliness in her. I looked at her as she took another bite of her apple as she looked at me.

"Must be tough." I said.

She shrugged. "Not really. I learned to stand up on myself. And I realized what the cliché 'there's no use crying over spilled milk'. Sometimes, it takes a harder experience to be strong."

"True." I said.

"So, you're into the Volunteer Section?" she asked.

"Yeah. I'm to meet Mr. Kim Lee." I frowned. All I recall was that there are only two meetings for today. One for Mr. Kim Lee, and the head – Mr. Jan Patron, an American.

"Tell me, Minamino-kun – "

"Shuichi, please. By surname, I look old."

She pouted. "So by calling me Mihara-san, you think I'm old?" she probed.

I shrugged, giving her a half-sneer. "It depends, are you?"

Mihara-san rolled her eyes. "You really are something, huh? Okay, Shuichi-kun, tell me. Are you gay?"

I spat what I drank. "What?"

She put a finger on her chin, sniggering. "You've been playing too soft for a while."

What kind of logic is that? I snorted. "Why do you want to know?"

She narrowed her eyes. "You're unfair. When you asked me questions, I didn't ask why. Now answer mine."

I raised my brows with a mocking smile. "I see. Okay Botan-chan – "

She huffed. "I didn't tell you to call me Botan, mister."

"Fine, Mihara-san. But I was wondering why, from the first time I met you, you're acting so distanced - irritated, like a while ago – "

"You're wondering why?" she asked. "Then I'll tell you why."

I could see fumes rising into thin air.

"Just this morning, I woke up, thinking I'm so dumb late." She thumped the table.

"Later, I bumped into you and I nearly killed the both of us!" she unconsciously wove her hands in air, her eyes blazing in anger.

"And then I just got myself embarrassed by two beautiful people!" She points at me. I became aware of people looking. "And then a seemingly hot guy tells me that my zipper is open," she pointed her pedal zipper.

"my buttons are not neatly done!" she almost ripped her blouse shirt.

"and my bra is peeking out!" She touched her bosom.

"And bam! I realized 'oh my god!" she clamped her face with her hands, "'I had been like this since the bus ride?' and then bang!" She claps her hand.

"Another truth smashes on my face telling me that in fact I am an hour early! And here I am, forgetting my wallet, and my helmet… Tell me. Am I already falling apart?"

I bit my lip. "I get it."

She peered at me suspiciously, her eyes growing wide. "Why are you biting your lip?"

"Nothing!" I insisted. And then it burst. I laughed out loud. Really loud. Tensions, pressures – they all seemed distant. I wondered when I have laughed like this.

I tried to control myself. But it was hard, as a grim shadow hovered behind me. I froze. Botan Mihara had materialized an oar, much like Keiko materializes a hammer to thwack Yusuke.

"Why you!"

Botan tried to thwack me. I dodged and dodged, taking a careful sip on my coffee.

"Stupid! I! Hate! You!" she said over and over. Then suddenly, one of her hit went by and hit another. That somebody dropped dead. Botan, though, was oblivious, getting angry by the minute.

Suddenly, a larger shadow eclipsed us. We both froze.

"Mihara Botan-san!"

She turned around, horror etched on her face. "Oh no! Riyohiko-sempai!"

Later, I was talking to the same cashier who seems to be the manager around. I was apologizing. The table we had was destroyed. Botan was being whacked by a small teacher, her hair in tight bun, eyes sharp behind the spectacles, wearing a casual teacher uniform.

"Ouch! I'm sorry Royihiko-sempai!"

"Oh you're sorry? Where did you get that oar anyway?"

"I can't explain right now!" She looked at her watch. I looked at mine. It was nearly 9:45. "I'm running late for my report. I mean, we are. I'm suppose to report to you, right?"

"What report? It's cancelled!"

I was shocked. My report was also 9:45. I looked down at the bruised person. "It can't be."

"Cancelled? But why? When?" asked Botan.

The teacher simply pointed at the swirling-eyes face of the guy who was in the stretcher.

"He is the one scheduled by 9:45, Mr. Kim, Lee!"

"What?"


Howazzit?

Please Review!

Author's Note: I've decided to have Maya Kitajima around this fic coz she's quite popular as a pair for my current hero and i thought she did appear in any series (though i strongly know she didn't)...yet i've just discovered she's from different anime. Hmm... O well... she's cool just the same...

Hope you review guys!

I'll update soon maybe this weekend or on first week of May!

(hahah! I've been making deadlines just for you guys!)