Saki's Point of View

I lie there in bed: awake, waiting to hear Mom's footsteps to signal that it was safe to go out the balcony. I could've tried my luck and go out there immediately after we were sent for bed, but I didn't risk it. Good thing I didn't cause she checked, right before she went to bed by quietly opening the door and peek her head through the opening.

'Don't worry Mom, I'm not planning on sneaking out at night in a country I'm not all that familiar with"

I silently assured Mom, but didn't say it out loud. It's best for her to think that I was asleep, otherwise she'll check again.

As soon as I heard the silent 'click' to signal that the room Mom and Sanho was staying is closed, I jumped out of bed and grabbed my bag. Searching through it I took out my gloves and undid my bracelet. After putting on my gloves, I rewrapped it, making sure that the chain was on securely. These should be enough precautions… I hope.

I gently pushed the balcony door, hoping that it wouldn't make any creaking sounds. Thankfully, it didn't.

I snorted.

I never thought I would say this, but 'Thank you Mr. Perfectionist'

Once I was on the balcony, I was able to see clear night sky. Hm, I thought Japan was lot more polluted that America, but I guess this area of Japan was clean enough. I spared a moment to stare at clear sky and bright stars. But remembering my original purpose, I gave a cautious sniff; no demons near by except for the one on the roof.

After confirming that I was safe, I jumped up, being careful not to hit this kind of ledge thing -probably something for shielding the balcony from rain when it rains- and landed on the roof.

"There you are." I raised my head to see Shuuichi sitting on the tilted roof.

"I thought you fell asleep."

"We have jet lag between here and there you know. It's around afternoon there right now. You aren't the one who should be worried."

I may be dead tired, but I'm making sure that my family's safe before I go and get some shuteye.

"You owe me an explanation kitsune. Last time I checked, Shuuichi wasn't a kitsune."

He narrowed his eyes. "Well said, but you couldn't have sensed my youki last time we met even if you wanted to."

Great. He's not falling for my bluff. Least that scratches out the possibility of Shuuichi being eaten by this kitsune between age of 9 and 15; evidently he knew 'this stuff' before that.

Silence filled us as we continued to stare at each other. I was the first one to turn away.

"Just explain and let's have this done with."

Shuuichi sighed and brushed back his hair.

His hair is in a LOT better condition than mine… And who's supposed to be the girl around here?

"It will be a long story. Why don't you sit and make yourself comfortable?"

I didn't budge. I continued to stand, my body ready to jump into action if necessary.

He sighed and started his explation.

"I wasn't always… Shuuichi"

"I know that."

"But Shuuichi was and is and will be always … me."

"… What?"

"I'm Youko Kurama."

He looked at me to see if that name had any effect to me.

I probably looked as if he said 'I'm wearing green pants.' Great. Um...what does that have to do with me?

"…Is that name suppose to mean anything to me?"

He looked at me with quizzical expression.

"What do you know about 'these stuff'?

"I don't have time to memorize the names of celebrities if that's what you are asking me."

"Hm… This might get complicating." He sounded as if he was talking to himself, but I snapped anyway.

"I may give out pitiful amount of youki, but that doesn't mean I don't have brains. Stop playing know-all and quickly explain." I'm about to pass out here

I didn't feel that it was necessary to say the last part out loud though.

He looked surprise on how I snapped.

"Okay. Let me start from the beginning." He paused as if to collect his thoughts.

"I am the Shuuichi you knew from your childhood. He -or I- was never eaten by a kitsune or any other youkai. Nor is my mother a youko. I'm sure you know that."

He paused again. Dude, stop pausing! It's almost like a cliffhanger in a story!

"I was a youko from the beginning." He stopped and looked at me to see how I was taking it.

I kept a carefully composed mask, my mind carefully scrutinizing everything he is saying and his facial expression.

"I was a youko from the beginning," he repeated himself, "quite powerful one as well."

He allowed a faint smile on his face. Show off

"I lived in Makai, but I was hunted down by a hunter from the Spirit World. Hurt and week, I fled to Ningenkai and possessed a stillborn fetus of a woman named Shiori Minamino."

It was weird hearing him talk about his mother, as someone not related to him. Well, I now know that he's not related to Mrs. Minamino by any means, but he was very devoted to his mother.

"So, you aren't Shuuichi?"

He's face looked grim and… sad as he replied.

"I may not be Shuuichi that was suppose to be here, but I AM the Shuuichi you knew through your childhood. Please remember that."

I didn't reply. My mind of churning with new information I heard. So this guys IS Shuuichi, least the Shuuichi I knew.

"Do you think I'm a monster?" quiet voice disrupted my train of thoughts. I looked up to his face sad with what seemed like sad acceptance.

"No, it's not that. It's just… unexpected. It's all fine now."

His eyes widened as if I said 'I'm not Saki'. "You don't think I'm a monster?"

"Well, no. I feel little deceived, but I guess you couldn't have told others or me what you really are. I'm cool with this now."

He looked almost relieved. It seems as if I can go to bed now without worry about waking up and find my throat ripped out. I walked to the edge of the roof and was about to jump off when Shuuichi called me.

"Wait! You haven't told me about what happened to you yet. You owe me an explanation too."

God, I'm going to pass out right now. But I do owe him an explanation. Better make it quick...

I went and sat next to him and lay down on my back to see the sky. Looking at the sky always calmed me down. Where do I start? I never told this story to anyone yet… And truthfully, I don't want to. But I need to keep my promise.

Where to begin… Where to begin… Hey, where did the stars go? They were here just... a... moment... a...go...

Kurama's Point of View

I sat there waiting for Saki to start her story, but all I heard was rhythmic sound of her breath. I glanced where she layed down and bit back a chuckle. She was asleep, lying on the roof.

She must be tired. After all, traveling is not an easy business. Pity though, I was looking forward to hearing her story. Well, least I get the brief idea of what happened. She is Saki from my human childhood despite the unlaughing face and cold looks that would rival Hiei. I'm sure of that.

Profound worry she had for her family, how she fell asleep on the roof… She could never fight sleepiness. She withheld it pretty long time actually. Ever since in the van I saw her pinching herself.

She is Saki despite the changes.

Passing by wind gently tugged her hair, making it flow.

My mind traveled back to our rather odd conversation.

The results were better than I could ever hope for though several things surprised me.

How she quickly accepted my story being one of them.

I looked away and stared into the darkness above. Telling her his own story was so much harder than telling others the same story. It felt as if I was telling Mother the truth of all the lies I gave her.

Feeling that she was deceived, trust she had on him for past years shattering, fact that he lied to her ever since his birth, finding out that he was not what she thought he was…

Maybe I was afraid that feelings above would push her away from me; same reasons why I couldn't tell Mother.

I looked at her again and studied with interest.

She didn't change so much.

Her jet black raven hair was still the same color, but different in length. Her skin got lot paler than what I remembered. She got taller, but a good head shorter than me now. I let out silent chuckle remembering how she disputed hotly that she was taller when we were both 8 years old.

She should be 14 right now for her 15th birthday hasn't passed yet.

15…

I frowned. Is it a coincidence or was this planned?

Her father clearly knew that she was a half blood hybrid; he was a kitsune himself.

I remembered when Hinakis left for America. Her father, the kitsune, was the one who planned this all of a sudden. Her mother found this ridiculous, but was forced to agree to the plan because her father pushed it so hard.

I knew what was the reason for his sudden action.

I was the cause.

When I reached his 10th birthday and Saki was still 9 for her birthday was several months after mine; her father confronted me and demanded the truth. He claimed that he was able to sense youki coming from whom he knew as Shuuichi.

Already aware of the fact that Saki's father was a demon as well, I replied honestly with same coldness for I didn't see a reason for her father's hostility; we were in the same shoe weren't we? Keeping secretes from our own family.

However, I deeply regretted my actions when I learned that Hinakis were leaving Japan.

I actually developed deep affection for the girl and rest of the family.

Though I never checked for sure, I knew that Saki's father forced Hikanis to move to protect his children from me.

It was a good idea considering my old reputations as a thief and a bandit. Still, I found it unnecessary since half blood demons are actually quite rare. They are born, yes. But not all offspring of human and demon partner shows demonic traits. So, it seemed as if only Saki showed the demonic traits between her and Sanho... I thought as I fondly stared down at the sleeping girl.

And here she is after 5 years, at age of 14 without her father.

Her father died 4 years ago in a car accident if my memories served me correctly, around my own human father's death-our mother's seem to share every single fortune and bad luck.

Which means she had fight on her own for 4 years.

To be alone without anyone as a guide to the unknown world.

It must've been hard times for her. I reflected what I heard downstairs after we-Saki, Sanho, and I-were sent for bed. Two mothers sat and talked about what happened during 5 years they didn't see each other.

"Saki seems like the same girl when she left Japan."

"Sometimes…"

"What do you mean Kina?"

"Ever since her father died, she seemed… different. At first I thought it was from shock of her father's death. After all, they were very close, She even chose to hang out with her father rather than her friends!"

"Were they that close?"

"They got very close when we were at US so you didn't know. And her 'weird' actions continued on for like 1 years till I reached conclusion that it was probably something else."

"What do you mean by 'weird actions?"

"She would go out and come back hours later without suitable explanations. She had wounds on her that didn't fit her excuses. If she wasn't an upright girl, I probably demanded explanations. But after it continued on for a year I asked. And her response was… frightening."

"Frightening?"

"She wouldn't answer. After that I started restricting her. She still went out any way. But the weirdest thing was that it wasn't on a specific pattern. She would stay at home for weeks till suddenly one day she come back really late. Or she might come back really late 6 times a week. I couldn't make out head or tail of it. And my restrictions didn't work because I didn't know when she would go out."

"Really?"

"And sometimes me and Sanho would search the entire house and she isn't there right? But after an hour I hear a noise in her room and she's right there claiming that she didn't leave the house! I promise, she wasn't there when me and Sanho searched the house and we checked!"

"… Was there a sign of her going into the wrong path?"

"When she's not on her 'rebellious' stage, she's just the girl she used to be. She would stay at home and be the sweet girl she once was. Her grades are good. It doesn't seem like she's drinking or doing anything wrong. She just comes back home late with some scratches. I don't know what to do Shiori…"

"Are you guys in constant fighting relationship?"

"… After 2 years we had a big fight. She was yelling, I was yelling back at her. Ever since that... it never became same as before Shiori. She treats me with respect, yes. But she's so cold to both Sanho and I. I can tell that she hates it though. I can see it in her actions and her eyes. I thought perhaps coming to Japan might help… After all, Shuuichi and Saki were good friends. I thought perhaps it might help to get her back to place where she grew up. It was her father's will as well; to return to Japan when Saki's around 15. Don't know why he was so persistent in leaving Japan in the first place though."

"When was the most recent fight you guys had?"

"When I first told her that we are moving to Japan, she started yelling on how it will ruin her life. And when Sanho and I did the video chat with you, she was missing for 4 hours and returned without an explanation. Shiori, I NEED to know what's going on!"

"Maybe one of her friends?"

"After her father's death she ended all of her relationships with her peers… except for one."

"Maybe that girl can help."

"That poor girl died in a fire… After her only and best friend's death, she seemed even more shaken and she seemed to be in even worse state than when her father died. They were very close... almost like you and me, Shiori. Ever since that, she seemed to seal herself, not even revealing anything to anyone. If only I know what's going on with her…"

I sighed. All this was very confusing with so many potential answers. It didn't seem as if she worked for Koenma; I would've known if she did. And yet she was clearly connected to the world of demons.

Well, I will ask her tomorrow. Better take her back to her current room. Even though it was early summer, nights were bit chilly for someone wearing a pajama.

I just lifted her up when something landed next to me on the roof.

"Hello Hiei."

I turned to see the fire-demon who was staring at the girl with distaste.

"Youko finally decided that he needed a mate?"

Quietly chuckling, I replied, "No, she's just a friend that came from US. Remember the one I talked about?"

I did mention this to the fire demon friend when I left for the airport to pick up the Hinakis.

"You didn't mention your friend is a kitusne."

"That surprised me as well."

Hiei grunted as if that made perfect sense.

"The toddler told me to tell you to meet blue-haired ferry girl at park tomorrow at noon."

"Koenma? Is it another mission?"

"Evidently." With that he disappeared.

Well, that's Hiei.

Jumping down to the balcony I made sure that I landed quietly so that the sound wouldn't wake up Saki. After putting her on the bed and covering with her with the blanket, I stretched and yawned. Better go to bed as well. Tomorrow would be a busy day.

I walked out to the balcony and closed the door tightly behind me. Soon, all that could be heard was the gushing of occasional wind.