Author: I know it has been so long since I have updated this story, and I am so sorry for that. I got distracted by one of my other fics "Families Really Are Close" which by the way I have finally finished! Anyway thank you all for being so patient with me. Enjoy the chapter.
"Hiei's telepathy"
People talking telepathically with Hiei
"Kurein's telepathy"
People talking telepathically with Kurein
Youko's thoughts
"Kurama's thoughts"
---------------------------
Chapter 4
---------Shuichi's POV---------
I avoided the looks of surprise from my friends and took off after Kurein. I knew that while I didn't want her to be a part of the team I would rather train her since she was so I would simply avoid the topic of whether or not she should be one of us. I found her not too far from the door.
"Kurein, can I talk to you for a second?"
"You aren't Youko," she said simply.
"No, I'm not," I replied.
"It wasn't a question. I am smarter than you seem to give me credit for," she said turning and beginning to walk away.
"I don't think you are stupid. In fact I know how intelligent you must be to have tracked Youko for so long and yet for him to have never known it," I said honestly.
"If you aren't Youko then why is Youko inside you?" she asked softly.
"That is a very long story, but I will give you the short version. Youko was dying, but he wasn't ready for that so his soul fled to Ningenkai where he found a suitable woman who was pregnant with a weakened child and bonded his soul to the child, but what he didn't realize was I already existed. I was already bonded to the child, but I suppose he saved my life then. But that is the short version of why him and I exist in the same body. But I do have his memories. Despite what I said earlier I want to train you. I lost the battle about whether or not you should join, and if I am still honest I don't think it is a good idea, for the main reason that you would be used against Youko and myself, and I don't want you in danger, but since I lost and I am graceful enough to admit my defeat I would like to train with you. Hiei plans on training you as well, only his will be more… focused on the Jagan. I'm rambling, aren't I?" I asked chuckling at myself.
"Yes you are, but it just goes to show that you are not Youko," she said softly.
"Will you let me train you?" I asked hoping she would say yes.
"I don't believe I really have a choice now do I?" she asked sighing.
"Not if you really want to work with us. As Hiei said an amateur will not be welcomed into our midst easily. Our missions are getting more and more dangerous, and since I know you couldn't have had that Jagan for more than seventeen years you will need at least that training, but also training to be able to work with the same precision we have perfected over the last four or five years," I said honestly.
"Then I guess I will have to let you train me," she said softly turning deep indigo eyes to meet mine own vibrant green ones.
"You won't regret it," I said trying not to stare.
Suddenly she chuckled softly, "No you aren't Youko are you?"
"What makes you say that?" I asked startled.
"Just the way you see me is drastically different than how I think Youko will ever see me. You see a woman, and Youko will only ever see a little girl, besotted and immature," she said softly.
"I think I should take you to Master Genkai, perhaps she will let you stay with Yukina and herself. You will like them, and I have no doubts that they will instantly consider you a part of our slightly unorthodox family," I said laughing softly.
"Master Genkai? Why does that name sound familiar to me?" she mumbled more to herself than anything.
"Perhaps you picked it up out of Yusuke's mind while we were healing you," I suggested, "But I do believe it would be best if we got a portal from Koenma and took you to Genkai's that way we will still have time to get you settled."
"Very well, Shuichi wasn't it?" she asked softly.
"Yes it is, but please Kurama is what everyone calls me, I guess it is more right than Shuichi is anymore, I have blended quite a bit of Youko's soul with my own. I suppose I am rambling once again. Youko will be very upset when he finally wakes up," I said laughing softly.
"Once he wakes up?" she asked following along as I began to lead the way back to the Koenma's office.
"Yes he wouldn't let me take over my own body so I forced him to. He blacked out but it was his own stupidity for not realizing just how much stronger I have gotten over these last few months," I said softly as I opened the door to the office.
They were all standing there just as they had been when I left and I had to struggle not to laugh when I noticed they were all still staring at the door I had run out of a few minutes ago.
"Koenma, we need a portal to Master Genkai's temple so that Kurein will have somewhere to stay while she is being trained," I said softly ignoring the incredulous looks from my friends.
"Very well Kurama, Ogre a portal!" Koenma said turning to George who quickly brought up a portal.
"After you Kurein," I said politely and then followed her through the portal.
---------------------------
Author: I am sure you are all wondering if I died… nope! I am still alive, just struggling with writer's block, which hopefully is gone since I wrote most of this chapter within about thirty minutes. Well hope you all enjoyed it!
Hilu: It is about time you got back to me and my stories instead of spending all your time with Hiei!
Author: You know I love you Hilu!
Hilu: (grumbles) Not as much as you love HIM.
Author: (hugs Hilu) You are my extra-special Muse and I loves you so much!
Hilu: (hugs back) I love you too, but I think it is only because I was made that way.
Author: (pouts) I guess I will just have to finish this story without you!
Hilu: (gasps and hugs tighter) No, you can't do this one without me! It was my idea!
Author: (smiles) Of course I can't, but you have to be nice to me for the rest of the story.
Hilu: (grumbles) I guess I can do that. (Walks out of the room to start on next chapter)
Author: (giggles) He loves me even if he doesn't admit it. Well please review you guys!
