A/N: Hello my darlings. Our beloved Kurama is only in a small scene of this chapter. I have been sick with pneumonia for a bit and basically had this done from before so I figured that I would post it and work on Tears for a bit. I appreciate all the follows and favorites. This story is going to have a lot of layers to it. For this chapter I have chosen to divide the present and the past by using italics for the past. I hope you enjoy.

~red

Chapter 4

~The History Of Maika~

At ten years old, Maika Benibara was more than aware of when she was being followed. As hard as she fought against herself, it appeared her power continued to develop. She knew that no matter how little she used it or how much she tried to ignore it, her psychic abilities continued to incubate within her body. She was walking home from school when the pulling in her stomach started. She tried her best not to let her heart accelerate, demons fed on fear. Apparently, fear was the perfect seasoning for human souls. Her uneasiness disappeared as she approached the middle school gates. Her best friend was waiting, looking as serious as usual. He gave her a small smile and began to walk by her side.

"Perhaps it's good that our elementary and middle schools are close together. I can keep an eye on you better this way. I'm not quite sure what we will do when I go to high school and you advanced to middle school though," he said thoughtfully. This let her know that he knew about their companion. Maika sighed looking up at the handsome boy. They had known each other since before she could remember. Maika had been two in a park when her neighbor had spotted her. The young prodigy had known immediately that she was special and he had taken it upon himself to befriend and protect her.

Maika smiled sweetly at him, "you're my angel Sensui."

Her reward was a small smile on the boys face, "don't be silly Mimi."

The ten year old wanted to sigh in frustration. She had recently started to notice boys in a different light. Her crush for her protector was slowly blooming but she knew that he only saw her as a little sister. It was obvious every time he called her by her childhood nickname. As soon as the two were far enough from the school, Sensui grabbed her hand and redirected them into the park. Maika tried not to let her heart skip a beat at the warmth of his hand. She knew he was only leading them into an empty area so he could kill the demon that had been stalking her all day. As soon as they were away from others the demon sprung from the shrubbery in a stereotypical fashion. It had sickly green skin and beady yellow eyes. She sighed knowing it would be over soon. The demon was pitifully weak.

"Step aside boy. The delicious girl is mine," the demon hissed.

Sensui scowled but didn't answer just walked purposefully towards the demon. The idiotic creature snarled and ran towards him before being killed by Sensui's energy. Maika winced. She wished she wasn't the reason that Sensui had taken so many lives, but the demons were evil. And she supposed they'd come after him just as much even if she had never been born with her psychic abilities. Sensui turned back and walked towards her. His face was blank as usual but his aura was never dull. In fact, it was Maika's favorite aura to look at. It as white and lavender expanding around him and flowing brightly. His convictions and emotions were pure. Maika knew for a fact, Shinobu never lied to her.

"You've got your head in the clouds again Mimi. If we don't hurry you'll miss your judo class," he said placing his hand on her head.

Maika snapped out of it and smiled at him before sensing someone coming. Her eyes tensed as she realized the energy was not a demon nor human. "Shinobu a spirit is headed our way," she said.

She watched as his shoulders tensed. Turning to her he pointed to the shrubbery behind him, "it's probably the one that's been following me at night. Go hide over there. Don't come out until they are gone."

As she always did, Maika obeyed without a second thought. To say that she had complete trust in him was an understatement. A woman with dark hair flew in on an oar. Maika recognized her as a reaper but she didn't seem to be here to collect the demon's soul. The reaper jumped off her oar and smoothed out her dark kimono. She had pretty grey eyes and a small smile.

"Hello there Shinobu Sensui. My name is Sayuki and I am a messenger from Reikai," she said calmly.

Maika tensed. Reikai? As in heaven? Sensui didn't seem surprised at all. His aura was its constant steady calm. "What do you want from me?" he asked.

The woman continued to smile calmly, "the prince of Reikai wants to meet with you. He finds your honor and your abilities admirable and has a proposition for you."

Maika held her breath. Something about her statement made her uncomfortable. Why would the prince of Reikai want to talk to Sensui. Sure he was older than her, but he was in middle school. He was just a kid."

Sensui's smooth voice broke into her thoughts, "alright. I will hear him out. Since I've taken care of this demon there is no danger here."

The reaper gave him a funny look, but Maika knew this was his way to tell her to get home. She was safe now. As the two flew away on the reaper's oar, Maika knew that things were about to change.

Dark eyes opened to a slowly rotating ceiling fan. A groan escaped her lips as the headache hit her. Sitting up and rubbing her temples she could only take deep breaths in order to push back the stupid images in her mind. She was getting tired of dreaming about Sensui. Ever since she laid eyes on Yusuke Urameshi, it had spiraled into a full two weeks of unwanted suppressed memories. Once she had realized that Kurama was her new neighbor she had tried to avoid him. However he was persistently curious and kept going out of his way to get to know her. It was her own mistake for approaching him first when he moved in. After a few weeks she realized she actually didn't mind the fox demon's company. Yet part of her felt guilty. Like she should tell him about their connection. He didn't know it but he and his friends had done the one thing she couldn't.

A groan escaped her lips as she sat up, the wooden floor had done a number on her back. She had never made it to bed last night. As she stared at the empty bottle of bourbon she knew she had a problem. Isn't that the first step, she thought amused. She had no intention to quit drinking. If anything she hoped it helped shorten her ridiculously long lifespan. Maika had no intentions in living longer than the regular human. Longer lifespans and immortality were highly overrated. Finally gathering the energy to get up Maika went through her morning ritual. By the time she unlocked the school doors and began to clean, her hangover headache had reached it's peak. Her only hope for relief was the brewing coffee pot and the four ibuprofen sitting on her desk. Groaning for the hundredth time that morning Maika sat at the stool on the reception desk of her school and laid her forehead on its cool surface. As she enjoyed it's soothing coldness the bell on her door announced a visitor. The familiar minty energy of the fox demon flooded her senses. His steps grew closer until she could feel him standing in front of her, the counter separating them. A soft thud of something being placed next to her head. Gathering the strength to straighten up Maika tried not to scowl at the amused look on the fox's handsome face. His green eyes sparkled as a small smile came to full lips.

"Can I help you Minamino?" she asked eyeing the small clear bag full of what appeared to be home made tea.

His smile only grew slightly at the sound of her groggy voice, "I brought you something to help with the hangover. How many bottles was it this time?"

Maika raised an eyebrow at him, "you're a stalker you know that?"

"The tea will help you recover better. It's made of the best herbs in demon and human world and will also help cleanse your liver. We both know you desperately need that last part," he responded cheekily.

Maika laughed examining the tea suspiciously, "I don't know foxy. If I drink something that healthy it might kill me."

She watched him chuckle while shaking his head at her. He did that often now that he had known her for a month, "you should take better care of yourself, Maika."

Taking the tea Maika grabbed her tea kettle and placed it on the burner she kept in her office. Knowing the fox knew what he was talking about and curious to see if it would help her as much as he said. "And what? You're here to take care of me?" she asked a little dubiously.

"Well someone should," he answered.

Maika stopped in her tracks, "don't be foolish Minamino. The last man that said that to me tried to kill me." Silently she cursed herself. This is why no one should ever speak before drinking coffee. Stupid things would come out of their mouths. She almost cringed at the way his green eyes barely narrowed at the tid bit of information. The room was quiet, her hands slightly shook as she poured coffee into her mug. Not bothering with sugar or milk she took a sip and cleared her throat, "maybe I should quit drinking. Hangovers make me say stupid things."

The fox shifted his weight uncomfortably, "do you want to talk about it? Maybe that would make you feel better."

Dark eyes turned to him. He looked like someone trying not to frighten away a wild animal. She knew he was hungry for information. In his own sly ways he had been slowly trying to know more about her. No matter how much she continued to push him away. The fox didn't often take no for an answer. Taking another sip of bitter coffee she wondered if she should tell him. Maybe it would rest her conscience at ease. Yet she didn't quite trust him. Their friendship was a weird balance of trust and mistrust.

"Not today I don't Minamino;" she responded, "thanks for the tea though."

He gave her a polite yet strained smile back. She knew he was waiting for the day she would give away more. He had wanted to even out the scale. After all every time she laid her eyes on his aura she could see the interesting map that was his life. It made for a slightly unfair advantage to their friendship.

A deep sigh escaped her lips as she stared out the classroom window. The rain softly hitting it and making her drowsy. At fifteen, she had no idea why she bothered with school. She already knew that a regular life was out of her reach. The girls behind her whispered with excitement. She tried not to roll her eyes as she knew the subject of their conversation. She could feel his aura outside the classroom.

"He's back! And he's so handsome too. I wonder what he's doing here?"

"I bet he's here to see his girlfriend."

Maika held back a snicker. It almost took away her annoyance. The bell rang and she gathered her things slowly, letting her classmates scatter ahead. Walking out she tried to walk past him without acknowledging his presence. She would have succeeded too, if he didn't grab her by her wrist.

"Mimi," he said softly, "aren't you going to say hello?"

Maika sighed and turned to look at his stoic face. His blue eyes had a hint of softness, as they often did when they looked at her. She got out his grasp and crossed her arms in front of her chest protectively. "Why should I? You disappear for months a time and I never know where you are. Or if you are alive or not. If I'm honest I'm tired of it Sensui. I'm tired of worrying."

She tried not to let her heart race as he got closer and cupped her face with his hand. His blue eyes bore into her soul as he frowned, "you worry about me? Maika, I'm sorry. I would never want to cause you any pain."

Maika's brows knotted together as she stared at him. He was clueless. After all these years he couldn't tell. Her crush had bloomed into something more, but as she expected he would never notice. She huffed at him and stepped back, "you're not sorry. If you were then you'd leave me alone or quit your stupidly dangerous job."

He narrowed his eyes at her, "you know I can't do that. I'm doing what is right. Protecting the world from evil."

A hand ran through her long locks, "sure but at what cost? You've been changing, Sensui. I fear that if you continue down this path, you'll come across something that will change you forever."

Sensui stepped forward. His beautiful face filled with confusion. "Maika, what's gotten into you?" he asked sadly.

Tears threatened to spill out of her eyes as she stepped backwards, "you've been away for a long time, Sensui. I've been alone and I've changed too!"

Maika walked away from him as fast as she could. She didn't want to look into his eyes anymore. She didn't want to feel guilty. She knew he was doing what he thought was right. But something didn't feel right. No one and no living being is truly all evil. She knew this for a fact. History had shown humanity's capacity for cruelty and war. Perhaps demons were just more primal than humans. More instinctual. She had killed some demons herself. Self defense was necessary. The guilt from that was something she had to deal with but she hoped one day she could meet a demon that would show their capacity for intelligence and perhaps even kindness. There was more to them than what Reikai led Sensui to believe.

Once she was home she changed into workout clothes and made her way into the woods behind her house. Finding a good spot she sat down and began to meditate. She had been working on controlling her spirit energy and channeling her abilities. At the urging of her sensei she meditated every day. Unfortunately she often times lured weak and blood thirsty demons. Half an hour into her session she felt a weak youkai sneaking up on her. She waited patiently until the demon lunged at her before opening her eyes and sending a wave of her spirit energy at him. As she expected he disintegrated immediately. She frowned. Why didn't they leave her alone?

Branches crunched under his feet making her stand up. She readied herself to look at the one person she cared for most. Knowing that he would be displeased with her. Sensui emerged from the woods looking more lost than she had ever seen him. It both concerned and confused her.

"I see you've gotten stronger," he said walking up to her.

Maika tried to keep her resolve, "yeah; the attacks have been getting more frequent. So I've had to learn to project my spirit energy. Got a nice scar on my upper arm from a dog demon that had to suffer from my trial run."

"I'm sorry you had to do that," he said as his eyes swept over her upper arm scar.

Shivers ran down her spine as he reached out and caressed it. She fought her blushing cheeks, "don't be. I'm not a little girl anymore. I can take care of myself."

Sensui chuckled, "you certainly are not a little girl, Mimi. You're a beautiful, strong fighter now. The thought of you being lonely because of me breaks my heart. I know this is difficult, but don't push me away. I can't live without you."

The warmth in her face turned to flames as blue eyes gazed at her intensely. She wondered if they had always sparkled like that, "what are you saying?"

Masculine hands framed her delicate face, "I've spent almost our whole lives protecting you. I know that this spirit detective job is a lot to deal with. But it won't be forever. Nigenkai needs me now, but I'll need you for the rest of my life.. I don't make sense without you Maika. No one understands us better than each other. Please don't push me away."

Maika sniffed as a tear slipped down her cheek, "I missed you."

"I know," he wiped her face.

"I love you," she confessed feeling like she was going to have a heart attack. He didn't answer. He just leaned down and pressed his warm lips to hers. When he pulled away Maika looked into his eyes dazed. She wanted more than anything to protect him. Keep him safe. "I've been training. I want to join you. I can help you," she said.

Sensui frowned, "no Mimi. Please. I've erased all of your records from Reikai's intelligence. I know you've been getting stronger but I don't want them to notice you. I know you. This life is not for someone like you, someone pure and good. All I want you to do is live your life here. You know I'll come back to you. When I do, we can run away. And no one will ever find us."

She thought about his words with worry. He had erased her records? Had Reikai been keeping tabs on her? She sighed as she looked up at him wondering if he was right. Maybe she shouldn't be involved. Sighing she rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him, "okay Sensui. I trust you."

Mushiori city, the beginning of the end. Something about it always made her skin prickle uncomfortably. It was still a city with high demonic energy and thus populated with the occasional human psychic. Thankfully, she had friends around to keep things in check. She wasn't here on business today though. She was here because she felt obligated to. Year after year, to visit the last place in Ningenkai he ever existed in. On the day of his death, Maika would visit the city. There was no grave for Sensui Shinobu. There were no shrines. No one mourns the wicked. Maika distracted herself from this thought as she tried to enjoy her current company. At the current moment a young, bright boy was sipping tea with her and enjoying the late summer day.

"I'm glad you're doing so well in college Amanuma. I'm proud of you kid," she said watching him blush with embarrassment.

"Thanks Maika. You know I could have never done this without your support. I'm glad that you came to find me. You don't owe anything to us but you still care," he said unable to look into her eyes.

Maika chuckled, "don't be silly. Of course I do. And besides it's good for me too. To feel like I can right some of what happened to all of you. And to be honest, I've grown quite fond of you Amanuma. You remind me of my brother."

The young man blushed again, "it's nice to have a sister. You're more my family than my stupid parents."

Maika smiled into her teacup. She had made a point to find all of Sensui's remaining victims. One by one she made sure they had chosen different paths. There was something about the lost vulnerable souls that had broken her heart. She didn't want anyone else taking advantage of them. Being the youngest, Amanuma had developed a bond with her. She saw him the most of all of Sensui's ex followers. Taking an envelope out of her bag she handed it over to him.

"This should help with the money you need for that trip that your club is taking. I know you took that job bussing tables but don't be shy. If you ever need anything I'm here for you," she said smiling warmly at him.

Amanuma stuttered and in good japanese manners, refused the gift several times. Maika wouldn't have it and made sure he took every penny. She still remembered the scared broken boy that looked over his shoulder constantly. When she first approached him he was wary of her. Afterall, she and Sensui were similar. Yet after explaining herself and continuing to fight for his trust he realized she just wanted to seek penance. She would work hard to mentor him and be there for him. She realized the boy needed a family structure. One that his own neglectful parents failed to give him. Or else he would just end up falling into the trap of other dangers. Japanese gangs, for example preyed on kids like him. After promising to call her with every detail for his trip Amanuma rushed to get to work. Maika quietly mused on visiting Minoru at his clinic, but changed her mind when she realized he'll only ask about her drinking problem. As she left the cafe a familiar energy and a loud motorcycle evaded her senses. Maika smiled as Kaname pulled up, looking cool as ever on his sweet ride. She realized he's bought a new motorcycle; a two seater, no doubt in order to take Mina around town. As he took off his helmet she crossed her arms and shook her head at him, "you know. A father to be should buy a minivan."

He snorted at her in amusement, "yeah, well. We bought a Subaru, but this baby was also for us. For when we need to have alone time."

Amethysts eyes assessed her from head to toe, "are you ever going to age? You should start looking like the old hag that you are by now."

Laughter bubbled out of Maika's lips. Kaname was the cool type of guy. His compliments always disguised under insults. She fake pouted at him, "you know I'm not that much older than you sweetheart. You never complained about our age difference when we first met."

A wicked grin crossed his lips, "yeah, yeah. What can I say? I was a teenager back then and you were a hot older woman."

A motorcycle helmet was quickly thrown at her. Maika caught it with ease as sniper patted his back seat, "come on. I know where you're going. I figured I could take you there and back. It's been awhile since I've seen you."

Throwing on the helmet Maika straddled the bike and wrapped her arms around Kaname's muscular torso. Speeding off to demon's door cave it almost felt like she had traveled back in time. Kaname had no qualms when he was first approached by the human psychic. Once he realized who she was and what she wanted to do, he quickly used her to ensure he could disappear. Thankfully, Maika had an uncle that worked for a security company that specialized in personal body guards. The job was so elusive and secretive that it fit Kaname perfectly. She sometimes felt guilty, his family never heard from him since. Yet they had both used each other in a way. He needed a way to leave, and in his own way a comforting person to confide in. He was one of her many ways to quench her never ending guilt. She didn't care what anyone thought. She felt responsible for everything. She didn't care if it was rational or not.

Thunder roared through the air as Maika shot out of bed. Her hands shook as she dressed in the dark trying not to wake her family. She could feel his spirit energy, it was close by. Yet something wasn't right. Sensui was a fountain of calm and control. Right now his energy fluctuated rapidly. Something had happened. Something bad. Her heart beat rapidly, threatening to come out of her mouth as she snuck out the window and out into the dark night. She needed to find him and make sure he was alright. She had never tasted such palpable fear in her entire life. After running for what felt like ages, Maika found him slumped against the sidewalk. He was sitting under a streetlight, next to his apartment complex. His entire demeanor was broken as he shook, a haunted look in his usually calm eyes. She stopped in her tracks when she took in his aura. It was fragmented. The pieces shone dully and were laced with pain. Itsuki stood behind him silently watching him as he shook in pain. Maika glared at the demon as she started to walk towards Sensui. The demon glared back but backed off as she approached.

Kneeling in front of him, Maika reached out and lifted his chin with her hand. She held back tears of her own as he looked at her with tortured eyes, "Sensui. What happened?"

Before he answered the teenager wrapped her in an almost desperate embrace. Maika felt like he was holding on to her for dear life as he shook in her arms. She rubbed his back comfortingly as she ignored the scathing look on Itsuki's face. "Maika, you were right. I saw it with my own eyes. The disgusting nature of our kind. We don't deserve it. We don't deserve salvation," he whispered.

Maika tensed as she caressed his hair, "what do you mean? What did you see Sensui?"

Pulling away from her he cupped her face before giving her a chaste kiss, "I won't taint your beautiful mind with my horrors. With my sins. I will make this right, Maika."

He stood with purpose as she watched him with confusion. Getting up and trying to ease down the anxiety bubbling in her chest she tried to understand, "Sensui, what are you talking about?"

Sensui shook his head before running his hands through his hair, "I'm leaving for Reikai. I don't know when I'll be back, but I promise you I'll return."

Maika blinked unable to comprehend what was happening. Before she could stop him he began to run down the sidewalk at top speed, leaving her in the rain, flabbergasted. Her eyes turned to Itsuki. The teal haired demon smirked at her snidely before disappearing into one of his stupid dimensions. She couldn't help the sense of dread that overcame her. Something bad was going to happen and for the first time since she had known Sensui. She felt like she couldn't trust him.

Kaname's bike kicked up some rocks as he pulled into the dirt road that lead to the mouth of Demon's Door Cave. Maika climbed off and handed him her helmet before walking towards the entrance. She still felt a pit in her stomach every time she was here. Kaname didn't follow her to give her some privacy. She knew he probably could still hear her but she didn't care. As she stood outside the cave she took a deep breath. The stench of death and demon world still hung heavy in the air. She could feel Elder Toguro's distress from where she stood. The immortal demon was still being tortured by Kurama's sinning tree. She shook her head, another reason to keep the unpredictable fox on her good side.

"You didn't fix anything you know," she called out to no one in particular, "you only made things worse for us Sensui. Why didn't you talk to me? Maybe I could have helped. Thankfully, demons don't just pour out of the Makai and eat us, but that doesn't mean it's safe here. If anything you've just made more victims. Demons come over and try to eat us or kill us. Some of them sell us as slaves even though it's outlawed by the current king. Then there are the human psychics. A lot of them live in fear, this world they thought was calm and peaceful is really full of danger and bloodshed. Another great deal of them find idiotic causes to hunt the demons that want to live here peacefully. The other day I found ten of them that captured females and made them into sex slaves. Can you imagine Shinobu? Migrating to Nigengkai for peace only to be targeted by cruel vicious humans? Needless to say, I took care of it. I've killed more humans and demons than I could ever count. Reikai wants me to surrender but I do enough damage control that I am better for them out and alive than dead or in prison."

She still felt the anger bubble up inside her when she came to visit. Her voice didn't betray her feelings as she continued to talk to his memory, "I'm doing my best to minimize the damage you have caused. The damage I could have prevented. But I suppose in the end it won't really matter. I am but a small wave in an ocean. You've been dead for so long. I almost wonder why I still come here. Wherever your soul may be, I hope you can see some of the beauty of our joined world. Some of us have managed to come to like each other. As a matter of fact a lot demons have made families and lives here in Nigengkai. They love and marry humans, psychic or not. And they help me to keep things in order so that others can find the happiness they've found. It's the only time that I feel like what I do is worth a damn."

The wind howled blowing her hair around her. Sometimes she felt like he might hear her. Wherever he was. Maika kicked up some dirt with her boot, "well then. That is all for this year. I think I might not come back. I know I've said that before, but this might be it for me. At least until I die. Maybe then if your soul makes it to Reikai I'll see you in hell."

Turning away from the eerie cave, Maika walked back towards Kaname and his bike. She was grateful for him as he handed her the bike helmet without saying a word. He never needed to, they both had known each other well enough. Instead he just started his engine and took her away. Maika rested her head on his back. She enjoyed his silent company as he took her back to the train station. Once they arrived he sat with her on the bench while she waited for the train. He took out a cigarette and began to smoke. Maika didn't comment, she knew how annoying it was for people to point out one's addictions. Instead she steered the conversation in another direction.

"You'll never guess who my new neighbor is," she said trying not to breathe in his smoke.

Kaname sprawled out on the bench like a stereotypical guy, "someone that I would know?"

Maika smiled, "Suichi Minamino, or Kurama as you might know him."

It was hard not to laugh as he straightened up. A look of surprise graced his usual nonchalant face. Kaname stomped on his cigarette with his foot, "seriously? And how does that work out for you? Have you met Yusuke?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Maika tried to stifle her laugh. "I've handled it surprisingly well. I did briefly meet Yusuke and Kuwabara. The fox is handsome, which you know is hard for me to ignore."

He rolled his amethyst eyes at her as the train was heard in the distance, "pervert. Be careful with him. He's sly and cunning and dangerous."

Maika shoved him playfully, "who do you think you're talking to? I've been thinking of telling him. I think it's fate. Maybe once I can somehow make amends with them, I can feel some closure."

The train pulled up making a gust of wind rush past them. Kaname stood and helped her up. He brushed his lips across her forehead, "I've said this to you once and I'll say it again. You don't owe anyone anything, Maika."

Without waiting for a response, he turned around and began to walk away. Maika smiled at his retreating form before getting into the train car. She looked out the window at the setting sun, leaving Mushiori City behind. As the city disappeared from her view, she wondered about letting her walls down around a certain fox demon. Only a few people knew about her connection to Sensui. Only a few people understood her motivation for the things that she did. She didn't know if she was ready to bare her soul to anyone. Yet she was ready to relieve herself from the bondage of her past.

Sweat glistened off her face as she hit the heavy bag. She had spent ten years training, fighting, getting stronger. She didn't have the gift of premonition by any stretch of the imagination, but she knew. Something bad was coming. She still recalled that day after Sensui disappeared. Her sensei had looked and her and told her a dark aura had encased her. He had told her to train hard, something ominous was on her horizon. Ever since she had worked hard to do everything that Sensui had warned her against. Her strength had grown, her senses had sharpened, her instincts had flourished. Like a starved plant needing water and sun her psychic abilities grew tremendously with training. She knew that the feeling of doom in her chest had something to do with him. She knew she had to prepare herself for the worst case scenario. It should have been her, not him. Koenma should have found her, not him. For all his strengths, he was fragile. For all his maturity, he was naive. His world of black and white had no room for grey. That's where the problem lay.

She still could feel the coolness in the air on the day he returned. She was walking home after a long day of teaching at the dojo. There was something about the way he stood that day that made the air leave her lungs. He had changed so much. His hair was slicked back leaving those dark blue eyes visible for the world to see. He had gotten much taller, slender almost but definitely more defined than before. His face more angular, manly and the kindness that used to be in his eyes...was gone. Maika tried not to cry as she took in his aura. It was shattered and dirtied, muddled with different colors. Sensui's self had been split, almost as if he wasn't a whole person anymore. She was having a hard time reading it because of how overwhelming it all felt. It was evil yet pure, as if whatever he had been doing he truly felt was the right thing to do.

"Mimi, how you have grown. You're more beautiful than I remember," he said.

For the first time in her life Maika was scared of Sensui. It was late and the street was empty. She tried not to sound afraid, "Sensui. I can't believe that's really you."

Sensui walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. Ignoring the lip woman that didn't return his affections. Her heart beat wildly in her chest as he pulled back and kissed her gently. She didn't know what to do or what to say. He smile down at her, "I wanted to speak to you myself before I'm forced to say goodbye again. I've found the perfect plan, love. I am going to bring judgement to humanity."

Her whole body turned to cold stone as he smiled at her. His face was full of happiness as if he hadn't just said something completely bizarre. Maika's mouth was dry making her voice sound raspy, "what do you mean?"

Sensui frowned as she stepped back getting some space, "I've found a way to open the demon world barrier and make a portal from Maikai to Ningenkai. I'm gathering a crew of psychics to help me and when it's all done this world will be filled with demons. Demons feasting on human flesh. Ridding the world of our corrupt kind. Making this a new world, one without our terrible race."

Maika fell at a loss for words. His aura was shifting creepily as if something else was trying to take over. She shook her head and cleared her throat, "what? Where is this tunnel?"

"Mushiori city," he answered calmly.

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked afraid to know the answer.

Sensui sincerely looked pained at her question, "I've done all of this to punish the evil in this world. But I'm here to save you, my Maika. You are too pure, too good, the only true innocent in this damned place. I can't turn back now from my cause, but I can spare you from it."

The wheels in her head turned as she realized what his plan was. It was clear in his aura. He came with the intent to kill. Anger laced through her veins like poison as she took a fighter's stance. She pushed back the raging storm of emotion that threatened to consume her, "I can't let you do that Sensui. I'm sorry but if you are here to kill me. I'm not going down without a fight. One of us will be walking away tonight. And no matter how grim my odds are...I don't think that's going to be you."

Maika watched it happen with her own eyes. The sad yet familiar eyes of her Sensui shifted with his aura and a cruel heartless monster came to light. Kazuya she would later come to find out. Although she was strong; he was stronger. It would be years before she could ever forget that night. The pain of his fists against her skin. The sound of his laughter as he slashed her back. The agony of the bullet wounds to her torso and thighs. And the sickening feeling of his tongue licking the blood of her chest as she deeply feel into dark oblivion.