…That damn kitsune. So she was the one he was asking me about that one night, five months ago. I should of known he was talking about her. How could I have missed it? What a clever bastard! That son-of-a-bitch has been waiting for the perfect opportunity and he got it! I'll hurt him if he touches her… Hiei growls to himself and speeds up.

Phoenix jumps at the touch of Kurama's lips but he does not stop kissing her. Instead he pushes his lips into hers softly. Phoenix sits there stunned, not knowing what to do. Kurama nips her bottom lip alluringly, as if trying to persuade her to kiss him back. She bends to his will and just as she wraps her arms around his neck, Kurama stops abruptly and turns away from her. Phoenix looks at his back in confusion. …Why did he stop?... She asks herself.

"What can I do for you Hiei?" Kurama asks just as Hiei walks into the clearing looking as if he is ready to murder someone.

Phoenix's eyes widen. …Hiei…. She thinks to herself and looks around Kurama. She gasps at the look on Hiei's face. …What the hell is the matter with him? Why is he so angry? I've never seen him so mad… She looks up at Kurama as if to get an explanation from him but bites her lip to stop herself from gasping at the look on his face.…Kurama too? What the hell is going on? Are they fighting because of me? They look ready to kill one another…

"Hiei what is wrong?" She asks stepping from behind Kurama.

"What are you doing out here with him?" Hiei spits at her. Phoenix's eyes widen despite herself because Hiei looks ready to kill her. She swallows the knot forming in her throat.

"It is really not your concern why I'm out here with him now is it." Phoenix counters viciously. …It is because of me… Phoenix thinks to herself.

In the blink of an eye a series of events happen. Hiei goes for Phoenix's throat and before she could protect herself Kurama has her behind him and his hand latched onto Hiei's throat. …What the fuck do you think you are doing?... Hiei asks Kurama telephathically. An arduous smirk spreads across Kurama's face in response.
…What do you mean what am I doing? I have done nothing yet... Kurama answers.
…Let me go fox. You would kill your best friend for a female? … Hiei challenges.
…For her I would do anything and kill anyone. What about you fire boy? Why do you look as if you are ready to kill me? You would kill your best friend for a female? She seems to have the same affect on you that she has on me.… Kurama counters.
Hiei's eyes darken. …You can't have her she belongs to me… Hiei growls in Kurama's mind.
…Belongs to you? But I thought you said there was nothing going on between the two of you?... Kurama answers back, his arduous smirk spreads across his face to a malicious grin. …Besides wasn't it you who said I should make my move those many months ago and who cares what anyone else thinks?... Kurama adds in.
…You bastard if I would have known it was Phoenix you were talking about I would of...
…You would of what Hiei?... Kurama hisses back. …Made her yours? Come on now I highly doubt that. You would of hooked up with Asiya like you did and kept Phoenix as well like you are trying to do now. And then pray that the two sisters would not find out about each other…
…Fuck you fox!…. Hiei counters. Kurama's eyes flash at Hiei.
…Such harsh words fire boy. But I really do have to give it to you though, to try and play two women such as Phoenix and Asiya that is a bit ballsy don't you think? I didn't think you had it in you... Kurama provokes.
…BASTARD! I will allow you to stay with her but if you fuck her I'll kill you... Hiei growls threateningly in Kurama's mind.
…Kill me? I would love to see you try… Kurama growls vicisously in Hiei's mind. Hiei's jaw clenches in response to Kurama's words.

"Let him go Kurama." Phoenix commands. He does as she commands and pushes Hiei away from him in disgust.

"If you ever try to touch her like that again fireboy I will kill you." Kurama spits at him.

"Koenma is waiting for us come on." Hiei grunts and then turns on his heel and walks away from Kurama and Phoenix without a backward glance at them.

"Come on Phoenix lets go." Kurama says sternly. He turns to Phoenix and grabs her hand.

…Whoa that was fucking intense. Kurama looked as if he was ready to kill him. And Hiei looked as if he would've killed us both.. Phoenix snorts at the thought of Hiei's reaction toward the sight of her and Kurama together dismissively. …Hn what the fuck is his problem? How dare he be upset with me when he is meeting with Asiya tonight. What nerve! That bastard!.. Phoenix thinks to herself.

"Kurama?" Phoenix calls out. But he does not answer her.

…That muther-fucker has some nerve calling Phoenix his. She no longer belongs to him. She is mine now. He threw her away for Asiya and I am the one who deserves her not him. Kill me? He thinks he is going to kill me? What a joke! I will do what I please with her and he can't do a damn thing about it. She is mine now and she will stay mine! I'll never let him have her again!… Kurama thinks to himself. He absentmindedly grips down on Phoenix's wrist. She yelps out and he turns to her.

"Oh I'm sorry." He quickly says.

"Are you okay Kurama?" She asks pulling her wrist from him.

"Fine. Come on Koenma is waiting for us." Kurama says and drags her on.

"Kurama." Phoenix calls out to him after a few more feet.

"Huh?" He answers her.

"Thank you." She says.

He turns to her and smiles warmly at her. "Any time." He answers and the two of them walk on in silence. Hiei, Kurama, and Phoenix walk into Koenma's office and see everyone sitting around the room. As soon as the three of them settle in Koenma begins to speak.

"I have received an anonymous tip of where Chaz is hiding."

At the sound of Chaz's name, Phoenix starts to feel sick to her stomach. Her mind starts swirling with the thought of almost being caught the day before and how frightened she was. An inward smile forms inside of her as she remembers how Hiei saved her but then her smile fades and is replaced by tears welling in her eyes as she hears the conversation between Hiei and Asiya play back in her head. 'I have no intentions of hooking up with Asiya again' Hiei's voice echoes in her mind once more. …He lied to me. He fucking lied to me… Phoenix's eye darken. …I will kill him for lying to me….

"Are you okay Phoenix?" Koenma asks noticing her odd behavior.

"Huh? Yea fine." She says quickly swallowing her anger. He looks at her fastidiously in response but continues.

"As I was saying, Chaz, Sumeria, & Kano are at Phoenix's old house. I want you all to go and arrest them." Koenma orders.

"What about Rai and Mina?" Kuwabara asks.

"I don't know if they are there but if they are, I have no need for them. You can let them go or kill them it doesn't matter to me." Koenma counters dismissively.

Phoenix feels as if she has been struck by Koenma and teeters back. Kurama catches her by taking a step forward. He wraps his hands around her waist to hold her up.

"Are you sure you are okay Phoenix?" Koenma asks reaching out for her. Phoenix averts her eyes to the ground and a few tears fall down her cheeks.

"You can stay behind if you are not ready to face any of them." Koenma says. Phoenix's face darkens. She reaches up to wipe her eyes.

"No I can't do that Koenma. I have to face them sometime. I want to go." She says somberly. Asiya is also watching Phoenix with great worry on her face. Phoenix can feel her sister looking at her but she keep her eyes on Koenma. She is furious with her sister for Hiei.

"I think Phoenix should stay here." Asiya says. Phoenix turns on her and is about to launch herself at her sister but she feels Kurama's arms tighten around her waist. She growls angrily at his gesture.

"No I will not stay here. I am going." She barks.

"But it is dangerous baby sister. You are not in the right state of mind. You look as if just the slightest touch will knock you over." Asiya counters slightly taken aback. Phoenix crosses her arms defensively across her chest and meets her sister's eyes.

"Don't think you are protecting me by telling Koenma to keep me behind because you feel it will be to hard for me to face my family. Playing the big sister roll now Asiya? Don't get me wrong I am very flattered that you are worried about me but you need to remember that I have been taking care of myself long before you came around. Although it will be hard for me to face them, that will not stop the fact that I have a job to do. I am not weak and I can face my enemies even if they are the only people I have ever loved in this world. I am going to go with all of you. Besides you said it yourself if we are going to kill our mother or even try to bring her back into the spirit world we need to be together to do it right? So do not worry yourself with my feelings. My feelings are for me to deal with not you." Phoenix counters a little colder than she would have liked.

"But Phoenix I am really worried about you. Are you sure you can do this?" Asiya asks genuinely.

"Positive." Phoenix retorts and then turns her attention to Koenma.

"Koenma I'm sure Yusuke will notify you when the job is done. Now if you will excuse me I wish to get into something less restrictive than what I'm wearing now. After all I am going into battle. May I be excused Koenma-Sama?" Phoenix says cutting off her sister who was just about to responds to her. He nods his head yes and Phoenix excuses herself from his office. She walks into the mansion and heads straight upstairs to her room. She goes into her closet and puts on some black fighter pants with a black tank top. She begins to redo her braids when someone knocks on her door.

"Who is it?" Phoenix calls out.

"Asiya." The person answers on the other side of the door. A heavy sigh escapes Phoenix's throat because she really doesn't want to speak with her sister right now or even be in her presence.

"What do you want?" She calls out annoyed.

"Open the door." Asiya calls out just as annoyed.

"Hold on I'm changing." Phoenix calls back. A few moments pass and Phoenix is done braiding her hair. She walks over to her bedroom door and opens the door for Asiya.

"Yea?" She asks.

"Are you okay?" Asiya asks walking past Phoenix and sitting on her bed.

"I'm fine why?" Phoenix asks rolling her eyes and shutting her bedroom door.

"I don't know it seems like you are mad at me about something. Are you mad at me Phoes?" Asiya asks. Phoenix shutters at the pet name her sister had just called her.

"First of all do not ever call me Phoes again. Got it." Phoenix barks.

"Why not?" Asiya asks taken aback but Phoenix's brusque answer.

"Because that is what mom calls me." Phoenix answers.

"Oh got it." Asiya says genuinely. Phoenix's face darkens.

"What's up with you and Hiei?" Phoenix challenges. Asiya averts her eyes to the ground. Phoenix crosses her arms defensively in response to her gesture. "Are you going to answer me?" Asiya sighs heavily in response.

"Nix I want Hiei back." She answers her, unable to look in her eyes. Phoenix's eyes darken.

"And why do you think I would object to that?" Phoenix counters.

"Oh come on now Nix I know about you two. Everyone does. Do you have feelings for him or are you just using him?" Asiya answers.

"Hn do what you like I can care less. Now if you don't mind I need a few moments to myself. Hiei is the least of my worries right now. I lay no claim to him and you can have him. I am still dealing with a lot more heavy shit than you and Hiei. This whole situation is really hard on me and I am really trying not to let my emotions get the best of me in this situation." Phoenix says.

"I understand." Asiya says and walks out of Phoenix's room.

A few moments pass after Asiya leaves her room when someone knocks on her door. She sighs heavily and opens it up.

"Kurama?" Phoenix says floored it is him at her door.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" He asks quietly.

"Uh sure." Phoenix says letting him into her room. She shuts her door behind him quietly.

"What's up?" She asks looking into those emerald orbs.

"Are you okay?" Kurama asks concerned. Tears begin to well in Phoenix's eyes and she looks away from Kurama.

"What is with everyone today? I am fine." Phoenix says trying to hold her composure.

"You don't look fine Phoenix." Tears begin to well in Phoenix's eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Kurama asks reaching for her.

"No." Phoenix answers recoiling from Kurama's hand. Kurama sighs heavily but does not give up. He walks toward her raising his arms as if he wants to embrace her in a hug.

"Don't Kurama." She warns recoiling further away from him.

Despite her warning, Kurama reaches for her. She ducks and quickly makes her way around him and rushes out of her bedroom door. She jets down the stairs and walks out of the house grunting a lets go to everyone else. A few feet from the house a portal appears and Phoenix jumps through it before anyone else. Once on the other side, Phoenix heads to her old home with a stone cold expression on her face and no reminisce of the conversations with her sister and Kurama on her mind.

This is it. Prepare yourself Phoenix. Do not loose face when you see them; they are your enemy now not your family. Phoenix reassures herself.

The two sisters and the team creep up the block and stop in front of the house. Phoenix inhales deeply and then kicks the front door down and rushes in followed by her sister and the Urameshi Team. Phoenix sends a powerball attack at an unprepared Sumeria knocking her to the ground. Sumeria lies there stunned with her face in the ground. Phoenix walks toward her motionless mother as chaos explodes around her. Her hatred and rage for her mother begins to burn in her blood. As she nears Sumeria, slight apprehension begins to form in her heart. She pauses for a moment but curses herself for being scared. She begins to form a second powerball attacke for her mother when Sumeria suddenly grabs Phoenix by her wrist. The power sphere immediately disappears.

"Not fast enough!" Sumeria growls.

She twists Phoenix's wrist causing her to fall to her knees. Sumeria looks down at her with bloodshot eyes and opens her mouth to reveal her fangs. Despite her mind screaming for her to get away, Phoenix is paralyzed by Sumeria's hypnotic eyes. She wants to scream for Asiya or anyone to help her but her voice has left her. Just as Sumeria leans down to sink her teeth into Phoenix's neck, Hiei sinks his katana into Sumeria's shoulder. An earsplitting scream erupts out of Sumeria's throat. She reaches behind her and throws Hiei over her shoulder onto Phoenix, Kano comes out of no where and pushing Sumeria to the side. He pounces on Hiei and the two of them erupt into a fierce battle. Phoenix starts to slowly stand up but she is knocked back to the ground again by Chaz; he has his hands firmly wrapped around her throat. Asiya rips Chaz off of Phoenix and throws him away from her. He goes flying but lands on his feet. Without missing a beat, she lifts Phoenix to her feet.

"Run Phoenix there is a portal right outside the front door Koenma has guards waiting for us on the other side; we are no match for all of them. They will follow us so RUN!" Asiya whispers in Phoenix's ear hurriedly.

Asiya and Phoenix take off running and just as Asiya predicted, Sumeria, Kano, Chaz, Rai, & Mina take off after them; leaving the Urameshi Team with cheeky smirks spread across their faces. Yusuke and the others motion to each other to follow. Sumeria, Kano, Chaz, Mina, and Rai are ambushed by the palace guards and cuffed immediately. Sumeria tries to break her cuffs but she cannot because the cuffs they have used are blocking her powers. She screams in frustration and attempts to attack one of the guards but 10,000 volts run throughout her body. Phoenix looks down at her mother with great satisfaction on her face.

…Good job Koenma…. She thinks to herself.

Sumeria screams out in rage, demanding that the guards release her but they do not. "It is useless mother. They will not take those cuffs off any of you." Phoenix says with amusement in her voice. She looks at the others.

"Just so you all know, those cuffs are special cuffs. If you try to bite anyone, attack anyone, or break out of prison, 10,000 volts will run through your body. And each one of you know full well that your body can only withstand that large amount of voltage for so long." Phoenix says intelligibly.

"Take them away guards." Phoenix orders waving her hand dismissively at the guards.

"You TRAITOR! Don't underestimate us Phoes. We will get out of Koenma's grasp. And when we do darling your ass is MINE!" Sumeria screams at Phoenix. Despite her calm demanor, Phoenix feels her heart drop into her stomach and an impending doom begins to grow inside of her. She forces a cheeky smirk across her face.

"I shall look forward to that mother." She says crisply.

Sumeria opens her mouth to retaliate but the guards stick a needle in her neck and as soon as the needle is emptied into her neck, Sumeria is fast asleep. Chaz and the others begin to protest but suffer the same fate. Phoenix watches the guards and her unconscious family disappear toward the spirit prison. The feeling of impending doom disappears from her heart and is replaced by depression.

"We did it!" Kuwabara says. "Another job well done!" He adds and turns to slap 5 with Yusuke. Yusuke smirks cheekily.

"Was there any doubt in your mind that we couldn't do it?" He asks.

"Not in my mind. I knew that we would pull it off." Asiya says giggling.

Phoenix smiles weakly and turns her back on the others and walks off unnoticed by Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Asiya who were to busy applauding each other. Hiei and Kurama turn and watch Phoenix walk toward the mansion deeply concerned. Kurama walks after her pulling Hiei out of his thoughts. Hiei shifts his attention to his friend.

"Where do you think you are going fox?" Hiei hisses angrily.

Kurama stops in his track and turns to Hiei. "I am going to see if she is alright." He answers his friend tersely.

"Why? She doesn't seem to want to be around anyone right now. Isn't it obvious? Why do you think she walked away without a word to anyone? You shouldn't but in fox. Leave her alone." Hiei says in the same terse tone.

"I will not leave her alone, I'm worried about her." Kurama says looking away from Hiei and in the direction Phoenix disappeared in.

Hiei clenches his fist. "Since when did you give a fuck?" Hiei says caustically.

Kuramas eyes flash at him. "I have never explained myself before and I will not explain myself now." Kurama growls and walks away from Hiei.

Hiei places his hand on his katana hilt and starts to go after him but stops in his tracks when he feels a hand on his shoulder. His body tenses up at the persons touch.

"Hiei? Where are you going babe?" Asiya's voice rings out behind him. A feeling of disgust washes over him and he wants nothing more than to slap her hand away but he doesn't.

"No where what's up?" He asks turning to face her.

Phoenix walks into the mansion with a very heavy heart. Like whirlpools, tears start welling in her eyes. She slumps up the stairs pushing herself to make it to her room before she breaks down. Despite her best efforts, she makes it to the top of the stairs and falls to her knees, breaking into a fit of tears. How much more of this can I take? She thinks to herself wiping her face. Tears are streaming down her face uncontrollably. She doesn't bother to make herself stop crying. She gathers her knees in her arms, embracing them as if they were going to suddenly detach themselves from her and run away; and places her head on her knees and begins to cry hysterically.

The front door clicks open and Phoenix looks at the door abruptly already knowing who it is on the other side. She scrambles to her feet and runs to her room, slamming the bedroom door behind her hurriedly. I don't want any of them to see me like this. She thinks to herself. She leans against her bedroom door and slinks to the ground as her tears begin to fall down her face again. This is to much for me. I cannot finish what I have started this time. Phoenix thinks to herself.
Why do you cry for them Phoenix? They have brought you nothing but pain and misery and now they intend to kill you. A serene voice rings out in Phoenix's head.
Who are you? Phoenix asks.
I told you before Phoenix your friend. Now answer my question. Why do you cry for them? The serene voice asks.
I dont know I-

"Phoenix?" Kurama says knocking on her bedroom door, pulling Phoenix out of her conversation.

"What?" She answers.

"Can I come in?" Kurama asks.

"No not now. Please just leave me be." Phoenix implores.

Let him in Phoenix. All he wants to do is help. The serene voice echoes in Phoenix's head.
NO. Stop it! Stay out of my head whoever you are. You don't know me. You don't know anything about me and you can't help me! Please just go away! Phoenix screams at the serene voice in her head.
Kurama continues pounding on the door.
I can't do that Phoenix. You need help. Quit pushing everyone one away. He will not stop until you open that door. the serene voice echoes in her mind.

"Phoenix please let me in." He calls out.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Phoenix screams back at Kurama and to the voice in her mind.

He will not stop pounding on your door until you answer it Phoenix. The serene voice counters. Kurama's pounds become more and more determined. That is one man who has always been very determined in getting what he wants. And once he has his mind set on something he will stop at nothing to get it. So save yourself the embarrassment and open the door. The serene voice adds with amusement in her voice.
Shut up! You don't know anything! Stay out of my head! You don't know what you are talking about! Just leave me alone! Phoenix demands placing her hands over her ears and getting up from the floor.

"Kurama please I just want to be left alone. I will come out later! Stop pounding on my door." Phoenix yells.

The knocking ceases and Phoenix hears Kurama walk down the hall. Phoenix sighs in relief. "Thank god." She says out loud.

Phoenix drops down on her bed and sinks into it. She lets out a long sigh and shuts her eyes.

…At last some peace and quiet…. She thinks to herself and slips into her dreams.

TWO DAYS LATER

Phoenix turns off the water in her shower angrily once she is finished rinsing off her body and grabs her towel. She wraps herself in it and snorts at the person pounding on the door.

"Damn them. They have been at it for two days. Why can't they all just leave me alone!" Phoenix grumbles. She quickly dresses and wraps the towel around her head.

"Who is it?" She barks. No one answers her on the other side. She looks at the door curiously and calls out to the person again.

"Who is it!" Silence. She snorts at the door and dresses into her favorite sweat outfit. …If they think that they can bait me so easily by not answering, they are sorely mistaken.. Phoenix thinks to herself grudgingly. After several minutes pass Phoenix's curiousity starts to get the best of her and she walks to the door.

"Who is it?" She calls out one last time.

Silence. She grabs the knob, unlocks it, and opens it up. Once she sees the person on the other side she attempts to slam the door on them but they place their hand on the door to stop her from slamming it shut.

"No Phoenix, you will not get rid of me that easily." Kurama's voice rings out with conviction.

He pushes his way into her room, effortlessly moving her to the side and shuts the door behind him. Phoenix looks at him stunned by his gesture.

What is with this guy? Who in the hell does he think he is? She thinks to herself.

Phoenix opens her mouth to say something but he quickly places two fingers on her mouth to silence her.

"No I don't want to hear anything from you. You have been in here for two days and I am taking you out of this house for awhile." Kurama states with finality.

Phoenix's eyes widen at his aggressiveness with her. She recoils away from Kurama as if he has stung her.

"The hell you ar-" But Kurama lifts her up and throws her over his shoulder and walks out of the room with her.

"What in the hell do you think you are doing Kurama! PUT ME DOWN!" Phoenix screams pounding on his back.

Kurama ignores her and walks down the stairs and out the front door with her, leaving everyone in the house with a perplexed look on their faces. They look at each other befuddled and then burst into laughter.

"That was effective. He didn't even give her a chance to say no." Yusuke snickers.

"I know! Man is she going to be pissed once he puts her down." Asiya laughs.

"I beg to differ Asiya. Believe me Kurama is more than capable to handle Phoenix's temper." Kuwabara says.

"I hope you're right Kuwabara, because that may be the last time we ever see Kurama again." Asiya counters breaking out into a fit of laughter again.

"KURAMA PUT ME DOWN!" Phoenix howls but Kurama is ignoring her.

"DAMN YOU KURAMA! PUT ME DOWN!" Phoenix howls again, pounding on his back fiercely.

Kurama throws her to the ground on her butt hard and then crosses his arms over his chest ready for what is coming next.

"OUCH!" Phoenix yelps. In an instant she is up in Kurama's face.

"HOW DARE YOU! WHO IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO BE PUTTING YOUR HANDS ON ME LIKE THAT! YOU MUST WANT TO DIE YOUNG! YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF TO JUST LEAVE ME ALONE AND LET ME COME OUT ON MY OWN! I HAVE KILLED MEN FOR LESS! DO YOU KNOW WHO IT IS YOU ARE DEALING WITH! IF I DIDNT LIKE YOU KURAMA I WOULD KILL YOU RIGHT NOW!" Phoenix screams.

Phoenix takes a breath and opens her mouth to say something but is interrupted by Kurama pressing his lips into hers. She stands there stunned. Once he pulls away from her he looks into her eyes.

"I'm sorry if I care to much to see you lock yourself away from the world Phoenix. I know it must be hard what you are going through but locking yourself away is not going to make it any much easier." Kurama says genuinely.

"You know nothing of what I am going through." Phoenix says and turns her back on Kurama. He wraps his arms around her waist affectionately.

"No Phoenix I do not but the pain that radiates from you is unbearable to me. You try so hard to suppress your feelings but you cannot because they run deep. I know you're family has to do with a lot of your pain. But most of your pain is caused by Hiei and that is why you will not let me in. Phoenix I will never hurt you like he did please know that." Kurama says burying his face into her neck affectionately. A single tear escapes from her eye.

"What does Hiei have to do with any of this? I care nothing for him." Phoenix says tersely.

"You lie Phoenix I know you do." Kurama presses. Phoenix pulls out of his arms roughly.

"You are wrong. I feel nothing for Hiei I just used him because I was in heat." Phoenix says coarsely.

"Then why do you hesitate to give me a chance." Kurama counters.

"Because I-" But he interrupts her with a kiss again.

…Do not fight me Phoenix. All I want is to be with you… Kurama's voice echoes in Phoenix's mind. …I will never hurt you Phoenix. I will never betray you. Please just trust in me…. Kurama implores. A couple of tears fall down her cheeks.

"I can't do that Kurama. I'm afraid." Phoenix says after she pulls out of the kiss. "I cannot bear the thought of being hurt again. I've had enough and I fear that if I suffer anymore heartache I will surely go insane." She appeals.

"I cannot take anymore pain do you understand that?" Phoenix beseeches looking into Kurama's beautiful emerald orbs.

He pushes his lips into hers once more and wraps her in his arms. Phoenix pushes against his chest to make him stop but he does not stop. His kiss becomes more willful, determined to let her know that she can trust him. He pulls away from her leaving her breathless. He wraps her face in his hand affectionately and glides his thumb across her lips.

"Don't you know that I love you." Kurama says to her. Phoenix's eyes widen. She looks down at his chest and more tears fall down her face.

"How can you say such a thing to me Kurama? I don't believe you. When I first came here you nearly killed me and now you are telling me you love me." Phoenix says utterly confused. Kurama lifts her chin to meet her eyes with his own.

"Phoenix I am sorry for what I did to you when you first came here, for what we all did to you. That day has haunted me since it happened. Please know that when I came and got you the next day and I seen what we all did to you, it killed me inside. I wanted nothing more than to wrap you in my arms and beg for your forgiveness but I would not allow myself to and I am truly sorry for that. But when I say I love you, I know it sounds crazy but I do. I really do." Kurama sighs.

"I have been watching you ever since you have been here and you are such a beautiful person. You have been through a lot Phoenix and you have suffered. And because you suffered, that is why you have done horrible things. But your suffering has not killed your spirit and that is what is so enticing to me. You are not a bad person Phoenix, you are just a pure soul that was dealt a bad card in this life. You are loyal and true to those who depend on you and you fight and live and even love with such passion that it is intoxicating to me. You have a magnatism about you that draws everyone to like you no matter what you do. You are full of life and live fearlessly. I can't help but be drawn to you. Since you have been here I have wanted nothing but your attention. I found myself craving to be in the same room with you, I would find reasons to be around you. I wanted you to look at me with those haunting eyes. When I lay down at night to sleep I couldn't help but feel the need to have you under me. You don't understand how hard it was for me when I realized that you and Hiei were seeing each other. I was jealous that he had your attention. Me jealous! Can you believe it? I have never been jealous. I would find myself plotting in my head how I was going to take you from him. I cursed myself for wanting my best friend's girl but I couldn't help it. I had to have you to myself. And the more I seen your feelings grow for him the more I wanted you because I couldn't bear the thought of you being his. I wanted to scream at you not to trust him but I would not allow myself to. Then Asiya came back and you can never know how overjoyed I was because I knew Hiei was going to take her back. And because he couldn't let her go, I saw my chance and I took it." Kurama cusps Phoenix's hands in his own. "Phoenix please give me a chance. I know Hiei hurt you. Let me show you what it is to be loved truly. Let me take the pain away that he has placed in you. I am sorry for ever hurting you before but I swear that I will never hurt you again." Kurama finishes.

Phoenix looked deeply into Kurama's eyes and she wanted to tell him yes but she couldn't. Something in her soul screamed at her not to trust him but the sincerity she saw in his emerald orbs and the love that radiated from him for her, made her nod her head yes. She loved him, she truly did. She loved him for seeing her pain and recognizing who she really is inside she couldn't deny that. She felt a sudden relief wash over her at the fact that someone after all these years truly loves her. She let her hands drop from Kurama's and wrapped her hands gently around his neck. She got up on her tip-toes and pulled him into a kiss. She pressed her lips into his with such passion it was as if she wanted to show him how much she appreciated his love. Kurama wrapped his arms around her back affectionately and pulled her body into his. He was happy she had accepted him and he wanted nothing more than to show her how happy he was but his communicator went off causing his body to tense up.