Chapter 13

The blood drained from my face at Kurama's words and I whipped around to look. Outside there was a flower box with vibrant lilies blooming, swaying gently in the breeze outside the window. Beyond that there were apartment complexes, moving cars, walking pedestrians and sidewalks but I could not see anyone in particular who seemed to be watching.

"He's already gone." Kurama supplied.

My blood had turned to ice knowing that now I had that psychopath following me. And I had no idea who he was. The idea of having to go to school with him around made me sick. It would be different if I knew who he was, because then I could watch him closely. Unfortunately, it could literally be any boy in school.

"Midori?"

I jerked my head back around to look at Kurama, "Hm?"

"How long will your father be gone?"

"About two weeks again…why?"

"I see. Wait here."

Kurama left the room, leaving me by myself. My paranoia drove me to stare out the window, eyes on the lookout for the boy who was now following me. Sure I had no idea what he looked like but I could watch and see if anyone was lurking around. It would at least give me idea. Plus after finding out this information, I was on edge and did not want to be caught off guard.

Kurama emerged several minutes later, "Come, we're going."

"Where?" I rose from the bed.

"To your apartment. I've spoken with mother, you will be staying here."

"Now wait a minute!" I squeaked.

"This is not open for discussion. You will not stay at home by yourself. Not while this boy is following you."

The expression on his face kept me from further pursuing it. Kurama was serious about this and I could tell this was not something he was willing to budge on. And truthfully, I didn't really want to stay by myself anyways while I had this loony following me to make me pay for helping Kaoru.

"Ok." I agreed reluctantly, "But if your fangirls find out about this, I'm holding you responsible."

We went to my apartment where I packed some clothes, toiletries and other essentials. It was strange to think that I would be staying at Kurama's house. Although if any of the girls at school find out about this, I don't think it will be Kaoru's stalker I'll have to be worried about. The entire walk I was constantly looking over my shoulder even though Kurama assured me that no one was following.

My things were moved into the guest room, a simply furnished and neat space that was oddly comforting and lonely at the same time. Staying in a room that was so unfamiliar to me reminded me even more of my current situation so I made a point of doing my school work in the living room. I intended to make myself as comfortable as I possibly could. But no matter how hard I tried I could not focus on my school work.

Kaoru was in the clutches of this psycho. It made me sick to think of it. He could be raping her, torturing her or preparing to kill her. Things that a fourteen year old girl should not be exposed to. I set my jaw, my head filling with images of the cruel side of the world. Suddenly I felt old, my mind shoveling deeper, now considering the dark underbelly of this very city.

I may seem immature, childish and silly and its true, often times I am. But I don't like to focus on the negative things at all because I have an awful habit of being pulled in deep by them, even small things. If I don't keep positive or light hearted, I will grow bitter, dark and angry. I've been there before and I don't plan to be there again. And I will admit that my maturity got a bit of a stunt to it. I was still pretty young when I died at the age of twenty two. I basically was only just starting to get life experience and then I was put in a situation where I went through another fifteen years of childhood. So that certainly did not help in my development to mental maturity. However, I could be more mature when I wanted to be or when the occasion called for it.

"Midori?" I jumped, jerking my gaze away from my math book and over to Kurama who was in the doorway. "Dinner is ready."

Wordlessly I rose from my seat on the couch, nodding in acknowledgement. At my silence his brows furrowed. I could tell in his expression he was wordlessly asking me what was wrong. A few seconds of silence passed as I walked over to him to leave the room.

"I hate people, sometimes…" I muttered to him.

I could feel Kurama's eyes on my back as I walked towards the dining room but I chose to ignore it. Shiori was already seated at the table, so I joined her, sitting on her left, forcing a smile. Kurama's mother was so terribly nice, especially for letting me stay. The least I could do was not bring her down with my negative thoughts. Kurama enters the room holding one plate in each hand and balancing the third on his wrist. A small but genuine smile quirked on my lips then.

In my first life I had been a waitress and balancing a third plate on my wrist had been a move I often executed. It was almost comforting seeing the faint memory of my old life. I took the plate he was offering to Shiori and set it in front of her so she wouldn't have to reach for it, then accepted my own.

"Thank you." I told Kurama.

"My pleasure."

I turned to his mother, "Thank you for letting me stay, Shiori."

"It's no trouble." She stated simply, reaching for the pepper, "I agree with Shuiichi, you simply can't stay in that apartment by yourself while someone may be following you. You will be careful won't you, dear?"

"Always."

I looked back at Kurama then and I saw him give me a secret smile before taking a bite of his food. I pursed my lips a bit and dug into my own meal. After the first bite I looked down at my plate in shock, as if it had grown legs.

"Is something wrong?" Kurama inquired from across the table.

"This is…really, really good!"

The demons lips quirked, "You speak as if you expected differently."

"Hey, a girl can hope that you aren't a better cook…" I then playfully sulked and took another bite, "A WAY better cook." I added murmuring.

"Mother taught me."

"You give me too much credit." Shiori dismissed, "I taught you the basics, the rest you picked up on your own." She smiled at me then, "He really enjoys cooking, actually."

I raised a brow at him, "Really?"

"It has its merits. And I do find it an excellent way to take my mind off of things."

I couldn't help but wonder what those things could be. Going through school again as someone who's lived for more than a thousand years, it would seem like there wouldn't be much stress there. Unless he was dwelling on past things. Then again, Kurama was a secretive individual and may have an entire secret life that I'm not privy to yet.

"I could teach you, if you like."

I stared at him suspiciously. While I couldn't vocally express this particular concern, I wondered if he was going to treat it just like our training sessions; accepting nothing short of perfection. If that was the case I would be perfectly happy with my decent cooking skills.

"Am I allowed to make mistakes?"

He chuckled then, "Of course Midori. How else would you learn?"

I scowled at him for using my own words, taunting me right in front of his mother yet she was oblivious. Unsurprising, he's brilliant when it comes to tactically placed jabs and barbs. Diplomacy and subtle remarks are his forte. However that art was lost on me. Whenever I wanted to say something, I was blunt as a hammer and I don't bother to hide it.

"Ok." I agreed, "I'll take you up on that offer."

After dinner I helped Kurama with the dishes, desiring to be helpful since I was imposing on their hospitality. Plus, I was worried that Shiori would try to do them and she should be resting. Once everything was cleaned up, I went back to the living room and got back to my school work. I did not notice that Kurama had followed me.

"Midori. Why are you out here in the living room?"

I jerked my gaze over to the doorway where the demon was standing, "…I…I just don't want to spend a lot of time in that room."

It wasn't until after I said that sentence that it sounded like I thought the room was not good enough for my standards. I blanched, a mortified expression on my face.

"That came out wrong. Oh god, that's not what I meant. The room itself is great, I just…maybe it's silly but…"

"Come upstairs. We can talk in my room and work on our studies."

I followed him gratefully, lugging my stuff up the stairs. Kurama offered me use of his desk but I insisted the floor would be fine. Gracefully, he seated himself in the office chair while I plunked myself down on the bed in front of him.

"I don't want to spend too much time in that room. It just…" I sighed in frustration, "I just feel trapped in there. And it just keeps reminding me of the situation."

I looked down at my lap, clenching and unclenching my hands.

"Fuck. I never thought I'd say this but I'm actually afraid of a middle school boy. Even with my training in Judo, I don't think I'll be much of a match against a gun. But I'm even more afraid for Kaoru. I know how these tales tend to end. When the stalker feels that his 'love' is threatened and he won't be able to keep her then…he'll kill her."

For the record, I am not about to cry. Nope. I just have a gnat in my eye. In both of my eyes. Fine, I'm about to cry. Stupid fucking hormones. With a groan I lean forward, propping my elbows on my knees and bury my face into my hands, battling to rope in my emotions. I turned my face up, dragging my hands down my face, as if they would wipe away my expression.

"I'm sorry." I finally told him, "I used to be better about compartmentalizing my emotions. Damned hormones screw everything up."

"I will not lie to you…" Kurama finally spoke, one leg over the other, "Kaoru's chance of survival is very small. I will do what I can to find out the name of the boy who did this but I promise you this: He may have taken Kaoru but he will not take you."

I looked up at him with weary eyes. His promise made me feel marginally better but the weight of guilt and dread of Kaoru's fate was pressing too heavily upon me for my spirits to be lifted. Kurama's emerald gaze softened then.

"I think this is the first time I've seen you truly reflect your age."

I laughed bitterly, "And it doubtlessly won't be the last either." I looked down a moment, "Let's just do our school work. I don't want to talk about this anymore."

Xxxx

"Yahiko Maki."

I blinked as Kurama sat across from me at the lunchroom table, "I'm sorry?"

"The boy who is following you is Yahiko Maki."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm certain."

It's been three days since I started staying at Kurama's house and it's been uncomfortable. It was a constant reminder of the danger I was in and it was somewhat awkward with how Kurama was keeping a very close eye on me. One night he even opened the door to my room to check on me when he thought I was asleep.

'Sleep.' I scoffed internally, 'As if I can get any of that while this is happening.'

I paused. Why was it that his name sounded familiar? My brows furrowed together as I wracked my brain for just where I had heard that name. Then it hit me, as stunning as a wall of bricks.

"Midori, is everything ok?"

"I have him in two of my classes!" I exclaimed in a low voice.

That concerned Kurama and he steepled his fingers infront of his mouth, "Which classes?"

"Second and fifth."

It was somewhat of a blessing that it was those classes. Because it wasn't at the end of the day so he could easily follow me and it wasn't at the beginning of the day so he could try to figure out every class I had. Still now that I knew who he was I could keep an eye out for him. But why should I just sit still when I know who is following me? I know who took Kaoru and I could find her. Not to mention get this creep arrested.

"Midori, just what are you thinking so deeply about?"

Kurama's tone was suspicious yet amused at the same time. I looked at him and he had a single red brow arched.

"I'm thinking about where I can get pepper spray." I lied smoothly.

"I see…"

We continued on with normal conversation, Kurama asking no more questions about the expression that I had been making. As the school day went on I became more and more suspicious about Kurama's actions. There's no way I managed to successfully lie to him. He doesn't miss anything. Was he planning something?

Well, then that means I'll just have to try and follow Yahiko after school. I'm sure if I camp by the entrance but stay hidden I'll see him leaving and then I can find out where he lives. That's a good start to finding Kaoru. I eagerly awaited the end of the school day, ready to finally make some progress and save the girl I had failed to protect. I was one of the first people out of the door when the bell rang but my plan was cut down. Kurama was standing there in the hall with an infuriatingly pleasant smile on his face. After we left the school (after escaping the grasp of the stampede of adoring fans he had) I turned to him.

"How did you know?"

"Midori after the time I have spent with you, one thing I have learned is that you cannot pass up the opportunity to do something to help someone, even if it means you are putting yourself in danger."

I sulked, "Did you know from the beginning or did you figure it out later?"

"I knew from the start."

I groaned in frustration, "I don't even know why I bother. I swear one day I will outsmart you. At least once."

He chuckled but said nothing else. The rest of the night was uneventful and I excused myself to my room early, telling Kurama that I was feeling tired. However, I instantly dropped my books on the bed and climbed out the window and onto the fire escape. I was immensely lucky that my window had one or I wouldn't have been able to slip out of the apartment. I didn't give a damn if Kurama didn't approve, I was going to do something.

Yahiko had doubtlessly already gone home so that only left me with one option to find his address. I was going to have to break into the school office and get into their computers. This could get me into a lot of trouble with Meiou administration and they won't let me continue on to their high school classes if I'm caught. But if I do nothing, Kaoru could be killed. I'll take expulsion.

It wasn't dark just yet, only being 6 pm but the sun was close to setting. In an hour it would be dark so that meant I had to move fast.

I was practically running across town when I ended up colliding into a boy who just walked out of the alley right as I got there. The two of us went tumbling to the ground. Irritated at this development, I scrambled to my feet.

"Why don't you watch where you're-! Wait, Yusuke?!"

The boy blinked back at me and one glimpse at the green uniform and slicked back hair confirmed it. A large grin split across his face and he laughed then.

"Midori! You didn't go pissing off anymore fire demons did ya?"

"Nah," I laughed, "Just red-headed fox demons."

"And you're still alive! Guess that Kurama is crazy about his cute girlfriend!

I turned red and punched his shoulder, "Stop talking, Yusuke…"

"Hahaha, awww she's getting embarrassed. And where are you off to in such a hurry? Ya got a date with him?"

"No, I'm heading to school and-" I paused, "Say, Yusuke…do you know how to pick a lock?"

He put his hands on his hips and leaned forward with a scowl, "Heeeey. What are you trying to say?"

At his faux affronted expression I cocked an amused brow at him.

"Of course I know how to pick a lock, stupid!"

"Great…I'm recruiting you. Consider it payment for that girlfriend remark…"

Xxxx

Kurama must be corrupting me. In my first life I was a straight edge and probably would have had a heart attack at the idea of breaking into school. Yet here I was in front of an administrator computer, all of the lights off with the exception of the ghostly glow of the monitor. It was so strange, these computers were so much more clunky and simple than the ones I had dealt with.

However luck was apparently on my side since I happened to pick the one computer that was used by a teacher who could not remember their password for I found it written on a post it note. From then on it was pitifully easy to get into the school registry. But I went a bit further than writing down the address. I delved into his emergency contact information and recognized his father's name instantly. Yahiko's dad was the owner of a local shipping company and that was when I realized where Kaoru may be kept.

A few more minutes browsing the internet (as pitifully slow as it was) and I found the location of an abandoned warehouse that was going to be demolished in six months. That has to be where he's keeping her. I hastily scribbled down the address, ready to kick those doors down myself. I wanted to tell the police about the location but they couldn't do anything without a warrant and they would have to question Yahiko's father first. If Yahiko noticed them, he might get spooked and kill Kaoru and dump her body and then all would be lost.

"Are you finished yet?!" Yusuke hissed from the door, still on a close look out.

"Got it. Let's go. I think I may know where he's holding her."

"So you're sure this creep took her? And are you sure it's the right place?"

"About eighty five percent sure. I know it had to have been him but the location is just a high probability but not for certain." As we crept down the halls, me locking the door back behind me, I looked to him with a smirk, "You aren't a little nervous of breaking into an old warehouse are you?"

"After I just helped you break into this ritzy private school? Nah. But I don't want to go on a wild goose chase. If that's the case I'm gonna be pissed."

"Well, if I'm right about this you'll get to pound the shit out of this jerk to relieve your anger."

"Can't wait." Yusuke growled punching his fist into his hand, "This guy sounds like a real creep and needs a few broken bones."

"I couldn't agree more."

By the time we arrived at the warehouse, it was already dark but I was fairly certain my hunch was right. Afterall, why was there a dim light on inside if this was abandoned? I looked to Yusuke and gestured with a jerk of my head to creep over with me to the front of the door. Once we were there I motioned for him to stay still. Carefully I peered through the crack between the two doors. Underneath a bare, flickering bulb was Kaoru sitting in a wooden chair. But it was not of her own accord. Duct tape was binding her wrists to the arm rests, her ankles to the legs and her chest to the back. Across her mouth was a large piece of duct tape. Not that it mattered much, it would be difficult for anyone to hear her scream out here.

From behind her I could see Yahiko. He was a lanky boy, not possessing much muscle but I knew he was fiercely intelligent. With a madness in his gaze, he stroked her hair, murmuring words I couldn't quite make out. I cursed quietly. We would have to find another way in. Yahiko could be armed and if he saw us, he may hurt Kaoru. I gestured for Yusuke to follow me and we circled around back. A triumphant grin burst across my lips then when I saw a ladder leading up to an opening that would be in the rafters. This was a small warehouse, small enough that one of us could jump down from the rafters without getting hurt. And I fully intended to be the one to drop down on that son of a bitch. I had demanded of Yusuke that I get the first few shots in and then he can go to town.

I was surprised at how nimble I was in climbing through the rafters. Since I had little practice climbing in this life I didn't expect to do as well as I did. Poised over the floor, I waited patiently until Yahiko stopped right beneath me. And then I leapt. Gravity did the rest and took us both to the ground. But it came out with my favor, me on top of him.

"Surprise, motherfucker." I growled and punched him in the jaw, snapping his head to the side, "You like following girls for fun?! Well THIS is the outcome!"

I punched him three more times breaking his nose and busting his lip. While he was dazed I searched his pockets and found a knife. I took that from him and let Yusuke take over while I went to Kaoru. She gave a muffled scream when I touched her arm.

"Kaoru! Kaoru, it's ok! It's me, Midori. I'm gonna get you out of here."

I used the knife to cut through the duct tape and gently pulled the piece off her mouth. Tears in her eyes she tackled me, knocking us both to the ground where she proceeded to hug me and cry hysterically into my shoulder. I hugged her back, tightly, rubbing her back to try and calm her.

"It's ok, you're safe now. I got you. He's not going to touch you ever again."

The next hour was a chaotic one, I sent Yusuke to call the cops. He wasn't on board with the idea since he had just helped me break in but I told him if he was really worried he could leave and I would take the heat. But the police HAD to be involved because if Yahiko wasn't prosecuted then he could go after Kaoru again or some other poor girl.

I had to spend thirty minutes answering questions while they talked to Kaoru and had some paramedics look her over to ascertain if he needed any medical care. She hadn't been harmed and after questioning it was learned that Yahiko had crept up on her and pressed a knife to her back from which he forced her to walk with him quietly to the warehouse. Yahiko's father had been called too and in light of the situation he decided not to charge Yusuke and I with trespassing and breaking and entering. Or even for the assault of his son.

When everything was over, Kaoru insisted that I ride with her in the police car to her house and I obliged. The poor girl had been through a lot and I wanted to make sure she actually made it home this time. Her mother wept upon seeing her gave her a big hug, I stayed towards the end of walkway, still feeling guilty about not being able to keep her from being taken in the first place. But after Kaoru told her how I saved her, her mother hugged me tightly, thanking me profusely for saving her daughter.

I felt pretty damn good on the way back to Kurama's apartment even though the police officer had insisted upon driving me there. I crept smoothly back into my room and flopped onto the bed, not even bothering to turn on the light. I was tired and ready to sleep. However the light flipped on anyways and I groaned covering my face with a pillow to save my eyes from the pain suddenly inflicted upon them.

"Kurama! What's the big idea?!"

"Where have you been?"he folded his arms and leaned back against the closed door.

I smiled sheepishly, "So you knew huh?"

"I found out an hour ago when I came to check on you."

"I…may have broken into the school office and logged onto an administrator computer. From which I got Yahiko's information, traced Kaoru's location to an abandoned warehouse and beat the shit out of him…"

At first he was shocked but that shock quickly melted away into anger. For the first time Kurama was legitimately angry at me. Granted I knew that I wasn't going to die as a result but I was not looking forward to the outcome of this.

"Midori…why do you continually insist upon placing yourself in danger? You went after this boy alone and unarmed, how could you be so reckless?"

"I wasn't alone!" I interjected, "I was with Yusuke."

"That is not doing you any favors."

"Hey he helped a lot! I wouldn't have been able to get into the office without him!"

"I will speak with him." Kurama quipped dangerously, "How could you think it was a good idea to go after this boy?"

"He's a scrawny human, Kurama, who wouldn't expect me coming. With my years of Judo training, I could take him and I did."

"Why didn't you call the police?"

"Because he may have been spooked into hurting Kaoru. Look I handled it and I never got a scratch on me."

"Through some luck, I'm sure."

"Do you think so little of my planning skills?" I snarled, "No I made a plan and it worked well. Leapt on the bastard from the rafters. It took him off guard and gave me the chance to take the first few shots to stun him while Yusuke backed me up and took over. I even checked him for weapons and got Kaoru out of there. I'm not incompetent, Kurama, stop treating me as such. Yusuke is more driven by luck than I am and you wouldn't have said a damn thing if he had been the one to do this."

"And if you had made a mistake? It could have cost both your life and Kaoru's."

"You think I don't know that? What is your problem?"

"My problem?" He arched a brow, still brimming with displeasure, "My problem is that you are continuously placing yourself in harm's way, so much so it is starting to become habitual. I can't always protect you and I don't want to see you hurt yourself. What do you have to gain by doing these things, Midori? What are you trying to prove to yourself, because this clearly isn't to prove anything to me."

"I'm not trying to prove anything." I snapped.

"You are, what is it that has you pushing yourself to these limits?"

"Nothing!" I growled then advancing towards him trying to push him away from the door but he wouldn't move, "Just get out, Kurama."

"No. What is it that is bothering you?"

"Move Kurama!"

"Midori, tell me!"

"God, I swear if you don't move-!"

"You can't lock it up forever."

"Kurama!" I snarled then, my temper rising even higher, "Get. . . !"

"Midori, what is it?" he insisted in a cool tone.

"That I'm not useless!" I exploded, " There! Is that what you fucking wanted?! Are you happy now that you know another little cog in my brain and each miniscule movement? Do you feel accomplished?"

Silence fell across the room, his expression one of surprise and mine of a mix of anger and desperation, my chest heaving. I was trying to reign in the turbulent emotions that he had managed to stir in me.

"Midori…"

"Stop." I snapped, "I've had enough. Just get out."

"Midori don't-"

"I'm fucking serious, Kurama." I hissed flaring up my spirit energy, "Get. Out."

He was silent a moment, considering his options.

"Very well."

When he exited, I crumpled onto the bed, burying my face in my hands as I struggled desperately to reign in my emotions. But then I stopped. I remembered in my first life I had spent so much time suppressing and holding in my emotions that it made me more temperamental and brimming with unnecessary stress.

'It's ok to cry. It doesn't make you any less tough.' I thought to myself.

So I did. I let myself cry for once and let it all out. But as I did, I couldn't help but feel a little bitter towards Kurama. Bitter that he forced me to show him this side of me that I didn't want him or anyone to see. Forcing me to look at myself even more under a microscope.

And it just wasn't fair that he was able to bring out emotions and problems in me that I didn't even realize that I had.

A/N: Woot! Faster update this time! Thank you all so much for supporting this story! This was a fun chapter for me to write and the ending did not turn out like I expected. Actually the exchange between Kurama and Midori at the end was supposed to be like another one of those witty banters that Midori always loses but then it evolved into that argument and pulling out another facet I didn't think would come out until much later. Also, I don't know how long the next update will be but after posting this I'm going to go through and edit my chapters since I've looked back and found some atrocious errors that are really bothering me. Anyways, I'll try to get out the next chapter as soon as I can! Hope you enjoyed and see you next installation!