A/N: I have received a few reviews and messages begging me not to discontinue this story. I know it takes a while but I am not going to discontinue it. Look guys, I'm sorry I can't really go faster but I am exhausted. The work load I have this semester is insane, I am constantly running off of coffee and low sleep. I am trying to stay on top of my school work while trying to study for my boards which I will have to take in December after I graduate. I am being run to death here but I am NOT going to discontinue it.

Things were supposed to go back to normal, at least for a short while after the Tournament. But I guess I was just asking for too much. Sleep stopped becoming something of comfort and changed to something of stress. Nightmares have replaced those and made it impossible for me to feel restless. Six weeks in and they won't stop coming. I rubbed my eyes furiously, feeling the exhaustion grip my bones as I slowly walked towards school. Kurama was supposed to meet me about a mile away and we'd walk together, it was our basic routine but I wasn't sure I wanted the company this morning.

I suddenly stopped in the walkway, feeling something prickling on the outside of my senses. I tried to focus on it, hone in and I realized that it was a demon. I had no way of knowing how strong it was, not accurately. My senses were way too off and if I was sensing something then that means that it was probably something strong. I didn't want to take the risk of fighting it myself; I wasn't sure what I was dealing with.

'Well I have been neglecting my daily run. Guess it's time to get back into it.'

I tore off in a sprint, running as fast as I could. There weren't too many people on the sidewalks and they all gave me strange looks as I raced past them. But I felt my heart rise in my throat when I heard something following me. I ground my teeth and pushed harder, not daring to look over my shoulder. I was afraid that if I looked back it would slow me down and then whatever was following me would be able to catch me.

How long did it take for me to clear a mile normally? I couldn't remember but it seemed to be taking too long. Adrenaline raced through me again when I heard the footsteps behind me grow closer. This time I tapped into my spirit energy, channeled it to my legs and tried desperately to use it to propel me a long faster. It worked for I seemed to be flying through the streets and were I not being pursued, I would be elated with this new level of speed. But the soaring of my heart, however brief, was quickly dashed when I heard the footsteps draw closer. If they got any faster they would be able to grab me.

I sharply rounded the corner to the street where Kurama was supposed to meet me and the footsteps disappeared and as did the presence. The fox looked at me with a serious expression, clearly concerned about my rush. I staggered to a stop and bent over, bracing myself on my knees and panting softly, my face flushed from the run. Glancing upwards, I noticed Kurama was staring over me, in the direction that I came from with his eyes narrowed dangerously. That confirmed it, someone was definitely chasing me.

"Something was…following me." I panted, straightening up.

"Yes…a demon to be precise." He placed a hand on my shoulder, "Stay close to me. And you are not to leave the school today without me."

I tousled a shaky hand through my curls, which were no doubt wild looking after the unexpected track run I had to do. Given what had happened just now and with Yumiko's parting words still fresh in my mind, leaving campus without Kurama was the last thing on my mind. I had taken risks before but all of those other times were not cases in which I was the target, the fixation. Well except for Elder Toguro but he doesn't count since I didn't even get the chance to think before I shot my mouth off to him. Plus he also focused on the rest of the team not just me.

"Didn't plan on it."

I walked as close as I possibly could to Kurama, feeling immensely uncomfortable. I was more disturbed than when Kaoru's stalker started following me. Because of how close I was, I was practically glued to Kurama's arm without actually holding it. Although I was tempted to wrap my arms around it, to hold onto something for a childish comfort.

"Midori, walk any closer to me and I will have to suspect your motives." Kurama said in a light, teasing tone.

"Kurama, please….not now."

Even though he was only trying to make the air lighter, I couldn't handle it. I needed to be close to him, not in a romantic sense but because I felt safer. If I could have, I would have followed him the entire school day but that was not an option. My legs were trembling beneath me as we walked. My cheeks were burning but not from Kurama's comment. They were burning from embarrassment because of how much this effected me, how I was practically clinging to Kurama for comfort, for how I couldn't handle this on my own.

But this was so different. Before I wasn't as intimidated by the other things happening because someone else was the focus and I just ended up getting involved. But now I WAS the focus and I did not like it. Not one bit. I felt tears sting my eyes as I wrestled with my hormone ramped up emotions. Yet another con of being in a teenaged body again. I clenched my jaw as I tried to keep my words firmly imprisoned behind my teeth. It was a simple thing that I did not want to say, did not want to admit. To Kurama or myself.

I was very afraid.

Xxxx

"So what has you all tied up in knots?"

I looked up from my lunch to see Kaoru standing there, a bright smile on her face though there was still worry stitched in her brow. Faintly, I returned the smile. I didn't even have the energy to fake feeling ok. Not after this morning. Not after the past several weeks. I slowly close my eyes against the memories of the nightmares, trying to shove them back.

"Just…things." I answered vaguely.

Kaoru opened her mouth, as if she were about to protest but then paused, "Is it one of those weird things? Like when the whole town went crazy and you can't tell me?"

A vague expression of relief came across my face then and I gave her a grateful smile. I really was lucky that she was so understanding. With anyone else I would have had to come up with some sort of lie on the fly to excuse my strained behavior.

"Yeah."

She furrowed her brows even more, "And is that the reason why you look like you haven't slept in days?"

I frowned a bit. I didn't think I looked THAT bad. But I was looking paler, more worn down and my dark circles had been very prominent as of late. If Kaoru noticed then Kurama definitely noticed. I hadn't told him, told anyone about the nightmares yet. I didn't want to, I was afraid to. If I told him about the nightmares then it would be like an indirect admission that I was scared. And if I admitted I was scared then it felt like Yumiko won. It was ridiculous, it was stupid and I knew it. But I just couldn't help it.

"Nightmares." I told her without further explanation.

Kaoru nodded sagely in understanding and did not pursue the matter. I was so thankful for her, I was really lucky that she was so understanding. We dug into our lunch then. We wordlessly decided to drop the conversation, to my relief and I decided it was time for change in topic.

"So what has you so happy today?"

A bright smile lit up Kaoru's face and then she blushed, "Well…"

"Did you meet someone?" I asked with a glow in my eyes.

"Yeah…"

"Who is it?"

Kaoru suddenly looked a bit uncomfortable, "Do…do you promise not to say anything? Especially to my mom, I don't know how she'll handle it."

I gave her a reassuring smile, "I promise."

"Well…ok. Her name is Chiyo. I don't think you've met her though."

A wide grin split across my face then, "Well we'll just have to fix that, won't we?"

She absolutely glowed at that. Still, even though she was happy now because I have given her acceptance, I hoped that her mom accepted her too. In a perfect world every parent accepts their child, regardless of their sexuality. But sadly, this world was not perfect and Kaoru definitely had a risk of her mother not accepting her for her sexuality.

"Kaoru, no matter what happens with your mom…I support you." I told her firmly.

Her eyes grew misty at that before she hastily rubbed them and then laughed, forcefully making it sound like she was nonchalant about the whole thing, "Of course you do. You had better!"

"Ah, Kaoru, good to see you."

I snapped my head around to see Kurama standing there, his own food in hand. Tension that I didn't even realize I was holding dropped from my shoulders. Now that he was here I felt more secure, safer and the thought of staying at his place until this all blew over crossed my mind. The red-head sat next to me at the table.

"Oh hi Shuichi!" Kaoru chirped, "You look a bit tired too." She noted, "Are you having nightmares as well?"

I tensed then. Dammit, Kaoru, you blew my cover! Frustrated, I glared sharply at her, silently conveying my irritation with her. I hadn't wanted Kurama to know about my nightmares and now I was most certainly going to be questioned about this later.

"I can't say that I have." He replied simply but he cast me a brief side glance, "But it has been a trying day."

I raised my eyebrows at that. Had something else happened? Or was he just referring to the chase this morning? Curiously, I flicked my eyes to him and he gave me back a quiet look, a look that seemed to say that he would tell me later. Kaoru, however, seemed to sense that something was up and awkwardly cleared her throat.

"You know…I actually think I'm going to track down Chiyo and try to eat lunch with her. Talk to you guys later!"

A smile crossed my lips then. Kaoru was catching on and was far more observant than I thought her to be. It also seemed like she had grown since the town went to shit because of the Saint Beasts. When she was gone, I turned to look at Kurama then.

"Did something else happen?" I asked him tensely.

"Other than the events of this morning, yes. I caught a demon lurking near the school in between classes an hour ago."

I froze, "Did you kill it?"

"Unfortunately, no. It sensed that I detected it and fled before I could get a good look." Kurama narrowed his eyes seriously then, staring out one of the cafeteria windows, "I suspect that Yumiko is responsible for this. I believe that she is sending demons to tail you."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. How far were these demons going to go? Would they try to hurt me? Were they trying to gauge my powers, to push me further? Or would they genuinely try to kill me? An even more troubling thought crossed my mind: Would the people around me be safe? My thoughts flashed to Kaoru again, imagining her dead with some shadowy demon standing over her, blood dripping from its fingers. I forcefully shook the thought away and pushed some food around my plate.

"Do you think…do you think it will attack me?" I asked nervously, "Or other people around me?"

"It's hard to say what they will do. Yumiko's ulterior motives are still unclear and her word may be unreliable on what she has said."

"This is not good timing either." I groaned, "The next obstacle for us is coming up. I don't know when but it's soon. It's going to take a lot for us to get through the next challenge." I grumbled then, "It's alright, I didn't want to sleep anymore anyways."

"Now that you mention that topic, what is this about nightmares?"

"I'm having them." I deadpanned.

Kurama gave me a critical stare, one that clearly said to me, 'you know what I mean'. I firmly met his gaze, sending back my own message that I didn't want to talk about it. But of course, he did not back down and I had no energy to keep up the fight.

"Look," I sighed, "I'm just having some nightmares, it happens to the best of us and given the stuff that's been dumped on me, I think it's not that surprising."

"Yes a few nights, perhaps. But you do not look like you have slept properly in weeks."

Ugh, damn his keen observation skills.

"Has anyone ever told you that you catch on to way too much?"

"I believe it has come up from time to time."

"Can't imagine why."

"Midori-"

"Don't make me say it, Kurama." I interrupted, looking down at my fisted hands on the table, "You know what's bothering me. Just…don't make me say it."

I just didn't want him to make me say it. Say that I was afraid. I couldn't take admitting it or I might have cracked under the pressure. Somehow before everything didn't seem quite as bad because I overall knew what was coming. But this was entirely blind territory. Territory in which I was the focus of a powerful demon that I had no chance of defeating. And somehow, not knowing what her intentions were made it worse.

Kurama's eyes softened, "I understand. I won't say you have nothing to worry about because you do and it would do you a disservice to say otherwise. But I will protect you. We all will."

"Thanks."

Xxxx

I was ready to be back in bed. I was ready to just hide under the covers and pretend like the real world had vanished for a few hours. But I was stuck in the chemistry lab with Kurama who apparently was working on a project for extra credit. I scowled and spun in the chair, feeling very antsy. We'd already been here for a few hours! Couldn't this wait? Couldn't he walk me home and then come back? I frowned then, quickly throwing that idea away. The distance between the school and my home was too much to reasonably ask for him to do that.

Besides, I should be more grateful, Kurama really was going out of his way to make sure that I stayed safe. He had his own studies to handle and I should be supportive. Especially given all of the things that he had to juggle. A thought occurred to me then. Just what was it like for Kurama to have to hide his identity from his mother? Did he feel guilty about it? Or did he feel totally comfortable with her being in the dark? Or did he feel justified in his secrecy but wished he could tell her?

"Is there something on your mind, Midori?" the red-head inquired while studying the solution in the beaker.

Damn, caught staring again.

"Well…I was just thinking. How do you feel keeping your identity a secret from your mom?"

Kurama paused. He was motionless, quiet for a few moments before he set the beaker down and turned his head to look at me. That probably was a question I shouldn't have asked but to be fair he did ask what was on my mind! His eyes were veiled but I felt like I could see just a glimmer of emotion beyond them. Regret? Sorrow? Exhaustion? All of the above? It was hard to really tell but I was seeing more than most could and that was something big.

"That is a very personal question…"

"You asked what was on my mind. I told you." I answered simply, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

The red-head picked back up the project he was working on but the room had become painfully quiet. Had I offended him? Or was he thinking about answering my question? Or was it all just my imagination? I twisted a nervous finger around a dark curl as I tried to distract myself from the tension.

"It is not something I find pleasant." Kurama finally admitted aloud.

I nearly choked in surprise both from him speaking and from him answering my very personal question. With wide eyes I studied him, almost like I had never seen him before. This is information that I did not really ever expect to be revealed to me and now I was being allowed a small view.

"I must admit there are times where I am selfish and want to tell her. But I cannot, it is better for her to not know."

His brows twitched as they nearly furrowed together and upwards. But it was only for just a moment. But that one little tell was all I needed to see to realize something much deeper. While what he said to me was probably true there was something else. Kurama was afraid. Afraid to tell his mom and what her reaction would be. My mouth was softly hanging agape but I closed it slowly, trying not to draw too much attention to what I had discovered. Kurama had not vocalized that I was scared of my predicament and I was not about to speak the same concerning his mother.

I scooted my rolling chair closer to him and rested my hand on his shoulder. He gazed down at me, meeting my silence with his own. Meeting his eyes, I tried my best to say through them that Shiori would accept him as he is, because regardless of whatever he was in the past, for the past fifteen years she had raised a child she loved very much.

"Ku-SHUICHI!" I corrected loudly when I noticed the door beginning to open, "You can take a break, you know?"

I quickly pulled my hand back and rolled the chair a bit more away. We had no way of knowing who was coming through that doorway and if it was part of his fan club I did not want to be caught so close to him and touching him no less. I was already amazed there hadn't been any attempts to bully me lately. Luckily for both of us, it was not his fans that came through the door. I didn't recognize them but they were all boys.

"Shuichi!" exclaimed one of them, "We've been looking for you!"

"How can I help you?" Kurama asked cordially.

"How would you like to join our Biology Meet?" Piped in an enthusiastic boy.

I raised my brows. That was certainly forward of them.

"As thrilling as a Biology Meet sounds, my weekends are full." Kurama replied, sounding regretful.

"But you have to! You're a prodigy! Top scores every week and the girls love you! You could turn this club around, we start winning contests, we start getting funding and then we get girlfriends!"

My brows, as impossible as I had thought it was, raised even higher. I had no idea how out of all of that they thought it would get them girlfriends but if they wanted to think that, who was I to stop them? I personally felt they could have found one as they were now. Besides, isn't it better to stay to your truest self and find someone that way?

"Well you've certainly thought this out…" Kurama said, putting away the last of his supplies.

Wait when had he done that?

"But I can't." He gave a subtle move of his head towards me, signaling it was time to leave.

However, the Bio Meet boy was having none of that. He darted forward and blocked off the door, holding his arms out wide to prevent any passage. That ground at my nerves there, Kurama had already said no so he needed to back off.

"Oh no you don't! You'll join this club or face our wrath!"

"Nerd violence…" Kurama sighed exasperatedly, rubbing the back of his head.

I had enough. I had been chased, threatened, been the attention of a psychopathic freak all within the past few months, I was done. With a growl I marched forward and seized a fistful of his shirt and yanked him down to my level. Glaring green eyes met his wide brown ones, behind the barrier of his glasses.

"He said no." I growled, "Now back off. Or I'll show you wrath."

The boy swallowed tensely and nodded. I let go of his shirt then, smiled sweetly, dusted him off and brushed by him, knowing that Kurama would be right behind me. When we were out of earshot, I heard him chuckle softly next to me.

"Don't you think that was a little overkill?"

"Him or me?"I retorted, "Because to be fair, he started the overkill." Then I grumbled under my breath, "Threatening someone to join a stupid club…"

"True…it was a bit..extreme…"

"A bit?! That was WAY out of line. And this is not a day to be pressing my buttons."

"Is there ever any day to be doing that?"

"Shut up, Kurama."

He chuckled and I pushed open the door and emerged outside into the dusky evening. Despite the warm haze everything was in, it was still quite cold and I shuddered wrapping my jacket a bit tighter around me.

"You almost stayed at school until nighttime!" I exclaimed.

"Much needed to be done."

"Yeah, yeah, I think you just wanted to keep me there to give me a hard time."

"While the idea does have some appeal-"

"Hey!"

"I really did have to work on that project." Kurama continued, despite my interruption.

I rolled my eyes but smiled none the less. At least this time it really wasn't to pick on me.

"Oh Kurama! Midori! You guys made it easy to find you!"

I jumped in surprise at hearing Kuwabara's voice. The late evening sunlight was washing over both him and Botan as they approached us. In about half an hour and the sun would be gone, leaving the city lights to shine up to the heavens and illuminate the streets.

"What's up, guys?" I blinked bemusedly.

"Somethin' bad." Kuwabara answered, handing Kurama a letter, "You'd better read this."

Familiarity pricked at my senses then and I craned my head to read alongside Kurama, curiously. Yusuke kidnapped huh? So it's finally starting. Oh boy, time for the roller coaster ride to the apocalypse!

"Bring as many or as little guests as you like," I read aloud, "but Kurama, Hiei, Kuwabara and Mi- ME?! Why me?!"

I had leapt back away from the red-head, as if the note in his hands was going to grow a mouth and then teeth and try to bite me. That was NOT part of the plan! Why was I being dragged in!? I demand a rewrite! I seriously must have had the worst luck in existence.

"That is unusual." Kurama agreed, "But this doesn't seem to be Yumiko's doing. The note smells…human?"

"Yeah he left with a bunch of ordinary school kids!" Kuwabara exclaimed, "We have just four hours to find Hiei."

"Well, he should still be somewhere in the city. Koenma keeps him confined here but I haven't seen him lately."

Botan frowned at Kurama's words, "Too bad Hiei isn't here, we could use his Jagan eye to find himself!"

I raised a brow at her then, amused at her faulty thought process. Kurama looked more exasperated than amused but I supposed having to deal with me and my stupid ass decisions made him a little bit short on his patience for stupidity.

"Logic is panic's prey…"

"I don't suppose you know how to track Hiei, Kurama?" I asked skeptically, placing my hands on my hips.

"I do not. He's hard to find if he doesn't want to be found."

"Of course…" I deflated, "Anyone have any bright ideas? I know he's not going to come if I bat my eyes and say it real sweet-like."

"We could always go looking around the city…" Kuwabara offered weakly.

"And find him in less than two hours?" I arched a brow, "I highly doubt that. Yusuke will be killed by then."

"Of course!" Botan exclaimed, smacking her fist to her palm, "Yusuke's Detective items! We used those when we were tracking you and Hiei!" She explained, pointing to Kurama, "But then he broke the compass with Rando but after that I left them in my pink kimono and we all know I don't wear that anymore!"

"I think she's gone crazy…" Kuwabara whispered to the red-head.

"You're hardly the standard for wild outbursts…"

"I'll need a little time to fetch it all!"

"Very well." Kurama replied, slipping his hands casually into his pockets, "We'll reconvene at the park in an hour."

"It's a date!"

Kuwabara went off on his own while Kurama and I left to change. We both agreed that it would be a bit more comfortable for us if we were out of our school uniform. Especially for me since mine consisted of a skirt. I went with my usual jeans and a fitted t shirt, no print. Seriously, the graphic t shirts in this world and time were absurd!

"I'll wait outside." I told Kurama when we arrived at his home.

"That isn't wise. You were being followed this morning and the demon that followed you was daring enough to get near the school. I cannot let you linger outside unprotected."

I frowned, "Kurama, it's after ten o clock at night, don't you think it's going to look a little suspicious to your mom – if she's still awake- that you are arriving home with me at this hour? Besides, you'll probably have to slip in and out."

"It is not a school day tomorrow."

"That still could be a tough one, especially with a girl involved. If you think you can explain it, have at it but I don't think I should go in."

"Very well. Wait here, but be careful."

Normally, I would have cracked a joke at this point but given that I was being followed now, I wasn't sure that I was feeling up to making light of it all. Kurama vanished inside and I waited outside, my whole body tensed. I knew he wouldn't be gone long but still, how long did these demons really need to wreck my shit? I didn't feel strong anymore, like I could handle whatever came my way and it was really unnerving me.

I waited tensely by the street, constantly glancing over my shoulder back towards the door for Kurama to come back out. Maybe I should have gone inside. Standing out there by myself, I felt very vulnerable and I fidgeted uncomfortably, nervously glancing around. That's when I saw them. First it was one. Then two. And it grew until several small pairs of glowing yellow eyes were in the darkness around me. I swallowed the lump in my throat. These creatures remained in the darkness, out of the direct pools of light from the apartment complex but that didn't mean that they couldn't step into the light.

Tensely, I looked around and counted seven pairs of eyes. Oh, make that eight….Nine….Shit how many are there?! More and more eyes just kept appearing until I was backing away towards the apartment, the light still streaming over me. Tiny little snickers echoed through the night air and they moved forward, stopping just at the edge of the light. And then the door opened and they all scattered into the night. I sighed, my limbs trembling finely. I couldn't handle that many, whatever they were and I hoped that I would never see them again. But I knew that was just wishful thinking.

Guess I'm going to be sleeping with the lights on now.