Ok, so I have done A LOT of changes to this story. I know it has been a while, but including writing for my other stories I am also going back and re-writing the other older chapters in this story. As of now I've only re-written the 1st chapter.

IMPORTANT: Also if you are relatively new to this story and didn't see the correct 'Battle of Emotions' chapter, the CORRECT CHAPTER HAS BEEN POSTED. It is a complete re-write so if you wanted to reread the chapter please do so, but it's generally the same flow.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this new chapter. Don't forget you can check what chapters I'm working on next or at least supposed to be working on next in my profile.

Until the next chapter! See you!


Your mission, if you choose to accept it...

After our win and the destruction of the stadium at the hands of Sakiyo we all headed back to the hotel. Starting today and lasting until tomorrow morning there would be ferries coming to pick up the inhabitants of this island. We decided to take the day to rest and recuperate after the long day and head out in the morning. It was a long 10 days on this island and as I thought back on everything I couldn't believe everything that had happened. I saw demons die right in front of me and though at first I felt conflicted I eventually became accustomed to it. I even fought in a match and killed one myself. The me of so long ago wouldn't have believed where she was now. Not only that but I was leaving this death island in a relationship with my crush. It was a dream come true!

"You're smiling again."

"It's creepy."

I rolled my eyes at my brothers as we walked along the shore line with the other girls. Hearing this Boton giggled and danced around to my side before throwing her arms around my shoulder.

"Could it be you're thinking about a certain someone?"

I blushed wanting to deny it. If only because of that Cheshire grin on her face that promised a great teasing. "I-is that a problem?"

"Well it's nice to see that something good came out of this tournament."

"I'm really happy for you."

"Yeah just don't go around humping like rabbits. It's not easy raising a kid ya'know."

My face went completely red and I stared wide eyed at Atsuko. I wanted to speak up but I couldn't stop thinking about it and the more I thought about it the more my imagination worked. I could've sworn that I felt steam blowing from my ears. Atsuko and Shizure laughed.

"You're practically a tomato, darling!" Boton pinched at my cheeks as I weakly tried to push her away, "Oh, come on! Those are very wise words you know. Men can be ve-"

"I-i get it!" I squeaked hoping that the topic will be dropped.

"Now if only Keiko and Yusuke can follow in your example." Atsuko grinned, "In their case I wouldn't mind having some munchkins running around."

"H-h-huh!?" Now Keiko was just as red as I was.

We look at each other and though we were embarrassed we smiled, which turned into laughter that soon spread to the others. The brief feeling of happiness quickly died down and a somber expression fell over everyone's faces. I could only imagine my own face mirrored theirs. In silence we continued walking, getting closer to our original destination.

Genkai's grave.

Everything happened so quickly. Even after we found out about her death there was no time to really take it in, and even after the match was over it was a rush to get our things together. But now with this brief reprieve there was nothing stopping our thoughts or distracting us from feeling her disappearance. I didn't know her well enough, and from what I've heard and seen of her she was one tough cookie. But even if I didn't know her well that didn't mean I couldn't morn her loss, and I could only imagine how it felt for Yusuke or Kuwabara. From what I've heard she was a mentor to them, and had even took Yusuke as her successor. She was similar to how Ronoa was to me. Just imagining her in Genkai's place gave me a slight insight to how they may have been feeling.

Soon we came to the modest grave that was made for Genkai. It stood on a cliff face that over looked the vast sea. A single purple hat sat in front of the stone rocked that marked her resting place. After a moment of silence Shizuru suggested we head back to grab our things. The boat would be coming soon after all.

It was heart breaking. We came as a team of 6 but was leaving as a team of 5.

"I really don't know how to thank you guys enough." I said to the others as we headed down the elevator, arms full of bags from the the things we brought with us and things that were bought since here. I didn't exactly have money and I didn't think about it at the time but when my brothers came along they didn't have any extra clothes. But Atsuko and Shizure had bought them some clothes and toothbrushes from the hotel store. Luckily they had some things in their size.

"It's no worries. I've had to deal with Kuwabara my whole life. Your brothers were a cake walk in comparison."

"Still I feel like I should repay you all somehow."

"Seriously don't sweat it."

"It was lucky we came along. I don't know how you were going to watch them on your own."

"I don't know either, Keiko. You girls are serious life savers."

As we entered the lobby there was the call for the final ferry leaving the island and sitting at one of the tables were the guys waiting for us. Kuwabara ended up carrying not only his sister's bags but also Boton's. When he complained Shizure said that Yukina likes guys who help their sisters and as for Boton's, Yukina's socks were in there.

Kurama slid beside me, asking if I needed any help. I only had the bag I came here with and though it was a bit heavy since we stuffed my brother's things in it as well, I declined. It was finally time to go back home.

Given everything that had happened to us on this island it felt anticlimactic to feel such a calm and inviting breeze seeing us off. But even as we all stood, watching the boat venture closer and closer the island still had one more surprise for us.

"Well excuse me if I'm a little insulted. You just gonna leave the old fossil behind?"

Huh? That voice. We all turned around in disbelief. Surely it wasn't just in my head. This had to be real. It was Genkai! Standing as though she had always been there. Like we hadn't spent all this time morning over her grave. She smirked as us as we all rushed to greet her save for Yusuke who was the most shocked out of everyone. Genkai looked at yusuke with affection she couldn't hide even as she gave him her patented sharp words.

"Must've rubbed off on me dimwit, I died like you. Half-assed."

Suddenly, the sun seemed to shine just a little bit brighter and my heart felt all the more lighter as we finally begin to make our way home.

When we returned we'll be right back to normal life. We'll be starting the new semester as soon as we return. Even though I spent the last month and a half out of school, due to training with Ronoa, Koenma said he would do something in order to ensure that I didn't fail. I never did ask him what his plan was, but it never really crossed my mine until now. Not that it mattered. The only pressing matter was that with two months missing from school I was now very behind all of my other peers. I just knew that the first few months won't be very relaxing due to all of the make up classes I'll have to take. Maybe I could ask Kurama to tutor me again.

The five hour boat ride didn't nearly feel as long as it should have. In my concern over school I failed to realize one other, more pressing matter I would have to deal with first.

My parents.

Well, not so much my father, since he was shockingly ok with the situation, but mainly my mother. She didn't even see me off. The thought of having to see her again was enough to make me sigh.

"Are you going for the world record?" Yusuke teased leaning against the railing, "That was your 7th one in the last few minutes."

"I can't believe you counted." I raised a brow, amused. "But to answer your question, no. Just a lot on my mind."

"Yeah, well the only thing on my mind is eating some good food and playing video games."

"I hear ya Urameshi. My fingers are itching for some action."

Keiko rolled her eyes with hands on her hips, "Well I hope studying is somewhere on that list."

"Sure it is. Right up there with Kuwabara actually ever beating me in a fight."

"Hey! I'll kick your ass right now, Urameshi!"

As they continued I felt a familiar comforting hand on my shoulder and smiled up at Kurama, who returned the gesture. During the return trip I had confided in him my worries and fears, and it actually made me feel better. Like I didn't have to shoulder all of the troubles myself. I never imagined how nice it would be to have someone to rely on.

Before long we anchored at the harbor and we all headed our separate way, and despite Kurama's insistence, I didn't have him see us home. Kurama deserved to get as much rest as possible after everything he had been through, and I know that he missed his mother.

'Even though I really wish he was here.'

Glancing at my brothers I knew they were worse off than I was. At least me leaving was planned for, they snuck off without our parents knowing. I squeezed their hands in mine, hoping that it would reassure them much like Kurama's hand has always done for me. Before we knew it we stood in front of our home.

"They're probably home. It's Sunday after all."

Should I knock? Use my key? I settled for the latter and slowly opened the door. The lingering smell of freshly cooked lunch wafted through the air, making my stomach rumble.

"W-we're...We're home!" I called out feeling oddly like a stranger in my own home.

There was a gasp and two pairs of shuffling feet, as both of our parents rushed downstairs. I didn't have time to mutter a word before my mother had me in a tight hug, crying about how sorry she was and thankful that we were home safely.

"I-i was expecting a much different reception."

As my mother looked at me with glossy eyes there was not a single trace of the distrust and anger that was there before I left. At that time a part of me felt betrayed and cast aside. I had thought she didn't see me as her daughter anymore. I though when I came back she would reject me. All of these feelings cascaded down as tears.

"I know I didn't take it well," She began face heavy with regret, "But I've had time to think. I-"

My mother struggled to put her thoughts into words as her emotions welled up too much for her to continue. At that time Dad came over with that same warm smile that I had missed all the days they were gone.

"Let's take a seat and I'll put some tea on." He then addressed my brothers and though his smiled remained unchanged, it suddenly felt scarier than even Tuguro at 100%, "We'll discuss what you two did later."

Now sitting in the living room with a warm cup of tea in hand, my parents sat on either side of me and my brothers at either end. My mother seemed to have calmed down enough to speak and gently took my empty hand in hers, making me look at her.

"Baby, I just want to say I'm so, so sorry. I should've listened more instead of panicking and pushing you away."

It was hard to look at her as I remembered how I felt when she ignored me. I would have preferred her not be here than having to see her every day, but have my presence shunned.

"I didn't understand and...and I was afraid. Afraid of what it meant if you were telling the trough. Afraid of what would happen to you as you tried to learn more about - well- whatever this is." She took a calming breath, but it didn't seem to help and she looked to my Dad for help before he emotions took over again. He quickly jumped in.

"We had some time to talk and we realized that more than us, this would be more difficult for you. The changes that you will have to accept as you learn about this new you and the dangers that you are suddenly putting yourself into won't be easy. Even deciding to go to this tournament, that decision couldn't have been a light one. But more than all of that you didn't try to hide to from us."

I quickly nodded, "I didn't want to have to sneak around behind your back...This path that I'm suddenly one it's...It's dangerous. More so than you can even imagine." If they knew half of the things I've seen or done this pass week they would faint.

"Because of that I don't want something to happen and you not know."

I could hear the lump my mother swallowed at my words and her trembling hands gripped mine tighter as though to keep me from ever leaving.

"Some of it has probably been forced on you because of our poor decision as parents to leave you three behind but...You've always been a mature young lady and seeing you know I know it to be more true than ever." I looked like her words were causing her pain. Like she didn't want to admit it. "Even when you were younger there was always something different about you."

"Like my hair and eyes?"

"Well, yes but it was more than that. Maybe you don't remember but you would say and do things that, at the time, I assumed it was you just being a child. But sometimes you would get this look in your eyes. Like this wasn't where you were meant to be and it would always scare me. Because it felt like you would suddenly disappear if I looked away for even a moment. Injuries, that would normally take weeks to heal, would only take days. Also..."

"Yes? Please, tell me."

"...Up until your were six you had this imaginary friend. You would always talk to her about the strangest things. About other worlds and things you would hear about in fairy tales. And sometimes I would be surprised about the things you knew because it wasn't something a child could ever learn just by talking to an imaginary friend. The things you knew about plants, for example...You told me her name once-"

'Her?...It couldn't be...'

"-I only remembered a few days ago but you told me her name was Saruko."

My eyes were as wide as dinner plates at the information. Did that mean the saint beast episode wasn't my first encounter with Saruko? And she used to speak to me when I was a child? Why didn't I remember any of this? And why didn't she tell me? I suddenly found myself wanting to talk to my other self. I knew she was there inside of me but I wanted to find a way to speak to her again.

"Thank you for telling me, mom."

She smiled, looking much more relieved than at the start. "I only have one last thing to say. No matter what happens or who you are, nothing will change the fact that you are our daughter. This is your family and this is where you belong."

The tears that I thought had dried up came rushing again. More than anything those were the words I wanted to hear. I was so happy and relieved that I couldn't stop myself from falling into her arms. She happily accepted me and placed a loving kiss on the crown of my head. For a while we sat in warm silence simply enjoying the warmth and love of being a family once again.

"You three must be tired. I'll run a bath for you. Tomorrow is the start of the new year and though I don't know how it's possible, with you missing the last two months of school, but you start your 2nd year at Meiho. You'll have a lot of catching up to do to get back on track."

"Ugh, don't remind me."

Mom smiled as I began to follow her upstairs, but before I left I turned to dad who had began speaking to my brothers.

"Don't scold them too much...I'm sure the understand that they didn't make the smartest decision. But because they were there they helped me better understand and come to terms with parts of myself that I was scared of. They were a constant reminder of what was important to me so...I'm actually glad that they came along."

Dad gave a defeated smile and slouched into the back of the chair, "Well, how am I supposed speak up after that."

I grinned and held out my hands to my brothers, "Come on guys, and lets get ready for baths. I'll even let you two go first."

Mission 1: "Meet the family" Status: Complete!

"Ahh, can you believe it's already the new year?"

"Yeah, this year I'm gonna tell him how I feel."

"The new students will be looking for clubs! Let's be sure to put the new posters up!"

"I worked so hard to get here! I wonder if I can finally see Minamino!"

I looked around feeling strangely out of place. It felt unreal to be listening to such carefree conversation after so long. Was it weird to say I would feel better if I heard someone whispering about how they wanted to kill the 'demon traitor' team? I took another glance around and chuckled to myself. Well, at least there was one thing that made me feel like I've finally come back home.

The staring.

Freshmen probably wondered if I was a delinquent, and others probably shocked that I was still here. I'll have to apologize to Dr. Hashima for my disappearing act. I hope I had him for homeroom again.

"Good morning, Yume."

A smile bloomed on my face at boyfriend's voice and his relaxing scent, "Suichi!"

He chuckled, "Someones energetic this morning."

"O-oh, sorry. Guess I'm just happy to see you."

"Well that makes two of us."

His answering smile should've been illegal. Now back into normal life I could feel the side that fan-girled over him return with a vengeance. I didn't have time to fully appreciate his beautiful, almost androgynous, features on the island. Or stare into those breathtaking green eyes that did things to my heart and body that was a little too embarrassing to admit out loud. My eyes dropped to his hands and I had to lock my hands together to stop myself from reaching out to his. They were so large, but smooth and almost too delicate looking for someone of his strength to have. Even now I could remember how they held my head as he pulled me in to kiss my forehead, which now started to burn with the memory. Ugh! This wasn't good!

"Yume are you ok?"

"Huh?! Y-yes it is pretty warm today!" I circled around Kurama so he couldn't see my face and pushed him forward, "A-anyway let's head inside. W-we have to find out what class we're in."

"Hm, that's true. I wonder if we'll be in the same one this year."

"I hope so! It'll be even better if our seats are together."

Sadly neither one of those came true. Instead the it was the worst possible outcome. My seat partner for the first leg of the school year would be none other than Suki Iwase! Not even Kurama's encouraging pat could help me now. Only a few moments ago everything was sunshine and sparkles, but oh how cruel a mistress fate is. Kurama apparently found enjoyment from my pouting. At least one of us was happy.

It was with every ounce of willpower I could muster did I enter my classroom alone.

"Ms. Kuramizu, glad to see you again."

Dr. Hashima!

He smiled, "I hope I won't have to worry about another disappearing act from you this year."

"Heh, sorry about that." I replied with a nervous laugh.

"I'm expecting great things from you this year. We'll leave it at that for now."

Well, I got one thing at least. Dr. Hashima would be my homeroom teacher this year! Not long after everyone took their seats. Suki hadn't even paid me a passing sneer, but I knew she was just biding her time. Even before my early leave last year there were rumors spreading around Kurama and me. It was obvious we had gotten close and most of the time were together. Not to even mentioned I use his first name when addressing him. Because of that Suki couldn't really bully me since she didn't want Kurama or the teachers to know her real self. Not that it fooled anyone other than her father and the new teachers.

But I wasn't worried. I could handle anything she threw my way. It felt so good to have this kind of self confidence. It was at this moment that I realized that I didn't just get stronger physically. Shockingly the day passed without a single incident. When I took my lunch to the other class to eat with Kurama, I could feel her eyes on me but outside of that she ignored me completely.

That was until the next day. When I sat at my chair I noticed something scribbled on the bottom right corner in black marker.

Slut!

"Oh! Who would write such a thing?"

Suki's overly shocked voice stung my ears and I stared blankly at her. In her eyes I could see she was expecting me to get embarrassed. Maybe even run away crying. But that was the old me. Instead I smiled at her with a shrug.

"Who knows. Maybe someone with nothing better to do. But no need to worry, a little scrub and it should come right off."

The way her mouth hung open made me want to laugh but I held back the urge. The following day, even after I cleaned it after school, the words came back but there were even more now.

Bitch! Freak! Go die! Slut!

Seeing these words my expression fell and I sighed sadly as I picked at the words.

"This is just horrible." Suki dramatically sighed, hand covering her mouth as she tried to hide her curling lips. "Even if it's true no one should be called a slut."

I nodded, "That's true...But more than that there are even more words today than yesterday...And it took so long to clean."

Suki's poorly hid excitement fell, "What?"

"It took 30 minutes to clean that one word yesterday. Today's going to take even longer! And I have after school make up classes too!" I groaned, "I'm gonna be here forever!"

"Th-that's why you're upset?"

I set her a side glance and a knowing smirk, "Of course. Why else would I be?"

Her following glare would've had Karasu running for the hills and she angrily turned to the front of the class as Dr. Hashima came in.

'Hehe, this is so great! But...it's only the second day. She should pace herself.'

Later at lunch I had stayed back a bit because another student had asked if I had the notes for 2nd period. I thought it was strange that she would ask me of all people, but handed her my notebook and told her to just put it on my desk when she was finished. After that I happily rushed to Kurama's class only to stop at the door. Suki was already there, laughing and smiling with Kurama. I wasn't jealous since I knew where Kurama and I stood, but I was curious as to what Suki was planning. As soon as I made myself known Suki smiled brightly, said a chirpy farewell and left without a fight.

"Looked like a fun conversation. Hope I didn't interrupt."

"Not at all. She was just asking me about my holiday."

"Hmm..." I didn't tell Kurama about the profanity on my desk, really it wasn't much of a big deal, and even if he did know he wouldn't have treated her any differently. He had created this image of gentlemanly kindness and of being a perfect model student. And in contrast to his popularity he managed to walk this delicate line of being both a part of and separate from school life. Because of that I couldn't see him just suddenly being rude to Suki and I didn't want him to. Maybe the old me would have, but the me now was different.

A finger being pressed against my lips startled me and I looked at Kurama in surprise. He simply held up his thumb stained with the sauce from my yakisoba sandwich and blushed.

"N-next time just tell me. Or at lest use a napkin" I whispered frantically looking around to see if anyone saw him wipe my mouth. With his thumb!

"I tried but you didn't hear me." He closed his eyes with a smile and tilted his head innocently.

'Hn-! Th-that look! That's cheating!'

After that Suki's behavior took an interesting turn. After the second day no more mean spirited words appeared on my desk, but that wasn't the strange thing. Suddenly, Suki had found every and any reason to speak to Kurama. During the breaks between class, during lunch and even during the break time after lunch and before class. I know I said I wasn't jealous - and I'm not! But it still didn't feel nice to have Suki suddenly encroaching on the little time I had to speak with Kurama.

Not only that but I've been starting to get approached by other people. At first I thought it was some ploy by Suki to keep me busy, but when I had begun to get request to join clubs I knew it wasn't her doing. I didn't understand why people were suddenly so interested in me. Last year they avoided me like the plaque. The girl who asked to borrow my notes before had even asked again, saying that my notes were easy to understand and helped her a lot. After seeing Suki with Kurama I had thought she was used as a distraction, but maybe not.

This continued for the next two weeks and honestly the sudden attention was tiresome.

"Hey, Kuramizu!"

"Yes?"

It was a guy from one of the clubs asking me to join. I think it was the gardening club. He was the same year as me, but a different class and he seemed pretty nice. Out of all of the clubs to invite me this was the one I had the most in maybe joining, but right now I needed to worry about catching up to the current curriculum.

"Have you reconsidered about joining our club?"

"Sorry, like I said before I don't have the time. Maybe later."

"Come on, I think you would enjoy it. We're even currently cultivating a new cross breed of roses."

"Roses?" Damn it. That did sound interesting.

"I've always seen you at that flower shop working and you seem to know a lot about plants and herbs in biology and earth science. We could really use that." He took a step forward eyes shining in his eagerness, "Please?" He got even closer until he was right on top of me. "You won't regret it! I promise! Just fill out this paper!"

Before I could say another word he shoved the club entry form into my hands and ran off saying to give it to him by the end of the week.

The school bell run to signal the next class was starting and I headed back to class now seriously considering joining the club. Right before the late bell rang Suki returned and I couldn't help but look at her. She smelled like Kurama.

"Can I help you with something?"

"...No."

At that time I didn't realize how angry I had looked.

The next day I finally realized what her plan was. When I entered the classroom Suki was crying at her desk and surrounded by a group of students, some of whom were trying to calm her down. I asked what was going on but got disapproving looks from everyone.

"I can't believe she would do something like that."

"I expected better."

"Remember last year when she just went crazy?"

"She's so fake. Pretending to be nice and sucking up to Minamino."

Ok what was going on? I met Suki's eyes and I could have sword her look said 'got you!' before she began to cry harder.

"Can someone please explain?"

"Like you don't know." Another student spat, whom I recognized as one of Suki's followers.

"Um, I really don't."

"Then explain this!"

Stay away from Suichi! He's mine stop talking to him! You're a slut! No one likes you! Die!

There were familiar words that I've heard before but something wasn't right. It wasn't written on my desk, but Suki's. That's not all either. Some of the other desks had similar writing. I quickly realized that those were the desks of people who had also interacted with Kurama since the start of the year.

"I didn't write this! I would never."

"Don't lie! We know it was you!"

"You're the only one who calls him by his first name!"

"Yeah and we've seen how you've been looking at Suki when she's with him!"

Did I really have a bad look on my face? I mean I was starting to feel a bit lonely since I couldn't talk to him much but I knew she wasn't an actual treat to steal him away.

"Stop acting like his girlfriend! He's just too nice to say anything!"

"I...I was...only t-talking to him...Wh-why did...Did I deserve this?" Suki sniffled hiding her face in her hands.

'Tch, what an act.'

I took a deep breath and firmly stood my ground. "Someone could've just framed me. Besides when would I have had the time to do this?"

"We all know you stay after school for extra classes. You could've done it then!"

I just knew Suki was loving this. Suddenly old feeling of being alone and isolated tried to claw their way to the surface, and before I knew it I stopped talking and looked down. This wasn't going to help solve the problem, but what could I do? The teacher hasn't come yet, and though I don't think Dr. Hashima would believe I would do something like this, with so many people speaking against me he would have no choice but to discipline me.

I also realized that we attracted a crowd and now they were also whispering about what happened. Now what?

"Is something wrong here?"

Kurama made his way into the room, catching everyone's attention all at once and especially Suki who started a new round of crying and ran over to him. He seemed a little uncomfortable when she threw herself into his chest, but still treated her gently when he moved her away.

"Why are you crying, Iwase? Are you hurt?"

"I-its her f-fault." She pointed an accusatory finger at me, "Sh-she's going around w-writing mean things o-on people's desks!"

Kurama looked at Suki's desk and looked surprised at the words that were clearly meant to hurt.

"Isn't th-that just mean? Sh-she's over h-here acting like y-your girlfriend and being rude t-to anyone w-who so much as look at you!"

"I see."

A little more forceful that before Kurama detached himself from Suki's grip all the while maintaining his smile. Though this time I could detect a bit of amusement behind them. He was about to do something, I just know it. That look screamed mischievous fox. Much to everyone's confusion, especially Suki's, Kurama moved to stand right by my side.

"I'm afraid there are two things wrong with your story, Iwase. First, Yume would never have written something like this."

"B-but how do you know that?! She's always here after school, and she's always giving me mean looks! I just know it was her!"

"Considering that last night I had also stayed behind at Dr. Hashima's bequest to assist in her studies, I find it hard to believe I would have missed such artwork being created."

Well that shut her up really quick.

"As for that second mistake of yours, she isn't acting like my girlfriend."

Oh no, Suki's about to pop a blood vessel. Be gentle Kurama.

"She is my girlfriend."

Silence...Then chaos.

Suki couldn't even handle it and fainted right on the spot, and Dr. Hashima who had finally decided to join us was understandably confused. I looked at Kurama who contently watched the chaos as though he had done nothing wrong before being kicked out of the room, followed behind another student who carried Suki to the nurse's office. The other times I hid the writing during class so the teachers wouldn't see it, but this time there was no hiding so many desk. While I knew it wasn't the truth, one of Suki's friends ended up taking the blame for what had happened and was forced to clean the desks and write an apology letter to everyone she hurt. Also, by the end of the school day, it was all over the school that Kurama and I were dating.

"You know," I began as Kurama and I headed home, "I appreciate the help, but I think you enjoyed causing that ruckus a bit too much. I mean I am glad that our relationship is out now, but I just didn't think it would be so soon."

He laughed joyously, "You caught me. I admit I did have fun, but now everyone knows you're mine."

"Huh?" I looked at him bewildered, "Shouldn't that be the other way? I'm pretty sure there's no one trying to go after me. This whole thing started because of you and that face after all."

"And what's wrong with my face?"

"Nothing, and that's the problem."

He pulled me closer to his side as a bike passed pretty close to us, and instead of recreating the small distance his hand moved down to my waist.

"What about you? You've had a sudden surge of popularity these past few days. Especially among the freshmen."

"I'm just as confused as you are about that. I could've sworn I was the black sheep of the school."

"You don't see it, do you?" He asked a gentle glow in his eyes that stopped any words I was about to say. "You're so much stronger than you were before and I think the others notice that. You have this confidence to you in the way you walk and speak to people. More importantly you've been smiling and not running away like you would've done. Just take the way you've handled Iwase these past few days. More than before, people are beginning to see how great of a person you are."

"G-geeze, I don't think I can handle all this flattery." I cupped my face, hoping that my cool fingertips would chill my burning cheeks. "But if I'm like this now it's only because you and others have helped me. It's thanks to you all that I feel like I'm starting to understand myself and be comfortable in my own skin."

He sighed, sounding troubled. "That's why I needed to let everyone know. Especially when you look like that."

"And what look is that?"

"Like you want me to kiss you."

"K-kurama!"

Mission 2: 'Suki Iwase' Status: Complete?

Little did I know there was one last challenge that I would have to deal with. And this one, possible, the most troubling.

Mission 3: 'Bare the heat' Status: N/A


And there you are my lovelies! The next chapter finished and up! Hope you enjoy it!