Hey all, it's not Wednesday. It is Friday, and not even the right Friday, I'm well aware.

The last week or so has been particularly busy for me. I won't bore you with the details, but things should hopefully be settling down soon enough. If not, I guess you'll know when I fail to keep to my schedule. Either way, here's the chapter, and it was pretty fun!

We're getting into the bulk of our story now that good old boy Yusuke is away training for the Funimation Dub's six months. That's a lot more time to play around with, and I'm using that shit for all it's worth! So... yeah, expect the familiar plot you know to be on hold. Also, details for a companion story to this will be in the note at the end! You probably don't want to miss it. So yeah, on with the "sho!"


Coming in unannounced, drag my nails on the tile.
I just followed your scent, you can just follow my smile.

All of your flaws are aligned with this mood of mine,
cutting me to the bone, nothing left to leave behind.

You ought to keep me concealed, just like I was a weapon.
I didn't come for a fight, but I will fight 'til the end.

- Irresistible - Fall Out Boy

See This Cake I Have? I'm Going to Eat It Too.

To say Mab was displeased with the results of the tournament would be an understatement.

The intensity of her disappointment was such that it was all consuming of her body and mind, refusing to allow her thoughts to wander far until circling back eventually to the absolute failure that was the Genkai Tournament. These thoughts then accumulated into one massive headache, which could only be reduced by consumption of copious doses of the amber liquid in the glass bottle that Jorge, the sub-demon, had managed to procure upon request.

This liquid was no dandelion wine, but in combination with the calming tea the little prince was so kind to offer, it did alleviate the pain of the misfortune. It was enough to keep her from leaving Spirit World to possess the child herself and take advantage of the opportunity offered.

She had just… what had she been thinking? Giving up the opportunity to train with such a powerful human was easily the most foolish thing the idiot girl had done so far. What progress she could make would be passed to that boy!

Her reasoning, Mab supposed, made sense enough, most especially that secret which she saved for the old woman. However, perhaps it was not in her best interest to be prying so much.

The Yaksha, as they so called it, was growing more bold, more desperate. Hotaru had come dangerously close to losing herself completely, and while that was a sure sign of progress… It wasn't enough. She could only hope that if the girl did somehow discover the truth, she would know what to do with it. The old psychic could help, a valuable potential ally to be sure, and the two human boys. But the demon filth..

Kurama could wear a human skin as much as he wanted, could pretend to be a creature worth preserving, but in the end, he was a demon. Destruction and desolation was all he knew. Self-serving, power hungry beasts the lot of them, without a shred of decency to their names. Corruptive, corrosive, vile creatures had no reason for existing. Mab had seen this time and time again. Demons never changed. And oh, how she had tried…

Her eyes slid open, and she found herself staring at the door to her cell.

The charming little prince was lenient enough that she was permitted out quite often now, in fact whenever she wished. It was nice, this newfound freedom. Not having to resort to less dignified methods to leave the iron prison was certainly a step up, and the beverages were lovely as well. Such kindness would not be overlooked when the inevitable came to pass. These Spirits were quaint creatures, and it was a shame they weren't compatible for breeding. However, Mab was not quite so one-track-minded as many of her kin had been. Even without the need for their bodies, there were other ways they could be of use. With the right mouth to his ear, Dear Koenma could make a fine King of his realm.

But that was neither here nor there. She was in no position to be guiding the prince. No, a better candidate was currently being groomed for that position, a younger, more powerful ear that Mab herself could offer discreet whispers to ever now and then, and in turn, have those conniving, delicate lips sway Koenma.

Now, if only Hotaru would figure out her objectives.


Home was an idea of comfort. It is one word of a few that can invoke completely different reactions and memories for every person. Home is the singular concept that will immediately call to mind the feeling of familiarity, which in itself is an amenity.

Humans are most at ease among the familiar. People and places known to them are far less likely to bring about circumstances that put them out of their elements. Some are heavily resistant to change while others abandon the convenience routine without a second thought. Adaptation is just as much human nature as inflexibility, and both have their place. For me, in this instance, I tended towards the known world, towards the mundane fixtures of my childhood that stood tall despite the passage of time.

I lay awake for most of the early morning on the Tuesday after the long weekend. Silence reigned for the most part, broken by the occasional snore that came just a touch too loudly from Kazuma's room. Mami was, as per usual, curled into a tight ball at my side, letting loose a string of purring every now and then. The gentle rise and fall of her body and the warmth that permeated my blankets were two elements of the contentment I felt simply by existing in this space. Three distinct energies were in the positions and conditions they should be. I could feel the entire house, its empty corners and the dust that settled in a fine film over the very tops of the cabinets where Father was far too lazy to reach.

Quiet, still, breathlessly waiting for the day to begin, windows to be opened to let out the stale night air. Home was warm, and soft, and domestic in a way other places simply couldn't compare. The intimate shadow realm of the Dark Forest, the eerie marsh battleground, even the serenity of silence pervading the temple couldn't hold a candle to the conventional charm of home.

At home, my mind could wander freely. No mission plagued me, nor were there Spirits demanding my time and energy to do their dirty work. My life was mine to do with as I pleased, my time my own, and my thoughts able to roam to places I had perhaps pushed away for a later time.

All of this makes me wonder why, in my contentment, I felt so restless.

There was nothing. No new task to set my sights on, no prey to hunt down and eliminate, just the monotony of day to day life that left my mind free to be unfocused and unproductive. Even with all the potential points of speculation I had stored away for later consideration proved pointless to ponder. My information on the subjects was insufficient, and I had yet to find a way to attain reliable sources. What was there for me to do now without him?

I didn't realize how much of my time Urameshi really took up. I knew it was quite a bit, but to suddenly find myself lacking in activities, when before him I had been able to keep busy easily, was unnerving. I could only study demons for so long.

Quality time with Kazuma could only take up so much time of the day. He still had his friends to entertain him, which I did not begrudge. I myself had Kurama at the very least. Perhaps splitting up the time I would spend with Yusuke between the two of them… But doing what, exactly? My brother was unlikely to help me with anything productive, and my demon was far too preoccupied with his mother to pay proper attention.

And all the while, Yusuke would be growing stronger, better. He was already better than me, but the margin would only grow unless… Ah! Now that was an idea.


Kurama studied me intensely as I took a casual sip of the quite over-caffeinated drink.

To describe the kitsune in a few brief words is difficult in its simplicity. There were too few words that I could really attribute to him- I could admit that I didn't really know him well at all. Shrewd was one, but it was easily the most obvious. An opportunist to be sure, though he had done nothing so far without some sort of plan, no matter how spur-of-the-moment things had been. Dedicated, of course, to maintaining his image and the wellbeing of his mother. Diligent, in that he covered every conceivable base and left nothing to chance. Coy, or perhaps impish would be the better word, as kitsune were rumored to be.

And of course, the all encompassing word that was saved for those very special people. He was good. Whatever that word entailed, and it was a very broad term, he embodied much in the same way Yusuke did. Perhaps not in action in every case, but in thoughts and intentions. Truly, 'good' was not a term I would use lightly in regards to others. Plenty of people can be decent without being good. Good covered many other descriptors, other adjectives to be applied.

At the moment, his eyes were some mix between all of the above, flashing through emotions very well concealed behind emerald orbs. His expressions were almost as amusing as Yusuke's, less charming simply due to his keeping them so hidden. Still, when one happened to appear, I enjoyed its brief debut and picked it apart with a hungry curiosity.

He was, all at once, trying to ascertain my motives, searching for the catch, entertaining the idea, and planning out his careful response. Such a methodic creature, and predictable only in the sense that he would think every possibility through and come up with the answer that best served him.

"I would assume your latest mission from Spirit World is what brought this on," he inferred, and I shrugged, watching his face from the corner of my eye.

"In a way. It certainly does increase the necessity, considering Yusuke had to use my energy to win the fight. It could easily have been me in his place, and it's likely I would have had the same need."

I set the cup down, lacing my fingers together on the table.

"That is a curiosity," he told me, eyes narrowing in… not suspicion, but perhaps a very focused interest. "I've of course seen energy given willingly from one to another, and obviously it is normal that energy is forcibly taken, but never have I heard of power being transferred involuntarily to an equally unknowing and unwilling body."

I sighed, my mouth tugging down at the corners.

"That is exactly what Genkai told me. I was hoping you might have more insight," I admitted, and he shook his head apologetically.

"No indeed, the phenomenon is not something I've encountered before. However, it does appear the two of you have a decent amount of luck on your side."

I scoffed, taking another sip of my drink. It was soothing, though the brew could have been stronger.

"I would agree, if I believed in luck. No, this is something more, and Spirit World is hiding it from me." His brows raised in open surprise, and I took a subtle breath to keep my temper in check. It wouldn't do to go spilling all my secrets now.

"Interesting. You said you play a game to win a prize. I had thought it to be something material. The prize you seek is information?" I ignored his question, focusing on the steam rising from my cup. The fragile white ceramic burned the pads of my hands, but the sensation was welcome. Pain was a point of focus, and the most easily obtained. The blood pulsing angrily in my veins must be cooler than the cup.

"And it had not occurred to you to ask me to obtain this information?"

"The information is not my main goal," I admitted. "I did consider asking for your help, but I feel it is too early in the game to be utilizing you. In any case, it was my hope that your experience could shed some light on certain matters."

"Matters pertaining to your abilities," he inferred, and I nodded.

"The strange dynamics of mine and Yusuke's energies aside, I have other reasons for this proposal. On a personal level, I loathe to imagine that Yusuke might outclass me. I will not be left behind to depend on his strength and neglect building my own." He was already stronger than I, and if the gap were to widen further… it was an uncomfortable thought.

"From a more practical point of view, I don't want to be a hindrance in battle. Even if I cannot match his strength, I won't be a distraction from the goal, whatever that may be. Third, and stemming from that pragmatic position, I'd like to know what you are capable of."

He didn't look surprised, simply leaning forward on his elbows in a most dignified fashion.

"I see."

"You're still a relatively unknown element," I reasoned. "However, I can deduce from the known facts that sparring with you would be beneficial to the both of us. Training our energies separately can only do so much, but helping one another and learning more about each others skills and abilities will make us a more effective team, should the need arise for our alliance to become more than hypothetical."

He rested his chin on delicately twined fingers, his gaze assessing as though he was attempting to intimidate me into revealing some other motive. He would find that ineffective, as I had elected in favor of full honesty for this interaction.

"The known facts?" he asked, seemingly amused by my presumption.

"Hiei and Gouki were, in their own respects, relatively worthy opponents. That you were deemed necessary to their plans and apparently parted on decent terms with Hiei would indicate you aren't someone they would have wanted to cross." The coffee was starting to cool, was that from the cold of my hands leeching the warmth from the mug or because I had been taking very large gulps to quell the inexplicable pressure in my chest. Breathing proved slightly more difficult than usual, but the caffeine seemed to help somewhat.

"I would… appreciate it if you were to agree," I told him, and his lips twitched upwards in a teasing smile.

"Would you?" I blinked, watching as he feigned thought. Whatever it was that made him hesitate, I couldn't imagine. My reasoning was solid. If anything, he should be grateful for what I was offering. Not only would I get to know his unique skill sets, but he would be privy to mine. The way my mind worked in a fight was something only one other knew, and I found, shamefully, that I was unwilling to abstain from that closeness for six months.

"You are my only option," I tried again, and at his raised brow, I rushed to reassure his ego. "You are also the optimal choice for this. I would not make this offer if I had any doubt that we would be an effective team."

He and I were at least compatible intellectually, even if I couldn't be sure of our physical congruency. His powers, what little I had seen of them, intrigued me. Whatever he had done to impress Hiei and Gouki was surely something worth seeking out. The way his energy, latent as it was, interacted with the vegetation in his home was a strong hint at his power. Of course, I was also not completely oblivious to the many uses of plant life in general. I imagine a giant venus flytrap might become a devourer of humans rather than pesky insects, and the variety of poisons secreted in the leaves and nectars of some tropical flowers might be particularly handy in multiple scenarios.

"I'm afraid I don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to partnerships of the… mutually advantageous kind," he admitted, a delicate smirk just barely adding sharpness to the soft plains of his face.

I waited for him to continue, watching as he idly stirred the chilled contents of his own mug. Yet again, he had gotten here long before me and not bothered to wait until satisfying his thirst. It was quite rude, but his elegant demeanor somehow made it appear that I had been the one keeping him waiting, and that I should be grateful for his decision to stay and humor me. Of course, I did not allow my mind to fall into that trap. He was not the one controlling this meeting, or this alliance.

So of course, I was quite taken aback when he dropped the pretense of command and raised a hand to massage his temple in a most dignified way.

"What is it you are asking of me, exactly?" His eyes held nothing of the shrewd, searching gaze he had fixed me with before. Progress?

"Yusuke and I sparred fairly regularly," I informed him. "I had never had someone who could keep up with me physically before, and so our activities were an exercise in building endurance. However, he is not by any stretch of the imagination my intellectual equal."

He raised a brow, almost sardonically.

"And I assume you consider me intelligent enough to keep up with your thirteen years," he quipped. My head listed to the side slowly, the new angle giving me a better view of the sparkling annoyance in his expression.

"I'm well aware of your mental superiority. Don't assume my age speaks to my maturity." He gave an airy laugh at that, eyes sliding shut as though in dismissal.

"Of course, my mistake," he conceded, chuckling once more upon glancing at my frown. "So then, you want to hone your cerebral acuity. Strategy and whatnot, yes?"

I nodded.

"Among other things. With Yusuke gone, I'd like to make our alliance official and have your assistance on coming assignments, should I need it. You could ingratiate yourself to Spirit World at the very least." He nodded, a look of acceptance settling on his tired features.

"Regaining my former power is a tempting idea, though one I was unsure how to go about achieving. I think this is an acceptable solution to both our problems," he said with a winning smile. I could feel the elation of triumph tugging my lips up, my eyelids narrowing just slightly as the smile touched them delicately.

"I am glad you agree," I told him, then cleared my throat when I recognized a note of some undignified emotion ringing in my own voice. He chuckled at my blunder, pushing his cup to the center of the table to indicate he was ready to leave. I slung the strap of my purse over my shoulder in response.

"Yes, well, it's difficult to argue with someone so impossible to deny," he said in a way that seemed teasing. I stood with him, exiting the dimly-lit cafe onto the street. The afternoon still hung strongly to the sky, people in suits and jackets forming a sea of grey through which I lead us to our destination.

I cocked my head to the side, brow furrowed.

"Impossible to deny? Is that supposed to mean something?" Certainly my reasoning was without fault, if not painfully simplistic, but I would have thought 'impossible to argue with' might have been a better descriptor. Then again, Kurama's very essence radiated an intelligence factor far above my own. Even if I should compile an argument of infallible logic, I have little doubt he could find a way to convince me I was wrong.

Hm. Perhaps not quite that far, but he could hold his own in a debate, I was sure. His school records paired with our past interactions showed he was fully capable of storing and cataloguing information, as well as analyzing it, then drawing conclusions. His words, like his actions, carried intent, and the almost knowing quality of his voice gave me pause.

"It may," he affirmed, looking down at me with an expression nothing short of mischievous. "You have quite the charm about you."

Teasing again. I blinked rapidly, then scoffed to dismiss his odd humor.

"Most who really know me would disagree," I informed him, and he hummed in acknowledgement. Conversation was silenced when we stepped onto the train, riding alongside salarymen in the cramped space. How they could stand to be so close together, packed like live sardines in a can of pointless monotony, I'll never understand. It was a dead, colorless world they existed in, only the occasional breaks in the monochrome providing relief for their eyes. Kurama and I,with such bright and unusual features, must surely have had their undead minds whirring with questions and accusations they were far too polite to voice. They should feel honored to share the space with us, to have such diversity introduced to their day.

We arrived at the shopping center shortly thereafter, the streets here less overrun by walking greys and more lively, stiff suits replaced with comfortable sweaters and bluejeans. Kurama wasted no time striking up conversation again, and I was unsure if this was an admirable testament to his social skills, or vaguely irritating.

"Much as I don't enjoy leaving Mother alone longer than I must, it will make her happy to know I am spending time with a friend," he expressed with an audible smile. "She's always been insistent I socialize with people my own age, and as those are in short supply…"

My chest constricted briefly in a huff of laughter.

"I suppose millenia-old human children would be rather difficult to come by," I replied.

"Of course, the fact that it is you specifically will please her greatly. I'm sure you remember how much she approves of you." I rolled my eyes, as I certainly did remember, and I knew where this conversation was headed.

"You're old enough to have a private life, you know. I shouldn't be required to make appearances just to put her mind at ease." I happened to glance up and caught sight of his pleading, puppy-like eyes.

Puppy-like, with just a hint of sharp focus.

"I would personally appreciate it, and it would be further incentive to follow through with this idea you've had here." The building came into view, the road nearly devoid of pedestrians now save those whose businesses doubled as their homes.

What was once a rather busy strip had lost popularity in favor of the entertainment areas further South. Weekdays tended to be more active, as these businesses primarily offered services of an educational kind, but weekend nights likened the place to a graveyard. This was fortunate for the two of us, as I anticipated the occasional unexplainable incident to occur. The fewer witnesses to deal with, the better.

"You're adding to the conditions of our agreement," I pointed out to him chidingly, and he gave me a look of helpless indifference.

"You were the one who inserted yourself into her life, and you made quite an impact."

I clenched my teeth, my breathing audible as I tried to keep it from becoming a growl.

"I will… consider it."

He smiled warmly, victoriously.

"That is all I could ask."

I'd kill him someday, but unlike when I kill Yusuke, it would be quick. I wouldn't dream of giving him time to think his way around it.

I turned sharply up a small flight of stairs towards the familiar doors of the dojo. The lights were off, for the most part, and jiggling the doorknob confirmed my suspicions.

"Koori-Sensei is away," I informed Kurama, taking a step back for a moment to bring my purse to the front. "That is probably for the best. I'd rather not have to introduce you quite yet. He can be temperamental about these things."

"I see. Did you have another place in…" Kurama stopped speaking as I procured my key ring from the bottom of the bag, flashing it briefly in his direction. The proper key found its home in the deadbolt and with a loud metallic pop, my teachers absence was a nonissue.

"Sensei and I have an understanding, as well as a certain level of trust," I explained briefly. "I tend to be his only visitor since he stopped offering classes."

The lights flickered on when my fingers flipped the switch just inside the hall. To the right was the dojo, wooden floors covered in mats that were kept pristine despite their lack of common use. These days, it was mainly myself and Yusuke who would use the room for its intended purpose.

"Are you his caretaker then?" Kurama asked, placing his shoes on the near empty rack beside mine. His socks followed, folded and tucked neatly away. "Forgive me, but that hardly seems to be a role you would easily fall into."

I hummed in thought.

"No. He is self-reliant, for the most part. I have had need of this area in the past, and he happens to live here." I gestured to the closed door on the left, which lead to Koori-Sensei's modest living accomodations. "This place is… something of a home away from home. A sanctuary if you will."

"Sanctuary?" Kurama paused, standing beside me in the training room. His eyes were locked onto the weaponry decorating the walls, but his voice indicated his attention was solely on me. "Now, what could you need sanctuary from, I wonder."

I blinked.

~ Eyes flickered in a spaztic dance from spot to spot in the shadows of the night.

The tabby cat wrapped securely in my shivering arms, I took aimless steps through the darkness. The scent of blood still clung heavily to me, or perhaps it was my imagination. The streets were quiet enough, but that silence encouraged my mind to invent sound on its own. Whispers in my ears, slapping of feet on pavement, it echoes through the stillness.

Breaths came shorter with each motion.

I avoided street lights. Even if it was unlikely anyone was awake at this time, I felt perhaps the light might expose me to whatever force may have followed me from the alley, illuminating their target. In case this imaginary hunter was listening, I did not dare to run or make other noise.

My fingers dug into the cat's fur.

Taking her had seemed like a good idea at the time, and I was being proven quite correct at that moment. Her body heat and the subtle rumble of the low pur were somewhat grounding, even as I stumbled blindly around sharp corners. Sharp, familiar corners…

With a new destination in mind, I switched directions, my pace quickening, but only slightly. Quiet, must be quiet.

The door was in sight. It was blue, like most of the others. Unlike the rest, the placard above was inscribed with a particular name and profession. I took one shaking hand away from the warm bundle of fluff to try the knob. It didn't budge.

I should go to the window. It's unlocked.

I hesitated when that thought came to me. How could I know this? Had I left it unlocked on my last visit? No, I would do no such thing, and it would have been corrected by the end of the day anyways. Another student? Or was I simply being undeservingly optimistic?

I tiptoed around the side of the building, creeping through the shadows to keep out of the stale yellow light. The window was just above my head. I reached an experimental arm up to push on the glass.

It slid up.

I pushed further until I could just barely reach the edge with my fingertips, then lifted the heavy feline up to the sill.

"Go inside," I told her with a light push. She complied. I should have been more surprised that she actually did what I asked, but in that moment, I was acutely aware of the fact that I was completely alone, with my back to the entire world and my front now empty and chilled.

My breathing quickened.

I scrambled up the wall as quickly as I could, forsaking stealth for the security of the inside. Surely that character of the night already knew where I was, and was closing in on my position. I could practically feel hands a hairs breadth away from my back, clawing and grabbing ruthlessly, melting into arms, then a torso, then a face cloaked in blackness-

I slipped, falling to the floor with a dull thud. After a moment of panic, I realized I had been successful, shooting to a stand to slam the window shut. I turned the lock. And now the silence was broken by the gentle pounding of my heart, and the pathetic, shuddering breaths escaping my lungs.

My fingers were curled tight over the windowsill, only the unrelenting grip I maintained would stop the tremors. I flinched when something bumped my leg, but it took less that a second for me to remember the animal that had proven so useful.

I knelt down, allowing my body the rest it so desperately craved. The cat wound around my knees and arms, her tail tickling my nose every pass. She chirped, a gentle demand, and after sitting against the wall (my body letting out a long-suffering sigh of resentment) I pulled her warmth into my lap, gently massaging her scalp, behind her ears, her neck, her chin, everywhere she guided me to. Following orders, even silent ones, was a refreshing change of pace. I could take the moment to relax my mind, plan my next move. Perhaps I could-

"Oi! Who's there?" My entire body jolted violently, and not a moment later, the overhead lights flickered to life. I hissed in pain as my eyes stung, covering my face and abandoning the rhythmic ministrations. My body curled instinctively, shying away from the intrusive light, and the presence in the doorway.

"Kuwabara… Hotaru?"

"Koori-Sensei," I replied quietly. "Please, turn that off!"

I heard something thud to the ground and the uneven sound of three legs hobbling in my direction. The cat made a shrill noise and leaped from my thighs, claws leaving small holes in my jeans when she did. They pricked my skin, but I couldn't find it within myself to care.

"What the hell are ya doin' here, an' so late!?"

Loud, he was so loud.

"It's dark," I explained, my voice more shaky than I would have liked. "I need… help. They're after… I just need-" I shook my head, jumping when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It should have invoked feelings of panic. I was aware of that. But I knew these hands. I had seen them, touched them, felt them hurting and soothing me for years now. This was my sensei.

"Okay, alright. Come on now, on your feet."

Time is strange. No sooner did he say that than I was somehow in his kitchen, a steaming mug of tea sitting on the oak table before me. Not enough time had passed, surely, for us to have moved all the way here, for him to have made tea. Yet he moved to sit across from me, the end of his cane clacking against the wood planks of his kitchen floor.

"You okay, Lil' Brat?" He asked, voice softer than I ever remember it being.

"Of course, I am," I replied, reaching for the tea and throwing back the contents in one swift gulp. It helped, the burning as the liquid ran down my throat a further point of focus for my disoriented mind. Still, the tea was very sweet, and thin. Did he have anything stronger?

"Ah… right," he had a brow raised questioningly when I looked up, and I slid my cup across the table to him, a silent request. He poured me another cup, which I accepted with both hands and sipped much more slowly.

"Ya mind tellin' me what yer doin' out so late? Where's the family? I thought ye would be-"

"Mother's dead," I interrupted him, and was satisfied when his teeth clicked. I made no effort to look at him when I spoke. His reactions were easy to guess. "I went for a walk. I found a cat. I was going home."

Easy lies, simple, obvious, easy to remember and easy to embellish on. Ask me any question. I may or may not have a response ready. Maybe I'd make one up on the spot and see how far I could take it before the truth was pulled out of me.

"Ye went for a walk in the middle of the night, without a jacket?" he asked, voice thick with suspicion. "Just a walk? Then why the hell do ya look so spooked? Like ya seen a ghost."

My chest grew tight in the split second it took for him to utter the word. Could it collapse completely. Would my sternum give in under the pressure of emotion and crush what few organs it could reach? Would my rib cage follow suit? I imagined each individual bone spearing through a lung, maybe one of the heart ventricles, and the image was something of an amusement. I smiled at the thought.

The phone rang.

Both our heads whipped around, staring at in silence. It rang again, and with an unsteady pair of legs, Koori-Sensei rose to grab it from the hook, pressing the device to his ear with a look of confusion.

"Moshi, moshi," he uttered into the receiver, and his thick brows nearly disappeared into his receding hairline. "Kuwabara-San?"

Don't. My hands are so filthy already.

He met my eyes.

"No, no, I was already awake. What's wrong?"

Don't do this, I don't want to do this.

My stomach turned violently, undulating against the bottom of my ribs in sharp movements until I was sure it was going to come alive and crawl out of my mouth. My thoracic cavity continued its threat to cave in.

"Did they?" He asked, then listened for a moment. "Ah, that kid…"

Please… don't.

Another beat of silence passed. His eyes bore into mine, and I stared back unblinking. I think perhaps I wasn't breathing either. I could feel the itch in my hands, but weather that was from the lack of oxygen in my blood, or the memory of taking a life that was still so fresh in my mind, was uncertain. Every second that passed was a second I was falling. The abyss was deep and unending, light fading the further down I went.

What else was there to do? The black faded to red.

"No, I haven't seen her."

The red shattered into several thousand pieces.

"Of course, I'll call ya if she shows up." Another pause. "Good luck, let me know when ya do. … Goodnight."

He pressed a button, the small beep indicating the line had been cut, and placed the phone back onto the hook with an audible click.

"Thank you, Sensei."

He gave me an inscrutable look.

"Finish your tea." ~

"Whatever inconveniences me," I replied to Kurama's question. "Family drama, for the most part. It tends to happen when you have siblings with such a large age gap."

He made a thoughtful noise, following me into the room.

"I'm afraid I wouldn't know. Large families are not exactly common among demons."

I shed my sweater, standing barefoot several paces away from Kurama. I half considered changing into a pair of pants, but the clothes were locked in one of the cabinets I did not have a key to. I doubted Kurama would appreciate me fighting in my underwear so… pink skirt it was.

"Weapons and energy are off-limits," I stated, to which he nodded.

"That seems fair, considering it is our first time."

"My thoughts exactly," I said with a smile. Then I moved.

Sporadic. Don't follow a pattern.

My fist, which would have impacted the very area his stab wound had been, passed through thin air as he leaped to the side to avoid me. I tracked him as he took a step to move behind me, turning before he could do so and kicking out at his side.

He hopped back, giving himself enough time to settle into a low crouch before I was on him again. His face was nearly devoid of emotion, eyes sharp and focused, analyzing every facet of his surroundings. I continued on the offensive, dropping my body and sweeping my leg at his feet. He jumped back once more, but to the side as well, forcing me to turn to face him for my next assault. He wasn't going to let me back him into a corner. He was certainly no Yusuke.

From the ground, I pushed off to strike his chin, which he leaned away from. His hands moved quickly, the first sign of a counter, one to give my arm a quick, forceful push away. The other sped forward towards my chest. Taking a gamble, I breathed in deeply, moving with his strike and allowing it to make contact. The moment it did, I threw my hips into a spin. The split second he was off balance was enough to allow my fist to sneak under his arms.

My knuckles impacted a sturdy abdomen, one that was almost unbefitting when placed in comparison to his delicate appearance. It was good to know he could take a hit, especially as that earned me little more than a quiet grunt before he dropped an elbow. I pulled back enough to regain my footing, then darted to the side to make a quick jab at his exposed ribs.

My hand met his arm, and he blocked in the same manner when I switched my attention to his neck. Again he leaned away, using his height to his advantage and taking a quick step back.

He didn't go far. His eyes widened and I smirked, dropping my chest to the floor to leverage my body, pushing my hands against the mat. I twisted my legs, which now effectively trapped his front ankle between them, and yanked his foot out from under him. He fell as I righted myself, and I surged up for the metaphorical kill just as he gracefully regained his bearing. He used the momentum from my attack to fling himself onto his hands, then to flip back to a crouch.

I was already upon him with a hard kick to the center of his chest, which impacted with a satisfying thud. His thighs touched the floor briefly, and I pulled back just long enough for him to find his footing again. His gaze had darkened somewhat, but I wasn't worried just yet. I was, however, refraining from checking the state of his energy. I hadn't had the time to properly study him without his knowledge, and after the information I had gathered from Genkai… I was eager to see what Kurama looked like on the inside.

"I can certainly see how Hiei had such a hard time with you," Kurama voiced, sliding back into a ready stance. "You fight exceptionally well for someone your age."

"I could say the same, grandfather," I flung back without thinking, but he only smiled a little wider. My spine stiffened when suspicion hit me. He gave no indication that he was in any pain, and with that glimmer of amusement in his now laughing eyes… I needed to fight harder.

"You clearly impressed him, even if he wouldn't admit it outright," Kurama continued.

"Considering we were using weapons, and trying to kill one another, I'd be insulted if he implied anything else." I paused then, and tilted my head as the words registered. "When, exactly, did you have the opportunity to speak to him?"

He gave a coy smirk, letting his arms hang defenselessly at his side, but blading his stance. A challenge, and one I could not refuse, though he was clearly baiting me.

Resigning myself to the inevitable, I took little caution in my approach. No longer cataloguing, his eyes were simply watching, waiting. He moved with a fluidity that would make any cat jealous, weaving around every strike as though my every motion was simply displacing him. He moved as water around a boulder, and if I hadn't been watching his eyes, I wouldn't have seen his next move.

He spun in a quick circle around me, my eyes barely able to track his movements, when he suddenly disappeared from my sight. Anticipating this, I threw myself into a forward roll just as his leg came sweeping through where my shoulders had just been- only to come face to face with the wall.

I turned halfway, pushing away before he could corner me and throwing a kick at his head. He fell neatly into several back handsprings, carrying himself a safe distance away. I followed in the fastest approximation of a sprint I could in such limited space, launching both fists into a flurry of punches that were easily (frustratingly) blocked or completely dodged.

"Very good," he praised, and in the brief moment before his hands found purchase on the front of my shirt, I realized he had completely taken control of this exercise. My exercise.

He gave a tug, the low effort behind his movements deceiving as I was practically sent flying forward. In a single deft motion, his long legs carried him just far enough away that I couldn't reach him. A spinning kick nearly shattered my spine, and I crashed to the floor on my hands and knees. The wind was knocked out of me, the middle of my back stinging from the precision of the impact. I gritted my teeth and, without stopping, rolled with the kick onto my shoulder and sprang to my feet.

His head cocked innocently to the side, he gave me an appraising look. The demon's feet shifted to a defensive stance once more, and my response was to throw myself back into the very one-sided fight. Now, just a little differently.

I jumped, and his eyes bugged for a moment before he raised both hands to block the incoming kick. I pushed off from his wrists into a somersault backwards, landing in a crouch that did not hold for very long. Bouncing like a pinball from the floor and walls, I struck from every high vantage point I could, using his defensive maneuvers to my advantage. Every arm raised to block was something for my small hands to grip, to either pull or use as leverage.

Several times he attempted to put distance between us, clearly not comfortable with fighting so close range. I didn't let him, using my size and density to mimic a ricocheting bullet. Every blow I landed was a satisfying, yet completely empty victory.

His defenses switched suddenly, keeping himself low to the ground to force me into keeping off the walls. His latest response lead me to the very center of the room, away from anything I could use to bounce off of, and his knee eventually crushing my rib cage in a sharp, decisive blow tossed me across the floor.

Not as hard as Yusuke. Not even close. But damn… it stung.

The next set of tactics in my repertoire was considerably more intimate, and the way I nearly crawled up his arm and back seemed to make him more unsteady than before. He made an attempt to subdue me only once, wrapping both his arms around my upper body to restrict my movement.

I dropped like a stone, letting my weight take both of us down. He let out an involuntary gasp of surprise, his grip loosening just slightly. I rolled so that he was on his back and broke his hold, wrenching myself from his hands and getting to my feet at the same time as him. It was with satisfaction I noticed he was breathing… not heavily, but audibly. It was an encouraging change from his placid demeanor earlier.

"Forgive me for saying so, but you're heavier than you look," he said apologetically, and with just a hint of curiosity.

"I am very dense," I told him by way of explanation. Then I frowned. "Ah, dense musculature, that is."

He chuckled warmly.

"Most unusual, isn't it? I did notice you are more sturdy than your physical appearance suggests, almost more stone than flesh. How well do you swim, I wonder?" I frowned at his question.

"Well enough not to die, but getting places is difficult." He nodded in understanding at my admission.

"I can imagine."

It went on for some time. For every style I utilized, he would take varying spans of time to adapt, suffering minimal damage before turning the fight back in his favor. I hit the floor as many times as I hit him. When I exhausted my bank of knowledge, I left it up to Yusuke's tried and true method. Straight and obvious.

My fist flew toward his face, a painfully direct attack with nothing else prepared to follow it up. This was the end of the fight, and both of us knew that. In a smooth movement, Kurama leaned to the side and caught my wrist-

Then hauled me up by my arm, my body swinging through the air in a wide arc before I was slammed to the floor. My head bounced, legs flailing helplessly, and my mouth open in mixed shock and pain. The force of the finishing blow left me breathless, the concussive force rippling through my back and into my lungs, which seemed under several metric tons of pressure. Every breath came out in an embarrassing wheeze, my eyelids fighting to stay open. I did not move- wasn't sure I could just yet.

My only solace was that the demon's breathing was almost as labored. He made no move to continue an assault, nor did he release my arm. His slender hands were hot with the energy of the fight, the sweat between our skin somehow not completely disgusting. The room was warm with kinetic energy, the tension from before resolved in the way I had become most familiar with. I was acutely aware of the other body in the room, pulsing with adrenaline and reverberating with a steadily decreasing heartbeat. A faint scent that was entirely Kurama permeated the air…

A stark reminder that he was not Yusuke.

I tapped the ground three times with my free hand, the sound seeming to break whatever stillness had settled there.

"I surrender," I quipped dryly, twisting my arm gently to give him a hint. He released me after a moment, moving to sit down where he crouched and rubbing a hand over his neck.

"And here I thought you may never call the fight," he teased, and my lips twitched.

"I do this with Yusuke. I'm quite accustomed to admitting when I've been beaten." He gave a short laugh as I forced myself up to a seated position. I assessed the room for damage, noting with relief that Kurama seemed to have a considerable amount more restraint and awareness than my usual partner. The trophy shelf managed to stay on the wall today, and none of the mats were too out of place. Cleanup would be quick today.

I stood slowly, not willing to stumble in present company, but walking proved more unappealing as the adrenaline continued to wear off. I reached the cooler in the back corner, claiming two of the slightly chilled water bottles (I would need to replace the ice packs soon) and returning to the other occupant in the room. He accepted my gift with a nod of thanks, and the momentary peace as both of us gave our bodies time to rest was just as refreshing as the water that trickled in a tiny bead down my chin. I wiped at my cheek, flinching as my shoulders burned.

When fighting Yusuke, my body tended to ache and throb all over from the bruises and fractures that accumulated when I was punched mercilessly time and time again. Today however, the pain I felt was much deeper, seeming to pour out from every organ as though each one of them had been personally assaulted. My muscles were ablaze if I so much as tried to lift my arms, my upper back having carried me through much of the fight that evening.

I set aside the bottle and began to contort into various positions, stretching every muscle I could find. Kurama watched, looking vaguely entertained. I narrowed my eyes.

"I suppose you don't need to stretch with your physiology?" I asked with a touch of accusation, and he gave an elegant shrug, pushing his bangs from his eyes.

"My energy does well to regulate the state of my muscles, even in a mostly human body." I blinked, looking at him sideways as I stretched the side of my ribs.

"So then your demon energy doesn't have an adverse reaction, despite your human body? I would think the two would be incompatible." He shook his head, bringing a hand to his chest as though he could touch his power.

"Not at all. In fact human energy and demon energy are virtually the same in regards to consistency. The differences lie in the source of the power, as well as the way it is utilized. Demons tend to have much deeper connections to their ki, likely because it is the definition of our species. So long as we understand our own power, the state of our body doesn't matter." I nodded, listening attentively. If that were the case, was it possible to transfer demon energy into a human, or vise versa, for the receiver to utilize? Questions for another time I supposed, but certainly something to follow up on.

I straightened my back (it hurt to do so) and tilted my head, gaining his attention.

"May I look at your energy?"

He blinked, bemusement evident on his face. His hands rested on his thighs harmlessly, but I did notice his fingers twitch in a reaction to whatever emotion he was concealing.

"You wish for me to use my power?" he asked, uncertain, and I shook my head.

"No, that won't be necessary. I am able to see the conduits of ki inside others bodies, which I have been recently informed is both unusual and somewhat invasive, hence why I ask," I explained. "From what Master Genkai has told me, most psychics are capable of seeing auras, and of perceiving the energy when it is in use. My sight extends further."

It was his turn to look intrigued, and I felt my shoulders fall just a bit in disappointment.

"I take it this is uncommon in demons as well."

"I have only ever heard of the technique once before, but the people in whose blood it was carried are long since extinct. I'm afraid I cannot help you understand this either, however I would not be adverse if you wished to use me to study this ability."

I was mildly surprised by his willingness to cooperate, though I suppose helping me explore this ability would be beneficial to him as well. He had no doubt already imagined several ways to use this power to his benefit, even if I could not see them.

"Alright."

As before during the tournament, I pulled energy from the depths of my body, letting it flow into my eyes with intention, and Kurama's body slowly began to change before me. An intricate system of veins ran in a vaguely human shape, pulsing and dancing a vibrant amethyst that was both darker and more radiant than my own, which seemed dull in comparison.

Swimming through the canals slowly, the energy shimmered and turned, seeming to flow in the same direction, in a concentrated loop to a single, defined circular shape at the center of the demon's chest. Where in Yusuke and Kazuma, and even Genkai, the mass of energy which was the source was always amorphous, vast and reaching across the body like some vague mist that simply existed alongside the body and tapered off into slim passages. This orb, as it were, was like an organ itself, sitting in place fixed and unmoving.

The dark, nebulous amethyst was not the only color there, for in the orb there refracted shades of red, glinting as though underneath faceted glass. From the sphere, the conduits of energy sprang like roots or branches from a tree.

I felt soft fabric under my fingertips, realizing idly that I had reached out to touch what my eyes could see, yet encountered the body which housed the treasure. I settled for tracing the edge of the shape, watching as it fluctuated in response to my touch, as the power radiated out to the muscles and injuries. The healing process was marked in a faded red, like bruises of energy. I pressed down further, feeling a hard chest but seeing the ki react, dimming where my hand rested as if shying away.

"Fascinating," I muttered, and the temptation to reach out with my own energy was strong. It was strange, but I did not feel the pull that Yusuke's energy seemed to invoke. My power was silent, doing the bare minimum to soothe my body and nothing more. No reaction to Kurama's whatsoever.

"Indeed." His reply was followed by a slight pulse that thumped out from the sphere, yet my ki still remained ignorant.

Strange. Even Kazuma prompted something, even if it was not as strong. Perhaps because he was a demon? Did Rando's energy look like this? I was never terribly close to him, nor was I quite so focused. His energy was also either in use or utterly depleted, so there was no sure way to know if this was typical. Perhaps I could find another demon to use as a comparison.

And I knew just the place to find some.


Ominous, no? Or maybe just curious. This chapter was a fun bit of development for our girl. Seems like she's okay with not being the best? Maybe? I like the mental imagery of the normally placid Kurama throwing someone into the ground. He isn't really a close-range fighter, and without weapons or powers, he had to step outside his comfort zone. It was fun walking the line there to make him a threat without making him the best. So there's that.

I considered Finger Eleven's Paralyzer for the song this chapter, but decided against it at the last minute after hearing the opening of Irresistible. Just a reminder that not every song is from Hotaru's perspective.

As I said in the beginning of the chapter, there will be a companion story to this, which will be a good bit shorter, but will cover much of what isn't covered here. Spoilers are out of the question, but I have a feeling if you like this story, you'll like the companion as well. And if you don't like Hotaru... well, you may like her more, or less, considering she is NOT the protagonist! It will be coming out in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out if you're really that invested.

Meow for now!