Kurama's POV:

Getting Hana to stop was practically an impossible feat. She insisted on driving back and although everyone was hesitant about me joining her, they did allow it. In a sense I wished I was not alone near her in the passenger seat as she drove like a complete maniac. There were enough unhinged emotions bubbling inside of me trying to reach the surface, having something top them would only result in a disaster.

Once we reached the temple forest roads there was no stopping her as I tried to hold on to whatever I could find "Perhaps you might want to consider slowing down Hana." my head hit the car ceiling as we went over a bump, however that did not hinder her in the slightest.

She did not look at me, instead switching gears as if she was in a Nascar race and she was fighting to win the first place "No Kurama, I'm not stopping and I'm not slowing down." I was surprised the steering wheel did not detach itself from its place as Hana kept a firm grip on it, pulling on it, taking turns without thinking of the consequences that could follow from such reckless driving. How the police did not stop her was beyond me, she got lucky none were around. However I knew this was her venting, her going all out in an attempt to calm down the turmoil inside her shattering core.

Thankfully there were no accidents by the time we reached the temple, parking close to the stairs as a cloud of dust rose around the car. There was no stopping her, no words that could quench the hurt unfolding as she slammed the door to the truck, not even waiting for me to get out. Generally she would have a hard time going up the stairs, stopping on the way to catch her breath, yet this time around she tackled them without any issues, reaching the top in record time.

She ignored Hiei's persistent stare, not even looking his way as she rushed inside, doors slamming as she hid inside her room, clatter of objects soon reaching our ears as I was left explaining what went on to Yukina, Jin and the aforementioned.

"I'll go brighten her day up." Jin beamed at me, however I knew the idea was not a good one, as well intended as it was. In a few moments he was already in her room without even knocking, assuring her all would be well, that she had us by her side and I held my breath slowly approaching what would soon be Hana bursting at the seams.

"Get out." She tried her best to not raise her voice, not lash out, adding a "please" somewhere in the mix, voice low, dangerously dim. As I arrived in the doorway, Hana shinned away when Jin tried to touch her "Don't." it was her last warning, last attempt to hold it together.

"Come on Hana dear." Jin's words fell on deaf ears, that much was clear.

Through dark bangs a dangerous glare shinned, one that could freeze anyone in place "Haven't you had enough?" that took him by surprise, ears lowering, morphing into fiery thick locks "Aren't you tired of the chaos I have brought in your life?" she jumped him, fists banging against his chest, hitting him relentlessly, however he did not budge "Ever since you met me, came here, all went to Hell. You could have lost your life, you could have ceased to exist."

Catching her fists, her head shot up to look at him still flashing her way that toothy grin "Truth be told little one, I sure am happy I met ya." She wanted for someone to blame her, fuel her rage, not extinguish it, not sugar coat it, yet all her reasons where of the wrong kind. Blinking rapidly she removed her hands, eyes locking with mine, however there was no exchange of words. I knew she wanted to run, but removing herself from under our protection was not going to happen.

Taking a few steps back, she picked up a bag in which Hana hastily stuffed some belongings, running past me and Jin. With a heavy sign I tried to calm down the loudest parts of me, summoning patience for what was to come. She was too fragile to stand on her own but she was adamant on making it hard for the rest to be around her too.

Following her down the stairs I was honestly surprised she did not tumble all the way down. I caught up to her while she was strapping in the back of her truck the bag "Hana, please wait." Tugging at the straps to ensure nothing will fall off she jumped in the driver's seat, starting the car.

That was the moment when I knew the space I was trying to provide her with was not helping. Running to the window, I banged my fist against it "Reconsider Hana, you cannot be alone right now." Showing me the middle finger, she pushed the pedal, car leaving.

There was no other choice, I ran after it, jumping in the back of her truck, holding on for dear life as to not fall over "Stop this damn car Hana, do not make me stop it for you." lowering the window, she yelled at me.

"Are you fucking insane? Get off before you hurt yourself."

"Not until you stop this truck." her attempt to steer to the left did not work as my grip tightened as much as my stubbornness did.

"I will not ask again." as if the mirrors were not enough, she hung out the window, hair blowing in the wind, just so she could glare at me.

"Of all the headstrong foxes I could end up with." Hitting the breaks, I fell back and just sat there until she came in sight, one leg draped over the edge of the truck, one resting on her bag, all the time wondering if I was indeed insane or not.

"Now can I get in? Where are you even planning on going to?"

Once she mentioned she was going home, something inside her soul calmed down, at least enough in order to let me get in the car with her. Once back on the road, she drove more responsibly, telling me about her mother and the encounter they had. Contrary to how I envisioned it, she was actually alright with how things played out, especially that she had a few hours to process the events. A divorce was what she thought best for all parties, ever since she was but a child.

Once in the city we stopped for some shopping, which I allowed, letting her buy whatever her heart desired and apparently a lot of vodka was one of those things.

Turning the key in the door, she hesitated, hands shaping to tight fists, no doubt the image before her eyes being that of her father. Placing a gentle hand on her lower back, Hana snapped out of it, pushing the door open.

"Hana, you truly need to stop for a second." Pouring me a glass of vodka, she topped it off with orange juice.

"Why?" wild eyes pinned me in place as she took a swing directly from the bottle, after that pouring a glass for herself as well "How can I stop? I don't know how to do that Kurama."

Ignoring the glass for the time being, I placed it on the small living room table, standing close to her as she opened the window and light up a cigarette "Hana, you almost died today." Nodding, she bit at her thumb, cigarette trembling in her hand "You still haven't processed that." leaning against the wall I waited for her to crumble.

"I will." Exhaling softly, the space between us filled with smoke "I promise I will once this is all over." Pushing it, I added the element of time, that despite what and how she wanted to handle it, there were still a few months to go until the tournament and by then who knew exactly how much my Hana would last "Look, I don't need this right now." Pushing the glass to her lips, she frowned slightly "You know what I want?"

"Tell me." I was willing to give her as much as I could if that ensured she would see reason.

"Yoko Kurama, that's what I want right now." Fuck reason, fuck it hard. Not amused, that is was the exact feeling, however she was not joking one bit. Sheer determination shined in those wide eyes of hers "I want to stand face to face with that side of you out of my own accord."

Crossing my hands over my chest, I shook my head "And I am guessing my accord does not matter?"

"Damn right." She put out the cigarette with force, ash flicking on the window sill, being carried out by the wind.

I had no idea what she wished to accomplish, however I indulged her, after all I was the one who pushed Yoko onto her, it was time for this discussion to take place, despite it not being the most appropriate time I could think of. Then again when was the last time I made a wise decision involving her? Honestly, I could not remember the last moment I ended up on top.

Perhaps it is for the best, a more straight forward side of me facing her ruthless nature. Predator versus a witty vixen. So I stood there, facing Hana as Yoko, smirking at her, how she truly looked at me, eyes covering everything from my head to my toes.

"What would you like to know?" she took another swing from her glass, words failing to produce out of her mouth "I know you have seen footage from Spirit World, so I am guessing Dark Tournament, before and after that even. Botan is not very good at hiding just so you know." raising my brows I waited.

Scoffing, she smiled, however it was not her true smile, it was something bitter, something resulted from what she saw "I have, not like that hinders you. I've also seen your soul, healed it more than once, so what is there left to see then?" that wiped the smug look straight off my face.

"Then why wish to see me like this?" at that precise moment, she was not looking at me, but somewhere else, beyond my physical appearance and if she was playing a game, I did not have the necessary mood, not after the day I had, not after almost losing her.

"Because I wanted to know how I would react seeing you like this." touching her chest she shook her head "Unfortunately there isn't much, you are still a stranger." Then suddenly just like that she was back "Get undressed."

"Are you mad, how can my body serve any purpose in this discussion?" She almost burst out laughing seeing my reaction, how I tensed, not wishing to give in.

"I'm not joking, strip, all the way. That or get out and leave me alone, for good. I'm not fucking messing around fox." Barring my teeth did little to discourage her as she waited, sitting on the window sill with a freshly light cigarette. I could not be the one to hinder her further, so I finally indulged her, stripping off the clothes covering my body.

"If you wanted to see me naked, I am certain there are more fun ways to go about it." That made her smirk, eyes falling to my most private parts. Covering up with my hands, it was then when I truly felt naked, not in the actual sense even if I was, but I was exposed, bare in front of Hana.

Smoking only half a cigarette, she put it out, drawing the curtains, ensuring to prying eyes could see inside her apartment. Slowly she circled me "You must have been a big deal, a true hit by just your looks alone." lifting her chin, her head tilted slightly to the side "A true ruler."

"This is not how I always looked like Hana." following her with my eyes, pale fingers brushed a hand through silver strands. Urging me to lower myself, I refused "What is it what you want?" she was not going to take no for an answer, hand reaching to pull my ear, a motion so short which in the end brought me to where she wanted. Words died on my tongue as she pressed her lips against mine, this time the action coming willingly. There was nothing forced about it and I knew not how to react.

"I want all of you stranger." kissing me once more, I felt myself giving in to her "I want you." Backing in to the couch since I needed a clear mind, I took a forced seat, crossing one leg over the other, before my attention fell on a small decorative pillow.

"You do not need this anymore do you?" covering myself with the pillow, Hana rolled her eyes at me.

"Yeah, sure, rub your dick over my stuff, why not." yet she laughed, not at me or the situation, but at her choice of words.

Taking the glass I was initially offered I sniffed it before drinking "Or I could just spread my legs if you want a better view."

To which she just nodded, amusement radiating off her before it completely died, arms wrapping around her body and suddenly she looked smaller as she hugged herself like that "I was so scared today, scared I didn't get to see you, tell you certain things."

"Hana." she was ripping a new wound into my soul, nudging at old ones "Come here."

"Do you really have feelings for me, all of you?" the hand extended out retracted once her question was out there.

"So let me get this straight." cold sharp cut eyes watched her, never blinking "You do not care for what I did, who I was or who I am?" I would have moved if not for my naked state, pulled her on my lap, forced her to look at me, yet I did not believe that to be a good idea.

"The only reason I watched those was to never again be caught off guard like I was with the Doctor. Kurama" a heavy sigh left her "I never cared for the past, unless you want to tell me certain things. Just stop cock blocking yourself."

A smirk played on my lips "Really? Is this truly where I ended up?" getting up, I discarded the pillow "With a human girl telling Yoko Kurama I am cock blocking myself?"

"Call me a human girl one more time and I'll bite it off." her eyes lowered making me laugh "You are the only one doing damage to yourself." While there was some truth to her words, I was not alone, I was with her and she was and is a variable that does not always follow rules. Just like now, with me being naked and her not batting an eye.

"I lost control today." Sitting back on the couch, retrieving the pillow, it was the least I could offer before everyone told her what I did "I thought I ran out of time, the simple idea of it chocking me." I barely noticed when my transformation failed me, it took me by surprise when red hair encompassed my vision, wide eyes travelling to Hana "I went mad when Yusuke did not let me approach you and I rarely lose control Hana."

"I know." Her hand found mine, a gentle squeeze assuring me I was doing the right thing this time around "I'm sorry I said goodbye to you." but she thought of me, in what she believed were her last moments.

"I cannot bare to live in a world in which you do not exist." Fingers rose to push away soft raven hair, leading a strand behind her ear so I could caress her cheek. Moving closer, I tried not to lose the small pillow, action that made Hana giggle "Please do not ask me if I have feelings for you when you know the answer very well. I know you like playing games, putting me in a complicated scenarios, but please stop." Cupping her face, I pulled her close, whispering against her lips "Let me in Hana." The words brushed against her hot breath, lips softly touching, sending butterflies flying inside my stomach "Let me love you for there is nothing more that I want."

As her lips claimed mine, I felt my head spin, all sides that I have been trying to contain each emerging to taste her, craving to be touched, wishing to be loved, but not just by anyone, by her. By a being far more fragile than glass, whose emotions erupt at a drop of a hat, taking anything in.

Such was my sweet dandelion, no longer in bloom, no longer scattered in the wind, but on fire, moulding into something else, melting against me, winning my heart over and over again.