Author's note: hmm... I've tried for a month, but I barely managed to write anything. I really have trouble picturing Akari's fights and all. The flash of inspiration that usually gets me rolling just isn't coming. I've decided to update nontheless. And I'll keep updating sloooooowwly until the start of the tournament (that is chapter 61) while hoping things will be solved by then.


File 57: Uniting and dividing

Since the three guests from the Makai had received Yusuke's answer and left the place, Hiei often spent time in the forest of Genkai's domain... because whenever Akari left Kurama's side, that was to return here, to her home, although he still tended to avoid interactions. Kurama was his friend, and highly dangerous when angered... but that was only a small part. As untypical of him as it could be, he was also making a bet. Now that he had shaken her up, would she come to him? Or would she run away from her confusion, from her feelings, as she normally would? Although it was Kurama who had opened the door, could he force his way in, touch her heart, make her acknowledge him, not as a friend or a comrade but as a man?

And now, Akari was moving through the forest of her grandma's estate. Most of her life, her whole being had been for the sake of one thing: revenge. She had no time or heart for love or anything else. But because she had met Raizen and his friends, she had caught a glimpse of something beyond that revenge... Which was why even though she should have prioritized self-preservation for the sake of accomplishing her revenge, she had risked her life for other people, although she might not have been aware of it at the time. She admitted having acted stupidly in hindsight but then again she never regretted anything. But the ones who truly changed her and opened her heart were Yusuke, Kuwabara, Keiko, Shizuru, Yukina... and especially Kurama. Because Yusuke and her were both (technically) humans with strong demonic influences, and both were crazy battle addicts always picking on each other, they were considered siblings.

But after all, the one who truly ressembled her might be Hiei. Both of them had walked a path of carnage since an early age, both were living single-mindedly for their goal with no heart to spare for others... and both had changed after meeting their current companions. They had learned trust and comradeship... and another feeling had awoken in them. Kurama had taught her about love. She loved him. But what was this feeling she had for Hiei? And what was he feeling towards her? She had to face it, and she had to face him, and herself. She was little more than a baby in term of relationships and it was so complicated, she would always run away from those things. But she couldn't keep doing that. She had to change, become stronger, braver. Akari let out a wave of ki, like a beckoning call. And not a minute later, Hiei appeared, walking towards her.

"So you've come... or were you the one who baited me into this? I won't run away anymore. We've got to make this clear. We'll all be separated and who knows what'll happen. That's why it's fun, and that's why I don't want to leave any loose end. What am I to you? And what are you to me? What it is that we have? What are those feelings? Is it..." But the girl couldn't finish. Love... what was love...? She loved Kurama, yes, but she could tell there was more than one form of love... When you were attracted to someone, did that necessarily mean you loved them? If yes, then how much? What kind of love was it? Hiei was a precious friend and comrade... but there was something more... but she didn't love him like she loved Kurama...

"I don't know... I don't think I have ever loved or been loved. My sister is important to me, but my feelings for you are different. So..." He slowly approached her... and she slowly stepped back. His red eyes scared her after all... or was she scared of herself? There was something in those intense red eyes... something burning fiercely... with a fire that she felt she could not extinguish... with a fire that could burn her too... And the more she stared, the more that something could take a hold of her and weaken her... But then she had her back against a tree. She couldn't back off anymore. Hiei placed his hands against the bark on either side of her head. Akari averted her eyes and turned her head but his left hand cupped her cheek and made her look straight at him. "So... let's find out..." He pressed his lips against hers. And even though somewhere in her heart and mind, she knew it was wrong, she was unable to reject him. She felt... something. She... closed her eyes. She allowed the kiss to deepen when his tongue probed her mouth. She allowed his hands to caress her neck, arms and back and his arms to wrap around her and pull her to him into a tight embrace. What was happening to her? Then the demon pulled away, although he kept her in his arms.

"But I am with Kurama, and I love him..." The girl tried to reason herself and looked away again, her hands on Hiei's chest. Really, what was happening to her?! She really couldn't make any sense of her actions and feelings! Why was she so weak? Was it because she had no immunity against men now that her heart had been opened? Until then, her nature, personality and goal had acted natural barriers, but now that she no longer had a self-consuming goal couldn't she do anything against people on whom the other barriers had no effect? Or was it that she really loved Hiei?

"I know. But you don't dislike me, and you didn't dislike that kiss, and you didn't reject me. I know that to me, that kiss was not enough. I want you whole. And I know you're the first woman who made me want to be with her, who made me feel that even after a hundred years had passed, I'd still want to be with her... even though you're so irritating... no, maybe because of it... and also because you're true to yourself. You live while following your desires without letting others mold you... But you, did you know? That day when we were sparring, I wanted to kiss you, and the one who stopped me was Kurama. And he was also the reason why I didn't get near you after that. But enough. I won't hold back, and I won't listen anymore. So you too... it's YOUR life, YOU decide who you want to be with. That is my answer."

"...That's..." Katsuyama began after a time, holding her head in her hands. She had come in order to tie up her loose ends and everything had gotten more tangled up instead. She knew she had to properly think things through, follow her heart, and decide but... "Right now, I can't decide. When I think of you, of Kurama, and the future, I realize that after all, I can't think, because right now, I'm already full with what's to come, with the Makai, and more strongly than anything, I feel that I don't want to be left behind. That's why even though I must sound cruel, I won't have time to think about love and relationships. During that time, things might change too, and I might get some hindsight, see things I couldn't see before. I intend to take a break and distance myself from all emotional stuff. I'll come to an answer when things settle down. That's all I can say now." The girl stared straight into the demon's eyes.

"That's truly just like you. And that's also one of the reasons I came to feel this way about you." He smirked, although it looked quite like an understanding smile. And he kissed her again.

The next day, Akari was lying in her room at her granny's place, on her futon, her arms behind her head, staring at the ceiling. Since she had returned she had stayed holed up in her room, except for her occasional raids into the kitchen whenever the frustration made her hungry and she's make up for it by eating loads and loads. This evening, everyone was to come over, although most didn't know that it was in order to see Yusuke and Hiei off. Yeah, she had waited until the last moment to settle things with Hiei. After all, even though she had decided on it, it still required courage to actually carry it out. Hiei... Suddenly, she rolled all around her room at high speed like a pinball, hitting things and messing her room even more. That was what happened when she'd try to think, fail, get more and more confused, and blow a fuse. She might have said all that and acted all cool but that kiss, that guy... had really affected her. And when she'd think about Kurama's feelings...

It was really no good after all! Damn it all to hell! That wasn't like her to do something as bothersome as agonize endlessly over this and that! She was how she was, did what she liked and set what she didn't like to rights! She liked herself the way she was and had no intention to change! End of story! And right now she had other priorities more important than her love life! So now, she had to talk to Kurama and make things clear with him too. She was going to be honest with her feelings, and convey them just as they were. That was the way she was. She couldn't be any different. They perfectly knew how self-serving, individualistic, and merciless she could be... and still accepted her. Right, she was always true to herself, and to others... Hiei was right. It was HER life, and up to HER to decide. And as she had made her resolve, Kurama entered the room as if on cue. The surprise made her freeze. She might have made her decision but still needed to prepare her heart!

"I called but you wouldn't answer. The master told me you've been acting strangely. You're eating well over twice the usual amount, you've been holing yourself in your room that looks worst than a battlefield... what happened?" The worried fox knelt down at her side and touched her arm. She looked straight at him. Tell the truth as it is, tell your deepest feelings as they are... So Akari sat up on her shins to face him and placed her hand in his.

"You know I'm dense when it comes to romance, especially my own heart. And I'm sure you know, better than I do, that Hiei has been... 'affecting'... me. And you know I hate feeling confused and at a loss. I need truth and clarity. So I decided not to run anymore. I decided to be strong, and face everything and everyone head-on. That's why yesterday I confronted him about those feelings. I still don't know what those are... but... he kissed me... and I let him... I... didn't hate it..." The girl admitted. Kurama's eyes widened and he balled his fists, almost crushing her hand. She winced from the pain and what she saw in his eyes. "You must be hurt and furious about it but that's the truth. Besides..." She squeezed his hand tighter too, like a clamp, that she moved up between them as she pulled him to her. "Besides, YOU were not very honest with me, were you? You never told me anything and kept interfering. It's MY life, and I get to choose what I want. You can't keep me in a cage!" She glared back at him, withstanding the fierceness of his gaze.

"And yet while aware you were being swayed by Hiei, you didn't do anything, and it didn't look like you were about to do anything, even though you're going out with me. Don't you think you're being unfair to me, and to him? Don't you think it is my right to guard what's mine and stop others from laying their hands on MY girlfriend? Don't blame me when you're the one who didn't clearly reject him."

"Even so, you should still have left that to me. It just looks like you don't have any trust in me, that I would reject Hiei and return to you once I overcame my confusion, and in yourself, that even if you're both important, you're the most important, the one I truly love. If I can't even do that by myself, then I don't deserve to stay by you who do so much for me." Katsuyama retorted, not backing down. Then, all of a sudden, a smirk curved her lips. "Also, it seems you've forgotten but I don't remember ever agreeing to belong to anyone. I only belong to myself. I love you, but I also love my freedom. And I dislike those who infringe upon my freedom. I also dislike that everything seems to be going your way and I feel like I'm losing to you. I'm saying it again. This is my life. I'll do whatever I want. I'm not an obedient little pet or a good little girl. You knew that from the start and still chose me. So you won't blame me now, right?" She challenged him.

"Right... you're free to do what you want..." Kurama closed his eyes with a small smile. After all, he had also fallen in love with that indomitable spirit of hers. No matter how tame or adorable a beast might act towards certain people, they will remain wild at heart until the day they die. You can never let your guard down with them or take their affection for granted. That was a truth people often forgot. He suddenly pinned her down. He opened bold and resolute green eyes filled with heat and passion. Right... that indomitable spirit of hers that always stirred his heart, made his blood boil, and roused his desire to subdue and possess. "But that means I can do the same. If someone tries to steal something important from me, of course I will stop them by any means necessary. If there's something I want, I won't let anything block my way. I'd stop at nothing to achieve my goal. You knew that from the start and still accepted me. So you won't blame me now, right?" He smirked back at her.

"You bastard..." Akari ground her teeth in frustration. Throwing her own words right back her! That was why she hated him! Sure, the fact that he'd stop at nothing to get what he wanted and that he was so good at turning the tables were part of the reasons why he was able to date her... BUT STILL!

Akari was fickle by nature, easily swept away by the mood, switching games or whatever as soon as she got bored... and if you knew how to push the right buttons, it was relatively easy to manipulate her... so if a man wanted to be her steady and have her exclusively for himself, he had to maintain her interest in him and keep up with her... a feat that could not be accomplished with some measly, ordinary amount of skills, strength and endurance. Although she was like this, the possibility that Kurama could cheat on him had not even occurred to her. But Kurama was aware that if he cheated on her, Akari was extremely likely to rampage, causing immense collateral damage... enough to be deemed a threat by the Reikai... especially since there would be nobody left who could stop her as the only one who could make her settle down peacefully (himself) would have lost her trust. Trying to subdue her by force would only cause more damage. But although she was staggeringly selfish and unreasonable among many others faults, and following up on her could be quite the burden, he still loved her so very much, and believed that after all, he was the only one for her...

"Well, I was always serious, but since you're acting like this, I guess I'll have to kick it up a notch..." He kissed her deeply, ardently. It was a kiss that struck fear inside Akari, and somewhere deep in her heart, made her wonder whether she could actually ever win against him and whether she had not just joyously dug up her own grave by waking the sleeping fox...

"Don't jerk me around! Are you serious?! Did you also get Alzheimer's in your brain the moment you found out you had mazoku blood mixed in?! Eh?!" The wind was blowing hard in the mountains, but it could not cover Kuwabara's outrage... In this room where those two had once fought opponents as part of an exam to obtain the right to become the master Genkai's disciple, Kazuma was now bursting out at Yusuke and holding him by the collar.

"I'm serious. I've decided to go to the Demon World." Urameshi stared straight back at him resolutely, his hands in his pockets. Akari and Kurama were watching without a word.

"What are you going to do when you get there?! Buddy up with other mazokus and come attacking the Human World?!"

"Who knows." Yusuke replied equanimously. To Kuwabara though, the fact that his precious friend and comrade in arms could even take this possibility into consideration was outrageous. He punched his face as strongly as he could, sending him into the doors, opening them. The wind gushed in and snuffed the candles out.

"If that's the last of your wussy punches I ever take, I hate to have to go." The demonkin laughed and sat up. "Anyhow, I'll decide what I'm going to do once I get over there. All I can say now is that there are lots of strong guys in the Demon World. That's all there is to it. I can't help myself. I'm driven to go."

"That's crazy. What are you going to do about your duties as Reikai Tantei?!" Kazuma pointed accusingly. That was when Koenma came in and told him there was no need to worry about that as the Reikai had stripped Urameshi Yusuke of his duties... and the extermination order against him was still in place. "E-extermination order?!" Kuwabara was shocked.

"That's right. Not that it's some kind of excuse, but even if I remain here, my only fate is to be rubbed out by a posse from the Spirit World."

Genkai stood up and lit the candles again. She felt really nostalgic. Before Yusuke's spirit powers awakened, he had such a hard time just fighting in the darkness. But now he had gotten himself more power than she could manage. All they could do was pray that the demonkin blood inside him was not going to make him cause any trouble. Pangs had started in his blood that only he could understand, and he could not rest until things had settled to his satisfaction. That was exactly why Kuwabara had fought along side him until now. Kazuma could not argue against that... but just how was he going to go to the Demon Realm?! The tunnel connecting the two worlds was all closed up! However, closed holes could be opened again. That was the job of the Reikai's Special Defense Squad. Some of their members pointedly appeared and asked Urameshi Yusuke if he was ready. And of course, he was ready whenever.

Kuwabara ran to the railing bordering the wooden pathway to glare at the newcomers. When he understood that the people going to escort Urameshi were the same who had tried to kill him, Kuwabara blew up at those dirty self-serving bastards. Just because they lacked the power to exterminate Urameshi, they disposed of him by locking him up in the Demon World! The new squad captain (as Otake had been fired due to his previous humiliating failure) didn't deny the accusation. Enma Daioh had taken the safest decision for the peace of the Ningenkai and Reikai, and the Defense Squad was just loyally executing their orders. He didn't voice it but actually, if those four were allowed to go to the Makai, that was because Enma Daioh had received the same day letters from the three great youkais... and he was granting their requests because those with blood from the Demon World flowing through their veins were feared to bring harm to the Human World... and the best way to dispose of them was to lock them up inside the Demon World.

"So what are we going to do the next time someone like Sensui or Toguro shows up, eh?! Are you telling me, Akari, Kurama, and Hiei to take care of it with just us?!" Kazuma bellowed. However, as Koenma said, it wasn't like that. These past weeks, the situation had drastically changed for everyone.

"Actually, I'll be going to Raizen too." Akari intervened, shocking her friend and walking up to his side, followed by Kurama and the women. "I spent most of my time over there when I was in the Makai. I'm good pal with him and his buddies and subordinates and given how desperately he begged for my help, I guess I just can't not go." She shrugged, embellishing reality just a tiny bit.

"So you say but aren't you only acting for your own sake?! Were you infected this much by the Makai germs?! There were times when you had a few loose screws but I still thought you were a human from this side!"

"What are you babbling about now?" The pink-haired girl sighed. "Given my power of assimilation and those years spent over there, breathing, drinking, eating, fighting, absorbing the energy of the demons and the world around me... it would have been stranger if it had no effect on me. The real surprise is that you actually thought that I was a proper human until now." She smirked. "So this time, you'll be defending this place alone, right, guys?" She turned to the shadows. And indeed, Hiei appeared, saying he had also received an invitation from the Makai, more exactly, from another of the three great powers that opposed Raizen, Mukuro. Of course he intended to go. He was originally a resident of the Demon World and had always wanted to return after all.

"You could wind up having to fight Urameshi in the Demon Realm!" Kuwabara bellowed again. He was barking up the wrong tree though as the little demon was perfectly fine with that, and would even enjoy it if that happened. Kurama admitted having also received an invitation... from the third great power, Yomi. And he was most likely going to go too, though it would be after Yusuke and Hiei. "I've misjuged the whole lot of you! You guys are no different than Sensui and Toguro! As long as you're fighting, it doesn't matter whose side you're on! Scratch that! You're even WORSE than them 'cause you guys don't follow any policy!" The human pointed accusingly at them.

"Hn, when have you gotten so smart?" Hiei pondered, causing Kuwabara to blow a fuse and try to attack him. He was stopped by Genkai. It hadn't been decided that they would fight yet. The boy countered that it hadn't been decided that they would not fight either.

"Kazuma-san, not everything about the Demon Realm in necessarily part of some ugly quarrel. The Demon Realm is my homeland after all." Yukina begged for his understanding. That completely mollified Kazuma. There was really nothing he could do or say when the female demon he loved so much looked like that and talked like this...

"Besides, not all fights are ugly. You should know that, you who kept going after Yusuke no matter how many times he would beat you flat, when you two were still unaware of your powers. And it was also you who chose to keep fighting at our side until now." Akari smiled good-heartedly. The recalcitrant hung his head in defeat.

"Kuwabara." Yusuke started.

"What is it, dumbass?"

"Kick some ass. Get into Gai Technical College High School Division!" The mazoku wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulder, shocking him. How did he know that?! "I heard from Keiko."

"Did you get a little 'farewell action' from her or what?"

"Urk... that backfired... In any case, I'll be back in three years. Once I get back, I'm going to rush over to see how you did on your entrance exams." Urameshi smirked.

"Keh! Three years?! Don't tell me you've gone goofy and set a time limit for yourself! As long as you're going, don't come back until you've become a Demon Lord! Oh, right! While you're at it, find out what you can about Yukina-san's older brother, okay?"

"E-eh? A-aah, yeah... sure...!" Yusuke glanced over at Hiei who was – as expected – glaring at him in a 'speak-and-I'll-kill-you' way. Kuwabara wondered why he was always claming up whenever he'd bring that subject up. Kurama chuckled slightly and Katsuyama stifled her laughter. They were interrupted by the new captain of the Special Defense Squad. It was about time. "Okay! In that case, I guess I'll be going!" The demonkin said enthusiastically.

Everyone assembled in a nearby clearing. Yusuke was petting Puu. And seeing that hole connecting to the Makai, the fighters couldn't help but have mixed feelings... What Sensui had tried so hard to do had been so easily accomplished by those guys from the special squad. Kuwa was still pretty down though.

"Urameshi, the paths we have chosen are just a little bit different you know. I'm going to make sure I pass that exam. It's something for me to brag about." His words touched everyone. Botan started sobbing. Yusuke smiled, whispered his name, and walked towards the distortion but stopped when the Special Defense Squad member spoke to him.

"Not like it's any of my business but don't expect to come back here alive."

"When I come back I'll be opening a hole from the other end so you'll be closing that one up for me, right?" The teen smirked. The guy scoffed at the punk. Botan sobbed twice harder. He was really going! "Hiei, Kurama, Akari, I'm going ahead! See ya!" He turned to them and jumped into the portal.

"Alright, then I'm goin' too!" Akari was about to follow when Kurama and Genkai stopped her.

"No you're not! Don't pretend to have forgotten your promise." They scolded the sneaky girl who clicked her tongue. It didn't work after all. Right... she still had to finish the school trimester... And there was Shiori-san's wedding in two months that she absolutely wanted to attend. She would leave after that. Yusuke would have a head start but she could look forward to surpassing him. Kurama would only come to the Makai during holidays. In any case, they still had things to settle here. The Reikai soldiers closed the distortion. Since this one opened to Raizen's territory, a different one had to be created for Hiei to access Mukuro's territory. Hiei and Akari stared at each other for a time before she averted her eyes. Kurama's critical gaze moved from one to the other. He had noticed the exchange that wasn't to his liking. He then felt Hiei's piercing eyes... like he was defying him, and strongly asserting that he would no longer stand by.

Yusuke arrived in a rocky, desertic area. He soon saw three dust clouds heading to him at high speed, along with the sound of people running. It was Hokushin, Seiten and Touou who had come to fetch him. He remarked their youki was really nothing like before. But they had to hurry, Raizen-sama was waiting. They started running back home. But after a full day, Yusuke asked when they'd arrive... and was told they still had four days straight of running ahead; though he could stop and rest if he was tired. Being underestimated like this miffed the boy a bit. However, to his surprise, the trip really lasted five days, and they really ran the whole way without rest. But the most surprised were the three monk-like demons. They had run at full speed trying to lose him but he had kept up with them without so much as breaking a sweat. They were actually more tired than he was. The group was standing on a plateau. Before them, a field of rocky formations emerged from a sea of mist. The scenery was dominated by a tall tower at the top of which a shaft led to the king's chamber/throne room. And this low echoing rumble they heard was the sound of Raizen's stomach grumbling. Ever since he had stopped eating, it reverberated through the country at meal times and was used as clock. Urameshi climbed the tower and opened the double door. When his eyes got used to the darkness of the room, he saw his ancestral father sitting there on a throne.

"Yo, son. What's the matter? I'm your true father."

"Don't give me that shit. Why did you stick your nose in my fight with Sensui?! I'll fucking kill you!" Yusuke stormed. His daddy extended his arm and just a finger flick caused an energy blade to gash the boy's chest. Blood flowed. No matter how powerful Yusuke had become, this was a different world with different standards. Here, he was still just a toddler.

"You're nothing but a toy in the palm of my hand. You can mouth off AFTER you've powered up and learned to control that pathetic youki of yours eh, brat." Raizen patronized him. That made Urameshi snap and lunge at him. Hearing the racket, Hokushin and the others at the foot of the tower rejoiced at the lively reunion the father and son were having. However, before long, Yusuke was no longer so energetic but sitting against a wall, all bruised, bloody, and beaten... while his beloved ancestor hadn't even moved from his throne.

"You bastard... you SURE you're about to die?" The boy spat blood and glared at him.

"That just shows how weak you are. I figure I'll die in a year." Raizen replied. Urameshi laughed and suddenly aimed at him.

"You die now!" The teen fired, blasting a bus-sized hole in the chamber. When the dust cleared, Raizen was standing. "You've moved from your pedestal."

"You've got guts, kid." The king smirked and went to crouch in front of his descendant. "I like you. I'm usually here sleeping, you're welcome to try and kill me anytime. You don't need to knock. Whether you run back home or stay here to train is up to you. I'll warn you though, if you can't even beat me in this state, you don't stand a chance against Yomi or Mukuro."

"Hey, why did you stop eating humans?"

"I'll tell you once you outgrow your diapers."

"Sheesh! Lousy old bastard."

And so, one day in July, Minamino Shiori married Hatanaka Kazuya, the widowed president of the small company she worked for. He too already had a son named Shuichi from his previous marriage, although younger than the son of his new wife. Kuwabara also attended the ceremony, and needless to say, Akari did too. She had dressed in light blue like her boyfriend. Her mousseline gown was a strapless one with a sweetheart neckline. The top was full of rhinestones whose numbers dwindled to nothing on the way down to the flowing assymetrical two-layered skirt. The front stopped just above her knees while the back almost reached the floor. Her jewelry consisted of silver plated red stones. And her hair was up in a stylish messy bun.

The newly-weds radiated happiness as they left the church. The service was held in small numbers, with only family members and close friends. Strangely enough, Shiori-san smiled and expressly threw her bouquet in Akari's direction. Then everyone went to a rose garden for the photo session and then dinner and a small party. Akari naturally did her best to behave since it was her beloved Shiori-san's wedding. She helped around too. Still, Kurama was always watching in case her true nature came out, and taking care of her, correcting her (notably table) manners, acting so gentlemanly, and pampering her and rarely leaving her side. And so, throughout the day, among the words of congratulations and well wishes addressed to the new family, there were things that the pink-haired girl picked up... like hope (if not confidence) to see another marriage in a not too distant time... while clearly looking over at her and Kurama with conniving smiles... there were comments about their cuteness and the future being in safe hands... Wait... weren't they all just planning the future without her consent?! They seemed to be more serious than the usual idle talk...

Katsuyama spoke about her concerns to her lover who seemed to dismiss it as the usual gossip, but that innocent smile... he was definitely thinking otherwise and making his own plans! And her fears were confirmed when he 'teased' her about it. Whatever her feelings about it, he was serious about her, truly serious... and he had no intention to think of a future without her. Wasn't SHE serious about him? That one shut her up a bit... but still! They were only in high school! Couldn't that sort of talk wait for five, ten, twenty years or whatever?! Kurama was glad she still intended to be with him in twenty years. Akari did clam up then. She had been tricked again! She just had to deny him, but each time she opened her mouth that fox bastard would make her eat her own words! And those smiles and kisses and the way he would sometimes look at her! She hated how much she loved them and was weak to them! That was how he always managed to skillfully pacify her! No matter how much she would sulk, he always managed to make her melt! But surely, after going to the Makai, she would recover her true self, her independence...

And then, just two days after the wedding, Akari, ready to depart, was saying goodbye to her lover. They were at her grandmother's. The girl told Kurama about her decision to put love matters on hold for the time being, until things in the Makai had been solved. Surely, she wouldn't have time for that anyway, even just thinking about it. Yusuke already had a two months head start. That was just the perfect handicap. But she couldn't afford to slack off here. She was going to use this opportunity to surpass him again! Kurama had to agree. And he didn't tell her but after all he was even more reluctant to let her meet Yomi... because he wouldn't put it past Yomi to try and manipulate or use her in some way. Fighting strength alone was not enough to define a King. If he had not developed a significant amount of patience and cunning, he would have never reached his current position and lasted this long against the two other Kings. That was why Kurama didn't want them to meet. He had a bad feeling. He had to go to settle his debt towards Yomi, but even if they were apart, no, because, they were apart, he wanted... and was going to do his best to protect Akari. So this must be the best solution after all. And if when being apart Akari realized how much she loved him and missed him, then this really would be all for the best... Suddenly, the fox cupped her face and gave a mind-blowing parting kiss. She was still a bit dazed when he pulled away.

"Take good care of yourself. I won't be there to save you if something happens... Although I'll come if you cutely ask me." He smiled sweetly.

"You bastard... I WILL BE JUST FINE WITHOUT YOU!" Katsuyama angrily marched away. That shitty kitsune punk always making a fool out of her... But... "So you too, if you let anyone get the best of you..." She slowed to a stop. "I won't forgive you!" She turned to him and pointed accusingly. Well, in a way, embarrassment-covering insults could also be considered words of love...

"I promise."

And Akari left for the Makai.


Author's note: next one will be titled 'Reason to fight - Hiei's chapter'