Synopsis:

She was happiness. She was joy. A charming little girl with who would always see the positive side of things and try to find the good in people's heart. . . That girl was me, at some point. An innocent soul with a pure heart along with the mindset where everyone would get their happily ever after, prince charming and everything like in most fairy tales. . .

But this story is not one of those.

There is no prince charming or a knight in shining armour, but I can guarantee you that there will be dragons with flames, demons from many kinds, creatures from legends, and battles like no other.

But the greatest fight of all is. . . The conflict within the heart with weapons that many know as. . .

Emotions. . .

I am Miyuki Urameshi. The girl who lost her spark, but ended up coming back as the whole damn fire.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or the show's characters, only my OCs. One OC, however, belongs to a friend of mine ( _b.b.e_art_ on Instagram.)

️Warning: There will be cursing, violence, blood and other stuff that you might not like. So read it with your own responsibility. ️

I opened my eyes with a start and I found myself lying on the soft green grass with the ray of sunshine stroking the edge of my cheeks with its warmth while almost blinding my vision. Bit groggily I rose from the ground slowly and look around the surroundings that is capturing me. The place looked familiar, but my team was nowhere near the area I was in. Or should I say where we all just placed a camp spot? Though despite that, I did find someone else. Perfectly snow-white hair, wearing his warrior-like attire along with that white cape that held the familiar sapphire phoenix embroider.

Seeing him it meant that I was in that dream realm again where Jack Frost might need to console with me. With a sigh I got up to my feet and approached his form.

"Glad to see you too Jack Frost." I greeted him blankly and with a small hint of sarcasm as I walked up to Akio who was sitting on a small boulder and admired the. . . Kingdom that was before him. Before us. With voices that were being muffled due to the distance, but all in all full of life with people running in and out.

"I have a name you know." Jack Frost replied with a joking tone, but in that I couldn't help but sense that small bitterness in it.

"Oh, I know." I replied with a small and lazy shrug. "But I love Jack Frost better." At that sassy comment Akio chuckled to himself with a look of amusement along with a playful eye roll which made me chuckle along. It is very weird. You know. Talking with your past life. I mean no one will ever get a chance like this. "What are you doing here anyway?" I asked him curiously as I took a seat beside him and done beating around the bush.

"Nothing much. Just admire the memory of the Fire Kingdom here." Replied the white-haired young adult with a sad sigh. "The place where I was born." I feel my eyes go round while my eyebrows also lifted themselves up high. So he lived here? "Things were so different back then. . ." Akio began with a sad and solemn tone that matched his whole posture and aura. It was so strong that it also started the spread in the air, so much so that I was able to feel it. "Everything in order and balance, and the people here managed to live in peace. Happily." The young-adult warrior's face was blank, but his eyes. . . . They reflected so much pain and agony. "But as soon as Zankoku took his place onto the throne, everything turned into a literal nightmare." Akio started with grief but there was a small fury in his tone too. "Back then I looked just like any other people from the Kingdom. An ordinary child with poor, but loving parents, a trustworthy friend who is able to bend all four elements, and a small farmhouse where we could play or train with our bending abilities. Have a small safe place which we were able to call it our own. But then it was all taken away by the King of Nightmares."

"Sounds. . . awful . . ." Was all I managed to breathe out while my brain tried to process all the information in but at the same, my own emotions also started to bubble up to the surface. Pity. . . grief. . . I shook my head violently, trying to get rid of those emotions, because if I let them take control, everything will fall apart.

"It was. . ." Akio confirmed it with pure sorrow in his eyes. " I was only like. . . ten or nine when it happened. . . My family and I tried to ran away from the chaor, but in the very last second one of Zankoku's evil creatures took me away. Fortunately, I managed to get away with the help of my fire, but unfortunately I slipped into the Demon World by accident." That caught me a little off guard.

"Really?" I asked him a little shocked. "How did you get there?"

"The realms were separated by barriers that King Enma had placed on each worlds' boundaries." Jack Frost explained. "However there were some holes where you can easily slip through small pseudo spaces. Little portals that could lead us to one place to another." His hand then suddenly went up to the back of his hair and began to rub it with an awkward smile. "To my luck, I fell into one of them and successfully got away from the enemy. . . but. . . I lost sight of my parents. . . Permanently. . . And probably the same thing happened to my friend Mana. . ."

"I'm so sorry. . . ." Was all I managed to breath out to him as I feel my expression soften up. Yes, I am feeling sorry for him, mainly because I know the feeling. . . the pain of losing someone so close to you. . .It must have been so awful to him though. . One day you have everything, and then you just lose them all within in that very day. . . not to mention get lost in a foreigner place at the same time where he can speak to no one. . .

"It's okay Miyuki. It's not like it's your fault. . ." The young adult man said with a sad smile, although I heard a small croak in his voice." On the bright side, however, if it wasn't for that accident, I wouldn't have met Frosty and the others. . . " Akio continued on with his story.

"Frosty?" I questioned with my eyebrow arching up high.

"Heh, sorry." The white-haired young adult laughed. "It was my nickname to Toya since he was the master of ice."

"Hn. And you say I have a bad habit of picking up nicknames for others, Wonder Bird." I commented sassily.

"Well, I guess that's my fault then." Akio joked back as he rubbed the back of his hair again in embarrassment. "Old habits die hard." And that made both of us laugh a little. Wow. I never laughed this much for decades. . . it felt so weird. . . hearing the sound of my laughter again in so rare times like these. . . Yet it felt right at the same time. When out laughter dies down, the atmosphere around us shifted again. "Anyways, as much as I like to explain and share every little detail with you little one, I am actually here to inform you about your upcoming battle with that mad man. " The white-haired male figure said as he got up from the rock and gave a hand to me. I took it gladly and it pulled me up to my feet.

"You mean the one with the Wizard of Oz when me and the others will face him in his home?" I asked him blankly. To my surprise, he nodded his head, confirming my guess.

"Haven't you ever wondered why did your master, Yara had chosen you to open up the portal?" Jack Frost guy asked me pointedly. I let out a small gasp. I haven't thought about that. But now that Akio mentioned it. . .Then it hit me. . .

"You. . . you were the one that trapped this bastard in the first place. . ." I concluded casually, trying to hide the fact that I was in shock.

"To put it that way, yes. . ." Akio replied with a little bitter tone at the end. "After fate had brought the Phoenix of Light and me together I went to face the evil sorcerer and thankfully I managed to stop his nonsense and trap him with a magical seal that surrounds the entire place . . . . But looks like that spell weakened a little after my sudden death. . ." The white-haired pretty boy then turned to look at me with a serious. "Miyuki. . . as much as I hate to do put this quest on you, I need to ask you a favour. . ." I held my breath, making me pause for a small moment.

"What would that be?" I carefully asked, even though deep down my gut knew what he is going to ask.

"I need you to finish what I couldn't back then." Akio began. "I want you to stop Zankoku for good."

"But. . . even if there is a possibility, how am I gonna do that?" I asked him with a hardened tone as I crossed my arms over my chest. Despite that brave face I pulled out I had many doubts within me. . . I mean. . . I am not sure if I can even pull this off. . ."I am not strong enough." At that, Akio flashed me a smile which was strange for my part.

"That's where you're wrong." He said as his hand found itself on top of my head. "You are strong. But I am not talking about the Phoenix of Light. . . I am talking about the flame within your soul." He then suddenly gave light and playful tap on the forehead. "You can do it little one." Akio kept reassuring me. "I believe in you."

And with that he vanished, leaving me all alone in the forest with nothing more than my own thoughts.

Kurama suddenly jolted up from his sleep, startled a little. His emerald-like eyes darted around into directions, only to realize he was still in the forest. The sun just began to rise, lighting up the dark sky like a flaming torch.

Relaxed, he took a deep breath from the cool and fresh air before scanning the area and taking a good look at each of his friends, just in case. The redhead's gaze then stopped on his Fire Demon friend who was sleeping peacefully with Miyuki's head on his lap. He was surprised nonetheless by that sight, but then his attention was drawn by something he had noticed. Ruby was sitting far away from the group with her knees pulled up close to her chest while her chin rested on them. A small frown appeared on Kurama's face and as quietly as he could, he got up and approached the bender with his tip toes. While the Water-Bender was mesmerized by the small water that is floating and twirling around between her fingers, she didn't notice her teammate's arrival until he spoke up.

"Morning!" Greeted the fox-demon with a soft tone, making Ruby's magical water drop onto the grass and turn around, startled by the redhead's voice. But once her coffee-bean eyes caught Kurama's charming smile, her concerns washed away, and for strange reasons, her lips curled up to a small and shy smile as well.

"You startled me. . ." The girl whispered as she brushed a few loosen up black locks behind her ear before that hand trailed down to her necklace that had her tribe's symbol was carved on.

"My apologies." Kurama said softly as he decided to take a seat next to the water-bender girl.

"No, it's alright. . ." Ruby trailed off as her eyes looked at the beautiful sunrise with a small hint of sadness, that didn't go unnoticed by the redheaded boy.

"Is something the matter Ruby?" Kurama asked her with a little worry in his tone. Ruby took a deep breath and didn't hesitate to answer. After sharing her story with Miyuki during her and her brother's training, she now found the confidence to share it with others who she can truly trust. Kurama was one of those in her list.

"I never thought I would ever visit this place, which at some point was my home. . . once. . . " Ruby told Kurama with honesty.

"You used to live here?" The red-headed teen asked, earning a weak nod from the water-bender girl, who just stared up ahead, and never looked into Kurama's eyes that were taking her sad look in, which made him feel grief as well.

"Before all the chaos, this realm used to be a home for the people who were humans but with spiritual gifts that we all know as bending." Ruby began with her story as her hand summoned back the water and began to twirl it around like a child's toy. "Four Kingdoms were created which represented each element. There was the Fire Kingdom where most people were able to bend fire. Then there was the Earth Kingdom, the Air Kingdom, and the Water Kingdom, my home." Her hand once more went up to her necklace subconsciously, then a small sorrowful sigh left her lips. "Bending in most people's minds was thought to be nothing more than a weapon or martial art that we can use to defend ourselves or hurt each other. However, a few of us thought differently, but that didn't change Zankoku's mind. He ruled with cruelty while spreading nothing but madness to our world. Things only got worse when I came to the world. Despite the fact that I was like, three months old or so, I can still remember everything that happened around me. Clear pictures of the monsters trying to come in to plant fear within us. My loved ones, family running around screaming. My mother running for her life with me in her arms while the stone-like giant creatures ripped everything apart." While sharing her story, Kurama noticed the silent tears that are rolling down on the girl's cheek, making him feel sorry for Ruby. "Just as we were about to escape, the last thing I heard was the roar of those rock monsters and the scream of my mother that later on faded away under the water. My mother was a water-bender you see like I am, and being lucky enough my instincts kept that bubble around me for so long before I was found on the beach where I met Yara and Genkai. . ." Ruby then subconsciously touched her necklace before burying her face deep into her knees.

"I'm so sorry Ruby. No one deserves to live through such tragedy like that. . ." Kurama said as she placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It's. . . okay. . . " The girl replied as she wiped away the fresh tears. " But despite all that bad thing, at least now I have my masters." Ruby then offered a small smile to Kurama. "And now I have Miyuki, the others, and well. . . you. . . Mom wouldn't want me to mope around forever now, would she?" At that, the redheaded demon couldn't help but return the girl's smile with his own small one.

"You are really strong and brave individual Ruby. It's admirable." The fox-demon complimented her with honesty as he let go of her shoulder. At that last sentence, the Bender girl's eyes go wide while her cheeks began to turn pink.

"T-thanks." The Water-Bender replied as she turned her head away awkwardly. The Fox-Demon couldn't help but smile even more while he felt the warmth and calmness wash over him inside his chest and mind. However, that suddenly vanished when realization dawned on him.

"But wait, you. . ." The redhead started thinking, making Ruby turn to him questioningly. "I mean, now that we're here, there is your chance to get your revenge on your family and people. But then again, you already knew about that portal in the first place. So how come you wanted to return now? " Then he turned to the girl with pure curiosity. "If you. . . don't mind me asking. . ." Kurama just now felt hesitant because he let his observing and thoughts get the better of him.

"Well, it's simple." His teammate replied with a small shrug like it was not really a big deal at all. "I am for one, not strong enough to just kill him off, and two, even if he's dead, my mother wouldn't come back, nor the rest of my family or the benders."

"What do you mean by that. . . ?" Asked the redhead, making Ruby sigh sadly.

"What do you know about Zankoku?" Ruby asked the demon-boy.

"Nothing much, really." Replied Kurama quietly. "Only that he is a powerful sorcerer who almost wiped out half of Demon World. I know that little because I was in fact there when it happened."

"I see. . . " Ruby trailed off, making a frown paint it's way up to the redheaded boy's face once more. "Before Demon World he burned this place into ashes while wiping out the people that lived there. Almost all of it. I am probably the last bender from this world. . ." At that sadness began to wash over Kurama once more while giving a sympathetic look to Ruby. "When I come to the Human World . . . I felt so alone and scared. . . In a place where you know no one. It was hard for me to find people who I can trust. After all the awful things that happened in the past. It will haunts you to the very end of your life. . . "

"I know how you feel. . ." Kurama spoke up as his stare goes up to the same sunrise that the water-bender has been watching. "I had once crossed through the same struggles." Ruby furrowed her eyebrows questioningly as she turned her head to her redheaded teammate. "When I lived in Demon World I was abandoned at a very young age. I was a fox demon back then and in their rules in the wild it was second nature to them to abandon the runts of the clan. However, as time passed on, I regained a somewhat. . . reputation, which I was really proud of back then. . . something that would prove my once known clan wrong. . ." He hesitantly began to tell it but at the same time, he tries his best not to scare off Ruby. "But then fifteen years ago I got severely injured and with all the power I was left with, I escaped into the Human World and became a child of a proud family. With all honesty, I planned on leaving early after my recovery. However, after spending so much time there with people who surrounded me. . . raised me. . . became my family, I was. . . unable to go along with my selfish plans. Unexpectedly I began to enjoy my life there. Had a childhood with a mother who loved me unconditionally and a small brother who I can cherish with all my heart and protect. . . "

"You had a little brother?" The girl asked with eyes filled up with wonder. Kurama nodded his head as a small sad smile curled upon his lips.

"His name was Sanyu and from birth we were inseparable." Kurama continued on as his mind walked through the many great memories he had with his little sibling. "Even though I was in my best behaviour, I never managed to make friends. Sanyu was the same, but despite that, we always had each other's backs. Despite how cold I was toward him, because of my demon nature. . . he never gave up on me. . ." Then suddenly Kurama looked over his shoulder to look at his old childhood friend. "But then many things changed when we met her." As he said that he looked over his shoulder ant stared at the other female figure with a longing look in his eyes

"Huh?" Ruby hummed questioningly, noticing the redhead's expression, which made her turn in the same direction to see the 'couple' as well. At first she was a tad confused, but it eventually clicked within her. "You mean you knew Miyuki before?" Ruby asked in shock, earning a small nod from Kurama.

"When we were kids, we met at a park, back in the town where we used to live." The redheaded boy began explaining. "My mother found her crying because some kids were unfriendly to her to say at least. Sanyu managed to somewhat cheer her up, and from then on we became close to one another for six years or so. " At the thought of those, he let his smile go wider a little, making Ruby stared at him with admiration as her eyes lit up like shooting stars as if, she had never seen something so beautiful, until now. "She was one of the sweetest people I know, a bag full of happiness and joy. . ." He let out a small chuckle, but then his mood soon dropped to the ground. "But it all changed when Sanyu died. . . " Kurama said gravely as he lowered his gaze down to the grass. Ruby's eyes softened up as a small frown appeared on her face.

"What happened to him?" Ruby asked in a cautious and soft tone.

"He fell ill. . ." Kurama told her with a pained expression as the words that left his mouth left a bitter taste on the tip of his tongue. "At the age of nine, it all started with a simple cough. But then it became rapid and uncontrollable. When we went to our old doctor to see what's the problem, he didn't find anything serious so he thought this was just a simple cold, or asthma attack. I didn't believe in that of course, but I also didn't know what could that illness be, but I deep down felt that something severe. Unfortunately, my suspicions were confirmed at the very last moment when I got a call from the principal and informed me how my brother coughed up blood. Sanyu was instantly sent to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with lung cancer. " His voice broke slightly but he kept up his composure, however, his clutches turned white, thanks to the tight grip he was holding onto the grass, and it didn't go unnoticed by Ruby. "My mother and I were devastated by the news, but we tried our best to find a solution to this. Mother went to get different jobs to get money for the treatment, meanwhile, I tried to find a cure and spend time with my little brother. As for Miyuki, she visited Sanyu every day and tried to cheer him up. . ." There were a small pause and a deep breath, but the pain never leaves. "Sadly, time was short and the odds weren't on our favour. . . I failed to save him from the pain and suffering. . . . not to mention I failed to save Miyuki from the guilt either. . . She took his death the hardest, and she even blamed herself for it. . . making me believe that I let her down as well. . . " The redhead's head turned away from the water-bender girl as his hand still grasped onto the grass, aggressively. But then out of a sudden, a small gasp escapes through his lips when his hand felt something warm and soft landing on top of it.

"You two did all you could." Ruby tried to reassure the fox-demon as she held his hand comfortingly. "But it's none of your faults. Things like these are unpredictable and there is nothing much we can do about it. . ." Kurama shook his head in disagreement as regret and sorrow were written all over his face.

"Still, I can't help it at times. . . " Kurama replied wit grief in his voice. "I mean, I was his older brother and it should have been my responsibility to take care of him. . . As for Miyuki, she was also like family to me. . . But now she is still suffering because of this tragedy. . ."

"I know, but it still not your fault. Nor Miyuki's." The Water-Bender tried once more to convince her friend while also stealing a small glance from her best friend. "I know it might take a long time to recover from this but. . . I'm sure things will get better sooner or later. . . You know what I mean." Without her realizing she gave a gentle squeeze to Kurama's hand. Something that made him look at his newfound friend beside him with wonder and admiration. He felt like his heart skipped a beat while he couldn't stop staring at the reassuring smile Ruby is offering to him. After a small moment of silence, the redhead found himself smiling again. A genuine smile he shared with Ruby, whose face suddenly flushed pink.

"Thank you very much Ruby for your comfort." Kurama thanked him. "I'm glad that Phoenix has such a wonderful friend like you."

"N-no problem, really." Ruby said with a small flustered giggle as she pulled her hand away and wave it dismissively, even though she was nervous. For some reason, he felt a little disappointed when the girl let go of his hand but he didn't let it show. However, his smile was still there. "Wait, Phoenix?" Ruby realized and gave a confused look to Kurama, who suddenly flushed a little pink on the cheek.

"Eh, it's kind of a habit and nickname that stuck with me since childhood." The redheaded boy explained quickly, and a little shyly. "She used to and well, still calls me Rosehead while I sometimes call her Phoenix since she loves the legend so much." At that, Ruby couldn't help but feel her heart melt a little.

"Aw, it's not a bad thing." Ruby reassured. "In fact, I find it quite adorable." She gushed, making Kurama's face match with the colour of his hair while nervously placing a hand over his mouth to contain his own, but nervous chuckles. When it died down, Ruby turned to look at her friend who was still asleep on the Fire Demon's lap. "You two must be pretty close." The water-bender girl pointed out. As she stated that, she felt that uncomfortable pang inside her chest. That left her a bit confused, because she had never experienced feelings like that before.

"Yeah, we are. . . " The redheaded boy confirmed with a small pride while still wearing that small blush on his face. "She is one of the greatest friends I have ever known. . ."And just as the two were about to continue with their conversation any further, Yusuke's loud yawn and Kuwabara's groan made them stop talking.

"Looks like it's time to get a move on." Ruby stated observingly.

"Yeah. . ." Kurama agreed as he glanced at their teammates, but then back at Ruby who didn't snap her head at the redhead, but her gaze still looked up into his charming Forest Green eyes.

"Um. . . Do you think we can talk later . . . ?" Ruby asked shyly. "After the mission I mean." At that Kurama's heart began racing fast, but he masked it all on the outside and still let his lips curl up to a warm smile.

"I would love to." Replied the redhead kindly, making Ruby's heart go on a marathon for some reason. Kurama got up from the ground and offered a hand to Ruby, who backed away a little flustered. "Shall we go then?" He asked with a gentle tone while Ruby looked up with sparkling eyes and rosy cheeks. She gave a soft smile and a small nod before placing her hand into the fox demon's who felt a slight click within his heart when they touched. He pulled her up to her feet and Ruby gave a grateful smile. The Fox-Demon nodded his head with his small smile before going to the boys, one of them, Kuwabara particularly making fun of Miyuki and Hiei silently.