We decided on a place to meet tomorrow before leaving for Makai and went our separate ways. I returned to ningen form and tried to find my way home. Finally, I found a main road and followed it to my school. School was long out when I got back, but Shuichi was there waiting for me. I grimaced, expecting a yelling match, even though my best friend didn't yell, but he waited for me to catch um to him then walked on without a word. A familiar smell drifted past me. It smelled of pine, like the pines I had just been in. I sniffed the air and Shuichi looked at me funny. I stopped sniffing and tried to look innocent. "I.I'm sorry for saying that today. They just wouldn't leave me alone about you." I apologized, ending lamely. "I know. I guess I should have known that you didn't like me.you know.like that." He said sadly. I looked up sharply, "I, well, you see, I didn't.I don't know how to say this but.I didn't mean what I said in the hall." I looked down, blushing. Now it was Shuichi's turn to look up quickly, "What do you mean? When you said you didn't like me, that was a lie?" I bit my lip, but nodded, "Yeah.it was." I said sheepishly. "I.well, the fact is, I.uh, this is the most pathetic thing I've ever said and I wish I could say it in a different way, but, I like you too." Now he blushed. I looked at him in astonishment and he met my gaze. I smiled, really not knowing what to say. This little exchange had gone on while we were sitting on a secluded bench in a park. Now Shuichi pulled me to him and kissed the top of my head. I snuggled against his chest and once again breathed in pine. How can he smell of pine if the only pine trees around here are in the forest I ran to? I sighed and decided to think about this later. Right now I wanted to enjoy this moment. I realized I'd wanted to do this for.who knew how long. After a while, we got up and walked to my house, hand in hand. We said good- bye and I went inside, glowing. My mother met me right inside. "You're looking happy, Tori-chan. Something special happen today?" She asked, smiling. "Nothing really. I'm going to do my homework." I said, acting nonchalant. I went upstairs, into my room, and closed the door. I started my homework but couldn't concentrate. After a few minutes, I gave up and went to the window. The night air and moonlight called the youkai in me and I decided to see what I could see from the point of view of a youko. I transformed quickly and leaped out the window, grabbing onto a tree and swinging up, silently. I stretched again, loving the feeling of being so powerful and strong. I jumped again and landed on top of a building, carefully. I jumped around over buildings, completely silent. Finally, I reached an open area outside of the city limits and I landed on my feet. I wonder what kind of fighter I am? I decided to try out all kinds of martial arts I had only seen professionals execute to see if I could do them too. I amazed myself with the extent of my fighting skills. This could be fun! I thought as I continued with my exercises. Abruptly, I heard something land behind me. Really, I thought scornfully, If you're going to sneak up on someone, do it silently! I swung around without warning and lashed out with my foot. Everything happened so fast, I didn't have time to think about it. My reflexes set in and I began to attack my assailant. Most of my blows hit home and I heard little grunts and heaving breathing each time I connected solidly. This is pitiful! I thought as I flipped my attacker onto their back and put my foot at their throat. "Now, who are you?" I asked in a cold voice that surprised even me. When they refused to answer, I put a little of my weight into my foot and the person grunted, trying to get air, "Well?" I pressed. My eyes focused on the person's face and I saw as clearly as if it were day. The man had a slightly pudgy face and a big scar ran through one eye. A few teeth were missing and his eyes were big with fright. "What's wrong? Never seen a youko before?" I mocked him, a contemptuous smile on my face. He shook his head. "Who sent you?" I said, suddenly ferocious. He shook his head again, refusing to answer. I pressed harder with my foot and he gasped for air again. "Well? Ready to talk?" I asked again and he remained silent. Suddenly, he disappeared and I fell to the ground, unbalanced. I looked around in surprise, where had he gone? I waited for the man to return but he didn't. "K'so! Ojiisan no baka!" I yelled, but no answer came. Suddenly, something swung down from a tree behind me. I whirled, ready to fight again, "Finally! This time I'll kill you old man!" I called. The only answer was a laugh, which seemed familiar somehow. "It's just me Nari-chan." I recognized the voice, Kurama. "Oh, hey Fox-Boy." "Who's 'old man'?" He asked, coming closer. "Just now, some man appeared behind me. I beat him up, but he wouldn't tell me who he was, who sent him, or anything. He just shook his head." I explained. "And? Where is he now?" "Oh. He just disappeared. I don't know how, but one second he was there and I was threatening him, the next he was gone and you came." I replied, perplexed. "Hmm.I'll have to think about that, I don't know of any youkai or tantei who can disappear.except.but no, he would have beaten you easily, and his style isn't really disappearing, it's more like lightning movement." Kurama thought out loud. "Hey! I'm not that weak!" I protested. "He would have beaten me too." Kurama answered calmly, "So it can't have been him. I really don't know. I'll get back to you tomorrow. Goodbye, Nari- chan." "Good night Fox-boy." When I got home, I fell asleep quickly- after finishing homework, of course.

The next day passed quickly. Nothing interesting happened and I went home to finish my homework. I waited impatiently for that evening, researching youkai on the Internet until it was time for me to leave. I transformed and ran quickly to the spot where I first met Kurama. This time, even though it was a great distance, I wasn't even breathing hard when I reached the pine tree. Kurama came silently soon after I got there. We didn't say a word, in case someone was around and happened to overhear. He met my eyes and we nodded at the same time. I understood that he would explain later. Kurama walked out of the clearing and I followed. Finally, we got to the gate between Makai and Ningenkai. It definitely wasn't what I had expected. Instead of some gate with a whirligig of colors, gilded with silver and gold designs, the only thing I saw was another clearing. Kurama took out a slim knife and sliced the air in front of him. I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow skeptically. My eyes opened wide as I saw the sliced air part and we were looking into a vortex of blackness and silver dots. "Hurry! It'll close soon!" Kurama exclaimed and grabbed my wrist. I thought about arguing but Kurama jumped into the passageway before I could do anything, pulling me in after him. The gate between the worlds closed behind us and I didn't look back.