Solitary Mask Part II

by Chibi Tsuki

-Part Two- Kurama transfers to a new school and learns the rumours about the masked girl. Everyone tells him to stay away from her, but Kurama can't help but feel sympathetic towards her.

2. Meetings and Reunions

Solitary Mask – Part II

Chibi Tsuki

A/N: … nothing much to say. Just start reading!

Chapter 17

Meetings and Reunions

Kurama sat at his desk, concentrating on finishing his science homework. He picked up a glass and sipped its contents, gently placing it back onto the table afterwards. Glancing at the balcony he smiled and muttered, "Come in Hiei." A short dark-haired character opened the balcony door and stepped halfway in. His eyes darted around the room and back at Kurama. "Mikazuki's taking a shower." Hiei nodded and threw the double-bladed sword in his hand at Kurama who caught it deftly with a single hand. "So did you find anything else?"

"That is none of your concern," Hiei mumbled in his usual cold tone.

Having not being offended, Kurama asked in his casual voice, "Are you returning to Makai?" The youkai made a sound, "Un," which simply meant 'yes' and leapt back into the shadows of the trees, knowing that Kurama had not much more to say. Personally Kurama was quite interested in what Hiei thought about the current situation Kurama was in, but of course the fire demon's own opinions were seldom revealed. He looked back at the calculations he had done and with a sigh, packed them away into his bag. His mind was too occupied by straying thoughts for him to focus on completing the last set of questions. Just as he had tidied away his pens and books, the door opened and a youth appeared, wearing a borrowed pair of matching pale red pyjamas with crimson collars. "I'm done," Mikazuki announced. "This colour makes me feel a bit awkward." Chuckling, Kurama apologised, saying that that was the only spare pair of pyjamas his mother had that would fit her.

"I'm going to have my shower now. Your weapon's on my desk. If you're bored, you can go and watch TV downstairs if you like," he suggested as he gathered a bundle of clothes in his arm and set off to the bathroom. Due to his height advantage, he easily ruffled her hair as he walked pass. It wasn't really because he liked teasing her it was actually because it was an action that revealed his cheerfulness. Seldom did he express his true emotions in front of others like he could when he was with her and it felt quite natural too.

Fifteen minutes later he reappeared at the bathroom door, his long hair dripping wet from his shower. Now wearing a pair of track pants and a singlet, Kurama headed downstairs. He proceeded to wash the saucepans, bowls and plates only to realise that it had already been done; washed, dried and packed away. Shiori stood beside him, filling her cup with hot water and said in a pleased tone, "Mikazuki washed the dining ware while you were in the shower. She's a pleasant girl, Shuichi. I'm glad you've made friends at your new school." She paused and took a quick glance at the clock. "It's already eleven fifteen. You should go to bed now, it's getting late and you have school tomorrow."

"Good night Mother," he muttered with a smile and made his way upstairs. Noticing light emitting from his room and the door left ajar, Kurama pushed the door with such gentleness that not even the slightest noise could be heard. The view of a head lying on his bed with folded arms supporting it, while the rest of the body was on the ground, a leg overlapping the other, stood before him. He could hear the steady, tranquil breathing. As he stepped closer towards her, he could see her closed eyes and her hair sprawled across the bed. The girl was already fast asleep. Pulling the doona away, he then gently lifted her off the floor and onto the bed. Kurama tucked her in, smiled and turned around to leave for his brother's room. The tug at the back of his singlet pulled him backwards and onto his bed. Looking behind, he saw a single hand grasping onto his top but its owner was still sleeping. Mikazuki had unconsciously grabbed onto his shirt. The attempt in prying her fingers without waking her seemed impossible. For some odd reason her deathly grip suggested an inner struggle taking place. To get a better look at her face, Kurama shuffled backwards and with his right hand, brushed away the strands of hair covering her face. Unlike before, her expressions had changed, her body tensed and her breathing was much heavier than before. Her eyebrows knotted up as beads of sweat trickled down her forehead. Inside her mind she was racing against a nightmare. Small whimpers escaped her lips as she curled beside Kurama, her entire body trembling. Unable to control his sympathy towards her, Kurama wrapped his arms around her, heaving her body to his chest. His flaming red hair rested on her cheeks and neck. Slowly her body calmed down and her grip on him loosened. The crying sounds died away and her breathing reverted to a normal inhale and exhale cycle. Only then did Kurama realise the situation he had found himself in, one that wouldn't have mattered if he was his former self, but now it was quite different. Sighing in submission, he relaxed and laid his head next to Mikazuki's while his vines reached out towards the door, flicking off the light switch and shutting the door.

~*~*~*~

For a second, Mikazuki's eyes flickered open and in a dream-like state she inhaled a scent of roses. Looking around she noticed Kurama, sleeping peacefully beside her, his eyes closed and his tranquil breathing in unison to her own. Her eyes then closed as if she were only dreaming and that the figure of Kurama asleep beside her was only part of the dream.

~*~*~*~

"Good morning Mikazuki," Kurama greeted as his friend walked downstairs, fully awake. He was in the middle of making pancakes for breakfast with an apron over his school uniform. The dining table was already set up and all that it was waiting was the food. "Please take a seat, breakfast is almost ready."

"Wow, you can cook?" she asked unbelievably as she approached him instead.

"I'm only so-so," he replied with a chuckle. By looking at her, Kurama could tell that she hadn't realised what had happened last night.

She peeped over his shoulder and uttered in a casual tone, "Last night, I felt that you were beside me." Kurama's hold on the frying pan's handle tightened when he heard her speak. "I had a nightmare but then it felt as if you were protecting me." She paused for a second, her eyes averting her gaze from the pancake to the floor. "I know it's a bit stupid, but thank you anyway." Judging from her last words, Kurama sighed inwardly in relief, knowing that she didn't really know that he was there. He too had fallen asleep during the night and hadn't woken until around four o' clock. It was then that he snuck into his brother's room and slept on the futon he had previously set aside.

"Morning brother," Kurama's step-brother said as he walked downstairs, ready for school. His attention turned to Mikazuki who stood beside him.

"Morning Shuichi," the redhead replied.

"Is she Tsukishiro Mikazuki, your friend?"

"Yes. Mikazuki, this is my younger brother, Shuichi." Mikazuki looked at him, slightly surprised that they had the same name. She greeted him with the same courtesy he had for her. She didn't meet him the day before because Shuichi had club activities after school and didn't return until late after dinner, having had dinner at a friend's house. "Shuichi, can you bring the pancakes to the table while I pour the tea?" As Shuichi stepped forward to take the plate of pancakes, Mikazuki intervened and took the plate instead, settling it on the table.

"Thanks," Shuichi murmured as he seated at the table, Mikazuki sitting beside him. For the past year he had been living with his brother, it was quite rare for him to bring home a friend, especially one who was a girl. That made him wonder whether he had a special relationship with her. He had also grown fond of his new brother, him being a single child before the marriage. It was his brother who had encouraged a change in him from being a quiet, opinion-less boy to a more energetic and outgoing teenager. He ended up making more friends in his junior high school and enjoyed spending time with his friends when they planned activities during their free-time. Suddenly breaking free from his chair, he asked in a slightly embarrassed but straightforward tone, "Are you Shuichi's girlfriend?"

Shocked, Kurama and Mikazuki looked at him. Mikazuki's eyes swayed to stare at the ground again while Kurama denied it. The doorbell rang, breaking away the tension and Shuichi immediately went to open the door. Neither Kurama nor Mikazuki said anything during this moment of silence. Returning with Shuichi was a girl in school uniform, looking the same age as Kurama's younger brother. The girl, who had her black hair in pigtails immediately bounded up to the bench and stared at Kurama. "Wow! I never knew your brother knew how to cook!" she squealed as she stared at the red-haired bishounen.

"It's nice seeing you this early, Hirana," Kurama greeted as he took off his apron and hung it up in the cupboard. "Do you want to have breakfast with us?" he added when he noticed her fierce gaze on him. It was just an excuse to get her to focus on something else.

"Thank you," Hirana muttered as she sat herself beside Shuichi. The girl began digging in with joy, mumbling something about eating the older brother's pancakes. Kurama himself sat down quietly beside Mikazuki to see Hirana's deathly glare averted to Mikazuki. The girl nudged Shuichi and whispered in a voice that was not exactly a whisper, "Who is she?"

"My brother's friend, Tsukishiro Mikazuki," Shuichi replied as he cut up his own pancake into quarters.

"Are they just friends?"
"I think so…" Shuichi was totally sure about this fact. He, in fact was quite positive that they had some sort of deeper relationship between them. The younger girl continued to glower at Mikazuki. Unaccustomed to such strong and unusual behaviour, Mikazuki excused herself from the table, having barely eaten a bite. Hirana whooped in victory as she moved herself to sit in between the brothers, leaning towards Kurama as much as she could.

After finishing his breakfast, Kurama tidied up and headed upstairs to his room, where Mikazuki was. "Mikazuki?"

"Mm?" she turned around, her hair tie between her lips as her fingers combed her hair in place. Her face showed no sign of being upset. As she looped the elastic band around her hair she looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"School ends at twelve thirty today. Do you want to go out to lunch and if we have time, watch a movie?" he asked, trying to make himself sound as nonchalant as he possibly could.

"Un!" Mikazuki replied, fully unaware of the fact that this could be considered a date. She felt very excited for it was going to be the second time that she was going to see a movie. The first time she saw one happened to be a mistake. She had accidentally entered the cinema as she was escaping from some gangsters in the streets and she had ditched them easily by darting into the first 'store' she passed which turned out to be a cinema. Being enthralled by the movie – she ended up watching an entire movie, not knowing that she had illegally snuck in. But that all occurred during the first month she went to the Ningenkai. Why she hadn't fought back against the gangsters was due to the fact that she had been forewarned not to cause disturbance with anybody in the Ningenkai. It was later that she had realised that a ticket must be purchased to watch a movie and that people usually don't go alone. "Shouldn't you be heading off to school now? I'll meet you at twelve thirty at the school gate."

With a smile, Kurama muttered, "Sure thing." Together they made their way downstairs, noticing that Shuichi and his friend had already left for school. "I want to apologise for Hirana's behaviour. She's my brother's close friend since they were toddlers and so she sometimes joins us for meals."

"It's alright. By the way, where are your parents?"

"My mother's probably gone to drop my father off at the train station. She'll return soon," Kurama informed as he slipped on his shoes. "See you at lunch."

As Kurama left, Mikazuki said, "I'll see you then." During his daily travel to school, flash backs flooded Kurama's mind, reminding him of the gentle exhale of air on his neck, the scent of her hair. He remembered having damp hair when he had walked into the room, but then his hair had dried by the time he was sleeping beside Mikazuki. Was it her ability to manipulate water that had absorbed the water even though she was in the state of slumber?

~*~*~*~

Endless chatter broke the once silent environment as high school students trampled out of the school grounds. A particular redhead was walking out of the gate, subtly eager to meet up with his companion. Upon arriving at the front of the school, he detected his friend's absence. He merely leaned against the wall, waiting patiently with flowers and trees for company. Seeing this rare opportunity, several girls invited themselves over to him and stirred up a conversation. All these girls were his upperclassmen whom he had spoken to once or twice before when doing his teachers favours and passing messages for them. His seniors had immediately taken on a liking towards him, proclaiming his individuality from many others in the school. For over ten minutes, he was trapped in an undesired discussion that concerned his own interests which he had no intention of revealing. It would be slightly impolite for him to excuse himself but it seemed as if they were never going to leave. A youth accidentally brushed pass one of the girls, murmuring an apology before continuing on his way. Instantly Kurama reached out and seized the young man by his arm.

"Excuse me sir, but I don't think the item in your hand belongs to you," he said calmly, holding a firm stare at the teenager's face. A drip of sweat slid down the youth's face and without second thought he jerked his hand away, bolting down the street. Kurama sped after him, and within a blink, appeared directly in front of him. The boy grunted and spun around, chucking the pink object to his accomplice who was ready and in action. Stylishly, he jumped, and by doing a flip in mid-air secured the object in his hand. One hand reached out and fastened his grip on the accomplice's collar. When the boy twisted around to score a punch on him in hopes to loosen the hold, Kurama instead, grabbed the arm and bent it behind his back, forcing him to surrender. The other pick-pocket had been taken care of by Kurama's friend who had simply landed a light blow on his stomach. The action happened so swiftly that no one noticed the punch. But everyone had heard him shrieking in pain while clutching onto his stomach and rolling hopelessly on the ground. The kitsune proceeded to return the object which was a wallet to its owner who would only stare at him disbelief. It only took the girls two seconds before they exploded into hyperactivity, which Mikazuki interpreted as the girls drooling over their 'beloved' Minamino Shuichi. Just as they were about to further waste Kurama's time and treat him to lunch, Kurama made the pair of thieves apologise before letting them go.

"Say um… Shuichi," started the girl who had nearly lost her wallet, "are you free right now? I'd like to treat you to lunch as a thank you."

In an apologetic tone, Kurama refused her offer and said, "I've got a previous engagement with my friend." He gestured to the silver-haired girl who was dressed in dark green cargo pants, a plain black singlet top and a red and white bandana that wrapped around her head with its two long ends that reached halfway down her back. Mikazuki didn't attempt to greet them; it was either too busy staring into space or purposely pretending that she wasn't listening to their conversation. But she responded immediately when Kurama said to her, "Let's go."

The pair strolled down the streets, making their way down to the shopping arcade. Kurama had placed his left hand into the pocket, his other hand gripping onto his schoolbag. Suggesting going to one of the most popular cafes, he smiled at her, with one of his most enchanting smiles; one that melted every girl's heart. Mikazuki simply agreed with his choice, glancing away. The smile had left her with something, which she recognised as one of those unexplainable feelings.

After walking for no further than two streets, the two's experienced senses shouted at them to leap aside. Just where they had been standing were four razor-sharp threads of hair, standing erect in the ground. Abruptly they fell limp and dropped lifelessly like a piece of string. Without another word, the duo sprinted off in the same direction, in pursuit of the attacker. Running on the garden walls, Mikazuki could see the figure darting away over rooftops. Kurama ran on the road, skilfully dodging between the same group of girls he had just spoken to. They could only stare in astonishment as the two vanished down the road.

One of the girls muttered, "I never knew Shuichi was a track runner..."

"Perhaps he's one of those young men with hidden sporting talents, like those in comics!" another girl squealed.

Soon they were gaining speed. But suddenly the figure halted in front of them with feet that were planted firmly into the solid ground. They had chased the attacker to the empty park, where no one was in sight. Mikazuki's blue eyes scrutinised the one in front of them. Beautiful, long, blond hair lifted gently in the wind, striking hazel-green eyes stared intensely at Kurama. Their attacker was a woman with the appearance of a youthful twenty year old. Her distinguished features were complimented by her long elegant nose and smooth round lips. By sensing her energy, Mikazuki could determine that she was in fact a youkai, who was at least fifty years old. The stranger wore plain clothes; a T-shirt and a pair of fashionably torn jeans which accented her pear-shaped figure. She was a beautiful creature and everyone who laid their eyes on her would have to admit it. Somehow Mikazuki felt a strong connection between Kurama and the stranger. They both knew each other quite well.

Kurama, being barely two inches taller could look down at her with a smile as she stepped forward until they were only one metre apart. "Kurama," she whispered while looking him all over. "Long time no see."

"Sazanka," the redhead murmured in a voice that was subtly tentative. "What brings you to Ningenkai?"

The woman laughed, not unkindly. "Need you ask? I've missed you. It's nearly been eighteen years since I last saw you." Her hand reached out to touch Kurama's hair, twirling his hair in between her fingers. "Have you noticed anything different about me?"

"No, nothing different other than the fact that you're just as beautiful as you were last time I saw you," he commented. Chuckling, she placed her hands against his chest and boosted herself up steadily, the distance between their lips shortening. Mikazuki turned her back on them, thinking of anything and everything to take her attention off the intimately close pair. Abruptly he tilted his head slightly, avoiding the kiss and held Sazanka back by placing his hands on her shoulders. The woman lowered herself back onto her heels but her hands stayed glued to his chest. There was an eerie silence in the atmosphere. Sazanka was waiting quietly for him to speak.

When she realised that she wasn't going to receive any words from him, she sighed. "You've changed Kurama. You've become more like a gentleman." Following his gaze, the woman's own eyes landed on Mikazuki's back. "In a short period of eighteen years, you've become someone else. No matter how much you change, I still love you." She gave him a peck on the cheek and turned to look at the silver-haired youth again. "Introduce me to your friend?"

"Mmm…" Kurama nodded and called for Mikazuki to draw near them. "Mikazuki, this is my acquaintance, Sazanka. Sazanka, this is Tsukishiro Mikazuki."

"Nice to meet you Mikazuki," Sazanka uttered with an enchanting smile.

Although Mikazuki's outward appearance was casual, she was in fact very cautious as she approached the woman. "Nice to meet you too," she murmured, her blue eyes never leaving the stranger.

Addressing Kurama once again, Sazanka said, "Kurama, would I be able to have a private conversation with you sometime?"

"I've got private matters to attend to. I'll leave you two to talk without my unwanted presence." In a second, Mikazuki vanished as if she had melded into thin air.

Sazanka chuckled and said, "Interesting friend you have. I'd like to see her again sometime. So Kurama, did you miss me?"

"No, not at all."
The woman cringed and with pouted lips said, "That's harsh!" Knowing that he was joking, she smirked and wrapped her hands around his left hand, clutching it securely. "Has your mind about me changed at all? After these years, do you think that you can fall in love with me, like I with you?"

Wrenching his hand away as gently as possible, Kurama shook his head, saying, "There may have been a time when I could, but now I can't."

"Is it because of that girl? Has the proud Youko Kurama's heart fallen prey to someone else? Oh how I wish I was her," she sighed, continuing to hold his gaze firmly. "Has your relationship with her become so deep that neither I nor anyone else can snatch you away?" Although Kurama was experienced at concealing his emotions, one glimpse at his face and Sazanka could easily perceive the answer. "So you haven't even told her of your love for her. I would be a fool to advise you to express your love for her, but no girl would wait for a few hundred years if that's how long you intend to keep it a secret."

"Who is to say that I love her? I care for her because she needs my support," he rebuked but inside he thought differently. I do care for her in a way that's more than just friendship. But whether she'll accept it is a different matter. She'll need someone's support more than she believes she needs and I want to be the one to give her this support. "But thank you Sazanka, I appreciate your concern. No matter what, we shall always be comrades."

"Nothing more?" There was no response which gave her the hint that Kurama no longer wanted to dwell on that subject. "I didn't win your heart, nevertheless I am satisfied with the fact that you still consider me your companion. Farewell Kurama, we shall meet again shortly." The blonde leapt up and gave him a quick hug before turning and slowly walking away.

~*~*~*~

Once she had left, Kurama went in search of Mikazuki. Although he wasn't sure she would've gone, Kurama had a hunch that she had gone from within his hearing range. With a sigh, he headed in the direction of the shopping arcade, hoping that Mikazuki would be somewhere waiting for him. It was strictly forbidden for students to go shopping, game arcades or anyplace like such after school. This meant that Kurama had to avoid walking in obvious places where he could be caught by teachers. Weaving through an unexpected crowd, the bishounen noticed a street-fight taking place just outside the game arcade. From his voice, Kurama could determine that it was Muiro Teki and his small gang. Kurama wasn't interested in the fight, all he wanted to do was to find Mikazuki. That was until he heard another familiar voice which he knew very well. Yuusuke! Excusing himself to the front, Kurama watched his friend enjoying a normal fight. "Yuusuke?" he muttered.

"Oh hey Kurama!" he greeted, catching Muiro's fist with a single hand.

"Why are you here?" the redheaded warrior asked. He glanced at Muiro, noticing his bruised and bloodied body. "Could you let go of my classmate?"

Releasing his grip, Yuusuke didn't bother look at the victim and replied, "I came to find you. I was going to call you, but I decided to come and visit instead." He casually gestured at Muiro. "We met on the way and he happened to pick a fight with me." They left Muiro and his gang behind, walking as they talked. "Did you know your friend has disappeared from Genkai's temple yesterday morning?"

"I saw her."

"You did?!" Yuusuke looked around frantically. "Is she with you?"

"She was, but I don't know where she's gone right now. I'm looking around for her at the moment."

"Ah… is that so?"

Meanwhile a particular youkai was walking down the street, admiring things she never had time to see before. There were many people walking about cheerfully, smiles plastered on their faces. There were couples walking hand-in-hand, groups of teenagers chatting away and friends heading somewhere while conversing friendlily. These people seemed so happy… if only she could be like them… Suddenly there was a voice in her mind speaking words which she'd heard an infinite number of times in that same cold and demanding tone. The speaker had been the one she'd called leader and master. 'Humans are despicable animals, the have killed countless demons selfishly for their own pleasure. They are cruel, wicked creatures with malicious intentions against us. You mustn't ever let your guard down when you're among them.' Slowly Mikazuki sank into a squatting position, her face against her thighs and her hands wrapping around her head. Her mind had been taking over by those words which kept repeating over and over. "Go away," she murmured softly in a distressed tone.

"Are you alright miss?" a familiar voice asked. Lifting her eyes slowly, she stared into a pair of dazzling blue-grey eyes. In front of her was a striking young man with light black hair and olive coloured skin. Searching her memories, Mikazuki wasn't able to match a name to the face. In fact her memory told her that she'd never even seen this man before. He slowly extended his hand towards her, which she took without contemplating. Concerned the young man repeated the same question in a gentle voice which she didn't notice before.

"Un…" she muttered. "Thanks."

"You seem troubled. Can I help you in any way?"

"I'm alright."

With a smile he said, "I'll see you later then."

Mikazuki watched silently as he walked off, the voice no longer audible.

A/N: It's only slightly longer than usual. For the next two months, I won't be able to update – unfortunately and I'm not sure whether the next chapter will be up or not by the third month. I want to thank those people who are still reading this story. There may be people who will lose their interest in my story or YYH altogether while I'm gone but nevertheless I want to thank you! No matter what, I'll continue writing this story as I want to complete it and hopefully when I return, there'll still be people who want to read the rest of the story.

Best wishes to you all!

Chibi Tsuki