Hey peoples! *smiles broadly* My first fic *ever* . . . yay! Ok, little
things about this; Warning: Will be Kurama & Hiei shonen ai/yaoi, some
language (though I've bleeped out the four-letter words), thoughts are in /
hey lookie a thought / and italisized/bold are in *lookie bold/italic
font*; umm, there are a few Japanese words here and there . . .
IF YOU WANT TO SKIP THE DEFINITIONS AND GO DOWN TO THE OTHER BOLD PRINT YOU CAN—
kitsune=fox, baka=fool/stupid, rei-spirit, reikai=spirit world, makai=demon world, ningen=human, ningenkai=human world, sumanai & gomen nasai=I'm sorry (they are two separate ways to say it), ai shitteru=I love you, ore mata=me(male) as well (me, too), ummmm . . . ohayo (gozaimasu)=good morning, konnichi wa=hello, arigato=thanks, domo arigato=thank you very much, a youko or a kitsune is what Kurama is, a youkai or a koorime is what Hiei is, a yon'na (my own personal word! ^-^) is what Kashi/Shika is/was, and Kashi, Shika, Rikou & Mauta (sniff sniff . . . poor guy) are all my own original characters. FYI, shonen ai=male love, a 'bishonen' is a handsome young man (like Kurama ^-^) and . . . Japanese people just add '–san' for respect (like Shiura-san) & when you use '-chan' it's a term of affection toward someone (like Minamino-chan which you'll see later ^-^)—
IF YOU SKIPPED THE 'EDUCATIONAL' SECTION WE'RE BACK TO MY INANE BABBLE NOW
Ok, I know you all want to read so I won't hold you up any longer. Reviews would be fun, but don't hate me for inventing Kashi/Shika, ok? Just another aspiring teen writer/anime fan out there . . . ok, ok I'll stop! *grins* enjoy the fic! ^-^ -Kita
Disclaimer (don't ya just love 'em?): Kurama, Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara and all the other things/people related to Yu Yu Hakusho are the property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Shonen Jump Weekly, Fuji TV and Studio Pierrot *sigh* (though I wouldn't mind owning Kurama or Hiei . . .). I have written this fic for entertainment purposes only and do not ever intend to make any money off it. . . . though getting my pen name out might be a good start . . . *evil smile* (Just kidding!!! Don't sue me, please!! *sweatdrop*)
The Roots of a Rose by Kita — Part One: Saseka Kashi
Shuichi-Kurama was gazing at the blackboard, though not really seeing it. The red-haired bishonen was thinking of a dream he had woken to this morning, and his clever mind was still trying to grasp the meaning of it. The mysterious figure he'd seen, a fox demon like himself— His emerald eyes refocused on the teacher as the first class of the morning showed signs of starting. When all were in their seats, Shiura-san stood.
"Class—" His pupils' gazes turned to him expectantly. "We have a new student today." He beckoned to the door leading into the hall and a black- haired girl entered, looking slightly shy and self-conscious. Her eyes were a hazy blue that seemed to be nearly the color of silver. She was very pretty, and even the youko-turned-human couldn't help from gasping (along with the other boys). She blushed, and Shiura-san continued. "I would like you to all give a very warm welcome to Saseka Kashi. She will be studying with us for the rest of the year."
"K-Konnichi wa." She said meekly, bowing slightly to the class. Her eyes met Kurama's for a moment, and he thought he saw something flicker in her gaze . . .
"Saseka-san, please take the seat behind Minamino-san." She inclined her head and glanced to where the teacher was pointing. Kurama could feel her eyes linger for a moment on his red hair.
"Arigato, Shiura-san. I will." Clutching her books tentatively to her chest, she walked up the row to where Kurama sat. Their eyes met again, and for the second time Kurama felt as though there was some deep connection between them . . . she gave him a cryptic smile before passing his chair to sit somewhere behind him.
At lunch, he was sitting alone under a tree. Kurama was absently chewing on something he did not care to identify . . . it tasted spicy and slightly different than his usual meal. He sighed, thinking of how he wished Shiori had been well enough to make it . . . he was aware of a few groups of chattering, giggling girls passing by, sneaking glances at him. He sighed again. The former fox bandit did not have many friends . . . there was Hiei, of course, but even he, the only person who had tracked him down from his past life, only dropped by to give him information concerning the King's Vault. There was the occasional sparring match, though—when Kurama would go off to train and the fire demon would somehow find him in the forests of Makai—
"Sumimasen . . . Minamino-san?" A soft voice broke into his thoughts. He looked up to see those strangely almost-silver eyes of the new girl. Her raven hair was short and wispy— he struggled to think of her name . . . surprisingly, it came to him rather quickly.
"Saseka-san?" She smiled.
"Hai . . . do you mind?" It was then he noticed the box lunch she held.
"Nai . . . please . . . sit." He moved over so she could lean against the trunk as well.
"Arigato." Now he noticed the looks he was getting from the guys and allowed himself an inward smile of amusement. They already resented him enough for the amount of attention he received from the other girls at school . . .
"Sumimasen—" she said again, and he looked at her.
"Hai?"
"What's your name?" he took her in for a long moment before answering.
" . . . Shuichi—Minamino Shuichi." "Shuichi." She sighed, looking up into the leaves of the tree. The sunlight sparkled between them to fall upon her face. She closed her eyes in the changing light. "Shuichi—"
"Nani?" He asked. Now she lowered her chin and opened her eyes to look at him.
"It's just . . . that name . . . it doesn't suit you." Her eyes penetrated deeply into his; sharp silver on gentle green. Kurama managed to pull a slightly confused face.
"Nani?" She kept his eyes for a moment, then shrugged . . . opening her lunch.
"Sumanai—it was just a passing thought. No offense was meant." Thinking she was a bit peeved at him, and not wanting to have gotten on the girl's wrong side on the day he met her—
"Nai . . . sumanai. No offense was taken." Kurama chanced a quick look at her. To his surprise she was smiling and holding a rice ball out to him.
"Don't worry about it. Would you like one?" He nodded, speechless, taking the offered treat with his most enchanting smile.
"Hai . . . arigato." So they spent the rest of lunch without speaking, not a tense or awkward silence, but one where they were both lost in their own thoughts.
The next day Kurama was approaching the school, when a girl by the gates spotted him.
"Minamino-chan! Ohayo!" She ran over to him, followed by the usual mob of females. The kitsune smiled politely and managed to find his way into the school without offending anyone.
"Sumimasen . . . I must get to class." It was like the parting of the Red Sea. He entered his first period room, the girls that shared the class with him trailing behind, ogling at the red-haired bishonen. He sat down, depositing his books on the desk, and they crowded around him with the usual barrage of compliments.
"I like what you've done with your hair, Minamino-chan—"
"Can you help me with this math at lunch, Minamino-chan? I know if *you* explain it—"
"Ohayo, Minamino-chan! Is your mother feeling better?"
"Minamino-chan, would you want to see a movie with me tonight—"
"Minamino-chan—" He smiled warmly to each girl, answering her query with his trademark politeness.
"Oi, Minamino-san! I think you missed one!" Kurama looked up at the guys sitting in the front of the room. They were pointing at something in the back of the room. The new girl . . . Kashi . . . was staring out the open window, her elbows resting on the sill. A breeze ruffled her short black hair . . . then Kurama noticed one of the girls around him waving a hand in front of his face. He blushed slightly. He hadn't realized he was staring.
"Sumimasen, what did you say?" So the babble started all over again, but Kurama found his eyes straying back to the girl staring out the window. There was something about her . . .
At lunch a bunch of girls came over to him, asking to sit with him. He nodded politely, and each of them settled themselves on the grass. Kurama barely had any lunch that day; he was too busy answering the chattering girls around him. The kitsune didn't understand how they were able to ask him so many questions and still manage to get down their lunch. During a rare lull when all the girls were munching away quietly, his eyes scanned the area for Kashi. She was sitting alone under another tree, eating quietly to herself. Detached grey-blue eyes were staring away into the sky . . . then Kurama thought he saw them flash silver.
His fox nature was intrigued. She was a curious girl . . . * . . . Shuichi . . . it's just . . . that name . . . it doesn't suit you . . .* He knit his brows in puzzlement. What had she meant?
"Minamino-chan? Is anything wrong?" He brought his gaze back to the group around him.
"uh . . . Nai. Sumanai. What were you saying?"
After school he found himself (by some miracle) walking alone to the hospital. He reached the place, then sensed a dark ki. He recognized it . . . and leaned against the wall of the building, waiting for the short fire demon to appear. In an instant the three-eyed Jaganashi was standing in front of him.
"Kurama." He said in a very direct way. "We're doing it tonight." The red-haired bishonen glanced up at the building behind him and sighed, looking down.
"Hai. I'll be there."
"Hn." Then Hiei was gone, leaving Kurama to his melancholy thoughts. The Forlorn Hope . . . it was his only chance to save Shiori . . .
He climbed the stairs, then walked into his kaasan's room. Kurama didn't notice as he left the door open. Shiori was sleeping peacefully, but he hated to see the lines of pain etched into her forty-year-old-face . . . he touched her cheek gently, careful not to wake her . . . and whispered softly to the ningen woman who had saved his life.
"Mother . . . you'll be better soon . . . just keep fighting a little while longer . . ." A sound at the door startled him, and he turned around. Kashi. In her hands was a bouquet of flowers. He tried to put a smile on, but found he couldn't. They stood, staring at one another, until she spoke.
"Sumimasen—" She said in a small voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you." Her soft tone broke the spell, and Kurama found himself able to speak again.
"Nai . . ." He croaked out, hastily clearing his voice. "It's alright . . . how did you know?" Kashi took a step toward the hospital bed, the brightly colored blossoms quivering.
"The girls at school told me . . . I'm very sorry, Minamino-san." The formality of her words cut at him like a knife . . . it didn't sound right for her to call him that . . .
"Please . . . call me Shuichi." She cocked her head at him, puzzled, then her eyes smiled softly at him.
"Hai . . . I'll do that." She said, placing the flowers in a vase by the window. "But—" She turned back to face him. "Only if you call me Kashi." Her eyes flashed silver when he assented. She spoke, while her gaze lingered on the resting form of Minamino Shiori.
"I truly do hope that she recovers, Shuichi-san." Her gaze met with his for a moment, and then she bowed, heading for the door. After a moment's hesitation, he called after her.
"um . . . Kashi-san?" She turned at the doorway, facing him.
"Hai?"
"Would you . . . like to have lunch together tomorrow?" She smiled, nodding.
"Hai . . . I would." And then she walked out the door. Kurama stood, staring after her, until a frail voice filtered up from the bed.
"Sh—Shuichi." His gaze snapped to the face of his ailing mother.
"Kaasan! I thought you were asleep!" He exclaimed in surprise. She smiled weakly.
"She's a nice girl . . . that Kashi-san . . . isn't she?" He nodded gently. Shiori closed her eyes. "Yes . . . *I* thought so." Then she looked at him again. "Don't be so aloof with her, Shuichi." The few wrinkles around her eyes crinkled as she smiled. "Don't be afraid, musuko." Then she slowly drifted back to sleep. Kurama sat down and watched over her until it was time to leave. In the forest Hiei and Goki were waiting. The fire demon cracked a smirk as the depressed redhead entered the clearing.
"Let's do this, fox."
And the next day (after the Forlorn Hope, Orb of Baast and the Shadow Sword had been stolen from the King's Vault in Reikai) the two students ate lunch together. Of course Kurama survived the Forlorn Hope, Hiei was arrested and Goki was killed. Then Kurama went back to school. From that day onward, the two students talked, or sometimes just enjoyed each other's company during lunch. This state of affairs continued for a few weeks. Their time together each day allowed them to see that they had many things in common; a love of plants and flowers, a strong work ethic and equally mysterious demeanors. A few days had passed when Kashi confessed to her friend her utter hopelessness in algebra. They were walking out of the building together, as they always did after school (before they parted at the school gate to take their own paths home), when she voiced her issues with the world of numbers and variables.
"I simply don't understand it, Shuichi." He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, her gaze at first toward the clouds and then coming down with a sigh; as though she were resigning herself to fate. Her black hair whirled softly around her in a gentle breeze. "I'll be sure to fail the test tomorrow." The kitsune-bishonen had to admit—he was getting rather fond of her.
"Kashi—" She paused to look at him, her silver eyes guileless and innocent.
"Hm? What is it, Shuichi?" He stopped a few paces in front of her, not turning. Kuso, but his face was getting hot! What was happening—he hadn't been this nervous with anyone . . . not since . . . *her* . . . and that had been in Makai . . .
"Shuichi?" She repeated. He couldn't face her . . .
"Well—" he began. "If you need help with your math, you're welcome to study at my house . . . I have a good grasp of the concept, at least . . . if you want to, that is—" He knew he was blushing furiously. Shimatta! Why was he feeling like this?! Of all the times to loose his composure . . . why now?! None of his opponents in battle had ever gotten him this flustered . . .
Yusuke was walking down the street near some high school when he spotted a familiar redhead outside the gate. The spirit detective also noticed the girl behind Kurama. As he got closer he realized she had an uncanny aura about her—
The former kitsune was blushing furiously, his back to the girl. Then Kurama spotted him and, though the spirit detective didn't think it possible, turned even redder. Yusuke put on an evil smile and walked right up to them, patting the fox roughly on his back.
"Oi, Kurama! Who's your friend?" The girl walked out onto the sidewalk.
"Kurama—?" She looked at the redhead, then brightened. "So *that* is your real name— Kurama!" The normally good-natured demon gave Yusuke a look so reminiscent of Hiei that he started to back up.
"N-no." The spirit detective stuttered. "Sorry . . . mistook you for someone else, Shuichi." He bowed and turned, running in an instant. Whoever she was, she had to have *some* sort of hold over the usually calm and collected rei kitsune for him to act so awkward—and *scary*.
Yusuke was in such a rush he didn't even sense the dark ki emanating from a tree he passed. Hiei watched him flee, muttering under his breath.
"Baka." The fire demon turned his attention back to Kurama, nearly as disgusted with his partner as he was with Urameshi. The girl and the redhead were walking down the sidewalk, talking about something horrifically ningen, no doubt. Kurama seemed to be flustered . . . odd— "Hn." He grunted. / Do whatever you like, Kurama. / And in a blur of shadow he was gone.
"So—you're saying you're name really *isn't* Kurama, then?" Kashi asked dubiously.
"Nai." It hurt more to deceive *her*—somehow—than his mother . . . in fact, he had an urge to confess his whole past to her . . . his life as youko Kurama at least . . . but he couldn't . . . Kashi was ningen, and would likely be crushed to learn her greatest friend was nothing but a pretender . . . she sighed, bringing him back to the present.
"Oh—" The girl paused. "Well—" She queried cheerfully. "Do you *mind* if I call you Kurama?" He looked down at her, cocking his head and raising his eyebrows in silent question. "Well—" She glanced at the sidewalk. "It's just that—" Now she met his calm, emerald gaze for a moment before returning her eyes to the ground, away from him.
"Never mind—it's silly." Mildly, without thinking, he laid a hand on her arm.
"Kashi—" She didn't respond, though he could acutely feel the warmth of her skin under his fingers.
"Will you tell me?" He said gently, moving his hand up to brush silky strands of dark hair away from her cheek. The girl's gaze began to drift back to his face.
"It just seems like—" Her hand reached up to grasp his as she met his emerald eyes with her silvery stare. "You're more of . . . a 'Kurama' . . . than a 'Shuichi'."
/ Is that so . . . / he thought, and somehow couldn't keep the smug smile from appearing on his face. Of course she noticed it, but didn't seem to question as to what his thoughts were. She moved in toward him, her face lifting to his . . . and he bent slightly, dipping down to plant a soft but lingering kiss on her lips . . . when it was over they drew back slowly and she cozily leaned her head on his arm.
"Kurama—" She whispered, and they walked down the road to the Minamino residence.
Hope you liked it! ^-^ More to come soon! -Kita
IF YOU WANT TO SKIP THE DEFINITIONS AND GO DOWN TO THE OTHER BOLD PRINT YOU CAN—
kitsune=fox, baka=fool/stupid, rei-spirit, reikai=spirit world, makai=demon world, ningen=human, ningenkai=human world, sumanai & gomen nasai=I'm sorry (they are two separate ways to say it), ai shitteru=I love you, ore mata=me(male) as well (me, too), ummmm . . . ohayo (gozaimasu)=good morning, konnichi wa=hello, arigato=thanks, domo arigato=thank you very much, a youko or a kitsune is what Kurama is, a youkai or a koorime is what Hiei is, a yon'na (my own personal word! ^-^) is what Kashi/Shika is/was, and Kashi, Shika, Rikou & Mauta (sniff sniff . . . poor guy) are all my own original characters. FYI, shonen ai=male love, a 'bishonen' is a handsome young man (like Kurama ^-^) and . . . Japanese people just add '–san' for respect (like Shiura-san) & when you use '-chan' it's a term of affection toward someone (like Minamino-chan which you'll see later ^-^)—
IF YOU SKIPPED THE 'EDUCATIONAL' SECTION WE'RE BACK TO MY INANE BABBLE NOW
Ok, I know you all want to read so I won't hold you up any longer. Reviews would be fun, but don't hate me for inventing Kashi/Shika, ok? Just another aspiring teen writer/anime fan out there . . . ok, ok I'll stop! *grins* enjoy the fic! ^-^ -Kita
Disclaimer (don't ya just love 'em?): Kurama, Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara and all the other things/people related to Yu Yu Hakusho are the property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Shonen Jump Weekly, Fuji TV and Studio Pierrot *sigh* (though I wouldn't mind owning Kurama or Hiei . . .). I have written this fic for entertainment purposes only and do not ever intend to make any money off it. . . . though getting my pen name out might be a good start . . . *evil smile* (Just kidding!!! Don't sue me, please!! *sweatdrop*)
The Roots of a Rose by Kita — Part One: Saseka Kashi
Shuichi-Kurama was gazing at the blackboard, though not really seeing it. The red-haired bishonen was thinking of a dream he had woken to this morning, and his clever mind was still trying to grasp the meaning of it. The mysterious figure he'd seen, a fox demon like himself— His emerald eyes refocused on the teacher as the first class of the morning showed signs of starting. When all were in their seats, Shiura-san stood.
"Class—" His pupils' gazes turned to him expectantly. "We have a new student today." He beckoned to the door leading into the hall and a black- haired girl entered, looking slightly shy and self-conscious. Her eyes were a hazy blue that seemed to be nearly the color of silver. She was very pretty, and even the youko-turned-human couldn't help from gasping (along with the other boys). She blushed, and Shiura-san continued. "I would like you to all give a very warm welcome to Saseka Kashi. She will be studying with us for the rest of the year."
"K-Konnichi wa." She said meekly, bowing slightly to the class. Her eyes met Kurama's for a moment, and he thought he saw something flicker in her gaze . . .
"Saseka-san, please take the seat behind Minamino-san." She inclined her head and glanced to where the teacher was pointing. Kurama could feel her eyes linger for a moment on his red hair.
"Arigato, Shiura-san. I will." Clutching her books tentatively to her chest, she walked up the row to where Kurama sat. Their eyes met again, and for the second time Kurama felt as though there was some deep connection between them . . . she gave him a cryptic smile before passing his chair to sit somewhere behind him.
At lunch, he was sitting alone under a tree. Kurama was absently chewing on something he did not care to identify . . . it tasted spicy and slightly different than his usual meal. He sighed, thinking of how he wished Shiori had been well enough to make it . . . he was aware of a few groups of chattering, giggling girls passing by, sneaking glances at him. He sighed again. The former fox bandit did not have many friends . . . there was Hiei, of course, but even he, the only person who had tracked him down from his past life, only dropped by to give him information concerning the King's Vault. There was the occasional sparring match, though—when Kurama would go off to train and the fire demon would somehow find him in the forests of Makai—
"Sumimasen . . . Minamino-san?" A soft voice broke into his thoughts. He looked up to see those strangely almost-silver eyes of the new girl. Her raven hair was short and wispy— he struggled to think of her name . . . surprisingly, it came to him rather quickly.
"Saseka-san?" She smiled.
"Hai . . . do you mind?" It was then he noticed the box lunch she held.
"Nai . . . please . . . sit." He moved over so she could lean against the trunk as well.
"Arigato." Now he noticed the looks he was getting from the guys and allowed himself an inward smile of amusement. They already resented him enough for the amount of attention he received from the other girls at school . . .
"Sumimasen—" she said again, and he looked at her.
"Hai?"
"What's your name?" he took her in for a long moment before answering.
" . . . Shuichi—Minamino Shuichi." "Shuichi." She sighed, looking up into the leaves of the tree. The sunlight sparkled between them to fall upon her face. She closed her eyes in the changing light. "Shuichi—"
"Nani?" He asked. Now she lowered her chin and opened her eyes to look at him.
"It's just . . . that name . . . it doesn't suit you." Her eyes penetrated deeply into his; sharp silver on gentle green. Kurama managed to pull a slightly confused face.
"Nani?" She kept his eyes for a moment, then shrugged . . . opening her lunch.
"Sumanai—it was just a passing thought. No offense was meant." Thinking she was a bit peeved at him, and not wanting to have gotten on the girl's wrong side on the day he met her—
"Nai . . . sumanai. No offense was taken." Kurama chanced a quick look at her. To his surprise she was smiling and holding a rice ball out to him.
"Don't worry about it. Would you like one?" He nodded, speechless, taking the offered treat with his most enchanting smile.
"Hai . . . arigato." So they spent the rest of lunch without speaking, not a tense or awkward silence, but one where they were both lost in their own thoughts.
The next day Kurama was approaching the school, when a girl by the gates spotted him.
"Minamino-chan! Ohayo!" She ran over to him, followed by the usual mob of females. The kitsune smiled politely and managed to find his way into the school without offending anyone.
"Sumimasen . . . I must get to class." It was like the parting of the Red Sea. He entered his first period room, the girls that shared the class with him trailing behind, ogling at the red-haired bishonen. He sat down, depositing his books on the desk, and they crowded around him with the usual barrage of compliments.
"I like what you've done with your hair, Minamino-chan—"
"Can you help me with this math at lunch, Minamino-chan? I know if *you* explain it—"
"Ohayo, Minamino-chan! Is your mother feeling better?"
"Minamino-chan, would you want to see a movie with me tonight—"
"Minamino-chan—" He smiled warmly to each girl, answering her query with his trademark politeness.
"Oi, Minamino-san! I think you missed one!" Kurama looked up at the guys sitting in the front of the room. They were pointing at something in the back of the room. The new girl . . . Kashi . . . was staring out the open window, her elbows resting on the sill. A breeze ruffled her short black hair . . . then Kurama noticed one of the girls around him waving a hand in front of his face. He blushed slightly. He hadn't realized he was staring.
"Sumimasen, what did you say?" So the babble started all over again, but Kurama found his eyes straying back to the girl staring out the window. There was something about her . . .
At lunch a bunch of girls came over to him, asking to sit with him. He nodded politely, and each of them settled themselves on the grass. Kurama barely had any lunch that day; he was too busy answering the chattering girls around him. The kitsune didn't understand how they were able to ask him so many questions and still manage to get down their lunch. During a rare lull when all the girls were munching away quietly, his eyes scanned the area for Kashi. She was sitting alone under another tree, eating quietly to herself. Detached grey-blue eyes were staring away into the sky . . . then Kurama thought he saw them flash silver.
His fox nature was intrigued. She was a curious girl . . . * . . . Shuichi . . . it's just . . . that name . . . it doesn't suit you . . .* He knit his brows in puzzlement. What had she meant?
"Minamino-chan? Is anything wrong?" He brought his gaze back to the group around him.
"uh . . . Nai. Sumanai. What were you saying?"
After school he found himself (by some miracle) walking alone to the hospital. He reached the place, then sensed a dark ki. He recognized it . . . and leaned against the wall of the building, waiting for the short fire demon to appear. In an instant the three-eyed Jaganashi was standing in front of him.
"Kurama." He said in a very direct way. "We're doing it tonight." The red-haired bishonen glanced up at the building behind him and sighed, looking down.
"Hai. I'll be there."
"Hn." Then Hiei was gone, leaving Kurama to his melancholy thoughts. The Forlorn Hope . . . it was his only chance to save Shiori . . .
He climbed the stairs, then walked into his kaasan's room. Kurama didn't notice as he left the door open. Shiori was sleeping peacefully, but he hated to see the lines of pain etched into her forty-year-old-face . . . he touched her cheek gently, careful not to wake her . . . and whispered softly to the ningen woman who had saved his life.
"Mother . . . you'll be better soon . . . just keep fighting a little while longer . . ." A sound at the door startled him, and he turned around. Kashi. In her hands was a bouquet of flowers. He tried to put a smile on, but found he couldn't. They stood, staring at one another, until she spoke.
"Sumimasen—" She said in a small voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you." Her soft tone broke the spell, and Kurama found himself able to speak again.
"Nai . . ." He croaked out, hastily clearing his voice. "It's alright . . . how did you know?" Kashi took a step toward the hospital bed, the brightly colored blossoms quivering.
"The girls at school told me . . . I'm very sorry, Minamino-san." The formality of her words cut at him like a knife . . . it didn't sound right for her to call him that . . .
"Please . . . call me Shuichi." She cocked her head at him, puzzled, then her eyes smiled softly at him.
"Hai . . . I'll do that." She said, placing the flowers in a vase by the window. "But—" She turned back to face him. "Only if you call me Kashi." Her eyes flashed silver when he assented. She spoke, while her gaze lingered on the resting form of Minamino Shiori.
"I truly do hope that she recovers, Shuichi-san." Her gaze met with his for a moment, and then she bowed, heading for the door. After a moment's hesitation, he called after her.
"um . . . Kashi-san?" She turned at the doorway, facing him.
"Hai?"
"Would you . . . like to have lunch together tomorrow?" She smiled, nodding.
"Hai . . . I would." And then she walked out the door. Kurama stood, staring after her, until a frail voice filtered up from the bed.
"Sh—Shuichi." His gaze snapped to the face of his ailing mother.
"Kaasan! I thought you were asleep!" He exclaimed in surprise. She smiled weakly.
"She's a nice girl . . . that Kashi-san . . . isn't she?" He nodded gently. Shiori closed her eyes. "Yes . . . *I* thought so." Then she looked at him again. "Don't be so aloof with her, Shuichi." The few wrinkles around her eyes crinkled as she smiled. "Don't be afraid, musuko." Then she slowly drifted back to sleep. Kurama sat down and watched over her until it was time to leave. In the forest Hiei and Goki were waiting. The fire demon cracked a smirk as the depressed redhead entered the clearing.
"Let's do this, fox."
And the next day (after the Forlorn Hope, Orb of Baast and the Shadow Sword had been stolen from the King's Vault in Reikai) the two students ate lunch together. Of course Kurama survived the Forlorn Hope, Hiei was arrested and Goki was killed. Then Kurama went back to school. From that day onward, the two students talked, or sometimes just enjoyed each other's company during lunch. This state of affairs continued for a few weeks. Their time together each day allowed them to see that they had many things in common; a love of plants and flowers, a strong work ethic and equally mysterious demeanors. A few days had passed when Kashi confessed to her friend her utter hopelessness in algebra. They were walking out of the building together, as they always did after school (before they parted at the school gate to take their own paths home), when she voiced her issues with the world of numbers and variables.
"I simply don't understand it, Shuichi." He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, her gaze at first toward the clouds and then coming down with a sigh; as though she were resigning herself to fate. Her black hair whirled softly around her in a gentle breeze. "I'll be sure to fail the test tomorrow." The kitsune-bishonen had to admit—he was getting rather fond of her.
"Kashi—" She paused to look at him, her silver eyes guileless and innocent.
"Hm? What is it, Shuichi?" He stopped a few paces in front of her, not turning. Kuso, but his face was getting hot! What was happening—he hadn't been this nervous with anyone . . . not since . . . *her* . . . and that had been in Makai . . .
"Shuichi?" She repeated. He couldn't face her . . .
"Well—" he began. "If you need help with your math, you're welcome to study at my house . . . I have a good grasp of the concept, at least . . . if you want to, that is—" He knew he was blushing furiously. Shimatta! Why was he feeling like this?! Of all the times to loose his composure . . . why now?! None of his opponents in battle had ever gotten him this flustered . . .
Yusuke was walking down the street near some high school when he spotted a familiar redhead outside the gate. The spirit detective also noticed the girl behind Kurama. As he got closer he realized she had an uncanny aura about her—
The former kitsune was blushing furiously, his back to the girl. Then Kurama spotted him and, though the spirit detective didn't think it possible, turned even redder. Yusuke put on an evil smile and walked right up to them, patting the fox roughly on his back.
"Oi, Kurama! Who's your friend?" The girl walked out onto the sidewalk.
"Kurama—?" She looked at the redhead, then brightened. "So *that* is your real name— Kurama!" The normally good-natured demon gave Yusuke a look so reminiscent of Hiei that he started to back up.
"N-no." The spirit detective stuttered. "Sorry . . . mistook you for someone else, Shuichi." He bowed and turned, running in an instant. Whoever she was, she had to have *some* sort of hold over the usually calm and collected rei kitsune for him to act so awkward—and *scary*.
Yusuke was in such a rush he didn't even sense the dark ki emanating from a tree he passed. Hiei watched him flee, muttering under his breath.
"Baka." The fire demon turned his attention back to Kurama, nearly as disgusted with his partner as he was with Urameshi. The girl and the redhead were walking down the sidewalk, talking about something horrifically ningen, no doubt. Kurama seemed to be flustered . . . odd— "Hn." He grunted. / Do whatever you like, Kurama. / And in a blur of shadow he was gone.
"So—you're saying you're name really *isn't* Kurama, then?" Kashi asked dubiously.
"Nai." It hurt more to deceive *her*—somehow—than his mother . . . in fact, he had an urge to confess his whole past to her . . . his life as youko Kurama at least . . . but he couldn't . . . Kashi was ningen, and would likely be crushed to learn her greatest friend was nothing but a pretender . . . she sighed, bringing him back to the present.
"Oh—" The girl paused. "Well—" She queried cheerfully. "Do you *mind* if I call you Kurama?" He looked down at her, cocking his head and raising his eyebrows in silent question. "Well—" She glanced at the sidewalk. "It's just that—" Now she met his calm, emerald gaze for a moment before returning her eyes to the ground, away from him.
"Never mind—it's silly." Mildly, without thinking, he laid a hand on her arm.
"Kashi—" She didn't respond, though he could acutely feel the warmth of her skin under his fingers.
"Will you tell me?" He said gently, moving his hand up to brush silky strands of dark hair away from her cheek. The girl's gaze began to drift back to his face.
"It just seems like—" Her hand reached up to grasp his as she met his emerald eyes with her silvery stare. "You're more of . . . a 'Kurama' . . . than a 'Shuichi'."
/ Is that so . . . / he thought, and somehow couldn't keep the smug smile from appearing on his face. Of course she noticed it, but didn't seem to question as to what his thoughts were. She moved in toward him, her face lifting to his . . . and he bent slightly, dipping down to plant a soft but lingering kiss on her lips . . . when it was over they drew back slowly and she cozily leaned her head on his arm.
"Kurama—" She whispered, and they walked down the road to the Minamino residence.
Hope you liked it! ^-^ More to come soon! -Kita