Author's note: Title's kinda a spoof thing. Sounds familiar from the Dark Tournament? Maybe Kurama's stand???! That was the point. Not quite the same, though. Sorry. If I hadn't stated before, or if I did it's a reminder, I AM INSANE. Later and enjoy.

Chapter 4. Torashi's Stand

Kurama came into the room. Torashi was half asleep, but she felt him enter and sat up.

"Good morning, Torashi. We are going out today."

"Out?" Torashi asked simply, still half asleep. She was never one of the morning people.

"Out in public. Don't try to pick fights. You need clothes and things," Kurama replied simply.

"Oh, I wouldn't pick fights." She said innocently. "But, I don't have any money."

"I'll lend you some. Now get ready. I will be in the back yard when you are done."

It took Torashi about five minutes to get ready, then she went to see Kurama in the back yard.

She walked out the back door. There was a small garden, and it all seamed to want to be around Kurama. A bean plant was curling around his left ankle like a neko. A sunflower bloomed as its leaves brushed his shoulder.

Torashi remembered the rose he had used the night before. She wished she could find out more about that. But she did kind of deserve to be left in the dark; she kept her own secrets as well.

She turned to go, as if she didn't see anything, but Kurama called to her.

"Hey Torashi. Are you ready to go?"

Was he actually going to talk to her after she'd seen him like that? She wouldn't even talk to herself after that. Maybe it was something normal to him, and since she kind of knew, maybe it didn't matter.

"I...I guess." She turned around, looking at the ground to avoid eye contact, highly embarrassed. "Is it just you and me? Or is someone else coming?" Torashi asked, thinking of her problem with names, if it was safe to call him Kurama, or not. Shuichi didn't work as well for a name, in her opinion.

"It will be just the two of us." As if reading her mind, he added quietly, "You may refer to me as Kurama."

And they left, an uncomfortable silence between them mainly from Torashi.

They stopped at Kuwabara's house first, dropping off Shizuru's clothes. Then Torashi and Kurama headed to the shopping center.

There they got breakfast. Then Kurama decided to help Torashi get clothes. Torashi finally decided on black capris, a white t-shirt, and a pair of traditional Japanese shoes, as well as an outfit like the one she was wearing. As a small secret, she added in a light blue cloak with a black and white shawl, figuring it would come in handy.

Then Torashi got the basic things she needed. After that was lunch. They walked around for a while. Torashi was fascinated with almost everything. Tired of walking the two Reikai Tantei stopped for an early supper.

That's where they picked up a strange follower. They were about half way home when Torashi realized the weird presence.

"Kurama-kun. Something's following us."

Kurama turned toward her, his green eyes meeting her blue. "What do you think it is, Torashi-san?"

"There's a yokai following us. Do you see anything that looks like one?" Torashi was afraid to look back. She didn't want to fight another one, not so soon.

"There's a strangely dressed 'man' close by. He's Kuwabara-kun's height," Kurama paused. He grabbed her hand, and turned, pulling her along. "The yokai is wearing a large over coat. A hat hides his face. A little of his skin is showing from his pocket, and it is covered in scales like a..."

"Like a lizard?" Torashi interrupted curiously.

"Like a snake."

"Where are we going? Are we going to fight it?"

"It will probably come to that. So we can't let these humans get involved."

"You're sure it's a yokai?"

"Yes. Unless it's a human playing a pathetic prank."

"You're joking, right?"

Kurama looked at her, and smiled. Surprised, Torashi found herself smiling back. The smile fit Kurama better than those plants did.

Kurama led Torashi out of the city to a small forest, then a clearing in the midst of the forest.

"Do we have to go so far?" Torashi complained.

"I don't want any human's to see this."

"About the fight. Do you know if I could..."

Kurama interrupted. "You don't understand, Torashi-san. This kind of fight. It's not one you could win. Not right now. So, please don't try. I don't want anything to happen to you."

It was odd, hearing him say that. No one had ever said anything like that to her. Of course she used to be able to fend for herself.

They waited patently in the clearing. Kurama had a rose out, an ordinary one Torashi noted. Maybe he used his reikai to make it into a whip, she mused.

The stalker walked into the clearing. He took off the overcoat; it would either be easier to move without it, or his opponents deserved to know what he looked like. Kurama was indeed correct, he was a snake.

A snakelike nose and a mouth under beady snake eyes on a human face was on top of a human shaped scaly body. It had legs and a snake tail. A regular nightmare.

Kurama muttered something under his breath, most likely the things name.

"I see you recognize me. I'm flattered," the snake hissed.

"Why were you following us?" Kurama demanded.

"News travels fast Yoko. I wanted to punish the traitor who walks easily amongst humans."

"Unlike you, who has to slink around in disguise."

"Don't stray from the subject Yoko. I'll punish you for that!"

The snake thing attacked, slowed by his bulk. Torashi and Kurama jumped easily, landing behind him.

The yokai turned. "I see the both of you expected that. Yoko's speed is the same. But what's a little bitch like you doing with a traitor?"

"Mind your own business ass hole," Torashi replied vehemently, thankful to be recognized.

Kurama took the distraction to his advantage, moving closer. His rose turned into his specialty, his Rose Whip, as he jumped at the threatening yokai. With surprising reflexes, the thing counterattacked. Avoiding the whip and brushing Kurama off like a fly. Kurama was flung into a tree and beyond, into the forest where he landed. Torashi couldn't see as well.

"You bastard! How the hell could you possibly move that fast?" Torashi shut her eyes as she yelled.

"Skills. I was testing you before. And now it's time for you to die as well."

Oh shit, Torashi thought. I'd better attack first. That way he might laugh so hard I could kick his ass that way. She ran at the snake thing.

Anger coursed through her blood, along with something else, something more deadly.

Torashi almost fell over, she stopped so fast. There were three smaller versions of Kuwabara's Rei-ken at the joining of her knuckles.

"What the hell is that?" The yokai asked as surprised as Torashi.

"I don't know!" Torashi yelled. The things had disappeared when she recognized them.

The yokai's focus was purely on the Chinese cat. Kurama had appeared behind it and took advantage.

"Rose Whip." Kurama slashed the snake thing. It fell to the ground in a couple pieces.

Torashi looked at Kurama. He was leaning heavily against a tree, breathing hard. Torashi ran to him.

"Kurama-kun. Are you all right? Can you walk?"

Kurama tried to stand on his own, but collapsed into her arms. Torashi attempted to brace him, although she was a little shorter.

"Of course you can't." she muttered to herself. "I'm such a baka."

"I can walk, Torashi-san. I just need to rest a moment." Kurama was embarrassed to rely on someone, anyone, for that matter.

"Nonsense. It's getting dark and your okasan'll worry."

"But, I..."

Torashi didn't want any more excuses. "No. Have you ever noticed the way lovebirds walk? Well, we could act like that, I guess. You can lean on me and it won't look like anything's wrong. Just don't strain yourself."

"If you don't think it would be a good idea, then..." he trailed off.

"I don't care. It might be odd, but...We need to get you home. Ready?"

Kurama slung his arm around Torashi's shoulder. She, in turn slung her arm around his waist. He leaned heavily on her for support. That was how they left the place of Torashi's change of style.