~*~Hi all. Thank you for your support during this long wait. I really appreciated everything you sent. To clarify something for you reviewers, this is how it goes. The odd numbered chapters are of a time when Kurama was Youko. The italics are when Kurama was at the shrine with Naomi. That is about one year after the Dark Tournament. The part in regular type is two years after the italics. Basically the current story is three years after the Dark Tournament. Hope that makes everyone's little light bulb go on. Now read! Lol… This will be seriously long…~

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The dark sky loomed over the land, the full moon being the only source of light. A small sliver of moonlight flowed through the window and fell upon a dark haired woman. Naomi lay in a deep sleep state, head moving back and forth from side to side every so often. A somewhat red glow engulfed her though was unnoticed due to all occupants sleeping. Shifting on the futon, Naomi mumbled something in her sleep. "Who are you?"

**Turn it inside out so I can see
The part of you that's drifting over me
And when I wake you're never there
But when I sleep you're everywhere
You're everywhere**
~In the Dream~

The wind blew lightly as she walked on a hill overlooking a small village. It wasn't like the village on Himura Island, but different somehow. 'This must be home. It's been so long, I don't quite remember. I feel calm here.'

She felt a presence there, not quite sure of who it was. Turning, she eyes met with a tall man standing, looking at her. His long white hair blew with the breeze, showing off his ears on the top of his head. 'Fox ears? A demon…' His tail moved as well as he moved toward her slightly. Not quite sure what was going on, Naomi wanted to turn away, but something told her not to fear this man.
**Just tell me how I got this far
Just tell me why you're here and who you are
'Cause every time I look
You're never there
And every time I sleep
You're always there**
His face was hidden from her so she did not know who he was. 'Why do I feel as though I've been with him before?' Her violet eyes stayed on the man as he stood not ten feet away from her. Something was pulling her to him, but Naomi was uncertain why. 'Do I know him?' His arm raised and he held his hand out to her, somewhat telling Naomi to come with him and not to be afraid. "Who are you?"

That said, the man began to fade away and the area around them began to burn.
**'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone
I'm not alone**
Standing there, Naomi began to panic. The flames were getting stronger, causing her to cough from the smoke. 'This isn't real. It's just a dream.'

Suddenly, she felt two strong arms surround her, holding her close. The flames continued to surround her. Naomi's vision was getting blurry, but she looked up and saw the man from before, a shadow cast over his eyes. He held her tight as she felt the heat around her increase, engulfing them both. 'I know this man somehow… but from when?'
**I recognize the way you make me feel
It's hard to think that
You might not be real
I sense it now, the water's getting deep
I try to wash the pain away from me
Away from me**
Suddenly, she was back on the hill, looking down at a village, but different from before. It seemed a bit more modern then the one before. 'What is this?' That same presence came again, making her turn around to face the man. Instead of the white haired demon, she was met with a man slightly taller then herself with long red hair. He had this presence around him that was calming and gentle. His eyes were covered with shadow as well.

"Who are you? Why do I feel like I know you?"

The man didn't answer, but only held out his hand to her. She felt drawn to this man as well, but the flames returned before she could walk to him. A shot of pain struck her then as her eyes again blurred. Naomi could see, though, the man with red hair run toward her, trying to reach her with an air of panic surrounding him.

'What's going on?' A sudden evil presence came on strong as she felt herself carried away from the red haired man. He seemed to be reaching to her, but she was just out of his reach. "Help me please…"
**'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone
I'm not alone**
A red glow engulfed her as Naomi looked out before her. Now she was on the hill looking down at the village of Himura Island. Looking around, she saw the two men standing close by, a red aura around them as well. Confused greatly, Naomi looked around more for she felt a strong power close by. Then, out of the forest came a woman with long dark brown hair in miko's attire. Naomi was taken aback, but both men looked at the new miko. The woman looked at them both, then at her, eyes also covered with shadow. The miko pointed to Naomi, then at the men, as if telling her to remember them. "I… I can't remember. What's going on?" Naomi looked away from them and directed her gaze at the ground. The red glow increased around her, comforting her.
**I am not alone
Whoa, oh, oooh, oh**
Tears began to form in her eyes as she struggled with what the miko wanted. Two hands, one partly on top the other, reached out to her. Looking up, Naomi saw the two men, the white haired demon and the one with red hair standing there. Her hand moved on its own and placed itself in their hands. A weird feeling came over Naomi at that time, a sense that there was something being held from her that she must soon discover. The red glow turned very bright around them. Naomi looked at them both and felt this overall calmness, a sense of belonging.
**And when I touch your hand
It's then I understand
The beauty that's within
It's now that we begin
You always light my way
I hope there never comes a day
No matter where I go
I always feel you so**
"What do I need to remember? Please tell me, tell me who you are." The men just smiled and faded away. Naomi called to them, but they were gone. The miko pointed to her and smiled. That smile told her everything, that her answers would come soon. With that, the woman disappeared as well.
**'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it's you I see
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone
'Cause you're everywhere to me
And when I catch my breath
It's you I breathe
You're everything I know
That makes me believe
I'm not alone**
~End Dream~

Naomi woke up suddenly as the sunlight entered her eyes. It was still early in the morning, but she always wanted to get a head start on the day. Botan was still sound asleep, so she stayed as quiet as she could as she began to start her day. "It was the same dream again. Why is it always the same? What do I need to know?" With that, she went into the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast. Her mind went back to her dream. 'Those men… why do I feel like I know them?' A sigh escaped her lips.

"Are you alright, Naomi?"
**You're in everyone I see
So tell me
Do you see me?**

She turned and smiled. "I'm fine, Botan. I didn't wake you, did I?" The blue haired woman yawned and shook her head. Naomi smiled. "Good."

"So, why did you sigh?"

"I was thinking about a reoccurring dream I have." Silently, Naomi cursed herself for telling. Botan seemed to straighten and have this eager look on her face.

"Oh, do tell! Please? I promise not to tell anyone." Naomi looked over the blue haired chirpy woman before sighing again.

"Alright. Come and sit at the table."

Botan did as Naomi said and jumped into her seat. Naomi smiled and sat next to her. After a moment, she told the "grim reaper" all about the dream. Botan sat back at the end with eyes wide. "Wow. And you have this dream every night?" Naomi just nodded. "What do you think it means, Naomi?"

"Well, I think I knew those men in the past and that I'm supposed to remember them for some reason. I don't know why though. And they had the same aura, as if they were the same person or something. Weird…"

Botan just stared and nodded. "Well, it's a good thing this is just between us. The boys wouldn't understand at all."

Naomi smiled. "Yeah. Now, what would you like for breakfast?"

~

In the back bedroom, a human stretched his arms above his head as he got up to embrace the day. The tall man changed and went out toward the kitchen for some breakfast when he heard two female voices. 'I wonder what they're talking about.' Being the ever nosey male, he listened in on the conversation.

"There are two men standing there, a tall white haired fox demon and a slightly shorter red haired man. They both stood there and reached out to me, as if trying to connect with me. I had a strange calming sense surround me, as if I knew them, but I can't remember seeing anyone like that."

"Was there anything else in the dream?"

"Another miko. She had long dark brown hair like mine and seemed to know the two men. She pointed at me and then at them, as if saying they were important to me."

'What in the world? Two men, a white haired fox demon and a red head?'

He didn't finish that though for the two in the kitchen continued. ""Wow. And you have this dream every night?"

'A repeating dream?'

"What do you think it means, Naomi?"

'Okay, now I definitely know who's the one with the dreams.'

"Well, I think I knew those men in the past and that I'm supposed to remember them for some reason. I don't know why though. And they had the same aura, as if they were the same person or something. Weird…"

'Yeah that is pretty weird…'

"Well, it's a good thing this is just between us. The boys wouldn't understand at all."

The man stood up at alert. 'I'm gonna get beat with her oar if they find I've been listening in!' With that he ran back to the room as he heard Naomi ask what Botan wanted for breakfast.

When he got back to the room, the man counted to ten, then went back down the hall and to the kitchen. Both women turned to look at him. Naomi smiled. "Good morning, Kuwabara. What would you like for breakfast?"

Kuwabara smiled and sat down at the table. "Morning. I'll have whatever you make."

"Alright then. Just relax as I finish up."

He nodded his thanks and looked into the living room. "Hey, where did they go?"

Without looking up from her work, Naomi replied. "Well, the sash is gone, so I assume Hiei went out to practice more. Maybe Kurama went with him."

"How did you know Kurama was gone?"

The young woman looked over to Kuwabara with one eye raised. "I have one word for you… miko."

"Oh right. I forgot."

*Sweatdrop*

Botan sighed and Naomi soon came over with their food. Yusuke chose that point to walk in and join them.

~Food. Eat. Done. Okay…~

After clearing the table, Naomi came back in to see Yusuke and Kuwabara sitting in the living room. "I must go into town for the majority of the day. If you need to find me, send one of you down. The villagers will help you find me. Ja ne."

Yusuke sat up. "Do you want one of us to go with you?"

"That is not necessary. I'm a big girl now. I can handle myself. I'll be back around sunset."

With that, Naomi went to the back door, picked up her bow and arrows, and soon walked down the steps toward the small village below.

The two men… well, boys… on the couch were talking. "So what did you want to tell me, Kuwabara?"

"Well, I just overheard something Naomi said to Botan this morning. I don't know quite what it means, but it might be important."

Yusuke sat back and prepared himself for some of his idiot friend's babble. "I'm listening."

Leaning in, Kuwabara began retelling what he had heard. "She said she was having this reoccurring dream where these two guys are reaching out to her. One's some kind of demon or something and the other guy had red hair. Something about a miko too. I don't really remember."

"That's it?"

"Well, yeah."

Sighing, Yusuke shook his head. "Girls have weird dreams all the time, idiot. It's no big deal."

"But she's a miko! It might mean something."

"Well, that's up to her to decide, don't you think boys?"

Both humans on the couch stiffened as they turned to see a ticked off blue haired woman. "He he.. hi Botan."

"So, you were SPYING on Naomi and me?!?"

"It's not what you think…"

Outside, a certain demon had been listening in to what was going on, but did not bother himself with Botan beating the boys with her oar. 'It's no concern of mine what the miko dreams.' With that, Hiei went back to his training, the sash tied tight around his waist.

~

Kurama was in the village looking around, trying to sort out his thoughts. 'What can I do to make her remember? This was one thing I did not expect when I would see her again.' Sighing, he continued to walk through the small town. It was quaint in its smallness and charming. 'Too bad a devil rules over it all.'

The red haired demon shoved his hands in his pockets to be met with a paper like material. He didn't need to take it out. 'It's our picture.' The thought pained him as he thought back to his last days with her.

~Flashback~

The morning sun greeted the sleeping demon as he awoke from deep sleep. 'My last full day...' Shaking his head, Kurama got up and changed before going to breakfast. Sóra smiled at him as he entered. "Naomi's just showering after her training. She'll be down soon."

He nodded and sat down, waiting for her to arrive. He didn't have to wait long, for she soon came into the room in a dark violet button up shirt tied at her waist and jeans. She smiled at him as she took her seat. "Sorry for making you all wait."

Kurama shook his head. "Not at all. At least, I did not mind."

Sóra looked at the two and smiled. "Here you go. Breakfast is served."

After breakfast, Kurama and Naomi went off to the hill to just relax a bit and enjoy each other's company. Kurama smiled to himself as he sat there with Naomi at his side, his arm around her. "What are you thinking?"

He turned to face her. "Just remembering when at first you didn't like me at all."

"That's not true. I was just cautious." She smiled at him, making his heart leap. His last full day. It just wasn't fair.

Suddenly, Naomi sat up and looked toward the house. "What it is, Naomi?" He didn't have to wait for an answer for soon Haku ran towards them with something in his hands. 'What the…'

"Hey! Glad I found you two. Can I take your picture? Oh pretty please?"

Naomi cringed as the evil camera came closer to her. "You know I hate having my picture taken, Haku."

With a smile on his face, he agreed with her. "I'm not much for pictures either."

The little boy looked at them with the most innocent eyes ever. "Pretty please? I want to remember you guys just like this." With that, his bottom lip began to quiver as his eyes looked as if he was about to cry.

Oh, that did it. They looked at each other and sighed. "Alright, Haku. Just one picture of Kurama and I, alright?"

A huge smile burst on his face as the boy became chipper. "Okay!"

*Sweatdrop*

Haku told them exactly what position to be in, then went off a bit to get a good shot. They both looked at the camera and smiled. "No no no. Kurama, put your arms around her. Naomi, put your head on his shoulder. Look at each other and then smile."

Oh, the boy was good. Got to give him credit for this one. The two teens did as they were instructed, getting into a nice embrace. Kurama looked deep into her violet eyes as she looked into his emerald ones. An emotion he could not name reflected in her eyes, as if only for him to see. They smiled at each other and a bright flash of light filled the air.

"All done. I'll get it developed in a bit. That was my last shot on the roll. Ja!" With that, Haku ran inside, giving the miko and demon time alone.

They stood there in that embrace for a moment longer, the smiles long gone as they just stared into each others eyes. They both felt the same- neither wanted to be separate from the other. Kurama pulled her even closer to him, never wanting to let go.

"Kurama? Please promise me you'll be safe."

He turned her to face him and looked down at her as a tear fell from her eye. Reaching up, he brushed it away. "Please don't cry. I will come back as soon as I can."

"But what if you can't? What if-"

Kurama placed his fingers on her lips, silencing her. "Naomi, I will come back to you. Don't doubt that." She looked him over, as if trying to see if he was telling her the truth. "Naomi, I would never lie to you."

The miko gazed into his emerald eyes and the answer was clear. She held him close as they shared another embrace.

Kurama was the one to break this. "What would you like to do on my last day?"

"I should be asking you that. It's your day. What do you want to do?"

He smiled down at her. "I would be glad just to be with you."

She smiled and pulled him towards the forest area above them. He looked at her with curious eyes. "I want to show you something." With that, he let her take him wherever she wanted. After a brief walk, Naomi stopped and looked at him. Kurama let his gaze go from her to the little clearing she lead him.

"I want to introduce you to my parents, Kurama. This over here is my father and next to him is my mother. Mom, Dad, this is Kurama."

A strange feeling over took him at that moment. Looking back to the tombstones, he bowed to pay them their respects. "It's an honor."

Kurama then looked straight ahead as some kind of vision came into his head. He was up in a tree as he heard someone crying. He moved to where they were to come upon a woman with long brown hair, crying her eyes out. Jumping down, he walked over to her, placing his hand on her shoulder as he bent down to her level. Her violet eyes looked at him before leaning forward and collapsing into his chest, tears pouring down her face. He put his arms around her to try and comfort her.

"Kurama?"

Shaking his head, Kurama looked over at Naomi who was looking at him with worry in her eyes. "I'm alright. Just… remembering something."

She nodded and turned her eyes over to her family. Before he could say anything, she bowed to them, then took his hand and brought him back to the hill. "Thank you for doing that, Kurama. It meant a lot to me."

Gently pulling her closer, Kurama looked into her eyes as they stopped walking. "It meant a lot to me as well." Naomi's soft smile was enough for him. 'I leave at noon tomorrow. That's just not enough time.'

With one hand, Kurama slowly cupped her face, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. Naomi leaned into his hand and looked up at him with emotion filled violet eyes, tearing his heart to pieces. 'I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave her.' With a small smile on his face, he looked into her eyes softly. "I want to do something for you."

Naomi looked at him, curiosity in her eyes. Kurama just took her hand and brought her to the center of the hill. "Just watch." With that, he knelt down to the ground, his hand pressed against it as his eyes were closed in concentration. Suddenly, flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors popped up from the ground. Naomi looked around her in amazement, tears coming to her eyes. Kurama stood up and smiled at her. "Look at them more carefully."

The miko did as she was told and a hand went up to cover her mouth as the tears came down. "Kurama and Naomi." She looked at him and smiled. Kurama reached up and wiped away her tears. "By the time the last flower's petals fall, I will have come back to you."

Her violet eyes sparkled at his words as he leaned down and pressed his lips softly against hers. Time seemed to stand still; the world was only them, this one moment. If only it could stay this way.

Breaking the embrace, they walked together hand in hand back to the house for somehow night had come. 'The day had gone so fast.'

Inside, Sóra wore a sad smile on her face as she served dinner. "I spoke with your mother, Kurama. She said to catch the earliest bus ride, meaning you leave here around dawn." Her eyes told him she was sad as well to see him go.

Dinner was great as usual. As he and Naomi got up, Haku ran over to him. "Kurama! I got the pictures. You want yours?"

Looking over at the boy, Kurama smiled and nodded. "Sure."

Haku then practically dove into his picture envelop thing and searched through them until he found the one he wanted. "Here you go. I think it came out great."

Taking the picture from the boy, Kurama viewed it, Naomi looking over his shoulder. The picture was clear and focused, excellent work. The two in the picture looked as if they were madly in love. 'Wait… do I love her?'

"It's a very good picture, Haku. Thank you."

"Keep it, Kurama." The boy walked out of the room, smiling. Kurama just nodded and put in his pocket, then turned to look at her. "I will cherish it."

Naomi smiled and took his hand, leading him back to the hill. When they got there, they both sat down, side by side and looked up at the stars. 'By morning, I will be gone. This is just not fair.'

"Kurama?" He turned his head to face her, her eyes still on the stars above. "Do you think there is something that drove us together?"

"What do you mean?"

The violet eyed woman turned her head to face him. "Think about it. Remember when we first met? I had a strange feeling we had met before. Why do you think that was?"

Sitting back, Kurama answered. "I do not know, but I had the same feeling."

Naomi nodded. "I feel as if when you leave, that will be the last time I see you again for a very very long time."

Shaking his head, he softened his eyes. "Don't think that. I will be back much sooner then you think. Remember what I told you. By the time the last flower's petal drops I will have come back. Don't worry, Naomi. I will be back."

She smiled and placed her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad, Kurama." Instinctively, he raised his arm to place it around her shoulders, pulling her to him. 'If only this night could last forever.'

~End Flashback~

Kurama's little trip down memory lane was interrupted when he saw the woman of his thoughts standing not too far away. Her long brown hair was being tossed about with the cool breeze as she smiled. Her eyes, her lovely violet eyes, were alive with laughter as she talked with a few women nearby. For some reason, he just couldn't look away.

~

Down in the village by midday, Naomi was talking with a few of the women in town. They tried to keep the mood happy even in these troubled times. 'I just don't understand why Natas is having a tournament. It's like he's waiting for someone to come challenge him. But who?'

"Naomi-sama?"

The miko looked down to see a girl about thirteen years of age. "What is it, Kaori?"

The younger girl smiled with this glint in her eye. "That guy over there has been staring at you for awhile now. Is he your boyfriend or something?"

Confused, Naomi turned her head to see a familiar red headed demon quickly look away from her. A smiled played on her face. "No, Kaori. That is Kurama. He is part of the team staying at the shrine."

The young girl smiled. "It looked like he wants to get to know you better, Naomi-sama."

Naomi smiled at the young girl. "Behave yourself, young one. You should know better then that."

The girl shrugged and went back into the conversation, Naomi soon joining her after taking one last look at the demon who was looking her way.

~

His heart had stopped when she looked his way. Their eyes connected and locked, even for just a brief moment. When her violet eyes turned away, Kurama vowed then he would do everything he could to get her to remember him. 'Whatever you did, Natas, I'll break it. Naomi has to remember. I don't know what I'd do if she never will.'

~*~Okay! This was long. I'm gonna stop here so I can work on the next one. I know you want to find out what happens next… I'll start right away! Ja ne!~*~