This is how tired I am. I have been staring at this blank page for about four minutes, which is a complete and utter waste of time.

…Okay, now it's been longer. . Goddamn.

To be totally strange and random, I dedicate this story most of all to the peoples at Reikitantei.net. You know why? Because I loves them! And…umm…Kaeru the Koorime was born there and everyone there helped shape her sweet, innocent personality!

But for now, I dedicate this CHAPTER to Lexi-chan, who is absolutely swamped with work. I hope this helps, Lexi-chan! ^^;;

And as a reference, for the co-write, we're using Kaeru's story in Liability. This is sort of like an alternate "what-if" story. The only things that are used truthfully are Kaeru's past with Suzaku (which you'll read soon enough) and the whole "Zenkai is an evil bastard Koorime Hunter who wants to kill Kaeru" thing. And another thing, but I can't mention it yet.

^^ God, I love Author Notes…

Last chapter, Kaeru and Kuronue visited her homeland, where they basically learned what they already knew: Zenkai's bent on killing the little Koorime. Now, they're headed back to Ningenkai, a bit more subdued…and yes, Touketsu DOES mean Frozen. ^^ Thanks again.

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"Kaeru-chan! Welcome back!" Chitsuko Ichihara, Kurama's girlfriend, beamed at the petite Koorime as she opened the door, dressed in blue jeans and a short-sleeved black shirt with a red rose screened on it.

Kaeru smiled, feeling slightly better. "Arigato, Chitsuko-san…"

"How did it go?" Her kitsune friend wanted to know, blue-gray eyes bright with barely-suppressed curiosity.

Kuronue, standing beside the smaller Ice Maiden, opened his mouth. "Actually, it--"

"It went fine!" Kaeru quickly interrupted him, toying with her kimono sleeves. Chitsuko knew better and gently drew the Koorime inside.

"Kaeru-chan, what REALLY happened?" Folding her arms across her chest, she studied Kaeru's face until the smaller girl could take it no longer.

"They'd prefer it if I didn't go back for awhile…until Zenkai is defeated. It's too dangerous for everyone if I remain."

A handsome redheaded boy looked up as Kaeru and Kuronue entered, the latter shutting the door behind him. "Well, it DOES keep the majority of the Koorime population out of danger," he remarked quietly.

"It's cowardice, Kurama…" Chitsuko muttered, shaking her head.

"SEE?" Kuronue yelped triumphantly. "SHE agrees with me!"

Kaeru didn't say anything, just closed her eyes, suddenly looking very weary. "It doesn't matter what it is, does it? The fact remains that I can't go home until I do something about that Koorime hunter."

"It's simple." The chimera smirked. "We find the bastard. We kill him. The Koorime worship us, you go home, everyone's happy."

"If only it were that simple…" Kurama sighed. "Unfortunately, these things rarely are." He smiled at Chitsuko. "You know, don't you?"

"How could I not?" The golden-haired hanyou responded dryly. "Nothing's ever easy--" She blinked as they all heard a startled cry from outside. Kurama set down his book and stood up, and they stepped outside in order to see what was going on.

It turned out to be two people: a teenaged girl with her dark brown hair up in a moderately high ponytail was sprawled on the sidewalk, wincing. A man with turquoise-colored hair was kneeling beside her, awkwardly stammering out apologies.

"Oh!" Kaeru gasped, recognizing the female. "Kia-san!"

"Kia?" Chitsuko took a closer look. "Kia!" She ran forward, helping the girl to her feet. "Are you alright?"

The Mirror Holder grinned ruefully. "I'm fine. I just ran into yon fellow…" She pointed to the man, who had risen. "Who says he was looking for Kaeru."

"Kaeru?" Kuronue scowled, placing the confused Koorime behind him and glaring at the stranger. "Why? What do you want with her? Who ARE you?"

The man bowed. "My name is Hiken…" When he looked up, Kaeru, who was peering cautiously from behind the chimera, noticed that his eyes were the exact same ruby color as her own. Who was he, indeed? "Please, may I see Kaeru?"

"No!" Kuronue snapped. "Lay a finger on her and I swear I'll--"

Chitsuko elbowed him roughly. "Being her bodyguard is fine. Being paranoid isn't."

The Ice Maiden stepped out, still wary. Hiken caught sight of her, let out a loud gasp, and in the next instant, he had caught her up in his arms and was hugging her tightly.

The chimera let out a growl and started forward. Kia tripped him. "Stop it! I'd know if he was going to hurt her!"

Meanwhile, Hiken was still hugging the bewildered Kaeru. "It's been so long! And to think, you look just like your mother! You look JUST like Kazuko!"

At the casual reference to her mother's name, Kaeru flinched. "Excuse me, sir…but I don't even know who you are. And how do you know my mother?"

His crimson gaze saddened. "She never told you?" When the Koorime shook her head, sea-green tresses flying, he sighed. "Well, she WAS a Koorime. And I suppose you wouldn't know, for your own good."

What was he talking about? "…What?"

"Kaeru…" The man released her. "Kazuko was my twin sister. Which makes me your uncle."

Kia, Chitsuko, Kurama, and Kuronue stared at him in disbelief.

"UNCLE?!" Kuronue rasped, swiveling from Hiken to Kaeru and back to the man. "UNCLE?????"

"Guess Hiei's not the only male Koorime," Kia muttered, half to herself, as if afraid that by mentioning his name, the Jaganshi would magically appear.

"Do you think he's telling the truth?" Chitsuko whispered to Kurama.

The Youko frowned in calculation. "Well, he seems to bear a resemblance to the race, if his hair and eye color are any indication."

Poor Kaeru was completely lost. Finally recovering her voice, she stared at Hiken. "My mother never mentioned you…and where have you been all this time, if you are who you claim to be?" Normally sweet and trusting, she didn't know why she doubted his words…

"I was born away from the village," he explained. "My mother hid us for as long as she was able. It only lasted three years, though. I was found and duly tossed off the island for being male." He looked pained as he continued to speak. "I was raised by an elderly couple and grew up, constantly searching for my mother and my twin. Word soon reached me that my mother had died…and eventually, I also received news that Kazuko had been killed by a Koorime hunter."

Kaeru stiffened at the mere mention of Zenkai. "That's true…"

"I'm sorry to hear of your loss, little one," Hiken said softly, his voice low and apologetic. "And at such a young age…I believe you were four?"

"Hai…" She didn't feel like talking about it. "How did you find me?"

"I'd heard Kazuko had a daughter who had been sent to Ningenkai in order to escape the hunter. Once I arrived, it was only a simple matter of tracking you, based off the icy ki you emitted." He bowed to Kia. "And then I accidentally bumped into this young lady, who seemed to know you. And here I am."

"Yes, here you are," Kuronue growled, not looking too happy with that fact. "And how long do you plan to BE here?"

Hiken shrugged. "I'd like to get to know my niece better, of course…I probably will stay for a month or two, and then return to Makai." He grinned. "If that's alright with YOU, Sir Bat."

The chimera grumbled under his breath. Kia rolled her eyes. "Jealous," she sang softly.

"I AM NOT!" Obviously, he'd heard.

She turned away, whistling innocently. Chitsuko covered a smile with her hand.

"But where will you stay?" Kurama looked at the man. "I'd offer you lodging, but we're currently…full."

"Oh, don't worry about it." Hiken chuckled. "I'm staying at one of those ridiculously-priced ningen hotel things. Which reminds me, I should probably be getting back now." He hugged Kaeru again and then strode off with a final wave.

"…That was…strange…" Chitsuko commented.

Kia nodded, then tugged on her friend's hand as they turned to follow Kaeru, Kuronue, and Kurama into the house.

"Chitsuko…" The Mirror Holder lowered her voice. "Do me a favor? I'll probably be at Suzuki's, so keep an eye on Mr. Blue Hair? I'm not as paranoid as Kuronue, but we don't know this guy and we don't know if we can trust him."

The kitsune nodded. "I'll definitely watch out for him, I promise."

"Arigato." Kia suddenly grinned, running to catch up with Kuronue. "You should really stop being so jealous, Kuro-kun…Kae-chan is going to suspect something if you keep acting like you just did."

"There's nothing to suspect!" He retorted hotly.

"Oh, really? Not even that you're developing a crush on our little Ice Maiden?"

"Do you want me to hurt you?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Heh…" Kia grinned sheepishly. "Alright, but I just want you to know that if Kelsey finds out, she'll tease you much worse than I did…"

"THERE'S NOTHING TO FIND OUT!"

The girl saluted him meekly. "Whatever you say, sir."

"Do you really think he was telling the truth?" Kurama asked Kaeru, looking down at her. "About being your uncle?"

The Koorime sighed tiredly. "Honestly, Kurama-san, I don't know…his story sounded true enough, but my mother never spoke of him…" She didn't know what to think, but the only thing she wanted to do right now was go to sleep and forget about all of these complications.

"I just wish I knew…" I really do…

*OOC*

Okay, things are going to start getting interesting now…and a bit more comedic. ^^ Please review! And Lexi-chan, it's thanks to you that this finally got up. You used Kaeru in Liability, which reminded me how much I missed writing her story, so I thought, "Heck, let's put up Touketsu!" You motivated me! ^^;; NEXT chapter!

* Kaeru learns why it is not wise to sneak up on Hiei…

* Our little Koorime wants to learn how to…fight?? And HIEI is the teacher? Gaaaah….o.o

* Training starts…and we all get to witness poor Kaeru try to master a katana…pray for her.