A/N: Hey I'm back and on summer break! We got off May 25th and I now have freedom till the middle of August and guess what, then I'll be a FRESHMAN! Yeah! Anyway I apologize for not updating between homework, studying for finals, and other things I needed a break. I did leave a little message on my bio, but I guess no one reads them… oh well here is the awaited story, and don't forget to read and review! Disclaimer on the first chapter, so don't sue.

The Dark Beauty

It had been weeks since the team had began surveillance on The Vines and the trio, yet every time they thought they got close to something the trail would grow cold. Then you add Kurama getting a bit quieter than usual you'd think the guy was permanently depressed. All in all more action seemed to happen at school with a bully named Raven then anything else.

As more time began to pass Yusuke's gang began to think more and more that maybe they were watching the wrong group. Think about it, it had been two and a half weeks yet nothing. If they were truly up to something it would have shown a little by now, wouldn't it? But in the end they weren't the ones who decided this, so to follow Koenma's orders, no matter how reluctantly, they went on with surveillance.

Now everyone knew Kurama not to say much unless he thought it useful, so his quietness went unnoticed except by two people. The first being Hiei, Hiei went to Kurama during the break between second and third period.

" Kurama what is wrong with you?" asked Hiei.

" Nothing why do you ask?"

" Well for one who seems to be content in his human life you go on as if your dog just died. So do not lie to me, what is wrong?"

Kurama looked at Hiei and noticed that he had his hands in his pockets and was looking down.

'So he is worried over me is he?' Kurama smiled to himself. 'He might not know it but he is a friend. Even so, to tell him the truth he would just look at me as if I had truly lost my mind. That and I'm not sure if my thoughts are correct.'

With that Kurama simply told Hiei that it was girl problems and ran off to class before he was late. Hiei simply stood there and looked at were his fiend once stood before sprinting to class.

" He lied to me, that I know, but what is really going through that kitsune's head (A/N it is kitsune right?) I wonder." Hiei shook his head and headed towards the roof. Forget school it's not like a demon like him would really need it anyways.

Later on during the end of forth period Kurama asked Keiko a question,

" Hey Keiko how does the trio (as they now referred to Mizu, Alley, and Reika) treat you? I've noticed they have become a major part of your friend circle," asked Kurama.

" Well they're really cool and each one has abilities to themselves that makes them so cool."

" Like what?" was Kurama's next question.

" Well Mizu seems to have a knowledge or wisdom to her that is just peaceful you know. Then there is Alley. Everything she does in sports is excellent and she even teaches some of her tips to me. Next is Reika. Even though she may seem to be cold she really isn't. It's just that, from what I understand, she went through some really hard stuff back in the states. "

Kurama gave her a worried look; Keiko understanding the look replied quickly.

" Oh no, she wasn't assaulted or anything more like betrayed and the person who did it to her just up and left, not one apology. So to not be hurt again she kind of has this cold disposition, but underneath it all is really protective of her friends."

" Hey Kurama what's with the interrogation?" asked Yusuke.

" Nothing simply curious," with that Kurama walked away. " I'll be going now to eat lunch."

" But the bell hasn't rung yet," yelled Kuwabara. Just then the bell rang. "…Oops I guess I spoke to soon."

Kurama took his lunch and walked to the school park. The park was built for the performance/landscape committee. It was thought with a place like this, with benches, some porches with shade, and a fountain, it would make the school look good and have a place set up for future events. This suited Kurama just fine. Now he had a place to escape to when every one else was in the cafeteria making loud noises. Little did he know that someone else was using this spot, for the same reasons.

As Kurama sat down to eat he noticed a pair of legs in heels with the school skirt draped around them. As he made his way up he realized that whoever this girl was, she was beautiful. Then he realized what he was doing, blushed, and looked the girl strait in the face. He would be dammed if he started to act like Yusuke. As he watched he realized who she was. It was Mizu and she was staring right back at him. He lowered his head and heard her make a move as to leave.

' Man what a stupid move' he thought.

Then without warning a warm body sat right next to him, with a book in her lap Mizu simply looked at the sky.

" Hey did you ever wonder 'what if I could fly?'"

Kurama was at lost for words so he kept quiet as she went on.

" I have and do you know where I'd want to go? I'd go to a place by the beach like a costal town, maybe even near a forest, what do you think?" Mizu turned to him as if she really wanted his opinion.

" Well," Kurama said as he moved his lunch out of the way, " I've always preferred the forest."

"Why?"

" Because, It's like having everything you need with in an arms reach. From food to water from a stream."

Mizu moved closer to Kurama and looked him in the eyes. " Why have you been so quiet lately, you even seem to be a little sad?"

This question didn't really surprise Kurama. Since they were basically spying on the trio they began to befriend their main targets, and seeing as Mizu was his it was natural for one to notice when a friend was sad. But the fact that Mizu of all people was the only other to notice it made him wonder what she thought of him.

That and Kurama hadn't been this close to a girl since…. well a while and wasn't quite sure what to do. So he just answered her question. " Well I've been remembering things that I'd rather not, and other things that I don't think are memories but visions,"

' Why am I telling her all this when I didn't even tell Hiei,' he asked himself, 'it's almost like I know her more than I do know. As I'm with her right now I feel like I can trust her or at least that she wouldn't judge me.'

" What kind of visions?" she asked.

"Well I … I,"

" You don't have to tell me if you don't want to,"

" Thanks" was Kurama's gracious reply.

Mizu then laid her head on Kurama's right shoulder. With this Kurama began to feel … things he hadn't in a while. As if unaware of the effect she had on him she asked him another question in a whisper that Kurama barely heard her.

" But answer me this, in your visions and memories, are a midnight blue rose with markings in them?"

Kurama stared at her like he was seeing things. 'How did she know?'

Mizu turned to him then and a look in her eyes showed the twinkle of knowledge only she seemed to know. The bell rang, and getting up she told Kurama this:

" If you want to eat your lunch you had better hurry." With that she walked a way to her next class leaving Kurama to deal by himself, that and how he suddenly felt cold at the lack of her warmth.

' What the hell am I thinking? She really is Mizu the Mystery. Oh no my lunch!', grabbing what was his he ran to his next class.

For the rest of the day nothing more out of the ordinary than the talk between Mizu and himself happened, but of course that would change when Hiei went to Kuramato bring up an unexpected topic. When the rest of the group went to their own places for the first shift of surveillance Hiei went to Kurama and said:

" So what did you and the human, Mizu, talk about that it had you, a demon, squirming like a school boy?"

" What do you mean?" said Kurama with an innocent face. ' Maybe,' thought Kurama, 'if I feign ignorance he'll go away. That and how did he know about this afternoon!'

" Don't play stupid with me Kurama. I believe it went ' what if I could fly?'"

Kurama gave Hiei a dirty look as if to say why were you listening anyways, but thought better of it and simply ignored him. Hiei got the hint and left, which is after telling Kurama to not 'fall for the enemy'. But Kurama wasn't falling for the enemy… was he? ' Arhh just forget about it,' Kurama thought to himself, 'and just focus on the target.'

She went to the mirror and as it glowed began to talk to the shadow.

" The first half of phase one is complete, once all three phases are complete and I get what I want then you'll get what you want."

The shadow laughed, " But what if in the end you lose your composure that chance won't be and can't be taken. I will have someone watching your every move. For after all what is a rose without her thorns and I don't like to get hurt."

" Fine have it your way but I hope for your watchers sake I don't find out who they are." With a wave of her hand the shadow disappeared and the mirror once again regained its unthreatening form.

"Well let's say I use the black flames at my disposal for good use." She went into her bedroom and changed. " The moon will be full tomorrow night and I'll be at my strongest, but until then let's leave some invitations…"

As Kurama went to bed and fell asleep the same dream that had been plaguing him came back but this time it was stronger…

Kurama was in a clearing with dense trees on the out skirts. He himself was resting against a tree and he seemed to be very tired. As he moved his head to the side he saw a woman's face. She was dressed in white with a golden cord around the fabric to hold it in place. To him she looked like a goddess. Her hair was that of flowing silver with bluish-purple stained tips with the same colored streaks going down her hair. Her eyes were that of a dark purple almost black in its intensity.

She just sat there looking at him, as if to see him like this pained her as much as it pleased her. She took her right hand and hovered it over a patch of earth. A midnight blue rose with markings grew immediately. As it bloomed a blazing fire in the color of never ending black floated in its center.

In a voice as sweet as honey yet as deadly as sin, she spoke, " Do you know what I call this flower? Well? I call it Dark Beauty. For you see, to those who only see the outer beauty it seems dark and even taunting but to those like you and I it is warm and promising of more beauty don't you think?"

She stood up and faced him. As she did her appearance changed. The dress turned into a dark purple kimono the belt of silver silk. There were dragons that were embroidered on it that curled around a single flower. With two slits on either side up to mid thigh she looked as if ready to fight.

On her feet she wore no shoes but had an anklet wrapped around her right ankle. She pulled what seemed to be a black petal from it, kissed it and blew it at Kurama. With this act understanding came to Kurama's eyes. She pulled a bow and arrow from the air around her and aimed it at Kurama's chest.

" One reaps what he sows…my love,"

Her powers swirled around her in blues, purples, silvers, and blacks as she hovered in the air took aim and fired…

Kurama woke in pure cold sweat. It was as if it were real, like it happened. He looked at the clock and saw that it was only 3:20am.

" I'm not going back to sleep am I?" he asked himself out loud. Getting out of bed, he went to his closet and pulled out a shoebox. Within it were some of the few trinkets he deemed of importance and treasured. He reached inside and pulled out a sketchbook. As he opened it he took out a pressed flower.

It was the Dark Beauty.

Crest: So what do you think? Do you think you know who this mystery woman is? Well I know I know (hehe) any ways a shout out to Kurayamihikari for the kick in the butt to start the next chappy! Also I read your new story I likes. Oh and this chapter I rather liked if I do say so my self. If any questions just Review or email.

Until Next Time

Crest01

Also In the next chapter you meet my bodyguard/comic relief … I think…