Memoir

Summary: Sequel to "Forgotten." "Time really does change everything, doesn't it? Hard to believe I'm the same person." Hiei/OC.

Author's notes: It took me a bit longer to get back than I had planned (why we went through ATLANTA at RUSH HOUR when everyone and their brother is trying to get away from the Florida coast…). Well, anyway I'm back now. I really am sorry about taking so long. And I'm sad to say that this might be another short chapter. Hope you all can forgive me. But enough of my excuses. You guys are here for the fic, right? Well, I'll just thank my marvelous reviewers

MikoHatome: Cliff hangers are fun. Sorry you had to wait so long for this chapter. But maybe the suspense will make it more worthwhile? Keep reading!

ImParanoid: Sorry that you didn't have a good time in Seattle. I did have a good time on my trip (even if I did get a watering can dumped on my head… long story). Anywho, I hope you like this chapter. Read and review!

sillylittlenothing: Glad to know you're so interested. :joins in happy dance: Yay for the reviewer who asks the questions for the author to answer. Thanks for liking the chapter and the fic. I hope the rest of it is just as good.

BlueWater26: Yeah, I'm sorry for making you wait so long. I would have worked while I was away, but the whole point of the trip was to get away from "distractions." We weren't even allowed to have radios/CD players (not good for me… music is my muse). But I'm back now and writing once again. Just keep reading!

-X-1fallen angel1-X-: Yeah, there's some confusing stuff in that chapter, but it will all become clear (and if it doesn't, let me know and I'll try to fix that). Thanks for the review.

Kurayamihikari: Thanks; I'm glad you think so highly of the story. Since you weren't around when I last answered the "When will Hiei come back" question, I'll answer it again for you: we won't be seeing Hiei until somewhere around chapter nine. I know, it's a long way off yet, but I promise it will come sooner than you think. And I guarantee you, he most definitely IS coming back.

mysadeyes: :Falls off of chair: Wow, thanks! It's great that you like the fic so much. I hope you like the rest of it too. Keep on reading and reviewing!

DarkArcheangel: Yeah, I was wondering if anyone would remember the little boy. Glad you caught that… makes me feel like it was a good idea. Thanks for the review; keep on reading!

brezzybrez: Thanks. I'll try to keep the work up to par.

Bec: I know, I know. I said a week. But a week and two days isn't all THAT bad, right? Sorry! I'll try to work extra hard to make up for it, though! Anyway, I hope that you like the fic. Keep on reading and reviewing!

You guys make my day. You really do.

And now, the fic!

Part Seven: Different in the Light

Not ten minutes after hanging up with Yusuke, Akiko heard a knock on her door. "Is that you Kurama?" she called.

The kitsune's voice responded. "Yusuke already called?"

Akiko grabbed her jacket from the coat rack and pulled the door open. "Yup. You driving?"

The pair of them loaded into the car and rode in silence to the portal to Reikai.

Kuwabara and Yusuke were already at the gates, waiting for Akiko and Kurama to arrive.

"So what kind of news did Koenma have?" Akiko asked as soon as Yusuke and Kuwabara were in earshot.

Kuwabara shrugged. "We don't know. He didn't want to talk about it until you got here."

"That can only mean that whatever he's gonna say has something to do with me," Akiko said, frowning. "Like I need more on my plate now…."

"Well, standing out here isn't gonna clear anything up," Yusuke said. "Let's go see what he's got."

The four of them trouped back to Koenma's office to find him sitting at his desk, waiting for them.

"I'll get right to the point," the prince said as the four others sat down. "It is my belief that, when I brought Akiko back to life, I accidentally left her with some heightened spirit abilities."

"And that's why she can see the ghost?" Kurama questioned.

"Most likely," Koenma nodded.

"I remember you now!" Akiko said. "You were the one who took us to the safe house, right?"

Koenma nodded.

"And you were the one who told Hiei he could leave," Akiko said. Her voice had no hint of malice to it, but her statement caused Koenma to back away from her nonetheless.

"Yes. That was me."

Akiko stared at the prince for a moment, contemplating. Giving no indication as to whether or not she had come to any kind of conclusion about him, the girl sat back in her chair and signaled for the prince to continue with what he had been saying before her interruption.

"Um… yes. Well," Koenma began, cautiously glancing at Akiko. "While we're still unsure of why Itaka was killed or who killed him, there has been something that Reikai intelligence has noticed."

Kurama leaned forward. "And that would be?"

"There's been a great deal of yokai activity in the human world. More than usual. Now, I couldn't say for certain, but I'd be willing to bet that the appearance of Itaka's ghost has something to do with it."

"Crazy," Yusuke sighed. "What should we do?"

"I'm really not sure, Yusuke," Koenma said. The prince turned his gaze to Akiko, watching her intently.

"Is there something you want to say to me?" she asked when she noticed the deity staring at her.

"Just that you should be careful," he said. "Keep an eye out. There's no telling what happened with this little boy. Whatever killed him is still on the loose."

"Yeah. And?"

"You're the only one that's been seeing him," Koenma continued. "That could draw some unwanted attention to you. Keep an eye out. We still don't know what's going on here."

Akiko nodded and rose from her seat. "I'll be careful," she said. "But only if you promise to catch whatever killed that kid."

Author's notes: Argh… insanely short. Sorry about that. This was just one of those chapters that had to be there to move the story along. Sorry if it's not very interesting. The next chapter is fun and exciting, though, if that's any consolation. Well… I really don't have all that much to say here…. Just uh… read and review, I guess. Thanks.