Author's Note

Finally, the day has come for Youko to reveal his past and explain his connections to Shuichi. Definitely interesting. At some parts I apologize for Keiko being out of character. I read it over and she reminded me of Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket. Sigh. Oh yeah, I just want to remind everyone before you read this chapter that Keiko's mom is dead. It goes into detail a little bit more about her death in this chapter. And, Youko and Keiko do some bonding too. That's all, till next chappie!

Disclaimer: I'm looking hard, believe me. I double checked my Christmas list like a dozen times but Santa Clause did not give me what I wanted this year. All I got was a pair of lousy socks, can you believe it? I hate that fat ass, if I so much as see his stupid reindeer on my roof I'll throw rocks at them! And there's no way I'm giving him anymore of my sugar bread cookies either!

Kurama: Fortunately, Emerald Dreams does not own Yu Yu Hakusho. Thank kami…she's prone to violence after all. Winces.

Emerald Dreams: Am not!

Keiko: Till next time!

Youko: Bye my fanatical, adoring fans!

Keiko, Kurama, ED: (Sweatdrop.)

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Chapter 4: Youko Kurama

"Youko…Kurama?" Keiko stammered out uncertainly. She blinked up at the silver haired bishie now identified as Youko Kurama with nothing short of confusion and bewilderment. A million questions seemed to be whirling around in her mind. Like where was Kurama? How could this be in any way Kurama? How did he know her name? If this man was Kurama, than how did he manage to pull off this stunt? And what exactly was she going to do?

Meanwhile, as Keiko went over all these questions in her befuddled mind Youko tilted his head slightly to the side, choosing to seize this opportunity to study her.

She's absolutely adorable! I've always loved the innocent type! Youko thought fondly, as he stared at the pretty brunette. He grinned, and reached down and squeezed her shoulder. His hand was warm, and at his touch a little shiver chased through her. Spotting the shiver, his grin widened.

Good, he thought, she responds to my touch.

"Are you cold Keiko?" he inquired, a teasing lilt to his voice.

"I-uh-well-no-I mean…" Her face was red as she stuttered, unable to get the words out. She immediately ceased babbling and became silent. Keiko's blush darkened as the kitsune moved closer to her.

"Have no fear. I'll warm you up. Do you know what the best method would be for me to use in order to do so?" Youko asked. Keiko shook her head, too stunned to speak. He smiled back at her.

"Body heat."

Keiko nearly jumped out of her skin as she felt the bed shift, and realized Youko was now sitting right next to her. The close physical proximity caused her to blush furiously. She was conscious of the mad pounding of her heart as she felt Youko's warm breath waft against her cheek. Keiko was almost sure he could hear it thumping in her chest when she saw a triumphant smirk grace his lips.

'Why is a total stranger like him affecting me so?' Keiko thought. She barely knew this man yet she was responding to him in such a way that she'd never done to anyone before. Keiko was instantly broken out of her musings when she felt his soft lips brush ever so gently against the shell of her ear. She shivered.

"You're very beautiful, you know that?" he breathed.

'Youko!' Kurama nearly howled, 'I let you out to explain everything to her, not to seduce her!'

Aww…but I'm having so much fun! the kitsune pouted. Besides…she's not objecting. I think she appreciates my attentions in fact…

'Youko please stop beating around the bush and get to the point. I only let you out for one thing and that was to talk to her. Not to seduce her. Do you understand me?'

Alright, Youko snorted fine have your way you prick.

'I'll just let that slide for now…'

Youko sighed and drew back slowly and a bit reluctantly, as he gazed back at the young girl disappointedly. He supposed Kurama did have a point. No time for fun and games now, he had to buckle down and get to business. He had to be serious. Besides…there was always later he supposed…

'Don't even think about it…' Kurama warned, catching his counterpart's last thought.

Youko inwardly pouted. You always spoil my fun!

'You sound like a spoiled little kit Youko,' Kurama remarked dryly.

Fine. I suppose you're right…

"Keiko, I apologize for my unorthodox behavior," Youko said. His eyes had lost their gleam, so Keiko knew he meant it. She blinked uncertainly. She opened her mouth to say something, then quickly snapped it shut. She really didn't know what to say.

"I can imagine you're speechless. And I bet you're wondering why I'm here." Keiko slowly nodded.

"Um, where's Kur-" Youko pressed a finger against her lips, shushing her.

"I'll get to that," he promised, "for now just remain silent unless you're spoken to, can you promise me that?" She nodded. Youko really wondered if this human would accept what he was about to tell her.

"Alright, as you already know my name is Youko Kurama. By looking at my appearance even the dumbest of ningens can tell I'm not normal. Tell me Keiko, what was the first thought that occurred to you when you looked at me?" Keiko noticed as he spoke that his tail had mysteriously found itself wrapped around her small frame, but she didn't seem to mind a bit. In fact she thought it was cute.

"Well I thought you looked part man and part animal…" she said trailing off.

"What animal Keiko?" She paused.

"Um…a dog maybe?" she said softly. Youko's ears flattened against his head as he stared at her. Human's almost always thought he was a dog demon. It annoyed him to no end. How could a dog demon look come near looking as good as him? Oh, but of course, she's never seen a dog demon, so how would she know the difference? Youko ran a hand through his long, luxurious hair.

"Close enough I suppose," he said finally, "but actually I was hoping you'd say fox. Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is I'm not a human at all; in fact I'm a demon. A fox demon to be more specific." Keiko stared back at him in almost complete awe. Seeing her awe struck expression Youko nearly smirked but continued on. He cleared his throat.

"I'm not the only demon there is, in fact there are countless others in another realm called Makia. I myself was widely known among them as the best thief in all of Demon World. I specialized in stealing and plundering riches from the most complex of fortresses and locks. But I was not alone in my little adventures; I had a partner named Kurounue. He was a bat demon. I remember he always carried around this pendent, he took it everywhere, no matter where he went." Youko seemed to smile fondly at the memory.

"Youko-san can I ask you something?" Keiko asked quietly. He turned amber orbs upon her. "Um...why did he always carry it around? The pendent I mean…"

"Oh…" Youko seemed to consider this, scrunching up his eyebrows as he thought about it. "I think a family member gave it to him." Keiko seemed to accept this answer.

"Anyway, he was more than my partner, he was my best friend. The only real friend I ever had in my opinion. It may sound…what's that word humans use again…hmm…" he trailed off, looking as if he was in deep contemplation for a moment, before going on.

"Ah, yes! Corny! That's the word. It may sound corny to you Keiko but Kurounue was like a brother. I felt I could go to him for anything. I could trust him even with my darkest secrets. Also, another quality he possessed that I admired was his nobility. Even when we fought against scores of lesser demons and were outnumbered he always had this rule that he followed no matter what. He never attacked anyone who had their back to him." His smile seemed to widen, and the fox's eyes shined with an unidentified emotion.

Keiko smiled to herself. This Kurounue person must be awfully special toYouko she decided. He talks about him like he was a saint. She giggled at the thought. But then another one came to her, one that killed off her amusement almost instantly.

Where is he? Kurounue… What happened to him? A lead weight seemed to have settled in the pit of her stomach as she sat there. Dread overwhelmed her. What if he…

"One night we decided to have a little fun and steal from one of the wealthiest lords in the land. We always enjoyed a good challenge. Unfortunately, we got caught. When we were on our way out to escape he dropped his pendant. He went back for it and ended up being killed by the guards. I still remember his last words…" the demon remarked, a hint of sadness in his voice.

Keiko debated whether or not she should ask. Was it really any of her business? She inwardly sighed, and in the end her curiosity won her over.

"What were they?" Keiko whispered ever so softly. She didn't miss the flicker of sadness in his eyes.

"Save yourself. Run ahead. Don't look back. Those were his words." He averted his molten gold gaze to the floor. He bowed his head slightly, his bangs shielding his eyes from her sight. Although she could already see it crystal clear in her mind, there was pain and anguish in those amber depths, but he just didn't want her to see it.

For a long moment neither moved, neither spoke. It was quiet as the two just sat there. One reflecting on his past regrets, and the other looking on forlornly.

'He blames himself… He thinks that it's his fault Kurounue died. But it isn't. I know it isn't…I feel so sorry for him.'

Gently, Keiko reached out and brushed back a few stray strands of silver hair. As if parched by fire the kitsune snapped his head up, her touch startling him, and simply stared at her with wide eyes. Her almond eyes shined with warmth as she smiled tenderly at the demon beside her.

Keiko grabbed one of his hands, and gave it a squeeze. Youko looked shocked for a moment, transfixed as he continued staring into Keiko's brown eyes. She could tell the reminder of the loss of his friend had opened fresh wounds, and that it hurt him deeply.

'They were so close, like brothers,' she thought sadly, remembering her own loss.

"I'm awfully sorry for your loss Youko-san," Keiko whispered sincerely. He knew she meant it just by looking into her eyes. There was great compassion and sympathy in that gaze, compassion and sympathy for him. He seemed dumbstruck, not knowing quite what to say, as he sat there.

"I mean, I know what it's like to lose a loved one, when my mother died the pain was almost unbearable." Youko's own eyes widened. He'd forgotten about her mother dieing in the plane crash. It hadn't even been that long ago, just around the beginning of last year. The kitsune offered her a wan smile.

"Thank you. But it was over a thousand years ago so it's alright. I must admit I feel a little pathetic, I should've gotten over-" Keiko cut him off frenziedly.

"No! Youko-san it's not alright! You're not pathetic. Don't say you're pathetic! It's not pathetic to be sad over someone's death. Even if it's been a million years it's okay to be a little sad…" she trailed off, her own eyes flickering with gloom. "It's okay to be sad when someone close to you dies, as long as you move on, it's okay to be a little sad. If anything you're amazing Youko."

Youko searched her eyes, but he found no treachery and deceit no signs to show that she was lieing. Nothing that could lead him to believe she was being treacherous. There was no deception in that warm gaze, only sincerity and honesty.

"You're amazing simply because you're here Youko. You're still alive, you could've chosen the easy way out like so many people do when they're sad, but here you are, really living. You're not dragging on. You chose to be strong. I bet Kurounue is really proud of you." she said finally.

Now, it was the kitsune's turn to be awed.

Now I understand why you care for this human so much Shuichi…Keiko is amazing.

'I know.'

It's hard to believe she's a ningen…she speaks such words of wisdom beyond her years…

'I know.'

And for the first time in a long time, the two agreed.

"That's very kind of you to say," Youko stated softly, smiling at the brunette. "But on the contrary Keiko, I think you're amazing."

"Oh…uh…thank you," she replied back, her voice lowering to a whisper. Their gazes locked and Youko reached out a hand, absently playing with her hair. She blushed and his smile seemed to widen. They sat like that for a moment, simply staring into each other's eyes. Keiko had the absurd idea that he was going to kiss her. For some strange reason she found she didn't mind if he did…

'Keiko!' a familiar voice seemed to scream in her head angrily.

Keiko was immediately broken out of the trance Youko had seemed to cast upon her. She blinked.

'Remember Kurama!'

'Oh…uh…right!'

'Ask him! Ask him now!'

'About what?'

'Kurama!'

'Oh…right!'

"Youko?" she inquired gently.

"Yes?" he responded. He continued playing with her hair, still staring into her eyes. She sighed softly, and batted his hand away.

"Youko, I'm being serious now. No more playing around okay? I need to know…where's Kurama?" The playful gleam in his eyes went out all at once, like candle flames in a strong gust of wind. She guessed that the two words which had gotten through to him were serious and playing. After a moment of staring at her, he seemed to gain his composure. He smiled slightly and ran a hand through his hair instinctively. But this time she could tell he was serious.

"Oh yes I suppose I haven't gotten around to answering that… Well," he said, "this'll be a long explanation too."

"It's alright I'm willing to listen."

"Okay," he raked his hand through his silver locks, "After Kurounue's death I was forced to go into hiding after nearly dieing at the hands of a powerful demon. I decided to start a new and my spirit left Makia and went to Ningenkai, which is the human realm where we're currently at. I came upon a young woman, the one you know as Shiori and entered her womb. As a result she became pregnant with Shuichi. You see…there's a double soul complex. Kurama, as you call him, possesses two souls: Shuichi's which is his human side, and me. It's very complicated I know." Keiko stared at Youko wide-eyed.

'So Youko is Kurama? I can't believe this… Did he say double soul complex? This is really confusing.' Keiko's thoughts were all jumbled.

"To clear some confusion, Shuichi transformed in order for me to explain everything to you. He thought it was time for you to know the truth about everything. Before he let me take over he even warned me to keep my hands to myself." Youko chirped humorously. He caught Keiko glimpsing out the window from where she was sitting. He looked out as well and realized it was already dark outside. An idea came to him, and he grinned and stood up.

"Keiko you already have gotten to know Shuichi so why don't we do something?" he suggested, a playful hint in his tone. He grabbed the brunette's hand and tugged her up gently. She looked a little reluctant, and was about to protest but decided against it.

'I should get to know Youko more…' Keiko realized, 'he's really not that bad and I think he's…sweet. I think we could actually grow to be good friends…'

Keiko allowed Youko to lead her by the hand across the room to the closed window. He unlatched it and opened it, then turned back to Keiko. She looked amazed.

"Wow," she whispered in an awed voice, "the sky's so clear tonight. It's really beautiful."

"Want to get a closer look Keiko?" Youko asked her gently, touching her hair. Keiko turned perplexed brown orbs upon him. Her eyes were questioning.

"What do you mean?" He flashed her one of his charming smiles.

"I'll show you." Before the brunette could utter a word another word the kitsune had bent down and swept her up into his arms. The petite girl felt weightless as he held her protectively against his chest. She turned her head up to look at him with shocked eyes.

Her cheeks flushed a rosy shade of pink as she merely held onto him. An absurd idea occurred to Keiko as she held on toYouko. As he held her in his arms…Keiko felt safe.

Youko took a steadying breath and glanced down at the young girl he held in his grasp. Then he leaped gracefully out the window with an human speed that stunned her. As soon as they landed on the ground outside, they were enveloped with darkness, except for the pale glow of the moon and the light from the stars that shone from above.

"Hold-on," he whispered gently. He held her tighter against his chest and leaped again. Keiko gasped and clenched her eyes shut as she felt the wind rush pass them as they jumped up and onto the roof. She stayed that way for what seemed like an eternity, unconsciously relishing the warmth of his body as she held onto him for dear life. Youko smiled down at her.

"You can open your eyes now." Lashes fluttered delicately as chocolate brown orbs opened little by little. Keiko realized they were on the roof of the Minamino household. Youko let her down when she tugged the sleeve of his yukata. She took a step forward and spun around wildly. Turning to the kitsune her eyes shined with anxiousness.

"What if someone sees us up here? What if someone sees us on the roof and calls the police?" Keiko asked urgently, her voice so low it was barely audible. Youko shook his head.

"Everyone's asleep so don't worry. Besides," he gripped her shoulders and turned her to face the sky, "you should relax and just enjoy the view."

Keiko gasped. As she gazed up at the heavens the brunette was immediately amazed by the clarity of the night sky.

'It's even more beautiful up here…' she thought in child-like wonder.

Millions of stars sparkled above their head, winking at her with their bright shining blue light. Set in the center of the stars the full moon glowed brightly, illuminating the world in a mist of moonbeams.

"Let's sit down," Youko whispered, as his clawed hands reached for Keiko's smaller ones, and lead her to another spot on the roof. He sat down, and Keiko followed suit.

"Youko-san, can I ask you something?" Keiko whispered, looking off into the direction of the stars. Youko shot the brunette a sideward glance and wrinkled his nose.

"As long as you stop calling me Youko-san," he said with clear distaste, emphasizing the suffix, "Go ahead Keiko, you don't have to ask."

"Oh…well I just want to get everything straight so I don't get anything wrong. Like um you're a fox demon?" Youko nodded.

"And there are other demons too right? Some are fox demons and others are different. Like there are different types…" she trailed off waiting for the kitsune to make a comment.

"Not here but in Makai," he corrected her.

"And Kurama is in you right? So you can transform back into…or uh let Kurama back out or whatever it is…" she sounded confused as she sat there, but then vigorously shook her head. Youko pouted at her, mustering the best puppy dog eyes he could.

"You want me to leave already?" he whimpered. Keiko giggled softly and shook her head in an amused way.

"Cut it out! Anyway you know what I mean…" Youko sighed dramatically.

"Sadly yes whenever you tire of me Kurama can take over this body again." he said dejectedly.

"And I had another question that's been bugging me…could you hear Kurama and I talking about my dreams…because if you could do… do you agree with what Kurama said about me being a psychic?" Keiko inquired, staring into Youko's amber eyes.

"Yes and yes," he said, "it's not common among humans but there are actual psychics out there that have premonitions and such…like the one you had this morning. That came true didn't it? You did meet me right? So yes, Shuichi and I do think you are the real thing."

"What about my first dream…?" Youko waved his hand at her.

"Shuichi can explain that part to you, but for now don't worry about it." Keiko sighed, but slowly nodded. She supposed she could wait for that answer until tomorrow. Kami-sama knew they'd just spilled all of their guts to her already. But the brunette couldn't help but be glad. Honestly, she was happy Kurama and Youko trusted her enough to tell her their deepest darkest secrets.

Keiko yawned.

"Tired already?" Youko said to the brunette. He sounded serious this time she noted, the playfulness in his voice that she usually detected was replaced with something else. "If you are I'll take you home."

Keiko shook her head as she smiled at the kitsune. No, she wanted to stay a little longer. It would be a shame to have to end such a pleasant evening on account of she was tired.

"No that's alright…I want to stay a little longer," she said, than added as an after thought, "but I am a little cold." Keiko yawned again, and before she knew it the kitsune had wrapped an arm around her shoulder, crushing her to him. Her body molded against his, her head pressed against his shoulder. Startled she looked up at him.

"Better?" He winked at her, causing her blush. Nonetheless she nodded.

"Yeah…" she sounded breathless. He smiled, then gazed up at the stars. Keiko did so as well, allowing the smile to return, gracing her serene features. They sat like that together, under the stars merely enjoying the comfort of each other's presence. To Keiko, it was like she'd known this man for as long as she'd known Kurama.

'But…' another thought occurred to her, 'he's always been there hasn't he? Always lurking beneath Kurama's calm and collected exterior…'

Now that she thought about it, a memory came to her, one when she'd spent the night at Kurama's house back when she was…eleven…ten? Maybe three years ago? They'd realized Yusuke liked Keiko, which was in the end what had driven the three apart. And before she'd gone to bed…now that she really thought about it…hadn't Kurama's eyes been gleaming…with the beginnings of gold as he'd embraced her? Or had that been all in her imagination?

'No…I really don't think it was in my imagination, Youko had been there in the room with us…' The thought didn't seem to creep her out in the least; it seemed to have the opposite affect on Keiko. In fact, it actually seemed to comfort her.

"Keiko?" She blinked, broken out of the haze of her thoughts at the sound of Youko's voice. Keiko turned to her companion beside her. His molten gaze seemed to shine brilliantly in the darkness. Knowing he'd finally caught her attention he offered her a grin.

"You're quite the space cadet you know that?" he chuckled, then turned back to the night sky. She blushed again and mentally berated herself. It seemed to her she was always blushing around him. Keiko made a mental note to stop.

"In your school have your teachers taught you anything about the stars?"

"You mean astrology? No, not really," Keiko said. Youko smiled at her.

"Then I'd be happy to show you some of the constellations. I myself know a few," he said enthusiastically. The fox proceeded to impress Keiko with his knowledge of the stars, pointing them out eagerly.

The stars glittered beautifully, like a thousand diamonds as he named them. He also showed her the constellations: Orion the Hunter; Pegasus the great shimmering horse of midnight; Cassiopeia in her starry chair. The list went on and on.

Keiko was amazed. She snuggled against Youko's shoulder, relishing the heat he radiated.

"Let me show you my favorite ones," Youko said, pleased that she was actually amazed by his seemingly vast knowledge of the stars. He pointed to the eastern horizon as Keiko rested her head against his shoulder, staring along his arm. The smell of lavender drifted up to his nose from her hair.

"There," he said, "just above the skyline, see the blue one next to the red one almost touching? They blink in time together. Those are the Lovers." His molten gaze gleamed as he gazed at her intently.

Keiko's mind immediately went blank. She couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't embarrass her, but before she could stop herself words seemed to spill from her lips unwillingly.

"T-The Lovers? Oh…uh…why…are they your favorite?" Keiko stammered. If it was possible to die of blushing than Keiko had met her doom. Her face flamed bright red, her cheeks heating with embarrassment. She mentally screamed at herself furiously.

'WHY! Why did you have to ask such a dumb question Keiko?' She avoided his amused gaze, her eyes darting anywhere but to the fox that sat beside her. All it had taken was that comment to fluster her, Youko thought amusedly. He peered back up at the Lovers and was about to answer, until a silver streak passed across them, shooting across the sky.

Keiko forgot her embarrassment at once and cried out, "Look! A shooting star!"

Her eyes lit up with delight at the site of it. Youko chuckled at her child-like antics.

"Do you see it?" she exclaimed excitedly, as she turned to face him, "You have to make a wish." He smiled at Keiko as he watched her close her eyes. Her hand sought out his and squeezed it.

'I wish…for Kurama and Youko's happiness, and to always be by their side.'

Youko merely continued to stare up at the constellations where the shooting star had just passed. He returned the squeeze.

'For Keiko's safety…' Kurama whispered. Youko smiled.

Amen to that!

'(sweatdrop)'

What?

'(mumbles something incoherent)'

What? No really what did you say?

'Oh nothing… I'm just surprised you didn't wish for a sex slave...like you did last time.'

I care about Keiko too you know! And as a matter of fact…I was joking when I said that.

'Right…'

I was!

'You don't have to convince me, I believe you. Or are you trying to convince yourself…?'

Shut up!

'Technically I'm not talking.'

Sigh. Whatever you big meanie…

'Youko, Keiko fell asleep.'

And that was the end of that. Youko slowly turned to see a sleeping Keiko resting against him. Her chest rose and fell gently, as she breathed softly. Her face gave off a look of genuine innocence as she slept. Her eyelids were closed, her chocolate brown orbs concealed as she slept peacefully.

I remember from before when we saw her sleeping face…except that was supposed to be the very last time. Aren't you happy you got to see it again?

'I am.'

I suppose I should run her over to her house so her father doesn't wonder where she is when he wakes up in the morning…

'Be careful with her Youko.'

You know I already will my dear Shuichi…

'Do me a favor; don't ever call me that again.'

Alright…

And with those final words Youko once again swept the sleeping beauty into his strong arms, careful not to wake her up, and took her home. As he tucked her into bed, Youko couldn't help but think she was adorably cute.

"I'll give her a good night kiss!" Youko chirped in the dark of her room.

'No you won't! Now get out of her room you pervert!'

Youko pouted. Fine, have it your way…

Sparing the girl one last glance the kitsune jumped out of her window and into the night, this time remembering to close the window.

And Keiko dreamed…

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Emerald Dreams: So? What did you think? Did you like it? I hope so; honestly I had a lot of fun writing this chapter! Anyway, I encourage reviews and apologize if I got anything about the whole double soul complex thing wrong. And I also apologize if anything about Youko's past is off; I had to write it based on memory alone.

I'm gonna give you one hint about the next chapter, and that's all. Someone's gonna make an appearance, let's just say the least person expected…

Bye for now and happy reviewing!