Hi! I think I got this chapter out in record time, don't you all think so? But only one person reviewed, which makes me sad. You know who you are! And I less than three you for it!

By the way, less than three looks like this: 3

Am I clever or what? -

Disclaimer: I don't own YYH, only my ocs and plots. Steal them and you die.

"I'll miss you, little flame." he murmured, using her pet name.

He then took a deep breath and closed his eyes. With a flash, he was gone, a ball of orangey-red light floating where he had stood only moments before. It suddenly expanded, than darted towards Flare, closing around her until it covered her entire body.

Pain shot through every nerve, and they felt as if they were on fire. Burning, shooting, tearing, ripping, the pain was everywhere. But then the darkness closed in around Flare, thankfully cutting off the pain, and her screams, which had been echoing out from her room.

Flare gratefully let herself sink into the blackness that was unconsciousness.

Kurama

Thus the group found Flare, sprawled out on her floor.

Kurama immediately crouched down beside her, checking her pulse and her other vital signs. He frowned, detecting nothing wrong with the girl. But her scream…it had been full of such agony…

He shook his head before picking her up and laying her in her bed, noticing her pillow bore the sign of recent tears.

Once Flare was in her bed, he left the room, shadowed by the other three, all of whom were awfully quiet, though it was understandable from Hiei. But Kurama would have expected Kuwabara and Yusuke to be saying something.

But he was glad they weren't, since he felt it would have worn on his already frayed nerves.

Sensing Kurama's mood, Kuwabara and Yusuke excused themselves, seeking Botan for a portal to the human world. With a pang, Kurama knew he should as well. He hadn't called his mother all day, and he knew she would be worried about him.

But he didn't think Flare should be left alone either.

Taking his concerns to Koenma, the kitsune and the ruler of Spirit World came up with an answer.

Flare would stay with Kurama. Koenma really didn't want her here alone either, anyway. He would set Botan as her companion, but the ferry girl was usually out guiding spirits. Once Flare woke up, she would be sent to Genki's, which was a far better place for the siren.

Why not send her to Genkai's first, you may ask? Because it really wouldn't be good for her to wake up in unfamiliar surroundings with an unfamiliar person. Who knows what the girl would set on fire…

So, taking his leave, Kurama left to get Flare. He nodded to Hiei, who had stayed to guard her, and bent to pick up Flare.

The siren murmured in her sleep as he did so, and it made Kurama smile a little. Flare seemed so innocent when she slept, and was so very unlike her normal fiery self.

Koenma had a portal ready and waiting for Kurama, with Hiei flitting through as well before the portal closed. It was placed near Kurama's home, so to avoid unwanted attention from people seeing him carrying an unconscious woman. Now, what to tell mother?

He thought he had a pretty good story thought up when he knocked on his door. His mother opened it quickly, her worried expression flickering to surprise, then back to worry as she saw the girl in her son's arms.

"Suichi, who is this? And why haven't you called me all day?" she asked in a worried tone.

After setting Flare on the couch, Kurama faced his mother, a contrite look on his otherwise calm face.

"Mother, I am very sorry. You see, this is my pen pal from America, and she was coming to visit Japan. We had been in the park when she fell asleep. I had no idea where she was staying, so I brought her here. I hope you don't mind, mother." he said, watching Shiori with his calm emerald gaze.

"Oh, of course, Suichi!" she said, brightening. His son hadn't had a guest over in a while. "Well, dinner will be ready soon. There is enough for your friend, if she awakes, though by the look of it, she seems dead tired. Well, flights can be exhausting, with jet lag and all." she mused as she went back into the kitchen, a merry tune finding its way to her lips.

Kurama closed his eyes, letting out a sigh. He really hated lying to his mother, but he truly had no choice in the matter. Or do you? his conscience mocked as he lifted Flare up and carried him to his own room, lacking a spare bedroom in his home.

It was true, he mused as he set Flare down in his bed and drew the covers to her chin. He really didn't need to keep the secret form Shiori. Ah, but how would she take knowing that a Spirit Kitsune's spirit had taken over her child? No, it was better that she never knew.

Kurama sat down in his chair, observing Flare as she slept. So peaceful. There wasn't even a trace of what she must have felt to scream in such a way. He supposed he'd have to wait to find out, though. It didn't look like she was going to wake up for a while.

Lifting his head at his mother's call, Kurama stood and left his room, going to dinner. There he made pleasant talk with his mother, who seemed quite interested in his 'pen pal'.

As he was answering one of his mother's many questions, he suddenly felt a spike in Flare's energy. It had grown. He noted the fact and went on with his explanation, then excused himself from dinner as quickly as he was able to.

He frowned as he studied Flare. Her energy had made a sudden leap in power. It was odd. Nothing had happened to make her energy react in such a way.

Shaking his head as he tried to solve this puzzle, he sat back down, and eventually began to doze. But another spike quickly woke him up. Flare's energy level had grown again.

He stood up and walked over to her before glancing out of his bedroom window. A pair of crimson eyes looked back. Ah, so Hiei had felt it too. Walking over, Kurama opened the window so Hiei could come in if he so pleased.

It turned out he didn't, but he probably would later.

Sitting back down, Kurama continued his study on Flare, but no other spikes happened. So Kurama drifted back to sleep. But what he didn't know what that her power was no longer increasing in leaps, but was steadily growing stronger by the minute, unnoticeable unless you were looking for it.

The kitsune would be in for a surprise in the morning.

Flare

Blinking her eyes, Flare woke, frowning as she slowly looked around. Where in the seven hells was she?

Sitting up, she spied everyone's favorite akage sitting in a chair, asleep. He was leaning sideways in the chair, his head pillowed with one hand while the other lay limp beside him.

Not wanting to wake him, she stood and checked over her vital functions. Everything was working as it should. But she felt stronger, much stronger. And it brought tears to her eyes.

Why did you have to die? she whispered sadly in her mind.

Having no idea what else to do, Flare sat back on the bed, crossing her legs and placing her hands in her lap. She supposed she'd just meditate until Kurama woke up.

It surprised her that he had stayed up here like that for her. That was some loyalty that kitsune possessed. He was truly an uncommon fellow, a rare gentleman.

Something interrupted her thoughts, making her open her eyes to find the source, which was a certain fire youkai who had climbed in the window, glaring at her. But she detected surprise as well, though he kept it hidden, quite skillfully, might she add.

"Onna, how did you get so powerful so suddenly? I felt those ki spikes last night, but you are much stronger now than you were when I left." he said in his gruff voice.

Flare shook her head. "Hiei, I will tell you when the others are with us. It isn't something I want to repeat." she murmured.

Hiei nodded, then flitted off, probably to report to Koenma, she thought with a roll of her eyes.

Those golden eyes then found themselves locked back on to Kurama as she willed him to wake. Besides, she was bored and wanted something to do. Leaning forward, she thought to herself until an opening door jerked her from her thoughts.

"Oh, you're awake." said the woman who had opened the door. "I'm Shiori, Suichi's mother. I'm so very glad I finally get to meet his pen pal." she added with a large smile on her face.

Flare nodded, acting as if she knew what Shiori was talking about, even though she didn't have a clue. What story had the kitsune coined up last night?

"Anyway, I'm making breakfast, but I thought you'd like to wash up first. I found a kimono of mine that I think might fit you. I know they're a bit old-fashioned, but its all I have at the moment."

"Oh, no! That's perfectly ok." Flare assured her, nodding, then she followed Shiori to the bathroom, where Kurama's mother left her.

Flare went into the water with a blissful sigh, washing off all the sweat from yesterday's practice. And the hot water felt very, very good.

When she emerged from the shower, she found the kimono laid out for her. It was a deep forest green with lighter green swirls embroidered up the sleeves, thick at the bottom but lightening the closer to the shoulder the sleeve got. The obi was the same light green shade. Pink sakura blossoms were displayed along the bottom of the kimono.

Overall, it was a lovely dress.

By the time she emerged from the bathroom, Kurama was up and he and his mother were waiting for her to join them for breakfast. Flare smiled as she saw them, finishing up the braid she had put my hair in.

Flare and Kurama ate quickly, wishing to be gone. Shiori seemed disappointed to see her go, really. Flare supposed she liked the woman as well, but she'd have to be around her a lot more to be sure.

She got her dirty clothing, and then left, Flare bidding Shiori farewell.

"Ok, Kurama, to where do we go?" Flare finally asked after a few minutes of silent travel.

"We go to where you will be staying, at Genkai's." he informed her, emerald eyes glancing at her for a moment.

She suddenly stopped walking, a hateful glare forming in her eyes. Kurama walked back when he noticed she wasn't following him.

"Flare, what is it? We need to get going."

Flare closed her eyes, then opened them. "Genkai is the bitch who sold me into slavery." she said in a whisper.

Yay! A cliffie! I don't usually leave people at them, but I couldn't resist. I besides, I was tired of writing.

I still need characters people. Only one person has sent me an oc to add to this story. I really would like a variety to choose from. So please send in your ocs, maybe I'll add more than one to the story, eh?

Signing out

Shade