Disclaimer: See chapter one.

Chapter Three: Learning the ways of woman

(Kurama)

Early Afternoon

I can't believe I'm doing this. I had thought Yukina and Botan would understand, but this...I feel so stupid. I can't believe I let them talk me into this. What can I expect though? Both of them did the same thing. They fainted. After they woke up they started this weird little discussion about female apparel and items. What have I gotten myself into?

I came back to the present as I exited the bathroom in the new clothes Yukina had given me to change into. My new kimono was one of Yukina's old ones that didn't fit her anymore.

"Kurama, you look beautiful!"

I blushed then looked myself over in the mirror. The new clothes I had been forced into were a light blue with a darker blue sash. Botan had taken my hair down and brushed it for me too. I really look like a girl now. I turned myself to the side to examine the fit and cut of these clothes.

Botan was the first to offer me comfort. "You look fine, Kurama. Nobody that sees you in this will realize that you're you." I could see her reflection pout. "I can't believe you're prettier than I am, and I'm the real thing."

I laughed. "Botan, that is not something a man wants to hear."

"But you're not a man anymore, Kurama." Yukina stated the obvious.

Botan caught my attention again with her next words. "Now that you look like a girl, you'll need to learn how to act like one."

"What the- Botan, I don't want to learn to be a girl! I want to go back to normal!"

"I know, I know, but if you're to be a woman for any extended period of time you'll need to learn the basics of being one."

I looked at her. "Like what?" I shouldn't have asked.

Botan took a deep breath. "Well first there's the use of a bra. You'll need to be sized at the store for one that fits you perfectly, but for now you can borrow one of mine. You're boobs are bigger than mine, but that's okay. Push up bras are one size fits all, after all. Then you'll need to learn to use the bathroom sitting down. Oh, and there's the issue of the dreaded period."

I held up both hands. "Enough! You're going to kill me with all this."

Yukina took my arm. "Let me show you how to put on your bra, okay. That will be a start, at least."

I nodded at the quite girl. Yukina was much calmer about this than Botan was. That helps me quite a bit. I think our little grim reaper enjoys me being a girl. How creepy.

When we got into the restroom Yukina started removing her top. I started freaking out.

"Yukina, what are you doing!"

The ice apparition just blinked at me then looked down at her half covered chest. "I have to show you how to put on a bra. What's the big deal; you're a girl like me now. There's nothing wrong with getting dressed in front of other girls."

"But I'm a man!"

"No, you're not. Not anymore anyway. Now strip, missy!"

I removed my shirt then immediately crossed my arms over my exposed chest. I was still bound from my day at school.

"Kurama, you can't bind your breasts anymore."

"Why not? They're just in the way."

"Cause, if you continue to do so, you're boobs will get all deformed."

"Like I really care about that."

"Just take off the wrap!"

I flinched. "Yes ma'am!"

It took twenty minutes of Yukina's repeated examples and help to finally get the stupid bra on me. I feel so stupid. As I walked from the restroom I adjusted my top over my now properly covered breasts. I was fully ready to kill the both of them.

As if my day couldn't get any worse. Oh, how wrong I was. How wrong I was.

(Hiei)

Evening

"Damn that stubborn fox! I'm going to wring his neck when I catch him. Nobody sucker punches me and gets away with it! He's my friend, but so help me Kami I'm going to kill him. That hurt!"

I stopped my ranting as I landed atop a tree. I felt for Kurama's aura then, not finding it, tried to catch his scent. After a minute I had it. Gotcha! I changed my direction then leapt once more into the air. I need to find him soon or there won't be enough light to search by. Now, I don't mind the dark, but Kurama is trained to disappear. Once night sets I'll never find him unless he wants me to find him.

My trip only lasted minutes before I found myself in front of the old woman's temple. What in the world could he be doing here? I've been looking for him all day, and the whole time he was here? What a waist of time!

I took the steps two at a time without slowing down. I just want to kill that damn fox! He can be so...arg! I don't even have a word for what he does.

I was so caught up in my rage that I nearly plowed Yukina right over. Luckily, I moved to the side just in time to prevent it. She was startled, but not harmed.

"Hiei, what are you doing here?"

I took a deep breath to calm my temper before I attempted civil speech. She didn't deserve to be on the receiving end of my anger.

"I could smell the fox, is he here?"

Before she could answer another voice caught my attention.

"Yukina, who's here?"

I let my gaze roam over to the new arrival. It stuck. This wasn't someone I knew. She was tall with a lean build. Her resemblance to Kurama is uncanny. Long, flowing red hair and sharp green eyes. The look on her face was surprised and somewhat afraid. Except for the look in her eyes she was probably the most beautiful woman that I've ever met. I'm also getting this sensation that we've met before, that we even know each other. This was strange.

"Who is she, Yukina?"

Yukina jumped, then looked at me and said, "Oh, that's a friend of Botan's and mine. She just moved here."

"You didn't answer my question. Who is she?"

It was the stranger who answered. She spoke very softly when she answered. "I'm Yuichi Manomi."

I let my head quirk to the side. "Yuichi, huh? Never heard of you before."

I was trying to be nice. Yukina didn't have many friends outside of the people who were always around Yusuke's group. It was good that she had made a ningen friend, even if I didn't approve of it. I looked at Yukina's hopeful face and I forced myself to hold my tongue. I wasn't going to be the reason she shed tears.

I turned my focus back to the woman. Her posture was stiff and she looked ready to bolt at the slightest movement from me. Could she know me? I caught Kurama's scent again. Maybe she knew Kurama, or perhaps the fox was nearby. I let my aura shift out to prod hers. I immediately felt a strong spiritual resistance. Not so normal after all. I tried to read her thoughts. Again there was a strong barrier. She knows my tricks. Yet I don't feel any significant power from her. Strange.

I'll get to the bottom of this. I don't like mysteries, and I don't want anyone around my sister that can possibly hurt her. This Yuichi Manomi is not going to keep her secrets for long. I'll either figure it out myself, or I'll force her into compliance. Ningens are so easy to manipulate.

(Kurama)

'I am so dead! If he figures me out, I'm finished! I'll never be able to look him in the eyes ever again! How humiliating!'

Yukina's soft nudge into my side brought me back to reality. Hiei was looking at me with this face that told me he wasn't pleased with my presence. There was no possible way for me to hide my spiritual powers from him at this close distance. Drat his nose! Hiei is, by nature, a loner so he's had to learn tracking to stay alive. He's a lot better at it than I am. Well there's no way I'm going to let him bully me! I'm older than he is, for goodness sake!

"What are you looking at?"

That startled him. It also earned me one of Hiei's death glares. Yukina nudged me again, this time with more force. She and Botan had just spent the last few hours teaching me how to act like a lady, but here I was picking a fight with her brother. I was supposed to be calm and soft spoken. Well she can just chew on this. Not all girls have to act like she does.

I gave him my most haughty look then said, "Don't think you're death glare scares me, mister. I've seen preschoolers scarier than you."

His glare turned into a full blown scowl. I was really pissing him off, and that's actually pretty hard to do. This is kinda fun. I've never seen this side of Hiei before.

His voice brought me from my deliberations. "Insolent wench."

I grinned at him before speaking. "Arrogant baka."

The glare came back full force. Somehow this feels really juvenile. We're calling each other names. It's kind of funny.

"Ningen whore."

I blinked at him then glared. Whore? Me, a whore? Why I outta...Wait, I think I will.

SLAP! Hiei went flying half way down the stairs from the force. Oops, I didn't mean to do that. I guess this body still has some of my original strength. Still, it felt good to do that. I've wanted to smack that stubborn koorime several times over the years, but never had the heart to. He always seemed like he relied on my presence somehow. I didn't want to loose his trust, or his friendship. Now, I can vent and not risk loosing my friend.

We found out earlier than most of my powers don't work. I can't summon my rose whip. When I tried all I did is make all of Genkai's flowers bloom. How embarrassing. I also can't summon my Yoko form at all, but it seems I can tap into several of his gifts. I still have my speed and my stealth and, it seems, some of my strength.

Now, all demons have better senses then humans. We also have more of everything. I'm no different; I just hide my power better. I guess, after this display, I'll need to learn how to restrain my power.

I could hear Hiei draw his sword. I've gone and truly pissed him off now. I think it would be in my best interest to get away from here now. With this in mind I turned and ran in the opposite direction of the vexed koorime. I could tell he was right behind me from his loud cursing. Well, let's just see how fast this body can really move. Maybe being stuck as a girl won't be so bad after all.