Chapter Nine

I Never

Katani popped into the attic with Hiei behind her. The attic was just like any other attic except it was clean. The floors were wooden and smooth for bare feet. Through the A shaped windows you could see the darkening sky outside. The Tsunami was at full strength.

I'm glad Hiei secured the stable up before coming in.

The floor was crowded with boxes and sheet covered furniture except for one corner. The floor had thick carpet and large bean bag chairs. Bookshelves lined a wall and lamps near each chair. This was her getaway; she could come up here away from the world and bury herself in books. Of course any getaway need foodstuffs. She had a mini fridge between two bookshelves and Botan was busy placing the cans in them. She set three near each chair and placed the rest in the fridge. Kurama was busy scanning her book titles and Yusuke and Kuwabara were rummaging through some boxes.

"Hey! Stay out of those!" she pushed them away and snapped the lid on, tight.

They started whining but shut up when they saw Hiei. Yusuke was in awe.

"Ah, so you've decided to join us, Hiei?" Kurama smiled.

He growled at them and sat in one of the chairs.

Botan shrieked with glee. "Perfect! This'll be great! Katani sit here by Hiei, Kurama by her, Kuwabara, Yusuke, then me by Hiei again!" Everyone took his or her place in the circle. Katani clapped her hands twice and all lights except for the lamps went out. Once more she clapped and only one light remained on.

"Cool!" Yusuke began clapping his hands rapidly and the lights flickered on and off.

"Let me try Urameshi!" Kuwabara joined in and the lights flashed as if possessed.

"You are all idiots." Hiei sat with his arms crossed.

Katani couldn't help but giggle. Hiei gave her a look but that only made her laugh more. He acts like such a tough guy. I bet he's a teddy bear inside. The image of a teddy bear with red eyes and pointy black hair sent her into hysterics. Kurama saw what she was thinking and began laughing himself.

Botan stopped them all by thrusting the sodas in their hands. "Now we're going to play 'I Never', who wants to start? Katani?"

"How do you play?" Suddenly she was quite scared.

"Well everyone has a soda and you go around saying things you've never done. Like if it were my turn I'd say, 'I've never drunk alcohol' and if you have then you take a drink, how big depending on the intensity that you did the thing."

"How do you win?"

"You don't! It's just for fun! So go ahead Katani, you can start."

Katani opened her soda and thought about the dangerous results of this game. Yet seeing what the others have never done was more appealing then any secret she feared revealed. "I've never… thrown a cat off a roof to see if it landed on its feet."

Yusuke and Kuwabara took long swigs. "Good times, good times." Yusuke said.

"How shameful," Botan muttered.

"Oh we'll see who's shameful! Go ahead Kurama," Yusuke waved to him.

Kurama's jade eyes sparkled. "I have never gone skinny dipping."

Oh crap… Botan took a drink. "Botan!" Kuwabara exclaimed. Katani finished her soda and picked up another.

"Go Katani!" Yusuke whistled. Katani threw her empty soda can at him. "Ha! You missed!"

She blushed. "Just go Kuwabara." She wanted everyone to stop staring at her like she worked at a strip club.

"I never…" he glanced at Katani, "made out with a boy." Botan finished her soda and Katani took a couple gulps.

"You two are wild!" Yusuke was having fun. "Hey, Botan, what do say after this we go have some fun?"

"You know Yusuke if you have fun with Botan then it would be rude to not invite another." Katani flashed a seductive smile.

"Of course you can come Katani." Yusuke was grinning ear to ear.

"Oh I didn't mean me. I meant Feer."

Yusuke insisted he was set. Botan thanked Katani and told Yusuke to go.

"I never went to a bar, got drunk, tried to smoke a receipt, and stole a bike." He drank from his coke.

"I… how can you? Never mind." Katani shook her head slowly.

"Yeah! It's my turn!" Botan thought for a second. "I've never been in love." She took a few drinks from her soda.

(Kuwabara drained the can) Yusuke hesitated, and then took a small sip. Kurama brought the can to his lips, but set it back down. Katani thought for a second and then took a drink. Hiei didn't do anything.

"Who, Katani?" Botan asked.

"Nonya."

"Is that foreign?"

"None ya business."

"That has got to be the saddest thing I have ever heard." Yusuke said.

"Oh really? Mr. I've-got-a-crush-on-"

"Shut it!"

I don't have a clue who he likes. But that was fun. she grinned at Hiei, he actually smiled back a tiny bit, but not for the reasons she thought.

"I never killed a human." In one long gulp he finished his soda. Katani could sense a threat in the undertones of his speech. Yusuke didn't drink, neither did Botan. Katani hid her face and took a sip. Kurama sighed regretfully and took a long drink.

Katani felt it was time to fight back. "I never slept in bunny pajamas." Under her breath she muttered, "Untola revlelata." For a few minutes everyone in the circle was forced to tell the truth.

Yusuke took a drink and when Botan erupted into giggles he said, "I didn't! Something made my hand move!"

"Was it perhaps your conscious, Yusuke?" Katani sank back in her chair. "So Kurama, what do you have to add?"

"Well I can honestly say that I have never gone car surfing." Yusuke finished another soda and Kuwabara took a drink. Botan hit them upside the head.

It was Kuwabara's turn. "I've never died." Yusuke and Botan took a drink.

"I've never had a martini." Yusuke.

"Probably the only thing you haven't." Botan muttered as she finished her second soda. "But I can definitely say I've never thought any guy in this room was hot." A small sip from her soda and a sideways glance told Katani all she needed to know.

"I'll drink to that!" Katani was nearly done with her second soda. The two girls high-fived each other. All the boys looked at each other, wondering whom each girl meant.

"Go Hiei."

He had taken all he could, threat or not. "I'm leaving,"

"Thanks for coming, Hiei!" Katani waved to him. He ignored her.

After the door slammed behind him Kurama said, "I'm surprised he stayed as long as he did."

"I have a way of getting people to… bend to my will." She finished another soda. "I'll replace Hiei for this turn. If he were here I suppose he would say… I've never flashed anyone."

Botan flushed and looked a little uneasy before taking a drink.

Everyone stared. "What?" she cried, "It was a dare alright!"

"I think we're playing the wrong game." Yusuke grinned.

"What's that Katani? Oh you want to go to bed? Alright then!" Botan stood and pulled Katani away.

"Sleep wherever you want!" she called, "There are plenty of rooms!"

"Come on, Katani, play with us!" Kuwabara stood up.

The two girls walked down the stairs and flopped on the couch. Botan thanked Katani for all her help.

"No problem. Hey, you're starying here for tonight right?"

"Are you sure that would be fine?" Botan asked.

"Of course! I'm not letting you go out in that storm. We're the only two girls in this sad group, we have to stick together." Katani smiled and Botan giggled.

"I guess you're right. Mind if I use your shower?"

"Help yourself," Katani told her where her room and the shower were. Botan thanked her before rushing to the second floor. Katani sighed and went back into the kitchen. Kurama was already starting on the dishes. For a moment she just stood there watching him. For a guy with long hair he wasn't half bad. With a quick check she strengthened the barriers in her mind. Maybe if he did like her it wouldn't be so bad.

Katani let her eyes linger on him. He still hadn't noticed her or was he just ignoring her? Silently she went to the second side of the sink and began rinsing off the soapy plates. Kurama started at her sudden appearance but only smiled as she continued rinsing.

"Your heart is heavy," he said after a moment.

Katani bit her lip. "I bear a heavy load."

"You don't have to carry it alone."

"If I don't who will?" Katani began drying the plates and placing them back on the shelf.

"Katani-" Kurama caught her by the wrist and forced her to look at him. He's so handsome… She could feel the gold blood rising to her cheeks and giving them a golden glow. For a moment they just looked at each other. Kurama was taken by how deep her blue eyes were. In them he felt depth and wisdom, as if she had lived as long as he.

Katani's heart pounded against her chest. What was she thinking?

"I'm sorry, I have to go." With that she pulled away and ran up to her bedroom. Once the door was securely latched behind her she sighed with relief. She placed her palm over her heart and felt it's rapid beat. No, I can't trust him. Just the other day we were enemies. I will not let my guard down around him for a second. Not when I have so much to lose.

The way he had looked at her sent her heart pounding once more.

"Koenma is sending orders on the teams tomorrow-" Botan came out from the shower room in a large cloth robe. She stopped when she saw Katani. "Are you alright? My you look so flushed."

"I'm fine. You were saying?"

"Well I was about to tell you that I know who you're going with for the assignment."

Katani stopped halfway to her dresser. "Who?"

Botan put a finger to her lips. "Secret,"

"I don't want to force it out of you," she tore her necklace off, "but I will."

Botan saw what she was going to do and started panicking. "Okay, okay! You're going to Tokyo with Kuwabara and Kurama."

Katani put her necklace back on. "Huh. Well it's not as bad as I thought. So you think someone in this group of misfits and criminals is hot huh? Who?" Katani took a comb and journal and tucked them into a duffel bag for the trip.

"You tell me who you think is a fine piece of flesh and I'll do the same." Botan grinned like a cat in the birdcage.

"Never," Katani threw a couple more items into her bag and jumped into bed. "Hit the light will you? Goodnight."

"Please, Katani? Can't you tell me what happened to make you look so flustered a moment ago?"

Katani sighed, "I don't really understand what's going on and until I do I can't talk about it with anyone. I'm sorry Botan."

She pulled the cover up tight. The last things she saw were Kurama's green eyes and her golden blood.

A red rose stood alone in a field of stone. The rose had white marking round the steam. Drops of dew still clung to the leaves. The rose was fighting for its life. Every second of sunlight and every drop of water was critical. All day long it fought and looked like it would barely survive. High above a black raven flew. Its cry haunting all living things. It saw the rose below and marveled at its beauty. He wanted the rose for himself. He dived at it and tried to carry it off in his talons. But every rose has thorns and this one was no acceptation. The raven cried out in pain and became furious with the rose. If he couldn't have it, no one could. The raven struck at the rose and pelted it with rocks. The rose bled, blood alive as fire poured through the cracks of the rocks. Over and over the raven struck at the rose. Katani saw the rose slowly dying. She was powerless to do anything but watch. Every strike tore at her heart as if she was the one being killed. She tried to attack the raven, to scare it or do something to save the rose. Her efforts were fruitless. One more strike and the rose would die. Katani screamed in anguish.

"Kurama!" she sat bolt upright. Her body was covered in sweat and she panted to recover her breath. Suddenly she heard a scream from outside. With haste she threw on her slippers and robe, fearing the worst. Only one creature could make that kind of scream, Feer.

She tore down the steps, not caring if anyone woke. The nightmare had given her adrenaline and now she fed off that. Over the threshold she ran to the front door. Tears were falling down her cheeks. She cried for the rose, she cried for Feer. As she reached for the door handle a hand blocked her. Still in a daze she yelled at the person to move. To get out of her way, to let her go. The hand stayed fixed on the doorknob.

Katani pulled of her necklace and held it to the blocker's throat. It was Kurama. He didn't flinch when the blade came near. "Katani,"

She wiped away her tears. "Please move, Kurama. I need to get to Feer, he's in danger and,"

Kurama gently placed a finger over her mouth to silence her. "You will get hurt out there alone."

"I don't care anymore! Let me go!" Shaking, she fought to free herself of the hands that stopped her.

"I'm coming with you," he slipped into his shoes. Katani froze, he was putting his life on the line for her. This thought sobered her like a splash of ice water.

"No, you don't-"

He put his finger back on her lips. With all his strength he wrenched the door open and held it against the wind. The wind was tearing at everything and the rain made it impossible to see. Their odds weren't good. Kurama took the rose from his hair and flicked it in the direction of the stables. He tugged on it and when it was tight he picked Katani up by the waist.

"Forgive me," he whispered in her ear. One tug and they had shot forward as if someone had jerked the rope hard on the other side. In a flash the clarity of her nightmare returned. It had been Kurama she had dreamed of and called for when she woke up. What was wrong with her?

They reached the stable quickly and Katani ran to Feer's stall. He was kicking at his door and almost broke through it. Blood and splinters covered the mighty stallion's legs.

"Feer! Matteda! Valetsu qrina!" At the sound of his master's voiceFeer stopped and waited while Katani undid the latch. The frightened horse ran from the stable to the mansion. She watched him go, relieved that he would be safe.

"Katani!" Kurama ran towards her. She looked at him and heard the timbers above crack. A section of roof was torn off by the storm and the unsupported beams fell on her. Kurama stopped. He had been too late.

Filled with fury he thrust his body weight against the beam. It wouldn't budge. Focusing his energy he became Yoko Kurama. His red hair was replaced with silver and his jade eyes became sparkling gold. Two fox ears were mounted on the top of his head, much like a plushie. He picked up the edge of the beam and threw it to the side.

Two golden wings covered in blood hid Katani. Kurama shook her softly and the wings vanished. Weakly she smiled at him. The smile broke his heart for he could feel the reason behind it. She was smiling with no feeling behind it, merely to reassure him. Kurama wrapped his arms around her to try and bring some life back into her. If you can see into the mind of another like Kurama could you come to know that person on a separate level. Through her blood he understood her and felt as if he had known her for so long. In her smile he felt her despair and sadness at being thrust into something she wasn't ready for. Still in the middle of all that she kept an open mind and held strong while everything she had known shifted. Kurama had never met such a steadfast girl before and doubted he ever would again.

Another timber cracked and destroyed the other half of the stable. Yoko held her close and leapt over the debris. With stealth that came from years of thievery he ran back to the mansion. Once there he realized that he was covered in her blood from the scar on her back. Katani had torn the wings from her back using her will power alone. The skin was torn and battered and bare bone was exposed.

Yoko started to take her to her room. Katani reached for his face to get his attention. Gently she tugged on his silver hair.

"Not there, Botan is…"

He nodded and changed direction to his room. Yoko opened his door and laid her on his, well really her, bed. "You are so stupid," he muttered. She rose and sat beside him. Tears filled her eyes as she hugged him tightly. Yoko's breath caught from the unexpected warmth of her trembling skin.

"You're alive," she cried, "I woke up so scared…" Yoko slowly changed back to his human form as he placed a hand on her back. "You were dying… I saw your blood. He was going to kill you and I was forced to watch. That raven was about to…"

Kurama cupped her chin and made her look at him. "A raven?"

"I know it sounds stupid, I know it was all a dream. But I felt like you were being torn from the inside out. I heard you scream and it scared me. You were going to die."

Kurama was shocked. She had dreamed of his fight with Karasu. "Oh Katani… How did you know about that?" Carefully he cleaned off some of her blood with a sheet.

"Know about what?" Realization dawned on her face. "Did that really happen to you?"

He slowly nodded and rose to fetch some medicine.

She hugged her shoulders tightly. "I'm sorry. I'm such a burden. You saved my life. Again. Thank you. I'll go now." Stubbornly she wiped away her tears. Kurama caught her as she rose to go.

"Don't ever call yourself a burden. Never." He wanted her to stay with him. To need him and want to be protected by him. The gold blood within him stirred and he knew she wanted that too, but maybe not from him.

"Don't die. Please, don't die. You're the only friend I have here. If you go then…"

Kurama shushed her. "I'm not going anywhere." He sighed and realized that was all she needed now. Anything more would be confusing to her during all this. If he was her friend, he could be with her. He could bury his feelings for her, he had done it before. She was nothing more then a friend to him now, she had to be.

Katani stood and bowed low to him. He did the same. "Your back is bleeding heavily. Mind if I take a look at it?"

"Yeah, I'd like that." Katani let herself be led into the bathroom and did not fight as he cleansed the wound and wrapped the torn flesh with gauze.

"You are brave to do that," Kurama said. "I admire your strength."

"Please," said Katani, "I can't do anything right. Damnit I couldn't even protect the one closest to me."

"Some things are out of our control."

Katani's head fell for she knew he was right. Still, it wrenched her to know she was not there to protect him. "Who are you, Kurama?"

"Pardon?" he wasn't sure how to answer that.

Katani took a breath as he tightened the bandage. "I've never met a guy like you before. Kuwabara has told me stories about you and I've seen your other form but why do you have it? And why do you fight with a rose? And why the heck are you so kind to me?"

Kurama turned her around to check the wrapping. Katani blushed as his hand brushed her neck and shoulders. "You want to know me?" he said the phrase like a dare. "Why? I do not care to tell many my secrets. Why should I tell you?"

"Well I… You don't have too. I just want you to- I mean I think you're- what I meant was-" Katani sighed and took a breath to get her words in straight. Before finishing she slipped on an oversized t-shirt Kurama had lent her. "I'm lonely I guess. You seem to be the only one to give a crap and well, I thought maybe we could get to know each other better. You know more about me then I do about you so I thought we could tell each other things." Kurama gave her an odd look that she couldn't recognize. Before she knew it her face was blushing gold. "I'm sorry, it was stupid. Forget I said anything."

"No," Kurama smiled at her. "I think it's a fine idea. I'll never be able to sleep now anyway."

Katani blushed as his eyes rose to hers. "Thanks," her words could not even begin to explain how thankful she was that she could talk to someone without fear.

"Come on, there's an arm chair in my room." Kurama held a hand out a hand for her.

Katani enjoyed that simple touch. As he led her into his room and gave her a chair and blanket he felt his blood, her golden blood really, trill with contentment. Now he could separate her feelings from his and knew it was not only his blood that had raced when they looked at each other.

"Can I say something?" Katani wrapped the blanket tightly around her. Kurama nodded. "Why are you so kind to me?"

"People are kind to the one they care about." With a slight smile he sat across from her on the footstool. "Would you like me to begin?"

Katani nodded and listened as he told her tales of his birth and life in the human realm. His former life he would not expose just yet, which was fine with her. He told her of his powers developing over time and how he had met Hiei and the others. Katani listened wide eyed as he mentioned the Forlon Hope Mirror.

"You were really going to give your life for your mother?"

"Yes," he nodded solemnly.

Katani leaned forward and decided to take a risk. "I'm really glad Yusuke came in then." Kurama looked her over carefully. No one had ever said that before. "I think every life has meaning." Katani said after his confused look. "I realize you've done some things but who hasn't? Forgive me for being bold but when I see your eyes it feels like you're still carrying that burden. Death is never a good thing. You leave behind so much pain and burdens. Despite how bleak things are there is no answer in death."

"I realize that," Kurama leaned forward as well until they were a breath apart. "You are wise for your age."

"You make me feel like a child saying that."

"I think of you in no way as a child." Kurama closed his eyes and held her hand. "You're tired."

"Am not," Katani pulled away defiantly.

Kurama laughed softly. "All right then. I suppose I'll have to go to bed myself. Good night Katani." He rose and went on as if she weren't there.

"Hey!" Katani threw off the blanket. "You can't stop in the middle of a story like that! It's practically a sin!" She muttered something in her secret tongue.

"I'll tell you one more if you wish,"

"Really?"

"In exchange I ask that you teach me your language."

Katani darkened. "You know not what you are asking."

"I know full well what I asked. I wish to know you better and what better way then speaking as you would?"

Katani was shocked. Did he really want to learn her language just so he could understand her? How different he was from any other person she had met. Inside her chest her heart swelled with kind affection for him.

"Ok, I'll teach you. But I want a story from your past past, back when you were Yoko in exchange for this."

"I can do that." Kurama came back over. Katani pulled the blanket back up. The thin threads were barely keeping her warm. Feeling close to someone for the first time since her brother's death made her bold.

"Sit with me?" Katani made room on the chair.

Kurama seemed amazed that she would after hearing so much from Hiei and himself. Maybe she was beginning to truly trust him. He sat beside her and she draped the blanket over both of them. Katani listened as he told her of the moment he had fought a snake demon from the Middle Plain.

"… he thought that by backing me against a wall he had won. This fatal mistake was his downfall. Using the sword I had acquired from the-" he stopped as he felt pressure against his shoulder. Katani was breathing softly against him. She had fallen asleep. Kurama listened to the soft intake and exhale of breath as she let down her guard in sleep. The sight of her soft face sent his blood racing. "Good night, Katani." Gently he leaned forward and kissed her softly on her lips. Though she did not feel it, he felt the golden blood within him stir.