When it was asked about what would happen if Yuu's soul remained outside of his body, I pursed my lips and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to not think about it too much or picture it. I still heard the words and the answer Master Genkai gave wasn't the least bit of a surprise. He'd be dead. I swallowed, squeezing my eyes harder against the sudden tears.

Hearing it said out loud so baldly was chilling. It was apparently why Yuu, Yana, and Asato went to see Genkai. Sensing a topic change from what could happen from a soul removed from a body, particularly my older brother's soul, I swiped the tears from my cheeks and leaned my head out farther to hear and see.

I saw Kurama's face shift before he spoke. It was like he'd received an ah-ha moment. Except it was wrong. He asked Yuu if Yuu had removed his soul on purpose. And Yuu agreed.

My fists clenched, glaring at the person who thought Yuu would ever do such a thing for curiosity's sake. Yuu may be curious and a learner, but he'd never put his life in such jeopardy on purpose like that. I don't appreciate him thinking he understands Yuu. Even if it did turn out that the sharp-faced guy didn't do as I feared from my dream.

The green leaves in front of me shifted and I looked over to see if I bumped the stem, then froze as the leaf, very solidly, thumped me in the middle of my forehead.

I did not move. I did not scream. I did not do anything but stare.

Slowly, very slowly and trying to make no sudden movements, I slid a foot back. It was then I realized my hands were clenched very tightly and they were tingling. Stiffening, I snapped my head down and shook my hands out, trying not to freak out more with the plant moving near me and stepping away because I wasn't going to be able to get rid of the energy if the plant controlled by the demon who could do worse than killing with them and the same one who'd just removed Yuu's soul and it was getting closer!

The energy in my hands flared up. I shoved my fists tight again, trying to contain the sight of it, pulling them close together. It only steadied the flare up.

Panicked, I looked past the plant to where the head of red was standing.

He was smiling. Hand raised up above where a hand twitched over a scabbard. Smiling. Shaking his head. The hand over the sword relaxed, falling to the side. Kurama's lip twitching as he kept his eyes on Yuu as Yuu and Yana and Asato did proper introductions. Then peered from the corners of his eyes at me, lips pulling back in obvious amusement.

And then he looked back, putting his focus back on the current discussion, the plant drooping back into place with no more attempts to reach out for me.

Baffled, my own hands fell to my sides, finally managing to disperse the tingling feeling, wondering what just happened. I wasn't able to wonder on it for too long.

I slapped my hand over my mouth, nearly giggling through my fingers, previous fear releasing out in a bubble of hilarity of Yusuke being smacked on the back of the head so far that he nearly smashed his face into the floor.

The conversation continued on while I held in any reaction of fear or worry or fright or laughter, all of them fluctuating in this weird groupings of sensations through my body. I trained my focus back to Yuu, who had his complete focus on what was being said, organizing and shuffling the information through his mind. There was something relaxing, calming, and settling about watching Yuu process everything. Normal and soothing to see. A relief. I studied him, growing more at ease at seeing the familiarity, glad to see nothing out of place with Yuu.

Red, searing eyes crossed into my direct line of vision at my older brother, narrowing at me as he kept his back to Kuwabara shouting at him. I froze. Again. I'm in over my head. What am I supposed to do about any of this to keep Yuu safe? Hiei's eyes flicked away, toward Yuu, and he scoffed, tossing out insulting remarks back to the group before storming past where I stood behind the plant, slamming the door shut. I blinked at the closed door and searched back into my mind. What exactly could I do about this whole situation?

"But wait! We can't go to sleep just yet! There was that girl! You know! The girl I was telling you guys about! What was her name…? She was looking for her little brother and we got to help her!"

"I am afraid Kuwabara," Kurama began slowly. He pulled something out from his pocket. Suspicious of his tone and wondering if I should come out now, I stepped hesitatingly forward. "That she no longer is in need of your assistance. And you are incorrect on the 'little brother'. I must admit, Kaito, I didn't expect you to be the type to have children gravitate toward you. You fingered this one the most in your book earlier."

My mouth dropped. He'd stolen Yuu's birthday present. He had stolen Yuu's present that I had given just a few hours ago that made Yuu happy to receive. He stole my bookmark! Kurama flicked it forward in his hand, among the others we'd given Yuu, to display it prominently, like a magician displaying cards to the audience.

"Huh?" Kuwabara asked. His head swiveled from Kurama to Yuu, frowning, then going back to Kurama. "What do you mean she doesn't need my help? And what does that and some crummy bookmarks have to do with the girl from upstairs?"

I looked quickly over to Yuu. He'd gone terribly pale, round little eyes wide behind his glasses as he stared at the stolen bookmarks. Something itched at my hand and I swatted it away, my hand tingling with energy building, irritated at how much of a…a…a jerk Kurama was being. No wonder Yuu hated Minamino so much. I stepped under the plant, fists clenched and tingling more, making my way out from where I'd been so Kurama wouldn't be able to keep provoking Yuu.

"So." Kurama tapped my bookmark with a finger. "I take it the presence hiding among the plants is Rin?"

"That was it! Rin! That was her name! How'd you—"

Yuu snarled. "Minamino—"

I yanked myself away from the plant slinking down past my sides, slashing my energy filled hand in front of it, making it smack right into the energy and stopping it from wrapping around my wrists. With another slash of energy above me, I ducked under the plant and ran straight for the startled group. Skidding slightly, I planted myself in front of Yuu, filling my hands with as much tingling energy as I could muster, it thrummed, and I glared up.

"Quit picking on Yuu, you big meanie! Go pick on some other plant your size, you…you…you utter pansy!"

For what felt like forever, there was silence and stunned faces. I swallowed. I breathed hard. I trembled at those sharp eyes zeroed in and focused on me. But I was not going to let anyone get away with treating Yuu like that. I stood my ground.

And then…Kurama bowed his chin to his shaking chest…and laughed.

I know it's not just me here.

It wasn't funny and I do not especially appreciate being laughed at when I was being very serious. I do realize I am smaller and younger and it is 'oh, how cute and adorable'. But really? I was wielding spirit energy focused on some very strong emotions. Determination. Protection. Love.

Okay, maybe calling him that particular flower as an insult was…ill advised to be taken seriously.

Still, I may or may not have a thing with puns and my next use of a pun as an insult was well…seriously ill advised for me to make it.

Flabbergasted, I stared up at him. Did he think it was funny to go about terrifying Yuu?

"Rin." Yuu's voice was strained. I look back at him, wondering what's wrong. Beside him, Yana and Asato have the same wide-eyed and kind of pale looks as Yuu. He doesn't move his sight off of me. "Rin, get over here please. Get away from Minamino."

I trotted over and tugged at his hand, pulling him back. "You too Yuu. He's acting weird and I don't get why he thinks this is funny and can we get new plants and not keep those?"

His head snaps up, taking his eyes off of me to stare across the room, a quiet and unsettling fury. Slowly, he pulls me to his side, tucking me close. I lean in, grasping a hold of him. Yuu speaks evenly. "Mind illuminating Minamino."

It is not a question.

"Apologies. I was merely attempting to gently extract her out of her hiding spot." Kurama's mouth quirks up. Liar. You're a jerk. You think this is funny.

Yusuke snorts.

"I'm with Urameshi," Kuwabara sputters out. "She's only like five or something and you and your plants can be creepy Kurama!"

"Five? I'm turning eight this summer and you stole my birthday gift to Yuu." I threw the charge at the sharp features, scowling as he still appeared more entertained than apologetic. My older brother tugged me back, turning my small hand in his larger ones. I fidgeted.

Whoops.

"I didn't know," I explained quietly. "Not until earlier tonight really. It's only happened the one time. With Tsukihito, Mitsu's cousin. I would have brought it up. But…you were rushing out the door soon after Mom and the dinner we made for you."

Yuu's small eyes flicked up from my hands, taking in my words before returning to studying my tiny hands. Yana shifted around him to block our hands from the direct sight of the others. Asato shoved his hands into his deep pockets and followed suit.

"It certainly explains things," Master Genkai said dryly. "I doubt the dimwit noticed—" "Hey!" "—that there was an energy hiding which kept spiking up. Particularly in regards to you, Kaito. It wasn't exactly that large of a leap to figure out and at least Kurama had the sense to pay attention and check."

Yuu's eyes flickered to the older lady, taking in the words, then directing his attention back to my hands. I kept my sights in her direction, looking her over, knowing I should probably focus on her. And I promptly took notice of other background things.

Scrunching his nose up, Yusuke blew air out of his mouth, crossed his arms and looked away, muttering under his breath. It felt familiar and funny and I leaned to watch, momentarily fascinated. There was something to watching someone you'd only seen previously in your head as an animated character.

Kuwabara grinned and sniggered, elbowing him. He didn't appear all that bothered when Yusuke smacked a fist in his direction. All he did was scuttle back from any more hits on his person, siding up next to an amused girl in a blue school uniform, her blue hair up in a ponytail. Botan. The pair shared a look, grinning as Yusuke grumbled more, like a petulant child.

I nearly laughed. Somehow, Yusuke still remained very much an animated character.

"There was that time," Yuu murmured as he turned my hand over and his long fingers felt along the skin. I turned back to him, peering carefully at him as he spoke and examined my small hand. "A few days ago, when we spoke of Minamino…Kurama…how you are not like him and I thought I saw something then…"

I blinked in surprise. "You did?" I'd done something then? Frowning to myself, I tried to remember back to that night. It'd been the same night I'd gotten that piece of paper from Sensui. The same night I'd made a promise to not losing Yuu. I'd been pretty emotional and angry and I think Yuu was right.

"Pardon me." I spun my head to look with everyone else to Botan, who was uncertainty stepping forward, an odd mix of confusion and determination on her face. She stared at me for a little too long. It became uncomfortable. Her eyebrows flew upwards in realization and her arms went up, waving about. "Sorry! I've been kind of rubbernecking since you popped up in front of us."

Yuu shifted and I slumped my shoulders in some relief as she took her eyes off of me. She faltered again. Yet the determination shone through anything else she was confused and troubled over. "Um. Well, Kaito, I really feel I must ask, as my usual job, before helping Yusuke, is ferrying souls and…"

Botan's mouth hovered open, drifting farther and farther down as her eyes grew rounder and rounder.

"Kaito. Rin. And that's right!" She pointed. "You said it was Yuu! I mean, Kurama said it too earlier, but I didn't realize until now! Your mom is Tomoko, isn't she? And your dad! You two are related to—"

Botan squeaked and slapped her hand over her mouth, scuttling backward. Baffled, I leaned forward, half moving toward her and half opening my mouth to speak. But what fully got my interest was no one else was really startled or surprised by Botan's weird reaction. Except Kuwabara, gaping at me.

"It appears as though I don't need to show you how to speak as I did earlier when threatening you, Kaito, not with that look you're showing."

At the dry tone and raised eyebrow from the other one wearing my older brother's school uniform, I turned around and raised my head to look at Yuu. Kuwabara wasn't gaping at me, he was gaping at the frightening, successfully foreboding demeanor illuminating off of Yuu. It was utterly hostile and terrifying. And then it dawned on me. I could see the ache and fear in his eyes behind the flash of his glasses.

I spun back around and stood straighter up from beside Yuu, giving my best glare, driving the point home so she wouldn't speak on Yuu's landmine again. "He's not in our lives. We don't speak of him."

Botan blinked, then drew her brows and mouth in. "Well that seems a bit harsh," she said. "I mean, after all, he's—" She slapped her mouth shut, eyes looking everywhere as though she wasn't trying to meet anyone's eyes. Botan mumbled through her fingers, "My big mouth keeps forgetting."

"Eh." Yusuke shrugs. "Your old man sucks. Join the club. You should meet my old man. He's a real piece of shit. Not like whatever stuff some pampered looking nerd would have ever seen. What? He slept with some other chick other than your mom?"

"Yusuke," Botan hissed at him.

Yana muttered behind me and I shifted to look, not catching the words, but hearing the stunned shock in the tone. Dazed, his eyes were opened wider as he stared at Yusuke, then shifted back to half open as he noticed Yuu's fearful face. He leaned to the side, tilting close and speaking into Yuu's ear. "Kaito. Chill. He at least took focus off of Little Kaito here."

I took a hold of Yuu's hand and twined myself around his arm, hugging it to my chest. After a moment, I breathed out at feeling some of the tension leaving him. A hand ruffled the top of my head and I snuggled closer to him. It felt nice. Being under someone's wing felt nice. Especially after I'd messed up and not informed him of things. Even if we'd been busy celebrating his birthday and he'd this he ran off too after our mom went to work. I should have told him before.

There was almost this sense of needing to duck from anger or apologize for taking him off guard on something he should have known first and he had every right to be upset and yell at me. But he didn't. That wasn't Yuu. Never to me. I buried myself closer, filling all of myself up with the feeling of safety and care over the distinct lack of it in the memories of my past life.

Still… "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, Yuu," I mumbled against him. He drew me closer up against him and I clung, relishing the feeling. "It's fine," he murmured back. "I…we'll figure it out."

"And with whatever else Yusuke, it's rude." Botan's voice held a tone of finality as she finished up telling him off about his earlier words.

I heard Yusuke snort. "Yeah, yeah. Looking to steal Keiko's nagging rights Botan? Tch! I'd rather get back on topic than discuss anything about that asshole. How are we doing this searching everywhere for whoever this psychic guy is? Can't I just fire a huge blast in Mushiyori and scare him off with how—ow!"

"Moron," Master Genkai snipped. I laughed into Yuu's shirt, easily picturing Yusuke being smacked over the back of his head again. "We'll be splitting up into two groups. One to investigate the area indicated where the tunnel is at and the other to search Mushiyori City. Between our groups, we should be able to gather up information about their leader, their numbers, and their powers."

Discussion changed, moving off of me and anything to do with my newfound energy or whatever Botan was going to say, which I was thankful for because I did not want Yuu putting himself through the pain of what might have been and was written down to happen to me. They began discussing the two groups and who would go where, those who would work best together and skills they brought being used to their advantage to find out about the person trying to open the hole between Human and Demon World. I drifted in and out, starting to sway a little bit. Between worrying and it being very early morning and maybe something to do with flashing out spirit energy, I was tired.

All I wanted to do was go to sleep. To not worry. Yuu and his soul were fine. They were all working together. It'd be nice to let them do all the worrying about Sensui and solve the problem like they were meant to. Except I had this nagging alertness pinging through. What was with Sensui's interest in me? I wasn't part of this.

"I'll go with Minamino's group," Yuu's voice said above me. The vibration of his spoken words had me pulling my head away from his side, peering up and trying to pay attention to where he'd be going.

"Hmph, that'll work. And our group will take Yana and Kido. The pair of you ought to give us an edge with your familiarity with the streets of Mushiyori City. Kaito will be the same advantage with knowledge of Mushiyori in the other group. Botan's tie in to Spirit World will come in handy there, she'll be in your group as well."

Yana tilted his head. "Sure you'll be fine dealing with your classmate?" Yuu merely raised an eyebrow over his glasses and gave one firm nod. "Is it really for the best? To keep avoiding him?" Directing an angled look over his nose and raised chin, Yuu didn't say a word, letting his obviously certain demeanor say everything he needed in how unnecessary he felt it was to respond. Yana shrugged, leaving the question alone.

Avoid who? I was confused. It certainly wasn't Kurama, who'd be the expected one to avoid. Sensui? Had Sensui already contacted Yuu? Tsukihito had hinted at it before and I had this flash of an animated long legged fight going on in a city area with Yusuke, not a hole in sight. Did Yuu know to keep from Sensui and the upcoming fight with Yusuke? But that didn't make sense. Sensui wouldn't know right now about his fight with Yusuke in order to get…Kuwabara.

I peeked over, involuntarily shuddering at the image of tentacle type fingers wrapped around him.

Twisting, Yuu grabbed at something and the next thing I knew, I was wrapped up in one of his blocky jackets. "Avoid who?" He stilled, I felt it, then continued patting the warmth about me.

"Don't worry about it Rin. It's nothing." His little, round eyes peered down at me, hopeful. I made mine wider, staring hopefully back. Yuu puffed out a breath of air and gave in. "Urameshi. Master Genkai's apprentice. He has quite the reputation of getting into trouble and dragging everyone involved into his battles. You know me, I'm quite unsuited in that particular…skill set. Does that sound reasonable?"

"Okay," I said slowly. Tottering from under his large coat, I fought to keep myself upright, my eyes starting to drift shut and the warmness around me. Yet I found myself frowning, blinking blearily up and trying to understand the single raised eyebrow Yana was looking at Yuu with. Asato glanced between the two, baffled, but then rolled his eyes and ignored them. There was something about how Yuu worded that, but I couldn't put my finger on it. But it seemed okay. And I guess it worked. A flash of an image came to me, helping me out. Yuu had faced off against the rest while…while Asato had been the one keeping Yusuke under his shadow. So it seemed it was just Yuu. Not anything with Sensui and if he kept his distance from Yusuke, then Yuu would be not near their fight or pushed farther into…things.

I yawned.

"If we are to be at our optimal in the morning for this search, I insist we shelve the discussion for the night, or as is more apt and fitting, the morning we are planning to wake up for, gathering up some level of repose before we seek out on some ridiculous sounding comic superhero type mission." Yana's mouth twitched and I giggled a bit, but Asato and Kuwabara and Yusuke stared all flabbergasted and confuddled by what Yuu was driving at. He stared back at them, annoyed, but spoke more simply and sardonically. "I'm suggesting we get a few hours of rest before beginning a quest to 'save the world.'"

"Told you our stories are better than anything you'd read in a book," Kuwabara said. Yuu sighed at that, probably wanting to say it was debatable, but I smiled. You could read their stories in a book. Well, maybe not now, but I know the story was written and drawn into a manga before it was made an anime. "I think I spotted a smaller bed in the clutter upstairs. Before I noticed her terrifying climb up the side of this creepy house. I can go find it and drag it out for you, Kaito. For her, I mean."

In the midst of picking me up, Yuu halted for a brief moment, then tucked me up against his side. Bed. That sounds nice. We moved, heading up the stairs with Kuwabara clomping up ahead and everyone else trailing behind. I caught sight of Kurama staring at me, his face lined with thoughts off in calculation as he stared. Turning my head, I tucked it under Yuu's chin and away from where I could see Kurama. He seemed very much the type to figure out what Botan was getting at earlier and to chip away at what Yuu was already blaming and worrying himself over with what happened to me concerning his taboo territory.

There was a scraping sound and next I knew, Yuu's face was above me and I was drifting off.

"I don't care if you don't want to hear this, but she's got a significant amount of spiritual energy. It would be extremely advisable if you made sure she trained to get a hold of that."

"Thanks for the offer, Master Genkai." Sheets tucked around me.

"I didn't say I'd do it," she snapped back.

"Um…Kaito? About before…"

Hands tucked the sheets even more snuggly around me. "Rin was not wrong before and I will not be discussing…him."

I think there was a yelping noise and I realized my eyes had closed. Forcing them open and trying to pay attention to what was going on, only had my sight filled with Yuu sitting on the bed staring past me to the wall. I struggled to get my small hand out to reach out. He'd always tended to get this aching look on his face when thinking of our dad. And the fear and uncertainty. But this was worried and anxious and terrified.

His hand stroked my hair back, trying to lift his lips into a smile. I let the effort count and smiled back up at him. Yuu tugged the sheets back into place and I curled up under them, curled about where he sat to keep the connection.

"Well, no. I wanted to ask about the state of her soul."

There was a sharp intake of air and his hand stilled. I pressed closer from under the sheets, trying to help ground him despite feeling as though I was sinking into the small bed. I think I mumbled something, but I don't know what I managed to get out.

"I had wondered the possibility when you brought it up earlier, Botan."

"Your presence was not wanted nor needed here, Minamino."

A long silence followed and I let go of trying to stay up any longer. There was murmurs from a distance, arguing and shouting to go to sleep. Yuu's hand resting heavily on top my head was reassuring and the next thing I knew was dreams better than earlier of seeing Yuu in trouble and him not there. Because he was here. Safe. It was all okay.

Then I saw her face. I saw her mouth moving. Never a mistake. Always on purpose. There was the rest of the family. Watching. Ignoring. Doing their own thing. Staying out of it. Her arm flashed out, grabbing my attention back to what she was lecturing me over. I fucked up. I was too smart to be this stupid. Don't I dare embarrass the family. Quit acting like a child.

I couldn't hear anything, but I knew it. All I ask of you is to do a few chores, is that so damn hard? Why the hell didn't you do your homework sooner?

I didn't hear the words. I didn't have to. I knew the words. I never asked for such a disrespectful child. I raised you better than this. How do you think this makes a mother feel when their daughter does shit like this?

Sheer powerful emotions carved in year by year by after year. Stop talking, no one wants to listen to any of that. Why can't you be more like your younger siblings? They talk to me about the things going on in their lives. Are you trying to make me look like a shit mother in front of others when I don't know what's going on with you?

I knew this all by heart.

Someone tugged me back and the house faded away. Her mouth moved furiously, but I stepped back. The words didn't need to be heard for me to understand the blame and guilt trip and family. Arms wrapped around me and I looked away from her and saw Yuu.

I did not know this with all my heart.

Hugging Yuu, I noticed our mom was there too. All short, curly hair back in a headband, freckles on display as she wore her work uniform. A smile on her face that I never could say I saw on her.

"Kaito."

Kurama was next to Yuu? Talking?

But then there were others. Yana and Asato. Kuwabara and Botan. Mitsu and Tsukihito. There were lots more people. Yusuke grinning cheekily. Aoi teasing Natsue. Akari was there, as was Tsukiko and Yasahiro. Everyone was there.

"Before. Your younger sister's energy flared when I spoke about you removing your soul on purpose, to learn what could happen. I'd thought she'd merely been upset with you for doing such a thing. But now I see, that was a lie, wasn't it? A lie you let me believe. You're defensive, sitting like that, the way you watch over her, and how she looks up at you. I am afraid I've been caught off-footed in how I had you pegged from school. She was upset for my misunderstanding of your character and the fact you removed your soul…to save hers."

Yuu is an awesome older brother. Above and beyond what most other older siblings would do for a younger one. It'd be nicer to hear this directed at him in the not dreamworld, but it didn't stop me from deeply agreeing. Yuu was something past me never dared to dream about.

I squeezed him.

But he wasn't there.

A very much flatly drawn Sensui was taking up more and more of the place and Yuu was moving farther and farther away into his visage. Wholly terrified, I froze, I screamed, I threw punches, I tried to get to Yuu. Nothing changed. Except Sensui's growing smile. And the shadows of others in the distance. Tsukihito lay on the ground. Yuu met another figure directly, then kept walking. I could suddenly see Yusuke laying on the ground. Demons of many colors started showing up from the darkness, swarming in. Sensui's smile grew far too wide, his face looking trippy and off and something to fear.

"For you."

Gasping as though I was drowning, I shot up, breathing hard into the floating dust lit by early morning rays.

For you.

I can't change Yuu.

I wouldn't want to.

But maybe who he was wasn't for the best in this situation.

Yuu would do a lot for me.

Even I wasn't unaware of the fact of him being a large hand in raising me.

He was more than just an older brother.

He was…Yuu.

'You're welcome. Sensui.'

I cannot ever let Yuu find that paper.

That he was written to be a large hand in my death.

Or Sensui did something to prevent it.

I cannot let Yuu find anything about this.