Chapter 20:

-(Ningenkai)-

Yuki reacted instantly, sending water in a circling spout, dousing them. The others, scrambling back onto the street, watched as the two elementals glared. "Take this fight somewhere else," she said. "Too many humans are here." The two disappeared in flashes of crimson and white-blue. A flash of black soon began to pursuit as well.

Kurama turned in the direction, ready to follow. "Come Yusuke. Botan, if you could take everyone back to Jiro's house it would be most appreciated." Yusuke grinned, giving Keiko a quick kiss on the cheek before disappearing with Kurama in a flash.

"Hey, wait for me!" Kuwabara ran after them, faster than a normal human, but not enough to match his friend's.

"Yen-san, please stop this." The two stood in the forest of Genkai's temple. "I don't want either of us to get hurt," she panted out. Her arrhythmia was coming back.

"It's too late for that Yuki-san." Yen crouched in the dirt, both waiting for themselves to regain the ability to fight. "I'm hurt- you will be hurt. There is no love in life."

"There is." She smiled. "We are so alike, you and I." The other was shocked, green eyes showing it.

"We have lives that lack the past. No clue of why we exist in this world. Wondering wanders are part of daily mind thoughts. We have lives that don't make sense- lives that lack peace, normality, boredom, simplicity, calm, sanity, consistency, clarity…"

"Lives in which love will be found."

Green eyes shed one tear- only one. Black wisps of hair blew past her. A pale withdrawn face held sorrow and distress. 'A wish… an agreeable wish… but a wish all the same.'

'Something I would wish for.'

"You and I are different. No form of satisfaction can be a part of my life-story." Vines started to creep towards them into the middle of the clearing; the animals and weak demons occupying this part of the forest had long since left in fear. A nagamaki was drawn, having been strapped onto her back. Fire wrapped around the blade, not harming her though as it covered the handle.

In response, dark clouds began to form, circling around the clearing. They were heavy with moisture, and lightning could be seen flashing up there. Heavy hail started to fall, about the size of baseballs.

Yen attacked first, the vines also circling closer in an arena-like shape. Ducking under the fiery blade, Yuki leapt over some plants, freezing them as they reached up to her. She continued to dodge and run as the other attacked.

"Yuki!"

A flash of metal caught her eye. Leaping towards it, she snatched her naginata by the handle. She nodded her thanks to Jiro before leaping forwards to avoid another fire ball. She saw Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke, and Kuwabara standing there, watching.

She had never been trained in weapon usage. But from observing Yen's stances and attacks for some time, she thought she could manage. Her breathing was erratic, but she launched herself at Yen, sweeping for her legs with the flat of her blade, meaning only to unsettle her footing. However Yen leaped up, kicking Yuki in the face in the process. She landed several feet away, watching the elemental.

Yuki just stood there, breathing heavily. Raising her head to the sky, they saw more lightning bolts come into play. At once, on their mistress's command, they shocked her. Set alight by the electrical bolts, not taking any harm, her breathing evened out.

She spat out some blood on the ground. Once it touched a rock, it exploded in a mixture of blood, stone particles, and electricity. Her eyes had changed a little, a wild look in those amethyst orbs. Lightning danced more frequently in the heavens, the ice coming down faster. A few droplets of water were felt.

The pine trees around them came alive, swinging their branches in frenzy, pine needles spraying everywhere. Fire balls also flew through the air, some alighting on pine needles but quickly burning out. Her nagamaki was held in front of her, in an offensive stance. She leapt forward, fire blooming around her weapon and personage.

The rain suddenly fell in sheets, drenching the fire. Lightning finally began to make contact with the ground, burning several pieces of greenery. Ice now came down even harder, hitting Yen.

Darting up, Yuki swung her naginata as hard as she could. Though quickly, Yen blocked it. The battle was at standstill until either could break the other's strength. Fire danced around Yen's body, ice around Yuki's.

"This is pointless," she ground out, purple eyes connecting with Yen's green. "Our strengths are even."

"Far from it." Yen's fiery foot connected with her unguarded chest.

Yuki flew backwards, where the vines eagerly smothered her.

Hiei started forward with a growl. Kurama stopped him. "There is more to this battle than seems so."

Yen had stopped, standing shock still in her tracks. Her body crackled with electricity. She fell over, writhing. The ball of plants exploded. Yuki walked up to her opponent. Her painful movements ceased.

The demon offered a hand. "A tie I should think." Wild purple eyes met hard emeralds.

"I don't need your pity." Yen got up by herself, swatting her hand away. She leapt through the trees. Kurama followed silently; only Jiro and Hiei saw him disappear along with the other girl.

Yusuke and Kuwabara rushed up to her. She waved them off. "D-Don't touch me yet…" She gained a sick look to her face; clutching her stomach, brought down to her knees. She began to wretch and cough, crying as she did so. The ground in front of her was covered in her vomit, which had begun to spark, strangely, and was filled with ice chunks.

Hiei walked up to her, reaching out to rub her back. Small static shocked his hand ever so slightly, but he didn't mind. It didn't hurt so much.

"I have to get all the extra electricity out of my body," she murmured in his mind when he established a link. "The ice too. Before I can't hurt anybody by touch alone."

"It's alright Koorihana." He rubbed her back soothingly. She quieted, leaning against him.

"Let's go home." Jiro was standing with Yusuke and Kuwabara behind him. "I want to check up on her heart condition." Everyone rose, following him at a slow pace for Yuki.

"Where's Kurama?"

"He's looking for her."

"Mm." She leaned against him. "I'm tired."

He enveloped her in one arm, letting her lean against him. He looked back into the forest behind him, before turning. He wondered how his friend was doing.

-(Ningenkai)-

"Yen!" he called. "Come back!"

Her black head of hair disappeared for a moment. But he was re-alerted of her presence due to her hacking coughs. Quickly catching up, he latched onto her arm.

Emerald eyes with a tint of lime green in them gazed at him. Emotionless.

"Who are you," her flat voice intoned. "And what do you want with me?"

Horror and gladness swelled within his chest. "You don't remember do you?"

"Did I know you?"

Kurama closed his eyes. "I don't know whether to be happy or dissatisfied." He hugged her close to him, gently breathing in her scent. "You've changed."

"Who were you to me?"

His breath hitched slightly. "A nobody." The kitsune rocked back and forward, trying to soothe her.

His hair tickled her face. She inhaled sharply.

Red hair…

-(Memory)-

"Class." An aged female teacher clapped her hands together for attention. "This is an exchange student from America." She smiled politely at the girl. "She speaks perfect Japanese, so you can all communicate together. Welcome her into our school." Some polite clapping ensued, but not much.

"My name's Nanashi Ume." She grinned. "But please, call me Sakura. Happy to meet you all."

"Sit in any available desk Nanashi."

She quickly settled near the front, but by the window all the same. The teacher nodded her approval, going to the board and talking about the History of Korea.

She felt eyes on her, but ignored them. She always managed to look like she was involved in a class back home, she could manage here. Occasionally raising her hand and answering the question, but more often taking notes and looking attentive, she gained most approval from the teachers of the school.

So when lunch rolled around, many people flocked around her, asking about where she lived, what America was like- some things like that. She answered easily, all with a grin. Several boys were attracted to her looks as well, and her confident attitude.

But that Shuiichi…

She had thrown him a glance when his red hair stood out more than usual, cocked her eyebrow. As if a challenge.

Of what?

She had no clue.

But that didn't matter now, did it?

She walked over, casually sitting down on the chair opposite him.

"I do hope you're the same Shuiichi from yesterday. Otherwise I would look like a complete fool."

He smiled. "I believe so Sakura-san."

Sakura frowned a little. A pout perhaps? "Never did like Japanese suffixes, never will. Just Sakura."

The redhead bowed his head slightly. "You must be an American at heart," he said in English.

"Now, now," she taunted with a smirk. "You're supposed to help me out with my Japanese here-"

"Which you already know due to your family situation-"

"So I'll let you off the hook, just this once." She stole a bit of food from his tray. "'Till then." She hopped off it, darting off through the crowd. He raised an amused eyebrow, then continuing his meal.

Where is your boy tonight

I hope he is a gentleman

Maybe he won't find out what I know:

You were the last good thing about this part of town

-(End Memory, Ningenkai)-

"Shuiichi Minnamono," she murmured. "You are he."

"Yes." His voice seized up slightly, making his comment sound strangled almost.

"Nanashi Sakura Ume…" Her head tilted so that her words moistened his neck with breathy whispers. "That was my name."

"Yes."

"I'm from America?"

"Yes."

"But my family is Japanese."

"Yes."

"And I like… Fall Out Boy."

How many times he voiced his assent he did not know. "Yes."

" Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman.

Maybe he won't find out what I know: you were the last good thing about this part of town.

When I wake up, I'm willing to take my chances on the hope I forget

That you hate him more than you notice I wrote this for you (for you, so...)

You need him. I could be him...

I could be an accident but I'm still trying.

That's more than I can say for him.

Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman.

Maybe he won't find out what I know: you were the last good thing about this part of town.

Someday I'll appreciate in value, get off my ass and call you...

But for the meantime I'll sport my

Brand new fashion of waking up with pants on at 4:00 in the afternoon.

You need him. I could be him...

I could be an accident but I'm still trying.

That's more than I can say for him.

1-2-3-4

Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman.

Maybe he won't find out what I know: you were the last good thing about this part of town.

(Won't find out) he won't find out

(Won't find out) he won't find out

Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman.

Maybe he won't find out what I know: you were the last good thing about this part of town.

Where is your boy tonight? I hope he is a gentleman. (He won't find out)

Maybe he won't find out what I know: you were the last good thing about this part of town. "

"Grand Theft Autumn," she stated. "My favorite song." (AN: 'Tis true, and by Fall Out Boy. And I don't own it.)

His emerald eyes clenched shut, hiding glistening orbs. "Yes." Kurama hugged her tightly. "Yes. You listened to it all the time." A tear slipped down an emerald eye; both people shed one, falling on each other's back.

"Who did this to me?"

He closed his eyes. "I did."

Sakura squeezed him. "I want to know… the reason why."

"I'm not worthy to be remembered by you. I had done terrible things… Your mind was too pure for it all."

A bitter laugh. "No longer. I am not pure." His gentle hands soothed her as she let out a raucous cough.

"I think…" she began once they subsided.

"…That I can forgive you."

"I still don't know what you've done."

"But I know you've had no ill intention to me."

Turning once his grip around her slackened, she pressed a simple kiss on his forehead. "Help me remember and I'll forgive you."

"I don't think you can forgive me."

"I'll be the judge of that."

: End Chapter

Insaneningen14: Do you know why I haven't updated in a month! Correct answer: because you people haven't been reviewing. I'm not sure when you people get out of school, but I already am on my break. Means, you should have plenty of time to read and review!

I swear that you people are the one of the many inconsistencies that composes my life.

REVIEW- that's an order, not a whimsy request. I would go into a curse rant, but since I said that I censor my chapters, I can't.

But know I would if I could.