Disclaimer No, I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of it's characters. But I do fancy pretending every once in a while, and that's why we have this fanfic.

A/N What, no one was mad about the cliffie? Like, at all? O.o (was expecting multiple 'evil!' reviews like before) Ah well. One can't be so desperate for reviews as to be over not getting a flame... can she? (coughs)

Okay, so Aithril and I did something different with this chapter. I hacked at it first, then she did some chiseling, and then I we went over it with sander. So if this chapter sucks, it's mostly my fault (aside from the fact I wrote it in the first place, and all). But it is an update, so I've appeased the gods and can now go rest... or start on the next chapter. Curses.

Just to be clear, this story takes place sometime after the Dark Tournament, but before the whole Sensui bit, mmkay? Now there's lots of Kurama in here, so hop to it!


Life Goes On

By: SunshineandDaisys

Chapter 4: Care to Explain!


"What the hell is going on here?" Jessica choked, hardly believing what she was seeing.

Kurama smiled weakly. "Well, you see, it's a really lon--"

"No! I'm not playing this game again. You're going to tell me why you're here, why you're in the habit of saving my life, and you're going to tell me now."

The former fox simply shoved his hands in his pockets and returned her glare with a look of annoyance.

"I don't think you're ready to know, Jessica."

"I beg to differ."

"Really, you don't unders--"

"Now, fox boy!"

Kurama's eyes flashed in what could've been anger or amusement. "If you insist."

Jess relaxed slightly and leaned against one of the brick walls. Kurama seemed content to stay where he was, and part of her was disappointed. A very small part. No matter how well the shadows played up his looks, he was still some kind of transforming freak with knife-wielding capabilities.

"As much as I think this could be better explained elsewhere, I see you won't be satisfied unless I tell you now."

"Damn straight." she muttered.

"You say that now... are you sure you won't change your mind?" Jess gave him a look that suggested homicide. "Okay then." With a sigh, the boy began.

"What you saw me do - that is, turning into a fox - you can do also. It's only one of many things you have the ability to accomplish. As for what we are, Jess - we're demons."

If she hadn't just seen him pin Chad to the ground with four paws, she probably wouldn't have believed him. And even after seeing that...

"I... this is bullshit."

"It's not." he said grimly. "It may seem profusely absurd, but be assured, I won't lie to you." He paused, preparing for a long story.

"Before your mother even knew she was expecting a daughter, the high ruler of Spirit World insisted that every precaution be executed to make sure you were kept safe and hidden from anyone who might be after you. This city you live in is protected by many kinds of shields. If anyone looking to cause you harm entered the city, Spirit World would be notified instantly. If you were to leave the city, however, it would be quite a difficult situation."

"But I go on vacation to Washington once a year."

"Your father has discussed this with Koenma, and once a year, Seattle, Washington goes under the same protection as Fern."

Jess drew in her breath sharply. "My father knows about this!"

"Yes," Kurama nodded, "he does. It's from his side of the family that you've received the demon gene, and an impressive one it is. You are a fox demon, like myself, but you're not an ordinary one by any means. Jess, you're an elemental fox demon. You can reign in any force of nature that you wish - even hearts and minds. This power of yours is the only one left in the world, and The Spirit World will be requiring that you use it in a little over two week's time."

"But I--"

He held up his hand. "Two weeks is hardly enough time to even fully realize what you are, this I know. But your father has been adamant in keeping you from the truth since the day you were born. As a child, he was thought to have received the elemental gene and was put through harsh training, so as to release the demon within. Sadly, your father was not a recipient, and it was assumed that no one in your family would ever be again.

"So when I came to him nearly sixteen years ago, as your mother was rushed into the delivery room, it was no surprise that he refused to let you go through the same. I explained to him over and over that we were not mistaken this time, that you were to be the one, but even as we were allowed to see you, he stuck with his decision. He agreed, however, that in an emergency - and only the utmost of them - we could ask for your help."

"My help in what ?" Jess snapped. "I fail to see what I could bring to the table, since I'm obviously lacking everything because my parents want my life to be miserable."

"You can kill them," he said darkly, eyes intent on her. "There are demons who are good, and there are some who are bad. It's simple, really. But then there are demons who have power enough to be considered deities and are treated as such. Demons like the Ruler of the Underworld; the leader of the Ulren."

Kurama turned his gaze away from her to stare at the ground. That was a good thing, Jess decided, because the look in his eyes had become more and more fierce with every word. He had begun to really scare her.

"Ulren are nasty creatures who live under the lock-and-key of their lord. Imprisoned eons ago, they are allowed free once every two-thousand years on a night called the Divine. The Ulren rise up from the depths of hell to reclaim the earth they once called home. But should they succeed this time, it would mean certain death for all humans on earth and the release of evil into Spirit World. It would spread like wildfire, and soon there would be nothing left of either world."

"And you expect me to stop that!" she shrieked.

"We don't expect it, Jess - we're certain. If you can't take them out, our lives will soon be coming to an end."

Jessica gaped at him. Was he mad? Was she mad!

"I told you this should wait." Kurama sighed. "Once I take you to Spirit World and run some official tests, you'll have proof. But until then, you're just going to have to trust me. I'll talk some sense into your father, and hopefully we'll be on our way soon." Kurama watched as she cautiously began to walk towards him, her right pointer finger extended.

"You're not real." she said firmly. "You're just an insane, freak part of my imagination on overdrive. So phase out or get beamed up, whatever it is that you do, and leave me alone!"

Jess stopped a few inches from Kurama, close enough for him to almost taste the fear she was trying so hard to hide. He softened and took her hands in his, ignoring her protests.

"Maybe we'll try this again later," he said, his voice becoming more dream-like by the second. "Just... relax for now, okay?"

Her vision swayed dangerously to the left before she fainted into his waiting arms. With a sigh, Kurama released his grip on her mind and let her rest. This girl would prove to be more trouble than he'd planned.


Jessica awoke in her bed. She sat up slowly, trying to remind herself how exactly she'd gotten home, when a voice broke through her thoughts. Or rather, two very loud voices in the living room.

"Why the i hell /i would you tell her all that, Youko her father's angry voice demanded to know. "She's fifteen -fifteen- for God's sakes!"

"We've been over this, Tom," said a voice that should've belonged to her imagination only. "We need her--"

"Not a chance in hell, Youko. She's not going back with you. Ever!"

Jess slid out of bed and quietly made her way down the hall, poking her head around the corner to see if anyone would started swinging soon.

"If she doesn't come," Green eyes flashed dangerously, "then she'll die in less than a month, along with the rest of the world. If I hadn't told her, then would you have!"

Tom just responded by glaring daggers and sitting on the couch. Kurama sat down on the adjacent one.

"I don't want her working alone."

"She'll be with me," Kurama said.

"What about the Spirit Detective?"

"Yusuke never sits at times like these -you've met him."

"And what of the thief, or that other one?"

"Hiei and Kuwabara? Hiei has his own reasons to be involved, and Kuwabara has some of the same. They will be of service along with countless others."

Tom lowered his head into his hands.

"I'm guessing you'll teach her?"

"All I can. Yusuke had agreed to instruct her as well."

"I'm not concerned with what kind of education she gets, Youko. I'm concerned with her life. I'm trusting you despite every ounce of sense I possess. Jessica is young in her years and not capable of holding her own in a situation like this. But that does not mean she should be a toy manipulated into doing whatever they ask of her."

"I would never let that happen," Kurama began suddenly. "Things have changed since they had you in training. And your daughter, from what I've gathered so far, is definitely capable of holding her own in situations that would have others six feet under."

"Say what!" Tom's head shot up.

Jess's eyes widened as she realized her imagination was about to tell her father about Chad.

"Don't panic, I stepped in. But a boy named Chad Thomas had some, well, plans for your daughter this afternoon. She has reflexes like you, Tom. She'll learn fast enough."

Her father looked horrified. "What kinds of plans, Youko? Was he going to--"

"You'll get a call from his parents later explaining everything. But by then, Jessica shouldn't be here..."

Kurama stopped talking and glanced at the front door. He turned penetrating eyes on Tom.

"Your wife will be home soon."

"Oh. I will have to, uh, break this to her gently, um..."

"I'll give you a few days, Tom, but she will be coming with me as soon as everything in Spirit World is ready." Her father nodded with defeat. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a few thing to tell her before I leave."

"Right." Tom said, standing slowly and walking to the kitchen. He needed something strong for this.

Kurama watched him go before turning to raise an eyebrow at the corner.

"You know," he said as he found her on the other side of the wall. "spying isn't nice."

"Well," Jess crossed her arms and looked away from him. "I wouldn't have come out here if you hadn't been yelling obscenities at my father." She glanced at him. " Youko."

Kurama's lips twitched. "You can ask all the prying questions you want tomorrow. Until then, I'd be nice and get home on time like a good little girl."

Jess scoffed. "So you'll see me tomorrow? Why not stick around?"

"Your mother doesn't really like me. She overheard one too many things about you being 'special', and she had me kicked out of the delivery room; she forbade me to ever come near you or herself again."

"Well," Jessica drawled. "That seems to be going well."

"Some things have to be done," Kurama took a step backwards. "We'll continue this tomorrow." He flashed her a quick grin before slipping through the kitchen and out the back door.

Jess smiled down at her sock-clad toes before spinning around and laughing. Finally it was her turn to be happy, and she was going to enjoy it to the fullest.


"Why are you so happy?" Stella asked the next morning on the ride to school. "You're scaring me."

"Har-har," Jess replied with a smirk. "I guess I'm still happy about yesterday afternoon."

"Right," Stella said slowly. "What happened? Did you get rescued by the infamous red-haired prince again?"

Jessica coughed.

"Ha - you did!" Stella turned in her seat to face Jess. "So? Give me the details!"

Jess smiled evilly. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"That's not even remotely funny," Stella glared.

"From this end of the conversation it is."

"Oh, come on! Whatever it is that happened, I will believe you, whatever it is."

"I honestly don't think you will..."

"I will, I promise."

"You won't."

"I will."

"Won't."

"Will!"

"Won't."

"Will!"

Jess sighed. Stella was a very, very persistent girl.

"Fine, I'll tell you. But if by some off chance you do believe me, then you can't tell anyone. Or they'll think I'm a lunatic."

"They already do."

"Shut-up."

"Okay, I'll shush. Just get it out already!"

"Fine, fine," Jess sighed, twisting her hands in her lap. "He saved me yesterday from Chad, who was probably going to do his worst in one of the alleys in town. But this guy, Kurama, aside from saving my life all the time, he's... well, he's kind of strange. He can turn into a fox, and he says I can too. That we're demons, and I'm going to be saving the world with him very soon with my uber powers I have never gotten to develop or know about."

Stella blinked. "Okay," she said finally. "That sounds crazy. But I guess... I guess I should believe you, you are my friend and all--"

"Just forget I ever said anything." Jess sighed with exasperation. "Let's talk about something else."


The morning crawled by so slowly for Jess that even Mr. Madison failed to amuse her. The only male she wanted to see was Kurama. He had been on her mind from the moment she woke up until lunch rolled around. She was ready to scream.

"I think I'm gonna explode." Jess complained to Stella as they sat down with their "Thursday Surprise" which was comprised of large chunks of vegetables and hamburger meat in a weird sauce. But it tasted alright.

"Well, this stuff may look and smell like vomit, but it's not that bad."

"No, I'm not talking about the Kurama Surprise I..." Jess paused, embarrassment flooding her cheeks. "Dammit."

Stella gave her friend an indecipherable glance before turning her full attention to eating.

"What?" Jess slapped her fork down on her tray after a few minutes of silence.

Stella looked up, appearing not to know what was going on. "What 'what'?"

"Look," Jess said. "I know you think I'm some kind of pyscho now, so if you want to go sit with Britney and the Spears at the prep table, I'm not gonna stop you."

"No, Jess," Stella said quickly. "That's not what I meant. I just... well..."

"Uh-huh. I knew it."

Stella shoved her lunch away and turned fully to glare at Jess.

"Well," she hissed. "What do you expect me to think? When people start saying they're demons, they usually get locked up somewhere. I can't possibly believe you! All week you've been acting weird, saying you're meeting up with some insanely hot guy, and now, you get to play Wonderwoman. Please, Jess, I'm not a fool. Who ever meets guys like that? Nobody, that's who. I've put up with this strange act of yours all week, and it has to stop before you babble to someone who will put you in a padded room!"

Jessica was about to slap some sense into her friend when she heard her name over the intercom.

"Jessica Matthews, please gather your things immediately. Your cousin is here for you."

"My what...?" Jessica spoke her thoughts aloud. And then it hit her.

"No way." She laughed, getting up quickly. "No freakin' way!"

Jess walked out the doors with Stella close behind.

"Wait up, Jess." Stella called as the stunned teen in front of her raced to her locker. "You never said anything about your cousin coming for you. I didn't know you had cousins nearby. Come to think of it, I didn't even know you had any cousins!"

"Would you shut up?" Jessica snapped, rounding on Stella. "I don't have any cousins nearby."

"Then who's here for you?" Stella asked slowly.

"Who do you think?" Jessica muttered, throwing her backpack over her shoulder and shutting the locker.

"Are you implying that I'm psychic now!"

"Just shut your mouth, you'll see for yourself!"

Stella hmphed and continued to follow Jess as she all but sprinted to the Principal's Office.

Jessica hoped her instincts were right, because if it were some out of town cousin at the door, well, that would be totally weird. However, if it was who she thought it was, Stella wouldn't be so quick to scoff at her anymore.

They turned the corner, and Jess let out a dark chuckle.

'Right on the money.'

"Alright, Jess" Stella panted as she came to a stop. "Who is... Sweet Mary, mother of God."

A tall, handsome teen with wild red hair was leaning his back against the wall, having what appeared to be a good conversation with Mr. Madison. Jess's two favorite guys - not counting her father - were right there before her, and Stella couldn't fight with physical proof. Life was sweet indeed.

"There she is," Mr. Madison noticed the two girls. "Miss Dee, what're you doing here? I believe I only asked for Miss Mathews. Come on now."

The teacher led a speechless Stella away. Jess waved a curt goodbye before wheeling around to face Kurama.

"Let's go, Cousin Jessica." he said.

"Yes, Cousin John, let's go."

The two walked outside, and Jess began to laugh.

"My cousin? You posed as my cousin!"

"Well, you called me John." He faked hurt.

"I thought you might like a fourth name."

He snorted.

They continued to toss out vague insults until they reached the city park, only a few blocks from the school.

"So what's the occasion?" Jess asked, plopping herself down onto a bench.

"Your father has required a few more days to break the news to your mother, so Koenma asked if I would start your training here. Unless of course you want to be back in school..."

"No way," Jess said quickly. "I've been wanting out of that place since I set foot in it this morning."

"Really? I thought you enjoyed school."

"Well, I do, it's just that I... er..." She squished the toe of her tennie into the sidewalk. "I have a lot of questions for you."

"That was the second purpose of this. Ask away."

'Well, that was simple...'

"What's your real name?"

"Youko Kurama."

"Then why did you say Suiichi when I first met you?"

"It's really one of those stories that you think you want to hear, but really, you don't." Kurama shrugged. "I don't mind telling you, though, if you really want to know."

Jess crossed her arms. "I want to know. If I don't get an answer now, it'll bug me later."

"I understand." Kurama exhaled slowly. "How old do you think I am, Jess?"

Well, that was unexpected.

"Seventeen? Eighteen? No wait, twenty?"

"Do I really look twenty?" He seemed hopeful.

"Maybe a young twenty..."

"Still not legal then." Kurama shook his head. "I may look young, but really, I'm quite a lot older than you."

"How much older?"

"Try about three-hundred years."

Her eyes grew wide. "Damn!"

Kurama laughed quietly. "Demons do not age as humans, and most are not even as human as I. I look this way because, for the better part of my full-demon years, I was a thief. I became very good at my craft and was soon the target of hunters everywhere. One hunter caught me off-guard, driving me into your world in search of a place to hide. I found shelter in a pregnant woman, becoming her child."

"That is sick, you know?"

"Well, at the time..."

Jess shook her head. "Just get on with the story, you pervert."

"She was already with child, I didn't come in like th --"

"Lalala, I'm not listening to your sick turn-ons! Lalala!"

Kurama shoved her shoulder playfully so she would stop, earning him a wary, but amused look.

"In any case," he started off loudly to block out her snickerings. "I was born Suiichi Minamoto and have remained so for 18 years. When I was your age, I met up with Hiei, a fire demon who wanted help stealing some valuable objects from Spirit World. He agreed to let me have one of them if I helped, so I received the Forlorn Hope, a wicked mirror willing to grant you anything in exchange for your life."

"Why would you want to do that?" Jess asked, her laughter replaced with concern.

"My human mother had become fatally ill, and the doctors predicted her death would be soon." Kurama paused. "The night I was to use the mirror, however, Yusuke Urameshi interrupted. To make this a bit shorter, neither of us died, and my mother made a full recovery. Without Yusuke's help, I probably wouldn't be sitting here with you now. I owed him, so I helped take down Hiei. Hiei was none too pleased, but he was offered a deal to stay on the good side for a while. It took some time, but the three of us, along with our friend Kuwabara, formed a team."

"The Justice League?"

"No," Kurama smirked. "We work for Koenma, who is the current ruler of Spirit World."

"Okay." Jess collected her thoughts. "So who exactly is Yusuke?"

"Ah, Yusuke is the Spirit Detective of Earth. He has proved himself able to defeat demons that Hiei and myself could not even handle, yet Yusuke is not demon. And even though he has spirit abilities through the roof, he also has an attitude that suggests he's an idiot. I think you would like him."

'Not as much as I like you,' Jess thought inwardly as she laughed.

"So that answers the questions of who I am, and who you will be working with. Is there anything else?"

Jess shifted in her seat; the old wooden benches weren't exactly comfy. "Well, I really want to know what I'll be doing. I mean, 'destroying demons from hell' is a great description and all, but there must be more to it."

"There is, but I think that question should wait. I only requested to take you out of school for a doctor's appointment, and you'll have to be back within the hour. Your father wrote you up a medical excuse from his office to turn in, so don't worry."

"But what do you plan to do for forty-five minutes, then?" Jess quirked an eyebrow. "I don't see what kind of training we could do here that would take so long."

"Do you remember what happened after we talked in the alley?"

After waking up in her bed, Jessica hadn't really put much thought into it. Until now.

"I don't... I don't remember." she said finally, puzzled.

"I was afraid that, given the circumstances and what had just happened with your stalker--"

"--you were also my stalker, you realize."

"--that you might not appreciate me taking you home. In fact, I think you were on the verge of screaming for help."

"Like I said, stalker."

Kurama looked at her almost sheepishly. "I wasn't following you everywhere. Only when I was asked, and only for your protection."

Jess gave him a patronizing look. "I'm sure."

"It's my job," he explained. "to do whatever Koenma asks of me, and I'm not really allowed to argue. The first time we met was only because you were almost killed." Jess laughed nervously. "The second time was for about the same reason. During that second time we met, I had to put Chad Thomas under a mind-spell, and not long after, I placed one on you as well."

"No wonder I couldn't remember." Jess growled under her breath. "Will I ever get that memory back?"

"I'm afraid not. You see, the caster of the mind-spell decides what their victi--subject will do, and what they will remember. I felt it best that you didn't remember the trip to your house, on the account it was done via Spirit World transportation. It's something most people wouldn't like to remember the first few times they endure it."

Jess looked at him apprehensively. "You wouldn't make me forget anything else but that, would you? Like parts of my life or future?"

Kurama shook his head. "There are rules for these types of control. The most important one by far is to only erase and control the mind for safety purposes. You would have to be a well advanced student to even attempt erasing chunks of time such as your life."

"But you're capable, aren't you?"

Kurama cleared his throat. "I promise I won't erase your mind. Now stop worrying, and let me get on with the lesson."

She sighed and shifted again. "Alright."

"I want to begin teaching you simple mind-drills that will help with more advanced training later. So clear your mind, and let me in."

"Say what!" Jess jumped to her feet. "I don't know how comfortable I'd be with you in my thoughts." she rambled quickly, afraid he'd find out just what she thought of him and his tight ass. "There's some personal stuff in there. Like, what I think about Brad Pitt and what I look like in the shower!"

Kurama flinched. "I would never even look at those thoughts! And if you'd clear your mind, you'll have nothing to worry about!"

"But I--"

"Jessica."

"Don't say my name like that!"

He crossed his arms and stared at her in way that screamed 'fine-I'll-just-annoy-you-like-this'. Jess glared back, getting more flustered by the moment. He could enter her mind at any moment, and what if he was in there now!

"Fine!" She finally threw her hands up in exasperation. "But this is worse than my father reading my diary or something."

"I won't pry," he reminded her. "I just want to know if you can hear me."

She blinked. "Like ESP?"

"Almost, only our thoughts will be the same, not separate."

"Meaning that you would have to take control of my mind?" Jess put together slowly.

"Well, yes. But only for a minute."

Jess hugged herself and sat down timidly on the edge of the bench, trying desperately to clear her thoughts.

"Don't try so hard. Just think of a blank page, how empty it is without words. Make your mind that page."

What could've been ten minutes or ten hours passed in her mind as it finally submitted to her wishes. Kurama watched as her eyes fell shut and she become still; the hands that gripped her arms so tightly loosened and slid into her lap. When she failed to notice, he made his move.

Jess gasped and came out of her trance. "...the hell?"

"Very good," Kurama grinned. "Much better than I expected."

"But what did I do?" She shifted in her seat from nervousness now. 'What if he did pry? He doesn't look like he found anything, but who knows how I long was out!'

"You cleared your mind, and your thoughts were pushed away. That's a feat most ordinary people are hard-pressed to achieve, and demons don't find it much easier. It's the first step in putting up mental barriers, learning mental attacks, and all kinds of things."

"Yeah, but what good is meditating if I can't do anything? It'll take me forever to get any of this down! Two weeks 'till the end of the world, and I can now apply for yoga classes. Yes, that says 'we're all saved' for sure."

Kurama laughed and stood up, stretching his tall form. "Trust me on this: you're learning quickly. There will be a time in the near future when you will be able to shut off all thought at any given moment, protecting yourself from those will pry and even taking over their minds. It's in your blood to control these things--it will happen."

Jess stood with him, gazing off at some toddlers down the hill. "I don't think I can do this."

Kurama leaned close to her ear. "I do."

She blushed furiously. 'Gods, his breath is warm...' It was then that Jess noticed the warmth was gone. She turned to see that her teacher had seemingly vanished into thin air.

"Well, great." she sighed. "I guess I'll go back to..."

In her hand was a small blue paper that excused her absence.

"How did he... when did he..." Jess laughed despite herself and headed out of the park. 'You're a mystery, Kurama. But I'll figure you out eventually.'


End A/N Mmm, romantic chemistry. ;)

Now guys, I'm really hoping I can reach the original goal for this fic of 100 reviews, so help me out! Just tell me I suck, and I'll be happy:P