Author: Well this is my new story… I hope everyone likes it!

Hilu: They will… you have lots of help with this one. Me and your dreams…

Author: … thank you for that Hilu… on with the story!

"Hiei's telepathy"

"Hiei's thoughts"

Kurama's thoughts

Youko's thoughts

Karein's thoughts

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Chapter 1

Shuichi, better known as Kurama to his friends, knew that the apartment across the hall from his had been empty for a while. He had also heard the rumors about a new tenant. He had heard that she was female and very beautiful. Although his tastes tended to be very different from most people's. Hiei had been staying with him for some time now and the two demons were getting even closer. They were best friends, and now even Hiei admitted it.

Kurama had been watching all day hoping to catch a glimpse of his new neighbor so that he would be able to help her unpack. Finally his patience paid off. The person moving boxes was definitely a woman, but she wore a ball cap low over her eyes. She was about five foot five and couldn't have weighed more than one hundred and fifty pounds. Her hair was jet black and pulled back in a ponytail pulled through the back of the cap.

"Do you need some help?" Kurama asked.

"Yes, please," her voice was quiet and lilting Kurama couldn't help but smile.

"Here let me get that door for you," he said reaching out and opening the door.

"Thank you," she said walking into the apartment.

She set the boxes down and turned to the man who had helped her. He was tall, maybe about six feet tall, and he had beautiful red hair and bright green eyes. She reached her hand out to shake his keeping her eyes averted to the floor.

"My name is Etaima Karein, it is a pleasure to meet you," she said.

"I'm Minamino Shuichi, but you should call me Shuichi," the redhead offered.

"Then you should call me Karein," she said quietly.

"Would you like me to help with the rest of you boxes?" Shuichi offered.

"I would appreciate that Shuichi-sama," she said.

"Just Shuichi, and how old are you Karein-chan?" he asked.

"It's just Karein, and I am eighteen," she said leading him out of the apartment.

"I am too, wait just one moment and I will get my roommate to help as well. Things will go much faster that way," he said opening the door to his apartment.

"Okay," Karein said quietly.

"Hiei? Are you here? Our new neighbor is here and could use some help getting her boxes up to her apartment," Shuichi called into the apartment.

"I'm coming, Kitsune, stop yelling," Hiei called back.

Karein looked puzzled wondering why the other man was calling him fox. But she thought nothing more about it when he turned to her and grinned.

"It has been a nickname of mine for quite some time. It has yet to stray to school though thank goodness," he said smiling.

Inwardly Shuichi groaned. Hiei had better be more careful. He sincerely hoped his friend had the intelligence to remember that he was Shuichi not Kurama.

"Don't worry I am not as stupid as the ningen woman who you are speaking to. She doesn't want anyone to see her that is why she is wearing the cap."

Kurama groaned inwardly. Hiei had already read the girl's mind. He hoped this would not become a problem. Soon enough Hiei came out to help with the boxes and in record time they were finished.

"Would either one of you like some tea?" she asked them.

Gods I hope they don't stay then I would be obligated to take off my ball cap… I'm not quite ready for that just yet.

"Fox she doesn't want us to perhaps we should just excuse ourselves."

"Normally I would love to, but I have homework and I believe Hiei has some things he needs to do as well. I sincerely hope to see you around," Shuichi said politely.

Why are we not staying… she is intriguing… and I agree I hope we see her again preferablyvery soon.

Be kind to her Youko. She seems so skittish… I don't want to make her nervous.

Karein led the boys to her door and said her goodbyes. She didn't think they had seen her eyes. They made her very noticeable. She was nervous enough about starting a new school the next day. She had hoped that she would be able to hide in school, but when she got the uniform she knew she would not. They had told her she could not wear a ball cap and the skirt for the uniform was so short. She knew she would be noticed fairly quickly. And now it seemed that she had caught her neighbor's attention. At least the shorter of the two didn't seem too interested, and she hoped she could dissuade the other.

The next day Karein got dressed and ready for school. She was nervous, so she was up very early and dressed in plenty of time to be the first person there. She walked out of her apartment in her uniform with a backpack hanging from one shoulder and her purse on the other. Taking a deep breath she turned to walk down the stairs.

"Karein?" she heard the voice and recognized it as the man from the other day.

"Shuichi," she said turning around and keeping her eyes toward the floor.

"I believe we go to the same school. Or so it would appear from your uniform. Perhaps I can walk with you?" Shuichi offered.

Why does she always hide her eyes? We need to find out more about her. Her scent seems demonic, but I don't recognize it.

Well, maybe we will have to talk to Koenma about it. Maybe he will know more about her. For now though we need to make sure we are paying attention. You heard Hiei, and she does seem to be rather shy. Maybe that is all it is.

For our sake I hope so.

"Shuichi?" she asked.

"I'm sorry I didn't catch that," Shuichi said.

"I said that maybe it would be nice for you to walk with me seeing as how I don't know anyone yet," Karein said.

"Yes, I would love to walk with you. Who is your homeroom teacher?" Shuichi asked.

"Takena-sama," she answered.

"What a coincidence he is mine as well. there is an empty seat right next to mine when we get there that I will show you. In fact I believe it is the only empty chair," he said smiling.

Slowly she decided she needed to see his smile. She desperately needed someone to see those disturbing eyes. It was strange his eyes were green, but hers were… not normal. Slowly she looked up at him and heard him gasp. Quickly she reverted her gaze to the ground.

Shuichi had to struggle to keep control. Youko wanted out badly. Those eyes. So bright green they made his own look dull. He walked over to her once he was back firmly in control and gently lifted her head so that her eyes met his.

"You should never hide eyes that beautiful. It is almost a sin," he said teasing her a little. "I believe I am envious of that vibrant color. Maybe you will tell me your secret sometime."

Karein attempted asmile, "Perhaps I will."

Then Shuichi took the lead and began walking to school. He knew Karein was next to him and he kept up a steady stream of conversation with her while attempting to ignore the voice in his head that told him to take her for his own. Sometimes Youko did not know when to stop.

When they got to the classroom he sat down and told herthe chair next to hiswas not taken. It was right next to his on the right. They were in the third row and Karein was now in the center of the classroom. This made her nervous and so she kept her eyes down until all the class was filled. She knew the girls were glaring at her and the guys were staring at her because instead of regular desks there were tables and Karein was sitting at the same table as Shuichi. She could feel the eyes on her so she simply kept her eyes averted from everyone else's. When the teacher finally came in the room he asked her to come to the front and introduce herself.

Slowly she walked towards the front of the room. She didn't look up, she couldn't look up. She knew what she would hear. They would all gasp and she didn't want that kind of attention she never did. She hated it. She hoped she could just say her name and then go sit down.

"My name is Etaima Karein, and I moved here from Akita," she said still not looking up at the class.

"Perhaps you should say something more about you. I'm sure they would love to hear more. You might want to look up as well," Takena-sama said.

"There is not much to tell, I moved here because I had heard that Tokyo had great schools," she said quietly still not looking up.

"Very well, you may go back to your seat," Takena-sama said.

Karein took that opportunity to walk quickly to her seat. She could still feel the eyes on her and it made her nervous. She hoped that would all stop soon. Finally Takena-sama stood up and began to speak. Finally the class's attention was focused somewhere other than at her.

She made it through the day without looking at anyone other than Shuichi. He seemed amused by her reluctance to look at people. Several times he repeated what he had said at the apartment complex about how she shouldn't hide her eyes. She was getting everything ready to go home when she heard a noise. Thinking it was Shuichi she turned and looked.

"Wow, your eyes are greener than Shuichi's," the boy said.

She recognized him from her homeroom; he sat in the front row and seemed to be friends with everyone. Quickly she threw her gaze to the floor, but it was too late. She had his attention.

"Hey, guys, the new girl's eyes are greener than Shuichi's," he said loudly.

Quickly Karein stuffed her books into her bag and shut her locker. She wanted to leave. She just wanted to leave. Then she realized she was surrounded by the guys in her homeroom. She just wanted to go home. She didn't want their attention.

"Come on, sweetheart just look up," one taunted.

"Yeah, we won't hurt you," said another.

"Please just let me go. I just want to go home," she said quietly.

"Come on, Honey, one quick glance?" one said from beside her.

Suddenly he had wrapped his hand around her wrist and his other hand was moving to cup her chin. Then she heard another set of feet coming close. She hoped it was Shuichi. She prayed it was him, she knew he would save her.

"Just leave her alone. If she doesn't want the attention then don't force it on her. It won't make her like you. Come on Karein. Do you have all your things?" Shuichi asked her.

"Yes," she mumbled still looking at the floor.

"Then I will walk you home," he said kindly taking her arm gently and leading her through the pack of boys that had surrounded her.

They walked in silence for what seemed like a long time. She hoped he wouldn't ask. She was trying so hard not to cry. She knew that she would be a target now. She had hoped to keep a low profile, but it hadn't worked.

Shuichi knew that she was upset. Youko knew she was upset. It was taking all his strength to keep Youko at bay. Shuichi knew what Youko would do, and it would not help Karein any at all. Finally he had Youko under control again.

"Karein?" Shuichi said.

"Yes Shuichi?" she asked.

"Why did that bother you so much? I'm afraid I don't understand. Most girls would be dying to have the attention of all the boys like that, but you looked scared. Maybe you don't know me well enough yet to tell me, but I can't help but be worried about you. Why did it scare you so much?" Shuichi asked truly concerned for his new neighbor.

"It's nothing… just a rough past. Thank you for stepping in and saying something. But I'm afraid it didn't do any good in the long run. I have their attention now whether or not I want it," she sighed.

"Why don't you come have tea with me and my roommate, if he is home?" Shuichi offered.

"I would like that… I still don't have much unpacked, and I really don't feel like unpacking everything trying to find a teapot," she said smiling.

That was the first real smile he had seen on her. Finally he lost control of Youko. That smile was too much for the fox demon, and he had to talk to her.

Karein watched as Shuichi's eyes went from bright green to vibrant gold. Her eyes widened when he reached out and took her hand leaning over it slightly. Keeping his eyes locked with hers he lowered his mouth to the back of her hand grazing it slightly.

"Yo, Kura—what the hell is going on?" a voice said from the alleyway.

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Author: Well… first chapter is done… thankfully.

Hilu: This one will be fun… lots and lots of fun… ha ha ha

Author: I would really appreciate it if you would all review. Ja ne!