True Belonging

by Too Young to Feel This Tired

It always felt as if the world was grey, haunted, silent with barely enough noise for him to realize that he was awake and present. Except for when she touched him. When she touched him, the world bathed in the brightest colors of sunflowers and green ribbons in raven hair.M for swearing, violence, non-con and later consensual explicit smut

6. Youth Part IV

Title: True Belonging

Summary: It always felt as if the world was grey, haunted, silent with barely enough noise for him to realize that he was awake and present. Except for when she touched him. When she touched him, the world bathed in the brightest colors of sunflowers and green ribbons in raven hair.M for swearing, violence, non-con and later consensual explicit smut

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Chapter Six: Youth Part IV.

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Sitting silently, beside a friend who is hurting may be the best gift we can give. - Unknown

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Warning: Some violence and mentions of violence. Mostly verbal abuse!

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'We don't need to do this. I am not some child that requires a reward for not misbehaving,' said the fire yokai as he followed the kitsune at a stubborn pace stomping loudly as if to further underline how annoying he found the whole idea.

Kurama took the liberty of walking ahead and smiled at the shorter yokai's antics wondering if Hiei realized acting this way only made him appear like a misbehaving child even more.

It had been over a month since what occurred with the artifacts, but in Kurama's mind, it seemed a greater amount of time had passed. Things have fallen into place and new routines occurred. He and Nana returned to their somewhat ordinary lives filled with schools, clubs, part-time jobs, and with his mother slowly adjusting back to the life of a healthy working woman though not as obsessed with work as she once was.

Although both Hiei and Kurama received lighter sentences and were allowed to walk freely in Ningenkai mostly due to the good word the detective and his assistant put for them. They still needed to report to Reikai and Lord Koenma every now and then and occasionally showing their expertise on some issues, but given the fact that they could have been put to prison in the Rekai as criminals for centuries, they got off suspiciously easily.

'What a waste of time,' mumbled Hiei every time they walked into the office of the future ruler.

'Now, now, Hiei, if you promise not to cause trouble, I will treat you to some fine food,' he said knowing all well it would both anger his new friend but ultimately make him settle down as it seemed he rarely got a chance to eat something he hadn't stolen from someone. It wasn't like Kurama enjoyed the meetings with the prince, but he was far too clever to allow his pride or personal opinions to get in the way of his freedom. Even if from time to time it did cause a bitter taste in his mouth to know he was held on a tight leash by the Rekai like a dog.

Spending time with another yokai was a nostalgic affair. It reminded Kurama about many things he forgot about Makai and the less civil behavior of some of its inhabitance. Hiei wasn't the worse, of course. He was far better than Goki and some of the other absent-brained ones Kurama had the misfortune of meeting, and despite their occasional friendly teasing, the kitsune had to admit Hieiwas quite easy to deal with.

He led Hiei into the house opening the door and calling out a greeting before he heard Nana's voice, 'Kitchen, living room.'

He motioned for Hiei to come in and lead him through the house. The fire yokai didn't take off his shoes, but there was only so much Kurama could convince him to do. Manners were a tricky thing for someone with Hiei's personality and stubbornness.

'You can take a seat,' he told him as they stopped by the kotatsu before he walked toward the living room to greet Inko-san. They talked a bit about school before it was time for the elder woman's TV shows she watched almost every day at the same time which was the reason Kurama knew he could bring Hiei over.

He then went to greet Nana and inform her about another guest for dinner. Ever since his mother got better, and was allowed to leave the hospital, she started to catch up on the things she missed such as socializing with her friends as she called it. Kurama already had an idea about this, but he didn't want to embarrass his mother. He would wait until she would tell him on her own, he was already past the age of greedily holding all her affection all to himself. She had many years in front of her, and if she was a hell-bend on him leaving for a good university, she shouldn't spend that time alone. Humans were social creatures after all. And his mother was young enough to still be capable of giving and receiving love for someone other than her family.

If they prepared the dinner during the time of Inko-san TV shows, Nana and Kurama ate alone which was a good opportunity to have Hiei over without unnecessary questions or complications.

'Meshiagare,' said Nana as she finally sat down opposite from them, and they were allowed to eat.

He noticed both of them watched Hiei's reaction, Nana because she always wanted to know what people thought about her cooking and Kurama to make sure the fire yokai wouldn't be rude in case he didn't like it, although the kitsune found that very unlikely.

He took a bite and froze causing Nana's face to fall, 'No good?'

Hiei shot her a look, but not as mean or scary as he could have, but still intimidating enough for someone who didn't know him as well as Kurama was beginning to, 'I didn't say that. Don't assume things like you know me.'

He looked down at his bowl again his frown somewhat easing away, 'It's spicy.'

Nana blinked, 'Well, yes, Kurama always likes spicy food more since the taste is closer to the taste of Makai food I figured you would enjoy it more. We don't have any of the spices that grow in Makai since the climate is so different.'

He didn't comment anything on that, but he did continue to eat.

Nana looked from him to Kurama who winked at her as assurance that she didn't do anything wrong.

She offered him a small smile, and they carried on eating while Nana asked them about their meeting with Lord Koenma and their parole. Hiei didn't say anything so Kurama carried the conversation. It wasn't awkward as both Nana and he was used to talking in their own bubble as they always distanced themselves from others growing up. Despite how uninterested Hiei seemed, Kurama noticed that the fire yokai paid close attention to their interaction. Since he didn't tell them to shut up at any point or left, the redhead had to only assume he wasn't completely annoyed by where he was and the company he was with.

'Here you go,' said Nana as she handed Hiei a nicely wrapped green with red dots bento box, 'For later.'

He glanced at the objected with clear shock and then back at Kurama as if he would explain the situation to him or find it equally shocking.

The redhead chuckled at his friend's state, 'Nana likes to feed people.'

'Yup, everyone should have fat cheeks like mine, so they don't get jealous,' she joked and she and Kurama shared a look while the yokai finally accepted the offering.

'You…,' Hiei turned around and started to walk away, 'cook well.'

Nana smiled brightly, 'Thanks, stop by anything you're hungry.'

Two things happened immediately as those words left her mouth. Hiei paused in the doorway even more shocked than he was before. Clearly, he was thinking the human girl wasn't right in the head. And Kurama felt a strange pang of something unpleased in his chest at the idea of Hiei stopping by for unannounced visits like that.

Before anything else could be said Inko-san called for Nana, and the girl quickly waved at them before rushing away.

They left the house quietly and avoided anyone who might find their presence odd. However, Kurama's mood wasn't as light as it was during their arrival.

'Fear not,' said Hiei tugging the box closer under his arm almost carefully, 'If I was in the need of a mate or distraction I wouldn't pick a human girl anyway.'

Kurama frowned, but his expression was hidden due to the other yokai taking the lead in their walk, 'It's not very nice to be rude to someone who offered you food any time you wish for it.'

The fire yokai smirked as he turned back to look at the kitsune, 'How unfortunate. You can be the most cunning and manipulative opponent, even I have to admit that. But when it comes to her you lose your peace in an instant.'

Kurama's face cleared up although he didn't appreciate his words, he knew better than to show him he could have a point. Both because it could put her in danger and because it would no doubt result in teasing if he admitted the depth of his feelings for Nana.

'She's not a weakness, Hiei. She's a friend,' he smiled a bit realizing how easy he could press the buttons of the other yokai and return the favor.

His smile manifested into a smirk, and he closed his eyes thinking about his first human friend, 'She's a good person. She cares for people regardless of who or what they are as long as they treat her with respect,' he opened his eyes.

It was true. It often seemed that Nana was an introvert closed-off to others only due to him being a loner when it came to humans. Perhaps, if they hadn't met she would have tried to make more friendships despite her complicated childhood with her mother. However, as it was it was obvious she was a good and caring person who expressed worries about other people's wellbeing even if they weren't close to her.

He glanced at Hiei's back, 'She could be your friend as well.'

The yokai let out a displeased sound, 'Tch, don't be absurd. A human friend. Nonsense like that can only be learned by rotting in this dump for too long.'

Luckily, it annoyed the other yokai enough not to try to tease Kurama anymore instead pulling the bento box closer under his arm and quickly jumping away leaving the kitsune and his feelings secured for now.

---

Nana was finishing up laundry in the backyard when she heard something hit the wood near the house.

She peeked from behind the clothes only to find the short dark figure standing against the wall with his arms crossed looking properly annoyed as usual.

Her eyes widened for a second before she raised her hand to awkwardly wave at him realizing she probably didn't have to since she was about to talk to him in a bit.

Ever since the first time Kurama brought the shorter yokai over, Nana started to find her green with dots bento box outside of the house. The first time it was on the window to her bedroom which at first made her a bit weird-out because it meant Hiei was at one point there when she slept. She mentioned the bedroom window incident to Kurama who must have explained the common manners to the other yokai which was probably why Hiei never did it again. Since then the empty bento always appeared on the small table, she and Kurama used to study on warm evenings that were adding up due to the upcoming summer. The bento box was always empty and relatively not cleaned which made Nana cheerful for the rest of the day knowing the other yokai liked the food. She always took it, cleaned it, filled it with food she cooked that day, and returned it back to the spot she found it only for it to be gone in the next 5 minutes. Looking around the raven-haired human girl could never see the yokai anywhere, but that didn't mean he wasn't near since he always seemed to bring the bento when she was done with cooking.

Sneakyyokai.

In a way, the yokai reminded the human girl of a cat that needed to trust her enough to come out of its hiding even if it was hungry which Kurama confirmed and assured her not to be offended if he was rude to her or rather avoided meeting her.

Nana didn't mind. From the brief encounters she had with the fire yokai, she was pretty sure, he didn't like her very much or any human and genuinely only tolerated her for the food. Since she was never very liked by others either because of her mother, her family's lack of money or because she was the only one Kurama allowed to be close to him, Nana never had the need to make everyone love her. Not liking her food was a totally different thing, but not liking her was fine in her book. To be frank, until she started Takeuchi High School this year, she wasn't sure she liked other people besides Kurama either. Still, she wouldn't say got more friends per se, but she did spend a lot of time with Mina-san, who told her she could call her that. She also occasionally chatted with Yusuke-kun and Keiko-chan in the diner, or Kuwabara-kun if she caught him with his friends on the street, and was on good terms with the Yukimuras. Still, it wouldn't be right to call any of them friends given the friendship she had with Kurama. Other interactions simply didn't compete or held the same value or depth.

Nana quickly started to work on hanging up the rest of the wet clothing feeling surprised and a bit anxious about it. It was one thing to have her trusted kitsune nearby as a mediator and to fill the silence that usually came with the fire yokai unless he was voicing his annoyance with her, but him actually showing up and waiting for her from the looks of it genuinely made her worried.

When Nana was done and finally came close to the house, the dark-haired yokai still present looking disinterested pressed against the wall, 'Hi, would you like to eat with me today? Granny went to a neighbor's house for tea.'

He didn't say anything to the question, but he did open his eyes and look at her. The look wasn't angry or threatening or didn't give her any reason to feel scared. She mostly just felt anxious about having another person she didn't really know what to talk about rather than feared for her life because that person was a yokai who wanted to enslave the human realm one time. She wondered if that was something she should seriously think about and question her sanity about it, but then again Kurama seemed to be beyond relaxed in the yokai's presence so it was probably a tie between how a normal human should act and how well someone like them acted.

Nana blinked, 'Uh, I can then pack you food so you can eat it tomorrow or later,' she lowered her voice realizing she was perhaps pushing him too much. She knew he didn't like humans or company all that much so this could have been highly uncomfortable for him rather than just annoying.

She raised her hands in defense waving them quickly, 'Or you don't have to. That was a suggestion. If you want I can just fill-'

'Let's eat,' he said and stepped away from the wall, 'You didn't strike me as a brainless words machine like that dense fairy girl.'

Nana closed her mouth in an instant and lowered her arms back to her sides, 'Okay…sorry.'

They walked inside in silence, and Nana quickly fixed them both bowls and set everything on the table tuning out her self-awareness about the yokai watching her. It was easy when she had something to do and when that something was dealing with food that she enjoyed so much.

She finally sat down and called for them to eat silently watching the yokai and his reaction to the food. He seemed calm which she interpreted as pleased so lowering her eyes to her own bowl she smiled a bit.

'What's with that stupid face?' he asked all of the sudden, as Nana felt properly pleased with herself probably even looking like it.

'Eh, well, I'm happy?'

'Only fools are happy for no reason,' he commented dryly while stuffing his face.

Nana couldn't help but rolled her eyes forgetting the anxiety and self-awareness of being with a stranger, 'I'm happy when people eat the food I made and like it.'

He paused with his chopsticks but remained chewing looking at her, 'You're good at it.'

Her smile grew brighter, and she had a feeling her eyes lightened up from the pure joy she felt hearing something like that from someone as closed-off as Hiei, 'Thank you.'

They carried on eating before Nana asked, 'Can I ask…who's that dense fairy girl?'

'The detective's airheaded assistant. I don't know her name. She sometimes escorts us in Rekai. What a pain,' spoke the yokai annoyed while eating surprising Nana with just how much he spoke and a mention of detective's assistant, 'Detective is Yusuke, right? Kurama spoke about him after your defeat-uh, I mean fight?'

'You're referring to the kitsune stabbing himself on my sword and the detective being lucky,' he said slight more annoyed which was close on the edge of him actually getting angry or upset so Nana chose to ease the mood by smiling a bit, 'Given what little I know about Yusuke, it sounds about right. As for Kurama stabbing himself,' she thought about it for a moment glancing at the table while slowly talking, 'Well, he's the type of person to use any means necessary to get what he wants. And even if I think it was idiotic of someone who's so smart. I think he knew what he was doing and that his injuries would be healed,' She said but couldn't help a slight frown remembering the bleeding kitsune showing up behind her window in the middle of the night.

'But I don't think he mentioned an assistant before,' she said her face clearing up as she remembered her original question.

Hiei blinked at her whatever anger seemed to be arising quickly extinguished into a disinterested look, 'Don't worry yourself about it. That chatterbox brings a level of annoyance not even Kurama could endure. Your position is safe. It seemed the kitsune is too fond of you to have you replaced.'

Nana's forehead got twisted with wrinkles of confusion before her eyes widened, and she felt blood rush into her face realizing what he was implying.

'N-no, no, no! I wasn't asking because-,' she started to argue only to see the dead on look Hiei gave her clearly not interested in her excuses that she all of the sudden forgot meeting his red eyes. In general, Nana always felt embarrassed when people suggested there was something going on between her and the redhead. She was just wired that way easily embarrassed and feeling self-aware and awkward. It got better when she was dealing with Kurama's pesky fangirls as she cheekily called them when they were alone (which always earned her a pinch into one of her cheeks). Mostly because it was like a secret game or joke they were playing that others didn't know about. It also wasn't so bad when their neighbors made fun of them because being it almost over ten years she was used to it. But to have Hiei, a yokai, who didn't really like humans maybe even hated them, think that made Nana's anxiety skyrocket to new heights she didn't know off. It wasn't just her embarrassment over such implications. It was also because she knew Hiei already viewed Kurama as someone who betrayed his species and instinct by living in the Ningenkai by his own choice and having a human family he cared for. She wouldn't hate that Hiei or anyone from the yokai would think less of him simply because she knew what it was like when other kids thought less of her for her family situation and living in an older house.

The human girl looked away and returned to eating silently mumbling the embarrassment forming into sadness and some regret, 'I wasn't asking because of that. We're just…friends.'

The yokai let out a displeased sound he sometimes did, but Nana was too consumed by her feelings to look up.

They finished the meal in silence but after a while, it became more tolerable. She supposed she didn't have to chat with everyone the way she could with her best friend, and she was used to the tough silent type by being friends with Mina-san after all.

After Nana washed and filled the bento box with new food, Hiei stood up and tossed something on the table.

It took the girl a moment to realize it was severely wrinkled money bills which caused her to take a step back from the table, 'What's that?'

'For the food. Is it enough?' Hiei asked and reached for the bento, but Nana took it out of his reach, 'No, take that back. I don't want money. I like cooking for others.'

The yokai frowned, 'Don't be ridiculous. I don't need your charity.'

The girl frowned as well matching his upset face, 'It's not charity. It's kindness.'

'You accept payment at your diner,' he pointed out, and Nana's blinked surprised he knew about the diner or cared enough to remember about it, 'That's…different, alright? Just think of it as a favor-'

'Unacceptable,' he snapped causing her to press her lips tightly together as a wave of frustration wash over her.

They remained glaring at each other for a moment both apparently too stubborn about the matter to back off before Nana remembered something and said her face clearing from the annoyance, 'If you're going to be pigheaded about it, how about you try and get me some spices?'

He blinked confused now his annoyance melting away too, 'Spices?'

'Yeah,' the girl nodded and smiled a bit, 'yokai spices or something that would taste close. Kurama and I usually share our birthdays, so I thought this year I could cook something specifically yokai-like for him. But I can't ask him because that would beat the whole surprise aspect of it all.'

The yokai continued to watch her with a somewhat adorably confused look that made Nana for a moment think he was really some young boy from middle school, 'What do you mean by share your birthdays?'

'Well, my birthday and Kurama's birth to the human world?' asked Nana just now realizing it wasn't technically his birthday even if it kind of was.

'Weird,' she mumbled to herself. Sometimes it came right through her head that Kurama was a yokai and Shuichi-kun her childhood friend. It was probably strange how easily she accepted all of him even if she learned the truth, but it didn't feel strange when she did. Shuichi-Kurama was a part of her life for so long the time before seemed almost like a dream. However, thinking about it was a bit funny or odd that their lives were entwined even before they met by their births being so close to one another.

'You were born on the same day?' asked Hieistill confused but with a newfound worry or something close to it behind his red eyes.

Nana blinked and quickly shook her head raising her hands as if in defense, 'Uh, no, I'm five days older, but ever since we found out we had these shared birthdays. It's been ten years.'

Hiei didn't say anything leaving Nana in an uncomfortable silence wondering what was going through his head and whether she should be worried about it. Kurama never mentioned anything strange about their birthdays. It was just a nice coincidence. Their mothers didn't know each other as far as Nana knew since her mother left home before Shuichi's parents bought their house, and until the two met on the playground his granny never even heard about them.

Nana debated whether she should ask what was the matter just as the door to the kitchen opened and her granny glanced inside, 'Ah, who's this?'

The raven-haired girl's face lost all color as she realized with horror that her granny was looking at Hiei who was standing in their kitchen looking still deep in thoughts. It was obvious by the time Kurama brought him over, and quickly left he didn't want the fire yokai to engage with granny so the two of them meeting like this left Nana with a sense of dread she couldn't overcome.

'Uh…well…'

Her granny took a step closer, and Nana had half the mind to try and block her path not sure how Hiei would react to another human, but she had a hunch it wouldn't be good at all.

All of a sudden her granny reached into her pocket and pulled something out, 'Here, our neighbor gave me some.'

Hiei and Nana both watched granny's hand rose in front of him holding onto something.

The yokai briefly glanced at Nana the same way she recalled he did at Kurama when she offered him her bento box the first time, and the girl furiously nodded for him to accept whatever her granny was giving him.

He rose his hand and the old woman set three pieces of wrapped candy into his palm.

Nana's stomach sack as she realized her dearest granny must have mistaken Hiei for a child the same way she did when she first met him all those years ago.

'Don't eat it all at once,' commented the older woman, 'Your teeth will rot.'

Hiei looked genuinely shocked by the information, and if Nana wasn't so horrified of what might happen next, she would close her brown eyes to avoid looking at the humiliating scene.

Then before anyone could say anything the woman rose her hand again, and Nana realized with absolute petrifying fear what she was about to do.

Before the old woman's hand would reach Hiei's hair and stroke it the way she used to Nana's hair when she was younger, the girl quickly stood behind him and put her palms on his shoulders to stop him from reached out to stop the elderly woman himself, 'Oi, Oba-chan, don't you know boys this age hate for anyone to mess with their hair.'

She quickly started to pull Hiei with her around the old woman out of the door, 'Look at the time, he should be on his way home already. His mother will be worried-'

'You forgot the bento,' said her granny calmly looking at Nana simply letting her hand fall to her side.

Nana glanced at the table where she set the bento box she prepared for the boy some time while they were talking.

Crap.

Quickly she let go of the yokai horrified he let her do that in the first place and snatched the box smiling at her granny before she rushed after Hiei outside.

'I'm sorry… you just look well…you know,' said the girl trying to explain what happened, but the yokai simply grabbed the box and tugged it under his arm, 'I will start looking around for spices that would be close to those in Makai. I also have someone who deals with these sorts of things.'

Nana shook her head, 'Yeah, no. I don't want anything illegal.'

'Afraid about the kitsune getting in trouble?' Hiei asked with a mocking chuckle.

'Yes, and you,' said Nana which caused the other yokai's smug look to fade, 'I don't need you to worry about me. I'm beyond capable of taking care of myself.'

'I know that,' said the raven-haired girl and smiled a bit, 'And I want it to stay that way.'

The yokai watched her for a moment. He wasn't annoyed or disinterest at least as far as Nana could tell by the look on his face. He seemed curious but also in a way as he came to terms with his thirst for an answer never being satisfied.

'You're a bizarre woman.'

Nana grimaced. It didn't sound like a compliment. At least not the kind any human would make and mean, but the way the yokai said it made Nana think it was.

As she was debating how to properly say goodbye to the yokai, Hiei decided for her disappearing in front of her eyes or perhaps just jumping away too quick for her to see.

Nana glanced around wondering if he was truly gone before she smiled a bit and mumbled, 'What a strange little guy.'

'I see the two of you are becoming friends,' she heard directly in her ear and nearly jump out of her skin.

With a groan of displeasure she put her hand against her chest and took several deep inhales trying to calm down her terrified heart, 'I think I told you many many times, Kurama.'

She turned around and since he was practically behind her a few inches away she forcefully shoved him knowing it would hardly cause him any distress, 'Don't scare me like that!'

The redhead chuckled, 'Apologies, but it's impossible not to scare you when you look so adorable afterward.'

She felt a new wave of embarrassment rush into her stomach and blood into her face no doubt making her red as a tomato, 'Only a psycho like you would find it adorable to have me terrified.'

Luckily for him, Kurama had enough decency to look apologetic which melted Nana's embarrassment and annoyance instantly.

She waved her head and told him what happened with granny both chuckling at the idea of someone like Hiei treated like a child, 'She's lucky you were there. I doubt he would take it lightly if it was just the two of them.'

'Yeah, well, I practically dragged him away from her,' said Nana and brushed the side of her neck smiling a bit as she now found the humor in the situation.

She glanced up only to find Kurama's forest-green eyes steadily on her in a way which told her he was analyzing her, 'What?'

'You like Hiei around,' said the redhead with a strange undertone as if he was surprised but also perhaps slightly concerned about his new realization.

Nana blinked her hand dropping to her side as she thought about it, 'Well, I guess. He's not an easy person to deal with, but he's not that complicated.'

'I see,' said Kurama strangely slowly making Nana in return try to analyze him, 'to be honest, I wasn't expecting it to happen so quickly.'

His smile was a little bit edgy, 'Then again I always know you are a remarkable person, Nana.'

Nana watched him carefully wondering what was his odd behavior about. It was clear something was on his mind and his words held a meaning she didn't know, but she had yet to decide whether it was good or bad. Sometimes it was hard to tell with Kurama. He did his best to always hide his true intentions and feelings even before she found out who he really was. Even before he remembered who he really was. Perhaps, he was just the type, who needed control and to keep himself guarded around others to truly feel protected.

She didn't blame him for it. She couldn't. But it did cause Nana to feel slightly sad, that he couldn't always be completely open and feel protected when he was with her.

'Do you think he likes me too?' she asked suddenly and pressed a finger against her chin thinking, 'It's hard to tell with him, but he did eat with me so at least he tolerates me.'

Kurama didn't flinch, 'Would you like for him to fancy you?'

She rolled her eyes at his choice of words sensing that maybe the hidden feeling Kurama was somewhat hinting was jealousy. It wouldn't be the first time either of them felt it. Maybe it was due to them not wanting to let an outsider in, but sometimes…no, that's stupid. She cut her thoughts before they would get into a dangerous territory.

'He doesn't have to fancy me,' said Nana grimacing as she said the word fancy, 'I just want his approval.'

Kurama blinked his surprised clear which meant he genuinely didn't consider that and didn't feel the need to hide it from her.

Nana smiled feeling somewhat better because of that.

'What would you need Hiei's approval for?' asked Kurama his green eyes shining with a different shade today due to the evening sun.

The raven-haired girl shrugged her shoulders and went to sit down by the small table they used for homework where Hiei usually set the empty bento box, 'You.'

Kurama stayed for a moment with his back to her probably gathering his thoughts and trying to figure out what she meant before he took a seat next to her, 'Care to explain?'

Nana glanced ahead at the slowly setting sun, 'Everyone in your life is human or at least someone connected to humanity. Your mother, my grandma everyone always approved of me as your friend since everyone always assumed we were just a pair of humans too.'

The sky slowly started to change color from blue to red, 'Hiei is a yokai and so he understands the yokai part of you, and it's obvious you like he enough to hang out with him not to mention bring him here. I know yokai and humans don't really mix so it's a fair assumption most of the yokai would hate my guts and think less of you for being friends with me,' she said while still looking at the setting sun and red sky. It was impossible to look at her best friend at that moment as she felt her heart was too heavy to keep her tears inside her eyes. She recalled the first time it bothered her. She didn't even know about yokai then, but when she saw Kurama and Hiei together she could clearly see a connection between them. It was different than the one they shared of course, and it didn't mean it was stronger or better. Nana knew all that, but she couldn't help feeling jealous, sad, and angry realizing that Kurama could be close with someone else in a way, she couldn't be with him. It made her feel less somehow even if it shouldn't. Their friendship was defined by their own connection not their connection to anyone else. But having only each other for so long it was easy for Nana to believe they would always stay that way. It was easy to believe it would always be just the two of them together in everything.

'If Hiei's approves of me to be your friend it's sort of like someone approves of me from your yokai part and that just…,' she wasn't sure how to answer, and while she was thinking Kurama reached across the table and took a hold of her chin forcing her to look at him instead of the red sky. His gaze was softer than before but steady as were most if not all encounters, she had with him.

'You don't need anyone's approval. Not any human or yokai, Nana,' he said firmly his thumb slowly stroking the spot under her lower lip causing a new sensation to arise inside her stomach.

'It doesn't matter to me what anyone yokai, human or anyone from Rekai thinks about our relationship, about our friendship,' he spoke and smiled a bit, 'You're my best friend. You're human yet it does not hold any ground. When we first met, we were just two lonely and strange children and throughout the years the only difference is that some of us are taller-'

'Oi!' Nana said breaking from his hold and trying to shove his arm only for him to snatch her wrist and bring her palm to his chest over his heart, 'Never let doubts or fears change who we are, Nana. The only approval you ever need is your own.'

She bit the inside of her mouth trying not to get embarrassed by his declaration and how intense he look, 'I-I know I don't need it, Kurama. But wouldn't it be nice if someone told you it wasn't the worse thing to have human friends?'

'No, it wouldn't because it doesn't matter to me,' he frowned at her, 'When we were children, some refused to play with both you and me, do you remember?'

She nodded. How could she forget? It was what pulled them toward each other in a way. They craved connection, they just couldn't seem to form it with anyone else. So they entwined around each other to the point they became inseparable.

'I was friends with you because you weren't like the others. You were your own person. Good and kind and lovely,' he said and smiled a bit, 'My opinion of you will not change until the day I die. No one else's matters.'

'You just told me my opinion matters,' she argued, and he chuckled, 'Precisely. You and I are the only two people who have a say in you and I.'

He finally let her wrist go allowing her to quickly put it on her knee, 'Alright then. I won't try to win Hiei over anymore with my amazing personality.'

'Good. You should be careful, you wouldn't want him to imprint on you,' said the redhead before he titled his head, 'But on the other hand, perhaps he already had. He does come a lot and now even willing spends time with you.'

'That's just because of my amazing cooking skills,' she said and grinned at her friend before she remembered something, 'Hey, is there something weird about us having birthdays so close to one another?' she asked, 'I mentioned it to our friendly fire dragon, and he just looked so out of place.'

Kurama's face was perfectly relaxed but something like triumph flashed behind his eyes even if just for a second, 'Hiei is slightly more paranoid than others. He thinks he saw a pattern, but I assure you there isn't one. We were just both born luckily in the same month.'

'Hm,' said Nana not certain she believed her friend who could be so mysterious as times but for now decided to let it go.

'Also I didn't just come to scare you as entertaining as that is,' said Kurama, and Nana groaned ready to give him another lecture about that before she watched him pull out something from his pocket.

'A seed?' asked the raven-haired girl curiously eyeing the little whitish seed inside Kurama's palm.

He nodded, 'Let's find some nice place to put it.'

The nice place turned out to be Nana's room as according to Kurama it had just the right light.

As she carefully listened to the instructions on how to take care of it she watched Kurama used his abilities to make the seed grow in a full-on giant plant with wide green leaves.

She could have been upset about how it would take up too much of her room inside her already small bedroom, but instead, the girl smiled brightly at the plant causing Kurama to explain talking and ask, 'What?'

'You're amazing, has anyone ever told you that?' she giggled at her own question and took a step closer to the plant gently running her fingers over the soft leaves feeling a strange sense of warmth around them. The leaves seemed to carry a very faint smell Nana found profoundly nice and relaxing.

When she looked over at the yokai, she found him watching her with a slightly surprised look on his face before he blinked and smiled at her in a very soft way she secretly liked the most from all his smiles, 'Perhaps, they had, but I doubt it ever meant as much to me as it does coming from you.'

Nana felt the familiar feeling of something heavy and delicate settle in her stomach as her heart skipped a beat.

She couldn't really say anything to that so she just turned back the plant and trying to compose herself and her glowing red face, 'S-so, what should I call it?'

Even without looking at him, Nana could feel the wolfish grin on his face.

---

'You sure you don't want me to stay longer?' Nana asked Yukimura-san as she was slowly changing from her working outfit into her school uniform. The spring was at its peak and the weather was perfectly warm without being too hot and heavy.

'Yes, it seems rather empty outside like everyone went to enjoy their days into the parks or something,' said the older woman glancing out of the small window under the chair she was currently standing on to see the street better.

'Well, alright, Yukimura-san,' said Nana finishing tying her tie and grabbing her school bag, 'Is Keiko staying in school late today again?'

'Today?' repeated the woman confused, 'Ah, no, tomorrow. Today she wanted to spend time with Yusuke. Hopefully, it won't result in another fight. That girl has a temper, and that boy just doesn't know when to quit.'

The raven-haired girl chuckled since the description was spot on, 'Alright then, have a nice evening, Yukimura-san. I will see you on Thursday.'

They waved goodbye to each other before Nana left the dinner.

The girl crossed the street and checked her watch. She was early at least by two hours for Kurama to even end his botany club let alone come to the dinner.

Nana sighed to herself wondering what should she do to spend time since she didn't know how to contact the boy and let him know she finished early. Perhaps, she could just walk toward his school and wait for him today?

The girl smiled at the idea as she never did that before since Kurama always ended before her and in general Nana would have to walk all the way to his school only to walk back. Well, today she had beyond time to spare, so why not surprise him? She also never saw his school just heard from Mina-chan and others that it was this fancy place with a lot of students who thought they were better and more important than others.

Feeling a wave of determination she usually only had when cooking or early on Sunday morning when she was in the mood to clean the whole house, Nana took off her school jacket and tied it around her waists before rolling up the sleeves on her white shirt.

It was settled.

She started to walk in the direction of the school hoping Kurama wouldn't end today sooner too, and they wouldn't miss each other. The day was warm but not hot, and it seemed many were enjoying it as she saw people sitting outside on terraces and kids playing on the playgrounds.

Nana paused at one as she noticed a ground of kids drawing on payment what looked like houses and trees recalling the time, she and Kurama first met and started their friendship while drawing a garden. It seemed aged ago and in a way it was. They had been four back then. Two lonely kids who met while avoiding other kids but also trying to entertain themselves and connect. It seemed so surreal that there was a time when they didn't know each other. A time when they weren't friends. It was even more strange that out of all the kids there, Kurama decided to befriend her. She didn't think she was anything special back then or now, but maybe just for him, she was.

It caused the human girl to smile fondly reminiscing in her mind about those days when they weren't tall enough to reach for the handle on the front door on their own.

In the privacy of her mind and the moment of joy, Nana let out a small thank you to the highest of gods for allowing her to gain the greatest fortune of meeting Kurama and becoming friends with him.

'Oi, Nana-chan,' the girl heard beside her, and her entire body froze like ice as every positive feeling that was floating through her chest and stomach turn to stone and wounds she thought she longs since forgot reopened as if they were inflicted just yesterday.

Taking a shaky deep breath she looked up only to be met with a face she wished she never saw again on some days and on others hoped to see to get the apology she knew even with her pained heart she deserved.

'Oh, what's that face for?' asked the woman cheerfully, 'Aren't you going to hug your dearest mommy?'

Growing up, Nana believed that Hinata Izumi, her mother, was the most beautiful woman she ever saw. She was so much younger than other mothers. Izumi was very fit and tall, her face was always made even prettier by the makeup she spent the first hour after she woke up putting on while Nana was eating breakfast carefully watching the woman. With colorful clothes which were much more eye-catching than those, she saw other mothers wear she always stood out in a joyful way like a princess in Nana's memories. People always looked at Izumi when she walked through the street and Nana lost count of how many times men would approach her to start a conversation or openly ask her out even when she was with one of her boyfriends. Izumi always laughed and acted friendly and flirty with them as if they were a best friend for the longest of times making Nana believe she was the type of open and friendly person people liked to be around.

Looking at her now, Nana had to wonder if that person, Hinata Izumi, friendly and beautiful fun, and caring mother who always made people around smile in a good mood, wasn't just a fragment of her imagination.

Her mother looked older. It wasn't a surprise of course. Nana was fifteen, and now she understood her mother had her very young when she was barely fifteen herself which meant she was thirty. But there was more to it. Because of how often she put on makeup even if it made her look prettier and hid her flaws it also caused the woman to look at least thirty-five or forty.

She was just as skinny as she was the last time Nana saw her which was almost five years ago. It didn't suit her at all. It revealed her bones and reminded Nana of a skeleton. The girl knew she shouldn't think like that since she was by all accounts a bit chubbier than others, but she didn't think anyone would look nice being this thin.

Her clothes that Nana once admired thinking they were so colorful and happy now only seemed tacky and again made the girl feel exposed just standing next to her since she could see some of her bra and flat belly and most of her long legs. Nana wasn't a prude. Really, she didn't think she was, but she thought this was too much-exposed skin even on such a warm day. Let alone for someone who was her parent.

'Nana-chan, are you spacing out on me?' asked Izumi now clearly annoyed with Nana's lack of enthusiasm about her arrival.

The girl bit the inside of her mouth for a moment before she answered, 'Hello, oka-san.'

'So formal,' joked Izumi, 'It looks like a fancy school does that to a person.'

Nana frowned a bit. Takeuchi High School was a good school in her opinion. It wasn't as prestigious as Kurama's by any means, but it also wasn't the worst school in the city. But she would never think that the fact that she got into a high school at all made her a snob or someone better than those who didn't. Her mother included.

'How are you?' asked Nana not sure what exactly should the two of them talk about. The last time they spoke was sometime in April just after she started high school. It was brief and mostly one-sided as Nana was running late and wasn't in the mood to listen to her mother's rants about how hard it was to find a decent job and place to live. Since she started to call again, and Nana forgave her enough to pick up the phone when granny told her to, it was always the same. Izumi started to ask about how she was and what was new probably not even paying much attention before she would tell her she got a new job, boyfriend, apartment, and then by some point as if Nana could lend her some money. Since she only started to earn some income a couple of months ago, she refused only for the woman to suggest she would try to take something from her friends or granny and sell it. It was the last time Nana spoke with the woman excusing herself that she was going to be late for school, and hanging up before the other woman said goodbye leaving Nana to once again feel ashamed and disgusted to have a mother like her. Luckily, she hadn't called since, but even so, Nana decided she would stop taking her calls and not tell Kurama or granny about it since it would only worry them as well.

Izumi smiled making her cheeks uncomfortably hollow like she hadn't eaten anything for a while. Nana never understood the appeal to be skinny like that. She was curvy, and she didn't think there was anything wrong with being skinny either, but the way her mother looked seemed almost ill, 'Ah, you know. Same old same old. I live with this guy. You would like him. He reads that manga you used to like as a child.'

Nana gave her a look. She wasn't sure what manga the woman meant since she started to live with granny full-time before she learned how to read and the only time she was with her mother for five days she didn't have anything to read or do in the apartment she shared with so many other women.

'Good for you,' said Nana dryly noticing how some of the people passing by were looking at them. The looks they were giving her mother looked less than friendly now, and honestly, Nana didn't blame them for judging like that feeling beyond uncomfortable to be associated with her mother now.

'Would you like to stop by for some tea? I can show you around. It has a nice view of the park. It's right around the corner,' said her mother cheerfully as if it was the best idea in the world.

Nana's body froze again and a sense of dread unlike any other filled her heart, 'N-no.' She could almost see herself as a ten-year-old girl again not wanting to go anywhere with her mother at all and then ending up inside the apartment of some pervert where she had to sit on his couch and feel his breath against her face and feel him touching her. She felt sick to her stomach like she might throw up. All of what happened coming back to her as if it happened just yesterday.

'Don't be like that,' whined Izumi clearly not pleased that Nana would refuse her like that, 'It's just around the corner.'

Nana's heart speeded up as her vision blurred a bit with flashes of that dirty apartment and the smell of garbage. Of how she felt dirty just sitting on that couch her mother forced her into. How easily she believed back then that Izumi would come for her? How she wished she would and would take her away because everything about that situation even if she was too young to fully understand made Nana wish she could fly away.

Her vision became clear again and her eyes fell on Izumi's smile that in no way made the girl feel anything positive the way it used to when she was a little girl.

Dread was replaced with anger as Nana frowned and shot her mother the nastiest look she could manage despite her kind soul, 'I think I have the right to be like that. Since last time you dragged me into someone's else apartment to get raped so your boyfriend's dues would be forgiven.'

Izumi looked surprised for a moment just as Nana felt even if she didn't let it show. She couldn't believe she actually found the voice to tell the woman what she had been carrying for so long knowing it wouldn't be undone until she finally met with her and would let her know just how much the incident hurt her and wrecked her trust in her own mother.

'Don't be ridiculous,' said Izumi suddenly and shook her head as if she was dismissing an idea of some little child who didn't know better.

The girl watched her for a couple of moments seeing the lack of any emotion other than unimpressed across the woman's face.

'You don't care,' said Nana her frown melting by the shock that appeared on her face reflecting her inner state as well, 'Y-you don't care. You took me there and you knew what was going to happen. You told me it would be over soon and to think about something else like…like it meant nothing. Like it was normal,' said Nana taking a step back away from the woman feeling a mixture of pain almost like her heart was broken and absolute lack of any feeling at all upon realizing her mother genuinely didn't care when she left her there.

'What kind of mother would do that? What kind of person- a…a woman? Would do that?' asked Nana shaking her head while backing away from the woman now certain she didn't want to be in her presence.

Izumi frowned back at the girl, 'Just the hell do you think you are talking like that to me? I'm your mother. I gave birth to you. I took care of you and let me tell you it was no fun with a whinny, demanding little brat like you.'

Nana grimaced feeling the tears forming behind her eyes, 'Great, thanks for what four-five years and some twelve hours? You left me, and you left me with some man you didn't even know. Did you even care about what would happen to me? Did you even care if I would ever get out? What the hell is wrong with you?'

Izumi suddenly grabbed her arm her manicured nails that Nana noticed before digging through her shirt into her skin, 'Listen here, you ungrateful brat. Don't act all high and mighty when you've been sleeping around with that boyfriend of yours since you were started elementary school. That's right. I know you went to his house after you run away from me.'

Nana tried to break free, 'Liar. I didn't run away from you. You told me to leave because you're a horrible parent.'

'You bitch,' snapped her mother, 'this is how you treat me after everything I did for you. I thought I would have a good life, a better life than my parents,' she said and squeezed Nana's arm tighter causing the girl to feel the pain from her sharp nails, 'I could have been someone and have a good and proper life then you came along and didn't even have the decency to die ruining my life. And don't act like a princess now when the only reason you're alive is that my mother begged me to have you. If it was up to me you would have been long dead before your first breath. Such a worthless waste. I hated you since the moment I found out you would have been born. All the attention suddenly on this useless little ball of nothing that crashed every dream I ever had.'

Nana stopped struggling her eyes wide with shock as she took the other woman's words in, 'That's… not true.'

Izumi wickedly laughed into the girl's face, 'It is. I begged my mother to let me end it. I begged her not to have you. I wished I had the strength to do it before you ever saw the light of day. Because ever since you came to this world all you did was ruined my life. Constantly crying and demanding something. Your father had the right idea to run for the hills when he saw you and my mother always took in useless little ruts. So from the two of us, you're the trash my mother forced me to carry and give birth to. You ruined my life, your father ruined my life. I wish neither of you was ever born,' she shoved Nana away from her and since she was still in shock she lost her balance and fell to the ground on her butt.

'You're lying. All you do is lie,' complained Nana hoping she would get to a woman to confess. Her body was shaking and her chest felt heavier than ever as her mind replayed those horrible words over and over again.

There was much hate and rage in her mother's eyes. She didn't think anyone ever hated her as much as her mother did at that very moment.

She had to be lying though. Growing up Nana was happy with her. Growing up, when she was little her mother took care of her. She loved her growing up.

Didn't she?

Never, in her entire life, Nana would assume something so horrible. No matter how angry she was with herself herself whenever she did think ill of her mother, Nana always immediately regretted it, her own conscience refusing to allow her to stay true to such awful words, such horrible accusations.

She still wished Izumi would confess any second that she made such a horrible accusation up. But with each second that passed, the raven-haired girl couldn't help but go over every event, every moment, every word exchange she and her mother share shining a new and horrible light at them.

Izumi shook her head and with more hate than Nana ever felt from someone toward her she spat at her, 'All you ever brought me was grief, and everyone treats you like you're some sort of a wonder.'

Nana opened her mouth to say something, to defend herself, or to make the other woman stop talking, but her own lips shook as the horrible feeling sank in that perhaps she might be telling the truth and all her life, everything she believed about why her mother treated her so poorly and why she wasn't a better person was, in fact, Nana's fault after all. She never wished to have her in the first place, and she didn't wish to take care of her. People, her grandmother, society forced it on her, and she hated Nana because of it.

'I could have been someone. I was smart. Smarter than you, and I could have achieved something in my life, and it was all ruined because of you and that bastard of your father. You're nothing. And sooner or later everyone will figure it out and finally leave you alone and miserable just like you deserved. You're just a useless piece of-'

'Hey, what's going on here?' asked a woman walking toward them, 'Shouldn't you be working your corner or something not scaring schoolgirls, Hinata?'

Nana tuned the woman and her mother's exchange out finding it hard to breathe and process what just happened. Her mother. Her father. Her birth. Was she to blame? Was she to blame for her mother becoming who she was? Someone who had nothing and got tossed in life one way or another? Both parents left her at one point, and one obviously hated her while the other never bothered to come back.

Nana felt like crying, her body still shaking while the two women argued before Izumi looked down at her again with a look of such anger, that unfortunately, was all too familiar as she recalled her mother often upset with her when she was a child even before she returned to her granny.

'Sooner or later you will end up just like me. You think you're better but you're just waiting to get knocked up by some rich kid thinking you will have a better life than I did, but you won't. And honestly, I can't wait for that to happen and for life to finally give you what you deserve-'

'Hey, just shut up already,' snapped the woman by Nana's side again causing her to for the first time look at her instead of her mother who was now acting more like her vengeful enemy than someone who raised her and cared for her when she was little with love.

She was tall with long dark brown hair smoking a cigarette looking equally annoyed and disinterested.

Izumi looked down at Nana one more time before she turned around, 'Stupid alcoholic.'

'You're the one to talk,' mumbled the woman as she leaned closer to Nana and offered her a hand, 'Come on, girl. No point in carrying on with the show.'

Nana without thinking grab the woman's hand and let her help her up before she reached for her bag and jacket that got lose some time during her struggle with her mother, 'Thank you.'

She only then noticed a lot of people mainly parents from the playground was looking at them clearly interested in the whole ordeal.

The girl felt her mortified and sick knowing they could hear and know something like that.

The woman, who helped her up winked at her and finished her smoke before she tossed it into the nearby trash, 'No worries, kid. Don't know what your deal is with that junkie, but you would do better to stay away from her. And that's coming from a lowlife like me.'

Nana blinked for a moment looking at her mother disappearing in the distance her.

Junkie

Well, it did explain more than a few things.

She glanced at the woman who helped her again recalling what her mother called her and took a moment to see her face more clearly, 'Are you in any chance related to Yusuke-kun?'

The woman blinked surprised before she narrowed her eyes a bit suspiciously, 'That's my brat. Why?'

Nana forced despite her distress herself to smile and bow slightly, 'Very nice to meet you, Urameshi-san. I'm…,' she paused before she quickly said, 'Nana-chan. I work in the Yukimura's diner.' She didn't want to confess her family name at that moment. She wished to just erase it completely forever or at least for long enough so the anguish she felt would fade away.

The woman smiled, 'Ah, yeah, Yusuke told me you make a killer ramen. He was impressed which is rare to get that kid impressed about anything other than a fight, Keiko, or a good arcade game.'

'I'm glad,' said the girl nodding feeling like she would break down any moment in front of this woman who was relatively a stranger and needed to leave as soon as possible, 'Thank you again, and have a nice day.'

The woman looked like she wanted to tell her something else, but Nana quickly rushed down the street making sure she would take a different direction than she saw her mother take.

Despite still having enough time, Nana ran toward Meiou High School as fast as she could, at least with the wind in her ears and the rapid beating of her heart due to the exercise she wouldn't shake and cry recalling the horrible things her mother told her today.

'And sooner or later everyone will figure it out and finally leave you alone and miserable just like you deserved.'

A street away, Nana stopped and pressed herself against the wall of some building her hands inside her hair and her eyes closed breathing hard from the running.

She's a liar. She's an addict. Urameshi-san said she's a junkie. She always did horrible things to me. Always.

But that didn't mean it wasn't true. All of the things that happened to her throughout the years…it didn't mean she wasn't being honest about this.

'You ruined my life, your father ruined my life. I wish neither of you was ever born.'

Nana swallowed hard brushing her mouth recalling the horrible feeling of the man with his finger in her mouth, in the apartment, her mother and her boyfriend dragged her to. She was almost raped then. Did she hate her so much? Did she hate her so much she didn't care she walked home alone on a bus when she was barely seven years old? Did she hate her so much that she didn't care if she got out of the man's apartment or not? Did she really hate her much she wished she was never born?

A yokai tried to eat her, a bad man tried to hurt her, but her mother…someone who gave birth to her, and raised her and took care of her when she was little…

Could she really hate me so much to wish me such pain and misery?

Nana slowly stood up tying her jacket tightly around her waists and walking at a much slower pace toward Meiou trying to make sense of what just happened now conflicted if she should be with Kurama or not. Her mother said such horrible things. The last thing, Nana wanted was for Kurama to even consider them to be true. She hated the fact that they could be true even if she knew some of them had to be lies. She wasn't planning to get pregnant and drop out of school. She was genuinely working hard to become a cook and have a good life, a better life than her mother had. She would never wish to become like her. She would never become like her.

'Excuse me, but are you well?' asked someone suddenly, and Nana looked up only to find a student from Meiou looking down at her with an icy look behind his eyes.

She took a step back somewhat thrown off by the look in his eyes before she told herself she was probably just jumpy over what happened today, 'Yes.'

'You look rather…raggedy,' pointed out the boy, and Nana frowned before glancing down at her clothes. He did have a point. She spent the rest of her time to spare running here so her uniform was wrinkled, she was sweaty and hair was sticking out of her ponytail. Still, it seemed somewhat rude to point it out to a girl.

'I'm fine. Thank you,' she said not grateful at all before she tried to walk around the boy toward the school, 'You're Minamino Shuichi's girlfriend, right?'

Nana stopped so abruptly her bag hit the boy's leg.

The boy fixed his glasses and took a step back as if he expected her to hit him again which annoyed Nana since it was an accident, she was already dealing with a lot today and this whole encounter was making her skin crawl, 'I recognized the Takeuchi uniform. Everyone knows he's dating a girl from Takeuchi High School, and some girls said she ties her hair in a green ribbon and is overweight.'

'I'm not overweight, you jerk,' snapped Nana losing her patience. She was already suffering a horrible day, and the final nail seemed to be this weird student who was being rude about her weight which was perfectly healthy and the right size for her height. The last thing she needed right now was not only to doubt her character, her life, and her birth but also her body.

She turned to walk away again when he called out, 'You're distracting him.'

Nana stopped again sensing she made a mistake the moment she did, but still asking the boy, 'I beg your pardon? Who?'

'Minamino, he clearly has potential and intelligence but on some of his tests he didn't do so well,' said the boy, and Nana blinked surprised. Kurama didn't mention failing any tests before. If anything, school and learning came naturally to him, and he was always at the top of all his classes.

'I plan to top Minamino, and I cannot achieve it when his performance is not at its best. Him accepting the second place because he wasted his time on some girl rather than study to his full potential is not the victory I can accept,' said the boy rather dramatically causing Nana to roll her eyes and brushed her forehead wondering if she would get a headache from all of this. Frankly, she wouldn't be surprised at all.

'All this because he was second in some tests?' she asked finding the whole thing laughable. Even if Kurama was second-best in some tests it could have been due to dealing with Shiori-san's health problems or trying to keep his identity a secret from his best friend or planning a heist in Rekai. Compare to all of that this boy's trouble seemed antlike small.

'It was one test,' corrected her the boy sounding annoyed, and Nana gave him a look, 'Get a life.'

She didn't waste for his response and started to walk away only for the boy to call after her, 'You're holding him back. He could achieve so much more if he wasn't wasting his time with your female attributes.'

She stopped feeling everything that happened today culminating into some sort of volcano that finally erupted in that exact moment on that peculiar boy, 'Hey, mention my female anything ever again, I will punch you so hard your grandkids will feel it. You don't know anything about me or Ku-Shuichi-kun so piss off, and be grateful that he did leave you that first place because clearly, you don't have what it takes to beat him otherwise.'

She regretted saying it the moment, she did, but due to today was too caught up in her own feelings to actually do anything about it. So instead, Nana turned around feeling guiltier than before and continued walking to Meiou wondering if she shouldn't go home instead. She looked untidy, and it probably would cause people to talk if she showed up like that in Kurama's school. She hated feeling the way she did at that moment, but she couldn't help it.

Still, unsure, she at least put on her jacket and straightened her clothing with her hand a bit before she fixed her hair as best as she could without a mirror or brush.

She took a place near the gate but not close enough for many of the students to see her and perhaps recognize since it was probably a big deal that Kurama was dating her.

Nana frowned again recalling words of the weird student and her mother feeling the familiar sickness in her stomach again. What if some of it was true?

I should leave.

She turned around to do so but before she could, someone tapped her forearm.

Nana felt a mixture of disappointment and relief when she turned around and found one of the girls who came to harass her not so long ago at her school instead of Kurama behind her.

'Hi, Hinata-san.'

She offered the girl a tight smile not even remembering her name at that very moment feeling like a complete jerk about it, 'Hello.'

The girl was the least mean of the three girls, praising her food and joking a bit with her. All in all, Nana supposed she was mostly there because she was friends with the other two rather than she genuinely wanted to harass someone like that.

'Did you come to walk with Minamino-san?'

Nana nodded unsure what to say since she wasn't certain she wanted to walk with Kurama now that she was so emotional and would no doubt end up blurring out everything that happened today, 'Well, yes, sort of.'

The girl blinked, 'Oh, but he left early today. He skipped last and second last period even. Sensei was not pleased, but since Minamino-san has such good grades he often lets it slide.'

The girl continued to talk, but Nana once again tuned her out to sort the thoughts in her own mind.

Kurama left.

He was gone even before she was allowed to leave the dinner. Here she was worried he would come to walk her home and wouldn't find her and in truth, he was already gone. She was worried she would tell him right away what happened to her, but in reality, he wasn't even here. She wasted a whole day for nothing. If she just went home, she wouldn't have met her mother or the weird student, and she wouldn't feel like complete trash.

'Hinata-san?' asked the girl worried, and Nana realized she was doing something she was trying desperately not to do ever since she met her mother today.

She brushed her eyes trying to get rid of the tears and stop crying like a little girl in front of one of Kurama's classmates whose name she couldn't even remember because that how stupid and useless she was, 'It's alright. Sorry, I was just thinking about something. It was nice seeing you. Have a nice day.'

'Hinata-san!' called the other girl concerned while Nana quickly ran away. It was harder to run while crying, but as she refused to let the girl or anyone else see her while she was doing so, she pushed through only stopping once she was on a train heading home hidden from view by the other people.

'Did you hear there was some commotion down in the city?' she heard one of the men in front of her mumble.

'Yes, some sort of fight between twenty or something people.'

'Bizarre day.'

Nana couldn't agree more.

Yes, it was a very bizarre day.

---

'What's the matter?' asked Kuwabara as Kurama suddenly stopped a little behind the others on their way through the castle.

Kurama turned to look at the psychic and offered him a small smile to melt his worries away, 'Nothing. I just remembered something.'

If he tried to pull this on Nana, she would no doubt catch the slightest imperfections in his well practiced mask, however, the orange-haired boy in front of him looked at him for a moment before he nodded, and they carried on Hiei and Yusuke paying them little to no attention as they seemed to have been in a hurry to get this mission done quickly. Kurama, naturally shared their vision as he was uncomfortable and worried with the idea of the Human Real plagued with violence caused by the infamous Makai Whistle. However, for a strange instant, he couldn't help but think about Nana. It wasn't unusual of course. Even now high alerted of his surroundings she crossed his thoughts as has his mother and Inko-san in a tornado of coming and going thoughts, but a moment ago it wasn't like she crossed his thoughts. It was as if a lightning struck with her face appearing in his mind. Perhaps, he would be able to write it off as nothing of significance. But the look on Nana's face was unlike any he ever saw before. It was cold, blank, and dare he say soulless. Something he wasn't even sure how could he imagine since he never saw Nana look that way. Not when she was dealing with her mother, not when his own mother was sick, not when she was worried about almost dying. Even if she tried underneath the surface Nana always revealed her emotions like an open book to some degree.

But this face…

This purely blank face shook something inside Kurama to its core.

He started to walk faster. It would be best for everyone involved or not if they wrapped this up as fast as possible.

Yusuke seemed to match his pace as they walked side by side, 'Hey, how's Nana? I haven't really made it often into the diner last week to catch her at her shifts.'

The redhead offered him a smile as well, 'She's well. With my mother out of the woods, she's less worried about her and me and actually enjoys her life.'

The younger boy chuckled and spoke with deep approval and admiration, 'Yeah, I see her as someone who would worry a lot. Well, feed people and worry about them.'

'That would sum her up nicely actually,' agreed the kitsune with a short nod.

'Who's that?' asked Kuwabara clearly overhearing their conversation.

'Kurama's girlfriend who can cook so good you will think you died and went to Rekai on a cloud,' praised the detective in a heartbeat causing Kurama to grimace, 'True, but she's not my girlfriend-'

'Wait, do you mean Hinata-san?' asked Kuwabara before the kitsune could finish.

Yusuke blinked suspiciously all of the sudden, 'You know her? Don't tell me you pulled one of your BS on her, you hopeless moron. First Keiko, then Nana, and now Botan? Can't catch a girl of your own?'

The taller boy turned red from embarrassment since the detective clearly hit a weak spot for the taller boy, 'That was before she told me she had a boyfriend, and it's fine now. I will devout my life to Botan-'

The detective started to laugh like a maniac which was rather cruel before the other boy tried to hit him only for the first one to dodge the blow, 'Urameshi, get back here!'

'Maybe we should let the enthusiasm for our opponents,' said Kurama raising his hand to stop Kuwabara before he would charge at Yusuke again.

The other boy blinked at him before he glared at the detective one last time but otherwise didn't try to engage in a fight anymore.

'Hey, about Hinata-san,' Kuwabara started as Yusuke's laughter eased into occasional chuckle slowing his voice a bit and looking beyond apologetic, 'I really didn't know she had a boyfriend, and I mostly asked her out of a joke, and because her cooking was so good, and well she was really nice to me and the guys. Not a lot of people who will share deserts with punks like us even if we help them out,' explained the boy, and the kitsune could see he was being sincere just like Nana and Yusuke, Kuwabara was the type of person with a big heart who kept his emotions all over his face and body for everyone to see.

The redhead nodded at the other boy, 'Don't worry about it. I'm sure she wasn't offended as long as you praised her cooking skills.'

'No comment on the girlfriend part, I see,' he heard the detective mumble clearly smirking as he did so, but Kurama didn't say anything to that either. He didn't have time to get into a soul-searching journey to wonder why he preferred for others to see Nana as taken, but at the same time, he did notice to complete lack of comment from Hiei as well wondering why didn't he take a chance to mock him further or voice his displeasure.

---

The ride home was the longest in Nana's life as she tried to go over everything that happened today and how to best approach it. Kurama being absent didn't help, but she was certain that it was because something serious happened that needed his presence. It was probably the only thing she was certain about.

'I'm home,' she called into the house as she entered, 'Ah, Nana-chan. You're early. Not a lot of work in the diner today?'

She walked into the small hallway that led to the kitchen and was faced with her granny.

From old photographs, Nana could tell that she and her mother looked a lot like Hinata Inko. Perhaps, Nana a bit more than her mother. They both had round cheeks and dark eyes and hair with their smiles reminding Kurama of sunflowers as he used to say when he was younger. Even before her mother left her to live with her granny all the time, Nana felt always more connected with the older woman than with Izumi. Her mother was a bit too wild, adventurous and reckless while Nana was calm and organized preferring things to be quieter than louder. She always felt guilty about that wondering if it didn't hurt her mother who she used to love so she sometimes thought she didn't love her as much as she loved her granny. She wondered if it wasn't wrong. Kurama loved his mother unconditionally, so why couldn't she?

'Is everything alright, Nana?' asked her granny with a look of wisdom making it clear she knew her granddaughter was distressed. Could she ask her? Could she really just ask her? Wouldn't it hurt her? Wouldn't it upset her? Her granny was an elderly woman. She should be in the time of her life where she can watch her TV shows and rest and gossip with her neighbors not deal with the drama of her daughter and granddaughter.

But also…

…what if it's true?

What if her mother never wished to have her to begin with and was forced to have her, and take care of her all this time?

'Inko-san, would you like some herbal tea?' asked a voice from the kitchen.

Nana's brown eyes widened, 'Oh, Shiori-san is here.'

Her granny nodded, 'She got off work today too, and stopped by for dinner. Is that alright with you?'

Nana nodded quickly, 'Yes, of course. I will just change.'

If her granny wanted to say anything, Nana didn't give her any time as she rushed into her room and tossed her school bag aside slowly unbuttoning her shirt before she spotted something on her window.

A small yellow sunflower inside a glass of water and a folded piece of paper.

She quickly rushed over and kneeled on her bed carefully taking the letter and softly stroking the petals of the flower.

Before she knew it there was a small smile playing across her face, the first genuine one since she met her mother.

She unfolded the letter.

I was called for a mission with Hiei and Yusuke. Please cover for me. Stay safe - K

She pressed the paper close to her chest for a moment and took a deep breath some of the agonies from today's drama leaving her body and soul and allowing her to compose herself.

'Thank you,' she whispered into the universe knowing even if Kurama couldn't hear her perhaps he could feel her gratitude on a spiritual level.

When she came into the kitchen, she cooked up a story about how Shuichi went on some botany club expedition for a couple of days from their class. She wasn't sure if glad or trouble by how easy Shiori-san accepted the explanation, but she supposed, for now, it would have to do.

---

Upon arrival into his house post dropping Yusuke and Kuwabara off in the latter's, Kurama found a message left by his mother about Nana being in the hospital. Although his mother instantly assured him his best friend was alright, he still didn't feel his heart settle until he found her and Inko-san in the hospital awaiting news from the doctors.

'She would probably need a few stitches. But she was awake throughout the whole thing,' commented the elderly woman almost not bothered while his mother shook and cried looking positively stressed, 'It was so horrible. We have no idea who those people were or why did they come into the house.'

At that Inko-san looked away almost guiltily, but Kurama figured he wouldn't be able to ask about it now. Instead, he focused on calming down his mother which helped him focus on something other than his own worries about Nana.

When the doctor arrived, he confirmed that the girl was alright but would keep a scar where she was cut and would most likely sleep for a couple of hours as they gave her some medication in case of injection and to be able to stitch her properly.

He wasn't very keen on allowing them to see her, but while he was talking to his mother and Inko-san, Kurama managed to sneak into the room and found Nana awake with a glassy look behind her usually warm brown eyes.

'Kurama!' she almost shouted before she slapped a hand against her mouth and let out muffled giggles. Obviously, the medication was still working.

The yokai grimaced and walked toward her taking a seat close to the bed she was lying in, 'How do you feel? I heard you were very brave and reckless today.'

The girl shook her head a bit clumsily before she slowly let the hand fall away from her mouth, 'The boring doctor said I will have a scar. You know if you didn't heal so quickly we would have matching scars. Here, have a look-'

'Nana,' said Kurama confused about what she was about to do, but the girl already started to pull up her white pajama shirt revealing far more than the stitched side.

The shock was the first thing he felt upon seeing her chest exposed in such a way and close second was guilt and dread upon allowing her to do something like that knowing if she was in her sane mind, Nana would fall into the pit of the earth from embarrassment.

'See-'

Kurama grabbed a hold of the fabric and pulled the shirt down covering her body and trying to fight the image he would now carry for the rest of his life. At least at the moment, he could overrule whatever desire rose from the display by his worry about Nana's health, 'Very intense.'

He frowned slightly at how hoarse his voice sounded trying to gain reasonable control over himself, 'Uh, I'm sure you could give Yusuke a run for his money in the badass department.'

If Nana was of sound mind, she was surely mock him for the usage of the word, but in that state that she was her unfocused brown eyes met his green ones before she giggled like a little girl, 'I met his mother yesterday. She's nice. Smokes though.'

Kurama was surprised by the information, 'Really? Small world.'

Nana's smile suddenly fell and Kurama could sense a level of anxiety despite her drugged self, 'Nana?'

'I saw my mother too…,' she whispered in a very small voice making her appear small as well.

That caused him to frown. It was never good when Izumi appeared back in Nana's life.

'Did she talk to you?' he asked and watched as Nana looked in front of her, her face slowly wrinkling as if she was in pain.

'Nana,' he said and took her hand in his.

'I was born wrong, Shuichi-kun,' she whispered quietly into the room. It was the first time since he revealed his true self to her that Nana called him that when they were alone.

His concern shifted into worry, 'What happened?'

Nana shook her head again her hand barely touching his as she absently whispered again, 'I was born wrong. I was cursed…and my life will be ruined just like hers…I ruined her life…I caused her so much pain…I'm a sin.'

The tears that started to fall down her cheeks were slow and quiet. She wasn't sobbing and her voice wasn't shaking which made the whole image even more unsettling.

The yokai stroke her cheek and tried to brush them away feeling a sense of hopelessness and anger about whatever the woman had done to Nana and that he couldn't do anything to help her.

'Nana, whatever she told you is a lie. You're not a sin. You didn't ruin her life she did that to herself. You're a good and kind person. The most amazing person I've known. Do you believe me?' he asked and slowly turned her face to look at him, 'Do you believe me?'

Another tear escaped the girl's eyes running over his fingers into the inside of his sleeve, 'She said I was born wrong. I'm a sin…I will…I will ruin your life too and mine…'

Kurama shook his head looking at the girl sharing her pain even if he didn't know what caused it. What horrible thing that Izumi told her to make her believe in such things, 'You could never ruin my life, Nana. The only way you could ever even cause me pain is if you would no longer be in my life or were unhappy. So please, whatever she told you erase it from your mind. It doesn't matter.'

'I don't want to ruin anyone's life-'

'You won't and you didn't. How could you?' he asked and brushed her tears with his knuckles against her round cheeks, 'You're so bright like a sunflower on a sunny day. You lightened up my life and the lives of many others. Your mother is a bitter person, Nana. I horribly mean and wicked person who only wishes to harm you,' he said and meant every word.

'Whatever, your mother said cannot be trusted. You know she often tells you things just to hurt you,' he said and brushed some of her hair away from her face. Her green ribbon must have been taken along with her clothes and right now the lack of it made the girl look even more vulnerable, 'Even if this one wasn't a lie, you can never blame yourself for her life or choices, and you shouldn't feel guilty about them either. You could never ruin my or your life, Nana because you're a good and kind person. You always make the right choice and care for people deeply. Don't ever allow her to make you feel small. Not even she isn't even a big enough person to act as a real parent should. Know your value, Nana.'

The girl closed her eyes and leaned against the pillow, 'She was so horrible…like a witch…the kids used to say my granny was a witch, but I think it was always Izumi…'

Kurama grimaced a bit remembering how Nana told him, the kids from their playground told Nana her grandmother was a witch because she lived in an old house, and they refused to play with her until Nana would admit it too. How cruel could some children be for no reason at all?

'Your classmate was mean too,' mumbled the raven-haired girl suddenly, 'He called me fat…I'm not fat, am I?'

Kurama blinked wondering if it was still something that happened or just Nana slowly drifting into the dream world, 'No, you're perfect. You're always perfect.'

Her lips formed a childish wide smile that made her look just like the little girl he met at a playground almost eleven years ago, 'Kurama-kun always says the nicest things-'

Her voice was slowing down and going softer along with her heartbeat. It wouldn't take long for Nana to surrender to the dreamworld.

Kurama leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers the way his mother always did to him when he was very young, 'Only to you, Nana. Rest now.'

---

The redhead left the hospital room as quietly as he entered without the others even noticing. The doctor ordered all of them to go home and rest as the hospital look rather full with people no doubt caught in the havoc caused by the Four Saint Beasts and the Makai Whistle.

He walked both his mother and Inko-san home making sure his mother would fall asleep quickly in his own room with a tea from one of his special plants before he went to talk to Inko-san who was for the night remaining as a guest in his mother's bedroom.

'I think I will go stay in the hospital in case Nana wakes up,' he confessed to the woman as she sat on his mother's bed.

The elderly woman nodded, 'It's not the worse idea. Nana never liked sleeping in places she didn't know. You should go check if Fuku came back. I couldn't find him before the hospital took her away.'

He was quiet for a moment looking at the woman as she sat there in the dark sensing guilt coming from her in waves.

'Inko-san, whatever happened wasn't your fault,' he spoke quietly, 'Nana will be alright. She's young and the doctor said it will only be a scar.'

The woman sighed gravely her heart clearly heavy, 'Yes, but the problem with scars is that they serve us as a reminder of what happened. It's never a good thing to remember something horrible like that.'

Kurama didn't say anything for a moment just carried on looking at the woman wondering if she would tell him what was on her might, 'Not always.'

She looked over at him, and in the dark of the room she looked more like Nana than ever before, 'Sometimes they serve us as a reminder of how strong we were. Of how we survive despite the odds. That's never a bad thing, Inko-san.'

The woman watched him in silence for a while before she looked in front of her, 'Those men came because of Izumi.'

His blood went cold as whenever he heard the woman's name, he was sure it was because she was one way or another about to cause problems for Nana. Although he didn't know what exactly did that horrible woman tell to Nana to cause such distress in her heart it was clear it was wicked and something no parent should ever tell to their child.

'What did they want?' he asked not able to hide the iciness from his voice as he doubted he would ever be able to pretend ever again he carried some sympathy for Hinata Izumi after all she had done.

'She owes them money, or stole their money and spend it. Either way, they came, and I had to give it to them,' she explained and then stopped talking taking a deep breath, 'I guess she took more of their money again and they decided to teach the lesson to the wrong Hinata.'

Kurama clenched his fist quickly hiding it into his pocket remembering clearly why he despised of that wicked woman so much ever since he was old enough to be capable of such feelings.

'Do you expect them to come again? Do you know where they're from?' he asked coldly.

The old woman glanced at him with an expression he never saw on her or Nana's face before. It seemed almost hostile, 'I always forget how cold, you can be at times someone treats things you consider yours, Shuichi-kun. It's a primal instinct I suppose.'

Inko-san looked in front of her again causing Kurama, not for the first time to wonder if perhaps the woman knew more about him than she let on. She was clearly intuitive and observant as she many times called both Nana and him up on their mischievous behavior or adventures. He always assumed it was due to her old age, since just as Nana and her mother, their spiritual awareness was very low, but perhaps there was something else to it entirely.

'The shadiest bar at the docks,' said Inko-san finally, 'I'm sure lowlifes like that hang out there every night. Nana…she didn't look like she recognized them, so they probably didn't come at her before but the other day. She came from work early, and she…she looked like something had shaken her to the core. She didn't tell me anything, but…something truly bad awful happened to her.'

Kurama listened to the woman's words. The other day must have been when Nana saw Izumi who told her whatever had shaken the girl so badly. She was always an open book, but Nana would never intentionally allow her granny to see her sadness unless it was so bad she wasn't even able to try and hide it. All of these events, how every horrible event in Nana's life always one way or another came down to her mother caused Kurama to make a decision. He had been allowing that woman to cause problems to people he cared about for far too long.

Finally, Kurama nodded to himself, and bowed a bit, 'You can rest assured that they won't be coming to threaten you or your granddaughter ever again-'

'What about Izumi?' asked Inko-san instantly. Even after all those years and all the pain, she caused she was still her daughter after all.

The yokai didn't allow his personal feelings to reflect his face or voice this time, 'It would best for everyone if she stayed out of your lives, wouldn't you agree?'

The woman stayed silent, but just before Kurama turned around to leave, he caught her ever so slightly agreeing with his decision even if she probably didn't know what it was by a single short nod of the head.

Almost immediately once he stepped outside, he sensed his comrade in the nearby tree before he jumped down to him, 'Your human girl got hurt.'

'She will be alright,' said Kurama instantly as calmly as he could hoping Hiei wasn't up for teasing him since he was in no mood for such things tonight. He wished to achieve quite a lot before Nana would wake up in the hospital.

The other yokai didn't say anything for a while before he started to walk behind him in a close yet safe distance, 'You learned the whereabouts of the attackers. They had been here before.'

'It's likely they were controlled by the whistle to act violently, but it is true they came before and would no doubt come again,' said Kurama frowning and spiraling into a rage so untypical of him at the idea that because of Izumi some violent individuals with criminal intentions were coming to close contact with Nana. Despite how in control, he could be, he was never pleased when others threatened what he considered his. It seemed being raised as a human for so long only increased his possessiveness.

'What about the source? The mother?' asked the fire yokai, just as Kurama briefly felt him nudged into his mind probably to search what happened.

The kitsune paused. It was rare for Hiei to invade his mind like that especially since he knew Kurama wouldn't approve of it.

However, when he turned around his features softening realizing that Hiei's intrusion wasn't caused by curiosity or eagerness to fight anyone, 'She's fine. She just needs rest.'

Kurama had told Yusuke, he noticed Hiei changing during their time in the castle. It was true. He did see a certain growth inside the other yokai as he came to accept both the detective and his friend as allies rather than obstacles on their missions. That being said, it was also true of how he told Nana that Hiei seemed to like her as he often came into her house and was even willing to be seen by her. He cared for her. Although before such idea caused a wave of some sort of jealousy and possessiveness mainly due to Hiei being another of his kind and therefore standing on a different level than a simple human and their interest for Nana such as Kuwabara's, now the kitsune felt a sense of softness realizing Hieicared for Nana as someone precious or fragile who he would feel something if they got broken.

The fire yokai blinked looking almost offended, however, 'Don't be ridiculous. The hell I care about her wellbeing. I'm offering my services as a favor to you.'

'Hm,' let out Kurama and looked to the side. He knew it was a comforting lie for the yokai not to lose his status and pride, and due to the circumstances, the redhead decided to let Hiei have his false excuses for tonight, 'If that's the case, then it would be a great favor for me if you would find Hinata Izumi. Just don't get caught or allow anyone besides me to know about it.'

'Do you take me for an amateur, Kurama?' asked the yokai, and before the redhead could answer left him alone.

Without a second to spare, Kurama carried on his journey toward the docks and then to the hospital.

---

When Nana's mind caught up with the fact that she woke up in the unfamiliar dark room, she stirred ready to sit up only for a hand to reach out and firmly keep her down, 'Don't move so fast. You have new stitches after all.'

The girl immediately relaxed before she glanced over at Kurama who was sitting by her side on a chair with a calm look on his face.

'Kurama, you're alright,' she felt relief flew through her before she frowned a bit, 'Your mother and Inko-'

'Are also well,' he assured her, 'They went home for the night. The hospital doesn't allow visitors this late.'

The raven-haired girl blinked, 'Then how are you-'

He smiled a tiny bit, 'I didn't want you to wake up alone.'

A familiar warmth spreading across Nana's chest causing her to beam at him despite the soreness in her arm and slight pressure in her side no doubt from the wound and stitches, 'Thank you.'

His smile grew and his hand let go of her shoulder where it was pushing her down to keep laying. Instead, his hand reached out and softly stroked her cheek causing the warmth to become hotter and blood to rush into the girl's face.

Something in Kurama's features changed. It was subtle, but Nana had enough practice to notice it. He seemed to be lost in thoughts for a moment just looking at her with a gentle look as if she was something very precious, he adored and wished to protect.

'We already spoke, but you weren't yourself due to the pain medication,' explained to the redhead before his eyes shifted from her face as a whole into her brown eyes, 'Thank you for protecting my mother. But do not think of this as my approval of you putting yourself in danger. This is the second time you got hurt over the course of this year. I will not allow a third time even if I have to keep you under constant supervision.'

Nana grimaced losing some of the embarrassment, 'Please. It wasn't my fault. Either of those times,' she thought about for a moment, 'But don't worry, I don't plan to ever get attack again. The two times was scary enough.'

He nodded seemingly pleased with her answer although there was a heaviness in his eyes as he must have known it wouldn't always be her choice, 'But if someone I care for is in danger again-'

Kurama's face darkened, and Nana reconsidered her words, 'I will try to help them without putting myself in danger again.'

'Please do,' he told her and then leaned toward her making her heartbeat skyrocket again before she felt his lips against her forehead in a gentle and brief way before he leaned away and stopped touching her, 'It was very frightening to learn you got hurt while I was absent because you, my mother and Inko-san were in danger.'

Nana tried to calm her heart and heat inside her face down, 'Uh, yeah, I'm sorry about that…really. It happened so fast. We were told to go home early from school and I met Shiori-san on the way so she came along. Those men just appeared outside of our house and tried to get inside. Everything happened so fast and before I knew it I was bleeding, and they were running away.'

Kurama frowned, 'According to what I gathered from my mother's sobbing. You pushed her away when a man charged at her with a piece of glass from your window. If what you are saying you don't even recall thinking about it, I'm going to have to keep you under constant supervision from now on so you wouldn't jump into such a dangerous situation headfirst.'

Nana grimaced and scratched her cheek, 'Well, maybe?'

He sighed to himself almost hopelessly but in the next moment smiled at her, 'I'm glad you're alright. Although the scar will probably remain as a scary reminder forever.'

They both glanced at her side at the same time, 'It was pretty scary, but if it's only one scar, I will survive. It's not like I wear a two-piece bathing suit anyway. Or we go to the bench or pool anymore.'

'True, last time we went swimming we just started middle school,' he agreed and looked at her with a humor glimpse inside his green eyes, 'You violently pushed the lifeguard into the pool.'

Her face heated up for a completely different kind of embarrassment, 'He was being a jerk to us.'

Her friend smiled for a moment probably because of the memories before it faded away, 'Nana, when you were under medication, you told me you saw your mother, do you remember that?'

Nana's own smile faded as she heard him ask that question. She didn't recall him already talking to her. The last thing she foggily remembered was the doctor giving her a shot and telling her to raise her shirt so he could stitch her side. She had a sense Kurama was in the room and they spoke, but about what she didn't know. She couldn't believe she just blurted out about her mother and what she told her.

She looked away.

'Nana,' spoke Kurama softly, and the girl closed her eyes. She knew it would be hard to be in his presence and not tell him. It was the reason why at the last moment, she decided yesterday not to walk with him home. He could read her like an open book, and get everything he wanted from her.

'I was…I ended the work early and decided to surprise you and go wait for you by your school,' she opened her eyes and shrugged her shoulders, 'Suddenly she was there in my way, and we talked.'

His hand slowly moved from her face toward her wrist linking their fingers together, 'What did she want?'

Nana glanced at him warily. She felt a heavy pressure against her chest as she spoke recalling the feelings of despair caused by the meeting with her mother, 'At first nothing. We just talked, but…I got so angry with her. She invited me over to her new home, and I just flipped. I…I remembered what happened last time, and I felt so sick and angry with her. I called her out on how she left me in that perv's apartment, and she just brushed it off.'

She felt herself once again falling into a mixture of anger and despair, 'I called her out on being a bad parent, and she…she said some things.'

'What did she say?'

Nana opened her mouth to tell him but before she could utter a word a hiccupped sob came out and new tears ran down her face before she could stop it. She felt ridiculous. She started to cry not able to hold back or talk, and she didn't even know why. She already knew for two days. She thought it all over so many times and thought she made peace with it, so why was she crying now? Because her mom was a jerk? Because she told her in such a cruel way? Because she pitied her? Because she pitied herself?

Kurama's hand let hers go but only for a moment before she appeared inside his secured inside his arms. He held her firmly enough to know she was held but not firm enough to hurt her. All the while he whispered reassuring words into her ear all the while stroking her hair with his free hand. Some of which she recognized from last night.

'You don't have to say it if you don't want to. Whatever it was would never change who you are in my eyes,' he said at one point.

After what felt like hours she finally stopped crying and shared what happened with her mother while he told her what happened on his mission for Rekai, why the people were acting so violently, and why the men came into their house.

'I went after them,' he confessed meeting her eyes slowly, 'I couldn't allow them to walk freeing with the possibility that they could come back any time they pleased.'

Nana thought about it for a moment before she very slowly nodded, 'Alright.'

'You understand?' Kurama asked almost suspiciously probably expecting more defiance or perhaps a full on argument from her.

'I know whatever you did wasn't murder so you won't get in trouble with Rekai so…yes, I understand. If someone hurt you I wouldn't want them around either,' she said making sense of things before she asked, 'Do you think my mother was telling the truth? Regardless of who she is…just do you think someone would lie about something like that?'

'Yes,' he nodded, 'I cannot say if you're mother likes to hurt you, but she seems to have no remorse when she does. You shouldn't listen to her and allow her any more space in your mind or heart than she already has and corrupts,' he told her gently, his voice smoothing through her worries, and genuinely making her feel better.

Nana lowered her head with a small smile across her face somewhat feeling lighter then longer they spoke, 'I think from all your abilities the most awesome one is when you make me feel better like this.'

She could see him pull a small smile as well to mimic hers, 'I think from all my abilities it might just be my favorite one.'

Nana raised her head, and their eyes met in a moment of peace and healing making them both feel better about being in each other presence and know both of them were safe.

'You should get some rest,' he told her finally fixing her pillow for her and looking away, 'I will wait until you fall asleep again, and tomorrow I will come to pick you up. I think your window will be fixed by then.'

Nana laid down and snuggled closer to her pillow, 'Alright, thank you.'

He took her hand again, and she felt the pressure of his touch all the way until sleep finally took her again freeing her for every last bit of her worries.

---

A.N: Thank you for reading and the support :) I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Have a nice day and stay safe :)