I woke to the sound of birds chirping around me and slowly opened my eyes. At first I had no idea why I was outside and when I looked over to find the ghostly boy sleeping on me I almost screamed but managed to stop myself. We were still leaning against the tree but he had fallen asleep with his head now resting on my shoulder, the same as I had done to him when I had fallen asleep. I looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps and smiled as Hiei, Kurama and Botan all walked up to me. I placed a finger to my lips to make them stay quiet before waving to them.
Botan waved back happily before coming forward to crouch in front of me. "So this is your ghost boy!" She whispered.
Hiei glared at Sasuke and then looked away, blushing. Kurama glanced at him. "Hey, what do you have there?"
Hiei looked up at him with a glare. He held out his hand to me and I took what he offered and laughed. "How did you know?" I teased. He shrugged and stepped away.
Sasuke slowly raised his head and looked around, surprised by all the new people. I smiled over at him. "Good morning!" I said happily. "Pose for a picture!"
He laughed at me and nodded as I handed the thing Hiei had brought to Kurama. "A camera." He said, laughing as he held it up to take the picture. "One...two...three!" He counted as Sasuke and I placed an arm around one another's shoulders and put our heads together. We smiled and laughed as Kurama snapped two quick pictures and then stood.
Sasuke turned to me with a smile. "Thank you for that. I'll go through with my part now." He said, as he slowly approached Botan who greeted him warmly.
Kurama turned to me. "And what was your part?"
"To spend the night with him." I responded and I heard Hiei grunt.
"Weren't you scared?" Kurama asked.
Sasuke answered before I could. "Ha! She was terrified. She thought it was you at first." He said, pointing to Hiei. "But then she saw me and I barely kept her from screaming but she calmed down pretty fast." I blushed bright red and noticed Hiei smirk knowingly at Kurama who just ignored it.
I thanked Kurama as he returned my camera to me and then turned to Sasuke. "Well, goodbye I guess..." I muttered stupidly.
He walked over to me and warmly embraced me. My eyes widened in shock as I just stood there until he pulled away. He smiled at me. "Thanks for spending my last night here with me. It was fun." He said as he leaned towards me and I felt my face burn bright red as his lips brushed mine. I heard Kurama laughing as Sasuke pulled away and went towards Botan. He turned and smiled at me and I managed to smile back as he and Botan floated high into the air. He waved at me as they left and I waved too before I plopped down on the ground in a slight trance, running my finger over my lips.
"You really are nice Kira." Kurama said as he took a seat beside me.
I snapped awake and looked over at him. "How so?" I asked.
Kurama laughed. "You always put others before yourself. Even though you hated this forest you stayed all night with that boy so he could find peace and you took the energy so you could check on your brother. That took true kindness and loyalty."
"No, that took true recklessness." Hiei said as he walked over beside me and sat down. "You didn't think about the consequences before you acted."
I shook my head and stared up at the sky. "I knew what I was risking." I said. "But if you can't risk everything for someone you love then there's no point in loving in the first place..." Hiei looked at me in surprise and I smiled back, causing him to blush and turn away.
Kurama finally broke the silence. "Shall we go back? Your brother is very worried about you."
I nodded and got slowly to my feet followed by Kurama and Hiei. They went through the woods quickly and I lagged behind as I stared around myself.
Finally Hiei turned and glared at me. "Are you coming or not?" He yelled.
I looked up. "I'm sorry!" I called as I ran forward and caught up with them. We walked the rest of the way back in silence.
As soon as we entered Yusuke's house Sesshoumaru burst through the doors and ran up to me. "Are you ok?" He asked, looking me over.
I nodded. "It was my choice to stay... Are you ok?" Sesshoumaru looked questioningly at me and I answered by poking him in the stomach.
With a groan he grabbed my arm and yelled at me. "What was that for?"
I looked up at him, eyes swirling blue. "You're still hurting from what I did." I muttered.
He looked down at me. "It's ok, I'll manage." I barely caught him as he fell forward onto me, unconscious again. "I'll take care of you..." I whispered as Kurama helped me take him back inside. We sat him down on the couch and I sat beside him, closing my eyes. The others came to watch as I reopened them and they glowed entirely neon green. My hands glowed as well and I ran them along Sesshoumaru's stomach and chest. He slowly opened his eyes but I told him to stay still and he did. When I finished I collapsed slightly forward onto him and he managed to catch me. I laughed as I looked up at him. "Sorry, just got a little dizzy..."
Kurama nodded. "Healing is one of the most tiring things you can do with your energy. Do you need to take a break?"
I shook my head and stood. "I'm fine now."
Kurama nodded. "Ok, it's morning still so you should go and practice with Yusuke some. You haven't done that in a while."
I nodded as Yusuke and me left the house and went around back. We did the same as before, running at each other and seeing how I'd react, as Yusuke pointed out things I was doing wrong.
With a cry Yusuke ran towards me and I stood ready and waiting for him. Just before he reached me an enormous growl erupted from my stomach and he fell flat on his face in surprise. "Umm... I'm hungry." I said, my face bright red.
Yusuke stood and looked around. "Well, it is getting dark..." He rubbed his stomach as well and smiled at me. "And I'm pretty hungry too."
We retreated inside to find everyone sitting around eating. "Hey!" Yusuke yelled. "Why didn't you call for us?"
Botan laughed. "You were so busy training... we didn't want to interrupt you!" She turned to me. "And Sasuke has settled down happily thanks to you."
I nodded and blushed as Yusuke walked over and grabbed an extra bowl off the counter and began to eat. He looked at me and pointed to the last one. "That's an extra. Take it."
I nodded and picked it up, bringing some to my mouth. I smiled to myself as I continued. Ramen. As I ate I fingered the locket that still hung around my neck. I hadn't taken it off once since Sesshoumaru had tossed it back to me. I inserted a claw and the heart sprang open so I could see the pictures inside. Suddenly I set down the bowl and smiled around at everyone. "I want a picture of all of us together!" I cried and everyone stared at me. I left for a second to get the camera and smiled. "Please?"
Hiei got up and walked right past me but I caught his arm. "Hiei!" I cried. "I said everyone!" He stared at me and turned to go again. "But I want you in it too." I muttered and he paused. Kurama took this chance to steer him back around.
I smiled and pointed through the door. "Let's do it outside in the light before it's totally gone!" I laughed and everyone slowly followed edged on by my happy spirit.
Sesshoumaru, Yusuke, Botan, Kurama, Hiei, Kuwabara, Yukina and I all lined up outside and I set the camera down so it would go off in ten seconds. "When the red light turns off it will take the picture!" I cried as we all scrambled to our positions. Everyone smiled, even Sesshoumaru slightly, as the photo flashed except for Hiei who was on the very edge with his arms crossed as he looked away.
As everyone began to reenter the house I tapped Kurama on the shoulder and handed him the camera as I pointed to Hiei who hadn't moved. He smiled and got ready as I closed my eyes and shrunk myself to four foot eight, just a couple inches shorter than Hiei. I snuck around behind him and suddenly leapt on his back, pulling his face into a grin as Kurama snapped the picture and then burst out laughing. Hiei angrily knocked me away and I hit the ground laughing happily as Hiei glared at me. "You had it coming!" I said through gasps. "You refused to smile yourself so you had to be made to!"
Kurama came over to help me to my feet. "How can you have so much energy after having trained all day?"
I shrugged. "Maybe it's because I finally ate something again!" I cried as I looked at Hiei who refused to look back. I went up behind him and tapped his arm. "Please don't be mad! I was just playing..." Hiei shrugged my hand away and I let it fall limp at my side. "I'm sorry..." I muttered as I turned slowly away and took the camera from Kurama as I trudged inside.
Kurama watched me go and then turned to Hiei. "You're making her feel really bad."
Hiei shrugged. "I don't care..." He muttered.
Kurama laughed. "Of course you do! You know her better than any of us do."
"No I don't!"
"Then how'd you know to bring her the camera in the woods?" Hiei didn't answer so Kurama continued. "You should take her out soon and begin her sword training." He said as he went inside too.
Suddenly my screams erupted through the house and everyone came running towards me. I sat in front of the glowing laptop screen and pointed to an email. "I have drivers ED coming up tomorrow!" I yelled frantically. "I don't know how to drive!"
Sesshoumaru came up behind me. "What is drivers ED?"
I turned to stare at him. "It's where someone teaches me how to drive but I still want to have some idea of what I'm doing first…"
"You say it's tomorrow?" Yusuke asked and I nodded. "Do you want to head home now to prepare?"
My face lit up. "Yes!"
Yusuke nodded and turned to the rest of the group. "We'll be back when it's over." He said as he fingered the watch. I closed the laptop and grabbed his arm and he grinned. "Bye!" He said as we disappeared, leaving a room full of people staring at where we had just been.
We appeared in my driveway and I ran up to the door and rang the bell. A little later my mom came and answered it. With a gasp she saw who it was and embraced me as Yusuke walked up behind me. She welcomed us both into the house and I went to the family room where my dad lay. He stood and hugged me as well. "I heard I have drivers ED tomorrow." I said nervously and my mom nodded.
"Tomorrow you will meet at your school at two o'clock." Mom said and went upstairs with me giving me tips.
My dad turned to stare at Yusuke. "Who are you?"
"I'm her transportation." He answered, adjusting the english translator in his ear. "She's also been staying at my house." At my dad's look he continued quickly. "She sleeps in a room with only her brother though! Nothings going on…" When my dad still said nothing he backed slightly away. "Umm… I'll be going now…" He said as he headed in the direction me and my mom had taken. He nodded to my mom as they passed in the hall and slowly entered my room.
I looked up at him as I climbed into my bed. "Hey." I said and he nodded, looking around.
"So this is your room. The room of an American." He teased and headed straight to the corkboard on the wall. He laughed and pointed to a fan art drawing of Hiei I had posted there. "He needs to see this! Did you draw it?"
I blushed. "No he doesn't!" I looked away. "And someone else drew it." I yawned suddenly and Yusuke laughed.
"I'll take that as my cue to leave." He chuckled as he went out the door.
"Good night." I called sleepily as I fell back on the pillows. Within minutes I was out. Soon after Yusuke poked his head back inside. He smiled as he saw that I was already asleep and sat down in the corner of my room near my closet. Leaning against the wall he too was soon out.
I awoke the next morning and sniffed the air. Looking over I laughed as I saw Yusuke asleep in the corner. Sliding out of bed I crouched in front of him and nudged him awake. "I'm going to eat something, you coming?" I asked and he nodded.
As we entered the kitchen Jack looked up and ran at me attaching himself to my waist. "Kira!" He screamed happily as I laughed at him.
"Hi Jack!" I finally got him to let go and followed him to the table where Megan already sat. My mom had made waffles.
"Would ya'll like some?" She asked. Yusuke and me and we nodded as we sat down and Megan stared at us. My mom placed a fresh batch in front of us and we each grabbed one and set it in our plate. As we started to eat Nick and Will came to the table, both with their hair sticking straight up. Ignoring it and not noticing Yusuke and me they sat down too and helped themselves to some food.
"Hi!" I said with a wave and they both jumped.
"When did you get here?" Nick asked and I pouted.
"You're not glad to see me?"
"Well, yeah…" Nick muttered as he slowly continued eating again. After we finished I placed both Yusuke and mine's plates in the sink and went into the basement. Looking around uncomfortably at the faces staring at him, Yusuke went after me. He walked up just as I released my dogs Bo and Tanner from their crates. They came up licking my face and I rubbed them happily.
"Aren't animals usually afraid of demons?" Yusuke asked.
"Not if they know the demon means no harm." I said. "I actually seem to attract animals." After I was done playing with them I let them outside and Yusuke and me wondered around the house for a while until my mom finally called me to leave. I waved bye to Yusuke as he watched us pulling out of the driveway.
On the way to my school I talked with my mom about recent things I had gone through since I had left and she obviously didn't believe me about the ghost. "I have a picture of me with him to prove it!" I said as we pulled up to the school.
"There's the driving teacher." Mom said as she pointed to the little white car with the sign on top. "Good luck!"
I got out of the car and joined another boy beside the car. After the initial shock of my appearance the teacher told us to get in the back while he went away to talk on the phone for a while. He came back around thirty minutes later and asked which of us had ever driven before. I had and the other boy, Chan, hadn't so I was told to get in the front seat.
Slightly shaking from nervousness I climbed into the seat and adjusted it and the mirrors before quickly buckling. The teacher told me what to do and I did it fairly well. He even took me out on some real streets to practice a bit though he didn't let Chan. Chan was having some problems with the basics.
Around six we pulled back into the schools parking lot and my mom was there waiting. The teacher told Chan and me to meet there again tomorrow at three so I informed my mom as she greeted me. On the way home I told her about it all and said that I thought I had done ok.
I got home and did basically nothing for the rest of the day. I went to sleep with Yusuke tucked in his little corner again and awoke late the next morning. Bringing Yusuke down, we had a quick breakfast and I wondered around again before my mom took me back to the school. Today the teacher took Chan and me mostly on real roads and the day seemed to go by pretty fast. I drove home afterwards and we planned to meet tomorrow at the school for the final day.
We got home and I went to bed early and still woke up late. I played video games with my brothers for a while, as Yusuke watched until my mom told me it was time to leave. Before going I took the time to laugh at Yusuke as he struggled to beat four-year-old Jack at super smash bros, unused to the game's rules.
We pulled into the school again and Chan and me climbed into the car. Today we were to go on the beltline and then to downtown Raleigh and I was chosen to go first. I was really nervous, especially when I went sixty miles per hours for the first time but I did everything well without incident. After Chan did everything too he drove back to the school and we switched for the last time as I drove home again. I was told by the teacher to get a parent to come out and talk to him so I brought my dad. The teacher told him not to let me drive in the rain but other than that I was a good driver. He explained how I was to get my permit and then he left. I waved goodbye to him and Chan as they backed out of the driveway for the last time.
Following my dad inside I found Yusuke and we said our goodbyes. My entire family went after us and watched as I grabbed Yusuke's arm and he set the destination. With a grin and a wave goodbye we suddenly disappeared, leaving them gathered and staring.
