Hmm……how sad…I've got nothing to write in the intro note. I think this is the chapter when the shadows strike again, but even I don't know, I'm just guessing.

DISCLAIMER: do I hafta say it again? Fine…I don't own YYH, only the characters that aren't in the show.   

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CHAPTER 9

'This dream, what does it mean? Where am I? This black void?'

"Kioko…"

"Who's there?" she turned around to see who was calling her, "Who are you?"

A figure stood there, he looked vaguely familiar to her. She took a step toward the figure but it was as if the figure floated a step back.

"Wait! Don't go," she started running towards the figure but he kept moving farther away from her until he couldn't be seen anymore.

She stopped running and looked behind her only to see the same figure standing there also moving farther away from her.

"Who are you?"

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Kioko eyes shot wide open breathing heavily. It wasn't an intense dream so she wondered why she started breathing so hard. She got up looked around when she felt something folded under her hand. She picked it up and opened it:

Hey,

The guys at work called a bit early today. Bunch of people called in sick, so I had to go early to fill in for them.

I'll try being home a little earlier since its Christmas Eve.

-Kai

Kioko smiled and wondered how last night ended. All she could remember was that kiss.

She got up and started going down the stairs. When she got to half way the pain in her side still ached. She put on an apron and went to the sink and started to wash the dishes when a flash back of the conversation she had Yusuke about Kurama started to playback. She shook her head and tried to forget what he said but it kept leaking back in. She slammed the dish into the dish washer nearly breaking it.

'Note to self: stop having pep talks.'

She took off her apron and floated back upstairs to get changed. She ran out of the house dressed in a green and red plaid skirt with a green loose turtle neck sweater with red baggy leg warmer and red shoes. ((I told you I have an obsession with turtle neck sweaters)).

'It's Christmas Eve. There's bound be a stampede of girls running after him.'

She started running when the sharp pain from her waist surge through her body.

'Kai's gonna kill me if he found out I was doing physical work.

She ran into the garage and pulled Akina's gem out. She made herself invisible to humans and phased through the garage door making her way through the sky, trying to spot a red haired boy who looked exactly like her.

"There he is girls! Don't let him get away!" screamed a girl off the street.

Kioko looked down to see Kurama sprinting away from a stampede of girls.

'Oh Kurama how do you do it?'

She gestured Akina to fly right above him only to see Kurama heading into a dead end.

Kurama started to feel her presence.

He opened a telepathic connection, 'Kioko is that you?'

Kioko was surprised that he actually could sense her from the disposition he was in.

'Kurama turn left.'

'What?'

'Just do it!'

Kurama did as she said, as he was running, Kioko made herself so only he could see her. She lowered Akina and flew aside Kurama. She held her hand out.

"Grab on…or would you like to be caught by those girls?"

Kurama was reluctant at first but he took her hand.

They flew into the sky. She set him down on a high building about three blocks away from where was he was. She landed Akina a few feet away and got off. As she got off, she winced as she felt the same pain again.

Kurama was about to ask if she was ok but she cut him off by answering his question.

"I'm fine, really I am," she lied with a smile.

Kurama could tell she was lying but didn't push any further, instead he asked, "Why did you help me? I thought you hated me."

"Let's just say, you've got great friends, especially Yusuke," she started walking towards him, "I forgive you, and I'm sorry for not doing it sooner."

She held her hand out assuring him that she really did forgive him.

Kurama looked at her, then her hand, then back at her again and smiled. He took her hand which led to a warm embrace.

"Remember when I said that Akina doesn't remember you?" Kioko asked when they pulled apart.

"Yeah…"

"I lied."

She pushed Kurama up to Akina who gave Kurama a playful whack with her tail. He climbed on and Kioko got up behind him. She reluctantly put her arms around him and put her head on his back.

'This is how it should've been, those 200+ years ago,' she thought herself.

Kurama looked back and smiled on her.

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When they arrived at Kioko's house, Kurama wondered why she didn't open the garage door.

"Watch this."

Kurama was in awe when they phased through the garage door.

"Impressive," Kurama complimented.

Kioko cocked her to the side and smiled.

As Kioko walked into the house she could see Kai pacing and talking to himself.

"Kai, what's wrong?"

"You, that's what's wrong, where have you been? I've been worried."

"Out, I didn't expect you to be home so early so I went out," answered Kioko.

"For what?"

Kurama walked in as Kioko answered, "Rescuing him…from a stampede of girls. You know its Christmas Eve, there's bound to be a bunch girls running after him."

Kai looked confused.

"It's ok we talked," explained Kioko.

Kai gave a reassuring smile and walked over to Kurama.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Kai," Kai said while shaking Kurama's hand.

"Shuichi Minamino or Kurama."

Kioko smiled, "Kurama, why don't you make yourself comfortable while I'll go get something to drink. What would you like? Tea, soda, juice, water?"

"Tea is fine."

To be continued…

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Okay so this wasn't the chapter with the shadows. I was originally gonna put them in this chapter but I'm saving it for the next. I'm making it clear that I'll be updating every weekend or at least try to update every weekend. Even school started two weeks ago, I've been busy. So, hope you enjoy this chapter and be patient for the next.