Hey, guys! Here's my second chapter! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 2

Tenshi Of Sadness

He didn't know how long they sat there or how long she cried for. What he did know, was that by the time she was finished, she had somehow nodded off and fallen asleep in his arms. She was curled up against his chest, one of her hands lost in the sea of his red hair, the other placed protectively beneath her chin on his chest.

Kurama looked down at the angel in his arms, using his free arm to lightly trail a finger down her frigid cheekbone. In the moonlight, the woman looked so small and frightened and the tear tracks on her face still looked quite fresh. He came to the sudden realization thathe couldn't just leave her here. She would surely freeze to death in this cold. However, neither could he take her to herhome. He had no clue as to where she lived...or even what her name was. The only option was to take her home to his apartment.

He sighed, not particularly looking forward to the questions his roomate was sure to ask, before glancing at her again. She whimpered in her exhausted sleep and burrowed closer and just for a second Kurama allowed the barest sliver of a smile to cross his lips. It was gone inless than a second before he was gracefully climbing to his feet with her still held protectively in his arms.

It was only a short block towards his home, about two blocks from here, and in no time at all Kurama was walking up the winding steps towards his apartment which he shared with Yusuke. The girl was now quiet and serene in his embrace and Kurama couldn't help but wonder what it was about her that seemed to sooth the raging he'd felt just moments before their unexpected meeting. Her long black hair fell in roves over her face, shadowing most of it. Kurama remembered briefly that her eyes were a stormy blue.

He gave a sigh of relief when he finally reached his door. Wondering how he was going to reach his keys without jarring the girl in his arms and thus waking her up, Kurama attempted to shift her a bit. Just as he was reaching into his front coat pocket, the front door swung open and Yusuke's tired form stood in the doorway. His eyes were wide with worry and for a moment Kurama despaired about having worried his only friend. That was until the girl in his arms coughed and Yusuke caught sight of the body laying so contentedly in his arms.

Yusuke's eyes widened and he moved to open his mouth before Kurama hurriedly shoved past him and shut the door.

"Kurama, where the hell have you been?" Yusuke demanded. "And who is that?" He pointed to the sleeping woman.

"I'm sorry, Yusuke, I'll explain things in a moment. For the time being could you please prepare some coffee, while I get her settled in my room?" Kurama asked quietly.

Yusuke's frame faltered and he glared slightly, drawing a tight chuckle from Kurama at being dismissed. "Yeah, yeah, fox, tuck your little filly in, say nighty night, and then we'll talk," Yusuke grumbled, before turning into the kitchen. For an apartment, it was actually pretty nice in size. Just inside the doorway was a kitchen and a dining area with a small table and two chairs. To the left of the kitchen was an open family room which housed all their various videos and accessories. Down the hallway there was a bathroom directly to the left and to the right of it was Yusuke's room.

Kurama walked further down the hall, his burden still clutching his chest, and entered the last room at the end of the hall. Stepping in, he mentally sighed, thankful for the darkness of his room. He effortlessly maneuvered his way towards his bed and gently placed the girl down. She was shivering still and very cold, and Kurama blushed slightly at the thought of undressing her. Nevertheless if he didn't want her catching hypothermia, he would have to undress her and place her in warm clothes. Quickly he set about finding some warm flannel pants of his that were too small and a large t-shirt. He changed her quickly, averting his eyes, and almost gasping when his hand accidentally touched some of her ample cleavage. When he was finished he gave a sigh of relief and set about tucking her underneath the warm covers.

When she finally lay fully under the covers, her body lying flat on her back, one arm crossed up above her head, the other lying peacefully by her side, he allowed his eyes to look upon her one last time. She wasn't shivering anymore and her color was slowly returning. She appeared to be sleeping peacefully and if Kurama wasn't more intuned to reading auras, he probably wouldn't have noticed that it was still dark and shadowed with hurt.

Before he knew it, his hand had moved and gently traced the curve of her cheekbone, down to the curves of her neck, and over the fine sinewy shoulders. Whoever would think to hurt such a lovely girl was beyond him. Obviously someone had cut her deeply, judging by her crying earlier and her fluctuating energy. He drew back after a few peaceful minutes, scanning her one last time before grabbing some warm night clothes and shutting the door.

Kurama changed in the bathroom before following the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Hopefully it was decaf, lord knew he could use the sleep. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep that night if he drank regular.

Kurama traveled down the hall, instantly gratified by the smell, hurrying his steps. His mouth watered and he entered the kitchen to find Yusuke seated on top of the counter, seemingly lost in thought.

"What have I told you about sitting on the counter?" Kurama teased good naturedly causing Yusuke to acknowledge his presence.

Yusuke smirked back. "That I shouldn't do it, because it 'symbolizes a complete lack of etiquette and manners'." Then he shrugged carelessly. "But since when have I been one for manners?"

Kurama chuckled before making his way over to the coffee maker and pouring himself a mug full, delighting in the taste when he brought it to his mouth.

He sat down at the table, Yusuke following seconds later, carrying his own mug, along withcream and suger. "So?" Yusuke commented after a moment of tense silence.

"Hm?" Kurama murmured distractedly.

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "Well, who is she?" He asked, taking a sip and leaning back in his chair to stare inquiringly at his friend.

Kurama shrugged his shoulders. "Good question. When I find out, I'll let you know."

Yusuek stared deadpanned at his friend and raised an eyebrow mockingly. "This is the first woman you've ever brought home and you don't even know her name?"

Now it was Kurama's turn to roll his eyes. "It's not like that Yusuke. I found her alone and crying on a park bench near our apartment."

"What were you doing out this late anyway?" Yusuke asked, glancing at the clock, noticing that it read 2:30 in the morning.

Kurama sighed, staring into his mug of coffee. "I don't know, Yusuke. Insomnia, insanity, you know how it is." And Yusuke did know how it was. He knew exactly why Kurama couldn't sleep, he'd been there himself when Keiko left him, and knew that even if he prodded Kurama for more specific answers to what was ailing him, the aloof fox would never come right out and tell him. He, himself was the same way, preferring to be left alone in his time of misery and reflectance.

"So what happened?" Yusuke asked, diverting the subject off of the fox himself and on to more pressing matters.

Kurama ran a hand through his hair, releasing the red locks from their holder and running a clawed hand through the strands, trying to wade out the tangles. He slumped down in his chair and began speaking. "Well, as I said I was wandering the streets like a lost soul,just about to head home when I heard the strangest sound. At first I dismissed it as being a dog or cat or some other poor unfortunate animal. However as I continued along my desired course, I heard the sound again, recognizing it as someone crying. So I followed it through the tunnel and discovered a girl crying on one of the park benches."

It was on the tip of Yusuke's tongue to comment how totally unlike Kurama that was. It was true that Kurama was friendly and often times more than willing to help a friend in need. However it wasn't like him to go in search of a problem either.

Kurama could see the question in Yusuke's eyes and truth be told, he really couldn't recall what had possessed him to approach her in the first place, let alone comfort her with his own body. "What did you do next?" Yusuke asked. "Did you talk to her, find out what was wrong?"

Kurama frowned and wondered why he hadn't thought to. Of course at the time, they were both emotional wrecks and needed obviously in need of some king of comfort. "You know, it didn't even occur to me to talk to her. When I saw her," Kurama's breath caught and held, his eyes glazing over in remembrance of how her soul had called out to him. "She sounded so hurt…so lost. I wanted to help her. I felt like I needed to help, like she needed me. I think at one point I even needed her."

If Yusuke hadn't been who he was and prided himself on holding back his reactions, he would have dropped his jaw. He could only stare in awe as Kurama continued his tale. "So I approached her so slowly and carefully. I thought she would jump up and run away the moment she realized I was there. However….when she looked at me it was as if she knew I was there all alone."

"She knew…you…were-," Kurama knew what was coming and mentally covered his ears. "She knew you were coming!" Yusuke cried and Kurama winced, hoping against hope that his guest hadn't awoken yet. She seemed like she needed sleep.

"Please, Yusuke, keep your voice down. I don't want her to awaken," Kurama replied softly.

Yusuke's brown eyes narrowed before he too lowered his voice to comply with Kurama's wishes. "Listen Kurama, excuse me for saying this but you are one of the sneakiest and quietest people I know. Not to mention that you know every trick in the book to cover yourself so you are not discovered. So, how could she, a seemingly normal human girl, know you were coming?"

"I don't know, Yusuke," Kurama commented a bit irked resisting the urge to massage his temples to soothe away the growing pressure. "At the time I hadn't really been thinking about that. I just wanted to help her."

"But…why?" Yusuke choked. "I mean I'm all for saving damsels in distress, even crying damsels in distress, but I've never had the sudden urge to just go up and help them right out of the blue."

Kurama took a good long swig of his coffee, before answering softly. "I don't know what it is about her, Yusuke, but…something tells me that there is more to her than meets the eye."

Yusuke's eyes softened at the soft tone in Kurama's voice, noting the far off look and wonder in his friend's eyes. "Look, you're tired," Yusuke finally relented. "I'm tired as well. Why don't we both get some sleep. And we'll hopefully be able to talk this over with her if she wakes up tomorrow."

Kurama smiled gratefully, exhaustion falling into his eyes as he realized how drained he felt. "Thank you, Yusuke, for allowing her to stay here. I appreciate it."

Yusuke grinned. "Hey, it's no problem. She's hot right? It's not every day we have a pretty girl stay in our home." Kurama's eye narrowed at Yusuke's statement and no matter how much he wanted to deny it, Yusuke was right. She was very pretty and it had been so long since anybody but themselves had frequented their home. Maybe this would turn out to be a good thing.

"Well, I'm going to bed. Ne, Kurama," He paused in the opening of his bedroom door. He turned back and Kurama could clearly see the question in his mind. And was that….humor?

Kurama lifted his head in silent indulgence.

"Just where are you going to sleep?" He entered his room on a heart chuckle, leaving Kurama in a state of unease.

Yusuke had a good point. Just where was he supposed to sleep? Shrugging he all but decided he did not care where he slept as long as he had a pillow and some blankets. Nearing his room, he heard the faint whimpering sounds coming from it and stepped inside. The sight that greeted him was not the peaceful one, he'd viewed upon his exit. Instead the girl on his bed had twisted in such a way that she was half hanging off his bed. He made quick, easy strides as he approached her side, gently reaching under her arms and hoisting her back onto his bed.

He began to draw back and search for some more sheets and blankets, when something soft and warm, leeched onto his hand. Looking back he could clearly see that her eyes were half opened and gazing imploringly at him. "Please," she whispered, tugging him closer. He obediently followed, something inside him begging him to comply. "I don't want to be alone." Those six words shattered any intentions of releasing himself from her hold he had, along with the rather insistent caress of her silky fingers against his own.

Slowly he climbed into bed with her, allowing her body to fall slumped over his and pulling her protectively into his arms once again. She was asleep again within seconds and Kurama had to wonder if she was ever awake in the first place.

He smiled softly at her and drew her close, tucking her head underneath his chin. "No, my tenshi," he stated softly. "You will never be alone again."

The girl smiled in her sleep and snuggled closer. And as the night passed, both dove head on into oblivion, both feeling more comfortable and comforted than either had felt in a long while.

So? How was it? Was it any good? Oh, and if the relationship between Kurama and Yusuke seems a bit weird, I assure you they are not gay or anything. They have become best friends and know each other inside and out, or at least how to deal with each other's issues. Anywway, I hope you guys like my new addition. In the next chapter Kagome wakes up to find herself in bed with a man she doesn't know. How will she take it? To know, you must read! And please review! That's the only way it makes things move faster.

Ja ne

Kura-kun's-lovr