Hello! Thanks for the reviews! Here's Chapter 13. Chapter 12 part 2 was something I left from the actual Chapter 12.

Warnings: Keiko herself, Karasu being his usual Karasu self, Hiei gets his butt kicked (again), a Sakyo plot device, Kurama actually working and his love life gets explained, and last but not least, another special guest appears for this chapter (read on!).

Here we go! And remember, I don't own anything!

Chapter 12

PRESENT TIME AT THE HUMAN WORLD-Mission 04-:

Intel has been gathered: there has been a group of demons in human disguise trafficking rare and exotic plants from the Demon World to the Human World. Sakyo have been responsible for this because he is selling these plants to other humans. Kurama, you will work on The Boutique Flower Shop as a normal employee while learning about the business and the products. Hiei, on the other hand, will spy on the traffickers from a distance to stop them on his own when he feels that time is appropriate to do so on the same day.

Kurama arrived to the flower shop that was located downtown. He entered through the door as a bell rang, followed by the door closing behind him. He noticed a short woman around her fifties tending some flowers. To Kurama eye's, those flowers didn't looked that it belonged in the human realm, according to his books that he read so far about all types of plant species.

"Hello." Kurama said, and the short woman turned around to look at the visitor. "Is Mrs. Hana here?"

Mrs. Hana stood fully on her feet to approach the visitor. Well, make that a young, tall and handsome visitor. She adjusted her glasses to her face. "Oh you must be Kurama. Your profile is what we need for this place so you are hired," she said directly while looking up to Kurama.

Kurama nodded to her as if he already expected it. He had talked to her over the phone this morning inquiring about the part time help he found on the newspaper classifieds. "When do I start working?" he inquired with interest.

Within two hours, Kurama wore an apron over his casual clothing, and he already got the hang of the job. His main responsibility was to take care of the front of the business. He talked most of the time with customers and he helped them with anything, manage the cash register and keeping the overall appearance of the store while Mrs. Hana was mostly in the back of the shop. Kurama used the opportunity to fully inspect each of the plants from the demon realm and made mental notes to then report it to Spirit World.

After examining every plant that was placed in different parts on the front of the shop, an elderly woman came into the shop. Kurama offered her a smile and helped her to pick up orchids (from the Human World). He got her name while they were talking all the way to the counter where the cash register was at to finish the transaction. Fuyumi, the name of the customer, handed Kurama the money to buy the orchids.

"Fuyumi, thank you for buying these flowers. You have made an excellent choice. Come again, and I'll be happy to help you on your next purchase," Kurama said with a smile after giving the change and receipt to Fuyumi.

Fuyumi was charmed with Kurama at first sight. "Kurama, you are a kind, intelligent and sincere young man. I have granddaughter for your liking who I would like you to meet. Oh right, I hope you don't mind her slight older than yourself and already studying abroad in a prestigious university. She is studying to become a lawyer someday."

Kurama gave her a polite smile before replying. "That's all right. I'm sure she will find someone appropriate for her age," he said, turning down gently meeting with the granddaughter. Dating a nice girl wasn't part of his plans with school and serving to his duties to the spiritual realm, at least as of yet.

Fuyumi stared at Kurama's large green eyes for a moment. Her expression turned serious when she was finished reading the eyes. "...Someone has already caught your attention?" she said out of nowhere.

Kurama seemed flustered at first. Where did she have that idea from? "Well, I actually never said that," he said when he shook the feeling off his chest. In truth, he was almost as speechless. He felt as if he had been read like an open book.

Fuyumi's expression didn't changed, especially when she had to explain the following: "Young man, let me tell you: whoever this girl is, she already has you intrigued and perhaps she is a difficult one and not ordinary from the average nice girl. You had a little crush on her at first but when you learned about her actual personality, that kinda brought you into reality. Then, you are starting to get know her as much by little she provides of herself... You will become shy to actually recognize your feelings for her because becoming afraid to be rejected... The only thing I can advise you is to have more confidence in yourself. Also, with your persistence, noble heart and determination, you can win her over time and she will warm up to you."

Kurama seemed like he had listened to every word said.

Fuyumi's expression softened when she smiled. She took the vase with the orchids in it that was bought. She could already visualize the future of these two beings as lovers before committing in a serious relationship. She wasn't going tell Kurama that because he was going to find out for himself along with the fire demon. "Good luck with her," she said before leaving the flower shop.

Kurama almost gave thought to the words of Fuyumi…He shook his head. He was on this flower shop carrying a mission and not to get carried by his thoughts or feelings.

'How's it going over where you are, Hiei?'

Kurama asked mentally. He waited a moment before he got an answer:

'So far it has been boring spying on these idiots. I cannot wait to do something.'

Kurama could already picture Hiei from where he was with a bored expression and ready to fight anything that moved. He was amused by that current thought. 'Hang in there, okay?'

'How's it going for you working in that corrupted flower shop?'

'It's not that bad, I actually enjoy working on this job and helping customers. In fact, I should apply to a part-time work for another flower shop in the upcoming summer after school is over.'

'Have fun with that.'

'I take it that there has been movement in your area?'

'Yes.'

'Okay, good luck.'

Kurama worked for another few hours during the afternoon until Mrs. Hana came out of the back of the shop to inform the following: "Only working here for a day and the business is already closing, as said by Mr. Sakyo. Someone attacked and killed the distributors that bring the products, and Mr. Sakyo had lost interest in the business."

Kurama nodded in understanding. Hiei had done his part as instructed in the mission briefing. "That's too bad. Shall I help pack everything?" he offered.

"Ah thank you, Kurama. Please do. I'll even write you a letter of recommendation so you can be able to get an actual part time job," Mrs. Hana said being grateful for Kurama short term period of service.

After packing everything before closing the shop for good, Kurama was already outside after bidding his farewell to the manager. He was about to go to his house to meet up with Hiei until he saw a girl around his age looking straight at the sign of the closed establishment. He approached her.

"You seem lost. May I help you?"

The girl turned to look at Kurama. She had short brown hair almost reaching to her shoulders to match the color of her eyes. "Oooh, I can't believe this place is closed. I heard about these beautiful and exotic flowers that I wanted to buy for my mother since she has fully recovered her health. Too bad they are not here anymore," she said in mere dissappointment. She should have taken some free time from the Student Council meetings over her school and doing her homework for ever subject.

"I have been in that same situation before with my mother. If you like, I can accompany you to another excellent flower shop."

"Uh sure, if you don't mind, Shuichi."

Kurama raised an eyebrow when he heard the girl saying his name with familiarity. "How do you know my name?"

"Oh how rude of me. I don't know if you remember me but I'm Keiko Yukimura, and you used to be my math tutor last year. I almost didn't recognize you with your hair longer," Keiko explained to him.

Somehow, Kurama remembered meeting Keiko at some point last year. "I see. Keiko, shall we go now?"

"Of course, I'll appreciate your huge help on this one," Keiko said with a appreciative smile on her features.

Immediately, Kurama could see Maya saying something similar with a radiant smile on her face: 'Shuichi, you are the best!'

Kurama shook his head before he and Keiko went to another flower shop.

After going to the other flower shop in downtown to find the perfect flowers and placed the order, Kurama and Keiko had stopped in a small café restaurant. Both of them were sitting on a table inside the restaurant.

"Thank you for the drink, Keiko," Kurama said after he was finished with glass of orange juice.

Keiko sipped some of her strawberry milkshake on a straw before speaking: "No problem! Is the least I can do for choosing the best flowers for my mom. She will love them. And I must say, you have definitely changed from last year," she said with a grin.

Kurama raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Keiko seemed hesitant at first. "Well…you used to be polite but kinda cold and distant to everyone, and now you are more emotionally open, warm and kinder; as if you are not that person that you used to be anymore."

Kurama looked at Keiko for a moment…"Do you know anyone named in your family Maya Kitajima? You, um, physically…look a lot like her."

Keiko blinked her eyes a few times. "I'm sorry, I never heard of her," she said honestly. She turned to look at the time on her wristwatch. "It's getting late. I should be getting back home now. Thank you for this great afternoon, Shuichi."

Kurama stood from his seat. "Wait, I'll accompany you to your house. It's getting dark out there."

Keiko's eyes shone: "Aww, Shuichi, that's very sweet of you…If only he was a lot like you," she said the last sentence with a hint of sadness.

"Who?" Kurama became curious of this person that Keiko brought up.

Keiko shook her head before releasing a sigh. "Never mind what I said. Let's go," she said leaving to pay for the drinks.

MEANWHILE AT THE KOMARU DOCKS AT THE PORT:

It was already nighttime. Botan just arrived to find a scene full of dead and bloody corpses on the ground. All of the corpses had cuts on different parts of their respective bodies. "Oh my…Hiei did a great number on these demons," she said to herself. She got herself ready to deliver souls to Spirit World.

"Ferry girl…?"

Botan heard that familiar but weak voice. She turned to see the following a gasp: Hiei lying on the ground, bloody as the corpses. She ran to his side and knelt down to take him in her arms so he could face her properly. "Hiei! Who did this to you!?" she was in panic as she trembled. Hiei was not supposed to be this heavily injured. Something was wrong here since it was not part of the mission.

Hiei coughed up some blood before gathering the strenght to speak to Botan. "A demon in black...ambush…he uses… invisible explosives…I-I have to… go to K-Kurama…"

The words were nearly finished, and Hiei fell into unconsciousness. The attacker knew very well of Hiei, that was spying before intercepting the receiving of new merchandise from the demon realm. The attacker was currently after Kurama, who also a spy was posing as someone who replied to the help wanted of the business.

Botan held back the tears. She acted quickly by taking Hiei to Spirit World and get inmidiate medical help for him.

BACK IN THE CITY:

Keiko had an eerie feeling on her stomach as she and Kurama walked together on the pavement. She had that feeling with her for a little while now. She looked over at Kurama, who had calm look on his features.

"Shuichi, I think there is someone following or watching us," she said loud enough for Kurama only to hear.

At the same time, Kurama could hear Maya's voice in his mind: 'Shuichi, I can sense those demons following us…'

So Keiko knew all along that they were being followed, Kurama thought. He had pretended the contrary until he was able to reach Keiko's house and deal with the follower personally. "Indeed," he said quietly.

Keiko could only remain calm as the red head at this time and keep walking forward. She didn't want anything bad to happen to the two of them.

"Keep walking to your house, and I will meet you there soon," Kurama said to her. He immediately sensed someone walking behind them. He stopped walking to turn and face the follower.

Kurama looked over his shoulder to see if Keiko was walking towards her own house. Unfortunately, she had also stopped. She was now from her distance taking a good look at the one who was possibly following them. He was tall, dark, and mysterious, she thought. Only the fact was he was dangerous and had this type oxygen mask on his face.

Karasu smirked under his mask at the two human teenagers. "Hello, children. This isn't the time to be roaming around freely. Danger lurks everywhere at the darkest of hours," he said mystical as if he was the personification of the danger of the night.

Karasu took a good look at Keiko. "So Kurama, did you found yourself a new friend to replace the other one? They both look alike. How tragic. However, this one is not a psychic—nothing but an ordinary human girl."

"Leave her out of this! She has nothing to do with that!" Kurama was getting angry since his guess was that Karasu was going to involve an innocent being with his dark antics.

Keiko was confused. That stranger called Shuichi by the name of Kurama. 'Kurama…? After all this time, I thought his name was Shuichi,' she wondered about this.

Karasu shook his head becuase his beautiful red head was misundertanding his motives. He didnt came to waste his time on the human girl. His eyes focused to the object of his darkest desires. "My darling, I came specifically for you. Sakyo sent me to hunt down the ones who ruined his flower business…and my educated guess is that it was you since you are a Spirit Detective and your boyfriend is your partner."

Kurama could only remain quiet... Karasu was ever right, and Sakyo did a great job sending him to do the dirty work.

"By the way, I'd encountered your loving boyfriend a while ago after he finished disposing the last demon. He fought bravely against me but in the end, he ended up being severely wounded," Karasu said void of emotion and showing no remorse for his actions.

Kurama's eyes widened in shock upon hearing of what happened to Hiei. He didn't want to believe Karasu because it could be a way to play with his mind and emotions. Nevertheless, Karasu wasn't the type of demon to lie. "Karasu, you monster! I will never forgive you! I'll make you pay for everything that you have done!" he said in determination to put a stop to Karasu and his evil ways.

Karasu was amused to see the emotion flaring on Kurama's eyes. He came closer to the human, who stood still while gathering the courage to fight but didn't do anything. Karasu could tell that Kurama had been overcome by fear. "Now there's that passionate fire I love to see every time in your beautiful and large eyes…" he whispered in wanton. This was the Kurama from last year that he was waiting to meet again.

Karasu retreated some distance. "Kurama, I'm not going to get my hands dirty on you…yet. I have someone else to do that for me. I know that you will kill it with your own skilled hands. I am still being patient with you to get to your old strong self," Karasu said before snapping his fingers with a hand.

A large and muscled lizard demon appeared in a puff of smoke.

Kurama growled. He first looked at the lizard demon first and then back at Karasu.

Karasu chuckled darkly. "See you around; we will keep seeing each other. I would prefer that next time it is just the two of us without any kind of interference, sweetheart," Karasu before leaving the scene. "Ichimonji, you know what to do!"

Kurama took his fighting stance, this time ready to face the lizard demon, Ichimonji, on his own. "Keiko, run!" Kurama said so he could ensure Keiko's safety while battling.

Keiko was afraid to make a move because it was the first she had seemed a real demon before her. She gathered the will and ended up doing told to run to a direction where she could be safe. She felt bad for leaving Kurama alone with that demon… One of her ankles had been grabbed by the large and extensive tongue of Ichimonji and then all of her body was wrapped.

"Shuichi!" Keiko screamed for Kurama's help.

"Keiko!" Kurama proceeded to summon his weapon… "Rose Whip!" he exclaimed as the the red rose turned into the green whip with thorns. He looked coldly at Ichimonji, who was grinning foolishly. "I will show you no mercy," he promised.

Keiko watched as the battle unfolded between Kurama and Ichimonji. She was amazed for Kurama, especially for the skills that he gracefully displayed as he fought and defended himself from Ichimonji's offensive moves. Ichimonji's weapon involved the tongue that was used similarly as a whip. The two of them were at the same skill set of using a whip. However, Kurama had the advantage since he was more strategic in every of his moves while Ichimonji attacked with the tongue-whip without properly thinking. Yet, Ichimonji's forte was that he was physically stronger and had endurance.

The battle took some time to be over: Kurama had won with a reckless move without using his weapon. He used a seed that he found in his red mane and he aimed it as a bullet to Ichimonji's stomach. That seed had blossomed with Kurama's energy into a demon eating plant that had targeted straight to Ichimonji's weakness that was his vital organs. Ichimonji bled internally as it slowly died.

Kurama put his Rose Whip away before he approached to Keiko. He helped her of her confines of the remains of the tongue-whip, which the grip had softened. "Are you all right, Keiko?" he asked once Keiko was released from captivity.

Keiko nodded to him before getting up on her feet.

"Can you walk?"

Keiko tried to walk…She winced in pain when she felt her ankle slightly twisted. "I hurt my ankle thanks to that strong grip," she said weakly. It was going to be difficult for her to walk all the way to her house. She still had distance to go there.

Kurama got up fully on his feet to suddenly carry Keiko on his back. Each of his arms had her legs on his sides. "I'll carry you to your house," he said gently.

Keiko blushed at the idea of being given a piggy ride all the way to her house. She relaxed as she circled her arms around Kurama's shoulder and neck from behind. She pressed close to him so she wouldn't fall. "My house is all this way down here. I'll let you know when we get there."

Kurama began to walk on the pavement in silence. He lost himself in his thoughts:

A year ago, Kurama was carrying an unconscious Maya on his back to return her safely to her house. He had just defeated Yatsude, the eight hands demon, and his henchmen in an old doll factory...The mission of the abduction of numerous human females had been completed for Spirit World.

In addition, Maya's spiritual awareness ability awakened on that day.

Kurama was confused. 'Kitajima…Why am I remembering her through Keiko?' Some of his past memories with Maya or Maya herself…He remembered them by being with Keiko today. They both really looked alike on the face.

"…Who are you? Better yet, what are you?"

Kurama snapped from his thoughts upon hearing the questions that came from Keiko. "Please, from now on, call me Kurama. As you can see, Keiko, I live surrounded by danger and I can make plants as my weapon at will," he explained the truth to Keiko. He couldn't lie or deny her anything since she had seen everything with her eyes…just like Maya did on that night.

"Somehow…I can understand. It is better for me not to press you with questions. You can talk to me about it whenever you feel ready."

"I fully appreciate your understanding," Kurama said being grateful for Keiko's friendship. He had gained a new friend, right after Hiei and Botan. It was nice to have friends, he thought. After Maya and the last mission that involved Karasu—that one mission he had failed to accomplish- he shut himself from the entire world.

Over a half an hour later:

"Kurama, this is my house," Keiko announced to Kurama as he stopped in front of a house and a restaurant.

The front door of Keiko's house opened to reveal Mr. Yukimura: "Ah, Keiko! Your mother and I were very worried about you but I can see that this young man is doing a fine job taking care of you. I'm gonna go tell your mother not to worry anymore," he said rushing back to the house.

"Dad! He is just my friend!" Keiko exclaimed with embarrassment on her features. She gave a nervous laugh. "Please, ignore my dad, Kurama," she said as she hoped off from Kurama's back.

Kurama turned to face his new friend. She was going to have some difficulty walking but her parents could take it from this point to help her feel better. "Take care."

Keiko nodded before leaning over and tip toed to kiss Kurama on the right cheek. "That was for being nice to me. Good night, Kurama," Keiko smiled to him. She turned to go inside her house.

Kurama's cheeks had a little blush. No one had done it to him before. This girl was really brave, besides Maya when she one day confessed her feelings for him.

"Kurama!"

Kurama looked up in the sky to see Botan descending on her oar to the ground next to him.

"Botan, what is it?" Kurama asked because Botan had this sad look on her features.

"It's Hiei…He is very injured right now and he got treated in the Spirit World. He got taken to the ER room…He had lost a lot of blood and his Jagan eye got damaged. I'm afraid that the Medical Team can't repair the Jagan eye."

Kurama's head went down to the pavement as the guilt took over him. Hiei…It's my fault that Karasu attacked you…' he said in his mind. His heart had hurt a little. "Can I see him?" he asked still with his gaze down.

"Kurama, why don't you go and rest in your house? I don't think Hiei will wake up yet."

"All right, I'll go to him the next day."

"I'll give you a lift to your house so we can keep talking."

'So that's Botan…she is the foreign exchange student who hangs around Yusuke at school. I guess she is popular enough for Yusuke and Kurama to know her...' Keiko said mentally as she had watched and heard the conversation between Kurama and Botan. She somehow felt envy for the ferry girl for being carefree around the two guys she cared about…

'Wait a minute. She came flying on that oar, she was talking about Spirit World', this Hiei person a something about an eye of his, and she took Kurama flying on the sky back to his house…Is she, by any chance…A WITCH!?' Keiko's eyes widen as saucers as her jaw went straight down to the floor because of the astonishment of learning that Botan had the powers of a witch from the nonexistent spiritual realm. That reason alone explained many of the things about the cheerful but mildly eccentric foreign exchange student from England! Everything started to make sense!

THE NEXT DAY:

Kurama had just arrived to his house, coming from school. He made it all the way to his room to head start on his long Biology homework. He got surprised when he found Hiei already conscious and sitting by the window.

Before Kurama could say anything, Hiei turned to look at him with an impassive expression. "Let's get to our next mission," he said simply.

Mission -05-:

Your mission is to find a skilled demon thief and arrest him. He has been stealing rare artifacts, including from Spirit World, without a leading clue. Intel had spotted him in an old house outside of town. The address is written on the next page along with some pictures of the place.

It was nearly evening. Hiei and Kurama stood before an old house that was located practically in the middle of nowhere, reaching to the next town.

"This must be the house," Hiei stated as he looked at the place with a fixed gaze.

"Yes, no doubt about it," Kurama confirmed to Hiei as he remembered how the old house looked like in the provided photography that were in the red folder. "Let's go."

Just when Hiei took a few steps forward, he flinched and bent down on one knee.

Kurama turned to look when he noticed that Hiei had flinched for some reason. He could be in pain, he thought as an answer. "What is it? Are you all right?" he asked being worried and used his hands to reach his injured partner.

Hiei slapped the caring hands away from him. "I'm fine. It's nothing," he mumbled, trying to contain the pain from his recent injuries. He didn't want to stay in Spirit World lying on a bed like a helpless being. After he'd regained consciousness, he left that place to do another mission with Kurama to find Karasu along the way. He would fight again that demon for humiliating him in an effortless defeat. He stood fully back again on his feet, and struggled to walk forward to the front door of the house.

"Are you sure? You know, I don't think you had completely recovered your injuries from-"

Hiei looked over his shoulder to give a glare to Kurama. "I said its fine! I'm going to go ahead and stop the target myself!"He exclaimed before running to the inside of the house and knocked the door down with a powerful kick in the process.

"Hiei! Wait! I don't think you are in condition to face the target alone!" Kurama exclaimed but it was futile because Hiei was already far from him to even hear. Hiei was being stubborn on him once again... Kurama sighed before running after him all the way to the inside of the house.

Kurama searched for Hiei all over the house for a good hour. The living room, the kitchen, the rooms, the basement… There was no sign of Hiei nor was Kurama able to sense his energy. There was only one place that Kurama was yet to check to find his partner: the attic.

After reaching the attic, Kurama opened the door to find all kinds of rare artifacts all over the place. When he was about to enter the said room:

"Freeze, pretty boy. You will not trespass my territory here any further."

Kurama froze upon hearing the deep voice that was behind him. Yet, he remained calm to speak:"In the name of Spirit World, you are under arrest for stealing rare artifacts."

The voice chuckled not taking Kurama's words seriously. "You are funny, kid."

Kurama elbowed the voice from behind, which it grunted as a result for receiving the impact. He turned quickly behind to take a good look to the owner of the voice…The moonlight that came from outside the window illuminated the appearance: he had long hair and large ears over a strange looking dark hat, long black wings of a bat, and wore strange clothing. It was safe to assume that the stranger was a demon and the one that he was looking for. Kurama took a stance, ready to fight the thief on his own.

Instead of doing any kind of retaliation, the bat demon placed a hand on the left side of his rib where he got elbowed. He chuckled once more as he looked at Kurama with a genuine interest. "And you can fight too. I, immediately, like you. The name is Kuronue: pleasure to meet you," he said in a friendly like manner with having no intention to fight.

Kuronue, so that was his name…Kurama thought without moving his stance. Kuronue was an enemy and the main target. He couldn't get careless: he could sense a strong amount of demonic energy on Kuronue.

Kuronue frowned and crossed his arms to his chest. The human didn't trust him enough to give out his name but that didn't stop Kuronue to actually stop liking him. "So then, I assume you didn't come here alone if you are working for Spirit World. Well, I hate to inform you that your partner has been dealt with by yours truly," he said seriously.

Kurama became alert. No wonder he wasn't able to find Hiei during the past hour. "What do you want in exchange?" he asked carefully. His intuition told him that the bat demon wanted something in return if he was not willing to put up a fight.

"Become my partner. There are some items that are worth stealing and it will be troublesome working alone to get them. And you, my friend, happen to be the right guy for this joint. The shrimp is very mean and uncooperative."

Kurama weighed Kuronue's words and everything else on his mind…He lowered his guard when had reached a decision: "I'll do it. But you better keep Hiei out of harm."

Kuronue slightly nodded in acceptance to keep his part of the deal. "Will do. It will be fun working with you, I know it. I will contact you for our first stealing ever," he smirked playfully. He was used to working alone, and now he had a partner for more fun in the robberies after being reincarnated 29 years ago on the Human World.

Kurama furrowed his eyebrows. "I'll be waiting then, Kuronue. My name is Kurama, by the way."

"Well, then, Kurama…. In the mean time, I'll play some hospitality for the shrimp here since his recent injuries got open during our fight and he went out cold."

With that, Kurama left the old house without another word.

'Hm. Youko Kurama doesn't remember me at all. I know he was reincarnated as this human… Something must be up,' Kuronue thought with another frown as he watched Kurama leaving the household.