Chapter 8

During her fight with Obake, who was impressive yet still easily beaten by her, Koren felt a tremendous energy from the direction of the fight that was occurring simultaneously as hers. Touya, who was the ice master acquainted with Jin, was facing off with Hiei, who she learned was Yusuke's former teammate in something called the Dark Tournament. Kuwabara had openly told her about the Toguro brothers and how they forced him and his friends to partake in the tournament threatening their loved one's lives if they refused. Obviously they won the tournament and even made friends with some of the demons they fought such as Jin and Touya. Also during the course of the tournament, they all grew significantly stronger, and that's when Kuwabara explained Hiei's darkness technique. Surprisingly Koren recognized the Dragon of the Darkness Flame's name for she recalled Sariel telling her about the dark flames that resided from the deepest pits of Spirit World. He had described it as a sinister, destructive, and dark force warning Koren to never trifle with such evil. After hearing how severely Hiei was injured from just attempting the flames and how far he had to push himself to gain control of the them, Koren understood her guardian's warning more now than ever.

Eventually, Yusuke told Kuwabara to shut up, and Koren noticed how uneasy Touya was becoming. He knew what power he would soon be facing. Then again, the energy she felt came long after the fight had begun, so perhaps Touya had backed Hiei into a corner that he had to resort to more drastic measures. There was also the possibility that Hiei still lacked total control, and the power came forth on its own when threatened. Koren didn't know Hiei or his abilities well enough to come to any conclusion.

With her opponent knocked out and being announced the winner, she quickly made her way back to her new...acquaintances(?) to see how Touya fared. When she did reach the group, Hiei stood among them looking scratched up but nothing serious. He was arguing with Kuwabara, but Koren was more concerned with Touya's absence.

"I'm just saying you don't set scary dragon flames on your friends," she heard Kuwabara yell over Hiei's head. The human towered over the small demon, yet Hiei looked unfazed. Well, there was a bit of annoyance on his face.

"You really are a fool," Hiei sneered then continued, "It's a tournament, you idiot. What did you expect me to do? Shake his hand to victory?" Face starting to get red with anger Kuwabara started to say a comeback when he noticed Koren making her way towards them.

"Oh, hey, Koren," he greeted her awkwardly, "you must of won your match already then." His argument with Hiei was forgotten as the four looked towards her. Hiei narrowed his eyes looking her up and down.

"You made friends with it," he said dryly. Koren blinked at his comment and stared dumbly at him. He wasn't the friendliest creature she had ever met, but then again he hadn't tried to kill her either.

"Damnit, Hiei! That was rude," Kuwabara responded with shocked anger. It confused Koren how a group of friends were constantly bickering. From their first meeting, they acted like they were at their wit's end with one another.

"Think more of it as an alliance," Kurama interjected, "If the angels are determined to make this their new kingdom, then it would be wise to make connections when we can."

"Yeah," Yusuke agreed, "what's that saying? Keep your friends close but your enemies closer?"

She knew their words weren't meant to hurt her, but they indeed cut her deep. Here she was feeling like she was building relationships and finding herself caring about these humans and demons. They still held her at arm's length.

"Is Touya alright," she asked wishing to change the subject.

"He went with Chu and Rinku to rest," Kurama replied, "Today's battles have taken their toll." Koren nodded. She, Kurama, and Hiei would be advancing to the next round. She had confidence Yusuke and Kuwabara would win their matches as well. The tournament was moving along quickly, and Koren would need to take things more seriously soon.

"Man, your wings look gross," Yusuke commented with a disgusted look on his face.

"Urameshi! Man, don't any of you guys know how to treat people," Kuwabara exclaimed horrified. As the two once again began bantering back and forth, Koren decided to inspect her wings. They were still stained with blood from when they were released from her back. Yusuke was right; they did look rather foul.

"Just shut up, Kuwabara. If it makes you feel any better, I WAS going to ask if she wanted to come back to my place and use the baths," Yusuke said with a bit of attitude. Koren was absolutely shocked at the invitation. "Well," Yusuke prompted, "What do you say?"

"Hn," Hiei scoffed, "You are absurd. You'd make friends with Satan himself if you could."

"Even if that is true," Kurama chucked, "I believe no harm would be done allowing Koren to stay in Tourin. I'm sure you would agree that sounds better than another night in the forest?" He directed the question towards Koren, who was still in a state of shock. Dewi mewed softly before jumping from her shoulder to make his way over to Kuwabara. The small demon cat purred as it rubbed against Kuwabara's leg, and the fighter squatted down to give the creature a scratch behind the ears.

"Yes," she finally said, "I think that it's a wonderful idea. Thank you."

(Fast forward through round two with Yusuke and Kuwabara winning their fights. We are now in Tourin.)

The variety of food spread about the table was overwhelming. While the others happily ate their fill Koren could only stare at the foreign vittles unsure of what to eat. It was easy to distinguish the meat unless it was in soup or covered in a sauce, so she decided that it would be safer to avoid those dishes. Despite her uncertainty she was so glad to see no dusty brown lumps among the mix. Yusuke and Kuwabara began to fight over the last of something that must have been delicious, so Koren decided to watch them since deciding what to eat was too difficult. Hiei who had been sitting across the table but down next to Yusuke quietly picked up his bowl and left the room with an annoyed expression once the bickering commenced. The smaller demon didn't talk much nor did he tend to linger around. He reminded Koren much of herself when it came to grand hall meetings or galas that happened regularly. She'd preferred being a loner than attend such extravagant gatherings.

"Is there nothing to your liking," Kurama asked her softly from across the table. His voice was so smooth and velvety that it barely register that he even said anything. A bit dazed, she turned her attention to him slowly to see curious green eyes on his tilted head wit his fingers laced together in front of him. She wasn't used to him regarding her with such innocence. Normally, he was examining her carefully always on his guard. Just as she was beginning to dislike his eyes on her, they entranced her making her hope he'd never hide his eyes from her again.

"We don't have food like this," she explained, sounding a bit simple and dumb as she was still in a contemplative daze. Realizing this she continued with more steadily, "Our diet is a simple set of fruits."

"You're a vegetarian then," he stated. He reached for a bowl full of colorful items of varying shapes and handed it to her. "All of these are fruit," he told her, "but they consist of fiber and sugar. I'm sure the fruit your accustomed to contains all the nutrients you would need including even protein. I'll gather you an assortment of tree nuts to supplement that for you, and we can figure out the rest as we go."

Koren didn't fully hear everything said to her because once she bit into a small and red fruit (known to you and me as a strawberry) she more eagerly started devouring the bowl's contents. All were sweet and some tart each with its own unique taste and texture. She was slightly disappointed that none contained some spice, but she wouldn't complain. It was the first time since leaving her home her hunger had been completely satisfied.

Kurama kept his word and provided her with a new bowl this time full of nuts. They provided a new earthy taste for her, and she thoroughly enjoyed them. Kurama also offered her bread and vegetables after reassuring her they were completely meatless. Koren accepted each food with a beaming smile. After a bit of this going on and with Yusuke and Kuwabara reclining back with full bellies, Koren put down the food in her hand and gave Kurama a very sweet smile.

"Thank you, Kurama." The feel of his name on her tongue felt wrong, but in a good way. She like the way her lips formed around the syllables, yet it made her feel strangely intimate to speak it in that room with him sitting so close. The red head closed his eyes with his own small smile.

"You're quite welcome, Koren."

Of course, there was no feeling quite like him saying her name.

Tourin's barren landscape was reminiscent to the angel's realm. It was open emptiness. Truthfully it was quite a boring sight to behold, but Koren couldn't bring herself to stop staring out one of the wide windows of the fortress. Though she was having the adventure of lifetime, she missed her lackadaisical days resting in the open skies daydreaming of life that was already peaceful. No missions, no fighting, no grand schemes...Just relaxing days where she could glance over at her friend resting beside her enjoying the same tranquility.

A breeze rushed by causing her hair to dance out of place. She breathed it in ignoring the stink of corpses and held on to that dream. To just be without anywhere to go or anything to do without having to be completely alone seemed too good to ever be true.

"Glad you're liking the view," Yusuke's voice snapped her from her thoughts. She didn't fully turn to greet him but watched him from a sideways glance as he took his place standing next to her. His deep brown eyes looked out the window thoughtfully. He didn't same anything else for quite some time.

"It reminds me of home," she revealed with a low voice breaking the silence. Finally, Yusuke looked at her.

"Yeah? What's it like?" She smiled at the question appreciating his interest. She wondered briefly if she should tell him, but she couldn't help herself.

She told him how endless the skies were expressing how they were full of deep blues and pale purples. Fluffy golden clouds decorated the air, and she made sure to tell him about the dandelions that grew on top of the clouds. He didn't believe her at first, but she so passionately defended her story that he finally conceded. She went on to tell him about the masses of islands that sat in the skies at different heights then explaining that angels didn't have buildings that rested on these land masses. They were old, and no angel remembers them being built. Some say the universe just creates them when the angels have need.

He asked what she had meant by "the universe". That's how Yusuke learned that Koren had no mother or father. Some greater force decided she was worth making, so she suddenly appeared before the angels as a helpless babe. She was different, though, for she was the fourth angel chosen to become a guardian. When it came time to explain Sariel, Artaxes, Rhiannon, and her place among them, she couldn't hide the forlorn trace in her voice.

"You don't seem to be in love with idea with being a guardian," Yusuke noticed out loud. Koren rubbed her arm subconsciously shrinking with herself. Had she ever said those words out loud before?

"It's just..." she hesitated looking at Yusuke. He was staring at her intently completely focused on her words, and that gave her courage. "I didn't choose this. It was chosen for me. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the other angels didn't treat me like I'm untouchable or like I need to be kept happy. I see the others laugh and act naturally with each other. They belong with one another, and...And I'm alone."

Yusuke's eyes didn't leave her until she finished speaking. He looked back out at the dry and shrubby land with consideration like he was remembering something from long ago.

"Yeah," he finally said putting his hands behind his head, "it figures that even something called 'the universe' would try to tell someone who they are and what they oughta be. It pisses me off! Don't let people push you around, Wings. You got to choose your own path."

She had heard the words before. For years now they had lingered in the back of her mind ever since she learned of her destiny, but she dared not to even utter a syllable of it. Hell, she wouldn't even let the words play out in her head. How could she? Angels didn't question their role...they didn't turn their backs on their own. When Yusuke said the blasphemous words, it ignited rebellion within her. Oh, how desperately she wished she could follow his advice.

"It's not that easy," she whispered. The deadened sound of her voice caused Yusuke to turn his eyes on her once more questioningly. If she could bring herself to escape her fate, she would abandon her mission and stay in this realm. She would stay with the Spirit Detective and his friends.

She would listen to Kuwabara talk all day about his cat, friends, and family.

She would hold Kurama's hand every chance she had.

She would cling to the understanding she had with Yusuke.

Even if they didn't realize it, she had made them her friends. Hers.

"Running for King of Demon World's not that easy either," Yusuke laughed, "but you're still doing it. I don't know what your whole story, and I'm not going to bug you about it...Just know I've got your back."

As he said these last words, he began down the long corridor leaving Koren, who watched him leave then continued to stare in that direction long after he disappeared.

A/N: Sorry for the late update and for a short chapter. I'm not pleased with this, but I did want something for you to read.

Can you guys let me know if you like the progress of the story or is it going to slow?

We have one vote for Yusuke and one for Kurama, so it's a tie. Please, don't forget to vote if you haven't already!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this story. I really do appreciate it. Until next time!