muie5: So this is chapter two? Already? Wow!

Kurama: muie5, I'm sorry but you are the one writing this. You know that this is chapter two.

muie5: Can't you just let me have my fun?

Hiei: Do the stupid disclaimer.

muie5: Hiei?

Hiei: What do you want you pathetic human?

muie5: WHY ARE YOU HERE?

Kurama: He is here because it's raining outside, and I was over here so he couldn't get into my house.

muie5: Well...Okay. -tries to huge Hiei-

Hiei: Get away from me if you value your pathetic little life.

Kurama: Okay so muie5 don't own Yu Yu Hakusho just Kelly, Ken, and Sarah.

Chapter 2: A Night of Memories

With everyone's departure, Kelly was once again by herself. After she turned towards her house, she noticed something. In the quiet of the evening, a thought crossed her mind. For her to just now notice was strange.

"I haven't seen Kuronue around at all today."

For the fifth night in a row, Kelly lay in bed with her complete focus on the ceiling. Her mind kept her up even though her expression was vacant.

Sometime around eleven o'clock, she heard some rustles to her right. Of course, she knew what the cause was, but she turned her head to face it nonetheless.

"What are you doing, Kuronue?" Kelly inquired as she watched Kuronue place a photo back down on her dresser.

No answer came from the normally talkative Kuronue. Kelly sat up in her bed as she continued to watch Kuronue look through a few more pictures.

"Where were you all day?"

"I was checking on some things," Kuronue absent-mindedly answered as he picked up another photograph.

Kelly slid over to the edge of her bed, she was not asleep nor was she about to go to sleep. Her elbows rested on her knees as she put her head in between the palms of her hands. Kuronue picked up yet another picture as Kelly continued to watch him intently. He held the photo in both hands and stared at it longer than he did with another of the others.

In the picture was Ken and Kelly stretched out on a blanket of white snow. They bore wide, beaming smiles as their cheeks and noses turned red. The two wore snowsuits and snow boots with matching beanie caps. The sun shined bright in the sky, which made the snow around the friends gleam.

After another minute of silence, Kelly got to her feet and walked over to Kuronue, "I never thought of it, but do you have friends? Or even a family?"

Kuronue carefully placed the picture back in its original spot but continued to linger on it. Kelly waited a bit longer for the answer. When that answer never came, Kelly started to open her mouth to say something else.

Kuronue cut her off with a low whisper, "I did."

The answer, to Kelly at least, sounded mournful. Kelly looked at Kuronue examine the photograph with eyes that she thought appeared lonesome.

Kelly shifted her weight uncomfortably, "Are you coming to school with me tomorrow?"

Once again, Kuronue did not answer her question. With that last unanswered question, Kelly strolled back to the bed. She made herself comfortable on the edge once more. Kuronue quietly glanced through some more pictures.

Shortly, Kelly laid back onto the bed with a final thought, "I wonder what got into him."

Sheets and covers flew to the foot of the bed as Kelly shot straight up. Rapidly, her chest moved up and down as she tried to catch her breath. All of her bedding, as well as herself, was drenched in a cold sweat. Her eyes darted around only to find that she was safe in her room. Everything even seemed to be in place until Kelly's eyes reached the closed bedroom door. There, slumped on the floor, was Kuronue out cold. His back was leaned against the door, head lowered, and legs crossed in front of himself.

Cautiously, Kelly made her way over to him. After she did confirm that he was asleep, a nurturing smile crept onto her face.

"I didn't think he ever slept."

As Kelly started to go about her morning routine, she was mindful to tread lightly. Before she came back into her room from the attached restroom, she was dressed; hair brushed; teeth cleaned; school bag in hand. Thoughtfully, Kelly made her way back over to Kuronue.

"He looks cute when he's asleep. It's pretty much the only time his mouth is shut."

"Are you going to stand there all day staring at me?" Kuronue snapped a bit chilly as he lifted his head up to meet Kelly's gaze.

"Are you ready to go?" Kelly put her bag on her should with a smile.

Kuronue got to his feet with a slightly irritated aura around him. This is when the memories of last night flooded Kelly's mind. Her almost loving smile faded in mere seconds as they played over in her head. Kuronue noticed this sudden change but decided not to bring attention to it.

Kuronue got to his feet with an irritated aura around him. As Kelly watched him get to his feet the memories of last night tore through her mind. The almost loving smiled faded in mere seconds as each scene played over. Kuronue noticed the sudden change in Kelly's demeanor but decided not to bring attention to it.

"Let's go," Kelly suggested as she reached around him to open the door.

Kelly led the way down the stairs with the silent Kuronue right behind her. After Kelly hit the last step she could hear a cheerful whistle from the kitchen. It was just best to skip breakfast and grab something for lunch later than to face her mother this morning. With that decided, Kelly made her way out of the house.

Kurama had just passed her house when Kelly and Kuronue made it outside. Immediately, Kelly called out to him as she made her way down the driveway. Politely, Kurama turned to see who it was.

"Hello, Kelly," Kurama greeted as she stopped in front of him.

Kelly started with a morning greeting as she fixed her bag. Kurama took this opportunity of her being distracted to glance around the surrounding area. He felt a, now familiar, strange presence for the second time in just as many days. When Kelly got everything situated, the two started their way to the school.

"Youko…" Kuronue almost whimpered as he stared Kurama down.

Shortly after Kelly and Kurama started their walk, Kelly glanced back at Kuronue. She quickly stopped and turned around as she noticed he was not behind her. Kuronue stood at the end of her driveway with feet planted firmly.

"What is the matter?" Kurama asked as he too stopped and turned around.

"I'm not sure," Kelly answered absent-mindedly.

After another moment, Kuronue finally started to move. Kelly patiently waited for him to reach her side before she continued to move as well. Kuronue walked beside her without a word, and Kelly followed his lead.

The day could not have dragged on more. Kuronue sat at Kelly's side all day without a word. The only time Kuronue even paid attention to his surroundings was when Kurama happened to get too close, at which Kuronue would start to act a little odd. Kelly just wished for the day to be over so she could get somewhere quiet to talk to him. She had to figure out what was going on.

After the dismissal bell rang, Kelly made her way out of the school as quickly as she could. She continued to walk silently with Kuronue for a little while. Once she thought they were far enough away from the main crowd, Kelly ducked in between two buildings. When she looked at Kuronue, she noticed he still wore the same blank expression he had all day. Irritation started to flood Kelly's every nerve, but she held it back.

"Kuronue, what is with you?! Ever since last night, you've been acting differently. And not in a particularly pleasant way," Kelly gripped, hands on hips.

"Kelly, who are you talking to?" came Kurama's voice from behind her.

Kelly spun on her heels as her heart pounded in her chest. There before her was Kurama and a new person. This newcomer was significantly shorter than Kurama, and about five inches shorter than herself. He wore a black cloak that reached to about his ankles with a white headband tied around his forehead. His hair – his black/blue/white starburst hair- defined gravity by standing straight up.

"…No one, Shuichi," Kelly stammered as her pulse would not slow down, "Who's this?"

"Oh. This is an associate of mine," Kurama politely explained without exactly giving out a name.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Kelly Smort."

Hiei did not say a word, nor did he show a sign that he heard her. So, Kelly waited another moment before trying to break the awkward silence.

"So, Shuichi," Kelly turned her gaze to Kurama, "where are you two going?"

"Actually, we are meeting Yusuke and Kuwabara," Kurama answered with a friendly smile.

"Oh. Well, tell them 'hello' for me."

Kurama nodded before the two continued on their way. As soon as the two demons were gone, Kelly looked back to Kuronue. With a sigh of frustration, she noticed that he had disappeared once again. With a quick glance up to the blue sky to try to relax, Kelly made her way towards her home.

The next morning, Kelly was awakened to a red and blue shirt thrown in her face. She sat up before sleepily removing the shirt from her head. At the end of her bed, in front of the double mirrored closet door, stood Kuronue as smugly off-putting as ever. With no true spirit behind it, Kelly balled the shirt up and threw it right back at him. To her surprise, though, the shirt actually hit him right in the face.

"What are you doing? Why would you throw clothes at me?" Kelly yawned.

"One, it is impolite to talk while yawning. Two, you're late for school," Kuronue answered as he dropped the shirt to the floor.

Kelly frantically looked around for her clock, which was not in its normal spot on her nightstand. Kuronue nonchalantly pointed down to the floor. With a quick look down to the right of her bed, she saw her clock on the floor and the batteries knocked out.

"If you knew I was going to be late, why didn't you wake me up earlier?" Kelly complained as she jumped out of bed.

"I am notyour butler. Actually, I did not even have to be kind enough to wake you up in the first place," Kuronue pointed out.

Kelly threw him a glare as she grabbed her uniform pants off of the dresser. She then turned around and snatched the matching top off the bed. Once she had the complete uniform in hand, she gave Kuronue an impatient look. Kuronue just stood there, confused as to why Kelly's anger was growing.

"I'm notgetting dressed in front of you. Turn around," Kelly growled.

Kuronue sighed as he turned around to face the closet door. Kelly tapped her foot as her expression darkened.

"Not the closet door! If you haven'tnoticed yet: my closet doors are mirrors!"

"It's not like I want to watch you dress anyways," Kuronue stated as he walked over to the open bedroom door.

Kelly pulled off her sky blue silk pajamas and quickly slipped on her school uniform. As she ran down the stairs, she buttoned the last button on her top. Kuronue peacefully followed after her as he tried not to laugh when Kelly tripped down the front stoop.

"I can't believe it! I'm going to be so late!" Kelly yelled out of frustration as she slipped on her shoes as she ran down the driveway.

"I'm going to be so late!" Kelly shouted out of pure frustration.

Kelly slipped on her shoes in between strides down her driveway. As she ran down the sideway, Kelly toppled over as she tried to put on her last shoe. Kuronue opted to laugh at the site instead of help. That was the last straw from Kuronue that Kelly could take. Without hesitation, Kelly took the shoe that was half on her foot and chucked it at the bat demon as hard as she could.

"Are you alright?" Kurama asked as he looked down to where Kelly was still more or less laying on the ground.

This brought Kelly's attention immediately up to meet Kurama's curious gaze. Blood rushed to Kelly's entire face when Kurama offered a hand to help her up. Kelly straightened out her uniform as Kurama walked beside her.

"We better hurry, or we will be late," Kurama suggested with a smile.

Lucky for both Kelly and Kurama, they got to their class just as the bell rang. Kelly fell into her chair, completely out of breath. Kuronue made himself comfortable on top of her desk while Kurama took his own seat. Soon after the teacher started her lesson.

"Miss Smort-"

"Call me Kelly, please," Kelly interrupted Kurama through gasps for air.

"Miss Kelly, why do you only have one shoe on?"

This observation brought Kelly's attention down to her feet. Indeed, Kurama was correct, she did only have one shoe on. With all of the chaos that morning, Kelly forgot she threw one of her shoes at Kuronue. Immediately blood started to rush to her cheeks once more. This meant she ran all the way to school and through most of the building with Kurama wearing only one shoe. Kuronue grinned as he held up her missing shoe as the teacher called on Kurama for something.

"Please give me my shoe back," Kelly whispered to Kuronue crossly.

"Why? Do you really need it?" Kuronue asked innocently.

"Giveit back."

"Fine. No need to get so upset," Kuronue sighed as he tossed her the shoe.

Kelly put her shoe on as Kurama sat back down. She signaled her thanks and received a smile and nod in return.

She then turned to focus on the teacher, while Kurama lingered on her for another moment. He did a quick survey of his surroundings before he too turned to the teacher. Yet, every nerve was heightened as that increasingly familiar presence pushed at his awareness.

The bright, warm sun shined through the wafting window curtains, all to Kurama's disdain. For a short moment, he put a pillow over his head in defiance to the inevitable. It did, in fact, stop it. Yet, this was only true for a short moment before his mother called to him.

"Shuichi, time to get up. Breakfast is on the table," Shiori called up to her son's room.

"Yes, Mother," Kurama called back, pillow still over his face.

He was normally an early riser. Years as a fox and thief conditioned him as so.

Kurama slid the pillow off his head with eyes still closed. This particular day, he really did not want to go to school. He knew he could inform his mother that he was not feeling well. He knew she would believe his words. But, that meant that Shiori – his human mother – would fret over him all day. Worried that her son was not well. He could not do that to her.

Resigned to go to school, Kurama slowly opened his eyes. What greeted the weary fox was a thoroughly trashed room. The dresser was knocked over, and most of the clothes in his closet were now on the entire floor. The contents of his desk were on the floor as well. Even his bookbag was turned over with all the school work poured out.

"What the…What happened?" Kurama gawked as he darted out of bed.

The other students went about their normal plans for lunch as Kelly took her time. Because she rushed out of the house this morning, she would be forced to buy her lunch for the day. She grabbed her bag and started out of the classroom. As she walked out of the room, Kurama snatched her left wrist gently and pulled her off to the side.

With a warm smile, Kelly asked, "Hello, Shuichi. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Shinrin," Kurama growled threateningly.

"Shinrin? What's wrong with you, Shuichi?" Kelly started to pull away from him.

Kurama tightened his grip on Kelly's wrist so that she could not leave. He would normally not be so direct…Not so quick to anger. Something grated at him. His room this morning. The fact that someone got into the house without him noticing. His human family was in danger, and his keen senses did not pick up on it. That presence that put him on edge. That presence that gnawed at his very soul like no other. All of this made him lose his composure. Made him tighten his hold till Kelly whimpered from pain.

Kelly tried once more to pull away but failed, "Shuichi, you're hurting me."

"I suggest you go back to the hole you slithered out from," Kurama warned as he let go of her wrist.

Kelly stumbled a few steps back and grabbed onto her wrist. Kuronue walked out of the classroom at this moment.

There it was again, that presence that threatened to swallow Kurama's entire being. This thing overwhelmed him to the point he felt like he was going to lose his sanity to it. How could this aura affect him so?

Kelly started down the hall without another glance back. Kuronue gave Kurama a sidelong glance as he passed him and stayed close on Kelly's heels.

She came to a stop at the girls' restroom that was around the corner from her classroom. As soon as she got into the restroom, she ran to the sinks and mirrors. Kelly looked into one of the mirrors as Kuronue stared back to her from where he stood at her side.

"Kuronue, this is the girls' restroom," Kelly stated as she held her wrist up to inspect it.

"No one is in here except us," Kuronue pointed out.

"What's Shuichi's problem anyways? First, he calls me some weird word. Then, he goes off and hurts my wrist like a psychopath," she watched a few trickles of blood make their way down her arm, "Freak! He got his nails in."

Kelly turned on the faucet to rinse her wrist off. Kuronue stared at her through the mirror a bit puzzled.

"Shuichi?"

Kelly lifted her head up a bit surprised, "Oh. Sorry. Guess I never introduced him. Shuichi is the male red head I have been hanging around with."

"So Kurama goes by Shuichi now? What a human name. He is just full of surprises. Then again, he does appear to be human as well. Even his aura is stained with that human stench. I barely recognized him at first glance. His human form…such a stark difference."

"Are you okay?"

Kuronue came back to reality, jarred by Kelly's voice. She smiled at him from her new perch on the white sink.

"I'm staying in here till lunch is over…Hey, Kuronue?"

"Yeah?"

"Why me?"

"What?"

"Why did you pick me? Out of millions of kids in the world, why did you pick me?"

Kuronue raised an eyebrow at her. He was never asked this before, though it was a good question.

"You just don't seem to be an imaginary friend, is all. If you were then you wouldn't have a past. So that means there must be a reason you chose me."

The final school bell rang. Kelly bolted out of the room and school as fast as she could. When she hit the school gates, she stopped her frantic sprint. Kuronue was at her side as they made their way to her house.

"How's the wrist?" Kuronue inquired with a glance towards her left wrist.

"It's fine. There will be some small bruises around the puncture marks, but it will heal quickly," Kelly looked down at her wrist, "I wonder what made Shuichi so angry."

That night Kelly could not sleep. After a few hours of tossing and turning, she opted to stare at her all too familiar ceiling. Kuronue was gone once again, which made the room uncomfortably silent. Though he only showed up in her life recently, Kelly had grown used to his presence…and started to miss it when he disappeared like this.

It was dark in the room this night. The curtains were drawn so that none of the outside light would shine through.

With a little bit more effort, he finally reached the bedside. How he envied the night vision that the fox possessed. He looked down at the slumbering fox when a strand of hair fell into the sleeping fox's face. Without a thought to it, he leaned over and brushed the strand of red hair away.

"Kurama…" came a whisper from the darkness.

Kurama turned his head towards the voice, and the rebellious strand of hair fell right back onto his face. Kuronue smiled gently as he watched Kurama shiver. It amazed him that even though Kurama lookeddifferent, he truly was not. So Kuronue grabbed the top edge of the covers and swiftly covered his companion. After that, he turned his attention to the now clean room.

A few minutes later, Kuronue was frozen in place by a small rustle in the dark. He turned towards the window to find the same man from yesterday crouched in the now open window. The short man in all black climbed the rest of the way through the window as if he truly belonged in this room.

"What is he doing here?"Kuronue thought as he dropped the school bag onto the floor.

Hiei promptly removed his drenched cloak and placed it onto the headboard of Kurama's bed. Kuronue watched silently as Hiei focused on Kurama.

"Hn. Asleep already," Hiei murmured.

Kuronue kept his eyes on Hiei as he made his way over to the dresser. Hiei's hand immediately grasped the hilt of his sword as he spun around to the empty room. He felt an unfamiliar presence as he searched the room.

Kuronue watched Hiei as a sudden insurgence of fury raised inside of him. Hiei looked back at Kurama and started to do a quick overhaul of the room.

"Leave already!" Kuronue ordered, even if he knew the new guest could not hear him. The pure rage he felt at the fact that this person was here…that this person was completely welcomed into this home overwhelmed him.

After a short moment, Kuronue decided that it would not be in his best interest to start a fight with Hiei. Once he decided on this, Kuronue stood perfectly still for another few minutes. When Hiei was satisfied with his scan of the room, he made himself comfortable in front of the bedroom door. He kept his katana posed, as he always did.

Kuronue waited till Hiei was in a somewhat state of sleep before he continued. He opened the top drawers of the dresser and picked up a hand full of socks. When he did so, he noticed several sketches at the bottom of the drawer. With that, he dropped the socks and picked up the stack of sketches. He looked at each one carefully. Of course, he could tell that Kurama was the one that drew them. Most of them were of Kurama's human mother, which Kuronue had only seen twice.

Kuronue was about to put the sketches back when he noticed another sketched tucked off to the side. Unlike the others, this one looked worn and aged. So he picked it up and gave it a good once over. As he took in every detail, every stroke of the brush, tears threatened to come to the surface.

This sketch was of Youko and himself. A field of wildflowers surrounded the two, as they lay on the ground. Kuronue had large bat wings stretch out with his tattered hat on his head. Youko was spread out on the ground with the top of his head touching the top of Kuronue's.

Sketch in hand, Kuronue looked over to Kurama. This moment was one he would not forget, though he was sure they did not look as perfect as they did in the sketch. It was one of the last 'happy' moments the two shared before everything happened…Two days before.

So he walked over to Kurama's bed once more. With a sad smile, Kuronue reluctantly placed the sketch at the foot of the bed. Then, he took his torn and broken hat out of his vest to place next to the picture.

Before Kuronue left, he looked over to Hiei who was comfortably leaned against the door. A scowl swept over Kuronue as he watched that demon sleep peacefully in Kurama's room. Even to Kuronue, it looked like he belonged in his old friend's place, which caused his anger to start up again.

With a deep breath, Kuronue let go of most of his anger. He looked at Kurama one last time before he disappeared.

A chilly gust of wind blew in from the open window. It danced across the semi-uncovered Kurama. The shiver it caused woke him up with a jolt. The first thing he noticed was that his room was once again in chaos. Yet, this time there was someone else there with him – Hiei.

"Hiei," Kurama called as he got out of his bed.

Hiei lifted his head to see the devastated room and an upset Kurama. Kurama did not say a word as he started to pick up his clothes for the second day in a row. He walked back over to his bed and placed the arm full of clothes down. As he did, he noticed the sketch of Kuronue and his demon side laid next to an all too familiar hat.

Kurama hesitantly went to grab it. When his hands actually made contact with the hat, he cautiously picked it up. He held it as if it was a fragile illusion, that if he moved or breathed the wrong way it would disappear. The hat had many holes of various sizes in it that Kurama was sure were not there the last time he saw it.

As if it just occurred to him, Kurama looked back at the sketch. It had been decades since he last looked at this sketch. He actually drew it back when he was still the fox demon, a few years after the incident. The moment captured forever in that sketch was one that would never leave his mind. It drove him so crazy that he finally put it on paper, in hopes that it would not haunt his thoughts afterward.

Tears swelled up in Kurama's eyes and threaten to fall if he let his guard down…if he continued to allow the memories to flood back.

"Where did this come from?" Kurama bit his lip as he turned to face Hiei.

"Hn."

"I'm serious, Hiei!" Kurama held tightly onto the hat with tears glistening in his eyes, "Where did this come from?"

"I do not know, Fox."

Kurama dropped down onto the edge of his bed with his entire being focused on the hat now in his lap. He wanted to let the tears fall for all of the times his soul ached for his friend. The sorrow he hid so well through his new life. Yet he would not in front of Hiei. Not in front of anyone.

Kelly stared at the empty desk beside her as the morning bell rang. The empty seat where Kurama normally sat gnawed at her. Especially since what happened between them yesterday. Kuronue was perched on her desk as he stared out the window vacantly.

"Kuronue, I can't see through you. It may be a boring class, but I still need to learn this stuff," Kelly explained as she put her right elbow beside him on her desk.

"What is that about this class being boring?" asked the teacher who now stood in front of her desk.

"Oh! No! It's not, sir!" Kelly apologized as she waved her hands in front of her face.

Kuronue laughed at her before he got off her desk. Just as the teacher was about to say something else to Kelly, the door to the classroom slid open. Kurama walked in a bit sluggish.

"Ah! Mr. Minamino," greeted the teacher as he took a note from Kurama, "please take your seat."

Kurama walked over to his desk, silently sat down, and kept his full focus on the teacher as he went back to his lesson. Kelly watched Kurama for a moment as Kuronue gave his old friend a sad sideways glance.

The rest of that class was uneventful. Same went for the next class. Yet, Kelly took a special mental note as she noticed that Kuronue sat in the aisle between herself and Kurama. This struck her as odd for the fact that any other day Kuronue tried his best to be as far away as possible from him.

For the last few minutes of the class, the students were left alone to do their own studying. The teacher left early so that he could take care of some 'personal matters' as he put it. So with those precious few moments of freedom, the students talked amongst themselves. Kelly took this opportunity to mash her conversation with Kuronue amidst the noise.

"What is up with you?" Kelly demanded as she looked sideways at Kuronue who still sat on the floor to her right.

"What do you mean?" Kuronue retorted back from the floor.

"You're sitting next to Shuichi."

"All I am doing is sitting on the ground, not bothering you. This is all you ever wanted."

"Kuronue, that is not what I'm talking about! You normally act like he has some horrendous disease that would instantly kill you the moment you got close to him. Thus, you would stay as far away from him as you could while still staying in the same room as me."

"Who are you talking to, Miss Kelly?" Kurama inquired as he looked over to her.

"Shuichi, I told you not to be so formal," Kelly pointed out with a sigh.

As soon as she made eye contact, the memory of what happened yesterday flooded in. She held her left wrist to her chest protectively as if out of instinct. Kurama noticed this, but it took him a bit to realize why she did it.

"I'm sorry about yesterday. Did I hurt you?"

"A few puncture marks and small bruising."

The bell for lunch cut their conversation short. Kelly immediately started to gather a few of her belongings while Kurama watched her.

"Shinrin," Kurama hissed quietly.

At the mention of that name caused Kelly to jump slightly out of freight. Kurama did not move a muscle, only lowered his gaze to his desk.

"Like I said yesterday, my–"

Kurama cut her off crudely, "For right now, I do not care. I have a question for you."

"Ye…Yes?"

Kurama picked up his bag, placed it on his desk, and started to search through it. The search only took a few seconds, as he pulled out Kuronue's hat.

"Did you leave this in my room last night?"

"I have never been in your house, let alone your room! That would start a whole bunch of rumors around school. Plus, I don't even recognize that mess of fabric."

Kurama swiftly got to his feet and locked eyes with Kelly. This sudden intense movement caused Kelly to reactively take a few steps back. She did not want another incident like yesterday.

"Shuichi, I promise. I have never seen that before. Besides, why do you care? It looks like a piece of trash anyways."

"It belonged to an old partner of mine. His name was Kuronue," Kurama explained steely, only a few steps away from Kelly.

"Kuronue? Did you just say 'Kuronue'?"

Kelly took a few more steps back and bumped into Kuronue. She turned to him and grabbed his wrist. Kurama watched Kelly's actions carefully.

"Kuronue, what is he talking about? Did you do something to Shuichi?" recognition blazed in her eyes, "I have seen that hat before. You were wearing it the first day we met."

Kuronue turned his gaze from Kelly to the floor. But Kelly would not let him off that easily. Not this time. She held onto his wrist in an attempt to keep him from disappearing before she got her answer.

Kurama gripped tightly onto the hat as he tried to keep his cool, "What are you doing?"

Kelly turned to Kurama, "I'm not sure why, but I believe Kuronue did this. Gave you the hat, I mean. He won't tell me, but from the way he is acting it is apparent."

"He's dead!" Kurama slammed his hand down on the desk which got the attention of the other students in the classroom, "He's been dead for over 300 years!"

Kelly looked back at Kuronue, shocked. Kuronue did not flinch at the accusation. He did not even move a muscle as Kelly began to speak.

"You liar!" tears pooled in her eyes, "I knew you weren't an imaginary friend! How could you lie to me like that?"

"Because I couldn't tell you!" Kuronue looked Kelly dead in the eyes, "Koenma would not allow it."

"Who's Koenma? And who freaking cares what Koenma has to say?"

Kurama grabbed Kelly's arm to forcefully turn her around. He held firm to both of her shoulders. Kelly stiffened completely as Kurama started to speak.

"I am not sure if you are insane or not. But I will not allow you to drag Kuronue's name into this like that," Kurama warned in a growl.

"Kurama, what in the world are you doing?" objected an all too familiar voice.

Kurama, Kelly, and Kuronue turned their attentions to the sliding door. There stood Kuwabara, Yusuke, Hiei, and a new girl dressed in street clothes with blue hair and pink eyes.

"You're not supposed to hit girls," Kuwabara stated as he started over to them.

Kurama let go of Kelly's shoulders immediately. He completely turned to his comrades in less than a happy mood. Kelly took a deep, calm breath, relieved that it was over.

"We'll talk about this later," Yusuke gave a quick glance to Kelly before he went back to Kurama, "For now, we found Shinrin."

Kurama stopped by the group. Botan looked over to Kuronue with a small, disappointed headshake. Kuronue looked away just as disappointed. He knew he would have to answer for this whole incident later. Just like he knew that it would cost him greatly.

The rest of the day seemed to just drag on in Kelly's mind. Kurama was absent from the rest of the classes. This made Kelly quite happy, but it was not enough. She wanted answers to all of the questions that swam around in her head.

Finally, school was out. Kelly quietly made her way down the sidewalk to her home. Kuronue tried to explain himself without really much of in the way of an actual explanation. Kelly completely ignored him none the less. She knew that he was not an imaginary friend. That whole concept was just ridiculous. All she wanted was the true, but everything that he said up to this point was a lie. She could not take it anymore. No matter the truth, she was ready for it. That is all she craved.

"Kuronue," Kelly cut Kuronue of abruptly, "are you really a ghost?"

Kuronue looked at the sky then down at her, "Yes."

"So why are you following me around? I did not know you when you were alive. Nor are you haunting any specific place."

"It's a very long story."

"I have the time for the truth."

Kuronue sighed out of defeat. He had nothing else to lose at this point. By now he had already put himself in irreversible trouble. Kelly stopped her walk as they reached the park near her home. She placed herself on a white bench under the shade of a tree that overlooked the park. As soon as she was situated, Kelly looked over at Kuronue. Her invitation was harsh, but Kuronue took it.

"Very well. It started right after I died…"