A/N: sleepy….
Disclaimer: Why must I keep repeating this? I have no money that you can take away…
Taki, his nose slightly squashed from where Yurika had punched him the other day, stood in his 'battle ready' position. His hulking girth and idiocy soon had him on the ground with Yurika staring at him, bored.
"We're done here. You won't bother me again." She said.
Yusuke broke free of the group and grabbed her arm. "What the hell! You can't stay out of trouble for one day?"
Yurika stared emotionlessly at him. "I'm not in trouble."
Yusuke started yelling some intelligible stuff as the crowd dispersed. Suddenly, Yurika's hand flew up to her bandaged arm. Her eyes widened.
"Jun! Get over here now!"
"Wha-?" Yurika roughly grabbed her cousin's arm and pulled her away.
Kurama and Hiei quickly followed as Kuwabara and Yusuke started yelling again. The girls ran down an alley and behind some trashcans before both fell over with a cry. Jun whimpered and cried a lot, and Yurika took the pain just as she had the day before, silent with small grunts here and there. Finally, both girls fell limp. Without conscious restraint, Yurika breathed heavily and a thin line of sweat trailed down her cheek.
A few minutes later, Yurika opened her eyes. Her nose crinkled and she growled slightly. "Damn it!" She punched the ground feebly.
"It's the inheritance. We'll have to ask Genkai why you keep passing out." Kurama said quietly.
Yurika nodded and her eyes narrowed. "Jun, open your eyes. I know you're awake."
The white haired girl stayed where she was. Yurika kicked her softly. "Hey! Stop faking."
"Perhaps she isn't. Her breathing is slow enough." Kurama said.
"No, she's awake. When she's asleep her breathing pattern is different."
Jun gave a soft moan and opened her eyes. "It hurts so much." She whispered.
Yurika glared at her. "It doesn't hurt anymore than a battle wound. Toughen up." She said, pulling herself off the ground.
Kurama glared at Yurika as he moved past her to Jun. "Here, let me help you." He said kindly, stopping down and putting out a hand.
When he turned around, Yurika and Hiei were looking at each other intensly. He opened his mind and intruded on the conversation.
He heard Yurika first. … Koenma.
That would be best. When? Hie's voice responded.
When what?
Yurika glared at Kurama. That's very rude.
You're one to talk.
Shut up, fox.
How the hell do you two know each other? Hiei asked impatiently.
Old acquaintances. Yurika answered.
What were you two talking about? Kurama asked patiently.
Hiei and Yurika glanced each other. Yurika shook her head fractionally to the side. Nothing.
Kurama was annoyed, but hid it. "Shall we be going?" He asked pleasantly.
"Why were you three staring at each other?" Jun asked childishly.
Yurika cast a glance at Hiei. That's what I mean.
Hn. You're right.
Would somebody mind cluing me in?
Silence. Kurama growled mentally.
"Hiei, come on." Yurika said quietly. Hiei followed her to her room and Kurama was surprised that they did not object when he followed. Yurika opened the door to her room.
"Kato."
The small boy snapped to attention. "Yes Miss Yurika?" he sounded eager to please her.
Yurika ignored this. "Go out to the living room and stay there unless myself or Genkai instruct you otherwise."
"Rika, that is not a good idea." Reseph said loudly.
"Don't call me that." The room got colder. "Why not?"
Reseph seemed to draw into himself. "Your… he… Morrio died, Yurika."
Yurika's head snapped to where Reseph was sitting. "What?"
Reseph seemed truly sad, which was strange for a fire demon. "He was murdered. Today."
Yurika crossed the room and sat heavily on the bed, her thumbs supporting her chin and her face leaned into its fists. Kurama recognized this as her 'thinking' pose. A moment later, her hand clapped onto her bandaged arm.
"Yurika? Rika, are you okay?" Reseph asked tentaviely.
The use of her nickname seemed to bring Yurika back. "Don't call me that. It's fine. People live. People die. People are murdered. It happens. Now I have to figure out what to do next."
Reseph eyed her. "You need me to…"
Yurika glanced at the two men in the room who were looking at her strangely. "Leave."
Hiei 'hned' and left, but Kurama stayed where he was. "Yurika, please. I know you don't want me to, but I truly want to help. It usually helps to let things out."
Yurika looked at him almost pleadingly. "Kurama, everytime you say you want to help you do more harm then good. Now, leave with your life." Her voice held less threat than sadness.
"Yurika, just tell me what's going on…"
Yurika jumped up and punched Kurama in the stomach. As he was trying to get the wind back into him, she pushed him out into the hallway. He put an arm across where she had hit him. She was stronger than she had been.
"Kurama, you can't help me."
A/N: Ohh… wonder why? Mwhahahaha. Review!