It was Sunday morning, and the sun was just barely peeking over the horizon

Angel of Darkness

Chapter 4: Saying Goodbye and Planning the Future

It was Sunday morning, and the sun was just barely peeking over the horizon. The rest of the apartment complex was still sound asleep. That is, except one. Kamisori lay on her bed restless, dull rust eyes stared blankly at the bare ceiling. Too many questions and thoughts circled around in her mind to give her the peace to sleep. Torn out sketch pages lay scattered across the floor of her darkened room. All of them bore the same face; long red hair and luminous green eyes. She could not seem to erase the memories of her grandmother's stories, describing her father, what he was like, perfect and kind. Every time she tried to dream, she would hear her grandmother's soft voice and picture what he would look like. She wanted so badly to see her father in person. No…wait, her grandmother said her son gave birth to her, so would that make him her mother, but that was impossible, right? Picking up her abandoned sketchbook, which lay open to a drawing she had done of her grandmother, from the floor, Kamisori hugged it close to her chest. There were so many questions she had that would probably never be answered. Falling back against her pillow, the young girl let loose her tears as she slipped into an uneasy sleep.

A loud sharp knocking on her door awoke Kamisori several hours from a troubled sleep. She grumbled incoherently, ignoring the incessant shouting for her to get up and dressed for the day. Kamisori knew what was going to happen, and she dreaded every moment. Hiding her head beneath her pillow, she prayed she wouldn't have to leave her bed. In just a few hours she would openly have to admit the fact her grandmother was gone and wasn't coming back.

Later that afternoon found young Kamisori in the backseat of the family car. She scowled darkly with her arms folded across her chest as her body slouched in her seat, wrinkling the pretty black dress, which her foster family made her wear, especially for today. The slow ride through the cemetery was quiet and felt like an eternity for the young girl as she sat in the back seat of the black car. A blank look of stubbornness crossed her face. No matter what, no one was getting her to step one foot out of the car. Reality told her something different as she found herself being pulled by the hand of her foster mother, forcibly making her own feet move forward.

The ceremony continued as planned but Kamisori couldn't hear anything. Her blank gaze stayed on the beautifully carved white coffin, covered in lilies and roses, as it was lowered into the 8 foot hole. Inside, Shiori Minamino Hatanaka slept peacefully for always with angels like herself. And Kamisori watched from behind her foster mother, who had pushed the girl behind her, not wanting her to be seen.

Suddenly, her rust eyes brightened and she covered her mouth to stifle a loud gasp at a flash of red beside the coffin just before it was lowered. Holding a huge bouquet of fully bloomed white rose, with still dew drops dripping off the fragile petals, a tall man with flowing red hair approached the coffin and laid the bouquet on top. His face was hidden. Kamisori tried to see from around the wall of people blocking her view of the scene. Her heartbeat was racing. She had to find out who her fa-mother was. She had to meet him! She peered back to try and catch another glimpse when all of sudden he disappeared into the crowd.

Pushing her way through the crowd, Kamisori managed to squeeze through the sea of bodies. Anxious eyes darted every which way hoping to catch one more glimpse of that red hair that had recently haunted her dreams. Frantic, Kamisori was breathless as she gasped in happy relief. She could see the red head walking between the cold headstones and toward the thick brush and forest just beyond the hallowed place.

She started to move. She had to see him, talk to him, and hear his voice at least once! All of a sudden her movements were halted. She turned back to see her foster mother glaring down at her sternly. She kept a tight grip on Kamisori's petite wrist. She pulled the girl back toward her and quietly and harshly berated Kamisori about being polite and respectful. Kamisori rolled her eyes for she knew what her "mother's" words really meant. "Don't draw attention to yourself!" and "Stay hidden, freak!"

Ignoring the woman who Kamisori just happened to live with, she turned away her face of content only to have it fall to sadness again. The red head man had disappeared once again from her sight. Rejected, she lowered her head, her blondish bangs hiding the misty look in her eyes. She allowed her "mother" to pull her back to the crowd, where she would always be invisible and unwanted. This was her life.

That night Kamisori lay on her bed in her darkened room, her face buried once again in her pillow, hugging it close for dear life. She was dreaded tomorrow even more then today. She didn't want to be anywhere except her grandmother's kind embrace. She couldn't stop the tears that soaked into her pillow. In her hand, she clutched the last gift her grandmother had given her. The golden locket rested against the soft sheets, open and she stared at the picture within through her blurred vision. Kamisori memorized those vibrant green eyes, which stared back her, and she could only imagine how soft that red hair actually was.

She didn't want to go to school! She couldn't face Yuichi, her best friend like this! The very weakness she was afraid of showing was cascading down her cheeks. Her tight fists pounded relentlessly into her pillow. Her muffled screams cursed everyone who left her to a lonely fate. She cursed Yuichi, for not taking her away to play without cares and spare her from painful separation. She cursed her grandmother, for taking away the only loving escape from her harsh reality. She cursed her birth parents for abandoning her. She cursed herself for being born. Soon her tears subsided as young Kamisori cried herself to sleep.

Unfortunately, the week went by as usual as any other day. This of course bored Yuichi Urameshi, with his hand under his chin and his elbow resting upon his school desk. He tried hard but his heavy eyelids could barely keep him awake as his eyes watched the clock high on the wall. There was still 1 hour left until lunch time, though it still didn't help considering it was only Wednesday. Suddenly, his sleepy brain perked up as they fell upon Kamisori two rows away. Yuichi couldn't help but notice the far off look in her eyes as they were cast down at the sketch book in her lap. Many times during the class' free study time as the teacher made rounds up and down the aisles between the rows of desks. The conservative young woman constantly tapped Kamisori on the shoulder, to remind her to study or do homework and not fool around.

It was the fifteenth time, Yuichi was counting, when the teacher stopped again in front of Kamisori, arms crossed. Yuichi could tell the lady was on her last nerve. He knew too well for he had received that look dozens of times.

"Ms. Kamisori," The teacher spoke firmly with authoritative soft voice, "I've asked you several times to put that away. Let me have it." She held out her hand, but Kamisori just looked away, closing her sketch book. She couldn't watch someone take away the last thing she had free expression with. However, as the teacher went to take it, Kamisori didn't realize how strong her grip had become on the binding, unwilling to give up her precious treasure. Finally, the lady was able to pry it away. She looked down with a look of pity in her eye. "You may get this back at the end of the day." With that, she turned to walk back to her desk, placing the book in one of the drawers. She completely missed the blank look of abandonment on Kamisori's face, and no one seemed to notice the cogs turning behind warm brown eyes.

The bell rang and all the students hurried out of the classroom. Yuichi kept his head down on his desk, pretending to be asleep, but was watching Kamisori, waiting for her to leave the room too. She moved very slowly like a giant weight was on her shoulders.

Yuichi grinned and stood up as she disappeared through the door. He started to slowly grab his books and bag, making sure all of his stuff was in its place. He moved slowly, just like Kamisori did, as he walked up the aisle. The lady was writing something at her computer, as Yuichi approached the desk. Suddenly he dropped to the ground. On his hands and knees, he started to creep around the desk. Breathing silently, he waited. He couldn't do anything as long as the teacher was sitting so close.

He looked ahead and smiled. One of the windows was wide open. An idea popped into his head. Reaching into his bag, he drew a pencil and threw it. Yuichi was annoyed it didn't go through, instead it made loud clank hitting the sill. It made the teacher look up from her work. "Who's there? Come out." She had to stay on the edge of her seat with prankster second-graders all around her. Yuichi didn't move, only frowned when he realized she wasn't going to move. Just then…

Will all teachers go to the library for an emergency staff meeting? Thank you

Yuichi never thought he would be so glad to hear the principal's raspy voice over the intercom. He sighed with relief as he watched the lady leave the room, closing the door, and locking it. With a grin, Yuichi ran around the desk, and started opening the drawers. Less than two minutes later, his smile broadened. There it was; Kamisori's sketch book! Grabbing it, Yuichi went to the open window, grabbed his pencil and slipped out the window. Thankfully the classroom was on the ground floor.

Yuichi ran all over the playground. The sketchbook was clutch close to his chest. It was a special package that had to be delivered, if only he knew where to look. He ran across the basketball courts where the junior high students played. He didn't see the ball flying toward and strike him in the back, making him fall against the pavement. Yuichi groaned as a few aids rushed to help and students gathered around to see what happened. Yuichi shook off the ache in his body. He flinched as he touched his elbows where the deep scratches were. He tried to pull away from the aids, but frozen. Not because of the scratches in his knees, which made him flinch, he looked down in his arms and found them empty. Frantic, he looked around and breathed in relief, seeing the sketchbook lying only a foot away. He went to pick it up, only to find it open. Yuichi looked at the face drawn on the paper, red hair and green eyes. He looked like Uncle Kurama. How does Kamisori know about him? Closing the book, Yuichi turned around only to have his eyes fly open wide in surprise.

"Kami-chan!" Yuichi waved and shouted, excited that he finally found the girl through the crowd. His injury to his elbows and knees were forgotten. Thankfully, the kids in the crowd soon got bored of standing around and went back to their original fun and games.

As the crowds dispersed, and the teaching aids tried to take the boy inside to the infirmary to have his bruises treated, but Yuichi managed to pull himself away and rushed over to his friend, grinning, that is until he saw the worried look in her eyes. "Don't worry Kami-chan, I'm fi-"

"What the hell were you thinking?" Kamisori broke through his laughter, frowning, trying hard to hold in her fury and tears. Her small fist agitated as it clenched tightly at her side. "You could've been seriously hurt, you big idiot."

Yuichi just watched his friend, confusion across his face. I had to find you," he started slowly, "to give this back to you." His grin returned as Yuichi held out the book. As soon as Kamisori saw it, all emotion she had been feeling disappeared. Numb fingers reached for the book and she hugged it close to her chest. Looking up again, Kamisori smiled, and softly answered, "Thank you." Yuichi laughed, scratching the back of his head. Never mind what he went through to get it, he was just happy he could get his best friend to smile. She looked pretty when she smiled.

"Oh!" Yuichi's eyebrows suddenly went up. He remembered what he also wanted say. "Do you want to come over this weekend for a picnic with my family?"

Yuichi knew it was odd, and he understood the confused look on Kamisori's face. His parents invited friends that weren't part of his immediate family all the time, so why couldn't he? Besides, remembering the picture in Kamisori's book, he hoped he would get to see Uncle Kurama again.

Seeing the hesitant look on her face, Yuichi clapped his hands on her shoulders. "Don't worry; my parents invite friends over all the time. I'm positive they'll like you. Hinata likes you, so the others will too!" He then released his trump card.

"Besides, I just happen to see one of your pictures. And there's a certain red head you might like to meet that might be there…" He ended in a sing-song voice.

Kamisori was nervous; remembering the last time Yuichi invited to go out with him last week, and then left her with her grandmother, but her eyes flew wide open and looked at the boy with surprise and curiosity. Could Yuichi be talking about her father? She didn't know if she could handle the disappointment if it wasn't, but she also didn't know what made her nodded her head in silent agreement. Yuichi hugged his best friend, a little disheartened when she didn't return it. She didn't want to get her hopes up.

It was then the teaching aids came up to the two and took Yuichi's hand. "Come on little boy, we need to fix up those nasty boo-boos okay?" As Yuichi grudgingly allowed himself to be pulled away, he called back over to Kamisori.

"Friday afternoon. We can go to the place together. I promise this time! It won't be like last weekend. Promise!" Yuichi shouted just before he was pulled through the doors of the school.

Kamisori, keeping a tight hold on her precious treasure, watched nervously Yuichi leave. She opened her book and turned to the page where she drew her father. Trembling, her fingers traced the red hair and the green eyes. A smile slowly crept across her lips. She wanted so badly for this dream venture to come true.

"Mom!" Yuichi called out as he leaped over the bottom two steps of the stairs at his home. The hyperactive boy bounded into the kitchen to find his mother busily preparing the table for dinner.

"Yuichi, did you finish your homework?" His mother calm voice stopped the boy. Keiko turned her face up from cutting some fruits and vegetables to see a smug grin on her son's face; his father's grin. He nodded, while he held out his hand toward his mother. She smiled gently and placed two apple slices in his open palm.

"Mom," Yuichi asked while he munched happily on his snack, "We're still going to Temple Genkai this weekend right?" At his mother's nod while she continued her tasks in the kitchen, Yuichi continued, "Is it alright if I invite a friend to play with me and Hinata?"

Keiko turned her face away from her son to think for a moment. Usually nothing normal happened at their extended family gatherings; Yusuke and Kuwabara always takes that time to train, and of course Puu's phoenix form resided on the grounds. What would happen if a normal human there? Keiko sighed. Perhaps Yusuke will know what to do. She just had to rely on him in moments like these. Turning back to Yuichi, she smiled. "I don't see why not, but you better ask your father first?"

"Where is dad?" Yuichi was so anxious, jumping up and down. Keiko motioned toward the backyard, "He went out saying he had some business to see to. He said he'd be back before dinner." Keiko was looking worriedly out the window, but before she could put on a smile for her son. Yuichi was already halfway out the sliding backdoor. Keiko watched her son run down the sidewalk, flashlight in hand, blindly searching for his dad. Now she had two special men to worry about.

"Tell me! Who are you working for?!" Yusuke shouted as he gripped the collar of the demon's black leather trenchcoat. It was an hour until sunset, and the sun already cast its pretty orange and red magic across the cloudy sky. He had searched over the entire city all day. He took the day off from his job in order to do it, and got no where. In other words, Yusuke was pissed off. He was beating down every demon that got in his way, and every time he tried to beat out some answers, but like the rest, this stubborn demon that was straddled underneath him, managed to slip away and throw Yusuke a mile down the street, sending him crashing into the backseat of a parked car.

After gaining feeling back in his back, which was slammed into the parking brake, Yusuke crawled back through the broken windshield, which he crashed through, only to look finding the demon preparing his next powerful attack.

"Dad! Where are you?" The small cry out of nowhere startled both fighters. Yusuke looked over to the source, a young boy standing on the bridge crossing the river. Yusuke's face turned to panic. He recognized the voice, but prayed it wasn't who he thought; however, his eyes weren't lying to him. The demon sniffed and looked wide-eyed at the boy. There was a lot spiritual energy radiating from the kid. He quickly dropped his attack and charged toward straight at Yuichi, this boy must be the one. Yusuke saw this and fired his own shot, "Yuichi! Get down!"

Yuichi jerked his head up just in time to see the demon right in front of him scream in pain as he took the blast straight in the back. The force of the explosion sent the boy flying off the crumbling bridge. Yuichi put his hands up to guard himself. Unknown to him, however, a light blue shield formed around him protecting his body. Yuichi had his eyes closed, and when he opened them he found himself in his father's arms at the river's edge. The destroyed bridge stood in front of them, with debris falling into the water. The demon was no where to be found. Yusuke, still holding his young son in his arms protectively, helped the boy to stand, and kneeled before him. "Yu! What are you doing out here so late? Where is your mother?" Yusuke was worried, but that didn't register to the wide-eyed innocent excitement in Yuichi's eyes and the smile on his face. "That was so much fun Dad! Can we do that again?" Yusuke placed his hands on his son's shoulders, in a vain attempt to calm the boy's wild antics before they got into more trouble. "Can I do that too? Please let me try! See!" Yuichi couldn't be calmed. He turned from his father's arms and positioned his hands, just as he saw his dad do earlier, and shout joyfully, "Spirit Gun!"

Yusuke just stared in shock as a small blue beam of light shimmered and skimmed across the water like a bullet, and making a small dent in the concrete on the other side.

One part of Yusuke was proud of his son, but this also scared him. He had been wondering about Yuichi for awhile. Yuichi always did have a lot of excess energy radiating from him. If he didn't control it soon, he would most definitely be a target for demons. Yusuke wouldn't allow that. "Yuichi," He started low and serious, "I need you to keep this a secret okay? Our secret?" Yuichi didn't understand and just stared at his dad's stretched pinky finger. Yusuke smirked, "In return, I teach you how to do that properly, along with a few more moves. I think you're old enough now." Yuichi mirrored his dad's grin, and they pinky shook to seal their promises. Standing up, Yusuke picked up his son in his arms. "Come on kiddo, mommy's probably already worried sick and dinner's probably cold." Yuichi clapped his hands and hugged his father's neck. Today was so awesome!

But wait, "Dad?" They were almost to the house when Yuichi remembered, "Can I bring a friend to the family picnic at the Temple this weekend?" Yusuke looked hesitant, "I suppose it's alright; as long as your mother is in agreement, okay?" Yuichi nodded happily, but his happiness faded again, "Dad? Is Uncle Kurama going to be there?"

Yusuke didn't how to answer that. That old fox was like Hiei, he came and went wherever and whenever he pleased. "I'm sure he'll try."

"Please make sure he comes!" Yuichi cried urgently, "He needs to be there, my friend is a big fan of him!" Yusuke laughed as they went inside. It must be a girl he thought. The famous Shuuichi Minamino has always been popular with the ladies.

TBC

I hope you enjoyed this recent update, it's a little happier from the last one. Hopefully, it will be get even more happier later on.

Chapter 5 preview: "Uncle Kuwama!" Hinata cried giddily, running toward off in the direction of the familiar fox's scent. Just behind, the other children raced after her, after all they were older, and they had to look after her while their parents were meeting inside the temple.