Akimi looked over her questions in class, her face full of concentration. It had been a week since her first day at school, and she was now known for being one of the smartest students at school. Only one person was equally as smart as her, and that was Shuichi. She sighed, as much as she liked him, she still preferred to focus on her grades than on boys. She put down her pencil and looked out the window. She suddenly heard the door slide open and close.
In came Amaya looking excited. "Hey Akimi! Why aren't you going outside for a break? I heard some boys really wanted to get to know you," said Amaya slyly. Akimi laughed at this.
"Amaya, you know I don't have time for boys," exclaimed Akimi. Amaya grinned at her friend.
"Well, you're just going to have to make time won't you?" she opened the door of the classroom. In came several handsome boys, each holding a bouquet of flowers. Amaya laughed at her friend. Akimi's desk was now filled with roses and carnations.
Suddenly, everyone froze. Kurama had walked into the classroom and was now looking at Akimi with an odd expression on his face. "Hello, am I interrupting something here? It seems you are a bit preoccupied." Akimi blushed hotly, then cleared her desk of flowers and began to study. The boys on the other hand kept surrounding her, gazing in admiration.
Meanwhile, Kurama looked longingly at Akimi. He had admired her gentle calm spirit from the start, but was afraid to tell her his feelings for he feared of revealing his secret. He was jealous that those boys swarmed around her. He was jealous of any boy who touched her. It drove him mad though he didn't show it.
Amaya noticed his longing gaze out of the corner of her eye. She smirked, her plan was going perfectly. Soon he would fall for Akimi and then the two of them would be together. She had always wanted Shuichi and Akimi to be together ever since she met him. Now all she had to do was make Akimi jealous. She smiled inwardly knowing what she would do.
At home, Akimi sat on her bed reading her textbooks constantly, studying for her exam coming up. She sighed quietly looking at pieces of information inside the book. To her the world was like a puzzle that could never be solved all the way. Thinking this, she was reminded of Shuichi, his kind personality. When watching him in the classroom, she had noticed a look of hurt on his face. She felt sorry for him deep down, but there was more to it than sympathy. She shook her head.
Returning to the textbook, her mind again began to wander. Her stone had glowed on the first day of school. She wondered what it had meant. She looked up at the ceiling laying down flat on her back. 'This is hopeless,' she thought to herself.
In the early morning, Akimi woke up. She quickly got ready for school and went downstairs. 'I will get good grades on my exam! I will!' she thought, heading out the door.
Kurama sat in his classroom looking at the board reading 'Exam Day'. He sighed. Suddenly, the door slid open and in came Akimi. She spotted him and smiled in greeting, then went and sat in her seat beside him.
During class, Akimi and Kurama worked and worked constantly. Kurama often glanced at Akimi's beautiful face. He smiled and kept working. When the exam was over, everyone turned it in and went out the door.
In the hall, Kurama caught up with Akimi. "We haven't spoken since the first day," he said quietly. Akimi was about to say something when a voice suddenly called out to Kurama.
"Oh Shuichi!" Kurama turned to fine fifteen girls standing there, smiling. The leader of the group stepped forward. "Why don't you hang out with us?" she asked. Kurama smiled nervously.
"Sorry Megumi, I have other things to do. Maybe later," he said. The girls groaned in disappointment, then left. Kurama then turned to find Akimi gone. He sighed sadly, then walked down the hall.
Akimi ran down the hall, her heart aching painfully as she ran. She came to a stop at the school entrance and sat on the bench. 'Why do I feel this way?' she thought silently to herself clutching the ruby red stone. Suddenly, it began to glow. She looked at it. 'Its happening again. It only glowed once and that was when I met…"
She froze, suddenly realizing something. "Shuichi," she whispered. She looked down the hall to see him walking towards her.
"How did you know it was me?" he asked, smiling. She clutched her stone tightly blushing under is gaze.
"Just a sense," she mumbled, turning her head away to hide her red face. Suddenly, she heard him laughing.
"Akimi, its alright. I'm not going to do anything. Can't we be friends? I know you're working hard, but I just want to get to know you. How can I if you always push me away?" he asked kindly.
"I'm not pushing you away. I'm just afraid of my own emotions," she explained. He looked at her, placing his hand over hers. She looked deep into his eyes.
"There is nothing to be afraid of," he said softly. Akimi suddenly gasped, then quickly changed the subject.
"How did you know I was concentrating on my grades?" she asked. He smiled at her.
"I could tell. You study every day, even during break. You are always hard at work," he replied. Akimi gave him a weak smile.
"I guess I overdid it." She then got up and looked at him. "Thanks," she suddenly added. Kurama looked at her, puzzled.
"For what?" he asked.
"For being here for me. I appreciate it very much," explained Akimi. She gave him a quick smile, then began to walk towards the school doors.
'It is I who should thank you,' thought Kurama, watching her leave. He smiled, knowing she had become his friend.
A month later, during the season of winter, Akimi and Kurama walked through the snow laughing and chattering. Mrs. Tomiko watched from the front porch, smiling. 'Ah, young love,' she thought, watching the two teens enjoy each other's company.
"Mother, did everything go well at work?" Akimi asked cheerfully. She quickly ran over to her, dragging Kurama with her.
"Everything went fine. How was school?"
"Great! There is a school dance coming up too. I'm so excited!" Kurama laughed, watching Akimi twirl in the snow with excitement. Mrs. Tomiko smiled at her daughter, then turned her head towards Kurama, her eyes twinkling. She had only known him for a month, but she knew he was perfect for Akimi. She gave him a sly smiled as if saying, 'Why don't you take my daughter to the dance?'
Kurama bowed to her and smiled. "I've been fine Mrs. Tomiko. She looked at Akimi, then signaled her to lead Kurama into the mansion. Akimi nodded, leading him through the glass double doors.
Inside the warm mansion stood a winding staircase. Akimi quickly led Kurama upstairs to her large bedroom. Upon entering the bedroom, Kurama noticed a strange sight. On the bedside table next to the large queen size bed was a rose placed in a beautiful vase. What was astonishing was that the rose was glowing. Kurama stared at the strange sight.
"What do you think?" asked Akimi interrupting his thoughts. Kurama looked at her, startled.
"Oh, I think its lovely," he replied, turning his gaze back to the rose, which had now ceased to glow and looked like an ordinary rose.
"Is something wrong?" asked Akimi, noticing his sudden stare. Kurama shook his head and smiled at her.
"Its nothing." Akimi looked at him carefully, and then went over to the bedside table, taking out the rose, and handing it to him.
"You were looking at this weren't you?" she asked. He smiled.
"You read my mind." Taking the rose, he examined it closely, but could find no trace of abnormality. He then handed it back to her.
Akimi stroked the soft red petals with her fingertips, a sad expression reflected off her face. "This rose was a connection between me and another person. A person who cared and loved me as I did him. He died several years ago," she whispered.
Kurama, hearing this, couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy deep inside his heart. He quickly brushed off the feeling then stood up. Akimi on the other hand placed the rose back in its place.
She quickly returned to her cheerful self then said, "Enough about that. Mother is probably getting dinner ready, and I'm sure you're hungry. Lets go downstairs," she suggested, holding out her hand to him.
He took it gratefully then followed her down. While he followed her, he couldn't help but wonder who Akimi had a strange connection with. He looked down sadly, but hid his sadness from Akimi.
After dinner, Kurama bid Akimi and her parents farewell then headed home. Deep in the dark shadows of the moonlit street stood Yusuke, watching his friend go. He glared at the mansion before him thinking to himself, 'He is falling in love with her!'
"Hiya!" cried a voice from behind him. He jumped, then turned to see a girl with violet eyes and blued hair wearing a pink kimono, staring at him.
"Botan, I said no more surprises!" scowled Yusuke glaring at the girl. Botan laughed.
"Silly Yusuke! I thought that with your level of spirit energy you could sense me by now!" Yusuke flushed darkly.
"Whatever, just take me to Spirit World!" he ordered. Botan got out her flying orb in which Yusuke sat on then headed off into the sky.
Meanwhile, Akimi looked out her window. 'Hm, I thought I heard something,' she thought, then shrugged her shoulders and went to bed.
"Koenma! Have you gotten any information on those two girls?" demanded Yusuke entering the office of the young ruler of Spirit World. The toddler glared at him then replied.
"Be patient Yusuke. My assistant hasn't been able to track down any record on her or her friend. It's as if their personal information doesn't exist, but that's not possible of course. Their information must be top secret. As you said, there is something strange about them."
"Well in case you haven't noticed, Kurama is warming up to one of them, which means he could be in great danger!" informed Yusuke.
"I am aware of that. That is why I'm sending you and Hiei to watch them," explained Koenma.
"Oh," said a dumbfounded Yusuke.
Back in Human World, Amaya stood on her balcony gazing at the stars. "Oh." She gasped spotting a shooting star. Quickly, she made a wish. 'I wish I could find the right person,' she thought. Hidden in the shadows of a tree nearby stood a boy with spiked up black hair and red eyes. He glared at her in the dark until she went to bed, then disappeared without a trace.
In the morning, Akimi, Kurama, and Amaya walked to school together talking about the upcoming dance. Kurama smiled at Akimi, watching as she chatted happily with Amaya. 'She is so cheerful,' he thought.
Suddenly, Akimi interrupted his thoughts. "Shuichi, are you okay?" she asked.
"What? Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention," spoke Kurama. Amaya gave him a funny look, but said nothing.
"Well, Amaya and I were just wondering who you were asking to the dance," said Akimi giving him a slight smile.
Kurama grinned. "I'll tell you at lunch," he stated as they approached the school. Akimi and Amaya exchanged glances then shrugged as they entered the school.
During lunch, Miyako approached Kurama still accompanied by her tow girls, Tamiko and Mizuno. "Hi Shuichi," she said seductively. This made Akimi and Amaya roll their eyes and glare at Miyako. Miyako returned the glare then moved her attention back on to Kurama once more. "Anyways, I was wondering if you could go to the dance with me tonight," she said, flipping her hair in an attractive way.
Kurama on the other hand shook his head. "Sorry, I have my mind set on someone else," he confessed. Miyako's mouth dropped at this. Akimi and Amaya then began to giggle. Kurama smiled, then he, Akimi, and Amaya then went to find a seat. Miyako glared at Akimi's back, then walked off.
"Did you see the look on Miyako's face? You've really outdone yourself this time," laughed Amaya. Kurama chuckled while Akimi smiled.
"So, who are you going to ask to the dance?" questioned Akimi. Amaya suddenly popped up from behind her.
"Ooooh, Akimi has got the hots for Shuichi!" Akimi blushed furiously then looked away. Kurama flushed bright pink; he then walked over to Akimi, taking her hand in his. Akimi looked at him and gazed into his green eyes. He smiled and said, "Akimi, will you do me the honor of going to the dance with me?"
"Dang! It's almost like a proposal! Looks like you two are in love!" cried out Amaya.
Akimi blushed again then muttered to Amaya, "You are ruining the moment." She then smiled back at Kurama and bowed her head. "I would be delighted."
Kurama's eyes glowed with delight then gently planted a soft kiss on Akimi's hand, his eyes never leaving hers. Akimi blushed at his gaze while Amaya giggled from behind her.
Later that evening, Akimi, dressed in a beautiful red dress with her hair down, long and flowing, stepped down the stairs. Amaya smirked at her friend.
"Trying to impress Shuichi?" Akimi gave her friend a sly smiled.
"Look who's talking? Trying to impress Ryoushin tonight?" mocked Akimi. Amaya glared.
"That isn't funny!" Akimi laughed at her friend.
"I'm just joking. Still, I can't believe you actually agreed to go with him," spoke Akimi. Amaya frowned.
"He likes you a lot. When he asked me to the dance, he was still mad that Shuichi asked you first. You should be careful," warned Amaya.
Akimi looked at her friend. "So, you agreed to go with him just to keep an eye on him. Amaya, you really should worry more about yourself. I can handle Ryoushin."
"Akimi, I really don't want him to do anything to you. Especially since you lost your first love a long time ago!" cried out Amaya.
Akimi suddenly looked sad. "Him? Yes, I did loose him, but I hope to find him soon," she whispered. Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. "Oh no, Shuichi is here!" Quickly, she rushed to get the door.
Kurama stood there at the door with Ryoushin beside him. He gasped when he cought sight of her. To him, she was stunning. Ryoushin on the other hand stared at her.
Akimi gave Kurama a genuine smile gazing into the green depths she had always loved. They were so gentle and kind. She then examined him. He wore a white collared shirt with deep black pants that made him look even more handsome than he already was. She blushed then said, "Hello."
Amaya then interrupted, "So when are we going?" Kurama nodded then offered his hand to Akimi. She gracefully accepted his hand allowed him to escort her to his car. Amaya on the other hand headed for Ryoushin's car, ignoring him as she went.
"Have a good time!" called out Mrs. Tomiko.
At the dance, Akimi sat at a table happily watching everyone dance. Kurama then sat next to her.
"Don't you wan to dance?" he asked her. Akimi blushed.
"I don't know how," she admitted. Kurama smiled gently, then grasped her hand and led her onto the dance floor.
"I'll teach you. Just follow my lead," he whispered into her ear. She nodded and watched as he did a graceful twirl, then rocked to the music. Akimi's eyes began to sparkle as she swayed her hips to the beat and did a beautiful twirl and landed right into Kurama's arms.
He looked deep into her eyes, how beautiful and extraordinary they were. She also admired those beautiful emerald depths. He then brought her back up and swayed with her. All their dancing on the other hand caught the attention of many other people.
In the corner of the dance floor, Amaya watched them dance. She smiled at them knowing they were falling in love. 'One day, they well realize how they feel for each other,' she thought.
"Want to dance?" Ryoushin suddenly asked her seductively. He had become drunk after watching Kurama and Akimi dance. Amaya looked at him in disgust, then turned on her heel and walked away.
On the way home, Akimi talked cheerfully to Kurama. "I knew you could dance beautifully," Kurama spoke. He glanced over at her and smiled. Akimi laughed.
"I'm not that good." She then laid her head on his shoulder. "Besides, you were the inspiration," she added in a whisper, her eyes slowly closing.
"But you still did it anyways," Kurama paused, looking down to find her asleep. He smiled at her and continued driving.
When they reached her home, Kurama gently lifter her out of the car and went to the door, ringing the doorbell. Mrs. Tomiko opened it and let him inside. Kurama then went to Akimi's bedroom and laid her on the bed, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Shuichi," she suddenly whispered opening her eyes. He smiled down at her.
"Yes Akimi?"
"I had a wonderful time with you tonight," she spoke softly, gazing at him. He smiled then once again kissed her forehead.
"I did too, now go to sleep," he whispered. Akimi nodded, giving him one last smile and drifted off into a peaceful slumber.