Monica awoke to the sound of the telephone ringing. She groaned then quickly got out of bed, picking up the phone.
"Hello," she said in an exhausted, irritated voice. She had not gotten much sleep last night at all. Her eyes were weary and tired.
"Hey Monica, its me, Sarah. How are you? You don't sound so good," said a cheerful voice.
"Hey Sarah, yes, I'm fine. I just didn't' get enough sleep last night, and I'm extremely tired," replied Monica. 'And for good reasons,' she thought as a picture of Kurama popped into her head. "So, why the call?"
"Sayuri said you found Yoko. I just wanted you to take me and Meow-chan to meet him to make sure its him."
"I'm too tired today. You can ask Sayuri to take you. Besides, I really don't feel like leaving home today," spoke Monica, still thinking about Kurama.
"Oh, okay. Well, I hope you feel better!" said Sarah then hung up. Monica too, hung up the phone and laid back down in her bed, sighing to herself.
'The truth is, I don't know how to react around Kurama anymore,' she thought silently, staring up at the ceiling. She then turned over on her side and feel asleep.
That afternoon, Sayuri greeted Kurama and the others at the park. Kurama's heart broke when he saw two girls, not Monica, standing behind her. 'I have betrayed her,' he thought in guilt.
Yusuke on the other hand, stared at the two new girls. Both were demons. One was a wolf. The other was a tiger.
"Hi guys, I want you to meet Meow-chan and Sarah," introduced Sayuri. Meow-chan was a brunette with brown eyes. She, of course sniffed each of the boys suspiciously, her stripped tiger ears were alert. Sarah, the wolf demon, blonde and blue eyed, looked at them closely.
"Wow, this is some crowd you hang out with," Yusuke commented, watching the two demons observe him.
"Where is Monica?" asked Kurama, quietly.
"She stayed home saying she was exhausted," explained Sarah, her eyes now directed at him. Kurama nodded sadly.
'She is avoiding me,' he thought. 'I miss her smiling face so much. I know now that I still love her, but how will I tell Maya? Or worse, does Monica even love me still?'
Hiei sensed his friend's sadness and confusion then quickly sent a telepathic message to Yusuke who understood at once. He nodded thin quickly went over to comfort Kurama. Meow-chan on the other hand, perked up her ears and looked at Kurama. Her eyes widened in recognition.
"Yoko!" she screeched, flinging her arms around him. Yusuke stopped in shock. Kurama, on the other hand, pushed her away. Sayuri frowned at this while Meow-chan and Sarah looked confused.
Yusuke made his way over to Kurama, patting his shoulder. "Hey Kurama, cheer up. I'm sure Monica will come around," he said.
"Yeah! She'll come around! I know because I'm the master of love!" cried out Kuwabara. Hiei glared at him then spoke to Kurama.
"Quit mourning your lost love Kurama. It's not going to do anything about it." Sayuri looked at Kurama then at Hiei, understanding everything that was going on. Quickly, she grabbed Kurama's hand and dragged him down the street.
Everyone watched, startled by Sayuri's sudden action. Only Hiei seemed to have no reaction whatsoever. He smirked then disappeared.
"Sayuri, where are you taking me?" Kurama gasped as they ran down the street.
"She told you didn't she? She told you her little secret. I knew somehow you were Yoko Kurama. She loves you, so quit thinking she doesn't! She would have died if you didn't truly love her!" screamed Sayuri.
Kurama suddenly looked shocked. He looked at Sayuri who had led him to the tall mansion. "She would have died?" he asked.
"You have no idea what happened to her. Guess she'll tell you in time. But for now, go to her," spoke Sayuri, ringing the doorbell.
The door opened, and there stood Mrs. Tomiko with a worried look on her face. "Amaya, Shuichi, how wonderful to see you again. Do come in," she said allowing them to enter. "Akimi has been depressed all day. She has been up in her room all day and refuses to come out. Maybe you could help her," spoke Mrs. Tomiko.
Sayuri nodded then took Kurama up to Monica's room, pushing him towards the door. Kurama smiled at her weakly then opened it. There, he saw her.
Monica sat on her bed, dressed in a long cream colored gown, staring out the window sadly. "I saw you coming," she said quietly, not looking at him. Kurama caught a hint of how tired she was in the depths of her voice and shifted uncomfortably, feeling dreadfully guilty about not comforting her.
He was about to speak when his cell suddenly began to ring. He groaned. 'Not now!' he thought, picking it up. "Hello, this is Shuichi."
"Hi Shuichi! It's me, Maya. Sorry to call you such a time, but I'm at the airport right now," spoke a cheerful voice.
Kurama gasped, "At the airport! But why?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, but I'm engaged to be married. Sorry if there was some confusion there," she replied. Silently, Kurama rejoiced.
"Its okay Maya," he spoke.
"Oh, before I go, I wanted to tell you something. Show Akimi that you love her! I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her that you were in love with her," spoke Maya.
"I will," replied a smiling Kurama.
"Okay then, bye!" cried out Maya then hung up. Kurama then turned off his cell phone and faced Moncia who hadn't moved an inch.
"What is it you want?" she asked quietly. Still smiling, Kurama walked over to her and turned her face so that their eyes looked into each other's. Monica's breath suddenly stopped as she gazed into those emerald depths she longed for.
"I cam to tell you how I feel," he said softly. He then leaned down to capture her soft lips in a passionate kiss, full of their emotions.
Tears slid down Monica's cheek as they broke apart, but she smiled breathlessly. Hugging her tightly, Kurama spoke. "I love you Monica, and I always will. The question is, do you still love me in return?" Monica smiled, drawing away from his strong embrace to look him in the eyes.
"I have always loved you too my dear fox," she spoke, drawing him into another deep kiss. Kurama smiled happily.
'Dreams do come true,' he thought.
Outside, Sayuri smiled in satisfaction then left the house in high spirits. She had done what she had planned and was now very happy for her friends. "May they never be parted," she whispered to the sky.
Late in the evening, Kurama awoke with Monica asleep in his arms. "How long have I been here?" he asked himself. Monica opined her eyes and smiled up at him.
"Sleep well?"
"Of course. I always do when I'm with you, because you are my one and only rose," he stated. Monica suddenly gave him a serious look.
"Kurama, promise me something," she whispered. Kurama nodded his head silently. "Promise me that you will always be with me no matter what and never leave." Kurama chuckled at this.
"Only if you can promise me the same thing," he stated gazing into those soft maroon orbs. She laid her head on his chest and sighed happily.
"Fair enough," she whispered, falling asleep once more.
Early next morning, Kurama awoke to a bright light. Looking down, he found Monica gone. "Monica!" he called out in panic. Suddenly the door opened and in came Monica dressed in an orange sundress and carrying a tray of all sorts of food.
"Good morning sleepy head," she spoke cheerfully, setting down the tray on the bedside table. Kurama sighed with relief at the sight of her and relaxed. "I had the cook make you some breakfast. Are you hungry?"
"I thought I had lost you and everything was a dream." He explained, accepting the food she offered him giving her a hug.
"It wasn't a dream at all," she said happily. She then planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
Kurama smiled then quickly turned on his cell phone to check for any messages. A frown crossed his face. Monica saw this and began to worry.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Yusuke called," he explained dialing a number on his phone. The phone was quickly picked up on the other end.
"Hey Yusuke, its me. No, I'm not in trouble. Koenma wants to see us? Monica too? Okay, I'll let her know. Bye," Kurama spoke hanging up. Monica went over to him and knelt at his side. "Koenma wants us to go to Spirit World."
Monica's eyes widened slightly at this, but said nothing and quickly ordered the maid to take the tray of food downstairs. She then quickly looked at Kurama, waiting for him.
He gave her a slight smile then led her downstairs and out the door. 'Why would Koenma want to see Monica as well?' he thought.
In Spirit World, Monica and Kurama entered Koenma's office. There, stood Yusuke, Hiei, Kuwabara, Sarah, Meow-chan, and Sayuri. All of them greeted their friends and turned to face Koenma. "Greetings Monica, or should I say Lady of Light? I suppose you want to know why I have summoned you and your friends?"
Monica's eyes flashed dangerously when Koenma spoke of her title, "You are Koenma, leader of Spirit World. I believe you have summoned me because of the prophecy?"
"Correct, as you know, the Human and Demon war still rages on thought it was called off since the Demon World tournament. Unfortunately, I believe the war will rise once more and the final battle could come soon. Someone has been creating a secret portal and breaking Demon World's laws," explained Koenma.
"This portal you speak of. Can you seal it?" Monica asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. From behind her, Sarah and Meow-chan stepped back quietly. Koenma, on the other hand, shook his head no.
"Monica, do you know something about this?" Kurama asked her silently. Monica's eyes suddenly were filled with anger and fire.
"I do," she said quietly, turning away from him. Kurama glanced at her, his expression full of hurt. Never had he seen Monica like this before.
"Do you know who?" asked Koenma. Monica quickly nodded her head.
"It's a personal matter. The person who created it holds a grudge against me."
Kurama carefully examined her body language. Her body with shaking with anger, and her eyes looked downward in confusion. He sighed then carefully wrapped his arms around her. 'Who could she hate so much?' he thought.
"I might as well explain everything," spoke Koenma. "There is a prophecy that says that Monica is destined to end the Human and Demon war that threatens to end life as we know it. I know you are no longer a spirit detective Yusuke, but Monica is the key to the end of the war and must be kept safe."
"Wow, so she's some sort of savior?" asked an impressed Yusuke. Kuwabara on the other hand was staring at Monica in shock.
"Yes, her powers are also very useful. Back then, Kurama was prophesied to be her protector. Many years ago, Yoko Kurama and Monica Akimi fell in love during the Human and Demon war. Monica was the adopted daughter of a great emperor, out for revenge, while Kurama was the greatest thief known throughout Demon World. This made their love forbidden, so they soon disappeared and were never found. Of course, Kurama was hunted down later on," explained Koenma.
"Wait, then what happened to her?" asked Kurwabara, pointing at Monica. From behind him, Sayuri, Sarah, and Meow-chan glared at him.
Monica turned away from them then walked out of the room followed by Kurama. Koenma sighed. "Only she and Kurama know this, but from the look of things, they're not willing to tell."
Outside the office, Monica cried into Kurama's arms. "I know you don't want to talk about the time we parted," he spoke soothingly.
"It hurts too much," she whispered. "Why do they have to remind me?" she demanded.
"I know how you feel, but I'm here right now, and I made a promise that I won't ever leave you. You know I always keep my promises. We'll live and die together," he whispered in her ear.
Monica smiled, wiping away her tears. "Thank you Kurama," she said softly.