Part 6: Home Sweet Home

Reiko lay in bed, staring up at the white ceiling in her room. The past week had been pretty awkward just as she thought it would be. Sunday, the day of her arrival, was very uncomfortable and Monday was no better. Kurama had gone to work and that left her alone with Shiori.

For the most part they just made small talk and watched television and ended the night with the decision that they would go shopping the next day. Reiko didn't really want to but she wasn't going to be rude and say no. So on Tuesday, Shiori and Reiko went shopping at the mall, much to Reiko's dismay. Although she wasn't one for trying on clothes, let alone letting people buy her stuff, she tried to enjoy it or at least look like she did. It wasn't that she didn't like her, it was just…weird.

Tuesday night she was going to tell Kurama how she felt but decided against it. She didn't want to take the chance of hurting his feelings and didn't really want to open up to someone. Not just yet anyway. On Wednesday Kurama took her to his stepfather's shop and she had caught her hair in a machine. She lost about an inch before Kurama stopped it and checked to make sure she was alright. He offered to even it out but she had him told no.

She spent a lot of Thursday thinking and went to the park by herself. Kurama had to work late and Shiori had some business to do out of town so that left her alone for most of the day. It didn't bother Reiko much but she couldn't help but feel a little bit lonely.

Tonight was Friday night and they would be departing for the Safe House tomorrow morning. Kurama had explained to his mother he was moving out and going to live with Reiko, Yusuke and Keiko in a house they were all going to pitch in at. She was very supportive in this decision. It seemed odd to Reiko that the thought of Kurama living in a house with two girls in it didn't bother Shiori. She was definitely no ordinary mother. If it were her own parents…

Her mind drew blank at the thought of her parents. She hadn't thought about them for a long time now. Memories of watching her father walk away with another woman and her mother's casket being lowered into the ground filled her head. She couldn't help but let a few tears slide down her face. There was a knock at her door, breaking her away from silent reminisces.

"Reiko?" Shiori called form the other side of the door, "Would you like a snack?" she asked. Reiko sat up, clearing her throat before responding.

"No thank you!" She replied nonchalantly.

"Oh…well, good night then."

"Good night." She sat there until she heard Shiori walk away and down stairs before swinging her feet over the edge of the bed. She pondered for a while before standing up and walking out of her room. She walked over to Kurama's door and stood in front of it.

"You can come in." Kurama said just as she was about to knock on his door. She gave a small jump before hesitantly opening his door. She stepped inside and closed his door softly behind her. He was sitting on his bed reading a book with just the table lamp on. He set his book down on his lap and smiled over at her. "Is everything alright?" he asked.

"Umm…yes…" she said while clearing her throat and shifting her feet awkwardly. She noticed the scent of roses coming from Kurama and how his hair was damp from a shower. She adverted her eyes from him, blushing at the thought. Kurama watched her before speaking again.

"Is there something you want to say?" he asked, closing his book completely and setting it aside.

"Yes." She paused, "I was wondering…" she looked back up at him, trying to force the words out, "Would you consider…cutting my hair?" she asked. She knew it wasn't a big deal over all but she felt bad about rejecting his offer before and asking him to do it now.

'Is that all?' Kurama thought, "Of course." He smiled, standing up. "Let's go across the hall to the bathroom then, shall we?" Reiko only nodded as she followed him out of his room and into the bathroom. He had her sit on the edge of the tub, her feet inside it as he rummaged through the drawers for scissors. He found a pair and then proceeded to fill a small spray bottle with water before putting a towel around her shoulders.

"How much do you want off?" he asked as he began to wet the bottom of her hair.

"Just enough to even it out; I don't want any real change to it." She answered. He nodded, more to himself than her, and finished wetting down her hair. He set down the bottle and ran a comb through her hair before slowly snipping away.

A few minutes later he took the towel off her shoulders. "There. All done." He said as he stepped back so she could get out. She turned around and stepped out of the tub and went to look in the mirror. Her hair looked relatively the same just a good two and a half inches shorter.

"Thank you." She said as Kurama shook the hair out into the tub.

"You're welcome." He said, setting the towel aside. "You can go ahead to bed. I'll clean up." He told her. She nodded, walking to the door. If there was anything she learned from this week it was that she could never say no to Kurama's or his mother's kindness. "Oh, and Reiko?"

"Yeah?" she turned back around just before she was out the door.

"Don't be afraid to tell me anything. I just might surprise you." Reiko looked at him oddly before managing a sheepish smile.

"Okay." She turned and left, leaving the door open and going into her room. 'What did he mean by that?' she thought with a sigh. She fell onto the bed, not bothering to pull back the covers.

She was still unsure about the entire idea of living with four other people. She had no idea what it was going to be like and she honestly didn't want to find out. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day; there was no doubt about that.

Reiko and Kurama bowed as they said good bye to Shiori. They had woken early the next morning to the smell of a hot breakfast. Shiori had made a glamorous departure meal for them and who knew how long she spent on it. It was by far the best thing Reiko had eaten in a long time.

"Are you sure you don't need me to drop you off?" Shiori asked a bit worriedly.

"Yes, mother. We have a friend coming to pick us up a few blocks down." Kurama insisted.

"Alright then." Shiori sighed, giving up on the matter. "You'll still visit won't you?"

"Yes mother. And I'll still be working at the shop if you want to drop by to see me." Kurama informed. Shiori nodded with a smile.

"I'll miss having you around Suiichi." She said as she took him into an embrace.

"I'll miss you too mother." He returned the embrace. Shiori then went and hugged Reiko, shocking the teenaged girl.

"It was nice meeting you Reiko." She smiled, pulling back, "It was like I had a daughter this week. I hope to see you again." Reiko blushed at the compliment.

"Thank you for everything." Reiko bowed again, Shiori only smiled with a nod.

"I'll call you tonight mother." Kurama said as he slung a bag over his shoulder and picked up his suitcases, Reiko copying his movements.

"Good bye Suiichi, Reiko."

"Goodbye." Kurama and Reiko said in unison as they walked out the door and down the porch. Shiori watched them walk away and didn't close the door until they were out of sight.

Kurama waited until they were out of view and looked around before motioning Reiko through a hedge. Reiko watched him walk through the tall bush and sighed before following him. She suddenly felt something pulling at her body and the color drained from her face.

'Oh shit.' She thought as she was sucked through a portal. Within moments she was hurled out of thin air and landed on top of her bags with a painful yelp. She groaned with a scowl as she attempted to sit up. She opened her eyes at the sound of laughter and glared up at Yusuke.

"Just what they hell are you laughing at?" she snapped.

"Still haven't," chuckle "Gotten use," chuckle "To it," chuckle "Huh?" Yusuke snickered, one arm around his waist and his other hand partially covering his mouth.

"Oh shut up!" she growled, throwing one of her bags at him. To her surprise he caught it and continued to chuckle. She pouted at her failed attempt to harm the boy.

"Don't worry; it takes some time getting use to." Kurama said as he held out his hand. At first Reiko went to take his hand but ended up knocking it away and picked herself up off the ground.

"Whatever." She mumbled, picking up her bags and walking up the porch of a fairly large white house. But she completely disregarded that notable feature as if it were no big deal.

The door was already open so she just walked right in. Straight ahead was a door-less entry, what she presumed to be the living room due to the fact she could see the back door, on the right was another door-less entry, more than likely the kitchen, and on the left were a set of stairs. She took the left up the stairs and found a long hallway to the left with six doors, three on the right and three on the left. She turned, heading to the last door of the hall.

Chills shot up her back as she passed the second room on the right. She felt a weird vibe from the room that left her with a creepy feeling as she continued down one more door. She decided on the room on the right, the one next to the creepy vibe. Even though it kind of freaked her out she decided she wasn't going to let it bother her. She opened the door and stepped in. The room resembled very much the same of the one she stayed in at Kurama's, only bigger and with two doors leading to what she presumed would be a closet and a bathroom.

She walked toward the bed and dropped her bags onto it. She unzipped the bag she had originally brought and started pulling out folded pieces of clothing. The last thing she pulled out was the blue velvet bag, of which she set aside. She then began taking out clothes and shoes from the other bag that Shiori had so graciously bought her; clothes, shoes and all.

By the time Reiko had finished putting her clothes away Kurama knocked on her door, even though it was open. She turned to him and waited for him to speak.

"Are you alright, Reiko?" he asked. She really didn't want to answer.

"I'm fine Kurama." She insisted, arms across her chest.

"Is there anything I can-"

"No." she interrupted. Kurama paused before speaking again.

"If you do need anything I'm the first room in this hall." He said before walking out.

"…Wait!" Reiko sighed, causing the red head to take a few steps back so he'd be in front of her doorway. "I'm…sorry." She apologized. "I'm not mad at you. I just…this is all still weird to me." She admitted while holding onto her left shoulder and avoiding his eyes by looking at the ground. Kurama smiled sincerely, walking up to her. "I just haven't been with anyone for years." She added, looking up at him. Her cheeks flushed pink once she realized what that had sounded like. "Th-that's not what I meant! I meant to say-"

"It's alright." Kurama chuckled, putting his hands up before himself in emphasis. "I know what you mean." Reiko looked off to the side, still holding onto her arm and blushing. "Reiko, I want you to know I meant what I said before. You don't have to be afraid to tell me things." He reassured her. She looked back at him nervously. She couldn't tell if she was just nervous after not opening up to someone for so long or if she was starting to fall for Kurama. She prayed for it to be the first one.

"Kurama." A rather rough voice said from Reiko's doorway, causing them both to turn.

"Hello Hiei." Kurama smiled, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"I suppose." Hiei shrugged. Reiko stared at Hiei as if intrigued. There was no doubt about it; he was one from that night a week ago. He was shorter than Kurama by a few inches but slightly taller than herself. She noticed the weird look he gave her caused from her staring and she immediately looked away.

"You done, fox?" Hiei stated more than asked. Kurama looked to Reiko and she only waved him off.

"I'm fine. I'm sure you two have a lot of catching up to do."

"Are you sure?" Kurama asked.

"Positive." She reassured, crossing her arms.

"Alright…I'll call up when lunch is ready." Kurama added before walking out with Hiei. Reiko only nodded as he left. She may have seemed like it didn't bother her but it really did. She sighed and fell back onto her bed, the blue velvet bag bouncing up and landing back down next to her head. She sat up and took in into her hands.

'I'm going to need a place to put this…' she thought, leaning back on her elbows. She pondered a moment before sighing. "Guess this is it." She spoke aloud, "This is my new home."

.::Chapter End::.