Summary: For Mika, life is a constant struggle for survival. After some very unfortunate situations, she has isolated herself and is dangerously close to losing her sanity. That is, until she meets Kurama who turns her life upside down. But things begin to get out of control when it is discovered that she could have some strange connection to a mysterious legendary force that could be plotting a major takeover of all three worlds! Could her misery be nothing more that a cruel twist of fate or is this all connected to something even bigger?

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. I own the OCs in this story. No copying. I worked hard on this story! I don't like plagarism nor do I like those who steal people's hard work!!!

Angel's Cry

Chapter 4

"Secrets Revealed"

17

"What are you doing here, Amy?" The young woman hissed as she stared at a young man and another woman. They stood close to each other---too close for the young woman's liking.

"Oh, Mika," Amy said with her sickening honeysweet voice as she rang her fingers through her bubblegum pink hair. She moved away from the young man and flashed a taunting smile. "Don't you know how to greet someone the normal way?"

"Mika," the young man dashed forward and wrapped his arms around the young woman's waist in an attempt to keep her from attacking Amy. "Calm down!"

She reluctantly stopped her struggling and stood as rigid as a board. She didn't move but her eyes followed Amy like a hawk.

"Gosh," Amy rolled her eyes as she blew a big bubble of gum and popped it. "Uptight, much? Katashi and I were just talking. Take a chill pill, m'kay?"

"Talking?" The young woman's eyes burned with hatred as she shook her head in disbelief.

"Yes," Amy nodded as she sent Mika a nasty smile. "Talking."

"Amy," Katashi's voice sounded behind the young woman. He let go of her waist and walked forward to stand beside her. "I think that we should just tell her the truth. Keeping up this act is getting harder and harder every day."

The young woman looked at him, her eyes wide and uncomprehending.

"Finally," Amy snorted as she placed her hands on her hips. "But hurry it up. I have somewhere to be and I don't have time for tears."

The truth? An act? Tears? She had a feeling that she knew what was about to happen but she ignored it, finding the thought ridiculous. After all they were about to be married...

"Mika, I'm leaving you."

"W-What did you say?" The young woman stuttered. She understood what he had said but at the same time she didn't. Her mind and ears had processed and accepted the information but her heart refused to believe what it had heard. Her voice was shaking and her vision was beginning to cloud.

"You heard him." Amy smirked, her amethyst eyes sparkling with mischief.

"I'm sorry, Mika." The young man in front of her said without even an attempt to make his apology seem genuine. "I'm breaking up with you. Amy and I---we're in love."

"B-But...why?" The young woman cried out. "Katashi, we're supposed to get married!"

Her outburst caused them to burst into a fit of laughter.

"You honestly still believe that, Mika?" Katashi laughed as he shook his head. "I was just kidding. I thought you knew that I was joking!"

"W-What?" The young woman's eyes widened in shock. She glanced at the diamond ring that sparkled from her finger. "B-But, you gave me a ring! You got down on your knee and everything!"

"You're really stupid," Amy remarked as she rolled her eyes. "He was kidding. Besides, he has me. Why would any man want to marry you when they can have someone like me? I mean, come on! I'm prettier than you, smarter than you, better than you in every way!"

"H-How dare you!" The young woman screeched as she started forward. She slapped the young man across his face. "How could you! I thought you loved me! We were supposed to get married! How could you do this to me! How?" Her body shook violently as she screamed. She was on the verge of tears but she tried her hardest to stop. She refused to give them the satisfaction of breaking her down. "What does she have that I don't have? I love you so much! Katashi, I need you! I-I don't understand! Please... please tell me this is all some sick joke! Tell me your joking! Please!"

"Look at yourself!" Amy shrieked with laughter, "You're pitiful! Get over it! He doesn't love you anymore; he loves me! Not you. Me! End of your relationship. And, end of this conversation."

The young woman shook as a tear managed to make its way down her cheek. That single tear was followed by another and then another until she was sobbing endlessly on her knees.

"Ugh," Amy shook her head and scrunched up her tiny nose in disgust at the young woman as if she were nothing but a smelly piece of garbage. "This is pathetic. Let's go." She smiled at her work and turned away from the scene as she began to sashay off. Katashi walked off with her and didn't even cast a second glance at the sobbing woman behind them. She was completely wiped away from his mind and replaced with the beautiful goddess beside him.

The young woman was on her knees sobbing heavily. She didn't care if the people passing her were staring. She didn't care if people were laughing at how she had been shot down. She didn't care if people understood how she felt. She didn't care if people felt sorry for her. Right then, all she wanted was to be alone. She slowly rose to her feet and turned away from the laughing couple that was barely in earshot. She walked down the path, her eyes never leaving the ground. She didn't care where she was going. Just as long as it was far, far away.

The pain was too much for her to handle. She could feel her aching heart call out, wanting to be freed from its metal cage. It wanted to fly far away so it could leave all the pain behind. She knew what it was like to feel lonely. She was used to it. But when Katashi came into the picture it changed everything. For a blissful while she had been so happy. Now she was left with nothing but an aching feeling of emptiness that tugged at her heart and shattered her fragile soul. And going back to the way she had been before---unhappy and all alone---would be the most painful thing in the world.

~.~.~.~.~

"Mika?"

Mika could feel someone call gently to her. She could feel something lightly brush against her arm, and the subtle scent of fragrant roses enveloped her as someone began to lightly shake her.

"Mika, are you awake?" Kurama's voice called out to her gently.

She didn't want to talk to anyone. All she really wanted at the moment was to fade away into nothingness. Although her eyes were already closed, she squeezed them tighter in an attempt to appear as if she were in a deep sleep. Maybe if he thought she was sleeping he would leave her to be alone. He stopped shaking her and soon she could feel his warm breath on her face.

"Mika, I know that you're awake." Kurama whispered in her ear. "Please open your eyes." Kurama watched as Mika slowly opened her eyes and halfheartedly met his gaze. His fingers twitched as he recognized that look. "Mika, are you alright?" He questioned, his emerald eyes shimmering with concern. "You're pale. Are you sick?"

She shook her head before she turned away from him to stare at the wall.

Kurama quickly glanced out the window. He could already see Hiei walking towards the forest with Yusuke and Kuwabara trudging along a short distance behind him. He was going to be late. He turned his gaze back to the young woman who had now rolled over and was laying facedown, the pillow beneath her concealing her face. He frowned. He couldn't just leave her like this.

"Are you hungry?" He questioned and watched as she shook her head vigorously in response. "You really should eat something. You barely touched your dinner last night."

She didn't speak nor did she reveal her face to him. She just continued to shake her head defiantly.

"You must eat something," he insisted as he turned to leave. "I will return shortly."

Mika could hear his faint footsteps as he left the room. She rolled over onto her back and could feel a depression starting to settle in her chest. She sighed. She hated these feelings. She shifted her weight, draping her legs over the side of the bed. She rubbed her eyes in an attempt to stop the tears that were threatening to show themselves. She forced herself to stand and moved to the window, quickly unlocking and pushing it open, allowing the cool morning air to sweep into the unpleasantly warm room.

Stop it, Mika, she scolded herself as she gripped tightly onto the sill of the window, you should be over this! It was a long time ago!

She stood there for a while with her eyes closed as she attempted to clear her mind. The only sounds heard were the faint clanking of pots as Kurama busied himself downstairs in the kitchen.

I miss him more than anything... she thought as her thoughts manifested themselves into the form of her first love and the times that they had spent together. She could feel a tear slip down her cheek and she hurried to wipe it away. She let out a sigh as she reached out to close the window. The hot room had finally cooled to a much more comfortable temperature. She shuffled back to her bed and crawled under the safety of the covers. She rolled over and buried her face in her pillow again in an attempt to stop the tears that were now silently rolling down her face.

Kurama entered the room a couple minutes later with a tray. He placed Mika's breakfast down on the nightstand and gazed at the tiny figure buried under the blankets. Her face was concealed once again by her pillow. Had she gone back to sleep?

"Mika," he whispered as he rubbed her back, "Are you awake?" She nodded slowly. "I made you breakfast." He crossed the room and pulled the chair from her desk towards the bed. "Please, eat."

She issued a small sigh that was muffled against her pillow before she sat up. She carefully pulled the tray laden with food onto her lap and began to examine her breakfast. Kurama observed her silently from the chair that he had pulled up to the bed. He noted how puffy and bloodshot her brown eyes were and how her face was tinged a slight red.

She was crying, he thought as his lips curled into a deep frown. He couldn't help but wonder what hadmade her so upset. He refused to ask her, fearing that it would upset her even more than she already was. All he knew was that he had to help her. She needed someone to show her warmth and kindness. She needed to know that life wasn't as horrible as it seemed. She needed to know that she wasn't alone.

He watched as she picked up a slice of toast and began to pinch off tiny peices and made a pile on her plate.

"Mika, what are you doing?"

She didn't answer and continued, intently focused on tearing about the toasted bread. When she finished, she sighed and moved onto the bacon. She began to tear each slice into thin strips. He watched curiously as she gathered ten of the extremely thin strips, rolled them, and popped it into her mouth. She chewed slowly, almost for a full two minutes, before she moved onto the ruined toast. She split the pile of bread balls she had made in half. One half remained untouched while the other half she popped into her mouth. She took a long time chewing again, staring blankly past Kurama, and out into the open window. When she finished with that, she grabbed the glass of orange juice he had sat on her nightstand and took a long sip. She swished the juice in her mouth, almost as if she was garling mouthwash, only allowing herself to taste the drink before she spit it back in the glass.

"I'm done. I'm not hungry anymore." Mika murmured as she put the tray back on the nightstand and pushed it away. She could feel her stomach rumbling in protest.

Shut up, her conscience hissed at her body, It's only food. You're not even hungry. You don't need it.

Kurama stared at her, his eyes wide at the strange way she had eaten---more like destroyed---her breakfast. He sighed. At least it was a bit more than she had eaten the night before.

"You eat like a bird," he said in a joking tone with hopes of making her laugh. Her face remained stone still, her eyes on her lap and her lips a thin line. He let out a soft sigh as he stood. "Alright. I will be back shortly."

Kurama picked up the tray and turned on his heel to leave the room. He hurried down the stairs and put the uneaten food in the refridgerator. Maybe she'll eat later, he figured.

When he returned, Mika was sitting upright with her back resting against the headboard of her bed. Her legs were pulled up to her chest with her long slender arms wrapped around them. Her face was buried in her legs but her shoulders were shaking slightly.

She was crying again.

Kurama's frown deepened as he approached her. He crawled onto the bed until he was right beside her. His forest green eyes stared at her with sympathy as he leaned back, letting the headboard of the bed support him. He reached out and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Are you alright?" He whispered in her ear. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Mika shook her head vigorously, a withheld sob escaping her lips.

"Alright," he said, respecting her wishes. He rested his head on her shoulder and whispered in her ear, "If there is anything I can ever do for you, please, let me know. I would be glad to help."

She opened her mouth to thank him but a loud sob escaped her instead. She suddenly whirled around and pressed her face against his chest. He enclosed her in his arms in a comforting embrace and leaned his head on top of hers. "Shhh..." he shushed her as he began to rub her back in an attempt to soothe the hysterical girl. "It's alright. Don't hold back; let it all out."

More tears rolled down her cheeks as she let out a mournful wail. He continued to rub her back and whisper soothing words into her ear. She wrapped her arms around his torso and the tears that needed so desperately to be shed soaked the front of his shirt. After what seemed like an eternity, the loud sobs slowly morphed themselves into hiccups which then reduced to sniffles.

"Are you alright now?" Kurama whispered softly in her ear.

Mika didn't respond. She was in her own little world at the moment. She had cried so much that it was almost impossible for her tear ducts to make anymore tears to cry. But that didn't stop her from crying on the inside.

No, I'm not alright, she thought as she rubbed her irritated eyes. I just want this to stop... She looked up at the man that held her in his arms. She leaned her head back against his chest, and her ragged breathing began to even out as she felt Kurama's fingers run through her long locks. She closed her eyes and listened to his steady heartbeat, each of them remaining completely silent. She could feel her eyes getting heavier by the second and soon she was lulled to sleep by the soothing fingers running through her hair and the tattoo of Kurama's heart.

He peered down at the tiny woman that lay against his chest. His lips curved into a ghost of a smile when he saw her sleeping soundly. He relaxed against the headboard of the bed and continued to run his fingers through her hair. He closed his eyes as well, feeling that it might be best if he were there when she woke up. Besides, he didn't want to move anyway. He was comfortable.

{What are you doing?}

Kurama cracked open one eye and looked out the window only to see his friend glaring at him from his perch in the sakura tree that stood proudly outside the room.

{Hiei?}

{Hn. Who else?}

{Of course.} Kurama closed his eyes again and leaned his head against the headboard of Mika's bed. He laced his fingers together enclosing the woman in the safety of his arms. {Mika wasn't feeling well. I finally managed to get her to fall asleep. You were looking for me?}

{Yes, I have. Now get up.} Hiei urged. {We've been waiting for you for almost half an hour.}

Kurama's emerald green eyes snapped open. He had forgotten. His lips twisted into a slight frown as he looked down at Mika who was sleeping peacefully. {Of course.} He let out a silent sigh. {I will be there in a moment.}

Hiei nodded and disappeared from his perch on the tree in a blur of black and white.

Kurama stood up, lifting Mika in his arms at the same time. He gently placed her on her bed and covered her sleeping form with the blankets. He turned on his heel and walked to the desk that was situated beneath the window. He tore a piece of paper from the notepad that lie there and quietly rummaged through the desk's drawers until he found a pen. He hurriedly scribbled down a message and placed it on Mika's nightstand. He walked out of the room and glanced at her once more before he flicked off the light.

~.~.~.~.~

It wasn't long before Mika had finally stirred. She let out a groan as she sat up and rubbed her irritated eyes. She glanced at the digital alarm clock that sat on her nightstand. She had only been sleep for about an hour. She was about to get up when something caught her eye. She picked up the note that sat beside the alarm clock and quickly unfolded it.

Mika,

I hope that you are feeling better. I apologize for leaving so suddenly but there were matters that Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, and I had to attend to. We will return around noon. Please make yourself at home. You barely ate your breakfast. It's in the refridgerator if you're hungry. You're also welcome to anything we have in the pantry and fridge. Please make yourself at home. I will see you soon.

-Kurama

With a heavy sigh, she threw the covers off of her and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She stood up and walked to the bathroom. There was a pile of freshly laundered towels on the counter and on top of that a bright blue shirt and a pair of denim shorts. Beside it was a new toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, a bar of soap, and the essentials for proper hair care. She smiled halfheartedly. Kurama was so thoughtful.

Deciding that a shower was in order, she quickly discarded her clothing and turned on the hot water in the shower. She then set to unraveling the bandages that were now loosely wrapped around her abdomen. The deep wound had just begun to heal.

When steam began to fog the mirror she turned to adjust the heat before she stepped in. The warm water felt heavenly against her skin as and she closed her eyes as she took a deep cleansing breathe. She hadn't taken a shower in a while and it felt good to wash her hair and scrub her body clean. The water stung her wound but not so much that it forced her to hurry.

When she finished, she quickly got dressed feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. She ran a comb through her wet hair and pulled it into a high ponytail to dry. She glanced at herself in the mirror and frowned at her reflection.

Same old ugly me, she thought bitterly as she dragged her nails across the skin of her face. If only I were as pretty as Amy... maybe then Katashi wouldn't have---

She stopped that thought in its tracks and moved her eyes down to the outfit she was wearing. The top that Kurama's friend had lent her was too big; it hung loosely around her tiny frame. She fingered the loose waistband of the shorts and couldn't help but wish that she had a belt.

She turned away from her reflection as she flicked off the lights, and headed downstairs. She flopped down on the couch and reached for the remote on the coffee table. She turned on the television and flipped through the channels before she came to the conclusion that nothing entertaining was on. She rested her head on the arm of the couch as she stretched her legs across the plush black material and let out a sigh before closing her eyes. She remained this way for a while and soon thoughts that she had worked hard to push away slowly formed in her mind.

I need to stop thinking about him... she told herself as she forced herself to stand and began to desperately search for something to occupy her wandering mind. She remembered the forest that she had seen the night before outside her window. She figured a long walk would do her some good. She slid on a borrowed pair of sandles, that were a few sizes too big, and stepped outside. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath of the warm summer air. She then started on her way, turning down the side of the small house and walking beside the low white picket fence that closed in the backyard.

In a matter of minutes, the forest came into view as she walked briskly through the clearing. A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered when she used to walk home from work towards the forest with Taro right beside her, a wicked grin stretched across his rugged face. She shook her head violently as she stepped through. She wished that she could just stop thinking completely. Then she wouldn't have to dwell on her horrible memories.

A sigh escaped her lips as her eyes scanned the overgrown paths before her. She traveled along a random path, her eyes not daring to leave the ground for fear of tripping over the dirt paths littered with hazards such as branches, tree roots, and stones of different sizes and shapes.

"Ready? Go!"

Mika stopped in her tracks and looked around herself cautiously. She could've sworn that she had heard someone yell. She shook her head; it was just her mind playing a trick on her. She continued on her way, not bothering to remember the way she came. She continued to walk when she heard more voices yell. It sounded like they were arguing.

"Shut up, Urameshi!" A voice that she recognized to be Kuwabara's shouted.

Kurama said that they had somewhere to go. What are they doing out here? She wondered as she followed the sound of Kuwabara and Yusuke's shouting voices. She was standing behind a thick tree as she peered around the trunk and sure enough she saw all four boys there.

Kurama sat on a bench made from a fallen tree trunk, his legs crossed with his elbow propped up on one knee as he cradled his face in the palm of his hand. Hiei sat on the ground beside him, leaning back on his elbows with his blood red eyes closed.

"Kuwabara loses. Yusuke wins---again." Kurama shouted.

"Damn it!" Kuwabara yelled.

He and Yusuke were standing in the grass, some of the grass spray painted white in the shape of a large oval, a makeshift arena, that stretched at least ten feet.

"This is the third time today that you've fought me," Yusuke scratched the back of his head and rolled his eyes. "Each time you lost. Why did you think this one would be any different?"

"You know what, Urameshi?" Kuwabara shouted as he lunged at the brunette. "I'll kick your---"

Yusuke had jumped out of the way and let out a loud laugh when Kuwabara landed facedown on the ground. Kurama sat watching the two with a sheepish grin as he fixed the crimson locks on his forehead. Beside him, Hiei sat up as he suddenly opened his eyes and whipped his head in Mika's direction. She ducked behind the tree and closed her eyes. She didn't want to be caught spying. A minute later, she reluctantly peered around the tree again only to both Hiei and Kurama look in her direction. Kurama's emerald eyes narrowed in concentration as he stared into the thick forestry.

"See?" Yusuke snickered as he stuffed his hands in his pockets as he walked past the redhead who had sat up and was now brushing the dirt off his face.

Kuwabara opened his mouth to say something back when Kurama jumped down his seat on the fallen trunk and called both of their names. They approached the redheaded man, and he hurriedly whispered something to them as he jerked his head in the direction of the forest.

"Oi!" Yusuke yelled as he stared into the forest, glaring at something that he couldn't see. "Who's there?"

Mika bit down on her lip as she ducked behind the tree once again. She ran through several possible options in her head. She could either: come out and risk being yelled at; run back to the house and hope that they don't catch her; or she could hide. She didn't want to be yelled at and she didn't remember the way that she had come. She was left with only one option. She scanned the forest for a good hiding place.

"You might as well come out." Kuwabara's voice echoed through the trees. "We'll find you eventually!"

She held her breath as she slowly crept across the clearing towards a cluster of shrubs that sat close to each other. She would hide there until she could somehow escape back to the house without getting caught.

Or so she thought.

She let out an ear piercing scream when she felt her feet leave the ground. She had tripped over a tree root.

"Did you hear that?" Kuwabara shouted.

"You idiot! I'm pretty sure that everybody heard that!" Yusuke shouted back as he ran towards the forest. "We know that you're there! Come out!" Mika let out a gasp. She scrambled to her feet and began to run away from the sound of Yusuke's voice. "I see you! Come back here, coward!" She could hear Yusuke roar from behind her.

"Yusuke, no!" Kurama called out but it was too late.

"SPIRIT GUN!"

The forest around her began to glow a bright white. She could hear panicked yells from everyone and she fearfully turned around and her eyes widened at what she saw. A giant sphere glowing brightly was flying in her direction. She quickened her pace in an attempt to outrun the orb that was quickly closing the distance between the two of them.

"Urameshi! Look what you did!" Kuwabara's voice echoed through the forest. "Call it off!"

"I can't!" Yusuke yelled.

She was beginning to panic. How was she going to get herself out of this one? It was getting closer and closer by the second and it was hard running through this overgrown forest without---

Tripping.

Mika let out a scream as she fell to the ground again. She quickly rolled over and jumped to her feet but that was all the time needed for the sphere to catch up and become deadly close. She shielded her face with her arms and braced herself for the impact when she was suddenly lifted off the ground.

"Hn, you're more trouble than you're worth." Someone hissed in her ear.

She opened her eyes and let out a gasp when she found herself high in the trees watching the orb sail past the spot she had been just seconds ago. She watched as it continued on its way, destroying everything in its path until it began to slow down and eventually explode. Her face turned bright red when she realized that someone was carrying her. She looked behind her only to be met with Hiei's ruby eyes staring at her.

"Thank you," she murmured softly as she looked down, her eyes avoiding his gaze.

"Hn." He huffed. The branch beneath them began to bend from their combined weight causing her to let out a startled yell, wrap her arms around his neck, and hide her face in his collar bone.

"Stupid girl." A smirk stretched across his face before he jumped out of the tree causing Mika to let out a scream from the sudden rush of wind and pull of gravity. He landed on his feet and set her on the ground.

"You're lucky the shrimp was able to get her out of the way, Urameshi." Kuwabara yelled as they crowded around the shaken woman. "You could've killed her!"

"I didn't mean to, you dolt!" Yusuke yelled as he knocked his fist against his friend's head. "I didn't know that it was her!"

"Mika, are you alright?"

Mika looked up only to be met with bright green eyes that stared at her filled with concern. She nodded quickly, her face turning a bright red color.

"Good." Kurama said, relief washing over his face before his eyes widened. He narrowed his eyes slightly, frustration shining in his eyes, as his face began to harden.

She pressed her lips tightly together and watched as Kurama's face slipped back into its usual expressionless mask. She could help but feel a bit disappointed.

When she had regained her composure and was standing, with her feet firmly on the ground, she stared at Yusuke who was currently beating Kuwabara about the head with his fists.

"How did he do that?" She questioned meekly.

Yusuke and Kuwabara stopped their bickering and exchanged knowing glance with Kurama. Mika couldn't help but think that they were hiding something from her. Now that she thought about it---strange things had been happening in the short time that she had known them.

Questions raced through her mind as she recollected the blurred memories of everything odd that had happened. As far as she knew, no one had ever dared to enter her forest for fear of being attacked by wild animals or getting lost. But they had been there---at night. She then recalled how they had been attacked by those... things. She remembered how Kurama had pulled a rose out of his hair and it had turned into a whip. The sounds of the battle was fresh in her mind---the yells, the explosions----everything. And now she found them fighting in a forest in some arena. And then she had run for her life from a glowing sphere.

Things weren't right. Something weird was going on. And she wanted to know now.

"Kurama," Mika reached out and took hold of his sleeve and tugged it. She peered up at him with pleading eyes.

A sigh escaped Kurama's lips as he looked to his friends for approval. Yusuke nodded, Kuwabara shrugged, and Hiei just uttered his usual, 'Hn.'

"I didn't expect our secret to be revealed so soon," Kurama shook his head as he fixed the crimson locks on his forehead sheepishly. "Actually, I was hoping you wouldn't find out at all. Let's go inside for lunch. We can discuss the matter then."

Her lips twisted into a faint frown but she nodded all the same and followed behind Kurama as they all started back to the house.

"Be careful," Kurama warned her as he led the way through the winding forestry. "It's very easy to trip on these paths."

A loud 'oomph' sounded behind them followed by a loud thud.

"Take the idiot as an example." Hiei snickered as he walked past Kuwabara who quickly jumped to his feet.

"What did you call me, shrimp?"

"Give it a rest, you two." Yusuke muttered as he rolled his eyes.

Mika let out a short gasp as her toe caught beneath a cluster of vines that stretched across her path. She threw her arms out to catch herself when she felt something wrap itself tightly around her waist and pull her back to her feet. She looked down to see a single vine slowly unwinding itself from her middle and moving back to tangle itself back around a tree that stood not too far away.

"Good save, Kurama." Yusuke gave him a thumbs-up before he patted the redhead on the back and continued on his way.

"Y-You did that?" She questioned as she took the hand offered to her. She walked along side Kurama, her eyes glued to the ground to make sure that she didn't fall again.

"Yes, I did." Kurama nodded.

"How?"

"You'll know soon enough."

~.~.~.~.~

"You're done already, Mika?" Yusuke slurred through a mouth filled with food that it was amazing that he didn't choke as he talked.

"You eat like a bird!" Kuwabara shouted as he stared at the her, his eyes wide.

"That's exactly what I told her earlier this morning." Kurama said as he examined her pale face.

"If you're not gonna eat that can I have it?"

She nodded as she pushed the plate across the smooth wooden tabletop towards Kuwabara,

"Jeese, why'd you tear into into so many peices, Mika?" He questioned as he began to pile the mini-sandwiches she made into a huge pile which he shoved into his mouth.

"That's just the way I eat." She answered simply. She could feel several pairs of eyes watching her carefully from across the table. She looked down and kept her eyes on the surface of the table in an attempt to avoid their eyes.

The silence was broken five minutes later when a loud belch echoed throughout the kitchen. Mika scrunched up her nose in disgust before she shook her head.

"Niceee!" Yusuke grinned as he gave Kuwabara a thumbs-up.

"Kuwabara, please show some manners." Kurama scolded his friend as he studied them with patient eyes. "We have a guest."

Kuwabara frowned at the redheaded man that sat at the end of table before he muttered a small, "Excuse me."

"You all are idiots." Hiei muttered under his breath earning him a collection of glares from around the table.

A sigh escaped Kurama's lips as he rubbed his temple. "Is it possible for you all to not argue for at least five minutes?"

"Doubt it," Yusuke snorted as he shoved the rest of his sandwich in his mouth and began to chew.

"Yeah! Shrimp here always starts everything!" Kuwabara chimed in.

Mika, who was sitting next to Hiei, could hear him mutter something about slitting someone's throat under his breath.

"Speak up, shrimp! You got somethin' to say?"

"I think that that's enough for today. Is everyone done eating?" Kurama questioned and when everyone nodded, he collected the dirty plates and set them in the sink before returning to his seat. "Alright, Mika. I think that we owe you an explanation."

Mika looked at Kurama and nodded, urging him to continue.

"I understand that this may come as a shock to you and that you may not believe everything that I tell you," He started as he laced his fingers together and rested his chin on his hands. "But I assure you that everything that I speak is the truth."

"This is gonna be long..." Yusuke sighed as he leaned his head against his fist.

Kurama gave the brunette a look before he began in a teacher-like tone, "Well, let's start with the basics, shall we? There are three worlds. The Ningenkai, or Human World if you will, is where humans live."

"Ningenkai?"

"Yes. We are in the Ningenkai currently. The second world is Reikai, the Spirit World. When you pass away the Grim Reaper escorts you to Reikai where you then go through judgment. You can be sent to Heaven or Hell or sentenced to Limbo."

Mika nodded. Curiosity was slowly starting to get to her. So much that she forgot completely that she was being watched carefully. This was interesting.

"The last world is the Makai, or the Demon World. It is a world inhabited by demons. It's not a place that you'd want to be."

"Demons?"

"Yes, demons." Kurama nodded.

"The thing that attacked me was a demon?" She questioned. "So, demons are like monsters?"

The slight frown that crossed Kurama's face went unnoticed by Mika as he attempted to answer her question. "Yes, the thing that attacked you was a demon. But not all demons behave they way they do."

"How do you know? You've met one before?"

"No. I know because, I am a demon."

Mika leapt from her chair in surprise. "W-What?"

"I won't hurt you." His deep alluring voice coaxed as he watched her with smoldering jade eyes. "But, yes. I am a half-demon---a fox demon to be exact. I can manipulate plants as well."

Mika looked around the table suspiciously. "What about you all? Are you demons too?"

"Shrimp here's a mutt." Kuwabara snickered before earning a glare from Hiei.

"Hiei is a half fire demon, half ice demon. He also has several physic abilities. Yusuke," Kurama said as Yusuke flashed a cat like grin, "comes from the Mazoku lineage, but he is mostly human. Kuwabara is a human with an unusual amount of Spirit Energy."

She studied everyone with guarded eyes before she asked meekly, "Why don't you look like them?"

"I beg your pardon?" Kurama's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"Why don't you look like that thing that attacked me?"

"Since we are in the Ningenkai, we can't afford to attract attention to ourselves. We are currently in our human forms."

Mika placed her hand on her head. This was all so very confusing. Demons? Spirit Energy? Human form? What in the world was going on?

"And that thing?" She said, eyeing Yusuke cautiously.

"That was my Spirit Gun." Yusuke smirked. "Cool, right?"

Before she could answer, Kurama continued, "I understand that this comes as quite a shock, Mika. But you must understand that you cannot tell anyone what you have heard today."

She nodded her head furiously. Of course she wouldn't tell anybody. They'd think that she was crazy and she'd be put in a straight jacket!

"Good," Kurama flashed her a small smile which was meant to assure her. "I understand that this may take some time to sink in. Why don't we do something else?"

"Let's watch a movie." Yusuke suggested earning a groan from Kuwabara.

"We did that yesterday."

"Well, what do you want to do?" He snapped as he glared at Kuwabara. "It's not my fault that there's nothing to do around here 'cuz Koenma doesn't have any missions for us."

"Koenma?" Mika questioned as she stared at Yusuke. "Missions?"

"You fool!" Hiei hissed as he narrowed his blood red eyes at the brunette.

"Ooops..."

Kurama turned to Mika and continued to explain. "Koenma is the prince of Spirit World."

Mika urged him to continue.

"We are Spirit Detectives and Koenma is, in a sense, our boss."

"What do 'Spirit Detectives' do?"

"Basically," Yusuke stood at her question and slapped his chest proudly. "We kick ass and save the world."

Kurama shook his head, "I believe that that is one way to explain it."

Mika covered her face with her hands and leaned on her elbows on the table. She closed her eyes as she allowed all of this to sink in. It makes no sense, she thought as she rocked back and forth.

"Mika..." Kurama's voice called softly to her from across the table. "I know that it's a lot to take in. Why don't we focus on something else?"

"Movie?" Yusuke tried again earning sighs from around the table. "I'll take that as a 'yes'."

~.~.~.~.~

"Mika?"

Mika turned from her bedroom door to look back at the owner of the voice that had called her name. Kurama walked to her, his emerald eyes looked ancient and clouded with what she thought was worry. Faint purple was gathered beneath his eyes.

"You can't sleep, either?" She shook her head. "Would you like to talk about it?"

She couldn't help but be surprised at how he was able to read her like a book. After all, they had known each other for about three days!

When she didn't say anything, he sighed slightly and ran his hand through his silky locks. "You're uncomfortable around us now that you know our secret, am I right?"

She shook her head violently.

"There's no need to lie," he chuckled as he reached for her hand. "If you'd like, we could talk about it a bit more. Maybe that would help?"

Mika's lips curled into a small smile as she felt Kurama's warm hand envelope hers. She had never met anyone like him before. He was so kind and so caring. She nodded in agreement and allowed him to lead her down the stairs and into the main room.

"Would you like some ice cream?" He questioned as they ventured into the kitchen. When she nodded slightly, he walked towards the refrigerator and yanked open the freezer. He pulled out a tub of ice cream and placed it on the counter as he went in search of spoons, "I hope Hiei didn't eat it all."

"Hiei likes ice cream?" She questioned as she watched Kurama shuffle about the kitchen. She knew that her assumption was silly, but she didn't think that he liked anything.

"Yes, he does." He turned to her and nodded. "In fact, I think he likes it a bit too much." Mika smiled. "Why don't you sit down and make yourself comfortable? I will be there shortly."

"I don't want a lot," she said before she turned from the kitchen and walked into the living room. She let out a yawn as she collapsed onto the couch. She picked up the remote and began to flip lazily through the channels as she stretched out across the couch much like a cat.

"Here you go," Kurama said a few minutes later as he walked into the room with two cream-colored mugs in his hands. He handed one to Mika as she scooted over to make some room for him on the couch.

"Thank you," She smiled as she took the mug from him. She peered into the mug and frowned. "This is way too much..."

"Oh really?" Kurama's eyebrows collided in confusion, "It's only half a scoop."

"Oh."

An awkward silence filled the air as they began to eat their ice cream in complete silence.

Don't eat it. You have to resist, came that familiar nagging voice in her head.

Mika only allowed herself to taste the sweet treat before she spit it back on the spoon and put it back in the cup. She could feel the small triumph smile wriggling its way onto her lips. Kurama didn't seem to notice as he silently continued to eat. He was concentrating on his own icecream, his eyes staring intently into his cup as he ate. The only sounds were the tinkling of their spoons against the interior of the mugs, the faint ticking of the clock mounted on the wall, and the irritating high pitched voice of the actress on the television screen.

Only taste it, she would continue to tell herself as she brought the spoon back to her mouth. Don't eat it. Just taste it.

When she had enough of tasting the ice cream, frustration began to take over her. She wanted so badly to eat it. But she could hear the voice in her head telling her that she was weak, that she was a bad person. So, she set her mug down and shoved the temptation away from her. She could feel her chest swelling with her success and felt proud of herself for her display of self-control.

It was what she was good at. The only thing she was good at. And it made her happy.

"You have some ice cream on your nose," Kurama reported, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he studied her face.

"Thank you," she smiled as she wiped the napkin he handed her across her nose.

"You're welcome," he responded as he sat his mug back down on the ceramic coaster on the table. He reached for the remote and lowered the volume on the television before he shifted around in an attempt to find a comfortable position on the couch. "Is there anything that you'd like to ask me?"

Mika, who had her head leaned against the couch and her eyes closed, opened them and stared thoughtfully at him.

"Anything in particular?"

She closed her eyes once more as she pondered his question. Kurama waited patiently as she collected her thoughts.

"What is it like to be a demon?" She questioned.

"That's hard to explain," Kurama closed his eyes and frowned. "I would guess that it's the same as being a human. But, I wouldn't know that since I'm not exactly a human and I'm not exactly a demon."

"What do you mean?"

"It is a very long story."

"I want to know."

"Well, you see, I'm actually around 9,000 years old. I never did keep count too well." [1]

She stared at him before asking incredulously, "What? But, you look my age."

"I am your age, well at least Shuuichi is."

"Shuuichi? Who is Shuuichi?"

"My human form, the way I look at the moment, is Shuuichi. I guess you could say that I have three identities. Shuuichi, Kurama, and..." his lips curled into a look of disgust and his emerald eyes seemed to darken, "Youko Kurama."

Mika nodded slowly in an attempt to show that she understood but she really didn't. How could someone have three identities?

"Maybe I should start from the beginning." He chuckled.

~.~.~.~.~

"So," Mika started. She was slowly starting to understand. "You used to be Youko Kurama, the King of Thieves, until a bounty hunter came along and tried to kill you. Instead he wounded you badly."

"Yes."

"That's when you escaped to this world and combined bodies with the unborn baby Shuuichi, which is now your human form, the one I see now. When you regained your strength you had planned to return to Makai but you stayed because you became very close to your mother."

Kurama nodded.

"Your mother got sick and you stole an artifact from Spirit World treasury. The Mirror of Darkness that grants wishes but takes the wisher's life in return."

She nodded as it slowly began to sink in.

"Koenma, your boss, didn't expect Yusuke to die and therefore there were no spaces available in the afterlife. So, instead, he was given to chance to come back to life and he had to work as a Spirit Detective. Then he was given the mission to arrest you, Hiei, and Gouki, because you three stole those artifacts. In order to make up for your crimes against Spirit World, you are forced to work with Yusuke and Kuwabara."

"Yes," Kurama nodded as he looked down, obviously ashamed.

Mika nodded as she allowed all this information to sink in. She peered up at his face, his beautiful eyes hidden by the crimson bangs that hung around his face. She couldn't believe that he had once been such a fearsome thief. He didn't look nor did he act like the type of person he said he once was.

"I understand if you're uncomfortable around me," he spoke as he avoided her gaze, "If I could go back in time and change what I did, I would. But what's done is done."

"It is a bit strange," she shook her head as she leaned down so he could see her. "And I don't understand all of it." Kurama looked up as she continued. "But, what you did is in the past. You're different now." She smiled, "You're trying to make up for what you did. You're a good person."

"I am?" His voice was filled with doubt as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Yes," she nodded as she leaned back against the couch. "If it weren't for you, I'd still be all by myself."

It was silent for a while.

"I really enjoy your company, Kurama." She added as she closed her eyes. "I really appreciate all you're doing for me. You didn't have to do it but you are. And this morning..." she trailed off before she opened her eyes to look at him once more. "Thank you for staying with me."

"You're welcome." He smiled at her but his eyes were still clouded with doubt. "Thank you for your kind words; I really appreciate that. I hope that I'm not bringing back any bad memories. But, do mind me asking why you were so upset?"

She was not prepared for his question. She bit her lip.

"Please don't answer my question if you don't feel comfortable." He added as he watched her face carefully.

She easily slipped into the excuse that he had offered her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he nodded, "Just know that if you ever want to talk, I'm always here."

"Thank you."

"I just realized," he started as he reached for the remote and flipped on the television. "That this is the most that I've ever heard you talk."

Her face flushed a light pink before she nodded in agreement. Silence settled in again causing Mika to shift around uncomfortably. Kurama turned the volume on the television up louder and she gratefully welcomed the distraction even if it did come in the form of a late night black-and-white sitcom.

Neither paid much attention to the show for the next fifteen minutes, only joining in with the laugh track several times, before the credits began to roll. Kurama sighed and flipped to another channel where an hour-long advertisement show flickered to life. It was silent for what seemed forever before Mika finally broke the silence.

"Kurama?"

"Yes?"

She was quiet for a moment, almost hesistant to ask, "Could I meet Youko one day?"

Kurama turned to the young woman who stared back at him, her eyes filled with innocent curiousity. He shook his head slightly.

"You make it sound much easier than it actually is," he let out a soft chuckle.

For the first time, the mask was gone and replaced with a bright smile that lit up his face. She couldn't help but smile back.

"We'll see."

~.~.~.~.~

Author's Notes

[1] - I've done my research and I've come up with many different answers regarding Youko Kurama's actual age. The manga says that he's over a 1,000 years old. In mythology, it is said that a fox gains a tail once every 1,000 or 100 years until they have 9 tails. But since Kurama has 9 tails and he's over 1,000, the only possible way for him to be over 1,000 is if he gained a tail every 1,000 years. And if he has 9 tails and he gained one every 1,000 years, he must be 9,000 years old or older.