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 a 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: Yu Yu Hakusho doesn't belong to me... yet. ;)

Angel's Cry

Chapter 11

"Just Friends"

"Wait, Mika! I know that I bought it with me! It's got to be in here somewhere!"

Mika sat cross-legged on her bed as she watched as Botan dig through the piles of clothes on the floor. Shirts, dresses, pants, and shoes of every color and fabric littered the tiny room in a rainbow of expensive price tags.

"Botan, is this really necessary?" she questioned as she wound a lock of her silvery hair around her finger.

"Of course this is necessary!" Botan stated matter-of-factly as she threw two blouses over her head blindly, "You're meeting Kurama's family!"

Mika heaved a sigh as she rolled over so that she was hanging halfway-off, halfway-on the bed. She stared at Botan upside down, "Yes, I know that. But what does that have to do with all this?"

Botan threw a scowl over her shoulder, "You need to look nice because you want to make a good first impression! You won't get another chance!"

Mika frowned, "But---"

"AHA! I found it!" Botan yelled as she spun around with a tiny white dress in her hands. "Tah-dah! Do you like it? I thought it was perfect for you!"

Mika stared at the bright dress, and she could feel the corners of her mouth twitching in a desperate attempt to keep her face straight.

"You don't like it." Botan frowned.

"No, Botan..." she bit her lip, "I, umm, I think it's wonderful."

"Really?" the deity's face lit up as she shoved the dress into Mika's arms and pushed her towards the bathroom, "Well, then try it on! Try it on!"

I should've told the truth, she thought as she held the dress out in front of her, her nose scrunching up in disgust.

"Hurry, Mika!" Botan called through the door, "I still need to do your hair and your makeup!"

With a sigh she hurriedly stripped down and stepped into the dress. She frowned as she tugged on the loose fabric and pulled the straps that were slipping off her scrawny shoulders.

"Are you done?" Botan called a moment later. "Open the door so I can see."

"It doesn't fit," she said as she unlocked the bathroom door.

"I didn't expect it to," the deity came in smiling with a little pink box, and it made a rattling noise as she shook it. "That's why I made sure I brought safety pins!"

Botan placed the box on the counter, and she gathered a handful of pins before she turned her attention to her friend with her potato sack of a dress.

"Please don't stick me with the pins."

"Oh, hush!"

~.~.~.~.~

"Alright, you're all done!"

Mika turned to look at herself in the large mirror behind her. She grimaced at her reflection, and Botan smacked her lightly on the back of the head.

"Pigtails? Seriously, Botan?" Mika questioned in disbelief as she tugged on one.

Botan smiled. "You want to look sweet and innocent when you meet Kurama's mother!"

"But... I look like a little girl!"

"Nonsense!" Botan waved her comment off, as she turned to pack her stuff. "You look adorable! Now, let's hurry downstairs. Kurama's probably waiting."

Botan rushed out of the room moments later, and Mika lagged behind as she pulled on a denim jacket she borrowed from Yusuke. Sure enough, the redheaded fox was patiently waiting downstairs on the couch with a book open on his lap.

"We're ready!" the bubbly deity called out as she bounced around the room.

Kurama flipped the book over and slid it onto the table and was standing up straight in one fluid motion. He flashed a bright smile at Mika as he came to stand beside her. She smiled at him shyly as Botan circled them excitedly and talked up a storm.

"Are you ready to go?" Kurama asked a few minutes later when Botan had disappeared up the stairs in search of something she had forgotten.

Mika nodded, "Yeah, but let's hurry before Botan comes back."

He laughed, and they heard a loud "hey!" from above.

"Bye, everyone! We're leaving." Mika called out.

"Wait!" Botan called from upstairs, but it was too late. Mika and Kurama had already scurried out the door to escape. She ran down the stairs and flung the front door open, but the squeal of tires across the pavement was her only answer. Her lips twisted into a frown as she looked at her camera with a frown. "Darn! I wanted to get a picture."

"Ahhh, quit sulking," Yusuke's voice came from behind her. He was kneeling down and tying his shoes, while Kuwabara stomped down the staircase. "Besides, video is way better than any pictures. Especially if it's porn."

"Yusuke!"

"What?" The brunette gave her a devilish grin as he straightened up, and she glared at him with disgust. "It's the truth."

"Ugh!"

"Well, are we gonna go or not?" Kuwabara questioned impatiently.

Botan and Yusuke turned; the devious grins that stretched across their faces were almost identical.

"Of course."

~.~.~.~.~

"What are you doing?" Kurama asked as he watched Mika from the corner of his eye. Half of her hair was now loose, and she rubbed her head.

"Undoing these ridiculous pigtails."

"Why?" he grinned.

"It's giving me a headache and it looks stupid!"

He tugged teasingly on the last tail and said sarcastically, "I thought it looked pretty cute."

"Hah!" she frowned as she pulled the other pigtail down, shook out her hair, and gathered her long locks in favor of a messy bun. "For a little girl it may be."

He let out a laugh, and they fell into a comfortable silence. The only sound was the quiet purr of the car as they travelled the crowded roads. It was five minutes later when they turned into a street lined with big yet modest looking houses that he slowed the car, and he parked next to the curb.

"Is this it?"

"Yes," he answered and turned to look at her. His face was the definition of serious. "Now, Mika. I need you to listen to me very carefully. Around my family, please do not refer to me as Kurama. All they know is that I'm Shuuichi. They have no knowledge of demons or my work in the Spirit World, and I prefer to keep it that way."

Mika nodded in understanding, "Okay... Shuuichi."

Kurama smiled at her, "Perfect."

"Whatever you say, Shuuichi."

He laughed as he opened his door, and walked to the other side of the car to help her out. "Watch your foot," he said as she stumbled in the ridiculous wedge heels that Botan insisted she wear.

"Thanks, Shuuichi," she grinned at him.

"Now you're just overdoing it."

They both began to laugh as they began to walk up the driveway. Mika could feel her heart slamming itself against her ribcage as she glanced at the big wooden front door. Kurama seemed to notice her nervousness so he reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Don't be nervous. They'll love you."

~.~.~.~.~

Koenma was sitting at his desk hard at work at the piles of paper that were stacked on his desk. The entire office was silent; the only sounds were the slight 'thunk' of his stamp and the quiet shuffle of papers.

"KOENMA, SIR!"

Koenma leaped out of his skin in fright as the door was suddenly thrown open, "WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO? GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK, BOTAN!?!" he yelled as he retrieved his binky that fell out of his mouth. "Didn't I tell you to always knock?"

"I'm sorry, sir," Botan apologized as Yusuke and Kuwabara took a seat on the couch. "But, we need to use your TV."

"What? Can't you see that--?"

But Botan already had the remote to his magical television, turned it on, and was flicking through the channels.

"C'mon, c'mon, Botan! They're probably already there!" Yusuke yelled.

"Shut up, Yusuke! I'm trying--- I FOUND IT!"

"What is going on here!?!" Koenma demanded in a roar as he watched Botan run and jump on the couch beside Yusuke, and Kuwabara began to pass around a bucket of popcorn.

"SHHH!"

"Mika is meeting Kurama's mother!" Botan explained quickly.

"Really? Are they dating? That was quick---"

"They're not dating---yet," she said, "Ooh! They're there! SHHH!"

~.~.~.~.~

Mika watched as a young boy opened the door. He seemed to be around the age of eight. [1]

"Shuuichi!" he squealed out in delight as he ran to his brother, "You're here!"

"Hey, Kakota," Kurama greeted his stepbrother with a pat on the head. "Have you been good while I was gone?" [2]

"Of course," the young boy said, his dark brown eyes glinting with mischief, "I'm always good!"

"Mmmhmmm..." Kurama grinned as he mussed his younger brother's hair, "Whatever you say."

Kakota grinned, and he turned to Mika. His eyebrows perked in curiosity. "Who's she?"

Mika could feel her face go red in embarrassment as he stared at her.

"Kakota, don't be rude."

"Sorry!" he apologized as he stuck out his hand for a handshake. "I'm Kakota. Who are you?"

She shook the boy's hand, feeling a bit awkward. "I'm Mika."

He nodded, before turning back to his brother, "Is she your girlfriend?"

Mika's face turned bright red as she stared down at her brightly painted toes in embarrassment while Kurama cleared his throat.

"No, Kakota. She's a friend of mine."

"Oooh, okay," he said in a sarcastic tone as he stepped back to allow them to enter the house. He turned around and shot down the hall and out of sight.

As she removed her shoes and her jacket, she could hear Kakota yelling, "Dad! Shiori! Shuuichi's here and he brought a girl!" She could feel her face turning redder, and Kurama shook his head with a slight laugh.

"Please excuse him," he said as he smiled at her, "He likes to over exaggerate, as you can see."

Mika let out a small laugh as she followed him through the house. She trailed her fingers against the smooth wood paneled walls which were decorated with beautiful paintings and family pictures.

"These paintings are so beautiful," she commented as she stared at a painting of a seascape.

Kurama spun around and smiled, "Thank you. My mother painted those actually."

"She did?"

"Yes," he nodded as he placed a hand on her shoulder to hurry her along, "it's always been a big hobby of hers. I've been trying to convince her to donate them to a gallery or sell them, but she absolutely refuses. Our whole attic is filled with her work."

"Wow," she breathed in amazement as they came into the living room where Kakota was waiting for them, his eyes bright with excitement.

"Shuuichi!"

Mika looked up to see a petite woman walking out of what seemed to be the kitchen. Her long dark hair was tied into a loose bun, and she was wiping her hands on the apron tied around her waist. The smile on her face was bright as she moved forward to pull Kurama into a loving embrace.

"How are you, dear?"

"Hello, mother. I'm fine. How have you been feeling?"

She stepped back and put her hands on her hips, "I've never felt better! I'm not that weak, son, and don't you forget it!" she said in a joking tone and laughed.

"Shiori! Shiori! Look! Shuuichi brought a girl with him! Look, look!" Shuuichi yelled, as he yanked on the woman's arm and pointed straight at Mika whose face was turning a tomato red.

"Kakota, cut all of that yelling nonsense out."

Mika turned to see a balding man with short hair and glasses walk into the room from a hallway from the opposite side of the room. He readjusted his glasses as he came forward to greet them. "How are you, son?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"

Hatanaka sighed as he shook his head, "I'm fine, just working hard. It's difficult keeping this little nuisance in line without you around."

Kakota grinned and Shiori playfully smacked him on the arm with a laugh. She walked forward and stopped before Mika.

"I hope you don't mind, Mother, but I thought it would be nice to bring a friend along," Kurama started and she smiled at him.

"Why do you apologize? Of course I don't mind," she turned back to Mika, "I don't believe we've met before. I'm Shiori, Shuuichi's mother. And you are?" she said as she extended her hand for a handshake.

"I'm Mika, ma'am," she said as she shook her hand, "It's nice to meet you."

Shiori withdrew her hand from her as she studied her face with a bright smile. "Mika? That's a very pretty name."

Her face turned bright red which caused Shiori's smile to widened even more, "T-Thank you."

"You're welcome, sweet pea. Please make yourself at home. Would you like something to drink?"

"Ummm," she hesitated as she took a seat on a couch across from the one that Hatanaka was sitting on, "No, thank you."

"Alright," she smiled as she smoothed out her apron, "Well, lunch should be ready soon."

"Would you like some help, mother?" Kurama questioned, "I don't mind."

"Thank you! Some help would be lovely, actually." then Shiori turned to Mika, "Would you like to help?"

"Ummm," Mika bit her bottom lip as her eyes wandered around the room, "I-I don't think that's such a good idea, ma'am..."

"Why not?"

"Well... I can't cook."

"Really?" Shiori's eyes widened in shock, "Are you just pulling my leg?"

The family let out a laugh, and Kurama smiled at her.

"No ma'am," she admitted in embarrassment.

"Well, we'll just have to fix that, won't we?" Shiori smiled as she moved towards the girl and offered her hand. "Come on, I'll teach you. This lesson is free, but I'll have to charge you for the next one, okay?"

Mika let out a laugh as she took Shiori's hand. She smiled at the friendly woman as they walked into the kitchen with Kurama trailing behind with a bright smile on his face. She had a feeling that she was really going to like his family.

~.~.~.~.~

"How can you do that so quickly and not cut yourself?"

Mika was now sitting on the kitchen counter beside Kurama who was busy dicing the vegetables as if he were some world renowned chef. The snaps from the crisp vegetables and the dull thunk of the knife against the cutting board were the only sounds as he and Shiori worked around the kitchen. She looked down at her hands with a pout; many of her fingers were decorated in blue and red Spiderman bandages.

Kurama looked at her from the corner of his eye, a faint smirk played across his lips. "Because I have much better hand-eye coordination that you do. And, I have much more practice."

"Oh, wipe that smug look off your face," she grinned as she shoved his shoulder.

"Ah! My finger!"

"Oh, shut up! You're so mean, Ku---Shuuichi!"

"'Ku-Shuuichi?'" Shiori repeated as she grinned at them, "Is that some sort of pet name for him?"

Her face turned bright red, "No, ma'am."

"What do you all call each other then?" she questioned, "Or is that a bit too personal? You two are so cute."

Kurama stopped cutting vegetables, his face turning a flushed pink. "Mother... Mika and I aren't dating..."

Shiori stopped stirring the broth, and looked at them with wide eyes. "You aren't?"

"No! We're just friends!" Mika added.

"Oh," she turned back to the pot and was silent for a moment as she gathered her thoughts, "Well... I guess what you kids would say now is, "My bad!""

The three of them laughed awkwardly, and continued on silently.

"Shiori?" Mika questioned meekly as she squirmed awkwardly.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Can I use the bathroom?"

Shiori smiled at her and let out a laugh. "Of course! There's no need to ask. It's the second door on the left in the hall."

"Thank you," she said as she hopped off the counter and disappeared into the living room.

"She's lovely," Shiori sighed as she turned to face her son. "Absolutely adorable. Polite. Funny. A bit on the quiet side though."

"Yes," Kurama agreed, "she barely talked when we first met. She's really come out of her shell."

"So have you."

Kurama turned to look at his mother. She was staring at him as if he were another person. A smile was stretched across her face, and her eyes shined with pride.

"I was so happy when you started to hang out with your other friends. But even then, I've never seen you act so silly. She brings that out in you. You two are a good match. You should really---"

"Mother!" Kurama interrupted her, his face turning slight red. "We're only friends."

"Ahhh, I know, I know," she waved him off dismissively, with a mischievous grin. "But, still---"

"Mother!"

~.~.~.~.~

"We got your message and got here as soon as we could," Keiko said as she and Shizuru barged through Koenma's office door.

"What in the world?" Koenma hissed and let out a sigh, "You two too?"

"It would've been three," Shizuru retorted as she sat down on the floor beside Yusuke and Kuwabara, "But Yukina thought that it was an invasion of privacy to watch."

"It is!"

"And?"

Koenma slapped his face and let out an irritated sigh. "So I'm assuming that you all are planning to spy on them until they head home."

"Yup," Yusuke answered, "we'll be here for a while, binky-breath."

Koenma sighed before he hopped out of his chair. He transformed into his teenager form and began to gather all the papers on his desk.

"Where are you going, Koenma sir?" Botan questioned as she watched her boss struggle to carry his stack of papers to the door.

"Anywhere! Anywhere other than here so I can get some peace and quiet!"

The prince slammed the door closed behind him. Everyone watched him go, and then shrugged, and returned their attention back to the television.

~.~.~.~.~

Mika felt a bit intrusive as she flipped through the photo album that she had spotted laying on a tiny table stacked with newspapers in the hall. She smiled wistfully at the pictures, trailing her fingers down the smooth plastic with longing.

As she flipped through the photo album, locations changed suddenly with each flip of a page. People grew older and younger; their hair grew instantly or disappeared, their dark tans from the summer sun faded and reappeared suddenly, the seasons changed---but only one thing remained constant. That overwhelming happiness that was so obviously there. She could see it in the candid photos. In their smiles. In their eyes.

"There you are!"

She dropped the photo album and whipped her head around, her eyes wide like a startled animal's.

"Oh! Ku---Shuuichi, you scared me!"

He grinned, "I know. I was coming to check to make sure you hadn't fallen in."

"Haha," she grumbled as he patted her on the head, "I'm not so little that I'll fall through the hole."

"Are you sure?" he teased as he held his hand over head as if he was comparing their heights.

She stuck her tongue out and reached out to tug on a lock of his hair, not too hard to hurt him but enough to get him to shut up. "Did you come here just to tease me?"

He smiled at her, "Yes. But I also came to let you know that lunch is ready. But I see that you're busy poking around."

Mika could feel her face turn bright red as they both looked down at the photo album that lied facedown and open on the floor. "I, uhmm..."

He took her hand and squeezed it, "its ok. I'm just trying to rattle you, Mika."

"That's not nice either."

"I know," he grinned as he turned around to head back to the living room. "Lunch is ready. I'm going to finish helping Mother set the table."

She nodded as she kneeled down to pick up the photo album to return it to where it belonged. A few loose pictures fell out of the book when she picked it up, and she quickly gathered them up when one caught her eye. She could feel a bright smile form on her lips as she caught a glimpse of a picture of a young boy with messy fiery hair.

"Is this you?"

Kurama spun around eyebrow perked in curiosity, when he saw the picture that she was holding out. "Yes, it is."

"Your hair was so short then! And you were so cute!" When she saw Kurama perk a brow, she felt her face go red. "I-I mean, you were cute then and you still are now--- I mean, wait."

Oh boy...

A smile stretched across Kurama's face as he laughed at her red face. She shoved the picture into the book before she set it back in its rightful place, and she crossed her arms across her chest in embarrassment. When he finished laughing, Kurama shook his head and took her hand.

"Thank you. You're pretty cute yourself."

~.~.~.~.~

"Do you really have to leave so soon?"

Kurama and Mika were standing in front of the front door, sliding on their shoes. Hatanaka, Kakota, and Shiori stood nearby watching. A slight pout was on both Shiori and Kakota's faces.

"I'm sorry," Mika apologized as she slipped on her last shoe and wobbled. Kurama reached out and put his hand on her elbow to steady her.

"We have tickets to a movie. It starts in a half hour," Kurama explained.

"This stinks!" Kakota whined, "I wanted to show Mika my booger collection!"

The whole room went silent and everyone turned to look at the boy with disgust.

"I'm just kidding!" Kakota's eyes were wide, "It was a joke!"

"No, it wasn't." Hatanaka shook his head as he grabbed his son's arm, "That's unhygienic! That 'collection' has got to go."

"No, Dad! It was a joke! I swear!"

"No, it wasn't," Kurama whispered into Mika's ear. "I've seen it."

"Ewww!" Mika giggled as she listened to Kakota wail and yell up the stairs.

"What are you two whispering about?" Shiori questioned, with a suggestine grin.

"Mother!"

"What?" Shiori feigned innocence as she stepped forward to give him a hug. "Promise me that you'll come back to visit soon, son. I miss you during the summer."

"I promise, Mother. I'll come back next week to help you with the housework."

"Ugh. I hate cleaning," Shiori sighed, "One day I'm just going to hire a maid."

Kurama shook his head and they both let out a laugh. Shiori stepped forward to give Mika a hug too.

"And you, missy!" she joked, "You need to come back and visit me soon. You're cooking lesson didn't go too well. Besides, I really like having you around."

Mika smiled at Shiori, "Thank you, ma'am. I really enjoy your company as well."

"Promise to come visit sometime soon. And if you ever need anything, sweetie, don't be hesitant to call. Just ask Shuuichi for my phone number."

"I promise, and I will."

Kurama smiled at his mother and Mika before he opened the front door. Mika wobbled out the door, and nearly tripped again.

"Oh, and Mika?" Shiori was grinning as she stared at the young woman's high heels. "You don't have to dress up all fancy for me. Regular shoes are just fine. Besides, you don't seem like the type of girl to dress up."

"I'm not," she answered with a blush.

"Botan got a hold of her," Kurama explained.

"That explains it!" Shiori laughed, "Well, you two better get out of here! You're going to be late to your movie!"

Everyone said their goodbyes and the pair turned to leave. Kurama held the car door open for her, and when he was settled in, her returned to his side and got in. He started up the engine, and backed out of the driveway and then they were on their way.

"So, what did you think?"

Mika turned to see Kurama watching her carefully with a thin lipped smile as if he were gauging her reaction. She smiled at him, "I had a lot of fun. I really liked them."

He returned the smile before he shifted his gaze to the road ahead, "I apologize for my brother and my mother."

"Why?"

He was silent for a moment, "I apologize for the way that they assumed that we were..." his voice trailed off.

Her face flushed a light pink, "its okay."

Kurama cleared his throat as hurriedly switched to another subject, "I also apologize for my brother's disgusting behavior."

"It's fine," she said, "Don't apologize for their behavior. I loved every minute of it. Even though I still think I could have done without seeing your brother's scab collection..."

They both laughed as they slowed down at an intersection. A comfortable silence fell over them as they continued to drive along.

"Hey, Kurama?"

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, "Yes?"

She folded her hands into her lap and stared at the white fabric of her dress, "Thank you so much... y'know, for sharing your family with me. You have no idea how much it means to me."

He smiled as he continued to stare through the windshield at the road. "You're welcome."

~.~.~.~.~

"Awww, Kurama! Stop teasing me!"

Mika and Kurama were walking through the park having just finished their movie. Mika carried her shoes by the straps in one hand and was walking barefoot across the pavement. Kurama strolled alongside her, his face twisted in a grin.

"My feet hurt! I had to take them off."

"Why didn't you just tell Botan that you didn't want to wear them?" he questioned.

"She's vicious when it comes to clothes."

He opened his mouth to retort, but then he snapped his mouth shut. "I guess I can't argue with that."

They laughed freely as they strolled along at an easy pace. Mika closed her eyes as the wind whipped the loose tendrils hair that framed her face wildly. She felt so free and so much at ease with Kurama. He was the first person that she had ever experienced such a good time with. It was never awkward. Never boring. Rarely ever was it uncomfortable. It was almost as if whenever she were around him, her problems melted away and was replaced with such a genuine feeling of happiness. She wanted to remember the bliss that she was feeling. She opened her eyes and looked at him. This boy who barely knew her but still took her in when she had no where else to go. This boy who had showed her kindness and infinite patience. The one who listened and cared.

My best friend, she thought with a smile.

"What are you grinning about?" Kurama questioned as he smirked back at her.

"Nothing," she replied, her smile growing bigger.

He looked curious, but he didn't press the matter. He turned his gaze to the horizon. Dark billowing clouds floated across the sky. "It looks like it might rain."

Rain?

She could feel her bubble pop and her blissful trance faded away as his words weighed down on her.

"It'll be good for the plants. We haven't had rain in months."

"Y-Yeah," she said in a slightly shaky voice. She saw Kurama perk one eyebrow in curiosity, but he didn't question her as they continued.

"So what did you think of the movie?" he prompted, his green eyes focused entirely on her.

"It was okay," she offered a brief answer as she chewed on her bottom lip.

Her attention was upward. She stared up at the darkened sky and at the billowing smoke clouds that hid the sun. She prayed to God, asking him to calm Mother Nature so she wouldn't send her frigid tears pouring down on them.

She felt a bit lightheaded and her breath caught in her chest when she heard a slight rumbling from the sky.

"Mika?"

She turned to see Kurama watching her carefully, his face twisted with confusion. "Did I do something that upset you?"

She shook her head, "N-no. I'm sorry, I just don't... It's just that all of a sudden I don't feel too well."

"Do you need to sit down?" he questioned as he gestured to an elevated area where a group of picnic tables sat underneath a roof that stood a couple of yards away.

"No, I'll be---"

KA-BOOM!

Everything was a dizzying blur. Two thumps sounded as her fingers went limp. She squinted against the chilly air that blew into her eyes; and the only thing she could see was the rushing of green past her. She could feel her breath coming out in uneven heaves. And she was screaming---screaming like a mad woman. Her legs propelled her forward as she ran for cover.

"Mika!"

She could feel footsteps behind her, and she knew that Kurama was following her. But she didn't stop. She felt raindrops on her skin. It stung as the cold pattered down on her bare shoulders and stained the front of her dress. But she kept running as quickly as she could to shelter. She wrapped her arms around the large column that held up the roof and sunk to her knees.

"Mika! Mika, what's wrong?"

She didn't look up. But she heard two thumps, and realized that he had picked up her shoes that she had dropped. He came to her, and his hands were moving across her skin quickly in an attempt to calm her.

"Are you hurt?" he questioned.

She shook her head from side to side frantically, and let out a shriek when the thunder roared again. Kurama rubbed his hand on her back as he watched her with confused eyes. He looked up at the sky, and when another bolt of lightning flashed across the sky he watched her jump slightly. That's when it struck him.

"Mika," Kurama leaned down and spoke into her ear, "you're afraid of the storm, aren't you?" When she nodded her head and confirmed his suspicions, he knelt beside her and pulled her into his arms and let out a little laugh as he mussed her hair. "I thought you were hurt. It's just a thunderstorm. It's fine."

"It's going to kill me," she breathed; her voice was edged with hysteria.

"It can't hurt you; its just water."

"I don't care!"

Kurama couldn't help but laugh, "You're being silly, Mika."

"I'm not," she lifted her head to look at him as more tears slipped down her cheeks. Kurama's laughter stopped immediately when he saw her tears. He began wiping her tears away with her thumb as his eyes scanned her face.

"You really are terrified, aren't you?"

She pressed her lips together, closed her eyes, and nodded her eyes. Kurama pulled her into a hug, and rubbed his hands soothingly across her back.

"I'm sorry, Mika," he apologized, "I didn't mean to---"

"I know."

Mika felt stupid. She knew in the back of her mind that she was being silly. Here she was, in Kurama's arms, crying over nothing. All it was was rain, right? Water that fell from the sky. But she couldn't shake her past superstitions that were so ingrained into her mind and the irrational fear that surged through her.

She hated the rain. It was a cold, dangerous thing that made her shiver and seeped cold into her skin, her muscles, and deep into her bones. The thought of it touching her skin made her head spin. Rain brought with it its bad luck. It was an omen---like a black cat crossing someone's path, like a flock of ravens circling high in the sky--- and it always would be to her.

"Why are you afraid of it, Mika?"

Unpleasant memories swirled in her mind. She remembered being locked out in the freezing cold as her parents enjoyed the warmth of their lonely home. Her head was still spinning from the car accident that took her grandmother from her. She remembered the running through the wet woods in search of sanctuary with branches grabbing at her like aged gnarled hands, switches slapping her face and cutting deep into her skin, roots of trees tripping her and sending her world hurtling around her. She was screaming as the doctors took her dead baby from her. The rain was a reflection of her sorrow---it was going to drown her in it. It was going to drown her in her own tears which fell heavily just like the drops.

"Bad things," she forced out, "bad things will happen."

"Bad things?"

"Rain always brings bad things."

"What's happened?"

"Too much..." she whispered, "I don't want to think about it."

"Alright," Kurama said, agreeing not to press the subject.

But he did want to prove something.

"Kurama?" Mika watched, her eyes wide with fear. "W-What are you doing?"

The redheaded fox had gotten up and was walking toward the edge of the area. He balanced on the edge of the concrete level. His intention was obvious---he was going to walk out into the rain.

Mika leaped to her feet and ran to him. She grabbed on his arm and began to tug him backwards. "Kurama, no!"

"I'll be fine," he said simply.

"No! Please---"

He broke her hold on him and stepped out from under the roof. Mika watched him with wide tearful frightened eyes. He just stood there, grinning, as he gauged her reaction.

"See? I'm fine. Now it's your turn."

"No," she squeaked in fear as she cringed away.

"Mika, I promise it won't hurt you."

"No," she refused once again.

"Mika," he came close enough so that he could look her in the eyes while staying out from under the roof. He held out his hand for her to take, "Would I let something hurt you?"

She wiped the itchy tears that slid down her cheek, and purposely ignored his question. She cast her eyes downward as shame and embarrassment began to swell inside her, but he caught her under the chin and made her look at him.

"Would I?"

"No," she breathed, but her hands remained stiffly at her sides.

"Then come out into the rain," he took her tiny hand in his and began to pull her to the edge. He gave her a gentle smile when her eyes widened in fear and shot up to look at the overcast sky. "It's fine."

"Something bad---"

"Nothing bad is going to happen. Not when you're with me."

Mika squeezed her eyes tightly as she allowed Kurama to pull her from her shelter and into the open. Immediately, she could feel the cold rain beating against her skin. She shrunk back a bit.

"You're doing fine, Mika," Kurama's soothing voice encouraged her.

She opened her eyes and looked around herself warily.

"See?" Kurama smiled at her as he blinked to clear his vision of rain, "Nothing happened. You're just fine."

She still chewed on her bottom lips nervously. Her eyes darted around as if she were searching for hazards or possible warning signs. She wasn't going to warm up to the rain anytime soon he realized. He shook his head in an attempt to get the water out of his eyes. He watched, slightly amused, as Mika jumped back from the water that flew in her direction. A wicked grin stretched across his face and she watched him carefully. He cupped his hands and watched as they gradually filled with the rain water. He cast a sly glance at his friend before he threw the water in her direction and managed to wet the front of her dress and her face. She let out a loud scream and reached up to viciously wipe her face. But Kurama had already collected and ambushed her with another handful of water.

"Kurama, stop it!" she screeched, her face red with anger.

"It's not hurting you," he grinned as he placed his arm over her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.

"That still doesn't mean that I like it," she whispered.

She still hated the way the chill seeped into her skin. She still hated the way that the rain nipped at her skin and blinded her. And her superstitions were still there.

"Can we go home now?" she shivered as she wrapped her arms around her freezing soaking body.

Kurama smiled down at her pouting face and laughed.

"Of course we can."

Author's Notes

Poor Mika, I made her crazy as hell in this chapter. Hehehe.

[1] - I changed Kurama's stepbrother's age. He was originally a pre-teen/teenager in the manga/anime.

[2] - To minimize confusion, I decided to just change Kurama's stepbrother's name because it's too confusing that they have the same names. Although the spelling is different, it still can get a little confusing at times.