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 does not belong to me.

Angel's Cry

Chapter 15

"Summer Breeze"

These summer days are flying by...

~.~.~.~.~

"Yusuke, please slow down!"

Mika called out her friend's name once more, this time in a heaving voice. She dragged her arm across her sweaty forehead as she slowed her jog to a dragging run. Yusuke, who was jogging a few yards ahead, reluctantly slowed to a stop before he spun on his heel and bounded over to her.

"C'mon, Mika! Only one more mile to go!" he smiled cheerfully, hopping from one foot to the other to keep himself moving.

"Ugh!" she groaned loudly.

"Hey, no complaining!" the brunette frowned, "You were the one who wanted to tag along!"

"I wouldn't have come if you had told me that you run five miles!"

"You never asked. Now, c'mon! This is the last stretch and we're all done for today."

~.~.~.~.~

I've had so much fun; I don't want it to end...

~.~.~.~.~

"Kurama?"

Mika was kneeling beside Kurama in the garden. She wore a pair of bright green gardening gloves and her hair was tied back into a messy bun. A guilty smile spread across her face, and when Kurama turned to look at her, she held out her hands.

"I think I killed your plant."

"Mika!"

"And I think I killed the rosebushes over there too. I told you that I'm not good at this gardening stuff!"

~.~.~.~.~

Kurama says that at the beginning of August, everyone will have to pack up their things.

~.~.~.~.~

"Mika, what are you doing?"

Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Mika were standing in the middle of a large crowd. The young woman blinked at her friend's as if they were stupid.

"I'm beat boxing."

Today was the 15th Annual Tokyo Beat Box Competition, and Mika had decided to tag along with Yusuke and Kuwabara to watch the performances. A young man stood on stage, a microphone in hand, and he was in the middle of a beat boxing routine.

Mika bobbed her head to the beat he was making from his very own mouth, and she tried to mimic the sounds he made. It fascinated her how one person could make sounds that so closely resembled a group of instrument playing all at once. She had always loved music, and to her, this was just another type.

"You suck," Yusuke laughed as he poked the silver haired woman in the head.

She frowned at him before she stuck out her tongue, "Stop sippin' on that Hater-aid, Yusuke."

"I can't believe she just said that!" Kuwabara roared with laughter.

"Oh god, we've finally corrupted her," Yusuke laughed. "Kurama's not going to be too happy about this."

"Yo, check it!' Mika continued as she grinned at the boys causing them to laugh even more.

"Mika, be quiet!"

"We're gonna get kicked out because of you."

~.~.~.~.~

Everyone will have to go back to school.

~.~.~.~.~

"How much sugar have you had, Mika dear?"

Yukina smiled at the silver haired woman who reached across the table and sneakily pulled the sugar jar towards her to get her eighth sugar cube. She pressed her lips together as she withdrew her empty hand from the jar.

"You're going to have a sugar high," Genkai's raspy voice said in a disapproving voice from the opposite side of the room. "And, you should really work on your stealth."

"Darn it! I thought I got you two that time!" Mika whined.

"Nope," both women responded in unison, each wearing an identical grin.

"Ugh!"

~.~.~.~.~

I won't see them everyday like I do now.

~.~.~.~.~

"Shut up!"

Mika's eyes widened in shock as she turned to look at Kurama. The two friends were lounging on the couch watching television.

"Okay..." Mika said slowly as she gave him a weird look, "I kinda wasn't talking, but alright."

"I'm sorry," Kurama frowned while red slowly crept up his face. "I didn't mean to yell."

The silverette shrugged as she flipped to another channel. She smiled at him, "It's fine. Who are you yelling at?"

"Youko. He's been pestering me these last few days."

"Youko? Oh---the voice in your head!"

Kurama frowned slightly, "You make it sound like I'm crazy."

"You sort of are," she grinned as se nudged him with her elbow, "But it's ok. You're the coolest crazy person I've ever met, if it makes you feel better."

He smiled at her.

"So what's he bothering you about?" she questioned curiously.

Kurama's face instantly burned up as if it were on fire. She tilted her head in curiosity when he turned away from her.

"It's nothing."

~.~.~.~.~

It makes me sad to think about it...

~.~.~.~.~

"Hiei, why do you always stare out of the window?"

Hiei averted his attention away from the window and to the silver haired woman who sat on the couch. Her deep brown eyes regarded him with innocent curiosity, and her lips turned up at the corners into a pleasant smile.

He shrugged and turned back to stare out into the sky.

"Why don't you come watch television with me?"

"No."

"Well... why don't you play video games with me? I don't know how they work, but I'm sure we can---"

"No."

Mika's lips twisted into a pout before her lips stretched out into a smile.

"Well how about we go visit Yukina together?"

He couldn't resist. His lips twisted into a tiny smile.

~.~.~.~.~

I'll miss everyone so much.

~.~.~.~.~

"Are you sure that this is going to work, you guys?"

Mika, Botan, Shizuru, and Yukina were huddled together in a tight circle around Yusuke. They stood outside the Yukimura's diner, and the delicious smell of food wafted from inside to the empty night streets. Yusuke was sweating slightly, not only from the fact that it was a bit warm out but also from nervousness. Because tonight, he was going to ask Keiko out on a date. A real date.

"You're going to do just fine, Yusuke." Mika smiled at her friend in reassurance as she helped him fixed his tie.

"This is so exciting!" Yukina chirped beside him, as she brushed some lint off of the shoulder of his tux.

"Keiko is going to love it!" Botan added as she twirled the bouquet of roses around in her hands.

"Careful with those!" Yusuke barked at her, his chocolate eyes narrowing in stress. "I had to steal those from Kurama's garden! It was hard enough with those demonic plants guarding everything, and I don't plan on doin' it again!"

"You stole from Kurama's garden?" Shizuru rolled her eyes, "Doofus, did you ever think that those roses might attack Keiko if you gave them to her?"

"Why couldn't you have just brought normal flowers?"

"I spent all my money already!" he sighed, "Besides, they're perfectly fine, I checked. I'm not that stupid!"

"Calm down, Yusuke!" Mika said in a soothing voice. "Alright, look up---booger check!"

A chorus of disgusted grumbles sounded as Mika tried to crane her neck to check her friend's nose. Yusuke grimaced at her.

"Would you rather I see it or Keiko?" she frowned. "It's clear---all good to go."

"Good luck, Yusuke dear!" Yukina waved as she watched the girls push him towards the door leading into the restaurant.

"Don't screw this up, Yusuke," Botan said as she shoved the flowers into his trembling hands.

Mika squeezed his arm, and he looked at her questioningly.

"I believe in you," she smiled brightly, "Go get her, tiger!"

~.~.~.~.~

Especially Kurama.

~.~.~.~.~

"Mika?"

Kurama leaned against Mika's bathroom door. He kicked his foot back and forth as he let out a sigh.

"Are you ready?" he questioned as he glanced down at his watch. "We're going to be late for the movie!"

"Oh no! Is it three already?" Mika's voice rang out in surprise.

Kurama's eyebrows collided in curiosity when he heard something clatter to the floor. Noises of chaos came from behind the thick wooden door, and it sounded like she was rushing to put something away.

"Ummm," Mika's voice sounded over the noise, "I'll, ummm... meet you downstairs in a minute, ok? I'm dressed---I just need to... ummm... do something."

"Are you okay?"

"Of course!" she called out of the sound of rushing water from the sink.

Kurama pursed his lips as he reached for the doorknob. Mika was up to something, and he was curious to know what. She had said it herself that she was dressed, so he saw no reason why it would be wrong for him to come in. He twisted the doorknob and flung the door open with a huge grin on his face.

Mika let out a surprised yelp as she jumped in shock. A small round compact clattered to the floor, and she hurriedly knelt down to retrieve it before she stuffed it into the drawer and slammed it shut. But that feeble attempt wouldn't hide the truth from her friend.

Cosmetic products littered the floor and the counter in front of her. Some were opened and laying on their sides, the contents spilling onto the marble counter. Others looked to be unopened. A large black palette of different shades and colors of eye shadows lay open beside the sink which was stained a wide array of colors.

"So this is what you've been doing," Kurama grinned.

"Oh, don't tease me!" Mika wailed as she turned away from him and began to clean up her mess.

"I thought you told Botan you would never ever wear this makeup she brought you," he pressed on as he moved to help her clean up.

"Yeah? Well," she frowned and puffed out her cheeks as she dumped the unused bottles into a plastic bag, "I was bored, and I had an hour to kill... and I just wanted to try it. But look at me! I look like a stupid clown!"

"You do look a bit silly," he agreed as he stared at her face that was caked in thick makeup. "But you just have to learn. And if it makes you feel better, I don't think you need to wear a lot of makeup because...

"You're much prettier without it."

~.~.~.~.~

But I'm glad because they promised to visit.

~.~.~.~.~

"Kurama!"

Kurama was busy at work in the kitchen when the front door to the house slammed shut. He scratched his head as heavy footsteps sounded down the hall.

"Whoa, slow down, Mika!" he laughed when the silver haired woman skidded to a stop in front of him. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and she was bouncing up and down with uncontrollable energy.

"Guess what?" she clapped.

"What?"

"I GOT A JOB!"

The redhead's lips curled up into a bright smile but he couldn't help but be slightly confused, "You did?"

"She sure did," Yusuke said as he came into the kitchen, "There's a new jazz joint opening up downtown. We passed by there and she saw the help wanted sign in the window."

"And the manager liked me and accepted me right away!" Mika grinned, "I'm going to wait tables! It's going to be so fun! Food and an open mic every night! People can sing, recite poetry, or whatever they'd like! I'm so excited!"

"That's great, Mika!" Kurama said as he placed his hand on her shoulder, "Congratulations!"

"Thanks!" she smiled before she took a seat at the table, "I thought that getting a job would be good for me. I, mean, in a couple weeks... I'll be all by myself..."

Kurama frowned, "Mika..."

"No, it's okay. I understand that you all have to go back to school. And I don't want you all to feel bad about it, because it has to be done," she said, "But I was thinking that if I got job, it would keep me busy until next summer when you all come back to stay with me!"

~.~.~.~.~

But even though I knew this...

~.~.~.~.~

"Achoo!"

Mika sniffled as she rubbed her irritated nose. She grabbed onto the corner of a small table, as she made her way through the Minamino's basement. She had come downstairs to take a look at Shiori's old artwork while she waited for the boys to finish up their training for the day.

"This is beautiful," she gasped as she took in the beauty of a seascape painting. She ran her fingers across the canvas, feeling the rough surface of the layers paint as she admired the details. She wished that she could dive into the painting, so that she could feel the blistering sun on her skin, feel the sand between her toes, and listen to the waves crashing melodically against the shore

She let out a content sigh as she moved onto the next painting. The next was just as beautiful. And so was the next. And the next. And all the rest.

Mika smiled to herself, as she backed up. But then she let out a loud yelp when she bumped into something. She turned around and she smiled when she realized it was a piano.

"What's this doing down here?" she wondered out loud as she trailed her fingers across the cool surface, leaving behind a streak on the dusty surface. She walked around the length of the piano and lifted up the lid that covered the keys.

Slightly hesitant, she lowered her fingers to the now unfamiliar keys and tapped a few notes. She frowned when she realized that the notes sounded strange. This piano obviously was in need of tuning. She lowered the lid and smiled.

She was definitely going to get this tuned when she got her first paycheck.

~.~.~.~.~

I didn't expect the final day to arrive so soon...

~.~.~.~.~

"Kazuma, hurry the fuck up!"

Shizuru sat in her car, a cigarette hanging unladylike between her lips as she honked the horn once more.

"Damn it, Shizuru!" Kuwabara yelled back at his elder sister, "I'm moving as fast as I can!"

"Well, you're not fast enough!" the brunette beauty yelled as she stepped out of the car and marched past Mika and Kurama who sat on the porch steps and into the house.

"Do you have all your bags?" the silverette questioned as she twirled a long lock of hair around her finger.

"Yes," Kurama answered, his lips turned down in a slight frown. "They're already packed up in my car."

"Oh. That's good," she responded awkwardly and he nodded.

An awkward silence fell between them; the only sounds breaking up the silence was the stomping of people hurrying in and out of the house and Shizuru's yelling.

"Here, I have something for you," Kurama said after a few moments of silence. He withdrew a small silver phone from his pocket and placed in Mika's hand.

"A phone?" Mika's eyebrows collided in confusion, "Oh, no! Kurama, I can't take this. I've got a job now; I'll wait until---"

"Mika, you're not going to start your job until tomorrow. And you won't get paid until the week after," he said with a frown. "I'd feel much better leaving you by yourself if you had a phone with you."

"But---"

"Please don't argue with me," he sighed as he handed the phone back to her. "I just want you to be safe. Besides, if it makes you feel better---it's prepaid. You'll have enough minutes and text messages to last you for a month. And once you get paid, you can buy yourself a nicer phone."

"Alright," she frowned as she slid it into her pocket. "I won't need it though."

"Whatever you say," he grinned in triumph. "The box is on the kitchen table with your phone number. Everyone's numbers are already programmed into your phone; and everyone else already has your number. So you're all set."

"Cool," she said, her lips curving into a small smile.

Kurama must have noticed her lack of enthusiasm because he leaned over and ruffled her long hair. "Don't be sad, Mika."

"I can't help it," she frowned. "It's going to be weird. And I'm going to be in this big house all alone."

"I know, I know. But it has to be this way."

"Can't I just live with you? I'll stay under your bed and you can sneak me food. Shiori will never know!"

"What'll happen when you have to go to the bathroom?"

"We'll work something out."

Kurama laughed at his best friend and just patted her on the head. "How about this? I promise to come visit as much as I can."

"Everyday?"

"I can't."

"Then, no deal!" she stubbornly crossed her arms across her chest in a huff.

"Be reasonable, Mika."

"Six out of seven days then?" she smiled hopefully.

"You're so silly," the redheaded fox shook his head as he laughed.

"I know," she smiled as she wrapped her arms around him in a friendly hug.

Thirty minutes later, Mika stood on the steps to the porch of the house with a water bottle in one hand and the key to the Minamino house in the other. She waved to her friends who cried out their "goodbye"s and their "see you soon"s with a heavy heart. She watched them all leave, one by one. Yusuke and Kuwabara in Shizuru's truck; Kurama in his own car; and Hiei on foot without any luggage.

"Bye," she called out as a cool breeze blew her hair around her face.

"I'll miss you all!"

~.~.~.~.~

Just like a cool breeze on a scorching day,

summer vacation came and went much too soon.

Goodbye, summer.

Goodbye, friends.

Come back soon!

! IMPORTANT UPDATES

1 - I've decided to make a collection of fun one-shots showing more of the events that happened during the summer vacation. I will expand on the ones in this chapter, as well as add some more! So be on the lookout for that!