Somehow it seems like these chapters are getting shorter when I type them up. Don't worry. Although I do apologize for their shortness. They'll get longer as the story goes on, I assure you.

Chapter Five

Dinner time again. She wore a plain white kimono, her obi seafoam green. Her hair was up in hairpins, simple. But it felt strangely hot today. She wasn't sure why.

Kurama walked through the sliding doors, dark circles under his eyes. In each hand there was a tray of food and on his shoulder a bookbag. How curious.

"Hello," he said with a smile. She could tell he was exhausted. He must not have slept. That really wasn't healthy. But who was she to talk? "If you'd like, I want to start the extraction before we eat. I think you'll be less sick that way."

She nodded and began to undo her obi. Seems he was moving fast tonight.

Kurama watched the female kitsune dress herself. A cluster of tiny green flowers stuck out from her hip. He would have to work on that one tomorrow. It was an aphrodisiac, and surely she wouldn't want to have that kind of complication, not to mention discomfort.

She sat down slowly. Now they were both tired. The pain in her back, though, would hopefully be gone after she ate.

"So after dinner, I want to show you something." She looked to his bookbag on the floor in response. "I think you'll really like it."

She silently began on her noodles, averting her eyes to her chopsticks. He sat down in his usal place and began to eat as well. At least it was still warm.

There was silence for awhile, but that was common. she didn't speak. she never did. But Kurama found he enjoyed her company regardless.

Of course you do, Yoko said in a matter-of-fact tone. That's the youkai in you. She's even the same breed as you are.

You know nothing, Kurama snapped. She's part of my work.

You can't lie to yourself.

He ignored this comment and looked to the bookbag. She was almost finished eating. Maybe she would enjoy this. He would have to make a reminder to get Hina some ice cream for this.

When she finished eating her orange slices, he went for his bookbag. "Bring your chair over here," he said. He began to stack the trays to make room on the table. "I'd like you to see these."

Inside the bookbag were three of Tamara's photo albums. He just had to return them before Tamara went home tomorrow afternoon. If he didn't, he'd end up dead in a ditch somewhere. Tamara's photographs were her life.

She brought her chair by his, and he scooted over to make a little more room for her. Hm. Perhaps Koenma could move in a bigger table.

"I'm not sure if you remember, but Tamara is a photographer. She's constantly got a camera in her hands." He started with the black photo album, opening it to a group picture. He pointed to the smiling brunette beside Yusuke. "That's Keiko. She takes pictures, too."

She leaned forward and looked carefully at the picture, cocking her head to the side. At least she was pretending to be interested.

After looking through all the various pictures of mostly the group, and reading all the hand-written quotes Tamara added, they moved on to the pink one. On the front, there was a picture of a little girl with straight black hair and deep crimson eyes. She definitely had her mother's tan skin, but it wasn't near as intense.

"This is Hina," he said, before opening the album. "She's Tamara's oldest. She's a very smart young girl."

There were many ultrasound photos. Tamara really was obsessed. There were a few photos of Hiei curiously feeling Tamara's big belly, and then the group in the waiting room. Tamara's younger and tired face covered in sweat and smiling at her newborn. Pictures of everyone holding her, pictures of her growing up. She looked at each photo intenly, naturally not saying a word.

Kurama didn't have any of Akane's pictures, but he did have one or two from last night. The pictures of him and the girls and Tamara holding Ryuu.

"You're probably wondering why I'm showing you these." Her blank eyes moved to his face at this statement. He picked up the picture of himself, Hina, and Akane. "Right after this was taken, Hina told me why her mother takes all these." He smiled as she took the photo from him to stare at it. "While some say they're to preserve the past, Tamar taught her children that photos highlight life."

Her gaze flitted to his. She looked as serious as ever. "That little girl said that the past is foolish to focus on."

She almost looked surprised. "I'm not sure what happened to you," he continued. "But in order to get out of here, you have to move on. Even after I finish with the plant extractions, Koenma won't let you go until you explain yourself."

She looked away. He suddenly felt guilty. He'd upset her. Slowly, Kurama reached out to touch her, placing a hand on her face and his fingers into her hair. She cringed slightly but she didn't attack.

"I only want to help," he said. "I just need you to trust me."

Her golden eyes widened. It was then that he realized what he was doing. Her flesh was soft and cool. Smooth. So white that it reminded him of the sweet cream put in morning coffee…

He promptly yanked his hand away, feeling his face heat up. He began to almost recklessly stuff the albums back into his bag. "Sorry," he said, standing quickly. "I-I've got to get these back to Tamara's house. She'll kill me if I don't return them."

As he turned to leave, he suddenly felt a grip on his wrist. He couldn't help but sharply inhale. Had she… had she touched him?

"Yuzuki."

His whole body tensed. He spun around to face her with wide eyes. "What?"

She blinked. Her face stayed expressionless, but he could see a pale pink staining her cheeks. "My name… it is Yuzuki."

Her voice sounded like the most beautiful melody he had ever heard. Like a hundred bells ringing together to make the sweetest sound.

"Yuzuki." It rolled off of his tongue perfectly. He smiled slightly. "It took a whole forty three days for you to tell me your name."

"I was not looking to be known, Yoko Kurama."

He prayed the other demon didn't see him shiver. Her voice-he'd never heard anaything like it before. "Well… why not?"

She released her grip and stood up. "Tomorrow," she said. "They will be shutting the lights off soon, and I have not bathed yet."

He looked down at the arm she'd just had in her hand. It had almost hurt. Even with Spirit World keeping her real power at bay, she was strong.

"All right." He collected the trays and slung his bag over his shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow."