Chapter 4: Reconnecting

Hayami's POV

"Hn. Whatever that fool ordered you to do, might as well not do it, Hayami." Hiei said, "I'm not stopping with my plans, and I will destroy that spirit detective of yours."

"Even if it means fighting me, Hiei?" I asked him, making him look at me a bit surprised, "Let's be honest here, we never had gotten to finish our fight back in demon world since we first met. You could just easily kill me because I'm half human and you hated humans because they're weak. You even told Kurama not to get me involved since I never wanted to be a part of your plans, yet you respected my decision, even if I'm half human. What makes it any different that you just wanted to kill every human but don't want to kill me now? You had your chance back then."

"Do you think that I don't care about you, Onna?! Ever since you left, I've been trying to find you with my Jagan eye!" Hiei said clenching his fist. "Not only that, but words have also spread in demon world that Lady Wakumi was killed along with her family. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for me when I heard that you and your family were said to be dead?! Now tell me, Hayami. Is your mother, Lady Wakumi, dead or alive?"

"The rumors were through, Hiei. My mother did pass away...for 20 years now." I said looking at the ground, letting my bangs cover my eyes. "After we buried her body, my father decided to leave demon world. Letting everyone think that we died along with her because we didn't want to face losing someone, we care about that could only break us inside!" I said feeling the same pain as I remembered my mother being pierced through her heart as tears begin to form in my eyes.

Hiei only stared at me in shock. After I left him, it only pains me, because I thought of him as my true friend in which he just wants me to be near him. And when my mother died, the pain just grew more.

"I tried to avenge my mother by killing the ones who had killed her, but only to be blinded by rage that my life was spared, just to mourn over her death!" Tears began to fall from my eyes as I told him what he'd missed. "It took me a year to get over her death! I spent 20 years living in this world to control my new powers with someone and I promised myself that I would protect my family from anything else."

I looked up at his crimson eyes to see that he was shocked. My tears turned into colorful gemstones as they fell to the ground. I quickly wiped my tears as I picked up the gems on the ground.

"If you don't have anything else to say, I guess that your silence means that this conversation is over." I said giving him one last glance. "I hope you are satisfied with what you've missed in my life. And I hope you find Yukina soon... at least you still have someone to call family."

I walked up to the house, opening the door as I stormed up to my room. Not caring if my father questioned my sudden burst at the door.

Hiei's POV

I watched her go into her home, slamming the door shut behind her. I couldn't say anything after hearing the pain she felt about Lady Wakumi- her mother's passing. The only things that I can see in her eyes now when she told her past are anger, sadness, and pain.

'Hayami doesn't deserve to go through this.' I thought as I turned around and was about to jump away until a hand was placed on my shoulder.

I looked behind me to see Hayami's stepfather. Ryuji Ezume.

"Before you go Hiei, I would like to have a word with you, and I know you know what it is about." He said as he removed his hand from my shoulder.

I turned around to face him. "I can reassure you that I don't intend to hurt your daughter. But what I don't understand is why she left and never bothered to see me again." I said,

"Hiei, Hayami believes that you are just using her when you had that Jagan eye implant." He said, making my eyes widen a bit.

"That's absurd! Why would I ever use her for my own purposes? I would never use her as a tool." I said.

"Do you remember the last talk you two had back in demon world?" He asked and I nodded, "She felt like you were throwing her away from what you said. I know she must've misunderstood it, but just the thought made her break inside. Hayami will never admit it out loud, but I can tell she loves you, Hiei. Despite how many times she avoided you, I can tell that she misses you very much."

"I never meant to hurt her feelings." I said truthfully to him, only to feel guilty as to why she's different. "Though I will admit that I do love your daughter. Very much."

Ryuji sighed as he closed his eyes. "I know you'll do anything to protect her from harm and I trust you in that. But she needs to hear this from you, even if she doesn't want to hear it. She's too stubborn like her mother." He crosses his arms before looking back at me. "Also, there's another reason why she didn't come back to see you, Hiei."

"I'm listening." I said,

"After she left you, that was the day when she didn't realize that she had all of her mother's powers. But what made her not return to you is because it was the day when Wakumi was killed." Ryuji said sadly, "Hayami witnessed the fight and instantly knew that her mother was a lot weaker. After seeing the final strike, Hayami went into a blinding rage and pain as her powers grew in an instant. Even attacking the ones who killed her mother, but because she just unleashed that power, she doesn't know how to control it and her attempt to avenge Wakumi failed but her life was spared."

"So that strong energy burst that was from demon world didn't come from Lady Wakumi, but from Hayami, after she was killed." I said, now understanding what Hayami has been through as her father nodded,

"When we buried her body, I decided that Hayami and Ranumi deserved a better life, so coming here to the living world became my option in order to keep them safe, especially my youngest. Of course, Hayami's mentor, the psychic Genkai, trained her and taught her how to best control her powers over the year that she got over her mother's passing." He explained the ending and uncrossed his arms.

"I can tell that changed Hayami's personality because, from the years that I've known her, she's never cold or completely ignorant." I stated,

"True. She used to be so carefree and calm, but ever since Wakumi's death, that personality was taken away. But deep down, I know that her old self is still there." He said, "Hiei, I hope you would be able to talk to her. Like I said before, she would never admit it, but she loves you. Just give it some thought."

I nodded before disappearing away from the area.

'I didn't know you felt that way for me, Onna.' I thought remembering what her father said, 'At least I could say the same, the way I felt for you since our first fight.'

Ranumi's POV

The bell rings, signaling that our second class is over and that it is now lunchtime. I placed my books in my bag as I grab my lunchbox and sat on my seat in the classroom. Most of the students were in the cafeteria and some were eating their lunch there.

"Aren't you gonna eat with us, Umi?" A voice said as I turned my head to see one of my close friends in the school. She had pink hair, and turquoise eyes and always wear her friendly smile.

"It's alright, Chiharu. Maybe next time." I said looking at her, "I just have a lot on my mind at the moment."

"It's alright, Umi. Though if you'd still like to join us for our group study in the library later, just let me know okay." She said and I nodded as she left the classroom.

I stared at my food as I took a bite of it and let my mind wander how the heck am I going to find Kurama in his human form? Hayami did say that he was closer to me but what does that suppose to mean?! Not only that, but father also knows who it is and they're both laughing. Was it obvious or am I just oblivious?

I sighed taking my water bottle as I drank the water until...

"Umi, I would like to talk to you in private." Shuichi said as he stood beside my desk.

My eyes widen in shock as I nearly spit the water out but ended up coughing.

"Are you alright, Umi?" He asked as he gently tapped my back I nodded and tried to stop my coughing. "I'm sorry if I scared you, but I need to tell you something important in private."

I cleared my throat before speaking, "Shuichi maybe later, please. I'm sure you have something else important to do." I looked anywhere but at him.

I noticed that some girls in the classroom who are part of his fan club started glaring at me. This is why I don't want to be close to him.

Shuichi leaned over to the side of my head, making my cheeks heat up as he whispered something unexpected, "I know you're looking for someone...Ranumi."

My eyes widen, causing me to stare into his green eyes. "Wha- Who's Ranumi?" I ask in a whisper tone, trying not to slip my real name.

"I can assure you that you'll find your answers soon enough." He said as he pulled himself up, "Meet me in the library after school...my water lily." He said as he walked away from me, leaving me speechless.

Water lily is my nickname, but only three people know that. So how did he know since I didn't tell anyone about this? More importantly, HE KNOWS MY REAL NAME!

I looked down at my food and I suddenly didn't have the appetite to eat anymore. I started to think and put the pieces together of the clues that my sister and Shuichi gave me...Oh my.

"Shuichi Minamino is the Yoko Kurama?" I whispered to myself as I felt my whole face turning red.

Somehow the day ended quickly. I headed towards the girl's bathroom and locked the door. Needing complete privacy to use my water mirror. I used my powers as water started to form in front of me.

"Hayami, can you hear me?" I asked as an image of Hayami appeared in the mirror, but my sister looks upset.

"Y-Yes, Ranumi. What is it that you need? I'm currently on my way to pick you up." She said,

"No, it's okay. I can come home on my own. There's just something I need to confirm with you."

"I'm guessing it's about Yoko isn't it."

I felt myself blush when she said it so calmly as I nodded.

"Tell me, sister. Is Yoko Kurama, Shuichi Minamino? Because no one else knows about the nickname he gave me. Not only that, but he also knows my real name and he has been trying to get close to me."

Hayami smiles softly. "Looks like we have a winner. Yes Ranumi, Kurama is Shuichi Minamino."

I felt myself suddenly get nervous. "Hayami, he told me to meet him in the library so he could give me the answers, but I honestly feel nervous now that I know his true identity. Not to mention that I've been ignoring him for the past two years that I've known him as a human." I told her,

"Ranumi, don't be nervous. Kurama is still the same demon you once knew when we first met him. He's not gonna look at you any different because you're both in your human forms. He's still a calm fox demon you know." She reassured me, which made me a bit of confidence.

"Thanks, Haya. I'll just see you back at home and don't worry, I'll be fine." I said,

"It's been a while since I've heard that nickname of mine. But alright, just be careful on your way home. Love you, little sister." She said,

"Love you too, big sister." I said as the water mirror disappeared,

I got out of the girl's bathroom only to see Arisu and her followers with her.

"Where do you think you're going, bitch? Going off to see Shuichi?" She said glaring at me as the two girls grabbed my arms tightly.

"Please, let me go!" I said, struggling to get out of their grip.

Arisu grabbed something from my bag and took out the pink lily flower that Kurama gave.

"Hey! Give that back to me right now, Arisu!" I said to her, but she just stood there smirking evilly as she twirled the flower. "Please, give that back to me!" I pleaded, trying not to cry because if I did, my tears will form into gemstones.

"Why should I? Is this really important to you? Such an ugly flower. Just like you." She said, "Do you know what happens to flowers that get ugly, they get destroyed!" She dropped the lily and stepped on it.

"NO!" I yelled when she stepped on it.

I felt as if my whole world just stopped as I stared at the flower. I got out of the two girls' gripped and kneeled down to the broken lily.

"You don't deserve to be here! You don't belong here you freak!" Arisu kicked me on the stomach as I winced in pain.

She was about to punch me when a hand grabbed her wrist. I clutched my stomach as I looked up to see Shuichi- Kurama, holding her wrist, slightly glaring at Arisu.

"S-Shuichi?!" She said scared of what he is going to do.

"That's going too far, Arisu. Much less hurting a fellow classmate is against the rules." He let go of her wrist and kneeled in front of me. "Are you alright, Umi?" He asked,

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." I lied, still clutching my painful stomach.

He looked down at the lily before picking it up and helping me stand up.

"It's best if we let the nurse check on you." He said to me as I nodded,

Kurama willingly grabbed my bag as we walked down to the nurse's office, while I'm still clutching my stomach. I noticed that not many students are in the hallway, making me and Kurama alone.

"Are you sure that you're alright, Umi?" He asked me in which I looked up at him.

"I'm fine...Kurama." I said his name quietly, but enough for him to hear.

"So, you figured it out on your own." He said with a smile looking down at me.

"I need some confirmation from my sister earlier in the girl's bathroom. I'm sorry about the water lily you gave." I said sadly, seeing that he is still holding the broken flower.

"It's quite alright, Ranumi. I know that you've been holding onto it ever since I first gave it to you." Kurama said as we arrived at the nurse's office.

It only took a few minutes, but the nurse said that I shouldn't go to school the next day. I was about to protest but Kurama agreed to it. I sighed and nodded as we left the office and head towards the principal's office to report what happened earlier. He said that Arisu will be given a three-day suspension and that I should rest until tomorrow. I nodded as me and Kurama went out of the school.

"Kurama, I can take care of myself in walking home. Plus, I'm not really a human, remember." I told him, despite that I'm still holding on to my stomach. "I'll be alright by tonight."

"True, but I'm sure your sister would agree with me once I've explained this to her." Kurama said as we began to walk to my home. "You know Hayami is very protective of you."

"I know. She can be a bit overprotective of me and I understand why." I said, "Speaking of my sister, she said that you're one of the three thieves." He stiffened a little after what I said before composing himself.

"Yes. But my reason for agreeing in that alliance was for me to save my human mother's life." Kurama explained. "I can't bear to see her in pain, especially after all that she has done for me."

"I understand. I feel that way when Hayami was also in pain." I looked down sadly, "Ever since mother died, she has been out on her own. Making sure me and father are alright and safe. She doesn't care if her body gets beaten up that's what gets me worried because she's been a fighter since she was a child."

"Your sister is strong and I'm sure she's aware of the consequences of her actions." Kurama said making me look up at him, "All she cares about is what's important to her and that's you and Ryuji. Of course, protecting you specifically." He smirked at the last part.

"She's too overprotective of me." I pouted looking away, mostly embarrassed that my older sister is still very, very protective of me. "I told her to loosen up and have a little faith in me, but no, despite me having my own life, she watches me daily." I complained seeing Kurama chuckle,

"Anyways, here we are." He said as we stopped at my home. "Hmm, it seems that Hiei was here earlier."

I looked at him a bit surprised. 'So that's why Hayami looked upset earlier.' I thought as we bid goodbye. My mind wandered off to Hayami and Hiei's encounter. 'I'm guessing she still hasn't moved on from the pain that has been in her heart for so long.'