Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Love Doesn't Need To Be Said, Just Heard ❯ Love Doesn't Need To Be Said, Just Heard (Kurama One-Shot) ( One-Shot )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A short story I wrote in second person (i.e. "you went to the store", "'How's it going?' You asked", etc.) with Yu Yu Hakusho's Kurama.
You and Kurama were friends since grade school, when you find out he's really a fox demon, it's not under the best of circumstances. A goddess approaches you in a dream and offers you to help Kurama with some of the loneliness he's had in his life, but for a price. Later on, you runaway from home, due some strange events in your life. You live with Genkai and don't meet up with your best friend Kurama until eight years later, at the Dark Tournament. How will you help him out and what is the price you must pay for his happiness? Will he remember you when he sees you at the tournament? Why did you leave in the first place?

Rated T for mild violence and few cuss word.

Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Romance | Type: One Shot | Uploaded On: 03.02.2008 | Updated On: 04.20.2008 | Pages: 8 | Words: 13.8K | Visits: 3.2K | Status: Completed

Authoress Note:
This is my first “One-Shot”, actually, I’d more like call this a short story. Anyways, it’s written in second person, meaning you’re going to be one of the stars of the story, your co-star is Kurama. Feedback on my story would be nice! Please review, wither it’s good or bad, just comment! Thanks for reading! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES OWN THE YU YU HAKUSHO CHARACTERS!!! However, the characters “Kisame” and “Toshi” are MINE!!!

Japanese Words:

baka : idiot
ningen : human
hai : yes; yeah; okay

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PART 1: NEW PLACE, NEW PEOPLE

"Don't worry, honey, everything's going to be okay," Minamino Shiori looked at her seven year old son in her rearview mirror, "I know moving to a new neighborhood and school can be scary, but it can also be fun."
Suichi weakly smiled at her, "I hope so."
"It will so," she smiled at him as they arrived at his new elementary school, "You'll make a lot of friends here and the teachers are more advanced, too, so it'll be better than you're last school."
Suichi looked up at his mother while she held his hand as they walked across the street, "If only you knew how the human children treated me in the last school, then you wouldn't be so sure on me making friends here...", he thought as he remembered the bigger kids that picked on him that he vowed would feel his wrath once he got his demon energy back.
"Now," Shiori stopped outside the elementary's gates, she dusted off and straightened his uniform, then kissed his forehead, "I promise, you'll make new friends. Just be patient, you'll see...Have a good day at school and be a good boy, okay?"
"I will, Mother," Suichi hugged her "good-bye" then walked into the enormous playground that was swarming with first through sixth graders.
Seeing as how there was still twenty minutes before the bell would ring, Suichi sighed and settled himself at the base of a Sakura tree, pulling a book advanced for a third grader to read.
He glanced around to make sure nobody would see him reading "The Scarlet Letter", for people would get suspicious of his advanced reading skills, but luckily no one was around.

(20 Minutes Later)
BRIIIIIIING!
The sudden sound of the bell made Suichi jump a bit and drop his book, but he quickly recovered and grabbed his bag, making a run for his first classroom.
Fortunately, he and his mother took a tour of this place a few weeks prior, so he made it appointed to memorize the buildings inside and out on that visit.
So he had no trouble and wasted no time in getting to his class.

"Now class, we have a new student joining us today. Everyone say 'hello' to Minamino Suichi," his new teacher, Mrs. Niwa, introduced him in front of twenty other students.
"Hello, Suichi," the whole class chorused.
"Suichi, you want to tell the class some things you enjoy doing?" Mrs. Niwas smiled sweetly down at him.
"I like being outside, learning how to cook, and taking care of plants," Suichi fidgeted with his hands as he spoke.
"An outdoors person, I like that," the teacher said, "Well, welcome to Sakura Elementary! Why don't you take that empty seat over there by the window, in front of Miss Hazegawa. Miss Hazegawa, would you please raise your hand so Mr. Minamino knows where to sit?"
A girl with purple eyes, pale lavender hair, and even paler looking skin rose her hand.
Suichi walked and smiled at her politely before taking his seat, she gave a barely visible smile back.

(Four Hours Later)

The bell rang for lunch and children scattered and skipped through the halls to the cafeteria or picnic tables outside.
Poor Suichi wasn't having a good day so far; nobody would want to be his partner in any class activities or games, so he was assigned with someone who wasn't all that thrilled about it; the children started calling him "teacher's pet" for wanted to learn more or studying for tests he was told he didn't have to take, they also called him "Momma's Boy" for liking to garden and cook with his mother all the time.
Nobody wanted to play or talk to him, so he knew he would be sitting alone during lunch today, just like he always was at his last school.

He peered inside his backpack while walking out of the building to see if his nose could get a whiff of what else his human mother had packed for him.
He then realized the book he was reading that morning wasn't in his bag, he moved his school books and things around to try to locate it, but he didn't see it.
"I must have left it under the tree," he thought and he closed his backpack so he could run back to the tree.

"What's the hurry, Momma's Boy?" A fourth grade boy yelled at the running Suichi.
"Yeah, Tomato head, where's the fire?" One of his friends chimed in.
"'Tomato head'?" The main bully's twin sister asked.
"Well, look at him! His hair is so red and shaped so round, it looks like he has a tomato for a head," the second boy pointed out.
"Ohhh," the girl giggled, "Good one, Hiro."
The rest of the children in the group, along with the children that were in ear shot of the conversation, all broke out into laughter and pointed at Suichi's body still running to his tree.

"Insignificant bakas!" Suichi spat once he neared the Sakura tree, "They wouldn't be laughing if I had my 'Vampire Plant' right now."
He began searching the base of the tree and the nearby area for his book, but it wasn't there.
"Perhaps a teacher or student turned it in to the 'Lost and Found'," Suichi said out loud as he headed back to the main building, while doing his best to ignore the still teasing children.

"I'm sorry, but your older brother's book isn't here," the elderly lady at the 'Lost and Found' desk said.
"Oh...thank you for your help," Suichi walked back outside hunched over a bit.

"Hey, look. Tomato head is back," a young girl with black hair elbowed the two head girls in the group.
"What's up with his hair? It looks like a porcupine by the way it sticks out everywhere," the head girl with black hair said, that caused the other girls in the popular group to laugh and giggle, except for the other head girl.
"That's not nice, Mizuki. Even if his hair looks funny or is a different color, we shouldn't make fun of him," the head girl, Hazegawa Kisame, scolded her best friend.
Mizuki just rolled her eyes, "Whatever."
"He looks so sad and lonely," you said as you watched Suichi walk back to his tree.
"Well, if he looks like a freak, a freak is going to be lonely. He needs to learn to toughen up, Kisame," another girl in your group said.
You stood up and grabbed your things, "I'm going to go sit with him."
All the girls gasp and Mizuki tries to shake some sense into you, "Are you crazy, Kisa?! You go over there and you'll be called a freak, too, just because you're playing with him! You'll lose your popularity, the title of 'Most Popular Elementary Girl' will go to some other girl who doesn't deserve it!"
The girls nodded in agreement while saying "yeah"s, "uh-huh"s, or "Don't do it"s.
"Think about it, you want to give it all up for him?!" One girl pointed out.
"I have thought about it, and if this is the way of us popular people, by making fun of others all the time, then I rather be called a freak," you said and pulled away from Mizuki, then briskly made your way over to Suichi.
"You'll wish you didn't do this," a blonde girl, Sara, yelled at you; she saw you shrug in reply and keep going.
"You think she'll come back?" The girl that pointed out Suichi in the first place, Yumi, looked at Mizuki.
"Yeah. She'll come back," Mizuki turned her back to you and went back to her lunch, "I give her one week before she comes running back here, wanting to be away from him."
The group smiled and cast one last look at you before returning to their lunches.

&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&a mp;&&&&&&&&&&&&

Suichi gave a heavy sigh as he stared at his lunch, "At least nobody bothered to steal my lunch."
He then heard the dirt and grass shift twenty or so yards in front of him, "Perhaps I spoke too soon," he clutched onto his lunch box as he saw the girl who sat behind him in class walk towards him.

You stopped three steps away from him, you leaned your upper body down a bit, and had a sweet smile on your face, "Hello, I'm Hazegawa Kisame. I sit behind you in class...uh...Minamino Suichi, right?"
Suichi gave a nod, still holding onto his lunch in case your strange behavior was a ploy to steal his food.
"It's okay, you don't have to worry about me. I don't bite...hard," you giggle a little at your joke while Suichi just blinked, your smile faded a bit, "I'm sorry about what those kids and my friends called you. It was really mean and uncalled for, and if that's how they're going to behave, I don't want anything to do with it! I think you're a nice kid and they should get to know you, instead of teasing you...um...May I sit and have lunch with you?"
Suichi hesitated, but nodded his head shortly after and moved over so you could sit next to him.
"Thank you very much," you say with a bow and another smile as you sit down.

You glance over at his lunch, "Ooh, wantons! My favorite! Did you help your mother make them?"
He looked at you and gave another nod.
"Come on, Suichi-kun, don't be shy. I'm not out to hurt you or tease you, I just want to be your friend, and in order to do that, I need to talk to get to know you; but I can't do that if I do all the talking while you just sit and shake your head 'yes' or 'no'," you tried encouraging the boy.
Suichi gave you a small smile several minutes later, "Yes, I helped my mother make them last night."
"That's much better! Now we can communicate more! Oh...uh...you probably don't know what communicate means, do you?" You rubbed the back of your head, "Communicate means-"
"Give or exchange of information, usually by way of words and/or body language. Body language takes up to ninety percent of what is being communicated, presenting more than the words themselves," Suichi cut you off, then went wide eyed when he realized what he just did.
You stare at him in surprise, your mouth gaped open slightly, "That's...correct. Wow! That was amazing! Usually whenever I start talking like that, my friends...or my used-to-be friends, would never understand me and I would have to explain it over and over again to them on what I just said. You, though, are really smart!"
Suichi looked away from you to the ground.
"Don't be ashamed of it! It's cool to be intelligent, those kids are just cool by popularity and looks, you're cool where it counts, up in your head. That will never change," you pat his shoulder gently, "You like to read, right?"
"Yes," Suichi replied.
"Me, too. I always pick out books that the eighth or ninth graders read, I sometimes like to challenge myself and read even harder things, like Shakespeare or Ray Bradbury," you said, "I like to climb and sit on the highest branches in this tree every morning, I saw you reading here this morning, I noticed you left your book behind when the bell rang, so I kept it safe for you...Here you go."
"Thank you," Suichi took the book from you.
"You're welcome," you smile back.

Both of you jerked when the bell that signaled the end of lunch went off.
"We should get back to class," Suichi said as he stood up.
"Mm-hmm," you agreed, "Hey, Suichi-kun?"
"Yes?" He cocked his head at you.
"Mrs. Niwa's going to be assigning us an in-class project today and we have to pick our partners. Would you care to be my partner? I would like to get to know you more," you ask shyly.
Suichi seemed surprised at your request at first, but then his face formed a happy smile, "I would like that, too."
"Great!" You take his wrist and pull him along side you, "Come on, then! The sooner we get to class, the sooner we can team up!"
Suichi started running back with you, "What do you know, my human mother was right. I think I did make a human friend today..."

PART 2 : FOUND OUT

(One Year Later)

"Hmm...I wonder where Suichi went off to? We always go to his house after school..." school ended twenty-five minutes ago and you hadn't seen him since then, you started searching the campus now, trying to locate him,"Where is he?"
You stood outside the school gates, looking down both sides of the sidewalk to try and spot your friend.

While you were just an ordinary human, your sense of hearing was very good, and you heard something going on down the right of the street, in the park behind the flower shop.

"THIS?! This is the Great Yoko Kurama?! You got to be kidding me! He's nothing more than a weak, human whelp!" A wolf demon swung his leg and hit Suichi in the stomach, sending him into some thorny bushes.
"It's him, my lord, Soto," a lizard demon bowed at his wolf master and smiled at Suichi's pain, "It's written all over his human brain."
"Well, then, Kur-ama," the wolf smirked at Kurama's eight year old, cut up body, "Where are your plant weapons? You're in a place full of 'em, why don't you summon one to aid you? Or is it that you're too scared, huh?"
Kurama slowly rose to his feet, he knew by the pain that his ribs were bruised, if not broken.
"I can't do that, for I still haven't fully recovered from the reason I was initially sent to this world. My demon energy is still rejuvenating from when I had to heal that almost fatal wound," Kurama grunted as he now stood up straight.
"Excuses, excuses. You're just too weak to stop me, even with your powers, and you're too proud to admit it," Soto charged at Kurama, about to strike again, while Kurama desperately thought of a way to get out of this.
His thoughts were interrupted when the wolf demon gave a loud screech of pain and his servant gasped in horror.
After watching the scene, you were going to save your best friend from whatever monsters these guys were.
You had taken a flying leap from a nearby park bench and landed on top of the demon's back. You currently had your teeth sunken into the back of Soto's neck and your fingernails drew blood from his back.
"Leave my friend ALONE, ya big creep!" You let go of his neck long enough to yell in the doggish ear sticking out on the side of his head.
"AHHHHHH!" He screamed again when you bit his other ear and proceeded to rip it off with your teeth.

Soto had had enough and reached his arm back to grab you.
He jerked you over his shoulder while holding you tightly by the neck, and glared murderously at you, "Filthy, ningen, wench! How dare you?!"
You were only able to breath for a few short moments after he sent you flying through the air, then the wind was knocked out of you when you hit the cement, park pathway and skidded against the ground several feet, causing your abdomen to cut open in six to then gashes.
"Excellent job, master" The lizard demon known as Taka, applauded with glee as he jumped up and down, "Oh, please, please let me eat her! I'm sooo hungry, mi' lord. Her flesh will be a true delicacy!"
"Do as you please with her, Taka, for I have no use of her," Soto gave a wave of the hand in approval as he slowly stalked up to Kurama, "You, on the other hand, will not be as lucky as the girl. Let's try this again, shall we?"

Soto drew his sword from his sheath and swung it down, blood splattered everywhere, and the body slumped over.
Soto stared wide eyed in disbelief, "You! You don't know when to give up, do you, girl?!"
He placed his foot on your chest and pushed you onto your back as he pulled his blade from your upper-right chest, letting it swipe across the rest of you chest to your other shoulder.
You placed your hand on your fresh wound, you looked up and glared at Soto, "I'm not going to give up when my best friend's life is on the line! No matter what you do, no matter how many times you try to hit him, I'm going to remain in your way!"
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha," Soto burst out into cold, hard laughter, "You actually think this boy is your friend?! You are sadly mistaken and wasting your energy over a worthless fox demon!"
Soto glanced over at Kurama's angry face, "What's this? You didn't tell her?! Well, this makes things even more enjoyable!" Soto stalked up to you and locked onto your eyes as he cupped your chin, "You see, girl, the boy you are so desperately trying to protect isn't who you think he is. He's nothing more than a lowly, conniving thief. He took a soul-less human body to recover his strength when he was wounded almost a decade ago; he's going to leave you, his mother, everything behind as soon as he recovers his demon energy again. He's just using you, like everyone else he's come across, to blend in and save his skin from Spirit World; and perhaps, even Human World.
You've been played, little girl, your life shall end upon saving a thief who posed as your friend."
The wolf demon began laughing again, but stopped when you threw a sharp rock at his right eye, making a large diagonal cut across his eyebrow down to his cheek.
"I don't care!" You were standing next to Kurama with more large, sharp rocks in your hands, "So he's a demon and a thief, so what?! He's still a better and bigger man than you, you big coward!"
"What?!" Soto was stunned by your outburst.
"You heard me! You're nothing but a yellow-bellied coward! You're beating him up when he can't even defend himself, thinking yourself as a big, tough guy for defeating Kurama; but the fact is you're too weak to take him on in his true form with his true strength, that's why you're fighting him now," you yell at him.
"Why you little- GAHHHH!" You cut him off by throwing the largest stone at his right temple, making a possible fatal gash.
"Master!" Taka woke up from when you knocked him out with a rock, he rushed to Soto's side, he then opened up a portal for them to escape through.
"You'll pay for this, wretched ningen! Don't think you're safe either, fox! I'll get you both some day!" Soto promised as his servant pulled him through the black hole.

You plopped onto your butt as soon as the demons were gone, panting a bit and holding pressure on your wounds.
"Kisa!" Kurama knelt down next to you, you just stared at the ground, "Kisame?"
He hesitated for a minute before brushing the bangs out of your face, for he wasn't sure how you felt about him right now, and whether or not you wanted him near you. You didn't pull away, though, didn't even blink.
When Kurama moved the pieces of hair out of your face, he pulled back quickly with panic, you were crying, "Kisa..."
"Why?" You whispered, then looked at him with more tears streaming down your face, "Why did you lie to me? Why didn't you tell me you were a fox demon in hiding?! Do...do you hate me?"
"What?!" Kurama continued looking at you with wide eyes.
"Do you hate me?! Do you hate humans? Do you not like me at all?!" You started crying even harder, from the pain in your heart and body.
"No!" Kurama practically yelled, he sat next to you and pat your hand, speaking softer now, "I don't hate you, or my mother, or humans in general. Even though some can be very troublesome, but I don't hate you."
You sniffled a bit as you calmed down, "You...you still want to be friends?"
"If you'll forgive me," Kurama smiled hopefully.
"Mm-hmm," you nod and rub your eyes, "Friends."

"Can you walk?" He asked.
"I think so," you try to stand up but can't, due to the large amount of blood loss, "Or not."
"We need to get you back to my house, and fast. Um...wait here!" Kurama told you and ran back to the school.
He came back three minutes later, running to you with a red wagon being pulled behind him, "I saw some kids leave this by the school's dumpster this morning, saying they didn't want it anymore. We can use it."
He helped you get inside the wagon, "Don't worry, I'll get you back as quickly as I can," he said and started pulling the wagon while running to his house.
"Kurama?" You called him, "Does your mother know you're a demon?"
He paused but then looked over his shoulder at you, "No. You're the first and only person to know, except for Soto and Taka, but you must promise not to tell anyone unless I say it's okay."
"I promise," you vowed, "Can I still call you Kurama when no one's around, though?"
"Yes, I would like that," he replied.

"Kurama, what are we going to tell everyone when they see me like this?" You inquired.
He hadn't really thought about that until now.
"We're going to tell them what happened, only cut out the parts about those guys and I being demons," he finally replied.
"So say I saw you being harassed by some men and I helped you out, but they hurt me, too?" You double checked your story with him.
"Exactly," Kurama continued running non-stop to his home, "Also say it was a large knife instead of a sword, a sword won't wound as believable."
"Got it," you confirm.

"Mother! Mother!" Kurama started yelling as you both reached his front yard, he ran up his front steps, "Mother, came quickly! Kisa's hurt!"
"What?!" You heard Shiori gasp in horror and both of them running back outside to you, "Oh my-! What happened?! Never mind, that doesn't matter now! What matters is we have to get you to the hospital. Suichi, go get the car keys and my purse, please."
Kurama already had them in hand, for he grabbed them when coming out with his mother, "Right here, mother."
"Good thinking, Suichi. Now open up the car door for me and Kisa, please," she praised her son while lifting you out of the wagon and carried you to the car.
"Don't worry, we'll leave in a minute," she reassured you before having Kurama go back inside with her to grab wet and dry clothes, and some quick snacks.

You started closing your eyes because you felt tired, but you heard both mother and son climb back into the car, slamming the doors shut.
"Kisa, Kisa sweetie, don't close your eyes," Shiori told you gently, "I know it's hard, but I need you to stay awake until the doctors say you can sleep, okay?"
"Uh-huh..." you said as you try opening your eyes again.
"I'll help her stay awake, mother," Kurama said while lifting up your shirt a bit so he could apply pressure to your cuts, like his mother asked him to inside the house.
"Come on, Kisa, you gotta open your eyes," he shook you left shoulder, you opened your eyes half-way and kept them there, "That's it! Now, let's tell my mother what we did in school today."
"Yes, Kisa, tell me. I love to hear what happens at school," Mrs. Minamino said, trying to help get your mind off the pain you were in and keep you awake, while still being genuinely curious.
"We...we...uh...learned about the...American laws...how their laws differ from...ours," you were trying so desperately to stay awake.
"Good, good," she smiled and encouraged you more, "What are some of those differences?"

PART 3 : STOLEN GIFT

Kurama sat in his seat, remaining on high alert for the nurse that took you into the rooms.
It had been an hours since you were brought into the doctor's room, fifty minutes since your parents arrived, thirty-six when your older twin siblings showed up, and twenty-four minutes since he talked to the police about what happened, according to his plan, of course.

He was very anxious to hear what was going on, as was everyone else, but more so was Kurama because he felt this was all his fault; if he had thought of a plan of action, or found a way to get you out of danger, this wouldn't be happening.
It was all just like the incident with his mother a few days ago, when she caught him and got cut up with that dish. His mother saved him, now Kisa. Why couldn't he do something for one, if not both of them?

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Mr. and Mrs. Hazegawa. Are you people here for Kisame?" A middle-aged nurse walked up to the group of six.
"Yes. I'm Hazegawa Kuroto, Kisame's father. How is she?" Your father stood up when the nurse spoke.
"To be honest, sir, not very well," the nurse had a sympathetic look on her face.
Your mother gasped and clutched onto her husband's arm as she held her other hand to her mouth.
"Your daughter has lost a tremendous amount of blood, along with four broken ribs and has a large piece of bone chipped and lodged inside a primary shoulder muscle," the nurse's husband and the doctor taking care of you, Dr. Takahashi, explained to everyone.
"We need your permission to get her into surgery, to extract the bone piece and give her blood transfusions. Without the blood, she'll die."
"Of course! Whatever it takes to save our girl," your mother said, slowly standing up next to your dad, "How does the transfusion work?"
"We need a blood type match for her's, in this case, Type A. Then we have to run a few quick tests on the donor's blood to make sure there's not diseases or irregularities, once we have the green light, that blood will be transfused into Kisame's blood stream," the nurse, Lyla, explained.
"None of us have Type A, she must have inherited it from my mother," your father said sadly.
"I have Type A," Kurama suddenly said; though he didn't know if his demon energy was mixed into his human blood or not, he still wanted to do something to help, "She can have my blood."
"Suichi, are you sure?" Your mother, Haru, asked him.
Kurama nodded, "Yes, I'm sure. I want Kisa to get well again, and she needs my blood to stay alive, then get better."
Shiori smiled at him while giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she looked up at the doctor, "Can he do that?"
"Yes," Dr. Takahashi nodded, "This way, please, you two. I need you, Mrs. Minamino, to fill out some forms, then we can draw the blood promptly."

(15 Minutes Later)

"Doctor Takahashi, could I see Kisa? Just for a few minutes," Kurama asked after the blood was drawn and already tested.
"Seven minutes, but no more. You also have to wear a smock and mask, so her cuts won't get infected," the doctor agreed and held out the items to Kurama.
He wasted no time in getting them on and entered into your hospital room, where you were lying down, completely drained of color and shivering slightly.

Kurama looked at your face and shook his head as he whispered, "Why...?"
"K-Kurama...-kun?" Your eyelids flutter open at the sound of his faint voice.
"Hai, it's me," Kurama forced himself to smile for your sake.
"How are you doing, Kurama? Are your ribs hurting? That demon looked like he kicked you pretty hard, you must be in pain right now," you asked as concern filled your eyes.
Kurama stared at you in utter shock, here you were on perhaps your death's bed, and you were worried about him. Why?!
"I'm okay, Kisa. I'm more concerned about you, how are you feeling?" He asked while still being confused about your words.
"Doing fine. The doctor says I'll be going into surgery soon, and I'll be getting some of your blood to replace what I lost, so thank you," you use a lot of your energy to give him a beautiful smile.
"No, Kisame, don't thank me. I'm the one who let you get into this mess, I'm sorry I didn't think faster and got us both out of that situation. I had a feeling that us being friends would lead to trouble someday...maybe it would have been better for you if we didn't meet," Kurama glanced down, feeling ashamed.
SLAP!
Kurama's cheek stung and he flung his head up to see your right hand shaking a bit, for you used the last of your energy to wack him one.
You glared angrily at him, "Don't. Ever. Say that! You're the only person who truly excepted me for me, and I don't care how many times I get hurt, because it'll be worth being friends with you forever."

A knock came from the door and Lyla stepped in, "Time to leave now, Suichi. Kisa needs to go to surgery."
"O...okay," Kurama responded, still in shock from your strike; he looked back at you, the scowl gone from your face and replaced with a faint smile.
"See you later, Suichi," you said.
Kurama smiled and nodded, "See you later, my friend. Don't worry, things will go well."
"Thanks, buddy," you said and closed your eyes.

~Your Dream While In Surgery~

"Hello?" Your steps echoed throughout a vast, empty, dark room.
You could only see a few feet in front of you, the floor appeared to be made of black glass, and it reflected your soft glowing form.
You had your hands clasped together and held up to your chest as you continued to look for any source of light or someone around.
"Hello?" You called again.

You saw a small, white glow about fifty yards ahead, so you ran towards it. As you came closer and closer, you could make out it was a person sitting hunched over, then saw it was a young man, one with white ears and a tail.
You slowly approached him and gently tapped his shoulder, "Who...Who are you?" No response, "Um...Hello?"
"He can't hear or see you, dear," a woman dressed in lavish garments stepped out of the shadows on your right.
"Oh...um...who are you?" You ask timidly.
"My name's Midori, I'm one of the goddesses," she smiled sweetly at you.
You gasp and bow humbly, "My apologizes for my rudeness, my lady."
She let out a light laugh, "It's alright, Kisa, dear. Please, just call me Midori."
You nod your head then glance at the guy with ears and a tail, "Who's he, Midori?"
"He's your friend, Kurama. His full name is Yoko Kurama and this is what he looked like as a fox demon, before he was forced to take on a human body," she replied.
"Oh..." you walk to the front of your friend to see his face, "He's very handsome."
"Yes, he is," the goddess nodded her head in agreement and continued to watch you curiously.

You brush the bangs out of his eyes and face, he didn't even flinch.
You frown at the look in his eyes and look back at Midori, "He looks so sad...so lonely."
"That's because he hasn't had anyone love him. He lived a lonely life stealing to survive, then to make him stronger and smarter, but throughout his experiences, he's never truly known love," she explained.
"He's never loved someone, nor had anyone love him?!" You gasp.
She shook her head "no".
"Not even his mother and father?" You ask.
"His parents died when he was very young, so he doesn't really remember them. He's always taken care of himself and been self-taught, always alone, with the exception of some of his thieving buddies," she said.
“What about a girlfriend or a mate?” You inquired.
"Yoko never knew what love was, so he never had a girl for long. He did drown a lot of his sorrows in women, though, he was..." Midori stopped, wondering if this was appropriate to be saying to a seven-and-a-half year old.
"A womanizer?" You supply.
"Smart girl" she thought before answering, "Yes, a womanizer."

You reach out and pat Kurama's ears as if comforting him, "I wish there was something I could do to make him happy and less lonely."
The goddess' face lit up as if you said the magic words, "You really willing to help your friend in any way?"
"Mm-hmm," you nod but don't look away frm his golden eyes, "I really want to help him somehow."
"I can make that happen, Kisame, but I need your help," Midori said.
"Really?! How?" You ask excitedly.
"I can't tell you everything, for things have to show themselves in time, but I can tell you we can help him," she got down on her knees in front of you and Yoko disappeared, "I need to take something very precious of yours in order to activate the spell needed to make it work. Don't panic, though, for you'll get it back when the wish has come true and Kurama has found true love and happiness. Are you willing to give it up for him?"
You didn't even hesitate when you looked at her straight in the eyes with your answer, "Whatever you want, I just want my friend to be happy. Like he made me when he accepted the real me to be his friend."
"Alright then," she stood up and smiled at you, "When you wake up, things will have already started in making the wish come true."
"Thank you," you smile.
"You're welcome, my child," she held out her hand and you took it, causing bright light to fill your eyes, "Sweet dreams."
Your eyes shut tight and you begin to drift off into a dreamless sleep.

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"Kis a? Kisame?" You felt someone tap your arm.
"Nami, let your sister wake up on her own," you heard your father say to your eleven year old sister, who was previously tapping you.
You slowly force your eyes open and gaze around the room to see your family and your friends, the Minaminos.
"She's awake!" Nami's twin, your brother, exclaimed.
Your mother leaned over your bed in her chair, she smiled at you and stroked your forehead, "Oh, Kisa, I'm so happy."
Shiori, practically your second mother, also leaned over on your left, petting your hand, "How are you feeling, sweetie?"
"A little tired and sore, but I think I'm okay," you said, more like, tried to say; for when you spoke, no words came out.
Everyone in the room looked at you in surprise and shock, they all saw your lips move, but heard no sound.
"What's happening? What's wrong with me?!" You tied speaking again, but still nothing came out.
"Doctor! Doctor Takahashi!" Your father ran out of your room to find the doctor.

You turn your head slightly and lock onto Kurama's worried gaze, then it hit you.
"I need something very precious of yours...When you wake up, things will have already started in making the wish come true," the goddess' voice from your dream rang in your ears.
You close your eyes and lie down,"My voice; that's what she wanted in exchange. How is it me being mute will help Kurama, though?"
You instantly fall back to sleep, with the sound of doctors and your frantic family talking to each other in the room.

PART 4 : UNLOVED

"Perkan's School for the Deaf and Mute," you read the big, gold letters on the tall building.
This is where you were now going to go to school, you would learn to speak again through sign language here, and the rest of your family would take night classes so they could learn what you would be saying.

On that day, three months ago, the doctors couldn't figure out logically what happened to your voice. So they lied to your family in saying the cut across your upper body and neck was what caused your vocal cords to be damaged, even though you knew the real reason and their story was more on the brink of impossible than your’s was.

Now here you stood alone, intimidated by this white building, about to go in to learn and make your life better.
"Here it goes," you thought with a heavy sigh and took a step forward.
You gave a short yelp, one of the few noises you found you could still make to express yourself, when you felt someone's hand on your shoulder.
"Calm down, Kisa. It's just me," you whirled around to see Kurama smiling at you.
"Kurama? What are you doing here?" You mouthed to him.
Lucky for you, Kurama was a true friend by dedicating himself in learning how to read lip movements to determine what you were saying.
"I asked my mother to have me attend school here with you. You need a familiar face to make you more comfortable, and I need to learn sign language, too, if I'm going to try and keep up with your talking," Kurama explained.
"You're the best, Kurama-kun!" You mouthed and hugged him tightly.
"You're welcome," he hugged you back, "Now, let's go, or we'll be late for class!"

(Three Weeks Later)

"Argh! Kurama! This is too hard! I never going to learn how to wreak sign language," your hands and arms move rapidly in making the signs to your quick learning friend, who had already learned over a thousand signs over a short period of time.
"It just takes practice and patience, Kisa. You'll get it, with the right help, of course," Kurama said, he leaned forward and made some signs with your hands, "And that's 'I'm' and this is 'speak'."
He showed you the signs that you missed or messed up on in your conversation.
"Like this: I'm tired of learning how to speak like this. I'm not as smart as you are," you sign in despair.
"Not true, you're very smart, you've learned to speak this language very quickly. You just make a mistake here and there, is all, you'll get better over time," Kurama reassured you.
"I hope you're right," you sign.
"I know I'm right, you'll get it," he said, "And I'll be here to help you every step of the way."
You smile at him, "Okay, then let's get back to work!"
"Alright," Kurama chuckled at your enthusiasm, "Try signing this story for me."
He handed you "The Scarlet Letter", you smile remembering the book, you then begin signing it slowly and carefully.

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(5 Years Later)

You sat on your bedroom's window seat, staring out into the backyard. You sighed and drew invisible pictures on the glass, unable to get our best friend, whom you left behind, out of your head.

Your family moved to the other side of town, where there was bigger homes with more room and less crowded neighborhoods. Your parents had to move here because your dad got promoted to another building on this side of Tokyo.
Because of the move, you had to leave Kurama. Not thinking you would ever see him again, that is until you spotted a boy that looked an awful lot like him a few days ago, at a school a mile and a half from your school.

You got up and slipped on your shoes, you wanted to go see him.
Yes, you both kept in touch by e-mails and letters, since you couldn't exactly talk on the phone, but you hadn't seen him since your twelfth birthday eight months ago. You wanted to see him in person, what better way than seeing him at school, he always stayed later after school, so you could still catch him. That is, if the boy you saw really was him.
Guess you'd find out in a few minutes.

Nobody was home at this time of the day, Dad was at work until eight, and Mom took the twins to a doctor appointment then to Karate class. No one would know you were gone unless they came home early, so you left them a note saying you went to the park and for a walk around town.

You took a bus to the school you saw the boy in, praying the whole trip it really was Kurama.
You wanted to see him so badly! Not just because you missed him, but also because you were getting these weird sensations and urges recently that you wanted to ask him about.
For example, two nights ago you didn't want anything else but meat, and it had to be rabbit. That same night, you saw a bunny playing in your backyard and you chased it around, as if you were hunting it.
Then there were these moments at random times of the day, or sometimes only once or twice a week, where your whole body would feel like it was floating one minute then drowning the next. You would sometimes get these uncontrollable chills when you had no fever and everything else was normal. Not to mention you loved playing in the water a lot, which wouldn't be all that abnormal if it wasn't for the fact that it was early Spring and sixty-six degrees outside!
You were hoping your demon friend might have some answers for your strange behavior, because you were sure this wasn't part of the puberty package.

You walked through the school's gates, finding the campus mostly deserted, except for a few students and teachers around.
You wondered how you were going to see if Kurama actually attended here, not like you could just go up and ask someone. So you were just going to have to wing it and find him on your own.

You walked through the empty halls on the school's second story, so far no sign of the red-head you saw the other day.
You were about to walk to the stairs to go up the next flight, when you spotted Kurama in a Science Lab class, for Science Club no doubt. You were happy to see he was the one you saw earlier.

You were about to walk in to surprise him, but a girl with raven hair tied in a bun walked up and hugged him.
Your eyes went wide when you saw Kurama hug her back, a heart melting smile on his face.
The girl giggled, "Hi, Suichi-kun! I've been looking all over for you."
"You should know by now that I'm always here after classes, Maya," Kurama said as the two of them parted.
"He he. Yeah, I know, but I just missed you and wanted to know if you wanted to go out for some ice cream. You know, like we always do every Thursday?" She playfully poked his nose.
"Oh, Maya, I'm sorry. I completely forgot!" Kurama apologized as he took off his lab coat and grabbed his bag, "How 'bout I pay for it, as an apology?"
"Don't you always," Maya smiled while the two of them walked out of class.

SCREEEEECH! SLAM!!!
The door to the stairs squeaked and slammed shut, causing the pair to look in that direction.
"Strange, maybe one of the students left in a hurry, but nobody was here except for us..." Maya thought out loud before an idea lit up her face, "Ooh! Maybe there's an angry ghost haunting this school, trying to warn people to leave, or else it'll--"
Kurama tuned out on Maya for a few minutes as he concentrate on the aroma in the air, "Funny. It almost smells like Kisame's scent, but that's impossible. She doesn't even go to this school...No, you're just imagining things."
"What do you think, Suichi?" Maya broke him out of his thoughts.
"I think it's unlikely, Maya. It was probably a teacher or the wind blowing from an open window," Kurama replied with a smile.
"Oh," Maya said disappointingly, but soon cheered up," Doesn't matter, 'cause I'm positive I'll find a ghost one of these days."

You were running down the street with tears streaming down your face, it seemed like Kurama had found a girlfriend, and wouldn't have time for you anymore.
You were extremely jealous of this Maya girl, you had always loved Kurama, but she got his love in a short period of time.
Granted the way your love for him was different. It started as brother-sister love; then what parents would call "puppy love" before Soto and Taka attacked, a young age, but still love nonetheless; now you found yourself practically head-over-heels for Kurama.
You know you had to be truly in love because you could hardly get him out of your mind, you missed the times you played together, when you would teach each other new things. The day he got his demonic powers back and showed you his tricks every so often. How he would scrunch up his nose and bite his thumb when you made him laugh, and how much he pushed your laughing buttons and pretended he could hear you laughing again.
It looked like you wouldn't have those things again, now that he had a girlfriend to replace you.

You didn't realize you ran four miles until you collapsed in your backyard, digging your fingernails inside the grass and earth while making little noises as your crying continued.
One of those tingling, cold sensations came over your body, this time it was stronger than ever, but you didn't notice. You did, however, notice your hands numbing slightly and the grass you were clutching on grow brittle.
You stopped crying long enough to see a six foot diameter patch of ice around you. Upon letting go of the grass, it shattered like a glass statue, and the sensation settled down in your blood.

You slowly placed your hand on the inch thick ice ring, it instantly turned into water, and absorbed into the earth.
You scramble to your feet in fear and turn to run, knocking over a full watering can sitting on the porch table, you reach your hands out to catch it as it fell. The can hit the floor but the water didn't, it remained floating in this blob shape in the air space between your hands.

Your eyes widened even more and your heart rate went up. What was happening to you? Why were these things happening? Were you some kind of freak?
A freak, that's what your family would think of you if they saw this.
This fear must have reacted somehow with your "powers", for the water that was floating came crashing down to the ground like a torrent of rain at the thought of your family.
You had to leave, to get away, it was the only thing to do in a situation like this. For you didn't know what was happening and how it worked, what if this "power" turned on and they saw you, or worse, it hurt them. For their protection, and possibly your own, you had to run away, far away.

You went upstairs and packed your favorite clothes and possessions in a large duffle bag and backpack. You strapped the backpack on and slung the duffle bag around your shoulder as you went downstairs and packed some food, extra supplies, and your hidden money safe.
You exited the house, giving it one last look "good-bye", with a silent fair well to all its attendants and belongings, and then ran down the street to catch a west bound bus out of town.

PART 5 : A NEW LIFE

Three hours, two buses, and hundreds of miles later; you found yourself in a mountain-forest area, seemingly deserted, with the exception of a few animal species.
This would be your new home, far from any person you could hurt, and safe from anyone who might want to hurt you.
You spent the next four weeks making a home in a cave about two miles from the road.
You made a bed out of leaves, flowers, and two blankets you brought; a little camping stove for cooking; a stream half-a-mile down for bathing and laundry; finally, two boxes of food supplies you went and bought in a town thirty miles farther west, along with berries and roots Kurama told you that were okay to eat awhile back.

You lay huddled up in your blankets, shivering as a storm raged on outside your temporary home. Fortunately, the rain poured down the mountain side, rather than into the cave.
Even though it was noon, there was nothing you could do outside, so you were going to go back to sleep.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" A voice came from the front of the cave.
You squinted through the dim atmosphere and made out the silhouette of a short woman.
"A human girl, what are you doing here?" The woman stepped into view and the fire light showed she was an old lady with light pink hair, wearing some ancient style clothes, "What's the matter, cat got your tongue?"
You shook your head "no" while patting your throat, hoping she would get the message.
"You're a mute, huh?" She said, "Can you talk in any way?"
You nod your head and make charades to say you knew how to read and write, and you signed you would speak through sign language, but you thought that part was useless.
"You can sign, good. I'll be able to understand you better," she sat near you by the fire, "You seem surprised an old lady knows sign language, I learned it a long time ago. Can't sign very well, but I can read the signs still. So, how long have you been in my mountains?"
You bow apologetically, "I'm sorry, I didn't know this place belonged to you, I thought it was public. I'll leave right away if you want."
"That's not necessary, just answer my question," she said.
"About a month," you signed.
"A whole month my yourself? Feh, you got guts, kid. What about your family, don't they miss you?" She asked.
You shook your head.
"I see..." she seemed to be pondering something, then she abruptly stood up, "My temple's a few miles from here, this storm's getting worse, so it's best to leave now."
She started heading to the cave's mouth, she then glanced over at you, "You expecting me to carry your stuff? Get it and let's go."
You weren't expecting her to be inviting you to come with her, but you did as you were implied and quickly put your things inside your bags, then followed her back to her home.

"Have some tea, it'll warm you up," the old woman handed you a cup, you thank her and drink up, "Would you mind telling me your name and why you were living in a cave?"
"My name's Kisame, but everyone calls me Kisa for short. As for why I was in that cave, it's hard to explain," you sign and stare at your tea.
"Hmm...Kisa, do you know how I found you?" She asked but didn't give you time to answer, "I was a teacher of the martial arts and helped students master certain abilities they might have possessed. I went out for a walk this morning before the rains and I felt your strong aura coming from the mountains. Tell me, Kisa, do you possess some sort of power?"
"I'm not sure, I think I might have control over water," you explained, starting to trust and even like this woman, you then explained to her what happened on day you ran away.
"Interesting," was all she said when you finished, "Listen, Kisame, I don't do this for anyone, but I like you so I'm giving you an offer. Would you like to stay here and have me train you on how to use your powers? Of course, I'll require you to do some chores around here to earn your food and board."
"You would do that for me?!" You ask excitedly, the bow low, "Yes, yes, please! I would love that, uh...Miss...?"
"Genkai," she simply stated.
"Yes, please, Master Genkai. I promise, I'll work hard on both my chores and training," you still remained bowing.
"Polite and hard working, I like you, kid, you've got spunk. We'll begin first thing at dawn," Genkai sipped her tea.
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you," you sign and finish your tea.

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Over the next two years, you dedicated yourself into training and doing your best for Master Genkai.
You learned very quickly, unlike in your academics, which you still had lessons from books and old scrolls she owned.
You had a great mastery over your powers, consisting of water, ice, telepathy, a highly strong sixth sense, and even dabbled in using plants. You made sure to work hard and never slack off, even did extra training on your own everyday.

Not only had your powers grown, but your body shape and appearance. Your hair became a dark purple, you gained curves, and had great agility and strength, despite the fact that you looked thin and frail.
Also, on the night of the full moon, you would get a redish-brown tail and ears; you could also get these at will, but they uncontrollably appear on full moon nights. Genkai said this, your darker hair color, and powers were due from Kurama's blood that had some demon energy in it, it enhanced and corrupted your Spirit Energy into becoming what it is today. You kept your promise to Kurama, though, and didn't tell her Kurama's name when you said he was the blood donner, just said it was a demon friend.
Speaking of Kurama, you wondered how he was doing, while you were still jealous of Maya and thought he forgot about you, you still found yourself always thinking of him, still in love with him.

Your thoughts on the matter came to a quick halt when you had to dodge a blast of Spirit Energy about to take off your head!
"Yusuke, you pea-brained, dimwit! I said aim for the boulder, not Kisame's forehead," Genkai hit her newest student, Urameshi Yusuke, in the back of the head.
"Well, it's kinda hard to concentrate with ya harpin' on me all the time! Sheesh!" Yusuke rubbed the back of his head, then threw you an apologetic look, "Sorry, Kisa! I didn't get ya, did I?"
You shook your head and waved your hand as if to say "no harm done".
"Good," he smiled and gave you a thumbs up.
"Not for you," Genkai's stern, rough voice sounded in his ear as she sat on his back, "We're going to sit out here all night without dinner if we have to, until you get this right!"
"Aww, man!" Yusuke groaned.
"Quit complaining, slacker! Now position yourself again, and this time, don't screw things up!" Genkai barked.
You made a type of giggling noise in the back of your throat at the scene before getting up to go back inside.

Genkai advertised that she was taking on an apprentice almost four months ago, you didn't participate because you felt you weren't good enough for the position. Besides, you were happy with the way things were now; you had your own room, free food, work and training to make you stronger, games to play, and Genkai became like an Aunt to you, giving you all the company you needed.
Well, her and Toshi, of course. Toshi was a four-tailed fox spirit who became your friend and self-appointed guardian a short while after you came to live here. He wasn't a demon exactly because he didn't have a form that resembled a person, although he did have demonic powers and had four different sizes, but officially he was called a Spirit Fox.

Back to the apprentice thing, Yusuke was the one who made it through all her tests, so now he had the "honor" of training with Genkai. Though he didn't see it as an honor, more like a pain in the neck, mostly because he did everything half-assed, as Genkai put it.
You found Yusuke very funny and fun to be with when he wasn't training, although it was kinda hard talking to him since you had to write everything down, but the brother-sister relationship between the two of you was worth it.

(4 Months Later)

You were talking telepathically with your new best friend, Yukina, an ice maiden who came to live with you and Genkai two months ago.
Genkai suddenly showed up in the room, with a bag slung over her shoulder.
"Where are you going, Genkai-sama?" Yukina asked.
"The Dark Tournament, but you both must promise to keep it a secret. I'm going to be fighting with Yusuke and his friends on his team, and I don't want him to find out," she responded.
"Can we come with you?" You ask.
"I don't see why not, just keep on eye on Yukina, for other demons will be there, and they won't hesitate to snatch either one of you," Genkai said as she put on her mask, "I have to leave now, here are some tickets and boat passes to get you to 'Hanging Neck Island'. The last boat leaves in four hours, so be a 'Demon's Peer' on time, or you'll be left behind."
You two nod your heads and go pack a weeks worth of clothes.

"Kisame, do you think I'll find my brother at the tournament?" Yukina asked you on the boat ride over to the island.
~"It's very likely, and I'll be here to help you find him, just like I promised"~ You smile down at her as you finish your telepathic reply.
"Thank you, Kisa," she hugged you from the side.
~"Don't mention it, just glad to help"~ You hug her back, just as the boat landed ~"Well, here we are...Hey, isn't that girl with the blue hair the one that brought you to live with us?"~
Yukina follows your finger to a perky girl with her hair in high pony-tail, talking to the two other girls with brown hair, "Yes, I think that's Botan."
You both walk to the small group of girls.

"Lookie here, it's Yukina!" Botan smiled at the sight of you both, "Oh, and who's your friend with the mask?"
"This is Rika," Yukina replied, "Rika's very shy, so she doesn't speak to anyone but Master Genkai and I. She's wearing the mask because she can't breath this air, it has too much demonic energy in it. She came to help me cheer on Yusuke and the others while helping me look for my brother."
Earlier on, you told Yukina to tell everyone to call you by your middle name and say you wore the mask for breathing purposes, even though you were slightly sensitive to demonic energy you breathed in. Truth was you wore the mask and changed your name so nobody would see your identity in case you had to fight or if you stayed here until the night of the full moon when your fox traits showed, that, and nobody would suspect Genkai being the "Masked Fighter" if they didn't recognize you.
That's also why you had Yukina lie in saying you were too shy instead of saying you were mute, because you knew if Yusuke saw you, he might catch on.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Rika!" Botan shook your hand, "I'm Botan; this is Shizuru, Kuwabara's older sister, I assume Yukina has mentioned him; and this is Keiko, Yusuke's girlfriend."
You gave a nod to each girl in response.
"We're heading in now. Yukina, why don't you and your friend join us," Shizuru said.
"Splendid idea, Shizuru!" Botan grabbed Yukina's hand and pulled her inside.
"Come on, you can sit with me," Keiko smiled at you while gently taking your hand.
You smiled back, you liked these girls already.

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It couldn’t be, but it was! There in the ring, on Yusuke’s team, was Kurama! You knew it was him, how many people in the world have candy apple hair, and control plants?!
You didn’t pay attention to the match, for all you could think of was seeing your friend again. You were determined to at least look at him up close and meet the team.

The day seemed to go on forever, but finally you and the girls stood outside the team’s room, about to go and play some games to celebrate their first victory.
To be on the safe side, and protect your identity from Kurama’s sensitive nose, you used your powers to create a light coating of water on your body, sealing your scent and your power levels inside the thin water barrier.
“All right, boys, the party has arrived!” You sweatdrop at Botan’s perky methods as she burst through the door, holding up sodas like she were a model advertising it.
“Yukina!” Kuwabara jumped up from his seat on the couch and held her hands affectionately, “How have you been? Did ya miss me?”
You weren’t the only one glaring at him in protective mode over her, for the fire demon you saw on the window sill was joining you as well.
“Hello, Kazuma-kun,” Yukina smiled, which made you tone down a bit because now you knew she knew and liked him.
“Who’s the girl with the mask?” Yusuke pointed at you.
“Yusuke, don’t point! It isn’t polite!” Keiko slapped the back of his head.
“This is Rika, she’s been hanging with us. She’s here to watch over Yukina,” Shizuru placed her hand on your shoulder, then pointed to the guys in the room, “Rika, this is my younger brother Kuzuma, but they call him by our last name; Hiei’s the one by the window; you’ve already heard of Yusuke; can’t say who that is other than the ‘Masked Fighter’; and last, but not least, that’s Kurama.”
“Any friend of Yukina’s is a friend of mine, especially if you protect her. I’d do it myself, but I gotta save Urameshi’s ass and pick up the slack on the team,” Kuwabara gave you a goofy grin while patting your hand.
“MY SLACK?! If anything, I have to take care of the mess after one of your sad excuses of a fight!” Yusuke bellowed and the two of them engage in a fist fight by the couch.
“Pay them no heed,” Kurama came up to introduce himself formally, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rika.”
To keep your “shy act” believable, you had to take a step back and behind Shizuru, to look timid around them.
Kurama seemed a bit hurt, until Yukina explained, “I’m sorry, Kurama, she’s not trying to be rude. She’s just extremely shy, that’s why she doesn’t talk to anyone but me.”
“What’s up with the mask?” Yusuke asked as he left Kuwabara twitching in pain on the floor.
“Too much demon energy in the air, makes it hard for her to breath without it,” Keiko explained.
“Enough of the formalities, let’s get this party started,” Shizuru said.
Everyone agreed then started playing games and eating, while you just sat quietly with Yukina, content on watching everyone have fun.

PART 6 : REUNITED WITH THE PAST

“Kisa-chan! Yusuke and the others are here!” Yukina ran into your room with a smile on her face; you were back home now, the tournament had ended three days ago.
~“Okay, okay! I’ll be there in a second!”~ You reply with a smile of your own, she then leaves and you turn to Toshi sitting on your bed, in his normal six foot tall form, ~“Let’s go say ‘hello’, Toshi”~
~“Of course, Master,”~ he said with a nod.
~“Kisa!”~ You yell at him with your mind, ~“Kisa or Kisame.”~
~“Sorry, master,”~ Toshi’s ears fall back on his head, as you climbed onto his back.
You slapped your forehead at his response, but let it go and he takes you outside.

“Whoah!” Botan stared at the fox demon. (I know, it’s a Fox Spirit, but demon’s easier to say)
“Ahh! It’s going to eat me!” Kuwabara hid behind his older sister, “Kurama, you’re a fox, tell it not to eat us!”
The gang heard a chuckle come from the fox, then saw your head pop up from behind Toshi’s.
“It’s got poor Rika as a hostage!” Kuwabara started freaking out then stepped forward, “Don’t worry, I’ll save you!”
“Stupid, it’s Rika’s pet,” Yusuke said.
“Nice. Why have a pet hamster when you can have a four-tailed fox?” Shizuru remarked and put out her cigarette.
“Toshi’s more like her friend than pet, he’s also her guardian,” Yukina said.
You give a small wave to everyone from on top Toshi, then you all headed back, but Kurama stopped you.
“Rika, could I talk to you in private for a moment?” He asked.
Toshi gave you a questioning look, you give him a reassuring nod, he lets you down then follows the others into the shrine.

The two of you walked all the way to the beach, you stand under a pine tree close by the shore, and Kurama’s under the tree next to you.
“I wanted to ask you something,” he started, “You’re not really shy, are you? You’re a mute, am I correct?”
Your eyes widen, you lower your head, then nod a bit.
“I figured you were when I saw you the first time at the party,” he said and look out to the see at the sunset, “Or should I say, the first time in almost eight years...Kisa.”
Your head snaps up at the sound of your real name, he found out.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Better yet, why did you disappear in the first place? I find out that my school is close to your house, so I go for a surprise visit, but I find your family in tears and your father say you’ve been missing for three days!” He’s now in front of you, if you didn’t know any better, you would swear he looked as if he were going to cry from the memory, “I spent the last two and a half years searching for you. When I met Yusuke, he tells me about a mute girl named Kisa living with his teacher. I was going to come to see if it was you, but I had to leave to the tournament.”
“How did you know it was me?” You ask.
“I’ll admit, you’re a good actress, but I can recognize your eyes anywhere. The rest was putting two and two together,” Kurama brushed a stray hair out of your face and tucked it behind your ear, “Why did you leave?”
“Because of this,” you raise one of your hands then a stream of water from the sea comes to you, you form the water into a compact sphere and send it into a tree, making it and a few trees behind it snap in half like they were toothpicks, “I couldn’t control it back then and if my family found out.....I just couldn’t stay!”
“You could have come to me,” he gently stroked your cheek.
“Not when you were too busy for her,” a familiar voice came from behind you, “As I recall, she saw you with your girlfriend, Maya, I believe her name was. That’s what activated her powers, that was also another reason why she left.”
"Soto!" Kurama growled at him and pulled out his rose whip.
"Now, now, Kurama, you wouldn't want to harm Kisa," Soto wagged his finger, then chains appeared from the shadows and wrapped around you tightly, "You try to attack me and the chains around her will painfully activate her powers, providing a wonderful shield for us, repelling your powers."
Kurama grit his teeth in anger, but lowered his weapon.
"That's a good boy," Soto said, "I told you both I would come back for my revenge. Though you, my pet, were harder to find. Guess you don't have much to say now, do you?"
You start to gag when the chains wrap around your neck and squeeze a little.
"Let her go!" Kurama demanded.
"Don't think so, I'm going to keep her as my mate. She may be a little rough around the edges, but she's a pretty thing, plus she has a bit of demon blood in her, so she's good enough for me. Thanks to you, by the way. Her energy was transformed from the blood you donated to her, she became a water master and gained fox traits. " Soto planted a kiss on your neck and Kurama turned into his demon self, giving him a vicious warning growl.
"Why, Kurama, what gives you the sudden interest in her? You didn't care about her until now, even after she gave up her voice for your happiness, then you break her little heart by making Maya your girlfriend. After all Kisa did for you, too. You just feeling guilty and want to atone for it?" Soto smirked.
"What are you talking about?" Kurama yelled.
"Looks like it was Kisa's turn to keep secrets from you. According to Koenma's file reports, the goddess Midori took Kisa's voice to grant a wish she had to give you happiness and true love. Then she goes to visit you in school one day, but finds you have another one to take her place," Soto cooly replied, then looked at you as you chocked back tears, "Isn't that right, my pet?"

"I say we kill this guy!" Yusuke was about to charge out of his hiding place in the bushes, when Hiei stopped him.
"No. This is Kurama's battle, let him take care of it," Hiei held out his arm, "The only thing we can do now is grab Kisa when the time comes."
"Fine," Yusuke folded his arms and looked back just in time to see you break free by using your ice powers to break the chains.
Yusuke and Hiei took care of Taka, who was going to jump out and attack them, while Kuwabara was on Toshi’s back and snatched you out of harms way.

Kurama wasted no time in attacking Soto, he used his demon speed to advance, and slashed his arm off with the rose whip.
Soto counter attacked with his powerful sword.
The two of them exchanged blows for the next ten minutes, as you and the others watched on.

Kurama had a smirk on his face, then a plant came up from the ground and dug itself into Soto's body, completely immobilizing the wolf.
Toshi bared his teeth and charged at Soto, mouth open to snap around his torso.
"You don't need to see this," Hiei picked you up and ran full speed to a different part of the beach, miles away. (you’re like a lil sis to him)
"He's coming," Hiei put you down then left.
"Wait! Who's coming?! Soto?"You thought in panic.
You turned around when you heard the silver haired Kurama come out of the bushes.
"Are you hurt?" He brushed his hand across your face and scanned your body for any sign of injury.
“I'm fine. You?”You signed.
"Better, now that Soto and Taka won't be coming around any more. Toshi and I took care of them," he saw you swallow, knowing you knew what they did.

"Kisame, what Soto said about your voice, is it true?" Kurama broke the silence a few minutes later.
You cast your eyes to the ground and nod.
"You did it...for me?" Kurama was almost unsure he believed what you did, he saw you nod again.

The next moment happened so fast, you barely were able to register that he was kissing you.
It was just a simple, soft kiss at first, then he slowly moved his lips over yours, making the kiss more passionate and holding the back of your head to deepen it more.
Your heart speed up to an alarming rate, this was the best moment in your whole life. The moment you've always dreamt and longed for.
You pull him closer to you and kiss him back just as passionately.

He pulls away to give you both air a few minutes later.
"Wow..." you breathed out, your eyes went wide, and your hand went directly over your mouth.
Kurama's hazel eyes were just as large as yours when his fury ears heard you, "Kisame...did you just speak?"
You shrug your shoulders.
"Try saying something again," he urged you.
"Like what," you were afraid to say it, because you thought it would turn out to be a dream, and you were mute again.
"My name, say my name," Kurama pressed his forehead against yours, "Please, I want to hear you say it again."
"Kurama-kun, I love you," you say.
"I love you, too," a smile grew across his face and he kissed your lips again, "You're voice is so soothing and beautiful, I love it when you say my name."
"I love saying it," you smile, your ears and tail then pop out, due to the full moon over head.
"How cute," Kurama smirked seductively at you and twirled your tail around his finger, "It looks so sexy on you."
You blush a deep red and bury your face into his chest, the rumbling from his laughter vibrated through your body, making you laugh along.

“See Kisa, you don’t have to speak in order for someone to realize that they love you. His affection for you came from his own heart’s ears. For love doesn’t have to be said, just heard,” Midori watched you both hug then chase each other along the beach, “Now, they can have the happiness they deserve by being with each other. All they needed was a push in the right direction. Not bad for the goddess of love.”
Midori’s form flashed white and her spirit took off into the heavens, leaving the new couple to live their lives in bliss, and as future mates.