MangaMaid Notes: Yes, I finally updated! I'm sorry for such the long wait, but life kinda hit me hard for a few months. I'm very sorry about that, but hopefully this chapter will make up some for it! I hope you enjoy!

...

"You like him."

"I do not."

"Do too."

"I do not." It was times like this that Akira wished she could gag Kumori with a sock. Ever since Kurama's compliment had made her blush, Kumori had teased her in any free moment such as now when they were wandering around downtown. Earlier in the morning, Suzume had called and suggested a shopping trip in the more urban area of Nakayama. Since she was going to be gone for most of the day, Minori had given them permission, promising that she would pick up Akane from kindergarten and take her to the daycare where her other siblings were before one of her interviews. Akira had promised to pick them up when they were done and after breakfast, she and Kumori had headed out. Now, they were searching for the location they had all agreed to meet; the small diner Keiko's family owned.

It had been three days since the incident at the school. Two since Shuuichi -or Kurama, since Akira knew the truth now- had appeared in her family's entry hall carrying an unconscious Yusuke and Kuwabara while sporting injuries himself and Akira's perception of the world had changed drastically. With all the time to mull over all the new information, the distraction of taking in the city was quite welcome.

Walking in the city was still new for Akira. In fact, all she knew about the city were the routes she took to get to school, Akane's kindergarten, and the daycare where the youngest five of her siblings went during the day. The idea of a trip through the city was nice. Kumori was especially cheerful as she was wearing a black tee and black jeans rather than the school uniform. Unfortunately, that cheer had manifested itself into more unwanted teasing for Akira.

"You do too," Kumori replied with a grin. "Admit it!"

Fighting a blush, Akira muttered, "I… He's a good person, Kumori. But I don't like him the way you're suggesting…"

Kumori stretched with a yawn. "And what way is that?"

Akira closed her eyes and forced out, "I don't have a crush on him, Kumori."

"I never said you did." Kumori's smile turned catlike. "Is that what you thought I meant?" She started to laugh.

"Wha-? But...! You-!" Akira felt her cheeks turn crimson. "You mean this whole time-?!"

"I've been gloating over the fact you two are starting to become friends," Kumori finished. She snickered, "Though, it was pretty fun to watch you squirm because you thought I meant you had a crush on him." Interlocking her hands behind her head, she continued to cackle.

Akira buried her face in her hands. Her next words were muffled. "I'm not speaking to you anymore."

Wrapping her arms around Akira, Kumori mock-pouted. "Aw, don't be like that. You know I only tease you in a loving sibling way."

Akira shrugged Kumori off of her and removed her own hands from her face to show a blank expression, though her eyes were grave. She said nothing, but the lack of emotional response spoke volumes to Kumori.

Kumori let out a sigh. "Sorry, but you're just so much fun to tease. Anyways, I have a question." When Akira raised her eyebrows, Kumori said, "Why didn't you tell me that Nii-san knew about your back?"

Akira tucked a few strands of her mahogany hair behind her ear. "O-Oh…" Biting her lip, she mumbled, "I thought you knew…"

"No. I didn't. When did he find out?"

"Er… After he came in to try and adjust your alarm..."

"Huh?" Kumori frowned, baffled. "How'd he find out then?"

Cheeks crimson again, Akira mumbled, "Well, when he came into your room… I… I didn't have a shirt on when he came in, Kumori… Just a bra... "

Kumori's jaw practically hit the floor. "HUH?!"

"I was changing when he knocked." Akira's words tumbled out as she tried to explain. "That's why I didn't answer. I thought I'd locked your door and he opened it… and… well, I-I panicked and spun around. He saw my bruised shoulder and uh… he offered to put a salve on the bruises… He… He noticed my scars when he was applying it…" Trailing off, she rubbed at her shoulder.

"Ah."

There was silence and Akira was grateful for it. Talking about the scars -her scars- always bothered her. She had never seen them because she couldn't bear to look, but she could feel them. Lines of raised skin and rough spots that she knew she'd have forever. Somewhere, deep down, she hated them. Her back was not a point of vanity, but they were brands that she would never escape, no matter how much she wanted to.

Kumori's voice shook her from her unhappy thoughts. Blinking, she saw her friend pointing at a two story building with a sign that read Yukimura Diner. The first story looked like one of the small Japanese diners Akira had seen in passing on the way to school. The second story looked smaller and more residential than the first. She guessed that was where Keiko and her family lived.

Inside, the diner had multiple tables and a counter that separated the kitchen from the rest of the first floor on their right. A few of chairs were filled with customers. As both girls walked in, a woman with brown hair in a ponytail underneath a kerchief and wearing a white work shirt over her clothes looked out from over the counter. She spoke, gaining the attention of both girls. "Hello? Can I help you?"

Akira stilled while Kumori looked at the older woman. Just from the features of woman's face, it was obvious she was related to Keiko -most likely, her mom. It only took a moment before Kumori spoke up.

"Hi. We're here to see Keiko? We're supposed to go shopping with her today."

The woman's face smoothed out and she gave them a friendly smile. "I guess that would make you Akira and Kumori then. I'm Keiko's mother." She moved from behind the counter and wiped her hands on the apron tied around her waist. "I'll take you upstairs."

The girls followed her through the diner to the stairwell on the other side of the main room. Traveling up the stairs, Akira looked over her own clothing, a navy blue t-shirt she'd gotten as a gift last year and a pair of hand-me down jeans from Kohaku, she wondered if she should've picked a different pair of pants. The jeans were comfortable, but at fourteen, Kohaku had had longer legs than she did, causing her to roll them up around her ankles and she could feel the pants starting to unroll.

When they were upstairs, Mrs. Yukimura led them to Keiko's room which was over the diner rather than the kitchen. She turned to them and spoke. "Before you go in, I wanted to thank you and your family for letting Keiko stay with you a couple days ago. Even if it was late, I was so relieved to know she was safe."

Kumori remained silent while Akira answered, "I-I'm sorry about the late hour. There were some… issues getting to my house."

Mrs. Yukimura said, "I know. All those people at the school. You were lucky you weren't caught up in the attack."

"Y-Yes…" Akira weakly smiled. "It took a little while to find a new route…"

Nodding, Mrs. Yukimura asked, "Could you do me a favor and thank your mother for me too? I can't even imagine what would've happened to Keiko if she hadn't been able to stay at your place."

"Oh, y-yes ma'am. I'll tell her."

"Thank you." Mrs. Yukimura knocked on the door. "Keiko? Your friends are here."

The door opened to reveal Keiko. She was dressed in a pale pink button up and cerulean skirt that Akira vaguely remembered her cousin Shinsei had once called a salopette. Keiko's face lit up as she saw them and ushered them in.

Keiko's room was much like its owner; organized with no mess whatsoever. However, Akira noted the stuffed animals sitting in on the bookshelf between the bed and the door and one sitting on the desk that stood across from the bed. The pink carpet and matching curtains also softened the organization into a more cute and feminine style.

Suzume was sitting primly on the bed and Akira felt her eyes widen at the half-demon's state of dress. Made up of a white blouse that had lacy ruffles around the neckline and at the end of the sleeves around her elbows with a longer, pale pink bell-shaped skirt that had cherry blossoms embroidered on, it reminded Akira of the Victorian era. The look was finished with high kneesocks and a headband that matched the skirt. The entire outfit looked adorable and at the same time made Akira feel quite underdressed.

"Oh, you guys made it!" Suzume said, standing as they came in. "We were wondering when you were going to come!"

Kumori rolled her eyes and snorted. "Again with the frilly outfits, Sparrow?"

"I like wearing them," Suzume answered with a shrug. "Don't knock my fashion choices unless you try them, Kumori."

"No thank you. You look like a cupcake. A very ruffly, frilly cupcake," Kumori deadpanned.

"Uh… Are we going somewhere where we're supposed to dress up?" Akira asked timidly.

Keiko shook her head. "No. We're just going shopping around town."

Nodding her agreement, Suzume added, "Yep. You don't need to worry."

"But, uh…" Akira's brow furrowed as she trailed off.

Kumori took that moment to explain. "Suzume likes wearing super girly, frilly dresses and outfits like that sometimes." Under her breath, she muttered, "I still say it makes her look like a cupcake… or a porcelain doll. Can't decide which."

Frowning at Kumori, Suzume grumbled, "I'm not a living doll, thank you. It doesn't hurt you, you know. I don't see why you're complaining."

"It's pink." Kumori glared at the color as if it was offensive.

"You're not wearing it," Suzume retorted, her frown morphing into a scowl.

Kumori let out a long-suffering sigh and rolled her eyes. "Fine… Since I'm not wearing it, I'll stop."

"Thank you."

Akira looked at Keiko and they shared a nervous smile.

"Anyways," Suzume said, stretching her arms. "Now that we're all here, we'd better get going."

It didn't take long for Keiko and Suzume to gather their things. After several minutes and Keiko's quick goodbyes to her parents, all four girls were out of the shop and heading towards the shopping district.

The walk took only about a half hour and Keiko, Kumori, and Suzume filled the time with small talk. On the other hand, Akira chose to memorize the paths they used, so she could remember how to tell where she was in the city.

The shopping district was just as packed as the rest of the city, but Akira noted how there were more areas for foot traffic and bicyclists, such as the large open air walkways that many of the shops were open on. Benches and trees decorated these walkways and as they walked, Akira felt a little homesick for Whitebrook and the small, quiet community she had grown up in, rather than this large, noisy city.

The girls stopped at several shops and boutiques though Akira paid little attention to the shopping and focused more on her surroundings. Suzume and Keiko both tried at several points to get her to try on clothing, but to no avail. After the first few attempts, she began to wander around the stores as Kumori did so that she wouldn't be bothered unless either girl needed her opinion.

When Keiko and Suzume had finished their shopping hours later, Akira was fighting a nerve-induced headache and nausea while Kumori held a deep-set frown that didn't look like it would ever leave her face. Not that anyone blamed her. Several clerks in stores they had visited had followed their group, watching Kumori like a hawk, convinced she was up to some kind of mischief. They'd also eyed Akira and Suzume in the same fashion, though whether it was because of their appearances or state of dress no one knew.

The last shop had been the worst. The female clerk had practically breathed down their necks and made pointed remarks aimed specifically at Kumori, Akira, and even Suzume. It had reached a point where Keiko had finally lost her composure and explained to the woman in no uncertain terms that her behavior had just lost the store customers.

As they walked away from the shop, Akira felt her nerves worsen. Keiko hadn't needed to do that. She was used to behavior like that, even back in America. She just wished Keiko hadn't witnessed it. Keiko didn't need to stick her neck out like that, even though they were friends. It was too much to ask for.

Suzume's voice broke her from her thoughts. "Akira? Are you okay?"

Unsure whether her voice would waver from stress, Akira chose to nod. Somehow, Keiko took it to mean that she was hurting over what the clerk had said, because she chose to speak up.

"Don't pay attention to what that clerk said. Honestly, some people should learn to use their manners. Just because you three look different, it doesn't mean she can talk to you the way she did!"

Kumori snorted while Akira smiled weakly. "Keiko," Kumori responded. "It's fine. We're used to people being that way."

"You shouldn't have to be used to it!" Keiko argued. "You shouldn't have to put up with it at all! It's not right!"

Shrugging, Akira mumbled, "It's fine… Really."

Keiko looked ready to start into a tirade. "No, it isn't!"

Trying to quell Keiko's anger, Suzume said, "We all know it isn't right, Keiko. Trust me, we do. But some people just think like that and no matter how hard we work to change it, they won't change because they're set in their thinking. We just live with it and go on."

The words seemed to work because Keiko's anger deflated. "I know…"

"Besides," Kumori added with a grin. "We don't need everyone to like us. You're our friend and you're worth more than most people anyways."

Keiko began to laugh.

When Keiko had sobered up, the girls -well, mostly Keiko, but Suzume and Kumori had both agreed- decided to make their way to the Kuwabara residence, though Akira couldn't remember the exact route they had used. However, once inside and face-to-face with Kuwabara's older sister, Akira could understand a little why Kuwabara had been anxious to get home.

Shizuru Kuwabara was intense, to say the least. Though not related, her long hair was a similar shade of brown to Suzume's, with Shizuru's being a bit darker, and the woman shared height and eye-color with her younger brother. However, the deep coffee-colored eyes were sharp and observant in a way that gave off the feeling that their owner was not someone to trifle with. The feeling washed over Akira like a wave. When it had settled over her, she found her chin tucked into her neck.

Keiko, however, had no fear as she approached the woman. "Hey, Shizuru. Is Kuwabara home?"

Pulling a cigarette from a pack, Shizuru raised an eyebrow. "My bro?" She stuck the cigarette between her teeth. "Yeah, he's been watching over Yusuke in case he woke up."

Keiko's face fell as she watched Shizuru light her cigarette. "Yusuke still hasn't woken up yet?"

"Nope. Sorry, girl." She took the cigarette from her lips and exhaled a steady stream of smoke. "You mind telling me who your friends are?"

"Right." She gestured to each as she spoke their names. "This is Suzume Mori, Kumori Aisubachi, and Akira Wagerman."

Akira felt Shizuru's eyes on her when her name was spoken. She wanted to cower away from them, but instead she began to recite her routine. Three steps forward…

"Hm. Well, Kazuma is in his room with Yusuke if you wanna go check on 'em. I'm sure he'd be glad for some company since that redhead who's been comin' by regularly won't be here for a couple hours or so," Shizuru answered.

Keiko thanked Shizuru and headed upstairs to Kuwabara's room. Kumori, Suzume, and Akira looked at each other, debating whether or not to follow her up to Kuwabara's room. Before they could decide, Shizuru spoke again.

"So, what's kinda mess did Yusuke and my bro get into that got two half-demons and a psychic healer involved?"

Suzume looked up, surprised. "You can tell what we are?"

"Uh-huh. Pretty much," Shizuru replied as she watched the trail of smoke rising from her cigarette. "I take it my bro didn't notice, did he?"

"Nope," Kumori answered. "Didn't realize it at all."

Shizuru tsked her disapproval at that. "Well, anyways, it doesn't bother me any that you're here. If you wanna head up to hang with them, feel free. I'll bring some snacks up in a while."

Grinning, Kumori nodded. "Sure." She linked arms with Suzume and headed up the stairs.

Akira bowed to Shizuru. "Um… Thank you and… uh… sorry for barging in like this…"

Shizuru shrugged, taking a long drag on her cigarette. "Don't sweat it."

With a nervous smile to Shizuru, Akira followed after her friends up the stairs and into Kuwabara's room.

Kuwabara obviously had an interest in music if his room was any indication. A large stereo system sat on the desk across from a bed where Yusuke lying unconscious. Posters of different cover art used by different bands were placed around the room, with his tastes obviously lying in heavy metal and rock music. Among the other things in his room, a small bookcase sat next to the bed along with a television and VCR set which was currently on.

Kuwabara himself was talking to Keiko, but he noticed when the girls came in. "Oh, hi there," he greeted with a wave. "Didn't expect to see you three again."

Nodding, Suzume smiled. "Hi, Kuwabara. We came with Keiko."

"I thought it'd be a good idea to check on Yusuke since we were nearby," Keiko supplied. "I hope that's okay."

"Sure. Doesn't bother me none," Kuwabara answered. He glanced around the area of his room. "I'd offer more chairs, but my room's kinda small…" He rubbed his head sheepishly.

"Don't worry about it," Suzume said as she waved the idea off.

Keiko's eyes traveled to Yusuke's comatose body. "How's he doing?"

With a shrug, Kuwabara said, "Same as before. Hasn't woken up at all." When Keiko's face fell, he mumbled, "Sorry…"

"Oh, it's fine." However, the sadness behind the too-cheerful smile relayed Keiko's distress.

"Don't worry 'bout Urameshi. Kurama said Botan was gonna come by to check on him," Kuwabara said, turning back to the TV to shut it off. He looked back at Keiko and added, "Urameshi's gonna be fine, Keiko. He's just sleeping is all."

"I know…"

"Enough with the doom and gloom," Kumori spoke up, garnering Keiko and Kuwabara's attention. "Anyways, is my Nii-san going to show up?"

Kuwabara appeared stunned. "Huh?"

"K-Kurama," Akira mumbled, focusing on an Oingo Boingo poster above Kuwabara's sound system. "She's asking if Kurama's… If he's… coming by today…"

"Oh…" Kuwabara thought about that. "I think so. He's been coming by almost as much as Keiko to check on Urameshi."

"Kay." Kumori sat on the floor and stretched with a yawn before she settled into a comfortable position. Pulling out her yo-yo from her pocket, she began to fiddle and play with her toy. While Suzume settled next to the yo-yo toting half-demon, Keiko moved over to Yusuke and took his hand in hers, reminding Akira of a time when she had seen a similar display from her mother at her father's hospital bed.

Swallowing back the memories, because it wouldn't do to dwell in days long-past, Akira tried hard to find something to do. She mentally cursed herself for forgoing her idea to bring a book, but then again, she hadn't planned on visiting anyone after a shopping trip. Shopping trips were… well, it was a bit rude to bring a book to one.

Kuwabara seemed to not mind the fact that they had overtaken his room and one had to wonder if his sister had any hand in that. Instead, he turned back to the television and continued watching whatever movie he had been watching before. From a look, it was obviously a cop movie, but it didn't hold much interest to any of the females in the room.

Time trickled on. Seconds became minutes, minutes turned to an hour, and the hour dragged on into two. Kuwabara was putting in another movie after the first ended and no one said anything. The silence seemed to drag on and it was… it was…

Suffocating.

That was the first word Akira could put to the silence. She had more. Suffocating and oppressive and heavy and… familiar to a painstaking degree. Trying to inhale, Akira watched Kuwabara's room melt away into the uncomfortable off-white of the hospital room in Salem that her father had stayed in until he passed.

The world divided into two as the realization hit her. Everything seemed so distant. The noise from the television echoed hollowly in her ears. In fact the only things she could clearly hear were her own heartbeat and the sound of her breathing as she forced it to remain even. She willed herself to endure. She would not fall apart. Not now. Not here.

"Akira?" a voice called out to her.

She didn't react. It was too much a temptation for her mind to go to pieces if she allowed anything to distract her. The world was still divided in her mind, still fuzzy, and she needed to merge it back into one image. Three steps forwards, second position into third...

A gentle hand touched her shoulder and she looked up to see Suzume watching her, eyes worried. "You okay?"

Akira couldn't get any words out, so she forced a nod.

"You sure?" Kumori asked, grabbing her friend's attention. "You went carved from stone on us, Akira." She jabbed her thumb at Kuwabara. "Freaked him out a bit."

Ignoring Kuwabara's annoyed remark to Kumori and clearing her throat, Akira muttered, "I'm…" She willed the next word to come out clearly. "...fine. Really." Actually, the world was still spinning a bit and, even though she was sitting, her legs felt as if they had been made of gelatin, but she wasn't about to admit that. Glancing around the room, she realized that the occupant number had increased by one very familiar blunette next to Yusuke and Keiko. She half-waved at Botan, who returned the gestured before turning back to Yusuke.

"Seriously," Kuwabara said, glancing Akira from the corner of his eye with a familiar look of worry. "You sure you okay?"

She opened her mouth to repeat that she was fine, but a familiar voice from behind made her words stick uncomfortably in her throat.

"Well, this is quite a gathering."

"Nii-san!" Kumori immediately was on her feet and hugging the redheaded fox demon.

Kuwabara waved a hand in greeting. "Hey, Kurama. I was wonderin' if you were gonna come by at all."

"I apologize," Kurama answered with a rueful smile. "I had to discuss some matters with one of my teachers and I'm afraid it took longer than I intended."

As Kumori released her host brother and moved back to her spot on Kuwabara's floor, Suzume grinned and waved while Akira shot a weak smile towards him before focusing her attention back to her hands.

Kurama noticed the two girls at Yusuke's bedside and approached them. "I'm glad to see you could come by to check on him, Botan. How's he doing?"

"Well, nothing seems to be wrong with him," Botan replied, turning to look at Kurama. "He just hasn't woken up yet. I'm a little concerned, but maybe…" She trailed off as she looked at Akira.

Feeling Botan's gaze on her, Akira looked up. When she realized that Botan was suggesting she try to sense Yusuke, her throat went dry. She didn't know how exactly she had healed Yusuke in the first place and ever since then, she hadn't been able to tap into that power again. Not for lack of trying though, since she had practiced a few times with Kumori and, when that didn't work, her younger siblings when they were asleep only to find nothing. She couldn't sense them like she had with Yusuke and Kuwabara, no matter how hard she tried. It was like the ability had vanished as quickly as it came. If that was true, she wasn't about to risk any injuries.

She shifted and inched closer to Kumori and Suzume while she tried to ignore her discomfort. With a swallow, she began to wring her hands, unsure how to explain the dilemma without exposing Keiko to the truth.

"But, I… I don't know…" Swallowing again, Akira tried once more. "I mean, uhm… That is to say… Well… I don't…" She trailed off. Frustrated by her struggle to communicate, she buried her face in her hands.

"Leave her alone, Candy-girl," Kumori piped up, her eyes fixed back on the yo-yo she was fiddling with. "If nothing seems wrong, chances are nothing is wrong. If something does go wrong, we'll call her uncle to check on him."

Nervous, Akira flashed a quick smile at Botan before she turned back to focus on one of the posters on Kuwabara's wall. Relief overtook her and, not for the first time in her life, she was glad to have Kumori as her closest friend.

While Akira thought this, Suzume watched the interaction between Kumori and Akira and felt the latter's relief. Kumori had told her that the two of them had grown up like sisters, but the level of understanding between the two was something.

Suzume looked over at Akira, who was still staring at the poster. She wondered why Akira had such a lack of self-confidence and excessive shyness that hung around her. Kumori probably knew, but Suzume knew that trying to force Kumori to do anything she didn't want to would be practically impossible. Maybe Kurama knew? But then again, she didn't know him that well except for the couple of times he'd been around Kumori at their school. She had no way to ask him.

She supposed she would have to wait until Akira would be willing to talk to her about it. If she tried to prod, it could break the tentative friendship Akira was forming with her. Her thoughts were broken as Keiko stood up to go use the restroom. Botan expressed the same need and quickly followed Keiko out.

The room remained silent, not counting Kuwabara's television, and several long moments passed before Akira stood up and slowly made her way over to Yusuke. Noting the confused looks, she spoke, "Um… I… I'm not sure… Well… That is to say… er… I… I don't know exactly how I… did what I did, but… maybe… maybe I can try to see what's wrong…"

Closing her eyes, Akira took a deep breath and touched Yusuke's forehead with one hand in an attempt to try and sense if anything was wrong. Nothing happened and after a few moments, she opened her eyes, a sigh escaping her. It must've been a one-time thing.

Just as she thought that, a warmth appeared in the hand touching Yusuke. Startled, she looked down at said hand, but as she did so, she felt the warmth leave it, as if it were being sucked away from her into Yusuke. A feeling of what she could only describe as exhaustion climbed up her arm and began to creep into her body. She stifled a yawn and when she did so, Yusuke groaned like he was waking up. Startled, she removed her hand and the exhaustion hit her in full force.

Kumori was at her side. "Akira? What just happened?"

"I…" Akira blinked, fighting the drowsiness that was overcoming her. "I think he should wake up soon…" Rubbing her eyes, she mumbled, "I need a glass of water."

Suzume stood up. "You look like you might've overdone it again. I'll go with you to get one." She moved next to Akira to help steady her in case the human girl unexpectedly started to topple. Glancing at Kumori, she asked, "Coming?"

"Yeah." Together the two half-demons helped walk Akira out the door. While they were heading down the stairs, Kumori grumbled, "Honestly, Akira… What did you do?"

"Nothing…" Akira answered with a frown. "Well… I guess I somehow started trying to heal him? But before I could do anything, it was like... my energy was being sucked out of me…" She rubbed her eyes again and yawned. "I don't know what to do… I don't think I can control this… this ability."

"Don't worry," Suzume said. "Everyone starts out like that. You just have to learn."

Akira didn't look convinced. Her frown stayed in place even as they reached the bottom of the stairs and headed into the kitchen.

To their surprise, Shizuru was standing near the counter, a mug of what smelled like coffee in her hand. She raised her eyebrows at them as they entered. "You need something?"

Suzume looked at Akira, but she noticed that her friend looked ill. Deciding to answer in her friend's stead, she offered up, "Akira needed some water."

"Sure. Cups are up there," Shizuru said, gesturing to a cabinet near the sink.

Akira nodded once, waved off Suzume and Kumori, and headed for the cabinet. After she had gotten a drink and finished with her cup, she thanked Shizuru before heading back to her friends. When she reached them, the three of them started back up the stairs. She looked more awake to both, but she still looked a little ill.

"Are you okay," Suzume asked. "You still look a little sick."

Akira nodded. "Don't worry. It's just the coffee smell."

Suzume's brow wrinkled in confusion and noticing this, Kumori explained, "The smell of coffee gives her headaches and upsets her stomach. Her mom's got the same issue, so does her oldest sister. It'll pass in a bit."

As they were about to open the door to Kuwabara's room, they saw Keiko and Botan heading towards the door as well. Botan noticed them and opened her mouth to speak when a loud yell came from Kuwabara's room.

"HEY! YOU'D BETTER START DOING MORE THAN CLENCHING YOUR TEETH! TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO HER!"

Keiko, Suzume, and Akira winced at the yell while Kumori smirked at the sound. A smile on her face, Botan grabbed Keiko and hurried to the door. Opening it to reveal Yusuke, awake and on his feet while holding Kuwabara by the collar as the latter sat in his chair, she walked in and said, "I'd recognize that yell anywhere. What's up, Yusuke?"

Yusuke's dark eyes traveled to them. In shock, he let go of Kuwabara's shirt. "Botan… Keiko…"

Kuwabara began to shake. He spun in his chair away from Yusuke and snickered, earning him an irritated look from Yusuke. "Oh my gosh! That was so great!" He covered his mouth with one hand in a poor attempt to hold back his mirth.

From his place against the wall, Kurama covered his mouth with a hand as well. "Sorry, Yusuke… He insisted." The apologetic tone the redhead attempted to maintain shattered as he too began to chuckle at Yusuke's shock and embarrassment.

The girls looked at each other confused as Kuwabara stood and broke out into roaring gales of laughter. Tears welled up as he pointed at Yusuke, still crowing with glee. "Oh, you really shoulda seen the look on your face!" He held his stomach as his laughter increased.

Unaware to Kuwabara, Yusuke grit his teeth and began to growl. In a few moments, the dark-haired detective jumped Kuwabara with a snarl. "C'mere, you jerk! I'll show you a look!" Fists flew as Yusuke grabbed the taller boy's collar and aimed his punches into Kuwabara's face and the top of his head, earning several yelps of pain while Kuwabara flailed in an attempt to get free.

Akira's eyes widened as she watched Yusuke's assault on Kuwabara. No one else seemed rather perturbed by it, but the amount of force Yusuke used to beat his friend unnerved her.

After a minute or so, Yusuke let Kuwabara drop. Kuwabara was now unconscious, his face and head swollen with bruising and lumps from Yusuke's handiwork, and he hit the floor hard. Yusuke plopped down next to his victim's left, crossed his legs, and he asked, "So, what exactly happened?"

Botan bounced over to Yusuke and sat across from him, beginning to relay what had happened after she had called him through her compact. Keiko moved to sit next her Botan's right, while Kurama placed himself on the other side of Yusuke. Kumori and Suzume sat on the other side of Botan to interject in parts of the story, while Akira hung back in the doorway and tuned out the conversation. It wasn't until she heard Botan mention her name that she paid attention.

"It was a close call. I thought we were doomed for certain when they knocked me in the head! When I came to the next day, we were at Akira's house and once I saw everyone was alive and well, I knew you had triumphed!"

"That's a relief!" Yusuke replied, a huge grin on his face. "I'm glad you're all okay though!" His grin disappeared as he registered Akira's name. Blinking in confusion, he said, "Wait… Who the hell is Akira?"

Kumori turned to see her friend still lingering against the doorframe. "Kit!" She stood, made her way over to Akira, and dragged her friend to their circle, forcing her to sit down. "Quit hiding! Honestly… People don't bite!" She gestured to Akira. "Yusuke Urameshi, Akira Wagerman. Akira, Yusuke. She's my best friend."

Timidly, Akira shrugged at her friend before she gave Yusuke a half-hearted wave. "Um… Hello…"

Yusuke frowned for a moment before recognition kicked in and he pointed at her. "Oh, I remember now! You're that girl who was with Keiko and Botan when Botan called us!"

"Yes… T-That would be me…" Akira flashed a weak smile before looking at her hands.

Rubbing the back of his head, Yusuke said, "Thanks for helping out Keiko and Botan back there."

"Oh… I, uh… I didn't really do much… You don't… um…" Akira trailed off and began to wring her hands.

"Ignore that," Kumori interjected as Yusuke started to frown again. "She's shy with new people and has trouble accepting compliments." She nudged Akira's shoulder. "What she meant to say was 'You're welcome'."

Suzume giggled as Akira gave Yusuke another nervous smile.

Shrugging, Yusuke said, "Well, anyways, I'm glad that this is all over…" His voice trailed off as his eyes landed on Keiko. Her eyes were narrowed and her mouth was set in a dour scowl as she stared at him.

The conversation seemed to die down due to the unspoken irritation Keiko was directing at Yusuke until Botan asked if they should try to wake Kuwabara. From the way Yusuke and Kumori looked, they obviously weren't fond of the idea, but the majority of the group agreed. After a few attempts, Kuwabara stirred.

Once he had woken fully, Kuwabara rounded on Yusuke, demanding they fight again. However, the fight was stopped up by Keiko, who said that she needed to head home. Her frown was still in place as she prepared to leave, Yusuke looked uncertainly after her.

Seeing the opportunity, Kurama leaned over to Yusuke. "It may not be my place to say so, Yusuke, but perhaps you should offer to walk her home." When Yusuke blinked at the fox, Kurama murmured, "It'll give you an opportunity to explain things to her."

Yusuke wrinkled his nose at the idea and frowned. Before he could reject the idea, Kuwabara leaned over as well. "Yeah, Urameshi," he prodded. "Keiko is your girlfriend anyways. You should apologize for letting her get caught up in all this." He grinned, "Or are you too much of a wuss?"

Narrowing his eyes at Kuwabara, Yusuke glowered before turning to Keiko, who was saying her goodbyes to Botan and the other girls. "Keiko, wait up. I'll, uh, I'll walk home with ya." Keiko stared at him for a long moment before nodding her agreement and they left the room with Kuwabara leaving to walk them to the door.

Once the door was closed, Botan sighed and said, "I do hope things go smoothly between those two."

"Maybe," Kumori answered offhandedly. "Yusuke's still a moron, so I wouldn't be surprised if he screws up his apology."

Smiling, Suzume said, "Even so, Keiko will probably forgive him. A blind man could see that they care about each other."

Kumori nodded. "True. Especially since Kuwabaka can tell that."

"What did you call me?!" Kuwabara snapped as he reentered the room.

"I think you heard me," Kumori replied as she turned to look at Kuwabara unperturbed.

Kuwabara scowled, shooting a glare at her. "The name's Kuwabara."

"Yes, but you're an idiot, so I've decided to call you Kuwabaka," the silver-haired girl replied with a shrug.

Kuwabara gritted his teeth and growled as he clenched his fist. "You little…"

Sensing Kuwabara's temper and noting the challenge rise in Kumori's eyes as she stared him down, Kurama spoke up. "That's enough. Let's try to get along, you two."

With a frown, Kumori looked at the crimson-haired demon. "But-" Catching sight of the serious look Kurama was giving her, she sighed, crossed her arms, and started to pout. "Fine, Nii-san… I'll be good."

Still scowling, Kuwabara moved back where he had been sitting before Yusuke left. After a few minutes to cool off, he said, "So, Akira?"

Akira's head shot up from looking her hands. "Y-Yes?"

"You look a bit tired. Did fixing Urameshi do that to you?"

"Er… I… I didn't fix him…" she answered, her gaze dropping back down. "A-At least… I don't think so…"

Confusion graced Kuwabara's face. "Really? I thought you gave him energy. He woke up only a couple minutes after you left the room."

"But I, uh, I don't think it was me who did it… I think he did that himself," Akira mumbled. "I, um… I didn't have any sensations in my hands like last time… except when my hand turned warm, but after that it was like… like Yusuke was taking rather than me giving… if that makes any sense?"

Kuwabara shrugged. "Kinda… I mean, I donated some energy to Urameshi to help keep him alive before we got back, but I'm not a healer, so I dunno if it's the same thing."

"Hm…" She started to wring her hands again.

Noticing the distress in her features, Kuwabara offered up, "Hey, if you need some help figuring this stuff out, you should go see Genkai for advice. She'd probably understand it."

"Genkai?" Akira asked, glancing at Kumori and Suzume, who both shrugged.

Botan, however, clapped her hands together in delight. "Kuwabara, that's brilliant! Why didn't I think of it before?"

"Um…" interrupted Akira, her face concerned. "Who… Who is Genkai?"

"She's a master psychic and the creator of the Spirit Wave," Botan explained.

Akira blinked. "Spirit Wave...?"

"Right, of course, you wouldn't know. It's her fighting style. She employs the use of spirit energy techniques into her fighting." At Akira's blank look, she continued, "Basically, with these techniques of hers, a person is able to have a strong control over their own spirit energy and channel it into whoever they choose, usually through touch. The Spirit Wave is quite flexible, actually. With it a person can either heal a person, like you've been doing, alter another person's psychic awareness, or it can used for fighting."

Nodding, Akira said, "Okay, I think I understand…" She bit her lip before she asked, "And… you think she would be willing to teach me?"

Immediately, Botan hesitated, "Well… I'm not entirely sure. She's taken on Yusuke as a pupil already and I don't think she's looking for another…"

"Oh…" Akira's face fell. "I see…"

When she saw the healer's face, Botan moved to her and grabbed her hands which earned her a startled look. She ignored it and spoke. "Don't give up hope yet! Koenma is a friend of hers, so I'll visit her and explain that you need the help. Once she hears that, maybe she'll be willing to help you learn how to master your power."

Unconvinced, Akira's mouth fell into a small frown. The idea of someone who might not even help her wasn't something she wanted to place all her hope on, even if it was the only option she knew of at the moment. After all, if Master Genkai said no, she'd be left with nothing else to go on. Discreetly, she slid her hands out of Botan's grip and looked towards the window. The sky had become a bright orange with a hint of rosy pink and the sight of it hit her hard.

Immediately, she was on her feet. "Um… I don't mean to be rude, but I have to go. I stayed later than I should've…"

Kumori blinked for a moment while Akira's words sunk in. "Wait… didn't we have chiddler pick-up?" At Akira's anxious nod, the half cat-demon let out a low curse. Glancing at Suzume and Kurama, she said, "Either of you want to come with us?"

"Sure," Suzume answered. "My family's going to be out late today, I don't mind. Plus, it'll give me a chance to plan with Akira when she can come over for practice again."

"Practice… Right…" Akira answered as she grabbed her things, all the while berating herself for making her family wait this late. Unless the daycare workers had successfully distracted them, Akane or Yuki would probably be worrying due to the sun getting close to setting and no sign of her.

"Kura-nii?" Kumori inquired. "Can you tag along with us?"

Kurama's eyes flickered to the sun's position and he nodded. "I suppose so. After all, it would be rude to let you three walk alone due to the lateness of the hour."

Akira almost opened her mouth to tell him he didn't need to, that she didn't want to burden him again, but she remembered Shiori's comment from after her first day of school. Any words that she wanted to use died. Instead, she focused on trying to keep her nerves down.

It didn't take long for everyone to get their things together and once they had said their goodbyes, they had started towards the daycare. With the sky deepening its color, Akira found herself regretting that she hadn't memorized a way to her regular path to the daycare since it meant that she had to rely once again on Kurama and he was going much too slow for her liking. She fought a scowl because scowling wouldn't make the situation move faster, but her mouth still curled down into something tense and anxious.

Sensing the stress radiating off the young healer, Kurama glanced back at her. He studied her as she took in her surroundings. Just from watching her, he could tell she was attempting to keep her mind off whatever was bothering her. However, the attempt was failing miserably.

Before he could study her behavior further, Suzume, probably sensing the stress, began to speak. "So! Akira? I was wondering this earlier, but where were your siblings when we were over? The house was kinda empty."

"Hm?" Akira's brows furrowed as she thought about it for a moment. "Oh! I took Akane to kindergarten and the others to daycare after I got you up for breakfast."

Suzume frowned. "Did you? I don't remember that."

"You were half-dead to the world," Kumori answered in an off-handed manner. Her eyes lit up as a thought crossed her mind. "Kit? You know what we're doing for dinner?"

"Dinner? Um…" Akira's brow wrinkled again as she thought about it. "Well, Mom did get aburaage from our neighbor a few days ago." She sighed. "The only problem will be getting Akane to eat it…"

"Why?" asked Suzume.

"Well… Akane has an… aversion to tofu," Akira mumbled.

Kumori snorted. "'Aversion'? Don't you mean she hates it with every fiber of her teeny, tiny being?"

A disapproving frown crossed Akira's face. "She does eat it, Kumori."

"Yeah, after you strong-arm her into it with a no-sweets threat. That's girl's sweet tooth is only outmatched by yours."

Akira's cheeks colored and she muttered, "I guess that's true…"

"Which part?" Kumori smirked. "The part that you strong-arm her or the part that you have a bigger sweet tooth than her?"

The brunette's blue eyes flicked upward and she shook her head. Kurama noticed the slight movement of her mouth, which suggest she was either mouthing something impolite or she was trying to hold on to whatever modicum of patience she had left. From her personality, he guessed it was the latter.

"Anyways," Kumori continued."Dinner?"

"Um…" Akira's mouth became a thin line as she thought about it. "I… I'm not sure yet."

The half-cat demon shrugged. "Maybe we could order out? You still look a little off."

Akira let out a small snort. "With what money, Kumori?" A small smile crossed her face. "No worries. I'll figure out something." She turned to Suzume. "You mentioned setting another practice session?"

Suzume beamed and the two began to make plans for another meet-up. By the time they had reached an agreement for another practice session the next day, they had reached the daycare. Once they were inside, Akira's legs were tackled by Akane.

Akane pouted at her sister. "Akira! You're late!"

"I know…" Akira gave her sister a wry smile before she bowed her head. "I'm very, very, very sorry. Will you forgive me?"

"Hmm…" The five year old tapped her mouth. "Okay…" However, a small frown remained on her face.

It wasn't until the group was a few blocks away from the daycare that Akane spoke her mind. "Kira-nee? Are kitsune bad?"

Akira, who had been juggling the twins, found her eyes meet Kurama's for a moment before she turned to look at her sister. "Well, I guess it would depend on the kitsune, Akane… Why?"

"Kimiko told me that all kitsune are bad… But I told her she was wrong! I said that if all were bad, you wouldn't like them, Akira! So she said that you'd be easily tricked by a kitsune, but that can't be right cause you're smart and know a lot!"

Blushing, Akira rubbed the back of her head. "I don't know everything, Akane…"

"Well, you know important things! Like how to give good hugs and how get Yuki and Yuri to sleep when they're fussy and that chocolate is the best for when you're sad and that kisses make scrapes and cuts all better!" Akane answered.

Akira kept her eyes on her sister, determined not to look at anyone else. "I don't know if that would make me less easily tricked, Akane. To a kitsune, that might make me a prime target for being tricked..."

Hearing that, Ryuu stopped chasing Sango and Tsubaki and injected, "Nuh-uh! Kitsune only pick on people who umm… des… des… deserve it! Like with that one guy who got his hair all cut off by them! Tokitaro!"

"You mean Tokutaro," Akira corrected.

Ryuu nodded before he went back to chasing his sisters.

Gleeful that her younger brother had backed up her claim, Akane said, "See?! Kitsune wouldn't trick you!"

"Ah…" Akira rubbed the back of her head. "Well…" Before she could refute her sister, she heard Kurama chuckle.

"Akane, you seem very fond of kitsune."

"Yep!" Akane looked at the redhead with excitement in her dark eyes. "They may play tricks and be naughty sometimes, but they also do good things, Shuuichi! They fight wendigos!" As the words left the five-year-old, Kurama noticed Akira freeze.

Suzume's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wendigos?"

Akira cleared her throat and when she answered her voice was shaky. "I-It… It's an Algonquian Native American myth." Swallowing, she continued, her voice stronger, "Wendigo roughly means 'evil spirit that devours man'. A person gets to a point of starving in a harsh winter due to of a lack of food or being stranded and they resort to cannibalism on their friends or family. Doing that turns them into a cannibalistic spirit that is always hungry."

Akane nodded, her face serious. "They're really scary… But kitsune can fight and beat them! Dad said so!"

"Can they now?" Kurama asked, focusing his attention on Akane, though he could still sense the stress radiating from her sister.

"Mm-hm!" Akane's head bobbed up and down rapidly. Her dark locks flew with her enthusiasm. "He told me about a kitsune who saved this girl from a wendigo because she saved it from a trap before! So, kitsune can't be all bad! If they were, it would've let her get eaten!"

Kurama raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. I've never heard that story before."

"Me neither," Suzume added.

Looking shocked, Akane said, "You haven't? Kira-nee knows it best! She can tell it!"

A wide smirk full of mischief filled Kumori's face as she stared at Akira, who looked rigid while her face colored several shades. "M-Maybe another day, Akane?"

"Why?" Akane tilted her head in confusion.

"Well… um…" Akira swallowed. "It's not… er… I…"

After watching her friend flail for a few moments, Kumori decided to have mercy on her. "Your sister is shy, kiddo," she spoke gently, followed by a smirk as she dodged the swipe at the back of her head.

"Oh…" Akane thought about that for a moment. "I could tell it! That way Akira doesn't have to be shy!"

"Mmm… I… I'll tell them, Akane. Just…" Akira paused, searching for a good excuse. "I just… need a little time to prepare. I'm not a great storyteller like Kumori."

"I think you are…" Akane mumbled.

Akira smiled down at her sister. "Thanks."

There was a moment of quiet before Akane's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah! Mori-nee! You said you'd tell me another Prince Yusuke story after I got picked up today! Did he find the thieves who stole the Three Treasures?!"

As soon as Akane finished speaking, Kurama jerked and stumbled forward a couple steps. Kumori glanced Kurama with a knowing smirk and answered, "Actually, he did. It didn't take him too long either."

"What happened?"

"Well…"

...

MangaMaid's Ending Comments: Again, I'm sorry for the wait. Please tell me what you think!