C&C is highly appreciated. 

<Part 1>
 

 School seamed to be dragging on forever. Anja sat in the classroom staring out the window with naked longing in her eyes. In the chair next to her, her brother nudged her and she turned to him with a slight smile. "Gomen." She whispered softly.

 Kurama smiled and covered her hand with his understandingly.

 Half of the girls in the class started whimpering and whispering.

 Anja raised one eyebrow and gave the tittering girls and funny look.

 Kurama couldn't help but chuckle.

 "Minamino." The sensai said, "Do you care to share what is so amusing to you with the class?"

 You could have heard a pin drop it was so quiet. Anja blushed and answered before her brother could. "Gomen sensai, it was me. I was asking his to explain more slowly what you were saying." She blushed prettily, "It was too fast."

 The sensai looked at the two of them then nodded, "all right, I apologize Anja, but you must learn to listen better."

 "Hai, minamino-kun and his friends are helping me."

 The sensai smiled and got back to his lesson.

 Kurama took out his paper and wrote, ‘Are you really having trouble understanding him?'

 Anja took her pencil and wrote below the Youko's question, ‘Are you kidding? I could understand this in my sleep!'

 He smiled and resumed taking notes.

 Anja resumed staring out the window.

 Midway through the lecture, she saw a dark shape coming toward the window. She realized what it was with a startled cry of, "Watch out!"  and jumped from her chair, pushing her brother down just before the window was smashed in and the huge, man stood in the middle of the classroom, gun in hand.

 The man blinked at the students who were all cowering in the back of the class room. All except for two. A girl with copper hair ad a boy with red hair. The girl had covered the boy with her own body when the glass showered down and was now inspecting him for wounds as she licked her own clean.

 "I am here for the red head." He growled.

 The girl looked up at him and he was surprised at the venom in her gaze. "You could have hurt my brother." She accused.

 "You are not minamino." The man practically ignored her, "I am here for Minamino Shuuichi." He announced, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

 Anja pulled off the restrictive sailor fuku top and stood before the kidnapper in a short pleated skirt and a man's undershirt, "Let's try the hard way." She challenged, "No body hurts Shuuichi while I'm alive!" She jumped at him, flicking out her knife and slicing through his wrist, causing him to drop his gun.

 "You little pest!" He charged her and rammed her hard into the chalkboard and her classmates screamed as they watched the American collapse.

 The man sniffed in disgust and turned his attention back to his original prey. That was a mistake.

 Anja leapt up from behind the teachers desk and slammed her lithe body into the attackers sending him crashing into the sharply broken glass still in the window frame. He cursed as the shards cut and stuck into him. "You are really starting to piss me off girlie." He turned back to Anja who lured him away from her brother's prone form. She sent an urging look to the teacher who seamed to understand. He picked Shuuichi up and pulled back into the crowd of students. For once though, the red head was not the center of attention. All eyes were on Anja. She dodged another blow and mouthed -phone- to the students. One of them slipped out to call the police.

 "Stand still Damn it!"

 "Language!" Anja taunted, "We're in a school here!"

 He roared and charged her again. Anja sidestepped and he rammed himself on the corner of the teachers desk hitting a. . . vital part of his anatomy. He bent over groaning and Anja took the opportunity to grab his gun and aim it at him.

 "Now. Sit down in the corner." She ordered aiming his own weapon at him and moving him away from anything that might be used against her.

 He sat and looked up at her, still cupping his throbbing anatomy.

 She grinned wickedly, thoughts of what she could do to him running through
her head but then, she knew she wouldn't actually carry those wishes out. She sat on the teachers desk and crossed her legs still pointing the gin at the man who had dared try to hurt her brother. "Now, be a good little boy or I get to have some fun." She grinned again, "And I will have fun."

 The man glared and she laughed.

 "I haven't had one of these in my hands for a long time. I decided you see
that guns are dishonorable. I prefer the blade. But when I did shoot, I was a dead
aim. Let's see if I've still got it." She aimed right beside his cheek and shot. The wall behind him splintered and a thin trail of red slid down his cheek as he yelped in pain. "Oh yeah." She smiled, "I still got it."

 He cowered then, convinced that she was mad and unable to meet those sparkling, hard eyes again.

 "Anja!" Kurama cried finally waking up, "Don't play with him!"

 "Why not?" She pouted never taking her eyes off of the bad man, "It's so fun
to watch them dampen their pants like little babies after they've tried to be big men."

 "Please Anja."
 

 The other student ran into the room, "The police are coming!"

 Anja smiled and looked down at the quivering mass of flesh, "See now, they'll
put you some place nice and safe." She frowned and cocked the gun again, "And when you get out of where you're going, if you ever try to even touch my brother. I'll kill you."

 The man whimpered.

 "Anja that's enough." Kurama ordered sternly

 "Can't I kill him just a little bit?" She pleaded.

 "Anja, you can't kill someone just a ‘little bit'. Dead is dead."

 She paused in playful consideration of this, "How about blood, can I draw just a little blood?"

 Kurama shook his head, "Anja he's down, stop scaring him."

 She pouted but obeyed, simply keeping the gun leveled on him until the cops arrived.

 The policemen finally arrived and collected the cowering, would-be kidnapper and the gun Anja held.

 "Good job kid." One of them told her as she cheerfully waved good bye to the still shaking man.

 Another gave her a thumbs up.

 Kurama hugged his sister, "No; great job."

 Anja hugged him tight and refused to let go until she had to. "God Shuuichi I was so scared!"

 "Wha. . ." Kurama looked startled.

 "I thought I had hurt you knocking you to the ground like that, are you ok?!"

 Kurama started to laugh, "Ah Anja, only you would think about that after holding a kidnapper at gun point for half an hour!"

 She looked at her brothers laughing eyes and smiled. "You mean a lot to me Shuu-kun, It worries me to see you in pain."

 "What is that word you use in America? Ditto?" He smiled again and mussed her hair, "Now put your clothes back on, you are not. . ."

 "I know, I know, I am not a boy." Anja sighed in mock weariness, "I should have let him have you." She teased.

 Kurama feigned shock and sat once again at their desk. Halfway into the new lecture, Kurama caught Anja playing with some broken glass, making it spin and catch the light, sending it dancing over the desk without touching it. "Anja!" He whispered.

 "Huh?" She saw the glass and blinked, letting it fall. "Gomen."

 "What were you thinking?"

 "I was just daydreaming."

 "About a certain Youko we both know?"

 Anja smiled dreamily, "Actually I was wondering what it would be like to fly."

 The school bell rang just as Kurama let out a surprised laugh.
 

 Hiei was waiting in the usual tree for Kurama and Anja to emerge. He saw them both almost immediately, their unusually colored hair set them apart and made them easy to spot. As they passed the tree her jumped down beside them and Kuronue ran up in human form waving; little Canon rode on his shoulder.

 "Hn, what happened now?" Hiei asked.

 Kurama looked puzzled, "Nani?"

 Hiei poked Anja in the back where she had slammed into the chalk holder and the black board.

 She yelped in pain and slammed her fist into the Koorime's gut, "That hurt bakara!"

 Hiei looked up at Kurama expectantly, "Well?"

 "There was a little trouble at school."

 Kuronue lifted up the back of Anja's shirt and gasped, "Almost your whole back is black and blue bruised!" Canon danced down to study the flesh then chirped in concern.

 Kurama stiffened and checked for himself, "chibi Baka! Why didn't you tell me?!"

 "Doesn't hurt."

 Hiei poked it again and Anja winced, "That's it! Omae o korosu!" She chased the little fire youki in circles around the two Youkos, "Slow down so I can KILL YOU!"

 Yuusuke and Kuwabara chose that moment to join them and Kuwabara
instantly started in on Hiei, "Hey shrimp! I thought guys were supposed to chase after girls, not the other way around!" He taunted.

 Hiei changed course and rammed into him giving Anja time to catch up but not enough to stop. They All ended up on the ground, dog piling Kuwabara beneath them.

 Yuusuke laughed, "Hey Kuwabara! The flat look is good for you!"

 Kuwabara moaned and Anja helped him up laughing, "Are you ok Kuwa- chan?"

 He grinned and slapped her on the back, "‘Course I am!"

 Anja didn't hear his reply, she had fallen at the force of his slap and was on her knees trying not to cry out.

 "Anja?" Yuusuke bent down beside her and checked her back, "Wha. . . what happened!"
 

 Kuwabara's eyes got big as saucers, "Anja! Woah! I'm sorry."

 "Someone tried to kidnap Shuuichi." Anja explained.

 "And you stopped them?"

 "Hai but they got one good blow in." She sighed.

 "Obviously." Yuusuke frowned.

 "I'm fine." Anja smiled, "just a little tired after the day that's all."

 "I can take Anja home." Kuronue said to the group, "You go ahead and. . . do whatever it is ningen do after school."
 

 When they got to her house, Anja groaned and changed into baggy, loose jeans and a black undershirt she had. . . borrowed from Hiei. When she laid down on her belly, Kuronue sat beside her and pulled a seed from his hair, letting it grow up from his palm into a huge, multi-tenticaled  vine. "Take off your shirt." He coaxed softly.

 Anja looked up at him with a half smile, "too tired." She murmured.

 Kuronue sighed and set the plant down, pulling the shirt off for her and unclasping the back of her bra. He broke of one of the plants vines and crushed it into a clear goo in his hands then spread the liquid gently over her back. Anja sighed as the coolness was spread over the burning bruises and buried her face in
the pillow.

 "Mmm, s' good." She moaned, "smells nice, what is it?"

 "Makai Aloe." Kuronue smiled and kneaded her tense and sore shoulder muscles for her, working out the days kinks, "better?"

 "Uhnn. . ." Anja bit her lip softly, "Don't stop."

 The Youko laughed and nuzzled her neck, moving his hands to massage her
mid-back and lower to the small of that daintily curving spine, "I want to start going to school with you."

 Anja looked up harshly, "What?!"

 "To keep you safe."

 Anja fastened her bra again and pulled her undershirt back on before she
faced him, "You can't be with me twenty four seven you know."

 "What if that man today had been more professional? He could have shot you!"

 "He didn't." She kneel before him on the bed.

 "But he could have." Kuronue sighed and took her hands, "I could have lost you and I would have been helpless to stop it."

 "Kuro." She put a hand on his shoulder, "You have to trust me, I can take care of myself."

 "But I don't want you to have to!"

 Anja's expression softened, "Kuro." She kissed his cheek and smoothed his soft, off- black bangs. "I like to take care of myself. It makes me feel good about myself."

 The ningen/Youko's eyes were wide and clear when he hugged her close, "I just don't want to loose you!"

 The little Chibiera on his shoulder chirped it's agreement.

 "You wont loose me bakas." Anja smiled, "I love you too much to leave."

 "You love. . ." Kuronue gasped at her sincerity.

 She nodded, eyes sparkling, "I love you. Haven't I always told you that you complete me?"

 "I. . ." He paused for a moment before hugging her tighter, tight enough to make her ribs groan in protest. Anja mentally silenced them, nothing was going to make her let him go.

 "OH MY!"

 Anja jumped and turned to the now open door, "Kaasan!" She blushed.
 

 "Minimino-san!" Kuronue jumped away from Anja and sat on the window sill.

 "Anja," Shori said slowly, "I. . . ah. . . Kuro-chan I think that it is time you went home."

 Kuronue looked to Anja helplessly, "I. . ."

 She smiled, "Go ahead Kuro." She let her eyes meet his, full of meaning, "Kurama and Hiei are in the park, go find them."

 Kuronue nodded and ran out the door then Shori faced Anja. "Go downstairs."

 Anja bowed her head and followed Shori's command.

 "Anja I am disappointed in you. Your mother told me that I could trust you."

 "But kaasan. . .!"

 "I am not your kassan. Until you can show me the respect of a mother you
will call me mrs. Minamino."

 Kurama and the others walked in just in time to hear this. Anja had tears running over her cheeks quietly, her shoulders shaking with hard sobs. Kuro took one look at her and he was at her side. They embraced each other and all of Shori's threats could not make them separate.

 "Kaasan." Kurama said kneeling by the two, "Why would you say such a hurtful thing?"

 "I found them together in her room. On her bed!"

 "We weren't doing anything!" Anja entreated, "We hugged, that's all!"

 "Minamino-san," Yuusuke said, "Anja would not make something like that up."

 "Yeah." Kuwabara seconded.

 Hiei remained quiet and walked up to the three who kneeled together on the floor. When he settled himself beside Anja he did something none of the others, himself included, had ever thought they would see him do. He lifted her head, wiped her tears away with his scarf, and then embraced her tightly. "Shhh, chibi- baka. It's ok."

 Anja choked on a sob and threw her arms around the koorime while the others stood with their jaws hanging open. A plinking sound was heard, just one. And one perfect tear gem rolled away from them.

 Hiei looked up at Shori with a blood red tear trail still evident, "You hurt her." He accused.

 "I didn't touch her."

 "You hurt her heart."

 Kurama looked at Anja and at Kuronue and Hiei and then he sighed, it was now or never. "Kaasan, I have some. . . some things that I need to tell to you."

 Shori looked at her perfect son, "Shuuichi?"

 "No, Kaasan, . . . my real name is Kurama."

 Yuusuke and Kuwabara stood very still. Anja and Hiei stood up beside Kuronue, hands still clasped, but quiet now. All eyes were on Kurama.

 "I am a fox demon from the Makai. My name is Youko Kurama." He bowed
his head and told her everything. The whole story fell from his lips in a torrent like a river once the dam is broken. He even told he how he had reshaped the female fetus he had found inside of her to match his masculine self. One thing he didn't do was to transform, he didn't think Shori could handle that now. When he finished his explanation, Shori was silent.

 Yuusuke pulled Kuwabara toward the door, "We'll be outside ok?" He smiled and closed the door behind him.

 "So. . . you are a demon working for the Reikai Tantai."

 "Yes."

 "And Anja, Hiei, Kuwabara, Yuusuke, Kuro, they are all a part of this?"

 "Hai."

 "Anja." Shori's voice seemed hushed, "What are you?"

 "A human." She said softly, "but a Healer as well." She took a deep breath and met the startled woman's gaze with surprisingly grown up eyes. "I brought Kuro back to life in the body of a little boy who's soul was dying and was brought before Enma to trial for that. That is were I was this past month, in a Reikai jail house. Not on a school trip."

 Shori looked at Hiei, "A fire demon." And then at Kuronue, "A Chimera/Youko/human."

 Kuronue nodded.

 Shori seamed to be taking it well, considering the fact that she hadn't moved at all.

 "Kaasan. . ."

 "Why didn't you tell me?"

 Kurama was crying now, "Because I don't want you to hate me. As a Youko I
was ruthless, heartless. You taught me to love. I couldn't stand the thought of not having your love."

 Shori looked to Anja then, "and why didn't you tell me?"

 The American shrugged carelessly, "You never asked."

 "Does your mother know?"

 Anja shrugged again, "Some. Kaasan has powers too but she renounces them."

 "And you and Kuro. . ."

 "Soul mates." Kuro answered, wrapping his arms around her from behind
and nuzzling her neck.
 

 "But we haven't done anything wrong." Anja assured.

 Shori nodded, "Is there anything else you haven't told me?" She asked
brokenly.

 Kurama hesitated so Hiei, in a very uncharacteristic move, walked up to him
and put his arms around Kurama's waist. "Mine." He said simply.

 Shori blinked and let this sink in, "You and . . ."

 Kurama nodded and put an arm over Hiei's shoulders, "Hai kaasan."

 "Shuu-chan. . ." Shori choked softly, "Do you really think this would change
my love for you? Make it go away?"

 "Kaasan?" Kurama sobbed.

 His mother pulled him into her arms and held him tight, stroking his
beautiful hair, "This only proves to me how special I always felt you were."

 Anja smiled, a tear of joy slipped from her eye and she hugged Hiei and Kurama close to her sides, and Kurama hugged his Kaasan.

 "Anja!" Yuusuke ran into the house without even knocking.

 "Nani?!" Anja jumped.

 "Kuwabara just had a vision. . ."

 "Hai?"

 "It's your family. . ." He choked of the end of the sentence, but his look
finished it off efficiently enough.

 Anja's eyes widened and her face paled, "No." Her breathing was hard and her body shook with fear as the world spun around her. Only Hiei and Kuronue's arm's kept her from falling, "Oh God, Oh God no, please not them, oh God . . ."
 
 
 

~tbc~

Well, tell me what you think, you love? You hate?
Just email me at [email protected]
Raihne