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----------------Chapter 3-------------

Nozomi mumbled in her sleep, having fallen asleep on the sofa. The time was 7:45 am, a time she normally would have left. She turned on to her left side, her back facing the TV. Last night, the men hadn’t had a good meal in a while, so she spent most of the time cooking for the starving men. Youko hadn’t come back at all last night and she was worried about him. Shocking for someone to care about the King of Thieves, but she was a naturally kind person, so she couldn’t help it.

“Do you think we should wake her…?”

“Nah… Kurama said not to bother her…”

“Yea, but doesn’t she have school?”

“What is school?”

Nozomi mumbled in her sleep again, turning around under a cream colored blanket, hugging a cushion. A scent wafted into the room; the smell of food being cooked. Nozomi, still exhausted from the night, merely turned over onto her side, mumbling, “…something…smells good….”

“Dude, she’s talking in her sleep…”

“So? Don’t you cry for your mommy in your sleep?”

“Shut up! I do not!”

Nozomi sat up, eyes half closed and barely aware of her surroundings. The room got abnormally quiet, but it didn’t seem to affect her in any way. She slowly turned to look at the clock and stared at it for a while.

“Holy frickin’ crap!” She shouted suddenly, throwing the blanket off of her and across the room. She ran out of the room, stunning the men with her amazing speed. She ran up the stairs, skipping a few along the way, and disappearing inside her room by slamming the door shut behind her.

“Wow…” Most of the men said quietly, staring after her.

Both Yomi and Kuronue rolled their eyes, not believing that this was happening. Nozomi ran back down the stairs again, wearing her uniform now, but trying to tied something around her wrist, carrying her bag in her left hand. She paused at the base of the stairs, taking a breather from running about so much. She glanced at the clock. 8:05 am. She sighed.

“I guess I won’t make it until around 8:45…” She said quietly, still oblivious to the men watching her. “Oh well… I might as well eat breakfast…”

She slowly made her way to the kitchen, trudging along as if she were forced to by some unknown force. As she came into the kitchen, she paused, staring at who was standing there, cooking. The man turned slightly, hearing that someone was there. He had flaming red hair, and astonishing emerald green eyes. He had such a kind, yet intelligent facial expression it would make any normal female melt. She stared at him, still half dazed, and slightly dizzy, from waking up too fast. She looked over his features, jus staring at him. He seemed to be doing the same thing as well, curiosity etched into his handsome face.

“Good morning, Nozomi.” He greeted after a while, smiling at her.

“Good morning…” She replied slowly, watching him closely. She walked up to him and poked his forehead, causing him to blink out of confusion. She then took a strand of his beautiful red hair and tugged lightly. He didn’t seem affected, he was just curious as to why she was doing that. Seeing that he wasn’t bothered by it, she decided to pull a little harder. He gently grabbed her hand and lowered it slightly.

“What exactly are you doing, Nozomi?” He asked curiously, yet expecting a smart reply. (Smart as in a smart-a**)

She looked at him closely, staring into his eyes, her face filled with a serious expression. She backed off slightly, letting him have room to breath again, then quickly pulled one of his hairs out. His eyes flashed at the pain, but he said nothing and placed a hand on the spot where it hurt the most.

“Why on earth did you do that?” He asked quietly, rubbing the spot tenderly.

“Because I wanted to make sure you’re your own person.” She replied simply, examining the strand of red hair. She then looked up at him. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. I thought there was something strange about you, since I thought I didn’t know you, but you knew me.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And who exactly do you think I am?”

“You’re the human form of Youko Kurama, King of Thieves.” She replied, closing her eyes and turning away, not wanting to look at him anymore.

“Hm, I’ll give you credit. Not many humans actually know of, or have even heard the name ‘King of Thieves’. How is it you found out?”

She looked over her shoulder at him, smirking. “Your eyes. You have the same type of calculating and sly eyes as he does. Besides, it’d be awkward if Youko inhabited a woman’s body when he’s clearly a man. Or, at least I think he is.” She explained, shrugging slightly.

Kurama couldn’t help but chuckle. What she said was true, after all. Not to mention that she made a good point.

Hey! When are you going to give me back my body?

‘Whenever it’s time to change again. After all, we don’t know how long we’ll stay in the form. Besides, I have not been out in a while. I believe I deserve this chance to get to know miss Nozomi better.’

Oh, I see. You’re already falling for her! Youko’s mocking laugh filled the inside of Kurama’s head, causing him to have a slight glare in his eyes.

“Your human name is Shuichi Minamino, spirit detective.” Nozomi continued, watching him closely.

“Indeed, that is the truth.” He said quietly, still trying to handle his situation with Youko. “Tell me, how did you know what my human name was, and how did you know that I was a spirit detective? I am no longer in their services…”

“Because Youko began coming out more after you changed your physical form in order to mimic his powers during your fight against Sensui.”

Dead silence in the kitchen. The men who had been hiding behind the kitchen door, who heard everything, didn’t even try to make a sound. Pure shock was etched on Kurama’s face as he stared at her.

Damn… She read us like a book… Not bad.

‘It sounds as if you approve of her, Youko. Perhaps you like her as well.’

As well, huh? Heh, it looks like I was right when I said that you liked her, or was beginning to, anyway.

Snapping back to reality, Kurama put a plate of food on the table. “You should eat. I’m sure you’re running late for school, aren’t you?”

“Mhm…” She replied, having quickly sat down and had already begun eating. When she finished her breakfast, she quickly grabbed her bag, put her shoes on, then ran off.

“What a strange girl…” Kurama said quietly to no one in particular, before he took the plate and put it into the sink. Quickly, and calmly, washing it, he entered the living room, sat down on the sofa, and began reading a book that lay on the coffee table before him.

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That's chapter 3! Hope you like it! ^.^