A/N: Well hello,hello! Long time no see... Yeah I know, I suck. But hey, eventually is better than never right?
Anywho... This is the beginning of the lovely 6 month skip that I was asked to go back and write. I would have just put it in "On the Other Side: Total Desperation" but that would have made things very, very confusing for new readers. I decided I couldn't really write the rest of Season 2 (which is coming... eventually. Almost done with rough draft of the whole season. after that the chapters will probably be flooding this site) without writing this first, it was just too difficult. I hate spoilers :P
As for new readers: WELCOME MWAHAHAHAHA! Erm, you may want to go read "On the Other Side: Total Desperation" before hopping into this.
What else... Oh yeah! Apanthropinization means "the act of withdrawing from all human concerns; de-socialization; renouncing the world." Urban dictionary definition. Cause I'm lazy. Obviously. XD And the italicized part is just that last scene before the 6 month break as a memory jogger for those who have been waiting ever so patiently. Ok. ENJOY! LOVE YOU GUYS!
I don't remember much of the first few days of training; I was consumed by anger and withdrawal symptoms from quitting cigarettes cold turkey. I was coached to do the most ridiculous and seemingly redundant tasks ever. After the first week, Kurama re-introduced Hiei to me. He had been sentenced to remain inside our city limits for a decade. (Kurama reassured me that it was not that long of a sentence for a demon.) So, Hiei had nothing better to do than help with training basically. We also had a nice visit with Botan who brought news of Kurama's punishment… and mine.
"Wait why am I being punished again?" I growled.
"Because you've been proven guilty as an accomplice to Kurama, Hiei, and Gouki," Botan informed me.
"Because burning a guy's face off means 'I love you' in Demon World?" I spat sarcastically. "You're full of shit! You said you faggots didn't care about what I did!" I had Botan by the collar of her kimono and a clenched, raised fist.
"Rhea," Kurama tried from somewhere behind me.
"Well, I'm not supposed to tell you this but," Botan tried to save her ass from my wrath, "You're not actually being accused of doing anything, it's just a convoluted scheme of Koenma's. Yusuke's going through a mandatory six month training program and we need a stand-in Spirit Detective. Kurama can't technically hold the title because he's a demon."
"So you're just going to force me to do it?" I hissed, refusing to release Botan or lower my fist. "You jack asses realize I have no idea how to use my corrosive power, right?"
Botan laughed nervously.
"This would be a good way to learn more about why you can't use your powers at will," Kurama wrapped his hand around my wrist and forced me to lower my fist that threatened to smash into Botan's face at any second.
I sighed and shoved Botan away from me, "Fine. First I get screwed by the mafia; now I'm getting screwed by the Afterworld. Fucking terrific."
"I thought you would jump at an opportunity like this," Kurama retorted calmly.
"Yeah, if I'm not being forced into it and I actually had some power to protect my ass from this otherworldly bullshit," I snapped.
"To be honest, your skills from the mafia should be plenty, for the most part," Botan threw in trying to cheer me up.
"I get it," I turned back to her, "You're obviously telling us this now because you want to send us on a mission so give it to us then shut the fuck up and get the fuck out of my face."
Botan sighed, "His name is Kouta. He portrays a successful businessman for the Minowa Company by day and traffics women at night." She pulled out a picture of him and handed it to me. "Rumor is, he's about to make a huge sale for the company that will send the Japanese economy into turmoil so he has to be captured alive A.S.A.P. and forced to cancel the transaction. Then we can take him into custody and handle the rest in Spirit World."
I deadpanned, "I can't even kill the bastard?"
"Only as a last resort. He set up this transaction with an unknown party and it would be a lot less messy for everyone if we didn't have to get an innocent human from the company involved in the cancellation."
"You irk me."
Botan fabricated and hopped onto her oar, "I'm really sorry about the way they're doing things up there, Rhea. We really appreciate you helping out. I promise you'll start to like this job in no time," she offered as she floated away.
I turned to Kurama who held up his hands in defense, "I hate you."
"Aren't you the one who was complaining about not living a double life last week?"
I sighed and sat down on a tree trunk that had been knocked down during training earlier that week, "I guess so. I just hate the way they presented it. They could have just asked instead of being cunts about it." I flipped the picture over. It had addresses and other things scribbled onto it. I could only assume that they were Kouta's normal spots. Hiei grunted after a moment and disappeared. I guess he doesn't want to help…
"God Dammit!" I kicked an empty coke can across the street. Kurama eyed me cautiously as I continued to grumble under my breath. "I don't wanna do this shit."
His face was calm and soft. I couldn't figure out if he was holding back from mocking me or his own distaste in our present situation. "Perhaps we should try thinking about this from a different perspective."
I shot a glare at him but the notion quickly left and I went back to glaring at the pavement. I knew he was right. I just hated the way this shit was presented.
Earlier that afternoon Botan had paid us a visit during our training. She brought us the horrid news of our punishment for stealing the artifacts of darkness. Of course, I really didn't have anything to do with that shit! I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time a few too many times. Stupid…
So here we were, set out on our first case as stand-in spirit detectives while Yusuke was away at his own special training ordeal.
We arrived at the front door to this elaborate pad somewhere up in a midtown highrise condominium. There was elegant, yet enticing, music and laughter seeping out from behind the front door. Kurama and I ducked around the corner and out of sight to avoid being seen by anyone arriving or leaving.
"Well isn't this fucking great?" I grumbled.
"He's either intelligent enough to prepare for someone like us, or completely ignorant," Kurama analyzed the possible motives behind the party taking place.
"Well it's not like we can just barge in and arrest him for being a meddling demon in front of innocent humans," I shot back unamused.
"And if there are other demons on the premises, they are capable of masking their energies," Kurama added more food for thought.
As I searched for an answer, I could feel my mind and body changing. This feeling was all too familiar. Clips of similar instances flashed behind my eyes of my mafia days - as I've come to call that time in my life that I want desperately to distance myself from. In all honesty it had barely been a month since the last time I spoke face-to-face with Tatsuhiro. It was still strange to me. The whole thing. One moment I was a sixteen year-old, hardened, mafia killing machine and in the next I was an awkward, meddling, school classmate, and now a completely amateur stand-in spirit detective."So let's attend the party," I heard the words leave my lips.
"I think we might be a little underdressed for the occasion," Kurama replied casually.
I peeked around the corner, "Looks likes our wardrobe has arrived," I answered gesturing towards a couple who were approaching the door to the party. Kurama gave me an understanding nod and bolted up behind the couple. His body blocked my view, but within seconds the couple was unconscious. I ran over and helped him drag the bodies back around the corner. We quickly changed into their clothing and hid our own clothes elsewhere.
I was gingerly trying to push my breasts more into the halter top black cocktail dress when Kurama announced his bemusement. "What are you doing?" he ventured cautiously.
I continued readjusting the dress. "Well," I shifted once more, "I never thought I'd have this issue for starters."
"What problem are you having exactly?"I could just hear his chuckling undertones.
"My boobs are too big for this damn thing!" I growled annoyed.
"I don't see how that's a problem."
"Of course you wouldn't! You're a pervert!"
He just laughed a little and made his way to the front door. I sighed and struggled to catch up. "Also, I fucking hate high heels."
"Yes, I can see how those would pose a problem," he had a tauntingly light hearted tone. Before I could respond, a butler opened the door and invited us in.
"That was rather easy," I grumbled as we entered the main gathering room. A server with a tray of champagne offered us a glass. Kurama reached out and grabbed two. He handed me one and we scanned the scene, barely acknowledging the server.
The people around us were all dressed up nicely with designer brands, jewels, and upperclass hair styles. The music was gaudy and so was the decor. Bubbly drinks and hors d'oeuvres were everywhere. I then spotted Kurama already making smalltalk with two men and a woman. He waved me over with the biggest fake smile I had seen him wear yet. I took in a deep breath and walked over mentally preparing myself for some stupid act I was about to put on.
"Ah, there she is," Kurama cooed as he laid his hand to rest on the small of my back. "This is my office assistant. Miss Saramika, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Kouta." Really? That's the best fake name you could come up with?
I smiled and bowed gently as I caught the wave of demonic energy radiate off of him. "It's an honor to meet you, Sir."
"Mr. Kouta was just telling me about his library. You like books, don't you, Miss Saramika?" Kurama poked my back sternly, prodding me into this impromptu game of his.
"Oh, yes! I love books!" I smiled cheerfully. My cheeks felt like they were going to fall off, they were being forced way too high. "I could stay in a library for days." I hate you, Kurama… I mentally deadpanned.
"Exquisite!" Mr. Kouta enthused. "Would you like to take a peek? I haven't had the chance to show her off yet."
That just sounds dirty the way he said it... "I'd love to!"
Mr. Kouta motioned for me to follow him. We went up a fancy flight of stairs onto a mezzanine hallway that overlooked the party below. "It's right over here," he purred as he opened the door at the end of the hallway. As I entered I caught a glimpse of Kurama being stopped by two men as he tried to follow us up. Mr. Kouta closed the door behind us. "So, Miss Saramika," his tone turned dark and hungry, "I don't remember putting you or Mr. Mirugi on my guest list. You wouldn't happen to be from one of my rivaling companies trying to foil the new partnership, would you?" He started closing in on me like a cat about to pounce on his prey.
I turned to face him calmly, thankful that the stupid act was over, "I'm afraid not." I studied his movements carefully, trying to predict what he'd do next. "Unfortunately, for both of us, I was sent by a much higher power." His eyebrows perked up curiously. "The Spirit World."
Mr. Kouta erupted into laughter, "The Spirit World sent a half-breed and a little girl to stop me! It's just too funny to be tru-!" I punched him square in the face sending him flying into the wall.
"If you say so," I grumbled shaking out my hand.
Mr. Kouta started chuckling again. "Well this should be fun!" He jumped up and his chest started expanding, ripping his shirt.
I sighed. Guess I expected to see something like this happen sooner or later. Man, I watch too much sci-fi. "Great…" I pulled out my pistol that was strapped to my thigh and unloaded a round into each of his knee caps. He howled in pain and used the wall to push himself forward with his now monstrously toned arms. He was incredibly fast for his size. Aren't they all? I mentally deadpanned.
But still, I was no match for this beast. He took me down with him, knocking the gun clean out of my hand with his brute force. He had me pinned down with his gigantic dead-weight legs and pulled back his arm for a knock-out punch. I grunted from discomfort as I threw all of my upper body weight into my fists that I clenched together just in time to slam into his collarbone as an extreme measure to prevent his trike. Luckily, it worked just enough to knock him off balance long enough for me to dodge the attack. His fist broke through the floor where my head had been moments before.
The wake of his power was incredible. It rolled through my body, paralyzing me with fear as I started to understand just how much shit I was in. His other hand flew down and wrapped around my throat cutting off the oxygen to my lungs. I scratched at his chokehold out of pure instinct, but it was completely useless. Fuck, this sucks! Why does this keep happening?! Are all demons this unimaginative?! My sarcastic, inward defences against my insecurities kicked in, reminding me of my encounter with Gouki.
My body started to tingle as my sight dimmed. This was also starting to become familiar. I just hoped it would be enough to unleash a burst of my crazy mystery power to save me from this situation.
"Rhea!" I saw Kurama's redness burst through the door right before I completely blacked out. My body burned hot and I heard an agonizing scream come from Kouta before his body weight vanished from on top of me.
I heard Kurama yell something and then a thud that felt like it shook the universe itself. Then the floor beneath me caved in thanks to Kouta's earlier attack.
I blinked away my blurred vision to meet a stern red-head looking down at me. People were screaming and scattering in the background while they broke whatever they ran into as they tried to flee the scene. I felt my legs and neck ache from pain when I made to move. I tried to get up anyways, but something was making it rather difficult to do so. As my senses started becoming more clear I realized Kurama was carrying me through the rubble.
"What happened?" I choked out as I gave in to my aching body and allowed him to lead us away from the scene.
"You nearly eroded half of Kouta's body. You're probably experiencing fatigue from the amount of spirit energy you used." He spoke calmly and seamlessly as he shifted my weight between his arms. "I pulled him off of you and cut his head off for good measure. Then the floor collapsed and you fell through."
I stared up at him as the events and the aftermath came together. "Thank you," I muttered looking down out of shame. How fucking pathetic! This stand-in spirit detective crap is a goddamn death sentence. I can't compete with this otherworldly bullshit.
Kurama came to a park bench and released me to sit down. "What about that transaction shit Botan was talking about?" I asked after a minute of silence.
"I took care of it," Kurama answered shortly. "I apologize. I should have wrapped that up sooner."
"It's fine," I brushed off, staring into the concrete.
"What's wrong?" Kurama finally ventured to interrogate my rather defeated tone.
"That was a rather shameful event," I huffed. "I need to get a lot stronger if I'm going to be forced to do this kind of shit."
Kurama started chuckling beneath his hand.
"What the fuck is so funny?!" I snapped.
"You're really against being in the 'damsel in distress' position, aren't you?" he blatantly joked.
"Fuck you! Don't ever call me that again!" I yelled and shoved him arbitrarily.
"Or, more specifically, you're against having a need for a knight in shining armour," he continued.
"Will you just shut the fuck up!" I jumped up to storm away but I instantly became lightheaded and Kurama hopped up to catch my fall. "Go away!"
He choked down his laughter. "Relax. This is what we're training for."
I was about to respond when another thought intercepted it, "Fuck! My gun!"
"It's right here," he pulled it out and handed it to me.
I snatched it up and returned it to the holster strapped to my thigh.
He chuckled at me again before arguing to let him walk me home.
