Hiei and Chikara sat there for an hour or so and then decided to head back to Chikara's house. They figured Yusuke was probably going crazy right now.
"He's too overprotective! He treats me like I'm five!" Chikara complained as they walked slowly home. Hiei listened quietly as Chikara continued on about Yusuke. Before Chikara knew it, they were walking up the front stairs of the porch to the Urameshi residence. Chikara took out her keys and opened the white door, revealing total darkness inside. She stepped inside, Hiei behind her, and flipped on the lights, showing everybody in their pajamas and crowded around the coffee table.
"Chikara, you're back!" everybody screamed in unison. Hiei and Chikara both flinched at that.
"You're home finally!" Yusuke leapt out from the middle of the crowd. Chikara sidestepped him and her brother ended up rolling down the stairs of the porch and landing face first on the cement walkway.
"Yes, I'm home. That doesn't give you permission to leap out of a crowd and try to hug me," Chikara squatted down next to him. Yusuke said something that was muffled by the walkway. Chikara merely patted his head and went in to lie down on the couch.
"Where have you been, you two? You had us worried sick!" Botan scolded. Hiei leapt onto the window sill, giving Botan no response. Chikara stared up at the ceiling, not bothering to answer.
"Well, are you telling us or not? We've been worried sick about you two!" Botan yelled, frustrated.
"Hey, Hiei, don't you just feel so loved here? We've only been gone a couple hours and they're already worried," Chikara craned her neck to look at Hiei, teasing Botan in a five-year-old voice.
"Hn," was all that Chikara got as a reply. She huffed and back flipped over the couch and headed for the kitchen. Opening the fridge, Chikara pulled out some French bread and butter, took a knife from a cabinet, sliced seven pieces of bread, stuck the loaf back in the fridge and toasted the seven pieces of bread. She took out a plate and loaded the pieces on when they were ready, spread butter on all seven, threw the knife into the sink and leaped over the couch, catching all seven pieces on the plate. She stole the remote out of Botan's hands, smirking at her reaction, and flipped to her favorite channel, where they were showing a horror movie marathon. The last movie had just started; she had missed the other seven movies since she was out at Club Nova or in the park. Giving in, everyone made themselves comfortable as Curse came on. Chikara flipped the light switch off and settled in between Hiei and Yusuke, the plate in her lap. She munched on the French bread slices as the movie went by. By the time the 90 minute movie and the horror marathon was over, Keiko was burying her head in Yusuke's chest, Yukina was wide-eyed and holding Kuwabara and Kurama, unfortunate enough to sit by Botan, was losing oxygen because Botan's grip was so tight. Hiei yawned, obviously not fazed by the movie. Chikara, having seen Curse 10 times or so, gulped down the last of her snack, back flipped over the couch and put the plate in the sink. It was midnight now and everybody decided to call it a night. Chikara was the last to head up to her room so she had to flip off all the lights downstairs. Hiei hadn't moved from his spot since the start of the movie and didn't move now.
"Hey, you know I'm about to shut off all the lights right?"
"Hn."
"And you know that it's time to sleep?"
"Hn."
"Are you coming or not?" Chikara asked, irritated now. No response. "Good night to you too." Chikara huffed and, flipping off the last light, marched upstairs to her room. Hiei watched her go and settled comfortably on the window sill. Chikara flipped the lights on in her room and yawned. There was no point in taking a shower this late, so she changed into a black midriff tank top and a pair of hot pink shorts that ended just above her knee. She flopped on her bed and instantly fell asleep.
"Chikara, come down here!" Yusuke's voice shot through the doors and woke Chikara from her slumber. She opened her door and stumbled down the stairs, rubbing her eyes to wake her up.
"What do you want? It's 7 in the morning on a Saturday. Regular people are still asleep," Chikara moaned.
"We're going to the beach, silly! Get dressed now. Hurry up!" Botan announced.
"The beach at 7 in the morning?" Botan nodded. "Joy to the world," Chikara grumbled as she went back into her room. She locked the door and went into the shower. 20 minutes later, she finished and changed into a black two piece and threw a pink denim jacket and a pink miniskirt over it. Staring into the mirror, she applied black lip gloss, black mascara and jabbed a pair of pink dangles with wolves on them in her ears. She sprayed on some So Pink perfume and, grabbing a black towel and black sun umbrella, slipped on some pink flip-flops and ran out of her room. She slid down the railing of the stairs and landed in front of the hall closet. She pulled out her pink Adidas tote bag and stuffed the towel and umbrella inside. As the others watched in silence, she ran back up the stairs, grabbed her pair of black shades and a pink ribbon for her hair. She fingered the ribbon gently. It had been her mother's favorite ribbon and Chikara guarded it with her life. Chikara also picked up her black digital camera with pink stripes. She left her bangles on her desk and, slipping on the shades and sticking the ribbon in her bag, raced out of her room and down the stairs with much yelling from Yusuke.
"Finally you're done!" Yusuke said as soon as he saw her. She stuck her tongue out at him and slid down the railing again and surveyed the others. Yusuke had on a pair of green swim trunks and a white muscle shirt. Kurama had on red swim trunks and a red t-shirt. Kuwabara had blue swim trunks and a white muscle shirt. Hiei had on black swim trunks and a black muscle shirt. Yukina had baby blue tank top and a pink skirt down to her knees. Keiko had on a white t-shirt and a yellow skirt the same length as Yukina's. Botan had a pink spaghetti strap tank top and a purple skirt that was the same length.
"Let's go!" Botan cheered and everybody raced out the door. Chikara was the last to leave, behind Hiei. The sun blinded her as soon as she stepped out and she covered her eyes.
"Come on!" Botan yelled again.
"Wait a minute. None of us have license! Let's take the car," Chikara smirked. Botan giggled and snapped her fingers. A portal winded up next to her.
"Step on through and we'll be at the beach. No need for a disastrous car accident," Chikara pouted and watched as the others stepped through and went before Hiei. It went dark and Chikara fell unconscious as she fell through the portal.
Chikara groaned and slowly opened her eyes. The blinding sunlight made her shut her eyes immediately. She pushed herself off the ground, her eyes still shut. Slowly, she felt around for her bag. When she got hold of it, she unzipped it and pulled out her shades.
"Ah, much better," she sighed as she slipped them on. She observed her surroundings. Warm sand was underneath and the girls, Kuwabara, Yusuke and Kurama were in their swim suits in the water. Hiei was sitting behind her on his black towel. She spread out her black towel next to his and decided to get a tan. She took off her skirt and jacket, threw them on her bag, rubbed sunscreen on and flopped on her towel on her stomach. Sighing, she closed her eyes and let the sun do its work.
"Hiei, Chikara, come on! We're going inter-tubing!" Kurama's voice broke Chikara's peace.
"No," Chikara said without getting up.
"Come on! It'll be fun!" Botan contributed. No answer. "I'll let you go to Club Nova again," Yusuke offered. Chikara lifted her head and glared at Yusuke. He grinned.
"Fine, but only if I get last ride," Yusuke nodded and Chikara stood up and stretched. Only then did she notice Hiei watching her.
"What are you looking at now, baka?" Chikara shot at him. No answer. More staring. "Stop and get on the boat already!" Chikara pointed at the speedboat that Yusuke had rented for inter-tubing.
"Fine, but I'm not going to like it." Hiei got up and walked towards the boat.
"Who cares if you like it or not? We're being forced to do this so let's get it done quickly." Chikara shot back and walked behind him, picking up her bag, towel and sunscreen and stuffing them back inside her bag.
"All aboard!" Botan shouted. Chikara groaned and, in one leap, hopped onto the boat, doing a front flip in midair. She landed and flipped her hair so it was behind her head again. She looked out and everybody was staring at her.
"What's everyone looking at?" Chikara's gaze met each one of their eyes.
"Where'd you learn to do gymnastics like that? That was amazing!" Keiko cheered.
"Yeah, you've never had any gymnastics or dance lessons," Yusuke commented.
"I don't know. I just did it. It was fun, though." Chikara responded and Hiei hopped on board. Everybody else followed.
"Ready, everybody?" Kuwabara asked, sitting behind the wheel. Everybody nodded except Chikara. She stood up and went below deck.
"Where are you going?" Yukina asked.
"To put my stuff away so it doesn't get wet," she stated. Looking around, she tucked her bag underneath the small sofa in front of her. Standing up, she went above deck again and sat down between Hiei and Kurama. When Chikara had sat down, Kuwabara started the motor and the boat moved off the shore and into the water. When they were deep enough, Yusuke and Kurama got up and unraveled the inter tube. They secured it to the boat and inflated it. When it was inflated, they set it down in the water behind the bumper of the boat.
"All right, this inter tube can seat two people at a time. Each ride will get 20 minutes. We'll do everybody first. Then, whoever wants a second ride can get one. Who's going first?" Kurama asked. Keiko immediately got up and Yusuke followed her in, putting on their life jackets. Kurama helped them on either side of the inter tube. Kurama sat back down in his seat and nodded to Kuwabara.
"Here we go!" he announced and started the motor. The boat moved and the people on the boat could hear the shrieks of Keiko and the whoops from Yusuke. Kuwabara turned the boat this way and that and the wind whipped Chikara's hair like crazy. She had taken out her camera when she put away her bag and now prepared it to take pictures. She held it up, set it to motion, and zoomed in on the two inter tubing. When she got a clear shot, she pressed the button and snapped a picture as the inter tube went up on a wave. Keiko's eyes were shut, Yusuke's mouth wide open. Chikara smiled and prepared for another picture. When she had taken two more pictures, she put the camera down and watched the inter tube weave through the ocean. Kuwabara slowed down finally and Kurama got up to pull the inter tube back to the boat. He helped Yusuke out, then Keiko. Yukina and Kuwabara went next. Yusuke drove this time. Again, Chikara snapped three pictures of their wild ride. After 20 minutes, Yusuke slowed to a stop and, this time, Chikara pulled in the inter tube. After Chikara pulled out the stoned Yukina, with many protests and whining from Kuwabara, Kurama and Botan went in. Yusuke and Kuwabara argued for five minutes about who was going to drive before Chikara stepped in and decided. Kuwabara sat in the seat happily and started the engine as a surly Yusuke sat down across from Chikara.
"You just wanted to side with him to make me unhappy, huh?" Yusuke glared at Chikara.
"Who, me? Of course not! Why would I do such a thing?" Chikara mocked and turned her back. She snapped another three pictures as the wind blew through her hair again. Hiei got frustrated and moved to another seat. Chikara smirked at him and turned her attention to the sun. It was high up in the sky; time had passed quickly. Suddenly, Kuwabara stopped. Chikara lurched forward, as did the others. The other girls toppled over each other.
"Hey, do you know how to drive a boat!" Chikara screamed and turned around. Kuwabara turned around in his seat and glared at her.
"Do you want to try driving this thing? It's hard to look at the time while you're driving, you know!"
"That's why you use a dang stopwatch, you baka!" Chikara shot back.
"Then you try driving this dang boat!" Kuwabara stood up and offered her the seat.
"Fine, I will!" Chikara huffed and took the driver's seat. She revved up the boat and grinned. "Let's see what this baby can do!" she yelled. The boat shot off and everybody screamed. Even Hiei looked a little bit frightened. They could hear the screams of Botan and Kurama as the inter tube turned this way and that in the water.
"Wahoo!" Chikara whooped as she turned the wheel. Her hair whipped wildly as ever and spray came from this way and that. She heard the faint beep of the stopwatch going off and slowed the boat to a stop. Chikara turned around in her seat, grinning. Yusuke and Kuwabara were holding onto their seats for dear life, stoned and grimacing. Yukina and Keiko were grasping the base of their seats and were shaking with fear. Hiei was paled and frozen in his seat. Chikara burst out at their expression and stumbled out of the chair.
"You…are not…driving…ever…again," gasped Yusuke as he and Kuwabara struggled to regain balance. Chikara pouted and let Yusuke take the driver's seat.
"Oh, well, it's my turn in the inter tube anyways," shrugged Chikara as she pulled the inter tube in. She stopped to put her digital camera under deck in her bag. Botan and Kurama were grasping onto the handles so tight their knuckles had turned white. With a little urging, they stepped out of the inter tube and Chikara took Botan's place.
"Hiei, it's your turn also," Kurama said and Hiei reluctantly climbed in next to Chikara. Yusuke looked back and Chikara nodded, signaling they were ready. The boat came to life and pulled forth. The inter tube waited a moment and followed it. Chikara whooped again and looked over at Hiei. He was as white as a ghost and he was clutching the handles so tightly his knuckles were white. His black gravity-defying spikes were blown back in the wind and his crimson eyes were shut tight. Chikara laughed and raised one of her hands to brush the hair out of her face. It was her first time inter tubing and she was having a blast. She screamed as they went up on wave after wave and laughed as Hiei shut his eyes more tightly each time. She wiped the spray off her face, only to get hit with more. Her hair was flying everywhere and she couldn't keep spray off her face for a minute. Chikara found enough bravery to let go of both handles and sweep her hair back so she could lay on it with her head. Suddenly the boat stopped and the inter tube went flying forward. Chikara, since both her hands were on her hair, flipped forward and fell out of the inter tube, which was already in midair. Screaming, she landed in the water with so much force, a huge wave formed and swept over the inter tube, Hiei still in. He got caught in the wave and was swept out of the inter tube.
"Are you guys ok?" Chikara heard Kurama's voice in the distance. She swam up to the surface and gasped, wiping her face. She waved in the direction of a white blurry object which she took for the boat. Chikara looked around and saw a black object floating about 10 feet away. She swam toward it and discovered Hiei blacked out in the water. Grabbing hold of him, she swam back in the direction of the boat. Yusuke and Kurama pulled her out of the water and laid out Hiei on the deck. Chikara gasped for air and looked around. Everyone carried worry lines on their faces. She stumbled below deck as Kurama pulled the inter tube in. Locating her bag, she fumbled around inside until she found her towel. She wrapped it around herself and got back on deck. Hiei was coming to and Kurama was tying the inter tube to the boat. Hiei's eyes opened and he jolted. Yukina wrapped his towel around him and he stumbled off the sofa, only to fall back down on it.
"What happened anyway? Why'd you stop so suddenly?" Chikara turned to Yusuke.
"Sorry, guys. Something happened to the brake. It just…stopped," he said sheepishly, then added, "Are you guys ok?" Chikara and Hiei nodded and it fell silent. Kuwabara got up and took the driver's seat.
"What are you doing?" Yusuke walked to his side.
"Getting us back to shore, baka. What else did you think I was gonna do? " Kuwabara replied. He started the boat and it revved up. It sped off faster than Chikara had driven it and everyone but Chikara screamed. Chikara whooped instead. The boat stopped as suddenly as it had when Chikara was in the inter tube and everyone lurched forward. Kuwabara started the boat up again and, this time, it drove smoothly. Everyone sighed. A sickening sound broke their moment of peace and the boat rocked. Everyone stood up in alarm.
"We've crashed into a rock!" Kurama shouted. The other girls screamed as Chikara ran to see the damage. The bow was beyond repair and the boat was starting to capsize. She looked toward shore in hopes that she could signal for help. It was no use; they had gone too far out and the shore was a tiny strip of brown in the distance. More and more water came up on deck.
"Jump overboard, everyone!" Kurama shouted and everybody leapt into the water at once. The boat sank quicker as they stared at the massive rock that had caused the damage. It had to be over 7 feet tall, if that was even possible.
"There goes the boat and all that stuff and money," Yusuke groaned. Stuff…Chikara gasped.
"My bag! It's still under deck! I have to get it!" Before anyone could say anything, she dove underwater, much to the dismay of Yusuke.
Chikara opened her eyes and was greeted by blue. She turned and looked at the surface. The light barely broke through. Did I really go that far down? Ugh, have to find my bag. Where is the boat? Chikara looked around and spotted the large white boat and swam toward it. Going through the windshield is my best bet. Chikara swam underneath the boat and was pleased to find a gaping hole in the windshield, big enough for her to swim through if she was careful of the edges. She kicked her legs and inched her way through. Pain shot through her when she was almost completely inside. She looked back to see a gash on her right thigh. Ignoring the pain, she swam ahead. Chikara saw the stairs that led down under and frantically swam toward them. Her head was getting let and she couldn't hold her breath for much longer. Her black bag was floating around, just inches away from where she had left it. Her hand stretched out and got pulled back. She turned around and saw that the bottom of her swim suit had gotten caught on a piece of wood and prevented her from getting her bag. She tugged furiously but couldn't get it loose. Her lightheadedness was overcoming her and she couldn't take it. Black surrounded her and Chikara fell onto the stairs as the boat sank deeper.
"I'm worried. Shouldn't she be back for air by now?" Kurama questioned. Botan nodded. They were all powerless to help and could only stare at the spot where Chikara dived and hope. Yusuke looked like he was about to blow and Keiko was talking to him, not that it was doing much.
Her blue eyes opened and she started. Looking around, she realized that she was still in the boat under water. But…I couldn't have survived that. Unless… Chikara took in a deep breath and waited. Nothing happened. She let it out.
"Awesome, I can breathe underwater!" she exclaimed excitedly. She swam backwards and unhooked her swim suit, then swam forward again, watching the hook. When she had made it through she grabbed her bag and swam back out.
"I'm glad I closed the bag and that it's waterproof." Chikara sighed and, slinging the bag over her right shoulder, swam through the windshield and headed for the surface. A black shadow caught Chikara's eye and she stopped. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the shadow swim by again.
"Who are you?" Chikara shouted and a flash of white sped by her. Three long gashes appeared on her upper let arm and Chikara cried out in agony. The thing turned around and struck again, but Chikara barely dodged by kicking her feet and going backwards. The enemy stopped for a brief moment so Chikara could get a good look and Chikara froze.
"Great white shark," she whispered, "Oh, no." Her eyes darted to her arm and her leg. They were still bleeding and the water was turning red around her. She turned and swam away and the shark pursued, gaining every moment.
"It's no use. You cannot escape, Chikara Urameshi," a mysterious voice echoed around her and she stopped, looking around in the water. The voice continued, "My shark minion will succeed in its mission. Then, one day, soon, you and your powers and gifts will be mine," maniacal laughter filled the water and faded into the distance.
"Who are you? Show yourself!" Chikara looked around bewilderedly. A black shadow seen out of the corner of her eye reminded her of her predicament. Chikara twisted around as the shark attacked her from behind. She let out a scream as a new gash appeared on her other arm. Then, as suddenly as it had come, the shark was gone.
"What is taking her so long? She should've come up to breathe by now," fretted Yusuke, "I'm going down to see what's going on."
"No, Yusuke, you mustn't. She can take care of herself," Kurama said, then added under his breath, "At least, I hope so."
Chikara gasped as she avoided the shark again. She was running out of breath and couldn't take much more. Her eyes wandered around, looking for a way to escape the shark. She looked at the surface and swam towards it but the shark cut her off. Frustrated, Chikara tried to swim around the shark from 10 different angles and got cut off each time.
"I have to get back up there! But the stupid shark won't…" Chikara trailed off and looked around. The shark was no where to be seen.
"Where'd it go? It has to be around here somewhere," she mused. She sensed movement behind her and turned. Before she had a chance to dodge, the shark struck and made three new gash marks on her right arm. It also managed to rip Chikara's bag to shreds. Chikara stared horrified as her belongings were scattered about. Some began floating towards the surface and others sank into the depths of the ocean.
"What in the world? This is Chikara's umbrella. What's going on down there?" Yusuke asked as his sister's black umbrella broke through the surface and floated by her towel. Her clothes also floated up.
"What is going on?" Kuwabara yelled.
"How am I supposed to know!" Yusuke responded.
Her digital camera was sinking to the bottom. Chikara quickly swam after it and pulled it close to her. One item down.
"Just have to find the rest of my stuff," muttered Chikara. She looked up and saw her clothes floating to the top. She also saw her umbrella and her towel floating there. Chikara turned to the right and swam after her sunscreen and her shades, catching them and holding them close to her.
"Wait, where's my ribbon?" Chikara looked around frantically. Her mother's prized ribbon. She had to find it. She saw it off in the distance, floating toward the shark's mouth.
"NO!" Chikara panicked. She couldn't let her mother's favorite ribbon and her most prized possession be eaten by a shark. She swam towards it faster than she thought she could swim. When the ribbon was a mere inch away from the shark's mouth, Chikara stretched out as far as she could and seized it by an end. As soon as she touched it, a bright light surrounded her and the ribbon as she pulled it towards her heart. The shark was hit by the light and swam away in fear. The light grew stronger and brighter as it expanded and broke through the surface in a column.
"What in the world is that?" Kurama yelled as a column of light broke through.
"Immense power is at work here," Hiei replied calmly.
"Chikara!" Yusuke yelled.
Chikara felt her body being lifted by the light and gave in to it. Still clutching the ribbon, she floated in the light towards the surface in a little ball. She heard the yells of the others, felt her body break through the surface, and her eyes opened. She gasped and looked around. As soon as she lifted her head, the light column vanished into thin air and she fell. Hiei caught her as she plummeted towards the ocean. The others swam towards them. Yukina checked her pulse and her breathing.
"She's fine, just unconscious. Of course, who wouldn't be after that?" Yusuke sighed in relief. They swam back to shore, where a team of lifeguards met them. They insisted on checking her and putting her in medical care, but Keiko and Botan warded them off.
"She's fine, guards. She just needs some rest at her house. Then she'll be good as new," insisted Keiko. The guards, after 20 minutes, finally gave up and shooed off the gathering crowd.
"Come on, let's get her home," Yusuke said gently and lifted Chikara up onto his back. Everybody else agreed and Botan snapped her fingers. Another portal opened and they stepped through.
A minute later, they arrived in front of the Urameshi residence. Yusuke handed Chikara over to the person to his right, which was Hiei, and produced a key from his pocket. He stuck it in the keyhole, opened the door and switched on the light. Taking his sister back, he laid her down on the sofa gently. Keiko ran upstairs and brought down Chikara's blanket from her room. Propping Chikara's head on a cushion, she laid the blanket carefully over her. Chikara stirred but didn't open her eyes.
"Come on, guys. We've had a long day and Chikara's had a longer one. Let's go upstairs, call it a night and let Chikara rest," suggested Kurama and everyone agreed as they dragged themselves up the stairs.
"Hiei, would you mind watching Chikara? Since, you know, you stay down here during the night," Yukina paused midway up the stairs, since she was the last one, and turned around, eyeing Hiei with concern. Hiei, unable to upset his sister, nodded slightly and Yukina smiled, heading up the stairs once more and flipping the lights off. Hiei watched her until she disappeared into the Urameshi guest room and then turned to Chikara. She was still sleeping, fitfully though. Hiei took his place on the windowsill and looked out the window as the last of the burning sunset disappeared behind the horizon. Darkness took over where it was orange and red in the sky. The stars came out one by one, sparkling slowly but surely. They dotted the sky like grains of salt. The full silver moon caught his eye and he fell into a trance, captivated by the beauty, his eyes closing slowly. A thud behind him alerted him and his eyes opened fully. Hiei turned to see Chikara laying on the floor, tangled in her blanket, her pillow laying a few inches away from her head. Apparently, Chikara's sleep was so fitful that she had rolled off the couch. Hiei got up and picked Chikara up in his arms, placing her gently on the couch. He untangled her from the blanket and spread it over her again. Picking up the pillow, he slid it underneath her head and returned to his windowsill. Before he fell asleep, he turned to look at Chikara, now sleeping peacefully on the couch. He turned his head and drifted off into a tired slumber.
Chikara opened her eyes slowly and sat up right, alert and cautious. She sighed in relief when she realized she was in her own home. Checking the clock on top of the T.V., she groaned. It was 5:30 in the morning. As she started to lie back down, something caught her eye and she sat back up. Hiei was resting peacefully on the windowsill, his face turned towards the window. The way the sun was hitting him, it made him look as though he were glowing. An angel in black. Chikara smiled at the thought. Wait, sun…
"Dang! Got to record the rise," Chikara whispered to herself. She stumbled off the couch and grabbed her digital camera, which was sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch. Slipping into the pink flip-flops she wore yesterday to the beach, she unlocked the door and noiselessly snuck out, silently closing it behind her. She set her camera to video mode and sat underneath the large cherry blossom tree in the front yard. Holding the camera up, she started to record the radiating sunrise. A smile tugged at her lips and Chikara was too captivated by the sun to resist. As the sun floated higher into the sky, the smile grew bigger on Chikara's lips.
Hiei watched her through the window from where he sat on the windowsill. When she had gone outside, he had waken up at the sound of the door shutting. He watched her smiled. Considering what had happened to her the past two days, it was good to the smile on her face. He didn't turn around when he heard noises behind him. Hiei knew the others were gathered at the top of the stairs, wondering what he was doing. He heard them come down the stairs quietly, felt them gather around the window. He heard their gasps at Chikara outside and smiling, yet he paid them no attention. His focus remained steadfast on Chikara.
She knew that they were there. She could see it out of the corner of her eyes. Her focus switched back to the sunrise. She wouldn't let them know that she knew that they were watching her. It would be fun to torment them about spying on her. When the sun was at the height where she had to raise her camera to capture it, she stopped recording and went inside.
"What are you guys doing? Were you spying on me!" Chikara demanded in mock anger when she went inside. She had turned automatically when she opened the door and caught them off guard, except for Hiei. She had to suppress her laugh when she saw the startled looks on their faces and the awkward positions they were in. They had frozen when she had come in and, by the looks of their positions, they had been trying to make a dash for the sofa.
"No, of course not! Why would we be doing that? We were just…uh…" Kuwabara fibbed and trailed off, trying to think of an excuse. Chikara raised an eyebrow and everybody started stammering.
"We were playing our own version of freeze tag!" Kurama laughed unsurely. A barrage of "Oh yeah!" and "That's right!" met Chikara. Hiei smirked.
"Whatever. I'm getting some breakfast. You can keep up your freaky version of freeze tag," laughed Chikara as she went into the kitchen.
"Um, I think we're all gonna quit since we're getting hungry," Kurama ventured and followed Chikara into the kitchen. The rest followed his example and unfroze. Even Hiei got up and sat down at the kitchen table. Chikara overheard "Nice save," directed towards Kurama. She smiled as she stuck eight waffles into the toaster, took out eight eggs and cracked on in a pan, turned on the stove and took out the package of bacon from the freezer. Yukina took out eight plates from the cupboard and laid them out on the counter. Botan got out eight cups and Keiko got the orange juice from the refrigerator. When the toaster dinged, Yukina loaded a waffle on each plate. Botan delivered the drinks to the table and Keiko, after putting the orange juice away, grabbed syrup and butter and set them down at the table.
"Yukina, catch the egg, ok?" Chikara whispered. Yukina grabbed a plate and backed up. Chikara flipped the egg one last time and launched the egg over her head. She turned to watch Yukina stick out her arm and catch the egg in the middle of the plate. Yukina and Chikara smiled as the boys cheered and asked for an encore. They did that to the other seven eggs and to the bacon as well. When each person had gotten a plate, Chikara sat down between Hiei and Yukina and watched Yusuke and Kuwabara devour their breakfast. Everybody laughed and Chikara and Hiei smirked.
"More please!" Yusuke and Kuwabara held out their finished plates toward Chikara. She sighed and got up, taking the plates to the stove. She was glad that she had left out the bacon, eggs and waffles. Yukina got up to help her and to give an encore performance. This is going to be a long day…Chikara thought as Yukina popped two waffles into the toaster and grabbed the two boys' plates, ready to catch the bacon and eggs.