AN: Thank reviewer :) My first one in a long time 3 You gave me the will to keep on trucking! When I get my new ipod, I will try to update more often 3
Chapter Two: We are All So Bored
She sat up straight and gasped. For the second time her eyes flew open, but instead of staring into the suns rays, she was staring into narrowed violet eyes.
"You look like shit; when was the last time you slept?" The blue-haired demon drawled, "Seriously, those bags under your eyes? It's called sleeping pills, get some."
"Who wants to sleep, when you have nightmares like mine?" She smiled, breathing heavy as if she ran a marathon.
"Don't be so dramatic, Lia. Haven't you ever heard the phrase 'face your demons?"
"I'm facing you, aren't I?"
He smirked, showing off his bleach white teeth, "Yeah, but I'm good to look at. You would enjoy it too much."
"I'm regretting it already," She laughed, "But enough about me-"
"Yes please, you aren't very interesting."
"What brings you to my humble abode?"
He stepped back and she held out her hand , "Really Lia? Living in human world has made you lazy." He lifted her up, "and fat."
She glared at him and gasped, "Asshole."
"I only speak the truth," he shrugged, "Too bad none of that fat when to your boobs. A shame really."
"I am beginning to grow very tired of you." She crossed her arms over her chest, "Why are you here? If it's just to berate me for my eating habits, then maybe you should leave. I have important things to do today!" Like get all the stars in Super Mario 64.
"I have a favor actually." He mimicked her movement, and leaned against the metal banister.
"Wow," she exclaimed, widening her eyes," Shisiwakamaru asking little old me for a favor? I thought I'd never see the day!"
"Don't get excited, it isn't for ME!" He rolled his eyes, "It's for Suzuki and Mitsuko...she's having the baby."
She lost her smile. "Let me guess, in all of Suzuki's infinite wisdom and knowledge of weaponry and fancy spells, he can't ease the pain of her dying ?"
"Who said she's going to die?" Shisi asked with a serious tone.
"Everyone told her she couldn't live through childbirth, did we not? Even Kurama mentioned something to them if I am not mistaken?"
"That's where you come in..."
She gave him a confused look, but allowed him to proceed.
"We need you," he continued, "to go to Kurama and see if he can make Mitsuko something to ease the pain, maybe even save her life."
She was taken aback by the request, and stared into Shisi's eyes searching for any sign that he was joking; because there was no way he seriously took a detour from the demon world barrier, a good hour out of his way, just to ask her such a stupid question. "I haven't even talked to Kurama in years. He knows I live in human world, and I haven't even made the effort to see him. How am I supposed to waltz into his apartment like: 'OH HEY Kurama, who raised me since I was five and took me under your wing when my sister died, sorry I haven't even bothered asking how you've been these last, what, five years...but I have a little favor to ask: can you like, totally, save my friend's life? Thanks!'" She threw her arms in the air dramatically, "Are you for real? He probably likes you more, you do it!"
Shisi looked away and shifted uncomfortably on the banister.
"What?" She shouted, "Do you have a hot date or something?" Sarcasm dripped on every syllable she flung in his direction, but when he didn't immediately give her a good excuse as to why he couldn't just ask his ally for help, she gasped. "You do have a date!"
"She's a model! What do you want me to do!" He huffed, "Come on Lia!"
"Our friend is dying! And you are going on a date?! You have to be joking, please tell me you are joking!"
"Our friend is dying, and you won't get over your awkwardness around someone who you've known all your life. Please, tell me which one is more selfish?"
She pretended to think for a second, "No, you, still you. 100%."
She turned abruptly and walked towards the sliding door, accepting that either way the errand was hers. She stopped short however,suddenly remembering her dream. Looking down the hallway to apartment, between her bathroom and bedroom, she saw nothing. No man with an ax in his head. Just a small end table, with a picture of Suzuki, Shisi, Mitsuko, James and her taken after the Dark Tournament had ended. She remembered that moment fondly. After all the bloodshed, the tears, and the embarrassment of Team Uraotogi loosing to the human team, they had taken a second to reflect. Watching how strong Team Toguro was, Suzuki and Shisi realize they had dodged a serious bullet. Their lives were spared. Lia, James-a dog demon-and Mistuko-a healer-were supposed to be the alternates to take over once the obvious meat shields were disposed of. Not everything went according to plan, however. A blessing in disguised.
It was then, they pledged their alliance.
"Lia," Shisi's voice broke through, "What are you staring at?"
"Nothing," she responded. She went to grab the handle of the door, but something caught her eye. Hand prints. Smudges of hand prints covered the doors. Pressed hard against the glass, as if trying to push through. All different sizes...
"Hello," he shouted, suddenly right behind the smaller demon, "It's just a door." he wrapped his hand around the wooden handle and aggressive slid the door open. A rush of cool air hit her face and she winced silently from the change of temperature.
There are three dead and many injured in the freak five car pile up on Mita Dori street this morning...
"What's your problem," he scolded, glaring at her.
She took a couple of moments to scan her apartment. The clock was still reading time normally. The TV on from last night on the channel she left it. The lights were still on as well-as they should have been in the beginning. She poked her head in, and listened intently for any foreign noises...
Just the drip of her sink.
"If I was dreaming," she asked, "How would I know?"
The older demon sighed boredly, and suddenly shoved Lia into her apartment. She stumbled, tripping over the slide of her door, but managed to catch herself before she tumbled to the floor.
"Did you wake up?" He mocked. She threw him a warning glare, but he softened his features and approached her slowly. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing," she snapped, "I'm going to put on some appropriate clothing and go visit Kurama. Meet me by the alternative entrance to Demon World. You know, where you dropped me off when I left."
"That's out-of-the-way," he said slowly, "You think we have enough time for that?"
She shrugged, mockingly, "I don't know, Shisi, you have enough time to wine, dine, and bang some dumb bitch, I think I have enough time to walk some extra blocks."
"Don't be vulgar, Lia, it doesn't suit you." He backed out of the apartment, "I'll be there in two hours, do you think that will be enough time?"
"We'll see," she turned and headed to her bedroom, "Close my door when you leave, I don't want bugs."
It rained in the fifteen minutes it took Lia to change, as evident from the dewy smell and fresh glistening street tar...and the blasted humidity that made the air thick and hard to breathe. The sun was now hidden behind a blanket or rolling gray clouds, and the rumbling echo from the distance floated over the city. "Hrm," she grimaced, zipped up her black hoodie, and started her journey to the mass of white-washed buildings which housed a certain silver fox.
She was half sure he would be home. His classes didn't start for another two weeks according to her knowledge of the education system in their city. He had no real job, except helping his step-father occasionally, and maybe volunteering at animal shelters when he was bored. No real friends, and broke many female callers hearts with his polite disinterest. She did know that on Thursday's he would walk from his loft to a corner coffee shop hidden from view by a lush of trees. He would order the same Caramel Latte with 3 shots of espresso, and take a seat in the corner by the window. He would sip his beverage, glance at his book of the week and occasionally flip through the pages. Sometimes he would look out the musty window; his green eyes seemingly alert and interested. She would swear that he was looking right at her, perched up in the tree and seemingly covered by leaves and branches. But he never acknowledged her existence; no gentle nod of the head, or a cautious wave. Nothing. Just a dead stare piercing into her very soul.
Then he would leave. Hands shoved into denim pockets, as he walked back to his home.
But today wasn't Thursday. It was Friday morning.
At the asscrack of dawn.
And he lived 10 miles away.
"Fuck me," she groaned, bringing her hood up and started her long trudge down the concrete pathway.
It was that awkward time in the morning-between the stark emptiness and bustling of human life. While shops were still dark and signs still switched to "closed", there were a plethora of mortals huddled by bus stops and hailing taxis, and Lia shoved her hands into her pockets and looked down the entire time. Watching only one converse covered foot march in front of the other.
Koto says she likes me, but then kissed Sasuke at the party!
The new exchange student from America is really cute I think I mi-
I told you I needed the files by this morning! I'll have your-
Watch where your going! Asshole!
The aggressive honk of a horn mingled with the whistles of crossing guards.
All conversations turned into a jumble mess of white noise. Usually, Lia brought her Ipod and drowned the noise with the sounds of guitar riffs and melodic melodies...sadly, it rested in her room, on top of the mahogany night table. Next to the black and white checkered lamp and the picture she literally ripped from her memory.
She slowed her pace...
She could honestly say she had it easy growing up. Tucked away in the deep black forest of Makai, and surrounded by people who loved her. Her memory before falling into the hands of Kurama is nothing but black. The first thing she remembered was the feeling of sweat and panic dripping off her sister, who clutched Lia's small frame in her arms as she dashed through this dark abyss of foliage. Lia was gripping to her sister's armor that was cracked and cut open her hand. The stream of warm blood down her arm caused the then five year old to cry out weakly. But her sister didn't stop.
She couldn't.
They were right behind her. At that moment Lia didn't know who they were or why they were after them, but she could sense her sister was thick with fear. Her breath short. "a huff a huff" as she ran. She felt Kira's lungs tighten. Her throat stiffen. Lia peered through her mess of black hair at her sister. Kira...her rock, mentor...the cold and borderline ruthless wolf-demon with a hear of gold, had thick tears falling from her green eyes...
She tripped over a misplaced log. She lost her footing instantly from her momentum, and both girls went toppling to the floor, rolling through broken branches and rocks. Kira's body shielded Lia from the impact, offering her exposed arms and legs to scratches and burns until her back hit the tree with a loud thud that shook the forest.
Then silence. Bleak, untouched silence.
Lia's eyes shut tightly and she mewed gently in pain. The gentle rise and fall of her sister's chest of comforting, and for some reason relieved that they had stopped running. That she couldn't hear anything. That she couldn't see her sister crying; dripping salty tears unto her hair. They were annoying and kept her awake, and all little Lia wanted to do...was go back to sleep...
Her body relaxed. The wind caressed her broken skin, soothing the wounds that burned. The fever cooled for a moment. Kira said to stay awake...but this...was oh-so comforting...
And then she heard the crunch of combat boots against sticks that never stood a chance...
Spa-LASH
It was the disgusting, greasy, cold water that broke Lia from her revere, and she was propelled back to the present. A present in which she was now covered in muddy street water. She gasped sharply; the wetness chilling her to the bone-and let out a loud "Fuck."
"Having one of those days," a sultry voice called, and she snapped her head towards the offensive sound. She clenched her hands into her pockets, feeling for one of her knives (a girl can't walk the streets these days) only to discover that it was probably next to her ipod, which was next to the picture of Kira and her. She tried to compose herself, but when she made contact with chocolate-brown orbs, she tensed.
He was leaning against the wall of an ally, one foot propped up, smoking a menthol cigarette. The black smoke dancing above his jet black hair and obstructing the view of his baby face. He was looking at her intently. Scanning every inch of his body, but his look was not laced with lust, but with caution. Held back. When the initial panic drew back, she noticed he was on his guard.
"Something like that," she said.
He nodded at her, "That's some kind of defense mode you're in." He chuckled, "Crouching tiger?"
She was hunched, her legs ready to sprint. "Uh, yeah."
"Not really the best," he shook his head, "You look like you don't know if you want to fight or run."
She straighten up, "Maybe, I don't want to do either?" She narrowed her eyes at him, but he only laughed at her. He pushed himself off the wall and walked over to the wet and, now, frustrated brunette.
"What are you?" He flicked his cigarette
"Excuse me?" She huffed.
"Well, you obviously aren't human- even Kuwabara could feel that much- but," he looked her over again; examining her backside a little too long for her liking, "for a demon, you suck at detecting spirit energy."
She opened her mouth to make a very elaborate protest, but he took her head and gentle turned it towards a crowd of school girls. "Look closely," he mocked, "You see that guy right there, with the shifty eyes and bad haircut?"
She did, sadly. And his haircut was really bad. "Yes."
"He's been tailing you for at least five blocks. At least that's when I noticed him."
Think of something snarky. Think of something snarky. "Oh..." Good job, brain!
"Now, do we know who he is?" the raven haired bastard smirked.
She scrunched up her nose in disgust, "The new Spirit Detective?"
"WOW! You are smart!"
She slapped his offensive limb away from her, "Thank you for taking time out of your such busy schedule to inform me. Now excus-"
"Not, just yet," he interrupted, "Now see, this is what is going to happen." He pointed down the dead-end block. "You're going to have to make a turn right, I'm assuming to get wherever it is you are going. Now, that block right there is virtually empty at this time of day, so no one can hear you scream when Yuki- that's his name by the way- snaps your neck."
Think of something witty. "Oh."
"But you are in luck! Because, it just so happens that Yuki is balls deep afraid of me- and for good reason, might I add. And- I mean, you just keep on winning today, baby- I just so happen to be going your way. Isn't that convenient?"
A little too convenient. She thought. "What do you want?"
He smiled. A genuine, toothy smile. The original tense, and musclar body, relaxed and he laughed gently at the smaller girl. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
Now, she was confused.
"I really...have nothing to do today and I'm just bored," he laughed, "and my friend lives over there in that white apartment complex and I feel like just talking to someone as I travel."
There was something behind his fragile smile, something that made her chest tighten ever so slightly. She looked back over at the group of girls, that were making their way onto the bus. Through the messes of hair and blue uniforms, she saw Yuki's bold brown eyes staring her down, and every so often glancing at the ass of some unsuspecting 14-year-old.
"I guess," she smiled at the boy, "I'm not in the mood to fight anyway."
"Yeah, well, he would have probably killed you, to."
She gave him a warning glare, but relaxed and smiled.
"Let's go then," she started walking, "I'm on a tight schedule."