Phoenix opens her eyes slowly to the sound of someone knocking on her door.
"Who is it?" She calls out sleepily.
"Kurama." The one knocking answers.
"What do you want?" She calls out.
"Open the door and find out." He answers back.
She groans and rolls out of bed. She walks sluggishly to the door and opens it up yawning.
"What?" She says grumpily.
"Get dressed we are taking you to see your parents." Kurama answers and then turns and heads downstairs.
Phoenix shuts her bedroom door and walks to the bathroom still half asleep. She turns her shower on with her eyes still closed and starts to undo her braids with her eyes shut. Once she finishes, she steps into the water and lets the water hit her face. She turns her body around to get it completely wet. She still feels extremely tired and sore so she sits down in the tub; and lets the water fall on her. The water is so warm and feels so good that she shuts her eyes to enjoy it better. Before she realizes is she dozes off.
Yusuke and Kuwabara are sitting on the couch playing a video game; Hiei & Asiya are cuddled up on the windowsill looking out bored; and Kurama is waiting at the bottom of the stairs for Phoenix. Kurama looks at his watch. ...What is taking her so long? I told her to get ready an hour ago.... he thinks to himself.
"Kurama I thought you said you told her to get ready." Yusuke says as if reading his mind.
"I did. She should be done by now." He says.
"Maybe she just went back to bed." Kuwabara adds in.
"She probably did and we are just sitting down here waiting for her dumbass." Yusuke remarks annoyed.
"I'm going to go drag her ass out of bed for wasting my time." Yusuke says. He pauses his video game and gets up.
"Hey Urameshi I was playing." Kuwabara whines.
"Shut up." He says coldly and walks past Kurama up to Phoenix's room.
Yusuke walks up to Phoenix's bedroom door and opens it slowly. He peeks in but to his disappointment she is not in there.
...She is gone... He thinks to himself. He turns to run out of the room to tell the others but stops. It took his mind a minute to comprehend what he was seeing. He walks over to her bed and picks up what looks like Hiei's cloak! To his utter amazement it is his cloak! ...What the hell? Why would his cloak be in here? He thinks to himself forgetting that Phoenix is not in her room.
...Did she steal it? Yusuke thinks to himself turning it over as if some sign of it being stolen would pop up. ...No that is stupid. To do that, she would have to physically take it off of him and he didn't look like he had gotten into a fight when I saw him this morning so how in the he-... Yusuke stops and his eyes widen as a thought occurs to him.
...Did they? No Hiei would never. Maybe when he went to find her last night she was cold and he let her borrow it... Yusuke dismisses this thought as soon as it hits him. ...No we are talking about Hiei here. He wouldn't even do that even if he did like her. So it has to be-... An amused smile forms across Yusuke's face at the thought of it.
He looks around the room for Phoenix and remembers she isn't in there. ...Where the hell did she go? He thinks to himself when he hears her shower going and stops. ...She is in the shower! What the fuck!? Who the hell takes a shower for an hour! He thinks to himself angrily forgetting about Hiei's cape and throwing it on the bed absentmindedly. He stomps over to the bathroom door and pounds on it.
"Hey Phoenix!" He yells.
Phoenix jumps to her feet abruptly and almost slips in the bathtub.
"Who is it?" She screams reaching for the shampoo and putting it in her hair.
"What the hell are you doing in there? We have been waiting for you for an hour! Hurry the hell up!" Yusuke screams from behind the bathroom door.
...An hour! I fell asleep for an hour? She thinks to herself in shock rinsing her hair out and then putting conditioner in it.
"Alright I'll be out in a minute." She screams reaching for her aloofa sponge and pouring soap on it.
"You have two minutes or we are not going to take you at all!" He calls back angrily.
"Two minutes? But that isn't fair!" She screams back rinsing her body off.
"Neither is wasting a Saturday to take your dumbass to see your parents!" Yusuke fires back.
Phoenix jumps out of her shower and rips open her bathroom door and lunges at a shocked Yusuke; she grabs him by the throat and throws him to the ground in one move.
"Who the fuck are you calling a dumbass Detective!" She growls at him.
He lays under her stunned. The water from her body is dripping onto his clothes slowly saturating them.
"If you ever call me names again Detective I will rip your tongue out and hand it to you! Got it!" She hisses and then lets him go.
She stomps back into her bathroom and rips her towel off of the towel ring and wraps it around her wet body. Glaring at Yusuke, she walks right past him to her closet and his eyes follow her. She picks out some clothes and takes them out of her closet and walks over to her bed placing them down.
She then walks over to her nightstand and opens up the drawer and reaches in. After a few moments of searching, she takes out some lotion and walks to the foot of her bed. She places it on the bed and then looks over at Yusuke, he is sitting up.
"What the hell? Are you just going to sit there and watch?" She snaps at him.
"Oh now you are going to be shy huh? You sure in the hell weren't to shy just a moment ago when you launched yourself at me naked like a mad woman!" He fires back.
An anime vein pops out of her forehead and her left eye begins to twitch.
"GET OUT YOU PERV!" She bellows.
He jumps up hastily and rushes out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Once behind the door, a savvy smile widens across his face and he sighs contently.
"What the hell happened to your shirt Urameshi? And what's with that stupid smile?" Kuwabara asks looking at Yusuke as he returns to his seat next to him.
"I just seen the most flawless body of a woman that men dream their girls had." He answers beaming.
"YOU mean you saw her naked!" Kuwabara exclaims.
Both Kurama and Hiei look over at Yusuke astounded.
"I sure did and damn she got a nice body. I'll never be able to look at her the same again." Yusuke says fanciful.
"Well you aren't that hard to win over. If I would have known it was that easy to get you to change your mind about me I would have gotten naked a long time ago." Phoenix says brashly.
Yusuke jumps 5 feet in the air at Phoenix's voice. He turns to her and a nervous smile spreads across his face. She rolls her eyes at him.
"I'm ready when you are detective." She says in a catty voice.
Phoenix, Asiya, and the detectives walk out of the mansion and toward Koenma's office. Yusuke walks into Koenma's office with the others following behind. They spread around Koenma's desk. Phoenix walks in the office last with a confused look written across her face.
"I thought you guys said you were taking me to see my parents? Why are we here?" She asks.
"Because I told them to bring you in here first before you went to see your parents." Koenma answers turning his chair toward her.
"And what is it that you want to tell me Koenma-Sama?" She asks rolling your eyes, as if already knowing what is going to come out of his mouth.
"Don't try anything funny Phoenix I mean it. Don't try to warn them about what you are doing for me and don't even think of escaping. Understand?" Koenma says crossing his arms giving her a stern look.
"Look Koenma don't worry alright I won't do anything I'm not suppose to. As much as I hate to admit it you are right about my parents, if I were to tell them what I'm doing for you; even if it is to save their life and set them free, they will kill me. And I've decided that I actually do want to live. Also Koenma don't forget the fact that if I do betray your trust my soul is no longer mine. And trust and believe that I am not to keen about giving you my soul." She starts. "You know your highness it really hurts that you don't trust me." She jests. Koenma narrows his eyes into her. She clears her throat. "Is there anything else you would like to go over before you let me go?" Phoenix asks soberly.
"No that is all." Koenma says pleased with her answer.
She turns on her heel and walks out of the room Asiya follows after her.
"Detectives I want you to come and see me when you are finished I have something I need to go over with you guys." Koenma calls out to the guys as they follow after Asiya & Phoenix.
They both stop and wait for Yusuke to get in front of them and lead the way. Asiya makes her way next to Hiei and Phoenix silently follows behind Yusuke. Anxiety begins to slowly build in her chest as she gets closer to the spirit prison. Her heartbeat quickens a bit as she turns the corner to the entrance of the spirit prison. It is a dark and gloomy place with high stone gray walls and bars all over the place. Yusuke shows his badge to the guard and he opens the gates to let them in. Yusuke walks into the hallways. Phoenix shivers at the sight of the prison cells that are covered with thick bars. ...I don't ever want to be locked in this place. I will surely die in here... She thinks to herself and shakes off the thought of being in prison. Yusuke leads her into a section that says Maximum Security. She walk in and sees her mother and father behind the windows. They look up at her anxiously as Yusuke shows his badge to the guards and they open up the doors for him. One guard greets them at the entrance of the large glass windows and motions the detectives to sit in the chairs behind them and they all oblige. The guard motions Phoenix to follow him and them both enter into the next section where her parents actually are. He uncuffs both of her parents and turns to her.
"YOU have 30 minutes." He says and excuses himself out of the doors. When the door shuts behind him Phoenix's mother rushes over to her and wraps her arms affectionately around her.
"Oh my little girl." She says sweetly.
Phoenix's body tightens but relaxes and she buries her face into her mother's neck. Tears begin to well in her eyes but she pushes them back.
"Hello mother." She say, her voice cracking slightly. She pulls away from her, giving her a semi-warm smile.
"Why are you so sad Phoes? Aren't you happy to see me? From the sound of your voice it is as if this will be the last time I will ever see you." She says in a semi-sweet tone. Phoenix forces a smile on her face.
"Nothing is wrong with me Hahaoya I'm just really happy to see you. It has been so long and I am just really happy to see you guys." She answers genuinely. She lets go of her mother and goes to her father.
"Otokooya." She says and wraps her arms around his neck.
"Hello my lil' princess." 'He says pulling her close to him. Tears well in her eyes but she doesn't bother pushing them back. She buries her face into his neck and squeezes her arms around him.
I have missed you daddy." She says in a muffled tone.
She can feel her mother's eyes bore into the back of her head in annoyance but she doesn't care. Her mother always did this to her when she was in her father's arms. It was as if she was jealous that he showed her any affection. Phoenix feels her mother's hand on her shoulder.
"That is enough of that Phoes." She whispers so low that only Phoenix can hear her. Ignoring her mother's gesture, she squeezes her father tighter and swallows her tears and then lets him go. Phoenix takes a seat at the table across from her mother and father.
"So when did you get caught?" Phoenix's mother asks making conversation.
"About three days ago." She answers simply.
"And you got the brat to allow you to come and see us? How did you accomplish that?" She inquires suspiciously.
"Just good at getting my way mother." She answers quicker than she would have liked. Her mother's eyes flash at her dangerously.
"Is that right?" She says in disbelief.
Phoenix swallows the sigh that so badly wants to escape her throat. She sits back in her seat in a defensive pose and prepares herself for what is about to come next. Sumeria begins, to probe Phoenix's mind. Phoenix shows her everything that happened but leaves out the details of the deal she made with Koenma. Sumeria probes deeper but she deflects her attempts by thinking of how much she missed her.
"Are you sure you didn't sell out to him?" Phoenix's mother asks waspishly.
Phoenix looks at her as if she has slapped her in the face. ..Here we go. I'm ready for my close up Mr. Deville...She thinks to herself darkly.
"Please don't be overly dramatic mom I would never betray you. You know that." She says insidiously. ...I'd like to thank the academy for their vote, my loyal fans, and whatever God you crazy people pray to... Phoenix bites the inside of her lip to stop the arduous smirk that wants to spread across her face.
Like a cobra's strike, her mother's hand flies from the table and fastens itself around her neck; erasing her thoughts completely. The guards jump up and rush the door trying to get the key in. Yusuke and the other detectives are also on their feet.
"Back off you parasites. She is my daughter and you will not interfere." Her mom barks coldly; but the guards already have turned the key and are rushing in the room.
"I am fine." Phoenix says in a strangled voice; glaring down at her mother wrathfully. Her mother returns her icy glare scornfully.
"Don't you ever take that tone with me again Phoes? You talk to them like that but you do not address me that way you got it. I am your mother Phoes and you will respect me. Your thoughts betray you my lovely, you did sell out to that brat. Don't think because you are my daughter that I will be lenient with you for your betrayal. I will surely enjoy watching the life leave your eyes." She spats at her squeezing Phoenix's throat.
"YOU are delusional mother as usual." Phoenix says in the same strangled tone.
"There is nothing that you seen in my thoughts that prove your accusations." She gurgles.
Phoenix's mother's grip tightens around her throat and in response, her eyes flash at her mother daringly.
"Sumeria. Let her go. She would not be stupid enough to betray us. You are being paranoid my love. If she says that she did not sell out to Koenma then that is what it is. She did not sell out to him. Put her down." Phoenix's father says in a cool tone.
"You underestimate your daughter Kano. She is lying to us can't you see it. Think about it Kano it makes no sense why would Koenma allow her to come and see us all of a sudden when she attempted to break us out of prison numerous times. He is not the type to have a change of heart. She would of had to give him something to assure him that she would not attempt to break us out again." Sumeria says brusquely with her eyes locked on Phoenix.
"Sumeria it is you who underestimates our daughter. How many times has she gotten what she wanted from someone who was difficult? If I remember correctly she was always our secret weapon in getting untouchable information. She always got the job done even when you could not." Kano responds frankly to Sumeria. She snaps her head at him abruptly with hurt in her eyes.
"Sumeria I am warning you if you do not put my daughter down we will have a problem. Her face is turning red and my patience is growing thin with you by the second." Kano hisses.
Sumeria looks at him as if he struck her in the face and releases Phoenix. She gasps for air and falls into her seat. Phoenix glares at Sumeria while rubbing your neck.
"Why are you always on her side? I'm telling you she has betrayed us. You are always so soft on her." Sumeria whines. Kano glares at Sumeria coldly in response, and Sumeria looks down at her lap in shame.
"Your jealousy of your daughter is as sickening to me now as it was when she was first born. How dare you act this way toward our daughter! YOU have not seen her in 6 years and instead of being a mother you are acting like a jealous bitch fighting over a lover. She is your daughter not your adversary. How do you think she has felt all this time without us and now that she sees us the first thing you do is attack? I swear to you Sumeria, you will feel my wrath when we are alone." Kano growls at her so low that only Phoenix and Sumeria can hear him. Sumeria winces and tears drop down her face. Sadness twinges at Phoenix's heart but is soon replaced with contempt and anger toward her.
"Otokooya as long as you know that I will never betray you it does not matter what she thinks. She is just being the bitch she always is." Phoenix says glaring at Sumeria. Sumeria looks up at her darkly but Phoenix does not break eye contact with her and the two of them begin a staring contest.
"I believe you princess." Kano says breaking the contest between Sumeria and Phoenix. He leans over to Sumeria and whispers into her ear and she looks down at the table and then at Phoenix.
"I'm sorry Phoes for accusing you of being a snitch and for your throat." Sumeria says indifferently.
"Apology accepted." Phoenix says unconvinced. Sumeria's eyes flash at her dangerously once more and she opens her mouth to say something else when she is interrupted.
"Time is up Phoenix say goodbye." Yusuke's voice rings out. Phoenix's head turns abruptly toward Yusuke's voice, relief washes over her at his interruption.
"Well, well, well, so nice to see you detective. How has life been treating you?" Sumeria asks with sweet venom in her voice. She turns her attention to Yusuke and Yusuke just glares at her.
"Say goodbye Phoenix." He says icily. His eyes locked on Sumeria.
Phoenix gets up from her seat and goes over to her mother first. Sumeria and Yusuke are in a staring contest. Phoenix can see the hatred that Yusuke and Sumeria have for each other. She stands in between the two of them breaking the staring contest.
"Goodbye mother." She says and hugs her. Sumeria brings her attention back to Phoenix and wraps her arms around her. She pulls her into a hug.
"Goodbye Phoes." She whispers into her ear. Sumeria digs her nails into Phoenix's side causing her to wince.
"I know you are lying to me Phoes and I have ways to catch you in your lies. Don't think because I'm in here that I can't get to you. I know you sold out to Koenma. You are lucky your father stepped in when he did because I was surely going to kill you. But I assure you my beloved, the next time I see you, I will kill you and your father will not stop me. Instead he will help me. Because you know in your heart that regardless of what you told your father today, when I reveal your deceit, he will kill you. I may not even have to get my hands dirty with your blood because your father will want you all to himself. And you know how angry your father can get. Enjoy your last breaths on earth my sweet because I assure you, you will die soon." She whispers in Phoenix's ear. Phoenix pulls away from her slowly and looks into her wrathful eyes.
"I'll be looking forward to it mom. It was good seeing you too." She says indifferently. She lets her go and goes to her father.
"Goodbye daddy." She says, her voice slightly cracking.
"Don't worry my love we will get you out of here soon." He whispers in her ear. This pulls at her heart as she nods her head and walks out.
She turns to look at her parents one last time and sees the guards come and get them. Her mother is glaring daggers at her and her father winks at her affectionately. She ignores her mother and smiles weakly at her father. She turns her head away from him unable to look at him any longer. She looks down at the ground just as a tear falls down her cheek. Phoenix walks into the next room with the detectives. She only looks up to the exit and heads for it not looking at any of the detectives. Catching the drift none of them say anything to her and stand behind her. A guard walks in front of her and looks down at her.
"Are you okay?" He asks so low so that only she can hear him.
She nods her head yes as a few more tears fall down her cheek. The guard turns away from her and sighs heavily. He knocks on the door, a few moments later it opens up and Phoenix walks through followed by the Detectives. Yusuke walks a little faster so that he can get in front of her and the five of them walk out of the spirit prison. Phoenix inhales the air deeply relieved to be out of there. She sighs heavily to herself. Her chest tightens in despair as depression starts to overcome her. She wants to scream at the top of her lungs and run away but she does not. ...I hate that woman. She hasn't changed a bit... She thinks to herself grudgingly. ...But she is right. For the next time I see them and my father finds out what I'm doing he will kill me... She sighs sadly. ...That was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. A few tears fall down her cheeks. ...Why me? What have I done to deserve this? She thinks to herself with a heavy heart.
...Stop feeling sorry for yourself onna, it doesn't become you. I thought you were stronger than self pity... Hiei's voice rings out in her mind. She turns to look at him when an explosion goes off in the air near the spirit prison.