"Hello Iruni, may I sit with you today?" the girl blinked up at Kurama with wide blue eyes seemingly unaware of his presence for a few seconds until her vision focused.
"I suppose, if you want to," she allowed turning her face back down towards her book. Some of the watching girls squealed their excited chatter as the famously brilliant Shuichi Minamino took his seat beside the quiet, seldom acknowledged Iruni Mikamoto. He was hesitant at first. Nervous perhaps? No, just uncomfortable. "I see your friend hasn't turned on you yet."
"No," he laughed. She lifted her head seriously and raised her eyebrows. "Do you not eat lunch?"
"I prefer to feed my mind," she lifted the book slightly and he nodded, understanding what she meant.
"Still, if you'd like something I'm open to sharing. I won't eat it all anyways." He offered with a warm smile. Most girls fainted at the sight of it, or swooned, but she held fast to herself and looked down at his tray.
"If you are going to insist I might as well be polite and accept," she sighed grabbing his apple and tossing it into the air casually. When it landed in her grip it was light. "You know, sometimes I forget I have to eat so often. I'm always engrossed in my own little world, I never remember to do the simplest things."
"I know how that can be," he smiled. "Life has the habit of getting overly complicated."
"You have no idea." She knew he was the one person who actually did. Biting into the apple she adjusted her legs so her skirt was appropriate but facing him. It was obvious he wanted to speak. "What's on your mind today?"
"I was wondering about our last lunch," he started.
"Don't," she cut him off with a small finger shake. "I was concerned, it doesn't happen much. I promise not to bother you again about it."
"No, I meant, I've never seen you talk to anyone really, but then you were so kind." She blinked as his features softened under the shade of his bangs. They were seated against a different tree, and this situation was entirely different than they're last meeting. Interesting. "Then I saw you with that girl in the woods and I got curious about you. I'm sorry if I'm prying but she doesn't seem like the type you'd hang out with."
"I don't really like people, she's no different," Iruni nodded taking another bite from the crisp apple before continuing. "I just wanted someone with me in those trees. They have a bad aura hovering round their branches. As if something in them is dangerous, waiting for the unsuspecting."
She might be like Kuwabara if anything at all, just hyper aware of fragments of the other worlds. "What would you have done if you'd come across something like that?"
"Out run Shikari," she stated simply. "What else would I do?"
"You'd willing sacrifice your friend?" he gaped, appalled.
"Not before she tried to slit my throat, I assure you. In fact we aren't really friends, and we don't really care for each other. As I said earlier, a means to an end." She shrugged.
"Did you find what you wanted?" he pressed, making her cut her eyes to him without turning her head.
"Not yet, but I'm moving closer. There're a few more places I need to check." She smiled at him and it made him smile back. Something in that grin was cool but something else was there that he couldn't identify.
"Why have such dangerous friends?" he asked, biting into his sandwich. She bit into the apple and read, swallowing before answering. Kurama looked past her to the demon watching from the thick of trees behind the school, camouflaged, knowing that every word was being listened to.
"So I can warn others so that they don't suffer through my mistakes, if I have a real reason. Maybe I like the thought of danger." She looked up at him, blinking. "You don't think we're friends do you?"
"Uh," he didn't answer and she smiled.
"Good. Because we aren't. You see, I don't trust people without much time or energy, neither of which either of us are really going to display. I appreciate your company, in fact I enjoy it, which is new. But in the end, we simply aren't meant to be friends," she stated with a warm smile, her eyes glowing with approachability. Her entire attitude was in contradiction with her words, and he didn't understand it for a second.
"Why?" he asked, and she chewed on the flesh of the red fruit in her hand. Taking another bite she made him wait.
"I've learned that trust is a luxury I cannot afford. I wish this weren't the case some days, but it is." Hiei, even from his distance, heard the sadness in her voice and saw the shadows cast into her eyes. There was a secret under those shadows that she was burying. Kurama wanted to comfort her, but didn't know what to do.
"Would you like it if I left you alone?" he asked finally, eyes downcast with her pain. It was impossible not to feel it around her. She blinked the clouds in her eyes away until they shined clearly and quietly she studied his face.
Warring with herself she wondered what was most advantageous of her situation. If she sent him away, she'd be alone and protected, but his proximity was welcomed. If she got close he might die. Sighing she answered the only way she honestly could.
"I'm not sure, Shuichi, if you should stay or go, but I won't fight either decision you make. I'm at a bypass." She laughed at herself, her own stubborn mind couldn't win even in its own confines.
"Why is that?" he asked her, worried about how to proceed.
"Because I like you Shuichi, you're a good person and I'm always drawn to them, but I just can't keep friends. I'm like an unstable chemical, just waiting for my catalyst at times. I'd hate to have you caught in the explosion." She laughed again, knowing exactly what would happen if he was near her when her 'explosion' occurred. "Stay if you want, but I gave you fair warning."
"Yes, you have," he smiled at her. "I can handle myself."
"That's what everyone says," she laughed, stifling it into a warm smile. Making a gun out of her fingers she pointed it at him. "And then bang. They take off like bats out of hell."
"It's amazing you don't talk more. It seems like you enjoy the company," he joked with her leaning closer. Adjusting herself to keep the space between them she laughed. Closing her book she spent the rest of lunch in a guarded conversation with the red head, enjoying his humor and his intellect as it matched her own. The clock sounded the time and they rose together, both with fluid grace. "You're different from the others. A little more proper, a harder worker."
"Nothing should come from a life that doesn't require work," she shrugged. "Well I have to go, but it was nice talking to you Shuichi."
"Yes, tomorrow again?" he asked with a cheerful smile, and she paused, considering.
"If you want to risk it," she smiled back then ran across the field into a large building. Hiei was on the ground before the doors swung closed behind her, looking up at Kurama.
"Still don't believe that there's something strange?" he asked stoically.
"I never said I didn't believe. I just said it was unlikely," the taller demon clarified. "It's funny though, I can't sense anything from her. Except her sadness."
"Yes, even I felt that." Hiei nodded, "She's hiding something though."
"Well, maybe we'll find out soon. What did you learn of this Amon-Shinpi situation?" they started walking into the trees, unaware of blue eyes following their footsteps. As they crossed the barrier of the woods she ran through the building, exiting out the back so that it was short hike towards the temple. She'd already called Genkai to set up a meeting, but she would arrive early enough to meet Yukina and explain what was happening. She owed the koorime that much.
"I haven't found anything useful. Maybe the oaf and the Spirit Detective have something." Hiei jumped into the nearest tree out of view of the public and Kurama followed on foot, firmly planted on the ground. "I did hear he's created quite the blood bath though, I'm almost sorry I missed all the action."
"Yes, because I'm sure you would've been able to explain that all away," Kurama shook his head with a small smile. "You are just one force of destruction that cannot be quelled aren't you?"
"I enjoy the simple things in life, like power," Hiei smirked. "I'm easily satisfied I guess you could say."
Iruni came to the training grounds and had to slow down and catch her breath at the sheer abundance of power that had once called this temple home. The memory of it was impressive, but the real thing, that had been mesmerizing. She'd seen Genkai battle first hand in the Dark Tournament years ago, hiding in the crowd and going unnoticed. She'd watched the whole tournament, escaping just before the collapse of the building after Toguro's death. It was a compulsion, just that one time, to witness the barbaric events. Like her body had known Yusuke Urameshi's power would explode, and that it would be the most talked about fight of the century.
Whatever had caused her to run towards that arena had given her an advantage now, allowing her a glimpse at the team before they even knew who she was. It was rare, to be so far ahead of one's opponents, but she was thankful for the luck. Of course, she wished she could avoid fighting them completely, but that seemed unlikely. If they solved her secret she'd be hunted to the brinks of any world she entered and that was something she did not wish to live through.
Of course she could always give up and turn herself in, but that just made her growl. There was nothing in her past that she'd say was wrong, and she would not pay the price for deeds done by others. No. If she had to beat them she would, but she would not end up in their prison.
Her feet were already working up the thousand steps leading up to the massive building, when she felt the first tug of energy on her awareness. Turning off the landing at the head of the steps she walked across the grass coming to the far backside of the open lawn where a girl kneeled in a green kimono, a blue obi tied around her small waist. Turquoise hair was tied back by a thin ribbon the same deep red as her telling eyes.
"Yukina," Iruni breathed, softening at the sight of the innocent demon girl doing laundry behind the temple.
"Oh, hello. I didn't see you," she looked up with crimson eyes and smiled. "If you're looking for Genkai she's not here right this moment. Well, she is, but not out here."
"I know. That's alright. She's expecting me later," Iruni bowed deeply, letting her dark hair spill from down her back to over her shoulders as if it were a curtain. Yukina rose, a little shocked, then returned the bow shallowly.
"You didn't have to do that," she stuttered. "Really. This isn't my temple."
"Actually, you saved my life once Yukina, though I doubt you'd remember." Iruni looked at the ground and blinked up at the ruby eyed ice maiden, memories overpowering her senses for a second. "I'd like a chance to finally say thank you and explain how deeply I am in your debt."
"What took you so long?" Hiei demanded of the human and the Spirit Detective, as they ran towards them. Kurama was looking over the street, watching them approach when it happened. The alert he was always on guard for. The Jagan eye flared quickly, before dying away, telling him that something was near Yukina that had no business being there.
Without waiting for his friends he ran, Kurama quickly following on his heels but not fast enough to keep up. He had to hurry, because he'd never forgive himself for letting harm come to his twin ever again. He'd die to protect her if that's what it took.
"She's at Genkai's," were the last words the red head could discern before the black blur disappeared in a wave of energy that revealed his angry intentions.
"I, I really wasn't expecting this," Yukina blushed at Iruni as they stood with feet separating them. The green haired girl had just become the only keeper of a secret older than them both, and she wasn't sure what to make of it. Thought the faith the blue eyed girl had in her was heartwarming, it had also caught her off guard. "I swear, I won't reveal a thing. But honestly, you don't have to do this you know. I'm fine and I'm well protected. I don't need another guardian."
"I cannot live without fulfilling all my debts," Iruni waved a hand dismissively with a smile. She winked at the other girl openly, "it's part of my code. You saved my life, and now you know I have to repay that favor. It's only right."
"Kazuma has a code," Yukina's blush deepened and Iruni laughed. "He's a very honorable man."
"Yes, you've said that," Iruni nodded happily. "I can't wait to meet him. He sounds like a catch."
"Oh, he is. He's kind, and warm, and strong." Yukina lost herself in her thoughts, oblivious to the approaching energy that burned around Iruni. That energy was quick, unmistakable. Looking out of the corner of her eye she placed it and jumped backwards in time to dodge a wide slash made by the fire demon's sword as he slid to a stop between her and Yukina. As his feet stopped he stripped himself of his black cloak, tossing it to the side to prepare for their fight.
"I see," Iruni looked between them. Their eyes, their size, the fearless protection labeling Hiei's features. She'd worn a mask like that once upon a time, and instant recognition slammed into her. She didn't have time to elaborate as she dodged another attack, hearing the distant voices of his friends as they approached. Hovering for a second in the air between jumps she dared to look at them, then met those red eyes again.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, as she stepped back taking a few deep breaths before the inevitable.
"I have an appointment," she explained simply.
"Liar," he shot forward as the line of his friends stopped within viewing range, but outside of the danger zone. She ran backwards to avoid his attacks, and he pressed forward without hesitation, their speed increasing drastically.
"Damn it!" she swore, as his blade narrowly missed her face and cut through the long hair there, trimming it from feet to mere inches. "Now you've pissed me off Hiei."
"Die." He sped up his attacks and she narrowed her eyes, aggravated as she continued to evade him. She couldn't afford to die in a useless grudge match with the fire demon, and she wouldn't kill him in front of Yukina.
"Damn it I hate decisions," she muttered, squatting under the arc of his sword before rolling out of the way and onto her feet.
"Stop this!" the girl screamed from the wayside, while the others watched. Ducking under the blade Iruni managed to land a punch on Hiei's abdomen, sending him back a few inches. The shock was enough time for her short knife from her pocket bringing a rumble of laughter from the demon's throat. The attacks renewed as if they'd never stopped.
Back flipping and tumbling Iruni dodged each of the attacks not bothering to go on the offensive as he advanced. They were moving must faster now, his annoyance speeding his actions up, but it still wasn't enough of a challenge to make her lose her grip on defense. The fact he could be so precise while blurring with quickness was unnerving.
The fight was kicked into higher gear, moving forward in brief flashes of sight showing only when one or both opponents slowed down. They were just a blur of black and blue, the colors of their clothes. Dodging the blade was becoming more difficult as Yukina called for an end to the fight and Hiei moved faster. Mukuro had been doing him right with her training. Jumping out of the way of a killing blow Iruni took a second to breathe before diving back into the fight, realizing she couldn't back away from this one.
"Let it go," she warned angrily.
"I will tear your heart from your chest with my own hands if I have to," he growled, striking out again, nearly cutting her. A strip of her shirt floated to the ground as she reappeared on the other side of him, unharmed.
"She's fast," Kurama said softly of his school mate, his mouth slightly open in shock. "I've never seen a human move so easily with such speed."
"Hiei is faster," Yusuke shrugged unconcerned, but following each of the movements he could see there might be danger here.
"Don't be so unforgiving Hiei! You don't know what was happening!" Yukina begged, her wide crimson eyes shining up at the team. "Iruni is not a monster! She wasn't going to hurt me! Please make him stop. She doesn't need to die!"
"I disagree," Hiei lashed out directly where the cold eyed girl was standing, grinning victoriously when her breathless body didn't move. No, her speed had cut out on her this time, and his smirk widened as blood splashed to the ground.
