Kurama sighed softly to himself as he walked quietly to his normal lunch area. Between training Kuwabara for the Dark Tournament and keeping up appearances for Shuuichi Minamino was draining him of all his energy. He hardly had enough time to sleep nowadays – even sneaking in two minutes of down time in the middle of his biology test.
"That test was a pain wasn't it?" Kaiya Asakura stiffly sat beside the red haired student. Her black hair was tied in a tight bun, her brown eyes briskly looking around her. Kaiya was one of the smarter girls in their class and often kept to herself during non-lecture time. She gripped her small bento box closely to herself but didn't open it.
"Quite so," Kurama nodded politely. Honestly Kurama hadn't studied for that test, opting out to train Kuwabara and found that the test was quite easy. Not making any move to open her lunch Kurama added, "Aren't you hungry?"
"No," Kaiya shook her head. Kurama let himself study her slowly, seeing how rigidly she pressed herself to her seat and her eyes shifting across the room. He had always noticed that Kaiya was solitary by nature but never had she seemed so shifty. Kaiya preferred to spend her time reading away from her fellow classmates, even in class she remained reserved and soft. He tilted his head toward her, "Is everything alright?"
She sighed softly and darted her eyes toward him. She hesitated before saying anything, but when she did it came out in a hush whisper, "Look, I usually don't like getting involved but I don't want to see you hurt Shuuichi. There's this girl whose been watching you all day – and not just in the 'I have a crush of you' sort of way. She looks like trouble."
"What? Oh. No, no," Kurama laughed dismissively with a wave of his hands hoping it offered to dispel the girl's concern, Kaiya took a deep breath and stood up, not looking ready to leave. She felt almost silly, warning Kurama of the danger of a simple girl.
"Are you sure Shuichi? She's got a certain aura about her…. She's up to no good." She turned her light brown eyes towards him with a lazy expression of concern, as if she were slightly put out with having to deal with this situation or society at all. Under her persona though there was a sincere helpfulness to her tone, one Kurama appreciated. It shocked him though Kaiya even managed to notice the presence of Rin. Looking out into the courtyard he could sense her energy by some tress by the school.
"Rin is a friend of mine. She's probably just waiting to tell me something." Getting up Kurama made his way towards to area Rin was at. Appearing from the line of trees the two crossed and quickly began talking to one another. The girl was beautiful Kaiya had to admit. With long legs and lean body the girl looked like an athlete. She had short orange hair tied up into two pig tails and sharp golden eyes. She wore a green shirt and grey pants – did she not go to school? She looked around the same age as her and Shuichi…
Kaiya watched as the two conversed, her eyes darting between the two figures – she knew something was amiss and damned if she wasn't going to figure it out. Shuichi was, well despite his patience with his classmates he was a stone statue. Unreadable and carried himself with polite monotone. Shuichi looked to be pushed around by this girl and as far as Kaiya knew Shuichi, she knew no one messed around with him. No matter how many people asked Shuichi out on a date, to copy his homework before class started, or to join their club in campus Shuichi had always remind courteous and refined but the scene before her Kaiya could see Shuichi getting flustered with the orange haired girl. No one got to Shuiichu, but it was evident now, this girl was getting under the red haired prodigy's skin and the worst part is that Shuichi seemed to be letting her. But as far as Kaiya knew, Shuichi felt nothing but calm and calculating. Shuichi didn't have a temper, the machine like man only seemed to have one setting.
The school bell rang and with that the girl disappeared. Kaiya blinked in surprise, she had only taken her eyes off the duo for a second. Shaking her head, Kaiya pushed the incident out of her mind. This was of no concern to her. What surprised her though was when she saw them again after school sitting at a local coffee shop. Shuuichi wearing casual clothes and his hair tied up, he was laughing at something the girl appeared to have done. The girl was gritting her teeth, looking like she was chiding Shuuichi for laughing at her, which made him laugh more. Kaiya turned around to go to a different café – maybe all her assumptions about him were wrong and she didn't know him at all.
Ayako sat crying in their campsite, hugging herself softly. No tears fell from her eyes, but her shoulders shook and her sobs came in staggered breaths. Rin remained facing away from her pretending to be asleep. Rin often thought of the shinobi and what they had to leave behind often. Rin wanted to turn around and slap Ayako across the face – Ninjas were not supposed to feel, much less act on it. If anyone should be crying though, it should be her. Around her she was constantly reminded of her friends. The carefree embrace of the wind, the hard unyielding earth, the colorful pigments used to make paint, the stench of the forest…. The cold. She missed her friends terribly and impeccably. She had never gone on a mission this long without one of them by her side. She could almost feel herself slip into hopelessness. They have been at this mission for months and they still haven't seen any sign of Youko Kurama. The past few months her and Ayako passed by numerous towns swindling, scamming and stealing their way through them to come up with… Nothing. Rin paid special attention to reports and tales of thieves, searching for any hint of a fox. But they remained as those – simply tales.
In fairness Rin had never been this rich in her life. They stayed nights in luxury taverns, wore silk kimonos, owned jewelry made for the elite, ate food so rich it made Rin sick to her stomach. Yet she still felt empty. The only thing she seeked now was the thrill of the steal, the way her heartbeat when she got what she wanted. Once the item was taken though most of the time Rin just threw it away. Ayako on the other hand kept everything she got her hands on. Growing up they were never allowed to keep anything personal, only owning the clothes on their back. To own so many things would be seen as an impunity.
A small flutter caressed her shoulder. A little more than a month ago in one of her and Ayako's mission to steal a series of rare scrolls, unknowingly they were stealing from a big time slave trader and had released hundreds of imprisoned demons. One of them a tiny imp demon with long blue hair, two protruding horns and piercing yellow eyes. He was training in secret away from his clan when they had taken him; he managed to convince Ayako that if he tried to look for them now he would surely die on his own. He was unaccustomed to travelling alone and was too weak to join a gang of bandits. Who wanted a small, weak imp on their team?
They did apparently. Rin was extremely disgruntled at first having to care for an imp she didn't want. They were out here trying to find a bandit – not to get pets. But surely enough he showed a lot of use as he could fly and get into small spaces. Plus Ayako and Rin looked like high ranking demon and often were looked at in skepticism. No one looked that way to an imp and Rin sought that as an advantage in looking for stuff to steal. Turns out the little imp had a nack for the art and it made her blood sing. Slowly the imp sought the water demons company and often times rested on her shoulder. Rin would fake annoyance but inside she couldn't help but feel for the young imp.
"We're never going to find him are we?" A voice rang behind her. "They sent us on a wild goose chase. I bet the guys already dead and they just wanted to get rid of us."
Rin snapped back to glare at the dark haired girl, "Don't say that."
"Oh shut up Miss High and Mighty," Ayako threw her arms out. "You act like the perfect ninja but I see it every time we steal something – the gleam in your eye. You love it - seeing how far you can go, how much you can take, how much you can get away with-"
A red welt caressed Ayakos cheek where Rin slapped her. "Don't you dare. I am loyal to the order. I didn't see you coming up with any amazing plans now did I? You're getting tired and all of a sudden these ideas come pop up in your head. You are weak."
"Ahhhh!" Ayako yelled a battle cry as she tackled Rin to the ground. The imp flew back in alarm at the two girls. They rolled in the dirt, pulling each others hair, grabbing and pushing when the opportunity presented itself. Pushing Rin off Ayako stormed opposite of their campsite to the nearest town.
"Where do you think you're going?" Rin yelled after the dark haired demon. Ayako threw both her hands up in the air. Rin kicked the ground in aggravation. Ayako wasn't crying because she missed the shinobi, she was crying because she hated them. The imp slowly came back down to rest on Rin's shoulder, "What are you going to do know?"
Rin remembers the Mistress's warnings about Jungle Juice. It was always some sort of concoction of Cactus Juice and other demon world mixes. The Mistress always warned it was no Ninja's place to be drinking any form of alcohol (for it impaired their senses) and especially no place for a lady to be seen drinking. Rin never really understood that concept until she left the shinobi village she grew up in. Inside the village everyone was seen as a ninja, as one unit. Almost like a dysfunctional family. But ever since she started completing missions outside her small shinobi village, constantly she had to face being underestimated and the looks she would get from various demons. Looks when she would stake out villages late at night. Looks from drunken demons hoping to continue the night's sins. Looks that made her skin crawl. Looks Touya, Jin, Bakken, Risho and Gama never had to deal with.
Rin had never been to a bar or tavern so she didn't know what to expect. Everyone was squeezed together, loud laughter and brawls of who could drink more or who owed who drinks rang in her ear. Sitting on the edge of the bar Rin could scope out her surroundings. Rin's ears followed the bartender's steps as he made his way toward her. She slowly met his eyes as she sized him up. He was a burly man with a full beard and large, sharp canine teeth. He had two horns protruding from his temples and thick long hair. Despite his huge physique he wore a warm smile. "No need to look so anxious, little lady. You're in a bar, not a fighting ring."
"Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference," Rin said, leaning against her seat. Her comment earned her a haughty laugh; the burly demon threw his head back in amusement.
"Sounds like you need a drink more than anyone," The demon chuckled warmly motioning to the liquor cabinet behind him. "First rounds free, just as long as you buy a second round. What will you have?"
Rin bite her lip, unsure what half this stuff was. But she didn't want to seem weak or a flake and leave the tavern and the liquor she knew was –
"Give me a shot of jungle juice," she announced, a couple of lizard demons from across the bar gave her skeptical looks but the bartender just laughed.
"I like you - no pussy footing around, just go straight for the hard stuff," and with that the broad-shouldered demon reached to grab a bottle of harsh liquor. The two lizard demons smirked in her direction, their tongues slipping in and out of their mouths as they hissed and whispered to each other.
One of the lizard demons smirked at her, "Trying to forget something tonight, little girl? Hey Jing, bring us what the girls having."
"Ten coppers says she pukes after the first shot." The other lizard demon cackled as the bartender apparently named Jing gave a hearty laugh. A few seconds later Jing appeared with three shot glasses and passed in amongst the three demons. The green-ish liquid swished in the glass as Rin hesitated. Even without holding it near her she could smell the strong potent odor of the alcohol. She watched as the two lizard demons down the shot, both giving a face and one holding his hand to his mouth. Rin brought the shot to her lips and prepared to try and sip it.
"Don't sip, just knock it back," Jing yelled, reaching over the bar to force the shot back and down the girls throat. She wasn't sure how to describe the taste. It was sour and sweet; bitter almost but mostly burning. She left it in her mouth too long and she left the nausea start to build.
Not ready to be humiliated, Rin opened her throat and swallowed. It burned going down but Rin was determined not for it to go back up. Rin gave a devilish smirk, dropping the glass down like the others had done. "Another."
The two lizard demons froze as Jing chuckled, "Start the night off too fast and you'll end up in the gutter."
Rin threw some money on the table, "These drinks got nothing on me."
Oh, how wrong she was.
"And then! I turned around then BAM! I used my demon energy to hose him right in the face and then I knocked him out with a round house kick!... Kanonjin didn't see it coming." The drunken demons that stayed at this ungodly hour flocked around the girl, enthralled with her story. Kanonjin was an apparition known for his skills in battle and his more extreme wealth. He owned a local fighting ring a few towns away that raked in serious gold.
As he cleaned a glass, Jing looked up noticing it was around 2 o'clock in the morning – already past last call and time to kick these guy out. Despite the business the girl was bringing in, Jing was tired and had no patience for her tales – whether they were true or not. Hundred of demons came in and out of these halls proclaiming they had killed this demon or that on. It never ended.
"Alright folks and other things! Everyone out, go home and come back tomorrow – that includes you little Miss!" Jing shouted at all of them. Rin gave a soft pout while the others groaned and made their exits. Rin reached over to grab onto her bottle of Jungle Juice that Jing had given her as a souvenir.
"Alright Jin! Nice meeting you," She called out heading towards the door. She had sent the Imp to search for Ayako – she wondered if he had found her yet. As Jing walked her out he tilted his head, "Need me to call someone for you? A ride maybe – do you have a husband to come –"
"A husband?" Rin spat at the idea. She pushed aside Jing's hand as it tried to clasp her shoulder. He waddled back, surprised how much strength she had to shrug him off like that. Even as she was shit faced beyond belief. Maybe she wasn't lying. Before Jing could stop her once again RIn was out the door and stumbling down the street yelling back to the tavern how she was going to be safe. Jing could only sigh and hope to the spirits that she didn't walk in from of a wagon or something.
She didn't know how but she made it back to her campsite. She knew she threw up at least three times on her way back. Once after leaving the tavern in some dark alleyway she stumbled into thinking it was a shortcut. The second time it was after she beat up the two lizard demons that thought they'd score at the weakened ninja. The third time was going up the mountain to her campsite. Or was it after went up the campsite. She didn't remember.
She didn't know what she was expecting but it wasn't this. Never this and not LIKE this. A tall bat demon faced away from her, staring at the lake before them. His wings were folded in and wore all black. Without knowing, Rin dropped her Jungle Juice and the glass shattered below you. The bat demon neither flinched nor turned around. "Who the fuck are you? Either Ayako turned really ugly or you're trespassing."
The bat demon chuckled and turned to the girl. He was lean and tall, his clothes were tight against his body. He swung a pendulum as his eyes bore into her. "I thought I was the only one who liked this place. It's well protected – not a place just anyone can scavenge through. I felt foreign energy the moment I stepped foot here. I suppose you do have a right to attack me for invading your space. I know how you girls are with your personal privacy."
"You didn't answer me you prick. Who are you?" Rin slurred at the demon. If she were sober she would have sensed his enormous energy that hovered over her. Drunk Rin though didn't have such precautions. In her mind she could take down anyone.
Before she could blink the bat demon was in front of her. She stumbled back at the sudden closeness. The bat demon grabbed her back before she could fall and pushed her toward him. In her grogginess her heart beat wildly. As he pushed her toward him she head butted him in the chin. He grunted as it was his turn to stagger to his butt. The demon started to howl in laughter. "I like you – you got spunk. Not many girls aren't afraid of me. Especially drunk ones."
Rin sneered, "Perhaps if I knew your name, I would know if you were worth fearing."
The bat demon threw his head back and laughed. When he calmed, his eyes glittered with ill concealed amusement even though his voice was calm. "I can't wait to bring you to the boss. Might bring back the fire in his eyes this one. My name is Kuronue."
Rin stared at him with confusion. Did she miss something? "What are you even talking about?"
Kuronue gave her a smirk, "Heard you're little tales at the bar, seems as though you're making a name for yourself as a thief."
Rin sneered, "Yeah, what's it to you?"
"You see my boss has a fondness for potential and lets say we need more demons with skill." Kuronue got up and started walking towards her. She glared as she backed up. She stumbled as she trapped herself against a tree. Kuronue lifted her chin to get a good look at her face. "And a great fondness for gold eyes."
She tried to bite his fingers but Kuronue quickly jumped away. "Why would I work for you guys, huh? I'll take out your boss right now."
Kuronue gave a smile, "Really? Hear that Youko? She said she'll take you out right now."
Hot blood rushed through to Rin's head. Did she hear right? Youko Kurama – right here? Walking from the dark trees a tall fox demon appeared beside Kuronue. He was magnificent, tall and as white as the moonlight. His hair was long and silver, glowing compared to the dark forest behind him. And his eyes…. His eyes glowed a sharp golden color. Rin had never met anyone with the same set of golden eyes.
The fox demon smirked down at her, "Yes, I do quite like this one. If you want her on your team then so be it. Don't blame me if she turns out useless."
Kuronue smirked down at the paralyzed water demon, "Don't worry if she turns out useless she'll be dead soon enough."
Youko turned to leave and disappear into the forest once again before he turned to her one last time, "It's true though – I do have a certain fondness for golden eyes."
Once you left, you can never go back Youko would often tell her. Of course that always referred to crime scenes but Rin always thought that always applied to life. In just a few months she would have served her sentence under Koenma and would be set free to do as she wished. But where would she go?
Shaking her head, Rin focused on the task before her – her last mission. Rin watched Kuwabara panting below her, caressing his ribcage trying to catch his breath before her next attack. If he had any chance of surviving the Dark Tournament she knew she shouldn't go easy on him. She turned away from him slowly walking away, he was done for today. From behind her she heard a loud crunch. Kuwabara coughed, "Wait."
She turned to look at him solemnly. He slowly got up, one hand on his knee. He was panting heavily with one hand out. His spirit sword appeared in his free hand. "I'm not done yet."
The tree shade was cool against the warm beads of sweat on his skin. His body seemed to have absorbed the sun's scorching heat during the three hour he'd been training with the water demon and he was having trouble dispelling it even after spending long minutes breathing under the faded green foliage.
"You're too beat up. Get some rest." She said to him coolly.
"No!" He yelled with conviction. He stood up straight, his eyes boring deeply into hers. Her eyes widened as he straightened up and got into a fighting stance. "Men don't give up. Especially if my world and the people I love are on the line. I will not give up; I will not die!"