A/N: Hey people! I'm once again back with another chapter. I know I promised to get it up within a week and I missed my deadline and I'm sorry. I've just been so busy studying for finals and crap. I've decided to do things a little differently this time. Instead of putting my rambling up here and responses at the bottom, I'm switching them around cause it makes more sense that way. And I meant what I said in my profile if you saw my little pet peeve thing. It doesn't concern you guys cause you've been so wonderful! (hugs and gives everyone a cookie) I thank you for reading this and your reviews make me very happy! Ok, on with responses and then the story! (Oh yeah, I don't remember if I said this before or not, but Koenma is in his teenage form throughout the rest of the story. He's so much cooler that way! .:beams:. Also, further on, when I mention the girls, I mean Keiko, Shizuru, Yukina, and Botan. Ali is special. J )Wow this chapter is long! O.o;
SamiKismet: Thanks for the advice! I know exactly what you mean and I'll try harder to improve my writing. I'm sorry that chapter was so... anticlimactic. It was really my first attempt at a battle scene (and believe me, that was better than what was originally written in my notebook.) .:sweatdrops:. I will try to do a better job at showing rather than telling, but it will present a little of a challenge for me. I'm so inexperienced! This chapter is more of a fun, transitional chapter. I hope you enjoy it!
InuBee: Hey girl! Glad you like the story! Hope you'll continue reading it! (I've gotta finish reading yours! .:sweatdrops:.) Here's the next fun-filled chapter!
Kumiko Nakashima: Well hello there! I can't believe this, I think this may be the first time I've had to write more than two responses! P Glad you like the story, I hope you're still reading it! I can't wait for you to update yours. It's so good! Enjoy the chappy!
Chapter 10: Fun in the Sun!
The Tantei arrived back at Koenma's office through the portal with Ali sleeping soundly in Kurama's arms. Koenma had been pacing since they left to rescue her and there was a bit of a path carved into the floor. He noticed them and rushed over to check that Ali was with them. "Oh good, she's safe," he sighed with great relief. His face visibly softened and relaxed to see her back in their care. "What about Hitokiri?"
Hiei smirked. "None can stand against the Dragon of the Darkness Flame and survive." His smug grin toned down a little though and he scowled. "Though he had me in a difficult situation and the onna had to get me out of it before I could kill him," he snarled. He didn't like the fact that he needed help from her in a battle.
Kuwabara and Yusuke were stunned that he would even admit to having help. They had been unconscious during that time and had no knowledge of the fact until now. They voiced their confusion. "What? When were you in trouble?" Kuwabara asked after a few seconds.
"Yeah, and what do you mean Ali saved you?" Hiei twitched slightly at the term Yuske had used to describe what Ali had done for him. He debated whether or not he should tell them what Ali had done to aid him and looked over to the couch she was resting on.
Should I tell them? he wondered. Even though she was fast asleep, he could've sworn she told him, "No, don't!" He slightly raised on eyebrow at this and then thought, Fine. He was curious to find out for himself the secrets of this mystery girl. "She didn't "save" me, she just helped by distracting Hitokiri and giving me the chance to escape."
Now it was Kurama's turn to raise an eyebrow at Hiei. His gaze caught Hiei's attention and one look told him not to question the matter. He nodded in agreement, but couldn't help wondering what was going on.
"Very well then," Koenma said a little distractedly, though his eyes never left Hiei. "Kurama? Would you please take Ali to her room? I think it would be best to let her rest right now." Kurama obliged and went over to the sleeping Ali. She was so peaceful, he could hardly believe that merely two hours before she had been fighting and viciously attacking any demon that got in her way. Koenma dismissed everyone else too but told Hiei to stay behind.
Kuwabara and Yusuke returned home to go to sleep and Kurama followed suit soon after. However, back in Koenma's office, the Prince of the Reikai was questioning the cold fire demon. "Hiei, there's something you aren't telling me." He seemed apprehensious and Hiei wondered why. "What really happened in that battle? What exactly did Ali do to distract him?"
Hiei did not say anything right away, but stood staring back at him, his crimson eyes questioning. After a few moments he decided on his answer. "It's not for me to tell. If she so wishes, the onna will tell you herself."
When Koenma did not get the response he was looking for, he grew angry and he slammed his fist down on his desk. "Dammit Hiei!" he yelled. "When I ask you something, I expect a real answer. Do you forget who I am? What did she do!"
Hiei was a bit shocked at Koenma's outburst but he didn't flinch. He merely closed his eyes and turned around to walk away. As he walked away, he answered, "There's no need to yell. She didn't do any special thing. She only distracted him by shooting a couple arrows at him and broke his concentration."
Koenma thought it over and decided it was a good enough answer. "Ok. Now that wasn't so hard, was it? Very well. You may go. I have some business to attend to." Hiei nodded and flitted off, leaving Koenma to his business.
The next morning, Koenma summoned everyone back to his office. Ali was included since she was awake and the meeting concerned her. "Good morning everyone," Koenma greeted them with a smile. "I trust you all slept well?"
Yusuke interrupted his greeting and said, "Just cut to the chase Koenma. I've got other stuff I could be doing right now. What do you want?" His anxious eyes betrayed his irritated composure. He was blowing off Keiko again by being at the meeting.
Koenma sighed. "Fine, now use putting off anything with you guys." He stood straighter and took on a businessman composure. "Since yesterday's little incident, I have decided that Ali needs to be watched at all times." She was about to protest but he put up a warning hand to indicate he wasn't finished. "However," he continued, "I realize you need your privacy and meditation time and that it will be difficult to do that if you're always under surveillance. I'm still working that out." Ali nodded in agreement and understood. "For now, I'm relocating you to the apartment next door to Yusuke. You will be attending school with him from now on."
Ali's face brightened up at the news of getting out of the castle. "What?" Yusuke shouted. "Wouldn't she be safer here?" His proclamation put a damper on her hopes and she turned back to Koenma with sadness in her eyes.
"There is nothing for her to do here," Koenma replied. "Sure, she'll be plenty safe, but she'll be bored out of her mind. She might try to escape again." He turned to her with a stern look. She smiled sheepishly and quickly looked away innocently. She knew as well as he did that it was something she would do.
Kuwabara was very excited. "Sweet! Now you're gonna be comin' to school with us too! This is awesome!" He grinned his usual big dumb grin (a/n 1) and Ali giggled.
"Can't wait!" she said smiling.
"Good," Koenma interrupted. "Then you can go pack and add this to your belongings." He threw her a package labeled 'School Uniform'. Smiling, Ali left to her room to begin packing. Once she had left and he was sure she was out of hearing range, Koenma spoke again. "I'm not entirely comfortable with her new living arrangements. Even though she'll be next door to you, Yusuke, I still worry."
Kurama spoke up to reassure him. "I think she'll be fine. She's been living on her own for almost her entire life. We needn't worry too much," he said. Everyone nodded in agreement. Koenma agreed too and, being finished with the meeting, dismissed them. Yusuke and Kuwabara went to the arcade to avoid the wrath of Keiko, Hiei went off to be alone, and Kurama went to Ali's room.
"Come in!" she said cheerfully when she heard a knock at the door. "Oh, hello Kurama!" she greeted him with a smile. "Can I help you with something?"
"Actually, I was going to ask you that very question," he said as he entered her room and walked over to her.
"Sure, I could always use some help," she said, her smile never fading. Kurama went over to the closet and emptied it for her. They talked while they packed her belongings into a suitcase they had found in her closet. The task did not ake very long since she did not own a lot of her own things. "Thanks for keeping me company, Kurama," she said.
"Anytime. Now let's get this stuff over to your new home," he replied as he picked up her suitcase and carried it for her. She opened the door and they walked out of it for the last time. Ali was very excited to be living on her own again and even more excited that she was going to school. As she walked out of her room, she came face to face with Botan. "Oh, hey Botan!" she said happily. "What's up?"
"I thought I would walk with you guys and help you get settled into your new home." She stole a quick glance at Kurama and he understood her ulterior motive. Koenma wanted Ali as protected as possible.
"Oh, ok. That's great! The more the merrier!" she said smiling. Kurama and Botan couldn't help but smile too. Having friends around made Ali happy and she was grateful for them. They walked together through a portal that would take them a few blocks from Ali's new apartment. As they headed towards the complex, they chatted.
"It is a lovely day," commented Botan.
"You don't want to go shopping again, do you?" Kurama asked, his voice hinting at worry. As much as he enjoyed spending time with them, he didn't particularly care for shopping.
"What? Don't you like shopping?" Ali giggled. They all laughed.
Botan continued. "Well, shopping is fun but I thought maybe we would go to the park or the beach after we had settled you in."
Ali practically jumped and shouted her consent. "That's an excellent idea! I absolutely LOVE the beach! Let's invite everyone!" The youthful excitement in her eyes made Kurama chuckle.
"Beach it is then. I don't see why we can't invite the others. You can call them when we get you home." If it was possible, her smile was even bigger than before. They had to keep her from running home and throwing things in drawers so she could call around and invite everyone to join them. She called Yusuke's cell first and he seemed agreeable. "Do you think Keiko, Shizuru and Yukina would like to come?" she asked.
"Yeah! Let's invite Yukina!" Ali heard Kuwabara shout excitedly in the background. "I mean, my sister and Keiko can come to, of course." Ali giggled. Kurama and Botan assumed it was Kuwabara she found amusing. Kurama left to go meet the two boys and they all got ready while Ali and Botan called the girls.
"We'd love to come!" exclaimed Keiko when Ali asked if they would be joining them on their excursion. Ali was happy to have the whole gang coming and they agreed to meet at the park. Botan and Ali arrived first and waited on a bench under the shade of a nice sakura tree. It just so happened that Hiei was sleeping up in that tree and Ali spotted him right away.
"Hi Hiei! Wanna come to the beach with us?" she asked. Botan looked up and saw him too.
He was staring quizzically at Ali. "Hn. No, why should I leave my tree, where I have lots of shade, and go out in the hot sun?"
She responded quickly. She had a mission to get everyone in her group of friends to go to the beach and she was not going to give up. "Because you'll be having fun with all your friends! What more of a reason do you need?" She stared him down.
Hiei watched her. She was a very perplexing girl. "You call that fun?" His idea of fun was fighting a worthy opponent or training, not playing on the beach.
At that moment, the others also arrived. Kurama noticed the staredown between Ali and Hiei. "Oh, hello Hiei. Will you be joining us?" Hiei looked from her to Kurama and then back to her. You know you want to. He heard her voice and saw her smirk but he never saw her open her mouth to speak. He looked perplexingly at her. "Hiei?" Kurama asked again.
Keiko, Shizuru and Yukina had arrived as well and Hiei was broken out of his trance when he heard Yukina's voice. "Is everything all right with them?" she asked Kuwabara.
He shrugged. "Beats me, I think we're trying to get Hiei to come to the beach," he said calmly. His cheeks were pink from blushing at the fact that she had asked him rather than somone else.
"Oh," she replied softly. She looked up at Hiei and smiled. "Hiei-chan, we would be very glad to have you join us," she stated sweetly.
He couldn't refuse anymore. Ali with her confusing way of convincing him and his sister asking him herself. "Fine!" he said as he jumped down, feigning exasperation so as not to let on about his new-found desire to go.
This response pleased Ali and her smile reached her eyes. "Yes! The whole gang's goin' to the beach!" She grabbed Hiei's arm and started to run towards the ocean. Hiei was stunned that she was literally dragging him along and leading everybody to have some fun in the sun. Once they arrived, she quickly sought out a spot she found suitable. Everyone set up their own little "camps" before venturing out into the cool water or laying out in the sun.
Yusuke and Kuwabara got into a water war and Kurama joined them after helping the girls and Ali get settled. The girls started a game of volleyball and Ali sat in the sun watching everybody and laughing at the guys. Hiei was up on the cliff also watching everyone, though not with Ali's enthusiasm. Hn. The bakas. He would never admit that he was also feeling very relaxed, but he soon fell asleep.
Keiko had brought food for everyone ad they sat and ate a pleasant lunch together. Kuwabara and Yusuke fought over a sandwich. Kuwabara had eaten his rather quickly and shoved Yusuke's face in the sand to steal the sandwich. Luckily for both of them, Ali had brought extra, expecting something like that to happen. The remainder of their lunch was peaceful and afterward everyone went into the water.
Ali, however, decided to take a walk up the beach. Lost in thought, she found herself at the cliff. She noticed that Hiei was sleeping and, not wanting to disturb him, she walked quietly to the edge and sat down. As she looked down at the water, she could see her friends playing games in the waves. Yusuke and Kuwabara were dunking each other and showing off; the girls and Kurama were swimming, talking, and laughing. Ali smiled to herself. Such nice people, she thought.
A light ocean breeze suddenly blew her hair around her and she shivered in her bathing suit and wrap-around skirt. "Aren't you cold?" a familiar voice asked from behind her. She turned to see Hiei watching her. He threw her his cloak. "Put it on. It's breezy and you're hardly wearing anything."
"I'm fine," she said and attempted to hand his cloak back to him.
However, he thrust it back at her. "Put it on," he ordered. "We don't need you getting sick." She quickly obliged and wrapped it around her shoulders. Seeing that she was well-shielded from the wind, he returned to his spot under the tree.
Ali smiled a small smile and she, too, sat back down in her spot. She silently watched the foamy waves crash on the shore below and saw her friends still playing around in the water. After a short while she asked, "I didn't disturb you, did I?"
He remained silence for a moment, contemplating his answer. "No," he said when he finally decided his answer. "I never even sensed that you were here." Ali nodded and they sat a while longer. Hiei noticed the group down below had started to pack up. "It's going to be getting dark soon. You should probably be at home," Hiei stated calmly.
Ali agreed and walked back down to help the others put their beach things away. She didn't realize she was still wearing Hiei's cloak when she went down and she received some strange looks and giggles from the other girls. They had noticed that Ali had been absent for much of the afternoon. When she realized what they were getting at, she blushed slightly and simply said, "I was cold." They laughed and finished packing. While they walked back, Ali noticed that Hiei was gone and wondered where he went. I have to give him his cloak back…
"Ah, this was one of the best days of my life," said Yusuke as he stretched and yawned.
Botan was more bubbly than usual due to the day's excitement. "You can thank Ali for that! It was her idea!" she informed them. Kuwabara thanked her with a hug before going over to walk with Yukina.
When they arrived at her apartment, they bid her goodnight and each went their own ways. Kuwabara was staying the night at Yusuke's and Kurama was too, as soon as he made sure Ali was alright. The other girls went home too.
"If you have any problems, just come over to Yusuke's. Kuwabara and I will be there and we've had an extra key made for you. Are you sure you'll be alright?" His emerald eyes shone with concern for this girl.
"I'll be fine," she said. "Don't worry so much. You'll give yourself wrinkles," she added with a wry smirk. A stern look from him made her laugh. "Ok, ok. If there is anything wrong, I'll come to you. No need to worry, dear big brother." He ruffled her hair and smiled in agreement. "Now, I'm kicking you out 'cause I'm exhausted and I have school tomorrow!"
"That's right. What are you still doing up? Get to bed right now young lady!" Kurama ordered jokingly.
She kissed his cheek and hugged him goodbye. "See you tomorrow!" He waved to her as he went next door. She shut her door and went to take a shower before bed. After she had dried her hair, she sat brushing it on her bed. She heard something at her window and knew immediately who it was. "Hi Hiei. Would you like to come in? I'll go get your cloak." When she returned with it she asked him if he was hungry.
He stared at her. Her hair was frizzy from having just been brushed and it flowed around her as she walked. He grabbed the cloak before she could talk him into visiting and turned to leave. "No thanks. I just wanted to retrieve my cloak." And with that he left.
"Goodnight!" she yelled after him. Smiling, she shook her head and crawled in bed. She turned out the light and rolled over, falling asleep immediately. Around 3 in the morning she woke up with a start and realized she was sweating. What was that? she wondered. Hiei must have sensed something too because he was at her window again. "Did you sense it too?" she asked him.
"Yeah," he said in a quiet tone. "Are you alright? I can sense your fear."
She shivered. "I'm fine. Just a little freaked out about something." Hiei could tell she was nervous, but he couldn't understand why. She gets like this often when she's alone, but it doesn't make sense. She's lived most of her life alone and this is not some girl who's lived her life in fear. So what is she so afraid of? He noticed that her breathing had slowed and she was once again asleep. She seems peaceful enough now. He decided to keep guard for the night as she slept. The more he thought about things, the more he was frustrated. What is it about her that seems so familiar?
A/N 1: Yeah, this is a little footnote I want to include concerning Kuwabara. I love him. He is a sweet guy. I just don't know how else to describe his grin other than stupid 'cause that's how everyone sees him. I think he's great! (And I've seen the first yyh movie in English and I found his dubbed voice to be very hot. .:sweatdrops:. I know, pathetic, but you all knew this. P)
A/N: Whew! That was a lot. Holy crap! This thing is a little over 7 pages typed! And it's 3766 words long! I think it's the longest one yet. Well, finals are almost here, it's wicked hot and my room is on the corner so I'm sweating to death in here. I'm planning on writing a new story too! YAY! I don't know if I'll get anything typed tonight. I don't even have anything written. Hehe. Well, I've taken up a lot of your time here already, so you know what to do! Click that review button and send me a good one! (PS: I'm sorry about that last chapter. It was actually my first attempt at a battle scene.) Ja ne!