KH: Yeah, long wait, sorry again. I'm trying to get an update every month at least though. This one was hard. I actually tried four times to do this before getting this chapter. I'm still not happy with it, but it works out better. The other attempts were completely different and deleted. Plus, I never planned to actually type out the story like this, but I was attacked with inspiration on the 18th and just had to do it. Seriously, I was attacked from my dreamland and scribbled the main points down upon waking.
Just so you know I warned you, most of this story is a flashback story sort of thing. I think it was a lot better in my head, but oh well. That's what happens with every idea. I hope you like!
xXx
Hm. Hiei seems a little...vengeful to the class. I wonder if he even wanted to be here in the first place. Most likely not, knowing his personality. He was probably forced to be here. But by who? When Kagome started to laugh, for what reason I can't fathom, the class quieted and Hiei spoke again.
"Hello, Miko." Hiei! We agreed that Kagome wasn't a priestess! Even Shizuru said she could be one!
Shizuru is eating her own words.
I glanced to her, and she did seem a little shocked. Our substitute teachers were nodding to each other. Kagome managed a question to Hiei, looking very confused.
"What?"
"Miko. That is your holy blood. Kitsune, is inside of Shuuichi. Urameshi Yusuke is a Mazoku, though I guess he's more feline than anything with how many lives he has..." Hiei shrugged, completely ignoring my glare. I swear, as soon as we're alone Hiei, I'm going to hurt you. Severely. Miroku nodded to Hiei's words and continued to speak to the class.
"Indeed. Kuwabara Shizuru and Kuwabara Kazuma, if I pronounced that correctly, are on their way to be Spiritual users, though not to the purity of Priestess and Monk."
"Thank goodness for that." Hiei said rudely. Shizuru threw a pencil at him, which he easily dodged with a tilt of his head. He grinned at her as Sango spoke next.
"Yukimura Keiko is also a spiritual user, though not to the degree of the Kuwabaras. Yuu Kaito and Yuu Sakura, spiritual users as well, though with a quirky twist if I'm sensing this correctly. That is all the spiritual humans." Okay, so they're noting the ancestry of the class. That's still not appreciated.
Blame Koenma. He allowed the background checks on everyone.
"The demons, including the aforementioned Shuuichi and Yusuke, include Nol Catull and Nol Salu. They are feline as well, though their blood is even more diluted than Yusuke's. Merli Kiki is a low level, mostly human air element. Undi Sara is a water element, also mostly human. Actually, I think you used to be a sprite... or nymph... maybe you're a mix." Sango and Miroku both looked at the girl in contemplation.
"That leaves just the four humans. You know who you are." Hiei finished. The last people looked at each other in understandable worry.
"Oh! Before I forget, I think I'll call roll." Sango chirped, heading to the desk to retrieve the attendance. Miroku, Sango, and Hiei all stared at her in disbelief. I guess that's something she normally doesn't do.
You're right. Both Sango and Miroku have had their personalities switched by Hachi.
Who?
You're future teacher.
And you expect me to know this Hiei? He didn't answer me while Sango mumbled a nevermind. Or was it really Miroku? Ah, headache.
"Well, the formalities of the first class are over now, so I guess now we should start on your assignment. As we have established, demons are real. You are all to write a paper, no matter the length, of a demon story you believe to be the truth. No internet, this is going to be from your own memory. It'll be due by next class. Believe me when I say we'll know if you use other resources. As an example, we're going to have... Kami, what is he doing here?" Miroku, Sango- forget it! Our teachers quickly backed away from the door and bowed their heads to the floor. I couldn't feel anything, but Hiei did as he and the nekomata followed suit.
A man walked in. Long silver hair, an old fashioned kimono that looked like royalty, golden eyes. He was a demon, and a strong one. If Hiei is bowing to him, perhaps he is royalty. But I would have heard of him if he was in Ningenkai, judging by his human looks. He's probably masking his real face.
"Sesshoumaru-sama." Oh. At least his name's familiar. Kagome spoke about him just a few days ago. I glanced to her. She seemed ready to faint.
"Rise." The lord said. They did. He had a sword at his side, but he had no need of it for intimidation. His voice was enough. Didn't Kagome say he had some sort of boa wrapped around his shoulder, and some armor of teeth? And two other swords? He had none of that, but this had to be the same youkai. "Taijiya, Houshi, Nekomata, you are to return to the castle. Hiei is to finish this day's lesson alone." Castle? How can anyone miss a castle?
"My lord, may I ask why?" The monk asked. Sesshoumaru turned instead to my sister, who was openly gawking.
"I suggest you close your mouth, girl. You might catch flies." Oh, this isn't going to turn out well. Kagome closed her mouth and glared at the inuyoukai.
"I have a name you know! Ka-go-me! I'm not known as 'girl'. That's a very rude form of address, so don't call me that!" I tensed, ready to block any form of attack. His reply was calm though. He looked at her and spoke in a patronizing voice.
"Of course, my apologies. However, Ka-go-me, I must advise you to watch your tongue as you address me. I am Lord Sesshoumaru, Inugami Daiyoukai of the Aisian continent." Ruler of an entire continaent? How have I not heard of this! "Most powerful youkai of the worlds. Even the three former demon lords of Makai," He gave a half hearted attempt to suppress a chuckle. "in this very room are no match against my power if they were to team up." Well, isn't that pleasant.
"You wanna repeat that pretty boy!" And, that is not... Yusuke, don't you have some sort of self-preservation instinct somewhere? Hiei was by Yusuke's side quickly, holding the ex-detective's mouth closed as he seemed almost afraid of the inu lord.
"He doesn't know what he's saying. Please, forgive him." Okay, so he was terrified of the man. He glared at Yusuke as he finished. "He's an idiot." Sesshoumaru-sama regarded Yusuke in the same manner one would a particle of dust. He spoke.
"Forgiven. However, Hiei, you are to receive punishment in his stead." Hiei flinched. "One month of my torture." Torture? For a whole month?
"You can't do that!" Kagome said loudly. I could only stare. She was tempting her life. "t's not like Yusuke knew he was stepping out of line," the way you are, little sister. "and Hiei was just trying to..." Sesshoumaru-sama drew his sword slowly and pointed it to her, barely a foot away from her face. I was about ready to pull her into her seat. Is she always this outspoke? It'll get her killed!
"Ka-go-me. You yourself are stepping out of line. I demand respect, and it will be given. My word is law."He said calmly.
"You're acting like a spoiled brat."
"Kagome, just sit down and be quiet." I whispered, knowing full well that Sesshoumaru-sama could hear me. Kagome did nothing to let me know she heard. She continued to look at the sword in her face, though she showed no fear. She wasn't the least bit afraid. At least not on the outside.
"I could kill you." Sesshoumaru-sama warned.
"Not with that sword. Tenseiga isn't capable of harming a human. You bluff with your weapon, though I am perfectly aware of your other murdering abilities. I don't think you're the kind of lord to kill those who speak their mind though. You should expect it in this day and age." I don't know whether to pull Kagome back in her seat of thank every god I know, Koenma included. Lord Sesshoumaru let out a good hearted chuckle. He sheathed his sword. My sister will live.
He wouldn't have killed her anyway.
What? You knew that and didn't let me know! I was about to have a heart attack!
""You are a woman that I can respect, Miko. Intelligent, quick witted and possessing a sharp eye. I bid you the best of luck with your studies. Houshi, gather your mate and companion. We are leaving. We are to speak with Koenma about the solstice. Hiei, my Lady request you share your tale of either sake or ice cream." Eh? Hiei stood still in disbelief, looking as if cornered.
"...Can I start my punishment now?" Sesshoumaru-sama let out a laugh and walked out, the other three odd characters following. The cat, Kirara, looked back into the class and meowed a goodbye. Okay, that wasn't too bad, aside from the suspense that choked me.
"Sake or ice cream?" Kazuma asked. Hiei cleared his throat and sat on the teacher's desk with one foot on the edge. He placed his chin on his knee and ignored the question in favor to glare at Yusuke.
"You are aware that I hate you even more so than Kuwabara?" Hm. Normally he'd settle for a quick and to the point 'I hate you.' Yusuke fidgeted and scratched his cheek, looking very uncomfortable.
"Sorry. What do you have to do as torture?" Hiei didn't answer, but he did blush. Wait, what?
"You're blushing!" I said a little loudly. Hiei spared me a second's glare before continuingto hate Yusuke. He gave a little sigh before speaking.
"Sesshoumaru-sama's method of punishment is nothing I cannot survive. Don't discern yourself with wondering about it, detective." Again with the longer than normal sentences.
"You're speaking like him again." Shizuru grinned. Hiei scowled at himself before turning away from us all. "Okay Hiei, I suggest you either start the infamous tale of the Sake incident or the hilarious story of melting Ice cream!" Hiei did nothing. "Or we can question you about the many things our friends don't know about you." While the rest of the class grasped the fact that some of us knew each other very well, Kazuma jumped at the chance to ask one of the questions he had on mind.
"Yeah! How come you never told us you actually knew royalty?"
"Okay, it was a night. Early evening. There was going to be a full moon actually. There were four travelers heading to the inn of a village that no longer exists. A miko, one not even two decades old but powerful enough to save the world, was wishing for a sheltered area to rest. However her companions were demons, so staying at a human village would be hard pressed to happen."
"You're not going to answer our questions, are you?" I asked. He just spared me a glance before closing his eyes to ignore everyone else and continue his story.
"One of her companions was a kitsune. It was rumored that he once served Inari but ran away, however if you ever spoke to him he would deny it. He was a thief, one just barely being recognized. He was, at the moment of entering this village, dressed in the garments of a princess." Kagome giggled and picked up where he left off.
"The miko was in front of the kitsune, playing the role of primary protector. She was dressed in an outfit of white similar to the clothes the kitsune normally wore." The class looked at me and Hiei looked like he relaxed just a little bit. "The Miko's other two companions included a bat demon who stood behind the disguised youkai."
"An elemental child was the fourth traveler who stood on the kitsune's right." Hiei added. Keiko interrupted.
"Hey, wait, are you two telling the story together?" Hiei ignored her and Kagome did the same. Since this seemed to be in the past, I'd say this was the sake story.
"The small group entered the village without any problem. However, they forgot about one important fact when any traveler wishes to stay at an inn for a night." Hiei continued. At a look to Kagome, she filled in the blank for everyone.
"They had no money." She said before getting up to sit next to my friend, whom I'm going to question as soon as possible.
"They weren't deterred though. Their group included thieves, a child of bandits, and a woman whose cunning was unbelievable." Kagome let out a chuckle and continued.
"So the miko thought on her feet when they were presented with the fact that they need to pay. She asked if there were any demons that she could exercise in exchange for a night. This trade was one that she had witnessed many times. Unfortunately, the village had no need of such service."
"The bat therefore asked if there was any services the 'princess' could perform." Kagome frowned.
"Needless to say, the miko smacked him at the lewd suggestion." She said in a dry voice. "The child spoke up next, wondering if they could stay for free if they could win a dare." Hiei sat up straighter when he continued. I'm beginning to suspect this was planned.
"Being a child from a group of bandit, the youth was very good at gambling with fate. Unfortunately, the suggestion the boy had in mind was interrupted when the 'princess' spoke up." Kagome took up the voice of a pretentious woman.
"With the soft voice of a teenager, the kitsune spoke. 'I'm very tired, you see my dear innkeeper, and I'm afraid thieves threatened our lives just this morning in exchange for the rest of our money. My feet hurt and I think I'll faint soon from hunger. My miko friend can only do so much for me. Surely there's something I can do in exchange for only one night?' Glowing eyes blinked in fake pathetic desperation. The innkeeper was rattled though, and that was a good start." Hiei grinned behind his knee.
"The boy spoke next. 'How about a bet? Our Princess can go for a good amount of Sake. If not her, than me! Up to fifteen bottles for each of us, and if we can pull off a look of sobriety, we stay for a night.' It was a good deal, lucky too since the Innkeeper prided himself in being able to acquire the best sake in the eastern land. The man looked at the four. 'If you fail, what do I get?' He asked, since fifteen bottles was really too much for any one person. He figured he'd win." Kagome stood on her feet, but continued to lean on the desk.
"The miko interrupted, scared her demonic companions would try to press their luck. 'If we fail, naturally we will work off our debt for a month, at most.' The innkeeper thought that was a good deal. The cold months were ending, so travel could be resumed with the more pleasant weather. If they stayed, he'd have workers he didn't have to pay for a month. He agreed." Hiei stood up and gestured to the middle of the room as if offering a place to sit.
"The man brought the four to the best room he had. Fixing them with the best dinner he could offer, he gave the four fifteen bottles of sake each. The miko then realized something. She had never drunk sake before. The kitsune noticed the woman's face of uncertainty and spoke to the only human man. 'Sir, may I change the stakes?' He asked to what terms. 'If I can drink all thirty bottles, those of mine and my miko, we get the room. I'm afraid I have forgotten she has sworn to abstinence from the drink.' The man didn't care, figuring he was raising the chances of the princess becoming drunk. After all, if any one of these four looked drunk, he'd have his workers." Kagome sat on her own desk and continued. I'm beginning to suspect, with how often Hiei keeps glancing at me, that I should recognize this story. They're telling too flawlessly for it to be a simple story. It's almost, like a memory... Have I had something to do with this tale? But how does Kagome know it so well?
"The meal was placed for after the drinks, that way the alcohol didn't absorb into the food. 'Drink on!' The Innkeeper called, and the three demons did so. The child finished his the quickest. He grinned at the man, claiming he still knew the woman the man was married to. The man didn't believe him, declaring that he never revealed such information and that the boy was proving himself to be drunk. The child giggled, a quick predictable one, and pointed at the correct woman. 'She's the one, right? I know she's pregnant too. I see her glow.' The man looked at his wife and she nodded. The child was correct, though he used his demonic senses instead of the magic the man believed him to posses." Hiei continued after my sister, looking more comfortable than earlier.
"The bat was finished next, declaring that he could point out that man's children in the room and the gender of the one in his woman's womb. By now, the man was worried, but he encouraged that bat ahead. 'The three young men you dressed as girls belong to you. You're unborn child will be your first girl.' The man was surprised, looking at his sons who were now blushing in embarrassment for being found out. The boy giggled again, pulling his food towards him and the miko as the bat accepted his own dinner. The miko added, 'For your wife's safety, I advise her to have no more children.' The man nodded and his children left. The kitsune was last to finish." Kagome faced the ceiling when it was her turn to speak.
"He grinned at the man, chuckling as he stared at the sweating Innkeeper with his shining eyes. He wasn't drunk, no, he was a kitsune. They only get drunk on inari-zushi. For a while he said nothing. Then, when the Innkeeper was about to declare him intoxicated, he spoke. 'I've seen your future in my cup.' The Innkeeper was frozen. 'I don't think you'll like it, but do you still wish to hear it?' The man nodded with wide eyes. The kitsune's voice was clear, and that was proof enough that the disguised princess was unaffected by the human drink. Regardless, the man wished to know what this fourth traveler would tell him. 'I believe you shall be stolen from. From a kitsune none the less. I suggest you set up offering for him tonight, for the full moon will hide his silver form and show his eyes everything of value.' The man asked what sort of offering he should give." Hiei gave me a very noticeable look.
Does anything sound familiar?
Actually, yes. It is beginning to ring a bell.
"The kitsune relaxed, giving a look over his companions before continuing. 'Offer rice that is warm; Water that is cool; Seeds from one of each of the crop you plan to harvest; a durable pouch for each seed; silk for a child, around my companion's size; and the most precious mirror you have. Feel free to offer anything else, but the others are a must, lest he will take anything he wishes.' The man and his wife thanked them for the advice, and left them for the night. The group slept, content, but the kitsune was awoken quickly, thieving habits not wanting to be ignored. He was rested, fed, and ready to take more from the hospitable man. While his companions slept for another hour, he watched from the shadows in his own outfit as the man set up his offerings in the front of his building." Yes, very familiar.
"While the kitsune packed the spare food, clothes, seeds and the mirror he spotted earlier, he contemplated taking a bite of the inari-zushi the man set out as well. Mixing it with the alcohol he already had wouldn't be wise, but he hadn't had it in a while. He decided to bring it back to his room and indulge." Yup... A very familiar, though fuzzy, memory.
"Boy was that stupid." Hiei scowled as Kagome giggled.
"What did the kitsune do?" Keiko asked. The class was getting into the story.
"He ate it. Every single one of them." I covered my face and moaned. Yeah, that was me...
"What so wrong with that" Kazuma asked.
"Oh, I get it! He got drunk!" A boy behind me called. Bits of the night came back to me as I blushed. Never. Again.
"Aw, Mino, it's okay. It's not like You were the kitsune." My sister tried to comfort. Yusuke's brain decided to work and he cracked up when he put two and two together.
"I could see it though!" Liar. You never saw such a thing. "I mean, Shuuichi is a fox demon, right?" I hate you.
"Anyway, yes, the kitsune ate the offering. But, the boy was awake to see it. When the kitsune just continued to sit up and stay still after eating, he got up and shook the miko awake. He told the girl what he saw and the girl noticed the items the kitsune told the Innkeeper to offer. She sighed and stepped up to the tall silver haired man. And no, he isn't like Sesshoumaru, though I suppose you can imagine him just for a picture."
"Don't let him know though." Hiei warned lowly, glaring at Yusuke.
'The girl spoke. 'My friend, what's wrong?' He didn't answer. Because they only knew each other for a few weeks, she woke up the bat demon and she and the child explained what happened. The bat stared at his friend before dashing to him. 'You sneaky lying son of a vixen! You-' whatever else was going to be hissed was interrupted when the kitsune slowly placed a hand on the other demon's cheek. The kistune whispered his friend's name before grinning maniacally and breaking into a fit of hysterical laughter."
"The group was lucky that no one woke up. While out, the fox placed a smelly sleeping herb into every villager's home. 'You look ridiculous with your large wings!' The fox thief exclaimed. The bat was naturally angry and went to hit the demon, but the kitsune transformed into his animal form. He began barking and yipping and teasing his friend. The girl and child were confused, but soon put together that the offering made their friend tipsy and the complete opposite of the normally calm and regal demeanor the kitsune normally had."
"As the bat attempt to restrain the now four legged, nine tailed fox, the miko packed the rest of their belongings, including the offerings. The fox made attempt to meow at this point, having been influenced by the cat he scared as he leapt out of the room. As he tried to purr and rub against the trees that were barely twice his size, the bat was torn between saving the rest of his friend's dignity or enjoying the show."
"Any kitsune is expected to act with regality. To be aloof and aware of everything." Hiei said, smirking at me. I wouldn't tease me if I were you, Hiei. You've just proved yourself to know the memories I cannot recall. Hiei's smirk fell quickly in trade for a half hearted glare.
"That wasn't what this kitsune was doing though. He was growing all the trees and making them bend into hearts, stars or any other form and leaping around them in drunk happiness." Kagome continued with a happy voice. I blushed, giving cause for Hiei to silently tease me once more.
"A kitsune is supposed to be proper and intelligent." He added. I hate you, Hiei. You are hereby banned from my home.
"But this one was tripping over his own feet and making noises that foxes weren't supposed to make." Inari...
"To make this even worse, this kitsune was a golden eyed, silver kitsune thief." Hiei sneered. Yusuke and Kazuma started to laugh. I hid my face in my hands. Death, please come quickly. Better yet, attack them all now.
"And these were supposed to be the ideal example of a kitsune." The rest of the class started to figure out the severity of what this all meant and was starting to laugh a bit. "The kitsune reverted back to his more human form an hour before sunrise and the bat was able to pounce and restrain him. The group fled the nearly destroyed village quickly, forcing their still silly fox to continue as is; making noises of other animals, chasing his tail in circles and being unbelievably giddy. Chickens were everywhere, eggs and feathers on roofs, trees, or lakes. Dogs were whimpering under half destroyed sheds. Cats were hiding in the holes of the variously shaped trees. The fields had grown quickly, becoming abundant but thick. The group left a thank you note to their host." I could barely remember, but I have to admit: That night was fun. If only I could recall that woman's face...
"It read, 'We are grateful for the food, drink and bed. We wish you the best with your family and future, and we hope you are happy with the early harvest. Also, I suppose we should have told you to warn the rest of the village about the kitsune's visit. Never give sake with an inari-zushi, no matter when your village miko says.' The man's home and business was the only property not damaged by the kitsune's drunken play."
"What a mess." Shizuru commented. Hiei let out a laugh.
"All because Youko-hime decided to have an inari-zushi. Or nine." Oh, Hiei, you dare reveal my name? You're going to die. While the rest of the class laughed, I joined them. Yes, Hiei will definitely pay for this.
xXx
HK: I think I'm picking on Kurama... Sorry! It's just so easy! I'll try to let up on him.
Yes, Hiei knows royalty. In the later chapters, I'll give you guys some background information about how that happened. Until then, let your own imaginations run wild.
Uh, what else? Oh, then names I tried making up are placed in normal Japanese dialect. Last name first, first name last. You don't need to pay much attention to them, but Catull will definitely be making future appearences.
Yup. This is chapter 10. I own no one, except the students you don't know, including Kaito's sister.
Review! They make me happy and get you closer to a new chapter! Happy Holidays!