HELLO!

Yes, I am late by five days but before you strangle me, I have to tell you I had just crawled out of the first wave of exams for this term. And I literally snatched some time off from studying for the next wave just to edit this chapter. I had the latter part written before even the first chapter of this story was realized and it was one of the scenarios I have been waiting to finally put up. Hahaha. :))) I'm so excited!

Thank you to everyone who reviewed and decided to add this story to their alert and favorites lists! :)))

So, please read, enjoy, and review!

Disclaimer: The Yu Yu Hakusho world does not, in any way, belong to me. It's the great Yoshihiro Togashi's.

Click

by four-eyed 0-0

Chapter Eleven

The next morning I wake up to the loud snoring of the passed out guests in the living room. Through the open door, I scan the area to check for the presence of the tantei and find his head slumped to Kuwabara's stomach. Kurama and Hiei are nowhere to be found. Typical, since they are the most level-headed among their group.

The corner of my eyes twitch and I dash back to my room, grab my camera, and take pictures, laughing silently to myself.

Resolving that they all would ask for remedies to their hangover once they wake up, I proceed to the kitchen to prepare some coffee and buttered toasts after depositing my camera back in my room.

On the table I find Kurama sitting with an open book he peruses.

"Good morning," I greet, stretching my arms above my head. "I see you are up early. Didn't they keep you?"

He smiles. "Good morning. I'm afraid they did."

"Have you eaten? I'm preparing some breakfast." I take out the kettle from one of the cupboards and fill it with water.

"Coffee, perhaps?"

"Sure, and some toasts." After placing the kettle on the stove to boil, I proceed to taking out loaves of bread, butter, egg, milk, and sugar.

"By toasts you mean French toasts?" he asks as an afterthought.

I grin at him. "Yup."

"Can't wait."

As I start beating the eggs, I ask him, trying to sound as disinterested and spontaneous as possible, "And where's your shrimp of a best friend? Seated on a tree branch, perhaps?"

"Uh, he actually went with Mukuro to Makai, to discuss some things."

"I take it that "some things" mean Kaede?"

He rises from his seat, washes his hands, and stands next to me. "Actually, yes." I look at him. "Anything I can help you with?"

"Slice the bread for me."

"Roger."

©—©

The guests come to when the coffee starts brewing, and they sit themselves on the living room table groggily. The girls have been up for quite some time and are helping me with serving the drunkards. We and Kurama have since eaten our share of the toasts.

A good thirty minutes into serving, there's a loud bang that follows the sliding open of the kitchen door, startling the living daylights out of me that I drop the spatula I'm holding. When I turn around, a very seething fire demon being held at bay by the shoulder by a very alert Yusuke and Kuwabara who are apparently struggling meets my eyes.

"What's wrong?" I ask, noticing the glare directed to me.

Hiei suddenly shrugs their hold and in an instant is in front of me. I gulp. "Emi's Demon, eh?"

Okay, so he took what I said to heart. I nod toward the two and they immediately exit. "I meant it as a joke, Hiei. For goodness sake, surely you know what a joke is, don't you?" I reply, moving to pick up the fallen spatula. His foot splits it into two, my fingers barely an inch away. "What?" I spit, placing both hands on my hips.

"Those two idiots announced it to the visitors, that's what it is," he says acidly.

"What then?"

"I am humiliated."

"So? Anyone can use an episode of humiliation to deflate their inflated ego." I turn around back to my cooking, only to be grabbed by the elbow in a split second. I raise my eyebrows at him.

"I'm talking to you. Don't turn your back at me."

"People can talk through telephones and they don't —"

"Stop being such a smart-ass."

I roll my eyes and shake him by the arms, vaguely noting I was able to touch him for once. "Look, that was just a joke. Don't put your heart into it. If you'll continue to be like this, the more they'll enjoy tormenting you."

He stares at me for a second before flicking my hands away. "You are indeed one stupid ningen."

"Well, thanks for reminding me." I sneer at him and turn back to my cooking. "And oh, okaerinasai, Hiei-kun," I add with a sickly smile.

He huffs at me disbelievingly.

"Now's the chance to say, 'tadaima', just so you know."

He doesn't answer and instead move toward the kitchen table, regarding the tea pot with coffee and the platter with the toasts. "Stupid ningen breakfast."

"If you do not want to eat, then don't. It's bad enough to make grace wait, much more curse at it." I pour him a cup of coffee and pull his hand to place a toast on it. "And don't even think about glaring at the food. It might sprout eyes and glare back at you."

He glares at me instead. "If you think saying that makes you sound smart, you're mistaken."

"I'm not trying to sound smart. It's just that these past couple of days, I realized there are things I never imagined to be possible but actually are." I blink, realizing that I am being too talkative. I look at him whose expression somehow softened, if the drop in the intensity of his glare were any indication. "What am I saying? You wouldn't understand. Just eat up."

"Good for you to know. I will never understand you."

I sigh.

"I'm eating this because I am hungry. This does not change anything though."

I shrug and leave through the backdoor to sit on a rock outside for some breath of fresh air.

Suddenly my phone rings. Ryoko is calling.

I smile and answer, "Yo, Ryo!"

"Oi, Emi, what have you been doing? Can't you even remember to call me?"

"I'm saving up my cellular load, so I thought I'd wait for you to call."

"I did not know you were this stingy, Emi!"

I laugh. "Seriously though, I've been busy. Forgive me?"

He smiles, I know he does. "All right, but I miss you!"

"I don't," I lie, butterflies rampaging in my stomach.

"Ouch!"

I laugh again. "Stop it, Ryoko. You know I do."

"Of course, I'm just bluffing, Emi."

I smile to myself. I do not know what else to say.

"Emi, eat with me when you go back, all right?"

"Sure."

"Anything bothering you?"

I swallow. "Aside from a very ill-mannered client the size of a shrimp… I think nothing else."

He sniggers. "A shrimp?"

"Exactly."

"Crush him, Emi-chan! You can do it!"

"Can't, have to put up with him to earn some money."

"That sucks," he says, aggravated.

"Sure does. How are you?"

"I'm no good without Emi-chan."

"Stop that!" Just then I hear my name called from inside the shrine. "Hey, I'm needed. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Aw, too bad. Oh well, see you!"

"Jaa."

"Wait! Take care, okay? I miss you."

"I miss you too."

©—©

After three days, I find myself with a very heavy problem. And I decide to consult with the detectives.

"Hey, can I go back to my apartment? My camera's memory card is full."

Yusuke looks askance at me. "Just for that you're going to risk your safety?"

Kuwabara nods his head. Kurama regards me, "Is it that important, Emi-chan?"

I fiddle with my bun and look at the three of them (Hiei sits at a far corner) seriously. "Look, I'm going nuts sitting all day in this shrine. I have taken every single picture I can take that now my memory card's full. I can't just erase any of those pictures! I have resolved I'll find a way to still submit a somehow decent entry for the contest I've wanted to join. Please understand. I will take no longer than a day."

I'm a little desperate. I need a breath of fresh air. I need to go out. I need a break from all this demon business.

I want to say all this, but I can't find my voice.

The three of them exchange looks.

Yusuke stares at me. "Okay, you can go, on the condition that we will go with you." He pauses, as if remembering something very important. "And you can't be seen by anyone else."

I stare down at my feet. I guess I will also have to wait before I see Ryoko. "Since that is, in itself, torture, can I spend the night in my apartment too?" When a lethal glint crosses Yusuke's eyes, I look at Kuwabara with puppy dog eyes. "Please? I miss my room too, you know. And you can always stay at the living room; I have extra mattresses and the couch does wonders. PLEASE!" I bow my head at them.

Kuwabara turns to his friends and give them a look.

"Oh… all right!" Yusuke growls out, defeated. "One night only, you understand, Emi?"

"Yes, sir!" I say joyfully.

Yusuke leaves with a huff and I throw my arms at Kuwabara in thanks.

"Riffraff," Hiei mutters as he passes to exit the room.

©—©

I heave a deep breath as the cold water glides over my spine. I have to suppress a shudder as the last trace of heat from the setting sun outside is drenched by the chilly shower. I won't be surprised if I see vapors rising from my skin.

It's really been a very tiring day. I had to get a new set of clothes since the previous ones I brought with me in the shrine have been worn many times already and I'm growing sick of them. They're now in the dryer. I also had to clean up my apartment since some dust have already settled in. "Poor apartment of mine, see how I need to come home now?" I remember telling the guys.

It is tiring. To say so is quite commonplace to me right now, what with all that's happening. If there ever comes a time that I won't be so stressed out, I guess it'll be weird. Stress has worked its way into my system and is keeping me from danger nowadays. Honestly. Slouching around isn't at all a great idea since the concerned people around me right now are deprived tremendous amounts of slouching energy and so I'll just have to cooperate.

Concern is such a sweet thing, I think, if only the cause of it's not this ridiculous as in my case.

Well, I'll have to scratch that. My case isn't ridiculous, but it was before. Before all this ridiculousness made sense to me. Demons. Until now I still can't quite place how I feel toward such things… creatures. Yeah, they're creatures. Like humans like me. But then I thought creatures were only humans, animals, insects… everything I see having life in this world of mine, or maybe having normal life. Yusuke, Kurama, and Hiei definitely have life, although not normal lives like normal creatures have. That is, well, at least from my viewpoint.

I fist my hair in frustration as I try to halt the train of thoughts running in my mind. I'm purely sick of having these thoughts, these debates inside my head. Life was so simple to me. Complications were so minor I didn't even think of them as anything close to complications. I've never missed my simple-mindedness this bad. Desperate as it sounds, I just wish everything will get back to the way it was before once I step out of this shower.

Shaking my head for the umpteenth time, I decide to scrub my flesh raw, a littlest part of me still clinging to the idea of all my problems going down the drain together with all the dirt from my skin and finally living my former life when I get out and dress. With the comfort of being in my apartment, of course.

When I get out of the bathroom wrapped in my towel, though, a very obvious proof of my life never going back to the way it was slaps me on the face. Hard. And it quite makes my face red as if I've just been literally hit.

I don't stop the shriek from the back of my throat as Hiei lays his sluggish gaze on my almost naked body. And oh, the look he gives me! That's the first time he catches me in this state and doesn't even bat an eyelid at my pure horror.

"For goodness sake, Hiei! What possessed you and you're in my room?" I yell, still tightly clutching my towel.

The little fire demon huffs as though I'm the one at fault. He shifts from his position on my bed and looks away, glaring at the opposite wall. "It's my turn guarding you for tonight. I don't see anything wrong with my being in your room."

I gawk at him for a moment. "Since when did you learn to invite yourself in my room, huh?"

"Tonight. I thought that was obvious enough for you to know."

"Well, it wasn't and that was why I asked you."

"And now you know."

I let out a tired sigh as I gingerly walk to my closet. "And whoever invited you to lie on my bed? I didn't think you'd be so thrilled to come in contact with my human germs."

His eyebrow twitches very subtly. "Coming in contact with human germs has been quite tolerable to me since I decided to work with the detective and the baka."

I fish out an oversize t-shirt and shorts and slid between them my underwear, not wanting to let him see any of those. "I happen to know that Yusuke is a hanyou and Kuwabara is a psychic, thus making them above the average humans," I retort before slipping into the bathroom once again. "And don't even think about using your Jagan on me while I dress!" I shout, so that he'll clearly hear the disdain in my voice.

I hear him mutter something incomprehensible. He clearly doesn't appreciate my effort in keeping effective communication. Not that he appreciates anything, though.

As I tug the shirt down my head, I realize something. Not even a piece of me believes the idea but I just want to reassure myself so I ask him as I step out of the bathroom, "You didn't use your Jagan on me while I was showering, did you?" I narrow my eyes at him.

"No."

I tilt an eyebrow and take my comb from my bedside table before sitting on the bed, my back turned to him. He's a good distance from me, well, as far as how two people can get from each other in a single bed. I'm not surprised when he grunts from all the splashing I'm doing.

"Don't you have any decency?"

"Decency for people who offhandedly invite themselves to my bed? No." I finish combing my hair and stare him down. He doesn't even budge his hands from the back of his head and just stare back at me. "You can get off my bed now." He merely rolls his eyes and moves to get up on the bed. The irritation rising up my chest makes me want to retaliate. Maybe it'll give me more peace in my sleep tonight. "Do you have your period?"

He stills and whips his head back at me. "What?" he snaps.

It's my turn to roll eyes. "You know, that monthly visitor accompanied by cramps. It's mostly the reason why even the girl-next-door types turn hot-headed once in a while." His eyes give off a dangerous red similar to molten magma but I don't care. If there's any time more perfect for him to take a slap on his pride, it's now. His mock holiness has rubbed in too much on me and I really don't find it amusing. "I mean, in human nature, it involves only the females, but considering you're a demon and all, I think it'll pass even though you are some masculine, smoldering—"

I am very sure I've done it when he suddenly grabs hold of my wrists and pushes me down the bed, his breath hot and really smoldering against my red face. I was so wrong in thinking that getting into his nerves would actually raise my spirits. And if this is his way of getting back at me for dubbing him my demon, I swallow the bubble of fear rising up my throat. Gee, I didn't have him pegged as someone who holds grudges. I squirm beneath him and try to pull free from his vice-like grip but my efforts aren't an ounce enough. Bruises will surely form where he's clutching me, and I swallow hard, trying to keep the sting behind my eyes from sending forth tears. I'm hurt, honestly.

"Well," he starts, his red eyes hard on my dark ones, "demons do not have cramps but cravings once a month. Ever heard of demon's moon?" He lowers his face to mine so that our noses touch. I fight back the urge to blink, afraid of what could happen in that split-second of letting my guard down. Instead, I glare him down with all the intensity I could muster, hoping against hope it's enough to keep him and his own glower at bay.

"Yeah, I've heard of it. And in all actuality, I'm quite curious to how it works or feels like," I hiss breathily, smirking a very minuscule smirk but a smirk nonetheless, as to both match my cool with his and to prevent any contact between any part of our faces.

He sniggers, so that he unintentionally leans away an inch or two. "Really? It'll be quite an experience, I must tell you."

I tilt my left brow at him, my smirk getting bigger at the moment. "Humor me."

He's just starting to lean down on me again when I do what I never thought I would have the guts to do.

When you're in danger, it's either you fight or take flight. Clearly, this situation I'm in is danger. I choose fight.

I hit his forehead with mine.

Okay, so maybe that isn't the best attack a girl below a hot—and a strong—guy like Hiei can throw in a helpless situation, but when he lets out a very huge growl just as I curse under my breath from the pain of the impact, I can say I nailed that one. It's his Jagan I hit. And as much as I want to spring to my feet, punch the air with my fists, and yell, "Whoop-de-do!", I know I'm dead.

When you're in danger, it's either you fight or take flight. I never thought I can actually do both in just a matter of seconds.

I take advantage of his momentary daze, freeing myself from his grasp, shoving him off me, and sprinting toward the door. I bite my lip as I run towards my living room, clearly taking the people inside by surprise with my banging the door agape.

Kuwabara jumps to his feet and rushes to me, worry written all over his face. "What happened? Is it some demon?" The others spring to life at the mention.

It is a demon, since Hiei is a demon. I want to laugh and cry at the very moment, really. Can't it get any better? They've been protecting me from demons and this friend in front of me is only one of the few who don't have anything to do with being a demon. He has everything to do with demons, yes, since his best friend is one, but he does not have anything to do with being one simply because he isn't one. And it's the only argument left in my head that keeps me from breaking down no matter how fast the feeling's being drained from my knees, because no matter how I deny it to myself, I am involved with demons. I am tainted.

I look at Kuwabara and manage to smile, but unable to stop the gurgle that must've most likely been a mixture of the chuckle and sob I'm fighting down. "No, it isn't." I swing my arm around his shoulders, not because I'm fine, but because I need support to keep my knees from buckling up. I grin at him when his head whips to me and add, "Well, at least not one of the dangerous demons who would want to kidnap the awesome me."

"Oh, I get it," he says, nodding his head. Of course, he does, which quite surprises me. The first days of getting to know him gave me the impression he's the slow one, but then, he's actually the only person who can see through me so clearly. "I always knew you two will get to a squabble at some point. But seriously, Emi? When you stood there, blasting the door open, I thought you were in serious trouble." He starts toward the couch where he's been sitting before I bolted in, awesome me still draped about him pathetically.

I just shrug and glance to the other two who are all watching us curiously as he sits me down beside him. "Well, if you find smacking him on his Jagan with my skull a cool move, then I should say you're too paranoid."

"You did what?" Yusuke splutters, his eyes wide as saucers. Beside him, Kurama's grip around his glass tightens for a wink before relaxing again.

A chill runs down my spine as they all whip their heads to the now open window when a voice so strained from anger speaks, "She pounded my Jagan with her forehead, idiot." I can almost feel his glare burning a hole on my skull and when I risk a glance, he indeed has his stony eyes trained on me.

"Mind some explanations on that?" Kuwabara demands, staring at Hiei then at me.

Kurama puts down his glass on the coffee table and looks over at the demon standing on the window sill. "We're all supposed to protect Emi. How come did the two of you reach the point of hurting each other?"

"Each other? She was the one who hurt me—"

"Excuse me?" I cut him off. I hold up the wrists I've momentarily forgotten about with all the rush of things. They're just starting to discolor, and I can't help myself from snarling. "I just wanted you guys to shed light on my doubts. Is this also an evidence of hurting?"

When he sees my wrists, Kuwabara almost tears his bottom off the couch if not for the hand Kurama holds up. "Now isn't the time for more violence," the redhead says matter-of-factly. He turns to me. "Now, Emi, how did you acquire those bruises?"

"I—" I'm ready to answer when I remember what really happened in my room. And once I remember, I can't seem to place where I stand. Am I going to be honest with them and humiliate myself? Or am I just going to drop this thing off as if nothing happened?

It's Hiei who speaks up, to my very surprise. For as long as I've been around him, I can tell he's the type of person who won't speak unless necessary. And even when it's necessary. "Whatever happened is none of your business."

"None of our business?" Yusuke repeats, his words dripping mockery. "You heard what Kurama said, Hiei. We're supposed to be protecting Emi. Surely you know what that means, don't you? You're some quiet type of smartass, after all."

Obviously, this is one of those confrontations that I really am not good at, and that's basically why I refuse to be around violent people, or people who are too critical-minded. Sitting there in the living room with the friends I've earned in the most unconventional way, I feel like going back to the day I first laid my eyes on the four boys. If I had known better, I wouldn't have taken Kurama's cover request. I wouldn't have been stupid enough to accept Kaede's deal. In that case, I wouldn't have been here, I wouldn't have had to knock Hiei over, and I wouldn't have had to be in this trouble. The consequences are too much for what I had signed up for just by doing my job.

The problem now is I am here. And I need to get out of this mess the easiest way possible without revealing the thing between Hiei and me. I shudder at the thought. Between us. Just this morning there was nothing between us. Well, I wouldn't say there was exactly nothing, but hostility is quite close to nothing, considering how he similarly behaves himself around other people and around me. What just passed between the two of us is something… more, I guess. And since I am not yet sure what that "something" is, I take comfort in supporting Hiei with his if-you-don't-want-them-to-meddle-then-be-stubborn approach.

I risk another glance at him and see that he's still studying me. Can he read my thoughts after what I did to him?

I swallow hard and stand up, placing my hands on my hips. "You know what," I tell them, "he's right. This really is none of your business. Yeah, I'm quite stupid for making a run for my life just a while ago and then just shrug it off later but I must admit, it's just between the two of us and as thankful as I am for your concern, I do think it's unnecessary for you to get in the way. Besides, what I did—the running like wild, that is—it's just because of adrenaline. You know, the fight—" I stop when Kurama holds up a hand with an amused smile on his gorgeous face. "Yes?" I say, my face reddening when I realize I've been babbling too much.

Kurama allows himself a small chuckle and then turns to me, still smiling. "We understand what you want to say, Emi, and with that notion of yours, what are you going to do now?"

I blink. "We'll fix this," I reply firmly, "right, Hiei?" I turn to him, an eyebrow tilted, my smirk in place. I even cross my arms for added effect.

"Hn."

And just like that, he disappears from his perch and I say goodnight to everyone before walking toward my room.

"Emi?"

I pause at the door. "Yes, Kuwa?"

"Promise you won't do any more of your cool moves. Just scream and we'll be there in a minute."

I laugh heartily. "Of course. I don't think Hiei would come close to me now, though, after what I did to him."

The three of them snigger and nod their heads. I excuse myself to retire for the night.

His scent never leaves my sheets, though. And I know he isn't far from my window since it's his shift. It will be a late night.

"You did not tell the truth, onna."

I sit up and stare at him who sits on the window sill. "What do you mean?"

"You didn't just come here to get that card nor because you miss your bed. You came here because you're sick of the whole demon business."

I look at him accusingly as realization dawns on me. "You read my mind?"

"I did not."

"So you can tell just by looking at a person? Can I applaud you now?"

"Baka onna," he hisses.

I do not know what comes over me but I feel a single hot drop of tear sliding down my cheek. "I told you not to read my mind. I hate you."

Hiei seems to be taken aback by this sudden change of atmosphere. His mouth opens for a fraction of a second as though to say something but closes it immediately. He just stares at me. "Why do I even have to convince you?" He leaves and I watch the curtains sway slightly. "You can't go back now, onna."

"Traitor."

I shrink back to my sheets and let the tears flow. Why I am crying, I do not know. But by now a hollow feeling in my chest begins forming.

Perhaps it's because someone has to rub it in. Someone has the audacity to tell me what I actually feel. And I hate that.

And I hate it more that he has to rub the truth in. I'm stuck with this. And I can never go back.

I'm afraid of what lies ahead.

I dream of Kaede and Hiei laughing at me.

So our little diva is in an emotional mess right now, isn't she?

How is the chapter? :)))

Review Responses:

Kagome141414: Thank you so much! And how did you find this twist in the story?

Just 2 Dream of You: So how is this last line? HAHAHA. I hope it isn't bad.

Now, please hear me out, guys. THIS IS IMPORTANT!

The Christmas holiday is nearing, and a week and two days from now I'll be going home to our province. In case you haven't heard, Typhoon Haiyan (a.k.a. Yolanda) devastated our country a month ago. My province was greatly affected by this calamity and the power supply has been cut off in the area since. We do not know when it will be restored by the authorities, and therefore, as I am on vacation (a working and studying vacation at that), I will not be able to update for the whole of the holidays (for three weeks). But do not worry! I'll be writing on my notebook and will encode everything I write as soon as I am given access to power. Even then, happy holidays in advance! :)))

So, that's it. Watch out for more updates! Please leave a review. Or fave. Or add this to your alert lists. :))))

See you!

~four-eyed 0-0

P.P.S. (Not much important, but if you'd like to hear from me, read on.)

I consider this story as my first success. Not because it received the most number of reviews or favorites but because this story improved my writing skill a lot. Sometimes when I read my other stories I find myself contemplating on how I could have done better, on how I could have made this sentence and that phrasing sound more unique, and on how I could have formulated a better plot. I'm not the outline-type of writer. I just picture major events (sometimes write them out) and work my way to them. And somehow the hiatus I subjected myself and this story to enhanced my being a neurotic person. I have encountered many literature that struck me so amazingly that in my first years in college I was able to do something about my writing... like changing its tone for example. It has taken a more serious stance, hasn't it? Or maybe it's only me. Perhaps it isn't as evident as it is in my random ramblings in my journals. But even then, through the very lengthy break I took from writing this story, I guess I can say I would be able to bring something good for everyone to enjoy and for me to be proud of, since I'm taking this more seriously than I have ever done before.

Okay, so that's it. I end my tirade here. Haha. :)))