Chapter 14: Something Always Brings Me Back to You

It was strange being in Demon World without the threat of being murdered. Wherever I was, was just as grungy and desolate as the first place in Demon World I'd encountered. The only real difference to the landscape this time was that there was a smiling face standing a few feet away from me.

He was maybe six feet tall, dark hair, dark eyes, but friendly looking. He wore long black pants and a tight fitting white shirt.

"You must be the Detective," he said.

"And you must be Kyo," I said.

He nodded. "Mukuro has gone through a lot of trouble to get you here. Lots of people think he's gone mad to agree to work with Spirit World, especially the Spirit Detective."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures. Take the upper hand over your enemies wherever you can find them," I said.

"That's what Mukuro's told us," Kyo said. "I thought maybe he was just a little soft on Hiei for whatever reason, but you sound like you know what you're talking about."

"I generally do. I am the Spirit Detective after all," I said. "They didn't pick me for nothing."

"Still, do you think you're going to fare well here in Demon World? There's no Spirit World to protect you or be on your side," he said.

"Spirit World was not my babysitter," I said. "Let's get going if you don't mind."

"As you wish," he said.

"So, what number are you?" I asked. "Mukuro has his top 72 people, so what number are you?"

"Done you research I see," he said. "I'm number three. Your friend Hiei is number two much to everyone's surprise."

"He's always been an overachiever," I said. "He's obnoxious that way."

"I hear tell you're not much different," he said.

"The overachieving thing or obnoxious thing?" I asked. "Not really an overachiever, but definitely obnoxious."

Kyo chuckled. "I think Mukuro's going to like you. He says the rest of us take ourselves too seriously and should learn to laugh."

888

Mukuro lived in a mobile fortress that was centipede shaped, aptly called the Centipede Mobile Fortress. It was literally the biggest, weirdest thing I'd ever seen in my whole life. They did not mess around here in Demon World.

"Mukuro wants to meet you briefly before you get settled in. Says you can get all the business stuff out of the way tomorrow after you've had some sleep. I imagine you've had a long day," Kyo said.

I hadn't slept much last night, and it was emotionally draining to leave my entire life behind to come here. And of course there was the ever building anxiety that came with knowing that each step I took was putting me closer and closer to Hiei. If my day wasn't long already, it was about to get much longer in just a few minutes.

"I'll manage," I said.

We came to a large door at the end of the corridor. "Just through here." He pushed the door open into a dimly lit room—the whole fortress was dimly lit. But I saw the man who was unmistakably Mukuro. His whole head was wrapped with bandages and talismans were stuck all over his face. The part of his actual face you could see was a robotic eye. His hands were shackled together, and broken shackles were on his ankles.

There was also a girl there. She had green hair cut into a short bob, and fish-like ears and a tail. She smiled upon seeing Kyo.

Hiei was there too.

"Kyo, you're finally back," the girl said. She stepped to the side slightly so she could get in a view of me. "And you must be the Detective."

I nodded. "Yep."

"My, my," she started. She moved to rest her hand on Hiei's shoulder, and then gently rested her chin on her hand. "She's much prettier than I expected."

I contained the urge to roll my eyes, trying with all my might to try to be at least semi-professional this time. But my stomach was turning and my blood was boiling. Whoever this girl was, she was definitely just trying to get a reaction out of me, but I was better than that. Like Botan said, I was tough as nails. I was going to be okay.

"Sorry if I'm late or something," I said. "I don't know how long inter-dimensional travel actually takes."

"You're right on time," Mukuro said. "Mostly we were concerned you'd refuse our invitation altogether."

"Generally I'm able to set my laziness and my teenage angst aside long enough to do detective stuff," I said.

"Lucky us," Mukuro said. "You've met my number three, Kyo. You're already well acquainted with Hiei."

I glanced over to him, and he seemed just as reluctant to make eye contact with me as I was with him.

"And this is my number four, Mamimi," Mukuro said.

"Pleasure to meet you, Detective," she said, detaching herself from Hiei. She extended her hand out to me.

"You'll forgive me if I don't shake hands, Mamimi," I said. Her eyes narrowed on me, but she smirked at me.

"A bit bitter," she whispered to me, before moving back to Hiei.

I took a deep breath and looked back to Mukuro. I was not going to do this today.

"So, do you mind my asking why you've agreed to come help us?" Mukuro asked.

"I'm not here to be helpful, or to be an ally. I'm here to make sure that dangerous technology doesn't fall into the hands of dangerous people and to make sure that your war doesn't impact the Human World negatively," I said. "We've just got common goals is all, kind of."

"I like your honesty," Mukuro said.

"Good. Most people are irritated by it," I said. "This is kind of a refreshing change of pace—unless you're going to try to murder me when I turn my back, in which case, never mind."

"No, I think you're safe for tonight," Mukuro said. "At the very least, it'd be a shame to kill someone so amusing."

I nodded. "I concur."

"Hiei," Mukuro stated, "please see to it that Kairi gets settled in. I'm sure she'd like a familiar face to show her around."

I knew that it was unlikely that I'd be able to come here and have zero contact with him, but it looked like he was going to be my designated "babysitter" while I was here.

"Not so familiar anymore is she?" Mamimi stage whispered to Hiei.

"Okay, Mamimi, bro," I said turning to her, "I get it. I have totally picked up on your anvil sized hint dropping—just like everyone else in the room—you're sleeping with Hiei and you don't like me. That's totally fine, but please, try to take your insecurities and keep them on the inside. I don't want to be here anymore than you want me to be here. I promise it's all going to be okay for you."

Mamimi glared at me and I eyed a smirk cross Hiei's face.

"As I was saying, Hiei, you'll show Kairi to her room. We can chat again tomorrow," Mukuro said.

"Looking forward to it, my good sir," I said.

Hiei walked out of the room and I followed him.

The silence was painful, but he finally spoke.

"I'm sure you probably prepared your own sleeping arrangements, but Mukuro assumed it would be more convenient for you to be in here. You should be comfortable enough," he said. "It has indoor plumbing and running water contrary to your previous misconceptions about Demon World."

"Sorry for assuming you were all Neanderthals," I said.

Hiei opened a door at the end of the corridor. "There's also electricity, but not within the fortress."

"Being that it moves around and all," I said.

"There are gas lamps," Hiei said. He turned a knob on the wall, brightening the room.

The room was nicely sized, there was a bed, a dresser, and a door that led to a bathroom.

"Thanks," I said, sitting my bag down on the bed.

"Mukuro doesn't get out much, so whenever you decide to visit him again, you'll find him in the same place as before," Hiei said.

I nodded. We locked eyes for a moment, before I dropped my gaze to my feet.

". . . About Mamimi-."

"No," I said, shaking my head. "I don't care. I mean, I care, obviously, but, no, just do not do this."

"Detective-."

"Hiei, I'm only here largely in part because of you when I feel like I made it pretty clear that I didn't want to see you ever again," I said. "But here I am, and you don't get to dictate whether or not you try to gently explain what's going on with your new sex buddy. I just want to figure this all out and leave."

"You're not going to be able to avoid me while you're here," he said.

"Yeah, but I can try to avoid being emotionally traumatized by you for the hundredth time," I said.

"And what do you mean by that?" he asked.

"Is that a joke or do you need a refresher on how shitty you were to me?" I asked.

". . .No, I don't think I do," he said.

"Good," I said.

"If you need anything, I'm across the hall, though I'm sure you'll be fine," he said.

"You still know me so well," I said.

"Sorry." Mamimi had appeared in the doorway. "If you're all settled in, do you mind if I steal Hiei away?"

"Please do," I said.

"Goodnight, Detective," Hiei said.

"Goodnight, Hiei," I said. He turned to leave when I had a thought, "Oh, before I forget." He turned back to me. "Yukina says hello."

He frowned at me before slamming the door behind him. Suddenly, I didn't feel so upset anymore.

888

I slept better than I thought I would that first night, but was woken up by the sound of knocking on my door. I sat up, rubbing my eyes.

"Come in," I said.

I wasn't surprised when Hiei entered.

"Good morning," I said stretching. "Don't believe in sleeping in here?"

"I don't," he said.

"Well I know you're always up at the ass-crack of dawn, I just assumed you were an outlier," I said. "I just assumed we'd give the sun another hour or two before Mukuro decided I had I to see him."

"You're not meeting with Mukuro yet," he said. "I'm going to show you what we found."

"You are?" I asked. He nodded.

"I'm sure you're elated," he said. "Get dressed and let's get going."

He walked out of my room, closing the door behind him. I climbed out of bed and pulled on my clothes before meeting him in the hallway. He didn't say a word to me, but motioned for me to follow him.

I followed him down the corridor and then down some stairs in silence. It was maddening.

"Nine months you've been gone and you're already Mukuro's number two guy," I said.

"It only took six," he said.

"You think you're so impressive, do people find you obnoxious here too?" I asked.

"I always tell them if they don't agree with my position, they're more than welcome than to try to take it for themselves," he said.

"Not many takers I assume," I said.

"An unfortunate few," Hiei said.

"And how does Mukuro feel about you killing all his men?" I asked.

"He thinks they should know better, and if they don't that's their problem," he said.

"Wow, there's two of you," I said.

Hiei smirked as he opened the door to another room. In the center of the room was a large healing tank, just as Botan had said. But standing next to it was Mukuro. The bandages on his head were gone and I could only the back of his head which was covered in red hair.

"This is a surprise," Hiei said, pulling the door behind me.

"I felt this was as good a time as any to formally introduce myself," Mukuro replied.

His voice sounded different, not muffled through the sound of the bandages. It was gentler. When he turned around to me, I was able to see why.

". . . You. . . You're a woman?" I asked. Mukuro nodded. "Hmm. . . This is unexpected. . . And also, no one told me."

"Well, no one knows so, it's not as if anyone was hiding it from you," Mukuro said.

I sighed. "More secrets. Fantastic. I thought I was done with those after I took a break from hanging out with the Soul Reapers, but I'm not entirely sure why I'm surprised given my track record."

"I am a little intrigued by your surprise," Mukuro said.

"Well. . . Why pretend to be a guy?" I asked.

"Why?" Mukuro repeated.

"Yeah, you're like, the strongest demon around, right? I mean, Raizen hasn't eaten in like a pretty long while, so he's probably off his game. I don't really know much about that Yomi, but from what I hear he's a tool, and not like a tool like Hiei's a tool, but like a tool in the sense that people are just like 'ugh, fuck that guy, what a total douche canoe,'" I said.

"Douche canoe?" Hiei asked.

I shushed him. "But people talk about you, Mukuro, and they're all like 'yeah, I'm not fucking with that guy, he's crazy and he'll probably kill me.' But you're a she, and speaking from personal experience, kicking people's asses after they underestimate me for being a girl is highly satisfying. But you know, whatever. I won't tell you how to live your life or run your country. I mean, I guess it's easier to pretend to be a dude than to keep proving your point all the time. I mean, personally, I enjoy beating up fuckboys constantly, but like I said, you run a country, you probably have better things to do. I beat up fuckboys to avoid doing algebra."

Mukuro smiled. "You know, before you came here, obviously, I asked Hiei about you, and I don't think he adequately prepared me for you."

"Hiei wasn't adequately prepared for me either," I said. I could practically feel Hiei rolling his eyes.

"But I like your honesty," Mukuro said. "I don't think we'll have any trouble communicating."

"No, I'd say I've got pretty good interpersonal communication skills, don't I Hiei?" I asked, turning to him.

"I'm glad you still think you're funny; at least you'll be able to entertain yourself while you're here," he said.

I shook my head. "The sass that comes out of this guy—am I right?"

Mukuro smiled. "Hiei, I'm sure you have better things to do. Why don't you give me a moment with the Detective?"

"Gladly," he said. He walked out of the room and I turned back to Mukuro.

"So, word around the rumor mill is that, for a time, you resigned your position as Spirit Detective," Mukuro said. "Why don't you tell me about that?"

I stared at her curiously. "Can I ask why you want to know?"

"I'm sure you're aware that I gain virtually nothing from having you here, so as payment for letting you be here while you conduct your business, allow me to indulge one of my bad habits. I like to pry," she said. I supposed that was fair. "So, from what I heard, Spirit World did some great injustice to you?"

I nodded. "Basically, my partner turned out to be a demon and they told me to kill him. I said no and I quit. On top of that they know something about the Saiyans, the dead race I come from, and they're hiding it here in Demon World," I said. "The kekai barrier they had up in the pseudo space had been built to keep not just demons from getting to the Human World, but to keep Saiyans to get here as well."

"Now what could they be hiding here?" she asked.

"Is that your way of telling me you don't know anything?" I asked.

"Hiei had mentioned you were perceptive. Your appearance and your mannerisms are very misleading," Mukuro said.

"I'm a clown, but I'm very good at my job," I said.

"We did come across some of your technology—this tank, some armor, and a nifty gadget that can identify power levels based upon your Ki," Mukuro said. "But not here. It came from Raizen's territory."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes. After Hiei alerted us to what it was, he volunteered to investigate it further, but obviously we couldn't let him do that," Mukuro said.

"Raizen might think you were up to something sneaky," I said. "So I was really the only chance you had at looking into since I'm neutral anyway."

"Indeed. And since you can satisfy your own curiosity I figured you might like the opportunity," she said.

"Well, I'm here so you were right obviously," I said. "Still, I don't get why you would want me here."

"You have a grudge against Spirit World and are seeking out answers. I can hardly hinder your search," she said. "Besides, you are an ally to Hiei."

"Ally, is that what he still calls us? I'm not even surprised," I said. I couldn't contain my eye roll.

"I probably shouldn't tell you this, but he does care very much for you, more than I think he cares to admit," Mukuro assured me.

"So I've been told," I said, dismissively.

"I don't doubt that you have," she said. "And between the two of us, I think you're very brave."

"Brave?" I asked.

"Whenever you've popped up in conversation, however briefly, Hiei has always had a way about him," she said.

"A way?" I asked.

"It's a mixture of annoyance and endearment and guilt," she said. "He's told me a lot about himself since he's been here, but as soon he gets around to talking about you. . ."

Mukuro held up her hand and gently collapsed her fingers together to express that he didn't talk about me.

"Maybe there's nothing to tell," I said.

"All of your time together as Spirit Detective—Maze Castle, the Dark Tournament, even assisting the Soul Society, he's willing to talk about," she said. "But any time that you spent alone together he's strangely quiet about."

"Sounds like him," I said. "I mean, Hiei was very quiet with me about everything so you should be happy he told you anything at all."

"You make it sound like you don't know much about him," Mukuro said.

"I think I know a version of Hiei very well," I said. "But I don't know much, if anything, about his past."

"I wonder why," she said.

"You can file that under questions that kept me up at night," I said.

"Well, Kairi," Mukuro began, "For what it's worth, I think it's very brave of you to come here considering your relationship with Hiei."

I nodded. "Thank you."

"I don't like to venture needlessly towards the others' territory, so if you can find proper cause to venture there, I'd be more than willing take you by there. In the meantime, I'm sure you'll want to take a look at this," Mukuro said. She motioned to the back of the room. Sitting there was an old, beat up, pod—like the one that'd brought everyone to Earth.

"And if you have any questions about the healing tank, Hiei knows very well, how it works," she said.

"He. . . What?" I asked.

She didn't say anything else, instead she smiled and walked out of the room. My stay here was going to be very interesting.