1. A Handful of Fireflies
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters. I also do not own any game characters or lyrics that I may also put in here. Thank you.
Chapter Forty-Two: A Handful of Fireflies
"Hey man," greeted Yusuke with a bark of laughter as he slapped Kurama on the shoulder.
Yusuke eyed Kurama's red hair, which was longer now and held back in a low ponytail. His
bangs were framing his face in an almost primitive way. "Man, Kurama, you're looking wild.
It's kind of bad-ass, like when I went all rocker that one time. All you need now are several tattoos and maybe you can get your ear pierced with one of those fanged earrings." Leering at Kurama, Yusuke lowered his voice, "if I were you, I'd get cleaned up before a herd of women
come chasing after you, but hey, I think you like it when they chase you."
Reaching up, Kurama flicked his bangs out of his eyes. "You're going to give me nightmares," he joked at the comment concerning women. "And here I was planning to hibernate." He gave
another shake of his head to flick his bangs away from his eyes, as he fell into step with the shorter man. "Despite sleeping on the ground – which went through several conditions,
ranging from wet to hard – and eating Goroji jerky meat and bland herbal stews, you look more exhausted than myself."
Yusuke shrugged and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Try sitting through meetings all
day. My ass is getting flat. My neck hurts. You know me, Kurama, I've never liked meetings.
I'd rather pick up dog shit all day than sit here, but hell," he gave a flippant shrug, "duty calls."
Kurama peered over at Yusuke discreetly. The black haired man had a haggard look to his face and crinkles around his eyes, as if he were plagued with unwanted thoughts. Kurama had a
feeling that there may be more stressing Yusuke than meetings and taking a sudden
responsibility for his lands. Hokushin was running things, but since everything that had
happened, Kurama knew that Yusuke was doing his best to help Hokushin with the sudden tasks of keeping the priestesses safe while on his lands. Not only that, but Kurama heard that he was being plagued by several powerful bandit groups. It was no secret that Yusuke was trying to provide a safer haven for the humans that resided in Demon World, as he felt a need to do so for Raizen.
"How are things at home," asked Kurama smoothly.
Yusuke's eyes darkened, briefly, but then he managed to give Kurama a look of annoyance. "Same as always."
Kurama's eyes glittered curiously at the short, snippet reply, but he didn't bother making an inquiry as to his bland answer. He didn't even question Yusuke when the detective followed
him to check in at the SDF office. He suspected that Yusuke wanted something more exciting to occupy his interests to take his mind off the meetings and whatever was bothering him at
home.
"You up for dinner sometime this week?" asked Yusuke while Kurama signed a few papers.
Kurama flashed a polite smile, but couldn't help saying, "and like always, my friends think I don't eat proper meals." At Yusuke's snort, Kurama stood up and handed the guard his
paperwork. "Yes, dinner sounds fine."
"Be warned. Karen's been cooking up these Western foods, but it's not bad."
"After eating Goroji meat for months on end, you're worried I won't like Western food?"
Yusuke scrunched his face. "Okay, yeah, sorry. Next time, pick a region that isn't overwhelmed with Goroji. Now, wild chicken is delicious."
Kurama closed his eyes and listened to Yusuke's opinion on the wildlife of Demon World.
One would think when someone says 'we'll talk later' would imply that we would talk as soon as possible, considering that it was a rather important subject. I thought so anyways.
Okay, so two days of avoiding my priestess talk wasn't anything to fuss over. However, I
wasn't going to drop the subject. I'll allow Hiei some time, but not a lot. Only a smidgeon.
Hiei had arrived home at nine in the evening for the past two days and, ecstatic that he was home well before midnight, I didn't bother pushing the subject. However, there wasn't much
for me to do throughout the day because Hiei had hidden my equipment. Hiei had said he didn't want me spending unnecessary time on my toys until he was calm enough to talk about the
subject. Also, Yusuke's presence throughout the last couple of days kept me from exercising because he didn't know about my plans. Hiei had demanded that I refrain from telling Yusuke yet, as we hadn't discussed the issue.
Hiei wasn't happy at all about my decision to help with the temples...
I did try searching for my equipment in his room. However, I was unlucky, even though his
room was tidy, as if he never lived in there, but that was to be expected. He never went in there these days. I never questioned why it was always my room he chose to sleep in every
night. Even now, some of his clothes were hanging up in my closet and bunched up in my
drawers (but I folded them to keep them from being destroyed by wrinkles) because making the extra trip to his room in the mornings annoyed him.
I'm not sure if Yusuke or Keiko knew that Hiei spent his time in my room every night. I don't
think they did, as they hardly noticed much of anything these days. I doubt they would even notice if I lit some wood on fire and began dancing around the flames. However, to my
surprise, Yusuke and Keiko did notice that I never came back home after helping the Yukimuras. And they hadn't been too happy.
We got in late that night, so I was able to avoid seeing them. Then, the next morning when I had crept into the kitchen a few hours after Hiei left, Yusuke had been sitting at the table reading his paper. Usually, I didn't bother him. As far as I could tell, people liked to read the newspaper in peace, save for Kenji and I.
-Flashback-
"You know, we got you that phone for a reason," Yusuke uttered quietly from behind his paper. I stiffened and lowered my glass of juice down, "hm?"
"You heard me." He snapped. Sighing, I lifted my juice. I was prepared to chug it down, as
Yusuke must have argued with Keiko earlier and was now taking it out on me. "You didn't come home. Where the hell were you at?"
"I was with Hiei."
"Oh, really," he replied simply before snapping his paper to ward off the wrinkles, "but,
that's no excuse, considering you have things to do here. You didn't clean the bathrooms like I told you to or take out the trash. You didn't check in with us." His eyes hardened into an angry glare and a vein appeared at his left temple. "Under this roof, you will do your
chores, respect the curfew and you better not be doing anything, I repeat, anything, while you are here!"
-End of Flashback-
A weary sighed left my lips at the memory of his wrath. I forgot about my chores, but I more than made up for it by tidying up the entire house. I even washed the car! I didn't have a
curfew. Kenji and I went to plenty of late night movies to which Yusuke never complained when I arrived home after midnight. And about not doing anything... well, that was too late. At
least I knew they hadn't heard us that one night, but Hiei had kept a firm hold on the head board to keep it from hitting the wall. Remembering that night, I blushed heatedly.
We didn't even do anything at the hotel besides fight and sleep. We haven't done anything for the last couple of days except kiss. There was little talking. He'd ask a question about what I did during the day. Even though my days were boring, I answered. He'd listen quietly until I would try to sneak in the topic about the temples. He'd remind me that unless I was
prepared for him to incinerate my toys, I'd drop the subject immediately. I would wrinkle my nose and tell him they were not toys, but highly dangerous weapons. He would grunt in mockery at my words. Then, we would sleep because I'd be annoyed at his dismissal to my attempt at
approaching my job as a priestess. That was it.
So, Yusuke wasn't happy about us. He was just taking out his frustrations on me, because Keiko was the clear winner in all of their arguments. He allowed her to win to keep from
stressing her too much in her delicate state, but I didn't think it was helping. Once again, his nerves were being worked up about the baby and he was unconsciously tapping in to his
future parental side by scolding me. Some days, I felt like huffing and dragging my feet whenever he would remind me of responsibilities. But, because I knew he needed to relieve some of his frustrations, I allowed the authority.
Keiko didn't approach me about my night out with Hiei, but she did give me 'the look'. She
lifted one trimmed brow. That's it. She was either upset or disappointed, but she didn't have time to scold me as she worked yesterday and wasn't feeling good. Hearing the kitchen door
slide open, I paused in drying a plate.
But it looked like she was going to talk to me today. I sighed.
Trying to suck up to her, I asked sweetly, "do you want some tea? I made some cold pasta
salad, too, for dinner. It's ready if you want to try it out."
Smiling, Keiko seated herself at the table. "Just the tea for now, please."
I nodded and reached for the tea kettle. Filling it up, I tried to appear busy. She was
unusually quiet. Silently, I began counting down in my head and when I reached one, she began speaking.
"Karen, are you using protection?"
I spluttered. Caught off guard by the blunt question, I nearly dropped the kettle. Wow, she doesn't mess around, I thought bashfully. Keiko just went straight to the point and didn't even bother with any small talk. She wasn't even going to lecture me on the fact that I was
going to have sex with Hiei (oops, I already did that). Keiko was adamant in lecturing me on protection.
Hurriedly, I set the kettle on the stove. While I turned on the flame, my mind was racing. I completely forgot about my birth control during all the arguments. My mouth went dry. Oh no,
I thought with horror. Oh no, no, no! I glanced down at my stomach. The past week went rushing before my eyes. I remembered drinking that champagne. Oh my god!
"Karen?"
I almost jumped again at her voice. Without looking at her, I went back to drying the dishes.
I knew she was only asking because of that night I spent with Hiei in Tokyo. As calm as I could manage, I said, "we didn't do anything, Keiko. If you want the truth, we've been
fighting. All we did was... talk." Sort of, I added silently.
It was an honest answer and Keiko seemed to understand. She must know that I was struggling to get used to Hiei being away so much these days.
"I know." I didn't ask how she knew we were having problems. "Is that why you've been staying away from the house the past few days?"
Finished with the dishes, I wiped at the counters. "Yes, but everything is fine now."
"Still, I don't know if you've done so or not, but you need to start taking birth control."
Before I could answer, she was settling into one of her lectures. I turned around and fiddled with the dish towel. "Karen, you're only eighteen. I'm not ignorant to what goes on between a couple when they're alone." I opened my mouth, but she held up a hand. "I believed you
earlier, but you'll be living with him soon." I opened my mouth again. "Yes, yes, I know you've lived with him before, but take precautions with your relationship."
Out of nowhere, she set a schedule on the table and pointed to the seat next to her. She had this determined light in her eyes and I knew not to disobey. Slightly stunned, I sat down in the chair and stared down at her notebook. She began flipping through the calender section
with blinding speed.
While she was searching, I glanced down at my stomach.
What if I was pregnant? He was a demon. Did they have super mega sperm that sped along the pregnancy process? Maybe I was lucky! Maybe the two times we had sex were duds! Sometimes,
women get pregnant on the first try. Sometimes, women struggle with it. Sometimes, women are unlucky as hell and I'm going to be one of them! I'm not lucky at all!
"Let's see. You've never seen a gynecologist before, have you?" I shook my head.
"My doctor is excellent! I'm going to set you up an appointment. It'll just be a check up and handfuls of questions. The birth control –"
"I'm on it," I answered quietly. "They offered it at the temple."
Keiko gave a firm nod, as if to proudly acknowledge my choice. I was still staring at my
stomach, but now, with a growing trepidation.
How long does it take to get pregnant? How early can you find out? Discreetly, I eyed my fingers to count up the days. Let's see... the first time happened eleven days ago. The
second time happened seven days ago. My eyes narrowed. Which one was it? Which act knocked me up?
"And when is your period?"
"The end of the month," I replied.
My period wouldn't be here for two more weeks. Would I even get a period? My eyes flew back to my stomach. No, I can't be pregnant. I'd feel weird. I'd feel something. There's nothing in there but guts and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I just have a sandwich in my
stomach. There is no bun. Buns are not allowed inside here. No sir, please move along and take your bun with you.
The tea kettle began screaming and I ran over to the stove. My stomach brushed against the knob and accidentally twisted it. The flame roared to life beneath the kettle.
No! It's starting! I've gained weight! My stomach is already expanding and rolling over the band of my shorts! I'm too young for this! I can't even hike a mile through the forest
without falling flat on my face. How was I going to carry a baby? And I had champagne! I've poisoned the baby! I'm already an unsuitable mother! What have I done!
My eyes widened in horror at the memory of that picture in the pregnancy book Jet had sent me. I was reminded of the woman squatting while holding onto a low hanging branch while
several women surrounded her, as if they were chanting some ancient ritual. I remembered seeing that picture of a head peeking out and how I turned the book in disbelief. The way that area down there was all stretched...
Holy hell!
I thought I saw my shirt flutter, as if to emphasize a kick. I made an odd noise in my throat and turned off the flame. Whirling around, I ran from the kitchen and up to my room.
"Should I take the buns from the oven, now?" yelled Keiko after me.
I knew she meant the dessert buns I was baking, but given my panicked mind, I yelled, "NO!"
Before I could work myself into a frenzy (or an even greater one), I managed to stifle my
fears, somewhat, with deep breaths and meditation. It worked about as much as Midol when on my period, which was, it didn't do squat. So, I decided to take a bubble bath. I soaked for an hour, but eventually the sight of the water level (was it higher than usual?) was
bothering me. Then, I started on the main course for dinner to keep myself busy.
Hiei coming home earlier than usual should have made me strangely nervous, but a majority of my fears died down. I thought I'd be all a jitter at the sight of him, but maybe my tactics throughout the day were finally working.
This subject needed to be approached. I was just going to have to talk to Hiei. Keeping
anything from him nearly tore my mind apart and I wasn't going to go through all that again. I was just getting myself worked up with silly ideas concerning buns in the oven. Normally, I would have sought comfort in a female friend, most likely Keiko, but this was our problem. If there was a problem, that is.
_'So if you think that your choices andresponsibilities are yours alone, they're not.'_ I furrowed my brows at Hiei's words from a couple of nights ago. If we were going to have a
life together, I needed to be more open with him. With his words, everything he had said that
night, he had assured me that he wanted to be with me and that my complete trust was to be placed with him. Although I trusted him, there was a small gap along that bridge of fate. I was trying to convince myself, or rather, that little, tiny crevice in my mind, that I now
had someone special in my life, and going through life on my own was no longer an option.
Even though I wasn't all that nervous, I couldn't help but avoid his eyes. I was trying to work out the conversation in my head, but I realized that I wanted to be alone with him – completely alone. I've been stuck in the house for nearly three days and maybe that was to
blame for my overworked imagination. All I did was sleep, eat, and clean. If my stomach was rolling over the band of my shorts, it was because I kept munching on food every time I
started cooking.
When dinner was over, I got compliments on the roasted chicken glazed with dijon mustard,
seasoned rice, and pasta salad. The cookbook Kenji let me borrow had a multitude of Western food recipes and since I had few recipes from Mei, I decided to change up the meals. Also,
Keiko was limited on her fish consumption, and Mei's family must have loved fish because most of her recipes called for it. Unsure of what to do, I took to introducing them slowly to my
homeland's foods. I rarely cooked at the orphanage (except for my mean grilled cheese sandwiches), but I was becoming quite accomplished at cooking.
Keiko decided to clean up the kitchen. Free from my nightly duties, I went to my room. Hiei
was taking a shower and I amused myself with fiddling around on the computer. When he entered my room, I turned in my seat and crossed my arms atop the back of my chair. I watched him
scrub at the back of his hair with a towel.
I glanced at my alarm clock. It wasn't even six-thirty. The night was still young and we couldn't stay locked up in my room. Yusuke and Keiko were downstairs and given their
attitudes to my night in Tokyo with Hiei, they would find it suspicious should they check in on me. I guess Yusuke didn't notice Hiei's energy in my room or maybe Hiei hid his energy. I don't know.
I stared at Hiei's face. He had the shadows under his eyes, but his eyes weren't as bloodshot as a couple of days ago. Normally, I would leave him alone, but there was an issue at hand.
Although I wanted to go somewhere faraway from the house, I decided that a walk would be fine.
"Hiei?"
"If this is about your toys, you can stop right there."
"They're not toys," I defended with a wrinkle of my nose. Sighing, I shook away the annoyance. Timidly, I asked, "can we... go for a walk?"
Without looking at me, he tossed his towel into the hamper in the corner of my room and headed for the dresser. "What are you hiding now?"
I winced. Okay, so he had a gap in his bridge, too. Sitting up straighter, I said, "I'm not hiding anything. It's a pregnancy issue." There! I almost smiled at how mature sounding my words were voiced. I didn't even stutter.
He paused for a split second, but then calmly resumed slipping a shirt over his head. "I don't see an issue of any kind."
"What if I'm pregnant," I blurted out in a quiet voice. He shrugged and turned away.
At that careless shrug, I stood up and marched across my room. Without a word, I collected my sneakers at the door and went downstairs.
Fine, if it wasn't such a big issue then I'll just handle it on my own. I'll get a test. I'll go to the doctor. I'll figure it out without him, that jerk.
I left out the backdoor and was halfway down the hill to the pond when Hiei blurred in front of me. I gave a slight start, but made to step around him. He gave a dark chuckle before
pulling me against his chest. My cheeks were burning when I felt his hands on my bottom, as he pulled me more firmly against his body.
"I thought I told you not to run from me."
Crossing my arms, I muttered, "I'm not running." My words came out a little tense. Running
was a sore topic for me. "I'm walking at a face pace with the intention of going for a well- needed walk."
"Which is simply a prelude to running," he responded firmly to my answer.
Now my past was becoming an issue and I shrugged away from him. Slipping my hands in the back pockets of my shorts, I continued down the hill. "I'm going for a walk –"
"Alone?" I heard him fall into step behind me. I didn't expect his voice to be so close, as he murmured near my head, "or do you just like having me chase you?"
Ignoring the shiver down my spine, I focused on heading toward the pond. "You wouldn't be able to catch me if you were normal."
"By your standards, I must seem very abnormal, indeed."
Hearing his dry response, I whirled around and gasped, "I'm sorry!" What I said, sounded
discriminating, even if I had only been referring to his ability to blur around while I moved like a sloth.
Hiei scoffed and leaned down for a quick kiss. "Don't _ever _apologize to me." His words were stressed coldly in firm demand. I was somewhat confused by his sharp, reprimanding tone, but he didn't elaborate further. Instead, he asked, "why did you run from me?"
And I knew eventually he would ask this question. I never shared my reasons for running, not even to the psychiatrist that was provided for us at the orphanage – or rather, the
psychiatrist set up for troubled kids. My reasons weren't a big deal. I was just embarrassed at my actions. I was humiliated, as it was an immature act that I thought I had left behind me.
Turning back around, I continued walking to hide my pink cheeks. The hotel incident flashed
before my eyes and the way I had thrown all the pillows at him. A moonlight beam landed on me as I neared the pond. When the white tip of my Converse flashed up at me, I thought of the
high heel shoe I threw at him. I felt my face fall. I shouldn't have thrown that. What if I had hit his eye?!
In a bored tone, he said, "I don't know why you're embarrassed." Could he really read me that easily? "You've witnessed my low moments and have been on the receiving end plenty of times."
He was reminding me of all the times he had hurt me and this past week, but still, I had
acted rather childish. I hadn't acted that angry with him since we arrived in Hakone for the first time. I threw my first pillow at him and screamed at him that day. Of course, he
retaliated with a few choice words, too. He was the only one that ever got under my skin. I never allowed my temper to unfold or hurl insults, except with him. Hiei always seemed to
bring out the worse in me.
"I didn't ask the question to humiliate you." He continued once we reached the pond. "Your moments are not something I would hassle you with, but your reason for running is something that you will explain."
Walking up to the edge of the pond, I peered into the darkened water. Hiei was right. He
hadn't mentioned the hotel incident or made any remark to my actions that night. He didn't say one word about it.
Clasping my left wrist with my right hand behind my back, I toed the water. The moonlight was shining upon the surface and illuminating the lily pads. I searched mindlessly for a frog,
but my eyes strayed to the handful of fireflies around us.
"Do you need me to repeat the question, because it seems you've forgotten it."
I don't know what it was, but Hiei was always pushing me into answering his questions over the past couple of days. Well, he had always pushed me. I didn't know if that was a good or
bad thing. He would not allow me to be timid with my answers. I couldn't skirt around any private issues anymore.
"I... well," I searched my mind and that night had me repeating my silent reasons for running away, "when I'm overwhelmed, when everything becomes too much... I run." I thought I sounded kind of stupid explaining, but I continued quietly to get it all out on the table. "If I'm
not wanted, I run, or I used to anyways."
If I was going to tell anyone about my past, it will probably only be Hiei. I never told
Kenji or Keiko. Everyone knew I was orphan. Koenma had explained that to Keiko and Yusuke,
but he kept from giving them all the details. They trusted me with open arms and I respected them, but I think it was time to let someone know more about me.
"I never knew my parents. I was given up at birth, and whoever delivered me gave me my name – oh, well, except for my middle name. I guess they couldn't think of one." I almost felt like cringing at how awkward I sounded while giving my story. "I was really sick and small for a
child, so most parents didn't want me. Really, your best bet for a family is when you're in your cute years, but I missed out. I didn't mind. I just... I was always happy that at least
some of us were getting a family. I had high hopes that one day I would get a chance and that was enough for me."
Taking a deep breath, I pushed a tiny rock into the pond with my shoe. It made a few ripples and I watched them for a moment before closing my eyes.
"I got better as I got older. When I was ten, I finally went to a foster home. The couple had four other kids and they were all really nice. The house was outside of the city and part of this ranch." I opened my eyes. "For the first time, I had access to all these trees... and
the horses... all that open space. It was so different from the city. All we had at the
orphanage was this one tree and Maria wouldn't let me go out to the city park on my own yet, but that ranch was beautiful. I was there for a few months. Everything seemed to be going
well until winter came and I got sick again. I tried to hide it. I was afraid they wouldn't want me anymore if I was sick, but they heard the coughs. It was just a little cold."
At the memory, I walked over to another rock and kicked that into the water. "I overheard Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy talking one day. They were having some trouble with all of us and made a
decision to send one of us away. They didn't have to think about it long. When I heard my name, how they said I was just too much trouble, I –"I brought my hands around and fiddle
with the hem of my shirt. "I don't know... I packed my stuff and ran back to the orphanage, or as far as I could before a squad car came after me. I shouldn't have done that. Mrs.
Beecham, my case worker, she was so mad." I grimaced. "She went on and on about it because, since the police were involved, she had to report it on my files. I was labeled a runner... just for that one time. From then on, when the next few foster homes sent me back for the
same reasons, because I was a burden or something, I would just run back to the orphanage – or when Mrs. Beecham would make her monthly visits where she always harped on me, I would
run."
Sighing, I began walking around the pond. I thought of Mrs. Beecham and frowned. She was a
mean woman. I don't think she really tried with me. She just didn't like me for some reason.
"But I don't even run away properly," I furrowed my brows, as I never did anything right. "I just wanted to get away for a while. If I ran from the orphanage, I went to the city park,
but only for a few hours. I always came back. What kind of runner does that?" I was speaking more quickly in my sudden agitation. "She didn't have any right to bother me. It's not like I got involved with stealing things, unlike some of the others." I toed at a patch of grass to dig an annoyed hole. "I was stupid and weird, which is odd considering my files. Being
labeled a runner makes me sound dangerous, but one look at me, and you just know I'll –" "Trip," came a voice from behind me.
"Oh," I turned around and met Hiei's darkened eyes. I almost forgot he was with me. I got carried away with my past. Blushing, I cleared my throat, "yeah, trip."
Now... it was awkward for me. I hadn't talk this much to Hiei in ages. I forgot how much I
used to babble when I was around him. Ducking my eyes, I was unsure of how to act now that my weird past was shared with him. The moment seemed intimate because not only was he my first
in everything, knew all of my faults, and witness my most embarrassing moments (except when I egg-rolled down Genkai's temple's stairs, as no one knew about that, but me!), but now he
knew about my cowardly antics when faced with the harshness of reality.
To be so involved with someone, him, was very frightening, yet also... comforting, like I didn't have to hide anything or be perfect.
'_Be perfect and you'll find a home_.'
I slapped away Mrs. Beecham's words. If they, Yusuke and Keiko, had wanted someone perfect, I would have been kicked out the door a long time ago. There were too many times that I did
something to aggravate one of them. I knocked down one of the pictures when I ran into
Keiko's beloved living room shelf and she towered over me while I sheepishly swept up all the glass. I locked the door every time I came inside, which bothered Yusuke (okay, I did that on purpose). They were always annoyed if I didn't eat extra helpings during our meals. Also, I
didn't even make the correct mark on my entrance exams into Hakone High School.
With Hiei, my imperfect ways were nearly endless. I couldn't count how many times I tripped
or knocked something over while in his presence. I even tripped while walking toward his bike and my helmet made a long, jagged scratch along the pristine black paint of the stylish
sides. He was extremely angry at my clumsiness that day. It took weeks, well, months, really, to be able to cook a delicious meal complete with sides. I had accidentally sewn the patch in a blanket to my shirt, and since I couldn't find scissors, Hiei had to use his sword to cut
it off me. Oh, and let's not forget that time I smashed all the eggs after we just finished shopping in the crowded, muggy market of Shirakawa-go.
Plus, my relationship with him was disastrous, too. I ruined my first kiss with my forehead. I was pretty stiff the handful of times he advance our kisses because I was unsure of what to do. I had felt kind of stupid just standing there with my arms at my sides and even more
stupid when I made my first moan. And I was horrible at sex. Sex should be easy, right? Apparently, like with everything else, I just had a difficult time with it.
I knew we were going to try again, but I was still recovering. I was trying to prepare myself mentally, because sex... it scared me. I think that was why I kept tensing up. It was a
mental thing. I just... I don't know. I didn't want to disappoint him. I didn't want to
experience that pain. I didn't want things to turn out the way they had these past two weeks, even though I knew my time with him was limited.
"Like I said," Hiei finally said after I practically dug a crater with my sneaker, "your
running days are over. You've met your match with me now that I know what to look for should you decide to go barreling into the streets." He grunted rudely. "You never did look both
ways when crossing the street, you little fool."
Oh right, the car, I thought. "I wasn't going to get hit." He walked past me with another grunt, as if in disbelief. "I wasn't," I repeated in my defense. "I had time to move and I was fixing to, but the lights... blinded me." It was true. I was going to move. I just got caught up in the headlights and intense situation.
Hiei walked over to a large tree and sat down at the base. I watched him settle against the trunk and rest one his arms on a raised knee. With his other hand, he took out an item. It wasn't until he held it up and it sparkled that I realized what the item was – his mother's teardrop.
So, this was going to be an entire evening of confessions it seemed. I dug my hands back into my pockets to prepare for the questions and answers.
"How much did she tell you," he asked, as he gazed at the jewel with an unreadable expression.
Surprising Hiei was impossible! Did he go through my entire room? I was planning on giving that back to him on his birthday, as I had found out that it was next Friday. I don't think it was actually his birthday, but Keiko mentioned that Yukina's birthday was next week. She explained that it was out of the blue when Yukina expressed the desire to participate with that human occasion. They decided that her birthday would be on the day she requested to
participate and every year since, they made it a joyous event.
I was feeling guilty now that Yukina had entered my thoughts. I had been avoiding her since coming back home. I didn't want to be faced with that sorrow in her eyes that was sure to be there from her brother's withdrawal. I needed to have lunch or dinner with her. Yes, that
would be nice. Maybe... Hiei could, too. I wish they could reconcile, as Yukina had been distraught when I left three months ago. Hopefully, he would go talk to her soon, but it really wasn't any of my business.
"She explained some about her heritage and your mother's crystallized tear." I eyed his face with trepidation, wondering what he was thinking, but he remained silent. When I didn't say anthing further, he gave me a piercing look for me to finish. "Then, she told me about your people's curse –"
"My curse," he corrected darkly.
_'A fire demon born from ice – a direct opposition from his own people –_'
Recalling that guard's words, I lowered my eyes. I didn't know what else to say, except, "that's it."
Hiei let the necklace pool into the palm of his other hand before pocketing it. "Then you know enough about me." He leaned his head back agains the trunk of the tree and closed his eyes. "The rest of my past is my own and not for you to hear."
"It wouldn't change how I see you."
"So you say," he replied in a cold, mocking tone, and it seemed to echo across the clearing like haunting laughter. "I've done things you couldn't possibly comprehend, but I do not
regret my actions, and I've even enjoyed them. I'm sure you've heard the rumors." His eyes flitted up to me, as he regarded me with an intense look. "Any rumors surrounding me were truths."
"If you're going to stubbornly insist that they were all truths, then I'm going to stubbornly ignore them, as I've done for many months now." I crossed my arms in defiance. "'Like I
said'," I repeated his words from earlier, "it wouldn't change how I see you."
He looked away with an uncaring expression, seeming to think that my words were
insignificant. Sighing, I walked over to him. I stood there modestly and tongued the inside of my cheek, as I contemplated on my actions. I was ready to act after a few seconds when he gave a tired sigh and lowered his knee. Reaching for me, he pulled me down until I was
straddling him, which was exactly what I was planning to do.
I eyed his forehead with narrowed eyes. It was a normal forehead, but Hiei was a demon and had a third eye. One would think there would be a slit of some kind along the skin, but it
was entirely smooth. I guess he could hide his third eye easily, but it must have taken time. I know that he used to wear this cloth around his head from the few pictures I had seen on
Keiko's shelf display.
"You shouldn't hesitate to touch me, Karen." He rested his hands on my hips. "I won't stop you."
"I was getting there," I mumbled sheepishly. Staring at his forehead, I asked, "if your not using your eye, then how come –"
"I know a great deal about you and reading you is as easy as breathing." Hiei replied and his words were laced with an obvious tone.
I felt like challenging him. "I doubt it."
His eyes glittered at my words, but then he said, "we'll have to test that some other time then, won't we, but for now, we have your issue to discuss."
Nervous now, I picked at the fabric along his shoulders. Of course, I started remembering his careless attitude. My eyes narrowed. "You didn't seem to care earlier."
"Because there was nothing to worry about," he reached into his pocket again and pulled out a sheaf of papers that were rolled up. I don't know how I could have missed the documents
sticking out of his pockets. Among them was my birth control pamphlet. "Did you even read
this through," he asked in regards to my pamphlet as he pulled it away from the rest of the papers.
"Yes, I did." I answered while taking the folded booklet away from him.
The booklet disappeared from my hands and I blinked rapidly. "Obviously not through the entire thing," he remarked.
"Yes I did, too, read it. It takes a full month before it becomes active, because it has to reside in the system –"
"'Depending on your side effects, you could be considered an exception for earlier results of your herbal contraceptive'," he recited and unfolded the booklet, "and you seem to be an
exception."
"Where does it say that," I whipped the pamphlet away from him, but it was too dark to make out the tiny words. "I can't see," I muttered. Then, I remembered why I didn't read that
section. "Oh," I lowered the book. "I got sick..." "Didn't they explain that when you took it?"
I glanced sideways, trying to remember. "Not really. She didn't mention anything until she was finished with her notes, but by then, I had already drank that stuff."
"You drank it not knowing what it was?" he questioned with a hint of frustration. "You little fool, that could have been poison."
"It wasn't and it was sitting right there in emphasis to be drunk." I pointed to the side, as if there was a glass sitting beside us. "She put the drink down right next to my arm and I
was trying to hurry because I needed to eat lunch before working on my herbs. I had a limited time slot with the greenhouse and couldn't waste unnecessary time questioning everything. Jet and I had to gripe with the other two priestesses just so we could have reasonable time and
daylight to work on curatives. The SDF guard told me what it was afterward." "Afterward," Hiei narrowed his eyes at me.
Ignoring his jab at my too trusting attitude with people, I stared down at the booklet. "She said it would take a month and that I didn't need to take it for another three months, which is a good thing because it doesn't taste very good."
"And I suppose no one explained exactly why they were extracting your blood the day you went to sign your documents with Koenma?"
Again, his voice was cold with fury. I tried to remember that day. The medic in Spirit World was busy and was complaining about my late blood work testing, that it should have been done before I left the temple, but I never questioned his annoyed mutterings.
"I was going to ask, but the medic was rude, and I needed to hurry for my meeting with Koenma. I thought it was just for my files."
His jaw tensed, but he didn't make a remark. Opening his documents, he leafed through it until he plucked a page out and placed it on top. "If you had checked after your meeting,
which you didn't," he added the last part with a fleeting glare, "you would have discovered that your medicine is already working. It shows in your blood work here."
Well, that was a relief. I thought back to the champagne he had allowed me to drink. I should have known there wasn't anything to worry about, as Hiei was always looking out for me. Once again, I had been careless.
I peered down at the page he handed me in the bit of moonlight shining down on us. I saw what looked to be numbers and some odd symbols. The information didn't make sense to me. Can't
they express it in words?
Not wanting to appear idiotic, I asked, instead, "where did you get these?" But before he could answer, I went through the other papers. I saw the document I had signed with Koenma
and a list of things that were currently in my possession. "Koenma," I accused. That traitor! He gave my stuff to Hiei! "This was supposed to be sent in the day I signed them!"
Taking the papers away from me, he rolled them back up and put it away. "He knew better than to do such a thing. Your teachers couldn't have accounted for Koenma's loyalty to me. A silly notion they must have, as I am currently of a higher rank." His voice was dripping with anger and I turned my head to avoid Hiei's hardened gaze. "I find it almost amusing that you would think that you had a chance of slipping past my notice. I am constantly aware of each team
that gets sent out and since I am in charge of the border patrol for Mukuro, I get the list of names once you reach the border."
"I was going to tell you." Since we were on the subject, I decided to try and approach the temple business. I had to keep him talking or I might not get another chance. "Since you
wouldn't listen to me –"
He gave an aggravated growl. "We're done talking about this."
"See," I pointed out. "You won't listen to me! I knew you wouldn't, which was why I decided to try and prove myself. I didn't mean to go behind your back, but you won't give me a
chance."
"I don't think you understand just how much you pissed me off with this, Karen." He whipped the pamphlet from my hands and shoved it into his pocket. His aura was murderous, but he
didn't shove me off his lap. I was wondering if I should crawl away until he calmed down. "I have half a mind to destroy your toys –"
"They're not toys," I interrupted hotly, "and I want them back."
"Giving them back would mean I consent to your work," he replied back with a scowl, "which I do not. You might as well stop asking for them until I am ready to discuss this."
"We can discuss it now." "No."
"I told you I can do it." "Karen," he warned.
But I wasn't giving up, not when I had his attention finally. I can be stubborn, too, very much so, and he was about to realize it.
"I'm serious." I pointed at the documents. "If you did read all of that, you'll know that I'm a backup. I'm just there in case the lead priestess is unable to extract the energy. I know
I'm not a fighter, which is why Genkai wouldn't teach me to fight, and I couldn't hurt anyone if I wanted to. I'm not capable of violence," I whispered that last part. "But I can help
with injuries, believe it or not. I can stay out of the way, too."
Closing his eyes, Hiei leaned his head back against the trunk again in a moody silence. I sat there in the tense silence, peeking at him every few seconds. He had that pinched expression at the edge of his eyes and I realized that he must be having a headache. I knew he was
having them for a while. "Hiei," I turned to him. He didn't answer.
I reached up to either side of his temples with my index and middle fingers. Pressing softly, I massaged his temples in tiny circles. His eyes flew open at my ministrations, but he didn't stop me.
"If you let me do this," I began in reference to helping the other priestesses, "then you
wouldn't have to be doing all this work... right?"
"With the meetings," he answered. "However, my contract with Mukuro is unfulfilled until the new guards are up to her standards."
"What are her standards?"
He closed his eyes. "When they are up to my standards."
I smoothed my fingers on either side of the bridge of his nose, outward across his forehead, and back to his temples. My lips perked up into a small smile when he gave a groan of
satisfaction. At least now, I think I can add massaging a forehead as my first successful attempt at anything.
Staring at the light shadows beneath his eyes, I felt my lips pull down into a worried frown. I wanted to take away some of that fatigue and stress, but it seems I only added to it. Yet, if he allowed me to help, I'm sure it would take away some of his tension, too. I just wished he trusted me enough to try. I didn't just want to help the other priestesses. I wanted to
relieve him of all this work or as much of it as I could, which was why I was adamant on pushing this issue.
Leaning forward, I kissed him gently. "Hiei," I mumbled against his lips, "please let me do this. I don't want you to keep working like this."
"Why can't you be scared of these things anymore," he answered me in frustration and the words fanned against my cheek, as I began kissing along his jawline.
"I am scared." I pulled away and met his eyes, "but if there is a way for me to help, then I want to do it."
"What reasons are you doing this for," he asked angrily and I paused in massaging his head. "I don't understand why you want to do this when I've given you your out." He waited a tense second for my answer, but I didn't give one. "You do realize that you are nothing but a
tool." I winced, as he practically hissed the words in his fury. "You're practically a
sacrifice for your world and there is nothing here, or in any world, that deserves to be spared their fate of death should it be unleashed upon them. You would gladly spill your
blood for your kind, all these humans, that wouldn't peel you off the ground if they saw you lying there? Or how about these demons? I can tell you that they regard you as something only to sink their teeth into and use you until you have nothing left to offer. They are your
enemy, all of them, but you're too naive to understand that. I won't allow Spirit World to use you as a sacrifice in any way and sending you there is exactly what they'll be doing."
My truth is all I had to give to make him understand my decision. He had his beliefs, but mine were based on my memories and the light I saw around me. Inhaling, one deep breath to help voice my opinion, I faced him with a level gaze.
"If there is any good in this world, it's in all the people I've met, my friends, and in the these fireflies – all these innocent things that I sketch in my book, that I see everyday." I eyed the passing firefly with a soft smile. "I may not know your world, but I'm sure there is good there, too, because I see it in you." His eyes widened a fraction, but I continued in a stronger voice. "I might be naive, weak, stupid even, but I am not scared to protect the bit of good in these worlds. I'm not trying to be brave or anything, but I have Keiko and Yusuke, the baby, and everyone else. And you, especially you, and I can tell you right now that I am not afraid to face anything that may try and take away that light."
"Karen –"
Crossing my arms, I hardened my eyes and refused to allow him to interrupt me. "That includes you, because you won't let me take care of you or anyone else, even when I'm trying so hard
to just make you proud of me." His hands tightened on my hips, but if it was a warning, I ignored it. I felt something claw up from my belly, as I wanted to fight to voice my
decision. "If you want to keep calling me out for my ignorance, then go ahead. And if I have to fight the one person that I'm really doing this for, then I will." I thought of my gun if I had it with me. "I'll shoot you with my toy gun if that's what it'll take, and you won't be laughing when you realize that it actually stings. By then, I'll be trigger happy –"
Hiei's hand cupped the back of my head and he crushed his lips to mine to end my wild tirade concerning my bizarre reasons. I nearly choked on my words, but he lightened the kiss. I sank against him, ready for more, until he leaned away.
"I hear you, you little fool," he uttered, "but your words end here." I opened my mouth to protest until he cut me off, "you've said your piece. Now leave it there and," he grimaced, "give me time to decide."
Did I just turn the tide in my decision? I blinked in curiosity. Then, I almost felt like
smiling, but I held it inside with a stuttering breath. He had listened to me. The idea was
so startling that I didn't know what else to say. Ecstatic, I buried my hands in his hair and pulled his face toward me for a heated kiss.
After a few seconds, I had to pull away a tad.
"... can I have my stuff back while you decide?"
"Karen," he seethed with a nip on my lower lip. "Will you let this go and allow me longer
than five seconds to kiss you without you talking my ears off, because apparently, my method of shutting you up doesn't work anymore."
"Okay, I'll stop."
Nessa collapsed onto a large boulder and flung back onto the hot surface. She gazed up at the sky while panting heavily. Nessa's entire body was aching from all the traveling over the
past couple of months. She was dead tired, and all she wanted to do was sleep in a bed with a fat pillow, where the sun wasn't beating down on her delicate skin.
If it wasn't for the herbal sunscreen Saruh had created back at the temple, Nessa would have suffered serious burns. As it was, she was flushed from the sun, but not enough to be in
pain. Her skin was toughening against the intense sunlight. Now, if only her hair would do the same. Nessa's pale blond locks were whitening in several places and becoming highlights that she would rather not have, as they made her look old. But it could be the stress of
being away from home and working tirelessly for the last two months. For now, she would passed it off as highlights instead of white hairs. Twenty was too young for white hair.
Sitting up, Nessa unhooked the canteen from her belt loop and unscrewed the cap. She drank deeply of the hot water and glanced around at her team.
The team wasn't big, but it was for a safety precaution and allowed them to slip about the
territories more easily. Five was the maximum limit, as it was a reasonable number for their travels until they met up with the other teams. Then, they would all travel together until
they reached their destination.
She had two SDF guards by the names of Kellon and Yue. They were quiet, but respectable men.
Kellon was her permanent guard. He was tall (then again, everyone was taller than her) with a crew haircut that was low to his scalp. He was a burly man with a low, smoky voice that
sounded as if he rarely talked. As a matter of fact, Nessa had only heard him speak a total of ten times throughout their travels. Kellon was a very serious man, but he had always
treated her with respectful nods.
Yue appeared to be of an Asian heritage and was shorter than Kellon by several inches. He had curly green hair, which made him look odd when standing next to everyone else. Yue had black eyes and hardly spoke either, except when he made a comment over the direction that they
needed to travel in, which he would express in a deep and croaky voice. He was great at tracking and navigating over certain terrains.
The next person on her team was her older sister, Vera. Nessa envied her sister, as she was a true Russian beauty and towered over her considerably. Nessa valued her own beauty, but being younger, she couldn't help but be slightly jealous of her older sibling. After all, it was
only natural to regard the eldest with envy.
When Nessa found out what she was, she had dreaded telling her parents. They didn't believe her at first. They laughed, thinking she was joking, or that she had lost her mind from
living in Japan for too long. Being the first exchange student in her family, she was
considered odd. It didn't help that Nessa fell in love with the culture and decided to stay there for a few more years.
Eventually, her family accepted her true nature. There were tears, many, save for her father. Russians were fighters and he had drilled that into their heads throughout their childhood.
He would have came along with her, but Nessa couldn't risk his health. He had a heart
condition. She wouldn't allow him to risk his life to protect her, but he wanted someone from home to come with her in this strange world.
Nessa was grateful for her sister's strength, because despite being level-headed and calm, Nessa wasn't as brave as her sister. Vera was a fierce woman – a cold beauty, as some would regard her, but she did have a kind heart like Nessa. She had trained until she was precise with her energy guns. Where Nessa was weak, Vera was strong. She never complained. She did not fear the future. And Nessa would never say so, but Vera was her hero.
She glanced at the last member and smiled.
Kazuma Kuwabara was her highest. She liked Kuwabara, because he was friendly and had a big heart. For a human, he had great spirit energy, but with his somewhat carefree personality,
it wouldn't seem he was very strong. She knew otherwise and when she decided on her highest, she couldn't have picked a better person. He never questioned her decisions and was always
there to pick up the team should they fall down in exhaustion. There were plenty of times
that he had carried someone on the team when they were too weak to keep walking. That was why he was the team leader.
He never gave up.
She had met his wife and sister. Nessa found his wife to be charming and beautiful. She was absolutely stunning, but kindhearted, as she served them all tea when they met up at
Kuwabara's house for a team meeting before setting off to Demon World. Vera, with her
communication ring, talked for hours with the red-eyed beauty. Nessa felt dwarf by them, as they were both tall and slender. She suddenly wished she was a few inches taller while in
their presence.
Shizuru was a familiar face. Nessa remembered her as one of the patrons that would come
listen to her sing at the bar she worked at in Tokyo. Nessa had always loved singing, but
starting off had been difficult. The only place that would hire her in Tokyo was that small, dingy bar where her boss treated her badly. Nessa would have left a long time ago, but no one else wanted her to sing, even if she was fluent in Japanese. She had a reason to believe it
was her foreign looks. But she wasn't a quitter. She stuck it out in that bar while she searched for a more suitable place, because if anything, she was independent. She wasn't
going to allow herself to run back home to pursue a singing career. Besides, she loved Tokyo.
"Vee should move on," Vera replied heavily. "What was it," she looked to the team, "some days from thee portal area, no?"
Kuwabara nodded while swiping a wrist across his forehead. "She's right guys. If we don't move, I'll lose my curls." He patted his head and frowned. "Nevermind. My style is ruined, but don't worry," he grinned, "I'm still handsome."
Nessa smiled and hopped down from her perch. He had a way of cheering her up, even if she was exhausted. Being one of the top priestesses, Nessa was constantly at work. She was expected
to reach a state in her meditation that would lead her to answers from her dead sisters. She had yet to reach such a state, but she tried everyday. She knew they needed any extra help. It was up to her to reach her ancestors.
But it was time for a much needed break. She couldn't do this for another month. If she
didn't rest, she was going to burst into tears. The only thing that kept her moving onward
was the people that depended on her and her few sisters that were struggling with her in this chaos. It was just one foot after another these days. Just one foot after another to reach
her world with beds, showers, fresh fruits, clean water, and toilets! She wanted to use a
toilet!
Now, one look at Nessa, and one wouldn't think she would be picturing a toilet in her mind, However, traveling for months did strange things to even the most sensible person.
The group began moving again when one of the guards stiffened. Kuwabara must have sensed
something, too, because he shuddered in the heat of the sun. He turned around and scanned the tree line.
"How many are you sensing," asked Kuwabara to the guard next to him. Kellon narrowed his eyes. "Twelve."
"Bandits," replied Kuwabara. Turning, he headed over to the others. "I'd start putting up your shield, Nessa. I think we've got bandits watching us."
Nessa's eyes reflected worry, as she raised her hands to her chest in the form of a triangle. They had never run into bandits, but she had heard rumors of their violence. So far, none of the other priestess teams had been hit with any raids. Would they be the first?
"TAKE COVER!" bellowed Yue in his deep, croaky voice.
Nessa didn't have time to gather her energy before her sister tackled her into the ground and shielded her body. Whistles rang through the air and an onslaught of arrows rained down upon them. Kuwabara activated his energy shield and whipped out his swords. With a roar, he batted away the arrows from the two women.
"Thee shield, sister," panted Vera, as she hauled the smaller woman up. "Now. Put it up, now!"
Without a word, Nessa tented her hands again and allowed her energy to flow throughout her body. She concentrated amidst the sudden pounding of hooves and war cries. A pink aura
surrounded her until it flared out into a small bubble. Falling to her knees, she kept her focus to keep her shield up. As long as her concentration didn't falter, she could keep her shield for a good hour. As far as she knew, nothing could penetrate through her shield. It was her only physical ability aside from her mental powers.
She watched the area around her with wide blue eyes. The bandit demons were riding atop
monstrous beasts that resembled horses. These horses were gray with black eyes and two times the size of a normal horse. She could hear the thunderous grunts of the horses as they
circled around the group. Sitting atop each horse, were demons sporting similar tribal
tattoos and each leering at them with wild eyes. It was easy to spot the leader. He was the largest among them and had a wild mane of brown hair that fanned out, as if he were a lion. His fangs glinted in the sun.
Kellon had disappeared, but there was a flash of a light. One of the demons gave a startled
yell and disappeared from his horse. In the distance, Nessa saw a tree collapse and dust rose up around it. She knew that was Kellon's work.
Yue had tried grabbing a passing bandit that was circling around him with a hyena-like laugh, but was snatched from behind by another bandit. Nessa bit her lip, as she watched him being
dragged away. His feet were skidding along the ground, as Yue struggled to tear away from the muscular arm around his throat.
It was all happening so fast. She was trying to keep up, but soon she was blinded by the two horses pawing the ground around her bubble. She glanced up at the two demons sitting proudly upon their horse. She didn't like their eyes. Something didn't seem right. They appeared half crazed. Even their tongues were wagging and one was foaming at the mouth with insane
laughter.
A scream pierced the air and Nessa's head whipped to the side. She paled. To the far left, her sister was pinned down to the ground by three bandits that had leaped off their horses.
Horror flooded the small woman's veins to witness the demons upon her sister. She saw one lick the side of her sister's face and Vera managed to free her arm. She swung wildly and knocked the demon to the ground. Within moments, the other two covered her body from sight
with their large forms.
Nessa's concentration faltered, just for a brief second, and it was enough for one of the
demons' to wrap a hand around her hair. She gave a pained cry, as she was flung back against the belly of the horse.
She didn't know what else to do, but cry, "KUWABARA!"
And he must have already been on his way because there was angry yell and the hand released her hair. She tumbled to the ground beside a growing puddle of blood and the demon above her gave a shrilly scream. Nessa glanced up to see him clutching his bloodied shoulder for his
entire right arm was gone. She happened to turn to her right where the other demon should be, but he disappeared in a flash. She knew Kellon must have whisked him away.
Vera screamed again and Nessa began running toward her sister. "Kuwabara, please, my sister!" She pointed ahead where her sister was struggling with her captors.
It was when Vera slumped against one of the demons that Kuwabara went charging forwad with
narrowed eyes. He pushed his swords together and formed one long sword. Nessa's eyes widened as he barreled through several demons on their horses, knocking them aside as if they were
actual barrels. The bandits were just flying into the air with startled yells. Whipping her energy gun out, Nessa fired at them.
Nessa was right behind Kuwabara when he reached her sister. He kicked aside one demon and Nessa heard a sickening crunch. She fired at the demon when he skidded along the ground to help add to his injuries. One of the bandits fled, but as for the other, he was still
clutching Vera to him. Nessa saw his green eyes widened and he dropped the woman. He backed away from Kuwabara, but the taller man showed no mercy.
Kuwabara took in Vera's ripped shirt and his small eyes lit up in anger. Ramming his sword
into the beefy demon's body, he ran forward while carrying the demon, as if he were meat on a kabob to be grilled.
"You don't ever treat women like that," Kuwabara yelled before the end of his sword collided into a tree to pierce the demon against the bark. "You disgusting excuse for a man."
The demon's head fell toward his chest. He was dead. Kuwabara was breathing heavily and he let go of his sword. He watched the demon hanging there with livid eyes.
"That is nasty," croaked Yue. He stood beside Kuwabara and stared at the hanging demon.
Kuwabara blinked, as Yue rarely spoke, but he could guess why he was speaking now. The tall human's rage had been so intense, he didn't notice that he had pierced his sword through the demon bandit's groin and pinned him to the tree where he was now hanging.
"Eeh," Kuwabara curled his lips. Luckily, he didn't need that sword. He could make another one.
Kuwabara turned around to regard the rest of the bandits. Nearby, Kellon was tying a red energy rope around several demons and beside him were three dead. Nessa was bent over her sister and holding her hands over the tall woman's chest to heal the scratches along her
exposed chest. Kuwabara knew Vera would be fine. He had saved her from being taken away and probably from more serious injuries.
"The leader got away," informed Yue. "He left as soon as the fighting began. I think he was testing our group." The guard was still staring at the pinned demon with a bland expression. "Kellon will call it in and explain the attack. If you noticed, they were focused on taking Vera away. It is not unusual for bandits to take the women, but they must have seen that we
had no treasures with us. Bandits will never attack unless they are certain we have something of value. The fact that they went for the women is to be reported."
"Might have been after Nessa if it wasn't for her shield."
The guard nodded. "Yes, but we are merely guessing. They might have just been hungry for
women." He gave a grunt. "With how they smell, I doubt they've had many. They weren't very
stronge either, but catching us off guard was their only advantage. I find it strange that they decided to attack knowing we would overpower them. It's something to think about."
Kellon blurred beside the demon pinned to the tree. He knelt and stared at the area where Kuwabara had ended the bandit's life. "He had tiny nuts."
Kuwabara blinked. Did that serious guard just say the bandit had tiny nuts? He looked from
Yue to Kellon. Yue nodded solemnly, as if it was a serious situation. Why, wondered Kuwabara, did they choose now to be more open?
"He just dribbled." Kellon pointed at a different stain from the blood leaking down the demon's dirt, beige pants.
"Okay, let's not talk about nuts and dribbles anymore, guys." Kuwabara turned to check on Nessa and her sister. "It's starting to make me sick and we have ladies nearby."
"Says the one who ended his manliness," remarked Kellon. "Do you want this sword back to restore your lost energy? I can wipe his dribbles off."
Kuwabara blanched with a quick look over his shoulder. "No!"
Kellon shrugged and yanked the sword out. Shouldering the demon bandit, Kellon carried him to the other dead bodies. They would be burned, while the unconscious ones would be taken to the check point for interrogation.
"Nessa, are you okay," asked Kuwabara.
With teary eyes, Nessa nodded. She glanced down at her sister. "Yes, and so is Vera. She should wake soon." She gave Kuwabara a watery smile. "Thank you."
Kuwabara was going to say more, such as to scold Nessa for letting her shield down when she should know better, but then the tied bandits shot up in a hazy blast of fire. The entire
group was stunned into silence, as they watched the flames consume the bodies like a breeze. Ashes fluttered to the ground in seconds and the sight was eerie. Kellon hurriedly tossed the demon bandit off his shoulder and the demon burst in mid-air. They all watched the bandit's
ashes rain down upon the ground.
"Guys, do bandits normally explode like that?" asked Kuwabara. "No." Yue's expression drooped into a frown.
"I think this has to do with Cain," whispered Nessa from where she sat on the ground. "They had evil in their eyes. It was almost unnatural. I could feel it."
Nodding, Kuwabara turned to Kellon. "Let's get a signal. She's right. I'm getting the tingles."
Kellon nodded and headed toward one of their fallen packs to fetch his communication device. Kuwabara stared off into the distance.
He didn't like this.
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing! And in answer to those handful of PMs about the flame, don't worry. I'm not quitting. I've thanked a lot of you personally this past week and I
received such beautiful responses. Thanks. To my guest reviewers, I thank you, too (but I
can't reach you like the others). Oh, and if you're putting in links, I think if you place in spaces, I can just piece it together, and then check it out. You know who are. Thank you for trying to help me, but I was a little confuse by what you meant. Do you have an account to
send a PM? I'd appreciate your help!
And in case you guys forgot, Kuwabara likes Mulberry trees, is a man, and has a sword - he
just kicks all kinds of ass. Thanks also to my beta, **akasoeki - **she also came up for the
idea about the Western food! Thanks, Ali for being there for me! See you next week and as always, I love you guys! Later!
Also, I have a deviant art page. Check it out. Link in profile.