Chapter Three- Settling In

Kuwabara peered at an odd-looking mushroom. It was pale green with light blue spots. Now, Kuwabara knew that pale green wild vegetation usually meant it was poisonous in Human World, but did the same hold true in Demon World? He heard someone approach and glanced back to see it was only Kurama. He silently breathed a sigh of relief; he felt tense and jumpy since they started foraging. He chalked it up to a number of things: He still acted like a human, he kept forgetting he was a demon now, and he had no clue how to use the Jagan or if he could control the dragon.

"Find anything?" Kurama asked.

"I don't know. Is that poisonous?" He pointed at the mushroom.

Kurama's eyes widened. "Not at all. That's a rare mushroom. Demons coveted it for its flavor."

"No kidding." Kuwabara plucked it and added it to the sack while Kurama checked to see how much he had and said, "I think we have enough for a couple of days. Let's head back and get dinner started."

"Can I help?"

"Of course. I can coach you in using your fire abilities to make a fire."

"Sounds good." Kuwabara wondered if Shizuru was fixing dinner along as he and Kurama entered their home and sorted their ingredients.

Yusuke tipped the minced vegetables into the skillet and Shizuru proceeded to sauté them. "I appreciate your help, Yusuke. Kazuma sometimes assists me in making dinner."

"Yeah, well Keiko insisted I learn to cook if I'm going to help run her parent's restaurant one day."

"Ah, I see." There was silence for a few minutes before she asked, "Gotten any ideas to help Hiei?"

"Well, I will need to do some grocery shopping. He'll be tagging along, of course."

"Yusuke, that's it! Go about your usual human life with Hiei following you. You can explain why you do what you do as most of what you do are human activities."

Yusuke grinned. "Yeah, I could do that. Thanks, Shizuru."

Hiei chewed his food, half-listening to Yusuke and Shizuru making conversation. He wondered if humans did this all the time: Talking during mealtimes. If so, it wouldn't surprise me; humans seem to love to talk white demons let their actions speak for them.

"Hey, Hiei. I'll come by in the morning and we'll go grocery shopping," Yusuke said, catching the short human's attention.

Hiei cocked an eyebrow. "And why would I go with you?"

"Cause Koenma said someone has to help you learn and it was me."

Hiei grunted. "Fine."

Man, I think Kurama got the better part of this agreement, Yusuke thought before saying, "Shizuru, need anything since I'm shopping tomorrow?"

"I probably could. Give me time to look through everything and I'll give you a list and some money when you come by."

"Deal."

Kuwabara swallowed his spoonful and licked his lips. "This is great, Kurama."

"Thank you and I appreciated your assistance in the preparation."

"I sometimes help Shizuru out with dinner."

"You also did well with conjuring the fire."

"I think that's only because I have Hiei's abilities."

"That's probably a small part. You underestimate yourself Kuwabara in terms of being a demon."

The tall demon nodded before returning to his dinner as did Kurama, but the redhead suspected that his friend wasn't convinced. He's doing well as a demon. Yes, he possess the power of an already strong demon, but his own natural gifts are still there. He's only switched races; he's still human on the inside.

"So, we'll go foraging tomorrow?"

Kurama nodded. "Perhaps hunting too. There is a likelihood that we'll end up fighting other demons."

"How come? Territory?"

"In a few cases, I believe so. Most will be to test their strength against us while others will want to kill us."

"Of course," Kuwabara grunted.

Kurama smiled slightly. He really hoped they encountered mostly those who simply wanted to test their strength. Those were easy to determine as they tended to announce their intention. They'll prove to Kuwabara that there are friendly demons beside Hiei, Yusuke, myself, and a few from the Dark Tournament.

"What's so great about human?" Hiei groused. "And why do they hang out in groups?"

Shizuru sighed. "Humans are social creatures. They like to spend time with their friends."

"Certain insects are social creatures but they're in groups because it's in their nature."

"Humans have that in their nature too, but occasionally they want some along time."

"I'd rather be alone."

"Well, that won't help you be a demon again and I'd rather have my baby brother back."

"Fine. I'll tag along with Yusuke." Hiei got up from the couch and headed upstairs to find the guest room.

Shizuru leaned back and sighed in exasperation. Trying to convince Hiei to socialize was hard. She had no idea how stubborn the former demon was and it left her exhausted when he finally agreed to follow Yusuke again after decided he wouldn't. How does Yusuke put up with this guy? Does he act like this when he's a demon? I might ask him tomorrow.

Hiei flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He was still quite angry at being forced to be human until he respected them. How did Koenma expect him to respect such an inferior race? Well, that's just it, he thought. I can't think of them as inferior as I'm part of that race right now. I should make an effort to learn; the sooner I learn my lesson the sooner I'll be a demon again. Hiei closed his eyes and was soon asleep.

Kuwabara laid in bed, listening to the thunder and lightning and wondering if he was going to be able to sleep. He'd rather liked the peace and quiet of Human World and could get a restful night's sleep. Here, it was noisy and seemed full of danger. He failed to see why Yusuke would want to spend time here. He also wondered how Kurama could sleep so peacefully in these surroundings.

It's not the world I have a problem with, it's the race that lives here. I know a few demons aren't bad but most seem that way to me. Kurama says I need to banish that though from my mind. Heh, easier said than done. He sighed, rolled onto his side, and gradually fell asleep.