Nanashi grunted tiredly, backing leaning her head against the nearest tree in the park where she normally trained. She felt hot, thirsty, tired, and distracted.
"Again," Hiei insisted, crossing his arms over his chest.
"They're too heavy," she wheezed out.
"Get the dragon wings out," he insisted, stepping closer over to her. "Keep them up this time."
She groaned, straightening her back. She summoned up her wind dragon and claimed its wings on her back. Hiei charged at her, sword out.
It had been a few weeks since they stopped Sensui, but a whirlwind in the aftermath. Prince Koenma was stuck in the Human World now, on the outs with his father for refusing to allow Yusuke to be assassinated. He put all of them under his protection, but little good that did for any of them in this limbo like state now. Before the mission, Botan had promised Hiei he could go back to the Demon World after the mission, but now was stuck in the Human World indefinitely. Pricne Koenma was stuck here as well. Prince Koenma had cornered Nanashi and Kurama privately about what had happened between them, with Kurama sharing everything, including the accidental bite when Youko lost control. Now they were told until further notice not to be alone together, especially in a situation where Youko could take over. The last thing any of them needed right now was that to be ruled as an attack on a human.
Which was why that Saturday morning, she was stuck with Hiei training her instead of Kurama. He swung his blade harder and faster at her. She jumped back, jumped, and dodge him, but felt slow and sluggish from having to maintain two separate and heavy wings on her back at the same time. He slashed at her shins, making her jump. Yet when she landed, she stumbled, landing unevenly on her feet and falling backwards down on her backside. She let her wings disappear, unable to keep them up anymore. He arced the sword down at her anyway. She raised hand up to grabbed the blade to halt it. He stopped it just before it hit her palm.
"Dead," he grunted, pulling the sword and his arm down at his side. He nodded his head up. "Up." She sighed, shaking her head. "Up," he insisted.
She shook her head again. "It's been hours," she reminded him. "I need to get home. I have to get some homework done before going to the wedding," she reminded him.
"Up," he growled, stepping closer to her, bristling.
"No," she shook her head. "We've been add it earlier and longer than I used to be with Kurama. I'm exhausted."
"Then go be with the fox," he snapped bitterly. "Oh, wait, that's right. The prince won't let the two of you train or even be alone together anymore because he lost control and bit you." He stepped closer to her, but she stayed sitting, watching him cautiously. "So now I'm stuck running interference between the two of you, again. Stuck in this world, stuck training you, stuck in a mess of problems I didn't create."
She sighed, shaking her head. "It's not my fault you're stuck in the Human World. Prince Koenma is stuck just as much as you are," she said as nonconfrontationally as possible. "You slept for three whole days after our fight with Sensui. Would you have rather we left you in the middle of that forest, unconscious and a ready meal for any low level demon or beasts to come get you?"
He flicked his sword, not answering her. He sheathed his sword, grunting. She sighed, feeling relieved. They were done for the day, thankfully. She laid back down on the grass beneath her, exhausted. It was soft, green, sweet smelling. Yet different from the grass from the Demon World, which had been thicker, courser, but still aromatic. She thought about that world, missing it a little. He had to have missed it more.
He stood over, looking down at her curiously. "What?" she asked, trying to keep her own temper in check.
"You two aren't supposed to be alone, and yet you're going to his mother's wedding with him," he commented, kneeling down next to her.
"As friends," she stated. "You want to go with him instead?" she teased. He sat down next to her, not looking at her. "His mother invited me, so I can't have refused. And we won't be alone together in a situation where he could lose control like last time. It's tantamount to us going to school together." She turned over on the grass to be on her stomach, not caring that the grass got on her sweat soaked clothes anyway. She rested her head comfortably on her forearms. "Do you want to go with us and babysit?" she teased. She closed her eyes sleepily.
"Hn," he grunted down at her. She shifted her head on her forearms, so he could not see her smirk. "Go home then, girl," he told her.
She raised her upper body up on her forearms, giving him an amused looked. She pulled it back when he himself did not look amused. "You ought to go watch your video tape to cheer you up," she suggested, sitting up on hunches. She rolled up to a standing position. "See you next week," she added, going to grab her bag from the tree she left it sitting by. She pulled out her water bottle, taking a large swig from it. "Bye," she added, looking back at him one last time. His lips were pressed instead in a thin line.
She went home, took a long, hot shower, and did some of her homework, including her application into the advanced science classes she wanted to get into next school year. After that, she went over to Shizeru and Kuwabara's apartment to let Shizeru do her hair and make up, and loan her a dress for the wedding. The dress was a little risque for her taste, but Shizeru told her not to worry about since it was unlikely people who take much notice of her since it was not her wedding. She only insisted the dress be returned to her in one piece, which Nanashi planned to do. At least Nanashi felt like she could fight in it if need be. As well as run in the flats she was wearing. Drawbacks of being a spirit detective in the midst of all the drama between them and the Spirit World. Prince Koenma had warned them all to be a high alert should the SDF or anyone else come after them. They were to check in with each other often. She kept the hair clip Kurama had given her as well in her hair out of force of habit, even if it did not quite match the dress she was wearing.
Once finished at Shizeru's, she went off to the wedding hall, meeting Kurama at the entrance. There seemed to be quite a number of people there, mostly from his mother's and soon to be step father's company, which made it slightly easier for Nanashi to keep from attracting too much notice, even if she was sitting in the front with him and his soon to be step brother. She fidgeted a bit with the small purse Shizeru had loaned her, which was just big enough to hold her phone, some cash, and not much else. At least she did not have to carry a communicator around anymore as in the midst of the drama with the Spirit World aftermath, she had figured out how to manipulate not only her phone, but the others' phones as well to act like a communicator/tracker should Prince Koenma need to contact them. It worked, but she felt like only Kurama understood it when she explained how she managed it.
When the ceremony was over, she hung back while Kurama took pictures with his family. Once done, she went with him to the buffet area, feeling famished from training with Hiei earlier and tucking in. She noticed he was eating less though, eyes scanning around the buffet area while he ate slowly.
"What are you looking for?" she asked quietly between bites. "I doubt our SDF friends will crash your mother's wedding." Those sitting at their table with them seemed not to notice their conversation yet.
He shook his head, not looking down at her. "It's not them I'm worried about," he said, taking another bite.
"What is it then?" she asked, frowning in puzzlement. The older woman sitting next to her turn her head to look at her as if drawn into their conversation.
"Let's go get a second plate," he said, drawing her by the elbow just long enough to get her to stand up and follow him.
She followed him, a bit confused since he lead her not towards the food, but out of the building and into a quieter gazebo. He looked around the are before sitting down. She sat down next to him, tugging down the skirt of the dress so not to wrinkle it. "Is the SDF actually here?" she asked barely above a whisper.
"No," he shook his head, looking around the area once more. "Did you enjoy the wedding?" he asked, changing the subject.
She shrugged then nodded. "I think your mother enjoyed it more," she teased.
He nodded. "Someday that will be you up there," he said unexpectedly.
"I..." she started, shaking her head. "I don't think... umm..." she hummed out.
"Not to me," he added, shaking his head. "Mayhaps you could give Kaito another chance? He does like you still, and is highly intelligent. Plus you wouldn't have to hide anything from him since he has abilities as well. You can be yourself around him with no secrets."
"I..." she shook her head. "I don't like him like that though."
"What of one of the other guys then? Mitari has a gentler soul to match yours," he suggested.
She gave him a frown, looking away. "I'm not lying when I say I want to focus on school. There's only twenty spots in the advanced science classes next year. I'm twenty-fifth in our class. Kaito's already told me he isn't gunning for a spot. So that means as long as four other people ahead of me don't apply for it, and the essay I wrote for the application earlier today is good enough, I'll get a spot," she reasoned.
"You've thought an awful lot about it," he commented. "Do you want me to look over your essay?"
She shifted, muttering, "if you wouldn't mind..." She added, "why are you so interested in if I start dating anyone or not?" she added.
"Just to see you happy," he said. She noticed his eyes caught a quick glance at her chest where the mate bite was. She shifted away from him, clearing her throat. He looked away, scanning the area again.
"Who are you looking for?" she pressed, annoyed by him.
"You know Yusuke found out about his demon ancestor, the Demon King Raizen?" he preempted.
She nodded, "yeah. After he met with that former spirit detective and her family. His mom and I are not too happy about him going to the Demon World soon to meet him."
He nodded, knowing that information. "At least he did not miss your birthday earlier this week," he commented.
"Yeah, true," she sighed.
"He is also not the only one who's received an invitation of that nature," he told her.
"What?" she asked, gapping at him.
"Both Hiei and I have as well, from the other two kings," he explained.
She turned, facing him. "You're not planning on going? Are you?" She felt her face flush, worried the three of them would be leaving so soon, so abruptly.
He shook his head. "I've watched my invitation, but I do not plan to accept it," he explained. "Hiei plans to accept his though."
"Why not? Why?" she asked, feeling half relieved and half disappointed.
"He wants to go back to the Demon World, even if it means under the service of the Demon King Mukuro. The 500 year détente between the three kings is cracking as Raizen has grown weaker and the other two stronger. As for me, I'm not quite ready to go back so soon," he explained.
"The third king invited you?" she pressed. He nodded. "Didn't bother to offer you forty-three more years with your mother first?" she teased with a lack of necessary humor. "Do you know anything of the third king that invited you?"
He shifted uncomfortably, standing up. "Enough that I'm not interested in being drawn into the conflict," he answered. "He sent three of his men to give me my invitation." He looked over at the wedding hall. "We should go back in, before Prince Koenma realizes we were alone together." He started walking towards the building.
"The trackers in our phones are only accurate to about fifty to one hundred meters, so he might not notice... Besides, I could take Youko," she joked, walking in line with him.
He hummed a laugh at that. "The two, Youko and Suichi, have actually been slowly blending together ever since the Dark Tournament," he pointed out. She stopped mid-step, gapping up at him. "I told you that, didn't I?" She shook her head. He sighed patiently. "I am certain I did. I am in complete control of the aspects of him. You are not in any danger," he promised.
"I..." she started, feeling her heart pounding nervously. "You haven't me told that before..." She shifted, watching him cautiously. "What time is it?" she asked, nodding down at his watch. He told her. "I should go," she excused weakly.
"Are you certain?" he asked, sounding just disappointed enough for her to pick up on it.
She nodded. "It's getting late, and I'm exhausted from training with Hiei earlier today," she excused, feeling a pang of sadness to know he was leaving soon, too. "I think it's best I call it a night. Tell your mother bye for me."
"Do you have enough to cover the taxi fare home?" he asked.
She nodded, certain of it. She made sure of it before she got to the wedding hall. Shizeru even loaned her a bit to help out. "I'm certain of it," she said honestly.
"Have a good evening then. Just text me when you get home," he requested.
"I will," she agreed, nodding. Glad for it considering the risk the SDF could come for either of them and so knowing they both could check in on each other was comforting. "Good night," she added before turning to head towards the taxi stand.
She got in the taxi line, getting one really quickly. She gave the driver the address to her home, and then settled in the backseat, texting Shizeru the moment she could, telling her what Kurama had just told her.
'Damn.' Shizeru texted when she was done explaining. 'Sad to see the pip-squeak go. Kind of liked him because he annoys Kazuma.'
Nanashi texted back. 'I don't want to see him go either. But he is homesick.'
'What about Kurama? Glad to hear he's staying,' Shizeru texted back.
'Not sure,' she replied back.
'Since he's been Youko this whole time?' Shizeru teased. 'He bite you again? lol.'
Nanashi put the phone down, annoyed and confused. She looked out the window, seeing a familiar street, but from her running routes, but not a route a taxi would have taken to her home. She shrugged, turning back to her phone. 'No, but not a fan of "you should date someone,"' she explained. 'Like that matters and determined all the happiness.'
There was lull between the next message from Shizeru. She looked out the taxi window again, seeing the driver miss the turn he should have taken to her apartment.
'Shrugs. Maybe that will keep his foxy demon form at bay? ;).' Shizeru texted.
Nanashi shook her head, looking over at the driver, seeing the meter higher than it should have been, about to go over the amount she had in her purse. 'My taxi driver is taking a weird route. About to go over the meter.'
'The dick's probably trying to get more money out of you,' she texted back quickly. 'Tell him to stop, get out, and don't pay.'
"Where are you going?" Nanashi blurted, trying to sound meaner.
"The address you gave me," the driver said shortly.
"Then you should have turned back there," she pointed out. "Are you trying to get more money out of me?" she accused. "Because now the meter is over what I have, you know. I only have enough to cover the direct route."
The driver slammed on the breaks unexpectedly. "Get out then," he told her. She hissed her teeth, opening the door. "Pay first," he insisted.
She huffed, not thinking him worth it. She took the cash out of her purse, throwing it at him. She grabbed her phone, getting out of the cab in a rush. He drove off the second she slammed the door.
She stared down at the car as it sped away. She texted Shizeru and told her what happened. Shizeru repeated she should not have paid him. Nanashi rolled her eyes, getting her bearings. She was close enough to home that it did not matter enough. She started walking home.
Her phone buzzed in her hand. Kurama. 'Are you home yet?'
'Almost,' she started, explaining what happened with the taxi.
'Did you get his cab number?' he replied back.
'No, but I'm in my neighborhood at least. I'm almost home and tired. Like five minutes if that. Have a good night.'
'Right, good night,' he replied simply. 'See you Monday.'
She snapped her phone shut, putting it in the purse on her side. The flats she was wearing were starting to hurt her feet. She reached her block, seeing a man on the street, staggering a little like he was drunk. She rolled her eyes, stepping away from going to close to him. He was hunched over, looking like he was wrapped in a blanket. Perhaps both drunk and homeless. She pulled her purse closer, walking faster. She stared forward, just one alleyway away from entering her apartment complex.
"Excuse me, miss?" a deep male voice came out of the dark alley to her left. Another man, all wrapped up. Not in a blanket though like the drunk guy. He was closer, so now she could tell it was a robe, covering him entirely, including his face.
"I don't have any money," she told her, halting only briefly to say so before resuming her speed walk to her apartment.
A third man stepped in her path, wide brim hat on his head. His clothes looked more traditional than the typical homeless man in the area. "Are you Nanashi Urameshi?" he asked her, cocking his covered head.
The two other men stepped closer, one behind her and one to the side of her. She felt her ears draw back, unsure quite what to do. If they were human, she could not harm them, but would be simple enough to run away from them. If they were SDF, she ought to attack them immediately before they attack her. Running would not be so simple. She wanted to reach for her phone, but did not want to take her eyes off the man in front of her. She kept her mouth shut and hands still. She reached for the wind dragon just in case, but keeping it just under her shoulders.
"Are you her?" the man in front of her asked.
"Just take this one," the man to the side said.
"We must be sure," the man said behind her. "We can't just take anyone."
"I'm not going anywhere with you," she stated calmly, even though her heart was pounding. She drew a deep breath, noticing a familiar, but out of place smell coming from them. "Are you from the Demon World?" she exclaimed, recognizing the smell. She took a sense off them, wondering if she could take the three of them. "From King Raizen?"
The three demons laughed, sounding amused. She studied the three of them, thinking even that conclusion was incorrect based on how Yusuke had described the demons who visited him. She could get a sense of them now, lower level. Otherwise they would not have gotten through the barrier so easily. Probably strays that stumbled into the Human World. She could take them if they attacked her.
Then again, she could just knock them out and go home. She charged the man in front since he was likely the leader of the trio, which caught him off guard. She threw a right hook at him, catching him in the jaw. When he staggered, she brought her knee into the space between his rib cage, knocking the wind out of him. When he hunched over to hug his rib cage, she drove her elbow into the back of his neck, sending him to the ground and knocking him out.
She spun on the balls of her feet, standing in the street next to him and looking over at his two colleagues smugly. The other two demons watched her through the eye slits of their robes. She wondering if she could get them to remove them to fight her. She took a fighting stance, studying the two remaining demons. She surged forward, going after the one who looked stronger.
That was until she heard a car horn blare behind her and tires squeal. A car rolled up behind her, still going far too fast. She jumped, landing on the hood of the car, but even as the driver hit the brakes, the car was moving too fast. She landed hard on the top of the car and rolled off the back. The road she landed on was even more unforgiving. She groaned on the ground, everything hurting. She heard the driver speed away, making her swear aloud. She reached for her purse to get her phone, but she noticed the strap had broken in the hit and run and was laying forgotten on the side of the road. She closed her eyes, feeling dizzy just on the ground.
"Oh shit," one of the demons swore coming up over to her. "We weren't supposed to injure her." She could hear them, but just barely over the ringing in her ears.
"Shut up," the second one snapped. "We didn't injure her, that dumbass human who hit her with the car did. She'll need to be taken to a healer once we get to Gandara Castle."
"If she'll make it there," the first one said shaking his head. "We still don't know if that's the right human."
"Do you really think just any human could have taken him out? Just go get him," he nodded over the knocked out demon. "I got the human."
She felt the demon bend down and pick her up, throwing her over his shoulder. He walked over to her purse, kicking it into a nearby bush before running down the road in the opposite direction of her apartment.
"No," she moaned, head feeling heavy. She reached over for her phone, vision blurring as it got farther and farther away. 'Hiei!' she screamed as loud as she possibly could mentally before everything went black.