A/N: Same situation still applies, my friends. Still no internet. Still got a crappy computer. I am, as you can see here, working around it. Hope you guys enjoy this little project of mine. Much love to YFate who took the time out to beta the first eight pages or so of this for me. I'd have given her the rest, but I'm not sure when I'll get back to a non-work computer, so I went ahead and posted. Changes may be forthcoming for this reason. At any rate, she's a wonderful author herself, and you should all go check out her work. Right now. Seriously. That said, please feed the author, if you are so inclined. Peace.
Chapter Thirteen
"You gotta be kiddin' me," Yusuke groaned, burying his head beneath his pillow and burrowing further into the covers. By his calculations, it was precisely five minutes to no-way-in-hell was he getting up. He didn't even think the sun was up yet.
"It's no joke, dimwit," Genkai groused, making a grab for the detective's pillow. "Get up and go with her."
Yusuke snatched at the air, fumbling around with his eyes closed for what she'd taken before he finally just decided to say the hell with it and snuggled down below his blankets, pillow or no. "No way, Grandma," he mumbled.
"It's alright, Genkai," he heard the priestess speak softly, presumably trying to keep from waking dog boy, though he really didn't understand why she should give a shit. "It's just a few supplies. I'll be back in no time."
"It isn't safe, and you know it," the psychic stated flatly, leaving no room for argument. "He will be going with you."
"Trying to sleep here," Yusuke growled unpleasantly. Honestly, how was a guy supposed to get any rest with all that noise?
"I said get up, slacker." The old lady was starting to sound pissed. Not that Yusuke really cared. She always sounded pissed when she was talking to him, as far as he could tell.
"Damn it, Grandma, back off," the detective grumbled. "Send dog boy."
"Dog boy is incapacitated," the psychic intoned. "Now, get your stupid ass up and get dressed."
She was flatly ignored.
"I'm warning you, Yusuke," Genkai practically growled.
Nothing.
Genkai sighed heavily. Alright, if that's the way he wanted to play it. Diplomacy had never really been her forte, anyway.
He heard it just before it hit, and Yusuke squealed like a little girl when the ice water washed like a river down his back and into the sheets. He jumped up, swearing and soaked to the bone.
"You old bitch!" he cursed, knowing that she'd waited just long enough for him to get good and comfortable again. "That was freezing!"
Genkai grinned pleasantly. "Oh good, you're up."
He bitched all the way into town and then some. In fact, he was still grumbling when they finally did make it to Soto's Market. Kagome didn't really mind. It kept her occupied on something other than the fact they were alone together. Again. Honestly, she'd hoped to use the time this morning to get her thoughts in order.
Genkai, on the other hand, had other ideas. She'd told Kagome in no uncertain terms that she was not to leave their company alone at any given time. It had made her angry at first, thinking Genkai honestly believed she couldn't take care of herself, even after she'd bailed them all out at the harbor. The psychic had been quick to clarify, however, telling Kagome she was likely the most targeted among them, given her ability to seek the jewel shards and if what the psychic had been told about Naraku were true.
She had a point; Kagome had to give her that.
But still, why Yusuke? She would have been about as comfortable with Inuyasha at this point. She hadn't seen him yet this morning, which ordinarily would have been her first priority (Kagome suspected the hanyou still couldn't see—a thought that scared her more than just a little bit—or he'd have been pestering them all bright and early), but she just couldn't bring herself to face him yet. Not after all that had been said.
And some that had nearly been done.
Gods, what was she thinking! Two more seconds and she would have kissed him, whether his company had been an open invitation or not. Kagome really couldn't say that Yusuke's intentions had been anything other than simple camaraderie; he'd given her no indication that he wanted anything more than that, and for all she knew, he had someone waiting on him somewhere. The sudden flare of guilt she saw burning in the pools of his eyes when he'd pulled back suddenly pointed in the affirmative. Still, it made her wonder if she'd been as alone in her sentiments as she'd originally thought.
The truth was they had both been spellbound. It was a feeling and a look Kagome had been keenly familiar with in her time with Inuyasha and…
Kagome blanched. What was wrong with her? Hadn't she learned anything after this whole stupid mess? She'd already destroyed one man and unintentionally trapped another within unconventional dimensions in their devotion to her. And despite all of this—the pain she had caused, the lives she had torn apart, and knowing, knowing, where her allegiance should lie—she betrayed them both by running around goo-goo-eyed over—
"Hey," he nudged the daydreaming priestess with his elbow. "You coming in, or are you just going to stand outside on the sidewalk and stare at it all day?"
Kagome flushed. "I—I'm coming!" she stammered. "I was just waiting for you."
The detective's eyes sparkled in merriment. "That so?" he asked amusedly, opening the door for both of them. "Looks like you should'a waited for that poor sucker on the bike," Yusuke laughed, gesturing back at the young man picking himself off the ground and groaning.
Kagome's face burned as she realized what had happened. She'd been so distracted she hadn't even seen him. He must have swerved to miss her. "Oh goodness," she breathed, sliding the oversized sunglasses down on her nose for a better look. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"
He gave her the finger.
Kagome sighed. At least he'd heard her say she was sorry. Well, if he'd heard anything over Yusuke's obnoxious hee-hawing. Kagome glowered at him and shoved the dark lenses back up into place, not that it did anything but make him laugh that much harder. She pushed her way inside, stomping in her embarrassment.
Big, stupid, pain in the ass.
"Hey now, don't be that way," he said, failing miserably to hide his laughter. "I think concrete was a good look for that guy."
"Oh, stuff it, Yusuke," the priestess grumbled, making her way toward where she presumed the medical supplies would be. She wasn't familiar with this particular market; it was clear on the other side of the city from her stomping grounds. "Let's just get our stuff and get out of here. It's getting crowded."
She had a point, he realized. Yusuke was never one for crowds of people, and this time of day, it was only going to get worse in here. "This way," he lightly grabbed her elbow and pulled in the opposite direction. "I've been here before."
"That would have been nice to know," she said, coming to a stop in front of the bandages. She squatted down, studying the price and quality. Kami! She never realized how much her mother spent on her supplies when she went through the well.
"Like once," he replied, annoyed. "What does it matter anyway?"
She stood, arms full of bandages and salves. "I just hope no one recognizes you," Kagome responded, shoving packages into his arms to free up her own. "That's the last thing we need."
"Relax, I'm not exactly Mr. Popularity," he said, dryly. "And what the hell is all this? I never said I'd be your pack mule."
She grinned and batted her eyelashes. "No, but you will," she responded in a singsong lilt. "Besides, we've still got to grab some food, and I need room to carry it."
Okay, so he wouldn't argue there. Food was important enough that he'd let her slide on that one.
Hell, he might just let her slide on a lot of things, if she played her cards right. Which was stupid, and he knew it. Admittedly, the priestess was beautiful. She was kind, smart, funny—he liked nothing more than their repartee—and she had saved his life. More than once, really.
But she wasn't Keiko.
Yusuke's stomach knotted up at the thought. He'd almost kissed her last night. He managed to come back to the presence of mind needed to pull away, but he knew deep down, he hadn't wanted to.
Gods! What was wrong with him? Keiko had been there for him practically since birth. She'd put up with his crap when absolutely no one else in the world would. She had brought him back from the dead, and just knowing him since then had nearly gotten her killed more than once. How could he betray her trust like that?
Then, of course, there was the fact that he loved her.
Some love that was, he scoffed to himself. He hadn't even thought to check on her since this whole mess started. Granted, he knew that Koenma was keeping an eye on their loved ones, but still, she'd be wondering about him by now.
The detective sighed, heartburn suddenly creeping its way up through his chest. Stupid girls. They were more trouble than they were worth. He was just going to have to shut off any ridiculous urges he might have where Kagome was concerned. She was just another girl like any other…attractive as he found her. Didn't matter. She was no Keiko, and that was that.
"Kagome?"
The detective turned just in time to see the priestess go completely still. 'Oh shit.'
"Kagome, is that you?" the girl tried again. The priestess in question exhaled, realizing it was pointless to try and pretend she was any other. She eased the glasses down, though she didn't remove them, and swept the room for any other potential acquaintances.
"Hi, Yuka," she breathed, smiling uncomfortably.
The girl pounced on her, trapping Kagome in a fierce hug before pulling back, hands still on the priestess' shoulders. "Oh my Gods, Kagome! Where have you been?" Yuka began to babble, a little too loudly for Yusuke's comfort. The detective approached, keeping behind them with a wary eye.
"Does your mother know you're here?" she continued, either not realizing the detective was there or just not caring. "She's had the whole city out looking for you!"
Not that it would have mattered if Kagome's mother had known she was here, because she wouldn't have been able to tell this…Yuka, anyway. The girl hadn't stopped chattering from the minute she'd seen them, and it was clear to Yusuke that she was making Kagome more than a little uncomfortable.
He cleared his throat rather loudly, and the girl froze, eyes settling on him for the first time.
"Everything okay, here?" the detective asked rather suspiciously.
Yuka made no attempt to hide her own suspicion, and she studied him carefully before ushering Kagome to the side.
"Girl, are you in some kind of trouble?" Yuka whispered urgently. "What's going on? What are you doing with him?"
So much for not being Mr. Popularity.
Yusuke took a step forward at that, and Yuka flinched, prompting Kagome to take a stance between the two. She didn't think Yusuke would hit her friend, but the situation could get ugly nonetheless.
"Everything is fine, Yusuke," she placated. "Just give me a minute, okay?"
He didn't look entirely convinced, but the detective was willing to do what she'd asked. He stepped back, just enough to give them space but not out of hearing range, and perused through the comics. See, he could play nice when he wanted to.
Yuka didn't look any more comfortable than when he was towering over them, but she would have to deal with it. Kagome turned to meet her friend's eyes, a seriousness in them the other girl had never seen.
"You're going to have to trust me on this one, Yuka," Kagome spoke quietly. "You never saw me here today, do you understand?"
"What? No, I don't understand, Kagome," Yuka said, slightly frustrated. "Don't you know how worried we've all been? Your mother is about to have kittens, you can't honestly expect me not to tell her you're okay!"
"Yuka, please!" Kagome said more urgently, though still quiet enough not to attract attention. "I can't explain now, but this is important. You never saw me here, and if anyone asks, you don't know me."
"But—"
"You trust me, don't you?" the priestess asked.
"Well…yes, but—"
"Then you know I'd never ask something like this of you if it wasn't really important."
The other girl sighed heavily. "Yes," she admitted, though clearly not liking the situation she was being placed in. "Promise me you'll explain everything later?"
"Swear," Kagome replied, slight relief evident in the ease of her smile.
"If you need anything, you call me, Kagome," Yuka mothered.
"I will," she said, knowing she wouldn't. Kagome eased the frames of her sunglasses back into place. "Remember, Yuka, not a word."
"My lips are sealed," she said, embracing her friend one last time. "Be careful."
The priestess turned away, and Yuka was left with a sickly feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wondered if she could, in fact, keep her promise to Kagome, or more importantly, if she should.
She screamed, a bitter shrieking wind that erupted from deep within the well of her throat and behind the lids of her sightless eyes. She screamed, and it shook Kuwabara down to the meat of his bones, stealing the breath from his body.
"Shh, shh, shh," the monk scrambled, fighting to soothe the reaper against the flailing of her limbs as she clawed her way up from the darkness. "Botan…honey…shh," the monk tried again, grasping the side of her face in his reprobate palm, massaging her temple with the pad of his thumb.
"You've got to keep her quiet," Shippou said urgently as he sprang to his feet, slipping deftly from boulder to ledge, carefully scrutinizing their surroundings. "Every scavenger in spirit world will be looking for us."
"I'm trying," the monk responded sharply, looking to Kuwabara for assistance. She jerked, and Miroku hissed as the nails of her left hand made their way across the soft flesh of his cheek, drawing blood. "Damn it, help me out here!"
It wouldn't do much good, and Kuwabara knew it, but for appearance's sake, he'd be willing to try. Gently, he reached out and brushed the reaper's hair, leaning down to meet her ear amidst her struggles with the monk, and spoke.
"Botan," he whispered. "It's me. You don't have to be afraid anymore."
She struggled nonetheless, and if possible, her wailing only got louder.
"Damn it," Shippou cursed, "I said keep her quiet!" The fox was fidgety as all hell, and Kuwabara got the impression they were going to have to find a new resting place, and soon.
"It's not as easy as it looks," Miroku managed in his typical cool intellect, though she'd taken to beating on him steadily at this point, and frustration was beginning to take its toll. He lifted his forearm just in time to miss out on the hysterical swing she took at him, and the monk took the opportunity for what it was worth: firmly, he took her wrist in his grip, smiling when she did as reflex demanded and took a swing with the other, allowing him to capture it as well.
She was stronger than she looked, he'd give her that. Miroku shook as she writhed beneath his grasp, her cries echoing out across the valley below them. "Do something, Kuwabara," he groused. "I can't keep this up much longer without hurting her."
Kuwabara sighed, stretching his palm to rest across her forehead and breathed out deliberately, expelling the familiar energy and warmth to brush her senses. "Please," he whispered. "It's me. Come back to me."
The reaper's eyes flew open, wild and searching as she adjusted her field of vision to focus on his face, and her screaming turned to weak and broken breath. The monk eased his grip. Botan drew a sharp gasp, and slowly, her struggles ceased. "Wha? Kuwa…Kuwabara," she stammered, panting heavily. "The…they're coming."
She stopped short, shaking her head violently. "I, no you…you don't belong here!" she cried, tears working down the slope of her cheeks in streams. "You can't be here anymore! Any of you!"
Kuwabara breathed a sigh of relief, despite her stammering and apparent warning. Slipping his hand behind her head, he eased her into a sitting position. "Shh," he spoke, softly. "You're with us now." Wrapping his arms around her, Kuwabara drew his friend into a gentle embrace, letting her sob into his chest.
"No, you don't understand," she hiccupped.
"Doesn't matter," Shippou interrupted. "We gotta move. Now."
It started as most bar fights do: with a girl.
Okay, so maybe this was a little different than most, but in Chu's experience, 99 percent of all bar fights begun as the direct result of a woman, somewhere. It just so happened that this one was neither a hooker nor someone's sister. And just as a general plus, she wasn't someone's hooker sister. In Chu's opinion, it helped.
Still, she was a human, and he honestly had to say he never thought he'd be fighting for one. But Gods help him, there he was; before he could even think twice about it, he'd knocked that poor bastard clean through the door. The doorman skidded the length of the room, tearing up tables and chairs in his wake, before he slammed bodily into the wet bar. The shelves of liquor buckled above him from the force, breaking on one end and sending bottles sliding down to shatter on the unfortunate demon's skull.
He passed out cold, leaving the rest of the bar and its patrons to gape in open-mouthed shock.
Oops.
"A...a human," said a particularly nasty lizard demon, poking his snout in from that giant hole where the steel door of the side room had been and pointing in blatant shock. "There's a human in the bar!"
Chu reached out and snatched the lizard's nubby fingertip, eliciting a startled yelp as he stretched it uncomfortably around the smaller demon's back. "Now, now mate," he spoke, pulling the finger back up past the demon's shoulder blades and watching him squirm. "It's not polite to point."
All hell broke loose.
Sango wasn't certain just where to start, but she drew her blade in anticipation. Half the bar seemed intent on coming for her. The other half were just as content to fight with each other, and the whole building was swarming with chairs breaking, bottles flying and fists swinging.
"Honestly," came the annoyed droning from her left, as Hiei took the head of a rather grotesque looking...was it a cow of some sort? "You really are more trouble than you're worth."
Sango scowled but refused to dignify him with a response. She sidestepped neatly to avoid the claws of the cat-like youkai that slipped passed Jin and the neat line of defense he'd so deliberately set before her. She struck out and the demon yowled in pain as she pierced his gullet.
She dismissed him—a mistake as it turned out. Sango hissed when the razor sharp edge of his claws sliced through the fabric of her robe and uniform as she'd turned away, raking deep, angry furrows along her calf muscle. She twisted, preparing to bring a blow like thunder down upon the demon's face, but Jin beat her to it. He hoisted the demon up by the scruff of the neck, much like a mother punishing a young kitten.
"Not very smart, lad," he growled, shaking the cat hard enough to snap his neck. He flung the demon away effortlessly, the gleam in his eyes feral, though void of any true excitement. Sango found it comforting, in a way, to know he took no real enjoyment out of mindless carnage. It was duty, and nothing more.
"Stay close, Love," he said to her, grinning that toothy smile she'd grown so accustomed to over the last few days. "Take care of ya, I will."
She wasn't going to bother to tell him she could take care of herself. Right now, she was busy holding off the swarm. Gods! They just kept coming. Sango hadn't even known there were that many in the bar.
Beside her, Kurama and Touya were combining their efforts with shards of winter and what looked like Kurama's rose petals. Whatever they were doing was working, as they managed to fell entire groups of youkai quickly and efficiently. Still, they kept coming.
Honestly, this was getting ridiculous. She dodged swiftly, avoiding the wooden barstool aimed directly for her head and cringing just a bit when it smashed into a thousand pieces on the wall behind her. Damn, that could have been a serious migraine. She followed the object's point of origin with her eyes, and her gaze locked with some sort of elemental demon. Her focus sharpened as he hissed out a warning to her.
"You're mine, human," the ugly beast leered, eyes openly roaming the planes of her body despite the shinobi robe. He was imagining, anyway, and he didn't care to show it. "Do you know what we do with human girls in our territory?"
Sango didn't know, and she wasn't about to find out. The son of a bitch wanted a piece of her? Well, he was certainly about to get it. She took one looming step forward, eyes narrowed dangerously before she let out a yelp of pure surprise.
"Don't worry," he purred in the shell of her ear as he hoisted her up from the ground and over his shoulder. Damn, but he was quick. "I'll make sure you enjoy it. Until I eat you, anyway." He slipped a hand up into the folds of her robe, grazing over the softness of her thighs, and Sango drew a sharp breath at his nerve. "Mmm, yes. I'll rather enjoy you."
Like Hell. The demon slayer took her forearm straight across his throat, tearing into the flesh with her blade as though it were nothing more than butter. The demon gurgled and stumbled, blood spattering across the floor and painting the exterminator in a deep, sticky crimson as he fell. Perhaps she'd been too kind, she thought, disgusted as she disentangled herself from the demon's remains. He never even knew what hit him.
"You're all right, ya are, lass?" Jin inquired, pulling a smaller youkai off his back as he sent another sailing with a vicious right hook. Beside them, Kirara pawed at yet another like a cat toy. Gods, but they were everywhere! "A wee bit covered up, I was."
She shook her head, breathless but prepared to take on the next, though she never got the chance.
"Hiei!" Kurama cried over the cracking of his whip. "Now!"
The fire apparition nodded once in acknowledgment, sheathing his blade with a grunt. Before she could even process the situation, he was dragging the demon slayer by her wrist as fast as her human feet would carry her through the back exit.
"Hiei!" she snapped, indignant as she planted her heels in the ground just outside the entrance. It made little difference, he drug her anyway. "What the hell are you doing?"
He turned, eyes blazing beneath the cowl of the robe. "They'll keep coming so long as you're in there," he intoned, yanking the hood back over her head. "Word travels quickly in the demon city, I can assure you."
"But—"
"They'll catch up," he responded, anticipating her question. "Let's go."
She wasn't at all satisfied with the answer. Stubbornly, she began to struggle against him, wriggling like a worm on a hook to free herself. "Wait," she argued through clenched teeth. "There's—"
"No reason we should still be standing here?" he finished irritably. "I agree." The fire apparition exhaled in impatience, hauling the girl up over his shoulder as he took off down the alley. He didn't have time for this.
"Put me down, you ass!" she shouted, thumping him on the back with her tiny fist. Honestly, why did they always think they could just manhandle her like that?!
"Quiet, fool," he growled, frustrated. As if he wouldn't rather be in there fighting than lugging her around. Seriously. "You'll bring every demon in Akuma like that."
Sango fumed. He had a point, whether she liked it or not. She ceased her squirming, crossing her arms to support herself over his shoulder with a huff. "Fine," she grumbled, turning just enough to get a side view of the fire apparition's face. "You know you could go ahead and put me down. I'll come peacefully."
He cast a skeptical glance in her direction, and Sango could have sworn she saw the beginnings of that trademark, condescending smirk settle on his lips.
Naturally, her request was ignored.
Of all the humans he'd ever known, she was one of the very, very few that had ever managed to surprise him. Yusuke and his own human mother had been the other two, not that Kurama was counting. But there she was, sitting quietly in the floor of Chu's den, cleaning her blades with smooth precision and not so much as a dirty look when he returned. He'd expected her to be angry, and truthfully, he wouldn't have blamed her, but she simply nodded in quiet acknowledgment as he and Touya entered the room, the last to make it to the rendezvous.
Interesting. That was twice now—not that Kurama was counting.
He looked to the girl's bare feet and noticed the blood seeping around the ankle of her leggings. Kurama drew his brow in concern.
"You're hurt," he stated quietly, squatting next to her in the floor though he couldn't testify to the cleanliness of Chu's abode and questioned the wisdom of such a decision.
"I'm not bleeding to death, and I haven't been poisoned," she replied distractedly, bringing the hilt of her wakizashi to meet her eye and examining down the length of the blade. "So, it can wait. The weapons come first."
Sango ignored the deep, throaty chuckle from above them. "A girl after me own heart, there love," Chu said, smiling. He flopped down onto the ugly, lime green couch in the middle of the room and cracked open the bottle of firewater he'd pilfered from the bartender as they made their escape.
"There's a shower right through those doors, Sheila," the demon continued, taking a healthy swig and relishing in the warmth that settled into his stomach. "You're welcome to clean up a bit when you get done."
It wasn't a bad idea, Kurama thought. Aside from the spray of blood smeared down her neck and tangled in her hair, she needed to clean the wound on her leg before it began to clot too badly.
Besides, he thought, glancing over their party of miscreant soldiers and noticing she wasn't alone in her state of disarray, they could all use a good shower.
A not-quite smile settled on the demon slayer's lips. "I suppose I could use it," she said as she finished her ministrations and set her last blade carefully with the others. Neatly, she folded the polishing cloth and set it, too, aside. "Thank you."
She stood, hissing at the additional pressure on her injured leg, and Kurama couldn't help but wonder just how she was making it at all. It had only been a matter of days since she was laid out at death's door in Genkai's temple. She shouldn't have been able to travel as well as she had, though he supposed her body was used to such abuses. Still, it amazed him, the power of human resolve.
Sango limped slightly as she made her way to her pack and rummaged around for the toiletries Kagome had given her. She startled when a fuzzy pink towel and robe thrust into her line of sight, and she looked up to find Jin grinning down at her.
"Ere ya go, lass," he said. "Found 'em in ol' Chu's closet, I did. Tho' methinks it a wee bit girly for him, I do."
The demon in question nearly choked on his drink. "Who the hell told you to just go diggin' around in me stuff?" Chu sputtered. "Not that it's any of your business anywho, mate, but Koto left 'em here."
Jin laughed, ears wiggling. "The announcer girl that wouldn'a give ya the time o' day? Oh, I bet she did, boy-o!
Sango slipped away, and Hiei let out a long-suffering sigh as Chu took a half-hearted swing at the wind master, failing miserably. He flopped back on the couch, a little too drunk to pursue the matter, and Hiei rolled his eyes impatiently.
"I have my doubts we're going to find any information of interest from this fool," the fire apparition said irritably.
"Information's a two-way street, mate," Chu spoke, suddenly very serious. "You blokes tell me how you ended up with a human girl in Makai, and maybe then I'll be a little more likely to start sharing."
The demon slayer made a face of discomfort as she peeled the leg of her uniform away from the deep, angry gashes along her calf muscle. Damn, she thought holding up the tattered remnant of her pant leg with a frown. She'd just gotten that.
A gift from Koenma, as it were. There hadn't been much left of her own battle-wear, and while she preferred the comfort of her own skin, the armor spirit world bestowed upon her was a suitable replacement. Naturally, her tribe's ornamentation and insignia were absent, but all in all, it was rather close in appearance, and Sango decided she couldn't have done any better if she'd had to fashion one herself.
She'd have to sew this one up now. Gods, but she hated to sew.
The exterminator eased out of the last of her clothing and stepped into the shower. Now, she thought, studying the nozzle with some caution, if she could just remember how this went. It couldn't be much different than the one they showed her at Genkai's. If she moved it to the left, the water should be warm. If she moved it just a little to the right, the water should be—
"Cold!" she shrieked as the spray of ice hit her back in a frigid gale. The exterminator hopped around like a wounded pup, fussing with the knob and showerhead until finally, mercifully, the water transitioned to a tolerable temperature. Kami, but she hated this modern age crap!
"Ya alright, girl?" came the familiar, if muffled, Irish lilt from the other side of the door. "Heards a bit of a squeak, I did."
She did not squeak, Sango thought irritably, flushing slightly as she realized they'd heard her. "I'm fine," she called over the thundering spray in her ears. She had to admit, it might be a pain in the ass, but this shower business was quicker and easier than piddling around in the hot springs all day. "I just had a bit of trouble getting the shower started."
"Well now," the demon's voice cleared noticeably, and Sango peered around the curtain to find Jin with his head poked through the door. "Glad to be helpin' ya with it, I would," he offered, ears wiggling and blue eyes dancing with merriment. "Matter o' fact, Love, I could use a shower m'self. Be sharin' we could, couldn't we just? Like killin' two birds with one stone, says I."
Jin had just enough time to get the door closed before the sound of a heavy thwack rocked the wood from the other side, rattling the door on its hinges. "Just a suggestion, lass," the wind apparition chuckled, shaking his head in mirth as he made his return to the den.
"I'd watch it with that one, mate," Chu advised as he poured himself another drink. "She'll chew you up and spit ya out."
"Aye," the demon grinned wistfully, "but what a way ta go, lad. A right little spitfire, isn't she just? What I wouldn'a give ta get a piece a—"
"Hold your tongue, shinobi," the fire apparition growled from his place on the windowsill, drawing a number of surprised looks, none of which he bothered to return, though Touya, he noticed, was looking particularly smug. He sincerely hoped the over-confident bastard didn't think he'd forgotten about that little incident in the forest. Hiei was rather skilled in the art of torture, after all; he'd hate to lose practice. "The last thing we need is your hormones getting in the way of our objective. You're no good to us like that."
It was explanation enough to Jin and Chu, though Hiei didn't miss the question burning in Kurama's deep, emerald eyes, and Touya looked remarkably like the cat that had eaten the canary. Hn. Fools.
"Ah, it just be a bit o' fun, man," Jin remarked, unconcerned, as he snagged the bottle from Chu to pour a drink of his own. "Here," he said, replacing the cap and tossing it to Hiei. "Ya ought have a drink, boy-o.
"Wee bugger's pinched up tight as a well-digger's ass," he muttered quietly to the blue-haired demon beside him, though Hiei had no trouble hearing.
He rolled his eyes in annoyance but accepted the drink, letting the warmth of it seep into his belly, easing the tension in his muscles. He tossed it back, satisfied with his fill. Too bad he couldn't say the same for Chu.
The gin blossom had already set in force on his nose, and the apparition choked down another healthy swig, belching as he finished. "So you mean to tell me that at least a part of the Shikon Jewel is here, in Makai? And these…specialists Koenma's got lookin' for it—she's one of 'em?" he asked Kurama, resuming their previous conversation.
"She is," the fox replied carefully. He didn't want to give away too much of their information, especially since he, himself, had acquired most of it second-hand. In truth, the demon slayer had told him nothing of herself or the past she'd come from. Anything he knew about their strange little group was obtained from Miroku and their negotiations with Koenma. In his own mind he'd drawn some conclusions, of course, and he was reasonably certain they were correct; however, Kurama could only speculate on the reasons each party was involved, or how.
Not to mention the fact that he wasn't about to offer up any more about the Shikon Jewel than he just had to.
The demon looked pensive, brow drawn in concentration as he thought aloud. "Always thought it never existed," Chu mumbled, rubbing his chin. "Hm. Wonder if that's what's got the mezzies all worked up, lately…"
"How long ago, mate?" Chu redirected to Kurama, once again.
"Koenma brought the matter to our attention one week ago."
The demon looked troubled, and Kurama set him under the weight of his piercing green gaze, making Chu slightly uncomfortable despite his natural disposition to not give a damn. He shrugged, inching up in his seat to sit a little straighter.
"Just doesn't make sense, is all," Chu explained, his tone grave. "Akuma's been stark-ravin' mad the last couple a months. Not just the standard breed of crazy, either."
"It's been setting in all over the demon world, for far longer than rumor of the Shikon Jewel," Touya chimed in. "Even the most primitive youkai are restless and venturing from their own territories. Many of the packs in the eastern provinces are starving from what I understand."
"Aye lad," the wind master agreed. "It be a foul smellin' air driftin' through the demon lands. Can feel it in the winds, like a plague."
Anyone else would have missed it, but Hiei could see the pensive undercurrent in the shine of the kitsune's eyes. It belied the carefully neutral expression written in the lines of his face, and he knew their thoughts were the same.
'Rather convenient to have spirit world forces divided in the midst of things,' the fire apparition thought darkly, his mind brushing the surface Kurama's own thought.
'Indeed.'
The soft click of the bathroom door ceased any further conversation on the matter, and for a moment, Hiei thought someone was going to have to restrain Jin. The demon slayer emerged wrapped in the fluffy pink robe, hair spun up in the towel the wind apparition had given her. The soft folds of fabric parted ever so slightly as she stepped, revealing the slightest glimpse of skin above the knee and the slope of her inner thigh, though the girl was in no way indecent.
One would never know it by the look on the wind master's face. Disgusting really, the way he ogled her. Hiei clamped down on the annoyance he felt bubble up in his throat. Whatever; it wasn't his business. So long as the wind master stayed out of his way and made himself useful, he didn't give a damn what kind of fool he made himself with the girl. Really.
Sango sighed as she eased into the oversized papa-san at the edge of the den, nearest the front entrance, careful not to cross her legs over the newly wound gauze and medical tape along her calf.
"I'm finished if anyone else needs to wash up," she said, unwinding the coil of her damp hair from the towel.
Kurama stood, glancing at the others out of the corner of his eye. "If no one else minds…"
"Have at it, mate," Chu spoke, speech slurring a bit more than it had just a few minutes before. The demon poured himself another, handing the bottle to Jin as he finished. "We gots plenty here to keep us busy."
That's what Kurama worried about. He turned, rifling through his pack for a change of clothing. Finding all he needed, the fox slipped out of the room, catching Hiei's eye with clear intention as he did.
He got the message loud and clear. Make certain they behave.
That might be easier said than done, he realized. The exterminator had her legs drawn up to rest on the edge of the circular chair, raking her fingers through the long, dark tresses hanging about her shoulders. It was harmless enough, but Jin was having difficult time focusing on anything but the girl.
Human though she was, Hiei could understand. There was something softer about her, there—something almost…
The fire apparition blanched, refusing to follow the thought to its conclusion. Gods, he'd been around these idiots too long; he was starting to think like them.
"A drink for ya, lass?" the wind master asked, politely extending her the bottle with a smile. "Take a bit o' the edge off the day, it will."
"I'm not certain that's wise," Touya interjected. "You don't know what demon alcohol will do to a human body."
"Ah, a little won't hurt none, says I," Jin replied, brushing him off.
"It's okay," the girl replied, stroking the sleeping kitten at her side behind the ears. "I wouldn't care for any, thank you."
"Probably for the best, Love," Chu said, snagging the bottle back from Jin. His deep blue eyes stood out in stark contrast from the thin, aqua markings across his nose, and he hiccupped as he spoke. "Doubt you could handle it, anyway."
Sango tensed up from head to toe, and cocked an interrogative brow in his direction. "What is that supposed to mean?" she asked stiffly.
Her pride caught him off guard, and the demon tripped over himself in his response. "I meant no offense, Sheila," he slurred, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "It's just, you're such a lil' thing…"
Chu trailed off as she set him under the weight of her steely-eyed glare. "What I meant to say was…"
Sango stood and held out her hand in demand. The demon made no attempt to keep it from her, and he watched in awe as she snatched the bottle and turned it up, not bothering to get a glass as she gulped down enough firewater to wipe any of them, with the exception of perhaps himself, out.
Hiei could already feel the headache coming on.
Shippou sighed, watching lightning roll across the cloudscape, an electric symphony in the ruddy vapor of evening. It was raining, as it always seemed to be since their arrival in Spirit World, and he glanced over his shoulder from the edge of the cavernous dip they found as shelter in the mountainside. The fire was still going, thankfully. Most of the wood they could find was soaked, and the kitsune wasn't certain he could get one going again should this one die out.
He might not mind so much, but she needed to stay warm.
He eyed the sleeping reaper with curiosity. She'd been quiet most of the day, incapable of little more than sobs and brief smatterings of incoherent babble. Even now, she was fitful, whimpering in her unconsciousness as she rolled into a ball, buried in Kuwabara's side.
He was awake, the fox could tell, though his eyes were closed. "You need a break?" Shippou whispered. "I don't care to lay with her."
"I'm fine," he spoke softly, not bothering to open his eyes. "Don't worry about it."
"Don't give me that crap, Kuwabara," Shippou replied. "Get up and get something to eat. Stretch out. She'll be fine."
His lids fluttered open, and Shippou knew it had been the wrong choice of words. No matter what happened from this point, Botan wasn't going to be fine and they both knew it. The fact that she had emerged from the catatonic void was miracle enough in itself.
Still, Kuwabara didn't take it to heart. He sighed, gently slipping his arm from behind the reaper's head and sitting upright. "I could stand to use the restroom," he whispered, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I've been about to piss myself for the last hour."
The boy excused himself from the immediate vicinity, and Shippou chuckled, shaking his head. Something else, that one was. He eased his way to the ground, wrapping the warmth of his energy carefully around the girl as he slipped his arm beneath her head in a makeshift pillow.
"She was right, you know," came the deep, throaty voice from the shadows. The monk stepped forward to the edge of the cave, letting the sky cast fire along his features, the dark blue of his eyes gleaming in its embers. "We don't belong here."
The fox quirked a brow in inquisition but said nothing.
"I can feel it," the monk husked, staring out into the night. "Look at this place, Shippou. The storms, the beasts, the perpetual unrest…we're doing this. We're tearing Spirit World apart."
"How can you be so sure?" he asked, cold creeping into the pit of his stomach.
"Because Spirit World is tearing us apart." Miroku turned, his gaze ominous in the sky as it thundered around him, erupting in showers of blue spark.
He'd never be able to say how or why, but in that moment, Shippou knew. Sooner or later, he would have to kill him.
The fox swallowed past the desert in his throat. "I don't follow," he replied distractedly, unconsciously drawing Botan further into his embrace.
"Don't lie," the monk intoned. "The kazaana is closing."
There it was, dropped into his lap like an atom bomb, and Shippou gaped like a landed trout. "Wha…but…how…?"
"It's smaller," he said, suddenly very tired. The holy man flexed his delinquent hand, studying the cloth-covered palm beneath the beads. "I wasn't certain at first, but I can feel it now. The wind tunnel is closing, but the hollow still spreads.
"Here," Miroku added, drawing his hand to rest on his heart. "It's eating away at my soul."
Shippou swallowed hard. "We can return to the living world."
"No we can't," the houshi said, resigned to whatever fate would befall. "Someone has to do it; the others are not so well equipped." He sighed, rubbing his temples as he went to rest again, in the shadows, as though the words were never spoken. "Things are going to be different soon, Shippou. Very different."
Shizuru paused as she swept the pile of hair from the floor to light a cigarette. Her 10:15 would be here soon and she wanted to get another in beforehand. She stooped, brushing the pile into a dustpan before dropping it into the trash, making a face as she pulled a clump off her own clothing.
Oh well. It wasn't the most glamorous job, but it helped pay the bills.
She sighed, dropping her combs in Marvecide to sterilize them, as she reset her area and fluffed out her capes. She had so many things she'd really rather be doing right now. Not that she just hated her job or anything; she actually liked cutting hair, and even the really bitchy customers she could usually deal with.
Right now, she just had more important things on her mind—like her brother. Oh, and there was that whole impending apocalypse Shizuru was about 99 percent sure was coming. She scowled, snuffing out her smoke and lighting another. Really, this spirit awareness bullshit was more trouble than it was worth. If she had her choice in the matter, she'd rather just not know. Ignorance, as they say after all, is bliss.
The tiny bell above the door jangled obnoxiously, and Shizuru put out her cigarette. 10:15, right on time.
"Have a seat, kid," Shizuru said, gesturing to her chair and pulling a cape down from the hook on the wall she kept them on. "We doing the same thing as usual?"
"I think I might like just a little more body up top," the girl responded, flopping down into the chair and holding the hair up around her neck for Shizuru to clasp the cape and spread it over her lap. Shizuru turned slightly to allow another girl access to the vacant chair at her left. A friend, she assumed. Seemed like they were together the last time they came in, too.
They chattered happily as Shizuru set to work with her spritzer. She inhaled slowly, thankful that at least they weren't talking to her. She could handle most of the gossip that came through this place so long as she didn't have to take part in it.
"No way," the girl to her left gasped. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," her appointment replied. "I talked to her myself."
Shizuru resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she started snipping. No telling who Johnny Football star and the Homecoming Queen were in love with this week.
"When?" the girl asked, leaning forward.
"Wednesday," the appointment—Shizuru could never remember her name…Yuki, Yumi…something like that—replied. "At that little market. My brother's got that new place down on Fuyushi Avenue. I went to visit, and like usual, he had nothing in the entire house to eat."
"Well, what are you going to do?" the friend inquired, curious.
The girl sighed and shrugged, making Shizuru wish she'd quit squirming. She readjusted her scissors, only slightly entertaining the notion to cut a chunk out of her hair to teach the girl a lesson.
"I don't know," the girl exhaled heavily. "I'm just not sure how to handle this. What do you think I should do?"
"Beats me," the other girl shrugged. "I just don't get why she'd ask this of you."
"Oh, I haven't even told you the best part yet, Ayumi," she sniffed sarcastically. "She was with Yusuke Urameshi."
Shizuru went completely still, mid-snip.
"You're kidding!" Ayumi exclaimed. "That delinquent from Sarayashiki?"
"The very same."
Shizuru quirked a brow and quietly resumed her work, listening carefully. Maybe the gossip in this place was worthwhile, after all.
A/N: So, I may be totally off base here, but I was thinking I read somewhere once that Shizuru is a hairdresser. It seemed feasible enough, so I went with it. Hope you guys enjoyed! Peace.