7
Siera found herself tapping her pencil on her desk as she stared out the window. The teacher went on about algebraic equations and how to properly solve them but her mind wasn't on math but more on the events that had happened weeks prior, they had all fought hard and Yusuke was victorious. The human world was safe, and she made new friends so things could now go back to normal. But then, they really couldn't go back to normal, not after a feat like that.
"What do you mean? Why can't I help you guys I've proven that I can be useful!"
"This is dangerous, this kind of work is no place for you. I want you to go back to school and pretend you never knew of this."
"And just what are you going to do?! Keep fighting for the greater good while Shiori thinks you're doing chemistry labs?! I supposed I'm supposed to keep covering for you too!"
"I never asked you to do that."
"Friends don't have to ask for things like that, and they don't brush them aside so that they can live their secret life in peace!"
"That isn't what this is about!"
"Then tell me what it is about?!" Kurama looked at her before taking a breath.
"I want you safe, I want you to study and get into a good school."
"Did we forget that we agreed on an A- to B+ average? Too high on the charts and they will want to move me up, or at the very least call my dead parents to congratulate them on having such a smart child? There they will find the truth and have me taken into protective services with people I don't know? Wasn't the plan to coast on the border until high school when I can legally emancipate myself and not have to worry about it? Because if I had the chance, I can make top marks just like you and Kaito so don't patronize me by saying you want me to study!" He chuckled, too wickedly smart for her own good. She always had been, and he liked that about her, the fact that she wanted to do her absolute best and couldn't insulted her. But she was right, they had to stick to the plan for now, just a couple more years and she could be free.
"On that subject the teachers are starting to notice your scores, they have all been 91% exactly on all of your subjects, no more no less you have to change it up."
"Oh sorry, I'll make sure to leave out some more commas on my book reports and pretend I don't know the difference between an artery and a femur for my next biology quiz, anything else, or should I tank gym next too, maybe I can forget how to use a jump rope!"
"Ha, no I believe the former would suffice." Damn him and that smirk, she couldn't stay angry at him when he looked at her that way. She knew he was putting her safety first but it wasn't fair, why couldn't she help? Why couldn't she be of use, there had to be more to her life than simply living under the radar, waiting until she was old enough to be alone and smiling as people insult her intelligence because she had to literally play dumb.
It wasn't that her classmates saw her as stupid but that hey enjoy the moments she can act the part. True she would explain an answer totally wrong on purpose but sound so sure in doing so that the class could erupt with laughter and then there were other days when they expect just that and even the teacher is blown away and made to look like the fool. She believed that they enjoyed the set-up, 'what will she say today?' They would ask themselves as she stares bored out the window. 'Will she be the fool or the instructor?' But to their disappointment she wasn't there for their enjoyment and she had no desire to be so for the simple fact that she secretly despised them. They take their simple lives for granted; they had parents to love them. They didn't have to learn how to take care of themselves, to pay bills and live under the radar. They don't have to lie to their best friend's mother various nights per week about the good meal her mother is cooking and why she can't stay and eat theirs while in reality the only thing she eats that night is anger and resentment.
"Listen to me, in case of an extended absence, Korrin had left this for you. In this vault is 17.2 million yen, this is for your daily expenses until you come of age to make your own money. This will cover your living expenses, food, clothing and health needs for the next ten years. You are to let no one know you have this, don't bring anyone to this location, you are to come here the same time each month to only gather your monthly needs no more and always take the route I marked for you to ensure you aren't followed.".
"I understand." Zoie brought her to the vault just days after the incident; just like that she had to learn to care for herself while the other girls complained that they had to go to bed at certain time and didn't get the right hairclip to match an outfit. What simplistic twits
"Miss Mitsiku, can you tell us how to solve this or is there something much more interesting outside?" The class giggled, and the many things she wanted to say to all of them ran through her head.
"To be honest Mr. Nakamura the blossoms on the trees are much prettier than the numbers on your board but I will try my best to keep my attention on your bland equation." Her quip was met with the theatrical oohs. Reel it back girl going to the principal gets you a call home.
"Solve the equation! 2(x²+10) = 9x +16. Solve for x" She walked up the board taking the chalk from his hand.
"First you have to simplify the statement by completing what is in the parentheses making the equation 2x²+20=9x+16. You will then subtract 9x+16 from both sides of the equation making it 2x²-9x+4.=0. You then factor the left side (2x-1) (x-4) =0. Once you complete your factoring, you will either get x as ½ or x as 4." She handed Mr. Nakamura back the chalk as she took her seat and the students whispered amongst themselves as he checked her work over and over.
"Very well done Miss Mitsiku, I will do my best not to bore you further. You know that is the honor roll material I've seen in you all along; with another student with high marks you can boost our schools test scores greatly. I just wish you would take such an opportunity seriously." Well shit, I laid it on too thick, guess I have to tank the next test to even it out. Something caught her attention out the window and she could have sworn she saw Hiei flit by, if she had blinked she would have missed him.
"May I be excused; I have to use the ladies room."
"Well yes, but hurry back!" She ran from the room before he could finish the sentence she was down the street as fast as her legs could take her but she was no match for Hiei's speed. She had stop short before turning a corner to avoid being seen by him as he spoke with Yusuke. Something wasn't right, maybe it was another case! She knew she could be of some help, they just had to give her a chance. But she wondered how cross Kurama would be if he found she went against his wishes.
"You know you are my best friend right?"
"Yeah…"
"So I ask you not to join anymore of Yusuke's cases, they are dangerous and I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you."
"Sure, I guess so." He gently grabbed her arm and turned her to look at him a slight glint in his eye. Was he trying to turn on the charm? That worked with the teachers and most certainly the other girls but not her. Then he pulled out the dreaded pinkie.
"Promise me."
"We haven't done one of those in years!" she grimaced.
"Then you should take it all the more serious." As much as she hated it she pinkie promised not to join anymore of Yusuke's cases, and their pinkie promises were sacred. However he didn't make her promise not to sneak the info and go rogue. She waited a while before walking by Kuwabara's house and it just so happened they were rushing outside.
"Kuwabara, what is going on?!" He played it for her mind like an old projector, a beautiful ice maiden was being held hostage by some greedy scumbag and his gangsters as they made her cry for her tears. And he was going to rescue her and make her his, she found it sort of cute that he would give his life for a girl he hadn't met, made her think this world wasn't such a rip off after all.
"Oh hey Siera, we got some important business to take care of we'll talk later! Hold on my love!" He ran down the street as she turned to Yusuke and Botan.
"Another case Yusuke?"
"Afraid so."
"Could you use some help?"
"You know what I could, you haven't seen Kurama around have you?" Well that stung.
"Actually no, he wasn't in school today. To be honest I thought he was with you."
"Well if you see him, could you tell him I'm looking for him?"
"Sure thing…" See he doesn't need her, she didn't need to join him anyway; but that wasn't going to stop her from going on her own venture.
"And just why in the hell are you not in school?!"
"Zoie, there's another case and-"
"Last I heard you were done with that."
"What are you going to do snitch on me, whose guardian are you?'
"I'm yours, and my job is to protect you not let you skip school and run off gallivanting who knows where to rescue Hiei's sister." And just like that he knew he said too much.
"That girl is Hiei's sister?" The smile widened as Zoie could do nothing but sigh.
"I promised no to join Yusuke, I didn't promise I wouldn't do my own investigation. And besides, would only be right to help out a friend in need, especially if she is family of a friend."
"You mean a not enemy?"
"Come on, I finally feel my life is going somewhere is way, I want to help, please?" she tweaked his ears lovingly as she layered on her 'pleases'
"Oh…geez okay already! But I swear if I have to chew through a veggie monster again I'm kicking your ass!"
"You needed the fiber, you're getting a little pudgy anyway!"
"I'm not fat, I'm just fluffy, I haven't shed my winter coat yet."
"You haven't shed your winter coat in years!" They took off in a different direction so not to be found out; for the first time in her life she felt that she was doing something for herself because she wanted to not because someone said it was for her own good; and she wasn't about to give it up now.