Hiei sought with all of his might to destroy the image in front of him. How vile and useless. He hated wearing a tie.
"I cannot fathom how this makes me a more effective employee." He muttered bitterly to himself. Kurama peeked around the corner of the bathroom door.
"You don't have to do that, Hiei. Not today."
Hiei perked up. "How so?"
"It's a dressdown day. Sherrie saw the sign taped on our register. We get to wear street clothes." Kurama smiled, buttoning up his silky pink shirt. Hiei gave him an amused look. Kurama didn't understand why his partner had been laughing at him since the first day, but figured he'd let him in on the joke sooner or later. He wiggled around in his jeans a bit as he watched Hiei strip off the black suit and hop across their room to find something suitable. He's so cute. If only he knew how adorable he is… he'd probably use it as a weapon.
"Anything?" Hiei asked.
"You should probably leave the sword here. Just be presentable." Kurama laughed, knowing that was what Hiei was thinking. He felt naked without a weapon, too, but had managed to hide a rose or two in his hair. It would only take a second to produce a whip if he needed it, and Hiei always had his fire.
He must really trust me. Kurama mused as Hiei hopped around trying to get his black jeans on. I don't think he'd ever let the others seen him without clothes. Unless he lost them in battle.
"Nice choice. Red looks good on you." Kurama grabbed his swipe card and tied his sneakers. Hiei shrugged and looked nonchalantly at his shirt.
"Yukina picked it out. You know she and Botan packed these clothes. Except maybe yours." He raised a brow at his partner. It is no wonder that Sally thinks of him so. Though I do not think anyone in Japan ever made the mistake. Or the Makai… hopefully this will work to our advantage.
Kurama grinned. "Can I help it if I have a devastating fashion sense?"
"Hn."
"Let's go, guys!" Yusuke yelled. "We're gonna be late!"
Hiei follow Kurama out of the apartment and fell in step with the other guys.
"Any leads, guys?" Yusuke asked slamming the door and taking the lead. The Sears Senshi hadn't shown up at their store since their first day, but they boys had all heard reports of them appearing in other Sears location, as per usual, out of nowhere.
"Not really." Kurama said nonchalantly. "I haven't noticed any special powers in the other girls in my department."
"How about Sherrie? She seems pretty special."
Kurama chuckled. "Especially happy. I don't think she's a Senshi though."
"Never hurts to check it out. Have you 'eyed' anyone, Hiei?" Yusuke continued.
"Hn. A few people. Nothing has come up."
Yusuke sighed. He couldn't imagine how this investigation could be going any slower. Usually they were fighting the bad guys by the second day.
They approached the store and Yusuke and Kuwabara nodded amiably to their co-workers passing by.
"Let's pretend that these Senshi have a means to trick Hiei's jagan." Kurama proposed softly. Hiei sniffed and looked away. He'd suggested the idea to the fox demon only the night before. It wasn't an impossible idea. But he didn't like it. "It could be anyone. They wouldn't even necessarily be girls."
Kuwabara paled. "Those could be guys??"
"I'm just making the point. We don't know anything. Anything is possible."
"So keep an open mind." Hiei concluded flatly as he hopped up to swipe his card. Yusuke turned his head quickly so that Hiei wouldn't see his grin.
Poor little, Hiei. They don't make clock-in stations for you!
"Do all of you guys work today?" Came an innocent voice over the racks of towels. They had to pass by Kuwabara's department to get anywhere.
"Not all of us, Rae." Kuwabara called. "We just walk together."
They turned the corner to meet the smiling girls. Raederle leaned over the counter to shake their hands. Kuwabara snorted, suddenly realizing by the raising of Hiei's eyebrows why those guys in the Men's Department called her 'Flash'. He could see right down her pretty green shirt. I wonder if she has black underwear to match.
"I haven't met you yet. You're Kurama, right?"
Kurama shook her hand and flushed a bit. How could she know?
"No, that's Shuiichi, you dork. The one Sally just hired. Where in the world did you get Kurama? " Sarah exasperated. "Forgive her, it's all that English major stuff. Makes your mind go. "
"No problem." Kurama said, laughing it off. Raederle frowned a little and cocked her head.
"Must have read it somewhere. I'm not so good with faces and names."
"And numbers and directions. I think Kurama was the bird lady from Urusei Yatsura." Sarah punched her lightly on the arm as Rae pulled a face at her.
"Urusei..." Kuwarbara repeated softly, not sure whether or not they were being insulted.
"Now the black haired guy I haven't heard of." Sarah continued.
"Sure you have." Rae said proudly. "He's Jonathan's new pet peeve."
"Oh, yeah. Good job." She winked. "What's your name?"
"Hiei."
"Well, I'm Sarah and this is Rae..." She turned her head and motioned two other girls over. "And that one with the blue hair is Raederle's roommate, Bellezabble, but we call her Blue."
They waved and the darker smaller girl nodded to them. "I"m Mia. I work in the Hub office. And... if anyone asks, you don't know who made the signs about the dressdown day."
"You didn't!" Raederle said with surprise. Mia's brown eyes flew upward in innocence. "You did! I can't believe you actually did that. Kewl."
"What's going on?" Kuwabara said, looked back and for at the girls. Sarah patted his shoulder.
"The managers didn't decide this, Kuwa chan. She made the signs and put 'em on the registers... And I can't believe you did that."
"I helped." Blue laughed. "We'll give Jonathan a heart attack this year, I swear."
"A worthy goal." Sarah and Rae said in unison.
"Hn." Hiei sniffed in approval.
Belle winked at the boys and blew a kiss. "See you around."
Hiei frowned and moved quickly away from the group. He could feel Raederle's eyes following him, even as he knew he was out of her line of sight.
Strange girl. Hiei pulled back his ward to get a good look at the girls. Hn. I can't even get an aura. Must be brickheads, to coin a phrase.
He pulled his ward back into place and headed for his department.
Kurama flushed indignantly as another old human grabbed his rear. What I wouldn't give to show him my rose...
"Can I help you with something, sir?" Kurama asked sharply of the man who was grinning at him and drooling a bit. I thought I was supposed to wait on girls! Not perverted old men! Homosexuality is certainly common in America. To an absurd extreme. No wonder Sailor Sears was angry, if they all act this foolish.
"I was hoping to purchase some nice lingerie for my niece." The man crooned. He was eyeing Kurama's chest, and the poor youkai was aghast at this man's behavior. "Perhaps you could show me something in your taste. I bet she'd like it, too."
"Well, sir, if you'd go over to the Lingerie Department, I'm sure they could help you find something." Kurama felt a large sweatbubble beside his head. I'm not modeling girl's underwear for you, old man. I don't care if you give me a bad PSE.
"Oh, you know as much as them, surely. Give it a try, sweetheart."
"Excuse me." A loud brash voice came from behind him, and Kurama turned swiftly to see Bellezabble standing there with her arms crossed and her eyebrows askew. "Sir, if you'd like to see some lingerie, I'd suggest you go to that department. We need Shuiichi to be working here."
"Uh... hum. Yes. Thank you very much." The elderly man scuttled off, in the direction of the exit rather than the Lingerie Department.
"Damn freak. I bet if they got some cameras in here they'd leave us alone." Belle sniffed disdainfully. "Sweetheart! How awful."
"Thank you." Kurama smiled up at her. She was rather tall, just a bit taller than himself. She put her hand on his shoulder lightly.
"Have you had your break yet?"
"No, I was waiting on Hiei." Kurama reached down and began a valiant attempt of straightening the clothes. Blue shrugged. She ran a hand through her cropped, ever messy locks, tossing them backwards easily.
"He should be over here soon. Mind if I join?"
"I don't see-"
Kurama was cut off by Hiei's sudden appearance.
Be more careful, Hiei. Kurama looked to Bellezabble to see if she'd noticed anything, but she didn't seem phased in the least by the blur that was Hiei.
"Ready." Hiei demanded. He looked skeptically up at the towering Blue.
"I have to swipe out first." Kurama apologized, walking over and tapping Sherrie on the shoulder. She blushed as she saw Belle and nodded for him to vacate.
"Done." Hiei said as he once again blurred back into the department. He'd swiped the fox's swipe card! Kurama frowned, and looked again to see if either of the girls had noticed. Sherrie was waiting on a particularly annoy woman who they were sure had been in there the other day shoplifting. Belle was grinning at Hiei.
"It's good to take things into your own hands, ne?" She smiled broadly. "C'mon. Let's get away from this hell pit for a while."
Hiei and Kurama exchanged a questioning glance as the three took stride and fled the evil retail store in search of a cheap lunch.
"So how are you guys liking Sears?" Blue asked, shoving her hands in her pockets. Kurama noted her clothing warily. She works over in Hardlines. I haven't seen many young women over there. How old can she be? Nineteen maybe?
"We're not." Hiei said shortly. Belle looked at him expressionlessly for a moment, then grinned deviously.
"Of course, nobody would work there if they didn't have to." Belle agreed leaning her the backs of her elbows on the counter as they waited. "The work is hard, the customers are bratty, and the pay is laughable. But they have flexible hours, and that's all that matters to college kids."
"Are you in college, Blue?" Kurama asked, taking a place in line. The girl shook her head.
"Nah. I work here because Rae does. She's one of my roommates, and I make sure she doesn't get lost getting here."
"Certainly she can't be that hopeless." Kurama teased. Blue smiled and shook her head.
"We call her the Eternally Lost Girl. True, she can find her way to places she's been before, but forget about it if she hasn't. I remember one time she was on her way to a friend's house in another town. Ended up all the way to a different town in the opposite direction."
Kurama chuckled. Blue stepped up to the cashier. "What do you guys want? I'll pay."
"That's not necessary. We have money."
Belle waived her hands. "Forget about it. It's on me today. Call it a welcome lunch."
Kurama had a bad feeling, like Hiei was laughing at him again. He was really going to let the fire demon have it when they got home.
"Kurama will have a light chicken sandwich and a sweet tea. I'll have a spicy chicken sandwich and a chocolate milkshake." Hiei said, giving Kurama a low nudge. Belle winked at Hiei from over Kurama's head, and he wondered if this was just American insanity he was experiencing.
Kurama waited anxiously as they got their food and took a seat. Belle and Hiei both sipped away at their milkshakes giving Kurama odd looks. Distinctively different looks, but odd just the same.
"I swear, all the people in the Juniors Department are on diets." Blue complained. "You look fine, you know."
"Just trying to keep my girlish figure." Kurama laughed, trying to lighten the mood for himself. It apparently worked, because Hiei burst into laughter so hard, chocolate milk almost spurted out his nose.
"Have a napkin, hon." She grinned at Hiei. "Nonsense. It's girlish enough."
"I just like to keep in shape." Kurama replied. He was hoping to steer the conversation to a more productive topic for their search than his figure. "It's always good to be able to take care of yourself."
"Oh, goddess bless, yes." Blue agreed. "My girlfriends and I always practice moves together. You never know what kind of weirdo is waiting by your car, and they'll be opening the mall until eleven soon. In the Juniors department, you'll never get out of there until eleven thirty at least. It scares me when my friends are driving home that late. And you walk, don't you?"
"Yes. Me and my roommates all walk together."
"Well, at least you have three strong men protecting you."
"I can protect myself." Kurama said a bit miffed. Even among humans they underestimate me. There's no gang in this world that could even phase me despite this human form.
"Don't worry. I'll keep our little Shuiichi safe." Hiei said slyly catching his partner's eye mischievously. Kurama frowned and tried his best not to cuss at his partner in Japanese.
"Looks like Shuiichi doesn't want to be kept safe." Bellezabble mused. "Maybe you and I could keep each other safe, ne? Or would that bother you, Hiei?"
"Not at all. Shuiichi's all yours."
Hiei, you bitch. Kurama raised a brow at the two plotting against him. Belle had designs on him, he could tell. And Hiei knew he wasn't prepared to get involved with a human, who probably would be harmed by her relation to him. He sighed. "We'll see."
"A chance is good enough for me. It isn't often a person as beautiful as yourself shows up around here." Belle said gently, removing the former blatant arrogance from her voice as she cupped Kurama's chin and smiled. Her hand was cold as a sword on a snowy night, but her eyes more than compensated with warmth.
"A-arigato..." Kurama muttered before realizing what language he'd been using. At least I know her and her friends all work out. That's something.
Kurama rubbed his neck uncomfortably. "We should get back."
"I'll see you when you get off." Hiei grabbed the trays and disappeared. Kurama felt Bellezabble's affectionate stare on the back of his turned head. He narrowed his eyes and looked into hers.
"I'll walk you back to your department." She offered, lending a hand for him to get up. Kurama took it reluctantly.
"I think I'd like that."
"Aww." Koemna groaned, spinning around in his chair. "This mission is so borrrring!"
"What did you expect?" George asked as he slammed a huge pile of papers on his desk.
"Shuddup!"
"I'm sorry, m'am, but you'll have to take a gift card." Kurama explained calmly. For the third damn time. "Since you don't have your receipt, I can't give you cash or put it back on your Visa."
"I want to talk to a manager!" The portly blond woman demanded, slamming her palms on the counter. Kurama checked himself just before rolling his eyes. Sally wouldn't like this at all, but she'd at least be nice to the woman.
He picked up the phone and paged Sally. "Number 6 to Juniors. Number 6 to Juniors."
"Hey!" Came the immediate answer as soon as he picked up the ringing phone.
"Yeah, this is Shuiichi. I have a customer here who wants to return a few dresses, but she doesn't have her receipt, and she'd like to put it back on her Visa."
"Did you tell her about the gift card? You know I can't let her put it on the card?"
"I did."
"And she wants to see me?" Sally didn't sound surprised. "You think she stole it?"
"Maybe." Shuiichi said emotionlessly, turning his face from the customer for a moment. "What's alertX?"
"Oh, you took her phone number? Did it say that next to her name?"
"Both names."
"Oh my... I'll be right out."
Kurama looked at the screen dubiously. That woman already had two different names on here under alert from asset protection. And she was certainly too heavy to fit in those dresses. And no bag.
Sally came hustling around the corner. "Hi! What's the problem?"
Kurama briefly wanted to slam his head in the change drawer as he explained the situation for a fifth time.
"Oh, no m'am, I absolutely have to have proof of purchase to give you your money back. We can give you a gift card though? It works at every Sears for up to two years?"
"I paid for it on my damn card, and I don't appreciate this nonsense. I want it back on my card!" The woman spat at them. Sally scrunched her shoulders apologetically.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, but I can't do that without some sort of proof of purchase!"
"Well, I'll just take these then." The woman angrily grabbed the expensive, variously sized dresses and glared at them indignantly. "Me or my friend will never shop here again!"
She started to stalk away, but stopped midstride and swung back around and swept the Gift Card holder off the counter and across the floor.
"Stop right there, slimeball!"
Sally grabbed her chest in alarm and drew a sharp breath. With a wind blowing her short-cropped hair, a new suited girl stood defiantly in the path of the deviant shopper.
"You terrorize young sales associates, pretending to be the innocent victim! When you're really a dirty thief!" Her deep, strong voice echoed throughout the store. "Well, you're not going to get away with it, you shoplifting bitch!"
"You're the reason we can't trust our customers!" Another voice yelled. "You're the reason we have to raise prices."
"I am Sailor Hub!" The small-boned young black woman cried.
"And I'm Sailor fuckin Hardlines, and you're in so much trouble."
The black woman turned her head. "That's not the line, Hardlines."
Hardlines snorted. "Like I care."
"You skinny little tramps don't scare me." The portly woman stepped backward and suddenly swelled up like a balloon. "Wah ha ha!"
She lunged for Hardlines and smashed her into the wall. The blue haired Senshi squealed in disgust.
"Gross! Damn, get some Jenny Craig or something!"
Kurama pulled Sally behind the counter and contemplated helping the girls. Where's Hiei?
"Get offa me, you fat slut! I don't do fugly chicks!"
Hub hung her head. "You're so shallow, Hardlines!"
"Eeeech!"
The bloated beast continued to flatten Hardlines with her blubber, slowly suffocating the Senshi. Kurama decided enough was enough. Leaping over the counter, Kurama delivered a swift kick to the nasty woman and knocked her out of the way like an over inflated beach ball.
"Thanks!" Hardlines leaped up and planted a kiss on Kurama's cheek. "That was great. Now get out of the way, hon, before you get hurt."
"I'm on it! Time to pop this bitch like a balloon animal! A hippo!" Sailor Hardlines spun her arms around and ended up in a muscle flexing position. "Hardlines, Frooont Blocking!"
WHAMM!!!
Kurama and everyone else watching gaped in shock as a refrigerator slammed into the enemy. Deflated but still angry, the woman made another dash for Hardlines.
"Home Fashions Fluff and Fold!"
Sally fell over as the towels once again attacked the enemy.
"Sears! Home Fashions! You're here!" Hub exclaimed. Home Fashions cocked her head at her.
"Duh, like we couldn't hear this all the way across the mall."
"Sailor Sears! Attack her now!" Hardlines yelled. Sailor Sears fumed and stamped her foot.
"Okay, I know! You don't have to tell me every time. Sears Gorgeous Takedown!"
"Sexy..." The creature sputtered as it slowly returned to a somewhat normal looking human being.
"Why the hell do they say that?" Home Fashions demanded motioning in exasperation with her hands. Sears giggled as Hardlines struck a pose.
"They's just talking bout me!"
"Oh, my." Kurama said to himself. He turned around to see Hiei glaring at the girls. He turned his head to Kurama and shrugged. Still, nothing. And that's all of them.
"Oh, and thank Shuiichi here. That kick really saved my arse." The blue haired girl said beaming. Sears and Home Fashions looked him over.
"That's a cute one." Home Fashions noted. Sears bobbed her head in agreement.
"Thanks a lot for the help. See you around, ne?"
And all four girls disappeared.
"Shuiichi, dear." Sally said getting up and dusting herself off. "Why don't you take off? It's been a stressful day for everyone, and Darla comes in in a few minutes anyway."
"Thank you, Sally." Kurama gave her a little bow. Hiei had disappeared when he looked into the racks for him, so he decided to just go home and analyze what they'd already found.
Bellezabble... she's a very strong girl. Actually, so is Hardlines. I can't believe a human girl could withstand all that pressure for so long. She must be incredibly powerful. Hub hasn't used an attack yet, but if it's as strong as the others, this force could prove very useful to the Spirit World.
Kurama grabbed his coat and began to walk out the door.
"Shuiichi?" A deep voice called. He saw the smiling face of Belle looking down on him fondly. "You need some company home?"
She took one of his hands, and blew on it to warm it up. Her hands were still so cold, but inside she was warm. Her breath was sweet and smelled of vanilla.
"I'm alright. Sally let me off early, so I thought I'd go home and fix the boys some dinner."
"Still, mind if I join? It'll be dark by the time you get to your apartment." Belle creased her brow in worry. She wasn't about to let her pretty find get harmed so early in their relationship. Kurama smiled at her.
"If you wish."
"I wish." Bellezabble put her arm around Kurama's shoulder and began to heat him up.
"I really do like you, Shuiichi." She admitted after a few minutes. "I hope you don't mind that I'm a girl, saying this."
Kurama flushed. "Oh, I don't mind at all."
"I thought so. You're so honest, and sweet." They continued to walk along the cold streets. "I'd like to see you outside of work."
"Well... Blue..."
"I don't think Hiei's my competition, if I'm reading you right. You're just afraid to get close. I can take it slow, Shuiichi."
"Maybe that will be best." Kurama replied honestly. And maybe we'll be off this mission before I find myself in too deep with her. I think I could care about this girl... one weakness is enough.
"Then slow it is. How much farther?"
"Not far."
"You know, the other girls told me to forget about you. That I'd never get you this far."
"I can be elusive." Kurama said softly, feeling himself lean into her side. Like a Fox
"So can I. I'm not what I appear to be."
Not what she appears to be? Could she be a Sears Senshi?
"Here." They stopped in front of the apartment building.
Bellezabble cupped Kurama's face with both hands, and gave him a deep, sensual kiss. He felt the sent of vanilla pervade every sense, and leaned into the kiss hungrily. How long had it been since he'd been in an honest relationship? He could barely remember. Of course, this would have to end eventually, and she would have to forget she ever knew him, but for the time being... he could try...
Belle let go, both of them gasping for air.
"Shuiichi, I'll wait however long you want, but do you want to go out this Friday? We can go play pool with some friends, and maybe get some dinner, if it feels alright by then." She offered casually. Kurama put his hand to his head, thinking.
"Alright." Maybe I can figure out if she has special powers, not that I can fool myself into thinking I don't want to go for other reasons... an itch can only wait to be scratched for so long, and I won't be able to have any fun with Hiei while Yusuke and Kuwabara are living with us.
"I swear, you're so beautiful." Belle said as she walked away. "I'm so glad you're on our team."
"Team?" Kurama paused as he opened the front door.
"Yeah." She said bluntly. "Boys don't deserve a pretty girl like you."
Belle stuck her hands in her pockets and headed back to the store, presumably to meet up with her roommate.
"A pretty girl like you." Kurama breathed in shock. "Hiei's laughing... Sally's exclusion... those old men... they put me in Juniors."
Kurama stood for a moment with his mouth open, in a state of vulnerability at which he would cringe later. He could barely speak the words.
"Everyone here thinks I'm a girl!!" He growled, rushing inside and slamming the door violently. Then it dawned on him.
"By next week, everyone here is going to think I'm a lesbian."
