I have no life. I really don't. It's actually very depressing. Oh, well...^^ I don't really have much of an author's note this time...so sorry to disappoint you all. All I'll say is that I'm REALLY mean to Kuronue...x.x
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The relationship between Kaeru and Kuronue grew a little warmer after that incident...the Koorime still had plenty of opportunities to freeze the chimera whenever he made a perverted remark-which she did. But she didn't flinch when he addressed her, and she was definitely smiling a lot more. But what REALLY cheered the Ice Maiden up was when she received a visitor.
When Kuronue answered Kurama's door on a chilly autumn day, he almost choked on his words. Another Koorime stood at the door, her sea-green hair tied in a lower ponytail than Kaeru's, and her own crimson eyes fixed on Kuronue's violet ones.
"Shimatta...it's another Kaeru!!" He breathed, horrified. "Tell me this is some sort of bad dream..."
The other Ice Maiden blinked, looking somewhat puzzled. "Umm...is...is Kaeru here...?"
"Yukina-chan?" Kuronue's petite charge approached. Once she got close enough to verify the Koorime's identity, her eyes lit up and she flew forward, embracing the other female. "Yukina-chan, it IS you!!"
"Kaeru-chan!" And suddenly both Koorime were crying. The chimera froze, playing with his pendant nervously. He had a hard enough time with ONE Ice Maiden...but two? Luckily, Kurama came to his rescue.
"Ah, Yukina, I see you and Kaeru know each other..." the Youko leaned against a doorframe, dressed in a white silk shirt and black pants, crimson locks flowing free.
"Hai, Kurama-san!" Yukina replied. "We were good friends back home..."
Kaeru nodded. "But you left to find your brother...any luck with that?"
The other Koorime sadly shook her head. "No, nothing...I've made many friends here, but I haven't found him yet..."
"Oh!" Kaeru perked up. "Wait! Ruri-san told me about your brother! He's supposed to have a-"
Kurama immediately went into a coughing fit, interrupting the girl's revelation. Kuronue glanced curiously at the redhead, and both Koorime were also eyeing him, confused. "Gomen...recovering from a nasty cough...still kicks in at times, I'm afraid..."
"Riiiight," the chimera said skeptically.
The Youko smiled, somewhat sheepishly. "So, girls...why don't you go into the kitchen and get reacquainted...Kaeru, you might want to tell Yukina about Zenkai..."
Kaeru flinched as he casually mentioned the name. "H...hai, Kurama-san!!" She and Yukina scurried into the kitchen, the latter sending her childhood friend a worried glance.
"What was that all about?" Kuronue demanded, once the door to the kitchen had been shut firmly, and both males could hear muffled voices drifting out. "That was deliberate, Kit, and don't try to tell me otherwise!"
"Of course..." Kurama sighed. "Kuro, Yukina's brother is Hiei."
"...You're kidding. They look NOTHING alike!"
"Yes, well...they're related. And Hiei doesn't want Yukina to know. So Kaeru can't say anything that might tip her off. Otherwise, Hiei's going to be very angry..."
"You tell, you die!" Kelsey said cheerfully, walking through the still-open front door, closely followed by Kia. "That's the motto of the midget."
The brunette grinned. "That's kind of catchy."
"Hello, girls," Kurama greeted the duo, one eyebrow arching. "And what brings you here?"
"We're kidnapping Kaeru and taking her to the beach," Kelsey announced.
Kia nodded. "Since she's a Koorime, I bet she's never been before. And she can't stay cooped up in here forever. The poor thing needs AIR! SUN! FREEDOM!"
"She's all for Save the Koorime," Kelsey explained with a smirk.
"What about Save the Chimera?" Kuronue asked hopefully. "I'm stuck in here too!"
The brown-haired Mirror Holder smiled. "You can save yourself, but you're welcome to come along...anyone is."
Kurama nodded, stretching and turning away. "I'll go ask Chit-chan if she wants to come..."
Kia and Kelsey exchanged looks. "Ooooh, Chit-chaaaaan!" they chorused, before bursting into a fit of laughter.
Kuronue caught a glimpse of Kurama's cheeks, which were flaming brightly, and the Youko quickened his pace, opening a door (to Chitsuko's room, he guessed) and disappearing inside. "Don't tell me that neither Jin nor Shishi has a nickname for you?" He asked the two howling hyenas.
Kia blinked at him, the corners of her mouth still twitching upwards. "It's a little hard for someone to make a nickname out of something that already IS one," she pointed out. "My full name's Satsukiame, remember?" She glanced over at Kelsey. "And Shishi just calls her the Beautiful Maiden...but only behind her back."
"Really?" Kelsey looked surprised. "I never knew."
Her friend rolled her eyes. "I said BEHIND YOUR BACK. Of course you never knew!" She sweatdropped. "Oh, crud, Shishi's gonna kill me..."
Kurama returned, a hint of pink still evident on his face, with Chitsuko in tow. "Perhaps we should see if the others would like to go..."
Kaeru and Yukina emerged from the kitchen, both looking unusually sober...even for them. "What's going on?" Yukina inquired politely.
"We're going to the beach," Chitsuko explained. "Would you two like to come?"
"We're kidnapping Kaeru, so she doesn't have a choice!" Kelsey grinned mischievously. "What about you, Yukina?"
"I'd like that," the Koorime replied with a shy smile.
"...A beach?" Kaeru looked confused.
Kuronue reached down lazily, ruffling the girl's hair. "Don't worry about it, Kae-chan, you'll see."
"Oooh, Kae-chaaaaaaan!" And Kelsey and Kia started laughing again.
The chimera colored slightly, quickly removing his hand from the puzzled Kaeru's head, and stalking past them, out the door.
"Hey, Kuro-kun, wait!" Chitsuko called after him. "We didn't get towels and bathing suits yet!"
"Oooh, Kuro-kuuuu-" Before either Mirror Holder could laugh at THAT nickname, Kurama had firmly pushed them out the door. "Let's get going, shall we?"
"You're no fun, Fox," Kelsey pouted, as Kaeru went to help Chitsuko search for towels.
***
"So this is a beach?" Kaeru shivered, wrapping the giant yellow beach towel tighter around her petite form as she gazed out at the sparkling blue-green water. "It's so big!"
Suzuki chuckled at her awed tone and wide-eyed expression. "This is actually one of the smaller beaches," he explained. Kaeru's eyes, if anything, got bigger until she more or less resembled an owl...with sea-green hair.
"Mou, Suzuki, you'll overload her poor brain!" Mizu said, laughing. She was wearing a deep blue bikini, the straps decorated with little embroidered raindrops. Of the entire group, most had come along. Hiei had reluctantly agreed when Yukina had begged him to come along. Z had flatly refused, and had stayed at Suzuki's house with Kage. Chuu was working at the bar. Yusuke was out at a movie with Keiko, but Kuwabara had come along eagerly...Kaeru hadn't met him yet, and their encounter was a little awkward.
No sooner had she stepped on the beach, than Kuwabara came zooming over, enfolding her in a huge hug, beach towel and all. "Yukina-saaaaaan!"
"Umm...sir...I'm not...Yukina..." The Koorime ineffectively pushed at him, trying to free herself from the suffocating hold.
"You're not?" The orange-haired boy blinked and held her at arm's-length, studying her carefully. Poor Kaeru's feet dangled a good foot or two from the sand. "You're not! Oh, how could I have possibly mistaken you for my love?? Her hair is more lustrous, her eyes more twinkly, her-"
"Put her DOWN," Kuronue growled, smacking Kuwabara on the head with the back of his hand. The boy blinked, dropping Kaeru obediently, who staggered back from him.
"Gomen nasai...you may not be Yukina-san, but you're still pretty cute!" He winked at her, and Kaeru sweatdropped, unsure of how to respond to this strange ningen.
"Kazuma-san!" Yukina came running over in a white T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up, over a pink one-piece swimsuit. She hugged Kuwabara, while Kaeru and Kuronue both watched curiously.
"Yes, it truly IS a story of Beauty and the Beast," Rei announced, wearing a coconut bra and board shorts. She was busy sitting on the sand, slathering Axe with banana-scented sunscreen.
"Be nice, Rei," Kelsey warned. She was wearing a white one-piece swimsuit with black trim. Kia shook her head, dressed in a light blue bikini with Hawaiian flowers printed on the top half. Strings were tied around her neck and back, holding it in place.
"So...how about a game?" Jin suggested. He and the other boys were in swim shorts, either black, red, or blue.
"Marco Polo?" Mizu ventured.
"See who can sit at the bottom of the ocean floor and survive the longest?" Rei asked. "Last one who dies, wins!"
Touya rolled his eyes. "I see."
"How CAN you see?" The auburn-haired woman poked him. "You have no pupils!"
"It's Touya," Chitsuko pointed out, struggling not to grin. She was wearing a blue bikini top with a gray bikini bottom. It matched, bringing out the color of her eyes. "He sees fine."
"See who can dunk Suzuki and Shishi first?" Rinku piped up.
Kia grinned, giving him the thumbs-up. "I'm up for that one." She flinched as the samurai scowled at her.
"How about chicken fight?" Suzuki said, sending a glare of his own at the two. "I think we have enough people..."
"Yeah, chicken fight!" Mizu grinned. "Sounds like fun!"
"Aren't chickens those ningen birds?" Kaeru looked hopelessly lost. "Why would you want to fight with them? Wouldn't that hurt them?"
"They aren't talking literally, Kaeru-san," Kurama explained, looking down at the Koorime with a faint smile. "A chicken fight is when you sit on somebody's shoulders and try to knock someone off THEIR partner's shoulders before YOU fall off. The last pair still standing are the winners."
The Ice Maiden cringed. "It sounds mean..."
"It's a lot of fun," Chitsuko reassured her. "And hardly anyone gets hurt."
Hiei snickered. "Except for Kuwabara, but what can one expect from a clumsy moronic oaf?"
"Hiei-san!" Yukina looked hurt. "That was mean." The Jaganshi immediately looked contrite.
"So...we pick partners, then?" Shishiwakamaru smiled at Kelsey. "Shall we?"
"We shall," the blonde agreed as they waded into the ocean, where Kelsey clambered onto the samurai's shoulders, clinging with her legs. Mizu and Touya soon joined them, followed by Chitsuko and Kurama, Rei and Rinku (the woman insisted on staying on the bottom), and Yukina and Kuwabara. Hiei settled on the sand with a dark scowl, while Suzuki grinned amiably, ready to be the referee if necessary. Kaeru and Kuronue both still seemed confused, and Kia turned towards them, on her way to the ocean with Jin.
"Oh...you also can't hold on with your hands, just your legs. If the person on the bottom falls, that counts as an out too..." the brunette blinked. "Um, Kaeru, you still have your towel on..."
"Can't I just wear it?" the Koorime asked hopefully. "I feel so...unclothed without it..."
"Yukina lent you one of her swimsuits," Jin said impatiently. "It'll be fine."
Kaeru slowly unwrapped the towel, revealing a sky blue tankini with red trim. She was starting to flush.
"Awww...Kaeru, you're so adorable!!" Rei squealed, clapping her hands, and almost dropping Rinku.
"You look fine," Kuronue told the Koorime, grasping her waist and lifting her over his head and onto his broad shoulders. She swayed for a moment, but he held onto her hands until she was reasonably balanced. The chimera grinned and walked into the ocean, with Kia and Jin trailing behind. Once everyone was settled, the fight began.
Without warning, Shishiwakamaru suddenly lunged at Kurama. The Youko met him halfway, with Chitsuko and Kelsey each trying to knock the other off. It was a good fight, but Shishiwakamaru stumbled and fell, both he and his "passenger" hitting the water with twin splashes. Kaeru looked worried for a moment, then relaxed as both popped to the surface, coughing and laughing.
Kurama and Chitsuko went after Rei and Rinku next, and Mizu and Touya faced off against Kia and Jin. Leaving Kaeru and Kuronue with Yukina and Kuwabara. Neither Koorime seemed to want to be too violent with the other, but the males were at it, Kuronue trying to trip Kuwabara, and the other boy just trying to shove him off balance. In the end, the chimera succeeded, and Kuwabara fell, with Yukina toppling off his shoulder a split second later with a giggle.
This went on until it was Rei and Rinku versus the team of Koorime and chimera. The other couples were wading to shore and cheering for their favorites. And, in the end, little Kaeru managed to knock Rinku off Rei's shoulders, ending the game. Kuronue gave a whoop, doing a sort of jump and overbalancing Kaeru, who fell off. The chimera blinked and shifted slightly, whirling to catch the Ice Maiden in his arms, before wading through the water and back to the sand, amid catcalls from some of the more annoying group members. He set Kaeru down, and flopped on the sand, rolling over slightly to avoid crushing his wings and closing his eyes.
Kia, Kelsey, and Rei were busy constructing some sort of sand blob, which Kia solemnly informed everyone was a sandcastle. Once they were through with it.
"...It looks like the castle died," Shishiwakamaru remarked.
Kelsey mock-glared at him. "We're not DONE!" She told him.
"And we can put a turret here, and some little flags with Axe's head..." Rei was already decorating.
Chitsuko applied some lotion to her skin, stretching out on a towel to soak up some rays. Kuwabara, Suzuki, Kurama and Shishiwakamaru followed her example, while Touya sat on his towel under an umbrella. Rinku ran around, harassing seagulls and crabs, and running away, yelping, whenever one of them decided to snap at his toes. Hiei sat by himself, glaring at everyone, although his red eyes softened when he looked over at Yukina, who was helping Kaeru and Mizu look for pretty shells.
And then Kaeru found the jellyfish. It was sitting near the ocean, floating up and down slightly whenever the waves rolled in. She looked curiously at the clear and pinkish gelatinous mound, venturing closer. "...Is it alive? What is IT?"
Mizu, walking over to examine Kaeru's find, suddenly turned pale. "THAT'S A JELLYFISH!! DON'T TOUCH IT!"
Too late. The Koorime, concerned for the thing's safety, had tentatively prodded it with her index finger...and then let out a yelp of pain, leaping back. "...It...it BIT me!"
"It STUNG you," the kitsune corrected, examining Kaeru's finger, which was slowly turning red. "Don't mess with jellyfish."
If only Kuronue had heard that last remark. For the moment he had heard his charge's pained cry, he had leapt to his feet and charged towards the jellyfish, tackling it, considering it to be a threat. Which was a mistake-obviously the jellyfish thought KURONUE was the bigger threat...and reacted as such.
The chimera let out a growl of anger, grappling with the quivering sea creature, which was slowly wrapping long tentacles around his body, trying to sting him into submission. Which only made Kuronue angrier. A crowd had now formed, as everyone in the group watched the fight, with Rei taking bets on who would win...most everyone was betting on the jellyfish.
Kaeru, however, surprised everyone again. She ran up to the chimera, firmly grasped the jellyfish in her hands, tentacles releasing Kuronue slowly as she backed up, forcing it to let go. Then, grimacing as it turned its attack on her hands and arms, she raced towards the water's edge, drew back her right arm, and hurled the creature into deeper water.
Mizu shivered, nudging the water with her foot, and causing waves to form...the other way, pushing the jellyfish further out to sea.
"Daijoubu??" Yukina came running over, looking first at Kuronue, who was covered in red sting marks, and then at Kaeru, whose arms and hands were also red. The Koorime got to work healing the both of them, although the chimera grumbled that he was fine, just a few stings.
Relieved that the crisis was over, and that his charge was all right and basically unharmed, Kuronue headed back to his spot on the sand for a small nap. Everyone went back to what they were doing, but Yukina left to go sit beside Kuwabara while he tanned. Or reddened, in his case. No wonder she was doing it...her healing skills would probably be needed.
Kaeru went back to shell-gathering with Mizu, eventually wandering away from her friend, and further away from the group. And then she heard it, faintly rising over the gentle lapping of the waves, which came slipping up to caress her bare feet.
"Kaeru..."
She stopped, frowning, listening intently. And heard it again.
"Kaeru...come...come play..." The voice was beguiling, silky, sliding into the Koorime's ears and entwining around her soul, beckoning her forward. The light in her eyes slowly dimmed as she took a step towards the sound...and then another, until she was wading into the water, deeper and deeper. She paused when the water was up slightly past her waist.
"Don't stop now, Kaeru!" The voice laughed warmly. "You're almost there..."
Kuronue's ears twitched suddenly as he sat up, looking around, indigo eyes hardening when he couldn't spot Kaeru anywhere. And then he saw her...walking into the water, which was now rapidly rising to her chin.
"Kaeru!" He shouted, struggling to his feet, and running towards the ocean. "KAERU!" At the sound of his voice, the others looked up, startled, but the Koorime gave no indication that she had heard. "KAERU, STOP!!"
Kaeru, still following the beautiful voice, paused. Someone...was calling her...and her senses were tingling...something wasn't right. Confused, she shook her head.
"Don't listen, Kaeru...he's trying to use you...he wants you for your gems...come to me...you'll never be hurt or afraid again..."
Well, that sounded good to Kaeru. So she took another step. And stopped again. The one calling her was getting louder, and she could detect a hint of anger, worry, and...fear? She shook her head again, more briskly this time, and turned. A tall, rather handsome youkai with bat wings and long black hair in a high ponytail was wading towards her. His violet eyes were frantic. She didn't know him...did she?
"Kaeru!!" He cried desperately, seeing her turn and study him with blank eyes...as if she didn't recognize him. "It's me! Kuronue!"
"...Kuro...nue?" And then she remembered. "Kuronue!" What was she DOING out here?? She was in way too deep for her liking, and she started to turn fully around to head back.
"COME TO ME, LITTLE KOORIME BRAT!!" Something cold wrapped around her right ankle, then yanked, overbalancing Kaeru and dragging her under. She opened her mouth to scream, but it filled with salt water and she almost choked. Pain was spreading rapidly from where the thing gripped her ankle and she struggled, thrashing against it. *Zenkai!*
Kuronue froze when the Koorime suddenly disappeared under the waves, cursing under his breath and scanning the water nervously, trying to spot her. "Kaeru!!" He yelled. "Answer me!!" Nothing.
"Kuronue, what's wrong??" Kia was sprinting towards the water, closely followed by everyone else.
"Something...Kaeru...she just disappeared!"
Yukina suddenly turned pale. "It's Zenkai."
"Nani??" Everyone turned to stare at the Ice Maiden. Hiei glowered, stepping beside his sister protectively.
"Zenkai," she repeated, voice quivering. "He's got Kaeru...he's trying to kill her!"
"Not on MY watch!" Kuronue snapped, taking a deep breath and diving underwater, searching through the dark and murky depths, panic rising in his chest and threatening to suffocate him. And then he saw her...getting dragged downwards, with some sort of shadow wrapped around her ankle. Her sea-green hair fluttered as she fought, trying to pull away, to get away from this literal death grip...
Back on the beach, Rinku was now nervously bouncing up and down. "We have to do SOMETHING!! She's gonna die!"
"I know..." Kia whispered, feeling somewhat useless. Chitsuko was fidgeting, wanting to go help her friends. But it was Mizu who helped. The kitsune ran towards the water, then dissolved into the liquid herself, flowing into the ocean and disappearing from sight.
Kuronue swam strongly towards the struggling Koorime, grasping her by the waist and tugging, trying to free her. But this...shadow thing had a strong grip and was refusing to let go. The chimera's lungs were burning, screaming for oxygen, but if he went back up now, not only would he not be able to find Kaeru, she'd be dead. She'd been under for a longer period of time than he had.
Suddenly, he felt something swirl around his wrist, becoming larger and surrounding them both, hauling them up...like the water itself was trying to free Kaeru. But...how was that possible?
"Come, deeper..." a dark voice hissed, dripping with hate and anger. "Come, my little pearl, my Koorime, my Kaeru..."
Kuronue's eyes narrowed and he increased his efforts. But it didn't help. It looked like Kaeru was losing the fight to stay conscious and his fingers were slipping as he tried to maintain contact. And then...
Kaeru suddenly tensed, and the chimera shivered as the water grew cold, then freezing. The shadow let out a shriek of anger, releasing her ankle and shrinking back, melting amongst the darker waters.
Thankful that her little ice attack had worked, the bat demon got a more secure hold on the Ice Maiden, and the water...or presence surrounding them both lifted them upwards, with Kuronue kicking to increase the speed. Finally, their heads broke the surface, with Kuronue gasping loudly, chest heaving as his deprived lungs drank of the oxygen-rich air. The little swirl shot up as well, forming into the familiar form of Mizu, who helped Kuronue swim back to shore with Kaeru. Once there, the chimera laid his charge on the sand, crawling over to her side and shaking her. "Kaeru, wake up!"
The Koorime lay there quietly, her chest not moving, her breath silent. Kuronue's heart gave a wrench inside of him to see the girl with her love of life...so still, so tiny, so vulnerable...He growled under his breath and shook her again, harder this time. "Kaeru!!" Still nothing. "Come on, tell me I didn't just save you for no reason!" Still no reply. "Kaeru...Kae-chan, please..." Tears sparkled in his eyes and Mizu looked up at him, surprised. The others came running over, and Chitsuko dropped to her knees beside the motionless Ice Maiden, laying her head on the other's chest to listen for a heartbeat, then checking for a pulse.
"She's got a faint pulse, but she's not breathing..." she reported, blue-gray eyes darkening in worry. "I'll see if I can help..." The hanyou held Kaeru's nose, tipping her head back and opening her mouth. She covered that opening with her own, blowing air back into the Koorime's lungs. Kuronue gave a start, about to ask Chitsuko what the hell she was doing, but thought better of it and just watched, eyes narrowed.
After about three more breaths, Kaeru stirred, eyes fluttering before she began to cough up sea water. Chitsuko sat back with a relieved sigh, and was almost trampled by a worried Kuronue, who gathered the Koorime into his arms, hugging her tightly, until Kaeru protested weakly that he would break her ribs.
"Don't SCARE me like that!!" the chimera murmured, fixing the Ice Maiden with a glare. "You could've been killed!"
"And then Kuro no get paid," Rei muttered under her breath. Suzuki clamped his hand over her mouth, then released her a split second later as she bit his palm. She smirked at him.
Kaeru lowered her gaze to rest on the sand as he released her, cringing under the force of his glare. "G...gomen nasai...K...K...Kuronue-san..." It was hard to tell if her teeth were chattering from cold or fear of Kuronue...or both.
He softened the glare, picking up her gigantic beach towel and wrapping it around her shivering body, lifting her up into his arms. "Just don't do it again, alright?" He began walking away. "Let's go."
Exchanging glances that ranged from curious to amused to knowing, the rest of the group followed.
"Is it me or is that old bat starting to get feelings?" Kia asked.
"It's not just you." Jin nodded. "I noticed too..."
Kurama coughed. "Kuronue is a good friend of mine...but he seems to be lacking in female company..."
"Not now!" Rei said cheerfully. "We're all here to make him miserable, and now he's got the Koorime cutie to care for!"
Kelsey rolled her eyes. "NOW her true objective in life comes out."
"You didn't know that?" Rinku smiled, back to his normal, happy-go-lucky self. "Even I knew that!"
"Watch it Yo-Yo boy," the blonde growled. "Unless you want me to break those little toys of yours."
Utterly horrified at that prospect, Rinku shut up.
"He's definitely changed from that arrogant thief Kurama knew," Chitsuko murmured quietly.
Touya shook his head. "Not that much. He's still rather arrogant, and I'm sure he still steals occasionally."
The girl made a face at him. "I meant his feelings!"
Mizu nodded in agreement. "Normally, he probably would've made Kaeru cry, steal her gems, and gone back to Makai by now..."
"So why is he still here?" Shishiwakamaru wondered.
"Because he has a job to finish," Kurama answered. "And, even though he would never admit it, he's becoming fond of us...Kaeru most of all."
"I still think he's arrogant," Touya mumbled.
"...Maybe." Kia smiled, looking at the tall, distant figure of the chimera up ahead. "But...I think Kurama's right...and he really IS starting to care..."
*OOC*
O.o ELEVEN pages?! I'm a masochist!! WHY??? Oh. Because you love me, and you love this story, right? RIGHT?
Crickets: ...*chirp the NFL theme*
...Okay, maybe not. But...I still like this story...and Kelsey, you're right. You DO own Rei! All rights to Rei are Kelsey's, and she's welcome to them...-.- And now, m'dears...onto the next chapter! By the way, if anyone would like to give me a muse, I'd be very grateful...I need one VERY badly. And thanks to SedraiDragon...or something like that...who reviewed...and told me to go, girl! RAH! ^^ I like new reviewers and old reviewers...I like reviews! So review and make me happy!
* Kaeru gets homesick...can anyone cheer her up? What happens when Mizu collaborates with Touya, Jin, and Kia? What is she planning?
* It's the return of someone VERY surprising! And how the heck does Kaeru know him?!
* Kaeru, Yukina, and Hiei are forced to lay low for awhile...and they've been disguised...as...students??
* It's a trip to the ice cream parlor for the gang, while Kuronue tries to figure out his new, confusing feelings...
o.o Okay, now it's Eleven and a half pages. Sweeet....
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The relationship between Kaeru and Kuronue grew a little warmer after that incident...the Koorime still had plenty of opportunities to freeze the chimera whenever he made a perverted remark-which she did. But she didn't flinch when he addressed her, and she was definitely smiling a lot more. But what REALLY cheered the Ice Maiden up was when she received a visitor.
When Kuronue answered Kurama's door on a chilly autumn day, he almost choked on his words. Another Koorime stood at the door, her sea-green hair tied in a lower ponytail than Kaeru's, and her own crimson eyes fixed on Kuronue's violet ones.
"Shimatta...it's another Kaeru!!" He breathed, horrified. "Tell me this is some sort of bad dream..."
The other Ice Maiden blinked, looking somewhat puzzled. "Umm...is...is Kaeru here...?"
"Yukina-chan?" Kuronue's petite charge approached. Once she got close enough to verify the Koorime's identity, her eyes lit up and she flew forward, embracing the other female. "Yukina-chan, it IS you!!"
"Kaeru-chan!" And suddenly both Koorime were crying. The chimera froze, playing with his pendant nervously. He had a hard enough time with ONE Ice Maiden...but two? Luckily, Kurama came to his rescue.
"Ah, Yukina, I see you and Kaeru know each other..." the Youko leaned against a doorframe, dressed in a white silk shirt and black pants, crimson locks flowing free.
"Hai, Kurama-san!" Yukina replied. "We were good friends back home..."
Kaeru nodded. "But you left to find your brother...any luck with that?"
The other Koorime sadly shook her head. "No, nothing...I've made many friends here, but I haven't found him yet..."
"Oh!" Kaeru perked up. "Wait! Ruri-san told me about your brother! He's supposed to have a-"
Kurama immediately went into a coughing fit, interrupting the girl's revelation. Kuronue glanced curiously at the redhead, and both Koorime were also eyeing him, confused. "Gomen...recovering from a nasty cough...still kicks in at times, I'm afraid..."
"Riiiight," the chimera said skeptically.
The Youko smiled, somewhat sheepishly. "So, girls...why don't you go into the kitchen and get reacquainted...Kaeru, you might want to tell Yukina about Zenkai..."
Kaeru flinched as he casually mentioned the name. "H...hai, Kurama-san!!" She and Yukina scurried into the kitchen, the latter sending her childhood friend a worried glance.
"What was that all about?" Kuronue demanded, once the door to the kitchen had been shut firmly, and both males could hear muffled voices drifting out. "That was deliberate, Kit, and don't try to tell me otherwise!"
"Of course..." Kurama sighed. "Kuro, Yukina's brother is Hiei."
"...You're kidding. They look NOTHING alike!"
"Yes, well...they're related. And Hiei doesn't want Yukina to know. So Kaeru can't say anything that might tip her off. Otherwise, Hiei's going to be very angry..."
"You tell, you die!" Kelsey said cheerfully, walking through the still-open front door, closely followed by Kia. "That's the motto of the midget."
The brunette grinned. "That's kind of catchy."
"Hello, girls," Kurama greeted the duo, one eyebrow arching. "And what brings you here?"
"We're kidnapping Kaeru and taking her to the beach," Kelsey announced.
Kia nodded. "Since she's a Koorime, I bet she's never been before. And she can't stay cooped up in here forever. The poor thing needs AIR! SUN! FREEDOM!"
"She's all for Save the Koorime," Kelsey explained with a smirk.
"What about Save the Chimera?" Kuronue asked hopefully. "I'm stuck in here too!"
The brown-haired Mirror Holder smiled. "You can save yourself, but you're welcome to come along...anyone is."
Kurama nodded, stretching and turning away. "I'll go ask Chit-chan if she wants to come..."
Kia and Kelsey exchanged looks. "Ooooh, Chit-chaaaaan!" they chorused, before bursting into a fit of laughter.
Kuronue caught a glimpse of Kurama's cheeks, which were flaming brightly, and the Youko quickened his pace, opening a door (to Chitsuko's room, he guessed) and disappearing inside. "Don't tell me that neither Jin nor Shishi has a nickname for you?" He asked the two howling hyenas.
Kia blinked at him, the corners of her mouth still twitching upwards. "It's a little hard for someone to make a nickname out of something that already IS one," she pointed out. "My full name's Satsukiame, remember?" She glanced over at Kelsey. "And Shishi just calls her the Beautiful Maiden...but only behind her back."
"Really?" Kelsey looked surprised. "I never knew."
Her friend rolled her eyes. "I said BEHIND YOUR BACK. Of course you never knew!" She sweatdropped. "Oh, crud, Shishi's gonna kill me..."
Kurama returned, a hint of pink still evident on his face, with Chitsuko in tow. "Perhaps we should see if the others would like to go..."
Kaeru and Yukina emerged from the kitchen, both looking unusually sober...even for them. "What's going on?" Yukina inquired politely.
"We're going to the beach," Chitsuko explained. "Would you two like to come?"
"We're kidnapping Kaeru, so she doesn't have a choice!" Kelsey grinned mischievously. "What about you, Yukina?"
"I'd like that," the Koorime replied with a shy smile.
"...A beach?" Kaeru looked confused.
Kuronue reached down lazily, ruffling the girl's hair. "Don't worry about it, Kae-chan, you'll see."
"Oooh, Kae-chaaaaaaan!" And Kelsey and Kia started laughing again.
The chimera colored slightly, quickly removing his hand from the puzzled Kaeru's head, and stalking past them, out the door.
"Hey, Kuro-kun, wait!" Chitsuko called after him. "We didn't get towels and bathing suits yet!"
"Oooh, Kuro-kuuuu-" Before either Mirror Holder could laugh at THAT nickname, Kurama had firmly pushed them out the door. "Let's get going, shall we?"
"You're no fun, Fox," Kelsey pouted, as Kaeru went to help Chitsuko search for towels.
***
"So this is a beach?" Kaeru shivered, wrapping the giant yellow beach towel tighter around her petite form as she gazed out at the sparkling blue-green water. "It's so big!"
Suzuki chuckled at her awed tone and wide-eyed expression. "This is actually one of the smaller beaches," he explained. Kaeru's eyes, if anything, got bigger until she more or less resembled an owl...with sea-green hair.
"Mou, Suzuki, you'll overload her poor brain!" Mizu said, laughing. She was wearing a deep blue bikini, the straps decorated with little embroidered raindrops. Of the entire group, most had come along. Hiei had reluctantly agreed when Yukina had begged him to come along. Z had flatly refused, and had stayed at Suzuki's house with Kage. Chuu was working at the bar. Yusuke was out at a movie with Keiko, but Kuwabara had come along eagerly...Kaeru hadn't met him yet, and their encounter was a little awkward.
No sooner had she stepped on the beach, than Kuwabara came zooming over, enfolding her in a huge hug, beach towel and all. "Yukina-saaaaaan!"
"Umm...sir...I'm not...Yukina..." The Koorime ineffectively pushed at him, trying to free herself from the suffocating hold.
"You're not?" The orange-haired boy blinked and held her at arm's-length, studying her carefully. Poor Kaeru's feet dangled a good foot or two from the sand. "You're not! Oh, how could I have possibly mistaken you for my love?? Her hair is more lustrous, her eyes more twinkly, her-"
"Put her DOWN," Kuronue growled, smacking Kuwabara on the head with the back of his hand. The boy blinked, dropping Kaeru obediently, who staggered back from him.
"Gomen nasai...you may not be Yukina-san, but you're still pretty cute!" He winked at her, and Kaeru sweatdropped, unsure of how to respond to this strange ningen.
"Kazuma-san!" Yukina came running over in a white T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up, over a pink one-piece swimsuit. She hugged Kuwabara, while Kaeru and Kuronue both watched curiously.
"Yes, it truly IS a story of Beauty and the Beast," Rei announced, wearing a coconut bra and board shorts. She was busy sitting on the sand, slathering Axe with banana-scented sunscreen.
"Be nice, Rei," Kelsey warned. She was wearing a white one-piece swimsuit with black trim. Kia shook her head, dressed in a light blue bikini with Hawaiian flowers printed on the top half. Strings were tied around her neck and back, holding it in place.
"So...how about a game?" Jin suggested. He and the other boys were in swim shorts, either black, red, or blue.
"Marco Polo?" Mizu ventured.
"See who can sit at the bottom of the ocean floor and survive the longest?" Rei asked. "Last one who dies, wins!"
Touya rolled his eyes. "I see."
"How CAN you see?" The auburn-haired woman poked him. "You have no pupils!"
"It's Touya," Chitsuko pointed out, struggling not to grin. She was wearing a blue bikini top with a gray bikini bottom. It matched, bringing out the color of her eyes. "He sees fine."
"See who can dunk Suzuki and Shishi first?" Rinku piped up.
Kia grinned, giving him the thumbs-up. "I'm up for that one." She flinched as the samurai scowled at her.
"How about chicken fight?" Suzuki said, sending a glare of his own at the two. "I think we have enough people..."
"Yeah, chicken fight!" Mizu grinned. "Sounds like fun!"
"Aren't chickens those ningen birds?" Kaeru looked hopelessly lost. "Why would you want to fight with them? Wouldn't that hurt them?"
"They aren't talking literally, Kaeru-san," Kurama explained, looking down at the Koorime with a faint smile. "A chicken fight is when you sit on somebody's shoulders and try to knock someone off THEIR partner's shoulders before YOU fall off. The last pair still standing are the winners."
The Ice Maiden cringed. "It sounds mean..."
"It's a lot of fun," Chitsuko reassured her. "And hardly anyone gets hurt."
Hiei snickered. "Except for Kuwabara, but what can one expect from a clumsy moronic oaf?"
"Hiei-san!" Yukina looked hurt. "That was mean." The Jaganshi immediately looked contrite.
"So...we pick partners, then?" Shishiwakamaru smiled at Kelsey. "Shall we?"
"We shall," the blonde agreed as they waded into the ocean, where Kelsey clambered onto the samurai's shoulders, clinging with her legs. Mizu and Touya soon joined them, followed by Chitsuko and Kurama, Rei and Rinku (the woman insisted on staying on the bottom), and Yukina and Kuwabara. Hiei settled on the sand with a dark scowl, while Suzuki grinned amiably, ready to be the referee if necessary. Kaeru and Kuronue both still seemed confused, and Kia turned towards them, on her way to the ocean with Jin.
"Oh...you also can't hold on with your hands, just your legs. If the person on the bottom falls, that counts as an out too..." the brunette blinked. "Um, Kaeru, you still have your towel on..."
"Can't I just wear it?" the Koorime asked hopefully. "I feel so...unclothed without it..."
"Yukina lent you one of her swimsuits," Jin said impatiently. "It'll be fine."
Kaeru slowly unwrapped the towel, revealing a sky blue tankini with red trim. She was starting to flush.
"Awww...Kaeru, you're so adorable!!" Rei squealed, clapping her hands, and almost dropping Rinku.
"You look fine," Kuronue told the Koorime, grasping her waist and lifting her over his head and onto his broad shoulders. She swayed for a moment, but he held onto her hands until she was reasonably balanced. The chimera grinned and walked into the ocean, with Kia and Jin trailing behind. Once everyone was settled, the fight began.
Without warning, Shishiwakamaru suddenly lunged at Kurama. The Youko met him halfway, with Chitsuko and Kelsey each trying to knock the other off. It was a good fight, but Shishiwakamaru stumbled and fell, both he and his "passenger" hitting the water with twin splashes. Kaeru looked worried for a moment, then relaxed as both popped to the surface, coughing and laughing.
Kurama and Chitsuko went after Rei and Rinku next, and Mizu and Touya faced off against Kia and Jin. Leaving Kaeru and Kuronue with Yukina and Kuwabara. Neither Koorime seemed to want to be too violent with the other, but the males were at it, Kuronue trying to trip Kuwabara, and the other boy just trying to shove him off balance. In the end, the chimera succeeded, and Kuwabara fell, with Yukina toppling off his shoulder a split second later with a giggle.
This went on until it was Rei and Rinku versus the team of Koorime and chimera. The other couples were wading to shore and cheering for their favorites. And, in the end, little Kaeru managed to knock Rinku off Rei's shoulders, ending the game. Kuronue gave a whoop, doing a sort of jump and overbalancing Kaeru, who fell off. The chimera blinked and shifted slightly, whirling to catch the Ice Maiden in his arms, before wading through the water and back to the sand, amid catcalls from some of the more annoying group members. He set Kaeru down, and flopped on the sand, rolling over slightly to avoid crushing his wings and closing his eyes.
Kia, Kelsey, and Rei were busy constructing some sort of sand blob, which Kia solemnly informed everyone was a sandcastle. Once they were through with it.
"...It looks like the castle died," Shishiwakamaru remarked.
Kelsey mock-glared at him. "We're not DONE!" She told him.
"And we can put a turret here, and some little flags with Axe's head..." Rei was already decorating.
Chitsuko applied some lotion to her skin, stretching out on a towel to soak up some rays. Kuwabara, Suzuki, Kurama and Shishiwakamaru followed her example, while Touya sat on his towel under an umbrella. Rinku ran around, harassing seagulls and crabs, and running away, yelping, whenever one of them decided to snap at his toes. Hiei sat by himself, glaring at everyone, although his red eyes softened when he looked over at Yukina, who was helping Kaeru and Mizu look for pretty shells.
And then Kaeru found the jellyfish. It was sitting near the ocean, floating up and down slightly whenever the waves rolled in. She looked curiously at the clear and pinkish gelatinous mound, venturing closer. "...Is it alive? What is IT?"
Mizu, walking over to examine Kaeru's find, suddenly turned pale. "THAT'S A JELLYFISH!! DON'T TOUCH IT!"
Too late. The Koorime, concerned for the thing's safety, had tentatively prodded it with her index finger...and then let out a yelp of pain, leaping back. "...It...it BIT me!"
"It STUNG you," the kitsune corrected, examining Kaeru's finger, which was slowly turning red. "Don't mess with jellyfish."
If only Kuronue had heard that last remark. For the moment he had heard his charge's pained cry, he had leapt to his feet and charged towards the jellyfish, tackling it, considering it to be a threat. Which was a mistake-obviously the jellyfish thought KURONUE was the bigger threat...and reacted as such.
The chimera let out a growl of anger, grappling with the quivering sea creature, which was slowly wrapping long tentacles around his body, trying to sting him into submission. Which only made Kuronue angrier. A crowd had now formed, as everyone in the group watched the fight, with Rei taking bets on who would win...most everyone was betting on the jellyfish.
Kaeru, however, surprised everyone again. She ran up to the chimera, firmly grasped the jellyfish in her hands, tentacles releasing Kuronue slowly as she backed up, forcing it to let go. Then, grimacing as it turned its attack on her hands and arms, she raced towards the water's edge, drew back her right arm, and hurled the creature into deeper water.
Mizu shivered, nudging the water with her foot, and causing waves to form...the other way, pushing the jellyfish further out to sea.
"Daijoubu??" Yukina came running over, looking first at Kuronue, who was covered in red sting marks, and then at Kaeru, whose arms and hands were also red. The Koorime got to work healing the both of them, although the chimera grumbled that he was fine, just a few stings.
Relieved that the crisis was over, and that his charge was all right and basically unharmed, Kuronue headed back to his spot on the sand for a small nap. Everyone went back to what they were doing, but Yukina left to go sit beside Kuwabara while he tanned. Or reddened, in his case. No wonder she was doing it...her healing skills would probably be needed.
Kaeru went back to shell-gathering with Mizu, eventually wandering away from her friend, and further away from the group. And then she heard it, faintly rising over the gentle lapping of the waves, which came slipping up to caress her bare feet.
"Kaeru..."
She stopped, frowning, listening intently. And heard it again.
"Kaeru...come...come play..." The voice was beguiling, silky, sliding into the Koorime's ears and entwining around her soul, beckoning her forward. The light in her eyes slowly dimmed as she took a step towards the sound...and then another, until she was wading into the water, deeper and deeper. She paused when the water was up slightly past her waist.
"Don't stop now, Kaeru!" The voice laughed warmly. "You're almost there..."
Kuronue's ears twitched suddenly as he sat up, looking around, indigo eyes hardening when he couldn't spot Kaeru anywhere. And then he saw her...walking into the water, which was now rapidly rising to her chin.
"Kaeru!" He shouted, struggling to his feet, and running towards the ocean. "KAERU!" At the sound of his voice, the others looked up, startled, but the Koorime gave no indication that she had heard. "KAERU, STOP!!"
Kaeru, still following the beautiful voice, paused. Someone...was calling her...and her senses were tingling...something wasn't right. Confused, she shook her head.
"Don't listen, Kaeru...he's trying to use you...he wants you for your gems...come to me...you'll never be hurt or afraid again..."
Well, that sounded good to Kaeru. So she took another step. And stopped again. The one calling her was getting louder, and she could detect a hint of anger, worry, and...fear? She shook her head again, more briskly this time, and turned. A tall, rather handsome youkai with bat wings and long black hair in a high ponytail was wading towards her. His violet eyes were frantic. She didn't know him...did she?
"Kaeru!!" He cried desperately, seeing her turn and study him with blank eyes...as if she didn't recognize him. "It's me! Kuronue!"
"...Kuro...nue?" And then she remembered. "Kuronue!" What was she DOING out here?? She was in way too deep for her liking, and she started to turn fully around to head back.
"COME TO ME, LITTLE KOORIME BRAT!!" Something cold wrapped around her right ankle, then yanked, overbalancing Kaeru and dragging her under. She opened her mouth to scream, but it filled with salt water and she almost choked. Pain was spreading rapidly from where the thing gripped her ankle and she struggled, thrashing against it. *Zenkai!*
Kuronue froze when the Koorime suddenly disappeared under the waves, cursing under his breath and scanning the water nervously, trying to spot her. "Kaeru!!" He yelled. "Answer me!!" Nothing.
"Kuronue, what's wrong??" Kia was sprinting towards the water, closely followed by everyone else.
"Something...Kaeru...she just disappeared!"
Yukina suddenly turned pale. "It's Zenkai."
"Nani??" Everyone turned to stare at the Ice Maiden. Hiei glowered, stepping beside his sister protectively.
"Zenkai," she repeated, voice quivering. "He's got Kaeru...he's trying to kill her!"
"Not on MY watch!" Kuronue snapped, taking a deep breath and diving underwater, searching through the dark and murky depths, panic rising in his chest and threatening to suffocate him. And then he saw her...getting dragged downwards, with some sort of shadow wrapped around her ankle. Her sea-green hair fluttered as she fought, trying to pull away, to get away from this literal death grip...
Back on the beach, Rinku was now nervously bouncing up and down. "We have to do SOMETHING!! She's gonna die!"
"I know..." Kia whispered, feeling somewhat useless. Chitsuko was fidgeting, wanting to go help her friends. But it was Mizu who helped. The kitsune ran towards the water, then dissolved into the liquid herself, flowing into the ocean and disappearing from sight.
Kuronue swam strongly towards the struggling Koorime, grasping her by the waist and tugging, trying to free her. But this...shadow thing had a strong grip and was refusing to let go. The chimera's lungs were burning, screaming for oxygen, but if he went back up now, not only would he not be able to find Kaeru, she'd be dead. She'd been under for a longer period of time than he had.
Suddenly, he felt something swirl around his wrist, becoming larger and surrounding them both, hauling them up...like the water itself was trying to free Kaeru. But...how was that possible?
"Come, deeper..." a dark voice hissed, dripping with hate and anger. "Come, my little pearl, my Koorime, my Kaeru..."
Kuronue's eyes narrowed and he increased his efforts. But it didn't help. It looked like Kaeru was losing the fight to stay conscious and his fingers were slipping as he tried to maintain contact. And then...
Kaeru suddenly tensed, and the chimera shivered as the water grew cold, then freezing. The shadow let out a shriek of anger, releasing her ankle and shrinking back, melting amongst the darker waters.
Thankful that her little ice attack had worked, the bat demon got a more secure hold on the Ice Maiden, and the water...or presence surrounding them both lifted them upwards, with Kuronue kicking to increase the speed. Finally, their heads broke the surface, with Kuronue gasping loudly, chest heaving as his deprived lungs drank of the oxygen-rich air. The little swirl shot up as well, forming into the familiar form of Mizu, who helped Kuronue swim back to shore with Kaeru. Once there, the chimera laid his charge on the sand, crawling over to her side and shaking her. "Kaeru, wake up!"
The Koorime lay there quietly, her chest not moving, her breath silent. Kuronue's heart gave a wrench inside of him to see the girl with her love of life...so still, so tiny, so vulnerable...He growled under his breath and shook her again, harder this time. "Kaeru!!" Still nothing. "Come on, tell me I didn't just save you for no reason!" Still no reply. "Kaeru...Kae-chan, please..." Tears sparkled in his eyes and Mizu looked up at him, surprised. The others came running over, and Chitsuko dropped to her knees beside the motionless Ice Maiden, laying her head on the other's chest to listen for a heartbeat, then checking for a pulse.
"She's got a faint pulse, but she's not breathing..." she reported, blue-gray eyes darkening in worry. "I'll see if I can help..." The hanyou held Kaeru's nose, tipping her head back and opening her mouth. She covered that opening with her own, blowing air back into the Koorime's lungs. Kuronue gave a start, about to ask Chitsuko what the hell she was doing, but thought better of it and just watched, eyes narrowed.
After about three more breaths, Kaeru stirred, eyes fluttering before she began to cough up sea water. Chitsuko sat back with a relieved sigh, and was almost trampled by a worried Kuronue, who gathered the Koorime into his arms, hugging her tightly, until Kaeru protested weakly that he would break her ribs.
"Don't SCARE me like that!!" the chimera murmured, fixing the Ice Maiden with a glare. "You could've been killed!"
"And then Kuro no get paid," Rei muttered under her breath. Suzuki clamped his hand over her mouth, then released her a split second later as she bit his palm. She smirked at him.
Kaeru lowered her gaze to rest on the sand as he released her, cringing under the force of his glare. "G...gomen nasai...K...K...Kuronue-san..." It was hard to tell if her teeth were chattering from cold or fear of Kuronue...or both.
He softened the glare, picking up her gigantic beach towel and wrapping it around her shivering body, lifting her up into his arms. "Just don't do it again, alright?" He began walking away. "Let's go."
Exchanging glances that ranged from curious to amused to knowing, the rest of the group followed.
"Is it me or is that old bat starting to get feelings?" Kia asked.
"It's not just you." Jin nodded. "I noticed too..."
Kurama coughed. "Kuronue is a good friend of mine...but he seems to be lacking in female company..."
"Not now!" Rei said cheerfully. "We're all here to make him miserable, and now he's got the Koorime cutie to care for!"
Kelsey rolled her eyes. "NOW her true objective in life comes out."
"You didn't know that?" Rinku smiled, back to his normal, happy-go-lucky self. "Even I knew that!"
"Watch it Yo-Yo boy," the blonde growled. "Unless you want me to break those little toys of yours."
Utterly horrified at that prospect, Rinku shut up.
"He's definitely changed from that arrogant thief Kurama knew," Chitsuko murmured quietly.
Touya shook his head. "Not that much. He's still rather arrogant, and I'm sure he still steals occasionally."
The girl made a face at him. "I meant his feelings!"
Mizu nodded in agreement. "Normally, he probably would've made Kaeru cry, steal her gems, and gone back to Makai by now..."
"So why is he still here?" Shishiwakamaru wondered.
"Because he has a job to finish," Kurama answered. "And, even though he would never admit it, he's becoming fond of us...Kaeru most of all."
"I still think he's arrogant," Touya mumbled.
"...Maybe." Kia smiled, looking at the tall, distant figure of the chimera up ahead. "But...I think Kurama's right...and he really IS starting to care..."
*OOC*
O.o ELEVEN pages?! I'm a masochist!! WHY??? Oh. Because you love me, and you love this story, right? RIGHT?
Crickets: ...*chirp the NFL theme*
...Okay, maybe not. But...I still like this story...and Kelsey, you're right. You DO own Rei! All rights to Rei are Kelsey's, and she's welcome to them...-.- And now, m'dears...onto the next chapter! By the way, if anyone would like to give me a muse, I'd be very grateful...I need one VERY badly. And thanks to SedraiDragon...or something like that...who reviewed...and told me to go, girl! RAH! ^^ I like new reviewers and old reviewers...I like reviews! So review and make me happy!
* Kaeru gets homesick...can anyone cheer her up? What happens when Mizu collaborates with Touya, Jin, and Kia? What is she planning?
* It's the return of someone VERY surprising! And how the heck does Kaeru know him?!
* Kaeru, Yukina, and Hiei are forced to lay low for awhile...and they've been disguised...as...students??
* It's a trip to the ice cream parlor for the gang, while Kuronue tries to figure out his new, confusing feelings...
o.o Okay, now it's Eleven and a half pages. Sweeet....