Bow-in-baggie: Well, now it's the beginning of chapter three. And
Wednesday. Christmas Eve! Whoot!
Dragon: ::nods:: Yup. ::blinks:: HEY! You should still be at work with your father! Files are waiting!
Bow-in-baggie: ::tries to bop her. Can't through bag. Cries:: Well, I WAS at work, but we got a half-day due to it being Christmas Eve and such.
Dragon: Oh. Pity. ::pause:: Aren't you ever going to work on Guardian?
Bow-in-baggie: ::sniffles:: Don' wanna right now!
Dragon: Well, when will you?
Bow-in-baggie: Dunno?
Dragon: -.-;;;
Bow-in-baggie: ^___________^;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Dragon: Typical. ::sniffles:: But there is no yaoi in this! Arg!
Bow-in-baggie: Correct. No yaoi. Through. I do like Hiei and Kurama as a couple. But not in this fic! Maybe another time. ::nods::
Dragon: ::grumble, grumble::
~*~*~
"So THIS is her! Isn't she a cutie!" Botan exclaimed, grabbing Kraiseiya's hand and shaking it rapidly. She smiled down at her brightly, blue ponytail bobbing up and down.
After her hand was freed, Kraiseiya jumped back from her, ducking behind Kurama with her hands on either side of his waist, poking her head out from behind him to fix her gaze upon the hyperactive grim reaper cautiously. "I changed my mind. Can we go back, Kurama-koi?"
Botan just smiled, bending down so that her face was an inch from Krai's. "Nonsense!"
Yelping, the youkai scrambled to Kurama's other side, her hands still on his midsection as she looked around him to keep an eye upon Botan. Sweatdropping, Kurama glanced down at Botan, taking hold of her ponytail with a sigh as she tried to go after Kraiseiya.
"Dame. You're scaring her, Botan," he said.
Botan yelped as she was jerked back by her hair. She straightened, smoothing down her jeans slightly. "Oh? Sorry. A little skittish? I'll try to remember that."
Yusuke, who was standing behind Botan, holding a hand over his mouth, was shaking with barely-contained laughter. Keiko shook her head, and Kuwabara looked ready to explode with his withheld amusement.
"Don't blow up, Kuwabara. It would be a shame to lose you." Hiei said coldly, glancing up at the tall boy from his spot next to him.
Kuwabara's laughter instantly died. "Shut up!"
"How eloquently put."
"I said-!"
"Both of you!" Keiko snapped, glaring over at them.
Hiei's eyes widened over at her as he looked around Kuwabara's bulk to meet her piercing eyes. Kuwabara gulped, silencing himself while trying not to look over at her. Hiei blinked, crimson widening even further, before leaning back with a few more blinks. How did he kidnap her so easily?! Oh wait, he had knocked her out first, hadn't he? How does Yusuke put up with her?
"But really, Kurama, this is her?" Botan asked him, grinning.
He nodded.
"Oh you rascal, you!" she elbowed him in the side with a giggle. "I never did think a human would catch YOUR eye. Nor your heart. You just needed to find the right youkai girl, and NOW look at you!"
He flushed. "Botan."
"Sorry, sorry. Getting a little carried away. But Kurama!" she giggled again. "You've finally found yourself a girlfriend! How can I NOT be excited?!"
Kraiseiya still watched Botan from behind Kurama, her cheek pressed to his side against his ribs. He reached back his arm to hold her slightly, stroking her white hair.
Botan smiled down at Kraiseiya. "And she is a little fox-ish isn't she? All skittish like that."
Kurama paused, looking down to the young youkai with a thoughtful smile, his hand still occupied with her tresses. "Hai. I suppose so."
Kraiseiya flushed, smiling up at Kurama weakly. He took hold on her shoulders, drawing her up so that she would stand straight. With all of them gathered, Kurama noticed now that she was only a few inches taller then Hiei, and was shorter then the others. He curled his arm around her waist, drawing her flush against his side. He kissed her temple. "My little vixen," he murmured quietly, making her blush even deeper.
"Aww!" Botan squealed, clasping her hands in front of her chest.
Keiko sighed, leaning against Yusuke, who looked over at her with a puzzled expression. He only hoped that she didn't expect HIM to act like that!
Kuwabara grinned.
Hiei rolled his eyes. "Yes, very touching. Well, now that I am thoroughly nauseated, can I go now?"
Botan huffed over at the short youkai. "Oh, Hiei, lighten up! We're going to have to find someone for YOU next!"
His eyes widened. "You have to be kidding."
"You're the only member of the team without a girl to root for him during battles-"
"And I don't need one. I have done perfectly fine without one, thank you."
"Oh, you wet blanket!"
Kurama chuckled, making eye contact with Hiei, who glared at him. "I hope you're enjoying this, Kurama. This topic will never be brought up again," he growled, glaring meaningfully at Botan.
They could only guess that Hiei had sent her something telepathically, because she instantly went rigid, eyes widening. "H-h-h-hai." she stuttered. "YUSUKE!!!" she cried out, ducking behind him for protection from the menacing Hiei.
Yusuke chuckled back at Botan, then turned to back to the short youkai. "C'mon, Hiei. Give her a break."
He huffed. "Easy for you to say, Detective. She isn't trying to match you up with someone, seeing as how you have her," he jabbed a finger at Keiko.
"But you don't have to be so mean to Botan, Shorty," Kuwabara put in.
Hiei turned on him. "And YOU are doting all over my-" eyes widening as he faltered, he corrected himself hurriedly. "Yukina!"
"Hiei-" Kurama started.
"And YOU! Don't even start!" Hiei snapped, turning on Kurama. "You.!" his eyes fixed on Kraiseiya, and he turned, and was gone in a black blur.
They were all silent, looking at Kraiseiya in confusion.
"OH!" Botan exclaimed, slapping her hands over her mouth, eyes wide. "Oh, oh!"
"What? Stop doing that!" Yusuke said, taking hold of her shoulders and shoving her between himself and Kurama.
Her eyes were fixed upon Kraiseiya, and she slowly peeled her hands away from her mouth. "I think Hiei already found someone, and that's why he's getting upset. And I don't think he can do anything about his feelings because she's already." her gaze moved up to Kurama. ".attached."
Letting out a collective gasp, everyone stared at Botan with a look of shock, none of them more surprised then Kurama. "But. He. Hiei.? But." he stumbled, not able to get past the first words of his sentences. "Kraiseiya?"
Botan nodded. "I think so. well isn't this a predicament." She raised her hand to her chin. "You and Hiei get along so well, and now THIS!"
Kraiseiya shrunk back from Kurama's touch, drawing out of his hold with her hands clutched to her chest, silver eyes wide. "T-this is all my fault. Isn't it?" she whispered.
Kurama turned to her, face pained as he held his arms out to her. "Iie, Kraiseiya. Iie. No blame falls upon your shoulders."
"Demo."
"No buts," he coaxed, enveloping her in his arms.
Resting her cheek against his chest, she looked over to the others. "Demo. What about Hiei.?"
"His honor will not allow him to do anything about his feelings towards you so long as you are bound to me. Do not worry about him right now, Kraiseiya," he murmured, rubbing her back. He looked up to the others. "And the rest of you don't need to worry about it either. If anyone has to be concerned about this, it is Hiei and I."
They nodded.
"K-Kurama.?" Kraiseiya said quietly, looking up at him.
"Nani?"
"I. I think I need to get home. Okaasan is probably worried sick right about now." she mumbled.
His eyes widened. "Hai. Let's get you home."
~*~*~
Bow: Aww. poor Hiei!
Dragon: See! If he and Kurama had a thing going on ::raises eyebrows suggestively:: none of this would have happened! ::blinks:: HEY! You got out of the baggie!
Bow: ::looks around:: Who, me?
Dragon: T-T Why me?
Bow: I just opened the baggie and lit it on fire!
Dragon: Wouldn't the plastic have melted?
Bow: ::shakes head:: Not with the fire I used. It. like. disappeared. ^_^
Dragon: And what fire would that be?
Bow: ::points over at Hiei::
Hiei: ::blink:: Hai?
Dragon: ::huffs:: Cheater.
Bow: ;P
~*~*~
Holding her hand, Kurama walked with Kraiseiya back to her home. Her mother owned a bread shop, and they lived above it, so it wasn't a hard task to find it. It was a few blocks away from the school, and they were there within fifteen minutes from where they had met Yusuke and the others.
Opening the door, Kraiseiya poked her head inside timidly, though her entrance was announced by the ringing of a bell. She winced, creeping inside, followed by Kurama the master thief. He glanced around, looking puzzled.
"Why are we sneaking in?" he asked.
"KRAISEIYA?!"
"Oh."
"Kraiseiya, is that you?!"
"Hai, Okaasan!" she called out, wincing.
"Good! I need you to try this!" a woman, perhaps in her late thirties, entered from the kitchen, powdered with flour, holding a small, golden- colored bun. Her hair was held back in a braid, black strands covered with a hair-net.
Looking confused, the bun was shoved into her mouth, with barely enough time to chew before being questioned. "Well? What do you think?"
"Iff grddd," she said, her mouth still filled with bread roll.
She frowned. "It needs more honey. They're supposed to be sweet buns!" She moved to go back into the kitchen.
Then why ask me? she asked herself. Kraiseiya swallowed. "Okaasan! Matte!"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"This is. Shuichi," she said, gesturing back towards the red-haired boy.
Her mother did a double-take, almost running back over to them. "I-is he.?"
She nodded. "From school. He's a friend from school."
Her mother practically had tears in her eyes. "I knew this move would make life better for you, Kraiseiya!"
Kurama coughed slightly. "Actually, I'm her boyfriend."
Her eyes widened. "Boyfriend? Honto?"
He nodded.
"Kraiseiya! Oh!" she hugged her daughter tightly, tears coursing down her cheeks.
Kraiseiya looked to Kurama for help.
Gulping, he took hold of her arm and pried her out of her mother's grip. "I- it was nice to meet you ma'am. But I have to go now. I was just walking her home, I-"
"Nonsense! You can stay for dinner if you like!" she said, grinning brightly.
He looked over to Kraiseiya, who mouthed. "Onegai? She makes good food, and you're the first person who I've ever brought home before."
He turned back to her mother and nodded. "Hai. Domo arigatou."
~*~*~
"Good night, Kraiseiya-koi. I'll see you tomorrow," Kurama murmured as he opened the door to leave, contentedly full from dinner.
"I wish you didn't have to go so soon," she protested softly, leaning against the doorframe, hands holding onto it as she rested her head against the wood.
He smiled down at her, kissing her gently. "Okaasan will be worried about me. She'll have started to fret already, I'm sure. Besides; it's pitch black outside. Sleep well. Dream of me?"
She smiled, pressing back against his kiss before he pulled back. "Day and night."
He ruffled her hair, and turned to go. "G'night."
"Night. Kurama-koi." she murmured, watching him go until he turned the corner and out of her range of vision. She closed the door with a contented sigh, turning her back to the door and leaning back against it.
"He's a very nice young man," her mother, Tsukiko, told her daughter, brushing her now-clean strands of black hair out of her black eyes. She had cleaned herself up before dinner.
"Hai." she breathed, looking over to her mother.
Tsukiko chuckled, taking hold of her daughter's arm and pulling her from the door. "Someone's in love."
"Hai." she murmured, following her mother as she led her to her bedroom.
"It's late, Kraiseiya. Change and go to bed. And no TV. Don't think I didn't hear it last night."
Kraiseiya grinned sheepishly. "Hai, Okaasan."
~*~*~
Kurama turned the corner, smiling to himself as he walked, hands in his pockets. Today had definitely been a good day. Even he was surprised that things had gone so well with Kraiseiya. He had never felt that way about a woman before, and had those emotions so readily returned. Of course, as Yohko, he had not had such access to these emotions.
"You seem pleased with yourself."
Kurama turned his head, looking down into a dark alleyway. Out from the shadows crept a grimacing Hiei, who refused to meet his eyes. "Hello, Hiei."
"Have a good time with your girlfriend then?" he hissed, glaring down at the pavement.
"Hai, actually. Her mother is very kind," he murmured, watching his friend with a pained expression.
"So that was what you were doing then?" he growled, though his face faltered, and he seemed to have to force his anger out of him.
"Hiei, do not do this to yourself."
"How can I not?!" he looked up at Kurama, face set in a grimace, his eyes masked with pain. "You have everything I lack. A caring mother, a good life, and now a beautiful woman by your side."
"I am sorry about the torment of your past, Hiei. But there is nothing that can change that. And do not blame me for Kraiseiya: I did not ask for her affections."
"But you accepted them readily enough!"
"Hai, I do care for her, Hiei. Am I to be blamed for that too? You are my friend. And I hope I am yours."
Hiei looked away, and down to the pavement once again. "Of course you are my friend."
"Then do not treat me as an enemy. I am sorry that we both have affections for the same girl, but do not let it hurt the bond that we share. We have faced too many trials together to let this break us."
".You are right, as always. I apologize, Kurama. But just remember, that even though I have reconciled this with you, my feelings for Kraiseiya have not, and will not wane."
And then Hiei vanished into the shadows.
~*~*~
The next day after school, Kraiseiya met again with the others, including Botan.
"But you don't know anything about what kind of youkai Krai is?" Kurama asked.
"Iie! I told you that three times already Kurama. There are no records in the files up in Spirit World. We don't know. There is no way to find out what kind of abilities she has," Botan said, exasperated.
"Check again," Hiei said, eyes narrowing.
"I've looked! There is nothing in there about what kind of youkai she is. No pictures even remotely match the markings on her face, or her overall structure. Gomen, but I have nothing!"
Kurama sighed, shaking his head. "Well, there is nothing we can do. Kraiseiya, didn't you say you needed to be home not too long after school?"
She nodded. "Hai."
"Alright. I'll take you home, then."
~*~*~
Dragon: Short much?
Bow: Pshaw! It had little importance. The next scene is what is REALLY important.
Dragon: Oh?
Bow: ::nod nod:: And it will finally introduce some kind of plot. Yay!
~*~*~
"OKAASAN! I'm hooooooooome!" Kraiseiya called out, grinning as she released Kurama's hand and darted into the shop. Not seeing her mother behind the counter, she ran into the kitchen.
Kurama smiled, shaking his head with a soft laugh as he waited for her to reappear so that he might bid her farewell and go home himself, unless she had other plans for them.
He then heard a scream, which made his blood run cold. "KRAISEYIA!!!" he shouted, running after her into the kitchen.
As soon as he entered the kitchen, he was enveloped in the stench of drying blood. He covered his sensitive nose with his sleeve, running towards the back of the kitchen. Kraiseiya ran into him, and he released his nose to catch her, holding her as she struggled to free herself, screaming as tears poured down her face. "IIIIIEEEE! IIIIIEEEE!!!"
He held her fast, resting his head against hers as he stroked her hair and back. "Kraiseiya, it's me! Stop struggling! It's Kurama!"
She went limp in his arms, gripping the front of his uniform as she cried. "Kurama! I-It's Okaasan."
As relieved as he was to see Kraiseiya unharmed, his blood once again froze in his veins. He released his hold on her, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Kraiseiya. you stay here. I. I need to see what happened. I might be able to do something."
She slumped to the floor, one hand pressed to the linoleum as she doubled over, the other pressed to her face, her tears rolling through her fingers and dripping from the back of her palm.
Giving her one last glance, Kurama went forward, and had to cover his nose once more as the stench began to overpower him. Next to an oven lay Kraiseiya's mother, drenched in blood from head to foot. He squeezed his eyes shut as tears came to them, forcing himself to turn his head from her. Then, he paused, and did a double-take, looking back over at her. He removed his hand from his nose and sniffed, and was hit with a wave of nausea. He fought it back down, and his eyes widened. "K-Kraiseiya! Your mother, she's alright! This blood is not hers! It is the blood of a lesser youkai. This was meant to frighten you." he paused again, and lowered his voice so that only he could hear his words. ".Demo.Youkai blood? What youkai would drench Krai's mother in the blood of a lesser youkai to frighten her.?"
Then he saw the message scrawled in blood on the wall above Tsukiko's head. "It shall be her blood next time, if the Yuugi youkai does not come to the park at sundown. She must come alone."
~*~*~
Bow: Muahahahahahahahahahaha!!! And I end here.
Dragon: Evil.
Bow: Oh please, you know what's going to happen!
Dragon: So?
Bow: Pah! Anywho, it is currently December 30th, and I have still not gotten access to the internet so that I can post the first three chapters. So, any of you who are reading this at this moment, will most likely be in the New Year, whoot! I will hopefully get online this weekend. ::crosses fingers::
Dragon: ::glares:: What about Guardian!!!
Bow: ::blinks:: Don' wanna!!! ::cries::
Dragon: ::grumble::
Alexian: ::pops out of The Return of Dragons and stands in front of Bow protectively:: Leave the creator alone!
Dragon: .Lex? What the heck are you doing here?
Alexian: It isn't that hard to jump from one document to the other. ::looks up at toolbar:: See? There's my file up there!
Bow: Umm.. But Lex. Umm. You really need to get back in your book, dude.
Alexian: ::blinks:: Why?
Bow: You really aren't ready for this world, Lex. ::pats his head:: See Dragon? She's not like the dragons in your world. She eats people.
Random Dragonslayer: ::from within Dragon:: YESSIR!
Dragon: ::looks down at her stomach:: Haven't you been digested yet?!
RD: Umm. not yet? I don't really understand it either.
Alexian: ::looks really freaked:: How did that dragon eat someone?! It is against their morals completely!
Bow: ::shakes head:: I told you. Trust me. Now, my brainchild, go back to your world, rescue the girls, save them from Zaredan's mind control.
Alexian: Zaredan? Girls? What girls?
Bow: ::blinks:: Oh, yea. You haven't met them yet. Forget it, Lex. I kinda forgot that you haven't gotten to Dotrynnoc yet. ::shrug:: Well, you'll understand later.
Alexian: Uhh. Okay?
Bow: Just trust me. ::pats head again:: Go on.
Alexian: ::leaves::
Dragon: .Brainchild?
Bow: Well, he's kinda like a son to me, though from my brain, not from my body. Hence brainchild.
Dragon: ::looks at readers:: Hurry! Go before her craziness gets to you! R/R! Save yourselves! ::shrieks as Bow tackles her, mouth foaming::
Bow: BRAAAAAAAIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
Dragon: ::nods:: Yup. ::blinks:: HEY! You should still be at work with your father! Files are waiting!
Bow-in-baggie: ::tries to bop her. Can't through bag. Cries:: Well, I WAS at work, but we got a half-day due to it being Christmas Eve and such.
Dragon: Oh. Pity. ::pause:: Aren't you ever going to work on Guardian?
Bow-in-baggie: ::sniffles:: Don' wanna right now!
Dragon: Well, when will you?
Bow-in-baggie: Dunno?
Dragon: -.-;;;
Bow-in-baggie: ^___________^;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Dragon: Typical. ::sniffles:: But there is no yaoi in this! Arg!
Bow-in-baggie: Correct. No yaoi. Through. I do like Hiei and Kurama as a couple. But not in this fic! Maybe another time. ::nods::
Dragon: ::grumble, grumble::
~*~*~
"So THIS is her! Isn't she a cutie!" Botan exclaimed, grabbing Kraiseiya's hand and shaking it rapidly. She smiled down at her brightly, blue ponytail bobbing up and down.
After her hand was freed, Kraiseiya jumped back from her, ducking behind Kurama with her hands on either side of his waist, poking her head out from behind him to fix her gaze upon the hyperactive grim reaper cautiously. "I changed my mind. Can we go back, Kurama-koi?"
Botan just smiled, bending down so that her face was an inch from Krai's. "Nonsense!"
Yelping, the youkai scrambled to Kurama's other side, her hands still on his midsection as she looked around him to keep an eye upon Botan. Sweatdropping, Kurama glanced down at Botan, taking hold of her ponytail with a sigh as she tried to go after Kraiseiya.
"Dame. You're scaring her, Botan," he said.
Botan yelped as she was jerked back by her hair. She straightened, smoothing down her jeans slightly. "Oh? Sorry. A little skittish? I'll try to remember that."
Yusuke, who was standing behind Botan, holding a hand over his mouth, was shaking with barely-contained laughter. Keiko shook her head, and Kuwabara looked ready to explode with his withheld amusement.
"Don't blow up, Kuwabara. It would be a shame to lose you." Hiei said coldly, glancing up at the tall boy from his spot next to him.
Kuwabara's laughter instantly died. "Shut up!"
"How eloquently put."
"I said-!"
"Both of you!" Keiko snapped, glaring over at them.
Hiei's eyes widened over at her as he looked around Kuwabara's bulk to meet her piercing eyes. Kuwabara gulped, silencing himself while trying not to look over at her. Hiei blinked, crimson widening even further, before leaning back with a few more blinks. How did he kidnap her so easily?! Oh wait, he had knocked her out first, hadn't he? How does Yusuke put up with her?
"But really, Kurama, this is her?" Botan asked him, grinning.
He nodded.
"Oh you rascal, you!" she elbowed him in the side with a giggle. "I never did think a human would catch YOUR eye. Nor your heart. You just needed to find the right youkai girl, and NOW look at you!"
He flushed. "Botan."
"Sorry, sorry. Getting a little carried away. But Kurama!" she giggled again. "You've finally found yourself a girlfriend! How can I NOT be excited?!"
Kraiseiya still watched Botan from behind Kurama, her cheek pressed to his side against his ribs. He reached back his arm to hold her slightly, stroking her white hair.
Botan smiled down at Kraiseiya. "And she is a little fox-ish isn't she? All skittish like that."
Kurama paused, looking down to the young youkai with a thoughtful smile, his hand still occupied with her tresses. "Hai. I suppose so."
Kraiseiya flushed, smiling up at Kurama weakly. He took hold on her shoulders, drawing her up so that she would stand straight. With all of them gathered, Kurama noticed now that she was only a few inches taller then Hiei, and was shorter then the others. He curled his arm around her waist, drawing her flush against his side. He kissed her temple. "My little vixen," he murmured quietly, making her blush even deeper.
"Aww!" Botan squealed, clasping her hands in front of her chest.
Keiko sighed, leaning against Yusuke, who looked over at her with a puzzled expression. He only hoped that she didn't expect HIM to act like that!
Kuwabara grinned.
Hiei rolled his eyes. "Yes, very touching. Well, now that I am thoroughly nauseated, can I go now?"
Botan huffed over at the short youkai. "Oh, Hiei, lighten up! We're going to have to find someone for YOU next!"
His eyes widened. "You have to be kidding."
"You're the only member of the team without a girl to root for him during battles-"
"And I don't need one. I have done perfectly fine without one, thank you."
"Oh, you wet blanket!"
Kurama chuckled, making eye contact with Hiei, who glared at him. "I hope you're enjoying this, Kurama. This topic will never be brought up again," he growled, glaring meaningfully at Botan.
They could only guess that Hiei had sent her something telepathically, because she instantly went rigid, eyes widening. "H-h-h-hai." she stuttered. "YUSUKE!!!" she cried out, ducking behind him for protection from the menacing Hiei.
Yusuke chuckled back at Botan, then turned to back to the short youkai. "C'mon, Hiei. Give her a break."
He huffed. "Easy for you to say, Detective. She isn't trying to match you up with someone, seeing as how you have her," he jabbed a finger at Keiko.
"But you don't have to be so mean to Botan, Shorty," Kuwabara put in.
Hiei turned on him. "And YOU are doting all over my-" eyes widening as he faltered, he corrected himself hurriedly. "Yukina!"
"Hiei-" Kurama started.
"And YOU! Don't even start!" Hiei snapped, turning on Kurama. "You.!" his eyes fixed on Kraiseiya, and he turned, and was gone in a black blur.
They were all silent, looking at Kraiseiya in confusion.
"OH!" Botan exclaimed, slapping her hands over her mouth, eyes wide. "Oh, oh!"
"What? Stop doing that!" Yusuke said, taking hold of her shoulders and shoving her between himself and Kurama.
Her eyes were fixed upon Kraiseiya, and she slowly peeled her hands away from her mouth. "I think Hiei already found someone, and that's why he's getting upset. And I don't think he can do anything about his feelings because she's already." her gaze moved up to Kurama. ".attached."
Letting out a collective gasp, everyone stared at Botan with a look of shock, none of them more surprised then Kurama. "But. He. Hiei.? But." he stumbled, not able to get past the first words of his sentences. "Kraiseiya?"
Botan nodded. "I think so. well isn't this a predicament." She raised her hand to her chin. "You and Hiei get along so well, and now THIS!"
Kraiseiya shrunk back from Kurama's touch, drawing out of his hold with her hands clutched to her chest, silver eyes wide. "T-this is all my fault. Isn't it?" she whispered.
Kurama turned to her, face pained as he held his arms out to her. "Iie, Kraiseiya. Iie. No blame falls upon your shoulders."
"Demo."
"No buts," he coaxed, enveloping her in his arms.
Resting her cheek against his chest, she looked over to the others. "Demo. What about Hiei.?"
"His honor will not allow him to do anything about his feelings towards you so long as you are bound to me. Do not worry about him right now, Kraiseiya," he murmured, rubbing her back. He looked up to the others. "And the rest of you don't need to worry about it either. If anyone has to be concerned about this, it is Hiei and I."
They nodded.
"K-Kurama.?" Kraiseiya said quietly, looking up at him.
"Nani?"
"I. I think I need to get home. Okaasan is probably worried sick right about now." she mumbled.
His eyes widened. "Hai. Let's get you home."
~*~*~
Bow: Aww. poor Hiei!
Dragon: See! If he and Kurama had a thing going on ::raises eyebrows suggestively:: none of this would have happened! ::blinks:: HEY! You got out of the baggie!
Bow: ::looks around:: Who, me?
Dragon: T-T Why me?
Bow: I just opened the baggie and lit it on fire!
Dragon: Wouldn't the plastic have melted?
Bow: ::shakes head:: Not with the fire I used. It. like. disappeared. ^_^
Dragon: And what fire would that be?
Bow: ::points over at Hiei::
Hiei: ::blink:: Hai?
Dragon: ::huffs:: Cheater.
Bow: ;P
~*~*~
Holding her hand, Kurama walked with Kraiseiya back to her home. Her mother owned a bread shop, and they lived above it, so it wasn't a hard task to find it. It was a few blocks away from the school, and they were there within fifteen minutes from where they had met Yusuke and the others.
Opening the door, Kraiseiya poked her head inside timidly, though her entrance was announced by the ringing of a bell. She winced, creeping inside, followed by Kurama the master thief. He glanced around, looking puzzled.
"Why are we sneaking in?" he asked.
"KRAISEIYA?!"
"Oh."
"Kraiseiya, is that you?!"
"Hai, Okaasan!" she called out, wincing.
"Good! I need you to try this!" a woman, perhaps in her late thirties, entered from the kitchen, powdered with flour, holding a small, golden- colored bun. Her hair was held back in a braid, black strands covered with a hair-net.
Looking confused, the bun was shoved into her mouth, with barely enough time to chew before being questioned. "Well? What do you think?"
"Iff grddd," she said, her mouth still filled with bread roll.
She frowned. "It needs more honey. They're supposed to be sweet buns!" She moved to go back into the kitchen.
Then why ask me? she asked herself. Kraiseiya swallowed. "Okaasan! Matte!"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"This is. Shuichi," she said, gesturing back towards the red-haired boy.
Her mother did a double-take, almost running back over to them. "I-is he.?"
She nodded. "From school. He's a friend from school."
Her mother practically had tears in her eyes. "I knew this move would make life better for you, Kraiseiya!"
Kurama coughed slightly. "Actually, I'm her boyfriend."
Her eyes widened. "Boyfriend? Honto?"
He nodded.
"Kraiseiya! Oh!" she hugged her daughter tightly, tears coursing down her cheeks.
Kraiseiya looked to Kurama for help.
Gulping, he took hold of her arm and pried her out of her mother's grip. "I- it was nice to meet you ma'am. But I have to go now. I was just walking her home, I-"
"Nonsense! You can stay for dinner if you like!" she said, grinning brightly.
He looked over to Kraiseiya, who mouthed. "Onegai? She makes good food, and you're the first person who I've ever brought home before."
He turned back to her mother and nodded. "Hai. Domo arigatou."
~*~*~
"Good night, Kraiseiya-koi. I'll see you tomorrow," Kurama murmured as he opened the door to leave, contentedly full from dinner.
"I wish you didn't have to go so soon," she protested softly, leaning against the doorframe, hands holding onto it as she rested her head against the wood.
He smiled down at her, kissing her gently. "Okaasan will be worried about me. She'll have started to fret already, I'm sure. Besides; it's pitch black outside. Sleep well. Dream of me?"
She smiled, pressing back against his kiss before he pulled back. "Day and night."
He ruffled her hair, and turned to go. "G'night."
"Night. Kurama-koi." she murmured, watching him go until he turned the corner and out of her range of vision. She closed the door with a contented sigh, turning her back to the door and leaning back against it.
"He's a very nice young man," her mother, Tsukiko, told her daughter, brushing her now-clean strands of black hair out of her black eyes. She had cleaned herself up before dinner.
"Hai." she breathed, looking over to her mother.
Tsukiko chuckled, taking hold of her daughter's arm and pulling her from the door. "Someone's in love."
"Hai." she murmured, following her mother as she led her to her bedroom.
"It's late, Kraiseiya. Change and go to bed. And no TV. Don't think I didn't hear it last night."
Kraiseiya grinned sheepishly. "Hai, Okaasan."
~*~*~
Kurama turned the corner, smiling to himself as he walked, hands in his pockets. Today had definitely been a good day. Even he was surprised that things had gone so well with Kraiseiya. He had never felt that way about a woman before, and had those emotions so readily returned. Of course, as Yohko, he had not had such access to these emotions.
"You seem pleased with yourself."
Kurama turned his head, looking down into a dark alleyway. Out from the shadows crept a grimacing Hiei, who refused to meet his eyes. "Hello, Hiei."
"Have a good time with your girlfriend then?" he hissed, glaring down at the pavement.
"Hai, actually. Her mother is very kind," he murmured, watching his friend with a pained expression.
"So that was what you were doing then?" he growled, though his face faltered, and he seemed to have to force his anger out of him.
"Hiei, do not do this to yourself."
"How can I not?!" he looked up at Kurama, face set in a grimace, his eyes masked with pain. "You have everything I lack. A caring mother, a good life, and now a beautiful woman by your side."
"I am sorry about the torment of your past, Hiei. But there is nothing that can change that. And do not blame me for Kraiseiya: I did not ask for her affections."
"But you accepted them readily enough!"
"Hai, I do care for her, Hiei. Am I to be blamed for that too? You are my friend. And I hope I am yours."
Hiei looked away, and down to the pavement once again. "Of course you are my friend."
"Then do not treat me as an enemy. I am sorry that we both have affections for the same girl, but do not let it hurt the bond that we share. We have faced too many trials together to let this break us."
".You are right, as always. I apologize, Kurama. But just remember, that even though I have reconciled this with you, my feelings for Kraiseiya have not, and will not wane."
And then Hiei vanished into the shadows.
~*~*~
The next day after school, Kraiseiya met again with the others, including Botan.
"But you don't know anything about what kind of youkai Krai is?" Kurama asked.
"Iie! I told you that three times already Kurama. There are no records in the files up in Spirit World. We don't know. There is no way to find out what kind of abilities she has," Botan said, exasperated.
"Check again," Hiei said, eyes narrowing.
"I've looked! There is nothing in there about what kind of youkai she is. No pictures even remotely match the markings on her face, or her overall structure. Gomen, but I have nothing!"
Kurama sighed, shaking his head. "Well, there is nothing we can do. Kraiseiya, didn't you say you needed to be home not too long after school?"
She nodded. "Hai."
"Alright. I'll take you home, then."
~*~*~
Dragon: Short much?
Bow: Pshaw! It had little importance. The next scene is what is REALLY important.
Dragon: Oh?
Bow: ::nod nod:: And it will finally introduce some kind of plot. Yay!
~*~*~
"OKAASAN! I'm hooooooooome!" Kraiseiya called out, grinning as she released Kurama's hand and darted into the shop. Not seeing her mother behind the counter, she ran into the kitchen.
Kurama smiled, shaking his head with a soft laugh as he waited for her to reappear so that he might bid her farewell and go home himself, unless she had other plans for them.
He then heard a scream, which made his blood run cold. "KRAISEYIA!!!" he shouted, running after her into the kitchen.
As soon as he entered the kitchen, he was enveloped in the stench of drying blood. He covered his sensitive nose with his sleeve, running towards the back of the kitchen. Kraiseiya ran into him, and he released his nose to catch her, holding her as she struggled to free herself, screaming as tears poured down her face. "IIIIIEEEE! IIIIIEEEE!!!"
He held her fast, resting his head against hers as he stroked her hair and back. "Kraiseiya, it's me! Stop struggling! It's Kurama!"
She went limp in his arms, gripping the front of his uniform as she cried. "Kurama! I-It's Okaasan."
As relieved as he was to see Kraiseiya unharmed, his blood once again froze in his veins. He released his hold on her, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Kraiseiya. you stay here. I. I need to see what happened. I might be able to do something."
She slumped to the floor, one hand pressed to the linoleum as she doubled over, the other pressed to her face, her tears rolling through her fingers and dripping from the back of her palm.
Giving her one last glance, Kurama went forward, and had to cover his nose once more as the stench began to overpower him. Next to an oven lay Kraiseiya's mother, drenched in blood from head to foot. He squeezed his eyes shut as tears came to them, forcing himself to turn his head from her. Then, he paused, and did a double-take, looking back over at her. He removed his hand from his nose and sniffed, and was hit with a wave of nausea. He fought it back down, and his eyes widened. "K-Kraiseiya! Your mother, she's alright! This blood is not hers! It is the blood of a lesser youkai. This was meant to frighten you." he paused again, and lowered his voice so that only he could hear his words. ".Demo.Youkai blood? What youkai would drench Krai's mother in the blood of a lesser youkai to frighten her.?"
Then he saw the message scrawled in blood on the wall above Tsukiko's head. "It shall be her blood next time, if the Yuugi youkai does not come to the park at sundown. She must come alone."
~*~*~
Bow: Muahahahahahahahahahaha!!! And I end here.
Dragon: Evil.
Bow: Oh please, you know what's going to happen!
Dragon: So?
Bow: Pah! Anywho, it is currently December 30th, and I have still not gotten access to the internet so that I can post the first three chapters. So, any of you who are reading this at this moment, will most likely be in the New Year, whoot! I will hopefully get online this weekend. ::crosses fingers::
Dragon: ::glares:: What about Guardian!!!
Bow: ::blinks:: Don' wanna!!! ::cries::
Dragon: ::grumble::
Alexian: ::pops out of The Return of Dragons and stands in front of Bow protectively:: Leave the creator alone!
Dragon: .Lex? What the heck are you doing here?
Alexian: It isn't that hard to jump from one document to the other. ::looks up at toolbar:: See? There's my file up there!
Bow: Umm.. But Lex. Umm. You really need to get back in your book, dude.
Alexian: ::blinks:: Why?
Bow: You really aren't ready for this world, Lex. ::pats his head:: See Dragon? She's not like the dragons in your world. She eats people.
Random Dragonslayer: ::from within Dragon:: YESSIR!
Dragon: ::looks down at her stomach:: Haven't you been digested yet?!
RD: Umm. not yet? I don't really understand it either.
Alexian: ::looks really freaked:: How did that dragon eat someone?! It is against their morals completely!
Bow: ::shakes head:: I told you. Trust me. Now, my brainchild, go back to your world, rescue the girls, save them from Zaredan's mind control.
Alexian: Zaredan? Girls? What girls?
Bow: ::blinks:: Oh, yea. You haven't met them yet. Forget it, Lex. I kinda forgot that you haven't gotten to Dotrynnoc yet. ::shrug:: Well, you'll understand later.
Alexian: Uhh. Okay?
Bow: Just trust me. ::pats head again:: Go on.
Alexian: ::leaves::
Dragon: .Brainchild?
Bow: Well, he's kinda like a son to me, though from my brain, not from my body. Hence brainchild.
Dragon: ::looks at readers:: Hurry! Go before her craziness gets to you! R/R! Save yourselves! ::shrieks as Bow tackles her, mouth foaming::
Bow: BRAAAAAAAIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSS!!!