Once again, I'm sorry…all of my muses left me, my aunt died, and then basically…everything just went to hell. Thank goodness for friends, but if one more person at school asks me if I'm going to cry, I'm shoving my foot up their nose.
But I told Kelsey I'd get this chapter tonight or I wouldn't get off the computer at all. So let me see if I can do this…thanks, everyone…and thanks to Melissa-chan for the voodoo dolls. They come in handy. *evil grin*
Anyway, enough of me and my sadness. Last chapter, the gang went to an amusement park, where Kaeru got freaked out at the Haunted House, Chitsuko did a magic show, and Kuronue and Suzaku…well…you know.
Writing actually helps…o.o Wow. So does talking to people (thanks to Lexi-chan, Kelsey, Bara-chan, etc.)
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"It seems kind of sad to me," Kaeru mused, one small hand placed at her chin as she peered through the thick metal bars at the creature within. "Why would you imprison them? They're living, breathing creatures, aren't they?"
Kurama placed a hand on the Koorime's shoulder. "Sometimes, certain types of animals are in danger of becoming extinct," he explained. "They're put into zoos in order to be saved and, once there are more of that type, they're released back into the wild."
"Extinct?" She looked puzzled. "What's that?"
"It's when there is no more of that type of animal. Like the dinosaurs."
"The what?"
Kia shook her head. "She's an Ice Maiden, Kurama. I don't think they have dinosaurs where she's from."
He smiled ruefully. "True enough."
Kaeru turned to them, a relieved smile lighting up her face. "So they'll let them go?"
"Eventually." The redheaded Youko sighed. "Shall we check out the petting zoo, then?"
It was a warm spring day, and the Mirror Holders, Suzaku, Chitsuko, Rei, Kuronue, Kurama, Hiei, Yukina, Kuwabara and Kaeru were at a small zoo, not too far from Suzuki's house. The others had either refused to go or were otherwise too busy.
A few minutes later, the two Ice Maidens were cooing over a sleepy-eyed sheep that seemed faintly surprised by all the attention they were lavishing upon it.
"…Hey." Kelsey poked Kia, who was cuddling a furry brown bunny. "I never thought that Kuronue and Kuwabara would get jealous…of a sheep."
"What?" The brunette turned, took a look, and then nudged Chitsuko. Once the hanyou had looked up and seen what the other two had, she started to giggle.
Kuwabara and Kuronue were both glaring at the wooly creature, who was now calmly munching some pellets that Kaeru proffered. Yukina was petting its springy coat, giggling softly.
"I wonder why Suzaku isn't glaring," Chitsuko remarked.
Rei snorted, sitting cross-legged on the ground with a very plump bristle-haired pig on her lap. "Take a look. He's a little…occupied right now."
This time, all three girls burst out laughing. The Saint Beast had a very sour look on his handsome face as he stared down at a very small goat…nibbling pieces of his white baggy pants. Hiei lounged casually against a wall of the large enclosure, eyes closed. For some reason, all of the animals were avoiding him…one of the chickens that had ventured close to peck at his boot had mysteriously vanished, so that might have been why.
"Get this…this THING away from me!" Suzaku growled, between clenched teeth. "Or better yet, I'LL get rid of it!"
Kaeru glanced up just then and saw her former babysitter raise his hand, probably to zap the poor goat into oblivion. Before he could do so, however, the Koorime had grabbed his arm, pulling it to her and away from the goat.
Perplexed, Suzaku looked down at her. "Kaeru, what--"
"Don't hurt it!" She dropped his arm and backed away, assuming a very protective stance in front of the goat. The animal couldn't care less and sniffed at her kimono, as if wondering whether this was just as tasty as the other man's pants. She gently sent a trace of icy ki at it to discourage that particular train of thought and looked back at Suzaku. "It's not hurting you and you can't use your powers in public anyway!"
"It ate my PANTS."
"You have OTHER pants."
"Not HERE!!"
"Then don't wear any!" Rei called, winking suggestively. "Show off those legs, Bird Boy!"
Suzaku, to Kaeru's amusement, turned bright red. "Oh, shut up." He aimed a halfhearted kick at the goat, which scooted away before his foot even touched a hair on its lean, wiry body.
"Onward and upwards!" The Priestess called, waving her arm wildly. "Now…we…go see…the giraffes!"
Kaeru blinked. "The…the what?"
"Ningen animals," Chitsuko told her. "They have really long necks."
Kelsey smirked. "Just like Kuronue." When the chimera glared at her, she stuck out her tongue, and skipped off, singing.
"Kuronue, where are you going? Upstairs to take a bath. Kuronue, with legs like tree trunks…and a neck like a giraffe!"
Kia shook her head, smiling slightly. "And there she goes…"
The song continued. "Kuronue got into the bathtub. Kuronue pulled up the plug. Oh my goodness, bless my soul, there goes Batty down the hole!"
"Can I kill her?" Kuronue asked wistfully, watching the Mirror Holder's meandering progress. "Or, at the very least, break something?"
"No." Kia grinned at him. "No mauling my friend." She and Chitsuko trotted after Kelsey, with Rei following, still winking at the crimson Suzaku. Kaeru, Hiei, Kurama, Yukina, Kuronue, and Kuwabara brought up the rear.
The giraffe-viewing was fairly uneventful. One of the giraffes DID lower its graceful neck to gently mouth Hiei's shock of black hair, but all the Jaganshi had to do was stare coldly at it and it wandered away in slow retreat. The hippos were fun to watch, and Hiei calmly remarked that one of them, wearing a particularly dumb expression, reminded him of Kuwabara. It took Kurama, Chitsuko, and both Mirror Holders to hold the orange-haired boy back. Upon seeing a pacing panther as they headed for the polar bear exhibit, Kia became slightly tearful. Kelsey also seemed to become a bit more solemn as they stared at the majestic feline, padding back and forth on velvety silent paws.
"What's the matter with them?" Kuronue asked Kurama. "It's just a cat."
The Youko glanced at him. "I believe one is homesick for her former home in the United States and the other is remembering seeing a zoo in that place burn with wild abandonment…"
The chimera blinked. "How do you KNOW this stuff?"
"Mostly from what they tell me." Kurama smiled. "Apparently, they consider me to be a very good listener."
Kuronue chuckled. "That's a definite change from your old self. You would always just brag about what you stole before and how many pretty females you tumbled about."
"Yes, well…" The other shrugged casually. "People change. Even yourself, Kuronue."
With a snort, Kuronue crossed his arms. "Oh, come on!" He scoffed. "You're daft, Kitsune. What makes you think I'VE changed?"
"Well, for starters…" Kurama pointed to Kaeru, who was now headed for the flamingos with Yukina. "The old you would have already made her cry, taken her gems, and ran away to Makai without a thought of your duties."
Kuronue scowled defensively. "Hey, wait…" He inadvertently followed Kurama's gaze, his violet eyes falling on the Ice Maiden. Kaeru remained unaware of the two pairs of eyes resting on her as she leaned over the railing, talking animatedly to Yukina and gazing at the vivid pink birds with large ruby eyes. "I'm…I haven't…"
"Whatever you say, Kuronue…"
Things were still rather peaceful...until they reached the polar bear enclosure. It started off innocently enough. Kaeru was peering over the edge at the white bears, smiling at them as one batted a ball into the water and waded in to retrieve it. Kuwabara was proclaiming his love for the sweetly-puzzled Yukina to anyone who would listen…and to anyone who wouldn't. Hiei was eyeing him malevolently, Suzaku and Kuronue were holding a staring contest with Rei as refereee, and the two foxes, Kia, and Kelsey were standing on the lower level. Kaeru was on the upper level.
It happened so suddenly that no one saw it coming. A group of boisterous teens walked by, talking and laughing loudly. One gangly boy jostled Kaeru. Already leaned over, the sudden hard motion made the startled Ice Maiden flip over the glass and plunge into the water on the other side.
"And KURO WINS!" Rei shouted jubilantly…just as Kaeru hit, arcs of water spraying up from her entrance.
"…What was that?" Suzaku turned…and stared. "Shimatta…KAERU?!"
"Get out of there!!" Kuronue yelled, rushing to the glass and frantically motioning for the Koorime to swim away, with much gesticulating. Kaeru obediently began to swim…but the polar bears' interests were now aroused. Rising to their feet, they slid into the water to investigate this little curiosity treading their icy water.
Yukina was ashen and trembling. "Are…are they going to kill her?"
"Normally, no…" Kia frowned. "But she could quite possibly be injured badly. Even if they're playing, their claws are no joke."
"I'm getting her," the chimera said grimly, starting to peel off his coat. Chitsuko stopped him, placing a hand on his chest.
"Don't. Hiei's got it taken care of."
"…What?" Kuronue looked…and saw Hiei leap into the water, grasping Kaeru around her waist and swimming rapidly away from the puzzled bears. He practically dragged her to dry land and then leapt back to the upper level, setting the shivering Ice Maiden down. She was coughing hard and soaked completely through, but was otherwise unharmed. Suzaku reached her first, tearing off his tan coat and covering Kaeru with it. She clutched at the lapels, smiling weakly.
"…Arigato gozaimasu, Hiei-san…"
He glanced down at her for a moment, and then leapt to join the others. "Hn."
"Let's go home," the Saint Beast said tersely, scooping up the Koorime and turning away. I've had enough excitement for one day."
"Where's Rei?" Kelsey asked suddenly.
"I think that she..." Kia began, but then stopped as she heard a chorus of roars. Hungry roars. And trumpeting… "What the…?"
Lions, tigers, panthers, the flamingos, the goats, monkeys…all of the animals were racing across the park. Not a single creature remained in its cage. And, leading it all, was a large bull elephant, Rei perched on his back. It looked as if the Priestess had freed the entire zoo.
"Liberation for all!" Rei shouted happily over the screams of the panicked people and the noises of the animals. "FREE THE ANIMALS! Isn't that right, Jumbo?" She asked the elephant.
Chitsuko looked dizzy. "I don't even want to know how she did this…"
"…Home," Kia said, in the stunned silence that followed. "Now."
The others were only too happy to obey. And so they left the animals…and Rei…behind. She'd come back eventually once her fun was over with and the animals had been put back in their cages. Except for one…
The next morning, Suzaku found his favorite pair of pants in shreds.
*OOC*
I did it. I'm so tired, it's 11:40 PM, and I am going to bed. Now. *thunk* Anyhoo…please review and all that jazz and thanks to both Lexi-chan and Kelsey for keeping me company for as long as they could. NEXT chapter!
* Suzaku thinks back to the good old days at Maze Castle…just Four Saint Beasts…and a Koorime child. Witness the memories. ^^
* When Kaeru gets attacked at an ice-skating rink, guess who's there to save her? And why is Kuronue jealous of the Koorime's UNCLE?
* Suzaku and Kuronue actually talk…and both must come to terms with something. Kaeru is no longer a child…and Kuronue can no longer deny…what he's been denying.
Argh, my eyes hurt.
But I told Kelsey I'd get this chapter tonight or I wouldn't get off the computer at all. So let me see if I can do this…thanks, everyone…and thanks to Melissa-chan for the voodoo dolls. They come in handy. *evil grin*
Anyway, enough of me and my sadness. Last chapter, the gang went to an amusement park, where Kaeru got freaked out at the Haunted House, Chitsuko did a magic show, and Kuronue and Suzaku…well…you know.
Writing actually helps…o.o Wow. So does talking to people (thanks to Lexi-chan, Kelsey, Bara-chan, etc.)
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"It seems kind of sad to me," Kaeru mused, one small hand placed at her chin as she peered through the thick metal bars at the creature within. "Why would you imprison them? They're living, breathing creatures, aren't they?"
Kurama placed a hand on the Koorime's shoulder. "Sometimes, certain types of animals are in danger of becoming extinct," he explained. "They're put into zoos in order to be saved and, once there are more of that type, they're released back into the wild."
"Extinct?" She looked puzzled. "What's that?"
"It's when there is no more of that type of animal. Like the dinosaurs."
"The what?"
Kia shook her head. "She's an Ice Maiden, Kurama. I don't think they have dinosaurs where she's from."
He smiled ruefully. "True enough."
Kaeru turned to them, a relieved smile lighting up her face. "So they'll let them go?"
"Eventually." The redheaded Youko sighed. "Shall we check out the petting zoo, then?"
It was a warm spring day, and the Mirror Holders, Suzaku, Chitsuko, Rei, Kuronue, Kurama, Hiei, Yukina, Kuwabara and Kaeru were at a small zoo, not too far from Suzuki's house. The others had either refused to go or were otherwise too busy.
A few minutes later, the two Ice Maidens were cooing over a sleepy-eyed sheep that seemed faintly surprised by all the attention they were lavishing upon it.
"…Hey." Kelsey poked Kia, who was cuddling a furry brown bunny. "I never thought that Kuronue and Kuwabara would get jealous…of a sheep."
"What?" The brunette turned, took a look, and then nudged Chitsuko. Once the hanyou had looked up and seen what the other two had, she started to giggle.
Kuwabara and Kuronue were both glaring at the wooly creature, who was now calmly munching some pellets that Kaeru proffered. Yukina was petting its springy coat, giggling softly.
"I wonder why Suzaku isn't glaring," Chitsuko remarked.
Rei snorted, sitting cross-legged on the ground with a very plump bristle-haired pig on her lap. "Take a look. He's a little…occupied right now."
This time, all three girls burst out laughing. The Saint Beast had a very sour look on his handsome face as he stared down at a very small goat…nibbling pieces of his white baggy pants. Hiei lounged casually against a wall of the large enclosure, eyes closed. For some reason, all of the animals were avoiding him…one of the chickens that had ventured close to peck at his boot had mysteriously vanished, so that might have been why.
"Get this…this THING away from me!" Suzaku growled, between clenched teeth. "Or better yet, I'LL get rid of it!"
Kaeru glanced up just then and saw her former babysitter raise his hand, probably to zap the poor goat into oblivion. Before he could do so, however, the Koorime had grabbed his arm, pulling it to her and away from the goat.
Perplexed, Suzaku looked down at her. "Kaeru, what--"
"Don't hurt it!" She dropped his arm and backed away, assuming a very protective stance in front of the goat. The animal couldn't care less and sniffed at her kimono, as if wondering whether this was just as tasty as the other man's pants. She gently sent a trace of icy ki at it to discourage that particular train of thought and looked back at Suzaku. "It's not hurting you and you can't use your powers in public anyway!"
"It ate my PANTS."
"You have OTHER pants."
"Not HERE!!"
"Then don't wear any!" Rei called, winking suggestively. "Show off those legs, Bird Boy!"
Suzaku, to Kaeru's amusement, turned bright red. "Oh, shut up." He aimed a halfhearted kick at the goat, which scooted away before his foot even touched a hair on its lean, wiry body.
"Onward and upwards!" The Priestess called, waving her arm wildly. "Now…we…go see…the giraffes!"
Kaeru blinked. "The…the what?"
"Ningen animals," Chitsuko told her. "They have really long necks."
Kelsey smirked. "Just like Kuronue." When the chimera glared at her, she stuck out her tongue, and skipped off, singing.
"Kuronue, where are you going? Upstairs to take a bath. Kuronue, with legs like tree trunks…and a neck like a giraffe!"
Kia shook her head, smiling slightly. "And there she goes…"
The song continued. "Kuronue got into the bathtub. Kuronue pulled up the plug. Oh my goodness, bless my soul, there goes Batty down the hole!"
"Can I kill her?" Kuronue asked wistfully, watching the Mirror Holder's meandering progress. "Or, at the very least, break something?"
"No." Kia grinned at him. "No mauling my friend." She and Chitsuko trotted after Kelsey, with Rei following, still winking at the crimson Suzaku. Kaeru, Hiei, Kurama, Yukina, Kuronue, and Kuwabara brought up the rear.
The giraffe-viewing was fairly uneventful. One of the giraffes DID lower its graceful neck to gently mouth Hiei's shock of black hair, but all the Jaganshi had to do was stare coldly at it and it wandered away in slow retreat. The hippos were fun to watch, and Hiei calmly remarked that one of them, wearing a particularly dumb expression, reminded him of Kuwabara. It took Kurama, Chitsuko, and both Mirror Holders to hold the orange-haired boy back. Upon seeing a pacing panther as they headed for the polar bear exhibit, Kia became slightly tearful. Kelsey also seemed to become a bit more solemn as they stared at the majestic feline, padding back and forth on velvety silent paws.
"What's the matter with them?" Kuronue asked Kurama. "It's just a cat."
The Youko glanced at him. "I believe one is homesick for her former home in the United States and the other is remembering seeing a zoo in that place burn with wild abandonment…"
The chimera blinked. "How do you KNOW this stuff?"
"Mostly from what they tell me." Kurama smiled. "Apparently, they consider me to be a very good listener."
Kuronue chuckled. "That's a definite change from your old self. You would always just brag about what you stole before and how many pretty females you tumbled about."
"Yes, well…" The other shrugged casually. "People change. Even yourself, Kuronue."
With a snort, Kuronue crossed his arms. "Oh, come on!" He scoffed. "You're daft, Kitsune. What makes you think I'VE changed?"
"Well, for starters…" Kurama pointed to Kaeru, who was now headed for the flamingos with Yukina. "The old you would have already made her cry, taken her gems, and ran away to Makai without a thought of your duties."
Kuronue scowled defensively. "Hey, wait…" He inadvertently followed Kurama's gaze, his violet eyes falling on the Ice Maiden. Kaeru remained unaware of the two pairs of eyes resting on her as she leaned over the railing, talking animatedly to Yukina and gazing at the vivid pink birds with large ruby eyes. "I'm…I haven't…"
"Whatever you say, Kuronue…"
Things were still rather peaceful...until they reached the polar bear enclosure. It started off innocently enough. Kaeru was peering over the edge at the white bears, smiling at them as one batted a ball into the water and waded in to retrieve it. Kuwabara was proclaiming his love for the sweetly-puzzled Yukina to anyone who would listen…and to anyone who wouldn't. Hiei was eyeing him malevolently, Suzaku and Kuronue were holding a staring contest with Rei as refereee, and the two foxes, Kia, and Kelsey were standing on the lower level. Kaeru was on the upper level.
It happened so suddenly that no one saw it coming. A group of boisterous teens walked by, talking and laughing loudly. One gangly boy jostled Kaeru. Already leaned over, the sudden hard motion made the startled Ice Maiden flip over the glass and plunge into the water on the other side.
"And KURO WINS!" Rei shouted jubilantly…just as Kaeru hit, arcs of water spraying up from her entrance.
"…What was that?" Suzaku turned…and stared. "Shimatta…KAERU?!"
"Get out of there!!" Kuronue yelled, rushing to the glass and frantically motioning for the Koorime to swim away, with much gesticulating. Kaeru obediently began to swim…but the polar bears' interests were now aroused. Rising to their feet, they slid into the water to investigate this little curiosity treading their icy water.
Yukina was ashen and trembling. "Are…are they going to kill her?"
"Normally, no…" Kia frowned. "But she could quite possibly be injured badly. Even if they're playing, their claws are no joke."
"I'm getting her," the chimera said grimly, starting to peel off his coat. Chitsuko stopped him, placing a hand on his chest.
"Don't. Hiei's got it taken care of."
"…What?" Kuronue looked…and saw Hiei leap into the water, grasping Kaeru around her waist and swimming rapidly away from the puzzled bears. He practically dragged her to dry land and then leapt back to the upper level, setting the shivering Ice Maiden down. She was coughing hard and soaked completely through, but was otherwise unharmed. Suzaku reached her first, tearing off his tan coat and covering Kaeru with it. She clutched at the lapels, smiling weakly.
"…Arigato gozaimasu, Hiei-san…"
He glanced down at her for a moment, and then leapt to join the others. "Hn."
"Let's go home," the Saint Beast said tersely, scooping up the Koorime and turning away. I've had enough excitement for one day."
"Where's Rei?" Kelsey asked suddenly.
"I think that she..." Kia began, but then stopped as she heard a chorus of roars. Hungry roars. And trumpeting… "What the…?"
Lions, tigers, panthers, the flamingos, the goats, monkeys…all of the animals were racing across the park. Not a single creature remained in its cage. And, leading it all, was a large bull elephant, Rei perched on his back. It looked as if the Priestess had freed the entire zoo.
"Liberation for all!" Rei shouted happily over the screams of the panicked people and the noises of the animals. "FREE THE ANIMALS! Isn't that right, Jumbo?" She asked the elephant.
Chitsuko looked dizzy. "I don't even want to know how she did this…"
"…Home," Kia said, in the stunned silence that followed. "Now."
The others were only too happy to obey. And so they left the animals…and Rei…behind. She'd come back eventually once her fun was over with and the animals had been put back in their cages. Except for one…
The next morning, Suzaku found his favorite pair of pants in shreds.
*OOC*
I did it. I'm so tired, it's 11:40 PM, and I am going to bed. Now. *thunk* Anyhoo…please review and all that jazz and thanks to both Lexi-chan and Kelsey for keeping me company for as long as they could. NEXT chapter!
* Suzaku thinks back to the good old days at Maze Castle…just Four Saint Beasts…and a Koorime child. Witness the memories. ^^
* When Kaeru gets attacked at an ice-skating rink, guess who's there to save her? And why is Kuronue jealous of the Koorime's UNCLE?
* Suzaku and Kuronue actually talk…and both must come to terms with something. Kaeru is no longer a child…and Kuronue can no longer deny…what he's been denying.
Argh, my eyes hurt.
