SEDUCING FIRE
By Starflower Sakura

DISCLAIMER: If you read the first chapter then you'll know that it doesn't belong to me!!

To readers/reviewers: Here's the chapter that you've been waiting for! The one that Hiei appears in... at least sort of... I'm not exactly sure how long I haven't updated but you can't blame me!! My editor is, or was if you're reading it right now, procrastinating. So have fun with this chapter!

Seducing Fire
Chapter 2 – Eyes In the Shadows

Kurama stood in the middle of Koenma's office, slightly irritated at the Prince of Death. His perfect attendance was ruined because of him. Botan had come to him during lunchtime right after he escaped from the hoards of females that were trying to get him to eat lunch with them with a request from Koenma that he appeared immediately in his office. So there he was. Standing in Koenma's office looking amused, although still a bit aggravated that he was missing class, as Koenma paced back and forth.

Finally, after all the time that Kurama had been there, Koenma spoke. "I have some good news and some bad."

Kurama didn't say anything, but gave a small nod towards him telling him to continue.

"The bad news is that a demon got through to the Ningenkai and terrorizing innocent people..." he paused, waiting for some kind of reaction from Kurama. When he received none, he continued on, not wanting to waste time, "The good news is that it's the Jaganshi that you're suppose to be tracking down."

Kurama couldn't help but smile at the fact that he wouldn't have to go to the Makai to hunt him down. After all, the Makai is large and in his current form, asking for directions from some nearby demon would not bode well.

"The last report about where he's been spotted is in Rikugien and that's where I need you to go to see if he's still there. If he is, then start your assignment right away. If he isn't... then wait until Botan goes to you with more news about his whereabouts."

"I suppose I should go now, in case he's still there and decides to leave."

"Yes, I think that would be best. Be careful, though. The Jaganshi is probably more powerful then we take him for if he somehow got through to the Ningenkai."

Kurama nodded and made his way back to the Ningenkai where the thought of missing school completely slipped his mind. He did have more important things to attend to, and he did know everything there was to know already so what's to missing a day or two. The only thing he's worried about when it comes to missing a few classes is the hoard of girls that will probably appear on his doorsteps asking his mother where he went. That would require some lying to get out of it. Such is the joy of being a demon turned human, he supposes. Now... how did you get to Rikugien Park again?

-------

This is not my day.

Kurama had spent the whole afternoon walking around the park in search of the Jaganshi only to come up empty-handed. Better yet, he forgot his money and the admission fee was 300 yen so he had to use skills to sneak in unsuspected. Now, it was getting dark, he was tired, his mother's most likely worried sick, and he still didn't have any money to get home with. If it was up to him, he'd say that someone up there hated him today.

"When I get home... if I get home, what am I supposed to tell Mother?"

Sighing, he sat down on a bench close by and stretched. The fatigue had finally gotten to him as he leaned against the bench and closed his eyes, trying to think of a way to get home. There was a payphone over there, but the lack of money disabled him from making a call to anybody.

"I knew I shouldn't have let Yuusuke and Kuwabara borrow money from me to buy that new game that just came out. If I didn't, I would probably be on my way home with only having to worry about what to tell Shiori. Instead, I'm stuck here until I figure out a way to get home."

It wasn't truly transportation that was bothering him, for he could have gone home easily if he wanted to, but because of his tiredness from searching the extremely huge park from top to bottom looking for the apparently not there Jaganshi; his limbs were just too sore to move. Damn Koenma and his assignment. If it weren't for them, he wouldn't be here.

The park had almost fully cleared, except for some tourists who were trying to get some last minute sightseeing before heading back to wherever they were staying. Some rustling in the trees above caught his attention as he turned his head only slightly to try and catch a sight of what it was, but also not to raise suspicion. Startled by the pair of gleaming red eyes that seemed to stare at him from the darkness, Kurama forgot all about not wanting to raise suspicion and turned fully to take a better look.

"Who are you?" Kurama asked, his voice low.

The person didn't answer, but Kurama had a very good feeling about just who it might be. He hid a small smirk as he raised his emerald-green eyes to meet the ruby-red ones.

Putting on the most distressed tone he could manage at the moment, he said, "Please. I'm lost and have no idea how to get home. I'm not even sure I can get home even if I knew where I was since I have no money on me... Won't you please be kind enough and help me?"

Kurama was quite proud of his act, but he was immediately put out as the figure made no move to help him whatsoever. He just continued to stare unnervingly at Kurama. In a split of a second, the eyes disappeared and the only thing that informed Kurama of his departure is the slight movement of the leaves.

"Damn... he got away..."

Now it was worse then ever. He was still money-less. Still had no way of getting home because of his legs' lack of cooperation. To top it all off, he just had a one-sided conversation with the little Jaganshi that flitted away before he could work his charm some more. Something on the grass under the tree that the Jaganshi, he presumed, had been standing on caught his eye before he turned back around. Being the curious fox that he was he went closer to it and say that it was... MONEY!!

Kurama picked it up and smiled. He was sure he'd have another run in with the Jaganshi. He needed to thank him properly after all. Willing his legs to walk only a few steps to a bus stop to get home, he didn't notice the same pair of red eyes staring at him through the shadows.

In another part of the park, a tourist exclaimed in surprise, "Where did my money go?!!"

-------

"KOENMA-SAMA!!" Botan exclaimed, rushing towards Koenma and accidentally scattering all the papers that he have been stamping.

Koenma winced a little and asked, "What is it, Botan?"

"There was just news that the Forbidden Child has escaped to the Ningenkai!!"

"... WHAT?!!"

To be continued...

Many people asked me to update and so here it is! Oh, and yes, I am a female Some people say Kurama is OOC and some say he isn't... Now, I'm confused. At least those people who say Kurama is OOC likes him that way. I know I haven't updated in a little more than seven months, but it's not my fault!! Blame my school and homework!! They're the ones that keep me from typing any fanfiction at all. Anyways, Hiei did appear... in a way. Not appear-appear, but enough for you to know that he's there! Hope you had fun reading this chapter!

- Starflower Sakura