Disclaimer: As you should know by now, I'm not Rumiko Takahashi, Yoshihiro Togashi or JK Rowling, so don't think this is an actual story by any one of them, but a humble fanfiction by the likes of me. Anywayz, Thanks to the reviewers, I appreaciate it.
NOTE:I know updates have been slow, but I hschohrk and stuff, so I'm sorry to my few readers, but this is the fastest d I have. Any time that I have where I'm not watching Inuyasha or YuYu Hakusho or reading Harry Potter for our lovely ideas. When I say our, Im not being schyzo on you.There is a cowriter to this story, so don't give me all the credit please. She isn't on , but please, if you want a good read, go to You won't regret reading it, I promise! Also, feel free to e-mail me at for updates times, more information on the story if you are confused, or if you just want to comment to me about the story, which I will pass on to the cowriter. I really don't mind e-mails, even flames. If you flame me however, my sweet composition might just fade........ Now, quit reading this and go read the story!!!!!!.
/../=author's notes
'..'=Ariana speaking
"..."=everyone else speaking
[...]=Ariana's thoughts
(...)=everyone else's thoughts
...=telepathic convorsation
Hard Knock Life
by Fallenangelscorn
Chapter 5
Cheryl, Ice Neko Extraodinare and SURPRISE!
"Ariana!" yells Jeff angrily bursting through her bedroom door. You scream in horrorat the look of rage on his face. He grabs your arm and begins slapping and punching you fervently. "How dare you run away?! Did you think I wouldn't have found you?! Your stupid friends will be of no help to you, I killed them all already while they slept." You don't believe your ears. 'NO! Your lying! Kazuma! Shizuru! Yusuke! Somebody! HELP!!!' He punches you in the gut and you double over in pain. He knees you in the face and you feel fresh blood stream down your face. Try as you might, you can't transform into your demon form. Instead, yuo lunge for your katana, but Jeff gets it first. He grabs your arm. "Now, I think it's time to do a little soul extraction, don't you think?" he lunges at you as you stand paralyzed with fear. As the blade comes down over your head, there is a flash of light.
You wake up in a cold sweat. [Thank kami, it was just a dream] you think, getting out of bed. The clock on the wall reads 4:30. You gaze over at the calander. September 20th. [It's my birthday, I'm officially 13] you sigh. Every year on your birthday, Jeff had introduced a new torture device and practiced with it on you. One year stood out quite clearly in your mind.....
You come through the door, quite happy on your 11th birthday. The teacher had assigned a new book for you all to read, Kara had gotten you a big stuffed teddy bear that you had wanted, and even a card./This was before her birthday, which is in December/. Jeff was sitting on the couch, waiting for you to relize his presence. "Welcome home Ariana." he says rising and walking towards you. From his back pocket, he pulls out a switchblade. You stare wide eyed and find yourself against the wall. He gives you a genuine smile. "You look so happy." suddenly, the smile is replaced by a scowl. "Maybe we should fix that." He suddenly grabs your arms and slits your wrists, sideways, so you won't die. He drops the blade next to your hand, then runs out of the room. Seconds later you hear him on the phone. "Yes, 911? My daughter, she tried to commit suicide! We need an ambulance right away! Yes, yes, thank you!" 20 minutes later, an ambulance arrived and you were taken to the hospital, and they told Jeff to get you therapy. You were out of school for a week, and Kara came to visit you everyda
y. Jeff however, didn't show his face until the day you went home thankfully.
Just remembering things like that made you want to cry, but you hold strong, for the sake of everyone, including yourself. You go into the bathroom and take a shower. Then you get dressed in black pants with a green plaid, zip-up opening; plusa v-neck, forest green top with a leaf in the middle a shade darker. Next you brush your hair and put it half-up. Yawning, you stumble downstairs and into the library, knowing full well that nobody is awake. You go over to the shelf and pick off a book /whatever you want/, and smoosh into the armchair in the living room, then start to read. You get involved in what you are reading, and don't notice time go by. "Ariana? What are you doing awake?!" you look up at a surprised Miroku. 'Um, I'm reading...' "Yes, I can see that, but what I meant was, unless you are making breakfast, you don't rise until well after sunrise, and well, today isn't your day to cook." 'Oh, I just woke up early is all.' He looks skeptical. "Are you sure, because you look troubled. Does your room perhaps need to be excerized?" You burst out laughing. 'I'm young, but I'm not stupid! I know you're just trying to get into Sango's room, I can also see quite well and I know you like her.' "Nani?! No! That's not it at all!" he says, byu can see the tinge on his cheeks. 'Yeah, sure, whatever. But me and my room are fine thanks.' He looks disappointed,but you just reabsorb yourself into your book. He goes into the kitchen, re-emerging with two apples. He tosses you one and you absentmindedly reach up and catch it. 'Thanks' you murmur, closing the book. "So Ariana, mind telling me why you are realy awake this early?" 'Well, it doesn't really matter, just a silly bad dream is all.' "Actuall it might be more. I mea, let's face it, you are telepathic, so you could be phsycic. Maybe the dream was a vision." The thought of the drem being real blurries your eyes, but you brush the tears away quickly. "What was your dream about. I haven't seen you cry before, so it must be pretty bad huh?" 'Might I ask why you are being so nice to me all of a sudden?' "Can't a guy be nice to a little girl?" You are fed up with this title. 'I am not a little girl! I am 13 years old!You are only 6 years older than I am ok?!' He looks taken aback at first, then confused. "Huh? I thoughtt you were 12 Ariana..." Your eyes go wide and you realize what you had just let out. "When did you turn 13? Why didn't you tell anyone? Not even Hermione?" you look down 'I didn't want anyone to know, because I hate my birthday, so drop it ok?' "Ok, but first tell me when was your birthday?" 'Today is my birthday, I just urned 13 at 4:00. NOW can we drop it?' "Sure, but, happy birthday" and with that, he rose up and walked out of the room. [Great, now he's gonna tell everyone, that's just great. Why re birthdays such a big deal anyway? Imean. all it is is another year of your life passing by.....] You hear footsteps coming down the hall. Hiei walks in a few minutes later, with something behind his back. 'What's that?' you ask, motioning to the object. He just walks up to you, drops something into your lap, then goes and sis in the window sill. 'But, how did you? Where did you? Oh I'm going to kill Miroku!!!!!!!!!' "Relax onna! Jeez, I read your mind during the katana training, when you wished you had you own katana. Now, despite attempts to see into your memory, I can't find any birthday memories, care to enlighten me on why that is?" 'No, actually, I really don't.' "That's fine. I guess I'll just have to moniter your dreams, get the facts." 'AH! NO! I'll tell you,just leave my subconcious out of this!' So you tell him about Jeff's happy birthday for you every year. At the end of it, his face is still indifferent. "Well, that gives me my answer. When I see this guy, it's official, he won't be living to try and get any more souls." You smile a bit. 'And why are you going to do that might I ask?' "Because, I may be cruel, but I've never, and will never, beat someone daily just to get a bit more power. Nobody should do that for any reason. Now would you open the damn thing already?" You grin then say 'Ok, if yo say so!' and take off thepaper carefully. You open the long slender white box and your eyes go wide. There, in the box, sat a katana, sheath and all. The sheath is a dark purple, almost black, but had a brilliant streak of red through it. The handle of the katana was a lighter shade of purple, but still dark. On the end, there sits a sapphire, gleaming nicely in the light of the lamp. You unsheath it and observe the craftsmenship. The blade itself was smooth, with the symbol of fire towards the hilt, and a small ruby like stone there. You carefully place it down, then jump up and give him a big hug. 'Thank you! I don't know what to say but thank you!' "Now you can actually fight me with a sword and have the cuts be swift and sharp, not that cheap ratty old one of Koenma's." You smile, hten thank him again. 'I'll be right back' you say, then take the sheathed katana up to your room, where Hermione is still sound asleep, open your weapon closet, and place it in the first holster for a katana. Then you head back downstairs and see that Mroku had come abck into the livingroom, and Inuyasha and Kurama had joinedthem. 'Good morning' you say, then go back to your chair. They stare at your happy expression balankly. You had been a bit depressed the past few days because of your birthday, and all of a sudden, you were jovial again. "Somebody had an attitude adjustment. Hiei, maybe you should consider that." says Inuyasha smugly. "Yeah, and maybe you should try being less ugly and half-witted, all braun and no brains isn't gonna attract that girl of yours." replies Hiei smirking, though nobody could see his face sense he had his head down. "Are you looking for a fight pyro boy?" asks Inuyasha angrily. 'HEY! Cut it out! Can't you two get along for once?! You two are worse than you-Hiei and my brother! Just cut it out for one day ok?!' "And why is that little girl?" asks Inuyasha. 'That's IT!!!!! How many times have I told you I am NOT A LITTLE GIRL?!?!?!?!?!?! I haven't been a little girl for a VERY long time, so stop judging me by my age! And if you call me a little girl again, there will be hell to pay!' with that, you stormed out of the room. Behind you, you hear Inuyasha say, "Well, she definately isn't a little girl, look at that mood swing." This got laughs from nobody, but a swift burn in the butt from you. 'I heard that hanyou' you call over your shoulder, walking up the stairs, towards your room. You lay down on your bed and stare at the ceiling. Recently, you had stuck pictures of everyone above your bed, in a clooage sort of thing. Hermione had helped you, since the ceiling was ten feet off the ground, but you had chosen the places. Now, you look at the picture of everyone all smiling. You had all gone to the mall, getting an assortment of things, but mostly just hanging out in the arcade and stuff. You all had fresh ice cream cones, except for Hiei, who's ice cream was gone already. You giggle at the picture, causing Hermione to stir and wake up. "Oh, g'mornin Ari" 'GOOD MORNING MIA' You yell, waking her up fully. "Thanks" she says, yawning again. 'No prolem.' you then get up and walk back into the living room. When you walk in, you bust out laughing. Inuyasha sat on a bag of ice,scowling. "She does have a point though Inuyasha, she isn't a little girl." Kurama says, obviously not noticing you were there or hearing your laugh. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. She's a 12 year old child. Just because she is more mature than a kid doesn't mean that she isn't more than a mear child." he replies. "Your just sore because she burned you. And she isn't 12, she's 13, so she isn't a child, she's a teenager now like the rest of us, whether you like it or not." [MIROKU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] your head screams. You said you wouldn't tell! you yell at him I'm sorry, but I was defending you, It isnt a big deal, they would find out some time, you know that very well Yeah, I guess I do You walk up to the little group. 'See, I told you I'm not a little girl.' "But when? How come we didn't know and Miroku did?" asks Kurama, a bit hurt. 'Well actually, Hiei knows too. He read my mind, and this morning I let slip I ws 13, and now you two know and that's it. I don't like my birthday, so just keep it under wraps ok?' "But why not?" asks Kurama. 'Hiei will tell you.' you say then get up and go outside.
with the boys
"Well, why didn't the twerp tell us?" asks Inuyasha angrily. (at least he didnt say kid) thinks Kurama. "Well, maybe it's because she had a bad past you baka. You don't reveal anything about your past, so why should she be a different case?" growls Hiei. "Hmph, sounds like you actallly acre about the twerp, why is that may I ask?" sneers Inuyasha. "Because. When I knew about Yukina, I didn't do my job as a brother as I should have. The 'twerp' as you refer to her, is what I used to want Yukina to be, so it's like she is a sister I never had, and as you know, I protect my family, so shut up." Inuyasha looks flabbergasted, and Kurama has a satisfies smirk on his face. "Now that we have that settled. Why doesn't she like her birthday?" asks Miroku. "She hates her birthday so much because the jerk who she lived with used that as torture device expiamentation day on a human subject. Guess who the human subject was." Inuyasha, who had been muttering about how stupid and immature you were stops abruptly, his eyes going wide. "Now we have a question for you Inuyasha." says Miroku. "Yes, we do. Why is it you hate Ariana so? Has she done something to you?" asks Kurama. "Or is your foolish pride getting in your way because she's a full demon and you are not?" finishes Hiei. Inuyasha angrily looks down, but says nothing. "Well, if thats the case, shouldn't you despise Hiei, myself and Shippo?" asks Kurama. "It isn't because she is a demon. I dislike her because she is so sure of herself, yet so scared of everyone. She can act so happy, but be so miserable inside, and not let anyone know. I dislike her because if I grow to like her, I'll be fooled by her stupid impressions as the rest of you are. If I grow to like her, nobody will be able to tell if she is in danger or not, because she won't show it. Do you understand now?" They nod in understanding, slightly shocked that Inuyasha could be that...well...deep.
with you
When you went outside, you strolled right past the training area, where they susected you were gooing, and went to find a new tree. [Why must everyone pry and pry? Can't they just accept I don't like something and leave it at that?! Or they could just be a bit more mellow. Whoopdedoo, it's my birthday! Let's all celebrate!!!! Ugh, it's really disgusting. And then this whole Yusuke thing. One minute I'm his friend, the next he's using quotes from Kara, and then he was worried when I hurt myself? Can't he just choose which he prefers, because I would like to know whether I'm welcome here anymore or not. Oh well, guess I'd better head back or they'll freak out again.] As you walk back a song plays itself in your head.
Crowded strrets all cleared away, one by one
hollow heroes seperate, as they run
your so cold, keep your hand in mine
wise men wonder while
starved men die
Show me how we end this alright
show me how defenseless you really are
satisfy an empty inside
that's alright, let's give this another try
If you find your family, don't you cry
in this land of make-believe, dead and dry
Your so cold, but you feel alive
lay your hands on me one last time
Show me how we end this alright
show me how defenseless you really are
sarisfy an empty inside
that's alright, let's give this another try
Show me how we end this alright
show me how defenseless you really are
satisfy an empty inside
that's alright let's give this another try
it's alright
it's alright
it's alright
it's alrgiht
it's alright
it's alright
it's alright
it's alright
it's alright
Once it finishes, you find yourself out in front of the back door. You open it and go into the living room, gazing upon the faces plastered to yours. 'What?' you ask. They automatically seem to find a patch of carpet quite interesting. 'I'll be upstairs.' you state, then turn and move to go up the stairs. "No! Wait a second!" yells Inuyasha after you. 'And why should I wait for you hanyou.' you say icily, then turn on your heel and storm up the stairs. "I think we pressed too many buttons." says Miroku. "Ya think!" yells Inuyasha, then gets up and bounds up the stairs as well. "What the hell just happened, because unless iI'm insane, Inuyasha just went to get Ariana."Miroku says uncertainly. "NO you're not insane, but I think HE is." points out Kurama.
You went to your room and slammed the door shut. Within a few seconds, there was a knock at the door. We=hen you don't respond, there is banging on the door. "Let me in you spoiled brat! Get your butt out here NOW!!!!!!" Glaring daggers, you opne the door. 'To what do I owe the honor Inuyasha? Come to insult me? Or did you come to be burnt again?' "Listen brat face. I don't care how old you are, you need to lighten up. I'm sick of you acting high and mighty over everyone else, so shape up, get over your damn past, forgive Yusuke and enjoy your birthday! Be a normal kid for once in your life!" and with that, he stomped back down the stairs. You slowly shut the door, letting his words sink in. [Am I really a spoiled brat? Or am I just letting myself be tricked by him? Or was he messing around? I mean, come on! How can I be a normal kid? What normal kid can make fox ears pop out of her head, or have a fireball shoot out of her palm?! Because I'd love to meet her! And how can I get over my past when it hangs over my head like a wet blaknket?Well, I'm going to suck it inside. Just because I'm unhappy doesn't mean I should bring everyone else down I guess. Time to 'enjoy' the day I guess.] Keeping that in mind you float downstairs, putting on a happy face, walking into the living room and sit down in your chair. 'So, where is everyone might I ask?' you say sweetly. Just then, Hermione, Keiko and Shizuru walk in. "Well, I see Inuyasha managed to cheer you up!" says Keiko, "I wa shoping we could go to that circus I told you guys about a while ago. Today is the last day." she suggests. 'Well, that sounds good to me, not like there is anything else going on today.' "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea babe." says Yusuke, walking downstairs. 'Wrll, I'll gather the votes and we'll decide from that!' you say, getting up."Ok, you do that!" Keiko says happily. So you go around collecting votes. The only 'no's were from Inuyasha and Hiei, but majority won. So everyone piled into cars and off they went.....................
At the circus
"Ok, who has money left from after their ticket?" asks Yusuke. Keiko, Hermione, Harry, Kagome and you raise your hands. "Well, there's lunch folks!" he states, then walks over to you. He motions his head to the back of the group, so they can't hear. "Listen. I know that you don't want to forgive me for what I said. But I promise I'll make it up to you. You really are my friend, more like my sister, so I care ok? Don't ever think I don't. Even if it takes forever, just remember, I WILL make it up to you." then he turns and walks back to Keiko. [Does he really mean it?] you think {or is he just acting to get on my good side again? Hmmmm. He is so much like a brother to me, but he will need to prove what he said before I can fully forgive him.] "Ari?" you hear Hermione calling you. 'Yep?' "The show is starting, c'mon!" she tugs your hand, pulling you into a chair in between her and Keiko. Yusuke and Ron on either side of them. Then the lights dim and a spotlight goes to the center ring, where a man in a corny red ringmaster outift stands. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Ringling Brother's circus! Now, let's just dive right in. For our first act, we have an amazingly brave girl. Her birthday is today, so let's all wish her a happy birthday when she gets out here!" Just then, a short girl with elegant light brown hair faling over her shoulders walked into the center ring. "And here she is! Everyone wish Cheryl a VERY happy 16th birthday!" "HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHERYL!" yells the crowd and she beams, a bit embarrased obviously. You look over and see Miroku and Kurama staring wide eyed at you. You stare back, confused. "now folks. The birthday girl will be performing an acrobatic performance like no other. Be prepared to be amzed, intirgued, shocked out of your mind and much more! So sit back and watch the bendy antics of Cheryl Tatsumaki!" A round of apllause erupted through the stadium as she climbed up a high ladder to the bars. Once she stood on the platform, she grabbed a bar, took a deep breath, then pushed off the platform. Halfway across the arena, she flipped onto her stomach andlet go of the bar. She grabbed onto the next bar and layed down coompletely. The crowd gasped as she swung to and fro. She slid off the first bar, holding onm to the next bar with only an elbow. She swung her leg over, now stradling the bar, wrapping her legs around it before swinging upside down. Now she let go of the bar completely, freefalling towards the ground. Everyone drew in their breath, waiting for the impact. But just before she could touch, she floated, catching herself. She was laying down, floating upwards as the group oohed in shock. You quirk an eyebrow at this. [There is no way in hell she is hooked to a wire.] You glance over at Hiei, who appears to be thinking the same thing. Demon? you asl him. demon he responds curtly, before turning attention back to the girl. You do the same, just in time to see her land gracefully on the ground. There is a burst of apllause, but then, she grabs a microphone and they all silence. "now," she says, in a kind voice,"We will be choosing a chair number. Whoever's chair that is, will bring however many people they desire to meet me backstage!" The crowd cheers. "The number everyone, is B56. Whomever's seat that is, please stand up." Everyone checks their seats, coming up disappointed. For the hell of it, you peek at your chair and your eyes bulge. B56. Slowly, you stand up. A spotlight shines into your eyes. "Congratulations! After the show, meet me at my trailer and bring your friends!" then she hands the mike back over and walks off stage, with another round of applause. The rest of the show is same old, same old. You make everyonelaugh at one point when you scream when a clown hands you a balloon. You glared a glare to end all glares at them and they shut up . After the show, Keiko is bouncing up and down. "Let's go meet that girl now!" she exclaims. 'Chill Keiko, we're going.' you laugh and then walk out of the tent, blinded by the sunlight. Once your eyes adjust, you go over to the trailers and find hers. You knock and she opens the door, dressed in a black tanktop and some faded jeans. "So, you're the lucky winner, huh?" she asks. You nod and she invites you all in. The minutes you step in, inuyasha freezes. "Not to sound rude or anything, um, lady, but your trailer reaks of DEMON!" She smiles. "I'm guessing you are a dog demon, since you reconized the scent and you are wearing a bulgy hat." He blushes. Then she walks over to him and plucks off the hat, revealing two fuzzy grey ears. "That's what I thought. That is why I picked you guys. On the count of three, demon forms, now. One...two...three." On three, she turned rigid and a light blue light went around her and out she stepped, with white ears and a tail, sky blue hair, and even lighter eyes. "What? I thought I said demon forms..." she says confused. 'You did, but I didn't think you were serious. You can't trust us that easily already.' "Of course I don't, but if you are threats to me, it'll make it more challenging to kill you all."she states simply. 'O' you state, then concentrate and your body isalso engulfed, transforming you into your demon form as well. "Holy...." says Kuwa, unable to finish his statement. "You two are total opposites!" exclaims Yukina. Confused, you gaze into the mirror and gasp. She was right. "Wow. Hey, how old are you anyways?" Cheryl asks. 'Oh, I'm thirteen.' you answer. "Really? When is your birthday?" 'Well, um, actually, it's today.' you answer, then here the gasps from behind you. "So that means, you are 14, doesn't it?" 'No, I just turned 13.' "What kind of demon are you?" she asks suddenly. 'Oh I thought it was obvious. I'm a kitsune, see?' you say, grabbing an ear. "Right. This is too freaky." 'No, not really, just means, we are polar opposites and have the same birthday.' you say. "no, you are my sister." she says amazed, 'No, we aren't, we don't even look alike. Are you insane? Besides, those are my siblings right there.' you say, pointing to Kuwa and Shizuru. "Really? Then why don't they have a demon form?" 'Well, they aren't demons, only I am. I'm a reincarnation.' you reply simply. "Exactly! I am a reincarnation as well. My father said that in my past life, I had a sister who was a fire kitsune. And here you standing before my very eyes." she sounds utterly mistified. 'Um, how is it, that you know about this and I've never heard anything about it?' "I dunno. Hasn't your father told you?" she asks. 'No, I never knew my father.' you say irritably. "Oh, I'm sorry." she sympathetically puts here hand on your shoulder, but you shrug it off. 'Excuse me' you say, then transfrom back into your human self. "Now, if you wouldn't mind, can you accompany us somewhere?" asks Yusuke, atking a step towards her. "Un yeah, sure. I'm done here today anyways." she says, then transforms back into her human self as well. You go to Kurama's car, blindfold her, then drive home. you take her to Koenma's office and unblindfold her. "Cheryl?!" cries Koenma. "Hello!" she says cheerfully, taking a seat in front of his desk. 'Um, do you know each other?' you ask, confused. "Yes, I am a friend of her father. She found out about herself because of me." he says proudly. 'Well, taht's fine and dandy, but why didn't you tell me I had another sister?!' "oh, heheheh, slipped my mind?" he says, sweatdropping. You shake your head and then turn around to face everyone else. Your eyes narrow. Every boy in the room is staring fixedly on Cheryl, practically drooling /yes I said every, no exceptions other than Koenma/. You sigh. BOYS. You then smirk and walk behind them, burning them each in the butt. They yelp, then turn and glare at you. You just shrug and smile. Then Cheryl notices them. "Oh, are you boys ok?" she asks. They just shake their head slowly, stars gleaming in their eyes and Keiko, Hermione, Sango and Kagome grab Yusuke, Ron, Miroku and Inuyasha by their ears and step out of the room. Minutes later, loud yelps and crashing can be heard. They return a few minutes later, the boys with rather large bumps on their head and frowns on their faces. You smirk at this, then turn back to Koenma, to find he isn't there. grumbling you say 'Get out here! Where is she going to stay?!' He then comes out from behind George with raised eyebrows. "Oh, she already has a room." he says, "Now get out of my office!." You raise an eyebrow at her and she grins. "My room is in the girl's hallway..." she says, like it was as obvious as day. 'Where? All of the rroms in that hall are occupied.' "Oh, it's here, I'll show you, but only you, since you're my sister." She then gets up and walks out of the room. You stare at everyone blankly, then follow her. You both walk up the stairs and into the hallway. She then walks right past the other rooms, to the wall at the end. On this wall was a mosaic of a rain forest. She presses on the bright orange pirhana in the dead center of it and the whole thing slides over. Your eyes widen at the sight before you. A room even bigger than your own sits there. In the center of the room is a light blue bed. The walls are blue with long white wisps along them, and the carpet is a light shade of green. She has a coputer on a wooden desk, and a large bookcase, similar to your own. In a nook to the far north of the room, is a wooden stage. On the stage, sits a stereo, a microphone and a cd rack, filled with cds, and even more on the floor next to it. You frown a bit at the posters on the wall. They are all of rap and hiphop artists. 'Well, you'll fit right in with yusuke and my brother Cheryl.' "Really? Why? Won't we be friends?" 'Oh, yeah, of course! but hiei, Hermione and I like alternative rock. Yusuke and Kazuka however, LOVE rap and hiphop. But I wouldn't get to friendly with Yusuke, because keiko will bite his, or your, head off.' She smiles. "So, Hiei is that little short gothic kid?" 'Oh, he isn't a kid, he's really old. He's just short. He's a fire demon. But none of us know how old he is for a fact, not even Kurama, and he's hiei's best friend.' "Well that stinks, when do you celebrate his brithday?" 'We don't actually. We don't celebrate mine either, but that's only because they didn't know my birthday was today until you asked.' "Well, why didn't you tell them?" 'Because they didn't ask. Besides, I hate my brithday anyways.' "Why do you hate your birthday?! It's the best day of the year, other than Christmas!" 'Oh, I'm Jewish. Well, I don't know if I really am Jewish, but Jeff was Jewish, so I always considered myself Jewish as well.' "Oh, ok, so you celebrate Hannukah. Who's Jeff?" "I'll tell you later.' "Sure, now could you tell me about everyone, so I don't screw up when we go back there?" You giggle. 'Yeah, of course. But I think it'll be harder for you to know which is which because guys seem to all look the same when they are gawking.' She blushes at this. "They weren't gawking!" 'Yes, they were. Sorry to say so, but they think you're...well...hot, I guess.' She turns even redder than before. "I mean, come ON! Nobody thinks I'm hot! There is no way that you are right!" 'Fine. Don't believe me...sis. But one thing you'll learn about me, is I don't lie. Ever. When you find out about my past, then you'll know. Ask anyone here.' you say this very flatly, and it shocks her a bit. "I'm sorry! Did I offend you? It's just that, you know, nobody has ever thought I was pretty before and now all of them? It just doesn't seem possible is all." 'It's ok Cheryl, you didn't know. But how do you know that nobody has ever thought you pretty? Just because a person doesn't say something, it doesn't mean that it's not true. Most times people are too afraid to even dare dream about saying what they feel inside, or sometimes, they aren't afraid to say it, just the reaction that they'll get once it's said.' "Wow. You know, that was deep. How do you think up this stuff Ariana? In a thousand years, I couldn't have come up with something so beautiful, for such an easy explanation. I'm really lucky. And you know what else?" 'What?' "Well, I'm glad i'm only related to you, because then there would be problems." You wrinkle your brow in confusion. "Oh, I mean, with.. Kazuka? I think you called him? Because that would be really sick and wrong." You laugh at this. 'His name isn't Kazuka. His name is Kazuma, but everyone calls him Kuwabara except me and Shizuru, my sister, because that's our last name. I just call him Kazuka because he hates it!' She smiles. "Now, tell me about these people so I can get accustomed to them. I already know Botan, I've known her for a long time. But I'd like to know about the rest of them, so I don't screw up like I did with you." 'Sure, that's no problem, but how will you explain this to the ringleader at the circus?' "Oh! He's my dad! Whenever I leave, he knows I'm here, it's like an understanding we have." 'That's cool! I wish my dad had been like that, well, my foster dad anyways.' "Hm? Will you tell me about your past after you tell me about the other people?" 'Sure! It's not a problem, but don't expect it to take a short while.' "That's not a problem for me either." 'Good. Just let me tell hiei really fast so he can tell the others we'll be here a while.' Hiei. what child? jeez! Have a cow, I was just going to tell you that me and Cheryl are going to be here a while, so if you could tell everyone that so they don't worry, that'd be great. sure, now get out of my head and tell that girl about us and tell her not to refer to me as little again or I'll decapitate her. YOU WERE LISTENING TO OUR CONVERSATION YOU ASS?! Yeah, I needed to know where herroom is in case of emergency Oh whatever 'It's taken care of!' you say brightly. "Really? What was wrong? From the look on your face you looked a bit mad." 'Oh, it was nothing, just Hiei being Hiei.' "So, what is Hie being Hiei exactly?" 'Well, it's like this. Hiei hasn't exactly had a great life. he was basically thrown out as a kid, then he was raised by thieves, and so he became one himself. When Yusuke beat him, was when he left the dark side. He still isn't exactly that nice of a person, but once you get on his good side, IF you get on his good side, he is probably one of the most loyal friends you could possibly have. Kurama is his best friend. In the ningen world, he goes by Shuichi. But that's a whole other story. Kurama is really nice, almost the exact opposite of hiei, but yusuke met kurama the same way he met hiei. they were working with this soul eating dude-' "Goki?" asks Cheryl. 'Yeah, how'd you know?' "Oh, my father is an attourney for Spirit World, he handled his case, in fact, I think he handled hiei's and kurama's as well." 'Yeah, anyways, Kurama wasn't evil in the first place, youko however, was a theif to begin with, so that doesn't help. But he took a sword in the gut for yusuke, then got beaten up by some rock demon from the Four Beasts.' "Wow, who knew Kurama had such a past?" 'Oh. But it gets better. He was with Hiei and Goki because he was trying to save his mother with the mirror of darkness.' "No way! He was going to commit suicide for his mother?!" 'Yep. Now, Yusuke, Yusuke died. But Koenma made this whole golden egg deal with him and out of the egg popped Puu. But the way Yusuke died kills me. He used to be this badass punk, getting into fights and stuuf, smoking, drinking, just all sorts of bad stuff. Well one day he went home, his mom pissed him off so he went for a walk. He sees a kid walking in the street with a ball, so, he warns the kid and everything, but the kid doesn't listen. So, of course, the ball goes into the middle of the road and a car is gliding down the road at the same time and the kid runs to egt it and yusuke jumps in the way of the car, pushing the kid out of the way.' Cheryl's eyes are wide in shock. "Yusuke was bad? He is so nice though, so far anyways." 'Yeah, but he an be a butt head at times. now, my brother was a punk, just like yusuke, butthey were worst enemies. Yusuke, however, beat his ass all the time, because my brother is...um...well..not all that strong, I guess I should say, but he's strong enought that most humans wouldn't mess with him. Well when Yusuke came back to life, he went to this cafe place and these guys were there, talking about Kazuka and he walked in with his lackies, looking timid, which is a pretty rare thing, and supposedly, from what I've heard, he was supposed to steal some manga, but he bought it, and they had our cat, Eikichi, so he was in their hands. yusuke ended up saving Eikichi and then after the whole thing with Genkai, which you know about, they became friends, best friends.' "Jeez, they all have such a history." 'Yeah, all of us do really. Now, with inuyasha, I don't really know too much abouthim, but from what I've heard, he was in loe with this girl Kikyo and he was going to use the Shikon no Tama to become human, but this ass Naraku tricked them into hating each other. She bound him to a tree with an arrow, because she was a priestess and well, that's all I know really, other than the fact that he can be more irritable than Hiei sometimes. Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation. She is from our time, but she lives on her family shrine and none day, this centipede demon dragged her to the fuedal era. She met Inuyasha, then, she accidentally shattered the Shikon jewel, and hey had to find the pieces before Naraku did, and that's how they met the rest of them, she is really really nice,a bit too nice, but when you make her mad, BACK AWWAY. Myoga is Inuyasha's vassal, since his father was a demon lord, I don't really know much about him. Shippo was hanging with a bad crowd, and when Inuyasha killed them, they took Shippo with them, he's a sweet little kid. Miroku's a monk. There is no other way to say this, he's a lecher, a BIG TIME lecher I don't know how Sango puts up with him sometimes. He is pretty nice however, but he can be really serious when he needs to be. Sango is the saddest case by far. She was a demon exterminator, as was her whole family. Well, one night, her brother, Kohaku's, first slaying, a spider demon possesed him and he killed everyone except Sango, but he almost killed her. At the same time, their village was attacked by a hoard of demons, since their best slayers were away, and the whole vilage was slaughtered. Sango wanted revenge for her village and Naraku showed up and said Inuyasha did it, so she tried attacking him. She found out the truth however, and joined them on their quest to fight Naraku, but that isn't thesaddest part. The village they were slaying in killed Kohaku because they thought he was crazy, but Naraku ut a jewel shard in his back, so Kohaku became a minion, but Sango is really nice, and she's funny too.' "That's terrible! That beast!" 'Yeah, I know. Now, the only other person who really has a history is Harry. his parents were killed by this guy named Voldemort, and he almost was killed too, but instead, he brought Voldemort out of power and got some powers as well, just not demonic. They are wizards. Harry had to go live with these humans who treated him very poorly. But at Hogwarts, the schoool they go to, he had to face the guy four more times, but in their fourth year, Voldemort came back from the shadows. But nobody believed him. He's a genuinely nice person though, as are Ron, Neville, Ginny and Luna. Hermione though. Hermione is like me. She can be your best friend, but she can be your worst enemy too. She's really nice, but she can be a witch, well she is a witch, but you know what I mean.' "Jeez, your friends are pretty weird. What about the girls?" 'Well Keiko is a perfect schoolgirl basically, she does't break rules, at all, but she is nice, very nice, but she cn be mean and from what I've heard, she slaps pretty hard. Shizuru doesn't take crap, but she is nice enough when she needs to be. Yukina is very nice. She doesn't argue often, so when she does, it's best to listen. She is also an ice demon and little known to most people, something you CAN'T tell anyone, she is Hei's sister. She doesn't even know, which is why it's a secret. Well it used to be anyways. She already knows I think.' "Thanks,I'll be able to talk right with them now." 'That's good, now I''ll tell you about my past quickly so we can go downstairs' You tell her all that you ad told the rest of them and her eyes are narrowed by the end of it, you including what yusuke did to you. "What a jerk! And he's your friends?! Come on, let's go downstairs, we've been up here a long while." 'Ok.'So the two of you run back down the stairs, only to find a pitch black house. 'HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO' you call. Suddenly, the lights flicker o. "SURPRISE!!!!" everyone cries out. Your eyes go wide at the display. A cake, presents, the whole birthday thing. It brings tears to your eyes. "Ari, are you ok?" asks Hermione. 'Yeah, fine, I just, well I've never had a brithday and I don't know what to say or do.' At this Cheryl stops dead in her tracks, whipping around to face you. "You've never had a birthday?!" 'How could you expect me to with Jeff and all? I wasn't allowed to go to my best friend's party, and then I would have been out of the house, so what makes you think he'd spend money on something that wasn't neccessary to keep me alive?' At this, she nods understandingly, then walks over to Yusuke. He goes starry eyes at her /Keiko isn't looking/. She stares at him a inute then slaps him and walks over towards Kurama. yusuke rubs his cheek and looks at you. You just slightly glare at him and he realizes that Cheryl knows about what he did. (I still can't believe I did that to her. I don't think she'll ever forgive me, ever. But I have to make her see I didn't mean it, this can't last forever, can it?) he thinks, watching you sit alone in a dark corner, hands around your knees, head in your arms. "Ari?" You look up at Yusuke. 'Yes?" "Why are you just sitting here, this is your birthday party!" 'Yeah? What's your point?" "Well, for one thing, you're supposed to enjoy it." 'Well I really can't do that. If anyone asks, tell them I'm in the bathroom or something.' With that, you get up and start to sneak out of the room. He just stares after you sadly watching you go.
You stalk outof the back door towards the forest, not looking back. Once you are into the forest, you break into a run.You keep running, ignoring the plees of your lungs you run until you can barely stand. Then you climb a tree to see how far away you are. At the top, you see that you're a good 4 miles from home, since the masion is barely even a spec of dust. "You know, you need to learn to sneak away better." Your head snaps up at the noise. "You really do, I could even sense you moving away." 'Cheryl? What happenede to you? You seem so serious, what happened to back inside?' "Oh! That. I'm a spirit detective, but of higher ranking. I wanted to know about everyone to see if they could really be trusted with you. I already knew about all of them. The whole ditsy thing was just a rouse to trick everyone else until I thought it was safe to reveal myself." 'So, you knew about me? Everything was a lie?' "oh, no! I knew actually next to nothing about you. And it wasn't a lie, mearly a disguise, if you will, because would you have trusted me with information if you had known the circomstances?" 'Guess you're right. So, we are really sisters? And you are really my firend?' "Double yes." You smile. "And by the way, I'm a telepath also, so I'd not have any private convorsations telepathically, because hiei or I ould intercept it." 'Actually, you couldn't, because I learned a new trick. try and read my mind.' Cheryl looks at you then a look of pain crosses her smooth features. "Wow, you learned to mind block already, good job, took me ages to learn to do that!" 'Now, I have a question for you.' you say boldly. "And what would that be?" 'Well, do you like one of the guys? If so, who?' "Well the answer is plain as day. Yes and none of your damn business." She smiles while she says it, so you know she isn't really mad. 'Seriously. Who?!' "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." 'Well, I'll believe anything as long as it isn't my brother.' Disgust is all you see in her face. "Not in a milllion years. It's...it's...IT'S HIEI!" Your eyes widen for a second time that day. 'Fire boy?! You like Hiei?!' "You said you'd believe it!" she says desperately. "I..I do, it's just, no offense, but you don't stand a chance, he isn't really an emotional guy, you should know that.' "Yeah i do, but who says his heart doesn't have room for two people rather than just Yukina?" 'I guess you're right.' Back at the house Everyone stared at Hiei. He had just spilt an entire glass of puch on himself, but not moved an inch to do anything about it. He had been listening to the convorsation through Cheryl and had heard what she said. (She likes me?! Why me? Why not the fox? Pyro doesn't think I'm suitable, which is understandable. But room in my heart for just one more other than Yukina? What about Pyro? Oh yeah, nobody knows I care about her either. Wait, since when is the fox girl Pyro? It does have a nice ring to it though. I mean, I like Cheryl, she's very pretty, and she's smart too, she fooled everyone with that act of hers. Hm, maybe I should give her a chance...) "HIEI! MAN, C'MON!" He snaps out of the trance he was in and stares up at Kuwa. "Get ouut of my face baka." He then stands and goes out the back door, towards the center of the forest.
The next few chapters will be extremely short, but they are fillers for up to chapter 9. I'm sorry for the inconviniences, but they are crutial to the story. They are mostly from the villains' point of view. You probably could guess the villains already, but hey, maybe you'll be surprised. Sorry, no shout outs today, can't access my e-mail.