Disclaimer: I do not (or have ever) claim to own any of the characters created in the anime/manga Fushigi Yuugi. There, was that official enough for you?

Thanks to. . .

Otaku Pitcher: What makes you think the gods will do anything? The way Nephiro makes it sound; they seem to be pretty useless, don't they? Anyway, I'm glad you like my twisted sense of humor and I know what you mean about how sarcasm doesn't usually work in writing. Ah. . .Genrou and Nephiro. Will she end up killing him before her plan is complete?

shadow priestess: Why did he give her the cloak? I'm sorry, but that information is strictly confidential. ::attempts to look serious but ends up laughing:: All will revealed in time, my friend. I'm glad you like Nephiro. She has to be one of my favorites out of the characters I've made so far. Evil psychopaths are fun to work with.

neppy: ::sighs:: Neppy she's supposed to, remember?

Author's Note: I know this chapter took a little longer to get up than the previous three but I've been busy. This story was annoying me for a bit because I need a Chinese to English dictionary (and I know about online translators but I'd rather use a dictionary. . .I'm not sure what I want to use it for) for the part I'm in. Well, actually I need it for a later part but either way, I've been neglecting this for no good reason. Anyway, this chapter is going to be. . .interesting, at the least. I hope you enjoy it!

'. . .' represent Nephiro's thoughts

Chapter 4: Humanity is so Over Rated!

Genrou was in and out of his little hideout for the remainder of the afternoon. I hung around there, bored out of my mind but unable to care. When he wasn't around I didn't have to deal with his crap. Plus, I had spent a century underground. This was nothing compared to that. Once the sun began to descend from the sky, he announced that he was ready to leave. "I think I may have thought of a use for you," he told me.

"Really? What might that be?" 'Well, that's good. I didn't come up with a damn thing,' I thought with disgust.

"I can use you as a distraction." I cocked my head to the side.

"Define distraction for me, please," I said, a little concerned about what he would use me as. I had an idea and I was not liking it.

"If I remember correctly, Eiken was always a big pervert. You can, hehe, keep him busy while I steal back the tessen and get some help from the other bandits." That's exactly what I thought he'd say. "If you want to, that is."

"Wait. . .you want me to. . .with that fat slob?" I slipped up there. Genrou never told me he was fat.

"No, I want you to distract him. How you do it is completely up to you," he replied. "But how did you know he was fat?"

"Eh? I thought you told me he was?"

"Hmm. . .maybe I did. Oh well, we have to get going. Are you coming?" 'Oh. My. Self. I can't believe he bought that! He's even stupider than I thought!'

"But of course. If it will help me get into the bandits then I'll do it." Do what, I didn't know but I was sure I'd think of something. I always do. It's my "special" talent. It's one of my talents, anyway. I have too many to count.

I put on my black cloak and followed him into the early evening twilight. The sun was just passing behind Mt. Leikaku causing a halo of light to form around it. I unconsciously paused for a second to admire the serene beauty. Genrou turned around and I realized what I had been doing. I cursed the human body I was in. 'I am not supposed to experience emotions like this yet! Damn humanity! It's so over rated!' "It's a nice view, isn't it?" he said.

"Yea." 'A weakness. That's what emotions are. I can't believe they came back so fast! I'm not supposed to have emotions! Accursed mortal human body!'

"Well if you're done we really have to get going."

"Yea, umm. . .sorry about that."

He just shook his head and I think I heard him mumble something about stupid females. I didn't care though. I was busy trying to figure out a way to keep Eiken distracted without actually having to do anything. And that was a bigger problem than winning another argument with stupid Genrou. That wasn't even really a challenge anymore, which is sad because I haven't even known him for a day yet.

We continued on in silence, (for somewhat obvious reasons: we want a surprise attack and you have to be quiet for it to be a surprise), and at no time at all, we arrived outside of the stronghold. Genrou pointed me to the main entrance and disappeared into the darkness, leaving me alone. But I had a plan. I orbed myself some new clothes and pulled the hood of my cloak over my head to conceal my face. I walked to the gate and knocked on the door. I had no need for secrecy or discreetness. The more I was noticed, the better.

A bandit I didn't recognize from my viewings of this place opened the door. "Whadda you want?" he asked roughly.

I kept my head bent and responded quietly, "I'm lost. I was hoping that you would offer me a bit of shelter." I let a piece of my deep red hair fall out of the hood and into the light.

"What's goin' on out there?" I heard a voice ask from behind the other bandit. I recognized the voice from my observations of the mountain. It was Kouji.

"Some lost girl wants us to let her stay the night. Whadda ya think we should do Kouji?" the bandit replied, turning away from me to face him.

"I dunno. Let's see what she looks like, shall we?" Kouji came forward and pulled my hood back, revealing my face. I allowed him to do so (for now). I need them to let me in before I can proceed with my sub plan.

"Nephiro." I held my head up and looked him in the eyes confidently. He met my gaze with one of his own.

"Nephiro, eh? That's an exotic name. You're not from around here, are ya?" he inquired.

"Nope. Now, are you going to let me in or not? I have a long way to go before I get back to town if not," I said, acting annoyed. I knew they'd let me in. Eiken would kill them if he found out that they let someone like me get away.

"We'll let ya in but ya probably would 'ave been better off out there," Kouji answered.

"Thanks but I'll be the judge of that." They moved to let me past and I entered their fort. I loosened the cloak so it was open down the center revealing a rather flattering ensemble. That bandits just looked at me, jaws hanging open. "What?" I asked, innocently.

"Uh. . .nothing. . .Umm. . ." Kouji replied. Ah, the effect I have on drunken bandits. Gets me every time. He leaned over to one of the other guys and whispered, "Maybe we should keep this one away from Eiken, eh? She's too classy for this. . ." The other one nodded.

I coked my head to the side and waved my finger in front of them in a scolding manner. "Now boys. It's not polite to whisper, especially right in front of the person you're talking about."

Eiken chose that moment to appear. 'Damn. I was having fun with them, too.' "What's this? You guys wouldn't be keeping something from me would ya?" he asked.

"No, sir. She just got here. We were just going to bring her to you," one of the other bandits said.

"Good." The bandit from before walked towards me but Kouji beat him to it.

"Told you you'd 'ave been better off out there," he whispered. "Come on."

"No need to bring me anywhere. I can walk myself, thank you very much." I walked up the stairs and stood in front of the blob of fat known as Eiken. "And you are?" I pretended to size him up then sighed in disappointment.

"I'm the head of the bandits. The name's Eiken," he replied, looking me up and down. He walked in a circle around me, taking in my appearance. People like him make me sick. I could hardly wait until I would be able to proceed with my plan. He would be one of the first to die, if I had it my way. "Well you're a nice find." He moved his hand towards me but I slapped it away. He looked at me in a threatening manner.

"You can look but don't touch. I didn't come here to be molested by some fat pervert. Leader or no leader, it ain't happening so don't even try," I said firmly. The group of bandits hushed. Eiken grew red in the face.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!?" he roared, angrily.

"You heard me," I replied coolly. So far, all was going as planned. I knew that the mere fact that I wasn't scared would piss him off even more. It was all part of the new plan. (I had to put the old one on hold until I get into the bandits, remember?)
Author's Note: ::hides from readers who are glaring at Smack for leaving them hanging:: Please don't hurt me! I had to end it there! I'll put the next chapter up fast, promise! Oh, I have some exciting news for all of you! I'm planning on writing a prequel to this about how Nephiro became what she is and her life before she was imprisoned. It should prove fairly interesting. It won't be out until this one is over with but I figured I'd let you guys know now so you won't like murder me in my sleep for ending it there. Yea, I'll just give you the quote now. . .

I was wasted on being good. I am so much better at being evil.

That's it. No more. But in case you're wondering, as it stands right now, the title is "Evil Eye Demon Death Glare "

~Smack