Well, here's chapter 3 straight from my beta-reader. Sorry it took so long to get it out. It wasn't intentional. I just had a bit of a problem with the adapter for my laptop, but now it's all good.
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine (exceptions being Sorako and Ayashige) so do no sue. However, the concept is mine, so don't steal it.
Do enjoy.
Chapter 3
Fear.
The sheer terror that surrounded the strange young woman started Kurama, pulling him back to reality. He'd never seen anyone so afraid. Even less so of him. Taking a deep breath, he sat his coffee cup down on the desk and took a step toward the girl.
"Stay away!" She screeched, scrambling as far away from the surprised kitsune as she could. Burying her face in her palms, she fell in on herself and began to weep. "Just . . . stay away."
Kurama took another step toward her, his hand outstretched, eyes kind. "I'm not going to hurt you." He cooed, trying to calm her.
"Stay away from me." Came the stern muffled reply, stopping him in his tracks.
A few moments passed, the fox watching the sobbing girl somewhat dumbstruck, before Hiei burst through the door, hand posed to draw his sword.
"What's going on, Fox?" The stoic demon asked, relaxing his stance somewhat when he saw there was no immediate danger.
Hearing another voice, the frightened girl looked up, and all her terror began anew. Slamming herself back, she pressed herself as far against the head of the bed as humanly possible. Her crimson eyes filled with tears as her lips trembled violently.
The cunning fox, feeling all the distress his dark friend was causing the girl, turned to Hiei and requested him to leave the room.
"I don't think so," The dark-haired demon responded. "I want to be here when she explains herself."
With that said, the jaganashi took a decisive step into the room, intent to sit on the open window sill at the foot of the bed.
Kurama echoed his friend's movements, hoping to stop him before the girl hurt herself. "Hiei, I don't think-"
"Get AWAY!" The terrified girl bellowed, pushing herself further against the headboard, away from the stoic demon. "You will not have me again, Ayashige!"
Her words stopped both demons in their tracks. Bright emerald and deep crimson eyes swivelled to the woman, who was now biting her closed fist to fight away the screams buried in her throat.
Taking a step toward her, Kurama asked the question plaguing both their minds. "Who is Ayashige?"
It was that moment that Botan made her entrance through the opened window.
She knew it was foolish of her, but she couldn't contain the words that spilled from her frightened lips. "You will not have me again, Ayashige!"
When both males were staring at her, she wished she had been silent. Personal experience taught that having the complete attention of a full grown male, especially a demon male, was very dangerous. Even more so when one had no way of defending oneself.
But with the attention of two males, the situation was even more dire.
Yet, even so, she felt a hint of familiarity with the taller, red- headed male, though she was sure she'd never met him before.
There was something in his eyes that reminded her of a time she could not remember but wished never to forget. A time before the hell.
His entire presence was calming and if he were the only one there, she wouldn't have been so frightened.
But that shorter, darker man . . . he was frightening in his intensity. The aura of power swirling around him was strong enough for even her weakened senses to feel, and it nearly choked her. He was too much like that beast. Perhaps that was why she had mistaken the crimson-eyed man for him just a moment ago.
It isn't him, Sorako. It isn't him, She kept telling herself, but she couldn't believe it. They looked, and felt, too much alike.
Only the fact that her teeth were buried in the flesh of her hand kept the screams at bay, and she was glad. There was no telling what they might do if she angered either of them.
One could never be too trusting, regardless of seemingly friendly exteriors. She knew that.
Yet, she was startled that, instead of striking at her or yelling, the tall one with kind eyes simply asked one question. He wanted to know who the man his friend so resembled was.
How could she possibly explain who Ayashige was? Words could not describe the horror of that demonic being. She didn't even know where to begin.
A reprieve was granted to her when out of nowhere, a strange girl riding atop an oar flew in the window, stopping near her.
She wasted no time flinging herself at the young woman with blue hair in the hopes of some protection from the strange men.
"But I thought you had Kurama doing this, Toddler." Yusuke mumbled through a yawn. Stretching his arms, he tried to push the last remnants of sleep away. Though, he still wasn't particularly happy that the pacifier junky had summoned him so damned early in the morning. Not even a day after their last mission to boot.
Koenma sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. He wasn't particularly in the mood to deal with his punk of a spirit detective but the mission still had be done, and Kurama had his hands full with the girl now.
"I did, you Moron, but a," He hesitated, searching for the correct word, "Situation has come up that Kurama has to deal with right now, so naturally I'm passing it on to you." The Child-ruler stated, once again sifting through the papers lining his desk.
The dark-headed young man's eyes widened, a concerned look flitting across his face. "Is everything alright? Kurama's not hurt is he?" He asked hesitantly, hoping for the best. Kurama was not one to be incapable of completing a task, so it had to be something truly awful.
Koenma's eyes shot up, startled by the tone in Yusuke's voice. "No, it's nothing like that. Another mission more suited to his skills came up is all." Taking a pause to suck on the pacifier in his mouth he continued, "You worry far too much, Yusuke."
One dark eyebrow arched. He's acting weird. Weirder than normal. "Something more suited to him than sneaking into a demon palace?" The spirit detective walked over, leaning down until he was eye-to-eye with his boss. "You feelin' ok? Cause if I remember correctly, Kurama was a thief and that's what thieves do. What could he possibly be better suited for?"
Koenma watched the young man huff like a child when he didn't answer. He once again found himself pinching the bridge of his nose, only this time it was in vain attempt to rid himself of the headache sure to come. Why is everyone being so difficult?
"Just go on the mission, Yusuke. And take Kuwabara with you." Turning back to his papers again, he ignored the detective's protests. "I have work to do." He stated, shooing the young man out.
I need a vacation, he thought as the first pounding of a headache began to echo behind his eyes. And it's not even midmorning.
"I said get out! NOW!" The blue-haired ferry girl bellowed, ushering the two males out of the room as quickly as she could.
Once gone, she turned back to the woman she had found earlier, who was still cowering on the bed. The poor dear, the deity thought. I should have known better than to leave her alone with Kurama. There's no telling what happened to her while in the Makai. I guess I forgot Kurama's still a demon since he's so polite.
The look on her face turned sour when she thought of the stubborn little fire apparition she nearly had to throw out the door. But with Hiei around, there was no wonder she was so frightened.
Stopping at the edge of the bed, Botan reached out and placed a hand on the girl's quaking shoulder. Immediately, fright filled eyes met her own pink ones before calming.
"Oh, it's you." The girl murmured, some of her rigidness falling away when she noticed the room was void of its previous male inhabitants.
A small smile formed on Botan's face as she sat beside the girl. "Are you alright?"
A nod. "Yes, uh, I'm sorry about that. It's just . . . when I woke up in a man's bed, I thought I would be forced to do things . . . I just assumed . . . ." She murmured, running a still shaking hand through her dirty hair. "When he walked in, I just panicked."
The deity saw the tears fall from the frightened woman's eyes and immediately she wrapped her up in a hug. "It's alright. You're safe here." She cooed, rubbing the girl's hair in a calming manner. "Kurama won't hurt you. I promise he won't." What have you been through? She wondered, consoling the woman.
Blinking, the girl raised up and met the deity's own gaze. I . . . that name. I . . . . "Kurama? Is he . . . the red-headed man?"
Botan nodded. "He's very kind, though rather clueless at times."
This brought a small smile to the frightened woman's lips and quelled her fears. "Yes, I . . . I realized after he walked in he wasn't going to hurt me. But ... that other man. That demon . . ." She stopped, a far away expression gracing her face. Almost as if she were seeing the past.
"Oh, Hiei? Don't worry about him." The deity of death reassured. "He may seem rather rough and mean but he isn't a bad guy. He's just very standoffish."
The girl nodded slightly, resting her head against Botan's shoulder. "He reminds me of Ayashige. They are the same."
Blue brows furrowed. Ayashige? Where have I heard that name before? "Who is Ayashige? How do you know him?" The ferry girl asked.
Again, she began to shake, the thoughts of that sinister beast too much for her fragile state of calm. "He . . . he . . . ." Tears began to fall once again, soaking the shoulder of Botan's shirt quickly. "He was the one who stole everything from me." She murmured, fingers burying in the folds of the deity's shirt.
"Don't let him take me again! Please, I beg you to protect me!" The suddenly agitated woman exclaimed, clinging to Botan like a lifeline. "Please, I . . . I can't go back there. I would rather die." She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Botan's pink eyes softened, her mind unable to comprehend what this poor woman in her arms had gone through. It must have been terrible. "We won't let anything happen to you, I promise. Kurama will protect you." She whispered into the woman's hair.
Several minutes passed before the young woman's sobs quieted. Finally Botan asked a question she realized they'd all neglected. "What's your name?"
"Sorako." Came the soft reply.
"Well, Sorako, why don't you stay here and rest while I go talk to Kurama?" She stated, her voice a bit more lighthearted.
Pulling away, Sorako looked up a Botan somewhat embarrassed. Tears still lingered in her haunted eyes. "Actually, if it isn't too much trouble, I'd like to take a bath."
"Oh, of course not. No trouble at all." Botan replied, feeling rather silly that she hadn't thought the girl would want a bath. "I'll show you the way." She said cheerfully, standing up.
Following the blue-haired girl's lead, one of the first real smiles she could remember came to Sorako's face. "Thank you."
"How is she, Botan?" Kurama asked when the ferry girl entered the living room. He had been tearing himself apart for causing the girl more stress. That, and fighting his urge to fall asleep. It'd been a hectic 24 hours.
The deity, who had been lost in her thoughts, started and looked up at the red-head. "Oh, she's alright." Walking over, she sat beside the kitsune. "Oh, Kurama, she's been through so much . . . ." She murmured, her head down turned.
Smelling her tears, the fox wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him. "Botan, don't cry. She's safe now." He whispered, planting a chaste kiss atop her head. "Everything will be fine."
"I know." Came the muffled reply. "But I feel so terrible for her. She's such a sweet girl."
Kurama nodded, absently rubbing Botan's arm. "Yes, I know." After some time, he cleared his throat and tried to divert Botan's attention elsewhere by asking what the girl had told her.
Composing herself, Botan sat up, giggling slightly at the tear stain she'd left on his shirt. The cunning fox raised an eyebrow in amusement but said nothing.
"Well, her name is Sorako, and from what I could tell this Ayashige is a demon that held her captive." Botan sighed heavily, her fingers worrying the edge of her shirt. "I . . . I think she was something of a slave, Kurama." Her eyes rose, meeting his. "A sex slave."
Emerald eyes widened. A sex slave? No wonder.
Why else do you think she acted in such a way? A voice broke in. One he knew all too well.
When did you become so knowledgeable in the ways of women, Hiei? I thought you were 'washing your hands' of this.
Don't make me hurt you, Fox. And I am. I just wanted to know whom she spoke of.
Kurama could tell the fire apparition was annoyed, probably because the girl had mistaken him for her torturer.
He knew while Hiei could be quite cold and had been a mercenary in times past, he prided himself on his honor. The girl had flattened it in moments.
I see, Kurama thought, but Hiei had already broken the link. Apparently he'd heard enough.
"Kurama?" Botan questioned, leaning toward him. He had yet to say anything and it worried Botan.
Snapping back to the present, he turned toward her. "Yes, well, one thing is certain: we have to protect her at all costs."
"Yes, and besides, I don't think I could live with myself if she were allowed back with that monster." Botan said, her voice taking on a hint of anger.
Kurama smiled, amused by her protectiveness of someone she'd just met. It seemed the pair would be good friends.
His thoughts were cut short when he felt a presence in the room. Turning toward the hall, he found Sorako standing there, and his breath caught for a moment.
Sure, the girl had been rather attractive when they'd found her, dirt and all, but now, she was beautiful.
Her hair, which he had mistaken for brown, now shone a shade of red only a bit darker and browner than his own, and it fell in soft waves down her shoulders and back, which were as pale as fine porcelain. Such skin made her eyes, brilliant as rubies and ruddier than her hair, shine bright and clear. It accentuated the haunted, pained nature of those orbs.
Her beauty was exotic in much the same way his was, and really he hadn't been prepared for it.
A moment later, sensing her discomfort, he looked away offering her a seat beside Botan. Sorako gladly took the offer, but still kept a bit of distance between herself and the male. Clearly, she was still untrusting.
These things take time, he told himself, smiling sweetly at the girl. Didn't help that I was staring.
And there was still the underlying ache in the back of his mind that he knew the girl from somewhere. Something about her was familiar to him. Maybe I knew her as Youko? But he dismissed the thought because she looked to be no older than 16 or 17, and he had been human for 18 years. She hadn't even been born when he 'died.'
Her small voice, now calm and even, broke through his thoughts. "I . . . forgive me, Kurama." Her cheeks tinted a soft pink as her eyes met his. "For screaming."
He smiled. "No need to apologize. I understand completely. I should have known better." His words were soft, his voice kind.
Just his voice is enough to lull me into security. This could be quite dangerous, She thought, her eyes not leaving his. She also couldn't shake the fact that he seemed so familiar. That, and the fact that the thought of him with golden eyes was suddenly quite appealing to her, kept haunting her, but she shook it away.
"It was still rude of me." She protested, but it wasn't nearly as stern as she wished because at that moment a yawn decided to escape. She stretched, and it was then that Kurama noticed she was wearing one of his shirts and it made the short woman look something akin to a child playing dress-up.
He couldn't stop the chuckle emanating from his lips. But truly, she was adorable.
Botan's brows furrowed. He's laughing?! Jumping up, her hands found her hips. "And just what is so funny, Mister?" She exclaimed, shaking a finger in his face.
Still chuckling, he grabbed and pushed her hand away. "Calm down, Botan. It's just . . . that shirt is far too large for her." He managed through his chuckles.
Face resembling something akin to a tomato, Sorako pulled the ends of the shirt down farther on her legs. "Well, it was the only thing we could find that would actually fit somewhat decently." She explained self- consciously.
Smiling brightly, Kurama reached out and placed a hand on top of the nervous girl's own. The gesture startled her and her eyes met his in question. "That being the case, I believe we need to acquire something more suitable for you, as I am a bit taller than you."
A nervous smile appeared on her face as she pulled away from him. He's nice, but . . . I still can't trust him yet. "Yes, I must say you are."
Botan sighed. Things had definitely been stranger than normal, and she had a feeling they would be staying that way for sometime. Just thinking about it gave her a headache.
Well, that's it for now. Yes, yes. I know what you're all thinking when it comes to pairings (K/OC), but don't jump to conclusions. It really isn't good to assume anyway. Chapter 4 will be coming sometime in the future, but as I am starting my summer job Monday, I can't promise it will be soon.
Also, for those interested in the name meanings:
Sorako- empty child
Ayashige- sinister
Now, please review.