Disclaimer: Don't own YYH…as of yet. And I wanted to make a note here. Kuwabara and Hiei and Kuramacan speak English here, that's why they are in the U.S...and also, this might be the last chapter for a while (cries). I am writing my fictionpress story more now, and so this has been put on hold. Only, since I said this, it'll end up being right on time, but in case it isn't, y'all know why.

Chapter 11: Taking Chances

Good. Now they're both out of the way for now.

I take out the little sprig of wire from my pocket. It looks pretty ordinary to me. But then again, almost anything can be used as a lock pick in desperate situations. That includes hardened chewing gum. I tried it once, and it actually worked, although it took a lot more time than it was worth. It kept morphing back into a shapeless blob every time I tried to form it correctly. And the only reason I was using such a bizarre method is because I had forgotten my real lock pick…

I shake myself mentally. They could be back at any minute.

Okay. Now it's time to see if there really is a crack anywhere here. There should be. Since there's certainly no way out unless I get to that control panel, I'll have to get out the old box-it-down way.

I jab systematically, up and down, left and right. It's got to work sometime this century.

Finally, my scraping pays off. I feel a miniscule chip in the glass. I guess whenHiei re-summoned it, it fortunately didn't reform properly. And even this little chip in the hands of a desperate klepto can be used for some good.

I pull back my arm with the lock pick, and jab it fiercely into that one spot. I receive severe recoil on my arm, and I draw it back in pain, only to strike again. This is what you do to a weak spot. You jab it until it cracks. I should start a TV show: Escape From Anything 101.

I continue to hit it forcefully. But the strange thing is, I don't notice any difference. Usually, once you hit something about 5-9 times, you start to hear definite cracking. I guess it isn't as easy as TV makes it look.

Yes, it's very strange. Virtually everything I know comes from TV. And they say TV causes intelligence to decrease…what idiots. You know, who the hell made that up? TV taught me more than school ever could.

Well, if they can invent glass that melts with the press of a button, maybe they also made it indestructible.

Oh my god, could that be true? I mean, if I've never heard of vanishing glass, why did I have to hear of indestructible glass too?

DAMN!

I stop banging. That must be it. I've hit it 15 times total, and nothing has happened. I need to go to Plan B.

But what is Plan B? I mean, what resources do I have?

I could use the bathroom excuse again, but I don't think they'd buy it. Hiei seems pretty intelligent. I mean, they are thinking up unbelievable codes. Like, the "Spirit World" must mean headquarters, "Yusuke" must be their ringleader,and a number of other nips and nags that I heard must mean other things. Of course, Hiei probably made it up, Kuwabara really does think like an ape, although I guess it isn't his fault…

Oh well, I just have to focus on thinking of another way out for now.

I sit down, put the wire away, and rest my head in my hands. I can't believe it didn't work. How unfair is that? I mean, I'm defenseless in here, God could at least give me a little head start, right?

Well, I could do my initial initial plan. I could just make them start doubting themselves and eventually get let out.

Well, to be bleak, what other options do I have?

I sigh, and hear Hiei and Kuwabara come back.

"Oh. You. Hi."

"Hi." Say Hiei and Kuwabara shortly.

"Um…given any thought to my character studies of you guys?"

"Yes."

"Are all our responses one-worded?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I'm afraid I'll start screaming." Says Hiei carefully.

"Screaming? Why would you scream? I only told you the painful truth."

"Yes. Painful it was. But I can't accept it." Kuwabara smiles smugly. "I've figured it out. You're only tricking me."

"Oh am I now?"

"Yes, you are."

"And you know this how?"

"My parents are honorable people who would not lie to me."

"Then why did they lie to you about being your adoptive parents?"

"Um…"

"See what I mean? You know nothing about those lying, cheap scumbags. They probably bought you at a zoo."

"You…you think so?"

"I do." I say gravely. "It's the sad truth."

Hiei looks like his ribs have cracked from withheld laughter.

Kuwabara sighs, and in horror I notice tears at the corners of his eyes. "I…I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER HOME!"

"KUWABARA!"

The sound of Hiei's volume shocks us, and we shut up. Hiei also has the look of one who has just disproved infinity.

"Kuwabara, can I speak to you for a second?"

"Uh, sure."

(Conversation in the hall)

"You – are – the – biggest – gorilla – ever." Says Hiei, dragging Kuwabara by the ear into the tunnel.

"So you believe it too, huh?"

Hiei glares. "Kuwabara, I've figured it out."

"Figured what out and how? You know I'm not good with these kinds of things…"

"You know how she keeps saying that I'm a bi and you're a gorilla?"

"Yeah…"

"I shouldn't have to tell you this, but she's just messing with us. She's trying to make us fly off the handle to increase her chances at escape."

"Really?"

Angered silence.

"Damn. She's really smart, isn't she? We had to pick a genius to capture."

"I don't think that's it. I just think she's crafty and knows how to talk a cat into a doghouse. Listen, we've got to tread really carefully around her until Kurama gets back. He's the only one that has any hope at matching her. I was actually starting to believe I was a bi."

"You're not?"

"NO!" Hiei suddenly realizes that he went above a whisper. "No!" He whispers urgently. "That's what she wants me to think! I'm not a bi, she's just trying to screw around with me! Because, I just realized, I am not calm all the time, and that was what was sending me into despair."

"Oh…" Says Kuwabara. "So, you're not a bi?"

"No, I'm not."

"And I'm not an ape?"

"Even though you act like one, you are definitely a human."

"COOL! I mean…what? Could you say all that again?"

"…" > ;;

(Kara)

Damn it! I called too much attention to their faults, and Hiei figured it out! Damn, damn, damn!

Oh, how could I let this happen? I should have known it would happen! How could I have been so unbelievably stupid?

And now look what it's cost me. My best and probably my only weapon is gone. DAMN!

Wait. Think about this.

I could continue pretending that I think I have them under my control, although they know that they are not under my control, and they only think that I still have them under control, but if they think that I still have them under control, they might doubt that they are right about not being controlled,which I would not have found out unless I wasn't eavesdropping, and man, I'm getting confused.

I could also try to erase that thought by making my talks even more convincing, because it appears that the only reason they are doubting me is because I keep bringing it up too much. Once again, I should have known that was bound to happen.

…Screw it. I have two options.

I think I'll go with B. A doesn't seem like it would accomplish anything.

Is it just me, or is the light getting brighter above my head?

Ow. OW, THAT HURTS! I feel my skin starting to peel, and I'm blinded. Damn!

The world goes dark.

Captured…

I pull my shirt up to cover my head, and crouch down into a ball. I accidentally stab myself in the head with the wire. Ow…

Captured…

The awful voice continues.

Gonna…explode…

Suddenly, the light dims.

Shakily, I pull the shirt back into normal position and glance up at the light. Yes, it's just as it used to be. Not hot and not cool.

"WHAT WAS THAT?" I yell.

I immediately realize I should not have, but oh well. I want to find out who tried to kill me.

My shout brings several people running. It's Kuwabara and Hiei of course, but there's also a girl with brown hair. She's wearing this weird blue uniform that has characters on it. Below in parenthesis it saysSarayashiki on it in blue lettering. What is that, Japanese?

They stop, panting. "You called?" Asks Hiei irritably.

"Yes! Someone just tried to give my quite a dazzling tan! I little TOO dazzling!"

"…"

"You are all idiots, you know that? It's called sarcasm. Someone just tried to burn me with this light bulb! And someone thought it was funny to tell me how goddamn CAPTURED I am!"

They all look dazed. "Lemme get this right. Someone turned up the frequency of the light bulb radiance, and then told you that you were caught?"

Kuwabara nods. "It might have been the work of a thunder demo…" He catches Hiei's warning glance. "I mean, the work of an electrician."

Thunder demo…what? Demolisher? Just plain demo? Demon?

"An electrician tried to kill me?"

"Yes." Says the girl, nodding gravely. "There was one just on the news channel 60 Minutes. They said one lost his mind and started trying to screw up electrical wires."

I stare. "If you think I'm swallowing that, you're crazy."

"Swallow it." Says Hiei, fingering what I recognize to be a hilt of a sword. I shut up. Better not take chances with him. He seems to be very rash.

"That's better. And this here is Keiko Yukimura." He points to the Japanese girl. "She's going to talk to you, as you couldn't care less about what Kuwabara and I say. Be nice to her, she's a bit girly."

Oh great.

They leave. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I hate girly girls.

"Konnichiwa." She says cheerfully.

"Bless you." I say angrily.

"Oh…" She seems surprised by my hostility. "KUWABARA!"

He runs in fast. "QUE?"

Is that Japanese?

They talk very quick, and Kuwabara finally just stands next to her.

"Yadadadadadadadada…"

"She says that it's nice to meet you."

"KUWABARA!" I yell. "I'M NOT GONNA LISTEN TO YOU TRANSLATING HER ALL THE TIME! WITH ALL THIS MACHINERY, YOU'D THINK YOU'D HAVE SOMETHING THAT'D DO THAT WITHOUT YOUR PRESENCE!"

"Right." He says sheepishly. He picks up a funny device kind of resembling a gasmaskoff of the table and puts it on Keiko's lips. He then runs down the tunnel yet again. He's certainly getting his daily exercise.

"Uh…Hi?"

Her voice sounds very weird through the translator. "Hi." I grunt.

"Wow, this translator thing is weird! I don't know what you mean, but I do! Hahaha."

I'm silent.

"Haha, anyway, I just wanted to talk to you."

"I see."

"Well…um…" She pulls at her collar. "I'm basically supposed to tell you what you already know, only in clearer terms. Did the guys tell you why you were captured?"

"No. They just say I'm special."

"You are. Okay, let me play psychiatrist."

"How about not?"

"Kara, please, let me in!"

"I'm not the type to let people in. I am a solitary person, and what I don't need is a wannabe brain surgeon!"

She colors. "Well, excuse me for trying to help, O High And Mighty!"

"Yes, excuse you."

There is an angry silence.

"I'll start again. I am playing psychiatrist. How do you feel right now?"

"Crappy."

"Why?"

"Is that some sort of trick question? I just got captured, I'm not being told why I am so special, and I'm hungry! I'm not even let out once in a while!"

"Look, I can let you out if you absolutely want to be. Will it make you talk to me, so we can develop a bond where you'll be more open?"

Is she for real? "Oh, sure. I just want to be let out so badly…" I let my voice taper off to a little quaver. "I just want to stretch! I hate it how mean everyone is being!" I'd be a damn good prep queen. Or maybe a member of the Melodrama Club.

Keiko sighs, and then smiles. "I'll let you out for a little bit so you can feel the air again. But you have to promise not to try to hurt me or anything."

"Oh thank you! I'm sorry I was so mean!" I add perky squeaks here and there.

"Anytime." She says happily. She certainly wins the Most Gullible Idiot Award. Not that I'm complaining. This could be my chance.

She goes to the panel, unconcealing it behind that tile, and presses in a code. Finally, my cage just melts away, and I step out. How long has it been?

I stretch.

Then I hear the phrase.

"Sit down and talk."

"Oh, but I've been sitting for so long…"

"OK. But don't move. Talk."

I grumble and groan, but start. "My full name is SakaraElizabeth Azhura."

"Yes. Mine is KeikoMelani Yukimura. How old are you?"

"14."

"Oh, I am too! What's your favorite subject?"

"Like, school? I don't do school."

"Really? But we have the coolest gadgets! Like this one over here." She walks over to a table right next to the tunnel, which I am several yards from. Yes…her back is to me…yes…

I follow her, as though I am going to look over shoulder. "Oh, how cool is that?' I ask, inching closer.

"Yeah. It's like a small calculator mainframe, only you can make codes on it and stuff. It's way interesting, and fun to use. Do you want to attend school?"

"Oh definitely." I say, getting still closer.

"In fact…I could probably get you enrolled here, you think?"

"Maybe. I really don't know."

"Yadadadadadadadada."

Her translator has slipped.

My eyes narrow, as she fiddles with it, trying to fit it back on.

I take the last two steps in an instant, and bending down, use my forearmto bump the back of her knees so that she falls flat on her back. Wasting no time, I stand and bolt, going straight into the tunnel.

I hear her yell, "You said you wouldn't hurt me! You'd only talk!"

"I did that, right? I only took advantage of you!"

"WHAT?"

I don't think I have ever run this fast in my life. I run far, and it gets deeper and darker. It suddenly occurs to me that I don't know where this leads. And the weird thing is that my leg is not even bothering me. I guess that's the "spirit cure" as they say.

When I finally start to get winded, I go even faster. I have to make as much distance between them and me as possible.

But how do I get out of something like this? For some reason, I remember a sensation of falling, but I might have been delirious. What if they really did just throw me down here? How will I get back up?

And where are Kuwabara and Hiei? Shouldn't I see something yet?

I finally can't go anymore. I stop and rest my hands on my knees. Damn, this takes an awful lot out of you. How can I outrun them in this state?

I sigh, and start speedwalking, even though my muscles scream. I think that I've covered a mile at most. How long is this tunnel? Is this a mine shaft or something?

No. The ground is way too level. Mines were uneven and bumpy, with random rocks. This thing looks like it was built for the sole purpose of capturing and holding me.

I push onward.

(Backwards)

"Keiko? What the hell happened?" Asks Kuwabara.

Keiko stands up shamefacedly. "She got…away. Fooled me with the old honey voice."

"You're kidding! I try to go out and get some supplies and you let her right out as though you were the one under control!"

Hiei stood up gravely. "And I still can't go after her because I'd have to touch her!"

"I'm going, aren't I?" Groans Kuwabara.

"No. She won't get out. We can't trust you with her again, Kuwabara."

"What I want to know is how she passed us without us seeing or sensing her. A power like that…my Awareness should have picked it up a mile away."

"Can she turn invisible?" Asks Keiko. "Or that guy you fought, Kuwabara, can she cloak herself?"

"I don't know. But I think there's more to her than we know. Than even she knows."

"Well, there's no way she can get out of the tunnel. And otherwise, we'll just have to find her again. No big deal."

"What if she can fly?"

"Oh Kuwabara, of course she can't." Says Hiei, although he doesn't sound too reassured.

They suddenly look at each other.

"I'll find her…" Says Hiei.

"…and I'll get her." Says Kuwabara.

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A/N Let's see how she does. How'd you like it? And I'm sorry if this chapter is gonna be here a while...just because of other stories. Really, the only reason What Happened To My Life is not getting delayed is because I have all the chapters completed, I'm just choosing to update only once a week. I finished them all last summer, and I only wrote a few more during September, when I was just getting into ninth grade.