Yusuke's heart pounded. He certainly didn't expect this surprise. He had almost blown their cover, well, Hiei's cover, by looking directly at the small demon for help. Luckily, Hiei had his back turned, or Narako would have definitely gotten the hint that he was Yusuke's partner. The spirit detective shifted uncomfortably under Narako's watchful eye. He didn't know how to respond to the silver-haired demon. "Umm… hi…"
Narako laughed, his violet eyes sparkled. "Somehow, I don't think pink is the color for you, my dear." He took Yusuke's hand and led him in the direction Hiei was going, following the group. "Come, I will get you into something a little more… eye pleasing."
Yusuke blushed at the comment. He tried to take note of Hiei's reaction when he passed the other demon, but there was none. If Hiei felt even the slightest shock from the two holding hands, he didn't show it. His face was a perfect mask of indifference, something Yusuke really envied right then. Yusuke pursed his lips, trying not to pull away as Narako pressed their bodies closer.
"I'm glad you came to visit me this time, Yusuke. This certainly is a pleasant surprise." Narako spoke loud enough for the entire group to hear, making Yusuke grimace. He didn't want Hiei to know about them, but it was already too late. It might seem like a slight comment, but Narako was scouting for any change of expression from the group. He wanted to find out who Yusuke's partner was.
Hiei cursed at Yusuke. Narako was trying to catch him off guard with his shrewd remarks. And he would've succeeded too, if Hiei wasn't so prepared for them. The black-haired demon continued walking as if nothing had happened. He couldn't afford to lose any of his concentration now, it would be too risky. Hiei was glad when they were shown their rooms. He nearly smiled when he was handed a key to his own room, no more sharing.
Kurama barely contained a giggle as he watched poor Kuwabara get scolded once again for doing something wrong, or not to the standard. Kuwabara stood, shoulders hunched and head hung low, trying to look very sorry for ruining the soup. The kitchen cook was screaming her head off, waving her hands wildly at the taller boy. "I didn't hire you to poison the food with your stupidity! How many times did I tell you that the soy sauce goes with the fish, not into the soup!"
"I'm sorry." Kuwabara really was. This meant that he had to stay overtime to make another pot of soup. He had a feeling that this was going to be a very long day. And contrary to what Koenma thinks, this job brings them nowhere near their target. The kitchen was actually in the opposite direction of the demon lord's quarters.
Kurama felt sorry for the other detective. He sighed; maybe it was time he intervened. Walking closer to the ruined soup, the redhead looked directly at the cook's eyes, catching her attention. "Excuse me, but maybe I can help with the soup. I've worked with him before," Kurama pointed to Kuwabara, "and putting soy sauce into the soup is actually my specialty recipe. He must've confused it with your orders. Why don't you let me adjust the taste so you don't have to make another batch?"
The kitchen cook smiled at Kurama. "Well, what a polite girl." She turned to Kuwabara, who was snickering at the words. "You should follow her example more, it certainly would help your manners." Kuwabara continued laughing, and the cook's face lit up with confusion. "Why are you laughing?"
Kurama had an amused expression on his face. "I am not a girl, ma'am."
"Oh my!" The cook looked closely at the red-haired boy. "I'm sorry…I didn't realize."
"It's alright. Just let me fix the soup for you."
"Okay. I'll leave you to it." The cook took another look at Kurama, then blushed and ran off.
"Oh man! Did you see the look on her face? Damn, you crack me up, Kurama." Kuwabara continued laughing.
Kurama gave Kuwabara a disapproving look and went to fix the soup. "You're lucky I'm here. Sometimes I really wonder how you could've survived this long in the world."
The other boy gave a sheepish grin and went back to his work. It had been a long day, but at least it was almost over.
After a few more hours of cooking and cleaning, the kitchen cook finally announced that it was time for everyone to head back to their quarters. Kurama narrowed his eyes. He didn't like this position he was in. He was not here to cook or entertain anyone. His job was to locate the demon Lord and to get him to confess. But the problem was that he was nowhere near the Lord, meaning that it was definitely not an easy job for him to find and immobilize the enemy. He was just about to voice his concern to his partner when the kitchen cook waved her hand for Kurama to go to her.
"Kurama was is?" She looked at him.
"Yes, ma'am." Kurama didn't know what this was about.
"I saw your skills in cooking today, and the Lord was quite pleased in your cooking."
"It was nothing, ma'am. Just something I put together in haste." Kurama was surprised that the food went directly to the Lord, but he didn't let his emotions show.
"You don't have to be do modest, my boy. But I do have something to offer you. There was an unfortunate accident to the servant who brings the food to the Lord this afternoon. Poor thing had a most nasty fall down the stairs. I know you're new here and all, but you seem the most competent and I would like to recommend you to be the new servant. It's not much of an upgrade, but at least you don't have to wake up before the sun. How bout it?"
Kurama almost jumped in joy to this. This was almost too good. "I would be honored."
"Well then, lets get you started on learning the new duties. Now let me tell you, the Lord is extremely picky sometimes. He likes his plate set in a certain order, meaning the chopsticks has to go here, and napkins here…" She continued on while Kurama paid slight attention to her. He was more focused on a plan to complete his mission.
Kuwabara was weary. His entire day consisted of apologizing and being yelled at. Needless to say it was not a happy day for him. So it was not a good surprise when someone suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him into an empty room.
He would've punched the person too, if he didn't see the small girl huddled against the attack. Kuwabara studied her. Long straight black hair went down to her waist, wrapping itself around a petite body. Her hazel eyes stared at him in fear. "Ano…Kuwabara-san is it?" She spoke after realizing that she was not going to get hit.
Kuwabara nodded, now observing the room he's in.
"I saw you working in the kitchens today. You're new aren't you?" After seeing another nod from the orange haired boy, she resumed. "I know it's unfair, but…I mean, it's not… you don't have to do this, but I had to ask. Would you do me a favor, Kuwabara-san?"
The girl was nervous, even shy. Kuwabara immediately liked her. "Well, it depends on what it is. You still haven't given me your name."
"Oh! Where's my manners," she chuckled uneasily, "my name is Miyako. I'm a servant to the Lady Sayaka." The girl paused, chewing on her lips as she mentioned the Lady. "What I wanted to ask you…is…would you bring the Lady's food to her?"
"Huh?" Kuwabara thought that she'll ask for something more, but it was only a small task.
"I know it's not that big of a task, but you see, the Lady is being contained in the dungeons. Her Lord is angry with her. And it won't be a problem for me to go down there, but the guards… they're horrible! Every time I enter, they will try to talk to me, making crude comments about my…body…and such. They tried to touch me too! I-I'm just hoping that you aren't like that and that you'll help me?" Her eyes pleaded.
"Of course I'll help! Just tell me what to do."
Another twenty minutes later, Kuwabara was heading down the stairs towards the dungeon. He was careful not to spill the food, but the task was easier said than done. Moisture had collected into every crevice of the walls and floors, making it particularly slippery. It didn't help that the food itself was steaming hot and weighed about ten pounds. Kuwabara was really beginning to wonder what kind of food the Lady eats.
"Hey you!" A male voice startled him.
Kuwabara looked to see where the voice was coming from and was met with a tall man with dark hair in a guard's uniform. As he looked closer though, Kuwabara could tell that this was no human. Little horns stuck out of his head, along with a slick tail circling the floor around the guard. "Yes?"
"What are you doing here? There are to be no visitors to the Lady."
"I'm just brining the food!" Kuwabara stood still as the guard eyed him suspiciously. Finally, after what seemed to be like forever, the guard gestured that he could approach.
"So what happened to that fair maiden? The one who usually brings the food?" The guard asked, opening the metal gates to let Kuwabara into the holding cells.
"She was ill, so I'm here to bring the food." Kuwabara followed the guard down the long corridor. It was dark and the place reeked with the smell of rotting flesh.
"It's a long way down. The Lord didn't want her to be placed with the commoners. Even remodeled the cell just to suit her! What I'm thinking is that if the Lord cared enough to have all this remade for her, why put her down here in the first place?" The guard mumbled about how the Lady didn't deserve to be caged like this.
Kuwabara kept silent. They continued walking until the floor was no longer made with cobbled stone. It was smooth, like the floors up in the castle. A light shone at the end of the hallway. Kuwabara could make out the soft cushions and bed inside the cell. A sweet smell drifted through the air, eliminating all of the rottenness from before.
The guard opened the door to the cell and bowed as he entered. "My Lady. Your food has arrived."
Kuwabara bowed, following the guard's movements. "My Lady."
"Thank you." The Lady bit her lips as the guard turned to leave. "Ah…are there any words from my husband?"
"My apologies, my Lady, but there weren't any. But I'm sure uh…" the guard whispered to Kuwabara, "What was your name?"
"I'm Kuwabara." He set down the food on a dining table.
The guard continued. "Yes, Kuwabara here would keep you company for a bit. I have to get back to my duties, Lady. Please excuse me. Kuwabara, ring the bell here twice when you are ready to leave." With those words, the guard locked up the door and left.
"Kuwabara was it? I am Lady Sayaka. It's a pleasure to meet you." The Lady sat down on a chair and motioned for Kuwabara to sit as well.
"The-the pleasure is all mine, Lady." Kuwabara sat, but a thought nagged at the back of his mind. 'Sayaka, that name sounds so familiar.'
"Why don't we eat?" The Lady began to lift the cover off the tray of food.
Kuwabara stopped her and did the task himself. "A Lady shouldn't have to do this." As soon as the cover was off, Kuwabara felt his jaw drop. The meal was fit for a King! Bowls of food were piled on top of each other, ranging from fruits to meat to five kinds of breads.
The Lady saw the look on Kuwabara's face and gave a chuckle. "Yes, he does spoil me with all the foods I like."
"But…it's obvious your husband still loves you, so why did he put you down here?"
"It's a long story. You see, Hikaro and I have always loved each other." The Lady began.
Kuwabara almost gave out a surprised gasp when he realized who this Lady was. 'If Hikaro, the third in command, was her husband, then… is she the Lady who tricked Hiei?'
"Your name…is Kuwabara huh? It sounds familiar. Now where have I heard of such a name before?"
Kuwabara fidgeted in his chair. If the Lady before him is indeed evil, this could just be a game to her to lure out the detectives. Being in a locked cell did nothing to ease the boy's fears.
"Ah, yes! I remember now. You were the one here with Hila. She did leave rather abruptly didn't she?" The Lady looked straight into Kuwabara's eyes.
Kuwabara gulped. 'Did she find out that we are the spies?'
EEP! I apologize to all who were waiting for this story. I know it's been a while since the update and I'm really really sorry. I promise to get the next update out in a week…promise… ) And to all who don't remember who Hila is.. that was the name given to Hiei when he first infiltrated the castle.