Imouto
Amai: Yay, I've been waiting for this chapter! I introduce someone new! Although, I think most if not all of you will know him... but I'm not telling who it is!
I wasn't too happy with how short this was... but it was either that or have it too long, I guess.
CHAPTER SEVEN: A new resident
By the time they returned home it was after lunchtime, and Kurama headed to the kitchen since Mizuki was still trying to get the kitten to eat. Mizuki sat down on the couch, trying everything to make the little furball take the bottle. "What are you doing, onna(1)?" Hiei asked as he peered over Mizuki's shoulder. The kitten peered into his crimson eyes and promptly began to climb up Mizuki's chest to reach the fire demon.
"I'm trying to get her to eat," Mizuki replied. "I think she likes you better though. Here." She shoved the kitten into the crook of one of Hiei's arms and the bottle into his opposite hand and poked the bottle toward the kitten's mouth. She immediately took the nipple in her mouth and suckled eagerly.
"Nani(2)!" Hiei exclaimed, an uncharacteristic look of confusion on his face.
"Look, it's Hiei-kaasan(3)!" cackled Yusuke, who had been sitting in an easy chair watching TV.
"Urusai(4)!" Hiei snapped. He thrust the kitten back at Mizuki, who happily discovered that the kitty now liked the bottle and would take it for her, too.
"Arigatou(5), Hiei-kun!" she said, giving the fire demon a quick peck on the cheek for thanks. He looked very taken aback.
"What was that for!" Hiei shouted. Mizuki giggled and retreated to the kitchen.
"What was all that commotion about?" Kurama asked as Mizuki took a seat at the table.
"Hiei-kun helped me get the kitty to eat, but I don't think he wanted to be thanked," she replied vaguely.
"Are you going to name it?" Kurama asked, referring to the kitten. "You can't just keep referring to her as 'koneko'."
"Then I'll call her... Hineko(6)-chan."
"Fire-cat?" Kurama looked skeptically at the little thing.
"She likes Hiei best," Mizuki explained. Hineko wriggled off of Mizuki's lap and bounded for the living room on unsteady kitty paws. "Dunno why, but she spotted him and just lit right up!"
"It might have something to do with his ki field. Animals sometimes have a liking for certain waves. Hiei's is certainly unique since he's a combination of fire and ice."
"Could be." Mizuki just shrugged and got up to help Kurama cook.
"Take this thing," Hiei grumbled, holding Hineko at arms' length. The little calico purred loudly, seemingly just happy to be in contact with her favorite person.
"Her name is Hineko, and it's not my fault she likes you so much," Mizuki replied, taking the kitten and setting her on the floor. "It's time for dinner, she can take care of herself for a while."
"Hn." Hiei joined the others at the table for a meal of spaghetti with meatballs and a giant loaf of garlic bread. The meal had barely begun and Yukina was in the middle of a story about a puppy she'd encountered at the animal shelter that morning when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it, you guys go ahead and eat," Mizuki said, hopping up from the table. Kurama knew better than to let her out of their sight, especially at the door or windows where the assassin could get in, so he stood up and placed himself next to the kitchen door so that he could hear everything. When the door opened, Mizuki screamed. Kurama was in the living room instantly, with Yusuke and Hiei right behind.
"Jin-kun!" Mizuki screamed again, throwing her arms around the redheaded wind demon's neck. "I haven't seen you in so long! What brings you here?" The boys looked relieved that there was no danger, but a bit angry that Mizuki had scared them so badly.
"Koenma-sama told me about your encounter and I figured you could use all the help you could get," Jin said with his light Irish accent as he happily returned Mizuki's hug. "How are these guys treating you, Zuki-chan?"
"Don't call me Zuki-chan," Mizuki scolded. "They're treating me just fine. We've had lots of fun!"
"How do you know this guy?" Yusuke asked, raising an eyebrow at Jin.
"Jin-kun has been my friend since we were little," Mizuki explained. "Koenma-anchan doesn't like it too much 'cause of the martial arts and Dark Tournament stuff, but Jin-kun is like another anchan to me."
"You bet," Jin agreed, though his grin looked a bit strained.
"I'm going to go get the girls," Mizuki said, running into the kitchen with a giggle.
"So why are you really here?" Yusuke asked, ever suspicious.
"I couldn't leave my Zuki-chan here with just the likes of you, Urameshi," Jin chuckled. "There's no telling what ideas you'll put into her innocent head."
"Innocent! If anything she's been the one torturing us," Yusuke protested. "I think Kurama's the only one who's escaped."
"I took her to my house. I have escaped nothing," Kurama replied.
"You weren't forced to wear make-up, kitsune. You got off easy," Hiei complained. At just about that time Mizuki re-entered the living room with Botan, Yukina and Keiko in tow.
"Dinner is getting cold," she said. "We've got spaghetti and garlic bread!" Mizuki tugged on Jin's arm, and everyone went back to the kitchen.
1. Insulting term for "woman"
2. What!
3. Mommy Hiei
4. Shut up
5. Thank you
6. Hi- fire, neko- cat, Hineko- fire cat
