I'm a Beige Raccoon. I took an animology test online yesterday. It was fun. Any of you male readers happen to be a teal cat? Just kidding. Enjoy!
Chapter 8: The Underworld
After Kurenai had left, the others discussed what to do with the situation. "We can just leave her alone. She doesn't need us for any reason." Kuwabara started. "I can't." argued Kurama. "Yoko won't allow me to. Now that he has his memory back it's hopeless." "I'll talk with Koenma about it. Now that we know what was going on, we don't have to worry." Botan mounted her oar and flew out of the open window.
While Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama watched the guide leave, Hiei escaped the apartment. The others didn't see him leave until they heard the door shut. "Are you going tomorrow night?" asked Yusuke lazily. "Are you out of your mind, Urameshi! We can't go to the Underworld. I've heard that that place is full of bikers, gangs, and addicts." "Not to mention you must be eighteen to get in." the fox smirked. Kuwabara was really steamed up and looked nervous, too. But finally he grumbled an agreement to go.
When the key was turned, the lock on the chain popped open. Kurenai opened the cellar door and closed it behind her. She walked down two flights of stairs. The second door she came to creaked when she pulled the handle. It lead to the lowest level of the warehouse. "Now to find that cloth sign." The young woman started rummaging through a pile of boxes and chests.
From one of the many ledges in the building, the fire demon watched the search. He had been able to follow her back here. 'What is she looking for?' Kurenai had been through at least twenty boxes before a sigh of relief was let out. "I thought we had lost it." She glanced around at the mess. "Sanzo really needs to come up with a filing system." Out of an old brown crate, she removed a folded cloth.
Hiei teleported closer to the ground. He stopped when an unknown youkai crept its way over to Kurenai. The demon got close enough to spring out of the shadows and attack. And that's exactly what it did. The komori spun around with a dagger in her extended hand. The sharp blade would have planted itself in the side of the creature's head if someone's hand hadn't stopped it. A strong grip held onto her wrist while the demon was lying on the floor.
Kurenai stared at the guy who grasped her wrist. "Hiei. What are you doing here?" He let go of her and crossed his arms. "Hn." She put the dagger back in the strap under her pantleg. "Hn doesn't answer anything." Hands on hips, she stood waiting for a response. Luckily for Hiei, her phone rang. "I'll deal with you later. Hello. Yea, I found it. Ok, I'm coming." When she turned around, he was gone.
The next night, Yusuke, Kurama, and Botan walked up to Kuwabara's door. "Come in!" someone yelled. They slowly opened the door and walked in. Shizuru entered the room with her little brother right on her heels. "You ready?" Yusuke asked. Shizuru eyed her brother suspiciously. "Ready for what, bro?" Kuwabara gulped. "We're just going out." "Where?" "A club." "What club?" When he didn't answer she asked again more forcefully. "The Underworld." he mumbled under his breath.
Shizuru stopped and stared at the boy. "Are you crazy? You wouldn't last five minutes in there. Plus, you're not old enough. So why are you four going there?" "A friend of ours is playing in the band." Kurama told her. The elder Kuwabara sighed. "Fine. But you better be back before Mom and Dad find out." The younger sibling thanked his sister and left with the others.
"Thanks a lot, Urameshi." Kuwabara said sarcastically. "Look, you got out, didn't you? Now come on." The small group turned down an alleyway ten minutes later. At the end of the narrow path was a tall, muscular guy standing in front of an open door. They walked up to him and the guy stopped his conversation with some other men. "And where do you think you're going?" Botan stepped behind Kurama. "We're here for the show. Gotta problem with that?" asked Yusuke in a not so polite manner.
The bouncer straightened his back and crossed his arms over his chest. He towered a good foot over Kuwabara. "Depends." "Bull!" From behind the road block, they saw a familiar face walk over. Kurenai stood next to the bouncer. "Lighten up. They're a few friends of mine." "Why didn't you say so? Well, Rei, it's nice to see you hang out with kids your own age." the man called Bull laughed and stepped aside. She gave him an evil grin. "Watch it, big guy." she playfully told him.
"Follow me." Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Botan were led to the bar. "Take a seat." They sat down on four empty barstools. The blue-haired girl beat the oaf to the seat between Yusuke and Kurama. That left Kuwabara sitting next to a drunk man. Kurenai hoisted up onto the bar. "Excuse me, Butch." she said to the drunk when she spun and jumped off behind the counter.
A fat guy in his late thirties with greasy blonde hair walked past. "Rei, four beers on table seven." he said. "Will do." she replied. Yusuke spoke up. "You work here?" She nodded. "I have for two years. Sanzo got me the job." She took four cups from under the counter and filled them up. "Who are you?" "Oh, I'm Botan. It's nice to meet you, Kurenai." "Same here." Kurenai walked off to a table.
Some guys across the room started eyeing the teens. "I told you this place was full of fugitives." Kuwabara snapped. Kurama looked around the room. "There's no stage." "It's in another room." The komori came back over. She put away the empty glasses and took the tip off the tray. "Speaking of that, what time is it?" Yusuke glanced at his watch. "Quarter 'till nine." "Hey, Ginji! My shift's up." She removed the rag from her knee-length, black skirt. Her black boots came up to two inches below the skirt. Her shirt was also black, long sleeves, and had a green dragon on the front. "Let's go."
