DISCLAIMER: You know the drill by now.
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Kodomo Hikari: Chapter 4 is here minna-san! Thank you so much for waiting. All your well wishes and support has been received and I appreciated it. Our refrigerator is chocked full of all the goodies you people sent for me. ^_^
Dragon Ladysupreme - Thank you for the presents and helping me with my questions. I'll consider them. Yeah, I'm bummed about our weak immune system and yes, I'll be checking out your fics too. I also told Hiei about what you said. ^_^ By the way, he loved the chocolate dragons. ^_^
Hiei: I do not! (mouth smeared with chocolate)
K. Hikari: (raises eyebrow on Hiei) Uh sure. Kaeru Soyokaze- Nefertiti is a good name. I really appreciate it that you're with me with every chapter.
Yayo- Honestly? It had a fun beginning but you're ending was sort of a let down. But...your ending also leaves open a possible sequel...what do you think ^_~
Sammy - All those cookies, cakes and...whatever am I going to do with them *stops as she hears a sound* Oh wait, Kuwabara's here. He's raiding the fridge again. *sound of people arguing* Looks like Yusuke is here too and from the sounds of it they're arguing with my sister over the devil cake. *sighs* The life-size Kurama get-well card is just wonderful! Thank you so much for being here also. I mean it. ^_^
Bloodfang - Another cake! Wow! Thank you! Made the bitter medicine go down a lot easier.
All right folks, here we go. Chapter 4. Hope it's not a let down.
Kurama: Okay, time for your medicine.
K. Hikari: *makes a face* Yech! *brightens up suddenly* Thanks for getting my Harry Potter books back.
Kurama: No problem. Now drink your medicine.
K. Hikari: Wait, you didn't hurt anyone did you when you got those back?
Kurama: *looks shocked at the idea* Of course not! Now stop stalling and drink it before I force it down your throat.
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Word Watch:
Meifu = Land of the Dead (in YnM-in case you haven't seen it)
Shinigami = God of Death
Nee-san = older sister
Hayaku = hurry!
Auror = wizard warrior (From Harry Potter -If you don't know this one you must have been living in a galaxy far far away 0_o Or, it's because your religion forbids you to read the books that way your soul will not burn in hell. )
Death Eater = wizards who served Him-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named
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Chapter 4: Narita Airport
Narita Airport was crowded as usual. Tatsumi frowned a little. He was not use to rowdy crowds and right now, the friends and relatives of the Rei Tantei's not to mention the Rei Tantei themselves were making such a ruckus that other people were giving them a wide berth. He stood a little farther off the group and checked to make sure all their papers were ready and in order. It had been the busiest two days of his whole un-dead life. Meeting the Rei Tantei, the mission. Do Shinigamis feel stressed? Maybe he should ask that mad scientist Watari when he goes back to Meifu.
"Now Yusuke, I want you to behave yourself, oh-kay?" She was hung-over from last night's drinking session but had somehow managed to drag herself out of bed to see her son off.
Yusuke made a face, "Aww come on mom!"
Keiko smiled at Yusuke, "Don't forget our souvenirs, ok?"
"Is that all you can think of?" he asked in disbelief. Her smiled gained an added wattage. He found himself thinking what sort of souvenirs she might like.
In another area of the group:
"Kazuma don't make a fool of yourself. Do you hear me?"
Kazuma gulped, "Sure, nee-san." Older sisters are scary, he thought.
"Good luck," Yukina said shyly.
"Of course! I, Kazuma will...OUCH!" Shizuru had smacked him on the back of his head. Then she whispered to him, "Say, you're new teacher- Tatsumi-he's single, right?"
Kazuma's eyes widened in shock, "NEE-SAN!"
Kurama watched them said their farewells with each other. It was a happy group but he couldn't get rid of the dark foreboding that he was feeling. He looked at the older man. Tatsumi was standing a little off the group waiting for them to finish their goodbyes. There was a stern look in the man's eyes. A soft hand touched his shoulder. He turned around and met the green eyes of his human mother. She looked teary. He wasn't at all surprise. A few nights ago, while trying to explain Hogwarts to both their parents he'd learn- much to his surprise (after Shuichi had been put to bed of course) that his biological human father was an Auror who died in combat with the Death Eaters. Hatanaka Masaki, his stepfather, was also a wizard and knew of the dangers in the Wizarding World. Both had been reluctant to let them go but in the end after he told them a little of the truth (he'd been doing that a lot these days now that he thought about) they all agreed that the safest place for them would be the school. However, that raised the question as to their parents' safety. Masaki had assured him that they would be all right and that they could take care of themselves. He was not so sure about that and so using his influence in both Makai and Reikai he had his parents watched. Not just his parents but also the other Rei Tantei's close friends and family members. If any of them so much as get a hair out of place, he'd know about it. He'd better know about it or a few heads were going to roll. This fact was painfully known to those he'd "requested" to do guard duty. Koenma had thrown a tantrum when he heard Kurama's plan saying it was a waste of resources but in the end, he agreed after Kurama threatened to back off the mission saying why he should care anyway if the Reikai Prince wasn't going to bother with a few ningens.
"Shuichi," she began.
"It'll be alright, mom. I'll look after him."
"I know. You take care of yourself also." She was worried. He could see that.
His stepfather stepped forward and gave him a warm hug, " I know you boys will make us both proud." Then he whispered to Kurama, "Please be careful."
Hiei stepped in. "It's time to go, " he said. He'd seen Tatsumi signal them. It was about time. All these ningen drama was making him nauseous. He glanced at Kurama. How could he stand it? He saw the others gave their final farewells and follow Tatsumi.
"Aww, don't be so grouchy, Hiei."
It was Botan. She was her usual bouncy self. She'd fallen in step with him and was chattering mindlessly. He wondered idly what it would be like to wring her neck.
"Be happy. It's your first plane ride after all!"
"Hn"
"I mean look at me! It's my first plane ride!"
God, his ears hurt. Will no one shut this woman up? It was bad enough that they had to separate him from his katana. He felt so ...naked with out it. He remembered Kurama telling him that they do not want him setting off alarms so his katana had to be checked in luggage. Whose bright idea was this anyway? Riding a plane to Europe? Why don't they just take those dimensional portals for crying out loud but NOOOO...since Kurama's stepbrother is here they couldn't do that. Botan had suggested they go by oar and Hiei was glad that everyone thought she 'd gone off the deep end. Therefore, plane ride it was then.
A sudden ear-splitting beep caused him to jump and jolt him from his thoughts. He looked up to see Kurama standing in what seemed to be a metal gateway. The lights on the gateway were flashing and several humans were running in their direction. He could sense they were expecting trouble. His senses sharpened. Oh goody, a fight.
"Ehehe, sorry officers," Kurama gave them his most innocent smile. "I forgot to turn it off." He reached into his back pocket and deposited a cellular phone to the head guard. The burly man frowned but let him through. The noise stopped.
Hiei glared at Kurama. Set off alarms indeed! Stupid fox. Kurama just gave him one of those infuriating grins.
"And that, is why, hand-carrying a katana is out of the question," Tatsumi sighed. This is going to be the longest flight in his whole undead life.
He ushered everyone in and through the security checkpoints. They got through with no more trouble except for the occasional bickering between Yusuke and Kazuma. He glanced at the fire-demon. So far, so good. He was afraid he was going to use his powers early on to wrestle with a disgruntled fire-demon but so far the kid was behaving. He wondered absentmindedly if Hiei's eyes could get any bigger than they already had.
Hiei stared the monstrosity. What the hell? There was no way in Makai this metal bird is getting off the ground much less FLY HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD. He and the group were now at the passengers' lounge waiting to board their plane. The glass walls provided a spectacular view of the runway and the various planes parked in the tarmac. Tube-like tunnels snaked from buildings and attached themselves to one side of the planes. He could see people entering and leaving it. He could also see planes landing and taking off. How these clumsy metal birds managed to do that he had no idea. His stomach suddenly felt like someone dropped a hot stone inside it.
"What's wrong, Hiei?" Kazuma taunted. "Never seen a plane before?"
"If you want to keep your head Kuwabara I suggest you back off." Baka. Of course, he'd seen a plane. But not up close. Up close, they look so bulky that he didn't think they could fly. Much less get of the ground.
"Oh goody! They're loading our stuff now!" Botan pointed excitedly. Several yards away, the cargo conveyor belt was loading the plane with the passenger's belongings. Hiei could see that some of them were HUGE metal crates. That's it. No way is that thing flying with all the weight inside it. Botan's suggestion to go by oar didn't sound so flaky now.
Kurama nodded, "It seems like we'll be boarding it soon."
"Er, Botan," Yusuke asked. "How do you know it's our stuff?"
She smiled and pointed again. Everyone made a face. Shuichi burst out laughing.
"That's one way to label your luggage," Tatsumi said calmly. He didn't know whether he should laugh or cry. Botan's luggage sported huge cartoonized pictures of her making the peace sign. They were visible for miles.
"Hey!" Kuwabara asked. "How come you've got so many luggages?"
"I'm a girl." As if that explained everything.
"Yeah, but you're..."
A sharp jab into his abdomen by Yusuke shut Kazuma up. He was about to blurt out something that they'd have a hard time explaining to Shuichi.
Tatsumi straightened up, "Alright people. Let's go. They're calling our flight number."
Hiei hesitated. He really didn't want to go on that thing. First, how could that thing fly. Second, he was not going to put his life in the hands of a ningen. He'd rather take his chances in Makai. Third, ningens are all bakas! What were they thinking! That thing could drop out of the sky and finished them all.
"Actually, Hiei." Kurama said. " A lot more people die on the streets than in the sky."
"Stop reading my mind."
"I didn't. It was in your expression."
"And for your information, fox. The reason a lot more people die on the ground than in the sky is because you die when you HIT THE GROUND, not when you're FALLING to the ground!"
He gave a sharp looked to Yusuke, Kuwabara and Botan. The three were giggling madly.
"Hiei's scared of flying!' Kazuma said in a singsong manner.
"That's enough!" Tatsumi had about enough of their antics. "Are you people getting on board or do I have to drag you in?"
Hiei was about to reply when Kurama laid a restraining hand on him. He growled instead and chose to follow everyone into the tunnel.
If the plane didn't look sky worthy outside, it was worse in the inside. Inside there were rows and rows of seats. There was also a staircase leading up. Hiei's eyes widened. Huh? Where are the engines necessary to get this thing off the ground?
Tatsumi lead them into first class. It was more of a necessity than a luxury really. If they were in business or economy class there was no telling what would happen with all those people around. He already had a high-strung fire demon on his hands and a ditzy ferry-girl.
"Sweet!" Yusuke exclaimed. His eyes surveyed the first class. It wasn't claustrophobic like the other sections and each seat had their own LCD TVs and headsets.
"Oh! Computer games too!" Shuichi said excitedly. He and Yusuke settled down on their seats and started fiddling with the entertainment system.
"Oh yeah!" Kuwabara agreed. "Now THIS IS FLYING with STYLE!" He had found his seat and was playing with the controls.
"CUT THAT OUT!"
The seat that Kuwabara was playing with had suddenly reclined hitting Hiei who was sitting behind him. The flight attendant gave both boys a sharp reproaching look.
Botan giggled, " Oh this is fun!" She settled right beside Hiei.
Kurama saw the panicked look of Hiei as he found out that Kuwabara was seated in front of him and Botan was beside him. He looked pleadingly in his way.
/Can't do, Hiei/ Kurama responded to Hiei's silent plea of help. He was laughing inside. Wonder how long Hiei could keep himself in check before going nuts?
/No way I'm switching places with you or have Kurama switch places with Botan./ Tatsumi interrupted. He gave Hiei a look that said, if you have a problem with that we will talk it over in Meifu.
The two stared at Tatsumi. Tatsumi had taken his seat directly across the aisle from them. A position, Kurama noted, where he could keep an eye on everyone. Kurama shrugged. He had the window seat beside Tatsumi. In front of him were Yusuke and Shuichi.
Yusuke looked over at Hiei then turned in his seat to look back at Kurama.
/I bet 2 dollars he'll last for 5 minutes. / Yusuke sent Kurama his thoughts.
Kurama grinned. /You're on./
/I'm betting 5 dollars that he won't last 3 minutes./
Yusuke and Kurama gaped at Tatsumi. The man was reclining calmly and had his eyes close. Did he just make a 5 dollar bet? There was a slight curl in Tatsumi's lips.
Hiei was at the limits of his wits. When the captain's voice came on the speaker, he jumped. The man's voice sounded old. What, they're letting patients from geriatric wards fly planes now? When the flight stewardess started going through the emergency procedures he wondered idly how that was going to help anyone when you're on fire several thousand feet up in the air or going to the ground at several miles per hour or...
The muffled rumble of the engines jolted him. Wait a minute, where are the engines?
Botan suddenly squeezed herself between him and the chair in front of them, "Look, the engines! They're turning!"
She was excited. Hiei felt his stomach drop. THOSE Were the ENGINES? Outside his window, he could see huge turbines begin to turn. The turbines were housed in cylindrical casings and the air around it was shimmering with the heat. In turn, the casings were attached to the planes wings, which in Hiei's eyes looked far too slender to bear the weight of the plane not to mention all the people and their luggage inside. The scenery outside started to move and he realized the plane was now backing up and moving to the runway.
"Those are the engines?" No way. No way in hell is this thing getting up to the sky with just those.
His eyes were wide now and his voice was unnaturally squeaky. He heard Shuichi say, "Don't worry Hiei-kun. There's another pair on this side."
Kurama was holding back his laughter, "See Hiei-kun. Nothing to be afraid off."
Oh, he could just kill that stupid, stupid fox!
The plane started to taxi. Hiei bit back an uncharacteristic scream that was starting to boil up in the back of his throat. It didn't help that Botan was still yammering in his ears as the plane picked up speed and the scenery outside was starting to blur.
He felt a slight bump and saw that the landscape was oddly tilted. It took a full 30 seconds for him to realize what was happening. They were going up. No way! His mind screamed at him and his stomach decided at that moment to be left behind on the ground. They were going to fall and die!
"AAAAAAARRRRGGGHHH! GET ME OFF! HAYAKU! HAYAKU!" He was clawing at his seatbelt that now refused to cooperate with him in his panicky state.
/10 minutes. I win. Pay up./ Kurama grinned.
Tatsumi grimaced. Well at least it wasn't going to be a long boring flight to Europe.
TBC
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A/N: 1. I made Shiori's (Kurama's human mother) eyes green like her son's. No arguments on this one, k? :P
2. I gave his step dad the name of Masaki. I believe his name in kanji stands for "true happiness". ^_^
3. Still accepting suggestions for the names, descriptions, powers for the following:
1. A really exotic Egyptian beauty who's Harry's age. (girl)
2. A really proud boy who's a year ahead of Harry and of Aryan descent.
3. Son of a mighty chieftain in Africa.
4. An American teenager who's into anything MTV. (this could be a girl or boy)
5. A red headed, green-eyed Australian angel. (girl)
6. A descendant of South America's Lost civilizations (boy)
7. A descendant of Sumer. (boy)
4. Will be giving credit to anyone who deserves it of course. ^o^
5. Questions in the plot line anyone? Post it up. I'll answer it all in Chapter 5. ^_^ Bring it on! Feel like I should have elaborated more about Chapter 3 here in Chapter 4? I did too except It wouldn't let me. It made me write this instead so. It, is the little voice that every writer probably has. It pretty much decides what you should write and once it takes control well you'll have to go along with It because if you try to disagree with It you'll end up with a trash basket full of crumpled papers or a recycling bin full of your deleted attempts. I know. It happened to me.
Read and review! ^_~ I'm going back to sleep now. *yawns *
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