Disclaimer: Same. Sara owns the mention of Lady Hara.

Author's Note: Wow…when TGB wrote this, I was kind of like, "what?" because I'm not really much of an anime fan. Maybe there's a reference in here to something other than TGB's own insanity, because I really don't understand this chapter too much. You'll notice it's entirely written by TGB, and none of it is mine. That's 'cause I was a little too weirded out to try to get inside this.

Chapter Twelve

Sara's Idea

"Taro? Did you hear me?"

Taro had heard all right. He continued to stare at Sara. "Why do I get the feeling this will land us in jail?"

"Because it usually does," Hiei said.

Sara pouted. "You guys are just paranoid."

"With good reason. Do you remember the time Koenma threw you in jail?"

"Yeah." Sara sighed. "My finest moment."

"You were drunk!"

Taro looked at Kurama. "I haven't heard this story."

"Really? I'm surprised. It really was her finest moment. She…"

Sara clapped her hands together. "Never mind. It was Sona, anyway. She's the crazy one. Not me. Now…are we leaving?"

The others sighed and nodded. Kurama crossed himself. "I feel band for the people we're about to terrorize."

FIVE MINUTES LATER

"I can't believe you stole that," Kurama said quietly.

"I'm not," Taro said. "I'm surprised we out ran those guards."

Sara frowned. "Why? We're all demons."

"They had guns!" Kurama said.

"Those were guns?"

Everyone stared blankly at Taro.

"What? I've never seen one before."

Kurama hugged him. "It's alright." After a silent pause, he asked, "Did you run through a sprinkler?"

"What's a sprinkler?"

(TGB: This would be time for an anime style fall over. Don't know? Don't care.)

"Do you hurt anywhere?"

Taro stared at him blankly before smiling.

"Of course not. What a silly question."

The others didn't buy it. "It that you talking, or is that Demikotsu?" Sara asked.

Taro hung his head. "Demikotsu."

"Alright. Take off your shirt."

"Now? We're in the middle of a pyramid! It's cold and dusty and…"

"Now."

Taro did so, shivering slightly.

"Oh Inari…" Kurama whispered.

WITH THE GUARDS

"I know they went in this chamber."

"Foolish man! They went down here!"

The third guard sighed. They were never going to get that coin back.

SARA, TARO, HIEI, KURAMA

A third bullet landed on the stone floor with a plink and Sara started on the fourth. "Three more."

Taro bit his wrist, trying to hold the cry in. He failed miserably.

"Three more. Hold on. I have to stitch you up, though…"

Tears swelled in Taro's eyes but he didn't let them fall. Instead, he clung to Kurama. "I won't cry. I won't cry. I won't cry…After all, I know what happens."

(TGB: I thought now would be a god time to explain Demikotsu and a little bit about Taro. Gomensai!

Bressa: O.o)

FLASHBACK

"Take it like a man, Demikotsu!"

The whip crashed against his back again. Taro whimpered slightly. Demikotsu was gone. The accident had assured that. Why couldn't his mother understand?

"Do you remember the first lesson I drilled into that head of yours?"

Taro nodded slightly. Lady Hara that hurt!

"What was it?" she asked, bringing the whip down again. "What was it your stupid little boentha?" (Boenthathink of the nastiest, most hurtful name you know. That's nothing compared to calling someone a boentha)

"I'm…" He bit his lip /Pain! Sona, it hurts/

"You're what?"

"I…I'm worthless!"

"Say it again!"

"I'm…Hon!" He fought back tears.

Suddenly, everything stopped.

"Are you crying?"

"Oh Lady Hara no! Don't let her…see…" he whispered.

"You pray now? The Lady won't help you. She appreciates this. She helps me. Now, you had better not be crying. You remember what happens. I've told you what happens."

"No…Please…I wasn't…"

His mother sneered. "Too late."

BACK AT PRESENT TIME

"All done!" Sara said cheerfully as she tied off the thread in a knot.

"Good," Kurama said, looking uneasily at Taro. "You alright, sweetie?"

Taro, who was still doing the flashback, jolted to attention. "Yes." He looked at Sara. "So…what does that coin do?"

"Do you remember the time we were running from that King and he got us in the desert and took all of our things?"

"Yes…that isn't that coin, is it?"

Sara smiled. Kurama and Hiei looked at each other, both afraid to ask.

"What does it do?"

In response, Sara just twirled her fingers, setting the coin in a spinning motion.

Kurama stopped and just watched it move.

"Hypnosis at its finest. Of course, that isn't all it can do. This the most enjoyable, though."

"Is he going to be okay?" Hiei asked.

"Only if I want him to. Now, what should we make him do…"