Disclaimer: Don't own YYH or Osa.

Chapter 12

Just Pretend

The door opened and the soft light from the hall spilled in. A dark figure appeared in the doorway, blocking the light. "Kurama," it growled, "it's time."

But the fox did not stir. Darkfire did though. As she sat, something fuzzy slipped off her arm. Looking, she discovered it was a silver tail. Her eyes strayed up, resting on several scars littered across a bare chest. She hadn't noticed them last night. Then she stared at the figure in the door.

"Here," it huffed, tossing a bundle to the girl.

Catching it, she unrolled it. "Clothes?"

"Have you forgotten already? Get dressed, wake the fox, and get downstairs." Then it disappeared.

"Hiei…." Carefully, she stood, slipped off the blue shorts she had on, and pulled on the pair of jeans. She immediately knew they were someone else's because of the length and how tight they fit. Checking to see if Kurama was still sleeping, she unbuttoned the blouse she was wearing. Laughing inwardly, she adjusted the black bra that had been left on. She slipped the black T-shirt over her head. This, she noticed, also did not belong to her. "Huh?" She picked up a piece of paper that had fallen from one of the sleeves.

"See me for the final touch, Botan."

Shaking her head and smiling, Darkfire bent down beside the dozing fox. "Wake up, Kurama. It's time to go." She tapped his shoulder softly.

"I'll be down in a minute," he mumbled, one golden eye opening. It settled upon Darkfire and it gleamed with playful delight.

"Right. Hurry, or Hiei'll think I forgot you." She hurried out of the room, tripping when she tried to shut the door. Picking herself up again, she stumbled down the hall, skidding passed the stairs. She came back and ran down the first flight, jumping over the last few. In her rush, she barely caught a glimpse of blue as she rounded the corner. "Watch it!" she called, slipping on the edge of the stair and sliding to the bottom.

"Oh, are you all right?" the woman gasped, running back down the stairs.

Darkfire looked up at the spinning face and smiled. "Oh, yea, I'm fine." She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Uh, I got your note. What did you have for me, Botan?"

"Hm? Oh, right!" she laughed, snapping her fingers. With a small pop, a black cloth appeared out of thin air. "Try this. I do hope I guessed right."

Standing, Darkfire took the heavy material. She grabbed the collar and shook it, watching it fall to a lengthy coat. With great excitement, Darkfire slipped it on and twirled slightly. It was a trench coat with lots and lots of pockets.

"Oh, good, it fits!" Botan cheered, clapping and grinning.

"Thank you so much! I love it!" She hugged Botan and started down the stairs. "I'll find some way to repay you!" Before Botan could get another word in, Darkfire was already gone. She stumbled down the last few stairs and burst through the door. Stopping, she looked up and down the hall.

"Left."

Darkfire looked back. "Kurama." Together, the human and the red-haired fox sped down the hall. Out of breath, Darkfire trotted into the kitchen. Kurama came in behind her, smiling kindly as usual.

"Hey, nice outfit," Kuwabara grinned, standing and circling Darkfire.

"Isn't it? I think the girls picked it out," she smiled, spinning.

"Well, if it isn't blood resistant it won't last long," Hiei scoffed, shoving Darkfire into a chair. He leaned her back and pulled up her shirt a little before Darkfire punched him. This, however, caused Hiei to release the chair and her to fall back to the floor. "What the Hell was that for?" Hiei snarled, rubbing his cheek.

"What do you think? Damn pervert!" Darkfire retorted, holding the back of her head and trying to get rid of her blush.

"Yea, Hiei. What the Hell were you doin'?" Kuwabara snapped, attempting to hit the demon over the head. But Hiei moved to Darkfire's side before Kuwabara had even finished speaking.

"Shut up and hold still. You're bleeding." The girl froze and watched him push up her shirt. "Damn, you bruised it good." He poked at the red leaf.

"Ow, that hurt, you jackass!" Darkfire growled, lurching away from him. But Hiei pulled her back sharply.

"What did you do?"

"I fell down some stairs. I'll be fine."

"Shut up." He turned his gaze to Kurama. "Well?"

The fox moved to Darkfire's side as well, gazing at the wound. "That's not a bruise, Hiei. She's reacting badly to the thorns and leaf. Kuwabara, go and get the first aid kit."

Nodding, Kuwabara did as he was told.

"This may sting for a moment," Kurama said, touching the leaf. The green veins edged their way back to the source and Kurama lifted the leaf away. Placing a hand over the spines, they glowed and released their grasp on the girl's flesh.

"Fuck, that hurt," Darkfire growled, jaw tightening.

"Stop complaining," snapped Hiei, pushing her head to the cool floor.

"Here," Kuwabara gasped, returning.

"Thank you," Kurama smiled, turning to get the box. When he looked back at the wound, he nearly dropped the case. The wound was closing itself up. "Holy shit."

Hiei turned from Darkfire's eyes and stared at Kurama with a small hint of shock. Then he followed the fox's wide-eyed stare.

"What are you guys gaping at?" Darkfire asked, sitting up slightly. Where there had been a hole moments before was now a pink scar and dried rivulets of blood. "The Hell?"

"Well, I've never been proven wrong quite like this before," joked Hiei, touching the bandana on his forehead.

"Shocked as I am, I'm hungry. And this is awkward. We also have a mission to complete," Darkfire said, pulling her shirt down and sitting up.

"Uh, Hiei made toast" – Kuwabara looked at a plate of black squares – "but I think there're some Cheez-Its in the cupboard."

"What's wrong with my toast?" Hiei growled, glaring harshly at the man.

"You burnt the shit out of 'em, Hiei. Would you even eat a piece?" the girl answered, standing and opening some doors.

Hiei opened his mouth and then closed it.

"Didn't think so. Ah, there they are!" She grabbed the box and pulled it out. When she opened it, though, her face fell. "Gee, I love plastic." Tossing the box to Kuwabara, she rummaged some more. She looked through the fridge. "Ham…that's been in here for three months. Oh, awesome. This pack ain't expired yet. Any y'all want some?"

"Sure," Kurama smiled, standing.

"Already ate, thanks," Kuwabara said.

"Hn." Darkfire rolled her eyes at this answer.

"Hiei ate, too," Kuwabara translated, picking up the first aid kit and leaving to put it back. Upon his return, five minutes later, Kurama and Darkfire were fed and "ready to rumble", as the expression goes.

"Kuwabara, where's the next portal?" Kurama questioned, standing.

"Got me," he answered, shrugging.

"I know. Let's go," Hiei grunted, stalking from the kitchen. The other three followed, confused. "Here." He stepped into the wall beside the front door. Kurama and Kuwabara stepped through quickly after. As Darkfire began to follow, she stopped in mid step.

"My weapons!" she gasped. "If I go looking for them though, Hiei will think me a coward. And the other two will be worried. Damn it all to Hell!" Jumping in, she cursed herself over and over. When she touched the other side, she nearly fell over as a hand shot in front of her.

"These might come in handy."

"Ah, my wakizashi. Thanks, Hiei!" She took the blades and unsheathed them, placing the casings on the floor. "Hey, I can see these demons."

"Good. Then you might notice it would be a good idea to get out of the way," Hiei sneered, jumping away.

"Huh?" She turned to see a large bolt of electricity buzzing towards her. "Shit!" she screamed, leaping out of the way. Thunder roared behind her, echoing in her ears.

"A human female. Delicious," an orange demon laughed, baring sharp fangs. Producing a fiery naganata, it began jabbing at Darkfire fiercely. "Die!"

Darkfire rolled out of the way as quickly as was needed to avoid a strike, trying to get in a position to lash out at its feet. Catching her chance, she nicked it. But as she went for a second slash, the demon jumped back.

"Clever, but too slow. Petty, foolish human," the demon cackled, exploiting the staff's long reach.

"Can I rise to kill this creature?" she thought as she scrambled to her feet. Blocking the onslaught of attacks, she wondered if killing a demon is the same as killing a human. "I killed that demon yesterday, but I was dying. This is different."

"If you can't kill this demon, you will die. Remember why you fight," a voice snarled in her head.

"I don't know why I fight," Darkfire protested, narrowly avoiding having her head removed.

"Because these demons are killing innocent people. You know that's the reason. Follow your heart foolishly…as you always do."

Gritting her teeth, Darkfire knocked the blade away and rushed into the ugly orange creature. Gagging, it coughed blood over her head. She knocked her shoulder against the demon's chest and pulled the blades from his stomach. The naganata disappeared in a puff of smoke and the demon moved no longer.

"There, Hiei, I followed my heart," she whispered angrily, glaring into Hiei's tainted eyes, which nodded to something behind the girl. Whirring around, she did a scissor cut to slice the beast in half. She fell to her knees in a pool of blood and closed her eyes.

"They're just demons," a soft voice offered gently.

"I know," Darkfire whispered, a small hint of a smile flickering on her face. "I'm not sad I killed them. And I'm not sad they're dead. Not at all, I'm glad. I only hope I'm there to watch the monster that ordered these killings die. I'll kill him myself if I am able."

"It does no good to dwell on death. Rid your mind of those morbid thoughts," the same soft voice ordered, pulling the girl from the pool of blood.

Her eyes fluttered open and smiled at the emeralds that greeted her. "I think what I like and like what I think. If they bother me, I'll stop thinkin'."

"Darkfire, be carefree again. Please, I liked you better," Kuwabara begged, touching her shoulder.

She closed her eyes and sneered, "I've never been carefree."

"No, you've always been worrying about things that don't matter," Hiei scoffed, wiping off his katana.

Darkfire turned on him. "You don't know what you're talkin' 'bout! You think you know everything 'bout me, but you don't! You don't know anythin'!" Without even waiting for him to put his weapon away, Darkfire swung at Hiei madly. He dodged easily, taunting her with his cocky smirk.

"One suggestion and you lose it."

"Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Darkfire cried. "You don't know anythin'!"

"I know you're angry. I know you're scared. Blind with rage, in pain, passionate, and tired of my taunting. Have I forgotten anything?"

The girl faltered and fell into Hiei's chest. She hugged his waist tightly and pulled him to the ground with her. There she lay sprawled on the floor, crying into the shocked demon's chest. He leaned back on his hands and watched her cry.

"You know what he whispered before he died?" she sobbed, barely audible. "Said he wouldn't have eaten me right away. Said I was too pretty for that. I know he hurt all those women we saw tortured, Hiei. It hurt so much not to be able to say anything that would bring those people back. It hurts to cry tears that won't do any good."

Hiei's entire being was shouting, screaming at him to push her away. But something deep and forgotten held him still. He was confused, uncertain. For a rare moment in his life, he was afraid. Afraid that this girl would change his life forever.

"I can't help you," he whispered, pulling back slightly.

"I know that, Hiei. Just pretend to understand for a while. Even if you don't, just pretend," Darkfire mumbled, curling into a more comfortable position.

Kurama moved to help Darkfire from Hiei, but stopped when those red eyes stared at him. So there they stayed for a long while in silence only broken by the occasional gasp or sniffle from Darkfire. Hiei pretended for her, not moving or saying a thing, but he began to wonder if he was still pretending.

Yes, Kurama said "Holy shit." He can't be so well spoken all the time.