Sakura: HERE I AM! (poof)
Hiei: --' GREAT.
Sakura: I WAS gonna let you say a name but noooooo!
Hiei: (sighs) Soooorry....
Sakura: This chappy is dedicated toooooo... ForestHanyou! Welcome, Forest!
Forest: YAYNESS! Thankies! (bows)
Sakura: No problemo! It's all thanks to you that I keep this story moving at a slightly fast pace!
Hiei: DAMN YOU!
Forest: DARN SOCKS!
Sakura: Oo
(Crickets)
Sakura: (eats crickets)
Forest: (Stares, licks, then barfs Crickets)
Sakura: er.... anyways... Hiei! Who's the first reviewer!
Hiei: (ahem) Naoko Asakura 009 !! A true and very loyal fan!
Sakura: Kuranga108 !! Thanks for the compliments!
Forest: ME! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (begins to pet a random cat in Dr.Evil fashion)
Sakura: oO'
Kurama: And of course! Reborn-Soul-09 !!! Thank you all so much!
Sakura: Nii-San! Where'd ya come from?
Kurama: When you 'poofed' I poofed too!
Sakura: COOL!
Forest: LET'S ALL POOF!
All: (poof to the end of the story)
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A few days had passed since that hearty lunch, and Achiko's depression had lifted- but her time of month kept her wary... She would hide in her room. For a three days? That wouldn't do... Her time of month was he weakness, but she wasn't staying with enemies, she was staying with friends she could trust, hopefully. The first few days of every month was her time of weakness, and it was coming up quickly. She had no plan; she would just have to live with whatever they thought of her after all this blew over. She sighed as she thought this, and then rolled over in her bed. It was nearly 11 pm in the Ningenkai and all were asleep, except Achiko. When she finally drifted off into her nightmare filled dream world, it was midnight. The soft, longing cry of a lone wolf broke through the crisp night.
The bright sunlight cascaded down Achiko's face in displays of rainbows. Her eyes still closed for the brightness of the light, she scratched behind her large black, and white tipped ear with a small black paw. She sat up. Her eyes still squinting, she saw blood on her pillow. More awake now, she saw blood in the shape of a paw print on her pillow, and she peeked down at her hands. But the weren't hands at all, but black, dainty paws, one with a slam cut on the pad and the other with a speck of white by the toe. Her eyes widened- it had happened overnight!! But it wasn't even February! Oh, wait. Achiko looked at her calendar and realized that she had just forgotten to flip to the next month! Achiko whacked a paw against her furry head. She licked at the now stinging wound in her paw and tried to get out from under the tangled mass of covers. In her wolf form, she was a bit small and fragile looking, but had a lot of power. She was about the size of a large fox, silky black fur to match her fine charcoal colored hair. Her tail looked at though the end was dipped in silvery white paint, her ear tips were painted in the same manner, and her paw had a paint splatter, a mistake from the artist. She looked at her slice pad and wondered how she had cut it. Before she could finish the thought, the door slammed open to reveal a curious Kurama.
"AAAH! Someone turned Achiko into a wolf!!!" he shouted and all the doors opened to see Achiko in wolf form.
No one turned me into a wolf you dolts!
"Who's talking?!" shouted Yusuke.
"You idiot! Achiko is talking!" said Hiei, kicking Yusuke and Kuwabara aside.
"Achiko?" he asked once he saw her staring wide-eyed at the scene before her.
These people were all idiots! Her eye began to twitch as she felt Hiei's watchful eyes.
What the hell are you looking at?! She shouted.
"Why are you in that form?" he asked, strangely curious.
Achiko glared at Hiei, and then turned to face the wall, her tail puffed out in fury.
It's just a part of life. She stated.
"Yusuke? Are you here?" came a voice.
"Huh? Oh, hey Keiko." Said Yusuke, obviously still sleepy.
"Good morning everyone!" she greeted to the rest of the people present.
"What are you doing here, Ms Keiko?" asked Kurama, polite as ever.
"Botan and I were shopping and decided to visit all of you!" Keiko grinned, her eyes sparkling and her short brown hair bouncing as she laughed. People like her made Achiko sick, but she decided to give the girl a chance.
"What's going on in here? Should I know about it?" came the voice of the blue haired grim reaper.
As the ferry girl popped her head in she saw the brooding little wolf on the bed.
"Achiko?"
What?! Snapped the wolf girl, annoyed that she had even woken up.
Although confused, Botan seemed to get the gist of it, and ushered everyone out of the room. Once everyone was gone, Achiko let out a sigh of relief. She got so moody when her time of month was upon her.
"What's up with her?" asked Yusuke, still yawning.
"Well, I'll go ask her in a second. But until then, and probably after, just leave her alone." Ordered the ferry girl. The boys sleepily nodded and Botan then grabbed Keiko and headed back to Achiko's room.
They knocked on the door.
"Achiko! Can we come in?" asked the somewhat irksome grim reaper.
What do you want? Asked Achiko, trying not to yell.
Botan took that as a, 'Come on in!' in Achiko speak right now.
She was still on her bed, trying to figure out a way so as not to drown, but still use the bath.
"Good morning Achiko!" said Botan.
Achiko grumbled a response, but wagged her tail slightly. She hopped off her bed and sat in the middle of the floor, staring at Botan and Keiko.
Well? I was about to take a bath can we hurry?
Botan smiled, "Aren't you going to have some trouble with that?"
Achiko's eyes widened and her tail wagged a bit more; she was beginning to like this ever-happy not-so-grim reaper.
"Are you usually a wolf?" Keiko spoke up tentatively.
Of course not! Achiko was becoming aggravated with this girl.
"Well, are you stuck?" asked Botan, looking around Achiko's room.
Err...Sort of...Yeah- basically I'm stuck! Said Achiko, nervously laughing.
"But, how can you be stuck?" asked Keiko.
-:-
"Well, you see... I asked a friend of mine and she got really mad when I explained the situation..." said Kurama, smiling in spite of his position.
"Who'd you ask and what's the situation?" asked Yusuke, who was sitting on a couch, watching Kurama tap on his laptop.
"Someone from an all demon chat board." Said Kurama calmly; typing in a reply to add to the riveting conversation he was having with 'Hurricane-Kina', a young fox demon with a strange fascination in destructive forces.
"Kina, the girl, says that it is all part of the cycle of life for female demons. It happens every other month; they turn into their animal ancestor and stay that way for three or more days. Kina got really mad at me when I asked though." Laughed Kurama, typing in yet another response to Kina's reply.
Unbeknownst to Kurama, Yusuke and Kuwabara had turned a bright shade of red, recognizing what it would mean for human girls. Hiei's face was thoughtful, and somewhat curious.
-:-
And that's it! Little did Botan and Keiko know, Achiko had explained almost the exact same thing Kurama had.
"So, it's like your period?" asked Botan inquisitively.
Whassat? Asked Achiko, her words slurring as Botan jumped onto her bed.
"You know what, I think we're going to stay here tonight!" said Botan decidedly.
Huh? But why would you want to do that? Asked Achiko, scratching her white splattered paw behind her ear.
"Why not? You're here all alone with all the guys! We wouldn't want you to go through your time of month alone!" insisted Keiko.
Achiko was beginning to enjoy Keiko's company too. She was going soft, feh.
In that case... okay! Achiko smiled and hopped off her bed.
"We'll go and get our stuff, and then come back! We can even take a bath together!" said Botan, excitedly hopping up and down on Achiko's bed.
Keiko opened the door and let Botan out, shortly followed by Achiko, and then turned and closed the door behind her. In one organized line, the three made their way to the TV room, stopping in front of the TV. Achiko was blushing furiously, unused to all the attention she had been getting lately. It was somewhat amusing, but still quite embarrassing.
"We're sleeping over tonight!" said Botan, sticking out her tongue.
No one made any attempt to stop her, besides, who could? Achiko secretly pranced over to the windowsill, looking curiously up at the black shape huddled up there.
Botan went into another room and quickly opened a portal, grabbing some stuff you'd need at a sleepover. Things such as popcorn, junk food, and a large book of truth or dare suggestions.
Then it was Keiko's turn. It took her a while to pack, and then she had to tell her mom that she was, in fact, staying at Botan's house. During the hours that passed, Achiko sat there, sleeping on the heater in front of the windowsill. Yusuke watched TV, along with Kuwabara, and so did Kurama occasionally, but he was mostly tapping away to Kina. Hiei was staring out the window- but most of the time he was secretly glancing down at Achiko. Her black fur was ruffled out a bit from the air being pushed through the heater. A while after Keiko left, Achiko sat up lazily and wandered almost drunkenly over to the couch. She shivered at the sudden change of temperature from the warm heater to the cool couch. Achiko flung herself onto the side of the couch, her hind legs kicking when she got stuck halfway up. Kurama stopped typing to watch the spectacle, and even turned the tiny web-camera towards her. After clicking a button, Achiko squirming on the couch appeared on the screen of his laptop. He turned the camera back towards him and shut it off, then helped the struggling Achiko onto the couch. Once she was settled she glared at the screen of the laptop as a sudden onslaught of replies came.
You're mean. She stated, but crawled stiffly towards him anyways.
What are you doing? She asked, curious but wary of what he was doing.
Kurama closed his laptop, putting in on the coffee table in front of him, and plugging in a cord that would help it re-charge.
"Nothing now!" he said, lifting Achiko up and putting her on his lap.
The hell?! She said as she was lifted up, but didn't struggle.
Kurama was like the older brother she had never had. It felt good to feel like she had someone who cared for her.
Achiko pawed at his face playfully, seemingly uninterested in what was on TV, until the lights on the screen flickered and it said something about wolves. Achiko instantly stopped and watched inventively.
What are we watching? She asked warily, but still quite curious.
"Just some Discovery Channel thing, it's always got stuff on animals." Replied Yusuke.
Oh. Answered Achiko, her ears twitched and she spoke again, Keiko and Botan are back!
As soon as the sentence stopped, in walked Keiko and Botan.
"We put our stuff in your room, Achiko!" said the ferry girl, Keiko nodding in concurrence.
Er...okay... Said Achiko, still sitting placidly on Kurama's lap.
Keiko and Botan looked at each other and smiled.
Achiko stared at them, then looked up at Kurama, who had been petting her absently behind the ears. If she were a cat, she would have purred. Instead she growled playfully, but it almost sounded like a purr. Hiei began to glare at the giggling girls below him, and then turned his deadly stare to Kuwabara and Yusuke, of whom had joined in the chorus of laughter.
"Hn," he muttered before turning away to the window.
"Achiko, didn't you say you wanted to take a bath?" asked Botan through the giggles.
Kurama stopped petting Achiko and smiled down at her, then placed her on the floor so she would hurt herself while she jumped. She flicked her tail in thanks and trotted over to Botan and Keiko.
The girls still smiling, and the demon wolf oblivious as to what was going on, they made their way out of the room.
They turned into the hallway to where the baths were and entered. The warmth and steam enveloped them, and Achiko's fur started to puff out a bit.
Achiko hopped into the large hot-spring-like bath, and began to swim around in it.
This is the only good thing about my time of month! She said ecstatically.
Botan laughed as she undressed, and hopped into the pool-like bath after Achiko. The little wolf was swimming around in circles, diving under water every once in a while. Keiko silently slipped and dunked underwater, watching as Botan chased Achiko around. When Botan finally caught the struggling wolf, she jumped into a deeper part of the bath and dunked Achiko under.
You'll never get me smelling raspberry fresh! Shouted the wolf girl, triumphantly as she leapt out of Botan's arms and into the water. The ferry girl dived under the water and grabbed Achiko's tail.
"I've got you now!" she shouted, dumping half a container of raspberry soap on the wolf.
Keiko came over and watched as Achiko glared at the water, making it grow warmer where she was looking, and as Botan scrubbed the soap into her fur.
"There, raspberry fresh!" grinned Botan, dunking the squirming wolf underwater.
GAH! That's not fair! Started the girl, but after that she just swam around, waiting until Botan and Keiko were done.
Unbeknownst to the girls, Kuwabara and Yusuke were leaning up against the doors, listening to the girls squabble.
"What the hell are they doing in there?!" whispered Yusuke to Kuwabara, who shook his head unknowing.
Achiko shook off the remaining water droplets and strolled over to the exit.
She glared at Yusuke and Kuwabara who were 'innocently' roaming the halls.
Botan and Keiko came out soon after, fully clothed. The two boys' sighs caused the girls to blush, realizing why they were sighing. Keiko took it to a different level and mauled Yusuke.
---------------
Later That Night
We've played Twister eight times, truth or dare twice- not that fun of a game really- and Lie if You Can four hundred times! Complained Achiko, rolling over onto her back.
Botan nodded and Keiko looked like she would fall asleep any moment.
"Why don't we play it with the boys? Truth or dare, that is." Suggested Botan.
Achiko nodded, curious about the outcome of adding the boys, and Keiko sleepily agreed.
Botan, Keiko and Achiko emerged from Achiko's room sneakily. They entered the TV room, noticing the boys gathered around the TV.
"TRUTH OR DARE!" shouted Botan as she literally leapt into the room.
Yusuke and Kuwabara jumped up, frightened, while Hiei and Kurama merely looked over to the two girls and fluffy wolf filing into the room.
After the scare, everyone sat around in a circle, the TV finally off and the radio turned on softly.
"I will start," Botan said dangerously, causing the boys to gulp.
The boys looked at her strangely, fear embedded in their eyes.
"Yusuke, truth or dare?" asked Botan in a really creepy voice.
"Er...Dare?" he answered tentatively.
Botan laughed manically, "I dare you to kiss Keiko!"
Keiko glared at Botan and Yusuke nearly grinned.
He leaned over to fulfill his dare and kissed Keiko lightly on the lips. Keiko drew back, blushing madly. Yusuke was smiling, a light blush spreading across his cheeks.
The game continued this way, each kissing one another, and Achiko feeling left out, except Kurama had to hug her like a plushie.
Finally, everyone was sent off to bed, whereas they slept in really late considering the finally fell asleep at one in the morning.
Achiko's final thoughts were of the kind hug Kurama had given her, and the sly smile Yusuke had worn after kissing Keiko for the fifth time.
'Must be nice,' she thought, ' to be loved to unconditionally...'
And with that she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
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Sakura: Was it good? I certainly hope so....
Hiei: (grudgingly pats Sakura on the back)
Sakura: HIEI!!! (starts crying)
Hiei: (glares but allows Sakura to cry on his shoulder)
Kurama: (glares suspiciously at Hiei)
Hiei: (looks surprised) Kurama.....
Kurama: (strengthens glare)
Sakura: (still crying)
Forest: I wanna cry on a bishounen! (starts to cry)
Sakura&Forest: (crying)
Kurama: oO O great...
Hiei: This sucks. (Gets hit by Sakura)
Sakura: Comfort me damn you!
Hiei: O-O
Forest: (Cries)
Kurama: (hugs Forest)
Kuwabara: (poof) How come I can't comfort anyone!?
Yusuke: (poof) HAHA! I GOT KEIKO! (sticks out tongue)
Kuwabara: I have Yukina! (sticks tongue back out at Yusuke)
Hiei: (attempts to murder Kuwabara but Sakura has a deathgrip around his neck)
Forest: DON'T KILL HIM! WE NEED HIM! FOR HUMOR- AND TARGET PRACTICE! ( starts throwing rocks at Kuwabara while still hanging on to Kurama)
Sakura: (sniff) Well, I'll see you all next time!! Ta ta for now! (snif sniff)
Hiei: Gerroff me already! (gets hit by Sakura again)
Forest: !!!Choo choo train!! (pulls Kurama around with her in a happy dance)
Sakura: THANKS FOR READING!!
Forest: YEAH!
Sakura&Forest: REVIEW PLEASE! (both bow)
Hiei: please! Reviewing makes her go faster! That means it will be over- this torture! (get hit by Sakura) OW!
Sakura: BYE!
Forest: BYE!
FIN CHAPTER EIGHT!