Sakura: Ah, another chapter! I CHANGED MY NAME!
Kurama: ((nodnod)) Now she truly is my sister!
Sakura/Kurama: GROUP HUG! ((huggle))
Sakura: Not much to say as of right now, er... reviewers are...
Kurama: escptheshdw835
Hiei: ((poof)) MY TURN! ((ahem)) Hitokiri-of-the-shadows
Sakura: HIEI! MY LOVE! ((ahemahem)) MY TURN!!! dizappearingirl
Hiei: Hn.
Kurama: Thanks a lot !
Sakura: Forest!!! Where's your review??? lol
Kurama: O-o You're right!
Hiei: Hn.
Sakura: Oh well! My next chapter is a Christmas chapter- despite the lateness of it all!
Kurama: YAY!
Hiei: Hn.
Sakura: GAWD Hiei, do you say anything else?
Kurama: ((nodnod)) I know, jeese Hiei!
Sakura: Anyhoo...
Kurama: HALT! Disclamer!!!
Sakura: Drat! > Grrr...
Disclamer: Me ish a bakka, bakka ish me, I don't own YYH, oh- WOE IS ME!!! >
All: ON WITH THE FIC!!
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"I wonder where Achiko could have gotten off to?" Kurama was investigating. He had obviously noticed that the wolf girl had not returned and that in had been a while since her departure. He turned a corner; it was much cooler down the corridor and knowing Achiko's distaste for the cold, figured that she would not be there.
How wrong he was.
Achiko was sitting by the door of that cooler corridor. She grinned, remembering something and she dug her hands into her pockets. Wait a minute she didn't have pockets! "Damn skirt!" she shouted, and checked her shoes. Luckily her shoes had what she was looking for- a small metal pin.
She melded it into the supposed correct shape and stuck it into the lock on the doorknob. Achiko let out a yelp as an electric shock ran through her system. She took her hand away from the knob, shaking it as if that would take away the sudden pain. She made a whining noise and sat up straight staring out the door.
Atticus. A friend from long ago, returning? Why? First Koryu appeared again, and then Atticus? All of it was overwhelming to Achiko, and she became overtly confused. Atticus had been her friend before her tribe had been lost. A friend for all friends, Atticus was pretty, smart, and amusing. Achiko had forever been jealous of the kitsune; she had always had the silkiest hair and tail, the perkiest ears, the prettiest smile. The green-eyed monster had a semi-permanent shoulder rest in Achiko's case, but because of her nature, she had never let out her true thoughts on the matter.
When she returned to her den her parents would yell at her, and her mother beat her once her father was gone. Drinking most likely, for when he returned a smell that had always perturbed her was left in the air where he walked. The smell of alcohol. Achiko would have to be punished, wolves and foxes were never meant to co-exist, but Achiko and Atticus created a sort of harmony between them. Achiko shivered once more and looked at the door, trying to figure how much force it would take to break it down.
'Hiei!' Kurama telepathically cried out, running outside of the school, 'Hiei!' Kurama heard the annoyed fire demon reply with the overly- used 'Hn.' Kurama nearly laughed if not for the situation. 'Hiei, Achiko's missing!' THAT got Hiei's attention. He was there in an instant- and although he got worried and frightful glances from some of the students still there, followed Kurama back inside the school.
"Well, it's nice to know that you'll always be there for Achiko!" Kurama teased, stretching the fire demons cheek. Hiei nearly maimed Kurama, but remembered his need for the fox and let it go, instead giving a hearty glare. The two stopped short as a surge of demonic energy infiltrated their minds. They ran to where the force was coming from, dodging random students, trying to seem inconspicuous while running like maniacs.
Hiei and Kurama made it to a hallway. The temperature was freezing, with a hint of warmth mingling in. Hiei recalled Achiko's rants on the cold and thought that of which Kurama did, but trudged on- despite that he hated the cold himself. They heard a crash from down the hall and instantly began to walk faster. They began to run as another surge of energy hit them.
The two demons were stopped by a dead end- there was a door however, little dent marks stretching from the inside. Achiko punched the door again and was hit by a bit more electricity. Hiei and Kurama ran up to the door and heard Achiko shout upon their scent.
"Hey! Get me outta here will ya? It's really cold in here!" Achiko shouted, sneezing nonchalantly. Hiei instantly did as Achiko had done and stuck his hand on the doorknob. A small zap of electricity hit him- and he drew his hand back, but once again placed it on and turned the knob. An immense amount of electricity hit both Achiko and Hiei- of which both hands were on the knobs. It finally stopped when Hiei dragged the door open and Achiko fell out. Hiei let go and dragged Achiko out of the way of the door as it closed.
Achiko shivered, her wolf ears covered in frost and her hands slightly charred. She smiled at Kurama and Hiei and let out a little laugh. She knew that she would never be fooled again by human 'kindness'. She sighed and stood up, rubbing her long legs and freeing them of the frost.
"Kami-sama! You're probably going to be sick after this!" Kurama shouted upon the thought and handed over his maroon-ish colored jacket. He placed it lightly on her shoulders and leaned down to pick her up, but Hiei was faster. He held her in his arms, understanding what a pain it was to be cold, and so holding her close to his chest. Luckily, most students were gone and the threesome made their way out the door.
Mikashi and her little gang were hanging outside the school, but Atticus was nowhere to be seen. Achiko glared at Mikashi a minute, then smiled as she looked over, flipping off the popular girl without a second thought. The girls glared and instantly turned around for another plan. Which of course would not be put into play, for they would never see Achiko at school again.
She was on the couch in Kurama's house, raspberry tea in one hand, and the corner of a warm blanket in the other. She snuggled up to Hiei who was sitting next to her. He looked down at her, wondering what the hell she was doing. She had on a pair of Kurama's PJ's, hers were all in the wash, that consisted of green plaid pants and a large t-shirt.
"It's just a light cold- it will hopefully be gone by tomorrow." Kurama said, looked perturbed and glaring at the table. He couldn't believe that he was desirable enough that girls had to take each other down to get to him. He sighed and Achiko voiced her opinion on the matter, "It's not your fault, Kurama, it's my own. I'm overly trusting." She sighed, knowing she would NEVER make the same mistake EVER again.
Hiei looked down at the dismal figure that was leaning on him, and pity tried to take over his emotionless eyes. He battled the emotion, knowing it would just make her feel worse. She sighed again, then smiled. She said, "It just means that I've learned something new. Whether it be a good lesson or bad, I've still learned from my actions,"
She put the empty teacup down and looked up at Hiei, who was trying his hardest not to blush. She smiled in an unsure way, and then moved her head down to his knee, placing her head on it and closing her eyes. She had one hand on his knee near her face, and the other was hanging off the side of the couch. Kurama sighed, looking at Hiei who was looking strangely down at the wolf girl.
"It's because you're a fire youkai, you're warmer than the average person. She must have sensed it and immediately latched on to it." Kurama said, using his ever-knowing voice. Hiei looked back at the fox and then down to Achiko. She was breathing lightly, a sure sign of her health, and had a cute blush covering her face. Kurama looked over, trying to see what his friend was looking at and saw partially the blush of a fever, and the blush someone gets in their sleep when having the most perfect dream of all.
Hiei nearly smiled, looking upon Achiko. Kurama looked shocked at his friend's reaction, as the short boy pulled her closer, moving her colder body to his warm one. He pulled the girl into his lap and laid her head on his shoulder, all the while trying to keep a straight face and not blush. Kurama watched on, shocked at what Hiei was doing, but smiled all the same. Someone had a little case of the most contagious disease ever: Love.
Or so Kurama supposed, he could have just been doing it because she was cold. Kurama had seen the pity in Hiei's eyes, trying to take over- but he wouldn't let the emotion show. Kurama chuckled lightly and headed upstairs to change into something more comfortable than his uniform. Which was anything, really. Kurama hoped that, despite the odd happenings there, Achiko enjoyed going to school for the most part.
How was he going to deal with the girls tomorrow? Those snobby little bitches had tried to steal away the girl he had fallen in love with. What's more is the fact that they knew she was most affected by cold. Only one of Achiko's friends would know that- cold was a weakness and weaknesses weren't to be revealed to any but those you trust.
He walked back downstairs, clad in a new outfit of jeans and a t-shirt. He looked down at the two heads on the couch, one sleeping, one watching, and couldn't help but start thinking. He was jealous, come to think on it, of how Hiei was always right there for Achiko, no matter what, and that Achiko had learned to lean on him rather than Kurama. It was sickening to be jealous of your best friend, and Kurama decided to drop it. It would be good for Hiei to have someone like Achiko; she was a kind, happy, never-ending-fountain-o-fun! What else could you want?
Kurama continued into the kitchen, wondering what was to become of his love life now that Achiko was out of his mind. No, Achiko would never be out of his mind- they were friends and that was final. If given the chance, he knew she would most likely pick Hiei, but that meant nothing to him now. They were friends. Kurama sighed again, a habit for the day it would seem.
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Achiko woke up to find herself in a different position then before she fell asleep. She was in Hiei's lap, and he was sleeping with his head in her hair. The pose was familiar, and the wolf girl recalled a certain ferry girl with a picture of it. She growled, a little embarrassed, but stopped when Hiei started to twitch with the awareness of being awake. Achiko smiled softly at the demon, looking directly into his crimson eyes- that were glazed over in his sleepy state.
Her face fell a moment when she recalled the previous day. Although the two had found her before she caught another cold, she never told them about Atticus and Koryu. She sighed a minute and crawled out of Hiei's grasp. He woke up then, looking suspiciously around as he noticed Achiko leaving his hold.
She stretched, smiling slightly at the surprised fire demon- of whom recalled nothing of the previous day. She walked slowly away, a frown etched on her face. Hiei thought of what could be troubling the ever-happy wolf girl, and tried to pry into her mind.
'Koryu and Atticus… what were they doing at Kurama's school? Either they were after Kurama… or me…' she thought.
Hiei let out a quick breath. He remembered the day that they had all saved the wolf girl, and she had mentioned someone by the name of Koryu. It hadn't hit him that Koryu might have been some sort of bad guy until he had read Achiko's mind, and even then he only had a hunch on it. Hiei sat up and went quickly up the stairs to ask Kurama something.
Achiko stepped outside of Kurama's house, looking around at the small neighborhood. She found a tree and sat casually in front of it, sinking down into the damp grass. She sighed, trying to sort everything out.
It only sort of made sense to Achiko. Atticus had suddenly disappeared the day that her tribe was mercilessly killed, and then Koryu showed up… her past with him was a torturous one. He had helped her out when she was all alone after her tribe was gone. All alone.
And he found her. He took Achiko in and pretended to love her for a few days, asking her to do some work for him. She was trained daily, push-ups, sit ups, all other forms of working out that one could think of. But most of her days were working on the perfection of her sword. Koryu only wanted the most immaculate of slices, clean and quick. Her speed and stamina needed to be worked on, along with her muscles. Through all the harsh training, she persevered and eventually was given her own swords- for she found her expertise in the twin blades- and was sent on missions with Koryu.
Achiko smiled a bit, thinking of what a good time she had being an assassin with Koryu. But it was all twisted around one day- he just stabbed her in the back. Literally. Koryu stabbed her, and then left her to die in the same clearing where she had been for several, several years. She didn't know how long it had been since he had tried to kill her- only that she was hated by near to everyone and that it had been a long time.
She sighed; she wanted no further ventures into her past with Koryu, and Atticus. She didn't want to expound as one would on the past to the next one who talked to her. She sighed once more, willing herself to move. She sat up taller, looking up the trunk of the great tree of which she leaned on. It was a magnificent tree of many colors.
Achiko gasped as something hit her cheek, it was wet and very cold. Touching a hand to her cheek, she felt nothing but water there. Another fell lightly upon her, and she felt it's fuzzy-ness on her cheek before it melted.
Melted? Achiko ran into the house- it hadn't been all that cold outside- probably why it was a light snow. She shook off all the snowflakes on her- or water at that point- and ran upstairs to tell Kurama. She ran into his room- hardly bothering to knock.
"Kurama! Kurama! Kurama!" she said, looking around the room for the red headed fox. Hiei stuck his head inside Kurama's room from his spot on the porch. He too, shook himself off and walked into Kurama's room.
"Yes Achiko?" Kurama muttered from the bathroom, muffled as if he were putting on a shirt. Achiko was spazzing out in the other room- looking out Kurama's window at the cold white fluff falling from the sky.
"It's snowing!" Achiko lifted her hands up into air, showing her elation openly. Hiei watched as she danced around the room. Why the hell was she so happy that it was cold outside?! Kami, she could be such a ditz.
Hiei hid a smile and leaned against the window, watching Achiko's little spaz attack. He, on the other hand, was not so elated about the snow. It, to a certain extent, reminded him of the Koorime, and their ice crystals. He sighed and Achiko stopped, looking him in the eyes,
"What's got ya down, Hiei?" Hiei held back a laugh; she was picking up on ningen terms. He looked at her, laughter being shown through his eyes. He was going to say some short, snappy reply- such as 'Hn'- but Kurama walked out of his bathroom just then, clad in a long-sleeved, emerald green shirt and jeans.
"Kurama! It's snowing!" Achiko again threw up her hands, praising the sky… or ceiling. Kurama looked at the wolf girl, her black ears were perched atop her head and her tail was wagging frantically back and forth. She looked immensely ecstatic for the fact that cold, wet stuff was falling from the sky. Kurama sighed- he knew it would get a ton colder.
"C'mon Achiko," he said, shoving warmer clothes into her hands. They had once been a mixture of his and Shiori's, so he added; "If something doesn't fit, tell me and I'll lend you one of my own." Achiko grinned at him and skipped into the bathroom to change. She put on the green t-shirt she had seen earlier and slipped on the blue flare jeans laying on the sink. She found a comb and combed her hair into two separate strands, took some string and tied the strands. Low-down pigtails. She smiled at herself in the mirror, wondering if she could really go on keeping that little secret.
Achiko stepped out of the bathroom and 'glomped' Hiei. "Is it still snowing- did I miss it?" she asked in an adorable voice.
Hiei shook his head and Achiko went to sit down on Kurama's bed. She grabbed a pair of socks and put them on her feet, looking around for a nice and warm sweatshirt. Kurama walked back into his room- Achiko hadn't even noticed his sudden disappearance- and questioned Achiko on what it was she was looking for.
"A sweatshirt!" she replied and Kurama threw one at her. It was a warm gray sweatshirt with the English letters B and C on it. Achiko looked at it confusedly, but just ignored it in the end. Achiko went to stand next to Hiei, matching his height, and stood up tall, trying to gain height. Hiei's first reaction was to stare dumbly, trying to figure out what she was doing, but rather he stood up taller himself. And so, the two stretched trying to top each other's last stretch. Kurama watched on, highly amused.
"C'mon you two, we have to go shopping!" Kurama said, and made his way downstairs. Achiko followed instantly, but Hiei lingered in Kurama's room, following slowly. They walked downstairs and Kurama went to fetch his boots and a pair of Shiori's old ones.
Achiko put these on and also the fuzzy winter coat, another hand me down of Shiori's. She was hopping up and down, waiting for Kurama to finish with his boot.
The three stepped outside, into the snowstorm. Achiko shuddered at even the thought of walking in the cold like that, and upped her fire powers a bit so as to keep her warm without burning off her clothes. Again, Achiko latched onto Hiei's warmth, and Kurama's too every now and then.
They reached a store that sold groceries and passed it by, Kurama noting its location. They trooped on through the snow- finally reaching a small gift shop. Kurama ran inside, and the two demons followed. Achiko stilled her demonic warmth once she was inside and had a curious look around. She took off her coat, hanging it up on a rack where Kurama's coat was.
She stuck her hands in the warm pockets of the sweatshirt, inhaling Kurama's rosy scent and followed the kitsune around the store. He was walking around, looking in all the women's isles and looking at clothes. She and Hiei stared at the kitsune, wondering what in all the hells he was doing.
"Er, Kurama?" Achiko started, "What are you doing?" Kurama stared at the wolf girl, and realized what she meant. It must be strange for anyone to see a guy (cough who sometimes looks like a girl Cough) looking in the women's isles.
"I'm shopping for a gift for my mother," he told the disturbed demons, laughing at the mishap.
"Why don't you get her something snazzy? Like some nice smelly stuff!" Achiko said, pointing excitedly to the perfume. It was a bit away, and Achiko was getting a few scents at once. The three walked towards the perfume and Achiko took a nice big breath of it, and fell to the floor, swirly eyed.
"Gah! Too much scents at once!" she said shaking her head and sitting up. Kurama laughed and told Hiei, who was also having a hard time with the scent, to take Achiko and shop somewhere else in the store.
Hiei led the swirly-eyed demon to a different isle; one that he knew would interest her. The candy isle. Achiko's nose finally cleared up, and she stuck out her tongue at the scents. Then she smelt a very yummy scent, scents that could be found in sweet snow, and other delicious foods she had become acquainted with at Kurama's house.
Hiei himself had an interest in the isle, considering his love for the sugary sweet snow; he had also grown accustomed to candies. Achiko gazed lovingly at the delectable candies that were colorfully decorated and laid out in delicious rows. Achiko's mouth was watering and had to be dragged away by Hiei as Kurama motioned that he was finished shopping. Achiko whimpered until Kurama promised her sweet snow at the grocery store on the way home.
Achiko and Kurama donned their winter gear, and Hiei just lived with it- for the grocery store was nearby. The snow came pelting down upon the three demons, making them colder with each step. Achiko was clinging to Hiei's arm and had her own demonic aura burning to keep warm.
Finally, the grocery store was reached. While walking through the isles, Achiko asked the question that had been bugging Hiei as well.
"Why did you buy your mother a present?" the wolf girl asked, sneaking a candy bar into the basket full of other food the family needed.
"It's for Christmas, it's coming up actually- and New Years too!" Kurama replied, taking the candy bar out and placing it back on the shelf- and in it's place nabbing a box of pasta.
"Christmas? What the hell is Christmas?" Hiei questioned, looking at Achiko, who in turn looked at Kurama.
"Well, there are two versions, the first Christmas and Santa. Version one is that the God of the Christian faith bestowed upon Earth a great gift- his son. An angel went up to Mary, a lady favored by God, and said to her that she was to bear God's child.
Mary was frightened, and had never been… well… in bed with a man…-"
"Nani? What's wrong with that? I sleep with Hiei sometimes…" Clearly, Achiko was confused.
Kurama grabbed some cans of tomato paste and continued on, "It's not if you're in the same bed- it's what… er… you're doing in the bed… I'll ask mother to explain it to you later…
Anyways, Mary conceived a child, despite having no relations with a man, and her husband Joseph found out. At first he was sort of mad- but then he decided to save herself the scorn and divorce her. But Mary didn't want that- she knew she couldn't raise a child of God alone.
So he stayed with her, and later the two were called to their hometown of Bethlehem for a great census. With God's child in her womb, Mary had Joseph lead her upon a donkey to Bethlehem. There was no place to stay in the city, so Joseph and Mary went to a stable. Mary had the child in the stable, surrounded by animals.
While Mary was having the child God told her to name Jesus, an angel went to all the Shepard's in the field nearby and told them of the child of God, whereas they came running. When they got there, the child was born and was laying in a manger surrounded by a heavenly glow." Kurama looked proud at his little explanation.
Achiko looked perplexed, "So… what's with the presents? Where do they come into play?"
Kurama sighed, he wasn't Christian, but he felt his explanation just got dissed, "Well, there's the little legend of Santa Claus. He's an obese, cookie eating man who rides around in a sleigh pulled by reindeer and drops off a ton of presents at everyone's house. If you're good, you get said presents but if you are bad you get a piece of coal. So people just carried on the tradition by giving each other presents as well."
Achiko's eyes showed her obvious confusion. Kurama nearly laughed, for Hiei was the same. Of course it was going to be confusing if you didn't grow up with it. He decided to get Achiko and Hiei and present from him and 'ask Santa' for one for them too.
"I think I get it- one's the TRUE meaning of Christmas and the other one was made up by toy manufacturers?" Achiko guessed. Kurama sweat-dropped and replied, I guess…
"C'mon, we have to get home before we get snowed in!" Kurama ushered the demons from the isle and led them to the register. Afterwards, they went home, Achiko still clinging to her heat sources and Hiei still thinking about Christmas… and what kind of sweet snow Kurama had bought…
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Sakura: Whew! The next chapter will be up soon! Tomorrow at the latest... I hope... > lol
Kurama: In the meanwhile, check out her DA account, CrazyKitsune !!!
Hiei: ((mumbles))
Sakura: ((fox ears perk up)) AW! That's so sweet!
Kurama: You're right!
Hiei: Not a word.
Sakura: Okies! WE LOVE YOU HIEI!
Hiei: Hn.
Kurama: ' Er, anyways, we all hope you had a merry Christmas!
Sakura: Happy Holidays!
Sakura/Kurama: ((nudge Hiei))
Hiei: Hn. Happy Holidays. May they be filled with d- ((Sakura: Slaps hand over Hiei's mouth))
Sakura: Er... Anyways,
All: SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!
Chapter 13 Fin