AN: Title is dedicated to Nicklebee, who helped me smite the evil that is Document manager. XD
Things'll
get a little more OOC this chapter, but you'll all just have to
deal with it. Heh.
"What if nothing exists and we're all in somebody's dream? Or what's worse, what if the only person who really exists is that fat guy in the third row?" –Woody Allen
The moonlight was wane, dulled by the frosted rice paper shade pulled down low over the window. With the full moon so bright she hadn't been able to sleep, and so he had pulled it down despite how he loved how serene she was under the moon.
Awake, Kurama blinked through the dim glow to the ceiling; he would leave soon in the cover of early morning. Eris was absolutely not a morning person. She slept soundly, resolutely like an immovable log next to him, determined to gain a minimum of 12 hours of sleep.
Smiling, he pulled her thumb from her mouth and brushed the soft, feather-like black strands away and behind her tiny ears. His arm was starting to fall asleep, trapped under the girl's head as she snuggled close against his chest. If he moved, would she wake up? Eris was a heavy sleeper, but if she rose from her sleep Kurama would have to say goodbye to the tearful face she would surely have.
Even with a short absence away, that look would plague his mind.
Kurama cradled her tighter, the scent of jasmine soap from her before-bed bath in his nose; he'd stay a few minutes longer.
The sliding door opened silently; smiling wanly as she saw the shining green eyes of Kurama close tightly in effort to will her away, the intruder hated to tear them apart, even if for the little demon's good.
"Kurama," she whispered, kneeling just outside the room. "The portal is waiting."
Try as he might, his stirrings jarred Eris from peaceful sleep. She instinctively reached out for source of her lost warmth, and, not finding it, blinked open light absorbing eyes.
"Kama…?" She called in a small, sleep-filled voice.
Kurama stopped cold, working the muscles in his jaw. With no soothing voice answering through the dark, Eris felt a rush of panic.
"Kama!" She clutched the blanket, feeling cold.
Unknowingly, she had played the trump card. "Ssh," Kurama scooped her into a tight hug. "I'm here."
"Where go?" her warbling voice tugged uncomfortably on his heartstrings. "Scared…"
"Don't be scared…" Kurama smoothed her hair, rocking the toddler in hopes to send her back to her dreams where he'd still be. "I'll only be gone for a little while, and come back with presents when I get back."
"Presents?" Eris was lapsing into sleep with a yawn.
"Mhmm. Two." Kurama smiled, feeling her breath steady into a rhythm against the crook of his neck. "I won't leave you alone; Yukina will stay with you."
"Kay…" With a sigh, she gave in to sleep. Yukina smiled as Kurama gave her a lingering kiss on the forehead before tucking the child warmly in the blanket and entrusting her care to the Koorime's hands.
"You'll be back before you know it, Kurama-san." She whispered. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, isn't that what they say?"
"I'm afraid my heart is already too fond." Kurama gave a small smile before ghosting out of the bedroom.
"Is she still out there?" Yusuke peered out the window to the garden.
"I'm afraid so," Yukina bit her lip, collecting items for the laundry. "Poor thing hasn't stopped sulking all day."
"At least she's stopped crying," Yusuke turned to the brighter side. "I can still hear a ringing sound in my ears."
"Shouldn't you be in school with Keiko-chan and Kuwabara-kun?" Yukina let a little wry grin slip.
Yusuke rolled his eyes, good-naturedly of course. Swinging an athletic bag over one shoulder, he began heading out the door for the dojo. "You're still the only one who keeps nagging me about that."
"Only because you want me too." The Koorime maiden giggled as he made a face at her.
…
Outside, Eris sat alone by the koi pond, feet dipped in the water once again. She did not splash; when a curious pond inhabitant nibbled a toe, she did not laugh. Staring blankly into the lazy water, Eris coughed to clear the aching feeling in her throat.
A brisk breeze cooled her hot face and tickled the feathers on her lax wings. One fluffy down feather was lifted free; on the other side of the garden, a presence in black became distracted by a fuzz of red drifting on the wind.
He followed the trail of gloom, finding the source sniffling by the koi pond. Without a chance to think, he continued his walk, pausing to stand next to the distraught child.
"What's the matter with you?"
She didn't respond with a cheery smile or nonsensical blurb as was normal. "Kama left this morning."
Hiei knew this to be true; signs of the fox's ki were all but gone. This explained the girl's inversed mood. He gave a grunt of agreement. "Your speech is improving."
What else was he supposed to say in a situation like this? He wasn't any good at this sort of thing, this comforting of heart ailments. It was true though. Hiei could actually understand what she said.
Thinking about the sudden changes the little demon showed everyday, Hiei noticed more colors in her wings; the sun reflected brightly off the gold, and the darker red was bleeding into black. Splayed half-hazard on the ground instead of being neatly folded; he could see their shape maturing.
Another feather came loose, the only reply from Eris who continued to sulk. Hiei caught the ruby feather; strange how the wind would just pick up like that…
He slid his eyes to consider her for a moment; Eris' emotions were affecting her ki enough to stir a wind!
Eris shook the ever-lengthening hair from out of her eyes. A haircut would be nice, or at least something to keep it out of her way. The thought had barely registered in her mind before she sensed Hiei sitting stiff-backed beside her.
She moved her heavy head and watched him untie the white bandana across his forehead. Smoothing it out between his forefinger and thumb, Hiei slipped the cloth around her own forehead, tying the back in a quick knot.
Eris blinked, vision free of the black fringe. She gave a simpering smile, and it grew as he smiled minutely too. As Hiei stood, Eris fell forward, trapping him in an inescapable hug that nearly knock him over. Off guard, Hiei awkwardly patted her head.
"Thank you for cheering me up, 'Yay." She took her time letting go.
"Hnnn. Just don't make it a habit." Hiei pushed her ahead of him in guidance away from the pond.
"Where we going?" Eris asked in curious confusion.
"The training hall." Hiei was as vague in words as ever. "You need instruction."
Peeking around a temple column, Yukina until before the unusual pair was gone. As she stepped into the open, laundry basket in her arms, Yukina smiled and the picture the two had made. She let a light laugh bubble forth. There was more than one Koorime who Kurama had left the little demon in the care of.
AN: Keep in mind that Japan is about eleven hours ahead of us. Well at least me anyway. XD Don't want any nit-pickers freaking out about the sudden change in lighting.
"You've stabbed me in the back for the last time, Maurice…"
"No! No! I didn't mean it! You've got it all—ACK!"
"Heh. Struggling is useless. There's no one home except me and you. Just like old times…"
"Y-you MONSTER! AHHHHH!"
"AHHH!" Alex jumped, the bowl of popcorn in her lap falling onto the carpet, spilling white kernels and butter everywhere. The doorbell rang again; pulling a shaky hand through her short black hair, Alex let out a whoosh of air.
Shooting a furtive look at the TV, wincing as the zombie bride rolled blissfully in her living husband's entrails, she trotted to the door just as the crazy bell went off again.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm here—whoa!" her eyes nearly fell out of her head as Kurama stood on the doorstep before her. "Shuichi? Where the hell did you come from? Is Elf with you? Elf! Your mother is driving me nuts! I was running out of excuses—"
"She's not with me." Kurama cut her off as he stepped past the suspecting girl into Eris' warm house. It was a rather brisk night, even colder to his unaccustomed skin.
Alex closed the door and tugged the throw blanket around her shoulders tighter, giving the tall red head a narrow glare. "Where is my cousin?"
"Eris is safe and in perfect health, I assure you," Kurama breathed a little easier as some of the ice in her glare melted. "Although she can't come home."
"Why. Not?" Alex's bare foot tapped, making an effective rhythm on the hardwood floor. Her tone was chillier than the wind outside; Kurama mentally sighed, preparing for battle.
"Why don't we sit down to talk?" He applied his natural charm. It made an almost audible splat against wall of Alex's over protectiveness.
"I'm not sure I want to let you in any further. I want answers. Now."
He really did sigh this time. "Alex—"
"Talk!"
"Eris is a demon." Beating around the bush wasn't going to fool this girl. The words were out of his mouth before Kurama could decide bluntness was the best route.
Alex snorted, cracking a smile. Well that was a totally unexpected reaction.
"Yeah, she can be a bitch now and again. She kick you out of the loooove house?" The teen laughed and padded into the kitchen. "I have a feeling this calls for chocolate!"
She opened the fridge and stuck her upper body into the cool depths, worming around leftovers in Tupperware straight towards a half eaten chocolate cake. "Mind getting some plates and silverware? Right cupboard, and top drawer on the left."
"This really isn't—"
"Shaddap and sit down. Indulge in the chocolate goodness and all woes shall pass. After the sugar high of course." Alex whirled around, cold cake in hand, and blanket tied like a toga as she fetched the utensils herself.
"I am not joking Alex!" Kurama was becoming slightly agitated by her aloofness.
"Meh, I do admit the joke wasn't all that funny." Alex flipped him a grin and slid a plate with a chunk of cake towards him. "Eat! You look like death."
He didn't smile at this. Exasperated, Alex took his fork, speared a piece of cake, and held it in front of him. "Please don't make me say 'Here comes the choo choo!'"
Kuramam's serious composure cracked. Botan had felt the full effect of Eris' scorn concerning the choo choo game. He took the proffered fork.
The cake was unbelievable. "That's…really, really good…!" Kurama tore off another bite onto his fork.
Alex beamed. "Thanks!"
"You made this?"
"Yup!" She proudly crossed her arms and sat on the tabletop. "You're lucky I banned Ducky from eating anymore. He ate that whole half."
"Mmm," Kurama nodded, not really listening, and forced himself to stop. He really did have to get down to business…but it was so good!
"Alex, you have to listen to me," He talked around the food; it be far more rude to not eat the prided cake than to talk with his mouth full…right? "Eris isn't her…normal self anymore."
"Oh God, what did she do?" Alex started biting the skin off her lip.
Kurama hesitated. How exactly could he say this? Perhaps he should shed some light on a few other things as well.
"It was nothing that she had done, everything was more or less my fault." He set the fork down on his clean plate. If he had been a dog demon he surely would have licked the plate.
"There's something very big you're trying to tell me isn't there?" Alex's heart-shaped face had turned serious now.
He nodded. "Yes. You have to swear you will not tell anyone what I am going to tell you."
"Sh-she's not…pregnant is she? Oh my God! That's it isn't it? I swear if you leave her—"
"She's not pregnant!" Kurama's cheeks flushed a hint of red. "Even if was I would do no such thing—"
Alex let out an enormous sigh of relief and fell back spread eagle on top on the table. Kurama moved his plate out of the way, and decided now was as good a time as any.
"Eris is a demon, Alex. I'm not talking lightly. If you value your friendship and family, you will listen and help me."
Something in his voice sparked a twinge of fear in Alex's stomach. Slowly sitting up, she eyed the older teen critically. His green eyes burned with earnest.
"What are you playing at?"
"Nothing."
She laughed, a short bark. "You expect me to believe that? Next you're going to tell me you're a demon too!"
"I am."
"Ri-ight. Lemme guess, it's like one of those fantasy romance novels: you two were so 'madly in love' you bit her neck to mark her as your mate and now she shares your 'demon powers'! Ha! Oooh, pretty flower…"
Alex took the rose Kurama held up, oohing and awing over it in such a manner as Eris had that he smiled.
"Waaaaait a minute! Where did this come from?" Alex pointed at the flower, simultaneously narrowing on eye and raising the opposite brow at him.
He fished out another seed and held it between his thumb and forefinger. Alex squealed as it grew into a full-blooming rose.
"DUDE! That was so cool! Do it again!" She nearly fell off the table with all the excited bouncing she was doing.
"Do you believe me now?"
"Sorry, I've never actually heard of a demon toting a mini garden in his hair so…no."
"No more flowers for you."
"Meanie!" Alex huffed. "Come on! You're going to have to do better than that! You should have like…I dunno, fangs and claws and green skin and all that junk."
"Hmm…" I wonder…could I possibly…? "Grant me a few moments."
Alex snorted. "Yeah, sure buddy. Not like I've anything better to do. I warn you though, if Elf is—oh sweet mother of…how the HELL are you doing that!"
Kurama put a hand to his head; the pounding must have been a sign that his soul was not yet completely reunited with his stronger demon energies. What ever had been the result of his attempt at returning to Youko must have been enough to convince the girl at least a little bit, judging by her rather amusing reaction.
He looked at his hands; normal, yet maybe a bit longer, and definitely clawed. Running his tongue over his teeth, he checked fangs off the list. Kurama smiled, flashing the elongated canines at her.
"You'll have to ask Hiei about green skin, I'm afraid kitsunes don't come in that color."
"H-holy shit…" Alex wasn't laughing anymore. "You're really are a…a…"
"Demon?" He supplied helpfully with a rueful grin. "Yes. You don't have to be afraid, I won't hurt you."
"W-what about Elf?" Alex was near tears in her shock. "She's not like…evil or anything?"
"Only before Yukina makes her take a bath, or when there's peas involved."
Resting her chin on her drawn up knees, Alex smiled. "I still remember her hissy fits over peas. God, she was such a little shit!"
"At least her traits are consistent…" Kurama said more to himself, but Alex looked up looking alarmed again.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She straightened her legs; arms tense as she half lifted herself off the table. "Shuichi—or whoever you are—what exactly is my cousin going through?"
He sat in his usual calm air, letting controlled breaths in and out. Time to drop the bomb.
"She…was killed, and became reborn as a demon. Everything from her human life has been erased." Kurama let this set into her mind, looking straight at the girl's darkening hazel eyes.
"Alex, we need you and Ducky to come and help her remember. Eris grows older everyday, and as she does, her new memories replace the old ones."
"You mean Elf doesn't even remember us?" Alex's mouth hung open as Kurama shook his head. "But how can she just forget like that! We've been best friends her entire life!"
"Not this time around. If you want the old Eris back, you have no choice but to help us."
"Us?" Alex asked, forehead furrowing. "Who is this 'us'? And where the hell is she anyway? Where did you take her?"
"Eris is safe. She's being watched over by the best, and you already know I'm not in a joking mood."
She hopped off the table and stood with her arms on her hips, lips in a thin line. "Who are you? Really?"
He took his time standing up from his seat, not really trying to intimidate the girl, but she backed off nonetheless. The fox demon inclined his head. "My friends call me Kurama."
Alex's head canted to the side, as if a memory was trying to be brought to the front. She gasped and a hand fled to her mouth. "YOU! Ohmygod—"
She ran from the kitchen; the back of a door banged against a wall as it was flung open. Kurama pursued at a more leisurely pace, following the sounds of books and collective junk being thrown around.
He stopped a few paces inside Eris' forlorn looking bedroom. Alex sat on the floor, among piles of old clothes and her cousin's strewn about manga and anime collection. She held a DVD in her hands, staring from the cover to the red head.
"Kurama?" Alex lifted an eyebrow.
He smiled. "The one and only, at your service."
"AUGH!" She began hitting her forehead with the heels of her hands. "That stupid—no wonder she went off with you people without even batting an eye! While I'm sitting here bored out of my mind, worried sick, and freaking out whenever the little schmuck's mother calls, she's out frolicking with cartoon characters! I am going to murder that girl when I see her!"
Kurama tried not to seem too amused. "Is that a yes then? You're coming back with me?"
"AND YOU!" Steam was practically coming out of her ears. Alex stood up, stomping over to him, and began poking Kurama in the chest. "You're lucky I know you could kick my ass, otherwise I'd be burying you in the backyard!"
Kurama did laugh at this. "I can see the family resemblance now. You both have the same insult tendencies when you're angry."
"Shut up!" Alex grumbled and stalked out of Eris' room. "We are going to sit in that kitchen, and you are going to tell me every single little detail about this little adventure while I eat cake. When morning comes, I'll call Ducky and drag him behind my car to get him here if I have to!"
"Is violence really necessary? This doesn't really call for such extreme measures—"
"GET IN HERE!"
AN: The amount of sugar and caffeine I consume seems to affect the weirdness factor in my writing. Hehehe. Even if this is a little shorter than I wanted, it did turn out better than I had hoped. I can't believe the amount of reviews I got for the first chapter! You guys rock, what can I say? Heh.
Footnotes: None!
Review Replies:
Samuraiduck27: yay! thank you! Congrats on being the first reviewer for HAMS. Tehee.
IntoTheWakingDawn: Aww, you do? I feel special. Wee!
Kitsune Kit: WOOOOT! PARTAY!
Dolphingirl32173: YEAH! Point for me:D Haha I'm such a naughty author, putting these images in people's heads. Bwahaha!
Lala: Ducky has yet to get down and dirty. He's just warming up. XD
Rahenne: Aww, was it really that sad? –hands you tissues- The good kind:)
Renara: That's right! Keep practicing, I want you to have it down by the end of this fic. Heh.
SweetGirl7: Maaaaybe. Or maybe I'll spring something else on you. Hehe.
Soccerchic91588: BAD MAX! He's naughty. lol And don't worry, insane is good. XD
Darkness Shall Set You Free: Wootness;)
Sun Priestess: I had plenty of little ones running around during the holidays. Lots of inspiration for the well. Heee.
Latent Psychopath: hey Monkey! Hehe. I thought Ducky showing his badass side would be a nice opening. I guess it worked!
Phoenix of Blackfire: Good thing I didn't leave this one at a cliffhanger. XD
Mihi-kun: You know you're a success when you annoy other people's friends. Hahaha!
Laddyblabbermouth: AW! There. I gave you an aw. ;) Are you still interested in being a beta? Because I've got work for you. XD
Silver spear: Eris wear Hiei down? Ohohoho you have no idea… XD
The Fire Youkai Paige: YAY! hahaha.
Hikari Yume: Too bad Ducky's gay. He's got his own fan club. LOL
Neko-tsuin: GW! Yeah! I lurve GW. Tehee.
Spirits Miko: yeah torture! I live for fictional torture! Bwahaha!
Darkspirals: Oh man, I so know what you mean. It's so hard to find a good anime fic worth reading. Most have really interesting plots and stuff, but then the construction is just awful. Yargh. As for the thunderstorm scene, well, you got me. Ehehe…even I make mistakes. Go you for catching it though! I like it when readers pay attention. Eris was wearing a bathrobe because they're comfy. Heehee. LEATHER PANTS! The pants made the Hiei-lover drool over Kurama. Bwahaha! I'm evil.
Ookami Aya: I'm always calling things kitty. I just had to put it.
Insaneningen14: I'll be sure to inform him. Can't have the Duckster being manly!
ReiRei-chan: Goodness, you are very welcome! This is my fanfic baby. I'd never leave it. Hehe.
Crystalkioku: COOOOKIES! And pie! Go me!
Time and Fate: Funny story: Only had her first name when the story started. When time came for a surname, Bueller just popped into my head. It only vaguely occurred to me that the two names sounded weirdly good with one another. It was not until the movie popped up on TV one day did I completely do an anime style fall and laugh so hard at my stupidity, did I realize. XD
WildRashi: Thank you! I love ego boosts. Woot!
ChibiIceDemon: It's really fun coming up with funny names for them all. Bwahaha!
AnkokuHiKitsune: Oh they're definitely going to have a relationship. Eris won't be chibi forever!
Koroga: I know what you mean. Last month was a nightmare for me. But I'm glad you're back! I missed you all so. X) :does a theatrical bow: Thank you! Thank you! Happy to create such chaos. Bwahaha. Speaking of Ducky making Kurama uneasy…hehehehe….wait until chapter three is all I can say.
