Twisted Lives

Do not own.

Chapter 5 - Wanting Freedom

000

Kuronue quietly tip-toed outside to get some fresh air. He was fed up with staying in Ningenkai. He hated it. He was never really one to like ningens. The way they smelled... It nearly made him sick. He knew that Hiei hated it more. Despite their short-comings, they were friends. It was in Kuronue's nature to act childish and it was in Hiei's nature to act violent and mean. He stared up at the lightened sky. It was nearly morning; the sun just beginning to rise over the horizon of mountains. He felt so trapped there. He felt too trapped. In Ningenkai, he had no freedom. He longed for the scents of other demons surrounding him. That was why he lived in Makai and stayed away from most of the ningen villages.

"Why are you up so early?" He turned to see Hiei standing in the doorway, sword at his hip as usual. There was no doubt in the bat demon's mind that the koorime wanted an early start at training.

"I couldn't sleep." He answered honestly. Indigo met crimson and remained. "Thinking about Rumiko, ne? You have that clouded look in your eyes."

"No, actually." Hiei walked over and stood next to his friend. "I was thinking about how long our two month sentence will be." Kuronue shrugged, not really wanting to admit that he had been thinking something close to that same thing. "What about you? How fast do you think it will go?"

"Hm." The demon sighed before sitting down and stretching out his legs. "I believe that it will feel like we are here for two centuries...give or take a few." Hiei gazed out at the sunrise, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly as his usual scowl took over the lax and unconcerned look that had been on his visage before. Kuronue knew what that meant. The fire koorime was going to become his usual cranky and irate self. However, much to his surprise, Hiei's scowl faded after a moment.

"Youko will be back in a week. Until then, we need something to occupy our time." The two thieves had never truly been without their beloved leader. Kuronue would not admit it and he was sure as hell that Hiei would not either, but they were jealous. Youko got to go back to Makai for a week.

Well, he is going to be alone with Botan most of the week. He shouldn't look too horribly bloody and beaten up when he comes back.

An amused grin forced its way to his lips. The bat demon simply adored the 'little fox' and was sure that Akina would turn out just as well. It was rare for Kuronue to feel so much love, loyalty, and devotion to any woman because of his experience with his last mate. However, Botan was not his mate. She was his friend and 'little fox.' He loved the fact that she and Youko were attached to each other by the hip. He knew that they were going to be wonderful parents.

Though, they still haven't lost that wonderful playfulness.

The two were lovable and adorable when they were being playful.

"Let's go train. I cannot stand here much longer talking about nothing." His peaceful and sappy thoughts shattered and he was left, once more, on the verge of running away or killing himself. He looked up at Hiei.

"Fine." He answered quickly; getting to his feet quickly. "There isn't anything else to do, anyway."

000

"I don't want to get up yet, do you?" Botan asked groggily; looking up at Youko with a tired grin. He shook his head before closing his eyes and going back to sleep. The warm Makai sun shone down on them, causing the tired and lazy feeling to increase. They were nearly at the castle. A feeling of foreboding rested in Botan's stomach...

Or is that just dinner...?

She was too tired to care at the moment. She was so comfortable and warm...not to mention that she was in Youko's arms. A week was seven ningen days. Meaning that they had five more days to go. If they kept their current pace, they would make it there within one more day. Then they could relax two days and run back to Reikai with one last day to spare. That was the plan and it didn't sound too shabby. About an hour drifted by and Youko finally had enough of his catnap. He was getting hungry. He looked down at his sleeping mate. He was really enjoying their week together.

Alone is such a nice word. Just us.

All though, he was beginning to miss his daughter, Akina. No, he wasn't desperate enough to miss Hiei and Kuronue's fighting just yet. He stretched before carefully sliding out from under Botan. Then he ran to the nearest river and splashed the cold, crisp water on his face. It woke him up enough to figure out that he needed to hunt for something to eat. However, he was loathe to leave Botan by herself if she was asleep.

It isn't safe enough here for that. I'll have to wake her up before I go.

His mind made up, he darted off to wake her up. The river wasn't far and he could still sense things moving in their camp. It was just too bad that he had to go further away to hunt any good prey. As he approached, he heard Botan up and moving around. He went through the remaining circle of trees and saw her plopping what remained of their wood onto the ashes left from last night's fire. He walked over to her and slipped his arms around her before kissing her gently. She deepened it for a moment before pulling it away.

"I take it that you are going hunting?" He nodded with a grin.

"Good prey has to be this way. Any further that way and we're in that other demon lord's territory." He brushed one of her silver locks away from her face. "I wanted to make sure you were awake before I left." She grinned.

"I hear the river. I'm going to bathe." He whined.

"Couldn't you do that last night?"

"Why? You want to join me?" She asked with a sly glance. He gave her a look.

"Yes, I do."

"But you can't because you have to go hunting."

"Can't you wait?" She gave him a gentle shove away from her before laughing.

"You can join me but only if you want to take two!"

"What?" She stuck her tongue out at him. He pouted.

"You will have to take two because if you want to join me then go hunting, you'll get messy and have to take another one while I cook." It made sense to him.

"Fine, I'll take two." He gave her a lecherous grin before chasing her through the trees and tossing her into the cold water. She stayed under and swam over to the bank before grabbing his clothes and pulling him forcefully into the water. "That was not fair!" He cried when they both went up for air.

"You should've thought about that when you threw me in." She laughed.

000

Shizuru walked up the temple steps, wondering if Keiko was there. She hadn't seen the younger girl since she went here yesterday. She knocked and went inside.

"Hello?" She called. Suddenly, she sensed someone in the hallway. She ran through the door at her right and stopped. A man was standing there, holding a hat in one hand and a brush in the other. He had dark pants on but no shirt covered his damp chest. His long black hair was dripping with droplets of water that fell to his chest. He gave her a cheerful grin.

"Hello!" She felt heat rush to her face but couldn't tear her eyes from him. "What do you need?"

"Uh, I was looking for Keiko..." She stuttered. He blinked his gorgeous indigo eyes.

"That little one that goes around with Yuusuke?" He asked curiously. She nodded. He bit his lip in thought before shrugging. "I haven't seen her since yesterday when she treated my wounds."

"T-Thanks." He nodded and she turned around and walked back into the main room.

Damn, he was hot...

She was trying to will her blush to fade. She usually had such good control, too! He walked into the room and past her, heading to the kitchen as he brushed out his long dark locks. Then he stopped and looked back at her.

"Maybe my friend can help you." He gestured that she follow him. She nodded and walked behind him into the kitchen. "Hiei, could you help a damsel out?" The koorime turned around and raised a brow.

"Since when were you a girl? I know I kicked your ass during training but-" He was nearly hit by a brush. Kuronue glared at him in irritation.

"I was talking about her!" He grabbed Shizuru by the shoulders and shoved her forward. "She wants to know where Yuusuke's mate is."

"Mate?" The girl asked in confusion. "She isn't-"

"That short-haired girl?" Kuronue nodded enthusiastically.

"That's the one!" Hiei rolled his eyes.

"Anything to get you away from me." He closed his eyes and his Jagan began glowing beneath the white bandana. "Hn." He opened his eyes and turned back around to tend to his ice cream. "She's with the baka detective now. They're about two miles from here."

"What a big help you are." Kuronue sighed and let go of Shizuru, who relaxed upon immediate release. "Come on, little one, I'll help you find her." He turned on his heel and left the room. She followed him. "Two miles..." He muttered. He went into another room and came out with a shirt on. Then he pulled his hat on and smirked. "You coming?" She nodded and walked over to him. He thought for a moment. "Arms or back?"

"What?" He shrugged and pulled her into his arms before running out.

Holy shit, he's fast!

She closed her eyes and turned her head toward his chest to prevent the whipping wind from lashing her face. Her grip on his shirt tightened. He looked down at her and his smirk grew wider. He still had his charm. He could sense Yuusuke's energy signature right up ahead. He slowed down and stopped when he was in front of the ningen boy.

"Yuusuke!" The Spirit Detective looked up and nearly jumped.

"Kuronue! What are you doing here?" It was just then that he noticed Shizuru in the demon's arms. "What happened? Is she-"

"She's fine." He set her on her feet and she wobbled for a moment before regaining her composure. Then she looked at Yuusuke.

"I was looking for Keiko and went to Genkai's."

"Oh, I see." She turned around and smiled at Kuronue.

"Thanks for your help. My name is Shizuru, by the way."

"Kuronue." He shook her hand and ruffled her hair a bit before turning around. "I guess that run dried my hair. Hm, not bad." He ran his fingers through it briefly. "Guess I'll go back. Koenma told us not to wander. Can't let Hiei eat all the ice cream!" With that and a brief wave over his shoulder, he was gone. Shizuru smiled just a bit.

Polite, sense of humor, kind of a flirt, and good-looking to boot. Not bad...

000

Botan wrung out her wet hair over the water. She was soaking wet. She hadn't really intended to take a bath in her clothes but Youko had other plans. Actually, they were quite dry since she laid them in the sun after that. She ran quickly back to camp to get there before Youko did. She blushed at the thought of what had taken place but it was nice to actually spend time with him when they were alone together. She missed Akina so much. Her cute little baby... However, she knew that Rumiko was taking good care of her. The inu demon had to be in charge by then. She sweat-dropped.

I almost feel bad for those oni. Rumi-chan can be a Sergeant General whenever she pleases. I guess it's in her nature. She is kind of pushy when it comes to work.

However, that drive was what Botan admired in her the most. She sat down and looked up at the sky. Rumiko helped to deliver Akina, even volunteered to help in Reikai, and now she was watching the little kitsune pup.

She is such a kind person. I don't ever think that I could repay her for this.

She looked up to see a strange demon staring at her from across the clearing. She instantly stood up and felt for her weapons.

"Who are you?" She asked coldly. He smirked at her.

"I should be asking you the very same question, kitsune. I am a guard to my lord. What business do you have here?" She grabbed their pack from behind her and pulled out the file.

"This is from Reikai. I have to deliver it directly to your lord." He stared at her with his chilling violet gaze. His black locks fell into his eyes as he looked down briefly.

"Why are you staying here, then?" She growled at him to inform him that the question had been the end of the line. "Fair enough. You should come with me, then. I will escort you to the castle." She didn't so much as blink. "Well?"

"I am remaining here for a while longer." Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "I will go when I am ready."

"That is not your choice, maiden." She growled again.

"It is my choice. I have the scroll. I have free will." Youko suddenly appeared and looked at the both of them. He could tell that Botan was more than a little angry.

"Who are you now?"

"I am her protector and mate. Who are you to question that?" The tone in his voice made the strange demon flinch before hearing the snarl that came afterward.

"I am a protector of my lord. Are you going to question that?"

"No." The two kitsunes sighed in unison.

000

Rumiko sat in Koenma's office, going over the filing job she had just done. Now she had to take them to where they had to go. Then she had some free time to grab some coffee, visit Akina, and then sleep for a few hours. After that, she was scheduled for delivering the food to the prisoners.

I can definitely count on seeing some people that I know. I'll bet those prisons seem like an idiot convension.

"I simply cannot wait..." She mumbled under her breath.

Actually, I'll bet they haven't seen a demon woman in ages. Perhaps I should flaunt that and my freedom, which they haven't had since the last ice age.

She smirked. It was actually nice in Reikai, besides the stock exchange type of order, which she found quite refreshing. It was rather nice to test her reflexes.

Since they have agents, I wonder if they have a training department.

She figured that it might be fun to challenge a couple of agents. Then again, she liked the size of the library they had. She had so much to see and so very little time to attempt seeing it.

"Rumiko!" Ayame waved to her. "Do you have the file I need? It's for the commission for the new recruits."

"Recruits?"

"Ferry girls. They just started two weeks ago. There are two of them. They should be in the same folder." Rumiko opened her bag and leafed through the folders quickly. She removed one and handed it to the ferry girl. "Thanks."

"That's what I'm here for." The dog demon sighed.

Then again, I hunger for adventure and thrills every once in a while. Lucky you, Botan. I only hope that you're having as much fun as I think you are.

000

That ends this chapter for now. What will happen next?

... Please review!