Chapter Five- Accepting

Keiko strode down the hall and took a detour to her room and up to her full-length mirror to admire her body. She was green-skinned from head to tail and it complemented her purple dress. A pair of black horns curved backwards like dragon horns. The eye on her forehead matched her other two and, when she smiled, it exposed her needle-sharp teeth. Her claws were long, elegant, and extremely sharp. She suspected they wouldn't damage Lionel's skin or her own as it was likely that Lionel had donate some of his blood to the formula.

She turned to the side to see the rest of her body. She stood on two large feet and her legs were longer and bigger. Her tail laid still, the rounded spiky end on the floor. Her chest had enlarged and made her an overall attractive demon. Her hair had grown a little so it was still in the same style she had before. She couldn't help smiling. She liked how she looked and knew she would love being a demon. I definitely can't go home like this and besides why would I want to now? I am the lady of the fortress and I'll be treated with respect and like royalty. She cast a glance around her room as she left. Earlier everything had seemed huge; now that she was taller, everything looked like the right size. Oh, yes. I will love living here now.

Keiko busied herself with reading, learning to do so with three eyes. She found the third eye could operate independently of the other two which was cool and would take some getting used to. She also had to learn to control her new strength; she needed less force to turn the pages than she did before.

The meal gong sounded and she got up, replaced the book, and left the library to go to the dining room. She surmised that she would no longer bring Lionel his meals; instead she would be served. Her life had definitely improved. She entered the dining room and executed a slight curtesy. "My lord," she said.

"My lady," he replied as she sat. "So, how was the rest of the morning?"

"Good. Of course I'm still getting used to being taller and have a third eye. I found my eye can look in a different direction than the others."

"Yes. It makes it hard to sneak up on us, except for the back." He clapped his hands before saying, "You should meet with the tailor this afternoon for new clothes."

"I'll do that," she said as a cook put their dishes before them, noting her dish was as big as Lionel's now. She lifted the lid to find the food she was used to. Lionel made small talk as they ate, the flesh on his plate no longer bothering her, but she did feel a desire to try some; although she was still getting accustomed to her new status and form, she had to also keep in mind that she was a demon who ate flesh, particularly human. But, could I do so already? I mean, I was human this morning until halfway through breakfast.

"Keiko?"

She looked over to see Lionel with a fork that held a small piece of flesh. "Would you like to try?" he asked.

She looked at the bite and could feel her mouth water. She swallowed back her saliva before nodding. Lionel moved the fork toward her and she opened her mouth to accept the food. The fork went in and she closed her mouth so Lionel could slide the utensil out, leaving the flesh in her mouth. Her teeth tore the flesh as she chewed. A strange, yet pleasant taste touched her taste buds. It was wonderful as she swallowed the bite and noticed Lionel looking at her, waiting for her reaction. "Well?" he prompted.

She licked her lips. "It tasted a little strange, but pleasant. It was good."

Lionel smiled. "I see. Shall I have the cook place at least a little flesh on your plate from now on?"

"Yes, please."

"Then, it will be done." Lionel rose and went into the kitchen. He was pleased at how quickly Keiko had given in to her new in-born trait to eat flesh. He could eat other parts of humans, but preferred the skin. He had other human-eating servants and let them have the rest. It's a convenient arrangement and now that Keiko is a flesh-eater, everything is good.

"My lady," the tailor said, going to one knee.

"Hi. I need to be measure for new clothes and I would like to see your selections."

"As you wish, my lady." The tailor got out a stool, clipboard, and measuring tape before getting on the stool as eh was only six feet tall.

Keiko stood still as the tailor took her measurements. She had to admit that it was a little strange to be addressed as "my lady", but she liked it- a lot. She couldn't go back to what she was and she honestly didn't want to. She loved being a demon, to be tall, strong, and powerful. No one was going to take that away from her! This may be the demon in me talking, but I will kill anyone who tries to turn me human again.

"My lady, the measurements are done. Allow me to show you my collection of cloths."

"Very well." Keiko followed the shorter demon to where his cloths were neatly lined up. She felt amusement at thinking of six feet as short when she only stood at seven feet. Her eyes roved over the colorful cloths and she carefully felt them to determine whether she would like them to be made into clothing.

Yusuke fought to stay upright though he wanted to collapse and sleep for a week. However, Koenma had called them for a case, the specifics of which he didn't know yet.

"So, what's this about?" he grumbled.

"It's a kidnapping case. I hope the person can be rescued but it may be too late." Koenma activated the view screen and Lionel's picture appeared. "His name is Lionel and he was spotted on Hanging Neck Island the day you won your third match, but left not long after and…he took a captive with him."

"Who?" Yusuke asked.

Koenma sighed. "Keiko."

Yusuke's mouth dropped. "He took Keiko!?" Despite their harsh words and friendship ending, Yusuke still cared about her. "We need to save her."

"I don't know if that's possible," Koenma said. "Lionel is one of those demons who feasts on human flesh. It's likely that he's already eaten her."

Yusuke sank to his knees and his eyes went blank. Eaten? he thought. So, she's gone? No, she can't be.

"Koenma, it is likely she is still alive, yes?" Kurama asked. "If she was dead, her ghost would have been brought here." His words stirred Yusuke and he got up hopefully.

Koenma clapped a hand to his forehead. "Yes, of course. She has to be alive."

"So we bust into his place and rescue her," Kuwabara said.

"It won't be that easy," Koenma told them. "His fortress is heavily defended and his guards are too well-trained. However, there is a way in tomorrow afternoon. Lionel has a career as a swap trader and a pair looking to trade will be there tomorrow to trade."

"So, we pose as traders to gain entry," Kurama said. "Once inside, we can search for Keiko and get her out and back to her parents."

"Yeah! Perfect!" Yusuke said.

Koenma nodded. "That was my thinking too."

"We will need items to bring with us," Hiei finally spoke up.

"I will take care of that," Koenma said. "Get some rest and report back in the morning for a final debriefing and your equipment."

Yusuke wanted to protest. His childhood friend was in the clutches of a demon who ate humans. She was probably a bit scared, but no doubt being brave. She would not let herself be pushed around. He staggered out to head home for some sleep and prayed Keiko was okay.