"I don't know." I whispered. Internally, I berated myself. Kuwabara flinched, like I stepped on his cat.
I'm an idiot. I shouldn't have said anything and now I looked as guilty as I felt. The wispy haired crone's eyebrows knit together.
"Good. So, you know each other, this should make things easier." She scoffed and gazed at the two seated on the ground mischievously. Then, she smirked at me.
"Hardly." I heard a gruff voice say.
I spied a black figure, who Miki had dubbed as 'Cloakman,' sneer at me from a corner of the room. I returned the sneer, with a soundless snarl and a bared fang peeking from the corner of my mouth. An expression that I picked up from the supes, that showed contempt. I did it automatically without thinking.
He straightened his back and tilted his head to give me a once over as he sized me up. His hands dipped into the folds of his cloak and unveiled the hilt of a katana. Shit, he wanted to fight me.
"Hiei, what are you doing? She's human." Kurama had stood quietly behind me, but with an outstretched arm he herded me behind him and stepped forward into the room.
"No matter." Hiei said.
"You managed to antagonize everyone with three words." Kurama spoke gravely. Perhaps he hadn't seen me scowl at Hiei.
"I've never been popular at parties." I stood at the threshold between the main hall and the offshoot teetering between the hostility in the room and the stark quiet of the main hall.
"This is no joking matter, Nakajima." Kurama gripped the frame tightly, shielding me from the eyes within.
I'll admit. I'm not a brave person. I take comfort in the shelter of others like the Haras and Charles and I shy away from confrontation. Coming into my dead state was difficult, and it was easier to hide in the care of others and seek humanity then to barrel into my problems head on. I could've faced the animosity in the room beyond, but like a gutless coward I turned away and strode towards my room. At least, I could stress binge on pork jerky there.
I was halfway across the expanse of the main hall when I felt a grip like iron clutch my wrist. I cringed as it tightened around the bruised ring Kaito created at The Hollow.
"I need to talk to you." Yusuke pulled me roughly towards the entrance and I meagerly attempted to rip my arm away from his vice-like hold. He dragged me out of the door and down the wooden stairs that waned under our trampling.
We exited to the courtyard and he let go. I staggered forward a few steps from the momentum when he turned on me.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He snarled. He was slowly stalking towards me and accusingly pointed a finger three feet away.
I reeled back nursing my abused wrist in my other hand. It was darkening into a red on my glamour, but underneath the bruised ring would deepen into a purple.
"You show up at the park, and now you're here. How?" He asked and ran fingers through slick jet hair frustrated. He reminded me a bit of Daisuke.
From Yusuke's cluelessness, it seemed Koenma didn't fill them in yet.
"I'm sure your boss will tell you soon." I replied. Why would Koenma even send me up here without informing them. Unless, he was trying to make me look bad. He was completely aware I knew Kuwabara although I doubted the Spirit Ruler had enough insight to plan that. He was just negligent.
"Yeah, I'm damn sure." He took another step forward and I could see the whites of his wide eyes. "Where the hell have you been Nakajima?"
I remained silent. No supe talk. It would just seem like a poor, made up excuse anyway.
"God, you don't give a shit, do you?" From my peripheral, I saw the others had joined us and remained at the steps. All except Hiei. At least, he wasn't nosy. With an audience, I endeavored to censor what I'd say, but my reasoning fell away with Yusuke's next words.
"So let me tell you where Kuwabara's been. After you left, he looked for you everywhere." With one more step, he was breathing down my face and searching my eyes for any trace of remorse.
What could I even say to that. "What?" I faltered.
"He looked in shelters. He tried to track down that girl you left with, but nothing." He stared down at me scathingly, cinnamon eyes filled with erupting rage. "And then you show up like the fucking ghost of Christmas past, dangle his hopes in front of him, and take off."
"I couldn't-" I started.
"Couldn't what Nakajima! Couldn't tell him where you are?!" He squared his shoulders and his nostrils flared. "You messed him up." He spat the last words out and spittle hit my cheek. Ugh.
"If you'd shut the fuck up for just a second, maybe I could tell you why." I snapped.
"Go ahead you have the floor." And we waved his arm towards the dusty courtyard.
"Did it ever occur to you that I didn't have a choice in the matter? I didn't want to leave." Behind my glamour, I could feel the veins of my face raising as my own rage burned. "And I tried, dammit. I tried so hard to stay." I said between grit teeth.
"Yeah? Well, you didn't try hard enough." He pointed at Kuwabara who was currently standing at the top of the steps with a horrified expression.
"And what the hell do you know?!" Black, foreboding clouds encased my eyes and I felt the zombie madness that was on the cusp of enveloping me.
"I know that you're only a friend when it's convenient to you. Why else would you be here?" He smiled smugly and shoulder checked causing me to stagger back. Ass!
"You know nothing." I roared and my voice came out hoarse with the glamour on, but underneath it was animalistic and malformed. I was close to losing it.
Our faces were inches apart when a slender hand slipped between us pushing Yusuke away. Kurama's silky garnet locks blocked my view and before I could dash towards Yusuke I felt large hands grasp me by the shoulder and spin me around. Broad arms encased me and pulled me in tightly. The familiar mix of lemongrass and musk hit my senses and the black of my eyes wavered. I didn't think it was possible due to my undead state, but frustrated tears gathered at the inner corner of my eyes as my face pressed into Kuwabara's green bomber. The black clouding my vision receded and so did the tears that threatened to fall. Not today. I wouldn't let Urameshi, of all people, see me cry.
"I'm sorry, Kuwabara." I choked. "I'm fucking sorry."
"Bitch." I heard Yusuke spat from behind me.
"That's enough, Urameshi." Kuwabara declared. "She's telling the truth. If she didn't have a choice, then that's enough explanation for me." He peered down at me with gloomy, softened eyes.
Why was he forgiving me and why did it come so easily to him? I especially knew what it was like to doggedly search for someone with little results. And, I speculated about the ruin I created with each dead end his search brought. I didn't deserve his friendship.
He pulled me in snugly and my nose buried into his jacket.
"You're just going to let her off?!" Yusuke cried in disbelief.
"That isn't for you to decide, Yusuke." Kurama stood between the two of us like a sentinel.
"She's just going to take off again." He accused. I glanced back at him to see his narrowed gaze.
"That's enough! You're acting like a bunch of morons." The old woman boomed across the courtyard. Kuwabara jerked his arms away quickly like he'd been reprimanded by a nun. "Get inside and shut the hell up. We're waiting for Koenma."
Despite her irritated voice, there was a glint of amusement in her eyes as she turned and withdrew into the temple.
Yusuke was the first to walk to the temple, but he glanced back at me and flipped me the bird.
I mouthed, 'Fuck you' at his retreating form.
Kurama followed soon after leaving Kuwabara and I alone in the courtyard.
"What have you gotten yourself into, Kuwabara?" I tilted my head so I could glance up at him.
"You stole the words right out of my mouth. C'mon, before Genkai comes back for another helping of drama." He patted my back heavy handedly and we made our way to the hall.
Inside, we sat in awkward silence. Hiei remained in the same corner as before suspiciously eyeing me. Yusuke refused to look in my direction.
Kuwabara and I sat adjacent to the entrance as we were the last ones in. We leaned against the wall shoulder to shoulder (more like shoulder to arm due to his towering figure) like we always did when we studied at the library. The good tables were always taken, so we'd always settle for the benches on the second floor. With my studies completed, I ended up napping on his arm while he grinded through the rest of his books. I'd answer his questions drowsily, due to my half asleep state. I must have had a wistful expression on my face, because I heard a prying voice.
"You look content." Kurama was leaned towards his bent knee with an elbow propped against it. His other leg rested on the ground.
I declined to answer. I'm sure I'd given him enough ammunition during my shouting match with Yusuke. I didn't want to be goaded into giving anymore. At my silence, he chuckled.
What the hell was so funny?
I heard shuffling from behind the door pulling me away from my thoughts. A blur of electric blue and pastel pink burst through the door holding a wooden oar. A ferryman? Charon would definitely be interested to hear someone picked up where he left off millennia ago.
"Hello. Sorry I'm late!" The girl beside me spoke in a piping, lively tone. "Koenma couldn't make it. He got caught up in paperwork again." She said cheerily, oblivious to the mood in the room.
Paperwork. Ha.
"Oh, hi! I'm Botan." She leaned down in front of me like one would lean down to look at a child. Magenta orbs blinked at me in anticipation.
"Nakajima. Good to meet you, Botan." I held out my hand and she shook it vigorously.
"Lovely, this team could always use more girls." Her voice was almost melodious as she patted my shoulder. "And don't you look official too." She pointed at my trench coat and held a had to her mouth to stifle a laugh. Yusuke snickered. The moment I was alone with Urameshi I was going to noogie the shit out of his perfectly gelled hair. Just wait, asshole.
"What do you mean, Botan?" Kurama inquired.
"Oh, haven't you heard?" She bounced to the analog TV. "Allow the tape to explain." She materialized an old VHS and fiddled with the TV.
She popped a cassette into the TV slot and the screen sizzled and cracked to life. Grey static appeared on the screen before it focused and cleared to Koenma's face gazing seriously at the screen.
"Hello Detectives."
"Are you serious?" I mouthed at Kuwabara but he smirked and pointed to the screen.
"The reason I have you gathered today is to discuss a matter of great concern."
Oh. Dear. God. This man was not serious. He gave briefings via cassette.
"If I'm correct, by now, you've just met Nakajima, a private investigator to the world of supernaturals."
He paused and the scene cornily transitioned to hastily thrown together slides featuring illustrations of doe-eyed fairy tale creatures. I sighed and Kuwabara nudged me apologetically.
"On Earth, there are not only demons, but supernatural creatures walking among humans."
Well, there goes keeping it a secret. At least Mr. Hara couldn't blame me for this one.
Brows and a 'you've got to be kidding me' from Yusuke rose from all corners of the room.
"However, these aren't the mythical creatures from fairy tale that we're acquainted with."
The slides transitioned to footage of a hulking cyclops leaning over a mangled corpse. It looked eerily familiar. His head snapped up, disturbed by something off screen. Then, from the edge of the film, Miki and I appeared, giving chase. I lurched forward.
I remembered that case. It was one of the first ones I handled as an investigator and my first success. The three forms disappeared off screen, but I recalled what ensued afterwards. The cyclops had swiped Miki into his grubby fingers and I fired off my gun for the first time. Supernaturals were not entirely impervious to bullets and he collapsed with all the grace of a tree. The adrenaline and the rush of success was what solidified my decision to be an investigator. A cyclops, I could easily face head on and matters that involved Kuwabara, not so much.
On screen, goblins had appeared and were lapping up the remains of the body. Botan gave a muffled shriek through hands in revulsion. I'd have to explain to her later that they were employed. Neutrality used teams of goblins to clean up the mess left in the havoc of supernaturals. However, they were thorough; and I understood why Kuwabara looked squeamish when I glanced at him. The body of the cyclops would be retrieved by the Keepers, but that wasn't shown on the footage.
"These are titans similar to the S classes of Demon World." So there was a world of Demons, too. I wonder if Koenma claims to rule it.
"Secretive people that disrupt the balance of soul entries into Spirit World."
I'd have to clarify that not all the supes did that. He implied that we all just threw caution to the wind and mutilated souls. Some of us had better things to do.
"My charge, Nakajima, has become the target of a creature by the name of Dr. Harada. He uses his abilities to make disfigured science projects whose souls have no place in the realm of Spirit World."
Couldn't he have led with that instead of the drawn out spiel he was spiraling into.
"With time, we know he'll locate her and seek her out. Your main objective is to capture him…"
So they weren't going to destroy him.
"By any means necessary."
Oh, nevermind.
"Meanwhile, there have been other less disruptive cases that need attending to that Nakajima will assist with. She is acquainted with the world of supernaturals so it would behoove you to listen to her when it comes to these matters. I've left your first case with Botan. Koenma out." And the TV sizzled to black.
I heard a nervous chuckle from my right. "That certainly explains why you carry a gun." Kurama was peering at the area beneath my arm. So that's what he detected in the foyer, but how did he know?
My interest was piqued and I stared at him curiously.
"When you pat yourself down, you only run your hands along the length of one side of your midsection, but not the other. You wear a shoulder holster, but only have one gun." Kurama responded.
Know-it-all, I accused internally.
The wispy haired crone that Kuwabara identified as Genkai was staring at me like I'd produced a golden egg. I sensed it was due to the revelation of supernaturals and not the gun. With a cough she said, "At least, you're not an idiot."
That was the nicest thing she's said, so far.
I looked to my left and Kuwabaras eyes were opened wide in wonder.
"So, so…werewolves?" His lips quivered.
"Real." I answered.
"Centaurs, sphinxes, mermaids?" His head snapped to me and I felt Christmas had come early for Kuwabara.
"All real. But they're actually called sirens and if you see one stay the hell away. They'll take your virginity and leave you with nasty marks in the morning." I lectured, but he just seemed excited at the prospect.
Botan sputtered and her skin flushed. "That sounds awful!"
"Sounds like a Saturday." Yusuke leaned back on his hands grinning at Kuwabara.
"The bite of a siren will give you flu like symptoms. They're poisonous to humans." I spoke. As beautifully tempting the idea of sirens tended to be, they were under the guidance of The Company and had no qualms about killing.
Yusuke hopefully asked, "But not demons?" He was asking for himself and that made Yusuke a demon. Didn't expect that.
"I'm only making an educated assumption, but the bite should be fatal to demons."
"Fatal? Why?" All optimism left Yusuke's voice.
"Demons have their own world of bacteria, flora that they're accustomed to, but that doesn't automatically make demons strong to all types of illness." I leaned back and rested my head against the wall, "They're not acclimated nor did they mutually evolve alongside supernaturals."
"Because humans have evolved here, they've unknowingly developed immunities to supernaturals." Kurama spoke and his eyes resembled the way he looked in the foyer when he digested knew information.
"That's correct." I nodded. With Kurama around, maybe I wouldn't have to drone on explaining everything. Unlike Charles, I hated to be a windbag.
"So are all supernaturals evil like that?" Botan pointed to the screen of the TV. The poor woman was traumatized by the sight of goblins picking a body clean. There was a time before goblins were domesticated that they reigned bloody terror, but nowadays they joined the fringes of supe society in any capacity. There were goblins in nearly every faction.
"No! Definitely no. Koenma implied that supes were all gallivanting about and doing weird things to souls, but like any race there's the good, the bad, and the ugly." I knew this would be a problem. "For instance, those goblins are actually dispatched to clean up messes. They're part of the ugly side of supes."
As I explained, Botan understandingly nodded; however, she looked queasy.
"You call them soups?" Yusuke was looking at me like I'd said something idiotic.
"Supes. Supernatural." I clarified.
"That woman you were with in the forest. She's a supernatural." Hiei chose now to interject into the conversation. The man of few words stood completely disinterested for the majority of the time I was here, but now he was engaged and familiar piercing, carmine eyes were round with intensity. I assume it was due to the encounter in the woods and the speed she adeptly used to evade them.
"That she is." I proudly beamed.
"And what does that make her?" Kuwabara asked.
Daisuke's warning words, made me hesitate. Do not under any circumstance reveal your peculiarity or ours to anyone. However, with the secret already out holding back information would only seem suspicious. That, and Kuwabara was glancing down at me like a hopeful puppy and lying to him was so damn difficult. His eerie sense would poke holes through my lies. I'd have to take the fall for this one.
"Miki…is a vampire." I said, standing up from my spot on the ground. Without the benefits of healthy blood circulation, my body began to feel locked and stiff.
Yusuke jumped up from his position from the floor excitedly. "A vampire? Your friend is a vampire."
Kuwabara flinched. "You're still my bestie, no worries." I reassured Kuwabara.
"Yeah, yeah…" He grumbled.
"D'aww. I love reunions. And I'm glad Kuwabara finally found you!" Botan exclaimed and her uneasiness from moments ago was completely forgotten. She materialized a briefcase from absolutely nowhere and heartily smacked it to the ground in front of me. From within, she retrieved a navy blue compact and placed it in my hands.
"This is a communication device. Open it, open it!" Botan urged me with her waving hands.
I did and Botan's face materialized within the mirror inside. She was holding a twin compact and smiling through the lens.
"Should you find yourself in any trouble, just holler." She raised a pointed finger and wagged it at me from the other side of the lens.
"I will. Thanks, Botan." I slipped the device into the breast pocket of my coat and patted the spot reassuringly. She was thrilled.
Botan removed a manila folder from the case and hopped to her feet in front of Yusuke. "Shall we get started on this case file?" As he was reaching to grab it, the folder blinked out of existence snatched by sinewy hands.
Genkai stood and kicked a door behind the television set to the side with her padded shoe. She fanned the folder at me like she was fanning money urging me to go with her.
"Where are you going, Grandma?" Yusuke pointed a calloused finger at Genkai.
"Have I ever reported to you?!" Her face was completely impassive, but her acerbic tone was enough to make Yusuke flinch from his spot on the floor.
"Geez, chill." He stuck a pinky in his ear and dug around like he was searching her gold. She must've knew the exact frequency to irritate Yusuke's eardrum.
"You, follow me." She used the bind of the folder to point at me and I nodded.
She strode into a hallway to a room just right of the room and flipped a light switch and an outdated kitchen was illuminated under florescent lighting. Off-white cabinets that flaked with white paint due to deterioration adjoined each wall. The countertops boasted antique cherry wood surfaces that were blemished with careless abandon over the years. Genkai dropped the manila folder on a stray island resting in the middle that housed the only sink. I spotted Kuwabara from the corner of my eye shadowing the doorframe.
"Our previous caretaker, used to assist in managing the temple. Since she's moved in with Kuwabara," Kuwabara looked away apologetically. "I need someone to take over cooking meals. The boys are responsible for cleaning, so you're free from that responsibility."
Wait, a damn second. Who would move in with Kuwabara…and Shizuru. My eyes widened and a sly grin colored my face.
"Yukina moved in with you?" I rounded on Kuwabara and his cheeks turned a lovely shade of crimson. By god, he finally did it. All the years of complaints, and morosely confiding in me and he finally did it. Previously, he'd refer to Yukina as his girlfriend, but they weren't officially together. He just referred to her as such optimistically as if it changed the future. I didn't know whether to feel relieved or dejected that I missed it. "Congratulations, Kuwabara."
My mind was reeling. Yukina and Kuwabara had finally managed to get together. When I first met Kuwabara's subject of affection, she struck me as aloof and frigid. At the time, and I'll admit it was hopeless, I was nursing somewhat of a crush on Kuwabara. He was sweet, honest...tall. So tall. I realized with time, she was someone that didn't trust openly and it required several outings and karaoke sessions before she opened up let alone spoke to me. But when she did, I couldn't ignore her sincerity and thoughtfulness. My silly crush came to a screeching halt. It would have to if I wanted to remain friends with either of them.
I punched his chest heartily and the gesture earned a raucous laugh. "You know, she asks about you. Whenever we get a moment, let's surprise Yukina and my sister."
"Sounds like a plan. But make sure your sister isn't smoking when we do it. Remember when she inhaled that cigarette after you told her you ripped her favorite sweater?" I blinked imply at the memory of Shizuru sputtering out a lit cigarette while her brother sheepishly held the fuzzy white cardigan in his hands.
Kuwabara's hand slammed down on my shoulder. "Oh, hell. Every time I do something wrong, she reminds me about that sweater."
A gruff cough interrupted our musings and we both turned to Genkai who did not like being ignored.
"I apologize." And I quickly waved two fingers between Kuwabara and I meaning, 'We'll talk later.' He grinned in response and we both turned to Genkai.
"You. Out." Genkai said.
Kuawabara turned abjectly but warmly beamed at me before walking away.
"Do you know how to cook?" Genkai asked.
"I know all the basics, sure: rice, stir fry, omurice, noodle salad, beef bowls…." I counted my fingers off as I absentmindedly listed off meals and Genkai nodded and leaned into the counter.
"Start with those. I'm growing tired of Yusuke's ramen." She pulled the doors open from a pantry and opened the fridge. "We're out of most things, so go into town weekly and pick up groceries. That will be your task."
"Yes, ma'am." A habit I picked up from being acquainted with the Haras, but she seemed to appreciate my candor. Still, she said, "I don't appreciate ass kissers."
"Force of habit." I replied honestly.
"Now, read these case files aloud and break down the information to me. I don't want the other's imaginations to run wild by looking at the case first. Especially Yusuke's." She took out a box of cigarettes from the folds of her white pants and lit one.
I understood why she snatched the folder and scurried from the others. Misconceptions could be dangerous especially when concerning supes.
I grasped the manila folder and the first page had a photo of a familiar incubus stapled to the cover. Glossy, maroon hair braided loosely towards the ends and black obsidian eyes in a mischievously suave face were focused on something entirely off the film of paper. I think Miki mentioned his name was Lucas.
I read the details aloud and Genkai took a puff as she ruminated each detail. There was a picture of a small boy with disheveled black hair and black eyes in the corner.
"Wanted for kidnapping a human child. Often disappears in an alleyway between 3rd and 4th street." I grinned at this, and Genkai's brow rose.
"Know what it means?" She asked.
"Yeah, I know exactly where he is. I'll just need a ride there." I shut the file close and handed it back to her.
"That can easily be arranged." She extinguished the lit bud behind her on a simple ashtray and pushed off from the counter. I followed her back into the hall and everyone except Cloakman had stayed.
"Hiei mentioned something about this being a 'waste of time' and took off." Kuwabara punctuated by air quoting with his fingers.
Botan and Yusuke were splayed across the tatami flooring with absorbed expressions on their faces. Their eyes were glued to the TV screen while the characters of Super Punch-Out were beaten into red pixels.
"Well, he's not wrong." I admitted. "I'm sure this case is far beneath his capabilities." I added sarcastically. So far, Hiei seemed to be a refined warrior, quick to anger, and brutish. I was wary of allowing him to interact with supes for what could possibly ensue.
Kurama gave me a questioning look. Out of the inhabitants of the room, he seemed completely idle and bored. At the mention of a case, his serene, listless eyes became acute and the intensity of his gaze focused on me.
"If all goes well, we'll be back before midnight." I leaned forward so my gaze was level with Kurama's. I saw a hint of a smile on the corner of his lips at the prospect of something to do and he stood with purpose.
"Where are we going?" Yusuke spoke over his shoulder.
"Not you," I pointed to Botan and Kurama, "I'll need people that are unassuming or have at least mastered tact." Yusuke's eyes gleamed with irritation at the double-edged comment and he grinned evilly. That noogie was on its way, it wouldn't be now, but I'd eventually get him.
"Also, Botan is your ride." Genkai stated, matter-of-factly.
Botan dropped the controller excitedly, "Wait, me?"
"You're flying." Genkai picked up the controller where Botan had left off and without missing a beat had beaten Yusuke's character. He angrily threw the controller on the ground.
Botan gave a little gasp of surprise and her magenta orbs practically glowed in anticipation. "Lately, it's rare that I get to rendezvous with the team." Her oar materialized in her hand and she excitedly leaped up and hooked her arm with mine. "Let's go!"