"Duh?" Yusuke spat out with disbelief. "There's no way you would have known."
"I did!" Kuwabara insisted, his brow furrowing. "Don't you remember the first night when she took off her cap? I saw this shimmery thing around her. Super imposed, kinda? I can still see the real her though." And he pointed to his own scalp.
"And you didn't bother to share with the class?" The spirit detective groaned.
"Well, we know nearly nothing about the 'soups?'" Kuwabara paused, unsure, and glanced over at me and I thumbeds-up his terminology, "So, I had suspicions, I couldn't out her either if it was that important. ALSO, you saw her with her cap off and were too stupid to catch it!"
It seemed Kuwabara had caught him there because Yusuke sputtered before launching into the next slew of insults.
"You're more concerned about outing her than your mission. Asinine as usual." Hiei interrupted. At his remark, Kuwabara whipped in his direction and began to admonish him.
I held up my hand, exasperated. "First, he did the right thing. If he had blurted it earlier Mr. Hara would have shut this down. For certain." I continued despite the fixed, steely glare of the man guarding the door. By shut down, I meant employing the services of glawackus to erase Kuwabara's and his associates memories. This, Mr. Hara and the Hara household members knew, but the spirit world team didn't.
"Second, your boss made it clear that his intention was to destroy zombies." Miki added, tapping her fingers agitatedly on the armrest.
"Ah." Koenma clucked his tongue reproachfully at me. Um, no. I tilted my head and leveled him with a withering stare. He did not get to speak to me like a child after starting the zombie hunt. Koenma blanched and 'Cloaky' smugly hn-ed. Interesting.
"Despite this, I was truthful. I would rather clarify the difference between those creatures and myself. I assure you," I shifted my weight and could see Koenma turn and assess me calmly. I admit he recovered quickly. "There is a difference." I finished while wrinkling my nose.
"Do tell." Koenma exhaled a frustrated breath.
"Dr. Harada created ghouls. They're the rotting, soulless, brainless type. With no sentience, or anything besides their need to gorge they're highly dangerous to humans and troublesome to supernaturals in general. Ya' can't control a ghoul from exposing themselves to humans." Miki spoke glibly as if it was obvious. To us, it was obvious.
"I am no rotting mindless creature. Dead, yes. Sentient, yes. Dangerous, it depends on the situation. However, I'm sworn to uphold our code and would never kill a human."
"You killed one a few days ago." Koenma countered.
"A ghoul. And, only to spare her humanity." I clarified.
"Dr. Serial Killer already got to her before we found the body." Miki supplied. "And not all zombies go around killing people. One," And she gestured to me, "tries to prevent that."
"I admit, personally, I could have done more to educate you on the differences, but with the evident relationship between our two parties, supplying the info was dubious at best." As I said it, Daisuku nodded at me. Apparently, I finally said something right.
Charles was watching the exchange with a mysterious quirk of the lips. He caught me staring and his countenance smoothed over into a placid expression. I noted to ask him later what was on his mind hoping that he wouldn't plead the fifth claiming he couldn't speak of the future.
"It seems, our fearless leaders have more to speak of before we embark on the next venture of this precarious partnership." Charles stood and strode to the door and glanced at the occupants, "Come, come. Grelda has cooked dinner and she likes having new guests to tend to."
Miki gracefully slid off the armchair and tugged me to the door. I heard grumbling from Urameshi behind me, but I did my best to ignore him. We shuffled down the hall to our next destination. Kuwabara loomed behind me and I felt eyes roaming the ruptures in my back. I noted that Kurama and Hiei moved completely in silence. It was unnerving.
True to Charles' word, there was a spread of food in a bare dining room that stretched from one end of the table to the other. Among them, a small bowl of brains. Kuwabara picked up the bowl and stared at the contents suspiciously before handing it to me.
"This must be for you." He placed the bowl in my hands and quickly moved to action to pull a chair out for Miki before I could remark on it.
"I've heard many wonderful things about you, Kuwabara." Miki slyly said as she slid into her seat. Grelda had dashed forward and placed a glass of wine in front of her before receding into the kitchen.
"ME? What did she say?" He slid a chair out for me as well then took a seat beside Miki and nervously sipped water from a pre-set glass.
"Oh, don't you worry, sweet carrot. Mostly good things." She teased lightly and took a sip of her wine. Kurama took a seat, but he eyed the wine that was coagulating at the rim of the glass. I sat opposite Kuwabara and Kurama while Hiei swiped something from the table and quickly propped against a wall.
"I recall a short excerpt about a kind boy with an honor code and misguided machismo. And...penchant for kittens." Charles spoke while taking a seat furthest from us to observe: I assumed.
Kuwabara's ears flared a rosy tint while he grumbled. I heard a chair slide out from beside me and Yusuke sank down in the chair and turned to scrutinize me.
"Please refrain from gawking at the zombie girl." I picked my bowl.
"I'll look where I want." Urameshi yanked a bread roll and stuffed it in his mouth.
"Fine. Stare. Just…" And I popped viscera in my mouth. "Don't complain when she stares back." I removed my cap and casually rested my head on my fist and stared at Urameshi. Then, I zoned out.
"Oh, that's just-" I heard shuffling. "Make her stop."
I blinked and returned to my meal.
"How...what?" Yusuke had ejected from his chair and was eyeing me carefully.
"She doesn't bite. Please, have a seat." Charles managed to coax Yusuke back into his chair.
"That is...so creepy." Kuwabra said with awe. And Miki giggled under her breath.
Kurama inspected me with interest, but he was otherwise silent. I noticed at some point that 'Cloaky' had slipped out the room.
"I'm dead. That's what a dead body looks like."
"Okay, pumpkin. You've had your fun." Miki said, attempting to reel the cattiness back in. "I think we need a 'people' break. And food."
"People break?" Kuwabara took a cautious bite of a sandwich and began munching with vigor. Grelda's tous les jours.
"She's suggesting we take a short respite from our roles in the supernatural and spirit world." Kurama interpreted tersely. Despite his tone, he planted a serene smile on his face.
"Oh good, she's up." Miki glanced out into the hallway and shortly after Botan rounded a corner wearing one of Miki's black blouse and jean combo. She had a few colorful printed band aids adhered to the scratches on her cheeks, but was otherwise unscathed from the explosion.
"Well, doesn't this look lovely!" Botan clapped her hands together and I jolted as hands clasped my shoulders gently. "My goose would be cooked if it wasn't for you. Thank you."
"No problem, Botan." I patted her hand on my shoulder and she whipped around and took a seat.
We attempted some semblance of a dinner meal, but all that was heard was the clinking of silverware on dishes and Charles humming an old shanty. I glanced at Miki and she returned mine with a mischievous smile.
"So...Lucas." I smiled under my glass of wine.
Miki's smile slipped immediately, and she quietly took a sip of wine.
"Oh, ho…" The diviner mused, "A little bird told me that an Incubus fellow came by with a bouquet of bane and elderflowers. Strange how those same flowers are in a vase in the foyer."
"You're not good at being facetious, Charlie." Miki rolled her eyes. "We know the bird is really your starry hoodoo." And Miki wiggled her fingers animatedly.
"The bartender," Botan started and her face transitioned into feline likeness. "He said he liked you. How cute."
"You know what I think is cute…" Miki mulled over with a cheshire grin, "How opposites attract. Hmm?"
Normally, Miki has an angle when she has that particular grin on her face, but I was lost. And so were the people inhabiting the room. Except, Charles.
"Oh, I know, just look at Kuwabara and Yukina…" Botan supplied eagerly.
"Or you and 'Cloaky.'" Miki probed. "He was the first one to check on you, you know."
OH. I had not picked up on that. At all.
Botan paled and her hands stilled over her dinner plate. Kurama's facade faltered at that tidbit of info when his brows shot upward.
"Wait, are you-" Yusuke choked on a roll but quickly recovered.
"Miki…" I chastised, "Did you just out them? No…"
"She did out Lucas. He hasn't told me his feelings yet." Miki retaliated.
"Oh, no you don't." I set my own set of silverware down and Miki grumbled.
"Alright. Alright. No need, Big Bad. You don't have to police me either."
"Well, we're waiting."
"I apologize, Botan." Miki huffed.
"You apologize for what?" Botan adopted a playful glint in her eye and tipped her chin.
"I apologize for outing your business because I was sore about being 'mom'ed." Miki tightly smiled and I softly chuckled. I had underestimated the grim reaper, and I approved of her ability to elicit a sincere apology from Miki.
"Speaking of, where is shorty, anyways?" Kuwabara attempted to segue into the conversation, but Yusuke butted in.
"Probably writing love letters."
"Yusuke!" Botan whined.
"Could you imagine?" Yusuke transitioned to a gruff, clipped voice. "Listen, woman. Roses are red, your hair is blue. I love you, but I still might kill you."
Miki and I observed the strange exchange. Albeit concerned to hear that last bit, it seemed concerns were unnecessary since Kuwabara was holding back laughter and Kurama had surreptitiously covered upturned lips with the back of his hand.
"That explains a lot, actually. I was wondering why shorty was sticking around town instead of...whatever he does in the Makai." Kuwabara pondered aloud.
"Well, that makes two reasons." Yusuke sniggered and both Botan and Kurama exchanged knowing glances while Kuwabara continued eating, unaware.
Miki leaned towards me whispering, "You would think they were supes with how many secrets seem to be flying overhead."
"I heard that." Yusuke drawled and I coughed quietly.
"Anyways," Botan flailed nervously, "Who is your lovely worker?" She pointed to the kitchen.
"That is Grelda, our maître d'." Miki strode over to Botan and hooked an arm under hers. "Want to meet her?" Botan rapidly nodded and they carried on a conversation about the roles of orcs in the spirit world. Rapid fire questions carried from the kitchen and I grinned as I heard Grelda's tell tale grunts in response.
"Hey, can we chat?" Kuwabara looked up from his plate and I noticed he hadn't eaten nearly as much as usual.
"Yeah, of course." I stood from my chair and motioned to the foyer. I felt familiar prickles of anxiety on my neck. The 'talk' was coming. Kuwabara followed me to the foyer and we stepped out on the porch into the chill of the early hours. It must have been around two in the morning.
I sighed. I couldn't hear their footsteps, but their slow heartbeats were giving them away. Yusuke and Kurama were crammed against the door listening to our conversation.
"Well, this was pointless." Kuwabara declared with a humorless laugh.
However, I was inspired. I nursed my head in my hands and beamed at him. There was an embankment near our former university that the students loitered at between classes. We had spent many afternoons griping about our grades, pre-partying, and avoiding our problems along one of the stone steps adjacent to the river.
"Usual spot?" I suggested. He seemingly didn't understand, but his eyes flickered in understanding.
"How...fast are you?" He asked, glancing at the front door.
"Not Miki fast, but I'm tricky." I shrugged.
"Race you."
"See you there."
"Go."
We shot off into the dark in opposite directions. He was scaling the stone enclosure of the compound while I dipped into the brush heading for the service exit. Beyond it, a small neighbourhood and town was asleep just outside of the city. I barreled through an empty playground behind a trail of bushes and bounded off a hill crossing the next block midair. I was nearly flying. My route was straightforward, but I needed to deviate to shake off my pursuer.
I whipped around the corner passing the gates of the residential area hearing sneakers slap the concrete behind me. Clearing a railing, I booked it over a walkway intersecting a road, through an alleyway, and towards the door of a general store around the backside of the lane. Every corner I reached, my pursuer closed the distance. The doorway appeared with one last turn and I slammed the door shut behind me and slid my back against it's wooden surface, relieved.
Inside, all heads turned to me.
"Pfft, sorry Andwise." I brushed dust off my backside and apologetically murmured a 'Sorry' to the patrons in the small store. It was a miniature space with a low ceiling. People inhabiting the shop crouched to avoid their heads brushing against the splinters above.
"You're always disturbing my shop, Yokel." A head bobbed to and fro behind a countertop as I heard a stool creak against the floor. He rounded the countertop and keen eyes watched me sheepishly traipse the space.
"That's Yoko, Hobbit." I chortled while collecting a few goods off the shelf.
Andwise bristled. Halflings did not like being called hobbits.
"If you're not spending money then get out." He returned to his stool to collect money from patrons and bag their items.
"Aww, I'm a patron though." As an afterthought, to hold my items, I grabbed a plait-woven basket from one of the shelves.
"I highly doubt that."
With goods in hand I approached the counter and dumped two honey tea cakes, a lembas bread, mulled ciders, and the basket. Andwise eyed the items for a moment with uncertainty, but neatly packaged them in the basket.
"Also, I need to use your Circle."
I smacked a stack of papers on the table that were in Kaito's pants.
"I knew there was a reason I tolerated you." Andwise snatched the stack off the counter and stuffed it into a jar without counting. Must have been more than enough. He motioned for me to follow him and pulled me into a break room with a small television set and a large box planter in the corner. Inside the planter was a ring of mushrooms housing a fairy circle.
"If you're using the Circle you must be late to a date." Andwise said, tipping my little basket.
"If I don't go in two minutes then...not a date." I corrected him. He 'uh-huh'-ed and kicked the planter from it's corner. It shimmered to life and the circle reflected a pool of silver.
"Well, don't keep him waiting."
"It's not-" I was pushed from behind and my feet landed on stone as if I fell a foot in the air.
And, then I was talking to myself. But, it was the right spot. The bridge beside the embankment. Fairy circles are weird.
I heard panting in the distance and could see Kuwabara huffing it towards me.
"I lost him…." He panted out and collapsed by the shore. He whipped off his windbreaker and vented his shirt. Sweat dripped down his forehead, past his neck, and below his tee and I tried not to stare.
"Yeah, I lost mine too. Cider?" I offered him one of the bottles with a handwritten label and he gratefully accepted it. He pulled the cap and started to guzzle it.
"Take it easy."
"Where'd you get this?" He stared at the brown label with green ink.
"Supernatural general store."
"Seriously?"
"Yuh." I sat on the stone cross legged and he followed my lead planting himself beside me and staring off into the river.
"Make it quick." He crossed his arms. "Kurama will be here in a few minutes."
So, Yusuke was following me. Anyways, Here goes.
"Remember when you thought I was going to kiss you." His face reddened, "I was leaning in because I was going to bite you. I was already zombified at that point."
It was amazing that he could go from red to paling in an instance.
"Sorry I left like that. It was dangerous because everything started to look tasty: my parents, my cat, my friends. So, Miki, the Haras, Neutrality, they took me away, but they gave me someplace new."
"Wow. I thought you had a crush on me."
"Uh," I faltered. My crush had extinguished and died a long time ago and it was best to let it.
"My turn. Koenma wants us to keep an eye on you," He admitted guiltily. I had thought as much too. "He's waiting for you to mess up or do something before that doctor even gets to you. He's trying to make a case against supes having so much power in the human world."
"Argh, keep going." Damn it. I would have to inform Daisuke later.
"Before college, I was part of a team that fought demons and saved the world. I'm not allowed to tell normal people, not even you." He said that last part with a bit of regret.
"I don't blame you for that." I said resentfully. "It just sucked that you had all this stuff going on, and I didn't know about it."
"I know what you mean, yeah." Right. He knew exactly what I meant.
"Forgiven?" He clapped my shoulders roughly and shrugged.
"Nothing to forgive." He fiddled with the contents of the basket.
"Help me eat this food?"
"What is that?" He was lifting leaf wrapped pastries from the basket and inspecting them.
"Elven bread and hobbit cakes."
"Get the hell out." He untied the string and a buttery smell permeated my nostrils.
"No really."
"I've always wanted to…" He took a bite. "Oh my god…"
"Better than fiction, huh?" I unwrapped my own and enjoyed the texture and dulled flavour of honey and nutmeg. My tastebuds weren't what they used to be.
"Do not tell me you guys had us running all over the damn place just to catch you eating cake." Yusuke was stomping towards us from the left and snatched the rest of the cake from my hand.
"What the fuck is this?"
"It's cake, dickhole." I ripped the bottom half of the cake from his grasp and stuffed it in my mouth before he could complain.
"Yeah, but weird."
"That's because it's from a supe shop." Kuwabara said matter-of-factly.
"Whatever." Urameshi muttered and he slipped a leg between Kuwabara and I and shoved us apart against the stone.
"Lembas?" Kurama managed to creep up on us and he curiously hovered over the basket of items. I placed the last cider and leaf wrapped hobbit cake in his hands and smirked at Urameshi since that left him with...half a cake.
"Someone reads. It's a novelty from a store I frequent."
"A supernatural store that sells elven bread." Kurama seemed...intrigued. "Care to explain why you dashed off into the evening." Avoiding the crumb radius around Kuwabara, he sat to my right and popped the top off his cider.
"Privacy." I vaguely answered. "We're good now."
"Is that so?" His eyes shifted from Kuwabara to me and down to the makeshift picnic basket. I practically heard the gears whirring speedily in his brain Andwise's words came to mind.
"That is the wrong conclusion." I rolled my eyes.
"And what conclusion would that be?" Kurama gingerly bit into the hobbit cake and washed it down with cider.
"Hmm." I shifted away from Kurama. He expectantly waited for an answer and when I didn't supply one, he craftily crossed his legs so his knee brushed against mine pulling my attention to him.
"..."
"Great, they're talking in code." I heard Yusuke mutter from my left.
"Obscurity is the word." Kurama stated quietly.
"At least code would be fun." I grumbled.
"Anyways, let's escort the prisoner back to jail." Yusuke stretched and stood up.
"Prisoner? I'm no more a prisoner than you are. You're stuck with the zombie." I stretched and my bones made a hollow 'pop'. I relished the look of shock and disgust on Yusuke's face.
"However, I agree we should return before daylight." I felt my braid lift and peered down to see the tail end wrapped around nimble fingers. "I'm not sure you realize that you left without your cap."
"Oh, for fu-" I snatched my braid back. "Race you."
They dashed off without me and I trailed behind at breakneck speed. The climb was the problem, but I was more familiar with the territory. Yusuke and Kurama were waiting on the porch when I returned. Kuwabara crashed through the brush shortly after. Miki had mentioned they were almost as fast as her; however, it was still baffling to witness.
"Well, that's eye opening." Yusuke said with a hint of irritation.
"What crawled up your ass now?" I passed him and entered the foyer.
"You put on a convincing act struggling with the temple steps." Kurama mused. "Yet, you managed to traverse across town without a trace of exhaustion." They followed me through the foyer and I strode to the parlor to check on Mr. Hara.
I paused and looked back in irritation. "I find it more baffling that your hair is still neatly in place."
"Do you?"
"No."
The parlor was empty except for Charles quietly filing paperwork at the desk. He glanced up briefly before returning to the stacks on the desk. Weird. "Koenma returned to the spirit world. Mr. Hara is currently dealing with faction personnel. They decided to proceed as planned."
"What." I deadpanned. "Lemme get my coat, I owe an old lady groceries."
Life happened. No excuses. Hopefully, this chapter makes up for it.