Alice Alive

By, KKYOKO

Chapter Sixteen: Gold Guns Girls

So, by this point, if you're wondering, I'd pretty much given up on Kurama. Not that pining after a guy that didn't love me wasn't fun and all, I'd just had enough. Shizuru seemed to second this and went shopping with me to help me distract myself. Unfortunately retail therapy, for all of my penny-pinching ways, actually happened to be one of my vices. I think it was the reason I was typically so tight-fisted and cheap, because I was saving up for days when I felt like shit.

This day, for example.

By the time Shizuru and I sat down at a café for a break, I had bought about 13,560 yen (or about $175) worth of clothes and shoes. In addition to that, Shizuru had dressed me up in a very cute outfit (to attract the boys she said - not that my foreign looks make me stand out at all here), that consisted of a floral frilly shirt, a black knit miniskirt, thick tights, red ankle boots, and a green bomber jacket. I was pretty much dressed to kill, and I felt like it too.

Of course, feeling all amazingly good-looking didn't change the fact that it was early November and I was …a bit chilly. So after putting up with my bitching for awhile, Shizuru and I spotted a café, in which she shoved me (good-naturedly) inside. We ordered coffee and I admired the blazer she had just bought for herself, while she critically examined the bold yellow pumps I had found on sale because they were out of season.

"So," she said, as the waitress set our coffee down and walked away. She turned her serious gaze to the coffee in the delicate china cup before her and dropped five sugar cubes into it. I wrinkled my nose, knowing that her coffee would be disgustingly sweet, but that's the way she always drank it. "What will you do now?" she asked, stirring her coffee.

Probably throw up, I wanted to say. But I forced myself to look at her and shrug. "About Shuichi-kun? I don't know…buy more shoes?"

She cracked a smile. "Maybe that's the best revenge. Spend all of his inheritance on heels. Ugly ones."

I snickered, stirring my coffee. I was still hesitant to tell Shizuru too much about me. I mean, I was sure she would understand, but I think I just had way too strange a story to tell.

"Mm," she murmured thoughtfully. "How was your birthday?"

"It was fine. Quiet," I replied, thinking about last week and tentatively testing my coffee. It burned my tongue - way too hot. I set it down quickly and smiled at her. "I'll consider this my gift, though. I'm having a great time today."

She gave me a warm smile. "You're fifteen now, right?"

I nodded, even though I was mentally much older than that. "It's kind of weird going into high school a little older than everyone, isn't it?"

She shrugged. "At least you're going into high school. I really wouldn't worry about it." She straightened, spotting something out of the café's window that I couldn't see. "My baby bro's outside. He just spotted us." She sighed as the door opened, and I had to wonder if her brother's presence actually bothered her. I doubted it.

"Hey, sis!" Kuwabara said happily as he came in with a burst of cold air. I burrowed into my jacket as he pulled out a chair at our table and flashed me a grin. "Hey, Alice." He eyed our shopping bags on the floor and raised his eyebrows. "Didn't realize you were such a spendthrift."

I shrugged. "I have my moments."

"What are you doing around town, baby bro?" Shizuru asked, lighting a cigarette. My heart filled with longing, and I didn't notice the dangerous edge to her tone.

"Oh, you know," he replied innocently. "Stuff. Oh look! Urameshi and Yukimura are outside too!" He waved rapidly at the window, and the door opened again.

I tightened my coat around me and looked up to see Yusuke and Keiko come through the door. Yusuke cast us a devilish grin and tugged Keiko to the table, pulling out a chair for her beside Shizuru. I examined her curiously, never having seen her in real life, and found her really cute. She was a little taller than me with big brown doe eyes, a wide face, and an mouth that seemed to upturn naturally - although she looked a little uncertain at the moment. Yusuke pulled a chair from another table and sat down between me and Keiko.

"What's going on?" he asked jovially. I expected he was probably glad that he was out with the girl he liked. I found myself wondering who confessed to who. Or maybe it was just more of a mutual, unspoken thing? Yusuke looked at Shizuru. "You're Kuwabara's sister right?" I quickly realized Yusuke didn't have a great memory for faces. He'd met her at least once or twice before.

She took a hit off her cigarette. "Right." Her honey-brown eyes glanced at Keiko. "Nice to see you again."

Keiko gave a slight nod of her head. "Ah, you too, Kuwabara-chan."

Briefly, I wondered where they had met before, but then I remembered that after the Saint Beast mission Yusuke ended up at Kuwabara's house and Keiko must have obviously visited.

"You can call me by my given name, sweetheart." Shizuru glanced up at me and I could see amusement in her eyes. I think we were both thinking the same thing about Yusuke. What was he doing dragging his supposed girlfriend into a café with strangers when they were clearly on some sort of date?

I leaned forward, giving Keiko a slight smile. "I'm Minamino Alice. You can call me by my given name too," I said lightly.

Keiko's eyebrows rose in interest. "Are you an exchange student?"

"Actually, she's a citizen, Keiko. Remember that Kurama guy that you met at Kuwabara's house?" Yusuke asked with an easy grin.

Wait a minute - so that means Shizuru knows Kurama as himself too? I thought frantically. I looked up to see her give me a knowing smile. I felt a sudden urge to bang my head against the table. That'll teach me to try to keep things from Shizuru.

I looked back at Yusuke, who was still talking. "Yeah, so Kurama's mom adopted her when she was little, so they're basically brother and sister."

Please, God, a lightning bolt.

"Oh!" Keiko exclaimed. "So that's how it is!" She smiled at me cheerfully. "Where are you from originally, Alice?"

I frowned. I figured I needed to keep up the same pretenses that I had with Shiori with Keiko, Shizuru, and the others - but then again - did it even really matter? They were probably going to find out all about me anyway. I thought perhaps I could give them information about me piece by piece, so I didn't give anyone a heart attack.

"The States," I replied with a smile. I could feel that it was somewhat forced, so I quickly looked at Yusuke, deciding to change the subject. "So Yusuke, what are you doing deviating from what is clearly a date?"

"Yeah, Urameshi," Kuwabara added, probably sensing my unease. "You've got to read the atmosphere better!"

It was kind of funny, because they both glanced at each other, blushed, and then held up their hands in protest. "N-no! It's not like that!" they exclaimed.

Kuwabara and I exchanged a sly look.

"Methinks they doth protest too much."

"A river in Egypt," Kuwabara agreed, snickering.

"Ah! Oh, yeah! Alice, you helped with Yusuke's last case, right?" Keiko asked a bit more louder than necessary. Her cheeks were pink. "Er, how was it?"

I frowned, wondering how much Keiko knew at this point, and glanced at Yusuke. He shrugged, saying, "Botan said she told her everything." He opened his mouth again when Keiko wasn't looking, and mouthed 'But edit please'.

"Right," I said, scratching my cheek. "Um, well, after going over there, I really didn't do much. I wasn't all that helpful, honestly."

"No way, Alice!" Kuwabara protested. "You helped Kurama in his fight, and then again in mine too!"

"Ah, well, I'm sure that without me you both would have been fine. Kurama definitely would have," I teased.

"Hey!"

"What was Alice doing helping you in a fight, baby bro?" Shizuru demanded.

Kuwabara immediately looked meek and glanced at me in desperation. "Um, well, sis -"

"Ah, actually, I insisted!" I said, quickly. "Yusuke and Kurama and Hiei were all pissing me off with their oh-you're-a-tiny-girl chauvinism -"

"Chivalry!" Yusuke protested.

Keiko looked incredibly doubtful.

"Whatever," I said, "anyway, I got annoyed and forced Kuwabara to let me fight beside him, so that's how it was."

Shizuru raised an eyebrow. "So how did that turn out?"

Kuwabara and I exchanged a look. "Er, we beat the guy!" he said, flashing the victory sign.

Note to self: go to Kuwabara to defend honor and save face in the future.

"Yeah!" I grinned at Kuwabara.

"That's not exactly what I remem - OW! Alice!"

I had kicked Yusuke under the table. "Shut up," I muttered. I shuddered as a blast of cold air hit me again as someone opened the door.

"Oh! Hey, Kurama!" Yusuke exclaimed, looking surprised. "And Hiei! What are you doing here?"

I turned and saw Kurama and Hiei moving purposely toward our already mostly full table, the former looking somewhat cheerful, the latter looking annoyed. Kurama smiled at Yusuke. "I went to the bookstore across the street, and saw you all come in here. I ran into Hiei along the way. I thought we'd join you." His green eyes fell on our shopping bags and he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Spending your inheritance," I said, exchanging a smile with Shizuru. Hers was more of the encouraging sort though. There was an empty seat beside me and one beside Kuwabara, and I really hoped Hiei would sit next to me. Kurama would be harder to ignore if he were right beside me.

Thankfully, Hiei did drop into the seat next to me (probably wanting to avoid Kuwabara) and Kurama sat in the last chair, between Shizuru and Kuwabara.

"Well, this is nice," Yusuke said languidly, stretching his arms overhead like a cat. "Having everyone together like this before I head off to Grandma's again."

I blinked. "Are you going to be gone for awhile?" I picked up my lukewarm coffee and finished it off, wondering if the waitress was ever going to come back. I looked around the café for her, but she must have been in the kitchen or something.

"Eh, yeah," he sent a nervous glance to Keiko that clearly meant that he wasn't telling her everything. "Gotta finish my training!" He grinned.

Keiko just shook her head. "Boys."

I frowned, wondering what he was keeping from her.

Kuwabara sat back. "Yeah, I kinda figured you'd go back to Genkai's to get ready for the Dark - ow!"

Yusuke gave an extremely loud laugh. "Oh, did you hurt yourself Kuwabara?" He turned, looking around the café. "I wonder if we can get some coffee soon."

Keiko frowned and I felt incredibly annoyed. I knew that the words out of Kuwabara's mouth were going to be "Dark" and "Tournament". I refrained from shooting Kurama an angry glare because that wouldn't make sense. How was I supposed to know what was going on? I fumed for awhile and refused to look up at Kurama, even though I could see him glancing at me from my peripheral vision.

Luckily, the waitress came back with a whole new tray of coffee and cups for everyone, which changed the atmosphere considerably. "Would anyone like to order anything else?" she asked, setting a lovely china coffee pot in the middle of the table. "We have a special on pumpkin pie today."

"Oh, that sounds really good!" Keiko said brightly. "I'll take a slice."

I turned to Hiei as he dumped a ton of sugar in his coffee. "Do you want anything?"

He was quiet for a moment. "Ice cream," he finally said. "Any flavor is fine."

The waitress nodded and left the table.

Keiko was looking at Hiei curiously. He noticed, of course, and met her with a hard stare of his own. She gave a nervous laugh. "Ah, sorry, you just seem really familiar is all. Do I know you, by any chance?"

"No, you don't," he replied flatly.

"Oh," she mumbled and shrunk down into Yusuke's side.

I elbowed him and scowled. "Be civil," I said quietly.

Hiei looked like he was making an upmost effort to not roll his eyes at me. "I doubt that's possible with a human involved. I can barely tolerate you."

I picked up my coffee and sent him a dazzling smile. "So nice to hear. It's like you love me!"

He gave me a flat look.

I looked up at Kurama and Kuwabara to find that they seemed to be making some sort of plans to train or something, while Shizuru glanced at them occasionally and held a quiet conversation with Keiko. Yusuke was half-listening to Keiko and half-listening to Kurama and Kuwabara. His brown eyes held a brief solemnity and was quickly replaced with forced cheer when he caught me looking at him.

I leaned in close to him. "So what's this Dark thingy you're preparing for?" I asked quietly.

His face fell and he glanced with uncertainty at Kurama. "He hasn't told you yet?"

I smiled. "I've just remembered that his room needs destroying. So spill."

Yusuke blinked. "Uh, well, we're all invited to this tournament, and we have to win it." He glanced furtively at Keiko. "It's pretty serious. There'll be a lot of demons there. Strong ones."

I felt my eyes narrow. "What happens if you don't win?"

He looked grim. "They kill us."

"What?" I hissed.

Yusuke shushed me as the waitress came back with Keiko's pie and Hiei's ice cream, cheerfully setting it down in front of them. She walked away again with a smile.

I couldn't ask anything more from Yusuke because Keiko recaptured his attention again, offering him a bite of her pie. I turned to Hiei instead who seemed to be slowly savoring each bite of his Neapolitan ice cream.

"What's going on, Hiei?"

He gave an amused sound and met my gaze. "You're worried? How stupid."

I gave up. "Fine. All of you die. See if I care," I muttered. I dug into my purse and pulled out enough money to cover my coffee, and after a moment of debate, Hiei's ice cream. Picking up my shopping bags, I got to my feet and flashed a smile at Keiko and Shizuru. "Nice meeting you again, Keiko. Sorry Shizuru, I've got to go. Bye everyone." I shouldered my heaviest bag higher, and started for the door.

Kurama was suddenly at the door and swung it open for me. "I'll walk with you," he said, following me out of the café.

"No," I said flatly, jerking away when he tried to reach for one of my bags.

"Alice," he said patiently, "I was going to tell you, but I hadn't the opportunity. Now please hand me that bag."

I didn't even say anything. I just walked away from him. He followed me of course, pelting me with patient words and soft tones, but I ignored him. He eventually realized that he wasn't getting through to me though, and I found myself jerked to a stop. His hand turned my face up to his and I met his green eyes with apprehension, wondering what he was going to do to me, but I only felt the bags slide down my arm as he pulled them into his hand.

"Sorry," he finally said, taking his hand away. He stepped back and started walking.

I followed him, heels clicking angrily on the sidewalk. "Give me my bags," I demanded, hauling up the other two on my shoulder.

"No," was his firm reply.

"Kurama."

He stopped again and I almost ran into him. He turned and looked down at me, meeting my furious gaze with calm green eyes. "I'm not entirely sure why you're so angry with me, but if you cannot tell me, then stop."

I'll admit, he caught me off guard with that one. Finally I looked down, subdued. "Sorry," I mumbled.

His mouth pressed into a thin line. "You get caught up in your emotions too easily, Alice. You don't think about other people."

"Sorry," I said again.

He gave me a half-smile. "Let's go home. I'll tell you more about the Tournament."

So. The Dark Tournament quickly became the bane of my existence. As it turned out, after talking to Kuwabara, Shizuru didn't know anything about it, and he begged me to keep quiet. I figured she'd find out anyway, but I didn't say anything because he just looked so upset. I could tell he was really scared. He had been working hard, training with Kurama (who I quickly noticed was quite a merciless sparring partner), trying to become strong enough to face what was ahead.

I came out and watched them on the outskirts of town sometimes. Kurama had actually suggested that I watch and get used to seeing them fight, since he knew that I was going to the Tournament, no matter what he said. I grudgingly agreed. Hiei showed up occasionally, mostly to spar with Kurama. He had a go with Kuwabara once, but I could tell that he was going easy on him. Hiei quickly got annoyed with my human friend and let Kurama take over.

It was early January now, and the Dark Tournament was in a couple of days. All of us, Kurama, Hiei, Kuwabara, and myself, and Sitka, were in our usual clearing on Asaka's outskirts. I wasn't sure what time it was, but I knew it was early, since Kurama had made me get up before the sun rose. The sky was lighting up now, and it was cold, making me huddle against Sitka's side. I had a coat on, but the air still got to me. Hiei was in a somewhat accommodating mood and stood next to me after awhile, giving off a nice steady heat, like a furnace.

"Thanks," I said.

"Your shivering is annoying," he said flatly, watching Kuwabara swing his sword around, only to get tripped by a root Kurama pulled up.

Sitka nosed me, giving me a small doggy kiss. 'Sorry I couldn't keep you warmer, Alice. If it makes you feel better, he's not that irritated.'

I jumped a bit. Even though Sitka had been quite chatty for the last several months, his voice still surprised me. I know, I thought back at him, pressing my lips together. I think he considers me something like a friend. Or something.

'Or something,' Sitka agreed with amusement. 'He likes you.'

I blinked and turned to face the dog beside me. "What?" I asked incredulously.

Hiei glanced at me, but saw that I was talking to Sitka, and turned back to the fight-thing.

Sitka's amusement turned devilish and teasing. 'He listens to your thoughts sometimes. He knows how much you like Kurama, and that's why he hasn't made a move on you. He doesn't know why he likes you either.'

How did Sitka know all of this? Sure he was a super-cool telepathic dog, but Hiei did have a Jagan. If Sitka had invaded his mind, Hiei would obviously notice.

'I have a good nose, Alice,' he replied, sincere. 'I can smell thoughts, you know.'

I wasn't really sure how to feel about all of this. Hiei liked me? Liked me, liked me? That was pretty hard to wrap my head around, honestly, but I didn't doubt Sitka. I trusted him to give me whatever information he knew.

"Ugh. Alice! Why don't you take a turn with this guy here?" Kuwabara called to me, picking himself up from the ground. He looked completely wiped out and a little beat up.

"Fuck no. I like being alive, thanks."

Kurama raised his eyebrows thoughtfully. He smiled. "A little hand to hand won't kill you, Alice. I would like to see your capabilities, anyway."

I glanced at Sitka. What are his intentions, exactly? I thought at him.

'He's being forthright. He doesn't want to hurt you or anything. You should go all out though, since he's so much stonger than you.' There was a certain tone to Sitka's voice however, something that said he was unhappy with it. I knew Sitka didn't like Kurama any more than Kurama didn't like him, but I still didn't know what all of this hostility was about.

Grudgingly, I got to my feet, leaving the warm space between Hiei and Sitka, feeling completely self-conscious. "This is stupid," I muttered.

Kurama cracked a smile. "I don't expect you to fight me, Alice. Just hit me as hard as you can."

I gave him an uncertain look. "With my fist?"

He nodded.

"Where?" I asked, still feeling awkward. Why was it so much harder for me to think about hitting him than it was for those girls that cornered Kitajima?

He pointed to his stomach. "Knock the breath right out of me. I want to test your strength."

I looked at him with exasperation. "You already know that I'm not -"

Kurama pushed me. Not hard enough to knock me down or anything, but just enough to surprise and irritate me and take a step back to catch myself.

"What was that for?" I snapped.

"Do I have to make you angry, Alice?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Hit me."

For the record, I hate being manipulated, so I turned around to go back where I was sitting, wondering if I should just leave. However, a rock sailed past me and clipped Sitka on the shoulder. He jumped and gave a yelp of surprise, and I stopped short.

"Did you just throw a rock at my dog, Kurama?" I asked without turning around.

"Yes, I believe I did," he replied.

I didn't even turn before my viridian coils snapped around him. Kurama, having never been on the receiving end of my attack, was probably experiencing a really big fucking shock. I turned as he gave a pained yell and fell to the clearing's floor, and still feeling completely enraged, I squeezed the coils tighter. I could see the wheels turning in his head, trying to analyze and figure out ways to get out of his current predicament, but I released him before he could come to any conclusions.

I looked up and saw Hiei beside me, hand outstretched like he had been about to grab me or smack me, I wasn't sure which. His arm dropped to his side as he looked Kurama over. "You didn't intend to really hurt him," he remarked. "You held onto me longer."

I watched Kurama pull himself up and get to his feet. "You surprised me, Alice. I didn't expect you to do that to me." He sounded out of breath, and his body was trembling.

"You deserved it," I said coldly. "And another thing -" I pulled my right arm back and drove my fist into his stomach. He at least had the grace to wince, and I spun on my heel and crouched down next to Sitka.

"Does it hurt?" I asked.

'It's bruised,' he replied. 'He could have really hurt me if he wanted to.' Sitka's brown eyes were dark and he looked as if he were on the verge of growling. "He's dangerous, Alice.'

I smoothed the fur around his neck as Kuwabara crouched next to us. "Is he all right?"

"Bruised," I replied, scratching Sitka's ear like he liked.

Kuwabara looked a bit torn. "It makes me angry that he did that, but he did have a reason."

"He went too far," I snapped. "I won't forgive him."

Kuwabara sighed and looked up at Kurama, pointedly. "I think I'll go home for today. Let's meet up again tomorrow."

"That's fine, Kuwabara. See you tomorrow," Kurama said from behind me.

Kuwabara waved and disappeared behind the trees.

I got to my feet, planning to leave too, but I felt Hiei's hot hand land on the back of my neck. "Stay," he said, and then he disappeared, leaving me, Kurama, and Sitka alone in the clearing.

Sitka growled, hackles rising.

I looked up, wondering what Kurama could possibly want. An apology? I'd tell him to suck it. You don't throw a rock at my dog and then expect me to sit through an apology - I don't care if he was just trying to test my capabilities or whatever.

"Your power," he said finally, "is a bit like being electrocuted and suffocated at the same time." There was a flicker of something in his voice. It almost sounded like anger, but it wasn't sharp enough. "I really thought for a split second that you were seriously attempting to kill me." He grimaced. "You were right. I went too far. I underestimated your anger and your love for that …dog."

"Why would you even do something like that?" I demanded bitterly. "It's not like Sitka can defend himself! You know how I feel about cruelty to animals, Kurama. Especially my dog."

His frowned. "I assure you Alice, he could have dodged the rock if he wanted to. For whatever reason, he stayed where he was."

I got to my feet, feeling electricity crackle around me, fighting the urge to swing at him. "You know something, Kurama? I trust my dog more than I trust you."

His green eyes widened. "What are you saying, Alice?"

I clenched my jaw and turned away to start heading through the trees. Sitka followed me, but Kurama caught my wrist and yanked me to face him before I got too far. He had a strange expression of utter shock and disbelief on his angular face.

"What are you saying?" he asked again.

I could feel my blue eyes flash with anger. "I'm saying I'm tired of playing games with you. I'm tired of you." His eyes were still wide, but I could see him thinking, see him going over everything, everything he'd said and done to me in the last seven years.

He grimaced. "Alice, I know you're angry right now, but know that I am sincerely sorr -"

I slapped him. It was quick and sharp, and it wasn't very forceful, but it sure as hell shut him up.

"I don't want to hear that you're sorry," I said coldly. "Sorry, no matter how many times you say it, won't make up for Kitajima, or the kiss, or throwing a fucking rock at my dog. You know, you had it right when you said that you were a horrible person. You're not a good man. You're cruel and manipulative, and I wish I had realized it sooner, instead of dwelling on you like some stupid, lovesick teenaged - what are you doing?"

Kurama, who had been looking steadily helpless with every word that came out of my mouth, seemed to finally come to some sort of realization or epiphany and pulled me against him. He wrapped his arms tightly around me, pressing my face into his collarbone, letting his warm body-heat seep through his clothes and to my face.

"Let me go!" I demanded, squirming in his grasp. I heard Sitka give a deep growl behind me.

Kurama ignored both of us. "Alice, over the years, I've realized there are two ways to diffuse your anger. Once is to give you approximately three months worth of space, and the other is hold you and let you cry. I don't really care to spend several months avoiding you, and I know right now, more than anything in the world, all you want to do is cry."

"No," I retorted, wriggling harder. "What I want to do is punch every inch of you."

His arms wouldn't give through. He was just so much stronger than me - it so was infuriating! He sighed. "You have to let yourself cry, Alice."

"I. Don't. Have. To. Cry."

He sighed again and I felt his upper hand rub the back of my shoulder. "I'll wait," he said patiently.

I gave a small scream of frustration into his shirt as he rocked me side to side. He just didn't get it, did he? Did he think that he was going to get off that easily? Did he think that I was some sort of all-forgiving saint? Like I would forget about the way he treated me, about the way he led me on, and everything would just be fine. Bullshit. He didn't get to do that to me and expect me to be okay. I wasn't okay. I really, really wasn't. I hadn't been okay for ages.

So where did that leave me? What did I have to do to be happy again? Run until I passed out? And then run some more?

"What should I do?" I found myself murmuring, with a hitch in my voice. My ribcage shuddered with a shaky breath. Oh God, I was really doing it. I was really about to cry. I tried to clamp my mouth shut, because I really didn't want to cry, I really, really didn't. But sometimes you don't get a say in what happens with your tear ducts. Sometimes you don't get a say when someone just craps on you and pretends that you're furniture. You don't get a say when someone stronger and smarter than you uses you and toys with your emotions. You don't get a say when they make you cry in their rumpled shirt.

"I hate you," I hissed through my tears. "You're the worst." But I didn't really mean that. I didn't. He was just awful and mean and making me cry.

Kurama tensed and dropped his cheek on top of my head as I grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and sobbed some more. "I know," he said. And then I cried harder because he thought I meant it, and I hated hurting him. "I'm sorry, Alice. I know you aren't the type that forgives and forgets easily, and I foolishly overlooked that. I thought that you would get over it in time, but it seems like everything's just built up inside of you like a bomb waiting to go off." He sighed, rubbing my back. "I should have addressed this sooner. I know that you're angry about a lot of things. You have a right to be upset."

Did he even know what I was mad about?

"And I'm certain you're also angry about this upcoming procedure…"

Do what you what with my life, Kurama. It's not like I have a say or anything. I leaned against him, feeling defeated, sniffling. I knew he would do whatever the hell he wanted to, and ignore any of my wishes. He was merciless. He would give me nothing I wanted.

"I just…I just want to save you, Alice," he said, a difficult tone entering his voice. "Can you understand that?"

I had a shaky inhale. "I never wanted to be the damsel in distress, so take a hike, would you?" I gripped him tighter though, almost afraid that he would let me go. "Take your saving-people-thing and shove it."

I didn't want him to save me. I wanted him to love me.

He didn't say anything, but responded by holding me tighter. "I'm sorry," he murmured after awhile. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

I cried harder, but I never felt any better.

The Dark Tournament came up pretty quickly. Kurama gave Shiori the excuse that we were going away for a strict studying camp activity for a week, organized by the school. She believed us and made sure we remembered to take all of our textbooks and notes with us. I had thought about bringing Sitka too, but I wasn't sure about leaving Shiori alone without any sort of protection. Not that Sitka could really do much but growl and bite and look big and mean, but at least it would be something. Kurama agreed and so he stayed.

After that, the guys went their separate ways to go to the boat that would take them to Hanging Neck Island. I took the ferry, which was a lot of fun. I had never been on one before. It was night, so I couldn't see much outside, but I leaned over the rail even though it was about thirty degrees outside and watched the water churn below. I love the ocean. Give me a beach or a body of water anywhere, anytime, and I'm in love.

"Nice, isn't it?"

I looked up, turning my head to look over my shoulder at the guy that had spoken. He was probably sixteen or so, with dyed orangish/black hair. He gave me an easy smile, which somehow meshed really well with his Americanized looks. He pulled his dark coat tighter around him and glanced down at the water.

I straightened up. "Yeah. I love the sea. I bet you could see dolphins here in the day," I said, returning his smile.

"Mm, I don't think you'd see many this time of year, actually. They're probably hanging around the south where it's warmer," he said lightly, correcting me. He probably could tell by my swift expression of dismay that I like to be right - all the time. He looked me over in the electric ferry lights. "Are you American? You speak Japanese pretty well for one."

"Actually, I'm a Japanese citizen," I replied. Then I said politely, since it's what you do in Japan: "My Japanese isn't that great." Even though it was impeccable. But whatever.

"Ah," he said, still curious. He smiled. "Sorry, I just saw you from inside and I thought you looked interesting."

For the record, this happens to me a lot. Typically, I'm the only person of European descent within a twenty-mile radius of wherever I am. I get looks. People talk to me. I'm cool with it though, because I like to use it as a chance show the Japanese that foreigners can embody that lady-like spirit that seemed so prevalent in the culture. I usually surprise people.

"I'm Minamino Alice," I said, giving the guy a slight bow.

He blinked and bowed back. "Sakurai Naoto." He leaned on the rail next to me, watching the water churn against the ferry. "Have you ever lived anywhere else?" he asked curiously.

"I don't remember much of my childhood," I replied lightly. "My parents died in a car accident when I was eight."

He stiffened. "Sorry. To make you remember something painful like that when I've just met you…please forgive me." He bowed and looked like he was about to leave, but I stopped him.

"Don't worry about it, Sakurai-kun. I'm not offended." I offered him a smile. "It's not like you knew or anything. Anyway, it's nice to have someone to talk to out here. Everyone is so clever and staying inside where it's warm, but I've never been on a ferry before…" I trailed off, letting him accept the change of subject.

He gave a relieved little laugh. "Yes, we're kind of idiots aren't we? Actually, I take the ferry quite a bit, since my dad lives across a bay. I live with my mom most of the time, so I try to see him when I can. In the summer you really do see pods of dolphins - around there anyway."

"They're nice," I murmured. "Are you going to the Dark Tournament?" I sort of guessed that everyone on the ferry was, since I was certain that it was the reason Hanging Neck Island even existed.

He nodded. "My dad is one of the organizers." He looked uncertain. "So then you know what to expect, right? You know…er…everything?"

"Yep. My adoptive brother and several of our friends are on one of the teams." I gave him a sideways look. "Demons exist, right?" It wasn't a question, but more like code.

He nodded slowly, looking me over again, expression unsure. "I'm not really psychic or anything, but just to make sure, you're human, right? If you are then…you're tied to that team. The invited one."

"Right," I replied, watching his face. He seemed sad.

"I've heard…that bad things usually happen to the invited teams. So I hope everything goes well for them." He looked a little sheepish. "It would be sad to see you cry." He gave a nervous laugh. "Sorry, I said something corny."

I gave a small chuckle of my own. "Hearing something like that when you first meet someone is really nice. Different, but nice. Thank you." I smiled at him. It was clear that he was nervous around me, but the fact that he was making an effort said a lot about him. "So are you a high school student?"

He nodded. "I'm a first year at Sato School for the Arts. I'm going into my second year soon."

"Oh, really? Sato is on my list of choices," I said cheerfully. "I'm leaving Meiou this March."

Sakurai blinked at me. "You mean Meiou Junior High? That elite, private school in Asaka?"

I nodded.

"So you're probably really smart then," he commented.

I pulled on my polite face and gave a little titter. "Oh no, I'm not that smart," I said, smiling.

He looked at me closely. "That's an I'm-a-genius smile. You're completely brilliant, aren't you? Anyone who goes to that school is incredibly bright, since they have a zero-tolerance policy for poor grades. I knew one of the guys that got kicked out of there for slacking off." He smiled. "You don't have to be polite."

I tipped my head to the side. "No, it's more like I'm a good student with above-average intelligence. And I've only recently become a good student in the last four years. I'm not a genius or anything." I shifted my weight. "Tell me about Sato. Do you like it?"

He nodded. "It's a great school if you're interested in acting. We have a modeling division too, but I don't think you're tall enough," he said with a laugh. "I'm in the acting division, actually. But there are other things like painting, music, and dance. Also, if you get a gig, they're really lenient about you coming and going as you please. They've also got a really good academic program, so you don't have to worry about it being beneath other high schools in the area."

"I've been in a couple of plays before," I said, thinking back to my last life. I was in UIL One Act Play in high school, so I already knew a bit about acting - or what goes on in a theatre anyway. "They were a lot of fun."

"Yeah, and you could probably do a lot of television ads. You're really cute, so I think you'd have a good chance," he said, grinning. And then he blushed. "Oh, sorry, I said something weird again."

I laughed at him. "You're funny, Sakurai-kun."

He pulled out his cell phone. "Let's exchange email addresses. Is it all right if I call you Alice?" he asked brightly.

I nodded, feeling happy for making a new friend. "That's fine. So I can call you Naoto then?" I asked, pulling out my own cell phone and activating the program that put our contact information in each other's phones. There was a bing to let me know that I got the information.

"Yep," he replied, closing his phone. He looked up, past me. "I think we're about to be there," he said squinting in the distance. "Are you going to the ball tonight?"

I blinked. "They're having a ball?"

Naoto nodded. "Yeah, for the committee members and organizers and all of the corporate yakuza involved. I think a couple of the teams that are fighting are invited, but I don't know which ones. I imagine that the human team was invited."

Kurama hadn't mentioned it if they were. I shrugged. "I don't know."

"You could come as my guest," he offered kindly.

I smiled brightly. "Well, I didn't exactly bring an evening gown or anything." Going did sound fun, but it wasn't going to happen without the right threads.

He held up a finger. "I already have a solution. My friend Kyoko brought an extra dress with her, and I know she wouldn't mind lending it out. She's really nice, and about your size too."

I gave him a wry smile. "I'm bundled up in a coat, Naoto. How can you possibly tell my size?"

He shrugged. "Kyoko is about the same size when she's wearing her coat."

The ferry suddenly jolted, making me lose my balance. Naoto caught my arm and steadied me before I could fall though. "Oh, we're here," he said brightly. He turned around and looked as the people started filing out of the ferry's cabin. "Kyoko!" he called, waving.

A small girl long dark hair came from the crowd and stopped in front of us. She gave off an aura of a haughty lady, as she glanced at Naoto. When she looked at me though, her expression became somewhat curious. "What, Naoto?" she asked.

"Do you think this girl could borrow your extra dress for tonight?" he asked, glancing between us. He had been right. Kyoko and I were about the same size.

I smiled and bowed politely. "Sorry for asking, but I'll take good care of it if you allow it."

Kyoko suddenly grabbed my face, turning it this way and that. Her fingers raked through my hair holding it up to the electric ferry lights to see the blonde strands better. After that she unbuttoned my coat and wrapped her hands around my waist. I blinked at her, in total shock, as she pulled away thoughtfully. "The red one," she muttered to herself. "Yes, you'll fit." She nodded.

Naoto smiled. "Kyoko also goes to Sato. She's interested in fashion design."

"Oh," I said, still feeling surprised.

"Let's head up to the hotel," Naoto said cheerfully. He grabbed his suitcase on rollers that I hadn't noticed beside him and looked at me expectantly. Kyoko also had some similar luggage, and then I realize we all practically the same bag.

I laughed a bit as I pulled up the handle on my own bag and followed Naoto and Kyoko off the ferry. I almost lost them in the crush of people, but Naoto's dyed hair stood out, even in the night. I looked around, wondering if Kurama's boat had docked yet, but I didn't see another boat around yet, so I supposed not.

We made it up the path to the hotel surprisingly fast, considering all the people. Luckily, the hotel clerks seemed very adept at their jobs and the line to get my room didn't take very long. I didn't really get a chance to look around the lobby, since Naoto kept up a constant chatter and Kyoko kept toying with my hair (neither of which I really minded). I did notice that I wasn't the only foreigner around, however. They seemed to make up about a third of the crowded lobby.

At last the clerks got to us and passed us our keys, and sent us on our way. I had already reserved and paid for my room over the phone, and apparently Naoto and Kyoko had also done the same thing.

"Kyoko-san," I began as we got into one of the gold-plated elevators. "Are one of your parents a committee member or organizer like Naoto's too?"

She nodded, but didn't say anything else. I decided not to pry, realizing that Kyoko seemed to be a private and quiet person, and if anything Naoto was her mouthpiece. "You may use the dress," she said finally. "You are suitable for it."

"Erm…thank you?" I said uncertainly.

"Kyoko made the dress, so as an artist, it's important to her that you're right for it," Naoto explained. "Please excuse her eccentricities."

I smiled. "Not at all! If Kyoko-san thinks that I will be tolerable for her piece then it's a very high compliment," I said, as the doors to the elevator opened. "Um, I'm in room 522. What time is the ball?"

Naoto looked at his watch. "In an hour. See you there!" he called as the doors closed on him and Kyoko.

I laughed a bit and turned down the hall, looking for my room.

Kyoko's dress fit perfectly. She was clearly, amazingly gifted. It was a bold red - the same color as a maraschino cherry, and strapless, with a gorgeous ruffle running vertically from the bust line to the hem that swept the floor. It hugged my waist and then carefully flared out a bit from my hips, draping elegantly down.

We admired the dress on me in the mirror for a bit, and then Kyoko attacked my hair. She was actually very gentle, but she was so quick and jerky around me that someone watching might consider it violent. After a moment, she pulled away and I saw that she had tied my hair in a low, side semi-updo, letting my hair drape over my left shoulder in a mass of blonde curls. After that I dug through my makeup and put on red lipstick, blush, and mascara.

Kyoko nodded in approval. She picked up her clutch that would match her chic, one strapped, deep blue dress, and turned toward the door expectantly. I slipped on a pair of black heels I brought with me, eyeing her. Her black hair was pulled into a complicated updo that must have taken her ages to accomplish, but I noticed that the dark blue in her dress brought out the subtle blue highlights in her hair.

We left the room and got into the elevator and rode it down to the hotel's lobby. Kyoko seemed to know where to go so I followed her, adjusting the bracelet on my wrist.

"Alice?"

I stopped and saw the boys enter the lobby. Kuwabara was holding an unconscious Yusuke up, while Kurama looked at me curiously. Hiei and the short, covered fighter (who I remembered was Genkai) stood beside them.

"Oh! Hey, you finally arrived," I said, crossing the floor to meet them. Kyoko followed me curiously. "I actually got here about an hour ago," I continued. I frowned. "Why is Yusuke sleeping?"

Kuwabara looked grim. "Genkai's training."

"What are you doing?" Kurama asked, eyeing the dress.

"I'm going to a ball with Kyoko and Naoto," I replied, indicating to the girl standing quietly beside me. "I met them on the ferry."

Kurama was still looking at my dress. "Oh?"

I smoothed the bodice. "Kyoko made this. She's really talented. You know the Sato Art Academy that's on my list? Both of them go there, so I'm learning more about it too." I smiled.

"Kyoko! Alice!"

We turned and saw Naoto approaching us, wearing a tuxedo, which he looked very strange in. "Oh, Alice, is this the invited team?" he asked brightly. "Excellent. It's nice to meet you all," he said giving a slight bow.

No one returned it, which I thought was rude.

"This is Naoto," I said pointedly.

Kurama frowned at me. "May I speak with you a moment, Alice?"

"Excuse me," I said to Kyoko and Naoto, who both seemed a bit uncertain.

Kurama led me out of earshot of anyone, looking grim. "This is not a good idea, Alice."

"Oh?" My tone carried a hint of irritation.

"Hiei's been telegraphing the thoughts of the surrounding humans in here to me, and it clearly isn't safe for you. Your new friends seem very nice though, but they can't protect you here. If the humans at this gathering discover that you're connected to us, it will be very bad for you. Do you understand what I'm saying, Alice?" Kurama said. "It's too dangerous."

I sighed. "But I'm so pretty. Just look at this dress! This beautiful dress!"

Kurama's mouth was hard. "I understand you're joking right now, but I am completely serious. I will take you back to your room." He stiffened and glanced over his shoulder to Hiei, who must have sent him a rather disturbing thought. "Say goodbye to your friends and stay away from them for the rest of the time you're here. They're not safe either, apparently."

"What?" I demanded. "They're fine! I haven't gotten a bad vibe from them all night."

"Their parents are not good people, Alice. And Naoto…" he stopped, a mildly revolted look on his face.

I blinked. "What about him?"

"He would very much like to know what you look like without your dress on," he said with ice in his green eyes.

Oh God. I felt my face pull into a grimace. "Really? I didn't want to know that. I really didn't." I mean, Naoto is a teenage boy with urges, but I would rather not think about it.

Kurama's hand circled my arm as he led me back toward the elevators. "I will return momentarily. Say your goodbyes, Alice."

"Sorry, I can't stay," I said to Naoto and Kyoko, trying to focus more on Kyoko, who probably wasn't thinking about me naked. "Something important has come up. Kyoko, I'll send this for dry cleaning and leave it at the front desk for you. Thank you both for everything," I said with a bow.

"Not at all," Naoto said, clearly wondering what was going on. Kyoko nodded to me, eyeing Kurama's hand around my arm.

I gave one final smile and then Kurama led me away. When we got into the elevator, he dropped his hand from my arm. "Which floor?" he asked, hand hovering over the buttons.

"Five," I replied, rubbing my arm. I think he had held me tighter than he meant to.

The doors closed and he turned to me, seeing my hand over where his was a moment ago. "Sorry, Alice. Did I hurt you?"

"Not really," I said, taking my hand away and letting it fall to my side.

His eyes lingered on my arm and then turned up to my face. "You're angry with me."

I sighed. "I'm not. It's just…I'm completely gorgeous right now and there isn't anyone to appreciate it. No jealous girls, no cute guys wondering who I am - it's really annoying! I mean, look at me!" I growled, my frustrated vanity making claws out of my hands. "How many times do I get to dress up like this?"

Kurama's face was turned away and he was holding himself, body trembling like he was trying very hard not to laugh. After a moment, he composed himself, turning to face me and met my scowl. His mouth twitched in amusement, but he managed to keep his laughter in.

"Is that really what's bothering you?" he asked.

My scowl deepened and I looked away from him, folding my arms in front of me. "Well, I don't expect you to understand. You're a guy after all."

"Yes," he said, his voice taking on an almost sensual tone that made me look up at him in surprise. "I am a guy, Alice. A guy with a very striking beauty in front of me."

I could feel my face freeze in shock for a moment, before I mentally shook myself. I knew that Kurama didn't mean anything by it, since it was him. "You're obligated to say that," I muttered, as the elevator doors opened with a ding.

"Not really," he said lightly, following me off the elevator.

Inwardly, I squashed any hopeful thought that soared up into a steel padlocked box in my stomach. I had to remind myself that Kurama didn't like me, and I felt my jaw clench with the effort to not feel hopeful. I had to become hard. Hard and icy - like a Stephanie Meyer vampire.

I tried not to throw up.

We stopped in front of my door and I pulled out the room key from the red clutch Kyoko lent to me. Sliding the card into the slot, I forced the door open before it could lock on me again, and turned to look back at Kurama.

"Um, see you tomorrow then," I said.

"Mmhm," he nodded, green eyes never leaving my face. His reached up and pushed some hair out of my face and I instinctively jerked away from him with wide eyes.

"Don't touch me so casually," I snapped, pushing myself into the room and out of his reach. My heart was racing as I felt myself flush. Icy and hard, I told myself, steeling myself and scattering the butterflies in my stomach. I should hate him. All he's ever done is break my heart.

His hand curled and dropped by his side. The almost sad look in his green eyes made all of my efforts to hate him sputter and halt. He forced a smile. "You're right, Alice. I apologize."

"Well," I muttered, turning back to my room, avoiding his eyes. "See you tomorrow, then."

His hand stopped the door as I closed it. I could feel the massive strength he had in that one wiry arm before he took it away from the door. "I'll wake you for breakfast," he said, tone casual. "Don't stay up too late."

"Got it."

"And Alice?"

"What?"

He smiled. "You really do look beautiful tonight."

I slammed the door in his face.

True to his word, Kurama woke me up the next morning, knocking on the door for about five minutes before I opened it and slammed it in his face again. After realizing it wasn't some terrible dream, I opened the door again to find him still standing there.

"Awake, are you?" he asked, green eyes roving over my rumpled appearance. He pressed his mouth in a line, clearly trying not to laugh at me as his eyes fell on my bedhead.

"What time is it?" I asked, squinting up at him. The lights in the hall behind him were a sharp contrast to my dark room.

"It's six-thirty," he replied, coming into the room as I moved aside. He crossed and flung open the curtains as I closed the door behind him, letting in the beginning of a sunrise. He was so awake. I wanted to kill him.

"I need to get dressed," I said pointedly, planning to return to huddling underneath my covers as soon as he left, biting back my irritation. I was on vacation.

He gave me a slow smile. "You can get dressed in the bathroom, Alice. I'll wait."

I shot him a glare and unzipped my suitcase, pulling out a pair of dark-washed skinny jeans and an off-the-shoulder striped blouse. With a huff, I disappeared into the bathroom to change. I was glad that I took a bath last night, so I didn't have to worry about taking one now. I pulled my brush through my hair while I was in there, parting it to the side, and pulling one side back with a bobby pin.

Kurama was still waiting for me when I came out of the bathroom, holding something in his hand. He smiled at me. "May I have your wrist, Alice?"

I warily held my arm out to him, wondering what he wanted. I finally saw that he had a bracelet in his hands. It was a pretty, yellow-gold, with stone red rose blossoms running along the chain. It was also giving off a very strong demonic aura, and that made me retract my wrist almost immediately. "What is that?" I asked, cringing.

"It is a sign to other demons that you have my protection," he said simply. "I feel that you may need it if you're in a crowd."

I shook my head. "I don't need it." Honestly, giving me a creepy bracelet as a sign of protection? No thanks. My proximity to it was making me nauseous.

"I beg to differ," he said, steel entering his polite tone. "It's very possible that if you get into an altercation with several demons, you could be easily overwhelmed. I would prefer to avoid that altercation entirely. Now, your wrist, please."

I grimaced, holding my arm out to him, knowing that he was right. "What if I lose it?" I could totally lose it! Yes!

"You can't," he replied, closing the clasp around my wrist and killing my dreams. "I'm the only one that can take it off. Also, it cannot slide off your hand, since it makes itself smaller. Now how does that feel?" he asked, turning the bracelet so the clasp rested against the inside of my wrist.

The demonic energy, while I knew it was Kurama's, was a thicker, more concentrated sort. It made me very uncomfortable, especially so close to my radial artery, and I found myself holding my arm away from my body. "I don't like it. Please take it off."

Kurama frowned at me. "It won't hurt you, Alice. It is merely a bracelet with my energy in it. And of course you know that I would never hurt you," he said, touching the bracelet against my skin.

I sighed, defeated, keeping my eyes on his hand touching my wrist.

"Let's go down to breakfast, shall we?" he said, taking his hand away and smoothly shoving it into his pocket. He seemed to realize he was touching me too much.

I nodded and slipped on my red ankle boots, swinging open the door to let us both out. We made our way to the elevator and rode to the lobby in silence. When the doors opened, he led me to the dining room where there was a breakfast buffet and the others waiting for us. After grabbing half of a grapefruit, I dropped down in the chair next to Kuwabara, while Kurama sat down on the other side of me, apparently not all that hungry.

"You should eat something," I told him.

"I don't have much of an appetite at the moment."

I shrugged and turned to Kuwabara who was eyeing my grapefruit like he'd heard it speak Latin. "I've never seen anyone eat one of those for breakfast before. Except on TV. Why don't you have an egg? Or cereal?"

"I don't eat eggs. They belong to chickens," I said, trying to keep any harshness out of my tone. "I like fruit for breakfast because there's a lot of sugar in it. Keeps me peppy." I gave him a dry smile.

He blinked. "No eggs?"

Hiei's red eyes snapped at Kuwabara. "That's what she just said, fool. Instead of repeating everything like a ridiculous macaw, why don't you try listening?"

I sighed, wondering why Hiei was so irritable. His stoplight eyes focused on me immediately following that thought, and I carefully turned my gaze down to my grapefruit, wondering what a girl had to do to get some sugar in this joint.

"I heard what she said, you stupid shrimp! I just wanted to know why," Kuwabara retorted.

"I am of the notion," I said loudly, intending to break up the bickering, "that whatever animals produce belongs to them alone. Taking what is theirs is as good as stealing candy from a baby, or in some cases, like cows and calves, is actually stealing food from said baby and committing that baby to death for the veal industry or a life of torment and rape for the dairy industry."

Kuwabara frowned thoughtfully. "Oh."

Hiei pushed the sugar to me, and I avoided his gaze as I sprinkled sugar over my grapefruit.

"So, is that true?" Kuwabara asked, eyeing my pink cheeks. "About the babies?"

I nodded. "Cows don't just magically produce milk you know. They have to be pregnant like any other mammal, and on a farm they are artificially inseminated, pumped full of hormones so that they produce ten times the milk they're meant to, and then have to give birth - like a lot, way more often than they would naturally. Sometimes the calf is allowed to suckle for a day or so, but most of the time they're taken away from their mothers within a couple of hours. Then if the calf is a male, he'll be tied down by his neck so that he can't move around and gain muscle, while being fed a protein-deficient watery substance for a few months. Then he'll be slaughtered for his baby meat. If the calf is a female, she'll face the same fate as her mother and will probably die after about four to seven years of life. Cows can live up to fifteen years, normally, you know. It's pretty sad."

"That reminds me, Alice," Kurama said. "What is the Animal Liberation Front?"

I dug out a section of my grapefruit. "It's a grassroots organization dedicated to freeing animals held in captivity. Of course, there are rules, such as if you free a dangerous animal, like a lion for instance, you must take him to a sanctuary, or far out in the wilderness. You also can't cause harm to another person in the process of freeing the animals, but you are free to cause as much property damage as you want, to prevent the owners from being able to hold onto any more animals, so long as no one gets hurt. I had a tattoo you know."

"I remembered," Kurama said, smiling.

"A tattoo?" Kuwabara demanded. "What are you doing with a tattoo? You're a girl! A young one!"

I glanced at him, realizing my mistake. "I'm not that young. I don't want to get into that right now though. Anyway, I don't have it anymore."

He blinked at me. "Wha?"

"What did you do for that tattoo, Alice?" Kurama asked, changing the subject.

"Freed some animals on a fur farm. Do you realize there are literally no regulations on keeping animals for fur? They kill these creatures by electrocution, you know," I said angrily. "Not that anyone should be keeping these wild animals in the first place, but they cram them in tiny cages where they go bonkers, and sometimes they aren't even dead when they're skinned, because the setting on the electric probes are set too low. I saw this really horrible film about this fox in China, and I'm telling you, people are fucking sick."

Kuwabara set his fork down. "I'm full now."

"Alice! How nice it is to see you again!"

I looked up from my spot at the table to see Botan approaching me with a cheery smile. Kurama got out of his seat to offer it to her, but she waved him down. "The girls and I will eat in awhile, so don't worry about getting up. Atsuko is still asleep at the moment." Her eyes fell on a snoring Yusuke. "I suppose the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"Who's all here, Botan?" I asked, feeling my anger smooth over and digging out another section of grapefruit with a sharp spoon.

"Hmm, let's see, Yusuke's mother - Atsuko, Keiko, Shizuru, and me. I believe Koenma-sama will be along later, before the first round." She smiled at me. "How are you holding up? Nervous at all? Worried?"

I knew she was trying to be kind, so I returned her smile. "I'm all right. Although, I'm not really the one you should be concerned about."

Her bubblegum eyes fell on my new bracelet. "Hmm, perhaps you're right." She didn't say anything about it though. "Would you like to leave with us? That way all of us girls can sit together?"

I nodded. "That sounds fine. Should I come back with you?"

"If you're finished eating," she said lightly.

I nodded and set my spoon on my plate and got to my feet, looking at Kuwabara, Yusuke, Hiei, Genkai, Kurama. The next time I would see them would be when they were in the arena. I frowned as the realization hit me. Kurama seemed to read the worry in my face and touched my arm, with a gentle smile.

"We'll be fine," he said lightly. "We'll see you later."

I glanced at Hiei and saw his gaze fall on the bracelet. His brow furrowed ever so slightly, and I turned to look back at Kurama and nodded.

Botan took my arm and tugged me away, leading me back toward the elevators. She chattered happily, but I wasn't really paying attention.

I was thinking about Hiei.

Ah! Feels good to update. I must say, this chapter was a struggle to write. It's kind of a filler, but I think it's also kinda...crackish?

Sorry for the overload of factory-farm truth and such. It's not a pleasant subject, and Alice really shouldn't have been talking about it at the breakfast table. Not that she really wanted to, I guess, but Kuwabara was nosy and so she ended up going into a rant.

I want to thank EVERYONE that reviewed my last chapter! My beautiful, sparkly unicorn readers! You give me so much love!

Thanks to: Neon Knightly, Frieda, kenshinlover13, Kushiel's Fallen, Anon (you leave me the loveliest reviews), Animelover1754, darknessjewel, ovenfreshh, My Life In Whole, KuramaMustangElric, middlekertz, Obvious Pseudonym, Moldy Strawberry, JazyXIII, BlackBulletButterfly, Yaay, and Nevvy.

Please leave me a review (with love) this time too! :3