Alice Alive

By, KKYOKO

Chapter Nineteen: Somebody That I Used To Know

But you didn't have to cut me off,

Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing,

And I don't even need your love,

But you treat me like a stranger,

And that feels so rough

(Does anyone else think that Gotye and John Burgmeier sound similar?)

Kurama keeps a firm grip on my arm and pulls me down the stairs to the others. Botan raises her eyebrows in surprise and Atsuko frowns at his hand. Yusuke's mom gives Kurama a pointed look, but doesn't say anything.

Genkai has arrived on the staircase as well, but Hiei seems to have disappeared. I give her an excited grin. "Genkai, your fight totally made my day."

She gives a sharp throaty "hah!" of amusement and turns to Kurama. "I have things to do. You're going to stay and watch Team Toguro fight?"

He blinks. "Of course. That was my plan anyway." He glances at me. "Are you staying, Alice?"

"Mmm…" I say uncertainly. His hand drops from my wrist as he waits for me to make my decision. I kind of want to stay, because I know Kurama is going to be watching Karasu, but I sort of don't want to stay because I'm positive that this match is going to be exceedingly violent. I guess I can hide my eyes if it gets too bad.

"I guess so," I finally tell him. "I'll stay with you."

"Well, let's head out then, shall we, girls?" Botan says cheerfully. I catch her eye, and I can see for a moment that she's still uncertain about leaving me alone with Kurama, but she's happy if I'm okay with it. Her blue ponytail bounces as she looks at Yukina and Atsuko.

Jin gives Kurama an unreadable look and then turns to the girls. "I'll go out with ya. I wonder if Urameshi has woken up yet?"

Atsuko snorts as she follows Botan up the steps. "Not likely."

Yukina glances at me, frowns, and looks away. She's annoyed because I lied to her, and she doesn't know where Shizuru is. I guess she's worried. I decide not to say anything about it now though, since I don't want Kurama to remember that I had plans with Sakyo. I just give her a reassuring smile and watch her follow Jin.

Genkai is last and gives us a lingering look. She makes a sound of amusement and shakes her head, following Yukina.

I blink. "I'm confused." Of course, she can be laughing at mine and Kurama's dismal relationship. It wouldn't surprise me. It's so sad it's funny.

Kurama shrugs. "Let's stand up here, shall we?" he suggests, pointing up at the platform. There really isn't anywhere to sit, since so many people have come just to watch Team Toguro.

I nod and follow him, listening to the crowd become more and more restless. The word on everyone's tongue is Toguro, tinged with fear and excitement, and it isn't much longer until a chant begins. It's starts slow, but then it erupts - TO-GU-RO TO-GU-RO TO-GU-RO explodes from the stands.

Kurama and I stop, coming to the landing, and stand behind the column of roused demons.

Juri tosses her hand in the air and twirls. "And here they are! Team Toguro!"

There is already a team down by the ring, but I don't know their name. I don't recall seeing them before. Team Toguro comes in from a door on the opposite side, standing at the edge of the ring. The youngest Toguro is missing, leaving the elder brother, Karasu, and Bui.

I frown, trying to remember if there was some sort of significance to this.

Karasu ends up going first, against a guy who doesn't even get a chance to display his powers. Karasu toys with him, blowing off both of his arms, and enjoying his screams. My heart clenches and I glance up at Kurama, who's expression is calculating and cool. I feel a sense of dread thinking about his fight with the crow demon.

As Karasu finishes off his opponent, I very pointedly say to Kurama, "It's like he's got invisible bombs or something. Like he conjures them out of thin air."

Kurama's eyebrows go up and his eyes slide over to my face. "Far-fetched, but not impossible, I suppose. I'm more inclined to think that he sends his energy through his opponent, so if one were to avoid his touch, one would be fine."

I purse my lips together, trying to think of a way to get Kurama to seriously consider what I know is true. "Well, there's that, but Karasu is a powerful demon. He has to have some mid to long range capabilities. I can't imagine he got so strong by just being a short-ranged fighter."

Kurama frowns. "I've already thought of that, of course, but unfortunately, after watching all of his fights I still haven't seen him employ any of those tactics. He seems to favor touching his opponent."

"Ugh." At least I've made him think more about it, even though he clearly wasn't going to listen to me.

"Indeed," he agreed, misreading the sentiment.

Bui is next. His opponent is large by human standards, but against Bui, he's a pipsqueak. His energy is weak, and I can see his fear. He has a very large sword that's probably about as long as I am tall, but compared against Bui's ax, it's nothing. Juri or Koto yells his name - Karenja, and announces the beginning of the match.

Kurama's green eyes slide over to my face. "Cover your eyes, Alice. I have the distinct feeling that this is going to be gruesome."

"Ah," I say, looking at my shoes and setting my hands around my forehead so I can't see the arena. "Thanks. I hate throwing up."

He chuckles.

All of the sudden I hear the crowd give a loud "OOH!" and then there are hesitant cheers. I guess Bui must have killed the guy. I wait for Kurama to tell me when it's okay to look again.

"Is it bad?" I ask after a moment.

"You can look now," he replies. "They've cleaned it up."

It, I think to myself, biting my lip. They've cleaned it up. I am completely uncertain at how to take this senseless violence. I don't know what to do. I've spent a majority of my life advocating against violence - against women, children, and animals, but being here just throws it in my face. I wish I had the strength to stay back in Asaka and let things happen here as they will. But I'm not that kind of person. I can't just stay out of the way when the people I care about are in danger.

Kurama seems to sense my mood. His hand settles on top of my head and he murmurs, "Everyone, aside from us, entered this Tournament willingly, knowing that death was a very real possibility. There are no victims here, Alice."

"Right," I say, appreciating the attempt to make me feel better. It helps a little. "I'm going to get tea. Do you want something?"

I can tell from his expression that he's uncertain about letting me go alone, but his eyes glance back at the arena.

"Everyone's watching this," I say.

"True," he agrees, smiling slightly. "No, I don't want anything. Hurry back."

I nod and head toward a hallway that leads to the concessions. I doubt there's anyone working the counter right now, but it doesn't matter to me. I just wanted to get away from the match.

Silence welcomes me to the concession stands, and there isn't a single person in sight. The TV that should be showing the match isn't on. I give a sigh of relief and glance around the area. There's a vending machine in the corner, but I can't tell what's inside, so I have to move closer.

I wrinkle my nose at the rows of sugary shakes facing out at me. Happily, I see a can of my favorite tea winking at me from the bottom, and dig in my pocket for change. Kurama might think it strange if I don't actually come back with something anyway. I frown at the coins in my hand and glance at the price by the can. I'm short by ten yen.

"Really?" I ask myself. I dig in my other pocket and my jacket, but come up empty-handed. But then, I glance at the ground about five feet away from me, and see a shiny bronze coin on the floor. I snatch it up, glad there isn't anyone around to see me. Your typical polite Japanese person didn't grow up with "finders-keepers", so picking up money you find on the ground is a no-no. It's almost criminal.

I drop my change in the machine and press the button for my tea, and it comes out with a little jingle and a puff of cold air.

Popping the tab, I take a sip and wonder if I should start heading back. Kurama did tell me to hurry. Maybe I can just lurk in the hallway until I'm sure that it's safe to go back out. Agreeing with myself that that's a great plan, I leave the concession stands and go to the end of the hallway and peek around the corner, spotting Kurama's back.

The crowd is moving around, so I assume the last fight must be over. Stepping out into the stands, I tug on Kurama's somewhat ragged tunic and give him a quick smile when he glances down at me.

"Feeling better?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I nod, catching his gaze falling on my tea. Even though he told me he didn't want anything, I offer the can to him. He takes it and drinks after me, watching the crowd move past us. I can see a shadow in his eyes when he returns the tea to me. He's worried.

He quirks a partial smile. "Shall we go then?"

I nod, and we move with the crowd through the corridor that will lead us outdoors. We hug the strange-looking reddish walls, shuffling along, and I try to avoid getting stepped on. Everyone is talking about the fight, Team Toguro, and how they are most definitely going to win the Tournament.

"I want to burn this place down with Team Toguro effigies in the middle of it," I mutter to Kurama.

"Not the actual team?" he responds with a raised eyebrow.

A group of cocky male demons passes us by, and they glance at Kurama. I hear them whispering amongst themselves.

"That's Kurama!" one of them hisses. "He just observed the enemy."

Another one gives a sharp laugh. "What's the point?"

"Go fuck yourself, asshole," I snap, white-hot rage washing over me. I start over to him, but Kurama grabs my arm - and yanks me to a stop.

The group of douchebags cackle and leave the corridor.

"Don't waste your energy, Alice," he murmurs, dropping my arm. Suddenly, he snatches it back up again and jolts me behind him. At the same time, I'm suddenly hit with a headache - like someone just flash-freezed my brain.

Kurama's hand is tight around my arm. I squint through my sudden migraine and feel myself turn pale when I see Karasu and Bui standing in front of us. Kurama lets my arm go and I back away, watching his hands curl into fists.

Bui and Karasu just stand there, like they're waiting for the bus. Judging by the way his eyes crinkle and narrow, Karasu is amused by Kurama's actions.

"You're the only observer?" Karasu asks, ignoring me (thankfully). "You have guts."

"Not really," Kurama replies calmly.

"Don't be nervous," Karasu says silkily. His long black hair dips in his face as he smiles slightly under his mask. "There are two days before the four of you die."

Kurama's voice maintains its steadiness. "Four?" His shoulders are tense.

"One of you will die today," he answers. "You'll find out in a little while."

There is a sound of a small explosion as Bui smashes his hand into the wall I'm standing next to. I give a groan as I clutch my head, feeling it crack open. Loud noises and migraines do not mix well.

I hear Karasu's voice above me, through the reverberation of my pounding waves of pain. I squint again and realize that I dropped my can of tea on the ground at some point. It's a good thing that Kurama drank most of it. I look up and see Karasu's hands hovering around Kurama's neck, touching his hair gently.

"Your hair is damaged," Karasu observes. His voice gains a slightly jovial tone, so subtle that I barely notice it. "You've come for treatment? It shouldn't be neglected." Then, with a hiss of cold air: "Humans are so fragile."

Kurama reacts with a sudden ferociousness that shocks me, swiping at Karasu with his fist. "Bastard!" he snaps, livid green eyes flashing.

Karasu is suddenly next to Bui again, and I feel my eyes spin. I close them, hoping that cutting off my sight will relieve me of some pain. It doesn't.

Karasu laughs. "It was just for fun. Despite your appearance, you are aggressive. Of the five you're my favorite." He pauses. "When I kill the one I like, it depresses me a little, like when I ask myself the reason for my existence." I can't see Karasu's face, but I can sense the pins and needles of unease Kurama is feeling. "But from this sensation, I receive enormous excitement. It will go better in two days."

My headache lessens, and I'm finally able to straighten up and open my eyes.

Bui and Karasu are gone, and Kurama's expression is far away and unreadable, but his face is covered in a sheen of sweat and his hands are clenched into fists. I come away from the wall and touch his arm, and his forest green eyes turn over to me.

"I can't win," he says suddenly. "Not like this."

I feel startled for a second, because he doesn't typically share his thoughts with me, but I gather myself and tug on his hand. "Let's get out of this stadium and get some fresh air."

He nods and allows me to lead him outside. We are hit by a blast of cool air and sharp sunlight, and I tug him over to a wooden bench shaded by an oak tree. The smell of forest pine wafts around us as we sit down, and I turn to look at him, dropping my chin on my shoulder.

He's looking down at his hands in his lap, spine taking a slight slouch, red bangs in his eyes.

"What will you do?" I ask.

He sighs, propping his elbows on his knees and folding his hands. "At what point did you arrive today?"

I blink, wondering what that has to do with anything. "Genkai's fight with the clown guy."

"Suzuka," Kurama supplied. "So you missed my fight."

I wasn't sure if I heard a note of annoyance in his voice or not, so I just nodded.

"My opponent had some sort of smoke that had some regressive effects on my body. He intended to only revert me to a fetus, but I went back even farther than that."

Somewhere in my head, I had a flash of memory about this fight. "You mean…you became your true self again? All the way back to Youko Kurama?"

Kurama nodded. "The one who created that smoke was Suzuka, so if I find him, I can take my true form again - at least during my fight with Karasu."

"That sounds like a very good plan," I say, feeling reassured. "I'll help you get it out of him, if you like."

Kurama opens his mouth to reply, but stops suddenly. My headache comes back, and I know why. There is suddenly a huge demonic energy coming from the forest - it feels like eighty stage lights pointed into my retinas. I squeeze my eyes shut.

"What the hell is that?" I say, holding my head. A smaller energy accompanies the demonic one. It feels human, and for some reason I think of Genkai.

Kurama's hand goes around my arm and he pulls me to my feet. "Can you walk?" he asks avoiding my question swiftly. "It's getting late. I'll take you back to the hotel."

I let him lead me along, squinting to see and rubbing my temples. "Kurama, do you know what that is?"

He doesn't reply, so I stop asking.

After he drops me off at my room, I lay down for a bit to recover from my migraines. It doesn't take too terribly long before my head feels mostly normal again, and whatever that demonic energy was dissipates. I get to my feet, feeling a little hungry, and decide to go down to the hotel's restaurant to get something to eat. I call the girls' room first, wondering if Shizuru has made it back yet.

Botan answers the phone. Her voice seems a bit listless. "Hello?"

"It's Alice," I say, wondering if I should ask what's wrong. "Is Shizuru back yet?"

I hear a sharp intake of breath from her. "No. What is she doing? You wouldn't say anything earlier."

"That's because Kurama was there," I reply. "She's on a date - or should be anyway. Don't tell anyone though, okay? If he hears that, he's going to kill me."

Botan sounds confused. "What? What on earth does Kurama have to do with this? Will he be jealous? I thought you liked him!"

Oops. I guess that this would be confusing. "No, he won't be jealous. He'll just be mad at me because he wants me to avoid the guy I set Shizuru up with, so don't tell, okay?"

"Oh," she says. "So…then do you like Kurama?"

I heave a sigh. "I don't know anymore."

"That's not helpful," Botan pouts. "Oh! What about Hiei?"

I burst into laughter and hang up on her.

I'm leaving the hotel's restaurant, feeling full and satisfied, when I see Shizuru smoking in the lobby. She's on one of the pay phones, and she looks up and sees me. She waves me over with a slight smile.

"No, we're fine. When will you be back from Sapporo? Oh, I see. No, no, it's fine." She inhales on her cigarette, waiting for the other person to finish talking. "Okay. I'll have Kazuma call you tomorrow. He's out right now. 'Bye, Dad. Love you too." She hangs up and turns to me.

I'm dancing on my toes like a puppy. "So? How'd it go?"

She cracks a smile. "He was fun. He took me out to a nice restaurant and we talked for awhile." Her eyes gain a far-away look to them. "He said he liked me, and then he kissed me."

I feel my mouth split into a huge grin. "Was it good?"

She shoves me.

I laugh and swat at her. "Come on, Shizuru, I'm not getting any! Make me swoon!"

She rolls her eyes. "Are the other girls in the restaurant?"

"They're upstairs," I answer. "At least Botan is anyway. I'll go up with you."

We get on the elevator and hit the button for the tenth floor. When the doors ding open, we step out in the hallway and see Kuwabara racing past us, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Urameshi!" he yells. "I, the great awesome Kuwabara, have a new technique!" He doesn't see me and Shizuru, or he ignores us completely. He flings the door to the boys' room open. "You in there?"

Shizuru shakes her head, lighting another cigarette. "I'm going ahead. Do you want to see what he's talking about?"

I crack a smirk. "You know me too well."

She smiles and turns down the hallway to go to the girls' room. There's a sway to her hips as she walks, I notice. Awhile back there was a study of a correlation between the way a woman walks and the frequency of her orgasms. The more frequent and intense her orgasms were, the more sway to her step she had. And by the way Shizuru is moving…well, it's definitely hard to keep from grinning. Must press for details later, I remind myself.

I follow Kuwabara into the boys' room and walk in on Yusuke's huge energy in my face. It's like walking into a sheet of lightning.

"My eyeballs!" I moan, squeezing my eyes shut.

Yusuke turns around and looks at us, sucking his energy back into himself. I'm not really sure what he was doing. "Oh, hey," he says lightly. "What's up?"

"Um, hi," Kuwabara says lamely. He grits his teeth and points at Yusuke. "You surprised me! But everyone has a unique spirit, and now I have a unique spirit sword - my reiken!"

"Huh?" I ask, wondering what he was going on about. Something about Kuwabara is that when he's excited, it's hard for him to make sense.

"You're still the same noisy idiot as always," Hiei's voice says behind me. I turn and see him step into the room. His right arm is reddened and looks burned - sooty even.

"What happened to your arm?" Yusuke and I demand at the same time. Kuwabara cringes and looks nauseous.

Hiei holds his blackened hand up, examining it. "I overdid my practicing a bit."

"A bit?" I say as Kuwabara bursts into laughter.

"Well, if Kurama doesn't get here soon -"

"I've been here," Kurama says, interrupting Kuwabara. "For awhile."

I jump, because I hadn't noticed him either. He had been leaning against the wall behind Kuwabara. Kurama glances at me and raises his eyebrows for some reason.

"Feeling better?" he asks, approaching me.

Oh, my migraine. I nod.

He smiles slightly. "Good. Here, Hiei," he says, reaching past me, and handing him his small pot of healing salve. "Perhaps you'll find it useful."

Hiei takes it without complaint, or gratitude.

"So now we're all here - oh, wait, where's Genkai?" Kuwabara asks, looking around as though she's hiding like Kurama did. I wonder too. I haven't seen her since she left the arena, and then there was that big energy earlier -

It's very, very subtle, but Kurama suddenly freezes in front of me.

Yusuke looks down at the floor, frowning, and scratches the back of his head. "She's not coming back today."

What does that mean? I frown at Yusuke, but he's not looking at me, so I frown at Kurama instead. He carefully avoids my gaze too. Annoyance rising up, I feel like throwing something across the room.

Kuwabara shrugs it off though, and stretches. "I'm exhausted. I'm going to take a bath first, if that's okay."

Yusuke wrinkles his nose at Kuwabara. "Go for it dude."

Kuwabara tosses him an annoyed glance and shuts the bathroom door behind him.

"Yusuke -" I begin, but Kurama interrupts me.

"Alice, I have something to do. Would you come along with me?" he asks, forcibly steering me out of the door, by my shoulders. "I think you'll find it rather magnificent."

"What are you talking about?" I demand, as he pushes me in the elevator. "I just wanted to ask Yusuke about Genkai."

The elevator's doors close and Kurama's green eyes pierce me like a spear. "You will not bring her up to him for the remainder of the Tournament, do you understand?" His voice is dangerous and even.

I frown and look at the floor, working my fingertips into my palms. Kurama's intimidation tactics are very effective when he's serious. "But why?" I mumble.

"I don't want him to lose focus," he replies, voice still hard. "Do you understand me?"

I nod, grudgingly. Kurama knows me too well. He knows that if he can get me to agree to something, I'll follow through, no matter what. Stupid jerk.

I sense him relax beside me and his fingertips brush my shoulder blade. I bring my eyes up to his face and the corners of his mouth pull up. "I managed to get a hold of the concoction Suzuka created. Would you like to see the effects?"

I blink. "You mean, you're going to show me your full-fledged demonic form?"

His eyebrows tick up. "If you think you can handle it." His eyes fall on the bracelet he gave me days ago. "Have you gotten used to that?"

I look down at my arm and realized I did. The strong demonic energy is hardly noticeable to me anymore. "I guess so. It's not uncomfortable anyway."

He smiles as the doors open and I follow him through the lobby. We walk outside of the hotel, into the night, and veer off the paved road into the woods. We walk in silence for awhile, stepping over fallen logs and branches, listening to crickets and other night sounds. Eventually, we come to a place where I don't sense other demons close by and Kurama stops.

"I have a theory," he begins, taking me by my upper-arms. He guides me to a spot by a tree and steps back. "Stay there. I have a suspicion that not only my body regresses, but my memories and mind do as well. So when I take this potion, I would not expect me to know you."

I blink. "O-oh? So what if you decide to eat me or something?"

It is Kurama's turn to blink, but then he gives me an amused smile. "Not all demons eat humans, Alice. But I doubt very much that I would attack you, otherwise I would not have brought you out here with me. Do you have a watch?"

I nod, holding up my left wrist. I can see the face in a sliver of moonlight through the leafy canopy above me.

"Keep time for me. I want to know how long it takes for me to change from Shuichi to Youko, and how long I am Youko. Can you do that?" he asks, pulling out a vial.

"Yes," I reply. "I'll start as soon as you drink that."

He uncorks the vial and downs the contents, making a face. He pockets it and we wait.

I watch the second hand tick along the face of my watch, stretching out my senses to Kurama. His energy is fluctuating slightly, like the trilling of a bird. After a minute, it becomes more intense, and he steps back into the shadowed darkness where I can't see him. His energy gets smaller, and smaller, and even smaller…and then suddenly…

Suddenly it explodes.

Two minutes.

"Kurama?" I ask tentatively, wondering if I should just go find a rock to hide under. His demonic energy is huge, covering the entire surrounding area. If I had not gotten used to the little sliver in his bracelet, I'm pretty sure my head would be cracking open right now.

His youki waves over me, examining me, and I see a shifting movement from the darkness in which he disappeared.

He steps out, this incredible ethereal being. Impossibly tall, Egyptian gold eyes, silver moonlight hair - it reaches down his waist, brushing over his tail. My eyes go up to his head, and stop at those large, white fox ears. They twitch in my direction when my breath hitches in my throat.

His golden eyes are on my face. His expression is blank, unreadable.

"Do you know me?" I ask.

He approaches me, and suddenly my right wrist - the one with that stupid bracelet - is in his hand. He holds my arm up to his face, about an inch from his mouth, and his eyes slide over to me. "Am I supposed to?" he responds. "Why do you have this?"

The words tumble out. "You gave it to me. For protection or something." He's unnerving me with his cool attitude. He's giving me nothing to work with - nothing to appeal to, but maybe that's his intention.

His golden eyes are unreadable. "Why should I want to protect you?" His eyebrows go up ever-so-slightly. "You're pretty, but you're still a mere human. So," he murmurs, turning back to the inside of my wrist. His nose grazes my skin and I feel air move around as he inhales, probably smelling my floral perfume. "How do you amuse me?"

I feel myself getting annoyed. I snatch my arm out of his grasp, and I know that it's only because he allowed it. "I'm not your plaything," I snap. "Idiot."

A sharp laugh escapes him. "You're cute when you're angry - like an irritated kitten. Perhaps that's why I keep you? Hm?" His fingers thread through my blonde curls, and his expression is expectant. I force myself to keep from responding, making my face blank, because getting angry would only feed into this ridiculousness. When I don't respond, he makes another sound of amusement, and suddenly his mouth is at my ear. "Defiant little thing, aren't you?"

I shudder at his closeness and try to pull away, but of course, he found something humorous in my reaction. The unyielding hand curling around my waist is completely expected, and I feel him smile against my hair.

"Not a plaything?" he asks dubiously, catching my wrist again. Underneath his palm, I feel the bracelet crush into my skin.

"You're a sadist," I tell him, ignoring the sting of the bracelet and weight of his hand on my hip. "It's not your power you're feared for, is it? It's your boredom."

He pulls his face back and gives me a cool smile. "Very astute. Perhaps another reason I keep you."

"For the last time, I do not belong to you."

His grip around my wrist loosens and his first finger slips underneath the bracelet. He brings it up with my arm, and gold glimmers underneath the moonlight. "You're assuming I mean as a lover, but that's not always the case. I keep others around me for a variety of reasons, but you can be certain that you do belong to me. Otherwise you would not have this trinket on your wrist."

"You have a very big ego, you know that?" I say, trying to pull my wrist away from him. He doesn't allow it this time, so I stop, knowing that I'll only end up hurting my arm.

His face is thoughtful. "Do I?" His eyes are on my face suddenly. "My memories are precise, accurate, and photographic - yet, I don't remember you or this place. But you know why, don't you?"

I sigh. I don't really feel like explaining. "I'm not sure how far back you've regressed to, but in your future, you're forced to take on a human aspect to survive a fatal wound."

"Regressed?" he asks, coolly.

I keep it short and to the point. "Currently, you've been entered in the Dark Tournament, and an opponent has created this regressive potion to just turn you into a human fetus, but then it just took you back all the way to Youko Kurama. You've decided to use it against your next opponent, who is too strong to be faced as a human."

"I see," he says. I can't read what he's thinking, but his hand moves from my waist to curl around my cheek. I try not to jump at the sudden gesture. "So I'm a human now."

"Sort of," I reply, starting to hope that this potion will wear off soon. "You still have your powers, but in a more watered-down way."

His thumb brushes my cheekbone. "And what about you? What are you to the human me?"

"I hate you," I answer. "Like, a lot."

He chuckles, golden eyes flashing with amusement. "You blink when you lie. Perhaps you simply love me so much you think you hate me."

I try not to roll my eyes at him.

His youki, coming off of him in waves, shinks back like the low tide. It pulls into him, and he begins to feel like the normal Kurama. He steps back into the shadows again with a sardonic smile and I wait impatiently, looking at my watch.

Sixteen minutes.

His energy is back to normal, and as he comes back under the moonlight, his appearance is the familiar red hair and forest green eyes. He raises his eyebrows in a questioning look, and I tell him the time. I think he's aware of his old self's actions toward me, because there is a hint of bashfulness in his expression.

"Shall we go back to the hotel then?" he asks, pressing his palm against the small of my back. I step away from his hand and start moving forward on my own. I don't want him to touch me right now. Or ever.

"Sure," I say, stepping over a fallen branch. I don't really think I'm that offended by his actions, because I know Kurama isn't that person anymore. I suppose he must have been very different when he was younger. But still, I can sense his youko energy clinging to him like static, and his human reiki pushing against it. It churns around him strangely, giving me chills.

A familiar hot youki is racing toward us. Hiei suddenly drops from the black sky and lands smoothly in front of us. His face is annoyed as he points his flame-red eyes at Kurama. "So, you thought you could leave me out of this, Kurama?" he demands, scowling.

Kurama's eyebrows go up innocently. "You wanted to pit yourself against me, Hiei? I had no idea."

"Tch, I won't put up with your silly games. Now take the potion again," Hiei orders.

"Unfortunately, I didn't bring all of it with me, and I finished what I did bring," Kurama tells him. His body language shows no sign of the effects his churning aura might have. If I could not sense it, I would think that everything is fine.

"Are you okay?" I ask Kurama, knowing that he probably won't give me a straight answer.

His smile is forced. "Of course."

Hiei's head tilts to the side as he examines Kurama. I'm not sure if he sees what I see, or more of it, but he may because of his Jagan. Kurama puts up with his scrutiny with a saint-like patience. After awhile, Hiei's bright red eyes slide over to me, and he watches me for a moment.

It's unnerving. I bet they're having some silent, telepathic conversation. "What?" I ask.

Hiei's smirk is amused. "Completely oblivious," he says out of nowhere.

I blink as Kurama frowns at him. "Hiei."

The fire demon scoffs. His hot hand shoots out and curls around my wrist, and at the same time Kurama takes a lurching step toward Hiei's arm, a strange expression in his eyes. It's somewhere between cold and possessive and completely unlike anything I've ever seen on his face. Kurama catches himself as Hiei swings a mild glare at him, and his eyes go wide and he stops in his tracks.

His face is blank, unreadable, and he gives Hiei a nod. His green eyes slide over to me, and for the first time, I notice brilliant gold flecks in his irises.

I can't examine him anymore though, because Hiei tugs my arm and pulls me out of the clearing.

"What the hell?" I ask.

Hiei doesn't respond, and his pace is almost too fast, so I can barely keep up with him. His hand is on the verge of being painfully tight around my arm. The forest floor crunches under our feet, and I hear rustling through the leaves of the brush around us - the sound of animals shooting off in the opposite direction from us.

"Hiei, what's going on?" I try again.

For some reason, Hiei stops and glances behind us. He seems satisfied after a moment and turns back to me. He's standing right next to me, and I suddenly realize we're the same height - and I'm wearing heels. I blink in surprise.

Before I can comment on his growth spurt though, he starts explaining. "I'm sure you noticed that Kurama still had some of his old energy mixed in his aura."

I nod.

Hiei looks away, and a corner of his mouth pulls down. "It was affecting him. You were affecting him."

I stare at him. "I think I know what you're saying, but I think I need it spelled out for me a bit more."

Hiei meets my eyes again. "Neither of us are sure what would have happened. He thought it best to take you on ahead." With that he began pulling me along again. "If you want to know more, you ask him."

So, if what I'm thinking is correct, then Kurama was about to totally make a move on me. But since it was due to that stupid demonic energy of his and not any authentic feeling for me, I decided that I should feel unflattered, since, you know, I could be a Yeti and he would still be aroused.

I think that I'm done. Like, so done. I don't know why I keep thinking he'll come around.

I examine Hiei, better able now that we've slowed down a bit. His gait is smooth and even, even though he's still pulling me along behind him. His hand around my arm is bandaged, but I can't see how far the white dressing goes because his arm is partially hidden by his inky cloak. I can smell him - he has a woodsy scent that's a little bit metallic too, maybe because of his sword.

I wonder if Botan is right. I guess I never really gave Hiei a lot of thought.

I decide, even though his hand is a little too tight, it's still nice around my arm. His shoulders tense slightly, and he looks behind him, eyes meeting mine.

I wonder if he's listening to my thoughts again. "You've gotten taller," I say, maybe to deflect his attention. "More than me."

He studies me for a moment, with no reply, but then he starts pulling me along again. "It's getting late," he mutters. I think I hear a note of anger in his tone. I wonder if I should ask if anything is wrong.

Before I can though, my heel catches on something on the ground and my ankle is wrenched in a sharp sideways motion. "Ah!" I squeak, loosing my footing. Hiei catches me around my waist and hauls me right side up again, yanking off my shoe in the process. He bends over, one arm still around me, and prods my ankle. "I don't think it's broken," I tell him, wincing. "Or even twisted."

"You've just overextended it, is all," he says flatly, sounding irritated. The moon shines on the nape of his neck as he bends his head over my leg. "What are you thinking, wearing these stupid things in the woods? You know they're impractical." His warm hand curls around my ankle, and the ache that had been lingering there dulls. "You're an idiot."

Somehow, it doesn't sound like an insult when he says it.

I study him, examining the curve of his spine, the broad line of his shoulders, and the way the moonlight lights up his skin. My hand is curled over his shoulder for balance, and I can feel the warmth of his skin even through his heavy cloak. My eyes fall on his neck again, and I find myself leaning closer, curious. If Hiei notices my shift in balance, he doesn't say anything.

My mind is blank, but my heart's racing, in that way when you realize that the person you're with is suddenly very attractive, and you would very much like to do something to them you'll both hopefully like. Vaguely, I wonder if Hiei has any experience with girls. He's really good-looking, but with his attitude, maybe most of them think he's scary. My hand unfurls and splays across his shoulder, and I feel his scapula underneath his hard muscle.

Before I can stop myself, my lips are pressed against the nape of his neck, and I feel him stiffen underneath me like a bolt of electricity shot through his spine. His skin is hot, and I realize he really does smell like fire.

Timidly, (me, timid) I pull away and wait for his reaction.

He lets go of my ankle, which immediately feels the chill of the night air, and slowly straightens. His arm drops from my waist at the same time, and he stares at me.

His expression is harsher and warier than I would like it to be. "What was that?" he asks. His tone is staccato, expressing some of his shock.

"I don't know," I reply honestly. I look down and frown, slipping my heel back on. My ankle feels much better now, thanks to Hiei.

I can't look at him.

"You're a child," he says suddenly. I jump. A bandaged hand goes around my chin, and my face is yanked up to meet his eyes. He doesn't look as cautious as before, but he hasn't relaxed either. There's still a line of tension in his shoulders. "A petulant child that knows only to take and not ask."

His words hurt, and my gaze drops back to the ground. "I'm sorry."

He jerks my chin and I look up at him. His stoplight eyes are hard, and his hand slides from my chin to the back of my head. He's a lot closer to me than I thought he was, I realize, and I feel a coil of fear unravel in my stomach. "What do you want?" he asks.

"I don't know," I reply. I don't know, but I want something.

His fingers dig into my neck, but I barely feel them. "Do you love me?"

"No," I respond, feeling that coil of fear tighten. I wish Sitka was here to tell me what Hiei is thinking.

A cloud passes over the moon, sending us into darkness. Hiei's other arm wraps around my back, yanking me against him into that warm space of body heat, and his mouth is over mine in the next moment. He kisses me ferociously, hard, bruising. But it's warm, hot even, and it gives me something to cling to in an icy black ocean.

He pulls back when the moon comes out again. "Is that what you want?" he demands, brow furrowed.

After taking a moment to get over my shock, I nod, realizing that's exactly it. I want Hiei's warmth. I want him to thaw the icy ache in my stomach.

He presses his mouth against mine again, gently this time. I respond, curling my hands around his arms. He takes his time discovering me, pressing kisses against my bottom lip and the corners of my mouth. I feel the ice beneath my skin melt.

He pulls away first and takes my wrist again. "It's getting late," he says. "I still have training to do."

"All right," I reply. I press my hand over my chest, hoping Hiei's warmth doesn't leave me in the night. I definitely don't plan on seeking him out tomorrow, because I know I'll be a distraction to him.

I'll spend tomorrow with the girls instead.

SO sorry for the lateness of this chapter. If you're wondering - the HieixAlice surprised the hell out of me too.

Next chapter is a filler, but it's almost done.

Thank you everyone who reviewed last time! I pretty much know what direction the story's going to go in from now on, and it's going to have a few twists in it along the way, but I hope you enjoy the HieixAlice while it lasts...because last it shall not. =O

So what are you thinking right now as I laugh like a mad Frenchman? OOohohohoOoo!

Tell me in a review, if you please.