Riddles and Christmas Trees
L.A.: Finally back.
Amu: Woohoo!
L.A.: The holidays are over and starting next week I should be back to updating on Mondays again.
Amu: Yay for boring old routines!
L.A.: Enjoy the chapter!
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Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho. If I did, life would be so much more entertaining.
"It's the creepy fox!" Sira yelped as she pointed an accusing finger at Akira.
Tori ignored her as she opened the window. "Akira, come in." Finally, someone who existed in the previous timeline. Someone who recognized them. Remembered everything that had happened. She was almost giddy with happiness.
Akira hopped on to the bed. "I'm here to help you as you can plainly see," he narrowed his eyes at Sira. "I do wish you would quit calling me creepy."
Sira crossed her arms. "I will when you stop rhyming like that."
Tori sat down on the bed. "Akira, what's going on? Why did the timeline reset? Why isn't it proceeding the way it did before?"
"And it better not be because we peed in the wrong toilets," Sira murmured.
Akira swished his tail. "My, you have questions by the ton. Give me a moment to answer them one by one." Akira sighed. "As for your first question, we have a guess. It seems someone from your world has made this mess."
Tori frowned. "Our world?" Who on earth could that be? Sure, Alexis had come with them previously, but as far as she knew Alexis wanted nothing to do with Yu Yu world after her previous experience. "How can one person from our world cause all this?"
Akira studied his paws. "As you remember, your powers were able to create your desires. And it seems that this person's wish never tires."
"You're telling me that while we've lost our powers that someone out there has the ability to summon fire breathing dragon on a whim?"
"I swear, Sira, if you mention the fire breathing dragon one more time, I will disown you as a friend."
Sira rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine. I was just making a point."
Akira nodded. "It would seem that is the case. Which makes it a problem that must be solved post haste."
Tori turned back to Akira. "Then what are we supposed to do? We don't have our powers."
Akira cocked his head. "Yes, it would seems you have lost a portion of yourself. Without it, neither of you will be much help."
Sira glared. "Are you speaking riddles again? You know how much I hate riddles."
Tori frowned. "Lost something? What do you mean?"
Akira smirked. "This is for you to discover, but for now I suggest you take cover."
"You mean hide?" Sira asked as Akira hopped on the windowsill. "But that sounds boring."
"For now, it's safer to stay here. I'll let you know when the cost is clear." With a swish of his tail, the window opened and Akira bounded out. Sira and Tori raced to the window, but he was already gone.
"I wonder what he means," Tori said with a sigh.
Sira frowned. "The bigger question is why did he ask us to open the window when he can obviously use his weird powers to do it himself."
Tori ignored her as she unconsciously grabbed the comforter beneath her. Why had Akira said they had lost something? And, if the strange cold shiver that ran up her spine was any indication, why did she feel it was something extremely important?
"We need a Christmas tree," Sira moaned.
Tori stirred from her place on the sofa. They had been watching a marathon of a reality show about a family who wanted to live in a swamp. Yusuke and Kuwabara had actually joined them in watching the show.
While the others were deeply invested in the show, Tori had gone into a stupor, her mind drifting back to the previous day. She blinked a couple of times to bring her back to reality. "I'm sorry, what?"
Sira eyed her suspiciously as if Tori had betrayed her for not paying attention. "A Christmas tree. It's necessary for Christmas cheer."
"Seriously?" Yusuke groaned.
Kuwabara shivered. "It's cold outside."
"And I thought you weren't in the Christmas mood anyway."
Sira ignored Tori's dig. "Hence why we need a tree." She stood up. "Come on there's got to be tree lot near by."
"There is-" Kuwabara was cut off when Yusuke elbowed him in the stomach.
Yusuke glared at him. "…but it's too cold."
Sira stared at them with a deadpanned expression. "Tori, get the makeup."
Tori shrugged as she stood up. She was bored anyway. Maybe this would be fun. "If you say so."
Kuwabara gave Yusuke a worried look.
"Okay, fine," Yusuke groaned. "Just let me get my coat." Yusuke continued to grumble under his breath as he and Kuwabara went and got their coats.
Tori gave Sira a look.
"What?"
Tori crossed her arms. "You know what. Akira specifically said we were supposed to lie low for now until they could figure out what is going on."
"It's a Christmas tree," Sira said. She tried to appear innocent but Tori knew better. Sira never was good at sitting still.
"You're hoping we get attacked."
Sira tried to appear shocked but it was obvious that she was faking. "Me? Never. I just can't stay house bound that's all."
Tori shook her head. "There is seriously something wrong with you."
Sira rolled her eyes. "There's nothing wrong with me I'm awesome. That's all."
"Are we going or not?" Yusuke yelled. He and Kuwabara were standing impatiently by the door. Tori got the feeling that they were psyching themselves up for the cold.
Sira grinned. "Sure, let us get our jackets." She practically sang the last part as she skipped over to her jacket.
Tori slowly followed her shaking her head. Yeah, there was something definitely weird about her best friend.
The Christmas Tree lot was only a ten minute walk from Kuwabara's. They were shivering by the time they arrived, but Tori didn't mind. It was the kind of cold that turned your cheeks rosy and invigorated you.
Luckily for the others, there was a hot chocolate stand nearby. Purchasing their hot chocolates, they drank them slowly as they pursued the trees.
"This is the best," Sira said as took a sip of her hot chocolate. "Nothing puts you into the Christmas spirit like hot chocolate and tree shopping."
"If you say so," Yusuke grumbled. Tori noticed he didn't have as much bitterness in his voice as before.
Probably doesn't want to admit he's enjoying himself, Tori thought smugly.
Kuwabara scanned the trees. "It can't be too big. We have to carry it back."
Sira glared at him. "You're telling me that you two beat up S-Class demons all the time but you can't carry a little tree?"
"We don't have to carry those demons," Yusuke smirked. "Of course we can get a bigger one if you help."
"Pass," Sira linked arms with Tori. "Come on, help me find one."
Tori sipped her hot chocolate. "Whatever you say." She'd probably do anything now that she was under the spell of the hot chocolate.
As Tori had guessed, Sira was as picky about her trees as she was about everything else. They were either too big, too small, not full enough, etc. etc.
The hot chocolate bliss was starting to wear off and Tori thought the boys were about to declare mutiny when Sira suddenly stopped short.
"That's it! We've found it."
Tori felt her breath catch in her throat. It was the perfect tree, the type you'd find in cartoons. It was a healthy green, full, and perfect shape.
Kuwabara whistled. "That is a nice tree."
"So does that mean we can finally leave?" Yusuke asked as he tried to stamp the cold away with his feet.
"Try to show a little enthusiasm," Tori smirked.
"It's a Christmas tree after all," Kuwabara added.
Yusuke groaned. "Not you, too." He motioned for Kuwabara to follow him. "Come on, let's go pay for Brutus and get the hell out of here."
Kuwabara shrugged as he followed him. Tori was about to follow when Sira reached out and grabbed her shoulder "What?"
Sira looked as pale as a sheet. "Yusuke called the tree Brutus."
Tori raised an eyebrow. "So? You should be happy your brainwashing is finally paying off."
Sira shook her head. "You don't understand. Since we've got back here, I've never once mentioned that I name my Christmas Trees, Brutus."
Tori frowned as she tried to rack her brain. Her eyes widened as she realized she couldn't recall a time that Sira did say it. "You're right."
Sira crossed her arms. "So, how did Yusuke know what to call it?"
Tori frowned. Koenma had said that memories never really disappear. Was it possible that somehow, subconsciously, they were coming back.
Tori couldn't help the hop in her step as she followed Sira to pay for the Christmas Tree.
L.A.: Just incase you forgot, in Pencils and Paintbrushes, Sira refers to Christmas trees as Brutus because of a Christmas cartoon named Noel. It traumatized her. It may be based on a true story.
Amu: So short.
L.A.: I know. Hopefully, I'll have a longer one out next week. Anywho, you know what to do. Read and REVIEW!
