I woke up with a headache, feeling a calming, cold piece of cloth on my forehead. And in a room...
I tried to remember something, but my head hurt too much. Oh yeah, those bastards hit me on my head, knocking me unconscious. Damn them.
The bed I lied in was very warm and comfortable. I slowly sat up and looked around. The room was small and held a warm atmosphere. The walls were painted in a dark green color, the furniture was made in dark brown wood. The whole room looked and, as I assumed by sniffing the air, smelled like a forest. For an unknown to me reason, I liked this place.
Then, I noticed a glass filled with water on the table next to my bed. Assuming from the smell coming from the glass, it was Inuko who brought it here. I gladly took it and drank the water.
I wanted to get out of the room, but my laziness took over and I lied my head in the soft green pillows again, feeling relaxed. I closed my eyes and concentrated. I was searching for Inuko...
Yes, there she was, one store below me in a room with a delicious smell... Smell of meat... My stomach growled loudly and I felt how hungry I was. I'm always hungry, but I don't care. I eat whenever I want.
Suddenly, it hit me: I was supposed to meet my fellow dealer, Kage! I got the gem he wanted! Oh crap!
I jumped out of the bed like it was on fire and ran towards the door. I opened them and...
I was in a bathroom. It wasn't big, also in a green color (but lighter), but I didn't have time to look around.
With a major anime-style sweatdrop, I closed the bathroom doors and ran through the other ones. Yes! I was in a corridor. I noticed the stairs and, don't bothering to run, I jumped. That dog ability, great balance was very useful to me. Once again.
Following Inuko's scent, I came into the kitchen. Around a big table, those four guys were sitting. Inuko was there too, watching them shyly and slowly eating food, her carrying the chopsticks hand was shaking a little. As I came in, their gaze landed on me. The guy in green, Yusuke as the rest called him, snickered.
"Look who's up... You want someone to take you for a walk?"
I had the strong urge to hit him and break his empty skull. His ugly friend, who was laughing now, asked for the same.
Stopping myself mentally, I turned to Inuko.
"Inuko, we must go. Now" I said. She responded by nodding her head and standing up.
"Not so fast..." my ears twitched as a familiar voice rang from behind. We got trouble...
As I turned around, I saw a teenage-looking boy with a 'Jr' sign on his forehead and a binky in his mouth. He held the same smell as before... How could I forget him?
"Welcome again, Kikyo..." the teenager spoke up coldly.
"What, feeling safe because of those 'Spirit Detectives' of yours?" I sneered, equally cold. "They don't baby-sit you all the time, you know. You should watch your back."
"Don't try to threat me, Kikyo! You're the one who should be threatened." the boy stated calmly.
"Go to Hell..." I growled before turning to Inuko once again "Come, Inuko. We've got business to do."
Inuko took a step forward and the boy's hand shifted slightly. And then I noticed it...
"No, Inuko, STOP!!" I shouted but it was too late. In the next second, Inuko was trapped in a metallic cage. By the expression of the Detectives I realized that they didn't put the trap. So it was his work...
"KOENMA!!" I yelled, grabbing him by his collar. His 'babysitters' stood up immediately.
"Now, now, Kikyo, don't get your blood boiled just now." Koenma said calmly.
"LET HER GO!!" he knew that I care for her... 'Damn, he's got it... My weak spot...'
"Calm down!" Koenma ordered. 'Hah! Dream on!' "I have an offer for you... Here, read this." he handed me a piece of paper. I shot him one last death-glare and snatched the paper, only glancing on it. It said something about a new tournament and that one team has to have at least 5 members which one of them is an official leader.
I'm not stupid. I know what kind of 'deal' the Ruler's Son has for me, a lower-ranked half demon. Guess he's not that popular then...
But I decided to play along.
"I couldn't care less, Koenma. Let Inuko go. Now."
"Did you read it?" he asked.
"No, I was just admiring the beauty of the paper." I snorted, sarcasm dripping from my words.
"Hn, so that means that you ARE stupid..." the short dude stated.
"No, it means that you have absolutely no idea about sarcasm. You wouldn't recognize it even if it hit you right in the a-" I paused, feeling a katana touching my neck. Again, I didn't even flinch.
"Ooooh, Shorty, watch out for that one!" the orange-haired one said.
"Yeah, she's fierce. Just like you!" his friend (in the green uniform, Yusuke) whistled. I really wanted to tear them apart.
"I advice you to sleep with one eye opened from now on..." I threatened in a low growl.
"Kikyo, enough. We must talk on private." Koenma said sternly.
"I am NOT coming without Inuko." I shoved the katana away.
"Fine then. Kikyo, you are joining Team Urameshi." the Ruler's Son announced.
"Hell no." 'WHAT IS HE THINKING?! ME?! A DETECTIVE??!!'
"You don't have a choice." he said matter-of-factly.
"Wrong. I always have a choice, Koenma." I snapped, feeling angrier within seconds.
"Oh, alright then... Here's the choice: become a Spirit Detective and live here happily with the kid," he motioned to Inuko's trapped figure "or refuse and SHE will go to jail. Along with you."
My jaw nearly hit the floor. "SHE?! WHAT FOR??!!"
"For helping you out with the crimes."
"You bastard... LEAVE HER ALONE!!" my growl turned into a shout and I jumped towards Koenma with my long sharp claws infront. Like a Deja-vu, I felt a whip around my waist, followed by a katana near my neck and a finger pointed to my head, like a gun.
"D-damn it..." I tried to brake free, but another sword, a Spirit one this time, made it impossible.
"Heh, you're slow, Kuwabara." the one, who annoys me the most smirked.
"Shut up, Urameshi!" the Spirit Sword holder snapped.
"Kikyo-san!" Inuko yelled. Indeed, the view wasn't too enjoyable. I could whip them all in few seconds, if I had a weapon... No, in fact, I could kill them easily with my bare fists, if I were free...
"So, Kikyo... Do you accept my offer? If you do, the girl will be free. If not... Too bad she's so young... All of her best years in life spent in jail... The choice is yours." Koenma looked as me calmly. Believe me, if it wasn't for his bodyguards, he would be dead. Now and a long time ago...
"Let her free and I'm yours." I said, gazing at the ground. So many times... So many times I tried to fight my greatest weakness... The worry for Inuko... But I couldn't. What an amusing sign, a half dog demon, giving up her unworthy life for a Ningen! NingenHuman
"Kikyo-san, NO!" Inuko shouted, banging on the cage-thing "You cannot! What will he think of you! Think about Ka-"
"Inuko, enough!" I cut her off. She was about to say his name. She was about to say 'Think about Kage!' Like I care! All I want is for Inuko to be safe and free...
"That's great! The search is over! Kikyo, you will be living here with Team Urameshi-"
"With Inuko." I snapped at Koenma, my tail twitching slightly.
"...Yes, as you wish. Kurama will show you your rooms. You will train tomorrow and then I'll find a good mission for you. See you then." Koenma smirked and disappeared in a purplish portal. I growled and the Detectives released me.
"Kikyo-san..." Inuko looked at me. The trap disappeared as well.
"You are Kikyo, right?" the polite one, red head asked.
"Duh" was my response.
"I'm Kurama." he smiled at my rudeness "This is Kuwabara..." he pointed to the ugly orange-haired boy, who also smiled.
"This is Yusuke Urameshi, our former leader" Kurama continued "And this is Hiei."
"Thanks for the introduction, Fox, now show me and Inuko our new rooms." I said boredly. Kuwabara and Yusuke widened their eyes while Kurama looked slightly suprised.
"How did you know that Kurama is a fox demon?" Urameshi asked.
"You idiot, she is a dog demon. She can smell it." came Hiei's cold response.
"Oh... So, is she your kid or somethin'?" Kuwabara pointed at Inuko. I glanced at her and memories flied by my mind.
"Partly." I said, suprising them all.
"Partly? How?" Kurama questioned, rising his eyebrow. I was getting tired.
"Just show us the rooms, will you?" I said irritated.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Come on."
He leaded us upstairs. Many different smells filled my nose. I liked the rosy smell. Kurama smelled similar, so I guessed that we passed his room.
"Here's yours, Kikyo." the fox boy opened the door.
It was the same room I've been lying in. That nice, forest fragrance came to my nose. I kinda liked this room.
"And Inuko's right across." I snapped out of my little trance and followed them.
Inuko's room was nice as well. Painted in a light orange color, it had the smell of an orange. I noticed a little balcony.
"Do you like it, Kikyo-san?" the young girl looked at me with shining eyes.
"Yes. It's fine." I replied.
"I'm glad that you like it." Kurama smiled to us.
"Whatever. Goodnight." I turned around and entered my room.
Later, when the night came, I was half-lying in my bed, my back pressed against the wall, my hands behind my head and my legs crossed. The bed was directly opposite to a huge window, so I've got a great view of the dark sky, full of silver stars. The thought of staying in one place for a long time didn't exactly came to my brain. For me, it was just a break.
The window was wide opened and the cold autumn wind caressed my face. I closed my eyes in pleasure. My left ear twitched as a long wolfish howl rang through the forest. It was calling me.
'Hn. I bet it's Akari. Kage must be pretty irritated. Too bad, I'll visit him tomorrow... Maybe...' I thought while smirking.
Both of my eyes perked up from the sound of footsteps coming to my door. I glanced at the clock and wandered who's coming at the time. 12:44 AM. Soon, I recognized the scent and the door opened slowly.
"I'm sorry, Kikyo-san, but... I can't sleep alone." Inuko whispered, looking at the floor. My eyes softened and I got up from the bed, sitting cross-legged on the quite large and comfortable windowsill.
"Sleep here. I'll guard." my voice was as soft as my eyes.
"A-are you sure, Kikyo-san?" the girl was hesitant.
"Yes, I am sure. Goodnight."
"... Goodnight, Kikyo-san... Thank you."
I mentally smiled to myself.