I'm reluctant to get out of bed the next morning. It seems like forever since I've slept underneath such warm sheets.
But when I hear a knock at the door, I get up. It's Kurama inviting me to breakfast.
"You look tired. Did you not sleep well?" he asks, studying my face.
"I slept fine." I lie. The truth is, I've dreamed of her again. The same dream as always.
He nods and then slinks away, his feet silent. I close the door and hurry to get dressed. I leave the cavernous room and roam the endless hallways. Yoko Kurama's house is like an extravagant palace, with high ceilings obscured by the constant stream of plants. I don't know if I like it, though I enjoy the view of his garden, which stretches all around the place, always in constant view through the expansive windows.
The smell of food leads me a large room with just a single, long table. Off to the side is the kitchen area, its counters and cabinets looking old but clean. There's a pot on the stove, the source of the mouthwatering smell. Kurama is at the window, back to me. He turns slightly and smiles.
"Take a seat."
The chairs are comfortable but I can't relax; being in his presence is terrifying. Behind that cool face, I know there's something dangerous, a predator lurking in the shadows.
"I forgot to ask...what's your name?" he says after a moment, placing breakfast before me. It looks like oatmeal, but I'm not sure.
"Josephine. But just call me Jo." I tell him.
"That's not a Japanese name..." he murmurs, sitting next to me and crossing his legs.
"No." I say after tasting my food. It's so much better than that fruit! "That's because I'm not Japanese. I'm half Chinese, half black. My mom and I moved to Japan after my parents...separated." I take in a large spoonful of oatmeal.
He nods. "You're mother must be worried."
"No." I say, hoping I don't sound heartbroken at the thought. "She's in Africa for a few months. By the time she gets back, I'll be gone. Hopefully."
"Yes, the tree told you he'd help you, correct?"
I nod.
He tilts his head back, an almost thoughtful look in his eye. "Did he explain how?"
I shake my head and finish off the rest of my food – I want to lick the bottom of my bowl, but that would be rude.
At the mention of Takeo, my thoughts lead to Hiei. I turn to the fox demon. "Kurama-san...you said you knew Hiei?"
"I know him, yes." he says.
"Can you tell me about him? All I know is that he's this fearsome fire demon."
"There's not much I can tell you I'm afraid. Hiei prefers not to talk of his past." he says, folding his arms. Even through his flowing shirt, I can see the rippling muscles there.
"Is he a good fighter?" I prod.
He chuckles. "Of course. Even without his katana, he is extremely tough." he pauses to look at me. "The potion might help you if you chose to battle him."
I'm shivering despite myself. He smiles.
"Are you scared, human?" he asks. "Do you not wish to fight him anymore?"
I stare at my knees, really considering those questions for the first time. I can't fight. At all. And he says the potion might not even be very effective. But do I have a choice? It's either this, or a life here. No more home, no more college, no more friends. Here none of that matters. I don't matter. I'm just a human, walking food for these creatures.
Finally I raise my head. "I'll get that stone from him." I say, my voice hard. "I have to."
He stares back at me with something like amusement in his eyes. Then his smile widens a little bit. "Fine. I'll prepare the potion for you." he stands up and takes the empty bowl away. As he turns to leave the room, he pauses. "I do hope that tree knows how to return you home."
Before I can say anything, he's out the door. "Wait, what do you mean?" I cry out, running out the room. But he's already disappeared.
The day passes by slowly. The rain doesn't let up and there's nothing to do in this place, so I spend the time thinking of questions I want to ask the fox demon. As the hours tick by, the questions multiply until there's too many. I search the halls for him, but I find only empty rooms. He's an elusive creature it seems.
But I do find a room full of books. I browse through them, finding some books on vegetation. They distract me from my questions, from the burning thoughts, the fear, the guilt. Day quickly becomes night, and I'm still in that room, studying ardently. When my eyes being to droop, I eventually slink off into the guest room. But even on the brink of sleep, I can't escape her.
I scream into my pillow, frustrated at this whole situation. I'm stuck in an unknown, living in a strange demon's house, and she won't leave me alone! Just one night, please! Just for one night, let me have some peace.
There's no rest for me, it seems.
She stands before me, dressed in white. Only this time, I speak first. I try to find the words to express my overwhelming guilt, my sorrow, my pain; but there are none. I can only watch as the yellow flower drips blood.
The days go by slowly in the same manner – I eat, I read, and I dream. I hardly see Yoko Kurama at all. That's a relief. Whenever I'm around him, I feel as if all my secrets are laid out before him to see. But I do want to ask him some questions. About Takeo, about Hiei. I turn to his library in search of answers. There's nothing. All the books deal with plants in one way or another. It quickly becomes boring. Usually I love to spend days reading, but now it holds no allure.
One day I venture outside. It's warm and full of rich colors. The wind blows constantly, restless. I am restless too. Enough of this! – I want the month to be over so that I can actually do something.
I climb up a twisted old tree, surprised to find how easy it is. Once at the top, I can see beyond the stone walls that surround this place. The beauty of this garden spills out over the walls, touching everything I see. My mouth stretches into a smile; it hurts, I haven't done it in so long I realize. Then in the distance I see a creature fly up, it's black, bat-like wings stretching out so it blocks the sun. Another creature flies after it, and even from here I can see the blood spill as the predator sinks its teeth into its prey. My smile falls as I watch the two sink into the trees, one of them never to rise again.
Beauty doesn't last here, I realize. Nothing can hide the ugliness of the Demon World.
Author's Note:
To EpicSkittles - Okay, I lied. Here's Chapter Three for you, way sooner that I predicted.
Um...so yeah...nothing much going on here. I just wanted to cover some internal things going on with Josephine. But don't worry, they're be some action in the next chapter. I hope this chapter wasn't too confusing. Honestly, I'm not sure where I'm going with this character, so I might redo this part, but not for a while. I really want to get the chapter where Hiei steps in...finally. It should be the next one, or the one after that.
I hope you all enjoyed this! Constructive criticism welcome!