Hello everyone! Welcome to the 3rd chapter of Black Sheep! ^^ I know this chapter has taken awhile, but I've gone through a bit of writers block with all my stories, so all three of my stories are running a little slow (what can I say? I'm lazy too ^^"). Anywho I'd like to extend my gratitude to xEpIcxXxfAiLx for reviewing chapter 2 ^^ I appreciate it greatly *throws cookies to xEpIcxXxfAiLx* Yay!
Now....... XD Please review? It'll make me all happy inside!
Please enjoy this chapter!
"Do they always yell at each other?" Alice asks, her blue eyes blink several times while Hiei and Kuwabara exchange insults.
"Hamster legs!"
"Idiot!"
"RUNT!"
"Moron!"
"Who you calling a moron you little mouse?!"
"Oh I'm sorry I thought words with less than three syllables were in your vocabulary!"
Yusuke laughs, and pats Alice on the head, "Yeah don't mind them. They always do this tidbit, sooner or later one of them will-"
A loud thud resonates through the room when Kuwabara's face comes in contact with the floor.
"-end it." Yusuke finishes with a sigh. Alice looks at Yusuke with a curious expression.
"So what do ya say Alice? Are you going to let us help you?"
Alice looks up at him with a scrutinizing expression, "But the monsters-"
"We're regular monster killers! No big bad monster is going to get us," Yusuke winks.
Alice falters, "And…And you'll play with me?"
"Sure," Yusuke smirks, he looks back at his friends, "I'm pretty sure we can handle that."
"Yes," Kurama nods with a small smile.
"Hn," Hiei frowns with distaste, "Don't expect me to do any babysitting."
"Sure thing Alice," Kuwabara grins as he picks himself up from the floor.
Alice's blue eyes widen and she nods at Yusuke, "Please protect my sister Mr. Yusuke."
"Huh? Your sister is safe, it's you that the demons are after," Kuwabara frowns.
"You're worried about her bearing your scent?" Kurama asks. And Alice nods, holding her doll closer to her chest.
"Don't worry, she'll be just fine," Yusuke smirks. He rustles her hair. She jumps and looks up at him with surprise.
"Yusuke," Kurama speaks up, "We should go speak to the head of the house."
"Who's that?"
Alice winces outwardly, "Uncle Kureno." Her voice is soft and fearful.
"Alice?" Yusuke frowns, "what about your Uncle?"
"I don't like Uncle Kureno that much," Alice looks down at her doll, "he's the one who keeps me in here."
"You…You mean he really doesn't let you leave?" Kuwabara eyes widen.
Alice nods, "He's afraid that if I'm outside my room too much. Or even outside the house, that the monsters will come."
"So he keeps you locked up here, and he doesn't let anyone come in here?" Yusuke frowns.
"The servants come in here every hour to check up on me or bring food but," Alice's voice trails off, "it's never the same person. And they can't stay long."
Yusuke grimaces and stands up straighter, "Alright let's go talk to the bastard."
Kurama sighs, "Language Yusuke. Please."
"Well what kind of Ass-Wipe keeps a little girl locked up into her room her entire life?" Yusuke growls. He turns to Alice, "We'll be right back. We're going to talk to your Uncle alright?"
Alice nods, and draws her knees up to her chest, cradling her doll.
"Yusuke please show some restraint," Kurama frowns when Yusuke stomps out of the room, down the hallway blindly.
"C'mon Kurama you saw her! She's like a caged animal! What kind of sicko does that to a ten year old girl??"
"I'm not happy about it either Yusuke," Kurama's green eyes fill with anger, "but that's why we were called here. Please, try and be reasonable."
Yusuke growls, "Fine. But I don't like this guy."
"I think I found him," Hiei says, "I believe he's the aristocrat who's glaring at us from his office."
The rest of the team looks back at the well dressed aristocrat, who seems to be studying the team from a distance.
"Bingo Hiei," Yusuke growls, "Damn I hate rich people."
"Restraint Yusuke," Kurama reminds him.
"Right. Right," Yusuke smirks, "I won't piss him off too badly. But you know how I am with authority."
The man stands up and walks over to the group with a serious expression, "You must be the Spirit Detective here to help Alice."
"That's us," Yusuke frowns, "here to kick some demon ass. Are you Kureno? Alice's uncle?"
"Yes, that's me," Kureno smiles graciously, "I'm the head of the house in the absence of my late sister and brother in-law. Forgive me for not welcoming you when you arrived, I'm afraid I was in a meeting with some clients."
"That's fine," Kurama frowns, "But we have some questions for you about Alice. And about the demons who've been after her."
"Please," Kureno nods, "let's go to my office to discuss this."
"Very well," Kurama glances at Yusuke, and back to Kureno, "is it true that you keep Alice locked in her room?"
Kureno's eyes narrow at the boys, "That is true. And I do so with a heavy heart. But if Alice were to leave her room, she would be captured."
"Are you aware of her abilities?" Kurama asks, "It seems that she's developed her spirit awareness at a very young age."
"You mean her visions don't you?" Kureno nods, "yes she started having those a few years ago."
"Tell us about the visions," Hiei says, "what exactly does she see?"
"At first, they were just dreams about future events. She knew when her little sister was going to break her leg. She knew when her father was going to be home late. She knew when the weather would turn bad. But then, I'm afraid it got worse."
"Worse?" Yusuke raises an eyebrow.
"They aren't just dreams anymore, one day I came into her room and her eyes were black, she was having a vision, and when she came out of it, she told me that she saw monsters."
"The demons," Kurama frowns, "coming after her."
"She started to see who was dying. The people she came in contact with in town, her friends, and eventually….she saw her parents' death in one of her visions," Kureno frowns.
"That's got to be rough," Yusuke grimaces.
"It came to be, that she couldn't separate visions from nightmares," Kureno's face seems solemn, "her parents stayed hidden here, in the house for a long time. All the while more people were being killed every few nights. They started to believe that Alice had just imagined it except..." Kureno cuts off with some difficulty. He clears his throat and throws a heavy glance at Yusuke.
"They were wrong," Kuwabara winces, "So then you locked her up?"
"It wasn't until a little while after that, that I realized anyone who came in too much contact with her would be hunted down. I had no choice. I have to protect what's left of this household, her sister, the servants-"
"You," Kurama cuts in, his expression is apathetic, and to his comrades it's scary.
Kureno nods, again, clearing his throat, "Yes. Self preservation is an issue as well."
Yusuke frowns, "How is it that the demons don't just come here and take her? I mean, it's just a human household."
"Did Genkai teach you nothing Yusuke?" Hiei growls, "There was a barrier around this house when we drove through."
"Yea I thought I felt something funky," Kuwabara grunts, "I just thought I was crazy."
Kurama looks back at Kureno, "You must have paid a large sum to afford a psychic. Even if it is a fairly weak barrier. It does mask Miss Alice's powers and her scent."
"Then why the hell do you keep her in her room if they can't sense her here?" Yusuke growls.
"It's dangerous for the servants, Miss Christy, and -"
"Yourself, of course," Hiei sneers.
Kureno folds his hands, "Yes. If we bear even a trace of her scent, and then leave the house. We're in danger of being hunted down."
"Well, I think you'll be happy to hear this," Yusuke smirks, "part of our job is finding the demon in charge so you don't have to keep Alice locked up anymore."
Kureno's eyes open wide, "I can't let you do that-"
"Too damn bad," Yusuke smirks, "you asked for our help and here it is."
"B-But the demons-"
Yusuke cuts him off, "We can handle any minion that decides to waltz into town. Things will go quicker anyway if we have them come to us. Besides, we have a promise to keep."
"Promise?" Kureno twists the watch around his wrist.
"To Alice," Yusuke grins, "right guys?"
"Right," Kurama nods, smiling softly.
Hiei grunts.
"It's a man's promise," Kuwabara grins.
"Now if you'll excuse us," Kurama smirks, bemused with Kureno's new expression, "We have a princess to rescue."
"Right," Yusuke smirks, "we have a play date."
Alice looks wide eyed up at Yusuke, "We're going outside?"
"That's right," Yusuke smirks, "Hiei and I are going out to look for the demons. But Kurama and Kuwabara are staying with you for today. If they don't show you a good time tell me 'cause I'll whip 'em good."
Kurama chuckles, "Sure, Yusuke."
"Ahh…Well then I'll whip Kuwabara good," Yusuke snickers.
"You wish Urameshi!" Kuwabara yells.
Alice looks up at Kurama and Kuwabara, "You'll play with me?"
"That's right," Kurama smiles down at her, "would you like to go outside today?"
"Y-Yes," Alice nods timidly, and hugs her doll closer to her chest, "I would."
"See you guys when we get back," Yusuke smirks, following Hiei out of the room, "we'll be back in a few hours."
"Sure," Kurama nods, "Be careful."
"Mr. Kurama? Mr. Kuwabara?" Alice tugs on their sleeves.
"Yea?" Kuwabara looks down her, "what? Need a potty break?"
She blinks up at him, "Uh…No. Is Uncle Kureno okay with this? Are we gonna get in trouble?"
"Don't worry," Kurama smiles down at her, "You're not going to get in any trouble alright Alice?"
Alice nods and smiles brightly up at the two.
"Now do you wanna leave your dolly inside?" Kuwabara asks.
Alice looks down at her doll and then back up at Kuwabara, she smiles sweetly, "No Mr. Kuwabara, I want to let you play with her." She hands her doll to Kuwabara happily. And he takes it with some hesitation.
"Gee thanks Alice…I…I think," Kuwabara grins, holding the doll up to eye level.
"You're welcome," Alice nods, she looks up to Kurama, "Now may we go play?"
"Of course," Kurama chuckles.
Yusuke and Hiei walk through the town together silently. The city outside the district of mansions is filled with people, rich and poor.
After a long shared silence, Yusuke lets out an angry growl, "GOD DAMMIT THIS IS PISSING ME OFF!!!" In response, several of the civilians stare at the duo and exchange curious and fearful murmurs.
"Quiet down Yusuke," Hiei growls, his hand twitches to his sword.
"We've been all around this god damn town Hiei! There isn't a trace of demonic aura!"
Hiei halts and glares up at the detective, "Would you just shut up? Get it through your empty skull; we're dealing with a demon master mind here! Kirikami isn't stupid enough to bring herself into the open."
"And what about her stupid minions? Shouldn't they be attacking or something?"
A sudden chill runs down Yusuke's spine. Hiei looks down a nearby alley way, his crimson eyes smoldering, "Well look Detective," Hiei smirks, "All you had to do was ask."
"Finally," Yusuke smirks, taking a turn into the alley way, "It's about time I get to kick some ass."
Alice lets out a yelp and Kurama immediately stops her on the swing, "What's wrong Alice?"
She freezes and grips onto the swing tighter, "No….No not again." Her eyes start to glow. And Kurama can feel her energy like it's fire hanging in the air.
"Holy crap is that….is that her?" Kuwabara stammers from under the tree. He picks himself up off the ground and stumbles over to the trembling little girl.
"Her eyes," Kurama frowns; he lifts her head with his hand.
"Yea, they're glowing," Kuwabara shivers, "what's going on with her?"
The glow in her eyes slowly fades to black and she whimpers.
"She must be having a vision," Kurama's green eyes widen immensely.
"C'mon Alice snap out of it!" Kuwabara grabs her shoulders and starts to shake her.
"Don't Kuwabara!" Kurama grabs Kuwabara's arms, "You can't try and snap her out of her vision! You'll only frighten her! She won't come out of it until it's all over."
"So we just watch her? Like this?" Kuwabara growls.
Alice covers her face with her trembling hands. Tears form in her widened black eyes and they start run down her cheeks. She begins to speak, quietly and inaudibly. Kurama lifts her off of the swing and pulls her close. She clings to his shirt and her eyes return to their original blue color.
"Alice?" Kurama looks down at the terrified little girl, "Alice can you hear me now?"
She nods, "It's just a nightmare," she whispers, "It was…It was just a bad dream."
"No Alice," Kurama frowns, holding her up, "that was a vision. You have the ability see things that will happen in the future. Now please Alice, tell me what you saw in your vision."
Alice's eyes grow even wider, "But….it…it can't be real." She shakes her head.
"Tell me what you saw Alice, and we can keep it from happening together," Kurama says.
"I saw Mr. Yusuke, and Mr. Hiei," Alice whimpers, "The monsters are going after them."
"Aw they can handle it," Kuwabara shrugs. Kurama glares at him, and then he looks back down to Alice, "What did they look like? And how many were there?"
"They were very big, and they had black eyes. They….they looked like people but….but they were so scary. There were five of them."
"We should go help them," Kurama frowns, "Kirikami can channel her powers through her subordinates. The fight could be more difficult than they imagine."
"I guess you're right," Kuwabara grunts.
Alice buries her face in Kurama's chest, "Please don't leave me Mr. Kurama, I'm scared."
Kurama looks down at Alice and sighs, "Go Kuwabara. I see that I'll have to sit this fight out."
Kuwabara nods, "Right, here you go Alice," he hands her back her doll; she takes it and hugs it to her chest.
"Be careful," Alice mumbles, trembling the slightest bit, "The monsters are really scary."
"We'll be A-Okay Alice," Kuwabara grins, "Don't worry your pretty little head."
Alice nods meekly and looks up at Kurama when Kuwabara runs off, "I'm sorry Mr. Kurama. You wanted to go help your friends. . . I'm sorry. It's selfish of me to keep you here. You should go….if you like."
Kurama looks at the girl with a curious expression, he smiles gently back down at her, "It's alright Alice, I understand. And don't worry I'll stay here with you. There will be plenty of fights in the future. And my friends are strong, they can handle the minions."
"Oh," Alice nods timidly, "Thank you."
Kurama looks at the girl, she's still seems so scared. He feels helpless to calm her down. If only he could distract her…..
"Alice are you still afraid?" Kurama asks.
Alice trembles the slightest bit, she nods timidly, "Yes. A little."
"How about I give you a little present Alice?" Kurama smiles down.
She immediately looks up, blinking up at him, "A present? Well you don't have to."
"Hm," Kurama chuckles, "I want to." He runs his fingers through is long red hair, and between his fingers a rose appears, Alice's blue eyes grow wide and she lets out a gasp.
"A rose?" Alice smiles brilliantly, "You must be magic!"
"It's for you Miss Alice," he chuckles, and hands the rose to the little girl, "You see not all demons mean harm to you."
"It's so pretty!" Alice takes it in her hand delicately, "thank you Mr. Kurama!"
"You're Welcome," he smiles and Alice looks at the flower with a sense of amazement.
"Is it a magic rose Mr. Kurama?" Alice looks at the red rose with wonderment.
"It is," Kurama chuckles, "it will protect you from the monsters okay? You don't need be afraid anymore."
Her smile widens and she wraps her arms around Kurama's neck, "Thank you Mr. Kurama!"
"Don't mention it Alice," Kurama chuckles, he lifts her up under her arms and carefully positions her on his shoulders.
Alice lets out an excited squeal, "A piggyback ride?"
"Of course," Kurama smirks.
"Mr. Kurama?" Alice hugs his head. Her voice sounds different somehow, Kurama begins to feel worried, the girl seems to change her mood often, and without much warning.
"Something wrong?" Kurama casts his glance upwards, to no avail however, he still can't see the little girl. Something warm and wet hits his cheek like a drop of rain and his green eyes widen the slightest bit.
"Alice are you crying?" he furrows his brow, suddenly worried, "did I upset you?"
"N-No of course not Mr. Kurama," little Alice hiccups, he can hear her giggle a little bit and then she sniffs a few times, dismissing the tears, "I'm sorry Mr. Kurama I'm just really happy."
"Oh is that it?" Kurama chuckles, "then I'm glad."
"Can we play in the garden next?"
"Of course we can," he smirks and runs with her on his shoulders, "hold on Miss Alice!"
The demons greeted Hiei and Yusuke behind a building. Five of them, all of mediocre strength.
"This won't take long then," Hiei smirks, he unsheathes his hidden sword and lets out a dark chuckle, "Just stand back Detective. And watch a true fighter."
Yusuke laughs, and slaps Hiei on the back, knowing it would piss the fire demon off, "Like hell Hiei! I'm in on this too."
Hiei growls at the spirit detective and in a flash he charges the first demon. Yusuke follows after quickly. The minions have human-like bodies. But they're deformed and discolored. Their skin has started to rot and their eyes are pitch black.
"Hey Hiei is it just me or do these minions stink like…"
"Death?" Hiei smirks, and cuts one of them down to size, the foul odor of decaying flesh pierces the air badly enough that Yusuke has to cover his mouth and nose. He wretches.
"What the freaking hell?! Okay you are not going to cut them open any more that was sick."
"Oh I'm sorry, perhaps you should have stayed at the mansion and played house," Hiei growls and cuts down a second one, causing Yusuke to glare at him with ferocity.
"Just shut the hell up," Yusuke growls and punches one of the minions in the stomach with a fist laced with his energy, the minion hurls back and crumbles against the brick wall of a building. The building shudders with the force.
"That's more like it Yusuke," Hiei chuckles.
"What did I just say you little imp?" Yusuke growls, he clenches his stomach, "God damn that smell."
"Something tells me that the little girl would be more helpful on a mission like this," Hiei mumbles, and throws a death glare to the remaining minion. It feels, almost like it's getting stronger.
"You know what Hiei?" Yusuke growls, and turns on his companion, "I really don't need that crap right now."
"Want to do something about it Detective?" Hiei growls back.
Suddenly the minion's arms wrap around Hiei and Yusuke's throat. It has nails like blades and they dig into their shoulders.
"Dammit," Yusuke struggles, grabbing at the minions arm, "Wh-Where did he get this strength?"
"It must be Kirikami," Hiei reaches for his sword and the minion squeezes him tighter, his claws ripping open his flesh, he cries out.
"Guys!!" Kuwabara's voice comes from the other end of the alley, "Hold on guys!"
"Kuwabara?" Yusuke struggles again and the dagger-like nails start to plunge for his throat.
Kuwabara's spirit sword slices through the monsters arms quickly and the same stench collects in the air. Kuwabara grunts and stumbles back, "What…What is that?"
"Hn," Hiei growls, he quickly grabs his sword and cuts down the now frantic demon, "Now that that's done. Yusuke? Can you still walk?"
"Yes," Yusuke frowns, picking himself up off the ground, "How about you Hiei?"
Hiei winces as he rolls his shoulder, "It's nothing."
"Sure doesn't look like nothing," Kuwabara frowns at his injured team mates.
"How did you know to come here?" Yusuke asks, "You and Kurama were supposed to stay in today."
Kuwabara grins, "Well Alice had a vision of you guys fighting the demons, and so I decided to come here and save the day. Betcha want to thank me now don't ya shortie?" Kuwabara laughs and Hiei rolls his crimson eyes.
" 'Thank' and 'you' weren't the two words I was thinking," Hiei growls.
"Aw come on Hiei," Yusuke snickers, "the big guy did save our butts."
Hiei sheathes his sword and glares at the two of them, "Let's go. It's bad enough to hear you two talking. But this stench makes it worse. We're going."
"Yea yea," Yusuke frowns, and he looks to Kuwabara, "Is Kurama still at the mansion?"
"Yea," Kuwabara frowns, "Alice wanted him to stay. She was really freaking out about the vision thing. I hope she's okay."
The trio eventually makes it back to the mansion. The servants start to fuss when they see their wounds and Hiei shakes them off with terrifying glare. They back off from both of them rather quickly.
"Where are Alice and Kurama?" Yusuke asks one of maids, she looks at both Yusuke and Hiei with a concerned and frightened expression.
"Well?" Hiei frowns, impatient.
"They're outside in the garden," she says quickly and scurries away with bed sheets in hand.
"Think Kurama can fix you two up?" Kuwabara asks, scanning over his friends' injuries.
"Hn," Hiei frowns, "these wounds aren't very serious. Yes. We'll be fine by tomorrow."
"Hey is that Kurama?" Yusuke points out into the garden; he easily spots Kurama's red hair amongst the grasses.
They walk towards him and they can hear him and Alice speaking with each other.
"Mr. Kurama look at the butterflies!" Alice's voice comes out from the distance, "Aren't they pretty?"
"They are Alice," the two of them finally come into view. Alice has her hands raised towards the sky, in hopes of catching one of the many fluttering butterflies; Kurama is smiling back at her. Her doll is sitting beside him on the ground.
Yusuke calls out to both of them, "Hey Kurama, we could use some of plants…That is if you're not too busy playing Mommy."
Kurama looks up and smirks, "No I think I can manage to play doctor as well Yusuke. I see that the demons proved to be a problem."
"They just came as a surprise," Yusuke grins, "That's all."
Alice looks up at both Hiei and Yusuke with wide, frightened eyes, "The monsters…they hurt you!"
Yusuke blinks and smiles back down at her, "You don't need to worry Alice. It's not that bad. Hiei and I will be better by tomorrow."
"You're sure?" Alice frowns; she picks up her doll and holds it to her chest.
"Yes," Kurama smiles down at her Yusuke nods.
"I can treat you both inside," Kurama says, he looks to Kuwabara, "If you're uninjured, stay out here and keep Alice company."
"No," Alice takes hold of Kurama's sleeve, "I'll go inside too."
Kurama looks at her with surprise, but he doesn't argue.
"Let's go then," Hiei grunts, Kurama nods, and with Alice still gripping his sleeve, he follows his teammates into the house.
Christina is in the hallway with a tutor when she spots Alice.
"Alice!" she smiles and runs to her sister, "You were outside? I thought Uncle Kureno didn't want you leaving your room."
"He didn't," Alice says timidly, "but Mr. Kurama and Mr. Kuwabara took me out to play today."
Christina's eyes widen when she looks to Yusuke and Hiei, "Oh my, are you hurt?"
"It's nothing," Yusuke smirks. The tutor spots the two injured boys.
"I can call a doctor if you need-"
Hiei gives her an acute glare and cuts her off, "We're fine. Stay out of it."
The tutor takes a step back, taking Christina's hand, "Come along Miss Christina."
"Fine," Christina pouts, she waves goodbye, "I'll play with you tomorrow Alice!"
Yusuke and Hiei sit on the guestroom's beds as Kurama treats their wounds. Alice, who had refused to go back to her room, is sitting with Kuwabara. Watching quietly and holding the doll to her chest.
"I'm afraid neither of you will be going out tomorrow. Your wounds won't be properly healed by then. You'll stay here with Alice tomorrow and Kuwabara and I will go out to track the source of the minions."
"Hn," Hiei glares up at Kurama while bandaging his own wound, "I'm not babysitting. It's a waste of time."
"You don't have a choice Hiei," Kurama glares at him, "besides it's just a day. I'm sure you and Yusuke can handle it."
Hiei glares at Alice, who's innocently braiding her dolls hair. She meekly meets his eye and blushes, "I'm sorry."
"Aw c'mon Hiei," Yusuke puts his arm around the brooding fire demon, "We can play house together tomorrow," Hiei glares at him and growls, nonetheless, Yusuke continues, "You can be the mommy if you want."
Hiei tackles Yusuke to the floor, grabbing for his neck.
"I don't know about you Kuwabara," Kurama sighs, smirking as he watches his friends wrestle each other on the ground, "but I don't believe that this marriage will last long."
"Nope," Kuwabara grins and picks Alice up, putting her on his shoulders. She blushes and giggles, he continues, "I think I see a divorce in the near future."
Alice looks at the duo with a wary expression, "I don't think I want Mr. Hiei to be my mommy."
"Good call Kid," Kuwabara snickers, "I wouldn't either."
"I'll kill you Yusuke!" Hiei snarls.
"Only in your dreams Three Eyes!" Yusuke smirks.
"Mr. Kuwabara can I have some apple juice?" Alice wraps her arms around his head.
"Sure thing Kid," Kuwabara grins, he turns to Kurama, "I'm sure they'll be done when we get back."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Kurama sighs, and follows the two out the door.
Is it just me or was that a tad long?? Huh......Oh well.... Review! Pretty please with Hiei on top!
Yusuke-Kinky *snickers*
Hiei- WHAT? *pulls out katana
Me-............Please point me to the nearest funeral home....I'd like to save my mother the trip.
Hiei- Don't worry *dark laughter* i'll be the one to cremate you!
Me- EEP! Save me Kurama!
Kurama- *blinks* Don't get me involved with this killing spree alright Hiei?
Me- O_O YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT ME DAMMIT!
Kurama- *sighs* Fine then. Hiei if you kill her we'll never get to leave this fanfiction.
Hiei- *freezes*.....God..........DAMMIT!
Me- MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA *innocent smile* REVIEW!