Wow! This chapter took FOREVER, you'll have to tell me what you think about it. I'm so sorry that i take this long to update. I'd like to thank all of those who have read and reviewed this far. Thank you Kuro Neko to Kuro Bara and Crazy anime chick since 1993 for reviewing the last chapter :D. I really appreciate it.
So, that's all, won't you enjoy? Review if you like.
Alice feels adrenaline and fear roaring in every corner of her body, she inches away from the woman with the fiery eyes. But, like a mouse in a corner, she can't find a safe place to run to. The woman seems to stand up and glide across the floor, her red eyes focus on the little girl. She stops and stands between Alice and the locked door.
Kirikami smiles serenely and kneels down, to meet Alice at eye level. Alice tries to take another step back but she finds herself immobile once again. Her trembling body frozen in place. Kirikami tips her head to side and her ivory hair falls over her shoulders.
Something strangely sad arises in Kirikami's eyes when fear filled tears run down Alice's pale, bruised cheek. "Oh, Alice why do you look so frightened? I'm not here to hurt you. Not at all."
Alice struggles to find her voice, but still it remains locked inside of her.
Kirikami's fire red eyes widen and with a gentle touch she brushes Alice's hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry, Alice. I can't let you have your voice quite yet. I don't want you to call that troublesome group of boys back here. This conversation is just for you and me."
Alice closes her eyes tight, the thoughts scream in her head. She's going to kill me. She's going to kill me! But I know they'll come for me. They have to come for me!
Kirikami laughs, and a painful knot forms in Alice's stomach. Kirikami shakes her head. "I can hear your thoughts, Alice. And those worthless idiots will not come to your aid. Not for a while, at least."
What? Alice's thoughts grow frantic. No. They promised to protect me!
They promised.
"You can't honestly believe that can you? Yusuke nearly let you die. Hiei was the one to come to your rescue. But Miss Alice, I think you should know that it's only out of obligation. Hiei and Yusuke. Kuwabara and Kurama. They care nothing of you. It's merely their job to protect you from demons like me."
No. Alice shakes her head. She's lying. Alice casts her eyes to the demon. I don't believe you.
"You poor child." Kirikami reaches out to her gently, and Alice visibly cringes when her hand slithers around the girl's thin, delicate shoulders. Her shoulders tense and tighten in immediate response.
Please, just stay away. Don't-
A small whimper comes from her throat when Kirikami pulls her closer
Please don't hurt me.
Kirikami wraps her arms around Alice's shoulders tenderly. "All this time you've been all alone. You know, I've been looking for you for quite a long time, and I'm so happy that I've finally found you. I was so worried."
Alice pauses and looks up to Kirikami. Confused. Worried? About me?
Kirikami smiles again, almost satisfied now. Alice's thoughts begin to swim in confusion. "Yes, Alice. I've been very worried about you. I'm not nearly as evil as those foolish little boys have led you to believe. Alice, I was much like you when I was young. I was rejected because of the gifts that were given to me at birth. And I was forced to live in solitude." Kirikami's voice becomes smooth, somewhat sad, and Alice's paranoia starts to drift away. "Just like you I was alone for a long, long time. I was hated. Ostracized."
Alice blinks back at Kirikami with puzzled, innocent blue eyes.
"You don't have to be alone Alice." Kirikami's becomes urgent. She rustles Alice's raven hair and her blood red eyes become sympathetic. "You don't have to be alone ever again. You can come with me, and I can show you how to put your powers to good use. You would never be alone again, Alice. I will always remain by your side."
Alice blinks up at her and takes a step back, and Kirikami releases her gently.
You don't have to worry about me. I never asked you to. Alice shakes her head; she looks around somewhat desperately, but as subtly as she can. Kirikami's words sound sweet and reassuring; something inside of Alice tells her that she's dangerous. The words aren't right. She looks to the door, and it seems almost miles away from her. Her thoughts start to reel. I'm not alone anymore. I have Kurama, Yusuke, and Kuwabara…And Hiei said that he and the others would protect me. They promised! All of them.
Kirikami's smile is sympathetic. "And don't you see how Yusuke-kun 'protected' you? He left you for dead, Alice."
He made a mistake…but he promised that I could trust him.
"I know they made a lot of promises, Alice." Kirikami's fingers run through Alice's raven tresses and a shiver runs through every end of Alice's nerves. "And that's why I've come to protect you from the heart break that they're going to put you through. They'll hurt you, Alice."
They'd never hurt me. Kurama would never hurt me.
"What do you think they'll do after they've chased me away?" Kirikami frowns and Alice's stomach churns uncomfortably. "Did you think that they'd remain here with you forever?"
Kirikami strokes Alice's hair tenderly. "I know that this truth may hurt you, Miss Alice, but when those boys are finished with their obligations. They will leave, and their promises will mean nothing to them anymore. You will be left alone again, and nothing will have changed from before they arrived. You will still be alone, and rejected by those who once cared for you."
Alice can feel her heart tremble in its cage; she takes a few slow steps away. She approaches her vanity table and with a frail, trembling hand she picks up the rose that Kurama had given her. Holding it to her chest she looks to it with her trembling, confused, blue eyes.
It can't be this way. Her shoulders start to tremble. He promised me…With this rose, this magic rose, he said he would protect me. He promised.
Kirikami's smooth, but icy voice speaks to the broken child with a patient but sharp voice. "That was nothing but a lie, child; he will forsake you when he has finished his duty here. But, Alice, if you so choose to come with me, I will never forsake you. You will never be alone again. I will always be by your side, and our bond won't fade with the passing of time."
Kurama and Kuwabara break through the gates of the mansion frantically. Kurama's calculative emerald eyes dart from one corner of the garden to another, the aura of demons hangs in the air like poison. And the stench of Kirikami's followers is subtle, but there, and leaves a feeling of a battle that has come and gone, and will possibly come again.
Kurama and Kuwabara spot Hiei near the entrance, his sword drawn and his stance of battle already taken. He stands almost frozen. His crimson eyes dart every which way.
"Hey Hiei!" Kuwabara pants, stops by his teammate, and holds his side. Words fail to form while he gasps for air after trying to run through city at Kurama's swift pace.
"What are you two doing back?" Hiei looks to both of them curiously.
"We found one of Kirikami's minions in the city, we chased him for awhile, but then he disappeared on the other side of the city. We figured that they led us away for reason. And by the smell of it, can I safely say that Kirikami's minions also visited you?"
"You can," Hiei grunts, his crimson eyes flash in irritation. "I turned my back for a few minutes to guard the perimeter, and Yusuke nearly had Alice kidnapped and Christina was almost killed."
Kurama's green eyes widen. "Wh-What? Where are they? Where's Alice?"
"She's inside," Yusuke speaks up as he walks back outside. His hands are stuffed in his pockets. His shoulders are hunched over. Like a child who was caught with his hand in a cookie jar, Urameshi looks absolutely miserable and guilty. "Christina is being treated and a maid took Alice to her room to clean her up. They'll both be fine but Alice was pretty shaken up."
"He fell asleep while Alice and Christina were playing in the garden. They went past the perimeter of the barrier and were ambushed before they could turn around" Hiei's glare focuses on Yusuke, still brooding.
"You fell asleep?" Kuwabara's jaw drops substantially.
"Yea." Yusuke rubs the back of his neck. "Lucky Hiei was there to step in… Gave me a good ass-beating too."
"As you deserved." Hiei's crimson eyes flicker with a sort of satisfied humor.
Kurama looks around. "Hiei, you suspect that there will be another wave of minions right?"
"No, I just like to stand here like this to scare the neighbors and the rabbits." Hiei frowns and rolls his crimson eyes. Kurama throws Hiei a glare, letting him know exactly how amusing his sarcasm is.
"Of course there will be a second wave." Hiei snorts. "You can feel the energy can't you? It's manifesting everywhere. I just can't find the source with my Jagan."
"Yes." Kurama clenches and unclenches his fists repeatedly. "But they would be here by now. They'd be trying to break into the house. They aren't masters of strategy; they're corpse minions. They do simply what they are told to do, as easily and quickly as possible. With no stealth whatsoever."
"We know that Kurama." Yusuke frowns.
Hiei's eyes widen somewhat, and he grips his sword tighter. "So you think-"
Kurama turns to the front door and doesn't pause to say his explanation. "The second wave is already here. It's already inside, hunting Alice."
"Inside?" Yusuke's eyes narrow skeptically. "But I didn't see anything. Or smell anything. If there were any minions I'm sure the entire staff would be frantic or dead."
Kurama frowns. "Did you take Alice to her room yourself?"
"N-no I handed her over to a maid who said that she would clean her up. But-"
Yusuke remembers how Alice had clung to him, how she had looked up to him, terrified. She had just looked…like she knew something. Yusuke's eyes widen and he turns back to the door. With a blunt and furious jerk he opens the door.
"Yusuke?" Kurama narrows his green eyes and knowingly watches Yusuke scramble back inside. The three of his teammates follow him quickly.
"You." Yusuke ignores Kurama and corners the nearest servant. The maid stops abruptly and stares at the boys. "Y-yes?"
"Where's Alice?"
The maid frowns. "In her room I believe. Why?"
"We just need to see her." Kurama hurries past the maid with determination, and his friends follow close behind.
Kurama green eyes widen tremendously when he spots her door. Under the tiny crack, something red leaks on the floor. The smell of blood wafts in the air.
"That's-" Yusuke's voice turns to a growl. "Dammit!"
"Alice!" Kurama reaches for the hand…Locked.
Dammit. Kurama grimaces, and he starts to hit the door, panicking. "Alice! Open the door! Alice?"
Alice is pulled from her thoughts when she hears Kurama's voice.
"Alice, open the door!"
Kurama-kun.
Kirikami's eyes narrow and glow menacingly. She looks to Alice and frowns sympathetically. "It looks like our conversation is over Alice."
"Alice! Answer us! Please!"
He came back. Alice looks to the door anxiously.
"I'll let you think about what I said." Kirikami smiles and tenderly touches Alice's shoulder. Alice doesn't seem to pay attention, and she stares at the door. Kirikami sighs and continues, her patience waning. "You can come find me. Or I will come to you. Either way you will find that I'm right. They will betray you. And you'll be alone again."
Alice feels her courage spark and she glares at Kirikami.
No. You're wrong…I won't let you lie to me, and I won't let you hurt them.
Kirikami's red eyes widen. "Why, Alice. Is that a threat? Such a sweet girl shouldn't say such bitter things. Especially for such undeserving scum."
"Alice!" Kurama's voice comes from the other side, the door shudders several times and Alice's blue eyes narrow at Kirikami. Her palms begin to glow.
"I can feel the power coming from you." Kirikami smiles. "And I hope that you change your mind in the future. Until you do, I will be nearby. Always."
Kirikami's red eyes glow and her body seems almost enveloped in a dark aura. Alice feels the fear ripple through her body again. The energy in Alice's palms recedes drastically and the feeling of helplessness returns. Kirikami seems like a giant and Alice trembles once again.
The door shudders one last time, before a bright light fills the room and the door bursts into woodchips. A shining explosion of light rockets through the room and breaks through the window, creating a hole in the wall. Yusuke steps in first, his index finger still glowing with aura. He quickly puts himself between Alice and Kirikami.
"Alice." Alice turns to the voice that calls her name and her blue eyes widen immensely when they settle on her red-headed hero. She stumbles over to him, and he grabs her, pulling her into him and backing away from Kirikami. His green eyes glare at the demon and with one free hand he flicks his wrist and his rose whip is immediately at the ready.
Kurama. New tears form in her eyes as she clings to Kurama desperately. I knew you would come. I'm sorry I doubted you.
"Hello boys." Kirikami smirks and she crosses her arms. Looking at ease while surrounded by her enemies.
"What did you do?" Yusuke growls at her. "What did you do to her?"
Kirikami snickers. "Who? The maid? She grew rather tiresome, and I didn't like her very much. Once she was done with her job. I no longer needed her."
Kuwabara growls. "You heartless-"
"We're not interested in her." Hiei's voice cuts through Kuwabara's outburst. He grips his sword tighter and his crimson eyes narrow. "What did you do to Alice?"
Kirikami's red eyes widen, feigning innocence. "Why would I do anything to her? I'd be much more loyal to her than you will ever be."
"What are you talking about?" Yusuke growls.
Hiei's wire of patience runs out and he pounces, his sword and teeth bared with hostility and bloodlust.
Kirikami smirks and with a black ball of energy, she knocks him back to the ground. When the ball of energy collides with him, the smell of flesh blood explodes in the air. The attack throws him to the ground.
He holds his stomach and glares up at Kirikami, his teeth still bared at the incarnate and gripping his sword in one hand. He attempts to stand but he stumbles and holds his stomach in pain.
"Now, I'd love to stay and play with you boys." Kirikami's countenance suddenly seems eerily malicious. "But I do have business to attend to." She looks Alice in the eye, and Alice trembles. "Don't forget what I've told you, Alice. I'll be waiting for you."
Kirikami holds her palm up and black energy spreads everywhere like thin, unraveling threads. They twist and snake around the air. They brush against Alice's skin and it burns to the touch. Alice cries out and Kurama shields her with his arms. Yusuke and Kuwabara swat at them angrily. When they dissolve in the air. . . Kirikami is gone.
"Where the hell?" Yusuke spins around, looking for any trace of the demon's escape route.
He frowns at the hole that his Spirit Gun had left in the wall. God Dammit.
"She's gone?" Alice squeaks and her grip on Kurama's shirt loosens. She lets out a sigh of relief when she realizes she can once again use her voice.
"For now she is." Hiei growls and he holds the wound on his stomach. He resituates himself and grimaces in pain and frustration.
"Are you alright Hiei?" Yusuke helps his teammate stand and looks at him carefully.
"Fine," Hiei frowns, and winces as he speaks, "I'm fine."
"I disagree, Hiei, that doesn't look fine to me. Let me see your wound." Kurama walks to him calmly, he looks to Alice. "Alice, Kuwabara will take you to go get cleaned up. We'll be back here when you're through all right?"
Alice nods shakily, and Kurama hands her off to Kuwabara. He takes her down the hall to one of the many maids.
"Hey kid." Kuwabara sets her down in the hallway. "You okay?"
"I-." Alice stops for a second. For a split moment, she loses her voice again.
"Huh? You feeling alright?" Kuwabara frowns. "Answer me will ya?"
"I think I'm okay." Alice speaks quietly. She carefully puts a palm to her temple. Her head feels light. Her body still trembles with the echoes of fears.
"Did she hurt you at all?" Kuwabara looks her over carefully, and somewhat awkwardly.
"N-No." Alice shakes her head. "She didn't hurt me. I think I'm okay Kuwabara."
"Yea?" Kuwabara lets out a sigh of relief. "Well let's get you cleaned up 'kay Squirt?"
Kuwabara holds out his hand and Alice takes it sleepily, trying to calm down the storm of thoughts in her mind.
She squeezes his hand. I don't want it to be true. I hope she was lying to me.
"You sure nothing's wrong?"
Alice ignores him. Her thoughts swimming. I want them to stay with me. I want them to stay forever…
Her thoughts turn to prayers. Please. I don't want them to go.
"Alice?"
Please don't go….
Alice's knees buckle and her vision dims. Her head spins and her head hits the carpet.
I don't want to be alone again.
"Alice? Wake up!" Kuwabara picks her up and frantically tells her to 'snap out of it'.
And you promised. You promised me. Kurama, you swore.
"I'm not surprised." Kurama frowns at Kuwabara when he frantically explains why Alice is unconscious. "She's been through a lot today. Some sleep will be good for her."
"Except you wouldn't expect her to grab some shut-eye while walking down the hall." Yusuke frowns at Alice. Who's sleeping soundly in one of the guest room beds…Considering that the police and ambulance had only just shown up to carry out 'clean up' duty in Alice's room. Getting rest in her own room would be impossible. All four of the boys can hear the sound of people scurrying around the house, and down the hall.
"We've put quite the scare into the help here." Hiei frowns. "More so than before, of course."
"Yeah." Yusuke stretches his arms behind his head. "I'd be pretty freaked out too if I were them. They must think that they're in danger. Do you think it will come to that, guys?"
"If everything we know about Kirikami is true, then she'll do anything to get what she wants. She'll eliminate anything or anyone. It may very well end badly for the people closest to Alice." Kurama frowns deeply. "I don't like to say it, but they're right to worry for their safety."
"If you're so worried about the humans, then let's find Kirikami before she comes back." Hiei crosses his arms over his chest and winces the tiniest bit from his wound. He immediately masks his pain with an irritated scowl.
"I wouldn't consider you in condition to go looking for a fight." Yusuke smirks. "You already forgot the wound Kirikami gave you?"
Hiei's voice turns into an indignant growl. "I'm fine."
"Don't be unreasonable." Kurama sighs. "Either way, we have no way of tracing Kirikami; she left nothing behind to show us where she's hiding. We have no choice but to wait until she comes out into the open again."
Silence falls over the four boys when they reach that conclusion. Each of them feels the weight of their thoughts over their shoulders.
Kuwabara crosses his arms, and thinks to himself. Then a new thought surfaces.
"There is something else we can do isn't there?" Kuwabara sits back in his chair. "I mean, can't we just bring Kirikami back out into the open? Y'know, force her to show her hand?"
"And how do you propose to do that?" Hiei sneers. "It's a bit more difficult than sending her an invitation in the mail or asking her over for dinner."
Kuwabara swallows the insult with some pride and continues, glancing at the girl sleeping peacefully. "What if we used Alice as bait to make Kirikami come to us?"
Hiei's crimson eyes flash with a smirk. "Not a bad idea Oaf, have you been reading? Did you hit your head?"
Kuwabara glares at him again, unable to ignore the second insult, he raises his voice. "Hey, you always gotta be treating me like that? I-"
"Focus." Yusuke snaps, his patience running out. "It's not a bad idea. So if we take Alice out into the-"
"Absolutely not." Kurama snaps at the three of his teammates. "Our job is to protect Alice. Not endanger her. She's gone through enough don't you think? We're not using her as bait."
Yusuke's shoulders sink with guilt and he crosses his arms. "You're probably right."
"Yeah." Kuwabara rubs the back of his head apologetically. "Sorry."
Hiei doesn't seem the least bit repentant. "Getting a tad bit attached are we, Kurama?"
Kurama ignores Hiei's comment and looks back at Alice, still sleeping quite soundly. "We'll find another way to lure Kirikami into the open."
"Right." Yusuke smirks. "Well then, I don't know about you guys but I'm starving. I'll grab some food in the kitchen and we'll talk strategy when I get back, alright?" Yusuke jumps to his feet and heads to the door.
"See if you can find some actual junk food Urameshi!" Kuwabara calls out to him while he's halfway out the doorway.
Alice starts to stir under her sheets and a small mumble escapes her lips. Kurama looks to her curiously. She opens her eyes slowly and sits up. looking around groggily, her tired blue eyes settle on Kurama.
"How are you feeling Alice?" Kurama speaks gently.
She rubs her eyes, and looks to him. "I think I'm okay…Hey, Kurama?"
"Yes?"
"That wasn't a nightmare was it? The one with the frightening woman? Kirikami?"
Hiei snorts. "You're not that lucky Little Girl."
Alice blinks and nods. "Oh. Right."
"It's alright, Alice." Kurama smiles. "We won't let her get to you again."
"Promise?" Alice looks up at the other boys. "She won't be back again?"
"She'll be back." Hiei frowns, and before Kurama can throw him a glare for his insensitivity, he finishes, "But we won't let her touch you, Alice."
"O-okay," Alice nods. Kirikami's words float in her head dangerously and she balls her hands into fists to keep them from shaking.
"Is something wrong?" Kurama looks at her with a concerned expression; he sits beside her on the bed.
"N-no." Alice shakes her head, "I'm okay. Um, Kurama?"
"Yes?"
"I'm a little hungry." Alice holds her stomach when it audibly growls. Kurama and Kuwabara chuckle together. Hiei rolls his eyes.
"Then let's go and join Yusuke in the kitchen." Kurama holds out his hand. Alice takes it with gratitude, and follows the boys out into the hall.
Alice's blue eyes are focused intently at the ground, her young mind still struggling with the events that have so quickly come and gone.
"Kurama?" Alice squeezes his hand and he looks down.
"Hm?"
"You're not leaving are you?"
Kurama chuckles. "Now, where did you get that idea?"
Her cheeks turn pink and she looks away. "I-"
"We're not going anywhere." Kurama assures her calmly, smiling down at her. "We'll stay with you and make sure Kirikami is taken care of for good."
Alice nods. I know that but…
"They're only here because of obligation. Once I'm taken care of, they'll leave you again. To be alone…."
No. Alice shakes her head, I won't believe her. They'll stay with me forever. Won't they?
Kurama's eyes fill with concern when he watches Alice's tired, melancholy countenance.
She's worse than when we first got here, she looks so afraid. Kurama picks her up and smiles at her. "You shouldn't worry about her anymore, Alice." Kurama holds her up and she looks up at him with curiosity. "We'll protect you." Alice feels her cheeks turn pink and feeling somewhat better, she wraps her arms around his neck.
I'm sorry if this is our fault, Alice. Kurama keeps his thoughts to himself. I shouldn't have left you. I should have been here. I don't know what Kirikami said to you to frighten you. But I promise to stay by your side.
She'll never touch you again.
Hiei snaps Kurama out of his thoughts. "Well she doesn't look pleased."
Kurama blinks and looks down the hall to see a middle aged maid stomping down the hallway towards them. Her face is contorted in a horribly angry expression.
She stops in front of them, and crosses her arms, "I just knew you'd bring nothing but trouble. I knew Master Kureno couldn't trust a group of freakish juveniles."
Alice looks up and frowns angrily. "You shouldn't talk to my friends like that Mrs. Hirima. I'll ask you to -"
The maid turns on her young master. "And don't you interfere. You monstrous excuse for a child. None of this would've happened if you just stayed in you God damn-"
"Ma'am." Kurama stops her, his green eyes look chillingly annoyed at the maid's outburst but he carefully guises his voice with concernment. "Please tell us what's wrong."
"Oh, as if you aren't a part of it." She sneers at all three of them. "Her body is gone."
"Who's body?" Kuwabara blinks, clueless. "You aren't making much sense lady."
"Marie's body! It's gone! What did you do to it?" The maid becomes so frantic that she raises her arms up and then snaps them back down, infuriated.
"Who's Mari-?"
"She's the maid Kirikami killed." Alice says quietly, she suppresses a shiver while she briefly remembers Kirikami's heartless execution. "That was her name, Marie."
Kurama frowns deeply. "We left her body there for authorities to deal with. We never touched her. I can promise you."
"Really? Because when the authorities came, all they found was a pool of blood, a broken door, and a hole in the wall."
"Leave it to the Detective to be subtle with his Spirit Gun." Hiei snorts. He looks to the maid, taking the initiative and lying through his teeth. "Look. We don't know what happened to your friend. And personally, I don't care."
"And do you expect me to believe that a dead woman walked off?"
Kurama, Hiei, and Kuwabara share a knowing look. With Kirikami's powers, they didn't doubt it.
"Well?" The woman crosses her arms over her chest. "What did you do?"
Kurama starts to explain, but falters. We can't just tell her Kirikami took the body to use as a minion... The people in this house know too much about Spirit World and Demons as it is.
Hiei, however, intercedes with confidence. His crimson eyes are filled with irritation, and his voice makes the woman jump when he snarls at her, "Listen, you're getting on my last nerve, Woman. Your friend? She's dead. We didn't touch her body, and it's not our job to deal with your complaints. So take your whining to someone who gives a shit."
Kurama, though thankful for his companion's swift honesty, sighs. "Please, Hiei, be wary of your language. You forget about the company we've been keeping recently." His eyes look to Alice, who watches intently as the maid turns around on her heels and stalks off.
Hiei, temper still flaring, glares at Kurama furiously. "I would really appreciate it, if for one god-damn minute you'd stop playing Mommy long enough to focus on the pressing issue that there is a soul sucking witch running around the city."
Kurama raises one eyebrow and smirks, guising his growing frustrations with a look of waning patience. "Honestly Hiei, I'm not the one who was cornered by rotting corpses just a day ago. By the way how's the wound on your stomach? The one Kirikami gave you? Perhaps you shouldn't be picking fights, you've been losing lately. It proves how useful you've been as well."
Hiei's crimson eyes burn with indignation. "You should be grateful that I'm still hanging around here. Don't you think I have better things to do than stay here and babysit some whiny brat?"
Alice's blue eyes fill with hurt, unnoticed by the three boys standing around her.
Kuwabara decides to step between the two. "C'mon guys, this ain't worth it. I mean there's no point of fighting each other. 'Specially not right now."
Hiei's crimson eyes do not lose their angry intensity; he only turns his frustration and anger on Kuwabara. "And I suppose you'd know best wouldn't you?" His voice is thick with sarcasm and it makes Kuwabara's chest puff out defensively, but Hiei continues. "As if you've been any help whatsoever human I don't understand why Spirit World bothers with a useless cretin like yourself. I've had more intellectual conversations with woodland creatures than with you."
Kuwabara's peaceful intentions shatter and he grabs Hiei by his shirt. "YOU LITTLE MOUSE! I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF YOUR BULL CRAP! HOW BOUT WE SETTLE THIS RIGHT HERE! RIGHT NOW! MAYBE YOU'VE FORGOTTEN WHO SAVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE ABOUT TO BE EATEN BY SOULLESS ZOMBIES!"
Hiei pushes Kuwabara away and unsheathes his blade. His crimson eyes blazing with the anger that he had kept inside of him since the moment they had arrived.
"Settle it?" Hiei repeats Kuwabara's words, savoring each one. If Kuwabara had meant revenge, Hiei was perfectly fine with that. "That's the best idea you've had since I met you Kuwabara."
By now Kurama's frustration has completely disappeared and apathy takes its place. Kurama shakes his head. Let them 'settle' things. I'm growing tired of being the mediator. There are more important things to focus on.
Kurama starts to walk away from the two ticking time bombs, with the girl still in his arms; then Alice's voice makes all three of them pause.
"I'm sorry," Alice's voice is soft enough that it's barely above a whisper. The weight of sadness in it sobers all three of them up (surprisingly, even Hiei), and they look up to the exhausted, somber child.
Alice twists around in Kurama's grip and he gently lets her down on the ground. She looks down to the carpet with her trembling blue stare. "I'm sorry."
"What?" Hiei's voice is calmer, and the fury that had burnt in his stare slowly dims.
"This…all of this is my fault." Alice wraps her tiny arms around herself, and with a wavering and insecure voice, she whimpers, "I'm sorry."
Kurama frowns with confusion. "Alice, that's not-"
Alice shakes her head as tears start to fill her eyes. Kuwabara hesitantly steps forward and Alice turns away from all three of them. Her shoulders start to shake.
The tears blur her vision and she hiccups, unable to hold back her urge to cry.
Why can't I be stronger? I don't want to cry in front of them. This is…embarrassing.
"Alice?" Kurama's hand settles on one of her shoulders gently. "I'm sorry. You're wrong. None of this is any of your faults. You-"
Suddenly frustrated, Alice turns on Kurama. "You don't understand! If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be so miserable. You wouldn't be fighting each other." Her eyes settle on the floor.
Kurama's brow furrows with frustration and he shakes his head. "Please, Alice, listen for just a moment."
Alice turns away from all of them again and starts to stalk away, but Hiei quickly grabs her shoulder and turns her around.
Hiei's crimson eyes flash with irritation again. "Grow up."
"Wh-what?" Alice's eyes widen drastically. Kurama and Kuwabara stare at him incredulously.
"I don't care how old you are." Hiei frowns and shoves his hands in his pockets. "You could be five and it wouldn't make a difference to me. Right now, you're as much a part of this team as that miserable oaf and the idiot who nearly got you killed. So get a hold of yourself and grow up. It's time to stop moping."
Alice stares at him, confused. I don't know if I should be angry or happy.
"Wh-What does that have to do with anything I just said?" Alice stomps with frustration and more tears start to form in her eyes from anger and confusion.
"I can't make you change your mind. No matter how ridiculous I think your reasoning is. If you really think that you're the only one to blame then I suppose it's time to make it up to us."
"I'm not sure what you mean." Alice looks up at Hiei hesitantly.
Hiei smirks. "When Yusuke screwed off and nearly had you killed. Did he cry about it? Did he mope? No, Yusuke is a big boy. He picked himself up and put it behind him. As strange as it feels to say this, he's being mature."
"B-But-"
"I can't change your mind. I have no time nor interest to play psychiatrist with you, and I want you to grow up. If you're so convinced that you're to blame, then deal with it, and get past this."
Tears start to run down the curve of Alice's pale cheeks. The little girl, speechless, turns on her heels and runs away.
"C'mon, Hiei!" Kuwabara steps in. "She's just a kid."
"You know, as well as I do, that she's no longer a kid. She's more than that. We have to treat her as such."
"That may be true, but still." Kurama holds his head with frustration. "Did you have to make her cry?"
"Like I said." Hiei crosses his arms and turns away from the two. "She needs to grow up if we're ever going to get anywhere."
"Hey guys!" Yusuke calls and all turn to see him. He comes trotting down the hallway with a bag of potato chips in one hand and a victorious grin stretched across his face. "Look what I found."
Hiei rolls his eyes and turns to walk away.
"Where do you think you're running off to?" Kurama frowns and stops Hiei in mid-stride.
Hiei half turns his head to answer, "Someone has to watch the moping little princess."
Kurama smiles very slightly. "I knew you cared, Hiei."
Hiei smirks slightly, "Perhaps…And perhaps Alice's uncle is coming by to say hello and I'd rather not be around for that."
Yusuke furrows his brow. "How would you kn-?"
Hiei chuckles and gently taps part of his forehead, where his Jagan Eye hides.
Yusuke sighs, "Fantastic."
"Say hello to Uncle Kureno for me." Hiei chuckles with finality and walks away.
Alice steps outside and frantically wipes away at the tears falling over her cheeks. She can't stop herself from hiccupping and she can't manage to control the confusion that's forming a torrent of thoughts.
"Grow up."
The words had sounded cold. But they made sense. Painful sense. The words had unexpectedly snapped at a part of her heart that she didn't know was vulnerable.
He's right…and yet he's not.
I'm only eleven…what does he want from me? Alice can feel the emotion building up in her throat again.
But…
I'm nothing but a bother to them. They all go out their way for me…just because I'm a child. I don't want that. Do I? They all risk their lives. They fight for me. They stay with me. They protect me with their words and every time they've gotten hurt, every time they've suffered, it was for me.
So…why do I keep crying about it? Why am I making them feel horrible about what they've done?
Hiei was right.
But…why does it still feel horrible? I don't feel like I can do it. I don't feel strong enough.
"You stopped crying." Hiei's voice makes Alice's tiny, frail-looking body jump and spin around.
"H-Hiei?" Alice looks away immediately and her blue eyes tremble silently. She folds her arms behind her back nervously and clenches her teeth when Hiei tries to approach her.
"I don't think I made myself clear in the hallway, Alice." Hiei's sounds surprisingly level headed. It throws Alice for a moment. Just a moment ago, Hiei sounded so angry and frustrated. He had snapped and his voice had been sharp, and yet indifferent, as if he couldn't care less about her.
Yet here he is. Why does he sound so oddly concerned?
"I understood what you said, Hiei." Alice glances sheepishly back up at him.
"If you had understood, then you wouldn't be out here feeling sorry for yourself."
"I'm not-" Alice cuts off her defense. . . That's exactly what she was doing.
Hiei looks back at her and finds it very annoying that the girl is too wrapped up in her own sense of misery to even look him in the eye.
Hiei swallows his irritation for the most part and sighs, "Look at me, Alice. Look me in the eye. I'm trying to talk to you."
Alice's blue eyes look back up to him fearfully, but at last, she doesn't even glance away from his crimson stare.
"When I told you to 'grow up', you didn't understand what I was saying. I wasn't saying it because it was annoying me-" Actually that was part of the reason. - "But there was more to it than that. I said it because I know you can."
Alice furrows her brow. "I still don't understand."
Hiei crosses his arms impatiently. "I told you to 'grow up' because I know that you're strong enough to do it."
"But I'm only eleven, a child, that's all I've ever been." Alice sighs and looks away again. At least that's what they always said. When I told them about my nightmares. When I told them what I could do.
"It's not what children do, Darling."
"You're only a child."
"Haven't you figured out that you're more than that?" Hiei sighs. He hadn't thought that talking sense to her would be so difficult.
"But-"
"Christina is a child," Hiei frowns, "but you're not."
"I'm eleven." Alice repeats again, as if saying it would conquer Hiei's words each time.
"Age doesn't matter to me, and it shouldn't matter to you. Do you want to know why?"
"…Why?"
"You're not ordinary. Ordinary eleven year-olds are just children. You are much much more than that. Ordinary eleven-year-olds wouldn't last five minutes in a room with Kirikami without falling to her magic. But you did. Ordinary eleven year-olds wouldn't be able to see a vision of demons coming after the people they love, but you did. Now tell me again, if you truly think that you're just a child."
Alice feels a lump form in her throat. "Hiei…what are you getting at with all of this?"
"You're strong, Alice. At least, a part of you is. It might not seem fair to be asking this of you, but it's what you need to hear. You're strong enough and mature enough to handle it. So it's time to accept the responsibility of what you are, and grow up."
"I-" Her words stop in her throat, and mixed emotions start to surface.
"I'm going back inside," Hiei turns away. "I've said all that I need to say."
Alice watches him silently at first. A question starts to surface back to her thoughts. The question seems ridiculous to ask, but at the same time, it needs to be answered.
"Did you really mean what you said in the hallway?" The question comes out as a plea. And Alice's cheeks turn a dark pink.
"About what?" Hiei turns his head to look at her.
Alice stammers, "W-well, in the hallway y-you said that I was a part of…of your team with Yusuke and Kuwabara. Did you truly mean that? Am I more than just a…assignment?"
Hiei pauses. He did say that. But had he meant it? That required some thought on his part.
Hiei smirks, "Yes. I don't say what I don't believe." And with that he pulls the door open and disappears from Alice's sight.
Perhaps Hiei had or hadn't noticed the blushing smile now decorating Alice's expression.
Kirikami was wrong. I'm more than an obligation. I'm part of their team.
Alice wipes the rest of her dried tears away, and lets Hiei's words slowly sink in.
In his own way, Hiei was being kind. Alice smiles to herself. In his own way, he's trying to help me. Trying to help me become stronger.
Alice clenches her fists in a sort of earnest thought. I will be stronger. I will. And maybe when I'm strong, I'll stop crying.
Starting now, Alice turns on her toes and approaches her door. I won't be so helpless.
"Good afternoon, Kureno." Kurama smiles politely when he spot the master of the house making his way towards the three of them.
Yusuke leans over to whisper into Kurama's ear, "Do you think we're in trouble, Kurama?"
Kurama smirks, "A maid is dead, there are demon corpses in the garden, and a hole in Alice's wall. So, yes. We are in a lot of trouble."
"Boys," Kureno frowns at the three of them. "We have much to discuss. If you would, please follow me to my office…Aren't you missing someone? I'd like all of you to be present."
"Ah, but Hiei is watching Alice right no-"
"No, I'm right here." Both Yusuke and Kuwabara jump when Hiei speaks.
Kureno frowns, "Then where is Alice? She shouldn't be wandering alone-"
"I'm right here, Uncle." Alice trots down the hallway to stand by Hiei's side.
Kureno raises his eyebrows and he kneels down next to Alice. "Alice, you look like a mess! Go to Miss Yachimi immediately and get cleaned up."
Alice frowns somewhat, but nods, "Yes, Uncle."
Kureno stands tall again and looks to each of the boys sternly before he turns. "Follow me to my office please."
Kureno closes the door behind him and sits himself behind his desk. He folds his hand and sternly glares at all four of the teammates.
"I trusted you." Kureno speaks quietly, but still angrily. "I trusted you to keep those monsters away from this house. I trusted you to protect my nieces! I put this entire household in your hands. And now? Christy is being bandaged, this household's staff in a panicked induced frenzy because one of their coworkers was not only killed, no, and her body magically disappeared? Those corpses are rotting in the garden and the police are now sticking their noses everywhere. And trust me, boys, they have a lot of questions. Now, I'd like to know some answers."
Kurama frowns acutely and answers, "Then we'll start from the very beginning."
"Please."
Kurama spoke politely and capped the last exhausting hours without mentioning Yusuke's nap. Kureno listens quietly and without looking away from Kurama.
"Then, Kirikami escaped and…well I don't need to tell you the rest, Kureno."
Kureno's composure seems to fall away for just a moment.
"They found us? Here? But they never came here before. . . They never . . . The barrier…" Kureno mumbles somewhat and stands up. He starts to pace in the small space behind his desk.
"The barrier served its purpose," Kurama adds patiently, "it hid Alice's scent and her aura but I'm afraid it was never strong enough to keep a demon out."
Kureno stops pacing just long enough to ask, "How did they find this place?"
"Yesterday, Yusuke and Hiei went out into the city where the demons had hunted. They were confronted, probably because they had Alice's scent. Kuwabara went to help them, and he also had Alice's scent. It's not impossible to believe that perhaps Kirikami's minions followed the scent to this area. And today, when Alice stepped past the barrier, they pounced." Kurama frowns. "They will undoubtedly come back when Kirikami forms a new plan."
Kureno turns pale and sits back down.
For what feels like forever, Kureno sits in silence. He interlaces his fingers thoughtfully and stares at the desk.
"That's it." Kureno suddenly look angry. "I won't have it any longer."
"I beg your pardon?" Kurama frowns.
"I knew it was wrong to let her out of her room! None of this would have happened if she had stayed inside her room. None of this would have happened if you had kept my rules!"
"But, Sir-"
Kureno cuts Kurama off with a sweeping gesture of his hand. "No. No more. From now on, Alice remains in her room at all times, until this matter is resolved."
"Oh yea?" Yusuke growls and leans back in his seat. Something of a rebellious spark challenges Kureno. "What if we disagree?"
Kureno stares him back down. "Then you'll be escorted from my property. I'll find help elsewhere."
Kurama sits straighter, his emerald eyes narrow, "But, Sir, Alice needs us."
"Then I would suggest that you don't ruin your chances of remaining here." Kureno frowns critically and turns away.
"That's your solution?" Hiei reigns in the irritation in his voice. "You're going to punish her? You're going to lock her up like an animal?"
Kureno's anger softens into helplessness. His body heaves in a sigh and he puts his head in his hands. "I have to protect her don't I? How else can I protect her?"
"Putting her in isolation won't help her." Kurama adds gently. "Kirikami already knows where she is. She doesn't need Alice's scent anymore."
"Then end this!" Kureno fumes almost desperately. "End it before she kills again!"
"Sir, we have no way of finding Kirikami."
"So we just wait?" Kureno clenches his hands into fists.
"For now," Hiei frowns, "But Kirikami is getting confident. She'll strike soon, while Alice is still rattled from their last encounter. She'll come when Alice is unprotected, because she's a cowardly witch."
"Can I get an 'Amen'?" Yusuke sighs and slouches in his chair. "Listen, Kureno, we messed-…I messed up. Big time. But you can't punish Alice for my mistake. We'll find a way to get to Kirikami but locking her away doesn't help anyone."
Kureno sits at his desk in unnerving silence before he looks up at the boys.
"You've assured me that you can keep my niece safe…But her safety is not the only issue at a time like this. As you've learned in the last 24 hours, I also have to worry about the safety of my staff. Not only their safety, but their peace of mind. It's a chaotic thing for them to live in constant fear, just by having her out of her room."
"You think it would be best for her to stay in her room…for…the staff's peace of mind?" Kurama furrows his brow in exhaustion.
"It honestly doesn't matter where Alice is in the house." Hiei frowns. "The servants will never be safe as long as Alice is alive."
"She used one servant to trap Alice already, manipulated her, and then disposed of her." Kurama explains, "She'll do it again in a heartbeat."
"A great majority of the servants will be prohibited from interacting with Alice until Kirikami is dealt with. I require that at least one of you stay with her at all times. But Alice will remain in her room."
Kurama frowns deeper, "Sir-"
"That's my final say, Boys." Kureno puts his palms squarely on the table. He stands and motions to the door. "Alice should be in the bathroom closest her new room. I suggest you find her. I wish you the best of luck."
The teammates exchange glances. It's not exactly how they wanted it to end. Kureno sighs, stands up, and opens the door for them.
"If you'll excuse me, I must go and talk to the police in Alice's room."
Kurama is the first to reach the door. He pauses and looks to Kureno. "This really isn't the best option, Sir. Are you positive that this is what you want?"
Kureno glares at Kurama impatiently. "I'm sure."
"Fine then." Something in Kurama's expression darkens, and with his teammates in tow, he maneuvers their way back to Alice's new room.
"I really hate him." Yusuke growls and shoves clenched hands into his pockets.
"He's an idiot," Hiei grumbles.
"How are we gonna break this to The Squirt?" Kuwabara sighs dejectedly. "I mean, she just got out of that crummy room and now we're gonna stick her in another one?"
"It's disappointing, yes, but perhaps we'll be able to keep a better eye on her this way. Besides, Kureno is just afraid." Kurama speaks almost sympathetically, but that darkness remains in his eyes. "At any rate, I think she will understand."
"I hope so." Yusuke crosses his arms stubbornly. They make their way back towards her new, temporary room. On the way, they pass her room; police tape decorates the empty frame. Several boards have been hammered over the hole. Two police officers stand in the center of the room. One fairly young man and another older man with a thick brown beard. The older officer looks up at Yusuke and looks away again.
Yusuke pauses in the doorway, starts towards the door when the older officer looks up again.
"You can't come in here, Son." He frowns at Yusuke.
Kuwabara stops past the door. "C'mon, Urameshi, we don't have any business in there."
Yusuke ignores them both. He looks to the officer and points to Alice's bedside table. "Could you grab that doll for me? And that rose?"
"What are you doing, Yusuke?" Kurama looks back.
The officer gives him a quizzical look, but turns and takes Alice's doll and the single rose from her table.
"These?" The officer holds them up and Yusuke nods.
"Her doll?" Kurama raises a single eyebrow. His eyes linger on the rose he had given her just a day before.
"I figure she's probably still pretty scared." Yusuke looks down at the limp doll. With its detailed blue eyes, black hair, and small white dress it's a perfect copy of Alice and her sister. "This might make her feel better."
"Hmph," Hiei rolls his eyes, "You're getting soft, Detective, next thing you know you'll be playing games with preschoolers. What are the games you play? Duck, Duck, Moose?"
Yusuke smirks and tucks the doll under his arm. "Naw, my favorite game is called 'Drink what's Under the Sink'; would you like to try it, Hiei? Kuwabara plays it all the time."
"Aw shove it, Urameshi." Kuwabara pushes Yusuke in the shoulder lazily.
Kurama smirks, the normal mood slowly seems to be returning. He stops at Alice's door and opens it quietly.
"Alice? Are you here?"
Alice swings the door open. "What did Uncle Kureno say?"
Kurama clears his throat and somewhat hesitantly kneels down to talk to her eye to eye.
"I'm afraid that your Uncle Kureno thinks that you should remain in this room until Kirikami is gone."
"Again?" Alice sighs with disappointment. But I was only just allowed out of my room …two days ago. Tears threaten to form, but she forces them away. No more crying. Not ever again. Hiei just said that I have to be stronger.
"That's okay," Alice says slowly, reassuring herself.
"It is?" Kuwabara raises his eyebrows. Hiei smirks with satisfaction.
Alice nods. "I knew that Kureno hated me being out of my room. . . And the staff is really frightened. I guess it just makes sense that I'd have to stay here until Kirikami can't hurt anyone anymore."
"I'm sorry, Alice." Kurama smiles sadly. "We said that we would help you get out of this room. And here you are, stuck in a different room."
Alice smiles sheepishly and reaches out for Kurama's hand. "Will you all stay with me? When you're not fighting, I mean? You'll still be here won't you?"
"Of course." Kurama nods. He looks to Yusuke. "Yusuke, didn't you bring something for Alice?"
"Yea," Yusuke takes her doll out from under his arm. "I thought you might want her back. I mean, we kind of forgot about her in all of the chaos."
Alice's eyes light up with child-like excitement and she gratefully hugs her doll to her chest. "Thank you, Mr. Yusuke."
"No problem," Yusuke winks.
"So…" Kuwabara shoves his hands into his pockets. "What do we do now?"
Kurama looks back at Alice. "Is there anything you'd like to do, Alice? Play a game?"
"Take a nap?" Yusuke smiles with hope.
"You've napped enough, Yusuke." Hiei glares at Yusuke.
"Awww give me a break, Hiei. How long are you going to hang that over my head?"
"As long as it makes you feel bad…Do you feel bad?"
Yusuke frowns, "Yea."
"Then I'm not done." Hiei smirks happily.
Alice, combing her fingers through her doll's hair, interjects, "Mr. Yusuke was trying to teach me poker earlier. Could we play that?"
Kurama slowly turns to look at Yusuke. "You…You were teaching her how to gamble? Yusuke, she's eleven. Does that mean nothing to you? Just because you were playing with switch blades in kindergarten doesn't mean you can corrupt Alice."
Yusuke holds up his hands in defense, "Hey, I've never taken care of a kid before. Are you really that surprised?"
"If it makes a difference," Alice pipes up quietly. "I'm still really not sure how to play. I'm no good at it."
Kurama smirks, and pats Alice's head.
Hiei smirks. "Yusuke, you are a great role model. Maybe next time we leave you alone with her, you'll tell her how babies are made, and that Santa isn't real."
"Santa's not real?" Alice's eyes become huge.
The boys exchange an awkward glance.
But Hiei smirks, "Nope. He's not real."
Alice looks to Kurama and tugs on his sleeve. "Hiei is…just kidding right?"
Kurama blinks, unsure of how to answer. "Uhhhhh….Of course he is." He throws Hiei a glare. "Right Hiei?"
"Sorry, of course, he's real…or at least he was. Urameshi told me that he died centuries ago."
"Mr. Yusuke?" Alice's eyes widen.
"Dammit, Hiei! Why'd you have to drag me into this?"
Usually the endings are more humorous...but not this time...sorry ^_^. Review if you like. 3 I'll keep working on updates...but you know me...I'm horribly lazy.