Inside The Fire
Chapter 03:
"Radio"
I must not have heard my door open, because someone was shaking me awake. I sighed deeply and yawned, my hand swatting away the annoyance. A chuckle of laughter made me blink at the shadow hovering over me.
"It's time to wake up Devin." An unknown voice said and I froze.
The face was hidden by shadows, as was to be expected with his body blocking the light coming in from behind. I looked around in a panic and my memory sprung into quick action. My lungs gradually unfroze as I breathed in a shuddering breath and nodded. I forgot, I silently scolded myself, that shit hit the fan and went sci-fi on my ass.
I wasn't sure who woke me until I was off my futon and standing in the hall with them. Bright orange hair dared me to not remember who I was talking to. He had been blabbing about escorting me to breakfast when I reached out to touch his arm.
His expression was curious, his beady eyes were trained on me and waiting. "Thank you, for sticking up for me yesterday." I looked Kuwabara in the eye and he grinned a lopsided grin.
"It's nothing. I can just tell when people are good, and I can tell you were just as confused about all of this as we were." He continued, "Now go brush your teeth, I'll wait here."
I nodded and did as he asked.
A corner was turned, I made no mental dictations of the way to where we were going. I wasn't surprised to see everyone at the table already. Yukina caught sight of me from her place at the long traditional table and smiled when I sat down in the closest of the two open seats. Breakfast consisted of steamed rice, miso soup, grilled salmon, tamagoyaki, natto, nori and tsukemono pickles. My stomach flipped with distaste at the scent of seafood so early in the morning and I felt the color drain from my face.
Everyone stared at me expectantly and I picked up my bowl of rice and chop sticks. I reached out for a pickled plum and ate it quickly. Soon everyone else was taking their share of food and I struggled with remembering how to use my utensils before finally being able to shovel rice into my mouth.
The two previously mentioned foods were the only ones I ate, and I sipped my warm tea quietly. I felt eyes on me now and then and when I glanced in the particular persons direction they quickly looked away. The rest chatted or dined in silence while Yusuke and I played an annoying game of tag with our stares until I decided to watch him until he finally looked back at me.
"Ohayou gozaimasu, Yusuke-san." I said after a few moments.
To this he scoffed and went back to eating, this time without watching me periodically. My eyebrow twitched in annoyance and I relaxed my face. What could I do, scold him for being rude? Not likely. Today should be interesting. I could already tell the brunette and I were going to clash. He was skeptical of me, and I was frustrated with him. And it's not even eight o'clock yet.
I had finished my food before everyone else, and I sat and looked around the medium size room patiently. The counter tops were smooth white marble with flecks of slate gray. I was studying the random pattern closely when I noticed the rest of the room was quiet. Without turning my head I swiveled my eyes to the head of the table where Genkai sat. Everyone was staring at me down the parallel rows of seats and it made my already uneasy stomach ache more.
"Hai..?" I asked after fully looking down to the old woman.
"Kurama will be accompanying you to your room for you to get changed. You will be staying there until someone comes to get you." She stood swiftly and left. I blinked at her and Kurama stood after her and motioned for me to do the same.
I stood and followed the lean redhead. His hair swung behind his back and I watched it in a sort of trance. It preoccupied me from the unease I had gnawing in my chest. Something about his green eyes unnerved me. I'm not sure if it's the resemblance to Morgan, or the way he seems to see through me. I shivered and he turned to me when we stopped at my door. He handed me a pack of clothing I hadn't seen him pick up on our way out here and he leaned against the wall next to my room.
"Someone will be back to get you for lunch, Devin-san," I nodded, not bothering to return his polite smile.
I dumped the clothes on the floor and unbuttoned the shirt I was wearing. The large boxer shorts followed the rumpled shirt onto the new floor pile as I stripped. In the new pile of clean clothing were blue boxer shorts that I rolled at the waist to fit me, and a large white shirt. What puzzled me was the new bra laying on the floor, tags intact and all. I checked the size to find it slightly smaller than what I needed and ignored that fact. Girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I finally rationalized and ripped the tags off. The white lacy contraption scraped at my skin as I hooked the front clip.
Adjusting the skin trap was irritating after a few seconds until I just left it alone with a huff. The large white t-shirt was baggy enough to hide my chest problem. Combing my hair proved to be simple as no snags or tangles presented themselves. Poking my head out the door, I checked to see if anyone was in the hall before making my way to the wash room.
I need to go put these in that hamper in the bathroom, I sighed. Wandering further down the hall and around to the next hall had me feeling safe, the hall seemed deserted. When I rapped my knuckles against the door there was a shuffle of movement and then it swung open with such haste that I nearly stumbled back, I had already dropped my arm load.
Yusuke rushed out and grabbed me by my shirt collar. He yanked me up to eye level and I stared up at him unmoving, "What do you think you're doing out of your room, eh?" He glared down at me. I didn't even hear him come this way! My thoughts ricocheted off my skull and I fought to compose myself.
"I was just bringing these clothes to the hamper." I pulled my face back from his and he looked down on the floor. His face fell and he dropped me.
"Whatever, just don't let me catch you out here again." He spat over his shoulder as he stalked off down a hall.
My shoulders slumped and I picked up the scattered clothing from the floor with shaking fingers. That could have went better. My subconscious whispered to me as I haphazardly threw the garments into the basket and scurried back to my room before I could run into anyone else.
My room was horribly boring. Plain cream-colored walls surrounded me in a small box that I could swear was closing in. The wood floor was bare except for my (still laid out and unkempt) futon that laid in the middle of the floor horizontally. I was currently sitting on it with my legs crossed and my heels under my thighs. A plain cherry-wood dresser with brass knobs sat in the top right corner against the back wall whilst a door of the same wood and knob style stood in the opposite corner of the adjacent wall.
I eyed it before looking at the other side of the room. The back wall opposite the door to enter was bare except for the previously mentioned dresser and a vanity table with a large mirror over the top of it. The wood matched the rest and it had a single thin drawer under the top surface. A small stool sat under the table out-of-the-way. There was also something of a coffee table pushed against the wall as if it was moved to make room for the futon. That was all this room had to offer me when it came to furniture.
The dresser was as empty as I felt at that moment. I wouldn't say I was lonely, not because I wasn't, but because I was stubborn. I refused to let myself linger on home as I swatted any memory or lingering thought of it away. I stood swiftly from my bed and I moved to the closet. The worst that could happen was a junk avalanche, much like what would happen if I was at my house, in my room. Shaking my head, I reached out for the handle. The door crept open and nothing fell on me, luckily.
On the highest shelf was a dusty radio and a table lamp that probably saw better days. Then there was a stack of lighter blankets for the futon, an old stuffed dog, a couple of floor mats and a Yamaha keyboard on the lower shelves. I smiled at the radio and reached up to grab it, only to miss by a foot. I pouted up at the tall shelf and tried to jump to reach it, but came up, well, short.
I looked back around the room for something to stand on, and that's when I spotted the stool. Bingo, baby! I smirked at it and sat it at the door. Climbing onto the stool was fine, standing on the top wasn't so great. My knees trembled and the padded surface of the top wasn't as easy to grip with my feet as I thought. The whole thing wobbled and I quickly packed my arms with the old electronic and light and jumped down to the floor before I could fall.
Radio and lamp alike found a seat on the floor as I scurried around to rearrange my living space. The blanket and futon folded up easily and I shoved them both into the closet on the space near the other blankets. With the floor clear, I pulled the table into a reasonable place near the closet. When I tossed out two floor mats on either side of the low table they didn't give off much, if any, dust. I assumed them to be newer additions to the closet.
Now to see if these things work, I thought as I picked up the radio and lamp. Dust fluttered into the air as I wiped the lamp clean. The white porcelain and cream-colored shade matched my bare room perfectly. I made its new home the furthest corner of the vanity that was up against the wall. The stool was moved when I ducked under the table to run the light's cord. I plugged it into the dual outlet that was behind the furniture piece and scurried back out. The lamp burst into life when I pulled the cord, and I shut it back off.
Next, I focused on the radio. One down, one to go, I pushed my hair behind my ear and got to work wiping away the grime from the medium-sized black box. The radio sat in my lap as I used the edge of my shirt to wipe in between buttons, knobs, and around the latch that held the antenna. When I was satisfied at its cleanliness I sat it opposite the lamp and ran the cord in the same manner as the other electrical device. I took my seat yet again and got to work with fiddling with, what to me was, a prehistoric device.
I turned on the box and flipped the switch to the FM setting, a buzz of static filled the room and I turned up the volume and moved the antenna around. Muffled voices faded in and out the first two times I went through the range of stations. Glaring at it in concentration, I switched back to a channel that was recently passed. Now let's get this moved. I thought as I tilted the metal stick into odd positions The radio crackled and the channel finally came to life even when I moved my hand (you know how radio's like to be difficult and fuzz back out as soon as you move) away from the antenna.
"Amerika no toppu rokku hitto! Kore wa, Blurry de Puddle of Mudd!" The female Japanese spokesperson said happily. Her pronunciation of the band almost made me laugh, her accent was thick, but it was well enough.
The music wasn't unknown to me. Older bands had always been my favorite, but in my time this was considered classic rock, really classic. The sounds reminded me of home and I smiled sadly. The music box was shut off and I shuffled back to the open closet.
I wasn't entirely sure if I wanted to have the keyboard out, or leave it in my closet. I had only learned a few songs in my life from Mama, mostly just songs from her homeland. Dirt flew from the surface when I finally sat it out. It took up the whole top and the sides hung over the edges of the small coffee table. The keys were easy enough to wipe down and I plopped down on the mat.
The dual prong plug fit in the only other outlet I had easily. The instrument turned on with a flip of the switch and I tapped one of the keys. It worked just fine. Sighing, I ran over a few measures of the first song I could think of, and began to play. It was a song I had picked up from mother, a Japanese tune she had learned before she met father. It had since been translated to English for my sake.
"I don't feel a thing, and I stopped remembering. The days are just like moments turned to hours." My fingers moved over the appropriate notes and my voice had a harsh jazz quality that wasn't intended, but sounded right. I grit my teeth and fought off tears, opting to skip the next verse to refrain from breaking down. I jumped to the chorus.
My fingers ran up and down the keys and I closed my eyes, "Walk in the rain, in the rain, in the rain." I sung out a little louder, losing myself in the old song. "I walk in the rain, in the rain. Is it right or is it wrong," I paused a moment, then, "and is it here that I belong?"
A loud knock on my door startled me and I jumped, my fingers slapping the keys in a painful sound. I blinked up at Kurama who had walked shamelessly into my room and smiled pleasantly at me.
"Seems that you've kept busy," he commented as his eyes raked over my form.
This caused me to look myself over. My baggy shirt was splotched with dark dirt patches and my arms and hands were marred with black dust smudges.
"Yeah, I suppose so." Was my intelligent reply as I shut off the keyboard and stood from my cushion.
Kurama held his arm out to motion toward the hall and I followed his instruction. I walked behind him back toward the kitchen. Not everyone was at the table. I quickly noticed Hiei and Yusuke were missing. Kurama pointed out to the sink and I went to wash away as much of the grime as possible. I frowned at the seat across from me once I was seated, It'd be too awkward to be around Yusuke, anyway. I thought. Yukina smiled and greeted me like we were the best of friends, and I waved at her slightly from across the table.
Kuwabara grinned at me as well and I nodded toward him. We all dug into our food. I took small bites from the sandwich and chewed slowly. My stomach had recovered from breakfast, but I didn't find myself to be hungry. I left over half of my sandwich on the plate and sipped the hot tea in my cup until it was gone.
"How has your day been, Devin-san?" Yukina asked me.
I couldn't help but smile softly at her, "It's been fine, Yukina."
"Devin-san was playing a piano when I found her," Kurama added in.
I flushed slightly and glanced at him, Way to put me on blast, fox.
"Is that true?" The way her eyes sparkled made my heart melt.
"Yes, though I'm not very good. I found the keyboard in the closet of my room." I explained.
Kurama stood and bowed slightly to the young ice maiden, "I'm afraid I must take Devin-san back to her room. The food was delicious Yukina-chan, thank you."
She blushed prettily and nodded to the fox. I gave the mint haired girl one last twinge of the lips before shuffling after the demon. I walked quickly to keep up with his long strides. When we were outside the room he stood blocking my door and I frowned.
"Yukina will be back later to bring you to dinner and then to bathe," he made to move around me and I went to grab his sleeve to stop him. I had a question to ask.
Next thing I knew my wrists were pinned over my head and a blade of grass was pressed to my throat. Forest green eyes had darkened to murky green-black pools. My breathing caught in my throat at his stare and I spoke before I was killed for the second time this week.
"I just wanted to ask if I could go use the restroom." I breathed out quietly.
He let me go and the grass disappeared in his hand. Without apologizing he dropped me down and led me around the corner. I sped into the wash room and around the divider to where the toilet and sink were. I did my business and washed my hands before splashing water over my face and drying it. I looked up at my changed reflection and sighed before exiting and passing Kurama back to my own room. Refusing to acknowledge the fox spirit, I walked past him with as much dignity as I could muster after just being in a threatened position, and hid myself in my cage of a room. His light footsteps echoed down the hallway and I strained to hear them before finally relaxing.
I frowned at my bare room and sat back down at the keyboard. Yusuke, now Kurama. I sighed and rubbed my forehead wearily. Why am I here, to be kept under house arrest until they decide to kill me? I turned on the keyboard and played with my left hand while my right held my head up, my elbow propped up on my bent knee. If I was brought back, then there has to be a reason, right? My right hand joined my left for a slow tune that I made up as I went along.
I hope this Koenma guy has some answers, because I sure as hell don't. The song continued as I ran through measures, slow songs and fast ones alike rang out for the next few hours until I just shut off the machine. I opened the closet and pulled out my futon and folded blanket. I put the futon back in its old space and tossed it's pillow on the left end and threw the blanket over the rest. Just as I was finishing, a soft knock came over my door and I opened it.
Yukina smiled at me and I returned it in my own way, "Ready to get washed up for dinner, Devin-san?"
"Just Devin is fine, Yukina." She nodded and waited quietly while I got my bath basket.
The blue plastic shined when the light hit it and I shut the light off before closing my door. The girl handed me another pack of clothing and I thanked her. We both entered the bath and she began to strip, I blushed slightly and reminded myself it was normal for Japanese to bathe among their own sex. I stripped easily and tossed the used clothing into the basket, except for the bra. My hold on the cloth was tight when I turned to her.
"Was this from you?" I asked quietly.
"Oh," she blushed, "yes, I don't wear them, so I gave it to you."
"Thank you very much." I bowed my head, then asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what do you wear?"
"I wrap my chest with bandages, it's simpler," she explained.
I nodded and noticed a second new bra on my clean stack of clothing. I tossed the lacy cloth in my hand with the rest of the dirty laundry and moved to the showering off area. Yukina was already there with her hair down and drenching herself. The ice maiden sprayed me with the warm water when I stopped next to her. I smiled at her giggles and scrubbed my skin, as she finished with her hair I moved onto mine and fully rinsed at the end. I dried off instead of moving onto the soaking tub.
My hair went up in the towel as I pulled on the clothing. Oh, thank god. I thought as I tied the drawstring tight around my hips, Now my pants will stay up, hopefully. The green and black plaid pajama pants fit me better then the other clothes, but were still extremely big. The end cuffs covered my feet and bunched around my ankles. I put the new bra on and pulled on the large gray t-shirt over it. I let my hair down from the towel and combed it again. It was half dry and that was just fine. I used my toothbrush and cleaned my teeth, applied deodorant and rinsed my face.
Yawning as I picked up my bin and tossed the towel away, "I think I'll skip dinner and go straight to bed. Goodnight, Yukina." I finally managed to get out to her and she nodded with her usual smile. The short hall was empty and I almost bumped into Kuwabara as I rounded the corner. He had his clothes and bath things in his arms and I bowed slightly to him. I guess he had the same idea as Yukina.
"Pardon me, Kuwabara." I excused myself.
"Ah, it's alright Devin, just be careful." He smiled at me and I nodded back toward the wash room.
"Yukina was finishing up when I left, I'm heading to bed." I almost smirked at his beet red face, "Goodnight."
I left him speechless in the hall and closed myself off in my room. The bin of products ended up on the floor next to the dresser. Not long after I was huddled up in my bed with the blankets up to my chin. I could feel the February chill seeping into the stagnant air of my room. Curling further into myself helped, but only slightly. I wonder if it's snowed here yet. I fell asleep not long after the random thought.
"Wake up!" The command was loud and made me jump up so fast that I stumbled and just about fell over. Next thing I knew my wrist was in someone's hand and I was being shoved into the wash room with my bath kit. I slipped on the slick tile and scraped my arm along the wall before I crashed to the floor. The door slammed before I saw the person, my breathing was quick and my hair was mussed over my face and across my shoulders. My bath things were strewn across the floor.
"Hurry and clean yourself up, we have shit to do." Was the brash comment I heard next. I stared at the door and straightened myself up before gathering my things.
"Hai, Yusuke." I sighed and got up to brush my teeth and comb my hair. My bangs fell into my eyes and my hair fell in a silky curtain behind me when I was done.
I used the toilet, washed my hands then face and applied a fresh layer of deodorant under my arms. My supplies were dumped back into my room before I was being towed back down the hall by the annoyed brunette. Today's going to really suck, I sulked.
Disclaimer & Author Notes:
I decided not to change anything about this chapter. I like it how it is. I did re-read it and check it for any spelling or grammatical errors. I didn't see any, but if you happen to, let me know and I'll always go back and fix the problem.
The reason I didn't change this chapter was because, well, I like it. I like the drama between the detectives and Devin, and how they all see her in a different way and treat her accordingly. So, yeah.
On to the disclaimer!
Devin, Morgan, Koiji, Sean and Hisato are of my creation and belong to me.
The characters from the Yu Yu Hakusho cannon belong to Yoshihiro Togashi.
'Rain,' the song used in this chapter was written by Yoko Kanno and sung by The Seatbelts. I do not own it, obviously.