A Glint in the Snow

By: Abby Ebon

Sometimes no matter how you look at things, life just, well, sucks. It isn't something you can help and often its not even something you even did. It just is. But no human can accept that answer, they want to know what, how, and why.

It was with these feelings and thoughts that drove Yuusuke into the woodland surrounding the shrine, into sitting on the ground under a large tree.

Yuusuke knew better then most that Koenma was a jerk sometimes, not really caring about the people he was in charge of.

Yuusuke hadn't considered that Koenma had ordered Kuwabara and him into a world no full demon could go into to retrieve, or die trying to, to get some half-demon boy.

Everything had happened too fast.

But now…

Now that the boys who, no older then Yuusuke, where here. Yuusuke was determined not to allow them to be used.

Yuusuke clenched his fist, nails biting into skin. He too felt used.

But how had this case been any different then any other Koenma had sent him off into?

It hadn't been…

Except, if there had been trouble, Hiei and Kurama wouldn't have known, or been able to help.

Kuwabara could have died…He could have died. But it didn't seem to matter to Koenma. Even the way back had been risky.

Blood stones. If he ever saw one again it would be too soon.

If Kuwabara hadn't know what they were, what they could do….

Yuusuke shuddered. Koenma had taken a horrible risk with their lives for something that didn't seem to endanger them. It didn't make sense yet it had been done. Yuusuke sighed, suddenly drained, he leaned against the great tree closing his eyes and letting his mind wonder.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O

No one had noticed Trowa, silent as ever, heading back to his room.

Trowa knocked briskly on of all the pilot's doors, Duo complaining loudly about missing his meals.

"What's wrong Trowa?" Asked Quatre with a worried expression, with a solemn expression Heero ushered them into his room. Duo rolled his eyes once the rest had entered.

"What's so special about talking in your room Heero? For all we know they could have everything bugged." Duo muttered as he stole the only chair.

"I've checked for them there don't appear to be any."

Heero answered him with a glare. Duo shrugged and smirked irritatingly at him.

"Their technology probably doesn't look like ours."

Heero 'hned' but didn't answer the bait. Trowa quickly interrupted the two from fighting with his information.

"I was looking around when I heard Yuusuke enter a room. They sat down to eat and started talking. There seems to be a disagreement between three of them and the rest."

"Oh?" Asked Wufei turning away from the glaring contest between Heero and Duo.

"Yes. Botan-a girl who wares pink, another girl who seems to be demonic, and Koenma-a man with a pacifier." It was clear what Trowa thought of him with his lips quirked in amusement.

Duo frowned.

"Botan? She's probably the one from earlier, who said it would be suicide for Yuusuke to help us with Oz."

Duo looked up to see the four staring at him with varying degrees of annoyance, skepticism, and disbelief.

Duo gave them a sheepish smile.

"I didn't mention that did I?"

"No you did not." Wufei said in a dry tone.

"Ooops?"

"Baka."

Duo rolled his eyes.

"Well sorry now you know, though it makes sense now why she'd go with Koenma."

"Enlighten us." Wufei said gruffly.

"She doesn't want him to go back with us, and apparently this Koenma guy can stop us and him."

There was quite after this announcement, Duo having said his thoughts left the 'meeting/headquarters place' as he had dubbed Heero's room. The others each with their own thoughts followed his example shortly afterwards.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O

Duo in particular found the news that Yuusuke's group and disagreed on what to do with them interesting. While Trowa hadn't understood everyone he had understood well enough what the demons and the 'creepy guy with a pacifier' had said.

It had roughly been about Yuusuke whose boss was 'creepy guy with a pacifier' apparently called Koenma, and a job, at which point Yuusuke's friends had told him flatly no. And he had left with two girls.

Shortly after that Yuusuke had left looking 'upset', then Trowa had returned promptly to interrupt their meal.

Quatre was fussing over what Genkai might do, and how they would survive if left without shelter and penniless, a problem he had never had to consider before.

Duo wasn't to worried about that, Yuusuke didn't seem the type to drag them here then leave them. Least he hoped not.

Heero was fussing over his laptop, which had somehow made it with them. It seemed to have developed a glitch.

Heero had nearly blamed Duo for it, but Duo had with an innocent expression abruptly reminded him of the fact he hadn't known Heero had the laptop with him and even if he had, when would he have had the time?

Gullible and cute, Duo loved him for it.

Trowa walked around with a frown and glint in his eye. Duo had made a point to avoid him.

Was it his fault all the sweaters and turtlenecks in the shrine had disappeared?

Oh yea…

Hmm, note, make more of a point to avoid him.

And well Wufei, well he was driving Duo nuts with his getting up at unreasonable hours in the morning to practice.

Manic early morning risers.

Which is why Duo was going to make a point to hide said weapon very well. Wuffers would thank him in the end. He was probably grumpy because of lack of sleep.

Duo glances up and catches sight of Trowa and quickly hides, breathing out a sigh of relief when he passes.

He'd hide it next week. Who could know what those two might do to him if he had wronged them both that same week?

Besides it was always good to have back up plans.

AN: Well I figured I'd end this on a lighter note then the last chapter though its shorter then I'd like and not much happens but I like it none the less and its not a cliffy.