"Talking"
"Thinking"
-Telepathisis-
Flashback

-x-x-x-x-
Chapter Two:
Say What?

"Mm?" Comes the mumble from my back.

"Finally waking?" I question, amused in spite of myself. She has been out for the past three days; even such a spell should not tire her this much.

"Stupid sunlight." She grumbles, then sighs. "Sorry, Kims."

I smile slightly. "It's fine. I know it tires you."

"I shouldn't be this tired after a spell like that...out for a day, yes. Out for two? Alright. But three?"

I sigh. "Grief affects us all in different ways, Kat."

That prompted several moments' silence before she spoke again. "So where are we?"

"About a day's walk from the Citadel."

She groans. "You can't honestly be thinking of going there, can you?!"

"...so what if I am?"

"Those things will EAT us!"

"If we can get along with them, they will be great protection.

0x0x0x0

"OH MY GOD!" Shrieks a female employee; several male employees come running.

"What's---what in the name of--?!" All the people stare at what appears to be a decomposing carcass of something that isn't and never has been human.

Shuichi sighs; partially in relief, partially in annoyance.

0x0x0x0

"Really?" Yusuke grumbles. "You call that a mission?"

"Shut it, Urameshi." Kuwabara commands, just as annoyed.

"Enough." Shuichi intervenes. "We need to get the body to Koenma before any other humans see it."

"Why does it matter?" Hiei snaps. "You can always use your pollen to erase their memories."

A touch of steel enters Shuichi's voice. "I'd rather not."

The two non-human members of Team Urameshi glare at one another, each seething in his own way.

"Uh...guys." It takes all of Kuwabara's strength not to gulp when both direct their gazes to him. "The portal's here."

With another word, both enter and leave two very confused teammates to trail them hesitantly.

0x0x0x0

Koenma sighs; he can tell something's wrong as soon as the four enter his office. Hiei is icier than usual; his attitude is normal but Kurama's is not. When that is added to the fact that both of the other boys are strangely silent, it doesn't take a genius to deduce that something's up.

"Ah..." He murmurs, trying to think of where he should begin. "Well, for starters...this isn't the demon."

"What?!" Two of the four half-shout.

"The demon from your mission was...ah...targeted already. Some...friends...noticed him and decided they were going to stick their oars in. Both of them, along with someone who got caught in the crossfire, are currently getting patched up in the hospital wing."

Yusuke is the first to speak. "Do we know them?"

The demi-god bites his lip. "At the moment...we're not sure. The human is an...well, 'anomaly' is the best term I can come up with." Another sigh escapes the demi-god. "Until he's fully healed, though, we don't want to stress him."

"Why not?" Kuwabara ventures.

"If my theory is correct, he is not one I, nor you all, want for an enemy." The brunette's voice is dead serious; the four are astounded to recognized concern in his eyes. "Once one of my...friends...are healed, I will send them for something that will confirm or deny my guess."

0x0x0x0

"...are you sure about this?"

I sigh, fed up. "Either come with or stay here. Whichever you choose, choose now." I then march forward, directly toward the strongest plant. The others shift; I can feel them trying to move into a position that will allow them to easily subdue me. I ignore them as Kat eventually decides to follow me towards the door.

"Halt, demoness."

I freeze; Kat jumps and crashes into me as she attempts to bolt for the door.

"Don't be hasty, Frostpetal." Comments another plant. "We could make a deal with them."

I gulp mentally, then search for my voice. "What kind of a deal?"

"You may stay here and we will protect you...but in return, you must feed us some of your energy. We have been starved since our Master died..."

Kat flinches at that comment; I do as well, but I hide it better. "...very well."

0x0x0x0

Yusuke frowns. "Why not send us?"

Koenma awards him a flat look. "D'you honestly expect me to send you anywhere when two of you are bickering?"

"We are not bickering, Koenma." The steely tone in Kurama's voice is very pronounced now.

The brunette, however, is not cowed. "There are other reasons, but none of you need to know of them right now."

A knock sounds at the door; it opens to reveal Botan. "Uh, Koenma sir..."

"Yes?"

"Uhm...the head doctor says you should head to the infirmary. They're having some problems treating one of the patients..."

0x0x0x0

"Kimi."

The soft hiss jolts me awake; it's not the person, but the tone. "Yah?" I murmur sleepily.

"We've got to go. Now."

"Wha?" I sluggishly sit up; I'm not at my best when I'm first woken.

"He's here."

That one sentence sends a chill right through me; I am now completely awake. Without another word, I slip out of my bed, dress and dart after my already fleeing friend. I glance back once...just once. I figure I'm allowed to break my own weird little rules every so often...particularly after saying good-bye to a place twice.

-x-x-x-x-

Kimi shall rejoin the main story line soon...Possibly in the next chapter. The flashbacks aren't just there for fun, though. They're to explain (er, give the abbreviated version) of what went on from the prologue to present day.

...and, yes, the bolded text is a plant talking. (Again, I blame YYH for my random/weird ideas. :gestures at the parasite-ish thing that takes up residence in Kurama's stepbrother's ear: )

Enjoy =3
Emma