Just a Little Closer

Kurama...

I just got back to Genkai's temple, my thoughts in a flurry about what I had to re-watch over and over and over again. I felt sick. "Naoko, I'm home." I called out.

I saw her prance into the room, her full round stomach nearly ready to pop at any moment. "Kurama, my love!" She was somehow able to twirl in place then stand on point like a ballerina before extending her open welcome arms to me.

I took off my shoes and walked passed her. " What exactly did you do this time?" I asked as I walked towards the fridge. It's best not to give affection to an obviously guilty feline. She crossed her arms and hmphed at me. Her tail swishing back and forth in irritation, and her black cat ears flattened against her head.

"It was self defense really. You shouldn't have your little spies doing whatever they please. It's my house!"

"It's Genkai's house, and if you know about them, then so does Hiei, I imagine." I found the apple I was looking for. I shined it against my chest before taking a bite, turning to Naoko.

"What the hell is THAT supposed to mean?!" She angered so easily.

I smiled and walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "You shouldn't be up, pussy cat, we have to think about the baby."

"I'LL DO WHAT I WANT! I'm an adult!" She screamed.

I kept my smile and patted her hair. "Of course you are." I said, leading her to the bedroom.

"But I'm not tired!"

"I didn't say we were going to bed." I moved the covers so she could lay down.

"Well I don't wanna stay here." She crossed her arms.

"But your favorite show is about to come on." I turned on the television that I bought for her. As if on cue, the beginning theme to her favorite soap-opera, Dias de los Vivas, came on and she was instantly entranced. I kissed her cheek and walked out, closing the door behind me.

"RICARDO NOOOOOO! AIIIII mi corazon!" I heard her scream. I rolled my eyes.

Hiei...

I heard the insensate wails of the cat, her hormonal state overbearing. I tried my best to block it. Kurama came into the room that I seated myself in, giving a polite greeting. "hn." I answered.

"I take it you already know." Kurama stated. I didn't answer.

"I know I've asked this many times, Hiei, but... why on earth would you let her go?"

My eyes glanced in his direction for a brief moment. I still said nothing. Kurama sighed as a sign of his exasperation. "You know, Hiei. I looked over all of Dr. Hazard's research." I didn't acknowledge him. " It seems his experiments were not so tame to say the least." I only gave a curt nod to signal I was still listening. He cleared his throat. "He actually tortured that poor girl during her stay, and let me tell you, it was not pleasant to watch."

I finally looked at him then, my eyebrow raised, questioning him.

"That's the first real reaction you've made these past few months, Hiei. Do you know her?"

"No." I answered. In fact, it was true. I obviously didn't know her at all. Everything she has ever told me was a complete lie. She was a lie, and I was just the flute she played for a fool. I didn't know her at all.

"When are you going to talk about this, Hiei?"

"There's nothing to talk about." I stood up, the conversation aggravating.

"There's one more thing, Hiei." Kurama stopped me. I looked over my shoulder, giving him the go ahead. "Koenma is sending us on an assignment. You'll need to meet us within the Spirit realm tomorrow morning."

I flitted away. Not wanting him time to come up with something else to keep me there.

...

I was within the toddler's office, perching myself against the wall in a dimly lit corner of the room. Listening to every detail this assignment had to offer.

"The best way to get rid of this problem is to cut the head off the snake." Koenma stating his pacifier bobbing up and down as he spoke.

"So you want us to go after the head honcho?" Yusuke asked.

"Exactly, Yusuke. You will need to infiltrate their homeland within the Northern Islands of Makai. King Onni Sawa along with the Aoitsuki will be there. If we want this war to end and the balance of all three worlds to remain as they are, we'll have to take them out. There's no other way. Their war machine is only going to spread further and further until it's able to bleed into the human world. There will be no one left for them to rule at that point. They'll cover us all in a glacier if we don't do something. I can't stress to you just how important this is! Hiei!" Koenma looked at me sternly, his beady little eyes dulled by anger. "As much as I don't want to put you on this assignment, Memoru has made it very clear that it would be better if a fire apparition were there. So I need you to not hesitate. Whatever she did to you, FIX IT! Whatever she said to you, forget it. She can and will kill you once given the chance."

I gave a huff, trying to maintain control of my already heated temper. He won't have to worry. I won't be tricked twice. I won't let her in again. Not again.

Memoru piped up on my behalf. "Don't worry, Lord Koenma. Nina has already predicted that it must be a child of fire to kill the Aoitsuki. In fact, if Naoko didn't have her condition to deal with, we would've suggested bringing her along as well, but alas, we need to work with what we have. We have until December to kill Arare within her vessel before the time runs out."

"December? Why December?" Yusuke asked.

"That is when the vessel becomes exactly 2 centuries old. It is when Arare will reach her full strength." She answered confidently.

That statement didn't seem right to me somehow. Sitsumi, no... The Aoitsuki, would ask me what I would get her for her birthday once it came up. She always said it would come at the end of August. She said that August was her favorite month because she got to celebrate her birthday, and it's no wonder why. She knew what would come on that day. She knew all along what she was, what she was going to do. Her birthday is in August, definitely not December. What month was it now?

I stepped away from the wall and stood next to the group. "That's wrong." I stated flatly.

Memoru huffed and her cheeks became inflamed. "Exactly how would you know, I have done extensive research on the matter."

"You know, for someone who says there's not a lot of information on the subject, you seem to know a lot about the current Aoitsuki." I glared at her.

She became flustered, turning on her heal to face Koenma. "Believe whatever you like. Koenma, I'll be heading back to the human world with Nina, making sure nothing crosses over. Jade and Emmie." She turned to Yusuke and Kurama. "Will be accompanying you. Have a safe trip gentlemen. Jade," She looked to the green one sternly. "Watch Emmie." Her tone was a warning. Jade nodded.

She grabbed Nina's hand and marched the two of them through the portal to the Human World.

Yusuke pumped a fist into the air. "Let's go knock some heads!"

"Good luck to all of you." Koenma pushed a button that opened a portal to Makai.

Jade looked back at everyone, giving a wink before jumping through first, Kurama right after. Then Yusuke charged through.

"Ready for your destiny, sparky?" Emmie asked, giving me a salute before jumping through herself.

What she meant by that, I wasn't quite sure, but for some reason... something...

Something just doesn't feel right.

...TBC

L: A bit shorter than what I wanted, but I think I'm gonna try for quality over quantity. I really hop you liked it! Love you ALL!