Fandom Yu Yu Hakusho RP [BunnyDemon and Lazypage]

[BunnyDemon]

Private RP between BunnyDemon and Cross

 

[BunnyDemon]

​

Shino
Shino kept her head down and eyes focused on her bare feet, one in front of the other, as she slowly followed behind the towering red-haired monster in front of her. The rattling of the chains that bound her wrists and ankles together bounced off the walls of the empty hallway and echoed in her ears. ‘Why?’ she often wondered? The chains were unnecessary. She had learned a long time ago what would happen if she tried escaping. Besides, she was never bound while on missions, and she was even allowed out of the chains at home sometimes. So why was it that Hariku insisted she wear them when he took her on ordinary errands? A powermove on his part, no doubt, but she didn’t dare question him. One wrong word could easily mean a broken bone.

Her vision swirled and blurred as a wave of dizziness rushed over her. She had spiked a fever sometime in the night that had ended up lingering when she awoke that morning, a state that she had grown accustomed to. She was allowed no excuses, as Hariku didn’t care how she felt. She was expected to carry out her duties to him, no matter what.

Closing her eyes, Shino silently focused on her own ragged breathing. If she didn’t push away the dizziness when she first felt it, she had found that it was likely to cause a loud ringing in her ears and a fuzzy darkness, similar to a black veil, in her eyes, greatly impairing both her sight and hearing for several seconds until the feeling passed, which could easily mean death in a fight. Once she was satisfied it was gone, she opened her eyes again and found Hariku had stopped, causing her to nearly bump into him. Luckily, she managed to stop just inches from his back. Bumping into him would have been a huge mistake. In front of them was the familiar wooden door with the words “Bounties: Buy Sell Trade” written on it in chipped, white paint. She had seen this door several times before, but was never allowed in.

“Wait here,” Hariku ordered her in a low growl. His tone was cold and unemotional, but stern enough to tell her that she had better listen. He then stepped forward to open the door and went inside.

“Yes, Master Hariku,” Shino said quietly with a small bow before he disappeared. Just before the doors slid shut, she got a brief glimpse inside. The room was a lot larger than the door had her believe. It was similar in size to the dojo she used to train in with tables lined up on both sides. Demons and ogres flocked around them, some more popular than others. On the wall to the far right corner was a board that read “Demon World Traitors” with three pictures underneath. She squinted to try to make out the pictures, but the door closed before she could.

Letting out a sigh, she backed up against the wall behind her and slid down it so she was sitting on the cold floor with her knees pulled up to her chin. It always felt nice to be free of Hariku, even just for a moment, because, for that moment, she didn’t have to be afraid.

 

[Cross]

​

Sapphires and diamonds glinted under the lightened case. Rhial stopped for too long to admire a bracelet made of platinum and rubies and a seller approached her to tell her how valuable and unique his wears were. She turned quickly and started walking down the hallway. There were a hundred different booths with varies treasures that had probably been stolen and booths with shrunken heads and monkey paws and cursed objects. Rhial did her best to avoid both.

Diesel would starve soon. She had enough coin to buy a human from one of these sellers. One human would add ten more years to Diesel's life. Why was he being so stubborn? Diesel killed thousands of demons and humans in his day. He beheaded Rhial's father and her servants and guards. Where had this softness in him come from? After all the pain and assassinations, Diesel finally realized the value of life? Rhial wanted to slice his throat. She would save his life and then kill him. Maybe Diesel would let her. He truly was a despicable man.

She pulled her fur lined coat closer to herself. Would the human she purchased be...dosed to feel no pain? If she brought Diesel a shrieking, whimpering human, he wouldn't eat. A docile one might temp him.

Rhial followed her informant's instructions and walked to the door in the very back of the compound. She expected security and maybe a seller. She didn't expect a woman wearing chains. "Who are you?" Rhial asked. A slave? Diesel could have sold Rhial to a auction house. Someone suggested it to him but he had stabbed that friend and left him bleeding out in the dirt. And here she was trying to buy a human. She would blacken her soul to extend Diesel's life and deal with it when he started to hate her. Nether of them had any family but each other.

"Buy a human," Rhial said. "I need to," she forced herself to hold her gaze. "Where is your master?" Bile rose in her throat. She grabbed onto her bloodlust before it spiraled out of control. As much as she wanted to gut this woman's master on principle, she needed a human. "My name is Rhial. I have an appointment," she folded her arms across her ample chest.

 

[BunnyDemon]

​

Shino
Demons passed to enter the room, some with goods to sell or trade, some without. Most ignored Shino altogether, but the ones that offered her a passing glance looked at her in disgust. Slaves were the lowest of the low, no matter their class or how powerful they may be. She didn’t fully understand the first time Hariku left her alone as a test to her obedience to him. She wondered if he was worried another would try to claim her, but she quickly learned that once a slave was claimed, they were rarely stolen by another. “An honor among thieves” one could call it.

Lowering her head so her back was slouched and her chin was tucked behind her knees, she closed her eyes. She didn’t make it a habit to appear vulnerable, but she was tired and decided to use this opportunity away from Hariku to rest a bit. Their main reason to go there was his regular run for human meat, but it wasn’t uncommon for him to pick up a job for her as he passed. Besides, Shino had trained all of her senses to heighten in order pick up the slack in the absence of one. Even in her sleep, she knew everything that went on around her.

Her body tensed as she felt a presence approach her. Unlike the others that passed by, this one stopped, causing her to open her eyes and look to the source of it. A woman stood over her, staring curiously. Strange. She looked like anyone else who would be at this market, high-class, important, but her demeanor told something completely different. The fact that she had acknowledged Shino at all alone was enough to give away that she didn’t belong there.

Shino didn’t answer when she spoke to her. Instead, she stared back at the woman, distrust showing in her eyes. Hariku had taught her not to trust anyone. Distrust was the only way to survive. If she let her guard down around anyone, they could, quite literally, stab her in the back. There had only been one that she had ever trusted with her life, but that was a long time ago when she was young and naive.

When the woman spoke again, she told of her intentions, but she sounded a bit unsure. This was when Shino chose to answer back. “Be careful of who you say that to,” she said, her tone mirrored the uncaring one Hariku used on her. “This place might be full of the scum of Demon World, but not all are here for the same as you. Some don’t know of its existence, while others are just waiting for the opportunity to turn someone into the Border Patrol officials.” Even Hariku had turned one or two demons in for the possession of human meat, or rather, had her do it in his stead. His reason behind it was to keep their eyes off of him. They were less likely to suspect him if he had previously turned someone in for that reason.

“I don’t give my name out as freely as you.” Shino then turned her head so she was facing forward again, choosing that her conversation with the woman was over.

The door opened again and Hariku emerged holding a small bag made of cloth, tightly tied at the top. He glared at the woman who called herself Rhial and said, “It’s time to go.” Shino leaned forward and started pushing herself up with her legs, but Hariku tossed the bag in her direction which hit her side, knocking her off-balance and causing her to fall to the floor again. “I said, ‘It’s time to go,’” Hariku repeated, this time more stern and a hint of anger in his voice.

“Y-Yes, Master Hariku,” Shino gasped, surprised by his sudden anger. Quickly, she gathered the bag and got up to follow. The bag, she noticed was a little lighter than usual. Did they short him? No, he wouldn’t have allowed that. She then noticed the absence of the usual beating of a human heart. The heart was his favorite. He didn’t get one? Or, more likely, they didn’t have one. Her stomach knotted at the thought. This meant he was likely to be grumpier than normal.

They made it a few feet away from the door and Rhial when Hariku stopped without warning and turned to Shino, promptly punching her left cheek. The blow knocked her to the ground where she hit her head hard. The impact was enough to rattle her already dizzy head. Dark spots clouded her vision. Closing her eyes, she listened to Hariku.

“Have I not told you not to engage in anyone unless you are there to kill? Now get up. Let’s go.”

 

[Cross]

​

Border patrol officers? Rhial straightened her spine and marked the demons within earshot of her with a flick of her golden eyes. The slave understood the dealings and double-dealings here more than she did. Just because the girl wore chains didn't make her a bruised little flower. Rhial might as well have worn a sign blinking, 'I want to commit a crime and get caught immediately'. When the girl spoke, her words were sharp like Diesel's but just as useful if she cared to pluck the diamonds from the coal. "Thanks for the advise," Rhial said.

A man appeared and hurled a bag at the girl which landed with the weight of a punch and she fell to the ground. Rhial forced the lines on her forehead to smooth and her eyes to blank like her face was a porcelain mask.

The man glared at Rhial like she personally killed his dog. She didn't need a problem like him. But she knew--she knew--he was involved in the human trade. Look how he shoved around his slave, and she was his own kind. He saw people as objects. Like lamps to be moved or thrown about as he wished. What would Diesel do? Stay clear of another demon's property, speak only when necessary, and hold his secrets close to his chest. The opposite of her. But Diesel lost all his credibility when he asked her to let him die.

Rhial glanced behind her only once at the strange girl and her master. She outlined the shape of the stone in her necklace. Twirling her index finger in a circle helped her concentrate. A fresh face like hers only had access to the most basic of merchandise. Highly illegal items would be tucked away for important buyers. There had to be trust and trust between demons was almost impossible.

So, give up? Leave? Hardly. She simply needed to remove herself from play and watch the other demons roaming the market. They were all varying levels of suspicious. She paused at the perfume booth and picked up a glass bottle. It wasn't advertised as a deadly poison but she recognized the scent of one of her favorite paralyzing agents. A girl in a pink kimono greeted her from over the counter. Her face was round like a child's but her slanted blue eyes suggested an old and jaded soul.

She smiled and all 62 teeth gleamed when Rhial popped off the lid of the bottle and sprayed the toxin on her neck and clothes. The girl's grin retreated and finally collapsed when Rhial didn't fall screeching to the floor. "This is hardly strong enough to justify the price. Shall I teach you the proper way to make a poison?"

The girl scowled at her but interest gleamed in her bright eyes. Rhial knew with a little convincing, the girl would eagerly accept the poison recipes. The already steep prices for her wares would probably skyrocket. And in exchange, "I need to buy very sensitive items. You're going to help me."

 

[BunnyDemon]

​

Yusuke Urameshi

“This looks like the place,” Yusuke said as he stared up at the building that looked so much like an abandoned apartment building that had begun to fall apart in the Human World. He inhaled the last of his cigarette then let the butt fall to the ground as he exhaled the smoke from it. “What kind of Spirit World mission doesn’t have some kind of creepy building, I guess.”

It had been three years since the Spirit Team had disbanded after the Demon World tournament. Three years since Yusuke had fired his Spirit Gun or even took part in any fight except for his occasional MMA competitions. That part of his life was over when Koenma told him that Human World’s savior couldn’t be a Hell-spawn like him. His life now was Keiko and the street-side ramen stand he ran.

He thought it was over until Botan showed up at his ramen stand two nights ago just as he was closing up. Bringing news of the current state of Demon World, she informed him that one of the major markets had begun smuggling humans to sell. Koenma wanted him and Kuwabara to join Kurama and Hiei in the Demon Realm to bring down the organization and put a stop to it. It was a pretty basic mission and likely not to last too long, but it was far from an ideal reunion.

“Botan says we’ve made quite a name for ourselves here. Should we be out in the open like this?”

**************

​

Hiei

Hiei scowled at the building. The fact that this human smuggling happened ticked him off. Not because he cared for the humans’ safety, but because border patrol was his responsibility. He had spent years trying to figure out where he belonged. After losing in the Demon World Tournament, he was put on the patrol rotation where he was to make sure humans and demons stayed in their own worlds. He wasn’t happy with the arrangement at first, but found that the role satisfied his craving for a purpose. His temporary position on the rotation soon became permanent as he assumed the position of leader in Lord Mukuro’s squad. This single incident reflected negatively on him and his abilities.

“It doesn’t matter,” he answered Yusuke’s question. “They’ll know we’re here eventually. Making ourselves known now or later won’t change the outcome.”

 

[Cross]

Kazuma Kuwabara​

When was the last time Kazuma prepped for a mission with these guys? The human trafficking ring was terrible and they would smash it into dust. But Kazuma enjoyed seeing his friends again. Even Hiei, sullen face and all. Kazuma jabbed Yusuke on the shoulder. He missed seeing his ugly mug on a constant basis. "Hope domestic life hasn't made you rusty in a fight, Urameshi," Kazuma said.

Kazuma started college last year and had been retired from battling demons for a long time. The life wouldn't leave him alone--especially now that he and Yukina were dating. He trained for months to build back his spiritual powers. They were like muscles. They could atrophy over time. But Kazuma needed to be strong to protect her from demons like the black market thugs they were after.

"Still pleasant as ever, Hiei," Kazuma said. When would be a good time to mention to him that they were going to related by marriage someday? Hiei seemed ready to rip someone's head off right now. But then, Hiei was always like that.

"I could always," Kazuma raised his hand, palm facing outward, and manipulated his reiki into a sword, "cut us a special secret pathway into the building."

Kurama
​

Kurama lost himself in the maze of his own thoughts. He had been reflecting on his millennia as Youko. That chapter of his life he closed after his fight in the Demon World Tournament. But the past was alive and he couldn't kill it or pretend it didn't exist. "There is a possibility, that the individuals we are after are the same ones I knew as Youko." And if so--behind his folded arms his fingers trembled in anticipation--the confrontation he had been after for over twenty years was at hand. Why did Shino betray him?

Kuwabara gaped at him. "They must be really old." He didn't seem aware he was calling Kurama old too, but he didn't find it offensive. Kurama was ancient compared to Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei.

Kurama smiled casually at the group. The perceptive among them probably sensed his high levels of tension. Kuwabara probably thought he was behaving normally. "Not only old, but powerful. I believe we may come face to face with the demons who forced me into this human body." Youko deserved worse, cruel and manipulative demon he was, but even he hadn't expected his one true friend to turn on him.

"No way," Kuwabara said. "How the heck are we supposed to take on the guy who beat Youko?" They owed it to Yukina to keep Kuwabara safe from harm. Hopefully he wouldn't have to 'take on' Hariku or Shino.

"I was alone back then. I'm not now." Kurama mainly said it to ease Kuwabara's fears but he believed it too. He prepared for this fight. He stored several different types of seeds in his hair including new deadly ones. If nothing else, he wanted Hariku's death to be slow and cruel.

Kuwabara rotated his neck and shoulders like an athlete getting loose before the big game. He ran his giant hand over the wall and pressed his ear to the building. "Guys, I can open it up right here. I don't hear anyone. We could try to sneak in."

 

[BunnyDemon]

​

Yusuke Urameshi

“Just like riding a bike,” Yusuke said as he held up his arm to push Kuwabara’s away. “I’m more worried about you. You don’t have as much experience with Demon World. Think you can get through this without dying?”

Unlike Kuwabara, Yusuke had begun to slack on his spirit training that the Old Hag insisted that he continue. He had never expected he would be back. Not like this, anyway. He had toyed with the idea of attending the next tournament, if not as a fighter, then as a spectator. But not to bring down some evil organization with the people he considered his closest friends like the old days.

He turned to Kurama, a little surprised at what he was hearing. How he knew that was the first question that popped in his head, but deciding to focus on the more important bit, Yusuke said, “You mean the ones that killed you? I hate to say it, but Kuwabara’s right. That is a little alarming.” He had seen Kurama fight several times, and no doubt he was a lot more brutal during his time as Youko. If they really were to come across the ones that forced him to flee to the Human World, it was likely to be a tough fight, even with all of them there.

“Waiting around here isn’t going to do anything.” Punching his left hand with his fist, he nodded to Kuwabara, signaling him to open the portal. “I think it’s time to get things started.”

**************

​

Hiei
Hiei snuck a glance at his friend. The fox seemed as calm as ever, but he noticed him tense up ever so slightly as he spoke. At times, Kurama was an open book, ready to share any knowledge he had on an enemy that he may have encountered in his past life. But there were also times when he would purposely limit his knowledge if he had personal feelings attached. The other two may not have noticed, but there was definitely something he wasn’t sharing.

Either way, Hiei didn’t care. There were things in his past that he would take to his grave, so who was he to question Kurama’s reasons to keep out certain details? His only concern was that he didn’t compromise the mission because of any personal feelings he may have.

Closing his eyes, he turned his head away. ‘Don’t let your feelings get in the way of the mission at hand,’ he warned Kurama through telepathy then opened his eyes to look back at the building.

The Oaf was right. The building was quiet, perhaps even a little too quiet. As per their past missions, they hadn’t formed a plan before barging in, but it always seemed to work out in the past. If needed, they would split up once inside.

“Make sure to keep up,” he told Kuwabara. “We won’t turn back if you end up getting captured.”

 

[Cross]

Kazuma Kuwabara
​

No one could get under his skin like Uremeshi confirmed. Kazuma shook his head with a grin. This guy. If anyone was getting his butt handed to him, it would be the lazy ramen vendor. Kazuma loosened a breath to concentrate and focused his mental energy. Hiei's comment momentarily jogged him out of it. Hiei still carried himself like the ruthless demon he used to be but Kazuma was pretty sure he was a big softy underneath. "You keep up. Stupid shorty..." Kazuma grumbled. He found his inner focus and metalized a yellow reiki blade. His spirit energy could slice though walls, space, and time. Lots of things. Kazuma liked being able to contribute. Maybe he wasn't the strongest guy, but he wanted to be a dependable one.

Kazuma opened a path to the market. The dim lighting was just a smidge brighter than outside. Kazuma walked through the corridor he made and peered around. He cast a glance over his shoulder. "All clear," he said. He tried to be quiet but his voice wasn't suited for whispering. He looked around at the unused vendor stalls and bare walls. What was that smell like his grandma's garage sell? He missed the scent of the fresh night air.

Noise. Voices. People shopping and walking around. Kazuma concealed himself behind one of the empty stalls. How many demons were they expected to fight? A hundred? More? He spied on the shoppers thirty or forty feet away. He saw a woman pick up a shrunken head and touch its wrinkled skin all over before putting it back on a display table. No one was being murdered that he could see. Kazuma expected... well, demons torturing demons or something. Blood running down the aisles. Someone getting stabbed. The bartering over goods was almost normal.

He hung back and looked at Uremeshi for a cue. The idiot always seemed to know what to do. "Are we sure this is the right place?" Kazuma asked. He preferred to have a straight line to whoever he was supposed to fight. He wasn't the plan guy. He was the sword guy.

Kurama
​

Control. Always control. Kurama closed his eyes for a moment to clear the noise inside himself. 'Apologies, you're right,' he glanced at Hiei using the same body language as if they were talking out loud. Although unaware of it, Kuwabara did him the favor of making the situation seem like just another mission. He followed behind him into the tunnel Kuwabara created into the market place.

Nothing was certain. She might not even be here. Kurama glanced over the walls, the stalls, the shoppers, and their items. The wares ignited a curiosity in him. Some of these objects were priceless, and the security watchful. It would have been fun to take these people's prized possessions from them. A delightful challenge. The challenge seduced him more than the gemstones, jeweled weapons, or chest of gold coins. He turned away from the treasure trove and crossed his arms. "We're in the right place. The black market is just hiding its ugliness for now."

Kurama continued studying their surroundings when his gaze narrowed and his entire body focused on one fixed point. Then he smiled and shook his head. There was nothing to do but laugh. "Look, we're famous," Kurama said and gestured at the wanted posters pinned to the far wall. There was Youko looming large and fearless, his silver hair splashing behind him. There was no poster of Kurama's current self. Beside him was the image of Hiei and Yusuke. It pleased Kurama that his bounty was the highest. He cut his gaze toward Hiei and was curious about his reaction.

"Where am I?" Kuwabara asked and crossed his arms. He didn't seem to realize anonymity was a good thing. But Kuwabara was still young and prideful. Kurama was old and prideful.

"There's still time," Kurama said. Taking down the black market might get Kuwabara the attention he desired.

 

[BunnyDemon]

​

Yusuke Urameshi
Yusuke had to admit he was impressed. Kuwabara’s sword looked stronger than ever and the fact he was able to control the power he had tapped into during their fight with Sensui was proof he trained regularly. He gave him a lot of crap, but the truth was Kuwabara had done more than enough to prove his worth on their team. They both had come a long way from when they first started this journey, and he worked hard to keep up.

Following suit, Yusuke entered the portal and quickly jumped to the side opposite Kuwabara to hide behind a pole. It was almost as if they had entered a market back home if their markets were full of creepy artifacts. Demons of all shapes and sizes filled the area, some resembling monsters, while others could pass as ordinary humans, but all equally dangerous. He hadn’t planned for this. For an underground market he was expecting a mission similar to when they rescued Yukina, not a room full of hundreds of demons taking care of their shopping lists. Was charging in really the best course of action?

He turned to Kurama and Hiei as they entered the portal. He nodded when Kurama confirmed the location then turned to look at what he was looking at. Looking at the three pictures, he didn’t know the value of Demon currency, but could only assume his was pretty high since the number shown below his picture was lower than Kurama’s, but only slightly higher than Hiei’s. Because the current state of their government was ultimately his doing, no doubt. He smiled. He couldn’t help but feel a little proud to be considered as much of a threat as his two demon friends.

“Sounds like you know this place pretty well. Care sharing how we’re supposed to get into the black market?” he asked, turning back to face Kurama. “Looks like trying to push through by force is going to be kind of difficult.”

************


​

Hiei
Following Kurama, Hiei turned to look at the wall he pointed out. He made no effort to hide his displeased reaction to see that not only was his bounty less than Kurama’s, but Yusuke’s as well. How could that be? Sure, he worked for Spirit World. That alone would warrant a certain amount of hate among demons. However, before just a few years ago, he was nothing more than an ordinary human. How did he manage to climb up the ranks so quickly without even trying?

He didn’t voice his annoyance of being last, but instead turned away from the posters in disgust. “Maybe you could be useful after all,” he said to Kuwabara. “You are able to go in without raising any immediate alarms.” Kurama could potentially go in as well, but his current form had already been revealed in the past even if it wasn’t pictured. The only thing they had to worry about with Kuwabara was his human scent, but he could easily serve as a distraction to get them through without a huge commotion.

“You can go in and talk to some of the vendors. One of them has to know how to get into the black market.”

 

[Cross]

Rhial


​

A young ginger-haired man sauntered over to the stall where Rhial had spiced up a potent poison in a crystal perfume vial. She sniffed the air. The scent of sweat hit her nose, he was very sweaty, a touch nervous, and there was a heady sense of... mortality. Her gaze snagged on the fabric of his white hoody, jeans, and his bizarre shoes which looked inflated. His small beady eyes flicked to her and away. And then did it again. The demon girl in the yukata who owned the stand tilted her head at him, probably too confused to do anything else.

The ginger slid past Rhial and his arm grazed her back. She tensed. He manured his tall gawky limbs like an awkward cricket. His gaze landed on the wares at the table. The laces, the perfume, and the makeup, some poisoned and some not. The human drew up a pretty dress by the shoulder straps and mumbled something about someone named Yukina.

Rhial blinked out of the trace he accidentally put her under. A plan began to assemble itself in her mind. Knock out this man, hogtie him, drag him out of here, and feed him to Diesel. She reached for her silver knife with the crescent-shaped curve where it was concealed behind her thick white cloak. One slice down his face and he would be down in a few minutes.

"Hey," his raspy whisper sounded close to her ear, "do you know anything about humans being trafficked here? Um, let's just say I'm an interested buyer."

Rhial opened her mouth. Closed it. She had a horrible flashback to her conversation with Shino earlier. Was this how Shiro felt? Rhial's hand abandoned her dagger to massage her forehead instead.

A pretty young man with long flaming red hair placed his hand on the ginger's shoulder, and he immediately deferred to him. Despite his peaceful smile, Rhial felt her whole body tense up. Being pretty didn't exclude being deadly. Just look at this booth. "Excuse my friend," the young man with the poison green eyes said.

The girl in the pink yukata bowed deeply to this newcomer and held the position for a long beat. What the heck was going on?

Kurama

​

"You know who I am," Kurama said of the girl with the two rows of teeth and the pink yukata currently bowing low for him. She rose and bobbed her head in a nod, the motion jangling her short brown hair.

"I will take you to the market if you wish," she said and used honorifics to address Kurama. He narrowed his eyes and scanned her small, narrow frame. Who was this girl? The tall woman beside her growled low. "I will take you as well, Rhial. I keep my promises," the girl said and laughed into the hem of her blocky pink sleeve. She switched to casual Japanese when referring to this Rhial woman.

"We would be very grateful," Kurama said. The young-looking girl turned around and switched the sign over her booth from open to closed. She walked around the table of wares and darted off toward the back of the building without glancing over her shoulder to see if they were following.

Kuwabara knocked into Kurama's shoulder seemingly to get his attention. "Are you sure about this?"

Kurama couldn't give him the reassurance he desired. After a 1000 years of pushing his luck, he hadn't died for real yet. Rhial cast them a glance. She might become a problem in the near future. Kurama wasn't sure Kuwabara even noticed how her hand lingered on her knife when he first approached her. Somehow he avoided being injured. The four of them halted in front of a heavy-looking door.

"Wait, right here," the girl said. "I need to ask if it's okay for you to come in," she said and slipped inside. After several seconds, she returned, and smiling, she held the door open for the three of them.

 

[BunnyDemon]

​

Hiei
From his spot against the wall, Hiei watched Kuwabara awkwardly approach the table. He was very clearly not aware of his surroundings as he bumped into a girl admiring the poisons of the table. The girl instinctively reached behind her and rested her hand on a concealed blade. She appeared to be a demon of status and power. Just watching her gave Hiei the desire to fight her, although she probably wouldn’t be a challenge to him.

He continued to watch the clumsy idiot fumble his words as he began to talk to the merchant. He was actually embarrassed for him and a little insulted for his lack of ability to read the atmosphere. Did he not realize how much danger he was putting himself in? It was then he heard Yusuke mumble exactly what he was thinking.

“What are you doing, Kuwabara?”

Hiei moved to prepare himself to step in. Perhaps it was a bad idea sending Kuwabara in to get information. He may not have liked the idiot much, but he was part of the team, nonetheless, and he wouldn’t let him get killed. Besides, it wasn’t completely his fault he didn’t know the laws of this world. But as he let out an audible sigh and took a step forward, Kurama stepped in instead. And probably better the devious fox than himself. He had spent a lot more time around these types of demons.

He stayed back with Yusuke and watched the two, along with the girl, follow the merchant toward the back and out of sight.

“Let’s go,” he quietly said to Yusuke. “We have to follow them, but stay quiet and stay hidden. If anyone finds out you’re here before we’re ready, our mission will be ruined.” Yusuke nodded to him then they began their pursuit.

Stealth was never in Hiei’s particular set of skills. Sure, he could disappear and fall off the radar when he wanted, but sneaking around for the sake of a specific goal was more of a thief’s style, and a thief he was not. His style was more run in and strike the enemy before they knew what hit them, but there were far too many for that.

**************

Shino
Shino’s vision slowly returned as she sat up. Hariku’s punch left her feeling nauseous. She spat a clot of blood mixed with saliva onto the floor then stood up. “Forgive me, Master,” she simply stated. Her conversation with Rhial had been short and she hadn’t given any information about herself or Hariku, but that didn’t matter. As Hariku had said, she was only to interact with someone if she intended to kill them. Any casual conversation could reveal weaknesses, even if it was unintentional.

As she followed her master outside, the shift of the dull, fluorescent lighting of the building to the bright, natural light of the sun caused her to squint and shield her eyes until they were used to the change. She drew in a deep breath of fresh air and allowed a small smile to form. Given the choice, she always preferred to be outside. Even with the shackles on, she felt more free when she wasn’t surrounded by four walls. Unfortunately, the only time she got to be outside was when Hariku had a mission for her. She was expected to carry out her missions in a timely manner, but sometimes she would prolong them just to have a little extra time in the sun.

They had gotten no more than a few feet from the building when a figure stepped into view. Shino stopped just behind Hariku and stepped to the side to get a better view. The first thing she saw of the figure as it stepped out of the forest’s edge was its piercing, yellow eyes. That sight alone would be enough to deter any low level demon, but as the demon moved from the shadows, his appearance matched the electrified energy she felt emitting from him. A blue tribal tattoo circled his right eye and curled down his cheek and another that resembled lightning started at his left shoulder and descended down his arm, engulfing the back of his hand. White hair emerged from his scalp and would hug the middle of his back if it weren’t pointed outward in all directions; its blue tips looked as though they would impale anyone careless enough to touch them.

“This area is in lockdown,” he said in a low, rough voice. “No one can leave until given clearance.”

“By whose authority?” Behind Hariku’s normal, arrogant tone, Shino detected slight amusement in her master’s voice. She didn’t know of anyone who challenged him to remain alive. If this demon didn’t back down now, there was sure to be a fight.

But this demon didn’t read the atmosphere, or, more likely, didn’t care enough to. “Lyn, Border Patrol Commander, Division C,” he replied, maintaining the same confident attitude that he started with. Foolish. But why was Border Patrol here? Did someone blow the whistle on the Black Market hidden within this building?

“What business could the Border Patrol possibly have at an ordinary market?” Hariku smirked. “Aren’t there humans foolishly getting sucked through the portal that require your attention?”

“We have reason to believe that this market has been selling illegal goods. You may leave once that bag your slave is holding is searched and cleared.” Shino instinctively glanced down at the bag of human meat and organs she was holding. Not good. Realizing what is in the bag will only confirm his suspicions, and they will most certainly not be able to leave. She looked to Hariku, careful not to let the panic she felt show on her face, but she could feel her heart begin to pound hard as adrenaline started to run through her veins.

“That’s ridiculous!” Hariku let out a short laugh. “The two of us frequent this market. If there were illegal goods here, we would know about it.”

Lyn maintained eye contact with Hariku as he spoke. “Then you have nothing to worry about. Just let me take a look and you can go.” The demon began to walk toward them and Shino wasn’t sure what to do. She was conditioned to fight if her or her master’s life were in danger, but the chains she was wearing greatly constricted her movement. She fought the urge to step back and waited for Hariku’s command.

 

[Cross]

​

The girl in the yukata erupted into a disgusting fleshy monster and attacked them. Kurama plucked a seed from the nape of his neck and rolled his spiritual power into it. The girl-monster drove over top of him and bit into his shoulder. Kurama winced. The hundreds of needle fangs dug deep. How did he end up in these situations? Kurama planted the seedling into the girl-monster's skin sack. Someone—Kuwabara, probably—drew her attention. Once the girl-monster dropped Kurama, he fell hands first onto the floor.

The demon girl, whose name he would learn was Rhial, drew a knife. The girl-monster picked Kuwabara off of the ground in its enormous mouth, and he dangled from his shoulders. Kuwabawa needed to be farther away than that. Kurama couldn't grow the seed with him right there. He reached into the layers of his hair for the rose.

Rhial dashed in first. Kurama froze with the whip curled around his hand. Rhial didn't realize this was her moment to escape and let the two of them handle this. Helping others could backfire like anything else. But Rhial cut Kuwabara free and leaped back while hauling him under her arm. A woman smaller than Kuwabara was had carried him. Kurama smiled faintly. Once they landed, he activated the seed. An enormous black Lotus flower bloomed inside the monster. An explosion of blood and gore followed.

Kurama wiped a trickle of black ichor from his cheek. It drenched his clothes. Kuwabara thousand-yard-stared at the creature's remains. Rhial brushed a pink dripping piece of skin from her shoulder.

"There was always the possibility she was lying," Kurama said. "They say trust is giving permission to be deceived." Kuwabara gawked at him and even Rhial looked disturbed. Had they not considered the girl might be lying? They were so young.

"Are you..." Rhial paled. "Border Patrol Agents?"

Kurama smiled. She really should have run. He threw his rose whip forward and it wrapped around her wrist. She dropped her knife. "There are two options as I see it. Help us catch the human traffickers, or we capture you with the others. If you help, I'll put in a good word for you with Koenma."

"Like with Hiei?" Kuwabara asked.

"Who's Hiei?" Rhial asked.

-----------

​

"I saw a girl," Rhial said, "and a horrible, suspicious man."

Kurama's eyes narrowed to slits. "They're not here. Leaving maybe?" Rhial...wasn't about to rush him. Kurama was more frightening than Diesel or anyone. She stood closer to Kuwabara. "If I'm correct, we have to hurry," Kurama said. He turned and strode back into the main hall. Rhial hurried after him and her heels clicked on the hard floor. Probably best to stay on Kurama's good side.

"Are we going to capture the girl too?" Rhial asked. It didn't seem fair. She was in chains; she shouldn't be held responsible for her master's actions. Kurama glared at her, and Rhial promptly shut her mouth.

"What about Yusuke—" Kuwabara began.

"Time is of the essence," Kurama said. "They will catch up." The three of them sprinted down the hallway.

The atmosphere of the market was different. Demons packed up their wares hurriedly. Everyone wanted to leave. Rhial's first day at the black market and she was captured by Border Patrol Agents. How did it go this wrong? She wouldn't be able to show her face in society ever again. She was a sell-out. Someone would put a bounty on her head.

After a few minutes, they emerged from the entrance. There were two strong male voices carrying an exchange. Rhial glimpsed the girl from before, her master, and another man. She glanced at Kurama and froze. Fury raged across his face. She wouldn't want to be the object of all that emotion. Kurama stepped forward. "I wouldn't," Kurama said, his voice rang out clear. "That girl is more dangerous than she seems. Believe me, I would know."

 

[BunnyDemon]

Shino

Shino looked up at Hariku as he turned to face her. He lifted his hand and reached out to touch the shackles on her wrists, but stopped when the girl, Rhial, accompanied by a man entered the area. The pair, she noticed, looked like they had just been in a fight. Taking her eyes off of Rhial, Shino looked at the man. A human, but she could feel demonic energy emitting from him. Half-breed, perhaps? But there was something familiar about him that she couldn’t place. No matter. She would deal with them next.

Turning her head back to Hariku, she saw him smirking at the newcomers before he looked back to her and said, “You know what to do.” The hand touching her shackles glowed a bright red color and the bindings on her wrists and ankles snapped open and fell to the ground. She looked at her wrists and smiled. She always loved the freeing feeling she got when her chains were removed. It was one of the few things she had to look forward to.

Snapping her head up, Shino looked at her target in front of her. Her whole demeanor changed. Her smile was gone, and in its place a scowl that matched the dark hatred in her eyes. She was no longer the fragile slave that Rhial had met earlier. She was now the killer she had been conditioned to be.

“You should have listened,” she said to Lyn as she dropped the bag she was holding and slowly began walking towards him.

“Are you going to kill me?” Lyn laughed. “I’ll give you one last chance. If you continue to resist, I’ll have to take you by force.”

It was then Shino took action. In one swift movement, she reached down to unsheathe a small dagger she had attached to her thigh, hidden by her black dress then ran at Lyn. Lyn was surprised by her sudden attack but managed to block her and jumped back, only receiving a single cut on his arm. Shino watched the blood drip from the cut. She wouldn’t be able to do much damage with that, but it was a start. She ran at him again, going in for another stab. This time she managed more than a cut. She felt the blade dig into flesh as blood immediately began to drip from the wound. Perfect. But as she pulled it out, dizziness took over her again. She tried to jump back and let the feeling pass, but Lyn grabbed her arm.

“Too slow,” he said. The electric energy she felt from him returned as a light blue, almost white aura surrounded his body before centralizing around the hand that held her arm. Shino felt heat coming from his hand. At first it was comfortable, but quickly grew unbearably hot. After feeling a slight tingle, a surge of electricity entered her arm and flowed through her veins, causing her to cry out in pain. She tried to pull away, but Lyn tightened his grip as he continued to send the electrical waves through Shino’s body.

Shino was in unimaginable pain, but she forced her free hand up to touch the stab wound on Lyn. The blood had already begun to clot at the opening. She needed
to hurry. She focused hard as a red aura formed around her hand. She felt Lyn’s veins enlarge and took that as her signal to let go, but kept her hand hovering over the wound.

“What are you doing?!” Lyn cried. He was beginning to turn pale. He had to be in an extreme amount of pain. Shino was pulling all the blood in his body to that one wound. It spilled out, causing the hole to become wider and wider. She listened as his heart raced, trying to keep up with the blood loss. But it would soon give up. His grip on her arm loosened and he fell backwards, motionless.

Shino let out an exhausted sigh before staggering backwards. Even at 100%, that ability took a lot of energy. She felt drained. Her body felt heavy as she fell to her knees. She couldn’t move. Glancing over to where Hariku had been standing, she saw he was no longer there. He must have used the fight as a distraction in order to leave. She needed to catch up. But as she tried to stand, her vision blurred and a high-pitched buzzing started in her ears, overtaking all of her senses. She closed her eyes and felt her body fall forward before everything went silent.

***********
​

Hiei
The fight in the market had caused chaos and confusion among the demons there. They had realized that Border Patrol was there, and many wanted nothing more than to leave with the goods they had purchased. Those demons weren’t a problem. Hiei didn’t try to intercept them as they left. The area should have been closed off, anyway.

But several stayed back when they saw Hiei and Yusuke try to follow Kurama and Kuwabara out of the building and blocked their path. Hiei watched the two, along with the girl they had captured, disappear through the doorway. Wherever they were going, he and Yusuke needed to keep up.

“Hiei, follow them,” Yusuke said, urgently. “I’ll take care of these guys and catch up.”

Hiei glanced back and nodded as Yusuke formed the ready stance for his shotgun attack. Using his speed, he flawlessly passed the wall of enemies and out of Yusuke’s way. As he left the market area, there was a burst of bright blue light and the sound of countless demon scum dying.

He caught up just in time to see Lyn die and the one who appeared to have killed him pass out. What happened? Lyn had been a commander, and a strong one at that. It was unfortunate for the girl to be in such a vulnerable state. Once captured, she would be severely punished for killing a Border Patrol Official, including possible death.

“Hey! We- What happened here?” Yusuke exited the building behind Hiei. Shaking his head, he continued, “Doesn’t matter. We have to leave. Now. There are too many to fight off.”

Yelling could be heard down the hall and approaching fast. Yusuke appeared depleted of his spirit energy. With him out and Kurama injured, that left himself and Kuwabara to fight, which wouldn’t be a problem under normal circumstances, but they also had two captives they had to worry about.

Looking from the girl tangled in Kurama’s whip to the unconscious one several feet away, he nodded. “Grab that one and let’s go,” he said, motioning to Lyn’s killer. “Koenma will deal with them both.”

 

[Cross]

​

Rhial, the heir to a noble lineage of demons, rotting in a prison cell. How had it gone so wrong? Grime clung to the hem of her fluffy white coat. She pushed her hair up off her forehead and sighed. It smelled musty in here. Diesel might eventually notice when she didn't return. Unfortunately, he wouldn't save her once he realized she got caught trying to help him. For a dying man, he hated being helped.

Footsteps approached the cell, light, and a faint shuffling of fabric. Rhial glanced around for somewhere to hide. But the cell was too small, even taking into account Rhial's height. Kurama stopped in front of the bars a moment later. The part human man was the most terrifying demon she had ever met. And, oddly, the most polite. "Hello," Kurama said with a smile. The scent of roses wafted from him. "I spoke to Koenma about a lesser sentence, but the rest is up to you." Kurama captured her; now he was helping her get out of prison.

Rhial didn't want to speak to him. He was dangerous and too sane at once. "Thanks," she said. "That's—very—" Rhial didn't know what to say. Kurama captured her, and she was thanking him. It made no sense.

His smile turned smirk for an instant as if reading her thoughts. Could he do that? Rhial suppressed a shudder and bit her lip. "It's fine," Kurama said. "Regardless, it's time for your hearing. I'm here as an escort."

A guard, who had been standing watch, yanked the door sideways. It scraped against the floor. Rhial looked at the prison walls and then at the smiling man in front of her. Something told her the cell was safer company. Sighing, she walked out, and her heels clicked on the stone.

Kurama gestured at the side hallway rather than the door the guards dragged Rhial through hours ago. Her escort glanced at the prisoners in other cells, seemingly distracted. She could attack him and escape. If she were an idiot. The two of them stepped into an elevator. Kurama pressed one of a thousand buttons and the lift rose.

After the longest 60 seconds of Rhial's life (including being tortured), the elevator dinged. There was a single door on the floor. "Good luck," Kurama said, he who was practically her symbol of bad fortune. He stepped back into the elevator and disappeared.

Rhial opened the door and found a scowling, glaring baby sitting behind a desk. He leaned back in a giant chair big enough to swallow him. "Look, young lady," Young? She was 99. That was an adult! Koenma pointed at her, moving his pacifier in his mouth to speak. "I'm this close to locking you away for good and throwing away the key." He banged his fist on his desk, and several sheets of paperwork fluttered to the floor.

"Explain your behavior," Koenma said.

Rhial folded her arms, furrowed her brow, and sighed. "My father...." She stared at her nail polish. A big square had chipped off her thumb. "He's starving but he won't eat."

Koenma's golden brown eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "I see. Go on..."

 

[BunnyDemon]

Shino
The dank jail cell seemed all too familiar and felt much like home as Shino began to stir awake. She didn’t even know she was in a cell until she opened her eyes and saw the bars not too far in front of her. On the other side, she noticed that same man and woman from before. However, the woman was being let out of a cell much like the one she was in. Raising her head slightly from the cold, dirt floor, she watched the man walk by as that same familiar feeling washed over her.

“Get up.”

Upon hearing the voice, she thought it was Hariku, and instinctively sat up quickly, finding her wrists were, once again, shackled. Tugging at them slightly, they made a loud, clanging sound that echoed throughout the numerous cells.

“Those cuffs are designed to keep demon energy locked away and won’t break easily. Although, judging by your energy level right now, a simple piece of string would have the same effect.”

Shino turned her head to find the source of the voice. Standing on the other side of her cell was a short man with pointed black hair that easily added a few inches to his height. His piercing, red eyes glared at her, and, on his forehead, he possessed a third, purple eye. Interesting. Jagan users were few and far between.

The severity of her situation began to sink in as she began to realize the position she was in. She had let her guard down and gotten herself captured. She couldn’t rely on Hariku to come save her. He had always told her that if she ever got herself captured or killed, then she deserved it for being weak and he wouldn’t be there to help. She was on her own.

“As soon as you let me out of here, I’ll kill all of you,” she said in a low tone, attempting to make herself sound as threatening as possible. But it was all talk. The statement he had made about her energy was right. The fight from before had completely drained her. At the moment, she was barely able to lift herself from the ground.

Her words seemed to anger him as he gripped the bars tightly. “The only thing that kept me from slitting your throat the moment you killed Lyn is that you may be useful in helping us stop the human trafficking,” he hissed.

Lyn? Human trafficking? Ah, that explained it. This demon was with the Demon World Border Patrol. But they couldn’t prove she had been a part of it. In fact, Hariku never took her inside the market for this very reason. She decided to feign ignorance. “Human trafficking?” she asked. “Nothing like that has existed in Demon World since King Enki took the throne.”

“Killing a Border Patrol commander is enough to keep you in here for life, and that’s being generous,” the man said, his voice matching the hatred in his eyes. “However, Kurama is working on a plea deal with Koenma on your behalf. If you help us, it’s likely your punishment won’t be so severe.”

Shino stopped listening the moment she heard the name “Kurama”. Most likely a coincidence. After all, she knew him to be dead, having done it with her own hands. But it was a name she hadn’t heard in a long time, and it brought up both fond and painful memories.

 

[Cross]

​

"Are you well?" The question ripped Kurama from his thoughts. Ayame stood before him with her hands folded in front of her. She was the Grim Reaper who Koenma stared at when he thought no one was looking.

Kurama smiled. "Yes, thank you." He replayed his violent death over again in his mind. The great Yoko brought low by the one person he considered a friend. Demons rarely made friends yet look at him now, wealthy with them. Shino hadn't poisoned him to the idea of bonds and connections. In a way, she set him on the course to figure out what he truly valued in life. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Ayame nodded. "Master Koenma wishes to see Hiei. He wondered if you might bring the other prisoner to his office instead?"

Kurama didn't mean to let the moment fall into icy silence. His smile returned after that too long hesitation. "Of course. That's no problem at all." A brief flicker of concern flashed on Ayame's face before she bowed and turned around.

Kurama returned to the dungeons for the third time that day. There were other prisoners in varying states of confinement depending on power level. One demon's entire body was covered in constraints except for his mouth, which was gagged. He walked the length of the hallway where he heard the soft sound of people talking.

Kurama lingered a moment to listen. From Hiei's tense body language, his tone of voice, and his words, he gathered he didn't like Shino much. Which put her in a category with most people.

"Apologies for the interruption," Kurama said, and he only looked at Hiei despite wanting to focus on Shino and Shino alone. "Koenma requests your presence in his office. I will tend to the prisoner if you don't mind." Hiei had more insight than anyone else into his gaping maw of emotion for Shino. But Kurama was pretty certain he would let him handle it himself.

Finally, Kurama allowed his gaze to find Shino's blue one. "We will catch up in a few minutes," Kurama said, not looking at Hiei. He waited for him to leave them alone.

After what felt like an eternity, Kurama walked up to the bars and grabbed one of them. "Hello, old friend. Have I really changed that much that you don't recognize me? Or should I bring Yoko forth to prove who I am?"

 

[BunnyDemon]

Hiei
Footsteps approached, and Hiei turned his head to see Kurama. He frowned at the news. Koenma dared to summon him? He no longer worked for him. The only reason he was there now was the nature of their captives. Once their sentences were carried out, his business there would be done and he would be able to return to Demon World to continue the human trafficking investigation.

However, he saved his complaints for the toddler upstairs. Instead, he eyed Kurama suspiciously. The current arrangement was due in part because of Kurama’s compromised behavior. Hiei couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was going on inside of the fox’s head, but it seemed to have something to do with the girl inside this particular cell. Even now, Hiei noted his friend’s awkward stance as he noticed Kurama was forcing himself to look at him before finally turning to the girl.

“Your emotions are one of your greatest assets,” Hiei said as he turned away, “but they’re also your greatest weakness. Take care to keep them in check.” The severity of the situation compelled Hiei to remind Kurama that there was absolutely no room for mixed emotions. There was no doubt that whatever intentions he had were good, but his judgement had been clouded before because of good intentions. This was not a situation that could be taken lightly.

Ascending several floors up, Hiei took the elevator to the floor that Koenma’s office resided. A red ogre, much larger than him, met him mid-way down the hall and led him to the Prince’s office. Opening the door, the ogre entered first, bowing to the toddler sitting at his desk. “Hiei is here,” he simply stated before leaving the room and closing the door behind Hiei.

Hiei watched Koenma quietly shuffle through papers in a particular folder then glanced to the side to see the girl Kurama had captured. The girl had changed sides at the start of the fight in the market and helped rather than running away. Her sentence couldn’t have been too severe, especially with Kurama’s influence in the situation, but she still seemed uneasy. Koenma cleared his throat as the shuffling stopped, and Hiei looked forward again, ready to get the meeting over with.

“Hiei,” Koenma began, moving the pacifier in his mouth around as he talked. “This is Rhial.” He motioned to the girl standing just a few feet away from him. “She has agreed to join the Border Patrol in Demon World and will be your new charge.” Koenma spoke matter-of-factly as he stamped the paper in front of him with his seal, indicating that a decision had been made.

Hiei made no effort in hiding his annoyance. Not only was this toddler who no longer held title as “boss” to him was making decisions without consulting him first, but the decision he did make required him to be responsible for one of their prisoner’s actions. “Need I remind you that I don’t answer to you anymore?” he asked, crossing his arms. “Your authority in Demon World became moot when our current government was decided, and we are doing perfectly fine without your influence. Besides, babysitting some demon princess is not what I signed up for when I joined the ranks.”

Hiei’s response didn’t seem to faze Koenma. In fact, it looked as though he was expecting it. “That might be so, but I’m still in contact with your government. Seeing as this involves Human World, as well, Enki has welcomed my influence.” He carefully picked out Hiei’s words and used them against him. “I have already spoken with Mukuro, and she has agreed to take the girl into her division, appointing you to show her the ropes.” Koenma’s smile showed Hiei that he had him cornered. He didn’t answer to Koenma, but he did answer to Mukuro, and her authority was one he absolutely could not go against. His position made him scowl at the Spirit World Prince before turning and walking out of the office.

***************

Shino
Shino picked up the sound of the footsteps at the same time the man in front of her cell did, but she couldn’t see who it was until the taller man with red hair was visible in front of her. The two exchanged a few words before the taller one turned to lock eyes with her while the other left.

The man was silent for a long time until he finally stepped forward to grab one of the bars of the cell. What he said caught her off guard. He talked as if he knew her, as if not only had they met, but were friends. Then he mentioned Youko, and as he did, memories of her last meeting with him flooded her mind. The fight, her friend’s blood that she spilled, everything.

Shino immediately broke their stare by looking down. Twice now his name had been mentioned. Twice now the past had been brought back to her by complete strangers. “Don’t say that traitor’s name to me again,” she said in a low, icy tone. Her voice was full of hate, but not at her old friend. She called him a traitor, but she was the one who betrayed him. After she killed him, she figured out that she had been manipulated by Hariku, but it was too late. Fooling herself into believing that there may have been some truth to Hariku’s lie was the only way she could keep the guilt of killing her only friend from consuming her.

When she looked at the man again, she showed no emotion. “If you’re going to claim to be someone you’re not, maybe make sure that someone isn’t dead or don’t try fooling the one who killed him.” It was then that she smiled at him to hide the hatred she felt towards herself. However, it was a hollow smile that showed a dark loneliness in her eyes. She had met Youko when she was very young. She shouldn’t have engaged in him, but she did, and that one mistake set him on a course that eventually killed him. And what was worse was he didn’t fight back. If she was angry with her old friend about anything, it was that he didn’t try to stop her.

 

[Cross]

A young demon strode into the office. Something in his eyes suggested he wanted to start a fight As Koenma and Hiei's conversation unfurled, Rhial felt herself tensing. Babysit her? Princess? Instead of objecting, Rhial turned and studied a cat statue in the office's corner with the kanji for good fortune written on it. She tapped her fingernails against her arm. Hiei was insufferable.

Koenma had contacted Enki and Mukuro and settled the matter before speaking to Rhial or Hiei. Rhial's attention snapped back to the infant. Work for Mukuro's division? Mukuro, a woman with a damaged yet powerful body and a vision for the demon world, known for her ruthlessness. If Rhial caused problems, would Mukuro herself come punish her? Best to avoid that at any cost.

Hiei stormed out of the office. Rhial glanced after him. Making a shooing motion with his hand, Koenma returned his attention to his stack of papers. Rhial took her que to leave and followed Hiei.

Ogres and girls in pretty kimonos strode back and forth down the hall. It was a bustling bureaucracy. Koenma's judgment turned out well for Rhial. She would return to Demon World. And then.

Rhial needed to gauge the extent of Hiei's abilities; what were his strengths and weaknesses? She would discover how to escape his watch and meet up with Diesel. She smiled. Hiei looked like the easy to fool type. But Mukuro was clever. As a Border Patrol Agent, maybe Rhial would be too lowly for her to notice. Rhial clicked the button to summon the elevator. Would Hiei accept a bribe maybe to let escape?

Her gemstones required a sophisticated mind to appreciate them, so she doubted it. But she would find about what he liked or if he wanted anything. "I believe we got off on the wrong foot," Rhial said when she saw Hiei. "It would be nice if we could get along."

-----------

Shino's demeanor changed instantly. Kurama felt pleased in an odd way that she remembered him so well after all that time. It would have been more insulting if she had forgotten about Youko. "Of course," Kurama said tone cold. "Youko is dead, and you killed him." It was a dangerous game. Kurama wanted answers, but Shino was close to breaking as it was. How far could he push her?

"But was that his end?" Kurama glanced at the silver prison bars and his reflection. "It should be impossible to overcome death. Yet, I've seen it myself a few times." He thought of Yusuke rising from the dead after Sensui killed him, his demon ancestry awakening. It probably sounded like a lie. Shino would believe what she wanted to.

Kurama applied some of his aura to the cell and it clicked. He pulled the door open. "You have an appointment with the Spirit Prince," Kurama said. Unlike with Rhial, a small-time, low-risk criminal, he needed to exercise caution with Shino. She might try to kill him (again) or a guard or another criminal. Anyone. She was deadly.

"I would be grateful if you didn't try to escape." Kurama plastered on a smile. He wanted to reveal his Youko form to her but not presently. Combat would force his hand. Kurama wanted to know what happened the day she killed him. Based on Shino's remarks, she needed time to adjust to the idea of Youko being alive. The state of her mental health concerned him. Ogre guardsmen stood on either side of the prison cells like sentinels.

Kurama gestured toward the elevator. "Please," he said, indicating she should board first. A couple of sentinels waited for them inside, but Kurama questioned their fighting ability if it came to it.

Kurama wanted to say more, but the presence of others kept him from speaking his mind. He found himself studying Shino and comparing her to herself when they were young.

 

[BunnyDemon]

Hiei

Hiei was seething as he made his way back down the hallway toward the elevator. How dare Koenma do this?! He had served his sentence years ago. He was no longer Spirit World’s to order around, and yet, the Prince had gone to Mukuro behind his back in order to force him to do his bidding once again. It was as if he truly wasn’t free of his clutches, after all.

Rhial caught up to him at the elevator, and immediately began speaking casually to him. When she finished, he turned to face her, eyeing her carefully. “Let me be very clear,” he told her in a stern voice. “We are not friends, nor are we equals, and never will be. You are my charge, employed by Mukuro. You will report to me and only take orders from me. One misstep, and you will find yourself back in that cell.” She had been caught on her first offense, which labeled her as ‘low risk’, but Hiei made a habit of being slow to trust and he wasn’t going to change that just for this girl.

Rhial called the elevator, and Hiei prepared to step on, only for the purpose of letting Kurama know Koenma was ready for Shino, but the two had already boarded, and stepped out as soon as it arrived.

Outwardly, Kurama’s demeanor hadn’t changed, but Hiei could feel the tension between the two demons. Something had happened while he was gone. He didn’t particularly care what exactly, only that Kurama didn’t break under whatever pressure he seemed to be under at the moment.

“Rhial,” Hiei called for her before following the other two back to Koenma’s office. This demon was the last of his duties there. Once her sentence was decided, he would be able to take Rhial back to Demon World and begin her training as an official.

*****

Shino

Shino was just a child when she met Youko. As a baby, she was taken from her family and sold into slavery, a common fate among water demons. Hariku was the only family she ever knew, if you could call a master’s and slave’s relationship a family. Ever since she could remember, he put her through rigorous training that very nearly killed her on more than one occasion and offered her a harsh living environment. Constantly living in fear of what the next day would bring, survival was all she knew.

Living became less of a chore and more of a reason the day she became friends with the young fox spirit. Of course she was careful to keep her living arrangements a secret from him. The less he was involved, the safer he was. If Hariku ever found out, he would most certainly kill him. The girl she allowed him to see was happy and carefree, which gradually became less of an act whenever she was around him. However, as her secret became harder and harder to keep from both of them, she finally made the near impossible decision to disappear from Youko’s life without a word to him. That was the decision that made her see she was destined to be alone forever.

She wasn’t sure how Youko had found out about her enslavement, but when she saw him again nearly two millennia later, he came ready for a fight. Terrified of what would happen to him, she acted as if she never knew him as she tried pushing him away with empty threats. But it wasn’t long before Hariku caught onto what was going on and gave her the order to kill the intruder as he used his ability to make her believe he was not her old friend, rather a Spirit World official disguised as him, come to punish her for her crimes.

Under Hariku’s manipulation, she knew exactly what she was doing, but didn’t realize his lie until it was too late and her friend’s blood stained her hands. That was the day Hariku broke her and she submitted to him completely, careful not to stray from his grasp again for fear of something like that happening to someone else.

Shino followed the man who called himself Kurama. Fate was cruel. Her criminal record had begun the moment she became a slave, and she expected to be caught eventually, but the memories she had been forced to relive were worse than any punishment Spirit World could possibly come up with.

Two guards stood inside the elevator as she and the half-breed entered. She could only assume the level of concern of her escaping he felt, which she was tempted to try. However, she still felt too weak to attempt anything of the sort. Was her low energy level because of its depletion from her fight or was it the cuffs keeping it at bay? She wasn’t sure, but she noticed her body felt like lead as she forced it forward.

When the doors opened again, they were met by the man who had been guarding Shino’s cage first and the other prisoner. She gave the woman a brief glance of recognition before facing forward again to continue following Kurama. He led her to a large office. Behind the desk in the middle sat a toddler, who she could only assume was Spirit World’s prince.

“Ah, Shino,” he began as he rummaged through a rather large folder. “We’ve been searching for you for quite a while. You were quite the demon prodigy, with your crimes starting at age 5. Despite being on our radar all this time, it’s amazing we were just now able to catch you.” ‘Prodigy.’ Only because she was forced to be in order to survive.

“You may call it what you want, but I think that more reflects on your Organization than it does on me,” she replied, flatly. That was the only thing she chose to say during her briefing. She remained silent as she awaited her punishment. Whether it was death or something else, she would quietly receive the punishment for two. As a slave, it was her duty to protect her master to the end. She would never blame him for anything she did, nor alert Spirit World to his whereabouts.