Mirror,
Mirror, On the Wall...
Part II
By Caithi'on
Standard
Disclaimers
| "Nahaha! Kurama! Is this a new fashion
statement?" Yuusuke nearly fell over, he was
laughing so hard. Kuwabara seemed to be experiencing
similar problems. Kurama smiled, and tugged on the low brim of the floppy hat. Inside, however, he was seething. Even if they never find out the truth, I'll never live this episode down. As part of his "disguise," he had bound his breasts and piled his fantastically long hair under a hat. Cutting it back to a normal length had been an option, but when down it emphasized the softer lines of his face. If he was going to hide it under a hat anyway, why destroy it? A few strands were working their way free, but all-in-all it seemed to be an adequate disguise. He had also decided to wear his school uniform, hoping that they would attribute any feminine appearances to the sickening pink color. Hopefully, the new look would throw his companions. |
So far the blasted hat seems to be working — Yuusuke and Kuwabara are so busy laughing that they wouldn't notice if I stripped and did a belly dance. Kurama crossed his fingers surreptitiously. Now if I can distract Hiei somehow...
Hiei could hear the Idiot's laugh the second he stepped into the Ningenkai.
Hn. Why do I put myself through this? Damn Koenma!
With a last derisive snort, he dropped from his tree. One glance at the group of boys raised his hackles. Something was wrong... Before he could pin down the source, Kurama was by his side, draping an arm around his shoulders.
"Konbanwa, Hiei!" He crowed with a bright smile.
The little koorime shrugged him off. Damn nuisance. I hate it when he does that!
"Were we called here for a purpose, or just so that the Idiot could display more of his endearing asinine qualities?" he snarled.
"Why, you little—!"
Yuusuke quickly stepped between the two combatants. "Enough! There's been a strange spike in the youki in the Yokosuka area; Koenma wants us to investigate." He glanced at Kurama. "Can you fight like that?"
Kurama froze in panic. He knows?
Yuusuke frowned. "The... hat, Kurama. How will you get your seeds?"
Oh... that.
Kurama grinned impishly. "No problem! I'm trying out scenarios where I can't reach my hair. I'm all set!"
"Err... OK! Let's go then!"
The train ride was a torture. Kurama could feel every suspicious glance Hiei threw his way. He had really blown it.
When the time had come to buy the tickets, Hiei had raised a disdainful eyebrow. "I'll meet you there." Kurama's sigh of relief had been inaudible, but Hiei's eyes had flickered in his direction. His next terse command had baffled both human boys: "Never mind, I'm coming."
Now this ceaseless vigilance. Yes, Hiei was certainly suspicious, but what he was suspicious of... Kurama was unsure. A black cloud seemed to hang around the fire-demon, so teasing him was out... unless he had a suicidal urge.
Hmm... there's an idea, he thought sarcastically.
"Look, Kuwabara! The Swamp Monster!" Yuusuke contorted his face into a supposedly hideous appearance.
"Heehee! Mine's better, Urameshi!"
Unbidden, Kurama's lips twitched into a smile. Those two never change. He peered at Hiei from the corner of his eye. Make that "those three." He sighed.
Hiei glared at the redhead who sat beside him. He definitely didn't want me along. Strange how that thought hurt... He didn't want to be near these three anyway, right? What is he hiding? A wound, perhaps? No... although he has been moving strangely... Crimson eyes narrowed as he frowned in concentration.
"Kowaii!" Yuusuke and Kuwabara stared at him with identical expressions of amazement. "You win, Hiei!"
"Oi, how'd you make that face?"
Hiei glared warningly. "Baka."
Kurama smiled again. Argh! Stupid... Now I'm smiling too much! Let's paint a neon sign that says: "Hormone Loaded Youko!" Damn!
Hiei observed the rapid play of emotions across the kitsune's face. Something... Why the hell am I reminded of Yuusuke's stupid human woman? He tried to avoid thinking of Keiko: She reminded him of his defeat at Yuusuke's hands.
The train pulled to a stop.
Finally! was the universal thought.