Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Rose that Binds ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

Hello all and welcome to another installment of The Rose that Binds. There was a slight surprise at the ending of the last chapter and readers are at the edge of their seats, just begging to know what will happen next. Ha ha, I doubt that. Anyway, hope you guys are enjoying this so far and I thank those of you who have reviewed. I was asked for a longer chapter and I tried to do it with this one. I don't know if I succeeded, but if not, then oh well, I'm doing the best I can for the time being. It's pure luck that I'm able to post at all, I'm positively swamped. But I'm doing it all for you. And here pretty soon I'm planning on adding another story or two. But we'll see. It'll probably happen. Anyway, enough of this ridiculously long A/N. ON WITH THE STORY!

_________________________________________________________________ _____________

 

Chapter 9

 

"Hello, Keisu. You've grown quite a bit since I last saw you," Kagome said, giving the kitsune a fierce hug.

 

"You haven't changed at all. I thought humans aged quickly," stated the confused, yet happy, demon.

 

"Normal humans do, yes. But I'm not normal. I am a powerful miko. And the power of the shards helps me to retain my life force. Once it's complete, I'll start aging normally again."

 

"As touching as this is, you really need to find that shard. So if it's not too much trouble, get a move on!" Koenma ordered, still a little nervous around the two Youkos.

 

Kagome turned to the young ruler and gave a smile. "Unlike Keisu, Lord Koenma, you haven't changed at all. You're still as impatient as ever."

 

He blushed slightly, then cleared his throat. "I . . . uh . . . just want things to go back to the way they are supposed to be. With those two," here he pointed to Youko Saiyu and Youko Keisu, "back in the Sengoku Jidai and my detectives doing regular detective work again."

 

Kagome smiled again and nodded. "Alright, everyone. Let's go before he has a fit." She and Botan giggled while the guys chuckled. Koenma just glared at them all, sulking because he was the brunt of the joke. "Aw, c'mon, Koenma. Lighten up. You need to get out of this stuffy office once in a while."

 

Botan giggled again. "Don't I know it. I keep trying to convince him to take a vacation, but when he starts losing the argument he threatens to fire me. He has absolutely no sense of humor."

 

"Get to work!" Koenma screamed at them, looking like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

 

"Uh oh. Baby's getting all worked up. We better get going," Yusuke said mockingly. The others stifled their laughter and walked through the portal. Once it shut they all let loose.

 

Three minutes later, their fits of laughter finally subsiding, Kagome cleared her throat, catching the attention of all. "All right. The first thing we need to do is get you two some suitable clothing."

 

Saiyu didn't like this idea at all. "What I am wearing is fine, thank you."

 

Kagome just gave her a hard, yet gentle look. "If you don't want to stand out around here, you're gonna have to get used to wearing our style of clothing. Also, is there any way you guys can hide your ears and tails? Not everyone has them here, ya see."

 

Keisu had no problem with this at all, seeing as how he was raised in this era. He closed his eyes and said the chant that Kuraiya had taught him when he was a kit. Instantly his tail and ears vanished, leaving him looking like a normal human. The only difference was his canines were a little longer. He'd just have to be careful not to smile too widely.

 

Saiyu, on the other hand, was against the idea. "I do not see what the problem with my appearance is. If the humans do not like it, then I can--"

 

"Saiyu, c'mon. Grandma Kagome is only trying to help us blend in and keep us on a low profile. Unlike in the Sengoku Jidai, people here aren't used to seeing demons. They'd probably freak out and call the police. There'd be reporters and guys with guns everywhere. Though it would be cool to be on TV. But that's not the point. We need to stay as inconspicuous as possible. So just do as she says, okay? You can get me back when we return to your era. Deal?" Keisu looked at his older sibling pleadingly, his eyes taking on a hopeful and innocent shine.

 

Saiyu rolled her eyes at her brother's immaturity. "Very well. I will comply for now. But remember, when we return to the Feudal Era, you will get what is coming to you." She gave him a deathly stare, then walked off. The others looked at each other, then back at her.

 

Yusuke turned to Keisu. "Your sister is scary when she wants to be."

 

"Tell me about it. You should have her train you. It's at least a twenty hour workout every day. But she gets what she wants, no if's, and's, or but's about it," Keisu agreed.

 

Kuwabara walked up to the fox and clapped him on the shoulder. "I feel sorry for ya, man."

 

Keisu sighed. "Yeah, me too. I wonder what she's going to do to me . . . Probably something terrible." Visions of himself sitting on the ground, being forced to shove spinach in his mouth while Saiyu was standing over him, laughing evilly ran through his mind. He shuddered. Anything but that. Maybe if I beg her, she'll just make me train harder.

 

They finally followed her, Kagome taking the lead. They ended up in front of the mall. "Here we are! The best place on earth, the Mall." She took out a credit card and waved it in the air. "Onward, fellow shoppers!"

 

The others just sweat dropped as Botan and Kagome ran inside, looking at everything they had on sale. Saiyu stood in front of the doors, reluctant to go in. Kurama and Keisu walked back out, grabbed her round the forearms, and dragged her in. She growled in irritation.

 

Kurama smiled gently at his granddaughter. "It's really not so bad, Saiyu. My advice to you is, stay away from them when we pass Old Navy. There's a lot of pink in there that they'll force onto you."

 

Saiyu merely looked at him, then walked up to the front with Kagome and Botan. Kurama sighed sadly. I know it will take a little time for her to get used to seeing me alive, but it still hurts when she turns me away.

 

Botan turned to the group. "Okay, while we go and find some stuff for Saiyu, you guys take Keisu and do the same. We'll meet back here in two hours, then go and get some lunch. Ready, set, go!"

 

Everyone stood there.

 

The two women grabbed Youko Saiyu and walked into a random store, which just so happened to be Old Navy. The guys shrugged and headed off in the opposite direction.

_________________________________________________________________ _____________

"Oh, I love this color on you! Pink is definitely your color," Botan held up a hot pink sweater to Saiyu, observing the look.

 

The younger woman let out a soft growl that sounded very similar to a groan. Grandfather tried to warn me, but I do not know what those strange markings above the doorway mean. How was I supposed to know that this store was, what did he call it? Old Nevi?

 

Her thoughts were interrupted when Kagome walked up, holding a blue crocheted belt. "This is lovely! I'm gonna get it for you. I'm sure we can find other things that would go with it." She took out her credit card and paid for the belt, a pair of butterfly hair clips Botan picked out for herself, and a set of dolphin earrings and necklace.

 

They left Old Navy and continued on their way, stopping here and there to look in the display windows. Saiyu was glancing around when she spotted another store. This one she liked. The clothes were in various shades of dark. Dark blue, dark purple, red, black, and others. She preferred her garments in a slightly lighter shade, but so far this store was the only one that caught her fancy in the slightest.

 

She turned to the other two and pointed. "I wish to look in there."

 

Kagome looked at the store and got a puzzled expression on her face. "Hot Topic? Why would you want to go in there? It's so dark. You look much better in lighter shades, like this tan!" She help up a tan low-neck T-shirt.

 

Saiyu shook her head. "No. There."

 

Kagome sighed and nodded. "Very well. I guess I can always bleach 'em a little when we get home." She walked off toward Hot Topic, Saiyu following. Noticing Botan wasn't behind them, the miko turned around. The Ferry Girl was sitting on a bench, her bags by her feet. "Aren't you coming, Botan?"

 

"No, I think I'll wait for you here," she said nervously.

 

"All right. Suit yourself. We'll try not to be too long."

 

The woman nodded as they once again turned around and entered the department store.

 

Saiyu picked out her own clothes. They were pretty similar to the ones she liked to wear. The shirts were tight, but not so tight they restricted her movement. Instead, they conformed to her body, making for easy mobility. She especially liked the leather pants. They too were tight, but she was able to lift her leg so that she could touch the tips of her toes while her leg was completely straight and in the air. When she tested them in this way, Kagome thought she looked like a ballet dancer. If she was born in this era, I'm sure she would have been. Maybe I can buy a few tapes and get her to watch them. She'd make a beautiful dancer.

 

Saiyu chose a few more items off the racks, then went into the changing room to try them on. She came out one by one, allowing Kagome to check her out.

 

The young miko was surprised. Saiyu looked really good in the clothes. They fit her form just right, and the dark colors complemented the lighter shades of her blue-gray hair and lavender eyes, making them stand out. She could also tell that the young kitsune was enjoying herself, despite her earlier protestations.

 

Once the Youko was finished, Kagome took the clothes to the front counter and paid for them. They left Hot Topic and met up with Botan on the bench.

 

"Well, I'd say we have just enough time to get back to the front of the store to meet the guys," Kagome said, looking at her watch.

 

"That went by fast," commented Botan.

 

"Amazing how time flies when you're havin' fun, huh? Well, let's go."

 

They'd been walking for five minutes when Kagome suddenly stopped, her face taking on a guilty look.

 

"What is it, Kagome?" Botan asked, worried for her friend.

 

"I just realized I forgot to give the guys money to buy Keisu some clothes."

_________________________________________________________________ _____________

"It's a good thing Kurama had some cash on hand, otherwise we'd never have gotten you clothes," Yusuke said, carrying a few of Keisu's bags. The boy was a shop-a-holic! Kurama was almost broke after the ten different stores the young fox had dragged them into. He'd bought everything from blue jeans to fishnet muscle shirts and even a cowboy hat. What does he need a cowboy hat for? This kid is really weird.

 

The first store they'd gone into was just a normal men's department. There were jeans and shirts of all different sizes, colors, and styles. Keisu had grabbed a few armfuls and taken them all in the dressing rooms. They'd all fit, so he had gotten every one of them. They didn't notice they didn't have any money until they had all of the clothes on the counter. Kurama was forced to get out his wallet. The next store they passed was a sports department. Keisu got two pairs of sneakers and a few gym shorts. The fishnet shirts were half off, luckily for Kurama. They'd gone into eight other stores before Kurama told them they had to wrap it up and go meet the girls.

 

"I'll pay you back, I promise," Keisu said to the silver.

 

"What makes you think you need all of that stuff anyway?" Kuwabara asked.

 

Hiei just scoffed. "He's too much like his grandmother. From what I've seen, she spends money so fast--"

 

"Hey guys!"

 

They all looked to the left and saw Botan waving to them. Kuwabara and Keisu waved back.

 

"Wow, Keisu. You got a lot of stuff there . . . Where'd ya get the money?" she asked, eying all of the bags.

 

"Kurama," Keisu replied sheepishly.

 

"Well, at least you got some suitable clothes now. Let's go eat, then head over to my place," Kagome offered.

 

The others nodded and they headed toward the food court.

 

Once they left the mall, they walked back to the Sunset Shrine. After stopping at the foot of the stairs, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Keisu all gulped at the enormity of the climb. The girls, Kurama and Hiei started up, leaving the three boys to carry all of the bags.

 

"Uh, a little help would be nice," Yusuke complained. He lugged his load up the steps, grunting with the effort.

 

"Forget this. If people see me, they see me. There's no way they could prove it," Keisu said just before he used is demonic speed to sprint up the mountain of stairs.

 

"Aw, c'mon! That's cheating!"

 

"You're just mad 'cause you don't have any demonic powers to make it easier," Keisu said from the top of the stairs. "And I'm just fast."

 

"Not fast enough, little brother."

 

Keisu whirled around to see Saiyu sitting in a tree, her legs crossed at the knees and her nimble fingers stripping a twig of its leaves. Once she was finished, she threw the twig at the ground, pinning a beetle beneath it. "I still beat you."

 

Keisu just grumbled, crossing his arms and sulking.

 

The rest of the group made it up the steps and stood there, leaning over with their hands on their knees and panting. Well, everyone except Kurama and Hiei. Botan had decided to play it fair and walk beside Kagome.

 

"No matter how many times I take them, it never gets any easier," panted Kagome. Kuwabara and Yusuke merely groaned from their sprawled positions on the ground, bags of clothes ringing them.

 

The screen door to the shrine opened and closed and a blur of white and blue tackled Keisu to the ground.

 

"Keisu!"

 

Keisu laughed and ruffled the boy's hair. "It's good to see you too, Souta."

 

Souta smiled widely then looked around, noting all the other people. "Who're your friends?"

 

Kagome introduced everyone, pointing at them as she said their names. "That's Yusuke, Botan, Kuwabara, Hiei, Kurama, and the girl in the tree is Keisu's half sister, Youko Saiyu."

 

"Hi, everyone. Sis, Mom wants you to start dinner and there's a letter for you on the table," Souta said, dragging Keisu into the house with the others following behind.

 

"Oh? Who's the letter from?"

 

"I don't know. It doesn't say. It just has your name on it."

 

Kagome walked into the kitchen and picked up an envelope that was lying on the table. Opening it, she scanned its contents, her eyes widening when she finished. She read it again, just to be sure of what it said.

 

"What does it say, Grandma?" Keisu asked, noticing her expression. The two boys had set the bags down in the living room and everyone had walked into the kitchen.

 

"It's an anonymous letter telling us where we can find the Jewel shard," she said.

 

"It just flat out tells you where it is?" Yusuke asked, happy to find out that locating the Shikon shard would be much easier than previously thought.

 

"It sounds like a trap to me," Saiyu said. All eyes turned toward her. "Think about it. Why would anyone want to send us an anonymous letter telling us exactly where we could find a piece of the famed Shikon no Tama. It is obviously a trap."

 

"I'd have to agree with her. It's too easy," Kurama stated, thoughts and plans running through his head.

 

"Well, what do you suggest we do?" Kagome asked.

 

"Let's go and pay this anonymous person a visit. I have a feeling it will be very fun indeed," Saiyu said, a smirk curving her graceful lips.

_________________________________________________________________ _____________

 

There ya have it. It was probably boring, but what they did today will eventually come full round and such. Hot Topic is one of my all time favorite stores. I go there quite often, actually. Um…yeah, like I said, hope you guys are enjoying this. I'm trying to add some humor to it, but I'm not sure it's working. You'll just have to wait until I add Oh, Kill Joy. THAT thing is funny…or so I'm told. Heck, I don't know, it's up to you guys whether or not you like it. All I know is I put my personality into it. Anyway, I'm rambling AGAIN, so I'll shut my yap. JA!