Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ After the Fall ❯ A Touch of Evil ( Chapter 4 )

"Are you sure this is where Kurama asked us to meet him?" Kuwabara asked, shifting nervously in his seat as he eyed the well dressed crowd that filtered in and out of the darkened interior of the coffee shop. He listened attentively to their chatter as they sat around a series of small, round black tables, sipping idly out of the red coffee cups they held in their manicured hands. The large man leaned forward, eavesdropping into the conversation closest too him, wondering when some snide remark about his and/or Yusuke's attire would reach his ears. Man, this place makes me feel weird. He thought uncomfortably as he looked down at his black T-shirt and blue jeans. I guess I should of dressed better for the occasion.

Yusuke said nothing at first, staring out the window just beyond their table, his chocolate eyes focused on the words LAVA JAVA plastered in big, dark red letters across the glass, a red volcano exploding with coffee beans situated beneath the writing, obscuring his view of the street. Truth be told, the dark haired young man was as unnerved as Kuwabara about this particular spot but damned if he was going to confess to it to his friend. "Yeah, this is where he said to meet him." He replied gruffly. "You have a problem with that?"

Kuwabara looked over to his friend. "Well, kinda yeah." He replied softly. "I feel ... I don't know out of place or something."

Yusuke let out a sigh as he turned to face his friend. "Get a grip will ya. These people are no different than us. Just better dressers." He said, a smirk growing on his face as he added. "I can't believe somebody whose not afraid to fight demons is mortified by anyone with fashion sense."

"I'm not afraid of their clothes, I just don't feel like we belong here." Kuwabara countered. "Why couldn't we have met at the park or something?"

"Maybe because Kurama knew it was going to rain today?" Yusuke added as he turned back to the window.

Kuwabara followed his movement. "Oh." He said, noticing how dark it was getting outside.

"Now would you kindly stop yapping." Yusuke said roughly as he reached up to rub his temples. "My head is still pounding from last night."

Kuwabara snickered, his posture becoming more relaxed, his discomfort momentarily forgotten. "What's the matter Urameshi? Did Keiko smack you upside the head one too many times last night?"

"Not that it's any of your damn business, but Keiko left in a pissy mood last night." Yusuke snapped, his features tightening in irritation.

"What did you do?"

Yusuke twitched in his seat. "I don't want to talk about it." He replied, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.

Kuwabara shrugged. "Suit yourself." He replied indifferently before mumbling under his breath, "Big baby."

Yusuke's right eyelid snapped open. "What was that?" He asked in a challenging voice.

"Nothing." The large man replied, looking down at his watch. "That's odd."

"What?" The smaller man asked, opening both eyes to look over at his friend.

"Kurama said for us to meet him here at 11:30. It's now 11:45. Kurama has never been late at least not intentionally. Where do you think he is?"

"Probably running away from a crowd of adorning women, the lucky dog." Yusuke said with a sigh.

Kuwabara frowned. "Why would that make him lucky Urameshi?"

Yusuke looked at his friend in disbelief. "What guy wouldn't love to have a bunch of girls chasing after him for his body?"

The large man shook his head. "Is your mind always in the gutter Urameshi?"

Yusuke gave him a big smile. "Yep." He replied, causing the orange haired man to fall sideways out of his seat.

"I don't believe you Urameshi." Kuwabara chided as he returned to his chair. "You have a beautiful girl all your own and you'd throw it all away for a series of one night stands. How could you even think like that!"

Yusuke hung his head not out of shame but out of irritation. "I never said I'd act on it stupid! It's just a fantasy, jeesh." He replied quickly before adding. "But seriously, do you ever wonder why Kurama never takes those women up on their offers? I know he's not gay, but I can't remember ever seeing him with any girl in particular, can you?"

Now it was Kuwabara who hung his head, this time in pity. "Urameshi, I may not be the smartest guy in the world, but I do know more about the affairs of the heart than you do." He paused bringing his face back up, his serious eyes meeting the confused ones of his friend. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe the reason Kurama never takes those girls up on their offers is because he's already in love with someone."

Yusuke raised an eyebrow. "Who?" He asked, studying his friend in interest.

Kuwabara leaned back in his chair, his features distant. "For as long as we've been a team, I've noticed something about Kurama, something at first I thought was trivial but turned out to be significant." He began, pausing to sip from the coffee cup in front of him before resting it back upon it's saucer.

"Will you quit with the mystery already and get to the point!" Yusuke growled impatiently.

"I'm getting there." He replied calmly, oblivious to the smaller man's hardened gaze. "Anyway. For all these years we've known Kurama, did you ever notice the way he acted around a certain blue haired girl, always standing close to her, gazing at her through the corner of his eye, shielding her from harm, answering her questions, helping her whenever it was needed?"

"You're talking about Botan right?" Yusuke asked.

Kuwabara nodded.

Yusuke's features turned thoughtful. "Now that you mention it I do remember fox boy doing that kind of stuff. So what?"

Kuwabara looked at his friend as if he had antlers growing out his nose. "So what?" Kuwabara said through his clenched teeth. "Normally when a guy does that for a girl it means he thinks of her as more than a friend. In other wards Kurama is in love with Botan."

Yusuke just about fell out of his chair. "No way! Kurama and Botan.."

"I didn't say they were a couple." The large man interjected. "I said Kurama's in love with her. And I'm pretty sure she feels the same way. But the weird thing is neither of them seem to know the true feelings of the other. It's like they're in denial or something."

"Oh really?" Yusuke commented quietly as a sly smile formed on his lips.

Kuwabara frowned. "I know that look Urameshi. What are you up to?"

"Nothing." The dark haired man said a little too quickly. "It's just that I happened to invite Botan to join us before I left this morning."

"Why?"

"Because you dolt, she has access to Reikai's files." He said, pausing to return his attention to the window. "After what happened last night I thought she could give us a hand, help us sort this out. Besides," He added with a smile. "Given this new information, I finally have something to tease Kurama about, shake him up a little. And if there's anything I love more than fighting, it's a challenge. And getting Kurama to drop his poker face and show some real emotion is the toughest challenge I can think of. God knows that man is too damn reserved all the time."

"Do you really think that's a good idea Urameshi. Kurama might not want Botan to know how he feels."

"I'm not going to blurt it out or anything, I'm just going to test the waters a little, see if your powers of deductive reasoning actually exist."

"I'm telling you I know what I saw. Why can't you take my word for it?" Kuwabara asked knotting his brow and crossing his arms defensively.

"Because you're a doofus." Yusuke replied smartly, waving his hand in a quiet gesture to avoid hearing the large man's arguement and defense of his honor. "Relax will ya. I know what I'm doing." He said, his mischievous eyes focused once more on the darkened sky outside the window.

*******

Botan nestled her head into Kurama's toned back as the wind streamed around her, sighing in contentment as she felt his muscles expand and contract in rhythm with his breathing. Heat radiated through his clothing, warming her face and soothing her senses.

Just being near him makes me feel safe.

A wistful smile graced her beautiful features, remembering the way his body felt next to her when he had held her not so long ago. The steady beat of his heart as she rested her head against his chest, the calming words he would whisper to her. The caress of his fingers across her forehead. Never had he taken advantage of the situation or touched her in an improper way. And the funny thing was, she would have let him. Wanted him to actually. But he never did. He was too much of a gentleman to make the first move and she was too afraid to let him know her heart ached for him. Still, frustrated as she was, her love did not diminish. Instead it grew. But she was uncertain of his intentions towards her. Kurama had never revealed anything other than friendship. He had never told her how he felt towards her. To be fair she had never asked. Her fear of rejection held her from saying the words she longed to tell him, longed to hear from his lips. I love you.

And that was what she wanted. To be loved. Not because she was beautiful or special or because she was the head ferry girl of Reikai. Simply that she was a woman who needed to feel loved and desired by a man who understood and appreciated her. And Kurama was that man. It is what her heart told her even as her mind continued to warn her it was wrong. That those in Reikai should not become involved with those of the human world and certainly never from Makai.

And what does that make Kurama? A man with the soul of a youko? Doubly cursed in the eyes of Koenma. But never in mine. It makes him all the more special. All the more unique.

Botan sighed and closed her eyes, telling herself to relax and enjoy the moment. Because soon it would be over and she would have to let go of him once again, returning to the reality that depressed her. That he was not hers. And would probably never would be.

Kurama sped onward, eyeing the right side of the street in intense concentration, his grip tightening on the handlebars as the wind began to pick up and the sky grew as dark as night. I need to hurry before we get caught in this swelling storm. He thought, maneuvering quickly around a few cars moving too slow for his tastes. But I don't really want this moment to end. He added mentally, his thoughts straying as he searched for a spot to park up ahead. Kurama almost closed his eyes as he suddenly felt Botan nestle into his back, the contact causing a torturous fire to burn within him. My beautiful peony, you have no idea what your touch is doing to me right now. He thought, his face flushing at the images spinning in his head.

It took all his will power not to drive on ahead, find a secluded spot and reveal the truth of his heart to her. That he loved her and wanted her. That he would never leave her side. But I can't. Why can't I? What am I so afraid of?

You're afraid she'll run away from you, reject your claims of love. A voice offered in his head.

Kurama frowned. That's not true. That can't be the reason.

Perhaps you're afraid she will return your affection.

Kurama grew uncertain. I don't think it's because of that.

You think not? The voice countered. I think you're a coward who runs from his feelings. Too afraid to express them because you might get hurt.

The kitsune grew angry at himself. I've never run away from anything.

Just your feelings.

Shut up!

The fox spirit shook himself from his internal verbal sparring, his eyes widening as he realized how close they were to their destination. He slowed his bike down, pulling in between two small sedans before parking and shutting the engine off. A loud sigh escaped his lips as he pulled the key out of the ignition. "Botan we're here." He said softly as he straightened his frame.

Botan seemed not to hear him, her slender arms still wrapped around his waist.

Kurama looked down and stared at her hands wondering why she hadn't let go, his features softening as he reached out and gently laid his hands upon hers, reveling in the contact of his fingers upon hers.

Botan's eyelids fluttered open, awakened by the warmth of his touch upon her skin. She raised her head away from Kurama's back, her gaze shifting back and forth as she realized they had stopped. Oh God! I'm still holding on to him! Her mind cried as she began to pull her arms away from his waist. "Sorry." She murmured, her eyes widening when she felt Kurama's hands hold onto hers, stopping her.

"What's wrong Kurama?" She asked, unable to keep the surprise of his actions out of her voice.

Kurama closed his eyes, trying vainly to calm the pounding of his heart, not wanting to let go. "Botan?" he whispered in a strained voice.

Botan could hear the pain resonating in his voice and it made her want to cry. "What's the matter Kurama?" She asked, tightening her grip around his waist once more, giving him an encouraging hug. "You can talk to me. What is troubling you so?"

Oh God! Why is this so difficult? The fox spirit wondered as he sat there unable to voice what he truly felt.

Let her go Suuichi. You are not ready to tell her yet.

Kurama's eyes snapped open, startled to hear the voice of his youko self.

"Kurama?" Botan repeated, waiting patiently for him to speak.

The fox spirit opened his mouth about to make a reply when the sound of glass being tapped on startled him, ruining the moment.

The pair looked over to the right to find Yusuke grinning stupidly at them from behind one of the windows of the coffee shop, waving patronizingly at them.

Kurama's face drained of emotion but Botan's eyes narrowed and her features grew dark.

The blue haired deity released her grip of the kitsune and hopped off the bike, followed closely by Kurama who raced ahead of her to open the red wooden door to the shop.

"After you." He said formally, holding the door open for her.

Botan smiled at him and entered.

The pair headed straight for the four top table where a surprised Kuwabara and a smirking Yusuke sat.

"Hey guys," He said jovially, studying the pair with twinkling eyes. "What took so long? You didn't get sidetracked on the way here did you?" He added with a dirty little smile.

Botan wanted to slap him. Instead she followed Kurama's example. Willing her features neutral and her demeanor calm as she sat down, the kitsune taking the empty seat to her left.

"I was just on my way here when Kurama saw me and offered to give me a lift." She explained, her voice lacking emotion even as she studied the spirit detective with hardened eyes.

Yusuke caught her look and held up his hands. "I surrender." He replied with a laugh turning to Kurama. "You too seemed awfully close on that bike." He added with a teasing voice.

The kitsune's poker face remained intact as he studied Yusuke. Either I'm mistaken or Yusuke's trying to get a rise out of me. As if he knows something I do not.

"Yes. I suppose it would look that way, considering Botan would have to hold on to me in order maintain her balance as I drove, lest she fall off and hurt herself." Kurama said matter of factly, his voice surprisingly cool as he studied Yusuke with eyes of stone.

Yusuke frowned in frustration. Okay so that one didn't work, time to plan B. He thought opening his mouth to speak only to snap it shut as their server approached their table.

"Coffee sir?" A young man in a blue dress shirt and black slacks asked, looking down at Kurama, a black apron with the shop's logo wrapped around his waist.

"Colombian please. Black." The kitsune said softly, looking over to Botan.

The server nodded, turning his attention to Botan. "Miss?"

"The same." She replied.

The server gave another nod and left the group to converse once more.

Yusuke regarded Kurama curiously, his features thoughtful as he leaned forward in his seat. "Speaking of bikes, perhaps we should fill Botan in by starting with what happened to you last night Kurama."

Botan's face grew pensive as she turned to the kitsune. "What happened last night?" She asked in a tightened voice.

Kurama let out a slow sigh. He is trying to get a rise out of me. But why? A flash of realization struck him as he turned to face the younger man. He knows my true feelings towards Botan. But who told him? I know Hiei wouldn't. But who else would have known. The kitsune's gaze shifted over to Kuwabara whose head was hanging down as if he was guilty of something. Ah, He thought with an inward smile. It seems the mighty Kazuma Kuwabara has figured me out. Kurama focused his attention back to Yusuke, his features a mask of reserve. Well, I've been through these kind of mind games before. If he thinks he's going to get me to confess to it, he's mistaken.

"I was attacked on the way home last night by a rider in black. Someone with spiritual energy equal to my own." He began nonchalantly much to the irritation of Yusuke who was hoping for some drawn out ordeal for Botan's benefit.

"You seemed pretty upset about it this morning." Yusuke said quickly, eyeing the kitsune with narrowed eyes.

"I still am."

"How were you attacked?" Botan asked, her eyes troubled and her features pale.

Kurama turned to her, his heart jumping at the worry reflected in her eyes. He brought his right hand up, about to reach out to comfort her only to stop at the last second as he felt Yusuke's eyes following his movement. He rested his hand upon the table before him and lowered his head. "The rider produced a small wave of psychic energy, striking my face and distracting me long enough to get away." He answered.

"Why would anyone attack you?" She asked, shaking her head in confusion.

"I don't know. That's what we're here to find out." Kurama answered looking up to gaze at his two friends. "Yusuke and Kuwabara had similar, all be it less painful scenarios as well."

The dark haired spirit detective gave a shrug, as if conceding to the game. He followed Kurama's cue and relayed what had happened to him in the parking lot. Kuwabara followed with his story.

"Yeah it was pretty weird. Eikichi was really freaked out last night. The fur on her back was standing straight up and she wouldn't stop making these growling and hissing noises at my bedroom window. I couldn't really sense anything, but in the pit of my stomach something felt off, unnatural. As if I was being watched. But when I opened the curtains there was nothing there. As soon as I did that Eikichi settled down and didn't act up again. Like I said, weird."

Botan frowned, not liking the sound of what happened at all. "This is all very strange, but you guys aren't giving me much to go on here when I go back to Reikai."

"True." Kurama sounded softly, drawing Botan's attention to him. The fox spirit's features grew serious as he crossed his arms. "But perhaps there are other events documented in Reikai that could lead us to a more clearer path than the murky one were currently traveling on."

"What exactly should I be looking for?" The blue haired deity asked, her troubled eyes focused solely on the kitsune.

Botan's undivided attention to Kurama was not lost on Yusuke who leaned back in his chair and looked over at Kuwabara, flashing him a grin of acceptance. As if acknowledging the large man had been right all along.

Everyone waited patiently for the kitsune to answer.

Kurama closed his eyes, his features thoughtful. "Although the power I sensed last night was very brief, a mere instant actually, it did not belong to any one group in particular. More of a combination of demon and human spirit energy. Theoretically this would occur only in someone of mixed blood. Therefore I suggest you start by checking the files of known offspring from demon/human pairings and see if there are any currently residing in this vicinity."

Botan nodded, a move mimicked by the two men opposite of her. "It's a start at least." She said, raising slowly of her seat. "Now if you'll excuse me boys I need to visit the little girls room." She added walking briskly over to the far wall and around a partition, disappearing from view.

Kurama eyelids fluttered open, his attention drawn on Botan as he watched her leave, a look of sadness flashing in his emerald pools.

Yusuke noticed this, a grin spreading along his lips. Aha! There it is! That look!

Kuwabara glared at his best friend, shaking his head in a gesture of warning which Yusuke ignored as he leaned forward in his seat.

"So ah, Kurama," Yusuke began, "Why the long face buddy? Botan's just going to the bathroom, she'll be right back."

Kurama kept his focus on the far wall of the shop, his brow furrowed, his voice silent.

Yusuke looked over to Kuwabara who shrugged and shook his head.

"Kurama?" Yusuke repeated, his grin falling and his features growing serious.

"How long have you known?" The kitsune asked softly, his gaze still fixated away from his friends.

The two young men looked at each other.

"Kuwabara told me." Yusuke admitted finally.

"But I didn't tell Urameshi to be a jerk about it!" The larger man interjected heatedly.

"Whose being a jerk? I didn't blurt it out or anything. I was just curious to see if carrot top here was right for a change." Yusuke countered, looking over at his friend, the two glaring daggers at each other.

"She must not know." Kurama said, still waiting for Botan to emerge from the partition.

"Why not? What's the big deal anyway?" Yusuke asked in confusion. "You're a man, she's a woman. You love her. What's the harm in letting her know?"

Kurama turned to him. "Because I'm not ready to tell her." He replied, his features tightened and his eyes dangerous.

Yusuke held up his hands. "All right. I get the message." He conceded, lowering his hands. "You need to relax Kurama. Take a vacation or something before you become an old man."

"I can't afford to relax Yusuke." The kitsune murmured. "Every time I let my guard down, someone I care about is hurt or threatened. When the life of someone you love is at stake, there is no room for idleness, no room for mistakes."

Yusuke frowned. "Your talking as if Botan's life is in danger." He said, studying his friend with troubled eyes.

Kurama sighed. "All of our lives are in danger Yusuke. Someone is stalking us, watching us, studying us. For what dark purpose I cannot say. That is why we must not let our guard down. It is why I prefer Botan stay in Reikai, where she will be safe and blissfully unaware of my feelings for her. It is... better that way." He said, hanging his head in regret, his heart heavy.

Yusuke shook his head but remained silent until the lights in the shop began to flicker

"What the hell?" He murmured tilting his head back to study the overhead lighting which went out just as a monstrous flash of lightning erupted outside the window, a wave of thunder crashing against the window with such intensity it shook the glass. Rain pounded against the glass barrier, so heavy and thick no one could see outside.

Yusuke's back stiffened as he felt a snippet of spiritual energy then nothing once more. The spirit detective stood up, his eyes adjusting to the darkness that enveloped him as he gazed over to Kuwabara. "Did you feel that?"

The tall man nodded. "Yeah. Just like last night."

Yusuke looked over to the other side of the table, another flash of lightning erupted, illuminating the interior and revealing two empty seats. "Where's Kurama?"

********

Botan had been standing before one of the porcelain sinks in the women's rest room, in the process of washing her hands, when the lights flickered three times before going out and darkness consumed the room. She let out a small cry of surprise and fear at her sudden state of helplessness as she began to walk forward, her heart pounding against her chest, her breathing becoming heavy as she swung her outstretched arms in front of her, hoping to grab hold of the door handle or the touch of a wall, anything other than the empty space that surrounded her.

I can't even see a few inches in front of me! What the hell is going on?!

A brief flash of lightning from the small window at the far end illuminated the room long enough for her to see the general vicinity of the door. And at that instant if she had turned around she would have noticed she was not alone. Close behind her a tall, slender person robed in black stalked forward. There were no visible features save two pale hands held outward, the nails stretching into long, thin blades aiming straight for the unwitting deity's back.

The robed individual got within half a foot of a sightless Botan when a loud bang erupted behind the door and the voice of Kurama shouted out, "Botan?!"

The blue haired ferry girl jumped, startled by the noise and subsequent feel of his arms wrapping around her. "Kurama!" She cried, in relief and anxiety. "You scared me half to death!"

"Are you all right?" He asked, placing her behind him, his posture defensive as he studied the room. His attuned eyes saw nothing. But he knew there was someone watching him. Someone in the dark, cursing his interference. Get used to it! He sent out telepathically, to whoever was there. You shall not claim her life. And any who try shall die by my hand!

Bold words for a dead man. A feminine voice whispered huskily in his mind.

The kitsune growled, his posture stiffening at the threat, even as he could not sense the voice's owner. Try me now then if you dare!

The voice laughed and then was no more.

"Kurama what's wrong?" Botan asked.

The lights flickered back on, basking the room in light once more.

Kurama maintained his stance, visually searching the premises before turning back to Botan, with fear and anger in his eyes. "We must go." He said quickly, waiting for her to move forward.

Botan stared up at him for a few seconds, shocked to see such raw emotion reflected in his emerald pools. "What is it Kurama? What did you see in the dark?" She asked and this time the fear was in her eyes.

"It is what I didn't see that worries me Botan." He replied. "Come on." He added, taking her hand in his and escorting her gently forward and back to Yusuke's table.

"I see you rescued Botan from the bogeyman." Yusuke joked, his features falling at the hard look the kitsune gave him. The spirit detective looked from the red haired man to the blue haired ferry girl and a knowing look spread across his face. So he sensed it as well. And it went after her. Kurama is right. She is in danger. "What's your plan Kurama?" Yusuke asked, sitting back down.

Kurama remained standing, Botan still at his side. "Once this rain settles, I'll personally escort Botan back to Reikai." He began. So I can be sure she remains safe and sound. He added mentally as his gaze focused on the woman beside him.

Botan looked over to Kurama in confusion. Why does he need to escort me back to Reikai? I'm perfectly capable of finding it on my own.

"There is something I need to discuss with Koenma." The kitsune answered, as if reading her thoughts. "After that I need to pay a visit to Hiei in Makai, see if anything strange has happened to him." He added turning his head, his gaze focused beyond the window still being lashed violently by the rain that continued to plummet from the blackened sky. "You two are welcome to come if you wish."

Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at each other then back at the red head.

"Damn straight!" Yusuke said with a happy smile. "My fists are itching for a good fight."

"Yeah." Kuwabara added, cracking his knuckles. "Could be fun!"

Kurama smiled at their enthusiasm. "The usual entry point then?" He asked.

The two men nodded.

Botan eyed them all in irritation, wanting to join the three detectives. But she knew she would only be a liability to them when they entered Makai. "I don't want you boys going off and getting hurt while you're in that godforsaken land." She chided them, her eyes straying over to Kurama who gave her a nod.

"Yes mother." Yusuke said in a teasing voice, earning him a death glare from the deity.

Yusuke laughed and moved away from the table, pushing Kuwabara ahead of him. "Come on doofus! I need to check on my mother before we go. Make sure she's not hitting the sauce too hard." He said.

"I'm going! I'm going!" Kuwabara protested sulking forward which began to piss Yusuke off.

"Dammit Kuwabara quit screwing around and move those gigantic feet of yours!"

"Insult my feet again and you'll be eating them!" Kuwabara countered as the two continued to argue out the shop, racing over to the large man's old beat up car. A large, four door sedan the color of dirt that was parked a few spots back, jumping into the vehicle as if the rain that fell was going to melt them.

The pair watched them go before turning to each other.

"You don't have to escort me." Botan said softly, looking up at Kurama who gave her a tender smile.

"But I want to." He answered his eyes straying away from her to the window once more as he watched the rain continue to cascade down the glass.

"Why?"

Kurama turned to her. "Because after what just happened, I worry for your safety."

Botan looked downward to hide the disappointment in her features. What did you expect him to say. Because I love you? "I see." She said softly.

"Unless of course you don't want me to." The kitsune asked, tilting his head as he studied her.

Botan's head jerked upright. "No. Of course you can escort me. I would like that very much." She said quickly, unable to keep the eagerness out of her voice.

Kurama smiled at her. "Then it's settled." He said, his eyes brightening as the storm subsided. "Shall we?" He asked, giving her an after you swipe of his hand.

Botan walked forward and the kitsune followed, both unaware that two pairs of eyes stalked them from the far corner of the shop.

******

"I don't see why we don't kill them now Ailia." A tall, pale woman with short brown hair and dark green eyes said heatedly, her features feral and her body rigid, the lean muscles straining against the tight black leather jacket she wore as she sat beside her larger conterpart, her slender frame now free of the robe she had worn in the rest room, disposing of it in one of the baskets near the door before she had rejoined her comrade.

"Because Lina, as evidenced by your performance, we are not ready yet." Ailia replied, sipping from her coffee cup and reading the front page of the daily newspaper. Her black pant suit shuffling slightly as she shifted in her seat.

"I could have killed her right then and there. I was this close." The smaller woman said in frustration as she held out her right index finger and thumb, measuring off a few inches.

"And then Kurama would have killed you."

Lina snorted. "The fool couldn't even see me, let alone sense me."

"Do you think that would have stopped him." Ailia countered, setting the paper down onto the table to look over at the smaller woman.

Lina followed. "Then why the hell did you have me make an attempt on her life if you didn't want her dead?" She asked, her face twisted in confusion.

"Because I wanted to test his bond to her. I wanted to see just how much he truly cares for her."

"And?"

Ailia's lush lips twisted into a smirk. "After this little incident, I have all the evidence I need to exploit the fox's feelings and heart. I will enjoy killing the little bitch with my own hands."

"Taking this a little too personally aren't we Ailia?"

The taller woman scowled at her, her features turning defensive. "I have gone through hell and back again. All thanks to Reikai." She spat, rising quickly off her seat. She reached roughly into her pocket and threw a few bills onto the table as she collected her paper and rolled it angrily into a roll. "You have no idea what I went through Lina. None at all." She added, turning away from the smaller woman. "So I advise you to shut your trap unless you have something productive to tell me."

Lina glared at her but said nothing as she rose out of her seat and followed her companion out of the left the coffee shop. They walked side by side silently down the long sidewalk until they came to a corner, turning sharply and in sync. About halfway down the barren area, a gust of wind roared by, swirling viciously around them. And in the blink of an eye the women were gone.