Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Beneath the Bubbles ❯ Chapter three ( Chapter 3 )

The birds chirped happily at the rise of the new but cold day. Bustling people ran about outside in the street, dressed warmly for the end of November, as they rushed to get to work. A dog barked loudly as it stood at the base of the tall tree. Growling came from somewhere on one of the branches as a fire neko puffed her tail out in all directions when the dog had chased her into the tree.

 

“Stupid dog! Go away before I scratch you! GET AWAY!”

 

“You know, Ali, it won't hurt you. Dogs only chase cats, so stop making all that racket.”

 

You gasp at the sound of Yusuke's taunting tone, and you look down from your high perch to see the gang standing there, although they were partially hidden by the large multicolour leaves on the tree. You change back into your human form, hoping that they didn't see you. The dog glances at the boys, and then takes off in a random direction, whimpering away. You sigh in relief and climb down the tree, still a little nervous as to if they saw you.

 

“Thanks guys. I guess I must have the smell of cat on me.” You laugh nervously.

 

Hiei stares at you suspiciously. You silently gulped nervously. `Uh oh, I think he's catching on to me.'

 

You are about to say something when you hear the all too familiar voice that you knew belonged to Innoto.

 

Kitten, I have another mission for you. Come to my quarters. Bring the gem with you.

 

Damn, how you hated being ordered around. “Well, I better get going. I hope to see you guys later. Oh! Why don't you come over for dinner tonight? It's Tenchi's 30th anniversary! There is going to be a big sale, but I can probably save something special for you all… and maybe some sweet snow?” You smile knowingly at Hiei, who, after mentioning sweet snow, seemed interested, even though he would never admit it. `He's so predictable that way,' you thought. `This could be the perfect opportunity to get some more information for Innoto. Damn that bastard! Why does he pick now for the time for a mission? Ugh, I'll never figure that guy out!'

 

“Earth to Ali? Is there any intelligent life in there?” Yusuke poked you in the forehead.

 

You, without thinking, bit his finger, drawing blood. After a few seconds of Yusuke's blood dripping into your mouth, you spit it out. “Damn Yusuke! What did you do?”

 

“ME? YOU'RE THE ONE THAT BIT ME!” He shouted.

 

You waved him off and spit out the last of his blood onto the ground. “I really have to get going okay. See you tonight!” You run off toward the bakery, leaving the gang behind, wondering where you are going.

 

“What's up with her?” pondered Kuwabara aloud.

 

Yusuke shrugged and studied his finger. “I dunno, but damn, she has sharp teeth!”

 

“She isn't what she appears to be.”

 

“Hiei has a point. There is something about her… I just can't put my finger on it,” agreed Kurama. He decided that perhaps it was nothing. The beeping of Yusuke's communicator interrupted his thoughts. Yusuke flipped it open and there was the image of the ruler of Reikai: Koenma.

 

“Yusuke, we have a problem!”

 

*****

 

“So, basically, we have to go and capture a girl named Kristen? Then make her join you and make her join our team?”

 

“No, you are not to capture her. You are to `rescue' her from choosing the wrong side.”

 

“Same difference. What is she to you, Inno- Master?”

 

Innoto glanced at you warningly. He noticed the almost-slip up. “She will be a very valuable asset to your team. She is not unlike you, Kitten. She is of fire heritage. She must be `convinced' to join us before Koenma gets to her.”

 

You glance at Debb. She seemed to be in deep thought. You mentally sighed. `She never gives her opinion. Always taking orders! I don't know how she can stand it!'

 

“How are we to find her?” questioned Debb curiously.

 

“We are going to use the Gem of Ascalon, Sage Fox. We will determine the location of her dwelling.”

 

Innoto makes a motion with his hand, and mumbles something incoherent under his breath. Immediately, there is a giant picture in your mind. It depicts an apartment on the other side of town. In the window of one of the apartments, a girl stood there, gazing longingly into the distance. You really didn't get a good look at her, but if you saw her, you would recognise her as Kristen. You also recognise the park near the building as the one that you finally caught up to Debb and retrieved Mepo.

 

“This is where she lives. Wait until she leaves, then sneak into her house. When she comes back, talk her into joining”

 

You speak, although grudgingly. “Fine, when do we go?”

 

“You can go now. Remember, she is to join us. Should she offer resistance, use whatever means necessary to `convince' her.” With that, he waves you away, creating a portal underneath your feet. You once again end up in your bakery. It was closed now to `prepare' for the anniversary that would start at 1700 hours. Debb sighed loudly.

 

“Well, we had better get going you think? I'll go get Mepo.”

 

You nod and stand up, heading toward the window. You stared outside in wonder. `When did it start raining?'

 

Even though you were a fire demon, you loved to dance in the rain. It reminded you of when you were younger and still lived with Yoko. He was close enough to you to be called your brother, and you considered him so. You sighed and laughed a little. `So many things have happened since then. I wish I could tell Yoko that I'm still here… even though he may not remember me…'

 

“Mistress, are you going in that?” asked Mepo.

 

You looked down at your clothes. You are wearing a black dress with a pair of short shorts underneath. You smiled sheepishly. “Just let me go change ne?” You go to your room and change into a black skort and a reddish top. A red cloth is tied around your waist and serves as a belt. You have a gun shoved into the bow at the back where the cloth is tied, successfully hiding it. You also put some braciers on your wrist and change into your fire/neko form. Your brown hair turns an auburn shade and your brown eyes turn to a mahogany shade. The same auburn color now covered your cat ears in fur and a tail of the same shade came out from the back. You look at yourself in the mirror and notice the necklace around your neck. For some reason, the chain always changes to a leather choker, making it look like a collar. The charm is still on it though. `Damn stupid Innoto. I hate being ordered around so dearly.'

 

“Kitten,” shouted Debb. “Are you coming or not? Get your ass down here and let's get going!”

 

You chuckled and walked downstairs and see Debb, or Sage Fox rather, dressed in the same black suit as you fist encountered her in. Her Fiery reddish orange hair was tied back in a high ponytail. She once again has the black scarf around her mouth and nose, covering her face. You nod to her and lock the door and windows, purposely leaving the light on to make the impression of someone being inside `making preparations' for the anniversary. Mepo was safely hidden inside your bow behind your back. The both of you silently creep from alleyway to alleyway, successfully avoiding people and arrive at Kristen's apartment.

 

Sage, wait here while I go and scout her apartment. I'll be in my kitten form, so just wait until I get in there before you come alright?

 

You see Debb nod, so you hand Mepo to her and immediately turn into the small white kitten. Your puffy fur shone in the dim light from the dim light of the morning sun. You ran across the street and waited at the door. You saw a girl with black, shinny hair tied into two messy buns at the sides of her head. She had beautiful raven colour eyes that had a tone of sadness in them. She wore a black spaghetti strapped tank top and baggy grey jeans. Chains hung from the belt that had many holes in it. Metal bracelets clung to her small wrists and you noticed a spiked wristband also adorned her left wrist. A similar spiked collar was snapped around her neck. You could tell that she is the type of person that wouldn't take any crap from anyone and noted this with a mental smirk.

 

Master is going to have some trouble with this one. Maybe she won't be all that bad after all. You told Sage Fox in amusement. Kristen got closer to the glass doors, so you put on your act. Here I go. I'll tell you when it's okay for you to come in.

 

“Mew!” you whined when she opened the door. She looked down at you, then bent down and picked you up. You purred contentedly as she stroked your soft plush fur. She smiled sadly as she scratched you behind you ear. `Oh kami-sama! This feels so good!'

 

“Where did you come from little one? You don't seem to have a nametag or anything. Maybe I could take care of you? The landlord doesn't let pets in, but I think I can convince him.”

 

You see her smirk at the thought. `So she's a fighter type eh? This should be good.'

 

Kristen brings you upstairs and you see her bring out a small key from her pocket. It was attached to one of her chains and she unlocked the door. She sets you down on her black sofa and goes through an archway to your left, leaving you to look around.

 

This room, which you presumed was the living room, has a black leather sofa, and deep purple carpet covered the entire floor. There was a glass coffee table in front of the couch and directly across from a small television. There are two doors that lead elsewhere, one to the right and one directly across from you, which you decide that you will find out just where they go in a little. Kristen comes back through the archway with two bowls in hand. She sets them down under the glass coffee table and look at you.

 

“Come here little one. I got you some milk and meat. I have to go to work for a bit, but I'll be back in an hour. Stay quiet and you will be able to stay okay?”

 

You mew softly and jump toward her, rubbing against her legs on which she is seated. Kristen smiles again and strokes your fur once ore before getting up and leaving, locking the door as she went. You back away from the food and change back into your fire/neko form. You silently creep toward the window and peer outside. You see Debb looking toward the window and you wave to her.

 

Debb, It's okay to come now. Come to apartment 15 okay? Second floor. Knock five times and I'll unlock the door for you.

 

You see Debb nod and head across the street after checking to make sure nobody would spot her. You only wait a minute and you hear the five knocks, so you unlock the door. Debb comes in with Mepo draped around her shoulders. You raise your eyebrow in question, and she sighs.

 

“Someone was coming, so I told her it was for a costume party and that I was here to pick Kristen up. The lady seemed to buy it.”

 

Mepo got off her shoulders with a huff. “Never have I been referred to as `it'. How infuriating!”

 

You and Debb chuckled softly and investigated the apartment. You took the door across from the couch. It was the entranceway to a small hallway that ended with two doors. You go into the door on your right, and see that it leads to a small bathroom. A bathtub, a toilet, a sink, and a small stand up shower were somehow cramped into this small room, and a mirror cabinet was placed above the sink. You opened it up to see some feminine products and some medication. You take out a bottle and see that it was a type of medication for demons.

 

You read the label out loud. “Power something-or-other. Represses demonic powers and drops energy level to that of a human's. Not recommended for demons living in Makai. Some side effects include weakness, drowsiness, fever, or sometimes even death.”

 

You stop reading in shock. `Sometimes causes death? Wow, we are dealing with a risk taker here.' You put the meds back and close the cabinet. Leaving, you decide to go into the room across the hall. You open the door and see a small room with a single bed in one corner. There is a small table shoved into the corner, and lots of stuffed animals and papers are strewn everywhere in the room. You pick up a sheet and read it.

 

Feeling as though I should be

Nothing I do can make me free.

 

Darkness so deep

Taunting me, “She's a creep”.

 

It hurts deep down

Wearing a smile to hide the frown.

 

My life flows from me

So beautiful, so red for all to see

 

Being the way I am

Seeing nothing in life, I'm cursed to damn

 

While my life wastes away

I remember that this is my typical day.

 

 

You stare at the paper for a few moments, not knowing what to think. “Man, that's deep. I can't help but feel sorry for her.”

 

“Kitten! Come here. Kristen is coming back!” you hear the loud whisper from Debb. You curse silently and run into the living room. Quickly turning back into your kitten form, you contact Debb.

 

Sage Fox, take Mepo and hide in a shadow. I'll continue to act as the kitten, and then when the opportunity presents itself, then come out okay?

 

Alright. You just make sure that you don't screw up, you hear? You nod at her and she disappears into a shadow, only showing her eyes from the shadow of the shelf on the wall. You hear the door unlock and you jump on the sofa, curling up into a tiny ball. When Kristen opens the door, you pretend to wake up. You yawn cutely and jump toward the girl. She smiles and picks you up, petting you softly.

 

“Hey little one! Sorry I took so long. It's almost time for me to go to Tenchi's Bakery. They are having a sale today.”

 

You tense up a bit. `Holy shit! I totally forgot about that!'

 

Sage, I don't care anymore! Jump out NOW!

 

You see her jump silently out of a shadow and land behind Kristen.

 

“Kristen. We have come for you.”

 

You feel Kristen tense up and you jump down, turning into your neko/fire form. You stand up and look at Kristen. Her face is covered in shock as she stares at you.

 

“Kristen, my master wishes to speak with you. Come with us peacefully and we won't have to take drastic actions.”

 

You look behind her to see Debb. You nod to her and she speaks.

 

“Kristen. You will be a valuable asset to Master. Will you come willingly, or do we have to force you?”

 

Her face turns into a hard glare. Mepo comes out from behind Debb and he flies onto your shoulder.

 

“Who do you think you are? I'm not going anywhere with any of you. Leave before I have to kick your asses.”

 

You sigh and shrug to Debb, who also shrugs.

 

“Your choice.”

 

You take your gun out and smash Kristen over the head, knocking her unconscious. Debb catches her before she hits the ground and slings Kristen over her shoulder. You look at Debb and sigh again.

 

“Sage, I have to go back to Tenchi's. The anniversary is tonight, and I have to get it ready. Think you can take her yourself?”

 

She nods and you change into your Human form. Debb leaves with Kristen through a shadow, going to Innoto. You rush back to the bakery, making sure to close and lock Kristen's apartment door as you are going. You rush back to the bakery and immediately set to work on baking the rest of the pies and cakes. In the middle of baking, you hear someone knock on the front door. You sigh in frustration and rush to the front of the shop. Your face brightens when you see Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei and Kurama standing there, waving. You unlock the door and invite them in.

 

“Hi guys! What brings you here?”

 

Yusuke smiles. “Well we thought you could use some help with the sale and all. You can use help right?”

 

You nod and smile brightly. “Thanks guys. I'm still baking in the back and I need out here cleaned a bit. Think you can manage?”

 

They agree and Kurama comes in the back to help you bake.

 

“Let's see. I still need three batches of chocolate chip cookies, four strawberry pies, two chocolate cakes, and two cheesecakes too. Everything else is done. Let's get to work.”

 

You get out the recipes and set them down on the island counter and set to work. `This is going to take a while', you think, sighing slightly and getting out your needed ingredients.