To Be Me

Chapter Six


Kagome let both arrows fly, they soared through the air. One landed in the center, the other off to the right a bit. A sigh escaped her mouth in disappointment. Her concentration was off today, really off. Tar's humming didn't help at all either. After what happened how could she still be happy. Mai was still fuming and taking it out on her punching bag. Once again Sunday was there one day off and they were all venting their anger. Kagome went to practicing her archery, Mai was punching a bag filled with sand and Tar was sitting in the grass humming to herself. "What the hell are you so happy about?"

"Revenge is a dish best served cold." She leaned back placing her hands behind her gazing up into the morning sun.

"I'm not sure I like how you said that." Kagome walked over to her and sat down. "What did you do?"

"Nothing, I didn't do anything." A bright smile was placed on her face. A brown bird came to land on the girl's shouler chirping. "Sweet, thank you. Tell your friends to come by tomorrow morning for their payment." The bird cocked it's head and flew off.

"What did you have them do?" Kagome wasn't sure she wanted to know.


Yusuke, Kurama and Kuwabara were coming out the apartment the next morning shouting at each other. Kurama was beyond pissed, he'd been hoping to talk to Mai. Not only would the girl never speak to him again, he now had to replace his carpet. Yusuke said he'd take care of it but it didn't appease the fox.

"Yusuke what you did was uncalled for. I told them that there would be no retaliation, you made me into a liar. Not to mention the fact I got slapped. You don't go pissing a miko off when you are a youkai. I was lucky I wasn't purified."

"They'll get over it, serves them right." Yusuke threw his arms behind his head yawning loudly. The day was bright and sunny, a beautiful sunny day. Chirping was heard over head and he looked up to see a flock of birds take to the sky from a near by tree. He turned to apologize to Kurama, "Sorry if it makes you feel better I'll go apologize to them." SPLAT! He looked to see something white on his shoulder. SPLAT! SPLAT!

Kuwabara shrieked as the dozens of birds flew overhead all deciding to take a shit. All three boys were pelted with bird droppings before they knew what happened. The birds started to circle around. Yusuke screamed, "Dammit," He ran back into Kurama's apartment. The fox beat him inside slamming the door behind Kuwabara who was the last to enter. They all had white and black specks in their hair and on their shoulders.

"What the hell is up with them?" Yusuke demanded.

Kuwabara was looking out the window. "I don't know how to tell you this man but your car is being attacked."

Kurama ran to the window to gaze out. His new black mustang was being completely covered in bird dung. "Dammit, this is your fault Yusuke. I should kick you out so they have another target. I'm going to go get cleaned up, I suggest you two do the same. When we are ready, you two are going over there to apologize."

"No way!" Kagome was horrified. They would be totally pissed now, for damn sure. You don't send a flock of birds to shit on your nemisis. It was just wrong. Funny but wrong.

Tar started giggling, "They got his new car too."

"He's going to kill you."

"Bah, I'm bored now. What do you want to do?" Tar stretched her arms up in the air. "Wanna go for a run then practice? I would ask Mai but she'd probably picture Red and whoop my ass."

"Sure lets go get changed." They walked inside and changed into a pair of sweats and tanktops. Both put on their sneakers before they walked back outside. Styles got up from his post when he saw them heading for the street.

"No, stay and protect Mai. I'll be back." The dog sat back down. Tar quickly caught up with Kagome who'd already taken off down the street. "Lets make it a long run today, let off some much needed steam." The two girls started their jog in complete silence.

Kurama pulled up with the others in tow. Hiei had showed up in time to catch them. He actually laughed at seeing the fox's vehicle plastered with the white mess. They went by the car wash first before heading over, Yusuke and Kuwabara cleaned it. Pulling up in front of the temple they all got out. It was quiet as they walked towards the entrance until they stepped onto the grass.

Loud barking and growling was heard causing them all to pause in their steps. Styles stood up, showing teeth at the intruders. Hiei looked at the creature, "At least we know we have the right place."

A small girl walked outside, "What you want?"

"We are looking for Mai, Kagome or Taree. Are they in?" Kurama asked. He looked around, he didn't see anyone but he could sense Mai inside somewhere.

"The other two are about a mile away, heading back this way." Hiei jumped into the tree seated in the yard.

"Hang on." The little girl went back inside, the dog continued to show teeth. They took a few steps further into the yard causing the dog's hair to stand on end and snarl.

A minute later Mai came stepping out, obvious they had interrupted her workout. "What do you want?" She yelled over the loud dog.

"We came to speak to you." He tried to talk but the damn dog was going haywire.

"Styles, go find Tar and Kagome. Tell them I sent you and why." The dog leapt off the porch, happy to be going after his owner. "Sorry about that. Now what do you want?"

"We came to apologize for last night." Yusuke spoke. "We were out of line."

"Fine but I suggest you apologize to the other two before you leave. Tar can be kind of nasty when she wants."

"So we've discovered." Kurama told her about the birds.

She couldn't help but laugh. "That sounds like her, she's something else. Then again," Her mind started to drift back to when she'd first came here. Truth be told Mr. Sinato wasn't any relation to Taree even if the girl called him Uncle. Only he and Mai knew of the girl's past one more disturbing and dark than Mai's. They'd helped each other make it through the pain and loneliness.
Taree had come to the temple a few weeks before Mai. When Mai had arrived she'd felt bad over accidently burning a few limbs, not being able to control her powers when they kicked in. Tar on the other hand had been found in the trunk of an abandoned car, beaten almost to death. She'd spent a month in the hospital, coming out without any memory of who she was. She hadn't come out with anything but a fierce fear of the dark.

"Mai?" Kurama had to repeat her name three times before she looked back at him. "Sorry. I need to go change, you're welcome to hang around until they get back. I warn you the kids will be out of their lessons in a few minutes." She walked back in the house.

"Great so now we get to wait." Yusuke sighed. He really hated to wait, he wasn't even sure if he'd be able to apologize to that one girl. Being covered in water was a lot different than bird shit. Though he had to smile at her cleverness. Instead of screaming and yelling at him she'd retaliated with something better. Keiko would have smacked him and yelled. Just like she'd done last night at hearing what he did.

A small boy ran out the doors and paused at seeing the men standing there. He grinned wide before he ran up to Kuwabara kicking him in the shin. "Ugly!" He tore off across the yard chanting the one word.

"Little brat!" Kuwabara rubbed his sore leg. "Lucky I don't hit kids."

An elderly man came walking out with the rest of the children. "Hello, Mai informed me that we had guests. Since you are here why don't you stay for lunch?" He had short gray hair that matched his mustache. He looked the men over, "Where's the fourth? Mai said there was four of you."

"Hiei is sitting in the tree." Kurama informed him.

The small man jumped down so he could be seen. Mr. Sinato glanced him over, "Okay, how bout you four stay for lunch? Don't worry it's free, I might ask you to lend a hand until my other two girls get back but thats it."

"We'd love to." Kurama answered for them. The man had a kind aura and a gentle smile.

"Great, can I ask two of you to move the picnic tables under the tree? Can one of you go into the kitchen and help Mai?"

Kurama opted to go inside to help Mai while Kuwabara and Yusuke moved the tables where the man specified. Hiei stood around looking down at a little girl who was staring up at him.

"My name's Aiko. What's yours?" She smiled showing a toothy grin.

"Hiei."

"That's a nice name. Who's boyfriend are you? You can't be Mai cause she said something about red hair. Are you Kagome's boyfriend?"

"No." Really, were all human children this nosey.

"Do you like Kagome? She's purty isn't she?" She waited for his answer while fisting his black pants.

He looked down at the small hand holding onto him. How the hell was he suppose to answer that one? No matter his answer he was sure the child would go back and tell the girl. Best not to answer it. Shouldn't the child have been scared or something? Why was she clinging to him? "She's alright now go play."

Barking was heard causing the little girl to squeel. "Styles is back." Which meant so were the other two girls.


Please read and review. I'll edit in the morning = )