Andrea and Brian's Crazy Cross Over Anime

CH. 5 : A BRIEF RESPITE FROM CRAZINESS (maybe)

           Their pace had begun to slow as the day wore on.  The girls were getting kind of, um… droopy, wilted, I’m not really sure, but their feet hurt and they were definitely tired (and we all know that tired equals irritated). Ash was still charging at full speed because, well, he’s Ash! And Hiei was moving fast too (but not too fast or everyone else would lose him and as much as that seemed like a pleasant thought… No, he had to stay with Yusuke.)

           Yusuke could tell they were getting close, so he wasn’t complaining about their pace (in fact, he was really hoping Kurama was right about the whole demon thing, and this case would be over soon.)  Kurama and Yami both noticed that the girls weren’t doing too well, but there was really nothing they could do.  After all, they needed to catch up to the strangers they knew were ahead.

           Sakura had been sorely tempted to use a card to help her out, she was athletic but this was just ridiculous – did they really have to catch those guys today!?  And Yue really wanted to abandon his false form and carry his dear mistress (and yes, she is dear to him, even if he is a little cold.  He’s just like that - like Li!) But neither of them did anything because Li had expressly forbidden it.  He wasn’t sure he trusted these people; he wanted an ace up his sleeve.

           Joey was tired too (you would be also if you had to carry James who knows how far at a pace set by Ash and Hiei!)  Tea was getting tired (and what did I tell you about tired and irritated) so she did something very uncharacteristic… she said something mean (about someone other than Kaiba I mean).

           “I can’t believe you thought she might be a 'good' demon.” Tea snorted, looking at Kuwabara, “I mean, whoever heard of a good demon?”

           Kurama looked at her strangely. 

           “Kurama’s a good demon.” Kuwabara said.  “He’s the best guy I know.  Of course, he wasn’t always so nice.  At least, that’s what I hear.  But now… hey, what’s wrong?” Tea had begun moving away from Kurama. Okay, spirit fox was weird, but she could handle that.  But a DEMON! 

            Kurama sighed; he had rather expected this sort of reaction from her.  Oh well, at least he had one less fan girl to worry about now.

           “Um,” Sakura was nervous, but she really was tired, and Li wouldn’t let her use fly, “I’m a little tired.”

           Hiei glared at her and she gulped, but went on determinedly, “And I don’t think I’m the only one.  I think we should rest.”

           “Here here!” Takuya agreed heartily.  TK was too tired to do anything but cling to Takuya.

           “Listen girl” Hiei growled at Sakura and made as if to move closer.  Li stepped slightly in front of Sakura, fingering his necklace (the one that becomes a sword) and narrowing his gaze.  Hiei noticed, and while not afraid, he was interested so he backed off.

           “It won’t hurt to stop for a moment and eat something.” Kurama said, placing a hand lightly on Hiei’s shoulder.  “Yusuke?” He inquired.

           “Hmm?” Yusuke hadn’t really been paying attention, “Oh, yeah, sure, whatever.”

           “Thank God!” Tea sank to the ground, “I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired.”

           “You’ve obviously never traveled with Ash.” Misty grinned.

           “What? Oh.” Ash blushed. “Yeah.” He agreed.

           Joey slid James onto the ground with a thud, then unceremoniously dropped to the ground himself, hanging his head.  “I’m not sure I’m gonna live.” He groaned.

           Yami chuckled, “Come on Joey, you can do it.”

           “I’m hungry.” Lan was sitting too <And I thought Mesa was bad> he groaned inwardly.  His legs had never hurt so much, but he knew if he said anything Megaman would laugh at him and tell him that he needed to exercise more.

          “Maybe you shouldn’t have eaten all your leftovers this morning.” Megaman said, amused, “Way to plan ahead Lan.”

           “I was hungry!” Lan defended, “Besides, what would you know?  You don’t even eat.”

           “Speaking of food.  What are we gonna eat?” Takuya asked, “I mean, that guy is gone right?”

           “I could cook something.” Sakura offered, she looked around uncertainly, “If there’s anything to cook that is.  Or to cook in.”

           Fortunately Misty had saved one of Brock’s pan before he had been kicked out of the fiction, and of course Kurama could always find (or in a real pinch grow from his seed collection) something to make a meal.  Li went to find some sort of edible looking animal (they really needed some protein) and Botan went with him.  She wanted to make sure he didn’t pick out anything too dangerous, and she wanted to make sure he didn’t get lost.

           Ash and Misty got a fire started and put some water on to boil, while Sakura happily got the plants Kurama had given her ready.  She hummed cheerfully, she knew just what to make.

           Dinner was almost ready (and the usual group of boys were drooling over it - at a more acceptable distance than before as Shizeru and Tea had threatened their lives), when a small voice that hadn’t been heard since early morning piped up.

           “I know that smell!” Kero cried, darting from his place in Ash’s bag. “That’s Sakura’s famous Brookstem Bread Stew! But,”  He stopped, “…Sakura’s back in Reedington…” he was really confused.

           “KERO!” Sakura jumped up, nearly dumping her stew (which really gave the boys a fright).

           “SAKURA!” Kero was really happy.  “What are you doing here? Did you bring me any sweets?” He demanded.

           Sakura laughed, “I could ask you the same thing.  And no, I didn’t bring you any sweets.”  Kero pouted.

            “I think I have a half a cupcake.” Julian offered generously.

           “Really!?” Kero squealed in happiness, rushing to take the offered cake from Julian’s outstretched hand.  “Hey,” he eyed Julian, “you’re here too?”

           “Looks like.” Julian smiled brightly.

           “Yea!” Kero shoved the cupcake in his mouth.

           “Careful, hate for you to choke.” Li said flatly.

           Kero sputtered in surprise, then gulped and scowled at him, “The Chinese GAKI! What are YOU doing here?” Li simply shrugged. 

           “Boy, you don’t like anyone do you?” Joey asked, flicking at Kero, who dodged in annoyance.

           “For your information mop head,” Joey growled and clenched a fist when Kero said that, “I like lots of people.  Like Sakura, and Madison, and Julian, and Yue… well I guess the last two really mfff.”

           “That’s enough bear.” Li had grabbed the stuffed bear around his small mouth.  Kero glared, but was unable to struggle free.  He couldn’t even bite the gaki.

           “Okay, dinner!” Sakura called cheerfully, ending the discussion (thankfully).  Everyone came over to get some food.

           It was at this point that Kuwabara noticed Kurama and Hiei had disappeared.

           “Hey, Yusuke?”

           “Hmm.” Yusuke didn’t look up from his food.  This was actually pretty good (not that he would ever admit that to anyone *punk*).

           “Do you know where Fox boy and the shrimp went?”

           “What!?” Yusuke sputtered, food flying out of his mouth.  “They aren’t here.”

           “Nope.”

           “Aww $@-”

           “YUSUKE!” Botan and Keiko both yelled as the spirit detective started to swear.

           “Sorry!”  He stood abruptly, “Guess I better go find them.”

           “That won’t be necessary.” Kurama said from beside him, “We’re back.”

           “AGH!” Yusuke jumped at the new presence, “I wish you wouldn’t do that! Where the-” Keiko and Botan looked at him warningly, “Where were you?” He corrected quickly.

           “Looking for something.” Hiei stated, as though that were all the answer Yusuke needed.

           “Thanks, you’re so helpful.” Yusuke snapped.

           Kurama chuckled, “It was nothing Yusuke.” Yusuke relaxed a little.

           “Whatever.” He returned to his dinner. 

           As Kurama and Hiei went to get some dinner of their own the group was startled by a rustling.  Their eyes darted to the shadow of the woods – when had it gotten so dark?  It was a good thing they had stopped when they did.

           “Who’s there?” Kurama asked calmly, approaching the bushes.  Yami came to stand beside him, his arms deceptively loose at his sides – he was ready.

           “We’re friends, that we are.” A short man with orangish red hair stepped out from the shadows, his arms held up in a sign of peace.

           “I knew I heard something.” Hiei muttered.  Kurama nodded.

           “Oh! Hello again!” Sakura bounced up to welcome Kenshin.  “Are your friends here?”

           Kenshin nodded, and Misao and Yahiko stepped out.

           “Great!” Sakura smiled brightly at them, “Now you can come with us! These people,” she pointed at Yusuke and Kurama, “Are going to help us find a way home.”

           “We would appreciate any help we might be able to get.” Kenshin bowed slightly.

           Tea smiled, man he was polite.  She looked him over; his clothes looked pretty funny though.  Come to think of it, the whole group looked rather odd. They appeared to be dressed in traditional Japanese attire.

           “Where is the other guy?” Julian asked, having finished his food.  “The unhappy one.”

           “We had a difference of opinion.” Kenshin said quietly, “we decided to backtrack to find all of you, and he refused to accompany us.”

           “Oh.” Sakura looked down sadly then brightened, “But at least we’re all together now right!”

           “Right.” Misao smiled, that little girl was cute. (and no, she is not thinking anything inappropriate – she loves Aoshi for goodness sake!)

           “I think I might die of joy.” Hiei remarked, sarcasm dripping from his tone.

           Misao glared at him, “You got a problem, shorty?” she glared at him.

           “What did you say little girl?” He might have to take that from Kuwabara (direct orders from Koenma) but this girl wasn’t even from their universe.  He snorted as he took in her apparel - or from their time either, if he had to venture a guess.

           “What did you call me shrimp!” she shrieked.  “Guys like you burn me up!  You think you’re so hot! But really your spineless, useless, jerks!”

           “Misao.” Kenshin gently warned, trying to restrain her.  He didn’t like the look in the short one’s eyes.

           “I’m not through yet!” Misao shook him off, “And YOU are certainly nothing special.  You puny, spiky haired, runt!”

           Hiei had had enough, she had called him short and insulted his hair. “Kurama,” Hiei asked through gritted teeth, “if someone leaves this story they go back to their own world, correct?” Kurama nodded.  “Good.” Hiei grabbed Misao and threw her as far as he could.

           Kenshin drew back, “What just happened?” he asked.

           “It’ll be okay.” Yami told him, recognizing the other man’s concern, “She’ll simply reappear back wherever you came from.”

           Kenshin nodded, but stepped closer to Yahiko, protectively.

           “Don’t hit girls!” Kuwabara yelled.

           “Hn.” Was all the response he got.

           “He didn’t hit her, Kuwabara.” Yusuke pointed out.

           “Yeah,” Ash’s eyes were wide, “he kinda swung her around and tossed her.”

           “Ash!” Misty frowned at him.

           “I wonder if that would work on Zoe?” Takuya asked under his breath.

           “Hmm.” Joey crossed his arms behind his head and closed his eyes, “I think it served her right.  She bugged.”

           “Why you!” Yahiko lunged at him, “YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT!!! HE HAD NO RIGHT TO THROW MISAO OUT!”

           “Yahiko.” Yahiko stopped and looked down when Kenshin spoke his name.

           “Sorry, Kenshin.”

           Kenshin smiled and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

           “Ha! I win.” Joey grinned.        

           “You’re pathetic.” A fourth person stepped out from the shadows, his white hair mysteriously rising from his head.  He wore an evil smirk. It was, of course, Yami Bakura.

           “You came!” Sakura didn’t seem to notice how scary Yami Bakura was.  “They said you refused.”

           Yami Bakura rolled his eyes.  What a nuisance.  His eyes scanned the group, focusing on the familiar faces.

           Tea backed away, “Demons and now that creep! This is no place for children.” She grabbed TK and ran straight off the edge of the world… err fiction (and of course Patamon followed).

           “Hey!  Wait for me!” He flew unsteadily after them.

           Everyone stared at the retreating figures and then back at the teenager who had frightened her.

           “Now why did she do that?” Bakura asked (his Yami had once again relinquished control).

           Everyone (except the YGO crew) stared at him in disbelief.

           “Uh, we’ll explain later.” Yugi (*author looks up in question.* YUGI? Hey, where’s Yami?  Yami!?  YAMI!?  Oh well. *author shrugs* I’m sure he’ll be back later) said, pushing Bakura toward the group.  “This is our friend Bakura!” he said a little too brightly.

           “Friend, huh?” Shizeru eyed him suspiciously. 

           Yugi sweat dropped nervously, that girl was a little too shrewd for his comfort.  Bakura sweat dropped too, though he wasn’t sure why.  Had he done something just now?  He couldn’t remember. 

    ~~~~

Yea! Tea's gone.  She's annoying.

Yami Bakura scares me.

Not me! He's cute!

O.o

(O)_(O)

What?  

Brian shudders