12

Strength of Heart

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything Yoshihiro Togashi created. I do infact own the new characters not from the series and the story line thank you have a good day. ENJOY!

Summery: A new evil is vastly approaching. The Urameshi gang must face one of their newest and most difficult trials ever before. When they decide to add the aid of someone new, just what sort of things will happen? Something no one expected will erupt. The boys may never be the same again. HieiOC KuramaBotan YusukeKeiko KuwabaraYukina

X XXX X

"That's all for today class. Do enjoy your summer vacation! See you all again next year."

It was Friday and I was dreading the summer break that I could feel was going to a major bore, what with myself expecting it to be full of study sessions and babysitting jobs. I filed all my books and belongings into my book bag less enthusiastically than my fellow classmates. I sighed when the loud 'bing' of the dismissal bell allowed all of us to go home free from the duties of school…at least until the next school year arrived. I rose slowly from my desk. I wasn't exactly looking forward to the summer vacation but either way I knew that I couldn't exactly tell how I felt. People would just think that I was weird which they already did think of me. It made me upset sometimes. Suddenly I was confronted by a smiling blue haired, pink eyed girl.

"Its finally summer Maeryn! Aren't you excited?" It was my friend Botan. She was always perky and cheerful that sometimes I couldn't help but be swayed by her charm. Her smile truly was contagious. Even though Botan hadn't been attending my school for very long, she still had all the guys swoon after her just by her smile. She was a beautiful girl, truly she was. Her unusual hair and eyes and sweet demeanor seemed to attract then to her. I had no idea why exactly she rejected every single one that tried to court her affection but then again, Botan was still a strange person in my book. As we walked down the hallway, I listened half heartedly as she said her greetings to the many friends she had acquired in such a short amount of time. She looked at me with a worried glance.

"You doing anything in particular over the summer vacation?" She asked me bringing me out of my thoughts. I smiled shyly at her, feeling the heat rush to my face.

"No not really. I was just thinking that my summer was going to be filled with study sessions and babysitting jobs. Nothing else." I laughed nervously. When I told my life out in spoken words it really did make my life sound boring. Botan sighed and shook her head gently from side to side.

"You and Keiko spend way too much time studying! Honestly you two don't seem to have a life at all outside of school! And personally I don't think you two really need to study as much as you do." Botan explained dramatically. I couldn't help but giggle at her drama. I looked around and saw Keiko and my two other friends; Tanya and Ryoko approaching us. Botan was still going on about our boring lives and I was still laughing when I noticed them. Keiko was the normal brown haired brown eyed beauty and just like Botan, had guys crawling for her. Tanya was tanned skin from her many swim days out in the sun and adored blue eyed, blond hair features while Ryoko was greatly in contrast with Tanya. She had light pale skin and bright blue hair, like Botan, and deep emerald eyes. Despite all their different appearances, they were all natural beauties.

"Hey Maeryn!" Tanya called out waving vigorously. I waved back smiling politely.

"Hey Ryoko, Tanya, Keiko." I was always the shy on of the group but the only one I was really comfortable with was Tanya. She was so opened hearted. Ryoko was a wild child that liked to spend her time going to parties, dating boys the like. Personally, I was already an outcast why put guys into the already awkward circle. Keiko and Botan smiled at each other then to us. They both usually walked each other home while us three walked halfway down the road. We all said our goodbyes and I still remained silent while Tanya and Ryoko discussed Ryoko's new relationship problems. Ryoko glanced over at me while they were talking and smiled.

"Hey Mae, why don't you get yourself a boyfriend? You haven't dated anyone out of all of us. Oh wait...no one has asked you have they?" Ryoko asked me. I could hear the smugness in her voice. I couldn't stand how she could just laugh and think its alright to pick on people who just don't seem to have the 'touch' with the opposite gender. Sometimes I didn't see how Tanya could stand her for more than a few minutes. Tanya smiled lightly at me.

"Its not too bad, Mae, honestly. I've dated some guys not as many as Ryoko, and its not as all as bad as you think." Tanya encouraged helplessly. She knew how I felt about dating and boys and the like. My thoughts and feelings weren't going to change any time soon. Tanya felt the overrun tension that hung in the air around me and Ryoko. She was waiting for my answer, the answer that she wanted me to give and I just wasn't going to give her that satisfaction.

'As if...I don't fall prey to peer pressure.'

"No." was the only answer I gave them. Ryoko groaned and Tanya sighed. She was expecting that was going to be my answer same as Ryoko. It was an answer she didn't want me to give her. Oh well tough luck for her.

"And just why not missy? Its not like you've had a bad experience and don't want to try it again. I mean if that was the case I would understand but...just flat out refusing its just not right!" I gave her a look that instantly told her to back off.

"You guys don't bug Botan about her not dating. And shes never dated anyone either."

"That's beside the point!" I looked at her square in the eye.

"Ryoko, you don't need a guy in your life to make things complete or to have fun with. I don't need a guy to tie me down. And besides, none of the guys that I know of in our school attract me. All they think about is looking up a girl's skirt or being complete perverts. Anyways," I smiled, "This is my road, see you guys later." I said waving at them as I walked down the road away from them toward my house before they could protest. I could already hear Ryoko complaining about the answer I gave her. I sighed. I always liked having alone time to think before I got home.

I knew that I didn't need a guy to keep me company. I didn't really find any of the guys at my school attractive. They just didn't hold what I really wanted in a guy. I was a shy girl, and I didn't know how to...I didn't know what I could possibly do with a guy...I was too scared to do anything. That's just how bad I was. Sure there were the jocks, well built bodies but they had butts for brains. I didn't want that whole issue of a one-sided conversation that I heard a lot of girls complain about, like Ryoko. Then there were the perverts around school...I just wanted a guy that I could be myself with and that I didn't have to hide who I was around... but that was too hard to find nowadays. When I finally reached the front door of my house, I heard several uncomfortable noises of things being pushed and falling on the floor, and things being shuffled around. I opened the door slowly.

"Hello?"

"Hey Sunshine! Welcome home! How was your last day of school?" I sighed. It was only my father that was moving things around. I saw him come out of the kitchen and in his hands were...3 big suitcases??

"Uh...school was school Dad...uh...what are you doing with your suitcases? I thought you were retired..." I asked him disbelieving. My father used to be a major in the military and when I was much younger we used to move from place to place so often that I couldn't quite get a good hold on my school work, that's when I had special home teaching and became above my grade. My father told me the last time we moved that when we moved back to Japan, he would retire which meant no more moving. This was all too much at the moment. My father gave me a look with concern purely written upon his face. He must've seen the sadness that I felt in my eyes.

"Sunshine," he whispered coming over and kneeling in front of me, "Maeryn, I am retired. I'm going on a trip to visit your brother, Galvin and your sister-in-law, Kalany all the way in Egypt. I thought...that you might have wanted to stay home instead of coming with me. You see I'm going to be a grandfather soon!" Oh yes, my older brother and his wife both lived outside of Japan. My brother is an archeology major and moved to Egypt shortly after he married to study. Even though the thought of his leave as just a short trip to Africa, it was still so sudden to me and stunned me even for a minute. I smiled at him, happy that we weren't moving again.

"Oh...ok. So...when are you leaving?" I asked assuming it to be days away before he left, but I was so very wrong.

"Uh..." he looked away almost guilty. This concerned me greatly. "I leave...tonight...theres an 8 o'clock plane leaving for Egypt tonight...and I may not be back before school starts up again..."

"Oh..."

"Do you have a friend you could possibly stay with for a while?" I thought about for a minute then smiled widely at my father. Tanya!

"Yeah Dad I've got a place to go. I'll go get some clothes and ask." I said kissing my father's cheek before running straight up the stairs and down the hall to my room. I closed the door silently and sighed. I looked around my room and then straight to the phone from its charger on my desk. I walked over to the phone and dialed Tanya's familiar number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Tanya, its me, Maeryn."

"oh hey! Is everything alright? You don't sound as chipper as you usually sound?" Tanya always could tell when there was something on my mind.

"Yeah Tanya, my Dad's packing for a trip to my brother's...and I'm not going..." I heard her giggle in the background and smiled. I knew she caught on quickly.

"And you need a place to stay? Well I'd be more than happy to let you stay with me but..." I felt my smile slack. "I'm going to a party with Ryoko...and I know your not really into it...but we could all go! Plus, it'd be a great thing for you to be out of the house, and interacting with the opposite gender." I heard her giggle again and I felt my face begin to burn.

"Uh...do you thin Ryoko would mind if a stray tagged along??" I asked almost too quietly for her to hear. At first I thought she didn't hear me until I heard Tanya's shocked but excited gasp. My face grew hotter.

"Oh my gosh! Heck no!! She'd cheer you on! Jeez she'll probably tease you too about this being your first real party. Do you want me to get my mom to pick you up?"

"Naw, I can walk to your house. And I've got the spare key if I need to get anything later on. I'll be over soon."

"Ok, pack something cute! See you soon!" I heard the click of her phone disconnecting and then dead silence. Placing the phone back on the charger, I pulled out my bag and grabbed a few cute outfits that I thought would be suitable, then I head down to my bathroom to grab my very small makeup bag and ran back down stairs. I was dreading the separation but I knew that it was good for my father to get out. My father loved to travel as I did, it was something we shared but I still couldn't help but feel sad all the same. At the bottom of the stairs, my father stood smiling at me but something in his eyes showed...sadness, a deep sadness. I smiled back to try and warm his demeanor. His suitcases were all standing by the door full and ready to go.

"Whats wrong Dad?" I asked him since his sadness didn't seem to leave his face.

"Nothing...just...you look so much like your mother...Anyways you can always stay home by yourself if you want to have some alone time. I know you like that." I smiled. My Dad knew all too well about my habit for wanting alone time and away from being social. It was my 'me' time as he called it. I nodded at him giggling.

"I know Dad. How long will you be staying at Galvin's?" I asked him trying to break the uneasiness that this was beginning to have for us. It was always the same uneasiness that we both got every time we had to move. Its been like this ever since Dad caught my crying in my room...

Flashback

I was 10 years old and I was sitting on my fluffy duck feathered bed. We only just moved to Turkey and now we were moving again. My father had just received news that he was to pack and be ready to leave by as early as Friday. It was Tuesday today. This time we were moving all the way to Egypt. Over the past few years I had grown so tired of moving but I still loved to travel. I didn't even hear the light knock on my bedroom door due to the heavy sobs that now stained my light blue pillow. I felt someone's hand press lightly on my back but I didn't want to move. I just wanted to lay there and cry my eyes out until I couldn't shed another tear. Breathing out harshly, I slowly turned to see my beloved father sitting beside me, his face contorted in worry and sadness.

"Sunshine, whats wrong? Why are you crying?" even though my father was in the military, he never once raised his voice in anger to me, nor did he ever scold me. He was a kind, caring man.

"I don't want to move again! I'm tired of moving! I'm tired of being dragged around the world! I want to be a normal kid and live a normal life!" I cried in heaving sobs. My father stared at me, at first, shocked then sighed and pulled me into his warm embrace.

"Sunshine...Its going to be alright. Daddy only has a few more months and then we can move back home, to Japan and never have to move again. We'll move into a big old house with a big garden in the back and never ever move again. How about that?" My father said wiping away my monster tears. I looked up at him and sniffed.

"Do you mean that Daddy?"

"Yes, Sunshine," He told me gently as he pulled me into a tighter embrace. "Yes, we most certainly will."

End of Flashback

My father sighed. "Well Kalany won't be having her baby for another 3 months or more so it's a total that I'm not entirely sure of...She wants me to be there to support her and shes nervous that Galvin may get frustrated with the baby..." I nodded understanding. Kalany was always worrying over things that I completely believed to be pointless to worry about but I knew she did it mostly from her heart.

"Well I'm going to stay over at Tanya's...I'll be going over tonight..." I kissed his cheek then began to walk towards the door. I felt something tear at my eyes. I turned to my dad and ran to him and engulfed him in a hug. Somehow I felt that this may be one of the last time I would ever be able to hold him in my arms.

"I love you Daddy..."

X X X X X

I walked down the road from my own house towards Tanya's house and I was scared...inside and out. I had never been what you'd call a girl who's good with males. I would always shy away whenever one started talking to me...I had never been on a date thanks you my Dad's hectic job life and I was never a stable person to even consider dating someone. I got to Tanya's house and knocked lightly, smiling when I heard the sound of pounding feet. Suddenly the door swung open, flinging cold air into my face, and standing there in the doorway...was Ryoko.

"Oh my gosh, Tanya wasn't joking! When Tanya called to tell me you'd be coming with us, I was completely thrilled! Ecstatic! Come on! I'm so doing your makeup." Giggling, she dragged me upstairs where I greeted Tanya with a light hug and I started getting ready.

"I hope you brought something cute! By the way, how long is your Dad gonna be gone for?" Ryoko's voice rung in my ears as I changed into my outfit. It was annoying to hear that question coming from her but I figured whatever.

"He doesn't know this time around." I pulled up my blue jean skirt to where it rested nicely on my hips. My shirt was cream colored and had a picture of a cherry blossom tree with falling petals all in soft colors. I even pulled on some slick 1 inch open toed black heels and walked out the bathroom.

"I just can't believe it...I'm gonna be an Aunty!!" I screeched and we all squealed and giggled. After the excitement died down, they checked out my outfit and gave me thumbs up.

"Oh nice outfit Mae! I guess you can pull a nice one together." Ryoko complimented with a wink. Ryoko was wearing too much of a shade of blue but it still brought out her eyes and wore a tight green and blue miniskirt with a shimmer blue tube top. To me, she looked like she just wanted to get some action. On the other hand, Tanya wore a knee length curvy black spaghetti strapped dress that brought out her skin tone and had on natural makeup that almost made her look like she had none on at all.

"Alright Mae! You look gorgeous, now time for your hair!" Tanya was always playing with my naturally curly brown hair in school so I was half expecting her to jump to the occasion. As she played with my hair, my eyes wandered to the full body mirror Tanya hung on the back of her bedroom door and focused more on my unusual eye color, more like colors. I used to get picked on about my two colored eyes and it made me become extremely self-conscious about how I looked. My left eye was a blue-grey color while the other one was green with brown flecks sprinkled in them. When I heard Tanya sigh I stood and glanced again at the mirror. Tanya always knew how to play out my curls. She pinned a bun on the back of my head and had my messy curls falling out in several ways. I was amazed that she wasn't a professional at what she did so well at.

Once everything was settled, Tanya's mom drove us to the address Ryoko gave to her. I was a little surprised that Tanya's mom had so much faith in her. The club music was radiating through the thick cement walls. Tanya's mom pulled up to the side walk closest to the club and gave us all stern looks.

"Now you three, be careful ok? Call if you need a quick pick up. Have fun!" She called out to us before she left us standing alone on the sidewalk. We passed the bouncer, who winked over at Ryoko as she swished her butt from side to side, and made it inside. I held my hand to my ears hoping that they would adjust soon. The music was enormously loud and it made my ears scream to shut it off but I smiled at Tanya and Ryoko and lowered my arms from my ears.

"Come on lets dance!" Ryoko suggested enthusiastically. I knew that Ryoko had a crazy love for dancing and being the star of everything. I knew nothing of dancing except for the Ballroom classes my father made me go in and Ballet but both of those were definitely not meant to be done in a top class party club like where we were. I gave them both a small smile.

"I'll go find a table guys. You two have fun." I told them waving at them as they happily joined the throng of meshed bodies on the dance floor. I sighed as I sat down at a table close to the back where there were less people around. Suddenly a guy came up to me smiling a bright smile and I couldn't help but feel heat rush to my face. He turned to the group of guys beside him and began to walk over to me, his cold gaze sent shivers up my spine.

"Whats a beautiful lady like yourself sitting all alone in the dark?" he asked his voice making me dizzy. Suddenly I felt his cold fingers against my skin and instantly my guard went up. Something about this guy didn't feel quite right.

"Uh..."

"Don't worry I know a place even more secluded." He said grabbing my upper arm fiercely and pulling me towards the back of the club and up the stairs where, as I've heard the stories Ryoko told me, couples did...shameful things to each other. He soon led me to a darkly lit room where the rest of his guys smiled at me menacingly. I then realized just what they were planning to do with me and with that realization; I began to struggle against the guy's grip. He growled at me and threw me onto the molded unwashed bed that was spread mainly in the room.

"You bitch! How dare you turn away from me! No one turns away from me!" He yelled angrily, slapping me harshly across the face. I could feel the bruise forming on the side of my face. He and his goons then began to attack me, shredding my clothes, slapping me every time I made an attempt to yell. Finally my bravery got the better of me and I screamed continuously hoping someone would come to my aid. Suddenly I could feel the cool air around me touch and tickle in places that were suppose to be closed from unwanted eyes. Then just as the man from before was approaching me, I screamed so loud and held my arms in front of my body. A flash of heavenly bright blue light shot out around my body, throwing all 8 guys away from my clad body.

"What the hell was that?" I asked myself looking at my hands in pure shock. Then fear rose up again as I heard the door to the room burst open and there 4 guys filed into the room looking around franticly. I was so scared that they were more of the guy's goons so I moved away from them silently as I could.

They all had different features that the guy's from before didn't have. Almost all four of them were extremely handsome and...natural. The one closest to me had oil slicked back black hair and penetrating chocolate brown eyes and wore a light blue shirt with tight jeans that seemed to cling to his skin. He stood about the 3rd tallest out of the four. The boy behind him had curly orange hair, pale skin, and brown eyes. He wore a peach colored shirt and dark green pants that were big but hugged his lower torso and he stood about 6 feet. The next one had blood red hair and piercing green eyes that seem to catch everything unnoticed. He wore a white dress shirt and figure hugging black pants with rose prints on his right side, and stood about 5'11". The last one was the shortest about 3 inches taller than my own 4'8" height. He had gravity defying black hair and menacingly dark crimson eyes and a white bandana on his forehead. He wore a plain black outfit that had a sleeveless top to it that showed off his rather outspoken muscles. Each of them looked at me and then all of them turned their eyes away from my clad body. I pulled a blanket over my body. Even with their eyes turned away I was still shy but their turned faces gave me some courage.

"Well...what do you guys want?" They didn't pay any attention to my question just to the damage I caused.

"Wow seems you did a pretty good job on your own." The one closest to me commented. I glared at him with fiery hatred and slid to the side of the bed to stand. I pulled the blanket completely around my body then walked over to him and stuck my finger into his chest, making him stare down at me shocked and confused.

"Listen here mister! I don't know who you think you are but..." I stopped my eyes drooping and I felt my legs give out from underneath me and my mind went blank. Botan and Keiko ran into the room gasping at the scene that laid out before them; the boy holding an unconscious Maeryn. Botan cleared her throat.

"Well...I've already informed Tanya and Ryoko of what happened to Maeryn. We need to take her someplace safe. Tanya said that she would put Maeryn's clothes over at my house." All of them, excluding the short guy, exchanged looks. Then finally, the boy with the chocolate brown eyes stood holding Maeryn's unconscious body in his arms.

"Why not take her to my house. Mom won't be home for several hours. Ben's taking her out tonight, so I've got the whole house to myself." Botan was ecstatic!

"Oh Yusuke that's wonderful! Lets go before more of those guys show up." Botan turned and walked downstairs with Keiko who eyed the boy worriedly. Soon they all filed one by one down the stairs, out the door, down the street and entered Yusuke's house all in complete silence. Yusuke walked over to his room and laid Maeryn down on his bed and covered her completely from view, except for her head and then joined the group back in the living room.

"Botan we can't just leave her to defend for her self!! And she has no clue who they are!" Keiko voice strongly pointing towards the boys. Botan sighed.

"We have no choice. Koenma put her in my charge. I have to watch over her." She told Keiko sadly. Yusuke rested his hand on Botan's shoulders.

"What exactly does Koenma have in mind for her?" Yusuke asked solemnly. Botan looked in the direction of his room.

"He wants us to somehow get her to the Spirit World consciously and he'll explain the rest there." Botan told the gang firmly. Yusuke nodded but Keiko just didn't understand. Maeryn was her childhood friend, just like Yusuke she was too shy to possibly be anything close to what Yusuke was.

"But we have to do something about how shes...dressed..." the orange hair guy pointed out with a deep blush on his face. It was true; her nakedness would pose as a problem for them.

"Hn, you moron, clothes are the least of this pathetic ningen's problems." The shortest guy said coldly. The other guy glared heatedly at him.

"Look here shrimp! No one asked for you smart-ass comments!" Botan stood between them and glared at both of them.

"Kuwabara, Hiei calm down. We can borrow some of Yusuke's mom's clothes to dress her, but Hiei does have a point." Keiko stood.

"I'll go do that right now." They waited until Keiko was completely out of ear shot before asking the real questions.

"What exactly is so special about her Botan?" Yusuke asked curiously. Botan frowned at the question and looked in the direction of where the unconscious girl now slept. It was all a complete wonder as to what exactly was so special about her. Even Botan didn't know why Koenma needed to talk to her so badly. He only told her that it was urgent and that the Spirit Detectives were to keep an extra close eye on her and make sure that she stayed out of harms way. But Botan knew that Yusuke wanted an honest answer and that was what she was going to give him.

"I really don't fully know. I really just don't know."

X X X X X

I heard the voices and the sounds before I gave into my conscious self. I groaned and turned my head from side to side, my face contorted in a disgruntled disposition. I peeked my eye lids open to see shapes of people around me. It was the same people that I saw before I blacked out.

'What...who are they?' I opened my eyes further to see that not only were those four boys around me but also Botan and Keiko. I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out. It burned to try and make a sound but I tried again. But still it was the same as before. I tried to pulled myself up into a sitting position but my arms felt like they were on fire and I was softly but firmly pushed back down. Botan sat closer to me.

"Are you alright Maeryn? Those guys didn't do anything to you did they?" she asked completely concerned. I grunted and shook my head. 'Guys...' oh that's right, the guys from the club that tried to...

"No..." I managed to squeak finding my voice somewhere in my body, "they didn't do anything...at least not yet they didn't." my voice was becoming stronger, that was a plus. "But I'm not completely fine. My arms feel like their on fire." Botan gave a sigh of relief then she looked at me giving me a serious expression.

"Listen Maeryn, theres something that I have to tell you. I know this may seem strange but those men were Incubus or sex demons." I stared at her disbelieving.

"Demons?"

"Yes, and I'm the assistant to the Prince of the Spirit World and guide to the Spirits meant to pass through the Spirit World or the Reikai. These boys," she motioned to the four boys from before, "are his Spirit Detectives, Yusuke Urameshi, Kuwabara Kazuma, Kurama or Shuichi and Hiei." I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

'Why tell me all of this?' I started to laugh uncomfortably.

"And let me guess, Keiko is another on of you guys? Why tell me this? What exactly does this have to do with me?"

"Well...because Prince Koenma would like a word with you..." I stared at her like had just lost all the sanity she ever had. I told you she was a strange one in my book.

"Hell FUCKING NO!" I yelled rising from the bed despite the screaming pain that rushed through my body as soon as I put pressure on my arms. I pulled the covers off my body and made my way out to the door. "You guys are really fucking nuts! You honestly expect me to believe you guys!? Then your crazier than I thought!"

"Wait Maeryn!"

"Hn...dumb onna..." I turned fiercely to the short guy, Hiei, and stuck my finger in his face.

"Excuse me!? I'm not just 'woman' I have a name. So use it!" I yelled ignoring the glare of rage that he shot in my direction and I walked right out the door and into the night.

"Maeryn, I know it may sound unbelievable but trust me this is true!" Botan called out to me but I ignored her call and continued to walk in the direction of my house. I was surprised to find that whoever's house I was just at was only a few blocks away from Tanya's house. I didn't even bother thinking about the cloths that I had over at her house. The only thought that ran through my head was to get home. I didn't even notice that I had on someone else's clothes and a few shady people were following close behind me. Botan stood in front of Yusuke's house hopeless. Yusuke put a comforting hand on a defeated Botan's shoulder.

"Don't worry Botan we'll bring her back, you just get Keiko home and go meet up with Koenma. We'll get her there." Yusuke told her before walking down the same street Maeryn walked just a few seconds ago. Kuwabara, Kurama and Hiei soon caught up and all four remained silent. Botan turned to Keiko.

"Come on lets get you home."

Meanwhile with Yusuke and the gang, Kuwabara was starting to get a bit fidgety. Finally he couldn't take it anymore. The silence was killer.

"She could get hurt again! Why isn't she listening to us!? Doesn't she have any sense?!" Yusuke sighed but refused to look at him.

"Because Kuwabara, she doesn't know what to believe...Shes lost. She doesn't know if she should believe or not..." Yusuke understood how it sounded to suddenly be confronted with the whole thing about the Reikai or that Botan was in certain details the Grim Reaper or that Koenma even existed. He just hoped she would come along with them.

"Hn...the onna is just being a dumb ningen." Kuwabara turned on Hiei.

"Why you...!!"

"Both of you," Kurama separated them, "that fighting will do us no good." He said before he walked over to Yusuke concern clearly all over his face.

"Do you really think that we'll be able to get her to listen and come with us?" He asked quietly. Yusuke shrugged helplessly but still determined.

"I really don't know Kurama, all I know is..."

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" they all looked at each other and then ran toward the direction that the ear piercing scream came from.

I stormed into my house confused, angry, and frightened all at the same time. It was really confusing. By the story Botan told me, I just...couldn't believe that... and that Koenma guy, what did...no what could he possibly want with me? I was nothing special just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. I was shocked to see that Keiko actually was or had known about the whole Spirit thing. As I walked down the hallway and into the living room, I heard something crash. I turned and there were the guys from before standing, staring at me menacingly. I felt my stomach jump into my throat but the only sound that came out of my mouth was an ear piercing scream and I felt my body come back to life then I turned and began running away from them all throughout the house.

Yusuke and the others arrived in time to hear another scream erupt from inside the house. Yusuke, not caring tore down the door with his Spirit gun and they found that the guys from before had come back for round two. They had her cornered by the stair case and were slowly closing in. The boys all saw the face that Maeryn had plastered on her face; pure fright.

"Get me OUT of here!" I screamed as I slipped past the demons and ran in the boys direction with an unusual speed and agility that I never knew I had. I made it all the way to where Yusuke stood before Hiei, Kurama and Kuwabara blocked the guys from me. Yusuke pulled me up bridal style and ran out the house with the others soon following right behind us. I clung onto him for dear life hoping for some way to get away from those guys. I shut my eyes away from the world around me, and I hoped dearly that those guys didn't hurt the other boys. The feeling even surprised myself. Suddenly I felt my stomach do a summer Sault and then...everything stopped. I heard Yusuke's deep but softly husky voice whisper in my ear that made heat rush to my face.

"You can open your eyes now." Upon command, one of my eyes peeked then the other one opened. I stared around the room my mouth gaping open just standing in awe as Yusuke set me down on my own two feet. The room was enormous! Filled with lots of ogres running around, and bright color tapestries, large golden doors, long hallways and large columns, and at a rather large wooden desk sat a small...boy with a...was that a binky??

"Thank goodness your alright Maeryn! You had me worried sick!" Botan walked over to be in a beautiful pink old fashion kimono with Cherry Blossom prints on it and a deep blue obi around her waist. I smiled sheepishly at her. I hated to make people worry and somehow I couldn't help but feel that somehow I would be doing that a lot especially to her and a few others.

"So nice of you to join us Maeryn." The guy with the binky said, despite his childish appearance, his voice held much authority.

"Alright binky butt, what do you want with her?" Yusuke said sarcastically smiling as he sat down on the cough to the side of the room that I had failed to notice before. I smiled as Botan glared at him and whacked him over the head with some sort of oar she held in her hands.

"Maeryn, I am Prince Koenma, son of King Enma. I have sent for you for something important that you must know before its too late. Maeryn, you are an Aetheran." He said pausing for effect. I stood there stunned at what this guy was telling me.

'I'm a...whatever that is?! What the hell?!'

"What exactly is that?" I asked completely skeptical. Botan sighed in the background. She seemed to know that I was going to be a difficult person to deal with.

"An Aetheran, a very, VERY rare species of demon. There are only 2 in the entire world on the good side. Since you are so rare, we have personally felt it of extreme importance that we see you are kept...safe." He continued. I was still skeptical.

" 'Safe'? What the hell!" I heard Botan gasped, and Yusuke chuckled. "Look I don't mean to be rude or anything...but I think you've got the wrong person. I don't have magical powers and I'm certainly not anything special or rare." I told him turning away. He jumped down from his desk and stood a good distance away from me.

"Well then I guess if you weren't so 'special' or 'rare' you wouldn't be able to guard yourself. Hiei is a fire demon and is very skilled with a katana. Yusuke is a spirit fighter and is of demon descent. Kurama is also a demon. Hiei has unbelievable speed, I'm sure that I can prove your special." I looked from Koenma to the guy Hiei who I yelled at earlier tonight. I knew I was definitely in trouble. Suddenly he was gone in a flash and appeared right before me. All I had time to do was bring my arms up to my face and look away from the damage. But I felt nothing touch my skin. Curiously, I looked up to see the same blue colored thing from before surrounding my body. I was in a state of shock but there Botan stood smiling widely and Hiei halfway stunned more like angry and he walked away from me. I looked over to Koenma and slowly brought my arms down, gasping when the shield disappeared. Koenma smiled at me and walked closer to where I stood.

"You are indeed special, a true one of a kind, Maeryn. You are more special than you or any of us realize." I breathed in deeply and fully released it.

"Ok so...if I'm what...you say I am, what exactly is that?" I asked curiously.

"You are an Aetheran, born every 1000 years. You have all the powers of an Elemental and more."

"More?" Koenma nodded.

"You have the powers to control all of Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth and since you are the only know Aetheran who remains on the good side...well we will just have to have you train, gain experience when dealing with your powers. Maybe then I could do some more research about your kind, or just you in general, and let you know. In the time being," He turned and with a wave of his hand opened some sort of passage way out of thin air right beside the doorway where we first came in. Through the doorway was what looked like... a house?

"You will be living in the same house as my Spirit Detectives. Botan will come and check up on you in a few days." He finished. I stood there shocked. He just quickly dismissed us like were his slaves?! I didn't handle that all too well nor did I handle the face that I would be living with four other guys...by myself. It was like I had just been thrown in the deep fires of Hell. Yusuke came around to my back side and began to push me toward the thing that showed me to the house. I noticed that as I was lost in my thoughts, the others had already gone ahead.

"Maeryn, it's a portal. Do be careful and I'll come as soon as Koenma allows me. And I'll come with lots of clothes." Botan said winking at me. I smiled sheepishly and Yusuke pushed me all the way in. Just as before, I felt the familiar sensation of my stomach lifting then sinking in my body. Yusuke placed a what seemed to be an attempt to comfort me, hand on my shoulder.

"Welcome to your new home, Maeryn."

'Just what exactly have I gotten myself into this time!?'

X X X X X

Well there you have it people! The first chapter of my first Yu Yu Hakusho story EVER!! I hope you like it!

Just what exactly is an Aetheran? What makes her so much more special than an Elemental? Continue reading and you'll find out.

PS Aetheran is pronounced E-ther-ann. The A is silent.

Enjoy! Chapter 2 TBA R&R!