"What the hell?" Yusuke exclaimed. It wasn't everyday that the youkai whose ass you were kicking just went up and died.

"This is…most interesting…"

"Most interesting my ass! I wanna know what the hell just happened!" Yusuke snapped at the yoko beside him.

"I'm afraid I cannot give you an answer," the teen responded calmly, looking at the body of the now dead youkai in the same puzzled fashion as the other four.

"Well…at least Koenma will be glad to know he's dead," Botan said with a light shrug and pulled out her oar. "I'll see you guys later!"

Yusuke ignored her and crossed his arms, looking particularly annoyed.

"Aw come on Urameshi! Botan's right! The thing's dead, who cares how it died!" Kuwabara exclaimed gleefully.

"In case you didn't notice, he was killed by someone, or something…" Hiei stated coldly, walking over to the corpse and pulling out two kunai.

"Shit…"

All five heads turned in the direction of the voice and raised an eyebrow at the sudden slapping sound that followed.

"You freak! Those are mine!"

"Stop hitting me bitch!"

Kurama sweatdropped when the same painful sound followed. Although he couldn't see the two who had seemingly killed their opponent, he could tell that it was best not to get involved with them, at least not yet. Their youkai energy was powerful...even dangerously so.

"Who the hell are you!" Yusuke cried up into the tree the two bickering voices were coming from.

A short silence followed. "We were sent by Koenma…that's all you need to know," the female voice stated coolly.

"Pure blood…" Kurama nodded to Hiei. "The other one's a hanyou."

"And what's it to yah?"

Another slap. "Stop being rude!"

This would be more complicated than they had anticipated. The two who had apparently assisted them were not to be underestimated. At least the hanyou's hearing is very advanced,

"Well why don't you show yourself, huh? Or are you scared…?" Kuwabara asked with his usual goofy grin drawn out across his face.

"Ugly people shouldn't be allowed to smile so much," the girl stated non-chalantly.

Hiei couldn't help but smirk. My thoughts exactly…

"Now who's being rude…"

"Whatever! Either way we have to go now. Koenma will want to know that we've completed our mission,"

"Why do we have to report to a toddler anyway…I could beat the shit out of him with both hands tied behind my back!"

"W-wait!" Botan called. They all sensed the pair moving away, quickly putting distance between them and Team Urameshi.

"Sorry beautiful but our encounter will have to wait!"

"Hey! No one flirts with Botan!" Kuwabara cried, shaking his fist up at the trees.

"Are you alright?" Kurama asked, turning his attention to Botan.

"I…I'm fine…but.." she glanced up at the trees, a light frown stitching her brows together. "I wasn't aware that Koenma had hired anyone else…"

Kurama looked up from his text book. He'd sensed it this morning and it was much clearer now. Powerful youkai energy…heading this way…

The door to the classroom opened and the secretary stepped into the room, followed by a raven haired girl with light brown highlights, her hair cascading down to her waist in gentle waves. The secretary said something to the teacher who nodded and turned to the class. The girl bowed to the secretary and then followed suit.

"If you could all turn your attention to the front for a moment," half the class was already glancing curiously at the newcomer, it didn't take too long for the others to notice her as well. "Good…I'd like to introduce Funabashi Soraya. She recently moved here from the United States and will be joining us,"

The girl bowed, smiling timidly at the class. "I look forward to meeting all of you,"

The teacher nodded and indicated an empty seat next to a window, right behind a group of giggling girls. "If you'd please take your seat there Funabashi, you can ask one of your classmates for a book,"

Soraya nodded and slowly made her way to the desk, ambushed by the girls only moments after she sat down. Kurama managed to catch snippits of their conversation, but soon realized it was nothing important. Something along the lines of older brothers and boyfriends.

There was something odd about this girl though, and even as he turned back to his text book, his mind refused to focus on his work and continued to study Soraya. He frowned. Spirit energy usually does not jut out of a body like that… he slowly turned his head and glanced at her, keeping his face from revealing any of the shock his mind experienced. A tail and…cat ears?

"Hey man…it's not often I see a guy taking a beating like that,"

Kuwabara slowly opened his eyes and squinted at the sunlight. "Huh…?"

The boy looking down at him sweatdropped. "Here," he held out his hand, which Kuwabara gratefull accepted, and pulled him onto his feet.

Kuwabara looked around as best he could with two black eyes. "Where did they go..?" the group of boys wearing the black uniform of the opposing high school were no where to be seen.

"The guys who were using you as a punch bag? I took care of them," the guy who'd helped him up grinned triumphantly. "I'm Ryu by the way,"

Kuwabara nodded. "Nice to meet yah," he glanced curiously at Ryu's left arm. "Why is your left sleeve longer than your right?"

Ryu sweatdropped, putting his left arm behind him. "My..uh..tailor made a few mistakes. I'm planning to take the shirt to him soon to get it fixed,"

Kuwabara nodded, acknowledging only about half of what he said. "Have you seen a paper bag around here somewhere?" he asked, crawling around on the street in search of something. "Man I hope those guys didn't take it,"

"You mean this?" Ryu held out a wiggling paper bag.

"You found it!" Kuwabara exclaimed, jumping up and grabbing the bag. He opened it and pulled out a black kitten. "Are you ok kitty?" he cooed.

Ryu raised an eyebrow. "Hey big guy…you want me to walk you home?" somehow he had the odd feeling the poodle-haired teen, who was about twice his height, would not make it even halfway home without hitting his head on something.

"Hey Kuwabara! What'd you do? Get beat up by some first grade girls again?"

Ryu looked up, studying the guy standing before him. Gelled back hair and a cocky attitude? This must be Urameshi Yusuke…

"Shut up Urameshi! It was those guys from Kamidaka High again,"

Yusuke made a face. "What they do? Kidnap another mangy cat?"

"H-how'd you know!" Kuwabara cried, looking shocked.

Yusuke smirked. "What other stupid reason would you let yourself get beat up for?" he ignored Kuwabara's cries of protest and turned his attention to Ryu. "And you must be the guy who kept this big moron from dying,"

He nodded. "I'm Ryu,"

Yusuke frowned as he studied him. "Nice hair by the way," he said with a smirk.

Ryu made a face. He couldn't help the fact that his black bangs jutted out in an arch over his eyes. "At least mines not a grease bag..." he stated flatly.

"Grease bag!" Kuwabara exclaimed, bursting into fits of laughter.

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "Man…I think this kid's shorter than Hiei…"

"You think?" Kuwabara asked, abruptly stopping his laughter and tilting his head to the side, squinting his already squinted eyes.

"Shut up you morons. Kurama wants a meeting…now," Hiei stated coldly, appearing behind them.

"Watch it Hiei! This kid doesn't know you're a youkai!" Kuwabara exclaimed, pointing at Ryu.

Hiei walked past Kuwabara as though he hadn't heard him. "You're coming too,"

Ryu sweatdropped. "Doesn't leave me much of a choice, does he?"

Yusuke shook his head. "That's Hiei for yah!"

"Isn't anyone listening to me?" Kuwabara cried, frantically running after them, still holding the kitten.

Soraya looked around. It wasn't everyday that the most popular guy in school asked her to meet him and some of his friends at the local coffee shop. Not only was he the most popular, but he was also the most desirable. With those brilliant green eyes and that soft, red hair….she sighed and sunk further into her seat.

She glanced down at herself, studying her outfit, for about the umpteenth time. Her red skirt was long enough to not reveal or suggest anything, but short enough to not appear conservative. Her black heels were relatively low, that way she could avoid tripping and making a complete fool of herself. The top had been that which had caused her the most trouble. She'd settled for a plain, black, v-neck shirt with long sleeves. She picked at her shirt, trying to straighten it out somewhat, and then stopped, realizing she must look like a complete nut-case with all the fidgeting she was doing.

"Sorry to keep you waiting Funabashi-san,"

Soraya turned and her eyes lit up when she spotted Kurama standing behind her. "It's alright Minamino-san," the blue jeans, white shirt and orange and black blazer he wore made her want to sink even further into her seat.

"The others should be arriving in just a moment," Kurama said, taking a seat across from her.

The door to the shop suddenly opened. "Hey! I heard you wanted to see us?"

Soraya turned her head, carefully studying the sapphire haired girl who was approaching their table. She wore a pair of blue jeans and a simple pink, fitting top that blended nicely with her eyes.

"Yes I did…where are the others?"

Botan sighed. "Yusuke decided he couldn't be bothered to come all the way here. They're waiting for us in the park," Botan turned her head when she noticed Soraya watching her curiously. "Hi, I'm Botan!"

"Hi...I'm Funabashi Soraya,"

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Botan chirped. "So this is why you want us all to meet up, is it?" she asked, winking at Kurama.

Kurama sweatdropped. "No..it's really not what you think,"

Botan giggled and leaned down to whisper to Soraya. "I know he's rather shy, but he'll definetely grow on you,"

Soraya's face flushed a brilliant scarlet, and she decided right away that she liked Botan.

Kurama sighed and stood up. "Shall we?" he asked, offering her his hand.

She nodded and accepted, getting out of her seat and then letting go of his hand and following Botan out, Kurama taking up the rear.

"Are you ok kitty? Did they hurt you…?"

"I'll hurt you in just a minute if you don't shut up!" Yusuke snapped at Kuwabara, who was crouched on the ground, carefully inspecting the kitten.

"I can't believe I'm stuck here babysitting," Hiei stated coldly, leaning against the trunk of a nearby tree.

"Man…Keiko's gonna kill me,"

"What'd you promise to do for her this time Urameshi?"

"I told her I'd meet her at the school to study…that girl insists that I do my homework!"

Ryu grinned. "So you're standing her up? That's no way to treat a girl! Hell, I'll go meet her in your pleace!"

Yusuke turned to look at Ryu and gave him a death glare. "You touch Keiko and you'll wish you'd never been born,"

Ryu felt a shudder run down his spine. Man…he's definetely got the Medusa look…

An oar suddenly sailed through the air and hit Yusuke in the head. "Well maybe if you actually paid attention in school, Keiko wouldn't have to go through all that trouble to try and keep you from failing!" Botan snapped. "And stop picking on kids!"

"Well aren't we all cherries and cream…?"

"Isn't it peaches and cream…?" Ryu asked slowly, sweatdropping.

"What took you so long kitsune?" Hiei asked, hopping down from the branch he was sitting on.

"I'm sorry for the delay. I'd like to introduce you all to Funabashi Soraya,"

"Aw come on Kurama! Don't tell me you got us all together to meet your girlfriend!" Yusuke cried, smirking at Soraya.

"Yusuke! Do you mind being a little more discrete! You're emberassing the poor girl!" Botan cried, wishing she hadn't chucked her oar at him so that she could do so now.

Soraya was staring down at her hands, her face redder than before.

"Kitty come back!" Kuwabara cried suddenly, scrambling after the black kitten.

"Huh?" Soraya looked up as the kitten jumped onto her shoulder and rubbed its head on her cheek.

Kurama nodded. "Neko youkai tend to attract cats,"

"Neko youkai..? Is that why she has a tail?" Kuwabara asked, tugging on her black, cat tail.

"Kyaa!" she screamed, whirled around and kicked him in the head.

Kuwabara sailed backwards and slammed into a wall. He slowly slid down to the ground, leaving a dent where he'd first landed.

"Hey Kurama! Your girlfriend has a nice kick!" Yusuke called, grinning.

Ryu hopped off the swing he was sitting on and landed behind Soraya, lifting her skirt. "I've never seen you wearing a skirt before!"

Soraya's face turned a brilliant scarlet and she grabbed Ryu by the shoulders, fligging him over her head to land on top of Kuwabara. "Baka chibi hentai!"

"And she's got a nice aim too,"

Hiei approached Soraya, whose face was still flushed. "You're the pure youkai we ran into yesterday…"

Soraya paled lightly at the observation. How the hell could he tell that it was her? At least he kept his voice down…

Ryu laughed and got off Kuwabara. "You've got a mean throw Soraya,"

"Shut it asshole!" Soraya snapped.

"Kurama…I think your girlfriend has a worse attitude than I do!" Yusuke called, clearly amused.

Kurama sighed and took a careful step towards Soraya. "Are you alright?"

Soraya nodded, her face flushing lightly at the sound of Kurama's voice, absently petting the kitten on her shoulder. "I'm fine, thank you,"

Botan shook her head. "Boys will be boys…"

Ryu was still laughing, but stopped abruptly when he noticed Botan frowning at him. He flashed her a warm smile and stepped towards Soraya. "I'm sorry, I should not have done that. If you please, accept my most profound apologies,"

Soraya raised an eyebrow. "And what are you high on?"

Yusuke hopped off the bench, chuckling. "You guys are a riot,"

Kurama shook his head. "Maybe it's a better idea if we go to someone's house to discuss this. I don't think it would be a good idea to attract too much attention,"

Yusuke shrugged. "Why the hell not. Let's go to my place…I think mom's out drinking again anyway,"

They agreed and Ryu walked over to Kuwabara and helped him up. "You ok? This is the second beating you've taken today,"

"I'm fine.." Kuwabara muttered, getting to his feet. "But where's the cute chick with the cat tail?"

Ryu sweatdropped. "You may want to stay away from the cute chick for a while…or else she'll beat the shit out of you again.."

Soraya turned, spotting Ryu helping Kuwabara get to his feet. She said something to Kurama and they stopped walking. She turned and approached them, bowing to Kuwabara. "Gomen ne, Kuwabara-san. I didn't mean to fling you against the wall…it was an automatic reaction…"

"Aw, I couldn't hold a grudge against a pretty lady like you!" Kuwabara said, turning a light shade of pink and grinning at her.

What a loser, Ryu thought, sweatdropping.

Kurama smiled, waiting until Soraya had caught up to him again.

Ryu rolled his eyes. No wonder she's acting all angelic…

"Hey! Lost in thought?" Botan asked, appearing at his side.

Ryu turned and smiled at her. "Nah, not really. You're Botan, right?"

She nodded. "And you're Ryu!" at his nod she smiled. "I like your hair!" she chirped, indicating his bangs.

Ryu grinned. "Thanks. You're the first one who hasn't thought it looked stupid,"

"It doesn't look stupid at all! It looks kinda cute for a kid!"

Ryu sweatdropped. For a kid? I'm not that short, am I?

Soraya couldn't help but giggle, quickly turning her head when she sensed Ryu glaring at her.

"Bitch…" he muttered under his breath.

She flicked him off and continued walking next to Kurama

Ryu sighed and shook his head. Life was about to get a hell of a lot more interesting. He smiled as he watched Botan bounce over to Yusuke and whack him for some random comment. Oh yes…life was about to get very interesting.