Life and Love: From Human to Demon

by MistressMagius

(Rated M for nudity and suggestive content)For too long had Jennifer been without love. An outing with her best friend would change all that as she quickly falls for an odd boy. Follow them from first meeting to marriage-a four year span.

1. Part 1

"Liz, what in the world do you mean?...No, I don't have plans; you know that...But—oh fine, go then...What? I guess...Nothing. Just working on my stories...Yes, yes I know...Ok, I'll be down in a sec...Bye...See ya...Later...Bye, Liz!"

This was the cell phone conversation of Jennifer Reub as she sat typing on her laptop. She had a black ear piece with microphone clipped on her ear; the wire led to a dark blue transparent face-plated cell phone with black buttons. She sat at a large wooden desk that sat between two beds of a decent size hotel room. She was typing on the strange red keys of a black laptop, the words appearing on the Microsoft Word documentandforming one of her many ideas. A few more words and she finished the paragraph, saved the document and turned off the computer.

Her brown eyes, so deep with wisdom and dark with secrets, turned to the window. Night had fallen, Jennifer's favorite time. With a yawn and a stretch, the young woman stood and packed away her laptop in a bag. She made her way out, bag in hand, but stopped to look herself over in the full-length body mirror by the door.

Jennifer was considered a biker chick, though she wasn't one for labels. Her current attire was a leather bandana-style shirt that tied in back with two black strapsandformed well to her large chest, tight leather pants that clung to her wonderful hips and legs, and a pair of amazing black biker boots with orange flames.

"Oh!" she exclaimed upon noticing that she still wore the earpiece. Quickly she took it off and stored it in the desk drawer that was hers and put her cell phone in her pocket. She went back to the mirror. "Something is missing," she said, as she looked herself up and down. Her hand went to a charm on a silver chain about her neck; it was a silver eagle's claw clutching a crystal ball. According to Jennifer's actions, the charm was charged with star energy and used for protection and magick empowering.

Yes, Jennifer Leann Reub held beliefs similar to that of the spell casting religions. Jennifer had no true religion since she followed her heart and instincts on what felt right, and spell casting, along with the title of mage, felt perfect. When asked, she would call herself a Pagan-Christian.

"Ah! That's it!" Jennifer rushed to the dresser and opened the top drawer, one of her claimed ones. She pulled out a carefully rolled up leather whip with pride; it showed that the owner took good care of it but had the feeling of use. She then took a silver metal latch-clip and hooked it into the loops of the whip as well as one of the belt loops on her leather pants. The whip now hung at her side. "Perfect," she commented. She hurried out the door, having left her bag on the desk. The door locked, since she had the key in her pocket, and her footsteps disappeared down the hall.

---

Outside a club called Scarlet Butterfly a line of people stood awaiting admittance. On the islands of Japan, this was one of the few nightclubs that was run by English speakers and allowed 15 and up. Jennifer walked past the line of people to the front where her friend Elizabeth waited.

Dressed in a black mesh long sleeve shirt, red bikini top, short red-and-black plaid skirt, black fishnet stockings, and knee high leather boots stood the 16-year-old. Her blonde hair was loose, just barely reaching her shoulders, and her blue eyes watched a certain group in the line. She stood by the bouncer as he let people pass.

Jennifer reached her. Her own hair hid her face; the thick, waist-length, strawberry blonde locks fell about her face freely with their medium-dark brown roots showing for about an inch or two. She smiled sweetly at the bouncer, her rosy lips standing out on her slightly pale face.

"Name?" asked the bouncer in a rough voice.

"Jennifer," she replied.

"She's with me, Fredrik," the high, upbeat voice of Elizabeth vouched. Fredrik stepped aside and allowed Jennifer to enter with her companion.

Inside, music blared and lights flashed. Bodies pressed against each other in suggestive ways and movements. Those that didn't dance drank and talked, trying to be heard by the person next to them over the booming beats. Elizabeth led Jennifer to the bar where they both chose stools.

"What can I get you two ladies?" the barkeep inquired. He was a chubby and kind looking male, probably in his mid-forties.

"Lemonade," Elizabeth answered.

"And you?" he turned to Jennifer who sat staring into the crowd, her back to the bar.

"Mountain Dew…Pitch Black," she answered without turning. The drinks were served, and Elizabeth turned to face the way Jennifer was. She took a sip of her sour drink before speaking.

"So, what do ya think? Not bad, huh?" Jennifer just shrugged in reply as she brought the bottle of purple, almost black, liquid to her lips and drank, savoring the tart kick to the grape flavor. She then set the bottle back down on the bar. "Cheer up, girl. So what if the camp was a bust. So what if those first couple of months at school sucked. We can start anew here! Have whatever reputation we want at our new school. Get new boyfriends. Who would have thought our parents would let us do the exchange program?"

"First of all, I'm fine. Second, we won't have a chosen reputation, but we can influence them a little more. And third, you want to find the new boyfriend; I just want to find one considering it's been about two years since I was seeing someone if you called that seeing." Jennifer took another swig of the drink as her eyes scanned the crowd. Elizabeth did not reply to Jennifer's words; all had been said. Jennifer herself was naturally reserved and pensive.

A few songs later, Elizabeth jabbed Jennifer in the ribs with her elbow then pointed to the doorway. "Look! Look! That's the guy I was watching while waiting for you! Ain't he just adorable." Jennifer turned and looked to where Liz was pointing. Entering the club dressed in white slacks, a black long sleeve button up decorated with red rose symbols, and blackmen's dress shoes was a calm looking red head. His hair was long, hanging past his shoulders and his eyes the color of emeralds; his face and body was well toned, and he looked quite handsome. When it came to labeling, he would have been considered a pretty-boy.

"Eh…he's cute," Jennifer admitted. Her eyes were looking over his companions, one in particular. The first was taller than the pretty boy and looked pretty stupid. His hair was an orange-red color and reminded one of Elvis; his eyes were brown and shallow. He wore an open, black button up long sleeve, black capris, and white sandles.

Then there was the punk that was somewhat shorter then the pretty boy. His short, black hair was slicked back, and his eyes were also brown. He wore a yellow tee with the sleeves looking as though they were torn off at the shoulder, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes.

There was an all-too-happy looking girl standing beside the idiot. Her hair was light blue and put up in a high ponytail; her eyes were a strange pink color. She wore black tennis shoes, black jeans, a cherry-red tank top, and a pink jacket that matched her eyes.

Beside the punk stood a girl with short brown hair, brown eyes, and looked like a schoolgirl type. She wore a red overall dress with the skirt reaching her knees over a long sleeve white collared shirt and red dress shoes.

But the one who had caught Jennifer's eye was different. He looked to be a rebel, so mysterious as he stood in the shadows. He was short, but his gravity defying black hair made up for it for about foot. A white bandana was wrapped about his forehead. He was dressed in black tennis shoes, black jeans, and a white button up long sleeve with the top two buttons unbuttoned giving a sneak peek of the firm, well toned chest beneath. A katana was tucked in his belt. Jennifer found herself staring into those crimson eyes that just seemed to pierce through one's soul.

"Jen! They're coming this way!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Jennifer snapped out of it and blushed, thankful for the cloaking darkness. She looked again and saw that the group was indeed advancing, at least the red head and short guy were. It looked as though the punk was dragging the schoolgirl, probably his girlfriend, onto the dance floor as a slow song came on. The other two just stood talking.

Elizabeth turned away, facing the bar now while trying to act casual. Jennifer rolled her eyes at her friend's pathetic attempt. She finished off her drink, taking care of her now dry mouth, and watched the boys approach.

"Greetings, ladies. We couldn't help but notice you two roses amongst the weeds that are most tourists. May we join you?" The red head had charm she had to admit.

Liz turned in her seat and smiled. "Sure." The red head smiled back and sat down next to her. The short one sat down on Jennifer's other side; he looked as though he'd rather be anywhere but here. Jennifer watched him from the corner of her eye as she faced the dance floor; she barely heard Elizabeth and the red head's conversation.

"I am Kurama, and the quiet one is Hiei. What lovely names do you two go by?"

"I'm Elizabeth, and that quiet one is Jennifer."

"How are you liking Japan? I can tell you are from the states."

"It's ok, though we're still settling in."

"Where are you staying?"

"Some hotel."

"Hmm…well that won't do. I offer you the guest room of my home if you'd like. My mother would not mind; in fact I think she'd be thrilled by the idea."

"What do you think Jennifer? Jennifer?"

"Huh? What?" Jennifer had been caught as she stared at Hiei and he stared back. Both turned away quickly, their cheeks reddening. "I guess it would be ok. You seem pretty nice."

"You are worried Kurama would rape you," Hiei commented. He was looking to the crowd once more, his arms crossed across his chest. Jennifer nodded; it was as if Hiei had read her mind.

"I am."

"Don't," Hiei simply stated. Jennifer did not reply back as she looked down at her hands, suddenly finding the ring on her leftpinky very interesting. It was a black ring with silver Egyptian symbols; the only one Jennifer had been able to translate was the ankh—eternal life—that she kept at the top were it was most visible.

Jennifer was vaguely aware of what happened around her. Kurama and Elizabeth were talking once more, getting to know each other better over a few sodas. Jennifer heard Hiei get up and looked up to see him in front of her, his right hand offered to her palm up. Jennifer smiled slightly and took his hand. He led her out onto the dance floor.

"Now that's something you don't see everyday. He usually doesn't warm up to someone so quickly," she heard Kurama telling Elizabeth.

"Neither does she," was the reply.

Out on the dance floor, Jennifer noticed how tall Hiei really was; her eye level would be about two inches above the top of his head, or so she guessed since she couldn't tell because of his hair.

Jennifer was brought out of her calculations as Hiei put his hands on her waist as the song came on. "Sunshine" played, and Jennifer swayed her hips to the beat. Her body moved well as she danced, and Hiei was the perfect partner, his movements matching hers. Jennifer, caught up in the moment, began to sing, "Sunshine…I could call you my baby boy…you could call me your baby girl…baby we can spend some time…" The song ended all to quickly, and the two walked back towards the bar.

"You sing wonderfully," Hiei said, not looking at Jennifer. His arm was wrapped about her waist as they walked side-by-side. "The same for your dancing."

"Thanks. You're pretty good yourself." Jennifer said with a small smile.

"Hn."

Next thing they knew, Hiei was being pulled back and almost lost his balance as a hand slammed on his shoulder and an annoying voice said, "Hey, shrimp, I didn't know you were such a dancer! Got yourself quite a catch there!" Jennifer turned to see who had joined them and saw the idiot with his hand on Hiei's shoulder and Hiei looking as though he were holding back the urge to kill him.

The idiot approached her, a stupid smile upon his face. "Hey there. The name's Kuwabara, Kazuma Kuwabara. What's yours?"

"Jennifer," she stated with little interest. She could see Hiei glaring daggers at Kuwabara's back. Kuwabara made to put his arm around Jennifer's shoulders, but she ducked back under it. "That's ok, I don't need an escort." With that she walked on towards the bar. Both boys stood there surprised but then followed her.

When Jennifer reached the bar, she saw the blue-haired girl sitting on Kurama's other side, monopolizing the conversation. She sat back down beside Elizabeth and ordered another Pitch Black.

"Hey, Jen-jinn, where's Hiei?" Elizabeth asked, cutting off the happy-go-lucky girl. Jennifer just groaned at the disfavored nickname and gestured to the crowd where Kuwabara and Hiei were emerging. Kuwabara saw the empty seat by Jennifer and smiled but was beat to it by Hiei.

The happy girl noticed the competition and spoke up in her annoyingly singsong voice. "How about we go to those couches so there will be plenty of room. Yusuke and Kayko have yet to join us so…" Everyone agreed and went to a corner near the bar that had carpeted floor, a couple of couches, a coffee table, and a few lamps with red and black lights. Kurama, the happy girl, and Elizabeth sat on one couch with Elizabeth in the middle. Hiei sat on the other with Kuwabara next to him. Kuwabara patted the empty seat on the other side of him, but Jennifer rolled her eyes and sat down on the arm of the couch by Hiei. Hiei smirked at this.

"So you must be Jennifer. I'm Botan," the blue-haired one said with a smile. Jennifer just nodded in recognition.

"So, Jen, who's the new comer?" Liz asked.

"Kuwabara this is Elizabeth, Elizabeth…Kuwabara," Kurama introduced, saving Jennifer the embarrassment for at that time she had been eyeing Hiei again. She just nodded, her hair hiding her face.

After a while of talking, which included a deep discussion between Hiei and Jennifer on music styles, the punk and his girl showed up. The punk sat down next to Kuwabara and pulled the schoolgirl onto his lap, but the girl struggled. "Yusuke! Let go!" she shrieked before he finally let go of her, letting her get up. She took a seat in an empty armchair.

"Aw, come on Kayko! We're supposed to be on a date," Yusuke pleaded.

"That doesn't mean you can be so fresh with me!" Almost everyone burst into laughter except Hiei and Jennifer who just smirked in amusement. Conversations started again, and, as usual, Jennifer and Hiei were quiet for the most part. Hiei had relaxed against the couch, his eyes closed as if sleeping.

"So, Jennifer, what's with the whip? You a dominatrix or something?" Yusuke asked jokingly. Elizabeth burst into a fit of giggles.

Jennifer glared at her then faced foreword once more, her eyes closing and her arms crossing across her chest. "It's just my weapon of choice, Yusuke." With that she leaned back against the couch.

After she had stopped laughing, Elizabeth looked to Hiei. "So, what about you? Does that sword you carry mark you as a fighter for hire?" Hiei didn't answer; he still had the appearance of sleeping. "Hiei?"

"Let him be," Kurama suggested as he looked to Hiei. He also noticed Jennifer's appearance and smiled that knowing smile. Everyone else had turned to see what was going on and gained those same smiles, including Kuwabara. This made Elizabeth feel stupid; she searched everyone's eyes as they started talking again as if nothing happened but found nothing to help her. She soon shrugged it off and talked to Kurama some more.

Moment's passed, and no one noticed as Jennifer opened her eyes and left the group. She slinked off into the crowds until she reached the bathrooms. Once in the ladies' bathroom she looked at the reflective glass of the mirror, searching her likeness for answers. "Why?" she whispered. "What is happening to me to cause this? I feel so relaxed and right with him. He even knows telepathy, which I find fascinating. But how did I know it? How was I able to speak? He's awakening something more than caring in me, but what?" Jennifer sighed as she bowed her head and closed her eyes.

As the song "Bring Me Back to Life" came through the speakers, a smile alighted Jennifer's face. Eyes still closed she began to sing. She got so lost in the lyrics and melody of the song that she never heard the bathroom door open or the footsteps approaching her.

The song ended, and the last echoes of Jennifer's voice faded from the room. She opened her eyes, and her seriousness returned as she saw that Elizabeth was leaning against one of the stalls, watching her. Liz walked foreword, smiling.

"You know, you'll never cease to amaze me with that voice," she joked. Jennifer just nodded. "Everyone was worried about you since you just disappeared. I was sent to look for you." Jennifer nodded again then followed Elizabeth out of the bathroom just as a group of sluttish girls entered. "It's girls like them that give us American good girls bad names," Liz whispered, earning a laugh from Jennifer.

When the two girls returned to the group, they weregreeted readily. Elizabeth returned to her seat, leaving Jennifer standing as she looked around. Something was missing.

"Where is he?" Jennifer calmly asked as she sat down where Hiei once sat.

"The shrimp said he needed fresh air," Kuwabara answered as he tried to put his arm around Jennifer. She pushed him away and looked to Kurama who was smiling.

"What Kuwabara failed to notice is that Hiei went searching the crowds for you after trying to reach you and not being able to," Kurama explained. Jennifer nodded in understanding and relaxed.

"What do you mean 'trying to reach her'?" Elizabeth asked. "He didn't even move from his spot. He was still sleeping last I knew."

"Hiei has the ability of telepathy. Got it from years of training," Botan explained. The others of her group, excluding Kuwabara, were looking at her as if she was crazy to reveal that information. Jennifer just nodded to confirm it as Elizabeth looked to her. "But what I don't get is why he couldn't reach you. Only a person who has the ability of telepathy can block out another." At this everyone looked to Jennifer in question. She just bowed her head and shrugged.

After a moment of quiet, conversations started up again. Jennifer was quiet once more as she contemplated Botan's words. But she soon became preoccupied with keeping Kazuma off her. Time passed, and Jennifer began to wonder where Hiei was until she felt the familiar touch of a hand on her thigh. She turned to the smiling Kuwabara, glaring. "Back off," she growled.

"Aw, come on. I'm much better than the midget." Kuwabara stood and held out his hand. "How 'bout a dance?"

Jennifer stood as well and slapped his hand away, "How 'bout not." She turned to walk away but was stopped by Kuwabara's hand on her shoulder. "Let go of me, Kazuma," she growled again. The group had fallen silent and watched the angered girl and her stupid flirt. Some of the other club-goers had come to watch as well.

"Come on, one dance, Jen." Kuwabara didn't remove his hand, nor did he notice that Jennifer's right hand gripped the handle of her whip.

"I'm warning you: let go or else." But he didn't obey. Replying to the quick jerk of its master, the loops of the whip tightened around the clasp that held it to her side before freeing itself. Jennifer turned quickly, jumping back a little ways, and struck out with the whip. Kazuma clawed helplessly at the coils of leather that were wrapped snuggly about his neck, ready to tighten and choke him. He stared in fear as Jennifer moved toward him, keeping the whip taunt. When she was inches from his face, she moved his hands from the loops and slipped two fingers between the coils and Kuwabara's neck. "If you ever disobey my commands again, I won't hesitate like I have tonight." She gave a quick jerk on the coils, causing the rings to loosen their hold. When she released them, they fell away from Kuwabara's neck and were gathered up as Jennifer rolled the whip back up and clipped it to her side.

She looked to Elizabeth who was cringing in Kurama's arms. "I'm leaving." Jennifer turned to leave but stopped. There, giving her that familiar smirk with his hands in his pockets, was Hiei. He offered his hand as he had done before. Jennifer smiled, the tension leaving her almost instantly at the sight of him, and took it, letting him lead her out onto the dance floor. She could feel the eyes of the terrified and confused group on them.

The song "Whole New World" began to play. This confused Jennifer for it wasn't a song you would normally hear at a nightclub like this. As she and Hiei danced, she glanced over at the DJ and saw Kayko watching them.Kayko waved at Jennifer when she noticed her looking, and Jennifer smiled before turning back to Hiei. As the lyrics began, Jennifer was surprised to hear Hiei singing and marveled at his voice. He was staring deeply into her eyes, as she was his. "I can show you the world...shining, shimmering, splendid...tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?..." Hiei sang.

Jennifer soon joined in, her voice harmonizing with his perfectly. They're dancing became more dream like as everyone else formed a large circle around them, watching them. "A whole new world...a dazzling place I never knew...but when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear, that now I'm in a whole new world with you..." Jennifer sang.

Near the end, they had stopped dancing and Hiei slowly dipped Jennifer. Closer and closer their faces came as they continued to sing. "A whole new world; a whole new world...that's where we'll be; that's where we'll be...a thrilling chase; a wonderous place...for you and me..."

The music faded, and their lips were inches from each other; it looked as though the kiss was inevitable. Both had their eyes close, both lost in the trance they had woven. So close they were, but it was not to be for the crowd had started clapping and cheering, breaking the barrier that had separated the couple from the world.

Hiei pulled away, lifting Jennifer up right again. Both blushed and walked toward the door. Hiei had stuffed his hands in his pockets again, and Jennifer had done the same. They both watched their feet as they joined their companions.

"Looks like the fighter has become the lover!" Yusuke teased. Hiei glared at Urameshi and walked past the group, out the door, and into the night. Jennifer had looked up to watch him go then sighed and turned to Elizabeth who was talking with Kurama.

"So what time, hotel, and room number?" Kurama was asking.

"Probably around noon, Black Adventure, and room 117," Elizabeth replied. Yes, the hotel was called Black Adventure. It had a type of haunted hotel theme to it that Elizabeth and Jennifer loved. Their rooms themselves were pretty normal though; Elizabeth and Jennifer's had black walls and ceiling, rose red carpet, mahogany furniture, blood red coverings on the beds, and black lace curtains on the single window.

With that worked out, the group walked with Jennifer and Elizabeth to the end of the block where they would have to separate. Elizabeth was saying her goodbyes, giving Kurama a kiss on the cheek, but Jennifer was staring at the shadowed park across the street. She had the strangest feeling that someone was watching her from there.

"Jennifer?" Kayko pulled Jennifer's attention to her. "Hey, I'm sorry that Yusuke angered Hiei and sent him skulking away. But know this, none of us, and I mean none of us, not even Kurama, has seen Hiei as relaxed and…caring as he was with you tonight." This caused Jennifer to smile.

Kurama joined her and Kayko, placing his hand on Jennifer's shoulder. "I think he's finally fallen in love, but he doesn't know how to handle these new feelings in him. Give him time and return the affection, and he will be forever yours."

"Thank you for the advice. You two are so kind." With that Jennifer gave them both a friendly hug, gaining a gasp from Elizabeth for Jennifer never hugged. Jennifer pulled away from her new friends and went running after Elizabeth in a game of chase, stopping only to wave goodbye to the group.

---

It was hours before morning. Elizabeth and Jennifer had gotten back around midnight, and Elizabeth had fallen asleep instantly, never changing out of her clothes. Jennifer had changed into a tight black nightgown that formed to her curves and reached her mid-thigh. Jennifer had not been able to sleep as she lay in her bed, looking to the waxing crescent moon that shone through her window.

Jennifer sat up, puling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. "Sister Moon," she whispered, "Is this it? Kurama speaks of Hiei falling in love and being confused, but I'm just as confused. Am I in love, or is it another silly crush? No, it's not a crush; it feels like so much more. I can't think of the last time I was as happy as I was with him tonight. I just wish…" A sigh escaped her rosy lips as she scanned the skies for the right star. She was lucky; with it being October the constellation Orion was visible. Consequently, so was her power star. Her eyes stayed on the middle star of Orion's belt as she recited that old rhyme with magical updates. "Starlight, star bright, my power star which I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight…I wish I could say good night to Hiei."

Jennifer was about to lie back down and try to sleep when she had the sudden urge to open the window. She almost alwaystrusted her instincts, so she did as they told her then laid with her back to the widow, closing her eyes and willing sleep to come though it didn't seem to obey. Moments passed, and Jennifer had the strangest feeling that she was being watched. She was used to this feeling for she had it almost all the time, but this was different: the person was alive. She quickly rolled over and saw a figure crouched in the window, silhouetted against the moon's pure light. "Who's there?" She whispered as she sat up, backing into the wall at the head of her bed. The figure moved onto her bed and turned to face her, the moon now shining on their face.

Jennifer's heart fluttered at the sight of Hiei smiling at her so gently and lovingly. As he spoke his voice seemed to caress her, sending pleasure through her veins. "Quiet…it's only me. I never got to say good night." He moved to kneel beside her on the bed and stared into her eyes for a moment. Jennifer was so surprised and found herself lost in his eyes. She felt his left hand go to her right cheek, caressing it softly before he came closer. Their lips were soon locked in a soft but passionate kiss. Jennifer felt like she was dreaming as she savored the taste and feel of Hiei's lips. She almost whimpered in dismay when he pulled away.

Hiei was about to leave through the window again when Jennifer reached out to him, catching his wrist. He turned to see what she wanted. "Stay…please…" She was glad to see him smile and nod. She lay back down and listened as he closed the window. She felt him slip under the covers with her so she rolled over to face him. Hiei wrapped his arms about her as she place her hands on his chest and soon fell asleep. Hiei also slept after kissing her once last time on the forehead.

---

The sun peaked through the window. Jennifer awoke with a yawn and opened her eyes to find that she was the only one in her bed. She sat up quickly and looked around, but there was no sign of the truth that the mysterious lover had stayed, no sign that it hadn't been a dream. Jennifer's gaze went to the window; it was open just as she had left it the night before. Jennifer's fingers went to her lips, remembering the kiss. "It couldn't have been a dream; it seemed so real, but…." She sighed as got up.

Looking around, Jennifer saw that Elizabeth was gone and the bathroom door was shut. The sound of running water reached her ears. Jennifer smiled and got changed. She chose to wear a black baby-doll t-shirt that said "Dreamer of the Wild" in white letters with a picture of a wolf howling at a full moon, her leather biker jacket, tight black jeans, and her boots. She was running a brush through her hair when Elizabeth emerged from the bathroom with a towel about her body. "Hey, Liz, would you braid my hair today?" Jennifer asked her friend, not turning from the mirror.

"Sure, if you'll put mine up," Elizabeth replied as she pulled on a pair ofdenim shorts. She also chose a white tank top and white flip-flops. Once dressed, she walked over to Jennifer and took the brush from her as well as a small hair tie and began braiding the long locks. Once finished, Jennifer put Elizabeth's hair into a high ponytail.

The girls were packing when Jennifer heard the familiar roaring thunder of a Harley-Davidson engine. She looked out the window to see a black sportster parked in front of the hotel. Its rider was very eye catching, though Jennifer was unable to see the face for he had his back turned to her. She turned her attention from the male biker to a familiar figure of Kurama entering the hotel. He would be waiting for them in the lobby.

"Kurama's here," Jennifer said as she turned back to her packing. She put the rest of her few clothes in her gym bag,closed it, then checked that her laptop was packed properly in its case. Shepostioned the gym bag strap on her shoulder, grabbed thehandle ofthebriefcase like bag in her right hand,and joined Liz out in the hall. Elizabeth only had a gym bag herself. They had been planning on shopping for new clothes once they settled in.

The two girls walked down the old-style hallway, listening to the echoes of their footsteps. Oncethey reached thelobby, Kurama greeted them with a smile each and a kiss on the cheek for Elizabeth. He offered to take their bags, which they let him do. Before they left, he turned to Jennifer. "Have any late night visits?"

Jennifer looked shocked and avoided Elizabeth's questioning gaze. She hadn't told her about the "dream" and didn't plan on it. "Why do you ask?" she inquired shyly.

Kurama turned to leave, the girls following him. "Well, Hiei asked me last night for the hotel and room number, so I figured he was going to go see you, but I guess he didn't." Jennifer sighed inwardly, relieved that Kurama wasn't going to dig deeper, but she had the feeling he knew.

Jennifer had got lost in her memories of last night so she didn't notice when Kurama and Elizabeth stooped in front of her, causing her to run into Elizabeth. She was about to ask why they stopped when Kurama said, "Good afternoon, Hiei. What brings you here?"

Jennifer gasped and went around the two to see Hiei standing by the black sportster with his arms folded across his chest, the familiar smirk adorning his face telling of a good mood. He was wearing black biker boots, dark blue jeans, and a black leatherduster (long jacket). His katana hung at his side like usual. Jennifer blushed as she saw that theduster was open revealing the whole of his toned torso. She averted her gaze reluctantly to look at the bike. Its main color was ebony as dark as the night. On the fenders were painted bloody katanas. On the tank was painted a purple spirit-darkness dragon, its red eyes piercing through one's soul like Hiei's.

Hiei uncrossed his arms and walked up to Jennifer. He offered her his hand has he had done last night. Jennifer was about to take it when she stopped and turned to Kurama. She took her gym bag from him and pulled out her whip and its clip, clipping them to her jeans. She returned the bag to Kurama with a smile. "You don't mind do you?" Kurama shook his head, taking the bag then stepping back with Elizabeth. Hiei had already boarded the motorcycle and started it up. Jennifer hopped on with ease, having ridden many a time, and settled on the bitch seat, her back against the back bar. She waved to her friends as Hiei rode off down the street.

---

The Harley roared through the town, catching many an eye. Jennifer was no longer leaning back as she had been at first. Wanting to be closer to Hiei, she had moved foreword, pressing body against his back; her arms were wrapped about his waist and her head rested on his shoulder. It seemed too perfect to her to be doing something she loved as much as this with a guy she was falling in love with more and more.

The wind seemed to race the two as they rode out of city limits. Jennifer reveled in the wonderful feeling of freedom this always gave her. It had been a couple years since she was on the back of a bike, but the feeling never left one's heart and the intensity never lowered.

Evening was beginning to fall, and Hiei seemed to be taking her somewhere in particular. As Jennifer watched the scenery, clumps of trees soon vanished giving way to the beach and ocean. Jennifer gasped as she saw the sun setting into the water. She leaned up, putting her mouth close to Hiei's ear so he could hear her. "Oh, Hiei, this is so perfect! Thank you!"

---

Back in town, the black sportster pulled up in front of the Minamino household and parked, its two riders getting off. Hiei took Jennifer in his arms and spun around with her for a moment as she laughed then carried her to the porch. He set her on her feet again.

"Did you have fun?" Hiei asked. His reply was a kiss on the cheek then a smiling Jennifer before she hurried into the house. Hiei followed her, his hands in his pockets and a smirk upon his lips.

Inside, Elizabeth and Kurama had come to greet Jennifer. Elizabeth was begging to know what happened, but Jennifer refused to say.

"Jennifer, there's something you need to know before you meet my mom," Kurama told her. Jennifer nodded, the smile fading from her face as everyone became serious. Hiei had joined the group, his face emotionless once more. "Kurama is a nickname that my mother does not know about. When around her, call me Suichi. Ok?" Jennifer nodded again in understanding then followed him and the others into thedining roomwhere a dark-haired woman was setting the table. She turned see them enter. "Mother, this is Jennifer. She'll be staying with us like Elizabeth."

Jennifer smiled sweetly at the kind-looking woman. The woman was frail but very friendly and generous looking. Her black hair was probably chin length, but any that hung past the base of her head was flipped up and pinned in place at the back of her head. She had gentle, green eyes like Kurama's. "Welcome," the woman said then her gaze went to Hiei. "Oh, Hiei, and will you be joining us for dinner?" Hiei shrugged. Apparently he was a little less reserved around Kurama's mother, out of respect for Kurama. Mrs. Minamino set another place at the table and gestured for them to sit down. Each took a seat.

Elizabeth and Jennifer sat on one side of the table; Kurama and Hiei sat across them. Mrs. Minamino sat at the head of the table. She served the food and struck up a conversation. "So, girls, Suichi tells me that you are in an exchange program. What school will you be attending?"

"I don't know," Jennifer said, "but we're supposed to meet a Miss Yukimura."

"Oh, well you've already met her," Kurama said as he looked up from his food.

"How?" Elizabeth asked.

"Kayko," Hiei simply stated as he continued to eat. He looked up to see Jennifer smiling at him. "What?" This pulled the other two'sattention.Both gained a silly smile then continued to eat.

When everyone finished, Mrs. Minamino took up the plates and went to clean them. Elizabeth and Kurama were now looking to Jennifer and Hiei. Jennifer stood and approached Hiei who watched her curiously. "What?" he asked as he noticed she was smiling mischievously. Jennifer sat down on his lap and smiled before running her tongue along the side of his mouth, getting the bit of food that clung there. Hiei smiled before kissing her, his arms wrapping about her. They had both forgotten that Kurama and Elizabeth were there.

"That's enough you two," Kurama warned. They broke apart; Jennifer was blushing as she got off Hiei, who looked stunned. He got his composure back and walked with Jennifer into the living room. Kurama and Elizabeth followed.

---

Night had fallen and the two couples were the only ones up. Mrs. Minamino had gone to bed early. Kurama and Elizabeth were lying on the couch in each other's arms as they watched Heartbreakers. Kurama was kissing Elizabeth every so often, reminding her that he was falling for her. They had changed to their sleeping clothes; Kurama in a pair of black boxers with red roses on them and Elizabeth in an overly large red tee that said "Love Me" in black letters with white hearts around them. They were the only ones in the living room; Hiei and Jennifer were nowhere to be seen, at least nowhere in the house.

Out in the back yard, the stars and moon shining above them, Jennifer and Hiei relaxed. Hiei was sitting on a branch ina tree, his clothing helping him blend in to the shadows. His blood-red eyes watched the girl he was falling in love with.

Jennifer had changed to a long silk nightgown with low neckline of white color. Her hair was wet from the shower she had taken and clung to her body. In the moonlight she looked like a spirit as she walked about Mrs. Minamino's garden. She stopped by the fishpond and sat down at its edge. She ran her fingers through the water causing ripples that broke up the reflection of the sky.

A sigh escaped Jennifer's lips as she glanced at the tree in which Hiei sat. She couldn't see him but had the feeling of where he was. She closed her eyes and thought about the water her hand rested in and how the reflection of the sky looked. Slowly, she lifted her hand from the water, but she could still fell it. She opened her eyes and gasped. There in her hand was a ball, a ball of water from the pond reflecting the sky just as the pond had.

"Hiei!" she cried as she stared at this strange object. Hiei turned his gaze to her from the moon that he had been looking at. He saw that Jennifer looked distraught and jumped down to join her. As he came closer he saw what was bothering her.

"Jennifer! How?" He said as she stood to face him, still holding the ball of water.

"I…I don't know. Just like I didn't know how I used telepathy last night or blocked you." She didn't look afraid but confused.

"Come on," Hiei said as he led her into the house.

'How?' Jennifer thought as she walked with Hiei, his arm about her waist leading her. 'How am I doing this? What is happening to me?'

'There is only one explanation,' Hiei's voice rang through her head. 'We must get you to Koenma.'

'Who is Koenma?' Jennifer asked with telepathy.

'I'll explain later.' Hieibroke the connection as they entered the living room. "Kurama, we have problems," Hiei said, his tone worried.

Kurama sat up and looked over the back of the couch to the two. "What is it Hiei?" he asked before seeing the water ball in Jennifer's hand. "Jennifer? Are you a?"

"She doesn't know," Hiei said cutting Kurama off. Kurama nodded and went to the phone. Elizabeth had looked to see what the commotion was and stared in amazement at her friend.

"I'll call Yusuke and Kuwabara. Yusuke can get a hold of Botan. Meanwhile, Jennifer see if you can release it in the sink." Kurama proceeded to dial the number for Yusuke's house. Hiei led Jennifer into the kitchen, to the sink with Elizabeth behind them.

"What is going on?" Elizabeth inquired.

"Hush, onna. She needs to concentrate and relax." Hiei stood behind Jennifer, his hands on her shoulders, massaging them. 'Relax…' he told her telepathically 'Relax and concentrate on releasing the ball.'

Jennifer slowly relaxed as she felt the wonderful touch of Hiei's hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes and thought of the ball returning to liquid, running through her fingers. She felt the water run over her hand and opened her eyes to see the ball gone. She turned to Hiei and kissed him happily. Once they broke apart, she smiled at him. "Thank you, Hiei. I would have never been able to relax if it wasn't for you."

Minutes later Yusuke, Kazuma, and Botan had joined the group. Botan was talking into what looked like a pink compact mirror, and Jennifer could hear the sound of someone talking back but didn't pay much attention. She noticed that Elizabeth heard it too for she was mouthing to Jennifer "What are they talking about?" to which Jennifer just shrugged.

Botan closed the compact then looked to Jennifer who was sitting by the pond once more. Hiei was beside Jennifer, holding her in his arms to keep her relaxed; though he only knew her for two days, he knew that confusion was one of the few emotions that would get her worked up. His hands ran up and down her arms, keeping her calm. Elizabeth and Kurama stood behind them; Kurama stood behind Elizabeth with his arms around her waist, her own hands holding his, and his head on her shoulder. Yusuke stood nearby with his arms crossed across his chest, waiting impatiently; he was wearing green boxers and a white shirt he had thrown on. Kayko was with him, standing beside him and looking at Jennifer with worry; she was wearing a long, yellow, cotton nightgown. Kuwabara was the next in line, wearing only a pair of orange pajama pants; he looked as confused as Liz and just as impatient as Yusuke. Beside him stood a woman with long, sandy blonde hair and brown eyes, wearing purple pajama pants and matching shirt. This was his older sister, Shizuru. In Kayko's arms was a blue penguin like animal with a tuft a black hair and ears as long as its body; she had said its name was Puu and that it was Yusuke's spirit beast, but Jennifer hadn't paid much attention to it. Botan herself was wearing a long, pink cotton nightgown.

"Ok," Botan said, "Koenma has given me some information on Jennifer, but first, he wants me to make sure this is the same girl by having her do a few things." Jennifer didn't reply to this; she had the feeling everything would be explained soon enough.

"Well, what's she got to do?" Yusuke asked.

"First, form the water ball she had done before," Botan said. Jennifer nodded and turned to the water. She closed her eyes and was about to put her hand in the water, but Botan stopped her. "No, you can't be in contact with it. Any low level could do it in contact with the water." Jennifer nodded again and held her hand out in front of her palm up. This time she pictured the water ball forming in her hand. She could feel it happening, and once finished, she opened her eyes and held the ball with interest.

"Whoa! So is she a demon?" Kuwabara blurted. Next thing he knew, he was soaked. Jennifer had thrown the water ball at him. "Hey!"

"She's getting the hang of it, it seems," Shizuru commented. Yusuke was laughing like crazy as was Elizabeth. Everyone else was smiling, including Hiei.

"Nice job, my little mage," Hiei whispered before kissing her neck, causing her blush.

"Actually, Hiei, that is what she is supposed to be: a mage," Botan said, "but we're not done yet. Jennifer, try to do something with the wind."

"Why don't you make Kayko's nightgown fly up?" Yusuke joked earning a slap from Kayko. Jennifer smiled, so glad that her new friends could be so calm, making her feel calm. She closed her eyes and thought of the wind blowing about her and Hiei. The wind picked up and blew gently in a twister about them. When Jennifer opened her, eyes she was surprised to see that the wind had a silver shine to it making it visible. She willed it away, and it stopped.

"Now, Earth. Kurama do you have the rose?" Kurama nodded and pulled a black rose from his hair.

"Why did you want black?" he asked as he handed it to Botan.

"Black is her power color; blood red is also but not as strongly," Botan explained as she handed the rose to Jennifer.

Jennifer twirled the rose in her fingers. "It's so beautiful."

"Just like you," Hiei whispered from behind her. Jennifer could feel Hiei shift as though looking at Kurama, "You better show her what's she's trying to do."

"Alright." Jennifer turned to look at Kurama. He was walking to an open area, leaving Elizabeth standing confused. Kurama pulled another rose from his hair, this one red. He spun around, bringing the rose down from his left shoulder to his right side. A few petals came loose but the main thing was how the rose had turned to a thorn covered whip. "That's all there is to it," he said with a smile as he walked back to the group.

"What is that?" Elizabeth asked, pointing to the whip he still held.

"Rose whip," Hiei answered for Kurama. He then stood up with Jennifer and released her. "Go ahead. I know you can do it." Jennifer nodded and stepped out into the open. She held the black rose at her left shoulder and closed here eyes. Concentrating on the rose turning to a whip she brought it down in front of her to her right side. It did indeed turn to a whip, but it was different from Kurama's green one; it had a dark look to it. The vine itself was black like the petals of the rose; the thorns were a blood red as if they had already caused injury.

"Looks like shehas a new toy to use on the shrimp," Kuwabara laughed. He found the whip cracking inches from his face causing him to jump. "Ok, ok, I get the point."

"Remember, she knows how to use whips already," Kurama pointed out. "Don't forget what happened last night." Jennifer saw all who were present that night shiver at the memory of her anger, all except Hiei who was smiling at her with pride.

"That reminds me," Botan said to change the subject. "Are we ready for Fire? Get your whip, Jennifer." Jennifer rolled up the rose whip and placed it by the pond where it turned back to a black rose. She picked up her leather whip that she had brought out by Botan's request. "Ok, first we're going to try cold-fireballs. Cold fire is a blue flame that doesn't burn. According to Koenma, it would be your specialty fire, Jennifer. Try it." Jennifer nodded and held out her left hand. She closed her eyes again and pictured a ball of blue fire floating above her hand. When she opened here eyes the ball was there. Testing it a bit she willed the ball to fly about the group, which it did before it went out at her force.

"Good," said Botan happily. "Everything's going right. Now you need to do three things with your whip. First, change it to a rose whip, second, a cold fire whip, and lastly, a shadow whipyour specialty."

"Whoa! Wait a minute! I get the cold fire and rose whip, but what in the world is a shadow whip?" Yusuke inquired.

"Baka," Hiei muttered from where he stood, "a shadow whip is one of the strongest weapons in the three worlds. It is a whip formed by shadows; any wound caused by it almost never heals. Only the person who controlled the whip can heal the wound; it won't heal over time. And then the person has to be in complete control of the whip."

"Correct, Hiei," Botan said, "and if a demon can form one they are considered high B level, but if they can fully control it they aremid-A level. Mages are not demons, mind you, but they are classified like demons are."

"Whoa! Maybe we should all take cover," Kuwabara suggested.

"Do you not trust me?" Jennifer asked, having not spoken since this started.

"Well…uh…." Kuwabara stuttered. Jennifer sighed and waved him away. Kuwabara just stood there, looking as though he was afraid to move, but after receiving a glare from Jennifer, he ran into the house.

"You girls should go, too. We can help her if she can't control it, but you would be in danger," Kurama said. Elizabeth, Kayko, and Shizuru nodded and followed Kuwabara into the house. As they disappeared into the house,only to be seen in one of the windows watchingan old-looking woman exited. She had long, dull pink hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a strange fighting outfit and was inches shorter than Hiei.

"Koenma tells me that we might have a new detective," she said as she approached the group.

"Genkai, you old hag, you might just have a new student," Yusuke said with a smile.

"Shut up, idiot. Explain, Botan," Genkai commanded.

"Well, she's doing everything right so far. She isjust about to do her three elemental whips." Botan gestured to Jennifer.

"Well, get on with it," Genkai told her. Jen looked to Hiei who nodded; she then went out into the open again. Jennifer took a bracing stance and raised her whip, ready to crack it. She pictured the rose whip and cracked the whip once. Upon opening her eyes, she saw that she held a rose whip like the first one. "Next," Genkai demanded. Jennifer closed her eyes again picturing her leather whip engulfed in cold fire that stopped at the handle. She cracked the whip again and opened her eyes to see exactly what she had envisioned. She looked to the group. They were all smiling but were nervous. Yusuke took a bracing stance and held his right hand in the shape of a gun, and pointed at her. Kurama stood toYusuke's right, his rose whip ready to strike. And Hiei, emotionless yet again, stood to Yusuke's left with his katana drawn and ready to attack.

'Boy do they trust me,' Jennifer thought. 'Of course I wouldn't trust myself either.' Her thoughts were broken by Genkai's voice. "Good luck." Jennifer turned to the house to see Genkai and Botan standing with Elizabeth, Kayko and Puu, and Shizuru at the back door. All, but Genkai, were smiling reassuringly but worriedly.

Jennifer breathed deeply then took her postion. Her eyes closed; she envisioned her leather whip wrapped in black shadows, shadows that would extend, shadows that would fight, shadows that obeyed her every movement and mental command. Slowly she brought the fire whip up and with a quick movement the whip cracked and the blue flames changed to black shadows. She opened her eyes to see her work. She then heard Genkai yell, "Now!"

Jennifer looked up to see Yusuke shoot a blast of blue spirit energy at her. 'Take out the spirit bullet,' Jennifer thought as she struck out with the whip. The shadows extended to meet Yusuke's blast and slice it in half, causing the energy to disperse. The shadows returned to the whip. But now wasn't the time to celebratebecause Kurama was running at her, striking out with his rose whip. 'Wrap withKurama's whip,' Jennifer thought as she struck out while jumping out of the way of Kurama's attack. Her shadow whip entangled in his, and she gave a quick jerk, pulling it from his grasp. The handle flew up, and she caught it in her left hand.

Tension filled the air as everyone looked from Jennifer to Hiei. Their gazes were locked; their intimate moments meant nothing currently because this was a battle. Jennifer tossed Kurama's whip to the side, where it returned to its rose form, before running at Hiei. 'Wrap,' Jennifer thought as she struck out but was surprised as Hiei disappeared. He reappeared behind her and hit her in the back of the head with the hilt of his katana. It didn'tknock her outas he hoped it would. The two jumped away from each other, their stare down commencing again before they ran at each other again. Hiei dodged Jennifer's attack once more and caught her in the side with his katana. They stood apart once more, Jennifer clutching her side with her free hand. "I'm sorry Hiei," she whispered as she ran at him again. Hiei ran to meet her, using his speed at the last second to jump behind her. Jennifer had been expecting this and turned, her whip wrapping about his leg. Hiei cried out as the shadows cut and burned into his flesh. He fell to the ground, the coils of the whip still about his leg. 'Enough,' Jennifer thought, and the whip unwrapped and rolled up in her hand on its own. 'Change back' was her last command, the whip returning to its less harmful leather form.

Jennifer rushed to Hiei who still lay on the ground, cringing in pain. "I'm sorry, Hiei. I am so sorry. I had to do it."

"I know," he gasped as he reached for her hand. She helped him sit up. The others had joined them and now stood around them. They all looked at Hiei's right leg. Blood flowed from the perfect cut matching exactly where the whip had coiled. The flesh around the long cut was burned. The blood soaked what was left of his jeans and the grass beneath his leg.

"Only you can heal him, Jennifer. And you'll have to do it soon, or he'll bleed to death," Botan whimpered. Jennifer nodded and placed her hands on Hiei's leg; she heard him hiss at the pain, butthis had to be done. She closed her eyes and saw the wounds healing, closing. She could feel energy leave her and enter Hiei's leg. When she felt that it was complete, she opened her eyes and saw that the wounds had healed, but there was a scar of the wound.

"They always leave scars," Genkai said, "a memory of the dangerous fight and the mercy of the fighter."

---

In the living room, Jennifer lay on the couch in only her underwear and bra. The girls and Hiei were the only ones in the room. Kurama, Yusuke, and Kuwabara waited in the kitchen. Hiei was wrapping Jennifer's wound. She had healed it somewhat to stop the bleeding but refused to heal it completely. "I will not overuse my new abilities," she had said when Hiei asked why.

Botan was talking with Koenma on the compact. "Yes, she did it all...Yes, even made and controlled the shadow whip...I see...Ok, I'll tell them...Huh?...Yeah, Genkai is here." Botan passed the compact to Genkai.

"Yes, Koenma, she is very powerful...She dispersed Urameshi's spirit gun, pulled Kurama's whip from him, and wounded Hiei...Not to worry, she healed him; from what I have witnessed she wouldn't have let him died no matter what...She came out with one wound by Hiei...Yes, she healed it enough to stop the bleeding but refuses to heal it any further saying it's a misuse of her abilities...Yes, Hiei is wrapping her up right now...I see. She will be there tomorrow, after her classes." With that Genkai closed up the compact and handed it to Botan. She turned to the group. "Koenma wants to see her tomorrow."

Hiei finished wrapping Jennifer's woundand helped her up. "Thanks, Hiei." She pulled her nightgown back on, happening to catch the slight disappointment that shone in Hiei's eyes. 'Maybe some other time,' she told him with telepathy. "Ok, boys, you can come in!" She called toward the kitchen.

The three boys entered and took places in the living room. Jennifer was sitting on Hiei's lap, now, on the couch, relaxed in his arms, looking as though she could fall asleep there; her whip and his katana lay on the floor next to the couch. Kurama sat down on the couch as well, and Elizabeth sat down in his lap, catching him off guard for a moment; after she kissed him on the cheek, he relaxed and wrapped his arms about her. Kuwabara sat in an armchair, making kissing faces at the two couples; he immediately stopped when he saw it did nothing to them becauseboth couples were kissing passionately, taking his advice.

"Enough, you four," Yusuke said from his seat in another armchair. Kayko was curled up on his lap, having fallen asleep quite quickly. Puu flew from Kayko's arms to sit on top of Yusuke's head, which caused everyone who was awake to laugh. Shizuru was leaning against the back of Kazuma's chair, teasing him every now and then. Botan and Genkai were sitting on the floor facing everyone.

"Bet your missing Yukina right now, eh baby brother," Shizuru teased, pointing out the fact that Kuwabara was the only guy without a girl. Jennifer was surprised when Hiei pushed her away from him gently upon hearing this. Jennifer could feel that he wasn't happy about something and settled for curling up in his arms, her head resting on his chest. Kurama also pushed Elizabeth away, glancing at Hiei with concern.

"What's wrong, Kurama?" Elizabeth asked, not settling like Jennifer had.

"I'll tell you later, with Hiei's permission of course," Kurama answered, looking to Hiei.

"Hn, go ahead. She'll find out sooner or later." This worried Elizabeth as well as Jennifer, though Jennifer didn't show it as Elizabeth did. Kurama proceeded to calm Elizabeth by holding her gently against him. Jennifer was looking at Hiei's cold face; he seemed to be staring into nothing. 'Yukina is my sister. The idiot is in love with her. She doesn't know I am her brother nor does the idiot I want it to stay that way,' he told her telepathically. Jennifer nodded and relaxed against him again, her eyes now on Genkai and Botan.

"Down to business," Botan said. Botan picked up a video tape off the top of the TV. "Koenma sent this while you were healing Hiei, Jennifer. I found it on the kitchen table; it is definitely from him." She popped the video into the VCR and hit play. For a moment there was static then the picture appeared. It was of a teenage boy with short brown hair, a blue outfit and red scarf, a blue pacifier, and the word Jr. on his forehead. "Hello team, Genkai, Jennifer. I am Koenma, Ruler of Spirit World. This video will explain everything to you, Jennifer." The video went through explaining a lot about Spirit World andthe team'sprevious assignments. "The current team members you already know: Spirit Detective-Yusuke Urameshi,Sidekick-Kazuma Kuwabara, Demon-Yoko Kurama, and Fire Apparition-Hiei. You, Jennifer, are a rare type of human called a mage. Humans have referred their special spirit energy as magic for many centuries. They can control the elements,mainly Earth, Fire, Water, and Windbut each mage can control a sub-element; yours is shadow, the hardest to control. Just as demons are classified, so are mages. After hearing of your skills, you have been classified as a High A level. Congratulations. You will probably reach the highest level with training. Thus I offer you the option of joining the team and training with them and Genkai. You can tell me your answer tomorrow when we meet. Good bye and good night." The video ended, and Botan turned off the TV.

"So, Jennifer is an A level mage? And she's to meet this Koenma tomorrow?" Elizabeth asked. The team turned to her surprised. "What?"

"You weren't supposed to be able to see that. Only humans with high spirit awareness, demons, mages, apparitions, and such can," Kurama explained. "You must have high spirit awareness, like Kuwabara does." Elizabeth just shrugged.

Jennifer looked up at Hiei, staring into his eyes. "So you're a fire apparition?" Hiei nodded. "Hiei…what's under your bandana? I feel a great amount of power coming from it."

Hiei sighed. "A jagan eye, a third eye that adds to my power." Jennifer nodded and said no more, just curled up and closed her eyes as she relaxed against Hiei's bare chest. He had removed his jacket hours ago, and it lay on the back of the couch.

Elizabeth was now looking at Kurama. "So your real name's Yoko Kurama?" He nodded and proceeded to tell both girls of his past. He spoke quickly of how, as a spirit fox, he became bored and gained demon like intelligence as well as a favoring of precious items. He told of how, being a bandit most of his life, he was soon chased down and almost caught until he used is last bit of energy to get to the human world, taking shelter in the womb of a pregnant woman and growing to be the man before them.

"You aren't afraid are you?" he asked Elizabeth when he was finished. She shook her head and yawned. "It is late. We should rest. Botan you'll be leaving with Genkai I suppose." Botan nodded. "The rest of you can stay here if you like. My mother shall fix breakfast in the morning." Everyone nodded.

Kayko was already asleep in Yusuke's lap so he just relaxed in the chair and fell asleep, Puu sleeping on his head. Kuwabara settled in his chair for the night's sleep. Botan and Genkai left out the front door to head back to Spirit World. Kurama lifted Elizabeth up in his arms as she smiled at him. He stood by the stairs, waiting for Hiei. Hiei carefully stood up with the nowsleeping Jennifer in his arms. Once everyone else was off the couch, Shizuru laid down on it and fell asleep.

Kurama and Hiei carried the girls up stairs and into the guest room. There were two beds ready for them. Kurama put Elizabeth down gently ona bed and pulled the covers up over her. "Pleasant dreams, my rose," he said before kissing her gently on the lips. Elizabeth returned the kiss eagerly. Kurama then remained sitting on the side of the bed, he and Elizabeth watching Hiei.

Hiei had laid Jennifer gently on the ohterbed and tucked her in. He was sitting on the edge beside her, watching her sleep so peacefully. He brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes and kissed her on the cheek. As he stood to leave, he felt a hand on his wrist. "Wait…" he heard Jennifer whisper in her sleep. Hiei was confused and looked to Kurama who shrugged; he then looked down at the sleeping Jennifer who still held his wrist. He sat back down.

"What is it, my mage?" he asked.

"I...I love you, Hiei…" Jennifer's hand fell away from his wrist as she slipped into a deep rest. Hiei sat stunned for he had never heard those words before, at least that he could remember. A smile, a true smile, appeared on his lips. He did not notice that Kurama had left the room and that Elizabeth had snuck out after him, probably planning on sleeping with him in his bed. Hiei simply climbed into bed with Jennifer and slept with her in his arms.

---

The nextmorning Jennifer was awoke by Elizabeth barging in and yelling, "Wake up, you love birds! We're going to be late for school." Jennifer opened her eyes to look at Elizabeth wearing a blue collared shirt and blue skirt, standing in front of her. A briefcase-style book bag was held in her hands.

"What in the world are you wearing?" Jennifer said sleepily. She had yet to notice that Hiei was asleep behind her with his arm around her. "And what's with the lovebirds?"

"She is wearing our school uniform; here's yours." Kayko had entered and held up a similar outfit. She was wearing the same outfit but with a yellow scarf. "And she is talking about you and Hiei." Jennifer looked at them in quizzical fashion then realized that there was an arm around her. She rolled over to find Hiei sleeping peacefully beside her. Jennifer smiled then slipped out of his grasp.

"Give me that stupid thing," she said, taking the uniform from Kayko. Kayko and Elizabeth left, and Jennifer closed the door. She began to change into the outfit.

Hiei awoke and noticed that he no longer felt Jennifer beside him. He heard movement nearby and opened one eye. He blushed furiously as he saw a naked Jennifer getting dressed. He made no movement whatsoever, fighting with himself over whether to stop looking or not.

Jennifer finished putting on her bra and panties and turned. She smiled slyly when she noticed that Hiei's face was red. 'Someone is not asleep anymore,' she thought, even thought both of Hiei's eyes were closed by now. Slowly and quietly she moved to the bed, crawling onto it and leaning over the "sleeping" Hiei. She gently rolled him onto his back and straddled his hips. Bending down, she kissed his neck then moved to his shoulders causing him to moan with pleasure. Jennifer sat back up and giggled. "Busted," she said teasingly. Hiei opened his eyes and smirked at the barely dressed mage that was sitting on him. Jennifer was about to get up when Hiei pulled her into a passionate kiss. His tongue ran over her lips, asking entrance. She parted her lips, enjoying the feeling of his tongue intertwining with hers. Both were so lost in the moment that they didn't hear the door open. They quickly parted as they heard a familiar voice yell out.

"Whoa! Slow it down, short stuff. You've only known her for two nights!" Kuwabara was standing in the doorway wearing a blue boy's uniform. Jennifer felt Hiei push her off him, and next thing she knew, he had Kuwabara up against the wall with his katana against his neck. Kuwabara looked totally terrified for Hiei did not look as though he were bluffing this time.

Footsteps were easily heard on the stairs as Yusuke, Kurama, Kayko, and Elizabeth appeared in the doorway. It didn't take them long to figure out what had happened with Jennifer sitting on the bed in only her bra and panties, Kuwabara up against the wall with Hiei's katana against his throat, and Hiei in only his jeans while about to kill Kuwabara. Jennifer was making no move to stop Hiei.

"Hiei, enough," Kurama was saying as he pulled Hiei away from Kuwabara. "He knows no better and is jealous. Let him be."

Hiei muttered to himself and walked out the door. Kayko shooed the boys out the door, and she and Elizabeth helped Jennifer ready. Downstairs the boys were waiting as the girls appeared at the top of the stairs. Jennifer noticed that Hiei had put his boots andduster back on and was now staring at her, admiring the shortness of the school uniform skirt. She also saw that Yusuke was wearing a greenoutfit and carried the same type of book bag as Elizabeth, Kayko, and Kazuma. Kurama was in purple boy's uniform.

"How many schools are we split up between?" Jennifer asked as Kayko handed her a bag and Hiei gave her her whip. Jennifer clipped her whip to her bag. About that moment, she noticed that Yusuke had Puu tied to his own bag like a stuffed animal.

"Only two," Kayko explained. "Yusuke and Kuwabara go to school with us, though Yusuke never wears the uniform. Kurama goes to a separate school. And Hiei doesn't go to any." Jennifer nodded in understanding as the group left Kurama's house.

---

School was not all that fun. Jennifer and Elizabeth had the exact same classes. Their day was fully spent with either the punk or the idiot, sometimes both. Occasionally Kayko was with them, giving them a break form the two's antics. At lunch, Jennifer relaxed outside, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the cool breeze of the October air and the shade of the tree she sat under. But her quiet time was interrupted as the others joined her.

"How you liking school so far?" Yusuke asked.

"Sucks," Elizabeth replied.

"No wonder you and I get along," Yusuke added. He looked to Jennifer but saw that she wasn't going to answer. "What's with her?" Elizabeth shrugged as she looked to her meditative friend. Kazuma also showed no signs of knowing, thoughit was obvious he wouldn't.

"Hiei…" they heard her whisper.

"She's asleep and dreaming of the shrimp!" Kuwabara exclaimed before breaking into a fit of chuckles.

"I don't know," Elizabeth commented. At that moment, Kuwabara found he was soaked once more. This caused Liz and Yusuke to laugh. Jennifer had not been sleeping but thinking and hadn't meant to utter the name of the one she had fallen in love with. Annoyed by Kuwabara's comment, she had formed a quick water ball and threw it at him without anyone else noticing.

The rest of the day was uneventful, as was the rest of the week. Jennifer had not seen Hiei since Monday morning, when he had walked with her and the others to school. Elizabeth had been getting into the habit of sleeping in Kurama's room, leaving the guest room to Jennifer. Monday evening, Jennifer had met with Koenma and accepted his proposition.

The end of October came;it was that weekend, and All Hallows Eve was to be celebrated. Koenma was holding a party for the evening, and all, including Elizabeth, were invited.

---

The night had been long and dissatisfying for Jennifer. She stood to one corner as she watched her friends. Yusuke, dressed to look like a Sherlock Holmes detective, was dancing with a happy Kayko, who was dressed in some of Jennifer's leather to look like a biker. Elizabeth, dressed as a classic witch without the hideous face, was talking and having a blast with Kurama, who had taken a decent amount of his transforming potion to last himuntil midnight; he looked amazing in the toga style clothing with his long white hair, white fox ears and tail. Elizabeth seemed captivated by him. Kuwabara, dressed as a karate black belt, had been spending his night with an aqua haired girl with red eyes whom Jennifer had guessed to be Yukina.Yukina was dressed in an elegant ice-blue gown and tiaraa regular ice princess. Koenma was running around in his teen form that Jennifer had learned was a disguise; his true form looked like a young toddler. Botan was dressed as a cat wearing a pink streamline cat suit and with blue tail and ears to match her hair. Many a demon, ogre, and other employees of Koenma were there, but the one person whom Jennifer had hoped to see had not appeared.

A blood red gown with corset style top formed to Jennifer; the sleeves were belled and the dress looked beautiful on her, or so everyone had said. A black cloak draped her shoulders, the hood down letting her hair fall about her face. Black eye shadow and blood-red lipstick was the only makeup, making her face look even paler. Jennifer even had her whip, which hung at her side by the sash tied around her waist, hidden by the cloak.

A sigh, so full of disappointment, escaped her as Jennifer pulled the hood of her cloak up, hiding her face from the world. She was just about to wish Koenma a goodnight and leave when she turned to face a demonan angelic to be exact. Kurama had told her of them. "Angelic demons have the appearance of angels with their to-good-to-be-true good looks and wings. Some have a dark look where there wings are leathery and bat like; and others are the true embodiment of the humans' angels with their feathered white wings. But no matter from which side they come, they are always considered bad. Very few have ever been able to do good, though there are couple who are spies for Koenma. All have the same perfect charm and know all the ways of romance with which they seduce the opposite sex; it's a game to them. Only the victims' true love, the person who they love for both their perfect-ness and their flaws, can break the spell of the angelic," Kurama's words rang through her memory.

This one was the perfect angel type with his shoulder length golden hair, sky-blue eyes, and white wings. He wore a white robe making him look more like the angels of the Christian religion. He offered his hand to her, asking for a dance. Entranced by this new development, Jennifer allowed herself to be led out onto the dance floorand into a formal dance.

"So, you are the new Spirit Detective everyone is raving about. They say you are powerful, but theyleft out howbeautiful you are. How about we lower that hood?" the angelic reached up to lower the hood of Jennifer's cloak, but she pushed his hand away from it, showing she wanted it kept up. The angelic shrugged and continued dancing, his voice wrapping about her, testing her. "Come, you looked so sad earlier. Let me make it better…" He leaned in to kiss her, reaching up to lower the hood. Jennifer did not fight this time, having been caught in his spell.

All of a sudden the angelic stopped, looking around. The spell on Jennifer broke, and she pulled away from him as she noticed what was going on. The room had fallen silent; all eyes were on the double doors that let out into the hall. Jennifercould see the crowd slowly parting, allowing someone through. The people closest to her parted to reveal the one who had called the attention of the room so suddenly.

A medieval prince, or so he was dressed as with a white under shirt, black pants, anda black vestvest, had entered the party. A black mask covered his face; only his smirk and his blood red eyes were visible. His hair was long and as dark as the night outside, pulled back into a ponytail at the base of his head. Only two things were out of place: the white bandana,which wrapped about his forehead and disappeared beneath his hair as if put on when his hair was held out of the way, and his sword, which was a katana, not a medieval saber or broadsword.

This mysterious newcomer stopped in front of Jennifer, whose cloak hood still hid her face. He extended his hand, and Jennifer took it, thinking that she had seen those piercing eyes before. The music started up again as Jennifer and the prince danced away from the lone angelic.

After a few dances, Jennifer needed a break, so the prince led her toward the refreshments. As they stood sipping their drinks, neither spoke; there was some kind of understanding between them that left nothing unsaid. Elizabeth and Kurama soon joined them.

"Jennifer, who's this? You're not cheating on Hiei, are you?" Elizabeth teased upon spotting the prince. Jennifer just shook her head.

"He's only a dance partner. Much better than the angelic that had a hold of me a few moments ago."

"An angelic? But how did you get away?" Kurama inquired with interest.

Jennifer shrugged. "The spell was broken when he appeared." She gestured to the prince who had remained quiet. Kurama looked to him, his eyes looking over the short companion of the mage, and a smile adorned his lips.

"I see," he simply said before leading Elizabeth out onto the dance floor. Jennifer could see Liz asking Kurama questions. She saw Kurama answer and a smile adorn her friend's face.

Jennifer turned to see the prince walking away. She quickly caught up with him and saw him smile as if he had been expecting her to do that. She shrugged it off and followed him outside.

The moon was close to its half phase by now, and the stars seemed to shine all the brighter. Jennifer's eyes were on night sky, so she didn't notice that her prince had disappeared into the shadows of the forest that lay behind Koenma's palace. When she realized she was alone, she looked about and saw the path he had taken. His footprints lay within the rain-softened earth as if she were meant to follow. Jennifer conjured up a ball of cold fire to light the way and followed the tracks. Normally she wouldn't mind the darkness, but she needed to see the path.

Minutes passed, and Jennifer emerged from the trees into a clearing. A hot spring sat in the middle of the clearing, and there by it laid the prince's mask. Jennifer rushed over and picked the mask uponly tpfind a note taped to it. Get in. I will join you soon. The Shadow

Jennifer searched the tree line with her gaze but saw no sign of this "Shadow". She looked back to the warm water. It looked so inviting with the steam rising off it in the cool night air and the rose petals floating on its surface. Wait! Rose petals? There wasn't a single rose bush near by; how could the petals get here? Unless this was all planned.

Jennifer pondered this for a moment but had the feeling she could trust "The Shadow"; there was just something about him, something familiar.

Jennifer set the mask down again and untied her cloak, letting it fall to the ground. Her hair fell in waves down her back now that it was free of the hood's confines once more. Jennifer then untied stringsof thedress, loosening the corset top, and slipped out of the dress. After removing the last bits of clothing, she slipped into the warm water and relaxed. The cold fireball hovered over the middle of the spring on Jennifer's command.

Jennifer had her eyes closed but heard and felt when another had entered the clearing. She listened to the sounds of them getting undressed and heard them get into the spring; Jennifer was partly thankful that the water covered her body up to her neck. She opened her eyes to see who "The Shadow" was but saw no one. This confused her until she felt a hand on her ankle, pulling her under. She managed to get a breath before going completely under.

As Jennifer sought the air above the water once more, she heard a chuckle. She opened her eyes again to see who it was but realized that the person was behind her when she felt their arms wrap about her. Lips began to caress her shoulder and collarbone moving to her neck then gently the mouth nipped her ear before whispering, "I've missed you, my mage." Dawning hit Jennifer at who this had been and who it still was.

"Hiei…" she whispered as he continued to suck on her neck. She turned in his arms and kissed him on the lips. This kiss was their most passionate yet for there was much longing within both lovers, longing that would not be fulfilled that night.

For hours,the two of them enjoyed each other'skisses and touches.Both understood that their actions would go no further for now.

The couplethen lay on the soft grass. Hiei lay on his back; Jennifer laycurled up beside him with her head resting on his shoulder, her one hand under Hiei's waist andthe other on his chest. Hiei pillowed his head with one arm; the other was holding Jennifer about her bare waist. Jennifer's cloak served as a blanket for them, protecting them from the chilled air. The only light was that of the moon and stars for the ball of cold fire had gone out long ago.

Hiei sighed as he looked down at Jennifer. Her own gaze looked up at him with a smile. He returned the smile before speaking. "Jennifer, I feel so…right with you. Just being around you makes me so happy. Your beauty captivates me, your mysteriousness intrigues me, and I can't help but smile when I see you smile. You're even an amazing fighter; I'm not even jealous that you are ranked higher than I."

"What is your ranking?" Jennifer inquired.

"That's not important. What is important is that I've fallen in love with you."

"Hiei—" Jennifer was cut off by Hiei's lips on hers in one of his gentle kisses.

When they parted, Hiei smiled that rare true smile. "I already know…. you've already told me."

"Then I'll tell you again. I love you." It was obvious that Jennifer did not remember having confessed her feelings to Hiei while sleeping. Hiei kissed her again and told her to rest for morning would be coming soon and the others would be looking for them.

"I, for one, don't want the idiots finding us like this. We'd never hear the end of it," Hiei had said. Jennifer silently agreed as both slept under the stars.

---

Morning came, and Koenma's palace was in frenzy. The team had stayed the night in their personal rooms at the palace. It was only this morning that everyone had noticed that Jennifer had disappeared and had yet to returneveryone, that is, except for Kurama and Elizabeth who had ideas of where the young mage had taken off too or at least who with. Upon the discovery, Botan had rushed to Koenma who was calling the team together for a search.

"We must find her!" he was telling what was left of the team. "If she fell into the wrong hands, it could be disastrous, especially since she hasn't learned all of her abilities!"

"She has more abilities!" Kuwabara whimpered in surprise.

"Yes, she does. But that's not the point right now! What is, is that we need to find her!"

"Calm down, Koenma. She is fine. I can personally promise you that," Kurama spoke up.

"And why do you say this?" Koenma asked, rounding on the fox demon that had returned to his human form.

"I will bet you anything that she is with Hiei right now, if not in the forest than on her way here."

"You're on, Kurama. But if you lose, you have to stay here in Spirit World and train for a month with no visitors." At this last part, Koenma looked to Elizabeth who stood beside Kurama.

"No fair!" she shrieked but was silenced by Kurama. He gave her a reassuring smile, so she just pouted and waited.

"So why do you think she's with hot-head?" Yusuke asked as he paced the room moments later.

"Simple, I saw her leave the party with him last night."

"But Hiei was never at the ball," Botan pointed out. "None of us saw him." Yusuke, Kazuma, and Koenma nodded in agreement.

"Ah, but you did. You just did not recognize him, nor did she at first. You all saw that masked prince?"

"That was he!" Koenma exclaimed. Kurama nodded and watched as Koenma slinked back into his chair. "What do I owe you, Kurama?"

"Sir?" inquired George, the blue ogre assistant of Koenma's.

"I saw Jennifer with him last night but had no idea who it was. I took it as someone she knew for the way she was acting around him, so I thought nothing of it," Koenma explained. His hand was over his eyes, not wanting to face his stupidity.

"You weren't the only one who didn't recognize him," Kurama pointed out, "and as for payment, I ask for exclusive rights to train Jennifer in the Earth element."

"Granted," Koenma said with a wave of the hand. "You were going to get them anyway. Genkai wanted it that way." Kurama nodded then smiled.

"I hear them coming."

All now heard the sound that had reached Kurama's sharp hearing so early: singing. Jennifer's voice rang through the halls, Hiei's harmonizing with it perfectly.

"Get your motor running…Head out on highway…Looking for adventure…And whatever comes our way...Yeah darling gonna make it happen, take the world in a love embrace…Fire all your guns at once and explode into space...Like a true nature's child...We were born, born to be wild...We can climb so high...I never wanna die…Born to be wild…Born to be wild…"

Laughter followed the song as the two walked in, arm-in-arm. They stopped suddenly seeing that the whole team was there, staring at them as if they had never seen anything like them. Jennifer was wearing her dress once again; her hair was still slightly damp and hung loosely about her shoulders. Her cloak, which was damp from covering their wet bodies last night, hung over her left shoulder, and her whip was held to her side by the red sash she was wearing last night. Her right arm was linked with Hiei's left. Hiei was wearing the prince costume from last night, the mask held in his right hand. His hair was down completely, hanging about his face just reaching past his shoulders. His katana was at his side.

Hiei's attitude returned as he glared at the awestruck group that stood with mouths gaping and eyes wide. "Bakas," he muttered as he unlinked with Jennifer and walked over to a corner,leanina against thewallas he often did. His arms crossed across his chest as he closed his eyes.

Jennifer smirked at his actions and walked over to him, kissing him on the cheek and relaxing him some. She then joined the group, plopping down on the couch, whichwas against one wall,in between Yusuke and Kuwabara. "Are you all going to stare all day or what?" she asked sarcastically. Everyone seemed to snap out of it at her words.

"Do we even want to know where you two were or what you did?" Koenma asked. Jennifer shrugged. "Next time, leave a note or something so we are not going crazy looking for you."

"You're starting to sound like a father," Elizabeth pointed out as shesat on thearm of the couch.

Koenma just blushed. "All of you are dismissed, except Jennifer." The team left the room, including Hiei, only to stand outside the door eavesdropping. "Jennifer, we'll have to start your training soon. Genkai wants to start as soon as possible. It would mean staying here for probably about a month to train." Jennifer nodded. "I see you are okay with this, so you may go."

Outside the doors, Jennifer watched a domino effect as the team fell over. Hiei, who had been at the back, managed to jump out of the way in time putting Kuwabara on the bottom. "Get off!" he yelled as everyone else, including Hiei, broke into laughter. Once everyone was on his or her feet again, the issue of training was spoken about. Plans were made that upon Jennifer's return, celebration would commence.

---

"Uh!" Jennifer collapsed on her bed at Kurama's. She had just gone through the last day of her training that had been a series of tests making sure she was ready. According to Koenma, now that she knew how to attack and attack hard with the elements, she was now ranked as a low S level. After this news, Koenma had provided a portal back to the human world for Jennifer. She had gone straight to Kurama's house only to find Mrs. Minamino there to welcome her and send her to bed to rest; Jennifer hadno idea what excuse they had used with her.The others were at school, and no telling where Hiei was. Jennifer didn't care right then; all she wanted to do was sleep.

---

"Hey, she's waking up," Jennifer heard Yusuke say. She opened her brown eyes to see Yusuke sitting on the edge of her bed smiling at her. Jennifer sat up and clutched her head as a wave of dizziness went though her. She groaned lightly before looking around the room. It seemed to be only Yusuke and Kazuma with her; Kuwabara was sitting on the other bed.

"They left you two idiots in my room...alone?" Jennifer questioned as she got up. She went to the full-length mirror to make sure that they hadn't done anything. Nothing was different; her hair was still braided, her clothes still on, no weird marks or such, and her whip—looking worse with wear—still hung at her side.

"Nah, they left Yukina here, too," Yusuke pointed out, gesturing to the corner where Yukina sat reading one of Jennifer's printed stories.Yukina looked up from the folder that contained it and smiled at Jennifer then went back to reading. Jennifer smiled as well before turning to the boys.

"Out, both of you. I need to change."

"Which reminds me, short stuff said to give this to you," Kuwabara said, tossing a box at Jennifer, which she caught perfectly. Kuwabara sat stunned before Yukina, who also left while closing the door behind her, shooed him and Yusuke out.

Jennifer looked at the black box; a red ribbon decorated it. She smiled as she opened the box. A gasp escaped her lips. A new whip, of better make then her first, was rolled up in the box; on it's handle was a demon mark—a katana and dragon. Jennifer carefully lifted the leather whip from its box and looked at the mark; she had the feeling that it had been made by Hiei himself. She unrolled the whip and gave it a good crack, the sound echoing off the bedroom walls causing Jennifer to smile. She then rolled it back up and set it on the bed, turning back to the box.

The next item was a pair of tight black leather pants, similar to her own pair; but when Jennifer put them on, she found that they permitted movement as if meant to be fought in. The last item was a black leather bra-style top that fit perfectly.

Jennifer smiled, as she looked herself over, her new whip clipped to her side and her new outfit fitting her perfectly. She was also wearing her flame boots. Turning away from the mirror she saw a card lying in the box. She picked it up and red it: To my enchanting mistress. May these times become useful in the days and nights to come. From your shadow.

Jennifer smirked at this. She understood the days as this being an outfit for fighting, and she understood the nights all to well. She giggled some before putting the box and card away. She then went downstairs to greet the others.

---

Hiei was sleeping on the couch, wearing only a pair of black jeans, when the crack of a whip woke him with a start. He sat up to see a smiling Jennifer standing behind the couch in the outfit he had bought her, the whip he had made in her hands.

Hiei grabbed Jennifer and pulled her over the couch, causing her to lie on top of him as they kissed. When she pulled away, both were smiling.

"I've missed you," She whispered before kissing him again. She already knew that he had missed her. The couple quickly pulled apart as water splashed over them. Kuwabara and Yusuke were throwing water balloons at them. "You idiots!" Jennifer yelled. "This is leather! Are you trying to ruin it?" With that she ran to the bathroom to dry off.

Hiei glared at the two idiots as they were rolling on the floor laughing. Why couldn't they just let him and Jennifer be?

"You know, shrimp, you look better like that!' Kuwabara laughed, pointing out that Hiei's hair was down once more from the water. Hiei growled before heading towards the bathroom as well.

Jennifer had just finished drying off the leather in time and was returning her whip to its clip at her side when she noticed Hiei enter the bathroom. She smiled and turned from the mirror with towel in hand, her eyes on his soaked hair. "Here let me help you," she giggled as she began to dry off his hair. Moment's later Hiei's hair was back to normal, and the two left for the living room.

Kuwabara and Yusuke were telling Yukina, Kayko, Elizabeth, and Kurama about what had happened when Jennifer and Hiei joined them. "You should have seen them," Yusuke was saying. "They were acting like they hadn't seen each other in years."

"Trust me, Yusuke, it has felt like years," Jennifer said as she plopped down in one of the armchairs. She lay across the arms of the chair comfortably. Hiei leaned against the back of the chair, smiling down at her; Jennifer could see the agreement in his eyes.

"Ha, ha, see you got him upright again," Kuwabara pointed out from where he sat on the floor, meaning Hiei's hair.

Jennifer shrugged. "It's not that hard to do. Just got to have the right touch." She regretted her wording almost immediately as Elizabeth burst into a fit of giggles. Jennifer grabbed a pillow from underneath her and threw it at the laughing Elizabeth, hitting Kurama as well. "You and your perverted mind."

"What did I do?"Kurama asked as he picked up the pillow.

"Your in love with her," Jennifer said teasingly. Yusuke aw-ed and found the pillow in his face. Kuwabara was laughing at Yusuke when Yusuke threw the pillow at him.

"Pillow fight!" Yusuke called as he threw more pillows. It did end up as one big pillow fight, separated between the couples. After a moment, there was break in the fight in which at least one person on each team held a pillow, trying to decide who to throw it at.

"Stay behind me, Yukina. I'll protect you," Kuwabara said earning him a barrage of pillows thus ending the fight. Everyone was laughing as Mrs. Minamino walked in with a bowl of popcorn and some movies.

"I went out and got the movies you asked for, Suichi," she said. She handed Elizabeth the popcorn and the videos to Kurama. "Have fun kids." With that she went up stairs to bed.

Night had fallen without the group noticing. They cleaned up the living room, putting the pillows on the floor in a half circle where they would lay. Kurama got the blankets while everyone else changed to sleeping clothes; he then changed to sleeping clothes himself. Soon the couples were lying on the floor or sitting on the couch watching the movies.

The first movie was A Knight's Tale. Neither Hiei and Jennifer nor Kurama and Elizabeth saw the main romantic scene for they were busy in a little romance of their own. Next was Labyrinth during which the guys found themselves dismayed as the girls swooned over the goblin king.

"You'll still be my prince," Jennifer told Hiei later on to get him out of his jealous state and earning a sensual kiss.

During the last movie, Tuck Everlasting, the entire group fell asleep.

---

The next day was a school day and pretty boring as Jennifer turned in her assignments from the past month. Kayko had been smart enough to gather them and get them to Jennifer each night, giving Jennifer something to do each morning before training. All was fine until lunch when Botan showed up.

"What is it now, Botan?" Yusuke asked.

"We have big problems!"

"As big as the demon tunnel last year?" Kuwabara asked.

"Ok, not that big but still. Once again you're being forced to the Dark Tournament at the risk of human lives."

"Is that all?" Yusuke boasted. "I was wondering when we'd be going back."

"We must leave for Koenma's now!" Botan said in frustration. So Kayko, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Yusuke,and Kuwabara left with Botan for Spirit World.

---

"And that's the Dark Tournament." Koenma had just finished explaining what had happened last time to Jennifer and Elizabeth. "This year we have more than enough fighters with your addition, Jennifer. And with your level, we should have no trouble."

"So unfair! You get to have all the fun!" Elizabeth whined as she looked to Jennifer. "Why can't I fight too?"

"It's too dangerous," Kurama said from where he sat underneath Elizabeth. "Hiei may have been teaching you to fight withdaggers, but these are demons of B levels. Since you have no abilities of your own, it is best you watch from the side with the other ladies."

"On the contrary, Kurama. I was looking through our files, and it seems Elizabeth is indeed a mage." Koenma took a folder from his desk and opened it. "She has shown signs of being a time mage though her energy has yet to be awaken, and even then we do not expect her to be of great power as Jennifer is."

"So even with powers, I'm still not that strong?"

"Exactly. You see Jennifer was born a mage, showing signs as far back as a day old. Her parents caught her one-day in the act of using her abilities, and as if on cue, her powers became dormant. The signs came back a few years ago, about a year before you met her Elizabeth. Jennifer had an excess amount of spirit energy at the time she met you. We are thinking, since you already had high spirit awareness, that some of her spirit energy found a new home in you though not much thus putting you at a low level."

"So that's it?"

"Basically."

"Oh, don't I feel loved!"

---

The group had two weeks to train. School was skipped, including for the girls who were actually learning to tend to wounds. Elizabeth had been trying everything she could to awaken her abilities. It only happened during one of the early on training sessions when Kurama got hurt, Elizabeth's healing ability awoke. So, Yukina was busy teaching her to heal as well as teaching the others useful healing techniques that humans could do.

It was after one week of training. The group was relaxing in a large game room area. Yusuke and Kuwabara were telling the story of when they had been in here for a competition. "Can you believe that the hag had us singing?" Yusuke said as he gestured to the stage and karaoke machine.

"They better for your doing it again. You are out of sync, plus I need to see Jennifer's work." Genkai had entered the room and walked over to the group.

"What work?" Jennifer asked as she looked to her mentor.

"Koenma failed to tell you that certain mages could hypnotize with song and dance. After hearing you outside a few nights ago, I think you may be one of those types." Jennifer shrugged. "Now, the idiot first." Genkai sat down in an empty chair. No one moved. "Well?"

:"Um…which idiot are you talking about? There are two of them." Elizabeth pointed out.

"I don't care which, just go!"

"I'll go, and all you ladies will be swooned by my voice," Yusuke said as he went onto stage. He chose his song and began to sing. "Don't tell my heart...my achy breaky heart...I just don't think he'd understand...Cause if you tell my...My achy breaky heart...He might blow up and kill this man." Yusuke let out a howl and began line dancing earning the laughter of his friends. Genkai just rolled her eyes. Yusuke reached out and pulled Kayko on stage, singing to her. "You can tell your Ma...I moved to Arkansas...You can tell your dog to bite my leg...Or tell your brother Cliff...whose fist can tell my lips...He never really liked me anyway...Oh tell your Aunt Louis...Tell anything you please...Myself already knows I'm not okay...Or you can tell my eyes to watch out for my mind...It might be walking out on me today...But don't tell my heart...my achy breaky heart...I just don't think he'd understand...And if you tell my heart...my achy breaky heart...he might blow up and kill this man." Yusuke howled again, ending the song. The group was clapping and smiling; they had to admit that he was a pretty good singer.

"Hey, Liz…" Jennifer began to whisper in her ear as Kuwabara stepped onto stage. Elizabeth proceeded to spread the word as Jennifer stepped up. "Kazuma, we got the perfect song for you." She put the disc in and smiled. "Who let the dogs out!" The girls answered Jennifer's call with barks. Jennifer jumped off the stage and joined the rest of the gang as Kuwabara sang. All of the girls took up the background, and when the time came, Yusuke gave the call of "Who let the dogs out?" Soon everyonewas on his or her feet getting into it. Jennifer even had Hiei dancing with her. Genkai still sat in her chair watching. Everyone finished out the chorus with a howl, and Kazuma got down from the stage with that stupid smile on his face. Genkai scowled at the group for acting so childish.

"Can we get someone serious up there?" she asked with annoyance.

Everyone settled back down, Yusuke and Kuwabara in chairs, Jennifer sitting on Hiei's lap on the floor, Yukina and Kayko beside them, and Elizabeth sitting on the edge of the stage for Kurama was the next one to sing. He did a wonderful version of "I Do". At the end, he kissed Elizabeth and got off the stage. He was going to sit back down, but she told him to stay, as she got ready for her turn. Kurama took a seat on the stage to watch her.

"At least someone has an idea of what it takes," Genkai said. "He puts feeling behind his songs. Just like he does with his battles." Yusuke was going to protest, but Kayko shut him up as Elizabeth's song played. She had chosen "The Way You Love Me". Afterward, Kurama carried Elizabeth off the stage, kissing her. When he sat down with her in his lap, she turned to Genkai. "Well?"

"Not bad, I guess. But I've yet to see what we're looking for!"

Kayko sang "No Scrubs" dishing it out on Yusuke. Yukina surprised everyone as she sang "Genie in a Bottle". But still Genkai was unsatisfied. Only two people were left, Jennifer and Hiei. Everyone waited to see who would sing first. They were surprised when both got up and stepped onto stage. Both had grabbed mikes, but Jennifer left hers off as Hiei started his song. They actually seemed to perform only for each other, forgetting all around them. Hiei did a romantic "Truly, Madly, Deeply". The song made a smooth change as Jennifer began to sing "You Drive Me Crazy"

Everyone was on their feet and clapping. "That's what I was looking for, teamwork and feeling! That was perfect!" Genkai exclaimed.

'Did you see how they were so entranced by you when you sang?' Hiei asked Jennifer telepathically. 'I would say that your voice can be hypnotic. I know it is to me.' Jennifer blushed before kissing Hiei then jumping off the stage and joining the group, leaving Hiei stunned once more. 'She has to stop doing that!' he thought before following her.

---

The Dark Tournament had started. Everything was going great. The first two fighting rounds were easy victories for team Urameshi as everyone won their matches. Jennifer hadn't had much respect from the crowds or other teams as she showed up in her boots, leather pants, leather bra-top, and with her whip. But after wining her match in round one against a female demon with a simple wind attack and hypnotizing her male opponent in the second round with her voice, decapitating him afterwards, she had earned quite a reputation as a powerful cutthroat. When word got around that she was Hiei's girl, her tough reputation only toughened.

In round three, Jennifer's opponent had been terrified. He had witnessed Jennifer's previous battles and just witnessed Hiei's battle with his teammate. The teammate, who had made the mistake of insulting Jennifer, had found that his death was not quick and painless. The way he saw it was either die fighting by Jennifer's hands, harm Jennifer and die a slow death by Hiei's hands, or die a quick death by his team leader's hands if he forfeit. He ended up forfeiting, as did the rest of the team for Jennifer was not going to leave without a fight unless the whole team gave up. There had only been one loss, which had been earlier in the round by Kuwabara.

That night the team found a message on their room door saying: Our team won't be intimidated. We will fight, even if we all have to fight the girl! This cheered the team up for they were worried that all their fights would be too easy.

The fourth round was fine. Jennifer, Kurama, and Yusuke had won their matches so the round was in the bag. Kuwabara had just lost his fight with dangerous injuries. Jennifer was currently healing him; Elizabeth and Yukina were there to help, having come down from the stands at the sight of how badly he was hurt. She finished healing the worst wounds and turned to leave Kazuma to the others when she saw it, the worst sight Jennifer had ever seen.

Hiei's opponent had gotten a hold of Hiei's katana and stabbed him through the heart with it. Blood poured onto the ring as Hiei fell at the hands of the demon. Everything had happened so fast that no on could stop her and no would commentate it. Jennifer had ran into the ring, pulling the sword from Hiei and healing him as quickly as she could, stopping the blood flow in time to keep him from dieing. Hiei blacked out in Jennifer's arms, and she carried his limp body to Kurama and Yusuke at the edge of the ring. They took Hiei over to Yukina and Elizabeth to finish healing him as Jennifer stood and rounded on the laughing demon. Jennifer did not even bother grabbing her whip, she just lunged at her new opponent, catching him off guard. She and the demon fell to the ground, ending up with Jennifer sitting on the demon's stomach. Her left hand was tightening around his throat as her right hand pressed against his chest right above his heart.

"You almost killed him!" she growled, fire burning in her eyes. "You almost killed the only man I've ever truly loved. You shall pay!" Her grip tightened around the demon's neck, cutting off his air supply; the stadium was so quiet that you could hear his air passage collapse. As the demon lay gasping for air, Jennifer raised her right hand above her head, shadows surrounding it forming a claw. Hiei had awaken just in time to see Jennifer plunge her hand into the demon's chest and rip out his still beating heart.

Jennifer stood, ignoring the cheers that erupted through the stands. Jennifer threw the dark-purple heart away and jumped out of the ring. She ignored the mixture of Hiei's and the demon's blood that covered her. She walked over to Hiei, her own teammates stepping out of her way.

Kneeling down beside him, she smiled, as she looked him over. "How are you feeling?" she asked. When he didn't answer she looked into his eyes and saw it: the fear, the confusion, and the fight that his love for her waged against the many feelings that warned him away from her. Jennifer's face fell to disappointment. She stood and turned to walk away. She looked back only once, whispering "Hiei" before leaving the stadium completely.

Jennifer was not seen again until later that night, after dinner, when she emerged from the room she shared with Hiei dressed in a one piece black lingerie with a silk see-through robe type addition. She didn't seem to care that the other boys were either drooling over her (Yusuke and Kuwabara) or blushing and turning way (Kurama). The rest of the team went to change into their nightclothes before the guys took their nightly places for the usual healings; as the most injured, Hiei lay down on the couch. All the guys were wearing only boxers and the other girls wore simple nightgowns.

As everyone started the healingsYukina and Jennifer taking care of the major wounds, Elizabeth practicing on smaller wounds, and all of them wrapping up most of the wounds since it would be a few days since the next matchthe group was strangely quiet. Everyone was worried about Jennifer and Hiei; it had been obvious that Jennifer's actions during the fight had worried Hiei and was testing his love for her, and Jennifer was quietly waiting it out.

As Jennifer rewrapped Hiei's arms, being the only one other than him who could do so to properly contain the Darkness Dragon, Yusuke tried to liven things up. "Hey guys," he said, "we've got our own personal nurses. What other team can boast about having such beautiful and sexy girls to take care of them?" Most everyone laughed as Kayko slapped Yusuke for he had slipped his hand to rest it on her butt as he spoke; everyone except Hiei and Jennifer that is. Both remained quiet. Jennifer did one last healing on Hiei's heart to make sure it would be ok before standing. Hiei also stood and walked down the hall without a word, never making eye contact with Jennifer. Jennifer sighed as she saw him enter their room.

"He's just scared," Kurama said from behind Jennifer. Elizabeth had finished with him so he had come to speak with Jennifer. "It hit him pretty hard seeing you like that today. None of us would ever have gone as far as you did today unless the circumstances were dire. We would never have thought you would have gone that far even then and here you prove us wrong. Hiei is seeing that you are not helpless as he wanted to believe; he's starting to wonder if you even need him at all."

"But I do, otherwise I would have let him die." Jennifer was quiet a moment before she turned to Kurama. "Can I talk to you alone? I need your help with something."

---

Moments later, Kurama rejoined the rest of the group. He picked Elizabeth up from the armchair she sat in and sat back down with her in his lap.

"So?" Yusuke inquired.

"So what?" Kurama asked innocently.

"Quit the act, you fox. What did Jennifer need help with?" Elizabeth asked, looking up into Kurama's emerald eyes.

"Tell me, is Jennifer experienced?" he asked, looking down at Elizabeth.

"In what way?" She returned, confused by the question.

"In the fully intimate way," he explained.

Kayko gasped from where she sat playing cards with Yukina, Yusuke, and Kuwabara. "Kurama! That is not something you need to ask about!"

"Why would you want to know?" Kuwabara questioned with a suspicious look at Kurama, not noticing Yusuke looking at his cards thusearning a giggle from Yukina. Kazuma returned his attention to the game.

"Are you meaning she's going to…?" Elizabeth asked, surprised.

"Yes. She has chosen to give Hiei a night of pleasure he may never forget; she's taking their relationship to the next level." At Kurama's words, all eyes went to the hall where they saw Jennifer entering the room she shared with Hiei, her whip cleaned up and held in her right hand and a strange vine wrapped about her left arm.

---

"Has anyone seen or heard from her since last night?" Kayko asked from where she sat beneath a tree. It was sunset the next evening and the group was out training in a clearing; all but Jennifer. The guys were taking turns fighting and the girls were cheering them on from the safety of the tree line. Botan, George, and Koenma were included in the fan-pack.

"Only Kurama," Elizabeth answered. Before her sat a pile of wood set up for a fire. She was trying to conjure true fire as Jennifer could but couldn't manage much. "And even then, she was wearing her cloak, hiding her face and body from anyone. He said her spirit energy was trough the roof and that her voice held it's hypnotic quality as if she was singing again."

"What was it she said?" Yukina asked as she stroked one of her bird friends.

"That she would try to be back at moonrise." Kurama had joined the group, having just fought on the defensive side of a battle with Kuwabara. He sat down next to Elizabeth and watched her try to create fire again, only gaining weak sparks.

"But why would she leave? From the way you were teasing Hiei, you would think she had the time of her life last night!" Koenma pointed out. He, Botan, and the ogre had joined the group for breakfast that morning, during which Elizabeth had proceeded to tease Hiei; she only stopped when Kurama revealed the news on Jennifer.

Elizabeth shrugged. "I don't know. But I'm surprised that Hiei isn't tearing up the island, looking for her." They all looked to the battle where Hiei fought Yusuke. It was obvious that his heart wasn't in the battle for Yusuke was getting the better of the apparition. After awhile, Yusuke called a draw; he couldn't stand seeing Hiei like this, so…not himself as he moped about. Hiei jumped to the branches of one of the larger trees, hiding from the other's view.

Yusuke and Kuwabara joined the group just in time for food as Elizabeth finally conjured a small fireball with which to light the wood. The flames chased off the shadows that had threatened to engulf the team as they went on talking.

---

A figure ran along the narrow deer path with such a wild grace that her steps barely touched the soft earth. Black cloak and long locks billowed out behind her as she sprinted with the speed of a cheetah. A rolled up whip hit her thigh every so often from where it hung at her waist. The leather outfit she wore allowed her the freedom to practically soar as she weaved in out of the trees and shadows.

Brown eyes spotted the rotting log on the path. Agile legs made the leap with a tiger-like grace and took off down the path once more. Breaths remained even and unlabored as if used to this. The girl made no sound; everything about her was too quiet for untrained ears to hear. 'Just a little further. One last thing to try before returning for the finals,' her mind told her. She burst from the trees and started running for the deep lake that sat behind the island's hotel. As she ran, the girl shed her cloak and clothing, the last thing she let go of being her whip. With one last leap she flew high into the sky before diving into the cold water of the lake. Once in the water she finally relaxed as she let her body sink to the mud-covered bottom. It wasn't long till her lungs screamed for the sweet air that kept her alive, but the girl would not allow it. Water began to swirl around her until no creature would come near or could see the human. When the loosened mud settled and water went still, the girl's legs were no more and a black-scaled fish tail replaced them. The scales had a malevolent look to them as they shown a blood red in what little light reached the water's bottom.

A quick test and the girl found she could swim as fast as she had run. She enjoyed this new world before swimming to the surface to see the moon at its zenith. The search for the mage would begin soon.

---

The group left the hotel from the back door. "Everyone know their areas?" Koenma asked. He was in his teenage form. The others nodded and started to go on their search for their missing comrade when they stopped, all eyes on the lake.

There was something on the surface of the lake, sitting on a nest of waterweed vines that floated on the surface. Blue balls of flame circled the person, but shadows seem to come at its call as well. But the main thing that had got their attention was that serene, familiar voice singing to them, not hypnotizing but still calling to them. "Follow me and everything is alright...I'll be the one to tuck you in at night...and if you want to leave...I can guarantee that you'll find no body else like me…"

The group followed the voice until the water separated them from its source.

"It is her," Hiei said as he stared out across the lake at the shadowed figure. A ball of cold fire flew to the shore and beckoned for them to continue, for them to swim. But no one moved.

"It could be a trick," Botan pointed out as she began to back away from the strangeness of this. "Something feels too different. Hiei, no!" To late; Hiei had stripped down to only his boxers and dived into the water, swimming out to the figure.

---

Jennifer watched with a smile as she saw the dark, short figure dive into the lake and swim towards her. The ball of cold fire she had sent now flew in front of him, urging him on and lighting his way.

Strands of her strawberry-blonde/medium-brown hair fell before her eyes and she brushed them away. A sigh escaped her rosy lips and the breeze blew about her in reply. Her eyes left her lover for a moment to look to the full moon above before looking back at him.

Hiei reached the solid netting of waterweed and pulled himself up onto it. He carefully crawled across to Jennifer his…. mermaid! Sitting in the middle of the netting, watching him, was Jennifer, but she had a black scaled fish tail with blood red fin and shine.

"Jennifer?" Hiei questioned as he came close to her. The cold-fireball that had led him returned to the group of five that floated in random places.

"Good evening, Hiei," Jennifer replied. She leaned over to him and kissed him, the passion, love, and wanting still there, showing that only her outer form had changed. When she pulled away, she searched Hiei's confused mind with her telepathy and smiled. "No, Hiei, it's not permanent. I willed this change. I've found I can take the form of any mythical and real creature. I can control any element or sub-element. That's why my songs are hypnotizing, only song mages can do it. But I am so much more…I'm an ultimate mage, everything natural is at my control if I wish it to be. Koenma didn't tell us for fear of what would happen since not all my abilities had awakened. But you awoke them last night, your love for me did. I thank you for that."

In the fires' and moon's dim light she could see Hiei blush. She kissed him to keep him from asking questions that she had not the answer to and he returned it eagerly. They ended up making out there until interrupted by Botan who had flown over on her oar.

Once back at the hotel, and in true form, Koenma confessed that Jennifer was indeed the most rare type of mage: an ultimate. Ultimates could control all natural elements and were always classified in the S, but withJennifer's quick adaptation to her powers, she was quickly moved up to High S level.

Jennifer then explained that she had felt the rise in her spirit energy and need to use her newest powers early that morning thus she left. After all was said, everyone went to bed to rest for the final battles that would commence tomorrow.

---

Team Shari, the toughest demons inthe tournamentand the makers of the threat to Team Urameshi.

Their weakest fighter was Satire; she was a satyr demon with her human upper half and goat lower half. She wore no top over her bare breasts as her tan skin gleamed, hidden only by the waves of light brown hair matching the light brown fur of her lower half; her upper half was beautiful and alluring to most men with her amber eyes full of innocence and red lips that seemed to scream "kiss me". Her weapons of choice were her hypnotic panpipes, a silver dagger that was strapped to her waist, and her kisses that were poison. The tournament committee was choosing who would fight whom and had chosen Kuwabara as her opponent.

The next up the line was Catalina, a cat demoness; she too was beautiful in her exotic way. Her body was agile and fit, showing well in the white streamline catsuit she wore. Her silver tail gave her great balance and her silver ears great hearing and yellow eyes that took in the smallest amounts of light to see in dark areas. She had peachy skin and short silvery-white hair; her pink lips always held a sly smile. Her weapon choice was her own claws. Her opponent would be Kurama.

Then there was Shari himself. He was an angelic, in fact two members of the team already knew him: Jennifer and Hiei. He was the angelic who had tried to steal Jennifer's heart on Halloween. He was wearing a silver and gold kimono. His weapon choices were bow and arrow, light sword, and razor feathers plucked from his wings. His opponent would be Hiei.

Yusuke would be going up against a human who worked on the side of demons. Like Yusuke he had an incredible amount of spirit energy and knew a technique called"mirror" in which he could copy any move he saw. He had spiked green hair and wore black jeans and a black tank top; he looked like an American rocker. His name was Rockland, and his only other weapon besides the mirror technique was a battle-axe.

The last was the strongest, a supposedlowA level; there were rumors that he was truly an S. He was amazingly handsome with shoulder length black hair, midnight blue eyes, and moon-pale skin; he was dressed in rich clothing from medieval times and looked like a storybook vampire. Indeed he was. Besides his fangs and powers, his weapon of choice was a sword. His name? Vamp. His opponent? No other than Jennifer herself.

The two teams entered the arena to the cheers of the demon crowd. Both had become favorites for the demon audience as well as the human benefactors. Team Shari was looking foreword to this fight but burst into a fit of laughs when they spotted Team Urameshi. The first ones out were the girls: Botan, Yukina, Elizabeth, and Kayko. They had been aloud onto the field to be on hand for healing; the battle was predicted to be the bloodiest. Koenma came next in his teenage form to support the team. He joined the girls by the wall as the true team entered. Everything was fine until Hiei came out; he was carrying a sleeping Jennifer in his arms. That was what had made Team Shari laugh.

"Reminds me of Yusuke at the first Dark Tournament, sleeping through some matches," Kurama commented as he helped Hiei rest Jennifer on the ground by the ring.

"Hn," was all Hiei would say. He looked across the field to Jennifer's opponent. Vamp seemed pretty calm as he stood in the shadows, watching with only a knowing smile on his face. Hiei turned away quickly, looking back down at his sleeping girlfriend. 'You need to wake up,' he sent her, but she did not reply. He tried to search her mind but found it closed off as if she were aware of his efforts. A sly smile formed on her lips as she slept on.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the fight will begin shortly. Would the first to competitors enter the ring?" Kazuma and Satire climbed into the ring. Kazuma stared at the demoness before him.

"Snap out of it, Kuwabara!" Yusuke yelled, snapping Kuwabara out of the trance. But he soon regretted it for Kazuma began complaining about fighting a girl.

Wham! Kazuma was knocked over as Satire kicked out, doing a handstand at the same time. She threw punches and kicked out and practically threw the idiot around like a rag doll, but he would not fight back. When he was on the brink of collapsing, Jennifer mumbled something in her sleep. Kuwabara was immediately fighting.

He formed his spirit sword and was striking left and right at Satire, but no one could see what had changed his mind. Satire was having troubles defending herself and was soon sent flying out of the ring by a punch.

"1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10! Satire is out of the ring! Kuwabara wins!" The announcer yelled.

Kazuma jumped out of the ring and walked over to the group. He cast a glance across the ring to his knocked out opponent and her teammates. The only one who hadn't moved to her was Vamp.

"Hey, Kuwabara! What changed your mind about fighting a girl?" Yusuke asked as he slapped him on the back, drawing his attention.

Kuwabara shrugged. "Not quite sure. All of a sudden she wasn't a girl; it's as if someone gave me the illusion that she was a guy." Listening to this, both Kurama and Hiei looked to Jennifer who rolled over in her sleep. 'I wonder…' thought Hiei. He shrugged and sat back down beside her.

Kuwabara joined the girls, and Yukina began healing him. Kurama got into the ring as Catalina joined him. The fight started, and both seemed to be toying with each other. Kurama was mainly on defense, but any attack either made was not really to harm yet. As they fought back and forth, Hiei heard Jennifer whisper in her sleep again. "He will not win. Her claws can cut through his whip, and she will be able to dodge anything else."

"What!"

"You say something shrimp?" asked Kuwabara. Hiei growled but told what was said.

"No! That can't be true!" Elizabeth yelled. But she was proved wrong. At that time Kurama truly attacked at the cat demon. Just as Jennifer had said, she slashed with her claws missing the thorns and cutting the whip. "No!" Elizabeth screamed. Yusuke had to keep her from jumping into the ring as Catalina slashed at Kurama cutting him deeply all over. Soon Kurama's clothes were hanging from him in ribbons stained with blood from the deep cuts. He was gasping for breath but smiled. He tried a Rose Petal attack to distract as he aimed a deathtree seed at one of her few wounds. But not only did Catalina dodge the petals with few wounds, but the death seed also missed.

"Night-y night," she said before knocking Kurama out. She gave him a swift kick in the stomach, rolling his limp body out of the ring. Elizabeth rushed to him immediately as the announcer told of Team Shari's win.

It would be Hiei's turn, but he didn't seem to want to move. 'Wake up, Jennifer,' he told her. "No" she whispered, "It's not time. Send Yusuke." Yusuke heard this and looked quite confused but climbed into the ring.

"Looks like we are skipping about in the fights," the announcer said as she watched Yusuke climb into the ring. On the other side Rockland climbed into the ring, pushing past Shari who was going to fight Hiei. Shari rejoined Vamp and whispered with the strongest of their team. Vamp seemed to understand what would be happening.

Yusuke and Rockland's fight raged on. After Yusuke's first Spirit Gun attack, Rockland had used mirror to learn it and met every bullet afterwards with one of his own. The fight turned into a fistfight and lasted for several minutes.

"This is taking to long," Hiei muttered after the fight had lasted an hour.

"They are evenly matched," Botan pointed out.

"I don't think so," Kurama said as he pulled Elizabeth closer to him. He had recovered and was now sitting on the ground with Elizabeth beside him.

"He's toying with him…" came Jennifer's sleep induced mumblings "Only 20…."

"What!" Exclaimed Kuwabara. By now the team had learned that Jennifer somehow knew what was going on and to trust her words even though she had the appearance of sleep. "Stop playing around, Urameshi!"

Yusuke dodged a punch from Rockland and looked to the team. His back was to the human but he ducked as Rockland tried to strike him with his axe, the weight of the axe sending him over the Spirit Detective's head and on the very edge of the ring. "Is Jennifer ready?" Yusuke asked as he picked up the now terrified human by his shirt.

Everyone looked to Jennifer whom Hiei was holding in his arms. "Yes…it's time," She whispered against Hiei's chest where her head rested. Hiei nodded to Yusuke.

"That's my cue!" Yusuke threw Rockland into the air as if he were a doll then jumped into the air after him. Once above him, Yusuke punched him squarely on the back speeding him down to the ring where he lay sprawled out and unconscious.

Catalina scrambled into the ring and dragged the limp body of her comrade out. From the way she was fawning over him and glaring at Yusuke one would guess that he was her lover. Team Urameshi's win was announced as Yusuke joined his comrades.

"Now what?" Kayko asked as she looked around. No one made a move, not even the opposing team. All seemed to be waiting for Jennifer to speak. But speaking was not her action; her brown eyes fluttered open, and a smile formed on her rosy lips.

"You can put me down now, Hiei." Hiei reluctantly obliged as he set Jennifer on her feet. The mage swayed some as if she had been out for months and her legs wouldn't support her. Her legs soon gave way; both Hiei and Yusuke caught her. "Help me to the ring," she said. Hiei picked her up bridal style and jumped into the ring with her. He stood her up again; this time she had no troubles.

"Are you sure you want to fight?" he asked her, worry showing in his blood red eyes. Jennifer nodded, but she didn't reach for her whip, as she normally would have. Hiei drew is katana and readied for the fight. Vamp and Shari climbed into the ring. Shari drew his bow and aimed a golden arrow at the two. Vamp made no movement for his weapon.

"Looks like a team match folks. What a way to end the tournament. If Hiei and Jennifer win, Team Urameshi wins! If Vamp and Shari win, Team Shari wins! It all comes down to this. Fight!" The announcer jumped out of the ring just in time for Shari had released his arrow. Everyone gasped as Jennifer allowed the arrow to strike her shoulder without a wince. Hiei was about to lunge at the offending angelic, but Jennifer stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder. With her other hand she pulled the arrow from her shoulder. The wound quickly healed with no trace of it being there except the blood around the old wound. Jennifer studied the golden arrow as Shari bravely approached the mage.

"Well, well, aren't we the tough one. I might have to steal you from this ridiculous demon again," he said as he kicked Hiei away. Hiei was about to attack but found he had to defend from Vamp. The two raged in battle as Jennifer and Shari seemed to converse.

"You had me once in your spell," Jennifer said as she continued to study the golden arrow in her hand, twirling it between her fingers, "but it was easily broken by the mere presence of my true love."

"That my be, but you will be mine this time." His fingers traced Jennifer's cheek till his lips touched hers in an eager kiss. She did not fight.

Hiei roared in anger at what he saw. Pushing Vamp from him, he ran to the couple but stopped in his tracks from surprise. Shari's eyes shot open, and he stumbled back from Jennifer. Stabbed right in his heart was his own arrow charged by shadows. "How?" he gasped as his hand went to the arrow. He screamed in pain as the shadows wrapped about his hands, burning them as if on fire.

"Weakling," Jennifer muttered as the angelic fell to the ring floor, dead. The shadows around the arrow faded away. Her cold gaze went to Hiei and quickly filled with fear. "Behind you!" she exclaimed, the strange lack of emotion in her voice giving way to worry and caring.

Hiei turned in time to block an attack by Vamp's onyx sword. Jennifer stayed off to the side of the ring as the two battled away. After a few minutes, Vamp glanced over at Jennifer with a smirk. "Enough of the appetizer, on to the main course." With that, a blast of black energy flew from his sword and pushed Hiei into the wall of the arena, the stone cracking around him. When he fell to the ground, those who were fully recovered from Team Urameshi ran to his aide.

All that was left was Jennifer and Vamp facing each other in the middle of the ring. The tension on the air was terrifying it was so strong.

"You harmed my boyfriend," Jennifer growled, anger shining in her eyes.

"You killed my brother," Vamp replied calmly. From his back came two bat-like wings, spreading out before folding against his back. It was now obvious that he wasn't a vampire but a dark angelic.

"You are Vampir de Dacula, the dark angelic that has been feeding on the humans of my home town." Jennifer said with little surprise. Vamp nodded. "You shall pay, I hope you know. Death is to good for you of course, but I think 10,000 years in Limbo aught to be good enough…then death." Vamp shrugged showing that he could care less, the smirk still on his blood red lips.

The two turned away from each other and walked to opposite edges of the ring. They exchanged a nod, and the fun commenced. Jennifer threw true fireballs the size of her fist at him, but he had put up a shadow shield so they were just deflected into the crowd; demons scrambled to get away, but many weren't lucky enough as they were hit and burned to ashes in seconds. Vamp then cast shadow over the arena so that only he could see or so he thought as he found himself getting struck by Jennifer's cold fire whip. She could see just fine.

The fight continued back and forth like this, his wounds only minor and Jennifer's healing instantly. Vamp had lost his calm demeanor and went to full power and it seemed to work for Jennifer was often on the defense.

"Why is she not trying?" Yukina asked from the sidelines where she tended to Hiei.

"What are you talking about? She is trying!" Elizabeth said with anger as she watched her friend get hit across the arm with Vamp's sword. The wound healed, and Jennifer took offense again.

"She's not," Koenma confirmed. "You found out last night that she is an ultimate mage. There is so much more she could do yet she is sticking with what she knew from the first."

"She seems to be waiting for something," Kurama pointed out. It did look that way for Jennifer was often looking back at the team when she could spare the glance. She looked to them again as Vamp was getting up from her tripping him with her rose whip; his ankles were bleeding badly from where the blood red thorns had cut into him. A smile formed onto her lips as she rushed to the edge.

"Hiei, come on!" She was on her knees and reached out to Hiei. Everyone turned to see that Hiei had awoken. He weakly took her hand, and she pulled him back into the ring. Jennifer sent healing energy to him and fully recovered him.

"Looks like the lovers are reunited again as Hiei has recovered and rejoined the fight," The announcer said from where she cowered at her stand.

Hiei was about to draw his katana again, but Jennifer stopped him with a shake of the head. Vamp was staring in wonder at the miracle that was the recovered Hiei, so he didn't even bother attacking. Jennifer's hands went to Hiei's bandana that she removed quickly revealing the violet Jagan eye. She then undid the bandages on Hiei's arms, ignoring his protests.

"What is she doing? Is she crazy!" Yusuke exclaimed.

"No, just brave," Kurama said.

Hiei's spirit energy raised quickly, the aura engulfing both him and Jennifer. She seemed to be feeding from it for her own black and blood red aura rose above his levels. Vamp cowered on his side of the ring; there was no way he would survive.

Jennifer moved out to the middle of the ring, her back to Hiei, and her aura reaching throughout the area. "Release the Dragon of Darkness Flames!" She yelled to Hiei. "Strike me!" She held her arms open wide though still at her sides.

"What! Never!" Hiei protested. "It'll kill you! I'll never do it!"

"Then I shall leave you! Risk my death or gain certain loss of me; which will it be? I can't do this without you Hiei!"

"Fine!" Tears formed in the warrior's eyes as he raised his hands. "Dragon of the Darkness Flame!" The purple dragon rose from his aura and flew at Jennifer striking her, engulfing her and her aura. Jennifer let out a heart-wrenching scream as she collapsed to the floor, lifeless.

The stadium was silent; the only sound heard was that of the lover's sobs for his lost one. Elizabeth cried silently into Kurama's chest. Yukina hid her face in Kuwabara's chest, and Kayko continued to face the ring while in Yusuke's arms; he stood behind her. Each of the guys tried to calm their girls but did so half-heartedly for they, too, were distraught. Vamp made no move to attack, so lost was he.

"Well…uh…" the announcer's voice echoed eerily. All attention went to the ring at her next words. "What…what is happening!"

There in the ring, Jennifer's body was floating. Her aura contained every color in existence outlined in the black and blood red that were her own colors. She was slowly lowered to stand on her feet once more, and her deep eyes opened. She turned and smiled lovingly at Hiei who stared in shock and confusion. "All is well." Her voice rang through the arena like a song.

Jennifer turned to face the terrified dark angelic, her hands raised and the palms facing him. "I warned you. Now you shall pay for what you have done. Dragon of the Elements!" A dragon much like Hiei's emerged from her palms and shot at Vamp. It was of shadows like Hiei's but a silver wind, forest green vines, light blue cold fire flames, and dark blue streams of water twisted about it. The dragon struck Vamp full force, sending him into the arena wall. His shrieks filled the arena causing many to cover their ears as his body disintegrated, his soul being sent to the hell that was known as Limbo where he would relive his death every day for 10,000 years.

Jennifer called the dragon back to her, and Vamp's clothing fell to the ground with the ash remains of his body. The form of the dragon twisted about Jennifer for a moment, the elements leaving into her body before the dragon itself returned to Hiei's body. Jennifer smiled at him one last time before fainting.

---

Jennifer's eyes slowly opened but quickly closed to block out the sun's blinding light shining through the window. Jennifer turned her head away from the window and opened her eyes again only to see Hiei asleep in a chair beside her. She sat up to look around and found that she was in bed back in her room at Koenma's. She wasn't wearing her fighting clothes but one of her black nightgowns. Now that she knew where she was, she looked back to Hiei's sleeping figure. His head was resting on his folded arms on the edge of the bed. His hair was down and messy as if it hadn't been cared for in days. His face showed signs of crying ,and his body shook every so often in silent sobs as if crying in his sleep.

"He was crying?" Jennifer whispered in surprise. She smiled gently and reached out to him, her fingers brushing along his skin lightly as she moved strands of ebony hair away from his face. She jumped when Hiei's eyes shoot open and his hand grabbed her wrist. He sat up in the chair and looked at her in surprise. Jennifer found herself in Hiei's arms as he embraced her. "Hiei…air!" she gasped.

Hiei released her while mumbling, "Sorry. It's just…" A blush rose to his cheeks from embarrassment. Jennifer laughed lightly earning a smile from Hiei. "I've missed the sound of your laugh," he said, "and the sight of your smile."

"How long have I been out?" Jennifer asked as she climbed out of bed and walked over to the mirror to look at herself. She had lost a few pounds and her skin was pale from lack of nutrition. Her hair was a tangled mess as it hung about her shoulders.

Hiei came to stand beside her, wrapping an arm about her waist. "A few weeks." She kissed him on the cheek and headed toward the bathroom but stopped in the door way.

"And how long have you been at my side?"

"The entire time." This caused Jennifer to smile.

"You haven't bathed or even ate have you?" Hiei shook his head, shame showing in his posture. "Well then, come on." Jennifer entered the bathroom and started filling the tub with water.

Hiei just stood there trying to take in the meaning of her words. Finally he followed her. She was undressing by the time he closed the door. He smirked when Jennifer teased him a little as she removed her clothing. She then slipped into the water and waited for him to join her. He wasted no time.

---

A little later, Jennifer and Hiei walked into the kitchen. It was around lunch time so the rest of the team along with Kayko, Yukina, and Elizabeth were eating lunch.

Both Jennifer and Hiei looked much better after their bath. Jennifer's hair was brushed out and put up in a bun at the base of her neck; her clothing consisted of jean shorts and a black tank top with black flip flops. Hiei's hair was up again and he was wearing his boots and black jeans; he had not worn a shirt at Jennifer's request, though she wouldn't do the same for him as he had teasingly asked.

"Look who finally awoke!" Elizabeth joked from where she sat beside Kurama. "And don't she and her lover look happy. I wonder what they did..." Yusuke and Kuwabara started laughing as Kayko rolled her eyes. Kurama was smiling. Jennifer hit Elizabeth over the back of the head as she passed then sat down in an empty seat, Hiei beside her.

Lunch went by quickly and everyone acted as though nothing truly happened, as if it was common for their friend to collapse after doing the most powerful attack known to all races. Yet Jennifer could see the nervousness hidden in their eyes, though she said nothing on it.

After lunch the group discussed their granted wishes for winning the tournament. Jennifer found out that even the girls got wishes granted and were now an official part of the team.

"It was so romantic, Jenny! Kurama wished for a day all to ourselves. I had to return the favor so I wished for Kurama to get everything he wanted that same day," Elizabeth was saying from her place in her boyfriend's arms.

"Little did you know that what he wanted would be pleasurable to the both of you," Jennifer accused from her own place on Hiei's lap. She found a pillow in her face. "Hey!" She threw it back, but Kurama snatched it from Elizabeth before she could throw it again.

"Enough," he said as he put the pillow back down on the couch where he lay with Elizabeth.

"And what about you, Yusuke?" Jennifer asked, looking to the main detective who sat in the chair across from her with Kayko on his lap.

"He's the one who wished for us to have our own wishes," Kayko said giving Yusuke a caring smile. Yusuke nodded to confirm it.

"Kuwabara there wanted to be good with a weapon. Now he is the master of the spear," Yusuke said. "Some use that is though since his spirit energy takes the form of a sword." Kazuma frowned from his spot on the floor beside Yukina.

"And I wished for a lead on finding my brother. It was revealed to me that he was someone on the team," Yukina said shyly. Jennifer could feel Hiei stiffen slightly from fear. "Though I still don't know who." Hiei relaxed and Jennifer smiled reassuringly at Yukina.

"That just leave yours and shorty's," Kuwabara pointed out. Jennifer looked at Hiei with confusion.

"You didn't make your wish?" she asked. Hiei shook his head and his voice rang in hers 'They said you would live so my only other choice only you could grant.' He kissed her gently which she returned. When they broke apart she turned to the others. "So, we had planned to stay at the idiot's to celebrate if we won so…lets go!"

Night had fallen, and everyone was settling down in Kuwabara's living room. Each couple would be sharing a sleeping bag in the living room, but currently they sat on their makeshift beds in their pajamas. Each of the boys were wearing only boxers: Yusuke-blue, Kazuma-orange, Kurama-green, and Hiei-purple; all matching their spirit energy. Each girl wore a nightgown, the color matching their boy's, the length depending: Yukina's reached her ankles, Kayko's her knees, Elizabeth's was extremely short, and Jennifer's was short enough to show off her thighs but long enough to cover more than Liz's. The group sat in a circle with Shizuru between Kazuma and Kayko wearing a pair of yellow pajama pants and a white tee. They were about to play truth or dare.

The game started, and silly dares were passed back and forth; Yusuke had dared Hiei to do the chicken dance which was quite a sight to see. Finally a truth was chosen by Jennifer against Elizabeth.

"Is it true that you've had sex with Hiei twice?" Elizabeth asked. The other girls began to giggle as the guys smiled stupidly; except Kurama who was blushing, embarrassed that his girl would even ask that question and bringing to his mind his times with her. Hiei was scowling, his head turned to hide his blushing face.

"No," Jennifer said curtly, her eyes closed and her arms crossed across her chest.

"Liar!" Elizabeth would not let Jennifer live this up.

"She tells the truth," Hiei muttered.

"Okay, once then." Yusuke said, getting into this.

"Nope," Jennifer replied.

"Now I know you are lying. I know that you're not a virgin anymore." Elizabeth stated.

"Your right, I'm not," Jennifer said with a shrug, "and before you get any ideas I've only been with Hiei. You just got your numbers wrong."

"What?" Kurama asked. His curiosity was getting the best of him.

"Three," Hiei said, not looking to anyone in the group.

"What! When?" Elizabeth inquired.

"The night after round four was our first, when I woke up today was our third," Jennifer explained, "As for the second, the night before the finals. We snuck out of the hotel into the forest, but we weren't the only ones. We saw you two on our way back." Jennifer pointed at Kurama and Elizabeth. Elizabeth blushed, but Kurama was as red as his hair as the others stared in surprise.

"Kurama was taking a chapter out of Jennifer's book from what we saw," Hiei said with a smirk, the blush having left his own cheeks. He of course was referring to the vine bondage and use of a whip, in Kurama's case the careful use of his rose whip.

"I think that's enough," Shizuru said. "No matter how surprising it is for Kurama to act like that." Kurama blushed even more if that was possible. "Your turn, Jennifer."

Jennifer nodded then looked amongst the group. Everyone squirmed under her gaze, they had experienced hers to be the best dares; one of them had been for Yusuke and Kuwabara to share a kiss while she took a picture of it. Kuwabara was currently wearing make up from one of her other dares. Even Kayko had been caught for she now wore a pair of Yusuke's boxers and her bra.

"Down to business," Jennifer said in a serious tone gaining a worried look from most. Elizabeth jumped when Jennifer's gaze stopped on her. "Liz, this is the most important dare of you life. I dare you to fly with me—"

"What! That's not that bad." Elizabeth said in relief.

"I'm not finished. You have to control the wind. This is a training for you. Do you accept?"

"I guess I have too," Elizabeth said in a nervous tone. The group stood and went up stairs. They all climbed out one of the windows and onto the roof. The others stayed near the house as Jennifer led Elizabeth to the edge of the roof.

Now Jennifer was once scared of heights but had gotten over it during her training. For her to trust Elizabeth like this was surprising though it was known that Jennifer could take control whenever she wanted.

Jennifer closed her eyes as a pair of shadow wings formed upon her back. She gave them a stretch then turned to Elizabeth. "Now, try to call the wind." Elizabeth smile meekly and closed her own eyes, concentrating. A small breeze whipped about them. Jennifer smiled and stood behind Elizabeth. She wrapped her arms about her friend's waist as was the best place to hold her during flight then jumped from the roof. The others could hear Elizabeth's screams then saw Jennifer rise into the sky with her.

"Take control of the wind," Jennifer whispered to Elizabeth. Elizabeth calmed down and called on the wind as Jennifer released her own control. It worked, the fear of falling motivated Elizabeth to get full control of the wind. The two flew over the city for awhile then returned to the others.

"How'd it go?" Kurama asked after they had landed on the roof and Elizabeth ran to his arms.

"Not one problem," Jennifer said as he walked over the them and stood beside Hiei. Yusuke, Kayko, Shizuru, Kuwabara, and Yukina had gone back into the house to continue the game. "Her fear motivated her just as we thought."

"What! You planned this!" Elizabeth exclaimed in shock as she looked up at Kurama's smiling face. He nodded in an ashamed way. "You…you…I can't even think of a name for you! YOU FOX!" She climbed into the window hurriedly and went down stairs in a huff.

"Did she think that would insult him?" Hiei commented with a smirk. Kurama and Jennifer shrugged and joined the others.

---

Minutes passed, and it was Yusuke's turn. Kuwabara had this stupid grin on his face as he whispered a suggestion to his friend. Yusuke nodded then turned to Jennifer. "I dare you, Jennifer, and you, Elizabeth, to switch boyfriends for a week." The two couples gasped before Jennifer had to grab Hiei so he wouldn't kill Yusuke.

"How dare you! You do not deserve to live!" he was growling as he struggled half-heartedly against Jennifer's arms that were wrapped about his waist, keeping him in her lap. He calmed down when she started kissing him on the neck.

"There, now stay calm. At least I'm not having to date Kuwabara," Jennifer pointed out. "It's only Kurama. Who better if not you?" Hiei nodded in understanding.

"I'm not too pleased by this either, Hiei," Kurama added. "But it is a dare that we must follow. I would rather have Elizabeth with you than with someone I didn't trust. And you know I would never harm Jennifer."

"They still shouldn't get away with this," Hiei said.

"And they won't," Elizabeth spoke. "No offense to Yukina and Kayko of course."

"What, you going to make us switch?" Kuwabara asked "That's not bad."

"No, its not, and no, we're not. You and Yusuke have to date for that week!" Elizabeth exclaimed with a laugh.

"What!" the two idiots yelled in unison.

"That's the perfect payback," Shizuru complimented. "So the dare is set."

"Wait! I take it back!" Yusuke pleaded.

"Can't. It's already set, Yusuke," Kayko pointed out in a business-like manner. "Now that that is over, how about we go to sleep?" There was a majority of agreement.

Shizuru disappeared from the living room as everyone settled down. Jennifer and Elizabeth shared a parting kiss with their true boyfriends before joining the other in the sleeping bags. They both had to admit, if they couldn't be with the true ones, they wouldn't want it any other way. Kayko and Yukina climbed into their sleeping bags. Yusuke made to join Kayko, but she stopped him.

"No way, Yusuke. You are supposed to be sleeping with your 'date'."

"Aw come on, Kayko. Don't make me sleep in the same sleeping bag as Kuwabara."

"That's the way it is you two. Here." Shizuru had came back with two more sleeping bags, her own and one for the boys. Giggles and chuckles erupted through the room as the two boys settled into their sleeping bag. After awhile, everyone settled down and slept.

---

The fated week passed quickly. Everyone who went to school returned and things seemed pretty normal. The only differences were the following: Elizabeth and Jennifer switched sleeping quarters, Yusuke couldn't bug Kayko, and Hiei didn't come around as much. Friday came quickly, the day of the switch off; though the agreed length was a full week, it was compromised to five days. The agreed meeting would be at the school dance.

Jennifer and Kurama walked into the gym, arm in arm, Elizabeth following after them. The room was decorated in a 50's theme, the theme of the dance.

Kurama was wearing jeans, a red wife beater, black shoes, and a leather jacket with the words "Spirit Fighters" on the back written with the stem of a rose. It had been the guys' idea to dress similar as if in a gang that they called the "Spirit Fighters" and the words to be written out by their weapon.

Jennifer was wearing black jeans, black heeled boots, and an off the shoulder black shirt; all her clothing showed off her curves. A black leather jacket that said "Spirit Healers" on the back in red and black letters finished the ensemble. The girls had decided to do something similar to the guys; their ideas had come from the movie Grease ,which everyone watched at Kuwabaras' on Thursday.

Elizabeth wore black tennis shoes, blue jeans, and a red baby-doll tank top. Her jacket was like Jennifer's, but the words were made by flames.

The group looked about the gym before spotting Kayko, Yukina, Shizuru, and even Botan. They joined the girls by the refreshments as the song "Freddy My Love" echoed throughout the dimly lit gym.

Kayko was wearing a green poodle skirt, and white long sleeve shirt. Her jacket was white vinyl, and her lettering was light blue like Yusuke's spirit energy, connecting her with Yusuke. Yukina wore a light blue poodle skirt, white long sleeve shirt, and pink vinyl jacket with letterings of ice-blue. Shizuru wore blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and a white vinyl jacket with orange lettering, the color of her brother's spirit energy. And Botan wore a pink poodle skirt, white long sleeve shirt, and pink vinyl jacket withwhite lettering.

"Well you two look comfy," Shizuru commented as Kurama and Jennifer approached. Kurama blushed, and Jennifer just smiled sadly. Elizabeth was quiet.

"Um…here, let me get some drinks," Kurama said as he released Jennifer's arm. He poured some punch for Elizabeth and Jennifer then got himself some; the others already had some. Everyone was quiet for awhile as they watched the other couples on the dance floor.

"Where's the couple of the hour?" Elizabeth asked, looking to Kayko and Shizuru. Kayko just shrugged while Shizuru answered.

"Yusuke came and got Kazuma pretty early. Hiei was with them, more being dragged along, literally." Everyone went quiet again as they contemplated this.

Kurama asked Jennifer to dance after a while. They weren't aloud to switch back until everyone was there. They danced to the slow song "Love is a Many Splendid Thing".

As they walked back, a familiar voice spoke above the crowd. The whole group turned to see Yusuke standing on stage with a microphone. He was dressed in black tennis shoes, black jeans, a green wife beater, and his black leather jacket whose wording, though not visible at the time, would be in light blue and been written with a Spirit Gun Bullet, the bullet at the ending of the words.

Kazuma could be seen at the back of the stage holding on to an extremely mad Hiei. Kazuma's wife beater was yellow, Hiei did not wear a shirt. Kazuma's lettering would be orange, written with his Spirit Sword, the sword sitting at the end of the words. Hiei's lettering would be purple, written by the body of his Dragon of the Darkness Flame.

"Fellow students and guests, welcome! Now karaoke wasn't supposed to be 'til later tonight, but we thought we'd start the fun sooner then planned. Without further a due, I give you Kazuma Kuwabara!" The two boys switched spots on stage. Kurama and the others moved to the front of the stage to see what this was about.

The music played, and Kuwabara began to sing surprisingly well. He sang "Rock Around the Clock". Many of the dance goers were dancing and enjoying his performance. Jennifer noticed that Kuwabara kept his eyes on Yukina; on "join me hon" he had pulled Yukina up on stage to dance. It showed the dare was over!

When Kuwabara finished, he and Yukina went to the back of the stage; he was whispering to her about something. Kuwabara gave the mike to Yusuke and took a hold of Hiei. He sang "Build Me Up Buttercup", pulling Kayko onto the stage. It was quite easy to see Kayko blushing as Yusuke sang and danced about the stage with her gaining cheers from everyone.

At the end, Yusuke threw the mike into the crowd to Kurama. Kurama then proceeded on stage and sang to Elizabeth who joined him. His song? "Blueberry Hill". By then the whole crowd was waiting to see who would sing next. The three couples were busy talking, scheming, while at least one of the guys held onto Hiei who looked more than mad. Jennifer was kind of worried by now and went outside to get some fresh air.

Other music played as the crowd dispersed for awhile. The group stood there at the back of the stage talking. Yusuke and Kurama had grips on Hiei's arms.

"So that's the deal," Yusuke said to Kurama and Elizabeth. "He had been following Kurama and Jennifer around when they were spending time together and now thinks Jennifer likes Kurama better. Though he won't admit it."

"We caught the shrimp moping about headquarters this afternoon. When we reminded him about the dance, he said he wasn't going muttering something about 'she won't want to see me after being with him'," Kuwabara explained. "We made the plan then Yusuke went and got him at sunset."

"So the plan is to have him sing?" Kayko asked. The two boys nodded. Hiei growled his disapproval.

"Come now, hot head. You should know Jen only loves you," Elizabeth assured him. Hiei didn't answer, just bowed his head. "See what happened thanks to your dare Yusuke!"

"Hey! Hey! How was I supposed to know?" Yusuke defended, throwing his hands up. He had released Hiei, big mistake. Hiei broke out of Kurama's grip and made a break for the gym floor, but he stopped at the edge of the stage. He could see her, even in the crowds. Jennifer moved among them like a spirit.

"So beautiful," he whispered then lowered his gaze. Shizuru, who had joined the group after Kurama's performance havingnoticed something was up and it had to do with Jennifer and Hiei, smiled and put on the music. Jennifer looked up at the stage and gave Hiei that loving smile. Hiei, too, had looked up at the sound of the music, right into Jennifer's eyes.

It was amazing how quickly Hiei took up singing the song, "My Girl". Most of the other students had turned to see what was going on. They had noticed who he was watching so intently and created a half circle around Jennifer. Hiei saw his chance and moved down off the stage to her singing still. Everyone cheered when the song was over, but neither Hiei nor Jennifer heard it for they were sharing a much needed kiss.

The two got back up on stage with the others; apparently Yusuke was the DJ tonight, so everyone just stayed on stage. Hiei took Jennifer out onto the dance floor along side Yusuke & Kayko, Kuwabara & Yukina, Kurama & Elizabeth. As the song "Hopelessly Devoted to You" led their dancing, Hiei confessed to Jennifer the truth and the detectives' plan. Jennifer couldn't help but love Hiei more for being jealous and worried like that.

Later that night, Jennifer performed several songs to the enjoyment of the both the crowd and Hiei. The songs included "My Guy", "My Boyfriend's Back" which turned out to be a skit including Kuwabara as the flirter, and "It's My Party", a personal favorite of Jennifer's.

The night was ended with all the guys singing "The Twist" and the girls twisting beside their men. Shizuru and Botan dancedat the corners of the stage. Life was normal again for the team, or at least as normal as it would be. None of them suspected that before the one year anniversary of meeting the two mages, life would become tough bringing them closer than ever.

---

Spring, what a season. It was the cherry blossom festival, and the couples were picnicking in the park under the largest of the trees; well at least most were under the tree. Hiei and Jennifer were perched in the branches of the tree comfortably. It was a simple outing, not meant to be romantic or anything like that; it was between friends. Yusuke was cracking jokes as Kazuma earned most of the laughs just by being himself. Kurama was busy reading as he leaned against the trunk of the tree, and Elizabeth chatted away with Kayko and Yukina. Even Hiei was relaxed more than usual on this beautiful day as he joined in the laughter and discussions. Jennifer was showing off, causing buds to bloom every so often.

After the twentieth bud, Elizabeth complained. "It's not fair!" Everyone looked to her, caught off guard by her exclamation.

"What's not fair, my rose?" Kurama asked, looking over his book at her.

But before Elizabeth answered, Hiei spoke. "Hn, she's jealous of Jennifer again. When are you going to learn that Jennifer will always be able to do more than you, even if you learn to control the main elements?"

"But that's just it! I can't control the main elements like other mages!" Elizabeth whined. Hiei just turned away, looking into the distance again.

"Your still young," Kayko pointed out logically. "It may be years before you learn it all. At least you can completely control fire."

"And you;re learning wind control," Yukina added.

"But it's been many a month. Jennifer could control them all in a single night!"

"I'm an ultimate and natural. You are a time and gained the abilities from me. How about I train you? It should help."

"Alright."

"Here." Jennifer carefully burned off a small branch of the tree that was nothing but buds and tossed it down to Elizabeth. She then healed the tree's wound. "Ok, now try to make the buds bloom. It's pretty simple. Start with one at a time then try several." Elizabeth nodded and concentrated. A single bud bloomed then another and another until the whole branch was bloomed. Elizabeth seemed to be trying to get it to do something else but couldn't.

"Damn it. Guess I'm not strong enough," she said with a sigh. "I can't make it grow as if it was still connected to the tree."

"That's high level work, Liz darling. I wouldn't expect you to do it even when you learn all your abilities," Kurama pointed out. He took the branch from her and held it for a moment, slowly it grew and twisted until looked like a small tree. Kurama smiled and handed it back to Elizabeth. "For you my dear." Elizabeth couldn't help but smile even if he showed her up.

So it was settled, Jennifer would train her friend. Elizabeth found she could control earth to a point. And the friendly outing became only a memory.

---

Summer came quickly finding the team out of school and into training. Day in and day out everyone, and I mean everyone including the girls, were being trained in something. Genkai had Hiei and Jennifer working together to strengthen their dragons; Jennifer needed Hiei to even do her dragon but within a month's time learned to summon it on her own, though she still fainted afterwards. Elizabeth had a strong control on fire, natural fire at least; she had tried to control Jennifer's cold fire but found it impossible for a mage of her status. She was also learning time control which was the easiest for her to do. Kurama was doing different training courses with Yusuke and Kuwabara but also helping the other girls in their healing training, finding needed plants deep within the forest. Though the training was tough, barely a complaint was uttered for every night, after the tiring day, the guys found themselves being treated like kings by the girls. Sometimes it was the other way around, depending on which group was more exhausted. For Elizabeth, she was the one always being treated for she was always exhausted from Genkai's training.

"I regret ever mentioning to her how I want to be stronger," Liz said one night.

In Hiei and Jennifer's case, it was equal. Both taking care of each other though usually in the privacy of their room or the shelter of the forest. They weren't ashamed or anything, they were just tired of the jokes that were always told about them, since they both were once emotionless and thought of as unable to care as they did now.

During the middle of the summer, Genkai gave the team a break; so they left for the human world and went to the beach. It was a beautiful day that day and surprisingly they had the beach to themselves. When changing into the swim clothes, the guys had finished first, so the girls now stood by the changing rooms, waiting for the last of their group.

"Come on Liz! I'm sure you look fine," Jennifer said through the door. Both she and Liz had been nervous about Hiei and Kurama seeing them in skimpy bathing suits; though why, they weren't for sure. Just a habit is what Jennifer brushed it off as. She was wearing a black bikini that showed off her curves perfectly.

Jennifer glanced over to the area where the boys were. All four of them were sitting on the towels, talking. It was obvious none had put sunscreen on yet for the bottles still lay at the corners of each towel. Four towels, four couples, four bottles.

"Enjoy what you see?" Kayko asked, bringing Jennifer's gaze away from Hiei whom she was watching. Jennifer blushed a little at getting caught. She saw that Kayko wore a pink tank top style two-piece. Yukina was standing beside Kayko in a lavender one piece.

The door to the changing room opened and, out stepped Elizabeth in a red bikini. "Well?"

"You look fine," Jennifer reassured. "Now come on. We better get some sunscreen on those stubborn boys before they fry up." The others nodded and approached the guys who were soon staring with hungry eyes. All except Hiei who was laying on his stomach on his and Jennifer's towel, looking like he was asleep with his head pillowed by his folded arms.

Jennifer glanced around at the other girls who were tending to their guys and the guys tending to them in turn. She then knelt by Hiei. "Act like you're sleeping will you?" she whispered. She bent down enough to kiss a tender spot on the base of his neck; she heard him moan quietly and smiled. Taking the sunscreen, she began rubbing some into his bare back, she could feel him relax under her hands. When she had finished, he rolled over onto his back and smirked at her.

"Can't fool you, can I?" he asked teasingly. Jennifer shook her head no before he pulled her down into a loving kiss. They broke apart when someone cleared their throat nearby. It was Yusuke.

"We're all going down to the water. You two lovebirds be good if you're staying up here," he said, smirking down at the two.

"When am I not good, Yusuke?" Jennifer asked as she lied down beside Hiei, his arm about her waist. Yusuke just shook his head and ran off to join the others.

After a few minutes, Jennifer finished putting sunscreen on Hiei, and he did the same for her. His touch relaxed her so much; if anyone else were doing it she would be so tense.

Oh….almost forgot. Yusuke is wearing dark blue swim trunks. Hiei is wearing black. Kurama is wearing light green. And Kazuma is wearing…..a pink Speedo! AHHHHH! Just kidding, Kazuma is wearing yellow swim trunks.

Jennifer and Hiei slowly made their way down to the water where the others were playing chicken. Right then it was Elizabeth against Kayko on Kurama's and Yusuke's shoulders.

As Jennifer watched from the water's edge, she soon found herself being lifted up and carried toward the water. Hiei stopped with her in his arms in waist deep water, a mischievous smile upon his face. "You wouldn't dare!" Jennifer warned, but Hiei would and did, dropping Jennifer into the salty liquid. Jennifer didn't come up for awhile and the others began to worry but were soon laughing at Hiei who found himself on the back of a black dolphin with earth colored eyes. 'I told you not to.'vJennifer's voice said in Hiei's head before the dolphin dived under the water pulling him with her. When they surfaced again, Jennifer was in her human form once more, and Hiei's hair was hanging about his shoulders making the others laugh. He let out a small growl before going back onto shore.

Jennifer watched him go then turned just in time to see and dodge a water ball. She scowled at the smiling Liz. "I see you learned to control water. But can you beat this?" It ended up a water war, a mage on each side. Jennifer, Kayko, and Yusuke against Elizabeth, Kurama, Kazuma, and Yukina. Even though Liz's team had more people, Jennifer was more powerful so they were pretty even.

Everyone was catching their breath, soaked to the bone; a brief truce had been called. Elizabeth was startled by Jennifer's voice in her head, 'Let's team up. We are at an advantage over the others.' Elizabeth nodded then the two turned to their teammates with mischievous smiles.

"What's with the looks?" Kuwabara asked. He found two water balls hitting him squarely in the face.

"Run! Err…Swim!" Yusuke yelled as he tried to get away. And so battle 2, mages vs. humans and demons began. It lasted for about another hour until Kurama had got a hold on Elizabeth and held her as she struggled at the edge of the shore. Kayko and Yukina had escaped to the shore as well leaving Yusuke and Kuwabara to catch Jennifer. "Where is she?" Yusuke said. He was shut up by a water ball in the back of the head.

Both he and Kazuma turned and tackled the mage into the water then lifted up the….mermaid? Yes she had changed to her mermaid form to give her an advantage in the water, but now she was trapped; Kuwabara held onto her tail and Yusuke onto her arms. Jennifer struggled as they carried her onto shore. There she saw her fate. The others had buried Elizabeth in the sand with only her head sticking out. A hole beside her showed the spot for Jennifer.

"No! No! Hiei help!" She struggled as hard as she could but couldn't get free.

"Hiei won't help you now," Yusuke said as they threw her into the hole. She looked up at them from her spot on the ground.

"Why?" she asked.

"BecauseI'm helping them,"Hiei said as he joinedthem andbegan covering her with sand.

---

Stars shone overhead, a fire blazed with warm fingers reaching out to the gang. Jennifer had freed herself from the earth easily and helped Elizabeth only moments after being buried. Payback was buckets of water over every head. Now Jennifer lay next to Hiei, her head and right hand on his bare chest and her left hand behind his neck. He had his left arm about her and his right hand behind his head. The others were asleep already except for Kurama and Elizabeth who had took off along the shoreline at sunset and had yet to return. The group had decided to just spend the night at the beach.

"What are you thinking about?" Hiei asked as he glanced down at the calm Jennifer.

"Something," she said. She looked into his eyes and smiled before standing and slowly walking down to the water. Hiei sat up and watched her for a while. Even though the shadows had engulfed her, he could still see her by the moon's light. He saw her slip her bikini from her body and slowly enter the waves as if a ghost from the sea returning to her home. She turned back only once to look at Hiei, the dived into the water.

Hiei stood and followed after her, removing his trunks near the water and entering the cold water. He swam about with no sign of Jennifer. Then something pulled him under. When he surfaced he found himself face to face with his lover.

"Still as beautiful as the first time we met," he whispered as he ran a hand along her cheek. She smiled, her gaze lowering in an innocent way. She then quickly kissed him and began a game of chase which ended when Hiei caught her at the shoreline and began kissing her.

Their antics continued into the night, unknown to their sleeping comrads.

---

Fall, and school would soon start. The training had ended just the day before, and the girls hadn't seen any of the boys all day, so they had a girls' day out. They then went to Yusuke's house…no one there. Same at both Kazuma's and Kurama's house. But they decided to stay at Kurama's and talk.

Jennifer and Elizabeth went upstairs to put away their stuff. They both came running back down stairs, a note clutched in Elizabeth's hands.

"What is it?" Kayko asked, seeing the fear on their pale faces.

"It's a note from the boys, listen." Elizabeth began to read. "Girls, we had a mission to go to. Sorry we didn't tell you earlier. But you all must stay here for your safety. The enemies supposedly have their minions watching you, ready to harm you at any time. Stay together and stay at my house. We will return as soon as possible." Elizabeth handed the letter to Yukina and Kayko who looked it over. It was in Kurama's elegant handwriting, but all the guys had signed it.

"Looks like it's a sleepover," Yukina said with a forced laugh, trying to lighten the mood. It didn't work.

---

Night found the girls sitting around a cold fire lit candle in their nightgowns in Jennifer's room. They had been talking half-heartedly about different topics but fell silent again.

"What would we do if the boys are killed?" ask Elizabeth.

"Don't say that!" Yukina whined.

"Well it is a possibility," Jennifer pointed out. They were quiet once more.

"You know, its more like where would the guys be without us?" Kayko said, perking up. This spread smiles about the group.

"Yeah, where would Yusuke be without you to keep him in line?" Yukina commented.

"Where would Kazuma be without you to heal him all the time?" Elizabeth said.

"Where would Kurama be with out you to spice up his life?" Jennifer said to her friend.

"And I can't imagine where Hiei would be without you to love and understand him." Kayko added.

"More like where would he be without his precious sex toy," Elizabeth joked while dodging Jennifer's swipe.

"Your not much better with Kurama!" Jennifer retorted as she swiped again. The cold fire went out from the movement of the air created by Jennifer's movements.

"Jennifer!" the other three screeched together.

"Sorry," Jennifer said as she tried to light the candle again. The room was pitch black; it made one think they had gone blind. Then a frightening sound reached the girls ears: Kayko's gasp of surprise, then Yukina's, Elizabeth's muffled curse. Jennifer was left alone in the dark until she found herself being grabbed, bound, and knocked out with chloroform like her friends.

---

Jennifer moaned as she came to. She was sitting on a familiar couch, her wrists bound before her with some kind of special cuffs. She tried to use her powers but found that she couldn't. "Damn!" she cursed. She felt someone stir next to her. It was Elizabeth who was still dazed. Jennifer looked over and saw that Kayko and Yukina were already awake and watching her. By the fire of the candles that were lit all around them she could see that her friends weren't wearing their nightgowns but lingerie.

Kayko was wearing an oriental style dress like outfit that was red with green vines and pink flowers. Jennifer recognized it as the Mandarin Collar Mini-Chemise from one of her mother's lingerie magazines that she had looked at once before.It had a keyhole opening and frog closure, black satin piping, and a matching G-sting. Kayko's hair had been put up in an oriental bun with the matching chopsticks in her hair, completing the outfit. She looked elegant in the skimpy outfit.

It was kind of funny to see Yukina's outfit. It was a harem girl outfit with asupportive bra, sheer pants and panties, and the veil over the bottom half of her face all in light purple. Her aqua hair was pulled back into a ponytail that could be easily removed. It gave her a mysterious look.

Elizabeth's had to be the skimpiest of the three. It was a two piece of burgundy cloth and green beads. The top was a beaded silk bra, the beads forming vines along the top of it. The bottom was a beaded silk sarong in a side-tie style with a built in thong, the beads making vines along the sides and bottom. Her hair fell loose about her face, and currently hid her unconscious expression.

Jennifer looked down at her own clothing to find that she wore lingerie as well. Hers was the most see through. A Dragon Boudoir Gown is what it was called. It had a beaded appliqué dragon, Chinese style, that wound about the black mesh gown that only reached to below her knees and had a long slit up the right leg. The dragon just barely covered the important parts except the right breast where the head of the dragon only covered up to the nipple. Its top part was in an open back halter style. Jennifer's hair was down as well.

Jennifer felt Elizabeth awaken. Her and the other two girls looked at their late friend. Elizabeth's eye widened as she took in her surroundings. "Where are we?" she asked.

"It looks like the living room of our wing at Koenma's," Kayko said.

"You don't think the boys did this, do you?" Yukina asked.

"I hope so," Elizabeth said with a sly smirk.

Jennifer rolled her eyes then turned to the worried Yukina, "Better them then some filthy demons."

"You have a problem with demon's, my mistress?" came Hiei's voice. He and the other boys walked out of the bedroom hallway. Hiei was wearing a black Ribbed Silk Knit Tank and matching Silk Knit Boxer Briefs. Every part of his toned chest was accented and the briefs held to him perfectly. Kurama was next wearing a kimono style robe of red silk. The robe was tied closed right then, only giving a peak at his muscled chest and hiding the black silk boxers he wore underneath. Then there was Yusuke wearing a lapis (dark blue) Shadow Stripe Robe and matching pajama pants. Kuwabara was last wearing tiger print silk boxers.

Each of the girls gaped at the guys that stood so….sexily before them. It was easy to see that they wished they could get out of their bindings, which every girl had. Elizabeth and Yukina had cuffs like Jennifer's that kept them from using their powers. Kayko had regular cuffs.

"Why are you doing this, and exactly what are you doing?" Kayko was the first to speak. She was the only one who could look at her guyYukina couldn't even look without turning and blushingand not get lost in dirty thoughts, hence Jennifer and Elizabeth.

Yusuke walked up to Kayko and kneeled down to her level, since she was sitting. He ran his hand along her cheek, smiling victoriously knowing that she wouldn't be able to slap him this time. "We just want to give you a night of pleasure before our school lives begin again." He gave her a gentle kiss on the lips which she seemed to enjoy. Each of the guys followed Yusuke's example, kissing their girls in the manner they saw fit.

Then each boy grabbed a blind fold from the coffee table and put it over their girls' eyes. Elizabeth was the only one to complain as they girls felt themselves being picked up and carried off somewhere. The light seeping through the blindfolds grew and the smell of roses and hot water reached their noses. Each girl realized what was going on, though none of them knew if it was separate or all together. Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Kayko could just picture their innocent friend blushing like crazy bringing smiles to their faces.

The feel of the lingerie being slowly and carefully removed from their bodies after being stood brought pleasure or embarrassment to each girl. As the guys removed their girls' clothing, they kissed each newly exposed place. Jennifer and Elizabeth heard Kayko and Yukina gasp; they knew that Yusuke and Kazuma's lips had found their ways down much further than they ever had. Jennifer and Elizabeth shared a giggle proving that everyone was in the same room. Upon realizing, Jennifer blushed; she never thought any of the other boys would see her body.

The girls felt the boys leave them for a moment the return to lift them up and set them each in separate corners of the large hot tub. The then felt their guys join them, sitting behind them. The enjoyed sensual massages and trails of pleasurable kisses as well as personal washings. After a few hours, the blindfolds were removed. The girls had felt the boys leave the tub beforehand and found them dressed before them. Yukina looked grateful, Kayko slightly sad, and Jennifer and Elizabeth greatly disappointed. The boys removed the girls' cuffs.

"Now meet us in the living room, and we may let you repay us," Kurama said as he led the way out. The girls quickly got out of the tub and dressed in the lingerie. They then entered the living room and went to their boys. Kurama was on the couch and Yusuke and Kuwabara were in separate arm chairs. Jennifer found Hiei in the window seatlike usual.

She sat down beside him, a gentle smile on her lips as she looked him over. He turned to look at her and returned the smile. No words were needed between the two lovers as they kissed. Jennifer situated herself where she was straddling him as their kissing became more passionate, their tongues interlacing. Jennifer's hands slipped Hiei's shirt off so they could run lightly over his bare chest; Hiei moaned against her in reply. As his hands traveled along her body and his lips went to her neck, it was if they were the only two there they were so lost in each other.

They weren't the only ones that intimate. Yusuke and Kayko had moved to the floor, her on top of him, kissing his chest. Kuwabara was the one in control between him and Yukina in their arm chair. Elizabeth and Kurama seemed equal as they lay on the couch, arms about each other.

Everyone broke apart when the door opened. All eyes were glaring at Koenma who stood in the doorway. "Oh! Uh…I….uh," he stammered as he looked at the sight of his detectives getting intimate. It brought to mind the question of why he never forbid relationships between employees. "Uh….I just wanted to congratulate you guys on the great job today but….I guess it's not need. I'm just gonna leave." He shut the door behind him.

But it was too late, the mood was broken. Everyone agreed to go on to bed; they did have school in the morning.