CHAPTER 2 – Introduction take 2


Shortly after five in the morning, Botan was escorting the girls toward Genkai's temple. She let out a yawn as they were heading up the stairs and stretched her hands above her head. That was a ridiculous hour to be up. Rin was walking behind her, hands crossed over her chest, her brows close together in obvious anger. She was going to do it, but her huffs and puffs signaled she didn't appreciate the reasons behind her "yes". Glancing over to Myra, the girl was searching her surroundings with curious eyes , her hands holding the thin straps keeping her small backpack glued to her. She was checking up on Lya time and time again, but she was just walking quietly, staring at her feet.

When they reached the temple, Genkai was already there sitting on the porch, drinking some tea. Botan smiler relieved to see she didn't have to spend the rest of the hours alone with the three females. It would still be a while until all the boys would be up. The old mentor eyed them, but didn't utter a word. Klarise's visit before the reunion in Spirit World was enough for her. Plus she had no intention to get on her bad side so late in life. Her eyes only slightly flickered upwards at Hiei who was now wide awake and scanning the three girls that stood on the temple grounds. She didn't give away his position, focusing back at them that very second. Lya turned her head slightly, not looking at the demon, however she raised her index finger and tilted it from left to right as if telling him she did not like being spied on. He scoffed and jumped from the tree startling Myra and Rin.

"I think it's best we wake the others." Genkai's eyes trailed to Botan who nodded heading inside the temple to perform the task. In a few minutes all the residents there were lined up on the porch not very appreciative for being up at that hour.

"So where is miss new ruler? Getting her beauty sleep?" Yusuke spat out annoyed and Genkai was quick to interrupt him.

"There is no need for her to be here, she gave me some information and we'll decide among ourselves how we do this."

"Alright." Kurama said ruffling his bed hair. "Tell us about the girls." She sipped from her tea before speaking again, this time taking more time that usual to open her mouth.

"You won't get a background history from me. I don't have that and they know we don't while they have a file on all of us. Myra is the easiest to get along with. She is a human and understands our ways. She has managed to tap into the same sacred energy as Sensui. She ventured alone on a lead in Demon World hoping to catch a demon who has been terrorizing and devouring humans. However something happened and she was not seen or heard from again until Klarise found her."

"What happened?" Yusuke asked looking at the girl.

"Confidential. I can't provide a secret just like that, you haven't even brought me a drink." All that earned her was a grimace from him. Genkai trailed on ignoring their interaction.

"She has an incredible memory. She can remember with exact precision what happened in front of her, what she read."

"Sure must have been a genius in school." Myra only smiled politely at Kuwabara's statement, not saying more.

Yukina joined them bringing along come coffee and tea all carefully set out on a tray that she placed on the porch. The look in her eyes spelled disappointment when her gaze fell on Rin. She however just looked to the side as Genkai started talking about her.

"Rin is a bounty hunter and I'm sure all of you know she came here to kill one of you. This one is a neko demon and had collected bounties for Human and Demon world for over one hundred years." She kept the same calm expression carefully trained on her face. But she didn't care, that much was obvious, not even when Kurama spoke next.

"How did you manage to conceal your energy?"

With slow lazy moves she pointed to her necklace that acted as a charm concealing her powers. Hiei's eyes trailed to Yukina who looked like she wanted to ask the girl something, but decided against it. Her lips pressed tight together, her eyes never leaving Rin's face. Genkai looked over at Lya, her eyes stopping on her, knowing she was going to speak about her.

"Lya is also a demon, elemental, yet we don't know of what kind. She trained in Spirit Word for the last couple of years learning a technique almost forgotten. She also can't hear earthly sounds."

"She's deaf?" finally something caught Rin's attention.

"No, she just doesn't hear what we are saying, her headphones help with that. She can however understand us."

"She can read our lips." Kurama's voice trailed calmly.

"Correct. You won't get much out of her I'm afraid."

"This is stupid." Hiei headed with great speed in front of her placing his right hand on her head, lifting the headphones. Myra yelled out for him to stop and he saw Lya's hand press rapidly against his in order to place the headphones back, her eyes squinting as if that single interaction with the outside sounds hurt her entire body. She opened her mouth, the most horrible sound emanating from inside her core, shattering all the silence of the early morning. They all winched in pain, covering their ears, trying to minimize the damage. She closed her mouth and punched Hiei putting some much desired space between their bodies.

"You dimwit!" Genkai yelled without wanting, her ears still ringing loud. He just kept glaring at the girl who bore the same stoic expression as before.

"You knew that would happen." Myra nodded to Kurama trying to stop the sounds in her ears that made all of them seem like background noise.

"I've met her before, only briefly. Don't do that to her, she can't stand the sounds of the worlds anymore and if you all want to keep hearing I suggest you listen to me." Hiei let out a low growl causing Lya to look his way. There was no way she could have perceived that.

"Say something woman, don't just stand there looking dumb." Her eyes scanned the others and then turned to Yukina and took a cup of coffee from the tray.

"Be thankful I didn't break the glass." She spoke in a low tone with no inflection of the voice.

"Can we decide what we are going to do now?" Kuwabara asked forcing the palm of his hands tight against his ears and retracting them to still have the same pain reside.

"We don't need to train them." The old master simply added. "But we need to keep an eye on them and accompany them in missions, at least at the beginning. Eventually there will come a time when they will come together."

"Sorry lady, assassins work alone." Rin mentioned shaking her fist at the group. Lya raised her hand to second that and Myra also added she likes to have the stage and spotlight in a battle.

"Then we'll just have to beat some sense into you." Those words giving the fire demon more pleasure than anticipated. Botan cleared her throat.

"Actually, you will need to guide them, act like their mentors. Kuwabara not you, you will report to Klarise."

"No way." He answered firmly lifting his tall body from the porch. "That woman gives me the creeps with her devil eyes." Koenma placed his hands in his pockets getting off the porch and speaking for the first time that morning.

"You should do as you are told, you giving her the briefing on their situation will be a good thing."

"I still don't get what we should do." The annoyance in Yusuke's voice sounded crystal clear.

"This is yet again a case of babysitting for Spirit World." Hiei's deep tone drew the attention of the group "And if we want to get out of this faster we need to play along. You come with me." His index finger pointed to Lya.

"Actually no. Lya is to go with Yusuke." Genkai intervened. "Myra with you and Rin with Kurama."

"I don't see the point in dividing the forces, that clearly defeats the purpose of a team."

"Don't look at me fox boy, you will also be staying here for a while."

Myra watched unamused the protest that followed. Of course she was grateful for what she learned in Spirit World, but she wasn't going to play this game just because Koenma managed to plant an idea in his sister's head. Especially not near Hiei, she has read the file and didn't like what she saw.

"This is stupid." The words escaping her mouth.

"Thank you. We have lives, we can't pause them and sit here playing mentor with you." Rin directing her gaze to her.

"I can understand why we would be forced into this situation, but I don't understand why you would agree to this. And I can't see the gain, so what are you loosing?" Kurama's eyes set attentively on the three girls and Rin came forward holding his eyes with her own gaze before passing him to pour some coffee for herself.

"Fighting for freedom sounds better than rotting in a cell in that stupid world."

Myra felt obligated to answer, but followed Lya's lead and kept quiet. Genkai just groaned.

"You will be taking different areas of the temple for different activities of your choosing meeting only at lunch and dinner or else I am certain my headache will increase. After a week let's say we will brief Spirit World on the progress and decide if the mentors are fit." Yusuke got up stretching and looking down at Lya.

"Well let's get going."

She quietly followed the former spirit detective to the back of the temple. Kurama lead Rin to the library to talk and Hiei took Myra in the woods near Genkai's temple.

"Kuwabara, you may interact with them at any time. Someone needs to keep them in check." He just nodded a sigh escaping his chest. Yukina finally let out a sharp exhale and took the tray back to the kitchen.


Yusuke stared at Lya quite intensely failing again the imaginary staring contest.

"Damn it!"

Her expression was the same, the only real movement she made was provided by her eyes blinking and even that was rare. He quickly noted she wasn't even particularly looking at him, but through him somewhere far away.

"Geez you're even duller that Hiei." He mentioned crossing his hands over his chest thinking hard on what to say or do. Just like always what was expected from them was riddled in a lot of questions and puzzled ideologies that he couldn't understand.

"Please don't mention that intrusive demon's name."

His eyes widened and he laughed, the action making her tilt her head slightly to the side. She didn't ask. She didn't want to know.

"Tell me more about this technique of yours." She just shook her head and turned to leave causing him to call out to her, with no avail. His energy increased and she turned her head unamused by his display.

"I need more coffee, I didn't sleep at all." His body relaxed as he went closer to her.

"Oh yeah, I could also go for one since you had to arrive at stupid o'clock." She turned again ignoring him and he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. She was unnerving. Too still, too quiet.

"This is going to be a long week."


In the library, sheltered behind closed doors, Kurama took a sit one of the chairs, Rin across from him. She could tell he was carefully calculating all options, his mind never resting.

"Who hired you?" her gaze averted to the window, that calm expression never wavering. She was a good actress. He had seen her smile, laugh, the playful side of her and he wanted to pursue her. She was fun and witty, something he liked. Now all he could think about was that it was all a careful mask built to reel them in, gain their trust and be done with her plan.

"You all have many enemies, I couldn't care less who wants you dead. If the pay is good and the target worthwhile, I'm in." he squinted his eyes for a fraction, a gesture she didn't even notice. Who was the target?

"So, what now? I drop my mission so I can humor Spirit World?" he crossed one leg over the other and rested his chin in the palm of his hand.

"For the time being there is no way back to Demon World, therefore no way for you to collect your bounty. " she turned to him unamused.

"You are right, by the time I get back I would have a rotting head that wouldn't even resemble my target. If I'd known it would lead to this, I would have done it long ago."

"Somehow I doubt that's your style. You like to play with your pray. You have more refined taste." A smirk played on her lips. He was right and now that he knew he was facing a killer it was easier for him to create her image in his head. It was easier for her to face the real Kurama.

"Complementing me won't earn you any favor points. You may be sly, but you don't know a thing about me and believe me, I will surprise you. Even if the hunt is off, I can still toy with my prey." She picked at her nails removing some dust from under one of them. "And toy I will." Her devious smile showed a pair of perfectly white teeth. He knew he needed to be cautious. This woman was dangerous."


Myra huffed as Hiei was dragging her thought the forest. The chilly wet autumn air didn't appeal to her.

"Are you sure we're still on Genkai's land?" he ignored her completely until he felt her energy drawing farther and farther from him. He glared in her direction and ran after her pinning her body to a tree.

"Now very aware for someone who has sacred energy." Her nostrils flared as she pushed him off indicating she didn't like him that close.

"I am aware, you're just not a threat. You can't kill us, even if you want that."

"But I can hurt you." She tensed a bit ready to plunge into a fight if it came to that.

"You have been coming here more and more, losing your purpose and wanting a challenge. Take this as a project to entertain you. I am sure you can't refuse that." He raised his brow a bit impressed by the woman's point of view.

"Why would making you three friends be a challenge?" she placed a hand on her hip her eyes flashing with obvious joy. This was good, he was talking.

"We are very different and have unique fighting styles that might jeopardize a mission. By the time we are done quarreling who gets the merits we would have failed or incapacitated each other." He looked at her motioning for her to go on. "While I may be willing to accept them near me, Lya and Rin aren't that keen on the idea. Plus we have a hoard of secrets you would die to know, without the use of your Jagan of course. Humor us. You are disciplined in fighting and have a good sense of strategy. I'm sure you will find us worth your while." She concluded her speech adding a bit of healing to the demon's tarnished pride after Lya's display earlier. And he'd be damned if the idea of breaking them down didn't appeal to him.

"Fine, I'll play along."


Monitoring was being done by Spirit World day and night to ensure things were coming along. Klarise eyed the monitor as the alarms were echoing in the office.

"Tell me brother, how was bringing them together a good idea? Just look at them." Her voice towered over the annoying sounds. Her fist slammed against the desk.

"Stop this infernal sound."

Tears streamed down their cheeks, bloodshot eyes as panic set in their cores. Hiei glared viciously his Jagan glowing from beneath the bandana. This was bad and their looks spelled just that. Myra clutched Lya's hand and she slowly turned to her trying to maintain her composure. The week was drawing to an end, but that night there was trouble.

"Breath, just take slow breaths." She advised her keeping her voice low and looked back at the group shaking her head. "Fuck…this…"

"Just...don't panic." Yusuke mentioned through his teeth and Kurama hid his face balling his fists. He opened his mouth taking a deep breath and it was obvious the action hurt. Kuwabara kept his back straight, tears forming in his eyes. He took one for Yukina so she wouldn't know, wouldn't be in pain and it was getting to him at a fast pace.

Genkai got up from the table the chair falling to the ground as she set her eyes on the group her face red.

"You are all idiots." She exited the room and Yukina glanced at all of them cupping her hands near her chest.

"Was is that bad?" Rin turned to her, sweat rolling down her face, lips cracked, ragged breaths escaping her parted lips.

"No offence girl." Hiei got up but Yusuke stopped him. "What the actual fuck did you put in that food?"

"Chili." She mentioned with the most innocent face anyone has ever seen her pull. She had been talking during the week with Lya that wanted to help her out with cooking since there were too many mouths to feed. That was how the idea of spices came to be and Yukina being a demon didn't have much knowledge revolving around it. In her trip to the city she was aware of the term "chili" a spice that was hot and used to provide better taste for the dished made. However she did not know there were several level of hotness to be added to it and she took the hottest the market had to offer thinking a grander level meant better food quality.

Hiei stared at the almost finished dish. They all didn't want to hurt her feelings so they bit on more than they could chew.

"I am a fire demon, how can this be hot for me?"

"That's not how taste buds work you imbecile." Lya managed to get out before reaching for the fifth glass of water trying to extinguish the burning sensation. Now that it was out in the open everyone was trying on different items to get the pain to stop.

Klarise turned her full attention to her brother who was trying to stifle laughter. Meeting her eyes his face fell flat. She wasn't happy.

"We have wasted a week, you said there will be progress and I listened to your advice. It was wrong. They are uncoordinated, the girls sit better alone." He watched her trying to calculate the next words.

"These things take time, you need to be willing to give them that."

"Time? Time brother? No, I don't need to offer them time to play stupid, I need assassins, cutthroats, cold hearts and loyal soldiers. Worlds aren't built on friendships." He provided her a short nod.

"You are correct, but it does make worlds better." He waved her hand in the air, the action too sharp, her eyes fixed on him.

"One more week. After that I step in."


The vitals in the temple settled as night washed over them. Secluded, behind a closed door the boys retreated to discuss more. Yusuke ran his right hand through his hair exhaling sharply. After that day they would all switch. It has been a week with little to no progress, they all knew that, just didn't verbalize it. All he had managed to do was see Lya beat his high score in a shooter, have a better strategy than him at an RPG and learn more techniques in a fighting game just to beat her.

"This has been a waste of time." Their eyes traveled to his as once again his mind drifted. It was obvious she wasn't going to provide too much, she was too guarded. The girl spend more time talking to Myra and Yukina, she had let Kuwabara and Kurama sit with her but every time he tried to get close, she would build up another wall and create more distance.

The only significant interaction had been one night when he caught her washing the dishes at two in the morning. He had stood in the door way watching her, but she was already aware of his presence. Turning her eyes to him, Yusuke smiled big.

"Figured you'd sense me. Why are you up washing dishes?"

"We are too many and Yukina does all the cooking and cleaning. I wanted to help." She turned her eyes scrubbing harder, having every intention to ignore him. Rolling up his sleeves he pushed her slightly and grabbed an extra sponge.

"Just don't mention this to Keiko or I'll be stuck doing dishes for all eternity." She didn't smile but her eyes light up when delivering a small nod.

"You really are you father's son." He froze analyzing her expression. No, she wasn't an enemy, the words were kind and full of admiration.

"You met him?" taking a bit more time to answer, she just resumed to nodding. She had.

"Perhaps another time Yusuke. For now I like where we are, you not knowing too much and me not having to talk about it. He was a good king…" she stopped the water drying her hands on her clothes and bid him good night.

Hiei kept silent, his eyes moving from left to right. A few more hours and he would be rid of the human girl. She had been entertaining to a point. But she couldn't satisfy his hunger. That girl cared too much about friendship and he didn't need that. What sort of interest could a human life provide?

"I have nothing on her." He answered Kurama's question, looking at the male. It appeared that week had taken something out of him. Rin was not betraying her target, interacting with them in the same manner he knew, not glancing too much at someone, not glaring, not ignoring. His progress was better yet made with Myra. She shared the same passion for reading as him so hours were lost in silence as they both sat in the library, both hungry for knowledge or an escape from their current situation.

"I got a plan you guys, but we need to do this on our own terms." The group eyed Kuwabara.

"What are you on about?"


Kuwabara found the task of keeping an eye on them more strenuous than he had imagined. He was also missing University, which wasn't a good thing. He knew if he was going to brief the new ruler, there was time for new rules to be applied. Limiting their interactions to Genkai's temple was not giving out something positive. So when he came to Spirit World in front of a very unimpressed Klarise, he swallowed hard and presented her a list of demands.

1. He was going to decide on interactions and their type for the new team and their mentors.

2. They could go back to the city.

3. They could switch as often as they liked if an interaction was not playing out well.

He rose her eyes from the paper presented to her locking him in place.

"Firstly this week has been a complete waste of my time, you were all over the place, just not the correct one. I will allow number one, but you will have to use wits and chose carefully." Her eyes scanned the paper once again and asked for an explanation for number two. He straightened his back, pushing his chest forward.

"They are mostly ignoring each other, I need them in a place where they have access to more." She crumpled the paper.

"A city is a wider space, ergo more places to run and hide." He shook his head with great force causing him to go dizzy.

"They have more things to do and setting in their normal lives will provide more interactions." She threw the paper on the ground.

"I will allow one and two, but you will not switch as you please. Myra will go with Yusuke, Rin with Hiei and Lya with Kurama." The tall male nodded accepting and got up to leave.

"And Kazuma?" he felt the chill her eyes delivered. "This week had better be worth it, for all of you."