Narrator: It has been only three weeks since Yusuke Urameshi returned to ningenkai but already life seems to have returned to normal for the very un-normal teen. With his half breed blood still coursing through his veins, the quiet of the human world seems to prove almost too dull. Still, with his friends by his side Yusuke has somehow managed to readjust and even possibly relax into the comfort of his newly found, serene, life…

Strike of the Shadows

Yusuke yawned widely as he stretched out his tired muscles. Small tears of exhaustion clung to the corners of his eyes as he made his way down the road and towards the mall where he was supposed to be meeting Keiko. Despite how much he truly loved his girlfriend-err fiancée, all he really wanted to do right then was to go back home and take a nap. The entrance exams for Kanehawa High School had taken a big toll on his mind and in accordance, his body.

"Man I hate school. I wish I could just by-pass it all together." Yusuke sighed and glared dully at the road. "Stupid Keiko just had to say she wouldn't marry me as an idiot."

"I must admit Yusuke. You did impress me though. With the answers you were able to produce I wouldn't be surprised if you actually made it in."

"Yeeah! Kurama!" Yusuke said. "Don't sneak up on people! What would you do if I had thought you were a bad guy and blew off your head with my spirit gun?"

Kurama chuckled and folded his arms. "Come now, Yusuke. As tired as you are at the moment, I doubt you could even gather enough energy to make a spark."

A vein in Yusuke's forehead twitched and he dug his pointer finger into Kurama's chest.

"You want to make a bet about that fox boy? What are you doing here anyway?"

Kurama gave a humoring smile and gently removed the other boy's hand. "As of now it isn't really important. I simply came to see how well Keiko and I managed to prepare you for your exams. However it seems your qualifications are almost more then enough. Strange really."

Yusuke grinned and rubbed his nose. "Awe come on, Kurama. I'm not completely stupid right? Besides, you don't think that the only thing I did in Makai was pick fights, do you? I had to do some studying there too you know."

Kurama's eye brow rose. "Actually I was unaware. If I may ask, what did you studied?"

"Oh you know, this thing and that thing. A lot of math, and history, and other junk like that. Enki said that if I was going to be a part of his council I had to do more then just pretend to sound smart."

"And you actually learned it. Remarkable."

"Hey watch it fox boy! I'm still not against spirit gunning your sorry ass."

Kurama held his hands up in mock surrender. "I concede. But really Yusuke, I am rather impressed with what you have learned. You do realize that this school is one of the best in your city."

"Well duh," Yusuke said. "I don't want Keiko to think she's with a total moron."

Kurama smiled slightly and looked away. 'It seems as though you are quite the fool for love Yusuke.' He thought. 'But I can't say I'm not at least a bit jealous.'

"Hey. What are you looking at, Kurama?" Yusuke said. "Is there something over there?"

"No. I was merely thinking."

"Well don't think to hard," Yusuke said with a smirk. "People tend to get hurt that way."

"Only you, Yusuke."

"Yusuke! Over here."

The two boys turned at the call and quickly spotted Keiko standing next to Botan under the awning of a small store.

"You're late." Keiko said with a frown.

Kurama and Yusuke exchanged a glance before Yusuke sent a grin in Keiko's direction.

"Yeah, sorry about that. The exam took a bit longer then I thought."

"Oh right." Keiko said, trying to sound indifferent. "I forgot about the exams. How did you do?"

"Remarkably well," Kurama said. "I had the opportunity to over look his answers after they had been collected and he got many of them correct. I think it is safe to say that he has been successfully accepted into Kanehawa high."

"Oh Yusuke! That's great!" Keiko laughed happily as she wrapped her arms around her fiancé's neck. "I'm so proud of you!"

Off to the side Botan and Kurama watched as Keiko congratulated her boyfriend with a swift kiss on the mouth which quickly changed into a tickle war instigated by Yusuke.

"It's nice to see her so happy again." Botan said. "She was absolutely miserable in the two years that he was away."

"Yes," Kurama said. "I didn't see her much until recently, but I could easily see it. She was breaking from the inside out."

"Do you think that we should stay? Maybe it would be better if we snuck off so they can be alone."

For a second a flicker of surprise crossed Kurama's face before he smiled and offered the ferry girl a slight nod. "Yes, I do believe that would be for the best."

"Hey you two!" Yusuke said. "What'cha waiting for? And if you think that you can sneak off Kurama you're badly mistaken. There's no way I'm going shopping with two girls by myself."

Kurama and Botan sweatdropped before both shrugged. Botan waved slightly at Kurama before she hurried up to walk next to Keiko leaving the redhead to walk with Yusuke.

Out of the corner of his eye Kurama watched as Yusuke smiled slightly at the girls who talked and giggled together, his brown eyes soft in a rare show of contentment.

"If I didn't know any better I would say that you were almost enjoying yourself, Yusuke."

Yusuke shrugged and rubbed at the back of his neck. "Yeah well, it's just nice to not have to worry about stuff anymore you know? I can just relax instead of worrying about some psycho out to take over the world."

"Mm, I completely agree, Yusuke." Kurama said as the girls turned to face them.

"Hurry up boys!" Botan said with a wide grin. "If you keep poking around, everything in the shops will be taken by the time we get there."

"That would be one way to cut this trip short," Yusuke muttered causing Kurama to stifle a chuckle.

"Indeed."

"Just leave them Botan-chan," Keiko said with a disinterested air. "I'm sure there are other boys who would be willing to help us pick out our new underwear."

"Right you are Keiko-chan," Botan said with a wink. "After all, you have never been short on admirers."

"Nice try, but I know you're both joking." Yusuke said. "You aren't those kinds of girls."

Botan glanced back at him with a mischievous grin. "You know Yusuke; a lot of things can change in two years."

"Oh, do you remember that little pink set at Tsukoutsu?" Keiko gushed. "That was so cute!"

Kurama just chuckled at the suddenly horrified look on Yusuke's face. If one thing had to stay the same after all this time, he was glad that it was the ex-spirit detective's gullibility. It certainly made for a much more interesting life.

Botan stifled a giggle at Yusuke and Keiko as they walked on ahead arguing about whether Keiko had been serious or not. Sensing Kurama coming up from behind her she turned and gave him an amused smile that he returned with one of his own.

"So, I suppose there isn't really a way for us to leave now that Yusuke is onto us, is there?" Botan said.

Kurama smiled. "I suppose not, although we can always do our best to stay out of their way."

Botan stopped walking and raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you saying that so that they can be alone or out of self-preservation?"

Amusement shown in Kurama's eyes and he chuckled as he turned to watch Keiko get fed up and smack Yusuke hard across the back of his head.

"A little of both I suppose."

Botan laughed and started walking again. "It seems like I was right about you being the wisest of the group."

"Well," He said. "Wisdom comes with age so it is no surprise that I have a little."

She shook her head. "It's more than just your age, Kurama-kun." Botan said. "If wisdom was only based on that then I would be a sage! As it is, I'm just lucky I'm not a complete moron."

Kurama frowned and grasped Botan's arm to pull her to a stop. "Why would you say that about yourself?"

Botan blinked. "Say what Kurama-kun?"

"That you're unintelligent? You must know that that is completely untrue. In fact you know a great deal of things that I wish I had knowledge of."

Botan blushed. "Really, don't tease me Kurama-kun. I know what Yusuke and Kuwabara say behind my back. Even Keiko-chan and Shizuru-san have said a few things about how ditzy I can be."

"Why you would listen to Yusuke and Kuwabara I don't know, but as for Keiko and Shizuru-san; they have merely stated that you can be somewhat absentminded, which is admittedly true. But being a little forgetful does not define your intelligence Botan-san. Not in the slightest."

"Hey guys! What'cha talking about?"

Both Botan and Kurama jumped at the unexpected sound of Kuwabara's voice and they quickly pulled away from each other, their cheeks an identical shade of pink.

"Kazuma, I think that they were saying something important."

Kuwabara laughed awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

"Hey, sorry about that guys. I didn't mean to interrupt you or nothin'."

Kurama quickly recovered from his momentary embarrassment with a small shake of his head.

"Not to worry Kuwabara. You didn't interrupt anything really. I was simply correcting Botan on something."

"Oh yeah?" Kuwabara said as he leaned in closer to Botan as though inspecting her. "What'd she say that needed to be corrected?"

"I-it's nothing really Kuwabara," Botan said quickly. "Just a minor disagreement between me and Kurama-kun. Nothing to be alarmed about."

"Hmm," Kuwabara said, not completely convinced, before he straitened with a shrug. "Alright then. Hey, have you guys seen Urameshi? He told me that he and Keiko were going shopping today. He better not've ditched her again-Itai!"

"Don't talk about people behind their backs, baka." Yusuke said as he lowered his fist. "It tends to make them angry."

"Well you didn't have to go and hit me Urameshi!"

"Don't fight you guys!" Keiko said as she came up beside Yusuke. "We're supposed to be having fun."

"Yes," Yukina said. "I agree."

Kuwabara blushed and instantly turned away from Yusuke to face Yukina, his cheeks flushed red.

"Whatever you say my flower!" He said. "You're very wish is my command!"

Yukina blinked. "But I didn't wish for anything…"

Kuwabara didn't seem to hear as he spotted a cute little boutique shop. "Hey you guys! Let's look in there!"

The girls all readily agreed and headed into the shop while Yusuke hung back with Kurama, an annoyed look on his face.

"Geez, only Kuwabara can sound so happy about shopping."

Kurama laughed. "Honestly, Yusuke. It isn't all bad, right?"

Yusuke was quiet for a second as he took in Keiko's expression as she pointed out a light yellow dress for Botan. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips and he shook his head.

"Nah," He said. "I guess it could be worse. And it's been a while since I've seen her looking so happy."

"Yes," Kurama said as he eyed the girls. "It's nice to see them be able to relax after so long."

"Yeah…"

"Hey boys!" Botan called. "We're going to try some things on and we need some more opinions."

Instantly Yusuke's soft expression morphed to a smirk as he folded his arms behind his head and started over.

"Only if you guys try on something sexy."

Keiko scowled. "Yusuke you pervert!"

"Hey! Calm down! I was only joking."

"Yeah right! You meant every word! Admit it!"

Their argument was cut short by the laughter of their friends and both turned away from each other with a small blush which only made the others laugh harder. Once the laughter had subsided, Yukina spoke up with a bright smile.

"It's so nice to be able to laugh with everyone again. It's been so long since we were able too."

"What are you talking about?" Yusuke said. "We all laughed a few weeks ago remember? When we were at the beach?"

"She meant in general, Urameshi!" Kuwabara said. "Don't patronize Yukina like that, got it?"

"Sure, Kuwabara, sure."

Kuwabara was about to respond but at that moment his senses prickled causing him to pause and look around. Absently he noticed both Kurama and Yusuke stiffen up slightly as well before they looked over at him. Exchanging a quick unspoken conversation the three boys nodded slightly and started for the door.

"And just where do you think that you guys are going?" Keiko asked, her voice dark.

"Relax Keiko," Yusuke said with a grin. "I just thought that you girls might be a bit thirsty. I was going to find a vendor to get you something to cool off."

Keiko looked skeptical while Yukina tilted her head slightly to the side in confusion.

"If it is only that, then why are you all going together?"

"Uh…" Yusuke looked over at Kurama for help but instead it was Kuwabara that spoke up.

"Well I thought that I should probably help so he wouldn't have to carry all of the drinks himself." Kuwabara said. "And Kurama is coming along to make sure that Urameshi doesn't make a break for it while my hands are full."

Yukina smiled brightly. "Oh Kazuma, that's so thoughtful of you!"

Kuwabara blushed.

"It is," Keiko agreed. "Thanks for thinking of it you guys. And thanks especially to you Kurama. I'm sure that Yusuke would runaway if you weren't going along."

Botan giggled at Yusuke's annoyed expression and she waved at the boys as she headed for the changing rooms.

"Bring me back something strawberry Kurama-kun!"

Kurama smiled in return and lifted his hand in a good-bye before he stepped out of the store followed by the other boys. Once they were all safely across the street their casual expressions quickly dropped into looks of dark calculation.

"Do you see where they're at?" Yusuke muttered.

"Nah," Kuwabara said. "But their energy is through the roof. There's no way that they're human."

"I agree," Kurama said. "It would probably be in our best interest to stick close together until we know exactly what it is that we're dealing with."

Yusuke nodded in agreement as he quickly placed his order at the juice stand on the corner and paid.

"Whatever they are, they better not involve Keiko. She's had enough problems with demons already."

Once the drinks were all paid for the boys headed back to the shop still talking quietly amongst themselves.

"If we do get separated from each other we should probably make sure that one of us is with each of the girls." Kurama said. "The last thing we need is for them to be left alone with potential danger lurking about."

"Well it's obvious that me and Kuwabara will be with Keiko and Yukina so I guess that means you'll have to take Botan, Kurama."

Kurama's eyebrow rose. "You make it sound like a chore Yusuke."

Yusuke blinked. "I did? Sorry, that's not what I meant. I mean, Botan's great and everything, she's like my sister so I'd rather look after her myself, but if we do get separated there's no way I'd leave Keiko with you guys if I could help it. No offense. I trust you and all but—."

"But you'd feel better knowing for sure that she was safe." Kurama said. "I understand. I was just making certain that you knew Botan's safety is just as important as the others."

"Are you kidding?" Yusuke said. "Out of all three of them Botan is the most useful when it comes to stuff like this. If it was just her then I'd be the first to protect her. But with Keiko here to worry about…well, I'm not married to Botan."

"What do you mean by that Urameshi?" Kuwabara said. "You're not married to Keiko either."

Before Yusuke could answer a loud explosion rocked the ground causing him to stumble and drop the drinks in his hands. The two cups crashed hard to the pavement and spilled open leaving a large puddle just outside of the shop door but Yusuke and the others didn't pay them any attention as they whipped around to find the source of the disturbance.

"The high-rise!" Kuwabara said pointing down the block where a large plume of smoke rose from an apartment building. "There are people inside!"

The bell over the door chimed as the girls raced out to join Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama on the sidewalk outside of the shop.

"What's going on Yusuke?" Keiko said. "What was that explosion?"

"A building was attacked," Yusuke said his face dark. "There are probably still people inside."

"Well what are you still doing here?" Keiko demanded. "Go and help them!"

"It isn't that easy Keiko," Kurama said. "There are some powerful youkai in the area. If we leave you girls alone then you might be put in danger."

"Well if we go with you then there isn't a problem right?" Botan said as she materialized her oar and jumped on. "Let's go!"

"Botan, no! Wait!" Kurama said as he sprinted after the ferry girl.

"Stupid girl is going to get herself killed!" Yusuke said as he and Kuwabara raced after the others, Keiko and Yukina close behind them as they ran.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Not wanting to be seen by civilians Botan quickly changed from her human form to her spirit form, her fluttery yellow sundress morphing into her usual candy pink kimono as she flew through the wall of the smoking high-rise. Not wanting to waste any time, Botan flew from room to room searching for anyone who may have been caught up in the blast. She was just beginning to think that no one had been in the building at all when the sound of crying reached her ears from one of the apartments to the left of the original blast area.

With out thinking Botan turned her oar in the direction of the sound only to stop short at the sudden unexpected appearance of Kurama. His usually immaculate hair was wind-blown and his eyes cracked like emerald fire as he glared at her through his bangs. His rose-whip was hanging limp at his side but she could tell by his whitened knuckles that he had a rather tight grip on it.

"Eheh. Hi, Kurama-kun?"

"Do you have any idea how reckless you were being coming up here by yourself? For all we know the entire explosion could be a trap."

Botan crossed her arms with a pout. "Well what was I supposed to do? Just leave the people in here to suffer?"

"You were supposed to wait for me," Kurama said. "Not go charging off by yourself. As it stands I had to split up from the others just to follow you up here."

"How did you get up here anyway?"

Kurama lifted his whip slightly.

"Oh."

The sound of someone calling for help instantly snapped the duo out of their little world and back into the reality of the building burning around them.

"Don't think this is the last of our conversation, Botan," Kurama said as he raced for the door. "I promise you that I still have quite a bit to say on the matter."

Botan rolled her eyes. "I'm sure, Kurama-kun." She said as she passed through the wall to answer the cry for help.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yusuke hesitated for only a moment as his eyes darted between Keiko and the window where his red haired teammate had just disappeared. He knew that the fox-boy would more then likely need help but the last thing he wanted to do was put Keiko in any kind of danger. For a moment he envied Kuwabara who didn't need to worry about the fire harming his ice demon girlfriend. If anything she would be much more of a help then a hindrance, something which Kuwabara had probably realized when he had scooped up his shy companion and raced into the building.

"What's wrong Yusuke?" Keiko said. "Why aren't you helping? There are people in there right! So do something already!"

Well, if nothing else he would be there to protect her right? And besides, it's not like this would be the first time she would have run into a burning building.

With that in mind Yusuke grabbed Keiko by the wrist and dragged her into the disaster area; keeping a careful eye out for any threats.

It was just his luck that he managed to find one not six feet past the door.

The man's eyes were shadowed by black bangs but what little light managed to reach them painted them a dark navy blue. His skin was pale and was stretched tight across his lean, but muscular physic. Yusuke instantly pegged him as a demon by the stench common for human eaters as well as the lightly suppressed aura that threatened to explode at any second. His suspicions were only confirmed when the demon's lips pulled up into a smirk, revealing a set of sharpened canines.

"Well," Yusuke said, stepping between Keiko and the man. "I've been looking for a little action lately. It's been a bit to boring around here just playing 'school boy'. So how 'bout it pal? Entertain me."

Botan: Hello everyone! Botan here! As you can see our shopping trip didn't turn out quite so well for us all and things will only get worse when Kurama-kun and I run into a bit of trouble. Speaking of trouble, Yusuke and Kuwabara aren't having much luck either when they wind up biting off just a bit more then they can chew. Keep you're eyes open for Words of Despair! Next time on Yu Yu Hakusho!

Kaliea: So what did you all think? Were you satisfied? Disappointed? Maybe even a little impressed? Let me know!