Legal stuff: The Reikai tantei and other YYH characters are not owned by me, but Jewelle, Lyn and all other characters are and I'd appreciate it if you didn't use them (assuming anyone would actually want to) without my permission. This is longer than act I and includes some violence and a bit of language. C & C welcome. The Quest
The Quest

By Arianna Starr and Ari Rothwell

Part 1: A New Adventure
Act II

Tokyo, Present
Three dark shadows ran across rooftops. All three in black, the last ran on four legs, its tail long and straight. They stopped on the roof of an elegant mansion. The short one trotted over to the skylight. The second one, a little taller than the first one, kept watch. The third one sat on his haunches and watched them.
The small one pulled some tools from a pocket and opened the skylight, then tossed a rope through the hole. She snapped her fingers and the rope became rigid standing on end. She motioned to the other one and they slid down the rope. Two small pinpricks of green light peered through the opening as if watching the two dark figures.
Thirty minutes later the two figures shimmied back up the rope. The small one coiled the rope and closed the skylight. The cat gave them a curious look and the tall one shook her head. The other figure motioned and they all jumped off the roof onto another one only to disappear in the shadows.

*~*~*

Kurama sighed. It had been a long day. Between work, and Yusuke wanting help with Keiko. He shook his head. Sometimes he wondered how Keiko handled Yuusuke so well. He stopped suddenly.
You ki? That's odd. He stopped and frowned at the faint trace of ki in the air. It was kind of vague, as though it was being masked or hidden. He frowned and looked across the street. There. The you ki is coming from that direction. He blinked as two dark figures flitted out of the shadows and disappeared. The you ki is familiar. I wonder. . .

*~*~*

Three shadows climbed onto the eighth floor balcony and slipped inside the sliding glass doors. An old silver haired in a long black dress flipped on the light. "Well?" she asked.
"Nothing. It wasn't there." A soft, low-pitched voiced answered. The short, figure pulled the black bandanna off her head and pale, silvery-blue hair tumbled to her shoulders. "I could feel it, but it wasn't there."
"It should have been."
The other figure pulled a black stocking-like cap off her head and curly, wine hair tumbled past her shoulders. "We found this note though," she said and pulled a crumpled sheet of paper from her pocket. The old woman took the paper and frowned. "Well, well, it seems we aren't the only ones after the items. Someone warned them."
The blue-haired girl nodded in agreement.

*~*~*

Jewelle sat on the bed studying the kanji symbols on a torn sheet of white paper, then flipped through a book. She stared at the kanji in the book and compared it to the one on the paper. Nope, it's not right either. Surely there's one in here I can compare them to, she grumbled to herself. It just dosen't make any sense, and it's giving me a headache. "Argh! Why can't I figure this out?" she muttered, throwing her hands up in disgust.
Lyn walked into the room rubbing sleep from her eyes. She glanced at Jewelle and blinked. "How long have you been studying that anyway?" she asked.
"Too long." Jewelle grumbled and pulled her reading glasses off., She glanced at the book then tossed it on the table in disgust.
Lyn glanced at the book then at her friend and sighed. You really need to loosen up and relax, girl. "Hey, why don't we go clubbing or something tonight.?" Lyn asked suddenly.
Jewelle just looked at her. "Why? We still need to locate that other item before we leave here."
Lyn just smiled at her best friend and sat down next to her. "We've been concentrating on this so much that maybe taking a break will help us out some. Allow our minds some time to recuperate and rest up so we can try to figure it out again. Besides, we're both technically adults right? It would look weird if we didn't go out and do crazy stuff like clubbing and just having fun. We can't let anyone get too suspicious now can we?" Lyn smiled and mentally crossed her fingers as she watched Jewelle consider what she had said. It had taken her a good while to come up with some logical arguments to go clubbing and she didn't want all that hard work to go to waste!
Jewelle blinked and looked at Lyn a little oddly. Sometimes the girl came up with the best ideas. Although she had her doubts about going clubbing she really couldn't think of a good counter argument and besides it might actually help. "All right, all right, we'll go. But only because I can't think of anything better to do."
Lyn glanced at Jewelle in surprise. That was too easy.Jewelle sighed and hoped she wasn't making a mistake. Lyn all but glomped her friend and then rushed out of the room with a whoop of glee as she tore down the hall to her room and started to change.

*~*~*

Lyn practically bounced as she walked in front of Jewelle. They had been working steadily on their mission for far too long with out a break in her opinion. That's why she came up with the ever so brilliant idea of going to a night club, and maybe even getting Jewelle to loosen up some.
::Jewelle, huney chile, we're going to a club, loosen up!!:: she sent to her almost too quiet companion. Lyn had a huge smile plastered to her face at the moment and her aquamarine eyes sparkled with mischief and the hopeful excitement of a good time to be had.
Jewelle just glared at her. ::Why did I let you talk me into this again?:: was all she managed to retort, the magic of Lyn's smile even affecting her some. It had been a while since she had seen Lyn this happy.
::That's an easy question, even you know that all work and no play makes Lynnie a bored li'l gal and Jewelie a sour puss.:: Lyn childishly joked back. Her smile growing a little even. She was super happy to be heading out into the town just to have fun for a change.
Jewelle couldn't help but smile at that and punched her friend playfully in the arm. "All right, all right. You've made your point," she admitted ruefully. Lyn all but started dancing at that point as she heard Jewelle agree with her. "YAY!! You won't regret this!! This is going to be so much fun Jewelie!!" Jewelle sighed a little. It seemed that whenever Lyn got immeasurably happy and hyper she reverted to calling her by her childhood nickname. It could be embarrassing at times, but that was just her partner.
"Let's get in line then, or are you intending to start a party out here as well 'Lynnie'?" Jewelle teased her friend. Lyn just chuckled in embarrassment and nodded as she pulled Jewelle into the line outside the club.

*~*~*

Kurama sighed and wondered why he'd let Yusuke and Kuwabara talk him into coming here. He was bored for one thing and his mother had more or less told him (in a pleasant voice) that he should really find a nice girl and settle down. Maybe he would, but right now he was more interested in figuring out these strange burglaries.
"Hey Kurama," Yusuke tapped his shoulder. "You won't have any fun just standing here. You should be out there." He gestured toward the dance floor.
Kurama smiled. "Maybe in a bit."
Keiko came up behind Yusuke. "Come on," she grabbed his arm. "You promised…"
"Okay, okay, I'm coming." Yusuke muttered, following Keiko onto the dance floor. He paused when he sensed a hint of you ki. He glanced at Kurama, who had also sensed it.

*~*~*

The line moved quickly and both girls were admitted into the club. Lyn was practically bouncing up and down as they walked in and headed to the dance floor almost at a dead run. Jewelle chuckled at Lyn's antics and headed over to the bar and ordered a soft drink. While she waited for her drink she glanced at the dance floor, to watch and make sure Lyndsay didn't run into any more trouble.
Maybe Lyn's right. If we go out for fun more often, I wouldn't have to put up with Lyn's whining over our mission and Lyn might get more serious about it. However, just taking pointless breaks didn't always make sense to Jewelle. Things got done faster if you concentrated and worked on them constantly. Jewelle sighed and looked around for an empty table. Spotting one she picked up her drink and headed to a small table in the corner.

*~*~*

"Hey Kurama," Yusuke tapped his shoulder. "You won't have any fun just standing here. You should be out there." He gestured toward the dance floor.
Kurama smiled. "Maybe in a bit."
Keiko came up behind Yusuke. "Come on," she pulled his arm. "You promised…"
"Okay, okay, I'm coming." Yusuke muttered, following Keiko onto the dance floor. He paused when he sensed a hint of you ki. He glanced at Kurama, who had also sensed it.

*~*~*

Lyndsay was having an utter blast!! So far, at least three cute guys had come up to dance with her! The music and the beat were rocking so Lyn just giggled and started dancing with all three to the fast beat. Her long wavy hair swayed in the two pigtails and enjoyed the rare moments of fun and utter pleasurable that she had. It wasn't that she didn't take the mission seriously, she just wanted to experience life while she was still young enough to enjoy it, too.
Besides, if you stayed too serious, you grew too old, too fast in her opinion. She slackened her hold on her abilities as she allowed the emotions of all the others in the club sweep through her and let hers mingle with theirs. It was an exhilarating high! Who needed drugs when you could feel and mingle with pure unadulterated emotions of fun and enjoyment as you had fun!

*~*~*

Kurama glanced around the crowded club, searching for the you ki. There. It's over there. His gaze followed the faint trail. It's just like the other night. His search ended at a small corner table where a small, young woman with short, silvery-blue hair and dark blue eyes sat. Her? He caught Yuusuke's questioning glance, smiled and shook his head. Yuusuke shrugged.

*~*~*

Jewelle sipped her drink and frowned at the paper. Why would this be left in place of the item Lyn and I were looking for. I don't get it. She brushed strands of silvery-blue hair behind her ear and sighed at the kanji. I'll never figure this out. She gazed across the dance floor and smiled at Lyn. Sometimes I wish I could let go like that. But I can't, she thought wryly.
"Is this seat taken?" a soft male voice asked.
Surprised, Jewelle turned to face the voice. A tall redhead in tan chinos and a shiny emerald shirt faced her. The same redhead from the other night in fact. Jewelle blinked. "Minamino-san?"
Kurama smiled at her surprised expression, then nodded. "Yes." He gestured toward the empty seat. "May I?"
Jewelle smiled sheepishly. "Sure."
Kurama sat down and eyed her thoughtfully. She was dressed in a black mini skirt and a plum spaghetti strapped camisole under a shimmery, but shear silver blouse. Several tiny braids adorned the top layer of hair. "Thank you."
A waitress in a tight, sexy outfit stopped by the table and took Kurama's order.

*~*~*

Lyndsay, however, was still reeling in the intriguing and seductive feel of all the emotions mingling as the dance floor continued to stay hot. She now had 'bout five guys dancing with her and couldn't have been further from reality.
Sweat rolled down her body, even though she was only wearing a light lavender halter top with some short black shorts. The heat from the lights was intense and the beat continued to hold its dancers in a trance like sway.
Desires, giddiness, love, hate, friendship, companionship, rivalry, lusts, otherwordliness, and abandonment stirred through the air as one chilling note of discord hit Lyn hard.

*~*~*

Keiko dragged Yuusuke towards the middle of the dance floor where they found a group of people dancing around before they joined in. All of them seemed to be out of it, except Yuusuke sensed another flash of strange ki coming from inside the group, where a swaying, wine-haired girl caught his and Keiko's attention. There was something odd about her.

*~*~*

Shuichi watched Jewelle without seeming to. "How have you been doing?
Jewelle sat back in her chair and blinked and stumbled with a response.. "Eh? I'm doing all right I guess. I mean this is my first trip to Japan so… I feel a little overwhelmed."
"Ah., It can be a little overwhelming." The waitress brought Kurama's drink. He thanked her and she left "You're American right?"
Jewelle nodded and wondered where he was going with this
"What part of America are you from?" he asked calmly.
Jewelle sipped her drink. Why do I feel like I'm being interrogated? "South Carolina, I grew up on a farm." She answered softly.
"Ah." He glanced at the dance floor.
"What's with questions?" Jewelle asked before sipping her drink.
Shuichi shrugged. "Just curious."
"Oh." She glanced at the dance floor towards Lynn.
"I thought I saw you and Lyn the other night." He said casually, watching various people sway to the music.
She blinked and tore her gaze from the dance floor in confusion. "Eh? You mean the other night at the park?" What other night could he mean?
Kurama smiled at her confused look. "No, I meant last night."
Jewelle blinked. "Um . . . well, I guess it's possible, Lyn and I did go out Why?"
"There was another burglary last night." His eyes bore into hers.
"So, it had nothing to do with me." She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms over her chest. "No?" he asked curiously.
"No," she confirmed. "What's the point of this?" Jewelle asked in a bored tone.
"I have a theory on the burglaries. This last one is similar to the others, but I think this was one was done by someone else."
She shrugged. "You could be right, but I don't know how you can tell that much about an 'attempt'. Nothing was taken."
Kurama raised an eyebrow. "Really? How did you know that?
Damn! Jewelle frowned, then said the first thing that popped into her head. "I saw it on the news this morning. And besides," she added offhandedly, "it was in the papers." Not that I can read the papers, but he doesn't know that.
"So it was," he conceded. "Did I mention. I also saw two people in black running across rooftops last night?"
"Really? How interesting." She said in a disinterested voice. This just gets better and better. Who are you really? Damn, I hope we weren't set up. "What has that got to do with me?"
Kurama shrugged, "Probably nothing." He leaned closer and said in a whisper. "What were you looking for?"
Jewelle's eyes narrowed, "Oh, ho, you think ah'm responsible for the burglaries?"
"Only last night's attempt."
"I must have twin committin' 'em in mah name then," Jewelle muttered sarcastically.
Kurama's eyes narrowed slightly. You control your emotions well, but your eyes tell the truth.

*~*~*

Lyn ignored all but the swirl of emotions and the driving beat. Her own body almost didn't exist, she was one with all the miasma around her. Her hair swung loose and fast as the room began to spin rapidly and she started to fall towards the floor. Her head did somersaults and it seemed like as if the gray of the dance floor rushed up towards her face. Her body was sore and straining from every muscle. She managed to land on her hands and knees and shake her head.
She'd overdone it again, you would think that she'd learn that it's not a good idea to cut loose as much as that in a club, of all places. The shield over her abilities went up a little with a rueful smile as she clamored back up to her feet, making her fall look like it was just another dance step. The music claimed her as it's own again as the miasma of the room still held her in it's thrall, but not as much as before.

*~*~*

Lights spun around the floor illuminating all of the dancers. Yuusuke and Keiko were doing a good job as they too fell victim to the music. The world wasn't there any more for any of the dancers, it seemed. Yuusuke felt a little awkward, but still, he had promised Keiko and he was enjoying himself. He had forgotten about the wine-haired girl as he watched Keiko in almost sheer utter and total abandonment swaying and dancing in tune to the beat. This was all that was important. The moment over the world, the music over reality, it was all those on the dance floor could remember, know, or feel.

*~*~*

Eventually the song changed and Lyn decided it was high time to get a drink. No need to get dehydrated after all. The miasma was all over the club, even to the private corners. Lyn hopped over to the bar and ordered a drink, watching as it was prepared along with a thing of water. Then, she decided to find Jewelle and make sure she was having a good time too. After all, part of this whole trip was for both of them to relax and have fun. With that in mind, Lyn started to look for her friend and partner.

*~*~*

Kuwabara looked around the club blissfully unaware of anyone but Yukina until his sister muttered something about Kurama. "Eh?" He looked up. "What about Kurama?"
Shizuru sweatdropped then whacked her brother with the menu. "Baka! I said I didn't know Kurama had a girlfriend."
"Ow! Why'd you do that?" Kuwabara grumbled and rubbed his head, the stopped when the news hit him. "Kurama has a girlfriend?"
Shizuru sighed and lit another cigarette. "Probably not, but I've never seen that girl before." She gestured toward one of the corner tables. Where a certain redhead sat across from a girl with pale blue hair that reflected the colored lights. Kuwabara just stared.

*~*~*

Some things surprise you when they hit. Lyndsay could have sworn she was seeing things when she saw Jewelle talking with a hot looking guy at a table on the other side of the club. Drink in hand she started that way.
Lyn still felt high from the miasma of emotions she was now intermingled with as she went over toward Jewelle and recognized the guy. "Minamino! Hi!!" she all but rushed over there, high as a kite, and plopped down in one of the empty seat between Jewelle and Kurama.
Jewelle looked at her erstwhile partner and blinked. She had forgotten what Lyn was like after spending time on the dance floor. This is just what I needed, she thought dryly. Then again…. She glanced slyly at the redhead.
Kurama blinked in slight confusion for a second, before he realized the energetic girl was trying to talk to him.
"Funny running into you here, Minamino. So how long have you been here? Are there any friends with you? How are you doing?" Lyn babbled on.
Jewelle almost smirked. Lyn's energetic chatter has a good point she decided. At least he isn't asking me about the other night. Jewelle frowned. Wait a second… "Did you say Minamino?" Lyn stopped and blinked at Jewelle. "Er… yeah. It's his name right?"
Kurama sighed then sat back and watched them.
"Yes, but it's his last name." Jewelle answered kindly, thankful for the interruption.
"But…. I thought…." Lyn looked at Kurama for confirmation
. Kurama smiled. "Shuichi is my given name." Jewelle sighed. Some things never change
Lyn sighed in consternation before she perked up again. "Okay, ooops... my bad. Gomen, Shuichi-kun. So, are you here with friends? How are you doing?" Lyn all but tripped over her own tongue as she said that in one breath. She was still giddy over the miasma that surrounded everything, and she didn't care. Now if only she could get Jewelle to relax, tonight would be perfect. They had met the same hot guy from earlier and well, he was actually there. Wasn't that enough?
Jewelle choked back a chuckle of amusement and relief as it seemed nothing was going to faze Lyn for long. She would never doubt her distracting abilities ever again, even if they drove her up the wall sometimes.

*~*~*

"Oi, what you staring at?" Yuusuke asked when he came up to the table.
Kuwabara grinned. "Kurama's got a girlfriend."
Yuusuke blinked. "No way!"
"Then who is he sitting with?" Kuwabara asked smugly.
"Which one?" Keiko asked. "There are two girls there."
Kuwabara nearly fell over. "Two girls?"
Yuusuke grinned. "I wonder who they are?" He grabbed Kuwabara's shirt. "Come on let's find out who they are."
"Hey!" Kuwabara shoved Yuusuke's arm aside.
Yuusuke grinned and slapped Kurama on the back when he reached the table. "So, where did you hide these cuties?" Kurama groaned. He had forgotten all about Yuusuke and Kuwabara.
Jewelle glanced from one to the other. "Your friends?" she asked turning to Kurama.
Kurama sighed and nodded. "This is Urameshi Yuusuke and Kuwabara Kazuma." He introduced the two young men calmly.
Lyn looked up and looked Yuusuke and Kazuma over. Her eyes seemed to turn a shade darker for a second and then brightened up and she giggled. "Nice ta meetcha!Ah'm Lyn by the way, and the blue haired sour puss over there is my pal Jewelle! She's not always like this, but it's been a long and tiring and boring week." Lyn sighed theatrically and drooping her head before looking back up and winking and smiling. Jewelle seemed resigned at her erratic, partner, yet again while Kurama just smiled and sighed. This was going to be a long night.
Yuusuke just blinked for a second before laughing along with the energetic girl. Kuwabara looked at the girl dumbly for a second before laughing as well. Where in the world did Kurama manage to find these two? Yuusuke wondered.
Jewelle almost snickered at the redhead's response. He deserved it after what he'd more or less accused her of doing. It was also nice to know she wasn't the only one who had strange friends. "He hasn't been hiding us anywhere," she said before sipping her drink. "We ran into him the other day."
Yuusuke poked Kurama's arm. "Is that why you didn't want on the dance floor?" He teased. Kurama sighed and met Jewelle's gaze. Her dark blue eyes intrigued him.
Jewelle frowned at Shuichi's emerald gaze. Still, his questions bugged her. Why does he think I'm responsible for the burglaries? "So, where we before we were interrupted?" she asked calmly.
"We were heading to the dance floor," he said, standing up. Jewelle blinked but accepted his offer.
Kuwabara blinked and watched as they disappeared among the dancing throng. Yuusuke frowned. What is with Kurama tonight?
Lyn blinked as Kurama led Jewelle to the dance floor. "That's odd, it sure didn't seem that way when I plopped down." Then she shrugged, "Oh well, at least hopefully Jewelie'll have some fun tonight and then get off my back some." She giggled and then looked thoughtfully at Yuusuke and Kuwabara. "So where are ya'lls girlfriends?"
Yuusuke sweatdropped realizing he'd forgotten someone. "Um… over there," he pointed at table not too far away.
Kuwabara blinked. "Yuuuukiiiinnnaaa!" he called heading back to the aforementioned table.
Yusuke sweatdropped. "So, what is with Kura- Shuuichi and your friend?"

*~*~*

The music was swing-dance and they moved easily with it. "Ah hate to burst yoar bubble suga but, those burglaries started three months ago. Lyn and ah've only been here a week." Jewelle pointed out calmly, her southern accent clashing slightly with the Japanese words.
Kurama frowned and spun her around. "If it wasn't you. . . who was it?"
Jewelle frowned. That's what I'd like to know. "Ah have no idea."
"It was you the other night, though. I saw you and your friend last night."
Jewelle raised an eyebrow. "How do you know it was us?" She probed mentally. He's telling the truth,. What are you?
Kurama leaned close and whispered in her ear. "I sensed your presence."

*~*~*

Lyn giggled as she watched Shuichi's two friends. She had heard that near slip and decided to act like she hadn't, for the moment. "I don't know, I really don't. It's confusing really, it was like they were having a serious conversation before I sat down and Jewelle was upset, and then you guys showed up and it was like nothing had happened." Lyn shrugged her shoulders. "All in all, I think there's more going on here than meets the eye. Buuuttt... I would like to meet your other friends. Jewelie and I have only been here for a week and we haven't had a whole lot of time to meet anyone." Lyn giggled and pleaded perkily, trying to change the topic as she let loose again and let the miasma surround her.
"Yusuke!" A small, brown-haired, brown-eyed girl glared. "What are you doing here?" She eyed Lyn suspiciously.

*~*~*

"Eh?" Jewelle missed a step and stumbled at Kurama's remark surprised. She tried not to show it as she when the dance steps brought them close together again. "What do you mean by that?" she whispered back to him. This guy was something else. Was Lyn right in insisting that he was so trustworthy the other day? That girl causes more headaches than she's worth!
He smiled mysteriously, leaned close and whispered, "Your ki is very unique." They were completely ignored by the dancing couples around them.
Jewelle stopped in the middle of a complicated step and fell, which caused him to trip. She stared up at him in bewilderment, mixed with distrust. "Mah, what?" she gasped.
Kurama caught his balance and gave her an odd look. Surely she knew what he meant. "Your spirit, your energy. It's very unique."
Jewelle blinked in confusion and then gave him another bewildered and distrustful look. "What about it is so 'unique'?" Kurama looked at her in near shock. Doesn't she know about her you ki?! "It's not commonly found in this area or plane." It was more than he wanted to say in a public area, but he was getting slightly vexed with Jewelle's confusion and ignorance.

*~*~*

Lyn smiled and looked at Keiko. "So is this your girlfriend Yuusuke. She seems fairly nice. Hi! I'm Lyndsay Dawson, but just call me Lyn, all my friends do. Anyway, Jewelie and I have been in Japan for only a week, and Yuusuke here and Shuichi-kun and Kuwabara were nice enough to talk with us a bit and hopefully introduce us to some other people around here. So, who are you?" Lyn smiled disarmingly at Keiko as she noticed an interestinge mix of hostile emotion. It was slightly sobering, but not enough to visibly affect the cheerful girl. She just hoped Jewelle was doing okay. Not that she thought that Kurama would do anything to her, but... Jewelle could be a touch anti-social at times.
Keiko looked at the other girl surprised. She seems sincere enough, but still... oh well, it probably was like she said. "I'm Yukimura Keiko. Nice to meet you."
Yuusuke just looked at the two in confusion as Keiko kept a calculating and slightly suspicious look on her face as Lyn openly decided to hug her. Keiko just looked shocked as hell. It was kinda funny, though, so Yuusuke started to laugh along with the others at the table.
"Nice to meet you Keiko-chan. Isn't this club really awesome? It's been a while since I've been able to convince Jewelie to go anywhere and attempt to meet new people." Lyn's sincerely beaming smile was very disarming.

*~*~*

Jewelle's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Ah don't know what yoah talking about, and ah don't like where this is goin'." She knew he was telling the truth, but she really didn't trust him. "And besides, how do ah know you aren't responsible for those burglaries."
Kurama stepped back and blinked. That was the last response he had expected. "All I'm saying is that this isn't the safest place for our kind." He said calmly.
Jewelle stepped back and folded her arms across her chest. "Ooohhh, so we're related now," she stated coolly.
Shit. She was closing up now. "That's not what I meant." He grabbed her shoulder. Jewelle shrugged him off. "Hmph, whatevah," she muttered and worked her way through the crowd. Damn. Kurama followed her and soon caught up. "I want to know more." He began. Jewelle spun on her heal and faced him. "Yeah, well, ah ain't got nothin' more to tell ya. So, buggah off," she all but hissed.
He blinked. That was a first, he thought watching her storm out the doors.

*~*~*

Lyn turned around as she felt a very angry vibe from Jewelle. K'so. She'd gotten ticked off somehow. Lyn took off toward the door and she saw Jewelle storm out, not paying any attention to her surroundings as she was still wrapped up in the miasma the club possessed. Which is why she ran smack into a rather shocked Kurama. "Oof! Ah man.... look, I'm sorry I didn't mean to run into..." Lyn then looked at the person she had run into and knocked down when she tripped. "Er... ah... gomen Shuichi-kun... I just thought I saw.... Jewelie," she trailed off breathlessly.
Kurama barely had time to blink as something hit him from behind and fell on top of him. The cold floor was quite sobering. Then he heard a very familiar voice.

*~*~*

What's his problem? Treating me like that, who does he does think he is anyway. I mean really, accusing me of those burglaries. Jewelle grumbled to herself. She stopped at a street corner and crossed with other pedestrians. Maybe I can figure out what those kanji mean, when I get back. I'll look up you ki as well. I should at least know what he's talking about.

In the shadows, silver eyes watched the young American wander aimlessly down the streets. She clearly wasn't paying attention to where she was going.

Jewelle shivered at an unusual presence. It's just like the other night. When Lyn and I first met Shuichi Minamino. She frowned and looked around her and noticed her surroundings for the first time. Where am I? Oh, shit, I did it again. Wandered off and now I have no idea where I am. I should have just headed back to the apartment. She sighed
.

*~*~*

"Lyndsay?" Kurama asked. Odd. She doesn't have any you ki, but Jewelle does, mixed with that strange rei ki, but it's not rei ki either. But he didn't know what else to call it.
Lyn blushed as she realized she was still on top of him and scrambled off. "Er... ah... yeah.... gomen Shuichi-kun.... um... I didn't see ya standin' there and all... Why did Jewelie leave in such a huff?" Lyn finally managed to ask again, not one to be set back for long, even by herself. It didn't matter that her face was the same shade of red as her hair or that she was almost as high as a kite still.
Kurama sighed and shrugged. "It's okay." He said, getting to his feet. "I said something I shouldn't have," he answered and stared thoughtfully. at the door. Pushed the wrong buttons..... Hmmm.... What were you up to last night? he wondered.
Lyn frowned thoughtfully for a moment as she looked at where his gaze was going. Ah, shit... Dammit Jewelie, I attempt to actually get us out and have some fun and then you take something way out of proportion. Lyn softly cursed to herself. "Um, I'm sorry Shuichi-kun, don't blame yourself. I'm gonna go see if I can catch up to her. Tell the others I said bah and it was nice ta meet 'em and all." She smiled cheerfully and ran out the door, still out of it and seemingly like she had taken a few more of the "exotic" substances floating around. She only made it a few more feet towards the door before tripping and falling to the floor, yet again.
Kurama watched her in amazement. How did she survive this long?
"Oi, Kurama what was that all about?" Yusuke asked.
Kuwabara grinned. "She turned him down," he stated smugly.
Kurama shook his head. "That's not it."
Yusuke watched Kurama. "Are you going to tell us what that was about?" he asked again. "Maybe later." When I know more. Maybe Koenma knows something. "I'll see you later, ja ne," he said before he left the club.
Yusuke and Kuwabara exchanged looks.

*~*~*

Lyn finally got to her feet again, after apologizing profusely to the last person she tripped over, looked over her shoulder waved at Kurama, Yusuke, and Kuwabara, the only people she could see that she knew by name, and ran out the club doors.
She shut off all the lingering emotions she had enjoyed from the club so she could concentrate on finding Jewelle. She had no clue of where Jewelle had gone and sent out one desperate thought as her feet pounded the pavement. ::JEWELLE!!! Where are you???!!::

Jewelle blinked then grabbed her head. ::Not so loud, Lyn. And I have no idea where I am.:: She brushed some silvery-blue strands behind her ear. The street was practically deserted, except that odd presence. ::Lyn, I think someone's following me, but it doesn't feel hostile. It's just.... there.:: She turned down a dark alley.

Lyn sighed. ::Whooops, sorry Jewelle. I didn't know where you were and I ...er... ah... um... wanted to make sure ya heard me an' all. Just hang on, I'm on my way. Just don't do any emotional freezes on me...k... I don't know how well I'll be able to pick you up if you do...:: Lyn started to follow the unique trail of emotions Jewelle had left. They hit her as she walked down several streets.
People tended to leave emotions wherever they went, but Jewelle left a very unique trail, which was easy enough to follow if you knew how to pick them up. However, Jewelle seemed to be rather steamed when she came this way and was closing her emotions up so it was difficult to pick up her traces. Not to mention all the hostility was giving Lyn a grade A migraine.

Jewelle sighed. ::Fine, but ah really don't wanna stop here. It's not a very good neighborhood.:: She walked carefully down the alley. Senses alert.
"Isn't it past your bedtime, child?" a soft, silky, feminine voice asked.
Jewelle stopped and watched coolly as a tall, slender, woman stepped out of the shadows. She found the woman hard to read. Not quite hostile, but not quite friendly either. "Who are you?" Jewelle asked ignoring the question.

Lyn chuckled as she heard Jewelle's reply and hurried along before she lost her trail. Contrary to popular belief, emotional impressions had a short half-life, unless the force behind the emotion was almost overpoweringly strong.
The condition of the roads and neighborhoods degraded the furthe she got away from the club. The roads becmae narrower and the neighborhood took on an unsavory atmosphere. Lyn started to get a little spooked as her trail became colder and colder and finally start to fade. This isn't good, I have to find her Jewelle, and soon. Lyn had absolutely no desire to get lost in this area. She was starting to irrationally wish that she had thought to ask someone to come with her. But, oh well, she hadn't. Maybe what she was feeling was just a side effect from over exerting her abilities in the club. Whatever the problem was, she had something to finish first. ::Um, how would you describe where you're at, Jewelie? Your trail is startin' to get cold over here...::

::Dark, cold. There are two other presences here. They're similar to Shuichi's presence.:: Jewelle answered calmly. ::I'm standing in a dark alley:: Jewelle sent her partner a mental image of the area. She then studied the tall slender woman before here.
Long red-gold hair curled to her waist, held back by high, but elegant ponytail. Golden ears twitched slightly at the sounds. A deep blue Chinese dress with a slit from hip to ankle revealed pale, but shapely legs with a golden tint. Ruby lips smirked. "I'm Youko Kaede and I know who and what you are, Jewelle Cunningham."
Jewelle blinked. Her dark sapphire eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Well, ya certainly know mah name. How?" she asked coolly.
Kaede's eyes seemed to laugh. "Let's just say I knew your father."

Lyn shivered as she saw the alley and sped up, yet again. She really didn't want to be by herself in this place much longer. Fortunately for her, she managed to find her partner in a fairly short amount of time, only to pass by a shadowy figure, stopped and look for it, but it was gone. Lyn shrugged and turned down into another alley and saw one of the most surprising scenes of her whole life up to that point.
"Let's just say I knew your father." was said softly by a very pretty, pale skinned lady in a blue Chinese dress with golden fox ears... GOLDEN FOX EARS?! What the hell did she run into?! She could have almost sworn she saw a fox tail behind the lady too. Lyn sent a quiet mental message to Jewelle. ::Er... hi... I'm here, what the hell have I stumbled into this time?! What's going on Jewelie??::

::Ah have no idea, she just stepped out of the shadows and called me ba mah name:: Jewelle answered her southern accent thickening her mental voice with all the strain she'd felt today ::Do you know the way back or will we have to use a space pocket?:: "My father, huh?" she asked the woman.

Lyn gave a mental nod. ::I remember how to get back to the club and home from there. Do you need me to er... help out some?:: Lyn heard the stress in Jewelle's mental voice and thought up a rather nutty idea on how to work out a semi-rescue plan in a hurry. Now if only she could get by this strange looking lady. Normally, Lyn adored all things to do with foxes, an obsession she blamed on watching Disney's cartoon version of Robin Hood way too much as a kid, but she got a strange vibe from this lady.
::Good, 'cause ah wasn't paying attention. Um…. ah dunno… maybe…:: Jewelle answered back.
Kaede smiled grimly, "My dear, child, come with me and I'll tell you all about him." She crooned soflty as she leaned over and touched Jewelle's face.
Jewelle's eyes narrowed even more and she slapped the pale ivory-gold hand away. "I think not. And don't call me 'dear.' I'm not your 'dear'," she remarked coolly.
Kaede smirked. "Don't you want to know about your father?"
"Hmph." Jewelle snorted. "Not from you."
"You shouldn't have done that, child." Kaede said in a soft, but haughty voice.
Jewelle uncrossed her arms and let them fall to her sides when she felt two other beings come up behind her. That really isn't such a good idea, boys, she whispered in their minds.

Lyn growled softly as she heard the fox lady say that and came up with a desperately stupid and crazy plan, even for her. She made a quick space pocket and made her way close enough that when she popped out, Jewelle wouldn't be too far away.

The two you kai blinked at her voice. She looked like such a helpless, tasty mortal. She still did, but what tricks did she hide they wondered as the air began to move with a life all its own?
"Don't do it, fox." Jewelle murmured, her voice like ice. Her hair moved with the air.
The gold fox's eyes narrowed. "I'll do what I like, child," she said and snapped her fingers. "Take care pf her." She commanded before disappearing in the shadows.
Jewelle's eyes glittered at the coming fight. Normally she would have avoided a fight, but tonight she was in the mood for one.
The other demon, a ghoul with stringy silver hair pulled into a high pony tail lunged with his sword. Red cat eyes narrowed to slits.
Lyn suddenly jumped out of thin air and glomped Jewelle in a near tackle-like glomp. "JEWELIE!! There you are! I've been looking all over for you. How could you go and leave me all alone and behind like that?" She tried to act even more genkier than normal for herself, doing a pretty good job of impersonating a bratty and dependent little child. She felt Jewelle stiffen in shock. The fox lady was gone and one of the demons had fallen on his face when Lyn glomped Jewelle.
::LYN!! What. Were. You. Thinking! You could have been killed! But now that you're here you might as well as help me.:: Jewelle's mental voice growled.
The other demon blinked at the sudden arrival of another ningen. This might be kind of fun.
Lyn shock her head. ::Simple. I was trying to help you out by creating a diversion. And people popping out of nowhere do create interesting diversions, no?:: Lyn then razzed her companion before smiling. ::Sure, of course I'll help out. What do ya need me ta do?::
Jewelle sighed in resignation. ::Yeah, it did work.:: She stood up and dusted herself off. ::Which demon do ya want?::
Before Lyn could answer the question a tall, dragon-eared demon lunged at Jewelle, knocking her to the ground. Jewelle grimaced then, sent a blast of cold air at him, that slammed him into the wall.

Lyn blinked as a sword swung down at her, or where she would have been if she hadn't jumped out of the way. ::Um... I guess I'll take the ghoulie-looking sword freak.:: She sent to Jewelle as she pulled out her fan and blocked the next swing the ghoulish-looking sword demon attacked her with. Dammit, he's really, really strong... sheesh... why me... who did I offend to get this "odoriferous" guy.
Lyn glared at her ghoulish and smelly opponent. "What sewer did ya crawl out of pray tell." She said glibly as she whapped him with her metallic fan and jumped a few feet away. Shit! Shit shit shit, ah'm so not gonna get skewered by this smellie ol' thing! That would be way too embarrassing!! Her thoughts raced frantically as she attempted to dodge the demon's moves. Then she remembered she could insert thoughts into others minds, it might be a good idea to insult this thing enough so it wouldn't be as focused.
::Yo smelly! You positively, absolutely, undoubtedly are the stinkiest thing I have ever run into. What friggin' offal did you have to roll around in to get that particularly lovely scent to stick?!:: She sent quite loudly into her opponent's head. Hopefully it would distract him long enough to get her bow out and let her shoot at a much more appropriate distance. However, the ghoul didn't quite react like she had hoped.
The youkai swordsman took quite an affront at the statement that was screamed into his head. He had no clue how this seemingly powerless ningen girl did that or how she managed to evade him, but her luck wouldn't last for long. He started a ruthless attack on the girl driving her backwards and getting through the surprisingly adequate defenses she put up.

The dragon-eared demon crashed to the ground. After a minute he stood up chuckling and dusted himself off, his long green-blue tail flicked back and forth.
Jewelle stared at him. He isn't bad looking, really, she decided. He was tall with bright teal hair that fell to his shoulders in a grunge-like style. He could have passed for a human if it weren't for his green, dragon-like ears and long blue-green tail. Silver eyes studied her thoughtfully. His black and gold clothing went well with his hair. "You want more, do ya?"
He smirked. "You're better than I thought you'd be.
" "Heh."
He studied her thoughtfully for a minute then formed a long, black, curved blade on his arm. "You could say that," he remarked casually and disappeared.
Jewelle blinked. This one might be a little hard to beat. But what the hell she was in the mood for it. Senses alert, she felt him approach from above and dodged his blow. He twisted around and landed on his feet. Jewelle smirked and pulled her scythe from a subspace pocket. "Shall we?"
"Hmph." He stood up then lunged. Jewelle blocked it, then parried. Soon they were moving at a blur trading blows. They suddenly broke apart and landed at opposite ends of the alley.

The swordghoul's blade managed to knock the fan from Lyn's hands as she attempted to parry one of the slashing attacks aimed at her. Then, to add insult to injury, he hit her against the side of her head with the flat of his broadsword, knocking her to the ground outside of the alley where Jewelle was facing her opponent.
Lyn was scared, pissed, and frightened. The ghoul raised his sword up again and swung down slicing the now "disarmed" girl across the back of her right arm which she had been using to get her balance to stand up. Lyn screamed in pain as she fell back to the ground and rolled so that the injury wouldn't touch the dank and dirty ground of the neighborhood around her.
"Not so cocky now, are we, Ningen?" the ghoul mocked her as he stabbed down into her lower right side and sliced to about her hip when he jerked his blade out, leaving a deep gashing wound from the bottom of her rib cage down. Lyn howled in pain once again as the you kai continued to toy with her.
"Ya mudder fuckin' sonofabitch... " Lyn hissed out between clenched teeth as the pain continued to flood her and her blood gushed out of her wounds. She was in an extremely bad position and this guy was gonna kill her in a very slow way. He was too close for her to shoot, not that she could now; the main arm she used had been effectively sliced. Her only other options would have to be to overwhelm him with another ability, but her mind was overwhelmed in pain to think coherently at the moment.

They stood apart and stared at each other. Blood seeped from tiny cuts and her ribs hurt. They're probably broken, she thought absently. The you kai smirked and withdrew his blade. Jewelle frowned as his you ki flared and tiny spikes formed on his arms and shoulders. He flung the spikes at her.
Two fingers extended, Jewelle drew a bubble of air around her, catching the spikes in the process. They floated around her then she drew her fingers over her head and using the air current returned the spikes to their owner, pinning him against the wall.
Jewelle sighed. Unless he could live through that, she was done. Now to check on Lyn. She stopped when she saw her best friend and partner on the ground with blood flowing from some deep cuts. LYN! Her dark, sapphire blue eyes glittered with anger… "You fuckin,' bastard…" she growled softly she didn't even try to contain her anger.
The ghoul ignored Jewelle and licked his lips in pleasure at the sight of Lyn's blood. She'll be so tasty. I'll savor her soul. The air around him grew thick and seemed to move as if it were alive. He frowned, but decided it wasn't too important. A whoosh of air distracted him, but it was too late. In a flash he hit the side of a building. Blinking, he stood up and felt his back. Burning pain coursed through his body. His back felt like it had been slashed. "What the hell?" He stared at the blood on his hand. Then looked down and saw Jewelle kneeling by the wine haired girl. Her? She must have felt his gaze because she looked at him in barely contained fury. The air around her playfully moved her hair and clothes.

Lyn groggily felt wind swirling around her as her mind started to clear with a clear shout from Jewelle. ::LYN!! Dear Gawd, how da hell did that freak get close enough ta do this?!:: Lyn blinked as Jewelle knelt by her.
Her right side and right arm hurt and she could barely see straight. She looked in the direction the wind was blowing and Jewelle was glaring. There was that bastard, mudder fuckin' odoriferous ghoul over there. Lyn shivered as she remembered what he did and then glared at him as steadily as she could. "I've got it, Jewelle." Lyn's wavering voice was uncharacteristically harsh as the area started to heat up. The wind whipped Jewelle's and Lyn's hair around but Lyn seemed to be burning up. Jewelle backed up only a little bit as Lyn held up her injured arm's hand and fire encircled the odious ghoul.
The sword ghoul was shocked and yelped as the flames bit into him. How could this happen?! The wine haired girl was to be his tasty morsel, not a threat! He screamed in pain as the red-orange flames engulfed him while the girl held her arm up. Soon, all that was left of him ashes, Lyn dropped her arm blinked wearily and painfully at Jewelle and then passed out.
Jewelle sighed and sank to her knees. The small cuts on her arms and legs had stopped bleeding, but they still hurt. She felt tired and drained and her fox ears had probably popped up. They had a tendency to do that when she was tired. Emotions are exhausting; how do you handle it, Lyn? She was glad it was over, but now what? She could hardly carry Lyn to the nearest hospital
. A fragrant, yet sleepy scent of a flower caught Jewelle's attention as the wind died down. A familiar presence came near. I should really do something about that, but…. I'm too tired and it isn't threatening… What a lovely scent… her thoughts trailed off as she fell against her friend and quietly slipped into dreamland.
A tall shadow with cornflower blue fox ears clad in black and wine robes entered the alley. He knelt by the young women. A deep sigh escaped his lips at the injuries both had suffered. "That woman is impossible," he muttered.
A small, shadowy figure watched the blue eared youko pick up the two girls and disappear into the shadows. After a moment the figure darted away.