WolfRunner: Well I'm back! Between wresting writers block and getting ready for graduation…I haven't gotten time to update.

Yusuke: It's true, she has the slip of paper to prove it.

WolfRunner: Shu- wait you're defending me?Yusuke: Just get on with the reviews

England23: Glad ya like it! Mores coming up now!

Aristania: I'm going to have my ups and downs with writers block but I will update when I have ideas!

Ardentes: Thanks for the critique, if you take a lookie I changed it!

Phantomxofxmystery: You're apologizing? You don't need to :D Also I checked your profile and by golly it does sound like Kurama.

(WolfRunner cranks up a jack-in-the-box until it popped up with a sign that said 'WolfRunner does not own Yu Yu Hakusho')

"Avoiding things doesn't solve anything you know." Maya was saying to me. We were sitting in the biology lab after school. Maya forced the truth out of me when I slowly started getting more agitated as the week grew to a close. That wasn't the only problem. My sleep seems to be affected, I remember going to sleep at a decent time, but I'm always so tired and sometimes I find cuts and bruises on me.

"I don't like fishing." I scowled

"Then why did you accept it in the first place?" Maya snapped. I opened my mouth for a snide remark but closed it when I realized I had no clue why I did.

"She's got you there kit." Youko chuckled. He and I were talking again, but I was constantly on edge around him.

"I…wanted to make Mother happy." I replied. Maya heard the small hesitation and burst into laughter.

"Promise me something Shuichi. Just give the guy a chance. You may like him." I nodded, I'll try, but I won't keep my hopes up. Youko muttered something about cynical and dispersed. I rolled my eyes and hugged Maya goodbye, we've been doing that daily now and it is the happiest moment of my day. I got up and took my time heading home

I wish this day would end. I grumbled in my head. Hatanaka forgot a little detail when he said we were going fishing. Apparently, his son Kakoda heard about the fishing trip and wanted in, and Hatanaka said yes. I tried to get to know Kakoda and I didn't like what I saw.

The kid was spoiled rotten. Whenever he didn't get his way, he threw a fit until he did. As the day grew longer, the more frustrated Kakoda got. As Kakoda got more frustrated at the fish, the more frustrated at Kakoda I got. I want to shoot the people who said that fishing was peaceful.

"COME HERE AND BITE ME YOU STUPID FISH!" Kakoda yelled and waved his pole angrily. That is a sure way to get them over here.

"So Shuichi, tell us about yourself." Hatanaka asked nervously, trying to change the subject.

"What did Mother tell you?" I asked

"Oh just that you were a kind boy and a hard-working student."

"Nerd…" I heard Kakoda mutter, I ignored him.

"What do you want to know?" I'm beating around the bush, I know.

"Well…what are you're hobbies?"

"Reading." The rest of the fishing trip proceeded like that, Hatanaka having to rip information out of me, me getting angry at Kakoda, Kakoda yelling at the fish. Needless to say we didn't catch any fish. When I came home my first task was to repress this memory to my subconscious. I slip into bed and fall asleep.

The next day, I was sitting in Dr. Genkei's office again, waiting for my turn. Once the secretary called my name, I walked down the familiar hall. As I reached her door I heard hushed voices. I knew I shouldn't, but I leaned in to listen in on the conversation.

"If you know it's him, why don't we just jump him?" A harsh man's voice asked angrily.

"I told you why, dimwit, we have to take things slowly. We can't risk spooking him. If he thinks he's in danger, he might kill him." Genkei rasped. Were they talking about me?

"I know, it's just I want to do something else then -"

"Shut up dimwit, my next patient is here. Come in Shuichi." I gasped, she heard me? I collected myself and stepped inside. Next to Genkei was a punk with greased up hair. He had the look of the street fighter.

"I'm sorry for the short notice Shuichi. This is Yusuke, my student. He will be shadowing me for the day." I felt a strong aura emitting off of Yusuke, it made me shudder. It also awoke Youko from his slumber. I felt Youko's distrust and hatred coming from the barrier for a few short moments when he focused on Yusuke. He stretched his hand out for me to take. I took it.

"Nice to meet ya Shuichi! Don't worry, I'll be the invisible man, you won't know I'm here!" I nodded and sat down next to Genkei, trying not to focus on Youko who watched the entire session rather angrily. This session was different. Instead of the relaxed pace, Genkei seemed have more questions, and would not let me veer off an uncomfortable topic. She even brought up Youko once. I couldn't wait for the hour to be up. After the session, Youko stirred again.

"Shuichi, I need you to listen in on their conversation again." Youko said sternly. I was hesitant.

"But it isn't our business Youko, besides Mother is waiting for me." A sharp pain suddenly hit my head, I grabbed it in an attempt to lessen the pain.

"Don't question me and just do it." Youko growled. I nodded, not wanting to enter another argument. I crept back to the door and leaned in, hardly breathing.

"-thought I had problems. He really needs to loosen up." Yusuke was saying, "But yeah, I see why you wanna wait before executing the plan."

"He holds a firm grip on the boy. We need to find a way to gain Shuichi's trust."

"He seems to trust you pretty well Grandma."

"Probably not as much as the Spirit Fox, he's had years of manipulation -" I heard enough. I got up and ran out of the door. Who was this Yusuke character, and why was he after Youko. Once I was in the safety of my room, I rounded on Youko.

"What's going on Youko?" I yelled at him, "What are you? Why is this Spirit World after you?" I felt distain coming from Youko.

"Don't take that tone with me!" Youko snarled, "You needed worry, Shuichi, I am working on the problem." that made me even more angrier.

"The hell I won't worry! If they're after you then their after me! And I have a right to know what's going on! Is it because of your past thieving days?" Youko let surprise slip out.

"How-"

"I live in the Information Age, Youko. Just tell me what's going on." I pleaded. Youko paused as he thought about it. Then he put up his barrier.

"I have secrets for a reason. You just have to trust me." I bit back a roar of frustration and took some deep breaths. I had to think about it rationally. I closed my eyes and focused inward. Through my minds eye, I saw the inky black barrier Youko erected. I pushed at it in several different places, testing it's weaknesses. I felt a weak spot and pushed. I guess Youko was distracted. I pushed harder and stepped inside.

Youko inhabited a large cage. Like one in a zoo. The bars were green from rust and the paint of the back wall was starting to peel. Thrown about the cage floor was hay and what looked like blood. The 'walls' outside of the cages were the same black of the barrier, but right across from the cage was a white wooden door. I crouched down and hid in a shadowy corner of the cage. Youko was pacing back and forth, muttering to himself. He seemed…evil. Like a monster.

"They're on to me and Shuichi's starting to suspect something. I'll have to hasten my plans." He looked at his hand and snarled, "I'll be damned if I let them get the Forlorn Hope, I worked too hard to get it." Forlorn Hope? What's that? "I'll need to move it to a better hiding spot. It will be risky but worth it." I closed my eyes and thought about it. I opened them again and I was back in my room. That's a nice trick, I'll have to keep it from Youko in case I need it again. I double-checked my homework and then went to bed.

The next morning, I awoke covered in blood.

WolfRunner: Oh. Mah. Gawd! PLOT DEVELOPMENT! GAH! WE'RE DOOMED! Sorry for the late update guys but as I said, Busyness + Writer's Block = BITCH! I hope this epic chappie makes up for it :D.

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