Disclaimer: I own nothing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, nor any works by Yoshihiro Togashi.

Note: Thanks for the reviews, and sorry for the wait. Busy summer, new job…ya' know.

Chapter Ten: Spiritual meetings…

"…the heck!" Willow's cry ended on a sharp gasp of air as she shot out of the portal, her eyes wide with surprise at the sudden rush from one place to another. She stumbled slightly, her arms held out at her sides to gain some balance. Her gaze narrowed in realization. Why…that sneaky, little Grim Reaper! Ooooh….what did that death girl think she was doing…she…

Wait, where am I?

A frown darkening her face, Willow took a detailed survey of the room she stood in, her head turning side to side, as she took a few steps forward. Her skin began to tinkle from the large amount of spiritual power swirling about the place; soothing as it rippled along the skin of her body. It was non-threatening and it felt welcoming. She took a deep, calming breath, filling her lungs with the pure air. It felt incredible…

Hurried foot steps caught her attention. She turned slightly to watch, as a tall, bulky figure raced past her, the doors he had pushed opened closing behind him without nearly a sound as he moved forward. It was then that she realized she was in an office of some sort. On the other side of the room was a large desk, and it was situated below a huge glass window. There were a few chairs near the walls, table stands with unlit lamps in the corners, but otherwise the room was bare.

She fixed her gaze on the blue skinned ogre that had ran her by, her sight narrowing as the creature moved to the chair behind the desk. The lighting was dime, and it was hard to see clearly. The ogre spared her a panic filled look before bending down to whisper something into the ear of the person, or thing, seated at the desk.

"My Lord? She is…"

"What?! Can't you see I'm busy George?" Koenma snapped as he reached out to turn the lights on.

Willow held back a gasp of surprise as she stepped back in reacting to the lights flooding the room. Goddess…it was a baby…a toddler really, and he could talk! He was sitting there, yelling up at the ogre, while sucking on a pacifier, with spit flying everywhere!

Oh man, she wished Xander were here. He would love this…She could just hear him now. 'Oh, look at the talking baby! Awe, ain't he cute? Look at him jump up and down? Are you getting angry little man? Hey guys, did someone lose the dummy lead for 'Child's Play'? She bit the inside of her lip to hold in the giggles threatening to escape. Her chest hurt with the effect.

She had heard the rumors that King Emma's son, Lord Koenma, ruled Spirit World and that the Prince's appearance was in the physical form of a toddler, though it was said, he sometimes took the form of a teenager. Willow hadn't believed, not really…but then, who would? A baby ruler was hardly threatening.

"Greetings, Prince of Spirit World." Willow managed gallantly, despite the laughter lacing her words. She bent low in respect.

Pop!

Willow blinked at the sound, and she stole a look from under her lashes at the teenager standing a few feet away. So then, it was true. Lord Koenma could change his appearance.

Now, the question remaining, why had he brought her here?

Before the introductions could be completed, the others arrived, with Yusuke leading the way.

Without a word, Yusuke reached out and pulled Willow behind him, his hold gentle, though his body was tense with suppressed fury. He spun his head around and he stared down into her eyes, his own gaze dark with concern.

"You alright Will?"

"I'm fine Yus…" She gave him a slight nod, and then spared a look at their audience, her 'resolve face' settling into place. "…but I have questions."

He leaned towards her, his voice low as he replied. "No problem, but no now, alright?" He turned around, his face flushed with anger. "Toddler, what the hell is going on?"

Prince Koenma glared back at the young Demon Lord. "Will you stop calling me that? How many times do I need…"

Yusuke growled, the threatening sound growing in volume as he stepped forward, pulling the witch behind him as he went. "I don't care what your problem is 'pacifier breathe', but you leave Willow out of it!"

The prince let out a long, suffering sigh. "Yusuke, you do not even know what is going on. If you would just listen to me…" Koenma tried his best to keep calm, to diffuse the situation, but he had a feeling he was wasting his time. He had not been aware of Yusuke involvement with the red haired witch until just a while ago. He had never given much concern to any of Yusuke's childhood friends, at least none that lived outside of Japan. He wondered at the connection that two shared. Yusuke appeared willing to fight for the witch, no matter what, and that fact changed everything. This case was not just a normal one for the Spirit Detectives to solve, the survival of the Human World was a stake.

"I don't care what you say she is not going to get involved!" Yusuke hissed through his teeth as he waved a fisted hand, and Koenma grew red faced at the disrespectful behavior.

Of course, that was the start of the loud shouting match between the young Demon Lord and the Prince of Spirit World. Willow flinched at some part of the name-calling, surprised her friend knew so many naughty words. Some one would need to wash Yusuke mouth out with soap after this was over. She leaned around Yusuke to catch sight of the four standing near the doors. She wondered if anyone of them would bring a stop to the fighting.

Kuwabara was standing in the corner, wide-eyed with confusion; Kurama was standing beside his partner, his aura calm though his eyes gleamed with amusement. Hiei was leaning against the wall with a tiny smirk on his face as he watched the two males argue, while Botan stood in front of the doors, frowning disapprovingly with her arms crossed over her chest. It would seem one would was going to interfere.

Oh, what a big help they were. Willow thought in disgust. Well then, I guess it's up to me…

"Yusuke?" She called up to him as she nudged the young man in the ribs, but the gesture was ignored.

"…and you guys! What the hell were you thinking?" The dark haired male turned and glared at his friends. He was 'on a roll'. "Going after Willow like that?"

"We were concerned." Kurama offered. "We only wished to talk to the girl."

"Yus?" Willow tired to interrupt as she felt her friends' swelling aura. She pulled at the labels of his jacket to gain his attention but he just reached back and pulled her around his body. He pressed her tight to his chest, his free arm wrapping around her waist.

"Oh, is that right Kurama? You just wanted to talk to her…Then why were you and Hiei attacking Wills? It didn't like she was after the two of you…" Yusuke growled. He took note of how his friends were glancing from him to the woman he held, speculation of his and Willow's relationship clear in their eyes. Their curiosity just pissed him off. They had no right to look at her. He shifted to the side, shielding her from their view.

"Detective, she has power." Hiei coldly stated, his ruby gaze narrowing as he watched Yusuke's behavior. The young Lords actions spoke of more then 'friendship' shared between him and the girl.

Yusuke stare intently back. "So what? That doesn't give you the right to try to kill her. You…"

"Yusuke!" Willow screamed at the top of her lungs, causing all in the room to cover their ears. She reached up and pulled at his hair as tightly as she could. The demons in the room flinched at the pain caused by the loud sound, while Kuwabara, Botan, and Prince Koenma blinked in surprise.

"What the hell…" Yusuke yelled back, trying to jerk away.

Willow pulled harder, using a bit of her magics to bring their faces closer together. "Don't you take that tone of voice with me Mister!" She hissed with her face flushed with anger. Her eyes were a swirling mass of black and silver, but she kept a firm hold on her control. "You will stop this now Yus, and let Prince Koenma talk. I for one want to know why we are here. So, I suggest you shut up, sit down, or so help me Goddess, I'll turn you into something soft, small, and fluffy, got me?"

His mouth opened in shock. He tried to speak in protest, but changed his mind when Willow's eyes narrowed with threat. He had no idea if she could do what she claimed, but hell, with the way her power was pulsing; he didn't want to find out. "Okay."

She relaxed. "Thank you."

Without another word, Yusuke released his hold on Willow and sat on one of the chairs along the wall. He knew Willow didn't get mad often, but the witch was scary when she was pissed off. He leaned back, keeping a keen eye on his friends. He would wait. If the others made a move, he'd be ready.

Prince Koenma shared an intense look with Kurama and Hiei. Someone who could shut up the impulsive Battle Demon without argument was someone to keep a watch on. The mere fact the Yusuke even listened, spoke volumes. Koenma watched as Willow took a deep breath to calm down. Everyone could feel her power as it swirled about her body, and this casually display sent a shiver down the Prince's spin.

"Lady Willow." He began with a smile as he moved towards her, holding out his hand. The red haired girl returned the gesture, unaware how rare his showing of respect really was. "It is an honor to finally meet a member of the renowned Scooby Gang."

This bit of news caused both puzzlement and great interest to spark in those gathered in the office. "Rest assured Lady Willow, Spirit World holds the almost admiration for you and your friends.

Willow stared back with a question clear on her face. Koenma gave her a sad smile. "As much as I would have wished, Spirit World can not interfere in such matters; not without the permission of 'The Powers that be'. The Slayer, the Watcher's Council, and the Hellmouths, are not under my jurisdiction…Free will, you understand?"

"Yes, all too well." she replied sadly.

He stepped back. "Still, please accept my apologies for…"

"Sir, there is no need." She cut him off with a slight grin on her face. "Who's to say if your involvement wouldn't have made things worst then they were?" She offered, with humor lighting up the depths of her eyes. "Look at what happened with the old Council? Buffy didn't take well to following their orders, now did she?"

Koenma grinned widely at that. "Very true."

"What are you two talking about?" Yusuke wanted to know. If baffled him how Koenma was being such a perfect host, and being charming to his old friend. It bothered him. Why was 'Pacifier Sucker' being so nice? What was the catch?

"Politics Yusuke, something you have no patience for." Willow answered with a teasing smile as she glanced over at him, her grin widening slightly as he growled back at him. She turned back to the Prince.

"Sir, with all due respect…" she began with a frown of concern growing on her face. "…why was I brought here? What do you need me for?"

Koenma shot Yusuke a look over the girl's shoulder, wondering how the young Demon Lord would take the news. This was a matter of great importance. He was very pleased by Willow's attitude. She, for one, got straight down to business. Perhaps the mission would be less taxing then he had first believed.

"Lady Willow, Caller of Slayers, the Earth Witch of…" He began formally, but the opening of his office doors interrupted his speech.

The ogre George held the doors open to allow entrance. Everyone eyed the male standing just inside the room. He wore a loud, colorful shirt and an old battered hat on top of his head. The male's eyes flashed brightly as he stared at Willow, a wide, cocked smirk on his face.

"Ah, fiddle sticks!" Willow groaned, dismayed at the sight. Goddess, this sucks! "Whistler…"

Hope you like,

Magik.