So now the true search begins. Can our little Wiccan handle herself with 4 powerful fighters hot on her tail? Will they find her sooner than she thought? I don't know. You'll have to read on to find out.

Note: For the others' POV, I'm thinking of changing it from 3rd person to 1st person view. It kinda feels weird for me doing third person when you're speaking as one of the gang. You never really know which 'he' I'm talking about when they're interacting with each other So I'm fixing that starting today and hope you have an easier time following along.

DISCLAIMER: STILL DON'T WHY I HAVE BOTHER DING THIS SINCE I OBVIOUSLY DON'T OWN THEM. ONLY MY OC AND FICTION OF AUORA BELONGS TO MUA.

The Hero/ine of Auora

My P.O.V.:

Thanks to my frequent late night operations, sleep was not in my favor which resulted in me waking up in 5 a.m. in the morning. My head was swarming with drowsiness, and dull dizziness claimed me as I rose to fight it.

Last night really took its toll on me. I didn't think things would get this exciting and complicated until Malistaire had the guts to go toe to toe with me. Guess not.

I had kicked off my blanket in my sleep, so I fumbled for it to pull over my head to sleep some more. Several minutes attempting to drift back to dreamland passed, and I had failed miserably. When it was clear I wouldn't be able to sneak a few more Zzz, I rolled out of bed and laid flat on the floor ignoring the wind being knock out of my lungs. Memories from last night were coming back to me and I gasped, realizing a possible colossal mistake. I shot to my feet and hopped over to my closet in an instant. My eyes widen in fear as I sifted through my gear. My bow wasn't there; My favorite long range weapon was missing.

"Why me?!" I wailed to myself but kept low key to avoiding waking the family. Of all the times to be forgetful, this was one of the worst even if I was forced to make a hasty escape. The reason why it's bad is because I can't just recall it with a wave of my hand unless it's in my sights. Why do you think a wizard can't transport a super powerful ancient artifact half way across the world if it's not protected by charms or barriers? Answer: Magic repels magic (unless I had that back which I know I keep on mentioning). The same principle applies to personal belongings as well (of course if I can visualize where I left it then it's easy to call, but in this case, it's not). I can get it tracked. That much I can do, but the fact that I did lose it gave me a headache just for mentally slapping myself too many times in the head. For now I'll just have to worry about it later and get ready for school.

My body still reeks from last night's job, and I grab a new, clean uniform before trudging into the bathroom connected to my bedroom and took the long, dreaded shower routine. It had taken a whole hour with three bottles of body wash, two bottles of shampoo/conditioner, and a bar of soap to get rid of all the dirt, sweat, and germs potential to become an infectious disease had I went on without proper cleansing (my mom is very conscious of personal hygiene).

I really hated showers...well, after I finished anyway. Every time I see myself in the mirror wrapped in a towel, my long, ebony hair in tangled wet strands, I glare at the evidence than defined me as a female. I am 16 years old yet born with a figure of a preteen still in early development with a slight build that could match any boy my age. But I always kept that little secret tucked under my baggy shirt and pants. No boy ever approached me, thank my lucky stars for that, because of my lack of feminism due to my clothes, body, and general attitude towards men. That is, until yesterday.

After drying my hair to a near frizzy consistency, I tied it into my usual low, thick ponytail flowing down to the middle of my back, almost resembling a fox tail. My hair was so thick, you'd think it was actually made of horse hair. Even my hair stylist said she'd never seen hair so thick. I slipped into my uniform t-shirt and black capris that go past the knees to show off my thin, slightly hairy, muscular calves and finished the look with a dark-blue, zip-up, collar vest with several pockets. My signature hat hung limply over the desk lamp as per usual, but I thought better of it. The moment I walk in wearing that, the detectives would be all over me in a heartbeat, especially 'HE who shall not be named'. So instead I flipped on a murky blue fisherman cap with two white stripes that traveled around the base like a ring. I pick up my fake glasses off the dresser and placed it atop the bridge of my nose and did a once over of myself.

"Hm. Not bad I guess." I compliment the outfit though anyone else would say otherwise to the nerdy tomboy fisher appearance. Today wasn't gonna be easy, but I should be able to pull it off without suspicion. And so with that, I left to tackle the day. CARPE DIEM!

I stood before the classroom door, nerves racing with trepidation. I gulped with a tad of difficulty. "Well...here goes nothing." I take a deep breath. When I entered the classroom ready to act, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei were nowhere to be seen. An anime fall felt very appropriate for this situation since I ended up stressing out for absolutely NOTHING! That's when I saw most of the kids huddled in the back around Shuichi's desk, so I assumed he came after all.

"Excuse me." I shoved through the bodies to get to my desk but these people were stubborn and being difficult to deal with. After being squished and pressed to an ultra thin potato chip, I was glad to be out of there, until I came face to face with the friendly red-head. Looks like I made a wrong turn.

"Good morning." he greeted me with a warm smile. The girls swooned at his sweet expression, but I just rolled my eyes. From the looks of it, he had explained how to solve a certain equation before I came along. My best guess was he's trying to tutor our class of rowdy misfits–HA! Good luck with that.

I didn't want to seem rude so I gave the common courtesy of replying as well. "Good morning, Ku...wabara and the others not coming today?" I mentally slap myself for almost spilling his other name by accident and recovered from that little tongue-tie. Kurama didn't appear to have heard the near mishap and answered, "Perhaps. They aren't known for being light sleepers, but I expect Kuwabara to make it at some point." Yeah right. Probably ditching like they planned to yesterday. I scowl with a knowing look to the side.

For a split second he raised an eyebrow upon seeing my expression when I made that thought and knew that wasn't good. I forced a bright smile and did a funny little wave much to my classmates astonishment. "Oh, okay. Just wanted to know." I walked back to my seat knowing his eyes (as well several other suspicious pairs) were still tailing me.

Note to self: Don't EVER do that again.

Mr. Hellenga came into the room and everyone rushed to their desks before he reached his own. "Okay class I have an announcement to make so SHUT YUR TRAPS!"

Everyone was so dead silent, a pin drop would sound like a bowling ball at this point. I was surprised; I never thought his voice could make such a boom and even got the ever-so-noisy class to shut down–if not for a little while. "Thank you." he was back to smiling. "Now I know Halloween is almost here, so we have to start preparing for the Midnight Fall Festival coming up next week." Everyone cheered in uproar the moment he finished.

Everyone, except me. My heart missed a beat and time stood still for a moment. The word 'Midnight' kept replaying in my head like a broken record. Midnight. As in demons. As in the possibility of blood bath Armageddon in a single night. My friends...

Son of a flea-bitten griffin! If I wasn't in class at the moment, I'd be clutching the sides of my head shaking it to and fro until my neck snapped off and screaming at the top of my lungs. I needed to vent. "May I go to the bathroom real quick?" I abruptly stand with a plastered face of calm serenity and not a pinch of sheer panic. The teacher looked up from his attendance list. "Sure but class just-"

"Thank you. I'll be right back." I say in a hurry and was out the door before he could finish. As the door closed behind me, I stomped down the hall trying to shake off the mental strain poking at my brain.

This was madness, insanity, and the end of my world all bundled up in a crimson bow wrapped by the devil himself. Suddenly, a strange feeling tugged in my back of my mind. Out the window I could have sworn I caught a glimpse of something large in the trees before it blurred and disappeared. "This is not helping my headache." I shake my head out of whatever funk I had and dashed past the bathroom, up the flight of stairs to the roof. With a kick, the metal door flung open, slamming the wall with a loud bang and I ran to the edge, leaning over the railing on my stomach with lungs filled to max capacity.

I let out a scream vibrating in waves like a sonic boom, making the earth cringe. "THIS...SUUUUUUUUUCKS!" Anyone within a mile could have heard my stressful cry, but I didn't care. The stress was gonna kill me if the demons don't get me first. I massage my temples and sigh. "Where's help when you need it?" But then an annoying familiar voice rang out and I froze. I seem to be doing that a lot lately, I realize.

"What's your deal? You practicing to wake up the dead or something?" I turn to see Yusuke sitting above the entrance that leads downstairs with a finger in his ear. He yawns before jumping off and walks up to me with a curious look. "What are you screaming about anyway?"

"None of your business." I imagine myself sticking my tongue out at him. Normally, I wouldn't associate with people like him and such (must be the heat), let alone the ones who have it out for me from last night, but there was no use escaping if he wanted to talk. Not wanting the moment to get any more awkward standing there, I asked him with a bored look, "Shouldn't you be in class?"

"Shouldn't you?" he easily countered, a smug grin trying to mock me. That one look hit a sensitive nerve and instantly put me in a bad mood, forcing me to abandon all quiet tendencies to bring this guy down no matter how annoying it was conversing with this class ditcher. I crossed my arms, keeping my gaze steady as I met his eye to eye, not willing to back out without a fight. "I was on my way to the bathroom. What's your excuse?" I sneered, surprised I said the right words at all, let alone to a boy. And I liked it.

"Never heard of taking a detour to the bathroom through the roof." Yusuke folds his arms behind his head as he looked to the sky, not taking our little argument as serious as I was. "Whatever. Can't say I wouldn't do the same. And since you asked, I didn't feel like going. All the teachers ever do is go on and about useless junk and hand out detention whenever they feel like it because they can."

I blinked at his attitude and glared vehemently. I can't believe this guy! Thinks he's some big shot huh? "I don't know what kind of teachers you had back in Japan, but none of the teachers here are like that. And for your information," I jab a finger at him with each word (once again to my astonishment). "You shouldn't be skipping. You need to be there." Yusuke tossed his hands in the air like he was cursing the Fates above him.

"Great! Just what I need: Another Keiko to get on my case! Always nagging at me to go to school and behaving myself!" he quotes dramatically. I almost smirked at the thought of him being owned by a school girl; I'd like to meet her one day. The girl must have a lot of guts or knows him pretty darn well to keep him on a short leash. Then again, what do I call what I'm doing now?

"Maybe she nags you because she cares, Nimrod." I reasoned, wanting to bash him upside the head if it weren't for the self-control I purposely pushed myself to obtain after that incident (will explain later I promise). "Either that or she hates lazy bums as much as I do." I examine my nails like I hadn't just insulted him.

His cheeks flushed a light pink before lifting an eyebrow at my second remark. Suddenly, that one look warned me that I should stop talking before I get ahead of myself. I turn tail as my shyness caught up with me and headed for the door, arms swinging stiffly and tense much like a robot that needs lubricating. "Never mind. Just forget it." I tell him. "Its none of my business anyway so do what you want." I'm such a hypocrite. I was almost to the stairway when suddenly Yusuke calls out to me. "Hey wait a sec."

Yusuke's P.O.V.:

Few Minutes Ago...

Botan paid me a visit before a certain someone nearly kicked the door off its hinges. She came by saying that Koenma traced out our number one suspect's energy from the bow and arrow somewhere near the forest around the school. How lucky can I get? He never mentioned exactly where he landed in the forgotten sea of trees, but knowing he was nearby was enough for me.

"So you're saying this guy probably goes to school like your normal, run-of-the-mill, American kid?" I whistled low. "Well if that ain't a coincidence, I don't know what is."

"Might I remind you Yusuke that its only a possibility. But seeing how it's our best bet if we want to find him, we can't complain." "Yeah yeah whatever. So what am I suppose to do about it?" I ask her. "No offense Botan but I doubt the guy would make it easy for us by wearing a police siren on his head or carry a sign saying 'Here I am!' Admit it. Finding this guy is like searching for a zebra with spots."

Botan huffed. "Well you can start by socializing with your peers, but judging from your relationships with your old classmates and being known for your negative side, I don't think you can handle it." she suppressed a giggle seeing my frown trying to shoot her down. "Oh cool your jets Yusuke. Even if you can't so much as make a friend on your own without pummeling their face in first, we can definitely count on Kurama to charm his way in to get the inside scoop we need. I've already contacted him and Kuwabara so all that's left is Hiei but since he won't be coming to school anytime soon I doubt I'd have to bother him. So just sit back, relax, and try not to get into too much trouble." she chided in a sweet and sickly voice that would make even Hiei's skin crawl a little and left for Spirit World. Hearing it myself certainly didn't make it any better either.

So I did as she said and laid back on the sun baked concrete to catch some good old R&R. But after my nap time was disturbed by a certain little yeller and had a little chat, I had a sudden urge to prove Botan wrong and called out to the kid before he reached the stairwell. Who knows? Maybe this kid could help. He looks stable enough to hang around.

My P.O.V.:

I look over my shoulder, annoyed by the fact that he was still pestering me and more so that I actually stopped to hear him out. Curse my obedience habit and mannerisms to the Abyss. "What?" I growled in a clipped tone, hoping he would take the hint and back off. He didn't catch it.

"Do you know a lot about the kids that go here? You see I'm lost when it come to spotting different cliques and could use the tip." he rubs the back of his head with a sheepish grin and knew right away what he was up to. Better to just play along. "I know a bit." I say casually. "Not a lot. But quite a bit." I may not be a social butterfly like most teenagers, but that doesn't make me naïve about what goes on and how things are done around here–being run by high schoolers and all.

Yusuke was now grinning from ear to ear like he just won the jackpot at the casino and asked me a question I never expected to hear. "You wanna lunch with me and the guys so you can fill us in?" I blinked so many times I never thought I'd stop. After all, there was nothing weirder than a delinquent in a veggie-green jumpsuit asking the school loner–who happens to be the one he and his gang was searching for–to come and have tea and crumpets like everything was peachy keen. Isn't that delightful.

"Why?" I ask, being cautious of his strange behavior.

He shrugged his shoulders. "You're the first guy in this school that I bothered to talk to."

Wait a second, did he just... I hid my grin and pretended to look confused while pointing at myself. "You do know I'm actually a girl, right?"

On cue, his eyes bug out and he leans over, inspecting my face after getting past the glasses. "You're a girl?"

I shot him the best 'Are you kidding me?' look and stepped back. 'Oh ye typical.' "As it so happens, I am." If he can't figure that out, I'd hate to see what the others would think, including Shuichi, seeing how he and I are somewhat in the same boat in the gender confused department. Sadly for him his looks were permanent while mine dealt with male clothing. Not that he got the bad end of the deal.

"Really? Had me fooled." My evil glare would have sent anyone unfortunate enough to see it running for the hills, (Ha! In my dreams. I looked more like a pouting baby face than anything as menacing as a creepy doll.) but he backs off, holding up his hands in a 'I get it! Please don't kill me!' way and a chuckles nervously. "So uh, what do you say? Eh heh."

I snort in annoyance but gradually let it go. When I thought about it, eating with them would attract too much attention and that is one of the last things I need. I finally caught a break from Auora; Why should I give up my peace and quiet for the high life with the new school celebrities? I've already gone through that once and I can't imagine doing that ever again. I was about to decline his offer when an epiphany struck. What if I can use this to my advantage? If I were to get along with them for a while–and endure the possible torture and pain the others no doubt will inflict after my meeting them–the others may not suspect since Yusuke's the one inviting me. And it's not like I wasn't prepared for this kind of thing. Trust me, hanging around 4 popular, not to mention gorgeously handsome (sooo not my words) princes of the Academy is more than enough unwanted training a girl like me could ask for.

You have no idea how much torture a girl like me had to deal with when it came to these guys and their fans. I still shudder at the remembrance of every haunting hour of the massive jubilant, and extremely violent, throng of women of all ages. But thanks to all that (horrendous) experience I've suffered: It's foolproof!

So much for the life of solitude. I thought solemnly.

Such an act will not be easy to play off, but I think I can manage. Then again, making mistakes from time to time when it comes to socializing was like a life long curse to my family. No wait, that's just me. My mind sorted through all the pros and cons leaving me in a whirlwind of confusion and panic. Despite my slight optimism, this was something I knew I couldn't do alone. Then, an idea sparked and I looked to him with clear eyes. "I might," I crowed. He arched an eyebrow at that. "but only if you let me bring a couple of friends with me." this time both eyebrows disappeared under his hairline in alarm. "Don't worry." I lamely assure him. "They aren't as chaotic as those divas that hassled you yesterday. They're pretty harmless plus they can fill in any details if I can't." I shrug and cross my fingers behind my back, awaiting his answer. He taps his chin thinking it over.

Please say yes please say yes oh please oh please oh please! I can't do this alone! I silently pleaded with all my might and a miracle happened. He grinned.

"Sure, why not? As long as you keep them on their butts and not in our faces." he warns with his index finger and starts rubbing his sore shoulder. "I don't think I can take another round of tug of war without my arms popping off." I almost winced out of pity for the poor sucker. Dang, it was that bad? I knew they were aggressive to some degree, but I didn't think they'd go to such extremities. "I didn't think you knew anyone else in this prison." he continues, glancing my way. "You don't look like the type to hang around others."

My head snaps up and had to hold myself back before I popped a blood vein somewhere. Well that's an understatement! I'm meeting with you guys later aren't I? Geez! My mood darkened as I faced the other direction, whispering to the wind. "They're the only real friends I have." he didn't hear and if he did, he didn't show it. And since I'm making demands, I might as well try to get some fun out of it. And if I get booted out from our little get together then I'll still have my peace and quiet, so it's more or less a win-win situation for me. So I tell him, "In addition to my condition, thanks to your little comment," I added with a drop of poison. "you also have to come to class for the rest of the day."

I smiled innocently like I had done nothing wrong or despicable what so ever and watched him squirm in response. "What?! Forget it, deals off!" he blares, nearly spitting on my clothes had I not backed away from their arched trajectory. Tranquility of silence it is. I shrugged at his answer and walked past him to the exit. I throw a hand up in farewell. "Suit yourself." I drawl all nonchalant, trying my best to hide my grin. "Though I doubt you'll find anyone suitable enough to sit down with and have a nice little chat. What with all the noise they'll bring. Good luck." I call over my shoulder.

Honestly, I wanted to know their real intention after all, but I can't help but want to avoid trouble as much as possible. It sucks when it feels like I have two different personalities pulling at me in opposite directions like an internal game of tug of war. Oh the irony of that analogy. Almost at the door, feet pounded against the concrete floor and Yusuke's shadow shaded me. Behind me, I could see his heated, if not defeated, look.

"Alright fine! I'll go to my freakin' classes. Happy?" he sounded annoyed and downright frustrated, wobbling in sound defeat. I blinked at his question; I didn't think he would fall for that so easily. He could have found a boy similar to me, if not a bit, who had no interest in dating in the least and won't mind sharing some high school tips. Either he is too stubborn and/or dumb to fall for the easy-to-spot reverse psychology I laid out, or he's too impatient to look for another man for the job. In a word: Dimwit. But enough talk, it was time to get serious for some major secret undercover; Agent Carter is officially on the move.

"Doesn't matter to me." I deadpanned and hit the stairwell with my new buddy. Not really a lie but I was curious. He was going the whole nine yards to find me out of this whole school. And out of all the people here, he comes asking me for info of my description without even knowing who I was. In addition to watch him go through hours of torture was certainly a bonus as much as I pity the guy. He won't catch me so easily. The sound of our shoes bounced around the empty halls as I suddenly paused in mid-step. The strange feeling I sensed earlier has come back again with a vengeance and much more intense. I ran to window and clutch the sides of the window frame as I scan the area, often catching a glimpse now and then of a dark blur in the trees until it vanished all together.

I swear if its them I'm going to rip them apart before they get the chance. The promising scowl planted on my face was proof to confirm my word. Nothing appeared in sight or sense and reverted back to walking to class, ignoring the dubious face watching me. "What was that all about?" Yusuke asks, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Nothing. Just wanted some fresh air." I brushed it aside.

"Uh huh. I believe you." he drawls sarcastically. I promptly ignored his comment as we reached the classroom.

Just as my hand touched the handle, another obnoxious, yet familiar voice amped through the narrow hall. "Urameshi, where are you hiding?! I know you're around here somewhere! When I find you I'm gonna beat you up so bad your mom won't even recognize you!" Yusuke snickered behind me as Kuwabara skidded into my line of sight around the corner. "There you are! You rotten punk! I know it was you who turned off my alarm clock!"

"And what if I did?" He grinned cockily. "You gonna beat the snot outta me like all the other times you've tried and failed?"

Kuwabara fumed before bounding off, feet pounding the ground like he was running from flying bullets in a war fray. He aims an angry finger at the greaser with a foul scowl. "You're lucky we're in school right now, otherwise I would! But I'm already late, so shove it!" I was leaning beside the door during their little squabble, patiently waiting for them to kiss and makeup so I can get back inside. Seriously, can these guys be any louder?

I puff a mushroom sigh and kicked off the wall just as Kuwabara was halfway down to us. The blue jumpsuit lug was several yards away when he suddenly tripped from some unknown source I failed to see, and he came tumbling (more like flying) straight for us with a four-second leeway to react. Yusuke moved away and saw me still standing stiff like a bump on a log. "Hey kid move!"

What he didn't know was I was preparing to flip the klutz back on his feet. I raise my hands into position, but something stopped me. Don't do it. A voice whispered, like it knew something would be discovered and will lead into imminent danger. I've had enough experience to know not to ignore its words. I quickly shift my arms to block my face, crossing my forearms to brace for impact and cringed in wait. This is going to hurt.

CARTER NOOOOOOOOOOOO! I cry...JUsT KIDDING! I don't know what's going to happen. well, actually I do. But you don't! HA hA! What will happen next? I hope you love cliffies as much as I do!

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