Disclaimer: Don't own anything really but in essence Mikai, Senkai, Carden, and Kubo. Cat owns Sotto; The A owns Asuka; The Last J owns Reijii; Mikey owns Lei; and Nicole owns Yuzu. Damn…I've just realized how many characters I really don't own…oh well, they're still my girls and I love 'em!

"Reijii, you are looking well."

The blonde (who had remembered her glasses this time) quietly closed the sliding door behind her, and took a seat in front of the much older woman. "I can say the same for you, Master Genkai. Considering the stress your new disciple has given you, you look as if you haven't aged a day."

"I've asked you here for a reason, Reijii so let's cut the small talk," Genkai said, her voice firm and much like the women Reijii was used to. "I want you to create something for Mikai that will allow her to adjust to her spiritual energy slowly while I train her."

"Her again?" Reijii sighed and rolled her eyes. "I've been doing nothing but help with this case and I haven't even met Mikai yet! So now you're going to train her to what, if I may ask?"

"With your help I'd like to get Mikai's human body used to the demon energy coming from the broken seal," the elder explained. "Slowly but surely she'll grow used to it, and eventually be able to use it against Kubo if I'm given enough time to train her."

Reijii bit down on her lower lip as millions of gadgets flooded her mind. "What good will training Mikai do? Isn't it easier to—?"

"No." Genkai shook her head, moving her faded pink hair a bit. "Killing Mikai isn't the easy way out. I heard the conversation you had with Kurama, I know your intentions but unlike Kurama I can justify many more reasons not to kill the girl. Yomi knows she's alive, killing her might provoke something more from his end, and I doubt you want a war on your hands."

The young woman paused, whatever comeback she had dying on her lips with every passing second. How could she have not thought about what Yomi would do? Sure he was sending out troops, but would he do something more if he could? Tear down the barrier and come through himself to find Kurama and later, her? No, there's no way she could have overlooked one of the three Makai kings! No way!

She moved her shoulder back, sitting up straight. "Is Yomi truly invested in this?"

"Do you have to ask?"

Shit.

Reijii flinched, and then chastised herself for doing so. Genkai had asked her to come and here she and now she was being taught a lesson by the same person who came to talk to her over fifty something years ago? Talk about a kick in the ass…

"The situation between Kurama, Senkai, and Yomi is none of my business but it's become a concern," Genkai spoke. "All I know is that I want to keep Mikai alive as long as I can to see this through. If the drama is solved on demon land I don't care, I just don't want it happening in my backyard."

Reijii nodded. "I understand, Master Genkai."

…A bit too well in fact.

"I'm requesting something small, like a bracelet, and something we can adjust over time until her demon energy dies down and lays dormant through the use of her spirit energy," Genkai explained. "With some basic training I'm sure I can get her to handle it before Kubo does anything more."

Would this be going against what Asuka and she had wanted to do earlier? True Genkai had mentioned the whole Yomi thing but…who ever said that someone like that could ever happen? When she had first heard about the whole Kubo and Senkai thing her first reaction was to kill the girl and Asuka agreed right away. How could that have been wrong?

I've spent too much time among demons.

Was that it? Was it wrong to think that way? Kurama had been against it from the moment he mentioned it and he was Kurama one of the cruelest and deadliest demons of the century yet vetoed her opinion without a second's hesitation. Was she wrong?

Only one way to prove it.

"I understand." Reijii bowed her head. "I'll have it finished by tomorrow afternoon."

Yusuke hated waiting.

Especially when there was nothing to freakin' do.

Between checking up on Mikai every few hours and playing Goblin City with Genkai there wasn't anything to do. Training was out of the question, and there was no way in hell he was going to ask Genkai to spar with him. The rain kept him inside the house, and made it that much harder to get himself up and out of the bed Genkai had offered. The phone hadn't rung at all, and Yuzu hadn't shown up when he knew that the schools had released their students. Where the hell was Kurama? He was watching her like a hawk the day before, did he just need a break or something?

Whatever.

Feeling rather gross from running around and fighting Kubo, Yusuke jumped in the shower and washed away the blood there that he hadn't noticed before. Whose was it? Mikai's?

Stop thinkin' about that stupid blast.

After a scrubbing away all of the dried blood and sweat from his body, Yusuke emerged from the shower, dried, and slipped in to a plain outfit of a white shirt and jeans he had found in the room he had stayed in while training with Genkai. The shirt was a bit smaller now that he had gained more muscle since last wearing them, but it was enough to get by until he could get back to his place. He ran his fingers through his semi-damp hair as he left the bathroom and made his way over to Mikai's room. Just as he reached for the handle, a low spiritual energy picked up in the room.

Mikai?

His heart jumped in to his throat.

Throwing the door open, he moved his attention straight at the bed but saw Mikai still lying still, and Yuzu by her side. Oh, so Mikai's friend had been the source…Clearing his throat, Yusuke walked further in to the room. "Anything?"

"Her muscles have been twitching," Yuzu said as she closed the book she had been reading. "Like they're cramping, but other than that she's been still." Sighing, she turned her attention to Yusuke. "Has anyone else come by?"

"No."

"Oh." She lowered her head a bit and glanced at Mikai. "I saw Kurama coming back from school but I didn't say anything, I thought he would be here by now."

Yusuke rolled his eyes and shoved his hands in his pockets. "You and me both."

"I'm sorry I came late. I had to do some chores for my mom since she's come down with a cold."

Yusuke blinked a few times, and looked over at the young woman. Shouldn't she be back with her mom? "You can go home ya know? I'll call you when Mikai gets up."

The young woman shook her head. "My mom's fine, my aunt came by when I was leaving and she said that she's spending the night so my mom has someone watching over her. I wouldn't just leave my mom like that."

"I was just tryin' to make things a little easier 'round here." Yusuke waved his right hand, dismissing her thought.

Figuring that there wasn't a point in revving up Yuzu, Yusuke grabbed the chair he had placed there the day before and flopped down in it, his shoulders slouching forward a bit. Yuzu had her hair back in a ponytail today, her bright red bangs hanging just above her eyebrows. Clad in a loose fitting gray hooded jacket and tight jeans, he could see it was true she had gone home after school, unlike the day before. Jeez if school had gotten out a few hours ago what time was it now? Genkai never kept any clocks around the damn place and he didn't have a watch on him or anything.

The rain falling on the massive dojo created small 'ping' noises, the only thing filling the room. Yusuke could hear Mikai's strained breath if he blocked the rain out, but he kept his attention on the amount of rain descending from the sky.

I wish the fuckin' rain would just let up all ready.

Yuzu returned to her text book that had a ton of math equations on the front, leaving him alone. So she was studying was she? Hell he couldn't even figure out what kind of symbols adored the front, what kind of math was she in?

After about a half an hour (he guessed) of silence, Yuzu excused herself and left the room. Sitting forward, Yusuke lowered his head. The hush returned, only this time it lacked the sound of three people breathing, reminding him of how alone he really was. Here in this room he was away from everything: people, demons, friends, family, and school and now it was even more so since Mikai had fallen in to this strange coma. He had thought for sure Mikai would wake by now, what was holding her back?

And where the hell was everyone else? Why hadn't Kurama come back? Kuwabara was understandable enough, hell he couldn't even pick up on the portal's existence even if he wanted to but Kurama…did he want to avoid Mikai?

"He just looked worried, disturbed by what I told him."

Dammit don't let Yuzu be right! I don't need Kurama backin' out or actin' weird on this mission.

He rubbed his forehead as the questions buzzed through his mind, each one leading to more.

"Ever since I was five…I've known that I was Senkai. I'm sorry."

His jaw locked tight as memories from the fight came back to him, and his teeth clenched together. Removing his hands from his forehead, he interlocked his fingers and squeezed.

"Why won't she wake up and what's up with this crazy demon energy!?"

The strength on his crossed fingers increased, and he found himself clenching his eyes shut. How the hell could have he missed something like this? Since the start of their friendship, through all of the meetings, through everything and she hadn't told him. Why didn't she? If she knew she was in trouble, why didn't she just tell him?

"It happened while you were gone, and I just never got around to telling you, sorry."

What else hadn't she gotten around to telling him?

Growling, his anger boiled over, and he slammed his fist down on the bed, inches away from Mikai's body. "Dammit Mikai wake up all ready!" he yelled, spirit energy flaring. "Just open your damn eyes and wake up!"

His pulse pounding in his ears, he caught the breath he had lost in his outburst but kept his attention on her still face. The sheets pooled towards his fist, but she did not move, did not react at all.

He couldn't fix this.

He could win the Dark Tournament, but not wake her.

Reaching forward, he grasped Mikai's right hand and clenched it between his fingers. The overwhelming heat from her body brought sweat to his palm, making it a bit harder to keep a firm grasp on her. He lowered his head, his forehead resting against the mattress as he stared down at the ground. There had to be something more he could do, he couldn't just take this lying down! Maybe if he paid a visit to Kubo…would something happen then?

"Are you done," a female voice said through pants, "yelling now?"

His eyes snapped open, and he lifted his head. Mikai looked back at him, sweat falling from her hairline and a flush across her cheeks, but he focused in on the smile she gave him, comforting and warm.

"Mikai?" He blinked a few times, straining to see if he was really seeing the girl awake.

She laughed. "Hey…Yusuke."

A smirk formed across his lips. "Well it's about damn time you decided to come back around. I was starting to—"

"MIKAI!"

Yuzu sprang from the doorway and landed flat on the young girl. She wrapped her arms around Mikai's neck, and hugged her tightly against her neck. "You're awake, I'm so happy!" she said as tears fell down her face. "Oh my God Mikai!" She pulled away a second later, her hands on Mikai's shoulders. "Don't you ever do something like that again! I was so scared!"

Mikai chuckled and hugged Yuzu back, wrapping her arms around the young woman. "I'm sorry to make you worry, Yuzu. Thanks for hangin' around me." After a moment of hugging, Mikai's eyes widened, and she pushed Yuzu away enough to look her in the eye. "How the hell did you get here?"

"She was looking for you," Yusuke answered, a smile still on his face. "She came to my school and demanded that I take her to you. She's a pain in the ass just like you."

Mikai rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Yusuke!"

"So you've woken."

All three people in the room perked, and glanced to the doorway where Genkai stood. The minute she saw the older woman, Mikai moved away from Yuzu and her reassuring hug, and bowed her head.

"Master Genkai."

"What?" Yusuke turned his attention to Mikai, eyes wide. "How the hell do you know who Genkai is?"

"Senkai," Genkai answered for the young woman. "I'm sure she's heard of me before."

"Yes." Mikai lifted her head as Yuzu settled down on the bed beside her friend. "I've, no, I mean Senkai has heard of you. Thanks to the Dark Tournament fifty years ago your name has been whispered through the Makai."

Yusuke did his best not to flinch on the outside, though he found himself baffled on the inside. That sentence…Mikai had caught the mistake of saying 'I' instead of Senkai the first time around, but what was going on in her head? Senkai was real, and even though she had woken up as Mikai the demon inside of her had filled her with memories and perhaps powers. She seemed normal when she woke up, but when she laid eyes on Genkai that had changed…would it with Kurama as well? Just how much of Mikai was left? Anything?

"We're going to train tomorrow morning," Genkai said, her hands at her hips. "Get a good night's sleep, and make sure that you eat something filling. Whatever you do, don't remove the bracelet on her right wrist, that's what suppressing your energy for now."

Mikai lifted her arm and Yusuke looked over and saw a thin bracelet clinging to her wrist, glinting in the light of the room. When did that get there? He hadn't seen Mikai wear anything like that before.

But training? What did Mikai need training for? Raising a brow, he looked over at Mikai and saw a serious look on her face, one that he had seen a few times during their time together. Was this Mikai? Or did Senkai have something to do with this sudden giddiness to train and respect Genkai, someone she had never met in her human lifetime?

Mikai…don't disappear.

"I see," Kurama answered as he held the phone to the side of his head. "I'll be there in a few minutes with Mikai's belongings."

"You know, Kurama, that isn't the only reason we want you up here," Yusuke said on the opposite line.

Kurama clenched his fist. Of course there was more than just dropping off what little clothing Mikai had left, he knew that Yusuke and the others expected him to talk to Mikai/Senkai but that was the last thing the fox demon wanted. He did not need for Youko to override him and take control, he had to keep his emotions in check and avoid Mikai as much as he could while getting answers to the connection they had.

"I know." Kurama kept his voice as calm as he could without sounding too harsh. "I'll be there as soon as possible."

Click.

Kurama hung up his end of the line, and lingered around the phone for a moment. She was awake with memories from another life she wasn't supposed to have. Just how much did she remember? Besides a random dream he had seen he couldn't remember much, and he didn't want Youko acting up just because Senkai, or rather her memories and powers, were back. The person he was going to see wasn't going to be Senkai, it was going to be Mikai…

Right?

Yes I had to be! Mikai was strong enough to overcome something like Senkai! She had to be, even though she was a human with basic powers and then some—

No. Do not think that way.

Removing his hand from the back of the phone, he turned to his mother, who was in the kitchen preparing dinner. "Mother, I'm sorry but something has come up with a close friend, I need to be out for awhile, perhaps overnight."

"Is there a rule against taking a shower or anything?"

The Spirit Detective almost reached over and smacked Mikai on the back of her head, almost. She had just gotten up from a coma and she wanted to go off and take a shower? What the hell was up with that? She had just witnessed a demon life flash before her eyes and she wanted a freakin' shower?

Yuzu glanced in Mikai's direction. "Are you sure it's a good idea? I mean you just woke up from lying down for a day and a half."

Mikai nodded her head, grinning. "I'm sure I can do it! Besides I have to get out of these disgusting clothes! And I can't stand my hair looking this way!"

Yusuke rolled his eyes, the urge to smack her returning with vengeance. If there was one thing that drove Mikai nuts it was when her hair got greasy and stayed flat against her head. At least she was acting like her old self for now, that brought some comfort to him.

"All right." Yuzu slid off of the bed. "Is using the bathroom and clothing in your old room all right Yusuke?"

The black haired boy shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, whatever."

With that, Yuzu left the room to prepare the bathroom and pick out everything. As soon as the other girl left, Mikai slid over to the end of the bed and stretched her legs over the bed.

"Are you going to—?"

"No." Mikai shook her head. "I'm fine."

She moved and placed both feet on the ground but as soon as she added her weight she collapsed to the ground. Yusuke shot forward and caught her before her upper body could make contact with the ground, and brought her back up.

"Fine, huh?"

"Oh shut up," she snapped.

She slung her arm around his board shoulders as she straightened her back and he did the same as he adjusted to her short height. Yusuke watched as she gained her balance and once it seemed like she was stable, he removed his arm, letting her stand on her own. But as he looked at her form now without blankets around her, he saw that her shirt now hovered a bit, and her hair stretched down to the middle of her back.

"What the hell happened to your hair?"

"What the fuck happened to my boobs!?" she yelled, looking down at her chest. "I, like, went through a growth spurt!"

"Ugh!" Yusuke covered his ears. "Don't talk about it! I don't wanna hear anything about that area of your body!"

She grinned and leaned over to him. "Why not! I'm just playin' around! Come on, you're a guy aren't you?"

He scooted back from her advance, doing his best not to allow the flush on his face get any worse. He hated it when she was like this, sometimes she got a little 'too' playful around him, especially when she spilled information about her body to him on accident or not, it drove him nuts.

"Just go take your shower!" he said, rolling his eyes. "Kurama's gonna be here soon to talk about what's going on around here."

"Hum." She flicked her long hair over her shoulder, the one closest to him, and walked out of the room without another word.

What was that about?

"It's because her demon energy has triggered a growth spurt."

Yusuke broke out of his stupor and saw Genkai standing in the door way, a cup of tea in hand. Was that what she had gone to go and get while Mikai got out of bed? He cocked his brow a bit, and placed his hands in his pockets.

"She'll grow through a few as her body adjusts to such an old power," she explained, finally turning her attention to her student. "Is Kurama coming?"

"Yeah he said he was." Yusuke leaned against the doorway. "I just hope that something weird doesn't happen when those two meet up again."

"Mikai's demon power has been suppressed by the bracelet, but Senkai's memories will surely play a part in their meeting."

"Jilted lovers meetin' up again," Yusuke groaned, "just great."