" I don't understand….I lost all control over him." Kurama commented. " What did he say to
you?" Kurama's emerald gaze locked onto Cheza as he asked this. Very rarely Youko would attempt
to overpower him and take control of his body, why had it been so important for him to transform so
suddenly? "he…umm.." Cheza shifted uncomfortable under his gaze, she couldn't think of anything
believable to tell him. The fox's eyes narrowed, what was she hiding from him? "Cheza!" Cheza nearly
jumped at Kuwabara's sudden appearance. "your owl! Look!" Cheza eyed Kuwabara's hands as he
opened them revealing the baby owl…it was glowing? "What the.." Cheza commented while walking
closer to get a better inspection of the critter. An odd golden glow was emitting from the little guy,
"he suddenly started glowing in his sleep" Kuwabara informed. "I've never heard of
an owl glowing before.." Cheza remarked. "This is no ordinary owl…" Kurama replied. " Do you have
any idea why hes glowing, Kurama?" Kuwabara asked. " I don't have a clue.."
The three resumed staring at the glowing owl who lay fast asleep in Kuwabara's palms.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Cheza stared at her owl who was still fast asleep, the glow around it had dimmed quite a bit. She had
noticed as soon as Kurama would enter the room the glow would brighten significantly. She frowned,
why? she couldn't come up with an explanation. Cheza looked up as Kurama appeared in the room, "
Boton is bringing us some books on the great horned owl tomorrow. The spirit world library is filled with
a lot of useful information, I'm sure we will find at least some answers to our questions." Cheza frowned
again, as soon as Kurama had entered the glow had brightened once again..only this time ever brighter
than before. "Is something wrong?" Before she could respond the glow around the owl became nearly
blinding, the two shielded their eyes reflexively. Only seconds later the glow diminished then
disappeared completely. "Hey! The glow..its gone!" Cheza ran over to the owl, it looked exactly the
same. "Nothing..seems different." "Are you sure about that kitten?" Cheza quickly turned around to see
Youko staring at her with his piercing golden orbs. "Why..did you transform again!?" Youko paused for a
second. "Shuichi is not as pleased about this as I am..it appears the owl has caused me to transform…"
"well..transform back then?" Youko grinned, "I can't…" Cheza's eyes widened for a second, "what..do
you mean? You can't!? why can't you?" Youko shrugged, " I don't know". Cheza turned her attention
back to the mischievous owl, obviously the owl had caused this..but why? "so..you're stuck like this?"
A smirk fell upon the fox's face, " That seems to be the case kitten."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
" So you're stuck like this? How the hell did that happen!?" Yusuke asked. Hiei glared at the owl in
Cheza's palms, " that thing seems more of a hassle than it is worth. " Kuronue grinned, "I'm sure this
isn't permanent..and if it is, don't worry I won't mind. I miss seeing your beautiful face around all the
time anyways."
Youko rolled his eyes, "I'm touched." Hiei didn't mind either, in fact he liked it better when Kurama
was in his demon form. He thoroughly enjoyed sparing against his silvered haired friend, Kurama was
much more challenging in his demon form. Faster reflexes, more daring, more powerful..the perfect
sparring partner. He was getting tired of going against Kuwabara, his eyes narrowed at the thought of
going against him once again.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Youko slammed down another empty beer bottle, " Slow down you guys! beer isn't cheap you know!..at
least not this kind!" Yusuke exclaimed. Youko rummaged through his pockets, soon after pulling out a handful of gold coins,
"this should cover it" he commented. Kuronue grinned, " Youko here can drink more than anyone
I've ever met" Cheza shook her head, " I don't think it's a good idea for you to be getting drunk like
this.." Youko turned his attention to her, " Don't worry kitten..I can handle my alcohol" She rolled
her eyes, "yeah right! Last time I saw you drunk you were passed out on the floor in a bar!"
Kuronue laughed, "That sounds about right" Youko grinned, "Why don't you join us kitten?"
"I think I'll pass". "Suit yourself! More for us!" Kuronue exclaimed while popping open yet another beer.
Cheza rolled her eyes, "I'm going to go take Alice for a walk. I'll be back in a little bit."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Alice pranced around enjoying the cool breeze in the air. Cheza looked up to see Yusuke sitting on
the bottom step of the apartment stairs. He was talking on his cell phone, probably calling to check
up on Keiko. She had been working a lot of late night shifts lately. Turning back around, Cheza
scanned the surrounding area for Alice..she couldn't spot her anywhere. "Alice!" There
was no response. She crossed her arms and leaned against a nearby tree, deciding to wait a few
minutes before setting out to find her doggy companion. Cheza jumped as she felt someone place
a hand on her shoulder. "Yusuke! You trying to give me a heart attack!?" He grinned, "sorry, didn't
mean to pull a Hiei on you." She returned the grin, "Don't worry about it." Yusuke scanned the area,
"Where'd Alice go?" Cheza frowned, "Good question." They both turned to face the woods as the
sound of leaves crunching emitted from them. "Well, I guess that answers that question." Yusuke
commented. Cheza sighed before venturing off into the woods after Alice, Yusuke followed along.
Lucky for them a full moon was out, so there was enough light to see a little ways ahead of them.
Cheza came to an abrupt stop causing Yusuke to bump into her. "You hear that?" she whispered.
A barely audible humming like noise echoed in the detectives ears. "Come on" Cheza motioned for
Yusuke to follow her further into the woods. The deeper they went the louder the noise became until
they realized what it was.
Alice was growling at something….
Cheza froze as memories crept into her mind. Last time she had heard Alice growling like this there had
been a demon. "Alice?" Cheza called out shakily. Yusuke moved in front of her ready to attack anything
that might pop out at them. Silence ensued, the growling had ceased.
Cheza let out a startled scream as something tackled her to the ground. Yusuke spun around catching
site of Alice "Damn it Ali.." She stopped midsentence as the growling started back up
again. The growling had not been coming from Alice after all.
"Yusuke.." Cheza whispered. "Stay here" he ordered while walking deeper into the woods. Soon he
was out of site. The growling continued on sending chills up her spine. Minutes passed..there was still
no sign of Yusuke. Cheza stiffened as Alice began to growl. Her teeth were bared, she looked ready to
attack at any moment. She looked away as a strange light caught the corner of her eye. It looked like
a hovering glowing orb, it was far off in the distance..whatever it was.
/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\
" What the…" Yusuke muttered to himself while glancing around him. He had come upon a clearing in
the woods. The growling was louder than ever, he had come to the conclusion earlier that there was
more than just one creature growling. His suspicions were now confirmed as he now realized he was
surrounded by a pack of angry looking wolves. Their eyes were not focused on him though, but rather
on something ahead of him. They seemed to have little interest in his presence.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Cheza had made up her mind to locate Yusuke. She decided to walk towards the strange orb of light,
more than likely she would come upon Yusuke if she walked in the direction of it. Eventually she
reached the glowing orb of light. It looked like an oversized glowing orange that was hovering
mid air. "What is this thing?" she asked no one in particular. She reached her hand out to grab a hold
of it, but stopped. She debated with herself for a few minutes, deciding rather or not she should touch
it. Finally she decided against her instincts and reached out to grab it. Someone grabbed her arm as
she attempted to, " don't touch it kitten." She turned to see Youko. His eyes were narrowed, he was
looking at something straight ahead of them. " Get behind me." Alice began to growl once again….
