I don't own YuYu Hakusho… gosh, how many times have I said this? I feel like a tape recorder.

I need to start preparing for the tournament. It's not starting for a bit but suggestions on names, characters, and stuff you'd like to happen will still be very helpful. VERY HELPFUL. Did I mention VERY HELPFUL?! So help!!!!

Darn Dawny…didn't have to start school until Wednesday…

Hey, isn't Labor Day coming up?

Happy Birthday Ren!!! The Big 60!! Ya!!!! ::runs away with cheesecake::

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The air whipped cold through the streets and sidewalks of Japan. Julie dug her free hand deeper in her pocket, trying to keep out the numbing cold. There wasn't much hope for her right hand since it was carrying her briefcase.

She glanced up at Kurama. He looked a little apprehensive about going to school, and she knew why.

"Don't worry Kurama, I'm sure Mariko has calmed down…some."

She heard him chuckle half-heartedly.

"Perhaps she'll be past the stage of crying today," he said grimly.

Julie looked at the ground, feeling useless. This was the first time she'd seen Kurama upset, and she had no idea how to comfort him. His distress was only mild, but it still upset her.

"Well, if she gives you too much trouble, tell me, and I'll smack her one for you."

He looked down at her, and chuckled again, this time it was genuine. "I'll have to remember your offer."

The school was in view, its great concrete structure peering through the skeleton trees. It was hard to believe that spring was almost here.

Kurama had followed through with Hiei's dare and had dated one of his fan girls for a week. Yesterday was the break up date, and Mariko hadn't taken it well, at all.

Kurama sighed and prepared himself for the bumpy road ahead as he entered the schoolyard. In barely a minute, he was spotted by Mariko's group. They were now fast approaching.

"At least next time we play truth or dare, you won't feel bad for giving Hiei a really mean dare."

He smiled faintly, "You don't have to stay, you know."

"I know, but I still have a score to settle with Mariko, besides, I can't just leave you here." Mariko had been the ring leader that had fought with her and Hiei. Why Kurama had chosen to date her, she couldn't understand. Maybe it was because he wouldn't feel that bad about breaking up with her.

He smiled again, "Well, I suppose then I'll let you stay."

Julie smiled back, standing next to him as the group approached.

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Hiei's room was blackness. The only source of light was a blue, glowing orb in the room's far corner. The Jagan.

Something was in the air. He could feel the electricity surging through his blood, the calm before the storm. It was driving his demonic instincts crazy.

Hiei's crimson eyes were closed, while his third was open, searching for whatever was causing the disturbance. He was like a spider, locating which sticky threads the fly had caughten on to.

Forest, mountains, and swamps flew past the Jagan's vision. Still nothing. What was it?

A whispering sound caught the Jagan's attention. It was almost too soft to hear, but the voice sounded familiar.

The route changed back to the direction of the forests. Trees past until a large mansion came into view. There was a few towers attached to it. The voice was coming from the tallest one.

The words were audible now. "Please little birds, don't stay. It's dangerous here."

Hiei's stomach dropped. He peered into the barred, tower window, hoping it wasn't who he thought it was.

A gentle girl with turquoise hair was whispering worriedly to some finches on her finger.

Yukina, his sister.

His fist clenched.

Her head turned suddenly toward the door. Footsteps.

After a few moments, the lock grinded open, and three men stepped in, two were demons, and the third was a fat human.

"So sweetheart, comfortable here?" the bald man asked. There was a humorousness drag underneath the tone. He took a smoke from his expensive cigar.

The tallest demon of the two stepped up. The other, smaller was clinging onto his shoulder.

Yukina looked out the window, her face emotionless.

"Now sweetheart, I'd like you to meet Mr. Toguro. He's going to be paying you a few visits from time to time."

Hiei felt his fist clench tighter.

The fat man took another drag, amused by his own joke.

Yukina kept staring out the window. Icicles crept up the windows. The room began to freeze over, and the birds flew out because of the sudden cold.

He turned towards the much taller demon, "Charming, ain't she? My men can't seem to get anything out of her."

Toguro glanced down at his current employeer and smirked, "Believe me, that won't be a problem for us."

He smirked at the demon's comment, "Well, I'm going to let her settle down a bit, and see what we can do later."

Toguro looked at the ice apparition from behind his dark shades, already knowing her weakness.

"Bye sweetheart."

The three filed out the room. Once the deadbolt made its solid thud, the room thawed, and the birds returned. Yukina stared out the window with a sad, desperate look on her face.

Hiei felt a pained throb at her expression. They would regret even thinking about hurting Yukina.

The Jagan glowed more brightly, illuminating the room.

The chair knocked over as Hiei stood abruptly.

"Yukina, I'm coming."

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Hiei had left them early that morning, and he still hadn't returned. Julie bit her lip, a little worried.

Koenma had told her about Yusuke's mission, but what did that have to do with Hiei?

She started scribbling her homework while trying to link the two together.

Hiei wasn't a spirit detective, nor was she or Kurama. That's why they hadn't gone, so what was up with him?

She was so deep in thought, she didn't even notice Kurama stepping in.

"Well hello. I'm glad to see you so dedicated to your school work," he smiled down at her.

Julie looked up, startled, "Oh, hey," she smiled back at him. "What's up?"

Today she was sitting in the middle of her floor. He sat across from her, pleased to note she smelled of lotus. "How's your arm?"

She glanced down at the bandages. Botan had given her a special gauze that made her sword wound heal in a few days, but today's training earned a gash from Kurama's rose whip which was a lot deeper. It would take longer for it to heal.

"It doesn't hurt so much so that's good."

Kurama gave a relieved nod.

"So why aren't you doing your homework?" she teased.

"I've completed it."

"Already? Darn. I guess I'm slow."

He chuckled, "Do you need any assistance?"

She shook her head, "No thanks. I'm just a little slow with learning political stuff." History was causing trouble once again. Julie paused a moment, "Kurama, I have a question."

"Yes?"

"This mission, for the ice apparition, what does it have to do with Hiei?"

Kurama debated for a brief moment what he should tell her. "What has Koenma told you?"

"That Yusuke, Botan, and Kuwabara are trying to rescue an ice apparition from this mafia guy. Something about her tears being worth a lot of money. I didn't really understand, and Koenma wasn't in a good mood."

He nodded, "You see, when an ice apparition cries, their tears turn into gems. The gems are extremely valuable and normally go by the thousands. One of the local ones was abducted for this reason."

"O…" she absorbed the new information. "But what this has to do with Hiei?"

"Are you sure he's involved with this mission?"

"Well it's a little coincidental that the only time he disappears is on this day. Does he know her or something?"

Kurama didn't particularly want to answer this question. "I don't really know why he went. Perhaps just for the fight. He's been antsy lately."

Julie felt like something was missing but decided to drop it. Kurama didn't look that comfortable talking about it.

"So what's for supper?"

He was glad she changed the topic, "I believe Mother is cooking four seasons today."

"That stuff is good." She started scribbling again, listening to Kurama while she wrote.

"So how are your grades coming along?"

"I'm doing better in Japanese than I thought I was, and me and you are duking it out in Biology."

"Yes, I believe I have you defeated by three points," he teased.

"It won't last for long," she said playfully back.

"O really…"

She smiled, "So how are your grades coming along?"

"Well, I have competition in Biology and I have been defeated in Computer Science and English, but I'm still ahead in History," he said teasingly.

Julie looked up, smiling, "I can't really take the English as a victory. It wouldn't be that fair. It's like you taking Japanese as a victory."

Outside, the sun cast red, pink, and orange shadows as it descended behind the mountains to rest.

"So I believe we'll allow English and Japanese to reside from the competition?"

Before Julie could reply, the window was throw open, allowing for a flustered Hiei to step in. There was a scowl on his face.

"I was wondering where you were. What's the matter?"

"It's none of your concern," he snapped while closing the window.

This wasn't his normal attitude toward her, the other's yes, but not her and Kurama.

"Hiei, is everything alright?" Kurama asked.

He ignored the kitsune and leaned in his spot, closing his eyes. He could feel Julie's concerned gaze penetration through his closed eyelids.

"I would suggest you stop staring," he muttered crossly.

She looked away, back towards her homework. Their was an awkward silence.

The silence was broken by Mrs. Minamino yelling from the kitchen. Supper was ready.

"I'll bring you back some dinner," Kurama said while slowly rising. Hiei needed his space at this moment.

She followed, giving the Hiei another worried glance before she headed downstairs.

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Sry guys that this chapter took so long. My mom and me got in a fight so I was banned from the pc for a bit. It's been storming here, too, so that didn't help! It's all the weatherman's fault!!!! Curse him!

Well, thanks for the reviews! Peace out my homies!!

Marco!

(Polo)

Sincerely,

Queen Chad