Report 1

Starla resisted the urge to slam the door, and closed it calmly before walking to the couch and pummeling the cushions, silently fuming.

The stolen money she'd bet on those losers hadn't forced that bastard out of hiding. She flicked on the TV, tuning it to the closed circuit channel showing the live feed of the current match. Maybe a little violence would be cathartic. Team Urameshi vs Team Masho.

"Shinobi...? Huh!" Opening her business owned laptop, she did a quick search of a few names. Scanning through the known aliases, she wondered if the right price would buy her a ninja's hand to aid in the mission. She leaned forward, analyzing her possibilities. By the end of the match, she had made her decision, all she had to do was lure an infamous killer with a tendency to disappear into the smallest shadow. Hopefully, he wouldn't hear her approach from two kilometers and ice her on sight. Again, literally. God help her!

Touya sat cross legged, balanced perfectly on his rock. He'd chosen this place for its distance from the both the hotel and the arena. The serene view was an added bonus. He couldn't help the feeling of failure.

He. Did. Not. Lose! Unacceptable! He took a deep breath, and silenced his mind.

It was quiet, too quiet. So quiet Touya could easily make out the crunch of shoes on the dirt path in the forest behind him. He remained calm, ignoring it even as it disturbed his meditation. Or at least he tried, his senses were kicking in, telling him the person was actively looking for him.

Finally, he focused his attention, determining his stalker. The steps were still distant but careful, approaching with caution. Light, female, human. Why was a human female alone in this forest, this close to Omagatoki — no matter that it was still somewhat daylight — and stalking him?

Was it a ploy? Was she an enemy? He stood and slipped to the trees, gathering energy into his palm, and waited.

Starla carefully made her way along the path, following the one lead she got from some ogre saying they'd seen the Hexed Ice Master going in this direction. She searched carefully, seeking signs of his presence. She pushed aside a low hanging branch and was met with the sight of twilight overlooking the bay from atop a cliff. So stricken by the natural beauty before her that she gasped, forgetting her goal momentarily.

The chill of a thin ice blade at her neck was an excellent reminder.

"Why are you here?" His voice was low, emotionless. It sent a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with cold. She swallowed nervously, wary of the blade, and held her hands up innocently. "I just wanted to talk. A simple proposition that, I assure you, does not require weapons." She watched in peripheral as he cocked a brow. "Then why did you bring a gun?"

He is sharp! She turned her head to look him in the eyes. "Lone girl, on an island crawling with demons, walking through a forest as sunset approaches...I'd be a fool not to bring it."

Touya let the blade dissipate, circling in front of her, watching her sigh of relief, in the fading sunlight. She was actually pretty. "What was your proposal?"

Business negotiations, her favorite. "I'm with an organization that monitors and polices demon activity in the human realm. I was transferred three weeks ago, and asked to deal with a demon that's gone overboard. I need help."

His arms crossed over his chest and gave a mocking smile. "So, you think a shinobi wouldn't mind dropping another body? Is that it? Sorry, not interested." He made to move past her and she placed a hand on his bicep.

"That's not what I was asking." She took in a breath, she wasn't dead yet, that had to be good. "It could also be advantageous to you. Both your reputation and the security of your clan." He turned, glaring, gripping her arm to make her face him. She smiled, "You lost your match. Your team is out. No prize. Help me and you could get a worthwhile consolation. They might even think of you as a hero. You might not even have to do much."

Touya thought it over. Heroes. Champions of the Light. What that would do for the clan! He released her arm. "I'll give it some thought." He leapt to the trees, vanishing into their darkness, just as the sun gave its last gleam.