3 [Answer]
"Good Morning, Keiko-San." Answered the female figure.
"Who are you?" Keiko asked, squinting at the figure.
"My name is Numata." She answered with a bow.
"Why have you brought me here?" Keiko asked.
"To get at your boyfriend." Replied a deep male voice.
"I have nothing against you. It's your boyfriend that I want." He answered, looking down at Keiko.
"Who are you?" Keiko asked, looking at the demonic man before her.
"Surely you haven't forgotten my name?" He asked, looking down at Keiko.
Keiko just remained silent and continued to stare at him.
"My name's Akujin." He replied. "And I wouldn't worry about your boyfriend. After he faces me, you might as well reserve him a coffin."
"Yusuke..." Keiko whispered softly.
Numata just stood there, a deadly look in her eyes as she glared at Akujin.
"Hey! Who are we talking about here??" Kuwabara asked, a bit confused.
"This has nothing to do with you, Kuwabara." Yusuke replied as he turned a corner. "Just got back to school."
"Un-uh. No way!" Kuwabara answered. "Friends don't let their friend's butt get kicked alone!"
Yusuke looked at Kuwabara like he was weird.
"You're weird. Do you know that Kuwabara?" Yusuke asked.
"So you finally realized that, huh Yusuke?"
"I've known he was weird since the first time I met him." Hiei replied, crossing his arms and looking at the tall carrot-top.
"Watch it short stuff!" Kuwabara grolwed as he made a fist.
"Not very bright either." Hiei answered, causing Kuwabara to boil in even more anger.
"That's not a nice thing to say, Hiei."
The three boys turn their heads to see yet another familiar friend approaching them.
"Standing up for the nit-wit Kurama?" Hiei asked, looking at his approaching friend.
"Kurama. What are you doing here?" Yusuke asked, a bit shocked.
"Botan-Chan told me about the invitation you received from Akujin." Kurama replied, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Speaking of Botan-Chan...where is she?" Yusuke asked, looking around for her.
"She's back in Reikai with Koenma-San." Kurama answered. "I heard about Keiko's kidnapping. No doubt Akujin's using her as bait to lure you to him."
"He is." Yusuke replied, clenching his hand into a tight fist. "In the note he left for me to find, he said that if I didn't except his invitation and defeat him in our confrontation, he would keep Keiko."
Yusuke let out a deep growl, rolling his hands into even tighter fists.
"I swear. When I get my hands on Akujin...I'll rip him apart if he's harmed Keiko!!" Yusuke shouted.
"Bold words." She spoke, causing Yusuke and Kuwabara to look at her. "But do you think you'll actually be able to support them when the time comes, Yusuke Urameshi?"
"Who the hell are you?" Yusuke asked, glarring up at the girl on the fire escape.
"Numata..." Hiei growled, looking up at her.
Numata jumped down and landed in the center of the four boys.
"I am here to collect your answer, Yusuke." Numata answered as her hair blew in the wind. "Will you except Akujin's invitation? Or are you going to back down and abandon Keiko?"
"Like hell I will!" Yusuke shouted, taking a step forward.
"Then it's settled." Numata answered, the emotionless look on her face. "I'll give you two hours to prepare in whatever matter you need to. Then I'll be back to take you to Akujin."
As Numata was about to leave, she stopped.
"Will the other three be joining you as well?" Numata asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Yes. They will." Yusuke answered.
Numata just nodded and disappeared in a flash of red light.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Yusuke." Kurama answered, looking at him.
Yusuke just stood there, confident and determined to get Keiko back.