Hi, Kinaka Capri here! *dances around* Happy days are here again! I found my DVD of the Yu Yu Hakusho movie!!!!! My DVD player didn't eat it! And I found the remote for the DVD player at the same time!!! But anyways… The world is round, the grass is green, the stars are bright. And my story takes place some time after the Dark Tournament. I'd be more specific except that the only YYH I really watch is on Cartoon Network (aka the dubbed type) and while I've been finding random information other places, I still want to go with what I know for sure. New info would be helpful, though. And in this chapter, somebody gets SHOT! Well, not really, but someone does die. Oooh man, I wish I didn't have to kill that person, but it was necessary for them to die for this story. *sob* I feel so baaaad!!!! Hopefully it won't look really lame the way that the person was killed…I'll stop taunting you now…

Disclaimer: Don't own YYH, do own random Netherworld characters that will get names in this chapter, and I may or may not own this storyline. I don't THINK it's been done before, in any case.

PS: Domo arigato to yuki san, my first (and probably only ever X_X) reviewer for this story! I wuv you!!!!

*looks up* Blast it, this author's note was long.

Chapter Two: The Ferry Girls of Meikai and the Death of a Friend

            Medallion admired her work with satisfaction, watching the smoke curl upward from the blazing temple. "I hope you're content now," commented Sword calmly. The silver-haired demoness nodded happily as her fellow ferrier (A/N That's not even a word. :-P) proceeded to wipe off the blade of her (was it a her? It's hard to tell with the outfit) sword. Medallion frowned slightly. "You're sure this will work, right? I don't want to know what Sadako will do to us if we delay any longer." Sword fixed her with an unnervingly intense gaze. "I'm quite sure. And if we cannot take on their numbers, I am sure that I can resurrect a few friends to help." Medallion's eyes lit up again. "Oooh, can we do that first? Toying with the enemy is ever so much exciting." Sword rolled her (its?) eyes. "You have too much fun with sadism. Very well. But you shall have to distract them. It won't be easy." "It'll be enjoyable, though." "Fine. Have it your way. But I won't be responsible if they kill you before it happens." "Yes, yes, I know. Men tend to underestimate girls, though. This will be interesting. Ah, to see the Demon Gods again. I'm actually starting to miss those three morons anyway." "Meikai forbid." "Tell me about it."

~~~~~~~

            The randomness of the Reikai Tantei was broken up when Yusuke decided to rejoin the land of the living before Keiko and Botan could cause any lasting damage, Kuwabara ran out of words that rhymed for his ode, and Hiei very nearly carried out his intention of decapitating the formerly mentioned red-head. Hinageshi dusted off her pants and stood up. "We've wasted enough time, already! We'd only waited a few minutes the first time, and remember what happened? We shouldn't let them make the first move." Botan smiled playfully at her. "First of all, I don't remember because I wasn't conscious for even half of it, and second of all, when did you become a general?" The Spirit Guide blushed lightly, and Botan could swear she saw Hinageshi's eyes dart toward Yusuke. Shizuru and Keiko stood as well, both looking apologetic. "Sorry kids, but I've got work today," Shizuru announced calmly. "If you need me to help pummel some random demon, Kazuma's got my cell number." "My mom is sick again," muttered Keiko quietly. "I nearly missed this. Sorry I can't stay." Both bowed and exited the room, leaving only the usual five, Hinageshi, and Yukina, who stared at each other in silence. Botan suddenly shot up. "Okay, team! We've got to hit the enemy, and hit them hard! Take no prisoners! Women and children will not be spared! There's no such thing as a casualty!" The rest of the group stared at her with looks varying from 'funny, but what is she talking about?' (Yukina) to 'stupid ferry girl…what the hell does she think she's doing, anyway?' (Hiei). Hinageshi was frowning again. "Stop mocking me…" Botan's face lit up in a smile and she opened her mouth to laugh. Of course, that's when it decided to happen.

            The entire group froze, a shadow passing over the room, leaving uncertainty in its wake. "What…just happened…?" asked Yukina, her face pale and worried. Yusuke was frowning. He'd felt something like this before, something exactly like this. He shot over to the glass door and yanked it open. Black smoke drifted lazily through the sky, located in what was unmistakably the direction of Genkai's temple. 'No…not again…not after I worked so hard to get her back…it CAN'T be!' Without another word, he raced out the door, closely pursued by all except for Hiei, Botan, and Hinageshi, who left using their own individual means of transport. He ran, barely looking where he was going, only knowing that he had to make it in time. He couldn't be too late, not a second time. His heart wouldn't be able to take it. Yusuke lost track of time, making it seem like forever when he reached the shrine, yet only a second. Botan, Hinageshi, and Hiei had already reached the sight and were watching in somber silence. Yusuke could not believe what he saw there.

            The entire temple was ablaze, the brilliant red flames roaring loudly and reaching greedily for the clouds. Many parts of the building had already been reduced to ash, the rest crumbling feebly under the fire's wrath. Many of the trees were burning as well, giant columns of flame against a charred black ground. The heat was stifling, even from where the Reikai Tantei stood. Only Hiei seemed to be unaffected by it. "'Ware the wrath of the Netherworld," murmured Hinageshi quietly. "For ye be facing threats from every end, and It knows what ye cherish the most." Yusuke's legs collapsed beneath him, and the rest of the group looked grim. 'She wasn't in there, not Genkai. She's too quick to be fooled by something like that. They're just a pair of stupid ferry girls, after all. So what if they're Meikai demons, how could they do something like THIS?' "How could they do something like this?" Botan unknowingly echoed, her voice cracking slightly. Her eyes turned angry. "They're a disgrace to ferriers everywhere! What's your blasted problem, huh?! You wanted us to come, so here we are! WHICH ONE OF YOU DID THIS?!!!" "'Fraid that would be my fault, dearie," said a playfully mocking voice from among the flames. There was a flicker of light, and then the first of the two remaining servants of the Netherworld faded into view.

            The demoness rested casually on an iron gray oar. She was very tall, with a willowy, graceful body. Her elegant silver hair was long, and reached all the way down to her lower back, shimmering slightly, and two similarly colored ears stuck out on the top of her head. She had a pretty face and perpetually mocking smile, along with golden eyes that seemed to glow with the promise of mischief…or suffering. She wore a purple kimono that was reminiscent of the one that Botan wore, except short to the point where it may have been indecent. Her feet and legs were bare, dangling off the oar in a careless fashion. A golden medallion hung from her neck, and her silver fox tail was curled tightly around her body. (A/N I've been trying to stress this, but just imagine a female Youko Kurama in a different outfit, kay?) The ferry girl gave them a sassy wink.

            "Sooo, I guess that makes you the infamous Reikai Tantei. Lady Sadako isn't too happy with you." "YOU KILLED GENKAI, YOU HEARTLESS BITCH!!!" screamed Botan, tears rolling down her face, but whether from anger or sadness was unsure. "There are always casualties in war," came the reply. "You killed our king, we killed your mentor. Let's call it even, shall we?" Her eyes searched the group, going from each face to the next. "Extraordinary team…a little koorime girl, two spiritual humans, a fire apparition, two ferry girls, and…well, what do we have here?" she said, her eyes glowing strangely as they turned to Kurama. "A fellow kitsune?" Her smiled widened. "This will be fun indeed. But time is of the essence, and I need to get going. If you wish to know my name, it is Hiyoru. I am a Silver Fox of the fire and illusion variety, and my mistress wants you dead. I think that covers it, don't you?" "REI GUN!!!" Hiyoru cried out in surprise, tumbling to the side on her oar before righting herself again. "Impatient little ningen, aren't you?" She landed in a nearby tree (it was burning) and banished her oar. To the dismay of the Reikai Tantei, she looked childishly annoyed, rather than worried. She folded her arms behind her head, leaned against the tree, and sighed. "Hmph, well, if you really want to fight me that badly…" She reached into her silver hair, and pulled out, to the surprise of everyone, a match. A flick of her finger, though, and the match was lit. She snapped her wrist. "Fire Whip!" A whip, similar to Kurama's but made of flickering flames, appeared suddenly. Hiyoru smiled. "Let the games begin."

            Yusuke snarled slightly and got ready for a second Rei Gun. Hiei's katana was out, and for once, he looked to Yusuke for a signal. Kurama's eyes were dimmed and suspicious, and he too had out a weapon—a red rose was held in his right hand. Hinageshi and Botan sat close by on their oars, ready to provide any sort of assistance that they could. Even Yukina, biting her lip slightly, stood preparation to heal the injured. A familiar yellow aura was glowing in Kuwabara's hand, but he alone looked unsure. "Uh, should we really do this, Urameshi? I mean, she's evil and all, but she's still a gir--" "Do NOT give me that crap right now, Kuwabara!" shouted the angry teen. "I really don't give a damn if the crazy bitch is a girl, she killed Genkai and now she's gonna pay!" "Heads up," said Kurama quietly. Unnoticed by the others, it was still a rose held in his hand, rather than a whip. As one, the entire team suddenly looked at the tree branch. As predicted, Hiyoru was no longer there. Then, taking to heart what Kurama had just said, they simultaneously looked upward…just in time to see Hiyoru's whip snap in the direction of Kuwabara. "Rei Ken!" yelped the boy, barely stopping the attack. The Fire Whip wrapped around the Spirit Sword and yanked it out of his hands, but the real damage had been avoided. Hiyoru landed a few feet back from where they stood, twirling the sword absently in her hand. "Weakness gets you nowhere, kid." The sword winked out.

            Yusuke charged forward again, his fist glowing blue. "Shotgun!" A score of spirit bullets rained down on the Demon Guide, who hastily raised a shield while leaping nimbly out of the way. Before the attack was even finished, though, Yusuke was crying out in pain as the crimson whip wrapped around his wrist, burning it. He grabbed the rest of the whip in an effort to free himself, ignoring the agony of the flames. Hiyoru smirked. "As if that's going to work…?!" She gave a yelp of alarm as the Spirit Detective pulled the whip from her grasp in the same way she'd done to Kuwabara only moments before. The Fire Whip vanished the moment it left its master's hand, leaving Yusuke only a livid red burn on his left arm. After casting a furtive glance at the dark Ferry Girl, Yukina hurried over to examine the damage of the wound. Hiyoru pouted again, looking nothing more like a toddler that had just been denied her favorite candy. "Huh, so I HAVE underestimated you…by a great deal, I'll say." She gave them a sullen glare. "Work, work, work. That's all I ever do. Even when I want to have fun. Humph." Now she looked briefly thoughtful. "Well, I guess there's no more holding back…Catch me if you can!"

            A second later, a new Fire Whip was held in her hand, and she did an easy leap in the direction of Hiei this time. The other fire demon rose to the challenge, trading blow for blow, before Hiyoru made an odd gesture with her hands and turned to Kuwabara. Knowing the carrot-top's code of honor better than any of the others, Yusuke immediately went to the other boy's aid, his arm partially healed, courtesy of Yukina. Of the four fighters, Kurama alone held back, the rose now hanging loosely at his fingertips. The former thief held back for two reasons. First of all, his attacks would be equally useless to Hiei's in this situation. Fire demons are not only unaffected by the fire of others, but particularly skilled against plant-using demons. And second of all, the other Silver Fox unsettled him. Her careless attitude, her position as Ferry Girl, and finally but most importantly, her offhand remark about illusionary skills. Kurama had met a surprisingly small amount of illusionists in his long lifetime, but all had been dangerous. All that used their skills properly, that is. And being trapped in the darkness for a few millennia had probably given Hiyoru a great deal of time to practice.

            Kurama's musings were suddenly interrupted by a dismayed cry from Yukina. He glanced over. Yusuke and Kuwabara remained fighting with Hiyoru (or rather, Yusuke fought Hiyoru while Kuwabara screamed angrily on the sidelines, waving around his Rei Ken), but Hiei was rather uncharacteristically doing nothing. Yukina was next to him, tugging his arm urgently, but the other demon did not stir. Kurama's eyes turned for a moment toward Botan and Hinageshi, but both were still watching the battle, and did not notice Hiei's plight. The kitsune decided to ignore the fight for the moment, and help his unresponsive friend. He made his way over to Hiei, the ground crunching from under his feet due to all the ash. Yukina had gone from simply tugging on his sleeve to grabbing his shoulders and shaking him violently. Still no reaction. The ice apparition was almost in tears. Sometimes, Kurama wondered if deep down in her heart, Yukina truly knew the identity of her twin, and was simply waiting for him to announce it. This was one of those moments.

            "Get the HELL out of the WAY, baka!" screeched Yusuke to Kuwabara. Not only was he annoyed by his partner's lack of cooperation, but also he still boiled in anger from the deed that he believed Hiyoru had done. "Rei Gun! Rei Gun Rei Gun REI GUN!" With the grace of a gold-medal gymnast, the Fox Youkai flipped and jumped out of the path of the Spirit Blasts. Not one of them hit her, instead plowing on into the trees, knocking more over to fall on what little remained of the temple. This definitely would never have been Yusuke's choice of a battlefield. "Hi Ken!" (A/N pronounced 'Hee Ken', I think. Eh, it would Japanese for 'Fire Sword', as far as I know. Urg, I'm terrible with languages.) The boy could only gape in surprise as the demoness summoned a crimson sword similar to Kuwabara's. A quick slash to the stomach set his shirt on fire, but he managed to avoid getting the skin pierced. Yusuke quickly threw off the shirt in alarm, attempting to stamp out the flames while simultaneously keeping an eye on Hiyoru. This didn't work very well, and he was forced to relinquish it when she made a sudden dash toward him, sword out. "Don't hurt her too much, Urameshi!" cried Kuwabara from the sidelines. "Remember, she's a girl!" "Oh, you seem so sure about that," shot back Yusuke, dodging several more swings. "About as sure as you were about Miyuki!" At this, Sarayashiki Junior High's second toughest man lapsed into a thoughtful silence, remembering the cross-dressing demon all too well. The other former juvenile delinquent decided to put those moments of blessed release to good use. He dug his feet into the ground. 'The sword takes up more of her energy than the whip did…Her Youki is a lot lower than before. I wonder if she can still block the same…' Yusuke raised his fist again. "SHOTGUN!!!"

            Yukina turned in desparation toward Kurama, having heard the kitsune approach. "What did she DO to him?" whimpered the koorime softly. "He wouldn't even respond to my Ice Ki, let alone my healing powers. He's just standing there. And his eyes…" Kurama frowned deeply, then grabbed Hiei's chin and tilted his face in his direction. The kitsune inhaled sharply. Hiei's face was arranged in an even more deadpan, emotionless expression than was normal for him. His lips were moving silently, though whether in a chant or something else, Kurama couldn't tell. His eyes had become a cloudy crimson, though quite not the mirror-blank tone of one that was soulless. They were turned toward Kurama, though he knew that Hiei was not actually staring at him, or even through him, as was custom in such an absentminded state. He seemed to be staring more into himself, at something no one else could see, something within the realms of his own mind. It was rather unnerving. "Do you know what's wrong with him?" Kurama jumped, startled, and found himself staring into the very much alive, apprehensive, but similarly colored  eyes of Yukina. He sighed. "It's an illusion spell of some sort, a very complex one. I certainly can't break it. She seems to have trapped him within his own mind." His face darkened. "Hiyoru must be extremely powerful, to master the mind of a Jaganshi." He turned briefly to look at Yusuke. "She's only toying with us…"

            "SHOTGUN!!!" screamed Yusuke. To his immense satisfaction, Hiyoru was blasted off her feet with a single keening cry. She was down on the ground and skidded back a few feet, then staggered up again, looking a bit worse for wear. "Not bad…Detective…" she said, wiping a bit of blood away from her mouth. "But contend with this! Fire Wheel!" She swung the Hi Ken in a wide arc, the flame sword becoming a blur of crimson and gold. A ribbon of flame came off of the sword, twisting gracefully in every direction, before (for lack of a better word) exploding outward. Yusuke summoned a bit of his Reiki to use as a shield, but he was nevertheless blasted back painfully into a tree. Quite a few of the others had to duck as well. "Rei Gun!" Hiyoru leapt a few feet to the side, looking bored. "Getting awfully repetitive, aren't we?" she drawled. "You want repetitive? I'll give you freaking repetitive!" Her eyes once again widened in shock as Yusuke suddenly appeared in front of her and punched her in the face. The punch had been backed by a good bit of Spirit Energy, thus knocking her effectively to the ground. "Grr…" Yusuke yelped in surprise as she struck out with a leg and swept him off his feet, landing him on the ground as well. 'Kuso…she's really tough, this one…"

            Kurama was now watching the fight as well, while supporting Hiei with one arm. Surprisingly enough, the fire Youkai didn't really need any support, even in this condition, but Kurama would not take chances. 'Why won't she use the same attack she used on Hiei on Yusuke? Something isn't right here…' He felt uneasy, almost as though someone were watching. Several feet away, he heard Kuwabara shout a warning. "Hey guys, I'm not really sure, but I think I felt some pretty powerful Youki right now! It's gone, though. It was really fast!" The kitsune frowned deeply. 'It must be the other Ferry Girl…' He gasped in surprise as something black and quick brushed against his face. He looked around and didn't see anything, but now he was on his guard. '…What…?' His eyes narrowed as he detected a scent, both familiar and not. "Yusuke! Kuwabara! Watch out, it's a soul stealer!" Kurama saw the confused looks on their faces and sighed. "A demon that deals with black magic! And from the looks of it, she's Shinobi material! Just be careful!" Hiyoru's eyes widened in shock. "How did you…? Your sense of smell is still potent in that human body?" She turned to one side. "Katana!" she snapped. "The jig is up! They know you're here! Now help me out already!"

 "As you wish," said a dark voice, neither really male nor female. Out from the shadows (Kurama was surprised that there still WERE any shadows at all—the entire place was still up in flames) came a figure in black. Katana's gender was unidentifiable by either voice or appearance. She (Kurama assumed it was a 'she'—after all, they were Ferry GIRLS) was dressed in a ninja-type outfit, with a kimono-type top and loose black pants, along with a black sash. Like Hiyoru, her feet were bare, and she wore a cowl on her face that hid all but her eyes, which were a stony gray color. A broadsword of interesting make hung in its scabbard on her waist.

            Kuwabara, on the other hand, did not share Kurama's suspicions on Katana's gender, and assumed it was a boy. In which case, he wouldn't mind fighting. "Okay, buddy," he announced to Katana, summoning back his Rei Ken. "I don't know what you were doing lurking around there, but I'm not gonna let you people try and take over the Human World again!" Katana didn't look impressed. "Humph. As though a pathetic human such as yourself could stop me." Kuwabara growled. "Oh yeah? Take this! YAAAAAH!!!" He came running at his cloaked opponent, sword held high. Katana looked bored. "Hardly worth the effort." He (A/N when it's more or less from Kuwabara's POV, Katana will be a boy. When it's Kurama's, Katana will be a girl) moved ever so slightly to the side, and with inhuman speed, whipped out his sword. He could block Kuwabara's onslaught with one hand. The two broke apart, and then Kuwabara came charging again. "Tactless," Katana murmured softly. Like a shadow he moved, avoiding the Rei Ken entirely and slicing the boy in the arm. The redhead cried out in pain, then turned back to the Shinobi with fiery eyes. "Alright, that's IT you bastard!" With a sudden passion that surprised Katana, he whipped the Rei Ken around and nearly got a clear shot at his opponent. Katana just barely blocked it, and for a moment the two merely glared at one another.

            Yusuke winced. Even this early on in the battle, he could tell that it wasn't looking good for their side. Katana against Kuwabara was like pitting Hiei against…well…Kuwabara. The demon clearly had the upper hand in strength, speed, and most of all, experience. Kuwabara had the heart, but Yusuke wasn't so sure about the skill. "Ahem, aren't you forgetting about someone?" Hiyoru smiled at him. Yusuke gave her a cocky grin. "Nah, I just figured I'd give you a breather." "How quaint. I was thinking the same thing. Have you quite caught up?" "You bet. Shotgun!" Again, Hiyoru bit the dust. She didn't even bother to get up, either. "Tomoru Bi!" ('Burning flame'…well, burning fire, but I have a very limited vocabulary and it's clichéd either way) "CRAP!" yelled Yusuke, jumping away from the sudden inferno. "How many friggin' fire attacks can a Youkai have?!" "You'd be surprised," Hiyoru replied with a happy sort of grin, dusting the ash off of her kimono. "Fire Whip!" 'Dammit dammit dammit!' thought Yusuke, dodging the snake-like weapon. He lifted a hand. "Rei Gun!" Hiyoru proved to be as nimble as he. 'Standoff. Wonderful.'

            Kuwabara wasn't faring too well, either. He had a few nasty gashes on him by now, whereas only one or two minor wounds hindered Katana. "If this is the best the Spirit World can do, its standards are slipping quite drastically." "You're really getting on my nerves, you know!" "Perfect. Mutual feelings abound." A flash of yellow light. Counter. Silver light. Countered as well. Parry, slash, block. Kuwabara was panting heavily. He couldn't deny it any longer: Katana was good. He didn't seem to see swordplay as a skill so much as an art. He moved with an unparalleled grace, the likes of which the carrot-top had never seen before. Like a shadow. But then again, Katana was supposedly a Shinobi. Kuwabara dug his feet into the ground. "Sword, extend!" Katana's eyes widened in shock. Kuwabara grinned savagely as the demon staggered dangerously, crimson seeping through his shirt. "How's that for standards, huh?" Katana chuckled softly. "Not bad…for a human. But I'm afraid you'll have to do much better than that."

            Yusuke's frustration only fueled his anger. Hiyoru was slipping. Her strikes were becoming less measured, her movements less nimble. Yusuke was severely drained as well, though he ignored it. "You…listen…here…Hiyoru," he panted, glaring at the Youko. "I'm…not…stopping…till…you're DEAD!" "Don't…be…stupid…" gasped Hiyoru, glaring right back. She knelt momentarily, looking exhausted. "Tell you what kid," she said slowly. "We're both simply going to kill OURSELVES at this rate. No more Spirit Energy. Just one on one. What do you say?" Yusuke grinned. She obviously hadn't done her homework. There was nothing more refreshing to him than beating the crap out of an opponent Old School Style. "I say that's a pretty good idea." Hiyoru returned his smile, mercury hair falling all over her face. "Me too." Yusuke didn't even give her a chance to get up before landing a right hook directly in her face. The Youko cried out in pain, rubbing her cheek and wincing. "You really are rather impressive. But…" She gave a wicked smile. "You don't stand a chance against the Netherworld." She suddenly whipped out a cruel looking dagger and pressed it to his throat, before he could even blink. Yusuke's eyes widened in horror. "Checkmate, ningen."

            Kuwabara was trading blows with Katana again. The shinobi didn't seem to be phased by the wound. But Kuwabara was. And he had a great many more wounds than Katana. Kuwabara felt jolts of pain run through him for every time he parried one of Katana's swings. 'Well,' he thought with a slight sweatdrop, 'this would be a really crappy way to die. And I won't get to say good-bye to my Yukina! NOOOOO!!!!!!' But whatever Kuwabara's mind (or heart) said, his body had had enough. His arms dropped loosely to his sides, his sword flickering out. Katana's eyes gleamed in triumph. He swung the sword in a wide arc, clearly intending to decapitate his opponent—

            The sword stopped within a hair's-breadth of his neck. Several feet away, Hiyoru had suddenly drawn away from Yusuke. Hiyoru stood up as though nothing had happened, looking thoughtful. "Huh. Weird time for a summoning." She rolled her eyes and shrugged. "Y'oh well. What can you do? Another time, Yusuke," she added to the semi-conscious teen. She stuck her dagger back in her sash and summoned her oar. "Kata, c'mon, you know how Sadako-sama gets when we're late!" She waved happily at the Reikai Tantei, and a moment later both Ferry Girls had vanished.

Yusuke fell to his knees, energy spent. "You COWARDS!!!" he screamed. "Get the hell BACK here! I'm not finished with you!" Kuwabara knelt as well, panting hard. Both Botan and Hinageshi headed over, looking worried. Botan squeezed Yusuke's shoulder lightly. "I'm sorry, Yusuke. I wish I could do something about it." He suddenly turned to her, eyes desperate. "She's not dead, right?" She looked startled. "What?" "She's not dead. They were bluffing, weren't they? She just went out for a walk right now." Botan bit her lip, realizing that he was talking about Genkai. "Yusuke…I'm sorry. I don't know. I haven't sensed her Ki in any way shape or form. I suppose that no news is good news, but… That sword. Katana's sword. I don't remember the name, but I recognize it. It's a sword of death, and very powerful. So I can't really say whether she used it to mask Genkai's Ki, or just her soul." She carefully left out the sword's main ability: to steal souls. She didn't want Yusuke to have to deal with that, too. Kuwabara glanced over at Yusuke as well. Hinageshi was busy bandaging his arm. "Yo, Urameshi. You alright?" Yusuke just mumbled something unintelligible. Then his head snapped around to stare at Kurama, who was approaching the other four supporting Hiei, with Yukina following close behind. "Kurama! What the hell were you and Hiei doing anyway? The only thing you bothered to do was give us a warning!"

            The kitsune bowed his head. "I apologize, Yusuke, but my powers could not stand up against Hiyoru's. Plants do not fare very well against fire, and against a pure Silver Fox such as herself, I wouldn't stand even a fighting chance. And as for Katana, I had a bit of a handicap by then." "Then what was his problem?" Yusuke asked, indicating Hiei. "He puts in a few shots, then just stands there!" Kurama sighed. "That, I'm afraid to say, was my handicap. Only one fight in, and we are already a man down." Kuwabara blinked. "Say what? All she did was make some weird hand movement and then leave him alone." Suddenly, everyone else's eyes were on the redhead. He blinked again. "What?" "Do you remember what kind of gesture?" asked Hinageshi urgently, her blue eyes troubled. Kuwabara scratched his head. "Not really…" The others sighed in disappointment and frustration, then looked back at Hiei. "What exactly IS wrong with him?" asked Botan, frowning slightly. "Illusion spell, a very complex one. I think she's trapped him in his own mind. I'm afraid we may be vastly below their skill," replied Kurama, giving the shorter demon a slight shake. Of course, it still didn't do anything. "Nothing I did worked," whispered Yukina. She looked at the two Ferry Girls. "Can you do anything?" "Illusion…and mind…? As a matter of fact, I think I might be able to," said Botan, looking determined. Stooping slightly and staring the Youkai directly in the eye, she placed a hand gently on his forehead. Her hand glowed a light blue color, which somehow managed to make Hiei's clouded eyes stand out in sharp relief. After a tense minute or so, he seemed to snap out of it, before slowly closing his eyes and slumping down in Kurama's arms. Botan rubbed her hand slightly, a frown on her face. "That's the best I can do. It's not much, and I'm not even sure if I got him totally back. My Reiki isn't powerful enough to counter Hiyoru's Youki, and I was afraid that I would end up hurting Hiei with it, too."

            The trance-like state that had once again fallen over the group was broken by a sudden thud. Those conscious spun around in the direction of the noise, only to find that Yusuke had fallen over in a dead faint. Hinageshi blinked and stared. "Blood loss," she said. "We need regroup somewhere, I think." "Normally we used to do that at this temple," noted Kurama quietly. "But for this occasion, I suppose that my house will have to do."

*pokes her dead Furby in a morbid sort of way* I am the president of Procrastinator's Anonymous. All meetings have been postponed.

*blinks* Wow, that was bad. *continues poking Furby* Anyway, the point is, I am a procrastinator. *sigh* Woe is me. For no one is reading this story. And now no one ever will! *sob* HOPEFULLY, it will be updated quickly next time. Oy… My life. What a waste of space.

Furby: Poo-tah! Dance, boogie!

*screams* IT'S ALIVE!!!!!! DON'T LET IT GET MEEEE!!!!!!!!! *screams bloody murder and runs off*

Furby: Nyah nyah. Pansy. *runs back in* Ciao. *pokes Furby*

Furby:*dies* Dammit, not again.