Disclaimer: Nope, don't own YYH. Lysol's not mine either, or a convertible...I wish...neither is a Cube of Oblivion. Doesn't all that just wanna make you read this chapter even more!

Chapter 8

A Long Morning

Lebiri woke up the next morning, sweating with fright. "Just a nightmare," she reassured herself quietly. She looked out of her window...still dark. There was a digital clock on her nightstand. It read 3:30am. Great.

With fear that her nightmare, which was filled with her suddenly helpless attempts to stop the Hideko from killing her family and friends, would return, she got out of bed quietly. She tiptoed to the door and slowly opened it.

The hallway was dark and silent. Lebiri hurried to Kurama's room. She opened the door a crack and peaked through. He was still asleep, smiling and laying on his side.

"Well at least you're having a nice dream," Lebiri mumbled. She sighed and went back to her room, feeling a bit childish.

Once there, she lay on the bed, keeping the lamp on. In hardly five minutes, she felt herself get lighter...as she drifted into a dreamless slumber.

Four hours later

Lebiri heard her name being called. At first it seemed far away, dreamy...she woke with a start.

Kurama was leaning over her and calling her name. He shook her. "Lebiri, wake up. It's 7:30."

She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Oh, Kurama, ohayo," she said, getting up and stretching.

Kurama went to the door. "Ohayo. Hurry up and get ready."

"Why, are we going somewhere?" Lebiri asked, now fully awake.

"Yes. I am taking you to Spirit World."

"Wow um ok...should I wear something to train in?"

"No. Wear whatever you like. We're coming back here later to meet everyone. You can change then."

"Ok."

He left, shutting the door behind him.

Lebiri materialized an outfit and went into her bathroom to shower and change.

"Yusuke! Hey! Over here!" Botan was floating on her oar in Yusuke's front yard. "I have something for you!"

Yusuke, who was sitting on the roof after watching his Mom leave for work, jumped down and stretched. He yawned and asked her," Hey what took you so long? I've been up for forever."

Botan flew over to him, smiling. She waved away his whining and said, "Koenma has a quick job for you this morning. Well...maybe not quick." She got serious and held out a small see-through cube.

Yusuke took it. "Oook..." He studied it with a look of confusion.

Botan said, "It's called the Cube of Oblivion. Here's your mission. There is a gang of demons under the city somewhere. You are to find them and destroy them all. But they are well known for their strength. It'd be best if you brought Kurama and Hiei along."

"These demons aren't called the Hideko are they?" Yusuke asked casually.

"Yes actually - the Hideko Demon Clan. How did you..."

"It's a long story. What's the Cube for?"

"Oh, yes. Well these demons have been a burden to Koenma for a while now. He has never had time to find someone up to the challenge. So, to assure none of the mongrels survive or escape you, the Cube will…well, send them to oblivion! You don't actually have to kill any really. Here's where you can locate them-"

"I'm not going." Yusuke threw the cube up, caught it, and made a fist over it.

"What do you mean you're not going!" Botan yelled, grabbing her oar out from under her and waving it threateningly.

"Somebody's already on it. You haven't been down here often. You've missed out on things." He put the cube in his pocket.

Botan stared at him, confused. "Well I...huh?"

"Do you have time off today?"

"Yes...I was going to help you."

"Ok. C'mon let's go to Kuwabara's." With that, he stepped around Botan and headed down the street.

She stared at him, sighing hopelessly. "Yusuke! Don't leave me all confused like this! C'mon what are you getting at!" she yelled after him. "I demand an explanation!"

When he didn't answer, she put away her oar and ran after him.

Tai Masikusa woke up with a headache. He sat up slowly, groaning. He yawned widely, but snapped his mouth shut when the smell of alcohol drifted up to his nose. A hangover. 'Ah! Not again!" he mentally yelled at himself, but soon regretted it and lay back down with a thump. 'When did I go drink last night!' He put a hand on his forehead and moaned. "Drinking's bad! I don't drink!" he whined.

"TAI!" his mother shouted from downstairs. "YOU UP? BREAKFAST'S READY! COME ANSWER THIS PHONE, TOO!"

"OOOH!" Tai moaned, almost crying from the booming in his head. "I'M COMING!" He rolled off of his bed and crouched next to it. Then he stood up and stalked over to his phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Tami."

Tai's head sizzled with pain. He turned down the volume angrily. "Hey. Make it quick. I got work."

"Well! What's got you ticked! Jeebus. Anyway, I just wanted to ask where you were last night. We were supposed to hang out with the guys. Remember?"

"Uh...I remember. I guess I just...lost track of time. I got home and started to get ready but then...I don't know what happened."

"Oh. Well whatever, that's ok man. You ok? You don't sound too good."

"I'm all right. Hey, stop over Romini's if you can. I gotta go."

"Ok. See you then."

Tai hung up. What had happened last night? He remembered coming home and his mom was out shopping... 'But Amakita was here!' He remembered the fight he'd had with his stepfather - what a bakayarou. After the yelling started, he'd gotten really mad and...what! Did he just up and fall asleep! Yeh right.

He was frustrated and confused, which didn't help his headache.

"TAI!" his mother called again.

Tai grabbed his work outfit and got changed. Then he rushed downstairs for breakfast.

Keiko, wearing a white skirt and a cute baby blue T-shirt that hugged her features, walked up to the Kuwabara's door. She rang the bell.

Shizuru answered. "Hey Keiko. Come on in."

Keiko smiled gratefully and entered the house. "Um...I came here to ask if you wanted to go to the park. You see..." They sat down on the living room couch. "Kurama's cousin is here. And she needs help getting stronger. So we're all going to the park." She paused. "Didn't Kuwabara tell you about all this?"

Shizuru shook her head. "Baby brother!" she called. "Get over here!"

Kuwabara came hurrying in a minute later, dressed in strange training clothes.

Shizuru stared at him while Keiko tried not to laugh. "Where do you think you're going, dressed like that?"

He sweat dropped and told her, "Oh yeah. I forgot to tell you. Kurama's cousin-"

"I know. Keiko told me that much."

He nodded once to Keiko, seeing her staring at him. Then he said, "Well… I'm gonna help Lebiri train."

"Why are you wearing that stupid headband of love then? Is Yukina going to be there?"

"Well she might be," he said, blushing. "Can't take any chances!" He started to laugh hysterically. Seeing the girls staring at him suspiciously, he added, "So let's get going!"

"Kuwabara," Keiko said. "If we leave now, we'll be waiting at the park for an hour. And we're all going to meet at Kurama's anyway, remember?"

Shizuru crossed her arms.

"Oh...yeah," Kuwabara mumbled. He forced a smile at his sister and went back to his room. "I'll just be in here!"

Keiko looked at Shizuru. "Is he always this strange?" she asked.

"Always."

"Lebiri, are you ready yet?"

"Hang on Kurama! I'm fixing my hair!"

Kurama tapped his foot impatiently, waiting in the kitchen for his cousin. Just then, she entered slowly, pulling her hair up into a long ponytail, the hair tie clenched between her teeth.

"Serry bout dat...ruh...Suuwichi," she tried to speak. Taking the hair tie out of her mouth, she put up her hair, then pulled a pink ribbon from her gray Capri's pocket and tied it around her already formed ponytail. She straightened her pink tank top and said, "So when's breakfast?"

Kurama spontaneously sweat dropped, then replied, "If it's alright with you, we'll get something on the way."

Lebiri cocked her head to one side. "You think I should bring my purse then?"

"I wouldn't know Lebiri. I will pay for us both though."

"You sure Kurama? I'm only going to get a light breakfast. I can pay - "

"No, no. You are a guest." He smiled at her and continued. "Shall we go? I've left Mother a note, just in case. We'll be back in a couple of hours."

"Ok. Where are we going to eat anyway?" Lebiri asked as she followed Kurama out of the kitchen.

"We'll pick up something from that Romini's place." He opened the door for her and they walked out into the dim, morning light. It was almost 8:30.

Kurama and Lebiri got into his new silver convertible. They strapped in and Kurama started it up, then backed out of the driveway.

Lebiri was impressed! As she put on her gold necklace, she said, "Great driving Kurama! Wow!" She rubbed her hands together anxiously and turned on the radio. "Now for some music...ooh! This is my song!" She turned up the volume, convinced Kurama to put down the sun roof, and started happily bouncing in her seat to the rhythm.

Kurama smiled, shaking his head, and started off for Romini's Local.

Hiei was sleeping in. 8:30 was late for him. He usually woke around 4 or 5 and either roamed Spirit World or traveled down to the earth. But not this morning. Occasionally, the demon liked to get a long rest and wake up late. And at the moment, he was having a particularly...satisfying... dream. He'd crack up when he woke. But now he was concentrating on beating up the hundreds of Kuwabara's running away in fear as Yukina laughed beside him.
"Sir! We have a tab on Tatsami. Fox Boy's taking her to Spirit World."

Jurota sighed, frustrated. "Where the jigoku are they going after that!"

"Back to Fox Boy's."

"Alright. The plan happens then. Got it! No later or you're dead."

"Yes...sir."

Yusuke banged on the Kuwabara's door, Botan waiting patiently behind him. "We'll hang out here before heading to Kurama's," he told her. She nodded.

Inside, Shizuru got up to answer the door. "Oh hey you two," she said plainly, letting them in.

Keiko got up and ran past Yusuke to give Botan a friendly hug. "Hi Botan!" she exclaimed. "I haven't seen you in a while!"

Botan grinned. "Well hello Keiko!" They started chatting nonstop.

"I feel so loved," Yusuke mumbled sarcastically.

Shizuru smiled. "I'll go get the weirdo," she said, walking back to Kuwabara's room. "Make yourselves at home."

Yusuke went into the living room and sat casually on the far end of the couch. Keiko and Botan ended their little reunion and entered the living room as well.

"Oh! Yusuke! When did you get here?" Keiko smiled and sat down next to him.

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "I've been here Keiko."

Botan laughed, and eventually left the room, as Keiko had to 'make it up' to Yusuke.

"Wow! I've never seen so many demons before, Kurama!" Lebiri shoved the rest of an omelet in her mouth and marveled at the contents of Spirit World.

Kurama chuckled at her childlike innocence as they walked down a crowded, winding pathway to Koenma's office.

The two walked in silence then, Lebiri distracted with excitement, Kurama admiring her happy-go-lucky attitude despite upcoming danger. He decided to make some small talk.

"Lebiri. I meant to ask you this before."

She looked and smiled expectantly up at him.

"You still live in Osaka, correct?"

"Yes."

"So you arrived here by train?"

"Mm hm."

"And how did you know where to find me?..."

"Well...when we were kids together and Aunt Shiori would bring you and come down to Osaka. Hah, I always had to call you Shuichi in front of the grownups." The two entered large double doors and strolled down a nearly empty hallway. "Anyway, I remembered you lived in Tokyo, went there, searched around a couple days, and finally found the Minomina address in the phone book. There aren't very many Minominas around, so on my way there, I spotted you walkin' along all mysterious. Then, well you know the rest."

"I see. What luck."

"So what have you been doing with yourself?"

"Yusuke is a Spirit Detective. I have to help him."

"Wow! A Spirit Detective. How'd he get to be that? I thought he was a human."

"He is…mostly. But he can tell you his story later. We're here."

Lebiri and Kurama reached two large, red doors decorated with gold. A duo of ogres were guarding them. They recognized Kurama as he drew near. One said, "Here to see Lord Koenma, Kurama?" The other gave Lebiri a flirtatious grin and wink.

She instantly hooked arms with Kurama, a little wide-eyed.

Her cousin said, "She's with me. Now is Koenma here or not?"

"Yeah yeah, he's here. I'll tell him you've arrived." The ogre slipped into the doors, as the other one moved aside. Kurama spoke to Lebiri. "Sorry about him," he said politely.

She unhooked her arm and smiled at him. "It's ok, I just didn't expect that."

The ogre came back and said they could enter. He and the other guard moved aside and held open the doors. Lebiri held onto Kurama's shirt as she walked behind him, watching the rude ogre as they passed.

Koenma was at his desk stamping papers. He looked up and saw Kurama. The doors closed.

"Greetings, Kurama! I thought you had someone with you?...," he said, getting up and walking over to greet the arrivals.

Lebiri stepped out from behind her cousin and bowed to Koenma. "Hello sir," she mumbled.

Kurama said, "I just wanted you to meet my cousin, Koenma-sama." He acknowledged his cousin. "This is Lebiri."

The toddler said cheerfully, "Hi there!"

Lebiri looked up first, frowned and then looked down at him. What a shortie! She smiled. He was so cute! "Nice to meet you...uh...Koenma-sama."

"Call me koi." He winked at her.

Kurama shook his head and spoke. "Koenma, could I have my key?"

"Yeah, yeah. Sure. It's up there." He pointed to some hooks with keys hanging from each and turned back to Lebiri. "So, where did you say you were from?"

He began to flirt with her. Kurama sighed and passed him to get his key. Then he walked over to his cousin and spoke over Koenma, "We'd better get going."

Koenma looked slightly disappointed, but he was in a great mood, so he went cheerfully back to his desk and stood on his chair. He waved at Lebiri happily and said, "Visit again soon!"

She smiled at him and said, "I will." Kurama opened the doors and lead her out.

When they were well on their way down the path, Lebiri said thoughtfully, "Well I didn't except The Great Lord Koenma, or rather 'koi', to be so..."

"Short?" Kurama filled in. "Flirtatious? Annoying?"

She laughed. "Well, he was nice none the less." They stopped at a huge pent house apartment. "Um...what's here?"

"This is my house. But I hardly ever stay here. We need to pick up some things for training."

"Oh..." she said, wide-eyed.

Kurama opened the door and they entered into the lobby. They boarded the elevator and went to the next floor. As Kurama unlocked his apartment door, Lebiri spoke. "What time is it?"

The door clicked and they went in. "Nine. Make yourself at home."

As Lebiri took a tour of the house, Kurama went to his weapons room and picked out a few of his favorite blades. He grabbed a pack of kunai and yelled, "Would you like to skill in long swords, short, or perhaps kunai?"

He heard Lebiri yell back after a moment, "How about kunai and a sakabato!"

He searched for the sharpest and strongest and sat down to shine and inspect them.

Lebiri entered one of Kurama's endless rooms and looked around in surprise. Photos were everywhere! - on the walls, scattered on the bed, and in shoeboxes. She saw herself as a child, Yusuke, Keiko, Hiei, Kuwabara, and people she'd never met before. But what really caught her eye was a pretty, blue haired lady. In every picture she was smiling or pouting cutely. A couple times she was angry, but otherwise she looked very cheerful. Lebiri noticed this particular lady because in every photo she was in with Kurama, he was blushing! The girl seemed to be very...'touchy feely' because she was holding Kurama's hand, hugging him, and even had her arms around his neck. But she had to be just being friendly, because she was doing that with everyone she was with. 'How strange,' Lebiri thought. 'Kurama blushing must mean...oooh! He likes her! I'll keep that in mind!' She giggled and sat on the floor, looking through a large shoebox that rested on the floor. She would ask if she could have some. Not only to look at, but for...evidence. This would be fun. She smirked.

Kurama left his training supplies room with the two weapons Lebiri had requested. He searched for her a bit, then shouted out, "Lebiri! I have your training things!" No answer. "Where are you?"

"Oh! Oh, Kurama! I'm in this coolio photo room! It's awesome!"

He found the room and she jumped up with a handful of pictures to greet him. "Hey Kurama! Can I have these? Pleeeeease!" she begged.

"Sure. I have enough." He smiled as she materialized a small backpack that matched her outfit, and dumped them in carefully.

"Thanks," she said, securing the book bag snugly on her back. Then she plopped down on the floor, legs folded pretzel style, and looked up at her cousin. "Now let's see those weapons!"

Kurama looked down at her awkwardly, but handed them over. As she oohed and aahed over them, he asked, "Why are you sitting on the floor? There are many seats in this place."

Lebiri was a little surprised by his question. She sheathed the sakabato and put the kunai back in their pocketed cloth. "Well, there are disadvantages to everything right? Humph, I wish I could just materialize all the things I need and want, but I can't. I'd die!"

Kurama raised an eyebrow, not sure where she was getting at.

"Materializing takes energy, you know," she continued. "My point? I was tired for a minute from creating that backpack, so I sat down. It's just a little overwhelming for a second, but I'm ok now." She stood up, lifting the sword and kunai. "It'll be fun making an outfit with a sash for this," she said excitedly, big eyes sparkling as she admired the sakabato.

Kurama was thinking about what Lebiri had said. If she created too many things at one time she could...die? That meant if she lost to the Hideko, she'd die either way. They would either kill her for not doing what they said, or kill her while she did what they said. This was absurd!

"Kuraaaaaama!" Lebiri waved a hand in front of the youko's face.

He blushed; spacing out wasn't a common thing for him to do. "I am very sorry about that. What were you saying?"

Lebiri smirked. "Kurama," she said, a little too kindly, thinking of the blue haired woman. "Is there someone you'd like me to...meet?...A certain b-"

"Oh! Yes! That's right! We better meet up with Hiei," Kurama interrupted, not even knowing what she was going to say.

But Lebiri forgot about that and asked, "Hiei lives around here?"

"Yes. He's upstairs."

"Huh! You mean he has the other part of this pent house! Jeeze!"

"Yes. Let's go upstairs. He didn't pay attention yesterday when we discussed your training day. You were taking your walk and he was a little...spaced out. So it'd be best if we go talk to him."

"Wait!" Lebiri ran to a bathroom she spotted, and examined herself in the mirror. When she was satisfied that she looked ok, she returned to a suspicious Kurama and said, "Ok. We can go." He raised an eyebrow with a knowing smirk.

Tai finished giving a family their orders and sat down on a stool overlooking the guests in the restaurant. He wiped some sweat from his forehead and sighed. His morning shift was always unpleasant. So many travelers, couples, and now students out of school entered Romini's for breakfast. People were picky in the morning, too. But for now everyone was satisfied as they ate and talked. There was a break in the flow of entering guests for the moment. Tai thought about how he had glanced Lebiri ordering with her cousin at the drive through. He'd call her on his break. Just thinking about her relaxed him in a way. A group of kids from his class came in then, interrupting his thoughts. He looked around, but his fellow co-workers were busy. So he stood up with a muted groan and went to seat the rowdy newcomers.
Kurama and Lebiri exited the elevator and walked up to Hiei's door. It was wide open.

They looked inside cautiously, peering around the entrance. An old woman's wrinkly, irritated face greeted them. Lebiri fell back with a surprised "oof", landing on the floor. Kurama, just as flustered, helped her up. "Pardon us miss. Is Hiei there?" he asked the short, glaring woman.

She snorted and spoke hoarsely, "He's asleepin' kid."

"Well..." Kurama saw that she had on a maid's apron. 'She must be Hiei's housecleaner...why would he hire her! Probably another one of Koenma's practical jokes.' She had to be lying though. Hiei should have been awake for a while now. "May we go in?"

"Hum, lemme think…NO. Now get out of here, you hoodlum!"

Lebiri, unnoticed, slowly snuck over to the maid's cart. She searched, with her eyes, for Hiei's key. 'The lady must have an extra...' While Kurama and the old woman argued, she spotted a single key off its hook. It sat on top of a Lysol spray can. She grabbed it and, interrupting the quarrel, asked, "Is this Hiei's key?"

The woman, red with anger, turned and yelled, "YES!" and went back to arguing with Kurama.

Lebiri shrugged and materialized a double, then replaced the key.

The lady caught herself and trudged over to her. "YOUNG LADY!" she shrieked. "Give me that key!"

"Whatever do you mean? It's right on the Lysol can miss," Lebiri said sweetly.

The lady snatched it up and, glaring menacingly, shut Hiei's door, locked it good, and left, pushing her cart down the hall with her, mumbling, "Kids these days. No respect, no respect."

Kurama sighed. "What a crab."

"Yeah," Lebiri held out Hiei's key. "Here you go."

"...How'd you? Let me guess - you made a double?"

She smiled. "Yep. Let's go before that old lady comes back."

"Alright." He quietly unlocked the door, and in they entered.

Hiei's dream changed from knocking out Kuwabaras to defeating hundreds of his past enemies and demons that loathed him. Everything suddenly went blank...and it was quiet...then he heard footsteps. ((They were slow...as if searching for him.)) He began to draw his sword, and in his bunk bed, he slowly drew his dagger...
Kurama and Lebiri walked ((slowly around the house, searching for Hiei.)) "Found his room, Kurama!" Lebiri waited until Kurama was by her side, then said, "At least I think it's his room..."

Kurama nodded. "I sense his presence." He ((knocked hard on the door.)) "((Hiei!)) You in there! It's Kurama!"

Nothing...

Hiei ((heard someone calling him.)) There was a ((bang)). He began to walk towards the source of the noise. Out of dreamland, he got out of bed and walked over to the door...
Lebiri shrugged and opened the door. She saw Hiei all right! He was standing in front of the door holding a dagger and looking very hostile, but he was still asleep! She shut the door quickly and asked Kurama, "He's not a morning person is he?" She gulped, and laid her sakabato and kunai against the wall.

Kurama said thoughtfully, "I honestly don't know. Why?" He laughed. "Messy in there?"

"Eh heh. See for yourself." She moved aside and he opened the door. She took a step back...

"Hiei? Are you...awake?" Kurama asked. "Hellooo! Whoa!"

'Target located,' Hiei thought, staring at a past demon opponent, 'Attack!' And he did...
Kurama dodged Hiei's attacks and flipped into the room. Hiei followed.

Lebiri heard the fast, swoosh like noises of a fight. She peeked in and sweat dropped. "Kurama! Maybe you should wake him up!"

"YouthinkIhaven'ttried!" he yelled quickly, concentrating on not getting killed.

"Eh heh heh. Sorry. HIEI! WAKE UP!"

Hiei stopped in his tracks. He stood there, would-be staring at her. Then he went after her.

"Eeeep!" Lebiri slammed the door shut and waited, holding it closed with all her weight.

Bam! Hiei slammed into it! He sank to the floor, still asleep, and dropped his dagger, snoring peacefully. Kurama sweat dropped and fell over.

Lebiri slowly opened the door and looked down at him. He was so cute while he was asleep! She blinked and said, "Kurama. You can wake him up now..." Lebiri walked into the room and hid behind her cousin, who slowly went to wake Hiei up...

"Ah! What the(bleeeep) was that," Hiei cursed angrily. "I hated that guy! Since when could he SUMMON A BRICK WALL?" All of the sudden, his dream was full of fluffy pink clouds and rainbows. He stared at them, eye twitching, and sweat dropped.

"Hiei," Kurama called, standing back. He turned chibi and poked him with a stick.

"Kurama!" Lebiri snapped, trying to keep a straight face. She sighed and walked over to the sleeping demon mumbling "chicken" under her breath. "Wake up, Hiei!" She shook him and he began to stir.

Hiei stretched and opened one eye lazily. After focusing on Lebiri, he jerked up and looked around. "What the...Kurama! What the(bleeeep) are you two doing here?" He stood up and ran a hand through his untidy hair.

Kurama lifted his hands defensively saying, "It's a long story."

Lebiri put her hands on her hips angrily and asked, "Do you always try to murder people in your sleep? Have you ever woken up to a dead guy!"

Hiei avoided looking at her and snatched up his dagger. "I normally kill people while I'm awake actually. You shouldn't have been here anyway," he said in his normal attitude filled way. Then he closed his eyes and walked around her casually.

She just stared at him. Kurama put in, "We just wanted to um...tell you about Lebiri's training...day." Hiei walked into his bathroom without a word and slammed the door shut. A moment later, the faucet was running loudly.

Kurama sighed. "Think he'll come?"

"No idea," Lebiri said simply, shrugging. "And I don't care. Can we go now?" She tapped her foot and crossed her arms. "We don't want to be late."

Kurama composed himself and nodded. "Maybe he was listening after all. Let's go."

"Ok guys!" Yusuke cheered. "We can go now!" It was funny how happy Keiko could make him.

"Urameshi, will you calm down! Stop bouncing around so much!" Kuwabara said, rolling his eyes. He was wearing normal clothes now - his regular blue pants and a white beater. The Headband of Love was also gone, thanks to Shizuru and Botan's teasing.

Yusuke bonked him on the head playfully and grinned. "Get up ya lazy bum! Time to go!" He went over to Keiko and helped her up. "C'mon Botan! Shizuru, you comin'?"

Shizuru said, "Sure. Why not." They all left the house and headed to Kurama's, Yusuke flirting playfully with Keiko like some kind of 10-year-old.

Kurama rolled down the sunroof of his car once more and thought about his friends. "They'll probably already be there..."

"Who's coming?" Lebiri asked. She was sitting in the back this time, behind Kurama, so she could think up an outfit for her sword, which, with the kunai, was laying across the seats next to her.

Kurama said, "Yusuke, Keiko, and Kuwabara for sure. Shizuru, Kuwabara's sister, may come." He started to drive.

"Ok...could you turn on some music?"

"Sure." He turned on the radio and Usher's My Boo emerged from the speakers. It was a nice day out - sunny with hardly any clouds in the sky. Summer was coming fast.

Kurama headed towards his house. When they were a block away, he parked the car on the side of the street. The radio cut off. He turned to look at her.

"What's up?" Lebiri asked.

"Are you up to materializing some suitcases? Mother expects us to come back with your things, remember?"

"Oh yeah...sure I'll get to it." She sat up straight and took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "It helps to be calm when you do this. My training will help though. The stronger I get, the more I can take." She held out her hands. A pale, lavender glow emitted from them. It grew gradually brighter until there were two square shapes on the seats. Lebiri closed her eyes and made a mental design of the trunks and their contents. There was a flash as she transformed her energy into the making of the suitcases. When she opened her eyes, there they were.

Kurama blinked. "Amazing..."

Lebiri just nodded, trying to control her breathing. In a few moments, she was fine. "It takes shorter time and energy to make smaller things." She pushed her bangs out of her eyes. "We better get going."

"Now, tell me again," Shizuru said to Botan, a little annoyed. "Why can't we take the car? I can drive."

Botan meowed good naturedly and pawed at her. "Oh Shizuru! What would be the fun in that!"

She lowered her cigarette and sighed, smoke erupting from her mouth. "Whatever Botan. Why is everyone to hyper today?" She glanced over at Yusuke. He was walking behind Keiko, his arms around her waist, grinning and somehow making Kuwabara blush.

Botan skipped ahead and looked back. "Come on everyone!" she shouted, laughing. "Kurama's house is right up here!"

Elsewhere

"It's almost time..." Uroki Jurota rubbed his hands together, laughing evilly.

(Wish me luck on the next chapter! Till next time, Saiya Winters is signing off! )