Author's Note- Sorry it took so long to update. But it's worth the wait. Well, go on & read for yourself.
Chapter 2
The Mall Incident
Still Monday; Entrance of Sarayashiki Jr. High: After School
Z & Cass walked side by side down the front of the school. "So why didn't you tell me?" asked Z. They pushed through a small crowd in front of them. "Tell you what?" asked Cass. "About you, Liz, & Roxy this afternoon."
"What are you...HOLY SHIT!" Cass slapped her forehead. "What? What happened?" Z asked with a smile on her face, "Did you forget to ask your mom?"
"Mmhm," nodded Cass. "You're screwed," Z said uncaringly. "Well geez, thanks for the help," replied Cass sarcastically. "Hey, what can I say? I don't give a shit," Z said as she shrugged. "You better call Roxy & tell her," advised Z. "Well no duh!" replied Cass trying to be a smart alic, "But my mom'll probably say okay anyway." They walked on to where the cars picked up other students. There, they decided to sit on a bench & wait for their ride. Z pulled out a piece of paper & a pencil & began to doodle. Cass, who was sitting on the opposite side of the bench out of view from the drawing, began to get suspicious. "What are you writing?" Cass asked. "Not writing, drawing," replied Z. She showed her tongue as she erased furiously a mistake. "Let me see," Cass said as she leaned over into a good view. "What is it?"
"I don't know yet."
"What do you mean you don't know yet? How can you draw something & not know what it is?"
"I just don't. I'm pulling these things out from the back of my head. Besides, I'm sure there are some famous artists out there who have no idea what they're doing either. They just splash paint on a canvas & it's considered a masterpiece. So...just leave alone for now. I'm trying to think."
"Oooo, you're trying to think. Wow. This must be really hard for you."
"Hey!" Just then, a gust of wind rushed by, & the paper flew behind a bush. "My drawing!" Z & Cass rushed after it before the wind could carry it any farther. Z felt another gust go by & the paper flew only a couple of inches before she dived after it & snatched it. Now she was all full of dirt & had scraped her elbow. Cass crouched down next to her behind the bush as Z began to sit up with paper in hand. She rubbed her elbow & said "Oh well. I'll get it washed off when I get home."
"You're such an idiot," Cass replied with a sigh. "Not as big of an idiot as you," shot back Z. That's when something caught her eye. It was "Mr. Hiei Jaganshi" & he was walking towards Yusuke, Kuwabara, & Shuichi. Cass saw what Z was staring at & joined in. When Hiei walked into the group, Yusuke greeted him with, "Hey Hiei. Have you found anything?"
"They know each other?" Cass said in disbelief. "Well what does it look like? Now shut up I'm trying to hear." The girls tried to listen in, but they were too far away. They could barely hear anything…but that's barely. Z gasped when she finally made something out, "Koenma". All this weird research had finally paid off. From legends that she had read from, Koenma was the son of Lord Enma, the big dude upstairs in charge of the Rei-kai. "What's wrong?" Cass asked, a bit startled by her friends reaction. "Ko...enma," Z finally replied shakily. "Yeah. I think one of them said that. Didn't they?" said Cass. Z nodded. "So? What's wrong? Who is it?" Cass asked anxious to find out. "He's-He's-"
Hiei noticed the girls behind the bush & rushed over to stop Z from saying anymore.
The girls were shocked by Hiei's "quick" appearance. They jumped back on their hands. They were breathing harder & sweating more than they've ever done in any P.E. class before. Something about his blood-red glare told them it's not nice to spy…especially when you're caught. "Hey...Hiei," Z greeted nervously. "What's...up?" Cass continued.
"What did you hear?" Hiei replied sharply, which sounded more like a demand. "Uh...nothing really. Just...the name Koenma. That's all. Really. Nothing much," Z answered with a nervous giggle. Hiei glared at her. That's when Z noticed that something under his headband glowed, & then returned to normal. Cass noticed it too, & that's when she decided on this little comment, "Uh...Yusuke," she called still a little nervous, "Can you...uh...get your guard dog away from us?"
Everyone froze. Bad move. "What did you just call me?!" Hiei raged with anger. Z & Cass then noticed Hiei's new attack pose, & slight movements near his waist. "A sword!" Z thought when she saw the hilt. "He's going to use it!" she realized as she saw Hiei's hand reaching for it. "No! Wait!" Z called out, "she doesn't know what she's saying-" Cass cut in saying, "Yes I-" & Z slapped a hand over her friend's mouth. Z then apologized politely, "She didn't mean it. We're sorry."
Keiko walked by & noticed the 2 girls behind the bush & in front of Hiei. "Oh, hi Cass. Konichiwa Z. What are you guys doing?" Keiko asked innocently. Z saw their escape & grabbed Cass by the arm & ran over to Keiko & away from the "psycho". Kuwabara, Yusuke, & Shuichi all sighed, while Hiei stood up straight. He glared at the girls one last time & walked back to the group. "We were looking for my drawing," replied Z. Z sighed with relief & said, "You know Keiko, you're one of my best friends. Along with Yukina, Botan, & Shizuru."
"Hey! What about me?" Cass interrupted. Z yelled back angrily, "You're the idiot that tags along trying to get herself killed!"
"Hey, that sounds like you Kuwabara," Yusuke teased, "You two might make a good couple."
"No way!" Kuwabara yelled, "I love Yukina, & no one is gonna stop me!" Hiei shot a glare from the corner of his eyes towards Kuwabara. "Unless you're dead," Hiei commented. "Oh yeah! Well-" Kuwabara began, as Yusuke said, "Now girls, go play somewhere else." Then Shuichi sighed & advised, "Yusuke, you know there's no point in trying to stop them. They will eventually be stopped somehow." Hiei & Kuwabara continued insulting each other.
The girls were walking by the group of loud boys, when Yusuke made his daily comment, "Hey Keiko. Nice skirt."
"Yusuke you jerk!" Keiko yelled as she swung her briefcase across Yusuke's head. Yusuke became a little dizzy. Kuwabara laughed & said, "Urameshi's gettin' beat up by his girlfriend!"
"Fool," Hiei insulted.
"Hello girls," said a familiar voice, still cheery as ever. Yusuke snapped out of it & looked around, "Huh? Botan?"
"Hi Botan!" replied the girls in unison. Yusuke spotted them. The three girls stood near the hoodless, red corvette, while Botan sat in the passenger seat, Shizuru in the driver's, & Yukina in the back in the left. The boys walked over. "Hello boys," Botan greeted. "Whoooa. Hey sis, where'd you get the new car? Did mom & dad buy it for you?" Kuwabara said in awe. "No," Shizuru snapped back as she brushed back a layer of hair, "I bought it."
"What?!" Yusuke & Kuwabara shouted. "I've been saving up for it since I was a kid. Now get lost." Yusuke & Kuwabara couldn't help but to stare. "Well, hop in," Shizuru finally said, "I don't have all day." The two boys shouted with glee & were about to jump in, when Botan said, "Sorry boys. I hate to ruin your fun, but she was talking to the girls."
"Let me guess. Another girl's night out?" Yusuke sarcastically said with a miserable face. "BINGO!" Botan replied with a smile, as she held up two fingers in a V formation. The girls hopped in the back with Yukina. "Hi Yukina," they said in unison. "Hello," she replied with a gentle voice & with a smile. Hiei was no longer angry now. His sister smile gave him all the joy he needed. As long as she was happy, so was he. "Bye boys," Botan said as she put her sunglasses on. Shizuru drove out.
Monday Evening; Tokishiki Shopping Center: Near the Fountain
"Ya know, maybe bringing the guys wouldn't have been such a bad idea," said Z. "Bingo," said Botan miserably. "These bags are beginning to get a little too heavy," complained Cass. "Maybe we should go drop these off in the car & then come back," Keiko suggested. "What? Are you guys serious?" whined Cass, "I'm too tired. Let's at least stop to rest for a while, &…maybe we can eat something." The rest of the girls except Yukina & Keiko rolled their eyes. "Why am I not surprised?" Keiko said looking really annoyed. "Cass, you're stupid," said Z. "I know," said Cass with a smile. "It's not funny," Shizuru told Cass. "Forgive me. I know it's none of my business but, eating so much isn't healthy," Yukina warned. "You don't need to ask for forgiveness for that," said Botan, "You're helping out. Besides, someone needs to put their foot down. Cassandra, you have got to stop eating like this. It really isn't good for you."
"I know," said Cass. Only this time there was no smile. She was busy looking around for something to eat. "There really is no point in telling her, is there?" asked Keiko with a great loss of patience. "No. There isn't," replied Z just as irritated as everyone else. "Whatever," Shizuru said as she brushed back her hair, "Let's just find something & get it over with. If she wants to get fat that's her problem."
They found an ice cream shop & went in. Shizuru, Botan, Z, Keiko & Yukina (not that Yukina bought that much. She doesn't seem like the kind of girl that would) sat at the small metal tables inside the shop, while Cass tried to decide on a flavor. "Zeeee! Come here. I don't know which one to pick. Help me choose," Cass whined. Z blew a hair out of her very annoyed looking face & said, "Hey! Ice Cream dude," the boy with the apron & little boat hat looked at her & pointed to himself, "Well is there anyone else around?" the boy shook his head furiously, "I didn't think so. Now, do you have anything that's fat free?" the boy nodded with a smile, "Good. Now Cass, follow the nice young man & choose from what he's going to tell you." Cass looked at Z embarrassed & as if she were about to kill her, but instead she turned around & stomped to where the young man was standing. "Well done Z!" congratulated Botan. "No prob," Z replied smugly & with a smile. They high-fived.
Cass finally came back with a cone that had 5 scoops of 5 different flavors, with melted fudge, chocolate sprinkles, rainbow sprinkles, strawberry syrup, whip cream, & a cherry on top. The girls looked at her a bit in disbelief & with a dash of impatience. "Cass, the whole point of getting fat free ice cream was for there to be nothing fattening," Z explained quite irritated. Cass didn't hear a word of it. She was too busy licking a drip of ice cream rolling down her cone.
Monday Night; Tokishiki Shopping Center: Parking Lot-11: 55 P.M.
They were putting their bags in the corvette. The trunk didn't hold enough space, so they started to put some inside the car. Yukina then noticed, "Won't someone try to take our stuff? It's just laying there in the open without any protection." Shizuru took one look at the car, & then got into the driver's seat & began to close the roof of the car, when she heard an explosion & Botan yelling, "Oh my gosh!" Then she heard Keiko yell, "The mall!" Shizuru quickly got out of the car & looked at the mall. "What the hell-?!" she said in shock. There were several explosions going on in the center where the fountain was.
Monday Night; Urameshi Residence: Yusuke's Room-11:57 P.M.
Yusuke slept sprawled across the floor on his bed with a white under shirt & boxers. His hair contained no gel & was all out of place (*a/n- which I think actually makes him look cuter*). His mouth opened wide & closed down to a little hole as he snored. The bubble coming from his nose grew small then large again as he snored. He mumbled something in his sleep. Within a second after that, a loud beeping noise from something inside the pocket of his green uniform pants woke him up. "PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY!" he screamed as he shot up. He heard the beeping noise & went to check it out. He pulled the communicator Botan had given him a while back, out of the pocket & flipped it open. Inside the little screen appeared Botan's face panting for air. Yusuke scratched his head & moaned still ½ a sleep, "Wha' do you want Botan? It's almost midnight."
"The mall," Botan breathed, "it's exploded where the fountain is. We're going in to check it out & make sure everyone's okay." This woke Yusuke up all the way. "Keiko!" he thought. "Where's Keiko?!" he shouted into the communicator. "She's fine, Yusuke. She's right behind me," Botan said. She pointed the screen towards Keiko who was running behind her, & then back at her. "I'll be there as soon as I can," he told her, "& keep Keiko out of there!" he ordered. He closed the communicator & placed it in the pocket of his red jacket while mumbling to himself, "Stupid girl's night out," & some other curses.
Then, as he was getting dressed, the phone rang. Atsuko answered it & he heard her say "Hello?" as she was ½ a sleep. "A miracle," he thought, "Mom's actually here tonight." His mother then yelled, "Yusukeee! It's for you! Yusuke!"
"I'm coming! Just hold on a sec!" he yelled back as he slipped on his jeans & grabbed his jacket. He ran into his mother's room & she held up the phone for him to grab, which he did. "Urameshi," yelled the voice in the phone. "Kuwabara," he yelled back. "I just got a call from Shizuru-"
"I know, I know! I'll meet you there!" Yusuke hung up the phone. "Where are you going?" asked Atsuko still ½ a sleep. Yusuke replied as he ran out, "To the mall!" Atsuko heard the door slam. "Yusuke at the mall?" she asked herself suspiciously. She plopped herself back down & said to herself, "Have fun Yusuke. I'm getting too old for this."
When Yusuke got outside, Hiei & Kurama were already there waiting for him.
Late Monday Night/Early Tuesday Morning; Tokishiki Shopping Center: Near the Demolished Fountain
"Hurry! Behind the bench!" Shizuru ordered as she led the rest of the girl gang through the rubble & behind a stone bench. They were ½ way there, when a huge rock parted ½ of the members as it flew in between them. Botan was able to stop herself fast enough for the boulder to fly right in front of her as she let out a shriek. She turned around & led the other ½ of the group (Z & Cass) behind another bench behind them. Yukina & Keiko were able to make it with Shizuru. They all ducked against the back of the benches, using them as a shield from the monster trying to smash them into pieces.
"What the hell is going on here?!" Z yelled out over all the commotion. "Well obviously we're under attack," Botan said with a trembling voice. Z tried to peak over at the attacker in the fountain but almost lost her head to another heavy rock, but what she saw in that 1 second was something she'd never forget.
The roof-tall, ½-squid-like, ½-human-like, purple & grey creature with 6 eyes, 4 arms, & 8 tentacles sat inside the demolished fountain that squirted water everywhere, & was waving its long tentacles around as it trashed the area near it. People lay either dead or paralyzed all around the area by burns or poison from the beast's needles & suction-cup-like padding at the bottom of its tentacles. Something that had really caught her attention though, was the weird cross shaped scar on the halfling's forehead. She had seen it before, but where?
It let out an ear-piercing screech. The girls covered their ears in protection, but it was still loud enough for it to hurt. They gritted their through what seemed like a never ending pain. It finally stopped & they removed their hands. "This is getting really annoying," said an irritated Z, "I don't care what the hell that thing is, it's getting on my nerves!"
"Now, now Z. Calm down. You don't want to do anything that you'll regret later," Botan said as she tried to calm her down, & yet, she herself didn't look so calm either. A sweat drop appeared on the side of her head as she tried to force out a smile. Z then replied with devilish tone & grin, "Oh I won't regret it."
Botan looked at her confused at 1st but then noticed the piece of thick iron wire in her hands. Z, again with that devilish grin & tone asked, "Hey, Botan? Do you think it's got soft skin? Ya know, like a normal squid?"
"Well, yes I suppose, but-"
"What about you, Cass? You think it'd be like dinner?"
"Yep! Sure do." Cass replied with the same expression & tone. "Zysa you're not going to do what I think you're going to do, are you?" Botan nervously interrupted as she watched Z spy over the top of the bench with the wire in her hand. Z turned to the 2 other girls & commanded, "Stay here. I'll be right back." Then, without another thought, she quickly ran in a crutched position to the next bench before the monster could see her.
"Zysa! No! Wait!" Botan called after her, but it was too late when she tried to reach out for her. Botan sat back & said to herself, "Ooooh! Koenma's going to kill me." Cass looked at her puzzled.
"Hey, where did Z go?" Keiko asked as she looked around for the missing girl. "I don't know. Wasn't she with Botan?" Yukina asked as she sat up & took a look over to the other bench. Shizuru became interested in the conversation & decided to take a look as well. There was no Z, but instead, she found Botan trying to signal something.
She sighed. Botan was never good at these games anyways. A pointless effort. Shizuru tried her best to understand, & was grasping the idea, until the "thing" shrieked again. They covered their ears again. Although, this time, it sounded more like shriek of pain than power. Shizuru got on her knees to look over the top of the bench. Her eyes widened.
"Stupid squid!" Z forced out through gritted teeth. She was hanging on to the thick wire she had stabbed into the creature's back. Green goo with this milk-like substance was squirting out of the puncture all over her. She took a hand off the wire & wiped some off her mouth. "Gross," she said with disgust. She spit out some more that had fallen into her mouth.
She heard glass shatter above her & looked up. Yusuke & the gang had smashed through the glass ceiling above them. They were coming down with a few cuts & scrapes from the shattered glass. Z had the wonderful opportunity of gaining her own wounds when the glass flew down slicing open her skin. "Watch IT! You IDIOTS!" she yelled at them. "SHUT UP & STOP COMPLAINING!" Yusuke ordered back as he kicked a few teeth out of the monster's mouth. Z growled.
The creature began to move from side to side as it was being pummeled by the Urameshi Gang. Z re-placed her hand on the wire. She gripped it tightly, holding on for dear life. She was more than just a few feet off the ground.
The creature stopped moving. She opened her eyes & they widened at the sight of a giant tentacle coming at her. She braced herself for the impact. She felt a wet slap against her face, a sharp sting, & then fell into unconsciousness when she flew through a glass window of 1 of the shops.
"Z!" Cass yelled in surprise as she watched her best friend fly through a glass window, & shatter it into a million pieces. She ran out from behind the bench. That creature had passed the limit. "No more!" she thought to herself, "This has gone way too far!"
She took 1 look at her hurt friend & the emotions inside her raged. She clenched her hands into fists & gritted her. Her body temperature rose to its peak. She glowed in a misty purple as she roared into the atmosphere. Her eyes widened as she let out all her energy.
They all felt it. The huge serge of energy coming from the young girl behind them was greater than they had ever imagined, & it was rushing towards them. The boys froze in shock. There was no way anyone in the mall would be able to escape the blast now. They tried to shield themselves from it, but it was no use. Was it really all over?
"Cassieeeeeee!" Keiko yelled trying to stop the rampage of the infuriated teen. It was too late, though. Keiko, Yukina, Shizuru, & Botan, who were able to make it to their bench before the blast began, all huddled together for protection.
Author's Note- Sorry for the cliffhanger, but don't worry. Chapter 3 will be posted soon. Pleaz review...BYE!!!
Chapter 2
The Mall Incident
Still Monday; Entrance of Sarayashiki Jr. High: After School
Z & Cass walked side by side down the front of the school. "So why didn't you tell me?" asked Z. They pushed through a small crowd in front of them. "Tell you what?" asked Cass. "About you, Liz, & Roxy this afternoon."
"What are you...HOLY SHIT!" Cass slapped her forehead. "What? What happened?" Z asked with a smile on her face, "Did you forget to ask your mom?"
"Mmhm," nodded Cass. "You're screwed," Z said uncaringly. "Well geez, thanks for the help," replied Cass sarcastically. "Hey, what can I say? I don't give a shit," Z said as she shrugged. "You better call Roxy & tell her," advised Z. "Well no duh!" replied Cass trying to be a smart alic, "But my mom'll probably say okay anyway." They walked on to where the cars picked up other students. There, they decided to sit on a bench & wait for their ride. Z pulled out a piece of paper & a pencil & began to doodle. Cass, who was sitting on the opposite side of the bench out of view from the drawing, began to get suspicious. "What are you writing?" Cass asked. "Not writing, drawing," replied Z. She showed her tongue as she erased furiously a mistake. "Let me see," Cass said as she leaned over into a good view. "What is it?"
"I don't know yet."
"What do you mean you don't know yet? How can you draw something & not know what it is?"
"I just don't. I'm pulling these things out from the back of my head. Besides, I'm sure there are some famous artists out there who have no idea what they're doing either. They just splash paint on a canvas & it's considered a masterpiece. So...just leave alone for now. I'm trying to think."
"Oooo, you're trying to think. Wow. This must be really hard for you."
"Hey!" Just then, a gust of wind rushed by, & the paper flew behind a bush. "My drawing!" Z & Cass rushed after it before the wind could carry it any farther. Z felt another gust go by & the paper flew only a couple of inches before she dived after it & snatched it. Now she was all full of dirt & had scraped her elbow. Cass crouched down next to her behind the bush as Z began to sit up with paper in hand. She rubbed her elbow & said "Oh well. I'll get it washed off when I get home."
"You're such an idiot," Cass replied with a sigh. "Not as big of an idiot as you," shot back Z. That's when something caught her eye. It was "Mr. Hiei Jaganshi" & he was walking towards Yusuke, Kuwabara, & Shuichi. Cass saw what Z was staring at & joined in. When Hiei walked into the group, Yusuke greeted him with, "Hey Hiei. Have you found anything?"
"They know each other?" Cass said in disbelief. "Well what does it look like? Now shut up I'm trying to hear." The girls tried to listen in, but they were too far away. They could barely hear anything…but that's barely. Z gasped when she finally made something out, "Koenma". All this weird research had finally paid off. From legends that she had read from, Koenma was the son of Lord Enma, the big dude upstairs in charge of the Rei-kai. "What's wrong?" Cass asked, a bit startled by her friends reaction. "Ko...enma," Z finally replied shakily. "Yeah. I think one of them said that. Didn't they?" said Cass. Z nodded. "So? What's wrong? Who is it?" Cass asked anxious to find out. "He's-He's-"
Hiei noticed the girls behind the bush & rushed over to stop Z from saying anymore.
The girls were shocked by Hiei's "quick" appearance. They jumped back on their hands. They were breathing harder & sweating more than they've ever done in any P.E. class before. Something about his blood-red glare told them it's not nice to spy…especially when you're caught. "Hey...Hiei," Z greeted nervously. "What's...up?" Cass continued.
"What did you hear?" Hiei replied sharply, which sounded more like a demand. "Uh...nothing really. Just...the name Koenma. That's all. Really. Nothing much," Z answered with a nervous giggle. Hiei glared at her. That's when Z noticed that something under his headband glowed, & then returned to normal. Cass noticed it too, & that's when she decided on this little comment, "Uh...Yusuke," she called still a little nervous, "Can you...uh...get your guard dog away from us?"
Everyone froze. Bad move. "What did you just call me?!" Hiei raged with anger. Z & Cass then noticed Hiei's new attack pose, & slight movements near his waist. "A sword!" Z thought when she saw the hilt. "He's going to use it!" she realized as she saw Hiei's hand reaching for it. "No! Wait!" Z called out, "she doesn't know what she's saying-" Cass cut in saying, "Yes I-" & Z slapped a hand over her friend's mouth. Z then apologized politely, "She didn't mean it. We're sorry."
Keiko walked by & noticed the 2 girls behind the bush & in front of Hiei. "Oh, hi Cass. Konichiwa Z. What are you guys doing?" Keiko asked innocently. Z saw their escape & grabbed Cass by the arm & ran over to Keiko & away from the "psycho". Kuwabara, Yusuke, & Shuichi all sighed, while Hiei stood up straight. He glared at the girls one last time & walked back to the group. "We were looking for my drawing," replied Z. Z sighed with relief & said, "You know Keiko, you're one of my best friends. Along with Yukina, Botan, & Shizuru."
"Hey! What about me?" Cass interrupted. Z yelled back angrily, "You're the idiot that tags along trying to get herself killed!"
"Hey, that sounds like you Kuwabara," Yusuke teased, "You two might make a good couple."
"No way!" Kuwabara yelled, "I love Yukina, & no one is gonna stop me!" Hiei shot a glare from the corner of his eyes towards Kuwabara. "Unless you're dead," Hiei commented. "Oh yeah! Well-" Kuwabara began, as Yusuke said, "Now girls, go play somewhere else." Then Shuichi sighed & advised, "Yusuke, you know there's no point in trying to stop them. They will eventually be stopped somehow." Hiei & Kuwabara continued insulting each other.
The girls were walking by the group of loud boys, when Yusuke made his daily comment, "Hey Keiko. Nice skirt."
"Yusuke you jerk!" Keiko yelled as she swung her briefcase across Yusuke's head. Yusuke became a little dizzy. Kuwabara laughed & said, "Urameshi's gettin' beat up by his girlfriend!"
"Fool," Hiei insulted.
"Hello girls," said a familiar voice, still cheery as ever. Yusuke snapped out of it & looked around, "Huh? Botan?"
"Hi Botan!" replied the girls in unison. Yusuke spotted them. The three girls stood near the hoodless, red corvette, while Botan sat in the passenger seat, Shizuru in the driver's, & Yukina in the back in the left. The boys walked over. "Hello boys," Botan greeted. "Whoooa. Hey sis, where'd you get the new car? Did mom & dad buy it for you?" Kuwabara said in awe. "No," Shizuru snapped back as she brushed back a layer of hair, "I bought it."
"What?!" Yusuke & Kuwabara shouted. "I've been saving up for it since I was a kid. Now get lost." Yusuke & Kuwabara couldn't help but to stare. "Well, hop in," Shizuru finally said, "I don't have all day." The two boys shouted with glee & were about to jump in, when Botan said, "Sorry boys. I hate to ruin your fun, but she was talking to the girls."
"Let me guess. Another girl's night out?" Yusuke sarcastically said with a miserable face. "BINGO!" Botan replied with a smile, as she held up two fingers in a V formation. The girls hopped in the back with Yukina. "Hi Yukina," they said in unison. "Hello," she replied with a gentle voice & with a smile. Hiei was no longer angry now. His sister smile gave him all the joy he needed. As long as she was happy, so was he. "Bye boys," Botan said as she put her sunglasses on. Shizuru drove out.
Monday Evening; Tokishiki Shopping Center: Near the Fountain
"Ya know, maybe bringing the guys wouldn't have been such a bad idea," said Z. "Bingo," said Botan miserably. "These bags are beginning to get a little too heavy," complained Cass. "Maybe we should go drop these off in the car & then come back," Keiko suggested. "What? Are you guys serious?" whined Cass, "I'm too tired. Let's at least stop to rest for a while, &…maybe we can eat something." The rest of the girls except Yukina & Keiko rolled their eyes. "Why am I not surprised?" Keiko said looking really annoyed. "Cass, you're stupid," said Z. "I know," said Cass with a smile. "It's not funny," Shizuru told Cass. "Forgive me. I know it's none of my business but, eating so much isn't healthy," Yukina warned. "You don't need to ask for forgiveness for that," said Botan, "You're helping out. Besides, someone needs to put their foot down. Cassandra, you have got to stop eating like this. It really isn't good for you."
"I know," said Cass. Only this time there was no smile. She was busy looking around for something to eat. "There really is no point in telling her, is there?" asked Keiko with a great loss of patience. "No. There isn't," replied Z just as irritated as everyone else. "Whatever," Shizuru said as she brushed back her hair, "Let's just find something & get it over with. If she wants to get fat that's her problem."
They found an ice cream shop & went in. Shizuru, Botan, Z, Keiko & Yukina (not that Yukina bought that much. She doesn't seem like the kind of girl that would) sat at the small metal tables inside the shop, while Cass tried to decide on a flavor. "Zeeee! Come here. I don't know which one to pick. Help me choose," Cass whined. Z blew a hair out of her very annoyed looking face & said, "Hey! Ice Cream dude," the boy with the apron & little boat hat looked at her & pointed to himself, "Well is there anyone else around?" the boy shook his head furiously, "I didn't think so. Now, do you have anything that's fat free?" the boy nodded with a smile, "Good. Now Cass, follow the nice young man & choose from what he's going to tell you." Cass looked at Z embarrassed & as if she were about to kill her, but instead she turned around & stomped to where the young man was standing. "Well done Z!" congratulated Botan. "No prob," Z replied smugly & with a smile. They high-fived.
Cass finally came back with a cone that had 5 scoops of 5 different flavors, with melted fudge, chocolate sprinkles, rainbow sprinkles, strawberry syrup, whip cream, & a cherry on top. The girls looked at her a bit in disbelief & with a dash of impatience. "Cass, the whole point of getting fat free ice cream was for there to be nothing fattening," Z explained quite irritated. Cass didn't hear a word of it. She was too busy licking a drip of ice cream rolling down her cone.
Monday Night; Tokishiki Shopping Center: Parking Lot-11: 55 P.M.
They were putting their bags in the corvette. The trunk didn't hold enough space, so they started to put some inside the car. Yukina then noticed, "Won't someone try to take our stuff? It's just laying there in the open without any protection." Shizuru took one look at the car, & then got into the driver's seat & began to close the roof of the car, when she heard an explosion & Botan yelling, "Oh my gosh!" Then she heard Keiko yell, "The mall!" Shizuru quickly got out of the car & looked at the mall. "What the hell-?!" she said in shock. There were several explosions going on in the center where the fountain was.
Monday Night; Urameshi Residence: Yusuke's Room-11:57 P.M.
Yusuke slept sprawled across the floor on his bed with a white under shirt & boxers. His hair contained no gel & was all out of place (*a/n- which I think actually makes him look cuter*). His mouth opened wide & closed down to a little hole as he snored. The bubble coming from his nose grew small then large again as he snored. He mumbled something in his sleep. Within a second after that, a loud beeping noise from something inside the pocket of his green uniform pants woke him up. "PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY!" he screamed as he shot up. He heard the beeping noise & went to check it out. He pulled the communicator Botan had given him a while back, out of the pocket & flipped it open. Inside the little screen appeared Botan's face panting for air. Yusuke scratched his head & moaned still ½ a sleep, "Wha' do you want Botan? It's almost midnight."
"The mall," Botan breathed, "it's exploded where the fountain is. We're going in to check it out & make sure everyone's okay." This woke Yusuke up all the way. "Keiko!" he thought. "Where's Keiko?!" he shouted into the communicator. "She's fine, Yusuke. She's right behind me," Botan said. She pointed the screen towards Keiko who was running behind her, & then back at her. "I'll be there as soon as I can," he told her, "& keep Keiko out of there!" he ordered. He closed the communicator & placed it in the pocket of his red jacket while mumbling to himself, "Stupid girl's night out," & some other curses.
Then, as he was getting dressed, the phone rang. Atsuko answered it & he heard her say "Hello?" as she was ½ a sleep. "A miracle," he thought, "Mom's actually here tonight." His mother then yelled, "Yusukeee! It's for you! Yusuke!"
"I'm coming! Just hold on a sec!" he yelled back as he slipped on his jeans & grabbed his jacket. He ran into his mother's room & she held up the phone for him to grab, which he did. "Urameshi," yelled the voice in the phone. "Kuwabara," he yelled back. "I just got a call from Shizuru-"
"I know, I know! I'll meet you there!" Yusuke hung up the phone. "Where are you going?" asked Atsuko still ½ a sleep. Yusuke replied as he ran out, "To the mall!" Atsuko heard the door slam. "Yusuke at the mall?" she asked herself suspiciously. She plopped herself back down & said to herself, "Have fun Yusuke. I'm getting too old for this."
When Yusuke got outside, Hiei & Kurama were already there waiting for him.
Late Monday Night/Early Tuesday Morning; Tokishiki Shopping Center: Near the Demolished Fountain
"Hurry! Behind the bench!" Shizuru ordered as she led the rest of the girl gang through the rubble & behind a stone bench. They were ½ way there, when a huge rock parted ½ of the members as it flew in between them. Botan was able to stop herself fast enough for the boulder to fly right in front of her as she let out a shriek. She turned around & led the other ½ of the group (Z & Cass) behind another bench behind them. Yukina & Keiko were able to make it with Shizuru. They all ducked against the back of the benches, using them as a shield from the monster trying to smash them into pieces.
"What the hell is going on here?!" Z yelled out over all the commotion. "Well obviously we're under attack," Botan said with a trembling voice. Z tried to peak over at the attacker in the fountain but almost lost her head to another heavy rock, but what she saw in that 1 second was something she'd never forget.
The roof-tall, ½-squid-like, ½-human-like, purple & grey creature with 6 eyes, 4 arms, & 8 tentacles sat inside the demolished fountain that squirted water everywhere, & was waving its long tentacles around as it trashed the area near it. People lay either dead or paralyzed all around the area by burns or poison from the beast's needles & suction-cup-like padding at the bottom of its tentacles. Something that had really caught her attention though, was the weird cross shaped scar on the halfling's forehead. She had seen it before, but where?
It let out an ear-piercing screech. The girls covered their ears in protection, but it was still loud enough for it to hurt. They gritted their through what seemed like a never ending pain. It finally stopped & they removed their hands. "This is getting really annoying," said an irritated Z, "I don't care what the hell that thing is, it's getting on my nerves!"
"Now, now Z. Calm down. You don't want to do anything that you'll regret later," Botan said as she tried to calm her down, & yet, she herself didn't look so calm either. A sweat drop appeared on the side of her head as she tried to force out a smile. Z then replied with devilish tone & grin, "Oh I won't regret it."
Botan looked at her confused at 1st but then noticed the piece of thick iron wire in her hands. Z, again with that devilish grin & tone asked, "Hey, Botan? Do you think it's got soft skin? Ya know, like a normal squid?"
"Well, yes I suppose, but-"
"What about you, Cass? You think it'd be like dinner?"
"Yep! Sure do." Cass replied with the same expression & tone. "Zysa you're not going to do what I think you're going to do, are you?" Botan nervously interrupted as she watched Z spy over the top of the bench with the wire in her hand. Z turned to the 2 other girls & commanded, "Stay here. I'll be right back." Then, without another thought, she quickly ran in a crutched position to the next bench before the monster could see her.
"Zysa! No! Wait!" Botan called after her, but it was too late when she tried to reach out for her. Botan sat back & said to herself, "Ooooh! Koenma's going to kill me." Cass looked at her puzzled.
"Hey, where did Z go?" Keiko asked as she looked around for the missing girl. "I don't know. Wasn't she with Botan?" Yukina asked as she sat up & took a look over to the other bench. Shizuru became interested in the conversation & decided to take a look as well. There was no Z, but instead, she found Botan trying to signal something.
She sighed. Botan was never good at these games anyways. A pointless effort. Shizuru tried her best to understand, & was grasping the idea, until the "thing" shrieked again. They covered their ears again. Although, this time, it sounded more like shriek of pain than power. Shizuru got on her knees to look over the top of the bench. Her eyes widened.
"Stupid squid!" Z forced out through gritted teeth. She was hanging on to the thick wire she had stabbed into the creature's back. Green goo with this milk-like substance was squirting out of the puncture all over her. She took a hand off the wire & wiped some off her mouth. "Gross," she said with disgust. She spit out some more that had fallen into her mouth.
She heard glass shatter above her & looked up. Yusuke & the gang had smashed through the glass ceiling above them. They were coming down with a few cuts & scrapes from the shattered glass. Z had the wonderful opportunity of gaining her own wounds when the glass flew down slicing open her skin. "Watch IT! You IDIOTS!" she yelled at them. "SHUT UP & STOP COMPLAINING!" Yusuke ordered back as he kicked a few teeth out of the monster's mouth. Z growled.
The creature began to move from side to side as it was being pummeled by the Urameshi Gang. Z re-placed her hand on the wire. She gripped it tightly, holding on for dear life. She was more than just a few feet off the ground.
The creature stopped moving. She opened her eyes & they widened at the sight of a giant tentacle coming at her. She braced herself for the impact. She felt a wet slap against her face, a sharp sting, & then fell into unconsciousness when she flew through a glass window of 1 of the shops.
"Z!" Cass yelled in surprise as she watched her best friend fly through a glass window, & shatter it into a million pieces. She ran out from behind the bench. That creature had passed the limit. "No more!" she thought to herself, "This has gone way too far!"
She took 1 look at her hurt friend & the emotions inside her raged. She clenched her hands into fists & gritted her. Her body temperature rose to its peak. She glowed in a misty purple as she roared into the atmosphere. Her eyes widened as she let out all her energy.
They all felt it. The huge serge of energy coming from the young girl behind them was greater than they had ever imagined, & it was rushing towards them. The boys froze in shock. There was no way anyone in the mall would be able to escape the blast now. They tried to shield themselves from it, but it was no use. Was it really all over?
"Cassieeeeeee!" Keiko yelled trying to stop the rampage of the infuriated teen. It was too late, though. Keiko, Yukina, Shizuru, & Botan, who were able to make it to their bench before the blast began, all huddled together for protection.
Author's Note- Sorry for the cliffhanger, but don't worry. Chapter 3 will be posted soon. Pleaz review...BYE!!!