O.K. Hi people!:b I know I haven't updated in a while. Sorry!!!!!!!!!! ;b To answer a question, the reason Z doesn't know about Hiei is because Hiei is also the name of a mountain in Japan. It's also a very common name. So it doesn't necessarily have to be the demon. Well, here's more. Hope you like. Oh! & by the way, I reposted chapters 1 & 2 with a few very minor changes you may not even notice, but just in case you wanted to read it anyways. Enjoy! P.S. Thank u 4 reviewing evry1! & lindzs: ur not bothering me me. Actually I'm quite thankful. It's Jay who I'm pissed off . He's such a pathetic human. He should kno better than 2 rush ppl. Especially sum1 like me... But don't worry Jay! I aim 2 satisfy evry1. Even if they think I do the same sick things that they do. ;b

Chapter 3
Mission Revealed

Midday Tuesday; Urameshi Residence: Guest Room-12:00 P.M.

Every bone in her body ached. She could barely move. "Where the hell am I?" Z thought to herself. "Am I dead? Does that mean I'm in Heaven? But then, why does it hurt so bad? Am I in Hell? Well, that wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" She forced an eye open only to realize that she wasn't in Heaven or Hell, but in a familiar environment. She had a little trouble remembering, though.

She looked to the side & saw Cass lying down in another bed next to her. She began to wonder, "What am I doing in Yusuke's house?" It was beginning to bother her. She hated not knowing anything. "Man, I got knocked out pretty bad," she thought as she sat up & rubbed her head. It finally hit her. "THE MALL!"

Just then, the door slid open & Botan was there holding a tray with a bowl & a white towel hanging out of it. "Oh! You're up! How do you feel? You must be hungry. Well, I'll go get you something in just a minute, but 1st I- " Botan said as if nothing had happened. "Botan?"

"Yes?" Botan answered nervously. "Last night...at the mall...what happened?" Z asked as she continued to regain her memory, "The last thing I remember is being thrown through a window by that squid-thing & then blacking out. Oh yeah, and a flash of light."

"Well...uh," Botan said searching for a reasonable answer that could explain all the strange events of last night, "it really doesn't matter. I'll be right back with your food. Here," Botan hesitantly handed her the tray, "wet the towel & then place it on Cassandra's head. Now remember to squeeze it a bit. We don't want to get her soaked, now do we? I'll be right back." Z raised an eyebrow suspiciously as Botan quickly turned around & left. Z shrugged.

"How could it not matter? Whatever," she thought uncaringly. A mischievous smile spread across her face as she turned her head to look at Cass. She dumped the towel into the steaming water, & then squeezed it over Cassie's head.

Midday Tuesday; Urameshi Residence: Family Room (T.V. Room)-12:03 P.M.

"Yusukeeee!" Botan whined, "You're not helping! What should I tell her?"

"I don't know. Who cares? Why don't you just tell her the truth? If we tell you to make something up, you'll confuse us all. Besides, you'd end up snitching anyways." Yusuke sat cross-legged on the floor. He leaned against the wall as he also crossed his arms behind his head. His eyes were closed in an uncaring manner. "I can't tell her the truth! Koenma would kill me! Yusukeeee?"

"I don't know Botan. It looks like you might die," Yusuke said teasingly. Botan threw herself on the floor next to Yusuke, grabbed him by the collar, & began to shake him as she desperately begged, "Yusuke you've got to help me!"

That's when Z dragged herself into the room with bed hair & an early morning I-don't-really-care look. Botan stopped what she was doing & looked up at Z, while Yusuke's eyes spun in circles along with the room. Z scratched her head & shrugged. "Gee Botan, what are you doing? Trying to turn him into a bobble-head toy? Or are you trying to knock some sense into him? You should know that would work fine...if he had a brain to knock it in to."

"Hey!" Yusuke protested, finally making contact with reality. Z just turned around & began to walk away; she paused for a moment, & turned back around.

"Yusuke, I seem to be a little hazy from yesterday. I remember how you and the other guys got into the mall, but how was it that we got out again? I'm just a little...blurred. Ya know what I mean?"

Botan quickly realized what she was up to, & Yusuke was just dumb enough to fall for it. "How could you forget?!" Yusuke barked, "I-"

Botan smacked a hand over his mouth. "What he means to say is-" Botan was saying nervously, when she was interrupted by a loud scream from the other room that sounded like Cassandra's.

"Whoops," Z said, "I think I might've sprinkled too much water on her." Botan hesitated. She didn't know whether to attend to Cassie, or to stay & protect the truth from Z.

Z noticed her hesitation, and then added, "Oh! I also believe I 'accidentally' left the bowl on top of Cassie's forehead."

"What!?!" Botan sprang up and dashed out of the room. Z's mischievous smile appeared once again. She then walked over to Yusuke who was looking at her suspiciously and cautiously and sat down in front of him. "So, you were saying, Yusuke?" He eyed her closely, "Hmm...there's something wrong with this picture..."

"Whatever do you mean?" she said innocently, "I just want to remember how the brave Yusuke defeated the horrible monster." Yusuke's expression quickly changed to a cocky and prideful one, and he said in a confident tone, "Well, if you really can't remember, I defeated that ugly squid using my special technique."

"I'm sorry Yusuke, but that monster must've really knocked me out pretty hard. Could you refresh my memory on that too?" "What?!" sighs, "Alright, the Spirit Gun." Z looks at him lost & confused. "Rrr, this thing. Watch." Yusuke stands up & Z follows.

He lifts up both hands and grabs his right wrist with his left hand, & points out his right index finger. "I can't believe you don't remember this," Yusuke said.

Z watched closely in amazement as his finger began to glow. Then a small beam of light shot out & hit the door, burning a hole through it. "There. Now do you remember?"

Yusuke turned towards the speechless Z. He lifted an eyebrow and waved a hand in her face as she stared at him in amazement. "Hellooo! Quit acting like you've...never seEN IT BEFORE!" Yusuke finally got it, just too late.

Botan rushed back down the stairs after taking care of Cass, hoping that Yusuke hadn't told. When she got there, she noticed Z's shocked face and Yusuke's nervous one. Immediately she knew what had happened. Botan ran to Yusuke and grabbed his shirt. "You told her, didn't you?!"

"It wasn't my fault! She tricked me! And you were the one who left her here with me!" Yusuke said defensively. He brushed Botan's hands off. "Besides, I don't see why we couldn't tell her. It's not like she's gonna tell anyone else. Will you?" Yusuke leaned his head over and saw Z with her mouth still gaping open at him.

Once again, this time through gritted teeth and a sweat drop on his head, he asked, "You won't tell, riiIIiight?" With her mouth still hanging open, she shook her head from side to side. Satisfied, Yusuke stood back up straight to look at Botan.

Her face was pale as snow and she was whispering to herself, "Koenma's really going to kill me. He's really going to kill me." Yusuke looked at her with serious worry and suspicion.

He grabbed Botan by the shoulders, shook her a little, and said softly, "Don't worry Botan. We can trust her. Believe me." She looked into the depths of Yusuke's eyes with a terribly pale face and tears welling up and streaming down her cheeks.

With a shaky, broken voice she said, "That's not the point, Yusuke. It's not the point." Yusuke looked back at her confused, and extremely worried.

Afternoon Tuesday; Urameshi Residence: Yusuke's Room-1:05 P.M.

Cassandra had already left. After an interrogation, they found that she remembered nothing, so they persuaded her to leave alone by telling her that Z had to clean up the mess she made, but that she should go home because her mother must have been extremely worried about her. Tai, her boyfriend & Yusuke's cousin, had come to pick her up.

He had also battled demons for almost half his life. When he was informed that the type of energy Cass had emitted the night before was youki (demon energy), he began to give her the cold shoulder. She became worried & more intrigued in his problems rather than her own, so it was easy for them to get her out.

Now, the rest of the gang and Lis were here instead. Lis was a girl an inch taller than Z. She had two thick highlights, a red one and a blue one, one on each side of her face. Her right eye was also red and her left eye blue. This was the work of contacts and hair dye, or at least that's what most people thought.

She knew Z because they lived in the same neighborhood, and were close friends. Everyone sat in Yusuke's room saying nothing, and knowing that the car ride home for both Tai & Cass was going to be uneasy. Now, Z had to be informed of everything or she wouldn't leave them alone.

"Where is Koenma?" Hiei asked impatiently. Nervously Botan responded, "Uh...he'll be here any minute now. Just hold on." Hiei glared at her. Botan just laughed tensely. "I wonder what Lis has to do with any of this," Z thought, "Whatever. I guess it'll be explained."

"So, Shuichi?" Z asked looking up at the uneasy redhead. He looked down at her. "Yes?"

"Are you the incarnate of the fox demon? I mean, after Yusuke called you Kurama and all this happened...well-I-just thought that maybe..."

Kurama looked away and nodded, but he looked gloomy about it. "So. My reputation precedes me."

"Hunh? What's wrong? Kurama...YOU'RE SOO COOL!!!" Z interrupted with a smile. "My past is nothing to be proud of," he said shamefully. "But I like thieves," Z stated, trying to make him feel better but noticing that it worked in the opposite way. He looked down at the floor, seemingly more depressed than before.

She shot up & hugged him tightly, taking him a little by surprise, & hoping to make him feel better. He stepped back, a little taken off balance, and looked down at her with a confused look. She looked up at him with a soft smile & said, "I'm sorry. Forget I mentioned it...Shuichi." Kurama looked at her & smiled. "It's alright. I forgive you. Thank you for the hug."

"You're welcome," Z said giggling. She let go and sat back down on the floor, noticing that everyone was watching. Kurama noticed everyone's smiles with the exception of Hiei. He especially noticed Lis's smile towards him & smiled back, his cheeks turning a blushy red.

Botan left to the kitchen to get a glass of water. In her return trip, she ran into the older form of Koenma walking down the hall towards Yusuke's room.

"Koenma sir," she called out softly. Koenma turned around & glared at her. "Botan. Have you told her anything?" he asked coldly. "N-No sir." She replied. He turned sharply.

"But-" she continued, lightly jogging after him. He turned back once more. She grabbed his arm & looked up at his anger filled expression.

"Sir, I-" she began, but couldn't finish. She just looked down at the floor & let go of him. He turned & walked away again. Botan stood there, feeling as if she wanted to kill herself for what had happened.

Koenma walked into Yusuke's room where everyone else was. The sight of Z was the first thing to catch his eyes' view and he froze in place. His eyes widened and he was speechless for that moment. He suddenly felt weak, almost as weak as he had felt only once before, and centuries ago.

But quickly he regained his composure and his eyes narrowed with a longing deepness. "She looks exactly like her," he thought to himself, yearning, grasping, remembering the past. His fists clenched tightly as he tried to hold in profound rivers of pain......and tears. A familiar hand placed itself on his back...Botan.

Z noticed his stare & began to panic, just a little. "Uh...Hi," she said, waving her hand anxiously. Koenma snapped out of his trance. He quickly turned to Yusuke with a fierce look & yelled, "WHY THE HECK DID YOU TELL HER!?!"

"WhaaAAaat?! It wasn't my fault!"

"Then who's was it?!"

"Botan left me alone with her!"

"You're an IDIOT Yusuke! What the HELL is WRONG with you!?! HOW THE HELL COULD YOU TELL HER!?! WHO IN THEIR GOD DAMN RIGHT FUCKING MIND WOULD TELL HER!?! CAN'T YOU SEE SHE'S AN INNOCENT GIRL!?! SHE'S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THIS!!!! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BRING HER INTO IT!?! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!?! FOR ONCE USE YOUR GOD DAMN FUCKING HEAD!!!!"

"Koenma sir, please! Calm down! Please. He doesn't know any better sir. Please?" Botan pleaded as she struggled to hold Koenma back from attacking Yusuke. Lis rushed to help her. Everyone else froze with amazement and fear at Koenma's outrage. Never before had they seen him like this. Even Hiei was quite taken aback by Koenma's sudden outburst. "Koenma sir! Think about what you're doing!" Lis shouted out.

Slowly Koenma calmed down & once again regained his composure. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "You're right," Koenma said to the two girls as he gazed at the floor. He took in a deep breath, then exhaled once more, and looked back up at the frightened Yusuke. "Hey. I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean to, really," Yusuke apologized. Koenma turned back to Z & said, still a little irritated, "I'm sorry you had to hear that, and I'm sorry you were dragged into this."

"Nah, it's okay," Z replied, trying to lighten the mood, "But please don't be mad at Yusuke It's not his fault. Really. I was the one who tricked him into showing me the Spirit Gun." Koenma glared back at Yusuke & Yusuke cringed. "No. He should have known better," Koenma replied coldly, directing it more towards Yusuke than towards Z.

"No. Really, Koenma sir. I'm the one to blame," Z replied once more, & once more Koenma looked back at her with sorrowful eyes.

"Koenma sir?" Z asked nervously, bashful, & scared, "You're not going to report me to Lord Enma are you?" She had read of the terrible things Enma was capable of.

Koenma's, Botan's, & Lis's eyes shot open, then quickly softened again. He left the two girls behind as he walked off towards Z. They all looked at him confused.

He kneeled down in front of her, took her hands in his, stared deep into her eyes, and said with great meaning, "I would never do anything to harm you." They stayed in that position for several moments.

Eventually Koenma realized that they were being watched. He jumped back & cleared his throat. "Well," he began, snapping everyone out of their trance, "Where should we begin?"

"How about telling her who everyone really is?" Lis suggested with a smile. Koenma looked down at Z & she nodded. "Okay then. Kurama, or as you might know him, Shuichi, & Hiei are demons from the Makai," he said pointing towards Kurama & Hiei. Kurama waved & Hiei looked away.

Koenma continued, "Kurama uses plants, flowers, herbs, and all that other stuff as weapons for attack or defense, & sometimes to heal, by channeling his energy through them or making medicines. He's also a very smart, straight-A student. Hiei is a fire demon & uses his katana, Jagan eye, speed, & Black Dragon techniques, mainly for attacks." Koenma smiled at Hiei but his reply was a moody "hmph".

"Yusuke uses Spirit techniques, such as the Spirit Gun which you've already seen," Koenma continued; both Yusuke & Z smiled nervously at this, "and other physical attacks taught to him by Genkai, or little tricks he's picked up from the streets. Same goes for Kuwabara, only he uses his Spirit Sword."

Kuwabara shot out a white energy sword from his hand & tried to show off, only accomplishing to embarrass himself by accidentally cutting his own hair. Yukina giggled at this so he laughed too.

"Yusuke & Kuwabara are humans, right?" Z questioned. "Yep! 100%!" Kuwabara exclaimed. "That's nothing to be proud of fool. Humans are weak & pathetic," Hiei commented. Once again Hiei & Kuwabara were engaged in a disturbing quarrel. Yusuke & Kurama led them outside so that Koenma could continue explaining.

"As you were saying?" Z gestured with her hand for Koenma to continue. "Yes. Thank you. Anyways, Keiko is a normal human. She has no powers but I must admit her slaps seem to work pretty well on Yusuke."

Keiko blushed a little but smiled. "Yukina is an ice demon also known as a Koorime, & Botan & Lis are my closest advisors. Botan is your personal guide through the river Styx, or in Western mythology, the Grim Reeper. Lis is a half-fire-half-ice demon." The three girls waved. "So does that mean that those aren't contacts & hair dye?" Z questioned waving a finger.

"Not one bit phony!" Lis said with a smile.

"And of course," Koenma bowed gracefully, "I am Koenma, son of Lord Enma. I am cool."

The other girls seemed annoyed & irritated about this, but Z found it funny & played along. She got up, curtsied, said "Pleased to meet you sir. I am Zysa Mokumoro," and then sat back down.

Botan, Keiko, & Lis seemed even more irritated by it now, but Yukina just giggled silently. "Koenma sir, are the boys Spirit Detectives then?" Z questioned. "You know of the Spirit Detectives?"

"Yes sir. I'm quite interested in paranormal-other-worldly-things, so I do a little research on my own."

"Well then! Does that make you a fan of mine? And yes, they are Spirit Detectives." Koenma inquired proudly with glee. "Yes sir!" Z giggled. "Well! Always glad to meet a fan! Here! Have an autograph," Koenma celebrated joyfully.

He poofed a piece of paper out of nowhere in between his fingers & gave it to Z. She seemed amazed & then a little confused at first, but when she received it she gladly thanked him for the blown picture of his face with his signature already on it.

Keiko & Lis only became even more bothered, but as he was handing the picture to Z, Botan noticed something. Koenma's eyes seemed glee, but a closer look would depict an odd sadness. Botan became worried.

"So why did you send Spirit Detective Hiei to our school?" Z meant for it to come naturally, but it turned out to sound more like a demand.

"Yes; he does tend to get on your nerves every now & then," Koenma answered & understood, "But the reason I'm having the Spirit Detectives check out the school undercover is that there have been a few major & minor supernatural activities detected in the P.E. field. We've been trying to send investigators in after sunset, but nothing comes up. Everything seems to happen during school hours or during the day. Obviously whatever's there doesn't want us to find it. The only option we had left was to send someone undercover. Yusuke & Kuwabara weren't a worry since they already went to the school. We made up a false ID for Hiei, but everyone knows Kurama & it would make no sense for him to be there; so we're a detective short."

"Can I help?" Z immediately asked.

"No," Koenma snapped back even quicker, "This is none of your business & I don't want you getting involved. As a matter of fact, don't even look at the field."

"But I have P.E. in the field-"

"I don't care. I'll write you a doctor's note saying you can't go anymore. Give it to your coach first thing in the morning."

"But why can't I-"

"You are to stay as far away from that area as possible! Do you hear me?!" Koenma shouted. Yukina & Keiko felt as if it wasn't their place anymore & like ghosts left the room. Koenma turned his back towards Z & she looked away.

Lis & Botan walked over to comfort him. Then, in a quieter but still stern voice he said, "I just don't want you to get hurt. I hope you understand." He waited for a reply, but there was none.

With Botan & Lis tagging behind him he left the room. As soon as the door closed Z punched the ground. "Dammit!"

Koenma stormed through the halls with the two girls following after him like lost puppies. Everyone stopped what they were doing & stared after Koenma as he slammed the entrance door behind him. Botan reopened it & her & Lis continued to follow. Lis closed the door again, but this time more gently. Everyone looked at each other then at Yukina & Keiko who were the last ones in there, but even they looked confused.

Afternoon Tuesday; Spirit World: Koenma's Office-2:33 P.M.

Koenma walked back & forth from wall to wall in his office, still in his older form. He was mumbling angrily to himself. Botan & Lis didn't know what to do & Ogre was completely lost so they just stood there, being tortured by worry, & watched.

Koenma suddenly stopped to punch the wall. "Dammit!" he yelled. Botan rushed over to him. He lowered his still clenched fist to his side & hung his head low. His hair covered shadowed over his eyes. Still, Botan now stood beside him, & was able to see a long gleaming tear stream down his cheek & splash onto the ground.

He softly whispered to her in a broken voice, "Botan...you said she looked like her mother. Everyone did, but...I never thought it would be so close."

Botan wrapped her arms around him & held him tightly as he began to sob. It brought tears to her eyes as well. She tried to shush him so that they could both stop crying, but it was no use.

He enclosed his arms around her for comfort, clenching her pink dress tightly in his hands, "I COULDN'T SAVE HER!" he howled, as the pacifier fell out of his mouth.