Raditz sat in the darkness, in deep thought. This hadn't been a prime day,
he could already say that. However, he hardly ever had a good day, he had
good nights, but never good days. It seemed like even a beautiful night
wouldn't lift his spirits.
He kept slipping in and out of reality. One moment he was awake, in that damp basement. Another, he felt himself warped back in time. He could still remember everything that happened clearly that night he was transformed into this wolf, this beast. Now the memories were haunting him.
There was a large forest by the Styx River,filled with the most terrible creatures imaginable. Deep in that forest was a recently built fortress. Unfornantly, it was right in the center of criminal territory. Thier gang, all four of them, had decieded to ransack the place in order to sell its weapons to black market dealers. There were also many priceless artifacts hidden in a safe deep it, a perfect goal for Kurama and his sister, the light weilder Senseita. Hiei and Raditz were going to focus on the weapons.
It was quiet around the fort, that is until, they took into effect the special plan they had devised, Senseita, taking advantge of her stealthy thieving style, knocked out the master of the guard without detection. She signaled for them to enter with a small flare of light. Hiei was the next one inside and he and Senseita went ahead to put in effect the second phase of the plan. It was simple enough, distract the guards while Kurama and Raditz bag the loot. It was turning out to be one of the more simple and easier hiests.
Yet, at the last possible moment, it went terribly wrong. The rest was undeniably history.
Raditz drifted back into reality once more, now growing more vengenful than before. Over the twenty year period he had been on Earth, he found one person to blame. That was Hiei, who in the past, had been his most valued companion. To him, it had made logical sense. However, the thought of betrayal only made him more enraged.
His punishment was simple. He was transformed into this creature, and banished to Earth. There he was put under the jurisdicition of a light weilder. It hadn't been Senseita at first, obviously. He still heard of her attempted reigns of terror though after Kurama fled to the human realm. He just figured she was blasting out her emotions about that loss and thought no more of it. That is, until he was placed under her jurisdiction six months earlier. It had seemed that the last of the team had been caught. That only made him gloomier.
That gloominess ruled him at that point. However, it was only a remnant of a scar that had plaqued him for two decades. That scar was his broken friendship. That in itself had been enough to drive him eternally mad. All Senseita had accomplished so far was to deepen his wounds with her wishful thinking about the future and her constant visitations to old memories. Unfornantly, her own special relationship with Hiei didn't assist his pain either.
Hiei understood all this as he slipped into the basement. Unbenounced to Raditz, this was as painful to him as ever. He knew the pain of betrayal, or at least a bit if it, Kurama had already taken that risk in thier friendship. It bothered Hiei to no end that Raditz beleived he would pull such an act. He had never set his friend up. Everyone else knew and trusted that, except the one person it would mean the most to.
Raditz didn't even have to think twice, he could smell him. Instictively, he rose from his spot. "What are you doing in here?" he demanded, "Spit it out you traitor!" Hiei had heard these sort of taunts before, so he got straight to the point."It wasn't me Raditz," he explained sharply, "Why won't you beleive that?"
"Oh, shove it," remarked Raditz, "Don't think Senseita hasn't been feeding me that bull crap since I got stuck with her. She's still under your little spell."
"The girl may be inexperienced but she's right," agrued Hiei, "It wasn't my fault. The entire thing was some sort of freak accident."
"Freak accident my foot!" protested Raditz, "You're manipulating her just like you did me!"
"I HAVEN'T SEEN HER IN TWO YEARS!" yelled Hiei loudly, "Kurama's the one keeping in touch! That idea never even crossed my mind!"
The demon threw up his hands in fustration and flew out of the room, leaving Raditz more sour than before.
Senseita and Yusuke were having a bleching contest when he stormed out, headed for the door. Senseita watched him go with a concerned eye that only she could. Exchanging glances with Kurama, she went off after him.
"Hey Hiei!" she called to him, "What's the rush?"
She never used the direct approach when he was angry, but this seemed important. He turned abruptly and gave her the most evil look he possibly could. That was enough to make her slink back into the living room.
Senseita slunk into a bean bag chair by Kurama.
"Gheez, I haven't seen him that ticked since, since.........." she trailed off.
"The last time you ran into him," added Kurama.
"Yeah," she agreed slowly. "Only that time he was mad at an orge for socking him the face for no apparent reason."
"Maybe the orge worked for Koenma," remarked Yusuke
Kuwabara's House, the next morning.
Senseita lie on the beanbag chair, in as a deep sleep as a spirit fox could accomplish. She snored slightly and her hair was wildly hanging down around her face. She had Yusuke beat. Even when he was dead.
No one was up yet. At least save for Hiei, who had just snuck inside. It had been one long night on his part and it was obvious. Only, his eyes were set on the sleeping Senseita.
I was bit harsh to her yesterday, he admitted mentally, She didn't deserve to see me that way, right now in particular, at least. To think, its been, what? two and a half years since I've seen her last. However, I shouldn't be all that sweet though if I do approach her about it. She doesn't need to get the idea that she can nag me like that when I'm mad.
Hiei quietly slipped over to her side, a slight, almost impossible to see, grin on his face. This actually felt like old times to him. Old times he had once enjoyed.
Senseita mummbled something to herself as she sat up, still oblivous to the presence beside her. Her white hair resembled Kurama's when it was down, while she was in human form anyway. Except it was shorter and a bit wilder, much like her personality.
Her eyes popped open when she sensed Hiei and that sent her scrambling back into the bean bag chair.
"Sweet mother of Inari!" she exclaimed, her hands grasping the chair. "How on earth did you get there?"
Hiei chuckled in amusement.
"Oh," she remarked, "I see you're as moody as ever. One minute you're flaming mad, the other you're cracking off jokes."
"Well, that is one of few things that don't bore me," he repiled. "Your expressions, I mean."
She slunk deeper into the chair.
Hiei laughed aloud and extended a hand to help her up.
"There's something about frightening others," he went on, somewhat playful. "Prephaps its what makes Kuwabara such an interesting specimen."
He sounded much less uptight than usual, much less last night.
"Or maybe its because that human boy is such an idot," Senseita put in.
"True," agreed Hiei.
She glanced at him, smiling.
"So," he began, "how are things on your side of the planet?"
I can't believe he's asking me this, she thought, Its like Hiei bringing up the weather when its raining. He should know what's up from Kurama.
"Nothing much I guess," she responded hesitantly, taking his outstreched hand.
As she stood up, she started to change. Her grew longer and into a silverish gold color. Her ears changed into that of a golden fox, and a tail grew from her backside.
Hiei raised his eyebrows.
"I've been meaning to do that when Yusuke or any other mortal was around," she explained, "Kurama warned me that they'd probably have a cow if I did."
"Ohh-kay," he answered simply." I like you better that way anyway."
"WHOA!" cried Kuwabara, entering the living room. "ENORMOUS FOX GIRL FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!"
He shuffled to get out as fast as possible.
"My point exactly," commented Senseita. "They see, they run, easy as that."
Hiei shook his head and sighed.
"That moron will run at the sight of an orge," he repiled. "Kitsune or not, he'll run like mad. You should've seen him at the Dark Tournament."
"Um, Hiei," she studdered, "I did."
He narrowed his eyes a little.
"Why didn't you reveal yourself?" he asked.
"Well, ya see," she said, "with the restraing order and with the authorities after me I couldn't risk it. But, I did see all the fights. I usually took the form of a minor demon in the crowd."
"That explains a lot," he added.
"Yeah, it does huh?" she put in. "By the way, congrats on mastering the darkness flame, I was root'in for you the entire time."
"You saw that?" repiled Hiei oddly.
"Uh huh," she answered, "and what a show too."
"Well," he continued, beginning to sound cocky, "I'd expect that kind of compliment from my former pupil."
Senseita rolled her eyes.
"That was entirely Kurama's idea!" she protested. "I was against it from the start!"
"Right," he noted, "and what would explain the new strength you've found in your powers?"
"Did Kurama bring that up?" she argued.
"Its not like I've been in another universe Senseita, I heard about your little rampages all over the spirit world," noted Hiei.
She sighed.
"I was angry," she confessed, "I couldn't get it out any other way. I'd lost the only family I had and it was killing me inside."
"I know the feeling," said Hiei bluntly. "I know the feeling all too well."
Suddenly, Kurama, Kuwabara, and Yusuke came thumping down the stairwell. As usual, Kuwabara was had got himself into yet another bickerfest with Yusuke. Their remarks could be heard all through the house. Kurama was resisting the urge to yell out something in response.
"Must they make such a ruckus so early?" Hiei jeered.
"Oh, look, shorty wants to pick a fight with me too!" snapped Kuwabara. "Why does everybody hate me today?"
"It's not just today you imbicile," Hiei observed. "No one can ever can put up with your idiocy."
"The dragonman's feeling mad," Kuwabara retorted. "Do you really think that's gonna scare me?"
He put his hands on his hips and stood in a sort of Peter Pan stance. If Yusuke even said a word from here, he was already making plans to try and clobber him.
"I'm sure it will with your cowardace," Hiei snarled.
"Would you both relax," Kurama insisted, defensively raising his arms. "If you keep it up, there won't be anything left."
He eyed them both rather sharply.
Senseita broke into a bell-like laughter. Her tail swayed back and forth as she did and her eyes sparkled with happiness. There was something about hearing that old commanding atittude in her brother's voice.
"Ack!" cried Kuwabara, once again shocked by her half-fox form.
He scrambled into the kitchen, tripping over himself as he ran.
"Keep her away from me!" he shouted back, slamming the door behind him.
"Just so ya know," said Yusuke, "he has a liking for cats. That's why he's so paranoid about you. He scared you're gonna harm his kitty."
"I take it he's rather catish by nature as well," Senseita conculded.
"Yes, if you consider loudmouthed and bothersome, cat-like," added Hiei.
"Well, if the shoe fits," Kurama put in, "Lord knows he's prone to being rather sensitive and overdramatic," he put his arms down. "Thank goodness his sister or Yukina weren't here to witness his fearsome antics this morning," he finished, "I'd hate to see what that could cause."
"Hey, is anybody hungry yet?" asked Yusuke, changing the subject. "I was thinking of going back to that Elm street cafe again."
"Yes, but I hear the Denny's on Main serves better breakfast," suggested Kurama. "My school friends go there frequently before classes."
"Sure," agreed Yusuke. "We can all pitch in to buy of course."
"Wait!" yelled Botan, tumbling down the stairwell. "I need to tell you all something!"
Everybody exchanged glances.
"I just got the details about the mission!" she shouted, stopping abruptly.
Her eyes looked weary and her hair was a complete mess. It seemed as if she pulled an all-nighter.
"Yeow!" complained Seneita. "That unnecessary yelling hurt my ears!"
She placed a hand over one of them.
"The Toguro brothers," began Botan, "By some strange fluke, have been reborn. Koenma says they're wrecking havoc all over the next town. They're almost impossible to keep tabs on!"
"WHAT!" exclaimed Yusuke,falling over. "YOU'RE KIDDING!"
Senseita took a deep breath and morphed back into her human form.
"The Toguro brothers, the evil of both worlds," she stated. "I guess, Raditz and I are here to play hero."
"Koenma gave me all the details last night, " Botan explained. "He says its vital to be alert. Once spirit world intelligence gives us a lead, you'll be off to somewhere to fight them."
Kurama straightened the collar of the white Japanese suit had changed into. It was similar to the one he had worn in the Dark Tournament for sometime. Now it seemed more than fitting.
"All good things must come to an end I'm afraid," he said to Senseita, "even times of peace must be."
"Unfornantly," retorted Hiei.
Yusuke pulled himself up.
"Now I really need to eat," he confessed, "I'll see you guys at Denny's."
He stumbled out the door. Botan rushed back up the stairs, making a lot of racket as she went.
"C'mon, we should at least enjoy the time have together," Senseita commented, "and since that's limited, we should enjoy ourselves, even with the case and all."
"Good thinking," answered Kurama.
"Well, I don't know about you two, but for once Urameshi was right, food is beginning to sound like a good idea," Hiei noted.
The three headed off.
Meanwhile, Botan was once more using the upstairs television to contact Koenma.
"Have you told the team about the case?" asked Koenma, visibly druming his fingers on his desk; he was never comfortable in television conferences.
"Yessir," responded Botan.
"Good," he said, "One more thing, my father had put into effect another odd restraining order concerning Miss. Yoko. It'll kick in after the mission is over. I don't know exactly why, even though he mummered something about bonds of friendship or something. Anyway, just to make sure everything goes smoothly don't tell her about it yet."
"Who is it for?" wondered Botan aloud.
"Beleive or not, her old business partner Hiei," explained Koenma, "Now, I don't understand the point behind it but please, keep quiet about it!"
"Koenma sir," said Botan nervously. "I think they're more than former business partners."
"Yeah, obviously," remarked Koenma. "They could be close friends, or even distant cousins for all we know. But, please, Senseita will most likely freak out should she hear of it. Remember the destruction that resulted when the first order came into effect? We were cleaning up wreckage for a month! And that was just over Kurama!"
Botan nodded.
The Main St. Denny's.
The three companions sat at different table than Yusuke and the late arrival Kuwabara. Despite that, the emotions in the air were estatic. Even Hiei was smiling.
"Anyway, I tell the demon that he'd better back off or I'll kill him," Sensita joked, telling an old story. "Of course, it was only a threat, and his orge friend responds by telling me I can't do squat. Well. I tell him that his entire race combined couldn't lay a finger on me!"
"Did he buy it?" asked Kurama.
"Yeah really," added Hiei.
"The orge looks at me and says, 'wow, are you a god?" Senseita went on. "I tell him, yeah I'm close to a god, I'm a kitsune. Let's just say, he gave me the most terrified look I've ever seen. Then, he and that minor demon are off running, trippin' over themselves."
"I've got a better one for you," repiled Hiei smartly. "If you want stupidity you hear about the time I...................."
Suddenly, Botan came crashing in.
"Speaking of stupidity," Hiei finished.
"Senseita! Senseita!" she called out, "I've got something you need to hear!"
She tumbled over a table and landed smack on the floor beside them.
"What's all the fuss?" asked Senseita. "Why am I so important now?"
"Do you know where Raditz is?" Botan stammered.
"He's still in the basement, I sensed him there before we left," answered Senseita. "Was that what this is about?"
"No. Its about you and Hiei," she studdered, standing up. "Koenma gave me the most terrifying news."
Hiei and Senseita exchanged glances. Neither was beleiving her so far.
"He says that Enma put out a second restraining order, this time over you and Hiei! It goes into effect after this case is closed. Now you won't be able to see any of you friends except that wolf demon!" Botan spat out in a rush.
There was an uneasy silence.
To be continued....................
J: And once again, A and I don't own Yu-Yu-Hakusho
A: Maybe in our next lifetime.
*meanwhile, kurama and hiei*
Kurama: What next lifetime?
Hiei: Beats me.
He kept slipping in and out of reality. One moment he was awake, in that damp basement. Another, he felt himself warped back in time. He could still remember everything that happened clearly that night he was transformed into this wolf, this beast. Now the memories were haunting him.
There was a large forest by the Styx River,filled with the most terrible creatures imaginable. Deep in that forest was a recently built fortress. Unfornantly, it was right in the center of criminal territory. Thier gang, all four of them, had decieded to ransack the place in order to sell its weapons to black market dealers. There were also many priceless artifacts hidden in a safe deep it, a perfect goal for Kurama and his sister, the light weilder Senseita. Hiei and Raditz were going to focus on the weapons.
It was quiet around the fort, that is until, they took into effect the special plan they had devised, Senseita, taking advantge of her stealthy thieving style, knocked out the master of the guard without detection. She signaled for them to enter with a small flare of light. Hiei was the next one inside and he and Senseita went ahead to put in effect the second phase of the plan. It was simple enough, distract the guards while Kurama and Raditz bag the loot. It was turning out to be one of the more simple and easier hiests.
Yet, at the last possible moment, it went terribly wrong. The rest was undeniably history.
Raditz drifted back into reality once more, now growing more vengenful than before. Over the twenty year period he had been on Earth, he found one person to blame. That was Hiei, who in the past, had been his most valued companion. To him, it had made logical sense. However, the thought of betrayal only made him more enraged.
His punishment was simple. He was transformed into this creature, and banished to Earth. There he was put under the jurisdicition of a light weilder. It hadn't been Senseita at first, obviously. He still heard of her attempted reigns of terror though after Kurama fled to the human realm. He just figured she was blasting out her emotions about that loss and thought no more of it. That is, until he was placed under her jurisdiction six months earlier. It had seemed that the last of the team had been caught. That only made him gloomier.
That gloominess ruled him at that point. However, it was only a remnant of a scar that had plaqued him for two decades. That scar was his broken friendship. That in itself had been enough to drive him eternally mad. All Senseita had accomplished so far was to deepen his wounds with her wishful thinking about the future and her constant visitations to old memories. Unfornantly, her own special relationship with Hiei didn't assist his pain either.
Hiei understood all this as he slipped into the basement. Unbenounced to Raditz, this was as painful to him as ever. He knew the pain of betrayal, or at least a bit if it, Kurama had already taken that risk in thier friendship. It bothered Hiei to no end that Raditz beleived he would pull such an act. He had never set his friend up. Everyone else knew and trusted that, except the one person it would mean the most to.
Raditz didn't even have to think twice, he could smell him. Instictively, he rose from his spot. "What are you doing in here?" he demanded, "Spit it out you traitor!" Hiei had heard these sort of taunts before, so he got straight to the point."It wasn't me Raditz," he explained sharply, "Why won't you beleive that?"
"Oh, shove it," remarked Raditz, "Don't think Senseita hasn't been feeding me that bull crap since I got stuck with her. She's still under your little spell."
"The girl may be inexperienced but she's right," agrued Hiei, "It wasn't my fault. The entire thing was some sort of freak accident."
"Freak accident my foot!" protested Raditz, "You're manipulating her just like you did me!"
"I HAVEN'T SEEN HER IN TWO YEARS!" yelled Hiei loudly, "Kurama's the one keeping in touch! That idea never even crossed my mind!"
The demon threw up his hands in fustration and flew out of the room, leaving Raditz more sour than before.
Senseita and Yusuke were having a bleching contest when he stormed out, headed for the door. Senseita watched him go with a concerned eye that only she could. Exchanging glances with Kurama, she went off after him.
"Hey Hiei!" she called to him, "What's the rush?"
She never used the direct approach when he was angry, but this seemed important. He turned abruptly and gave her the most evil look he possibly could. That was enough to make her slink back into the living room.
Senseita slunk into a bean bag chair by Kurama.
"Gheez, I haven't seen him that ticked since, since.........." she trailed off.
"The last time you ran into him," added Kurama.
"Yeah," she agreed slowly. "Only that time he was mad at an orge for socking him the face for no apparent reason."
"Maybe the orge worked for Koenma," remarked Yusuke
Kuwabara's House, the next morning.
Senseita lie on the beanbag chair, in as a deep sleep as a spirit fox could accomplish. She snored slightly and her hair was wildly hanging down around her face. She had Yusuke beat. Even when he was dead.
No one was up yet. At least save for Hiei, who had just snuck inside. It had been one long night on his part and it was obvious. Only, his eyes were set on the sleeping Senseita.
I was bit harsh to her yesterday, he admitted mentally, She didn't deserve to see me that way, right now in particular, at least. To think, its been, what? two and a half years since I've seen her last. However, I shouldn't be all that sweet though if I do approach her about it. She doesn't need to get the idea that she can nag me like that when I'm mad.
Hiei quietly slipped over to her side, a slight, almost impossible to see, grin on his face. This actually felt like old times to him. Old times he had once enjoyed.
Senseita mummbled something to herself as she sat up, still oblivous to the presence beside her. Her white hair resembled Kurama's when it was down, while she was in human form anyway. Except it was shorter and a bit wilder, much like her personality.
Her eyes popped open when she sensed Hiei and that sent her scrambling back into the bean bag chair.
"Sweet mother of Inari!" she exclaimed, her hands grasping the chair. "How on earth did you get there?"
Hiei chuckled in amusement.
"Oh," she remarked, "I see you're as moody as ever. One minute you're flaming mad, the other you're cracking off jokes."
"Well, that is one of few things that don't bore me," he repiled. "Your expressions, I mean."
She slunk deeper into the chair.
Hiei laughed aloud and extended a hand to help her up.
"There's something about frightening others," he went on, somewhat playful. "Prephaps its what makes Kuwabara such an interesting specimen."
He sounded much less uptight than usual, much less last night.
"Or maybe its because that human boy is such an idot," Senseita put in.
"True," agreed Hiei.
She glanced at him, smiling.
"So," he began, "how are things on your side of the planet?"
I can't believe he's asking me this, she thought, Its like Hiei bringing up the weather when its raining. He should know what's up from Kurama.
"Nothing much I guess," she responded hesitantly, taking his outstreched hand.
As she stood up, she started to change. Her grew longer and into a silverish gold color. Her ears changed into that of a golden fox, and a tail grew from her backside.
Hiei raised his eyebrows.
"I've been meaning to do that when Yusuke or any other mortal was around," she explained, "Kurama warned me that they'd probably have a cow if I did."
"Ohh-kay," he answered simply." I like you better that way anyway."
"WHOA!" cried Kuwabara, entering the living room. "ENORMOUS FOX GIRL FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!"
He shuffled to get out as fast as possible.
"My point exactly," commented Senseita. "They see, they run, easy as that."
Hiei shook his head and sighed.
"That moron will run at the sight of an orge," he repiled. "Kitsune or not, he'll run like mad. You should've seen him at the Dark Tournament."
"Um, Hiei," she studdered, "I did."
He narrowed his eyes a little.
"Why didn't you reveal yourself?" he asked.
"Well, ya see," she said, "with the restraing order and with the authorities after me I couldn't risk it. But, I did see all the fights. I usually took the form of a minor demon in the crowd."
"That explains a lot," he added.
"Yeah, it does huh?" she put in. "By the way, congrats on mastering the darkness flame, I was root'in for you the entire time."
"You saw that?" repiled Hiei oddly.
"Uh huh," she answered, "and what a show too."
"Well," he continued, beginning to sound cocky, "I'd expect that kind of compliment from my former pupil."
Senseita rolled her eyes.
"That was entirely Kurama's idea!" she protested. "I was against it from the start!"
"Right," he noted, "and what would explain the new strength you've found in your powers?"
"Did Kurama bring that up?" she argued.
"Its not like I've been in another universe Senseita, I heard about your little rampages all over the spirit world," noted Hiei.
She sighed.
"I was angry," she confessed, "I couldn't get it out any other way. I'd lost the only family I had and it was killing me inside."
"I know the feeling," said Hiei bluntly. "I know the feeling all too well."
Suddenly, Kurama, Kuwabara, and Yusuke came thumping down the stairwell. As usual, Kuwabara was had got himself into yet another bickerfest with Yusuke. Their remarks could be heard all through the house. Kurama was resisting the urge to yell out something in response.
"Must they make such a ruckus so early?" Hiei jeered.
"Oh, look, shorty wants to pick a fight with me too!" snapped Kuwabara. "Why does everybody hate me today?"
"It's not just today you imbicile," Hiei observed. "No one can ever can put up with your idiocy."
"The dragonman's feeling mad," Kuwabara retorted. "Do you really think that's gonna scare me?"
He put his hands on his hips and stood in a sort of Peter Pan stance. If Yusuke even said a word from here, he was already making plans to try and clobber him.
"I'm sure it will with your cowardace," Hiei snarled.
"Would you both relax," Kurama insisted, defensively raising his arms. "If you keep it up, there won't be anything left."
He eyed them both rather sharply.
Senseita broke into a bell-like laughter. Her tail swayed back and forth as she did and her eyes sparkled with happiness. There was something about hearing that old commanding atittude in her brother's voice.
"Ack!" cried Kuwabara, once again shocked by her half-fox form.
He scrambled into the kitchen, tripping over himself as he ran.
"Keep her away from me!" he shouted back, slamming the door behind him.
"Just so ya know," said Yusuke, "he has a liking for cats. That's why he's so paranoid about you. He scared you're gonna harm his kitty."
"I take it he's rather catish by nature as well," Senseita conculded.
"Yes, if you consider loudmouthed and bothersome, cat-like," added Hiei.
"Well, if the shoe fits," Kurama put in, "Lord knows he's prone to being rather sensitive and overdramatic," he put his arms down. "Thank goodness his sister or Yukina weren't here to witness his fearsome antics this morning," he finished, "I'd hate to see what that could cause."
"Hey, is anybody hungry yet?" asked Yusuke, changing the subject. "I was thinking of going back to that Elm street cafe again."
"Yes, but I hear the Denny's on Main serves better breakfast," suggested Kurama. "My school friends go there frequently before classes."
"Sure," agreed Yusuke. "We can all pitch in to buy of course."
"Wait!" yelled Botan, tumbling down the stairwell. "I need to tell you all something!"
Everybody exchanged glances.
"I just got the details about the mission!" she shouted, stopping abruptly.
Her eyes looked weary and her hair was a complete mess. It seemed as if she pulled an all-nighter.
"Yeow!" complained Seneita. "That unnecessary yelling hurt my ears!"
She placed a hand over one of them.
"The Toguro brothers," began Botan, "By some strange fluke, have been reborn. Koenma says they're wrecking havoc all over the next town. They're almost impossible to keep tabs on!"
"WHAT!" exclaimed Yusuke,falling over. "YOU'RE KIDDING!"
Senseita took a deep breath and morphed back into her human form.
"The Toguro brothers, the evil of both worlds," she stated. "I guess, Raditz and I are here to play hero."
"Koenma gave me all the details last night, " Botan explained. "He says its vital to be alert. Once spirit world intelligence gives us a lead, you'll be off to somewhere to fight them."
Kurama straightened the collar of the white Japanese suit had changed into. It was similar to the one he had worn in the Dark Tournament for sometime. Now it seemed more than fitting.
"All good things must come to an end I'm afraid," he said to Senseita, "even times of peace must be."
"Unfornantly," retorted Hiei.
Yusuke pulled himself up.
"Now I really need to eat," he confessed, "I'll see you guys at Denny's."
He stumbled out the door. Botan rushed back up the stairs, making a lot of racket as she went.
"C'mon, we should at least enjoy the time have together," Senseita commented, "and since that's limited, we should enjoy ourselves, even with the case and all."
"Good thinking," answered Kurama.
"Well, I don't know about you two, but for once Urameshi was right, food is beginning to sound like a good idea," Hiei noted.
The three headed off.
Meanwhile, Botan was once more using the upstairs television to contact Koenma.
"Have you told the team about the case?" asked Koenma, visibly druming his fingers on his desk; he was never comfortable in television conferences.
"Yessir," responded Botan.
"Good," he said, "One more thing, my father had put into effect another odd restraining order concerning Miss. Yoko. It'll kick in after the mission is over. I don't know exactly why, even though he mummered something about bonds of friendship or something. Anyway, just to make sure everything goes smoothly don't tell her about it yet."
"Who is it for?" wondered Botan aloud.
"Beleive or not, her old business partner Hiei," explained Koenma, "Now, I don't understand the point behind it but please, keep quiet about it!"
"Koenma sir," said Botan nervously. "I think they're more than former business partners."
"Yeah, obviously," remarked Koenma. "They could be close friends, or even distant cousins for all we know. But, please, Senseita will most likely freak out should she hear of it. Remember the destruction that resulted when the first order came into effect? We were cleaning up wreckage for a month! And that was just over Kurama!"
Botan nodded.
The Main St. Denny's.
The three companions sat at different table than Yusuke and the late arrival Kuwabara. Despite that, the emotions in the air were estatic. Even Hiei was smiling.
"Anyway, I tell the demon that he'd better back off or I'll kill him," Sensita joked, telling an old story. "Of course, it was only a threat, and his orge friend responds by telling me I can't do squat. Well. I tell him that his entire race combined couldn't lay a finger on me!"
"Did he buy it?" asked Kurama.
"Yeah really," added Hiei.
"The orge looks at me and says, 'wow, are you a god?" Senseita went on. "I tell him, yeah I'm close to a god, I'm a kitsune. Let's just say, he gave me the most terrified look I've ever seen. Then, he and that minor demon are off running, trippin' over themselves."
"I've got a better one for you," repiled Hiei smartly. "If you want stupidity you hear about the time I...................."
Suddenly, Botan came crashing in.
"Speaking of stupidity," Hiei finished.
"Senseita! Senseita!" she called out, "I've got something you need to hear!"
She tumbled over a table and landed smack on the floor beside them.
"What's all the fuss?" asked Senseita. "Why am I so important now?"
"Do you know where Raditz is?" Botan stammered.
"He's still in the basement, I sensed him there before we left," answered Senseita. "Was that what this is about?"
"No. Its about you and Hiei," she studdered, standing up. "Koenma gave me the most terrifying news."
Hiei and Senseita exchanged glances. Neither was beleiving her so far.
"He says that Enma put out a second restraining order, this time over you and Hiei! It goes into effect after this case is closed. Now you won't be able to see any of you friends except that wolf demon!" Botan spat out in a rush.
There was an uneasy silence.
To be continued....................
J: And once again, A and I don't own Yu-Yu-Hakusho
A: Maybe in our next lifetime.
*meanwhile, kurama and hiei*
Kurama: What next lifetime?
Hiei: Beats me.