'lo. heres chap. 8 i think. You know the routine, read and review. but i have something to say. Why the hell is Kurama's school outfit magenta?? Its frightening. Anyways, if you don't mind, i'm going to take a loooong nap.
"I'm not going to school today." Yusuke grumbled, face in his pillow.
"Keiko and Kuwabara are waiting for you outside. Kuwabara said he had something important to tell you." His mother said, shaking him roughly.
Yusuke mumbled something incomprehensible and groggily walked to the bathroom. It better be something important Yusuke thought to himself as he splashed unpleasantly cold water on his face.
"Its about time Urameshi," Kuwabara reprimanded once Yusuke came outside, "Keiko already left 'cause she didn't want to be late."
"Typical of her." Yusuke snorted. As they walked to school, Yusuke questioned, "So what was so important that you had to wake me up? Is it at least about the mission?"
"I think so."
"What do you mean you think so? Did you forget, you moron?"
"No! Kurama and Hiei told me to tell you to wait for them afterschool. No one ever tells me whats happening." Kuwabara grumbled, hands in his pockets.
Yusuke ignored his complaint, still in a half-awake state. He was tired and he didn't want to deal with an insane 15-year-old bent on some evil plan. He yawned, thinking this mission would be simple, but he would be proven very wrong soon.
"You seem very distracted for these past few days." Hiei stated as he and Kurama walked to his school.
"Really? Well, its just that this mission is somewhat... unnerving for me. I know for a fact now that Akira was part of my- part of Youko's life before." Kurama said uneasily. He looked down at the ground, unwilling to explain further.
"I see. Have you told the others about this?" Hiei inquired.
"No. I don't think it has much to do with the mission."
"You could be highly mistaken. Your connection to her might effect the mission the most." Hiei disputed.
Kurama remained silent until they reached his school, "Goodbye Hiei. Remember to meet me and Yusuke afterschool."
Hiei replied with a silent nod.
As Hiei turned away, he said quietly, "Be careful Kurama."
He watched his companion be swallowed up by the crowd before turning towards his school. He felt this certain mission would be rather difficult for him from now on.
A day before...
"This is terrible, absolutely terrible. Father will rip me apart for this one." The young ruler of the Spirit world said, clutching his head.
"What is it sir?" Botan said curiously.
"My vault with all those dangerous artifacts-" Koenma began grimly.
"Oh dear." Botan said, bracing herself for bad news.
"-has been broken into. The work of Catalyst, I am sure. They took the Death Staff."
"Sir?" Botan inquired, not understanding why he was so distraught.
"The Death Staff. It wields the ancient, forbidden power to control the dead. This means an undying army. Oh, their motives are so very clear now." Koenma moaned miserably.
Botan took a deep breath, preparing herself for the worst.
"They must have gone to Earth to raise their army. I'm sure they're going to kill thousands of humans and raise them back as the undead with the Staff. This is absolutely terrible. Please alert Hiei and Kurama about this. Make sure they pass the information to Yusuke and Kuwabara."
"Yes sir." Botan said breifly, looking very shaken. She left the room, feeling distraught. Catalyst's goal was much bigger than some of their regular missions. She muttered to herself, "What a mess."
Yusuke snapped the pencil in his hand. It had to be the sixth one today. He was very tightly wound being so close to their enemy. But he couldn't randomly attack Akira at school. And Akira had taken almost no notice of him or Kuwabara. She was behaving like a normal schoolgirl. Yet he still couldn't stand sitting right behind her. Dumb seating order he thought irritably.
"Mr. Urameshi. I asked you a question. It would be appreciated if you answered it." His sharp history teacher's voice brought him back to the classroom.
"Erm..." Yusuke squirmed in his seat, feeling awkward.
The teacher gave him a sharp glare and threatened him with detention before turning back to the board. Yusuke glared at the back of Akira's head, who had not acknowledged him at all. It was unnerving. He sighed, realizing it was going to be one of those days.
"You want to go get something to eat, Shuuichi?" One girl asked hopefully, twirling her hair around a finger.
"Sorry, but I have a lot of work to finish. Possibly some other time." Kurama replied, trying to sound sincere. She seemed to have bought it and sank back into the crowd. The other girls realized he would not accept any of their offers and left, disappointed. I'm going to be late meeting Yusuke and Hiei, Kurama thought. As he was walked out the gate, he realized someone was waiting for him. It was Akira, taking a bite of an apple with her amazingly perfect teeth. She was inhumanly perfect, Kurama thought. Does no one else notice that?
"I saw your little fanclub back there." She crooned mockingly, "You're quite the heartbreaker, Shuuichi."
"I know what you are up to Akira. Its not going to work." Kurama said neutrally.
"Oh really?" Akira said, unaffected, "Who's going to stop me, you and your little human friends? I'd love to see you try Shuuichi." She had been smiling, but this grin was almost canine.
Kurama winced at his human name being used so mockingly, "Goodbye Akira. I daresay we will meet again." He left as quickly as he could, leaving her behind. With his fast pace, he was soon over at Yusuke's school, where Hiei and Yusuke were waiting.
"Its about time. What took you so long?" Yusuke said with his regular impatience.
"A few distractions." Kurama replied briskly. He looked over at Hiei, who looked like he didn't buy Kurama's excuse.
"Well, I've already filled Yusuke in on what Botan told us yesterday." Hiei finally spoke.
"Of course." Kurama said, having almost forgotten why they were here.
"I think Catalyst have already set their plan in motion. I heard Keiko talking about some mysterious deaths that happened recently." Yusuke contributed to the conversation.
"Well, we've got to be more alert. We don't know how all the members of Catalyst look like, so they have the advantage for now." Kurama said seriously. You should be the one being more alert, Shuuichi, a voice from the back of his head spoke. Kurama shook his head. It was Youko's voice. His voice came up every now and then, and even more ever since the mission had started.
"You alright there, Kurama?" Yusuke said, noticing Kurama's expression.
"Just tired." Kurama responded evenly, voice and face not betraying his emotion.
Yusuke left, leaving Kurama and Hiei behind. Hiei turned to Kurama and said, "What's going on that you're not telling me or anyone else?"
Kurama sighed. It was one thing to deceive Yusuke, but with Hiei, it was near impossible, "The reason I wasn't on time was because Akira was waiting for me outside. I don't know what she wanted, I left before she could tell me what she wanted."
"A threat knowing her." Hiei scoffed, "They're dangerous. I encountered one of their members sometime before I met you or the others. He was a rather dangerous character. I'm surprised none of them were entered in the Dark Tournament. Well, just watch out Kurama."
"I will Hiei." Kurama responded, looking up at the sky, "Looks like theres going to be a storm."
Hiei nodded, knowing he wasn't talking about the weather.
"It's a perfect idea, Akira. But that spirit detective and his companions are our biggest problem." Hotoru said. He and Akira were both sitting against a thick trunk of an oak tree, discussing plans.
"We can deal with them. I won't let them interfere." Akira responded, sounding very confident, "Long as we have the Staff, it shouldn't be too difficult."
Hotoru nodded his reply, "And besides, Maya's going to make it much easier for us soon."
Akira smiled. Maya would play an important part in her strategy.
Okay... there ya go. I'll put up chap. 9 when I feel like it...REVIEW DANIELLE!! AND WHO EVER IS READING THIS AND SELFISHLY NOT REVIEWING!!