Sherkoni - Thank you oh so much for the reviews - it made me very happy. n.n;;; Well I should be getting ready, but I've seen the Treasure Island show about a billion times. Instead I write a story, bwahahahaha! Ahem.... please enjoy this chapter and for those of you who were "pondering" keep "pondering" said ideas. (flashes peace sign)

Chapter 2

Oh, the Tangled Web We Weave


(Kagome's Journal)

Dear Journal,

Didn't I tell you I'd get a good job if I worked hard enough at Harvard? I just landed my first job as personal lawyer to Inuyasha! Yes, THE Inuyasha - the professional model! I have to admit that I am a little nervous... but I'm very confident in my abilities. I've worked hard and I'm a good lawyer. I just hope Inuyasha will think the same thing!

-One Month Later-

Dear Journal,

Inuyasha got in trouble for drinking and driving again. Luckily, I got him out of it with no more than 16 hours of community service. And I made sure not to put him in the orphanage again - no need to traumatize even more kids.

If I seem like I'm stalling, that's because I am.... I have a tiny confession to make. I think I'm starting to get feelings for Inuyasha. And not my normal feelings of him being a chauvinistic jerk. I think that I might.....care for him. As more than my steady client. I know it's wrong and I know that he'd fire me on the spot if he found out, but I can't help it! Oh journal, what do I do?

Dear Journal,

Forget giving me advice! Inuyasha solved my problem for me - today, after we were going through his contracts to playgirl, he kissed me! And not just a soft peck either! Hell, I wonder if Inuyasha even knows what a "soft peck" is! However, I didn't get to ask him about it, in fact...I haven't even seen him since he kissed me. He ran off without saying a word. I wonder if he was drunk. That would be absolutely mortifying!

Dear Journal,

He didn't talk to me much today either. We had to attend the court session for his brother's conviction of theft, but we mostly just sat there. He kept looking at me funny though.... but not in a bad way. He was almost....smiling at me. And every time he did, my stomach filled with butterflies. This is just peachy, simply fan-freaking-tastic. I'm getting a crush on my famous, incredibly hott, client! Dammit...

-One Week Later-

Dear Journal,

So are we a couple, or aren't we? That's what I'd like to know. So we've kissed a few times... and we flirt pretty bad....and he acts really protective over me... Does that make us a "couple"? I don't know, neither of us have said anything about it officially. Is it wrong of me to hope so? Well, all I know is I can't get him out of mind. Thankfully, I'm still as good as ever in court (What? When you're good, you're good!) and it's not affecting how my brain works. That much.... Yet... Dammit again!

-Three Weeks Later-

Dear Journal,

That asshole! That jerk! How could he?! I feel....angry? Livid? Betrayed? HEARTBROKEN?! All of them....but mostly the last one. I'm sorry this is so hard to read, but I can't seem to stop crying...I'm trying. I don't know if I've ever mentioned her in here yet...but, you should probably know who Kikyo is. Yes Kikyo - the beautiful actress, successful billionaire, gorgeous "always-gets-her-man" Kikyo! I walked in on them in bed! It was the middle of the freaking day! Who the hell has sex at 4 o'clock in the afternoon?!

And the only thing Inuyasha had to say about it is, "Can't you knock? Dammit woman, I only need you in court..." That heartless, cold, conniving, jerk-off bastard! I feel like my soul is shattering into a million pieces and my heart is getting slowly skewered by each individual piece. That reminds me - that actor guy....Hiei, I think his name was...yeah, well, apparently Kikyo was his girlfriend. Not anymore (snicker), he was as mad as I was when he came by to pick her up. I'd like to say that I was the one that spilled the beans on her, but it was her bodyguard! I guess he gets paid pretty good if he hates her that much but sticks with her...

Journal - I just got an idea. I think I'm going to go pay Hiei a visit...

-Two Weeks Later-

Dear Journal,

What in the world am I going to do with him? Oh, Hiei, why did you go and pull a stunt like this... Well, if you're wondering just what he did - he almost strangled Inuyasha to death when he saw him and Kikyo at that Chinese restaurant. Yes, I know it was Hiei and Kikyo's favorite place to eat, but he really needs to control his temper...He really DID almost kill Inuyasha. NOT that I feel bad for the jerk.

Well later on today after I heard the news, Inuyasha approached me in the hotel hall.

I almost jumped out of my skin when he suddenly rounded around the corner. His face brightened considerably when he saw me. Although it had been almost a month, I could only glare icily. He came up and placed both of his hands on my shoulders, grinning like he'd just won the lottery. "We're going to sue that bastard for every penny he's worth!" he said, giving my shoulders a tight squeeze. "And with you as the prosecutor, there's no way he's getting out of it."

My eyes narrowed. "Who?"

"Hiei!" he replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh," I replied shortly.

He continued as if I hadn't spoken. "I know that it can be any prosecutor, but I heard Hiei has a pretty good lawyer too. But if YOU prosecute him, he's sure to end up where he belongs!" He gave my shoulder a friendly pat. "The set date is next Thursday - be ready."

I had to clench my fist to my side to keep from slapping him. I didn't reply and glared angrily at his retreating back. "I'll be ready."

Needless to say...I think I should go "prepare." Seto Kaiba doesn't know how easy he has it.

-Next Thursday-

Dear Journal,

Court today went fairly well, I'd say. I played my part as I had expected, but Kaiba is a good lawyer - he read me all too well. But in the end, it came to one final witness and the question that could secure or kill the offender. One look at those crimson eyes and I knew....

Court ended in an unexpected outcome. Well, unexpected to everyone but three.

Hiei Jaganshi had just gotten away with attempted murder with little more to pay than a few weeks in rehab.

oOo

(Kurama's POV)

"What are we gonna do?" Yusuke groaned.

Sango looked as if she were going to cry. "I can't believe it...do you think Inuyasha really did it?"

Yusuke shook his head. "I don't know." He gave me a nervous glance. "But I do know that Kikyo will keep good on her word...Kurama isn't safe here."

Sango suddenly gasped, ignoring Yusuke again. "Yukina!" Her face crossed between sympathetic and scared.

Yusuke pointed a finger her, looking as if he were going to say something, but couldn't find the right words. "Good idea!" he finally rushed, before rummaging in his pocket for his cell phone.

"What?" Sango looked confused. "I didn't say an idea....did I?"

Yusuke ignored her and quickly dialed on his phone, hurriedly placing it to his ear. "Hi! Yukina, it's me...Dr. Urameshi. Have you heard about Hiei?." He held the phone away from his ear as insistent shouting was heard on the other line. He carefully placed it back on his ear before answering, "Yes, I know he's your brother, ow......yes, I know it should be obvious......Yukina, I understand, please calm down.......Inuyasha doesn't need his head splintered in two, please try to relax......"

Botan's eyebrows furrowed together in a confused frown. "What's going on?" she asked loudly, hoping to get some kind of response. Sango seemed to absorbed in Yusuke's conversation with Yukina. Not that I could blame her, Yukina yelling was a rare thing - although, her brother did just get murdered. My mind seared with the fresh reminder and I quickly avoided Botan's gaze as well.

Suddenly, Yusuke coughed loudly and looked at Sango. "Why don't we have a nice chat Yukina? A LONG one." He gave Sango a meaningful look. "One where I would be completely distracted and not responsible if one of my patients were to slip out.......no, Yukina, I haven't been smoking anything...."

Sango raised an eyebrow in confusion before realization abruptly hit her. She gave him a confident nod and stood up, walking over to me and firmly clasping my arm. "Come on," she whispered, pulling me to my feet. Through my grief-hazed mind I hardly had the energy to argue, but I still managed to plant my feet firmly on the ground.

"Sango," I pried, my voice cracked and hoarse. "I've nowhere to will only make it worse."

Sango gave me a frightened look and pulled harder on my arm. "Kurama, please don't do this..."

I frowned stubbornly and stood my ground, even as she tugged relentlessly on my arm. Suddenly, the strength of her pull increased as Botan placed a hand on my arm as well, giving a hard yank. "B-Botan..." I stammered, weakened into taking a clumsy step forward.

"I don't know what's going on," she replied evenly. "But I do know that you're obviously not safe here and YOU do have somewhere to go. I didn't live in a box before I came here you know." She gave me a wide grin.

I smiled softly, praising the day I had been blessed with such good friends. Finally, I nodded. "Let's go."

Sango grinned and led us both down through the cafeteria, using a key to open the cooking area. We passed through stoves and many cardboard boxes until we came to a large concrete door at the end. With a small grunt, she pushed it open. With a wave of her hand, she motioned us outside. "Alright, hurry up you two. There's no cameras back here."

"When should we come back?" Botan asked, trying to sound naive, but I could see the skepticism in her eyes.

Sango's eyes shone with unshed tears. "I don't know..."

I gave a fake laugh to help lighten the mood. "When the pound finally catches up with Kikyo."

Sango gave me a small smile before lunging forward into my arms. I wrapped my arms comfortingly around her back and closed my eyes to savor the moment. She squeezed me tightly and buried her head in my shirt. "Please be careful Kurama." She released me and straightened to look at my face, presenting me with a scolding look. "And if anything happens to Botan, I'LL kill you."

Botan laughed. "I'll be fine." She took out the too-large-for-her sunglasses she always wore and placed them over her eyes. "I'm pretty damn sneaky."

Sango let out a tearful laugh before embracing Botan as well. "You be good," she choked out.

Botan clutched the material of the back of Sango's uniform. "I will. Take care of yourself... you don't always need to be an angel to those druggies..."

Sango finally broke down and let the tears flow freely from her cheeks. "I...w-will..."

I sighed and looked out the door into the dismal sky. We really needed to leave. Mimicking Sango's voice, I interrupted. "Alright, hurry up you two. There's no cameras back here, but if you give it enough time I'm sure Kikyo's thugs will eventually just walk in..."

Sango released Botan and hit me on the arm, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Oh shut up."

Botan smirked and threw on her long, leather coat. "Alright, we're leaving." She touched Sango's arm consolingly." But we will be back."

Sango averted her gaze, but she nodded anyway. She looked at me one last time before shoving Botan and I outside, shutting the door behind us.

With the exception of Botan suggesting we take the bus, neither of us spoke a word as we made our way off of the center's grounds and into the city. Botan's high-powered speed never relented and I almost began to wonder if she was half cyborg or something. Her chest never rose with exhausted pants and her eyes remained trained ahead, hard unblinking. I kept with her well enough though, and in less than ten minutes, we were at the bus stop.

Botan immediately began pacing into sets of three steps, continually checking her watch. "It should be here in about ten minutes."

I nodded and took a seat on the green, metal bench. Watching her pacing relentlessly on the sidewalk and seeing her tight face somehow eased my own nerves. As if she had enough anxiety to cover for the both of us.

Suddenly a loud honk was heard and the bus whizzed by, spattering the bottom of Botan's coat with mud. I rose to my feet, but Botan reacted first. Scooping up a mud covered rock, she hurled it at the bus, effectively breaking a window. "It's a BUS-STOP moron! Meaning, you STOP the freaking BUS!" She kicked her boot onto the pavement and ran a hand through her blue locks. "Asshole..." she muttered.

Despite our situation, I chuckled at her antics. I quickly stopped as she whipped up her head to glare at me. I covered my mouth, a light blush rinsing over my cheeks. "Something amusing to you Kurama?" she inquired bitterly.

I shook my head and gave her a guilty smile. "Sorry..."

Her frown dissipated and she gave me a forgiving smile. I had to notice that she looked the part of a born city-walker. She was dressed in mostly black, styled and fitted to perfection. Of course, now her leather coat was splattered with mud and her boot was scuffed, but it was mostly her attitude that proved the concept. With a grimace, I remembered that I had left the center with a gray t-shirt that said "Property of Reikai Rehabilitation Center" on and black slacks with a worn, white sweatshirt to keep me warm. I sighed, plopping back down onto the bench.

This time, Botan giggled at me and mirrored my actions, taking the space next to me. "No worries pal, life takes it's course without passing a driver's test. It's a bit crazy at times, but it'll stop sometime. Life'll either end up in jail for driving illegally, or it'll finally pass and you can get going on your way."

My eyes widened in surprise as I turned to look at her. "That's....that's a line from..."

"Down in the Gutterhole," she answered for me. She gave a rueful sigh and slumped farther into the seat. "It's my favorite movie. Has been ever since I was ten."

"It always seemed sort of depressing to me. A twelve year old boy forced on his own at such a young age is-"

"Inspiring," she interrupted. She grinned lopsidedly. "And, at least to me, pretty funny."

I didn't say anything. I considered reminding her who acted in that movie, but I decided against it. It wasn't really going to do anything except maybe cause more problems...

"So this Kikyo person..." she said softly after a few moments of silence. "Is she like....what? Really rich? Why would you worry about her?"

I sighed. "She IS rich. But she also isn't known to make idle threats and she's probably the....the...."

"Bitchiest?" Botan supplied.

"Yes, thank you. The bitchiest woman alive." I shrugged. "But I suppose being famous can do that to you."

"She famous?"

"She's an actress. Kikyo Miko." I sighed again, looking wistfully down the street.

Botan gasped. "Holy cheese on rye! You're right! I didn't even comprehend...but it was obvious! Oh wow, I was in reaching distance of her, I could ha " she stopped, instantly clamping her mouth closed and blushing hotly.

I chuckled. "Don't worry about it...she is pretty fam "

"So what about this Hiei guy?" she said quickly, now leaning on the edge of her seat. "How does she know him? How do YOU know him."

I gave a small grunt and straightened carefully. I knew I was going to be talking a lot. "Well....it's sort of a long story, but here goes. About two months ago, Hiei and Kikyo were a couple of about 3 months when Hiei discovered that she was cheating on him with a male model named Inuyasha. I believe he was willing to forgive her, but Kikyo flat out told him he was a washed up loser. Given his position, I would be in a fit of rage, but he seemed to take it pretty well..." I paused, not really wanting to elaborate on why he didn't seem to miss his old girlfriend. "So things were going pretty well until two weeks later, Kikyo and Inuyasha went to the China Gate, right by the Fun Time carnival grounds. It was Hiei and Kikyo's favorite restaurant to be together without paparazzi. They usually would go to the carnival afterwards, but anyway....Hiei saw them there and I guess...something just snapped inside of him. He attacked Inuyasha. He probably would have killed him if the police didn't intervene, courtesy of Kikyo of course."

"Well the date was set for the following Thursday for Hiei to be tried in court. He was defended by his lawyer, Seto Kaiba. And Kaiba is a very intelligent, successful lawyer, but the prosecutor was better. Kagome Higurashi." I ignored the pain that seemed to pierce through my gut. "Miss Higurashi was Inuyasha's personal lawyer and she had never lost a case, even when Inuyasha's crime was pointedly obvious. And since Hiei's hands had been on Inuyasha's throat when the cops arrived, it was pretty obvious he was going to prison for attempted murder. But..." I shook my head, simply remembering it. "She lost. For the first time in her life she lost - and too such an easy case. Nobody, especially Inuyasha, could understand it. Hiei got away with a few weeks in rehab."

"The Reikai Rehabilitation Center," Botan breathed. When I nodded, she questioned further, "What did they put him in for?"

"Mental instability from excessive use of alcohol." Botan smiled sheepishly as I continued. "That's where I met him. Hiei really did drink when he was angry or depressed, but he never would have had to go to rehab over it..."

"That's what I thought..." Botan grumbled.

I laughed. "Well, he was cured even of that. An amazing young doctor miraculously transformed the once cold actor into a revision of peaceful, alcohol free, soul. Or," I added, seeing Botan's eyes bug out from my use of words, "that's what they put in the paper."

"Yusuke was the "amazing young doctor", huh?"

I nodded, giving a short laugh. "I remember the first time Hiei first started listening to Yusuke. You see, he started drinking excessively, I think, just to spite us all while he was there. He knew just as well as we did that he didn't need rehab, but he wasn't going to reject the offer seeing as the other option was prison."

Flashback

Hiei downed the entire bottle -his third one in ten minutes- without a moment's hesitation. He winced, bringing a hand to his head. Obviously, he didn't drink THAT much. All the liquor was getting to him.

Yusuke marched up to his table and swiped the fourth bottle from Hiei's hands. "Cut it OUT. You're going to be in here forever if you don't stop it!"

Hiei glared icily at him. "Thank you DOCTOR Urameshi, for that wonderful bit of advice, but amazingly - I don't give a shit!"

Yusuke returned the glare and chucked the bottle into the trash. "I don't think you're even enjoying yourself, really. I think "

Hiei cut him off with a bitter laugh. "Of course I'm not doing it for fun you dense weed. Haven't you ever heard the term, drinking drowns your sorrows?"

"For your information," Yusuke snapped. "It's DON'T try to simply drowned away your sorrows. And here's a newsflash, straight from me to you-" He brought his head down by Hiei's, who only glared angrily. "SORROW CAN SWIM!"

Hiei's glare dissipated and he stared at Yusuke in...shock? Realization? Remorse? I don't really know. All I know is that besides for the confused glance Sango and I exchanged, nobody moved for what seemed like an eternity. Finally Hiei slumped down, burying his head in his hands. "I think my sorrow has a god damn life jacket on."

Yusuke raised his head, grinning triumphantly. He gave Hiei's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Come on, let's go shoot Kagome-darts at Kikyo's picture."

Hiei raised his head and gave him a half-hearted smirk. "Add Inuyasha's picture and you've got yourself a deal."

End Flashback

Botan giggled. "Yusuke always does know what to say."

"He's a good doctor," I agreed.

"That still doesn't explain why Kikyo would think that you would frame Inuyasha."

"Well, I am Hiei's good friend, and she was right. I really don't like Inuyasha. He came by at least every other day to threaten and insult Hiei as well as ourselves, warning him that someday he would be put in jail." I frowned. "Of course, Hiei's insults were just as vulgar. And I admit to breaking into his car and stealing a few things. Trivial things," I added, seeing Botan's scolding look.

Botan exhaled a long breath and leaned her head back on the edge of the bench. "Wow. This is sorta complicated..."

"Sorta."

"Do you think he did it?" She leaned up again to face me. I raised a confused eyebrow. "Inuyasha, I mean." She narrowed her eyes. "Do you think he killed Hiei?"

I felt my eyebrows crinkle in thought. "I don't know. I mean, he has good enough motive. But Kikyo said that he had been framed....of course, she might just be making that up to defend him."

"How do you think he died?"

I tightened at the sudden question. I gave an involuntary shiver as images of what could've happened floated to my mind.

"I'm sorry," Botan quickly amended. "That was a heartless question..."

I shook my head, unable to form coherent words. Luckily, I didn't have to. The second route bus pulled to a stop right in front of us. We climbed aboard wordlessly and Botan paid our fees, thankfully - because I had no money.

We took seats at the back. I had just gotten comfortable when Botan grabbed my hand tightly. "I'm going to clear your name."

I shot up in my seat, probably cutting off the circulation of her hand. "What?!"

"I'm going to find out who really killed Hiei or I'm going to prove that Inuyasha did it. Either way, you won't half to worry about Kikyo hounding after you."

My jaw dropped. "B-Botan," I stammered helplessly.

She waved it off with a flick of her hand. "Don't worry about it, I'm not involved in this in anyway, so it's no danger to me. We'll figure this out."

"I'm going to help you," I replied firmly. I wasn't going to help for my own sake, but for the justice of my best friend.

Botan's eyebrows shot up. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Never more so."

She grinned. "Great!" She paused, her face falling. "But....where do we start?"

"Aren't you glad you have me?" I gave her a sly smirk. "I suggest we start at Yukina's. She will know all the details about the murder and such."

"Yukina? That's who Yusuke was talking to! Who is she?"

"Hiei's twin sister," I replied. "Her and Hiei used to act together as kids, but once they breeched adult hood, she gave up acting to be his manager."

"Does that work out? Her being his manager and such a close relation?" she asked skeptically.

I smiled softly. "Hiei used to say there wasn't a better manager that graced this earth. She makes apple pie out of peaches, I believe were his exact words."

Botan sighed. "That's sweet. I really wish I would've known Hiei. I like him already, and I don't know him."

I shrugged. "Most people that he allowed close enough to really know him liked him." The bus slowed at one of the stops, allowing an elderly woman on.

"Not a people person?"

"More like an anti-people person," I mused, looking out the window. We were getting into the richer area of town - every building was either a mansion or a towering corporate tower. Speaking of which, that one looked familiar... "STOP! We need to get off!" I shouted as realization hit, yanking Botan up with me. The bus driver slammed on the brakes again, just as he started to move. I toppled forward with the sudden imbalance, pulling Botan down with me. We landed ungracefully, tangled together in the aisle of the bus.

"Hurry up!" the bus driver complained. "I got other stops here!"

"Crazy honeymooners!" the elderly woman piqued, holding her nose in the air.

I grimaced with Botan's elbow in my side and opened my mouth to inform her that we weren't a couple, but Botan's elbow dug in further. "So sorry, we're from Montana, we aren't used to city life!" she replied innocently with a nervous laugh.

I rolled my eyes, but decided to play along. "Sorry y'all," I drawled, with the best western accent I could muster.

The elderly woman simply let out a disgusted sniff, so we clambered to our feet and quickly skitted off the bus. As it pulled away, leaving nothing behind but us and a puff of black exhaust, Botan groaned and knocked me lightly on the head. "Sorry y'all?"

I gave her a flat look, crossing my arms over my chest. "What?"

"That sucked," she said pointedly. "I mean, how can you have so many famous people as friends and not be at least a little good at acting?"

"Hey!" I swatted playfully at her head. "It wasn't THAT bad!"

She giggled. "Yeah, that bad is when Britney Spears tries to act. What you did was worse."

I growled and launched for her head, intending to give her a noogie worthy of World War III, but she easily dodged with a loud laugh. I waved her off with my hand. "Forget it."

She let out a final, soft giggle before asking, "So where can we find Yukina?"

I pointed to the tall building we were in front of. Botan's eyes widened as she bent back to see to the top of it. "Damn..."

After Botan got over her shock, we walked briskly to the set of glass doors and she pulled carefully. "Oh bugger, it's locked!" Botan whined, tugging pointlessly on the door handle. I sighed. Had she learned nothing of me? I made my way to the door and quickly unlocked it, using an old trick I had learned about electronic locks. It was a good thing the sun was out...

Botan jumped as I pulled open the now unlocked door. "Oh yeah, you can...yeah," she grumbled embarrassedly, hurrying through the doors. Once we were inside, she groaned and set her hands behind her head in defeat. "Great. Now where do we find her?"

I tapped her shoulder and pointed to the marquee on her left that listed all of the top employees and which floor to find them on. She blushed hotly and I decided not to say anything else. No need to rub her....um, genius, or rather, lack there of, in further.

There at the top, labeled in gold, was, President: Yukina Jaganshi.- Top Floor

"Thank god for elevators," Botan muttered, raising an eyebrow.

I let out a nervous chuckle. "Actually....we're taking the stairs."

She whipped her head around to stare at me in humored disbelief. "Come again?"

"Rule number one, if you had to force your way in, you don't want to be seen."

She threw her head back and let out a loud groan, grumbling something that sounded distinctly like, "Why me?"

-

"I'm going to die! The beloved Botan, age 19, survived by the Reikai Rehabilitation Center and everybody. After almost getting hit by a truck, Botan got a second chance to recover and have real friends until she tragically died climbing stairs. That's right! No heroic death! No Oprah worthy ordeal! Leg exhaustion!"

I laughed as she groaned and simultaneously plopped onto one of the metal stairs. "You're not going to die," I assured her.

"I am!" she argued, spreading her legs and arms out over the steps.

"Botan." I rolled my eyes. "Come on, we're "

"No, it's alright Kurama - go on without me! Hiei needs you!"

"Well okay," I said, stepping carefully around her. I silently stepped onto the next platform and opened a door. "But we're at the top floor."

Botan leaned her head back to look at me, blushing slightly. "Oh." With a quick heave, she hauled herself up and clambered after me, trying to straighten her jacket. "I'm a mess..."

I didn't answer and headed down the dimly lit hall, trying to ignore the odd stares we were getting from random secretaries and messengers. At the end of the hall were two large oak doors, guarded by two young men in black suits. As we approached, I leaned down to whisper to Botan. "Those are Yukina's bodyguards. Joey Wheeler and Kazuma Kuwabara. Kuwabara used to be Kikyo's bodyguard, but she fired him when he told Hiei that she cheating on him with Inuyasha."

Botan rose an eyebrow. "Wow...not a very loyal bodyguard. How did he manage to get hired again?"

"I believe he planned to all along. In truth, he really is a very dependable bodyguard, but he had always wanted to work for Yukina. However, Kikyo paid more for him than Hiei would let Yukina pay, so he ended up working for Kikyo."

Botan didn't answer - we had gotten to the door.

"Can we help you?" Joey asked monotonously, peering at us through his sunglasses.

I let out a small cough and zipped up my jacket to cover the "Property of Reikai Rehabilitation Center." Not that it looked much better, my white jacket was dirty and oily from falling on the bus floor and Botan's clothes were splattered with mud and wrinkled. "We'd like a word with Miss Jaganshi...if it's not too much trouble," I offered humbly.

"I don't th-" Joey started, but Kuwabara cut him off.

"Hey, you're Kaliema or something...right?"

"Kurama."

"Right, Kurama. That's what I meant. Anyway, you were Hiei's friend right?"

I nodded. He smiled softly. "Hiei was a good guy. I didn't really like the shrimp much, and he was always insulting me, but I respected him." He opened the door. "Go right ahead."

With a grateful nod, we walked in, Kuwabara following behind us to shut the door. Yukina was standing near her wall-sized window, staring blankly into the streets, apparently lost in her own world. A couple of frames were turned down on her desk, frames that I could only assume once held pictures of Hiei.

She turned when we entered, and gave me a forced smile. "Kurama, how nice to see you."

I bowed my head slightly in respect. "The feeling is mutual, I assure you." My face turned grave as I rose my head again, intending to just tell her flat out. "I know this is hard for, but my friend Botan and I would like to know all you can tell us about Hiei's murder."

Yukina's eyes darkened considerably. "Why?"

"We're going to find out who did it."
Sherkoni - I forgot to mention....this chapter had several cameos of characters from Yu-Gi-Oh. Don't own that!

Please review!