Nightmare: WOO! We made it to Chapter 2! All right!

Hiei: You're WAY too happy.

Nightmare: And you're like... a suicidal munchkin!

Hiei: Hn! I am not suicidal! Have I ever tried to kill myself?

Nightmare: Okay, homicidal. Happy?

Hiei: Hn.

Nightmare: Do you ever say anything else?

Hiei: Hn.

Nightmare: URGH! Read and review...

Kuwabara, now confused out of his mind, joined Hiei and Yusuke. Yusuke was still baffled at Hiei's previous statement. "What do you mean 'that's not Kurama'" Yusuke said almost mockingly.

Hiei was becoming very annoyed with Yusuke's density. "I mean that the demon spirit within that boy is no longer there!" Hiei barked.

Shuichi turned his head to the three boys, possibly more confused than Kuwabara. He began walking towards them and started to speak, "I'm sorry if I've caused some sort of trouble, but—"

"This doesn't concern you!" Yusuke and Hiei said in unison, and then continued their squabbling, seemingly unaware that their predicament had a lot to do with their former friend. A defeated expression crossed Shuichi's face and he simply walked away slump-shouldered.

Kuwabara watched Shuichi leave, then turned back to the other two, "Did… I miss something?"

Yusuke let out an exasperated sigh, "You missed everything… as usual."

"Hey! I can't help it if you guys don't let me in on anything!" Kuwabara huffed, "It's not my fault you're—OW!" Kuwabara was cut off by a swift crack in the head with an oar.

Botan hopped nimbly off of her oar, "Oh, I'm sorry, Kazuma."

"Geez! Who taught you how to drive?" Kuwabara shouted as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Technically, it's flying." Botan corrected him.

"Whatever! Either way, you suck at it!"

Botan blatantly ignored the rude comment and turned to Yusuke, then to Hiei, who had completely stopped paying attention altogether. "Yusuke, I just got word from Koenma. He saw the whole thing and wants you to track down the real Kurama."

Hiei brushed the sole of his black shoe against the ground and looked up at Botan with a fiery crimson glare. "And how do you propose we do that? Tell me, I'm dying to know," he said coldly.

Botan felt a shiver go up her spine. Hiei's glare could do that to even the toughest warriors, so it's effect on an impressionable ferry girl was frighteningly eerie. "W-well, you could use Yusuke's Demon Compass, or your Jagan eye. Whichever is easier for you."

Hiei turned his back, "Hn."

Kuwabara finished whining over his bruised head and finally spoke, "So, how are we supposed to find a spirit? I mean… aren't they like… invisible?"

Hiei smacked his forehead in annoyance, "I can't believe you! You… you baka! You've forgotten your own special ability!" He shook his head and began to walk away.

Botan reached in his direction, "Wait! Hiei! Don't you want me to tell you how to… Oh…" Before anyone realized it, the koorime had randomly disappeared in a huff for the second time that day.

Yusuke punched Kuwabara in the arm. Kuwabara grunted and looked at Yusuke with an expression that clearly said 'What'd I do?'. "You moron."

"What!" Kuwabara was obviously convinced he hadn't done anything, and perhaps he hadn't…

"You know Hiei hates morons. We're gonna need all the help we can get to find Kurama, and if he decides to go solo, we're screwed," Yusuke pointed out.

Kuwabara crossed his arms and spat, "Oh, and that's my fault?"

Yusuke paused for a moment in a thoughtful stance, then said quickly, "Yeah."

Kuwabara growled. He was about to retaliate, but he decided it was best not to argue with Yusuke, possibly the only half-intelligent move he'd made all day. After a few moments of silence Kuwabara decided to try and break the ice, "So, what's your plan of action, Captain?" he said, placating, as if trying to get back on Yusuke's hard-to-get-to good side.

Yusuke scratched his chin, "We'll start the search tomorrow, and come up with our plan of action tonight."

"What about Hiei?" Kuwabara wondered.

Yusuke shook his head, "I doubt he'll be back. If anything, he'll try and do this on his own. We're better off creating a plan that doesn't include him."

"Well, it seems that you have everything under control. Let me know if you need any help," Botan said, summoning her oar and flying off into the sky. Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at each other and smiled slightly, a grin signifying that both of them… had forgotten the blue-haired, over-excited ferry girl had still been there. They laughed to themselves, and then continued their brainstorming.

Kuwabara looked in the direction that Shuichi, formerly-known-as Kurama had walked, "And Shuichi?"

"Useless. He's no good to us now. He's a human now, and nothing more."

Kuwabara nodded and the both of them walked towards Yusuke's house to further contemplate the battle plan. Kurama was out there… somewhere…

Okay. End of chapter 2! So, Kurama's spirit is missing. But... where is it? I suppose that defeats the purpose of the term "missing", but all that aside, he needs to be found. He's nearly been killed before, it could definitely happen again. Will the Spirit Detectives find him? Will Hiei join the hunt? Will I ever stop asking myself pointless questions? Find out in chapter 3! WAHAHAHA!