Ok ok, it's been a while since I've written. I sorry. Had a lot of stuff at school. Now that it's finally spring break I'm hoping to get a lot of writing done.

So ummm recap. Hiei and Neko were thrown into the demon world, got attacked, and came back. Kurama has also returned sensing trouble. Yusuke forgot to take Keiko on a date again. Big surprise huh. Anywho he's convinced that she would want to bring Neko along again. Oddly enough Hiei has agreed to go again. That is if trouble doesn't show itself first.

Chap 6- Peaceful Chaos

Neko awoke to a pounding in her head. A pounding that was intensifying as she opened her eyes. She had slept for almost two days. She groaned in protest to the bright sun filtering in through her window. That and the annoying sound of birds that wasn't helping matters. She'd kill for a bottle of pain relievers. Slowly she sat up, holding her head. Her whole body seemed to ache, both inside and out. She was exhausted from Friday's events, both mentally and physically. It made no sense though, fighting, even if they were youkai, should not have drained her this much. Of course there was a blank moment in her memory from that. She remembered the youkai lunging at her and...something had taken over. That was the only way she could describe it. Something very powerful that she wasn't likely to understand. At least, not yet. Those moments were a blur to her. She knew she had defeated her attackers, but the details of how were a mystery to her. Almost like amnesia.

She blinked her eyes a couple of times and spotted something on her dresser. The black bladed katana was still there, where Hiei had set it. This confirmed that the youkai couldn't have been a dream. She couldn't remember much of what had happened after he had picked her up and brought her back to the human world either. She did remember though that she had fallen asleep in his arms, she had felt so safe. She had never felt safe around anyone before, except for maybe her father. But that was a long time ago, and memories of him had long since faded and only tormented her in her dreams.

Somehow being held in his arms put her at ease and gave her a sense of security that she never had. He had brought her to her home and laid her down on her bed. Neko had thought that she had felt him brush her hair away from her face before he left, but she might have also dreamed it. At this time it had no relevance to her, she was late for school.

Shakily, she forced herself to stand and locate clean clothes. It took her all of five minutes to finish getting ready and then she was running out the door, ignoring the pain that pulsed with every footstep.

Yusuke stood outside his school as usual. The day was a morbid one. Grey clouds hid the warm rays of the sun. The ground was still wet with the morning's dew. The dark clouds threatened to pour out water on to the inhabitants of Earth, but the shower had not started yet. The air had a different feel to it than normal. Everything had since he had found the body. That poor man. He felt a chill go up his spine as the man's face of frozen horror filled his thoughts. Youkai being in the human world was bad enough, but when they were bold enough to be killing humans and risk being caught; something big was going down. He ignored the looks that passing adults gave him. He yawned, Keiko's gonna kill me. Never mind that I'm skipping school, I still have to come up with an excuse for skipping another date. That was about the time he noticed a figure running towards him. A figure clad in black that had her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. She halted in front of him and raised an eyebrow.

"No school for you today?" Yusuke grinned and shook his head. "Figures." She rolled her eyes and started to walk past him, she was stopped when he grabbed her arm and held her in place. She turned to look at him, curiosity and anger flashing in her emerald eyes. Yusuke resisted the urge to shudder. Damnit, it's like she can read my thoughts. Jeez, her eyes are scary.

"So, what happened Friday?" Neko smiled. At least he thought she smiled, it was just like Hiei. He couldn't tell if they were smiling or growling at him. And there she was looking at him again with those emerald eyes. Just like she was peering through him or into his soul. Maybe she really is the youkai. Kurama did say none of the youkai activity started until she arrived. Yusuke didn't want to believe that a girl was the youkai, but he had fought female youkai before. He would fight one again if the situation called for it. Yet she was just a little different from every other youkai he had encountered, she acted more human...like Kurama. Maybe she's a youkai living in a human's body just like Kurama...

"Yusuke!!" Yusuke looked back up to Neko startled. "Are you okay? You kind of zoned out there." Human like that. She showed concern. She can't possibly be the youkai that I'm after. It's all just coincidence. He nodded and laughed it off. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Okay, if you say so."

"Neko, why did you move here," Yusuke blurted out. Neko looked at him for a moment startled at the question. She glanced at the ground.

I had to move here. He made me move... "I moved here with my family," she said quickly. Yusuke looked at her uncertainly. This was the first time she had ever mentioned her family. In fact, he didn't think she had ever talked about living with anyone else. She hadn't even talked about herself at all since he had met her. Nothing, not her parent's names, whether or not she had siblings, why she went by Neko...nothing. It was like she was hiding something from them all. Something dark that she didn't want to be dug up. Something tragic that had happened to make her who she was today. She reminded him of Hiei, except for the female part. Hiei. That brought him back to what he had asked earlier. She had not said anything about why they had disappeared Friday from the face of the Earth. He forgot about Neko's life for the moment.

"What happened to you and Hiei Friday," he asked in a serious tone. Neko's eyes darkened. For a moment she looked out at the street, and then back to Yusuke. Kurama was right, something really serious went down. She's afraid to tell me.

"I was attacked," Neko said truthfully. She lowered her head. And I can't remember what happened after they found us... "Yusuke...have you ever...lost memory of something that has happened...and it feels like someone else...is controlling you?" The spirit detective looked at her taken aback. The look in her eyes scared him. She was dead serious. Whatever had happened to her with Hiei had been enough to make her frightened. This wasn't right. If something had been enough to bother her like that...controlled? By someone else...and she doesn't remember. Maybe she's possessed by a youkai or something. That would explain it...but even I can sense that she has strong spiritual protection. She wouldn't have let that happen without a fight.

"I've never had that happen...or at least I don't think so." Neko relaxed a bit.

"Then forget that I said anything about it." Yusuke nodded, some things were better left alone. When she was ready to talk about it, she would. She smiled as if to help ease the silence...it might have worked had it been a true one. Her smiles were always so hollow. There was no emotion behind it. It was like she forgot how to be happy long ago. Again she reminded him of the fire apparition. Hiei, what happened to you two? What happened that would make her so scared... and you so...

The date, he had forgotten all about it. Hiei had agreed to go again. Why was he so eager to come this time? As soon as I mentioned Neko he jumped tight into it...like he wanted to protect her. Yusuke hesitated...should he ask Neko to go with them again? If he didn't Hiei would probably kill him, he had volunteered to go. If he told him that it had been called off, he wouldn't be too happy with him. Neko figured that the conversation was over, so she turned toward the school building. "Ummm... Neko," She turned back to him a bit agitated. "Keiko, she wants to go on a date again. You're welcome to come with us." She looked at him blankly.

"Another one?" Yusuke laughed nervously. Neko grinned with a little sincerity behind it. "Making up for the ten that you missed huh?" She shook her head. "You better make it good, Keiko takes her anger out on me when you ditch her you know." She glanced away at a bird that was singing softly in a tree a few feet from them. "As for me, I don't know if I can take another night of that."

"Hiei will be there." That had done it. He could tell from the look in her eyes that she wasn't going to refuse.

"Will he?" Yusuke did not bother to respond. "Kuwabara isn't coming is he?"

"If he goes I'll shoot myself, how bout that?" Neko closed her eyes.

"Alright."

"Koenma..."

"Kurama...you're back before expected." The redheaded youth bowed slightly. He looked back up. Urgency and intensity filled his eyes. He understood just how dangerous the present situation was.

"Yes, I left as soon as I could get away. I believe that Hiei is in grave danger..." Koenma closed his eyes and sighed. So they were after Hiei and not Kurama. He had no doubt that the fox youkai knew of Hiei's disappearance, and the human girl's. He had wisely left his family behind. Yet he was holding something back.

"That is not all that is on your mind is it?" He shook his head in affirmation.

"I believe the girl Tsuki is also in trouble." Koenma's eyes snapped open. Why would they be targeting a human?

"It was not Hiei they first attacked yesterday. It was her they were after. She was lucky enough to be in Hiei's company." What is it that they could possibly want from a human? Hiei would tell me nothing more than the fact that she was attacked first.

"Indeed she was. But this presents quite a bit of a problem." He crossed his arms. "The youkai that attacked them...traveled between Makai and the human world. Somehow they have found a way around the barrier. And there is far more youkai on Earth then there has ever been." Kurama nodded. He already knew this. It troubled him as well. It was normal for maybe one or two to pass the barrier every couple of years. But for twenty youkai to pass the barrier, and with their strength, that was far more than abnormal. "I'm not sure how they were able to do this...but I'm sure it's only the twenty that can." He paused for a moment, debating on whether or not to reveal the last bit of knowledge that he had. Kurama's eyes were enough to urge him to do so. "Somehow, Hiei was able to pass between the realms as well. He shouldn't have been able to unless he was granted permission. Whoever attacked them wanted Hiei and Tsuki to enter Makai."

Kurama looked at him confused. "But...if they've already risked being seen in the human world, why take them to Makai?" He watched as Koenma shook his head sullenly.

"I've no idea. It will be revealed to us later I'm sure; but for now we need to keep a close watch on them. A very close watch." Koenma looked up to Kurama almost apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I must ask you to also watch Tsuki. If they are after her, watching her may give us some answers."

"I agree."

"You can come out, I know you're there. After all, this is your home."

"Of course. I forget that I cannot hide from you. You are a telepath." Hiei watched as Kurama stepped into view. He had been aware of his presence since he had started standing there watching him. Fox, I know you're watching me in hopes of getting information. But even I don't know why they are after me...or her. I don't know why they tried to kill a human girl... Although she is abnormally strong spiritually and physically for a human. The way she handled the sword, it was as if she wasn't herself. She used the sword expertly, like she has had years of training; but yet she's so young. How did she learn to fight like that in such a short amount of time?

"You saw Koenma," he said shortly. Kurama did not need to respond. "So am I under surveillance?" Kurama shook his head.

"No...but you should be wary. These are not normal youkai at all. They can travel between Makai and the human world." He narrowed his eyes as Hiei scoffed. "Hiei, this is no laughing matter. First they attacked a man that Yusuke found, then the restaurant, and now Tsuki..." Hiei at last turned to face him. With slight amusement he took in the panicked state that the fox youkai was in. He smiled and closed his eyes.

"It's true. They have attacked humans, but I took them down easily." With a little help from her. "They ran off like cowards, with their tails between their legs. It was like picking off flies." His eyes opened as Kurama took a step towards him. "They are no threat to me."

Kurama shook his head, his flaming hair flowing about his face. "But what about Tsuki? She's only human and..." The fire apparition held up a hand to stop him.

"The last person we need to worry about is her. She can take care of herself." He grinned at the confused look on the youth's face. It lasted for a second and then he became serious. "She fought just as well as any of us. She had a katana that day. I doubt that she had even handled one in her life...but she took down several youkai in mere seconds." And ruthlessly as well. She had no emotions showing on her face at all. She was a cold-blooded murderer those few minutes. And all of her thoughts stopped during that time. As if she was not truly what she appears to be. "She is in no real danger. I'll be leaving now." He leapt out the open window into the world of night.

"Hiei wait!" Kurama ran to the window, unable to catch the fire apparition before he disappeared. He sighed and rested against the sill. Hiei, what is it that you're holding back? You witnessed something that you're withholding from us. What is it about the girl that has even you disturbed? He hung his head in thought, unaware of how the full moon illuminated the landscape, creating an eerie glow that would give even the bravest man doubts about leaving his home this night.

The moon. It looks different tonight. It looks evil. Neko tore herself from her window. Tsuki. It means moon. My name means moon. So why is it that I hate it so much? Why do I despise the moon so much? She sighed and stretched, listening as her bones made a sickening cracking noise. "That's better." She was exhausted from today. She had gotten the urge to do some running, in hopes that it might help to clear her mind. Why can't I remember what happened? Why was it like someone else was controlling me? Like I was a puppet and someone, or something was moving the strings...Was it Miayumi? Wasn't that what Sadiron had called her? Miayumi. He thought that's who I was. Is it possible that I'm not the one in control of myself?

"Tsuki are you listening to me?" Neko narrowed her eyes. She hated being interrupted while she was concentrating. And she hated when people intruded her home. But more than that, she hated when people called her Tsuki.

She turned towards the source of the voice, her eyes flashing violently. Slowly, she gave her visitor the once over. It was a man of about 35. His sandy hair was pulled back in a short ponytail as always and he was wearing his usual ensemble. Black everything. Black T-shirt and black jeans. He had left his shoes on the mat by Neko's door. His sapphire eyes looked down at Neko with great concern.

Neko allowed herself to relax a bit, and her grip released from the knife that was clipped to her belt, hidden by her shirt. "How many times have I told you to call me Neko, old man."

"And I keep telling you to call me Akashi, but you never do." He smiled at her, this had been the greeting between the two for years. Neko was barely able to return it with a grin of her own, her mind was still elsewhere.

"So why have you broken into my house old man?"

"First of all...the door was unlocked. Secondly I'm not that old." That was when the playing around stopped. The warm look in his eyes hardened and for the first time that evening, he became stern with her. "You were missing yesterday." Neko looked up at him, she in turn taking on a solemn demeanor. "I almost informed the authorities, but you suddenly reappeared this morning at school." He sat down next to her, becoming eye level. "Care to explain?"

Neko looked away for a moment. What exactly am I to tell him? I can't tell him what really happened. He'd never believe me. "I was out with a friend. We got in a little late. What's so wrong with that?" He raised an eyebrow at her. She resisted the urge to give it away to him. He had been the only one who had ever scared her like that, of course he was the only one who had any jurisdiction on her.

"What's wrong is that no one knew where you were or who you were with." Akashi's eyes remained full of concern for her, for a split second Neko thought that he was about to cry. It quickly dissipated though. "You are in my care, you are supposed to inform me of any adventures such as the one you pulled last night." She looked down at the floor, concentrating all of her interest on it, yet still hearing every word. I know damn well I'm supposed to inform you old man. Just...things didn't go quite as planned. "Do you know how worried I was? I was afraid that someone had gotten a hold of you, you're not invincible Tsuki." Neko cringed as the words sank in. Damnit I know! You have no idea what I went through though. If I thought you would understand I'd tell you everything. "Don't forget that it's because of me that you're still living." Neko abruptly stood, her eyes stinging from holding back tears.

"I haven't forgotten. What happened yesterday was a mistake; I can't change that. But you didn't have to bring that up." She stood there, her fists clenched and her body shaking with frustration. She was restraining herself from attacking him, and Akashi saw it. He had gone too far.

He bowed his head to her, some of his sandy hair falling loose of the ponytail into his face. He looked back up to her, "I'm sorry. I tend to forget that you do not need to be reminded of your situation." Neko turned away from him and shrugged her shoulders. It was her way of showing she had accepted the apology. "One last thing." She withdrew her attention from the window and faced him.

"And that is?"

He grinned at her warily. "Why was there a weapon in your bedroom?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"You were in my bedroom?" He nodded as if it had been no big deal. "And why were you in my bedroom?" He chuckled at her.

"I have full permission to be in any room of this house. Remember, I'm the one leasing the house for you." She sighed in acknowledgement. "And don't forget that I'm your guardian."

"Yeah, yeah.." Ok, how exactly do I explain this one? Akashi watched her cautiously. Ok, he's going to want an answer pretty soon. She lifted her head after a moment, grinning. "It was a gift," she told him. Ok, he can't complain about that, after all it is the truth.

"A gift?" He shook his head silently. "What's with kids nowadays? Giving out swords as gifts. Why can't they give out flowers or something?" Neko shrugged at him. "Alright, but you promise me that you're not using it. It's not to be unsheathed."

"I won't use it," she told him honestly. It's not like I have any reason to. Unless... but I doubt that they'd try coming after us again. I'm pretty sure they were only after Hiei. At least, I hope so.

"Alright. I believe you." Akashi turned from her. "I'll be leaving now. You need to get some rest." Neko watched as he silently exited the room, listening as the door closed behind him.

Jeez, I thought that he'd never leave. "Don't forget that it's because of me that you're still living." She let out an exasperated sigh and sunk down into her chair. I know I wouldn't still be here if it wasn't for him. And I am thankful, more than he realizes. But, he didn't have to remind me. He knows how hard it is for me to think about it. He of all people knows and understands why I'm like this now. She pulled her knees up close to her and hugged them to her chest. Akashi was the one who rescued me from...her. He's just being protective, but I wish he didn't try to pry so much into my life. There are things that not even he can know about. She glanced at the watch that was on her wrist. It was late.

She stood and gave one last look at the shadows that distorted everything during the night hours. At the moment, the moon was hidden behind a blackish-gray cloud, which created a spine chilling mood and uneasiness. She could have stared for hours, mesmerized by its ghostlike beauty, but instead she tore herself from the window and walked away. She listened to her own footsteps as she sauntered down the hall. She stopped outside one door and opened it. She flicked on the light switch and closed the door behind her. She locked it quickly out of habit.

She looked up into the mirror and observed her reflection. There were dark patches underneath her eyes. Two deep pools of emerald blinked impassively back at her. Miayumi are you in there? She laughed at herself. "That was stupid. Of course no one else is in there. I control myself. No questions asked." Even to her the words sounded hollow, but at least they gave some comfort. She at last turned to turn on the tap to her bath. Crystal clear water spilled forth and began to fill the tub slowly. Neko began to pull her shirt off and she threw it to the floor carelessly. In a few moments her pants were laid next to the rest of her clothes. She looked back into the mirror, examining the scar that ran down her back. It was a very old scar, it had long since turned a ghostly white. It crept up her back up to her right shoulder blade. It was a neat, straight line. Her only reminder of her life on the streets.

Gradually Neko felt the warmth of steam from her bath water, and little by little her reflection fogged over. She turned off the tap and removed the band that held her hair up. It fell down, rushing down to her waist and gently brushing her skin. She climbed into her bath and relaxed as the hot water soothed her aching muscles. Closing her eyes, she sighed deeply and let all thoughts leave her mind.

Nearly a week had passed without any further youkai activity. Kurama took in his surroundings. Yusuke had told him that he was going to be meeting Keiko and Neko at the park again. Kurama had conveniently neglected to mention that he was watching Neko, and had found himself a spot where he could view the whole park without being noticed. Actually he was perched in a tree, despite the fact that the tree branch was uncomfortable to sit on, it was an excellent hiding spot. Well if someone didn't mind watching the birds to make sure they didn't use him as target practice.

It seemed that Hiei had been the first one to arrive again. Kurama had squirmed every time he glanced in his direction. He knew that the fire apparition would detect his presence, but he didn't have to make it so obvious. He also wondered why Hiei had shown up two hours early. As long as he had known him, Hiei had normally been late. Was he actually looking forward to seeing Neko again, or was he just keeping an eye out for any further signs of danger? What's this? Neko is early too? Sure enough he watched as the teenager approached Hiei.

"Remind me again why we're here." Hiei looked up at her with a smirk. He gave her the once over as normal. She had selected a black ensemble again. He was beginning to really like that color on her. Especially since her outfits always nicely showed off her figure. He had to admit she was alright for a human. "Oh wait, I know the answer, because Yusuke can't go on a date without supervision."

"Perhaps he's afraid that his girlfriend will beat him up if we're not around." Neko chuckled. The youkai noticed that her eyes were bright today. They seemed to be bright whenever she was happy. He made her happy? He watched as she slid to the ground to sit next to him. He was still standing looking down on her. Her hair was shining where the sun touched it. It was hard to believe that this peaceful looking girl had days ago been a ruthless killer. He heard her sigh as she closed her eyes and leaned against the trunk of the tree. A shadow played over her face as clouds passed in front of the rays of the sun. She seemed oblivious to it all. And her stood there just mesmerized by her, the fact that this girl seemed to be hiding from the world in this false facade. He could tell by merely looking in her eyes that she held years of emotional pain...pain that she hid so very well. She hid her true feelings and intentions expertly, she had probably done so for years. It surprised him that he hadn't simply read her mind. This had been the first being that he didn't want to. He wanted to be surprised by her actions, for them to be unexpected. So she could be as unpredictable to him as he was to her. This brought an uncomfortable feeling to the pit of his stomach. He was having human like emotions and he wasn't liking it very much. Maybe it was the fact that he had already felt like he had befriended enough humans. Yusuke, and yes even that baka Kuwabara was enough for him.

Kurama sat watching them, puzzled. The two looked like they had been friends for life, or perhaps lovers. Hiei, is that why you tolerate her? Do you have a crush? The kitsune grinned at that notion. Perhaps you will finally understand what it is like to love a human. Not in the same way that I love my human mother, but love, no matter in what form, makes the strongest of us weak. He stiffened as Hiei glanced again in his direction. He couldn't be sure if he had just heard everything that he had just thought. Maybe he hadn't, if he did, he would be hearing of it later. Sitting there watching the two of them, he wouldn't have thought that the two were a target of some enemy. And who could our mysterious enemy be? Hiei has amounted plenty of adversaries over the years, but as far as I know Tsuki is just human. Why would someone be targeting her?

Several minutes passed until Yusuke and Keiko finally arrived. Kurama noted with amusement that Hiei and Neko seemed agitated that their silence had been disturbed. They really were alike.

"How long have you two been here," Yusuke asked nervously looking between the two. Neko answered with a slight shrug.

"Long enough," Hiei said, announcing what Neko had thought. She glanced at him with a slightly raised eyebrow. The spirit detective laughed uncertainly, not sure if that had been one of Hiei's usual snide remarks or a complaint.

"Then we should get going," Keiko suggested, her brown hair bobbing as she turned to leave. Yet the other three remained stationary, suddenly looking very tense. She turned back to them with concern. "You guys, what's wro-." Abruptly Yusuke held up a hand to cut her off.

"Shh." Yusuke felt an eerie feeling prickling at the back of his neck. Something was about to happen, something he didn't want Keiko to be around for. "Keiko, I think it's time you left," he said quietly. She narrowed her eyes at him, but saw the urgency in his eyes. She slowly looked at all of them. Something was very wrong here.

And that's that. Jeez finally get time to work on the story and people won't leave me alone...took me forever just to write this one chapter. Anywho I'll try and post again soon, but not sure how soon it will be considering the new job and all.

Well till again

Power surge