After gym, Karama made her way down to Science. There he found Niku, Keiko, and Kuwabara. Niku sat in the back row on the right side against the wall, while Kuwabara sat next to Keiko in front of her. Karama sat down on the left side of the back row, one seat over from Niku.

"You were really into gym class today, Shuichi."

It took Karama a moment to realize he was being addressed. He looked up. It was Niku. "Uh...thanks," he replied, not sure how to respond.

"Yeah, we made a pretty awesome team," said Kuwabara turning around.

"Oh, what'd you guys play?" asked Keiko, also turning in her seat.

"Jail bombardment. I just wish Hiei didn't cheat so much," he added offhand, rubbing the back of his leg.

"He doesn't cheat," Niku said sarcastically. "He just...bends the rules."

"Is there a difference?" asked Karama, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, a very small one," she said looking up and smiling. "I suppose you could argue either way but..." she trailed off shrugging.

"How did he cheat?" Keiko asked, obviously wanting to add her own opinion to the conversation.

She and Kuwabara began their own little conversation that both Niku and Karama soon lost interest in. Class was about to start when Ryan Murray came into the classroom. He sat down between Kurama and Niku and eyed them both strangely. "What, do you really want your seat back?" asked Niku, quickly becoming agitated.

"O-kayyy," said Ryan almost suspiciously. Niku slid her binder over to the middle seat and stood up, switching places with Ryan. This had her sitting next to Kurama. Ms.Madhag began talking about what they were going to do that day, and started boring them with a lecture on how the end of the year didn't mean the end of the work.

Niku rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair so that the back touched the wall. Kuwabara began daydreaming, Ryan started touching up the dragon symbol on his folder, and Karama started doodling in one of her notebooks. Only Keiko paid any attention to the teacher, and she sat eagerly awaiting the day's lesson.

Once Ms.Madhag had finished talking, she started passing out textbooks and told them to outline pages 46-54. She then came around and gave them a worksheet covering the information in the passage. "Great," muttered Niku, "more work."

It didn't take them long because most of the pages had only a half a page of writing on them, or had a lot of pictures, and the worksheet wasn't that hard. Kuwabara did have some difficulty and kept asking Keiko for help. She would refuse and answer "the only way that you'll learn is by doing it yourself."

Eventually Niku moved up and helped him claiming that she was just tired of hearing him complain. They had the rest of the period to hang out, which is just what they did. Keiko kept reading in the book, Kuwabara started folding a paper airplane, Niku started talking to Ryan for a minute, and Karama continued finishing the sketch in her notebook.

After a minute Niku looked over. "That's really good, where'd you learn to draw like that?" she asked, impressed.

Karama looked up. "I suppose it just comes naturally to me," she responded, still trying to play the part of Kurama.

The rest of the period went by with relatively few events, save for when Sarah Jabber came over and began pestering Miche...err, Niku. This put her in a relatively bad mood compared to how she had been at the beginning of class (it was apparent that this Michelle-um, I mean Niku, had anger problems just like the old one did).

At the very end of class Ms.Madhag (or as Sarah kept saying Mad-hag) handed out another worksheet that she said was for homework. Then, it was time for period B. After checking his schedule, Karama made his way down the hall to Social Studies with Mr. Kreeper.

Normally, Kara had social studies A period, but today wasn't a normal day Karama reminded herself. Once in the classroom, Karama scanned the students to see who else was in that class. Niku sat in the front row, farthest from the door, which was on the right side of where Mr.Kreeper sat. Sitting behind her was Yusuke, Keiko, and Botan.

Karama wasn't sure where to sit, and made her way over towards the others. Choosing the seat one over from Niku, he sat and waited quietly for class to begin. Looking over she saw Niku talking to Yusuke in hushed whispers, so quiet that not even Keiko, sitting next to him could hear. However, in Kurama's body, Kara had very good hearing. It didn't take long for her to realize they were talking about gym class.

"So you didn't see anything out of the ordinary either?" Niku asked Yusuke.

"No, except for Hiei, he went nuts," Yusuke replied.

"That means they're staying low, they may know we're onto them," Niku said, obviously referring to whoever they were after.

"What are you two whispering about?" asked Keiko. She looked both annoyed and suspicious at the same time.

"Don't worry," said Niku, "I'm not trying to steal your boyfriend."

Keiko just blushed and turned away and Yusuke muttered something about Niku being crazy. Botan kind of laughed and then did her little cat meow...thing. Karama looked on and smiled and then Niku looked at him. "You didn't see anything weird in P.E., did you?"

Karama thought for a minute, and then shook her head. "Aside from us, nothing seemed unusual." she added with a slight smile. "Perhaps the culprit is attempting to keep a low profile so as not to draw attention to itself," he suggested, knowing that Niku thought the same thing.

"You didn't smell anything weird, did you?" Niku pressed. "We've got to get this guy soon."

"The only thing I smelled was Hiei. He smells just like a human," Karama blurted out, not thinking that maybe Kurama was supposed to know why.

"That's not weird," said Niku. "Remember that pendant thing he had on?" Karama nodded. "That makes him smell like a human. He hates it, but we couldn't be tracking a demon if that demon knew there was another one around could we?"

"I suppose that would create a few complications. I suppose that's why he said I couldn't have smelled him during gym," said Karama, relieved that she had not aroused suspicions.

"Exactly," Niku said, "but aren't you supposed to know this already?" Karama's stomach dropped. "Wow, Koenma really needs to start filling everyone in on the plan," Niku continued, a relief to Karama.

"Yes, I assume he has his reasons though, or he simply thought it wasn't important enough to bring up."

"I know his reason," Niku added absentmindedly, leaning back in her chair. "He's lazy." Karama smiled, she guessed that was true enough.

Just then Mr. Kreeper started class. He announced that they would be doing their last part to the final exam. The ten questions were relatively easy, except for Yusuke who had a little trouble. He then gave them the rest of the class for free time.

"Do you play chess?" Niku asked. It took Karama a moment to realize that she was asking him.

"Oh, yes I can play," she replied unsure of what to do. Did Kurama play chess?

"How about a game?" Niku asked him.

"Alright," Karama answered, warming up a little. It couldn't hurt, right? Niku went to get the pieces and Karama went for the board. After setting up the board (Niku chose to be black) Niku pulled up a chair (she sat in it backwards) and they started playing. Keiko and Botan started their own game a few feet away and Yusuke came and sat between the two games.

"I don't get how you guys can have fun doing this," he said disinterested.

"Well," Niku said, moving one of her knights onto the board, "it's a game of skill and intellect. Not everyone has the mental capacity to grasp the concept behind the moves."

Yusuke looked at her funny for a minute with one eyebrow raised. "What?"

Niku sighed. "Think of it like a battle. There's strategy and the goal is to beat the other person by wiping out their defenses and avoiding their offense. In the end you're supposed to destroy the leader, which is kind of like the source of the power. Beat that and you win the fight." She explained in what she thought was lay man's terms. "Check."

Karama moved her king one to the right. "O-Kay..." said Yusuke, more confused than he had been before. Just then Tom came over.

"Hi Niku," he said.

"Hey," she said looking up, then taking Karama's last bishop. He sat down opposite Yusuke.

"Can I have the next game?" he asked.

"Sure," Niku said, not looking up this time while she moved one of her rooks to safety.

"Check," said Karama moving a knight in towards the kill. The knight was then taken by Niku's rook. This was then endangered by Kurama's queen which was taken by one of Niku's knights.

"Your name's Shu-shu-Shuichi, right," said Tom, trying to make conversation.

"Yes it is," Karama answered somewhat coldly as she maneuvered her remaining rook over to the far left side of the board.

"Right," he said, having noticed the sharp tone that Kurama had used. "I'll play the winner," he said seeing that Niku was in the lead.

"Uh-huh," said Niku, still keeping her attention on the game. "I'll play you in a minute."

"You haven't won yet," said Kurama.

"Haven't I?" Niku said in a cocky manner. "Check and mate." She moved her queen into position beside her remaining rook, leaving no options for Kurama. "Good game though, you're pretty good," she said warmly, gesturing to all the black pieces that Kurama had imprisoned on his side. "Your turn to lose," she said looking up at Tom.

Their game lasted a little more than ten minutes before Niku won again (with Botan just now losing to Keiko). Soon it was time for lunch and everyone went to their lockers to put their stuff away. Heading down to lunch, Karama was joined by Hiei. He didn't say anything, but it was apparent that he was having a bad day. A small scowl turned the corner of his mouth and he kept his hands buried deep inside his pockets.

"Is something the matter Hiei," said Karama almost mockingly. She couldn't help notice that many of the students were doing their best to keep their distance from the two of them. Karama looked down at him smiling.

He only glanced up with a look of pure hatred in his eyes and shoved his hands deeper into his pockets. Then Niku came walking up behind them. When they got in the line before entering the cafeteria, they were standing behind Yusuke and the others. Turning her back to them she faced Hiei and Kurama and began talking about the school day and other things of little relevance or importance. Then, Karama noticed her hand slip inside her pocket and she extracted a piece of folded paper. She took it off and slipped it into Karama's hand. She made sure that Hiei had seen her give it to him (talking all the while so as not to seem suspicious) then walked towards the back of the line to talk with some other people.

Karama opened the note. It read simply:

You two meet me in my room after

School. I found something else out

I think you should hear.

Niku

P.S. Hiei, burn this.

At first Karama thought the P.S. thing was a joke, that is until Hiei took the paper from him and lit it on fire with his spirit energy. It burned instantly without anyone noticing, and he sprinkled the ashes in the carpet. Then, Kuwabara turned around.

"Hey, do you guys smell smoke?" he asked.

"Smoke?" Karama asked in a very innocent voice. "I don't smell anything, do you Hiei?"

"No, I don't smell anything. Then again perhaps his minute brain was fried in an attempt to recall what he had for breakfast," Hiei said in a monotonous voice.

It took Kuwabara a minute to take in what he had said, but once he had, he became angry. "Listen, shorty-anytime!" he said loudly, clenching his fist.

"Yes, anytime you feel like eating dirt," he replied undaunted. Lucky for them (or rather, lucky for Kuwabara), the rest of the students began filtering into the cafeteria.

"I wish you and Hiei didn't argue all of the time," Karama heard Yukina say as he walked past.

"Yeah, well, Hiei's just a little punk. He thinks he's so great, but I know I could take him," Kuwabara said puffing up his chest.

"Please stop fighting with him Kazuma. You and Hiei are both good people, I just hope you can get along," she said, sounding sad and pleading.

Kuwabara looked like he had been slapped in the face but quickly recovered. "Okay baby, I'll stop," he said taking her hands in his. "Anything for you."

"Oh, thank you Kazuma," she said looking up at him and smiling (with that little-eyes closed smile).

"It's sickening really," said Niku coming up behind Karama. "He really doesn't understand how one-sided that relationship is. Honestly, he has the mental capacity of a cockroach."

"I do agree that Yukina may not love Kuwabara, but it is obvious that she has some feelings for him," Karama said, then looked down at Hiei. "You never know, the two of you may be brother-in-laws one day."

Hiei looked at him maliciously, but Niku replied with a shudder. "Don't even joke about stuff like that. It's disturbing."

While Yusuke, Kuwabara, and the others got their lunch, Karama, Hiei, and Niku sat down at their table. They took this opportunity to speak in hushed voices of their plans to get to the makai, though Karama had little to add to this conversation. "You burnt it, right Hiei?" Niku asked.

He nodded once in affirmation. "Good, meet me at the door leading downstairs as soon as we get home. I'll be waiting, so hurry up, okay?"

"You can rest assured that we will be prompt," Karama said, but inside he was really wondering where her room was. Was she going to have to go over to Niku's house? Where was that anyway, was it the same place Michelle's house was? These and other questions flooded Karama's head till she gave up and decided to let the day take her where it may.

Then the others came back to the table with their trays. Niku and Hiei got up to get their lunches, but Karama stayed back. "Aren't you coming?" Niku asked.

Karama looked up. "I thought I'd wait till the lines were a little smaller and then go," she said truthfully.

"Suit yourself," she said and caught up with Hiei. Karama watched them as they waited in line. They weren't talking to each other; it seemed that they were both too annoyed by their situation. There were a few jockey kids in front of them, and one of them made the mistake of being shoved into Niku. Already annoyed, she shoved him back, hard. He went flying into his little group of friends.

After recovering from the initial shock, he wheeled about. Karama realized that her hearing had very much improved because even from this distance she could hear the conversation. "What was that for!" the kid demanded, looking angry.

"I live by a very simple philosophy," Niku replied. "An eye for two eyes, a tooth for two teeth, a shove for a slightly more forceful shove."

The kid looked at her angrily while she simply stood there, looking back, a very blank, disinterested expression on her face. After a few long moments, the kid looked away and muttered something like, "it's not worth it."

Karama saw Hiei smile almost approvingly before the line moved behind the wall. The two of them emerged about twenty seconds later, then came and sat down again. Being the second to last day of school, the lunchroom was very noisy. Hiei appeared to be getting a headache, and Niku was acting even more irritable than usual. Even Kuwabara knew not to talk to either of them. It was the final straw for Niku after the table-wiper thing was thrown back to them.

"Are you going to eat that?" she asked Yusuke pointing to an apple on his otherwise empty tray.

"No, go ahead," he said sounding confused. Her voice was very mellow and calm.

"Thank you," she said taking the apple. She then wrapped the cloth around the apple and casually threw it over her shoulder. Though it didn't look like it took much effort, the impact would have made you do a double take. The apple hit the unfortunate victim square on the back of ht ahead, causing his face to fly forward into his tray. The apple disappeared in a wisp of smoke, leaving only the dirty cloth on the back of the kids head.

Wiping his face on his hand he wheeled about. "What the..." was all he could think to say as he rubbed the back of his head. For all he knew it had been just the cloth that had hit him so hard. He looked about on the cafeteria floor for some kind of rock, or anything hard enough to hit him like that. Seeing nothing he cast a look of deepest loathing towards Niku, and turned back in his seat. The whole time the others had been stifling laughs, but they let loose now. Keiko, Botan and Yukina however, failed to find the humor in that.

"Where do you guys get off?" Keiko asked angrily.

"Yes, that boy could have been badly injured by your little joke," Botan said crossly.

Niku looked up. "Who said anything about a joke? I'm not interested in games." Her voice was stern, level, and cold as she glared angrily at Botan. This shut her up quickly and Keiko realized that she was serious, and with one final reprimanding look got up to clear her tray.

It was then that the cloth came soaring back to them and landed on top of Hiei's head. It was his turn to vent some anger. Standing quietly he took the cloth and turned around. Grabbing it by the corners, he rammed it swiftly over the boy's head so that it resembled a necklace. A dirty, ugly, frayed, food-covered necklace. Needless to say, the cloth was not thrown back to them.

Walking back from lunch Kuwabara said "I can't believe you two didn't get in trouble!"

"Yeah," said Yusuke. "I thought for sure at least one of you was going to be in the principal's office."

Hiei, still agitated, merely glared at them with an angered expression, but Niku felt a little less stressed out. "Yes, well, you have to be discreet about it. No witnesses," she added with a devilish grin towards Kuwabara. For a moment he was afraid, and then realizing it was a joke he relaxed a bit.

Yusuke slapped Hiei on the back. "Come on, lighten up, Hiei. Schools almost out."

Before Hiei could reply in what would undoubtedly be a less than friendly, impolite statement Niku intervened. "That reminds me," she said, lowering her voice. "School is almost out and we don't have a single new lead. That's bad news for us, and for the case."

Yusuke frowned. "Why do you always have to be so serious all the time?"

"Because someone has to do your job, Detective. We are on a case, remember?"

"Yeah, well, we'll get the guy, don't worry." He sounded a little less than confident. Niku just rolled her eyes and was silent for the rest of the way.