Disclaimer: Don't own YYH.

Chapter 27: You're So Getting A Spanking

I stare at it. I'm totally dumbstruck, while Lahri looks ready to commit suicide.

I start breathing hard for effect. "How…did a kid like you…end up…with my Commir?"

"I-I didn't mean…"

"Well?"

"Um…um…I found it."

"One more try."

She starts to cry. "I-I-I took it! I TOOK IT OKAY?!" She sobs even harder than when she was on the Whiris.

"Okay." I take a dep calming breath, tryingto resist the urge to strangle her."Why?"

"You aren't going to pound me?"

"Depends, you freak. Why, Lahri?"

She seems to be calming down. "I was a gutter girl. Lived on the streets. I heard you guys talking about some kind of---"

"Who are us?"

"You were with some little black-haired boy. He was kinda skinny and sickly," she adds with a wrinkled nose.."As if he'd just come out of the dryer."

"Yes. Go on."

"Well, I kinda heard you guys talking about some spirit king, who ruled heaven and Earth. I was hoping he could help me. It was stupid to follow you, because part of me was saying, 'Hunger is making you hallucinate, don't follow,' but I was starving. hunger drives you to almost anything. I thought, well, maybe the Spirit King could improve my situation, so I followed you guys. Since it was dark and rainy, you guys didn't see me. And then the little guy said something like 'We'll get there with super speed…just hang on to me' and I saw you grab him. So I grabbed the back of his cape. Then we were just flying. It was amagical moment, soaring like that.He didn't feel me because I was only hanging on with my index finger, or at least, that's what I supposed happened. Then you were walking in a meadow and you met a talking baby. I hung far behind. I learned he was the Spirit King. So then I crept closer, in hopes of trying to talk to him about the fact that I was impoverished. Then I saw him draw a circle in the air and what he said was a Spirit Portal opened. I wanted to go down there with you guys. Maybe I'd have a better life there, you know? So I made for it, but then I tripped, and my hand kinda…jumped..."

"Kinda what?" I look at her. "Lahri, you didn't steal…?"

"Well…I reached into your pocket, to see if you had any food. What I found was a small Mirror. I liked it so much I…I didn't give it back. So then I waited for you guys to pass through, and I jumped in after you. But then, out on the other end, I hit my head, and teleported something."

"Hold up. You can magic stuff away?"

"Yeah. I don't know why or how. I've always been able to. But I think I teleported your friend and the Spirit kingaway from you. I was directly behind you, and I don't think you saw me. I don't know, I blacked out soon afterwards after I saw you blast a shape in the fog before you. When I woke up, I was stunned. I was in putrid green fog, with nowhere to go, all alone. So I set out, but then I got stuck in this goop. Then scary looking monsters teleported me away. Then they asked how I would like to be cooked. I was stunned again, so I wouldn't answer, then a monster toad put me on that thing that flew - I think he said it was a Whiris or something. That's when you saved me. But i heard something.One of Sensu's servants said they needed to find you or something, at least, they said they needed the Kon child. Your last name is Kon, right?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah. They mentioned you and your powers and speed and all this other crap 20 times."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah." She starts breathing really fast. "I'm really, really, really, really, really sorry for taking your Mirror, all right? Now please don't kill me!" She covers her head as if preparing for a bomb.

KATRINA'S POV:

"So now you're a thief, too." I raise my fist.

"AH! Only for stuff I needed."

"You needed my Mirror?" I lower it.

She's sniffling again. "N-no…"

"Okay, I'll talk it over with Koenma and the others when I get you back to headquarters.You owe me for sparing you, you stupid street scum."I see her face glowing despite the insult. "No, Lahri, this doesn't mean you're off the hook, you stupid 9 year old."

"I'M NOT 9 you stupid bitch---"

That's the final straw. I glow all over with blue fire. I allow my eyes to glow, and I raise my fists, fingers laced together, as if to brIng them both down.

She jumps out of the way as I get ready to swing her for miles. Man, for a 9 year old, she's pretty fast. Rage blinding me,Icease to glow and simply follow her. Screeching I'm sorry, she continues to evade my blows with speed that is so precise it's almost animalian. I don't care; allI know is that she's going down.

Finally, a well-aimed kick sends her crumpling. I stand over her menacingly.

"OH MY GOD I"M SO SORRY!"

"HOW sorry?"

'Very soorrrrrry! Very very very sorry!"

"You'd better hope so."

"Of course, you ape."

My mouth falls open. "You got some mouth for somewho's completely vulnerable."

"I know."

She doesn't see what happens next. All she knows is that we are wrestling and she's losing.

Finally, I hear the Commir buzz. I sit on Lahri's chest angrily and take it. It's Kurama.

"Kat! I'm so glad you have your mirror again! Where was it?"

'A dorky girl...stole it...awhile back."

I see Lahri'sface fall. Kurama looks surpirsed. 'The kidnappee?"

"Exactly. This kid is irritating the heck out of me."

"Oh? Would you lie someone to pick you up?"

I start to say yes, but then I catch Lahr's sneering face. "Of course not."

"Okay then, if you're sure."

"Yes. Bye."

I grab her hand and start to lead her away, back to the direction that I think is towards the Spirit Capitol.

For once, I turn out to be right. I meet nothing threatening along the way, so it's basically a victory march back home, not that I'm complaining or anything.

Aftergoingthrough the door (this was where I left off)and I burst into Koenma's office. He's just sitting there nonchalantly, but his look changes to one of great surprise and pleasure.

"KATRINA! YOU'RE ALIVE, DEAR GIRL!"

"No thanks to any of you goons. I brought her."

"Splendid. I'll call in the others." He talks into a loudspeaker. "OHHHHH GUYS!"

Everyone bursts in so quickly that I suspect they were outside the door the whole time anyway. Kurama actually hugs me. "You came back with her!"

"That's really amazing."

"You're really something, you know that, Kat?"

I'm really surprised by all of this. "What, you all doubted me?"

Kurama sweatdrops. "Well, depends on your point of view…"

"It was a rather hard training mission." Genkai has just entered. "I should have set you off with something easier."

I stare at her. "Train…" Then the realization hits me. "YOU SET ME UP, YOU BITCH! HOW COULD YOU?????????"

"Kat please…"

"HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!"

"It's not what you think…"

"YES! YES IT IS WHAT I THINK! YOU PLANTED HER THERE JUST TO TRAIN ME! WHAT ARE YOU, IN CAHOOTS WITH SENSU?"

"Wait a sec…What?"

"YOU KNOW DARN WELL WHAT! I SUPPOSE YOU HAD HER HERE TAKE MY COMMIR ON PURPOSE, RIGHT?"

"ORDER IN THE DAMN COURT!" And for once, the person shouting is not I. It's instead a brown haired teenage boy sitting where Koenma was. And he's holding a gavel.

Somehow, the sight of him calms me. "Okay, can someone please explain to me what's going on?"

Koenma, teen Koenma that is, starts. "First of all, I would like to display my displeasure that no one takes me seriously while in baby form. And secondly, I have no idea why she had your Commir, and that's the truth. But you might have wondered why we sent out a newbie like you to get her back, rather than someone we know functions well already." He glances at Kurama and Hiei.

"Go on."

"Well, we figured this was the best way to test you. Genkai thought you were ready for a stealthy thing like this. So we tried you out. And, I must say, you did phenomenal for just a few weeks worth of training. Now that I've told you my bit, perhaps you and…" He gestures at the girl.

"It's Lahri."

"Okay, you and Lahri can tell us some more."

Basically, the same stuff that is said here was already said in the fog to each other. I am very glad that Lahri has finished.

"Okay, Katrina, you can go to bed now. I'd like talk to Lahri a little more. Learn about this telepathy thing she has." No one moves. "Well get going, now! Chop chop!"

Everyone reluctantly leaves, except for me. I am totally out the door.

When I reach my room, Keiko hugs me. "GIRL, YOU HAVE GOTTA TELL ME HOW YOU DID IT!" She shrieks excitedly. I mutter, "I'm tired," and plummet into my soft bed. I fall asleep instantly.

I wake up. Sunlight is streaming through the window. Keiko is gone, probably to breakfast. Mie is still asleep. Or she appears asleep. I wonder if she's still mad at me. Probably. Must be the evil witch called Jealousy.

As I watch, the power of my gaze draws her eyes. She must have only pretended to be asleep.

She frowns at me. When I won't stop staring, she asks, "Well, what? WHAT?"

"Nothing, God."

"Stop watching me."

"It's not hurting anybody."

"Except me. But you wouldn't care, would you?"

This was really going too far. "Okay, look, I'm getting really tired of this. Why do you hate me all of a sudden? What did I do to you? Just tell me already!"

She glares at me, and then opens her mouth. I brace myself for a vicious insult. What comes is not what I expected at all.

"You made up with Keiko."

"And why is that so damn bad?"

"I don't like Keiko. I never liked Keiko. She's a nerd."

"Oh, I see. So what you want me to do is what I have to do."

"NO, NO! That's not what I meant."

I cut her off with a wave of my hand. "Then what did you mean?"

"I…I…I meant that I don't like Keiko.'

"Why?"

"I told you, she's a know-it-all."

"So what?"

She stares at me with a face full of anger and hurt. "So what?" She repeats disbelievingly.

She's picked the wrong person to cross. "You know what, Mie? I think you're jealous of her."

"WHAT?"

"You want to be smart like her."

"No…I don't."

"What, then?"

"I want her to get away from you."

Oh my god. I am so disgusted it's beyond words. She's the biggest baby I've ever met. She thinks the world revolves around her. I walk out from the room, ignoring her yelling my name.

I run into Keiko. She's been pacing the hall outside. She must have heard everything. "I just can't believe it. She hates me because I'm your friend."

"You know, Keiko, I'm starting to wonder about her straightness."

"Straight---Oh no, Kat, she's NOT a Lesbian."

"How do you know? Isn't it strange, though, Keiko, how she hates you just because you're my friend? And how she like, loves me?"

"It's bizarre," Keiko agrees. "But…oh well, I guess it's possible, but I don't wanna believe it."

"Neither do I, but it does make sense."

A disgusted look appears on Keiko's face. "Ugh. I'm going outside."

"Okay, seeya later."

I watch her depart. Then I do the thing I hate doing…asking people the truth.

I go back into the room, and watch Mie carefully while sitting on my bed. She watches back. I'm surprised she isn't mad again.

"Okay, Mie, much as I don't want to, I gotta ask you this."

"What?"

I screw up my face. "Are you…" This is so wrong. "Are you…" GOTTA SAY IT! "Are you…a Lesbian?"

I brace myself for some screaming, but it doesn't come. I open my eyes hesitantly. I see Mie watching me. "I dunno."

MIE'S POV:

I think I'll tease her a little bit

KATRINA'S POV:

I move farther away from her.

"Don't be scared. Please."

"You're a Lesbian." I confess. I have homophobia.

"I might be. I don't know. I don't know if I like you like that, Kat."

"Not you. Not you, Mie. Noooo."

"Why's it so horrible?" (She is having the time of her life right now)

"I have homophobia."

She gulps. "Well, to reassure you, I think I like you just as a friend, okay? I won't bite you." (Silently laughing.)

I draw a shaky breath. "Okay, thanks Mie, f-for telling me how you feel. Are we friends?"

"Lovers." She giggles at the joke, again having a wonderful time. At this time, I am not realizing that she really is kidding.

I don't get it. I start screaming. I only stop when she starts to speak. "IT WAS A JOKE, KAT! A JOKE! ALL A JOKE! OF COURSE I'M NOT A LESBIAN!"

I pant as though I've run a marathon. "Mie, I'm not kidding you, my homophobia is really really horrible. You're gonna give me a heart attack. You can't joke like that…"

"I'm sorry. Yes, of course we're friends. You wanna go out in the gardens with me? That might calm you down."

"Okay. Just don't touch me."

She laughs and we go out to the gardens.

I talk to Keiko later. "I tell you, Keiko, she practically told me she was Lesbian! And I have homophobia," I start to cry into my hands.

"Kat, you're taking this way too seriously."

"Am I? One of my best friends is Lesbian!" I cry harder.

"She didn't say she was Lesbian."

"Sh-sh-she didn't?"

Keiko rolls her brown eyes. "NO, silly, she said she was joking!"

"Didn't sound like that to me."

"Look, I was listening to that conversation, and I'm not biased by homophobia. That's what she said, all right. Spoken by a true non-homophobic individual."

"Okay, thanks, Keiko. That made me feel much better."

"Almost anything would. And by the way, that little girl, Lahri was it, Koenma told me she was telling the truth about her whole story. Pretty incredible, huh?"

"Yeah, she sounds like she's a little genius. You know to take my Commir. Did Koenma find out if she's a demon or not?"

Keiko frowns. "He says there might have been some psychic demon in her family somewhere, but her powers are really pretty insignificant. For example, she can't control them one bit. They just pop out of her randomly, and there's nothing she can do."

"Well, why doesn't Genkai just teach her how to control 'em?"

"I dunno. She said she might get around to it after she's through with you." She claps her hands to her face. "OH NO! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE GYM FOR RETRAINING IN 10, NO, 5 MINUTES! HURRY!"

"No, Keiko, thank you for forgetting. And lost moment with Genkai is a happy one."

Reluctantly, I drag myself downstairs.

A/N Hahaha! Evil cliffy! No more unless you review!