Emotionally, it seems just like yesterday I posted chapter 14…but logically I know I've taken forever! WAH! I'm really sorry! It seems most of my time has been diverted to creating pages for my manga than writing fan fictions…I hope you can all forgive my laziness!

And thanks for everyone's feedback!

all review replies have to be deleted for now...sorry!

Whoa, that was a lot of replies. . whatever! I'm glad people like this story a lot! And in this chapter, Ralph comes back! WHOHOHOHOO!

Disclaimers…warnings…chapter one!

'Mika talking'
/Hiei talking/
#Kurama talking#
:Karasu talking:
((Kuronue talking))

Due to their loud shouting and bickering, Hiei and Ayumi were noticed by the security on the school grounds. They ran like hell back to Mika's house, which would probably be the safest spot to hide out. Both her parents were in business and accounting and worked long hours everyday.

"Y-you're a retard, did you know that?" Ayumi gasped for breath, leaning against Mika's front door.

"And you're not?" Hiei wasn't effected by the run, as it seemed. He still was angry that Mika's body was so slow. "Open the door."

'Um, dude, in your pocket there's a key.'

/…/

'Moron…'

Hiei reached into the pocket and pulled out a key for the door. He handed it to Ayumi.

Ayumi raised an eyebrow. "You can open it yourself, punk."

"…last time I tried with Kurama's door, I snapped the key."

#Thus, he used windows from that moment on.#

/Shut up, fox./

Rolling her eyes, Ayumi unlocked the door and walked into the living room. Hiei followed her inside.

Something was different. Hiei could tell. It was no longer a tense environment, filled with arguments and screaming matches. He couldn't put his finger on why.

Maybe…because it was so silent.

Hiei moved around cautiously. Sure, Mika's parents were both working and the house was supposed to be empty. But he noticed the little things that made him alert. The dog that would give him and his other demonic friends odd stares when they walked by did not come to greet them or even bark. The silence was uncomfortable, like a kind of silence right before something bad happened…

"What's wrong?" Ayumi looked over at him. "Demon senses tingling?"

"Shut up," He said curtly, looking around.

"Seriously, what's up—?"

"I said, shut up."

She stopped talking, but scowled at him anyway.

Suddenly, he growled and sped down the hallway that led to Mika's bedroom. Ayumi stared blankly.

"What's up with Lassie?" She commented to no one in particular, running after him.

Hiei reached Mika's door and kicked the door down.

'HELL, MIDGET! THERE'S A REASON THE DOORKNOB IS THERE!'

Not answering, Hiei stared into the room. Mika's dad was sitting on the floor. Holding the Demon Bible.

:THE HELL:

'Aw shit…now he's gonna think I'm in some Satanic cult…'

Hiei looked a little disturbed. How had Mika's father known? And why wasn't he gone like Mika's mother?

"Don't just stand there, whoever you might be."

He jumped slightly, but the demon apparition recovered. He stared down at Mr. Murasaki. "…What?"

The older man looked up, blankly. "I know that you're not my daughter."

"…how?"

"Well, number one, Mika would never hurt anyone. Especially not a human. And she would never strike back at her own father."

Hiei snorted.

"I should have believed her, but now I do," Mr. Murasaki continued.

"How do you know about this? And why do you even care?"

"Heh…that answer goes back a long time," He said, smiling wearily. "Back when I was in college, you'd think that I was as stuffy as I am now. Well…no. When I was in my late teens, I got wrapped up in something very interesting. A paranormal club, as you might call it."

Mika's jaw dropped. 'The hell? My dad was a freak?'

#Ssh and listen.#

"So you were interested in the abnormal. So what?" Hiei leaned against the wall, glaring. "That still doesn't explain why you know about us. Or the Three Worlds. Speak up, or else."

"I suspect you're the one who did this to my hand." Mr. Murasaki frowned slightly, raising his bandaged hand.

"Hn."

Mr. Murasaki sighed and leaned against Mika's bed. "You're right though. I owe all of you some answers. When I was interested in the paranormal end of things, I tried to expand my own psychic abilities. I didn't get very far. Eventually I gave up, moved on with my life, got a degree in business and got married. Then Mika came along. Looking back, I saw that it was all foolishness and that it didn't exist. Looks like I was wrong.

"And as for the three worlds," He continued, "I had once read about demons in a very old book. The one you picked up this morning. I learned that the world is divided into three different dimensions, each balancing out each other. When I had heard you say 'demons', I tried not to think of it. But I eventually went back, yesterday actually, and looked through it."

Mika was on the verge of tears and took over her body again. "…Dad…how did you know I was telling the truth?"

"…I don't want to cause trouble for any of your…guests, but one of them you mention earlier is in that book." Mr. Murasaki sounded a little irritated at the word.

"…which one?"

"I believe you said his name…as Karasu."

( A Few Blocks Away )

Ralph had played sick that day. He hated school and when he stayed home, he had the whole house to himself. He played video games, ate some ice cream and watched TV. Yep, the traditional kid.

He was still wondering (and worrying) about Mika. She had been acting really strangely. More so than usual, anyway. And Ayumi was in it too. What were they hiding from him? They had always told him what was wrong with their lives. That guy with the gun/mystery weapon did not help his curiosity.

What were they involved with, anyway? The government? Some cult? The keyword of 'Mafia' struck him. Whatever they were against, they seemed to want Mika dead. Ralph didn't like it when his friends were hurt. Or dead, for a matter of fact.

The doorbell rang. Ralph looked up from his video game and from his thoughts. He wasn't allowed to answer the phone or the door when he was home alone. But since when did he ever follow the rules?

Shuffling downstairs in his Digimon PJs, Ralph headed to the main hallway of his house where the front door was. The doorbell rang again.

"I'm coming, I'm coming…sessh!" He muttered, unlocking the door and opening it.

It was a young woman with blue hair and a young man with brown hair and white headband on his forehead.

"Hello, little boy! Where can we find Mika Murasaki?" The girl asked chipperly in a British accent.

Ralph stared at them blankly for a few seconds. Then he screamed and shut the door with a loud slam, locking it securely.

He could hear through the door the muffled voice of the man. "Gee, that went well."

"Do you think she's even in there?" The girl asked.

"She doesn't have any siblings, so we must have the wrong house. Curse that Ogre!"

Ralph calmed himself. He had to call Mika and warn her. But the phone was in the kitchen. He didn't want to leave the two people just standing on his porch. They could probably blow the door up…that would be cool, but his mom would be pissed off when she got back…

"Hey kid!" The teenage boy outside shouted through the door. "We're not the bad guys!"

"Prove it!"

The girl cut off the boy. "We can't. But do you know Mika Murasaki?"

"…and what if I did?"

"We need to talk to her! She's stolen something!"

Ralph almost smirked. Finally, Mika's gone over to the dark side. But he remained firm. "You just wanna shoot her! Just like that freak at the factory!"

The girl scoffed. "I'm not going to shoot anyone, for goodness sake! What makes you say that?"

"Some guy is stalking her. The last time I was with her and Ayumi…well, actually Ayumi, the guy heard Mika's name and pulled out a gun. You're not going near my friends!"

The older boy was silent. "…So, it's really true, isn't it?"

The girl sighed. "It would appear so…now what?"

"Kid, we really need to speak with Ms. Murasaki. We're not here to hurt her. Only to make a deal."

"…what kind of deal?"

"If she does one thing we ask, we won't charge her for robbery."

That sounded pretty fishy, but the guy did sound sincere. Maybe if he called Mika, then she could explain what the hell was going on.

"Wait right there. I'm gonna call her."

The girl laughed, relieved. "Ok!"

He ran into the kitchen and dialed a familiar number.

( Back to Mika's )

"…did you just say KARASU?"

# Ah yes…I forgot to explain that…# Kurama looked at the cowering crow demon with glaring eyes.

'KA-RA-SU, WHAT DID YOU DO?'

:Listen, before you kill me, you should listen—:

Mr. Murasaki smirked slightly. "Having inner troubles, Mika?"

"You could say that…" Mika clenched her fists, anger flashing in her eyes. "Tell me now…what did dear ol' Karasu do? I want to have a good reason why we all kill him."

:Don't you want my opinion first:

/#('NO')#/

"In the book, it has all the writings of the Karyuudo tribe, a group of bounty hunters."

Mika gasped. "Karyuudo? That's Aki's tribe!"

Her father looked up, surprised. "Who's Aki?"

"…you don't wanna know."

"But I do." Mr. Murasaki sighed softly. "I haven't been a very good father, have I? I want to be more involved with your life. Knowing your friends, for example."

Aki? A friend? Mika almost laughed. But her father's sincere words made her smile instead. "I'll tell you about him later. Tell me about the Karyuudo clan first."

"Alright…centuries ago, they were one of the top demon hunting tribes around. They were until one demon named Karasu. He wiped out nearly all of the clan."

Awkward silence.

Mika stared at her father. "…describe this Karasu."

"A crow demon, I think. Or maybe it was just a bird…" Her father trailed off thoughtfully. "They never really explained in the book. Anyway, I thought you might want some background on your friend."

"Dad…can you see spirits?"

"No, otherwise I would have seen your little friends, right?"

"Excuse my random violence then."

She closed her eyes and the room grew still as she summoned one of her mind minions to the physical plane.

Karasu blinked as he looked around. "Why am I in your bedroom?"

"SO I CAN KILL YOU WITH MY OWN HANDS, YOU JACK ASS!" Mika shrieked, jumping onto him, pounding her fists onto his head. "YOU'RE THE REASON AKI IS AFTER US, MORON!"

"OW! GET OFF ME, WENCH!" Karasu shouted, trying to pry her off him. "I HAD NO IDEA HE WAS ONE OF THEM!"

"SHUT UP, YOU BAKA! YOUR MOTHER SHOULD HAVE NAMED YOU GAYLORD!"

Mr. Murasaki stared in shock as his daughter (half-floating in midair) was shouting insults at presumably nothing.

"Is there really someone there?" He asked, his old habits of 'down-to-earth' business creeping in.

"Oh, yeah…he's tall, has long black hair and is GAY. YEAH, YOU HEARD ME, FAG, YOU'RE GAY!"

"Language…" Mr. Murasaki said in a scolding tone.

Mika frowned, blushing. "Sorry…"

Karasu, prepared to block any blows headed his way, glared at her. "Ok, you've gotten some recognition and all that nice family crap, now focus on the more important thing at hand."

'Like what?' Mika refrained from speaking out loud.

"Killing Aki!"

She sent him a cold glare. 'You tried and failed…didn't you?'

"I had no idea I left one of those God damn bounty hunters still alive!"

'Well there is, doofas, and he's after my head because of you!'

"Oh, cry me a river, wench!"

Mika looked over at her confused father. "Dad, you believe me, right? About having demons in my head?"

"Yes…why?"

"I need you to cover for me."

Mr. Murasaki looked at her, surprised. "Cover for you?"

"Yeah, I need to go away for a while…to make sure the last Karyuudo doesn't kill me first," Mika said grimly.

Her father did a double take. "Wait—someone wants you dead?"

"Uh huh." Mika lifted up her shirt sleeve, where the newly wrapped bandage was. The wound Aki's bullet had caused healed very fast, probably due to her demonic powers. It was only a small cut now. "Me and Ayumi ran into a Karyuudo two days ago, and he was after Karasu. He had little to say himself other than revenge and his gun did most of the talking."

"Mika, why didn't you show us before? Physical wounds are very serious!" Her father got up, worry in his eyes. "He actually shot you?"

"Yeah, but demonic people heal faster."

"What?"

Kurama lightly tapped Mika's mind. #Ah, its better you leave out what you are temporarily. The man finally believes you. I wouldn't tempt his attitude towards demons just yet.#

'Er…you're right…' Mika bit her lip. "I mean, they guys' auras made me heal faster. One of the perks, I guess."

"I see."

((Someone believed you again!))

'You were quiet for a while.'

((Yeah…scary, ain't it?))

'…right…'

/Hn./

Mr. Murasaki put his hand on Mika's shoulder. "Honey, this has to be very scary for you. I'm just so sorry that I never believed you. Not even when I heard you talking to them."

"Not that you heard him…" Mika muttered.

"But still. A father shouldn't leave his child to fend for their self in a serious situation."

Mika smirked. "I don't think the book on how to be a dad ever told you what to do if your child is possessed by a bunch on demons."

"Not quite. But I'm sure I can help a little." Her father smiled slightly. "I've done my research on this Karyuudo family. In the past they used fire to kill. Now, in the modern age, I suppose they use weapons such as fire arms."

"And Holy Water. I really don't think having five souls being ripped from my body will be pleasant. It wasn't even very nice when they came in."

The older man looked at her curiously. "That reminds me…just how did these demons possess you?"

/…I am through explaining things to humans./

((Don't look at me))

'I wasn't.'

((…))

#Mika, I think you should. It is your story too.#

:She's going to make me seem like the evil person.:

'Good idea, Gaylord.'

:KNOCK IT OFF:

"Dad…ok, I'll tell you. It all begins with a very stupid little crow demon…" Mika began, smirking. The smirk vanished and was replaced by a look of pain. "OW! DAMMIT, KARASU, STOP IT!"

While his daughter fended off an invisible demon, Mr. Murasaki heard the phone ring. "Mika, wait, I need to go get the phone."

"Ooh, you dirty little!" She kicked at the demon, obviously, and then sped past her father down the hall. "I'll get it!"

She ran into the living room and picked up their cordless phone. "Hello?"

Karasu, in mid pursuit of his 'hostess', stopped at the hallway entrance. Mika was very still.

"I…I'll be right down, Ralph. Don't open the doors unless I tell you to. Yes…um, the password will be cheesecake. Right. See you soon."

Karasu raised an eyebrow. "What now?"

"…Ralph. At his house, I think Koenma is there!" Mika shouted, looking worried. "Oh man, that stupid talking baby is gonna kill me, isn't he!"

"Well…probably not him. Too cowardly."

"Mika?"

They both looked up and saw Ayumi standing there. She was frowning. "That freakish lord of the dead is at Ralph's? Why would he go there?"

"I dunno…but we gotta go down there."

Karasu looked over at the dark haired girl. "Hey, just where were you the whole time?"

"I was looking for Sachi." Ayumi looked away, as if embarrassed. "He's ok. Just sleeping like the old mutt he is."

"'Kay. Let's go." Mika looked over at her confused father who was lingering right behind Karasu. "Dad, duty calls. I gotta go. I have no clue if…WHEN I'll be coming back."

'Man that sounded depressing…'

"Mika, I know you still don't trust me…and I can't very well say 'I'm sorry', but please, be careful." Her father said. He seemed almost sad.

She looked away, frowning. "It's ok…some things are kinda hard to believe. I'm glad you believe me now. And I do trust you. I mean, if you can't trust your family, just who can you trust?"

/…I thought you hated your parents./

'Sometimes, yeah. But that's the thing with people, you have good days and bad days. And I might dislike them a lot at times, but I trust them.' Mika smirked at the fire apparition. 'Call it a stupid human trait, but we're meant to trust. And hate and love.'

Kurama patted her head. #I suppose its time to move on with your life then?#

'Yeah…at least until we fight again.'

Ayumi pulled Mika towards the door. "Come on, Mika. We gotta kick some talking baby butt!"

"Right behind ya!" The brunette grinned, waved goodbye to her frowning dad and ran out the door. Karasu disappeared, going back to his host's mind.

Mr. Murasaki sighed heavily as he watched his daughter rush towards her destination. "Looks like I was right…that stuff does exist."

Sachi came up to his owner's feet and looked up with his big, chocolate-brown eyes, as if understanding.

"The question is," Mr. Murasaki rubbed his head sorrowfully, "What am I going to tell my wife?"

Both sighed heavily at that. There was going to be pure hell at the dining room table that night.

( Ralph's front porch )

Koenma was a very impatient individual, as everyone knows, and the previous five minutes of waiting was not easy for the Prince of the underworld.

"Where is that girl! I'm beginning to loose patience!" He shouted angrily, pounding his fist into his palm. "Why doesn't anyone take responsibility now a days!"

Botan bit her lip to keep from saying her remark to that, but she tried to be the peacemaker. "Koenma, sir, let us just wait a few more minutes. We don't know how far away she lives."

"The kid inside said she lived right around the corner."

"Chill, if I know Kurama and Hiei, she'll be here."

Koenma looked up at the lurking Yusuke in the corner. He had not said a word the whole time they had arrived. "Hmp. They'd better show."

As if on cue, they heard familiar shouting. Mika and her friend, Ayumi, were running up the hill. Behind them was none other than Karasu.

"I TOLD YOU TO GO BACK INSIDE MY MIND!" Mika shouted at the now spirit-form demon.

"I WANTED TO TALK TO THESE IDIOTS MYSELF!" He shouted back.

Ayumi aimed a kick at him as they made it to the top of the hill. "THEY'RE GONNA KILL YOU, MORON!"

Mika panted heavily but kept up at a jog. "NO, LET HIM DIE! HE'S THE REASON AKI IS AFTER US!"

Suddenly Ayumi stopped and stared up at Koenma. "Um, hey he grew."

"That's the talking baby?" Mika asked stupidly.

Karasu sweatdropped. "He can turn into a human form in this realm."

"Ah," Both girls said, surprised.

Koenma crossed his arms and walked down the steps towards them. "WE meet again, Ms. Murasaki."

"Yeah. What up, dude?" She grinned, waving slightly.

Botan jumped down, smiling. "Hello! My name is Botan, the Grim Reaper herself! You must be Mika!"

Ayumi face faulted. "The Grim Reaper is a GIRL? WICKED AWESOME!"

Botan nodded, but then looked over Ayumi at the defensive Karasu. "Yipes! It's him!"

"Yes…tis the Gaylord himself!" Mika grinned evilly, ignoring the death glare sent her way by a certain crow demon.

Koenma scowled. "Pay attention, all of you. Ms. Murasaki, you do realize that I could have you arrested for stealing the Amulet, correct?"

"Yeah…about that…" Mika laughed nervously. They didn't know she didn't have it anymore…that was good at least.

"We came to offer you a plea bargain," Koenma continued. "If you capture a certain escapee for us, we'll drop all robbery charges."

Mika blinked. "…and who might I have to catch?"

"Aki Karyuudo."

"AUGH, HE STALKS ME EVEN IN JOB MARKETING!" Mika suddenly shrieked, grabbing hold of Karasu's shoulders. "AND ITS ALL YOUR FAULT, DAMMIT!"

"GET OFF ME!"

Botan looked nervous. "Ah…you've already met him…"

"Yeah, you could say that…" Ayumi scowled. "He's been stalking Mika for the last couple days cause of dear old Karasu."

"Yes, we knew about that. That's why you're the choice in the mission." Koenma nodded gravely.

Mika turned to him and glared. "So, what am I, live bait? He SHOT me, dammit, and I want to avoid him as much as possible!"

Karasu hit her over the head. "Shut up for once! I'm tired of your constant screaming!"

"SAME TO YOU, JERK!" Mika kicked at him.

Yusuke leaned against the porch. "Wow, you guys sure get along great."

Karasu froze and looked over at him. "…great…"

Mika smirked. "Scared are we?"

"You wish, brat." Karasu growled, about to kick her.

Suddenly, Kurama possessed her. "Wait! I'm Kurama!"

"Oh." Karasu stopped his prepared kick.

Yusuke laughed. "How ya doing, fox boy?"

"Alright. Mika's math homework is too short though."

"Ok…"

Koenma's patience ran out, as expected. "EVERYONE SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!"

The whole street was silent, everyone staring at him in shock.

"Ahem…as I was saying. You need to capture him because he escaped the system and returned to the living world years ago."

"So we're dealing with a dead guy here? No wonder he didn't die when the car exploded! He's probably still out there too!" Ayumi cried. "Man, we can't kill a ghost!"

"Yes, you can." Kurama looked over at her. "We can either help it move on or exorcise it."

Koenma nodded. "He's a danger not only to you five, but also innocent bystanders. We didn't want to believe he was actually after you, Karasu, but looks like he is."

"Perfect…" Karasu grimaced. "For once in my life, I'm the prey. Not for long however."

Ayumi smirked. "We'll kick his ass back to hell."

Kurama crossed his arms. "So, Lord Koenma, if we caught and/or kill him, we are free to use the amulet?"

"…yes…" Koenma seemed to struggle with the fact. "But only because you and Hiei are two of my spirit detectives."

"Whoo for work bonuses." Ayumi grinned, stretching. "But whatever. At least we won't get arrested. Now we just need to get Aki and the Amulet back."

Koenma paused. "…What do you mean, get it back?"

Ayumi froze in mid-stretch, under the glares from Karasu and Kurama. "Um…man do I ever have a big mouth."

"We'll be on the look-out, Koenma, but we really need to get back. Uh, Mika's father is helping us with the investigation and um, she needs to practice with her powers and—," Kurama smiled nervously.

"WHAT POWERS!" Koenma burst out, stress marks appearing on his head.

"Run, idiot!" Ayumi shouted, grabbing Mika's arm.

"Now I'll go back!" Karasu shouted, resuming to soul form and zipping back inside Mika's head.

"Ooh, you're all lucky we need that bounty hunter!" Koenma shouted after them.

Botan and Yusuke shared a humorous look. Even if it was a very weird situation (with Hiei and Kurama possessing a girl human), they were having a blast watching them make Koenma get pissed off.

( One hour Later )

Outside Ralph's house was very silent.

Time slowly ticked by.

Finally…

"…Mika…?"

Silence.

"SAY CHEESECAKE ALREADY!"

1. Digimon PJs: LMAO, my friend I based Ralph loosely on is gonna kill me…lmao! XD

2. no offense to anyone named Gaylord. O.o I had to research stuff on Gaylord Nelson before for Earth day and the first thing to come out of my mouth was "What kind of mother would name their kid Gaylord!" yeah….XD random moment from me in this chapter…

3. The whole Aki and Karasu thing…bluntly, Karasu tried to kill off all of Aki's family, the Karyuudo's, but obviously missed our little stalker. Aki wants revenge against Karasu, and unfortunately, Mika and the others are involved now too. Isn't life grand?

4. cheesecake…uh…that's just random.

5. Sachi – I named Mika's dog after my cousins' (Danny and Miyuki) dog.:) so adorable!

6. I am sure everyone of you readers has sworn that you hated your parents one day and then loved them the next. Mika's parents are idiots a lot, but the dislike and indifference goes away after awhile…doesn't it? At least until the next argument. :

7. if anyone is confused, basically Koenma is sending Mika and her friends on a mission to get Aki in custody in return for a jail-free card. X.x

8. the ending scene…very bad humor, but I wanted it done today. Ralph is the one talking, BTW…