DISCLAIMER: I don't own YYH or, well, anything else n.n;; But Mai, all my original characters, and original tweaks to the storyline are mine.

a/n: uh…nothing really much to say I guess n.n;;

And I've decided to change the rating back 'cuz the M-rated stuff won't come in till later. (But I'll be sure to warn everyone when it does)

But honestly, even if you just skim through the chapter, I really do like hearing from all of you (hehe, even if you hate it, too) And I hate to say it, but I really don't have to keep updating n.n;;

YAY KAZUMA-KUN!

Thoughts

Forever Fornever III

:Caught in the Rain:

"Well excuse me if I'm not a college boy philosophy grad or some church dude talkin' about a higher calling!" Yusuke muttered as he chewed irritably on the onigiri in his hand, "But to me, none of this makes sense. This doc knew he would die if he opened that tunnel – he knew…"

Kuwabara watched him, "That's freaky…" he took a bite out of his sub and continued talking, "I just figured if they had a human on their side, they weren't telling him what he was getting into, but he knew?"

He took out another bite of his sandwich thoughtfully and glanced over the ledge of the rooftop down at the other students gathered in the courtyard. Urameshi sat across from him against a wall. The detective was chewing on his rice ball slowly as he closed his eyes.

"Mmhmm…" the detective replied, "The whole shebang…he said we all deserved to go 'cause we were diseased or somethin'."

Kazuma crumpled a piece of trash in his fist and tossed it over his shoulder, "Sounds like fanatic cult stuff…" he decided, taking yet another bite from his sandwich.

Urameshi nodded, "Amen," he said wryly.

But the redhead frowned slightly, "But I don't get it – if they're so bummed about their own lives, why don't they just take up rock climbing without ropes; risk themselves instead of blaming it on innocent people. Or at least only pick on us tough guys," he added as Yusuke began to rummage through his lunch bag, "I mean, geez…Well, what do you think, Mai?" he called to the guardian.

He glanced up to see if she would respond, but – like for the past half hour – she remained silent. The guardian was lying on top of the roof floor carelessly; her back turned towards them. And whether or not she was even still awake was beyond them – but the detective didn't seem at all fazed by her silence.

"I wouldn't bother, Kuwabara…" he said, "She's been out of it ever since the other day. See, watch."

The detective picked apart a piece of his onigiri and placed it between his fingers. He aimed briefly before flicking it at her head. The food particle bounced off against her head before settling to the ground next to her. She didn't even flinch. Urameshi looked as though he was going to flick another piece of food at her, but she suddenly cut him off.

"Throw another riceball at me, Yusuke, and I'll shove your riceballs down your throat."

Kazuma blinked, but the detective just shrugged and tossed the rest of the onigiri in his mouth, "Ksh…moody."

"What's gotten into her…?"

The two of them started talking again and Mai easily zoned them out. She gazed distantly at the concrete tiles below her; her finger lazily tracing each crevice they made. Her mind wandered fruitlessly, but she always seemed to have the same words echoing inside.

'You really are just like him…'

But like who—?

She was cut off suddenly when the rooftop doors slammed open. Botan immediately staggered out onto the roof; her usual briefcase attached to her hand, "Emergency!" she cried.

"What is it, Botan?" Yusuke asked blandly, "They run out of your hair dye?"

The ferry-girl was panting as she hurriedly knelt to the ground; placing the briefcase on the floor in front of her. She whipped her head towards him, "Sorry Yusuke, but this is not time for jokes! The tunnel to Makai will be finished in a week!"

"WHAT?"

All three of them (including Mai) suddenly shot to their feet.

Yusuke gaped, "But—"

"There's no time for 'buts' either!" she said as she lifted open the case, "Just listen, already!"

The screen crackled briefly before Koenma appeared on the screen, "Yes, Yusuke, listen. That's Botan's natural color. It doesn't make sense to tease her."

Urameshi knelt beside the screen, "What the hell is this? What's all this talk about one week, Koenma?" he demanded. Kazuma lowered himself too, and Mai came to stand behind him, "You told us three weeks, just the other night!"

The demigod frowned and lowered his head, "That's the thing about the information business…" he pushed a button on his side of the screen, and a new slide appeared showing a three-dimensional landscape and a giant orb at its center, "…Always subject to updates. Look Yusuke, we goofed. We assumed the tunnel's center-point was on the earth's surface. It was only after Kurama's team visited the site that I ordered a depth analysis," the orb in the center began to fall, "And found the center to be five-hundred and fifty meters underground," the screen changed again so that only the sphere was visible, "Here's an overhead view of the distortion zone we see on the surface, but here's the actual zone at the center-point," the circle began to radiate dangerously close to its edges, "Deceptively larger," the screen returned to the demigod, "I was being simplistic when I said the distortion takes the form of a circle – it's really a sphere. The circle or dome we see on the surface is just a cross-section of its tip…"

Kuwabara frowned and turned towards the detective, "Urameshi, tell me what's on the screen, I can't see without my spirit powers – and I guess neither can Mai," he added, "Like what's he sayin'?"

But Yusuke frowned seriously and closed his eyes. He clenched his fist angrily.

"Er, spheres and stuff – geometry's next year!" he shouted.

Botan face-faltered and Kazuma stared at him dumbly, "Uh, what?"

"Gah!" the ferry-girl cried in exasperation, "It's basic math! It's to show why we only have a week…" she sighed heavily and rubbed her temple, "Why couldn't Keiko be the one with the spirit gun?" she wondered hopelessly.

Mai frowned, "For some reason I resent that…"

But Yusuke quickly returned to business. He glanced up at Botan, "He said five-hundred meters underground, right? That's one crazy sewer—"

"It's a cave system," Koenma quickly corrected, "The closest entrance is in a suburb of Mushiyori City. A tunnel with the most appropriate name, if I do say so myself…"

Urameshi frowned, "Go on…"

The screen changed again, "Irima Cave – Demon's Door."

The detective nodded and suddenly straightened, followed by Kazuma and Mai. Yusuke stood with a new attitude, as he punched his fist in his hand readily, "Well we won't save the world sitting here resting our asses! I say we head on over and crash that end-of-the-world party of theirs!"

"Now wait just a minute, Yu—!" Koenma started, but he was quickly cut off as Botan began to lift the briefcase off the ground; already agreeing with the detective. The demigod protested wildly on the other side of the screen – as the ferry-girl calmly closed the briefcase shut.

"Let's get the crew together then!" the detective said, smirking, "Looks like we're heading into the suburbs of Mushiyori!"

"Right!"

-:-

The group charged swiftly across the courtyard and through the main gates. Yusuke, Botan, and Mai took an immediate right – while Kuwabara suddenly hurried to a quick left.

"Byeguys—!" he shouted rapidly over his shoulder.

The other trio slowed and turned to watch him race down the sidewalk, "Kuwabara, hold up!" Yusuke called to him. The redhead reluctantly slid to an abrupt halt and twitched guiltily, "Kurama's school is this way, stupid...don't tell me your sense of direction has gone south too…?"

Kazuma mumbled, "Sorry…" he turned slowly back towards them, "I…can't go with you guys today…"

They stared at him curiously and Yusuke put his hand on his waist, "Got the runs or somethin'?" he asked suspiciously. The redhead seemed oddly nervous – even for him.

But Kuwabara shook his head, "No, it's just…" there was a pause before he suddenly burst out laughing and scratched the back of his neck, "You know! Hahaha! Heh…" he trailed off; not really being too persuasive. The trio in front of him could only stare at him in a bizarre twist of confusion.

Yusuke frowned, "What the hell does 'You know' mean? Is it that time of the month for you or something—?"

Both Mai and Botan suddenly punched him in the face.

"Now you're just being a pig," the guardian accused him irritably. But then she turned back to Kazuma, "Why can't you come?" she wondered.

Kuwabara grew strangely serious all of a sudden, and he frowned, "This is why…" he answered – and lifted a slip of laminated paper. His companions continued to stare, "Floor tickets…" he said, "—FOR MEGALICA'S WORLD TOUR!" he cried suddenly in enthusiasm and laughed excitedly. The trio blinked stupidly.

"There you are, Kuwabara!"

Three of Kazuma's friends met them out on the sidewalk, "Come on! Let's be first in line!" "I'm getting a T-shirt!" the spoke in excited tones with one another as the redhead continued to grin from ear to ear. "Hurry up, Kuwabara – if we miss this, we're taking it out on you later!"

Kazuma laughed and turned to follow them down the walkway. He waved over his shoulder at the other three, "See you guys!" he turned, happily humming to himself – when a hand suddenly gripped his shoulder.

"Oi, you forgot something."

"Eh—?"

Yusuke's fist suddenly swung around and landed at the side of the redhead's face. Kuwabara crumpled as Mai angrily shouted at the detective that he was acting like an ass again. But he ignored her.

"We're saving the world! No pop bands!" he shouted at the redhead.

"Pop band?" Kazuma repeated dangerously as he abruptly jumped to his feet, "Don't you dare call Megalica a pop band!" he roared and swiftly returned the punch right back at the detective's jaw; sending him staggering backwards.

But Yusuke punched him right back. The redhead angrily tackled him to the ground and drilled him with fists to the face – but then Yusuke flipped him over and pounded him as well, "—You and your stupid-ass pop bands!" the detective shouted while Kazuma's friends watched nonchalantly, if not without a bit of amusement.

"Wow."

Okuba laughed, "Yeah, their fights are great. It's really hard for them not to…"

Botan scowled, "Don't just stand there and look impressed!"

Urameshi continued punching Kuwabara – until the redhead locked him between his knees and the detective was flung backwards. They locked fists a final time before they jumped apart from one another, panting heavily. Kuwabara frowned angrily.

"What if I told you I had front row seats to the Martial Arts World Championship?" he challenged, "Would you turn that down?"

Yusuke froze suddenly – and made a strange 'urk-ing' sound as the thought suddenly occurred to him, and he was torn. He grabbed his head frantically and muttered incomprehensible profanities under his breath. Mai and Botan stared at him bluntly.

"Some hero…" the guardian noted blandly.

Kazuma frowned slightly, "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I bought these tickets a year ago – and there's no way I'll miss 'em!" he grinned suddenly and pointed his finger at the detective, "Even if the end of the world was tomorrow – I'd still go! That just makes it all the more important!"

He was still gripping his head as he snorted and turned away, "Ksh, whatever groupie. Go headbang – just don't expect me to save your ass when it's demon season around here," he said cockily.

"Like I need help from you!" Kuwabara shouted, "I'm so sick of your 'Big-man' crap! Maybe I won't help you tomorrow either – let you see how you do need me!" he shouted – just as Yusuke stuck out his tongue at him. The redhead growled furiously as the two of them whirled back towards each other so they were in the other's face.

"Fine!"

Mai and Botan sighed, "And that's how the human race ended."

Kuwabara and his friends started making their way back down the sidewalk. The guardian blinked before she suddenly raced back after them, "Wait, Kuwabara!"

The redhead turned, obviously still heated from his fight with Urameshi, but he didn't sound it when he talked to her, "What's up Mai?"

She smiled and bowed her head slightly, "Please be safe Kazuma" she asked, "And be careful without any of your powers – I know he doesn't show it, but Yusuke really does worry about you."

Kazuma blinked, but he grinned a moment later, "Ah, don't worry about it. I have to come back in one piece, after all. Since Urameshi's been doing a pretty sucky job of keeping an eye on you – I'll have to come back and make sure he got it right."

Mai opened her mouth as if to respond, but stopped herself and smiled, "Right."

-:-

"…I've just been to town, Itsuki…"

The psychic tilted his head and glanced across the lake at the dark-haired man standing along the shore.

"It's filled with demon insects…" Sensui informed him, "It seems that you are expanding the tunnel even faster than I expected," he added with a sardonic smile to him from across the water front.

But Itsuki lowered his head again, "It's head to explain, Mr. Sensui…" he said quietly, "I've been feeling most peculiar…my power almost seem merged in this rapid stream; like the tunnel has a life of it's own…like it wants to grow," his eyes opened slowly, "It'll all be over once we find someone strong enough to break the kekkai barrier…"

"Then that's all we'll need," his eyes flickered, "I'm sending out our colleagues – they're exploring the area for a capable psychic…" he smirked as his gaze darkened, "They're also fighting Yusuke's team every chance they get…because I suspect our two needs…are actually one."

Sensui placed his hand into his pocket.

"Not to mention…our special guest has yet to make their appearance…"

-:-

"GIVE ME A BREAK!" Yusuke shouted, "WHAT'DYA MEAN 'HE'S MISSING'?"

The rest of the team (for the most part) sat encircled around the detective's living room floor – as Yusuke himself stormed angrily through the room. Night had fallen, and so far, no one knew exactly where Kurama was.

Kaitou sat calmly across from him and pushed up his glass, "Well, he didn't come to school today…" he noted (though that was probably just as helpful as telling him the tunnel to Makai would open in an hour).

Yusuke growled furiously under his breath as he clenched his fist, "Hiei, then Kuwabara – and now Kurama! You can't count on anybody! You can't do this kind of stuff on your own—!"

DONK!

Genkai tossed a tea cup carelessly at his face and conked him on the head. He crumpled as she closed her eyes calmly, "Ah, shut up!" she waited until his body fell before she continued, "Now that we know where these psychics are hiding, we can mount an attack. But it must be carefully planned…"

"I've heard of Irima Cave," Yana said, "It's like an urban legend…"

Kaitou nodded, "It's said scorn lovers go there to die – which shows our enemies enjoy a bit of irony…" he noted, "If we go in unprepared it might be suicide as well."

Urameshi jumped to his feet, "Oi! I don't need a lesson from you too, rookie!" he shouted. He clenched his fists and turned; heading towards the door, grumbling furiously to himself, "Stupid freckles..."

"Where do you think you're going?" Mai stopped him.

He froze irritably, "Dammit! Everybody just leave me the hell alone!" he kicked open the front door heatedly; "I'm going to the arcade!"

Beside the guardian, Keiko frowned slightly, "Should he be going out alone, Master Genkai?"

The old woman hardly glanced up, "Give him his space…if he's that dumb, he deserves to die after all. But I suspect he's really worried about Kuwabara. The dimwit's so stubborn he won't even come out and say it himself…"

Mai watched her a moment longer before her gaze flickered towards the window. It would rain soon; she could smell it in the air earlier that day. But…She frowned…right now there was something different about the air that sent a shiver racing down her spine. It seemed to ripple as if…there was a voice in the wind speaking in some sort of—

Her eyes widened.

The guardian staggered out of her seat in a frantic hurry. She raced towards the door after Yusuke – but not without grabbing an umbrella on the way out. The others stared at her as Keiko called out, "Mai-chan!"

But the door had already closed shut.

Mai nearly slipped down the stairs in her hurry. She hadn't gone to the arcade enough times to know where it was – not that Yusuke would have listened to her anyway. He was still too angry with Kuwabara to even think about going to his aid. But Kazuma – she needed to get to Kazuma!

She slid to a halt suddenly at the bottom of the staircase. She was panting as she glanced down either direction of the road. A rain drop plopped against her arm and the damp wind blew across her face; sending tendrils of her hair billowing around her. The guardian's eyes suddenly grew wide as a soft whisper seemed to caress her cheek; sending a shiver through her body.

Her heart was pumping in her ears as she stood breathing heavily.

…Somebody's calling me…

-:-

"Please! Not records!" Jorge pleaded, "Koenma will discipline me if he finds out! The other day he disciplined me so hard my hip popped out of socket and I couldn't fit into my loin cloth – and loins are important to us ogres, especially when courting the ladies, and I haven't gotten married yet – my mother's hounding me about it…Do you know where I can find a new job? I need one. I think he likes the pink ogre more than me, he always calls for him by name…"

The Reikai Library doors opened and Kurama continued to ignore the ogre following behind him. He calmly searched through each aisle before finally finding what he was looking for.

"WOULD YOU CAN IT ALREADY, JORGE!" The demigod shouted furiously – hardly even noticing the akage below him at first. He blinked however, when he did eventually realize that he had company, "Ah, Kurama…why are you here?" he asked (secretly hoping that it wasn't for the reason he suspected it to be).

"I've come to pose a question," Kurama answered calmly.

The demigod stared at him before returning to his records with a sigh, "Oh brother…" he muttered under his breath.

Kurama watched him seriously on the other hand, "I believe you know the true identity of the mastermind of this tunnel…am I right?" he challenged softly.

But Koenma refused to look at him, "Don't be ridiculous. If I knew who he was, don't you think I would have told you so you could stop him?" he reassured him as he waved him off with his hand.

The redhead frowned, "Perhaps not…if you feared he would defeat us…" Koenma's head shot up, "Your behavior has been an erratic blend of urgency and silence. I think you're scrambling because you don't know how we can win," his eyes narrowed seriously, "That means you know things that we do not, like his identity…and his past."

The record in Koenma's hand dropped to the floor as he stood angrily on his stool, "How dare you accuse me with some groundless hunch!" he demanded. But Kurama's gaze darkened seriously as he watched the demigod.

"…But I'm right, am I not?"

-:-

Cheers radiated from within the stadium as a steady layer of rain made it way down to earth. Footsteps sloshed in the wet pavement as a single figure made their way closer towards the arena. They stopped just out of range of the light shining down from the top of the stadium; a smirk etched across their face as a yellow hood placed a shadow over their eyes. He paused a moment and glance dup a the building before he fiddled with something in his pocket and withdrew a silver pocket knife.

With a flick of his wrist, the blade appeared and shone dimly beneath the fluorescent lighting. He raised his other hand with a protruding finger – and with a clean slice, opened a small wound on his fingertip. Blood instantly began to bubble up from the cut and trickle down his hand.

He lowered his arm to his side just as a second figure appeared behind him. Sensui smiled as he held an umbrella over the boy's head, "April showers…" he said simply. The boy in the yellow jacket glance dup at him and smirked, "Is this a good time for you?"

"Yeah…probably."

The dark-haired man stood beside him for a moment before handing him the umbrella from his hand, "I'm just sorry I can't stay for the show…But I have an appearance I need to make…" he turned calmly and walked away from the boy and the stadium.

"Mr. Sensui—!"

He turned just as the psychic tossed him back the folded umbrella. He caught it with ease as the younger boy smiled simply.

"I don't think I'll be needing that…" he told him, "It's a nice night…I think I'll take it in while I can," the boy smiled again and turned back to face the stadium. Sensui closed his eyes and smirked.

"I look forward to good results, Seaman."

-:-

Mai slipped through the puddles beginning to fill the streets around her. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears as her breaths began to come out in ragged gasps. It was at times like these that she wished she had Kurama's photographic memory so that she could find the damn stadium. Something in the back of her head kept telling her that something was amiss--

…he was waiting…

The guardian turned abruptly down a corner onto a new street. She had to get to Kazuma before one of the seven got to him first. She had no idea what she would do – she had no spirit powers to protect him or anyone else, especially against another psychic. But right now, it made all the difference just to know whether or not he was okay.

…but there was him too…

he was waiting…

Her feet continued carrying her – despite the fact she hadn't the slightest clue where she was going – she kept going wherever her legs would take her. Mai stumbled through the dampened streets in the direction she hoped the stadium was in. But truly, she knew that she was lost and had no idea where she was going. The guardian slipped and turned down another street.

She stumbled suddenly when her knees buckled beneath her. She slid into the water covering the streets, but didn't bother getting up. She panted heavily into the puddle beneath her as she felt tears beginning to swell within her eyes. Her fist clenched; she was hopeless – useless for that matter…

What could she do to help Kuwabara? If anything, she'd probably just get in the way…

So what was it that kept her going?

"I'm sorry Kazuma…" she whispered into the street as a tear traced the side of her face, "Gomen nasai – I'm so sorry. I can't protect you…I can't protect anyone anymore…"

Slowly, she began to raise herself to her knees as she trembled beneath the pouring rain. A shaking hand clenched around the handle of her umbrella and she hugged it close to her. And she sat there…shaking in the rain as its quiet symphony pattered against the shield above her head. All throughout her mind, the same thought – the same idea – that she was completely useless to everyone continued to haunt her; she wanted to help them…she wanted to help her friends, not be a burden—

Mai tensed suddenly.

A pair of footsteps resounded in front of her; eerily soft against the puddles filling the street and she wondered how anyone's footsteps could be that soft in this weather. Mai stopped as the second figure calmly continued walking. A black umbrella rested up against his shoulder. He stared calmly down at the ground beneath him…as if he didn't even notice her within his presence.

But the guardian couldn't help but feel her eyes widen.

…he was waiting…

And as if for the first time, the man heading towards her slowed to a halt only a few feet away. She sat looking up at him…and she noticed his eyes flicker towards her. A gentle smile formed at his lips. All at once, the guardian found her body shaking again as she stared at him. This man…she had seen him before…at the fountain…

…So was he also the one they called the 'Dark Angel'?

The gentle smile remained along his face as he titled his head slightly, "So it is you Miss Arakawa…"

His voice was gentle too, she noticed absently. But she couldn't allow her eyes leaving him. It suddenly occurred to her that, in all truth, he almost seemed to have the serenity of angel. But that only caused her to wonder where the 'dark' part of his nickname came into play. But he seemed so different from the day before…almost…he almost seemed sad…

And the feeling had returned; she had seen him from somewhere before – and it wasn't just from the other day…

…So then why couldn't she remember?

For some odd reason, he seemed to sense her dilemma and smiled sadly, "You don't remember me, do you Miss Arakawa?" he asked softly so that even she could catch the hint of sorrow in his voice.

Was she supposed to remember him?

Mai found herself shaking her head slowly, "Iie…gomen nasai…"

A sudden flicker of pain seemed to cross his eyes, and the guardian almost wished that she hadn't said anything at all. Something about seeing this man seemed to send her heart breaking – as if she hated to see him in any sort of pain. But the dark-haired man in front of her smiled apologetically and shook his head. And for the briefest moment, Mai felt suddenly compelled to reach out and grasp his hand…He seemed so lonely for some reason…

He took a small step forward and raised his hand down towards her…and the guardian didn't feel the need to move away. His hand reached out to her and slowly felt out the lines of her face; as if trying to reach out and grasp any sort of physical humanity to prove that he was still alive. She let his hand lean down and gently brush the side of her cheek, "No…" he said and smiled once more, "It's as it should be, Arakawa-kun."

There was a flash of light…

And Mai felt her world go black.

-:-

The four boys cheered excitedly as they raced down the street. Kazuma grinned and leapt into the air; landing in a puddle and sliding a few feet further down the road. He laughed and pushed himself off the ground and clenched his fists enthusiastically, "My life is officially complete!" he cried gleefully.

Okuba laughed, "We were so close they could sweat on us!" he said in disbelief.

"Yeah!" Kijima agreed and grinned, "Hey! Let's hit the karaoke bar to top it all off!"

Kuwabara paused for a moment and seemed to think about it carefully, "I don't know…" he laughed and whirled back towards his friends, "Only if we sing the Megalica hits in the order they played!"

The rest of them shouted in agreement and Okuba began making some comment about a girl who had jumped on stage in the middle of the show.

But Sawamura stopped behind them and glanced over the redhead's shoulder, "Oi, Kuwabara…" he called, as he caught sight of the wall on the other side of the street, "Isn't that the friend you were talking to earlier? I think I remember 'cause you don't really talk to many girls…"

Kazuma blinked and looked around, "What?" he suddenly followed Sawamura's gaze towards the wall and started in alarm, "Hey! Mai!"

He sloshed across the street towards the guardian, who appeared to be lying peacefully beneath her umbrella underneath the pouring rain. Kuwabara swiped the umbrella away and lifted Mai to a sitting position with her shoulders. He shook them gently – but not without urgency.

"Mai!"

He stopped shaking her and she blinked suddenly. She seemed dazed for a moment, but when she realized that it was Kuwabara and his friends, she instantly shot off the ground, "Oh! Kazuma! You're still alright…" she said and blinked again. The guardian shook her head as if to clear some sort of thought, and then ran her hand through her hair absently; "That's weird…"

"Here," Kazuma offered her his hand to stand up, "We were just heading back from the concert anyway – which was wicked awesome!" he grinned as Mai brushed the rain off of her skirt and smiled.

"I'm glad you guys had fun," she told them happily.

"But Kuwabara, what about the karaoke bar?" Kijima cut in, "We were going there first, weren't we?"

The redhead brushed him off though, "Ah, just cool it. It can wait until after we get her home," he said and started walking back down the road; "You can wait until then, can't you?"

His other friends grumbled unhappily, but within moments, they were back on talking about the events that went on during the concert – and all the songs they would sing when they eventually made it to the karaoke bar later. Mai let her umbrella rest against her shoulder as she found herself transfixed on the puddles beneath her. The fluorescent streetlamps began to flicker suddenly…but no one seemed to notice.

The guardian glanced up through the umbrella she held – only to come to a sudden realization. When she had left Yusuke's apartment, she had been carrying a yellow umbrella with her…

Not a black one—

Mai stopped suddenly and turned around. That was odd…but she could have sworn she had heard an abnormally loud drop of water. And as she turned back to do a head count of Kuwabara and his friends, she realized that one of them was missing from the group. Did anyone else hear that cry?

"Kuwabara…your other friend, he'…"

The others turned around curiously and glanced back down the darkened street. It was dead silent – all save for the rain surrounding them.

"Maybe he went to the bathroom…" Kuwabara suggested.

Kijima laughed, "Your pants are soaked through anyway, Sawamura!" he called into the shadows, "There's no need to stop!" he added as Okuba, Kazuma and Mai slowly turned back towards the road. Kijima smiled and was about to follow – but froze suddenly when something caught his eye.

A dim light radiated from a puddle in front of him and he suddenly stood rigid on the spot. The water in the puddle began to bubble up and take on shape. Kijima's eyes widened in horror as the pool of water began to form into a creature nearly twice his height. Its rippling body and face eerily began to resemble a sick, twisted skull-esque shape. The monster raised his hand towards him and its finger twisted into a dangerous drill-like blade. The teen cried out in terror.

"Kuwabara!"

The creature raised its finger towards Kijima – and without warning, it shot out towards him. The teen raised his hands hurriedly in self-defense – but the drill was too sharp for that to stop it. Kijima's eyes widened and he screamed as a burst of blood splattered his face.

Kazuma grunted in pain as the water drilled through his hand. His blood sloshed onto the pavement in abundance as his friend cried out in shock. The drill suddenly pulled back, and out of the redhead's hand. Kuwabara screamed in pain and clenched his fist out of instinct.

"Kazuma!" Mai screamed in horror, "Kazuma, your hand!" she immediately raced to his side as he fiercely drew his hand back to his chest. The water from the drill receded back into the creature and the monster itself vanished back into a puddle.

"I don't get it…" Okuba whispered, "What the hell was that?"

Kijima stared at his friend's hand, "Kuwabara – you're hurt! And where's Sawamura – you don't think one of those things got to him, do you?"

Kuwabara clenched his teeth furiously and lifted his head, "That's enough!" he shouted into the darkness, "Show yourself, freak!"

The final streetlamp suddenly went out.

Kazuma's eyes darted furiously up and along the street; searching for anyone – anything that might be hiding in the shadows waiting for an attack. But instead, he suddenly found himself locked on a spot straight in front of them where a single lamp still shone through the dark; illuminating a single figure standing amidst the rain.

A smirk appeared beneath a yellow hood.

"I'm so glad the weatherman was right today. My powers work best…in the rain."

The redhead clenched his fist when he suddenly noticed that creature from earlier materialized next to the boy in the hood. Behind him, Okuba was shaking.

"I really hope I'm having a nightmare…" he whispered.

Kuwabara's eyes widened when he caught sight of something the creature held within its grasp, "Sawamura!" he cried.

But the boy in the yellow jacket smiled, "Honestly, you should be more worried about your own short lives rather than his…" he noticed the team before him (or at least Kazuma and Mai) glare at him fiercely, but he still continued to grin, "Let me introduce myself…everyone should at least be able to know the name of the person that kills them."

The redhead gritted his teeth, "You killing me?" he challenged, "Hah! That's a joke!"

"Oh, but why all the bluffs, Kuwabara?" the boy wondered, "I know all about your lost powers…" Kazuma growled dangerously as he continued, "Kiyoshi Mitarai. Nickname: Seaman…" he introduced coolly.

Mai blinked, "One of the seven?"

"Heh," the redhead gritted his teeth, "Oh I've got a bone to pick with you."

-:-

Keiko stared worriedly out the window in front of her. The rain was really coming down now, she noted and frowned. Mai had hurried off so quickly earlier…she wondered what happened to make her so urgent, and if she had even caught up to Yusuke after he had stormed out. Or even…even if they were both still okay, and Kuwabara too. Master Genkai didn't say anything, but she did seem awfully worried about them…

The front door clicked open suddenly and she lifted her head along with the others. It was a moment before Kuwabara's sister walked into the living room. Keiko blinked.

"Oh, it's you, Shizuru…"

She glanced around the room briefly and frowned, "Hey guys…you know where my bro is? I haven't seen him since he left for school…"

"I think he's at the rock concert…" Botan answered, "…or at least so I thought."

Shizuru looked worried, but she tried to mask it as she fiddled for a cigarette in her pocket, "Oh yeah, Kazuma did mention something like that…"

The younger brunette frowned, "You look really worried…"

She blinked, "Me? No…" she fumbled clumsily with the cigarette she withdrew, "Just a bad vibe – that's all…" she insisted as she placed it in her mouth. She froze suddenly and her eyes narrowed. Shizuru removed the cigarette from her mouth and slowly crushed it in her hand; a look of unease spreading across her face. Botan and Keiko glanced nervously at one another as the two psychics next to them began to stand up.

"Maybe we should escort him home," Kaitou suggested.

Yana nodded in agreement, "Good idea—"

"Sit down," Genkai ordered softly, without even taking her eyes out of her tea cup. The pair of psychics hesitated, but eventually obliged and she continued, "You remember the trouble we had with the Doctor – your friend's still confined to a hospital bed," her eyes flashed seriously up at them, "Kuwabara made his choice tonight, we can't split our group further than it already is…"

"But he's defenseless right now," Botan cut in, "And Shizuru's got a feeling!"

The old woman's gaze darkened, "We'll have to leave this one to Mai and Yusuke…" she replied calmly, "He's grown up a lot since the tournament, and he's protective of both her and Kuwabara. And unless he's an absolute dope, he didn't really go to that arcade."

Keiko frowned as she held Puu closer to her, "How well do you know him?"

-:-

"Gah! DAMMIT!"

Large red letters appeared on the screen in front of the detective; taunting him with that oh-so-familiar 'Game Over' sign. He growled furiously and punched the side of the monitor. Yusuke muttered profanities under his breath as he folded his arms over his chest.

"Geez, whoever set these records were sucky!"

-:-

Blood dripped steadily onto the ground beneath him. He grimaced past the pain as he clenched his fist to try and stop the bleeding and sent a dangerous glare to the teen standing haughtily in front of them. Beside him, Mai bit her lip, she knew that she couldn't do anything to heal the wound, but it didn't stop her from feeling the pain Kazuma was going through. She felt a shiver run down her spine when she realized that – in all truth, compared to another psychic – they were all defenseless, and she suddenly wished that she had tried to persuade Yusuke to come—

"Poor thing…" Seaman said coolly, "It doesn't seem any of your friends are going to save you tonight…" his eyes flickered from Kuwabara to Mai and he smiled sardonically, "You were very foolish to move without them."

The guardian clenched her fist and cursed herself inwardly.

"I've been following you…waiting for the moment you'd go out alone," the psychic continued; addressing the redhead while his smile morphed into a smirk and Kuwabara gritted his teeth fiercely, "Something about you drew my attention. Maybe it was your naivety…"

Kazuma's eyes widened slightly as Okuba and Kijima continued to shake uncontrollably, "What the hell is that thing? It can't be real, can it?"

Beside him, Kijima clenched his fists furiously, "Whatever it is – it's real enough to have our friend!" he cried. Mai glanced at the giant creature standing beside Seaman worriedly. And she suddenly felt her body trembling and her eyes grew wide in terror for the first time in awhile.

The redhead noticed and turned, "Mai?"

Seaman smiled, "I'm glad to know you're interested. Let me show you how the monster's made…" he lifted his hand, where a single finger was wrapped in a band aid. The psychic undid the wrapping and revealed the cut he had made earlier. He raised his hand over a puddle in front of him as he pressed against the wound; blood once more beginning to bubble up at his fingertip. A single droplet trickled to the ground and landed with a plop amidst the water. There was a pause, before the water beneath him began to grow and morph before their eyes. An orb of water floated into the air and suddenly grew arms and legs; a glowing red grin etched across its face…

Kazuma and his friends stared in horror at the imp-like demon as it came to stand beside Seaman.

The psychic smirked, "My blood mixed with water…the more blood, the bigger the beast…the more moisture, the easier it spreads. That's why I am Seaman – Master of the Floods."

Okuba backed away in terror, "Look, I have brothers and sisters to take care of!" he pleaded shakily.

Mitarai smiled, "I know, Okuba…but that honestly doesn't matter, they won't live past the week anyway…" he smirked as his eyes flickered back towards the redhead, "Come on, Kuwabara, I'd like to know your opinion: which of my monsters do you like best? Little? Or big?" his eyes suddenly darkened, "Because that's the one I'm going to kill you with!"

Kuwabara's eyes narrowed towards him seriously and he gritted his teeth. Mai was still crying beside him as he shakily rose to his feet, "You're exactly like that doc Urameshi fought – a self-righteous nut!" he told him darkly.

Seaman clenched his teeth furiously – as if he were repulsed that he would even think that, "Don't you ever lug me in with that freak!" he demanded, "I have reasons!" he froze suddenly and began shaking as he clenched his fists angrily at his sides, "Good reasons…You don't know what it's like to be shunned for no apparent reason! No one ever helped me…they had all taken part in humanities darkest indulgences…" his fist was trembling now, "I just want it to stop – but it never will that's what he showed me! It's human nature to lie and hurt people—" he pointed an accusatory finger at him, "You're protecting a fallen race! That's why you must die!"

The redhead watched him, "I hear ya, but I'm the one you're after. You can let these friends of mine go and I'll give you the fight your want," he jabbed his thumb towards his chest, "I accept your challenge – with or without my spirit energy!"

But Mitarai smirked, "You really don't get it do you? I'm not here to compete, I'm here to wipe out every human being…starting with you and your friends!" his eyes flickered briefly, "Though…I did have special orders to bring back Miss Arakawa once I was through with the likes of you."

Mai tensed and her eyes shot up suddenly, "What?"

Kazuma stepped in front of her, "Oh yeah?" he challenged dangerously, "Well if that's if you can get through me! And believe me, it's not as easy as it sounds!" he clenched his fist and glanced back towards the guardian, "Don't worry…I'll protect you, Mai…" he told her seriously.

She blinked slowly, "…Kuwabara…"

Across from them, the psychic frowned angrily, "Fine! If you're that willing to die, I'll gladly speed the process along for you!"

Kijima clenched his own fists this time as he stood beside his friend, "Not if I have anything to say about it!" he roared – and without warning charged across the street towards the calm-faced psychic.

"No, stop!"

He raced forward towards Seaman; suddenly filled with an intense anger. But as he drew closer, something flashed across Mitarai's eyes and the psychic smirked. Kijima then saw, too late, the smaller of the water creatures leaping in front of him. The monster smirked like its master and jumped into the air; striking the teen painfully across the face. Kijima grunted as he crashed onto the ground, and the water-imp landed on top of him.

"Er!" Kazuma yelled and charged forward, "You punk! Haven't you ever heard of a code!" his leg swung out and smashed into the water creature. The monster dissolved under the attack and returned to the water, "That's called honor and kicking butt—!"

The redhead was cut off suddenly when he noticed the glowing remains of the creature drawing themselves back together. They built up once more and formed back into Mitarai's little minion; grinning smugly beneath the rain.

Seaman laughed at him, "Hit it all you like! It always comes back!"

Kuwabara stared, "It what—?"

Suddenly, a jet of water zoomed at him and struck him in the face. The redhead's neck snapped backwards and he staggered – just as another appeared below him and punched him the other way. The little water monster jumped back onto the pavement – only to suddenly separate into tiny bullets that shot right back at Kuwabara; mercilessly pounding him until Mitarai's creature reformed and gave him one last punch to the face – sending him flying backwards. He slid across the pavement where Mai and Okuba remained.

"Kuwabara!" the guardian cried in alarm. She bent swiftly by his side, "Kuwabara…Kuwabara!" she tried to lift him by his shoulders as gently as she could while Okuba began to shake his head beside her.

"No…" he whispered; rocking his head furiously as he shut his eyes, "NO!" he cried and suddenly turned, racing down the street towards the water monster at Seaman's feet. He punched clumsily at the little creature – and it was easily able to hop over him. Okuba blinked and turned as the water imp drove a punch straight into his jaw; knocking off his hat as well.

"Kazuma!" Mai cried again, this time in fear. Her eyes flickered, terrified, towards Seaman and could only watch as the rest of Kuwabara' friends were gathered up by the larger creature.

Mitarai laughed again, "All five of you combined can't stop me – I won't have any elitist groups bullying me anymore…" he smirked darkly, and not without an air of superiority. Mai blinked as Kuwabara began to stir, and she carefully let him sit up on his own (though she was reluctant to do so because of the pain he was clearly in).

The redhead's eyes widened when he was fully able to sit up and could see the three of his friends.

"I'll take you out one at a time," Seaman said as he took a step forward, "I'll make you all scream until you see your nasty souls!"

Kuwabara's eyes narrowed dangerously, "You're full of it," he muttered, "Saying you've got the right 'cause guys bullied you around. But you're just like them now…" he told him. And Mai watched as, suddenly, Mitarai's face contorted in rage.

"Don't you say that!" he roared dangerously, "NO!" from his pocket, he suddenly withdrew a silver pocket knife and flicked it open with the twitch of his wrist. He gripped it in his hands fiercely, "Don't you ever question my motivations again!" he screamed. Blood suddenly splattered across the wet pavement and Kazuma's eyes grew wide as Seaman drove the blade into Okuba's leg and the teen cried out in pain. The crimson liquid began to seep through the fabric of his jeans and down onto the street.

Mai cried out, "Stop it!"

"You haven't lived through my life!" the psychic shouted, "Made into an outcast at every turn – I'm on the good guys' team!"

The redhead clenched his teeth furiously, "Picking on the weak is never good!"

"Hah!" Mitarai laughed, "Then I say we have a war of conviction! What you call injustice – I call getting even!" he raised his hand suddenly and his tiny water creature jumped to life. It instantly leapt into the air and stood before Seaman; preparing to attack Kuwabara once his master deemed it ready, "Now…" he said slowly, "Let's see which side is stronger—!"

"Matte!"

He had been just moments from commanding the monster at his feet, but he froze suddenly as the guardian slid in front of Kuwabara. She raised her arms as wide as she could; as if shielding the redhead in all ways possible. Seaman gritted his teeth and lowered his hand as Mai watched him seriously.

"What do you think you're doing?" he muttered.

"Mai!" Kuwabara tried to stand, but a searing pain raced through his side and he remained on the ground. The guardian's gaze darkened towards the psychic as she took a small step forward. Seaman seemed to wince – as if he was reluctant to fight any longer.

She took another step forward, "You won't kill me will you?" she said to Mitarai, "Kamiya wouldn't either. So I guess you'll have to suck it up and fight me if you want to get to Kazuma," she raised her fists as if getting ready to fight him, "So fight me!"

Seaman frowned angrily and swore under his breath, "I'm afraid Miss Arakawa, that you are correct about one thing…" suddenly, his demeanor changed and his frown morphed into a sadistic smirk, "I may not be allowed to kill you…"

His water monster moved towards her.

"But I can prevent you from getting in my way!"

-:-

a/n: Well that was a quick update n.n

But seriously, please tell me if you're enjoying this story. When I see that a good thirty people have looked at a chapter and only two or three have reviewed, it kind of reminds me of those kids I see at the bookstore who sit there and read the manga without even paying a dime to help support the manga-ka…

Well, it's not that serious – and I usually don't say this but…

PLEASE REVIEW

Hehe, peace and love, minna-san!