Disclaimer: Hidey-ho! Thanks for returning for another chapter of this story that is based on a show that I don't own.

Chapter 6

Kira's P.O.V...

I can't believe that jerk. He comes in here, butts into my life, and then takes off. Men...

I couldn't fall back asleep after Hiei's visit. I kept thinking about my dream, and what he had said. I knew he was right, damn him. My rational, waking self had always known that it couldn't have been entirely my fault. That didn't stop my subconscious though. Every once in a while, I end up having the same dream: the sea of souls, my parents, the Hikaris, all of it. The rest of the time, I tend to block it out. Sort of like a defense mechanism.

I lay on my bed, trying to figure out why he had even asked about it. The demon didn't strike me as one who cared much about other beings. My thoughts drifted, skipping like a scratched record. Eventually, I found my self focusing on right before Hiei had left, on how I had felt the heat radiating from his body, and the strength in his hands.

I shook my head violently. What is wrong with me? I didn't even like the guy for crying out loud. Maybe I'm morefucked up than I thought I was.

A couple of hours later, there was a knock at the door.

I rose slowly, extremely tired. I hadn't gotten a wink of sleep after Hiei had left, just tossed and turned until I couldn't take it anymore. I dragged my feet as I walked, finally making it to the doorway. The knocking became more insistent.

Opening the door revealed Botan, who was smiling cheerily. She was clearly a morning person. I hate morning people. It's completely unnatural to be that happy in the morning.

"Morning!" she chirped brightly.

I growled something inarticulate in return.

"Oh my! You look like you didn't sleep at all, Kira!" Botan said. I detected a note of concern in her voice this time.

"I didn't. Not really anyways."

"You poor thing. Well," she paused, and then asked, "Can I come in?"

"Sure."

The grim reaper walked in and took a seat on the rumpled bed. Her gazed settled on me. "Are you having nightmares about what happened?"

"I'm having nightmares, but they have nothing to do with that," I responded. "Mostly about what happened when I was a kid. Its not a very pretty story, so can we leave it at that?"

"Of course."

I could tell Hiei what happened, but not Botan? Wow, I really must be losing it.

"So, what brings you here?" I asked her.

"Oh, Lord Koenma wants to see you in his office in an hour. He has made a few decisions about the case. Yusuke and the others will be there as well."

"Okay. I guess I need to clean up then. I must be a mess."

Botan smiled, "Just a little." She got up as she continued talking, "I'll be back for you in an hour. Try not to fall asleep in the shower, all right?"

I grinned back. "Sure thing."

The door closed after she went on her way. It's funny. I don't usually take an immediate liking to anyone, but Botan gave off good vibes. I couldn't help but like her. The same went for Yukina. They were both so sweet, so I just had to like them.

That was dangerous.

People I get attached to often end up dying, or hurting me. It's like some kind of curse, like I was being punished for existing or something. Because of this, I tended to stay away from other people. I stayed at the shrine, occasionally assisting other psychics and mages who would come seeking guidance or normal humans who wanted to pray for blessing. I had long ago developed an aversion for being touched.Thinking back,I found that I hadn't been as careful as I usually was. Especially with Yukina. But, again, she emanates kindness, which causes me to want to return that kindness.

I slipped into the bathroom and turned on the shower. I needed to be more cautious. I had made a promise to myself that I wouldn't do this; get attached to anyone, that is.

After washing up, I exited the bathroom wrapped in a towel, heading for the closet. I picked out leather pants and black tank top, over which I put on a loose cut off tee that hung off one shoulder. I wore the same knee-high boots as I had yesterday over the pants.

I had just finished tying back my hair in my usual style when Botan showed up again.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Let's get this over with," I told her.

She led me through the labyrinth to Koenma's office.

Everyone was there again, in almost the same exact places, too. I didn't point this out though. Instead I inquired, "Why, in God's name, is this room painted pink?" Yusuke and Kuwabara laughed, and even Kurama smirked.

Koenma just colored until I thought he resembled an oddly-shaped tomato with a face.

"Sorry."

The little tike cleared his throat and began the "meeting" as if I hadn't just embarrassed him, which I was sure that I had. "Now, everyone, I have given this case great thought, and I believe that we should start with the whereabouts of this Mizuru, and who he is working with."

"I coulda told you that, Koenma," Yusuke noted, loudly.

Koenma frowned, "I'm not finished Yusuke," he turned to me, "Kira, you will be returned to your home in the Human World if you swear that you will not go looking for Mizuru, and-

"You have got to be joking!" I interrupted. "That bastard kidnaps and tortures me, and you expect me to not go after him? You obviously haven't learned anything about me, Koenma. The only way that you are keeping me out of this is locking me up, and I can assure you that you will lose many in that effort," I threatened. My voice had dropped to a low growl, and small flames danced across my skin. My control was slipping, as it tended to do when I was incredibly pissed off.

The entire room was silent.

Then someone spoke, "Kira? Please calm down. Koenma is only trying to help you." I turned to the speaker, Yukina, and fixed my gaze on her. Many a demon had backed down from this glare, but this apparition didn't. She returned my fire with her ice, and I found my rage swallowed up by her serenity.

I let my eyes return to Koenma, who had not moved or spoken from behind his giant desk. "I'm serious, Koenma, I won't make a promise that I can't keep."

He closed his eyes, apparently deep in thought. Then Kuwabara broke the silence, "Why not just let her come with us?"

That has got to be the most intelligent thing I had ever heard him say. Of course, since I agreed with him, I was probably being biased.

Kurama nodded, "That actually isn't a bad idea. She has fought him before, and whatever she could tell us along the way would be of assistance. Plus, her file did note that she was an eceptional fighter in her own right."

I wanted to hug the guy. And I don't usually have urges like that.

I must be getting emotional in my old age or something like that.

Koenma said nothing for another minute or two, then, "All right, but, Kira, you must follow the orders I give you if you go with them. Do you understand? No ditching the rest of the group and going out on your own."

"I understand." I was lucky that he hadn't tried to throw my ass in Spirit Jail, or where ever. Therefore, I was grateful, somewhat,that he was letting me do this.

"I'll leave it to you to discuss how to approach finding Mizuru, Yusuke. And take a little time to give Kira a small orientation. Good luck."

Taking the hint of dismissal, we all exited the room.

"Well, I guess this makes you part of the team. Welcome aboard," Botan said with a smile.

"I guess. What now?"

"Now," Yusuke said, "we go back to the Human World and find this son of a bitch."

That was the best plan I had heard in ages.