Author: Work work work… it seems like that is all I do… if I am not going to work I am doing homework…

Hilu: Well maybe if you would do your work in class…

Author: Shut up!

Hilu: You can't make me!

Author: grabs rope and tape

Hilu: runs away

Author: I did that for all of you so please enjoy my story!

"Hiei's telepathy"

"Hiei's thoughts"

"Hiei's Jagan"

Kurama's thoughts

Youko's thoughts

Karein's thoughts

(Authors Note)

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Chapter 8

Cautiously Karein stepped into the portal, once she arrived on the other side she gasped.

"Wow," she whispered.

"It's not that impressive," Yusuke said as he came through.

"It's so busy," Karein replied quietly.

"Yeah it always is," Botan said.

Karein finally really looked around. Their whole group was here now, and there were girls in kimonos like Botan's running around and then great big creatures. She didn't know what they were. Most of them had papers and were shouting things very loudly. It was madness.

"Well, I assume this is Karein," a voice said.

Karein quickly looked down only to encounter eyes looking up at her. Her eyes widened.

What is a child doing here? I thought Reikai was a place for the dead. Does this mean that this child is dead? What about me? Am I dead? I don't think I'm dead. I don't feel dead.

"Hn, Onna this is Koenma."

That is Koenma? But he is just a child!

"Don't be rude Onna, say hello."

"K- kajitsu," she whispered bowing low and closing her eyes.

"Your file said green eyes, but I had no idea they would be that green," Koenma said.

Karein blushed.

I knew this would happen. Mother Nature will probably send me away because I am a freak. How could anyone think that I would be able to do this? I'm sure they are all thinking what a freak I am. I bet they don't want to be seen with me. I bet they are only being nice. I'm a fool.

"Yes, you are Onna. But only for the things you are thinking. Pay attention to The Brat."

The Brat? I guess that must be Koenma… Oh man, I haven't been paying attention. He's looking at me… what did he say? I don't know. Great, now I can look like a bigger fool.

"He wants to see your demon form."

I know you can hear me so thank you.

Karein closed her eyes and began to focus. She concentrated her energy on what she knew her demon form looked like. She knew she would be embarrassed when she because of the clothing her demon form wore, but she also knew that she didn't have a choice. When she opened her eyes the child was looking at her with amazement. So were the pretty Yukina and the orange haired Kuwabara.

"Follow me, I will need to speak with you, and then with the Reikai Tantei and then the other girls," the child said around the pacifier in his mouth.

Karein nodded and followed the child not looking up because she knew everyone would be staring at her. She did not like all the attention that had suddenly been thrown at her. She hated it when people looked at her. She just wanted to be normal. She followed the child into an office with a desk stacked high with papers. When she knew they were alone she looked at the child again. He had already seen her eyes so she took her time absorbing her surroundings.

"Karein, you are an Ametsuchi. I'm not sure if anyone told you what that was," he began.

"Yes, Sir Botan did. May I ask your name Sir, and what I am to call you," she asked quietly.

"My name is King Enma Jr., but you may call me Koenma like everyone else," Koenma replied.

"Of course Koenma-sama," she replied.

"Now, you are to go to Mother Nature. She will be delighted to meet you, however I believe it would be best if you were in human form and in one of the new Kimono's Botan told me you went shopping for. That seems like the best plan since your demon form seems to have its own idea of decency and propriety," Koenma said.

Kirana hung her head lower, she could not believe this. She knew she hadn't wanted to change forms. She knew her clothing was indecent, and she had not wanted anyone to see her like this.

"Now, if you will, step outside this door and send in the Reikai Tantei," Koenma said. "Oh and change back and put on something decent please."

Karein nodded and stepped out of the room. She was so embarrassed. She could not believe how badly that had gone. She could feel them all looking at her. She did not want to tell them what had happened.

"He said he wants to speak to the Reikai Tantei," she whispered.

"Okay, we'll be right back will you be okay? The girls will be out here with you," Yusuke said concerned.

"Yeah, I need to change is there somewhere I can go?" she said quietly.

"Yeah, my room. Here I will take you," Botan said taking her arm and leading her away.

"But Botan, you're Reikai Tantei," Yusuke said.

"Tell Koenma I will be there in a minute," Botan said continuing to walk away.

"Here we will come with you," Keiko said running after Botan with Yukina right behind her both carrying the bags that Botan and Karein did not have.

They made it to Botan's room and got her in with the blue kimono with silver stars and obi. She quickly changed and walked out. They decided they had better run if they did not want Botan to get in trouble for missing the talk with the Reikai Tantei, so they did. They made it in record time and Botan quickly went through the door.

The other girls sat down and no one said anything. They did not know what to say. Keiko was afraid that Koenma had been rough on the green eyed girl and Yukina was simply being shy. Karein did not want to talk. She was afraid that they all thought what Koenma had. Soon the others came out. Botan said she would be right back that she needed to go get Shizuru and that Yukina and Kieko should go on in and she would send Shizuru in when they got back.

"What did he say Onna?"

Who?

"The Brat. What did he say?"

Nothing, he didn't say anything.

"I don't believe you Onna. What did he say? Don't make me find it myself. I will if I have to."

He just said that I should change before I go see Mother Nature.

Karein was happy when Hiei did not respond back. She knew he did not believe her, but she did not feel like saying what Koenma had said to her for fear he would agree with the toddler. She hadn't been paying attention and the next thing she knew the door to Koenma's office slammed shut. Karein's eyes shot to the door. She did now know which of the girls would have done that. When she looked up she saw a pretty girl with brown hair and eyes. She seemed like she was mad, but Karein could not figure out why.

"You must be Karein. I'm Shizuru. Let me see it," Shizuru said.

Karein was not sure what she meant and so simply looked at her. The girl was pretty. And she too looked normal. But she didn't know what she meant.

"Your demon form, I want to see it," she clarified.

Karein did not know what to do. She wanted to do what the pretty girl wanted, but she had been told to change and put something decent on. She did not want to ignore what she had been told.

"Who cares what the stupid toddler told you. I have seen demonic forms before so don't worry about freaking me out. I just want to see how 'different' you truly are. That and just how 'indecent' your clothes are," she said smirking.

Karein blushed. Now the boys knew what Koenma had said to her. She would show the girl and maybe she would be left alone. That is all she had wanted from the beginning. She had hoped a new school and a new town would be able to give her the anonymity she had been wanting, but it seemed to work in the opposite way.

"Okay," Karein said quietly.

She closed her eyes and for what seemed like the thousandth time that day concentrated on her demonic form. When she opened her eyes she saw the girl looking at her. Then the girl smirked.

"Now I know why he said what he did. Should have guessed. Don't change back. Trust me on this one. Follow me," she said quickly.

Karein was not used to someone speaking like that so she got up and followed the girl back into Koenma's office. Koenma looked surprised to see Shizuru and then looked even more surprised to see Karein and in her demonic form.

"Koenma, I would suggest you take a good look at this girl. She is beautiful. And I believe you know it. In fact I'm pretty sure you told her to change so she wouldn't distract your ogres and your very few male Grim Reapers. I really hope you didn't say it in a way that would have given her the wrong idea," Shizuru said.

Suddenly Koenma changed to his teenage form and his eyes roved over the demoness in the room, "Of course I wouldn't give her the wrong idea. She is very beautiful. However, she must be dressed appropriately for Mother Nature. And I am not finished speaking to the three of you, so she must go back outside the door."

Quickly Karein scampered out of the door and closed it. Forgetting the boys were still out there she leaned against the door and sighed.

"Is everything okay Karein?" Kurama said worriedly.

Karein gasped putting a hand to her chest over her quickly beating heart, "Y-yes I'm fine."

"What did he do this time?"

"NOTHING!" she yelled, then quickly put her hand over her mouth and looked away from the shocked looks on all the males faces.

"Karein?" Botan asked.

Ohhh… I forgot she was here too. Why did I let him get to me? Ohhh… why did I lose my temper like that? Now what are they gonna think?

"Maybe that you have a backbone after all."

Then a hand was under her chin forcing her to look into blood red eyes. She swallowed hard and tried to match his stare. Then she realized he was trying to intimidate her. Suddenly she was angry again.

Just who does he think he is? He cannot intimidate me just by looking at me. I will not be pushed around!

She just glared right back. She would not let him win this time. She would win. She would not back down. She would not be pushed around like that.

I'm not who I was… then… I can stand up for myself. I'm not a ten year old girl doing what my foster father tells me to. I will not be scared of him! I won't! There is no need for me to be scared of him. I know he won't hurt me! I thought HE wouldn't hurt me either.

Just as suddenly as her anger had surfaced it was gone. She gently pulled herself out of Hiei's grasp and sat in the corner not looking at anyone.

"Karein? Are you okay?" Kurama asked squatting down next to her.

"Fox leave her alone!"

She needs someone… she is scared.

"She is scared of the past. Leave her alone!"

Reluctantly Kurama drew away from the demoness. This did not feel right to him, but Karein did not look to be in the same world. Then the girls came out of the office and Karein stood up. She was back in this time, and it was like her outburst hadn't happened. She was as docile and sweet as before.

"Well it's time to go see Mother Nature! Are you ready Karein?" Botan asked before raising a portal.

It looked like she was going whether or not she was ready.

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Author: Well… I hope you all liked it! I hope to see lots of reviews! So please… please review pouts

Hilu: Yeah I don't want to deal with her bouts of self-depreciation because you don't review!

Author: I do NOT have bouts of self-depreciation!

Karein: What is going to happen if you don't get reviews? You won't delete me will you?

Author: hugs Karein No of course I won't delete you! But it is really nice to know that your work is appreciated. So maybe if you ask they will review!

Karein: Please review! bows low It would mean so much to all of us. Wouldn't it guys?

Botan: Yeah! Plus it would make Author happy! And we want to keep her happy.

Kurama: It would be nice.

Yusuke: Like I care!

Keiko: YUSUKE! slaps Yusuke

Hiei: Hn

Yukina: Kazuma and I would be very grateful. Wouldn't we Kazuma?

Kuwabara: Yes my snow angel we would.

Shizuru: I really don't care unless someone will send me cigarettes. Author threw mine away.