Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters. Just OCs.

Hey all, I'm back with another chapter, and also with some news. A friend of mine recently joined Discord to advertise her art. I've been using my DeviantArt account to advertise my stories and give updates, but I've decided to use Discord to do so as well. I'm still getting set up on Discord, but if you want to get updates on stories, access to future content, fanfiction and fandom discussion pages, a private grief/emotional recovery group, and more. If you're interested, you can PM me for my account name to add me or send me yours, and I'll invite you to my channel. I look forward to hearing from you ^_^

In addition to a Discord channel, I've also started a Tumblr page. If you enjoy my work, please consider following me there as well to offer support. You can even ask me questions about my work! ^_^

But of course, this story is for my good friend, dragoscilvio. Congratulations on graduating! :D

It was such a peaceful spot. Birds were chirping. Wind was blowing. Leaves were rustling.

And it was just…so…boring!

Eiko and Tsukiko had been left to their own devices while the guys trained with one another. They had already completed their exercises for the day, and there was absolutely nothing to do. Yusuke had told them that Genkai had a room of games, but the woman was nowhere to be found and Eiko and Tsukiko had gotten lost in the temple trying to find it.

There really was nothing to do.

Really, it couldn't be helped. Tsukiko was always doing something. Whether it be singing or studying or working, Tsukiko was always on the move. Eiko was no better with all her research. Spending time with the guys usually helped keep them engaged and distracted, but it was moments like these that reminded the girls just how withdrawn they were from their regular life.

It was why they asked the guys, later in the day, if they could bring them back to the city.

The answer was a unanimous chorus of widening eyes. Hiei eventually scoffed and walked away. Kuwabara and Yusuke appeared insanely guilty. Kurama's eyes became impassive yet stern. "That's not a good idea," the fox demon indicated.

"Try a terrible idea," Kuwabara murmured, his voice apologetic. "There are demons after you. You're safe here."

"Going out is like asking to be attacked," Yusuke remarked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"What good is all this training if I have to be kept prisoner?" Tsukiko asked. Once again, all of the guys were astonished by her musings. Even Hiei glanced over from his spot by the window.

Eiko's statement drove the nail into the coffin.

"Is that not what this Yomi guy wants to make her?"

Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama exchanged wary and guilt-ridden glances. Hiei took part in the exchange, though his gaze remained fairly impassive.

"I think we're going to regret this."

Next thing everyone knew, they were wandering the city, following Tsukiko and Eiko as they headed to a café. When they entered, one of the workers behind the counter did a double take. "Whoa, Kiko?" he called out. "It's been a while. Where's my favorite customer been hiding?"

Tsukiko laughed at that as he started making her usual iced coffee. "We've been out of town."

A raised eyebrow caught Eiko's attention. "Really? But school is still in session."

Eiko noticed her friend was about to say something, and when it came to lying they were terrible at it. She quickly went behind her friend and pushed her away, effectively saving her from having to answer any damaging questions.

After a couple more stops like that, the guys thought it was best to take the girls somewhere low-key. What better place than Keiko's family restaurant? There, no one would ask the girls such intrusive questions, plus it gave Yusuke a chance to run into Keiko, his girlfriend as Tsukiko and Eiko were told.

The food was delicious, and the atmosphere homey. It was nice to see those the spirit detectives interact with other people they knew.

"So, Yusuke, how's the food cart business been?" Mr. Yukimura asked the man.

"Eh, it's all right," Yusuke remarked, a soft smile on his face and a friendly hint to his tone. "I haven't been working it for a little bit. The guys and I have had some other things going on."

"Well, it's good you're taking a break," the man warmly praised, gently tapping a spatula against Yusuke's chest. "If you overwork yourself, you'll just get burnt out. We take that very seriously after what happened with my wife all those years back."

"Right," Yusuke replied. Then, the two started talking about Keiko who Yusuke had just missed as she left for work.

Eiko's expression softened when she accidentally eavesdropped on the conversation. She realized in that instant that she and Tsuki weren't the only ones being affected by this whole mess. They had their own lives they were putting on hold, just like they were forced to do. These guys were actually trying to protect them, putting themselves out.

The girl was starting to have a different opinion about them.

Before leaving the city, the girls stopped off for some delicious custard. The guys were purchasing return tickets, and soon they'd be returning to the temple. "Do you think we can convince them to have a spa day with us?" Tsukiko joked with her friend.

Eiko laughed lightly and pat her friend's back, shaking her head. "I think that's just a pipe dream, Tsuki, but this was nice. Maybe we can convince them to bring us back here again soon."

Tsukiko looked up to the ceiling, a huge window overhead showing a beautiful and clear sky. Everything seemed wonderful, but she knew there was a darkness lurking around. She couldn't help but wonder if this was the calm before the storm. It wasn't a thought she planned to voice to anyone despite it lingering in the back of the mind.

"Come on, guys!" Yusuke hollered at them. "It's time to go."

The girls sighed and broke away from the custard vendor, heading towards the group. They then boarded the train and headed back to Genkai's. As the train left the station, Tsukiko found herself looking back. She swallowed down that feeling of anxiety that crept up within her. The closer they got to Genkai's temple, though, the more those negative feelings started to ebb away.