File 04: The master of the Jagan, Hiei

Sarayashiki middle school – rooftop. Favorite meeting and sleeping point for Akari and Yusuke. The young girl was laying on the highest part, eyes closed and taking a sunbath. Botan was sitting on the edge and Yusuke leaning against the fence, amazed at their healing abilities.

"It's normal for the assistants of a detective to know how to heal. Right Aka-chan?"

"Mmhmmh." She muttered as a yes, too lazy to answer properly. But then she added "Not like we have a choice, that guy just can't take care of himself. It'd be a shame if the very newly appointed Reikai Tantei were to die so soon because of an utter weakling…" she smirked though he couldn't see her. Botan giggled, saying she was indeed right, and that it was the very reason of their presence here.

"Hey! Shut up you two! But still, I have another question for my 'assistant'. Why are you wearing my school's girl's uniform?" And yet again, another stupid question.

"Because I didn't want to draw attention, of course. What do you think? I'm pretty?" Botan twirled and grinned.

"Nah, just wanted to know." He said in a bored tone.

"Oh, right, about Kurama. The punishment shouldn't be too harsh. He's sincerely repentant and motivated to atone. Besides, I think his reasons for doing what he did helped him a lot." The pink-haired girl smiled hearing Botan say the good news.

"Really? That's great. Aren't you happy for your 'lover' Akari?" Yusuke teased her.

"zzzzzz….."

"And don't pretend to be already sleeping!" He shouted waving his fists. She could have set his clothes on fire but then it would have meant he had hit a nerve. And there was just no way she'd let him have a way to get at her. "Tch whatever. Anyway, now there're only three days left to find the last treasure. It's that short guy, Hiei, right?"

"Yes, be careful with him, he's very cunning and will resort to anything to get what he wants." Then they all heard the door open, Botan dived behind Yusuke.

"Oh! I knew you'd be here! Takenaka-sensei is furious! You're the only one who didn't hand him his homework." Keiko said upon seeing Yusuke in a moralizing tone.

"You're a bother! I don't have time for that now." The boy replied, annoyed.

"Hard to be a detective and still remain a student." Botan said grinning, getting out of her hiding place.

"What the…?"

"Now, let me handle it." Then she went to Keiko, still grinning, and took her hands in hers, "Hi there, Keiko-chan, it's been hard on you while Yusuke was unconscious, I'd never thought I'd be able to meet you face to face."

"Ehh… ah… uuh…" Keiko could not even find something to reply, the stranger had the girl's uniform, yet she shad never seen her, never met her, still she was talking quite intimately, like she knew everything. Who was she?

"We'll discuss what happened over a cup of tea next time." Botan went on before being punched on the head by Yusuke, "The heck you're doing, that hurts!?" She yelled rubbing her head.

"Keiko doesn't know anything about you! Don't confuse the situation, idiot!" He whispered.

"Really? Sorry, I thought you had talked to her. Well, see you, Yusuke, sorry for making things a lil confusing." The blue-haired said said leaving, still grinning and giggling.

"'See you', is that a new friend?" Keiko asked.

"That idiot... as if my life wasn't complicated enough…" He mumbled, clenching and unclenching his fists, his eyebrow twitching. " Ah? Her? Well, it's a looooonng story. Let's not talk about that now." He added grinning embarassedly, his palm toward her, as if to prevent Keiko from coming closer in case she wanted to hit him. Lil Akari-chan had decided to sneak a lil closer and watch the scene. It was fun seeing him getting scolded by Keiko-chan, they were so obvious… Though she thought he should have been better at making up excuses. He just doesn't know how to deal with women. She sighed inwardly, amused.

"Is that so? Oh well, hurry up, Takenaka-sensei is still waiting for you."

Hihi jealousy, jealousy, YAY! Go, Keiko-chan!

"Wait! You want to know more, don't you?"

"About what?" Keiko smiled falsely.

"Need you ask? About Botan!" Yusuke chased after her.

"Oh? Is that her name? Botan?"

"You'll understand after my explanation!"

"No need, nevermind." She replied a bit icily and slaming the door. But then, Yusuke noticed the quite amused golden eyes that had been spying on him:

"And you? Couldn't you have said anything?"

"And not enjoy your show? I'm not stupid. Besides, what do I have to do with your looove quarrel?" The owner of the eyes asked, smirking.

"And your homework?"

"Still not registered or attending classes, so didn't have any homework to do…" she added smirking wider as Yusuke humphed and went after Keiko. But then, she became serious again and glared at the direction from where she sensed they were being watched. She was sure it was Hiei. Of course she couldn't see him since he was so small (actually they were about the same height but well at that time she would tend to want to lower him, especially his ego. In her family they tended to have small frame, like Genkai, though she was still taller than her. Anyway, power was not all about height). But she was sure it was him. He seemed to be about…. three kilometres away. She clenched her fists. If he was watching them then he had something up his sleeve. Let's see, he's twisted and sometimes seems a bit of a coward, last time, he used a kid to get at her and it worked. He wouldn't dare go against her again, he wouldn't risk his success in a fight he wasn't sure to win. Besides, most likely, he'd prefer someone weak enough and close to Yusuke… close to Yusuke…. Close to… KEIKO! He was going to attack Keiko and use her as bait. Damn… and the idiot probably had no idea about it. He was way too careless.

And indeed, Hiei has been watching them. When he saw her, a look of recognition passed over his features, and when she stared in his direction, like right at his jagan, he was frowning. Yes, her again. She was dangerous. Not only very strong and fast, but he had also noticed how Kurama reacted to her. She always was in his way. But his train of thoughts were interrupted when a tiny demon appeared near his shoulder.

"Yukimura Keiko, Urameshi Yusuke's classmate and childhood friend. One of his closest friends." The demon said, referring to the brown-haired girl.

"Right. And the other?"

"Katsuyama Akari, grand-daughter of master Genkai. She was asked to help Urameshi only a few days ago but they already act like brother and sister."

"Let's use that Keiko for some fun, it's too boring to just kill him and take the treasures." No matter how Hiei would look at it Keiko was a better prey, weak and close to the detective. Since Yusuke had the artefacts, that Akari would think of protecting him but she wouldn't think he'd attack the girl. But he had to be quick, or there was still a way she could find out.

There she is! Akari thought finally catching sight of Keiko. The honor student seemed deep in thought, and from her face she was still angry at Yusuke. Then Akari looked a little ahead: damn, that demon was already there. She sped up, he wasn't doing anything and Keiko hadn't even noticed him. She was walking walking, walking, closer and closer, she passed by Hiei and he still didn't budge. Daaaamn, Akari saw him smirk… just a little more, just a little faster….

"Yukimura Keiko, is it?" Now! She was turning around and he had revealed the shadow sword he had been hiding in his clothes…. Nooooo, like hell she'd let him! Quick! She took Keiko in her arms, wincing as the sword grazed her right arm, jumped on the wall and began running as fast as she could.

"Akari-chan to the rescue!" She said smiling.

"Uhh? Who are you? What was that just now? And…."

"Sorry Keiko-chan, ask Yusuke when you'll wake up. Night." She replied knocking her out, she needed her to keep still. Hiei was chasing them but she was still far enough from him.

She put her near her shop, in a narrow alley, a meter or two from the road and quickly hid a fuda in her clothes. The paper was full of her energy and would raise a solid kekkai around her so Hiei won't be able to come close. She looked around: no demons. But she wasn't that inexperienced. This time, it was going to be different. She materialized a spirit sword, looking exactly like a real katana but even sharper, and shinier. And it can't be broken as easily. Indeed, as soon as she left the kekkai, she blocked a slash from above. She smirked, like someone like her could be caught off guard by the likes of him. It was way too early for that. The previous wounds he had inflicted on her still had not healed but it didn't matter. It never did any good to underestimate girls! She applied more strength and pushed the demon back and immediately jumped after him, she had to finish this quickly. Hiei charged back too.

The swords clashed and clashed. Sparks and blurs, always, always, always faster. Hiei was raising his youki, the fabric covering his third eye burning away, Akari struggled to do the same despite the energy she had to spend to try and heal the cut on her arm. Even though she was quite good at healing, Akari was still more of a fighter than a healer. And this cut had been made by the shadow sword. From being the attacker, she was now barely defending herself, and this defence was weakening every second. That's why she was now the one being pushed back. But she could no longer afford to step back, not with Keiko behind her. She stood her ground, clenching her teeth, beads of sweat showing, until another pair or arms suddenly immobilized hers from behind. From behind? It couldn't be. Akari looked back and gasped. Keiko was immobilizing her. But she was being controlled. And she couldn't hurt her! That was Keiko!

That sole second of inattention was enough, she looked back; it was too late. Another scratch appeared on her forehead. Better her than Keiko; she would never let him have her. She would protect her instead of Yusuke. Akari's palm directed toward the jagan and she sent a plume of flame. He quickly stepped back but he had been a second too late. He screamed in pain and covered his third with his hands. His face, and notably forehead, had been burned. Not really badly, but now he won't be able to use that thing for awhile. Served him right. In the same time an air bubble appeared and grew between Keiko and her, pushing the brown haired girl back, Akari let go of her sword which disappeared and used her other hand to control the wind to gently push her back within the kekkai she reinforced with the reiki her palm had flashed like a little lightning bolt. Damn, to think this was the best she could muster now. Kurama's poison plus two slashes from that thing... she was not a treatment plant! There was a sharp pain and the black veil fell. And yet, even unconscious, the rei master still had the reflex to protect herself, spending twice as more energy to stop her new and unwanted pair of eyes from opening. Now Hiei had no other choice but to take her, and quick, their fight had attracted attention, precisely what he was seeking to avoid. She should die for what she had dared do to his face, but that was also the proof of her value. That girl, she was really special. Her strength, speed, abilities, brains, looks, spirit, she deserved much respect. He could have lost if he hadn't used the other girl. Right, if only she didn't have those stupid feelings slowing her down, then... If only he could bring her under his control, she would prove to be to an inestimable pawn. It was still too much of a waste to kill her now. But now wasn't the time to be impressed.

The youki detector beeped and Yusuke left, barely saying 'sorry' to Takenaka-sensei who was still in the middle of scolding him. He was soon joined by Botan and the two ran to the source: the docks, storehouse number 4. What an ominous number. 'shi' could mean 4 but also 'death' if written with a different kanji. That guy had everything planned and he was clearly informing them of his whereabouts. Indeed the reikai compass should only detect youki up to five hundreds metres, yet his came from five thousands metres. Botan also told Yusuke about the telepathic message: he's got Akari and wants to exchange her for the treasures.

The detective and his assistant entered the storehouse shouting at Hiei to come out and give them back Akari (with Yusuke seriously wondering how she got caught so easily but still keen on getting her back so he could taunt her to his content). But only human-zombies came that he punched away, a vein on his temple, not caring about Botan telling him to go easy on them. After all, they were just normal humans, they were just being controlled.

"But so many at once... Hiei must be an owner of a jagan!" She said, amazed.

"That's right!" The demon said coming out of the shadow." You discovered my little secret. Oh well I don't care whether you're a rekai tantei or not, he who tries to capture me is an idiot." He added smirking.

"What's that on his forehead?" Yusuke whispered to Botan, kinda impressed, and not really listening to him.

"THAT is his jagan." She whispered back.

"Ohh, to be able to openly stare at my jagan, the reikai indeed chose someone with great rei abilities... although I have something more important." Hiei said, pointing his sword at a figure resting against a big wooden box. Akari's feet were chained, her wrists were also chained behind her back and these same pretty thick chains were also wrapped around her torso. And a zombie thingy was standing at each side of her.

"Akari!" Yusuke yelled seeing her, "Here are the treasures, now hand her over!" He shouted angry.

"Very good. If you don't keep to the rules it won't be fun anymore." Hiei said, going over to the treasures Yusuke threw on the ground while the detective and his assistant rushed to Akari. The fire demon monologuing that he still did get the artefacts even if everything didn't go as he had first planed (meaning to kill the two others to get the objects).

Suddenly Yusuke laughed with that stupid face of his saying Hiei was more stupid than he thought.

"As long as Akari is safe, I'll capture you and get the treasures back!" He shouted, lunging at the demon to punch him but he only hit the air. No need to say he was kinda… surprised.

"What the... he vanished?"

"Vanished? Hmph. I was just strolling." Hiei said reappearing behind Yusuke saying he was so slow. "I think you're the stupid one. Did you really think I would give the girl back unharmed? Idiot! Look at her forehead and right arm! Don't you see anything?"

The detective ran back to the girls and looked.

"These wounds…." He said frowning, "No, they're not wounds, they're eyes!"

"That's right. On Keiko only one would have been enough. But she got in my way and I had to use her instead. At least she was smart enough to know what I was up to."

"Exactly." The latter said looking up and yawning.

"Waaahhh!" Botan and Yusuke screamed falling backwards. "We...weren't you out for hours?"

"My nap was long enough. Besides you would have woken up the dead with all your shouting. Anyway, as I've already warned you, Hiei is an embodiment of cowardice and wickedness and he's also very cocky and, in one word: annoying. Wasn't it your role to protect Keiko instead of me?"

However, his answer was drowned out in Hiei's shouting that he'd kill her for having insulted him. And as a reply she just stuck out your toungue at him. But then he was suddenly calm again. Akari wondered what was up with him.

"Even if you returned to them, your life is still in my hands. And when these eyes will open completely, you'll be a demon, and my first subordinate!" And as to prove what he was saying, more pain suddenly erupted around her 'wounds', she winced, they were opening and the girl had to put more of her power to fight it.

"Out of the way!" Botan said, helping her. But as Hiei said, it was dangerous, without the antidote it would all be in vain and Botan would die. However he was greatly impressed, what Akari and Botan were doing was high class healing. Prevent demonization was not the same as healing a simple scratch. Then he let out an evil laugh: the antidote was between the blade and the hilt of the sword and she'll die unless she takes it. But for that Yusuke must snatch the sword away from him. And the next thing he knew, the human guy was just before him and punched him away. Of course, Hiei was back on his feet a few meters behind, yet he still couldn't believe it, that guy, he just matched his speed in a split second. He was a completely different person. And indeed Akari had never seen him so serious before. He looked calm but his power could be sensed easily:

"You're beyond redemption. I'll tear you to shreds!" His voice seemed somewhat deeper too. He looked indeed pretty cool... for once... However Hiei didn't seem very happy, frowning and wiping the blood off the corner of his mouth.

"I see, when your companions get forced into a corner, your powers increase by many folds. Difficult opponent… I hate humans of your kind the most!" He conceded that this hit just gave him a scare but Yusuke should have snatched the sword back while he still could, now he won't be careless anymore, meaning Yusuke won't be able to get the antidote and SHE will turn into a demon. At the orders of that annoying, arrogant, asocial and whimsical one at that!

"Finished your crap?" The human asked, uncaring.

"Don't look down on me! Can you follow my speed?!" Hiei shouted running and blurring around Yusuke, taunting him, when he suddenly attacked from behind. But the detective saw him coming and punched him back yet again.

"Do you only know how to jump around, you little jerk? You're just like a cockroach without your eye power. Don't waste my time."

"Tchh you cursed thing. How could I be forced to 'revert' by a mere human?" Hiei said removing his upper clothe. He transformed, many eyes appearing on his green body, his youki stronger than ever.

The human girl winced again. Thanks to Botan she had been able to aim her power at the chains, slowly melting them, while she was talking care of her 'eyes'. But now…. Ggrrrrr damn him…. She won't let him have it as he wants. She concentrated more and more, her anger fueling her. That was not her type to fight holding back anything, or to let others like Botan get hurt when it could be avoided. She raised her own ki.

"It seems they're trying to match up with the increasing of my youki. No use, sooner or later, she'll become a demon. But now…" Hiei said using his power, "You have no time to worry about anyone else!" The demon finished punching down Yusuke.

It feels like I'm tied up… can't move… The reikai tantei thought, still trying to budge.

"That's the power of my jagan, even you can't resist. Now, you shall pay!" The monster said punching Yusuke again and again. Then he took back his sword but stopped dead when he felt Akari's ki rising and rising, about as great as his. He cursed and went to see what was going on. He gasped: he had underestimated her, again. She was way more dangerous than he had first thought, to think she still had this much power, rising around her like a big burning white flame. There was no way he could let her live, that was too risky. He walked straight to the human girl. Botan was scared but still stayed.

"I'm sorry but you're too dangerous. Now DIE!" Hiei shouted lunging at her, Botan holding her tight and shutting her eyes. But Akari didn't close her eyes, merely narrowed them in concentration, she didn't flinch. That was greatly disturbing him. Was it courage? Strength? Stupidity? Through clenched teeth, she faced him; she faced her death, staring right into his eyes. But there wasn't the slightest trace of fear in hers, they were burning fiercely, determined, defying to the very last moment as he was closing in. But that last moment never came.

Kurama was before her, a sword protruding out of his back. He had taken the blow instead of her and yet again, saved her life. Her eyes widened.

"Kurama!? What's the meaning of this?" Hiei asked sounding quite angry. But the fox just smirked and, grabbed the shadow sword, the metal biting into his flesh. He gathered a handful of his blood in his wounded palm and threw it at Hiei's jagan. Hiei temporarily blinded, the ties binding Yusuke disappeared and the detective rushed to Akari. The two of them were worried about Kurama's wound but he dismissed it. After all, he was also a demon, he was not going to die that easily. He also explained that the many eyes on Hiei's body were just amplifiers, the real source of his power coming from the one eye on his forehead.

"I'll take care of Akari and the other girl. You must finish Hiei off before he recovers his jagan's sight." he told Yusuke. A little vein appeared on her forehead at being ignored but well, it was true that her little display of power had kind of lowered her energy level and she was a bit tired, sooo she just let it be.

"Kurama you traitor! I won't forgive you! I'll kill you!" Hiei shouted wiping the blood out of his now swollen eye. But Yusuke had taken his place, his own power greatly increasing.

"Your opponent... is me." The reikai tantei said, darkly.

Hiei attacked and both went into a fast, ceaseless dance of attacks and dodgings. But Hiei still had the upper hand in strength and Yusuke was thrown back against a wall. He fell down cursing, then he noticed, like Akari did, the mirror lying away behind Hiei. Surely he got THE idea. He ran sideways, Hiei chasing after him, laughing and mocking him. Suddenly the detective turned around and fired his reigun, which Hiei dodged, though still surprised he was hiding something like that.

With the help of Kurama, she took her stance and fired too. Her ki deflecting a bit Yusuke's and adding its own power, their combined shot hitting Hiei's back full force. His eyes widened in pain and he coughed a little blood, he turned around wondering who the hell did it. Then he saw the broken mirror, and the human girl still holding her position on the ground, with one eye shut tight and half-melted pieces of chain lying around.

"That girl, and you've calculated my escaping move, when you fired?" the demon said with difficulty, returning to his normal form.

"Keh! I wasn't just running away for the heck of it. I just wanted to put you in the direction of the mirror when it reflected the shot." Yusuke said smirking.

"But you still wouldn't have got him if I hadn't been there. You moron, can't even aim properly!" She corrected him sighing.

"Shut up you weakling! It was a perfect shot!" The detective replied.

"I don't want to hear that from a guy who can't even protect his girlfriend so that I had to protect her instead!"

Sweatdropping, the fox thought that if she had the strength to argue like that she should be alright but did not utter a word about it. Everything was fine the way it was...

"These guys…." Hiei muttered, collapsing. He was out cold but Akari didn't even hear him, as angry as she was at Yusuke. A vein had appeared on her temple and she was also shouting. He wouldn't believe that his aim was wrong, she was lying just because she didn't like to lose to him. Well, that was kinda true but his aim was really wrong and she didn't like to be called a liar. Of course, since she was right and he knew it, Kurama sided with her, but then Yusuke would wave his index at the kitsune's face looking very suspicious, while Akari was still in his arms, her back on his lap and her head resting on his right arm.

"And you, you're not siding with her just because she's pretty and you have a thing for her, huuh?!"

"No… well…. She's right, you know." Kurama said smiling and sweatdropping.

"So you're saying I'm not pretty?" The girl teased him with great puppy dog eyes. The poor fox was a little bit frustrated by now and felt strangely pressured. But he just sighed, saying "You are..." but then he stopped himself. He didn't want to be in a tight spot again, and said they should better give her the antidote now.

At this Yusuke suddenly snatched her back from Kurama's arms and gave her the antidote. But now she was the one looking at him suspiciously.

"If you try anything I'll kill you." She said glaring at him and remembering all too well her first 'touching' meeting with him. He recoiled saying she couldn't do anything in her state but then she released a little ki.

"Ok ok! But then should I really give you the antidote?!" He wondered outloud.

"The fox could do it if you don't want to." Akari replied simply. That put the fox in another tight spot. If he said he didn't mind, Yusuke would overimagine things and dislike it, but then again that could probably be true, at least to a certain extent. He wouldn't exactely mean it like this but still maybe a little bit. So he just smiled embarrassed with a very tiny barely visible blush on his cheeks.

"Well…. I…." But before he could add anything, Yusuke glared at him and, mumbling, gave the girl a few more drops. Once healed, she thanked him and went to heal Kurama. Botan was asking Yusuke how he knew about the mirror, and what he would have done if it hadn't reflected his shot.

"I would've thought of something else." ...was his bold and resolute reply. Akari and the fox chuckled.

"One could believe that Yusuke is a brilliant strategist; that he is actually thinking…" Kurama began.

"But no, he doesn't, he's just a lucky fool." She finished for him. "And that's why I had to butt in, luck is not everything." She added.

"Hey! What do you mean you two?!"

"Exactely what we said." The red-haired replied.

"Why? Wasn't it clear?" Akari asked.

"WHAT?!"

"Yusuke… calm down, they're just joking." Botan tried to reassure him. But Yusuke was still angry, Akari and Kurama still chuckling and Botan still trying to calm him down.

The next day on the school's rooftop Botan and Yusuke were sitting on the edge of the higher block, and Akari, as usual, was lying behind them, her head resting on her crossed arms. The prince still hadn't discovered that she had been skiping class.

"We caught Hiei and Goki and got back the three treasures, so Koenma should feel relieved." Yusuke said smiling.

"Unfortunately… Enma-sama discovered what happened: the mirror was cracked and the sword rusted with Kurama's blood."

"No way! And what did he do?"

"He was a lil angry, and gave Koenma-sama a light punishment." At this the pink haired girl strained her ear toward them.

"A light punishement?" The boy inquired. Botan stiffled her giggle.

"A hundred spankings on his butt." She answered. Both Akari and Yusuke could imagine it perfectly. They burst out laughing. They laughed so much they had tears in their eyes.

"He may be a few hundred years old but a kid is still a kid!" The detective could not help but comment. Botan scolded them. Then they all heard the door opening and Keiko appeared below. Most likely she was…. very angry.

"Aww bad timing." Botan sighed.

"Sorry for disturbing you." Keiko said coldly and left immediately.

"Damn! I forgot to tell her!" Yusuke cursed slightly scared and jumping after her, yelling that it was not what she was thinking. Akari smirked.

"Yusuke could beat a whole army of demons…" The grim reaper began

"But he can't do anything against a Keiko-chan in love!" She finished and both girls laughed heartily.