Sayomi and the boys met up with Genkai and the three new psychics in the abstract house. From there, they split into two groups. In the first group, Genkai led Yusuke, Sayomi, Kido, and Yanagisawa to Swarm City. In the second group, Kurama led Kuwabara, Botan, and Kaito to where the portal was supposed to be.
When Sayomi and her group made it to Swarm City, she glared and said, "I didn't think I should've taken the name Swarm City so literally…"
"Holy cheese…" Yusuke's eyes bugged at the sight. "I didn't think it'd be this bad."
Demon insects flew and crawled all over. They covered the sidewalk, buildings, and people without their notice. Sayomi swiped at any bug that flew too close to her face, killing it instantly. I should've gone with Kurama's group.
"So normal people can't see this?" Yusuke asked.
"Nope," Kido answered. "Otherwise they'd be freaking. Whattaya think of the place?"
Yusuke swatted at an insect that flew too close. "Can't see it for the bugs."
"Even a can of bug spray wouldn't stand a chance against this infestation." Sayomi made sure to step on every bug that crossed her path. If Hiei were here he could just burn them all. Although he would probably end up burning the rest of the city too…
"Well, it's a really dreary, boring dump," Kido commented. "I've wanted to move out for ages. Strange, though… Now I feel driven to defend it. It infuriates me that those behind this just lurk and sneer in the shadows."
Sayomi and Yusuke exchanged a glance then looked at Kido.
"No one messes with my hometown, man."
"Yes, but don't get ahead of yourself," Genkai warned. "Respect your ability's dangers as well as its gifts."
"Hope the team at the hole is okay," Yusuke mused. "It's the enemy's base, right?"
"Kurama's leading them, so I've no worries," Genkai answered bluntly.
"He's sensible! I get it!" Yusuke growled.
Sayomi smirked and said, "You can't blame her with your track record."
"No one asked you, Sai!" Yusuke growled down at her.
"Hey, you use shadows too, right?" Kido asked. "I wanted to talk to you about that."
Sayomi turned to the boy and lifted a brow. "What do you want to know?"
"What can you do? All I can do is freeze people in place." He shrugged. "I was wondering if you could show me a couple things."
"Sayomi's power is different from yours, Kido." Genkai kept her eyes forward and said, "Her power comes from another space separate from ours."
Sayomi sighed and shook her head. "That's true, but that doesn't mean he can't learn." She looked up at Kido and said, "For you, I'd say a good place to start would be trying to move your own shadow."
Kido's eyes widened slightly. "Move my shadow?"
"Yeah." Sayomi shrugged. "It's second nature to me, but maybe you could try it on your own."
"How do I do that?" He asked.
"Hmm…" Sayomi tapped her chin in thought. "Try visualizing what you want your shadow to do, take a deep breath and focus. It might take you a few tries, but you'll get it if you practice."
"Moving my shadow… I never even thought of that." Kido thankfully smiled down at Sayomi. "What else can you do?"
Sayomi smirked and said, "I was actually gonna steal your technique. It's so subtle and simple that no one would think of it until it's too late. Which explains why you were able to trap Yusuke in the first place."
"I can hear you…" Yusuke growled.
"You were supposed to." Sayomi patted his head, smiling at his scowl.
Suddenly, everyone became alert. The group stopped walking and Genkai asked, "Feel that?"
"Yeah…" Kido confirmed. "We're in someone's territory. And he's using his ability, or we wouldn't sense it!"
"Right!" Yanagisawa agreed. "He's gotta be pretty close!"
"Maybe down there." Yusuke stared down a stairwell that made a sharp left turn. Low music and muffled voices could be heard from below. A sign outside read The Stacked Deck Mahjong Club. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Let's go!"
Downstairs, Yusuke pushed open the tinted glass doors.
"Welcome." Two men greeted them politely from behind the counter. They were in a small lobby with tables and chairs scattered around tiled floor. On each table was a blank mat with small tiles on each side. One table was occupied by a group of four who were engaged in a game. They glared up at the newcomers.
"It's one of those four," Kido whispered.
"One of those six – could be a clerk." Yusuke scanned the room of unfamiliar faces. "Or maybe all of them. You never know."
A loud clack echoed in the room. "I win. Simple – two identical chows, 2 dora."
"Gack! You win again, you tile hoarder."
"It's like you can see all our hands, man."
"Let's play!" Yusuke grinned, claiming a seat at a random table.
"I've never played Mahjong," Genkai confessed, following his lead. Kido and Yanagisawa took the remaining two seats while Sayomi stood and watched.
"What's Mahjong?" Sayomi asked as they scrambled the tiles.
"It's a game. You try to get matching pairs and sequences. Like getting a pair of fours and a sequence of 7, 8, and 9. The suits also need to match for it to be a win."
"You sure know a lot about it for someone who's never played, Grandma." Yusuke eyed his teacher suspiciously.
"I've never played, but I have watched, dimwit."
"Heh heh heh… I just listen to your inner voices." The Mahjong winner chuckled confidently.
"Hmm…" Yusuke snuck a peek at the other table as three of the four men stood up.
"We've had enough."
"We're outta here."
As the three men left the lobby, the fourth man leaned back in his seat without turning. "You, new guys… You want something?"
Yusuke and the others quickly stood up from their seats in alarm. Sayomi instinctively reached behind her back for her weapon.
"You have gifts too, eh?" The stranger stood up from his seat and turned to smirk at them. He wasn't very tall, but he had a strong jawline and cheekbones. His eyes, nose, and mouth were small and flat.
"Please, we don't want any trouble," A clerk pleaded urgently.
"Me neither. Okay…" The stranger slipped his hands in his pockets and asked, "What's your business? You're not trouble, are you?"
"Depends." Yusuke met his stare with a cautious glare. "We've come about a hole. A really big hole."
"Oh, the barrier tunnel?" The man asked.
"You know about it!" Kido accused.
The man smirked. "You've been discussing it in your minds."
"So he can read minds!" Kido concluded.
Sayomi's eyes widened. A telepath? Or does he just read them?
"Hmm… Maybe…" Yusuke pondered. "Or maybe he's just trying to show us. If he could read minds, he'd know more than he seems to!"
"Let me test him," Kido volunteered.
"Well… Okay." Yusuke let Kido step forward.
Sayomi watched the stranger carefully. If he can read minds, then he'll know about Kido's ability. But if he doesn't…
"What's with you?" The stranger pulled his fists from his pockets. "You wanna fight?"
"No," Kido answered calmly. "There's just something I'd like to know."
Sayomi could feel when Kido opened his territory. He's pretty fast!
Just as Kido stepped forward to stomp on his shadow, the stranger jumped back out of his reach. Kido gasped. The man took his chance to step back in and deliver a series of quick jabs to Kido's stomach. Kido was knocked off his feet and he fell back against a wall. He clutched his stomach in pain as he tried to get his breath back.
"Kido!" Sayomi rushed to his side to examine the damage.
"Hack!" Kido coughed up some blood and squinted up at the man. "It's true! He reads minds!"
The man smirked and jumped in place on the balls of his feet with raised fists. "Care for more? I hope to be a pro boxer. My 'Wiretap' ability will give me quite an edge."
Sayomi focused on healing Kido's stomach and glared up at the human. Coward. That's called cheating.
"Okay, you read minds. Swell." Yusuke stared at the man, showing no signs of weakness. "The point is, do we gotta take you out?"
"Th-they're getting crazy!" A clerk panicked behind the counter.
"I'm calling the cops!" The second clerk yelled, picking up a corded phone.
Ignoring the spectators, Yusuke continued. "Yanagisawa can touch your head and copy everything in it, including your memories. That way we can find out if you're on the up and up."
"Forget it." The stranger shook his head, smirking. "I'm not gettin' involved in anything. Now stand aside, I'm leaving."
"Yeah?" Yusuke removed his green jacket and dropped it on the floor behind him.
"I dunno about this, Genkai. Should he…?" Yanagisawa looked down at his teacher, uncertain.
"Don't worry," the old woman assured. "If all this guy can do is read minds, he's no match for a Dark Tournament Champion."
"Besides, Yusuke doesn't really think when he fights," Sayomi commented. "He's pretty straight forward, yet he still surprises people."
"I'll make a straight attack, and get you with a straight right. Ready?" Yusuke watched the man carefully, keeping eye contact. After a brief moment, he said, "Here I come."
Sayomi watched as Yusuke dashed forward and threw a straight right jab. At the last second, he stopped just in front of the man's shocked face and pulled pack. The force alone was enough to knock the man unconscious off his feet.
"Yikes!" Kido's eyes widened as he quickly sat up straight. "I didn't see him move!"
"Really?" Sayomi blinked. "Looked kinda slow to me."
"I'd say that was about 30%." Genkai informed the group.
"Pulled the punch, too." Yusuke scratched the back of his head. "The shockwave nailed 'im."
"Your turn, Yanagisawa." Genkai nodded for the boy to use his technique.
The teen nodded and knelt down to reach out to the stranger. In a moment, he looked just like the guy if not for the clothes that now hung too loose on his body. He stood up and shook his head. "He's innocent. He doesn't know zip."
"Well, damn." Sayomi sighed and crossed her arms. "So much for that possible lead."
"All right," Genkai said. "He'll still have his uses."
"What's going on, Boss?" One clerk asked quietly.
"Yaah! How should I know?!" The other clerk yelled, throwing up his hands in a panic.
Ignoring the two men, Sayomi nudged the stranger with her foot. "Hey! Wake up!"
"Unh…" The stranger groaned, but he still didn't wake.
"Yusuke knocked him out cold. There's no telling how long he'll be down," Genkai commented, staring down at the man.
"Well we can at least take him with us, right?" Yusuke asked as he shrugged back into his jacket.
"I'm not carrying him," Sayomi declared. "It's not our fault he wanted to fight. Why not just let Yana keep his form and we can just use him?"
"His abilities don't extend to using someone else's techniques. He can only impersonate so much, but it's still useful for fooling the enemy and gathering information," Genkai explained.
"Fine." Sayomi crouched down and pulled the stranger up by his hair. She glared at his closed lids and lowered her voice so only he could hear her. "If you wake up now, I won't give you any nightmares…"
The stranger trembled and slowly opened his eyes. He flinched when he stared into her storm gray eyes. They were nearly black and he could see his own pale reflection. "I-I'm up! I'll do whatever you want!"
Sayomi smiled and let go of his hair. She patted his head and stood up straight. "Was that so hard?"
"Y-you…! W-what are you?!" He broke out in a cold sweat and tried to scoot away. He looked up at the rest of the group and yelled. "Who are you people?!"
"Jeez, Sai! What did you do to the guy?" Yusuke looked at Sayomi with a mix of fear and worry.
Sayomi shrugged and looked at the floor. "I kinda had a flashback, hoping he would be listening with his mind. I think it worked…"
Yusuke looked back at the man as he watched everyone with fear and suspicion. He sighed and scratched the back of his head. "It worked, alright." He crouched down in front of the man and spoke in a calm, friendly tone. "Hey, don't get the wrong impression. We just want to talk."
"I'll talk! Just keep her away from me!" He pointed a shaking finger at Sayomi.
"That's cool. No problem. Now, how about we get outta here before we run into the wrong crowd?" Yusuke snuck a quick glance at the clerks who were fretting about cops and crazy dreams.
They left the lobby and made their way back up to street level. They merged with the crowd until they found the Town Square. They settled next to some bushes and watched as the pedestrians went about their day, unaware of the demon insects that swarmed their city.
"Murota, right?" Yusuke asked the man. "And your ability has a 30-mile range?!"
"Yeah," Murota confirmed. He had small tissues in his nose to stop the bleeding from Yusuke's pulled-punch. "Within it I can hear people's thoughts clear as a bell. The higher the emotion, the louder the notion, y'might say. Not always fun, I tell ya."
"So anyone who comes in range is an open book, eh?" Yusuke asked.
"Alert us to any suspicious thoughts, but don't let on that you're doing anything. The enemy mustn't pinpoint you," Genkai instructed.
Sayomi listened as she scanned the sea of faces. I wonder if Hiei can hear everyone's thoughts at once or if he just chooses who he listens in on. Knowing him, it probably depends on what he wants. He does have the Evil Eye…
"Ah!" Murota gasped, snapping Sayomi out of her thoughts. "That girl!"
"Yes?" Genkai asked.
Sayomi followed his eyes to a young girl with a shirt haircut and shy demeanor. She wore a denim jacket over a white button-up top with cherries. Is she an enemy?
"She's totally got the hots for Yusuke!" Murota blurted out.
Genkai growled and punched the back of his head while Yusuke closed his eyes and brought his elbow down on his back. Sayomi clenched her fists and took slow breaths to keep herself from following their example.
"You some kinda idiot?!" Yusuke yelled in Murota's face.
"Sorry, man! Sorry!" The boxer laughed and held up a finger. "Just checkin' if you were serious!"
"We are! So keep listening!" Yusuke ordered.
"Okay!"
Sayomi redirected her attention to the humans milling about the area. What do these humans do all day? They're all carrying bags, but they don't look durable enough for long distance travel. Are they gathering supplies or something? They all look so clean, too. She looked down at her dirty feet and clothes. They probably don't have to worry about fighting to survive through the day. I don't think I could really live that kinda life. I guess I can see why Hiei wants to go back. But if I go back, where will I go?
Sayomi glanced up at Yusuke, then shifted her eyes down to Murota. Once this is settled, will I have to fight my own brother? Or will we be able to stop the tunnel from opening? Even so, once Yusuke's ready… I'll have to find a way back, right? I don't even know how they opened that portal for me to get here. And I was weaker back then, right? I know I'm not as strong as the boys, but I'm definitely stronger than I used to be. I just hope I don't get too strong that I won't be able to go back.
Sayomi noticed Murota become stiff as sweat began to bead on his skin. She raised an eyebrow as he started shaking. Is he okay?
"Murota?" Yusuke asked.
"Oh no…" Murota lowered his head as he perspired more. His eyes were wide open and he spoke through clenched teeth. "…I… I found him!" He brought up his hands to clutch his head in pain. "He's so… so loud! Yet the voice is dark and subdued… I've never heard anything like it."
"Who is it?" Yusuke asked. He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Don't point, just tell us where."
"To our right…" Murota explained. "…Tall guy… Black clothes… Hair swept back…"
Sayomi listened to his description until she spotted him in the crowd. Is that him?
The man stopped walking. When he turned to face them, Sayomi shivered. Her attention snapped back down to Murota as she heard the impact. Blood spurted from his forehead and he fell back, unconscious. "Oh no!"
"Eeeek!" The pedestrians stopped to watch as Yusuke supported Murota's limp body. Sayomi and Yusuke glared at the man in black. He smirked before disappearing again in the crowd.
That had to be him! Sayomi kept her breathing calm. She watched as Yusuke ignored the man to help Murota. I guess we'll be seeing him again soon. She looked down at Murota and was about to heal him when Genkai stopped her.
"Not here. There's too many witnesses. We'll take him to a hospital." Genkai helped Yusuke support the man's body.
Sayomi heard a loud wailing noise that sounded like it was getting closer. "What's a hospital?"
"A healing facility for humans," Genkai answered. "Sounds like an ambulance is on its way. We've found the ringleader. For now, let's get him taken care of."