A.N.: Sorry for the wait; Hiei simply refused to behave. And fair warning-there's a lot of swearing.

Chapter 13

Botan met me on the school roof the next day, wearing the girl's uniform for my school. Something about blending in. She wanted to remind me that I only had three days to get the last two treasures, and to give me as much info on Hiei as she could. Which wasn't a lot.

"He does have a full demon form, but we don't have any info on it. Just remember Yusuke, demons have more access to their power when they're in their true form than their 'human form'. You should also know that the stronger a demon is the more human it appears."

"Gotcha."

"Yusuke?" Keiko? "Are you up here? Mr. Taken Aka's looking-" she came around the corner and stopped. The concern on her face faded into a frown, and I suddenly realized how it might look. Me and Botan, who she'd never met, alone on the rooftop…

Shit.

"Keiko-"

"Oh it's so wonderful to meet you at last! When I saw you leap into that fire to save Yusuke, I just about melted in my shoes-" Botan! I slapped the back of her head.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Keiko's not supposed to know about you!"

"Oh, right." She turned to Keiko, smile firmly planted on her face. "I suppose I'll see you later. Ta!" and she skipped all the way to the stairs.

"Keiko, this isn't what it looks like-"

"What isn't? I just came up here to tell you about Mr. Takenaka." She turned to leave, but I couldn't let her. I caught her hand and made her stay.

"Keiko, I-" shit, what do I say without revealing the Underworld? "I got a part time job after school. I work for a detective agency, and Botan works there too. She brings me cases, and helps me track down info."

It really shouldn't have been a relief to see her so relieved. "Oh. So she was here to…"

"Just more info on the jewel thief I'm hunting down. A little more on his personality that she's been able to dig up, not much since a few days ago."

"I see! So she's probably going to be around more often."

"Well, a little. She does do a lot of the research. I think you'll like her."

"We'll see."

So, since I've been holed up at Kurama's house the past three days, I had another homework packet waiting for me. Takenaka wanted me to get started on it, and offered to call Red down. I told him not to bother; Red's mom just got out of the hospital, and he needed to spend some time with her. Takenaka looked surprised, but didn't say anything. I promised him I'd get the work done, and to call Red if I had any trouble.

Two steps out the school gate the compass went off. Damn. I ran off in the direction it pointed, and noticed that I never seemed to get any closer. Ten minutes later, Botan and Red caught up to me, with me being no closer than when I started.

"Yusuke, Hiei has Keiko! He's told me terrible things with telepathy, and says we need to bring both items if we want to get her back!"

"I figured as much. Does Koenma still have the mirror?"

"Yes, and there's no way he'll hand it over for a single human."

"I thought as much. Red, can you and Botan get Keiko to safety if I distract Hiei?"

"Yes, but knowing Hiei, he will have a safeguard of sorts. Even if you did give him the artifacts, you would not get Keiko back in one piece. Chances are he has cut her with the Shadow Sword, and will turn her into a demon."

"Is there any way to stop it? I've seen what that sword can do."

"There should be an antidote in the hilt of the blade."

"Good. We stick to the original plan, and you run for the sword first chance you get."

"Wait, what plan? Yusuke!"

"No time, Botan. Let's go."

If we weren't in the middle of a case, I'm sure she would have tried to kill me with her oar.

When we got closer to the warehouse district, Red fell back, letting me and Botan run ahead. Botan glanced at him, but I caught her eye and put a finger to my lips. She nodded. The compass led us to a building near the back, with the only light coming from the windows.

I never thought demons would go for human cliché's.

We left the door open to let in more light, which turned out to be a good thing. Made the horde of goons much easier to see coming. A few swings and they were out for the count. Botan muttered something about mind control.

"Mind control is easy when you posses the Jagan Eye."

There he is, third eye and red aura, and two more goons holding Keiko. It looks like she's out cold. Good. I really don't want to explain this to her.

"Interesting."

"What is?"

"My Jagan has no effect on you. I had thought you were simply the most convenient human for the Underworld to use. It never occurred to me that you might have some worth."

What the Hell does that mean? "Look, Koenma already has the mirror. I've got the Orb, so let's trade."

Behind Hiei, I could see Red edging closer. I was careful not to look directly at him. Hiei would notice.

Assuming he could think past the anger. "You gave the mirror to Koenma? What kind of idiot are you? Don't you want your girl back?"

"Of course! But I gave the mirror back yesterday! Besides, I thought Kurama said it would be useless to you."

Oh, he didn't like that. He opened his mouth to say something, but Kurama beat him to it. "Hiei."

Shorty whirled around, leaving his back open to me. "Kurama?"

I ran as fast and as silent as I could, just managing to sneak up on Hiei and wrap my arms around him. He dropped the sword and tried to kick me, throwing his weight around to break my hold. Red grabbed the sword and snatched Keiko from the goons, running for the door and Botan.

Hiei is really strong. As in, I'm gonna have bruises on the insides of my arms just from holding him in place. He broke free and slugged me across the face. Which hurt, dammit!

"I'll kill you." Yes, that actually scared me. Not that I was going to let him know.

"Using what, telepathy?" I charged him, swung, and missed.

"Was that a joke? Oh, but you're not laughing." Smug bastard. "I merely took a small step to the side. Your aim is terrible." I had forgotten just how fast he was. Then his Jagan started glowing, and I couldn't move.

"My Jagan is capable of more than just telepathy, detective. Holding you steady while I kill you is one of the simpler abilities." He held up his fist, not even flinching as it caught fire.

"Shit." I was screwed.

He charged. Inches away a vine came out of no where and grabbed his arm, nearly pulling him off his feet. Both of us looked at the vine, then at Red, who was holding the other end. Where did he get that from, anyway?

"I can't let you kill him, Hiei."

"He's in my way! He has to die!"

"Perhaps you should try working with him. Alliances can be changed but death cannot be undone."

"No! I don't need some human's help! I can find her on my own! LET GO!" Fire all but flew up the vine to Kurama's hand. He had to drop it or risk getting burned. "I trusted you! And you betray me for a human? I'll kill you too!" the crates around us started catching fire. Pure heat poured off of Hiei, matching his anger. His aura got stronger, but his control got weaker. I was able to move again.

"I'm not betraying you, Hiei. I just want to help you. I know how important she is, and if you're still having trouble in your search, then you're going to need the Underworld to step in."

"FUCK THE UNDERWORLD! I WILL NEVER BEG FOR HELP!" Shit, he can make himself heard. Red was doing such a great job distracting Hiei that neither of them noticed when I pulled the Orb of Baast from my pocket. They did notice when Hiei collapsed. I grinned. Hiei turned his head to stare at me, horror slowly spreading across his face. "You-"

"Yup." Red's a good teacher. He taught me how to use the Orb in less than four hours. But Hiei was stubborn. His soul didn't want to leave his body. The Orb was stronger. It took ten minutes to pull Hiei's soul out, leaving his body in a coma on the floor. Yet another sight to add to my list of Scary Shit that Will Give me Nightmares.

"You did well, Yusuke. Koenma can restore Hiei's soul with his body in the Underworld prison. He'll wait there for trial."

"Yeah…hey, Red. What were you guys talking about?"

"What do you mean?"

"You both mentioned that Hiei was looking for someone. A girl. And that the Underworld can help. What's going on?"

"Well-" something moved behind Kurama, making quiet shuffling noises. We both moved away, ready to defend ourselves. Imagine my surprise when I didn't see any of Hiei's goons.

Just his body, ready to attack.