A.N.: I live! Sort of. Having teeth pulled is not fun at all. I'm sorry about the wait-inspiriation ran dry, and I had to go out and hunt down some more. And even now, the chapter is really short, but you can blame my pain on that. Norco will not take away your pain, but it will make you sleepy and nauseous!
I learned a few things at Kuwabara's house that day. Kurama told me, while Kuwabara was in the kitchen, that he was quite impressed with my handling of the Orb. Apparently only demons and rekai personnel were able to use artifacts like that without some form of injury. That confused me, since to my knowledge I'm not either of those, and said it must have been because I was dead for over a month. He agreed, and we changed topics when Kuwabara came back with some t.v. dinners for us.
"So, Minamino, you have some experience with the supernatural?" asked Kuwabara around a mouthful of food. Red smiled.
"You could say that. Why?"
"My sixth sense has been acting up lately. I can see the ghosts more clearly, and I've been getting a headache from all the energy in the city. Do you know how I can block it out?"
"No, sorry." Apologized Red, looking like he meant it. "I can teach you a few basic wards to keep ghosts from entering your house, but you'll need to see a specialist about your sixth sense. In fact, there's one not too far away."
"Really? Who?" Kuwabara was interested, and frankly, so was I.
"Her name is Genkai, and she's one of the best reiki masters out there. Her temple is north of here, near Hokkaido-"
"Hokkaido? That's not near!"
"If you'd rather go to China or even America for a specialist-"
"I take it back. That's pretty close. Only what, four, maybe five hours by train?"
"Precisely. Now, as I was saying, Genkai should be able to help you."
"Should?" I didn't like the sound of that.
"She does have a reputation of a grouchy hermit, and to my knowledge, she has never taken on a student. Convincing her to help you will be difficult."
That jerk! Letting us think Kuwabara had hope—
Banging on the door interrupted my thoughts. Kuwabara flinched, then stood to get it. He hadn't opened the door more than an inch when someone shoved it open and pushed him to the floor as they rushed past. Someone with blue hair.
"Yusuke! There you are, I was worried when I went to your house and you weren't there! I've got another case for you!"
"What? So soon?"
"I don't make these decisions, Koenma does! Now get up, we need to talk!"
"Umm, excuse me," Kuwabara looked like he was confused. Then again, he usually looked like that, so it really wasn't too out of the ordinary. Though it was funny the way he stayed on the floor, looking up at Botan like she was something out of a sci-fi anime. "Who are you?"
"My name's Botan, and I'm Yusuke's assistant. Is there anywhere in the house where Yusuke and I can speak quietly?"
"Uh, yeah, but one question first."
She sighed. "I'm probably going to regret it, but go ahead."
"Why you scare the shit out of me?"
"…..what?" whatever Botan had been expecting, it wasn't that. Kurama hid his grin behind his teacup, then I got it. Botan must be setting off Kuwabara's sixth sense! He could tell that she was death, but didn't know what it meant. I had to suppress the urge to giggle. Men don't giggle! Not even when imagining the looks on their friends' faces when they found out a pretty girl was the physical incarnation of death! No giggling!
I grabbed Botan's hand and dragged her into the bathroom, my shoulders shaking from the effort it took to hold in the laughter. When I got myself under control (which took much longer than it should have) I asked her what the case was.
"You're hunting another demon. His name is Rando, and he's very tricky. He disguises himself and gets a spiritual master to teach him all that they know, then kills the master. So far, we know he's responsible for killing ninety-nine masters, and who knows how many of the countless disappearances and deaths in the human world are linked to the techniques he's stolen."
"So this guy's a real baddie, eh? Who's he after now?"
"The last spiritual master in Japan. Genkai."
Seriously? Apparently. Because of Rando, Genkai was the last reiki master left in Japan. "So, what's the guy gonna do when he's killed Genkai?"
"We don't know, but it can't be good. You just need to stop him from getting to Genkai."
"And how do I do that? Trip him, push him down some stairs, what?"
"It would be best if you killed him." Botan? "He's dangerous, Yusuke, and he enjoys making people suffer. He'll be easier to handle if he can't access his power."
She gave me directions to Genkai's temple and left. I barely noticed, caught as I was in my thoughts. It just never occurred to me that she could be so…cold. I mean, yeah, she's death, but still. She's always been cheerful, but I guess she can be serious when the occasion calls for it.
It's really creepy.