CS: HI. Like always I like to apologize… I've been quite busy this month. It's near the end of the school year and you probably know some teachers love squeezing things in at this time, causing a lot of stress. I had a huge public policy paper two weeks ago. I kind of procrastinated…. We were given it four months before it was due.

Hiei: wow, you are a loser.

CS: shut up. And I've been hanging out with my friends more because I barely see them! Also work… yeah work. I would also like to say people aren't going to restaurants as much (well the one I'm working at). Which means less money for me. Also just a week ago I got horrible sick. I mean 101 temperature, huge headache, and staying up all night because I can't stop coughing: and may I say some times stuff came out of my mouth.

Hiei: you do realize they don't care.

CS: Jeez, what's got you're undies in a bunch?

Yusuke: Undies?

CS: I just can't see Hiei wearing boxers under that outfit.

(rest of team giggled)

Mika: Where's Emi?

CS: Like I said before, you'll get to see her after this chapter.

Mika: I haven't seen her for a month!

CS: Hiei is that why you're upset? You miss Emi?

Hiei: No, it's just she ran off with my sword when you locked her up in that room!

CS: Oh….. Well hope you like this chapter!

A Boyfriend!? Shocker!

"Are you sure about this?"

"If you don't believe me then come see!"

Since there was nothing better to do and this was shocking news, the gang fallowed, leaving Botan behind.

"Hey!" Botan started to fallow, "wait up!"

No one really knew why they were running, but never thought of stopping to ask. The gang could not believe Emi had a boyfriend. Kurama was wondering what the guy looked like, while Hiei wondered the guy's sanity.

"Over here!" The gang hide behind a three foot bush, a few yards away from a café. "look!"

The gang looked over into the café windows to see to their horror, Emi was with a man. But not just any man…. An older man.

"I could never see Emi as a girl liking older men." Keiko commented.

The man was in his mid 20's with dirty blonde hair. Black sleeveless shirt that showed his muscles. He was skinny but had some noticeable muscle in his arms. Not very noticeable but notice. He had piercing blue eyes that stared at Emi intently at whatever Emi was blabbing about.

"He's hot." Mika commented.

"He's not that good looking, right Keiko?" no response. "Keiko?"

Yusuke turned to see Keiko with a dreamy look in her eyes. A small blush came upon her face as she stared into the café window.

"Keiko…"

"Hmm?" She got out of her daze, "Did you say something Yusuke?"

The man was now on Yusuke's hit list.

"who in their right mind, would go out with her?" Kuwabara commented.

"watch your tongue carrot top," Mika glared, "I know many ways to hide a body and never get caught."

"I'm here guys!" Botan came out of breathe, "now what did you drag us- oh my god is Emi with a GUY!"

"Shh!" Mika grabbed Botan down with them as the guy turned around in their direction.

The man's stare stayed onto the bush till the waitress came by with a huge sundae, making Emi glee with happiness.

"There's something wrong with that guy."

"will you guys stop it! Just because Emi has a boy-"

"It's not that." Kurama eyes narrowed, "I think he might be working for The Oculus."

"what makes you thin-"

"What's the Oculus?" Mika asked.

"oh um." Botan forgot Mika didn't know anything about demons and spirit world.

"Is it the bad guys you're trying to find?" Mika asked. "Emi said you were detectives and I remember you guys talking about a group called The Oculus on the island."

"Ah, yes!" Botan nodded, " It's a underground crime group. The public aren't suppose to know."

"I see." Mika looked at Kurama, "and you believe the guy (who might be from the Oculus) is trying to get information of Emi because she looks like she'll spill information easily."

"Yes."

"Well-" Mika's watch started to go off. She franticly tried to turn it off and the guy in the café looked back at the bush.

"that guy has good hearing." mumbled Mika, "anyway I got to go. I'll be late for work. Watch the guy to make sure he doesn't do anything to harm Emi."

After Mika left, the guy stopped staring at the bush and was attending to Emi, who somehow got ice cream all over her face. The way she giggled as the guy cleaned her face made Hiei annoyed. It wasn't anything new, anytime Emi was happy he got annoyed… but this time, for some reason, he became more annoyed then usual.

"I can sense he's a demon," Kurama explained, "It's quite odd Emi meets some one interested in her who is also a demon."

The door to the café opened, Emi and the mystery man came out close together. Kurama didn't noticed he let out a low noise similar to a growl towards the man. The guy turned and smiled towards them. Emi tried to see what the guy was looking at by going onto her tiptoes, trying to look over the bush. Kurama's eyes narrowed as he saw the man place his hand on her back and bringing her closer as they walked away.

"I think we should fallow them."

The group nodded as they fallowed. They made sure to stay a few yards away to make sure they were undetected. The "couple" stopped at a store because Emi needed a potty break. The man stood outside waiting for her.

"I know you guys are here." a smirk appeared on his face, "I can smell you."

The group got out from their hiding places and stood in front of him. Yusuke made sure Keiko was behind him, incase the demon decided to attack.

"how about we have our discussion in that alleyway over there, so we don't cause any attention."

The guys nodded and fallowed him, while Keiko stood outside the alleyway.

"Emi has told me so much about you guys." his smile grew, "she's such a chatter box."

He placed his palm on the stone wall causing the guys to watch his hand turn to stone. He curled and uncurled his fingers, getting used to the weight.

"Let's have some fun, shall we?"

Before anyone could answer or blink the man disappeared and reappeared near Kuwabara, who got hit square in the face with the stone hand. Hiei got out his sword and charged towards him behind. He expected to hear flesh slicing but heard a thud. Hiei gave an annoyed groin as he saw not only was his arm stone but so was his back and probably his chest. The man touched Hiei's sword with his normal hand which soon changed into metal. The man started swinging his new hand around cutting a few hairs off of Kurama's cute little head. Kurama took his whip out, whipping it around. It hit the man but only caused some scratches on his face. Yusuke waited for Kurama to keep him still enough to shot him with the spirit gun. The man seemed to noticed this and grabbed the shaken, blood faced Kuwabara and threw him at Yusuke. He did not see that coming.

"two down two to go," He grabbed on to the whip like Ivory did a few chapters ago and swung Kurama, knocking Hiei into Yusuke. The man let go, leaving Kurama with the others. And this all happen in one minute.

Kurama underestimated the guy. He never expected him to be so fast with part of his body being stone and metal.

"You underestimated me." He walked slowly towards them, "when facing an unknown opponent you never underestimate them. You should have realized I've trained myself to move fast with all this weight. But all of you were full of hate to think clearly… except you carrot top… you were too stupid to see me coming. I guess I should finish the job."

The guys tried to get up but they were all too entangled with each other and the garbage they were thrown in to do something.

"NO!!!" Keiko ran and stood in front of the group.

"Keiko, no." Yusuke tried to get up but Kuwabara was on top of him.

"Listen I don't have time for-"

"NICK!!!!"

Everyone turn their gaze to the source of the voice. Emi stood in front of the alley with her arms crossed and an angry expression. It wasn't as scary as the one Hiei saw on the airplane, but it was strange to see on the always cheerful Emi.

"What are you doing!" Emi stomped towards him and slapped him in the back of the head. "Why are you hurting my friends!"

"Emi we think-" but Kurama was cut off.

"And you guys!" Nick snickered a bit when the angry was turned towards them, "How dare you spy on me and my big brother."

The whole group became quiet.

"B-brother?"

"Ok can you please explain this whole brother thing."

The gang was now in a park. Kuwabara was holding an ice pack to his face. He defiantly broke a nose.

"To put it simply, I was adopted into Emi's family." Nick sighed as if he was bored, "A few years ago when Emi was 12, I was living off the street. One day we met and she decided to visit me everyday. Then she brought me to her house and her parents let me stay. Thus I became part of the family the end."

"So basically she let a total stranger in like an idiot."

"not exactly…"

(flashback)

Nick was so screwed. His body was basically paralyzed. He should have known not to pick that fight with that demon. But his anger got the best of him. Now he had his back against a wall of a building on a not too friendly street. Many people just ignored him. They thought he was just some homeless punk that got ganged up.

"I'm going to die here, aren't I?" He asked himself.

"what are you doing sitting on the ground?"

He looked up to see a young girl with long brown hair. Her curious purple eyes moved up and down at his figure. 'what's a little girl doing in the bad part of town?'

"what do you want kid?" He glared, "I'm too busy to talk to a kid."

"Really, I didn't know sitting around was such hard work."

'That little brat!' Nick thought.

The girls eyes bored into him. She showed no real emotion, just stood there waiting for something.

"are you hungry?" a smile came upon her face.

"what's it to you?"

"Well, I so happen to have an extra lunch!" her smile grew, "by the way, I'm Emi!"

"I don't care, so beat it kid." Emi didn't move, "I said-"

"TAKE IT OR I'LL SHOVE IT DOWN YOUR THROAT." Her whole mood changed as she shoved the lunch into his hands. She then walked away.

'wow… mood swing much.'

The next day Emi came back.

"So how was the lunch?" She said cheerfully.

"alright," He feared to get her mad, "why are you here?"

"To give you another lunch." She started to go through her bag.

"why?"

"because where else are you getting you're food." She said simply, "You can't walk or stand. I doubt you're going to crawl around."

So that started the strange friendship. Everyday Emi came by and dropped off some food. They didn't talk much. Emi usually acted cheerful until Nick said something to tick her off. Slowly but surly Nick was getting his strength back.

It was a rainy day and the only cover he had was a cardboard box.

"Hi." Emi had a new umbrella in one hand and his lunch in another. He took the lunch and started to eat it.

"aren't you cold and wet?" She asked.

"Well duh, but there's nothing I can do about it."

Emi thought a moment.

"why don't you stay at my house, until the storm dies down."

"I don't think so kid, I don't think your parents will be too happy."

"Oh, they won't mind." She took his hand and tried to lift him up.

"You don't understand kid," His smile crew and his eyes glowed, "I'm a demon."

"…So?"

"So! You shouldn't bring demons into you're house!" He rolled his eyes. "Haven't you're parents ever told you that."

"No, but my auntie has." She pulled his arm again," come on! Before you get all soaked."

"Don't tell me what to do little girl," He snarled. "I don't take orders from anyone."

"Is that how you got all beat up. You're too stupid and hot headed for your own good! you're lucky I found you. You'd be d-"

Nick didn't realize until after he hit her that he did it. The look of complete shock was on her face and her umbrella flew out of her hand into the road.

"Listen kid I'm s-" a hug crunch noise was heard. The two looked to see her new bunny umbrella was now in three pieces, thanks to a Pepsi truck. "ah don't worry about it kid, it's just an um- "

The look on Emi's face brought shivers down his spine. He seen many fierce demons give the same glare before, but it was scarier seeing a child do it. Pure anger shown on the girl's face. Emi picked up Nick and help him above her head. Saying he was shocked would be an understatement.

"Hey what are you-"

"YOU JERK!!!!"

He was soon thrown to the other side of the street into a shop window.

When he woke up he was in someplace warm. His eyes slowly open to see he was on a couch in someone's living room.

"You just had to choice the hard way." He turned his head slightly to see a pouting Emi. "I suggest next time you do as I say… Because there might not be a next time after that."

(end of flash back)

Most of the gang had their jaws dropped.

"Are you telling us Cheery Emi was once very violent."

"Ye-." He was slapped in the back of the head, "what did I do now!"

"You still haven't explained to me why you attacked my friends." Emi still had her pout which was more cute now then scary.

"Well I wanted to see if they were strong enough to take care of my lovely little sister," Emi was still pouting, "alright, I thought it would be fun to mess with them and it would also be a good workout."

"Alright." Emi excepted his explanation, "now you guys, why where you spying on us!"

"That's probably Mika and my fault." Keiko spook, "We were passing by when we say you guys. Mika freaked and thought he was a boyfriend."

Nick burst into laughter while Emi glared at him. She slapped him in the back of the head, not liking him laughing at her friend.

"So basically Mika thought I kept it secret from her and felt sad. But also felt like she need to protect me so she went to you guys." Keiko nodded as Emi smiled, "ok then. I'm not mad anymore!"

Emi was back to her cheerful self.

"ah Nick… where is your Girlfriend?"

"Um…" He thought a moment. "I don't know. We got separated at the train station. I hope we find h-"

Nick was hit in the head with a two foot tall Buddha statue. Everyone turned to see a girl in her twenties in jeans and a red shirt. Her hair was black and straight. It went to her hips and her bangs were cut straight horizontally, just past the eyebrow. She held a Katana in one hand and her expression was a glare. It looked like that was her normal expression.

"Suki!" He ran towards her to give her a hug, "I missed you sweet heart!"

Suki moved a step to the right, leaving Nick to fall on his face.

"Really now," She glared down at him, "Then why did you left me at the train station and didn't even try to find me."

"Hello!" Emi skipped towards her, "You must be Suki, Nick's girlfriend! He's told me so much about you."

"And you must be Emi." She bowed, "Nick has also told me a lot about you."

"You are so pretty!" Emi smiled, "I'm surprised Nick found a girl like you. He's not very good at finding cool girls like you. He is soooo lucky to have you as his girlfriend."

"Yes he is." she looked down as her boyfriend was spitting out dirt. "I don't know why I still hang around you."

"probably because you love him!"

"Sadly yes."

"Oh, don't be like that Suki!" Nick got up from the ground, "I'm an awesome boyfriend!"

"No comment." Suki turned her head towards Emi, "I have a request for you Emi."

"Ok!"

"Could you get my bags. I left them a few blocks away."

"Ok…. But on one condition."

"and that is?"

"I can hug you!"

It was quiet for three seconds.

"… Alright, it seems like a fair bargain." Emi cheered and hugged her before skipping down the road. "so… have you figured out what's been bothering her?"

"No, not yet." Nick sighed.

"what are you talking about?" Kuwabara said holding the ice to his face, "She's still her happy annoying self."

"To you maybe, but as her brother I can noticed light differences." Nick said proudly, "The last time we talked was on the phone. Her voice was cheerful but had a hint of… loneliness?"

"Loneliness." Kurama thought, "Could it be she misses her parents?"

Nick hit his forehead. "of coarse. I'm so stupid!"

"Yes you are." agreed Suki.

"Why don't you get them to come?" Yusuke suggested.

"We can't. They're too busy on missions to even get a good night sleep, let alone get time to see her." Nick sighed, "besides…"

"Besides?" It surprised Kurama and the others a bit to see Hiei interested in the whole thing.

"They don't even know she's here."

"What?"

"We aren't able to contact them to tell them their child is miles away from home and is helping Spirit detectives in Japan."

"Does Emi know this?"

"No and she will never know." Nick glared at them, "You are to keep this secret, you understand."

"Why would Emi go on vacation to Japan without telling her parents?"

"Vacation? What are you talking about? She's not on va-" Nick was hit in the head with a Katana handle. "why the head…"

"If Emi said vacation then it's a vacation." Suki glared down at Nick. "looks like Emi's back with the bags."

Emi skipped with three bags, one in each hand and the other around her neck.

"Sorry it took so long." Emi placed them down, "some guy was trying to steal them so I had to beat him up. Sorry, but I got some blood on your suitcase."

"That's alright. This isn't the first time blood got onto it."

"Alright, we probably should be heading out." Nick took two bags, "we need to find an inn or some place to stay."

"You can stay at my house!" Emi looked to Suki with sparkling eyes, "it will be like a sleep over!!!"

"I don't think-"

"Sure." Suki cut him off.

"Yay!!!!"

"But I thought…"

"Thought what?" Suki raised an eyebrow a bit.

"You know…" His face got red, "Just us two… alone… together…"

"No, I don't know. Please, enlighten me."

He opened his mouth but no words came out. He looked like a fish.

"Then it's settled." Suki picked up one of her bags. "we're staying at Emi's house!"

"Yay!"

(at the house)

"So Suki, you ready for bed." A big smile on his face.

"I am." She grabs her pillow and goes the opposite direction to the guest room.

"Hunny, the guest rooms this way!"

"I know. I'm sleeping in Emi's room tonight." A small and rare smile appeared, "it is a sleep over after all."

"But!… What about Snuggle time!"

"Sorry but you lost that after you left me at the train station." She waived her hand lazily before opening Emi's door, "Good night… darling."

Hiei sat in his favorite tree in the park about to retire for the day. Kurama basically begged him to stay at his home a few days ago but declined. He liked seeing the stars and fresh air. Hiei used his Jagan to spy- I mean make sure his little sis was ok. Yukina was now sound a sleep at the old lady's house. He then got bored- or so he told himself -and decided to use his Jagan to see Emi.

First it was fuzzy but it soon became clear. Emi's room (as he expected) was a bit messy. Magazines and some clothes were scattered on the floor. What was surprising was Emi herself. He always thought her smile was always on her face, even as she slept. But as he looked at her, he saw this wasn't the case. Her expression was a bit hard to read. He could only describe it as deep into thought. Her gaze stayed on an old worn bunny in her hands. It was missing an eye and part of it's left ear. He felt uncomfortable seeing her like this, having a little frown on her face. It was probably because it felt off seeing Emi not smile… like it was the sign of the apocalypse. But then again she can't be happy all the time… that would be too creepy, even for him.

She quickly snapped out of her thoughts when someone opened the door. She quickly put a smile on and greeted Suki.

"you're a real idiot you know that." Hiei said before closing his third eye and going to bed.

CS: FINALLY DONE!!!! Took forever to finish this chapter!!!!

Hiei: yeah. Finally got my sword back.

Mika: We missed you so much EMI!!!!

Emi: I missed you too!!!

Cs: anyway it might be awhile till I update… especially to the Harvest moon fans. Sorry but it's Final exam week. AND I'm SICK OF BEING SICK!!!! AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!