"Another round of ice-cream for the house!" Jin ordered.

"And another toast to Rinku! The best speller in the world!" Chu bellowed holding up his beer to his kid's honor.

The boy grinned over his chocolate filled bowl. "Nah, in the universe!" He corrected, holding up his spoon.

After the tournament the group had filed out the door and headed over to a 24 hour diner to feast on ice-cream sundaes and banana splits in Rinku's honor. His fellow apparitions were in the same spirits' as him along with a gut full of sugar, and a drugging high from the child's victory.

"OH did you see?" Shishi giggled, over his drink. "The LOOK on Carol's face when her kid screwed up the word!"

"She looked like someone done near pulled her skirt down on a cold day without under panties!" Jin laughed, nearly choking on his spoonful of nuts and strawberry syrup.

"You have a way with words Jin." Touya commented from his milkshake. "But regardless. We're very proud of you Rinku. You can certainly take pride in your victory tonight."

"Both of your spelling, and swooning techniques." Suzuka commented, nudging the youth.

"W-what are you talking about." Rinku ducked, suddenly finding the melting whipped cream very interesting.

"Oh, we saw you flirt'n with the lassie now!" Jin accused. "The pretty little red-headed kitty!"

"You-" The brunette stared at the group. "You could tell she wasn't human from the audience?"

"At first I didn't recognize her." Suzuka smiled. "That concealment potion I make is tops. But once I saw her parents, my frequent customers, over in the aisle across from us. I realized it was Isis. I didn't know she was one of Jillian's student's though…You know I probably should have introduced you two earlier. It's much safer to have you play with apparition children then take the risk of being around someone like Eddy."

"Now you tell me!" Rinku sighed. "Isis told me about a group of other demons that live over in Rushing Lakes area or something. And I know it's not far from the house! Jeez! Still anything's better than hanging out with Eddy."

"What's that all about mate?" Chu inquired. "Despite the whole spell thing and Shishi's big mouth. I thought you two were still buddy-buddy?"

The samurai growled. "It's not my fault, the bitchy woman doesn't know her place!"

"Anyway!" The ice shinobi interrupted, "I didn't think you'd let competition and other individuals get in the way of your friendship."

"It's not like that." Rinku shrugged. "I talked to Eddy before the spelling bee began and…we disagreed on the his views of 'foreigners'"

"I was wondering about that little yo-yo trip incident." Touya muttered to himself.

"Human ignorance. They're all stuck up." Shishi waved.

"You can't be go 'in and stereotyping there Shishi." Jin pointed. "Ye do it too. It's just how things be, sometimes. I am sorry that your bud be do 'in that Rinku. But at least with that kitty-lass you made a new friend!"

"Ya broke even pal, and I'm proud of you." The purple haired demon grinned clapping him on the back.

"Yes, considering that's better than Chu ever did at any casino." The inventor muttered.

"Eeanie Meanie, Mighty, Moe! Raizen killed a tiger with his toe! When Yomi hollered he let him go! Me Mather taught me to eat the very best thumbs and this is…IT!" Isis smiled pointing to Rinku, for a brief second before running into the woods.

"I'll get you!" Rinku called chasing the cat-morph deeper into the forest.

Less than a week after the bee, Suzuka had taken the youth to Rushing Lakes while he sold concealment items to the few apparition families he knew. Within a few hours Isis had introduced Rinku to some of the other apparitions their age ranging from 60-150 years of age. Apparently the fallen barrier from Enki's reign had brought a few demon families to the human realm for a chance to raise their young in a safer environment. Or the Light as Touya and Jin frequently called it.

After a few visits nearly everyday Isis had started coming over to Rinku's home to play. Though he mostly introduced her to human videogames, and sports he had learned from Yusuke they mainly played or spared outside. Though his home was not as secluded as hers Rinku and the other demons still had a pretty wide range of woods to protect them…on most days.

Feeling so free and spirited the youths had become very swept up in their activities. Isis' concealment potion had worn off almost an hour ago, and the two were beginning to play like most youthful apparitions. Summoning his spirit energy, Rinku pulled out his yo-yo's and began using them to cut down the branches in his way. He grinned his mind focusing on Isis' energy ready to catch her around the next bend.

The red-head grinned smiling at his move. She could run, but she could also dodge! Jumping and using her claws she climbed into the nearest oak, dodging the star-child's toy.

"Hey no fair!" Rinku called, digging his heels into the ground in order to make a quick stop. As all his concentration fell to his feet, his hands lost control sending one of his yo-yo's out into the woods. "Uh-oh!" He paused, watching his weapon fly off into the thicket.

"Don't worry." The girl assured climbing down the trunk. "We'll find it."

The two took off in the direction of the yo-yo, even crawling on the ground and looking under bushes.

"Uh Rinku." Isis began coming out of a particular clearing.

"Yeah?"

"…I found it." She whispered, almost sounding afraid.

Raising a brow the boy followed his friend into the area she had previously been in. There on the ground laid Rinku's missing yo-yo right next to the bloody forehead of his unconscious neighbor Eddy.

A bit short, but it's a transition into the next VERY past due chapter. Sorry for the lack of activity, but things have been…busy. I wont go into details. I hope you all enjoyed, please review, and remember I own nothing but the plot I came up with at the asylum.