Two Months Later…
Hope is back in Koenma's office wondering what her next mission will be.
"You can come in," Koenma says. Hope walks in the door.
"Ummm…remember two months ago when those criminals merely vanished?" He asks her.
"Yes, I remember," Hope replies "Why?" She asks him curiously cocking her head.
"Well. They're back, but there's a slight problem," Koenma tells her.
"What is it?" She asks leaning on the wall.
"Well your going to have to go to the dark tournament. It turns out that they've joined team Toguro so we've been forced to combine two missions in one," He explains "You'll have to work with Yusuke again,"
"I'm okay with that," Hope says turning her head as her mind races.
"Also there's a mandatory cruise sponsored by the tournament to test the teams integrity. Unfortunately you have to go," He tells her "It starts next week,"
"Is it all right if I bring my help from last time?" She asks
"Yes you can bring the girls, but only if they'll join the team," Koenma says "O and you'll need to find a doctor for the team," He adds
"That's alright. Veronica can handle that job," Hope says with a smile.
"One more thing, Hope," Koenma says as she heads for the door. She turns around.
"What is it?" She asks holding the doorknob.
"Well I did some research and the doctor for team Toguro has a pretty nasty reputation. Tsuzuki asked me to give you his cell phone number just in case you have any problems," He says holding out a sheet of paper. Hope walks over and takes it.
"Thank you. See ya when we get back!" She leaves.
"Hello everyone!" Hope says bounding into the kitchen of Veronicas' home. Everyone (Minus Tsuzuki and Hisoka) is sitting around having breakfast.
"Well what'd he say?" Vikari asks curiously.
"Apparently our criminals have returned, but there's a slight problem…" Hope sighs "Besides the fact that we're going on a cruise next week. We have to join team Urameshi for the dark tournament," She explains.
"Well I'm in," Ari says, "This sounds like fun,"
"Can I count on the rest of you?" Hope asks desperately. They all nod "Veronica since you have healing powers you will be registered as our doctor and won't have to fight unless we need you to,"
"That's fine," Veronica says flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"O and the guys are allowed to come too," Hope adds
"We'd come even if we weren't allowed," Ban says
"Yeah there's no way we'd let you run into danger without some backup," Ginji adds
"So I guess we're staying here for the week," Vikari says
"Everyone's already here," Hope says, "Let's have the bedrooms the same way they were two months ago. It's easier,"
"Yeah that sounds like a good idea," Ruby says looking at them. They all stare at her "What a persons views are allowed to change aren't they?" She smiles playfully at Akabane.
"Wait. I'm curious where did the guys stay these past two months?" Ari asks "I mean I know than Ginji and Ban were here, but…"
"Well I stayed in the forest with Ruby," Akabane smiles.
"I think it's safe to assume that Kazuki stayed with Vikari," Veronica says. Vikari blushes and nods.
"Then that leaves…" Ari looks at Hope
"What?" Hope asks innocently looking at them "Yes, Shido went home with me. Okay I said it!" She says finally.
One Week Later…
"O my god it's huge!" Ruby says as they stare up at the very large cruise ship that they are to board soon.
"Well, this is it. There's no turning back now," Hope sighs "Ready?" They all board the ship.
"I hope we can fit all ten of us in one room," Veronica says as they head below deck.
"Veronica this place is huge we'll be fine," Ari says as Hope swipes one of the cardkeys. The door opens to reveal a huge suit ready for them. There are three king-sized beds and a large stuffed sofa. A huge chandelier hangs from the ceiling and three mirrors hang on the walls.
"Yeah I think we'll be fine," Hope says in awe as she places her bag down on one of the beds.
"The only thing we haven't got is a bathroom," Ban observes
"I guess we'll just have to use the one down the hall," Hope says as if it's no big deal "Well I'm going to go sunbathe who wants to join me?"
"Be careful I hear team Toguro is supposed to show up soon," Kazuki says as all five girls leave the room
"Well then it's prime time to check out the competition," Ari smiles closing the door behind her.
On deck they find five lounge chairs and settle down to watch the rest of the teams board the ship. All of the competitors look at them strangely as they pass.
"What is their problem?" Ari asks when it seems that all the teams have boarded.
"Well, we're not exactly what you'd call 'common'," Hope replies.
"That's true," A voice at the entrance plank says. They all turn to see a tall man with short platinum blonde hair that falls over his right eye. His left eye is a very pale blue and he's pale-skinned. He wears all white. "Pardon me ladies if I may explain," He says walking over to them.
"Go right ahead," Hope says
"Well a forest nymph is hardly ever seen outside its' forest, Female wind demons are an extreme rarity, Fallen Angels with purple wings are almost never seen on earth, Female kitsune-demons who can play with fire are almost unheard of and we are in the presence of the last living dragon-demon." He explains "Now if I may which way is it to the belly of this beast?"
"You just go to the end of this strip, turn left and down the stairs," Ari replies as everyone else is still in shock.
"Thank you very much," He grins and walks away.
"Wow that was really weird," Hope says coming out of shock.
"He gives me a bad feeling," Ruby says nervously.
"Yeah, which team do you think he's with?" Vikari asks looking at Hope.
"I guess we should've asked," Hope sighs
"Excuse me ladies," A young lady approaches them. By her uniform its obvious that she's a worker on the ship "There is a party tonight in the ballroom and everyone's invited," She informs them.
"Thank you so much," Veronica replies with a smile.
Later that night…
The girls enter the ballroom. It's very large and beautiful. The walls are draped with red velvet, there are about fifty tables waiting for guests, a bar, and a large square dance floor. The room is lit by the candles in the three chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and the smaller votives on the tables. They take a seat at a table by the dance floor and order drinks.
"Wow, this is really nice," Veronica says smoothing the skirt of her dark orange halter dress and looking around.
"It's so big," Ruby says in amazement. Hope is already on the dance floor. She's dancing with a male cat demon. The skirt of her calf-length strapless aqua dress flails around her legs as she dances.
"I shall return ladies," Ari says getting up and going to the bar. She wears a short one-shoulder deep purple dress and a few male heads turn her way as she passes. Soon she too is on the dance floor.
Vikari orders another drink and turns to Ruby just as the man from before approaches.
"Pardon me again ladies, but may I borrow your little friend for a moment?" He asks indicating Ruby.
"For a dance I hope?" Hope asks suspiciously as she returns from dancing for a drink.
"Of course," He replies "What else would I want?"
"Sure, I'll be back guys," Ruby stands fixing the skirt of her ankle-length blood red off-shoulder dress. They go to the dance floor as a waltz begins.
"May I?" Kazuki says to Vikari
"Of course," Vikari replies with a little smile. She gets up, her long spaghetti-strap black gown clinging to her and follows him to the dance floor.
"Veronica?" Ginji looks at her.
"Yes let's go," Veronica replies standing.
"Have fun guys," Hope says
"Will you be ok?" Veronica asks
"Yeah. I'll be fine," Hope replies "Somebody has to keep an eye on Ruby," She takes a sip of her drink "I need a break anyway,"
"Ok," Veronica says and they join the couples on the dance floor.
After a few dances they all sit back down.
"Where's Ruby?" Vikari asks concerned
"I don't know. I lost sight of her earlier," Hope replies "Has anyone else seen her?"
They all shake their heads.
"O but that guy that she went off to dance with. I found out what team he's with," Veronica says
"Which one?" Hope asks her fear mounting.
"Apparently he's the doctor for team Toguro," Veronica replies. Koenma's words ring in Hope's ears 'the doctor for team Toguro has a pretty nasty reputation,'
"We have to find Ruby," Hope says getting up.
"Why?" Vikari asks and Hope tells them what Koenma told her. "Ok let's go search this place," They all stand and begin searching.
Hours later as the party ends they stand by the door and watch everyone leave.
"Veronica did you happen to find out his name?" Hope asks desperately.
"I overheard elder toguro talking to him. He called him 'Muraki'," Veronica replies.
"Can I borrow your cell phone? I left mine in the room," Hope asks. Silently Veronica hands her her cell phone. Hope dials "Hello, Tsuzuki?"