Musical Espionage
Disclaimer: I do not own YYH or any of its characters being that they all belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. The only things I do own in this story is my OCs Jasmine and Christine.
Chapter 19: Jasmine Black vs. Yusuke Urameshi
Now waiting with Jasmine and her classmates outside the classroom door, Koenma began to feel a bit uncomfortable with the group of ordinary humans who were staring at him and Jasmine. He was starting to think that one or some of them seen him and the young demon hunter out in the garden and he began to sweat nervously.
Before he could get very paranoid that they may have seen him switch forms, one of her classmates that he recognized from the Student Union then asked, "Jasmine, who is this guy?"
"Yeah, where's your little cousin?" another chimed in.
Jasmine gave them a smile and gripped her purse straps and said, "I called my aunt and she came and got him. This guy is my boyfriend Koenma. He's just visiting because this is his day off from work and he has wanted to come see what I have been studying."
The other students seemed to buy Jasmine's story which made Koenma sigh with relief. He leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Thanks."
"No problem. Just lay low okay?"
"I think can do that."
Jasmine sweetly giggled and stood on her tip toes. She kissed Koenma's cheek which made him blush pink and gently took his hand in her own. For the next hour and a half, Jasmine's human anatomy class commenced without incident.
Her professor which was once her lab instructor, the old Russian woman Professor Petrovski, didn't seem to have a problem with Koenma being there. Throughout the lecture, Jasmine let Koenma write down notes in a spare notebook she had. He wound up writing everything that was written on the board along with the things that Professor Petrovski just talked about and didn't write down.
Leaving the classroom when the lecture ended, the prince tapped Jasmine on the shoulder. The young demon hunter looked up at him and smiled, "Yes Koenma?"
He then offered her the spare notebook, "Here, I think you may need this. It has some things that I noticed you didn't write down in your notebook. They might be on a test."
Jasmine sweetly giggled. She loved how Koenma genuinely cared about her education, "Thank you Koenma. Let me see what you got here."
Koenma handed her the notebook and Jasmine opened it. She stared at everything he wrote down with wide eyes, "Oh my god. Koenma, how the hell did you get everything that Professor Petrovski said? She has a very thick Russian accent and she can be very difficult to understand sometimes. Oh my god, this is good stuff. Thank you."
He couldn't help but think of how cute she was right now, "You're very welcome Jasmine. It was a very interesting lecture. I learned a lot about the human heart and the blood vessels."
The lovers then proceeded to walk down the hallway and as they were approaching the reception area, Jasmine responded, "I'm glad you enjoyed it. You didn't have to write notes if you didn't want to. I'm still grateful you did."
Koenma kissed her cheek, "I would gladly do it again."
"I really appreciate it. Thank you Koenma, I love you."
"I love you too."
Jasmine then stood on her tip toes and lightly kissed his lips before parting seconds later. The lovers then left the medical school building hand in hand and Jasmine led Koenma over to the building with the cafeteria so they could grab a quick lunch being that she promised to meet Koashura and Kotennyo there.
After entering the building and buying their lunch, the lovers looked around until they spotted Koashura and Kotennyo seated at a table near the center of the room. Kotennyo looked up from her art portfolio, "It's about time you get here."
Koenma and Jasmine sat down in front of them and the young psychic then began to apologize, "Sorry but, Professor Petrovski's lecture got out late today."
Playing with his lime green Jell-O, Koashura and even Kotennyo gave Koenma curious expressions, "Hey Koenma, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be busy with stamping paperwork all day until our meeting at Genkai's this afternoon?"
The prince just sat there and stared at his cake on his plate, "I talked to my dad last night."
"What happened?"
Still staring at his cake, Koenma sighed, "Not good. I didn't mention anything about the files I found but, it went by so fast because we were arguing with each other. After I left his office I really needed to get away from him and the rest of Spirit World so, I opened up a gateway and it just randomly opened up in the student union, though I didn't know where I was at the time, and just fell asleep on the couch. The next thing I knew, I was surrounded by a group of ordinary human college students until Jasmine came and bailed me out."
Koashura and Kotennyo felt awful for their friend. They really wanted to say something to him but, before they could, a group of ordinary human guys with long hair wearing flannel and band shirts and piercings in their ears, walked up to the table with one of them saying, "Hey Koashura."
Hearing the guy's voice, Koashura responded, "Hey Shinichi, what's up man?"
The guy called Shinichi stuffed his hands into the pockets of his baggy jeans, "Nothing much but, that was a rocking guitar solo in class today."
They high fived each other, "Thanks, I really appreciate it. Oh, you remember Jasmine and my sexy girl Kotennyo?"
The ordinary human man gave the girls a polite nod, "Of course I do. How's med school Jazzy girl?"
Jasmine chuckled, "It's going great Shinichi, how's Musashi and the baby?"
"They're great. Yamato said her first word yesterday. We are so proud of her." He then took one look at Koenma and smiled, "Hi, I don't believe we met. What's your major?"
Koenma looked up at him and began to laugh like a total dork, "I'm not a student here. I'm just visiting."
Koashura put his hand on Koenma's shoulder, "Shinichi, guys, this is mine and Kotennyo's friend from when we were in kindergarten up until we were in high school. This is Koenma, he and Jasmine are also dating and since he's off from work today, he wanted to come visit with us and see what college is all about."
Koenma then mentally thanked Koashura for his cover story and decided to play along. He was then brought back to reality when Koashura spoke again, "Koenma, this is Shinichi, Mamoru, Hiro, and Kojiro. They're music education majors like I am and we take a lot of the same classes together."
The prince then gave them all a polite smile and a nod, "It's nice to meet you guys."
All four men shook hands with him. Shinichi smiled, "Right back at ya."
Before Jasmine, Koashura, and Kotennyo could offer, Koenma then asked, "Would you guys like to join us for lunch?"
Shinichi and his three friends/classmates all smiled at the prince's generosity and the ordinary human man spoke, "Sure."
All four men sat down, pulling up chairs from another table. The lunch and the friendly conversation between the eight table occupants went on for over an hour. Food and drinks were consumed and laughter was heard. Jasmine then checked her watch and her large brown eyes nearly bulged out of her head, "Yikes!"
Everyone shifted their attention to her and Koenma asked with a hint of concern in his voice, "What's wrong?"
Laughing at herself, she just simply replied, "I gotta get to my next class. It starts in ten minutes."
Passing a glance at Jasmine's watch, Kotennyo added, "As do I. My pottery class starts in ten minutes too."
Both women then stood up and grabbed their purses and book bags and in Kotennyo's case, her art portfolio. Jasmine then kissed Koenma on the cheek and asked, "Do you want to go with me or do you want to stay here and hang out with Koashura and these fine gentlemen? Either one is fine."
Koenma then reached into his pocket and withdrew his pocket watch. He flipped it open and replied, "I think I'll stay here. It's almost time for Koashura and I to start heading on over to Genkai's."
He then shut his pocket watch and slipped it into his pocket hearing one of Shinichi's friends compliment, "Cool watch."
Hearing that, Koenma smiled at the human man and took his compliment, "Thank you. You're too kind."
Jasmine then kissed his cheek again, "Okay, I'll see you there after my dance aerobics class tonight. I love you my prince. Have fun."
Koenma lightly kissed her pink lips in return, "I love you too my queen. Have a good class."
Jasmine and Kotennyo then bid their boyfriends and the four ordinary human college men to have a good afternoon and left the university cafeteria to head off to their respective classes. Shinichi too checked his watch, "Well, it's been fun, I gotta get home to my wife and daughter."
He and his three friends then stood up and grabbed their book bags. Shinichi and Koashura fist bumped, "See ya later Koashura. Thanks for lunch."
Koashura nodded, "No problem. I'll see you in class next week."
"See ya then." He then shifted his attention to Koenma, "It was nice meeting you Koenma."
The prince nodded in agreement, "Same here."
Koenma and Koashura bid Shinichi and his friends to have a nice afternoon and the four men left the two gods to finish off the remainder of their food. Once consuming the rest of their meal and disposing of their trash, Koashura gathered up his belongings and left the cafeteria with Koenma following close behind him.
As they were walking the grounds, Koashura then asked, "Do you think we should start heading on over to Genkai's now?"
Thinking about it for less than a minute, Koenma responded, "I think that would be best. Ogre and Shunjun should be there waiting for us very soon. If we go now, we'll be able to meet them on time."
Now approaching the university's fountain, Koenma then looked over at Koashura and asked curiously, "So you don't have a class this afternoon?"
Koashura shook his head, "Nope. I just had all morning classes today, so no worries."
Just then, they heard a few voices arguing. Koenma and Koashura both listened and they could hear the voice of a man saying, "I'm not surprised that you're wasting your life away. I was right about how you were such trash."
Koenma then recognized the second voice who then spoke, "I don't give a damn about what you think old man. You have no authority over me anymore."
Koashura then whispered to Koenma, "Hey isn't that Yusuke Urameshi?"
The prince nodded, "Yeah, it sounds like he's having a hard time. I think I recognize the other voice too. I think it's one of his old teachers from Sarayashiki Junior High."
"Do you want you want to go check it out, there was suppose to be a career fair here today."
Koenma then looked over at him, "Do you think that's why Yusuke is here?"
Koashura shrugged his broad shoulders, "That's the only reason I can think of why he would be on a college campus anyway. Jasmine overheard him talking to Kazuma Kuwabara about not wanting to go to college but, to find a job instead."
The two gods then abruptly ended their conversation and soon took a detour towards the building with the bookstore and library. Walking over there, Koenma could see many booths of different businesses/companies and a red and silver banner that read:
Mushiori University Career Fair
Koashura then silently gestured to Koenma follow him to hide behind a large cherry blossom tree near the teachers' booth to Sarayashiki Junior High. Koenma then nodded and followed his childhood friend to their hiding place and both gods continued to listen to the hostile conversation.
Yusuke then continued to glare at his former teacher and began to grumble once again, "Whatever I do with my life is my business. Buzz off old man."
Mr. Iwamoto then continued to sneer, "With your rotten attitude, it's really no surprise that you're wasting your life away."
Yusuke then began to clench his fist at his side and seeing that, Keiko then put her hand on his and tried to say in a comforting tone as she tried to warn him, "Yusuke don't. Don't give him the satisfaction of seeing you get angry and I don't want to see you get kicked out of here."
Koenma and Koashura continued to listen to the heated conversation and both gods then heard Mr. Iwamoto laugh at the sight before him. Yusuke continued to grit his teeth wanting very much to cause his former teacher such agonizing pain.
After a minute or two, Mr. Iwamoto then stopped laughing, "You're never going to find a job. Just give it up now and run home to your tramp mother. Scum like you will never be functioning members of this society. As far as I'm concerned, you should have stayed at that military academy. It's where delinquents like you belong."
Kuwabara wanted to say something but, glancing at Keiko who was giving him the "Please don't say anything look", he took a deep breath and decided not to retort to Mr. Iwamoto's nastiness. Yusuke on the other hand, just couldn't take it anymore.
Koenma and Koashura then seen him clench his fist harder and then broke free from Keiko's light grasp. Before Mr. Iwamoto could react, the half demon former spirit detective then landed a hard punch to the ordinary human man's face, which knocked his glasses off and hurled him to the ground.
Koashura then burst out laughing and shouted, "Yeah! You go Urameshi!"
Koenma also started cracking up and tried his hardest to stifle his giggles. Hearing that, Yusuke, Keiko, and Kuwabara shifted their attention to the cherry tree the two gods were hiding behind and found Koashura rolling on the ground in laughter and Koenma biting his lip turning a bit red in the face trying to keep himself from laughing.
Little good it did him, the prince then began to laugh and Kuwabara then chuckled, "Looks like we had an audience."
Yusuke then formed a small smile from the corner of his mouth watching his former boss and Koenma's childhood friend laughing. Koashura gave him a thumbs up. Yusuke then sighed and said, "Let's get out of here. This thing was a big waste of my time."
He then began to walk in the direction of the university ground's exit. Kuwabara and Keiko began to follow at his heels with Keiko saying, "Yusuke come on..."
As the three teenagers left, Koenma and Koashura then regained their composure and stopped laughing. Still chuckling, Koashura then picked up his guitar case and began to walk to the university grounds' exit with Koenma following him close by, "Wow that asshole should not have said those nasty things to him."
Finally catching up to him, Koenma added, "He gave Yusuke and Kuwabara trouble the whole time they went to Sarayashiki Junior High. You should have seen the time Yusuke fired his first spirit gun blast at him."
"Whoa, really?"
Koenma nodded, "Yeah, it was over a stupid theft case."
Walking towards the bus stop, Koashura then asked with genuine interest, "What happened?"
Both men sat down on the wooden bench to wait for the bus and Koenma then explained about how Yusuke was framed by Mr. Iwamoto for the sudden thefts at the school when he was first brought back to life and how he helped Yusuke figure it out.
"He then wanted to attack him but, I said that it wasn't right to hit his teacher when he was finally cleared from the charges. But, here's the kicker."
Koashura then listened intently as Koenma continued, "I said that he can attack him invisibly when he said he couldn't let him go for framing him."
"Is that when he fired his spirit gun at him?"
Koenma nodded and began to laugh, "Yeah. I instructed Yusuke on how to charge up his spirit energy and fire it and he did. The human bastard when down in a flash. You should have been there, it was so funny."
Koashura then began to laugh too, "Damn that is funny. Holy crap Koenma, you're still just as mischievous as you were in Spirit World Kindergarten. But, you seem to have grown even craftier."
At his friend's words, Koenma burst out laughing and stopped after a minute, "Oh I have, my friend, I have."
Just then, the bus pulled up. Koenma and Koashura got on and paid their bus fare and sat down. During the hour long bus trip to the outskirts of town, Koenma continued to talk to Koashura about Yusuke's spirit detective cases. The young red headed god listened with awe and enjoyed his childhood friend's tales.
They finally arrived at their destination and stepped off the bus. Koenma and Koashura continued on their conversation while they walked through the forest and up the long staircase to Genkai's compound. Approaching the front doors, Koashura then asked, "Do you think Jorge and Shunjun are here waiting for us?"
The prince then shrugged his broad shoulders, "Probably."
Koenma knocked on the thick wood of one of the double doors and only waited for less than a minute until the door opened to reveal Genkai who then greeted them with a smile. "You guys are late."
She stepped off to the side to let Koenma and Koashura in and shut the door behind her. Koenma started to chuckle like a complete dork and responded scratching the back of his head, "Sorry about that. Traffic on the way over was hell."
Still gripping the handles of his guitar case, Koashura added, "We thought about appearing here but, we didn't want to draw unwanted attention to ourselves being that there were too many humans around."
Still flashing them a friendly smile, Genkai nodded with understanding, "It's alright. Jorge and Shunjun are waiting for you guys in the kitchen. Are you guys hungry for a snack?"
Koenma shook his head, "No thank you Genkai. Koashura and I just had a pretty good lunch at the university but, we can go for something to drink."
The small elderly psychic then gestured them to follow her to her kitchen, "I just made some lemonade. Would you like that or something else?"
Walking into her kitchen, Koenma smiled, "Lemonade sounds fine."
"Yeah, I would like some too."
They sat down at the round wooden breakfast table while Genkai poured them their glasses of lemonade. Jorge sipped from his water glass and Shunjun broke the ice, "Glad you can join us. What took you guys so long?"
Koashura took a sip from his lemonade, "Traffic jam."
All four men just sat at the breakfast table in silence while drinking from their water glasses of lemonade. Genkai poured herself a glass and sat down at the table placing the pitcher in the center. She looked at Koenma and asked, "So have you made your decision yet?"
Koenma just sat there and stared at his half full glass of lemonade. The other four table occupants waited for baited breath for him to say something. Breaking the silence, Koashura then spoke, "We can't do it without you."
Shunjun nodded in agreement, "Yeah. Koenma, you're the heart and soul of this band. None of this would be possible without you."
Jorge gently placed one of his blue hands on his boss's shoulder, "Sir, we don't want you to feel like you're being pressured into something you don't feel comfortable doing. If you need more time, we understand."
He then looked over at Koashura and Shunjun, "Right guys?"
They both nodded with Koashura adding, "Yeah. Like Jorge said, Koenma if you feel like you need more time, just tell us."
Koenma then took a deep breath and then exhaled. He looked up and replied, "Guys, Genkai, I have made my decision."
The other four just sat there silently waiting for what he was going to say. They didn't have to wait for very long when Koenma spoke again. The look on his face had turned serious and the prince said, "We should. We should do it. People should hear our music and not only that but, someone has know about my father's crimes. Not directly of course."
He paused and took a sip from his lemonade and added, "We should continue with what we are doing with the love songs so no one will get suspicious of our activities."
Shunjun finished off his current glass of lemonade and refilled his glass, "Agreed your highness. You never know who you can trust these days. If the king catches wind of what we have been doing, there is a huge chance that all of us will be severely punished for it."
From what Shunjun just said, Koenma immediately thought about the files he found on Koashura and Kotennyo. He then looked over to his childhood friend. Koenma really wanted to say something about the bounty on their heads but, he just wasn't so sure on how Koashura and even Kotennyo would react to such news.
He then sighed to himself and decided not to say anything about that right now. Seeing that, Koashura looked over at him with a bit of concern, "Hey are you okay?"
Koenma snapped back to reality and nodded, "Yeah. I just dozed off."
He finished off his glass of lemonade and refilled it before going back to the subject of their music and the decision over the record label, "That's a pretty good point Shunjun. Nobody and I mean nobody can know about our true identities. Only those that are closely involved with us like Jasmine, Kotennyo, and anyone else we know that's trustworthy can. We all have to keep our lives outside of the band separate from in. We have to all agree on this if we are going to do this Human World record label thing otherwise; this whole thing will fall apart. Do I have your full discretion from all of you?"
The other four table occupants nodded. Genkai added, "You don't have to worry Koenma. I'm going to continue with my cover stories for you."
She then looked at the clock hanging on her wall, "In the mean time, you, Jorge, and Shunjun better head off to Spirit World soon. I'll get in contact with Mr. Nagisa and inform him on your decision."
Getting up from their places at the wooden breakfast table, Koenma suddenly remembered, "Oh I forgot. Jasmine was supposed to meet me here later so, I can get my robes and my pacifier back from her."
Koashura cleared his throat, "Hey Koenma, I think I can help you with that." The young redheaded god picked up his backpack and handed it to his friend, "She gave them to me while you were in the bathroom because, she wasn't sure if you were going to stay with her or not. It's a good thing you decided to go with me."
Koenma unzipped Koashura's red backpack and found his pacifier, his red cloak, red sash and long blue tunic, "Genkai do you have anything to remove the makeup that's covering my mark?"
The small elderly psychic nodded, "Sure." She got up from her place at the breakfast table, opened up one of cabinets and took out a box of baby wipes, "Here, it may not be makeup remover but, they do come in handy."
Koenma opened up the box and pulled out one and began to remove the makeup off his forehead. When his mark was no longer concealed, he deposited the makeup covered wipe into the trash and began to get dressed. A minute or two later, he fastened his red cloak around his neck and slipped his pacifier between his lips.
Koenma, Jorge, and Shunjun bid Koashura, who was leaving to go back to his apartment and Genkai as good evening. They left compound and walked into the gateway that Shunjun opened and it sealed shut behind them.
Later that evening at the Yukimura Café, Mr. Yukimura finished cooking a plate of grilled beef and vegetables with rice and set the piping hot meal down in front of Yusuke.
The former spirit detective sighed and looked downright depressed.
Seeing that, he began to feel some concern for his daughter's best friend and boyfriend, Mr. Yukimura then asked, "Why the long face Yusuke?"
Staring at his food, Yusuke sighed, "I never thought coming back home would be so complicated."
Keiko began to gently rub his back in comfort, "I won't deny that it is but, just give it more time. Sure you screwed up today at the job fair but, there will be other opportunities."
Yusuke picked up his chop sticks, separated them and began to eat small bites from his beef and rice, "It was a big fat waste of my time. I didn't expect to see Mr. Iwamoto there."
"You didn't have to punch him in the face, though he deserved it."
Yusuke sighed, "Please don't start nagging me again. I know I shouldn't have did that and you know what, I'm glad I hit him. I have wanted to do that to him for a long time."
Mr. Yukimura started laughing, "Too bad I missed it. I never liked that man. No matter how many times I filed a complaint about him and the other teacher, what was his name? Ah...Akashi, the school district never did anything about them."
The former spirit detective looked up from his food with wide eyes. He was surprised from the things he heard from Mr. Yukimura's mouth. Mr. Yukimura continued, "Yusuke you did the right thing. That man had it coming to him for a long time and I am glad that you and Keiko are finally out of that hell pit of a school so you don't have to deal with them anymore. If I was there, I would have did the same thing."
Yusuke smiled in appreciation but, before he can say anything, Mr. Yukimura then decided to offer, "Say, why don't you work here for a little bit until you find a job?"
Yusuke sat there speechless for about a minute. He began to scratch the back of his head and replied, "Um thanks Mr. Yukimura. You don't have to do this..."
"Nonsense, you need help and you're still young and trying to find yourself. You've always been family to us and the least we can do is help you out a little until you're back on your feet."
Keiko sipped from her water and gave him an encouraging smile, "You should. Who knows you may find what you're looking for here."
Yusuke stared at his food again and began to think about it. Perhaps Keiko might be right about this one. Sure the job fair may have been a total bust but, perhaps working at the
Yukimura Café would nudge him in the right direction. He smiled at that thought and thought about how the Yukimuras have always treated him like a part of their family and were willing to help him out if he needed it.
It was then Yusuke decided that it wouldn't hurt to work with people who genuinely liked him and thought highly of him. He then tore his eyes away from his beef dish and looked up at Mr. Yukimura who was patiently waiting for his answer.
"Mr. Yukimura, I just gave it some thought and sure, why the hell not?"
Mr. Yukimura brightly smiled in delight, "Wonderful. When will be a good time for you to start? I don't want to put too much pressure on you. Just pick a day and a time of when you feel you're ready."
Yusuke chuckled and replied, "How about tomorrow? I have nothing better to do."
Mr. Yukimura was speechless for a moment but, looking at his future son-in-law's determined face, he gave him a smile in encouragement, "So soon huh? Well, there's no arguing with that determination."
He then knelt down below the counter for just a moment and emerged with holding a white apron and a white hat. He tossed them over to Yusuke who caught them both with ease and said, "We'll see you bright and early at six, unless you would like to come in a little bit later."
Yusuke smiled and shook his head, "Six is just fine. I had to wake up early when I was in De..." He then paused for a moment and remembered Keiko's cover story. He didn't want to freak Mr. Yukimura out about the whole Demon World thing so he then said, "I had to wake up early at that military academy I was at so, it won't be a problem here."
"Wonderful, we are looking forward to having you."
Yusuke smiled in response. He was grateful for the Yukimura's generosity, compassion and so much more. Even though he didn't know what lie ahead of him in the future, he decided to just take one day at a time.
Later that evening in Spirit World, Koenma was once again hard at work stamping and processing the many stacks upon stacks of paperwork. He was just a little bit behind from being absent during most of the day but, he was beginning to catch up.
Stamp...rustle...stamp...rustle...
The currently toddler looking prince continued on with his rhythmic pace and his mind began to wander. He began to think about his decision on the record label thing. Feeling both nervousness and excitement bubbling up inside him, Koenma had a good feeling about this.
Being consumed in his thoughts and his work, he didn't notice the large pink and yellow double doors to his office opening and in walked Botan with Jasmine. The lovely grim reaper then spoke, "Koenma sir. You have a surprise visitor."
Hearing Botan's sudden announcement he looked up from his work. He smiled behind his blue pacifier seeing Botan and his lovely human lover, "Jasmine what are you doing here?"
Jasmine sweetly giggled, "Since I felt bad about ditching you earlier and since I was also called into work being that they were understaffed today, I decided to have Botan fly me here to come see you for a little bit. I'm so sorry we didn't get to hang out at Genkai's today. When I called her so I can talk to you, she told me that you already left to come back home."
Koenma too began to feel guilty and scratched the back of his head laughing like a total dork, "I should be the one to apologize. I should have contacted you before I left the compound."
"Koenma, you're forgiven."
They both started laughing. Botan chuckled at the adorable scene, "You two are just too cute. I better finish off the remainder of my shift. See you in two hours Jasmine."
"Bye Botan. I'll see you then."
Both young women gave each other a short friendly embrace and parted seconds later. Botan left her boss's office and before Jasmine could walk up to his desk, Koenma then asked, "Could you lock the door for a minute? I have some very important secretive news."
The Alaskan demon hunter nodded, "Sure." She did as her boyfriend asked and locked the two doors and approached his desk.
Gripping her purse straps she asked, "What's up?"
Koenma placed his wooden stamping tool on his desk and cleared his throat, "The rest of the band and I finally made our decision on the Human World record label thing."
Getting really excited herself, Jasmine brightly smiled showing her slightly crooked teeth, "Well, what did you guys decide?"
Trying to keep his composure despite being giddy himself, the currently pint sized prince decided not to keep his lover waiting, "We're going to do it while we still attend to our daily lives. Jasmine, I need your full discretion about this. If anyone like my father or those in his inner circle were to find out, we could be severely punished."
Jasmine nodded, "Yes my prince, mum's the word. I promise to keep this between us and the rest of the band. So is Koashura telling Kotennyo and Jorge with Christine?"
Koenma nodded, "Yeah."
Shifting her black purse straps, something dawned on Jasmine, "Hey Koenma, I just thought of something. If we can't tell anyone who's not associated with the band, which means that Team Urameshi can't know."
"Good point but, remember that Kurama was once our drummer before he went off to Demon World. Though, I highly doubt he'll say anything to Kuwabara, Hiei, and Yusuke."
He then sat there and thought about what he just said for a minute and slapped himself on the forehead, "Dammit Kuwabara already knows. I just hope he doesn't say anything to Yusuke."
Jasmine sweetly giggled at her lover's realization, "I highly doubt Kazuma will say anything to Urameshi. Besides, he has a lot on his brain right now with his school stuff, preparing for college and his relationship with Yukina. Also, isn't Hiei in Demon World doing his own thing?"
Koenma nodded and suddenly there was a knock on the door. The voice of Jorge then spoke, "Koenma sir, why is your door locked? Are you and Jasmine messing around in there again?"
The currently toddler looking prince felt like he wanted to curl up in a ball and die right now. He placed one of his small hands on his face and shook his head. He sighed and said to Jasmine, "Can you unlock the door? Great, he thinks we're...you know."
The young demon hunter rolled her eyes, "Seriously? Just because I'm a college student, it doesn't mean I'm a sex crazed maniac and besides you're not even...well..."
Koenma started cracking up, "Yeah, I know."
Jasmine walked over to the two large pink and yellow double doors, unlocked them and opened one. Before Jorge could say anything, Jasmine slapped him upside the head. The blue ogre rubbed the sore spot, "What was that for?"
Walking into the office, Jasmine crossed her thin arms over her chest, "For assuming that Koenma and I were having sex when we clearly weren't! Like my dad always says, "Never assume, it always make an ass out of you and me.""
Jorge snapped his attention over to Koenma who then interjected, "No we weren't. Jasmine and I were just having a private conversation about the band."
Deciding to drop the subject, Jorge then asked setting another stack of paperwork on his boss's desk, "So you finally told her?"
Both lovers nodded. Jasmine spoke in a soft voice, "I swear I won't tell anyone about what's going on with you guys. I know in these times, you don't know who you can trust and the last thing I want is to put Koenma or any of you guys in danger."
At the young demon hunter's words, Jorge gave her a warm smile. He knew that she was trustworthy and would never do anything to harm her lover. Deciding to break the silence between them, Jasmine then asked, "So, do you know when your audition is?"
Koenma blinked his large brown eyes and replied, "Genkai said that she would contact the head of that Human World Record Label. She'll inform us of when our appointment to meet with them will be."
Looking at the large stack of papers Jorge just brought him, he groaned. Deciding to change the subject, he asked his blue servant, "What did you bring in for me Ogre?"
Not wanting to make him angry with what he was about to tell him, Jorge took a deep breath and said deciding to be honest with him, "The usual stuff and also some documents regarding Demon World."
Koenma let out a loud groan that sounded like a whine, "Oh dammit, what is it about?"
Jorge scratched the bald spot on his head, "Um Sir, they're from King Enki. He wanted to send them to you specifically because he said he wanted to you to investigate something for him."
Jasmine crossed her thin arms over her chest again, "Just cut to the chase Ogre."
The currently toddler looking prince looked over at his loving human girlfriend and smiled behind his pacifier and thought to himself, "I love her so much. Someday she'll be my bride."
Snapping himself out of those thoughts, he tore his eyes away from Jasmine and shifted his attention back to Jorge, "Yeah Ogre, what Jasmine said. What is this about?"
Realizing that he was outnumbered, Jorge put his hand down and replied in a low voice only he, Jasmine, and Koenma could hear, "It's regarding the demon disappearances Sir. Enki said he wanted you to investigate it because, he doesn't trust your father at all."
Noting the blank expression on Koenma's face, Jorge then asked, "Are you alright?"
The small prince nodded, "Yes. You may go Ogre. Um...tell you what..." He then said something that Jorge hasn't heard him say in years, "Jorge, why don't you take the rest of the night off?"
The large blue ogre felt like his ears were burning, "Really Koenma sir?"
He nodded, "Yes. Go spend some time with Christine and Hector. Tell them I said hi."
Jorge formed a big grin on his blue face, "Th...thank you Sir. This is quite gracious of you."
He wanted to hug his currently pint sized boss but, deciding not to ruin this moment, instead, Jorge politely bowed to his boss and said changing the subject, "I'll leave you two alone while I finish up the song I have already started composing for you. I'll give it to you after you finish up."
Smiling behind his pacifier, Koenma responded, "Very well. You're dismissed."
Not saying another word, Jorge politely bowed to him again and then left the office. Jasmine turned around and smiled, "That was very sweet of you. Koenma I'm so proud of you."
Forming a deep blush on his chubby cheeks, he then giggled like a total dork, "Um...thank you. Uh, he deserved it." Looking at the stacks of documents on his desk, Koenma sighed and groaned again, "Dammit, this is going to take me hours to complete."
Feeling totally bad for him, Jasmine asked, "Do you need any help?"
Staring at her, the small prince asked, "Don't you have a test you need to study for?"
The young demon hunter nodded, "Yes." She then checked her watch, "Since we have another hour and a half, I can help you for a little bit. Oh, don't give me that look."
Knowing that she wasn't going to let up, Koenma shrugged his small shoulders, "Okay but, you're taking the paradises and some of the punishments. I have those documents from Enki I have to look over."
Jasmine nodded with understanding, "It's alright. You do what have to do my prince."
She walked around his desk and put her black and white handbag on the ground next to his chair and knelt down and opened it up. Jasmine took out a few CDs and handed them to him, "Which one?"
Koenma sifted through them and responded, "This one from this band. The picture is kind of weird with that yellow bird sitting on that guy's mouth."
Jasmine took a look at it and giggled, "Ah, that one. They're No Doubt. Have you heard of them?"
He shook his head, "No. Are they good?"
"Yes, would you like to listen to that one first? They're sound is a bit different from what
you're used to. Also, they have a new album coming out next month. I hear it's going to be different from this one."
Koenma shrugged his small shoulders, "Sure why not?"
Jasmine handed him the CD and Koenma hopped out of his chair after pressing a button on his desk that made the large stereo system along with his yellow big screen TV appear. When their music was finally set up, Koenma with Jasmine helping him soon got to work on the stack of documents that Jorge brought in.
While they were working together, Jasmine tried to get Koenma to talk about the documents that Enki had sent him but, the prince just didn't want to stress her out so he decided not the share the contents with her just yet. Even though Jasmine really wanted to know but, deciding to be a good girlfriend and just let him have his space, Jasmine didn't press the issue and went back to work on the documents she agreed to work on.
They were only about halfway through the stack when Jasmine had to go back home. When Botan arrived to take the young demon hunter back home so she can study for her test, she and Koenma wished each other a good night. Jasmine didn't want to leave him alone with his remaining work but, he convinced her that he would be fine and that she should focus on her education saying it should be more important to her anyway.
The month of October had soon approached and midterms were upon for the middle schools, high schools, the college campuses. Taking a study break with Koashura and Kotennyo, they played a game of basketball at their apartment complex's basketball court while discussing their plans for the Halloween party they had been planning since the start of the semester.
They and Koenma had already went to the mall and bought their costumes. Music from their boom box filled the air along with the sound of their bouncing orange basketball. Koashura threw the ball through the hoop and asked, "So who's going to be on candy duty?"
Kotennyo caught the ball, "I guess it's our turn this year because Jasmine and Koenma did it last year."
She wound up missing the hoop and Jasmine caught the ball. As she dribbled over to the metal hoop, she added, "Yeah we did. What type of candy do you guys want to pass out? Last year we did the full on bags of plain and peanut M&Ms."
Koashura tried to block her but, Jasmine wound up making the shot. The young red headed god caught the ball. He passed it to Kotennyo and tied his long red hair back into a ponytail, "What do you say we do that again but, with full on candy bars instead?"
He began to dribble the ball again and both girls tried to get it from him. Kotennyo then took the ball and Jasmine responded, "I love it. So which bars should we pass out?"
Kotennyo threw the ball into the hoop, "Hmmmm...how about Snickers or something?"
Jasmine caught the ball and thought about Kotennyo's suggestion for a moment and replied, "Wait, I just thought of something. Aren't we going to be a bit short on cash this week due to paying bills? That's not going to leave us with much for groceries until all of our paydays."
Both Koashura and Kotennyo groaned. The young war goddess bopped herself on the head at her own forgetfulness, "Oh that's right. We did spend some money at the mall the other day when Koenma went with us to buy our costumes."
Jasmine then began to dribble the basketball. She tried really hard to keep it away from Koashura. The young redheaded love god was proving to be quite the challenge for her and stole the ball away.
While he dribbled the ball, Koashura then suggested, "You know I've been working on some dessert recipes with this new cookbook I bought at the bookstore at MU. It has some really cool candy recipes I have wanted to try. There's one where we can make our own homemade Snickers bars. All we need is chocolate, caramel, peanuts and that white chewy thing at the bottom of it and boom, we have candy for the kids and our party guests."
He threw the ball into the hoop and Jasmine caught it again. All three college students decided to take a break and sat down next to the basketball court as they sipped from their water or Gatorade bottles and listened to the music playing on the built in radio of Jasmine's boom box. Both young women loved Koashura's idea.
Taking a sip of water from her water bottle, Jasmine replied, "Great idea. I love it. When you go grocery shopping, it's your responsibility to pick up the ingredients Koashura."
Holding his water bottle full of red Gatorade, Koashura nodded, "That won't be a problem at all Jas, and I'll also make them while you and Kotennyo are in charge of the decorations and the guest list."
Jasmine took another sip of water from her water bottle and said in agreement, "Deal."
Kotennyo sipped from her blue Gatorade and asked sort of changing the subject, "Speaking of the guest list, who are we going to invite?"
Jasmine thought about it for a moment and replied, "Well, Koenma of course. Also Shizuru, Kazuma if he wants to come, if my siblings aren't busy they and Raito would come. Hmmm...let's see...Genkai, Kuroko and her husband, Shogo. I bumped into them at the mall and they mentioned that they are planning on doing something special while Kaisei and Fubuki are sleeping over at a friend's house."
Taking another sip from her Gatorade, Kotennyo mentioned, "So who are the people that you're not going to invite?"
Jasmine fiddled with her water bottle, "Certainly not Yusuke Urameshi."
"Why not?"
She shifted her attention to Kotennyo, "Think about it. Remember the softball game? Not only did he upset me but, he really gave Koenma a hard time. It didn't stop there. Remember the little party afterwards that my parents threw at their place? Urameshi totally wrecked that. This party is not only going to be a Halloween party but, it's also going to be combined with Koenma's birthday. I want my prince to have another good birthday even if it's going to be late."
Koashura nodded in agreement, "That's understandable. I don't get what Urameshi's problem is."
Jasmine let out a loud sigh, "Neither do I. I hate to leave anyone out because, some of his friends are my friends but, I have to not invite for him Koenma's sake. I just want my prince to have a relaxing night."
Koashura and Kotennyo looked over at their human friend. Noting the somber look on her face, they understood her reasoning. Deciding to change the subject, Koashura checked his watch and suggested, "Well, since we have another thirty minutes of our break left, do you two want to finish up our game?"
Setting her water bottle down and picking up the basketball, Jasmine stood up, "Sure."
They started their game again and Jasmine then mentioned, "Oh, I almost forgot, my cousin Bonnie is not going to be able to make it."
She passed the ball over to Kotennyo who then asked, "Why not?"
The young demon hunter sighed, "She couldn't get out of work. She works three jobs since she has three kids that were taken away from her by my Aunt Rhonda. Poor Bonnie has to pay child support even though she's trying to get them back. Hell, her ex-boyfriend who's the father, is not even paying child support at all. It's just really tough for Bonnie right now. My dad's family is so screwed up."
Noting the confused looks on her god friends' faces, Jasmine sweetly giggled, "You guys have no idea what I'm talking about do you?"
Both Koashura and Kotennyo shook their heads. Jasmine giggled again and shook her head. The three friends and college roommates continued on with their basketball game while Jasmine explained to them what child support is. Listening to Jasmine, both Koashura and Kotennyo thought it was the most screwed up thing they ever heard.
Two weeks later, Halloween had finally arrived and midterm exams for the schools including the local colleges and universities had come and gone. Yusuke sat in the Kuwabara house hanging out in Kazuma's room. The former spirit detective then asked his best friend, "Where are you and Shizuru going again?"
Kuwabara replied putting the finishing touches on his zombie makeup, "Shizuru and I were invited to a costume party."
"Where?"
"At Jasmine's why?"
Yusuke let out a loud groan, "I wasn't invited. Why the hell did she invite you? I understand Shizuru since they were friends since high school, but, why not me?"
Kuwabara tore his grey eyes away from the mirror, "I don't know Urameshi. Maybe because, you two didn't get off to a good start and you still give Koenma a hard time."
The half demon former spirit detective rolled his chocolate brown eyes, "So what. That doesn't mean I should be left out."
Kuwabara sighed. He did feel bad for Yusuke but, he still wished that he and Jasmine would just get along. Banishing that thought from his brain, he then thought of a great idea, "Why don't you go with me? The invitation said I can bring a guest."
Yusuke blinked his eyes in surprise at Kuwabara's offer, "Wow thanks Kuwabara but, I thought you would bring Yukina."
The young redheaded psychic scratched the back of his head, "I am bringing Yukina but, I wanna bring you along too." He put his hand down, "So do you have a costume?"
Yusuke shrugged his shoulders, "Not really."
"Hey not to worry Urameshi, we can just improvise."
Meanwhile at the college trio's apartment, their Halloween Party combined with Koenma's birthday was in full swing. Koashura and Kotennyo who were dressed up as Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, were currently on candy duty passing out the homemade Snickers bars that Koashura spent two days preparing.
Many of the party guests had already arrived. A knock on the door was heard and
Koashura answered the door to find Kazuma Kuwabara who was dressed as a zombie along with someone else who was dressed as Zorro.
"Hey Kazuma, come right on in. Your sister, Yukina, and Keiko are already here waiting for you."
Noticing the "Zorro" person, the young red haired god who was dressed as Kurt Cobain eyed him with curiosity, "Who's this?"
Thinking of a little white lie immediately, Kuwabara responded, "This is some guy from school."
Koashura stared at the silent individual for a minute and shrugged his broad shoulders. He then offered holding up a cookie pan, "Would you like a homemade Snickers bar?"
"Yeah I would love one."
Kuwabara and the "Zorro" person each took a homemade Snickers bar and entered the apartment. As they walked into the crowd, the "Zorro" person who turned out to be Yusuke then said taking a bite from his candy, "This is pretty good."
Kuwabara also took a bite and nodded in agreement, "Yeah it is. Whoever made these did an excellent job."
While he was eating his candy, Yusuke scanned the crowd hoping to spot some familiar faces. After swallowing the last of his chocolate bar, Yusuke then asked Kuwabara, "See anyone we know?"
Kuwabara scanned the crowd of people wearing costumes. He looked around for a minute or two and spotted Yukina, who was currently dressed as a witch, hanging with Shizuru who was dressed as Catwoman, Keiko who was dressed as Snow White, Botan looking lovely as Supergirl and Ayame wearing a Playboy Bunny costume.
Kuwabara blushed a deep shade of red and seeing that, Yusuke began to laugh, "If you want to go chat with Yukina, go ahead and do it. I need to use the bathroom anyway."
At Yusuke's words, Kuwabara snapped back to reality and began to laugh like a total dork, "Thanks Urameshi. The bathroom is right over there."
Looking to where his best friend was pointing, Yusuke nodded and walked towards the bathroom. Across the living room, Koenma approached Jasmine and politely bowed, kneeling down on one knee before her. Gazing at his human lover, he couldn't help but think of how beautiful she looked dressed in her purple princess gown they found at the mall for her.
Koenma gently took her small dainty hand into his larger hand and softly kissed it, "Milady, your castle is now safe. You can rest easy knowing that I'm now here to protect you."
Jasmine sweetly giggled at her loving boyfriend's cheesy line. Lovingly gazing down at him, she thought Koenma looked so handsome and sexy in his knight costume. Deciding to play along with him, she knelt down and kissed the top of his head and gently ran her fingers through his soft brown hair, "Thank you Sir Koenma, you've always protected me so well. I have one more task to ask of you."
"Anything you want Princess Jasmine."
Jasmine then stood back up and offered her hand to him, "Please dance with me?"
Koenma gladly took her hand and stood back up. He flashed her a sexy smile. His pacifier was currently out of his mouth and nestled safely in his pocket. The prince nodded, "Yes milady."
Walking hand in hand, Koenma led Jasmine out to the middle of the living room and they both began to dance to the music. The young demon hunter smiled and asked, "So, how are you enjoying your party?"
The prince smiled in gratitude feeling as if he couldn't love her any more than he did, "It's great. I'm so happy you set it up."
Jasmine stood on her tip toes and softly kissed his lips. She parted seconds later and replied, "Great, you're going to love the cake my mom made for you. It has chocolate frosting and the cake is strawberry flavored."
"Sounds delicious."
Jasmine sweetly giggled, "I'm glad you approve my prince."
Koenma smiled, "Oh I do. Thank you my queen."
The lovers shared a deep and loving kiss. Just then, Yusuke then emerged from the bathroom. He looked around the room in search of Kuwabara, "Dammit Kuwabara where the hell are you?"
Just then he spotted his redheaded best friend deep in conversation with Yukina. The former spirit detective sighed, "Typical. Oh well, I guess I'll just enjoy the party while I'm here."
Yusuke walked over to the refreshment table and grabbed himself some chips, dip, and a can of orange soda. He sat down on the leather couch to enjoy his food and drink. While eating, Yusuke spotted Koenma near the kitchen with Jasmine.
From under his mask, he glared at the couple. Yusuke was beginning to develop an intense dislike for Jasmine. Since he came back from Demon World, the two haven't got along. Yusuke thought Jasmine was a total bitch and a complete psychopath. He couldn't understand why Koenma even loves her.
Finishing off his snacks and washing them down with his orange soda, the half demon former spirit detective then said to himself, "What a bitch. She goes and invites everyone to her party and not me. I swear, she will get what's coming to her. I'm so sick of Jasmine's crap."
He then got up from the leather couch to go get another soda. Just then, Kotennyo emerged from her bedroom and approached Jasmine who was currently sticking candles into Koenma's birthday cake.
The young goddess tapped her on the shoulder and Jasmine glanced over her shoulder at her, "Yeah Courtney Love?"
Kotennyo chuckled then decided to mention to her best friend, "I just heard that Yusuke Urameshi is here. I have no clue how he got in but, he probably did with one of his friends."
Jasmine groaned in irritation, "Oh goddammit." She then realized who had probably brought him and sighed, "Dammit Kazuma."
Seeing the look on her human friend's face, Kotennyo then decided to offer, "Do you want me to find him and throw him out?"
The young demon hunter shook her head, "No. I'll talk to Kazuma first and then we'll think of a solution to this."
"What do you want me to do in the mean time?"
Jasmine stopped in her tracks and replied, "Go get the rocky road ice cream out of the freezer. After I talk to Kazuma, we're going to sing to Koenma."
Kotennyo nodded, "Gotcha."
While she was fetching the rocky road ice cream, Jasmine then walked around the room in search of Kuwabara. She finally spotted him chatting with Yukina. The young demon hunter cleared her throat and spoke up, "Kazuma..."
Hearing her voice, Kuwabara turned around, "Oh hey Jasmine. What's up?"
Jasmine then approached him and gave him a stern look. Kuwabara began to wonder why she was looking at him like that and asked, "Did I do something wrong?"
Jasmine crossed her thin arms over her chest, "I don't know, why don't you tell me?"
Still not understanding what he did wrong, Kuwabara looked at her with confusion, "Jasmine what did I do wrong? I don't remember dropping any food or spilled any drinks on your carpet."
The Alaskan psychic sighed, "Kazuma, it has nothing to do with that but, if you did, I hope you cleaned it up. You make a mess, it's your responsibility to take care of it. Well, anyway, I heard that you brought someone here that wasn't on the guest list."
Realizing what she was talking about, Kuwabara knew that he was busted. Yukina looked up at him blinking her lovely red eyes with curiosity, "Kazuma, who did you invite as your guest other than me?"
Jasmine began to tap her foot beginning to grow impatient with the young redheaded psychic, "Kazuma, who did you invite other than Yukina? If you don't start talking, I'll go rat you out to Shizuru and she'll deal with you."
Kuwabara looked down at his feet for just a minute and looked back up at Jasmine. Deciding to be honest with her and not wanting to deal with his sister's wrath, he took a deep breath and replied, "I brought Urameshi along."
Jasmine's dark brown eyes widened and her mouth was gaping open. Before she could say anything, Kuwabara then added seeing that she was getting upset, "Jasmine I'm sorry but, I think it was unfair that you didn't invite him."
Jasmine narrowed her eyes at him and replied in a dark voice, "That wasn't your decision Kazuma. The reason I didn't invite Urameshi is because I wanted Koenma to have a good birthday celebration."
Beginning to raise her voice, she then asked, "Where is he?! Tell me now and I won't tell Shizuru and kick your ass. Where the hell is Yusuke Urameshi?!"
Kuwabara then gulped and began to beg, "Please let him stay. I swear Yusuke won't wreck the party." He then looked around the room in search of the former spirit detective and added, "I don't know where he is. We split off when he went to use the bathroom."
He shifted his attention back to Jasmine, "Please let Urameshi stay."
Giving him a death glare, Jasmine took in a deep breath and loudly exhaled, "Okay, he gets one chance, just one. If Urameshi screws up just once, I'll have Koashura and Kotennyo kick him out of here."
Speaking of Yusuke, he walked into the kitchen and bumped into an attractive woman dressed up as Wonder Woman. Yusuke then groaned, "Dammit..."
Before he could say anything else, the woman spoke instantly recognizing him, "Yusuke Urameshi?"
Hearing the woman's voice Yusuke looked at her and smiled, "Hey Kuroko. Nice costume."
Kuroko gave him a warm smile, "Thanks, I like yours too."
Finishing off his orange soda, Yusuke asked while crushing the can in his hand, "So, where's your husband?"
Kuroko chuckled, "He's currently chatting it up with Koenma." She then spotted the two in the crowd and pointed in their direction, "Shogo is right over there dressed as Batman. He, the kids and I decided to do a Justice League theme this year."
Yusuke shifted his attention back to her, "Where are the little munchkins?"
"They decided to attend a Halloween party at a friends' house. They're also going to be spending the night so, Shogo and I have the house to ourselves tonight when we get home. Tonight has been such a great date night for us. We haven't had one in a while."
Deciding to change the subject, Kuroko took a sip from her brandy glass and asked, "So, how was Demon World?"
Disposing of the crushed orange soda can, Yusuke responded, "Great. Lots of training and hard work along with my ancestral father passing on but, still it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be."
Taking another sip from her brandy glass, Kuroko smiled, "That's good, glad to hear that. I don't mean to cut this conversation short but, I have to call my kids to check on them."
Yusuke gave her a curt nod, "Hey, you do what you gotta do. It was good talking to you Kuroko."
Kuroko smiled in return, "Likewise Yusuke. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
She then walked out the kitchen leaving Yusuke on his own. The half demon former spirit detective decided to get another soda and walked over to a red cooler sitting next to the kitchen counter. After grabbing a Mountain Dew, Yusuke glanced over at the kitchen counter taking a good look at the cake with candles sticking out of it.
He popped the top of his soda can and took a sip. Reading the writing on the cake, Yusuke then thought to himself, "Wow, this also a birthday party for Koenma? Damn. I had no idea that his birthday was today. Hm, I wonder."
Just then, the former spirit detective then got this devious idea in his head. Back in the living room with Jasmine, she looked at the cat clock hanging on the wall and she signaled for Shunjun to crank down the music. The blue haired SDF captain wearing Mickey Mouse ears nodded and turned down the music. Jasmine then spoke up, "May I have your attention please?"
All of the party guests then gave her their undivided attention. The young Alaskan demon hunter cleared her throat, "Not only is this party a Halloween celebration but, this year, Kotennyo, Koashura, and I decided to combine it with Koenma's birthday. Yes, it's a little bit late for him for those of you that know when his birthday really is but, better late than never..."
Just then Yusuke quietly emerged from the kitchen. The only one who spotted him was Kuwabara. The young red haired psychic then approached him and asked, "Urameshi where the hell were you?"
Trying not to laugh, Yusuke then responded, "I was just hanging out and wait for the prank I just pulled."
Kuwabara raised an eyebrow. He did not have a good feeling about this at all. Jasmine then cleared her throat again and spoke up once more, "My mother just made an awesome cake for him. So get ready to sing to our favorite spirit prince."
Koenma smiled. He greatly appreciated this like he did last year. Waiting patiently for Jasmine to bring in his cake, he and everyone else heard her shrieking in horror. Koenma ran into the kitchen and seeing her frantic expression, he asked, "Jasmine what's wrong?"
Jasmine looked around the kitchen and began to freak out, "Where the hell is the cake?"
Koenma looked around too, "I don't know. What happened to it?"
Taking in deep and ragged breaths, Jasmine then said in a panicked voice, "It was sitting right here. I stuck your candles in the cake before I went to talk to Kazuma."
"My queen, relax. We'll find it."
Jasmine then looked in Kuwabara's direction and seeing someone whom she didn't remember seeing at all during the party dressed as Zorro, she correctly assumed it was Yusuke. Breaking hers and Koenma's embrace, she stomped over to the two teenagers and asked Kuwabara, "Kazuma, where's the cake?"
Kuwabara just stood there with his mouth gaping open not knowing what to say. Yusuke on the other hand was having a hard time stifling his laughter. Shizuru glared at her younger brother, "Kazuma what did you do?"
"Nothing Shizuru, I swear I had nothing to do with it."
Hearing Yusuke's snickering, Jasmine shifted her hard gaze over to him, "I wouldn't be laughing if I were you." She then reached over and removed his hat and mask, "Yusuke Urameshi!"
Yusuke stopped laughing and before he could say anything, Jasmine then barked at him, "Where the fuck is Koenma's birthday cake?"
"Chill out Ice Queen, it's still here but, it's not on the kitchen counter."
"Oh I can see that..."
Just then Kuroko interrupted them, "Hey Jasmine, I found it."
Jasmine looked over at Kuroko and asked, "Where is it?"
Kuroko pointed in the direction of the refrigerator, "It's sitting on top of the fridge."
When Jasmine and everyone else looked towards the fridge, Jasmine then saw her orange striped tabby cat, Tom jumped off from one of the kitchen cupboards. The young demon hunter then shouted at her cat, "Tom no! Get off of there!"
The cute orange kitty looked at his cat mother and meowed. Just as the fuzzy feline jumped to the floor, he accidently knocked the cake off the edge. Jasmine sprinted over hoping to save her lover's birthday cake but, her efforts were proven to be in vain when the strawberry cake covered in chocolate frosting landed and splattered all over her kitchen floor.
Jasmine just stood there staring at the remains of the cake. She knelt down to the mess on the kitchen floor. The young demon hunter began to feel her anger boil over. Everyone else in the room glanced over at Yusuke.
The half demon former spirit detective knew he really screwed up at this point. Just then Genkai who was dressed as the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella glared at her apprentice and viciously barked, "DIMWIT!"
Still staring at the cake mess on the floor, Jasmine let out a loud sigh. Koenma knelt down beside her and offered, "Let's clean this up."
The young demon hunter shut her large brown eyes and took in a deep breath. She loudly exhaled, "I just wanted for you to have another great birthday. And now, Urameshi has ruined it just like the little party at my parents' house. Is that too much to ask for?"
Not saying another word, she got up from her sitting position and walked off over to her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. Staring at his ruined birthday cake for just a minute, Koenma groaned in irritation. Breaking the awkward silence, Yusuke then said, "It wasn't my fault. The cat knocked it over."
Hearing what his former spirit detective said, Koenma began to feel his anger creeping in. He then stood up and turned around. He then gave Yusuke a death glare, "I can't believe you Yusuke. This incident wouldn't have happened if you didn't put my cake on top of the refrigerator. Don't you blame Tom for this. This is clearly your fault."
"Koenma..."
The prince narrowed his brown eyes, "Oh shut it. I'm not surprised you're not taking responsibility for your actions. This is going to come back and bite you."
One of Yusuke's eyebrows began to twitch, "Look Toddler, it was just a stupid prank that went horribly wrong. It's just a cake."
"Just a cake. JUST A CAKE?!" Koenma stomped over to him and got in Yusuke's face, "You listen here you irresponsible twit, Jasmine's mother made that for me. She slaved over a hot oven and a counter top for several hours working hard on it. I don't know what Atsuko did for your birthdays and I don't fucking care. All I know, you'd probably never had a birthday cake in your life. Now my future mother-in-law's work is going to waste. Unlike all of my previous birthday cakes, these last couple including the one you just destroyed was made of out of the pure goodness of my lover's mother's heart!"
Taking offense to what Koenma said, Yusuke very much wanted to punch his former boss in the face, "Thank you for reminding me about how much of a shitty parent my mom is. FUCK YOU TODDLER! FUCK YOU AND YOUR PSYCHOPATHIC ICE QUEEN GIRLFRIEND! IT'S JUST A FUCKING CAKE! GET OVER IT!"
Koenma didn't know what came over him but, he then balled up his fist and before Yusuke had the chance to react, Koenma hauled off and punched him square in the face. Taken by surprise, the young Mazoku was knocked to floor. He looked up at his former spirit detective boss rubbing the sore spot on his cheek.
Still giving Yusuke a nasty look, Koenma then ordered, "Ogre, Koashura, Kotennyo, escort Yusuke out of this apartment and off this property. Do it right now! Oh, and while you're at it, take Kuwabara with you."
Jorge, Koashura and Kotennyo decided not to argue with him. The two young gods then kneeled down to the floor and grabbed the half demon former spirit detective. Yusuke struggled against their grasp, "Let go of me. I'll go. I'll go."
Not letting him go, Koashura then hissed, "Shut the fuck up or you'll get an energy arrow in your ass!"
Before Jorge could get the chance to escort Kuwabara, Shizuru then interjected and grabbed her younger brother. From beyond her Catwoman mask, she gave him an angry look, "Kazuma, you are grounded."
"For how long?"
Dragging her little brother towards the apartment door, Shizuru replied, "For a month. You're going to be doing nothing but studying and your allowance will be cut in half."
Kuwabara groaned. He didn't even look at Yusuke who struggled in Koashura's and Kotennyo's grasp as they escorted him out of the apartment. Standing in the doorway, Shizuru glanced over at Koenma and began to apologize, "I'm so sorry for what happened to your cake."
Rubbing his sore hand, Koenma gave her a curt nod, "It's not your fault Shizuru. Thank you for coming."
Shizuru nodded in reply, "I'm glad I came. Have a nice night and tell Jasmine I'll talk to her later."
"I will."
Finished with her short conversation with the prince, Shizuru then left dragging her younger brother behind her. When the apartment door shut, Jorge noticed Koenma rubbing his hand. Feeling concerned that his young boss may have broken his hand after punching Yusuke, he then asked, "Koenma sir, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?"
The prince shook his head, "No Ogre, my hand is just fine. It's a little sore but, I can still move my fingers. Could you get me some ice?"
Jorge nodded, "Yes sir."
He grabbed Koenma an ice pack from the freezer. Koenma placed it over his bruising knuckles and took a seat on the leather couch. Jorge then eyed him curiously, "Sir, are you going to talk to Jasmine?"
Koenma shook his head, "No, it's just best to let her have her space right now. I'll speak to her when she's had time to cool off."
Jorge nodded with understanding. He then took a seat next to his boss and offered, "In the mean time, sir, would you like a snack?"
Koenma slipped his pacifier back between his lips so he can feed more energy into it for the Mafukan. He smiled at his servant's offer and nodded, "Yes Ogre, I would like that."
Jorge then got up from his place on the leather couch and walked across the room to get Koenma something to eat. While waiting for his food, Koenma could still feel immense anger towards Yusuke. He didn't understand why the former spirit detective felt compelled to pull a prank on him during his birthday celebration. The prince let out a loud groan that sounded like a whine and began to rub his temples.
He was beginning to get a headache from thinking about it and he decided that he would keep his distance from Yusuke for right now. Over the next week, everyone stayed busy with their obligations. Koenma stayed busy with his paperwork as usual while Jasmine, Koashura and Kotennyo focused on their studies.
It was now that Saturday and Koenma and the rest of the band had their appointment with Sunset Records. Right now they were currently meeting up at Genkai's compound. The prince was currently very nervous. The last time he auditioned to sing for anything was back when he was still in Spirit World Kindergarten when he first transferred into the school.
Noting his expression, Genkai and the rest of the band looked at him with some concern. Seeing his boss's anxious expression, Jorge then thought of a way to help ease his anxiety, "Sir, would you like to warm up before we head off to Mushiori City?"
The prince then nodded, "Sure, why not?"
Jorge opened up his song binder and asked, "Koashura, could you bring out your guitar for just a moment?"
The redheaded god nodded, "Sure." He set his guitar case down on the floor and opened it. Koashura brought out is cherry red electric guitar and slipped the shoulder sling over his shoulder before hooking it up to its amp.
Jorge slipped out a piece of sheet music and said to Koashura, "We're warming up with a brand new song. It's called "In Too Deep"."
He handed Koashura the sheet music. Koashura scanned it with his red eyes and Genkai brought out a music stand for him to put it on. Everyone glanced at the old psychic with curiosity and Koenma asked, "Where did you get that?"
Genkai chuckled, "It used to belong to the Toguro Brothers. Fun fact, they were both in a barber shop quartet before they became demons. I still remember Toguro's deep voice. I loved it when he would sing to me when we went rowing down the river. Oh, how it made my heart melt."
The other compound occupants just gave her blank expressions. Koenma broke the short silence and laughed, "I remember that. Both brothers had pretty good voices. They sometimes let me sing with them despite still having that bad case of stage fright I had at the time. I still think that the Elder Toguro was jealous of my voice. He would get upset whenever I was in my child form and I could sing certain notes that he couldn't."
The prince chuckled at that memory, "I could still hear his voice cracking when he attempted to get above the Tenor range. At least the Younger Toguro knew his limits when it came to music. He stuck with the Bass/Baritone range knowing full well that's what his voice can handle."
Shutting his song binder, Jorge then mentioned, "Sir, you remember at the Dark Tournament before we went downstairs to karaoke bar and we bumped into the Elder Toguro?"
Koenma nodded, "Yeah Ogre, I remember that. Remember how he tried to get me to sing in that hallway and told him flat out no?"
"Yeah and he threatened to kill us both if you didn't sing with him."
Koenma sighed and Shunjun asked, "So did you?"
The prince nodded, "I did even though I didn't want to. We just lost Genkai the day before and if I was murdered by that creep, I wouldn't have been able to fulfill Toguro's and our team's request of reviving Genkai. So, the Elder Toguro and I basically had a sing off in the hallway while Ogre just stood there and watched. After what seemed like several minutes, he stopped singing, seeming like he was spooked by something, called me a freak, whispered something in Ogre's ear and walked off."
Jorge silently glanced over at his boss. He remembered what Elder Toguro whispered in his ear. He remembered the freaky demon man saying how he could sense that there was something strange about Koenma's voice. The big blue ogre tightly held onto his song binder.
He hated it when people said things like that about Koenma. Yes, Jorge knew of the magical properties to Koenma's voice whenever he sang but, so did the late Queen Sakura. Though, he did notice that since around the Dark Tournament, those properties or powers were seemingly growing stronger by each passing day.
Snapping him out of his thoughts, Koenma then asked, "I'm ready to start my warm up Ogre."
Being brought back to reality, Jorge nodded, "Of course sir. Koashura the first note please."
Koashura set the piece of sheet music down on the music stand and nodded. He strummed the first note on his guitar as Koenma took in a deep breath. As the young redheaded god played the guitar accompaniment, Koenma then began to sing the song's first verse.
Meanwhile at Jasmine's apartment, the young demon hunter picked up her phone and dialed the Kuwabara Family's number. She only waited for a couple of rings until Kazuma picked up. The young man then spoke into the phone, "Hello?"
"Hello Kazuma." Jasmine replied in a polite tone.
Kuwabara blinked his gray eyes and asked, "Hey Jasmine, are you calling for Shizuru? She just left for work ten minutes ago."
The Alaskan psychic sighed, "I didn't call for Shizuru. I called because, I need you to tell me where I can find Yusuke Urameshi."
Kuwabara just stood there gripping the cordless phone he held up to his ear. He didn't want to tell Jasmine about his temporary job at the Yukimura Café. He then found his voice after thinking of a little white lie, "I have no clue where he is. I haven't spoken to Urameshi since I started my time being grounded. Speaking of, I better get off the phone and get back to my studies or Shizuru is going to beat my ass again. Bye Jasmine."
Kuwabara then hung up the phone. Jasmine hung up and sighed. She really wanted to give Yusuke a good stern talking to since he ruined Koenma's party. The young demon hunter sat on her couch trying to think of another solution.
Glancing over to the wooden coffee table, Jasmine laid her eyes on her phonebook. She picked it up and began to flip through the pages to see if she could find someone with the last name "Urameshi" in it. Going through the "U" section she found quite a few people with that last name.
Jasmine let out a loud sigh, "Well, I guess I'll call the first one. "Atsuko"."
She picked up her cordless phone and began to dial Atsuko Urameshi's phone number. Meanwhile at the Urameshi Residence, Atsuko was currently watching TV and sipping from her beer.
Her peaceful afternoon was soon interrupted when her phone began to ring. Atsuko reached over to the side table right next to her. Picking up the phone off its receiver, she answered, "Hello?"
She then heard the voice of a young woman with a strange accent to her voice who began to ask her, "Um...hi, is this Atsuko Urameshi?"
Atsuko took a sip from her beer and answered, "Yes, how can I help you? Did we meet at the bar at some point?"
The young woman responded, "No, actually, I'm calling in regards to someone named Yusuke Urameshi. Are you two related by any chance?"
"Yeah he's my son. Who is this? Oh shit, don't tell me he got in a fight with you or someone you know. I'll kick his ass!"
The young woman cleared her throat, "My name is Jasmine Elizabeth Black and I am dating his former boss from...that detective agency he used to intern at. The reason I'm calling is because he ruined my boyfriend's birthday cake at his birthday party I threw for him the other night. Is he there so I can speak to him? Your irresponsible brat needs a good talking to."
Atsuko set her beer can down on her coffee table and spoke back, "No he's not here. He's currently over at the Yukimura Café. I have no clue what he's doing over there. All I could possibly know is, he could be screwing off again or getting into another brawl with some guys from our neighborhood. You do what need to do...um...Miss Black right? Your name and the sound of your voice don't sound Japanese."
Jasmine chuckled from her end, "I'm an American, well from Alaska originally. I moved to Mushiori City when I was 13 and I'm a student at Mushiori University now."
"Ah, that explains it. Well, you go talk to my son and when he gets home, I'll deal with him too. He is my son after all. He deserves to be punished for ruining your boyfriend's birthday party."
From the other side of line, Jasmine smiled and replied, "Thank you Mrs. Urameshi or Miss Urameshi."
Atsuko picked up her beer can and took another sip, "It's Miss Urameshi. Yusuke's father and I split up a long time ago. And you're welcome. Good luck."
Atsuko then hung up. Jasmine did the same and put her cordless phone back on its receiver. The young Alaskan demon hunter formed a devilish smirk on her pink lips, "Gotcha Urameshi. Not only are you going to have to deal with me but, your mom is going to have a few words with you too when you get home."
She then began to slip on her purple sneakers and her coat. Jasmine also grabbed her purse, keys and her set of black and red fans. She slipped them into her coat hoping she wouldn't have to use them in case she had to defend herself. Leaving the apartment, Jasmine left a note for Koashura and Kotennyo telling them where she went and when she will be back by. Only one thought crossed her mind as she was leaving, "Watch out Urameshi. I'm coming."
Back with Koenma, Genkai and the rest of the band, they arrived at the Mushiori Train Station after their thirty minute ride over to the city. Leaving the train station, Koenma still felt nervous about what was to come. Jorge, Genkai and the rest of the band noticed the prince's nervousness.
Koenma sat down on a bench at the bus stop. He crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. Jorge and Genkai sat down next to him and Koenma jumped feeling Jorge gently place his hand on his boss's shoulder, "Sir, just relax. You're not going to blow this. I promise."
Looking over at his ogre servant who wore his brown trench coat with his face and horn covered by his hat, his white mask with the white ornate patterns etched on it, Koenma replied, "I know but, it's still nerve wracking. It's been over 500 years since the last time I auditioned to sing for anything."
Just then, the bus had finally pulled up to the bus stop. Koenma, Jorge, Genkai, Koashura, and Shunjun stepped on, paid the fee and sat down. The twenty minute ride over to their stop was completely riddled in awkward silence and anxiety. To Koenma, those twenty minutes seemed to go on for an eternity.
Finally stepping off the bus, Koenma then spoke to Genkai breaking the silence, "So where are we supposed to go?"
The small old psychic glanced up at her longtime friend, "We just have to walk a couple of blocks. Follow me."
The four members of the band began to follow her. Like the twenty bus ride, Koenma felt like walking this short distance seemed to go on forever. That is until they finally approached a tall building that appeared to be about twenty stories tall. Looking at the business card she held in her hands, Genkai then looked at the address and smiled, happy that she found the right one.
The group of five then entered the building and approached the reception desk. The woman sitting at the desk glanced up from her computer, "Yes, how can I help you?"
Looking up at the reception desk, Genkai gave the ordinary human woman a smile, "Hello, my name is Genkai. I'm here with my grandson, Korrie Loveless and his band Exit Strategy. I'm also their band manager. We have an appointment with Mr. Nagisa."
The receptionist returned the smiled and replied, "Okay, let's see what we have here." She then shifted her attention back to her computer. Looking at the schedule she then looked back at them and responded, "Oh yes, Exit Strategy. I'll let Mr. Nagisa know you're here. Just go right on up to the tenth floor. His office is the first door to your left."
Genkai politely bowed, "Thank you."
She, Koenma, and the rest of the band walked towards the elevator and went up to the tenth floor. Upon arriving at their destination and getting off the elevator, Koenma and the guys followed Genkai down the hallway keeping an eye out for Mr. Nagisa's office.
Just then, Jorge spotted it, "Genkai, everyone, I found it."
Koenma smiled at his currently disguised ogre servant and said in praise and gratitude, "Well done Ogre."
"It was no problem sir."
Now standing in front of a wooden door with a sign that read:
Hiroto Nagisa III
Owner and CEO of Sunset Records
Genkai glanced up at Koenma, Jorge, Koashura, and Shunjun and asked, "Are you guys ready? Koenma are you going to be okay?"
The prince nodded. He could feel the excitement bubbling inside him. Despite feeling anxious, Koenma felt he was so ready for this. He then looked down at his longtime friend who was posing as his grandmother and replied, "Let's do this. Yeah I'm nervous but, I have a good feeling about this."
Genkai smiled seeing Koenma's eagerness. She shifted her attention to the door and knocked. A voice spoke from the inside, "Come in. The door is open."
Genkai opened the door. She stepped inside the room with Koenma and the rest of band following behind her. Entering the office, they were greeted by a good looking Japanese man with wavy jet black hair, clear blue eyes, a nice pale complexion and a pretty smile dressed in a white button up shirt, black dress slacks and he wore a tie that looked like piano keys that he wore around his neck. He looked like he was in his early to mid 30s.
The ordinary human man was currently standing up holding a hacky sack and began to chuckle awkwardly and said breaking the silence, "Sorry about that. I was just exercising my legs just before you guys came in. I've been sitting down all day and it's very important that I get up every once and a while to get the blood pumping. I don't want to have a heart attack and die just like my grandfather. Heart disease runs in my family."
Looking at the blank looks of the five people who stood before him, he awkwardly chuckled again, "Oops, I'm talking too much. Where are my manners?"
He set the hacky sack down on his desk, "Let me introduce myself. I'm Hiroto Nagisa III the owner and president of Sunset Records."
Mr. Nagisa shook hands with Genkai, "Madam Genkai, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Letting go of his hand, the small old psychic replied, "My pleasure as well. Let me introduce you to my grandson, Korrie Loveless and his band Exit Strategy."
Gesturing to each member, she continued, "This gentleman with the red hair is my other grandson, Kyle Marsh, next to him is this guy with the blue hair and earrings is Sammie Doomass, and my grandson's uncle from his mother's side with an interesting wardrobe choice, John Smith."
After shaking hands with all of them, Mr. Nagisa eyed Jorge with interest and asked, "May I ask why you're wearing a mask, trench coat and a hat, Mr. Smith?"
Jorge just stood there speechless. He didn't know what to say. He couldn't exactly say that he was really an ogre trying to cover up his blue skin and the horn on his forehead. It would freak Mr. Nagisa out.
Seeing his servant currently being tongue tied, Koenma instantly thought of a good cover story and said, "You have to excuse Uncle John, you see...the reason he dresses like that is because, he was burned in an accident many years ago and he's very self conscious about his scars."
Mr. Nagisa nodded with understanding, "Oh I see. I apologize if I was rude in any way. I was just curious."
Jorge chuckled, "Oh no, you weren't rude."
"Wonderful."
Deciding to change the subject, Mr. Nagisa then asked, "I already know that Mr. Loveless is the vocalist, so who plays which instrument?"
Koenma then cleared his throat and responded gesturing to Koashura first, "My cousin Kyle here plays guitar, Sammie is our drummer, and Uncle John is the bassist. I'm the vocalist while also being the songwriter. Uncle John composes the music and he's also my background vocalist."
Getting the information he needed, Mr. Nagisa picked up a clipboard and began to write on it. He then looked back up at Koenma and glanced at Genkai and asked, "Madam Genkai, you're their manager I presume?"
She nodded, "That is correct."
Writing that down, he then smiled, "Excellent. I'm loving the family dynamic of this band. Mr. Doomass are you also a relative?"
Shunjun just stood there. He thought about it for a moment and then responded, "Yeah, I'm Korrie's and Kyle's cousin."
Looking up from his clipboard, Mr. Nagisa then asked, "Why do you all have different last names?"
Genkai spoke up, "Their mothers are sisters. John is Kyle's and Sammie's uncle too. He's the only male child out of four. I still find it funny that I had one son and three daughters."
Jorge then chuckled at what Genkai said. In reality, he does have three younger sisters and no brothers. He thought it was funny that Genkai chose to include that in her cover story. Mr. Nagisa smiled and stopped writing on his clipboard adding, "Wow, a band that's made up from a family. That's just unique. Here, we never signed any bands that were like that. There are other labels that do."
Changing the subject again, he continued, "We are an independent label that values the creativity and uniqueness of our acts. We really don't like to inhibit their vision of how they want their music to sound. In fact, my grandfather started this label so he can help unknown acts get their names out there as well as letting the world of know of some quality content."
Mr. Nagisa paused for a moment to take a sip of water, "From the buzz that I have been hearing about you guys, hearing your songs on MOON ROCK'S Kool Koashura's Hometown Hero's Show, and from the demo Madam Genkai gave to me, you guys are the real deal. Now, I don't want to pressure you into anything that you may not feel comfortable doing but, before any of us make a decision, I would love to hear you guys play live."
Koenma, Jorge, Koashura, and Shunjun smiled at his kind words. The prince then said, "Sure, we would love to play for you. Is there any song you like in particular? Or perhaps would you like to hear something new you've never heard before?"
Mr. Nagisa thought about it for a moment and replied, "How about something new? How many songs have you written and composed so far?"
Tightly holding his song binder and the case to his blue bass, Jorge responded before Koenma could say anything, "I would say my nephew and I have worked on as many as over 30 songs. Wouldn't you say so Korrie?"
Koenma nodded, "Yes Uncle John, I would."
Mr. Nagisa brightly smiled showing off his pearly white teeth. He clapped his hands in excitement, "Great, follow me gentlemen and lady."
He then gestured to them and began to walk out of his office. Koenma, Koashura, Genkai, Shunjun, and Jorge followed him out of the room and down the hallway to a brown door. Mr. Nagisa reached into his pocket and withdrew a set of keys and unlocked the door.
When he turned on the lights, Koenma, Genkai and the rest of the band could see that they entered some sort of a recording studio. Looking through the glass to the booth, the prince saw a microphone along with some instruments like a guitar, bass, a drum set and two amps already set up.
Koenma just stood there speechless not knowing what to say. Breaking the silence, Mr. Nagisa then said with encouragement, "Go on in guys. Don't worry, I'm not going to record you guys. Say, why don't we all go in?"
Koenma just silently nodded. Mr. Nagisa unlocked the door and they all followed him in. Jorge and Koashura set their instrument cases off to the side. The currently disguised blue ogre handed Genkai his song binder before walking up to the bass and plugging it into the amp.
Koenma jestured to his fellow band members and the four then huddled together. Jorge asked his boss speaking in a hushed voice that was only heard between him, Koenma, Koashura, and Shunjun, "Sir, what song do you want to sing?"
The prince thought about it for a moment and responded, "How about the newest one I just wrote after my party the other night. We already practiced it a few times at Genkai's." He then glanced up at Koashura and Shunjun, "Do you two remember your parts?"
Shunjun nodded, "Sure do. You know how well I memorize things your highness. I didn't become Captain of the Spirit World Special Defense Force for nothing."
"Great. What about you Koashura? Ogre already has the bass part down."
The redheaded god chucked, "Sure do."
Remembering how Koashura can just hear a song one time and could memorize the guitar riff to it, Koenma laughed at his own forgetfulness. The band then broke their huddle and walked off to their places. Koenma took the microphone into his hand, wrapping his long fingers around it after turning it on.
He then spoke into it, "The song we are going to show you is called, "You Haven't Changed At All"."
When he stopped talking, that was Shunjun's cue to start his drumbeat. Jorge then followed with the start of the bass riff as Koashura followed suit with his guitar strums. Genkai and Mr. Nagisa just stood there watching the band that called themselves "Exit Strategy" perform their newest song with excitement. Even though she only heard this song once before, Genkai still felt goosebumps on her skin.
Koenma then took a deep breath and began to sing the first verse:
I felt awful when you were forced into Hell
It just wasn't fair when you had your wings torn away from you
It was as if I was responsible for your downfall
I felt like we were finally able to understand and respect each other
Now that you've returned, how is it possible that you still try my patience?
Liking what he was hearing so far, Mr. Nagisa began to tap his fingers against his leg and
bobbed his head to Koashura's, Jorge's and Shunjun's instrumental riff. Koenma then broke into the first chorus:
I thought you've grown up and matured
But, I was such a fool to think you did
You haven't changed at all
You just love to make my skin crawl
You disgust me devil angel
The prince then shut his brown eyes envisioning the object of his anger, the one who he wrote this song about. Feeling his anger bubble inside him, Koenma then continued as he belted out the second verse and chorus:
What is with you when you're around my beautiful snow queen?
Are you just jealous or are you worried that you have been replaced?
Stop acting like such a disgrace
Get used to the fact that I don't need you anymore
Stop upsetting the snow queen or you will regret it
I thought you've grown up and matured
But, I was such a fool to think you did
You haven't changed at all
You just love to make my skin crawl
You disgust me devil angel
Knowing who Koenma was singing about, Genkai closed her eyes and sighed. She then thought to herself, "Damn you dimwit."
You think I made her into my next angel but, you couldn't have been more wrong
I refuse to destroy her life to make her one
My snow queen was already born as a powerful protector
She protects me all at her own accord
Devil angel, why can't you go back to Hell to be a lord?
With Jorge, Koashura, and Shunjun taking the tempo a little bit, Koenma sweetly sang the song's bridge:
It was fun while it lasted
You were a good angel
You wanted to come back to be with the woman you love
I still find it strange that she thinks you're a gift from above
The prince took a deep breath and sang with such anger and hatred:
But does she know how you're an ungrateful loser?
Do you get your rocks off to angering the people who helped you?!
I thought you've grown up and matured
But, I was such a fool to think you did
You haven't changed at all
You just love to make my skin crawl
You disgust me devil angel
I just hope that one day you'll wake up to reality
Why do you still choose to hurt the ones you love and me?
The instrumental riff ended seconds later. With a bright smile on his face, Mr. Nagisa began to applaud their performance, "Bravo, well done gentlemen. It was just beautiful, simply beautiful. I can feel the anger and frustration in those lyrics. Mr. Loveless, is this song written about someone you know?"
At Mr. Nagisa's question, Koenma bit his lip for a moment. He then shrugged his shoulders and responded, "Yeah, it's...just someone who I knew a long time ago."
Still very interested, Mr. Nagisa then asked, "So this "snow queen" that was mentioned, is she your girlfriend?"
Koenma nodded, "Yeah. Most if not all of the love songs I wrote are about her."
"Adorable. I have another question. From what I heard from the demo that your grandmother gave to me, the other songs like "Tyrant of Crazy Town", what are they about?"
Koenma just stood there. He didn't know what to say. What was he supposed to tell him? If he was to say something about his father and the things going on with Spirit World, Demon World and the demon disappearances in the Human World, Mr. Nagisa would probably have him put in a straight jacket and hauled off to an insane asylum.
Looking at his young boss's awkwardness, Jorge then interjected immediately thinking of a cover story to keep the pretense of them being humans, "My nephew also likes to tell stories through his music. He's been doing that since he was a child. Korrie is just very creative and has an active imagination. Whenever inspiration strikes, he has to write a song about it."
Jorge then glanced over at Koenma and added in his head, "Well, that's partially true."
Seeing the prince's awkward behavior, Mr. Nagisa decided to stop bombarding him with questions. He didn't want to make Koenma and the rest of the band feel uncomfortable. He then glanced down at Genkai, "I'm sorry if I'm making your grandson feel awkward with all the questions I'm asking him."
Genkai looked up at him, "It's alright. These songs are just very personal for him. His music is his form of therapy. It helps him get his thoughts and feelings out."
Mr. Nagisa smiled with relief. Deciding to change the subject slightly, he then looked back over to the band and said to the guy he didn't know was really Spirit World royalty, "I hope you don't feel awkward about this but, would you like to play another song? If not, we can just proceed to the next step."
Koenma chuckled, "You're not making me feel awkward. Sure..." He then turned around and looked at Jorge, Koashura, and Shunjun and asked them, "Want to play one of our older songs?"
All three nodded and Koashura suggested, "How about one of the love songs you wrote for your beautiful "snow queen"?"
The prince chuckled knowing that his friend was thinking. He then shifted his attention back to the microphone as Jorge, Koashura, and Shunjun began to play the instrumental riff to "Queen of My Heart"
Later that afternoon, Jasmine got off the bus at the stop that was two blocks away from the Yukimura Café. Gripping onto her purse straps, she began to walk in the direction of the said restaurant determined to confront Yusuke and settle their dispute once and for all.
The young demon hunter was so sick of his bullshit and she decided that enough was enough. She currently had so much on her plate with school and work right now and she didn't need for Yusuke to distract her away from her life.
Now standing in front of the Yukimura Café, Jasmine took a deep breath. She hoped she wouldn't have to use her fans that she kept hidden beneath her coat. Gripping the door's handle, she slid it open and walked inside.
Hearing the door shut, Mr. Yukimura looked up from chopping up a slab of beef. He smiled at the young college bound woman and asked, "Hello there. How can I help you?"
Jasmine glanced at the middle aged man and said, "Hi, we met back in January when I was posting flyers for my boyfriend's band and I showed your daughter Keiko around Mushiori University."
Mr. Yukimura smiled, "Oh you want you see Keiko?"
Jasmine chuckled at his assumption and shook her head, "No, I'm here to see Yusuke Urameshi. He and I have a little...uh...dispute we have to settle. He's really causing problems with mainly my boyfriend and it's getting out of hand since I'm getting dragged into it."
Blinking his dark eyes, Mr. Yukimura gave her a blank expression, "Really..."
Before he could say anything else, Yusuke just entered the restaurant from the back entrance carrying a heavy sack of rice not even noticing Jasmine standing behind the counter. He then asked his future father-in-law, "Mr. Yukimura, where do you want me to put this?"
Glancing at the former spirit detective, Jasmine narrowed her large brown eyes at him and crossed her thin arms over her chest. Mr. Yukimura turned around and replied to him, "Just set that right over against that wall son."
The half demon nodded and did just that. Mr. Yukimura smiled in gratitude, "Nice work Yusuke. Since you've been doing such a nice job, how about you take the rest of the day off?"
Yusuke just stared at him and blinked his chocolate brown eyes, "Really?"
Mr. Yukimura nodded, "Yeah. Oh, there is someone here that needs to speak with you. She doesn't seem very happy with you Yusuke. Whatever happened with you, her, and her boyfriend, I hope you can settle it like the mature adult I know you are."
He then patted Yusuke on the shoulder, "You're such a good boy. I know you'll fix this. Take care of yourself and see you bright and early on Monday."
Yusuke smiled, "I will. See you then Mr. Yukimura."
The former spirit detective removed his hat and apron and tossed them into the dirty laundry hamper. He shifted his attention to the counter and gave Jasmine a blank expression.
Yusuke and Jasmine just stared each other down for a minute before Yusuke was first to speak, "Hey Ice Queen. So where's Pacifier Breath?"
Jasmine responded as her glare intensified, "He's busy today. Let's go talk outside."
She uncrossed her arms and gripped her purse straps. Yusuke walked out from behind the counter and followed Jasmine out of the restaurant. Walking away from the Yukimura Café, Yusuke wondered where he and Jasmine were going off to.
He then asked her, "Hey Eskimo where are you taking me?"
Hearing the name that Yusuke called her, Jasmine clenched her fist at her side choosing not to say a word. Finally reaching an area of the neighborhood that looked abandoned, Jasmine stopped walking. She turned around and spat at him with so much anger and hate in her voice, "Okay Urameshi, here's the deal. You leave me and Koenma alone and I won't I won't fucking kill you. I don't give a shit if you used to work for my lover as his spirit detective. He's getting sick of your shit and so am I."
Yusuke then responded back to her, "You can't tell me what to do and fat chance, if you fight me, well, you probably wouldn't stand a chance. I doubt you're anything above B Class. The last time I fought a human that was S Class level was Sensui."
"Good, I'm glad we can agree on something. I'm serious Urameshi, stop messing with us. I have my own life to contend with. I don't have time to deal with your bullshit. If you think you're going to break me and Koenma up because you just flat out don't like me, you are sorely mistaken pal."
Yusuke shot her a death glare, "You know what? The toddler should break up with you because you're a fucking psycho. Go back to Alaska..."
Jasmine rolled her dark brown eyes and deciding not to take anymore of this, she gripped onto her purse straps and tried to walk passed him, "Why did I even bother? Fuck off Mazoku and have a nice life."
With his patience beginning to wear thin, Yusuke then grabbed Jasmine by the wrist as she tried to walk off, "Hey, I'm still talking to you!"
Stopping in her tracks when Yusuke grabbed her, Jasmine let go of her purse and reached into her coat. She withdrew one of her fans and before Yusuke had the chance to react, he felt her hit him on the temple with it with her snapping, "DON'T YOU FUCKING TOUCH ME!"
Jasmine hit him with such force that he was forced to let go of her and reeled backwards from the hit. Bringing his hand up to the sore spot on his face, Yusuke looked over at Jasmine, who dropped her purse down on the ground and reached into her coat to bring out her other fan, and smiled, "Hey nice hit."
Jasmine tightly held onto her set of fans and stood in a fighting stance. The young Alaskan demon hunter began to flare up with her spirit energy and coated her fans with it. She narrowed her large brown eyes at him and warned, "Don't you come any closer to me unless you want a fight."
Yusuke then chuckled at her threat. He too stood in a fighting stance and flared up with his energy, "I don't want to hurt you Ice Queen but, damn you can throw a punch or at least know how to hit someone with a weapon. But remember, you threw the first punch."
Trying gauge his power level, Jasmine laughed in response, "I recall you started it by grabbing me. Hasn't your mother taught you not go grabbing at people, especially when they are finished talking to you?"
Gauging her power level, Yusuke responded, "My mother is a drunk, no she didn't. Did your parents teach you not to walk away from people you're having a conversation with?"
Tightly gripping her fans, Jasmine pursed her pink lips and responded, "I was finished talking with you. I'm beginning to think the only way to communicate with you is to fight you. If it's a fight you want Urameshi, it's a fight you're going to get."
Yusuke darkly smirked at her offer, "Are you sure you want to fight me? Sure you know how to defend yourself but, I don't think you know what you're going against."
"Shut up! Don't you dare mock and underestimate me you condescending jerk. Just so you know, I've been fighting and killing demons since I was a child. Now, I'm going to teach you not to be a jerk who grabs people and won't keep his mouth shut. This is for Koenma you son of a bitch!"
"Bring it on bitch!"
Jasmine stopped flaring up with her spirit energy and sprinted towards Yusuke opening up her energy coated fans. Yusuke did the same and sprinted towards her. The former spirit detective balled up his fist and tried to throw a punch to Jasmine's face.
Catching it on time, Jasmine folded up one of her fans and used it to block the punch. She then tried to use her opened energy coated fan and made slashing motions at Yusuke's face. Yusuke dodged and felt her energy cut his cheek.
His chocolate brown eyes widened, "Holy shit. Just like Toguro, Jasmine can slice someone up with her energy. Shit, she's more dangerous than I thought. I don't want to fight her at full power though. I can sense that she's at B Class level and if I do, I might kill her and Koenma wouldn't be happy about that."
Yusuke was then snapped back to reality when Jasmine landed a hard roundhouse kick to the side of his head. The former spirit detective felt a little disoriented and trying to get back his bearings, Jasmine didn't give him any time to recover and sent him flying after landing a side kick to his stomach.
Yusuke then hit a telephone pole. Aforementioned wooden pole now had a dent from the impact of Yusuke's body hitting it. Seeing the half demon slump to the ground, Jasmine began to cruelly laugh, "Oh my god. It appears you're losing your touch Urameshi."
She began to slowly walk towards him opening up her second fan. The Alaskan demon hunter continued to mock, "I heard of your reputation but, it looks like you lost your skills during your time in Demon World. You know what Yusuke, I felt sorry for you when you were there and you know what, I still pity you."
Now that she stood directly in front of him, Yusuke looked up to see her dark smirk. Jasmine then laughed, "You're pathetic. I fought lower class demons that put up more of a fight than you."
Tightly gripping her energy coated fans, Jasmine then gave him a glare, "I heard that you have more power than what you're letting on. I want a fair fight dammit!"
She then landed a hard kick to his shoulder forcing Yusuke on his back. He then grunted hitting the ground. Jasmine then began to stomp on him, "I never knew Demon World royalty was comprised of wimps. Come on Urameshi, SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!"
Feeling his anger rising, Yusuke grabbed Jasmine by her ankle and caused her to lose her balance by yanking her leg from under her. Jasmine then fell onto her butt landing on the ground with a hard thud. Yusuke got up flaring with his demon energy, "Now I'm pissed!"
Jasmine got up, groaning in pain and rubbing her sore backside. She flared up with her spirit energy. She smiled and responded standing a fighting stance, "Now that's more like it."
Yusuke darkly chuckled, "Don't say I didn't warn you. But, I have to say, wearing a skirt was probably a bad idea. Do you always give your opponents a nice view of the sexy panties you wear?"
Realizing that he looked up her skirt, Jasmine's dark brown eyes widened and she then shot him a death glare and shouted, "YOU PERVERT! KOENMA IS THE ONLY MAN ALLOWED TO SEE THOSE! YOU'RE SO DEAD!"
She then sprinted towards him at a faster speed making slashing motions with her energy coated fans. Yusuke dodged right on time. He was only a just a few centimeters away from being hit by her attacks.
The former spirit detective then thought to himself being a bit impressed, "Wow, she's swift. I bet with more training, the Eskimo will be unstoppable."
Getting closer to him again, Jasmine gritted her teeth in anger and tried to cut him with her energy coated fans again. Yusuke dodged and seeing an opening, the former spirit detective landed a hard punch to the young demon hunter's jaw and landed a few more to her stomach that was left unguarded.
Jasmine yelped in surprise and reeled back from Yusuke's hit. She brought her fingers up to her lip and saw that he had busted it. Feeling her stomach lurch, Jasmine reeled over and even though felt her knees buckle, she used all her willpower and strength to keep herself standing.
She looked over to him breathing heavily. Finally able to get her breathing back under control, she gave him a dark smile and complimented, "Nice punch Urameshi. That's the Yusuke Urameshi I've heard about. The dangerous street punk who has a natural talent for fighting but, may I say something about your fighting style?"
Yusuke gave Jasmine a blank expression, "Why?"
The Alaskan demon hunter pursed her pink lips and began to mock, "In comparison to me and my family, who's attack style is martial arts based and very structured and organized, yours has no structure at all. Just like how you are in normal life, your fighting is disorganized with no structure or strategy. If you really think about it, from the fights you had in the past from your spirit detective cases, you've just seemed to win them by sheer dumb luck."
From what Jasmine just said, Yusuke felt his anger boil over. He clenched his fists at his sides and growled, "Sheer dumb luck?! You don't know anything you dumb bitch! Let me show you something."
He then pointed his index finger and thumb into a shape of a gun. Yusuke's index finger began to glow and he fired off a blast that just whizzed past Jasmine's head. Jasmine stood there awkwardly. She gulped and thought to herself, "Wow that almost got me. I'd better stay away from that or I'll be dead. Don't him scare you. Just take Urameshi down like any other demon you faced. He will not beat me."
Trying to keep up her strong demeanor even though Yusuke was beginning to scare her, Jasmine tightly gripped onto her fans and replied, "So that was the famous Spirit Gun."
Not saying another word, she sprinted towards Yusuke making slashing motions with her energy coated fans again. The aforementioned half demon dodged her attacks and sprinted towards her. Yusuke landed a few more punches on Jasmine yet, she still blocked some.
Trying to ignore the pain from his punches, Jasmine tried to take him by surprise by landing a few more kicks on him. Just as she was about to give him another roundhouse kick to the head, Yusuke grabbed her leg and chuckled, "Not so fast Ice Queen."
Jasmine then struggled against his grasp, "Let go of me Urameshi! Let go! You better not be looking up my skirt again!"
See him smirk, Jasmine then clenched her teeth and choked out screaming, "You fucking pervert! I'll fucking kill you!"
Twisting her ankle, Jasmine broke free from Yusuke's hand. Just as he was about to punch her in the face again, Jasmine retaliated by landing that roundhouse kick to his head. Yusuke reeled back again trying to get his bearings back.
Flaring up with her energy, Jasmine sprinted over to him and fold up one of her fans before she hit him in the temple and jabbed him in the stomach with it. She then spun around and landed a hard side kick to his stomach sending Yusuke flying and knocking over several trashcans.
She walked over to him and unfolded her fan. Jasmine then began to speak in a harsh voice, "You're still holding yourself back Urameshi. Fine then, if you don't want to give me your best shot, then I guess I have no other choice."
Running over to him, she sharpened her energy coated fans to the sharpness she used to decapitate her opponents and cried out, "It's time to end this!"
Realizing that he didn't have much of a choice, Yusuke then flared up with his demon energy. Jasmine wasn't going to back down until he was dead. He didn't want to die especially not at the hands of a B Class human who was deeply in love with his former spirit detective boss.
Just as Jasmine tried to behead him, Yusuke disappeared from her line of sight. Jasmine stopped in her tracks and looked around. Breathing heavily and still consumed in her hate and anger towards him, the young demon hunter barked, "Where are you Urameshi? You better not have chickened out! I have no patience for cowards!"
Suddenly a voice spoke from behind her, "A coward? I'm no coward Ice Queen."
Breathing very deep and ragged, Jasmine then asked herself out loud, "Where is he?"
Feeling how strong his power was, the young demon hunter began to feel her body shake. Not wanting to back out of this and still wanting to teach Yusuke a lesson, Jasmine slowly turned around and was greeted by a horrifying sight.
Yusuke now stood before her with his demon tattoos covering his chest, forearms, and shoulders and his hair now long and reaching passed his back. The former spirit detective gave her a dark smirk, "Damn Eskimo, I didn't think you had it in you. Not only did you destroy my favorite shirt but, you just woken up my dead ancestral father that lives within me. I admit I underestimated you. You're a good fighter but, I think with more training, you'll be able to beat me. This has been a really good fight. It's been a while since I had a fight like this here in the Human World."
Still shaking in fear, Jasmine took a deep breath. She smiled and took his compliment, "Thank you Urameshi. I greatly appreciate it. This has been a good fight. Now that I'm able to see you at full power, I won't kill you but, instead I'll just maim you. You know, so we'll have a chance to fight again in the future."
Jasmine then narrowed her large brown eyes as she dropped her nice demeanor, "I still haven't forgiven you for being a jerk and a pervert. I still wanna kick your ass."
Yusuke darkly smiled, "Likewise Ice Queen."
Yusuke and Jasmine stared each other down as they both flared up with their energy. Jasmine brought up her fans and stood in a fighting stance. Keeping up her cold stare, she then asked the former spirit detective, "Ready to end this Mazoku?"
Yusuke darkly smirked and replied, "Bring it on Ice Queen!"
Jasmine and Yusuke both let out a loud scream before sprinting towards each other. Just as they started back up again, the voice of a young woman then shouted, "Jasmine no! Stop!"
A male voice that was a bit higher pitched than the young woman's then shrieked in terror, "Yusuke stop! JASMINE!"
~To Be Continued
Notes: Hey guys, I'm just here to let you know, that me, the author, doesn't hate Yusuke. In fact, I actually really like him. He ranks number three on my personal top ten favorite Yu Yu Hakusho characters while Koenma is still number one and Botan, Genkai, and Kuwabara tie for number two. I just couldn't have Jasmine get along with everyone. It's just hers and Yusuke's personalities don't mesh well and if Hiei wasn't in Demon World, she wouldn't get along with him either. Sorry for ending on a cliffhanger but, stay tuned for the repercussions of this fight in Chapter 20 ;D
