Atsuko turned the vacuum cleaner on and began sucking all the dirt off the floor.
The three of them instantly put there hands over their ears at the piercing sound.
"Its so loud I can barely take it!" Botan cried. Atsuko began to get closer to them, there clothes began to flutter making it clear they needed to move and fast. "What do we do?" She shouted.
Yusuke growled slightly trying to think of something "Come on!" He yelled running towards his bed.
"Yusuke, wait!" Botan called after him, but he could no longer hear her. She felt Hiei's spirit energy rise dramatically, she turned to face him. His face was contorted in anger and slight pain from the noise. She had forgotten that his hearing was a lot sharper then hers and Yusuke's. His arm glowing with fire ready to release his Fist of the Mortal Flame. She grabbed his arm pulling him to his senses.
"Don't you'll hurt Yusuke's mother!" She pleaded. He glared murderously at her, but complied. She pulled him by his cloak, running to Yusuke, who was under his bed. As soon as they reached him Hiei slapped her hand off of him.
"Let go of me! Have you gone insane?" He shouted angrily, glaring at her.
"Sorry, but I very well couldn't have you being sucked up now could I?" Botan explained.
"I don't need you." He half growled
"Now Hiei, don't be so hasty." She began to scold.
"I suggest you keep your distance, Now!" He demanded.
She fidgeted nervously about and shuffled her way over to Yusuke's side. "He didn't need to be so grumpy, I was only trying to help, but then again it is Hiei I'm talking about." She sighed "I just wish he wouldn't treat me so badly…"
Yusuke put his hand on her shoulder and gave a big goofy smile.
"Don't feel too bad Botan, He just doesn't know how to express his gratitude."
She smiled back at him, Yusuke always knew how to make her feel better.
"What now detective? I don't believe waiting under your bed is going to be the best solution to our "little" problem." Hiei said turning to him.
Yusuke began to think and then snapped his fingers "Haven't the slightest clue, but as soon as I think of something you'll be the first to know."
"Terrific." Hiei said flatly.
"Achoo!" Botan sniffed "Ugh, Yusuke, you really need to clean under your bed."
"I think we have more important things to worry about right now Botan!"
"It appears she will be getting her wish." Hiei spoke.
"What?"
"MOVE!"
Atsuko had detached the hose from the vacuum cleaner and was now preparing to clean under Yusuke's bed, determined to make his room sparkle. Botan gasped and then materialized her oar speeding off to the left, while Hiei made his getaway on the right. Yusuke stood in the middle of where the two used to be.
"Hey, wait up!" He called taking off in Botan's direction. He kept on running, but it didn't seem like he was getting anywhere. When he looked back all he saw was the black hole ready to suck him up.
"OHH SHHII-" Yusuke screamed as he was lifted off the ground and pulled into darkness.
Botan came to a sudden stop twirling herself around, in realization of what had just happened by Yusuke's barely audible screams.
"YUSUKE!" She cried taking off.
Hiei halted at Botan's cries, watching as she flew towards where Yusuke used to be.
"Hold on Yusuke I'm coming! Almost there…just a little more…"
She felt herself being knocked from her oar and falling to the ground. She opened her eyes to see Hiei in her face.
"Just what do you think your doing?"
"Get off me! I have to help him!" She struggled beneath him trying to get free.
"Don't be stupid, if you do that you will meet the same fate he did." He said staring directly into her eyes.
"I can't just leave him, I won't!" She screamed at him.
"Get to higher ground, I will go after Yusuke." He said as he stood up.
She stared up at him surprised evident on her features.
"Go." He demanded narrowing his eyes.
She nodded her head, standing up and summoning her oar. She took off to the nightstand by Yusuke's bed.
Hiei ran towards the long cord that lay on the floor and snaked out to the hallway. He unsheathed his sword holding it above his head with both hands and then striked, slicing it in half. The deafening sound of the vacuum slowly ceased.
"Huh?" Atsuko said peering at the vacuum cleaner, inspecting it, she then began to flip the switch on and off repeatedly. "Come on you piece of junk! Ugh!" She yelled in frustration throwing the hose of the cleaner down on the floor. She stomped out of the room to go and examine the plug.
Hiei sped out of the way of Atsuko who had nearly stepped on him. He stopped at the opening of the hose that laid on the floor.
"Detective!" He yelled into the blackness. "Yusuke!"
Silence…
He let out a slight growl before taking off into the dark tunnel.
Botan chewed her bottom lip waiting for a sign to show that Yusuke was alright. She mounted her oar again to swoop down and aid Hiei in his search. But paused in her actions as Atsuko re-entered the room.
"What the?" Atsuko bent down and picked up the sliced cord. "Well isn't this just great, now we've got freakin mice chewing everything!" She went over and grabbed the vacuum hastily making her way to the door.
"Oh no!" Botan gasped and then began to follow her, but Atsuko slammed the door behind her. Atsuko made her way down the hallway and effectively ripped the plug from the socket. She continued her tirade to the front door and swung it wide open.
Botan went to the door knob getting her best grip on it, trying her hardest to turn it. "Oooh, its no use!" She yelled in defeat, glaring at the golden circle with disdain. "Why you! If I was normal sized I would…. Well I would… I would do something very not nice to you!" She threatened the door knob and then gave it a swift kick. "Ouch!" She began cradling her foot. "Then again if I was normal sized I could open you too…" She spoke softly with a frown. She turned on her oar scanning the room over and noticed the window that Hiei had opened before they had shrunk.
"Bingo!" She smiled brightly. She quickly flew over to it and looked outside in time to see Atsuko drag the Vacuum to edge of the sidewalk and set it by some garbage bags. Atsuko then returned inside, but not before slamming the door behind her. Botan went out the window and quickly descended to the sidewalk in front of the hose, dematerializing her oar. "Hiei! Yusuke!" She yelled into the tunnel. "Guys?" She asked, but sounded more like a plea. Her knees felt like they could give out as she put her hand over her heart thinking the impossible. She gasped slightly, she was able to make out faint footsteps coming from the darkness. Seconds later two grey figures immerged from the opening. Yusuke's arm was draped over Hiei's shoulder as Hiei guided him out of the blackness. Yusuke coughed heavily, dust falling from him, he took in a deep breath of fresh air, letting his grip on Hiei go he let himself fall to the ground on his back dust flying up into the air from his action, taking in oxygen greedily. Hiei coughed slightly and then ceased taking in much needed air as well before brushing the dust from his cloak and shaking it from his hair.
Botan smiled as she looked at Hiei, but all he gave in return was an icy stare.
"What?" He said angrily.
"You did it, you saved him."
"Hn, don't get all sentimental about it, I'm stuck with the two of you whether I like it or not, in case I am in need of the Detective. You on the other hand are expendable if it weren't for Yusuke's attachment to you I would say to cut your dead weight."
She frowned at his words, but knew after everything that Yusuke had told her about Hiei that he truly did care for them and there safety. He of course never wanted to show them and covered it all up with his glares and rude remarks. She knowingly smiled at the demon.
"Aw, your such a softy." She then took her sleeve and wiped the dust from his cheek.
He growled and grabbed her wrist giving it a small squeeze, removing it from his face. Botan couldn't tell if his face was red from anger, embarrassment or could he possibly be blushing? But her thoughts were interrupted by Yusuke.
"Oh man, I owe you one Hiei…" He said from his place on the ground finally getting it together.
Hiei noticed he was still holding Botan's wrist in his hand and quickly let it go, turning to the black haired boy sprawled out on the sidewalk.
"You owe me six, but whose counting." He replied sticking his hands in his pockets, closing his eyes he walked away from the Ferry Girl.
"But I really mean it this time" He said getting up. "If you didn't come save the damsel in distress I would have more than likely choked to death on one of those dust bunnies Botan's been on about." He smirked.
"Hn, whatever." Hiei just stood with his back to the both of them. He felt two arms wrap around his neck from behind.
"Oh my knight in shining armor, what would I ever have done without you! You're my hero!" Yusuke said impersonating a woman. "Kiss me you fool!" He made kissy sounds by his ear for emphasis. Botan stood behind the pair and couldn't contain the giggles that escaped her lips.
"Get off of me!" Hiei yelled in anger wrestling with the boy to get away. He pried his arms off him and shifted his way around to face him, roughly pushing him to the ground. Hiei turned his back to them once more seething mad.
Atsuko made her way to the front door, her purse hanging from her shoulder. She swung the door open, only to be greeted by two boys standing on her doorstep, one of them holding his fist up apparently ready to knock on the once closed door. They were both taken by surprise by the abrupt action.
Kurama lowered his arm, smiling at her "Hello, My name is Shuuichi and this is my friend Kazuma, we were wondering if Yusuke was available."
"Afraid not, he left as soon as he got home couldn't even tell his own mother where he went off to."
"Oh, I see thank you for your time." Kurama said bowing. Him and Kuwabara turned to leave.
"Although you could try his usual hang out spots the arcade is a good place to start looking." Atsuko said.
"Most appreciated."
"Now you must excuse me I need to go buy a new vacuum and some mouse traps. Little bastards I'll show them whose boss…" Atsuko muttered the last part under her breathe as she walked past them. All Kurama and Kuwabara could do was blink in confusion.
"What gives? I thought we were all suppose to meet at Urameshi's." Kuwabara asked in confusion.
"This is the location Botan had given to me." Kurama answered staring up at Yusuke's open window.
"So maybe Botan goofed, you know she does that a lot." Kuwabara shoved his hands into his pockets.
"No, I am pretty certain she did not, perhaps they have started without us? Came upon what we were to be seeking and took chase." Kurama tried to reason.
"Sooo…what should we do?"
"I suppose we could split up you could take one side of town and I, the other. Whomever comes across them first will notify the other by raising there spirit energy."
"Sounds like a plan." Kuwabara grinned.
"Its settled then you take the west side and I shall take the east." Kurama pointed in the directions to where they should go so Kuwabara didn't get confused.
Yusuke picked himself off the ground "Oh come on Hiei, I was just kidding. Besides your not my type." He said with a big grin. Hiei still wouldn't react or even look in his direction.
"Alright, alright I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart I truly am."
All he did was walk away from him.
"Hey! You could at least pay attention to me while I'm apologizing!" Yusuke yelled.
"Quiet."
"Why you little…" Yusuke marched over to him ready to look him in all three of his eyes and explode. But Hiei stretched his arm out in front of him stopping him in his tracks.
"Look."
Yusuke looked up only to see both Kuwabara and Kurama standing at his doorstep. They stopped talking and walked down the pavement.
"Ha ha! What luck! I'll be kicking Rando's ass sooner then I thought!" Yusuke shouted in glee, ecstatic to see his teammates.
"Yay!" Botan cheered jumping up and down.
Hiei smirked feeling a sense of victory.
The three of them watched as they split into two different directions. Hiei looked on horrified to see that Kurama had went in the other direction and that Kuwabara was heading their way.
"Hey Kuwabara!" Yusuke yelled at the top of his lungs waving his arms about. "Down here!"
"No, we must reach Kurama." Hiei said.
"What, why? Kuwabara's coming right to us." Yusuke asked confused.
"Don't be a fool, he will never realize we are even here."
"Oh come on Hiei, I know you dislike the guy, but give him a little credit. I mean he does have his spirit awareness and all that stuff. Besides Kurama's too far." He tried to reason.
"He's right Hiei, Kuwabara isn't as dense as you think he is." Botan spoke.
"You need to listen to me and do as I say, that oaf will never notice us." He became frustrated, why couldn't they understand?
Kuwabara was getting closer, this was there only chance, they needed to get his attention and fast.
"Kuwabara!" Both Yusuke and Botan screamed over and over.
"This is a waste of time." Hiei said angrily.
"Hey down here stupid! Listen to me!" Yusuke yelled.
"He's going to walk past us." Botan said fearfully.
"So much for your theory." Hiei mocked.
Yusuke growled in anger. Just then Botan ran past both of them summoning her oar and taking off towards Kuwabara. She wasn't going to be small anymore, she just couldn't be. She needed Kuwabara to see her then he will see what has happened to them and retrieve Kurama.
She flew in front of him right at his eye level and began calling his name.
"Kuwabara! Please we need your help!"
Kuwabara came to a stand still. She did it! He had noticed her they were saved. She let out a sigh of relief at the thought.
"Ha, see Hiei, you were wrong!" Yusuke gloated, but soon lost his smile as he looked on.
"Ew, gross a fly, get out of here you!" Kuwabara demanded as he began to swat his hand back and forth at the insect that was buzzing around his head.
"Ack! No! Its me, Botan!" She navigated her oar away from his hand as it chased her around.
"Come on, go bother somebody else you pesty winged freak!"
Kuwabara's hand was making her start to spin out of control in his frantic movements she could no longer control where she was going. She was becoming very nervous and uneasy.
Botan screamed as Kuwabara took in a deep breathe she lost control as she was sucked down his windpipe.
"OH MY GOD KUWABARA JUST ATE BOTAN!" Yusuke said in a rush his hands gripping his locks of hair in disbelief.
Hiei stood wide eyed and mouth agape. He really did just eat Botan.
"Ugh, nasty I think I just swallowed it! Yuck!" Kuwabara said sticking out his tongue and cringing in disgust.
Yusuke's breathing became erratic not being able to take the loss of his friend. He gritted his teeth, his fists clenched, he growled in anger.
"I'M GUNNA MAKE YOU PAY FOR THAT KUWABARA!" He screamed charging at the towering man, tears stinging his eyes.
Hiei's face contorted to that of pure rage, his hand gripped his sword. He bent down slightly getting ready to sprint off and join Yusuke.
Kuwabara began to cough and choke, putting his hands around his neck. Both Hiei and Yusuke stopped in there movements as they watched him. He coughed deeply his eyes beginning to water. Botan shot out of his mouth flying on her oar at his last cough.
"She's okay!" Yusuke said in relief.
Hiei straightened up and relaxed at seeing her form coming towards them.
"Ugh…That was seriously gross." She said in detest coming to a stop before them flicking the spit off her hands.
"We thought you were lunch Botan." Yusuke joked.
"Yes, well thankfully I wasn't, Kuwabara opened his mouth long enough for me to fly out of there." She said dematerializing her oar.
"You really had us worried, especially Hiei." Yusuke said pointing his thumb behind him at the demon.
Hiei stiffened at the Detective's accusations "And what in the hell would give you that impression?"
"Your not fooling anyone I saw your face when Botan got swallowed up." Yusuke smiled ear to ear.
"Aw, Hiei is that true?" Botan went along with Yusuke.
"No! I could care less." He shot back.
"But you just looked so angry." Yusuke said.
"Hn, Out of disappointment that I no longer had a reason to gut Kuwabara."
"Come on Hiei, admit that you care."
"Leave me alone, I'm not playing into your stupid games."