Chapter 2

Bardulf knew the moment she stepped through the door, stalked her way through the halls of their home and braced himself. His mother had come to call.

"Are you out of your mind, Bardulf!?" She yelled, slamming the door to his study open. Light brown eyes dug into his own with ire. "Explain your insanity to me!" She said heatedly, crossing the distance and slamming her hands into the wood of his desk, sharp nails digging into them.

Bardulf sighted. "Mother, that's a hundred year old desk."

"I'm waiting," she bit out.

Behind her came his father, a man with hazel hair and silver eyes. Where his mother was loud and at times reckless, he was calm, thoughtful, and knew how to appease his mother, though at the moment he only followed quietly, hands behind his back.

"Hello, father." His father gave a nod, his gaze gesturing to his mother who let out a growl of warning.

Bardulf sighted. "The House may be strong, mother, but the Faction is not. We are outnumbered."

His mother gave a snort of disbelief. "The faction is not enough? Not enough when we can use magic, use summons and have our own significant strength to fall back on!?"

Bardulf nodded. "Just so mother."

She gave him a look of disgust. "When I let you take over, I expected better Bardulf. Now you come up with this ridiculous scheme of an Alliance? What if we lose The Right! What then?"

"We won't." He replied confidently.

His mother gave him an incredulous look. "I have heard The Right comes in human form now, what does she look like?" If her son could not handle this simple task, then she would do so.

Bardulf sighted, tapping at the wood of his desk, he created an image of the young woman in question.

There was a deep inhale from his father, his mother gazing at the image with eyes wide in disbelief, expressions he had never seen on his parents faces flitted by before his mother leaned her head back and laughed.

"I will end this swiftly,' she said to him, a confident smile on her face. "And I will do so without the need for battle."

She turned and left. Her father hesitated, glancing from his mother to a confused Bardulf. "Your sister may not say it, but she does miss you and your brother."

Bardulf shook his head. "She's made her choice, we have made ours."

His father gave a nod and turned to follow his mate out the door.

Bardulf sighted, sitting at his desk. He could only hope his mother did nothing to destroy his plans.

Botan was the first to catch sight of Kurama and Fay as they walked into the dining room. She sighted with relief. Now they wouldn't have to deal with Kuronue trying to get past them to Fay's room.

"Hi, you too. Grab some food before the others eat it all up." By now Botan knew this group ate a lot, and luckily, it seemed as if Isis had anticipated that as well.

"As long as I don't get any pineapples,' Fay said heading for the empty seat next to Hiei. Kurama grabbed her hand before she made it two steps, instead re-directing her to two chairs that had been left for them.

"What?" Yusuke said through a mouthful. "Don't like them?"

"Nope,' Fay said as she sat, Kurama taking a seat next to her.

"Hawaiian doesn't automatically mean pineapples, Fay,' Isis said with a roll of her eyes.

Fay pointed. "So how come I see them?"

"Coincidence,' Isis said. The fruit was there, baked into a pie as an after dinner snack. It worked for her if less people liked them, that meant more for her...or so she thought. As lunch progressed, Isis watched the food disappear as if by magic, most of it eaten by the boys...and the guy who was supposed to be the "ruler" of spirit world.

'For a little guy...he eats like someone three times his size.' By the time lunch came to an end, even the cherry bonbons she'd brought and tried to hide had gone missing. Most of which seemed to be eaten by Koenma. Her eye twitched. 'If I had the energy, I'd complain.'

Isis yawned and headed for her room, only catching sight of Genkai gesturing for Koenma to follow her. Isis wasn't interested so she walked past them...only to have her phone hum as a message blinked. 'Whyyy.' She whined quietly while unlocking her phone. Isis read the message and sighted. When her mother messaged her...she either showed up or someone came to get her. Considering who was here at the moment...Isis would rather they not. So she left.

"You wanted to talk?" Koenma said, biting into a pink bonbon.

"Yes,' Genkai said. "I've been thinking over how we can help Fay tap into her powers without backlash, and I came to a conclusion. A Spirit Beast."

"You mean just like Yusuke?" Having overheard, Botan joined them.

Genkai nodded. "The beast should be connected to the power Fay holds inside, which means that it could use it to a higher level than she ever could."

"That would be helpful,' Koenma said. It's the reason he had brought one with him, having already come to that conclusion himself. "However it does come with its own risks, you know this."

Genkai closed her eyes. "It's worth the risk."

"There's no way Fay's spirit beast would be something that harmed her...right?" Botan asked. "I mean, look at her." She glanced back at Fay who was standing with Kurama in front of her, keeping her from Kuronue. "She's hardly a delinquent, especially when compared to Yusuke, and look how his came out."

"What about me?"

Botan jumped back, startled by Yusuke's appearance. "Oh...uh...just saying what a nice guy you are." She laughed nervously.

"Riiight." Yusuke looked to Genkai and Koenma. "So what're you talking about?"

Genkai sighted. "I'm not going to repeat myself." She stepped past Yusuke. "Alright, enough noise! We have matters to discuss."

"Finally,' Rinku said, excited. "Are we going to talk about who we're fighting next? I want it to be someone really strong and,' he pointed over at Kuwabara. "For someone else to be stuck with him."

"It's not like I want to be stuck with you, pipsqueak,' Kuwabara countered. "The last thing I need is you holding me back!"

"Ha! as if!" Rinku shot back. "If I remember-"

"Enough!" Genkai raised her voice, bringing the argument to a halt. "We don't have time for that, now,' she turned to Kurama who had led Fay to one of the sofas in the living room. "Have you found any more information on the piece of Destiny's Exchange?"

Kurama shook his head. "Unfortunately no, which brings me to the conclusion that whomever stole it, must belong to the remaining Factions."

"Great,' Fay said, her shoulders dropping. "I doubt they're going to want to give it back because we ask nicely."

"Don't worry there, love,' Chu said from where he sat on the ground, a bottle of alcohol in his hand, where he'd gotten it...no one knew. "We'll get that piece back, soon as we find who has it."

"Like it's going to be that easy,' Shishi muttered.

Genkai glanced around, only to realize that Isis had disappeared, so asking her about it was going to have to wait. "Unfortunately, it's very likely Kurama's right about the whereabouts of Destiny's Exchange, so until we have more information, we're going to have to deal with this situation as if it doesn't exist. Now, Fay come here,' Genkai looked over at Koenma who nodded, holding out a golden egg.

Looking perplexed, Fay made to stand but Kurama's hand on her arm stopped her, she glanced over at him and after a moment of hesitation, nodded and let her go. She walked over to Koenma and looked down at the egg. "So...what am I supposed to do with that? Color it?"

"It's a spirit egg,' Botan said. "Don't you remember what we told you about where Puu came from?" Botan pointed at Keiko who was holding onto Puu.

Fay grinned. "Nope, that's way too funny to hold over Yusuke's head to forget."

"Ha, ha! Don't make me laugh,' Yusuke drawled sarcastically. "And just so you know,' he pointed at the egg Koenma still held. "The moment the puffball inside it comes out, it's open season on your ass."

Fay narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "Are you saying I'm fluffier than you on the inside?" There were snorts of laughter. "Because Yusuke,' Fay grinned. "I don't think anyone else can take that crown."

Kuwabara started laughing out loud. "Yeah, you're probably right about that."

Yusuke glared over at Kuwabara then back at Fay. "Well go on, prove it!"

"Fine, I will!" Fay grabbed the egg from Koenma before neither he nor Genkai could finish explaining. "There,' Fay said, looking at it. "What do I do with it now?"

"You keep it with you,' Koenma said. "That's it. It's already too late, but just so you're prepared; we don't know how this will work with your power or even your spirit. There may be a chance that the creature inside may be dark, if it is, it may attempt to eat you."

Fay paled. "Uh...in that case here, you can have it back,' she said, trying to return it to Koenma who stepped back.

"Didn't you hear him?" Genkai said. "It's too late."

"If it's evil, all we have to do is kill it." Hiei said.

"If we can kill it." Genkai said, glancing at Fay. "The power she's feeding it won't make it easy."

"It'll be fine,' Yusuke said. "I mean, she's nowhere near as badass as I am,' he pointed at Puu. "And look what I got stuck with."

"That just means I'm more badass than you, Urameshi." Kuwabara said with a wide grin.

"Ha! Maybe in your dreams!" Yusuke shot back.

'He thinks a lot of himself.' Fay thought. Shrugging, she put the egg into her pocket. "Well, looks like there's nothing to do now but wait and see."

"Until then,' Genkai turned her attention to the others as Fay made her way back to her seat. "We still have four Factions to face, most of which we know nothing off."

"About that...' Botan hesitantly spoke up. 'I hope they don't get too curious about my explanation.' The last thing she wanted was to spill the beans. "Well...you see,' she laughed a little nervously. "We uh..."

'She's so bad at this,' Koto thought, amused, watching Botan squirm as she tried to come up with an explanation. "Mary Anne decided to be nice for once and tell us something she overheard,' Koto said, deciding to spare Botan.

"That's right!" Botan said, grabbing at the excuse.

"That's hard to believe,' Suzuka said. "Considering the last few times we've encountered her."

"I'll have you know she's not that bad,' Botan said. "And-"

"What did she tell you!"Genkai snapped. "We have little time for arguments."

"Oh, right,' Botan told them what they overheard the three faction members talking about at the cafe, leaving out that she and Koto had been the ones there.

Hiei smirked. "So we scared them into forming an alliance." It didn't matter, they would still fail.

"I'm not minding,' Jin said with a grin. "Just a few more heads to pound, so they are."

"The problem, boys,' Genkai said. "Is that now we don't know just how many we'll be facing at once. For all we know, we'll be outnumbered."

"Perhaps,' Kurama said, his tone thoughtful. "However, I find it doubtful that the Factions, as wary of each other as they are, will put everything into this alliance."

"You think they'll hold some of their members back?" Fay asked. Kurama nodded.

"It makes sense,' Touya said, thinking out loud. "If this alliance fails, I doubt they want to end up out of the war simply because they have no more fighters."

"Unfortunately, at the moment this is all conjecture,' Kurama added. "We have little choice but to await their next move."

"Then keep on your guard, boys." Genkai said. "We don't know when they'll decide to act."

A chorus of agreement greeted her words.

"In which case,' Botan said cheerfully. "Let's play a card game to pass the time." It was still pouring rain outside, so it wasn't as if any of them could go out, and they had to wait till tomorrow night to meet Orpheus and check on Jury.

"Pass,' Yusuke said, getting to his feet.

"Same here,' Kuwabara said.

"Right,' Jin said. "Anybody seen Isis?" He'd been trying to pin her down since she appeared, but the lass kept moving about and disappearing far too easy.

"I was wondering where she went off to, too." Touya said.

"Knowing her,' Fay said standing as well. "She's either taking a nap...or maybe someone called her back home." It seemed that those were the only times Isis disappeared.

"She can't be takin a nap!" Jin exclaimed. "Who's going to be teaching us? Plus she's the only one who can make those battle fields."

"How about Pictionary, then?" Botan suggested.

"What's that?" Rinku asked.

"I'll show you." Botan went off in search of the items, while Jin continued to complain about Isis not being there, growing closer to Fay by the second though she tried to move back.

"That's far enough,' Kurama stepped between them, starling Jin.

"Oh, sorry,' Jin grinned not looking it. "It's a bit of a habit now."

"Fair enough,' Kurama said with a calm smile. "Perhaps you should get rid of it."

Jin grinned guilelessly. "Maybe."

"Jin,' Touya warned.

"Anyway,' Fay said. "Let's go look for Botan, she might need help."

'Aww,' Koto thought, pouting. 'And here I thought something good might happen.' With the rain outside it wasn't as if anyone could go outside and train, and Jin was right, if Isis had been here, she could just put up one of those battle field things and the guys could train there. 'Too bad she's not here.'

Botan returned, surprised to have found the items, she'd also caught Yusuke and Kuwabara trying to sneak away and had made them carry the things back to the living room.

"Alright, here are the rules,' Botan said, explaining it to everyone.

'Children,' Genkai shook her head and walked out of the noisy room. 'I suppose it'll do them some good to have fun.' With this alliance hanging over them, they may very well not get the chance to do so in the future.

The young woman sitting up on the bed had a cascade of long hair that seemed to waver between a dark shade of blue and true black. Her eyes were a mix of turquoise and sea green, half hidden by overgrown bangs. Her skin was a pale peach in color. Her eyes stared out blankly at the large window across her room, watching flowers in the garden sway to the wind.

"Hey,' The tall man with dark glasses stepped into the room, bringing with him a tray of food he placed on the side table near the young woman. "Here, drink this." Altair held out the tea to the young woman who's gaze was still on the window.

"Nine years,' she whispered listlessly. "I have lost nine years." She was now fifteen soon to be sixteen. All her childhood, gone. No more birthdays, play dates with friends, no field trips...nothing.

She bit her lip, eyes glittering with unshed tears.

"There's nothing I can say to make it better, Vela." Altair sighted. "We tried our damn best to wake you up, we even went to the Oracle and Guardian."

Tears spilled out of her eyes just as Astor walked in, shooting Altair a glare. He backed up, hands in the air. "Wasn't me."

Astor walked up to his sister, wrapping her in an embrace. "I'm sorry." He whispered. "If I could give you those years back, you know I would."

She sniffed. "I know."

Altair handed him the tea and he handed it to Vela who finally took it with both hands, letting the heat warm her hands. 'That person will pay for my lost years.' Vela had not simply fallen down that edge. She still remembered that day. They had gone on a field trip to the beach to explore the tide pool ecosystem. Vela had looked out to the ocean and seen a movement far away. Sure what she had caught sight of had been a whale, she'd taken her best friend's hand and raced for the highest point they could find; a cliff above where they had been exploring. She'd stepped closer to the edge, having caught sight of it. Vela had known she was safe, she also knew that a fall from this height would never harm a dragon like her...except that some awful transformation had passed over her friend, Vela had felt goose bumps; she'd turned, but her friend had pushed her, ripping her soul to pieces in the process. That...that had been what had really harmed Vela. It had been a horrid pain like she had never felt before and hoped never to feel once more, and fixing her soul was what had kept her in that coma for so long.

Her watery eyes narrowed. 'I'll make her pay, I won't stop till I've taken my revenge.' Her former friend had not been a normal girl, she had been an evil creature hiding in the flesh of a child, and Vela would destroy it.

"Vela?" The girl looked up at her brother who offered her a fruit. She gave him a wan smile and took the fruit. "There's so much training I missed,' said. "I want to learn everything." Her brother shook his head. "No. You need to-"

Vela shot him a glare. "What? Rest? I've had enough of lying in bed, brother!" Vela gave a hiccup full of tears. "I want to be out there!"

Astor and Altair glanced at each other, both uncertain, but finally, Astor nodded, removing the blankets and pulling his sister into his arms. "Then I shall assist you." Altair walked in front of them, opening the doors to the veranda and the garden.

Vela smiled as the scent of flowers embraced her senses. For now, this would have to do.

"What about this looks like a damn apple!?" Yusuke shouted at Fay, angrily tapping at the image he'd drawn on the board. "Well, excuse me!" Fay countered. "It's not my fault your can't draw to save your life!"

"Is it...the moon?" Botan asked, tilting her head. She wasn't on Yusuke and Fay's team, but...she thought she'd try.

"No!" Yusuke snapped at her. "How does this,' he tapped at it again. "Look like a damn moon!?"

"Well don't yell at me,' Botan said. "I'm not your team mate!" They had picked those randomly by grabbing a name out of a hat so it would be fair, they we're also picking what to draw the same way.

"Oh!" Keiko suddenly spoke up. "Is it Puu?"

"Yes!" Yusuke exclaimed.

Several of them burst into laughter. "I can't believe how bad you're at drawing,' Kuwabara said through his laughter. "You're even worst at it then cooking!"

Yusuke's eye twitched. 'Stupid Botan, dragging us all into this dumb game.'

"We'll I'd like to see you try!" Yusuke said, glaring at Kuwabara.

"Fine, I will!" Kuwabara grabbed the marker from Yusuke and stepped up to the board.

"Hold on guys, it's still Fay and Yusuke's turn." Botan said.

"I think they've stopped caring about the rules,' Shizuru said, watching her younger brother draw. She burst into laughter when he was finished. "What's that supposed to be?"

"Skinny chicken!" Fay said, raising her hand.

"No!"

Laughter followed his words. "See? Not so easy." Yusuke laughed. "You're even worse than me!"

"The only thing it looks to me now is what Fay mentioned." Suzuka said. "That or...never mind." Nothing else came to mind.

"It's a scarecrow." Kurama said, as if just realizing it.

"No!"

"How's it feel to be on the spot?" Yusuke continued taunting with a grin. "Not so funny now, huh?"

"I swear, Yusuke, I'm gonna beat you to the ground!" Kuwabara threatened before closing in on Yukina, taking her hands in his. "You know what it is, right babe?"

"Oh...well,' Yukina glanced from Kuwabara to the picture then back again before giving him an uncertain smile. "It's...it's a bird, right?"

Kuwabara's eyes seemed to become pinpoints, his smile frozen in place. "That's not it, it's a cat!"

"Really,' Fay said, turning to Koto who was bristling. "I don't see the resemblance."

"Next time you get beat up, I'm going to enjoy watching it even more!" Koto growled at Kuwabara. "If you can't draw a cat then don't try it!"

Botan inwardly sighted. 'So much for the groups.' It had turned into a free for all.

"Well if you think you're so talented,' Kuwabara stuck the marker in front of Fay. "Why don't you give it a try!"

Fay grabbed the marker. "Gladly!"

She walked over to the board, erased Kuwabara's picture and started drawing before proudly turning back to the others. "There."

Yusuke and Kuwabara burst into laughter. "Is that a suitcase?" Yusuke asked.

"Or maybe a birthday hat on a pillow!" Kuwabara added.

"Hey!" She turned to the others. "Well, at least you guys know what it is, right?"

"No,' Rinku said. "You suck at drawing too."

'Why I oughta-' Fay's thought was interrupted when Kurama tapped a fist to his open palm. "I know, it's,'

"Don't you dare, Kurama."

"Hiei." Kurama finished a second before the absent demon had shown up.

"Yes!" Fay said, grinning at Kurama. "It is!"

The group burst into laughter while Hiei glared at Fay.

"How the hell does that look like me?"

"Well,' Fay pointed at the stick. "That's your sword and,' she tapped what Kuwabara had described as a 'birthday hat'. "That's your hair."

"Nice hair,' Kuwabara said through his laughter. "Fay's right, it looks like a birthday hat."

"You realize those are your last word, right?" Hiei snapped, sliding his sword half out.

"Don't be mad, Hiei,' Fay wrapped her arms around Hiei's shoulders to his apparent annoyance. "It just means you're cute."

"And that's supposed to make it better?!" He demanded.

"What's with all the noise?" Isis stepped into the room, then wished she'd skipped it, especially at the moment.

"Isis!" Jin exclaimed happily. "Been lookin for you all over, so I have."

"We're playing Pictionary,' Fay said, letting go of Hiei and showing her the marker. "Wanna play?"

'Ugh,' Isis had forgotten that Mjrn had left this stuff behind. The little Magus disliked the cold, so when winter came at their main headquarters, she'd come here...and brought her toys.

"Come on, Isis,' Botan said cheerfully. "You can't possibly be worse than Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Fay."

"Hey!" All three shouted in objection.

Isis sighted. "Fine, whatever." She walked over to Fay, took the marker from her and stepped up to the board

"How pretty,' Botan said after a minute of watching Isis draw.

"I can actually tell what that is." Suzuka added.

"You do?" Shishi asked. "I've never seen it before, what is it?" He knew it was an animal, but it couldn't be from demon world or he'd know.

"I said I can tell what it is, not what it's name is." Suzuka had never seen it before.

"It's an animal called a giraffe,' Kurama explained. "They live in a warmer climate on Earth."

"Sheila knows how to draw,' Chu said.

"Aye, nicely too." Jin added with a grin. "Then again, she is my teacher."

"There." Isis said, snapping the cover back on the marker. "Any questions?"

"Where did you learn how to do that?" Fay asked.

'Actually, no one was supposed to ask questions.' Isis thought. She should have just dropped the marker an walked out. Too late now.

"A Magus often has to rely on symbols. They are either imprinted onto our skin or on something we own that we channel our magic through. A higher level Magus has to know how to create the symbols rapidly by hand and,' she tapped her head. "See them clearly in their mind. It has to be precise, so that,' she placed her hands adjacent to each other, calling on pure magic, manipulating the magic into creating the symbols as the others watched, then pulled her right hand upward, letting the magic take on the form of the giraffe running through air. "When she pulls it into being, it doesn't backfire or fail completely."

The image of the giraffe cantered around the room once before finally disappearing.

"That's amazing, Isis." Keiko said.

"Can you teach me how to do that?" Koto asked. Even she had to admit it looked pretty cool.

Isis yawned. "Too much work, here." She created three hexagon shaped crystals and threw them at Touya, Jin, and Hiei. "There, knock yourselves out."

"What exactly am I supposed to do with this?" Hiei asked, looking the crystal over. Each side had a different pattern to it, and inside it, some sort of blue light glowed.

"Figure it out." She said, making to head to her room.

"Hey, so how come only they get one of those?" Rinku demanded, getting in her way. "Can I have one too?"

"I think I want one of them fancy balls too,' Chu said, standing from his spot. "Might learn something from them."

"Same here,' Suzuka added. "I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out quickly enough, but it's better than sitting around and watching those three,' he flicked a finger at Yusuke, Fay and Kuwabara. "Attempt to draw something."

"Hey!" All three in question shouted once again.

"I want one too!" Kuwabara added loudly.

Isis muttered under her breath and created several more, giving one to all the boys. "There!" She said. Isis started away once again, determined to oversleep, because dammit! She was still on vacation. A thought made her pause and she debated whether it was worth turning back for. With a sigh, Isis did so, peeking into the living room. "Oh and by the way, don't let-" she saw one of the crystals shatter. "Fay hold one." She finished lamely.

Fay stepped closer to Yusuke, looking at the crystal. "We'll it looks pretty, but what are you supposed to do with it?"
"I have no idea,' Yusuke said, looking the thing over. "I mean, yeah the patterns are nice if you're into that."
"Can I take a look?" Fay asked.
Yusuke shrugged, handing it over to Fay. "Knock yourself out."
Fay took it from him, looking it over. 'I don't get how this is supposed to...' Her eyes narrowed, noticing it. She turned it, seeing the same thing happen on the other patterns. "I think I get it, you just,' she pushed on the designs just as Isis spoke, Fay's eyes widening when the crystal shattered, startling Yusuke into stumbling back, and the rest of the group into looking at her.

"How the heck did you manage that so quickly?" Yusuke asked, starring up. Blue light spilled out of it, swirling upward only to dissolve as Isis held her arm out at it.

"Blimey, what'd you do, sheila?" Chu asked.

"I just-"

"Keep quiet!" Isis snapped at her, then glared at Yusuke. "Don't let Fay hold it! With her power, it's way too easy! And if not that, well...her clumsiness takes over." Girl was a danger off her skates...which in itself was odd.
"That's not true!" Fay said, heading towards Isis only to stumble over Chu's empty alcohol bottle.
Isis snorted. "Point proven." Fay was lucky Kurama quickly intervened, catching the girl before she hit the floor.

"Ok, ok I get, Fay's clumsy." Yusuke said. "Now give me another one of those thingies." It was still better than going along with Botan's games.
Isis rolled her eyes but complied, creating one and throwing it at Yusuke who easily caught it. "Thanks."
Isis waved over her shoulder and headed out of the living room, down the hall to her nice, quiet room.

She was almost there when a voice stopped her. Irritated, Isis turned back to face him. "What, Jin?" Her tone suggested it better be nothing.

"What's all this, then?" He demanded, throwing the crystal at Isis who caught it.

"I'm startin to think all ye're doin is giving us trinkets so you don't have to teach us any,' Jin stared at her sternly. "I'm not after playin with toys, I know ye can teach me better, so do it."

The way he spoke was quick, so it took Isis just a few more seconds to decode what Jin had said before she sighted in annoyance. "Smart fella, aren't you." Isis said, placing a hand on her hip. "That's only partly true, this,' she lifted the crystal. "Is not so I can just go to sleep, I had to go through it. I already told you-"

"Is it necessary then?" Jin demanded. "Is there no other way to be teachin me what is needed without the crystal?"

Isis blinked, looked from the crystal to him. She had the urge to lie, but it probably wouldn't work on Jin. "No, it's not necessary, yes there are other more annoying,' because it meant she would have to waste energy. "Ways to teach it."

Jin smiled, grabbing Isis's hand. "Then let's be trying those." He tried pulling her along behind him but besides the first step, Isis didn't budge. "No." She said firmly.

"Oh? And why is it not?" Jin asked, turning back to her, arms crossing over his chest, he leaned slightly down, since she was rather petite. "I've noted ye don't like using too much energy, but ye can't be after doin that all the time. No way to live, so I say. Gotta live for somethin ye wanna give yer all for, ye know."

'Dammit all to heck.' Isis thought, taking a moment to catch up with Jin's quick speech.

"Hold, up...hold up..." Isis said, feeling her annoyance rise. She leaned a little closer to Jin. "Are you trying to tell me?" She pointed at herself with her thump. "Me. That I, I...should,' she snorted. "For some reason care about your training and give it my all?"

"Aye,' Jin said, grinning. "That or somethin important, ye gettin me? But I darn well think this is being important, so yeh should be takin this real serious, you should."

"Whether you believe I'm being serious or not, is none of your business,' Isis said firmly. "The way I teach may seem lazy,' ok...it was. "But either way, following my instructions will get you from point D to point A, so you,' she poked at his chest startling him. "Do what I tell you to do because I'm the teacher here."

Jin narrowed his gaze, leaning closer. "No, not if ye're doin this only half way, lassie. I be wanting ye're all, and I damn well plan to be gettin it." He'd seen her fight, knew she had all sorts of abilities and could help him get so much stronger, but for some reason Isis simply never seemed very proactive in her teachings. Jin wanted that to change, this war they we're fighting was no laughing matter. His friends lives we're at stake here.

To his surprise, Isis narrowed her forest green eyes, her other hand going to her hip as she leaned in very close to his face. "Make me, boyo."

Her words startled him, and Jin blinked blue eyes down at her. 'Lass is brave, she is that.' He stared at her defiant expression from inches away. 'Well now, looks like she be puttin her all into this; bit strange she is.' He blinked once more. 'And pretty too.' Odd himself too, that he had just noticed after all this time she was right there.

Jin grinned down at her, this time startling her. "Aye, I'll be taking that bet."

Before Isis even knew what was happening, Jin had given her a quick kiss on the lips.

"Promise this,' Jin said. "I'll be getting all ye're-"

Even as he spoke, Isis had silently turned, stepped into her room and locked the door.

"Hold on there, I still be wanting-"

"You idiot!" The loud shout seemed to throw Jin on his back.

"Dummy! Dimwit!" As Isis's voice shouted, blocks of ice appeared in front of the door and wall, becoming projectiles that were aimed at Jin.

"Hold on there, Isis!" Jin called, dodging the blocks of ice.

"No, you hold on!" Isis shouted. "I thought you like Fay!"

"I did,' another ice chunk just barely missed him. "As a friend!" Jin shouted. "She's Kurama's girl, I can't be getting in between that!"

"So what am I? Your second place prize?!" Jin blocked a piece of ice.

"That's just not it!" Jin tried again. "Come out here, now. We can-"

"Shut up, you dope!" More chunks of ice came at him, then the blue crystal, slamming into his head before he could catch it. "You're a thousand years from ever matching me!"

"I'll be after having you take that back, lass!" Jin shouted. "I'll show yeh I'm-" Before he could finish more ice blocks came at him, forcing Jin into dodging. 'Well, she's definitely tryin now.'

"Jin, what's going on?" Touya paused as his gaze caught on the scene. "Did I miss something?"

"Isis is mad,' Jin explained, dodging.

"Is that so..." It looked like training to Touya, except this was going to leave a mess of water, something he knew Isis wouldn't like.

"Isis?" Touya called. "When are you going to teach me to do what you're doing?"

There was a shout of exasperation from Isis coming from her room. "When you figure out the hexagon! Now, take Kuwabara's more dimwitted friend with you!" The wall suddenly began to change in material, becoming tightly fitted stone, the door completely disappearing from sight.

"Whatever you did, it must've really angered her." Touya said.

"I'm not done saying it,' Jin raced to the window at the end of the hall, opening it. "And Isis will be listening." Jin jumped out, flying off.

"I see..." Touya said. It wasn't his place to get in the way of whatever was going on, he just hoped Jin did manage to change Isis's mind so that they could get some actual training in. He looked down at the crystal. 'I suppose asking Fay or Kurama for a few pointers might help.' Touya headed back to the living room.

Isis stared at the wall, hands curled into fists. 'He wants to train, just wait; I'll train him, train him right into his damn grave!'

"Firez!" Isis snapped.

~Yes?~ Came the voice.

"What the hell's up with this heat?" It was extremely uncomfortable, she didn't see what the fire elemental was pulling it up for, especially right now.

There was silence then. ~That is not my fire, Isis~ Firez said. ~That is your body's heat~

The realization only made it worse, Isis felt the heat rise, especially on her neck and cheeks. "Dammit!" She kicked the wall. "I don't need this now!" Especially after the damn conversation she'd had with her mother. "Why doesn't everyone just leave me alone!" Isis stomped over to her bed, grabbing the blanket, she crawled to the middle of her bed and drew the blanket over her body. Isis already knew she wasn' going to sleep, but she would sit here and not do anything because that's what she wanted.

~I have never seen you so worked up~ Terra's voice whispered. ~It's...nice~

"Shut up, shut up!" Isis ground out. To her annoyance, she heard the laughter of her elementals before their voices faded away.

Isis pulled her knees up, wrapping her arms around it. 'Stupid boy!'

Her window began to shudder, then snapped open to a burst of wind before Isis could do anything to stop it. She pulled the blanket off her and glared as Jin flew in through the window, settling on her floor. "I told you to go away! Why don't you go bother Fay, you're good at that."

"Fay be a friend,' Jin said, tone serious.

Isis snorted in disbelief. "When did that happen? The last two seconds?" She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, but all Jin did was deflect it with a little wind. "Nay, it's been a while,' Jin continued. "It's just been fun teasin the two, but I'm after thinking I'm done." He took a step closer to her bed and Isis threw her second pillow at him with the same results.

"I'll admit bout just realizin I like yeh,' Jin said, watching as Isis created a small ball of snow in her palm. "Hold on Isis, you could at least let a lad explain himself!"

Isis narrowed her eyes at him. "You have sixty seconds before I show you why you're a thousand years behind me."

'That's somethin,' Jin thought. "Ye're my teacher, course that mean's I always thought you were cool, but...but...' he scratched his cheek. "I've been think about yeh more lately,' although that part was helped along with him wanting her to train them seriously. "Fay needed helpin when I met her and I kinda attached meself to her at the beginning but,' the wind stirred as he flew closer to her, the beginning's a grin on his lips. "Ye're a strong lass, confident, and you be kickin my ass easily too."

The last caused a laugh to escape Isis.

"So, I just be wantin a chance to get closer, find out more of yeh; yeh can do the same and maybe you'll be liking me more, me too of course." He was sitting crossed leg in front of her now, but so far Isis hadn't done anything, he took that as a good sign.

"Not interested." Isis splattered the ball of snow on his face and turned away. "Now leave, Jin."

Jin shook his head, displacing the snow from his face and stared at her back. Yeah, he could leave, but Jin was no one to give up that easily, especially when he realized, he really wanted something. So he'd just try harder. Grinning, Jin wrapped his arms around Isis's shoulders, peeking at her face. She looked more as if she were pouting, her cheeks red. Jin chuckled. "Liar."

"Am not." Isis muttered. She was just trying to figure out what to do now, and kicking Jin out was going to take more energy than what she felt like expanding at this point, and maybe...his laughter wasn't so annoying.