Chapter 3

AN: I had planned to post this earlier in the month but got caught up in a podcast called lore. So sorry for the lateness.

R&R

'I guess we're not playing Pictionary anymore.' Botan thought, watching the boys turn their attention to the crystals. In which case. "I'll just borrow Fay for a bit, Kurama." Botan said, grabbing the girl from Kurama's side and pulling her along. After a second, Koto decided to follow her, then Shizuru, Keiko and Yukina followed.

Botan led them into Fay's room and closed the door.

"What's going on, Botan?" Keiko asked. "Is it serious?"

"I'm not sure,' Botan said, turning to Fay. "Don't ask for specifics, but Koto and I stumbled on an argument outside your house."

"What?" Fay asked, startled. "When we're you there? What were you-"

Botan raised a hand in front of Fay. "I told you not to ask for specifics, right now I can't really explain, I just thought it was important you knew."

Fay tilted her head. She was still really curious about how Botan and Koto ended up there but nodded. "Ok, tell me what happened."

Botan nodded, recalling the scenario.

She and Koto had just ducked behind a rosebush near the two story house when two women walked out, one was older, with almost fully white hair made into a bun at the back of her hair. The younger woman following had many of the same features the older had, making Botan believe they were mother and daughter, then the women confirmed it.

The younger woman called out to the older one. "Mom, for the last time, I don't want you filling my children's' heads with your nonsense!"

The older woman turned, glaring at the younger. "Nonsense!? It's their heritage!" She gestured back at the house. "Are you just going to let them grow up and blend into bland society?"

"Yes!" the younger snapped. "If that's exactly what they want! It was what I wanted!" The younger woman gestured to herself. "I'm doing just fine, mother, I'm happy. You,' she pointed at her mother. "Are the root of my unhappiness!"

The older woman went silent before she let out a bark of sarcastic laughter. "Me. The only being trying to let your children know their culture-"

"Oh, don't bring culture into this!" The younger woman snapped. "They very well know that, what I don't want is you telling them-"

"What?" The older cut in. "That they are far more special than all these-"

"They know exactly who they are!"

"They do not!" The older shouted. "If they did-"

"This is my family! Don't you dare pretend to care! All you want is more fuel for your fire!" Hissed the younger. "I refuse to give that to you! I don't want you in my home for the next year mother! Change your stupid ideas before you darken my door step again!"

The younger woman turned, heading back to the door, but the oldest continued to shout. "This isn't over, Alondra! I am your mother-" The front door slammed closed, silencing the older woman who stood in place for a few seconds before she headed for the driveway, got into one of the cars and drove away.

"And that's it,' Botan said, her hands curled, studying Fay for any sign of distress, but all the girl did was let out a tired sigh.

"Don't worry, it's nothing out of the ordinary, Botan." Fay said.

"O-oh...really?" Botan herself had very little experience with families, being a grim reaper but...her idea of a family wasn't exactly that, so she couldn't help but speak out once more.

"Are you sure? I don't mean to pry, but-"

Fay gave her a cheerful smile. "It's alright, don't look so down. Like I said, that's normal." Not liked, as far as Fay felt concerned. After all, she loved both her grandmother and mother, but their fights...weren't an unusual thing.

Anyway,' Fay said, trying to change the subject. "How did you and Koto end up there?"

Botan gave a nervous laugh, hand behind her head. "Well...let's just say it happened and leave it there."

Fay narrowed her eyes looking at Botan, then she caught the look Yukina gave Botan. "Hold on,' Fay glanced around at her friends. "Am I the only one who doesn't know what's going on here?"

"Sorry,' Yukina said, covering her lips.

"No way! That's not fair, come on tell me what's going on!"

Keiko set Puu between her and Fay when she turned to her. "I promised I wouldn't say anything, sorry."

"No fair!" Fay whined.

Fay turned to Shizuru but the taller girl had already left.

"Sorry, Fay, but if we tell you, odds are someone we don't want to know would end up knowing and...oops-" Realizing she was saying too much, Botan put her hands over her mouth.

Fay huffed. "That's just not fair, Botan is easily more likely to-"

"Never mind that,' Shizuru returned with drinks and a bag of snacks. "As long as the boys are busy, we might as well eat some snacks, play a game or watch a movie." She handed the drinks to the girls. "I know just the game,' Botan said cheerfully.

'Damn,' Yusuke thought, dropping the crystal and moving his arms and fingers. "Hey, is anyone else's hands getting numb?" He asked.

"Yeah, it's just like that other toy Isis gave them." Kuwabara said. "Except that instead of being shocked, our hands go numb." Kuwabara had no choice but to drop the crystal to let some feeling flow back into them.

"And I still don't get what the heck we're doing." Yusuke complained. That, Isis had forgotten to explain, and it wasn't like he was trying to pull ghost animals out of his freaking hat! 'What exactly am I supposed to be learning from this? How to entertain my enemies before I kick their ass?'

"I say we go demand a better explanation,' Suzuka said. "I'm not hurting my precious limbs without knowing that it's worth it."

"Patience,' they glanced at Kurama to see four of the symbols on the crystal we're glowing and he was working on the fifth. "Isis did explain it, it is merely a matter of keeping the symbols in mind as you wish them to be, glowing."

"That isn't easy for the rest of us,' Rinku complained, dropping the crystal when his hands went numb. "I can't feel my hands anymore."

"Then I have a better idea,' Yusuke said, glancing around. "Great, she goes disappearing when I actually need her." It might be cheating, but he was still getting Fay to help him. He had more of a chance of understanding her than any explanation from Kurama. He headed over to Fay's room, knocking on the door even as the sound of laughter reached him. 'At least someone's having fun.' He grumpily thought.

The door opened, showing Shizuru on the other side. "Hey, Yusuke, having trouble?"

"Yeah and I want to talk to Fay." He demanded.

Shizuru shrugged and looked back. "Fay, Yusuke's looking for you."

"Coming,' she said, getting up and heading for the door. Yusuke threw the crystal at her. "Do it again, but this time slower." He was sure this time he could catch it.

"That's cheating!" Kuwabara complained, having followed Yusuke.

"No it's not,' Yusuke said. "It's called having cheat codes."

"You just said it!"

There was a sound of one of the crystal's shattering and Yusuke knew Kurama had finished it.

"We'll, it's not like it's that hard,' Fay said, looking over the crystal. "You just kind of-"

Before she could try it again, Shizuru grabbed the crystal and threw it at Yusuke. "The point is for you to figure it out, Yusuke, so go do it on your own. Don't bug us, we're having girl time, no boys."

"But,' the door slammed closed. His eye twitched. 'Great, so I guess I'm back to square one. Damn, does Isis know how to torture a guy.' He stomped his way back to the living room. He'd ask Kurama about it until Isis showed herself.

Shizuru sat back down, grabbing another drink for herself.

"Are you sure we should leave them on their own?" Fay asked.

"They're big boys,' Shizuru said. "They can handle a couple hours without us."

"Okay, my turn!" Botan said. "Let's see,' she thought for a moment. "Oh, I know! I've never gone trick or treating."

Fay, Keiko, and Shizuru took a sip of their drink.

"Can I ask what that is?" Yukina asked, red eyes curious.

"It's a tradition,' Keiko said. "Where kids dress up in different costumes and go ask for candy at different houses."

"It's not just for kids, though,' Fay added. "I went trick or treating last year too, my friends and I also teepeed a house, it was fun."

"Teepeed?" Yukina asked just as Botan spoke, sounding affronted. "Fay! How could you!"

Fay grinned. "It's...when you decorate a house,' she glanced at Botan. "Trust me, this guy had it coming."

"That's still no excuse!" Botan said.

"What's wrong with helping someone decorate their house?" Yukina asked.

"Yeah, Botan,' Fay said, still grinning. "What's wrong with it?"

"Oh...nothing, nothing,' Botan said, trying to back track. "It's just that they should always have the person's permission."

"I see, that is true." Yukina said.

"My turn,' Shizuru said, deciding to move the game ahead.

"Alright, keep it steady,' Isis said. She and Jin were sitting on her bed, Jin holding a small whirlwind between his hands. "The next movement, you have to see it clearly in your mind, right down to the whirlwind returning to this state."

Jin nodded. "Right, so what do ye want me to do?"

"Make it bigger, let it whirl around your arms then return it to what it is now."

'That's just plain crazy,' Jin thought. It was hard enough keeping the whirlwind in place. 'Then again, there's no going forward with a bit o' recklessness.'

Jin began to move his hands, then arms, trying to keep the picture in his mind, the power in his hands steady. The whirlwind expanded, covering his arms as Jin kept them moving.

"Alright, now pull it back."

Jin nodded, trying to do just that but found the wind pushing back against him. He narrowed his gaze, trying to force the wind to his will, trying to contain it; the wind surged against him, slammed into Jin and threw him off the bed, across the room and against the wall where he slid down, opening one eye to see that Isis hadn't moved, she watched on amused.

"How ye managed that?" He asked in a pained voice.

"Shield." Isis responded. "Wanna try again?"

Jin sat up, rubbing his back . "Ye really know how to torture a lad, Isis."

Isis chuckled. "You're the one that asked for it. Now get up and try again."

Jin did so, flying back to sit cross legged on the bed.

Kurama knocked on the door and after a moment, it opened, Botan on the other side. "Oh, Kurama, hold on." The girl turned calling Fay to the door. Soon the reason for him knocking was in front of him. "Would you care for a walk with me?" Kurama asked her.
Fay smiled brightly, nodding. "I'll see you guys later,' Fay told the girls over her shoulder. "Don't make a mess in my room."
"We'll try." Botan said waving at Fay as the girl stepped out, closing the door behind her.
Kurama took her hand, tangling his fingers with hers, Fay did her best to keep her blush down.

"I wanted to show you a place I found." Kurama said. "It may not be the date you wanted, but it is rather beautiful."
"I'd love to see it,' Fay said, holding tightly to Kurama's hand. He returned the pressure, making her cheeks feel warmer. The memory of his kiss was still in her mind, some of the emotions it brought with it still confused her, but she also recognized others that overcame her panicked feeling to run. More than anything, Fay wanted to be by his side.
Kurama pulled her closer, as if reading her mind, guiding her down a corridor Fay hadn't noticed was there before. It led to a staircase that continued down, and at the end of the staircase was a glass door that opened into an enormous greenhouse.
"Whoa,' Fay said as they stepped into the garden. "It's beautiful." The large pond was the first view for whomever entered, holding some of the biggest lily pads Fay had ever seen.
The pond's surroundings were splashed with colors of blues, green, reds, and so many more colors and flowers than Fay had ever seen. A path cut through the forest of flowers, leading safely through the verdant labyrinth. On the walls, vines twined through wood made for them to climb, many showing their bright flowers, some fruits.
Fay followed Kurama through the path, her wide eyes trying to take in the scenery.
"What is your favorite flower?" He asked.

"Freesias." She said distractedly. "Oh, well,' Fay said, finally focusing. "They are,' she said smiling shyly. "But roses are starting to grow on me."
Kurama chuckled. "I'm glad." He guided her down a left when the path split, and her eyes grew ever wider as they were met with an abundance of freesias in multiple colors, their sweet scent littering the trail they lined on both sides.

"It's beautiful,' she whispered in awe. With the light of the moon filtering down and the soft lights of the lamps far above, it gave an enchanting glow.

"Terra does know her plants well,' Kurama said. "I may have to ask her for lessons."

Fay chuckled. "Let's hope Isis is as enthusiastic."

"I'm sure I can bring her around to the idea,' Kurama said, leading Fay past the freesias, deeper into the garden. The scent filled her nose first, then the roses appeared in their full color; reds, yellows, whites, purples, and at the center grew another rosebush, but the roses in this bush were dark blue and larger than Fay's hand.

'Ok, now I need to convince Isis to get me the seeds for these.' She walked around the path, amazed at the array of hues, taking in the scent.

"Do you think she adds coloring?" Fay asked, stepping closer to the blue roses. "I don't know much about my world,' especially when it came to plants. "But I'm pretty sure blue roses don't happen naturally."

"Neither in mine,' Kurama said, watching Fay lean closer to the roses. "However Isis does have access to dimensions we don't, it may very well be that she brought these from another world."

He was almost certain these roses were not made by using coloring in the water.

"Lucky her." Fay sighted.

Kurama took Fay's hand once more, turning her to him. "This may not grow naturally here, but I managed to change it just enough." He opened his palm, showing Fay the rose seed. He began to feed it his energy, watching Fay's eyes grow with wonder as the seed quickly sprouted, growing through its stages quickly, then bloom into a single rose that matched her eyes.

"Kurama,' she whispered, her voice half choked. Acting on impulse, Fay hugged him, her arms going around his waist. "It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you liked it,' Kurama wrapped his free hand around her waist, pulling her to him, settling the rose in her hair.

"I'm not sure what I would have done if you hadn't."

Fay laughed at his teasing tone. "I'll have you know you're the only one who can get away with offering me any type of flowers and I'll love them."

He chuckled. "Is that so, has anyone else tried?"

Fay hid her face, grinning. "Yes, I thought it was corny." They both laughed. "Then I'm glad I'm the exception to the rule."

Fay's arms tightened around him. "You always will be." Heck, with him, Fay had the urge to do the sappy things she'd seen in movies she'd been forced to watch with friends or sisters. Fay clearly remembered them sniffing or sighing over the scenes while Fay wondered if there was a way to get a quick concussion.

Now...she wanted to try walking down the beach with him.

"Would you forgive me another gesture?"

Fay looked up at Kurama, then at the hand he offered. A little confused, Fay placed her hand in his, letting him settle his on her waist, her other on his shoulder. "Follow my lead."

Fay nodded, but even with his lead, she had a hard time at the beginning, tripping over her feet, stepping on his without meaning too, tangling hers on his so that they both fell to the floor, laughing. They started again and after several more attempts, Fay realized there was a pattern, one she slowly began to get the hang off as Kurama patiently taught her until she finally caught on. Fay knew that she couldn't pull anything with fancy steps, but the simple pattern Kurama taught her was easy enough, she even managed to follow through with a turn that elated her and she smiled up at him, proud of the little victory. Kurama chuckled, pulling her a little closer to him, settling his forehead against hers. After a few moments of silence, he began to hum, and Fay soon joined him.

The morning came, and unlike what the weather report had predicted, it was not only sunny, but very warm. Isis stood on the second floor deck, frowning at the weather. 'What the hell's going on?' She knew that the weather was changing, no one could escape the news, articles, word of mouth, but to have it be so...drastic in the span of hours... Isis sighted. She had spent a lot more time awake yesterday than she was used too, thanks to a certain red hair demon and that damn grin of his that she found infectious. Isis still had no idea what she wanted to do with him...not that Isis had a choice now, but having to add weather to her problems was not fun. 'I'm going to have to go check all of it.' Sometimes she thought her father had trained her especially for this; he owned several places like these, and they were homes to reefs that he absolutely demanded be taken care off...that job had been handed down to Isis once he had gone home.

'Another day of work.' It was starting to make her miss school.

She stepped back in, grabbing everything she would need before stepping out of her room to encounter Botan.

"There you are, I was just going to ask if you'd like to join us for breakfast?"

Isis frowned. "Sounds nice, I'll take it to go."

"Go?" Botan asked, noticing the clothes, bag and sandals Isis wore. "Where are you going?"

"The beach." Isis answered.

"That does sound fun,' Botan thought aloud. "Especially with this weather, some of the others have been complaining about it, and going to the beach sounds like just the thing to do!"

Isis wondered if it was worth her energy trying to stop Botan's new idea, then decided against it when she turned, already calling out to the others.

She sighted. 'So much for peace and quiet.'

"I know everyone's been complaining about the heat,' Botan chirped as she entered the living room.

"You have no idea,' Shishi muttered. "I can barely stand my clothes." He hadn't known the human world got this hot.

"We'll, Isis just gave me a great idea, ' Botan continued. "We're going to the beach!"

"That's the first good idea you've had since we got here, Botan,' Yusuke said. He had almost worried that she'd make them play another boring game.

"And just what do you mean by that?" Botan demanded. "I have great ideas-"

"Isis!" A flash sped past a surprised Botan, and when she turned around, she was met with the strange sight of Jin clinging to a very annoyed Isis.

"When did this happen!?" Botan asked, and without her permission too! Couldn't they have waited until she could sneak a peek?!

"Nothing happened,' Isis hissed, though her words lacked any real threat to them. Botan knew, if the girl wanted Jin off, he'd already be on the other side of the room.

"Hold on, I thought Jin liked Fay,' Rinku commented. "When did he change his mind?"

"When you stuffed a cookie down your throat." Fay said.

"I didn't-" Before Rinku could continue, Fay reached over and did just that, silencing Rinku. This worked in her favor, now she wouldn't have to be on guard around Jin anymore. One down, one to go.

"Congratulations to the new couple, now can we get moving? I'm boiling in here." Yusuke said, caring very little about much but cooling down.

"We better get going then,' Botan said.

With a put upon sigh, Isis disentangled herself from Jin. "Come on, I'll show where you can find clothes to wear." Why they didn't just turn on the A.C, she didn't know, but whatever.

Isis showed the group the path to the beach, waiting until most of them had gone before she headed away.

"Where are you headed too?" Touya asked, catching the others attention. "Isn't this the way to the beach?"

"I need to check on a few things." Isis explained.

"Need any help?" Yusuke asked. It was a lot breezier out here so he wouldn't mind.

"Nope." Isis said, gesturing to the path even as she continued on her own. "Go ahead, I'd rather take care of this on my own."

"I see." Even before Touya had decided to follow her, Jin was already doing so.

Yusuke shrugged. 'She'll be fine,' especially since Jin and Touya we're going with her, even without them, this was Isis, if she could beat Jin and Touya together, she could take care of herself, so Yusuke headed after Keiko's group.

"Where are we going, now?" Jin asked her. Isis sighted, wondering if her days of alone time were numbered. "To check on coral reefs."

"What's that?" Touya asked. She explained it to them as she led the way to the other beach, setting her things down on the sand as they stepped onto it.

"Why would you need to check on them?" Touya asked. "It sounds like more work than someone like you is willing to do."

She laughed, the first time Touya had heard that sound from her. "It is, but my father would return and gut me if I don't, and these particular coral reefs also produce magic. The rest...' she smiled at him, another first. "I might as well show you."

"I be wanting to know too,' Jin said. "Sounds interesting." He also had to admit to being a wee bit jealous of the smiles she spared Touya.

"I know,' Isis said, heading for the water. Jin and Touya glanced at each other then followed after Isis, Touya stepped into the waves to her side, Jin lowering himself to them.

"Now what?" Touya asked.

Instead of answering, Isis called on Ceres's power, creating bubbles around Jin and Touya, Windros pulled them up into the sky, then to Touya and Jin's surprise, suddenly dropped them into the deep ocean. They expected to be drenched, but found the bubbles kept them from being so, as well as providing them air.

Jin glanced around for Isis, finally finding her swimming through the ocean a few feet in front of him. "Hold on, why the bubble when you don't have one?" he asked. He made to move forward and the bubble responded.

"Don't need it,' Isis motioned, swimming ahead. She was no mermaid, but her abilities worked in her favor in this.

'I'm starting to think we really don't know much about her.' Touya thought. He had thought of Isis as a powerful Magus who could teach him what his previous Master couldn't, it was only now that he realized she was more than that. The way she moved through the water made it obvious that Isis had done this countless times before, what's more, she didn't need a bubble to keep her safe.

The two followed her, and although the bubbles made it possible to move, it also required energy from both of them, although Touya thought it worth it once they arrived at their first destination. Touya and Jin couldn't help but stare in wonder at the bright colors of the coral reef, the creatures that called it home.

"It be beautiful, make no mistake bout that." Jin said in awe.

Touya nodded, it seemed like such a long time ago when he had faced off against Kurama, speaking of his group's plan to cover the world. Kurama had spoken of how the light changed him. More and more Touya understood what Kurama had meant; he also felt it, the need to protect what grew under the light, and he couldn't help but wonder if the factions thought the same...or would destroy it. 'Surely the Magus wouldn't.' Isis wouldn't be out here otherwise...right?

They watched curiously as creatures that were fish shifted slightly, turning into small beings of the same bright colors with fish tails, yet having upper bodies like them. They spoke to Isis who responded in a language neither Jin or Touya understood. Then they moved again to another reef.

By the time evening came, they had returned to the beach, Jin and Touya exhausted, but although Isis looked slightly tired, she definitely had more energy than the two of them.

"Ye're always talking bout being tired, but now ye don't look it." Jin said, sounding breathless. He sat on the sand, Touya did the same. "How'd ye do that?"

"Hmm?" Isis had been deep in thought, going over what the water Fae had told her.

"Oh..uh, I've done this since I was very small, my father was a selkie."

"A what?" Jin asked.

It was only then that Isis realized what she'd let slip. 'Damn, I wasn't supposed to say that.' This is why she'd rather do this alone and then go take a nap in warm, dry, fluffy blankets. Even if she had to put the A.C on max.

She sighted. "Don't mention it to the others,' Fay would never let her live it down, especially when Isis called her a fairy.

"So what is that?" Touya asked, curious despite seeing that Isis wasn't comfortable with what she'd told them.

"A selkie is a being who can turn into a seal,' she'd pointed out a few of the creatures they'd encountered, so at least that, they knew.

"They come from a world parallel to Midgard, called the Fae realm. They're supernatural beings that tend to go from this world to their own through the water."

"Those wee critters we saw,' Jin asked."They come from that other world, then?"

Isis nodded. "Yes, but they decided to stay to keep Midgard balanced,' she sighted, rubbing her neck. "It's getting harder for them to do that, more than fifty percent of them have returned home." It wasn't a good sign.

Touya frowned, thinking over what he knew and had observed. Mary Anne especially seemed very annoyed when a battle took place here. "Is it the war?" He asked.

"It's part of it." Isis said, looking out to the sunset.

"Then we better be quick about it and win this war, right?" Jin said with a grin.

Isis gave him a wan smile. "Yeah, that." What a pity they didn't stand on the same side...Isis almost felt as if, despite trying, she was part of the problem.

"You can't turn into a selkie?" Touya asked, curious.

Isis shook her head. "No, I wasn't born with a selkie skin, that honor goes to my younger brother."

They both turned to her in surprise. "You never be mentioning a brother." Jin said.

Isis shrugged. "No reason too. He left with my father to return to the Fae realm."

"And your mother didn't stop them?" Touya asked. From what he'd seen so far, it seemed as if 'family' was important to humans, especially Kurama and the Kuwabaras.

Isis shook her head. "According to my father, that had been the deal between my mother and him. My parents didn't love each other, it was a contract of necessity. The selkie needed more males, my mother needed a daughter. So they stayed together until both we're satisfied. Two weeks after my brother was born, my father and him disappeared."

She'd been ten when that had happened. Her father and mother had never hidden what their relationship was. Still, her father had taught Isis much of what she knew, including that power was a necessity...and that sometimes it was best to keep your distance from others, even if he had not meant to teach that one.

'Well, this sucks.' Isis thought. She hated getting all gloomy. She was suddenly glomped, startling her. "What are you doing, Jin! Let go."

"Nay, don't you be worrying, Isis,' Jin said with a grin. "I'll not be letting go of yah ever, so I say."

"Who asked you too!" Isis snapped.

Touya watched, sweat dropping. 'Looks like Jin really is over Fay.'

"Touya don't just stand there, help!" Isis shouted.

"Sorry,' the ice master said from where he sat. "I'd rather not get involved."

The two lost their footing, dropping to the sand.

The group of friends spent the day at the beach, learning to play volleyball and swimming, Keiko showing a curious Rinku and Yukina the shells she and Botan found. Hiei spent his time sitting on the sand, trying to figure out the crystal. Seeing this, Fay approached him. "Come on, Hiei, give it a rest."

"No." He responded. After a moment, she grinned, grabbing the crystal from him before he could react. He glared. "Fay..."

Laughing, Fay ran off with the crystal but Hiei was faster than her, appearing before her.

"Yusuke!" Fay shouted, throwing the crystal at him. Yusuke caught it and Hiei turned to him.

"I suggest you hand it over."

Yusuke grinned, twirling the crystal on his finger. "Come on, Hiei, have some fun. Who knows when we'll get another chance like this."

"Not interested."

"Okay, but you're gonna have to take this from me." Yusuke barely managed to pull it out of the way before Hiei was there, making a grab for it.

"Over here, Urameshi!" Kuwabara called, Yusuke threw it to him, Kuwabara just barely managing to keep it from Hiei.

"If you don't think I'm not going to at least maim you-" Hiei began before Kuwabara was calling out another name, Chu catching it with a laugh. "Come on, Hiei. Sure you can take it from little ole me?"

Hiei glared at Chu. "Maybe I'll take a limb while I'm at it."

Before Hiei could reach him, Chu had already thrown it to Fay who had climbed a rock outcropping and waved her hands.

"I got it, I got it!" Fay made a grab for the crystal at the same time Hiei got there, they both reached for it, but Fay lost her footing, grabbing for Hiei instead, causing both to tumble into the water. They came up to laughter from the others, Fay joined them but Hiei glowered. "I do not like being made fun off!"

His expression just as quickly changed to surprise when Fay wrapped her arms around his shoulders, rubbing her cheek against his. "We're not laughing at you, we're laughing for you."

She pulled back, splashing him with water. He wiped the water from his face, glaring at Fay. "Is that all?" He splashed her with more force, leaving her drenched, pieces of seaweed on her hair. Laughter reached them and Hiei smirked. "That's a good look for you."

"Ha, ha, ha." Fay splashed Hiei again. It began a water war between the group that dragged even Koto, who had decided to sunbathe instead of going near the water, into it.

By the time sunset came, most of them we're resting; Hiei sat on the sand once more, his attention back on the crystal.

Fay had looked around for Kurama, but not seeing him figured he was still exploring the island, studying the plants. She had made to go in search of him when she caught sight of Hiei and changed directions.

"Back at it, huh." Fay said, sitting beside him. Hiei didn't respond, even when she set her head on his shoulder.

"Do it quickly,' Fay said. "Before the energy moves through all the symbols. It's easier than trying to memorize them all before you run out of time."

Hiei glanced at her. "I don't need your help."

"Hmhm." Fay said, eyes fluttering close despite trying not to let it happen.

Hiei narrowed his gaze on the crystal. It took him three times, but finally the crystal shattered, leaving behind symbols that seemed to sear themselves behind his eyelids for a few seconds.

"I spent hours on that?" He scowled. Those symbols better be of some use to him.

He glanced to his left where Fay's head rested on his shoulder. "Thanks."

A few minutes later, Kurama showed up. "So, she fell asleep."

"As you can see." Hiei said.

"I apologize on her behalf. I'll take her now." Kurama said, reaching for Fay.

"She is yours." Hiei said, looking out at the sunset.

Kurama glanced at Hiei from the corner of his eye as he picked up Fay. "Yes, she is."

Night had the group on Isis's boat, heading for the location Orpheus had asked them to return too. Some distance away, they could see a large ship, Jury, now wearing a high neck halter dress of hunter green, waved at them, Orpheus on one side and Seline on the other.
"Jury!" Koto called, waving at her friend.
"Koto, everyone!" Jury shouted. "Just wait to see the surprise we have for you!"
"It better be worth the wait,' Shishi muttered. Once they got closer, a latter was unfurled down to them, though those who could, flew or jumped onto the ship.
"Welcome, all of you,' Seline said, bowing gracefully. "And thank you again for saving me, without all of you, I would never have been able to come out into the world."
"I'm glad we could help,' Fay said. "So exactly why are we here?"
"We would like to show our gratitude so,' Orpheus bowed to Fay. "We have prepared a small feast in your honor." He gestured at the tables of food and drink.

"We also happen to hear that you all missed new year's in your dimension," Zephyr said, tipping his hat at the group. "So we thought it only fair we make it up to y'all." He whistled and from higher up on the ship came a sound that made the group tense, until the fireworks exploded high in the night sky, lighting it up.
"Wow,' Rinku said. "I've never seen that before."
"It is beautiful,' Touya said, staring up at the colors. Fireworks weren't exactly common in demon world.
"Big deal," Isis said yawning. "I've seen it before." She came out for this?
"We'll, then,' Zephyr winked at her. "You might like this here next part."
Isis crossed her arms. "Try me."
She didn't see what the 'next part' was, at least not at first, but then Koto pointed. "What's that?" Curious despite herself, Isis glanced over the ship's railing, her eye widening when she saw it. "Dolphins!"
Then from farther away came a sound she knew well, then they splashed out of the water, their large bodies seeming to float on air before they splashed back into the water.
Isis watched with wide eyes before she gave a high squeal of delight, a sound none of them had heard before coming from her, and she jumped off the ship, calling on Windros as she flew off, leaving a trail of displaced air behind her.

"Hold on, I'm a coming too!" Jin called.

"No!" Isis shouted, but Jin ignored it, racing after her as she headed for the large creatures, circling one as it jumped out into the sky, moving to the next one as if dancing with them, even Jin couldn't catch up to her, so he waited higher above, watching Isis play with the water creatures. 'Never seen her that happy,' Jin thought, watching her dance with the creatures. 'Or so pretty.'

"What are those?" Kuronue asked, watching the large creatures splash back into the water. He'd never seen the like before.

"Whales,' Kurama explained to everyone. "They're marine mammals of this world."

Even Hiei watched in awe at the spectacle before them, the fireworks alone were impressive, but added to it the water creatures; it was an amazing sight.

Seline smiled at their expressions. It was worth the work they did coordinating it. Of course, not just anyone had the ability to do what they were doing, but they could use their 'ambiance' to create this. It was a small favor in comparison to what the little lady and her friends had done for them, not to mention...Seline had gained another female friend from this. If Orpheus did not try his best to make it work...Seline would skin him alive. She glanced at Jury and Orpheus, smiling to see that they held hands. For the first time in a very long time, Seline felt happy.