Chapter 3: Truths be Known

Hayami's POV

I arrived home later after meeting Yusuke and learning about the three thieves. Well, one down and two to go. Today has really been an eventful afternoon. I walked up to the door and opened it, entering the warm air that the house has welcomed me. I took off my coat and scarf, hanging them on the coat stand, leaving me in my light blue t-shirt and a dark purple scarf that is tied around my waist.

I walked into the kitchen to see father finished cooking dinner and Ranumi setting up the table. Father saw me and smiled.

"Good to see you home, Haya. And perfect timing, I just finished dinner." Father said as he brought the food to the table.

"So how was meeting the detective?" Ranumi asked as we all sat down on our chairs.

"Not how I imagined it, but I should've not expected it to be formal." I said nonchalantly as I took a bite of my food.

"How so?" Father asked after taking a sip of his cup.

"From the looks of it, something else happened other than meeting him." Ranumi said taking a sip of her cup.

"Right. I kinda met Hiei today." I said, making Ranumi spit out what she was drinking.

Father chuckled a little before handing her a napkin to wipe off the mess she made and herself.

"You met Hiei today?! I haven't seen or heard from him in years." Ranumi said,

"Actually, your sister has met him quite a few times over the past two years when they saw each other again." Father explained, "Hiei has not left Hayami alone and merely just watches from a distance."

"Why didn't you two tell me?!" She pouted and huffed, crossing her arms,

"Because you would act like this." I said taking another bite of my food, trying not to break a laugh at her adorable antics. "As I was saying, I did meet Hiei today before running into the detective. He and two other demons wanted to steal the three artifacts of darkness for their cause, asking me to join them but immediately refused. And after meeting Yusuke, the plan they just had for their cause was abandoned in a way. The detective was able to get the Orb of Baasts back from Gouki after defeating him on his own on the first day of the job." I explained,

"So, who is the other one besides Hiei and Gouki?" Father asked,

I looked at Ranumi to see that she was waiting for an answer. I looked back at Father to see that he might've guessed the message and closed his eyes before sighing.

"It's best if you tell your sister, my ocean. She does have the right to know who her classmate really is." Father said as I nodded before looking at my little sister.

"Ranumi...you know Yoko Kurama is right?" I asked and she nodded,

"Of course, I do. We met him in demon world, and he is a Legendary Bandit. He was the one who gave me the lily." She showed a beautiful pink lily in her hand, "Kurama said that it leaves as a constant reminder that one day we would meet him again." Ranumi said before taking the flower back with a small blush forming on her cheeks.

"You really love that fox, don't you?" I asked with a small smile as she nodded slowly, "Because I know that he's here in the living world." This got her attention.

"WHAT?!" She yelled in surprise, causing her to stand up from her seat.

Me and father tried to contain our laughter. Keyword: tried because I ended up chuckling at her reaction.

"I'm not joking here, Ranumi. He's here in the living world in his human form." I said, "But I will say that he is one of the thieves because he helped in stealing the Forlorn hope. I could tell that he's going to use it for his personal reason."

"What do you mean by that?" Ranumi asked,

"Well, for the past fifteen years he has accepted his human life because he has grown to love his human mother. You see, his spirit escaped to the living world because he was badly injured and went inside the body of an unborn human child to recover." I explained, "I met him two years ago, along with reuniting with Hiei at the same time. Not really what I have in mind that day."

"That's the night when your sister fought Yatsude with them, the time when you were kidnapped by him along with another girl." Father explained, "After that, Hiei and Kurama became allies along with Hayami. Well, more or less."

"If you said that Kurama is here and knows about us, what does he look like in his human form?" Ranumi asked in curiosity,

"I'm sure you'll figure it out. He's a lot closer to you than you think when you're in school." I winked at her, making her pout as we finished dinner.

I insisted on washing the dishes as Father was reading a book in the living room and Ranumi studying or doing homework in her room. I was left with my thoughts as I washed the dishes.

I should probably tell Koenma that I didn't arrest Hiei when I had the chance, at least it would have saved Yusuke the trouble. Then again, I'm not the spirit detective, he is. I'm just here to babysit him, making sure that he isn't dead. I finished washing the dishes and told father that I'll be heading up the stairs to my room.

I finished washing the dishes and told father that I'll be heading up the stairs to my room

I took a quick shower and got dressed in my nightgown and started to blow dry my hair. Five minutes later after I dried and brushed my hair, a knock was then heard from my balcony window.

I wore my robe as I slid the curtain to see Kurama on my balcony. I opened the door and let him in.

"Kurama, what brings you here?" I asked,

"Sorry to come like this, Hayami, but I came here to tell you that I will accept my punishment once I used the mirror." Kurama said, "I smelled your scent earlier and I knew that you were listening."

"Did something happen before you agreed to steal it?"

"Yes. My human mother has gotten very ill." He said sadly, "I fear that I have caused her illness in the first place. She has been in the hospital for two months fighting for her life, but every day she's feeling weaker. That's why I join Hiei and Gouki to get the Forlorn hope to save my mother's life."

"Kurama, you know what it would cost if you use the mirror. I will admit, I wanted to steal this artifact once to revive my dead mother, but I knew that it would be wrong and insane." I said crossing my arms. "And I understand why you wanted to use it because she means everything to you."

"I told the detective to give me until three days and to meet me at the hospital." Kurama said with a smile, "I can reassure you that the boy won't be harmed."

"Fine." I said as Kurama was about to leave through my balcony again. "One more thing." He stopped in his tracks and looked at me. "It's best if you told Ranumi who you really are, Kurama. I told her that you are here in the living world, even giving her a clue."

"Very well. I do like to spend some time with your sister." Kurama said, "I'm sure she would be surprised to know that her fellow classmate is actually once Yoko Kurama."

We both chuckled and bid goodnight to each other as he left. I locked the door and closed the curtains as I made my way to my bed.

It was the next day as I prepare myself to go to spirit world. I should probably tell Koenma that I should've arrested Hiei when I had the chance, at least to would ease Yusuke of his trouble. Not to mention that Kurama will give himself up after using the mirror. I made my way towards Ranumi's room to see she was putting her things for school in her bag.

"Morning Hayami!" Ranumi chirped as she saw me by her door.

I greeted her back and told her to come down for breakfast as I went down to help my father in making breakfast. When I came downstairs, I saw father flipping pancakes. For a demon family like ours, we've really gotten used to human life. Well, mostly Ranumi.

"Morning Father." I greeted him as I went and hugged him,

"Good morning to you too, my ocean. Did you call your sister already?" He asked as he used the spatula to get the pancake out of the pan and placed it on the plate.

"I did, she'll be down in a second." I replied, setting down the plates on the table. "I'll be heading to spirit world again to tell something to Koenma." I told him as Ranumi came down and gave father a peck on the cheek.

"What do you mean?" Father asked,

"Well mostly just to accept any consequences once I told him about last night." I said taking a seat on my chair, as well as Ranumi.

"You mean about not arresting Kurama and Hiei. I'm sure Koenma won't give you a terrible consequence, I mean what's the worst that could happen." Ranumi said as she smiled.

"YOU LET HIEI AND KURAMA GO AND DIDN'T BOTHER TO ARREST THEM BOTH?!" Koenma yelled to my face as he was standing at his table. "You were supposed to help Yusuke! Not make it harder for him! And those artifacts must be retrieved this week before my father returns!"

I sweat dropped and nervously chuckled at this. Damn it. Why did Ranumi have to reassure us that this would be fine?

"Well, the good news is that Yusuke was able to retrieve the Orb of Baasts from Gouki and Kurama told me that he will give himself up after using the Forlorn hope." I said, trying to point out the good news.

"Hmm, true. But Hiei is no ordinary demon, and you know that. Retrieving the Shadow Sword from him will be difficult." Koenma said as he sat back down on his chair. "Hayami, you must remove your mental barrier in order for Hiei to speak with you through your mind."

"What?!" I said in shock, completely not liking the idea.

"I know that you don't like it but given your history with Hiei. You're his closes weakness." Koenma explained, "I know Hiei wouldn't want you to get hurt in any way and you did say that he has been constantly watching you from afar."

I sighed in defeat. Hiei wouldn't stop watching me ever since the incident with Yatsude.

"Fine. I'll try to talk with him." I said, "But if he didn't agree to what I have to say, I'm just gonna let Yusuke deal with it. Though like you asked me before, I will be assisting the detective when necessary."

"Very well. You may leave now, Hayami." Koenma said as I make my leave to the doors, only to be greeted by Botan.

"So how did it go?" She asked with curiosity,

I sighed before answering. "I'm going to remove my mental barrier for Hiei to talk with me. Though I am sure that he has been trying to break in since day one." I said crossing my arms as we walk out.

"Well, I hope that Hiei will come through with you, Hayami. I'm only worried about Yusuke if he faces him." Botan said,

"I know. I'll admit that I'm gonna be worried about the rookie if Hiei fights him." I said looking at the grim reaper. "So, how's the life of being the detective's assistant doing?" I asked,

"Well, I've already explained to him about using the detective items, I just hope he'll remember how to use them." Botan said as we walked out of the building to see my portal back to the living world. "Well anyway, good luck in talking with Hiei."

"Thanks, I'll need it," I said sarcastically as I went through the portal, ending up in front of the house my family lived in. Curtesy to Koenma after telling him that we'll be serving under spirit world's terms.

I closed my eyes as I removed my mind barrier before opening them. No doubt that Hiei will immediately find me in an instant.

"Hayami."

Yup, I knew it.

I turned around to see the fire demon that I have been avoiding like a plague for the past two years. Hiei stepped closer as he was two feet away from me.

"Tell me, what made you decide to remove your mental barrier?" Hiei asked,

I crossed my arms and looked at his crimson eyes before speaking. "Koenma's orders, but I doubt it'll work."