Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Changing Faces ❯ Fireworks ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or any of its characters. I own only Raevyn, and any other characters not on YYH. I don't own any of the songs in this fic either. Or poems, unless otherwise noted.

“text” - Talking

`text' - thinking

text - telepathic communication

Changing Faces

Chapter 5 -Fireworks

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:Hiei POV:

I once again took shotgun. There was more of a chance of me killing the idiots then Kurama. I almost took pity on him. Almost. It's his own fault for sitting between them.

Raevyn turned up the radio in an attempt to drown them out. Didn't work. They just got louder. She turned and caught my eye, winked, looked into the rearview mirror at Kurama and mouthed `hold on.' I vaguely wondered what she was doing, just as she slammed on the brakes. Both Kuwabaka and Yusuke flew into the seats in front of them. Landing in crumpled heaps on the floor of the car. Raevyn started driving again like nothing happened, turning the music back to a normal level.

I could get used to this onna's style.

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:Yusuke POV:

`Itai. My head hurts.'

I somehow managed to hit my head on the console between the front seats. I glared at Raevyn, pouting.

“You could have just yelled at us.” I muttered.

“Not as much for, or as affective.” She shot back over the music. “We're here.”

The place was packed. Amazingly there was a spot up front open. We climbed out of the car and each grabbed a chair from the trunk before following Raevyn down the crowded beach.

`I wonder how Hiei likes all the people being so close.'

We found a nice clear spot close to the water where the sounds of the ocean blended with the music from the band. I couldn't really tell what they were playing but it sounded alright.

“I'm hungry.” Kuwabara announced.

“Me too.” I joined.

“Here. Go get two pizzas. Don't care what you want on them.” Raevyn said handing Kuwabara a twenty (OK I know a twenty can't get you two pizza's but just go with me on this).

“I come with you.” Kurama said standing.

I tried to listen to the music but couldn't really get into it. Raevyn stood suddenly.

“Where ya going?” I asked.

“Swimming. Wanna come?” She replies.

“Nah. I'm not much for swimming.” I answer.

“Whatever. I haven't gotten to really swim this summer so I wanna get one in before the weather really turns cold.” She takes off her shirt and pants revealing a pair of long black shorts with a green dragon on one pant leg and a black rash guard for a top. “Be back in ten.”

I watch her jog off. And I watch the eyes of other guys following her too. I narrow my eyes and glare at them, some see me and quickly avert their gazes.

About ten minutes later Kurama and Kuwabara are back with the pizzas.

“Where's Raevyn?” Kuwabara asks looking around.

“Swimming.”

“But it's so cold out!” He exclaims.

“Not to me.” Raevyn answers, pulling a towel out of a pocket in her chair. “That was refreshing.”

We all grabbed for the pizza. Raevyn spoke up after her first slice.

“So… tell me about yourselves. What do you guys do for fun? Have jobs?” She asked.

I kinda choke on my pizza. How do I answer these? I kill demons for fun and for my job. That doesn't seem to work for an answer. Thankfully Kurama saves me.

“We have jobs at a detective agency.” He answers.

She looks as us with a `yeah like I'm going to believe that look.'

“No it's true. We just do basic stuff. Reading files and looking over facts to make sure nothing was missed.” I add on.

“OK. What about family life? Got a girlfriend? Fan club?” She presses.

Kurama shudders. I snicker.

“Yeah pretty-boy here has a fan club. It's funny to watch him being chased by a bunch of girls all the time.” I laugh. Kuwabara joins me.

“If it were you two in my position I don't think you'd be laughing.” Kurama blushed.

“Wow. I wasn't even being serious on that one, but what about the others?” Raevyn mutters.

“I live with my mother and no I don't have a girlfriend, mainly because of the obnoxious fan club.” Kurama answers.

“What about books? Poems? Favorite TV show?”

“I would have to say my favorite poem is Fire and Ice by Robert Frost.

“Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.” Kurama started.

“But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.” Raevyn finished. “That's one of my favorites as well.”

Kurama gave a pointed glance at Hiei. He ignored it, Kuwabara and Raevyn missed it because just then the first fireworks went off.

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:Hiei POV:

I caught the fox's look and choose to ignore it.

`What would she know of fire and ice? A silly ningen poem can't tell you anything.'

I tensed at the first explosion, but relaxed when I realized it was just those fireworks the onna was talking about. They were strangely beautiful. I glanced around the group to see their reactions. They all stared up at the sky in awe of this ningen invention. When my eyes landed on Raevyn I stopped.

I couldn't pull my gaze from her face. She looked so… innocent, curled in her chair. Her eyes held a child-like innocence best suited for a care-free teenager. Even in Makai she would be no more than a pup. I still couldn't tear my gaze form her eyes.

Looking at her now I would have never thought anything bad had ever happened to her. The light of the fireworks reflecting in her eyes was mesmerizing. A small smile on her lips, making her look completely at ease.

She must have felt my gaze on her because she turned from the sky and looked at me, a mix of emotions flashed through her eyes before they hardened and turned cold once more. Confusion and fear still evident in her eyes though.

She turned away and back to the sky but her eyes remained cold, the moment lost. I too turn my gaze to the heavens feeling a foreign and slightly suffocating emotion.

Regret. It confuses me. Why would I feel regret? I have done nothing wrong. Yet I can't shake the feeling I did do something wrong. Damn onna, damn fireworks, and damn emotions.

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:Raevyn POV:

I could feel someone's eyes on me. I ignored it, but the feeling would not go away, if anything it got stronger. I finally looked to see Hiei staring at me with searching red eyes.

First I was angry, then scared, shy, exposed, and confused. I had been so calmly watching the fireworks, now I'm scared Hiei had seen something in my eyes that he shouldn't have, and confused as to why he was looking at me. His eyes are softer, less cold and uncaring.

`Why would he look at me like that?'

I draw back into myself and look back to sky. I could still feel him watching me, but the feeling soon left. I starred back into the sky as the finally started. I let my mind drift but didn't drop my guard again.

`You let your mind wander and your guard drop! You aren't who you used to be! Get over it and focus! You don't need people you hardly know messing with the new life you so carefully constructed. Change is not an option.'

The fireworks ended. The only way I knew was from the loud clapping and sudden darkness. I stood, stretching.

“I'm hungry again.” Yusuke comments.

“You just ate.” Shuichi answers, “Not to mention you ate most of the pizzas with Kuwabara.”

“How does ice cream sound? I'm a little hungry myself.” I head off the argument. “One condition though.”

“Anything!” Kuwabara and Yusuke chorus.

“No bickering in the car.”

O.o

“Our lips are sealed.”

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True to their word, there was no fighting on the ride to Friendly's (don't own). I went to the take out window because I doubt the boys would feel like enduring the whispers and stares of everyone inside. Shuichi might be able to deal because of his *snicker* fan club. But none of the others. I swear if Hiei had his sword on him there wouldn't be a single human alive in any of the places we've gone.

“How may I help you?” The boy at the register asked.

He didn't look at me like I was gum stuck to his shoe so he was either new in town, went to private school, or didn't live in Bay Shore.

“Can I have two blizzards, one vanilla, one chocolate with the works, a mint chocolate chip sundae with whip cream and hot fudge, a soft serve chocolate sundae with chocolate sprinkles and hot fudge, and a vanilla milkshake.” Damn that was a mouthful.

“Anything else?” He asks.

“Lots of napkins, please.”

Our orders are ready in no time. After paying we go outside to eat. Hiei looks like a little kid trying to hide his extra lunch snack from the rest of the kids. It's cute… in a psycho creepy way. Not to mention he ate it faster then Yusuke and Kuwabara ate the pizza. Which is pretty damn fast.

`Guess he really likes his ice cream.'

“So I only heard about Shuichi at the beach. What about the rest of ya?” I ask. “Tell me about yourselves. I only know that you work for a detective agency.”

“Well, I live with my drunken mom in an apartment. I almost never go to school unless Keiko drags me. I'm the number one punk of Sarayashiki High. And I hate my job!” Yusuke informed me.

“I live with my sister Shizuru. I love kittens, they're so cute and fluffy! I'm really the number one punk of Sarayashiki High, I love my job.” Kuwabara stated.

“Remind me never to go to your house.” I mutter.

“Why?” Kuwabara asks.

“I hate cats. Nearly got my eye clawed out by one when I was four. Never liked them since.” I answered. “What about you Hiei?”

“Yeah sparky! Tell her about yourself.” Yusuke joked.

“Hn.”

`Thank you O Descriptive One.'

“Don't take it as an insult, Raevyn. He doesn't really talk to anyone about himself.” Shuichi answered.

“I can understand that.”

The boys exchanged glances then went back to eating. After everyone was finished we went home.

Once home I decided to just go straight to bed. Said goodnight to the boys and did just that.

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:Kurama POV:

I noticed Hiei staring at Raevyn at the beach and then both observing each other. It was a very strange encounter. I believe something is changing in Hiei. He might even be starting to accept Raevyn. It would make things much smoother, though the chances he'll talk to her are still the same. Though, that could be a good thing since they last traded speech after the phone call with her brother, and that didn't turn out so well.

RING! RING!

The communicator in Yusuke pocket went off and he motioned for us to go to the room given to us. Everyone followed knowing that being as far from Raevyn at this point would be wise.

“What's up pacifier-breath?” Yusuke greeted.

“I've got bad news.” Koenma started, “Raevyn's father and brother have escaped from jail.”

“Great.” Sarcasm the name of the game from Yusuke.

“I have the feeling there's more to that, Koenma.” I said.

“Yes. Rekai intelligence can't find anything on them. We have no idea where they are or where they got the help to escape. It would seem the guards they killed were demons put there to make sure they didn't get out. Humans would have never been able to stop them.” Koenma explained.

“Obviously neither could the demons.” Yusuke retorted.

“The weird part is I didn't place them there and neither did anyone else in Rekai, and all the newspapers that I checked about her incident that had all the blank spaces are now full. Every article is back. Do you have any idea how that happened?” Koenma asks.

“She showed us the newspaper articles.” Kuwabara offered.

“She might have spelled them in someway. So unwanted eyes wouldn't find them.” I added.

“Hm. That is a possibility.” He shook his head and continued. “Keep a close eye on her. Her powers could manifest anytime now. I will be enlisting the help of Genkai to see if she knows anything about griffins or dormant demon transformations.” Koenma said.

“Hey, Urameshi had a demon transformation. Ask him.” Kuwabara exclaimed.

“His was different. He had already been aware of his spirit energy and he was technically dead when it happened. She doesn't know anything about the three world or spirit energy. Her transformation could be quite painful. But not much is known about griffins.” Koenma answered.

“We'll be watching her. Just hurry up with that info.” Yusuke ended the conversation.

We sat in silence for a few minutes before each of us went to our respective beds and finally went to sleep.

I lay awake for a little staring at the ceiling. It didn't seem fair that someone with a happy life had to be dragged into all of this.

`I wonder what they want with her. At the moment she has no power or link to the three worlds. What could she possibly do?' This was my last thought before sleep took me.

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:Raevyn POV:

`Wonder what's up with the world? Wow. Was that just my first thought of the day? That's just not normal.'

That was my first thought this morning. No idea why, but it was. So I got up, went to the kitchen, put on a pot of tea, and turned on the news. I have never watched the news willingly in my life. I must have been hit harder my Yusuke than I thought.

I sat down with a cup of chai and flicked the TV to Fox News. Nothing interesting was on at the moment. I finished my first cup and went to get another when something caught my eye. Pictures of my brother and father were up on the screen. I clicked the volume up and listened.

“Last night Steve and Joe Drake broke out of Riverhead maximum security prison killing three guards in the process. Their whereabouts are unknown and they are to be considered very dangerous…”

The rest of the news report fell on deaf ears. I watched in slow motion as my mug fell from my slack hands, feeling as if I wasn't in my body anymore. I starred at the broken mug of the floor for a moment before bending down to pick up the pieces. I turned my head slightly to see the boys gathered in the doorway.

Shuichi immediately walked over and started helping me.

“Did you see the news?” I asked.

He only nodded. I looked to the others; Hiei was the only one that met my eye.

“Don't worry about it. I'm fine.” I said.

“Are you scared they'll come after you?” Kuwabara asked softly.

“Let them come.” I growled.

I finished picking up the pieces of mug, threw them away, and went to train.

Picking out some really good angry music I grabbed up two twin daggers. They couldn't really be called daggers, more short swords, but whatever and started a particularly hard kata including many acrobatic flips and turns.

I trained till a ways past noon and I had started at nearly 6 AM. Brushing past the boys in the living room I went straight to my room, turned on more loud angry music.

I picked up an over stuffed pillow off my bed and screamed as loud as I could into it. Feeling all the stress and anger leave me for a brief moment. As soon as I stopped screaming it all came crashing back and I grabbed the dagger on the shelf above my head and threw it full force into my door, sinking it hilt deep into the wood.

Leaving it there, I grabbed my gi and went to the bathroom for a shower.

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:Kuwabara POV:

If I had been any closer to her door I would have a new head ornament. I was going cross-eyed staring at… something. I backed away and saw a very sharp blade protruding about four inches from the door.

I was just about to knock and make sure she was OK and then the dagger came through the door. I think she some how knew I was there and this was her way of telling me to go away. I know when to take a hint. Besides I could just barely hear the shower turn on over the music.

I retreated back to our room. Urameshi was pacing, Kurama was reading, and as usual shorty was nowhere to be seen.

“Did you talk to her?” Urameshi asked.

“A dagger sorta stopped me from knocking.” I mumble.

“Huh?”

“She through a dagger into her door and nearly impaled my head on it.” I explained.

“'Impaled.' That's such a big word for you Kuwabara! I'm so proud!” Urameshi jibed.

Kurama opened his mouth to say something when there was a knock on the door. I was closest so I opened it.

Raevyn stood on the other side wringing her hair out with a towel. A very familiar dagger clasped in her other hand. She wore a black gi and hakamas belted with an intricate black belt.

“I kinda forgot to mention I have a class tonight. You can tag along if you want to. I'm sure Sensei won't mind, especially since you're from his native country.” Raevyn said.

“I'm game.” Urameshi piped up.

“Why not? I could be interesting to see the person responsible for your unique fighting style.” Kurama added.

“I'll come too.” I joined in. Hell I didn't want to stay here with shorty.

“What about you, Hiei?” Raevyn asked.

“Hiei's here? Where?” I asked looking around.

“Behind you, baka.” His snide little voice popped up behind me.

“Who're you calling a baka shorty!?” I screamed turning around.

“I didn't stutter.” He replied.

“WHY I OUGHTA--!”

“As amusing as this is, I'm going to be late if we don't hurry.” Raevyn quipped.

“Hn.”

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:Raevyn POV:

“Sorry about my behavior this morning. I just never expected that wrench to be thrown into my gears.” I apologized on the drive to the dojo.

“Not a problem.”

“It was understandable.”

“Just no more daggers.”

“Hn.”

“Daggers? Heh. I guess you saw the dagger in my door. Yeah that wasn't my intention.” I said. “OK so it was.” I added.

“So who's your sensei?” Yusuke asked.

“His name is Koji. He moved from Japan when he was 20, but goes back to visit his grandmother. I don't know her name. He's 28 now though.” I said.

“He taught you everything you know?” Shuichi asked.

“I knew some basic sword work, how to throw a punch, and some random gymnastics or dance moves that actually came in handy. Part of my training in to learn to dance.” I explained.

“Why dance?” Kuwabara asked.

“Fighting is like dancing. The attacker is the leader and the defender is following. Each has to be in time with the other or they get hit. That is why my style works best with music. Every time I fight I sing a good song to myself that fits my opponent's moves and match them. Or I follow the music and let them follow me.” I replied.

“Were you giving me a hint when you had the music playing for both of us to hear or what?” Yusuke asked.

“I was being lazy and didn't feel like singing it in my head actually. I was surprised you figured it out though. Most people don't.”

“Really? Go me!” Yusuke cheered.

I just shook my head with a little smile and pulled into a parking spot at the steps to the dojo.

“You have got to be kidding me?” Kuwabara whined.

“What?” I asked.

“Genkai has a million steps to her temple too.” Shuichi informed me.

“Really? Smart lady. The steps are to warm you up before you fight.” I said.

“Well by the time I'm done climbing the mountain of steps I'm tired. How the hell does that warm me up for a fight?” Yusuke practically shouted.

“You need to pace yourself.” I said calmly beginning my climb, Kuwabara and Yusuke grumbling the whole way.

At the top said grumblers are panting and wheezing because they tried to jog the last half of the stairs. I just shake my head again and walk inside.

“Right on time, Raevyn!” Ailie (pronounced AY lee) greets, with her slightly Scottish accent.

“Hi, Ailie.” I reply signing my name on a clipboard.

“Who're your friends?”

“Exchange students from Japan, Shuichi, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei.” I said pointing to each one.

“Nice to meet'cha. Kijo-Sensei is waiting for you.” She replied.

“Thanks. Later.”

I walked through a door to the right of her desk with the boys in tow.

“Good evening, Raevyn.” Kijo said with his back to us.

“Good evening, Sensei.” I replied. “I brought some… friends… with me today. I hope you don't mind.”

“Not at all. Everyone is welcome.” Kijo said, turning and looking over the guys. “Now what are your names?”

Kijo is average height, about 5'10”, with long black hair, and grey eyes.

“Urameshi Yusuke.”

“Minamino Shuichi.”

“Kuwabara Kazuma.”

“Jaganshi Hiei.”

Each introduced themselves, even Hiei which surprised me.

“My name is Kuenai Kijo. I am master of this dojo. You are welcome to stay here while Raevyn is training, just try not to break anything and stay relatively quiet.”

I snorted. I couldn't help myself. Sensei turned to me and I dropped my eyes to the floor. I knew he could whoop my ass in a million different ways before I could blink so being out of turn isn't in the cards.

“Explain, Reigouhane.” I could feel Kijo's gaze on my head.

“Yusuke and Kuwabara don't know the meaning of quiet. I've wanted to crash the car more times than I can count in the past two days just to make them shut up.” I answered bluntly, ignoring the nickname.

“If they want to stay, they will learn.” He replied with a smile.

I lifted my head with a quirked eyebrow. “You are in an exceptionally good mood. I'm going to die today aren't I?”

“Perhaps. But I will be visiting my grandmother again. That is the real cause for my happiness. I haven't been home in many months and this visit is of great importance. I don't know when I will be back, but I leave tomorrow.” Kijo explained.

“I hope you find her in good health, and you as well travel in good health.” I replied automatically.

“No need to be so formal, Reigouhane. Now let's get back to business.” Sensei waved away my well wishes and used the nickname again.

“Thank the goddesses. I hate all the formal crap. And quit it with the nickname! It doesn't make any sense. I don't have steel wings.” I exclaimed.

He had been calling me by that absurd nickname after one month training under him. I really didn't get it. I tell him this every week but he still calls me it.

“As you say, Reigouhane.” He chuckled.

“Arg!”

“Begin.”

He flew at me with only that one word to prepare. He always holds back but I really think if he went all out I would only learn that I need to train for the rest of my life to even obtain half his strength and skill. Even with him only coming at me with half his strength, at least I think/hope its half; I'm struggling to keep up. I can barely block let alone attack.

I let my mind wander a little too far from the battle at hand and lose concentration. Sensei takes the opportunity to deliver a swift, hard punch to my stitched up side. I barely catch myself from hissing in pain but he felt the difference between bandages and skin. After all, he's been kicking my ass for nearly 8 months now. He knows every scar on my body, having treated many of my newer ones himself.

He stepped away from me and just glared. I knew I was in trouble. My mind started racing to find a lie he would believe.

`Damn. I really am screwed.'

“Show me your side. Now.” He was deathly serious. No use arguing or he would just do it himself.

I untied my gi and showed him the bandages.

“Undo the bandage. And start talking. What happened?”

“I was fighting, the bastard pulled a knife and I wasn't paying attention. I was careless. I deserve the injury.” I said. “Ow!”

Kijo was crouched on his haunches inspecting my wound. It was very red and bleeding from the ripped stitches. He was in the middle of pulling out the stitches when he yanked on them for my last statement.

“Being careless and deserving a wound are two different things. I think you have received enough wounds to repent for the karma of ten people. I never want to hear that from your mouth again or these stitches with be the least pain you feel.” His voice deadly quiet. His eyes held mine until I looked away. I could never hold his gaze.

“Hai Sensei.” I murmured.

“Go see Ailie and get that restitched (once again we are pretending that is a word). No complaining, Reigouhane. It's probably infected as well.” Kijo barked at me. “If you don't go willingly we can always staple you to the bed again.”

At this I was out the door. Kijo is not someone you want near you with a staple gun. No. Not at all.

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:Kijo POV:

I felt three new demonic energies enter my dojo as soon as their feet hit the steps. Two were full demon and the other half. There was a fourth energy but it was completely human. They seemed to be following my student. Lovely.

Thankfully, all my apprehension was thrown out when I saw the four boys. They were Koenma's Tantei. They could be trusted. I didn't say anything to them until I sent Raevyn to Ailie for stitching. She doesn't know anything of the three worlds, yet. It could be disastrous to tell her now. I figure she is the Tantei's new mission. Let's find out how much they know.

“So Koenma finally took an interest in my apprentice?” I questioned.

Three pairs of eyes blinked at me. I laughed.

“Yes, I know all about the three worlds, demons, Koenma, and the famed Rekai Tantei.” I said. “I would hope I did, seeing as how I'm Genkai's grandson.”

O.O

“THAT OBAN HAS A GRANDSON!?” Yusuke shouted.

“Yes, and I would appreciate a little respect for my family.” I replied.

“Then I'm guessing your visit to her is for information on Raevyn.” Kurama deduced.

“Yes Kurama. Not much is known about griffin demons and I hoped she would know something. At least how her transformation will happen. I already know her special attack.” I said.

“Reigouhane.” Hiei said.

“Correct.” I said. “The prospect she will have wings is very real. Her transformation is going to be painful and I want to know as much as I can to make sure I can prepare her so she won't freak out or die.”

“Why would she have wings?” Kuwabara asks.

“She's a griffin demon, baka.” Hiei scoffed.

“So?”

Anime crash. “Griffins are creatures that are part eagle and part lion. She will have eagle wings and a lion's tail.” Kurama explained.

“Oh. Cool.”

“You are hopeless.” Yusuke mutters.

“I should only be gone a week. Hopefully nothing will happen in that time. Contact Koenma if something does and if possible bring her to Genkai's temple. If I'm back then bring her here. This dojo has wardings that are ready to be activated. As soon as her power manifests every demon in the area will be after her. Griffins are a dead bloodline, but a powerful one. Mixed with the right species, they could make all the S class demons they wanted. The fact they will have the abilities of a witch aren't helping either.” I said.

“No prob. We were originally going to take her straight to Genkai's but this is easier.” Yusuke assures me.

I think back to our fight and wonder where Raevyn's head had been. She wasn't concentrating.

`Maybe she saw the news. That could be the case.'

“By any chance did Raevyn see the news this morning?” I asked them.

Everyone but Hiei all of a sudden found the rice mats on the floor interesting.

“I'll take that as a yes. She will not show her fear that they are out. And if they come after her she will fight. And she will lose. They are low A class at full power. Raevyn still hasn't been able to reach her Spirit Energy. She will have nothing but her skills and spells to fight them with. I'm afraid that will not be enough. Powerful as her spells may be, without Spirit Energy to back her up they can only last so long. I've seen her tap into her life energy before and never touch her spirit energy. I do not wish for her to have to do it again.” I said forcefully.

“If they try anything we won't hesitate to take them out.” Kurama assured me.

“Thank you.” I said. “Now—“

“DAMNIT AILIE! I CAN BANDAGE MYSELF!”

“YOU ALWAYS DO IT WRONG! LET ME HELP!”

CRASH!

“NOW LOOK WHAT YOU DID, RAEVYN!”

“WHAT I DID? YOU KNOCKED IT OVER!”

“ONLY BECAUSE YOU WOULDN'T SIT STILL!”

“BECAUSE I CAN BANDAGE MYSELF! I'VE BEEN DOING IT SINCE MARCH!”

“AND YOU DID IT WRONG THEN TOO!”

“FINE. BANGAGE THE DAMN THING!”

I just shook my head and turned back to the detectives.

“Uh. Does that happen often?” Kuwabara asks.

“Every time.” I laughed.

We couldn't continue our little chat because Raevyn burst into the room pulling on her gi with Ailie behind her trying to tie off the gauze.

“Why must you give Ailie such a hard time?” I asked.

“Yeah! Why?” Ailie joins in.

“It's my purpose in life. Now that it's complete I can die peacefully.” Raevyn jokes.

“Don't be a brat, Reigouhane.” I chide, hitting her on the head.

“Stop calling me that!” Raevyn hisses.

“No. Now go mediate and find your source for ten minutes in the cold room. Then this session is over.”

“Hai, Sensei.” Raevyn sneered muttering about stupid teachers and stupid cold rooms.

“What's a cold room?” Yusuke asks.

“It's like a freezer. I send her in there to see if she will finally reach her Spirit Energy to keep herself warm. So far I have been unsuccessful, but I attribute it to the fact she doesn't seem to feel the cold in the first place.” I said.

“Does she know about Spirit Energy?” Kuwabara asks pointing to Ailie.

“'Course I do. What kind of demon would I be if I didn't?” Ailie responds.

“What kind of demon are you?” Kurama inquires.

“Hawk. I'm going to teach Raevyn to fly one day. That's why Kijo hired me.” Ailie replied.

“Cool.” Yusuke said.

“I think I will go watch my apprentice meditate to see if anything happens. Care to join me?” I ask.

“Sure.”

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Raevyn sat cross-legged in the middle of the cold room, her left side facing us. Her breathing was slow and deep, her back straight, and her head bowed just a little so her bangs shadowed her closed eyes.

The thermostat read the temperature in the room to be 24 degrees and yet she didn't seem to notice it at all. She wasn't even shivering. But there was a dark aura hanging around her. I couldn't tell what it was, but it didn't feel particularly malevolent. I looked at my watch. 10 minutes had passed. I walked over to the door, her head snapped up just as I opened it.

“Time's up. No more training tonight, not even at your house. Take a hot bath, eat something, you are way too thin, and go to sleep.” I told her.

“Hai, Sensei. Have a good trip. See you when you get back.” Raevyn said, stepping out of the room and leaving.

These are the times I wish I could see past the barriers of her mind to see what she sees when she meditates. But then I wouldn't be a very good teacher if I got past her barriers now would I.

`Good luck, Reigouhane. Stay safe.'

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:Raevyn POV:

`Freaking cold room. I hate this room. I don't see the point to meditating in a cold room. What does it do? OK this isn't helping. I need to clear my mind.'

I really do hate the cold but I wasn't going to show that I was cold. That is showing weakness. A fighter can't afford to show weakness. I get into a comfortable enough position and clear my mind. The familiar Void fills me.

I am surrounded by nothing.

Soon the nothingness shifts and images start to form before my minds eye. A silver fox… with nine tails. Then the same silver fox in humanoid form. He was very handsome almost godly in appearance, wearing flowing white robes.

This image soon faded to show a short man with green skin and eyes all over his body. He had gravity defying black hair and an eye in the middle of his forehead. He was shirtless and wielded a sword, and there was a dragon tattoo winding around his sword arm.

As with the first this image faded to show another of a young man with long, wild white hair, and strange markings all over his body. Soon his hair turned black but was just as wild.

This image faded too. In its place shone an orange sword wielded by a very tall muscular man. I couldn't make out any of his features except a very strange retro hairstyle. And then I couldn't even tell the color.

The last image faded and again I was floating in nothingness. For some reason each of the images had seemed familiar like somehow I knew the people I them. But that was preposterous. I didn't know any demons, or glowing sword wielding humans, for that matter.

A sound like a door opening interrupted my Void. It shattered leaving me in the cold room again.

I snapped my head up to see Koji in the doorway.

“Time's up. No more training tonight, not even at your house. Take a hot bath, eat something, you are way too thin, and go to sleep.” He told me.

“Hai, Sensei. Have a good trip. See you when you get back.” I replied. I added another barrier over my mind to ensure he couldn't tell what I was thinking. He could do that some times. It was freaky.

I stood and left the room. The boys fell instep behind me as I left. When I looked back at them each of the images I saw when I was meditating flashed over their personage. It was so fast I didn't think it happened.

`Maybe I do need to get more sleep. I guess I'll actually do what Sensei says for once and not train tonight. Might do me some good.'

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:Koenma POV:

“Hello Genkai. How are things at the temple?” I asked the screen showing Genkai's face.

“Cut to the chase, Koenma. I know you didn't call to chat.” Damn psychics.

“I was wondering if you had any information on griffin demons.” I said bluntly.

“Like I told my grandson, everything has ears. I will not speak of this over a phone. You can come here to get the information first hand or you can wait till my grandson comes and then returns and tells the dimwit.” Genkai replied.

“How does your grandson know Yusuke?” I asked, curious.

“Your new mission is his apprentice. She had training with him today and brought them along.” She answered. “Is that it?”

“Yes, thank you Genkai. Good-bye.” I replied.

The screen blanked out and I sat starring at my desk, chewing on my pacifier for a minute.

`I wish I could have seen Yusuke's face to learn that Genkai had a grandson.'

I smiled to myself at the mental image. Just then Botan came in.

“Anything?” I asked.

“Not yet. We'll just have to trust the boys to protect her.” Botan said solemnly.

“That's what worries me. But I guess we have no choice.” I sighed.

`We're going to have a lot of problems if her father and brother try anything before she knows about what she is. A lot of problems.'

I sighed once more before dismissing Botan and returned to the never ending paperwork. Oh, joy.

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That's Chap 5 folks! Hope you like it!

In a review, some one said that I succeeded at not making this a Mary-Sue. But I really don't have a concrete idea of what a Mary-Sue actually is. Could some one enlighten me?

Also if you would like be to explain any random Japanese words or words that I just make up off the top of my head tell me and I will leave a space at the end for it.

R & R onegai! Ja-ne!