Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost Fighters ❯ The New Helps ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: The New Helps

 

Koenma and the rest of his group were ushered into the firehouse and brought into the living room. Ray, who was miraculously still wakeful, eyed the newcomers curiously and shook the others awake. The two yawned widely and eyed the strangers too; Winston with interest and Peter with boredom and sleepiness. Egon appeared from behind them and walked to the middle of the room, standing between the two groups.

 

“Guys,” he said. “Meet our soon-to-be Ghostbusters.” The rest of the Ghostbusters' jaws dropped to the ground, shocked at the sudden news.

 

“Guess we're not the only insane people in the world,” Winston said finally. “I say we take them before they change their minds.”

 

“Hold it. Hold it,” Peter rang out, waving his hands in a `stop' gesture. “Before we make any drastic decisions, let's look them over first. I mean, we haven't even seen their faces.”

 

“Oh, right,” Egon muttered, turning to the strangers. “Where are my manners? Sorry, guys, I just can't seem to get the shock out of my system. Just take off your coats and I'll hang them for you.”

 

The Ghostbusters watched as the newcomers took off their wet coats, handing them over to Egon's out-stretched arm. Peter took one single look and screamed in disbelief. He leaped up from the couch and strode over to the group.

 

“Egon, are you completely out of YOUR MIND?!” Peter shouted. “A GIRL!! Great, just what we need. Another GIRL!! As if Janine wasn't bad enough.”

 

“Good thing Janine isn't here or she'll have Peter's head,” Ray muttered to Winston.

 

Peter was pointing towards a feminine-looking teenager with long, silky red hair that almost reached the waistline. Koenma and the rest of the group desperately held back their laughter as the redhead blushed a deep crimson, but since Peter didn't notice, he went on with his `welcome-speech.'

 

“And what's this? A full grown teenager sucking on a PACIFIER. What, does your mummy still changes your diapers too?” Koenma narrowed his eyes at this but said nothing. “So what's with the pacifier? Got some sort of childish fetish?” the brown-haired man continued.

 

“Do not judge a book by its cover,” Koenma replied. “Let's just say that it's a thing with me.” The remaining two teenagers snickered behind their hands, causing Peter to glance at them.

 

“Oh, just great, Egon. You almost hired a girl, a guy who's still in his first childhood and two punks.”

 

“HEY,” one of them, a funny teen with orange hair, shouted but was quickly silence by his companions.

 

“_They_ are gonna help us with our problem? Hah, they probably scream their heads off the moment they set eyes on a ghost. Do you think you can just waltz in here and apply for the job? Sorry, we may be desperate but not _that_ desperate.”

 

Peter walked back to the couch and when he sat down, Winston and Ray both whacked him on the head. “Ow, what was that for?” came the defensive tone. The three other Ghostbusters were clearly embarrassed at Peter's outburst but they got to admit that they too were doubtful.

 

“Ahem,” the redhead cleared his throat, attracting their attention. “Suppose if we introduce ourselves and explain. Maybe that will clear things up.”

 

The redhead continued as the Ghostbusters nodded their agreement. “We are from Japan…. well, most of us are. I am Kurama and this is Koenma. These two,” gesturing to the funny orange-haired teen and a boy with slicked dark brown hair, “are Kuwabara and Yusuke.”

 

“Weird names,” Peter commented. “But so what if you're from Japan. We're not about to hire another girl and some punks to help us.” That received another whack from Winston.

 

“I assure you I'm not a girl though I have been mistaken for that numerous of times and my friends are not punks, though they look like it.” The others glared at him as he smiled mischievously. “Appearances can be deceiving. We are not punks nor juvenile delinquents who wish to cause trouble but teenagers whose only motive is clear and simple which is to help you in your job.”

 

“Impressive speech,” Peter said sarcastically. “But for this job, we need bravery, skills and most of all, brains. Not a degree in English Language.”

 

“Oh, lay off, Peter,” Ray spoke up. “Why don't we give them a chance? If they work out okay, we'll hire them. If not, well, at least we know that they are some people who's willing to help us.”

 

“Hn.”

 

Ray turned to the newcomers. “Hi, I'm Ray Stantz,” he said as he shook hands with every one of them. Ray pointed to the Ghostbusters one by one and began to introduce them. “This is Winston Zeddmore, our handy-dandy, helpful man. That is Egon Spengler, our genius and mad scientist. And last but not least, Peter Venkman, the big mouth of our group.” The last comment received a glare from Peter but nothing more. “There's also Janine, our secretary, but she had the night off.”

 

“By the way, why do you want to apply as Ghostbusters?” Winston questioned. “And why come all the way from Japan just to get a job?”

 

“We have our reasons,” Koenma answered. “Besides, it's the holidays now and we thought we do something special instead of fooling around doing nothing. We feel like doing something adventurous, get more life experience and what can be more experiencing than being Ghostbusters. We've read all about you in the newspapers.”

 

“Okay, you got the job but it's only on a trial basis. We'll try you until Halloween, which is in one week's time, and then we'll make the decision depending on your results. If you make it, then you can stay and help us till your holiday is over. Come on, let's see if we can find a room for you guys.” Ray said as they walked up the stairs.

 

“Well, you may have gotten the job,” Peter yelled after them. “But that doesn't mean it's gonna be easy. This job is dangerous and we've seen some pretty strange and weird things that you can't even imagine.”

 

“So have we, bub,” Yusuke answered in a low voice as he climbed the stairs. “So have we.”

 

When the teenagers and Ray have disappeared from their view, Peter looked towards Egon and frowned, “I don't trust them.”

 

“You don't trust anybody, Peter.”

 

“But this is different. There's something strange about them but I just can't put my finger on it. Trust me, Egon, they're up to something. Something big.”

 

 

Meanwhile upstairs, after Ray had left them in a big room with four make-shift beds and mattresses which was considered as their room, the group talked quietly among themselves.

 

“You know, I don't think that Peter guy trust us,” Yusuke said.

 

“Sigh. Well, trust or no trust, we need to bear him until Halloween,” Koenma answered.

 

Kurama looked at his friend worriedly. He noticed that Koenma had bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and looked very old and tired. The group knew something big was up when Botan and Koenma came flying into Yusuke's apartment, practically dragging the three detectives towards the airport. Whatever it was, it must be urgent because Koenma was engrossed in his thoughts throughout the whole journey, not even speaking a word.

 

“Okay, Koenma. What's up? You haven't said a word about the mission since we got here,” Yusuke questioned.

 

“Yeah, what's the big emergency this time?” Kuwabara inquired.

 

“Guys, why don't we give Koenma a rest? He's obviously very tired. Ne, Koenma-sama?” Kurama asked. “We can discuss it tomorrow.”

 

“Iie, Kurama. I think it's best if I tell it tonight.” Koenma swallowed a few times and took a big breath. “The world is in danger. A very dangerous criminal is on the loose and….”

 

“Oh, is that all?” Yusuke interrupted. “We can take care of him. No problem.”

 

“I haven't finished yet, Yusuke. This criminal is known as Shiryou. Father had banished him to another plane after he had committed a great crime against Reikai's rules. Shiryou has very special powers. He controls ghosts, spirits and souls, making them do whatever he wishes. They can be deadly and also be designed to kill if he wishes it.”

 

“Hah. Ghosts? Killing people? That's a laugh,” Kuwabara snorted.

 

“This is no joke, Kuwabara,” Koenma said angrily. Kurama laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, which calmed the frustrated teen. “Arigato, Kurama.” He took a deep breath and continued, “I have seen his powers before and trust me, they are not something to laugh at.”

 

“I have this sneaky feeling that you're not telling us something, Koenma,” Yusuke said thoughtfully, staring at him. The latter refused to look him in the eye and glanced down at his shaking hands. “You sound as if you actually know this guy.”

 

“In a way, I do.” Koenma looked up, sadness in his brown eyes. “Shiryou was a minor God, like me. He was my best friend.”

 

The gang stiffened at the news. Just as Kurama was about to say something, Koenma held out a hand. He wasn't finished yet.

 

“And he's out to kill me.”