A Dream Come True

Updated: November 18, 2009
Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
Warning: See Chapter One.


Hey everyone!

Well...I had written a huge A/n however...I being an idiot forget to put a Chapter Title and lost it all ^^; *sigh* SOOOOOOO yeah...I'm frustrate, HOWEVER, I am not being pressed for time so it's okay. Now only one person reviewed for my recent chapter. Ushi390 thank you for reviewing the recent chapter ^^. Now I didn't have much since I started updating this story. So I'm sad, but I won't stop updating this story. Its just it would be nice to get some encouragement once in a while too. But, even though I haven't been getting many reviews I am still going to give you guys two treats.

First: I will answer the few reviews that I've gotten in this past year; 2009, since they are the recent reviews...as few as they are.

I will tell you the second treat after I answer these reviews.

inuyashalove04 2009-04-25
I'm glad that you updated! I was about to stop checking, but I decided to check one more time. And too my surprise, I found 4 new chapters! ^^ Of course I read all of them. Good to see that you're back. And if you need me for anything, I'm still here with ya, just let me know! ^_^

Me: I'm glad I updated too! hahaha. ^^; well, I'm glad that you gave it one last try to check it out ^^. Yup yup ^^ I was trying to catch up to where I had left off about five years ago ^^; hahaha I'm happy you read all of them and I'm happy that you enjoyed them too. Its good to be back. I missed writing and posting the chapters. Thank you ^^ I will certainly use you for a future new story, if you want to anyway haha. I would love you to beta for me like you use to do ^^. So I appreciate the offer ^^. Thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter.


Its_ Always_the_Quiet_1s 2009-08-04
very nice I look forward to you posting the next chapter. :D

Me: Tankies ^^ Well, here you go, I posted, I think I posted a few chapters so I hope you enjoy those as well as this one. Thank you for reviewing.


Myuuzu~ 2009-10-28
So far I'm really liking this fic. ^-^ Just figured I'd correct you on the 'baka yaoi' thing... Uhm... It's "baka yarou' 'yaoi' refers to the whole male/male relationship. o__o Yeah.

Otherwise things seem pretty good to me! I don't see very many reader/kuwabara stories. It's refreshing.

-goes on to read more-

Me: ^^ I'm happy that you are really liking this fic so far. Thank you again for correcting my spelling. I had seen it somewhere, forget where; but I saw it spelled as 'baka yaoi'. I should have known it was wrong however I figured that someone would correct me. I didn't know that it would be five years later ^^; hahaha. I love yaoi actually and have written a lot of yaoi stories mostly Yusuke/Kuwabara ^^. I'm sure you've read them, if not you can if you want to. ^^ yay! I'm happy its good so far! Yeah, there aren't that many out there, but I do suggest a really good and funny reader/Kuwabara story. I have it as well as the link if you click on the name; Texan Fun, located in my recommended section in my profile. So please check it out ^^. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the previous ones and thank you for reviewing.



Ushi390 2009-11-07
I had been a long time to see more from you when I found this again, I was soo happy! :D

Me: ^^ yes, it's been a long time and I'm happy that you were able to find it too ^^. I'm actually flattered that you had been looking for it ^^. I hope it was well worth it and I hope you enjoy this chapter as well as the previous ones. Thank you for reviewing.



Ang Avalonis 2009-11-08
Alright!!! Almost there. The chapters are great and I can't wait for more. Also just to let you know that I might be going back to my writing again. I was off because going back to school and work but i'm starting up again. Anyway can't wait for the next chapters. Also I would like to be updated on the new chapters and stuff but your already doing that but I'm saying it just in case. Update soon!!!

Alyssa
a.k.a Ang Avalonis ^_^

Me: Yup yup ^^ almost to where I want to be, which is to the fourth 'season'. I can't wait to get there as I'm going to be writing original stuff ^^. You'll just have to see tho ^_~. haha. I can't wait to read what you are working on ^^. Please let me know when you post something and I'll go read it ^^. Ahhh work has been getting in my way mostly and I was going through a very stressful period on top of the fact I was banned from the computer ^^; long story that I wish to avoid ^^; I'm actually still banned HOWEVER, I've been able to sneak on sooo its all good ^^. I hope you didn't mind the short wait for this and the other chapters ^^. Ahh well, I will let you know as soon as I update ^^. Okay ^^ will do! I hope you enjoy this story and the previous chapters. Thank you for reviewing.


Ushi390 2009-11-10
I admire you a great deal. You have covered a good chunk of the series and there are 168 chapters of the manga out in the US

Me: Awwww thank you ^^. Its great to be admired! -^^-. Yes, I've tried to anyway, but once the fourth 'season' hits it will mostly be original work as you will have to wait and see ^_~. I didn't know there were that many chapters, but I do know there are 18 mangas out and there are a total of 19 mangas for the series. I am actually obsessed with Yu Yu Hakusho and know every single thing about both the manga and the anime. Sooo if you ever want to either quiz me or have questions then you have permission to ask ^^. So, I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you for reviewing!

So that's all of my reviews for 2009...see? That wasn't many now was there. Hahaha.

Even though here wasn't that many I will still give you another treat!

Second: You will get a sneak peek of chapter 43! Yes, I've gotten that far. I'm actually half way done with that chapter and will soon be working on the next chapter! After chapter 43 I think I'll be writing the chapters a bit longer, but I know for a fact the last two for this 'season' will be very long. I can't wait to write that last chapter of this 'season' because I've known how I wanted to end it and what I wanted to do for the last 'season'. But, anyway, you will get that sneak peek at the end of this chapter.

So without further ado, I hope you enjoy this chapter!


Ch. 36: Mind Games


You all stare at him and at the fact he was holding Hiei’s very life in his hands.

“That is how my power works. Say the forbidden word inside my territory and your soul gets sucked out. Doesn’t matter how powerful you are…” Kaito said looking down in a mocking manor at the soul in his hand.

“I became aware of this ability about a month ago, and set out to understand its effects. I can create a peculiar ‘space’ around me, and so can my friends. We call them ‘territories’. Mine has a maximum radius of 10m. You may leave or enter, as you like. Those with a sixth sense though, feel uneasy when they set foot inside it. And those are pretty much the parameters.” Kaito said, holding up Hiei’s soul in front of his face.

Kurama stood up straight and had a serious face and stand to his entire being.

“So if we win, Hiei’s soul will be restored?” Kurama asked.

“I don’t know what will happen.” Kaito said.

Kurama gives Kaito a grim look, while Kuwabara is taken back by the news.

“What do you mean you don’t know? How can you not?” you asked.

“I’ve never lost.” Kaito stated plainly.

You bite your lower lip. You hadn’t seen the entirety of this episode and even though you know everyone makes it out with their souls intact, you still couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy, especially after hearing that.

Kurama looks at Kaito with a thoughtful look and not seeming to show that he is completely worried. Kaito pushes his glasses back up his nose with his pointer finger and leans back into his chair, still holding Hiei’s soul in his other hand.

“So, will you leave or fight? No pressure. It’s entirely up to you.”

Kuwabara slouches a bit and snorts.

“There’s another option!”

You look up at him interested in what he had to say.

Kuwabara makes a fist and brings in up next to his head as if he is flexing.

“We leave Hiei to stew and go on! That’s my choice!”

“What do you mean just leave him?!” You shout.

“You want to leave him like this?!” Botan shouted, joining you at scolding Kuwabara.

“You bet I do! It’s his fault! He puffed himself up and said the taboo word right to that guy’s face.” Kuwabara snorted as he walked up to Hiei’s statue like body.

He looks down at Hiei’s stone cold face and growls.

“He deserves to be stuck here.”

You bring your hand back and have it head straight to the back of his head, however instead of hitting Kuwabara you hit an invisible wall. You let out a yelp, both in pain and surprise. You bring back your hand and shake it, hissing at the pain.

Kurama and Botan both sweat dropped as they watched you. Kuwabara had jumped at hearing your yelp and looked at you with a worry look.

“What happened?”

You continue to shake your hand before putting it underneath your armpit and wincing.

“I hurt my hand on that stupid ‘no violence’ wall.”

Kuwabara looked at you with a confused look.

“I told you, there is no violence while you are in my ‘territory’.”

“Hiei was lucky he didn’t try to punch this guy out.” You said still feeling the sting in your hand.

Kuwabara growled and glared at Kaito.

“I’m getting Urameshi and then getting out of this hell hole.” Kuwabara said about to head towards a door that is located behind Kaito down a hallway.

However, standing in front of the door was a guy with an early 90’s ‘outta the hood’ hair style. Shaved in the back with lines of hair all around, while all of his hair was on top of his head puffed out and bleached blond. He wore a green jump suit and a white dress shirt underneath it. He appeared to be chewing gum.

“That’s the only way forward and he’s got the key.” Kaito said not even looking at the young man that was behind him.

Kuwabara clenched his fists and growled, however; you touch his arm and shook your head.

“Don’t even try to punch him, it hurts like hell.”

“I’m not going to if he gives me no reason to.” Kuwabara snorts.

“I got a better idea.” You said with a wink.

You calmly walk up to him as he looks at you with an intrigue look.

“Hi, I was wondering if you could give me the key?” you asked leaning in close to him.

You bat your eyes a few times and try to pull off the cutest look you could muster up.

He looked down at you with a smile and a pop of his gum.

“Sorry babe, but if you really want it, you’ll have to do better than that.” He said patting the top of your head.

Your right eye twitched at the treatment of a five year old. You shake your head and take in a deep breath. You were going to get those keys from him one way or another. You shake your head so your hair flings backwards and you look back up at him with a more seductive smile and look. This time you got the reaction you were hoping for. He gulped and looked down at you as your eyes batted up at him and you leaned in a bit closer to him. He leaned backwards where his back was now against the door. You lean in more, making him feel more like he is being pinned then anything else.

“How’s this doing for you?” you asked as your hand slowly moves to his pocket to try and sneak in and remove it.

“B-better.” The young man said, clearing his throat a bit as you seems to get a bit more nervous.

“What’s wrong? You are beginning to flush, are you feeling sick?” you asked in a sweet voice with a hidden undertone to it.

He stutters on his words as you reach your other hand as if to feel his head. You had him where you wanted him. However, your efforts were for knot as you felt yourself pulled backwards and being dragged away.

“We’ll find another way.” Kuwabara growled as he dragged you away from the door.

“Aww come on, I was sooo close!” you whined and gave Kuwabara a pout.

The young man let out a sigh of relief and pulled at his collar. Kurama looked a bit amused, although he too didn’t like how you were flirting with the guy. Botan wished she had thought of that idea, however she felt that it would be better to find another way of getting that key away from that guy.

“Seems we had no choice. It’s his rules or retreat.” Kurama said with a grim look.

You all sat in chairs and stared at each other, while Hiei’s lifeless body was behind Kuwabara, who was facing Kaito and staring at him with a death glare. You sat next to Kuwabara and Botan next to you, while Kurama sat on the other side of Kuwabara with a calculating look as he looked at Kaito.

An hour went by and then a half of an hour. You all sat there as the room seemed to get hotter and no one speaking a word to each other. The silence was driving you up the wall. However, it was Kuwabara who cracked first.

“Argh! I can’t stand just sitting here it’s driving me nuts!” Kuwabara growled.

“You and me both.” You grunt from your spot next to him.

Kuwabara turns to Kurama.

“Can’t you think of a way to beat him, Kurama?!” Kuwabara whispered.

“And get us through that door? Hmm…maybe…” Kurama said.

“Really? How?!” Kuwabara said, a bit surprised that Kurama agreed to be the one to work out a way out of this tropical hell.

“We’d have to get Hiei’s soul back first.” Kurama thinks, looking away in thought.

“Why? What for?” Kuwabara asked still upset with Hiei for acting stupid and saying that HE was the moron in the group.

Kurama didn’t respond to Kuwabara’s question. You all could hear the old style clock ticking away the hours that kept you all from getting to Yusuke. You were all sweating and feeling the heat even more in the dead silence. Botan began to fan her self as you already had opened up your collar of your uniform and were starting to think about taking off your top layer and just sit there in your blouse. However, Kuwabara broke you away from that thought.

“At least let’s discuss stuff. We just won’t say…y’know, THAT word.” Kuwabara said looking at Kaito, who had dove back into that book he was reading earlier.

Kuwabara glances over to Kurama.

“So Kurama, this dude here…what’s he like anyway?”

Kurama doesn’t look at Kuwabara but looks right at Kaito, who seems like he isn’t interested in the two young men’s conversation.

“He’s Yu Kaito. We’re in the same class, but he’s the quiet type. I’ve never seen him hang out with anybody. He’s always been known to have an exceptionally high IQ. He may be the smartest student the school’s ever known.”

“You know better than that, Kurama. Your combined exam scores always exceed mine.” Kaito said, not even looking up from his book.

“But you excel in the humanities, Kaito.” Kurama said, talking as if they were having a normal conversation as if they were at school.

“He’s already published several philosophical papers and books of literary criticism. He’s a rising star among the literati, a specialist of the written word.” Kurama added.

“A literary prodigy, eh? Guess y’can’t judge by appearances.” Kuwabara said giving Kaito a hard look.

“Thanks.” Kaito said glancing up to give Kuwabara a look.

“Man, it’s freakin’ steamy in here! That yer way of gettin’ us to say you-know-what?” Kuwabara said, wiping some sweat away from underneath his chin.

You start to fan yourself as Botan was and still was.

“80 degrees F, 80% humidity…for my tropical plants. Rough for anyone not used to it.” Kaito said answering Kuwabara by looking up at him.

“You obviously are use to it as you’re not breaking a sweat. Although, they do say that sweat is the best way to clear your pours…though it hasn’t done anything for yours.” You said your mouth starting to feel dry.

Kaito glanced your way and gave a nonchalant look.

“I am use to the weather but these are not pimples but more so freckles. You on the other hand, could use the steam therapy. It could help keep your skin looking young.” Kaito said, going back to reading his book.

Your eye began to twitch at that comment. How you wished that stupid ‘no violence’ rule was gone so you could give him a nice pounding. However, there was nothing you could do.

Kaito glanced off to the side.

“There’s drinks in the fridge if you’re thirsty. Glasses are in the cabinet.”

“Laced with poison or truth serum, I bet! You drink first, pal.” Kuwabara said standing up from his seat, though looking like he is ready for a drink.

“Truth serum…” Kaito said his hand going under his chin and looking at Kuwabara with interest. “Hadn’t thought of that.”

Kaito pointed at Kuwabara and looked a bit impressed.

“Darn clever, guy.”

“Don’t sound so surprised about it!” Kuwabara growled.

He was starting to get sick of people underestimating him and thinking he couldn’t be smart.

“You know, you shouldn’t give the enemy ideas.” You said with a sweat drop.

“Oh shut up (YAFN)-chan. I’m just saying he coulda done that.”

“Alright you two break it up. I’ll fetch them. Sitting’s driving me bonkers, too; and I don’t want to listen to you two bicker without something to drink.” Botan said heading over to the fridge.

“Wow,” she said opening it up, “all kinda of beverages!”

“How about orange juice, guys?” Botan asked looking back at the rest of you.

“Sure.” You and Kuwabara both said at the same time.

“That’ll be fine.” Kurama agreed.

“Two shots, with ice, in a clear glass, and a straw if there are any.” Kuwabara added.

“Want fries with that?” Botan asked with an annoyed face.

“Yeah, what do you think this is, Burger King; you can’t always have it your way.” You said with a sweat drop.

However, Kuwabara had no quick comeback as he froze up, standing up fast as he had the same face Hiei had. You stood up quick a bit shock at the blue glow that surrounded Kuwabara’s body. Kurama stood up as well in shock as well. Kuwabara leaned over as if he was going to stumble and fall on his face before his body turned to stone; his eyes turning white. His blue colored soul shoots out and into Kaito’s open hand. You gasped with wide eyes and couldn’t help but stare.

“What’s this?!” Kurama asked confused at how Kuwabara’s soul was sucked out of him, yet he never said the taboo.

“Hey four eyes! Kuwabara didn’t say ‘hot”!!” Botan shouted, on her feet and pointing her finger at Kaito.

You and Kurama both looked at Botan with sweat drops. Botan seemed to realize her mistake right away as her face turned pale and she had a look on her face that showed how much of an airhead she realized she was at that moment.

“Oops!” she said before starting to freak out as her body began to glow a purpleish color.

“Nerts!” she said as her last words before her soul was sucked out of her body as it turned to stone.

Kaito now held three souls in the palm of his hand.

You covered your mouth with both of your hands. You were afraid you would say something and get your soul sucked out of you too. You were an airhead sometimes but this wouldn’t be a good time or place to have one of those moments.

“The thing about my taboo is it’s very strict, and most unyielding. Simply expressing “H”, “O”, and “T” right in a row is enough. I didn’t think that up, it’s just how it is.” Kaito said, a gleam in his eyes.

“You didn’t tell us, that’s cheating!” You said a bit peeved.

“Like I said, I didn’t think it up, it’s just how it is.”

You thought over what had happened and what the rule out side had stated. An idea came to your mind and your eyes widened before a smile crossed your face. Kurama looked at you with interest. He didn’t know what you had on your mind, but usually when you smiled in such desperate situations like this, it usually wasn’t a good thing.

“Your rule on the door outside said that no one is allowed to say the taboo word. Now, nothing in that rule states that you can’t have that word be spelled out in a sentence. Now, even though your power does that automatically, you still knew about it. That means, you didn’t inform us of that rule meaning the game shouldn’t continue. If the rule wasn’t known to begin with that means it wasn’t broken as Kuwabara wasn’t aware of it, nor was the rest of us. So that means you technically have lost.” You said with a satisfied grin.

Kaito thought over what you said. It had made perfect sense. The rule outside had only said not to speak the word, nothing about not being able to spell it in a sentence. However, Kaito seemed to have you beat.

“However, I had the taboo in quotations. That was your warning. Quotations can make a word have different meanings and add extra meaning to the word that is in them. So you might have not indirectly knew about the rule, but the rule was still in place.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. He seemed to have you there. Kurama went back to his train of thought. For a moment, he too had thought you had out smarted Kaito, however he knew that his fellow classmate was excellent in the literal arts and would know how to word sentences in a way where they could mean many different things.

“Let’s see…Kuwabara’s mistake was…” Kurama mumbled to himself, going back over the last part of the conversation right before Kuwabara’s soul was sucked out.

He went through and discovered it was the ‘shots’ word that had done him in. However, Kurama was sure that if they had all known that they would have watched what they were saying and Kuwabara would have been chugging down a glass of Orange Juice right about now.


Kaito looked down at the three souls in his hand.

“Y’know souls are really quite pretty. The girl’s color is especially nice. The soul is the one thing no one can fortify…it’s vital, yet so very fragile. A little squeeze can crush it…and not just a physical one. Our doubts and insecurities are its greatest enemies.” Kaito said.

He looked up right into Kurama’s eyes.

“If I scratched one what do you suppose would happen?”

Kurama sat back down into his chair, making it creak.

“I know what I’d do if you tried to do something like that.” You said with clenched hands.

Kurama turned to you.

“It will be fine (YAFN)-chan. Sit down and please don’t speak.”

You looked at him and saw that he was ready to take this guy down. You nodded and sat down in your chair, causing the chair to creak as you did so. You were ready to witness a mental smack down; knowing that Kurama would win at that.

Kurama turned back to Kaito and folded his hands in his lap.

“Try and scratch them, if you like. But that would violate my taboo. You harm those souls in any way and you will not live. Those are my parameters.” Kurama said with a death glare that gave you the chills.

Kaito pushed his glasses back up his nose.

“Well…I do believe you’re showing your true face.”

“That’s not all I’ll show.” Kurama said before holding up the key.

You couldn’t help but beam in delight. Kurama had gotten the key, now he just had to defeat this guy and you could all be on your way to save Yusuke.

Kaito looked surprised at seeing the key in Kurama’s hand, as well as the guy behind him at the door.

“Huh?! Is that…the key to the door?!” Kaito said.

The guy by the door searches frantically through all of his pockets and is amazed to find that it is not there.

“No! Can’t be! How’d he get it?!”

The guy looked up and found a vine like plant was above him. He hadn’t remembered it being there before.

“You never noticed, did you? A simple trick, really, and quiet painless. Nice to know I can still do my thing, even by your rules.” Kurama said putting the key back in a safe place and folding his arms over his chest.

“He controls plants and had one pick my pocket!!” the guy said in amazement.

“Take good care of their souls. Because I will take them back.” Kurama said looking Kaito dead in his eyes with a look that showed he meant what he said.

“You’re done for now.” You snicker.

Kurama ignored you. He knew you wouldn’t say another word, or he hoped you wouldn’t as he was about to change the ‘game’ and it would be risky for you if you talked during it.

“So tell me could you change your taboo if you wished? I’ll not break yours…nor will you break mine, however long we may sit here.” Kurama asked.

“Of course I can change my taboo. It was always my intention to take things to a more advanced level; however, I was hoping you would be the last one. But, the girl won’t be a problem.” Kaito said glancing in your direction.

You stuck your tongue out at him and pulled your bottom eyelid down with your pointer finger. This made Kaito chuckle in amusement but he wasn’t interested in your ‘childish’ ways.

“If you’ll let me choose a mutual taboo I’ll guarantee to make you say it within 26 minutes.” Kurama said, also ignoring you.

Kaito sat there in silence for a moment, thinking over Kurama’s proposal.

“Oh? And if I don’t say it within that time?” he asked interest in his eyes as he looked at his opponent.

Kurama looked like he hadn’t thought about that, however his face grew serious.

“You may have my soul.”

“The point is, the matter will be settled. Whichever of us says the taboo loses, but if time runs out you’re the winner by default.”

“And what about the girl?” Kaito said glancing at you.

You opened your mouth to speak but Kurama did so for you.

“She has nothing to do with this. This is between you and me. If I loose, you have my soul and only mine. She is to be set free.” Kurama said with a look that made Kaito’s demeanor faulted for a moment.

However, he was able to compose himself and pushed his glasses back up his nose with his pointer finger.

“Very well, we are agreed! What taboo do you propose?” Kaito said pointing his finger at Kurama.

“It consists of one letter to which, each minute, another will be added.” Kurama answered.

Kaito looked interested.

“The first will be the letter “Z”. After that “Y,” and then “X”…and so on, in descending alphabetical order. Putting it another way, the letters we can say will vanish, one after the other until all 26 letters are gone.” Kurama said.

Kaito laughed, obviously intrigued at the idea.

“A clever scheme and a worthy challenge. It’s now 12:50 am. Let’s start at 1:00 am on the dot.” Kaito said.

Kurama nodded before turning to you.

“Do not say a word. Not one, you are not excluded from this game.”

You nodded and let out a sigh. This was going to be stressful. It was hard enough that you hadn’t spoken much for an hour and a half, but not speaking one word for 26 minutes, that would feel like an eternity for you. However, you couldn’t be a risk for Kurama. You just had to be quiet and let Kurama do his thing.

‘If I wanna talk I’ll just do so in my mind.’ You think, deciding that would be the best way to help you keep quiet.

It was less than a minute before 1:00 am.

“We begin!” Kaito announced, “our conversational options will diminish minute by minute.”

After that was said the old time clock struck 1:00 am.

“So much for the last letter of the alphabet…and “Y” is next to go. We should say “Y” now while we still may. I just used it four times.” Kaito said, pointing to a piece of paper on the table.

Written on it was the entire alphabet and it had an X over the letter ‘Z’.

“I had no idea you could be so chatty. There that’s twice for me. Just don’t get too eager to prove something.” Kurama said, his face seeming relaxed and without worry.

‘He seems at ease.’ You think.

“Don’t worry. Words are my forte.” Kaito said with a smirk.

Soon ‘Y’, ‘X’, and ‘W’ were scratched off on the piece of paper.

“So it goes. Interesting that…talk is still possible missing these letters.” Kaito said, keeping the conversation going.

“It’s about to get a lot trickier.” Kurama replied, still relaxed.

Next to go was ‘V’, ‘U’, and then ‘T’. The clock’s ticking was steady and the only real noise in the room.

“I am, I see, less glib…” Kaito said, some sweat dripping down his face.

‘Then why keep talking? You can just keep silent, but I guess he’s like me; can’t keep your mouth shut even when it counts.’ You think, ‘Although, I’m doing a good job so far.’

You grin; proud that so far you haven’t said a word.

“As am I.” Kurama replied to Kaito’s sentence.

Kaito scoots back in his chair and begins to stand up.

“Going?” Kurama asks.

“Need a break.” Kaito said heading towards the hallway where the other guy was standing.

“No speaking, hear me?” Kaito said looking at the guy as he opened the door to go into the bathroom.

The guy waves his hand in understanding.

While Kaito is in the bathroom, Kurama begins to cover the room with the plants, and using one of them to knock out the guy at the door with some sort of knock out gas. He bends towards you.

“No giggling, please.” Kurama whispers to you.

You nod.

“Close.” He adds, covering his eyes with his hands and nodding at you.

You give him a confused look for a moment before understanding what he was trying to tell you. You cover your eyes and wait; wondering what will happen next.

Kurama hears the flush, as do you; from the bathroom. He uses his plants to get him up onto the chandelier that hung above you. Kaito walks out of the room, slamming the door as he does and stops in mid step.

“Oh no!!” he shouts as he saw his comrade on the floor, knocked out.

You being bored decided to focus on Kaito’s thoughts. You concentrated and were finally able to tune in.

“Huh? He’s asleep! What happened?!” you could hear Kaito say as if he was speaking aloud.

“Hmm…Kurama controls plants and I had a carnivorous plant in here that catches insects by drugging them. Did he go in then?!” Kaito said, looking at the door that the young man was guarding before passing out.

“No, that’s not possible! This house reflects the builder’s eccentricities. This hallway has three doors and I have the key to the second. The third key’s hidden.” Katio thought.

You smirked.

‘I now know that there are three keys, and I bet that unconscious guy knows where it is. Once Kurama defeats this guy, I’ll let him know about that and we can head off to save Yusuke.’ You thought before going back to listening to Kaito’s thoughts.

“Also, he said he would get his friends’ souls back and he meant it! And I’m sure he wouldn’t leave that girl behind, knowing that if he forfeited, her soul would be mine as he wouldn’t be around to get his soul. But…did he manage to save his friends and get that girl out and escape?!” Kaito thinks turning around.

However, his thoughts were interrupted at finding the entire room had turned into a jungle. He gasped and rushed into the room, back to the spot where he had last had left Kurama and you. He came into the clearing where you sat still with your eyes covered by your hands. And he found the souls of Hiei, Kuwabara, and Botan were still where he left them on the table, as their bodies were still in their spots behind his chair. However, the only thing missing was Kurama himself.

‘He’s still here, then in this room! He wants to end this. He’s lurking waiting to catch me off guard!” he thinks before turning to look at you.

“And he has that girl sitting there with her eyes closed. Why? Is it to keep her from talking? But why not have her cover her mouth? He has something planed.” Kaito thought as his heart begins to pound faster and harder.

He was starting to get worried. He might actually loose and he knew what would happen if he lost. All he knew was he couldn’t let that happen. Kaito looked at the old clock.

“1:20. Six minutes left. Six more minutes of silence! I can shut up for that long, no problem!” he thought.

You held back the snort you wanted to let out. You knew this guy was worse than you. He wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut anymore than you could; which you were still doing a great job of doing at the moment and still had your eyes closed like Kurama had asked you too.

“I know you’re trying to unnerve me.” Kaito thought, looking back at the clock. “Five minutes left! You’re running out of time, Minamino.”

You stayed quiet, feeling like it was an eternity. It was the longest five minutes in your entire life; and that included waiting for the day to end at your job.

“Two more minutes!! And only ‘A’ and ‘B’ left!” Kaito thought.

You heard a shift above you and felt Kurama’s presence. You smiled. Kurama was getting ready to do what he was going to do to make Kaito loose. You knew it was now or never.

“Bet he’ll wait till the last second to—“ Kaito began to think.

“A!!!” yelled Kurama from behind Kaito, causing both you and him to jump.

You bit your bottom lip to keep you from screaming after hearing Kurama yell like that.

“Mustn’t react! The tiniest exclamation, and I lose! Swallow it! Swallow it!” Kaito thought, which oddly enough was basically the same thing you were telling yourself.

“Hah! Yes…! Time’s up! It’s over! I win, Minamino! Your soul’s mine!!” Kaito thought, turning around.

However he stopped short. He found himself staring at the devil himself, however with a face that was so ridiculous and so out of character of Kurama it forced Kaito to begin to laugh. He couldn’t help but let it all out however, it was short lived.

“Aw crap!” were the young man’s last words before his soul shot out of his body.

You peeked out and were disappointed at not being able to witness the face that made Kaito laugh so hard he lost his soul. Kurama had a smile on his lips as he sat in Kaito’s chair.

The moment Kaito’s soul shot out of him, Hiei’s, Kuwabara’s, and Botan’s souls shot back into their bodies.

“Whoa!” Botan said, looking at her hands.

“We’re body and soul again!!” Kuwabara said looking at himself too.

You got up and cried in joy as you tackled Kuwabara causing him to fall backwards with you on top of him.

“I am sooo glad to have you back in one piece!”

Kuwabara blinked up at you.

“That makes two of us.”

“Kaito’s territory is gone.” Kurama said.

“Kurama!” Kuwabara and Botan said looking at the red head.

You got off Kuwabara and helped him stand back up. You all turned to find Kaito’s stone body on the ground his right hand pointing and his other hand in the air; while his face was frozen in a ‘die laughing’ look.

“Nailed by his own talent,” Kuwabara said, “Dunno how you did it, Kurama, but nice work.”

“In such a contest trying to avoid the taboo is the best way to trip up.” Kurama answered.

“Wonder what was so funny?” Botan asked, looking at Kaito’s face.

“Yeah…did you pull a goony face or something, Kurama?” Kuwabara asked with a shocked-dumbfounded look at Kurama.

Kurama smiled.

“That is a trade secret.” He said pointing his finger in the air.

“He told me to close my eyes, but I wanted to see it.” You said pouting.

“Maybe next time.” Kurama said with a wink.

“Let’s go and save Urameshi.” Kuwabara said.

“Oh wait!” you said remembering what you had heard. “While I had my eyes closed I listened in on Kaito’s mind. He wasn’t talking aloud but he sure had a lot to think about.” You said with a sweat drop.

Kurama raised an eyebrow at you, while Kuwabara and Botan looked interested. Hiei was sulking and a bit pissy at the fact he had let himself fall right into that sniveling human punk’s hands.

“He said that there were three doors and three more keys. Kaito has one on him, Kurama took the other key from that guy, and the third one is hidden. That guy will know where it’s hiding.” You said pointing at the guy knocked out.

“Great, let’s wake him up and get him to give it to us.” Kuwabara said walking over to the slumbering man.

Kurama decided that it would be best to check out how far away the doors were and to see if there were any more tricks or what not ahead. The only thing he found was a note that said that the third door had to be opened up with the still unconscious man.

It appeared to be your lucky day as the young man began to stir when Kurama arrived back with that little detail. He looked up finding you all standing over him.

“You beat Kaito, I presume. Too tricky for his own good, eh?”

“Where’s the third key?” Kurama asked.

“We have the second key, which was on Kaito and (YAFN)-chan had read Kaito’s mind to find out there was a third key hiding. We figured you would know where it is.” Botan said with a glare.

“Naturally. It’s buried under the tree outside. Good thing you didn’t forced this door open…it wouldn’t have gone well for Urameshi.” The young man said.

“This sign was on the third door; as we wanted to see which key opened what. “Open without Yanagisawa’s permission and Urameshi dies.” Kurama said as he holds up the note.

“The guy who built this place was bats. A foyer with three doors? Sheesh!” Kuwabara grumbled.

“Maybe it was to confuse evil spirits?” you suggest, “I heard about this lady who was told by her psychic that there were evil spirits out to kill her and that her family was cursed. So in order to confuse the evil spirits she had her house built with twists and turns and doors that lead to nothing while others lead in circles.”

“Really? That’s still kinda crazy…” Kuwabara said shaking his head in disbelief.

Yanagisawa chuckled.

“That would explain the design for this house. Now if someone could please help me up?” he asked, outstretching his hand.

Kuwabara growled and helped the guy up.

“Now lead the way.” He said.

Yanagisawa nodded and lead you all into a room that had seven staircases.

“Aw cripes!!” moaned Kuwabara.

You sweat dropped.

“Seriously, why does the bad guy have to be on the top level? Why can’t he be on the first floor?” you asked with a sigh.

“Urameshi’s on the second floor.” Yanagisawa said.

“Well, that’s better than the top floor.” You said with a sweat drop.

“Question is, which of these stairways goes up there?” Botan asked.

“Just one will, I take it.” Kurama said.

“Did I say that?” Yanagisawa said with a smug look, “Doesn’t matter, really. You still have to choose.”

Everyone had a grim look on his or her face, even you. You were just as frustrated as everyone else, and just as worried about Yusuke. However, even though you knew everything would work out in the end, you still couldn’t help but worry.

“Hold on a sec!” Botan said with a smile.

Botan reached into the Spirit World Detective Kit and pulled out what looked to be a blank sticker.

“Underworld Tools 5: Tracking stickers! (Stack of 100!) They’re a modification of the tattoo stamps we use when arresting criminals. Only the person who sticks it on can peel it off. It will come off by itself only if that person dies.” Botan said.

“The color changes with his or her condition. Blue: Normal. Yellow: Minor wound. Red: Major wound. So if we put our names on them and stick them on each other we’ll each have a way of knowing if anything’s happened to anyone else.”

Kurama looked over at Yanagisawa with a questioning look. Yanagisawa closed his eyes and snorted.

“I’m fine with that.”

“Okay let’s get to sticking.” You said with a smile.

You all put a sticker on each other and wrote your names on the sticker that you attached. It was easier to remember that way which sticker was yours.

“Okay we’re all blue.” Botan said looking at everyone’s stickers.

Hiei was quiet as he had Kuwabara, Kurama, Botan, and yourself put your stickers on him. He hadn’t complained, however, he knew he couldn’t complain about it being stupid after getting his soul taken.

You all stood in front of a stairway, waiting to head up and help out Yusuke.

“Be careful, everyone…” Kurama said.

You all nodded, Hiei with a grunt, before you all headed upstairs.

Yanagisawa snickered before taking out a phone.

“Kido…they’re heading up now. You ready? Yep, just as we planned.”


It felt like forever as you climbed the steps. You had thought you felt a presence behind you, however you shook the feeling off.

‘This is going to be too easy.’ You think as you exited the stairway.

Once out you found everyone had made it up and all at the same time. You looked into the room and found Yusuke in the corner. A blond young man was standing in front of him, his foot stepping on Yusuke’s shadow, which was being created by the big lamp that was set behind Yusuke.

“Yusuke!” Botan shouted, both in relief and worry.

“Guys!” Yusuke shouted back, happy to see them.

Kuwabara found that there was something off with the situation and pointed at Yusuke.

“You’re just standing there? We thought you’d been captured!”

“I have been! And stay where you are!! He can freeze anyone by stepping on his or her shadow!” Yusuke shouted.

You all stopped dead in your tracks.

“That’s right…” the blond said with a bored look on his face as he looked at you all, “But to be frank, that’s the least of your worries.”

“Whaddya mean?” Kuwabara asked narrowing his eyes.

Kurama raises an eyebrow wondering what he could mean as well.

“Mr. Urameshi…”the blond said turning to look at Yusuke, “one of your friends here is a fake.”

You all looked stunned.

“Well, its not me; that’s for sure.” You said crossing your arms over your chest.

“You have ten minutes to figure out which one. They, however, are not allowed to speak except to answer your questions.” The blond said.

“A fake?! Are you on something?!” Kuwabara growled.

“Who could put on a disguise that quickly?” Botan asked, doubtful of the entire thing.

“You just heard the rules. Don’t you care what happens to the hostage? Y’see, to present one of you as a fake means that the real one is not here, but with a colleague of mine who might take exception to any attack on me.”

“So this was all pre-planned.” Kurama said, worry on his face.

“Nine more minutes,” the blond says looking at his watch, “Are you in or not?”

“You say one of them’s a fake?! They all look real to me!” Yusuke said, freaking out just a bit.

“Eight minutes, 30 seconds.” The blond said.

“Come on Yusuke, use that brain of yours!” you said.

He glares at you.

“Okay, (YAFN), why did those girls ask you to go with them?” Yusuke asked.

He had been curious about that incident.

“It was because…hey!” you stopped, “You don’t know what I did! You already were captured when I was helping them! What kinda stupid question is that? What do you think I did anyway?” You said putting your hands on your hips.

“Crap, fine…Kuwabara! What’s your birthday and blood type!?” Yusuke asked turning to look at Kuwabara.

“And you ignore me too…” you growl.

“Mine?” Kuwabara asked pointing to himself.

He thought for a moment before snorting.

“Don’t be stupid! You’ve never asked me what they are!”

Yusuke sweat dropped. He hadn’t done that, and he claimed that Kuwabara was his best friend.

“Oh…heh…right…”

“Think of something else…fast!” Kuwabara yelled, a bit mad.

“Oh brother…” Kurama and Botan sighed, both sweat dropping.

You just shook your head.

“Your sister! What’s her name?” Yusuke asked.

“Shizuru. She’s 18, likes Bunta Sugawara and Ken Takakura and is one tough cookie.” Kuwabara said winching at the thoughts of his sister beating him up.

“Kurama! What’s your mom’s name?” Yusuke asks looking at Kurama.

“Shiori Minamino, 40 years old. She’s getting remarried this fall.” Kurama answered.

“Really?! That’s cool! Invite me to the wedding, okay?” Yusuke said with a surprised yet happy face.

“Seven minutes.” The blond said.

Yuske looked at Botan and with a perverted glint in his eyes asked his question for her.

“Botan! What d’you measure? Top to bottom…”

“What kinda question’s that?! I’ve never told you my measurements, moron!” Botan yells.

“Don’t lie to me! I remember!” Yusuke said, glaring at her.

Botan blinks and thinks for a moment.

“Huh? You do?”

She thought about it with an innocent face before realizing that Yusuke was just being his perverted self. She blushes and growls at Yusuke.

“No you don’t! And I ain’t tellin’!”

“Darn…you didn’t fall for it…” Yusuke pouts.

“Hmph! This is going no where.” Grumbles Hiei, finding this entire ‘game’ boring and ridiculous and the fact Yusuke wasn’t taking it seriously was making Hiei aggravated.

“Okay, Hiei! Your sister! What’s her name?!” Yusuke asked.

Hiei gives Yusuke a ‘you gotta be kidding me’ look.

“I don’t need to say. You KNOW who she is!!” Hiei said with a ‘duh’ look.

“Blast! The real Hiei would say just that! He’s right, I’m getting nowhere…” Yusuke grumbled.

“What?! You mean he has a sister? Didn’t think shorty had siblings. I always pictured him as an only child. Why haven’t I met her?” Kuwabara asked with a raised eyebrow.

“You are an idiot…” Hiei said with a sweat drop.

“Cause she might live in the demon plan, duh?” you said trying to keep Kuwabara from knowing the truth.

“Oh, he wasn’t supposed to know…” Botan said forgetting Kuwabara didn’t know it’s Yukina.

“Shh!” Kurama said to Botan.

“Whu?! How come? It’s nice to know something about your teammates! It’s called trust ya know! I don’t keep secrets from you guys!” Kuwabara growls, feeling like he was really out of the loop.

“Calm down there,” you said with a sweat drop, “It’s not really that big of a deal.”

“You knew too (YAFN)-chan?! I thought you of all people wouldn’t keep secrets like this from me? What else have you guys been hiding? What, Botan’s dating that Koenma guy?”

Botan blushed and huffed.

“For your information, we are just friends!”

“How would I know?! You guys don’t tell me spit.” Kuwabara growled.

“It’s a long story…” Kurama said, leaning in.

“Then save it! We don’t have time for this and this is something that I want to be sitting down for, from the vibe I’m getting from all of you!”

“I promise I’ll tell you later.” Kurama said with a sweat drop.

“You’d better.” Kuwabara growled before turning to Yusuke, “C’mon, Urameshi! Make a guess!”

“I can’t just guess!! The stakes are too high!” Yusuke said, frustrated.

He had it narrowed down to two, and he was hoping that the first one wasn’t the imposter.

“Four minutes, 30 seconds.” The blond said looking at his watch with a bored look.

“Arrr…” Yusuke growled.

Kuwabara remembered the patches and pointed at them.

“Lookie, lookie!” he whispered.

“Eh?” Yusuke said, noticing Kuwabara’s signal.

“Those stickers…what are they?” Yusuke asked with confusion.

“Underworld tools tracking stickers!” Botan said, a bit pived, “You’re supposed to know all the tools by sight!”

“Maybe he needs glasses…” you mumble, ready to get this whole thing done and over with.

“Oh yeah…heh…that’s right.” Yusuke said with a silly face.

“Some underworld detective you are…” grumbled Botan with a glare.

“I do know they can only be removed by whoever sticks them on.” Yusuke said with a serious face.

“Yeah, each is tuned to the distinct ‘aura print’ of whichever human or demon handles it. Only that handler can remove it. And there’s no way to fake someone’s ‘aura print’. An impersonator could not remove ‘his or ‘her’ stickers.” Botan said, pointing at her stickers.

“That’s it, Botan! That’s how we’ll expose the fake!” Yusuke said with excitement and triumphant.

“Heh…” snickered the blond.

You all put your hand on the stickers that you had put on and pulled them off of each other.

“Huh? You all did it” Yusuke said in shock.

“But how?! One of us shouldn’t be able to!” Botan said just as surprised and in shock.

Hiei growled.

“Which means there’s no fake. It’s all a bluff!” Hiei said, he was pissed off that this whole thing was a hoax and that Kuwabara had learned that he had a sister.

“’Fraid Not. One of you is not the real you.” The blond guy said. “But if you can’t tell, we might as well do away with the real one, eh?”

The blond guy narrowed his eyes as he smirked at Yusuke. Yusuke growled. It was back to square one between the two people he thought could be the fake. It was seeming more and more like his first gut choice; which he was still hoping it wasn’t.

“Times up,” the blond said looking at his watch. “It’s now or never. Choose.”

Yusuke’s face was full of sweat as he gritted his teeth. He was looking between the too who he thought were the fakes.

“I’m now going to step off your shadow. But don’t do anything foolish like attack me. It won’t help. What you will do is punch the one you pick as hard as you can!” the blond said.

“What?! Why?!” Yusuke asked in shock.

You blinked in surprise. Kuwabara growled. Hiei looked slightly frustrated. Botan was surprised. Kurama looked as if he was calculating.

“Only great pain will wipe away the assumed persona. You get one shot, so don’t hold back.” The blond said before taking his foot off Yusuke’s shadow.

“I don’t get it. Why are you guys doing this?!” Yusuke growled glaring at the blond.

“Not for ourselves though it has been fun. But enough talk! Choose! Or…” the blond said taking out a walkie talkie, “my next words will cause your real friend to suffer!”

Yusuke growled and looked at his first gut choice. He wished it wasn’t them but after what he had seen, he knew it had to be. He hoped he was right yet at the same time that he was wrong. However, if he was wrong he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.

“In that case…I’ve decided. And my choice is…” Yusuke said before charging forward.

“You!!” he shouted as he appeared in front of you and punched you in the face as hard as he could.


(End of Chapter 36)


Well, I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! Now, I will let you guys enjoy the sneak peek of chapter 43 ^^ So I hope you enjoy that too. Now remember, this isn't something that I just wrote and is all I have of this chapter. I'm half way done it and what you have is half of that half hahaha...or maybe more so 1/4 of that half...I don't know hahaha ^^; But anyway, thank you all for being loyal and all that good jazz and here is your treat! Enjoy!


Ch. 43: Race To the Cave


“It went right into our apartment!” Astuko shouted, looking deviated at the place she had called home for the past seven months now.

“Hey! He’s trashed my room!” Yusuke yelled, upset because he had no where to sleep and would have to sleep over Kuwabara’s house again; but also because he had just cleaned it a few days ago.

However, it all seemed to not matter when realization of something much more important came to mind. You and Kuwabara both realized two people who were not with the rest of the group.

“Botan! Mitarai!” you gasped.

“They’re still in there!” Kuwabara screamed.

He looked up at the damage. It didn’t seem to be on fire, however it was trashed.

Yusuke growled as he turned his attention to Sensui. However, Sensui had jumped high into the air and came down, at bone crushing speeds to where Yusuke was now standing. Yusuke escaped, jumping out of harms way and closer to the rest of you. He landed on one knee and stared down with narrow eyes at Sensui.

“Genaki! Koenma! Go help the others! Sensui’s mine!” Yusuke growled.

“I am, eh? Nice to be wanted.” Sensui said with a smirk.

“SHUT UP! I’M SERIOUS!” Yusuke screamed before dashing straight at Sensui.

You growled and clenched your fists.

“Why that no good...” you growled, before feeling a hand on your shoulder.

You turned to find Kuwabara looking down at you, just as pissed. You nodded at him and he nodded back.

Yusuke was about to punch Sensui, however he was able to see Sensui was about to deflect his attack, which caught Sensui off guard. Yusuke began to move around Sensui and throw a rapid fire of punches, however, Sensui seemed to be able to dodge them.

You, Kurama, and Kuwabara began to follow the two as they headed out of the alley way and towards the main street.

Yusuke threw one more punch however, Sensui was able to reflect it. Yusuke grunted as he was kicked hard in his chest. You gasped seeing that Yusuke’s shirt had been torn in the spot Sensui had kicked him and was now starting to bruise.

“Koff! Nice one…” grunted Yusuke as he stood up.

“Your moves are quite perfunctory. You need to brush up on the basics.” Sensui said, a bit insanity in his eyes.

“Then try me!” Kuwabara said, running towards Sensui, who now had his back towards the rest of you.

“Don’t forget me!” you snarled, coming up behind Kuwabara.

Kuwabara outstretched his hand ready to take out his new power. You concentrated on taking out both of your boes.

“I’m back! And I’m better than ever!” Kuwabara shouted, feeling the energy begin to build up in his right hand.

‘This’ll give me a chance to evaluate him.’ Sensui thought as he looked at Kuwabara with anticipation.

He had missed this feeling; the feeling of not being so defenseless. You brought out your boes at the same time Kuwabara brought out his spirit sword; however, it was just his normal one.

“Huh?! This looks like my old sword!” Kuwabara said surprised that he wasn’t able to take out his new and improved one.

‘What gives?’ he thought, thinking it was strange that only the night before he was able to conjurer the newer blade.

‘Guess he can’t yet summon his new one at will.’ Sensui thought.

Kuwabara growled before continuing his attack, you right behind him.

“Never mind!! HYAAH!!” Kuwabara shouted as he jumped into the air and brought his sword down.

However, Sensui had seemed to stop Kuwabara’s blade from slicing him now the middle and pushed Kuwabara aside. Your eyes widened, however you shook it off and jumped up and over Kuwabara before kicking Sensui in his face. He was shocked, not expecting you to attack him; and his hands had been full deflecting Kuwabara’s attack. He skidded backwards a bit, however, you didn’t leave him time as you swung at him with both of your boes. However, he was able to dodge your attack this time and caught one of your boes in the air, right when it was about to hit him on the side of his head. Your eyes widened as he kicked you hard in the side. Your eyes widened as a mix of blood and spit came shooting out of your mouth as you were sent backwards flying right into Kuwabara’s already awaiting arms.

He had seen Sensui’s attack coming and had made sure he would catch up; if not stop Sensui from hurting you. However, he wasn’t fast enough to stop it from happening. The force of which you were sent backwards, had cause the two of you to land hard on the ground, you on top of Kuwabara.

Kurama narrowed his eyes and rushed forward, taking out his rose whip. Yusuke was beginning to stand up, as he was holding his stomach injury.

‘Sensui can’t be attacked straight on. My rose whip ought to counter his kicks!!’ Kurama thought.

‘We’ll make him pay for hurting (YAFN)…’ growled Youko within Kurama’s mind.

Kurama narrowed his eyes and inwardly nodded in agreement. However, the screeching of a car turning around the corner had caught his attention, stopping him in mid attack.

There was a pick up truck coming straight towards the rest of you. There was a little boy sitting in the drivers seat while, a tall young man was hanging halfway out of the passenger side window. Kuwabara had sat up at this point and you were now sitting in his lap. You looked at the car that was heading straight at you and Kuwabara.

“Rats! New trouble!” Kurama said, jumping out of the way of the fast approaching pick up truck.

“Nice timing, gents.” Sensui said, with a smile.

Your eyes widened as you saw the pick up truck was at least ten feet away.

“GET OUTTA THE WAY!” you heard Yusuke scream, however, it was too late.


MUHAHAHAHHAHAHA! I know...I'm evil but I am called the cliffy queen. Hehehe, so you shouldn't expect anything different. Sooooo thank you all for staying and being loyal.

And please PLEASE review! I really do need that kind of encouragement. And I will be answering your reviews from now on, like I use to do with my stories. So I hope you do so cause I do enjoy answering my reviewers ^^. I love connecting with them and conversation with them as well. So, yeah ^^.

Thank you for reading and please review!