"Keep trying; don't quit!" Hiei's voice drilled into your ears as you growled lowly. It was very late into the night - it was possibly even morning but Hiei would not let you go. He had been training you now for God knows how long and you were beginning to get slightly aggressive. I can't do what you're asking me! I don't know how. Just let me go! You cursed as you again push your hand forward; a small orb of light blue-black mist appeared; slowly in your hand. It was rotating anti-clockwise.

"Try and make the orb more solid onna... mist is not going to do anything if someone decides to attack you." You closed your eyes; anger and frustration etched into your face.

"What do... you think I've been trying to do damnit!" You grunted at him. Your anger increased as you saw him role his eyes at you and you finally snapped.

"Stop doing that, baka!" you yelled, however your face turned quickly to anxiousness and fear. The orb you had been manifesting in your left palm was now completely opaque and was moving towards Hiei at a fast rate.

"Hiei move!" You shouted, only to jump three feet in the air from surprise.

"You seriously thought that would hit me... You really are stupid if you thought that." Hiei chided, he was standing beside you; having moved so quickly you were sure he had either disappeared or teleported somehow. Jesus! You thought; still very alarmed. Hiei closed his eyes momentarily before opening then again.

"Well... you managed to do one attack - finally. So name it." He mumbled, bored. You looked at him for a moment hesitantly nodding.

"I dunno what to call it... It's an attack that's all."

"It's apart of you onna... so name it something."

"Stress reliever?" you joked, glancing sideways at him. He closed his eyes looking like he was restraining himself.

"Something... other than that."

"Spirit orb?"

"Fine. Spirit orb... Now for the next two weeks I want you to practice that. You won't have training until 30th October. Go to bed now." He commanded; as he in turn walked from you. You lingered for a few moments as you looked at the damage it had done. There was a neat and precise hole where two trees had been before and you could clearly see splintered wood on the floor. Does this mean I'm a danger to society? You worried as you also retired to your room. You flopped onto your bed and instantly fell into a blissful slumber, still fully clothed, but not caring.

*

The next few weeks saw you training mostly the whole time. Yusuke and the others were given missions which also meant that you were left alone a lot, what with Botan always disappearing to collect souls. You had out right refused to socialise with Kayko.

Everything was progressing fine most of the time; but you felt depressed. Kayko was really getting to you and that rarely happened. Why can't she just... get over it? It just didn't make any sense to you.

"God sake...well on the plus side it's Halloween. The guys better get off that mission soon." You conversed as you rounded the corner heading for Shadow's room. She had been busy lately; too, as Koenma had made her an official spy for Spirit World, she didn't have much social time to be with you. "I'm gonna go nuts soon... I just know it..."

"You know; talking to yourself is the first sign on madness, Bri." Your head shot up as you started smiling. Shadow was leaning on her door post with a large and extremely heavy looking file. Her dirty blonde hair was askew; as if it had, had her fingers running though it and her eyes showed fatigue; signifying she was not getting too much sleep. She smiled back at you before motioning her hand for you to come in as she herself flopped onto her bed.

"Erm, if you're busy I can go." You headed for the door only to move forward from the impact of something soft hitting you in the head. "Aah! The hell?" You half laughed stumbling around, Shadow was grinning as she ventured another pillow attack to your head; you ducked down.

"Where are you going Bri? You've only just got here." She laughed before dropping the pillow, and hugging you gently. Shrugging you moved to her window sill and sat down.

"Well I'll stay if you wanna? But you look like you need help or sleep... or both?" You gave a slight inclination to the various folders piled about the room and she weakly sighed.

"Sorry I haven't been-"

"Nai mondai, do you want any help?" You cut in, before she could finish her apology, taking a folder: Saint Beasts: Beast 2, Byakko. You gave her a slight confused look.

"Those are finished cases the boys have done. Koenma wanted me to sort them out... his ogre is sick."

"The ogre is sick? What with?"

"Erm... I think he said it was...Demon Measles? Anyway I just need to sort them all into one file for him." She told you as she came to stand behind you. "See Kuwabara killed him... well kinda;" she said picking up a second file. "It was actually Seriyu... 3rd Saint Beast - Hiei killed him." She sounded mater of fact you laughed.

"Oh right." She chuckled. "Sorry, I forgot you don't know. You can look at the information while you file it? Koenma won't mind and if he does tough luck." She grinned.

"Well why don't I put these in order for you; and you do the others? Would that help you out?" You offered, smiling back; as you opened the first Saint Beast file; skimming your eyes down it as you began to move papers around. You saw her go back to the bed.

"Thanks Bri... that would help me loads. Anyway how are you now? I haven't really been; well vacant to talk to you have I?" She sounded troubled. You looked up from the papers.

"I'm ok... busy with training. I now know and have perfected two new attacks while Hiei was away. I've got four that I'm working on... and I finished all my schooling for this term, too. Why?" You asked still reading the files; you hadn't noticed Shadow looking away quietly. "Shadow?"

"Hu? Oh... Sorry it's good you're getting use to being here but;" she paused, "Don't you want to go home? We've been here for what a month? I miss England." You could see she looked upset.

I had no idea... You thought sadly as you moved to sit next to her. You felt foolish now, the fact was - you hadn't really had much time to be homesick. You had your friends here and school, training and well you weren't really one to dwell on things, you just got on with it; but Shadow...she was different.

How could I have not realised she would be feeling lonely here. I am such an ass; argh...

"Hey, I didn't know I'm sorry. I guess I just didn't think about it. I'm usually on my own anyway. But if you wanna talk or go home then-?" You trailed off.

"No, I'm ok. Kurama has... erm..." You turned to her in mild surprise as she looked down; a faint smile on her face. "Kurama has been helping me with work and things so that I would fit in here better. I was going to come to you but he said you were busy and I didn't want-"

"You plank! I'm not busy if you need me. Ain't I told you before? That if ya need me come and get me - even if I am busy I'll drop it to help you!" She laughed nodding and you just sat there in mild annoyance. How many times do I have to tell her that?

"Sorry... I just didn't want to disturb you. How are you and Yusuke?" She asked smiling, you chuckled.

"Me and dufus," You murmured thoughtfully as she laughed and lightly hit you.

"That's your boyfriend you're calling a dufus!"

"Ah well he won't mind..." You joked laughing. "Me and Yus' are great, thanks for asking. Just Kayko giving us agro." She frowned nodding. You smiled slightly for the conversation; you liked catching up with her.

"Well... what kind of attacks have you got now?" She inquired, changing the subject as she averted her eyes down to the folder, you smiled at her before sorting out the files you were on, as you talked.

"Well I have spirit orb - Orb of energy that can now take out a entire area of forest. I've got dark void that makes everything go dark- I think; I mean I can still see an stuff but Botan said she couldn't see where she was goin-" you stopped seeing Shadow smiling. "Then I've got Wolf's call and dark slash. Shadow shifting and Luna coil - but I need help with those ones." You finished.

"Sounds like you've got some good ones there. Hiei won't be able to complain to you for not practicing. Which reminds me... they're back today." You looked up at her startled.

"Wha-?" She beamed at you and put her folder down; before getting up. She headed for the door with you in hot pursuit. How the hell does she know? You pondered, confused. Passing Botan's room along with Kayko's you both head for Koenma's, all the while with you thinking about how she knew.

"-Good job team you can have a week off unless, I get any more problems." 

You waited patiently outside Koenma's door, listening in with Shadow to the debriefing, all the while tapping your foot.

Come on already Koenma... let 'em out! You moaned in your head. Hearing the door click open you smiled as the boys filed out, Yusuke immediately wrapping his arms around your waist.

Kurama's Point of View

"Kurama... can I come in?" You turned to your cherry wood door perplexed, not expecting anyone to bother you for at least half an hour. You and the others were all getting ready for a Halloween party, having agreed to do so when you had got back from the mission you had been on not three hours ago. The mission... You repeated to yourself, temporarily remembering the information you had found out.

"I mean it that's all I know, I swear!" Hiei placed the lizard demon back onto his feet and all four of you watched as he scampered out of the alley way into the city streets.

"So. Akki has learnt about her..." Hiei summarised as he turned to look at the rest of you; an uncertain emotion was playing in his eyes but you dismissed it for boredom.

"It appears so... we will have to report this to Koenma immediately." You stated as you summoned a portal you all fazed into Koenma's office.

"Kurama?" You quickly regain your senses as you answered.

"Y-Yes... who is it?"

"Shadow." The voice replied. Smiling slightly you let her in; taking in her long black medieval dress, you padded over to your dresser to look for a costume to wear for later, as she slowly moved to your bed.

Silence.

"What did you find out...?" She asked.

You reframed from answering for a moment, not entirely sure if you should supply her with an answer to her question. However as she spoke again you sighed and turned to her.

"Akki... has learnt of Brianey." You replied, watching her eyes widen you go to her and joined her on the bed. "Don't be concerned she is safe here. The apartment is hard to penetrate, or find - it's not on any maps." She scoffed.

"It can be done. She must be hidden-"

"No... She won't want to move. Would you want to move? I doubt you would; I know you better than that." you stated but quickly regretted it.

"You know nothing about me you stupid kitsune! And you know less about Brianey so do not expect me to stand here while you make futile attempts to keep me calm. My friend is in danger." she jumped off your bed heading for the door and wrenched it open. You quickly followed her and pulled her back into your room, however her reactions were quicker than you anticipated.

Thwack

You staggered back slightly shocked as your hand flies to your face. She hit you ...and extremely hard at that.

"Shadow," you responded slightly less strongly than you had wanted. "Don't hit me!" You shouted to her, the initial shock wore out for anger - you were extremely hurt. She was not aware but you had developed feelings for her over the past few weeks and for her to hit you...

"I'll do what I damn well want - get off of me!" She protested as you pinned her hands to her side, preventing her from moving she ceased after a few moments looking extremely annoyed.

"Don't be angry at me." You mumbled quietly, letting her go. She looked at you confused but remained quiet. "Shadow... can I tell you something..." You asked looking at her seriously. I should tell her how I feel...

Kazuma's point of View

"Is this straight?" you asked, confused as you held up the black and red banner. You were helping to get the decorations up and you had almost finished it, only having the banner and a few balloons to put up to finish off the theme.

"Yes baka... now will you get off me!" Came Hiei's reply to your question as you looked at him as he held you up in the air, nodding quickly you jumped down only to have a hand collide with your head. Rubbing it you glare at the fire demon.

"Oh you think you're so tough, shorty!" You yelled out, you knew Hiei was annoyed, however, you didn't know what about and you weren't prepared to be his punching bag. He's been acting like this for half the mission and now it has to stop! You concluded. "Why are you hitting me, if you have something you're annoyed about then that's perfectly ok, but taking out on people who don't deserve it... that's not-"

"And since when have I cared for your pitiful feelings, baka?" He barked back, taking you by surprise. You straightened up facing him in a stare down, his heartless cold stare boring into your very being; you shuddered slightly and scolded yourself at his smirk.

"Just finish these pointless decorations... I'm going to train. And no: I will not join in your little dressing up before you ask." He stalked off down the corridor; disappearing with a swift billowing of his long cloak, you shuck your head.

"I don't think you'd need to dress up. You already fit the part of a dark and brooding monster." You muttered, chaffed.

Brianey's Point of View (11:36 pm)

You were sitting quiet comfortably on the black, leather sofa of the main living. The others were all in various parts of the room with the music blaring quiet loudly into the labyrinth of corridors outside of the apartment, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Kayko and Botan, who were dressed up as a naughty school girl and surprise, surprise, a Grim reaper were with two other girls you had come to know as Yukina and Shizuru, who happened to be Kazuma's "older and much smarter sister" as she had put it. You had liked her from the off as she was laid back and extremely easy-going and easy to talk to. Currently she was wearing a cowboy costume with a hat placed slightly cock-eyed on her head swigging a large bottle of vodka. Yukina herself also seemed like a nice girl, very polite. You had also learnt of her being an Ice Maiden from a place called Kooromie; which intrigued you.

Yusuke, dressed as a zombie was over by the table, chatting to Kazuma the mummy, about something, and Kurama and Shadow were also talking quite intently over in the far corner; under the fake bats that decorated the room. You sighed lightly and took another sip of your drink as you absorbed yourself with the music.

"What do you mean you can't find where they're keeping her!" A cold harsh voice rang out; the whimpering wolf demon in front of him hunched over more, only just managing to answer.

"K-Koenma... h-has her hidden but w-we don't know where, Lord Akki!"

"Hidden? That baka couldn't hide a grain of sand. So find. Me. This. Girl! Before I find a replacement for you!" the voice screamed; the wolf demon nodded fretfully stammering a "Y-Yes, L-Lord." before disappearing, his tail between his legs.

"Brianey-sama? Are you ok?" You jump startled but quickly sighed seeing Yukina looking at you in concern, the others had also turned to you to see what was going on, making you feel uncomfortable. I don't like people staring at me. But what was that scene I saw? You asked yourself quietly. You nodded all the same to Yukina to stop her fretting. Your head was throbbing dully; making you rub it slightly.

"F-fine you scared me. I wasn't paying attention there." You replied quickly before turning away. "Yukina I'm just gonna go for a walk. Need some air." You quickly stood up heading for the door of the room, Shadow quickly intercepted you.

"You're not ok... you're pale; what happened?" She asked urgently, you avoided eye contact with her.

"Nothing... Just need some fresh air. I'm ok." You insisted.

"She's right Bri, you look slightly worried what's s'matter?" you heard Yusuke's slurred voice as he put his arm about your waist, you closed your eyes and moved forward, out of his reach and passed Shadow; out of the door, heading for the lake in the grounds.

"What was that?" You questioned yourself in absolute perplexity. You knelt down on the embankment of the lake unsure of what was happening, yet again, to you. It frustrated you; but you knew it couldn't be the gang keeping things from you this time, because they were all inside and appeared to be worried about you as well, but it had to be something.

"Come on think... wait - Akki?" you lift your head up slightly your hair slipping over to curtain your face. Akki was he the one that was after you? But if that was real does that mean he's-? Your eyes widen as you scrambled to head back inside, running quick meaningful paces.

*

"Onna? ...What are you doing out here you're not suppose-"

"Sorry, Hiei I need to speak to Koenma." You told him. He raised an eyebrow but doesn't move, you sighed in frustration. "Hiei move."

"What's wrong with you? Why are you not at the meaningless party they're having?" He fired back. You go to move around him but he followed. You growled.

"I told you I need to see Koenma.... that's why I'm not at the party, move!" You commanded moving to the left, he doesn't follow you this time so you continued passed him.

"Onna." You stopped and back glanced over your shoulder. "You're going the wrong way." You turn fully around and walked back to him.

"Take me to Koenma now." You commanded getting slightly annoyed; he doesn't reply and started walking the way you came, you followed. What is his problem?

"I don't have a problem..." You turned to him seeing him glancing apathetically at you, he continues. "However, if you have a problem with me... you better say."

"I don't have a problem... well. I dunno." You trailed off and he stopped you.

"Hn, yes you do - or should I say you think I have a problem with you and the detective?" He replies slyly you turned your head to him in surprise, he smirked. "I was right wasn't I?"

"Yes... but I also wanted to know if you like me as a friend or not." You replied truthfully. He nodded curtly and waited for a moment before speaking.

"I do not have a problem with you and Yusuke - I just am not use to seeing open affection between people... as for liking you I thought I already-"

"I don't care what you said before I just want a straight 'yes' or 'no'." You cut across seeing him look slightly annoyed; you smirked.

"Hn... I find you worthy of my time. You are different as I said before." You chuckled.

"Is that your way of saying you do value me as a friend Hiei?"

"Yes. Now are you happy onna?" He glowered, you nodded, pleased.

"Now what did you need to see Koenma for?" He resumed walking quickly with you to the office, and you sped up again remembering, the worry seeping back into your system.

"No time to explain... you can stop to hear when we get there." You replied running past him into the double doors.