Saturday and Sunday flew by in the blink of an eye. Nothing much had really happened. You had learnt how to control your moped properly; your parents seemed a little tense at the first few tries, but soon relaxed once you had learnt how to control the steering. Your brother, Daniel, had finally moved out of the house and was living in a near by housing estate that he brought with the money from his ICT technical job. (Lot's of money earned in that.) The new transfer friends had been completing the finishing touches on their house. All in all it looked a lot better than it had before.

The rooms brought out the personalities of the people they occupied.

From Yusuke's green room with a very artistic splash of orange - a literal splash; he had thrown the orange paint at the one wall. He had decorated the walls with Playboy and band posters.

Hiei's red wall-papered room complete with weapons, golden lanterns, Chinese dragons and - of course, a padded windowsill for him to sit upon.

Botan's room - which was pale pink with candy red border, chestnut furniture, and she even had money to buy a laptop.

Even Kazuma's off-yellow and blue stripped room seemed better than the shabby whitewash it had been originally.

However, today was Monday, and currently you were sitting at the back of your Art class, bored out of your mind. The others were all gathered around you while the lecturer, Miss Banes, drawled on about your new assignment. You emitted a loud sigh, for about the fiftieth time.

"For god's sake... just shut up and get on with it already." You mumbled. The others looked at you confused; only Hiei smirked. You grinned.

"I said that she should hurry the hell up she's probably the most boring lect-" You didn't get time to finish your sentence to them, as Miss Banes towered over your slouched and relaxed self, glaring in an un-amused way. Her beady eyes spelt doom.

"Miss Walker, mind repeating yourself?" She barked. You raised an eyebrow putting your hands behind your head and locking your own eyes onto her, only yours spelt mischief.

"Yeah, I said can you hurry the hell up... I want to get on with the task not die of boredom."

Several snickers broke out around the room, Yusuke was looking at you confused but grinning - he knew you had just annoyed the lecturer. The others looked slightly uncomfortable. Miss Banes was livid.

"Insolent girl! I will not have you insult my teaching! This is not High school, I suggest you mature, and fast. Perhaps making an example of you would serve your ego well. An essay 2500 words, on why interrupting a University lecture is wrong. Start now." She snorted, throwing herself back to the other bodies in the room, continuing from where she left off. You sighed, retrieving your pen you began to write, annoyed. Hell, stupid, dumbass teacher. All I wanted to do was get on with the lesson. You paused, an idea struck you. Smirking, you ripped out the paper and started fresh, you heard your friends laughing, obviously watching what you wrote.

"Miss Walker what are you doing now?" Miss Banes sauntered over. Her brow creased as she inspected the page, baffled by the complex symbols. You smiled in victory.

"Well, I was writing what you asked me to... only in Japanese." You stated plainly. Inside you were laughing. In actual fact you had written the paragraphs explaining why she needed to get out more, and a detailed insult on her slightly enlarged front teeth, but she didn't know that. Yusuke was doubled over, along with Kazuma. The girls, Hiei, Shuichi and Yuki were all trying to suppress their laughter.

"I see, well put the essay away for now, we are about to begin." She huffed, trying to grasp at her authority. Obliging you put the essay away for later, and listened to the instructions.

The piece was not that hard: simply to pick something that invokes strong feelings and to express it using any materials you wanted. You always liked this part of your joint-honours degree, your imagination was allowed to run wild, which is did often, anyway.

"Oh god, that was so funny. Bri- I can't believe you did that!"

" It was very amusing I must say." Shuichi complimented, throwing a smile your way. You bowed to them all, laughing.

" Thank you, thank you- I'm glad I entertained you. Now. We better do this work - you just have to draw something that invokes strong feelings for you." You explained handing out the paper to them. You were feeling happier for the company of the seven of them.

The next two hours went by with no incidents. You and the gang just stopped in the common room on campus as you had a free period after the 3 hours of Art, and then you all headed for Japanese.

You shuffled into the room, the others in tow and all took seats at the back of the large open lecturing room, chatting you heard someone come in and shout your name. Turning you smiled.

"Shadow! Where the hell have you been? I ain't seen ya all day." You got up and give the girl a one armed hug, which she returns smiling back. Her ocean eyes scanned over the seven people with you, as she took the last seat on your row while she replied.

"Who are all these people? I've never seen you with such a big crowd Bri." She looked quite startled. You shrugged it off explaining to her.

"They're new neighbours of mine, Transfer students - from Japan, here let me introduce ya!" She nodded, seeming to eye one or two of the boys there with interest, you turned to the others.

"Guys, this is my best mate Shadow. I've known her since I was... well, small. Shadow, this is Yusuke, Kazuma, Shuichi, Botan, Kayko, Yuki, and last... but not least," You gave Hiei a slight nod. "Hiei." He nodded back to you as everyone gave polite greeting to Shadow; she smiled and waved back, but stopped as the lecturer came in to start the lesson. You took the seat next to Yusuke and Hiei as the lecture began.

The lesson was simple, and you just wrote down words, and answered questions which were thrown your way. The other also answered, looking more relaxed that the teacher was talking in their language while also helping them with English.

Confused you wondered why Mr Wilson was giving more attention to the others, as well as speaking more in English, but then realised that the University must have been notified that transfers were arriving, and that they would need help.

Botan's Point of View

As you sat in your chair, you smiled learning quickly how to speak English. This is good, Brianey is such a good person - a lot like Yusuke, I'll admit but even Yusuke is good. Maybe Koenma wouldn't mind us telling her.

Don't even think about it, baka, Koenma told us not to.You jumped as Hiei's voice ripped through your head, you turned to him surprised as he shot you a stern look. You sighed.

Don't you want her to know? She has a right to know, plus she's our friend-

We are under orders. If you say a word to her, I will kill you myself. She isn't supposed to know. You glared at him.

Some friend you are! Brianey likes you - and I know you like her too, Hiei. It's obvious!

Kuso baka. I do not like that on'na. Plain and simple I am doing my job. Now hold your tongue or I'll cut it out for you.

You glowered at him, feeling anger boil up inside you, sighing again you go back to learning before getting up and leaving when you were all dismissed. You wait for Brianey, and the others before you all headed home.

Ignoring most the bickering and questions Brianey asked. (When finished with lectures students are able to go home. Of course independent study is expected by them.)

As soon as you arrived in the house you retired to your room and sulked, feeling very angry you couldn't tell her anything.

Brianey/ Your Point of View

You go back into your house, feeling very confused. Shadow accompanied you to your room and accommodated your bed as you turned some music on. As the peaceful sound of Irish folk music penetrated the air, you collapsed into the bean bag.

Something felt off. You had been thinking about certain things all day - how Shuichi knew your last name last night, The weird tingling you felt when with Yusuke, Botan looking upset earlier. Hiei's sudden change of mood to you on the way home, and Yusuke and Kayko's bickering with Yuki stuck in the middle. You creased your eyebrows more as you assembled no logical answers to the questions and sighed, feeling like an outsider. I think they're hiding something from me. But what. And why?

"What's wrong?" Shadow asked concern in her voice. Your eyes darted to her, as she rummaged for something in her black leather bag. You shrugged.

"I dunno. I just get the feeling there was something they weren't telling me. Did you?"

"Yeah. But I'm sure it was nothing, don't worry." She added quickly, her tone reassuring. You observed her curiously. Shadow was never the one to be so dismissive of such things, like this. Normally she would try talking about it or offer solutions for your problems. You studied her for a while, thinking. Does she know something... that I don't? Nah she can't... she doesn't even know them. You reasoned, letting the idea drop completely. Looking away from her, you began talking on a different, more light-hearted subject.

Shadow's Point of View

As you chatted to Brianey, a stabbing pain of guilt welled up inside you. You knew about them. The transfer students that is. You knew they were demons - or spiritually aware - like yourself. You knew they were the Spirit Detectives. I can't tell her - her parents forbade me. I wish I could tell her what she is. Why can't she know? She's not different. I mean I am a dark water demon. So it wouldn't be like we couldn't help her. You glanced down at the soft black cover of her bed, feeling like a traitor to her. The only friend and person that has ever looked after you, and treated you like an equal and you couldn't even be faithful and honest back to her. You felt like the lowest creature to walk the planet.

"Shad? You ok?" You snapped your head up to see her looking intently at you. You blinked before nodding. Then you nodded more meaningfully.

"Yeah; sorry Bri, I was thinking that's all... say what are you doing tomorrow? We have no classes." You changed the subject quickly, so she wouldn't have time to question you. She deliberated for a moment.

"I dunno I was gonna crash here all day... maybe go out and take my 'ped for a ride." She admitted you nodded agreeing.

"I was going to go to a concert. I have a gig later as well." You informed, excitement flooded into you. You and a few others were in a band, Brianey wasn't in it she had chosen she hated publicity, even though she was usually at the centre of all pranking attention at University. She had a very big reputation there, you chuckled.

"Aw really? Wicked, I'll come by if I can - I'll bring the others? How's that sound?"

You gave a pained expression but recovered it quickly. "Y-yeah sounds like fun, I can't wait - I best get off home; my mom will do her head if I'm not home for dinner. Bye." You grabbed your things as she scrambled up, seeing you out the house you head down the road.

The night was secretive, with a low orange sun setting in the sky, behind Willow Forest and the air was warm from the day's heat. You gazed around at the empty street surreptitiously, until you bumped into something, you focused in front of you.

"Hiei? What are you doing out."  You questioned catching your breathe, he had startled you. He inspected you silently as you hitched your bag up further, but you stopped when you saw a glint of metal from his cloak. You stepped back.

 "You know... don't you on'na." (Remember Hiei can talk English now, so it's not bold. He's a quick learner.)

You gazed stonily back at him, knowing what he was referring too straight away, and glared. "Yes, detective I know... why are you here?"

"Not of your concern. I believe you are a Dark-water demon? Am I right?"

You nodded. "Yes, Dark Water Neko. You are a... fire and Ice apparition-"

"Fire. I am not ice." He interrupted icily. You gave him a sceptical look.

"Don't hide it I know what you are. Forbidden child. Don't worry - I don't have any reason to want to kill you, or your friends. I just want to know what your business is with Brianey."

Hiei looked at you for a long moment, obviously deciding whether or not to trust you. Eventually his eyes locked with yours.

"We we're sent to watch her - her powers are about to show themselves."

Your eyes widen, "A-are you sure? I thought they we're-"

"We're what? On'na do you know something?"

You were the one to fall quiet this time. Do I tell him? You asked yourself, he remained quiet still looking emotionlessly back at you. Finally you motion him to follow you to a quieter place to which he obliged, when you are out of public you turned to him.

"Brianey's powers we're locked away. Her parents didn't want her to know anything. They are running from a very powerful demon. He wants Brianey dead."

"Dead? ... Why?"

"She's the one that stands in the way of him taking over the darkness and Wolf clans, along with Makai." You explained, sighing to him. "I'm not even supposed to tell you. Her parents forbade me to tell anyone."

"So, why are you?" He retorted in a patronising voice, you glared.

"Because I thought it was your job to know everything you can. Obviously Koenma chose unwisely in you." You smirked satisfied as you see anger fire up in his crimson eyes. He had you pinned you to the wall his Katana at your throat, before you could bat your eyelids.

"Now, now... you're supposed to keep a low profile. I don't think killing me would be fulfilling that order do you?" You met his eyes with a bored look, to show you were not easily intimidated. He glowered but let you go.

"You're lucky on'na. But I think we can use you; will you help us watch Brianey? We will try our best to keep her alive in exchange for your help of course." For a moment you were both in a stare-off. He looked away.

"You like her, don't you?" You teased, cattishly.

"I'm doing my job - liking someone has nothing to do with it. She is my assignment; therefore I will do my job." His tone was so sharp it could have cut metal. Nodding you agreed, still grinning.

"I'll help... now let me be on my way." You brushed past him and headed home, not looking back. Closing your eyes, you begged for him to be wrong.

You begged for her powers to stay dormant.