Chapter Text
Kuwabara ran as fast as his feet could carry him. Dressed in the uniform for Gai Tech High School, he ignored the looks customers gave him as he burst through the ramen shop door.
He spied Keiko behind the counter, whipping up bowl after bowl of ramen for her clientele, the incessant noise indicative of the prime time lunch hour. "Hey, Keiko. Is Urameshi in?" he asked, voice a bit winded from the long run.
Chucking a thumb behind her shoulder, Keiko looked briefly at her husband's best friend. "He's in the back with the others," she replied, distracted by the nearly overwhelming workload, adding, "Tell him to hurry up would you, Kuwabara? I am getting swamped out here."
"Will do!" the tall man said with a nod, making his way to the back, opening the door at the end to find Yusuke, Kurama and Hiei sitting around a table, their gazes meeting his with various states of annoyance.
"What the hell took you so long, Kuwabara?!" the head detective snapped, features beyond pissed off. "I told you the meeting was at twelve o'clock!"
The orange-haired teen dropped his school case onto the table, sitting down as he shot back, "Unlike you, mister drop out, I was at school! I can't just up and leave you know!" He stared daggers at the head detective as he growled. "What the hell kind of dumbass schedules our meeting during lunch hour?! Keiko's working her tail off out there!"
Yusuke waved his hand dismissively. "Keiko's a big girl. She can handle herself just fine out there."
"You lazy bum!" Kuwabara snapped. "Real men help their wives when needed!"
"What the hell do you know, numbnuts?! You're not even married!"
Kurama watched his two friends bicker like old men, rubbing his temples in mild irritation. Normally, he was tolerable of the outbursts, having long been accustomed to the pair's bantering. But his concern for Botan and the desire to find her was overwhelming his calm facade and he was about to say something when Hiei stood up and drew his sword, launching it straight forward, the blade slicing through the air and between the two bickering men.
Yusuke and Kuwabara blinked, voices going silent as the sword passed then sunk into the wall past them.
"Now that you two have finally shut the hell up, maybe we can get down to the matter at hand?" Hiei growled, still standing, his red eyes daring either of the younger men to challenge him.
The head detective and his best friend, studied the fire demon in stuttered surprise, grumbling before they complied and sat down.
Kurama suppressed a chuckle at the dumbfounded looks of the two teens, his voice more neutral though inside he was troubled. "Now that we're all here, I think it's time we go over what we know and decide our next move."
"Okay.. so we know that the bastards who took these girls like to play games. They're smart and definitely of the demon variety. They have the ability to manipulate energy and the physical environment. They know who we all are and we don't know jack squat about their identities. That about sum it up?" Yusuke grumbled, arms crossed, still pissed at Kuwabara.
"Well.. basically.. yes.." Kurama replied, clearing his throat. "We need more information and I believe we may find something useful in Spirit World."
Yusuke thought for a moment before speaking. "Yeah.. good idea. I'd like to talk to toddler breath myself about a few things." Rising, the head detective looked at his friends. "Let's go."
Kurama smiled, nodding while Hiei did the same.
Kuwabara rose, grabbing his bag. "I'll catch up with you guys later. I need to get back to school."
"Ah, come on, Kuwabara!" Yusuke snapped. "It's not like I'm asking you skip school for fun. This is serious business! Botan is out there suffering somewhere and it's our job to find her! Isn't that what real men do?"
The taller man studied his best friend with narrowed eyes. "You're a fine one to talk, leaving Keiko here by herself to do all the work."
"We've already gone over this!" Yusuke shot back. "I'll make it up to her later! So stop screwing around and come to Reikai with us!"
"Okay, fine! But if I get the crap kicked out of me by Shizuru for missing school, it's on your head!"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll give her some free meal vouchers to make it up to her," Yusuke replied under his breath as the group exited out the back, heading towards the nearest Spirit World portal.
XXXXXXXX
"So, Yusuke, what brings you all the way up here?" Koenma asked, brown eyes focused on his head detective. "Did you find something of interest to the case?"
Yusuke studied his boss. "Well, the fact of the matter is we don't have much to go on," he started, looking over to Kurama who gave him a nod. "That's why we're up here."
The toddler lord quirked an eyebrow. "And what is it you think you'll find up here? The crime was committed in Ningenkai."
"Yeah.." Yusuke started. "But the information we found points to something fishy going on up here."
"What?!" Koenma snapped, offended at the dark haired detective insinuation. "Are you trying to say that someone here did something to purposefully put these girls in danger?!"
Anger rose to the surface in the Mazoku descendant. "Look, I don't care where the crime happened, we need to find out how the hell those girls got caught in the first place, " he growled. "So why don't you have your nap time or whatever hell else it is you do and let us do the job you assigned us to do!"
"You really have an attitude problem, Yusuke," Koenma shot back, glaring at his star detective. "Give me one good reason why I should let you look through classified documents."
"Botan."
Both men turned in the direction of the voice, finding Kurama studying them with restrained calmness.
Inside, the fox spirit was irritated, a rare flash of anger flaring in his emerald orbs as he continued, looking at Yusuke. "She's out there somewhere. All alone and suffering. We do not have the luxury of time to argue over trivial things."
Kurama turned his attention over to junior. "We are not asking for the world, Koenma. Only those files and schedules pertaining to the three missing girls and Botan. Any clues we can find may helps us to track your employees down. That is what you want us to do is it not?"
The toddler lord relaxed, sitting back down in his seat, composing himself as he answered, "Of course it is." Chewing on his pacifier he pushed a button on his desk then turned to Yusuke. "Very well. Permission granted but only the files for those three and Botan. Is that understood?"
"Yeah, we hear ya," Yusuke replied, turning as a tall, dark haired woman entered.
"You called, my lord?" she asked, looking at Koenma with soft eyes.
"Yes, Ayame," Koenma replied, looking at the ferry girl. "Would you mind escorting the detectives to the case file room and retrieve the files and schedules for Kiko, Ran, Hinawari and Botan and give them to Yusuke and the others to study?"
"Of course, Lord Koenma, sir." Ayame bowed, turning her attention to the men as she spoke. "If you gentlemen would follow me, please."
The spirit detectives nodded to Koenma, moving forward and past the side door that led down the hall, soft light reflecting of the blue hue of the walls that surrounded them. Ayame stopped and turned to her right, swiping a card, a faint clicking noise echoing in the hall as the door slid open, revealing a large room lined with shelves of neatly stacked folders.
"Wait here, please," Ayame said softly, her purple kimono disappearing around the corner for a moment, reappearing with a stack of folders in her arms. She held them out to Yusuke who took them.
"Uh.. thanks.." he replied, balancing the folders as he looked up at the ferry girl.
"When you are finished, just press the button near the door and I will escort you back to Koenma's office."
"Thank you, Ayame," Kurama said softly, watching the girl bow then exit the room, leaving the men alone.
"Alright fox boy, we have the files. Now what do we do?" Yusuke asked, trying not to spill the folders as he turned his attention to the red head.
"Let's take them over to the table, Yusuke, then we'll start going through them one at a time."
"So, uh, Kurama?" Kuwabara's deep timbre rumbled out as the group headed over to the rectangular white table and sat down. "What are we looking for in these files?"
The fox spirit grabbed the top case file, eyes downward as he opened it, finding a picture of smiling Botan staring up at him. His features softened, eyeing the deity's image fondly, his bangs hiding the expression upon his face as he answered, "Several things, Kuwabara. First, we need to go over and cross check their schedules. We're looking for similar routes or areas these girls were sent."
Scanning down the first sheet of information, he continued. "Secondly, we need to go over their personnel records and evaluations, see if there is any correlation between sudden changes in behavior and their disappearance."
"In other words, we're looking for anything weird or unusual that just happened to be recorded," Yusuke interjected, grabbing a file and opening it as he added. "So let's get digging before toddler boy changes his mind and boots us out."
Kurama nodded, continuing his reading. All of Botan's information was on display. From her age, to her place of origin, to her advancement to the chief deity and her responsibility of handing out the schedules to the other employees.
Hmm.. interesting, he thought, flipping to the most recent report, quirking an eyebrow at what he found.
"So, Kurama…"
The kitsune looked up at the sound of the fire demon's voice. "What is it, Hiei?"
"You said we were looking for anything unusual." The small man slid the folder he was reading over to his friend. "I'd say this would qualify."
Kurama looked down, brow furrowed as he quickly read the notes and flipped the next page then the next, his features becoming more and more troubled as he read.
"What is it, fox boy?" Yusuke asked, studying the redhead with concern.
"These notes," Kurama murmured, "They all document a growing restlessness and absence for this ferry girl, Kiko, that began six months ago." He paused, eyes still on the report before him. "It became so frequent that she was often found wandering the halls at night, as if sleep walking. On more than one occasion she was escorted back from Koenma's mansion itself, nearly catatonic."
"And no one found that suspicious?"
Kurama looked up at Yusuke, voice soft. "Yes. Botan did. These are her notes after all."
The detectives looked at each other then back to the kitsune.
"What else is in there, Kurama?"
"Not much else, Hiei. Miss Kiko's disappearance coincided with her last scheduled pick up somewhere within the Harajuku area of the Shibuya district." A thought began to form in the youkai's mind and he murmured softly. "Is there anything similar to these events in the other two folders?"
"Uh.." Kuwabara sounded out, flipping through the file before him. "It says here that Miss Ran was complaining about her original assignment and kept pushing to be transferred to a different area. Which was repeatedly denied."
"Where was her original area of work, Kuwabara?"
The orange haired teen scanned down the page, turning to the next one. "Well, she was working in the Shinjuku area but requested to be put in the Shibuya district where her friend, Kiko, worked."
"Any behavioral issues listed?"
"Hang on." Flipping through the folder he nodded. "Well, it seems Ran was having trouble focusing and would often wander far off from her scheduled soul pick ups. When she'd return, she claimed to have no memory of the event and became ill and was deactivated from duty. The next day when they checked her room, they found her gone with no trace of her whereabouts."
"That's kinda what happened with this Hinawari chick," Yusuke chimed in, looking at the folder before him. "She started to act weird after Ran disappeared, restless and short tempered between jobs, coming back with memory lapses and a strange smile on her face, like her head was in the clouds or something. She disappeared after an assignment in the Roppongi area of the Minato-Ku district in Tokyo."
Kurama tapped his fingers. "Botan disappeared not far from Harajuku." Narrowing his eyes, the fox spirit took out his communicator, turning it on, feeding it information. "Hmm.. interesting.."
"What is it?"
Holding up the device he turned it, displaying a vibrant red triangle.
"Well, look at that," Yusuke said with a smirk. "Does that mean what I think it means, Kurama?"
"Indeed," the kitsune replied with a nod. "What is it that they say about predators? They like to work in areas they're comfortable being around in?"
"Should we go back down and investigate?" Hiei asked as the thrill of the hunt began to course through his veins.
"Not yet, Hiei. We still need to search the rooms of the missing girls." Rising, Kurama closed the folder and walked over to the door, pressing the button, smiling as Ayame's soft voice came through the intercom, informing them she was on her way.
XXXXXXX
"So then, what have you found out so far?" Koenma asked, twining his fingers as he rested his hands on the desk, eyeing each man intently.
"Not much, yet," Kurama spoke first, stepping forward and in front of Yusuke, flashing a quiet signal behind his back.
Yusuke frowned but remained silent, wondering what the kitsune was up to as he listened to his friend continue.
"We're hoping that a search of the each ferry girl's room will yield more information. Once we have that, we can proceed with our investigation. At your discretion of course."
Koenma studied the red head for a moment.
Kurama was his most intelligent detective in his employ, ruthless in battle but loyal to his friends and family. His quick thinking and strategy had saved countless lives, defending the human world from demons and even helping save Reikai itself from the fringe group of terrorists not too long ago. Still, there was something odd in the way the kitsune spoke and it bothered him. "Is it really necessary to search their rooms?"
"I'm afraid we must," Kurama answered, his gaze and tone even as he studied his boss. "We will not take anything from their rooms. We only wish to search for any clues that might help us find them. The sooner we do this, the sooner we can track them down and bring them home."
Koenma tapped his fingers on the desk, features thoughtful. "Very well." Grabbing a pencil and paper, the toddler lord wrote a series of numbers, voice authoritative. "You may proceed in your investigation of the ferry girls rooms but be mindful of the others girls. I don't want you scaring them any more than they already are." He paused, holding the paper up for Yusuke, who snatched it, then added, "And if anything significant is found you come directly to me, understood?"
"You got it, Koenma," the head detective said with a nod, leading his friends back out of the toddler lord of Reikai's office, stopping just above the steps as he looked around. "Okay.. I think we go this way.." Yusuke spoke, walking down the steps and turning to the left, stopping when Kurama cleared his throat.
"Actually, Yusuke, it's to our right," the fox spirit said, pointing towards the large, four story building along the western perimeter of the Reikai Palace.
"And just how did you know where these silly girls reside, Kurama?" Hiei asked, smirking a bit as he studied the kitsune.
Unlike the Mazaku and the orange haired human, the fire demon had caught a flash of emotion in his best friend's features and words, speculating the source of that concern. The blue haired ferry girl. True, Botan was rather beautiful but she was too scatterbrained and bubbly for the Koorime's liking. Hiei preferred his women to be strong and decisive, much like Mukuro, the youkai female he worked for and admired.
Kurama turned to look down at Hiei, inwardly surprised at the teasing tone of his friend. Had the fire demon caught on to his more than strictly professional concern for Botan? Not that the kitsune was ashamed of it, but to show such emotion right now would not do. "I have been up here several times, Hiei," Kurama replied in an even tone. "It would stand to reason I know the layout of the grounds fairly well, don't you agree?"
Hiei's smirk remained but he nodded. "Of course, Kurama," he replied, turning and heading down along the stone paved path that led to the ferry girl quarters. "So what is the plan exactly?" the fire demon asked as the kitsune fell into step beside him, Yusuke and Kuwabara close behind.
Kurama focused his gaze on the building up ahead, features thoughtful. "We know that all four missing women have some connection to the kidnappers. Three of them romantically."
"And Botan?" Hiei asked as they stopped at the quarters entrance.
Kurama paused for a second, steeling himself, wearing that mask that hid his emotions so well. "Botan knew her kidnapper. She suspected something and must have spied on her friends although no names were documented in the reports we went over." Pushing the door open, the kitsune stepped into the hallway, emerald eyes studying the brightly lit but empty corridor.
"Man.. it's pretty quiet around here." Kuwabara said, glancing around. "You think Koenma called ahead or something to warn the other girls not to talk to us?"
"That is a possible scenario, Kuwabara," Kurama replied, voice soft and distant. "The question is.. why?"
"Yeah.." Yusuke chimed in. "Toddler boy seemed pretty damn defensive and hesitate. I wonder why that is."
"Simple," Hiei said, as the four of them made their way over to the stairs in the center of the hall and started climbing. "He failed his duties and is loathe to admit it."
"Perhaps.." Kurama voiced, his ears picking up the sounds of giggling above them. The four men stopped as a small group of ferry girls descended, their eyes trailing over each detective's face and form, interest flickering in their gazes as they past, more giggles erupting as they looked over their shoulders and exited the stairwell.
"Uh.. was it just me or where those girls checking us out?" Kuwabara murmured, turning to his best friend who smirked.
"Oh yeah.. big time.." Yusuke replied, nudging the taller man. "Don't tell me you didn't like it.."
Kuwabara glared at his friend. "That's not the point, Urameshi!" the orange haired teen growled. "We're already taken, so looking at them is off limits!"
"Relax, Kuwabara, I was teasing," Yusuke replied, holding up his hands in a placating gesture, turning to Hiei who spoke.
"If this is their regular behavior, it's no wonder the kidnappers were able to nab them. They're as bad as the human females that flirt with every man they see."
"Come on, Hiei, they weren't trying to jump your bones," Yusuke said with a smirk. "They were just checking you out. It's not a crime. Unless of course.. you don't like girls.. "
Hiei threw a death glare at the taller man. "Don't make me have to kill you, Yusuke."
Kurama kept his thoughts silent as he mulled over what just happened. True, Hiei had a point. Such behavior would make it easy for a predator to lure their target. Lacking any male ferry men, these girls were probably lonely. It would make sense to seek some kind of connection outside of work. But why not with any of the men in spirit world? Were they that unappealing? Or was it the excitement of the forbidden that drew these women into relationships with men they thought were human but most certainly were not.
A darker scenario formed in his mind as to why these girls were targeted and the fox spirit's eyes narrowed, his scowling features relaxing at the sound of Yusuke's voice.
"Uh.. Earth to Kurama?"
The kitsune turned his gaze over to the head detective, that mask of reserve back in place, hiding his troubled emotions. "What is it, Yusuke?"
"Are you alright? You looked a bit upset there for a second. Don't tell me those girls upset you."
Kurama shook his head, smiling. "Of course not, Yusuke. I'm used to women looking at me in that manner," he replied, turning and starting up the stairs once more, the others following close behind. "Let's continue on, shall we?"
"Gee.. no ego here.." Yusuke murmured, though he smirked. It was well known that the kitsune was a highly sought after bachelor and just about every woman he knew found Kurama to be.. well.. hot.. is how they usually put it. The detective often wondered why the fox spirit never took those women up on their offers. All that tail and he never chased any of it. Was he training to be a monk or something? The head detective didn't understand. Oh well, he thought with a shake of his head. Not my business anyway.
They stopped at the second level door, Kurama's soft voice asking, "What were the room numbers again, Yusuke?"
Yusuke pulled the slip of paper out of his jean pocket, brown eyes peering down at the writing. "Um.. let's see.. the three girls all lived on the second floor. Rooms 203, 227, and 261."
"And Botan's room number?"
"Forth floor, room 434," Yusuke answered, stuffing the paper back in his pocket. "So which rooms do we search first?"
The team looked at the two sets of doors on opposite sides. The northern wing held the lower numbers and the southern wing the higher numbers.
"I suggest we split up," Kurama said. "I think it best to have you three begin the search on this floor. If each of you pick a room, that should cut down on time. "
"What are we looking for, exactly?" Yusuke asked.
"Journals, pictures, papers. Anything that will help us find out the identity of the kidnappers. If you run into any of the other ferry girls, ask them if they noticed anything unusual or heard any rumors."
"And where are you going to be, Kurama?" Hiei asked, smirking as he already knew the answer.
The fox spirit lifted his gaze up the stairwell, voice soft. "Botan's room."
He started forward, slowly going up the steps, throwing his voice over his shoulder. "If you find anything, page the communicator and let me know. We need to find these girls before it's too late."