Chapter 7

“Beats me,” Kuwabara yawned, “ask the one with the jagan,” he motioned towards Hiei.

“We better rest for a while,” Koenma voiced out, “We’ve been walking for hours. There is a possibility that Akuma had created some barrier to keep anyone from finding her premises.”

Before anyone could say another word, Hiei had climbed up a tree and settled on a branch then he looked at the others and said, “Just wake me up if ever you need me.”

As Yusuke and Kuwabara settled down, Kurama approached Koenma. “Is there something bothering you?” he asked after noticing the distracted look on the prince’s face.

Koenma turned to look at him then let out a sigh, “I’m just a bit worried about this mission. We don’t know the extent of the abilities that Akuma has and right now, we don’t even know where she is, when she’ll strike and why.”

“I hope you’re right,” Koenma responded.

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In a cave near the place where Koenma’s group was staying, a blonde woman, slim and clad in red velvet robes, possessing attractive features, sat on a beautifully carved chair. On her foot a man with graying hair genuflected.

“Lady Akuma, we have received word that six intruders, five men and a lady have entered Makai and are staying near the cave,” the man spoke.

“Intruders you say, and does anyone know them by any chance?” the woman inquired.

“I heard from some of our recruits that these men handled their own power and that they had competed in the Ankoku Bojutsukai and that they had won.” The man answered, not changing his position.

“Interesting,” the woman raised an eyebrow, ”Do you think they pose a threat to us Shinichi?”

“There is a possibility that they may have been sent here to put a stop to our gathering forces,” the man called Shinichi responded while Akuma, upon hearing the reply, straightened from her position.

“Stand up and come closer,” after Shinichi obeyed her orders, Akuma continued, ”Now tell me. What made you think that they were sent here to stop me?”

“My lady, I have gathered from my inquiry that four of the men are in direct contact to the Reikai and they have already been sent in other missions. The other man is the Prince of Reikai himself, Koenma Daiou,” Shinichi informed Akuma.

“The prince huh? And what about the woman, does she have powers too?” Akuma curiously added, obviously intrigued by the information.

“We do not know the woman. It’s somehow strange because she doesn’t seem to be travelling with the five men. The moment she arrived, she hid herself and have been following the five secretly eversince,” Shinichi willingly replied then asked, ”Should we do anything about them?”

“I don’t think there’s a need for violence,” she drawled and stood up, “I’m sure they’re looking for us. I guess it’s time for them to meet me in person,” Akuma spoke, as a devilish smile formed on her lips.