"Reikai and Makai are mine!" Whoever it was, said. 

        "Ra--!!!" Too late. It knocked Koenma unconscious, and gave an evil
laugh that rocked its entire body. Destroying all the objects and
office-people in his path, it walked out the passageway, where the door used
to be, carrying an unconscious Koenma in its hand. Luckily, Jorju was able
to escape, and was able to contact Botan.

                                *  *  *

        A gasp escaped the mouth of the beautiful Shinto priestess, Hino
Rei. "It's-- I can feel such strong power..." Her fire readings indicated
trouble. She sensed it, and the feeling scared her. She was never afraid of
anything, until now. What was happening? "Without Usagi, how are we going to
fight this new enemy?"


************************************************************************

Chapter 3
                            "Vicious Cycles"

========================================================================

        Thinking was tough. Memorizing was even tougher. Studying was hell!
Kuwabara's eyelids grew heavier with every word he read. Finals were coming
up, and he wanted to do his best... for Yukina. He racked his brain, and
gnawed at his pencil. Nothing seemed to be registering.

        "Aaaggghh!!" Kuwabara yelled then stood up, knocking over the chair.
"I can't concentrate!!" He slammed the textbook and the pencil down on the
table, and marched towards the kitchen.

        Food. He opened the refrigerator. Nothing. Wasn't there at least a
piece of crummy cheese in here?? He slammed the refrigerator door shut.
Where was Shizuru? Damn, why doesn't anybody cook in this household?
Hot-headed and hungry, Kuwabara strode off to watch some TV. Just as he was
about to make himself comfortable on the couch, he heard a faint knock on
the front door. Grumbling to himself, he walked over to the door. `Maybe
it's Shizuru...' "Who is it?" He asked. No response. Kuwabara stood ready to
fight, then slowly, very slowly, he opened the door slightly. There didn't
seem to be a possible threat, so he opened the door fully. A young girl with
red hair, and a priestess outfit, collapsed in his arms.

        "Hinageshi!" Kuwabara exclaimed, and carried her to the couch, where
she lay oblivious to her surroundings.

=======================================================================

        Aino Minako bade her new friend farewell. She thanked him for
carrying her heavy load. Kurama. He was such a hunkmeister! But Minako knew
that he'd never be more than just a friend. She shrugged, and closed the
door behind her. She headed for her room, glad to have the house all to
herself. Her parents had gone on a trip to Hawaii. This time, Minako didn't
want to come along with them. How can she, with school and all? She missed
Usagi. Did she have to go on that exchange student program? At least Usagi
was with Mamoru. That was all that counted. No signs of those Dark Kingdom
sleaze anyway.

        "About time you got here," A male voice. It was Artemis, her cat.
"You forgot to bring your communicator."

        "Oh, you know me," Minako grinned, and flopped down on her soft bed.
Artemis didn't in the least, smile. He looked like the Artemis of years ago:
bossy, and... serious. Minako's smile faded.

        "Alright Artemis," She said. "What's wrong? New enemies in the
vicinity?" Artemis nodded. Minako sat up.

        "I talked to Ami-chan and Rei-chan, and they said they'd investigate
the downtown area. I want you and Mako-chan to investigate uptown." Artemis
ordered.

        "Right. I'll contact Mako-chan right now, and have her meet me
here." Minako said, and punched some configurations on her communicator. She
winked at Artemis. "Time for Sailor-V again!"

=======================================================================

        Muddy. Perfect. What a great way to spend the weekend. Tenou Haruka
stepped on the starter pedal, and revved up her motorcycle, helmet in hand.
Dirt bike racing wouldn't be the same without the dirt. 

        Ever since Haruka had entered college, she and Michiru had gone
their separate ways. Michiru now had the makings of a professional
violinist, and was travelling all around the world for recitals and
concerts. Haruka was happy for her. Michiru invited Haruka to come along
with her, but Haruka refused, saying that motor sports was her life, her
career. She didn't want to leave all that behind. She looked sadly at a mud
puddle, hoping to see her reflection. Then she thought of Michiru, who
always looked vainly at a mirror. Haruka would always tease her about it,
and Michiru would always make a face at her. She would miss that girl.

        Haruka took a deep breath. She didn't have time for nostalgia. In
the background, the announcer called for the contenders. "To all motocross
racers of the engine group of the 500 cc category take your places!"

        Several competitors cursed Haruka as she put on her helmet. "F*c*
you, Tenou!!" They yelled at her. Haruka smirked wryly at them, but didn't
say anything. What fools! 

        The contenders, including Haruka, took their places. Haruka eyed the
natural-terrain course with satisfaction. `Piece of cake.' She thought to
herself, a conceited smile spreading across her boyish, yet attractive,
features. A gunshot sounded, and they were off!

        Speed. Haruka loved the feel of wind running through her sandy hair.
She took her time, letting the others run along ahead while she lagged
behind. Spectators wondered what she was doing. Her opponents laughed at
her, calling her "turtle" or "slowpoke". Haruka gave them a knowing smile.
Then without warning, she fixed her hands on the wide-set handlebars, and
turned the twist throttle a few times for acceleration, increasing her
speed! `Let's go, baby!' Haruka whizzed past the arrogant contenders, her
knobby tires skidding to shoot off mud in their faces. Haruka was now in the
lead. She never looked back, but she knew some of them had fallen, and had
cursed her some more. Uphill, downhill... these motocross machines had
long-travel suspension that can absorb the bumps and jolts of the course.
Haruka zoomed uphill, and flew, landing perfectly on the muddy terrain,
skidding a bit. However, she never made it to the finish. The earth she
raced on erupted in front of her, knocking her off the bike! She tried to
steer out of the way, but it happened all too suddenly. Haruka stared in
horror at the mud-monster before her. Everyone had rereated, screaming.
Haruka couldn't move. She was stuck in the mud. The thing was swallowing her
up! 

=======================================================================
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