I was standing here… in front of a giant house. Well, maybe it wasn't as giant as I thought it was, but to me, it was huge. I'd never been in any home that had more than one flight of stairs. This one had to have, like, 30! Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit there. But, there were a lot of levels on this thing. I could see three, and there might be a 4th hiding in the recesses of the attic. (I wasn't used to attics. We had crawl spaces, and they weren't pleasant places.)

See what I mean? Giant! Especially for me, who spent most of her last few years in a small house compared to this. Then again, what exactly should I have been expecting? I mean, come on! This place had to hold… 4…5…6… people at least! And each of them had to have separate rooms. Plus, given the nature of the occupants, there needed to be certain things. And, on top of it all, it had to look normal. It makes sense it'd have to be this big.

I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Kassandra Zelane. Weird name, huh? Meh, I'm from Florida. Everything's weird there. But where am I now, and why am I talking like a crazy person? Well, first off, I'm in Japan. Yes, you read that right. Japan. Tokyo to be exact. Why am I talking like a crazy person? Likely, it's because I am. I'm a host for a demon named Kasumi Raiyami, and well, I can't say she hasn't rubbed off on me.

Whatever, you've always been crazy, dear.

That's probably true… in any case, that's Kasumi. You'll get to hear more from her later. She says I'm better at explaining things, so, I guess I'll keep explaining. Why am I here? That's probably another good question to ask. Well, it's hard to explain, but basically I'm here because Kasumi needs to be supervised constantly, and I don't count as supervision. For the last few months, there have been people supervising, but they couldn't stay forever. And rather than let them seal Kasumi's powers again, and possibly seal me inside permanently, I decided it'd be better to go with them. Trust me, leaving my family was the hardest thing ever. I might give Dylan, James, and Emerylis a hard time on occasion, but I love them dearly. And my parents too…

…but, the choice I made isn't without benefits. I get to live with my long time anime crush! Okay, I bet I lost you right there. That's where all this chaos started. You'll never guess who one day randomly showed up in my math class. And then moved next door. And then proceeded to whip my life around like it was a toy. The Reikai Tantei! Oh…right, not everyone knows what that means. Spirit World Detectives. All 4 of them. Kuwabara, Yusuke, Hiei, and… Excuse me while I sigh happily here…Kurama…I've had a huge crush on him since I was introduced to the series Yu Yu Hakusho a few years earlier. Yes, I was a fangirl.

Why do you speak in past tense?

Point taken, Kasumi. I still am I suppose. At first I thought it was just an elaborate and mean joke. Then, when I got mobbed in a park by some demon who threatened to take me to the Makai, I figured out it was no hoax. But, I didn't tell them I knew everything yet. Yeah, I was mean, and I made them explain it all to me. Curiosity I suppose would be my reason. Anyway… For some reason I can't recall right now, I had to pretend to be going out with Kurama ( 333 Not that devastating I assure you) Of course, if my mother found out I'd be grounded till the day I die! My parents have a rule. No dating till your 16. Anyway, dances were allowed (since I'd been 14) The Valentine's dance was Feb. 12, the day before my birthday… I got to go with Kura… ( 33333333) Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling so well. As it turns out, the reason why, was because Kasumi was breaking free of her bonds. My birthday, I was extremely out of character when Kura popped by. I was wearing clothes I didn't even know I had, I made sandwiches, and…worst of all..I was cleaning. At first, all was blamed on my cold, but when the room was clouded with a dark and silver veined mist, and amethyst eyes peered out, everyone figured it out.

Then life got really complicated. On top of finding out I had to share a body with a demon, I lost a bet with Kurama (don't ask) and had to go out with him. Normally, you'd be getting more hearts, but he chose to teach me how to roller skate. One thing that must be known about me. I can't do anything physically inclined right. Running? I'd rather go to the hospital. Balance beam? I'd rather jump off a cliff. Worst of all, rope climbing? Just shoot me where I stand. Anyway, it went okay (alright, great) until I fell and sprained my wrist. I have a low threshold for pain, and passed out. I woke up at home with Kurama next to me. We decided to watch whatever movie was in because neither of us wanted to move. But when the movie that was in, turned out to be an episode of Yu Yu Hakusho… Oh dear… It was not the way I'd intended to tell them. He insisted on seeing my (messy, but YYH covered and sloppily concealed) room. Luckily he put it all together himself. I was horribly embarrassed though and rushed outside. Only to almost be kidnapped again! This time, we figured out it was because of Kasumi.

Of course, it wasn't all almost getting kidnapped. Spent some time playing games with other people I knew so well, and adored. Well, back to when that last demon tried to kidnap me. Kura had said some things I didn't quite approve of, things that were embarrassing. It was all to make the demon pause, but I still couldn't believe he'd said it! The next day, when I finally woke up

Ah, more good times when you were barely awake.

Shush. I actually… and I still shudder as I recount this, slapped him. The others say they followed and watched, and Kuwabara and Yusuke are still laughing about it. I however stormed off. I was pinned in a corner by Ryan and his goons (Jerk… Football player at school) he said someone wanted to meet me. I ignored him and somehow managed to climb the rickety fire escape. 112 pounds manage to make it up. The nearly 200 of the next kid? Totally pulled the entire thing off. So I was safe, they couldn't get me.

Unfortunately, I was cold. And they wouldn't go away so I could figure out how to get down. I was about to just give up when the very fox I'd slapped that afternoon came and scared them off. Of course, he asked me to jump down. It was, like, 20 feet!

10

Whatever. I said no, and climbed up instead, going to walk down through the inside. A nice old lady opened the window. I heard Kurama climbing up the stairs after me, and knew he'd be there soon, so I didn't hesitate to drop in. Comfort, Warmth, and kind words made me feel safe. Until the lady used my name. And guess what! She wasn't a lady at all! And certainly not old. In fact, he was an absolutely drop dead gorgeous demon… And of course, as soon as I dropped in, the window slammed shut, locking Kurama outside. He couldn't get to me before the demon grabbed me. Though Kurama got in, I barely managed to say I'm sorry before I was whisked off to the Demon World.

In the Makai, I found out he wanted Kasumi because she could create stuff out of mists. Nothing live of course, but mist was all that was required to form objects. He made a deal, he'd free her powers, which were sealed, and she'd be free to rule beside him. Cheesy, no?

Anyway, I'm told that the others fought through the forest, including my mysterious friend Sam. No one is sure exactly what kind of demon she is. But she made two giants basically become OCD. Best not to ask. They recruited the forest demon Sen on their way through. Somehow, they got to the throne room, only to find Kasumi turned…well, turncoat. After a dramatic scene where she sends them all off to their 'torture and deaths', all is revealed. She's a double crosser!

Then the final showdown, which, I'm afraid I don't remember much of..I was too scared. As a human, I was easier to deal with than Kasumi, and Yukio (that was the demon...forgot to mention that) threatened to mark me, so I couldn't be taken away. Somehow Kurama managed to get a fireflower on him and poof! Yukio was ash…!

I don't remember much after that until they threatened to seal Kasumi's power, and possibly seal me inside. It wasn't a positive situation, but it couldn't be avoided without uprooting the boys or me. It really was more of a me thing. Reluctantly, like I said, I chose to leave my family. And so now I'm here!...In Japan. …With Koenma, Prince of the Underworld, next to me, looking pleased with himself, and a huge house in front of me.

The house…It was a pretty thing. The main color was an off white, something that blended in nicely with the rest of the neighborhood. If there was a real neighborhood anyway. The nearest house was a fair few feet away. Like, half a road. Anyway… The trim on the building was a chocolate colored. The house looked like a normal building to me anyway. Behind it sprawled a forest. Maybe it was just a park. But it was a lot of trees.

I suppose that wasn't exactly normal. As it turns out, we lived pretty far out of town. Like, you know, where if sometime, there is this weird explosion…It's not going to be quite as obvious. That's what Kurama said. But, he said it much more dignified. And, a tad more complicated like. You know. He said it his way.

I hadn't spoken since I caught sight of the house. Now… I think I managed to make noise at least. "B-Big. Big house."

My shock only seemed to encourage the ego of the bouncing brat. "Well, I will tell you it wasn't very easy to find a house plan for these requirements. And then building it in just a few days, with my modifications…"

A voice tickled my ear, soft and highly amused. "Modifications?" My heart took several jumps in my chest, and I swear I almost fainted. It took every ounce of self control I possessed to not whip around and tackle him. Some old impulses die hard. Very hard. I did however smile and lean back against him ( 33) I whisper in his ear as he'd done in mine.

"I'm sure everything will be okay..."

That smile…. I nearly melted right there. Instead I hurriedly leaned forward again, very sure that my cheeks were as red as his hair. Koenma was still talking.

"…Of course, I'm sure that by giving you some money and plenty of time in both the Spirit World and Human shopping malls, I'm sure you'll remedy the problem to your liking."

Whoa! Back up! Problem? "K-Koenma… um… what problem are we talking about?" At least the red in my cheeks could be taken as embarrassment from something entirely different now. Like, the fact that everyone was now staring at me and giving me that 'You had another blonde moment didn't you?' look.

"We haven't had time to furnish it yet, Kassie. Please, stay with me." I gave a nod or too, resolving to pay more attention in the future. At least, the near future. Koenma cleared his throat, as if to return all attention to him. "Now, if I can have Sam, Botan, Keiko, and…Kassie… please come with me. I'll show you what you girls what you have to work with."

"Hey, how come we don't get a say in the decoration?"

I laugh immediately after Yusuke speaks. "It's easier if there are the least amount of differing tastes." Which, is Kassie-speak for 'Your opinion on décor would be scary, and we don't want it.' I noticed chuckling from the direction of Hiei and Kurama and stuck my tongue out in their direction, and then scampered up onto the covered porch. Koenma opened the door and we four girls shuffled in.

"Alright, tour of the house in a moment. First, I have a very important announcement to make. I did make a small modification to the house's structure."

"And, you couldn't tell us in front of the boys?" Keiko asked. I could tell she was just as curious as Sam and I though. Botan was laughing.

"They can't use it! What's the point of telling them?"

"Precisely, Botan. Now, I've created a pocket dimension for this place. No need to thank me, it's for entirely selfish reasons I assure you."

"A wh-" I only get to start my sentence before Botan is up in my face explaining. Sometimes it's good to be blonde.

"A pocket dimension. Basically, it's a dimension that can only be accessed in this house. There are always certain requirements for creating it's entrance, and for this place, the only requirement is being female. Isn't it grand? A place where we can lock the boys away when they give us grief!"

Koenma did his throat clearing thing. "Now, Botan, You missed the entire true purpose of the pocket dimension. It's a self defense mechanism in case you girls are home alone and the boys aren't here to help you. All offenders can be locked away, regardless of gender."

"Oh… of course, Koenma sir." She stood up straight for a moment, but as soon as he continued monologuing, she turned back to us. "But, I promise you, we'll get more use out of it this way."

I giggle a little, and then focus my attention on Koenma so I don't miss anything important.

"Now, this portal is easy enough to access. All you have to do is picture that a doorway leads there. So, if you're being chased around by a Fugaki demon, all you have to do is picture the doorway you just went through leads to the pocket dimension instead. As they come through, poof! They are gone! Ah yes. In order to imagine it leading to the pocket dimension, you have to know what it looks like. For all intents and purposes, just picture a ton of hamster tunnels."

He lost me again! And I was even trying to pay attention! "Hamster…tunnels…? You mean, like, those brightly colored tubes that those poor little guys have to travel through to get places in their cages? A mess of those? Why? Is it to get them all confused because there are so many little hamsters that they can't do anything?"

Koenma sighed. "I suppose I'd better clarify. People-sized hamster tunnels, and when I say a ton, I mean they twist and turn in every direction. Now, there are only 17 exits in the dimension, but only one of them is ever unlocked. And, when the door is tried, the exit that is unlocked changes. All power usage is suspended in the tunnels, though I did leave places that dispense food and drink." I wanted to ask if it was hamster style food and drink, but he just kept talking… ( X-x ) "The exit when they finally do manage to find it, will open into the house randomly. One never knows where they'll come out. Any questions?"

It wasn't any surprise to me when Sam raised her hand. Koenma gave her a look that I couldn't interpret, and then tried to ignore it. Sam spoke anyway. "So, does it work on you? It'll work on anyone right? As long as they're in the house?" If ever Koenma looked like he didn't want to answer a question…

"Moving on. This is the kitchen." Our walking had led them to the kitchen apparently. But it looked like no kitchen I had ever seen! Tile lined the floor and went up the walls. There were no cupboards, no appliances… nothing. I could see where the white tile became white carpet. Thinking back, all the rooms had been like this. Empty. White. But the weird thing about this was…

"No plumbing." I murmur. "No electric either." Nothing was sticking out of the walls or the floor. Did Koenma spend so much time on his pocket dimension, he forgot to supply the basic necessities of modern house life? Did they have plumbing and electric in the Spirit World? I couldn't recall. It's not something I paid a ton of attention to.

However, my worries were appeased. I was getting tired of looking at the toddler, but at least he provided an important answer. "As soon as you girls plan the house and everything else, the plumbers and electricians will come through and match the systems to your needs."

Sounded like a plan, but there was a small flaw…"Um… Koenma… I have an uncle… he helps build houses… normally those systems go down before everything else. Especially before tile and and carpet…and drywall…and…yeah… they are gonna have to pull everything up to do that…"

So, why was he still smiling? "Humans would, yes. But I'm talking about importing the finest demon plumbers and electricians to do this. They'll be fine." I was about to make another point, questioning whether or not he really knew what he was talking about. Keiko elbowed me in the side, so with a whimper and a smile, I let it go.

"Now, One of the modifications I made, in addition to the pocket dimension was the addition of a basement. Not just any basement, It doubles as a portal room. We've set up a permanent room so you have time to get to school everyday."

"Won't…that be a little obvious? We just portal right to the school building? What if somebody asks to car pool?"

"You tell them no."

"What if they insist? What if they spend the night and want to car pool to school?"

"You tell them no. And I'd highly recommend not letting people have the chance to get acquainted with this building too well."

"Why?" Sam questioned. "Because it's going to get blown up every couple of days?" Maniacal giggles were unsettling.

Koenma gave her a glare. "Young miss, did I mention we found out all about you? I would keep that aura of yours in check and it shouldn't be exploding that often. Or at all. Or I think you'll find yourself returned to the life you left."

That shut Sam up. But, now I was curious. They found what kind of demon she was? Where she was from? I wanted to know….But clearly we weren't being told. I stole a glance at the stairs. "Hey, Question. Can we replace those stairs with spiral staircases? Metal ones?"

"Why?" Was the question. In response, I gave a smile.

"Because… I want them…?"

No one could have known exactly how often that statement would be heard from several different mouths before this all was over. There was a glitter in the eyes of Sam, Keiko, and Botan. And I'm positive that there was a glitter in mine, too. Actually, it might be more than a glitter. More like a lightshow.

Oh dear! What chaos are we in for now? It's An American YYH: Japan Invasion! And anything can happen in a house with another dimension, and design happy teenage girls with the red measuring tape, and a basically unlimited budget. What will they come up with?