This is the first rewritten chapter, hope you like it.
Chapter 1
It was raining. The figure on the temple stairs was hurrying with a woman with brown hair and eyes whose expression was steadily growing more and more irritated and she shot her companion a withering look that said 'Hurry up or else'. Her patience, however, finally snapped when her companion merely yawned and started poking his ear with his eye closed. He was moving casually behind her as if it weren't raining and they weren't getting soaked.
"Let's hurry, Yusuke!" she almost screeched at him, shivering slightly in the cold, "it's getting colder."
How can someone be so annoying at ten in the morning? She thought to herself. They'd already asked Kuwabara to take their luggage as they were planning on staying at the temple for the rest of the summer vacation. That meant they were staying at the huge temple for about two months. So their clothes were safe from the rain.
"Chill, Keiko! We both know the real reason you want to hurry. It's because Yukina's always happier with the Shorty around and the gang feels whole again," the male with the slicked back hair stated.
"You got me. Although it would be nice to get out of this cold," she said, shivering again, "Come to think of it why is he here now all of a sudden? Not that I don't want him to be around but it's been a while since I've seen him. Have you seen him around Demon World? You were there for a couple of months after all."
"Nah, Mukuro's kept him completely under wraps for a while now. Kurama's been there and he told me Mukuro didn't allow him to visit either and this was around 5 months ago. Kurama told me Hiei was fine though, so I didn't bother him. His energy felt fine a couple months ago, so I left it at that," Yusuke answered, his eyes narrowing as he looked at how many stairs he still had to climb.
"What about now, you sense anything different?" she asked.
"Nah, nothing's wrong with the Shorty's energy. Though there are couple of unknown energy signatures aside from his. And since Hiei's brought them around, I hope they don't attack us on sight. I also sense Kuwabara and Kurama around as well," Yusuke muttered above the rain pounding.
It was then Keiko's brown eyes narrowed in anger and she stopped. What happened next was something all their friends were familiar with. "Are you telling me we're late again? Yusuke!" she yelled as she slapped him.
"Hey, what the hell Keiko?" he shouted jumping away from her as she attempted to slap him again.
"We're late again because of you. We are always late! So fix this," she screeched.
"Okay! Okay! Stop trying to hit me for a second, damn it. Geez, come' ere we'll get there in a second now," he said as he picked her up bridal style and flew up the stairs.
The moment they reached the temple they found Kuwabara and Yukina waiting for them with towels to dry off.
"Took you long enough, eh Urameshi? Yukina, Kurama and I arrived about half hour ago. And it's nice to see good ol 'Keiko keepin' you in line again," he said with a knowing smirk on his face.
"Oh, yeah. You wanna piece of me, dumbass," Yusuke said getting ready to kick his best friend's ass.
Keiko who had been patiently ignoring them decided it was time to interfere when she saw Yukina's smile which suddenly looked dangerous on her usually sweet face. Her eyes were closed but there was a sudden tension in her lean figure that was never there before.
"Kazuma," she said in a dangerous tone that said 'you'll have hell to pay if you don't listen', "Hiei-san is sleeping right now. I don't know how he managed to stay asleep with all this ruckus but if you get any more louder, it will be enough to wake him and he'll kill you if that happens."
This was all said with a sweet little smile on her face but Yusuke saw shivers run up his best friend's back.
Serves him right. Looks like sweet little Yukina knows how to threaten people. Though it's a little creepy how much she looked like Hiei there for a secondhe thought as he lost his battle against the laughter that threatened to overwhelm him.
"And also I want him to get as much rest as possible. Genkai-sama told me that he has multiple injuries. I tried to go to his room to heal him but his little pet told me not to disturb Hiei-san. I can only hope he's doing okay in there," she looked extremely concerned as she said this and Yusuke soon sobered up. Kuwabara, too kept his mouth shut. "Well let's get you inside now, wouldn't want you to catch cold now."
"Wait, did you say pet?" Yusuke said as his mind caught up with the first half of her sentence that contained a pet. But the others ignored him. "Come on guys, you can't just ignore me," he pouted.
After walking down the hallway of Genkai's large temple they finally reached the living room which currently housed the aforementioned woman and Kurama who were both drinking their tea quietly. The rain which had simply been a drizzle before seemed to be pounding outside now and the lightning flashing through the sky were giving an ominous effect to the room.
"Been a while, dimwit!" Genkai said as she promptly kicked Yusuke in the back of his head. "What was that for, you old hag?" Yusuke yelled as he began rubbing the back of his head. "I don't pay attention for two seconds and you kick me in the head."
"That was for making huge amounts of noise on your way up especially when I told you to be as quiet as possible. It's a wonder Hiei's still asleep and I would like to keep it that way. He was tired enough as it is from all those injuries and those migraines he seemed to be having. And Mukuro who personally escorted him here told me to let him and his companions wake up on their own and not to disturb their sleep. So I'm just being a gracious host," Genkai grumbled sipping her tea, as if the thoughts being a gracious host were physically painful for her.
"Don't tell me you're scared-," Yusuke began only to be cut-off by Kurama who said, "Companions? I thought there was only one- the cat."
"Yes one of them is a demon cat who is extremely hell-bent on protecting its' master, though I don't know why our recluse demon friend would need a protector. Though I think it is more for the other companion," she answered in a fairly raspy voice, "And don't think about asking me about his other companion."
"Why is that?" Kuwabara asked his first words since entering the room.
"Why? Because an old woman has to have her entertainment and I am not interested in the least bit in Hiei's business," she replied.
Everyone in the room sweat-dropped at that.
"Please, Master Genkai. Don't tell me you don't find this interesting. Hiei disappears for 6 months and visits all of a sudden injured with a demon-cat and a companion that is unknown to us. Mukuro herself has escorted him. And this isn't interesting, you say?" Kurama asked.
Yusuke and the others sat back and watched as they knew Kurama would get some answers from the Great Spirit master. And they weren't surprised when she gave up a little bit of information to keep their curiosity satisfied and their minds to speculating.
"No, I don't have anything to say about her," she said drinking her tea. They knew it was the last piece of information she'd divulge, so Yusuke decided to open his mouth.
"So it's a she, is it?" he said wagging his eyebrows at her and his eyes flashed with amusement as he saw Keiko's face grow beet red.
"Yusuke! Get your mind out of the gutter, you idiot," Keiko yelled smacking him again.
"Ow, Keiko that hurt," Yusuke grumbled and he was satisfied.
Kurama had gotten to the temple as soon as Master Genkai called him at seven in the morning to tell him about Hiei. He had already decided to stay at Genkai's for the summer. So he was already packed. All that was needed was to get there and he got there as fast as he could.
The temple was rather quiet when he got there as none of his obnoxiously loud friends had arrived. He went straight to meet Genkai once he got there. She was sitting on the porch sipping what would be first of the many cups of tea she'd usually drink. She looked up once he got there.
"It's going to rain today," she said quietly.
"It will," he answered just as quietly. "So he's back."
"For now," she said, sipping her tea.
"How is he?"
"He is going to sleep for a while. You should leave him be, he has enough on his plate right now."
"There is someone else here besides Hiei. Who is that?"
"Why don't you go find out and let this old woman be?!" Genkai replied testily. "I didn't get the chance to sleep properly and it's too early to be interrogated by brats."
Kurama knew he had to get away before Genkai really blew a gasket. So he made his way get his fix of coffee for the day to go check on his friend and. The weird thing was Kurama needed his first drink of the day to always be a coffee. This was a nasty habit he'd picked up at the dark tournament. One his mother hated. Contrary to what most people thought he wasn't a morning person. He hated mornings as much as Hiei hated the humans' weakness against their kind. Hiei usually kept up watch over all of them during the night on the Island. So it was up to him to keep Hiei safe for a span of few hours in the morning as he slept as he only needed a few hours of sleep. So for the sake of his safety and Hiei's, he let himself get addicted to the bitter stuff.
He went into the kitchen and with practiced ease, started making himself his much needed fix for the day. He soon got lost in the familiar sensation of Hiei's energy, the energy which was currently very concentrated in the room that currently housed the Fire demon. So concentrated that a lower class demon would get incinerated and anyone above an upper B class would get instant third degree burns.
That's strange he thought. I specifically remember him telling me about his instincts working this way was when he was a child living in the Demon Realm. He told me that when he let his instincts do the job he just attracted too much attention and he couldn't keep a low profile. After a while he told me that he had just trained his body to wake up at the slightest noise. He told he had to do it so that he wouldn't destroy everything that touched him. He trusts us. I know that because he's fallen asleep in our presence for hours together even when we make the worst kind of noise and never did his instincts take over. But now feeling his energy I can only say that whatever happened in the Demon World must be really frustrating.
He sighed. So many questions… and the one who can give me the answers is fast asleep….
The taste of the bitter drink was a welcome relief to his person. The relished the taste of the hot beverage and calmed his mind. He cleaned up the mess he created in the kitchen which was very minimal to what it could have been if it were Kazuma instead of himself. That man regardless of his spiritual prowess and all the kind heartedness couldn't cook to save his life. He chuckled remembering the onetime Genkai had allowed him into the kitchen as the group had to get a few things sorted on the outside of the temple. The sight that greeted them when they came into the kitchen was fascinating to him…. they'd only been gone for an at most. But the kitchen looked like a warzone when they returned. Almost as if a nuclear bomb blew up right there in kitchen throwing the mess everywhere. Needless to say Genkai had been less than thrilled to let him back into the kitchen after that.
He then soundlessly began to walk to where his friend's room was. He sensed a strange energy outside the door. And the closer he got to the room the stranger the energy outside his friend's room felt. He turned another corner mindlessly but came to a stop as a golden furred cat stopped him with a low warning growl.
He stared at the cat for a few seconds determining the race and the clan it belonged to. However he quickly raised his arms in surrender to the cat that stood before him with its hackles on edge.
He approached it cautiously and lowered himself down to the cat's level and said, "I mean your master no harm. I just came here to check on him."
Stay away from Hiei, Yoko Kurama. Hiei needs his rest. And don't look so surprised. I am Hiei's guardian after all. You are blocks are thick and strong but they are not as strong as the ones Hiei's been born with. The only person who can completely block me out right now is Hiei.
His eyebrow rose as the soft feminine tone that sounded in his mind but the shock didn't last long as his companion for the moment explained why or should he say how his mental barriers had been breached.
"I see. I'll keep that in mind. So wi-"
The idiot told me specifically not to entertain you. So scram, Foxboy. You'll see him when he wakes up and he will answer your questions personally. I am not playing messenger.
"Idiot?" he questioned, "I assume that would be Hiei. He seriously lets you call him that?"
The cat snorted. It is. He is the biggest idiot on this planet, though he tells me there are bigger idiots than him but I am yet to see them. And yes he does allow me to call him that. You see I've charmed him enough to get away with it.
His eyebrows rose again. Hiei …..charmed….? But he shook his head and stood back up. "Very well then. Can I trust you to get me or Genkai in case he needs sudden healing? He is injured after all."
I will although I am completely capable of healing on my own.
He nodded and made his way back to living room and found Genkai sitting there. He too took a seat at the table. A table where he had his first food fight about 9 months ago. The memory amused him to no end. His friends found out that he had never been in a food fight before and made it their mission to make him experience that. According to them it was the best human experiences. How wrong they had been. The food fight was nightmare for him. The time it took him to clean is hair after that though..….. he shook his head to clear himself of that memory. But the food fight was fun while it lasted. That is until Genkai came there to kick them all and made them clean up the mess they created.
He looked at Genkai and started to speak when she gave him a look that said not to bother her with his findings. So he kept his mouth shut and started to think of Hiei's little cat companion.
It belonged to the Kuro Neko clan. That would only mean that Hiei belonged to the Ryuu clan of the fire demons as these cats had sworn their allegiance to the demons of that clan. And the color of the cat's fur only meant that Hiei was Kito's son. He inwardly smirked at the thought of Hiei being that man's son.
Soon he felt two familiar energies coming up the stairs but made no move to go greet them. He was lost to his musings. In the back of his mind he noted that Kazuma and Yukina would take another fifteen minutes to get all the way up the stairs. He also noted that the rain would also be starting in the next fifteen minutes. They should get there soon and hopefully they wouldn't get drenched.
The larger part of his mind though lingered on the time he went to visit Hiei in the Demon world….
(Flashback begin)
He had been walking down the path leading to Mukuro's giant bug castle. It had been nearly 7 months since he visited demon world, so he decided to take the scenic route to his destination. Demon
The main reason for his travel was because Hiei hadn't visited him for the sparring match a month ago and the things that happened during that month. But his short friend's continued absence didn't worry him slightest. His friend could take care of himself if anything did happen. After all he was one of the strongest and most feared demons of the Demon Realm what with him being an S-class and the heir to the current Lord of Alaric. But a few days after their supposed spar he heard from the Prince of the Spirit World, Koenma that there were some unusual energy spurts and releases that came specifically from Alaric and he also heard from Yomi that the unusual energy had been getting stronger and stronger. So he decided to investigate and meet with his friend.Two birds with one stone or so they said.
He had reached the beginning of Mukuro's territory when the demon lord herself decided to welcome him.
"Mukuro, I am not here as a threat. I just came here to investigate on the increased energy levels and demon activity in your area. Koenma sent me. Although I know he doesn't have any authority here in demon world, he sent me to make sure nothing happened. And there is also my reason of visiting Hiei," he said turning around to look straight Mukuro's one good eye.
But Mukuro was already shaking her head by the time he finished his monologue.
"Kurama, the princes' concern for the increasing energy spurts is unneeded. We have already contained the situation. So there is no need to investigate. As for Hiei, he's occupied at the moment. He is dealing with the demon causing these strange outbursts. He cannot leave his post anytime soon until that demon is contained," she answered.
Her tone seemed genuine enough and yet there was something in her eye that made him suspicious of her. And just like someone of her intelligence level she read the distrust instantly and her next statement confirmed it.
"There really is nothing to worry about Kurama. Hiei is in the middle of a deep meditation that is helping him cope against the beast. He is using his Jagan to subdue the demon but it is taking a lot of effort so he decided to unite their minds and slip into meditation to subdue it a lot more effectively," she said.
Although this too seemed genuine there was an odd glint in her eyes whenever she talked about the beast. Kurama decided to store that tidbit for later and said rather than asked, "So there is no way I can meet him right now."
He eyed her for one more second before turned halfway around so she could only see half of his face and continued, "Let's drop the façade Mukuro. Tell me everything. I can't feel much of Hiei's energy and the beast's energy is so overwhelming that I'm surprised half the people here are still alive. And you're telling me that Hiei is subduing the beast when he has barely any power left? I'd like to know the truth now."
Mukuro's one good eye had narrowed at that and she continued staring at him for a moment before saying, "I am telling you the truth Kurama. Hiei is extremely busy as of now and will continue to be for another month or so. And that's all I can say. I can't allow anyone to pass right now. And you're right about the beast's energy being overwhelming which is one of the exact reasons why I have sent many of my lower level demons to go guard the borders so they don't get caught in the crossfire if you know what I mean. But don't worry about Hiei. He's relatively unha-"
Mukuro's statement got cut-off as they both felt an extremely powerful aura engulf them.
Shivers went down Kurama's spine the second he felt that energy. There were beads of sweat pouring down his face and back instantly. Mukuro's face turned pale and soon they were enclosed in an extremely powerful barrier Mukuro herself had created.
"Hiei," he whispered in an anxious tone.
"Hiei is safe, Kurama. Don't worry. The only thing we need to be concerned for now are ourselves," Mukuro reassured in a rather clipped tone and then continued, "and don't give me that look. Hiei is absolutely safe."
Kurama trusted her word on Hiei's safety and their own inside Mukuro's barrier at the moment. So Kurama asked the one question that had been on the forefront of his mind "What is that energy Mukuro? This energy… it has even you worried."
Just then the energy of the beast flared again stronger than before.
Kurama never knew that Mukuro's face could get any paler than before but it had. And soon his host began speaking in a quiet, hurried tone "Please leave, Kurama. I can't answer anymore of your questions. I have other things to attend to-"
"But Mukuro-" Kurama tried to cut her off only to be cut-off by the said person again.
"You don't understand," she yelled, "Get. Out. Of. Here right now. Tell Koenma that everything will be back to normal within another month. If you don't listen to me now I will kill you right here, right now. Please leave." Her own energy seemed to be increasing threateningly inside her barrier.
Kurama knew not to push the lord and he also knew that he wouldn't get any more answers. So he turned around and decided to walk away. And the second he turned around he felt Mukuro's energy slip away.
(End Flashback)
His senses told him that Yukina and Kazuma had arrived about ten minutes ago and were currently in the kitchen making tea- more precisely Yukina making the tea and Kazuma chattering to her. Yukina's soft feminine giggles and Kazuma's more rambunctious snorts could be heard all the way from the living room. He once again lost himself to his thoughts…..
He couldn't do anything after she slipped away and prayed to the Gods that whatever she said was true. So he came back to the Human Realm. He told Koenma everything that happened. From meeting Mukuro to the energy blasts, everything. Every single one of them had gotten used to the peace that engulfed the three worlds. It had been a while since Koenma had asked any of them for their help in a serious mission. So they had easily gotten used to the peace. Kurama who had worked in his step-father's company decided that he wanted to study botany in college. His human family was not going to die anytime soon so he thought he might as well enjoy his stay here in human world doing something he loved. Both his mother and step-father were supportive of that. So he'd started university with Keiko and Kuwabara.
In truth they'd all gotten used to the peace. There were profound changes in the Demon World too. Especially in the demon lords. Enki had decided not to take their lands away. Even Yomi decided that he'd just sit back and watch Shura grow and get better in fighting. Mukuro had lost her blood lust and had decided to patrol the borders of demon world the ruler notwithstanding and rule over her lands. It had been long decided that both Mukuro and Yomi were not going to participate in the next tournaments. Even Yusuke was starting to get comfortable with the peace. That was the reason why Koenma was so worried. Peace was finally coming to be true as most A-class and B-class demons were staying on their side. Only C and D class demons were moving around but they were soon exterminated either by Yusuke or Kurama himself if they'd attacked any humans. But with these strange outbursts Koenma feared another rise in evil which was the reason why decided to go to tell Kurama in the first place hoping that the fox would do something to alleviate his fears.
But Kurama himself was not in the mood to get over the peace so he'd waited a month just like Mukuro asked. And a month later the energy that had been rocking the spirit world monitors disappeared just as Mukuro said they would. Koenma was happy that the energy was finally gone. But Kurama had another concern as the time passed. Hiei was still gone. And he'd appeared now. In one of Genkai's rooms, resting.
Kurama looked up when Yukina came into the living room with some tea for all them. He thanked her with a genuine smile and she smiled back. He took a closer look at her and pondered her growth in the past several months when Yukina question brought him out.
"You seem awfully lost in your thoughts there Kurama-san. Is there anything you'd wish to share?" she asked looking genuinely concerned. Kuwabara too looked at him at those asking if he were okay.
He smiled at their genuine concern and answered them saying he was alright. Kazuma then started telling Yukina about college and he too not wanting to surrender to his morose thoughts joined in on the discussion. Another hour passed during this time. The raining seemed to be pouring now. The temperature in the room got slightly chilly for a moment before Kazuma turned the heater on. He thought of how quickly time seemed to pass when he noticed two more energy signatures on the steps. Yukina and Kazuma stood up and went to get some towels to help the incomers dry off.
So Yusuke and Keiko were making their way up stairs in the rain Kurama chuckled. Knowing the brunettes temper he could only wish the former Spirit detective didn't irritate her too much. But his hopes were dashed as he soon heard the commotion on the stairs. He could only sigh after that.
Everyone had somehow occupied themselves in doing various things after the greetings the conversation that followed Yusuke's arrival. Keiko had dragged off Yukina to the kitchen to prepare lunch for all of them. And Genkai was sitting seemingly in a trance and no one dared to disturb her.
Yusuke who was now playing video games playing against Kuwabara to put the game on pause when he noticed Yusuke was paying attention to Kurama instead of the game in front of him.
"So Foxboy what's got you thinking so deep?" Yusuke asked.
"I was thinking about the time I went to visit Hiei in Mukuro's land and got booted off her property," Kurama said, "I wonder why Mukuro put him in isolation for nearly 6 months and then decidedly escorted him to the Human world herself now."
"Yeah, quite strange, ain't it? I just hope Hiei would tell us what's going on though," Yusuke muttered as he lay on his back with his arms pillowing his head, his face somber.
Kuwabara, who didn't like how serious the conversation became decided to speak up and said, "You know what Urameshi, I'm getting bored of video games."
"What do you propose we do, Kuwabara?" Kurama asked.
"I know. Let's wake the Shorty up," Yusuke proposed, his eyes twinkling with mischief and a huge grin settling in place of the somber expression.
Kurama sighed shaking his head and said, "We shouldn't do that Yus-", only to be cut-off by Kuwabara who yelled, "Let's do that, Urameshi" and they were both off.
"Shouldn't we stop them, Master Genkai? After all Hiei's energy is extremely concentrated in that room. Anyone who enters that room now will end up getting instant third-degree burns, even someone like Yusuke and Kumabara," Kurama asked looking worriedly at the door.
"Then it's their fault, Kurama. They are being stupid. They should know when to disturb a person and when not to just by feeling their energy. It's their fault for not reading Hiei's energy properly," she replied looking just as placid as always
"But the main concern I have now is why Hiei's energy has taken such a defensive note. His survival instincts have gone through the roof. He's never gotten like this before especially not with us," Kurama pondered out loud.
"You may be right, Kurama. But you haven't noticed how his energy is hovering. Close your eyes and do it, you may learn something useful," she said gruffly.
He closed his eyes and humored her request. What he noticed was something he hadn't felt before. Hiei's other companion wasn't there. His eyes snapped open. He continued to feel. That's not true.Herenergy is masked,he thought to himself. His eyes widened as put two and two together.
"Hiei is actually using his own energy to mask his companion's and what's more he seems rather protective-" he got cut-off as the door to the living room burst open and Yusuke and his co-conspirator were standing there looking absolutely mesmerized and just a bit freaked out.
Kurama could only hope the cat hadn't done anything drastic to his two friends.
"What happened, Dimwit?" Genkai asked looking up calmly at her student "I thought you were about to 'wake the Shorty up'." Yusuke instantly sobered and Kuwabara followed him soon enough.
"Nothing happened, Grandma," Yusuke grumbled and Kuwabara nodded, "and we thought not to wake him up and don't give me that look Grandma. Hiei's little pet told us not to disturb him and we noticed how thick his energy was inside room and decided not to intrude. The damn cat is telepathic, you know."
With that both the 19 year olds went back to playing video games. Kurama couldn't help but notice that Yusuke's voice had a defensive edge. And that was when Keiko and Yukina came asking for them to get to the kitchen so they could all eat. They all made their way to the kitchen and saw that half the table was set up already. Kuwabara soon went to help his love set up the whole table. And soon everyone was sitting back and enjoying the lunch the two women cooked.
"Looks like we'll need more. I'll go get some," Yukina said as she stood up and Kuwabara stood up to volunteer. But he didn't get far as he froze the second Yukina went towards the door. And they all stiffened as they felt Hiei moving to where they were situated.
"What's wrong, Yusuke?" Keiko asked.
It wasn't Yusuke who answered her question however, it was Genkai.
"Hiei and his companions are making their way over."
"Anyone bet on the Shrimp's size. I say he's as shrimpy as ever. Haha," Kuwabara said softly so as not to let Hiei hear. Kurama knew Kuwbara had been worried about Hiei because that was the exact same thing a person like him would say when they were likely covering up their concern.
However Kurama was the only one to hear Genkai say, "You'd be surprised, Dimwit," calmly with a small smirk on her face. And Kurama was left to ponder Genkai's words
And soon they heard Yukina talking rather excitedly to Hiei and they heard quiet voice answering her excited questions more like grunting softly every now and then.
Soon Yukina was stepping into the room saying, "Look whose finally awake guys! Hiei-san, please come in."
They could only guess that the last statement was meant for his companions.
So they all waited with bated breath for the few seconds it took for Hiei to step in to the room. The second all their eyes landed on Hiei and his companions though, their eyes widened and their jaws hit the ground. And Genkai's smirk grew bigger.
Review, fav and follow...
