Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. nor do I own Kagome's outfit (picture link in profile). What I do own is any OC that I may create.

Lost And Found

Prologue

A figure burst through the trees, the dying sun reflected in their midnight hair. Grasping a small bundle, they gripped it tighter and increased their pace. Stumbling slightly on an overturned root, they came to their knees; a whoosh of a large object coming from behind.

"Hiraikotsu!" As its name portrayed, the giant weapon sprung from the tree line, heading straight for the crouched silhouette. The lithe form jumped, higher in the air than humanly possible, its cloak whipping in the late autumn wind. The shadow's hood slipped off, exposing its true identity; a female kitsune youkai.

A small child cried out, and the bundle was revealed to be a small kitsune kit. The woman purred softly, calming the young boy.

A familiar female voice, harsh and demanding rang out.

"You won't escape, filthy imiko."

The female kitsune landed on a fallen log and adjusted the child. "Shut up, Sango. I thought you were my sister?" she snarled.

The woman, Sango, clad in the traditional garb of a Demon Slayer, stepped out of the shadows. "I no longer have a sister, Kagome. You stopped being my sister when the Jewel revealed your true identity. Who would have thought that you, the Shikon Miko, mother to a kitsune was born a fire/ice youkai. You don't deserve to live." She glared at the two, nothing less than pure disgust in her dull brown orbs.

Kagome growled darkly. "What about Shippo? What did he do to warrant your hatred?" The boy whimpered and dug his head into his mother's chest.

Sango smirked. "He sided with you. Now be good…and cease to exist." She caught the boomerang and, reaching back, sent it once more towards the pair. Kagome dodged quickly, but not quick enough. The finely crafted weapon managed to graze her side, tearing her dark blue fighting kimono in the process. She ran for the Bone Eater's Well before the Slayer could recover her weapon.

She reached the rim, but her wound had been poisoned and she fell to the ground, wincing as the cut turned a sickly green color. Cruel laughter filled the clearing and Kagome's growls grew in pitch. "Damn." Shippo sniffled, and she knew she had to get them to safety. Coming to her feet once more, she staggered forward and leaped through the well. Somewhere in the distance she could hear a cry of outrage, but it no longer mattered. They were safe.

As the lights surrounded her and her kit, a lone tear made its way down her pale cheek, glinting morosely in the soft blue glow.

Do not worry child. Midoriko's voice echoed around them. There is something much better waiting for you in the future.

Kagome nodded, but was unable to quell the tears pouring down her cheeks.

"Mama?" Shippo whispered, speaking for the first time.

"Yes, kit?" He wiped a stray tear off her face and she gave him a small smile.

"Where are we going?"

She held back a fresh onslaught of tears at his innocent question and answered him softly.

"We're going home."

"Ogre!" The small prince bellowed.

"Y-yes, Koenma-sama?" Came the tentative reply.

"Bring me Botan." The creature nodded and scurried off, slightly wary at the young prince's dark expression.

"Botan here! What do you—" She began.

Koenma raised a hand to silence her. "Not now, Botan. There is too much to do, not enough time, and I am deeply worried that nothing I do can rectify the situation."

Botan closed her mouth and nodded dumbly. It wasn't everyday he was this serious.

"Good. Now bring me the Spirit Detectives. Right away. If they protest, feel free to threaten them with treason against Reikai Law. I will send them to prison as nothing less than traitors if they do."

It didn't take long for Botan to leave via portal, and Koenma sighed; all his energy and focus leaving him in that one single breath.

I hope they succeed. If not, there will be hell to pay.

To say that Yusuke was pleased when she stepped through the portal into his apartment was an understatement.

"Dammit Botan! What is it now? I was promised a week off from missions. Now shoo. I'm gonna go take a nap." Kurama smirked at Yusuke's speech. Botan growled.

"Shut up, Yusuke." She gasped and clutched her chest. Keiko scurried over to her side but Botan waved her off. The boy in question turned to stare wide-eyed at Lady Death's tone. She'd never spoken so fiercely to them before; not like that at least.

The rest of them (Keiko, Shizuru, Kurama and Kuwabara) gaped in silent shock, their faces resembling hungry koi. Hiei snorted at their expressions before returning to stare out of the window.

"Jeez! What's got your panties in a twist?" Yusuke asked.

Botan glared at him and huffed. "Koenma-sama that's what." She shuddered. "He really frightened me earlier. I've never seen him so serious before. Not even during the Sensui incident." At this last part her voice quieted even further, so that only those with demonic senses could hear. Their eyes widened at her declaration.

"I have a feeling something big is going to happen." She continued. "I've never felt more afraid. Now that I am actually here in Ningenkai, my worries have shot through the roof." She paused and stared at her feet, unwilling to go on.

Kurama raised an eyebrow. He, nor Youko had sensed anything unusual in the past few months; despite the few random lower class demons they had been tasked with hunting every week or so.

Youko? Are you listening to this?

Yeah, Red. And I still can't sense anything.

I wonder what's going on. It isn't like Botan to act like this.

Don't just sit there! Ask her! Ask her!

In his mind, an image of a silver fox with delightedly curious eyes and nine fox tails quivering in anticipation of another puzzle, popped up. He gave an internal sigh at his counterpart's behavior, though he himself was just as curious of the Grim Reaper's actions.

I was going to.

"What do you mean, Botan?" The red-head questioned, deciding to ignore the many questions Youko continued to push through his mental barriers. At least he isn't making mental images of sex…scratch that. Can his mind not wander for more than a few moments? "What do you sense? Youko and I have yet to sense anything of the dangerous variety."

Botan raised her head, and revealed a set of misty bubblegum pink eyes holding back tears. "It is the souls of those who have passed. They cry out. At first, when I stepped through the portal, they were only whispers, as usual."

How creepy, Red. To think having to listen to people who have kicked the proverbial bucket day in and day out. That has gotta give you a headache!

Hush, Youko. I can't concentrate with you ranting in my head.

Fine, fine.

"But now, their voices are steadily gaining strength. They call out for a woman; their Protector. This…Lady of Time…that will save their souls. And that isn't all. They predict a great disaster that will befall all three worlds if she isn't found or kept safe. It has never happened before, and the dead are never wrong."

Hiei scowled. There were too many questions and not enough answers for his liking. "Hn. Shouldn't we be leaving now? That brat wants us, doesn't he?" The sooner he started the mission, the sooner he could get out of Koenma's debt.

Botan looked startled to hear him speak, and then nodded her head gravely. "Yes. Now hurry up, Koenma-sama sounded urgent. The girls may come as well." She had noticed the familiar glint in their eyes that was so very similar to her own when she was interested, and she knew that there wasn't enough time to argue whether or not they would come.

Yusuke blinked. "Hey! Who says we should go, huh? I haven't had a decent vacation in a long time. I deserve a—"

Botan rounded on him, her brows scrunched together in frustration, ending his rant prematurely. "Koenma also told me to tell you that if you refuse to come, he can and will sentence you with treason against Reikai, no questions asked."

They looked even more shocked than before, if that was possible. Even Hiei eyes widened, though less noticeably. Keiko gave a small grim smile. "This sounds important, Yusuke. I think you should go. And I'm coming as well. I have this strange feeling I should see what this is all about. It sounds like another one of your 'save the world' gigs, and since I am currently a 'part of this world', I have every right to see what this is about. Right, Yusuke?" He winced at her glare as the rest of the girls broadcasted their assent.

"Feh, fine. What could that Toddler want anyways?"

*OoO*

WHIPPED! That boy is so whipped!

Youko!

What? Do not tell me he isn't whipped. It's as plain as the nose on ugly's face.

I guess that's true. And don't be rude. Speaking of Kuwabara though, he has been uncharacteristically silent since she stepped through the portal.

You didn't notice? He has been doing nothing but stare at Yukina all afternoon, a dazed look in his eye and that disgusting trail of drool on his chin.

I wonder why Hiei has yet to kill him?

I for one think Hiei is much too absorbed with his little emo-corner over there.

Quiet fox! Or it will be you who dies.

Touchy touchy. So? Answer the question?

Hn. What question?

You know…why you haven't killed ugly yet…

I simply do not want his disgusting human blood to stain my sword. He doesn't deserve that honor.

Looks like pyro-pixie's got an inflamed ego. Youko snickered.

For god's sake, Youko, shut up! I apologize Hiei. He's been a little hyper since Botan spoke of the Lady of Time, though he won't tell me why. I expect that it is the fact that he doesn't know much about her. He always did love a puzzle.

Hn.

Stepping lastly through the portal, Botan took a long look at the setting sun; the blood red sky darkly reflecting the chaos she had a feeling was about to begin.

CHAPTER END

Translations:

imiko - a "cursed child" 意味子

miko - a priestess/shrine maiden 巫女

youkai - a demon (roughly translated) 溶解

kitsune - a fox (mostly of the demon variety) 狐

shikon no tama - the jewel of four souls 紫紺の玉

shikon miko - the priestess of four souls 紫紺巫女

ningenkai - the human realm 人間界

reikai - the spirit realm 例会

hiraikotsu - "To come flying unexpectedly" 飛来忽 AKA: a finely crafted giant boomerang weapon known to be wielded only by the Demon Slayers; more specifically, Sango

This is just for universal purposes. I know you all hate having to be told endless times during the story what a word means when you already know, so I'll just add their meanings at the end so you have the option of reading meaningless crap. I have, for a long time, always wondered what terms like imiko and hiraikotsu meant, so i decided to translate for those who are, like me, too lazy to use their brains and search for it.

I will only translate the new words that have been introduced within the current chapter, with their english, kanji, and romaji translations.