Back again with the sequel to "Lingerings of a broken soul". Sorry I ended the story like that but I had my reasons. Well, enjoy the new story!

/HIEI - POV/

'What does that stupid toddler want now? I have better things to be doing right now.'

I made my way down the hall towards said prince's office. My cloak was tightly wrapped around my body, giving me an evil look. The oni feared me here in Reikai and hung towards the walls, careful not to upset me. They knew who I truely was...the new King of Makai. Yusuke was offered the throne, but declined. Family was more important to him. He wanted to stay in Ningenkai, close to his mother and fiance. That is how I became king. As his wish, he wanted no one else but me to assume the throne. Not one person objected. The doors to Koenma's office opened as I approached them and I could see into the room. Not much had changed, save for the fact that there were couches on both sides of the room, and it was repainted a buttercup yellow. Strange...

"What is it?" I demanded rather rudely.

Koenma, however, was use to my not-so-nice language and took no mind to the rudeness.

"Well, King Hiei," he started with sarcasm. "There has been a fluctuation of demonic energy in parts of the world. It seems as though Takanashi is starting to make a move. It is weird though. He waits 7 years to make an advance into Ningenkai. The reason being is the...negative emotions brought up by him...killing Inazuma."

/Outside POV/

At these words, Hiei froze. It had been 7 years, though it didn't feel like it. It felt a lot longer. The door behind him opened, and he turned to see a much more mature looking Yusuke enter. His once slicked back hair was now long and pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck. Kazuma followed behind and Hiei had to do a double take. The "Oaf" as he had once dubbed him was not such anymore. Kazuma had let his hair grow out and it was similar in style to Yusuke's old hair. It was more rust colored now. His stature had also changed. He seemed to hold himself more and, with glasses now, looked smarter. (I shall admit...I am a Kuwabara fan. He is an oaf at times but, come on, you gotta love him. He was awesome in the Dark Tournament and the second movie.) Kurama followed behind him. The kitsune's hair was even longer than it originally was and he too had it pulled back. Glasses sat on the bridge of his nose and brought out his ever-bright emerald eyes even more. Hiei nodded at the friends he had not seen for 2 years.

"Hey there Hiei." Yusuke exclaimed, placing a arm around the sightly taller Hiei's shoulders. (5'5") "Man you've grown, no offense."

"None taken. How is everything?" Hiei asked, kind of out of character. (courtesy of Inazuma. She wanted him to be more happy and, in her memory, he is.)

"All good. Keiko and I are planning our wedding for early spring of next year (April, when the sakuras bloom), so about 6 months. How's Makai?"

"Same old, same old."

Kazuma stood before him and reached his hand out.

"Good afternoon Hiei."

"Hn, Kazuma." he replied, shaking the human's hand. "And Kurama."

Said red head clasp a hand to the kajihenge's shoulder.

"It's good to see you again."

"You too, old friend."

"Can we get back to the matter at hand, please?" asked Koenma, who had reverted to his teenage form during the friends reunion.

The former Tantei took seats in the chairs before Koenma's desk.

"Thank you. Now, as I was telling Hiei, there has been an increase of youki (demon energy) in Nigenkai. If you would, I would like it to be investigated. I understand that you no longer work for me, but I would feel more secure if you were to go."

"I have no problem with it." Kurama replied, gazing at his friends.

They nodded that they too agreed.

"Then it's settled." He pushed a button on his desk. "Jorge, call for Botan and Yukina."

"Right away, sir." came the voice on the end, none other then the loveable blue ogre.

"Yukina is in Reikai?" asked Kazuma, failing to hide his smile.

"Of course, Genkai is here too, though she has succumbed to sickness."

"Can we visit her later?" Yusuke asked. Everyone knew how much he cared for the old psychic.

"But of course."

The door in the office opened once again and the men turned to see Botan and Yukina standing there. Yukina's aqua hair was in a long braid down her back and her eyes glittered with happiness. She stood only two inches shorter then Hiei, now. Botan looked the same though she wasn't in a kimono like Yukina. The ferry girl, instead wore a long, black bell-sleeved shirt and tight blue jeans. She panted slightly, showing that she had just ran there.

"Hello everyone!" the girls exclaimed in unison.

The men, aside from Koenma, walked over to them. Kazuma, not being able to contain himself any longer, picked up Yukina, spun her around, and hugged her to him. Both had bright smiles on their faces.

"Ohh Kazuma, I missed you."

"I've missed you too, my beautiful maiden."

Yukina stole a glance to the side and saw Hiei. Pardoning herself from Kazuma's grasp, she went over to Hiei.

"Ani-kun. I missed you a lot. Why didn't you let me come to Makai with you?"

"I'm sorry. It is still slightly dangerous and I didn't want to risk you getting hurt. Once the Recontruction is complete, you can move into the castle, alright?"

She smiled at him and kissed his cheek.

"But how are you?" she asked, worry evident in her voice.

"I'm sane."

"You know what I mean...It has been seven years to this day."

"I know." he looked away from her.

"Time to go." Koenma announced as a portal appeared beside his desk.

One by one, the six made their way through the portal and arrived in a park. Children could be heard playing on the playground. Emerging from the bushes, they gazed out at the many people that had gatthered there on the beautiful Saturday.

"Where are we?" Yusuke wondered.

"America, by the way the people are talking." replied Kurama, listening.

Both the fox and Kazuma had learned English in college. Yusuke was currently learning, Botan was throughly fluent, and Hiei, mysteriously, knew the language, as well. Children ran by them, playing tag or some other game. Yukina had a smile on her face. She had always loved children and hoped to have her own some day. A particular child had taken interest in them at first sight. Advancing towards them, they were slightly taken aback. Her shoulder-blade length blonde hair was in pigtail atop her head and dazzeling deep purple eyes watched wih amused interest. They were taken aback by the sole fact that she looked looked almost the same as Chi, Inazuma's soul counterpart.

"Hi!" she said in an excited voice. "My names Nekokani, but my mommy calls me Koka."

They just watched her smile at them.

"What are your names?"

Kurama shook his head and knelt beside her.

"I am Kurama. These are my friends Hiei, Yusuke, Kazuma, Botan, and Yukina. Didn't your mommy tell you not to talk to strangers?"

"Of course, but you aren't strangers."

"Pardon?"

Her smile widened.

"Is it true you have 5 tails? Mommy told me you did. And Hiei-san has a dragon in his arm. Yusuke-san can shoot spirit energy bullets out of his finger, Kazuma-san can make a sword, Yukina-san can heal, And Botan-san flies."

They stared at her in shock. This small child knew all about them and from her mother, no less. Exactly who was she.

"Nekokani, how do you know about us, entirely?" Hiei asked, kneeling next to her.

"From my mommy. She knew all of you."

"Nekokani!" called a voice.

Everyone stood up to see a blonde haired woman cominh towards them. They couldn't entirely see her face. She stopped behind Koka.

"What did I tell you?"

"Don't wander off."

"And why is that?"

"Because of the bad people."

"Exactly."

"But mommy?"

"Yes?"

"I found people."

"I know sweety. I can see."

Kurama walked up to the woman.

"My apologizes, ma'am."

"There is no need for them, Kurama. No need at all."

"Who are you?" Asked Hiei.

"Silly Hiei-sama." she giggled.

Hiei recognized it right away and rushed to her side. In a swift movement, he whipped back her hair to stare into ever familiar blue eyes.

"How?"

"Things are not always what they seem."

A smile decorated her face as she gazed at the others.

"Inazuma." Yukina muttered, staring at her friend with curious awe.

Well, how did you all like it? Good, Bad, Shocking? Keep an eye out for the next chapter where all will be explained!

-UtsukushiiCho