Though it's only been a few years since I became mortal, the sweet taste of the lifestyle stroke me deeply. I found peace as a human. More importantly, in moments where I could almost forget my past, I almost found full happiness. I learned many things, met different people, changed prospective on many aspects, and I definitely did not plan on ending up here so soon again. I gave into the convenient idea that I could exist as a human, hide in their world, and that my sins from demon and spirit world would somehow vanish. I don't know what to expect now that Yusuke, Hiei, and I have split up. The idea of having to stand against them disturbs me, but I must at least hear what Yomi has to say. I owe him that much.

After leaving Yomi, I stayed in Demon World for a few years, lived life as if nothing had happened; he was no threat to me then. But as I heard rumors of his rapidly increasing power, I figured it would be best to flee for a while. I lived in Spirit World for many years and in time had to escape to Human World to save my life. There I learned to love a mortal, my human mother, for whom I changed my ways drastically. Peace was enjoyable while it lasted, but now having to face Yomi again, I know only darkness is up ahead.

I can see Gandara from here, a modern, almost human-like city. It's tall buildings seem to reach the sky, calling for the wonderers to come forward and settle under its King's protection. It's been a long time since I've seen Yomi, and I've never known of someone to change so much over the years. When he was my second in command, he was inpatient, rash, a ticking time bomb. Now rumors speak of a fair King, who offers job opportunities, education, and protection for those who swear allegiance. In Demon World, an offer like this is like being offered water in hell. His city emphasizes not only in acquiring strength of the body, but also the mind and the soul. He's matured into quite the leader, and I don't know if I should be proud or afraid.

I hear a noise in the nearby bushes and turn to see three Demon Ninja. Weak, but they serve to prove that my return won't be a pleasure. I use my rose whip and slice their bodies into pieces, showering myself with their limps and blood. For a split of a second I wonder who they were, if they had family or friends, what they did this morning, what was their favorite food, and then I remember the meaning of allegiance in Demon World: complete obedience. If you are commanded to die, you will do it without hesitation, everything to please the master that you believe has showed you grace.

I know he is here. His demon energy, even lowered to its minimum, is still fervent. "Yomi, was all that necessary?" My voice is angry. It could be due to the murders I was just forced to commit, or to his presence itself.

"Hello Kurama, It's been far too long." His voice is a lot deeper than I remember, and it speaks to me with dominance and a sort of mockery.

I turn to face him now, and here he is, standing a whole head taller than me. Hands in his pockets and a mellow-expression. He takes a few strides towards me with a new found pride that wasn't there a thousand years ago. His skin tan, his hair is black. Just as I've heard he now has six ears and seven horns, all a part of his transformation and new acquired power. His lips are round and pink colored, his nose proportioned to his features. He is elegant, the years have been his friend. Back then he was just a companion, now he is a King. His cheek bones are well structured and his eyes- My own thoughts stop when I see them, shut down forever as a reminder of the reason why he must repulse me.

I try not to lose my composure and show a sense of dominion. After all, this whole reunion is bound to be a battle of wits or blood, "I don't appreciate the pun. And what sort of welcome is that? I came all this way to help you, not to be attacked." The last part is still in question, but for now I must play my cards carefully.

"I just had to make sure it was really you. If you were as strong as I've heard you've become, it wouldn't have been a threat to you anyways, and it wasn't." I stare at him. He's looking at me. Not with his eyes, but with everything else, and I feel it now, the lump forming in my throat. "You've changed," he finally says. A very small sentence that changes the atmosphere completely.

"So have you."

"How could I not after what you did to me?"

My heart beat is increasing, I have to calm down. I need to calm down. I take a deep breath and let it out.

"Come, Kurama. Let me show you to your new home."

"New home?"

He smiles, "I mean for now of course, don't get flustered."

"I am not."

He takes me in for a few seconds, then smiles again. "Of course you're not. Now let's go, we have much to do."

He walks me towards his city, and into his palace. The gates to enter are enormous, it's arcs decorated with a mix of Goth and Classic Art. I look around in awe, I never really pictured Yomi's house like this. When did he get the taste for fine arts? If we really were friends, and if this was a normal reunion, that would be a question I would have liked to ask him. But we aren't, and this isn't, so I keep my mouth shut and keep walking.

He opens the gates and invites me in. White walls, I would say about 60 ft high, adorned with tapestries. The celling aligned with chandeliers, soldiers standing on guard, and antique furniture with perfect upholstery. A modern and well-kept luxurious place.

He keeps walking but I pause at the door.

"What is it?" He asks, turning back to me.

I'm still looking around, still in shock. "This place is very beautiful."

"Well, thank you my dear friend. I, of course, can't see a thing now, but I am glad you are enjoying the view."

There it is again. Those feelings creeping up on me, the guilt, the fear, the anger. All of the feelings that I have for this man are so ugly.

I follow his lead down the widest, and I'm assuming "main" hall of the palace and into an elevator. Soldiers and servants greet us and bow as we pass by. "Good Morning, My Lord." "Good Morning, Lord Yomi." And I kind of want to smile at seeing just how much Yomi is actually liked by his people. A part of me is almost proud, if that should even be possible. He pushes the elevator button and I finally get the courage to ask where we're going.

"To your room of course so you can place your belongings. You can shower and get ready also. The council will have a meeting in a few hours and I would like you to be there." I don't know what to expect anymore and for a moment I allow myself to think that he really is just in search of a power-alliance, but with our past I know that isn't possible.

As the elevator door opens, he hold up his arm and invites, "after you."

There is no one else in there, and I step in not really wanting to step in, but what else can I do?

He walks in after me and pushes the button labeled twenty-three, and as the door closes all the soldiers, and the servants, and everybody else is left behind, and we are alone.

It is an odd feeling. Being alone with him is frightening, and I don't like being frightened. Being alone with him reminds me of things I don't want to remember. The elevator starts moving, and I am glad because I am that closer to getting out of here.

"You smell different," he says. And just like earlier it sounds so odd. Out of everything else, these are the things he is noticing? These are the things he wants to talk about?

"Well this is a new body."

"It's not the body."

I look up at him with straight eyes, "Then what do I smell like?"

"Fear."

I can't answer. I can't talk. I don't even think I can move.

"What are you so afraid of Kurama? Have you done something that you should be in fear for?"

It's hard to breath. It's hard to look at him. Coming here was a mistake. I should have never-

But the door opens and I can finally get out. And I can breathe again, and immediately feel better.

He laughs out loud and I want to punch him in the face.

"Come, I'll show you to your room." We walk down the hallway in silence until he speaks again. "This one will be yours."

I step into it cautiously, and once again I am in complete shock. I don't know what I expected, but it was certainly not this. The room is huge with the bed alone about 15 ft wide and 15 ft long, with white covers and white pillows. The wall that leads to the outside is covered in tall windows, dressed with velvet curtains, slightly opened so that air can circulate. In the ceiling a beautiful chandelier covered in crystals and precious jewels. Emeralds, sapphires, just that alone could make me rich in human world. There are a few bookshelves lined with books, a light brown coffee table, three couches that match the color of the curtains, and every single thing inside this room is either an antique or adorned with colorful jewels.

"What is the meaning of this?" I whisper, taken aback.

"Do you like it?" He stand behind me, eerily close. I take a step forward to put some space between us and turn to him.

"It's more than I expected."

"Oh," he says, as if he's just recalled a valuable piece of information. "You expected me to hide you in a dungeon, or have you sleep outside in the cold or in the rain." His tone of voice changes into something more of a reproach as he continues, "That is after all how you treated me when I was inferior."

There is is! This time from him! That feeling of ugliness between us. "Yomi, that was necessary," I pause to look for a sign of reassurance, but there is none. "Because of our travels-"

"Not always," he interrupts. Instead of anger, I am surprised to hear pain in his answer. Shame washes over me, and I stand in silence looking for a comeback, but there is nothing I can say, not after his tone of voice. He decides to break the clearly uncomfortable silence, "But we are not here to get sentimental over events that took place a thousand years ago, so no need to make that face." Even though his eyesight is gone, he has perfected his other senses into not needing it at all.

"Well I'll leave you to get ready, the meeting is in two hours, I expect you to be there." He smiles and instead of comfort I feel despair. This is much worst that I thought. To Yomi what I did wasn't just betrayal. For him to still display pain after so long, what I did is something truly unforgivable.

TBC...