Summary: Hiei thought that he finally had his beloved daughter back in his grasp, with the addition of a powerful youkai spirit. But the girl was stolen only hours before Hiei arrived to take her home. Years alter, she is found, but greatly changed from her ordeal. She mistrusts everyone, after the abuse she suffered. Can she and Hiei work things out between them? And the girl is still sought after, for the key the spirit she houses holds.

Ok, it's finally here, the first chapter of the story after my oneshot, Perfect. I hope its ok. The plot is still a bit sketchy, but I think I have the gist of it down. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own YYH or any of the characters. The only things I own are the ocs and the plot. Steal them at risk of your own life. This disclaimer goes for every single chapter I make after the prologue.

Return

By Shade Spirit

Prologue

I sighed, staring out of the window that was in Koenma's office. It had been ten years; ten awful, lonely years since the death of my daughter. But today was the day I and the others would go to retrieve her.

Koenma had told me that she had been reborn a year after her death. But it hadn't come without a price. She was born housing the spirit of a great youkai, one that was extremely important to Rekai.

The youkai spirit my daughter now held was the key in unlocking the gate to a different dimension, one housing horrible creatures that could be used to overpower Rekai.

Koenma had wanted to secure that spirit before someone else took it to use for their own purposes.

The moment Koenma had told me she had been born, I would have gone to get her myself. But Koenma had held me back. He thought it better that she grow up a little away from other demons. Now that she was nine years of age, she would be able to learn how to defend herself.

The thought that I could not defend her greatly offended me, but I could sense the logic in the prince's choice. I couldn't stay awake for all hours of the day, so I suppose it was better that she remain hidden from other youkai.

But that didn't keep me from watching over her as she grew.

She was a lovely little girl, though she now looked nothing like me or her mother. Well, I suppose I am no longer her real father anymore, but it meant nothing to me.

She had shaggy blond hair and deep brown eyes. Dreamer's eyes, I called them. She seemed outgoing enough, and seemed to be the first to try out anything new.

I wish I knew her name. But I have never gotten close enough to hear it, nor have I read the mind of others, for fear of being detected. But soon I will find out, once we go to retrieve her.

I don't think she'd even be missed.

She had grown up in an orphanage since she was two, her birthmother having abandoned her after her boyfriend ran off with another woman, not wanting a kid anymore.

So all we had to do was go and adopt her. Or take her. Either way, I see no problems.

So why hadn't I left yet? Because the others weren't here.

Kurama was probably still at work. He was an art teacher, and loved his job, though I cannot fathom why, with all those hormone-ridden teenagers around him constantly.

Yusuke was in Makai, finishing up a mission for Koenma. He and Keiko lived here now, in Koenma's palace. They also had two whining brats by the names of Terja and Nikoji, who would be about the same age as my daughter was now.

Kuwabara lived in the human world with my sister, to whom he had proposed to five years ago. He and Yukina lived with Genkai. I'm surprised the old woman hadn't kicked the bucket already.

I look up as I hear a noise, one not the furious stamping of Koenma as he did some paperwork that had been accumulating on his desk. It was the oaf, the first to arrive.

He nodded to me before finding himself a seat to wait. He had matured over the years, which I am still surprised about. I think it was probably Yukina's influence on him. I even find myself (Dare I even say it?) liking him.

Looking away from him, I look back outside. It was grey and gloomy, which wasn't a good sign in my mind. Not like I'm superstitious or anything, I just feel a pall hanging over me.

Fifteen minutes later, Kurama shows up. The years haven't changed him much, but there are a few things different about the fox. His hair has grown longer, and he keeps it back in a pony tail now. It's also sleeker, shiner, and all one length. He looks more and more like Youko every year. It was as if the kitsune were merging with him. Even their personalities were combining.

He greeted me quietly before sitting beside Kuwabara. He then pulled out a book, obviously anticipating a long wait, since we were only waiting for Yusuke to join us. We didn't know how long he would take, though Koenma had assured me that he would be back soon.

But he never did say what condition Yusuke would be in once he returned.

It was more than an hour later when the spirit detective stumbled in, cracking a grin through his bruised and battered face.

"Mission accomplished, Koenma." he announced before collapsing on the floor.

Of course, Koenma called in his healers and they carted Yusuke out of the room.

Another delay; and I was already tense. Something was going to happen, and I don't think I would like it.

It was another two hours before the detective was brought back, fully healed and cleaned, in new clothes and with the same cocky smile on his face.

Finally, we could go.

Koenma gave us permission and then had a portal made for us. I led the way; only I knew where she was.

By now, it was seven in the evening, and I was eager to get her.

But as we neared the orphanage, a shiver went through me. Something was definitely wrong.

I sprinted ahead of the others, knowing that they would keep track and follow me. I had to know what was wrong. Call it a gut feeling, but I didn't think I'd find my daughter. And it scared me. I, Hiei Jaganshi, was afraid.

I skidded to a stop before the orphanage, scarcely comprehending what met my wide eyes.

The orphanage was in ruins, smoke drifting lazily from the burnt mess before me. I could smell the blood of slaughtered innocents, see the mutilated remains. But one I didn't smell was my daughter. I should know; her scent was as familiar to me as my own.

I sighed a small breath of relief once I realized it. But that left one question; where was she, if she wasn't here?

I kept my eyes on those ruins, not even looking at the others as they stopped behind me. Kurama laid a comforting hand on my shoulder, but I shook it off.

"Hiei, let's go back to Koenma. Maybe he can tell us what happened." the fox suggested.

I nodded slowly and turned to follow the others as we made our way back to the open portal we had left.

The Prince of Rekai looked grave as we filed into his office. I knew he didn't have good news.

"Hiei, your daughter has been kidnapped. But it isn't as bad as it could be. This group has taken her for her power, yes, but they know nothing of the spirit that resides within her. That is the only good news I can give you." he told me.

I could barely contain my rage. Who would dare kidnap my daughter?

"Where is she?" I asked between clenched teeth, my hand resting on my katana. Any who touched her would die!

Koenma shook his head. "I don't know. We tried tracking her, but it's as if she doesn't exist anymore. I'm sorry, Hiei, but we've done all we could."

I stood there in shock, barely able to comprehend the prince's words. Was she lost to me forever then? Would she be turned into some instrument of evil, with me unable to do anything?

No, it would not end like that. I would find her; that I do swear.

So, was this an enjoyable chapter? It's a little shorter than I would have liked, but it is the prologue, yes? So it is bound to be shorter than regular chapters. Don't forget to review, ok?

Signing out

Shade