CHAPTER 1 - Out with the old, in with the new
"It's time. I am dying to see the look on their faces when they find out."
The members of the SDF bowed gracefully and turned on their heels departing for Human World in order to complete their mission. A wicked smile formed as anticipation thickened the air. Looking at two silhouettes with determined eyes and a high chin raised, echoes filled the tall imposing halls in Spirit World.
"Our guests are soon to arrive. Look more alive, this is the start of a new era and you have front row seats."
It didn't take too much for one to fall in line with the normality of events. One year after the first Demon World tournament, humanity didn't seem so far-fetched, not even for Yusuke Urameshi. They all found ways to entertain and sustain their normality, especially now since Spirit World was not breathing down their necks, having them risk their lives, all for the sake of keeping Human World safe. Suichi Minamino and Kazuma Kuwabara went to university, keeping their minds and time occupied with their studies. Yusuke had his own little business, the food stand providing a rather good income, allowing him to save some money that would later materialize in renting an apartment and moving in with Keiko. They would get married once she finishes university. By then he promised to work hard and be the man she wanted him to be.
While other enjoyed the slow pace of life, Hiei deemed patrol duty uneventful and dull. What Mukuro once was and provided him was fading away with each passing day. No longer having the same anger to fuel her, free from her shackles, enjoying the uneventful and dull. Not at war, leaving the political debates to the ruler of Demon World.
Hiei soon found himself more often in Human World, searching for a long sense of belonging, only to be mocked by their boring human lives. The fire demon was reaching another downfall not understanding their needs and intentions.
In his last visit he went to see Yusuke. The day proved to be warm and sunny despite being October already. The park they have chosen as a stop after strolling through the city aimlessly was swarming with people going on with their day or enjoying a nice slow stroll. Yusuke glanced at the tense demon beside him who was glaring at the humans passing them.
"This is ridiculous." He spat out enraged: "How can you deem this sort of life satisfactory?" the former detective tilted his head to the side and shrug his shoulders lightly taking in a deep breath, enjoying the feeling of the warm sun.
"I can't say I don't miss the team and the fighting Hiei, but this is not as bad as you make it sound." His crimson eyes narrowed more.
"You are a strong demon. What witchcraft has that woman done to you?" he laughed loudly at his friend's remark after making sure no one around them took in account his outburst of words.
"I promised her." His voice softening suddenly. "And honestly disappointing her is not worth it anymore." All that managed to earn him was a frown from the male sharing the bench with him.
"You've grown soft. This life is getting the better of you." Yusuke opened his mouth so land a retort only to stop seeing Hiei jerk up, his eyes focusing in a certain direction. He followed the demon's lead seeing a few members of the Spirit World elite making their way towards them. Were they mad being out in the open like that especially with so many people around?
"Well there are some faces I never thought I'd see very soon." His hands traveled to the back of his head, body relaxed, but still keeping in mind they were not there for an idle chat.
"What does toddler breath want this time?" they all stopped at the same time eyes set on the two male demons.
"Both of you have been summoned to Spirit World."
"And if we refuse?" the anger in Hiei's eyes burning alive caused Yusuke to smirk.
"Figures, you come back and we get called in. What did you do this time Hiei?" the leader of the small group interrupted their glaring contest.
"Refusing is not an option. The rest all already there waiting for your arrival. You need to come with us."
Yusuke let his hands drop tensing while assessing the situation. Something happened. Going back on it not even Botan visited them in the last month. Her suddenly not coming to see her friends and the abrupt call to Spirit World meant something was going on and that made him feel uneasy. He just nodded his head accepting, Hiei also reluctantly agreeing seeing the change on Yusuke's face.
Somehow it felt similar to his first visit as they walked through the Gateway of Decision. That gloomy corridor added to the sinking feeling and all scenarios were running wild in his mind. What went wrong? What threat is lurking in the shadows this time?
"So what is this all about?" he asked only to silence his thoughts, his stomach churning.
"You'll know when you arrive. We were told to just bring you here, which we did." A clap echoed throughout the corridor.
"I see your usefulness in not really appreciated. I mean you managed to escort us here." They ignored the mocking tone and they opened the door allowing them to step inside the office. Their eyes went over to Kurama and Kazuma who should have been in classes. This was serious. Turning around hearing footsteps, two females walked in, taking the right and left side of the desk.
"You got new assistants?" Yusuke asked turning around searching for Koenma. His friends were throwing each other equal confused looks.
"I did." A voice came from the corridor, high-heals ringing on the marbled floor. A woman entered, the doors closing behind her, confusion filling the room rapidly. She scanned them with obvious amusement, her blue eyes going back and forth between the men in front of her. She motioned the hair away from her face, caramel locks falling perfectly on her back.
"Who are you?" Yusuke's voice rang accusingly as he was letting the shock fade away. She sat on the desk and smiled, a perfectly calculated expression.
"I am the new ruler of Spirit World."
Before protest could start the doors opened again, Koenma and Botan being led in. They looked defeated and their submissive looks indicated they didn't like what was going on, but they obviously has no choice.
"Koenma, what is happening here?" Kurama turned concerned. The ruler just raised his head to look at them his voice low.
"Spirit World has a new ruler."
"We got that, but what the Hell happened?" Yusuke yelled getting closer the angst in his voice obvious "How bad did you fuck up?"
"That is a correct term." The woman spoke and they all turned back to her.
"How rude of me. I am Klarise, Koenma's younger sister."
"Koenma has a sister?" Kuwabara's voice trailed as he was trying to wrap his head around the idea developing in front of his eyes. The former ruler just chose to nod his eyes locked on the ground beneath his feet.
"So what if she's your sister? I couldn't care less. You brought us here for a reason, not just to gloat." Klarise eyed Hiei, her features darkening slightly.
"Of course not. But we have our last guest arriving. I'm sure you can control your temper a few more moments Hiei."
Once again their eyes trailed to the large office doors hearing voices drawing near. They crept opened, the SDF dragging in the office a girl who was kicking her feet wildly. On her hands she had spirit cuffs controlling her energy, but by the looks of her and the soldiers, they had to fight to get her there. She paused, calming down slightly, taking in her new surroundings and the people before her.
"Why are you here Rin?" Kuwabara asked approaching her baffled. She was good friends with Shizuru, both working in the same hair salon. She knew the entire group, apart from Hiei, as for the last year they all grew closer.
"Good question Kazuma. Why am I here?" she asked pointing at Klarise who was obviously in charge. She dismissed the soldiers with a wave of her hand and lifted her chin up looking down at the crowd before her.
"Now that we are all here, I will proceed to explain the reason for this little get together. For the past year Human World has been left without a protector, having us dispatch our forces on human soil. We need the team."
"No way. We were fired." Yusuke stepped in interrupting her and she pressed her index finger to her lips.
"Sssh! I am not referring to you, I would not approve that. I should be sending you all to the dungeons, not promoting you."
"What?" Hiei snarled at her, earning from her another dark look.
"If you'd all stay quiet, I could explain. Honestly brother I don't know how you managed to work with them." Her statement earned her nothing in return from Koenma, however he spoke for the group.
"Listen to her." it was certain he knew something they didn't and it agitated him by the grave tone and tense position.
"You didn't atone for your crimes. If not, you added more to that list. Joining the kings of Demon World, instigating a Demon World tournament, killing, inbreeding. Do you want me to go on?"
"Yes." Kurama stepped in. "Please clarify what you think our sins are." She licked her lips enjoying the challenge his voice projected.
"Insubordination is a crime on its own Kurama. While you have all helped in keeping Human World safe on more than one occasion, the fate of it is still uncertain. Especially with so many demons roaming free like yourselves."
"Hn, I have no intention of staying in your precious world." She smiled sending an unnerving chill in the room.
"But you will. You see Hiei, we were waiting on you to come back so we could close the portal to Demon World." All he could do was glare at her shaking in anger. With the portal closed how was he going to return?
"What do you wish to accomplish?" Kurama stepped in resting a careful hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Don't worry, he can't hurt me." The male concentrated more, her energy was readable, but contained with great precision. He wouldn't want to test that now, not until he knew what Spirit World wanted from them.
"Good." Watching the two men relax a fraction she circled the room with her eyes.
"You have went to Demon World also because you were forced by us, that I will not hold against you. It is understandable, but you have also willingly aided the kings and joined that mockery of a tournament, allying yourselves with killers. Human World was left to fend for itself. Out of all of you before me, Kuwabara has the shortest list of sins."
"And what sins would those be?" his annoyance clear.
"A relationship with a demon." He clenched his fists and Hiei went for his sword having Kurama stop him mid action.
"Yukina had done nothing wrong."
"True, you were lucky. All of you were. My brother got too close, didn't stay objective and you were left free to wander and do what you pleased. Don't worry, I won't trial you. That's if you help me create and form the new team."
"And if we refuse?" Kurama asked cautiously almost afraid to hear the answer. Her eyes drifted to his, confidence sparking in her blue orbs.
"I'll kill those close to you."
Koenma hid his eyes as the room tensed calculating her words.
"You wouldn't, they are innocent." Kurama cut the air with his hand, but her head tilt was enough to indicate she was serious and wanted to be taken seriously.
"If it gets me to where I want, I don't mind spilling blood."
Yusuke spit to the side shaking in anger.
"Are you crazy lady?"
"No." the answer came unfazed despite his outburst. Pushing herself away from the desk, ignoring the fact that she dropped a bomb in the middle of the room, she raised three fingers.
"Three fighter that you need to bring together."
She pointed to her left at one of the girls. She raised a pain of violet eyes, looking at the room as if she just now realized everyone was there. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, blonde bangs framing her face, light dancing off it as she analyzed the group.
"This is Myra. She was supposed to be the next Spirit Detective after Sensui."
A new wave of tension shot through the room as the name was mentioned uninvitingly drawing back memories.
"She is human, but after retrieving her from Demon World, she has been training here in order to evolve." She moved to the other girl that hadn't opened her eyes or moved, standing still like a statue. Her hair was long and dark, a pair of headphones placed on her head. Before Klarise could talk about her, she opened a pair of venomous green eyes to survey the room.
"This is Lya. She is a demon that I have taken from Demon World." Klarise then proceeded to point her finger at Rin. She shook her head, chocolate brown hair cascading past her shoulders and turned a pair of wide dark brown eyes to the new ruler, pointing a finger at herself.
"Me?" a nervous laugh escaping her throat.
"Yes, you Rin. It's time to drop the act."
"Tch!" she frowned a wave of calmness washing over her as she traced her tongue across her upper teeth.
"She is also a demon, a bounty hunter sent here to kill one of you."
"Well I guess that cat is out of the bag. However why would I join your team?" Klarise delivered another creepy smile.
"Believe me, once they are back in Human World, I will tell you exactly why you will do this and what you will gain out of it."
Before anyone had time to protest Klarise turned to Koenma.
"Take your boys and go. I'm sure you have a lot you want to talk about with them behind my back. We'll meet tomorrow at Genkai's temple, she knows you are coming."
Setting foot through the portal and onto the grounds of Genkai's temple, they all turned to Koenma blurring out questions causing Kurama to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"Perhaps we can do this differently. Koenma please you go first." He sighed, shoulders slouched forward his face carrying the same defeated look.
"My father agreed to it. When Klarise learned all that happened with Sensui defeat and the events that transpired after, I've been faced with the decision to step down. Klarise is very precise and collected, I know she doesn't show it, but she does have a good side to her and good intentions when it comes to ruling." Yusuke's hands clutched his shirt drawing him closer to his face.
"Good? She threatened to kill those close to us. How long have you known?" Koenma put his hands on his wrists prying his hands away for him.
"Three months. We worked in secret, but one month ago Botan learned the truth so we kept her from seeing you." That statement managed to explain her sudden lack of visits and why she hasn't muttered a single word while they were all in that office.
"Why didn't you tell us you had a sister?" Kuwabara enquired.
"I never thought it to be relevant." He looked to the side tugging at his shirt to rearrange it. "She was in Spirit World, but I knew little of what she was doing. Like she kept quiet, forging this plan." Kurama motioned forward.
"What can you tell us about the girls?"
"Nothing I'm afraid. I haven't met then until a couple of months ago. I only knew a few things about Myra since she proved to have great spiritual powers, but she ventured in Demon World on her own and we lost track on her. How my sister managed to find her is beyond me."
"She doesn't smell all human." They all turned their heads to the shortest member of the group.
"The blonde one has the smell of a demon lingering on her." Kurama bobbed his head, he had noticed it as well. However what has bothering him more was Rin. She had been with them, befriended them. She had never betrayed her intentions until today when she was sold out and neither did he pick up on any demon energy. This was troublesome and the dark realization dawned in his mind. The girls have been with her so many times, she could have hurt or killed them to draw out her target. He could only think that didn't happen either because she's gotten used to the Human World and harbored feelings of friendship for them or she was such a skilled killer that even he was fooled.
It soon because clear to them that Koenma couldn't provide any answers to their questions and Klarise knew that. It was the only reason she allowed them to leave and talk freely. She had planned this carefully.
So much for a peaceful life. How could Yusuke explain all of this to Keiko? How could Kurama and Kuwabara balance university and trying to get three girls to work together? But how hard can it be for three girls to be friends?
Right?