AN: Long time since I've written an Author's Note. Anyway, here's the third book in my series involving Lost And Alone and Crystal of Darkness. There are three more books after this so be prepared to look for it. BTW, I'm going to really be getting on writing that sequel to Love From The Past. Happy Reading!

Chapter One

Kikiyo Yashime nervously fidgeted as she waited with Ayame. They stood in the Imperial Palace of the Reikai waiting for the ceremony to begin. She was trying not to start having second thoughts. Her stomach, though covered by her wedding dress, was beginning to show signs of her expected child. Her hair was a light strawberry blonde and was pulled back in a bun, curly tendrils falling down her back. Her eyes were a light purple and glowed with her nervousness. She was leanly muscled which suited fighting but her figure was slowly disappearing as pregnancy set in.

She wore a long white dress that lightly brushed the floor. The sleeves rested just where her arm met her shoulder, revealing the soft skin that her soon-to-be husband, Kurama adored. Around her waist was a thin black tie, the end falling down to her ankle in front.

Ayame was also getting married in the double wedding everyone wished to attend. Her hair was black and richly arranged on her head. Her sapphire blue eyes glowed with happiness as she smoothed her dress down. She was lean in figure but her stomach had expanded as her two children grew rapidly. She wore a white kimono, white flowers set atop her head like a crown.

The door to their dressing room opened, Sinamon slipping in before closing the door behind her.

"It's almost time. How are you guys doing? KoEnma and Kurama are both nervous wrecks," she stated calmly.

Her hair was black with silver wisps though at the moment the front was pulled up though her bangs still framed her face. Her eyes drew the most attention, now outlined in black eyeliner; the color was a deep sapphire blue with whitish silver wisps. Her pale skin was leanly muscled though hidden beneath her dress.

She wore a long red dress; it also lightly brushed the floor. It was a tank top though with a high neck stopping just below her chin. Up to her elbows were clad in black gloves giving her skin an even paler luster. Both her and Kikiyo wore a light sheen of lip-gloss that made their lips glisten.

Kikiyo smiled slightly, "Do I look okay?"

Sinamon nodded, opening the door, "Let's go. It's time to get married."

Kurama, one of the grooms, loosened his tie slightly, his eyes trained on the door in which Kikiyo would soon be entering. His magenta hair was pulled back in a low ponytail held back by a black ribbon. His emerald green eyes scanned the room, trying to keep the butterflies that flew within his stomach at bay. Most of his light tan skin was hidden beneath a traditional tuxedo, black with a silver tie.

Sinamon quickly took her seat next to Shiori, who eyed the Youkai that sat on the other side. Shiori's black hair was brushed back, a slight curl possessing the ends. Her blue eyes glowed with both fear and tears as she watched her son stand waiting to be married. Her skin was a light tan though hidden behind a long sleeved dress that whispered around her ankles. She smiled at her son, glancing back at the door.

KoEnma stood trying to remain calm, his hands fidgeting behind him. His chestnut brown hair swept into his golden brown eyes. His light tan skin and lean muscles were nicely concealed beneath his royal uniform. It consisted of khaki pants with a light blue shirt while a red cape wrapped around his shoulders before falling to his ankles.

Soft sweet tunes began to play, signaling the two brides were entering. As expected of the two eager grooms, they were shocked at the radiance of their brides. The girls joined them before the altar, joining hands with their mates. The priest stepped forth; his robes lying thickly on the floor as he pushed his sleeves back to read from his book.

"Today is a special day. Not because of the wedding but because two couples have chosen to give themselves to each other for the rest of their lives." He opened the book and set it on the alter before him, "Do, both you, Kurama and KoEnma, promise to be ever faithful to your brides, to allow yourself death to save them?"

KoEnma and Kurama both said at the same time, "Yes, sir."

"And do both you, Kikiyo and Ayame, promise to be ever faithful to your grooms, to allow yourself death to save them?"

"Yes, sir," they said together.

He pulled two small daggers from his robes and handed them to each couple, "Each of you cut your hand. If a drop of your mates blood heals the wound then by the Celestial Kingdom, you are meant to be and will be allowed to drink from the Goblet of Holiness."

They all slit their hands, a thin trail of blood forming. Each at a time let a drop of blood fall to the others hand. As their bloods mingled, a painful burning took possession of their palms. A moment later, their skin was whole again.

The priest lifted the Goblet, rubies and sapphires decorated the gold filament, "Now you shall drink and all past sins shall be made clean, giving all of your souls to your mate."

Each in turn drank, the warm amber liquid flowing over their tongues. It was tasteless and instantly took affect; the four being bathed in a brilliant godly light. When it disappeared, their eyes showed no past regrets, fears or even the hint of anything besides a love greater by far then time.

The reception was without fault. The food came from the Makai, Reikai and Ningenkai. The music was from all over the Makai, the bass vibrating through the stone floors. As usual, the two newly wedded couples took to the dance floor to dance to their first song. Shiori sought out Sinamon, finally realizing Kurama would no longer be there with her. It was hard to believe it when they told her of their life. She had even thought about putting them in an asylum when they told her of their secret life. Yet upon reaching the Reikai, she learned to love the worlds the Ningenkai had once looked like.

She had also learned to accept their Youkai friends though she found Hiei to be hidden in the affairs of his life.

"Hello, Miss. Minamino. You look beautiful," a small quiet voice said.

She turned to find the beautiful Koorime, Yukina standing there, her hands clasped before her. Her hair was a light sky blue that fell to her mid back and was held up by a red ringlet. Her eyes were a piercing deep red, the depths filled with innocence. Her pale skin glistened like snow that had just fallen. She wore a light blue kimono with floral patterns across the fabric.

Shiori smiled, remembering how Sinamon had saved her.

"Hello, Yukina. How are you doing?"

Yukina smiled in return, being whisked away by her boyfriend, Kuwabara. Shiori continued on her way to find Sinamon only to find her standing alone on the balcony.

"Hey sweetie," she whispered, coming up behind her.

Sinamon glanced at her, smiling slightly before reverting her eyes to the landscape before her. Things had been quiet for Sinamon. She wanted to fight, to be active. She knew the reason and it was not in fact because her Kitsune blood wanted it. Hiei had been sent on a mission by Mukuro and had yet to return. Seeing Yukina was a constant reminder that Hiei might never return, something that broke her heart at the mere thought.

Shiori stood for a moment but then left, unable to comfort her daughter. Sinamon turned from the open space, looking in to see the crowded groups. Spyk stood in a tuxedo provided by Kurama; Niri holding his hand in an exact replica of the tuxedo his father wore.

Spyk's hair stood out above the others, his hair being a deep green. His eyes were orange and sparkled with happiness. It was a good thing; when his eyes turned red, his other side, the evil side had taken control of his body. His skin was lightly tanned and leanly muscled though hidden beneath the black and white tuxedo.

Niri held his hand tightly, scanning the room. Niri was eleven years old and had been adopted by Spyk and Han. He had messy black hair, constantly looking wind tussled. His green eyes were wide with a renewed innocence and fear. His skin was light tan just like his new father and was slightly muscled since he could use any weapon ever intended. He wore a smaller replica of Spyk's tuxedo, trying to get as close to Spyk as possible.

Han stood next to Spyk, straightening his tie. She had the same outrageous hair color as Spyk though her hair reached her shoulder. Her eyes were a violet purple and sparkled with love as she gazed at the two boys before her. Her skin was light tan and slightly muscled though she refused to really show it. She wore a dress to just below her knees. The dress was sleeved to her mid-upper arm.

Kurama, Kikiyo, KoEnma, and Ayame were still dancing, whispering sweet nothings to the other.

She sighed, turning from the door and walking down the balcony. Her room was not too far and she needed to be alone. Her room was the same as it had been when she had left to go to the Ningenkai; she had almost refused to come but knew it would disappoint her brother and best friend. As she neared her room, her head began to become dizzy, her vision fuzzy. She braced her hand on the wall; she had been having these dizzy spells lately and quite frequently.

Her vision began to blur. Since she did not wish to injure herself further, she sat down on the stone, leaning on the wall. A moment later, her body gave in to the quiet darkness that hid her true feelings.

Lord Koro sat impatiently, he has called his servants over five minutes ago but they had yet to come. Lord Koro had brown hair to his chin, parted to the right. His silver eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness of the cave and scanned it impatiently. He was darkly tanned even though he had no left the cave in over a century.

His patience was quickly wearing thin. He stared at the door, willing it to open. It did so, slowly creeping forward to admit his two servants. He knew it was wrong to use them without their foreknowledge but he needed what he was doing to be completed.

Both were fully clothed in black cloaks that hid their identities so well. To help further they wore metal mask covering from the bridge of their nose down to their chin, small holes cut in the metal to allow them to breathe. She was completely covered, no skin showing except her eyes and the little skin around them.

They both knelt before him; their heads bowed in submission, "My Lord, you called."

Their voices were dull of emotion and remained on the same pitch.

"Yes, give me a report on the happenings. How much power have we collected?"

The girl stepped forward and knelt before him, "The wedding has finished, both are to be away for two weeks."

He nodded, turning to the other, "What of the power?"

"It is being collected. 25% is already captured. The rest is becoming hard to find but we will do so."

He nodded, his hand resting under his chin as he eyed them critically, "And what of the other two?"

She smirked, "They know nothing of our progress."

"Good, keep it that way for now."

They nodded, turning and leaving without being told to do so.

Hiei shook his head, staring down at the ground below. He stopped to sniff the air.

He had black hair that was always spiked up, the tips midnight blue. A white starburst surrounded his bangs in an interesting clash of color. His eyes were a piercing ruby red while a light purple Jagan, Third Eye, was hidden beneath a warded bandanna. His skin was pale like freshly fallen snow, his muscles hidden beneath his black cloak. He wore black pants with two white belts holding them up.

A messenger from Mukuro was coming towards him. The small piece of parchment fell into his hands. He opened it, finding it said:

RETURN TO BASE. WEDDING A SUCCESS.

NEED TO PROTECT CHILD. LIFE IN DANGER.

HURRY.

SS54

He smirked, he had been unable to attend the weddings but they understood somewhat. They did not know he was investigating a newly discovered god whose men were quickly collecting the power left by Tamamo after her destruction. He sprang into action, quickly finding a portal from Makai's forest of Dango to another section closer to the Reikai's border. He recognized a small clearing causing him to freeze as he inspected it.

It had not changed since he had last seen it though now he did not need to worry about Sinamon being severely injured. The wind whispered through the treetops, giving the trees a life of their own. The portal opened a moment later, drawing Hiei through the darkest depths before spitting him out on the other side.

It felt strange being back in the tranquil Reikai, the breeze brought only the fresh scent of flowers instead of the putrid odor of death. He could hear everyone laughing high above as the celebration continued. He quickly ascended a large pine tree that occupied a place beside the palace. He neared the top when someone scream from the balcony.

"Help! Someone! Sinamon's unconscious!"

He froze for a second before flitting to the balcony. He scooped Sinamon into his arms, gently brushing the hair from her face. He glared at the little girl before turning and entering Sinamon's room. She was cold to the touch almost as if she were dead. He pulled her closer though trying to show he was not afraid of her dying. He laid her on the bed, covering her with a thick coverlet.

"Hiei? When did you get here?" Kurama asked, Kikiyo seemingly permanently attached to his arm.

He kept his complete attention on Sinamon, "A moment ago."

The Doctor hurriedly entered, quickly checking Sinamon over. He froze for a moment, redoing the same test several times to make sure the results were correct.

"It seems her energy is being drained by something."

Hiei ripped the bandanna from his forehead, closing his eyes in concentration. He saw her energy running in a thin stream away. Using his mind, he found it led to the one god he had been keeping an eye on. Lord Koro. He quickly, using his Jagan, pulled some of the energy back to her before severing the link.

Kurama caught Hiei as he fell back, gently setting him down so he would not become injured. His breathing was quick and shallow as if he had been near death.

"They will both need bed rest but they should be fine," the Doctor said quietly while packing to leave.

Kurama helped Hiei to the bed knowing Hiei would never rest unless he was beside Sinamon. Shiori ushered everyone out as she covered them both up. Sinamon unconsciously drew closer to Hiei before settling down to sleep. Shiori smiled even though Sinamon was only 17; she knew Hiei and her were meant to be together. All she wanted now was for her daughter to be happy.

She finally stepped out into the hallway when she heard voices.

"We can always reschedule the honeymoon. We've got our lives ahead of us," Kurama said.

"No, Kurama. You two will go on your honeymoon. I'll be here to care for them while you're gone. Now go," Shiori said leaving no room to argue.

Kurama smiled, kissing her on the cheek, "Thanks mother."

She patted his cheek watching him walk away with Kikiyo. She felt she had truly lost her son to Kikiyo. No one could replace her though but it still hurt to let her first born go to start his own family.

Yusuke sat on his bed; he could not believe she had actually left him.

Yusuke had black hair that was normally sleeked back though at the moment his hair was left to its own accord. His chocolate brown eyes were filled with sadness, the sadness only loneliness could bring. His light tan was slowly fading, as he could find no reason to go anywhere.

Kikyana had been in tears when he returned to her. Before he could speak, she smacked him. He lightly fingered his right cheek as if it still hurt. She had said she loved him but she needed someone who would never disregard her thoughts and get himself killed.

He threw the picture at the wall, hearing the glass shatter into a million pieces. He gave up on girls and did not want to deal with any others that could become his girlfriend or even strike his interest. He stood, stretching before taking a place at the window. He leaned on the glass, feeling the winter air of loneliness, of his imagination.

He froze suddenly throwing open the window. The cold breeze blew in at him, its icy tendrils cutting into his skin. He turned quickly after shutting the window and ran from the room to find someone. The Reikai never changed, it remained warm, the perfect climate all year round. To have it become cold was not a good sign.

KoEnma watched the last of the luggage disappear through the portal. Ayame held his hand, the other resting on the lump where twins were developing inside her. He smiled, turning to say good-bye to those staying behind. Yusuke suddenly flew out at him, panting slightly. They stood in the inner court, the wind being diverted from entering.

"KoEnma, something is going on. It's cold outside," Yusuke said hurriedly.

If Yusuke had not been so serious, KoEnma would have laughed it off but instead he ran up a set of stairs to the parapets and flung open the door. He stood frozen as the wind whipped around him. The others soon followed, all staring out across the expanse to watch thick black clouds gather as they approached the palace.

"Everyone back inside. I'm afraid all plans of celebration of this day will have to wait." He turned to them, his face grim, "I will send Sinamon, Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara to the Ningenkai. Spyk, Han, and Niri, go to your home in the Makai. I want reports everyday on the weather conditions. Hiei can go as he pleases but only with Mukuro's permission."

They clambered inside, shivering from just a few moments in the cold wind.

TBC

AN: Well, well. What have we here? Koro is evil?! Of course he is. That's his only purpose. Review please. If you review I will update faster. And then, once this story is completely up here, I can finish the rest because once this series is done you'll be getting the next yaoi. Much love, S. Hunter