A/N: An experiment. Ichi-kun here! In case you're wondering who I am or where I came from, here's a short description to satisfy your curiosity. I have fading black eyes with two white dots in the middle, my lips were long gone, inch by inch it got cut off, unintentionally, since it's made of thread, and lastly, I have short curly golden hair and am in danger of being bald sooner or later. In short, I'm a dying Rag Doll. Anyway, about this fanfic. Before you start reading and expect too much from a poor battered rag doll like me, below are some very important warnings to all of you:

1. I am no Yuyu Hakusho expert. I was able to watch this anime like eons ago and so my memory was kind of blurred but I try to watch the series now to get as much information as I can. I also did background research on its characters as well, since it's strictly against my creed as a writer to have characters acting differently from who they really are.

2. This is my first try of a Yuyu Hakusho fanfic so don't be hard on me if I get some details wrong. Feel free to correct me though. I'd be more than glad to.

3. I am a slacker, I update really slow unless I receive plenty of feedbacks, whether good or bad, to act as encouragement for me. So please let me know right away how bad this fanfic is going to save me from all the trouble of updating. Lol.

Disclaimer: Yuyu Hakusho is not my property…onto the story then!

Prologue:

A tenshi, in the form of Death, clad in a long pink kimono, blue locks tied in a pony tail, amethyst eyes vibrant and sparkling with enthusiasm rarely seen in other typical ferry girls. To some, she may not qualify as beautiful, yet in his eyes, she is, though not physically, he can see through her heart somehow. And contrary to popular belief, this deity can feel, sympathize and reach out to poor souls like him.

"What's a freshly dead soul like you doing here? Are you lost? Where is your guide?"

Sharp amber eyes, shoulder length dark green hair, pale complexion and slender body, he can be labeled as a pretty boy indeed, that Botan could not help but marvel at his remarkable features as she waited for his response. Yet none came. He only stared back at her with defying amber eyes. Botan immediately felt intimidated and even considered abandoning him there since she's sure he wasn't placed under her charge. She would know if he was though. Yet her strong sense of duty prevailed that she offered her services instead.

"Hi! My name is Botan. As you can see, it is also my job to ferry souls in Reikai, therefore, seeing as you're lost, it is my duty to escort you to your right destination. Your name please."

Once again, the lad only stared back at her. This time, cluelessly. They were currently standing beside the River of Styx, the surroundings still and quiet, peaceful and undisturbed. With the lad's lack of response, Botan began thinking perhaps the boy is incapable of speech. Her brow furrowed as she thought of what to do next. When at last, the lad made up his mind and decided to speak up. He then carefully stood on his feet as if he hadn't used his legs for a while and had now only been familiarizing himself on how to use it, and afterwards turned his scrutinizing amber eyes to Botan.

"You mean to say, you'll assist me Miss Botan? You will help me get out of this place and return to my-my family?"

"Your family?" Botan asked, confused as she watched the boy give her a hopeful and expectant look fraught with a silent plea of help.

"Where is this place anyway? Why can't I find them? My mother must be worried sick by now. I promised them I would spend this year's Christmas with the whole family. And that by then, my health would be fully restored so that they won't have to bother themselves of loaning money from friends as payment for my hospital and medication bills. I have burdened them too much and for too long already. So I…"

His voice trailed off as he was unable to continue. His amber eyes softened and Botan could clearly see and feel sadness and regret radiating off of him. It finally led her to understand that the lad was unaware, or rather, unwilling to accept his sudden departure from the Human World. He was caught unprepared. His attachments, not yet fully cut.

"Why…Why can't we just have a long life span and a strong body able to withstand diseases? Why must we perish at some point in time? Why can't humans be given immortality? Why?"

Botan sighed, almost wanting to reach out and embrace the lad who was now filled of anger and bitterness, his sadness and regret from a while ago now replaced with violent emotions.

But instead, she offered what little advice she could.

"Being able to live in a thousand years is not the answer you know. Immortality is actually a curse. Having a long life span will not make you happier. It will even bring you more grief and pain. As you watch others perish before you and then soon you will be left alone with no one by your side. Do you want that?"

This time, Botan's words somehow managed to get through the lad that he looked up at her questioningly.

"You speak as though from experience Miss Botan. How is that so?"

Instead of answering, Botan only giggled and motioned for the lad the get moving.

"Someday, you will understand my meaning. And as for my experience, it's kind of a long story. For now, my only goal is to guide you to your destined place. Now let's get going, shall we?"

Botan then began to walk ahead, with the latter following silently behind. But then, he still got a last question and he won't be appeased unless he hears her answer on this one.

"Miss Botan…"

"Hm?"

"If there is a chance, would you choose immortality over a limited lifespan?"

Botan stopped in her tracks as the lad's question rang in her ears. An image of a certain scarlet-haired kitsune with emerald green eyes instantly dominated her mind, and it somehow prevented her from answering quickly. She paused, but then finally made a decision and with a smile, gave him her answer.

"Maybe…Maybe not…"

Chapter 1: Equilibrium

It was only intended for bedtime stories, one that his mother would often tell him whenever sleep refuses to visit him. It was a story which made him hope, hope that someday, he will witness the bright light of purity, a warmth that he had always desired to feel. And now, the time has come for him to fulfill that dream. It was all there, in front of him, the fulfillment of his deepest darkest desires, reachable, touchable, tangible, it was even calling out to him, drawing him closer with its light and warmth. The thing he most wanted for is finally no more than an inch away from him. No more than an---

"Hands off that Orb you filthy demon! Stand back or I'll rip your balls off!"

Suddenly, he sensed large amounts of strong spirit energy entering and saturating the whole area and it made him froze his hands in midair, disrupting his attempts of obtaining his most prized item, the Orb of Equilibrium.

"Yusuke! Can't you say anything more decent than that? Oh sorry I forgot you're just being your usual self."

"Be quiet onna! And you slacker, quit blabbering gibberish and just grab the item! Let's not prolong this boring assignment anymore. The sooner we finish, the better."

Crossing his tiny yet strong arms over his chest and rolling his crimson eyes in irritation, spiky-haired Hiei gave out an annoyed grunt before heading in the direction of where the Orb stands untouched.

"Out of the way shrimp! I'm gonna chop that black guy over there to pieces first so the Orb will no longer be threatened."

To prove his brave statement, Kuwabara went into position, raising his hands and unleashing his spirit sword before rushing to slice his opponent head on.

"It appears our assistance is no longer necessary this time Yusuke. Hiei and Kuwabara will be enough to complete our mission. They're just as enthusiastic as usual in showing off their abilities. We better not get involved."

Kurama quietly spoke with a smile as he stepped back and blended with the shadows of the trees, yet still keeping a close eye on their enemy in case he underestimated the latter's power.

"Yeah you're right Kurama, leave the job to them since that's what they want. Let's not tire ourselves when there is someone willing to fight in our place."

Yusuke flopped down on the grassy ground with his legs crossed, he was starting to feel comfortable. Somehow, just as it always had been, he knew in the end they will eventually retrieve what Koenma has asked them to retrieve and they will be able to go home all safe and unharmed, though at times not free of injuries.

Sometimes, the lack of challenge he finds with his opponents these days seemed to bore him, to the point of not wanting to fight anymore. 'Sigh, Koenma's assignments are getting way boring and monotonous lately, it's no fun anymore. Maybe I should just quit and—'

Botan screamed. Kuwabara yelled. Hiei cursed under his breath. While immediately, those noises brought Kurama on his feet and in a fighting stance, rose whip at hand. Yusuke jumped and did the same, battle instincts taking over.

'Now it's getting exciting somehow.'

But the sight that greeted him was just disturbing that it wiped out his cocky look.

"What the—hey you two! What are you doing just standing in there like petrified freaks? The Orb is about to be stolen damn it!"

Beside him, Kurama suddenly knelt down as if in pain, his left hand clutching his forehead as if acquiring a sudden headache.

"What's wrong Kurama? What is it? Your head, are you being attacked as well?"

Yusuke could only stand there as he became aware of another figure emerging from the bushes, the slender form slowly approaching them. He looked up, squinting his eyes to get a better view of who the familiar figure was but somehow, darkness clothed the person's features, and Yusuke could sense nothing from the strange apparition. Not even a single drop of life energy.

"The…Orb…" Kurama whispered with shortened breaths as he struggled to speak amidst fighting off with an internal battle. How careless of him to have easily underestimated their mysterious opponent. Now the Orb is once again in danger of being stolen and all of them are too preoccupied to save it from the clutches of a crazed demon.

"Hiei! Kuwabara! A little help here would be nice!" Botan screamed, her voice wavering as she continued to step back, with each step she get closer to the Orb, wherein she could feel soft waves of warm energy calling out to her. Yes, calling out to her. But why? Just what is with that Orb anyway? Why did Koenma want them to obtain that item badly? She recalled him vaguely explaining its value. And from his description she could tell it's just another of those precious treasures thieves are after but is nothing more than that. So what's so special about it? Oh well, think later, act now. She can always beat it out of Koenma anyway.

"I suggest you step away from that object if you want to be spared of pain, Ferry girl. That Orb is mine. It has already decided its owner. It's mine. Now get out of the way before I change my mind and finish you off!"

But Botan remained in place, staring hard at the mysterious dark-clothed youkai, not breaking eye contact despite fearing the strong demonic aura coming from the enemy.

'Just hold on Botan, Kurama and the others will soon come for me. Just give them more time. You have to defend the Orb. Stop shaking and try to keep it together! We've all been through a lot. Even experiencing near-to-death encounters. And so far, we have always emerged victorious. Everyone, safe and very much alive. This time…is no different.'

She tried to reassure herself with happy memories but upon setting her eyes on the unconscious Kuwabara sprawled motionlessly on the ground, Hiei hitting with his fists in the air as if fighting with an invisible opponent, Kurama clutching his forehead in agony and Yusuke—what's he doing standing there with that horrified look on his face?

"Guys wake up! The Orb!"

She tried calling them but the dark-clothed youkai advanced towards her with his claws ready to slash her that she was forced yet again to step back. She fell on her butt, blindly groping for any kind of weapon to defend her self somehow. Until…

Her amethyst eyes widened in shock as she was forced to grab the Orb from behind her but was too late as she felt sharp and scorching claws tear at her chest. Tears instantly formed in her wide and fearful eyes as the pain further sank in, her grip on the Orb weakening, her life energy gradually being drained.

"Botan!"

From a distance, she could faintly hear a very concerned gentle voice, warm and familiar, and it gave her the strength she needed to tighten her grip on the Orb again.

'Kurama is worried for me…I'm glad…'

"What's this? What do you plan to do with that now, Ferry girl? Give it to me before I decide to pulverize your soul. That Orb is mine!"

"Forget it bastard. I—will not allow your filthy hands to touch this pure Orb!"

With that said, Botan used the last of her remaining strength to place the Orb in her mouth and swallow it down.

"What the—foolish girl! I'll rip you apart!"

"Botan! No!"

Summoning every energy he could muster, Kurama leapt on his feet, charging straight towards the enemy to save Botan, while the rest of his teammates finally regained awareness, since the enemy lost focus with what Botan has unexpectedly done.

"What happened? Did I just fall asleep in the middle of a fight?" Kuwabara scratched his head in confusion as he slowly stood up and stared at his hands, as if checking to see if they're still intact, without a finger missing. "Boy that was some strange dream."

"Don't act all innocent, we know it's just your way of getting yourself out of trouble, coward." Hiei also regained his awareness and has now stood up as well, dusting off his clothes before surveying his surroundings and of the current situation.

"What the hell was that anyway? I thought I just saw Keiko standing in front of me a while ago. But there's no way that's her. She can't be here in Makai. Some strong illusion that is…and I think I have the right idea who's responsible for distracting us all."

Yusuke cracked his fists and stretched his arms and legs, preparing to attack. "My turn."

"That guy over there…he's no ordinary youkai…He has great psychic abilities I can tell…Might even be stronger than that of the shrimp's peeping tom eye. I can just imagine what else he uses that ability for—"

"Shut your mouth and cut your pointless talk, you big oaf. How dare you insult my Jagan Eye?! And as for that demon, I am not the least bit impressed."

"Oh you weren't impressed eh? With you punching away into the air as if fighting with an invisible enemy. What did you do to infuriate your imaginary friend now, shrimp?"

"Mock each other later you guys, right now, Kurama and Botan needs our help. Let's get out of here as soon as we can. I feel something freaky about that hideous guy. He's up to no good that's for sure."

Yusuke interrupted before Hiei could even answer as the three rushed to their scarlet-haired friend's side, since obviously, he seemed losing the fight.

"What's wrong with Kurama? He looks distracted unlike his usual calm self. What has gotten into him?" Kuwabara asked, his voice filled with concern as he unleashed his double spirit swords, swinging them in the direction of the enemy who was busy fighting with Kurama. Or more like mentally fighting with the tired and about-to-lose Kitsune. He sank to the ground, again clutching his forehead, his other hand letting go of the rose whip, though he was still in a position obviously trying to block Botan protectively from the other. And he was having a hard time doing both.

"Weakling. Your defenses are far too easy for me to break through. Is this all you can offer, half-demon traitor? I must say I am quite disappointed for believing all those great stories about the legendary Youko Kurama, the greatest thief and fighter. Perhaps rumors will always be rumors. They are mere opinions fabricated with facts to sound more true though in reality, they are the complete opposite of what's true. I should have never believed in them. But the Orb…it was the only thing real! And now that I found it and is even within my grasps, you lot appeared and ruined everything! For that you shall all pay dearly! DIE!!!"

"Over my dead body you overgrown bat of the Netherworld! You talk too much! Go back to your cave and rot there for all we care! Spirit Gun!"

A blast of blue energy was released from Yusuke's index finger and it went straight for the enemy's broad back. He was so caught up in pouring his bottled up emotions to Kurama that he noticed Yusuke's shot at a later time and it gave him no chance to dodge, thereby receiving the blow fully. He then fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Hey Kurama buddy! You alright? Hurt anywhere?"

The three wasted no time to run to the Kitsune's side as he tried to stand up with numb legs. He was still holding his forehead as if feeling dizzy.

'No my body wasn't hurt, my pride was.'

He wanted to say it out loud but thought better of it. First things first, Botan.

Botan!

Yes, how could he forget? The Ferry girl was practically in a critical condition right now! Not only did she swallow something dangerous, with its powers unknown to them and of the possible dangers it entails, but she also received deep wounds from their enemy's claws! And now, her wounds haven't even stopped bleeding yet.

"Don't think I've killed him though, probably just knocked him out. That's why we've got to get out of here now! Kuwabara, take Botan. I'll help Kurama up. He's obviously not in good shape to stand on his own. Let alone walk fast without a support."

Kurama winced as soon as he heard this. What was Yusuke trying to say? That he's not strong enough? That he's—

'Weakling…Weakling…Weakling…'

That voice…the dark-clothed youkai's words were coming back to haunt him. Suddenly, he felt his demon self awakening from within him, his emerald eyes slowly blending into gold ones.

'Relax Suuichi, Yusuke is your friend, he is merely concerned of your wellbeing. You should know that of all people. Your friends value you and you value them. It's got nothing to do with strengths.'

'Kitsune, cool down. Your hair is starting to turn silver. What's eating you?'

Hiei's deep and smooth voice telepathically cut through Kurama's thoughts, and it finally brought him at ease that he decided to agree with Yusuke's offer.

"I apologize everyone. That youkai was no ordinary psychic and he has affected my mind quite badly. Though I assure you all it's nothing serious. Now let's move so that we could bring Botan to be examined. I fear she may have done the wrong thing by swallowing the Orb. Its ability and power is ambiguous without us knowing its effects once used, moreover, once implanted to your body. Therefore, we must get her help immediately before something unpleasant happens."

Yusuke just stared back, trying to conceal his surprise.

Kuwabara was not doing any better with his jaw hanging open as if Kurama just admitted he's gay and is lusting after who-knows-who.

And Hiei, he was doing pretty well as usual in masking his real expressions and reactions, though Yusuke could tell they were probably wondering the same thing.

Kurama seemed so concerned with Botan. Then again, she is a member of their team and not just any member, but also a friend. She is everyone's friend, yes. And it's just proper for Kurama to worry for her, yes. Everyone is. Yet why does Yusuke get this feeling that there is something more to that concern? To the point that he gets distracted almost losing the fight knowing she was injured and unconscious.

Yusuke smirked to himself, oh well, he'll just have to find the answers on his own. The reason, the real reason. And as he stared back at Hiei, with the latter also returning his stare, the raven-haired spirit detective understood they are on the same wavelength. Yes, they'll find out, soon enough.

--

A/N: Pardon me for my excessive Author's Notes, since this is the first installment, I have a lot to say. Last warning which I almost forgot, you might find the story's events lacking in uniqueness and same goes for some areas of the story, but this I can assure you all, that all of these ideas came from my mind, at least, the plot and other new characters. There, I hope you'll all come back for the next chapter. You know what's next, please be kind enough to feed this little battered rag doll some reviews…