-1Chapter One
The air was cold as Sinamon watched the night sky above her. Something was out of place, but she couldn't tell what it was; something flashed by her, but too quickly for her to see. She felt as if something had struck her over the head. She glanced up to find Kurama standing there, looking down at her in silent amusement.
"So much for a good partner. What was that for?"
Kurama smiled, helping her though he didn't answer her. He looked out over the town, watching for a certain energy signature. Sinamon knew how hard it was on Kurama to have his best friend turn on them, but that's how things usually went with Youkai. Even though they both knew it couldn't possibly be true, it still hurt when they had no means of questioning him.
"Any sign of him?"
Sinamon shook her head, watching the emerald green eyes dull of all life.
"Kurama, you can't do this to yourself. One, Shiori will notice. Two, there's still a chance Hiei isn't evil. Now cut it out, I won't work with a severely depressed Spirit Detective. This isn't like you, Ku. What happened to the ruthless, I-don't-care-about-anything brother I used to know?"
They both had been Kitsune's before however, the Celestial Kingdom had decided to send them to the Ningenkai in Ningen bodies along with two others. Spirit Detectives were what the Lords and Ladies of the Celestial Realm or called Reikai by Ningens, called them. To be in the Ningenkai was interesting but brought with it the feelings most Youkai are immune to. They were honored to be given the task of protecting the Ningenkai.
Kurama closed his eyes, a breeze ruffling his long magenta hair, "I'm afraid he died along time ago."
He turned away, walking down the hill without glancing back at her. She sat down, drawing her knees up to her chest.
"I'm sorry, Ku. I know Hiei isn't evil but I can't release him yet. The plan hasn't been completed," she whispered to the wind.
She hoped it wouldn't drift to the ears of her brother as he walked away slowly, his head downcast.
Hiei awoke, a throbbing pain in his head as he glanced around the room. It was a dark, musty room. Chains hung from the wall; some of the old captives hadn't yet left. He searched for an exit, but there was none that he could see. He shut his eyes as a bright light filled the room, temporarily blinding him.
"Hello, Hiei. I'm sorry for having to keep you here for this long period of time, but some things must happen before I can release you to return to your friends."
Hiei blinked, a female figure coming into view, her body completely hidden beneath a long back trench coat that fell to just above the heel of her boots.
"Who are you? Just wait till I get my hands on you, I'll make sure you never make the mistake of coming after me again. I'll kill you so easily that you'll wish to be alive again."
His kidnapper chuckled, her laugh flowing like music to his ears, "If only you truly knew who I was, I highly doubt you would be saying that."
Hiei glared at her wishing his eyes could bore into her and kill her where she stood, "I don't care who you are. Anyone who crosses paths with me is pleading for death."
She remained quiet for a few moments before speaking, "Your friend, Kurama, he searches for you like none I have ever seen. Is he a lover?"
Hiei remained silent, his eyes gleaming from across the room, penetrating the darkness. She knelt down, pushing some food towards him before making to leave.
"Who are you?" he asked quietly.
The girl flicked some hair over her shoulder saying, "A friend... The chains will disappear once I leave so you will be free to eat."
She disappeared in a flash of light, leaving a confused Hiei behind to scorn and think of painful tortures to inflict on his capturer.
Sinamon watched Shiori fuss over Kurama's well being as she noticed the lack of emotions in his eyes. Shiori was the Ningen Mother they had been born from, Kurama being two years older than Sinamon. She had long, ivory black hair that she kept pulled back in a bun at the nape of her neck, silken tendrils lightly whispering over her skin. Her mud brown eyes stared at her son, worry and fear swimming in its depths though Kurama didn't seem to notice. Her light tan skin was hidden mostly beneath a light blue sundress. It was cut low in the front, stopping inches from revealing cleavage. Even while she knelt at her son's knees, nothing was revealed. The sleeves lightly brushed her forearm in loose ringlets. Even though it was the middle of fall, she still preferred her summer clothes.
Sinamon waited patiently until she left before latching onto Kurama, burying her head into his neck. He was slightly shocked before he placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to push her off.
"Sinamon, let go. Why are you doing this?"
Sinamon kept her head buried, speaking quietly, "I miss you. You've given up all hope on Hiei and now you're punishing yourself. I can't stand it. If you don't stop, Ku, I can't say how much longer we'll be together. Whether as partners or as siblings."
She let her grip slacken as she stood, turning her back on him. Kurama watched her leave, his eyes filled with confusion to hide the pain and despair he felt from losing another friend. He turned back to the picture he held in his hand. Hiei was standing there, his eyes concentrating on the bass guitar he was playing. He had been happy then. Of course, that was before those Youkai had stolen Yukina, Hiei's twin sister. They waited until he got there to brutally murder her. She had been sad to leave him, but he knew she was being called to the other side, a side where he would join her.
Now Kuwabara walked around in a daze, muttering to himself and training vigorously to be able to protect his friends and loved ones so none of them would end up like Yukina, his one and only true love. Botan was being sympathetic, waiting for the right moment to tell him the truth of how she felt though not knowing how he would respond. Even so, she was a Ferrygirl, full-breed and knew the limits such a relationship with a Ningen could cost her.
Kurama set the picture down, letting his head bow in defeat. He wished Kikiyo Yashime were here now, the Kitsune that had stolen his heart from the very first moment they had met. She always cheered him up though she didn't know that he was alive.
Sinamon walked up the steps to Genkai's Temple slowly; letting herself be drawn to the surroundings her friend had loved so. She wouldn't let the others know, but Yukina had been one of her few and far friends. Though now she would have to wait to get to the other side in order to see her again. At least she died knowing who her brother was; Hiei told her so she could die in peace.
She sighed, catching sight of Yusuke and Kuwabara training vigorously in the courtyard.
Yusuke continued to try and teach Kuwabara moves only Youkai or Spirit Detectives could do. She wanted to help Kuwabara though he still believed her untrustworthy and partly to blame for Yukina's death. Though it was partially true, if Sinamon had not let her guard down, none of it would have happened.
She glanced at her watch; KoEnma had said to meet him here in five minutes so she had a little time to spare. KoEnma was the Prince, the son of the Reikai King, Yama; who said which Ningens went to the Reikai and which to Makai; if they were truly evil, they even had the possibility of being sent to the Meikai or what was now known as the oblivion. She let herself rest against a rock, hoping this was not what she thought it would be. KoEnma might have found out who she was, and how Hiei's disappearance was linked to her.
KoEnma appeared moments later, his face calm though eyes like stone.
"Sinamon," he said from behind his blue pacifier.
Sinamon nodded to him, noticing Botan floating behind him, her face a mask of anger. Yusuke and Kuwabara had noticed them as well since they now headed that way. Sinamon watched as the Prince waited for them to come closer, turning his eyes back to her.
"I know what you did. Now just tell me why?"
Sinamon played the innocent asking, "Why what?" with a slight shrug of her shoulder.
Prince KoEnma's eyes narrowed in anger as he yelled, "WHY THE HELL YOU KIDNAPPED HIEI?! AND WHERE IS HE?!"
Sinamon shook her head, "What proof do you have? Or is this just the fact that I'm the new member of your team?"
KoEnma didn't falter, "We have eyewitnesses that were undercover when you kidnapped him." His eyes softened as he gazed at her, "Sinamon, why did you do it? If you give a reason, I might be able to get you off on community service."
Sinamon closed her eyes, letting the memory flash, Lord Inari's warning echoing in her head, 'Tell and I'll kill you. You'll receive the most painful, excruciating death I can give to anyone.'
She opened them, shaking her head sadly, "I have my reasons and I can't say…"
Botan cut her off saying, "I bet you helped kill Yukina! You're such a sick minded Youkai, I wouldn't put it past you."
She began to cry, Kuwabara hugging her sadly.
Sinamon couldn't help but laugh, "I'm sick minded yet you're the one trying to get your friends boyfriend after she hasn't been dead for even three months. What I'm doing has a bigger purpose that will affect the whole world."
KoEnma shook his head, closing his eyes, "Sinamon, I have to do this. Yusuke, take her to the Reikai."
Yusuke glared at her, his finger pointed at her as he stepped towards her. It glowed a light blue, threatening to unleash an energy blast that would knock her out and even possibly kill her. Sinamon nodded, punching him quickly before running faster than they could see away. She found a tunnel to the Makai, but hesitated entering as she cast a glance back towards where her brother was. Finally she turned away, disappearing through the portal.
Yusuke and Kuwabara sat next to Kurama, watching him though he never looked up.
"Are you sure our source is trustworthy?"
Yusuke nodded sadly, whispering, "Yeah."
Kurama wiped his eyes on the back of his hand, the tears disappearing as soon as they appeared. He stood, his eyes completely vacant of anything.
"I'll find her whether I have to search to the end of the Makai and back."
His eyes turned to Yusuke who involuntarily shuddered at the glance but understood the reason for it. Though truly none of them could understand how it was that the girl you had raised could possibly turn on you without a thought of how it would affect you. Or having the person you trust the most turn their back on you without a second glance or even providing a reason. Kurama knew only to well what it was like to lose a friend though they didn't blame you even after their death but rather thanked you for fulfilling the one wish they had.
He had to find Sinamon and if she couldn't give a good reason for doing what she did, he wouldn't hesitate to kill her. She had turned her back on him too many times to be forgiven again. Hiei would easily be forgiven; Kurama knew that. Hiei had been there for him like no other since his last partner, Kuronue, and that had been over 20 years ago that he had died and left him to himself, the one person he couldn't stand.
Sinamon stumbled into the prison, slamming the door shut behind her as she turned to see a surprised Lord Inari seated before her.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be keeping those Spirit Detectives off our tails."
Sinamon looked away, "KoEnma found an eyewitness, they figured it out so I had to run."
Lord Inari got up, placing a hand on her shoulder, gripping it tightly, "And I had such high hopes for you but it seems they were for nothing. I do not need you anymore so you may join your friend."
With that he shoved her into Hiei's cell room, laughing as she fell roughly on the ground before he shut the door.
He sighed as he returned to his desk, smiling still, "This is for your good, my dear. This task will only be complete when you and the other Forbidden Child learn to truly love others."
He stopped suddenly; glad the walls were sound proof so the two in question would not hear the reason for his mission.
"I promised you before you died, you would learn to love and trust again. And I will fulfill that promise even if that love is not for me."
He turned away sadly, wishing for the heart he knew would never be his. He had showed her the world but that had not been good enough for her, had not been enough to capture the young Kitsune's heart. Even so, he knew she would always come to him when she needed help, needed advice, or just needed to be held when no one else was there to do so. It hurt but he was Immortal; he was a god and would not let her hurt him. As it were Sinamon and Kurama, Hiei and Yukina were Forbidden Children of the Makai though they did not know of it. Hiei and Yukina had been born from Koorime and Fire Youkai's relationships. Sinamon and Kurama were cross breeds of two Kitsune races. Now they were the most trusted of the Spirit Detectives, having changed from being like their Mothers.
Sinamon laid there for a while, breathing in the scent of the musty dungeon. She could hear Hiei shuffling in the corner as if trying to decide what to do. She finally pulled herself up and leaned against the wall in silence.
"Who are you?" Hiei asked quietly from across the room.
Sinamon sat there wiping the dirt from her face, "Why not use your Jagan and find out? You won't get it out of me easily, I won't believe or trust anyone."
Hiei shifted a little more saying "Hn" like he always did. Silence engulfed them, the air thick with tension.
"You're the one who kidnapped me." It was more a statement than a question.
It drew Sinamon from her thoughts, startling her up.
"Yeah, I am. Though I'm not sorry for it."
Hiei growled, flying across the room to her, he slammed her against the wall. As the little light in the room struck her face, he froze, studying her. Her eyes were ocean blue though when you looked closely you could see white mixed in it. Her skin was pale like freshly fallen snow on a cold winter's night as it seemingly drew in the light. Her hair was midnight black, silver wisps standing out if she turned her head in any given direction.
Sinamon also took the time to study him. His eyes gleamed ruby red, filled with sadness and anger. His skin was also pale though dirt made it darker. His hair was sulfur black with midnight blue tips, a starburst of white surrounding his bangs on three sides. Just above his eyes was a black warded bandanna that helped keep his Jagan, Evil Eye closed and concealed. The Jagan was a Third Eye that Youkai who had been captured and tortured by Youkai were given; it was a painful ritual to be put in and would kill the person if they tried to remove it. As she watched, his eyes softened as they met hers.
"You're stuck in here too?" He asked quietly, hardly above a whisper.
She nodded, feeling him draw away to the opposite side of the cell. The silence returned, allowing Sinamon time to try and think up an escape plan.
Kurama sat with the others being Genkai, Yusuke, and Kuwabara in her home. It was silent as they gave Kurama time to think of any place Sinamon could be at from her past life with him. Unfortunately none came to mind as he thought it through. KoEnma and Botan were in the Reikai looking for any leads though also coming up short.
"Where can she be?" Kuwabara asked, slamming his fist down on the floor in anger, though no one had an answer for him.
None though had given up complete hope that the two people missing were truly evil for they had known them too long; none except Kurama. He had given up on everything. He felt betrayed by both and he could not live with that thought. Earlier that day he had thought of what it would be like to put a dagger to his wrist and just kill himself. He knew from his past life the pain and feeling of hopelessness that overtook him as he bled from the wound the hunter had inflicted on him. Only after did he understand the gods had arranged it, had made him Ningen for a purpose. Yet that would never, could never describe how it felt to give up and kill yourself.
The pain would be more for it would be both physical and emotional as it would feel to have your heart pulled from your chest while it still beat. He glanced at the others and knew only one thing.
'I have to stay strong for them. I can't give up, they aren't.'
He sat up straight, thinking harder for a place Sinamon could have gone but only one person came to mind. Kikiyo Yashime.
Sinamon suddenly awoke, light filling the room as Inari shoved another into the room.
"Here is some company for you."
He shut the door just before the new occupant launched herself at the door. As she banged on the door furiously, the noise resounding throughout the room, Sinamon moved closer to Hiei though doing so without thought.
"Will you stop it!" Sinamon yelled though she continued more calmly once the noise stopped, "You can't get out. I helped build this place; it's impossible to do any damage inside of the cell."
The girl turned, glaring at Sinamon, "And who are you to build this kinda place? Didn't ya think it would be a trap?"
Sinamon growled, her fist clenching as she flung it over her knee, "Yeah, well, why are you in here? You obviously weren't too bright if you're in here."
The girl stepped forward, the light framing her face, "Mukuro sent me to find Hiei when she felt his energy from this place. Ya do know who Mukuro is, right?"
Mukuro was one of the rulers of the Makai that helped to keep the Makai under control. She was a cyborg that took her position seriously and ruled far better than the other two rulers that helped to keep the control. Or so she believed.
Hiei sat up now, staring at the girl, "Kikiyo, where is she?"
Sinamon let her fist loosen and stared closely at the girl, Kikiyo. She could not help but laugh as she looked closely.
"Let me guess, Kikiyo Yashime, right?"
Kikiyo glared down at her, scrutinizing whether to speak to her or not, "Yeah, what's it to ya?"
Sinamon stood up, "Sinamon. I happen to know the man who is madly in love with you. Yeah, I'm the little sister."
Kikiyo scoffed at the hand offered, "Him and every other guy. What's his name?"
Sinamon retracted her hand, glaring, "People call him Shuichi though you'd kn…."
"A Ningen? You have to be kidding. There's no way I would ever like a Ningen. Kitsune's have some morals, though I doubt you would know anything about that."
Sinamon closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, "Though you'd remember him as Kurama."
Kikiyo stared at her, surprised, "But he died." Her surprise quickly turned to anger, "If you're going to lie, you had better come up with something better than that."
Hiei shook his head, drawing himself up and drawing his sword. "It's the truth, now both of you shut up before I cut your voices out."
Both girls heeded his words, sitting on opposite sides of the room, never looking at each other for more than a few seconds to glare with such force that if looks could kill, either would be dead. Hiei also resumed his seat with a sigh; somehow he would have to survive the time without killing the two Kitsune's that were going to be stuck in here as well. Something told him it would have been easier had it only been him instead of all three. The girls were more than likely going to end up killing each other if allowed the time to do so. At the moment, however, time seemed to be the one thing they had.
KoEnma sat at his desk in his more attractive teenage Ningen body rather than remaining unseen as Botan hustled around the room searching for a stack of papers concerning Sinamon. He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose in exhaustion. It had been two days since he had had a proper nights sleep. The disappearance of Hiei had taken quite a toll on the team and he had wished to restore to calm tranquility of the small group, though knowing it could never be that way with Yukina gone.
"Ah-ha. KoEnma, I found it."
She scanned through the stack furiously to find something that could help them. Her eyes suddenly widened as she pulled forth a piece of paper.
"KoEnma, sir, this says… It says Sinamon or Kunanai and Hiei's souls are intertwined. They're connected as…"
KoEnma snatched the paper away, reading quickly before leaning back in defeat, "This is worse than I thought."
He closed his eyes for a moment remembering the first time Sinamon had been introduced to group, trying to remember if Hiei had ever met her. A hand on his shoulder startled him out of his memory.
Ayame smiled sweetly down to him, "KoEnma, sir, I think you should try to get some sleep. You look exhausted."
KoEnma allowed a smile to slip onto his face though he did not feel like smiling at the moment. He had not had the guts to tell Ayame how he felt about her. She helped him up, her hand remaining on his arm as she walked him to his room.
Outside the door, KoEnma grabbed her hand before she could leave, "Ayame, I just wanted to say, thank you. All the work you've done and I never have thanked you so.."
He stared her straight in the eyes, memorizing the deep blue like a sapphire jewel that never dulled but only seemed to grow in light. Before he realized what he was doing he leaned in, lightly placing his lips on her cheek. He pulled back slowly waiting for the pain to flow through his cheek but it never came. He opened his eyes to see Ayame staring at him, shocked.
"KoEnma, you really should get some sleep. You're acting strange."
KoEnma nodded, dropping her hand as he turned to enter his room.
Botan hurried to find Yusuke, finding him and Kuwabara on the roof of the school. She ran a hand through her hair quickly before landing near them.
"Hey, Yusuke, Kuwabara. I've got some news on Sinamon."
They looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
"Well, it seems the soul of Kunanai which now resides in Sinamon and Hiei's souls are intertwined."
Yusuke stared at her, "Which means?"
Kuwabara looked at him, letting his new intelligence show, "It means that they are supposed to be lovers of some sort." Turning to Botan, he continued, "Doesn't that mean that them being together like they are will help? I mean, if their souls are intertwined then they will probably fall in love while stuck in the same place."
Yusuke scoffed, "I hate you, Kuwabara."
Botan smiled slightly, "Guys, remember who we're talking about. Sinamon may be willing to learn to love though from what I gathered about her even that is questionable. Hiei, though would never fall in love especially after…"
She fell silent watching as the man she loved got a vacant look in his eyes. She placed a hand gently on his shoulder, startled when he jumped. He smiled shyly at her, scratching the back of his head. She nodded in understanding as she hopped onto her oar and flew into the air, waving good-bye as she entered a portal to the Reikai.
Yusuke continued to glare at the Human beside him. He truly hated the fact Kuwabara knew more than him; it had something to do with the death of Yukina and gathering knowledge so he could protect his friends. Even with that, it made Yusuke mad he had to slip up and let the Human get all the credit for the work Kuwabara had earned.
"Well, I guess we should go and find Kurama. He's sure to want to know what we found
out, right?" Yusuke asked, his glaring never faltering.
Kuwabara smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I just thought you knew what that meant. Aw, come on, Urameshi. You know, I'm only joking with you." As the silence stretched between them, he gulped, "Um, let's go…. Let's go and get Kurama."
Yusuke was the first to his feet, standing behind the taller man. At the prefect moment, he poked Kuwabara in the lower back with the tip of his finger. When the young Human turned to glare at him, he laughed. It had always been that way between them; now though that Yukina was gone, Kuwabara had refused to even play hit him. It touched the Mazaku but not enough that he would let the young man have a rest from their time together. They both needed to be ready for anything; perhaps it was just he loved seeing the Human act like he used to, loved to feel as if nothing had changed between them though it was obvious that things had. Things had changed between all of them.