Disclaimer: I in no way, shape or form own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters.

Woot. I'm back from the dead, and hoping to get back into the writing thing. My other stories have been deleted due to them sucking a big one, so you may notice ideas from them in this story as I'm planning on tryin to make this a super duper big awesome buffet of greatness story. It'll follow the main story line of my old story "Soeki Saga", but will have one or two side stories which should be kick ass, one involving Hiei's past in that brief period of time in which we have no idea what happened, just that he commited "crimes". Chea chea. Here's ze first chapter of the tale.

Yu Yu Hakusho: Soeki Saga

Clash!

Shiing!

Skeesh!

The sound of clashing metal echoed throughout the dimly lit room of the dojo, two dark silhouettes moving about as if they were performing some sort of brilliant dance, their blades moving swiftly through the air and meeting time and time again. For almost two hours now they had been locked in this duel, and fatigue was finally beginning to make his appearance in full stride.

He spread throughout their legs, weighing them down and making it harder for them to step and leap. He infested their arms, making the task of wielding their swords all the more difficult. He moved about on their flesh, sucking the fluids from them as their sweat dropped to the floor beneath them as they moved.

But there were two places that the parasite could not breach: their minds and their hearts. Both their focus and their will to win drove these two warriors on, continuing their battle despite the physical exhaustion threatening to overwhelm them.

Hiei ducked beneath another of his opponent's slashes, feeling the cool wind following the enemy blade through the air as it lapped down against his head. In an instant he brought his own katana up for a quick parry, blocking yet another attack from his kimono clad foe.

The man was a tall, almost double Hiei's short height. Even in the presence of only the small, dwindling candlelight his grotesque scars could be seen, adorning his face along with the wrinkles of old age, several even going down through his eyes, destroying his vision. His hair was short and a light blonde, looking as though it had been bleached by the ancient looking and blind samurai.

The four of them had all entered the massive complex together. Hiei, Yusuke, Kurama, and Botan. They're mission had been to capture a thief, Ronin(the man with which Hiei was "dancing") who had entered the Rekai and stole a vial. What was in the vial the Rekai Tantei were not told, though Prince Koenma made certain to let them know it was of utmost importance that it be retrieved.

Ronin, though he could easily acquire great wealth through his trade, possessed a love for gambling. This is what brought them to this massive Makai gambling den, where even now over a hundred demons were placing wagers. It had been almost two easy cornering the thief…..

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Earlier……

Botan breathed deeply, trying desperately to maintain her composure as she dropped the pair of die yet again, swiftly bringing down the wooden cup on top of them, holding in there. A bead of sweat formed on her brow as she did her best not to make eye contact with any of the demons sitting across from her at the massive table.

Shouts of "Even!" and "Odd!" rang out from all around, the gamblers sliding forward their wagers towards her. Yusuke and Hiei both sat at the table, as did Ronin, while the infamous Youko Kurama remained in the shadows to Botan's left, her guardian clad in common Makai clothing, ready to unleash his rose whip should any demon try to overwhelm her.

Slowly she raised the wooden cup and looked down at the dice. A four and a two, which together made a total of six.

"Even." She said aloud, earning both shouts of joy and anger as she slid back the victors' bets along with their winnings. She was quite pleased with how well she was holding up this façade of a gambling official. The real one was currently knocked out, tied up, gagged and hanging up above the rafters by a massive vine, firmly holding him in place at the bidding of Kurama.

"Godammit! I can't get a fucking break!" Shouted an exasperated Yusuke, throwing his hands up in the air before rubbing his temples with them. That was the thirteenth round he had lost, and the money he had been given by the prince of Rekai was wearing thin.

"Hn. We can't all be as fortunate as I am." Hiei snorted next to him, collecting his winnings from Botan as if he had never seen her before in his life. It wasn't like that was hard, seeing as how he normally just ignored the blue haired ditz anyways. Unlike Yusuke, he had won every single round so far, a feat that only he and Ronin had managed to accomplish. His eyes slowly moved to their target as the samurai slowly collected his winnings as well, his blue kimono sleeves drooping low and sliding over the table.

"He's gotta be using his freakin' third eye. No way in hell is anyone THAT lucky... and this game can't have anything to do with skill, it's not like poker!" Yusuke thought angrily to himself as he eyed Hiei's winnings jealously, his right eye twitching a bit. Then again, Hiei wasn't one to cheat. At anything. Yusuke seriously doubted that his warped honor code would allow it.

Once again Botan dropped the dice, watching Hiei intently as she brought the cup down upon them again. This couldn't be his first time playing this game, that much was sure. She had never thought Hiei to be the type to gamble often though.

"Even." The fire demon said almost instantly, his expression completely stoic and calm as he watched Ronin.

"Even." He voiced as well, causing Hiei's eyes to narrow for a brief moment. Botan wondered why his expression has suddenly changed when her thoughts were interrupted by Yusuke and the other gamblers.

"Yea, even! Definitely even!" They shouted, copying the bets of the two current table leaders. Botan sighed and lifted the cup, looking down at the dice. Three and one.

"Even." She announced, frowning as Yusuke fisted the air in triumph. Cheating off of Hiei like that, shame on him. She would expect that from the lowly Makai gamblers but not from the spirit detective of Rekai! Shaking her head, she dropped the die again and covered them with the cup, beginning a new round.

Kurama watched Hiei intently. Though his face was again an emotionless mask, something shown in his crimson eyes.

"Even." Hiei spoke once more, looking to Ronin. Needless to say, the other gamblers all called even as well, mimicking the koorime.

"Odd." Ronin spoke, his voice deep and raspy, his expression calm. Botan gave a questioning look before raising the cup, her eye widening. Five and four. Nine.

"Odd." She announced, looking as Hiei and finding herself surprised at the look of satisfaction that seemed to play his features. Groans arose from all around the table, demons smacking their foreheads with their palms and giving Hiei the finger.

"What the hell, Hiei?! What happened?!" Yusuke demanded, getting right in the short swordsman's face.

"Nine rounds." Hiei answered, his expression and tone never faltering. Yusuke growled, grabbing him by the collar of his white scarf.

"What the fuck kind of answer is that?! Did you see how much money we just lost! That was a new playboy!" He shouted, the vein on his forehead bulging as his checks turned red.

"Hn. For the last nine rounds the samurai has been betting the same as I have been, placing his wager only after I have place mine." Hiei stated coolly, deciding to calm down the detective before he made a scene and blew their cover, "I wanted to test him. He passed. He's earned my sword." He finished, watching as Ronin suddenly rose from his seat, bowing in Botan's direction.

"My thanks, hostess." He said curtly, shoveling his winnings into a small sack and slowly walking off down a nearby hallway. Hiei suddenly looked to Yusuke calmly, sliding his money in the detective's direction.

"Keep yourself busy." He muttered, his face contorted in a look of disgust upon seeing the detective's eyes light up and begin to water.

"…Hiei…..I love-" He began only to be cut off by Hiei who grunted and stood, imitating Ronin by exiting the room, minus bowing to Botan. The blue haired diety bit her lip in anger.

"The nerve of that man! I'm risking my life here and our ENEMY shows me more kindness than he does!" She fumed mentally, dropping the die and beginning another round.

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Hiei followed the Samurai from the shadows, his feet making no sound as he stepped, every movement he made showboating his expertise in stealth. As they moved onwards, the rooms grew darker and darker. They seemed to be guest chambers for frequent visitors, meaning there was no doubt that the master thief was returning to his own.

Sure enough, Hiei found himself hiding behind the door frame of a large room. It was lit solely by candlelight. On the floor a large and comfortable futon lay outstretched, along with several articles of clothing scattered about around it, some of them belonging to those of the female anatomy.

Ronin stood facing a small candlelit shrine. It appeared to be a wooden post rising up from a small garden of Makai flowers with demonic symbols engraved upon it. Slowly he turned his head slightly to the right.

"You may enter, assassin." He stated calmly, not turning to face Hiei. The fire demon did not seem surprised to have been caught by his target. Not after his show at the gambling table. He locked his gaze on Ronin, his hand coming to rest on the hilt of his sheathed katana.

"It is not here, Jaganshi Hiei." He spoke suddenly, turning about in the dimly lit room. Strange, Hiei had not noticed a sword at his side before. This thief was fast.

"You mean the vial." He answered stoically, a frown forming on his lips. Ronin responded with a curt nod, his expression still dull.

"It has already been given to my superior, and from him to his contractor. I am afraid the transaction took place only moments before you entered the gambling den. Your timing is most unfortunate." The blind warrior explained, stepping out of his sandals slowly, "I had wondered when our paths would finally cross. I can honestly say that not a week passes in which I do not hear a tale of your great feats from my mentor. He still holds you in high regard, despite your disloyalty." He continued, a small smile starting to show. Hiei's brows furrowed. What the hell was the man rambling on about? It was not until Ronin said one more word that he understood.

"….. prince."

Hiei's façade came crumbling down then, a mix of emotions tearing through him as he suddenly drew his katana. He had not heard that name in so very, very long. He raised his blade, pointing it directly at Ronin.

"You are one of the Ookami?" Hiei questioned stepping forward. Ronind drew his sword then, tossing his scabbard aside.

"Your replacement." He answered, amusement in his voice. Hiei scowled, beginning to balance his wait for the impending duel. He knew the tenants, and retired or no, he was bound by honor to follow them.

"What are your terms?" He asked darkly, looking into the samurai's dead eyes.

"This is a fight to the death. Swords only. No mercy will be shown on either side." Ronin answered moving forward and swinging his blade. Hiei blocked, their swords sliding against each other as they held there for a moment in a meeting of brute force.

"Good man." Hiei murmured, spinning out and slashing at the blind man's hip…

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The Present….

His breathing was heavy, his face damp with sweat and his arms aching. How much longer could he hold? The samurai's speed was equal to his own if not greater, his skill with a blade the only thing keeping him alive.

Hiei stepped back, twirling his katana and bringing it down in an arc, nipping Ronin's shoulder he sidestepped, some blood splashing upon the wooden sweat stained floor. The room was steaming with the heat given off by their bodies, fogging their vision slightly. Ronin showed no sign of pain and he leapt forward, readying to thrust his blade for another attack.

And that's when the fight came to an abrupt and unexpected halt. In the midst of their fray, the two failed to note the sounds of a struggle coming from outside of the room. The wall suddenly was torn down as a blue light engulfed Ronin, sending him flying backwards through the air.

"Spirit gun!" echoed throughout the room as Yusuke shouted, firing yet another blast in the thief's direction. Hiei's eyes narrowed in the detective's direction, a look of hate upon his face.

"Fool! It was my life to end!" He roared, turning to look through the smoke and debris at the fallen warrior. It seemed that Yusuke had indeed stolen his kill. Ronin's once beautiful silk kimono was now torn dirtied and burning. His already scarred skin bled from many wounds and was scorched black in most areas. The most notable wound was the one in his stomach, a large plank of wood jabbed clear through him, life fluid ebbing out freely as he gasped for air.

"Yusuke, what… by enma!" Botan suddenly cried having entered the room alongside Kurama and spotting the dying samurai. She turned away and cringed, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach as she covered her eyes, trying her hardest not to peek through her fingers.

"…..Jaganshi……. you fought…… beautifully…." Ronin murmured, his head falling limp then to the side as blood poured from his mouth and down his chin. Hiei scowled, running a hand over his forehead and removing some of the sweat there.

"Hiei, what the hell….?" Yusuke began, only to be silenced by a death glare from the fire koorime. Hiei moved over to his black cloak which lay on the ground, having been discarded along with his scarf during the fight. Moving for the door, he stopped next to Kurama. He scoffed then, looking at Botan and giving her a mocking look.

"And here I thought you were supposed to be the Grim Reaper, onna." He said, snatching her wrists and moving her hands from her eyes so she could no longer hide them, "Take in the sight and ferry him." He commanded, shoving her forward.

"What about the vial? Did you get it from him?" Asked Yusuke, looking about the destroyed room. Hiei grunted.

"It's gone." He answered bluntly. Kurama looked to him then, giving a questioning look.

"Were you able to learn to where it was sent?" He pressed, crossing his arms.

"To whomever paid the samurai to steal it. We will never get it now." He answered, looking off at knocked over candle on the floor.

"And why the hell is that?" Questioned Yusuke, scowling.

"You're dealing with professionals, detective." Hiei put simply, looking up at the teen, "And were you ever to find them, you'd find yourself skinned alive even faster than it takes you to finish with your woman." He finished, smirking at the end. Yusuke scowled.

"At least I HAVE someone to finish with!" He exclaimed defiantly, shaking his fist at Hiei, "Don't think I won't wipe the damn floor with you, tiny!"

"Filthy human."

"Shorty!"

"Idiot."

"Midget!"

"Greasy." Hiei snorted, gesturing to the detective's hair.

"Why you little…" Yusuke growled, stepping forward and getting ready to swing a haymaker just before Kurama stepped in.

"Yusuke, now isn't the time. We should report back to Koenma and tell him what has happened." He rationalized. Yusuke backed off, mumbling something about short people while Kurama looked to Botan, "Are you ready, Botan?" He asked politely. She nodded and stood, offering a small smile as she summoned a portal to the spirit world. Yusuke stomped through, followed suit by Kurama, which left Botan watching as Hiei stared at the corpse of Ronin.

"Ahem…" She coughed, trying to get his attention. No use. Well this wasn't akward at all. "Hiei? Are you alright?" She asked, stepped towards him. He looked to her, then back to the body, his face as stoic as ever.

"I'm fine." He answered, moving through the rift. Botan simply sighed and stared after him, shaking her head.

"I'll never understand him." She noted mentally, giving a small pout as she disappeared as well.

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Yeacht, that's chapter 1. I hope ya liked it cuz it took long as HELL to write. Be sure to leave a review…. Cuz yanno, reviews are like cookies. You don't always get the winner, like a chocolate chip, sometimes you get a crappy oatmeal, but you take the good you take the bad and there you have… the facts of life. Leave a review or God will kill a kitten.

-With love,

Me