So, here it is, chapter 2 (and a little sooner than expected no less!). I truly wasn't expecting to have it written this early, but I had a little extra time and a lot of ambition. I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter and, although I haven't received any reviews just yet, I hope you will continue to read and support me. Peace, love, happiness, and fortune be yours! ENJOY! J

I do not own Jin and Touya nor Yu Yu Hakusho (don't stop believin'!)

Both Jin and Touya stood in silence, both in utter disbelief of Koenma's request. Both youkai knew the dangers of what the demon prince was proposing, and neither knew how to go about answering him. While it was true that the shinobi were some of the most powerful and respected demons in the Makai, resurrecting and reestablishing their empire was something almost completely beyond the realm of possibility. Koenma and the Makai counsel were obviously very desperate if this was their ultimate plan.

Finally, after several moments, Koenma spoke in an overly stern voice which attempted to mask the fear and turmoil brewing deep within him. "Look, I'm aware of the intense complexity and danger of this task. I simply ask that you both consider it. Unless, that is, you have forgotten your shinobi code of loyalty."

Under normal circumstances, Jin would have let the remark slide, being as laid back as he was. But Koenma had, in a sense, dishonored his shinobi heritage by questioning his loyalty to the Makai counsel. He simply could not help himself. "And just what is it you be meanin' by that, huh? So I suppose you and yer government buddies there are just thinkin' that we shinobi folk are gonna be bailin' ya out a another mess. WELL NOT THIS TIME NOW!"

Touya, well aware of the wind master's lack of poise in these types of situations, interrupted what was sure to be a much larger rant on the part of Jin. "Koenma, although I cannot say I feel as passionate as Jin regarding this matter, I must also stress the severity of what you have asked us to do. The shinobi have served the Makai for centuries with each master passing down his knowledge to a single apprentice. Many of the secrets the shinobi kept died during the Dark Tournament along with Gamma and Bakken. And, with the death of Risho, Jin and I are all that remain. Even the knowledge of the shinobi origins has been lost along with our training ground. It would be impossible for us to do what you ask of us."

Koenma took in a deep breath. He knew that it would take much convincing for the youkai pair to agree to help the Makai counsel, but time was something he simply did not have. "We are aware of this predicament, Touya, and are very well aware of what we are asking of you both. Believe me, this was not our first plan. Were there any other way, trust me, we would not have bothered you. Still, the fact remains that this seems to be the only logical way to defeat these rogue demons without sacrificing thousands of innocent lives."

"I understand, Koenma, but again I will say that the origins of the shinobi have been lost for centuries. Even if we did accept the counsel's proposal, there is no way of knowing the exact teachings which led to the creation of the shinobi in the first place. I highly doubt that the counsel would be able to provide us with this material."

"That's where you're wrong, Touya. We can."

Both the ice and wind master stood shocked before the demon prince. Could it be true? Could the Makai counsel have access to the sacred scriptures which had been lost to the shinobi? And, if they did, why had they hid it from them? "You see, many hundreds of years ago the counsel decided to construct a great library called the demon codex which was to contain the most important written works in the demon world. It was to be guarded at all times by the most trained and skilled spirit assassins and was located in the very heart of King Enma's castle. No one accept the king himself had access, and for a long time things remained untouched. Unfortunately, as with most individuals, the spirit guards became greedy and began making treaties with high ranking demon lords for the rights to enter the codex. It was not long before a great war was waged between the demon lords and the Makai counsel over the priceless works. The battles raged on for more than a month, with the demon resistance gaining ground every day. It was during this time that the counsel entrusted a single individual with the task of removing the most important works from the codex and hiding them in undisclosed places throughout the Makai. Among the few works taken were the shinobi scriptures written by the very first masters themselves. They alone tell of the shinobi's origins, and they alone are the secret to resurrecting the shinobi sect."

"So then, let me be guessin'" said Jin. "It was you that was bein' asked ta hide those books then?"

Koenma sighed. "I wish it had been me, but I was shipped away as well and was only allowed to return after the fighting."

"So then, you yourself do not even know where the writings are being kept?" said Touya.

"Unfortunately, no."

"Well that's just bein' great then isn't it? Ya come all this way ta tell us some daft story about lost books and the like, and now yer tellin' us you don't even know anythin' about where they're bein' at! Seems like an awful lot a trouble ta be puttin' us through for nothin'."

"As always Jin" Koenma answered, "you answer before I've finished speaking."

At this, Jin shut his mouth (another rare feat!) and both demons waited anxiously to hear what it was Koenma was about to say. Slowly, very slowly, Koenma began once more. Only this time, what he would say next would be the beginning of a long and uncertain journey on which the two former shinobi would embark.

"Yes," he said. "It's true that I myself do not know where the scriptures are located . . .but I know who does . . ."

Ah, another chapter accomplished (and in record time no less!). I hope you all found it fascinating. Now, there are a lot of twists and turns coming up soon and I want you all to pay very close attention as it may be easy to become lost. Also, please take the time to send in those reviews and let me know how I'm doing. It's been quite a long time since I've written about these characters and I need your input. Fans are the most important thing a writer has and I owe all my creations to you. See you at chapter 3!