Chapter Three

KoEnma came into the room where he knew his wife, Ayame and his children were playing. Senoki and Sachiko were growing not only in size, but in intelligence as well. As he expected, Ayame and the twins were calmly walking towards the doors that led to the gardens.

"If it isn't my favorite people." When his children laughed at him, running to hug him, he smiled as well, "I missed you all as well."

Ayame smiled as she walked towards them, her hands lightly clasped before her. Her silken obsidian black hair was drawn back in a bun though tendrils escaped to fall into her eyes. Her eyes were like sapphire jewels that glowed with love for her family. Her pale skin was creamy in complexion, showing off her leanly muscled torso though she was clad in a white gown.

Sachiko sat quietly at her father's feet. Her dirty blonde hair was swept back in a low ponytail, most of it falling out of the clasp. Her sapphire orbs stared curiously up at him as if he were the hero of the world. Her skin was slightly tanned and leanly muscled even though she were so young. Even though she didn't have them yet, he knew that on her 18th birthday, her winds would appear. She wore a little blue dress that lightly brushed her knees.

Senoki was standing tall, his head coming to his father's thigh. His light brown hair fell down shaggily, brushed aside so he could see. His eyes were a sky blue that, when angered, turned a golden brown. His skin was lightly tanned and slightly muscled. That would change, of course, when he began to train. He wore a pair of black pants and white tee-shirt that was stained with dirt.

Both KoEnma and Ayame knew that he would be a strong ruler, able to fight and rule without a worry. Ruffling his hair, KoEnma stood. The only thing that worried him that that Senoki had not spoken. Sachiko had; her first word had been mama since she couldn't get enough of her mother.

"I just wanted to see how you all were doing," KoEnma said softly.

Ayame smiled, lightly kissing his cheek, "We're going out to the garden to play for a while. Would you like to join us?"

Shaking his head, KoEnma sighed, "I can't. I've got to do a check on my operatives. If I get done in time, I'll come out. I promise."

Watching Ayame take their children outside, he smiled at them. After all the things that had happened, he still couldn't get enough of his family. Life could get no better.

//

Yusuke stood just inside Kuwabara and Yukina's apartment. The couple couldn't have been happier, he knew, but they were a weird couple. Since Kuwabara was extremely tall and Yukina was short, ,it made an interesting pairing.

Kuwabara was about 6'1" in height and had a muscular build from his street fights. His orange-red hair was curly as it scooped up around his face. His eyes were small and looked almost to be pebble black in coloration. The pale skin that covered his body was hidden beneath a light blue school uniform. Kuwabara was just so used to wearing the outfit it was natural for him to toss it on in the morning.

Yukina stood by his side, her 5'3" form smiling as her hand lightly rested on the swell of her stomach. Her light blue hair was clasped back by a red clip, a few tendrils falling into her eyes. Her eyes, a deep red, stared at Yusuke tenderly and innocently. Even after being married and pregnant, she still held the innocence that made her so easy to talk to. Her pale skin seemed to glow with her happiness at having a child.

"Hey guys. Figured I'd stop by, you know, see if Kuwabara wanted to come to the Reikai. KoEnma needs some help since Hiei and Sinamon went on their personal mission," he kept his eyes locked on Yukina, knowing she would make the decision.

She smiled, nodding slightly to him before turning to her husband, "Do you want to go? Don't worry about me. I'm not due for a few more weeks."

He looked confused, "Are you sure? I mean, I don't know how long I'll be gone."

Lightly touching his arm, she nodded, "Kazuma, I'll be here when you get back. You're friends need you so go."

Smiling, he kissed her forehead before following Yusuke out of the apartment building. It had been a while since the boys, the best friends, had been together and they used this time to talk about the past year.

//

Sinamon shivered, holding on tightly to Hiei though even his natural body heat as a Fire Apparition did nothing to warm her. It frightened him like nothing else had even done so. She'd never felt anything like it. It was almost as if the ice she controlled was spreading to the rest of her body and taking control.

"Hiei…I'm so cold."

Her breath came out as little wisps of smoke but nothing more. What truly scared him was the fact that her skin was even paler than is usually was. It was obvious that she needed to get in a warm environment soon or else he'd lose her and he couldn't have that happen. Bundling her tighter in the black cloth that served as his cape, he concentrated on getting to the cabin. Sinamon sighed loudly, letting unconsciousness overtake her.

"Hold on, Sin. We're almost there."

He knew she couldn't hear him, but saying it helped him become closer to her. It made everything seem all right. Looking down at her, he couldn't help feeling guilty. If he hadn't suggested the trip to confront their pasts then Sinamon would have been fine. She'd go on missions, spend the summer near him before returning to the Ningenkai for the rest of her schooling.

Now everyone might lose her, he thought

Shaking his head, he looked back at the way he was going. Stifling a gasp, he stared at the beat-up cabin that had been his home when he was a child. He had always wanted to stay close in those day because he believed, hoped that the Koorimes would see they had made a mistake. Now he realized just how naïve he had been.

"Old man! Open up!" he yelled to be heard over the storm.

The old geezer, Satoru as he went by, had always lived in the cabin and, luckily, he was a healer. Watching the door, he nearly smiled when the silhouette of Satoru stared back at him.

He had long white hair that flew about his face as if it were a lion's mane. His skin was wrinkled and a deep tan that could have been wet leather in its feel. His eyes though were a piercing opal that held the authority of youth. He was hunched over from years of bending when he helped tend to his patients. Clothed in rags, Hiei found it amazing the Youkai didn't freeze in the harsh blizzard.

"I need you help."

Satoru took one look at Sinamon and allowed him entrance without giving him a hard time. Laying her by the fire, he gently unwrapped her from his cloak.

"She controls Fire and Ice. Something….happened," Hiei tried explaining.

"That it has." Gently pouring amber liquid down her throat, he nodded, "It be Baksta she need. That get control of the Ice's advancement."

As he put the jar up, he shook his head, "Ya shouldn't've brought her here. Not with da curse fer half-breeds."

Hiei turned to him slowly, his garnet eyes flashing, "What are you talking about? What curse?"

"The curse Okabe put on the icy realms of the Makai. Too many hybrids was beginning ta live in the parts so Okabe made sure that all who controlled something connected with ice would die because the balance within them would be broken."

Hiei gently touched Sinamon's face, his eyes staring sadly as he thought everything over. If he had just accepted everything then he couldn't be so close to losing her as he was. Here he was making them relive the worst parts of their lives and she was more than likely going to die.

"How do I save her?" he whispered.

Chuckling lightly, Satoru gave him a yellowed grin, "Ya've got ta go ta the heart of the Koorime Isle. There ya'll meet the Protector of the Isle, Lady Frenai. Prove you're worthy and she'll give you the Elixir of Fliontal. If you can reach your lady friend in time, then you'll be able to save her but only by that."

Nodding grimly, Hiei stood to leave. If that was the only way to save her then he'd do it. She meant the world to him and it was the least he could do since it was his fault she was like this.

"I'll watch her closely. Don't worry, boy."

Satoru could only smile when Hiei disappeared into the storm.

//

KoEnma smiled, setting the papers he had to read over aside as Yusuke and Kuwabara came into his office.

"Hey, Diaper-Baby…Actually, I can't call you that anymore," Yusuke said with a frown of though.

"Hey, KoEnma. How are the twins?" Kuwabara asked with a glance around the room.

"They're playing in the gardens with Ayame," he replied proudly. "Thanks for coming, by the way. We've got a slight problem though. It seems someone's draining the power from the barriers, almost-"

"As if they want the worlds to collide, but that would bring about chaos in the Ningenkai," Kuwabara interrupted.

Elbowing him, Yusuke nodded, "No dip, moron. And you're supposed to be so much smarter than me now."

"Anyway, I sent some guards to handle the situation. I should be getting a report back soon."

There was a brisk knock at the door which drew the men's attention. It opened slowly, almost as if the person was terrified of what the King would say. The girl, Hinageshi, had flaming red hair that fell down her back in a bushy mess. Her light tan skin was hidden beneath a kimono of silk. Her eyes were a light brown and shifted nervously about he room.

"My Lord, um…something happened," she said quickly, squeezing her eyes shut so she couldn't see him. "Lady Ayame is unconscious but the doctor's seeing to her…However…no one can find the twins!"

KoEnma's eyes got wide, his hands clenching into fists as he got up to leave. Rushing down the halls, he quickly found Ayame, her eyes filled with tears that ran down her face in torrents as sobs wracked her fragile form.

"Oh, KoEnma! They took them! Two men came and stole Senoki and Sachiko! When I tried to stop them, they me over the head!"

He hugged her tightly, turning to see the two Spirit Detectives that had followed him, "Go and do what you can. We have to get them back."

Turning and running from the room, Yusuke and Kuwabara hurried to the garden to find something to help them.

TBC