Narrator: After meeting up for a shopping trip Yusuke and his friends feel that they are finally able to relax. However a strange presence is watching them from the shadows; succeeding in placing the boys on their guard. Unfortunately, after the sudden attack on a residential high-rise, the group is separated into pairs giving their shadowy stalkers the opportunity to strike.

Words of Despair

Kuwabara managed to sense the heavy metal beam just in time to grasp Yukina around the waist and dive out of the way. He hit the ground hard on his back but used his momentum to flip over backwards to land easily on his feet. Yukina's hands were gripped tightly on his shirt from fear, a small amount of ice leaking from her skin to freeze the cloth held in her palms.

"Are you alright Yukina?" He said, his voice concerned but serious as he glared into the flames. "Did you get hurt?"

Yukina shook her head as she slowly unclenched her hands, the ice on his shirt melting from the heat of the flames.

"Are you alright Kazuma?" She asked. "That was really dangerous."

"I know," Kuwabara said, his eyes never moving. "And it wasn't an accident either. I know you're there!" He called into the fire. "No point in acting like I can't sense you."

The flames distorted, like a ripple being formed in a pond, before a shadowed figure appeared and the scene returned to normal. His eyes were darkened by the firelight playing on his back but it was easy to tell that he wasn't human; the abnormally sharp canines in his mouth only a small clue amongst many.

"It's a shadow demon," Yukina said as Kuwabara stepped in front of her. "I thought that they died out over a thousand years ago."

"Apparently whoever killed them all missed one. You stay back, baby. I don't want you to get hurt." Channeling his spirit energy into his fist Kuwabara generated his Jigen To , the dimension blade he created during the fight against Sensui. "Come on Shadow guy. Show me what you've got."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Smoke filled the room like a cloud as the flames climbed the smoldering drywall and crawled along the carpeted floor. Fighting against the thickening smoke was a losing battle and Botan found that she was quickly forced to abandon her oar in order to drop beneath the suffocating cloud. While it was true that she had been in her spirit form she had been forced to return to her human form when she realized that a normal human would be unable to see her formless spirit and she would be unable to help them even if they could.

The crunch of shoes against the broken floor alerted Botan to movement behind her and quickly she lifted her oar like a bat as she spun around to face her assailant. She smiled sheepishly when she realized that it was only Kurama. He shook his head in mild annoyance before he handed her a wide petaled flower. Confusion settled on Botan's face even as her cheeks flushed a bright red.

"K-Kurama-kun, it's really beautiful, but I don't really think that now is the best time to be giving me f-flowers…"

Kurama chuckled. "It isn't a gift Botan, though I would enjoy giving you one, it's a plant that will filter out the smoke so that you don't have to duck so low, I have one of my own." He said holding up an identical flower. "Just press it to your mouth and nose when you breathe."

Botan was about to respond when she suddenly remembered the reason she was in her human form in the first place; she was supposed to be helping people.

"Come on Kurama-kun!" Botan said her oar disappearing as she grabbed his free hand. "That person still needs our help!"

Kurama moved to follow only to stop short when the smoke that had gathered near the open window suddenly surged back into the room; engulfing them completely. Botan coughed hard at the unexpected assault on her lungs and Kurama pulled her close, pressing his own flower against her face in order to calm her down. His green eyes pierced through the smoke and he managed to make out a figure silhouetted against the sunlight filtering through the hazy cloud.

"Well, isn't this amusing," the figure said as the smoke slowly dissipated revealing his face. "I suppose it has been longer then I first believed. You've certainly grown, haven't you, little princess?"

Botan's eyes went wide at the voice and she harshly pushed Kurama's arm aside as she gaped at the other man.

"Morzan!" She said; her voice unbelieving. "You're supposed to be dead!"

"Life is full of surprises, as I'm sure you know well, Botan."

Botan flinched back and Kurama's eyes narrowed as he protectively placed her behind him. "You are the one behind this attack." He said. "Why?"

Morzan shrugged in mock innocence, his deep black eyes shining with malice. "I and my kind have spent a great deal of time observing you and your teammates Kurama. You wouldn't expect me to waste that knowledge by confronting you all together. Unlike my brother, I have more intelligence then that."

At the mention of his brother Botan stiffened; her fingers unconsciously gripping the back of Kurama's shirt in tight fists. For his part, the red headed fox was doing his best to process the information he was being given. Unfortunately the most he was able to compile was that Botan was somehow acquainted with the man before them.

"As much as I am enjoying our conversation I'm afraid I can't give up any more information at the moment. That would spoil the game." Morzan smirked and held out his hands, palms up. "Shall we begin Kurama?"

His eyes never leaving his opponents pale features, Kurama raked his fingers through his long red hair.

"We shall," He said, a rose held between his fingers. "And when you have lost you will talk."

"Kurama…" Botan was never able to finish as Morzan suddenly vanished. His human eyes weak against the demon's speed, Kurama almost wasn't able to track his movements in time to block his attack. A flash of silver flared in the stirred smoke and when it finally settled Botan saw the two men locked in a standstill. Kurama's whip had tangled around the blade of Morzan's katana, his left hand grasping the center of the whip to keep it held taunt.

"Not bad," Morzan said. "It appears you're all that I heard." Suddenly lunging forward he took advantage of the sudden slack in Kurama's weapon to burry his heel in the redhead's stomach sending him tumbling across the room where he crashed against the wall. "All that I've heard, and nothing more."

"Kurama!" Botan cried out. She was about to race to his side when she saw him lift his hand to stall her as he slowly stood, eyes focused solely on Morzan.

"I'm fine Botan. Stay there." He said as he wiped the line of blood trailing from the corner of his mouth with the pad of his thumb. "It was a light attack; from an amateur at best."

"That cuts me deep." Morzan smirked as he lifted his sword once again. "Allow me to return the favor."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When Yusuke first taunted the demon he wasn't expecting him to disappear completely from sight. Disoriented he cursed and started backwards, his eyes scanning the burning foyer for any sign of his opponent as he slowly herded Keiko back towards that open door. Keiko, for her part, was trying her best to stay out of Yusuke's way without actually leaving his side. She certainly new enough about demons now to know that they wouldn't hesitate to use her fiancé's weaknesses against him, especially since it wouldn't be the first time it's happened to them.

Movement from the left gave Yusuke just enough warning to tackle Keiko out of the way before a large orb of black energy shattered the tile where they had just stood. Black flames joined the bright orange, completely blocking the path to the door. Yusuke cursed again as he gently cradled Keiko in his arms, his eyes looked through the flames to meet the eyes of the demon.

"You are quick." He said his fangs glistening in the light, blue eyes bright with blood lust. "A trait you and your demon father, Raizen, seem to share."

"What!" Yusuke said, carefully placing Keiko on her feet; motioning for her to hide. "How the hell do you know my old man?"

The demon smirked. "You don't honestly believe Mukuro and Yomi to have been his only enemies. They are far after my time."

"How nice for you." Yusuke drawled. "So do you have a name to go along with your rant or do you want me to come up with one for you? I have quite a few that I think would fit."

"My name is Talon, but you needn't know it." The demon said as another black orb began to form in his palm. "You won't live long enough to use it."

Yusuke braced himself for the attack, casting a quick glance to his right to confirm that Keiko was well concealed behind an alcove. He never expected Talon to disappear again. He cursed as his eyes darted around for any sign of him.

"Yusuke!"

Spinning around, Yusuke's eyes widened in horror as he saw Keiko cornered by Talon, the black energy now focused solely on her. Digging his toes into the floor, Yusuke released his pent up spirit energy and leapt towards the demon with a feral scream.

"Keiko!"

Talon smirked again and spun around at the last moment before firing the attack at Yusuke's prone figure instead.

"Die!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"How crass. I am stuck with the boar." The demon said. "Insulting."

"What did you say!" Kuwabara said. "Don't just write me off you jerk! I may not be as powerful as the others but I'm the strongest human you'll ever meet!"

"And yet a human is still just that, a human. No matter how powerful you are your kind is easily broken."

"Yeah well, my kind has kicked demon butt before and I'll prove we can do it again."

The shadow demon's eyebrow rose in amusement. "I have met many humans eager to die, but none quite so eager as you."

"You need to get out more, man," Kuwabara said, raising his sword. "I know a lot more people more ready to die then me."

Instead of responding the demon simply lifted his right hand, his index finger extended like Yusuke's spirit gun. Surprised, Kuwabara braced himself for what he thought would be an energy bullet. Instead, the demon pulled back on the black energy with his left hand. With the youki stretched out, it resembled a sleek black arrow, and Kuwabara had only a second to raise his sword before the energy shaft flew. The very tip of the arrow clashed with the edge of the Jigen-To and energy scattered like black and gold lightning as the two forces battled each other in a collision of wills.

Yukina clenched her eyes shut, her palms fisting the back of Kuwabara's shirt tightly, as the two energies clashed. Kuwabara let out a primal yell before his sword sliced the arrow strait down the middle. The energy split and slammed into the wall on either side of them, causing Yukina to cry out and press herself closer to Kuwabara's back as shards of concrete flew around them.

Sweat lined Kuwabara's forehead and his breathing had deepened, but he still stood tall and foreboding, daring the demon to try again. Red eyes slightly wide in surprise, the shadow demon watched the human with interest.

"Well now. That was rather impressive." He said. "I have never had my attack thwarted before. You have caught my interest Kuwabara Kazuma. My name is Arrow, for obvious reasons." Touching his two pointer fingers together Arrow generated a spark of black energy that stretched out as he moved his fingers apart.

"I discovered my talent at a young age, but do not be fooled into thinking that arrows are my only trick." The youki continued to lengthen even after Arrow had released it until it had grown into a full sized nodachi sword which he then grasped at the hilt. "Shall we?"

The lines on Kuwabara's face smoothed out into an expression of calm. Slowly he reached behind him and loosened Yukina's grip from his clothes. Her wine colored eyes looked up at him in fear but he gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry baby, I'll be fine. But it will be easier for me to concentrate if I know you're safe."

Pressing her lips into a thin line to ward off her protests, Yukina slowly nodded and backed away, unwilling to turn her back to Arrow's lusty gaze. Kuwabara watched her disappear behind the wall with soft eyes and his smile deepened slightly when he saw her peak around the corner.

"Such a lovely specimen." Arrow said. "I believe I would like to take her myself."

Narrowed brown eyes glared at Arrow in disgust as Kuwabara readied himself for the coming fight.

"Don't," Kuwabara hissed. "Talk about her like that. Yukina is an angel, and she deserves the respect an angel should receive. I won't let you tarnish her purity with your trashy words."

Arrow smirked. "Try and stop me."

With flames dancing around them Kuwabara and Arrow squared off. For half a minute neither of them moved. Suddenly the tile to Arrow's left cracked from the heat and the two struck as though the bell had sounded before a boxing mach. Black and gold energies flew in sparks, striking the ceiling, walls, and floor as the two fighters moved faster then the human eye could see.

Kuwabara thrust his blade like a spear but Arrow caught it on his own energy sword, the gold reiken sliding down the length of his black nodachi. Kuwabara leapt back just in time to avoid being struck in the stomach by the black sword and he formed a small knife in his left hand that he quickly threw at Arrow. The shadow demon flipped backwards to avoid being hit. Both fighters landed soft footed amidst the flames but the fire barely had a chance to lick their heels before they had launched at each other once again.

Yukina watched in awed terror as the two men struck, parried, and lunged; each missing the other by only a hair as their energy continued to dance around them like lightning. Unexpectedly, Arrow threw his sword like a javelin and Kuwabara, caught unawares, only just managed to avoid being impaled. Instead the blade sliced through his shirt to the skin at his side, drawing a deep bloody gash. Crying out Kuwabara grasped at his side, his Jigen To disappearing from his grasp as he did so.

"Kazuma! Watch out!"

Kuwabara looked up just in time to see Arrow spin around to deliver a round house kick to his chest. He flew backwards with a gasp, blood leaping from his gaping lips as he slammed completely through the wall and into the building's inner court yard. Kuwabara hit the ground hard, his back tearing up the brick paved ground before he managed to use his arms to flip himself over.

With his body so badly abused, Kuwabara's feet gave beneath him as he landed and he crashed face first into the newly exposed dirt. His breathing was labored, his chest burning from his cracked ribs. He slowly pushed up onto his elbows to watch Arrow saunter through the hole in the wall.

"Well, then. It appears you truly are nothing more then I had first thought." Arrow said. "Human." He grinned as he extended his right hand, index finger pointed right at Kuwabara's head, before he reached over with his left hand and pulled back on the gathered energy to form another black arrow.

"Farewell, fool." Arrow said, and the shaft flew.

"No! Kazuma!" Yukina yelled as she raced to his aid; placing herself between the boy and Arrow's released energy; hastily raising a frozen shield.

"No, Yukina! Run!" Kuwabara said but Yukina didn't listen. Her ice barrier shattered and the force of the attack lifted Yukina completely off her feet and she cried out in pain as her back slammed against the courtyard's opposite wall, cracking it like a broken mirror.

"Yukina!" Kuwabara screamed as he forced himself to stand. Blood flowed down the side of his face like a river but he paid it no mind as he focused his remaining spirit energy into the palm of his hand. With not enough strength to form his Jigen-To, Kuwabara was forced to summon his usual spirit sword as he faced down Arrow once again.

"Persistent." Arrow said. "I can fix that."

Kuwabara growled as Arrow once again vanished from sight only to double over as the demon reappeared, burying his fist deep into Kuwabara's solar plex. He yelled out in pain as his already abused ribs caved, cracking from the force of Arrow's hit. Blood flew from Kuwabara's lips and he barely had a chance to draw a breath before Arrow's left knuckles connected with his right cheek sending him careening across the courtyard once again. His limp body slammed again and again against the ground as he tumbled until he finally crashed against through the glass covering the left side of the courtyard, sending him sprawling across the floor of the building's foyer just in time to watch Yusuke take a blast of black youki point blank.

Unfortunately Kuwabara didn't have much time to think about Yusuke when Arrow suddenly reappeared and grasped his bloody hair tightly. The red head cried out as his broken ribs shifted and scrapped against one another; the bones grinding painfully against his lungs and heart.

"You were amusing," Arrow said. "I'll give you that, and were I allowed I would give you an honorable death, but I need you to deliver a message for me."

Unable to say anything Kuwabara just did his best to glare at the demon, wishing he could muster up enough energy to spit in his face.

"Remember this Kuwabara. You will get her back. If you can rule the world."

His mind spinning with near unconsciousness it took Kuwabara a moment to understand the hidden meaning of those words. Suddenly his eyes widened and he struggled to lift himself as he watched Arrow step across the shattered glass and into the courtyard to where Yukina still lay unconscious.

"N-no…!" He said extending his arm as though he could halt Arrow's intentions. "Please…don't, don't touch…her…Yu-ki…na…"

The last thing he saw before blackness finally claimed him was Arrow lifting Yukina's limp form into his arms and vanishing from sight once more.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Yusuke screamed as he flew across the room, his arms barely shielding his face from the attack. He slammed hard against the wall before he dropped to the floor, falling to a knee as he cradled his blistering arms.

"Damn," He said, his voice strained. "I've ruined another shirt…"

"Yusuke!" Keiko said as she fell to her knees at his side. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," He said through clenched teeth. "Never better."

"You're burnt!"

"Don't worry about me," Yusuke said as he gently brushed away Keiko's hands and stood. "You need to get out of here. He's more dangerous then I thought."

For a moment Keiko looked like she was going to protest but one glance at his pleading eyes had her nodding. Quickly she stood and gently squeezed his hand before she turned away to race down the hallway and, hopefully, towards an exit.

"And just where do you think you're going, girl?" Talon said, appearing suddenly before her. "I haven't finished playing with you yet."

Keiko threw herself backwards with a scream, landing hard on her back as Talon stood over her with a vicious smirk.

"Hey! Claw-boy!" Yusuke shouted, his right index finger glowing a brilliant blue. "Play with this! Spirit Gun!"

Talon flipped over the on-coming reiki with ease, landing in front of Yusuke with an annoyed frown.

"You are beginning to irritate me."

Dropping into a fighting stance Yusuke smirked.

"Yeah. I have that effect on people."

Yusuke struck first, ignoring the pain in his arms as his burnt skin split. His blood coated his arms red but Yusuke didn't care as he threw a hard punch at Talon's head. His fist was blocked by a belated movement of Talon's forearm and Yusuke smirked. He was faster then the demon. That was good to know. A sudden left followed Yusuke's blocked right and Talon had to duck out of the way before he could attack with a roundhouse kick to Yusuke's mid-section. Brining up his own leg Yusuke blocked the kick with his knee before he dropped down to gather momentum behind an uppercut to Talon's jaw.

The punch connected and Talon used the momentum of the strike to flip backwards and land on his feet once more. His eyebrow twitched as he spit out a glob of blood surrounding his broken molar that Yusuke had knocked loose. More blood swelled up from the now empty socket but Talon ignored it, allowing it to bleed through the corners of his lips.

"What do you say?" Yusuke said, his arms now dripping from the coating of blood. "Wanna give up and call it a day?"

Before Talon could answer, the hall was filled with Kuwabara's cries of pain. Tensing, Yusuke spun around out of reflex, his eyes searching for his abused friend.

"Kuwabara!"

"Fool." Talon said. "Worry more about yourself!"

Yusuke turned back just in time for the blast of black energy to catch him square in the chest, slamming him hard against the wall once again. Black spots swam in his vision as Talon leaned close, his smirk revealing his bloodied teeth. Reaching up he gently rested his hand on top of Yusuke's head, weaving his fingers into his messy black hair.

"I would enjoy killing you, but now isn't the time. Soon we will meet again and then you will have the chance to win her back." Talon's grip suddenly tightened painfully on Yusuke's hair, making him wince. "It is almost time." With that said Talon slammed Yusuke's head hard into the wall. Quickly he lost consciousness, Talon's words ringing through his darkened mind.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Botan watched on in terror as both fighters attacked back and forth. Blood had been drawn on both men by hundreds of small scratches but after Morzan's first attack, neither man had been able to make another direct hit. With his sharp mind, Kurama could easily read through Morzan's strategies but he was cautious enough to not take advantage of his every weakness. After all, one never knew when an enemy would project one strategy as a cover for another. So far his caution seemed to be rewarded as Morzan seemed to grow increasingly angry by Kurama's lack of action against his perceived weaknesses, but Botan knew better.

Morzan had a calm reserve strict enough to rival even Kurama's famous cool head, not to mention enough power to make Reikai tremble at the mere mention of his name. It was only a matter of time before he saw through Kurama's attacks, penetrated his defenses. She couldn't let that happen.

"Botan! Watch out!"

Kurama's warning jerked Botan from her thoughts but she didn't even have time to avoid Morzan's dark energy attack before she was jerked out of the way by Kurama's whip snagging her around the waist. The thorns dug into her stomach and sides but not nearly as deeply as she always imagined they could. She supposed he must have adjusted his energy so that he wouldn't hurt her. Strong arms quickly replaced the thorny weapon holding her in place and she found herself pressed up against a firm chest.

"Are you alright?" Kurama asked. His voice was breathless, afraid, she thought absently as the smell of roses filled her senses. Slowly she nodded and he let out the breath he had been holding. "Good. Change into your spirit form and get out of here. Warn Koenma that there are demons attacking Ningenkai. He'll send someone to Enki for help."

"But—."

"Don't argue, Botan." Kurama said and for the first time she realized he was whispering. At some point he had managed to escape with her into the hallway to hide away from Morzan's sight. Why hadn't she noticed before?

"Please, Botan." His voice was insistent, afraid. "I don't want to lose you. I came to close already. Just go. I'll be fine."

Her feelings warred violently inside of her as she tried to come to a decision. Finally she nodded and Kurama hugged her tightly in relief.

"Don't stop until you reach Reikai," He said. "Not for anyone or anything. Yusuke, Kuwabara, and I will take care of things here."

Slowly Botan pulled out of Kurama's arms and extended her hand to call her oar. Fear and shock filled her as she realized she was unable to do so.

"Kurama," She said, her eyes wide. "I can't change my form. I'm trapped like this."

"What?" He said, his green eyes narrowed. "How is that possible…?"

"It's actually rather simple." Morzan said suddenly causing the two to jump back in surprise. "I mixed an interesting poison with the smoke she inhaled. It will keep her human for as long as I wish her to be."

"Oh dear," Botan said, her hands grasped tightly around Kurama's left forearm. "This isn't looking very good."

"Not at all," Morzan agreed. "Especially since it has now had enough time to take effect."

Before either of them could question the demon, Kurama felt his body suddenly weaken and he collapsed to the ground, Botan shrieking in surprise as she was pulled down with him because of her grip.

"Kurama-kun!" She said, shaking him. "Kurama-kun, what's wrong?"

"I…I can't…move…" Kurama said as he glared up at Morzan. "What…did you…do?"

Morzan laughed. "I was not being coy when I called that poison interesting. For spirits it turns them human but for humans it turns them into spirits. Unfortunately your demon side prevents the poison from taking full effect but it will be enough to paralyze you for several days at least."

"You…"

Crouching down before them Morzan just smirked. "Do you have any idea how simple it would be for me to kill you right now?"

"No!" Botan said, throwing herself over Kurama's limp form. "Don't hurt him Morzan! Please! I'll go with you! I know that's what you want. Just don't hurt him!"

"Botan! Don't be foolish!" Kurama said, struggling to move his limbs despite the poison.

Tears laced Botan's eyes as she looked down into his own stormy green ones.

"I'm sorry Kurama. But I won't let you die."

"How touching," Morzan said with a sneer. "But you heard the lady and I'm afraid I'm rather short on time."

"Botan…" Kurama said, pleading. "Don't."

Leaning down Botan placed her lips right beside his ear, her warm breath brushing against his neck.

"I'm so sorry," She said. "I wish…I had told you sooner."

Pulling back she placed a short kiss to his forehead before she was roughly dragged to her feet by Morzan's iron grip on her forearm.

"How pathetic you are. Demon Fox? Lord of Thieves? Hah. You are nothing but a helpless human. A foolish mortal. Reclaim yourself as Yoko Kurama, and perhaps you will get her back. But remember this Minamino Shuuichi. There is only one champion."

Kurama wanted to scream, to fight, to do anything but lie there and watch as the blue haired deity of death was spirited away, but by that time even his lips had been frozen by the poison. With no way to follow and no way to escape, Kurama simply remained where he was, hating himself, as the wail of fire engines filled the street below.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

When Yusuke woke up it was to the sound of Kurama's angry voice, or as angry as Kurama ever let himself sound. Trying to sit up, Yusuke let out a groan as his head began to pound angrily, his ears ringing loudly in accompaniment.

"Oi," Kuwabara said from the bed next to Yusuke's. "You awake Urameshi? It's about time."

"What's going on?" Yusuke said and Kuwabara huffed in annoyance.

"Stupid doctors won't let Genkai in to see us. They keep saying something about her being a quack and that they don't want to be sued."

"Are you serious?" Yusuke said. "That's just stupid! Where the hell's my mom? She'll make them let Genkai in."

"Actually, it's because of our moms that Genkai can't come in." Kuwabara said. "Yours, mine, and Kurama's all got together and decided we're too heroic for our own good and it's her fault for teaching us how to fight."

"Are you kidding me? She didn't teach any of us how to fight! We already knew!"

"Tell me about it. But they still won't let her in." Kuwabara scowled. "The doctors already reset my ribs and wrapped them and stuff but they still hurt like hell. If they'd just let Genkai come in I wouldn't have to be here anymore."

The voices in the hall finally quieted and the door opened to reveal Kurama who was seated in a wheel chair, his mother pushing him into the room; his step-father, Hatanaka, following just behind with Shuuichi-kun.

"Hey pal," Yusuke said. "What's got you all banged up?"

Kurama let out a sigh of frustration, his arm shaking and stiff as he ran his fingers through his thick red hair.

"Nothing, Yusuke. Physically I'm unharmed."

"So then what's with the chair?" Yusuke said. "Like it for the babe factor?"

Pointing up at his mother, Kurama shrugged. "More or less."

"Shuuichi," Shiori said, her voice concerned. "Please don't be that way. You've been weak for days. You know I only want what's best for you."

Irritation welled up in Kurama's blood as he forced himself to calm down. Having another 'discussion' with his mother would turn out as fruitless as the last, and he really hated fighting with her. But he had to find some way to make his family see reason.

"Excuse me," A man said from just outside the door. "I received word that there were several patients in need of a specialist?"

Shiori turned quickly, passing control of Kurama's chair to Shuuichi-kun who wheeled his step-brother to the vacant bed by the window.

"Yes, that's right," Shiori said. "My son and his friends."

The three ex-tantei stiffened at the man's familiar aura as he stepped into the room. Though his face was different, Yusuke knew it would be impossible for him to forget the man who had caused him so much internal strife. Minoru Kamiya, the man known as Doctor amidst Sensui's dark psychics.

"What the hell are you doing here, Kamiya?" Yusuke growled as he tried to sit up, only to fall back onto the bed with a painful moan.

Shiori looked alarmed. "Yusuke-san! Don't move, please, you'll hurt yourself more!"

Hatanaka, however, was eyeing Kamiya suspiciously. Personally he had never met the man but he felt that if Yusuke distrusted him then their must be some reason.

"Kamiya?" the man said. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. My name is Dr. Kaoru Minotsu. I work at a small clinic in Mushiori City that was just recently opened."

"Spare me your 'new-life' story," Yusuke said. "What do you want?"

Kamiya had a look of concern on his face as he turned to Kurama's family. "I think it would be best if I examined the patients on my own; they seem to be effected more then just physically. There might be some mental trauma as well."

"Mental trauma my—."

"Shut up Urameshi," Kuwabara said. "There's a lady here."

Shiori seemed reluctant but she eventually nodded her consent. "If you're certain…"

"Don't worry Mrs. Hatanaka," Kamiya said. "They'll be just fine."

After a worried backwards glance, Shiori and her family left the room; sliding the door closed behind them.

"Well," Yusuke said. "This doesn't bode well. Anyone have any bright ideas?"

"Calm down Yusuke," Kurama said, his voice cautious but even. "I don't believe he means us any harm."

"Very good, Kurama," Kamiya said, pulling his doctor's coat strait; freeing it from wrinkles. "Believe it or not I'm a newly reformed man."

"I'll choose not," Yusuke said but Kamiya just nodded.

"That is to be expected. I did try to kill you."

"Lot's of people have tried to kill me pal," Yusuke said. "There's just an annoying few that made me kill them."

"Which is in essence why I'm here," Kamiya said, walking over to Kuwabara's bed and pulling the blanket away from his bandaged ribs.

"Hey!" Yusuke and Kuwabara protested as one, but both were too weak to counter him.

"You lay one hand on him and I swear I'll stop your heart for good this time!"

"Wait Yusuke," Kurama said. "Look, he's healing him."

It was true. Yusuke recognized the soft glow of Doctor's fingers as he carefully rearranged and knitted Kuwabara's broken ribs back together. Still, Yusuke wasn't about to dismiss the man as a threat.

"Why are you really here, Kamiya?" Kurama said as Kamiya continued. "Or should I address you as 'Minotsu'?"

"Kamiya is fine in private. I'd imagine it's what you boys are most used to after all." Kamiya finished quickly with Kuwabara before moving onto Yusuke who was still rigid with distrust. "As for why I'm here, you have Genkai-san to thank for that. She gave me my life back. I'm merely returning a favor."

"I see," Kurama said. "In that case, we're very grateful for your help."

"You're awful quick to forgive, Kurama," Yusuke said through clenched teeth.

"I haven't forgiven him," Kurama said. "I've simply acknowledged his help."

"Sounds a lot like forgiveness to me," Kuwabara said. "But if it means I don't have to breathe through fire anymore then I'm fine with a little forgiveness."

Once he was finished with Yusuke, both he and Kuwabara slipped out of their respective beds to stretch out their stiff muscles. Each kept a careful eye on Kamiya as he moved across the room to where Kurama still sat in his wheel chair. The doctor examined Kurama in silence for some time before he made an annoyed sound in the back of his throat.

"Whoever constructed this poison was rather thorough." Kamiya said as he pulled a syringe from his medical bag. "It penetrates bone marrow and attaches itself to your newly made blood cells. It becomes distilled through time but it appears it could last for weeks unless properly flushed from your system."

"And what would that require?" Kurama asked, his voice even.

"Well, if I were to do it the normal way you would need a full body transfusion along with a bone marrow donation and several months of physical therapy."

"I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say you have a better option for us." Yusuke's voice was deep and threatening but Kamiya didn't seem to mind.

"Fortunately I am able to use my blood as a sort of vaccine for unnatural infirmities." Putting the needle to his own arm Kamiya extracted about five cc's of blood. "It sort of behaves like a blood transfusion, just with an added effect."

"Hey wait a minute!" Kuwabara said as Kamiya put the needle to Kurama's arm. "Shouldn't you sterilize the needle or something? Using dirty needles can spread AIDs."

"You forget that I'm perfectly capable of sterilizing a needle without having to exchange or heat it." Kamiya said, injecting the blood into Kurama's arm. "And since I don't carry any transferable diseases I assure you that your friend is quite safe."

Once the syringe was emptied, Kamiya placed it in a plastic hazard bag to be thrown out.

"There," he said. "You should be back to normal in an hour, though I would suggest you refrain from taking that poison again. I won't be here to help you next time."

"I assure you," Kurama said. "I have never been caught by the same trap twice."

"Good," Kamiya said, snapping his bag closed. "Well, if that is all then I'll be taking my leave gentleman."

"I can't believe we let this happen." Kuwabara said while Kurama slowly flexed his now strengthening fingers.

"We caught off guard." Kurama said. "But regardless, it is still our fault the girls were taken."

"That freak better look out." Yusuke said, slamming his fist into his open palm. "No body steals anything from me. Especially Keiko."

"And Yukina," Kuwabara said, his voice shaking slightly. "We just have to get her back."

"We'll get them all back Kuwabara." Kurama said. "We won't leave them to the fate our carelessness has brought them."

"But how?" Yusuke said. "We don't even know where the jerks went."

"Think Yusuke. Did the one that took Keiko have anything to say? Did he leave nothing behind?"

"Argh!" Yusuke said, pulling at his hair in anger. "I don't know! I was too banged up and pissed off to notice!"

"There must be something. What I was given does not provide enough information."

Yusuke looked up in surprise. "The guy gave you something?"

"Nothing tangible." Kurama said dismissively. "He gave me words. He said, 'Only one champion'. But it's not enough information to draw any firm conclusions."

"Now that I think about it, the guy that took Yukina said something…" Kuwabara said his voice soft with thought.

"What was it Kuwabara?" Kurama said. "Do you remember?"

"It was something like 'If you can rule the world' or some other something like that. I don't know what he meant by it though."

"The worst I fear. Yusuke, try. Do you remember anything? Anything at all?"

"No." The detective said, irritated. "I can't think of one damn…wait…come to think of it…He did say something about it being almost time. But that doesn't make any sense either."

Kurama sighed. "I must agree that I too am short on answers."

"Yeah, really." Kuwabara said. "What do they want us to do? Take over ningenkai or something?"

Kurama's eyes went wide. "Of course…now it all makes sense."

"What?" Yusuke asked. "You mean they really do want us to take over ningenkai?"

"Not quite, but very close. Think about it for a moment. We were told three things: 'It is almost time', 'If you can rule the world', and 'Only one champion'. With these three clues, along with Kuwabara's thought, the answer is clear."

Kuwabara's eyes widened. "No way! I can't believe I didn't see it before!"

"Easy for you to say pal." Yusuke muttered. "I'm still lost."

"Think Yusuke," Kurama said. "What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word champion?"

Yusuke shrugged. "A fighter I guess."

"And to become a champion fighter you must take place in a contest and come out on top."

Yusuke crossed his arms in annoyance. "Where exactly are you going with this?"

"A champion's gotta fight to be a champion." Kuwabara said. "And there's only one fight where someone can take over a world. You should remember Urameshi. It was your idea after all."

Yusuke's eyes widened. "You…can't mean…."

"Yes. The Makai Tournament. 'It is almost time'." Kurama looked at Yusuke pointedly. "The three years of Enki's reign is coming to a close, and by the rules he set, another tournament will soon be taking place. Apparently we will be taking part in this one as well."

"But what about the 'one champion' thing?" Kuwabara said. "Wouldn't that means only one of us can go?"

"Possibly," Kurama said. "But there are several other meanings. It could be that the champion of the tournament will receive the girls as a prize. Or it could mean, as Kuwabara said, that only one of us may enter. Most likely each of us can only fight for a one girl. With that in mind, if we were to lose, we would no longer be a champion and we would be forced to withdraw from the tournament."

"And there can only be one winner," Yusuke said, quietly. "Right?"

"Yes." Kurama said. "And I fear this is not only an invitation we can not refuse, but also a battle that, as individuals, we cannot afford to lose."

"So what do we do now?" Kuwabara asked.

"Yes," Kurama said. "But rather then that it would probably be best if we went directly to Reikai ourselves. This is a matter we wouldn't want over heard by anyone."

"So once you're good it's off to Reikai then?" Yusuke said.

"No, we have another stop to make first."

"Really?" Kuwabara asked. "Where?"

"Makai," Kurama said. "This affects Hiei just as greatly as us. It would be foolish to keep him in the dark."

Koenma: Things are definitely not good right now, and that's the understatement of the year! Especially since the girls aren't the only ones that have gone missing. With the most powerful being in existence breathing down my neck, I don't know if I'll manage to survive the next encounter, and I'm not even talking about Yusuke. Find out what happens in the chapter: God of Gods, next time on YuYu Hakusho!

Kaliea: Sorry about the long wait, but I did warn you. Hopefully the next one won't take as long but I really doubt that. We'll see.