The sky was dark, as usual. The clouds reigned with thunder, threatening to strike them at any moment. The three of them carried on, their feet dragging and their bodies exhausted, but their hearts knowing they could not rest. They had to save their friend.

"How much longer till we get to the barrier?"

"I don't know… but I'll sure as hell be happy once we get Kurama's body back."

"It won't be easy. Whoever it was who sent the video had an agenda. He meant to keep it that way. His shadow in the picture indicates he doesn't want to be seen… or tampered with."

Yusuke sighed, gazing up at the castle they were approaching. The bleak sky of Demon World thundered and roared, almost blowing his ears off with the noise. Kuwabara breathed out, wiping his forehead. "I wonder how he's doing back in the human world."

"I wouldn't be so worried about that as I would about the earlier matter." Hiei replied, adjusting his shoulder. "We know exactly where the culprit is, and our only hope in getting the human body back is to defeat him. My question is this. Why doesn't he want Kurama to come himself? Is his grudge against you idiots that much of a matter to him?"

"Watch it short stuff or I'll nail you into the ground like a hammer!"

"That doesn't even make sense…"

"SHUDDUP!"

Yusuke groaned, rubbing his tired head and body with his hands. "Well whatever is going on, we can be assured that Kurama is doing just fine. He's his own demon; he can take care of himself."

Looking into the sky above and seeing the looming castle before them, the three of them swallowed hard. The demon who cursed Yoko wanted nothing more than to trample all over Kurama and his friends. They had no idea who the shadow wanted to harm more, but they were sure of one thing.

The more time they wasted, the less likely it was that they would save Kurama's body.


"Thank you so much Yoko."

"You have said that numerous times today."

"I know but…" she giggled, almost hiding her face in her hands. The bags were heavy now, Yoko seeing Hana begin to pant with exhaustion. She was tired from the day, and even as they sat and watched the sun set he had to wonder where all of her energy came from.

"I'm just so happy right now!"

The demon's steps slowed as they approached the door to the apartment, Hana looking for her keys in her bag. "Now I know I put them in here somewhere…"

The slight buzzing of the lights in the lamp posts called bugs to their domain, softly shocking them one by one. The world was dark, but the lights from the city helped them search for the place where they could rest. There came a clicking sound and eventually Hana found her keys, which were lodged in between her books.

"There we go!"

Fitting the key into the lock and turning the knob, Hana's eyes widened as she stopped for a second, her mouth open.

"It was already open…"

Yoko gazed down at her curiously, his eyes narrowing. "It was already open?" he asked, pushing the door open more. The dark room greeted them with the hefty smell of alcohol. Yoko snorted, trying to clear his nasal passages. Hana seemed used to the smell as she stepped in rather calmly, calling out.

"Dad? Dad are you home?"

A crash was heard coming from the other side of the apartment, and as Hana flicked on the lights she gasped, her hand coming up to her mouth. A few shards of broken glass lay upon the floor, strange brown liquid on the floor and seeping into the wood. Yoko stepped beside her, closing the door behind him and swallowing.

"Hana?" he asked quietly.

"No… no…"

The girl rushed to the other side of the house, Yoko calling after her. "Hana!" before he could reach her she whirled around, yelling at him.

"Don't come any closer! Please!" Yoko froze, unsure of what to do. "I can't let him see you… Daddy… he doesn't understand. Please Yoko; just wait for me in my room!"

He couldn't reply quickly enough as she raced into her father's room, nearly throwing open the door. Yoko quickly set the bags down on the kitchen counter, listening to the conversation going on in the other room. Once voice was gruff and rather harsh, the other Hana's.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"I'm sorry I was just out getting groceries! I had to go to work too!"

"Why aren't you here at home cleaning and cooking like you're supposed to?"

"But I just said I was busy! We have to pay rent and last time you used the money for-" a loud thump was heard and a scream followed, Yoko's ears perking and his body stiffening.

Hana… what's going on?

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"Don't tell me those lies! I know you screwed the landlord to pay it off! You never do things with hard work do you?"

"Daddy please, that isn't how it is! Just let me explain!" another scream was heard as a thump followed, which in turn was followed by the sound of shattered glass. Yoko's worry began to build up inside of him, as he could not bear to hear it any longer. Rushing towards the room and bounding inside he found Hana on the floor, blood seeping from her body and tears in her eyes.

Looking up from Hana's shape Yoko found a man, dressed almost as if he had come out of a three day brawl. His clothes were torn, dirty, and his eyes were glazed over. Alcohol reeked from his body and a broken bottle was held in his right hand.

The pieces fit.

The man was shocked to see Yoko standing before him now, his eyes turning to the demon almost too calmly.

"Oh I see. You were shacking up with someone else too? I'm surprised your Sugar Daddy didn't find out about him earlier!"

At that precise moment Yoko's anger rose, his cold eyes narrowing and his body moving into action. His hand grabbed the man's throat, his hat flying off to reveal his ears as he growled.

"Did you hurt her?"

The man struggled in his grasp, dropping the bottle and wriggling to get Yoko off. The demon was too strong however, and not about to lose his grip. Fangs were shown as he hissed at the man, speaking in a dead calm.

"Did. You. Hurt. Her."

A gurgling sound protruded from the man's throat, his lungs already beginning to collapse. Nails were dug into his skin, making him cry out in anguish. Yoko's rage increased.

"I can assure you. If you dare hurt this girl ever again… I will make every second of your very existence so unbearable you will be begging for me to kill you."

Cocking his head to the side and sneering. Yoko continued almost disgustedly. He spat at the man, shaking his head.

"Pathetic."

Throwing him into the wall Yoko glared at the man, coming over to his body slowly. The father breathed in harshly, holding his throat and trying to upright himself before Yoko came. The demon came closer and closer, the man almost feeling the anger that arose from Yoko's body.

"What the hell are you?" the man screamed, pinning himself up against the wall. The bandit glared down at him coldly; that look of death certain in his eyes. He knew the demon was going for the kill, but his body wouldn't move.

"Get out."

At Yoko's words the man crawled away from him quickly, scrambling to get up and rush out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

The demon stood there for a second, listening to the sound of the crickets outside and making sure the environment was safe. The night settled in and as soon as silence overcame them, Yoko rushed to Hana's side.

"Hana, Hana!"

The girl would not speak, but was drifting from her consciousness. Without thinking Yoko picked her up, carrying her over to her bedroom. Placing her down upon her bed and sitting in front of her Yoko spoke to her softly.

"Hana, you're going to be alright. Hana, stay with me!"

Soft green plants began to grow straight from his arms and fingers, tracing down to her body and restricting the wounds. The vines slowly wrapped against her, clotting the blood and healing the nerves. A few other vines sprouted leaves that covered her smaller cuts, healing them as well. Yoko stared at her, Hana's eyes dimming from time to time.

"Hana… Hana please… you're going to be okay… Hana!"

His heart thumped with uncertainty, his mind racing with thoughts. He couldn't lose her, not now. The demon would fight, he would fight for her to live.

Hana… don't leave me, please? I'll change… I'll change…

For you.

After a few more moments Hana's eyes opened, Yoko gasping. Her mouth sprouted almost inaudible words.

"Yo… ko?"

All at once he embraced her against him, hugging her tightly and never wanting to let go. The vines from his arms stopped growing, leaving portions on Hana's body so she could recover. The demon took her in his arms and sat upon her bed, cradling her carefully.

He rocked her back and forth, her head upon his shoulder and soft words emerging from within his heart.

"Hana… are you alright?"

The girl did not reply, but nodded her head. Yoko smiled gently, sighing with relief. "If anything were to happen to you… well I don't know what I would do."

With a shudder, Hana shifted her position, her eyes boring into Yoko. She gazed at him, her fingers running across his chest and towards his face, lining his cheek bone.

"Yoko…"

Yoko felt her quiver, and in a few seconds her eyes welled. His heart sunk, seeing her so depressed. He pursed his lips, bringing her closer to him. She was holding back, he could tell. Her breaths were short and precise, trying to contain her boiling emotions.

"You can cry."

He felt his shirt sticking to him, little wails seeping from her body. Yoko's hand ran down her back, stroking her softly. Her head was buried in his shoulder, sobs erupting from her now. The very girl who was so happy and light had shown him the side of her that nobody else saw. She was afraid, she was scared, and she was alone.

Yoko waited a while before her tears began to stop, Hana finally finding the strength to speak to him directly.

"You didn't have to do that…"

"You were hurt."

"But I-"

"You could not have handled it by yourself. Do not lie to me. I don't like that." The girl silenced as Yoko placed her on his lap, wrapping her in a blanket. Hana didn't really stir, but merely poked at the vines that were wrapped around her wounds.

"What are these?"

"Special Makai plants. They aide in the healing process." The girl's eyes filled again, her words cracking. "Yoko…"

He smiled at her, his finger grazing her cheek. His golden eyes seemed to look deep into her, her heart thumping like mad. Those arms were so strong, and they were arms that would wrap around her and her only. His nail brushed off a tear, his finger tracing down her cheek and to her lips. Softly, he shook his head.

Hana whimpered, Yoko pulling her closer to him, pinning her head against his large and soft chest. There he held her until she eventually fell asleep against him, Yoko taking off his shirt and pants. He laid her down in the bed, slipping in next to her and covering their bodies with the warm sheets. His arm came around her, the demon making sure she was placed right on top of him.

Her head was upon his chest, her breathing calm and smooth. He could hear the sounds of the crickets outside, the last of the frogs dying away in the summer air as they began to quiet down for the night. Yoko's eyes went to her face again, and for some reason his head knocked against her forehead. Slowly, he began to feel the sleep overcome him, Yoko relaxing and knowing everything was going to be alright.

Hana.