Chapter 9

Several hours later Yusuke, Hiei, and Kuwabara landed in demon world. Yusuke felt around and realized it was the same sight and sounds of where they fought Sensui. The three of them said nothing as they pressed onward towards where Kurama was held captive. Yusuke couldn't help himself and worry about the fire demon. Since Kurama's disappearance Hiei kept to himself up in the trees of Genkai's temple searching hard with his Jagan eye to find a slight spirit pressure from Kurama. Yusuke noticed it too, that Kurama's spirit was slowly fading away.

Kuwabara suddenly stopped. Yusuke held back and motioned Hiei to do the same. He knew if given the chance Hiei would disappear on them and go rescue Kurama himself and not save any of the action for either of them. Kuwabara looked around Demon World. "So this is Demon World, no wondered the shrimp is always hiding in the trees," mumbled Kuwabara to himself. He sighed as the surroundings started to creep him out; from the sky to the eerie feeling around him.

"Kuwabara, you alright," questioned Yusuke. "Or are you having second thoughts about rescuing Kurama?"

"No."

"Then what's the hold up? The longer we wait, the longer we are going to piss off Hiei."

Kuwabara looked towards Hiei and noticed a vain of frustration. He gave him a sly smirk. Kuwabara replied "Sorry guys. I just wanted to take a minute and look around. You know I have only been to Demon World once before. This is the only part of this world I have seen with my own eyes."

"Fool, you can remember the past later. Right now we have more important matters at hand."

Yusuke agreed with Hiei on this one. For one, he himself did not really want to be back here. If anyone discovered that either of them were here, thousands of demons would want their heads. Their mere presence in demon world is a danger to all of them. Hiei knew this for a fact himself, but did not necessarily care. He loved the idea that he was home again, but his home brought anger into his heart with the thought of Kurama being hurt and perhaps dying. He kept his cool because if he didn't, the entire demon world would notice they were here. Then there would be no chance of rescuing Kurama. Or probably just a slim chance that Hiei could take and destroy everyone in sight.

"Let's go," Hiei commanded to Yusuke and Kuwabara. They understood and followed Hiei once more.

They swiftly moved through the trees, and made no contact with another evil soul. They all were pleased by this because it would make getting Kurama that much simpler. Yusuke laughed at the thought that there was a possibility all the demons were just terrified to lose their life by them. Hiei and Yusuke most likely would not have to even lift a finger, in order to destroy these many demons. He had to rethink about Kuwabara, but he has grown as a fighter.

Back at the castle like structure, a young very powerful demon smirked while looking at a screen monitor. Those poor defenseless souls thought the demon. They'll never be able to rescue their friend, or save themselves. He'll have them all dead before long. The demon laughed hysterically and evilly. He called forth some demons in order to attempt to destroy Hiei, Kuwabara, and Yusuke. The demons obeyed their master and left the building.

Kurama suddenly awoke in the darkened prison. His body still lay motionless as his eyes stared at the stone wall. He motioned his hand to move and it did so gently and formed a fist. Then slowly very slowly Kurama was able to set himself up against the stone wall. He placed his head upon his knees, he slowly wished for his death to come quicker. He could not stand being trapped alone and defenseless. Without his spirit energy and he getting weaker by the moment there was no chance of escaping.

"Kurama, stop your moping" snapped Hiei suddenly as he entered Kurama's mind.

"Hiei," cried out Kurama surprised to hear his voice. Kurama's heart lightened up as he heard his fire demon's voice. Kurama finally filled up in rage and wanted to get out of this hell hole and be reunited with his loved ones.

In another room of the castle, the demon noticed that Kurama had awakened from his slumber. My my, don't we have a fiery temper thought the demon. The young demon got up from his chair and headed for the dungeons.

Kurama was ready for when any slight movement of the door opening. A single rose tight between his hands ready to attack when ready.

Suddenly the door burst open to reveal the young demon Kurama had seen once before. He glared at the demon with fire bursting from his green eyes. A red aura surrounded Kurama filled with his spirit energy. In a split second later, Kurama could feel his body being thrown up against the wall. The demon pinned him with one hand on his neck and the other pinned his left arm. Kurama let out a scream of pain which made the demon chuckle with delight.

Within the demon world forests Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei desperately searched for the structure, which hold Kurama captive. Hiei suddenly stopped; Yusuke and Kuwabara did too. They both looked at him in puzzlement.

"Okay, you guys why have we stopped," asked Kuwabara stupidly.

"Don't you feel it stupid," Yusuke replied irritated at Kuwabara for asking such a stupid question.

"Demons, oaf. Quite a few of them, which mean they were probably sent by their leader. Hmm they mean to kill us," answered Hiei in an excited tone. "I'll take care of them."

"Hiei, no you got to save Kurama. I'll take care of them. With my spirit gun I can get rid of them in a snap. They aren't so tough," said Yusuke feeling their spirit energy. Hiei smirked at him.

"If they are that easy, I'll take them," Kuwabara said suddenly. "I, Kazuma Kuwabara, defender of love and justice will destroy them all with my awesome spirit sword." Kuwabara struck a pose after the word sword which made Yusuke and Hiei have a little twitch in their eyes. He finally added "It's the least I can do for you and Kurama."

Hiei just looked at Kuwabara dumbstruck. He let out a small smile of gratitude. At the same time, a scream could be heard from the distance. Hiei was the only one who was able to pick up the voice. Yusuke looked at Hiei and realized that he was petrified about something. "Are you okay," he asked quickly.

"Let's go, now Yusuke. Kuwabara take care of the scum," said Hiei avoiding Yusuke's question. Yusuke then realized that something was up and only Hiei knew about it. Kuwabara nodded towards Hiei and stayed behind. Yusuke wished his friend good luck as the two of them sped towards the structure.

A couple of moments later, they could hear Kuwabara's battle cries. Yusuke was concerned about his friend and wondered if he was alright by himself.

At the battle scene, Kuwabara was slicing the demons one by one. The improved sword which he now knew how to control was doing him wonders. It took him awhile through training. Each demon only took one swipe in order to kill it. Why didn't I have this super awesome sword during the dark tournament, thought Kuwabara. This just makes me angry.

"Come on you demon scum give me all you got," shouted Kuwabara to the next demon at hand. The next demon appeared.

"I'll give you all I have," replied a seven foot tall demon. The demon was buff, dark skinned, looked very beaten up. He almost looked beast like in several ways. From his ugly face to the very bottom of his body. Kuwabara felt the demon's energy flow through him. He smiled at the thought of a challenge.

"Heh," said Kuwabara keeping his cool. "I've defeated the spirit beasts and won the dark tournament. Now I will destroy you."

The suddenly made the first attack by striking at Kuwabara. Kuwabara manage to block the attack just before it hit his body. The beast demon bounced backwards and landed a few feet away. He suddenly threw an attack, and directly hit Kuwabara. The attack slashed through Kuwabara.

"Heh, heh, he's dead," said the demon to himself.

"Not quite," Kuwbara replied appearing from the dust of debris. Blood was spilling from his left arm. He sprung forward to the demon making his next attack.

"Son of a bitch," said the demon as he quickly stepped away from Kuwabara's attack. In the last second Kuwabara made a gash in the demon's gut. Claw marks formed into the ground as the demon tried to stop himself from the vicious attack. The fighters paused and caught their breaths. They both watch each other's blood spilling everywhere. Kuwabara yelled and charged his sword at the demon. The demon stood his ground and waited patiently for him to get closer.

"SHIT. NO. NOT AGAIN."

Yusuke yelled suddenly as Hiei saw him quickly fall to the ground. "No, no he can't be-"

Hiei suddenly felt it too Kuwabara's energy slowly drifting away. Fuck, two of them down. Hiei filled up with rage and so did Yusuke. "Yusuke, we can still save him and Kurama," said Hiei as he noticed that the last beast didn't fully kill him.

"What you mean-"

"Yes the fool is still alive I can feel it," said Hiei a little disappointed, but then realized how sad his sister would be. "Fuck, now we have to save his sorry ass now too."

"Hiei, you worry about Kurama. I'll worry about Kuwabara."

"Right now we have to worry more about Kurama. I know he can defend for himself. Though, in the situation he is in right now, I don't know how much longer-" he cut himself off as he didn't want to think about death.

"Hiei, what is it that you actually know?"

Hiei stared into the ground; he wasn't sure how to explain the situation. He only hoped that Kurama was alright.