Almost at the end, folks! Please enjoy! :)

--

Phantoms

XI

--

Area Eight was swarming with souls as usual.

Koenma knew of the dangers that had befallen over headquarters. It was just his luck he had been here when the major takeover occurred. That was about eight hours ago. The purgatories, hells, and heavens were almost under complete control of the True Disciples. Area Eight remained the black sheep because of the rioting souls. The warden there was also considerably more violent, and had opposed the Disciples quite heartily. After seeing the warden and guards putting up arms against these strange outsiders, the souls and staff of Area Eight had reached a temporary truce in order to ward off the invaders. Koenma had observed this rebellion from afar. He felt some pride that the men and women had under him were fighting so valiantly, but he still couldn't shake off his troubles.

He had to go back eventually. It was his responsibility to at least ensure the safety of his people. After that, the Disciples would probably revoke his title and privileges and lock him up along with his father. Or maybe they would even have him executed. Koenma didn't really fear death, but he felt remorse; he had failed to save his home. He stood up and wiped down his clothes. He had failed. He would accept his punishment at the very least. It was what he deserved.

Koenma began to turn away when a brutal force collided with his head. He flew back several feet and landed on his back, his cheek and jaw throbbing. Spots of red and white burst across his vision. Reaching up with his hand, Koenma felt blood trickle from the corner of his mouth and he looked up at his assailant in shock.

Urameshi Yusuke appeared the picture of serenity. But beneath the tranquil face, Koenma could see the raging anger in his eyes. Anger, disappointment, disdain. Koenma looked away in shame.

The words came slow and steady. "We've got a lot to talk about, Koenma."

--

He called me Hikaru.

All I felt was contempt and rage, but I knew that name was false. Hearing it within the stretches of the mental landscape infuriated me further and I wanted nothing more but to crush the half-blood. How dare he? How dare he stop me? Revenge, I wanted revenge. Retribution. I couldn't remember why. It didn't matter. They were trying to stop me, the half-blood, the kitsune, and the damned eye-holder. That eye was evil. It shielded the brunt of my attacks.

And then the half-blood burst through my defenses. Such a wave of power and blinding aura. I was scared then. I tried to destroy his mind, but he was protected by the eye. Then his light hit me. Beautiful, beautiful horror.

My name is Akira. I died two hundred years ago. I was framed by Enma and made to suffer. I lost my memories and my name until the half-blood saved me.

My soul is my own again, but the mind doesn't forget. I forgive and I remember. Justice is never pure.

--

Koenma was a damn fool.

Of course, Hiei never had the highest opinion of the Reikai leader, but his most recent behavior was something on a completely different level. Even he had thought Koenma better than this—a little boy lost and confused. So disillusioned by his own ideals that he welcomed death over action. Hiei sighed inwardly. He didn't know exactly what Yusuke had in store for him, but he knew it would be entertaining at least.

"Hiei? What are you doing here?" cried out Jin in surprise when he fell upon the scene.

After thoroughly knocking out three guards simultaneously, Hiei frowned. "These are weak fighters," he chastised, unheeding Jin and Suzuki's stunned expressions.

Suzuki laughed in astonishment. "Well, not that I'm complaining about you joining the fight, but where were you during the meeting?"

Hiei sheathed his sword. "I didn't get the memo."

Jin shared a grin with Suzuki.

They were located in one of the eastern bases of the Armed Church of the True Disciples. Jin and Suzuki had managed to infiltrate the building easily enough, but neither were accustomed to espionage work and had been discovered by a passing guard. If they had been in the Makai, the fighting would have been child's play, but the Reikai's spiritual atmosphere meant their strengths were decreased dramatically. Fortunately, the base was scarcely occupied and the Disciples were mostly trainees without any real combat experience. Now that they had Hiei's assistance as well, the remaining bases were merely dominoes waiting to fall.

Jin glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. "All right, we've been decimating this place for about half and hour. I'd say most of the baddies are out of the game," he announced. He took out the map Kurama had drawn for them. "I think we should head out to this next one over here," he said, pointing to a spot, "since it seems the closest!"

Suzuki raised an eyebrow at him. "You can't possibly be that lazy."

"You two can go ahead if you wish. I have another target," interjected Hiei, looking over the map critically.

Jin placed a hand on his hip in exasperation. "Hey, come on, where's your team spirit? Don't hog up all the fun, Hiei!"

At the smaller youkai's icy glare, he promptly ceased his complaints. Suzuki looked over to Hiei curiously. "Did you spot something significant?" he asked.

Hiei folded his arms over his chest. "Where did Kurama go?"

"He said he'd focus on sneaking into HQ," replied Suzuki. "You're not worried about him?"

"Oh, believe me, that fox is in no need of worrying over!" exclaimed Jin.

Hiei glowered at the red-haired youkai. "I am well of aware of that."

This particular band of people he'd always considered Yusuke's friends—never his own. And despite the fact that they shared the same home world, Hiei would have preferred the company of Kuwabara over them. They were too loud and boisterous for him. Or perhaps he simply missed that small group of four he had been a part of so long ago.

Hiei looked at Suzuki. Despite the blond's former penchant for comical attire and flamboyant gestures, he possessed a more strategic mind than Jin; Hiei could respect him for that much.

"I will follow after him. You carry on with whatever you were doing," he said before moving out in a flash.

He didn't hear their responses to his sudden departure; he didn't care to listen. Kurama had taken on the biggest obstacle for himself. That wouldn't do. Hiei hadn't been surprised when he learned of Yusuke's plans to invade the Reikai. He wasn't even taken aback by the deliberate exclusion of his involvement—it was one of Yusuke's games. That he kept tabs on the former detective's actions was something that only Kurama knew, but it seemed Yusuke was beginning to pick up on it too. Good, Hiei thought. That would only make things more interesting.

It was also a show of trust that Yusuke didn't inform him of his plans. There was no coercion or persuasion; it was all up to Hiei to come to their aid or not. Of course there was never an issue of whether or not he'd come, but more a question of what he would do. Yusuke had given him freedom by not involving him directly. Now Hiei could enter the playing field with his own agenda undisturbed.

The whole of Reikai was like a ghost town. The Disciples had spread their forces wide and despite their limited numbers, they had effectively taken over the major municipalities. They had planned this out well and taken advantage of the people's confusion; the coup had been almost entirely bloodless. The people of Reikai had lost faith in Koenma and embraced the Disciples' leadership. Only the loyal officers under Koenma had suffered losses. They were the ones being detained in the headquarters. Hiei didn't know who the main perpetrator of the coup d'état was, but Kurama probably had him covered already; his own personal goal was just to take out the main forces to provide an example to the Disciples spread over Reikai. Religious radicals or not, people always feared for their own lives and Hiei was a master at providing the intimidation.

The Disciples had advanced technology at their disposal; it was the one advantage they had over Hiei. Cameras and music players were one thing, but he could never quite accustom himself to the many technological devices the Ningenkai employed. It was one of the many reasons he preferred remaining in the Makai. As Hiei ventured closer, he could spot the many surveillance machines deployed over the buildings and tower posts. He remembered that last time there had been a half second delay in between viewing each watch, but Hiei doubted he could rely on that now. Technology improved fast. That meant he had to find another way in.

Hiei looked at the sky. It was always white clouds in the Reikai, and night only lasted five hours. By the lengthening of the sun's rays, he discerned it was nearing sunset. That would provide some camouflage to work with. His gaze went over to the main rampart circling over the middle tower. There was only one guard there and no camera was dispatched to that area—probably because of its height and exposure; no one would dare enter from that post. Hiei smiled darkly to himself. No one without his speed at least.

In the back of his mind, he wondered why he felt so light.