KH: From the depths of my heart, I apologize! It's been so long since I've update and I'm pretty sure most of my fans have moved on. But I am not dead and neither is the story! I really should wish for an inspiration attack; it leaves with the worst sort of author blocks...

I will not quit this story, but I also will not be updating like I used to. (T.T) I also warn you that the wait was totally not worth it for this chapter, but the next ones will be... I hope. I no longer have anything written, but I am trying to transition between these chapters and the ones I had already done.

I own no one!

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Hiei was a surprisingly patient teacher. He answered most questions asked about demons in general without any insults and complied easily with requests for demonstrations of his lesser abilities. Naturally, everyone who didn't know Hiei well was amazed. The more amazing of his actions were his confessions of his childhood. Granted they were only barely mentioned, but he said something. He was raised with a group of bandits; however, I already knew this. Also, and this was more surprising, he had the ability to travel between ningenkai and makai since the barrier between the worlds was created. I would never have guessed he had been in the human world before, especially not by choice since he seemed to give off that 'humans are worthless' impression.

The end of the lesson was concluded with the mention of a class field trip that the school district was going to sponsor for a select few classes. It was going to take place at the end of the school semester as a kind of camping trip for an unknown number of days. He told us he couldn't remember the details of the area since it's been a while since he's visited our destination, which I found odd to note, but he promised us an interesting experience. I frown at his small grin. He then said that his job was done and he'd mentioned everything our teacher, Hachi, instructed him to mention. He didn't know if Sango and Miroku were supposed to add anything and with that, he shrugged and disappeared. The clock showed that he no longer had to stay.

I parted ways with my slightly worried friends, after all, Hiei had a month's worth of 'torture' to expect from Sesshoumaru, and prevented Kagome from walking off in the wrong direction to our home. We were silent for most of the way and I spent a lot of time contemplating various ways I can pay Yusuke and Kuwabara back for how they 'helped' me. Hiei's already getting his own just desserts so I won't bother with his repayment.

"Are you shocked about the existence of demons?" Kagome suddenly asked. I tried not to laugh too heartily.

"I just wasn't expecting the mythology class to be, realistic." Or as informative as it was for that matter. She didn't look convinced.

"Right. Are you mad at Hiei?" Gee, what could have given you such an idea? As if reading my mind, my sister continued. "I saw how he was teasing you with grins and sneers. He was having the time of his life making fun of Youko, and he was somehow connecting you to him." Oh, if only you knew... actually, never mind. I took a breath to clear my mind and focus.

"Well, yes. I'm upset with him. I end up learning something new about Hiei almost every week I'm with him." She found this amusing. "It's nothing I'm going to hold over him though." At least not for too long. Only until I get some answers from him. "What about you?" Kagome walked in front of me and continued on our path backwards.

"What about me?"

"Are you shocked about the existence of demons?" Her smile grew brightly.

"Not at all! I've often wondered what it'd be like if demons walked in friendly terms around humanity these days. I kind of hoped they were still alive." She seemed to be trying to determine something about me. "I wonder what parts of you are influenced by kitsune nature... and who you got it from." I couldn't help it. I grinned, and decided to play a dangerous game. She isn't scared of demons, but that doesn't mean she couldn't change her mind.

"Do you care for a puzzle, my fair sister?" One that will prove just how excited you are to the prospect of meeting real demons. She grinned back at me.

"Depends on the difficulty." I tried to make a look of deep thought.

"It's only as difficult as you feel it is." I said vaguely. "It has a solution regardless." I shrugged.

"Then what's the puzzle?" She asked, eager to play my game.

"What color kitsune am I?" I was honestly surprised when she gave a loud laugh. She tried to be polite by covering her laughter with a hand, but I clearly saw and heard it anyway. I waited for an explanation.

"If that's the puzzle, than it's an easy one. Add another equation." She grinned. Well, if you say so, Kagome.

"Very well... turn to your left." I said as we came to our turn. She stopped walking and looked at me in confusion.

"Huh?" I resisted the urge to smirk.

"Your left. We have to turn here." Kagome had a cutely childish look of enlightenment. She glanced to our path before resuming her earlier position.

"Okay, what's your other puzzle?" I didn't bother to correct her. It was only another problem to the puzzle, not a completely new one. But, if she was so sure of my fur, I'd let her have her wish.

"How about..." Not age, I don't even know that. Not tails... "What element do I control?" Kagome looked incredulous.

"You KNOW that?" I nodded, trying not to smile at her frown.

"I thought fox demons generally took years to find the element that they can connect to." They do, if they're normal field fox demons who generally cannot earn more than one tail. I smirked and crossed my arms as she looked deep in concentration, no doubt going through every bit of information she held about kitsune. She stopped walking shortly after and looked up at me in contemplation. "Hm..."

"Is that too hard of a challenge?"

"I just didn't expect you to actually know that part of you." I tried not to laugh. If she's as informed about kitsune as a born fox youkai, than I suppose this would be a bit of a freebie. Rarely do my type of breed have traits that leak out to other types.

"Yes, well-"

"Plant." She answered simply. I looked at her in shock. Well, I wasn't expecting her to get that... How did she KNOW that!? "You're a gardener, and I've peaked at your work. They're all healthy and, well, huge. It's a talent you really don't work for and yet excel in. Plants are your specialty."

"..." She took a really good guess and still got it right? I fear what my enemies could find out if they think the way she does...

"I'm pretty confident that's right, except for the rarity of the trait. It's an ancient ability passed by genetics, thus as almost sacred honor to bear. Why would you have it in such a human body?" I couldn't help but laugh at the accusation. "I take it I'm wrong?" Kagome asked, looking embarrassed. I could only shake my head and lead her on our way once again. She even guessed how rare and venerated my element is in fox demons. I love my sister! "Is it too late to say fire?" She mumbled.

"No, no. You were correct." She did a silent 'oh' in realization. "I just," I chuckled again. Kagome is amazing in her knowledge of youkai. "You seemed to be blaming me for a fault I couldn't control." I said, instead of saying up front that her knowledge should only have existed in young kitsune kits... Of course, that would have looked odd to her about me and my mother. She looked to be blushing. "So, since you had no problems with my element, what type am I?"

"Um..." She scrutinized me for a moment before answering. "I'd say silver," I tried to not show my surprise. "Since I know that silvers are capable of plant elements, and Yusuke and Kazuma seemed to really enjoy imagining you as one, but I think you're more of a forest red." Well, at least she had it right before she changed her answer. "Your hair matches this." And now I question her deductive abilities. To change based on my hair color? "But… Hiei!" She exclaimed while looking behind me. I turned around quickly and could only gasp in surprise before quickly making my way towards him .

Hiei looked as if he were in a fight. He was walking towards us with a slight limp and seemed to be trying to recover from exhaustion at the same time. He was angry, so I can only guess his opponent was annoying. And powerful. How could no one sense anything? Hiei is strong, and his opponent was probably stronger. Their energy should have been detected by someone!

"Hiei, what happened?" I asked, pleading with him in my head to answer. Naturally, he didn't answer and only scowled with a low growl. I noticed his left temple had a still bleeding cut that should be gone within the next hour. He took out a note that looked to have been made from tree bark, like papaya. He handed it to me and proceeded to ignore us as I read. Kagome leaned close to read it for herself.

Kitsune, you are to meet with your ex-boss for a meeting. Your rendezvous point will be at Ka-go-me's school. Hiei will escort your beloved relation to your place of residence.

Miko, Hiei has a gift to give you as well as an errand to run for me.

Both: prepare yourselves. You will not see Hiei nor hear his voice for the month during his punishment for his friend's disrespect. I bid you a good day.

Lord Sesshoumaru of the Asian Continent

And this Inugami Daiyoukai gives me yet another reason to not like him. I admit, he frightens me. He's powerful, physically and economically, and he has connections. But, this seems to me to be an abuse of power. I wonder if Kagome's regard for him is going to fall. Hiei seems to respect him though, and it's obvious that all his pain was taken purposefully. Yusuke is going to owe him later on. I'll definitely not mention this again, for his pride's sake.

"You'll be alright?" I asked. Hiei nodded, being able to look confident and unsure at the same time. I think I'll end up missing his sarcastic one word remarks. "What have you done in the half hour between class ending and now?" There was a very noticeable shudder that ran through my friend before he decided he wasn't going to let me question him anymore. He took my sister by her arm and began walking in the direction we had been heading. I sighed and held out my bag for Kagome to hold. She took it without question. "I should be home before dinner." I offered before I stopped following them.

"'Kay! Good luck with whatever you need to do!" I watched them for a moment longer, nodding to my sister before I turned and began to run to where Hiei had been coming from. Chances are, Botan will be nearby. As I turned the corner though, I ran into Yusuke. Literally.

"Dammit, Kurama!" Yusuke cursed before realizing who I was. "Kurama!" I quirked an eyebrow.

"Yes, Yusuke?"

"Hiei! He's been in a fight!"

"Yes, Yusuke." I pulled him from the corner and kept him from running away. We were expected elsewhere. Other than that, I wasn't able to get him to budge. He's become stronger than me, and it was all I could do to keep him from heading to where I was just at.

"He's hurt!"

"He'll be fine, Yusuke." Yusuke looked upset.

"But, it's all my fault." I gave him a sympathetic pat on his shoulder and pulled him away from the street corner.

"Probably, but I'm sure he knew what he was getting into." With one last look behind us, Yusuke submit to my silent order to not go chasing after our friend and I let him go.

"Man. I feel horrible. Was he still bleeding?" Yusuke asked, looking miserable. I gave him a reassuring smile.

"It was only a small cut, Yusuke."

"No it wasn't. His entire left arm was dripping like a river!" I frowned. Hiei's cloak had hidden that injury. As well as any other he might have had.

"It wasn't when he came to me." I said, though I know Yusuke caught my lower voice. He nodded and we both came up to the street of the school Yusuke was surprisingly going to.

"Hey, did he say anything to you?"

"No. My note said he wouldn't be talking until his punishment had been served."

"Yeah, mine did too." Yusuke said as he kicked an unfortunate piece of sidewalk. "I wonder if Kuwabara's going to miss Hiei's insults."

"Most likely. It already feels weird to have him communicate with glares and nods."

"He actually let you talk to him? Man, that's not fair! He just pushed my note in my hand, glared and vanished."

"Yoo-hoo! Boys! Over here!"

"Hurry up Urameshi, Kurama!" We both ran the rest of the way to Kazuma and Botan who were waiting for us at the school gates. Botan swiftly led us to a secluded corner on school grounds and we were on our way to Reikai.

Unfortunately, Koenma was preoccupied with an important meeting by the time we arrived. George was actually outside of the office and sitting stiffly on the bench in the hall. He seemed terrified. Actually, the entire building seemed quiet and was working with considerably less chaos than normal. Botan seemed as confused as we were so I can only guess it wasn't this way when she left. Even other shinigami were quiet and their collected souls well behaved. Botan walked up to George and we all sat close.

"Ano, George, who's here?" George glanced at the doors and whispered gruffly.

"That canine lord."

"Not Koga?" Botan asked, looking ready to leave if the answer was yes.

"No no, not him." George glanced to the doors again and mouthed a name. "Sesshoumaru." Botan paled and Yusuke clenched his fist.

"Oh. I see." Botan replied meekly. "I suppose the solstice is coming soon." She mumbled with slight confusion and the silence that followed was heavy.

"What is important with the solstice? Sesshoumaru mentioned it in class and sis wouldn't say anything when I asked. In fact, she said she was going to move out tonight." Kazuma spoke after a moment.

"The Lady of Heavens requires all soul transportation to pause while she speaks to her own soul. Sesshoumaru-sama is the one who creates the deals between spirit world rulers. Though, it's a bit early for him to be showing up." Botan answered quietly.

"She speaks to herself? Yusuke asked.

"There are other rulers of Reikai than just Koenma?" Kazuma asked.

"Of course Koenma isn't the only ruler of Reikai, Kazuma. His father also controls this realm." I said, watching the door. I wonder if he could hear us since he is an inu youkai. That's probably why the building is so quiet.

"Also, other countries have their own rulers. Enma only watches over Japan. Our soul reapers who travel to other parts of the world are a means of alliance." George said.

"So, Hiei knew all about these rulers, and never told us?" Yusuke asked.

"He probably didn't tell us for a reason." I said.

"I wonder if he was punished extra hard for trying to steal from Koenma's vault." Kazuma said.

"Most likely not. The Lord of the Heavens has mentioned that his Lady holds Hiei with deep adoration. The House of the Heavens is very secretive. In fact, no one has ever seen the Lady in the past four hundred years." Botan informed. "No one ever says her name, but all the other rulers of the world claim to have known her. She's the most important person in the world and everyone holds her in the highest regard because of what she does during the solstices of the years." She said.

"You mentioned that she speaks to her soul. Just what does she do?" I asked.

"She determines the fates of everyone alive, dead, and in between. With this knowledge, she-" Before Botan could say anymore, the double doors to Koenma's office were opened. Koenma was in his teenage form and he was the one who stepped out.

"Ah, good, you all made it. I'm afraid you're going to have to wait for a while longer though. Uh, George, Botan, you need to come in here." Koenma said with a tone I've never heard him use. It seemed almost resigned, like he had been expecting this but didn't think it'd happen. Perhaps this Lady of the Heavens has seen something and just recently confirmed it. As Koenma's most trusted advisors stood to walk into the office, Koenma looked at me, Yusuke and Kazuma. "Try not to talk, please. He can hear you." Ah, so I was correct. We all nodded and proceeded to be silent.

The rain had stopped, and they had been journeying for a few days already. They had even been separated just last night. His partner in crime was with the woman, and he was with the child.

"I miss her." I did too. "She smelled really good, too."

"Like nature."

"She has a kit, you know."

"A kit?" The boy, Hiei, nodded.

"A kitsune. She said that she sleeps with him in her arms. She's used to that, holding a small body." I grinned, wanting to laugh at Kuronue's misfortune. He wasn't small enough to pass for a child. "What kind of kitsune are you?"

"Silver."

"What element?"

"Plant."

"Liar."

"Why do you say that?" It was such a boring day.

"A good warrior would never reveal himself to a stranger. You're not even asking me so we'd be even." A good child, this youkai was. I grinned.

"I suppose we can blame then. She trusts you, and I trust her, so I can trust you."

"I'm a mix; a forbidden child."

"I know how that feels. That's why I became a thief."

"I just left a group of bandits, then I met ."

"I miss her ninja food." Hiei snorted.

A youkai entered the hall, Hiei walking next to him. He had brown-red hair and dark green eyes. He could have passed for me, if it weren't for his fox tail and the wild ponytail. He glanced at me, smirked, and continued to the door. He walked in without knocking, and Hiei stood next to us.

He looked tired. He didn't even bother to try to sit in a seat and just slid against the wall. A few minutes later, the other kitsune came out and gestured us to come in. Hiei had to be pulled to his feet and was ordered to stand next to Sesshoumaru while we took our places next to Koenma. Botan looked relieved and Koenma looked like he was trying to not smile. Sesshoumaru glanced at us and continued the conversation.

"Very well." Koenma smiled now.

"Thank you."

"On one condition." The Inu Youkai added. Koenma's smile faltered. "They do not interfere. I understand that this seems unfair, so I add this. They may visit the castle." The other kitsune looked shocked, and Hiei looked downright mortified. He glared at Sesshoumaru with an expression mixed between outrage and complete helplessness.

"Um, Sesshoumaru-sama, I uh, um, Milady would no doubt enjoy this, but I don't think Hiei would-"

"Hiei is being punished." The fox grinned.

"Ah, so that's why he wouldn't talk." Hiei set to glaring at him now.

"You knew this, kit." The grin never left. He then started moving his hands to Hiei in a sign language I did not know. Hiei responded with even faster replies.

"We are honored, Sesshoumaru-sama." Koenma said.

"No one has ever seen the castle of House of the Heavens." Botan whispered to us. Yusuke looked torn between defending his friend, not evoking Sesshoumaru's wrath, or laughing at Hiei's embarrassment.

"I am aware that you are a busy lord, Koenma, having the job that even a trained monkey can do, and having to be the image of a ruler as well. Your Reikai Tentei will be your representatives therefore." Koenma looked disappointed and offended, but this was Sesshoumaru. He, apparently, ruled a vast country and was highly respected. I think he has a cruel sense of humor.

"When will be an ideal date, Koenma-sama?" The kitsune asked, until Sesshoumaru gestured his own message to them before he slapped them both. They pulled they slapped hands to themselves and both pouted. Koenma looked a bit disturbed, along with the rest of us. Hiei looked, like a kid...

"Um, I suppose the end of the month. Guys?" I nodded, along with Yusuke.

"Around that time family is coming over, but I might be able to. Um, will that-"

"It is understandable if you are unable to make it." Sesshoumaru waved off Kuwabara's worries. "I thank you for your time." And he walked out, Hiei being pushed to follow by the other kitsune. Our fire demon looked back at us, an unrecognizable emotion on his face. I could read his lips though.

'Help me.'

"Dammit." Yusuke swore. Koenma sighed.

"I wouldn't worry about Hiei." Yusuke began to interject. Botan spoke up.

"Really, Yusuke, it's okay. Sesshoumaru-sama probably told Hiei to act the way he did. Sesshoumaru likes, to um, torture."

"Obviously." Yusuke deadpanned.

"Well, it's not physical torture." Botan added.

"What other torture is there?" Kuwabara asked.

"He's trying to embarrass Hiei." I said as the idea came to me. Koenma nodded and dismissed us after asking us for a brief report on our findings. We had nothing to report, and we didn't have Hiei to help.

xXx

HK: Okay! This long break in between updates was not fruitless! Though it was kind of pointless. I had tried to even out my chapter lengths, but I could only really do that if I merged the first two chapters. Turns out I really didn't care to do that. I like being able to say I have more than ten chapters on this story.

Um, I did go through the past chapters and clear a few things though. I think. I hope so anyway. I hope no one's lost. If you are, let me know and I'll try to clear it up without spoiling anything. Chances are I've already cleaned up any confusion in the earlier chapters.

Reviews let me know you're here!

And on a side note, I blame Naruto. I had a story idea I thought would be a one shot and it just, exploded. I think it'll be a few many chapters and I'm almost done with it.