Edit: As of May 26, 2017, I've gone back to update all my chapters. If you see an error, let me know. I'm not very happy with some of these chapters, and may revise, but only after finishing this story.

Chapter 14

Wondering

Keiko sat outside on the porch and stared up at the stars. Yusuke still hadn't returned after a strange disappearance. Botan peeked out of the door.

"Genkai has our beds ready. Poor Kuwabara and Sanosuke are already asleep. Genkai was pretty tough on them for a first day."

Keiko stood up and stretched. She followed her friend to where they would be sleeping. It was a bare room with two sleeping mats and pillows for the two girls. Keiko sighed. It was obvious that Genkai was a woman of simplicity, but she really preferred her bed in the city. Keiko crawled under the covers with Botan following suit.

"I wonder what happened that made Yusuke just ditch us," Botan pondered. "If we still had the keys to the car, we could have driven back."

"He said his dad was angry at him, but I don't believe him. Jin was acting weird too."

"Maybe it has something to do with Kurama and Hiei leaving. I hope they are safe." Botan said softly.

Botan bit her lip lightly. Keiko gave her a small smile. "I'm sure they're fine. They're really strong after all. Why did they leave anyway?"

"Kurama didn't tell me much. He just said they received a lead."

"Ugh these boys are so secretive! I can't stand it! This kind of stuff is normal to them, but we've been pushed into this kind of life."

Botan hushed a frustrated Keiko, "We don't want to wake everyone up, but I agree. It's not fair and they think they can get away with this stuff because we're new to the city. As soon as we get back, we need to have a look around for ourselves."

Keiko nodded in agreement, "Let's get some rest. If Yusuke doesn't come back tomorrow, maybe Genkai will take us back."

Yusuke arrived back at his apartment. Jin flew without saying much. It left Yusuke pretty unnerved. When the two arrived, Kurama and Hiei were inside waiting. Pu returned to his original form and Yusuke left the lizard on the outside balcony.

"Hey, what did you guys find out?" Yusuke asked.

Hiei tossed the scroll at Yusuke, "Have you ever heard your father speak of someone named Masanori?"

"What, why?" the prince asked.

Yusuke's eyes scanned the scroll briefly before his brows furrowed. "This has got to be a mistake. My dad wouldn't fight against humans. He won't even eat them to save his life."

"It's only a question Yusuke. It's not like we walked into a trap. If anything, it was too easy to infiltrate," Kurama murmured.

Jin peered at the scroll, "It's crazy though. Why would Raizen be so secretive? His strength is unrivaled. The only one even close to him is Yusuke."

"He's not being secretive because he's not siding with this Masanori punk," Yusuke said indignantly.

Kurama sighed, "We agree that it doesn't make much sense, but we thought it would be best to bring our concern to you first."

Yusuke sat down on his couch, "Maybe this guy is messing with our heads."

Yusuke read the scroll again, "What does he mean by the 'one who is the light'?"

Jin held the scroll up, "Every time Masanori's name is mentioned it says that, but when Raizen is mentioned is says the' one who sees the light'. No one else has some weird title like that."

Jin threw Kurama the scroll, "Yusuke what do you think we should do?"

Yusuke threw his head back in agitation, "None of this makes sense!"

Kurama rolled the scroll up, and tucked it away neatly, "Everything this group does is primitive and dated. Perhaps a clue lies with history. Raizen is centuries old. Perhaps Masanori is an old comrade or enemy."

"However until we know for certain, let's not alert the king," Hiei added.

"How can we figure out what he knows though?" Yusuke asked.

"Well you are his son. Perhaps you should speak to your father more. It would be beneficial for you to understand your demonic heritage, especially if you are to rule over us." Hiei replied.

Yusuke grunted, "Great so while he's disciplining me and kicking my ass, what will you guys be doing?"

Kurama smiled, "I'll take a look at through the archives. Hiei has volunteered to head back to Masanori's retreat so find any more clues."

Yusuke stood up and walked toward his balcony door.

Jin called after him, "Urameshi, where are you going?"

"I'll talk to my dad now. I know he isn't sleeping and the sooner we get this shit done, the better."

Yusuke called Pu, grabbed the dead lizard and took off.

Yusuke banged on the door to the royal kitchen. After a moment the head chef cracked open the door.

"Hey there Chinpo! I've got a new substitute for human for you to cook up!" Yusuke said with a smile.

Chinpo pushed the door open and shuddered as Yusuke drug the carcass to the chopping block.

"How do you even find these creatures, Yusuke?"

Yusuke set the body down. "I have a lot of friends that help me out. Luckily these guys aren't too hard to find this time of the year. If this works, my father could rule a millennia if he wanted to."

Chinpo began to slice through the lizard with a glint in his eye, "If he only ate humans, he could be how he was before."

Chinpo was a mild mannered cook who never spoke of anything other than peace. It was odd for him to say such a thing, considering that he'd lived through the last war.

"You know he would never do that. He thinks it would be a slap in my mother's face," Yusuke said sternly.

"Oh of course I understand that. It's just I hate to see my king weakened so, especially when I remember him in his prime," Chinpo corrected.

The two were silent a moment as Chinpo diced and cooked the strange meat. When he was done, he gave Yusuke the plate.

"Best wishes, my prince. Hopefully this will help the king regain his strength."

Yusuke grabbed the plate with a nod. He ran up the stairs, pushing past the guards. He kicked open his father's bedroom. Raizen glanced up from his chair as if he were expecting the teen.

"I've got a new dish old man so eat up!" Yusuke yelled.

Raizen let out a low chuckle.

"Your dishes are more likely to make me ill than strengthen me. Are you so afraid of becoming king that you've taken to being my nurse?"

"Shut up! Did you ever think that I may not want you to die?"

Yusuke shoved the plate in front of Raizen. Raizen inspected the meat. He lifted the lizard to his lips and chewed. His eyes widened in curiosity. Yusuke braced himself.

"This is good, very similar to human," Raizen commented.

Yusuke gave a tentative grin, "Do you feel different, stronger?"

Raizen set the plate on a nearby table. "I guess we'll see in a week or so. Now that you're done fetching my midnight snack, you can leave."

Yusuke smirked. "Stop being such a hard ass. I came for another reason."

Raizen's eyebrow quirked up, "Oh really? What is it then?"

Yusuke's demeanor turned serious. "I want you to tell me about the war. Everything about it and everyone you knew."

Another chapter down. It was a short chapter especially for the wait. I have some of the next chapter written out and I thought it would be easier for me to split the chapters up. Anyway please favorite, follow and review. Thanks!