Mukuro stepped over the edge of the desert onto a soft cushion of dense grass. The change was interesting after such a long travel. The large insect she'd traveled on with Hiei stayed behind as they crossed into the Oasis, her for the first time since it was pulled from the depths of the desert.

"I can see why you've taken to this place," she breathed in the air. It held strange, clean scents. The wind was warm but not hot. Humidity hovered closely over her skin as the sky spread endlessly above. Hiei did not give her a response, instead choosing to walk at her side.

"Ah," Hayato appeared before them as they entered the village. Rubble still littered the ground, but seemed to have been managed. Much of the maintenance was completed through the week. Hiei seemed unsettled at the disarray. "Welcome, King Mukuro."

"What happened here?" Hiei's crimson eyes scanned the area, noting that Kurama, Yusuke and the human Kuwabara were helping fix the damage.

"Where is Lord Takani?" Mukuro questioned herself. Hayato appeared to turn lightly red in the face, realizing his leader had offended the visiting king by not greeting her herself. He was dressed in his best attire, acting as the official consort.

"She's currently in the castle, attending to some matters." He explained simply, continuing to ignore Hiei.

"No, I actually have just freed myself." The red head bowed to Mukuro as a sign of respect, her crisp clothing dirtied by her previous matters. When she raised her head, it was clear that the visiting entities were slightly taken aback. "Have I offended you?"

"No." Mukuro smiled then, studying the young woman before her. One eye was covered by a binding of cloth, a seal written over it. Short red hair, only a few inches long at most, did nothing to hide the simple covering. The other eye shone cunningly, but there was a hardness to the set of her body now. She stood straight, chin slightly up in a mild defiance, but she squared herself as a respectable leader shoulder.

Hiei worked to keep himself from speaking, at least until they could be alone. The absence of her long hair was troubling. The fact she was now down two arms and an eye was severely more frustrating.

"You appear injured," Mukuro motioned toward the thick wraps around both of the okami's arms. Ichi glanced down at them herself, mildly bored with the observation. "What happened?"

"We were attacked." The other stated very simply, a light raising and lowering of her shoulders. "Roughly a week ago someone assaulted us with a barrage of fireballs. We have mostly cleaned the mess. Unfortunately for us, there was no way to tell where they originated. No energy was on the air. Yomi's men found no one within the area."

"A sign you are nearing the end of your search?" The king questioned, interested.

"A sign, I believe, that time is slipping steadily away from us and our preparation." The other offered. "Now, if you would like to continue to the castle you will find we have prepared rooms for yourself and your advisors. If you brought foot soldiers, they may camp with Yomi's men in our barracks. I apologize for the lack of accommodations, as I'm sure you are aware we do not regularly field armies here."

"Perhaps, given all your recent troubles, you should reconsider." The slightly sharp suggestion earned Mukuro a small smile and a bow. "We did not bring our soldiers yet. I wanted to hear from you myself before dispatching them."

"Very wise." Amon-Shinpi nodded. "You will find a map of the common areas of the land in your room. There are hot springs," she pointed in a direction, "and a village. Feel free to explore them."

"I think I may explore your forests. I have not experienced many of them."

"I would stick to the labeled paths," Ichi recommended, a chill entering her voice, "we have had a few men disappear recently and it would be a tragedy if you were to get lost within the depths of those trees. Sir."

Mukuro set towards the castle, her few advisors accompanying her. Except Hiei. He stared at the demon lord with shifting eyes.

"What have you done to yourself?" He demanded. Subconsciously, her right hand swept through her hair.

"My hair was burned in the assault. I cut the rest off, as it was dead weight." She ventured to answer his question.

"You know damn well that's not what I meant."

"There were complications as a result of the horde of demons attacking us at Kurama's family home. Saito meant to kill me, I merely avoided him." She explained, a bit more quietly.

"Hiei, I'm not sure what has actually happened. I do know that I got burned and now the seals Koenma had placed on me are breaking, slowly."

He studied the okami for a few prolonged moments. "Shinpi, you've been talking of war."

"Yes," she nodded. "More about that when we all gather, Hiei. It would be disrespectful to speak to you before Mukuro is informed."

"Hn." He reached a bandaged hand up to hover before her sealed eye. "What happened to your eye?"

"In all honesty," she pinched her eyebrows down. "I don't know."

"After you speak to everyone, I want to see it." Hiei near demanded. She winced, shaking her head. "Shinpi, if you are injured we deserve to know. I deserve to know."

Then she looked at him, blue eye sweeping over his face to pick at all the details of his expression. She nodded once, a barely there movement. Then her gaze fell from him and she looked away, breathing out deeply. For a few seconds there was silence between them and just as he reached out for her, she turned away. Hiei felt something coil in his stomach, unsure what it was exactly but not enjoying the sensation.

"Your room is beside Mukuro's." The okami glanced back at him over his shoulder. "It's been set up to my specifications."

"My room?" Hiei raised his eyebrows, beginning to follow her. He came to walk at her side as she toured around the grounds, surveying progress on the restorations. Some huts had been damaged as well and there were demons working together to repair them.

"It seemed inappropriate to suggest you stay with me, in light of all that's happened." Amon-Shinpi paused in her wanderings to walk over and help raise a wall for a cabin. The villagers allowed her to assist, thanking her with shallow bows and quick words before taking back over.

Hiei wasn't sure if she was speaking about the brink of war, of him arriving with Mukuro, or their last fight before he left. They continued to walk around in silence again, and he studied the changes to castle grounds in this time of upheaval and chaos. There were new barracks situated around the castle, housing an entire battalion of Yomi's men. The stone walls seem to have been reinforced. The coil in his stomach tightened.

"I appreciate you coming." She spoke again, sounding distant and official. Hiei didn't like the tone of her voice, putting space between them. "Having Mukuro's support during this will undoubtedly help in our favor. If she chooses to offer it."

Hiei was still quiet as the rounded the castle to were Yusuke and the others were working hard. The captain of their team pointed a finger gun at Hiei with a smile.

"Hey, nice of you to join the party." He laughed and Hiei scowled deeply, annoyed at the hanyou and his antics already. "Hey come on, Hiei, is that any way to treat a King?"

Hiei raised his eyebrows and felt rather than watched his wolf girl tense up. Then she let her shoulders fall slightly, no other expression.

"Hokushin handed ruling back to you?" Hiei asked and Yusuke nodded with a flexing of his arm, winking.

"When in doubt, grab the stronger guy to take the fall." Yusuke laughed again. Kurama stood from his work, wiping his hands on his pants.

"Is Mukuro interested in assisting?" Kurama asked, smiling, but his words were carefully guarded. Hiei understood. Yomi and Yusuke were already attached the small kingdom they were currently sheltered in. Renewed treaties came at just the right time. But Mukuro could just as easily refuse her help, or hinder them.

"She's not decided on her course of action. She wants to weigh the options." Hiei allowed offering a shrug. Kurama nodded and red eyes wandered to the human amongst them. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to find Ichi, make sure she was okay." Kuwabara stood up and dusting rubble out of his hair. Hiei turned the girl slightly and she offered him no answer to the questions raised by the human's statement.

"You should go with Mukuro into the forest. You know your way around and you'll be able to guide her." With those words Ichi stepped away from the fire demon and aimed herself for Hayato, who had come out looking slightly dour. She didn't say goodbye to any of them, just left.

Hiei watched the two demons speak, Hayato's head bowed slightly so he could look his leader in the eyes. She glanced back at the group then pressed her lips together, turning back to him to continue their conversation.

"What happened?" Hiei asked finally after no one came forward to start to explain the whole situation to him.

"Spirit if full of shit." Yusuke huffed, crossing his arms indignantly. "That's what happened."

Kurama grimaced and then continued for him. "After the demons attacked us at my house, the SDF claimed that Ichi broke her parole by using her powers. They came for her at the temple with orders to kill, it seems."

Hiei's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Ichi took us out." Kuwabara stood up and shrugged. "She knocked Yusuke out then me right before they came. She didn't want us to fight them for her."

"That's ridiculous." Hiei stated darkly.

"Not as ridiculous as a portal to Makai opening right behind her and Yomi's army waiting." Yusuke snorted. Hiei blinked his surprise. "She made her own choice, Hiei. She chose to jump through the portal and she chose to leave us on the other side. The SDF has sealed the holes now. You have to have special permission to go either way."

"So, she's stuck here in Makai?" Hiei let that thought settle with him for a moment then looked around the grounds again, his eyes scanning for a particular face. "Where is the boy?"

The group exchanged looks but didn't answer. Hiei turned back to them, his displeasure clear on his face.

"Where is Kin Jiro?" Hiei repeated dryly.

"At the temple with Genkai and the others." Kurama responded coolly.

"You three idiots left him there? Alone? Without a guard?" Hiei snapped at them, ready to strike out for each head in turn. "He's defenseless in his current form."

"Well, we couldn't exactly bring him here!" Yusuke snapped at the shorter demon with a harsh look. "Ichi nearly killed Kuwabara for showing up because she was so worried that he'd get hurt. Imagine how she'd be with him."

Hiei just glared up at the hanyou. "One of you should have stayed behind to watch over them all."

"Maybe you should cross back over, if you can find a hole, and play babysitter." Yusuke jabbed the fire demon in the chest. Hiei's aura crackled slightly. "The kid is smart. He'll stay out of trouble."

"He's a Takani." Hiei glared up at him. "Trouble will find him."

"You're worried." Kurama stated simply, putting a hand on his old friend's shoulder. The heat died down. Hiei seemed alarmed by this revelation. "He'll be okay without us, Hiei. It's more important we are here right now. We'll send for him if we need to."

Mukuro came out of the castle then and he caught her eye. Without a word to the group he stiffly walked toward his King, his commander, his ally. A walk in the forest sounded just like something he needed right now, actually. The presence of the trees promised some level of serenity.

"I can't wait anymore." Taro paced the temple floor, wearing the wood thin. Yukina looked over to him with sad red eyes.

"She's okay. I'm sure they've found her by now." Yukina tried to soothe him. Keiko sat beside the ice maiden, fiddling with her sweater.

"I know my sister like I know my own soul, Miss Yukina and she is not okay. None of this okay. I can't fathom why she'd send for Yomi's aid." Taro stopped his pacing then stilled, as if listening to something. A strong gust of wind blew outside the temple and he tilted his ear toward it.

They watched as his eyes scanned over something and then his eyes pinched. Just as Botan came into the temple through the back door, her oar disappearing with a pop, Taro nodded as if she'd spoken.

"They are preparing for war." He stated solemnly. Yukina's eyes widened. "But with who?"

"We don't know. I'm hoping Ichi will reach out to us again." Botan shifted under their scrutiny. The ferry girl was tired, far more tired than she'd ever felt before. All the eyes in the room were on her. "Ichi contacted Koenma after she crossed the barrier. She warned him that a war was coming and it might spill over into Ningenkai. She's trying to gather the kings to prevent that."

Taro stared at her, alarmed.

"She even requested Mukuro." Botan sighed heavily, sagging under the weight of all the changes she'd been facing. "The SDF is going out of its way to complicate matters. They've closed the barrier, and practically taken over Koenma's office. He can't do anything without them watching."

"Which is why I'll need you to be my eyes, ears and voice." Koenma entered the room calmly, despite feeling overwhelmed. "Saito is expecting Amon-Shinpi to try to reach out to you all, to contact you. He wants to follow that trail back to Makai and dispatch her."

"He can try." Taro snarled at the Spirit World Prince, his anger complete as his eyes flashed blue.

"There's a hole in the barrier between the worlds, not too far from here. It's in the mountains. I haven't seemed able to find the time to alert the correct authorities." Koenma picked a piece of lint off his shirt. "And should any beings cross over before that, I would think they'd go unnoticed."

Taro nodded once, his mind already planning and plotting. The change in his features was evident to everyone around them. It was the same thoughtful mask Ichi wore whenever she was faced with a problem.

"Where does the portal come out?" Taro asked quietly, eying the Spirit World Prince. He shook his head, unsure. "That's alright. I'll pack for all possibilities."

"You can't go alone." Botan protested. He shrugged.

"I can't ask anyone to come with me either." He offered and they all felt a familial resemblance. "It'll be alright. I may not be strong enough here, but in Makai, in my body, I would be able to reach into my power again."

"What about your family?" Keiko questioned.

"I'll tell the Kozeni gang to look after them. They adore Youta anyway, and I'm fairly certain Doni has feelings for my aunt." Taro seemed determined about this. "They aren't much against demons, but they'll be better than nothing."

"You can't go alone." Yukina repeated herself and earned a strange look. "You haven't been to Makai in a long time, and you don't know for certain you'll be able to protect yourself."

"I'll make do." He argued with her. "Miss Yukina, it'll be okay."

"I'm certain of that because I'm coming with you." She stood and lifted her chin, trying to appear defiant but falling short. "If Ichi is there injured, she'll want someone she can trust to heal her. And my Kazuma is over there with her, along with all of our friends. You need a demon with you. I'm the only one here."

The room fell silent as everyone shared a look except Taro. He just smiled at the small koorime, enjoying her turn in tenacity.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Botan swallowed. "I imagine Ichi will be disappointed to see you both so far from safety. If there's a war, she'd want you to be protected."

"Maybe having something to protect will keep her head level." Taro narrowed his eyes.

"Yukina, it'll be dangerous." Koenma tried to pull the koorime back to reason. She cut her eyes to him then offered him a complacent smile. He felt sweat appear on his forehead.

"It's alright, Mr. Koenma. Maybe while we're traveling in Makai I'll find my brother." She let the words fall on them. "Maybe he's even settled into the Takani territory."

They all swallowed as she dared them to challenge her. Then she nodded to Taro.

"We won't have much time to pack and get ready." She told him. "I'm sure if Koenma knows of this hole then the SDF will too."

"I'll be back within the hour." He promised and ran through the temple for the door. Botan and Keiko shared a look over the ice maiden.

It seemed that perhaps Ichi had been teaching some of them more than just basic self-defense.

Mukuro and Hiei had been walking for quite a while. The trees and vegetation were thick. The sky was barely peeking through the canopy, creating a haze of green. The king was quiet, reverent.

"I understand now why she fought so hard for this land." Mukuro seemed to be thinking deeply as she spoke. Hiei glanced at her. "The energy here is different than the rest of Makai. It's full of life, thriving. It has its own feeling to it."

Hiei just nodded his agreement, eyes scanning the area. There was no ringing in his ears currently.

"I would have fought harder if I had known the true expanse of this place." Mukuro's words earned her a surprised stare. She met Hiei's gaze, unflinching. "Has your pet Lord not mentioned our history?"

"Vaguely." Hiei nodded once. "Only that you two fought by proxy, not much else. She mentioned it was over this oasis."

"I have never been here before." Mukuro admitted. "But I knew of it. I knew of Yomi's infrequent visits, even Raizen came one or twice. I was the only one who was never invited."

Hiei didn't question why, he figured he knew the answers. She was volatile, dangerous, blood thirsty for so long. The Takani's wouldn't have wanted to taint this sacred place. Perhaps, also, Shinpi's father feared what the other leader would see in his child.

"I wanted it so I tried to take it. The easiest way was to use the wolf pack in the mountains. It didn't bode well for the small family who sat without an army. Yet, my men were defeated and Amon-Shinpi survived." Mukuro seemed mildly impressed. "I never tried again."

Hiei just nodded.

"Will your dalliance with Lord Takani get in the way of your judgement, Hiei?" Mukuro asked him after another few minutes. Hiei continued to walk beside her, never missing a step.

"I think my relationship with her enhances my judgement, if anything. It allows to observe multiple angles." He answered honestly. "I don't find it conflicting."

"And if I told you that we were here not to lend aid, but for our own selfish reasons?" Mukuro raised her one eyebrow at him.

"I would suggest that you wait to hear Shinpi speak before making your decision." He answered simply.

"If I didn't agree?" She pressed, noticing he wasn't actually answering her question.

"Then I'm sure I'd understand your motives and follow you." Hiei told her finally. There was crunch in the underbrush and Hiei waited to draw his weapon. A large red body slipped onto their path, studying them with intelligent dark eyes.

Hiei recognized the white paws and the red fur.

"Perhaps we've found the culprit responsible for the missing men?" Mukuro mused, ready to take the animal out. The wolf walked forward and stared at Hiei, trotting to him and pushing its head against his chest. Hiei blinked, glancing over to his commander as she watched him and the animal interact.

It wasn't a voice so much as a simple understanding that brought Hiei's attention back to the red wolf. The way she stared at him. He knew she was greeting him. Since he'd seen her as a pup she'd grown considerably, her head to his shoulders now.

"It's a killable offense to kill a wolf in the Takani territory." Hiei explained to his leader idly, as the wolf continued to stare at him. "She's harmless, at any rate."

"Harmless?" Mukuro raised her eyebrow. "I've seen these things in action."

"So have I." Hiei nodded. The wolf pressed her cheek against his arm, then rubbed along his body. He smirked. She was scent marking him. He wondered if his okami did the same, when she claimed someone. He pulled his thoughts back from the idea. Now wasn't the time to follow that trail.

"We should get back." Mukuro nodded to her right hand man. He nodded back, following her. The wolf followed him.

"It's not safe." Hiei turned to the animal over his shoulder but she continued to pad along. Sighing, he didn't bother to send her off. He'd learned there wasn't much he could do about stubborn female wolves.

The broke the clearing just as Kurama, Yusuke and Kuwabara were heading toward the castle. Yusuke looked over to them.

"Ichi said she was about ready to speak. She felt you two coming back." His eyes roved to the wolf trailing behind them. Hiei nodded once then turned to the wolf.

"Go find the others, keep them out of trouble." He told the wolf and she nodded once and trotted off. Mukuro tilted her head in curiosity but said nothing. They followed the others into the castle.

The conference room was wide and long. A table sat in the center of it with far too many chairs for all the attendees. Amon-Shinpi was already there waiting when everyone poured in, Hayato at her side, Miki behind him. Kurama took a seat next to Yomi who was also waiting for them. Hiei waited for Mukuro to sit before taking his place on her right side. More advisors were loitering in the room. Hokushin sat beside Yusuke. Kuwabara shifted, uncomfortably aware he had no place in the room.

"Kazuma, sit with the others." Shinpi advised him, nodding to the table. "As our representative from Ningenkai, you have a lot of information to take in."

"What?" He balked and she gestured to the table once more.

"Sit." She directed and he did so, on Yusuke's other side looking incredibly uncomfortable. "Alright, Kings and associates. Are you all settled? Do you mind if we begin?"

The group all nodded and Amon-Shinpi closed her eyes. She paced at the head of the table, unable to sit down.

"I've been following the uprisings for as long as I've known about them. At first I didn't find a discernable pattern. They are sprawled out and seem senseless." She explained to them all, waving her hand. "But I realized that it was every major power that was touched by them. All of you had these beings in your lands, whether or not they caused trouble.

"I started to investigate why that might be after I was accused of trying to rise to power and throw off the current stability of Makai. I realized that the displacements and troupes were exactly the work of a usurper, someone small and gathering power quickly. Someone who could influence others." She went on. "When I initially requested you all, I merely had an inkling that war was coming to us. After being attacked last week I not only am certain, but I dare say, I'm afraid war was among us for some time and we just didn't notice."

"Speak for yourself, Lord Takani, but I know everything that happens in my lands." Mukuro drawled. "I am not at war."

"Your people sure as hell are." Amon-Shinpi lifted her eyebrows and nodded to Hayato who uncovered the map she'd been pouring over for weeks. "When Hiei told me he was having to work to fight small uprisings I didn't think anything of it. This is Makai, afterall. But the pattern is there. Whoever is orchestrating this is pulling citizens from all of your lands. The dissenters, the poor, the hungry, the forgotten."

Her words forced tension into the room. Yomi turned his face to her.

"I would have heard." He stated coolly. Mukuro nodded.

"Not necessarily. You didn't think it was odd that an entire encampment pushed through your lands without causing any trouble or bringing attention to themselves?" She questioned hotly. "Because I found that very odd, Yomi."

He seemed to think about it.

"Well, they didn't start trouble with us either." Yusuke hedged.

"You're already in trouble, Yusuke." Ichi sighed heavily. "Hokushin has been fighting to keep the peace for a while. It's no secret that there are plenty of demons who disagree with you and your philosophy. There has been nothing but in-fighting for years in Raizen's territory."

The hanyou frowned.

"I'm not pointing these weaknesses out to exploit them. I'm doing this for all of our benefit. War is here, on our doorstep and we must be united against this force." She went on, looking around the table to settle on Mukuro. "I'm willing to make concessions if I have to, but the fact remains. If we don't handle this Enki will get involved and none of us want that."

"You don't even know who it is your so desperate to fight." Mukuro accused openly and Shinpi's blue eye narrowed. "I've seen your bandages, felt your wild lashes of energy for myself. You are becoming unstable just as your great-grandfather before you. I'm not pulling my land or my men into your madness."

"I'll give you the mountain." Amon-Shinpi didn't seem phased by the accusations or the idea she might be losing her grip on reality. Mukuro stilled, eying her. "Your own personal oasis, Mukuro. Even you have to be enticed by the idea of it."

Hiei stared at her in shock. Kurama and the others all looked appalled by her offer to the formidable King. She had just gotten her land back and now she was going to give chunks of it away?

"You need my aid that desperately?" Mukuro asked, her tone quieter.

"I need allies, and Mukuro as much as I loathe you at times, I can't deny that you are more powerful than I am." Ichi stared at the other woman. "However, I can promise you that I am not losing my mind. You can choose to walk away, but this will affect you. My offer is simply to face it together rather than divided."

They stared at each other for a few seconds, reading the other carefully.

"I fear I misjudged you." Mukuro offered carefully. Shinpi raised an eyebrow. "You are not the brash, uncontrollable child I thought you were."

"Let's be fair, I have my moments." Ichi allowed, smiling partially. "The groups are converging. I'm still digging to find a name to attach to the responsible party."

She gestured to the map and moved some pins around, closer to each other. They were moving toward her territory.

"Why here, though?" Kurama asked her.

"I think my resurrection may have irked someone." She admitted, annoyed. "Maybe they knew I'd been in contact with all the kings and wanted to attack a central point. Maybe they want the land to settle on for themselves to raise an army."

"It could be that this place seems more connected to Human World." Kazuma spoke for the first time. Ichi raised her eye to him. "Portals seem to have an easier time opening here. And it's pretty well known you have a soft spot for humans."

"Indeed." Mukuro glanced at him darkly. Kuwabara refused to flinch in the face of the dangerous leader, or her mechanical eye.

Ichi seemed to see the map with new eyes after his words, staring at it with her head craned to the side. She scanned the pins, then moved some of them around. She moved the black pins together and brought them to her lands where they were greeted with green and yellow. Then she nodded to herself, thinking as if she weren't being watched. Kurama quietly explained her movements to Yomi who nodded sagely.

She pulled back from the map, her blue eye dark. Her face was a mask without reaction and Hiei watched her closely. She had figured it out, he could tell.

"Who is it, Shinpi?" He asked her quietly, earning some looks at using the informal name in such a formal setting.

"When I'm more certain I'll let you know. I need to check the archives." She tapped the table then looked up as if just remembering she wasn't alone. "I think I understand this situation better now."

"What are you thinking?" Yomi asked her gently.

"That the person isn't just coming here to springboard into Ningenkai or attack a central point. They are coming here because they know something they shouldn't about my territory. I need to do some research to be sure, however." She let out breath.

He's coming and you know it. You should warn them. Hataro's voice pushed into her mind. Hiei glanced at her as if something had changed, but she remained the same.

There is no more for speculation, we have to be sure.

Her eyes rose and met Hiei's and then she looked away quickly. He wasn't sure what she'd seen on his face, but she hadn't enjoyed it.

PREVIEW:

You're scared.

No. I'm terrified. What if we fail?

We won't.

A warm hand slid over her shoulders as Hiei walked behind her. He gently trailed his fingers over the back of her exposed neck, then under her jaw to raise her chin. When she lifted her gaze to look up into his eyes, something in her grew stronger.

I can never fail again.