Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters. Just my OCs.

What's this? Another chapter, only about five months later? That's a sad record to break XD Anyway, I hope I don't offend anyone by skipping over too much in the fight with Sensui, but like with some of the fights in the Dark Tournament Arc, it will not only take an immense amount of time, but the climax of the story for that season has already happened for Kurama, leading to even more drama ahead for the Three King's Arc. I tried to do a tie up to do the rest of the season justice, but I'll let you guys be the judge of that.

Anyways, onward!

It had been a whirlwind after Kurama had put an end to the foul Elder Toguro, so much so that the battle would be forever ingrained in his memory. The fox demon had never felt so helpless before, rarely ever trapped or backed into a corner. He was used to being the one in control. Given the horrendousness that was his "battle" with Gamemaster and then being locked in a void while his friend was left to battle Sensui alone didn't sit well with him, and returning to Demon World had not been something he wanted to do either.

"Please, I don't want to die! I don't want to die! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"

Kurama looked down to his hands, gasping as he saw his normally human hands with sharper nails and covered in blood. His eyes narrowed as he looked to the young, human child in front of him, bleeding out and cowering in fear. But hadn't the child already been killed from his game. The demon backed away, crashing into a wall. He turned around, a mirror in front of him. Perplexed, golden eyes looked back at him, and silver hair replaced red.

"Please…I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"

Kurama awoke, gasping for breath, his mind racing over the images in his head. He had to cover his eyes, putting pressure on his skull. This was the eighth night of nightmares since the day of the big battle, and the fox had hardly gotten any sleep. Kaili had struggled as well, her own nightmares bothering her. The two had decided to return to their old sleeping arrangements, both alone in their rooms not willing to wake the other up.

Chris had returned home after that day, his own mind haunted, but he had not relapsed. Instead, everything that happened caused a shift in Kaili's brother. He was working hard to not become like the others. Mitari, he had returned to school, as had Hagiri who had made a full recovery from his battle with Yusuke and Hiei. The three teenagers were working together to become better people, contrasting what they saw or heard on the Chapter Black videotape. Amanuma had been revived by Koenma, reversing the choice Kurama had made but doing little to quell the demon's nightmares. He was back in school, also, hopefully avoiding trouble. The psychics Genkai had trained had returned to their homes promising to never use their abilities again. It seemed all those who were affected by the acquisition of territory would be okay, hopefully. There was no way any of them could talk to a therapist about it later.

Everything really had happened so quickly that day, the tunnel opening faster than they had expected. Thankfully, there had been a barrier. It was why they had wanted Kuwabara. He had an ability that could cut through dimensions. He hadn't been able to access it, though, a blessing that protected him from Gourmet/Toguro, and a curse because he could not aid Yusuke in battle.

They had all been trapped in a void while Yusuke was in battle with Sensui. The former detective had been so much stronger, and Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei could only watch as their teammate was being brutalized. Yusuke had handled himself well, breaking Sensui's rhythm on numerous occasions because of his unpredictability and childish antics. He used street fighting to combat martial arts, but it hadn't been enough. It hadn't been until after they watched their friend die that Kuwabara finally broke through his emotional block. Once they were freed and the tunnel was open, they needed to chase after Sensui and ended up at the Kekkai Barrier. They had a choice, to leave Sensui and let Spirit World's Special Defense Force close the hole or to break the Kekkai Barrier themselves, putting the Human World in legitimate danger, and destroy the bastard that ended their friend. The decision was unanimous.

Kurama really did not intend to return to Demon World. The energy exuding from his former home had induced his transformation back to his demon form. For the moment, he had felt the power surging through him. They all had. The poisonous air filled their lungs, though strangely enough it hardly affected Kuwabara. That was a feat, indeed, for a human. Then, the three faced off against Sensui, despite the odds being against them.

When Yusuke showed up, it had felt like a miracle. Truly it was. Their friend and teammate, a human who had accepted demons into his life and treated them as if they were human, he was a demon himself. None of them should have been surprised. The strength Yusuke had inside him was immeasurable and he always had a way of surprising them. His arrival had given them all the strength to carry on and finish the battle.

The battle ended suddenly, when Yusuke's demon ancestor had taken control.

The detective hadn't said as much, but Kurama had known. Yusuke was powerful, but not that powerful, and he had undergone his own transformation. It turned out that the whole ordeal was exactly what Sensui wanted, someone to justify the garbage that was the human race. Yusuke being both, joining the two races together, had given him some solace before death. Sensui had wanted to go to Demon World to die as he already had a terminal illness. It was why he had put so many through hell. In the end, it turned out to be his own game. Kurama hoped he'd rot.

A choice was placed in front of everyone by Koenma, to either stay in Demon World or return to Human World. The choice was even given to Yusuke. Human World was all he knew. Kurama, well he couldn't very well leave his mother and mate behind. He had made his decision five years earlier to remain in Human World anyway. Hiei was unconscious, so Kurama did not feel comfortable making his choice without his permission. Given how he fought for Yusuke, the fox believed the fire demon's choice would match his. Kuwabara ended up carrying him on his back, and they all returned to the Human World, as Yusuke said, "home."

Everyone had returned to their normal lives, or, at least, they tried to. Nothing was "normal" anymore.

Yusuke had been mentally struggling over his demon heritage. He had been unsettled since his body was taken over by another. It led him to fear, stress over whether or not that would happen again. He had gone on his own journey of self-discovery. It led him to make a choice, one that would change the dynamic.

Kurama was having a struggle of his own. Prior to Yusuke leaving, both Hiei and Kurama had received messages. The fox demon had kept quiet about it from his mate, but his friends all knew. Yusuke was going to find his ancestor, an opponent against the two who reached out to Kurama and Hiei. The Three Kings were in the middle of a war, and they included Yusuke's ancestor, Raizen, the illusive and mysterious Mukuro, who had reached out to Hiei, and, regrettably, a thieving partner of Youko Kurama.

Yomi… Kurama never thought he would hear his name ever again.

The fox knew what would happen. The kings has sensed all of their energies when they fought against Sensui. They were warring over how they wanted Demon World to be run. Having been away for so long, Kurama had no idea what the political situation was in his homeland or what they were fighting over. Eventually, he would have to go to find out. He didn't have a choice. There had been an underlying threat hidden in the message.

"It's been a long time, Kurama, too long. It's good to see you alive and well, although I can't actually see you since this is a Spirit of Words. Regardless, I hope to meet you in person soon. Back when you knew me, neither of us was very powerful, but that's changed. I've grown stronger...much stronger. Strong enough to rival Raizen and Mukuro for control of Demon World. You remember those names, don't you? They were in power when you left, but seven hundred years ago I joined their ranks, and now I'm prepared for my next ascension. I'm planning to dethrone the two of them and then unify all of Demon World to one nation under me, but if I am to succeed in this, I will require your assistance, Kurama. And so, my friend, I plead with you to join my crusade. If you believe in the unification, then I beg you to return to us." He didn't believe Yomi truly wanted peace, and if the next line hadn't been spoken, Kurama's decision would have been much easier.

"Oh, and one more thing. I almost forgot to tell you. I apprehended the one who stole the light from me. I think you'll be amused, as was I, when you see who it was. Another incentive to come back to Demon World, I guess." Emerald eyes narrowed, and his form shook in rage, then.

He knew he needed to go, but he was faced with more indecision that he had ever felt in his life. Hiei was lucky that he knew what he wanted. It was always the fire demon's dream to return home, and Botan had kept true to her word. Hiei's probation in Human World was over. She had made sure his sentence was labeled time served.

Kaili would be furious if she knew that he was keeping something from her. He had been a bit distant the past few days, though she probably assumed it was because of the past case with Sensui. For days, he watched Kaili from what felt like a distance. She was just going through the motions of life. He could tell. Her mannerisms were practiced and robotic. Her healing was taking much longer than he expected, but it made sense. She had seen hell numerous times and lived to tell about it.

Now that he was awake, Kurama decided it was time to get up and get ready for school, showering and dressing before anyone else was awake. He ended up in the kitchen with a cup of tea, the caffeine needed since he had barely rested. After an hour of being awake, he heard footsteps. Someone was coming down the stairs, and he could already determine who it was. "Hey," Kaili greeted. "What are you doing up, Shuichi?"

The redhead tilted his head to regard her, and then proceeded to pour her a cup of tea as well. "Nightmare," he admitted. "You?"

"The same," Kaili sighed, taking a seat next to him and sipping the cup. "Thank you."

They sat in silence for the moment, a weight hanging between them. Kurama admitted something that he had been feeling the entire case. "This is the reason I did not want you involved," he stated. "You shouldn't be faced with this burden."

"It was my choice, Shuichi," Kaili responded, "and I would do it again if it meant helping you and Chris. Everything worked out, anyway, in the end." Kurama answered her with more silence instead of a nod like usual. "Okay, seriously, what's up? You've been unusually quiet lately."

There's a reason for that, Kurama thought. He had been trying to figure out a way to broach the subject delicately. He didn't have that option now. "I apologize," he told her evenly. "I have had a lot on my mind, not just this past case."

"Like what?" she asked gently, her voice sounding so supportive. He wondered if she would continue to speak to him like that when he told her the truth.

"I received a message from Demon World days ago," he admitted, and he could feel the anxiety pouring off of her. "An old associate requested my presence."

The sound of a ticking clock was all that could be heard in the room. Not even their breathing made a sound. Thirty seconds passed before Kaili finally spoke. "What?"

This conversation was becoming more difficult by the moment. Kurama had been right. Kaili was not happy. He could tell from the tone in her voice. "This demon," he started, "Yomi, I did something horrible to him. I admitted to having a dark past, and now it is catching up with me." Kaili was looking down at the table and refused to meet his gaze. "I need to face him. He has requested that I aid him in the unification of Demon World, going up against the other two king of Demon World, where Yusuke and Hiei are right now."

That got Kaili's attention. "What are they doing there?" she nearly exclaimed, but kept her voice down to avoid waking up anyone else.

"As I said, Yusuke's ancestor is Raizen," Kurama explained. "He went to find him, to learn what he's capable of. Hiei, he received a message from Mukuro. He went to see what he had to say."

"So you're planning to go there alone, with no backup, to someone who you hurt?"

"I am planning to visit with an old associate and see what he knows," Kurama countered. "He will not hurt me. He needs me, and that is why he has reached out. I need to see what he wants of me. I need to make sure that you and my family are not at risk."

Kaili became even more apprehensive. She looked at him as if he had betrayed her. "And just what am I supposed to tell Shiori, huh? If you go…what am I supposed to say?"

"Nothing," Kurama assured her. "You remember what is happening in the next in two months, correct?" How could Kaili forget? Shiori was too be married then. "I acquired some funds to send my mother and Kazuya on an extended honeymoon, and arranged for Shuuichi to stay with his cousins then. You will not have to say anything. I will wait for that time to go. I will only go for a month."

The silence was deafening, and that worried Kurama. He could not tell what his mate was thinking. His expectation was that she would argue with him and tell him not to go. He knew she wouldn't take it well, but he didn't expect her to react the way she did. Kaili merely stood up, pushing her tea away, going to leave the room. "Where are you going?" he asked her, shocked.

Kaili paused in the entrance to the kitchen. She didn't turn fully to face him, but he caught the sight of a tear. "It doesn't matter what I say," she murmured, refusing to talk to him. "You'll just do what you always do, regardless."

Kurama felt a strike when those words left her mouth. "And what's that supposed to mean?" he asked indignantly. Kaili didn't answer him. She just left him alone in the kitchen with his own thoughts.

The next day, Kaili was missing from her room and even their room. Kurama had gone to her, hoping to talk with her before school to figure out what she had meant and hopefully lead her to understanding. He didn't need her approval, but he didn't want there to be a rift between them. Unfortunately for him, Kaili had left, managed to sneak out without alerting him. Her overnight bag and clothes were gone. She had really left him.

He went downstairs to see his mother making breakfast and had tried to hold onto hope. Shiori noticed him and greeted him "good morning." He responded in kind and went to take a seat silently. The woman placed a plate of food in front of him, and so Kurama thought to ask, "Have you seen Kaili this morning?"

Shiori blinked, surprised by the question. "Yes," Shiori told him. "Kaili came down early this morning and said she had to leave early to meet some friends, that she's staying over a few nights. Why?"

Kurama looked to his meal, his appetite completely lost. So, his mate was running away from him, again, just like last time, and once again he pushed her by keeping her in the dark and then dropping more bombshells on her. "Forgive me, mother," he uttered softly. "I had forgotten."

Shiori could tell by her son's tone that there was more to it than that. Shuichi had grown despondent since he walked into the kitchen, and her news only made it worse. Something was going on between her son and his girlfriend. She would have to wait until he was ready to tell her what it was that actually happened between the two of them.

At school, Kurama found Kaili at her locker, and so he approached her. They needed to discuss this more. He was trying this time to include her. "Kaili," he called out to her lowly so that no one could hear them. He noticed her eyes quickly shift to him, but she did not look towards him as she returned her gaze to her locker without speaking. His expression and voice became serious and even quieter. "Kaili, we need to discuss this. You know why I have to go."

Kaili paused in her movements and tilted her head towards him, her hair covering her face. "Do I? You really haven't told me much other then you did something bad to this guy. I know nothing about him or what happened or what you're walking into. You only tell me what you think I need to know and that everything is taken care of, but, as always, this is you running into the face of danger where you could be killed, and most likely you're doing it to protect us again…just like the tournament…"

So, that's what she meant, Kurama determined, and his green orbs softened. "Kaili, it is not my intention to keep you in the dark. Yomi was once a part of my group of bandits, a very hot-headed and impulsive type. I know Yomi, and I know he knows more than he's letting on. My presence in Demon World did not go unnoticed, but I know Yomi would not have contacted me or mentioned what happened in the past if he didn't have some kind of information on me and my life, even if he did say he was surprised to see me alive. I'm going into this under the impression that Yomi knows who I have associated myself with in this world, including you."

Kaili sighed and closed her locker. "Shuichi, why didn't you just say that this morning?"

A saddened smile graced his features. "You never let me get that far."

"I…I need some time to think," Kaili told him, and he didn't understand what she meant when she said that. He had laid everything on the table. What did she have left to think about?

Still… "I will give it to you," he replied calmly, but his acceptance didn't sit well in his heart.

He left her alone in the hallway, and Kaili had yet to look away from her closed locker. The hallway was empty, the bell having rung seconds earlier. She moved a hand to her abdomen, and a tear escaped her eye. "W-What am I going to do, baby?" she murmured in a whisper. More tears fell as she headed to her first class.

Chris was surprised when Kaili asked to come home with him. He had worried about her and their father crossing paths, and he knew she was too. Their father remembered everything, and, despite his change, Kaili still had terrible memories of the man. As he was playing one of his videogames, Kaili lying in his bed staring up at the ceiling, he broached the subject.

"Not that I don't love seeing you," the worried brother spoke nonchalantly, "but why did you ask you ask to stay here while dad's around? I mean, you're practically married now. Shouldn't you be with Shuichi?"

Blue eyes closed when Chris said her lover's name. She was trying to figure some things out and had been thinking about Shuichi nonstop. It troubled her that she wasn't with him, stressed her out that her father was right downstairs, but she needed to think, as she said, and now she needed someone to soundboard her ideas. "Chris?" she called out. She heard her brother shift. He must have been looking right at her. "Do you…do you think you can keep a secret? From mom and dad and everyone else?"

"Is it a new case?" Chris whispered. "Are you in trouble? Getting hurt?"

Kaili shook her head. "If only I could be so lucky," the teenager muttered. "No, it's not that. I…I haven't told anyone, not even Shuichi. Chris…I'm pregnant."

She sat up when she heard silence, her brother's eyes wide as saucers and mouth agape. "Y-You're…?" he sputtered out. "Like pregnant, pregnant?"

Kaili scoffed in irritation. "What kind of question is that?"

"You're going to have a baby? H-How long? When?"

"I'm not very far along," Kaili explained. "Probably a little less than a month."

"Did you go to the doctor?" Kaili shook her head. "Then how do you know?"

"I've been feeling dizzy," Kaili explained, "and sick to my stomach. I've just been hiding it well. Plus, I can sense the child's energy, demon and spirit energy. He or she is there, Chris…"

"Whoa," her brother replied before he closed his eyes, stretching out his senses. His eyes shot open when he felt a small flutter. "Th-that's…unbelievable…"

"I know," Kaili replied with a smile. It fell when she remembered what was happening. "Chris, I don't know what to do. Shuichi has to go to Demon World… Yusuke and Hiei already left."

The psychic seemed surprised. "Didn't they spend all this time trying to keep demons from coming here?" Chris questioned. "Why would they want to go there?"

"It's a long story," Kaili explained. "I don't really know the specifics with Yusuke, and Hiei is a mystery. Shuichi, though…he has an old…'associate.' He's planning to go after his mother's wedding in the next couple months." Chris still looked like he was confused. To be honest, she was too. "He thinks that this guy might know about me and Shiori… I don't even want to mention the possibility of a baby to him or he'll be even more stressed out, but I don't know how I can keep this from him."

Chris got up and went to sit by his little sister, embracing her and holding her tightly when she started crying. She probably felt so alone right now, and she was choosing to go to him over everyone else she knew. He understood why she didn't want to say anything right now. If Shuichi was concerned for her safety, he'd need to deal with it. If he knew about the baby, he might not go. Chris knew he would be torn. "I promise that I'll keep quiet about it," he assured his sister. "I also promise to help you through it. You just have to promise me that you'll come to me when you get stressed or overwhelmed. I know what this is going to do to you. You don't really like lying."

"Heh," his sister laughed, her pain being heard. "Is it still considered lying if I withhold information?"

"Kind of sort of, but I get it," Chris replied. "Look, you're no liar. You're doing what you think is best for now. I'm sure once Shuichi takes care of the creepy guy that you'll be able to tell him and you two will fly off into the sunset."

That brought out a genuine laugh from Kaili. "You're ridiculously cheesy."

Chris merely shrugged at that. "Chicks dig that. Admit it."

"Yeah, yeah, you brat…"

Chris winked at her and then resumed his game. Kaili felt strangely lighter having confided in someone. She had realized days after the Sensui case that she was feeling ill. When Shuichi had suggested sleeping in separate rooms due to their nightmares, she had gone along with it. She did have nightmares. How could she not? That whole experience had been incredibly haunting on everyone. Truthfully, though, she was getting sick at night, and it was better for her to not let her mate see her rushing to the bathroom. She hadn't really known at first, but then the energy growing inside her was totally telling. There was no doubt about it. She was pregnant with Shuichi's child.

Once she realized, she had been thinking of a way to tell him. At first, she wanted to wait until he was feeling better. He had admitted things to her about the mission that he couldn't come to grips with. Kaili understood. Everyone in their group had been put in a horrible position. He had done everything could to protect everyone. To her, he was a hero. To him, he couldn't escape his past.

And now, he really couldn't.

When he told her about the message, she had felt like the rug had been pulled out from under her. She thought everything had returned to almost normal. Now, things were dangerous again, and she didn't like it. No doubt Kurama was blaming himself for the actions of his in a former life. On the other hand, Kaili was stressing because she didn't know what to say. She wondered if she should tell him about the baby or if that would make things worse. Plus, her hurt over the fact that he planned to leave her alone just when she found this all out left her feeling completely vulnerable. She needed some time away. Hopefully, one day, he'd understand.

For now, she needed to do what was best for her and the baby, and that meant taking a few days away from facing their reality.

After a couple of days with her brother and parents, Kaili returned home. She had figured she spent enough time hiding out in Chris's room. Also, she had gotten sick, and her dad had caught her and was questioning her thinking she was sick. If she stayed, it would have only been a matter of time before she was figured out.

She carefully and quietly unlocked and opened the door. It was late at night, and everyone was most likely sleeping. Kaili hoped to sneak in and surprise her mate in the morning. She hoped he wasn't too mad at her for avoiding him.

Moments after entering, Kaili was grabbed from behind and grew frantic. She covered her mouth to keep herself from screaming and went to hit whoever it was who attacked her. Her hand came in contact with skin, the familiar soft skin of her lover's face. Kurama just let her assault happen, his head being smacked to the side. He regarded his stunned mate with sad, green eyes. Kaili he couldn't believe it. Her Shuichi looked absolutely miserable.

She remained frozen there, stupefied by her lover's actions. He said nothing to her, instead nuzzling his head and nose against her neck, his actions very animalistic. Eventually, he stopped the action and knelt down before her, pressing his forehead to her body. Kaili blushed. His head was right where their baby was. She grew a bit nervous. "Please forgive me," she heard him whisper into the night. He hadn't been angry. It seemed like her avoidance had made him feel abandoned and desperate.

Kaili joined him on the ground, wrapping her arms around his neck. She pressed her forehead to his and gently kneaded his taught shoulders. "You're forgiven," she informed him honestly. To prove her point, she kissed him passionately, hands weaving into his hair.

Nothing else was said, then. Both Kaili and Shuichi knew they'd be okay, no matter what. Besides, they had a whole future ahead of them. Kurama would stop this Yomi guy. Kaili truly believed that.

A/N: So, we skipped ahead, but that just means the story is getting closer and closer to its end (which I really want). Afterwards I can get to some original content and start planning its sequel. That will be fun! I thank everyone for their patience since the story's start in 2011. LOL!