While I have been writing this I have also come across some ideas for a pre-sequel. A story before this dealing with the lives of the behind characters. The life of Rayne/Cassandra and her family along with her meet up with Kurama. It may be fun and I have some written chapters that were to be for this story but I think they'll be better suited for this pre-sequel if I decide to work on it.

Anyway thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own YuYuHakusho.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Somber

Syn walked the silent halls of Koenma's Palace.

"Lady Syn." Botan walked from a room. "It's nice to see you."

"It's nice to see you too Botan. I wish it was on lighter terms though."

"Oh has something more happened?"

"Happened? Yes, you can say that. Is Koenma in?"

"He's in a meeting with Yusuke, Rune and your father."

"This is an emergency. You must take me to him immediately."

Botan couldn't deny the plea.

"Somehow we're going to have to strengthen our defenses." Koenma said as Botan entered with Syn.

"I apologize for the interuption gentlemen." Syn bowed. "I come with important news from Lord Kamio."

"Ricky?" Rune half stood. "Is he alright?"

"He's fine." She didn't look him in the eye. Instead she faced Koenma. "I need you to lift your ki barrier around Genkai's."

"But the barrier there is barely there at all. To remove it further would surely make it a target for low class demons that are in the Ningenkia." Koenma commented as he thought more on the idea.

"I need it lifted more for me to do what I have been asked."

"Why don't you tell us the story, daughter."

With relunctance she nodded. "I was told by someone that Treffen has struck in the human world."

"Who did my brother attack?"

Syn looked at him with regretful eyes.

"No..." Rune shook his head in denile. "He wouldn't stoop that low."

"I'm sorry..."

"No!" He got up and ran down the hall on his way to the Human World.

Kurama sped from the hospital in his car.

"How is Ana?" Hiei asked. As much as he didn't want to ride in the contraption he felt he had to.

"She's sleeping. Hopefully when she wakes she'll think that it was just a nightmare." Kurama side glanced his old friend and partner. "How was Kiyu before you and the other's split."

Hiei stared out the window. "She was shot four times with highly concentrated silver lithium bullets. Two of them hit their marks, I'm afraid, dead on."

Kurama's hands clutched the stearing wheel.

"Before getting to your house I sent word to the Makai; to Syn personally."

"To Syn?" Kurama whispered. "That bad?"

"We'll see."

"Alain." Carine's voice echoed throughout the large dining hall.

"Father." Ancil stood from his seat.

Vincent opened his eyes. "Back so soon?"

"Our meeting was cut short."

"Syn left." Trent informed him. "She said there was urgent business."

Alain nodded. "We ran into each other in Koenma's office." He sat down. "I have some bad news. Treffen showed up in the Ningenkai."

"Why should we care?" Raul commented. "He's off our backs."

"He shot Angel."

The room fell silent.

When Trent spoke, his voice was shaky. "Is...is she alright?"

"I'm not sure. Syn and Lord Rune left Spirit World soon after Syn told us of the news." He gave a heavy sigh. "Syn told us that her informant told her that Angel was shot four times and that half of those are fatal."

"What should we do?" Carine asked with concern.

"There is nothing we can do at the moment. For the time being Koenma has lifted the ki barrier around Genkai's. That is where Syn is going to try and treat her."

"I don't believe you." Raul's hands were shaking. "Angel wouldn't go down that easily. Someone has to be lying."

Alain rose his eyes to glance at his grandson. "No one is lying Raul. Powers are deminished greatly when a demon is in the Human World. Angel is of no exception. And even more so since she has spent most of her life living there."

Raul stood, the chair flying behind him. "It's all lies!" In a blink he was gone from the room.

"Stupid kid." Vincent grunted.

"The horizon's brightening." Masaki handed Ricky a warm cup of tea. "From Yukina."

"In all my life I don't think I was more frigtened, scared, worried;" Ricky sighed. "If she..."

"Kiyu will not die. Lady Syn and Doctor Minamino are in there with her; she's in good hands with them."

Ricky stayed fixated on the horizon. "I never..." He looked down at his hands. Even though the blood was washed away hours ago he could still see it. "Kiyu..."

/"Ahhahahaha." A five year old Kiyu laughed. "Higher big brother!"

Ricky panted next to the park swing set. He had run and run to keep her swinging.

"Underdogging Riccckkiii." She giggled.

"Ok, ok. Here comes the underdog." He pushed under her and ducked just as she swung back.

"Ahhh." She screamed.

He turned to see that she had lost her grip and fell to the ground. "Sister, no!" He dropped to her side and lifted her head. "Yu, talk to me."

She opened her eyes and smiled up at him. "I'm...I'm ok big brother."

"I'll get mom!"/

The door to the emergency made room opened. Syn and Kurama emerged. "That was intense." Syn massaged her shoulder.

Ricky and Masaki turned to them. "Will my sister be ok?"

"She relapsed three times before Kurama and I finally got her stable."

Ricky fell to his knees. Between the two he could see Kiyu resting.

"We weren't sure if she should be moved to Demon World for quicker healing." Kurama hid a yawn. "But it would be in her best interest if she wasn't moved until she wakes."

"Where's Rune?"

Masaki looked away from Ricky and faced Syn. "He was outside."

Nodding she took her leave. Like many of the others she had begun to feel the effects of the sun's rays, so she was grateful for the shade the many trees provided. "Mind if I join you Rune?" She strolled the grounds and found him on a bench in the back gardens.

He shook his head.

A garden stream trickled into a pond with fish nearby on their left. Birds chirped and some were bathing in the bird bathes or eating from the feeders.

"He could've killed me plenty of times." Rune spoke softly. "He's had countless chances." He swallowed. "But he chose to nearly kill Angel."

"But he didn't and he hasn't."

Rune signed. "That's the problem. I don't, can't, understand his reasoning. He's not only a traitor to royal houses but to everyone." He lowered his head. "I don't know how I let this happen."

Syn patted his shoulder. "She'll make it through Rune."

"I want everyone working hard to fix this." Yusuke paced the floor.

"But sir, in reality the two groups are our enemy. To help either side would show favoritism."

"This is not about favoring one side or the other." Yusuke glared at him and then the rest of them. "Lord Alain and Lord Rune are beginning preparations."

The group remained silent.

He slammed his fists on the table. "Are you telling me that none of you care?"

"It's not that Lord Urameshi, it's just it was decided a long time ago that this organization wouldn't get involved with the Lycan's or Death Dealers."

"We don't have time for old rules now. It is necessary that we aid them in this battle."

"But why?"

"Because they need help."