Thank you for everyone who reads and reviews, you are the ones who are inspiring and make it all worth the while :). We've been having a good run here, and I'm sure you all wish to see the rest of my portrayal of the story before I continue with the adventure after the Demon World Tournament. To illustrate the Kurama episodes, I've decided to make it all in his point of view. I figured this would be easier, hope you all enjoy it!

...

Phone call to Makai. Thanks to a clever patch I made before leaving. It enables my mother to call my while she is on her honeymoon. She still thinks I'm at the house. On a warm day in July, my mother, after raising me on her own for most of my human life remarried. The wedding was small, with only family and close friends. Kuwabara was present, but I'm sad to say, that San could not be there. My mother looked happy. Yusuke gave his regrets, leaving two months before. But I was glad he cared. I far from forgotten the risk he took to allow both my mother and myself to live. My wedding gift to them was an all expenses paid over the seas honeymoon for the full month of August. I sort of forced it on them for my own convenience. And now, two months after Yusuke and Hiei, and on the condition that it would only last for August, I made my trip to Makai, as a service and adviser to Yomi's army. I owe Yomi something, despite my feelings towards finding my mate, who is still missing.

I walked up a familiar path, seeing Yomi's castle in the distance. It was huge, making me wonder why he had such a creation. But I didn't have time to think about it, his welcoming party was ready to meet me. Three skilled ninja's it looked like. The power was severely low compared to mine. It was easy to jump out of the way. They ran at me, but I blocked their attacks simply, jumping into the air and using my rose whip to disperse one of them. The other two charged at me, jumping into the air. Pitiful. I used my rose whip lash and they were easily defeated.

"Yomi, was all that necessary?" I questioned the demon watching in the shadows. He stepped out from the trees.

"Hello Kurama. It's been far too long since I've seen you," Yomi greeted me calmly.

"I don't appreciate the pun. And what sort of welcome is that? I came all this way to help you, not to be attacked," I spat back. Ungrateful bastard, luring me here when I could be searching for San.

"Don't be cross. I wasn't entirely sure it was you. Your energy feels so much different than it did before. I had to be sure I'm not advised by the wrong man."

"So you sent them to identify me. That's playing it very cautious, Yomi. A trait you never had when I knew you."

"You're not the only one who's gone through changes," he turned his back then, "I can't afford to be reckless now. Mukuro and Raizen have had centuries to perfect the keeping of their power. Now that I have an equal share, they'll take any chance to dethrone me."

"A thousand years is a long time."

"For some things, it's not. Forgive the attack, but if you were as strong as I've heard you've become, it wouldn't have been a threat. And it wasn't, I believe in your power," he turned to face me again. There was a big change in him since I last remember seeing him. While he had aged from a rash youth, he kept his eyes closed the whole time, "Kurama, please give me your trust," he seemed to be pleading with me. I was conflicted at that time. It was hard to think about trusting someone who used to put my pack into danger.

"Lord Yomi," came another demon, obviously one of his minions.

"Yes Yuda."

"It is time for the unification conference, Lord. The council has gathered."

"Excuse me," Yomi said to me. He walked a few paces and then stopped, "Actually Yuda, I have a thought. I want Kurama to attend today's meeting. Show him the way please."

"That little thing?" Yuda questioned, inquiring at me, "Well I don't feel any special demon energy coming out of him. In fact, he smells half human. You sure you want him gracing our table?"

"You heard what I said."

"Hmph. Well, come on then," Yuda spoke to me, leading me towards the conference room. The castle was vast, and it made me wonder what possessed Yomi to construct such a monstrosity. It could have been the ego from his youth, or just a show to the other demon lords that he should not be discounted. Whatever the reason, looking at the scenery wouldn't help me. I was brought into the conference room, where three other demons sat, waiting for their "King". Yuda walked up to the screen on the wall before them.

"Look to the screen if you would. We'll start with a simple graph. I've charted the military power of each of the three territories in Makai. Now the numbers are relative, they don't mean anything material. If you don't understand any of that, take a math class on your own time. Now, we'll chart a projection of the same powers, only a year from today."

The biggest demon there, and the most powerful spoke up, "That has Raizen's strength going down to practically zero."

"That's wishful thinking," said a gender challenged demon with blue hair. Gender challenged is term taken out of San's vocabulary. I back slide like that from time to time. Probably a desperate attempt to believe she's still around.

"And reckless," added the demon sitting directly in front of me.

"Not so," Yuda disagreed, "Because one year from today, Raizen will be dead. Raizen's ridiculous hunger strike has forced his body to critical condition. He cannot last through the year. This comes from highly dependable sources. With Raizen gone, his empire will collapse. Lord Yomi and Mukuro will be in a dead lead. Our strategy is to incorporate the defectives from Raizen's army into our own. To tip the scale in our favour."

"Well, your tactics are by the book, Yuda," said Yomi. Then, he turned to me, "Kurama. I'd like to hear your opinion now."

"Yes, I think we all would," agreed the demon in front of me.

"Lord Yomi spoke well of you and now brings you to our elite table. We want to see how resourceful you are," said the demon with blue hair.

"Yes, we'd just hate for you to be a disappointment to him," the demon beside me spoke. He was quite obviously going to cause trouble for me if I excelled in Yomi's favour, which I knew I would, considering our past. It was easy to see where this council has flawed.

"I'm confused," I began easily, "The power of each territory simply mirrors its ruler. I'd like to see individual stats of the first and second strongest in each land," I requested of Yuda.

"Strength of the leader is strength of the team," Yuda spoke wisely, "But if you need proof, I can show you stats of every single warrior," he offered a bit bitterly. I was sure he would come around after Yomi did.

"No, the stats of the first and second will suffice."

Yuda laughed, "I see, all that information would be too much for your brain to handle. Alright, one and two compiled by our covert agents with the latest demon energy scans," and he began typing with the device, "First the rulers. Lord Raizen, Lord Mukuro, and of course last but hardly resembling least, Lord Yomi. Now I'll pull up the second highest readings we pulled up in each territory. For Raizen, the paranormal dowest, Hokushin. For Mukuro, it's the demonic arts guru, Kirin. And, not surprisingly for us, our chief of the military, Sachi. Happy now, or should I graph it for you?" But Yuda didn't give me time to respond, he simply just did it. Just as I had suspected.

"Well, that confirms it for me. The right hand man of each of the lords has not been present enough to be collected into your database. Let's assume for a moment that your information is complete. Raizen's army will collapse after his death leaving a two way fight. Because Mukuro and Yomi's powers are identical, the deciding factor would normally be the strength of the number two's. But in this case, they're all too weak to make any difference. And if they're the second best, logic suggests that all warriors besides the lords are useless," I knew that I what I was doing. Sachi would get mad, and then do something without thinking, "The only thing that Mr. Yuda's intelligence shows is that we know nothing. Not until the number twos are as strong as the lords."

Sachi scoffed, "So our only tactic is no tactic? Sounds like you've been wasting Lord Yomi's time."

"Not at all. Because the whole balance is about to change."

"What?"

"As I've explained, those second in command will determine who prevails here, and in half a year, they will all be replaced."

"You damn fool! Watch your tongue, these hierarchies of power have survived here for 500 years unchallenged by any demon. And only a sword will make them change," Sachi spat at me. I remained calm as I always do, watching as he stood off his seat to try and challenge me.

The demon in front also rose from his seat, "Sachi, control yourself. He's a visitor here and doesn't understand our ways."

Nothing really changed after that. The council broke up, and I left with Yomi. We walked along the corridor of his castle, in a moment of silence.

"Now that was the most stirring conference we've had in years. You should have seen the way Sachi was staring at you as you spoke. The expression was simply undeniable. He doesn't simply despise you, he's already plotting your death," said Yomi.

"For a blind man, you certainly have good eyes," I complimented him. Although I suspected it had something to do with the extra ears he grew as compensation for losing his eyesight.

"I heard his quickened heart beat, felt the heat from his eyes as the filled blood vessels turned them red. Losing my eyesight was in part, what made me stronger. But now, let me guess what you foresee in half a year. In the land of Raizen, his part demon, part human offspring, Yusuke Urameshi, trains relentlessly, in which to take control of Raizen's army, thus preventing his collapse. In Lord Mukuro's fortress, your friend Hiei has improved, drastically. And from a few vague reports, has garnered rare attention from that soulless tyrant. Urameshi, Hiei, and yourself will be the number twos in just half a year from now. Isn't that what you believe, Kurama? The second in command is key in determining who prevails. That's what you've always believed. So, friend, I think now's a good time to address the other reason I invited you. After all, it seems out of order to discuss your future here, before you meet him."

I wondered what Yomi was speaking of, but my suspicions were confirmed when I saw we were in a prison type chamber.

"Here we are. Can you guess who's behind this door?" Yomi asked. But I could smell him, and I growled despite my human voice, "The one I've searched for all these years, he who took my light. That's my favourite saying for what he did to me."

"Maybe not. You said your blindness is what helped you to gain your throne."

"Right," he confirmed. Then, he typed in the code to open the massive door, locking his attacker in there. I was ashamed, "What's wrong? You're hearts beating fast and your eyes are pointed down low. Look up," I was shocked. Those extra ears were a really good asset to him, "Yes, get a good view of him, and the way he is today."

The sight before me made my stomach wretch. I couldn't believe this was the same demon from all of those years ago. He was chained to the wall, dying of malnutrition. Yomi was a monster for having done this. But then, what did that make me? My former partner smiled then.

"His decay has become much worse in the last few days. He hardly speaks anymore, it hurts him too much. It was one thousand years ago since he fought against me. And still, I can only see him as he was. Back then, our world was opposite. You were the leader, and I was your right hand man. That is, until your bitch came along."

I growled at his terminology.

"Forgive me, Kurama, but I'm speaking how I thought in the past. I still had my eyes, and I must admit, I was jealous you found such an exquisite creature. We were greedy, you and I. We wanted to make ourselves known, carve out our own territory. But to be a lord requires power and wealth. And to gain both, we became bandits. We had a legendary horde, raiding all corners of Makai for its most precious treasures. I was hot-headed then, thirsty for action. I often forced us into confrontation, when you favoured stealth. Soon, I disobeyed you altogether, leading our best men into the most well guarded strongholds, causing many of their lives. But I didn't care, I was selfish and reckless. I just wanted the quickest way to power.

"I could never understand your patience. I don't know why you saved me and kept me on board, except that we were friends. We were so opposite. You were cruelly ambitious in a different way. Calculating, always plotting three steps ahead. It must have been difficult for you to make your careful plans with such a loose cannon at your side. But still, you trusted me and it didn't take me long to waste that again.

"A few weeks after my mistake, I heard news of another fortress impossibly defended that held unspeakable treasures. I disobeyed you again, and when I arrived, the castle was deserted. That's when he showed up. The entire fight he never told me who he was or why he attacked. But he was strong, at least, compared to me at that time.

"'Life is more important than the reward'. My only consultation from the creature that took away my light. I didn't understand anything or how I could live blindly. I could only wait for you to save me, as always. But this time, you never came. And until now, ten full centuries later, I did not meet you again, Kurama. Didn't even know where you were. Why is that? I resolved that the only way to answer that question, was to find the creature that blinded me. And so I searched these one thousand years. And now that I have him, have yet to learn a thing," and then Yomi laughed after his tale.

"You find something amusing?"

"You, Kurama. Your heart beat returned to normal the moment you saw the awful physical state this demon was in. As if he were no longer a threat," Yomi was quick. He walked up to his attacker from centuries before, "You, wake up," he commanded.

"Please your grate Lordship, take my life from me. I cannot bear this pain any longer," said the injured demon.

"Very well, demon, I shall grant you your wish, you've suffered more than enough. But you must answer my one question your fear has kept you from saying. Who ordered you that day to ambush us and forfeit my life?"

"Okay... He had cold eyes. They were such cold, terrifying eyes. And silver hair. The other one... The eyes were cold, but full of regret. They were tawny... like the hair she kept... They were... Youko Kurama, and Moriko Chie."

There it was, the confession I knew Yomi had been wishing for. But he must have already known, why else would he have brought me here? Yomi growled then, killing the demon with a simple kick to the head. Hearing the truth and suspecting it really did a number on the emotions, I was one to know about that.

"There it is. Of course, I long suspected it, but I didn't want to believe. I should tell you right now that I bear no grudge against either of you, old friend. In the enterprise of power, you made a business decision. Looking back, I was a liability, rash, disobedient, I lost countless men. I would've tried to kill me too."

"What do you want from me?"

"Precisely as my spirit orb told you. I want you to assist me in any way that you can. Such as I assisted you in the past, despite my mistakes of immaturity. I learned much from you, Kurama, I tried to model myself after you. I only brought up the past so that we could move beyond it."

"And yet? If I say no?"

"Your human mother is on a plane right now."

"No Yomi..."

"At least according to the schedule my agents have supplied. That was nice of you, by the way, to give them that trip. I just hope it doesn't crash. Middle-aged newly weds dying on their honeymoon is a bland topic for even your lousy human t.v shows."

"You..."

"Quite a life you had after my life was plunged. Reverting back to your fox form, and venturing into Ningenkai, possessing an unborn human child. And there after fourteen years of softening up, your human mother fell sick. To save her, you teamed up with other demons to burglarize Rekai again. That lead you to a debt with Urameshi, which lead you to Makai, fighting Sensui, which in turn, let you to me. All because of mommy dearest. Collecting information, another lesson you taught me. You showed me how much she meant to you."

"Earlier today you said you didn't recognize me. Smart lie to disguise how much you knew."

Yomi laughed, "I've angered you greatly, and yet your minds already considering every encounter calmly, trying to sniff out an advantage, while others would be overcome with real emotions, blinded by their rage. Your methodically planning how to save your mom and no one can say if that's because you actually love her, or because you don't want anything to handicap your control of the situation."

"You've forgotten the third option. For all you know, I really don't care for my mother, and won't care if she lives or dies."

Yomi smiled at me then, "That's why I've prepared yet another surprise for you. Follow me, Kurama."

That was unexpected. I followed Yomi down to the next cell. It was shrouded in darkness, and I was unable to see anything there. What other thing could he have acquired to make me come around to his side? He turned on the lights and my heart stopped at the sight before me. It was a giant glass cell, with plenty of room. Inside, there was a bit of fresh running water, a stream through one end and out another. Small trees and vegetation occupied the ground, but that wasn't were my main focus was. In anger, my demon form emerged. I ran up to the glass, placing my hands over hers.

"Moriko!" I shouted. I could see her try and say my name, but my koishii was trapped in a soundless glass cube. I turned to glare at Yomi, my golden eyes hard, "Release her at once you bastard!" I shouted at him. This was the reaction he desired when he threatened Shuuichi's human mother. I turned back to look at my beloved. Her tawny eyes looked relieved to see me.

"Amazing, the feelings of your mate have brought out your demon side in full. Well, old friend, this is my insurance that you'll comply with what I've offered you. Besides being imprisoned, do you see those tubes at the top of each corner? One button and Polistros gas shoots through. If I'm correct, it's quite deadly to wolves, only one known thing is out there to cure it."

Moriko looked terrified at that word. I turned to look at him menacingly, "Alright," I gritted with my teeth, "There is but one thing, Yomi. We have erected a Dragonite plant. The only way to keep me alive is to have it here where we can both feed our energy into it. Allow me that."

"Of course, Kurama. My wish isn't to injure either of you. Very soon, all of Makai will fall into chaos, and that's when I'll need your ability to think without emotion. Help me unify them all," and then he began to walk away.

"You're a fool, Yomi. You've kidnapped the wrong demon. All my strategy and advise came from her in the first place. She was military general before she ascended the throne. You've failed to collect all of your information, but underestimating her abilities."

But the demon lord continued to walk. In frustration, I punched the glass, hoping to shatter it. I knew it wouldn't be that easy.

"I'm so sorry, Moriko. I failed to keep you safe. As soon as I can, I'll get you out of here. I promise, beloved."