Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho is not my property. I'm just borrowing it to blow steam.
Chapter 3
The Jaganashi arrived just in time to hear a woman scream. At that same moment, they all realized that they were too late.
Soon enough the place swarmed with police. Jody was wheeled to an ambulance and whisked to the nearest hospital. Meanwhile, Keiko had finally calmed down on her hysterics and Atsuko had recovered from her faint. The authorities began their investigation, searching the house for evidence. The inspector was currently interrogating Yusuke.
Amidst the spectators that gathered behind the yellow lines, three men huddled and conferred on the latest turn of events.
"So we really are too late," said Kurama slowly.
"We were slowed considerably by a bumbling fool," observed Hiei none too tactfully.
"Hey!" protested Kuwabara.
"We should get out of here," said a voice outside their circle. "You guys are starting to look suspicious."
The three turned to the speaker: Koenma. Apparently, he was even tardier than the three of them. Hiei was not forgiving.
"You're late," he said severely.
"It's not my fault," asserted Koenma defensively. "I had a hard time following you guys run around in circles."
"What do we do now?" asked Kurama.
"Don't ask me!" exclaimed Kuwabara. "You're the brains of this outfit."
"I think we should wait," said Koenma. "The shock might be to great for them. Besides, they probably won't recognize us. I mean, they definitely won't recognize us."
"Except for me," said Kurama.
"Then we can make it appear you're just visiting them for business reasons."
"This isn't exactly a favorable time to visit."
"Yes but it's an excuse to cross the lines."
"Do you think the guards would allow us entry?"
"Oh, yes. They'll allow you entry."
Yusuke stared at the piece of paper before him. He ignored the deep sonorous voice of the policeman, letting the words filter through his brain, the meaning dispersing through the cortex. His attention focused on the said letter, his eyes tracing the well-formed characters, stylish, old fashioned, made by one who had studied calligraphy.
To Yusuke, son of Raizen. This is in partial payment for your crimes. We hold those of your blood captive but what we want is your blood. Come and accept our challenge. We shall settle everything in combat. Till then.
Lakashka, Emperor of Makai
Crime? What crimes? Why do they want my blood? What have I done that they involve my children? He probed his mind for some rational reason behind that unspeakable crime. Nothing. His neurons refused to relinquish hold of any hidden memory he still retained. This is madness, he thought, his mind reeling in confusion, overwhelmed by the weight of the situation. Yes, all this was probably rooted to lunacy. Some crackpot capitalist-hater gang decided to kidnap some rich guy's kid to squeeze out some money and sweat, to ruin some random life. But why his?
"Urameshi-san?" The voice finally succeeded in breaking into his thoughts. "Are you alright, sir?"
"I'm fine," Yusuke said, taking in a big gulp of air to ease himself. "So what you're saying is we have to vacate the house."
"Yes, sir," answered the cop. We're having trouble obtaining clues as of now. We have to work on it for a while. It's possible that black market technology has been employed in the kidnapping. As for the death threat, our officers will be at your disposal 24/7."
"And my children?"
The man shifted uncomfortably. "We're working on it. We've taken surveillance, searched for witnesses, even procured satellite pics."
Yusuke nodded. He understood. Things like that weren't solved lightning fast. Those things took time. But this was not how human nature worked. Man's instincts involved spontaneous reactions. In emergency situations, adrenaline triggered a flight or fight response.
The young man grappled with his instincts. What should I do? I have to get out of here! Runaway. Search. Where? Anywhere! Right then, he would have gone to the ends of the earth to find them.
"Dammit," Yusuke cursed to himself.
"Sir?" inquired the investigator.
Yusuke waved him away. "Nothing."
"Uh, we have a few questions, sir."
He sighed. "Fine. Fire away."
"Are you certain you don't know anyone of the name Lakashka?"
"Positive. I've never heard of him. Nor of Makai and that Raizen person. And as far as I know, I've never committed a crime against the law or anyone for that matter."
"This Raizen is referred to as your father."
"Then it's obviously a mistake! Yes. This person has mistaken me for someone else and kidnapped my kids." He brought down his fist on the table with a bang. "My father's been dead for years and he's not called Raizen. Look at the records. Ask my mother if you like!"
The investigator backed off. He was about to try Mrs. Toyotomi but saw that she was not much better than her son, spaced out and staring.
"Lakashka…" she seemed to be mumbling.
The name rang a bell. No, more than that, actually. In Atsuko, it awakened a long forgotten nightmare. The door of oblivion has swung open with a vengeance after years of forgetfulness. Out came a wave of bitter memories, flooding her senses and overwhelming her, practically ripping apart her nerves. The only thing that prevented her from falling and flying apart was the Laws of Physics.
Keiko was oblivious to her surrounding. She was confined in her own world, sobbing silently in Atsuko's bosom. She had taken to crying, she who had previously always relied on her intellect. Now that her brain can make nothing out of what's happening, she surrendered to the primordial way of cushioning the effects of it: a loving mother's comfort.
The tall young man spun around to face his companions.
"Listen," he said. "We must tell them now. Time is of essence. Any later and things will get complicated."
"It already is," muttered Hiei.
Koenma sighed. He did not deny the other's words. "Kurama."
"Let's go," replied the red-head.
They boldly crossed the lines, led by the kitsune. The police did see them and recognized Minamino Shuichi but instead of preventing their entrance, they welcomed them into the house. On their way to the den, where the victims' family gathered, Kurama took off the spectacles perched on his nose and the band that tied back his red hair. Having made the transformation, the owner of the house recognized him on the spot.
"Ku-" started Atsuko, rising from her seat. "I mean Mr. Shuichi."
Yusuke rose to greet the visitor.
"Minamino-san, I presume," he said. "We appreciate the visit but I'm afraid the timing is ill for busine-"
"Not to worry, Urameshi-san," said the unexpected guest. "I did not come to do business now, though another time might prove favorable. I have come to see Atsuko-san."
"Kaasan?" Yusuke was taken aback. "I thought you have never met Minamino-san."
"I said Toyotomi Atsuko never had the opportunity to meet Minamino Shuichi," clarified Atsuko as she approached the red-head. "I never said anything about Urameshi Atsuko."
Yusuke opened his mouth to speak, decided against it and closed his mouth again. He silently watched as his mother greeted the rest of the fray warmly and introduced them to the rest of the company, nodding once in a while to acknowledge the person being presented. He couldn't help but feel something; it was akin to wariness and distrust. Nonetheless, he chose to keep his counsel to himself.
The tall brunette cloaked in tanned leather apparently sensed his doubt. His companions parted to let him, the man Atsuko called Koenma, pass through. He approached Yusuke, a trace of a small sad smile lingering on his lips.
Yusuke stared at him at first, ignorant of what to do. Then, he offered his hand as a sign of civility, stating his name plainly.
Koenma warmly grasped the hand of the uncertain man before him, who once served him as a spiritual detective. Somehow, Yusuke felt the warmth of familiarity in the other's fingers and he relaxed. A little.
The man's smile grew enough to be visible. "Of course, I know you, Urameshi Yusuke," he said. "Very well, in fact. You don't remember me, definitely, but once you worked for me."
Yusuke stared at him blankly for a while. "But-"
"Ask no questions now, my friend. All shall be explained later."
The other relented, still confused. I have a feeling I have met them all, he racked his head again for memories. But from where? And when?
Presently, he was brought back to earth by a very distinct, and again oh-so-familiar but forgotten snort. He turned around, seeing the short-black haired man, the one they called Hiei, reading the note left by the kidnappers. That's funny. Yusuke didn't notice his movement at all.
"Hn," said Hiei, flinging the letter down on the polished table, a disgruntled expression on his face. "It's sickening. That pathetic bastard has promoted himself to emperor." He noticed Yusuke gawking at him. "Long time no see, Ningen," he greeted. The other opened his mouth to acknowledge him. "Don't bother." Hiei waved him away. "I've forgotten about you too till lately."
"Shuichi has offered us his home for now," announced Atsuko to the room in general. "We will go there now."
Yusuke just nodded, feeling drained. He didn't bother contesting his mother's will, knowing she would prevail anyway. He wasn't looking forward to staying in a hotel room anyway. He could already see himself emptying the room's mini-bar then moving on to one of the hotel bars to continue. Besides, there were things to ask, things to know. Somehow, he felt these men had the answers.
"The police forbade us to take anything from here to make it easier for them to investigate." Atsuko continued her instructions. "We will comply to that and bring nothing with us. Shuichi will take care of everything else."
Keiko watched wordlessly, understanding coming to her vaguely. These friends of Kaasan seemed very familiar, like figments of a forgotten dream. She listened disinterestedly, barely comprehending the conversation between the many occupants of the room. But she did understand one thing. This man, Minamino Shuichi, has volunteered to take care of everything. That made sense. He was so rich he'd be able to turn the world inside out until her children are found. Yes. And Mamoru-san would make everything all right.
She was glad, too, that her husband's brash pride did not prevail. Help was something they'll never have too much of at the moment. But she worried for him, knowing his nature could be the one most cruel to him. She could almost feel it gnawing at him, torturing him with the knowledge the awareness of his own helplessness.
Finally, with a sigh she stood up and limped towards him to at least try to give him some comfort. Yusuke met her halfway and enfolded her in his arms. She was wrong.
It was he who provided her comfort.
For the benefit of privacy and peace, many of the rich and famous have some secret hideaway the press and fans don't know about. It may be sprawling estate in the countryside, a barn in the suburbs, an inconspicuous cabin in the woods, or even a normal everyday apartment unit. Minamino Shuichi, of course has his own and as expected, the place was as impenetrable as its owner.
Any unsuspecting traveler may stumble upon the tycoon's lair and be mislead to believe he has been transported to another country or time. An isolated side street branching from the main highway may seem uninteresting to you. A more adventurous person may find something surprising upon following this road. After a some meters of this jumbled forest, one will suddenly find oneself at the edge of a gorge. The cliff dipped down to a stream , its winding course visible from the great height. And smack in the middle of the unexplored mountainous wilderness below, a castle stood, barely noticeable in it's camouflage.
Kazuma Kuwabara, a simple and simple-minded man, mused with his thoughts as he sat in the book-clogged library.
"Hmmm," he muttered, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of maki. "This place is like a mini Versailles."
The brunette, as tall but by no means unattractive, answered him with an eyebrow raised. "What to do you know about Versailles?" she asked, puffing on a cigarette.
Kuwabara smirked at his sister, glad for once to know something they didn't expect him to know. "Oneesan," he said, rather haughtily. "Everybody knows what Versailles is. It's that big palace in Italy built by some king named Ludwig.'
"Dame." Shizuru shook her head empathically. "At least you looked at the pictures I sent you from Europe."
"I think you're referring to that fairytale castle in Germany," Keiko spoke up. "It was built by Ludwig."
"Right," said Shizuru. "Versailles is in France, baka. And it doesn't look a thing like this."
Yusuke listened quietly as his wife attempted to get acquainted with the other guests. He, on the otherhand, felt much too drained to make such an effort. In the mean, he took advantage of the moment to observe his fellow guests.
The woman his wife was talking to was called Shizuru. If he remembered the introductions right, she was the carrot-head's sister. That though was quite contrary to their appearance. The lady has straight shoulder-length light brown hair, while the man, Kuwabara, has bright orange and very curly hair. She moves elegantly while he treads on the carpeted floor awkwardly. On a whole, Shizuru was quite attractive and even beautiful in a cool subtle way. He, on the otherhand, was well, to put it bluntly, ugly. They're both tall though.
Now while those two siblings were arguing loudly over some trivial matter, these twins remained quiet in their own corners.
Wait, thought Yusuke. Twins? Where did that come from? He searched his memories. Nope nothing. He was sure none of them said anything like that to him. It must be their eyes that made him think they were related. They both had big red eyes, though the short man's was sharp and creepy, while the girl's, also small in stature, were timid and kind. There, however, was where the similarity ends. Yukina, the wife of that man Kuwabara, had mint-colored hair and a demure personality to match it. Hiei had spiky black hair with a white starburst in front. His nature was dark and rather snappish. So they couldn't be siblings, right?
"Hell, I could always ask," he muttered to himself.
"What was that, Yusuke?" asked Shizuru.
"Uh, nothing. So where's Kaasan and Kurama-san?"
"That's Shuichi-san, dear," corrected Keiko nonchalantly.
The others however didn't dismiss the mistake so easily.
"Wait," said Kuwabara, wide eyed. "You called Shuichi Kurama?"
"Yeah, I guess," said Yusuke. "My brain's pretty scrambled right now, so excuse me. Wonder where that came from… Hmmm…"
"I don't believe we've told him about that," remarked Yukina quietly.
"He could have heard it from any of us," said Shizuru. She glanced at Hiei.
"Hn," he grunted. "I wouldn't call the kitsune by his name if I could help it and certainly not with his Ningen name."
Kuwabara and Shizuru exchanged quizzical looks. Yusuke and Keiko remained confused.
"What-" started Yusuke.
Shizuru smiled guiltily. "Uh," she said. "It's nothing."
Yusuke shrugged. "Okay."
Silence.
"So where's kaasan anyway?" asked Keiko.
"She's gone with Minamino-san for some business she didn't mention," replied Yusuke. "Maybe there's news…." He shrugged.
"I hope so," murmured Keiko, her head hung down.
Before another awkward silence could ensue, Shizuru hastily resumed the cut conversation a little too gaily.
"So what's your alma mater, Yusuke?" she asked.
Yusuke, however, was distracted by something else. He was staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows, his mouth slightly open. Alarmed, the others turned to the direction of his eyes and almost laughed. At least, Kuwabara and Shizuru almost did. Yukina permitted herself a half-smile but Hiei retained his sour expression. Keiko gave a little shriek.
Blue ponytail bobbing in the wind, a girl astride an oar was hovering outside the window. To the Urameshis surprise, Yukina waved and Shizuru called out.
"What took you so long?" she said.
The specter or whatever grinned back and swerved down. A new spectacle neared as she disappeared out of sight. A brunette man zoomed after her, riding a cloud.
"Y-Yusuke…" stuttered Keiko. "Did you-?"
Yusuke nodded. "I must have drank much more than I thought I did," he muttered.
Before the others could reassure them that they were neither drunk nor schizophrenic, the specter herself barged in the room.
"YUSUKE! KEIKO!" she squealed. "I'm so glad to see you guys again. It's been so long! So how are you? I've been wanting to check on you forever so long. Not exactly like visit you or something. I mean like bend the promise a little, you know. Just a little peek on the surveillance video. But that prissy chump Koenma wouldn't let me!"
Keiko was clutching at Yusuke for dear life. Nearly fainting, she stared at the bubbly babbling creature before her. Yusuke merely gave her a blank look, his jaw loose on its hinge.
"Anyway," continued the woman. "My husband told me about your problem. Or rather, I forced it out of him and I came as quickly as I could. I'm really sorry, Keiko-chan, Yusuke-kun. We'll get them back! Time for action, ne Yusuke?"
She waited for some form of reply: a nod or anything. She got nothing though. Just a couple in their early thirties gaping at her in disbelief as if she was some ghostly apparition from another world. Er… They were not that wrong.
"Yusuke?" she repeated. "Keiko?" She turned to the others baffled. "What's up with them?"
"Those two Ningens just saw a freak outside floating ten feet above the ground," came the sardonic growl of Hiei. "Of course nothing's wrong with them."
"Oh."
"Botan no baka forever," declared Kuwabara, shaking his head.
"Hmph," said Botan. "Look who's talking."
Just then Koenma came in with a bang.
"Botan!" he said panting as furiously as he spoke. "What do you think you're doing?! You gave me quite a chase there. You know I hate riding that stupid cloud at such velocity! Why can't you just ride with me in a bigger one, slowly? It's not safe for you to ride your paddle in your state. What-"
He raised his eyebrows when he saw the Urameshis and turned questioningly at the others.
"They saw your mid-air goose chase," said Shizuru.
"I see," said Koenma. "Yusuke, Keiko, allow me to introduce my impossibly hard-headed wife. This is Botan."
"I-I-I…" choked out Yusuke. "Is- is she human?"
Everybody exchanged amused looks. Botan's face however flooded with disappointment soon after.
"You're right," she said to her husband. "They don't remember at all."
"We're sorry," said Keiko, finally getting hold of herself. "And it is nice meeting you. Again. Um.. but-"
"You were just flying outside in a broomstick like some witch!" continued Yusuke.
"Yusuke! …. I think that was an oar."
"Hell! Even Koenma-san here."
"In a cloud… So I wasn't hallucinating."
"No, you're not," said Botan, voice a little amused.
"Kami-sama!" exclaimed Yusuke. "I though Death was coming to get me!"
"Yusuke!" scolded Keiko. "Forgive my husband for his lack of manners, Koenma-san, Botan-san."
"Quite all right," replied the kimono-garbed woman. She rubbed her burgeoning belly absentmindedly. "I think I'll rest a bit, Koenma."
Koenma gave her an I-told-you-so look and led her to the sofa. Hiei graciously gave up his seat for the lady but kicked Kuwabara out if his.
Yusuke attempted to speak. "H-how do you explain that? Was that some sort of new technology?"
Kuwabara blinked. "What?" he asked back. "About Botan being pregnant? You have two kids yourself. You should know."
"Baka yarou!" Yusuke lost his temper, partly because of being reminded by his missing children. "I know how a woman gets pregnant! That was not what I meant."
"Oh. Koenma married Botan a year after you married Keiko. You weren't invited 'coz you had us promise not to see you."
"What?" Yusuke looked confused. "Look I wasn't referring to that. I mean-" He motioned sideways with his hands as if he was shooing flies away. "That-"
"That flying thing?" supplied a voice from the doorway.
"Kurama-kun!" crowed Botan cheerfully.
"Hello, Botan," said Kurama. "And how's the princess?"
"I'm doing great. Koenma stop fussing! I'm fine."
Kurama laughed. "I see. It's the prince's who's problematic."
"Well, it's driving me nuts, too." Botan swatted Koenma away.
"Deal with it, Botan," he retorted. "You have bugged me for centuries running. Drink your own medicine."
"Minamino-san," said Keiko, befuddled. "Kurama. That's what Yusuke called you a while ago by mistake."
"That's my name, too. The same thing you two used to call me as well."
"Hello, Atsuko-san!" greeted Botan as Atsuko entered.
"My, my," said Atsuko brightly. "Hello, Botan. Looking good. First child?"
"We're hopeful." Botan looked a little sad.
"Let's hope for the best."
"Kaasan?" said Keiko. "Is there news?"
"I'm sorry, daughter, but no."
"Then more people should help!" said Yusuke, leaping out of his seat and pacing in front of the others. "What about the agency who found the prime minister's daughter?"
"Yusuke." Atsuko sat down tiredly. "Practically the whole world has been alerted and coordinated for a thorough search. It's routine for them, darling. Let's trust the authorities. Mamoru is maximizing the resources."
"Mamo-san? I should be the one taking care of that. I mean, Mamo-san has his own stuff to do and we're causing inconveniences."
"Since when has his grandchildren been an inconvenience for him Yusuke?"
"I didn't mean-" Yusuke dropped back his seat, sighing. "I'm sorry mother. It's just that I feel so helpless. Dammit."
"Patience."
"Patience. What a joke. What about the investigation?"
"Nothing, Yusuke," said Shuichi/Kurama. "Nothing turned up. No fingerprints, no hair samples. There's nothing in surveillance videos or even in satellite pictures. It's as if somebody just appeared in the house, grabbed the children and disappeared."
"Just because there's no physical manifestation, doesn't mean there wasn't a crime." Yusuke stomped his feet in frustration. "I mean, what about new technology? Discoveries and inventions are popping out constantly and people can hardly keep up with the pace of change and all."
Kurama patted Yusuke in the back sympathetically. "We're not dealing with technology here."
"And that's why you're the one who could really help yourself," said Koenma.
"What-"
"We're dealing with supernatural forces. We can help too. We're not exactly normal."
"Speak for yourself, moron," asserted Hiei.
"Well, we're all supernatural. So we're not normal in your sense of normality."
"I'm confused," said Yusuke.
"You see, you're not so normal yourself, Yusuke. And it all starts on the fact that you're half youkai. Actually, it's rooted on you already died twice-"
"Excuse me," interrupted Yusuke. "Let me just clarify things. The only reason I'm even in here is because my mother absolutely trusts you. But all this crap about my being youkai or dead is just way over the top!"
Koenma cleared his throat. "Are you done now?" he asked. "Because if you are, I'd like to get on with my story."
Yusuke gave up. "Fine. What's there to lose anyway."
"Alright," began Koenma. "And please be reminded that I do not relish being interrupted.
"Once upon a time, about nineteen years ago, there lived a delinquent named Urameshi Yusuke."
"Delinquent?" repeated Yusuke. "I was not. I was just a non-conformist."
"Ahem. This delinquent loved fighting, neglected his schoolwork and generally caused trouble. One day, he cut class and while bumming around was killed in a vehicular accident. He was trying to save a boy from certain death by pushing him of the street.
"Because of that heroic deed, and also because it wasn't his official time yet, I gave him another chance."
"Eh?" said Yusuke, trying not to burst out laughing about the death part and all. "How did you get into the picture?"
"I was just going to get to that before you interrupted." Koenma directed a frown at him.
"Oh. Go on, then."
"I am Koenma Daiou, son of Enma Daiou, ruler of Reikai."
"Reikai. The place where the dead go?"
"Yes."
"So you are like not human. The prince of the dead… You don't look it."
"He's the paperwork person," said Hiei without humor. "What Ningen call a secretary."
"I process the important arrangements for each human after they die," clarified Koenma stiffly. "And for your information, I have a hundred secretaries to order around."
"So you're Death? I mean you fetch souls that die and all that?" pursued Yusuke, half cajoling.
"That would be me," said Botan. "I fetched you when you died and assisted you afterwards. Don't you remember?"
"No." Yusuke gave her a queer look, still not taking them seriously. "You are all crackers. But maybe I'm crackers too. Whenever I think of death I always picture morbid things. I mean, a talking baby with that enormous head with a flat top. And then there's this big bonnet and a pacifier stuck on it's mouth. Weird. And he like yells and yells and throws tantrums and-"
"Y-Yusuke, I'm already married!" sputtered Koenma, chagrined. "I don't go by my toddler form anymore."
"Calm down," said Yusuke, slightly confused. "I'm just relating what I sort of see. You know, a mental picture."
"Would you do me a favor and just shut up? Keep your comments to yourself."
"What did I do?"
"Yusuke," said Keiko.
"Ok. Ok."
"Alright," continued Koenma. "Yusuke was revived by a kiss from his childhood sweetheart, Yukimura Keiko. After that, he had to work for the Reikai Tantei. He was teamed with Kazuma Kuwabara, his arch rival in school, and two criminals, Kurama and Hiei." He pointed to each of them as he said their names.
"What exactly did we do as Reikai Tantei?" asked Yusuke.
"Well, we go to missions," said Kuwabara.
"Mission? Like playing a trick on the principal? Or was it something illegal like a uh a pot session? What exactly?"
"Well, for example, we rescued Yukina from a gang…"
"You're getting ahead of the story!" yelled Koenma.
"We try to keep peace between the three worlds," answered Kurama. "Sort of like the police."
"Oh…" said Yusuke. "Odd. So we just fight and do such things? Really. I thought…"
"Honestly, Yusuke," murmured Koenma. "If you only knew how you were back then… I almost regret reminding you."
"That bad huh?" remarked Keiko. "So that's where Yutaro got his um… being genki."
"Yeah," replied Atsuko. "And Yusuke was worse. Exponentially worse."
"How the hell will this help me find my kids?" Yusuke asked again, irritated by the topic at hand.
"If you all just quit yakking, I'll get on to that!" exploded Koenma.
"All right, all right. Keep your cool man."
"There. You joined a tournament and won. So you inherited the powers of Genkai. Then, the next big happening was the Ankoku Bujutsukai. It's a tournament held here regularly with both humans and youkai participating. A little like Rome and it's gladiators. Basically, that's where you developed full use of your powers. Next you had to fight a renegade Tantei and you died. Well, you're human body-"
"Again?!" bellowed Yusuke.
"I said you died twice remember?" screeched back Koenma. "Now, sit down, shut up!" He huffed angrily, all red in the face. "All right. Yusuke's body died again but this time he was not revived by Reikai."
"But why?" interrupted Yusuke. "I seemed to have gotten the worse of the bargain. Didn't I have worker rights? Life insurance?"
"You didn't ask for it," muttered Koenma dourly.
"I can't believe I was that foolhardy."
"Ditto," said Hiei. "All the trouble you caused… Hn."
"Yeah!" said Kuwabara. "You made Hiei cry."
"I did not cry, you ahou!" said Hiei hotly.
"Did too."
"Did not."
"Did too!"
"You did, ahou!"
"Well, we were all upset beyond words," intervened Kurama with a laugh.
"D-uh," said Yusuke in bemusement. "Um. What about my death? Koenma-san I won't stop till it's explained."
"Fine, growled Koenma. "I'll explain as we go along. People, keep this under wraps. Let's just put it this way. We've bent the laws for your sake the first time, we couldn't do it twice, now could we?"
"Okay," agreed Yusuke willingly.
"Liar," muttered Hiei.
"Shut up!" said Koenma. "I'm in a hurry!"
"Hn."
"Anyway, we didn't need to. You resurrected by yourself. See, you're descended from a very powerful youkai. When you died the first time and underwent the trials and became resurrected, that youkai side of yours was discovered. You inherited those youkai genes but those genes were only expressed when you died the second time. So technically you are dead. It's because of your youkai side you're alive."
Yusuke stared at him in shock. "I'm dead," he squeaked.
"Yep," said Kuwabara. "Couldn't believe it either. You were stone cold. No heart beat. Dead, man, dead. And then, there you were again moving and fighting."
"Dead? I'm a zombie then!"
"Zombie?" repeated Keiko.
"Didn't you notice?" asked Kuwabara. "I mean, don't you guys sleep together?"
"Shut up brother and keep your foot and mouth apart," snapped Shizuru, dealing him with a death glare.
"Anyway," pushed Koenma. "You became a very powerful youkai. You went home to Makai. You're father was a ruler in one of the kingdoms there. You managed to unite the whole Makai into a single government. Now there's this enemy who's basically mad at you and his name is Lakashka."
"Lakashka!" shouted Yusuke, shooting out of his seat. "Yes, him!"
"Yes. You're father is Raizen."
"Wha-?"
"This man is angry at you for things too complicated to explain."
Yusuke rubbed his eyes. "You know you haven't made anything clearer. You just raised more questions."
"Reason number one: I don't know the particulars. You're the one who only knows."
"Well, I don't! That's why I'm listening to this, remember?"
"That's what I'm saying! I'm trying to explain everything in a very shortened version of the story."
"All right. Fine. I'm sorry I interrupted again."
"Anyway this Lakashka threatened you and the rest of the world. He is actually intertwined with your past though I won't be able to elaborate right now.
"So after you defeated him, you decided to forget everything and asked me to do something about it."
"Oh good," said Yusuke. "So I did sue you."
Koenma sweatdropped. "Uh, yes, you can put it that way. Since we introduced you that kind of world, I decided to help you. Now, that says nothing about the government. They only decided to cooperate because they are afraid of you.
"We erased your memories, both yours and Keiko's. We concealed your presence by means of the Shroud of Calypso. Your presence cannot be traced, not even by the Jagan. But now, after thirteen years, the spell is weakening. Someone with great power is breaking down the shroud. They have found you."
"They…" echoed Yusuke.
"Yes. We have to erase your tracks as quickly as possible. You must leave Ningenkai at once. You are a danger to your surroundings and Reikai wants you out of this world at once.
"With the Shroud of Calypso weakened, you will be easily found by a being as powerful as you. You standout too much. In Makai, you will be able to hide more effectively. There are other powerful beings out there and you will not be detected easily. The Shroud will be sufficient to shield you from your pursuers."
"Makai… I'm a hunted man."
"Makai is where your roots are. You must leave for it immediately for the sake of your children."
"My children… How do I get them back? How, when I cannot remember?"
"Do we have to teach him how to fight and stuff?" asked Kuwabara interestedly.
"Do we have to recount everything to make him comprehend?" asked Kurama dismally. "If he doubts us, it'll be no good."
"This'll take a lot of work," muttered Hiei.
Koenma sighed. "I probably will get in trouble for this. I'm almost glad Yusuke doesn't remember. I have disobeyed the agreements. We agreed not to keep your life recorded unlike other humans. Also, it has been agreed upon that your memories were to be disposed. The first we have complied but the second one..."
"Good," said Yusuke. "Then you can return my memories to me."
"It's not that simple. We did not archive your memories. It has been hidden well to ensure no one can find out what you knew. It's all in Makai. Finding it would be the least of your problems. Then you can decide what to do to rescue your children. I'm afraid you won't get much help from the central government. Lakashka has risen to power once again and is slowly gaining control of parts of the world. There is a civil war between those who want to return to the feudal states and those who wish to remain united. Makai has been plunged into chaos. If Lakashka gets his way, Ningenkai will soon follow."
There was a long silence.
Finally Yusuke spoke. "When do we live?"
To be continued….