Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. I know, isn't fate cruel???
Author's Note: Okay people. This here is Chapter 10. I apologize for not having updated for a while, but I haven't had much time lately because of this singing contest thing that my friends and I entered. I've been practicing in my free time, so wish us luck with that, will you? Believe me, we'll need it! ^_^, Anyway though, that is WAY off subject. I'd like to thank all of you who reviewed, and read this story. I greatly appreciate it. Now, enough of my gibberish . . . please read this and enjoy.
Chapter: 10
"It's just me Dim." Said a soft, alto voice.

Everyone looked toward a small group of slumbering trees. They could make out a shadow walking gracefully out of the mist. As the figure drew closer they could better make out his features. He had tanned skin, much like Tain's only a shade darker. His expression was very relaxed, and calm, reminding them all of Kurama. He had elfin ears, and short, curly, brunette hair with shiny streaks of crimson woven in rather randomly. Simple, black pants that resembled Hiei's and a similar black shirt with baggy long sleeves were worn tastefully under a navy blue, sleeveless Chinese style shirt. Around his slender waist was a black sash whose ends hung down at his side, and on his feet were a pair of black boots. He was slender looking, yet discreetly muscular, like Hiei. But perhaps the most stunning aspect of him was his vivid indigo eyes and the two small horns on the top front of his head. They were not very visible, as all of those curly locks of hair surrounded them like the nest that protects the baby birds.

"Sorry to pull you away like this, were you doing anything important?" Asked Dimitre.

The new comer shook his head. "No, just gathering supplies or rather, what's left of them."

The icy eyed demon sighed. "So I take it that we're finally running out."

"Yes. We were lucky the city was in such good shape before . . . well before all of this started."

Dimitre was about to reply, but closed his mouth once Keiko cleared her throat, grabbing the two demon's attention. He nodded toward her.

"Kane, this is Keiko Yukimura. The youko is Kurama, and the fire youkai is called Hiei. All of you, this is Kane."

Kane bowed his head in greeting to them all. "Is it you three that I am to guide through?" He asked softly. Kurama nodded. "Yes." He said simply.

The horned demon acquiesced, and turned to his two friends.

"Tain, Dim, are you coming?" He asked gently.

Tain nodded. "Yeah, no use stayin' around here. Those things are still wandering around, but they aren't bothering anything . . . save for my stomach. Anyway, I think I'd be of better use in the kitchen." He replied.

Dim rolled his eyes. "Please. You just want to be in there because Timerie is there."

Tain grinned and winked one of his bright sea green eyes. "And the food, don't forget the food!"

Kane chuckled. "But surely you remember what happened last time, don't you?"

This time Dimitre let out a laugh. "How could any of us forget? Tain couldn't walk right for about a week."

This time both demons laughed together. Tain just looked dryly at them and waited impatiently for them to finish, mumbling under his breath about how it hadn't been funny to him.

"I hate to break this up, but we don't have the time to wait around." Hiei's voice silenced them all.

"I agree. If we could, we need to continue on. As it is we have already wasted valuable amounts of time here." Agreed Kurama.

"You're right. Dim, are you coming as well?" Asked Kane. Dimitre nodded. Very well then. Follow me." He said, turned his back to them, and began walking.

"Keiko, you should stay somewhere in the middle." Kurama said.

Keiko rolled her eyes. "Yes mother." She said sarcastically. Kurama shrugged, and they all followed after Kane.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Keiko could barely see through the thick, white mist. What she could see was gray and desolate. They had since entered the city, and it was deathly quiet. Not even the wind graced them with its presence, although she considered that to be a positive thing seeing as how she was still convinced that the slightest breeze would just blow the entire city away.

She felt rather clumsy, as she was the only one whose footsteps made sound on the ground, which was covered with debris. What had happened to make this place so very . . . messy? Yes, she supposed that was the correct word. The city seemed neglected, and abandoned. Where were all of the inhabitants? Surely there had been a large population at one point, other wise, what would explain the buildings? The buildings were another thing. They greatly resembled the ones on Earth. Had Yusuke rebuilt the entire thing? If that were the case then it would greatly surprise her. But then, Yomi had done it, so why not Yusuke too? When it came to academics, he may not have been the sharpest knife in the drawer, but that didn't mean he was an idiot. Actually, he was a kind, compassionate, handsome, loyal, trustworthy, determined young man.

Keiko blinked. 'Good job Keiko. You just completely contradicted yourself! Remember, we hate Yusuke because he IS NOT all of those things.' She told herself.

(But he is handsome.) Came that same annoying little voice.

'Well, yes I-oh not you again!'

(Hey, I'm not the one who can't keep my mind off of him.)

Keiko scowled. 'You're the REASON I can't keep my mind off of him. If you'd just go away, and leave me alone, everything would be okay!'

(Sure it would.)

'It would.'

(Would not)

'Would too!'

(Not.)

'Too!'

(Not.)

'Too!'

(Not.)

'Too!'

(Too!)

'It would not and that's final!' Keiko yelled mentally. Suddenly she realized what had just happened.

(You know, it's pretty sad when you can be tricked using child's play by your own subconscious.) Said the little voice lazily.

'Shut-up, and don't talk to me anymore.' Said Keiko dryly, suddenly feeling very defeated and pathetic.

"Are you alright, Keiko?" Asked a voice from behind her.

Somehow or other, Tain had showed up behind her. She couldn't figure out why he didn't just dematerialize up to the castle, but she supposed he had his own reasons.

"I'm fine." She whispered.

"You're quite sure? You've been looking rather . . . I don't know, confused I guess." He said.

"Thank you, but I'm okay, really."

He nodded, and silence fell around the group once more.

Keiko's mind wandered. So far, this city was deserted, or so it seemed. She couldn't understand the dangers that everyone kept mentioning. Really, if she and Hiei and Kurama were traveling the same way they had been before, then they would already be there by now!

Suddenly, Keiko felt the ground sink beneath her, crumble, crack, and then break, the dirt and debris caving in, and bringing her with. She heard her name being yelled by Kurama and Hiei, but that was all as she hit the ground, and darkness enveloped her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The light sound of dripping water was the first sound that she heard. Keiko opened her eyes slowly, which didn't help much considering that everything was pitch black around her. Her head was pounding as she remembered what had happened. Well, she wasn't sure exactly what happened. Only that she had fallen, and that it hurt. How long had she been unconscious? Not long hopefully. Where were the guys? Close, with any luck.

Carefully, she began to pick herself up off of the ground. She got on to her hands and knees, and dust and debris tumbled off of her. She coughed. Where ever this was it smelled putrid, and moldy. Nonetheless, she got up on to her feet and, out of habit, brushed off her clothing.

"Hello! Kurama? Hiei?" She called, her voice echoing. There was no answer, which didn't necessarily surprise her.

"Anybody?" She called, simply because she wasn't sure what else to do. Suddenly, she saw a faint stream of light coming from her side. She looked over and saw a huge mound of dirt and other garbage. At the top was a large hole.

Quickly putting 2 and 2 together, Keiko realized that she must have fallen and rolled over to the side of this tunnel. The debris had to have fallen in afterwards. Either way it blocked her exit. She sighed. For the 100th time she was beginning to wonder how Kurama had ever convinced her to come to the Makai. She should have been in a comfy cozy hotel, watching television and ordering room service. Immediately, she regretted thinking about food. Her stomach began to grumble.

"Quiet you. We're on a diet anyway." She told her stomach aloud. For this, her stomach seemed only to growl louder at her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Damn it! Keiko!" Called Kurama for what seemed to be the thousandth time. No answer.

"What the hell happened?" Hiei asked, facing Kane and the others with scorn.

Kane bowed his head slightly. "She fell into an underground cavern. They're all over the city. Keiko seemed to have stepped on a weak spot." He explained calmly.

Red eyes bore into him. "How do we find her, and get her out?" He asked. His deep baritone voice was unnervingly steady. Much like the calm before a raging storm, and it seemed as though the 'storm' that Hiei could create would be one to avoid at all costs.

"I . . . don't know for certain, as whatever is underground is a mystery. Those caverns have only formed recently." Replied the indigo-eyed demon.

Hiei's hand went to the hilt of his beloved sword, those fiery red eyes blazing.

"I suggest you figure a way out." He hissed, in a tone both low and menacing. This tone and his action caused Kane, and Tain to take an involuntary step backwards, as the atmosphere around them was rapidly changing from chilly to humid, and warm. A little longer, and they'd all be crispy critters, save for Hiei anyway.

"Hiei, wait." It was Kurama who spoke, placing a gentle soothing hand on the fire youkai's shoulder. Miraculously, the air went back to its cool temperature almost immediately. Hiei glanced up at the solemn face of his best friend, and removed his hand from his sword, sighing.

"Very well. What CAN we do then . . . Kane?" Asked the red-eyed one.

Kane's mouth fell open at how quickly that mood swing had occurred. Seeing the dissatisfied look on Hiei' face, however, quickly brought him back to his senses.

"I'm afraid not much. We can remove the earth from that hole, and start there." He suggested.

"That'll take hours." Argued Hiei.

"No, that won't be a problem . . . that is, if Dim is willing to help."

All attention was turned toward the arrogant looking demon standing a little further off from the group. He just nodded, an acceptance to the spoken proposal.

"Very well then. Everyone step back in order to avoid any . . . flying debris."

The order was followed. All except for Dimitre, who in fact walked closer, stepped backwards. He was now standing at the edge of the large hole, and suddenly, his aura, icy blue like his eyes, began to flare around him. His right arm lifted up and went outward as if trying to touch the dirt, which began to shift and quake. Then, his arm lifted up, vertical towards the gray sky, and at this moment, clumps of dirt and debris began lifting up, levitating in the air, landing then in any given area. Rapidly, the hole began to look deeper and deeper.

Golden, and ruby eyes went wide, but sea green and indigo just looked onward, used to such displays of power by their friend.

"Dim has power over the element of earth. It comes in handy from time to time, as you can imagine." Offered Tain, not bothering to turn his attention toward Kurama or Hiei. Although, one could easily guess that such a question was on the demon pair's tongues.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

'If it wasn't so dark in here . . . then maybe I could . . . find a way out or something. God, this place reeks! Why didn't I bring a flashlight? Wait!'

Keiko felt around the ground frantically until her hands fell upon an object resting on the ground. She picked it up and felt around for the flap, then pulled it open. With great care, she pulled out her camera. She knew it like she knew her reflection, and she prayed that it hadn't been hurt in the fall. She fingered all of its intricate pieces, sliding gently along the smooth plastic. Everything seemed to be in proper working order, but she couldn't tell for certain, as she was far to dependant on her eyes, as most humans tend to be.

Quickly, and efficiently enough, Keiko managed to find the 'flash' button, and pressed it. Then raising her camera in front of her, she took a picture, the flash bulb lighting up the corridor, although, only briefly.

She grinned, and hugged the camera to her chest.

"Oh, I love you, I love you, I love you! People who say that being married to your work is a bad thing are absolutely insane!" She told it.

Then, she set about her plan, which was merely pushing the button that would allow her to take a photograph with the flash on. Every time the flash went off, Keiko managed to catch glimpses of brown, dirt walls, and obviously, a dirt floor. The earth surrounding her was moist, and musty smelling, however, that particular scent she happened to find rather enjoyable because of its natural essence. Such is why she found it particularly curious that she didn't enjoy the smell that lingered in the air around her, and as she walked (which she had done merely because no one could hear her, and obviously there was no other way out from where she was) the disgusting odor became stronger, until she found herself holding her breath so as to keep from gagging.

Silence was her companion, well, that and the constant clicking of her camera which had run out of film, but certainly not out of flash. Keiko frowned.

'Damn! I don't know how many pictures I just wasted on this stupid place . . .' She thought, but then stopped in her tracks, finger in mid-push.

' . . . light?'

Indeed, she saw small slivers of bluish light peeking 'round a shadowed corner. Slowly, she lowered her camera, and placed it expertly back in its bag. She gathered her courage and peeked around the corner, which just happened to be the first that she had encountered thus far.

She found her eyes starring straight into a sort of stone chamber, and in the middle of it was what resembled a stone well. She could hear the vague, echoes of water coming from somewhere; she thought possibly the well like object.

Keiko gathered a little bit more courage from what she liked to call her 'nerve stash', and took a few, steps closer to the chamber. She thanked the deity that was watching over her for the dirt ground, which muffled her footsteps, and prayed that her snooping wouldn't result in severe emotional trauma.

She pressed a hand over her mouth and nose, as that terrible smell was so strong that her eyes were watering, and she found it even more difficult to breath. Her boots made a light ticking sound against the stone floor, and made her cringe, for she had not been aware when the dirt had given away to the cold blue stone floor. She waited, ears attentive for any sound. Nothing, utter silence, it appeared, was still her solitary companion.

Grabbing a little more courage from her rapidly depleting supply, Keiko tiptoed over towards the well, which she found to be covered by a large slab of rock. She frowned. The rest of the room was barren, and so, it appeared that she had endured this walk and all of its complications for no apparent reason. She narrowed her brown eyes and gave a quick kick to the side of the well, but then let out a little cry of pain as the stone she had just hit fell atop her foot, obviously taking vengeance for the frivolous attack.

After the surprise and pain had all but ceased, she took it upon herself to squat down and examine the black void where the stone had once stood. The silt and clay that pasted the stones together was beginning to crumble around the perimeter. She squinted, trying to zero in her sight on a specific spot, and then began to tug gently at the stone that had been the fallen one's neighbor. Slowly, it began to budge, and she pulled harder. In response it began to slide out slowly at first, and then rapidly until finally it popped out, the unexpected release sending Keiko backward on to the floor. She took a brief moment to recover, but then went back to examining the well. Something about it drew her. It was like a power, or a strange aura, and that putrid smell just got worse as she pulled stones from their places, and stacked them neatly on the ground.

The larger the hole grew, the more light entered the well, and she began to see glimpses of shadows. She could not make out the shadows, but did wonder where this strange blue light was coming from. There were no other openings in this huge, stony dome, so how could light be filtering in?

Such a question bewildered her, but did not distract her from her voluntary labor. Indeed, she continued to disassemble the side of the well, all of her fear diminished, curiosity taking its place. She worked on for quite some time, although one could never guess exactly how long. Her mind wandered through several different thoughts, and she couldn't concentrate on one for very long, for another one of equal importance would push through, demanding her immediate attention. However, she did manage to evade that annoying little voice that always showed up with thoughts of Yusuke, which she also kept at bay.

So wrapped up in these thoughts was she, that when the creaking sound of a rope bounced off of the walls of the dome, and the inners of the well, which was quite narrow, she let out a gasp of surprise and fear. Although, once she put a name to the sound, she was at ease once more.

She decided that she had to get to that rope, although, she wasn't sure why it was suddenly so very important to her. The only problem was the huge stone slab that was lying indolently atop the well. She frowned at it.

"Oh don't mock me. You're coming down." She told it, as if it could hear her.

Keiko then began pulling out more bricks at the very top of the well. As she did so, the slab lost its support and began to wobble. Keiko smiled, and positioned herself so that her shoulder was just underneath the large rock, and then she began pushing up, and over. At first it resisted, but Keiko pressed on.

"Come . . . on now . . ." She said, while heaving. "You can't stay up here . . . for. . .ever!"

The rock slid a bit more.

"You think you're . . . so . . . tough, don't . . . you? Well, I have . . . news for . . . you. You really aren't! After all, you know what they say . . . the bigger you are . . ."

And she gave it one final shove. The slab fell to the floor with a crash, pieces breaking off and skipping away to far ends of the chamber.

"The harder you fall." Keiko finished, admiring her work.

She wiped her chalky hands on her pants and let out a sigh.

"That makes up for all of the weight lifting I've missed since I agreed to come here." She said bitterly.

A few more minutes were devoted to taunting the defeated stone foe, before she finally decided to examine what she had worked so hard for. Light filtered in to the now open, and half disassembled well at an angle as Keiko put her hands on the well's edge, and leaned over, gazing in to the semi- darkness. There was something there, actually quite a lot of 'somethings'. She squinted, and leaned over a little further. Slowly, the unidentified became clear. Her eyes widened in horror, and she backed up slowly, until her back came into contact with the wall.

"Oh my . . . God no . . ." She whispered, and hugged herself. Silence once again, her only companion, only this time it mocked her.