WARNINGS: Original Characters, OOC-ness, etc.....

The Stars Revived
- Prologue: A Refusal to Aid -
By: Skylar Inari

Koenma shook his head sadly. Everything was going wrong.

After Kazuma had died - as well as Keiko, Astuko, Genkai, Shiori, and Shizuru from living out their normal life spans the peace brought on by the formidable Urameshi team had slowly started to crumble.

Other Rekai Tantei teams had been assembled to stem the tides of destruction. Some had even lasted through more than one mission.

But, in the end, none had been able to match the abilities of Yusuke, Kazuma, Kurama and Hiei. None had even come close.

Now the Rekai was losing ground faster every day, the Ningenkai had been over run completely and was now inhabited by fiends unimaginable. Most of the remaining humans thought that the beasts were demons, but the door to the Makai had been firmly sealed during the Urameshi Team's last mission. The only time after that that it had been opened was to allow Yusuke, Hiei, and Youko Kurama to return to the demon world.

Other than that the door to the Makai had been left firmly shut.

The Rekai Prince picked up one of the many reports that were scattered across his desk and looked at it despairingly. Another village had crumbled under the weight of the invasion. That meant that the only parts of the Rekai that were still unconquered were The Palace and everything north of it.

K'so. Half of the Rekai was gone.

At this rate the Spirit World would be eliminated in the space of a month.

"Koenma-sama! Koenma-sama!" George burst into the room.

"What is it?"

"Botan-san has found Kazuto Kuwabara!!"

"I see. Where is he now?" Koenma calmly accepted the ferry-girl's accomplishment of the task he had set her nearly two months ago, however a thrill of excitement blossomed in his chest.

"Botan is bringing him across the river Styx, Koenma-sama."

"Good."Koenma reached for another piece of never-ending paperwork, "See to it that he comes to me the moment he arrives."

"Yes, Koenma-sama."

***

Koenma sat easily in his adult form in the large room that had been - temporarily - cleared of sheaves upon sheaves of reports.

Kazuto Kuwabara had been found!

Even though he had managed to retain his dignity when George had told him, nothing could have made him feel more hopeful towards the future than that news.

If only he'd accept the charge....

If only...

Then the Rekai would have a chance at surviving.

And the Ningenkai would have a chance at liberation.

Everything about his desperate plan hinged on Kazuto Kuwabara's acceptance.

The doors to the dome-like room cracked open and Botan slipped in, her pink eyes tired but triumphant.

"Koenma-sama, Kazuto Kuwabara is waiting outside. Do you wish to see him now?" Her voice filled the room easily making the chamber seem more alive than it had ever since the war had started.

"Bring him in please, Botan."

The ferry-girl nodded and left the room.

Koenma leaned back in his chair. He'd learn the answer to his question once Kazuto Kuwabara showed up.

The door opened again and Botan re-entered the room followed by...

Koenma leaned forward in shock, to look at the strange boy closer.

Yes, there was no doubt about who his grandparents had been.

Kazuto Kuwabara had long, almost waist-length shimmering aqua hair and deep brooding red eyes. He was tall like his grandfather but without the width and bulk. Not to mention the fact that he was.... well, quite good-looking.

Koenma was slightly disconcerted at what Kazuto Kuwabara looked like. It was a strange combination of Yukina, Kazuma and Hiei that looked quietly back at him.

Please Enma-sama let him have inherited his grandmother's personality.....

"What do you want me for?" The voice was quiet yet cut through the thick silence like liquid fire. Kazuto Kuwabara's voice held thinly veiled annoyance and no respect.

The sharpness of the demand jolted Koenma back into total focus. "I'd like you to do something for me."

"Why?" The tall slender part-demon shrugged, "I'm sure I wouldn't care for whatever task you have set for me."

"I want you to find Hiei, Kurama, and Yusuke."

The dark red eyes widened slightly, then narrowed again. "How do you expect me to do that? They left for the Makai years and years ago. You don't even know if they're still alive." The last bit was said sneeringly.

Koenma fought to control his temper. Must not get mad. If he can fight anything like Hiei can it'd be bad to get him mad. "The portal would be opened to allow you to go through and then shut until we receive word that you've found them."

"No." Kazuto's eyes were flat and unyielding.

"W-w-what?" Spluttered Koenma.

"You want me to go into a world that I know nothing of a try to find the most notorious thief ever to be born, a former king of the Makai who has enough power to stomp me flat and a fire demon who is so not known for his cooperation. Is that all?"

"Well...you don't need to put it that way..." Said Koenma weakly.

"I refuse."

~Owari~

I think I like Kazuto.... not sure why, because he's a jerk but............Meh, I like him.