The day passed pretty uneventful and Kurama had begun to wonder if the episode of the mirror and his early morning talk with Hiei had really happened. Though, it was hard to ignore the fact that every time he walked into his bathroom, there was no mirror.

However, Yusuke had made a quite unexpected appearance and informed him that Koenma wanted them all to meet at the Konai shrine to discuss their latest case.

Reluctantly, Kurama changed from his pajamas a light blue button-down shirt, and a pair of white slacks. Running a hand through his hair, rather than brushing it out carefully, he ripped the knots apart by feel not really caring how bad it looked.

What if Hiei was there too?

That was the only thought that ran through Kurama's mind as he slowly walked down the street, towards the small shrine in which he and Hiei had fought Karasu just six months before. His hands were buried deep in his pockets, and his head bowed as he stared at the ground; kicking at stray pebbles.

I acted rash. I shouldn't have treated him like that…Or anyone for that manner, but especially him…

A loud squawk rose from a tree and a lone crow swooped out from its branches of green. It seemed to glance at Kurama for a moment as it swooped by, and screeched as if flapped its wings leaving a single ebony feather behind.

Watching the feather float enviously through the air, grasping to hang on to something to prevent the impact of the cruel earth, Kurama's emerald optics softened. But in a fleeting zephyr of remembrance, the kitsune broke from the trance and continued towards the approaching shrine.

Meeting Hiei was inevitable; he'd just have to face the Youkai.

"Kurama!" The familiar voice of the guide to Spirit World, Botan, could be heard happily greeting him.

Looking up at the blue haired woman's voice, he smiled and nodded. "Hello, Botan." He then turned to the other two assembled and inclined his head to both. "Yusuke, Kuwabara."

"Where's the shrimp?" Kuwabara asked, unceremoniously.

Even though his mind had been plastered to Hiei, Kurama only then noticed that the Youkai was not there. Was he late? Or…just not coming? Did he cause Hiei to feel that he was worthless, and he didn't come because he was ashamed? Was Hiei mad at him?

Kurama heard himself blurt out the words before he could control himself, "I don't know."

Although, Yusuke shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. "He never comes to meetings, why would he start now?"

Botan however, had noticed the change in Kurama's tone and quickly decided to change the subject. "Yes, well, Lord Koenma's just informed me that an unidentified Demon just broke out of his 'cell', as we will refer to it. Lord Koenma said that this Demon is a powerful Youkai and has a enormous file on record for thievery."

Smiling inwardly, Yusuke made a fist and punched it into his opposing hand, appreciatively. "And let me guess, he made his way into the Ningenkai, is that it?"

"You betcha." Botan nodded but stuck a finger in Yusuke's face. "Now, this Demon isn't just any ordinary one. He's sly. Known for playing games of the mind, and had only been caught by Lord Enma himself. Though, knowing poor Lord Koenma, if his father was in knowledge of the Demon's escape…" She made a gesture with her hands as if spanking a young child. Kuwabara had to do his best to stifle a slightly high-pitched giggle.

"Don't worry about it, Botan." Yusuke grinned, pushing her finger out of his face. "Us big, strong Spirit Detectives will get the matter settled." He hit his chest with a fist in a manly way, still grinning.

At the definition of the Demon they were after, Kurama had frozen in thought. It couldn't be…could it?

"Alright, just don't blow it…" she warned him thoroughly, though it wasn't like she believed it would get through his thick skull.

"Then perhaps we should devise a plan of attack." Kurama piped in suddenly…

****

Fusan stood with his hand pressed against the cold stone of the temple, muttering something under his breath. His eyes were shut tight and his brow furrowed, his complexion pallid compared to the deep expressions shown through the stone tablet of the fleeting walls.

"Youko, you should be able to pass the time of sunrise, now." His voice suddenly rose from the dim silence, which had passed throughout the day, and early evening.

"So one problem is fixed…after much time wasted," The silver fox sat on the steps, tracing a slender finger through the dirt, which had collected over time. "How long will it take you to fix the matter of being able to stay out the entire day, with no problem at all?"

"That, my dear friend…will take quite a bit more time." He shrugged lightly and sank to his knees. "It does require a bit more of my own energy than I thought it would…" Fusan looked at Youko with a raised brow, watching him trace in the dirt.

"I told you before," Youko started, brushing the dirt from his hand, "That I patience is not my best virtue."

Chuckling, the once known thief partner smiled. "Yes, I know. I remember our days as fellow thieves as if it were yesterday, however it's not the same as living them." A grin creased into his face, and Youko looked up at Fusan only shaking his head.

"You always were a character," he muttered in response.

"What may I ask, is your next move? You've made your appearance to both Kurama and Hiei…and you want revenge, yes?"

Standing up and brushing the dirt from his clothes, Youko calmly and serenely walked over to where Fusan stood, putting a hand on his ex-partner's shoulder. "You will see in due time. You make me wait, and I make you do the same."

The Youko's tone was not in the least bit friendly, but that only seemed to amuse Fusan more.

"Koenma has only learned of my escape now. If I had attacked the Ningenkai on the first night of my freedom, this world of humans would be destroyed. Sometimes, I wonder if I regret that action, only to remember that if something is to be done at all, it should be done right."

"I disagree with your logic, Fusan. If something is done at all, then it's a done job. Anything unfinished is a failure…" Youko mused in response before running a hand through his long, silvery bangs and allowing his ears to turn to the sounds of the outside world, that he was just waiting once again to visit.

Fusan pressed his lips together, and closed his eyes. "You plan to go after the Youkai, don't you?" His tone was light and almost bored.

"Perhaps…" Reaching behind his ear into his hair, Youko pulled out a small seed. He held it in his palm for a moment, before it began to sparkle and grow into a large plant. The plant seemingly had a will of its own as it dance about, growing from the Youko's arm. Small mouths appeared from the branches, snapping and allowing saliva to drip from their fangs.

In a moment, as Youko closed his fingers about the seed, the plant disappeared leaving no trace that it had been there at all. Smirking at his own little trick, Youko turned away from Fusan, allowing his hand to slip off the other's shoulder.

"Just be sure to call me when the time comes, so that I may strike again. I intend to leave quite a bit of damage this time around so that Kurama, dear Kurama, may never again deny me of the pleasure of a fight."