Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Summary: A group of ruthless cutthroats led by the mysterious Frost is wreaking havoc for the gang. When they do something more drastic, they send the gang into a spiral of enigmas and battles that would only be a miracle to win. With the lives of the others on the line, they have no choice but to got after Frost and his group of cold-blooded killers and save the retrieving of the stone for another day. Will they succeed? Will everything fall to ruin? Or, will they all die trying to save their friends from a gruesome death?

A Sword Through the Rose

Chapter I: News and Emergencies

"KURAMA!"

The shouted warning came too late. The kitsune was thrown back into the stone wall of the room. He was not expecting the blow to come. It was as though his opponent was hoping that he would not think it possible for him to attack once he was down. The redhead slumped to the ground, a rather large gash forming on the side of his face. He just could not believe that he had not seen that coming. Frost was definitely an opponent to not underestimate. Shakily, he got to his feet and stared hard into the cool grey eyes.

"So, Fox, you think you can defeat me. Well, I have news for you." Frost was a mere blur as he lunged at Kurama. The fox demon leapt to the side and barely missed the blow aimed at his head. A slight breeze rushed passed him as he moved. He did not have time to react before Frost's hand shot out and seized his throat.

"You die now."

Those three words played in his mind for some time. 'You die now.' Why had he come here in the first place? He was not thinking straight. That blow to the head was worse than he thought. Kuwabara. The name meant something but he could not think of what. Did it have something to do with Shizuru? He just could not remember.

Suddenly, the hand left and he sank to the floor. He was not even aware that he had been let go. The remaining watchers just observed what was taking place. One demon was down and they were sure that the other would go down just as quickly.

Two weeks earlier. . .

Shizuru smacked her brother upside the head for his remark. He was too busy yelling at the shorter fire apparition to pay attention to what he was saying. Her hand connecting with his head brought him back to the present and he glared at her. She said nothing as they continued to walk. She was surprised that she never really got too agitated by him. After all, he was her younger brother and they usually drove their older siblings crazy. Granted, he did every now and then, but it was not a habit of his.

"Where's Kurama? He was supposed to be here over an hour ago. I didn't think that Mister Perfect would be late." Yusuke narrowly missed the well-aimed hand of Keiko as he walked beside her. He had nothing better things to do than to walk in complete circles and wait for the kitsune to show up. In truth, Kurama was late. He had promised to be there at two o'clock and it was almost three-thirty. He hated waiting. In the distance, Kurama was running towards them. He knew that were going to ask why he was late.

"He's coming, Urameshi." Yusuke turned around and saw him racing towards them. He stopped just a few yards away and caught his breath.

"Where have you been, Kurama? I never would have expected you to be late." Kurama shrugged off the comment as he thought of how to tell them what he had been told to tell them.

"I was busy talking to Koenma. He wanted me to tell you that some demons have escaped into the ningenkai." Yusuke just nodded. What else was new? Demons were always coming into the human world. They were normally the lower class demons. The weaker ones who thought that they could get away with everything.

"What else is new? What makes them so special anyway?" Kurama was just about to speak when Botan came up behind him.

"Koenma really needs to talk to you. It's an emergency." Botan sounded anxious and worried. The others just looked at her as if she had finally gone mad.

"I'll see you later, little brother." Shizuru started walking away from the group, Keiko along side her.

"What's going on, Botan? First Kurama and now you. Are you two sure you're all right?" Yusuke thought for sure that the Grim Reaper and the kitsune had lost their minds.

"It's about this demon named Frost. That's as much as Koenma told me. He said that it was imperative that you see him."

"Okay, calm down, Botan." The gang left.

~~~~~~~~~~

Frost stood looking over the city with a type of awe. It was not the first time he had managed to enter the ningenkai. However, the last time he had, it was during the time of war. Now, everything was more "modernized." He liked that. It was much more interesting. Yes, it truly was. He turned to the side and saw his comrade in arms scanning the same scenery. He smiled slightly as he recalled how hard it had been to get her to help him. He saw a woman walking alongside another who appeared to be in her late teens. His smile broadened. They must have some importance to this group that he had yet to encounter.

"See them, Khina." The demon nodded. "I think they would be useful, don't you." Again, she nodded. "And, maybe that little ice apparition. I know one of them has a soft spot for her." Calm, dark teal eyes stared at him but the demon did not speak. He sighed inwardly. "Keep an eye on them, Khina. I want to know all about them. We have a week before we move out." The lithe demon nodded once more and leapt off the side of the building. She landed gracefully on her feet before following the two women.

'It's a good thing that you look more human than the rest of us. You blend right in, Khina.' Frost watched until all three of them disappeared from view before heading out. He had much to plan prior to sending out his small band of killers.