Disclaimer: I own Kori, Akumo, Urami and anyone else you don't see in the anime.

*Part II starts now. Thanks for reviews. Enjoy!

*******Chapter 12 - Spiritual Awakening: Part II*******

"The first item I believe was Jade. Correct?" Kurama asked the princess.

"Yeah. It's on the outskirts of Midori City, located about 2 miles from here. We should get there in less than an hour." replied Kori without a moment's hesitation. Kurama and Yusuke stared at her in amazement. Kori noticed them looking and blushed.

"I'm sorry. It just popped out." She explained.

"Your memory of the potion may be returning. Don't be sorry." Kurama reminded her.

"Could we go?!" Impatient Yusuke stomped away irritatedly while the other two followed.

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

"The plant on the edge of Midori City? Well then which one are we talking about, fox boy?" Three different types of plants sprouted from the ground, a red one, a purple kind and green type.

"I-I don't know...." Kurama shrugged. 'This wasn't in the memory...!'

"Princess, do ya know which one we need? Hey, uh...Princess?" Yusuke waved his hand.

Kori knelt down and plucked some of the green plants. "This one...." She said, almost like she was in a trance.

"Kori?" Kurama touched her shoulder. The snow apparition's eyes were glazed over and dull; she didn't react. "Kori....?" The kitsune shook the princess gently.

"Huh, what?" Realization dawned in Kori's eyes as she shook her head. "Sorry, must've dozed off." She said guiltily, staring at the flowers in her hand. "Oh, uh, we should put this in a safe place." Yusuke took the plants from her and tucked them in a bag Kurama had brought along.

"One down, four more to go!" Yusuke grinned.

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

"Hey, Kurama! Is this the cave?" Yusuke peered into the entrance of Aka cave and saw nothing but pitch black.

"I would think so...." Kurama studied the cave.

"Only one way to find out!" Yusuke yelled, walking into the cave.

"Wait, Yusuke! There might be....traps...." Kurama finished. Too late. Yusuke was already a couple feet in, waving madly.

"Come on, guys!" He screamed back at the others. Kurama sighed.

"He's always so brash...." He muttered to Kori who smiled.

"Yes, but like Ryuki used to say, you never know until you try." The princess ran into the cave to catch up to the detective with Kurama close behind.

"Crimson should be located in here somewhere." Kurama spoke up.

"What's this crimson thing look like anyhow?" Yusuke nudged the fox.

"It's a blood colored jewel."

"Fancy that." Yusuke kicked the pebbles lying near his feet. Suddenly, something grabbed his ankle. "Ahhhhh!" He screamed, violently trying to get the thing off his leg.

"How dare you proceed into Aka Cave without my permission...." The cave caused the creepy voice to echo, making it seem like the sound was all around Kurama, Kori and the pissed off Yusuke. It was confusing in the dark cave.

"GET OFF MY FOOT!!!" yelled Yusuke. He shoved his other foot into the thing clinging to his ankle.

"Ow!" It yelled, emitting more echoes. Kori held up her hands and concentrated her energy into them. She produced a blue orb and flooded the area with bright cerulean light.

"Who...or what the hell are you?!" Yusuke asked. The "thing" that had been grabbing his foot was leaning against the rock wall and clutching his bruised stomach. It had 4 arms and was the color of mold; it possessed the form of a regular demon.

"I'm Yamade, guardian of this cave. Intruders are not welcome so leave now or else I'll get seriously angry!" The demon tried to sound brave.

"Hah! If you're about to get serious, then why the hell are your knees shaking?" Yusuke laughed.

"Shut up, I'm cold!" Yamade screeched back.

Yusuke stopped snickering and moved towards the demon. He held up a fist threateningly. "Ok, listen good, you jerk. I'm in this pointless hunt and I'm not feeling too hot about it so give us the goddamn crimson jewel and I won't pound your face in too hard!"

"Eep!" Yamade covered his head. "I'll give you Crimson; just don't hurt me! Follow me." He began leading them deeper into the cave.

"See? That guy was all talk and no fight." Yusuke walked alongside Kori.

"Keep your guard up, Yusuke. Things are not always as they seem...." Kurama reminded him.

"Here it is." Yamade stopped suddenly and gestured to a cave wall. Inscriptions accompanied a red gem wedged into the rock wall. The detective hesitated, remembering the kitsune's warning.

"You sure this isn't a trick?" He asked the reluctant demon suspiciously. "Just to be on the safe side, you take out the jewel and give it to us."

"But I only guard it, I don't...." Again the boy held up a clenched fist. "Oh, in that case, here goes...." Yamade reached carefully and popped out the stone. He waited and when nothing happened, he shoved it into Yusuke's outstretched hand. "Will you return it?" The demon asked hopefully. Yusuke threw it in the air and caught it.

"Not likely. Thanks though, man." He grinned and began shuffling towards the cave's exit. "Let's move!"

"Sorry...." Kori said with an apologetic smile. The three rushed out of the cave as Yamade gaped after them in shock.

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

"If I remember correctly, Indigo River runs through Chairoi forest. They're extremely close to one another." Kurama, wise as ever, pointed out. "How about we split up?"

"Great, I'll go with Kori." Yusuke said, moving closer to the princess. Kurama shook his head.

"No, Princess Haritsuta should accompany me."

"Why do you get a companion, fox boy?"

"Because of that, I am a demon and is more suited to Makai then you. No offense, Yusuke." Kurama explained. Yusuke grumbled a bit but agreed and retrieved a small jar from the pouch.

"I'll get the water, you guys get the orb. Deal?" Yusuke asked.

"Deal." Kurama answered for them both.

"Take care of yourself." Yusuke patted Kori on the head and shuffled off. Kurama nodded and the 2 set off into the forest.

At first, the kitsune and the hime (princess) walked in silence. Then Kori broke the stillness by saying quietly,"You saw, didn't you? In my memory?"

Kurama didn't know what to say; the apparition sounded so distressed. "Yes." He spoke at last. "Were they always....?"

Kori shook her head. "They treated us with kindness and care when we were children. But they've changed! Both of them....I don't know what to make of it."

"Did you ever regret it? Having parents like that?" The question was so unlike the Kurama Kori knew to ask. She thought for a while.

"Surprisingly, no. Never." She answered truthfully. "I had fantasized before what life wouldn't been like if I had different parents. But no matter what they did, I couldn't hate them. I just couldn't, even though sometimes I wish I did! My heart wouldn't obey...." Tears fell out of her watery eyes. Kurama instantly regretted his questions. "Maybe in my mind, I thought hatred for those who brought suffering would've eased my pain, perhaps even make it disappear. Does that make me bad? Am I a sinister person because I wish to hate?!" Kori sobbed, finally pouring out her frustrations to someone. All those bottled up emotions built up within her over time and she wanted to spill to someone.

Oddly enough, the princess knew Kurama for less than a month, yet she was confiding so much in him. 'He just seems so trustworthy. I feel comforted when I'm with him; I guess it's this calm aura only he seems to possess.'

Kurama put his arm around the crying girl and pulled her close to him. "You are not a bad person, Kori. Everyone is entitled to their own feelings, including you. I'm almost too ashamed to tell you this. Before my mother grew ill, I-I despised her. I violently despised humans and their fool hardy ways. Especially their ridiculous emotions. But over the years, my mother, she risked her own life many times for mine, my well being. I was moved; no one had ever shown me that kind of care and compassion before. I stood by helpless as my dear mother was diagnosed with a sickness."

"Even now, I feel like nothing I do can ever repay her kindness. I hide secrets from her, sometimes even having to lie to her face! Though there is nothing I can do about it, I feel....like a despicable creature when I trick my gentle mother." He let out a snort. "You must think I'm pathetic, huh?"

"...no. Not at all."

"I guess...what I'm trying to prove here is that you're not alone, Kori. You can always depend on me...."

Kori sniffled then wiped away her last remaining tears. "Thanks, Kurama. For listening and just for being here. I feel better now."

"Anytime." Kurama smiled and stepped back. "We should probably go look for the Golden Sphere...or else Yusuke will have my head."

An image of a hysterical Yusuke running around and breaking things formed in Kori's mind, making her giggle.

"You should laugh more often, Kori. You're at your best when you smile." Kurama strolled into the forest.

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

"Damn, the water's....purple?" Yusuke lowered the vial into Indigo River. When he lifted it, the jar was full. "Wow, that was easy!"

Suddenly the ground started trembling. The river was wildly splashing and hitting the banks.

"Crap! Why do I even bother?!" Yusuke complained, running back towards Chairoi Forest. "Whoa!" The floor in front of him split into 2 sides. The crevice stretched as wide as 15 feet. Yusuke peered over the edge; the black darkness greeted his eyes. He made a disgusted face. Cries of "Yusuke! Yusuke!" reached his ears. Across the abyss, Kurama and Kori was sprinting directly towards him.

"Guys, watch out! The cliff!" He yelled as loud as he could. Kurama screeched to a halt right in front of the crevice and pulled the snow apparition to a stop next to him.

"Yusuke! Did you get the vial?" Kurama shouted across. The detective held up the vial with the purple liquid triumphantly.

"What about you?" He asked loudly. This time, Kori showed him the glowing Golden Sphere in her hands. "Nice! Now the only problem is how the hell I am gonna get across!"

"Yusuke, I'll use my Okase plant to cover the distance between the 2 sides. You can use it to get across!" Kurama puled out a round seed from his pocket.

"Good thinking!" Yusuke gave the fox spirit a thumbs up. Kurama threw the seed near the edge and a leafy red plant sprouted up. It reached past the abyss and latched itself on the edge of the other side. Yusuke glanced at it nervously. "Uh, but are you sure it's not gonna eat me?"

"Not unless I tell it to. Hurry, we need the vial!" Yusuke ran across the gap and after several shaky moments, landed safely on Kurama and Kori's side.

"Ok good. So we have everything." Kori checked the bag with the 4 items. "Alright, let's get back to Genkai's!"

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

The door to a room in Genkai's temple slid open and the three people standing in the doorway waved.

"Yoo-hoo, we're back!" Yusuke cheered.

"Finally! I was wondering whether or not you'd get back this decade!" Hiei snapped. He had not moved from his spot next to Yukina's body since the group last saw him.

"Yeah Urameshi! Yukina's going cold!" Kuwabara complained.

"Genkai is brewing the Revival Potion now. It should be ready soon." Kurama reassured him and Hiei.

"Hn...." Hiei replied, looking around. "Where's the girl?" Kori had disappeared.

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

Not wanting to disturb the somewhat peace, Kori had snucked away to find Genkai in the next room over. The old teacher had bade her to come into the room and help her with the potion.

"Put in the last ingredient." Genkai beside Kori commanded. Kori nodded and eventually produced a teardrop. It landed smoothly into the bubbling pot and at once, the substance began to glow furiously. Kori looked at it with interest.

'What is she?' Genkai pondered to herself. 'Spiritual Revival, azure tears....no ordinary snow apparition has that kind of power...!'

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

Minutes later, a cup of the potion was brought to Yukina's cold lips. Kori gently tipped it into her mouth. All waited.

"Did it work? Did it work?" repeated Kuwabara eagerly. Yukina's eyes fluttered open. Concerned faces greet her.

"Yukina! You're alright!" Botan cried happily.

"My love, you're okay!" Kuwabara attempted to hug Yukina, much to Hiei's disgust.

"Don't touch her!" He warned.

"Welcome back." Kurama calmly said.

"Yeh, good to have you with us!" Yusuke smiled.

After things calmed down, Kori talked with the newly revived apparition. The two ended up giggling and chatting like old friends.

"I should be going; you and Hiei have some catching up to do." Kori said good bye to Yukina and stepped out the door, leaving her, her brother and Kuwabara in the room.

"Hey Yukina, now that you're up and about, would ya like to go out on a date with me? It'll be fun." promised Kuwabara.

"What?! Not on my watch, you fool!" Hiei said angrily.

"Look, Hiei, I know you're Yukina's older brother but that doesn't mean you...." Hiei's crimson eyes narrowed into slits.

"How do YOU know? Who told you?!" The demon yelled.

"Oh, uh...." Kuwabara stuttered. Hiei grinned malicingly.

"I see...that traitor! Kurama...."

"Uh, yeah, about that...." The boy felt the demon's spirit energy rising dangerously.

"He did, didn't he?" Hiei stood up. "He will pay....!" Suddenly, he felt a tug on the edge of his cloak. It was Yukina.

"Nii-chan, please forgive Kurama. Kazuma has a right to know." Yukina stared at Hiei with those same soulful crimson eyes. Hiei stopped.

"Fine." Hiei didn't tell her the only reason he didn't go slit Kurama's throat right then and there was because of her pleading and to respect her wishes.

"Uh, yeh. So what do you say to that date, Yukina?" Kuwabara tried again. She glanced at her brother who was looking at the very interesting floor.

"That sounds fun, Kazuma...." She said. Hiei tried hard to look glad for his sister but he was breaking inside.

'She's too good for the oaf!' The voice inside his head screamed. 'But I want her to be happy....' Another side of Hiei argued. 'Yukina will not be happy with an idiot like that!' screamed his inner voice again.

"...but...Nii-chan and I...we have a lot of catching up to do." Yukina finished, remembering Kori's farewell words. Kuwabara's face fell.

"You'd rather hang out with runt boy than me?!" The boy exclaimed. Hiei bristled.

'Don't kill the stupid idiot now! Yukina doesn't want to see any more death...." Hiei controlled his fighting urge to decimate the oaf.

Yukina looked confusedly between the distraught Kuwabara and the half livid Hiei. "Ano...can I ask you a question, Hiei?"

"Forget the oaf. What is it, Yukina?" Hiei's sharp look softened as he gazed at his gentle sister.

"Can you....take me to see Aunt Rui? I miss her...."

"Sure. We can go right now if you like." Outside, it was just after noon and the sun dipped in the clear sky.

"Really?! Now? Oh, can we? Please...?" Yukina squealed delightedly.

"The trip would be safer to make during the day." A small smile, the one reserved for only Yukina, made its way onto Hiei's face. "Let's go."

"Eh, Yukina?! What about me?" wailed the forgotten Kuwabara.

Hiei paid no heed to the panic-struck boy's shrieking and helped Yukina up. He shyly offered the apparition his arm and Yukina took it with a gentle smile. As the two started walking out the door, she turned back.

"I'm really sorry, Kazuma...." Yukina bit her lip and gazed at Kuwabara with an apologetic look. "But Nii-chan is my only family...."

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

Kurama saw Yukina chattering excitedly to Hiei about how glad she was to have him as her brother. Hiei listened to what she had to said and only spoke to answer her questions. Eventually, both were out of sight.

Kurama leaned back against the wall, enjoying the peace and quiet. Suddenly, his nerves tensed up. A familiar feeling struck him as he recognized the wavering smell in the air.

'Mother?! Wait, perhaps it's a trick set up by Akumo. No! It's for real....Mother is somewhere near this area!' Kurama stood up and glanced around. A small movement caught his sight as the fox's eyes widened in horrific shock.

*Ooooo, what did Kurama see? Find out next chapter! ^_^ Please review.