Finally it is up to chapter 3. I hope that you will all like it. I will try to update on weekly basics. Give me more suggestions. R and R please.

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Chapter 3: A Dead Enemy; A Deadly Enemy

Nothing will stop me from getting what I want
Not even death
Just wait, my dear youko,
Before long, we shall be together again.
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Yusuke's POV

It had been two weeks since Koenma gave us orders for the new mission. I was pretty shocked that I was not the main character in this mission. Guess luck goes around. This time things are weird, or is it just that little kid trying to play tricks with us? Anyway it would be nice to see Hiei as a Ningen. Then his katana would not be around my throat all the time. Today would be our first meeting of this mission and we were to meet at the Gates of Judgment in Koenma's office. I could not help wonder what is this all about.

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(Flashback)

"Can I know more about this mission?"

The baby ruler looker up, thought hard, and finally decided.

"Guess there's no harm telling you, but keep this a secret, especially from Kurama and Hiei. This time the enemy is not who he seems to be, and he does not have definite shape, so he's hard to catch. I'm using Kurama and Hiei as bait. The enemy has his eyes on Kurama and I sent Hiei to live with him as bodyguard. I cannot afford to lose either one of them. All you have to do is give Kurama a hand if Hiei gets into trouble."

"Why not tell Kurama all this? He is trustworthy enough."

"But Hiei is not. He is too hot-tempered."

"I'm sure Kurama won't tell."

"He could keep secrets, all right, but that applies to everyone except Hiei."

That was one strange observation, although I was not completely sure of what it meant. Never mind.

"I will see you guys after two weeks, then. Don't be late, Yusuke."

(End of flashback)

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"Why so quiet, Urameshi?" Kuwabara asked in his usual cheerful voice. Noting bothers him at all.

"Betsune."

"HI! You guys are finally here! This time there's an improvement - late only by 20 minutes!" Botan chirped merrily. Noting bothers her too. Then why do I have such a creepy feeling about his mission? Even the meetings were unusual. Normally it just takes place at our house (except Hiei) or at Genkai's temple. I expected to see Kurama and Hiei already settled themselves in Koenma's office, but I was wrong. Nobody but an impatient - from - waiting Koenma was there. That was going way too weird.

"Sorry we are late!"

I heard the voice behind me and turned, but saw noting. Suddenly a hand was on my shoulder. I jumped and saw Kurama smiling and Hiei scowling. These guys are scary.

"Sorry, but I was trying to teach Hiei how to take the bus, but some accidents happened," Kurama explained.

Bus? Hiei? I wonder.

"How was it?"

"Well. Can I tell?"

Kurama looked mischievously at Hiei. That was one rare expression coming from the usually calm and patient Kurama. I could see that Hiei was already in a fierce mood, and I was surprised that he did not take out his katana and put it on Kurama's neck, instead, he just gave a death glare. Up till now I started to notice what Hiei was wearing. It was some sort of sweatshirt, and it was a miracle he wore a colour that was not black. That Kurama sure has his ways of coaxing the fire demon to do impossible things. Oh! That's why he did not take out his katana. It was not even with him. But still, one blow from the Kokuryhua is more than enough.

"Notice any strange things lately?"

Koenma had started our meeting. Everyone remained silent. I thought I saw Hiei stole a glimpse at Kurama, but when I wanted to make sure what I was, Hiei's eyes were closed again, as if he was sleeping and heard none of Koenma's words.

"Well, since there's nothing, meeting is dismissed."

"NANI?! I thought we were here to know the details of this mission!" I yelled. I did not want this trip to Reikai be of no value and time wasting.

"What the hell do you mean by this?"

It took me a moment to realize it was Hiei who said that and he was on Koenma's desk with his hand on Koenma's collar, lifting the baby up completely firm his seat. The fire demon's eyes looked as if they were on fire, his ki was burning hard and it looked as if he was on fire; his voice was low and barely audible, but a great deal of danger was hidden in it, like the growl of a tiger before it pounces for the prey.

"I want to know all the stuff involved in this mission. I don't want to waste my time doing noting."

"The time is not right to tell you yet," the Reikai prince said pretty calmly.

"Then I am not going to be on this useless mission anymore."

"Hiei, calm down."

Kurama had walked up and placed his hand on Hiei's arm. His courage to speak when Hiei was angry was incredible, but I did not expect him to touch the flaming youkai.

"Kurama!" The word spilled out of my mouth before I noticed what I said.

"You would only spoil the mission this way. I believe the time would come when everything would come to light," Kurama said in his soothing tenor {slightly feminine, but still good to the ears) voice.

Surprising enough, the flames around Hiei subsided, and he released Koenma form his iron grip. Now I vaguely knew why Hiei was to protect Kurama not us. Also, it seemed that Kurama is the only one who could control the aggressive demon.

They went back to their original position, guided by Kurama with his hand still on Hiei's arm, although I did not rally find the need to. After they had settled down once more, the fox slipped his hand off rather reluctantly. Was I being over sensitive or there was just something fishy between then?

"Meeting dismissed. Everyone go home," Koenma announced once more.

I waited until Hiei and Kuwabara was out of the office before calling Kurama over.

"What was the bus thing all about?"

"Well.The bus driver insisted that Hiei pays the children's fare, so things got a little out of hand. Anyway. you get the idea?" He winked.

"Then what about you and Hiei?"

"What about us?"

"You know what I mean," I poked him in the ribs. This time it was my turn to be funny.

Kurama's countenance froze upon hearing this and I had an unexpected chill from hearing his voice once more, though it sounded exactly the same. I sensed his desire of dropping the subject.

"We're just friends, Yusuke. Don't worry."

He left. His hair caressed by the wind. In a moment, he was gone into the unknown. I know Hiei would be on the other side always waiting for him, but everything seemed dark and mysterious all of a sudden. I did not know why.

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Kurama's POV

I had no more nightmares after that night. Maybe it was just an illusion, but it left a heavy feeling in my heart. Karasu was dead by my plants. I killed him. There is no doubt about that, but that dream was so real, the cold feeling when he touched my hair. I hate the uncertainty of not being able to even see my enemy, thus not knowing what he would do next. A bit similar to the bombs I could not see during the Dark Tournament. Despite this, there was one thing I was sure of. I would give my life to protect those precious to me. If I am not even able to do that, what is the point of living?

I looked at Hiei. I did not tell him about the dream, not did he ask, but I had a feeling that he had sensed my dream. Anyway, I did not want anyone to know about the nightmare. It was something I wanted to settle between Karasu and me without dragging anyone into it. That was what I was afraid of.

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The night was serene and calm. The moon was a crescent, but its cool rays were brighter than that of a full moon. Silence hangs in the air as if someone had covered the whole earth with an invisible cloth. Not even the chirping of birds could be heard. My heart should be tranquil and content, but it suddenly had an urge to be embraced tightly. I felt like a kid lost in the woods, desperately wanting a pair of warm hands to hold me tight. The windows were open, although I knew full well nobody would need to come through it anymore. The gentle breeze lifted my translucent curtains up, brushing it against m face. I closed my eyes, trying to contain the desire that was trying its best to break through the dam of my heart.

(dream)

I was waling through the woods of Makai, a placid night, just like the one I saw before I fell asleep. I ran, freedom that I had not felt for a long time came rushing back. I stopped at a clearing. Footsteps.

Hiei appeared from the thick canopy of the low bushed. His head was lowered, but I noticed his normally ruby pupils were of a deeper hue of crimson tonight. Still, I ran happily towards him. I reached out my hand, but the moment our skin came into contact, my rose whip shot out from behind and ran through his heart. He lifted his head, now I saw his countenance clearly. His eyes, now of magenta, were burning with resentment and hatred. Blood oozed out like the water of the rapids, drenching his cloak. I stepped back, unable to respond anymore.

"How does it feel to see this? Don't forget its your own rose whip that went through his heart, tearing it into shreds. Remember thee look in his eyes. He hate you, doesn't he?"

"Come out of your hiding, Karasu," I hissed, gripping on to the last bit of self- control I still had.

"Most precious things to you, I order of importance, are that shrimp, your Ningen mother, Yusuke, that carrot top, the girls that tag along to your team, am I right?"

"COME OUT!" I was losing it.

" I will destroy them using your hands, one by one, until all the people you care for are dead."

The surroundings exploded just like last time.