AN: I haven't received many reviews yet, but I've decided that I like this story. I really think I might need to rewrite some parts, but for now I'm just going to continue. I only ask one itsy bitsy little favor...Please review! Arigatou!

Disclaimer:...I don't want to say it, but I don't own YuYu Hakusho and likely never will.

~~~~~The Mission~~~~~

The four Spirit Detectives all retreated for their rooms, wondering what would befall them the next morning. Hiei and Kurama had both come to realize that Shiri may not be trustable. Yusuke and Kuwabara really paid no attention to the child as of now, however, and were content with enjoying their lavish surroundings.

Hiei stared at the ceiling of his room trying to figure out how Shiri had known about his heritage. He wondered how he could know so much when Hiei had never really told anyone about himself or his past. The fire demon closed his eyes and slept, deciding not to dwell on it any longer.

The rest of the group had the same intent, and soon the four of them were sound asleep....

~~~Shiri's POV~~~

It was beginning to get late. I walked down the short hallway, putting my ear up the Hiei's door. I heard nothing and assumed he was sleeping. It seemed that so far I convinced the four of them to go through with the mission. However, if the debriefing went bad tomorrow, there was still a chance they might back down.

I thought about the possibility of their refusal and decided that there was no way they would. Everything was going to perfectly. Once everything was set, it would begin. My plans would not be stopped once set in motion, that would be guaranteed tomorrow...

~~~Yusuke's POV~~~

"Huh?" I mumbled. Light already? Sure enough it was morning. The sun was shining bright in my room...wait. My room? Oh yeah, this is where I spent the night. "Heh, I almost forgot." I stood up and stretched a bit. The night had went by so fast! I walked out of my room to find Hiei and Kurama standing outside. "Morning guys." I stretched again. "Where's Kuwabara?"

"Where else?" The crimson eyed demon said, glaring off in the direction of Kuwabara's room.

"Right, I'll go get him." I walked down a bit, and knocked on the door. "Hey Kuwabara, get up! Yukina's out here!" I backed away from the door.

"YUKINA!" The redhead yelled as he burst through the door. He stopped and looked around. "URAMESHI!" I started laughing.

"Well, looks like your up..." I turned to see Hiei glaring maliciously at me. I was about to say something when Shiri walked into view.

"Good morning. I see you are all up now, so why don't we begin the debriefing? Please come this way." He said, motioning us to walk further down the main hall. "I'm sorry you hadn't the chance to look around more last night. This building is the most breathtaking sight in all the town." He stopped as we entered another large room, this one more breathtaking than the last. "Would you all mind if I gave you a bit of background on this historical site? I'm sure you'll find it most interesting."

"I thought we were here to fight, not take history lessons." Hiei said.

I looked over at the three of them. Neither Kuwabara or Kurama seemed to protest, so I shrugged my shoulders and said "Why not?"

"Wonderful!" Shiri responded as he lead us to a gold table, accented in silver. Upon closer inspection, I could see that it was also studded with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. This place must be worth a fortune...

We all sat down, and Shiri started right away. "As you've noticed, this building has been wonderfully decorated. It is so marvelous due greatly to the fact that this was the first house ever built here. It's founder, Seria of the Eastern Lands, was a considered to be a War God. He had never been beaten in all his life and started this town in dedication to the fine art of weaponry. It's said that he could forge a sword so sharp that it could cut stone with nearly no effort on the wielder's part." Shiri looked up sharply at a female demon that had entered the room.

"Young Master, should I bring out a meal for you and your guests?" She looked us over carefully and returned her gaze to the young boy.

"That would be excellent. I assume that you will have the finest of our store prepared?" He eyed her dangerously.

"Yes sir. As you wish." She turned and looked at me. "And may I start you all off with drinks?"

"Sure. You got any beer?" Mine as well take advantage of the opportunity.

"Of course. And for you?" She looked at Hiei. Kurama spoke instead.

"I think a glass of water will do for us, thank you." Kurama was avoiding her gaze. It wasn't like him. He usually looked everyone in the face with his usual smile. I don't know what it was, but something told me to be cautious.

"I'll have the same as Urameshi." Kuwabara said, nodding towards me. The demon then retreated to a doorway on the left side of the room.

"Now," Shiri spoke, "as I was saying, Seria's weapons were quite marvelous. When nearby towns got word of his settlement, merchants flocked here to buy his wares. Soon commerce was flourishing and the town grew rich. However, roughly 600 years ago, Seria lead an army against the Western lands of the Crimson River. He carried his most valued weapon, Servalt, into battle. It was the most impressive broadsword in all of Makai, as the legends go. The ornamentations found on it were of the finest gemstones and it's blade rang a sweet song in the heat of battle. But with all it's promise, Seria was fatally wounded in the midst of the ensuing carnage. The leader of the Western Lands, Yameou, a most mysterious and powerful demon, was responsible for his death.

I glanced around to see Kuwabara half asleep. Hiei looked disgusted but remained silent. Kurama retained the same position that he had in front of the female demon. I think Shiri noticed this because he hurried to conclude his story.

"In the end, our allies aided in the defeat of the Westerners and the town of Seria was free from war."

Hiei snapped to attention.

~~~Hiei's POV~~~

"Your allies aided you? I'm sure they did." I closed my eyes, laughing slightly to myself. "I bet your people have never won a war on their own. You're all talk and no fight. I won't deny your peoples' past skills at forging weapons, but they're long gone. This town is surviving on legend, and nothing more." I was tired of this Shiri's nonsense on Seria's glorified past. It was a bunch crap.

"Rest assured, Hiei, that what I say is true. We are strong and do not require the help of others." His eyes narrowed. It seemed that our feelings for each other were mutual; we both hated each other. I knew that for sure at what he said next. "Little Koorime, you act as if you know us all..."

~~~Kurama's POV~~~

Shiri's statement caught Hiei off guard and shocked me as well. Hiei had never told anyone but me much about his past, and, even with what I knew, he was still a bit mysterious.

Hiei's stare was venomous. He glared so fiercely at the boy that it even made me a bit uneasy. I looked over at Shiri who's expression had not faltered, wondering how he could be so calm. Unless he underestimated our strength. Or perhaps he just did not see us as a threat. That latter was what worried me so greatly. This child was far too unnerved in our presence, too confident and assured.

Tension was heavy in the air. No one moved. I was relieved to see the demon appear once again from the doorway, carrying tray upon tray of delicacies. She carefully balanced four large platters on her arms, which she set before us. She walked through the door and returned with our drinks. Silence.

I reached out for dish and began fixing my plate in an attempt to get the others to calm down. My plan worked. Soon they began to pick at the food. Even Hiei would not contest his offerings and took his own plate.

Looking apologetic, Shiri's eyes beckoned at Hiei for forgiveness. Both had had their pride hurt. Maybe this child wasn't so bad after all...

~~~~~

We finished the meal in silence. Things had settle between Shiri and Hiei, much to my relief, and the boy soon began to tell us of our purpose in Seria.

"Now then, down to business. The reason I called the four of you here is to aid in our war efforts against the Western Lands of Yameou. There has been a violent uprising from the Westerners. Many of times we have found women and children of the village slaughtered near the river's banks. We tried to call the West on it's actions, but our mediators have all been slain in their attempts to bring peace. We fear that the only way to settle this dispute is to go to war."

The blonde child seemed saddened at the thought of war. I was beginning to feel guilty. But why would a child be so burdened by war? True this was his country, but it was not his responsibility. Or maybe...

"If we were to assist, who would be leading the attack?" He looked up.

"Why, that is my responsibility. I'm commander of the armies of Seria. As a matter of fact, I'm the master of the city as well." He said nonchalantly.

"Hold up," Yusuke began, "are you saying that this whole country is going to war at the command of a kid?!? You're kidding, right?"

"It's no joke. I am the only direct descendent of Seria himself. Both my mother and father are no longer living, so it was my responsibility to take command of this country and it's armed forces."

"This is crazy." Kuwabara was right. This child, demon or not, was no older than twelve. It seemed impossible for him to properly coordinate an attack and carry out such a dangerous mission.

"If you're not willing to assist me in my task, I fully understand. The choice is yours. You have until sundown. If you have not decided by then, I will assume that you decline. Feel free to take a look around if you wish. You are free to explore throughout the town." Shiri stood up and walked out without another word.

"I watched as Seria fell. Yameou stood over my fallen master, mocking him as he drove his sword through his heart. I felt a pain greater than anything I had ever felt before. Then he looked at me...His eyes were more cruel than words could tell. He grinned at me, a terrible look that froze me in my place. He removed his bloodied weapon, crimson liquid dripping, more deep than the river had ever looked. The rest of the battle was far off. I heard them cry, "Yameou has fallen!" Yet the malevolent demon stood only feet away. I watched him walk away. I tried to call out, but could not. This is the last I will ever write. Maybe someone will find it and know the truth..."

Galear of Seria