AN:Well, I'm sure you weren't expecting another update so soon, were you? Well, I've really gotten into this story and am just flooded with ideas and plot twists and all sorts of stuff! Yes, a surprising change of pace, I know. However, I'm very excited. And now that I have an excellent goal to look forward to, this story is only going to get better! Now, Hiei's agreed to do reviews this time, Kurama's set up for the disclaimer, and I'm going to sit back and wait for reviews!

Hiei:Why do I have to do the reviews?

Me:Because Kurama did it last time...

Hiei:So?

Me:Will you just do the reviews!

Hiei:Baka...

Me:-.-

Kuramasgirl556-Hn. Thanks I guess...Yes, it was very 'awesome' as you put it. Next review.

Me: Hiei, don't be so blunt.

Hiei:You told me to answer and I did, get over it.

Me:-.-

Katyfoxdemon2-Yes very great. Next review.

Ein-Okay, next review.

Me:Hiei!

Hiei:What?

Me:-________- I don't think she meant that literally.

Hiei:She said, and I quote, "...just...ignore this review."

Me:::glares::

Hiei:Yes, only two reviews. Yes humans are stupid. Yes, you are one of those stupid humans. No, Kurama didn't look girly. Don't call my fox girly.

Me:Hiei...::hits him in the back of the head::

Hiei:Baka!

Me::sighs::I wasn't trying to make Kurama look girly. I dunno, I was kinda thinking along the lines of an Egyptian headdress kinda, if that makes any sense...

Shippo-chan4-Kurama's not going gothic, he just needed to dress darkly so no one would see him.

Me:I think she knows that...

Hiei:If she knew, then why the hell did she say that?

Me:Heck...

Hiei:???

Me:You swear too much.

Hiei:THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REVIEW!

Me:So...

Hiei:-________________-

Disclaimer:Well, that went fairly smoothly. As Youko-chan said, I get the disclaimer. Youko-chan does not own YuYu Hakusho. And as much as she fights with Hiei, I doubt she ever will...

~~~Reaching the Hour~~~

~~~Shiri's Pov~~~

The land of Seria had lain in peace for too long it seems now. I knew this dispute was coming. No, this is more than a simple dispute, this was a war. As it is said, the storm always follows the most peaceful calm. Our peaceful time was vacant of all disturbance and now we sat on the edge of a war that could very well destroy all the people nestled in the valley of the river. It has always been my responsibility, my obligation, to guard these lands to the best of my ability. It seems now that I am not the brave ruler my father has always thought me to be...

The evening was just beginning to settle in, spreading her veils across the sky towards the east. The dim light of the moon grew in intensity with every fading memory of light. The distant stars woke from their slumber, peacefully watching the expansive lands below. My favorite star shown brightly in the east, most distant from the burning sun's overbearing light. Ahead lay the river, it's currents slow in the dead calm of night.

"My friends, we reach shore at the hour. You must set off immediate. Koshira will make your journey a safe one. Take care and please, return as soon as you feel necessary."

"Of course. We will return at midnight as planned. Good bye."

I watched the dark clothed demons turn their backs to me. Hiei still seemed to resent me. I cannot understand what has brought him to dislike me so...

"Hiei..."I watched his shadowy figure halt. "Please be careful. I want you both to return safe." He gave a silent nod. His way of saying thank you, I had come to learn.

The demons boarded the small ferry boat. Koshira was readying to set off. Please do be safe...I will not forgive myself were anything to happen...

~~~Kurama's Pov~~~

Hiei and I had not said a word to each other since we had left the mausoleum. I was still confused about his actions at the stairwell. He usually made his best effort to avoid contact with anyone, but lately his ways seemed to have changed.

He stood motionless as the ferryman began to take us on our way. He faced outwards of the boat, seemingly gazing over the running blood of the river. Something about him seemed...softer than it had before. But maybe it was just me. Maybe I had simply overlooked the little things he did when no one was really watching. Yet something told me otherwise...

The strange light of night cast odd shadows on the small demon. Dark, mysterious shadows. It was an open invitation to observe them. I slowly walked to stand next to Hiei, who, obviously wondering of my sudden change of position, looked questioningly up at me.

Koshira was too involved in his work to notice either of us. I leaned down close to Hiei, remembering that we need make as little noise as possible. For some reason I choked, not quite remembering what I was going to say to him. He stood with a curious expression. As I finally gathered myself, the ferry boat met with a fierce current. I was caught of balance and began to fall. Before I could realize it, Hiei reached out to me, catching me in his arms. I was startled and jumped back.

"Damn current...I musn' made a miscalcalation..." Koshira muttered.

I caught the opposite bank of the river on my left. Hiei had his back turned to me again as we approached. Seconds later I felt the hull hit gently against the shore.

"Ever' body off." He whispered just audibly.

~~~Hiei's Pov~~~

Crickets chirped slowly in the otherwise silent night. Kurama stood just behind me to my left. I don't know why I felt to the need to protect him so. But one could maybe say we were 'friends.' It was a word I had never liked up until now. 'Friends are a crutch for the weak.' I had once said. I thought about that now. Yusuke was right, our friends are what make us stronger. They give us a reason to fight on when we feel spent. Maybe friendship wasn't as bad as I had thought before...

"Hiei, where shall we begin?" The fox demon said in a hushed voice.

I scanned the area. Not far in the distance the town was clearly visibly to my keen eyes. It was surrounded on three sides by lush forest, where as Seria was edged on only one. The town itself seemed a bit more 'high class' as well. They buildings seemed to be constructed more of wood and brick than stone and concrete. A gently breeze drifted a much more tolerable smell than that of Seria as well. Maybe the squirt was the one on the wrong side...

"I say an approach from the forest would be best." I raised my hand, pointing off to the right in the distance. "See there? The forest leads straight to the edge of town. We should be able to stay under cover entirely."

With Kurama's approval, we rushed silently to the forest boundaries. The foliage grew so thickly underfoot that it made being silent a difficult task, even for us.

"Fox, isn't there something you can do about the plants?" Kurama gave me a doubtful look.

"You know I can't control demon-world plants with my human ki, Hiei. Even if I managed to, it would leave me vulnerable. I would be completely drained of my energy."

"Hn. That figures..."

We continued on, making our best effort to keep deadly quiet. It wasn't long until we found ourselves at the edge of the town. Kurama whispered to me.

"It's awfully quiet..."

"Too quiet, if you ask me..." My eyes darted back and forth, looking for any movement, for any watching eyes or listening ears. Nothing. "Lets go..."

We crept along the walls, listening for any approaching voices or footsteps. We were about to round a building when we heard them. Kurama and I ducked below some crates.

"Yeah, heard they were real tough." A young girl said matter-of-factly.

"Lord Yameou's not scared. I mean, why would the Lord be afraid of some of Koenma's lackeys? I bet they're just some cowards he pulled out of a ditch here in the Makai." This time the voice was of a young male.

"I heard one of them was human..." Said the first.

"Get out of here! A human? He must be desperate..."

"If you think that's such a big rumor, take a guess at who the two demons are!" A third voice said. It was hard to make heads or tails of the gender.

"Who?" The others said.

"The thieves that tried to steal King Yama's treasures!"

There was a moment of silence. I had leaned too far on the crates and my hand suddenly slipped, causing one to fall.

"Shi-" Kurama's hand came up to cover my mouth.

"Now look! For a minute I actually thought those traitor demons were right here!"

"Idiot. You better watch those wild stories unless you want us to beat the crap out of you!"

"Whatever, it's true..."

The three voices faded off into the distance. Kurama slowly pulled his hand from my mouth. I scowled at the crate lying in the street.

"Damn crate." Kurama brought his finger to his lips. "Hn."

"Perhaps it would be wise to travel by rooftop." I judged the distance to the roof. Twelve feet for the first jump, 14 feet for the second. That would be easy enough. I saw Kurama gazing up. That's right, it wouldn't be as easy a jump for him. Perhaps...

"Hn. Want me to help, fox?" I said nearly soundless, knowing that the fox's ears would pick up any noise that left my mouth. He tilted his head to one side.

"It's not like I can't jump. Then again, I don't want to do what you just did." He said not doing much but mouthing it.

I glared fiercely at the fox demon. He returned it with a playful smile and walked behind me, carefully placing his arms around my neck. Much in the fashion of earlier that day, Kurama had his legs to either of my sides, resting gently on my back. I leapt from the ground. I obviously misjudged the impact of Kurama's weight and narrowly made the jump. I felt Kurama's fingers tighten on my jacket as I landed and readied to leap again. This time I compensated better and made the jump with ease. Kurama released his grip and drew in a deep breath of air.

"You're heavier than you look, you know that?" Kurama frowned at me and I shook my head. "Just come on." I made my way to the front of the building and peered over. I could see a few demons walking casually down the street. There didn't seem to be anything of interest here. "Let's move on." I walked towards the next building.

Just as I reached the edge I felt my foot slip. Tar! I fought to get my balance unsuccessfully and began to slide. I heard Kurama call out my name and dash towards me. A second later I hit the ground. A woman and a man looked suspiciously at me. That was it. I blew it. In minutes the demons would tell their Lord of mine and Kurama's presence. Before we'd have a chance, their armies would attack Seria and all would be lost. What the hell is wrong with you?! What has me so distracted...

Kurama...

~~~Kurama's Pov~~~

People were gathered around the little fire youkai. What would we do? We were sure to be found out! My eyes caught someone moving towards Hiei. Tall, thin, dirty blonde hair--wait. It was...

"Amarelle, what are you doing?" The woman said.

The girl, Amarelle, stood next to Hiei, desperately waving her hands. She pointed to Hiei and then to herself. She made some sort of motion that I could not understand.

"Your friend? Odd, I've never seen this fellow around here before..."

The blonde pointed obviously towards the surrounding woods. It seemed as if she was saying that Hiei had come from the woods. That maybe he lived there. The others seem to consider this. I prayed that they would believe her story. After a moment, they spoke again.

"I heard that those there woods are home to a whole lot of youkai. Real friendly too. He doesn't seem like a bad kid."

I hoped that Hiei would take no offense to the comment. He just sat quietly.

"Well then, I don't see any harm in him staying and playing with Amarelle. You just behave yourself young lady, you hear?" She nodded like she always did and the demons went back to their business.

Amarelle looked aloft. She smiled happily at me and I did the same. I jumped from the roof top and landed near Hiei who had stood up.

"Well, that went well enough, didn't it? Just full of little slips tonight, aren't we."

"Shut up, fox...It's all your fault anyways."

My fault? I don't see why he's blaming me...Unless, maybe he was so busy worrying about me that he didn't notice...

I let out a deep sigh. Why did we have to do this tonight? All I want to do is sit down with Hiei and talk for awhile. If we don't get whatever this is straightened out, we are going to get each other killed...

"Dammit, we're not making any progress. We haven't found a single thing since we got here. I don't even know where to start looking."

Wait. Amarelle! That's it! She's our first discovery! She was in Seria just today. She must know something about both sides. We needed to start with her. But talking wouldn't be easy.

"Hiei, you're wrong. We have found a lead and she's standing right in front of us!"

"I don't follow. What are you talking about?" I turned to Amarelle.

"Amarelle, I know you remember me from earlier. Would you mind answering some questions?" She drug her toe in the dust, making a circle as she watched. "Amarelle, please!"

"Don't bother the girl."

I saw a faint shadow in the darkness. A tall, slender shadow. I felt a chill in the air as he approached. His voice was strong, deep. But, who was he?

"Dear Diary....dammit, that sounds so girly...Dear Journal. No, no, that won't due. Dear stupid piece of paper that's a stupid inanimate object that doesn't care anyway, I'm writing to keep a record of the events that have been going on lately. This is kind of new for me, but, my father said it's a good release when one is stressed. So here in room I write. Odd how now that I've sat down to write, I don't remember what I was going to write. Well, either way, the only real important thing that happened today was when my father came home. He said he would talk to me about it later. He had a strange black uniform in his hands. Must have traded it for a good piece of steel today."