A pair of steady eyes watched the young couple leave the restaurant, and the broad-shouldered monster following them. Whatever he wanted, it wasn't a friendly hello.

From his perch, Hiei could smell that this man was not all he seemed, but could pinpoint exactly what he was hiding. The man moved carelessly, not seeming to be too concerned with the fact that his prey was well aware of his presence. In fact, the man seemed to enjoy stressing that he was near, and that he was coming closer and closer to them.

He knows how to play this game, then. Hiei observed, almost smiling. Back them up into a corner so that they panic, think too rashly and screw up. Then you move in and take what you want, leaving behind enough to show what you are capable of and that you're on one to be screwed with.

He went silent as he watched the shadow creep closer to Yusuke and his companion. Sighing, Hiei rolled his eyes. Unfortunately for me, I would be associated with this one well enough to be expected to take care of him should he fall into trouble.

Then in a flash Hiei was gone from his perch. Not that it mattered. No one noticed a shadow among other shadows. That's what Hiei was.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Yusuke yelled, standing protectively in front of Keiko. There was no answer, only the blowing of a hollow wind. Yet the silence seemed more frightening then a voice, had one emitted from the blinding darkness around them. Quietly, Yusuke slipped a hand behind him and took Keiko's arm firmly but gently. He leaned back far enough so that she might catch his words. "Can you make it home from here?"

"What are you going to do?" she asked, a worried light shining in her beautiful brown eyes.

"Distract him. If nothing else. Long enough for you to get home. Can you do that, Keiko?"

She nodded, and was about to start off when suddenly a voice reached them.

"I wouldn't let her leave." it mocked. Immediately Yusuke pulled Keiko back behind him, his fingers never unwinding from her wrist.

"Why's that?" Yusuke growled, his eyes darting every which way to try and locate the owner of the voice. "You have nothing against her, it's me you want."

"Don't be so sure." came the answer, with a maniacal laugh.

Without realizing it, Yusuke gripped harder around Keiko's wrist. He released her immediately when she whimpered in pain, and for a moment he prayed that he hadn't bruised her. But within another moment his attention was focused back to the situation at hand.

"Come out and show yourself!" Yusuke demanded.

"Very well then,"

From the shadows to their left, a foot flew and connected immediately with Yusuke's temple. The blow wasn't strong, but the surprise and the immediate pain sent him flying. Within seconds he was sprawled out on the floor, dizzy and nauseated. A yell from Keiko was what brought him back to reality.

Opening his eyes, he saw the hand clasped around her wrist, squeezing tightly. She squirmed uncomfortably but was otherwise uninjured, yet the sight angered Yusuke greatly.

"KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER YOU CREEP!!!"

Yusuke swung, and missed, his fist flying through musky air and hitting nothing.

"What the...?" he whispered, landing on his feet, his eyes opened wide and stunned. His gaze whirled around to Keiko. She was nursing her wrist, but gave him a reassuring smile to let him know she was fine. "COME OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND FIGHT ME YOU COWARD!"

"YUSUKE!"

He turned to see what was the matter, but he was too late. A fist, as though it had materialized from thin air, came and smashed square into Yusuke's jaw. This time it was strong, and the pain was mind numbing. He could barely groan before a gush of blood ejected from his mouth. Yusuke was certain he'd bitten his tongue clean off, and by the time he hit the concrete beneath him he was certain he'd swallowed it as well.

Eyesight blurring, Yusuke opened his eyes to see the fuzzy image of a tall, muscular man. A pointed nose sat elegantly on a thin face framed beneath a mane of silky jet black hair. Blue eyes glared out from underneath the brim of an old fashioned detectives hat, shading the face just enough to add some mystery to the undeniably attractive nature of the man.

"That, Yusuke Urameshi, was a present from a future you'll never live to see." he smiled.

"Don't be so sure about that." The young man argued back, spitting out a large amount of blood. Okay, he thought, pulling himself up to rest on his elbows. So I didn't bite my tongue off. If this fight keeps going though I may lose something more valuable then that.

"This is merely a warning." he went on.

"Warning?" Yusuke laughed. "What is it with you evil morons and 'Warnings'. Are you all too afraid to get the job done the first time? Hoping that stubborn jackasses like me will just step down and let you do whatever the hell you want?"

The man laughed. It was a warm, sort of homely chuckle, and that surprised Yusuke. The blue eyes considered him affectionately with an undying grin.

"Well, we really weren't expecting that. But of course, we won't stop you if that's what you decide to do."

"Fat chance."

"Oh good. I was afraid I'd be disappointed there for a moment." The man started to walk away, but when he had reached the secure safety of the shadows he lifted his left hand. Yusuke, now standing, could see him well enough, but was still confused. "Warning's up." he announced. The man whirled and extended his arm, but was immediately surprised to find that a split second later, he had no arm!

FLASH!

A deep incision was made across his abdomen. Then another, and another, until at last he stood soaked in his own blood and sweat, an arm missing and half of his vital organs hanging from his slashed torso. One second later and he fell. Dead.

"What the...?" Yusuke breathed, not quite sure of what he saw.

"You should have learned by now, detective, to be more careful."

"Hiei?"

Yusuke turned his head to see the small fire demon cleaning his sword of fleshly spilt blood, looking casual and yet slightly irritated. That always seemed to be a favorite countenance of his. "Hiei!" Yusuke laughed. "Man, you saved my butt there."

"Hn." Hiei frowned, then turned down an alley to leave.

"Hey wait!" Yusuke called after. "Don't you want a thank you?"

Hiei turned a raised eyebrow to the detective, seeming puzzled and irritated at the same time. If Hiei ever had any expression, it was always irritated and then something else. Never anything less than that.

"Who do you think I am? Some knight in shining armor come to save a damsel in distress?"

"Hmmm," Hiei thought with a laugh. "No. Guess you're right. They don't make armor in children's sizes anyway!" He laughed. Hiei simply frowned and started walking away.

"Next thing he'll think is that Kurama got his ridiculous rose from me."

"Awww! Are you two dating?" Yusuke laughed.

FLASH!

Hiei was at Yusuke's throat in a minute. His sword drawn and ready to puncture skin.

"Say that again detective and I will kill you."

Yusuke smiled and shook himself free of Hiei's grip. The demon was still glaring him down, but somehow the detective shook it off.

"So, what are you doing here shrimp?"

"Keeping your ass from being terminated."

"Why?" Yusuke asked, scratching his head. "Someone else planning on destroying the world?"

"Not quite." Hiei responded, sheathing the katana. "But it ranks a close second, so I've been told."

"Well, can it wait till tomorrow?" Yusuke sighed. "I really think I should get Keiko home."

"Yes, some night out on the town for her I'm certain." Hiei accused. "If you protect your girlfriend as well as you protect yourself I'm amazed she's still alive."

"Shut up!" Yusuke yelled. "Now tell me what you want or beat it!"

Hiei's frown deepened, but as he moved to speak a great bolt of lightening shot through the sky and shattered the air.

"What? It's not supposed to rain." Keiko commented, moving closer to the duo.

"Just goes to show you how much a weatherman is worth." Yusuke commented.

"This is no storm." Hiei stated, his eyes following the random lightening strikes.

"No? Then what it is it almighty know-it-all?"

"This is what I came to tell you about." Hiei turned his gaze back to the detective. "There's been a tear in the fabric of reality." Yusuke frowned, a blank expression forming on his face. The female he was with listened in fearful interest. Hiei wondered if it was wise to talk about such things in front of her, but then remembered she had been there during the Dark Tournament with Yukina and Kuwabara's brother. She was probably trustworthy. More so than the actual detective for certain.

"It's a rip in the barriers between different realities. Or dimensions. They've been opening and closing all over the universe. As a result, the world is being altered."

"Isn't this Koenma's department?"

"He doesn't know what it is either."

"Well then what an I supposed to do?"

"Nothing." Hiei answered. "Not yet. Koenma just wants you to keep an eye out. Don't do anything stupid."

"Aww, so is that why you were watching out for me?"

Hiei sighed and rolled his eyes. Poising to leap to the nearest rooftop for an escape from this social nightmare, Hiei kneeled slightly. But another bolt of lightening struck down where he stood, and in a second he was gone.

"Hiei!" Yusuke yelled, reaching out where the fire demon stood just a moment before. "HIEI!"

"What happened?" Keiko whispered.

"I don't know..." Yusuke answered, his eyes twitching in nervous fear. "C'mon, lets get you home before something else happens."

"All right."

When Hiei was finally able to open his eyes, he knew he was not in the alley. Keiko and Yusuke were nowhere to be seen, so he knew he was alone. The question was, alone where?

"Well, what do you know?" came a familiar voice. Hiei looked up, trying to make his eyes focus on the figure before him. The floor was cold beneath him. Stone perhaps, or a metal or tile of some sort. "Is it truly? The greatest fire demon of his day? Hiei Jaganshi?"

"What do you want?" Hiei groaned.

"You'll know in due time, master demon."

Cold clamps and shackles fell hard across Hiei's wrists and ankles. Another around his neck, and two about his knees to keep him from easily moving his legs.

"Where am I?"

Hiei only barley heard the answer as he fell into a dark oblivion.

"A future you can not begin to imagine."

Author's Note: Oh gee, what's happening here? Don't worry, I won't hurt Hiei. Too much.

And don't worry Inuyasha fans. He's coming! Next chapter!

Thanks for all the reviews so far.