Chapter 11: Facing Fate

Disclaimer: Refer to just about any chapter before this if you don't already know what goes here.

Jeff gulps as he finishes reading the entry. His mind wasn't working all that well as it was still trying to make sense of everything. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath while putting the file down and pushing it away before opening his eyes and looking to the other faces in the room. He notices that they are all watching him, waiting for a reaction. He swallows again before starting slowly, for fear if he goes any faster he may break down. "Okay, let me get this all straight. One, demons and the Spirit World or whatever are real, right?"

He looks around for the affirmative nod before speaking again "Two, demons actually live among humans, disguised to avoid suspicion, correct?"

This time a nod from Jin, Kurama and Yusuke. "Three, according to this file, Hiei is..." he twists his face, the words not wanting to come from his mouth "...my...father?"

Several winces can be seen around the room, but nods accompany them. Jeff takes a deep breath before going on; this is where understanding gets painful. "Finally, if I don't find Toma-su and find out how to acknowledge this 'bond' or whatever, then I...I cease to exist, and even if we do then...then I might disappear anyways?" Nods issue throughout the room, but this time they are hesitant, no one meeting his eye when he looks around.

He gulps and takes a deep breath, closing his eyes to try and calm down so he can decide what to do next. He lets out a shaky breath before saying, "For now, I think I only want to know two things. First, how long have you been keeping this," he motions to the file "from me?"

Botan speaks up quickly "Yusuke, Kuwabara and I only found that file late last night. We had no idea beforehand."

Jeff nods "Alright, second," he looks at Koenma, whom he assumes is running the show "do you have any idea where they are?"

Koenma winces before shaking his head "No, I have several informants on the case, but Hiei is notoriously hard to find when he doesn't want to be found. As far as this 'Toma-su' character goes, before you came here I had no idea he even existed, so I'd say he's like Hiei in that respect at least."

Jeff clenches his teeth before saying, "Ok then, do you have any ideas what area they might be in?"

This time Kurama speaks up, "The most likely place would be the forest just outside of town. It's fairly big, usually quite dark and there are not many tourists that come that way. Such a place would be ideal to him."

Jeff nods before looking back to Koenma "Can I go now please?"

Koenma looks long and hard into his eyes before sighing and getting up. He walks over to the door and simply places his hand on the doorknob for a few seconds before turning it and opening the door. He holds it open as Jeff walks past, muttering "Be careful Kei. I rather not have to explain your disappearance to your mother."

Jeff merely nods before continuing out, leaving a quiet room behind. A few moments pass before both Jin and Yusuke get up and make for the door, causing Kuwabara to ask "Hey, where're the two of you going?"

Yusuke and Jin smirk at each other before Yusuke replies "I'm just goin' 'cause that idiot owes me a rematch at the arcade."

Jin nods "Aye, the little tadpole promised me a match as well, an' after you promise somet'in' like that, you jus' can't go back on it." With that the two of them are out the door, followed shortly by Kurama.

"I have known Hiei for the longest. I believe that I may have better luck in finding him and then I can find out if there is any way to save our new friend." was the simple explanation he gave before leaving.

Meanwhile the other two are just catching up with Jeff, "Hey Kei, wait up buddy!" Jeff is surprised out of his near-depressed attitude when he hears the now familiar voice behind him.

He looks up and over his shoulder to see Yusuke and Jin, who'd grabbed his hat but was otherwise undisguised, running to catch up to him. He stops and waits for them to catch up, which they do quickly while smirking at the confused expression on his face "What?" Yusuke says, "You think we wouldn't know where you're headin'?"

Jeff hangs his head a bit, like a guilty puppy, but the two just continue to smirk as Jin leans over and whispers, "Laddie, we only stopped ye' because you were headed in the wrong way. The forest is on the other side."

Jeff's head snaps up and he looks at them in disbelief "You mean, you guys aren't going to try and stop me or anything?"

Yusuke shrugs, "Nah, we figure if we were in your shoes, we'd be doin' the exact same thing, so who're we to talk?"

Jeff nods and turns around, slightly surprised when he finds the two still walking beside him. Jin notices and chuckles "Oh come now boy! Ye' didn't think that we're the type to abandon comrades in times of need, did ya' now? We're close-knit as the wool on a sheep's backside that we are."

Jeff smiles his thanks before walking with more conviction towards what he knows just might be his final fate.

A.N. Alright! I updated! Sorry it took a little longer then usual guys, but school's started now and things are a little more cramped in my schedule. I'll try to keep close to the every day/every other day updates that I've been doing, but bear with me please. Okay, looks like we're finally starting to get moving with the plot. I think things will start happening and some questions will be answered next chapter, but I don't know for sure. Well, until next time! Review please! Oh, and P.S., I'm thinking of possibly starting a new fic for another anime. I won't go into detail, but just tell me which you think sounds more interesting, Beauty and the Beast with the Inuyasha chars. or a Pokemon fic where the gang finds out they're the destined riders of the legendary birds and are the only ones who can save the world from a brand new evil? Please tell me what you think! Thanks!