"Kuwabara, lift!"

"I am lifting Urameshi!"

"Yeah right, then why am I doin most of the work?"

"You two! Stop fighting and get back to work!" CRACK! Yusuke flinched as the back of his leg was struck with a whip. Mumbling curses under his breath, he helped Kuwabara carry a box to a boat. Life hadn't been easy for humans since the reign of Omaku had begun. As far as Yusuke knew, all had either become slaves or been killed... though he had heard a rumor of a rebel group fighting for freedom, but he didn't know if this was true or just wishful thinking.

"Hurry up!" The voice of their task master rose up again. As the whip seared Yusuke's skin a second time, he began to let his temper get the best of him.

"Yusuke, cool it." Kuwabara warned as Yusuke was about to give the jerk a piece of his mind. To talk back to an overseer meant certain death.

"Yeah yeah, let's just get this dumb thing loaded." This was the daily schedule for these two. Wake early, a hearty meal of whatever slop could be found, work until night fall, more slop, then an uncomfortable night spent on the ground with a blanket the only protection against the weather. Sadly to say, it seems as none of our heroes has been having it easy.

"Urameshi, you really need to learn to control your temper. You could have gotten us killed back there."

"Hrmph... sometimes I think bein dead would be better than this..."

"Urameshi! Don't think like that!"

"Well how am I supposed to think, huh? We get treated like yesterday's garbage all day, then have to get up and do it again the next day! What kind of life is that?"

"A lot better than none at all!"

"I'm not so sure..." Before Kuwabara had a chance to answer, Yusuke dropped his side of the box and left.

"If even Yusuke is giving up, is there really no hope left?"

"Lord Koenma!"

"What is it Botan?"

"The situation in the human and demon worlds is worsening, sir. What can we do?"

"I'm not sure there is anything we can do..."

"Sir..."

"Botan, have all portals to Spirit World sealed off. Under no circumstances can Omaku be allowed to spread his domination here."

"Sir!"

"Do as I say Botan! There's nothing we can do for either of the other worlds now... we can only protect what we still have..."

"... yes sir..."

"Now I'm sure it's around here somewhere..." Kurama looked thoughtfully around him. "If I've correctly assembled what I know, she should be around here somewhere..." He parted some bushes, searching. He'd heard talk that a powerful psychic still existed free from the demons somewhere. He'd been collecting clues for a long time, and it seemed as if he'd finally cracked the case... however, he was having trouble finding the doorway to her hideout. If she was as powerful as was said, she would have hidden it with spells to make it even harder to find... but Kurama knew she had to be here somewhere.

"---- --, I don't have time for this..." Kurama stopped his searching and closed his eyes. Focusing as he never had before, he tried to find any speck of spirit energy...

"You're looking for me, I assume." A gravely voice came. Kurama opened his eyes and looked in the direction of the voice. He was surprised at whom he saw, though he didn't show it.

"Only if you are the psychic Genkai." When the old woman didn't answer, Kurama continued forward. "I have heard that you are very powerful."

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear."

"So this is untrue?"

"I didn't say that. I may not be as powerful as I once was, but I'm not feeble by any means."

"Then I have a request for you."

"And who are you, to be making requests?"

"My name is Kurama. I was once a powerful demon, but had to abandon my previous body."

"Ah, the fabled Youko Kurama you are then."

"Yes, I am he."

"And what can I do for the mighty king of thieves?"

"I wish to stay with you." Though Kurama appeared outwardly calm, inside he was holding his breath. Genkai held his gaze for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine. But you won't be slacking. You must earn your keep."

Kurama bowed. "Of course, Master Genkai. Thank you very much." Genkai merely nodded, then turned to leave with Kurama following close behind.

Hi! Oh my gosh, I'm sooooooooooooooooooooo sorry for not updating!!! I know I say this a lot, and I'm sorry for that too. Sadly, evil school has stated again and I have a TON of homework this year!!! T.T. Also, I was sick for a long time, and then I had to play catch up and that made it harder!! I'm hoping I can update more often, but I can't guarantee anything... sigh... stupid school, shouldn't get in the way of my fanfiction...