Sorry for the delay in updating. Life is being harsh, so I might not be so quick to update right now. Anyway...like always, read, review, and enjoy.

Chapter Three: The Hunt Begins

-Makai, first level-

A small dimensional portal opened up, and the three boys exited through. Yusuke looked around, "I thought we went to Makai, not to my school."

Kurama laughed a little on that, "certainly isn't a pleasant place."

"We shouldn't waste time. It won't take long for demons to notice our arrival." Hiei already started walking. The other two rushed to catch up to him.

"What's the rush, Hiei?" Yusuke had caught up slightly before Kurama.

"I've spent enough time here; I don't want to spend any more than I must."

"Fair enough reasoning." Kurama was looking around almost expecting a demon to come out somewhere.

"So...where do we begin?"

No one had an answer. They just kept walking. Kurama stopped.

Yusuke noticed, "what's wrong?"

"We've got company."

As if on cue, three demons jumped out from behind a pile of rocks. Almost as soon as they appeared, they were cut in half by Hiei's sword.

"Pathetic." Hiei sheathed his sword, and without another word started walking again.

"...o...kay..." Yusuke was still in his "spirit gun stance" and didn't move from it even after Hiei walked by.

"Are you just going to stand there?"

-Koenma's Office-

George returned to Koenma's office to find Koenma gone. After a somewhat panicked search, he found him in the library. "Koenma, sir. They are now in Makai." Koenma didn't respond. "Uh, what are you doing, sir?" He walked around behind Koenma to see what he was reading. All he saw was that there was another, smaller, book opened on the inside, but Koenma closed it and hid it quickly before George could get a good look at what it was.

"Do you mind? I'm busy here."

"What was that, sir?"

"None of your business. Make yourself useful and put this book back where it belongs." He pulled out a book, not the one he hid, and handed it to the blue ogre.

"Have you found a spell, yet?"

"Yes. But I'm going to need a lot of materials...and time. Here's a list. Once you put that book back, get these items and meet me in the ritual room."

"The ritual room?"

"Yes, the ritual room. You know: the room I told you to never enter under any circumstance."

"Oh, right!"

-Makai, first level-

Five minutes and 6 demon ambushes later, "okay, why are we just walking around? Shouldn't we be searching for Suzaku?"

Kurama, as expected, answered his question, "if Suzaku really wants to fight you, then he will make sure we find him. The more demons we kill the sooner he will know of our presence, and I'm sure he's got himself a few henchmen who will lead us to him."

"Okay, but why hasn't he already?"

A voice came from behind them, "he has. I'm actually surprised you didn't notice me following you for the last five minutes."

All three turn around to see a human-like demon. The only difference was that he had a single horn on his forehead. He held in his right hand a bow, and in his other an arrow.

"And who are you?"

"I am Sureiyaa. I was commanded by Lord Suzaku to 'test' your strength. So, who's first?" He fitted the arrow to his bow, but he didn't take aim, yet.

Kurama stepped forth, "I'll take care of him. I don't sense much power in him, so he should be easy." Kurama pulled out his rose.

"A rose? What do you plan to do with a rose?"

Without saying a word, Kurama created his Rosewhip.

"What the...? Big deal. You are still no match for me." He took aim at Kurama. "Ekusupuroojonshotto!" He let the arrow fly. Kurama jumped back, and the arrow hit the ground in front of him. Almost instantly, the arrow exploded, and Kurama disappeared in the fireball.

Sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but it can't always be helped. Please review.