Author's Note: I wrote this chapter before I saw the episode where Genkai dies. I didn't change anything about it either. Deal with it if it bugs you.

Chapter 2: Return To the Human World

Kurama and Yasuo appeared in a forest in a different world with the same flash of green light.

Kurama looked around and smiled. Closing his eyes, he transformed into his human form. He looked down at Yasuo and placed a hand in front of his face.

Energy began coursing through his fingers, and Yasuo changed, suddenly, into a "miniature" Kurama.

Kurama smiled to himself and moved Yasuo to his back, walking off after getting him settled.

10 Minutes Later...

Kurama walked up some all-too-familiar stairs, his son resting peacefully on his back. I hope you're home, he thought, reaching the top of the stairs. He looked around the old temple for any sign of his human friends.

Suddenly, a familiar red-haired man came around the corner of the building, an aqua-haired woman following him. "Kurama!" he called, happily. He and the woman ran to Kurama, all smiles.

"Hello Kuwabara, Yukina," Kurama greeted, smiling back at them.

"Long time no see, buddy," Kuwabara said. "What brings you back to our world?"

"Trouble," Kurama answered, indicating the boy on his back.

"A kid?" Kuwabara wondered, staring wide-eyed, at the boy as Kurama leaned him against a pole. "Hey, he looks just like you, Kurama."

"Is he okay?" Yukina wondered, noticing the scrapes and bruises on his face and arms. She knelt down beside the boy and laid her hand on his rounded cheek.

Kurama nodded and tenderly brushed a few strands of hair out of his son's face.

"Who is he?" Kuwabara asked, kneeling down beside Yukina.

"His name is Yasuo," Kurama answered. "He's my son."

"YOUR SON!!!" Kuwabara shrieked, shocked. "But, he looks like he's about five or six. Aren't you a little young to have a five-year-old?"

"I'm over 1000 years old," Kurama told him. "If you ask me, I'm too old. But, that doesn't matter now. There's a powerful demon after him for some reason, and I'm certain that his life is in danger."

"You're right about that, Kurama," an old woman said, appearing behind them. "Your son's life is in danger, as is the entire universe if that demon gets his hands on him."

"Genkai," Kuwabara breathed.

"What do you mean?" Kurama asked.

"Ask Yusuke when he gets back," Genkai replied. "He should be able to explain everything."

"That's right!" Kuwabara exclaimed. "Botan showed up this morning with a call from Koenma about a new mission. It's probably got something to do with the kid. We can just wait here for him to get back, I guess."

"That's fine with me," Genkai agreed, turning to leave. "Bring the boy and follow me."

Kurama nodded and picked up his son. He followed the old psychic into the temple where a futon was rolled out on the floor.

"You can put him down there," Genkai told him, watching him closely.

Kurama gently laid his son down and covered him with the blanker, kissing his forehead.

"You should contact Hiei," Genkai said, causing Kurama to look up sharply. "You won't be able to hide him for long. We'll need all the help we can get." With that said, she left the room.

Kurama contemplated what she'd said before closing his eyes. Hiei! he called. Hiei, can you hear me? I'm in the human world. We need your help.

"Daddy," Yasuo whispered, opening his eyes. "Ahh! Who're you?!" He closed his china-blue eyes abruptly in fear.

"Calm down, Yasuo," Kurama soothed. "It's all right. It's me." He took his son's hand and squeezed it a little.

Yasuo opened his eyes and stared at his father, confused. "Daddy?" he wondered. "What happened to you?"

"I'm in my human form, as are you," Kurama answered, watching Yasuo feel around for his ears and tail. "They're gone. Now you have human ears and no tail." He moved his son's hand to his new ears and then to his tail bone. "Your hearing isn't quite as keen, and you can't move your ears freely," he explained, smiling as the boy stared up at him. "You still look just like me though. You've got the same red hair and body build."

"Why are we like this?" Yasuo asked.

"We're in the human world," Kurama answered. "I brought us here to get away from that demon that attacked us."

"Sagara," a voice said from the doorway.

Kurama glanced over his shoulder at the keeper of the voice, Hiei, and smiled. "You came," he said, standing.

Yasuo scrambled to his feet and hid behind his father's leg, grabbing his pants with his small hands.

"Of course," Hiei scoffed. "When the great Kurama needs help I know it must be important."

Kurama smiled and looked down at Yasuo. "This is my son, Yasuo," he said, pulling the boy out in front of him. "Yasuo, this is my friend, Hiei."

Hiei smiled and knelt down so he was eye-level with the boy, holding out his hand.

Yasuo stared at it for a moment before grasping and shaking it.

Hiei glanced down at the child's wrist, and his eyes widened in shock.

This didn't go unnoticed by Kurama. "What is it, Hiei?" he asked, kneeling beside him.

"What's this?" Hiei wondered, pointing at the black symbol on Yasuo's left wrist.

"Hmm? Oh that," Kurama replied. "It's a fusion of the ancient demonic symbols for life and death. I'm not entirely sure why it's there. He's had it since he was a baby. Why?"

Hiei was just about to answer when-

"What're you doing here?!" Kuwabara yelled, appearing in the doorway with Genkai, Yukina, Botan, and Yusuke.

"I called him," Kurama answered, standing up. He let Yasuo take his hand and walked up to the others, Hiei following.

"What's going on?" Botan wondered. "Why are you two here? And who is that?"

"First of all, this is my son, Yasuo," Kurama answered, following the others into the courtyard. "We came here while running from a demon who was after him."

"Sagara," Hiei added. "He's a fire demon, about 200 years old. He's known for his impressive flame techniques and has a high-ranking reputation among the crooks. He's killed many for wealthy humans who pay him well for his services. His fighting skill is comparable to much older demons, like Kurama and myself. Some even say that he's the next Youko Kurama, demon world's new boogeyman."

"So, what's he got to do with us?" Yusuke wondered. "I mean, I know he's after that demon with the symbol on his wrist but that still doesn't explain why you two are worried."

"You really are incompetent," Hiei muttered, walking over to Yasuo and Kurama. He gently took Yasuo's left hand and flipped it over, exposing the boy's wrist.

"Hey, that's the symbol Koenma showed me before," Yusuke said, drifting closer.

"So, what's it mean?" Kuwabara asked.

Hiei and Kurama sweat-dropped.

"It means that this kid is what Sagara wants," Yusuke answered. "We can't let him get his hands on him no matter what."

"Yeah," Kuwabara agreed. "But if that guy is as bad as Hiei says than we could have some problems."

"That's why I contacted Hiei," Kurama said. "We won't be able to hide from him forever. He'll find us here eventually, and when he does, we must be ready for him."

"Right," Kuwabara agreed again. "But where are you guys gonna stay?"

"You're welcome to stay here," Genkai spoke up.

"Or I've got some extra room at my place if you'd rather not be here with the old hag," Yusuke offered, glaring at Genkai before grinning stupidly at Hiei.

"It would probably be safer with Yusuke," Kurama said, smirking at Hiei.

Hiei was standing between Yukina and Kurama and was staring nervously down at his feet, stealing an occasional glance up at his twin. Hearing Kurama and Yusuke's statements and feeling their looks, he raised his head and glared at them, angrily.

Kurama and Yusuke looked at each other briefly before bursting out laughing, cheerfully.

"They look so cute together," Yusuke said, between laughs.

"Yes," Kurama agreed. "Quite the perfect couple."

Hiei's cheeks flushed with that last comment, eyes widening momentarily. "If you two idiots value your lives, you'd better quit now," he threatened, gritting his teeth.

Kurama and Yusuke's laughter dwindled to light chuckles immediately.

"I don't get it," Kuwabara said, scratching his head. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," Yusuke answered, still chuckling a little.