Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi, Shonen Jump, FUNimation, etc. However, I do own the idea for this story. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

Warning(s): This story contains utter horror. I myself had to have help writing a few of the scenes for lack of nerves. I highly suggest that if you can't handle something like this, then you don't read it at all. I will not be held accountable for anything that happens to someone if they do not read this and act without thinking of consequences.

Opening Notes: 'Ello all. I'm glad that a few people liked this. n.n

I just realized that the chapters will be rather short. I don't intend to write a novel-sized story, and will probably have the story progress room-by-room. ( Don't worry; something exciting will happen each chapter, it won't just be Hiei wandering around, opening cupboards... )

Also, Hieisbestbuddy! I'm sorry to say that this won't be a yaoi story. However, I've got many other stories planned, most of which will include yaoi. ( And the majority of the pairings will be YuusukexHiei, if not all of them! )

Proceed with caution.


Shadow House

Chapter Two: Entrance Hall

-

"This had better be worth my time, Koenma."

The demigod's light brown eyes flicked up to his 'employee', shuddering as he took in the dark feeling he emitted. The demon's piercing crimson gaze met with his, and he gulped softly. 'He's the only one on the team left. If he can't handle it, Hell's definitely freezing over... I might have to contact the guys down there about that...'

Taking a deep breath, Koenma spoke, shuffling a few papers in his hand as well. "W-Well... We have a solo mission for you, Hiei, if you're willing to call it that. You'll-."

The youkai called Hiei interrupted him, his intimidating voice silencing the Prince of the Reikai immediately. "Why does it have to be me? Why not send the Detective?"

Koenma waved he hand in the air. "That'll be explained in a minute. As I was saying, this is your assignment..."

The large television monitor lowered in front of his desk, causing Hiei to move from his position against the wall in order to see it. The shot of a large, dilapidating house appeared, though it was impossible to make out any details due to the quality of the image. After glancing over it for a few moments, the Jaganshi turned back to Koenma.

The demigod folded his hands together, his disposition becoming very serious. "Over the past two centuries, there have been several disappearances and odd occurrences that were reported to have happened at or near this building, the most recent being the deaths of three children. Father has only just determined this as a severe case that is to be attended to immediately.

"The 'House Not to Be Entered', as it's been titled by the people who live near it, is located in the outermost reaches of the elusive county of Transylvania. Surely, you've heard of it?"

Hiei nodded, and so Koenma continued. "We need to send the Tantei to investigate the House, to check if it's not just a demon or such causing havoc. Sadly, though, Yuusuke and Kuwabara have declined this mission, though I doubt they would be able to handle some of the things that have been said to happen."

"What of Kurama?" Hiei questioned, his arms once again crossed over his chest.

Koenma shook his head. "For some reason, he didn't accept this either... It is a possibility that he knows something about the House that Reikai intelligence does not, and for that fact, he wishes not to venture there.

"Anyway... You're the only one left for this mission. If you back out, we'd have to deploy the Spirit Defense Force, and then Father would be infuriated with my own team... No doubt he'd add another decade to your probation, if not something worse."

A soft growl escaped the Jaganshi before he replied. "Your threats are meaningless to me, Koenma. I'm not a lap-dog that can be called upon for every trivial manner."

The demigod's eyes narrowed. "Maybe a year in the Underworld Prison would change your mind..."

Unseen by anyone, Hiei's eyes widened slightly before he shook his head to the side. "Hn. Fine."

A small smirk appeared on Koenma's visage as he settled back in his chair. "I knew you'd see it my way..."

-

Hiei snarled loudly as he toppled out of the spinning vortex, undeniably feeling nauseous. That would be the last time he trusted that fool of a ferry-girl to create a portal for him... The half-Koorime pushed himself to his feet, shaking the dust from his clothes before glancing at his surroundings.

He had arrived at the beginning of a dirt path that seemed to lead nowhere, judging by the fact that there was nothing but hills of dying grass in the area. The road he was on went over a ridge just ahead, which obscured what would be on the horizon. Exhaling deeply, he guessed that would be the direction in which to head, and began to walk that way in silence. It was unusual to be able to hear himself think on a mission, as Yuusuke and Kuwabara were usually arguing loudly over something, and Kurama would be trying to get them to stop...

Hiei soon reached the top of the ridge, having not bothered to use his agility to reach the destination faster. However, as he set his gaze on the wretched building in front of him, he hesitated.

Before the Jaganshi stood a dilapidating, two-story Victorian-style mansion. The paint, most likely once a bright red, had faded to black with rust and decay, having also chipped off in several spots. The shutters had either fallen off or were hanging at an angle; very few were in a good state. The porch looked like it would break at any moment if someone was to step on it, and the balcony above it appeared ready to collapse. Glancing around the front of the house, Hiei saw that it stretched on for a while, ending in what looked like a large, rather eerie courtyard in the very back.

The hiyoukai found himself biting his lip awkwardly, though he shook his head quickly. There was no reason for this place to intimidate him... It was only a demon playing with illusions, and all he had to do was find it, and then kill it...

Smirking slightly, Hiei made his way towards the small mansion. As he reached the wooden steps leading up to the porch, his eyes landed on a medium-sized tree that was off to the side of the path. It was dead; that made obvious by the shedding bark and lack of leaves, or any other sign of life, for that matter.

Yet what caught his attention wasn't the tree, but the make-shift swing hanging from one of the remaining strong branches. It was swaying back-and-forth violently, as if whoever was on it was intent on either breaking it, or falling off. The only problem with the picture was that the seat was empty, and there was no one around that could've shoved it and then ran off...

Hiei frowned; there wasn't any wind, either...

The swing was moving by itself.

Needless to say, this unnerved the youkai a bit, though he managed to push the unsettling thoughts to the back of his mind as he strode up to the door. The floorboards creaked menacingly beneath him, almost as if they were taunting him, forcing him to enter the House lest they break...

Fighting the urge to sneer at the wood below him ( which would've no doubt appeared odd ), Hiei raised a hand to the old doorknob, twisting it a second later. The door eased open, the rusty hinges screeching loudly. The shadowy light from outside filled the hallway, revealing the splashes of blood that were scattered over the walls and floor. The scent of death hung over every inch of the area, and the hiyoukai had to force down the desire to retch.

The entrance hall, as he seemed to be in, was a decent size. On the right there was a slightly-spiraled staircase that led to the darkened second floor, and on his direct left lay the entrance to another corridor. Across from him, on the opposite wall of the door, where two extravagant windows, though their garnet curtains were shredded. ( Hiei guessed that they hadn't always been such a deep red, judging by all of the bloodstains he had seen so far. ) Between them hung a large, floor-to-ceiling-sized painting. The Jaganshi merely glanced over it, though a second after he froze and slowly looked back.

The painting depicted a terrible, life-size beast. Words could hardly be used to describe such a monstrosity, save for the fact that it was rather dog-like in the face. The artist had used a rich ebony color for the creature's fur, and had used flame-like strokes of orange and yellow in the background. The beast's deadly talons were drenched with black blood, its knife-sized fangs bared in a snarl. Yet the only things that Hiei could stare at were the creature's eyes, which were a blazing shade of blue. The sapphire eyes seemed to trap him in their gaze, looking as if they were merely jewels embedded in the canvas.

Without his consent, the hiyoukai shuddered slightly, unsettled by the down-right evil feeling that the picture emitted. Tearing his own crimson orbs away from the painting, he instead focused them on the hallway on his left, preparing to turn that way and begin the investigation. However, before he could set foot into the corridor, a piercing shriek echoed down from above, causing Hiei to immediately whirl around to face the stairs.

The landing was empty, though the screeches continued, sounding as if whatever was making them was in the same room as him. Needless to say, the pitch caused his ears to ache terribly. Wincing, the Jaganshi found himself moving towards the entrance of the hall and turning to face the door.

Once again, Hiei was confused. He was sure that he hadn't closed the door, and yet it had shut... Puzzled, the half-Koorime strode over to it and gave the handle a sharp tug.

Nothing happened.

Hiei yanked on it again, sure that this time it would be pulled off of its hinges, as he was using his youkai strength.

Once more, the door remained shut tight.

Biting his lip, concluded that the lock must've slipped, it only unlocked from the outside, and that the wind had caused it to close... Without realizing how pathetic those excuses were, the Jaganshi strode over to one of the windows, and struggled to push it up. Yet it seemed that they both had been sealed shut...

With his eyes wide, Hiei stumbled back into the center of the room, for the first time in his life feeling the panic of being trapped.


Ending Notes: Lousy chapter, I know. I hate the ending... Meh. I tried.

Someone asked about fanart for this story. I'd say, good luck, and feel free to try... n.n

Important Notice: I won't be updating for a week, as I'll be on a skiing trip. And that means no computer. I'm posting this chapter now before I go so that you'll have something to read while I'm gone. The next update will probably be a week after I return, at the most. (Or the least. It depends on how everything goes...)

Ja'!