A/N: I ended that last chapter so badly. xx I'm so sorry! Oh well. Gosh this is such a wonderful awesome fic in my head I just want everyone to know it! I'm having trouble getting it out of my head though. sigh yeah. Oh well. Onward!

Disclaimer: Feh I thought I'd throw in the disclaimer this time. All right, you weird rich people who want to sue for every little thing, you can't sue me cuz I'm denying ownership rights to Yu Yu Hakusho and all related indicia! BWAHAHAHA! Go find someone else to rob.


"Strange," Hitaro said to himself.

"What?"

"Well, the place Hiei described…. that's exactly where we were headed, Lord Taro's castle."

"That is a strange coincidence," Kurama concurred.

"Hn. I know the man."

"You do?" Hitaro asked in surprise.

"I did business with him many years ago."

"What kind."

"A simple assassination and a kidnap."

Hitaro sweat dropped.

"It's very reassuring to know you led such an honorable lifestyle even back then," he said weakly.

Hiei glared.

"Can you tell us anything about this man, Hiei?" Kurama continued, trying to stay on topic.

Hiei nodded. "He is the younger brother to the deceased Lord Jiro. They were both immensely strong which is why I didn't refuse Taro when he requested my services."

"Were you scared?" Hitaro interrupted.

Hiei scowled at Hitaro.

"Go on!" prompted Kurama.

"He asked that I kill his brother and steal something from him that he dearly wanted. It was a complicated plan in which I was not to be seen by anyone who did not understand the plan. Everything was executed perfectly. I got what he wanted and returned it to him within the year."

"Why did it take you so long?" both Hitaro and Kurama wanted to know.

"His item needed to be fixed and he and his brother, although they ruled neighboring territories, the land was very vast. Far greater than any kingdom I had ever been in before. It took months to make the journey back and forth, even with my speed."

Hiei paused here for a moment and seemed to be thinking. "I assume the entire purpose of the execution," he continued, "was to gain control of Jiro's lands. With those lands, Taro would rule most of the Makai and it would only be a short while before he had attained all of Makai.


(A/N: um forget Mukuro and Yomi and Raizen exist for right now because that would complicate everything and I don't want to have to make them seem weaker than this Taro dude. So yeah, they don't exist here. Carry on!)


"Then…then you made all of this…this…" Hitaro threw a look of contempt at the miserable surroundings and they all remembered the horrible sight that had greeted them upon entering Makai. "You made it all…happen?"

"Unintentionally, yes," Hiei said dismissively toward Hitaro.

Hitaro's silver eyes narrowed and hatred toward Hiei was etched into his young face.

"You have no idea of what you did to so many people do you?" he spat. "What you did to my mother, Hinarama, and me?"

"No I really don't. I don't feel like carrying on this conversation, whelp, and besides, aren't you more interested in finding your sister?"

Hitaro's fists were white from clenching them so tightly. His nails dug into his palms and a few drops of blood rolled into the dirt. He was shaking with anger toward Hiei. Thirteen years of death, hunger, pain, and hardship was all caused by this little man and he was still aloud to walk about freely. But Hiei was right in saying that Hitaro wanted to find Hinarama. He hated being apart from his sister almost more than he hated Hiei. Knowing Lord Taro, he could kill Hinarama anytime with no regrets.

"You're right. We might be able to still catch up if we maybe hurry."

He let his hands relax and they fell limp at his sides.

"Let's go," Kurama said leaping after Hiei and closely followed by Hitaro.


"So nice for you to join us, Hinarama," a cruel voice sneered in Hinarama's sore head.

Hinarama let her crimson eyes open ever so slightly. She had to blink blood out of her eyes before being able to see clearly. Her worst fears were confirmed. Taro stood in front of her, his obnoxious grin tormenting her. She automatically reached for her sword but grasped only an empty sheath.

Taro laughed. He walked toward her and squatted down in front of her so that he was eye level with her. Hinarama tried to wriggle free of the men who were holding her in a kneeling position on the cold stone floor.

"You've become very beautiful. Not quite as beautiful as your mother, but very close." Taro reached a hand up and cupped it under her chin. Hinarama felt fear shoot through her like the poison she had been drugged with.

He moved his face so close to hers that she could feel his hot putrid breath on her face. As Taro's lips were almost on hers, Hinarama screamed louder than she could ever remember doing.

Her reward was a hard blow to her face. Hinarama licked the blood from the inside of her mouth and spat it at Taro.

"You're just as feisty as your mother too," he smiled. "Don't ever try to run away again, my dear."

Tears formed in Hinarama's eyes and threatened to spill over, but she refused to let them.

Please, she begged to no one. Someone, help me! Hitaro, Kurama, Mother, Hiei, anyone!


A/N: whew! That took me about half an hour to write! But I'm really pleased with this chapter cuz everything is sort of starting to come together. If you're confused, let me know on what and I'll try to make it clear next chapter.

Ch that Taro is such a pervert. He gave me the chills while I was writing it. Lol. Yeah.

Anyways, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!