Falling Into Darkness

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Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho, nor would I really want to (No offense! It's just that if I was going to own any anime it would be one I like more: such as InuYasha). I do, however, own all of the new characters in this story, even if a friend of mine helped me come up with the idea for the character.

Side-Note: This story was supposed to be the sequel to Just Run Away, as authored by Kuramagirl44. But we are no longer friends, and she has decided to do bad things to my OC (original character) Midoriko, so this story has become its own thing. I have used the name "Tsuki" before and, therefore, I am stealing nothing. Midoriko is mine period, and any other similarities are due to the fact that we have been friends up until now.

Chapter One: Team Dark Moon

Midoriko Takashimi, the name by which the powerful demoness Yami (darkness-dark) was born so very long ago, has not changed all that much since she was granted the position of Ruling Darkness Demon of the Spirit, Demon and Human Realms. None of the council members had, really, which accounts for their varied appearances in terms of how old they look, even though they were all born within fourteen minutes of one another.

The Council is the overall body which is made up of three factions, which are in turn split up in various ways. The two main ones are The Condemners and The Rulers. The next one, which is nowhere near as powerful or important, is also made up of the most sub-factions. They are called The Aftermath.

The Condemners are made up of the minor elements. They are ten girls who were born human, all on the same day. Something within their souls made them the perfect candidates to become the elements incarnate by The Rulers (the main elements), who need help with their massive work-load.

The ten minor elements are as follows: moon, sun, light, darkness, metal, wood, soul, spirit, mind and body. They come in "sisterly" pairs and "symbiotic" pairs. The sisterly pairs are opposites, in a way, and the symbiotic pairs are partners (sometimes very similar, sometimes very opposite—even more extreme than the various sisterly pairs).

Midoriko's "sister" is light incarnate, Meia (Hikari-light), and her partner is Chihori (Tsuki-moon) who is the moon. In turn, Chihori's sister is Meia's partner (Hikaru-Taiyo-sun).

There is a dominant and a recessive. The stronger, more outspoken, less kind and sweet one is the leader, and her "opposite" (not always that opposite, sometimes far surpassing "opposite") the follower. Although they are all powerful, the followers main job is not to fight as much as to keep the leader in line and prevent her from destroying anything of her own accord—a job which is just as, if not more, important than the missions they are sent on.

Every so often, usually every decade or so, The Council is all called together for a meeting to talk, discuss, scold and keep everyone in check and updated. These meetings are loose and can be called as often as needed; depending on what's going down and whether or not they need a chat.

One last thing (for now): The Council is ruled by another. King Enma of the Underworld and Queen Natsu of Demons. They are also to be ruled by their heirs, Koenma and Konatsu—they are nowhere near as powerful as their parents, but they are bossy, and in that way they are very royal and worthy of leadership. They do most of the ruling of The Condemners because the King and Queen are more important and powerful, and they rule The Rulers, a job which they can hardly even manage.

This year's council meeting was the one which is to be held regularly at a special "house" deep in Spirit World. This house was created by the minds and spirit energies of powerful beings solely for the purpose of such meetings. This precaution is necessary because The Council does not always get along, and their powers can topple mountains unchecked and unboundaried—long-lived feuds'll do that to people; especially demons. Powerful demons.

Midoriko was unhappy about this meeting. Not only did they just have one to deal with the new Spirit Detective Yusuke Urameshi, but it had to be scheduled just as she comes down with a bad cold! She was not in a good mood, and she wasn't afraid of showing it. (She never is).

"Why in the hell do we have to have this damn meeting?" Midoriko sniffled heavily. Her throat was hurting and her nose was stuffed up, making for hard to understand speech. "It's a waste of our time to have such a useless meeting—all we are going to do is lounge around, fight each other and throw insults."

Tsuki (as she would rather be called) nodded sympathetically. As Midoriko's lackey, she must indulge her and keep her from harming anyone. She doesn't really mind—she knows her job is important and all of Midoriko's words mean nothing, so they wash right on over her. She refuses to let them bother her, no matter how hurtful.

Midoriko continued talking, not even bothering to pause and see if Tsuki had anything to say (which she didn't—there was no point, it would only end in frustration). "Plus, this cold'll only make me more irritable and somebody's gonna start some shit."

Tsuki giggled. Although she does this a lot, she does it even more around Midoriko. For some reason she finds her hilarious. (Inside jokes sure must help!) "Such as Taiyo?"

Midoriko glared down at the little, innocent Tsuki in her delicate rose-red kimono; her light brown hair pulled up into a messy bun. Her eyes burned with anger and her lip curled into a snarl. She barked, "Don't mention that name around me ever again!"

Tsuki was not frightened. Most anyone else, even Koenma or Konatsu, would at least shiver or cower at such violent anger, but not Tsuki. She is one of the few who does not fear Midoriko—the others being Enma, Natsu, Meia and Taiyo. "You're going to have to talk to her again sometime, ya know," Tsuki said casually, her tone innocent yet serious.

Her words struck Midoriko deep and with a huge breath she calmed down. She hung her head and nodded. "I know—but that does not mean I want to or am looking forward to it."

Tsuki nodded. "I understand." After a long pause Tsuki could stay quiet not longer: she just had to ask. "Why are you and Taiyo fighting?"

Tsuki's sincere obliviousness and child-like curiosity and ignorance (despite her many years and great power) shocked Midoriko. She had just been assuming, all this time, that since Tsuki knew they were fighting and had been around when they had fought, that she understood why. Perhaps retaining so much innocence means you have to block some truths out; otherwise the evil of this world will overcome and destroy you.

"It's a long story," Midoriko said thickly, her head hung low. Her whole body had gone limp and she fought to calm herself with deep breathing. Her breaths were shaky and she said nothing. Tsuki didn't know what to do.

After a long while Midoriko straightened herself up and continued walking down the long corridor at a fast pace, completely silent and tight-lipped. This shocked Tsuki so that she just stood there for several moments. Once she snapped out of it she had to run to catch up, seeing as how she prefers to always (as long as she has a choice) remain in the form in which she was "changed."

She had been 11 years old at the time, living with foster parents. The people were nice enough, but the dad was always working and the mom had five other kids of her own to care for. Despite the woman's best efforts, Tsuki was often left out. She grew up in the shadows, alone and forgotten, envying the love that the other children had and that she desperately desired but never received.

Tsuki reached the gargantuan doors much later than Midoriko. Once she got to the doors she nearly collapsed. She fell to her knees, breathing hard. Her head was spinning, she was seeing spots, her tongue had become thick and she felt like she was about to throw up.

Midoriko just stood there. She didn't move to help Tsuki, nor did she make any move to continue inside through the large doors. Despite her indifferent exterior, Midoriko cares for Tsuki very much, and she's one of the few people Midoriko would actually even consider pausing for when she herself could move on forward.

Tsuki quickly regained stability. Her breathing slowed and became less painful. Her stomach settled and she didn't feel like she was about to vomit any longer. Her head stopped swimming and Tsuki found that she could shakily rise to her feet and stay standing, wobbling only slightly.

"You alright?" Midoriko asked, the closest she'll ever let herself come to actually showing care or concern for someone other than her own self.

Tsuki laughed and smiled. Midoriko couldn't help but do the same; a rare treat few ever get to experience and live to tell the tale. "Yes, Milady Midori! I'm just fine now!"

Midoriko's smile faded, but her eyes still glinted happily. "Then let's go."

Midoriko knocked on the door. Although it did not seem like she was putting much force behind her blows, the sound boomed and echoed and seemed to never end as it traveled down the long corridor. She stopped knocking but the sound continued, taking several minutes to fade in the distance. Tsuki's head began throbbing and she winced from the pain.

Once the echo had quieted, Midoriko and Tsuki stood there, still just standing, as patient as can be. They continued staring straight ahead at the featureless white ivory door. This door is rumored to have been carved out of one of the ribs of the legendary First God, but Midoriko doubted that.

"If it was the rib of the first God, then where is the rest of him? 'Sides, Gods are tight-asses. They never give nothin' to nobody."

Tsuki silently agreed. "Plus, the first 'God' had to be a goddess; don'tcha think? Makes a helluva lot more sense to me."

A section of the door shimmered slightly. It was in the shape of a circle about two feet in diameter. It stabilized itself and became a silver mirror. But instead of reflecting Midoriko's face it remained blank. Midoriko tapped her foot impatiently.

"C'mon…"

Seconds later a head appeared in the circle. It belonged to Han, the doorman of the Underworld. His one and only duty was to monitor this one gate. And since this gate is only used by the dead, messengers of the dead, Enma, Natsu and the Council, he rarely has to do anything. If unauthorized personnel try to come through, he makes sure another in informed and he doesn't let them in. Everyone who needs to go through can on their own—except for, that is, the Council members.

He smiled his big, shiny smile when he saw who it was. Han is a clown of a guy and he loves visitors—good or even evil. He loves making jokes and playing harmless tricks. His eyes are light brown and playful and his hair is the same color, tossed and eternally messy.

"Midoriko! My favorite council member; who you doin'? Where's the little one—Tsuki?" he said quickly, a smile on his face, obviously joking from the safety of elsewhere.

Midoriko took her time in answering with a dangerous scowl. "She hasn't gone into her full-form yet. She's standing right here next to me…"

"Hi!" Tsuki exclaimed, cutting in (the only way she could get a part in the conversation). She was jumping up and down, trying to be seen. Midoriko ignored her and continued.

"…We're here for the Council Meeting. Let us in," Midoriko demanded, no room for debate, argument or messing around.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You're late—as usual. I've already let the others in." Han was cold to Midoriko but warm to Tsuki, whom he shifted his attention to. "Hiya, Tsuki-chan! Long time, no see. How you been doin'?"

Midoriko growled. "Are you going to let us in?"

Tsuki chirped, "I've been doing well! Et toi?" ("And you"-French).

"I'm fine!" He smiled, which faded as he turned to Midoriko. "I dunno if I should…"

Midoriko was not in the mood. She was stressed, tired and on the edge already. She punched the wall—hard—an action which shocked both present. All was silent as she spoke in a strained voice, almost too soft to hear. "Just let us in—now."

"Okay, okay, jeez, no need to get testy." Han's heart was beating furiously and he laughed nervously, trying to shake it off. "Little Lord and Lady haven't arrived yet either, so you're in luck."

The doors swung open and Midoriko waltzed inside like everything was normal. Tsuki stayed behind a bit. The doors closed and, to Han before they both left, she said in a whisper, "See you later."

He smiled, winked and disappeared. Tsuki hurried after Midoriko, lest she be left behind yet again.

There you have it! The first chapter of my newest fic for FanFiction. It's pretty good, if I do say so myself. If you like it, review me and say so. If you hate it, review me and tell me why. If you hate me, don't review me and keep your mouth shut. You got a bone to pick with me, don't take it up with my story. E-mail me, diss me in a fic, I don't care. I hate it when people review someone else's story about them and not the fluffing fic. Flames suck, but I can take them, if they relate to the story! I cannot stress this enough. I hope you like it and the next chapter is already under progress and will be up shortly…if I get reviews!

IRISJEAN (aka Midoriko, Dia, Blizzard, FluffySesshy-samaGrrl, MadSciGrl, etc)