+On The Other Side+

+Prologue: From The Past And Koenma+

"There are three Light worlds –Makai, Reikai, and Ningenkai- and three Shadow worlds –Iakam, Iakier, and Iaknegnin. Makai-Light Demon World. Reikai-Light Spirit World. Ningenkai-Light Human World. Iakam-Shadow Demon World. Iakier-Shadow Spirit World. Iaknegnin-Shadow Human World. The Shadow Worlds are a horrible place to be a youkai. Youkai are slaves for the humans, and are disgraced everywhere. Some are even raped. Spells are used to keep their powers under control.

"The Shadow Worlds' ruler, Amneok, rules with an iron fist, literally. His hand was cut off and it was replaced by a special metal that allows him to move as if he has a real hand. No one knows how Amneok came to be ruler. Some say he killed his own father, Amne, and took his place on the throne, whilst others claim he has always been the ruler. Whatever the case, the three worlds are in chaos and no one can stop Amneok's evil tyranny.

"Three years ago, the Iakier Rebels created a revolt –called the Demonic Rebellion- and almost won. (Amneok lost his hand during the rebellion.) But, after Amneok pulled out his secret weapon, the Rebels lost, and where forced to go into hiding. Few know what the "secret weapon" is, and those who do are either working for Amneok, or are dead. Amneok has spent two of those three years hunting for the Iakier Rebels, hoping to finish them off. But, after having no luck in his search, he gave up.

"Now, every demon and very few humans hope that the Iakier Rebels will some day return and overthrow the tyrannical Amnoek.

"And that's the story." The demi-god finished, closing the thick leather-bound book he was reading from. A cloud of dust arose from the book and sent him into a short coughing fit. Kurama approached him and patted him on the back lightly. "Thank you." Kurama simply nodded and returned to his spot next to Hiei. Koenma looked around at them. They were all silent, except for Yusuke.

"Jeez, toddler, if I new I was getting a history lesson I would've stayed at school," he joked. Koenma sighed in irritation. Yusuke should be taking this more seriously.

"Yusuke, this is no time for jokes! This is a very serious matter!" Koenma yelled, standing up in his chair. But as he looked at Yusuke he saw that all traces of humor had already left his face. In fact, it had left the moment he had stepped into the room. He could tell something was wrong by the way even Botan had lost her cheery demeanor. The way Koenma had been tenser than ever.

"I know." He looked at Koenma with such serious eyes he knew it was true. "So… what does this have to do with us?" Yusuke asked slowly. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger to ward off the oncoming headache; he knew Yusuke would not like this very much.

"Well, your mission is to go to the Shadow Worlds, find the Iakier Rebels, and stop Amneok-" he said, but was cut off by Hiei, who had been silent for the duration of the little meeting.

"How long has Amneok ruled?" he demanded. Koenma sighed, knowing he would really get hell if he answered. But, reluctantly, he did.

"He has ruled for thousands of years." He flinched when Hiei growled and Yusuke pushed his face right in his. Here it comes. He prepared himself.

"WHAT?" Yusuke yelled angrily. "They've been suffering for thousands of years and you choose now to act? What's going on here, Koenma? Why is it more important now than it was thousands of years ago? All of those youkai were suffering and you didn't give a damn then! Why do you care now?" When he was done his cheeks were tinged red from anger and he has panting slightly. Koenma could clearly see the rage in Yusuke's eyes and sighed. The others where staring at Yusuke. He normally never acted like this and Koenma knew they wanted to know what was wrong.

"You don't understand, Yusuke," Koenma said sadly. "I couldn't act. It was impossible. I could never find a way into the Shadow Worlds. We've looked everywhere and found nothing. Only recently has this book been discovered, along with the map leading to the Shadow Gate. That's the entrance into the Shadow Worlds."

"Where did you get that book, then?" Kuwabara asked. The other members of the Reikai Tantai nodded, also curious about that little fact.

"I found it yesterday, along with a note and a body." Their eyes all widened. "It was horrible. His body was all bloody and scratched up –we assume he was attacked by demons. He was actually still alive when I found him outside my door. But by the time the Reikai doctors got here, he was dead. He said to me: 'I must warn you!' His voice was very hard to understand. His voice box was almost ripped out, but was missed by almost three centimeters. Anyways, he also said: 'Please listen! Amneok wants to take over the Light Worlds! He's going to use the…'" Koenma trailed off, becoming silent.

"'The…'? 'The' what, Koenma?" Kurama asked, wanting him to continue. He was very curious and Youko was having a field day. It was all very puzzling and kitsune youkais love puzzles.

"That was all he said." Koenma replied. "He died before he could finish. He had with him this dusty old book and the note. In the book was a map to the Shadow Gate and that small bit of history I read to you. The rest of the pages where blank. As for the note, it was unreadable. All of the words were smudged. I had a few experts analyze it, but they couldn't figure it out." He sighed and closed his eyes, awaiting their reaction.

"So, let me get this straight. A mysterious guy comes here and warns you about an attack on the Light Worlds-"

Koenma cut him off. "No, Yusuke, he was far from mysterious. In fact, who he was is the only reason I believe that what he said was true." His eyes darted to Kurama briefly. No one seemed to notice.

"Well, who was he?" Kuwabara prompted. This had really captured his attention and managed to hold it way more than school ever could.

"H-he was…" What will their reactions be? He absentmindedly wondered. "He was Shuichi Minamino." Everyone's eyes went wide and they all looked to Kurama, who was standing completely still. That was rather shocking to him.

"How is that possible?" Yusuke turned back to Koenma, eyes still wide. "How is that possible?" he repeated. When Koenma said nothing, he growled out a warning. "Koenma…"

"Well, it wasn't exactly Shuichi Minamino." He answered hurriedly, not wanting to make Yusuke angry. "More, it was the Shadow Shuichi." No one moved or spoke. Koenma knew they must be contemplating this new bit of information.

Finally, "Shadow… Shuichi? Are there more of these shadow people?" Hiei asked, stoic mask still in face to hide his shock. Hell, everyone was in shock. But, as usual, Hiei wanted to mask his emotions.

"Yes, there are." He answered solemnly. "And if my theories are correct, then that means that not all of them are good. That the Shadow World is the opposite of the Light World so there will be opposite -shadow- people. This mission will be your toughest one yet. I advise you be careful of who you trust."

"So," Yusuke started. "We have to enter the Shadow Worlds, find these Iakier Rebels, if they still exist, and defeat Amneok, the evil Shadow Worlds' ruler. …Okay, let's go. Come on, toddler; get Botan to open a portal! We need to go and save those youkai!" Ignoring the toddler remark, Koenma mentally sighed. He'd been sighing a lot today. Oh, Yusuke… If only I could change history…

"My, Yusuke, you sure seem determined. Why is that?" Kurama asked, chuckling at his eager behavior. Koenma looked to Yusuke, wondering if he would tell them the reason.

"Because…" Yusuke became strangely silent. He gritted his teeth balled his hands into fists, his nails digging into the palms of his hands and creating little half-moons. "Because, no one deserves to live like a slave. No one should have to be subjected to that. Not even a demon." Of course, he said it so quietly that Koenma and Kuwabara had to strain to hear it, only Hiei and Kurama's youkai hearing could pick it up without any problems. "Koenma, just… please open up a portal. I want to go and save them already." Koenma could see the blood that dripped from Yusuke's fists.

The toddler like ruler nodded, knowing exactly what Yusuke meant. "Botan, get in here!" Immediately, the giant doors to his office opened and in came the normally cheerful girl.

"Yes, Lord Koenma?" she asked, trying only half-heartedly to sound like her happy and bouncy self. She looked more forlorn than happy in any way. She had bags under her dulled eyes and her clothes were very ruffled -even ripped in some places- from running around doing things for him. He began to feel guilty.

"Botan, open up a portal," Koenma ordered, then added: "And when you're done you can take the rest of the day, and tomorrow, off." Botan perked up considerably at that. He jumped down, off his desk, and walked to Kurama while she happily complied. "Kurama, I am entrusting you with the map. You are, after all, the best when it comes to this sort of thing. Also, take this book and the note. They may come in handy. I don't know how but it's better safe than sorry." He handed Kurama said items then walked back to his desk. Botan, having opened the portal, left the room, wanting to go rest.

As the Reikai Tantai entered the portal Koenma called Yusuke back. He turned back, looking at him questioningly. "Yeah? What is it, pacifier breath?" Yusuke asked as he walked back to Koenma's desk. But, his cocky voice didn't match his solemn face. In fact, he could hear Yusuke's voice shaking.

"Yusuke," Koenma sighed. "Don't let your past get in the way of your mission. Don't act rashly." Yusuke frowned down at the demi-god. Even standing on his desk, which was what he was doing, Koenma was shorter than the spirit detective. Something dripped onto his cheek and his eyes widened in shock.

"Don't worry," his voice was low, close to whispering. He smiled sadly, slightly startling the already clearly shaken demi-god. "I'll try my best not to, okay? I mean, how bad can I fuck up?" He chuckled, though it held no humor. It was bitter. "See ya when I get back… Lord Koenma." Then, Yusuke turned his back on him and left, via portal.

Koenma looked at where the portal had been and sucked his pacifier worriedly. It had closed the moment Yusuke had gone through and exited safely on the other side. He was surprised and shocked. Yusuke always managed to do that but never like that before.. When he had looked into Yusuke's eyes… They were so lonely and sad. And he had said Lord Koenma. No crack about him being a toddler. No 'pacifier breath'. Lord Koenma. But, what shocked him the most was the other thing that he saw in Yusuke's eyes.

He saw… tears. Yusuke had been crying. He growled in frustration. Koenma hadn't wanted that. He didn't think Yusuke would react that strongly. Maybe, because of his past, he shouldn't have sent the spirit detective. It could hurt him even more. Perhaps he should have sent a different team for this mission? But, deep down, he knew that only Yusuke could do this. Only he would be strong enough to do it. Despite his past Koenma knew the spirit detective had the power to save the Shadow Worlds. He couldn't lose faith in him! Yusuke can do it! He thought fiercely.

At least …he hoped Yusuke could.

+TBC+

A/N: So, did you like that? I'm debating about the pairings. Or if there should even be any. VOTE ON PAIRING! MUST BE SHOUNEN-AI! ANY SHOUNEN-AI PAIRING! Well, drop a review! Constructive criticism is very welcome! There's always room for improvement and I'm open to new ideas! I accept flames! I love to bitch at flamers! Well, bye!

Insomniac Jaki