Author's Note: It's been a while since I added any new stories. Sorry. This story is set after the Chapter Black Saga. Please read and review. I will hopefully add a chapter at least once a week. I will try to add more depending on how much time I have to spare between work and all. LOL. Thanks for your time and comments.

"The power that long held balance and order has faded into politics. I don't know if he is just powerless or controlled by outside forces. I'm afraid that either way we are on our own. He has taken Human World's only defense and done nothing to stop the destruction that has resulted from his actions. It may already be too late to save Human World," Koenma murmured, staring in horror at the screens before him.

The disease was spreading like a wild fire through Human World. Many cities were crippled with the disease despite the human doctors and scientists desperately seeking to find a cure. They were as powerless as he was to stop the disease from ravaging the world.

Training a spirit detective took time even if he was lucky enough to find someone with the potential to hold such a demanding title. Time was something the world did not have, and the only person he had found with spiritual power had already been killed. How many more unprepared humans would he be forced to send to death?

"Lord Koenma."

He glanced towards the crimson haired ferry girl, already expecting the worst. Her face was grim, and her eyes were wide with fear. She lowered he head and quietly whispered, "The toxic fumes have infected 67 of the human population. At the rate it is spreading, that number will be more than doubled in three days."

Koenma's eyes closed as disgust twisted his stomach. He couldn't just sit by while the world was destroyed. He pressed a hand to his throbbing temple. Human World was decaying while his father sat unmoved. It was time for him to act alone. He raised his head and glanced at the blue ogre standing silently at his side.

"Ogre, there is something you must do for me. I need you to summon Spirit World's Special Forces. They are needed here within the hour."

"But why, Sir? You're not thinking of sending them to Human World, are you?"

"No, they won't be going to Human World. They are needed here," Koenma replied, lowering his head.

If he was choosing the wrong option, things were going to get very ugly, and if he played his cards wrong, he could very well lose his life.

Kurama slipped on his coat, his face set and emerald eyes determined. He turned off the television, unable to stomach anymore of the disaster sweeping the world. Pain seared through him, wringing a gasp from his lips. He pressed a hand to his chest, frowning slightly.

"Kurama, where are you going?" Kuwabara asked from behind him, startling Kurama from his thoughts.

Kurama lowered his hand and turned to face the orange haired youth. He hesitated before answering, "I'm going to find the demons responsible for this chaos. I can not sit by while people are killed."

"I'll go with you," Kuwabara volunteered, reaching for his jacket.

Kurama stepped quickly in front of him, blocking his path, and pressed a hand to his chest. He gently pushed the boy back, away from the front door. Shaking his head, Kurama said, "You must protect Yukina, remember? The girls need you here to watch over them. I need you to protect my mother while I'm gone. I will be fine alone."

"But what if you're hurt? How will I find you?" Kuwabara asked, eyes wide.

"If I have not returned within two days, you will go to Spirit World. If I am able, I will be back before then. If not, you must do as I ask. Take everyone to Spirit World."

"They aren't allowed in Spirit World, are they? I mean, won't your mother find all this strange...?"

"I'm afraid that we may not have another option. If these poisons continue to thicken in the air, no human will be able to survive on this planet."

Kuwabara swallowed hard, feeling a chill race up his spine. "Then the world really is going to be destroyed, huh? Everyone will be killed..."

"Not if I can stop them. There's still time."

"What about those already affected by the poison? There isn't a cure, is there?"

Kurama turned to stare out the window. "No, there isn't a cure, but that doesn't mean that everyone infected is going to die. There may still be a way to save them. We just need time."

"But you said two days?"

"Two days will allow me time to track down the demons and face them. If I fail, you will still have time to get away. Three days and everything will be too late."

"What about you, Kurama? If you don't come back..."

"Forget about me. I can take care of myself."

"But if you're injured..."

"It will be too late for you to do anything. You must look out for the others."

"Real men don't abandon their friends, Kurama."

"If I am overcome, Kuwabara, what do you think will happen to you if you came to aid me?" Kurama asked, chuckling softly.

He turned and laid a hand on Kuwabara's shoulder, gently squeezing. "You know what you must do."

"Yeah, but I don't like it," Kuwabara replied, gaze lowered to the floor.

"Sometimes we all must do things that we would prefer not to," Kurama said, stepping toward the front door and glancing toward the kitchen where his mother could be heard talking to Kaiko. He shook his head slowly and returned his gaze to Kuwabara.

"If she asks where I've gone, tell her a friend needed me and that I will be back in a few days. No one is to leave this house. Keep the windows and doors closed. I have traps set up around the house.

None of the demons will get past them without you knowing. If you have to go out, the traps won't harm you. They are set to attack the energy signature of the demons. Remember, if I have not returned within two days, you are to go to Spirit World with Boton."

"Wait, Kurama!"

He turned as Boton gripped his arm. "You can't go out there. Please reconsider. I am sure that Lord Koenma is planning something..."

"You know as well as I that we can not waste anymore time. That green fog outside is spreading much too quickly to be taken lightly."

"But you won't be able to beat them alone."

"I know something of the type of demons that are capable of creating such a fog. I have faced them before when I was much younger and much more foolish. I stumbled into their territory and had to fight them in order to escape. Their strength is not their threat. Their defense makes them hard to kill. Their skin is a thick barrier that is nearly impossible to pierce. I succeeded in wounding one back then, and now that I know what I am facing I should be able to defeat them."

"Are you sure, Kurama?" Boton asked doubtfully.

"Yes, I would not willingly walk into my own death. Now, go back and talk to my mother. I would prefer that she did not know when I left."

Boton nodded and hurried back into the kitchen. Kurama turned to open the door. His hand found the knob as Kuwabara said, "You lied to her."

"How so?" Kurama asked, without turning.

"You don't think you can beat them."

"I will try. Do not worry them. I may succeed."

"You better. We have enough heroes around here. Don't go pulling a Yusuke," Kuwabara joked. His laughter faded.

"Yusuke would come back, if he could. Right?"

"Of course."

"Then, he'll be here."

Kurama sighed as he pulled the door open. "He may return. King Yama is responsible for this. It depends on if he will allow Yusuke back."

"Yusuke doesn't ask for permission," Kuwabara said.

"Then he'll be here soon," Kurama replied and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.