Alright! Let's continue! New and revised chapter!

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EPISODE SEVEN: DEATH OF A REKAI

Sage woke early the next day and came out to where his son was currently working. "Kuwabara," Was currently working on some papers, translating ancient texts and things of that sort. All of this was a bore to Sage, and he was glad to have his son back so he could do this meaningless task for him.

Sage smiled at his son, he really made him proud.

As he was looking at his son in his new body, (the one he had commandeered from the pure hearted human) he noticed something amiss. A piece of his flesh on "Kuwabara's" arm seemed like it had eroded away. Sage's eye narrowed when he suddenly realized something. Huffing angrily and marching towards his son he yelled, "BATTO! Have you been eating?" Batto looked at him, and he dumbly shook his head no. "Stupid boy!" Sage yelled, "Kazuma's body is decomposing, you have to eat to make sure his body gets its nutrients! Remember, you are a walking corpse!" Batto nodded, and ran a hand through his orange curls, "Sorry Dad…I hate this body father."

Sage sighed, "I know, I know my dear boy. Eat something...and then do me a favor...go look for our missing guests," Sage smiled, "When you find them, make sure to "take extra special care," of them." Kuwabara's face twisted upwards, and he nodded marching off to feed the pathetic body he dwelled in.

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Yusuke lay on one of the strange beasts, staring through the leaves of the large trees, and up at the sky. Yusuke was relaxed, and very comfortable, his face was calm and serene, but inside everything was in turmoil. Yusuke felt he had a lot to think about. He'd rescued Kuwabara's parents, and with them being so weak, it wasn't a good idea to leave them with him was it. He wondered if he should send someone to take them home, but that was an argument waiting to happen. He thought he could send them by themselves, but they had no idea how to get home, and Yusuke didn't think it'd be a good idea to go anywhere by themselves.

Besides they were Kuwabara's parents.

Kuwabara got his stubborn attitude, brashness, extreme loyalty, and honor code from somewhere…and just spending this short time with the adults Yusuke knew exactly where. Yusuke did not like the fact that the two would probably come right back refusing to leave without their son, or at least their son's body. Even harder, was the question of what to do with Kuwabara? He was brainwashed right, but maybe they could bring him back.

And maybe, Yusuke thought, he could save Kuwabara.

"But how do you bring someone back...when he's just like a ghost to you...?" Yusuke asked himself quietly.

"If you could bring them back, then they weren't ever really a ghost now where they?"

Yusuke sat up to look at Kari who was sitting near the beast's face stroking him with fascination. She was watching her hand run down the beast's string like fur, back and forth, back and forth...she just watched her hand go. Yusuke noticed all this, and he remembered Kuwabara and how he would sit for hours petting his cat in the same manner. A goofy grin plastered on his face and an almost glazed look in his eyes. Yusuke had to admit that he liked watching Kuwabara in these moments. It was rare when any of them where peaceful, and it was nice to see at least one of his friends looking so relaxed. For Hiei it was polishing his sword, for Kurama it was being with his mother, for Kuwabara it was petting his cat and for Yusuke…

Well for him it was being with Kuwabara, that was how he got his peace.

Yusuke paused, but then asked, "Do you like cats?" Kari looked at him, and shook her head, "No...But my husband does. I love the feel of soft things though!" Kari laughed before continuing, "Oh Kazuma is just crazy about them, he used to drive little Kazu nuts by making him look in the store with all the kittens. Kazu never did like cats he thought they were something too lame for little boys. He always liked the snakes, and spiders…ugh…snakes…" Kari visibly shivered, and Yusuke had to suppress a smile.

Yusuke looked at the older woman's profile. She was rather attractive, even if she was older. Yusuke smiled, "I find that hard to believe, he has a cat now. Eckiji." Kari turned to him, a smile on her face, "Really? That's wonderful. Better then those God awful…snakes!" Yusuke looked at her, and jumped off the furry beast, "You know," he said, "you really look like Shizuru." Kari smiled, "Oh...is she still a little tomboy?" Yusuke sat by her, and began to pet the beast as well, "Yeah I guess that's what you have to call her."

Kari smiled, tears in her eyes, "I was so happy I could have died when Sage brought forth our son. I didn't care he'd been dragged here, and God forgive me, I was hoping Shizuru was too. Seven years...that's too long not to see your babies." Kari's hand began to shake and she brought her hands to her face, "No one should outlive their child, no one!" Yusuke put his arm around her, and the woman clung to him sobbing. Yusuke swallowed, and said softly, "He's not gone...you know? He's still there, just taken over."

Kari wiped her eyes, "I know...but something doesn't seem right...like I can't believe that story. Yusuke I saw with my own eyes-MY OWN EYES-that he killed himself. I saw it…you can't fake a death like that…you can't turn that white, and choke out a death rattle like that, you just can't!" Kari took in a shuttering breath miserably.

Yusuke didn't know what say so he hugged her, "I'm sorry Mrs. Kuwabara…"

Kari looked at him, "It must be hard for you. You're a demon so you must have always known you were going to outlive him, but to hear that he died here...oh God that must have been terrible. But…if the story that he told is true…" Kari took in a breath, "At least there's a chance to get him back, right?"

Yusuke nodded, and Kari rose. "I'm going to rouse that husband of mine. He sleeps like the dead..." She trailed off, closed her mouth and left through the bushes. Yusuke sat alone, and walked over to the beast, and climbed up on it, laying back down again, and stared once again at the sky through the leaves.

His eyes narrowed with pain, "Actually...I never thought of outliving Kuwabara…"

Yusuke closed his eyes, and envisioned Kuwabara in his nineties. He could see him standing tall still, with a slight hunch, but not much of one. Only noticeable when he sat down. His hair was shorter, and thinner, his eyes gray and dim. He had an old smile, that made his wrinkles stand out more, but made him look younger at the same time. He had children, and grandchildren, and like Genkai believed in passing down his power to another, who happened to be a rekai, and just as stubborn as Yusuke. Yusuke could hear Kuwabara saying in a new older voice, "I'm old now Urameshi...it's time...take me to our place...one last time." And Yusuke would be there, still looking young as ever, with sad brown eyes.

Their place was under a tree, where after a battle the two would lounge around. Yusuke could see it now. It would be fall, and the orange and red leaves would be falling. Kuwabara would take one in his old withered hands, and spin it slowly. Kuwabara would chuckle and point out all the spots, and wrinkles on his hands. Yusuke would roll his eyes, and self-consciously glance at his seeing the smooth skin there. Kuwabara would smile, and his half way blind eyes would turn to Yusuke, "We had some good times...didn't we Urameshi?"

Yusuke's eyes snapped open as he forced those thoughts away, "No...Dammit...why? Either way...here or later...I'm gonna lose him. And...and Keiko...and the others…" Yusuke sat up, and screamed loudly, "DAMMIT!" He held his stomach, a tight pain filling it up.

"Why are you screaming?" Yusuke froze as he recognized that voice. A dread swept through him and Yusuke felt himself sit slowly up and turn robotically to see who had spoken even though he knew that voice without a doubt. And when he managed to turn to land on who he knew was there, but had hoped hadn't been, Yusuke felt the pain in his stomach spread and swallow him completely up.

Kuwabara was there behind a tree.

His face rest against the thick tree trunk, and his hands hugged the sides of the tree. The crosses in his eyes, were staring dead on at Yusuke, unmoving and unblinking. He looked like a painting just standing so still and observing Yusuke.

Yusuke jumped off the beast, and got in a defensive stance, but Kuwabara did not move. Kuwabara remained frozen for a long time. There was a soft sound and finally Kuwabara made the first movement. His pale fingers touched the necklace hanging around his neck, and then Kuwabara looked at his hands dropping his eyes away from Yusuke. Kuwabara looked sad and in a meek voice whispered, "Look at me Yusuke. I already look dead." Yusuke glared at him ignoring the shooting heartache he felt in his chest, "Kuwabara...Dammit...you...you're pathetic! You-You can't even snap out of being brainwashed!"

Kuwabara stepped in front of the tree, and pouted, "Well that's mean...and after I came all this way to see you."

Before he could take another step, Hiei, and Kurama had appeared at Yusuke's side. Kurama held his rose whip in a tighter grasp, and Hiei's sword was out, ready if needed. Kuwabara looked at them, and smiled, "I was told to kill you."

Hiei glared at him, "Where you now?"

Kuwabara nodded, and smiled, "But it doesn't seem like I can..." The three tensed, and Kuwabara called his sword. "At least no without some proper flourish!" The four stood there, looking at each other, different looks in their eyes.

One look filled with evil.

One look filled with anger.

One look filled with pity.

One look filled with sorrow.

All different looks on different faces, that knew each other too well. If any of them had bothered to look into the red jewel around, "Kuwabara's" neck they would have all seen the huddled soul of the real Kazuma Kuwabara hiding his face in shame and defeat.

There was a snap from some twig, and Kuwabara suddenly turned around, laughed and took off calling over his shoulder, "COME! CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!" Kurama and Hiei followed, but Yusuke hesitated. Kari and Kazuma burst through the brush, "Was that my son's voice I heard?" Kari asked, grabbing Yusuke's arm. Yusuke didn't look at her, but whispered, "Stay here," and gave chase.

Batto ran through the forest, and couldn't help but think of the soul trapped in the necklace. He wondered if he was still incapacitated. If he wasn't, he hoped he was enjoying the show Batto was putting on. Batto looked behind him, seeing the surprise on Kurama, and Hiei's faces. They weren't able to catch up to him. 'Of course not-before I died I was an S class demon...and my powers are back now' Batto thought smugly. He only stopped running when he came to a cliff. He looked over the edge with a smile it had to be a twenty, maybe thirty foot drop into rushing water, filled with wild rapids.

"KUWABARA!"

Batto turned seeing whose voice it was.

Hiei had reached him first.

Batto looked at him, and decided to try out his acting skills again. "Hiei..." The short demon sucked in a breath and watched Kuwabara seem to grow weak and frail before him. He was swaying, and he spread his arms open eagle style, "Hiei...I must die." Batto was swaying and inching backwards towards the edge of the cliff.

"No! You don't…have to die. Yusuke can fix you…we can fix you" Hiei argued taking a step forward freezing as tears ran down, "Kuwabara's" face.

"Hiei…I'm a monster…I can't stand this anymore! I have to do it!" Batto moaned, suppressing his glee. And with that he moved forward to throw himself off the cliff. Hiei dropped his weapon, and ran to him, grabbing him just as Kurama and Yusuke showed up.

"Kuwabara!"

Batto smiled, and grabbed Hiei's sleeve at the shoulder. He called out Kuwabara's sword, and just as Kuwabara' parents joined (the two had followed, they were too stubborn to be left behind) Kurama and Yusuke he thrust the sword all the way through Hiei's gut, the orange sword glowing vibrantly as blood dripped off the weapon.

All wore shocked faces, and screams filled the air; Hiei looked down at his waist in disbelief. Kuwabara had lifted him off the ground, so that they were almost eye level, and his feet dangled towards the ground. He saw his blood fall to the ground, and spread on Kuwabara's pale hands. He looked into the eyes of his killer shock written clearly on his face. Hiei felt the pain and burning feeling of Kuwabara's weapon, a weapon Hiei had never thought he had to fear…and right then Hiei knew he would die.

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At Genkai's shrine, Yukina suddenly grabbed at her chest, and gems began to hit the floor. "Oh no..." She gasped before falling backwards, Genkai catching her. Boeton's hand was on her chest, and she looked over at Koenma, "Oh my God." Koenma grabbed her, "Boeton! What is it! Boeton tell me!"

"It's Hiei," Shizuru whispered.

Shizuru was standing at the doorway entrance, smoking, wearing only a long t-shirt. It was actually her brother's, she had brought all his things, and pulled them close to her. She had this dead look in her eyes, as she exhaled cigarette smoke. "Wow...this week is going to suck."

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Hiei made a grunting sound as Kuwabara twisted his sword within him. His eyes fell from Kuwabara's face unable to stand the sneer he saw there, and let his eyes drag down Kuwabara's throat all the way to the necklace.

Hiei gasped.

He could see something in there, a tiny soul.

"Kuwa...ba..." He whispered, staring at the motionless figure curled up within its red prison. And in an instant, Hiei knew the truth. Batto leaned down and whispered in Hiei's ear. "So now you've seen my little accessory...that soul is Kuwabara…and you all have been my playthings for the past few days…my real name, just to let you know before you go wallow in the pits of Hell, is Batto...and in case you're wondering, Kuwabara did kill himself. All that's left of him is his memory, and this tattered soul that rests inside my necklace. Too bad for you and your friends, you're here to save him and all you're doing is prolonging his suffering," Batto yanked out the sword, "Too bad you'll never be able to tell your friends any of this."

Hiei's red eyes flashed in defiance and he raised his hand gripping the necklace Kuwabara was within, squeezing the jewel tight. "Kuwabara do you hear m…me?" Hiei wheezed his voice barely audible to his own ears, "Yusuke…will save you…don't die…don't…."

Batto through back his head and laughed ramming his kneed in Hiei's bleeding gut, "Don't make empty promises. Saving Kuwabara is a lost cause especially for a dead piece of shit like you," Batto whispering smirking as Hiei's eyes slowly turned black, and Hiei's tensed body went limp. Hiei's hand dropped from the necklace and Batto lift the small man above his head and in one movement threw Hiei's body off the edge of the cliff.

"NOOO!" Kurama screamed, but Yusuke wrapped his arms firmly around Kurama so the man would not run out and get himself skewered.

"Kuwabara…" Yusuke croaked, the smiling orange haired man turning to him.

Kuwabara had blood smeared all over his face and Batto eagerly lapped it up. He smiled at the sight her saw before him. Yusuke was glowing blue, and his face was scrunched up in anger, energy wrapping around his body. "Man Kuwabara...you must be dying in there...I wash my hands of you...I get it. I get it now…that dream I had. It was real. You really don't want to be here…be in there." Yusuke closed his eyes. He could see his best friend so clearly in his mind. So clearly…he was almost sure that he could reach out and touch him. Yusuke opened his eyes, releasing his treasure memories of his best friend, "But here's no bringing you back now is there buddy? If there was…you wouldn't have done that." Yusuke closed his eyes, the last of his tears dripping to the ground, "That dirty bastard Sage...look what he's done to ya man. I'll make him pay for everything. For you, for Hiei…and for what I'm about to have to do."

Yusuke took in a deep breath his tears stopping, and silently Yusuke knew mourning Kuwabara was over. All over…he had denied the facts so long it cost Yusuke another friend. Yusuke hardened his brown eyes-no more. No more of this weak, sissy, pussy shit…Kuwabara was in pain…and being used…and now Kuwabara had killed Hiei. It was Yusuke's job to protect his friends and he had been failing horribly up until now...but no more. Yusuke released Kurama and sighed taking a step forward, "I'm sorry Kuwabara, but this is it. I gotta…stop you now. I'm sorry…but…" Yusuke raised a glowing finger and aimed for Kuwabara's head, "If I let you live after what you did to Hiei, you would kick my ass."

End of this chapter

That's right bitches…I killed Hiei!