A/N: Crazy Hyper Lady and I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed the first chapter so far. We greatly appreciate your reviews and hope you will continue to review. Now onto chapter two!

A/N 2: 'Blah' – Yoko to Kurama, 'Blah' – Kurama to Yoko, Blah – Song Lyrics.

Chapter Two: The Battle

It has happened, their worst fears have become realized, someone or someone's in the Reikai have decided that the Tantei were to be exterminated. They had already lost one of their own, but not in vein, for this one died protecting another, paying the ultimate price, but not unwillingly. He knew that it might cost him his life, but he paid no heed, not caring if he lost his life, as long as his sister was able to live on. Now though was not the time for grieving, no not now, for others are still in danger. Innocent people only trying to protect their loved ones have been caught in the crossfire of somebody's attempt to exterminate them.

If this was somebody's idea of a game, then it is the worst kind of game, a game of death. Taking the life of one who was merely trying to protect their loved ones is unforgivable. Some would say that its life, people live, people die, there are murderers and the murdered, there's nothing that anybody can do about it. But that is not always the case, life is precious, no matter whose it is; this is the case none more so than those you love, whether they are your children, your siblings, your grandparents, your uncle, your aunt, your parents, or even your own life, it makes no difference, they are all precious. Those who give their lives to save and protect others are the ones whose memories should be truly honored and remembered throughout the ages.

Now the battle begins. The battle that will either save the lives of the ones the Tantei loves or cost them their lives. Either way the Tantei have chosen their path, they will attempt to save their loved ones, even if it costs them their own lives and/or their loved ones lives, in the process. For no longer are they children or teenagers, now they are men and women. Now they are grown up, realizing the true meaning of life only through the loss of another. A sad way, yes, but it has helped define who they are, what they are, and who they shall become. For only through true sadness can one obtain true happiness.

Ukimura Residence

Yusuke just threw himself through the door not caring if he caused any noise or disturbances. Walking into the living room he found the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Ukimura. Unable to keep the feelings of pain, despair, and sorrow inside himself he let loose a primal scream that would have anybody shaking in where they stood.

-

Kurama had advised everyone to wait outside for Yusuke, but when he heard the primal scream, he bolted inside as if on instinct. Once inside, he quickly found where Yusuke was and saw him on his hands and knees crying. He felt sympathy towards the young Toushin hanyou, something he had never felt before, thus surprising himself greatly.

'You have to feel sorry for him, Suichi. I cannot imagine what he is going through at this very moment. His worst fears may have been realized. He loves the girl with his entire being, something very rare with Youkai, even hanyou's,' said Yoko inside Kurama's mind.

'Yes, I pity the fool who either: killed her, harmed her, or is holding her hostage as a way to get to Yusuke, they don't know what they're getting into,' replied Kurama.

'Indeed, they will live to regret the day they messed with a Toushin and a Toushin's Potential mate,' agreed Yoko.

-

"Kurama, please can you smell her blood? I have to know, I'm to messed up right now to do anything," said Yusuke hoarsely.

"Her blood is not here, at least not any fresh blood, old blood from years ago, yes. But no fresh blood except her poor parents. They should be given a proper burial, before we leave here," said Kurama softly. "I would hazard a guess that they are using Keiko as hostage as a means to get to you."

"Well they succeeded. They got to me alright, but in the way they hoped," said Yusuke as he spotted the letter on the wall.

-

Urameshi, Fox, Forbidden Child,

If you want to see your loved ones again, come to the Reikai Palace within two hours of reading this letter. We will know if you have or not, so don't try anything foolish, you know what awaits you upon your arrival.

R.T.S.F. Commander

-

"THOSE BASTARDS!" screamed Yusuke angrily as Kurama quickly read the note, before Yusuke ripped it to shreds.

"Calm down Yusuke, we don't have much time. Let's head to Genkai's, if they have not gotten her, maybe we can find out some information and plan a way to rescue our loved ones," said Kurama calmly as Yusuke nodded and followed Kurama out back where they buried Mr. and Mrs. Ukimura.

-

Elsewhere in the Reikai a handful of people were gathered together in a medium sized cell. They were all prisoners of the Reikai, but none knew why they were or who was actually behind it all.

"Botan, why are we here?" asked Keiko as soon as Botan was brought back to the cell.

However instead of receiving an answer Botan collapsed onto the floor badly beaten. Keiko quickly rushed to her friend's side and tried to wake her, but to no avail.

"Is she… is she dead?" asked Keiko almost silently.

"No, she's just very badly beaten. This is just her body's way of trying to heal itself. She's in a light coma, so her injuries should heal within a few months time," said Shiori.

"Okay, but what do they want with us?" asked Keiko. "I don't get it, what did we ever do to them?"

"I don't know, but can you help me with this woman over here, she's badly bruised around her eyes and jaw," said Shiori as Keiko walked over to the woman Shiori motioned to.

"Atsuko!" exclaimed Keiko.

"You know this woman?" asked Shiori.

"Yes, she's my boyfriend's mother. Her name is Atsuko Urameshi," said Keiko.

"Urameshi?" asked Shiori curiously. "She wouldn't happen to be related to a Yusuke Urameshi would she?"

"That's her son and my boyfriend. How do you know him?" asked Keiko.

"He hangs out with my son Suichi Minamino. They're good friends, but from what I've heard everyone calls him by his nickname Kurama," said Shiori.

"You're Kurama's mother? I know your son too! He's a good friend of mine too! He speaks very highly of you," said Keiko.

"Ah, it seems that whoever is related to whoever their target is or is in close connections with are targets. But what does this have to with us or the boys?" asked Shiori more to herself than anybody.

"Reikai… son of Raizen… dangerous… Thief King… dangerous… eliminate…" breathed Botan in-between hisses of pain.

"Botan!" exclaimed Keiko a bit confused at the broken up message. "What about the son of Raizen and this Thief King?"

"Yusuke… Kurama… Kuwabara… Hiei… family… friends… loved ones… to be… eliminated…" said Botan in a bit more clearer message as Keiko's eyes widened in understanding and fear.

'Yusuke, please save us,' thought Keiko hopefully as a tear slid down her left cheek. 'Or I won't be able to tell you how I feel.'

-

Yusuke stopped for just a moment, thinking he had heard Keiko. He shrugged it off as just hearing things, but still apart of him longed for her in his arms. Once they arrived at Genkai's shrine they saw that it was in shambles. Pieces of the shrine were strewn about all over the ground and decks.

"Yukina!" whispered Hiei as he took off running through the halls of the shrine towards her room hoping his worst fears had not come to pass.

Opening the door to her room, he found it had been completely demolished, but there was no sign of a struggle. Somebody had been looking for something or somebody. Quickly searching the rest of the shrine he found no signs of a struggle, but everything was strewn about and/or completely demolished.

"They weren't here," said Yusuke. "Genkai was always the type to have a backup plan. They're probably in the forest hiding or somewhere else around these grounds."

"Yes, Genkai would not abandon this shrine unless she had no other choice, nor would she leave Yukina behind. I suggest we keep searching," said Kurama.

"No need," said a raspy voice from behind the three of them. "We're okay, but where is the younger Kuwabara?"

"Gone," said Yusuke as Shizuru broke down crying again.

"I see… do not cry child. I knew your brother and he would not wish you to cry over his death. He may have said many things trying to be tough, but he cared deeply for you and others," said Genkai softly. "You are not the only who will miss him, though others may not admit it, he will be missed."

"Thank you," said Shizuru hoarsely.

"Come, let's find a room that wasn't demolished, so you can get some rest," said Genkai softly as she led Shizuru through the halls.

"Yukina, do you know how to fight?" asked Yusuke.

"NO!" snapped Hiei angrily.

"What?" asked Yusuke sternly. "What do you mean no, Hiei!"

"She is not going with us! I will not endanger her any more than she already is!" said Hiei angrily.

"Hiei!" snapped Yusuke angrily.

"Hiei, you are like an older brother me, but I can fight and I will fight. In memory of Kazuma, he would not want us to fight amongst ourselves. If Genkai's suspicions are correct, then they are targeting those close to you Tantei and those who are related to the Tantei as well. I fear they may have gotten my real brother or worse," said Yukina softly, but everyone could tell of frightened she really was about everything that had happened, not just for herself, but for others too.

"Yukina," said Hiei softly, ignoring Kurama's piercing gaze, as she looked at him and he nodded his head in agreement. "If you are sure, this is going to be a dangerous task. We are going to the Reikai Palace to rescue the others and get out alive."

"I am sure," said Yukina, grateful that Hiei was so understanding, "I fear for those who have been captured already. I mourn for those whose lives were lost as a result of whatever reason they attacked us. I fear for those who may still be in danger."

"Your brother is constantly in danger Yukina," said Yusuke. "As we all are. But I'm sure that wherever your brother is, he would have done the same thing Hiei did. He promised to help look after you, as did we all. We were allies, we were acquaintances, we were friends, and now we are family, maybe not by blood, but we are family."

"Yusuke speaks the truth, though we are different races, we are family," said Kurama.

"The de – no, he is longer a detective of the Reikai. We are no longer Tantei either," said Hiei slowly. "We are shadows of what we once were and of what we will become."

"The dimwit, the fox, and the sociopath are all correct," said Genkai. "No longer is the dimwit a dimwit, but a man who has learned what it is like to loose someone whom he considered his friend. The fox will always be a fox, but he is also a man, he has lost those he did not know very long, but they were family. Family he grew close with, laughed with, spoke with, shared secrets with, cried with, family he could trust. The sociopath has learned the true value of friends and being close to someone, he has grown past his cold exterior, he has warmed on the inside, and he has learned the value of friendship, he too is a man now."

"You Yukina, you were but a child who was lost, though you sought out your brother, you stayed with those you cared about, because you knew if you left it would hurt them, along with yourself. You have faced many hardships in your life, because of whom and what you are, but you stayed true to yourself and to everyone who was around you. Yukina, you have grown into an amazing young woman, a woman I can be proud of. You care for all life, no matter how small it is. All of you have grown and changed since first coming into contact with one another. I am glad that I could see such accomplishments in my life time," said Genkai.

"Don't forget Genkai, you have helped us too, you are a mentor, a mother-like figure to those of us without one, you are a friend," said Yusuke. "You, Genkai, are a woman we can each be proud of. If we don't make it back alive, or if we never see each other again, know that I'm proud to have been your pupil and your friend. In my heart you will always be my grandmother."

Genkai didn't know what to say, so she just nodded and brushed away a silent tear. She watched as they left towards the portal that would take them to the Reikai Palace. She hoped she would see them again before her time came. She dearly hoped she would, but until then she would pray for their safety and for the safety of those they loved and those they would protect with their lives.

-

"This is it," said Yusuke as everyone nodded in agreement. "After this there is no going back, if you want to leave do so now."

It was quiet for a moment, then, "Yusuke, nobody here will leave. We are in this together. This is one battle they will wish they had never started," said Kurama with a smile. "Besides if we left now, who would watch your back?"

"Kurama is right, if we leave now, then who will watch your back? Who will save our loved ones? This isn't for us, this is for them," said Yukina. "Like you said before, we are family, maybe not by blood, but we are family."

"Hn," replied Hiei with a smirk. "Let's show them what happens when you mess with Youkai."

So they stepped into the portal without looking back, a look of confidence on each of their faces. This time there would be no going back, this time may very well be there last, but until that day came, they would do their best to protect those they love and lives their lives to the fullest extent they possibly could.

-

Flashback – Various Times

Yusuke stood outside Sarakaishi Elementary School for the first time. It seemed so large, but he wasn't scared. Walking through the gates and to his class, the day started out pretty good. But then towards the end he began to get bullied and made fun of by everyone. Several weeks would go by with Yusuke enduring this torturous routine, day in and day out. But one day he just snapped and gave the kid bullying him an uppercut, sending him flying through the air to land hard on the ground out cold. Several others sought retribution for this act, but all ended up like the first kid. It was the first time he had ever been suspended from school, even if it was self-defense. When he was allowed to return to school everyone was afraid of him and didn't want to be near him. He wouldn't have friends for several more years. It turned out that the kid bullying him was Kuwabara before he developed his code after witnessing an event that would forever change him.

Flash-Forward – 3rd Grade

Yusuke sat alone at the lunch table in a very foul mood; he had been given lunch detention for beating up a kid that tried to take his lunch money. It seemed that these days every teacher and student was doing their best to get him kicked out, but the Principal wouldn't have it. It was that day that would forever change his life. It was the day he made his first friend.

"Hi, can I sit here? Everywhere else is full and they say that no new kids are allowed to sit anywhere else but here," said the girl.

"They're full of it. You can sit anywhere you like, but this table has been reserved for those who get suspended every four weeks, get lunch detention every three days, and beat the living hell out of other students, regardless of what they did or were going to do," said Yusuke. "I'd recommend sitting elsewhere."

"What about your friends, can't you sit with them?" asked the girl curiously.

"What friends? I ain't ever had a single friend in my life," snapped Yusuke angrily.

"I'm sorry," replied the girl starting to cry.

"Please don't! Please don't cry! I hate it when people cry, especially girls. Look I'm sorry I snapped at you. It's just that I've never spoken with anybody this long before… at least, nobody outside my family. I'm Yusuke, Yusuke Urameshi," said Yusuke holding out his hand to the girl.

"Keiko, Keiko Ukimura, it's nice to meet you Yusuke Urameshi. If you want, I'll be your friend," said Keiko as this remark brought a smile to Yusuke's face.

"Deal!" replied Yusuke. "So where'd you move from?"

"Oh, I've always lived in the Sarakaishi District. I just transferred from another school that was in another district," said Keiko.

So, the two talked until Yusuke was led off to serve his detention. The two were complete opposites, Yusuke was always in trouble and in detention or suspended, while Keiko became the class president and apart of the Student Council. The two always talked at lunch though, until the day that Yusuke started skipping school completely, the sixth grade.

Flash-Forward – 7th Grade

Yusuke Urameshi, this was the time in which he had a reputation so bad it scared everyone. He still had his one friend though, but they were on shaky ground, their friendship threatened to be torn apart. It was the day before his life would be changed forever. It was a day when his limited knowledge of his father plagued him. It was day that he regretted ever getting into trouble and, to him at least, driving his mother to become an alcoholic and a smoker. He regretted many things in his life, but none more so than hurting his mother. Not physically or mentally, but emotionally. If there was one thing he wanted more than anything else in the world it was to make his mother proud of him and for her to be happy and healthy again. He had a secret that he wouldn't admit to anyone, not even Keiko; he didn't care about his own life very much. He always had a soft spot for kids and that was what drove him to help them when he could.

The Next Day

"HEY KID! WATCH OUT!" yelled Yusuke as he ran into the street and shoved the kid out of the way of the speeding car, sacrificing his own life for a kid he didn't even know.

The screams of horror and surprise could be heard from everyone around who had turned to see Yusuke yelling and then push the kid out of harms way, but at the same time surrendering his own life for another person's life. He had made the ultimate sacrifice, one in which people who recognized him were surprised to see. When word reached his mother that her son was dead, giving his life for a child he didn't even know, she just broke down and started crying. But when word reached Keiko of his demise, she was completely devastated. She had been so mean to him that day and so many other days, she felt guilty for saying what she did and saddened that she never got to tell him how she felt about him. Then he was given a second chance and everything fell back into routine as it normally did, except now Yusuke's Reiki had been awakened and was now an official Reikai Tantei for Prince Koenma of the Reikai.

-

Kurama's time in school was both very educational for him and a nightmare. From the time when he was in elementary school girls would form fan clubs devoted to him, even those who were older and in higher grades than him. He gained much knowledge of both everything taught in class, the advantages, and disadvantages of having girls wanting to go out with him. The advantages were it gave him a chance to see how ningen females would react to his charm. It gave him large amounts of insight into the disadvantages of having ningen females: many headaches, much lack of sleep, having his clothing stolen from his closet and dresser, having pictures taken of him while changing, and many more things. Overall he learned that having women chase after you could be extremely hazardous to ones health. It grew worse in the coming years as he got older and drew more and more girl's attention, and occasionally even a guy or two (who were straight).

Sarakaishi Private Junior High School

Kurama's time in Junior High was his most hectic time, because he was smart, handsome, and very fit. It was a time when the girl's would practically drool over him at the mere mention of his ningen name Suichi Minamino. He had to sneak out of class every day and out of school too. Sneaking around was extremely hard, when girl's were looking everywhere for you, especially when every guy wanted to pound his skull in. When he finally did get away to his next class or got home, he was hounded again by his fan girls, enough so that the police, usually, had to be called in to remove them from the property for some peace and quite.

Aftermath of the Forlorn Hope Incident

It was when he met Yusuke that he gained a new insight, honor and self-sacrifice. Yusuke was willing to sacrifice his life instead of Kurama's for a woman he had just met. He put his personal feelings before the mission, his personal beliefs before the mission, even the ability to try and make others happy before the mission or himself. Yusuke taught him that one could sacrifice one's self, but it would not necessarily make others happy, it might make them sadder. He later learned Yusuke knew this from experience when he shared his story with him, how he gave his life for a kid he just met on the street. Afterwards his mother was saddened so much she would just cry for hours at a time. Then there was his first and only friend, Keiko Ukimura, how she was devastated and wouldn't stop crying either. Realizing how his mother would have felt when she discovered he was dead, he felt very foolhardy afterwards.

-

Hiei knew that it was very rare for him to get along with anybody for long periods of time. But getting along with Yusuke and Kurama was easy, they would intentionally get into a fight with him just to train when he wanted to, but was too stubborn to ask. It was also very humorous to intentionally provoke Kuwabara into fights with him; he was able to get along with them for long periods of time easily. Now though…

Hiei would be smirking as Kuwabara tried to hit him after he made a comment about how weak he was. Though he silently respected him, especially for a ningen, he never did care to see Kuwabara with his sister, Yukina. His fondest memories of her were when she was happy. The memories he hated the most were when she was sad. The memories hated most were when she was kidnapped and tortured into crying, just for her Hiroseki Stones that were made from her tears. But as long as she was happy, he was happy, no matter whom she courted (dated) with.

-

Yukina held back the tears as she thought of Kuwabara. She had been courting (dating) him for a few months, but was getting ready to call it off, when she realized it was a simple infatuation and she thought of him as the brother she never knew and as a friend. She was sad that he was dead, but would be strong, live on, and find happiness again, because she knew that he would want her to be happy.

Yukina was deeply touched by how much Hiei would protect her, like a brother would a sister. Especially when they first met, he backed down when she asked him too, especially after explaining to him why. Yusuke was like a big brother to her, he was willing to do anything for her, as long as it didn't make Keiko angry or hurt her or anybody else. He would protect her from harm if he had to and would do anything to try and cheer her up. Kurama would try and consul her when she felt down or hurt in anyway. He was the wise one of the group; he would sit and listen to her talk, without any consequence of his own time. It warmed her heart, to know that each of them would do anything to help her, but would not do anything to hurt her intentionally. But even if they did, they would always apologize for hurting her at all.

End Flashback – Various Times

-

Undisclosed Location – Two Hours Earlier

A figure sat in a large chair, watching those who were prisoners of the Reikai. They didn't know why they were prisoners; just that it had something to do with the Ex-Tantei. Smiling the figured motioned for one of the servants to come towards him.

"Yes master?" asked the servant.

"Put the prisoner in cell x four dash z seven in with the others. I know for a fact that the prisoner is completely healed of all wounds, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I want to know what will happen if we put a Youkai in with a Reikan and three humans," said the figure.

"Is that wise Master? If they're killed, then you have no way of controlling the others to your will," said the servant.

"I know, but I have a feeling that Prisoner X Four dash Z Seven, won't attack them," said the figure confidently.

-

Cell X4-Z7

"Get up Youkai scum!" said the guard.

"It seems that in twenty-five years your manners have not improved much," the Youkai scoffed back.

"Just get up! You're being relocated," the guard replied with a smirk.

The Youkai looked at the guard with calculating eyes; eyes that were very perceptive and wary of unseen dangers, it was those same eyes that figured what they saw, they didn't like. Something was up, and he had to find out what, or maybe he would find out now, for while he was thinking the guard had taken him down many hallways and to a door. The Youkai could tell by just the look of the door that this was a maximum security cell...

The guard punched in a code for the door, then did a retina scan, then swiped a card, then a thumbprint scan, then unlocked the bolts for the initial lock to the door, he swiftly pressed the button and the door creaked opened, "get in!" he snarled, shoving the Youkai into the room and closing the door again.

"Never thought I'd get out of that last cell," the Youkai murmured to himself, then he noticed something he hadn't before, four auras were also in the room; three Ningen, one Reikan. He turned quickly to see two women looking fearfully at him; the other two were injured and lying on the ground. He rolled his eyes, "don't worry, I won't hurt you, we're in here together right?" the women visibly relaxed.

"Well, I'm Keiko Ukimura, and this is Shiori Minamino," said Keiko, grateful the Youkai wouldn't hurt them.

How could she tell, you might ask, well this Youkai had long black hair pulled into a high ponytail, he wore a very tattered hat and a black vest that looked very much like leather, and grey pants. All his clothes were tattered and torn, but the most distinguishing features were the pointy ears and bat wings.

"Well, my name's Kuronue," he replied, "and it looks like you could use some help?" he gestured to the two women on the ground.

"Help would be much appreciated," thanked Shiori.

Kuronue walked over and picked up the more injured woman, whom he later found out was named Botan, careful of her injuries as he set her on one of the bunks in the corner, then did the same with Atsuko, then started small talk.

"So... what're you in for?" he asked.

Keiko looked over uneasily, "um... we don't really know," she replied truthfully.

Kuronue nearly fell over, they were in a maximum security cell and they didn't know why? What was the world, well technically the Spirit World, coming to?

"And why are you here?" Shiori asked gently.

"I'm a thief," he replied simply, "was seriously wounded on during a heist, told my partner to go on without me; wound up here," he looked down and quietly muttered, "I can only hope Yoko made it alive."

Keiko heard this, "do you mean Yoko as in Yoko Kurama?" she asked suddenly.

Kuronue hesitated for a moment, "yes," he said slowly.

"Then I can tell you he is not the same as you remember him. He's changed dramatically, both physically and mentally, he also has a total of about half a dozen friends now, I know him. Every time he speaks of you, which isn't very often, he holds you in high regards as one of his only friends, his best friend."

"What?" Kuronue yelled disbelievingly.

"It's true, he told me himself," responded Keiko.

"Does Yoko Kurama have any connection to my Suichi?" asked Shiori.

Keiko hesitated, "I don't know," she said with a small stammer.

-

Elsewhere in the Ningenkai, a single girl with raven colored hair, stopped in her tracks. A feeling of impounding urgency for her to stay home and not return to the Feudal Era for a few days weighed heavily on her. These feelings usually turned out to be for the better when she heeded the warnings they bring. But this time she couldn't help but wonder, 'What is causing this feeling of urgency, of dread? It feels like if I leave now, then someone important to me will be lost. That I want ever see this person again.'

"Hey! Kagome, let's go already! The shards aren't going to collect themselves you know!" yelled a certain hanyou that everybody is familiar with, Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, I'm not going back, just yet. Something's wrong," said Kagome with a soft, yet worried voice.

"Feh, it's just your imagination. Now let's go!" said Inuyasha irritably.

"Inuyasha, can't you feel it? Something has happened, something terrible. It feels as if a great and terrible crime was committed today. Do you remember how you felt when Kikyo shot you with her sacred arrow?" said Kagome.

"Yeah… I felt betrayed and hurt, like it wasn't what it seemed," said Inuyasha.

"I feel something similar to that, only on a grander scale. Something has happened today Inuyasha, something terrible, something has happened to members of my family," said Kagome as she shut her eyes so Inuyasha wouldn't see the fear, hurt, and sorrow in her eyes. "I can't go back Inuyasha, not yet anyway. Please understand."

"Is it really that serious? Does it have something to do with your mother?" asked Inuyasha softly.

"I… I don't know. All I know is it feels like something terrible has happened today. So terrible that the Earth itself is crying," said Kagome as she looked towards the sky wondering.

-

A/N: Well that's it for chapter two. Sorry if you think we're cruel and mean, but we feel this is the best place to leave off. We'd also like to apologize to everyone, who has been waiting for this chapter, for taking so long to finish it. Now for the poll!

What do you think so far?

Should we continue it or just give up?

What should the parings be? (No Yaoi/Yuri)

What should happen next?

That's it for now, hope you like it!

Shadow Kage and Crazy Hyper Lady