Ah, Kyo Hana, thank you again for the review... I wonder if perhaps you're the only one reading this... eh, but so long as even one person is reading it, then I will continue to post Your hypothesis about Kurama may be correct, though I am not at liberty to reveal too much right now, you know? Oh, and happy to hear that you approve of my "inversed" Yusuke XD Anyways, this chapter introduces another character- I'm not so sure if he's as "inversed" as the others, but he has a part to play later on.

Yu Yu Hakusho Inversed
Chapter 3
May 19, 2005

"Have those 'detectives' found any leads on the assassin?"

"All they've concluded is that she may have been employed by an enemy, a rival."

He snorted. "Isn't that obvious? Last I knew friends and allies don't send armed women in masks to each other's hotel rooms."

"Yes, well if the one who sent her is a rival, you may have cause to worry also."

"I'll keep that in mind," Yomi replied drolly. "Now, the idea you wished to discuss with me?"

"I think we should restrict the flow of our stones to market, for the time being."

"Oh? Go on."

"Hiruseki stones are so valued because they're so rare; possibly, the rarest stone on the planet."

"You don't have to tell me; I know."

"If we limit the number of stones put out, prices will go up; profit will increase."

"I see." He smirked. "Since when did you grow greedy, my dear Hiei?"

He donned a defensive expression. "Greed has nothing to do with it. These stones have been obtained through much sacrifice, and it's high time the parties involved received some retribution."

"Ah," Hiei's companion nodded knowingly. "Now you sound more like yourself." By now they had reached the drive; the chauffeur opened the door for them. The bodyguards entered the cars situated in front and back of the limousine.

"I hate it when they make such a fuss like this," Hiei complained.

"Don't blame me; the reason they're lavishing on security so is because of your incident at the Hotel Ningen, and you know it."

"I despise being coddled," he grumbled. "Even Shigure by himself can be stifling at times."

"You realize he only does that because she ordered him to."

Hiei pretended not to hear. He glanced out the window. "I'm no handicap!" he exclaimed angrily. "This all looks ridiculous!"

"I wouldn't know," Yomi said casually. Hiei at once fell silent, ashamed of himself.

Yomi sat back, pushing his cane aside, abandoning his glasses. Hiei stared; he couldn't recall a single occasion in which his companion had appeared in public view minus his dark glasses. Only a handful of people could truthfully declare that they in private had seen what lay beneath- ruined eyes, the lids sewn shut to prevent infection. Once, when Hiei was younger, he had gathered the courage to ask Yomi what had caused such a tragedy. The older man had told him it was a souvenir from his youth, when he had been reckless and stupid. He had volunteered no further explanation, and Hiei had never asked for more.

"I'm sorry-" he began, but Yomi waved the apology aside.

"There is no need for such remorse," he said. "I have gained much more than I have lost." True enough: Yomi had hearing sharper than anyone else Hiei had ever met, and when he grew infuriated enough it was wise that everyone stayed out of reach of his cane.

"How is your son?" Hiei asked.

"As fine as any boy his age can be. It's been a while since I've received a negative letter from his school, so that's encouraging." Yomi smiled. "And I suppose the additional bodyguards I sent to his school will be sure to keep Shura from getting into too much trouble."

"So you are worried," he said smugly.

"For myself? No. But Shura is my only child."

Hiei nodded. To Yomi, the child was more important, more priceless, than even the monopoly of Hiruseki stones.

"She thought of you as her own child, somewhat."

"I know," he replied softly, staring out the window.

"So you're to resume this new pastime of yours?"

"Yes."

Yomi laughed. "I'm glad to hear that the attempt on your life has not altered your personality at all. You're still as stubborn an ass as you ever were."

"Oh, thank you so very much," Hiei said sarcastically.

"Just be sure that when you return to the city, you stay the hell out of downtown at night."

"Why?"

"Downtown is the unofficial lair of the Youkai. They're most active at night; to go down there in the dark would be suicide."

He furrowed his brow. "What are the Youkai?"

His companion heaved an annoyed sigh and rested his face in one hand. "Hiei, you don't even want to know. Just stay out of downtown."

"But I-"

"For once, just take my word for it!" Yomi snapped. "Unless you want to be killed, stay out of downtown, away from the Youkai!"