Thank You for the reviews Insane Rurouni aka Katana (luv the name!) and Ash the Wanderer. But, I'm sorry that there wasn't that much action in the last chapter, it's kinda hard for me to write action scenes, but I'll try harder next time. Also, there is a very good reason, which I think you all will love, why I didn't let Hiei let out all of his rage out and kill Kai, but, he wouldn't have been able to beat her anyway, she was too powerful.

I tried to upload this two days ago, but the website was unavailable.

Anywayz, I don't want to give away too much of my story because it's just beginning, so without further ado, here's chapter 17, not quite the dark saga yet, but pretty damn close!

Chapter 17: A Month in Waiting

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Kurama's P.O.V.

She stood facing Enma Daiou before the podium; poised, beautiful and proud. She showed nothing of herself or of her emotions. Her long white hair, slightly disheveled from the rigorous oar ride to Reikai, fell down below her derriere, covering her shoulders like a shimmering waterfall.

I sensed Yusuke and Hiei on either side of me, gazing at the beautiful, powerful creature known as Shihiko about to hear her sentence. The same creature who had risked everything she had known and accomplished to save our lives. It wasn't right…

"…and so I sentence you to life and beyond in solitary confinement at the Reikai prison…" Enma Daiou had spoken and his gavel rang throughout the courthouse.

Even though she had heard her sentence and it had been sealed by Enma Daiou himself, she did not flinch or crack up. Her countenance remained as solid as stone and her emotions did not betray her.

As they led her away, she stopped before us and looked up at me. I stared into her eyes trying to figure out what she wanted, to see if there were any traces of emotion that lie within them. And I saw only one…regret…

-:-:-;-:-:-:-:-:-:- One month later -:-:-:-:-

October 21st

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"Ah fall!!! What a wonderful time of year! The warm air, the gentle breeze-"

"The chronic heartbreaks," the sarcastic, yet drawling voice of Yusuke interjected upon Botan's reflection of her love affair with the autumn scenery. They had been walking on their way to Mieou High to meet Kurama for the briefing on a new case when Yusuke had spotted the red headed kitsune leaning with his back against the school wall, one leg hiked up and his hands driven in his pockets, looking quite depressed.

The two stopped a few meters away from him, "Don't tell me that he's still upset over that girl's sentence! It's already been a month!!!" said Botan.

"I don't know what the status of their relationship was, but, it's obvious that Kurama cares about her," said Yusuke.

Kurama spotted them and began walking towards them.

"It's like the situation with his mother again. I never thought that I'd see him so depressed again," said Botan.

Kurama came abreast of them and gave a pained smile, "you know, foxes have a very keen sense of hearing."

"Ahg!!" both Botan and Yusuke said, shocked that the kitsune had overheard their conversation.

Kurama chuckled softly, "There is no need to worry about me, it was her choice to turn herself in and I respect her wishes." He looked off to the side, his mind wandering back to the day of Shihiko's hearing…wandering back to the look in the depths of those blush and golden eyes…Regret…that's what they spoke to him.

"Kurama…are you okay?" Botan asked. The hint of worry in her voice brought Kurama back to reality. He turned to her and smiled gently to reassure her that he was alright.

"I'm fine Botan-chan, anyway, we should be going to spirit world now, Koenma is waiting for us."

Botan nodded, although she and Yusuke's suspicions about Kurama's depression were not put to rest.

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Spirit World

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Kurama, Botan and Yusuke entered into the grand office of the little king of Hell, Koenma. Ever since Koenma had disclosed all of the secrets of Reikai's involvement with and heinous acts against the fall of all ryuu-kind, the relationship between the tentei and spirit world had not been the same. Before, the tentei knew that they were fighting on the side for good, but now, where they were and the force that they served was a grey area.

Everyone in the tentei was sore about something. Kurama was depressed over the loss of Shihiko. Even though he would deny it, Kurama believed that the incarceration of Shihiko was unjust for a number of reasons. Kuwabara, Yusuke and Botan were still upset about the fact that they were pawns in spirit world's plans, but, they had forgiven Koenma of his reluctance to reveal those secrets to them; and Hiei… well, Hiei didn't really care either way. He stayed with the tentei simply for the good brawls that accompanied the job title and to keep his relationships with Kurama, Yusuke and Yukina in tact; though he would never admit to the latter reason.

"So pacifier breath, why did you call us here?" asked Yusuke in a drawl tone.

Koenma sighed, both in annoyance and relief that Yusuke had taken up his usual verbal torture with him; for, it was a sign that all was well for the time being between the two. "Well Yusuke, forever the dimwit aren't you, anyone worth a dime of spirit awareness would have felt the increasing swell of Ryuuki that's been accumulating in Ningenkai after the battle with Lady Shihiko and Kai. The dragon world is appalled by the incarceration of lady Shihiko and it seems that they're pulling out all of the stops to get her out of Reikai prison." Koenma reached into the drawer in his desk and pulled out a remote controller. He aimed the controller towards the back of the room and a huge screen appeared. He pressed another button and images of international news appeared on the screen with a woman talking about a number of natural disasters flooding the world. "Have you all been watching the news lately? There are a number of 'natural' disasters occurring throughout Ningenkai at an unnatural pace. Giant tsunami's have been flooding and killing a great number of humans throughout the costal regions of the world, earthquakes are burying entire cities, and volcanoes have been erupting like clockwork causing huge forest fires to spread throughout states. All of these things are being caused by the dragon keepers. It is said that Shihiko has very close ties with the leader of the dragon race and that he's hell bent on getting her out of prison."

"What was the status of their relationship?" Kurama asked with more than a bit of curiosity.

"Who knows. All I know is that he's putting on the pressure for her release. To tell you the truth I don't think that we can hold out on their demands any longer. Unless you all can defeat them, we'll have no choice but to release Lady Shihiko."

"Are you crazy? After everything she put us through? You're just gonna let her go?!" said Yusuke in disbelief.

"You are missing the point Yusuke. Koenma is more worried about the vast number of human lives being taken on her behalf. If she is kept in bondage, then many more will be sacrificed." Said Kurama.

"Are you saying that because you're worried about the humans, are for some other reason?" said Hiei in the background.

"Are you implying that I would callously throw away human lives for just a quick romance?" Kurama said in a dangerously low voice.

"Hn. You are the one who said it, not me." Hiei said as he turned and slowly sauntered to his corner of the room.

"Truly Hiei, was that necessary?" asked Botan, "If Kuwabara were here, he would give you a much needed rib,"

"If Kuwabara were here, I would throw up in revulsion." He quipped from the background.

"I hear what you are saying, Kurama," said Yusuke, "I just don't like the fact that we're releasing one criminal who is a shit load more dangerous than these punks we're about to go against."

"We are not releasing her yet Yusuke. Giving her back to the emperor is the last resort. That is why we are sending you all to stop them."

"So where is this dragon hot spot?" asked Yusuke.

"Spirit World Intelligence has informed us that there is a vast accumulation of Ryuuki in Okinawa."

"Okinawa? Can you be a little bit more specific about where in Okinawa?" asked Botan.

"No, I'm afraid not," said Koenma.

"So, how much time do we have until we have to release your Royal Highness Princess Dragon keeper from the luxuries of Spirit World Prison?" asked Yusuke.

"We have about a week. After that, we will have no choice but to release her."

"This is not good, and with the absence of Kuwabara and his spirit awareness, we'll be searching for them for some time. Is there any other way in which we can pin point there location?"

Koenma looked a bit squeamish all of a sudden, "Well, there is one way…"

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They walked into the depths of the Reikai prison. The dank, chilly air smelled of mildew and other scents of bodily odor. It seemed an eternity had passed since anyone had entered this sanctum let alone cleaned it. The memories one would experience in a place such as this could only be ones of resentment pain and disgust; and to think that the once glorified white dragon keeper, Shihiko was kept here was beyond all things imaginable. The woman who had sacrificed her identity, her status and everything that she was to save their lives had suffered the most deplorable of sentences for committing a truly self less act on Reikai's behalf. The punishment was truly unwarranted and something would be done about it…something must be done about it.

-:-:-:-

Deep in the bowels of Reikai prison

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She sat on the cold, stone floor of the prison with her legs folded, her eyes closed and her back to the entrance of the cell. To the unsuspecting person it would seem as though there was no door to the cell and that the prisoner would be free to enter and leave at his or her desire. However, to one who knew these prisons well, especially this level of the prison, which was meant for holding criminals of substantial power, it was obvious that a force field lay between the prisoner and the outside of the cell.

Kurama and Koenma approached the cell of the white dragon. She was dressed in the all white Reikai prisoner uniform with an ormigiru seal (that seal during the saga Genkai's ruse) plastered on the right side of her chest. Her white hair was pulled back from her face in a ponytail (like kikyo's from Inuyasha). She sat in a meditative style seemingly unaware of their presence.

Koenma shot a look towards Kurama, whose eyes had never left the immaculately fair creature before him. Seeing that he would no longer gain Kurama's attention Koenma turned and then left the two alone.

Kurama's mind had flashed back to the conversation held earlier, when they were still in the office.

-:-:-:-:- Flashback

"Well, there is one way…" Koenma had said a bit squeamishly.

"And what way might that be?" asked Kurama.

He sighed resignedly, "Shihiko…"

Kurama's eyebrows lowered ominously, "explain," he said, not liking where this conversation was going.

"It is possible that she could help to find the other dragon keepers. She may know something that we don't or she may be able to find out something that we may have overlooked,"

"Wait a sec, why in the seven levels of hell would she want to help us, we're the enemy, remember?" said Yusuke.

"True, she may be hesitant to help us, but I am betting that we may have a chance to drag the information out of her,"

"But how Koenma sir, Reikai intelligence has already tried to interrogate her; they've even tried to sweat (a.k.a. the infamous' truth serum') the information out of her but it didn't work." Said Botan.

"Yes, but that was Reikai Intelligence doing the interrogating, but, you are proposing to use Kurama as you trump card aren't you," said Hiei. Everyone turned to the back of the office where Hiei leaned against the back wall with his arms folded and his eyes closed. They were all shocked by what was just said. He opened his eyes and stared dead at Koenma, "You are going to use her emotions against her to make her spill her guts about the whereabouts of her fellow partners in crime."

There was a short silence that rose up among the group. All eyes flew to Koenma for an answer, he didn't disappoint, "…precisely Hiei; that was my plan. It is believed that since the girl saved your life at the temple of Shin Ryuushi, Kurama, then she must still have some lingering emotions for you."

"Hn, a brilliant strategy Jr. but, somehow I don't think that it will work against this girl. She lost her head to her emotions once, but she will not do it again."

"Well, Hiei, we don't have a choice. Interrogating Shihiko is our only option at the present moment. So how about it Kurama, will you talk to her?" asked Koenma.

Kurama closed his eyes and sighed softly. He did not delight in the idea of using their past romance as a tool of vulnerability. He did not relish having to go to her and ask for her assistance after the sacrifice she had just made on his part. However, what he did and did not like did not matter at the moment. Like Koenma said, he had no other option, he had to see her,"

-:-:-:-:-End Flashback

So there he was, standing before her cell, the only one in the vicinity for approximately one mile, it was truly a solitary confinement. She had not moved for the entire time that he had been standing there which was about ten minutes. Suddenly, he heard her inhale deeply, "smoldering roses and rain…that's what you smell like Yoko. I've been sitting here trying to figure out what your scent was in this new ningen form that you are trapped in,"

Kurama smiled softly, it was good to hear her voice again, "smoldering roses?" he asked a bit amused. He had to hear her logic behind this one.

In spite of all of her will, she released a tiny smile at his amused tone, "Yes…you must have been hanging around that fire demon again. What was his name?"

"Hiei,"

"Yes, Hiei…Why are you here Kurama, I doubt you've come because you missed me," she said in a drawl tone chuckling dryly.

Kurama frowned when she said that. A part of him had agreed to come to see her…because he had missed her. "You are correct in your assumption," he said not admitting to his feelings.

She fell silent. Even though she had expected that answer, she still was not prepared for the amount of pain it brought to hear it. However, she didn't let a hint of this pain show. She put up her trusty barrier between her expression and her emotions and got up on her knees and turned to face him, both of her hands braced her on the floor as she leaned a bit towards him; her long ponytail fell over her right shoulder and she gave him a look that she knew would send his mind spiraling to memories of the nights they spent together under the starlit Makai firmament. She raised her dainty right eyebrow suggestively, "So…why did you come then?"

She was correct in her assumption that her expression had inspired a long forgotten lust in Kurama. The Kitsune turned human wanted nothing more than to storm through the barrier between them and make love to her right then and there.

She gazed into his eyes and saw that tints of gold were beginning to emerge; a subtle hint that her Yoko was becoming aroused (don't worry, they're not going to do it in the cell…wouldn't that be kinky). Shihiko was confident, if nothing else, in her beauty. She had learned at a very early age that it was very hard, if not impossible, for men to resist her charms, whether she intended to seduce them or not. Her beauty was both a wondrous gift and a dreaded curse that she was all but reluctant to rid her self of. She had to admit that she was a bit on the vain side.

Kurama mentally and emotionally shook himself, 'I must not fall for her allure now,' he thought to himself as the burning flames of desire began to recede. "I trust that you already know of the natural disasters that have plagued the world recently by the dragons who are petitioning for your release."

Shihiko's mood suddenly plummeted. She rolled her eyes in disgust, "the toddler prince…" she murmured to herself in an exasperated tone as she stood up.

"He is offering you something for your cooperation in telling us the location of the dragon keepers in Okinawa,"

"Something hmmm? And what would that something be Yoko?" She said as she walked towards the force field and Kurama, stopping only a hairs breath away from becoming fried by the barrier. She narrowed her eyes and folded her arms defiantly as he too walked towards the barrier.

Stopping at the same margin of space away from the barrier that she had, he looked down into her bright blush and golden eyes and said, "Freedom,"

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To be continued

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Okies dokies, I know that was a bit Silence of the Lambish, but, like I said before, I love that series.

Anyways, read and review, sorry about the cliff hanger, but, if I would've gone on, it would've been significantly longer and I have two research papers to write before thanksgiving.

B.T.W. happy early thanksgiving all!!! Hope you enjoyed the chappie and I will update soon.

Next chapter: don't have a title yet but will most likely conclude this intermission between sagas, if not, there will be one more chapter.

Tchao!