Chapter Four

Waiting out the Storm

Yusuke paced in Kurama's living room. They couldn't continue their search until the rain let up, but by then any scent that could have led them to him would be washed away. Koenma's pacifier rested in Yusuke's pocket for the time being. They were back to square one, only this time they had the fear of Koenma's death bearing down on them. The storm hadn't let up, it had only worsened. They were forced to seek refuge when fierce winds started blowing the cold rain in their faces. Kurama's house was the closest to where they were so it was their shelter for the moment.

"Yusuke, worrying isn't going to help anything," Kurama said.

"I know that, I just wish we weren't at a dead end." Yusuke grumbled. "Who the hell would want Koenma dead anyway?" Yusuke growled as he flopped into a chair.

"It could be anyone, most likely an assassin. They would have to get close enough to wound him that would prove difficult if they simply ran right up and attacked him. He is more skilled than you would think," Hiei said.

"A sorcerer, priest, Miko, or sorceress could attack him easily from afar. They wouldn't have to be in the direct line of sight just to get their intended target." Kurama pointed out.

"Okay, so we narrowed it down to a few types. It still doesn't get us anywhere!"

"If we go back to the area there may be traces of energy lingering nearby. Energy lingers for a few weeks," Kuwabara said.

"That's a good idea, when the rain stops we will go back to the park and see if there is any traces of energy left," Yusuke agreed. Hiei looked out the window, unfortunately for them they would become drowned rats if they went out any time soon. They were stuck at Kurama's house for the night. Hopefully the rain would let up in the morning; maybe luck would be on their side.

"It looks like we're stuck for the night," Hiei informed them.

"Damn it," Yusuke muttered. He had hoped the rain would let up before or after dinner, but Hiei was usually right about things like this. If he said they were stuck for the night, then they were. All they could do for now was wait out the rain then look for their missing boss.

Kagome bit the bottom of her lip; her pencil hovered over the paper. If it wasn't safe to drive to work, then work came to her via fax. Thunder still crashed in the sky; every time it was close she jumped out of her seat. She was rather ticked at being scared whenever thunder crashed unexpectedly. She had shown Koenma to the guest room then made him something to eat. Her work seemed to be constantly calling her to finish it so she finally gave in so as to not have it nagging at her conscious. Thunder crashed right above her house knocking the power out.

"Damn it all!" Koenma heard Kagome yell from the office. He popped his head in the door way, she put her chair back upright.

"Are you all right?" He asked.

"Yeah, I was just startled is all," she laughed nervously. It was one thing for your family to know thunderstorms scared you; it was another matter when someone outside of your family knew. Kagome tried to flip on the light only to find that the power had indeed gone out. She went over to the drawer and pulled out two flashlights. She handed one to Koenma and turned hers on. Koenma furrowed his eye brows; he was looking at something in the corner.

"What is it?" She asked.

"There's something over there," he replied. Koenma flashed his light over to the corner, Kagome's eyes narrowed into slits. She stalked over to the corner and lifted the youkai by its collar.

"What are YOU doing here Jaken? Geeze, you could have told me you were here!" She snapped.

"I'm sorry, I was ordered to look around!" He squeaked out. "I wasn't supposed to be seen!" He crossed his arms.

"Did Sesshomaru send you?" Kagome asked with a sigh.

"I'll never tell you wench!" Kagome gave him a good shake quickly getting annoyed. Why in the world did Sesshomaru keep the annoying toad youkai around? "Alright! I was here,"

"Spying on him right?" She motioned to Koenma.

"Yes, he doesn't trust the whelp and nor do I!"

"This is getting tiring," she muttered. "You can tell him that everything is fine. I will not be kept on a short leash! I'm twenty-six years old for crying out loud, I know he's concerned." Her eyes softened. "But that doesn't mean he can send you!"

"He didn't! I came on my own accord." Jaken huffed. Kagome blinked.

"This is new, so you came out of your own curiosity?" She asked.

"Yes," he muttered. She put Jaken down on the ground.

"Next time let me know you're here, I almost purified you….again."

"Right," Jaken snapped his fingers and was gone in a cloud of smoke.

"Who was that?" Koenma asked with an eye brow raised.

"Jaken, he works for Sesshomaru. He was the man here earlier when you first woke up. Normally he spies on me when Sesshomaru wants to know what I'm up to," she explained. Koenma knew who Sesshomaru was; he wondered why he was going to such lengths to keep an eye on Kagome. He sat down in a chair next to Kagome's computer chair.

"It doesn't seem that either are very pleased with my presence here," Koenma said.

"Yeah well, let's just say I have bad luck when it comes to guys…..very bad luck." She let out a hallow laugh. "He's just worried that something will happen again. I guess he doesn't realize that I can take care of myself now." She sat in her chair and looked at Koenma.

"Seems he cares for you,"

"Yeah, he's the overprotective older brother I never had….I don't know if I even want one now!" She laughed. Koenma chuckled. "He drives me crazy!" She groaned. "How about you? Do you have any siblings?" She asked.

"No, I'm an only child," he replied.

"Must be very…..quiet." Koenma laughed at her bluntness.

"Yes, sometimes." It wasn't always quiet, especially when his father was mad at him. Then the whole palace would shake and he'd be somewhere other than there! Preferably in the Negenkai, though in the end his father would always track him down. Something flashed in the back of Koenma's mind, as if a strand had snapped. He suddenly remembered why he was in the Negenkai in the first place. He had screwed something up…again. So he was seeking refuge in the Negenkai until his father had cooled down a bit. It always worked; his punishment would be….less intense. He just didn't remember what he had screwed up this time. Well, at least he remembered something. If he remembered that then maybe he could remember more in time.

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Tijiya: Here is the next chapter, finally put up at last. I had let it sit for a day while trying to figure out where I should leave off. It was nagging at me all day; I was frustrated because I couldn't think of anything! At least I finally found where I can leave it off at. I hope that this chapter is to your liking! The parring will be revealed…when it's revealed! I will finish the picture then post it on for all of you to see! Thank you all for the kind reviews! Now I must do the disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. There! Done! Ten reviews and I will post the next chapter!

Translations:

Youkai: demon

Negenkai: Human world

Makai: Demon world

Haori: type of Japanese top

Hakama: Japanese pants

Shikon no Tama: Jewel of Four Souls

Feudal: Past (I think)

Nigen: Human

Miko: Priestess