Hey everybody. I know that it's been a while since I last wrote in this story, but it was simply because of the lack of reviews. I have been continuing to write in it because it's one of my favorites, but I didn't really see a point if no one was gonna read it.

Thanks to those of you who have, as per my plea in the intro to my Inuyasha story, Healer. If you like this chapter, please review and tell me if you want me to continue, cuz I have a few more chapters all done and ready to go. I hope you enjoy.

CHAPTER THREE

A week had passed and still, there was news of neither the thieves' exploits, nor their identities. Everyone, save for Hiei, was gathered at Kuwabara's house, planning their next move.

"So I guess no one has a better idea other than just sitting around and waiting, huh?" Yusuke muttered. "Cuz I hate waiting, you know."

"We know," Kuwabara stated.

"Yes, patience is a virtue, Yusuke," Kurama said.

"A virtue he doesn't have," Kuwabara's sister, Shizuru, replied as she entered the room. She was followed by the ice apparition, Yukina, as well as Keiko, Yusuke's girlfriend.

Upon seeing his 'precious Yukina', Kuwabara jumped to his feet and took her petite hand in his large ones.

"Oh, Yukina! How are you today, my love?"

"I'm well, Kazuma." She then looked around. "Where is Hiei today?"

'Why does she care so much about that psychopathic fire demon!' he mentally cried.

"He's in Spirit World," Botan explained. "I believe that he had some things to discuss with Koenma."

"Would it happen to be about the Ring of Ajus?" the Koorime asked.

All occupants of the small bedroom turned to look at her in stunned silence.

"How is it that you know about the Ring?" Kurama wondered. As soon as the sentence left his mouth, the group looked at Botan.

"What?" she cried, backing up instinctively. "I didn't say anything!"

"It was me," came Hiei's voice from the open window. "Koenma informed me that his investigators found ice fragments at all of the scenes, so I asked Yukina if she knew of anyone that might have done it."

"Told you it wasn't me," the Grim Reaper mumbled, slightly insulted at the accusation.

"You can't really blame them," Shizuru stated. "What about the Dark Tournament?"

"What about it?"

"You told me and Keiko."

"Okay, good point," she relented.

"What else have you learned?" Yusuke asked his teammate.

"That you humans are going to come in handy when we meet up with the holder of the Chain."

"Why? What so you mean?"

"The Chain drains demon energy, but not spirit. Humans are immune to it." He paused. "I'm meeting with a few demons who might have some more information for me, so I'll tell Kurama what I learn tomorrow." With that, he left the same way he entered.

"Why would demons give him information? Don't they all know that he Works with Koenma?" Keiko asked.

"Hiei may work for Spirit World, but he's still feared by anyone that either witnessed or heard about the Dark Tournament. They're well aware that he has completely mastered the Darkness technique," the Kitsune explained.

"I see. So that's why he's the one gathering information instead of me," Botan realized.

"Duh. I mean, who'd fear you?" Yosuke asked. "You have blue hair, wear a pink kimono, fly around on an oar, and go 'bingo'. It doesn't exactly strike fear into my heart, you know," he added, causing an all-out war.

The phone then rang, calling for a temporary cease-fire. Shizuru got up to answer it.

"Hello?… Oh, hi, Ma'am…Sure, I'll tell him…No problem. Bye." She hung up and turned toward Kurama. "It was your Mom. "She said that she wanted you to go home for something."

Nodding, he rose to his feet, smoothing out his magenta uniform, having gone over straight from school.

"I'll contact you when once I've heard from Hiei."

Gathering up his belongings, he left.

"Shuuichi, Ryo would like for you to meet him at our favorite café at about seven." His mother explained as he walked in the door.

"Why?"

"Well, it was actually my idea, honey. I just really want the two of you to get to know each other."

"Since it's for you, I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Just give me a few minutes to change, and I'll get going."

The woman smiled and hugged her son. "Thank you."

About five minutes later, Kurama came back down, wearing a pair of long jean shorts and a white T-shirt.

"I'll be back soon," he said as he pulled his long hair back into a ponytail.

"Okay, but do you want to use the car?"

"No, it's nice out, so I'll just walk."

"I'll see you when you get home." He hugged his mother, then left for the meeting.

Arriving fifteen minutes early, the fox demon took a seat at the booth that he usually occupied when he and his mother ate there.

"Hey, Kiddo. What can I get for ya?" the waitress asked, recognizing him.

"Just tea, please."

"Comin' right up, Sugar."

Once his tea had arrived, he spoke with the waitress until a very familiar feeling of foreboding invaded his senses. When he looked up, his mother's boyfriend was sliding into the seat across from him.

"Thank you for meeting me." To the waitress, he ordered, "Coffee, if you please." Nodding, she left, soon returning with the cup. "Sorry I'm late, Son," he said when she left.

"I was early, so think nothing of it, Sir."

"Shuuichi, I know that your mother wanted us to get to better know each other, so there's something that I want you to know, even though I'm pretty sure that you've already noticed." He took a sip of his coffee. "I'm a demon; an ice demon, actually. I also know that you're a demon, as well. If I can ask, what type?"

"Kitsune."

"Interesting," he said. "Now, I'm pretty sure that you're suspicious of me, but I really want you to know that I have absolutely no intention of hurting your mother. I care for her a great deal, and I thought that if I explained myself to you face-to-face, I'd have your permission to continue seeing her."

"You're right. I was anxious. I'm quite protective of my mother."

"As you should be. You're how old?"

"Seventeen."

"You've been the man of the house for quite a while." He looked down at his watched and sighed. "Oh dear. I actually have a business meeting in about a half-hour. Again, thanks for meeting me. Did you need me to drive you home?"

"No, that's okay. I walked here, so I think I'll walk home, as well."

"Okay. Will you tell your mom that I'll be there to pick her up at about eight?"

"I will." The two said their goodbyes and parted ways.

"I'm more suspicious now that he told me, rather that if he had hidden it," Kurama complained the next day.

"Kurama," Keiko began, "Are you sure that you're not just jealous that there's someone else getting her attention?"

He sighed. "I will admit, the thought has crossed my mind," he confessed.

"No," Hiei stated. "There's something ominous about that demon.

"By the way, Hiei. Did you find out anything else?" the detective asked.

"No one knew anything, but I have another lead to check out." He paused uncharacteristically before continuing. "Kurama, are you positive that the Ring is safe?"

"I have no doubt. Why?"

"Forget it. It's nothing."

"You know, Hiei," Kuwabara began. "You've been really cooperative lately. What gives?"

"You haven't the slightest clue as to how serious this situation is, do you?"

"Well, why don't you tell us?"

"The latest rumor involves an S-class demon hell-bent on destroying everything."

"Everything?" Keiko asked.

"Human, Spirit, and Demon Worlds. If it's true, and he gets his hands on the Ring, we have virtually no chance of survival," the fire demon explained.

"Once you return from checking it out, I want to know everything," Kurama stated, earning him a nod as Hiei vanished.

"Dammit!" Yusuke cried, all of a sudden.

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot to ask Hiei about teaching me that energy trick!"

"You mean energy manipulation?"

He nodded. "Yeah, that."

"I may not be as good as Hiei, but I can at least show you the basics."

"I'm surprised that you haven't mastered it yet."

"Why do you think I chose to steal the Ring?"

"Good point."

"How good is Hiei?" Keiko wondered.

"He can lower his energy until it's barely a blip on the radar, whereas I can get to that of a lower D-class demon. Hiei can also manipulate the energies of those around him."

"You mean that he could alter my energy along with his?" Yusuke asked, amazed.

"Yes."

"Wow."

"Well, let's get started on some basics."

"How much longer?" the man asked.

"I make my move tomorrow, if all goes according to plan."

"Are you sure that he doesn't suspect?"

"You dare to question me?" he growled, causing the other man to shrink back.

"N-no, sir."

"Good, now go prepare for tomorrow."

Kurama had just left his house and was walking to school when he sensed Hiei's energy following.

"Come on down, Hiei," he called out.

"Hn," he grunted once his feet hit cement.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" he joked.

"A feeling," he simply replied.

"What kind of feeling?"

"Something's going to happen today."

"Not to sound like Yusuke, but could you be a little clearer?"

"I think that our prey will make their move."

"Have you warned Yusuke and Kuwabara?"

"Not yet. Besides, they won't be after them. If anything, they'll come after you."

He chuckled. "How odd."

"What?"

"I'm used to being the hunter, not the hunted."

"True. I mean, just look at what happened last time," Hiei joked.

"Don't you have someone to fight?"

"Nope."

"Well, go find someone."

"Just watch your back, Kurama." With that, he disappeared.

'He's right,' he thought. 'Something is definitely going to happen today, I just wish I knew what.'

Yusuke, who decided, all on his own, to go to class, was napping when a tugging feeling snapped him awake.

'Something's gonna happen.'

Good instincts, Detective.

Yusuke turned to see Hiei in the tree he quite often frequented.

Is it the bad guys?

I don't know. I already warned Kurama, so now our only concern is the idiot.

I'll be right there.

The teen rose to his feet and, after grabbing his bag, headed for the door.

"Mr. Urameshi! Where do you think you're going?" the teacher yelled.

"I'm taking off."

"But class isn't over!"

"Hey, at least I showed up on my own today." With a curt wave and look to Kuwabara, he walked out.

Kuwabara thought it over for a moment before getting up and following his friend, shouting an apology to his seething teacher.

When the two reached the school's flagpole, which was the group's gathering point, Hiei spoke.

"You're never going to get away from this place if you keep walking out of class, you know."

"They'll pass me, if only to get rid of me," the raven-haired teen stated proudly.

"Anyway, let's head to the fox's house and wait for him to get there. Then we can plan what to do."

"Works for me," the humans replied.