The portal closed. Botan shivered. Kurama was shocked into the conversation with the kitsune.

'The Blood rites! Koenma had possession of the blood rites!'

Kurama's brow drew together in confusion. "What are the Blood rites?"

Youko snorted. 'Only the most powerful dark magic rituals ever recorded! If I had known he had them I would have set my goals higher! Kami, he had the Blood Rites!'

Koenma sent him a dark look before sighing in defeat. "How come everything bad happens to me?' He whined.

Everyone glanced at him askance.

"I get the hooligans for detectives-"

Youko and Kurama both bristled.

"- I have to talk to the Lords and Ladies, I'm always looking after the barrier when there is a breach-"

Kuwabara got a confused look on his face.

"- and I always get a spanking when Daddy comes back!"

Yusuke had to turn around quickly to hide his laugh. Actually, his shoulders were still visibly shaking. Kurama held his hand up over his mouth to look introspective…and to hide his amused smile.

Kuwabara though, he was slowly forming words with his mouth. They were soundless words, as he was only thinking rather intensely; and he was making small motions with his fingers in front or him as if he was writing down a list.

"Hey, Kurama…"

Kurama turned to face Kuwabara.

"…what did that girl mean by the Lords and Ladies? If that's what I'm thinking…like in the Sengoku Jidai - right? - then wouldn't they have an interest in the breaches too?"

Yusuke was looking at him like he had suddenly sprouted another leg.

"I see what you mean, But no. The Lords and Ladies are just very powerful demons who govern breaches to their side by humans and crimes against the traditions held in youkai society by demons in their realms."

"What demon traditions?" Yusuke laughed out.

Koenma huffed. "If it's a tradition in the demon realm you should probably be careful that you don't disrespect it." Kurama nodded in agreement and gave a meaningful glance to Yusuke.

Kuwabara was staring off into space as he contemplated something none of the rest of them was privy to. 'Or maybe he's in that chaotic place we call his mind! Good Kami, it's probably a war zone with all the things he has going on in there.' It seemed that Youko was annoyed.

"What kind of things would demons hold sacred…toddler." Ah, yes. Now Yusuke was annoyed. Look! I think it's catching! Now Koenma is annoyed!

"Mating is, for one."

Yusuke's mumbled rant was cut off as he gaped at Koenma's comment. "Mating?"

Kurama found it hard to tell if he was being annoying on purpose or he just was. His incredulous or disbelieving tone wasn't exactly flattering…especially to the kitsune in his mind.

"To youkai, mating is sacred. It is even considered suicidal to interfere with any type of courting that is going on- especially if it is by one of noble race." Yusuke glanced to Kurama. His face was incredulous now.

Koenma nodded in agreement with the fox and stole a glance at him, most likely wondering exactly how much Kurama would use of Kitsune mating rituals on his chosen prospect.

"What is the Demon Realms?" Kuwabara's question broke any line of thought Kurama had been previously entertaining, and Youko wondered irately if Kuwabara could ever think faster.

Kurama sighed in resignation, he would have to tell him or Koenma would most likely go off about how cruel and merciless the Demon rulers were. He tended to be a little biased. "The demon realm itselfhas five political holds. There is the West and the East, the South and the North, and the Central Lands. All have a demon Sovereign, and they are all allies. The Central Lands are frequently the location of treaties and summits, as it is considered to be politically neutral and is respected by all demons as such." Kurama trailed off as he realized he too was going off on tangent.

Koenma scowled deeply. "The Lords and Ladies are very old and know every trick in the book. It is said that at one time they were all bitter enemies, but they pulled together with some fabled mans help to create the demons utopia. They just didn't see how torturing humans could appease the demon masses." Koenma sighed gustily. "Thank Kami for that. If they had been against the separation then we would have never accomplished it."

Yusuke looked troubled. "Ya mean that I've been fighting all theses demons that are under an even more powerful demons rule?"

Youko was contemplating Hiei at the moment. There had been a rumor circulating among his sources in the reikai staff; it was said the hybrid had to be trained by one of the Lords retainers.

'Do you think that Hiei is more powerful because of that? He's not very old after all.'

Youko was careful with the way he worded his reply. 'I believe that he at least knows one of the Lords on a semi-casual basis. But to actually be trained by a Lord, you need to be both powerful and prestigious. Hiei is just infamous.'

Kurama nodded to himself in contemplation and watched Koenma organize the papers on his desk. When his desk was cleared he looked at the remaining Reiaki Tantei. "I'll have to talk to the Lords and Ladies. Stay here though, I might need you..."

"Whatever toddler." Yusuke grumbled. Kurama felt a flash of empathy; Yusuke had had to cut short another attempt at a date with Keiko. 'I wonder if the fact that she thinks like a human puts any strain on their relationship?' "It's not like you'd need us for anything else."

Koenma glared hotly and cleared his throat before he pressed a buzzer on a remote built in to the top of his desk. Youko perked up out of his slump. 'I never noticed that before.'

Immediately in response, four of the five LED lights flashed and it only took a few more seconds of waiting for the last to lighten as well. Koenma pushed a hand through his hair as he switched into his elder form. Taking a deep breath he flicked a switch near the buzzer.

The holographic screen propped itself in the air right in the middle of the office, and five squares segregated the faces of the Lords and their retainers.

To the left of Kurama was the Demon Lord of the West, Sesshoumaru-sama. His three retainers were seated beside him and were calmly assessing the demi-god at his desk.

To the Right of him was the Northern Lady Kagura, her sole retainer was discussing something in whispers with a nearby servant.

In the Center was Jinenji-sama, Ruler of the Central Lands. He needed no retainer himself, as all the Lords and Ladies would gladly help him in any crises.

The Southern Lady, Ayame-sama, was leaning her ear to the whispers of her two advisors. Her calculating eyes were resting on Koenma with disdain and unconcerned curiosity.

Lastly was the Eastern Lord and Lady, and the youngest of them all - Souten-sama and Shippou-sama. Their age was accommodated by their retainer's antiquity. Toutousai-san was probably the oldest demon living with his level of cowardice.

When they turned all their attention to Koenma, he started to fidget with his hands; shuffling and restacking the various piles on his desk. "Koenma-sama-" The honorific was just a pleasantry of politics to the Lord of the West. "Do see to it that you get to the point."

Koenma blushed harshly and cleared his throat. "Kagome-sama recently requested of me…"

"Kagome-sama was there?" The tones of Souten-sama colored slightly to reveal her genuine respect and awe for the miko. Beside her Shippou-sama smiled slightly and glanced at his mate.

"So he said kit." One of Sesshoumaru's retainers, his younger brother if rumors were true, teased the two Eastern Rulers.

"What did she want?" Kagura-sama questioned bluntly, as was her nature. Although her manner still suggested a great respect for the 'she'.

Koenma sighed nervously and scratched the back of his neck.

"Koenma-sama…" The soothing tones of Jinenji-sama entered the room. "You said she told you something?" The placating nudge in his voice calmed Koenma and he gulped in air.

"Kagome-sama told me that she wanted some of your guards to come and train my workers adequately." Sesshoumaru-sama threw a sharp glance his way and Koenma winced with the end of his sentence.

"What exactly happened for her to suggest this?" Ayame-sama queried worriedly.

Koenma quickly mumbled out his answer.

There was a smothering silence.

"WHAT!" The Eastern Lord slammed his fists down on his desk as he stood up. "Those scrolls were given to you Reikai officials on the express fact that you would take care of them. It was a promise in the treaty that ensured you would look after them-"

The young Lord was cut off by a calm but steely inquiry from Sesshoumaru-sama. "How exactly did she find this?"

The arguments and outraged exclamations of the other Rulers and their retainers and advisors cut itself off and they all turned as one to gaze stonily at their boss.

"Ketsueki…"

Kagura sat back heavily. "I had thought those only to be rumors, Prince Enma." Her retainer leaned in to quickly whisper in her ear and she nodded distractedly in reply before continuing with her train of thought. "Rumors- Rumors that should have had no substance if you had kept up your side of the bargain."

"No matter." Stated Ayame-sama coolly. "I have a guard that I could do without for a while; he's just retained an injury and could use a light job."

The veiled insult caused Koenma to stutter with wide eyes. Jinenji sighed.

"Perhaps someone should see to our miko? Hiei will most likely be there with her family, but if a demon had access to the blood rites, it is most probable that other demons heard of the tale in the Rites."

Souten-sama gave a shrewd glance to the Central Ruler. "You just want someone to inform her to give you more of that Phylloglossum drummondii."

Shippou-sama smiled. "It's a wonder that you can't seem to grow it, yet our miko can in her greenhouse without so much of a hassle."

'The Phylloglossum…?' Youko's mouth dropped open in shock.

'Youko…?'

'Those are difficult to grow. So difficult that many demons who specialize in plants don't attempt to grow them in a green house and they are protected as endangered species in the wild.' Youko was waving his arms about in his excitement.

"I will inform her that you request some bulbs Jinenji-sama." Kurama stepped forward and bowed slightly. It was wise to show deference to the Lords and Ladies, but Youko was caught staring into Jinenji's face. The result wouldn't let him bow his head properly.

Jinenji was legendary for his ways with plants. He had started with only his garden plot of herbs and during his rule he had created the Central Castle. They were a veritable garden itself; not only herbs but any plants that had struck the Lords fancy over the years in rule.

For him to have trouble with a plant was rare for he was the best, for a human – even a human miko – to have less trouble with said plant was even harder to believe.

The Lord looked him over with his serene gaze and smiled gently. "I would appreciate that, Kurama-san."

Shippou-sama clapped his hands abruptly. "Ayame-sama's Guard will be there shortly. You'd better send your detectives to at least check over the miko's shrine for tonight if you don't get her a companion."

"Don't believe your father won't be hearing of this either Prince Enma." Toutousai-san frowned in disapproval at the young prince. "This was an insult to the agreements we hold and could be viewed as the intent of the Reikai."

Koenma bowed deeply before he motioned them out a portal. The Reikai Tantei found themselves at the bottom of the steps to the shrine. Looking up at the stairs Kurama couldn't help but let out a small smile. Youko was excited and he was trying not to let his excitement make him act foolish.

Kuwabara and Yusuke surprisingly didn't complain about the long trek up the stairs. Rather, they complained about not knowing anything about the missions they were sent on.

When they reached the actual shrine grounds, Youko kept on insisting for a look at the gardens. Kurama convinced him that they needed to see if Hiei had recovered from his wounds and if the miko was alright.

After all, if the puzzle was broken there was no point in trying to solve it.

Just before Kuwabara reached out to knock on the good luck charm posted by the actual abode door, it was opened by Hiei. He nodded curtly at them and waited as they made their way in.

"Kagome-sama will be here shortly."

Yusuke was staring at a picture on the wall, one of many. If you looked down the hall into the house you could see the shadowed pictures covering the hall and bordering every door. The subjects in the pictures seemed to get younger the further one went into the house and in curiosity Kurama made to trace the family growth from the pictures beginning.

Before he made it even halfway down the hall the miko stepped out from a doorway. Kurama could just make out the staircase upward before she greeted them and his gaze was otherwise directed.

"Are you taken care of?"

Hiei nodded his head to answer for them all. "Their wounds are not severe. Mere scratches one would think."

The miko smiled and nodded. Then the house shook.

Yusuke fell over in his shock and Kuwabara had a slow smile making its way across his face. Kurama himself was confused, but he retained his senses and kept his balance. Hiei wasn't making any defensive moves and…

The miko was smiling.

Kuwabara chuckled when the young boy, Souta, barreled out the previous door and grinned at his sister.

"So you are done!" The miko was enveloped in a waist high hug, her little brother's arms wrapping around her tightly. "Momma said that I couldn't bug you while you were busy, but I don't think you will be really busy with these guys here. I mean, Ketsueki is gone so it's not going to be serious and-"

Kagome-sama's hand was placed gently over his mouth. "Breathe, Hun."

Souta blushed and smiled sheepishly as he calmed down his breathing. Now slightly more subdued, he went to stand beside Hiei.

Kuwabara laughed joyously. "This place is like mine a few years back!"

'The exclamation certainly explains a few things about his behavior.' Youko said with a snarl. He was irate, and the pacing back and forth in the mindscape had developed a rhythm of its own. Suffice to say, Kurama could have told you how many times he would pace in one minute.

'We need to have a conversation with her! Maybe, if they don't start…'

Youko trailed off as they entered the living room and seated themselves. Kagome-sama had reentered the room with a tray of tea. She balanced it on one hand while she cleared the coffee table and neither her brother nor Hiei made a move to help her.

Kurama made a move to help her but her brother slapped his hand away. Silently, as if he didn't just strike his guest, he bowed his head and folded his hands in his lap.

Hiei smirked.

As they all settled down to sip at their tea, Souta kept on smiling and glancing at the two ningens. Finally Yusuke got annoyed with it and threw the silent camaraderie out the window.

"What exactly is your problem kid!"

Souta blushed hotly. "Nee-chan said that you two were spiritually trained…I-" He paused and glanced at Hiei and his sister. "- I thought that you could show me some technique so I could study it and get a better grasp of the teachings."

Hiei snorted. "Do not tell lies, Souta. It is not honorable."

Souta looked away.

Kagome-sama smiled indulgently at him before turning to the rest seated. "He is rather enthusiastic about the different types of techniques possible." Her hand rested on her brother's head and messed up his hair. "I do believe he'll have the most recorded techniques in a few years or so." The hand Souta had lifted to pull his sister's hand off his head placed it on his knees where he held it.

"Soooo…"

Kuwabara's slow phrasing was cut off by Yusuke's outburst. "How exactly does a fucking cut throat demon like Hiei meet a priestess without getting his ass purified?"

Kurama chocked on the sip of tea he'd just swallowed at his blunt phrasing. "Yusuke-" He started to hiss out.

Hiei moved aggressively to silence the brash toushin before Souta stopped him. The miko was covering her face with her hands and Yusuke was looking rather disgruntled.

When Kagome-sama uncovered her face they were surprised to see a smile of joy where they had expected shock and outrage. "I do believe that you, Yusuke-san, remind me of someone I used to know."

Souta shifted a subtle movement that placed him closer to his sister and gave him a better view of Yusuke. "Are you sure he would like to hear you say that? He likes to be considered his own person you know, and this will…" He trailed off uncertainly, a rather funny expression twisting his features.

Kagome smiled and turned to the toushin to answer his previous question. "I believe that was all Souta's doing, Yusuke-san."

Kurama caught it. The suffix at the end of Yusuke's name was enforced, trying to remind him that they were all strangers here. Strangers don't ask such personal questions; and by the way they reacted this was a personal question.

Until her brother spoke up.

"Wow! You should have been there!" His energy snapped out around him causing his sister to lay a calming hand on his shoulder even as he continued. "I was going to be mugged by thugs! Then Hiei came! He's so fast, I almost didn't see him you know, and he cut them all down in like three seconds!" He took a deep breath.

'Almost didn't see him!'

'…interesting kid.' Youko's monastic reply came.

The kid continued: "…Then he looked at me, and I had this trace power on me and he was interested and he brought me home-"

Kurama could swear the kid was going to choke as he kept on talking faster and faster.

"…he stayed the night and asked questions…especially since…one thug was a hanyou…then Kagome made breakfast…offered Hiei…cool fight…Awesome!"

Yusuke stared at the kid who talked so fast words had to be taken out.

Kuwabara was chuckling like mad behind his raised hands and Kurama had to wonder if all sibling relations were something like the Higurashis.

Kagome's face was turned to her brother in an affectionate exasperation and her hand was placed firmly on top of his head to cease his bouncing. Her closed eyes crinkled at the corners with her mirth and Souta threw a sheepish glance at her from under his flattened bangs.

"What power was this?"

Souta was cut off by his sister. "We are a traditional shinto shrine here, many demons wouldn't know our power as it is rather unusual even in the human realm." She messed up her brother's hair before she removed her hand with a grin.

Kurama could feel Youko narrowing his eyes at her in contemplation, her aura seemed to flash and rise to a silent challenge. Youko sat back in their mind, indulging himself and languidly spreading himself upon a sudden knoll of grass and heather.

'I'm so going to enjoy this.' And he watched.

'No comment Youko?' He just shook his head at him and caressed the air with a careless wave of his fingers. 'Imperious kitsune.'

Youko just grinned distractedly at him and concentrated on the female that had caught his attention. 'Right now she's not acing like a blind person…but do you remember her as her brother led her to the tree?'

'She was being led.'

'Yes, and now she's behaving like any regular teenager just without opening her eyes.

'Something is not right.'

Hiei stood and closed the window curtains before he kneeled in front of the miko and tapped her hand. It was a light tap, but Kurama could see the power that trickled from his fingers into her hand, and he could see her manipulating it under her palm.

She nodded – absently and seemingly to herself – before she opened her eyes.

Yusuke tensed beside him and he could see her brother blushing- with pride or awe he didn't know.

"My sister tells me that you are working for Reikai. I thought that the gods had decided to never contact a Shinto shrine again for aid."

"Hiei pointed out this avenue of aid to our team, our boss had no idea what was happening."

The miko quirked an eyebrow wryly; "That would be why he said the stupidest comment I've ever heard, including ones from the hanyou as a pup."

Souta looked stunned momentarily before breaking out into laughter. Kurama didn't really know who they were talking about, but even Kuwabara could tell that was an insult. Yusuke looked veritably pissed, and Kurama had to wonder if Keiko could even get him that red-faced.

Hiei turned to the miko. "I don't believe he knew what was going on; I never suggest an avenue of recourse to our team."

Kurama glanced at Hiei quickly before turning to the miko's younger brother. "So what got you so interested in reikai techniques?"

Souta's eyes lit up. And Kurama could see Hiei grimace and inch away from the child before the miko laid a hand on Souta's shoulder. Hiei relaxed back into his place on the sofa's arm.

He closed his wide open mouth before opening it in a more subdued manner. "My sister was always having trouble with a certain technique, and then she found an alternate path for her power. Then we met a hanyou who could manipulate a certain aspect of his spirit with the blood of battle." Souta paused to look down. "I liked that you could find ways around your problems and that one medium could be used differently depending on how creative you were."

Kagome looked surprised but then her face cleared and she smiled as her eyes closed. Hiei snorted his amusement and lifted his body and went to the window, seating himself on the sill. Kwuabara was watching the child with a soft expression and Kurama had to wonder exactly what he was thinking about.

'Don't bother. Just ask her a question- tell her about the plants! That's an opener to discuss her relations!'

'Quiet Youko, I can't very well ask with you yammering in my mind.'

'You don't have to snap.' Youko pouted in his mind, grumbling about grumpy redheads, frayed nerves, damn kitsune curiosity, and too intriguing puzzles.

He sighed as he brought himself to the present, into the lull of conversation between them. "I was told to ask you to bring some Phylloglossum drummondii to Jinenji-sama the next time you saw him." He paused to gaze steadily at her closed eyes. "He was very hopeful to receive some bulbs."

Kagome smiled and stood she took a step away before she turned to gather their used cups. Kurama watched her. Just like in the Makai forest, she seemed to know where everything was.

As she left to put the dishes away Souta stood. "You seemed interested in our garden earlier. Would you like to see it?"

Kuwabra nodded to the kid and stood silently, Souta grinned up to his height and started chatting about how his sister had started it and showed him and eventually his grandfather to sow their medicine.

Hiei didn't follow immediately, waiting for the two detectives to leave before him.

Youko flashed into awareness, skimming the surface of their souls before settling. 'He's watching his home. He won't leave until no strangers are there to wreck havoc without supervision.'

'His home?'

Youko nodded. 'It would seem hat he protects this family as he protects his own sister.'

Kurama nodded to the hybrid and discreetly ushered Yusuke out after the two previous. He only briefly glanced at the picture wall as they left and he promised himself that he would look at it the next time they were here.

As they caught up with the energetic pair, Kurama noticed the miko was nowhere to be seen. And as distracting as the many herbs in the garden plot were, he was really interested in the more rare bulbs that would be in a greenhouse.

Souta must have noticed his searching look because he walked up to the redhead and calmly pointed out a shack just behind a decrepit shed. "Kagome's greenhouse is over there, I'm sure that you are more interested in the rarer foliage."

Kurama felt the gentle searching energy of the child as he came to a decision and nodded to himself. The boy was just turning away: "Don't frighten her in any way in there, you might get a surprise."

Youko lifted an eyebrow haughtily, watching the back of the boy before he turned their gaze to the object of their interest. They started a sedate walk over there but an uneasy feeling overcame both of them as they neared.

Slowly and cautiously he opened one of the doors to gain entrance, and the rich smell of cool earth and soil greeted him with the sweet fragrance of life. Everywhere he turned he could see green. The occasional splashes of color and honeyed pollen wrapped around his senses and he almost had to brace himself with the dizzying sensation.

It stopped and he sensed the surprise and joy of the plant life around him, recognizing him as a plant user.

He noticed the confusing aura in the greenhouse fade, and he had to wonder exactly what kind of fertilizer she gave theses beauties to make them this healthy. Taking notice of the way all the leaves and stems seemed to be straining to a certain direction, he followed their guidance.

He found the miko, talking in a gentle whisper to the thick stemmed plants surrounding her. Some Bay Laurel, or Laurus nobilis as Youko kept on snarling at him, had its leaves gently waving at the woman and an unknown wind playing with its stems. He gazed silently at the miko.

She hadn't sensed him in here, yet she knew exactly where to put her hands and what plant was where. She was smiling andby her hand rested a basket; filled with at least ten different bulbs in some soil with a damp towel surrounding them.

He paused to watch her, and he could swear he heard the plants giggle and laugh as they reached towards her.

Shaking his head he and Youko could only stare dazedly at the reaction she received. 'I think there is something going on here. More than we know.'

Youko nodded solemnly. 'I want to know how she studied her arts.' His voice was harsh with impatience, the questions driving at him and eating his curiosity. 'I want to know how she became blind! I want to know how she is acquainted with the Lords and Ladies.' He calmed and gazed out at the miko. 'I want to know her story.'

Kurama heard the warning of one small sprout, and the miko turned to him startled. "Kruama-san!" One of her hands flew to her heart, pressing heavily against the thick white fabric of her miko's haori. "You startled me."

"I am sorry." He paused to glance at her, "but I couldn't resist. I consider myself to be proficient in horticulture and I rather fancied that you could give me a tour of you greenhouse."

She drew her hand back down slowly and gave a small smile. Kurama could feel Youko half-desiring and half-curious if she would open her eyes. Kurama couldn't stop him before he took over their lips. "Would you mind me seeing your eyes again?"

He could tell he had shocked her, and her expression only made her look even more vulnerable to their senses that knew she was blind. She spoke softly: "It becomes a habit, to close my eyes." She picked up the basket and absently stroked down the leaves of a nearby plant reaching out to her subtly.

Kurama still noticed.

'Interesting indeed,' Youko shook his head and gathered their wits about them like a cloak of insincerity, 'I can't wait to watch her and the Royals interact.'

'Who says we are allowed to accompany her?'

'Loophole, the Lords and Ladies said that she needed a bodyguard or companion.'

Kurama shook his head at his deviousness and watched the miko, eyes closed, as she made her way around her garden. He only paid half of his attention to his surroundings as he watched her. She was a miko - a blind miko - who knew the higher Royals, not just the rulers.

The three lesser rulers, of the desert the mountains and the plains were rather easily accessible, and were well known around Makai. But to know the higher Royals…

'She must have known them before they ascended…somehow.'

Youko snorted and Kurama sighed. It would seem that Kagome-sama would take a long time to solve.

They couldn't wait