Disclaimer: Refer to Prologue

Chapter 1

"Hello, Yusuke. This is Koenma. I have another assignment for you."

"Of course he does," I mutter darkly as the tape continues to play. Damn little toddler is always giving me shity missions. I don't even want to finish the tape but Botan would probably hit me with her paddle if I turned it off. I glared at the blue-haired grim reaper. She glared back, pink-eyes flashing, and pointed at the screen. I sighed and looked back. Sometimes I just really hate this job.

"There has been a rash of disappearances all over Japan. Over fifteen young women have completely vanished. All of them were psychics of some sort."

I watched a photograph after photograph flashed across the screen. I counted eighteen girls, all about my age; sixteen give or take a year.

"But the disappearance of this girl is the one that concerns us the most."

Another picture was displayed. The first thing that struck me was the eyes. A clear, burning gaze from a pair of gold-colored orbs. It reminded me of someone.

She had a clear, smooth complexion of what I guess some people call peaches and cream, and I couldn't really decide what color her hair was. It was either soot-darkened gold, or gold-dusted black. Again, it was incredibly familiar.

"Who is she? I think I know her from somewhere."

I turned and looked at the speaker. Kuwabara Kazuma was a good friend and part of the "team". He was a bit of an oaf, and not very gifted in the intelligence department, but he could throw a hell of a punch. His Spirit Sword could kick major ass too. Not to mention his supernatural sensitivity for all things...well, supernatural.

"Her name is Tsukishi Kira. She is a fire mage, and a very gifted one at that. Miss Tsukishi has been missing for about two weeks," Koenma said, as if actually responding. Again, familiar. I know I knew someone named Kira, I just know it.

"I wonder what makes her so important..." another voice remarked from behind me.

I twisted my head to find Kurama leaning against the door frame. Kurama's a fox demon, a kitsune, with a specialty in pretty, but deadly plants. He was a thief before all this, but I sort of converted him to the "team". Another "good" demon, if you were being generous, stood next to him.

Hiei was a Fire Apparition. He's small, no more than 5'2, but he is fast. Really fast. His skill with the katana was great, plus the fact that he is incredibly ruthless.

Again, the little twerp, Koenma, answered on queue, "She is exceptionally powerful for a human. Her spirit energy could be used in many destructive ways. Your mission is to find her, and pursue her captor. I want the threat eliminated, Yusuke. Take the entire team, plus Botan. You may even want to bring Yukina. Botan will need to send me regular reports, and Yukina could probably help you where you going."

A snowy landscape filled the screen. A snow covered plateau with steep cliffs that led to a canyon that was desolate except for the lone, violent looking, river that cut through the rock. A thick forest covered the top and surrounded a tower. Why is always a tower? I swear, all the bad guys seem to love the damn things.

"Who knows? Maybe she can be of some assistance. Well, that's it, Yusuke. Oh, and Botan? I want a report when you first arrive. I sent a map along with the tape. It should be in the envelope. It's of out of the way area in Demon World, so be careful." The tape ended, filling the TV screen with static.

"Well! Isn't this just exciting?" Botan said as she slipped the tape back into the envelope, passing the map over to Kurama. He spread it out on the floor, scanning it intently. Hiei leaned over his shoulder, then shrugged and turned away.

"All right, guys, we can pick Yukina up at Genkai's and then," I said, "let's get this over with. I don't wanna be there to long." I yawned widely. This would be easy. Find the girl; kill the bad guy...how hard could it be?