AN: Sorry for another long update so thanks for waiting ever so patiently. In here, you're going to see a lot of new things because after many conversations, Telle and I decided to put in many subplots and many of them are introduced in this chapter. I want to thank the people who reviewed last chapter. Even though there were less, they are greatly appreciated. May you guys like this installment as well!

Disclaimer: We own nothing!


Complications

Yusuke listened to the person rattle on in a shaky voice for a few minutes before speaking again. "So, Kuwabara, what you're saying is Shizuru got drunk out of grief, was hit by another driver and is in the hospital?"

He listened to Kuwabara on the other line take in several deep breaths to calm down before speaking again. "Yes, Urameshi! She's going to make it, but what if she died like Keiko did? She's not saved! I'm shaken up, I need you over here!"

Yusuke rolled his eyes at Kuwabara's mention of this 'religion.' Leaning into the receiver, he said, "All right Kuwabara but if you mention religion or salvation or anything like that, I'm going to freaking leave, you got that?"

He heard Kuwabara sigh. "All right."

Click. The phone was hung up and Yusuke hurriedly put on some clothes and left his house to walk to all too familiar trek to the hospital.

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Shizuru lay on the hospital bed with a broken arm, black eye, minor scratches and bruises and an IV busily dripping fluids into her system. She looked around the room through tear-filled eyes at everyone standing at her bedside so faithfully. Genkai stood quietly, arms folded in a calm, patient manner, meanwhile Kuwabara and Botan were fidgeting nervously. Yukina and Kurama looked fairly calm as well, but held a certain look of sadness in their eyes.

What had she ever done to deserve their loyalty, especially after doing what she did to herself? Lying there, she felt helpless and for the first time in her life realized that her drinking may have gotten her killed. She buried herself in grief and used alcohol to numb it. Shizuru wanted what Keiko had before she died. She wanted what her brother had. She longed for that tranquil peace he boasted shamelessly. She was ready to give up but something inside of her told her not too. It told her to hang on.

"Kazuma?" she asked raspily.

"What is it, Shizuru? Are you okay?" Kuwabara hurriedly said, worry etching into his voice.

"Nothing, little bro. I... just... want..." Shizuru paused as she realized what she was about to ask and then slowly but carefully continued. "I... want... the joy and peace you have. I want to know God and I want the radiating glow you have."

Nothing Shizuru had ever told Kuwabara received such a reaction as her request had. Yukina and Botan embraced each other, Kurama gave Kuwabara a knowing smile and then Kuwabara got down on his knees next to Shizuru's bed and explained the plan of salvation to her.

"Little bro, I want that. How do I do it?"

"Bow your heads with us, Shizuru," Kurama said placing a hand on her shoulder.

After a few minutes of prayer, Shizuru lifted her head, tears streaming down her face, but there was something different. She seemed at peace with herself.

"Welcome to the family of God," Yukina and Botan said synonymously and hugging her at the same time.

No one noticed that Genkai had left the room or that Yusuke suddenly burst through the door.

"Shizuru, what the heck is freaking wrong with your head?" Yusuke yelled. "Going out and getting drunk and then getting in an accident? Has alcohol killed that much of your brain cells?"

Yusuke paused on his rant and noticed that everyone's eyes were damp with tears. Suspiciously he asked, "What's going on?"

Shizuru smirked. "Hey, handsome, if you would learn to use your eyes first, you would learn more. For your information, I just got saved right now."

Yusuke's face turned red with rage and then looked at everyone around the room. "Who was it?"

Shizuru smirked. "All of them, Yusuke. All of them. And you know, you ought to believe and get saved too because it feels awesome."

Yusuke was so angry he could do nothing except stand and gawk. Once again, he turned and left the room and then out of the hospital. He didn't even pause and take notice of Genkai who was standing in the lobby watching him leave.

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Genkai stood in the lobby of the hospital contemplating what just happened in the room with Shizuru when she noticed Yusuke storming out of the hospital in a fit of rage. Genkai knew of this 'Christian' religion but she never really understood it or even wanted to be a part of it. But lately, after what happened with Keiko and now Shizuru, Genkai started thinking of life after death. Is there another life? What happens? Are you judged by whether you were good or bad or by whether or not you were saved? Genkai knew her days were numbered because she was an old woman. She also knew they were numbered because of a certain issue that she had yet to announce to the others. She turned and began to walk back to Shizuru's room when a voice stopped her.

"You ok, grandma?"

Genkai turned to see Kuwabara behind her. "Of course I am, dimwit. It was getting stuffy in the room so I stepped out for a few minutes."

Kuwabara studied Genkai for a minute. "Is that all?"

Genkai shook her head. "No. There's something I need to tell you as long as you swear to secrecy."

Kuwabara smiled proudly. "The great Kazuma Kuwabara never breaks a promise."

"Oh, shut up. Listen, I was going to tell Yusuke first and then the rest of you but since Yusuke is drowning in his grief, I think it'll be better to tell you first. I have cancer."

Kuwabara sat shocked by her announcement and what it meant. "How long have you had it?" he asked boldly, afraid of the answer.

"Several months. I didn't want to make a big fuss about it." Genkai replied in her stoic manner,

not wishing to draw sympathy from him. However, she had gained more than sympathy...

"So, you don't want me to tell Yusuke after you've told everyone else?"

Genkai nodded. "Smart dimwit."

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Later that night, Kurama and Botan were sitting in their kitchen enjoying a late night snack together before they went to bed.

"Isn't it wonderful what Shizuru decided tonight, dear?" Botan asked cheerfully.

Kurama nodded. "Yes, it is and frankly, I was rather surprised." Kurama's voice noted that something else was troubling him.

Botan looked at her husband worriedly. "That's not all, Kurama. What else is wrong? Does it have to do with Genkai having cancer?"

Kurama looked at Botan with his emerald eyes sparkling. "Botan, I don't think I will ever understand how you can figure me out so well. Genkai's cancer is the thing that has me most worried but there is also something else that has been troubling me."

Botan's amethyst eyes looked worried. "What else is it then?"

Kurama's gaze turned to look at the moon and the stars that were hanging against the black sky and then turned back to Botan. "I'm afraid Youko is trying to come back," he said softly.

"What?" Botan cried. "How could this be? I mean, you're saved, you can't be re-possessed, and it's just impossible because we have the Holy Spirit in us now."

"I know that Botan but just because we're saved doesn't mean we can't be tempted or influenced by them. I'm afraid that I'll fall back."

Botan walked up to her red-haired husband, embraced him and put her head on his shoulder. "Well, we'll just have to pray that the Lord will give us the strength to resist him and to put a hedge of protection around you, won't we?"

Kurama leaned down and kissed the top of Botan's head. "Yes, we will. And I will also pray that He'll always use you as an encouragement to me."

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"What? Okay, we'll be praying. You don't want me to do that? Okay. Love you. Bye."

Yukina hung up the telephone with a soft click and sighed.

"What's the matter, Yukina, darling?" Kuwabara asked.

"That was Hiei. Apparently he and Mukuro are arguing over whether or not God exists. He says God isn't real while Mukuro thinks there might be one. It's all very frustrating." Yukina sighed and walked towards her husband, a look of dismal failure and despair on her normally delightful features. "Keiko's dead, Shizuru's injured, Genkai has cancer, and now this. What else is next, Kazuma? What's next?"

Kuwabara pulled Yukina onto his lap and kissed her causing her cheeks to turn a bright red. "I don't know sweetie, I don't know. But I do know that we can pray about it. We need to pray for everyone, huh?"

Yukina lay her head down on Kuwabara's from fatigue. "You're right. You're always right."

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Yusuke sat on his windowsill watching the sun come up, weary from a sleepless night. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Yusuke trudged down the stairs and opened the door to reveal Kurama standing on the doorstep.

"What the heck are you doing here Kurama?" Yusuke asked irritated.

Kurama stepped into the doorway with a serious look on his face and shut the door. "Bad news, Yusuke."

Yusuke stepped back. "Look, I don't need anymore bad news right now so why don't you just leave?"

Kurama wouldn't budge. "Is your phone hooked up, Yusuke?"

Yusuke shook his head. "No, I unplugged it because I'm tired of it constantly ringing."

Kurama nodded, bearing a knowing look on his face. "Well, the police department called me 'cause they couldn't get a hold of you. We have an urgent case on our hands."

Yusuke glared at Kurama. "Forget it, I'm not going on any cases for a while."

"Oh yes you will. This case is going to hold a special interest for you because the department thinks Keiko was murdered last week."


AN: hahahahaha. We are yet evil again! I love writing cliffies! I am evil! Anyways, the next chapter should be coming quicker because I'm going to devote a lot of my attention to my four on-going stories instead of so many oneshots. Please be kind and leave a review before you go though. Thank you so much! Sayonara!