Disclaimer- Some really cool/rich/genius Japanese guy owns YYH. And... well.. I'm not even a guy.

A/N- Whee! Don't kill me. Took forever, but I took some time to plan out an InuYasha fic that should be up in a few days. I'll update both as regularly as I can, so don't worry about this one fading away. If you're a Hiei lover,I know you're about ready to kill me because of the last chapter, but that won't be the last of him, I promise. I'm not saying any more, though. Don't want to ruin the surprise. :D

Pairings- Yusuke/Keiko, Kurama/Shizuru, Hiei/Mukuro, Kuwabara/Yukina, Koenma/Botan

Names-
Yuki- Snow or luck.
Michio- Man with strength of 3,000
Toshi- Mirror Image
Kaemon- Joyful, righthanded; old samurai name
Kohana- Little flower

P.S. The name meanings might be a vauge hint of what's to come... Most likely in the sequel, but what's to come nevertheless.SPECIAL NOTE- Kuwabara and Yukina's kid has been named: Yuki! No, not from Fruits Basket. XP The meaning is why I chose it, thank you.

Also, this fic is no longer Koenma-centric. Just wasn't working that way. Never fear, for I have a Koenma fic planned for later.

I messed up so badly with this, I can't even tell you. The ages are all wrong. All the children should be ages 10 and under. I fixed this but so you don't have to go back and read it, Michio (Yusuke's kid) and Yuki (Kuwabara's kid)are ten, and Toshi (the other child) is nine. In this chapter, Kaemon is ten as well, and Kohana is probably one or two. Her age isn't relevant to anything. Thank you!



I
t was daylight by the time Kurama arrived back to Genkai's Temple in the Ningenkai. It seemed his visit to Hiei had taken longer than he expected. He didn't want to return empty handed; the anger Kuwabara and Yusuke would express was almost frightening to think about. But the poor fox had no choice as he began the climb up the stairs to the temple, dubbed the 'Stairway to Heaven' by Yusuke many years ago. Something about it leading to training where you'd do nothing but die, thus arrive in heaven.

Sighing, Kurama opened the door and stepped inside the temple, greeted by the sight of distressed women and conversing men. The only one who seemed to be completely level-headed was, to no surprise, Genkai. She also seemed to be the only one who noticed him enter the temple.

"Fox," she said in acknowledgement as Kurama took his place before her. "How did it go?"

"He wasn't as willing as I hoped," Kurama admitted, looking at the ground. "Stubborn, as always. We couldn't discuss it properly with Kaemon nearby, but he still managed to make it all too clear he wanted nothing to do with this."

"I expected as much," Genkai replied, sounding tired, annoyed, and old at the same time. "All the same, I wish he would have agreed to help us. We don't know what we're up against and, no offense, but our motley team is a bit rusty." Kurama nodded in agreement. They hadn't fought in years, too wrapped up in having families and, dare he think it, actual lives.

"Surely this can't get any worse than Sensui," Kurama said, a pensive look on his face. "They kidnapped Koenma; their aims can't be too high, can they?"

"You're forgetting that, despite his personality, Koenma is the Prince of Reikai. There will be a high price on his head before long. Either the kidnappers will demand an un payable ransom, or use him for other purposes I don't even want to think about."

"True."

"Besides, we barely made it through the Sensui fiasco, and even then one of us was still killed. Again." Kurama's grin was almost sadistic, but he couldn't resist at her dry humor. "In any case, we can't do anything until we know who, or what, we're fighting, and what they're after. We can't afford any mistakes this time."

"Knowing Hiei he'll burst in and save our butts at the last minute anyway," Yusuke said, flopping onto the floor to Kurama's left, Kuwabara sitting in a more proper manner on his left. "He's done it before, he'll do it again."

"Not necessarily," Kurama said softly. "Hiei has a family. If this turns into something big, he may not want to risk his life. You have to remember he was set for world domination at one time in his life. There's no reason that there isn't a small part of that self left in him."

"Let the shrimp do what he wants," Kuwabara said gruffly. "We'll handle this ourselves."

"Just three, though... It just.. doesn't seem right...," Yusuke muttered softly, his hard stare aimed at the floor. His chocolate eyes were distant, as if he were talking to someone they couldn't see or hear. "Four is more like it..." He trailed off, shaking his head slightly, eyes sliding back into focus as he looked up, embarrassed. "Anyway, do we know anything yet?"

"No," came Genkai's swift reply. "With the ogres scattered through the entire Makai it's nearly impossible to find one, let alone Koenma's personal assistant. The ferry girl is in no condition to tell us anything other than the Prince is kidnapped. Silly girl needs to get straightened out. I'm afraid that will take some time."

"What are we waiting for, then?" Yusuke asked loudly, abruptly jumping to his feet. "Sounds like it's time to do a bit of hunting in the Makai."

"We can't do that," Kuwabara said, showing a rare stroke of brilliance.

"Why not?" Yusuke asked in a somewhat whiny tone, the enthusiasm suddenly zapped away.

"The enemy might be demons, right? We could be walking right into their trap. They must have put the ogres into the Makai for a reason. Why not just dump them into Ningenkai like the ferry girls, especially if they're just going to 'take over the world' anyway? It's too convenient." Kurama, Yusuke and Genkai stared at the carrot-top, somewhat surprised at his sudden analogy. "What?"

"Nothing," Kurama said, shaking his head. "But he's right. We can't go parading around the Makai looking for a blue ogre."

"Then what do we do?" Yusuke asked, crossing his arms and sending the three a questioning look.

"We wait," Genkai announced, sipping her tea. "We wait."


"Everything will be ok, Botan," Yukina said gently, holding the box of tissues and she half-hugged the ferry girl. Botan had been blubbering away for the past few hours; not that Yukina minded. "You'll see."

"We've got the best detectives on the case; they'll find him," Shizuru chimed in, leaning against the wall nearest to them.

"Shizuru's right. Yusuke and the others will get Koenma back safe and sound," Keiko added, smiling softly as she rubbed Botan's back. "It'll be all right." Yukina winced as Botan let out a rather vicious sob. It didn't seem she would be stopping any time soon. And the longer she cried, the longer it would take them to locate and rescue the Prince of Reikai.

"But they d-don't know where t-to find them!" Botan stuttered between sobs, grabbing another tissue, though it didn't do much good. "They d-don't know w-where to l-look!"

"They're smart boys, and besides, Genkai's helping them," Shizuru said quietly.

"We're going to help too," Yukina said. "Any way we can."

"I'm sure we'll come up with a plan in no time!" Keiko expressed brightly.

"Gosh, I'm so stupid!" Botan exclaimed, standing abruptly as a frown and angry eyes darkening her tear streaked face. "I'm sitting here blubbering like an idiot when Koenma's out there somewhere, all alone, with- with- Oh!" She sat back down, new tears leaking out as she leaned on Yukina's shoulder.

"Not that you shouldn't be or anything, but why are you so worried about Koenma?" Keiko asked curiously, patting Botan's back. "I mean, he's your boss, but..." She trailed off, looking at Botan who had calmed from snobs to sniffles.

"I...er... Well. He is my friend, I suppose, but I uh...," Botan stuttered, a faint blush tinging her cheeks.

"You like him, don't you?" Shizuru asked, a sly grin working it's way into her features.

"No!" Botan denied, a bit too quickly, her pink face turning beet red. "I mean... Well. Yes, I do, but not..well..er..like that?" She glanced at the others sheepishly, all three girls staring at her with disbelieving faces. "Oh, all right. I like him! There, I said it. Happy?" She harrumphed, crossing her arms, a pouting look on her face, the fact said demi-god in question was missing seemingly having left her mind for the moment.

"Hah! Yusuke, I told you!" Keiko exclaimed, hopping to her feet and marching off to a very confused Yusuke in the next room.

"I think that's wonderful, Botan," Yukina said gently, a soft smile on her face. "Love is something a lot of people seem to be without, in this world."

"I think Koenma feels the same way," Shizuru said idly, a pensive look on her face. "Unless there's another reason he turns red whenever you get too close."

"Yes, well, I'd tell him, but that's awfully-Oh! He's gone!" Botan wailed, a few stray tears falling down her face. Her expression, however, was determined. "I'm ready to help them now."

"But Botan, are you sure-"

"Yes, Shizuru, I'm sure. Sitting here isn't going to do anything! If I want Koenma back, the boys are going to need some help. Once Kurama gets back I'm going to tell them everything I know."

"Well, Kurama's been back for some time," Yukina began. But before she could finish, the ferry girl had zipped to the other room, breaking the odd silence that had fallen over Genkai, Kuwabara, Kurama, Keiko, and Yusuke.

Botan plopped down on the floor beside Kuwabara, folding her hands in her lap as she gazed expectantly around the group. "What do you need to know?"


Reviewer Responses

Demons Are Cool- Yes, it does feel good to get that out of my system. And, at my b-day (I know, still like four months) party, plan on the waffles, man. xD SQUEE!

Emmy Amiena Weasly- Er... Just... don't kill me. Ok? Ok. Good. I'd tell you if it is or not, but that would ruin the suspense! Though, if you happen to pull a Sesshy you might drag it out of me. But yeah. You'll have to waaaaaaaiiiiiiit. Luff ya (not in that way)!

Mutou Yasu- ...That is odd. Especailly considering I've never read any of your fics. But. Yeah. Great minds think alike, ne? D Glad you liked the pacifier bit. That was my favorite part, aside from Kaemon. And, I look foward to your reviews! (I really love your imput)

Sierra- Aww. Why does she want to kill Keiko? I'm glad you think it's funny. Well, hopefully the romance will come out more in later chapters. Things should heat up once Koenma is-Er. Well. I've said to much. I'll leave you to ponder what this means. Anyway. Yeah.

Red Kitsune Flames- Hee, yeah, it was difficult writing out that scene... Took so long from my laughing. xD