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

A/N- Ah, well, ok, I lied. I'm not sure where this is going, exactly. I've made so many plot changes, I'm confused myself. I do know, however, that this is going to be one heck of a fic, and that Koenma will play a very important role. Satisfied? Good. If not; sorry!

I finally got up off my lazy arse and wrote this chapter after sudden inspiration from my friends, and from watching Koenma insult his father in front of the SDF. I love that part. Hm. Maybe I should through them in there somewhere. We can pick on nose guy, eh Emmy? xP

Anyway, here's your chapter; I hope you enjoy! It was difficult to write, and I'm rather satisfied.Beware the cliffies.

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

Oh, and just so you know, I'm going as Yusuke with Franken-Puu, dressed up as a twinkie, and will have a wind tunnel. Maybe. I'm also trying to get out of taking my brother T'T, but to those of you who don't know me in real life, that isn't very relevant. On with the fic!


The darkness was absolute; he could not hear, he could not see. His senses seemed to have vanished. Touch evaded him, and there was nothing to smell. Even the bittersweet taste of spit was absent from his mouth. The term alive did not seem to apply, and yet he was hardly dead. He was not in a limbo, nor was he in any of the three worlds that he recognized. Where, then, was he?

His thoughts, although frequent, were often left unfinished. Something rendered his mind, his only sanctuary, useless, unable to proccess everything he thought. It took time to sort them through, to manage to string together a coherent thought, but to him time was endless. He was unsure how long he had been in this state, or what this state was. He did not know if he was even concious, or if it were possible to think if he wasn't. Everything was so twisted and blended together, he had a wish to die then and there, a wish that, to his dismay, would not be granted.

Before long, however long happened to be in the dull, endless haze, a dull throbbing began to prod at the corner of his mind. This throb, which grew rather annoying, depsite enabling his ability to think, turned into what felt like a severe headache. He longed to rub his temples, which before had helped emmensely, but alas; he could feel, nor see, any hands to operate. Still, he was at peace with this emotionless coma-like state; it seemed rather calming.

But the pain would not let him have his relaxation. It returned, stronger than ever, a searing pain that lashed out. He was going to die, he knew it. At least, he thought he did. Death did not come, and the suffering only continued. Emotions began to fly free. He held a strange sadness that he couldn't quite place. Anger errupted from deep within though, again, he did not know what he was angry for. Several agonizing moments passed by, in which he was a turmoil of greif and madness.

Suddenly, he heard a scream that sounded like a far off, distant shout. Then, there was naught but silence ebbing away at what little of his sanity remained. Shortly after, the scream returned, this time accompanied by several others. They continued in a relentless blare, as if trying to break him free from the strong hold that rendered him helpless. However, the yells and shouts were suddenly cut short, as if someone had removed the source. How could that be?

Despite the sudden disappearance of the frantic noise, screams echoed through his mind, acting like a trigger, turning on his functions. Suddenly, he could hear, the sudden noise of the outside world defening. He longed to see what lay before him, but that luxury was still denied. Before long, though, he found he knew he was walking, some other force controlling his movement. For the longest time, which he could now determine, his ability to think having returned to him, this was all he knew; a dulling state of quick movement and a common peoples' utter terror. Their fear was becoming his own; he quickly became very much afraid.

And so you are awake...

The voice was in his mind, calling to him. He wanted to ignore it, something told him it was bad. Limited to his own mind, however, there was nothing he could do to escape it. It's prescence was intimidating, for he could tell it knew something that he did not, something that he desperately needed to know.

You wish to know what is going on?

He would have screamed yes if he were capable. What was going on? Where was he? What was he doing? He sensed he had no control over any of his actions, and he had already tried to stop whatever it was he was doing. It was of no use; the hold over him was fart too strong. Would he ever be free?

Then so be it.

All of a sudden he could see. What he saw, however, made him wish he had remained in a blind state. He could feel, though again he wished his touch were not responsive in his brain, what he was touching unbearable. Before him lay a scene so horrid he did not wish to see it, his hands drenched in that he could not bear. Horror clenched his heart and, had he been able to control his bodily functions, he would have vomited from the stench wafting through the air.

He was in the Ningenkai, that he was sure of. It was rather quiet now, in spite of the previous screams. The streets were lined with buildings, a few parked cars. There was a park further up the road and, had it been a normal day, people would have walked down the sidewalks, rushing to get where ever it was they were going. This fact wasn't what disturbed him. No, his troubles were far greater than that.

The streets themselves lay home to many dead ningens, all murdered in various ways. He longed to search about for the murderer, wanted to know who had done such a horrible deed, wanted to know why he was greeted with such a sight. His own controller, rather than allow him to be free, forced him to examine his hands, to accept what he deperately did not want to believe. Blood stained his fingers, palms and forearms. In places it was dried and caked, in others it dripped to the stained pavement, its slow speed mocking.

You are the murderer.

No! He couldn't be! He hadn't done anything!

You killed them all.

But how was that possible? He hadn't so much as moved!

Murderer...

Yet, he knew it was all true...


The temple had settled into a peaceful quiet, though the tension that hung in the air was quite obvious. Kurama and Shizuru had returned home, as hadKeiko and Yukina. They had children to care for, and simply could not stay away from their homes any longer. Kuwabara and Yusuke had remained at the temple to think things through, able to use a business meeting as an excuse to keep the children at bay. With promises to reuturn, Kurama and the women departed, leaving the boys, Genkai, and Botan to themselves.

Genkai watched with Botan as Yusuke and Kuwabara did a bit of sparring to sharpen their skills. It was a bit awkard, really, considering it had been many years since they had last thrown a fist. Nonetheless, it was rather entertaining to watch, and the men were surprisingly well in shape considering the circumstances. Coming to a halt with their practice, Yusuke rolled one of his shoulders, feeling a bit stiff. Kuwabara did likewise, allowing his spirit sword to disappear for the moment.

"You two look parched," Botan stated, traversing the springy grass with two bottles of water in hand. "How about some water?"

"Sounds good," Yusuke replied, downing half of his share of water. Kuwabara shook his head and took a sip.

"Any news?" Botan sighed at Kuwabara's question, gaze downcast.

"No, I'm afraid not. Kurama, Keiko and Shizuru haven't found anything; Kurama's due back anytime now."

"We probably won't learn anything by living our normal lives." Genkai appeared beside Botan, hands behind her back. "This will require good research if we're ever going to make heads or tails of it."

"But we've got families now," Yusuke reminded her, the last of his water disappearing down his throat. "It's hard enough keeping this a secret without trying to figure out who kidnapped Koenma."

"Why bother hiding it anymore?" Genkai snapped, turning her glare on her former pupil. "If we sit around and do nothing, there won't be anything left to hide! Most likely this is an old villian we've faced before; somehow they knew how to get past Spirit World's defences and managed to get away with Koenma. When they're finished with him, who's to say they won't go after you next?"

"...Point taken. Isn't there a way to do this without giving anything away?"

"I think she's right, Urameshi," Kuwabara grunted as they made their way back to the temple for some lunch. "I can't see a way around it... They were going to find out eventually."

"Yeah, I guess," Yusuke grumbled, flopping down before the table. "But I don't want to face the possibility that they might be a spirit detective; Keiko's already worried about them running out to save some little boy that doesn't need saving."

"History does repeat itself," Botan nodded. "But if we don't figure out who took Koenma..." She blinked away a few tears. "Then it won't matter; spirit world will be facing it's final days."

They ate in silence, munching on their rice with a contemplative look. It did seem to be a lose-lose situation, the only upside being the chance to get back in the action, and saving the world. Again.Though, it was getting tiring; couldn't there be a new hero? But of course, they wouldn't get the job done right; Koenma himself had said no one was as good as the Urameshi-tachi. Setting down his bowl, Yusuke sighed; it just didn't matter what he wanted, did it?

"Well, where are we going to get this research done?" Yusuke asked, cocking a brow as he looked to Genkai. The old woman sighed, setting her chopsticks on the low table before her.

"I-" Genkai began, but was cut off as someone calledYusuke's name.

"Yusuke!" Kurama burst into the room, panting as he leaned against the door frame. It looked like he had ran all the way to the temple. He gulped for air, staring down at the floor.

"Kurama! What is it?" Yusuke jumped to his feet, attempting to assist his friend. Kuwabara came over as well, face lined with worry; something wasn't right. "Well?"

"Give him room to breathe," Kuwabara said, stepping aside.

"There's a murderer on a killing spree in the Ningenkai," Kurama rasped, straightening as he looked Yusuke in the eye.

"What demon is it this time?" The former Spirit Detective cracked his knuckles, a light smirk playing his lips.

"Not a demon." Kuwabara and Yusuke looked confused.

"If it's not a demon, then what do we care? We've got more important things to deal with!"

"No, Yusuke, you don't understand; it's Koenma."


Reviewer Responses-

Mutou Yasu- Glad you liked that chapter; it was interesting to write. I wasn't too fond of my Botan performance, and I don't like the ending to this one all too well, either. I just don't like my writing of Botan, I guess. Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. Sorry about the wait!

Red Kistune Flames- Whee! Glad you liked it. :D

Thank you to all readers who don't leave reviews, and my friends whom I know have read it!