A/N: Hello once again, Fellow FanFiction Fanatics!

As I was preparing this chapter for posting, I realized I introduce some romanized Japanese words in here that have specific meanings, and were chosen very specifically. Heh. Anyway, it got me to thinking that several names or words that CM and I use also have meanings behind them, and it is with that in mind that I am going to start defining such words at the ends of the chapters. I have already started the process of going back and inserting previously mentioned terms into previous chapters, but it's a work-in-process that will probably take me the next couple of days at least. Because I am going back and inserting definitions in the appropriate chapters in which they are introduced, I will only be putting words introduced for the first time in this chapter in the end notes here.

If you want to catch up in a more immediate manner with the various romanized words used in the story, you'll have to go back through previous chapters for now. I may compile them all into a chapter sometime in the future once I'm all caught up, but that will take a while for sure.

Symbols Guide:

* : Written by CM; She writes for Akari and Hiei
3 : Written by Star (supposed to be the 'heart' symbol, but FF doesn't like the 'less-than' sign, so it's a 3 instead); She writes for Toriko/Shikiyoku and Kurama
~!**!~ : A universal transition between scenes or characters, sometimes used to indicate a passage of time, but most often used to transition between major scenes that are happening. As the story progresses, this will evolve into mainly separating the (usually two) scenes happening between authors/characters.

As a general rule, anything in italics is thoughts.
Unless it's used in a sentence like this, which merely indicates emphasis.
"Quotations are usually reserved specifically for telepathic dialogue being transmitted from one being to another, but sometimes this can also mean a character isn't being careful about what they're thinking and anyone with telepathy in the nearby vicinity can listen in without taking any effort."

The only exception to that last rule is for the Shiba Inu dog, Nabu. All of his "spoken" dialogue will be in italics and quotations, but is communicated through body language or dog-like noises, so unless a character is able to translate those they are unlikely to pick up on what he is saying any more than the average person might understand his general moods like aggression (bared teeth, ears back) or excitement (wagging tail).

Previously on Yu Yu Hakusho!

Akari finds Foko tended to Kurama, but she assumes Foko to be Kurama's attacker.
Foko takes the opportunity to sever his tie with her,
slipping farther into the persona he has taken on,
and leaving Akari to pick up Kurama.

Akari takes Kurama back to her home
and uses healing implements provided by Botan to tend to Kurama's wounds.

When he awakens, Kurama manages to convince Akari that it was not Foko,
but Otento who had done the damage to him.

Both Akari and Kurama fall asleep soon after that.

~!**!~

Shikiyoku and Hiei have all of Gekijou's words confirmed to them
via the interrogation Shikiyoku does on the First Level resident.

After this, they spend a month travelling back down to the Ninth Level,
and upon arriving they find that Uryo has been waiting for them.
They are reunited with the lur'mog, and they share in Uryo's meal.

"Uryo…" Shikiyoku hesitated, eyes still down-turned onto the lur'mog on her lap.

The older fire apparition lifted his attention to her, still unsure of how reserved she had become and what exactly it meant.

Could she...could she fear her power? After all this time?

With more of a sense of curiosity than his initial, brief assessment, Uryo metaphorically reached out through the space between them to get a better feel for Shikiyoku's power.

In the meanwhile, he waited for her to continue.

"Were you...were you alive when there was only Sekaiju?"

Uryo's eyebrows raised in surprise at her question as he probed gently, undetectably, at the demon across from him.

"That world is only a myth. An old wives tale, as the humans so often put it."

Shikiyoku caught his sanguine eyes with her own, and he felt somewhere inside a tick of awareness of the deepness of her gaze, where somewhere far within there was an ethereal glow that she only had to blink in order to summon. For the first time he understood how one could lose themselves in those eyes, and he did not look away.

"In legends lie truths too big for facts to hold." Shikiyoku finally replied.

Uryo caught something else in his evaluation of Shikiyoku, something that was not...right, though he did not truly have the vocabulary to describe exactly what.

You have changed much in the months since I have seen you. And not all of it for the better I think.

"I'm not surprised to hear that you know of Sekaiju, storyteller that you are, lady."

"But...you do not know of it."

"I know less than yourself I imagine. And I...hic...have not experienced it, no."

Uryo laughed and broke eye contact, neatly cutting off the spell that had been attempting to weave between them and had settled over their conversation.

"I am not nearly old enough for that." He took another bite of fish.

Shikiyoku lowered her eyes again, finding the dancing fire that Uryo still had flaming upon the ground.

There was only one other she could think of to ask. Only one other contact she knew that might have lived, or perhaps had a parent who lived, when the three worlds had been one, when humans lived alongside demons.

Kafu...

But that would mean returning to the very city that was still under Rae's control.3

Hiei stared at the scene before him for what felt like an eternity, wrapped in his own circulating thoughts even as conversation unfolded before him. And for a while, he was oblivious to the words that floated between the pair he faced.

What pulled him from his thoughts was the sudden burst of laughter that filled the air. Hiei turned his red eyes up at the other demon, blinking only once at the rather loud sound that had almost startled him. Almost.

He wasn't sure what the conversation was about, and for a moment, didn't care. It didn't seem important thanks to Uryo's talk of age. But, again, with the cloud that hung over Shikiyoku, he considered consulting his Jagan for a playback.

But he decided against it. It was likely something he didn't need to know anyway, otherwise she would have let him in on it long ago.

Suddenly he realized he was still holding a speared fish, the stick still in his hand and the fish only half eaten.

"How long have you been out here?" He suddenly asked, realizing that the time difference between levels would be rather vast. What could have been a month for him could have been only a week for Uryo. *

Uryo gave Hiei another lopsided grin.

"My time, or your time?" He used the moment to consider the question, but raised and lowered one shoulder after a brief pause. "Time is of little consequence to me. Seconds are like days and weeks if I do not keep myself hazed."

Shikiyoku found herself lost in thought again.

But what would the point be in bringing the three worlds together?

That was assuming it was even possible, because to her knowledge there was little proof of Sekaiju ever having existed, except in wistful accounts of half-baked demons who ached to rule over those 'lesser humans.' There had always been three worlds. Since the beginning of time. ...Right?

In legends lie truths too big for facts to hold.

Her own words to Uryo echoed back at her.

The reason for these thoughts were guesses that Shikiyoku had started to make. Conjectures as to what the 'fake' Youko was up to. A war on Spirit World? To what end? Enma was not their end goal, but...

If it were possible to gather the three worlds into one, to once more allow demons to rule the land as the old stories said they had done, then it would be within Spirit World that the secret would lie.

For...the story went it had been the Kamis who saw humanity cowering in fear, unable to flourish under their demonic brethren, and that the Kamis themselves tore the world apart to separate them...and set up Spirit World as the gate between...3

This time, when he looked to the older fire apparition, Hiei was contemplating a few things. He'd never thanked someone before. Certainly not for saving his life, because he'd never had it happen before. This demon's help had been extremely needed, and Uryo had simply lended a hand without even being asked, or it even being hinted.

And he'd likely saved Shikiyoku's life as well.

How should he go about such a thing? Such words were lost on him.

So he turned away, again deciding to stay silent on his thoughts. Instead he took to watching Shikiyoku, something he hadn't done recently. At least, not for any reason other than to consult her about directions or something pertaining to their return to the other two worlds.

And now that he observed, he realized just how dark the cloud that hung over her was. While her irises shone with hidden energy, they were, in a sense, dull. And the shadows that fell over her face were not from the light of their surroundings.

He'd gotten distant with her lately, all because he didn't know how to go about what was ahead. What a foolish thing to do.

Then again, he felt as if the only way she would brighten up is if she simply worked through it herself.

Whatever it was.

After all, his own attempts never amounted to much. In the end, she returned to this. *

The area had grown quiet save for the river and the occasional chirp of the lur'mog who would remember something important he had forgotten to say, the conversation fading away.

Shikiyoku's mind stayed upon the stories she had heard over the years, ones that she had taken and pieced together in what she thought to be the most coherent tale of how Sekaiju, the one world, had become three.

Instead of creating a new world for the demons, as they did not have the resources to do so, the Kamis decided to simply split apart the one world. For such an arduous task, three beings were needed: A demon powerful enough to act as a conduit to draw the other demons to their new home, a human strong enough to keep the other humans in place, and a Kami, to serve as the median between the two.

The Sundering spoke about how great the sacrifice had been to pull apart the very fabric of reality in order to give demons a separate home. Or force them there. Depending on who was doing the telling.

In fact, the demand of such a task was so great that the Kami became mortal, the human died and his spirit was no more, and the force necessary for the banishment flung the demon so hard into his new home that he crashed through eight levels of earth while encased in fire before slamming onto and stopping at the ninth.

It worked, though. In a manner of speaking. But instead of two worlds, the Kamis had created three, and they put the now-mortal Kami in charge of the third.

These things had been on Shikiyoku's mind since she and Hiei had gotten their information from the demon she interrogated on the First Level. Ever since they had gotten confirmation about Enma's actions, and in the same breath affirmed that the fake Youko intended to do something about it, Shikiyoku found herself stewing on what there could be done after Enma was overthrown. And what else but to 'raise the demons up' once more and 'restore their rightful place as lords over the humans?' And how else would one do it outside of restoring the three worlds to their former singleness?

Why had such conjectures left Shikiyoku's frame of mind in a dark state?

One variation on the story had more than just three beings involved in the ritual. It claimed that it had taken the lives of many humans, and that more than one Kami lost their immortality and ended up residing over what became Spirit World for as long as their mortal lives allowed, after which their progeny took up the task.

This same variation also talked of more than one demon involved, and while the one who served as the catalyst-some claimed this was the first demon, the most powerful of them all and the one from whom all other demons descended-still found himself cast into the depths of Demon World, the one upon whom fell the main task of unweaving the fabrics of reality was none other than the mightiest demon of pain the land had ever seen. Because only one who knew pain intimately, and could resist such pain, would be able to withstand the excruciating process of tearing apart the world. And even then the demon died from the strain of unraveling the dimension.

Now, why had the fake Youko been so eager to persuade Shikiyoku to join him?

Because if that variation was right, and if Shikiyoku's conjectures were also correct...if a demon of pain separated the world, why would not a demon of pleasure be the one to restore it?

Uryo glanced up at Shikiyoku again, then back down to the fish he had in his mouth.

"Brooding doesn't sh'uit you, Junai." He said unceremoniously around the food as he chewed the meat.

At the last word, Shikiyoku looked up suddenly, her expression unreadable.

The smallest smile curved Uryo's lips and he just as suddenly reached over and took Shikiyoku's chin in his hand, scrutinizing her face as he turned it left and right.

"Most demons do know me by that word." Shikiyoku said quietly, refusing to meet his gaze as he inspected her. "In fact...less than a handful."

"I am not most demons." Came his answer. He dropped his hold on her and sat back again. "But then again, few live to be my age and never come across it."

Shikiyoku's face grew curious and she looked over at him.

"Where is she now?"

"Dead." Uryo made the word sound simple. "Love is blind. She was not as strong as I first thought. Or perhaps...no, I am for certain that it was actually I who was not as strong as I first thought. She took her own life. And I was not there to stop her."

Shikiyoku's eyes softened and she looked upon Uryo differently with that knowledge in mind.

His crooked smile returned, "It was not as long ago as I might suggest."

The lur'mog chirped loudly, then hiccuped and fell over, squeezing his eyes shut and wondering if the forest around him would ever stop weaving about. 3

Hiei had grown silent, and stayed that way even as talk again picked up between the pair. He kept his eyes turned away for a bit, as if deaf to the conversation, but really he was curious. He didn't know what the subject consisted of, though one thing stood out to him.

Okay, two things.

One, Uryo had lost someone… close to him. Then again, in this world, who hasn't?

Two, he hadn't imagined it. Shikiyoku was acting, well, like herself. In a mood he didn't understand, a mood he didn't see having any cause. Something he couldn't fathom other than it being Shikiyoku. He'd never understand her thought processes, or how to stop the flow that, inevitably it seemed, ended here.

Maybe he himself had fallen into a mood similar as well. Occasionally, over the past month, he'd found himself much more short-tempered than normal, much less patient over small things.

Over all, he'd also noticed the lack in the bond throwing reactions at him. He didn't know why.

Maybe it was…. diminishing?

Was that possible?

Hiei's red eyes looked up again, focusing on the two in the area and taking in the air. He realized he hadn't been in his own thoughts for too long. In fact, he wasn't sure he missed much of anything.

Still, he said nothing, simply waiting and listening. It seemed personal, after all. A conversation between two friends perhaps that did not include an outsider.

~!**!~

One moment, she was dreaming. Nothing too big, nothing even memorable. The next, Akari's eyes were open and she was sitting up, eyes roving the room she was in and a hand slowly sliding the blanket around her waist away from her body. Her eyes were drawn towards the stairs that lead to the unstable upper rooms, but nothing stood out to her.

Maybe she'd heard a mouse or something.

Akari visibly relaxed, eyes sliding half-closed again as she heaved a sigh. She was still in a school uniform, shoes and all. Had she gone to school? What time of day was it? Her internal clock was skewed enough that she wasn't even sure if it was morning or night, but the lack of light outside made the room dark with shadows.

Shadows that moved occasionally when she stared at them for too long. They stilled eventually, like always, but this time she didn't have to tell them to sit still. They simply… stilled.

Odd.

When was the last time she'd called on them? Trying to remember made her head hurt and instead she simply pushed herself to stand, not even looking at the pile of blankets she was supposed to have been laying on. It wasn't odd for her to have rolled out of those particular blankets.

She quietly stepped around the dog curled on the floor, who'd been very close to her frame while she'd slept. She stepped out of the shoes she was still wearing as she walked, taking to padding across the wooden floor in her socks as she moved into the next room- the kitchen- grabbing a different shirt from the pile on the desk on the way.

She felt…

Disgusting. Dirt was on her face, she felt, and something else was making her palms feel dry and in dire need of lotion or something. Her hair was a mess and when she ran her fingers through it, she was sure a dead leaf or two fell from her curls. Funny.

Maybe she'd sneak into the nearby gym showers again? Or maybe she'd just…

Well, why go through the trouble? She could use her energy this once, right? Not like Koenma would care if all she was doing was showering… right?

She paused with her school uniform jacket halfway down her arms, glancing down at her once white undershirt that was now a bit more… off-white. The washers of the gym didn't work well either. New ones.

Maybe today she'd actually use the leftover money from Sensui's account for something… useful. For instance, actually shopping… *

If there was one thing Kurama learned in the time that he had spent drifting in and out of a restless sleep, it was the strange sensation that he was suddenly and completely very alone.

His dreams were dark and not conducive to productive recuperation, and any time he found himself aware, if only briefly slipping between the waking and sleeping world, he found that the titular 'heart' of himself that beat alongside his human one was no longer there.

Youko had been locked away.

In a moment of awareness, Kurama turned onto his side, wincing but refusing to take the motion back, feeling that a sort of weakness had settled over his entire body and left him, for the second time, feeling rather...human.

~!**!~

"What troubles you, lady?" Uryo wanted to know, his red eyes suddenly losing their glaze as he peered over his conjured fire that still danced merrily between them.

Shikiyoku had taken to gently, absently, stroking the lur'mog's scales. The tiny creature was sitting on her lap, enjoying the attention with half-lidded eyes, clutching at his tail and beginning to thrum happily.

The expression he wore seemed to bring a bit more sparkle back into Shikiyoku's far-away gaze, but Uryo's question brought her back to the issue at hand, an issue that seemed to revolve around a single entity in her life.

Should she decide to go along with the fake Youko's cause, as she felt so assured of his motives now, there was no doubt in her mind that she would perish.

Should she do so after returning to Koenma with the information he required, Hiei would be freed to Demon World, and then freed of her.

And yet this convoluted purpose she had contrived for herself from what little her Champion had thus far given her to work with still left her feeling...wilted.

In exchange for protection, she herself became a tool. That was the equalizer, that was what made the pact within her hum in happiness. On some level she supposed the pact, where it instilled in her Champions a fiber of protectiveness, for her it instilled a need to repay that protection, to desire what they desired.

Just as she had started to gather up courage to attempt to explain this in some form or another to Uryo, she sensed another approaching and glanced up just as a stranger, a demon, skidded to a stop from somewhere behind Uryo, next to the stream.

The older apparition had long ago felt this newcomer approaching, but had sensed no malicious intent and made no move against the lanky male whose nest of hair appeared to have been put through an extended mussing, a portion of it falling over his young eyes when he stopped.

He gave his head a slight toss, appearing to do so out of habit and removing the hair from his face in the process, as his eyes took in all three of the demons he had stumbled across.

His chest heaved, out of breath, and both Uryo and Shikiyoku lifted their gaze to take his skinny form in while he attempted to catch himself.

For his part, the newcomer let his eyes flicker between all three demons, for a moment appearing unsure until he finally took in a large suck of air and started to relay his message.

"I...I have been sent to find The Lover." 3

Hiei himself didn't wait for the answer Shikiyoku would give. It was likely the same as the first time he'd witnessed her in such a mood: uselessness. But he himself had no idea what that meant for him to do. Give her a hug and pat her back, tell her she was useful and then continue on? Tch.

He himself turned away both mentally and even physically from the topic, as if it had nothing to do with him at all. After all, there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. He'd tried.

Only then did he let his eyes fall on the newcomer, deciding that maybe the sudden appearance warranted acknowledgement. He stared silently for a moment.

But the moment the words The Lover left the demon's lips, he was absolutely sure he meant Shikiyoku.

Meaning he also meant for Hiei as well. Because where Shikiyoku went, he went. He spoke up without hesitation. "Your business?"

~!**!~

Akari stared at the off-white color a little longer before sighing and continuing through her change of clothes, quickly deciding that she'd go shop as soon as-

Wait, what was today? If Sunday, then the bank would be closed…

As she turned inward again to consult her inward clock, she buttoned up her pair of jeans and adjusted the simple black t-shirt she'd plucked from the pile. Deft fingers worked at pulling her hair into a ponytail as she moved again around the kitchen, eyes roving the miscellaneous items she'd scattered.

Yeah. Today should be fine.

She pulled at her hair again to secure the hair tie before moving back the way she'd come, not noticing the sound of movement until she was standing in the threshold of the doorway between the kitchen and the living area, staring down at Kurama from across the room with a blank expression.

She blinked once, thinking for a moment before remembering the morning before. Was that right? Morning before? She wasn't sure.

She couldn't bring herself to say anything. So, she simply stood there, hands still holding her hair and blank expression aimed at the redhead. The redhead in her home. On her bed.

Seriously? What now?*

In this place, there was utter darkness and Kurama knew not how much time had passed. He also knew, with that same assurity, that no matter if his eyes were opened or closed, the same penetrating, unrelenting darkness would be there.

"Youko?"

His voice rang and bounced into the empty space, giving no hint as to the shape or size of the room.

There was no answer.

The oppressive lack of light settled heavily over him until he could not tell who he was or how long he had been there. Was he standing? Sitting? Did it matter?

Was it earth beneath him? He could sense no life there, no grass swirling with energy, no trees that he could feel growing and sending their roots deeper into the ground.

Nothing.

Simply...nothing.

~!**!~

The younger demon seemed to brighten immensely when it appeared Hiei might know of whom he spoke.

"You have seen her...him?" He wanted to know eagerly, though he seemed unsure of whom exactly he was looking for, continuing without pause anyway, "Where? Close-by? Which direction?" His face started to glance about quickly. "We thought the rumors might not be true. That Iro couldn't have returned to Demon World." He appeared to grow sheepish for a moment, "Or at least, certainly luck would not have it: return to our level."

Uryo said nothing, keeping his gaze free of expression as he thoughtfully considered the demon before them who appeared to have yet to grow into his body, his hands and feet, and even his head, slightly too big for the slender frame he cut.

Shikiyoku wasn't sure why she did not speak up. Perhaps she felt struck by the nomenclature the demon used for her, suddenly transported back in time to when things had been much simpler.

As soon as the original question had been voiced, she calmly turned back down to lur'mog, resuming her attentions without a word, though her ears remained perked with at least some semblance of interest. 3

Hiei continued to stare at the babbling demon, expression unamused and gaze growing colder by the moment. Each word uttered, each question asked made his ire rise further. His question hadn't been answered. In fact, it had been avoided all around.

And that made him narrow his eyes at the male.

He weighed his options, thinking for a moment. While getting back seemed a good priority, he didn't feel like returning with his partner in this frame of mind was a good thing to do.

Plus, the last time she'd seemed even remotely, genuinely happy was back before their journey to the First Level…

"I said, state your business." he enunciated again, tone dry and eyes cold. He'd decide in a moment, he supposed.

~!**!~

Akari continued to stare at the redhead on the floor for a moment, taking in his face in the darkness of the room. She could tell he was awake, but why he didn't look up at her like he normally would, she didn't-

His energy is locked away.

Her mind jolted awake, and after a beat of hesitation she let her hands fall to her sides. "How do you feel?" she asked in a quiet voice, to ensure that, should he be close to sleep again, he wouldn't be disturbed. She didn't know what his energy being locked away would do to him, but she was certain that, at least, healing would take longer. *

Kurama did not let himself be jolted by the question that aired in the room that he had felt to be relatively quiet until then.

Without looking at her, he attempted to feel her presence, unsurprised to find that he had no sense of her being anywhere near.

He could not hear her breathing, could not smell her. With a sense of resignation, he allowed his eyes to open, but he hesitated a moment before finally admitting, "Empty."

Yes, he was sore, yes, he had a long way to go before his body would be healed, but somehow at that moment, the awareness of a part of him having gone completely missing resounded the loudest throughout his being.

This felt very different than the last time.

~!**!~

The younger demon swallowed nervously, "I-I was sent to find The Lover." He repeated, thinking perhaps the job would have been better suited for an Elder. He could feel the extreme amounts of power rolling off all three of them and he bit his lips nervously.

"News travels fast." Shikiyoku spoke up quietly, not looking up, but letting her voice carry calmly to the demon's ears.

It did appear to settle his nerves and he nodded, "Aye. The union of Central Tribe did not go unnoticed by any of us." He made an amused noise, "The Elders seem to think the time of the tribes has come again. Something about a 'Golden Age returning.'" The demon's expression reflected his incredulity towards such a thought, but he shrugged to dismiss it.

"Where do you come from?" Shikiyoku wanted to know.

"North." The demon answered readily, appearing to stand a little taller in his shoes, "We're the largest tribe left, but-" His eyes shifted to the side as he appeared to deflate a little and he shook his head, "It doesn't matter. We were hoping to gain Iro's favor so that we too might be blessed."

As the demon continued to speak, Shikiyoku's eyes lifted to consider the boy again, her expression a strange one.

"The Northern Tribe becoming united once more would be a grand step, indeed." Uryo commented lightly, not actually looking up, his hand drawing through and around the fire he had at his feet, the flames giving way to his attentions and swirling about softly. 3

Hiei had to restrain himself quite a bit to keep the comment that threatened to be tossed at the other demon from escaping his mouth. Repeating himself had no effect here, and quite frankly it only made him even more impatient.

He was half tempted to toss a small attack, rid himself of the source of annoyance.

But Shikiyoku spoke up, and after a few moments of thought after the silence ensued again, Hiei was thinking. He hesitated for a few moments before suddenly turning his eyes onto Shikiyoku.

He watched her, waiting expressionlessly for her own reaction. If she denied, well….

Too bad. Last time she'd danced for something of the sort, she'd looked…. radiant. Alive. As if it was what she was made to do. Her calling, so to speak.

Her sole purpose, almost.

He wouldn't let her return to the Human World like this, in this somber mood. Not if he had the chance to change it.

~!**!~

Akari continued to stare at Kurama in the darkness, his answer making a small frown form on her face. And it was painstakingly obvious he couldn't see her in the darkness. She didn't reply at first, unsure of what to say to him.

After a moment, she sighed. "Can you move?" she asked, though she was positive she already knew the answer. He had rolled over, but at what cost? "Nevermind." She turned her eyes to Nabu, who had stirred, looked at her, and went back to sleep after stretching, sticking his nose in Kurama's face and huffing once. "I have nothing here to eat. Anything sound…. good?"

She didn't want to leave him alone, but there was no food and, well, they'd have to eat sometime. *

A humorless laugh left Kurama's lips when Akari retracted her question, but he did consider her question regarding food thoughtfully.

"Ramen." He replied simply before going on, "From the stand you took me to. In your illusion."

~!**!~

"When we pressed Central Tribe about their union, their leader told us Iro had passed through their lands and left for one of the upper levels." The younger demon provided, "I just got wind of someone returning and thought you might know of anyone who came by."

Shikiyoku's gaze lifted slightly to encompass the trees around her.

News from the forest travels very fast indeed. They had certainly not been on the Ninth Level for long.

The younger demon looked between the three in the area and frowned, making as if to say something else.

"It is not only up to me where I travel." Shikiyoku finally responded, lifting the veil of her status and feeling the younger demon simultaneously brighten and grow apprehensive at her answer.

"W-who, then shall I ask, Iro?" He faced her and lowered his head slightly in deference.

"Her Champion, of course." Uryo replied with a smile, turning to look at Hiei and defer the younger demon's attention to the second fire demon sitting with them.

The boy blinked at the several revelations hitting him in a row, eyes darting around them once more with a different light in his expression. One of...hope.

He looked to Hiei and lowered his head again.

"Champion." That one word held every question within it that the boy wished to ask. "Will you grace us with your gift?" 3

Hiei's expression did not change when Shikiyoku spoke up, nor did it change when he turned to regard the newcomer again, expressionless but eyes cold as he stared. He considered the demon, or at least, acted as if doing so. He'd made up his mind long before the question had been posed verbally.

Still he acted as if hesitating, as if considering the offer and anything that might come of it.

Hopefully it would do its trick and serve as it should.

"State your name," he said suddenly, deciding he might as well get a move on. Might as well, right? He turned to Shikiyoku and eyed her again. "One more stop will harm nothing."

"Don't expect an extended stay."

~!**!~

Akari blinked. What? Ramen did sound good, but… What illusion and when did they go eat together? When did that happen?

She stayed silent for a few moments before her eyes slid closed, thinking back in an attempt to find any memory abou-

"At least you finally fell asleep."

She didn't mean to, but Akari took in a sharp intake of breath.

"I don't understand you."

She stood there, silent. Right, Foko had been in that one. And she'd been worried about Kurama and Foko and..

Ramen shop? She remembered sitting there, talking to him. But… she'd forgotten it. She suddenly huffed out at the redhead. "Ramen, of all things?" she asked, as if thinking nothing of it. "That's a sit-in thing, Kurama."

"...know this one absolute truth…" *

"He does take-out." Kurama quickly replied, "He...he did it a lot for me when mom was sick. Just tell him that...ask him if he'll let you do it. For Kurama." He smiled as he thought of the older gentleman that ran the stand and the long talks they'd had, sometimes late into the night after the stand should have been closed.

For whatever reason, the owner-cook seemed to know there was something...different about Kurama, and while the avatar had never explicitly said what exactly made him 'different,' the name his close friends called him had come up and the man had adopted it in place of his more human one, once saying that he thought it 'better suited' the younger male.

~!**!~

"Douji, Champion." The boy replied quickly, words tumbling out of his mouth, "A-and even if she were just to dance a single dance for the one night's celebration, it would be an honor."

Douji turned again to Shikiyoku and for the first time since joining them he smiled, his eyes bright. "You would have our deepest thanks, Iro."

He caught her movements as she played with lur'mog and his smile grew wider.

"You...he..." Douji laughed as if delighted, then made a chortling noise with his throat.

The lur'mog immediately sat up at attention and stared at Shikiyoku.

She raised her eyebrows, but met the gaze of the small creature, who had started wringing his hands on his tail, the spines down his back coming to attention with pent-up excitement.

Shikiyoku nodded to him and the lur'mog slowly waddled in place until he faced Douji, who was grinning at him.

Douji held out his hand as if making a gesture and made the same sound.

The lur'mog appeared on his palm, hopping back and forth from one foot to the other and starting to talk with Douji excitedly.

Douji made another noise and the lur'mog responded with what was likely an affirmative by the way Douji grinned again. The younger demon smoothly transferred the lur'mog to his shoulder as he reached into a pouch that had a strip of leather which circled his thigh to keep it in place. He sat down as he removed a writing tool and a strange bit of ultra-thin fabric which he placed on the ground, scratching something on it with the writing tool with practiced ease as the lur'mog appeared next to the fabric as if reading what Douji wrote.

As Douji started to curl the fabric deftly into a small roll, he spoke briefly to the lur'mog again as the tiny creature held out his paws to delicately take the scroll from Douji.

The lur'mog chirped once and then disappeared, Douji putting away his writing tool as he stood up.

The creature appeared on Hiei's far shoulder, out of sight of the rest of the group with the scroll clutched in one paw as he hopped forward and nudged at Hiei's neck, a low, happy thrum resounding in his throat as he paused to purr at the fire demon for a moment before disappearing again to the North.

"His message will let the tribe know we are coming so they can prepare for the night's celebration. He will arrive much faster than we." Douji's eyes gleamed with the thought. "It will take us the rest of the morning and a good portion of the afternoon before we make it there."

"Then we had best start moving." Uryo stood up and appeared to dust off his pants, his fire going out as he made to leave with them. "And before anyone decides to protest, my original intent was to see the two of you safely around the city at the very least," Here he looked meaningfully at Hiei and Shikiyoku, "As things have yet to really settle down after our escapade."

Douji nodded, thankful the older apparition would be joining them. "We know of the commotion surrounding you in relation to the cities. All the tribes have done their best to keep news of your return under wraps, however." He smiled roguishly, "We do not wish for the cities to steal you away again."

Shikiyoku's smile was grim and did not reach her darkened eyes, but she did not protest Uryo traveling with them either.

"If you all have no further business here, we go North." Douji gestured in their direction, looking to each member for affirmation before he started to lead. 3

Hiei had momentarily glanced to the creature when it landed at his shoulder and nudged at him, but after that moment he was again staring at Douji who continued speaking, obviously taking Hiei's question of his name as the affirmative it had meant to be. He eyed the lanky tribesman for another moment before shifting his weight and standing, finishing off the last of his almost forgotten fish before simply engulfing the stick in fire, destroying evidence of his presence in this clearing.

He saw no problem with Uryo accompanying. In fact, he welcomed the fire demon probably more than he welcomed, say, Kuwabara.

Okay, so he welcomed Uryo's calm presence much more than Kuwabara's annoying one.

He let his hands find his cloak pockets as he slowly moved forward, though making sure he still stayed close to Shikiyoku.

He wasn't going to let more than an arm's length distance between them on this trip on this level.

~!**!~

Akari's lips pulled down just a bit more at Kurama's words. She really didn't want to leave him here, where Otento had shown up once before. A demon who could go unnoticed was a dangerous one, no matter who you were.

Still, she released a sigh of resignation. "Fine. But you're getting whatever I decide."

She glanced at Nabu, who was now looking at her, awake but not making it obvious that he was. She nodded at the dog, who blinked once at her in what she had learned by now to be understanding.

"I'll be quick." she finished, grabbing a jacket on her way to the door and sliding it over her shoulders even as she pulled it open, revealing what she could now see to be morning light. Still, she didn't know which day of the week it was. Oh well. It doesn't matter. Either way, I'm going nowhere but to Shyn's and home.

As she shut the door behind her, she made sure the look back, speaking through her energy to the shadows by the doors.

No entries but me. Any other, alarm me.

And with that, she was jogging down the sidewalk. *

Kurama only just took notice of the change in light spilling into the room from out of doors, able to make out through the haze of grey a tiny black nose not terribly far from his own face.

As he tried to move his arm to reach for the dog, he grimaced, surprised by how keenly he felt the pain surrounding the cuts on his body. He was just able to get one arm underneath the pillow at his head and managed to reach out and find the fluffy top of Nabu's head to ruffle the fur.

"Your ears have finally stiffened, little one." Kurama murmured, finding the base of one of the ears and feeling that the ear was no longer flopped forward. "When did you grow up so much?"

~!**!~

Douji seemed to know the forest exceedingly well, leading the group along pathways where they were unbothered by any denizens of the forest. The trees and foliage all looked the same until the morning filled out into the light of the afternoon, and the fullness of the plants made them appear heftier, donning deeper shades of red here and there intermixed with the usual bland color that graced most of the rest of the Ninth Level.

Other than the brightening of the filtered light around them that fell between the leaves high above, it was hard to denote the passage of time as they traveled, and little words were passed between them.

Douji seemed eager to lead them on as quickly as possible, Shikiyoku appeared lost in thought, and Uryo remained silent as well, on occasion reaching into his tunic for a drink.

When they could see a break in the trees a distance in front of them, the light of the afternoon just starting to deepen towards evening, Douji started to trot towards their destination, the sounds of preparations ringing clear through the foliage and undergrowth. These were excited sounds, tinging the air with a barely restrained happiness as orders were shouted back and forth.

Stepping past the treeline, it was easy to see this tribe was bigger than Shubou's right off the bat. While the clearing was much the same, the tents similar if made of different fabric, there were many more such tents to their right than there were for the Central Tribe. And it was impossible to see the trunks of the trees farther to the North as the number of the tents and the varying heights prevented it.

Off to the left many demons were busily expanding the clearing outwards-there were no tents in this direction-and yet other demons scurried about with other various jobs. There was the smell of food cooking wafting through the air, and while the merriment was strictly kept to intermittent outbursts of laughter among the business of preparing for the night, there was a buzz about the area that held a promise of things to come.

A shout went up when the group was spotted, and though none of the visible demons stopped their work, the cry echoed through the encampment to the right, occasionally picked up by one or two to the left who happened to be within earshot.

From a tent in the middle of the clearing, almost directly in front of where the group was coming in, an older female demon appeared, stepping out of the tent from a door to the left, facing the clearing that was being expanded, and followed by three others of similar age but varying heights, immediately turning and starting to walk for them.

"The Elders." Douji murmured as he led them to meet these venerated demons that emerge from a tent that was obviously ceremonious in nature as obvious by the decorations-beads, splashes of art, feathers, a few bones and sticks in patterns-that were smattered around the outside and on the fabric of the tent itself.

Douji stepped to the side and tilted his head slightly as these demons approached, revealing Shikiyoku who had been standing right behind him.

The lur'mog was on the shoulder of one of the short male Elders, and upon seeing the group, chittered and appeared on Hiei's shoulder, settling down to watch.

"Iro, you honor us." The first female spoke when they got close enough to be heard, putting her hand to her chest and inclining her head in greeting once they stopped moving. "Even I have only heard tales of your prowess."

Shikiyoku nodded her head slightly in return, "The honor is mine." Was her quiet response.

"If you need to make preparations, we are willing to assist you in any way." She indicated the tent the four of them had come from, "And you may use the middle tent as you please. Will you have need of anything?"

Shikiyoku nodded, "A few things."

"We will see to them." The female turned to Douji, "Well done."

Douji glowed.

"I would offer my assistance," Uryo stepped forward and gestured to the left where demons were clearing trees.

The female met his gaze, looking him eye-to-eye and gauging him before dipping her head in affirmation.

"We have none of your kind among the Northern Tribe. Your flame would be put to great use should you wish to lend us your power." Her eyes glimmered and a faint smile passed over her lips, "We will be needing much more room than we currently have, I think."

Finally, she turned her eyes onto Hiei and made the same gesture to him that she had done for Shikiyoku.

"You have done us a great service, Champion. My deepest thanks." 3

Hiei felt as if he'd simply blinked and was standing in a growing clearing, red eyes watching the bustle of demons running about, casting glances at the newcomers even as they continued their work. The fire demon simply watched, only half listening to the female that had appeared, until Uryo was leaving the group. At this point, he turned and made sure he was watching the elders, as Douji had introduced quietly, and met the gaze that was trained on him.

He wasn't sure how to respond. Should he? What was the custom to something like this?

In the end, he merely stared at the four demons, not verbally responding to the situation. He did, however, despite internal reluctance to do such a thing, bowed his head in respect, something he decided necessary.

Might as well start on good terms, right?

He was simply here to follow Shikiyoku's lead and ensure that this mood would lift before they left this world.

~!**!~

Nabu blinked at Kurama as the male moved, catching the grimace with keen, watchful eyes. He didn't know what had happened, but he did know that this person was in pain. And a lot of it. So he even inched forward a bit, resting his chin on the blankets again that were touching where Akari and Kurama had both slept, only a small space between their small pallets making his fur touch the wood floor.

And he waited a moment after Kurama's question before answering.

"When you and Akari went missing." He felt his lips twitch, turning into an expression close enough to a frown to be seen as such. "I was scared."

~!**!~

Akari moved through the town at a steady pace, arms swinging almost lazily as she kept half of her mind on the energy she'd left behind at the house, the other half focused on her path ahead. She didn't allow herself to stop and think, especially since she wasn't even sure what there was to even think about.

Other than the illusion that she only half remembered. She was sure there were bits, probably unimportant bits, that she couldn't remember, but she didn't care about those.

"I wish for nothing more than your happiness…."

Akari shook her head again as she jogged, this time causing her to slow to a walk as she neared the small restaurant Kurama had requested. I don't understand you.

Stupid fox.

She stepped inside, stepping into the bright lights that stood out in the early morning sun. She immediately laid eyes on Shyn, who turned up from the dish he was grabbing and met her gaze squarely. For a moment, he just stared, obviously conflicted as it was probably too early for him to be open, but at the same time, she hadn't been by in…

Weeks.

"Well, it's about time." He spoke, his lips suddenly pulling into a wide grin. "It's not even a school day and you're up this early. You sure you're a normal human being?"

"Whoever said I was human? I'm an alien, for all you know." she replied quickly, easily falling into his good-natured banter. Just as quickly, she was switching gears. "I have a favor. I know I haven't stopped by, but I… I really can't stay today. I'm helping out a friend, and-"

"Nope, you have to stay. You can't just pop in and run."

"I will come back soon, when things settle down, but for now… Kurama is-"

His expression changed so swiftly that Akari paused, raising a brow as the man stood up straighter. "I hear you. You just tell him to stop by soon too."

"It's a deal."

"Hell, even stop by together." he added as he busied himself over the stove.

"Sure." *

~!**!~

Kurama closed his eyes, squeezed them shut even, and kept running his fingers through Nabu's fur, feeling-for some reason-better just by doing so.

"Besides likely being worried to death about Akari whenever she has to go off and do something, how have you been?" Any distraction from his pain would be a welcome one, and he didn't really want to exactly think about anything at this time.

~!**!~

The female demon's eyes flickered to Shikiyoku, who still hadn't met anyone's gaze, as she spoke to Douji.

"Many of the lur'mog have returned from their work and could use some looking after."

Douji nodded and took that to mean he was dismissed, moving off to the right.

"We have things to do ourselves," She looked to Hiei, "And I do not know what role you play, but we can always use an extra pair of hands." She glanced in the direction Uryo had disappeared as a flare of energy and the smell and sound of fire erupted briefly into the air, "Either with them, or even Douji could use some help. It is up to you." The Elders behind her had started moving off in different directions as well, and she looked to Shikiyoku, "If what you need is not already in the tent, call upon any demon running by and they will assist you."

Shikiyoku nodded once, the female demon turned away to go, and Shikiyoku started for the tent the Elders had come from earlier. 3

Hiei nodded once at the female that addressed him after a moment, and even as she moved away, the fire demon stood, considering his options. While burning down a forest would certainly be fun, there was also the opportunity to see a great mass, possibly, of lur'mogs. That would likely be an amusing sight.

Or…

Annoying. If they all chattered at once, he'd probably just be annoyed by the sound.

So, two options.

After another moment, his eyes found Shikiyoku's back disappearing into the tent that seemed to be the point of the encampment. He frowned and decided that, in the very least, he could learn a bit more about Shikiyoku and her… abilities.

So he followed after her silently, casting a glance in the direction of Uryo in time to see a burst of flame in the air. Then he too was enveloped in the tent's dim lighting, red eyes easily turning to Shikiyoku.

"Your mood is going to make this pointless."

~!**!~

Nabu considered the male for a moment, staring unblinkingly at Kurama for a few moments in silence. He considered various answers, but really, he found himself more attuned to Kurama's emotions than his own thoughts. So, he scooted himself closer, letting his cold, wet nose just touch the other's cheek so that, maybe, it wouldn't take as much effort for the male to reach out for him.

"I caught a fly yesterday." he suddenly answered. "It's been in the house for days, and it ticked my fur. So I ate it." He huffed once, very softly, as he scooted again, time time bringing his body close to Kurama's as if to offer warmth and comfort.

"Also, there's this dog down the street. She's mean. Barks at me every time I leave. She once tried to bite me, so I ran away. I think she's just lonely though. Her owners are mean to her."

~!**!~

Akari stood in the artificial light of the room, arms crossed over her stomach as Shyn cooked, both of them silent, both in their own thoughts. For a few minutes, it stayed this way. She was left thinking about things she hadn't yet stopped to think about, and for a few moments, she was wrapped up in those thoughts enough that her eyes even slid closed.

Shyn spoke up first.

"I can see you haven't gotten over your own obstacles."

Akari let her eyes slide open, her gaze falling on Shyn's back as he cooked. "Hm?"

He didn't even pause, didn't even glance at her as he sighed. "You know what I mean."

She frowned at him. "What makes you say that?"

"You're still wearing a jacket when it's the middle of summer time. Not most people care, but I'm an observer, as you know."

Akari frowned. "Yes, you are." She glanced down at herself, realizing how absurd it would be to a human for one to wear a jacket in the summer. It didn't matter much to her, it was simply… a habit. One she was not willing to break, even still. "It's nothing really." She said in a small tone, looking behind herself towards the street, where lamps were beginning to turn off and the sun's rays were beginning to shine.

He helps, I think.

She blinked at herself. That thought had been…. random.

A small laugh suddenly filled the air from Shyn, who had turned to look at her. "I didn't mean to make you overthink. Don't hurt yourself now."

"That's hurtful." she grumbled at him as she reached out, taking the two bowls that were being passed to her.

With his now free hand, the man ruffled her hair. "You'll get past it. You've still got a ways to go, but you'll get by. Especially now that you've got help."

She raised a brow at him in confusion, and he merely smiled knowingly. As if she'd told him about Kurama's efforts that had only just become recognized by her, as if she'd informed him of every detail about her days and how she handled them.

"You better get moving. Your friend's waiting on you." *

~!**!~

"Mm. You have a busy life." Kurama gave the reply into the silence of the room, only able to imagine just what Nabu was telling him.

In reality, he wasn't looking at him.

After stroking down the dog's back a few more times, Kurama steeled himself and began to sit up, pushing himself off the floor steadily and finding a wall to lean up against, collapsing backwards into it.

His entire body hurt, his eyes closing again as he let his head rest on the wall behind him. And there did not appear to be any promise of relief. Not any time soon. No tell-tale hum from his veins where the demonic side of his heritage would be thrilling through him to more quickly heal his injured body.

This time, the spell Otento put on him had been much more thorough. Much more specific. He did not simply lock Kurama's abilities away, lock away Kurama's access to his demonic energy. No, this had targeted Youko and every benefit Kurama received from the union.

For the first time in his life, he was not Kurama, avatar to Youko Kurama. He was only...Shuichi.

~!**!~

When Douji had moved off the lur'mog had followed, leaving Hiei's shoulder bare when he followed Shikiyoku into the Elder's tent.

This tent rose to a peak in the middle, and was obviously outfitted for ceremonious reasons, the inside just as, if not more, colorful and decorated than the outside.

At first, Shikiyoku did not realize Hiei had followed her, did not particularly see the tent around her either.

But when he spoke up, Shikiyoku turned to face him, staring down at the furs that lined the floor with haunted eyes. She blinked and the moment was gone, her eyes clearing as she heaved a sigh.

"I know." She replied with a tinge of sadness, "Or it might not even work. Or it might backfire or-" She stopped suddenly before the fear in her voice crept any farther, turning away from him and the entrance of the tent to go sit more towards the back, turning and facing Hiei again as she settled herself down so that she might see if anyone started to come inside.

Shikiyoku pulled back her hood, which had been placed over her head once they left the riverside with Douji, and let her dark hair free.

"How much do you know about my first Champion?" 3

Hiei stood in front of the tent's entrance, blocking it so that should anyone try to enter, he'd be in their way almost immediately. He watched Shikiyoku calmly, eyes unblinking as she spoke words he'd already considered. Again, he found her sudden panicking state worth very little, and it meant nothing to him other than confusion. He didn't understand her moods and how they came about, what caused them. He only knew that, occasionally, he was able to find a way to get her out of that mood.

Maybe it would happen this time as well.

At her sudden question, he didn't answer. He simply stared, thinking back and almost effortlessly recalling what had been said to him, what he had learned.

"He was the cruel, jealous sort, hardly worthy of the occupation, and she was allowed no such thing as a lover, not even him. Nor even so much as to be loved by any, outside of that which would let him bask in her glory and reap the benefits."

He blinked once finally, this time at Shikiyoku as he picked and chose his words.

"He didn't deserve your presence." he said calmly, continuing to stare at her. And that was how he left it.

~!**!~

Akari smiled at Shyn and nodded once before turning to leave, tossing a smile over her shoulder as Shyn again told her to come back soon and visit for a while. She made her way slowly through the streets this time, her mind again checking the steadily pulsing energy in her core that told her all was well at home.

Several things were on her mind, but each and every one she ignored, deciding she'd think about it at a later time, when she had a moment by herself to think and express her thoughts without worry of being watched.

Especially when the subject of such thoughts was currently in her home, and was very, very keen.

~!**!~

Nabu moved away enough to allow Kurama the freedom to move without the threat of placing his hand on the dog, his wide eyes keenly taking in each movement, ears twitching as he picked up the air around the male. Once Kurama stilled again, Nabu was moving closer, sitting beside him in much the same way Kurama sat, tail and rear touching the wall, shoulders slumped to make himself appear smaller. He kept his eyes, however, on the redhead.

"Are you gonna stay here for a while? I think your company will keep Akari from wandering, pacing." He paused, giving a small sigh. "I think you calm her subconscious." *

Kurama turned towards the dog, or at least tilted his head and eyes enough to catch sight of him, as the animal gave a tiny huff of air.

Gathering strength again, he lifted the hand closest to Nabu and reached for the dog's soft fur once more, but found he could do little else but rest his fingers just beneath Nabu's shoulders.

After finding Nabu's back, Kurama rested his head against the wall again, letting out a sigh himself, once more thankful that his mother would not be at home to worry.

~!**!~

Shikiyoku found herself smiling at Hiei's frank description. A small smile, one that did nothing to rid her face of the dark shadows underneath her eyes, but a smile nonetheless.

Kind are your words. To both you and myself.

Shikiyoku began to slowly remove the gloves from either hand as she asked another question, "And what do you know of his-" Her voice hitched and she faltered at grabbing for one of the fingers of a glove, but the hesitation was momentary. "Do you know why I am no longer with him? How our severing came about?" 3

Hiei tilted his head only slightly at Shikiyoku's smile, and he blinked only once at her when she asked her next question. For the moment, he didn't think he knew anything more than what Shubou had said, which…

He hadn't been informed of their union? Not that he remembered immediately. So he stayed silent, choosing to let her continue on with whatever she was going to say without verbally saying he wasn't knowledgeable of her first champion. Part of him didn't want to know, but then again, in order to get anywhere with his own abilities as her Champion, he needed to know the mistakes of her previous ones. *

Sekaiju - Yggdrasil; The World Tree

Kami/Kamis - god/s (I don't know if the plural of 'Kami' is 'Kamis' but I did it anyway)

Junai - pure love

Douji - boy; kid; child

Thanks for reading! Bless your face. If you sneezed during this chapter, bless you. Peace off! -Star