Chapter 2

"I hate this place," Hiei said under his breath as the rain fell heavily from the gray sky in the human realm.

After escaping Spirit World on his own through the portal, this solitary park was the only place that Hiei found within his peripheral sight after an extensive search. He wanted to avoid contact with humans at all cost as he hated their existence with every fiber of his being. The place seemed perfect to hide from the world: nobody was going to visit this old and abandoned place. There was no sign of human life lurking around other than the animals living in the trees.

Other than loathing all day and all night about his current situation, Hiei couldn't stay in this park as much as he wanted to. There was supposed to be an alternate way out of this world….Then, it dawned on him. 'I can still use the Jagan eye…Maybe I can find a way back to the Demon World without using the portal,' he thought as a possible course of action.

Hiei began to uncover his Jagan eye from the white bandana that was tied on his forehead. The fake evil eye slowly opened and began to emanate a glow, beginning to do a raid all over the human realm. He closed his eyes as he concentrated little of his own natural energy… Suddenly, he felt physically weaker than he already was that he stopped using the Jagan eye right away.

When he opened his own eyes again, Hiei shook his head, crossed his arms and grunted. '...I'm too weak, and most of my energy has been sealed. So the functions of the Jagan eye are rather limited for my disposal,' he sighed. He had to wait and carry on with the routine from the past five days in a row: find and steal food from random humans' households.

Suddenly, being highly alerted, Hiei looked to his east direction. 'What is this strange ki I'm picking up? It is coming from that town…' He may have his energy completely sealed but he was still able somehow to sense energy on other life forms, whether the aura is human, spiritual, or demonic. He was certain it was mostly the Jagan eye's doing. The Jagan eye glowed: it had picked up an energy signal among humans residing on the side of the town that was on the east direction of the park. It was different from every human signal. He had to find out more about it later on if his curiosity might be still with him within the following days.

That is if he still yet to have another clash with the Spirit Detective any time soon.

THE BUS STOP

There was a long red-haired teen with bright green orbs and tall, slim yet slightly muscular and athletic physique that was covered in a magenta-colored school uniform. He was sitting on the bench with a serene expression on his face. He then looked up to see a short-haired brunette in a familiar female school uniform.

"Hello. Are you Shuichi Minamino? We take all classes together back in Meiou Private Academy. Can I sit here with you?" She asked politely.

Indeed, she did go to the same school as him. In mere seconds, he moved to the side making enough space available on the bench since he was sitting in the middle of it. Then, he flashed his friendly smile to her, "You can sit right next to me."

The girl said a quiet "thank you" before she sat on the indicated spot next to him. The two didn't exchange any further words as they waited together for the school bus that was going to take them back to their own houses.

As Shuichi waited for the school bus at the local bus stop near Meiou Private Academy, he remembered the conversation he had with his mother earlier this morning right after eating the breakfast meal with her:

"Shuichi, have you heard the news of the late roaming around the neighborhood?"

"No, not really. What is it, mother?"

"Some of the neighbors have been robbed in their own household in this area."

"I'm really sorry to hear that. That is some bad news, especially since this neighborhood is generally peaceful and quiet-no such thing happens around here often."

"Yes, and that is why we cannot get too careless. We better make sure every door and windows are locked tight and properly before leaving the house. We don't want to fall as the next victims of the robbers. In the meantime, the police are on the pursuit of this case until they are able to find them."

"Yes, of course, mother."

Suddenly back in the present time, Shuichi noticed a moving running before his very own eyes. It was so quick that was as if he almost didn't see it. He was in disbelief yet kept his cool. "Huh? That's quite odd…" He said to himself in wonderment.

The girl that sat next to him looked at him with a questioning glance. "What is odd?"

'That shadow is possibly going to the direction of my house,' Shuichi said mentally. He tried to analyze the movements in the direction that it was headed. It was probably heading toward the south direction. "It's nothing. I'm just talking to myself," He finally replied without looking at his classmate. He stood up from the bench and grabbed his schoolbag while still looking at the direction. "I will see you tomorrow." He didn't hear the girl calling out to him as he dashed down to the same direction as the flying shadow. As Shuichi had analyzed what would come next as he ran, the flying shadow headed precisely towards the neighborhood with multiple houses. It was the same neighborhood where Shuichi and his mother resided together. He had to come with a plan to stop it- that shadow might bring harm to his neighbors!

After a half an hour of endless running through the neighborhood, Shuichi had stopped running when he had reached the middle of the neighborhood. 'It looks like I lost the shadow…' He thought in slight defeat. That shadow was too fast to catch up to, and it had disappeared at some point during the pursuit.

Shuichi decided to go to his house since he happened to be near it. That is when something in the distance caught his eyes and attention. Letting curiosity to be his guide, Shuichi crossed the street to reach the front of one of his neighbors' houses. He took precaution by walking slowly to the front yard of the house because of 1) there was a pit bull dog that guarded the house outside since the neighbors were currently at work, and 2) there, a black figure lay on the grass and it appeared that it was not making any kind of movement.

Shuichi had managed to approach the target successfully in perfect stealth. He was next to it and he looked down to see how the black figure really looked like. He knelt down to move the black figure to the side, and it turns out that it was actually the form of an unconscious young man of short height.

'He looks like a child…' Shuichi thought as he studied the other's face from up close. His green eyes examined the other's body from head to toe until his eyes moved to the side and stopped to look the right arm. 'Hmm, he's wounded…' He furrowed his red eyebrows as he examined the wound with one hand, which it got covered in blood. The right sleeve was tattered badly than the rest of the black clothing. There was a large cut that went from the shoulder to all the way down to the wrist. 'This injury hadn't been treated properly of the late; I better take him inside my house.' With that decisive and determined thought, Shuichi took the young man in his arms as he wondered what made the other to get unconscious, which is probably the exhaustion from the blood loss from his right wounded arm. He stood fully on his feet as he carried the other on his arms. His house was close from this point, and it was thanks to all the running he had to do earlier just to chase down the flying shadow.

Two hours had passed by: Shuichi couldn't help but observe the unconscious young man as he sat on a chair from across the bed. He had already treated the wounds with the first aid kit of the young man as he was resting on the bed. He also removed the black cloak to treat the wounds in the first place. Shuichi wondered who the injured stranger was and where he was from because he seemed different.

The young man began to dream of three series of flashbacks…

Somewhere in a secluded area in the woods in the Demon World, Hiei stood outside facing his north. He was ready to leave this shelter-clinic and nothing else was going to hold him back on his search. He clenched his fists together in determination as with the other hand. "I believe you have taught me everything I needed to know," he said to one of the trees he was facing forward.

Shigure came out of the shadows of the trees and he stood before Hiei. He analyzed the situation in his mind and said the following words: "Indeed. You are also showing promising signs of fast recovery from the recent implant. If you keep up at this rate, you will be able to use the Jagan eye to find your homeland very soon. You can go now."

Hiei began to walk away…

"Although…" Hearing Shigure talk again made Hiei halt his steps, "…there is something you haven't told me while you narrated your entire life story. It is rather an important and interesting detail that you skipped without a problem. Youko Kurama…Does he ring a bell?"

Hiei's eyes went wide at the mention of the youko's name. How Shigure did know about that? He never told him and he had made sure of it! He knew this was coming if the Demon Osteopath somehow knew about Hiei's knowledge of the Legendary Bandit.

"You cannot hide anything from me," Shigure stated firmly before explaining the following to Hiei. "While I was performing the implant operation on you, I was able to see through every detail of your memories with my energy. I had to do this to store it away in case the operation wasn't successful. However, I didn't overlook all of your memories with the Legendary Bandit because I decided to wait for your awakening and tell me everything yourself."

Seeing how Hiei's shoulders hunched as a thief being caught in his own act, Shigure smirked being able to tell that he had right where he wanted the fire demon. "I like how you narrate stories," he added as a compliment.

This time, Hiei turned around to face his teacher-surgeon. Shigure almost noticed that his patient-apprentice had this red color on his cheeks. "Kurama…he…It is rather a short but condensing story," he said almost embarrassed of himself to talk about his private matters.

"Good. Let's hear it then," Shigure said as in his opinion that any story involving Youko Kurama was interesting.

After listening carefully to Hiei narrating his story from how he met Youko Kurama, how they didn't get along because of their clashing nature, to eventually make a solid partnership with him in a dire circumstance. Not to mention, how the two got involved themselves sexually as well. Shigure couldn't help but notice some interesting details from the way Hiei spoke about the fox demon that he had to point it out subtly: "Ah I see now, he's special, isn't he? Well, quite special for the Demon World because he is rare in his kind."

"Youko Kurama is just very well-known throughout all the Demon World and he really does live throughout his reputation," Hiei spoke with dignity and respect of the youko. There he goes again, Shigure made that thought when he took notice of that detail again. "And I happen to admire his strength, cleverness, knowledge, experience, charisma, ruthlessness, and-"

"Perhaps you admire him a bit too much: you are smitten. That is why you submit to his desire every time he demands for it," Shigure decided to go directly this time so Hiei would understand.

Hiei froze but growled quickly at the mention of being attracted to Youko. "It is a sign of weakness from my part and he knows it very well that he uses it to his advantage."

Shigure agreed there because Youko Kurama was an expert manipulator, which it was not only to his plants. He gets what he wants from most of the time by playing with other demon's emotions or by using his vast intelligence and persistence until obtaining the treasure or goal. Then again, he frowned because he could tell that Hiei was bluffing and making an excuse to deny at his own face his apparent attraction/submission to the manipulative fox demon. "Now, I wonder why would Youko kept seeing you around for such a long time," he wondered because he was beginning to get interested in the weird relationship the two demons carried out in the past. "Sure, he partnered up with you, a D-class demon, after his band of thieves disbanded and he was working alone from a certain amount of time period…" Shigure had stopped his sentence in midair when a realization dawned upon him. He suddenly laughed.

Hiei raised a suspecting eyebrow for Shigure's sudden humor, "What?"

When Shigure ceased his own amusement, he spoke with a smug on his face. "You may be related to the ice maidens but your dominant element is fire, so YOU are different from your mother and the villagers because you are actually capable of feeling intense emotions aside from being strong."

Hiei's glance went on one side. It was very true, but…He looked straight at Shigure again, not wanting to think about his other type of weakness any longer.

"From the way you told me about your past experience with Youko, I have this wild guess in my mind. I bet that after you find Koorime Island, you are going to use the Jagan eye to find him because he suddenly disappeared one day- or so the rumors say. Hmm…I don't know about you but I'm certain you will see him again. It might be fate."

Shigure's words right now seemed promising, or so Hiei thought somewhere in his mind. As much as he loathed Youko Kurama, he wanted to see him again that he'll do anything to make it happen after he gets done with his personal quest of searching for his family in Koorime Island. "And what is your point of all this?"

Shigure chuckled because Hiei had caught on. "So yes, I'm glad you brought it up, Hiei. I am changing the conditions: you may tell everyone who you are. However, don't feel love for Kurama. Better yet, if you happen to feel it, do not ever declare with the three words that specific emotion to him or demonstrate affection towards him. If you do….Well, I rather not talk about the urban legend; I'm going to sit back and see everything unfold. Feel free to hate him or whatever other emotion you possess in your arsenal."

Hiei raised a fine eyebrow. That was all for Shigure's new condition to him? This should be easy then. "I can assure you it will never happen, Shigure. Business only matters between him and me," he said with a stern look.

"Now, now… Just because you cannot bring yourself to love the fox, it doesn't mean you can't give him any more of what he demands from you. After all, you two used to be a pair of different but lonely demons. I must be at least fair on that sole fact," Shigure said with logic.

...

On the next flashback, Hiei was on his way to Koorime Island, far away from Shigure's shelter-clinic. He was walking into a solitary wood since it was nightfall and he needed the obligatory rest. He had been traveling nonstop for four days straight. The Jagan eye had been working, showing the way to the island, but the recent implant had consummated its wielder's energy.

Hiei stopped his tracks and turned his head behind to the bushes. Was he being followed…? He put one hand on the hilt of his sword, getting to attack whatever what was following him. "I demand to show your presence to me," he demanded coldly.

As if responding to the demand, a tall and refined dressed demon came out of the bushes soon afterward. He had seven horns, a long black hair and it is unknown the color of his eyes since both were closed shut. He held his hands in midair, showing to have mercy on him.

Hiei got the impression that the demon was of a higher class. Could he be a Demon Lord or simply a demon from a high noble class?

"There is no need to be on your guard," the noble spoke calmly and rationally. "I come in peaceful terms, and I wish to speak to you in a civilized manner without turning this situation into unnecessary bloodshed. Are you the one called Hiei?"

Hiei stared at the noble for a moment or two and broke his guard to fully face the other. "Yes. What of it?" he asked in slight curiosity.

When he sensed that Hiei had lowered his guard and willing to listen to his words, the noble lowered his hands down to his sides and approached him closer. "Lately, I heard many things about you. You happen to hold important information that is of my most interest: is about Youko Kurama. If you can help me with the information I am seeking, I shall give you any reward you desire."

"What do you want to know?" Hiei crossed his arms to his chest, being intrigued. Youko was wanted by this higher class demon… What could this Demon Lord possibly think that he might help his knowledge? Unless Youko Kurama, by naughty behavior, committed something terrible (as usual) and it was up to the fire demon to clean up the mess whenever he didn't joined him (as usual).

The demon noble cleared his throat before speaking again. "Well, I heard that Kurama had disappeared one day. Thanks to one of my messengers, that assumption has been confirmed in the Spirit World. He was shot down by a Spirit Hunter and he hasn't been around in the demon realm since then."

Hiei was in deep thought…Was Youko Kurama dead by that Spirit Hunter? Is that why he hadn't contacted him anymore? He shook his head to face reality and speak to the other demon. "I wouldn't know that. I lost contact with him sometime before that could ever happen," he said honestly.

The high-class demon frowned because he wasn't satisfied with Hiei's answer. "Hm, I see." Then if that was true, it meant that nobody knew of Youko Kurama's current life and whereabouts- only he possessed that knowledge in the demon realm. He smirked internally. He did right on paying a high price on that crucial information.

"Is that what you wanted to know?" Hiei inquired, hoping to get his rest soon as possible and not wanting to chit chat anymore.

"Not really. What was your relationship with him?" He asked very seriously.

"He and I used to be partners and worked together most of the time," Hiei replied simply.

"Hm, I see what you mean. He used to be my partner as well centuries ago…and I'm looking for him as well as you do. But when I do find him, I'm going to make him my mate."

Somehow, Hiei felt offended to a degree that he tried to keep his façade cool and collected. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Did you and Youko Kurama have bonded for life?"

Okay, he was getting personal and it was getting to Hiei. "No," he said carefully, watching the next set of words coming from the other.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely," Hiei narrowed his eyes because the other was starting to piss him off. "Look, I have no beyond interest in bonding with that stupid and selfish youko other than business. You can have him for yourself for all I care and I'll find another reliable partner if I get to need another one."

The other nodded in approval, ignoring the icy venom that the fire demon had carried in his voice. He had heard from a reliable source that Hiei was also on a personal quest to find Youko Kurama. He might use this opportunity to ask the request and do the search in his stead since the fire demon has converted into a Jaganshi. "Well, that's good to know. Your Jagan eye comes in handy for your search of him. If you do find him, please tell him that Yomi of Gandara City requests a private audience with him."

Yomi…so that was his name, Hiei thought in disdain.

"I apologize but I have to get going. Thank you for your time, Hiei. When you go to visit Gandara with Youko Kurama, don't hesitate to state your reward," Yomi said politely as he bowed his head, and he proceeded to make his way out of the woods in an unmatched speed.

Hiei glared at the retreating form with clenched fists. 'That refined high-class prick…Who does he think he is telling me to bring Youko Kurama to him and stay away just because he met him first?' He growled...At this point, he was fuming to himself. He had gained a rival for Youko Kurama's partnership. He and Kurama were working together, and everything will be fine between them without Yomi having to interfere with their perfect relationship. He will not pass along that message and he will make sure to keep Kurama for himself.

Wait… Hiei decided immediately that he had taken a long trip by running on foot and he needed that promising rest for his agitated mind.

...

On this last set of flashbacks, Hiei had a white bandana wrapped around his forehead to cover the Jagan eye. The fake eye had worked because as soon as it began functioning, it had pointed Hiei to the path of Koorime Island once again. He had been running for two days straight and he was close to reaching his homeland in just a day thanks to his improved speed. He had decided to stop in the middle of the Glacier Forest to rest and have enough energy to move on for the next day. He'd reached the top of a tree and leaned his body between the trunk and the branches. He took out his sword from his cloak to be able to keep his guard while he rested. He was anxious. Tomorrow was a big day for him since he was going to see his own mother after being separated from her at birth. He wished he had her tear gem right now so it could help him ease his current state of feelings. Unfortunately, he didn't have it him because of his carelessness in a fight with another low-rank demon.

"Hello there, wanderer. You do realize that this is not the best place to rest?" Hiei looked down from the tree to the ground to look at a demon covered in bandages and paper tag wards from the head. He also wore loose clothing and had his hands and feet shackled together in chains. "From this path on, Koorime Island is just further ahead with this chilling temperature surrounding this wood. What is your business there?"

"It is none of your concern."

"Oh well, I happen to have this rather exquisite item which I plan to return to its rightful owner in Koorime Island as part of my business."

Hiei's eyes went wide: the covered demon stuck out his tongue that it had his mother's tear gem! In a flash, he was standing on his feet on the ground with his sword in one hand. "Where did you get that?" he demanded as he faced the other demon forward with a murderous look on his face. "You give that to me right now."

The demon took the tear gem back into his stomach when he pulled his tongue away. "Oh, so it's yours then?" He smirked from inside his bandages, "I challenge you to take it from me, Hiei."

"So you do know my name," Hiei said unimpressed, almost being sarcastic. First it was Yomi, and this stranger who has his head covered in bandages and only has one eye. He had enough pleasantries. Who will be next to seek him out on his way to Koorime Island: the demon ruler of Tourin?

"During this recent travel, I heard many things about you…and Youko Kurama. You two together seemed interesting: An S class demon and a D class demon with different natures. Don't you ever miss him after his disappearance from Demon World?"

That question was more of a taunt for Hiei: "Shut up!" he snarled as he launched himself to attack with his sword.

The bandaged demon dodged the string of sword attacks at ease, "So your time with Youko Kurama helped you get stronger? Well, apparently, I hate to inform that you are weak! Where's your fox to protect you now!?"

Hiei was very angry; he kept attacking the other demon relentlessly, which to no avail, he wasn't able to touch him with his weapon. "I don't need him! I can defeat you myself!"

Due to their contrasting speed, Hiei attacked as the other dodged as lightning. They moved in zig zags patterns through the entire Glacier Forest for a good hour... By the time was up, Hiei was so frustrated that he couldn't come up with a proper strategy to strike down his opponent. He was so tired yet determined to do so: it was the first time he'd actually had a real challenge from someone who had become worthy. Anyways, he had to find him and-

"I thoroughly enjoyed our fight," his opponent announced all of the sudden from behind, and Hiei turned around to face him. "You have a promising potential within that you almost stroked me with your sword if I didn't think of anything in that moment. Train hard and you might be summoned by me one day to become my heir and I'll return your precious tear gem to you. The name is Mukuro; don't you forget it, Hiei."

With those words of encouragement meant for Hiei alone, Mukuro walked away from the Glacier Forest.

...

Upon ending the flashback of Shigure's new condition, the unexpected encounter with Yomi of Gandara City, and meeting of the mysterious fighter, Mukuro, Hiei opened his eyes slowly. His eyes blinked... Where was he? This wasn't the solitary park or the place he was outside earlier. This looked much more like a personal chamber.

"So you are finally awake, I see."

Hiei moved his head to the right side of the bed. He saw a long haired red-head human with bright emerald eyes wearing magenta color clothing from head to toe, sitting in a chair from across the bed. He had this scent of roses on him… Who was this human?

"Are you okay, now? I thought you were a goner when I found you lying outside in one of the neighbor's houses. Though, I must say the wound you had in your arm was serious and getting infected. But I took care of that for you, so you should be fine in the next couple of days."

This human talked too much, Hiei thought in annoyance. He sat up on the bed and took the blanket off him. He then inspected the bandages that covered most of his right arm. "Where is my cloak?"

Shuichi was sort of taken by the demand. "So you can finally talk, huh," he said much to himself before he stood from his chair to go through another door. He eventually came back into the room with the black cloak and the white scarf. "Here, I even washed it for you since it was dirty and bloody."

Hiei snatched his garments from Shuichi's kind hands. He stood on his feet from the bed so he could wear the cloak and then the scarf around his neck. When he was finished, he tried to find an exit. His eyes were set on the window. That window looked like an acceptable option, and he went on to walk there.

"Well?"

Hiei stopped his tracks and looked over his shoulder to see the redhead human again. "Well what?" He spat. "Out with it."

"Uh, let's see…Aren't you going to say thank you because I treated your wound and washed your cloak?" Shuichi asked innocently to Hiei.

"I'd never asked you to treat my wound or to clean my cloak. Why would you even bother yourself to do such things?"

Shuichi blinked his eyes a few times in disbelief. He couldn't believe what he was hearing; is this guy was actually for real? "I was just trying to help you, and I-" he stated honestly.

"I'm leaving now," Hiei spat suddenly. He wasn't going to stay in this human household any longer and hear the end of that comment.

Shuichi looked at Hiei with wondering gaze. "Where are you exactly headed? You look as if you don't have place to stay," he said being curious.

The nerve of this human! Hiei glared at him. He may be right but…it was none of his business! He didn't look at the talkative and nosy human anymore and turned at the direction of the window to finally make his exit.

Shuichi found himself alone in the room. He crossed his arms to his chest as his gaze was set at the window where Hiei made his departure to Enma knows where. "My, that was quite rude of him. He didn't even say thank you," he commented rather dryly.

However, he couldn't help but be intrigued by the strange fellow…He got lost in his thoughts as he remembered what happened before Hiei regained his consciousness:

'When I made it to my house with that strange fellow on my arms earlier, I reached my room quickly and set him down on my bed. I went immediately to fetch for the first aid kit in my bathroom. Then, I began to treat his wounded right arm…When I was finished, I took notice of his white bandana and I took it off, just in case there was an injury …But he had this weird glowing eye on his forehead. That eye… when I tried to reach it out of my curiosity, it showed me through my mind this uncanny flashback…'

Shuichi remembered perfectly that flashback event that the "magical" eye showed him:

Somewhere in an unknown forest path trail to a mountain, a slight younger Hiei was on his way in the search of food for his hungry stomach. He took a stop and hid around the bushes because he sensed the energy of a low-rank goblin demon. He slowly approached until he was able to get a good view of the other demon, which he was tying up something with chains or better yet…

"There! I can now eat it. This silver fox had put up a fight! Luckily, it was already weakened, somehow," the goblin said to his own self. He looked at his finished handiwork: a silver fox with golden eyes was barely struggling to get free from the captivity of the chains. The goblin rubbed his hands together maliciously and licked his lips, getting ready to devour the meal that was before him. Suddenly, he felt something very sharp being impaled from his spine through his stomach. He gasped as blood came out of his mouth. He turned around to take and his eyes widen of the shock as he took a good look at his attacker's appearance. "You! You are Hiei! Y-" He couldn't finish his words because his throat was slit by a sword. The blood gushed heavily as the body fell down to the ground.

Hiei approached the wounded silver fox with his sword bloody in hand. He looked at the fox's golden eyes as the creature stood still in his place with the chains…

Hiei sheathed away his sword. He frowned as he began to unchain the silver fox carefully not to provoke it. Oddly enough, the silver fox did nothing but to observe Hiei until it was free from its captivity. Hiei turned around to face another direction to look for food. "You don't seem appetizing as that fool's mumbling words. Go away now before I change my mind and have you for dinner," he said before walking away as the silver fox stood on his feet and eventually walked on his four paws in the opposite direction.

Somewhere else on a landscape mountain trail in the evening, Hiei had already found dinner. He found two rabbits, and he was now cooking one of them on the bonfire he had set on the ground. When the rabbit was done, Hiei took it away from the bonfire with his sword. Just when he was about to have the first bite of his meal, Hiei felt a presence behind him. He turned to look and found the silver fox from earlier on a sitting position from its distance. Hiei wanted to ignore the demonic creature but he somehow could not do so. He could tell that it had recuperated its health and small wounds, and was also hungry. Without a second thought, he threw the other dead rabbit to the silver fox, which is caught with his sharp teeth. Thus the two ate in silence…

When Hiei was finished eating his meal, he was sitting near the bonfire as he looked at it being lost in his thoughts. He didn't mind for once the silver fox approaching and sitting next to him.

"I know what it feels like to be alone and isolated, and fighting every day just to survive," Hiei spoke for no apparent reason. He sighed as he took out a tear gem from his cloak that was hanging on his neck like a necklace. He looked at the object with a longing feeling. "However, that won't stop me on my personal quest."

The silver fox looked curious as it looked at the shiny and bright small round object.

"This is my mother's tear gem. I've been separated from her at birth, and I've been looking for her for some time now… I don't know why I am telling you this but I guess is for relieving the pent up feeling off your chest." Hiei now looked at silver fox. "You are the only one so far who has listened to me. You better not tell anyone, you got that?"

With those words, Hiei stood on his feet and walked away to find a shelter for the night. He is going to resume in the next day to find the one called Shigure. From the information he had managed to gather in little time, he was a demon surgeon that could provide him the Jagan eye, which it was very helpful to find anyone, anywhere or anything he was looking for…Hiei stopped his tracks when he noticed that the almost forgotten silver fox was following his trail. Hiei furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance. "You don't have to follow me to show me your pity towards me, you know. Do whatever you wish," he dismissed the creature as he waved a hand and resume on his search.

The silver fox did as told when stopped momentarily to contemplate. When it reached what it seemed to be a decision, it began to transform as its body glowed, revealing its true identity…

Hiei turned around when he sensed a rising energy coming from the silver fox. He became alert and on his guard as he unsheathed his sword once the transformation was complete.

Youko Kurama stood before the fire demon and he had this unemotional and calculating look on his face. "Hm. Don't bother to fight me because you are no match for my strength. However, that tear gem is of high value throughout the Demon World."

Hiei growled because he felt rather betrayed. Another lesson has been learned for the chance of survival in the Demon World: appearances can be deceiving, "You wouldn't!" His grip on his sword became harder. He didn't like this fox demon at all.

A smirk appeared on Youko Kurama's handsome face, "I am going to take it away from you now."

Hiei, on the other hand, kept his cool by maintaining his guard with the sword in hand. On the inside, he was insecure—it was given that the fox demon was strong. He could tell by his instincts, which they gave him a bad feeling down his spine. Suddenly, Hiei felt that he was being grabbed by his arms and feet. The beautiful flowers that were surrounding the landscape turned themselves into binding ropes that prevented him to make any further movements. The fox demon approached the tied fire demon and snatched the tear gem away with one hand. He took a good look at it: "Too easy," he chuckled in victory over his latest treasure.

"Give that back!" Hiei exclaimed as anger took over him.

"You must now take it from my grasp, which I am sure it will never happen. Nobody has dared to cross path with Youko Kurama once he takes whatever treasure he desires to get,"

Being infuriated by the cold and harsh words, "You will regret this! I will kill you with my own bare hands!" Hiei said as he struggled on his bond.

Youko Kurama smirked once more upon seeing the determination on the fire demon's eyes. "All right, your challenge is accepted. I'll be waiting for you in my territory." With those words, he released the hold on Hiei as he disappeared by running back to his own territory with the tear gem on one hand.

Hiei took breaths to regain his composure. The bind was strong enough to hurt his wrists and ankles to some extent. He had his eyes set at the direction where the fox demon had left off. "Youko Kurama…It looks like the search for my mother is going to be somewhat on hold."

…

Upon ending what it seemed to be a fragment of Hiei's memory, Shuichi wondered heavily about this. That magical eye had shown that specific event that took place on the past in the Demon World. After that went over, he carried on with the task of attending the wounds on the fire demon. That memory meant something for Shuichi to observe through the "magical" eye. So that means… Shuichi shivered as he hugged to himself: it was almost evening because the sun was setting outside and its air was turning chilly.

THE NEXT DAY

Hiei was upon the entrance of the cave at the solitary park with his Jagan eye still uncovered from yesterday. He was beginning to feel better of his wounds and somehow, he had recovered some of his energy. He was using the fake evil eye to scan a way out of this world until it picked up two energies approaching his direction. He lowered his own energy as he rushed inside the cave.

Hiei used the Jagan eye again to see the two visitors' identities: 'It's the detective! And he's not alone…' He thought as he watched through the evil eye, Yusuke walking outside with another taller fellow that wore a blue uniform and had this weird orange hairstyle until they had reached near the entrance of the cave.

"Urameshi, this better be important for ya wanting to talk without fighting. I was really looking forward for that beating!"

"Well, Kuwabara, I have a new mission and the toddler wants you to help out this time around after he recognize your true potential."

The toddler…? The other one called Kazuma Kuwabara thought for a moment or two until he reached his own conclusion. "Oooh! Tell me, and what about that lovely girl?" he asked with much interest to Yusuke.

Yusuke raised an eyebrow before speaking. "Oh, you mean Botan? We are gonna see her tomorrow since she is gonna bring a technology that is helpful for carrying out the mission and—" he stopped talking when he noticed that Kuwabara had stopped paying attention to his words and had changed the expression on his face, looking rather distracted. "What's up?" he asked in curiosity as he put his hands in each pocket of his green uniform's pants.

"Urameshi…I can sense a faint energy from over there, and I also feel that we are being watched…" Kuwabara replied said with a serious look on his face.

Hiei's own eyes widen in the realization of the words of the Spirit Detective's partner. 'That blabbering oaf somehow appears to be a psychic!' he felt suddenly threatened at that fact.

"You probably had a long day at school," Yusuke commented because it has been a long day at their school with from tests to useless orientations concerning issues revolving adolescents and the world today. Of course, let's not forget dealing and trying hard to tolerate the class president, Keiko Yukimura (in Yusuke's own personal case).

"Yeah, that must be it," Kuwabara nodded in agreement with his rival. "However, it wouldn't hurt to look inside that cave. I have a feeling that the faint energy is located there.." he said and the two of them looked at the entrance small cave in unison. "What was the mission again, Urameshi?" he asked then to Yusuke.

"We have this mission to track down this criminal that escaped almost a week ago from Spirit World to this world. Here's a tip: his name is Hiei, a fire demon from the Demon World, and he can kick ass if we are not careful or strong enough. That's why we are teaming up together. Beating this guy is hard if he releases all of his concealed energy," Yusuke explained carefully as possible to Kuwabara, who had listened to every word. "What do you say?"

"Yeah, why not!" Kuwabara said as he raised a fist in determination, "I could use a good challenge to beat ya up afterward!"

Yusuke chuckled at his "almost" rival, being motivated. This mission is going to be more entertaining as if they have already forgotten how strong or how much of a threat Hiei actually was. "Not if I beat ya up to it first!"

Hiei felt the need to prepare for a possible upcoming battle encounter with those two humans that were selected by Koenma to stop him. Anything could happen now…