Warnings: some colorful words, Shiori, Youko Kurama crying, blood, and Yusuke acting somewhat psychotic.

Chapter 5

"Ah there you are, Shuichi," Shiori Minamino smiled when she saw her only son entering the kitchen. It had been around five minutes or so when she called out to him. It was not too long ago when she had returned from her job as a secretary from a business company.

"Good evening, mother. Welcome home," Shuichi smiled as he approached close to Shiori as he gave her a peck on the cheek. "How was your day?" He asked with interest. He had entered through the open window of his room from the roof of the house. Then he made it down the stairs to the kitchen, where his mother was standing in the middle of the place.

"I had overtime at work. But other than that, it was a good day. How was your day, honey?"

"It was good for me too. Nothing out of the ordinary at school," Shuichi said half the truth of the events that had occurred to him throughout the entire day. "Can I help you with dinner?"

It was a good timing that Shuichi asked to help out with dinner because Shiori was tired and hungry after working a long day. "Oh that would be wonderful!" She said as she clapped her hands in delight. "We make an excellent team over at anything that comes in our way," her comment was accompanied with an amused laugh.

Shuichi laughed along with his mother. Whether the task was cleaning the house, gardening, cooking and resolving any type of housework, they simply worked together in harmony. Shuichi contributed with his brilliant intelligence and perseverance while Shiori contributed on this unique team with her patience, attention to details and experience.

Suddenly, Shuichi stopped laughing and to put both hands on his stomach. He was grunted of the incoming pain that took over him.

In mere seconds of reacting:"Are you okay, dear? You seem hurt, "Shiori rushed to her son's side once she saw him experiencing pain.

Shuichi looked at his mother. "I'm fine..." he said rather weakly. His attempt to lie to his own mother was in vain since the pain was a bit too much for him to bear on his body.

"Do you need me to call a doctor?"

"I don't think that would be necessary."

"Let me see your stomach."

Shuichi finally listened to Shiori as he lowered his hands to his sides and he let her check him. She was good with handling a first aid kit and helping others when they are either ill or injured until they started to make signs of recovery. She would have been an excellent nurse if she had taken that career path than the current one. Shuichi had that thought as Shiori placed a hand delicately on his stomach and she rubbed it gently. He winced because of the pain.

"I'm going to take your shirt off, Shuichi. I think I have an idea of what's wrong," Shiori said as a sign of permission to her son. He was becoming a young adult that she respected that aspect very much.

Shuichi nodded in approval, "I fully trust you with my heart, mother."

Shiori began to unbutton Shuichi's magenta shirt uniform until she reached the last button. She removed the shirt to reveal her son's well toned physique. "Shuichi…You got bruises around your abdomen," she commented as she witnessed several almost purple bruises on the abdominal area.

She examined for more possible physical wounds all over Shuichi's body as she tried to keep her demeanor cool. She couldn't believe that it was happening again…Her son was getting hurt, Shiori thought when she examined with a hand a bump on the left side of Shuichi's hair. "I'll be right back," she stopped her task to look for the first aid kit in the bathroom.

Eventually, Shuichi had ointment spread around his abdominal area... After his mother had helped him tend his physical wounds, he didn't bother to put his uniform shirt back on. He also held an ice pack with one hand that was placed on the swelling on his head.

"Will you finally tell me what happened?" Shiori inquired. It wasn't the first time that Shuichi had injuries on his body. Whenever she found him in that state and interrogated him, he tried his best to evade the subject.

As expected, Shuichi remained quiet, not wanting to talk about how he got his injuries. He soon lowered the ice pack that he held with one hand.

Shiori sighed because it was not the first time that she had to deal with her son's silence over important matters such as this. "That's fine if you don't want to tell me. I don't want to pressure you..." she said softly.

Shuichi looked away from Shiori. He didn't want to tell or worry his mother about his well-being or about what had really happened to him.

"Shuichi, please look at me."

Shuichi did as told, facing straight once more at his mother. He felt horrible because he could feel that Shiori was on the verge of tears. One of the things that he loathed was seeing his mother cry.

Shiori tried her to look strong as if she was holding back her tears. "I just want you to know that I'm always here for you, if you ever need to speak about what's on your mind," she said softly. "You are my son, and I would do anything just to keep you safe and happy."

Shuichi now became sad when he heard those words. "Even if I am not the same as other children…?" he finally asked in a whisper.

Shiori chose not to talk about that "special" subject. She knew very well the meaning of the double question that he was referring to her. Instead, she hugged Shuichi with all her might, almost to the point of looking possessive. "I love you since the day I learned about my pregnancy. I also completely accept you as well as your virtues and weaknesses."

Shuichi lowered his head enough for his bangs to cover his eyes. "But father…he…he died because of me," he whispered in sorrow.

Shiori shook her head. After all this time, Shuichi was still feeling guilty and feeling responsible for his own father's death. His death was classified as a mysterious illness as declared by the doctors at the hospital several years ago. However, the two of them knew the true story behind Mr. Minamino's death. "…He did it because he loved you. He accepted death as a necessary obligation of keeping you alive. So you don't need to feel guilty about it."

Shuichi finally returned his mother's warm and loving hug by wrapping his arms around her. "I love you, mother…and, I love father too. I miss him," he said softly with tears falling from his eyes. He hugged his mother tight to him. His parents meant the whole world to him.

Shiori kept hugging her only son as tears also fell from her eyes.

ALLEYWAY OVER AT KYOUTOU STREET:

Kuwabara's spiritual senses had brought the trio over at the alleyway. Just when they'd made it, they saw three corpses that lay on the ground. Without further ado, they tried to investigate the crime scene to come up with an answer.

Botan held a compact machine that was used to identify demons, spirits or humans. She had scanned the three bodies and waited for the results…The machine did a beep sound when it concluded. Upon hearing this, Yusuke and Kuwabara looked over at Botan.

"I believe these are three of the demons that we have been looking for," She said in announcement as she put away the compact machine in her pink bag. "I might as well take their souls back to the Spirit World while I'm here," she added.

"They have been nicely taken care of…" Yusuke said in pity. Whoever was responsible was certain that the three demon's death was strictly inevitable. There was blood splattered everywhere like on the ground and the walls. "…I wonder who did this?" he wondered out loud.

Kuwabara also wondered for the one responsible of causing death to these three demons…Suddenly, his mind showed him a flashback that his eyes went wide:

In this very same alleyway, Hiei was on a fighting stance as Yan launched himself to attack. Hiei and Yan exchanged punches and kicks as they moved in random directions on the ground. They went at it until Hiei managed to block and grab with one hand a punch from Yan that was directed to his face.

"Tell me, you low life. How did you get here to the Human World?" Hiei asked to the other demon.

Yan growled as he tried to punch Hiei with the other hand but it was blocked as well. He was frustrated because he was starting to have a hard time keeping up with the fire demon's lightning fast pace. He wasn't able to hurt him as of yet. "For your information, shorty: I was brought here by the old goat's order. It was by that other arrogant prick that made it possible—something about working in the Spirit World a long time ago."

Hiei raised an eyebrow at the newfound information. "Who is that?" he asked with interest. He could probably find that spiritual being that Yan was incoherently talking about after this pointless fight.

"No way in hell I'm telling you anything! Unless…we come to a mutual arrangement ourselves," Yan said with a smirk.

Hiei glared at Yan first as he lowered his guard and took a few steps back… He then looked over where Shuichi was still unconscious and lying on the wall in a sitting position…Hiei had to make up his mind quickly. Take this chance to go back to the demon realm tonight or rescue Shuichi from Yan and the 'old goat'…? He measured the pros and cons heavily in his mind.

"Well? What it's going to be your decision, Hiei?" Yan asked with his hands inside his pockets. He pressured Hiei for a decision because he didn't like to wait on anything.

What seemed like an eternity, Hiei looked at Yan, "Hn. You shall die now," his answer was as cold as an entire shape of an iceberg.

"Is that your final answer?" Yan asked carefully to make sure that he had heard right.

"Don't make me repeat myself," Hiei said firmly.

Yan frowned and he imitated the sound of a buzzer, "Wrong answer, asshole! Ain't nobody got time for that!" He was furious at the fact that Hiei wasn't going to let him near the human and his death was called for. "Get ready, boys! We are gonna kick his ass for good!"

Yan proceeded to concentrate on his own energy as his lackeys got ready. He fused with them to turn into his true form of a taller and stronger dog-beast like demon. His shirt and jacket got ripped apart because his large and growing muscles, his claws in his hands got larger and sharper as his teeth.

Hiei had to take off his white bandana from his forehead to use his Jagan eye. He used the eye to search for a weakness within the beast demon…The fake evil eye pointed to the head as the only weak point.

Yan ran to launch himself at Hiei with his sharp razor claws. Hiei dodged him, again and again with his lightning speed. Yan was having once more a hard time trying to keep with the Jaganshi's superior speed. He was getting somewhat exhausted. He might have gotten stronger physically but his speed had decreased to an extent making rather slow than before.

'Still the same buffoon, I will win this in the matter of 15 seconds,' Hiei thought as he planned for his next move. He had teleported on the top of the other demon's head.

Yan wasn't sure why Hiei would be standing on top of his head…He didn't want to think about it or rationalize as he tried to reach fire demon with his bare claws. Hiei disappeared and reappeared on the left shoulder. Yan reached Hiei with a claw only to stab himself at the side of his neck. Hiei reappeared on the other shoulder and Yan once again stabbed himself on the other side of the neck when Hiei had disappeared on time. Blood was gushing from the side of his neck.

Hiei was now standing on the back of Yan. Being desperate from experiencing blood loss, Yan removed the two claws to reach for Hiei this time but instead he ended up also stabbing the back of his neck. Hiei appeared in mid air in a matter of seconds before his face to deliver a hard kick under the chin, causing the neck to break in a bone cracking sound. Yan howled of the pain for a short period of time until he gave his last breath…

The heavy body fell to the ground as it dissolved and separated into three headless and bloody corpses. The blood from each individual body spilled slowly all over the ground.

Hiei didn't bother to look back the dead bodies. Instead, he approached the still unconscious Shuichi. He grabbed Shuichi's lithe body with his hands to carry him in his arms. Hiei looked at the human's unconscious expression and a slight frown formed on his lips. "You really are annoying, you know…" he said slightly annoyed before the both of them disappeared into thin air.

Kuwabara came back to present time when his mind was finished showing him the flashback that looked like a movie. He shuddered when he came to his senses. "You guys are not gonna believe me but I saw in my mind how those guys got defeated—it was a short guy with spiky hair and he was dressed in black. He moves very fast as lightning and he had a glowing third eye on his forehead."

Yusuke and Botan looked at each other after they have finished hearing Kurabara's explanation. "Sounds like a basic description of Hiei all right," they said together in unison.

"And that's not all, he also took a human with him after he was finished taking care of the demons," Kuwabara added that crucial piece of information.

Botan blinked her eyes. "Did Hiei actually do something nice for once?" she asked because she was amazed and confused at the same time. Hiei was 'supposed' to be evil, and his recent savior like actions said otherwise about him.

Yusuke shook his head and he crossed his arms to his chest. "I don't think so, Botan. Hiei can probably take another human as hostage as he did before with Keiko," he spoke his skeptical opinion. He remembered the fact that Hiei hated humans and his past antic that he had committed.

Yusuke then had a glint in his eyes along with a serious expression. "We are close now, I can feel it. We are gonna capture Hiei again no matter what," he said firmly, and his expression changed into a smirk on his lips. "And this time, he is not gonna escape for a second time…I suggest to kill him, just in case."

Botan stared at the Spirit Detective when he said that last comment with a certain degree of emphasis besides the smirk. His demeanor was totally different. "Yusuke? Are you feeling okay?" her question was one of concern.

Yusuke felt better than before for some inexplicable reason. Perhaps it was somewhere in his blood but he didn't bother to question it. "Yeah, I feel better than ever! I haven't been this determined to fight somebody else!"

Kuwabara raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Urameshi, are you sure? For a moment there, I thought I sensed another energy stirring inside you. You looked like you want to go out for blood. It's not like you to kill anyone for fun."

Botan nodded quickly a few times. So she wasn't alone with this observation.

Yusuke looked at Kuwabara in a weird fashion after he blinked his eyes. His "other" energy had dissipated. "Huh? You must be talking about somebody else, Kuwabara. I may love to fight but I'm not as bloodthirsty as a psychopath! No way, nuh-uh! I think that's already crossing the line there!"

Botan took out her notepad and pencil. She wrote down rather quickly, not wanting miss out the information she had just heard. She had put the items away before the Spirit Detective could see her.

"How about we call it a night and wait for Botan to bring the technology? There is no school tomorrow."

"Sounds like plan, Urameshi. We had a long day..."

"Indeed, Yusuke. Kuwabara and I will meet over at your apartment first thing in the morning."

MINAMINO RESIDENCE:

Shuichi was in his room after having dinner with his mother. He had already taken a shower and he wore his white pajamas that consisted of a shirt and pants. He was on his way to the bed until something had caught his eyes: "Huh? There is something shining on the floor." He went to grab the shiny item with one hand to examine it close. It was shiny looking black pearl…

On what it seemed to be an abandoned territory in the Demon World, inside a cave was Youko Kurama as he sat on a throne like chair. He was inspecting a black tear gem that he held with one of his hands. He had found this tear gem sometime ago when he was venturing in a forest.

"This tear gem is quite different from the other one," he said before he turned to look the light blue tear gem that was on his other hand. "This one actually can help me feel at ease. However, the other one, I can sense another demon's anger, sadness, fear and loneliness…Quite pathetic really yet it is better looking and rare."

As Youko Kurama turn to look more of the black tear gem, he remembered his own pain. He had lost someone dear to him over the past decade. This was still not the time that he had learned to cope with that emotional scar. "Why now of all times…?" he said sadly.

He still remembered the day that demon died…He was very depressed, and had lived a time of isolation ever since that heartbreaking experience. After he decided to have contact with other beings again, he stole valuables from random demons, played with their minds and killed them afterwards. That was his way of taking out his frustration on them- it was the feeling of trying to fill the empty void on his cold heart. Nothing seemed to work on him until he stole the tear gem from that fire demon earlier. It helped him soothe his emotions a little…

He immediately threw the black tear gem to the other side of the room. He covered his eyes with his hands as tears fell from his eyes. "Kuronue…why?" he sobbed softly. He couldn't take his emotions anymore that he cried heavily like a child. "Your life was more valuable than your pendant!"

On the next day, Youko Kurama was feeling calm… He sensed that someone had already gone past his plants outside on his territory. He smirked to himself: it has been a really long time since he had visitors. He was feeling well enough to receive anyone and welcome them personally.

Hiei was outside the cave with his sword in hand. He had to go through the trial of guarding plants in order to reach Youko Kurama's personal lair. He was ready to face the fox demon to make him pay for what he had done to him and to recover his mother's tear gem.

"So, you came after all…"

Hiei became alerted when he heard Youko Kurama's emotionless voice from inside the cave.

Youko Kurama came out of the cave to receive his only visitor. He crossed his arms to his chest. "I wasn't really expecting you. I thought you would be somewhere cowering in fear," he said.

Hiei frowned at him. "I'm not like everyone else so I would appreciate if you stop making such pointless comparisons."

"…Only if you are able to defeat me," Youko Kurama smirked. It was time for some petty amusement that would come from a D class demon. He liked the young fire demon's bravery and ignorance of what was about to come.

Hiei growled as he launched himself to attack the youko. He used his sword to attack, and Youko Kurama dodged all of his attacks at ease. Hiei was frustrated yet so determined to keep fighting with the fox demon. As he had searched for this territory, he had heard that the youko was a living legend and that anyone would be foolish to face him.

Youko Kurama got bored of dodging the fire demon's senseless attacks and he decided to make this fight interesting. He disappeared in thin air before Hiei's sword could finally touch him.

Hiei almost lost his balance when he met air. He was about to give a blow to the fox… He got confused when there was a sudden gray mist around his surroundings. Nevertheless, he stood on his guard as he tried to find with his eyes or sense Youko Kurama.

Out of nowhere, sharp vines had grabbed each of Hiei's arms from behind. Youko Kurama stood now before Hiei as the mist dissolved…The vine's grip on Hiei got tighter and twisted his arms. However, Hiei refused to scream out his pain in front of the sadistic youko and he struggled hard to get the vines off him. The vines were not only hurting him, they were also draining his energy from his body.

"What's the matter, fire demon? Or better yet, Forbidden Child!?"

Hiei looked at Youko Kurama with wide eyes in shock.

"That's right. I know about you thanks to your mother's tear gem. You were an unwanted child so that's why you were rejected among your mother's people and thrown away like garbage! You were not to be born! Your mother was not supposed to pair up with a male fire demon so that would make her a-" Youko Kurama was immediately silenced with punch on the face.

Hiei's energy rose rapidly because of the fury that he became surrounded in a dark and blazing aura. The sharp vines were burned because of that burning aura. The fox demon was surprised of the change that when Hiei had launched himself once more to attack directly without mercy.

This time, Youko Kurama didn't do anything as he received punches and kicks. Hiei finished with punch on the jaw that sent the other falling to the ground.

'Impossible…That fire demon actually has a potential to be stronger…' Youko Kurama thought on the ground. Suddenly, he gasped sharply in pain- Hiei's sword was impaled to his abdomen by force. He coughed some blood from his mouth.

Hiei took out the bloody sword and he pointed straight to the fox demon's neck. He stood next to his victim. His eyes showed determination to finish Youko Kurama off. This was probably his chance to make the other bleed to death. "…Don't you speak of my mother like that ever again, you heartless miserable bastard. I bet you are far more miserable than I am. There is nothing you can do about your misery and you are taking it out on others who are weaker than yourself."

Youko Kurama made his expression impassive as he wiped with a trembling hand the blood that was trailing on the corner of his lip. He clutched the open wound on his stomach with the other hand to prevent more blood from spilling. "You don't know anything about me, Forbidden Child…" he said, not wanting to admit the truth.

"Just because you are wallowing yourself in self pity of a loss, it doesn't give you the right to make fun of other's pain. Suit yourself if you want to either be stuck with your head in the past or move forward."

Youko Kurama was slightly confused. Was Hiei trying to give him advice on his misery? When he was about to ask, the sword that was going to cut his neck open fell to the other side of him. Then, this was followed by Hiei's body collapsing on top of him. He raised an eyebrow, trying to figure out what happened to the fire demon. Ah yes…he got exhausted for using his energy all at once just to attack him in a blind rage. The youko was foolish enough on having energy down to a C rank demon that Hiei, a D rank demon, could have the possibility of winning and killing him.

A few days later, Hiei regained his consciousness. He opened his eyes to find himself on a cave like prison. He stood on his feet as he looked at his surroundings. Where was he? He was going to cut Youko Kurama's neck wide open with his sword…

"So, you have finally awakened."

Hiei looked to the other side of his prison where Youko Kurama was sitting on a rock.

"I decided to keep you around," Youko Kurama announced loud enough for Hiei to hear. "So you are to serve me in whatever I please. You should be fortunate that I'm allowing you to live."

Hiei was disgusted of the fact of serving someone as despicable and miserable as Youko Kurama. He clenched a fist. "You could have just killed me- I serve no one," he said as the disgust he displayed on his features. He was very used to roam around freely around Demon World after leaving his adoptive father and the other thieves. He couldn't just bear the thought of somebody stronger than him to take his own freedom. His freedom was one of the few very things he had with him in this world.

"Well now, I have to change that. You are not getting any special treatment from yours truly unless you work hard to earn it."

"Hn," Hiei looked away, turning his attention to the concrete wall. He will escape from this rotting place as soon as the fox bastard was gone from this place.

"I shall leave now. Have fun in your new home."

With those cold words, Youko Kurama left Hiei alone in the prison.

'Another memory…' Shuichi thought when the memory had stopped playing in his mind. It wasn't the magical eye's doing this time—it was the shiny looking black pearl. Could it belong to Hiei? He will keep the small shiny object safe for Hiei in the mean time.

Shuichi was tired, and he didn't want to analyze the personal memories of Hiei. He gave a yawn…He turned to look to his window: "Hiei…Wherever you are now, I wish you good night," he said being sincere.

Meanwhile in the Demon World, Shigure had a frown on his face as he was inside his shelter-clinic. He crossed his arms to his chest. He had been observing Shuichi in the Human World until this moment.

"Shuichi…no, Youko Kurama. I know the truth about you. Yomi was right about everything and the fact that you are something else. How long are you planning to keep your false charade in the Human World?"

SPIRIT WORLD:

Botan and Ayame stood next to each other in front of Koenma's desk in his office. They had been assigned to a special task that was top secret during some time. Botan was researching and making close observations in the Human World while Ayame had to do a research in the three worlds. George was also present in the room as a witness of what the two ferry girls were about to report to the chief administrator of Spirit World.

Koenma turned his chair from the wall to face the two ferry girls that stood before him. The ogre stood next to his chair. "Thank you for coming. I know the research hasn't yet met its deadlines but I would I appreciate any information that have been gathered so far. Botan, what did you find out about during the assignment?"

Botan nodded before she began to make an oral report: "Very well, sir. Yusuke Urameshi has been experimenting changes in appetite, which it makes him eat more than he usually does. Kuwabara has sensed another energy that was inside of him other than his own. He had shown briefly a different personality from his own—that personality seemed to be psychotic and destructive. One day, I caught a glimpse of strange blue markings appearing on Yusuke's upper body, which he wears a shirt cover them all day…Also in that day, he had told me that he had strange dream about a demon that was claiming to be his father."

Koenma had fully digested the information before speaking. "Well, that's interesting. That information you have gathered doesn't match the current information in our files about Yusuke in the Human Resource Department," He said before turning to look the other black haired ferry girl. "Ayame, what were you able to find?"

"Well, sir…According to the research and Botan's observations, Yusuke is not from the Human World. He happens to be a direct descendant of the Mazoku. His father happens to be one of the powerful Demon Lords in the demon realm. His death and his revival happened to awaken his powers…It will soon fully take over Yusuke since he is inexperienced. That will consume his mind, which it explains his gradual shift in personality."

Botan was speechless because the discovery was shocking to her. Her studies and observations were starting to make perfect sense. A demon can have those kinds of changes and behaviors when they are facing their pre-development stages, she thought.

"That's impossible…Yusuke can't be a demon. There has to be a mistake," she spoke in disbelief. She shook her head to contain her emotions. Yusuke had become her friend after recovering the three powerful artifacts three months ago.

"I'm afraid that's not the truth, Botan. The reason I sent you two to do this investigation is because my father is terrified of Yusuke," Koenma explained seriously to them. "He will do anything to eliminate him just to keep the Human World and Spirit World from harm. This event is written in the Book of Fate."

"Lord Koenma, isn't there any way to avoid Yusuke's impending fate? I mean he's a good kid and he's doing a great job as a Spirit Detective," George, who had been silent all this time, he tried to defend the Spirit Detective. In his opinion, Yusuke Urameshi was a good person with a strong sense of justice.

Koenma closed his eyes, having already a possible answer on his mind. "There's only one solution I can think of…that would be Master Genkai."

Ayame raised a fine eyebrow. "Master Genkai? I thought she was already retired from her martial arts school and Spirit World's general affairs some time ago," she voiced out her thoughts.

"Hm, at least not yet, Ayame," Koenma said before he opened his eyes again to explain the details. "Master Genkai is going to select a demon, spirit or human that is worthy to become the heir of her powers before she passes away. So it would be a good opportunity to Yusuke to go to her so she can train him and seal his demonic powers. If Genkai is successful, then my father would stop being restless of the matter and Yusuke is going to remain as a normal human."

"I trust that Master Genkai is going to be successful. After all, she's a powerful physic and fighter," George commented his optimism of the situation.

Ayame just nodded her head in agreement.

Botan sighed in happiness and in relief because there was still hope to save her friend from his upcoming demonic fate. She would make sure that Yusuke will arrive to Genkai's Temple after the current mission was over. She was going to request that permission from Koenma to accompany and support her friend through the process.

YUSUKE'S APARTMENT:

On the next day in the morning, Yusuke and Kuwabara were waiting outside the apartment building for Botan to appear, which it could be any minute now.

"I hope you two are ready!" Speaking of whom, the two boys looked up to see the ferry girl flying on her oar. She landed eventually on the ground as her clothing changed from her pink kimono to casual and fit clothing that was appropriate for running. "I have a feeling that you guys will definitely fight Hiei!"

"I'm looking very forward to it!" Yusuke raised a fist in the air. "I had a very heavy breakfast!"

"Well, not as much as you do, Urameshi! I would like to fight this demon!" Kuwabara exclaimed.

"Let's go, guys!" Botan announced as she was already working on the technology made by Spirit World called the Energy Tracking System. The device was pointing towards the east north from the current location. "Hiei is near from this point forward!"

Yusuke and Kuwabara nodded together in unison. The trio followed where the technology was leading them while they ran together.

Around three buildings behind Yusuke's apartment, Hiei stood on the edge on the top of the fourth building. He had been observing the trio's movements for quite some time with his hands behind his back.

"And so it begins…" Hiei said as he watched them running from his distance. "They are relying on the contraption than the psychic's underdeveloped but strong senses. I'll give them a hard time."

A few hours have passed as the running seemed endless around the city. The Energy Tracking System had changed from one location to another for the trio to follow. They have been following the directions without complaints or to question the efficacy of the machine, except for one in the small group:

'Something is not right here!' Kuwabara finally had that thought. The functionality of the device bothered him to a degree… If the device was accurate, then he, Yusuke and Botan would have reached the fire demon's location some time earlier, right?

'Oh, so you have noticed? It was about time.'

Kuwabara became alerted when he heard another voice speaking inside his head. 'Who are you!? And why are you speaking inside my mind!?'

'My name is not of much importance but I'm the one that the detective is looking for. I made the machine that the ferry girl is carrying to find me to not function properly. I am getting impatient of waiting out here.'

Yusuke and Botan noticed that Kuwabara had made a detour. "Kuwabara! Where are you going!?" Yusuke yelled as he and Botan looked behind them to see Kuwabara running towards the opposite direction that lead to outside the city.

"I think that machine is not working as it should be! I can feel the fire demon's energy all the way to the forest! C'mon now! I can sense that he is waiting for us there!" Kuwabara's yelling was slowly fading with the distance he was creating.

Yusuke decided to follow his rival classmate without any questions. He made a detour as well as he ran to the same direction as Kuwabara. He looked behind once more to find that Botan had stopped following him.

"I'll catch up later! Go with Kuwabara!" Botan exclaimed while she was panting, and Yusuke went on ahead without her. She stood on the pavement to recover her breath. She was still not very used to her human form that the long running made her very exhausted. She thought that she had pushed her body to her limits and gave the extra mile.

Across the street in an alleyway, a tall figure had watched everything within the distance.

Botan was feeling well enough after recovering her breath for 10 minutes. . She'd put away the Energy Tracking System, believing in Kuwabara's words from earlier. She decided that it was best to change into her spiritual form so she could fly on her oar and catch up to the boys at the forest. Before she could actually change into her pink kimono:

"Oh hello there. Are you feeling okay?"

Botan looked over her shoulder that a handsome tall redhead human was standing a few feet behind her. She turned around to face him. "Oh hi! I'm A-Ok! I was just wrapping my morning exercise! One gotta be in shape, healthy and all that good stuff!"

The redhead smiled at her cheerfulness and enthusiasm. "I see. Don't push yourself hard if this is your first time exercising. Take your exercise routine slow so you can build your stamina for intense running, if that's your personal and fitness goal."

Botan nodded at the wise words. She could tell that the human was around Yusuke's and Kuwabara's age. However, he was different from most teenage boys: he was well-mannered and articulate, as if he acted mature for his age. Not to mention he was charming, friendly and he had an alluring scent of roses on him.

"Well, I better get going. It was nice talking to you even if it was for a brief moment. My name is Shuichi."

"And I'm Charlene from England. Nice to meet you as well," Botan lied for some strange reason. She wasn't sure what gave her the impulse to do so… Although, she hoped that Shuichi would believe her small lie.

"All right. Welcome to Japan, Charlene. I hope you enjoy your time here," Shuichi looked as if he believed completely the ferry girl because of her unique accent from most girls he had met in his life. He left soon after saying those welcoming words.

Botan felt bad for lying to Shuichi because he looked like a sincere human. She gave a sigh. Her demeanor changed when the human was out of her sight. 'That guy gives me the creepers jeepers for some reason…' she thought heavily. She was actually glad that she had lied.

Her mind pondered more until she was able to recall a short and red haired human from her past that looked exactly like Shuichi if he had grew his hair longer. Then it dawned on her: 'I swear to Enma that Shuichi is awfully familiar… Wait, why is my mind getting blurry when I'm trying to remember him?' she thought as she was starting to feel dizzy because her memories of that human were suddenly foggy and possibly shrouded of the mystery.

Botan put a hand on her head, and she was losing balance on her feet… She fainted and collapsed right on the pavement where she stood.

A/N: Next chapter is the end of The Three Artifacts Plot. Please leave reviews! I need to read what do you guys think so far of this fic!

For your clarification needs:

Shiori is totally aware that Shuichi is special, unlike the anime and manga. She loves her son so much that she goes out of her way so that Shuichi is happy, and that he is able to fulfill and to live his life the way he wants in the Human World. She tries everyday to understand Shuichi so he can always be open to her to tell her anything. Shiori also tries not to get too involved in Shuichi's way since danger and enemies are always surrounding him. Mr. Minamino was also aware of what made his son special that he died of the same illness that Shiori had in the series when Shuichi was nine years old.

Shigure is NOT helping Shuichi to remember the past as Youko Kurama. He was actually using the memories of Hiei and Kurama as a way to prove that Shuichi Minamino IS Youko Kurama in his 15 years old human form. That's why Shigure had modified Hiei's Jagan eye and the black hiruiseki. Whenever Shuichi gets in contact with those or other objects that belongs to Hiei, a memory triggers in his mind like a movie (the flashbacks) that Shigure is able to sense Youko Kurama's energy and power. Shigure had proven that when he told Hiei through the Jagan eye. In this chapter, he now believes that Kurama is acting clueless, weak and innocent in his human form, and that he is deceiving everyone in the Human World and perhaps the Spirit World.