Hello, everyone! I apologize for the wait.

Back in Chapter 7, Hiei used a certain amount the Dragon of The Darkness Flame technique to stop Yusuke and his powerful Demon Gun. In the series, he has the large black dragon tattoo all over his left arm and wrapped with bandages, right?

For this fiction, Hiei is yet to have that mark/tattoo on his left arm. He is learning to master the dark technique from Limbo. Until then, he won't earn the imprinted tattoo as a sign of mastering degree of the technique since it has consequences like destroying his body and/or leaving him crippled and whatnot. His body is not powerful enough to contain the dark and flaming powerful technique since his rank in power and strength lies somewhere between reaching the C class.

Let's get to it!

Chapter 11

SPIRIT WORLD:

Shuichi walked down the large hallway that lead all the way down to Koenma's office. He was curious of what was going to happen after he reaches inside the office. Before going to school in the morning, George had given Shuichi the message that he had been summoned by Koenma to work on new set of cases. In his opinion, it was going to be interesting.

Shuichi looked up: he found Hiei walking some distance ahead of him. Not wanting to be left behind, he rushed his pace until he was able to get to the fire demon's right side. He slowed down his pace upon reaching Hiei's left side.

Even if he felt the human's presence walking beside him, Hiei never looked at him. He had his gaze on the direction he was walking to.

Upon noticing the stoic look on his partner, Shuichi felt suddenly awkward and apprehensive as if his words got stuck on him. He thought that he was being ignored. He relaxed himself before trying to speak. "Hello, Hiei. I see you have been summoned by Koenma as well," he was able to say.

Hiei had his gaze still at his walking direction. He was able to sense Shuichi's apprehension, which it was uncalled for in his opinion. "I suppose. I have no other choice but to follow orders," he said eventually to calm the human.

"Yes, that is true but you will be free before you know it. I have complete faith that it is going to happen. You are not a bad guy as you pretend to be, and you deserve your freedom."

Hiei stopped his tracks as so did Shuichi at the same time. Hiei turned to look at Shuichi with a piercing look, "What gave it away? You don't know me very well," he said coldly. Those words were very true.

Now that he thought about it, Shuichi actually doesn't know anything about Hiei. He only knew about Hiei so far that he was Youko Kurama's long time partner and was searching for his own mother at one point in the past. Shuichi wanted to slap his forehead with one hand for saying such impulsive words.

He cleared his throat before speaking. "Then…I would like to get to know you more. Also, I would like to show you around the Human World. I heard that you hate it along with its inhabitants. I want to improve your opinion before you go back to the Demon World."

Hiei could now only stare at the human, who wanted to change his view and opinion in general about the human realm. It was rather crazy, really. "I'll give some thought about your offer," he said. His idea of saying that consisted of saying maybe is really not to ever bring this subject around Shuichi in the future so he can forget about it until the end of service for Spirit World.

Shuichi couldn't help but to smile for no reason. "Thank you in advance for your consideration. It is the least I can do for training me to become stronger."

Hiei shook his head. "That wasn't really necessary. We will continue training so you can fully manage your own powers, and that is certain. You have my word."

Shuichi nodded as he digested the information. "Yes, Hiei-sensei."

"Hn. There's no need for you to refer me as such. After all, we are partners, right?"

"Okay."

Hiei raised an eyebrow: Shuichi's smile got even brighter than before. '…the smiling idiot,' he thought and was able to conclude.

Just then, the two arrived to the office. Koenma was nowhere insight...

The door opened to reveal Koenma walking hastily all the way to his desk. He took his seat in his chair and faced the Spirit Detective and his partner.

Koenma cleared his throat before speaking: "Sorry for my tardiness. I had a very important meeting with my father to discuss some issues. I'm glad you two could make it. There are eight missions that need for you two to work on. Some are new while others are needed to be solved due to being open for a long time. I assume that by now, you two had learned to get along," he said and he looked at Shuichi.

"Yes, we do," Shuichi said, and Koenma then turned to look at Hiei.

"Likewise," Hiei said coolly.

"Good. Here are the red folders," Koenma said as he pointed to side of his desk where eight red folders were neatly placed.

Hiei picked up the first folder on top of the other red folders. He opened to read it quietly...

"You two can start to do any mission or case without a particular order. What matters is to take your time to get it done. Are there any questions?"

"Yes. What will happen after Hiei and I finish these missions and cases?" Shuichi asked since Koenma offered to answer any questions or concerns regarding the missions.

"You can go back to your normal life, Shuichi. By then, I assume that Yusuke will take over for you after he returns. If you wish to continue to work for us, then please, you are more than welcomed to do so. As for Hiei…there might be chances to reduce his time of probation but it is not yet certain."

Hiei looked up from reading the open red folder upon hearing about the current status of his probation. "Still, if it isn't too much to ask: I would like to check on her myself on the Demon World sometime," he requested to Koenma.

Koenma almost forgot that the reason Hiei accepted his probation was to ever see his sweet, beautiful and loving girlfriend to stop her worries and anguish. Luckily, Hiei reminded him of that. "I'll see what I can do about it; I may grant you a special permission of three hours to see her again after you'd solved the cases with Shuichi."

"That would be good enough for me," Hiei accepted to the point of being grateful to see Yukina again in person.

Meanwhile, Shuichi was confused: 'Her? Whom were these two talking about?' He wondered about this 'her' person that meant for Hiei...A girlfriend, maybe? He began to develop some new strange feelings about that situation. However, he gave no further thought about it when Koenma spoke. He needed to focus since it was a bad idea to mix his personal feelings into his dangerous task as a Spirit Detective.

Koenma informed the following to the duo: "Within the last few hours, I have been informed by Botan that Yusuke and Kuwabara are currently facing the demon they have to capture on the other side of the city. She and Kuwabara are going to come back any day now. In that meantime, Yusuke is going to receive a special training to get stronger."

Shuichi smiled. "Ah that is some good news. I can't wait to meet Yusuke Urameshi in person," he said honestly.

'So the detective is going to train somewhere else? It should be interesting. I will definitely wait for his return,' Hiei thought with a hidden smirk. He couldn't wait to face Yusuke in another third battle. By that time, he should have mastered the dark technique from Limbo: Dragon of the Darkness Flame. Also, he would surely improve from his current rank in power and strength with hard training to reach the S class rank to be among the strong and powerful class.

"Koenma, I have a request. I would to go under my old alias while I do missions, as I did last year."

Koenma blinked his eyes at Shuichi's request. "You mean the name Kurama?"

"Yes."

Hiei alerted himself but he pretended to keep reading the red folder to not create any kind of suspicion to the demi god.

"Now that you say it, Shuichi, the name is fitting for you. Sure why not? You will be referred as Kurama just like the old times from this day forward."

Hiei finally closed the red folder to speak. "I have a question of this particular mission I was reading about. It says here that Gouki is still alive somewhere in the Human World—didn't the detective actually kill him before?"

"Yes, we all thought so too," Koenma said before letting out a sigh. "However, his spirit never00ppp reached Spirit World or Botan actually forgot to check on his body. It has been assumed by an investigation team that he was severely injured and still somehow conscious from surviving Yusuke's final blow. Also, the initial investigation team never returned. Since then, Intel has been gathered: he had been spotted in some areas in forests locations. That mission is for you guys to bring him alive so he can testify his part of the past crime of the three artifacts."

"I see. I assume that if we do so, then Hiei's time of probation will be reduced to a certain degree, right?" Shuichi asked in favor for Hiei's freedom.

"Why yes, you are very right, Shuichi. I can actually do something about it."

Hiei seemed very thoughtful with those words coming from Koenma…Maybe finding and capturing Gouki alive was worth the shot but still…

Shuichi nodded to Koenma. "It is settled then. Come on, Hiei, let's go find Gouki at once."

Hiei looked up and didn't say anything as he followed Shuichi out of the room.

"Good luck and Godspeed!" Koenma said as the Spirit Detective and his partner walked out of the office to leave Spirit World.

UNKNOWN FOREST IN THE HUMAN WORLD -Mission 03-:

In the past two hours, Hiei and Kurama had searched together around a large forest area where Gouki had been spotted last time by Spirit World's Investigation Team. His energy has not been able to be sensed by neither of the two. A conclusion had been reached: it seemed as if the spirit-sucking demon was very aware that Spirit World might be looking for him. Besides that, he had also defeated some of the investigating ogres that were spying on him some time ago.

"No sign of Gouki yet..." Kurama commented as soon as he and Hiei reached an open area in the same forest that was surrounded by trees. They stopped their tracks when they reach the middle of the area.

Also, rain fell from the sky but it wasn't given any thought or importance. According to the weather forecast, it was going to rain all day with little probability of sun.

"Tell me something."

Kurama turned to look at Hiei, who finally spoke after they left from Spirit World. "Yes?"

"Why would you want to use that name? Seriously?"

Kurama thought about what Hiei by 'that name'… "Oh. I started to remember this morning why Karasu kept calling me Kurama the other day. I actually used to call myself Kurama to protect my identity and to protect my mother from being targeted by enemies I made from missions and cases."

"Still, it can create a suspicion for Spirit World, and it might have once you'd already mentioned it to Koenma earlier."

"I know. However, there can be other humans or demons with that name. Although, I promise to be careful," Shuichi said to Hiei before changing the subject. "I'm going to search around this area, and you can go search for Gouki at the other side, if you like."

"I'll do that," Hiei said without hesitation as he disappeared in mid air.

Another hour has passed since Hiei and Kurama went on separate ways to search for the rogue demon.

As he searched deep in the forest, Kurama wanted to call off the mission for the day to do his homework given from school and start on his upcoming project for the annual school science fair. It was also his turn to cook dinner for him, his mother, and Hiei (if he would join them today as well). However, he gave the mission a priority to finish it and do the other mission and cases that were described with details on each red folders. He thought that way because Hiei would feel and think the same way about it.

Suddenly, Kurama went alert that he stopped his tracks: 'I can sense something from across that direction,' he said mentally. He followed his own senses, which it guided him to where the unfamiliar and demonic energy was directly coming from.

Kurama noticed further ahead a large figure. He stopped when he was within reach to observe the tall and bulky figure that stood in an open area as the rain fell on his entire body. Kurama assumed that the figure was Gouki.

"You can come on out. I can sense you energy from a distance. I know that you are looking at me," Gouki spoke to no one in particular.

Kurama gasped from where he stood by the trees. So Gouki knew all along…Gouki probably used his own energy to lure Kurama into this place. He came out within the view of the other. "You must be Gouki," he said.

Gouki raised an eyebrow to the human. "Who wants to know?"

Kurama was able to tell that Gouki was on his guard and ready to attack without mercy. "I'm Kurama, and I wish not to fight but I would like to ask you some things."

"If you don't mind, I have other things to do," Gouki said dismissing with a hand and walking away. He didn't have time to deal with a human that had a scent of pretty flowers, he thought in irritation.

"…Like getting back to the Demon World, for example? I can offer assistance if you cooperate with me."

Gouki stopped walking and did a double take over to Kurama. He comtenplated hard about Kurama's offer..."What do you want to know?" he gave in. He really wanted to go back to the Demon World before he was found by Spirit World. It could be any day now.

"Why are you here? And do you know Youko Kurama? I am searching for him."

Gouki told Kurama everything from meeting the youko to the events of stealing the three powerful artifacts from Spirit World, to finally battling Yusuke. "…And that's how I ended up. I have been training in these kinds of wooded areas to avoid to be found by Spirit World while I can find a way to go back to the Demon World. I haven't seem Youko Kurama ever since—all I know that he is traitor."

"I see…" Kurama said. What heard so for from the Spirit-Sucking Demon hadn't lead to any useful information.

"Now it's my turn. What's your business with that youko, human? Or better yet, where do I have seemed you before?"

Before Kurama could speak, Gouki looked over Kurama's side to see another figure. He grinned when the other approached close, next to Kurama: "Well, well. Look who it is. I thought you were dead by that detective punk."

"Same here. Your corpse would have been rotten badly at this point."

Gouki chuckled as he crossed his arms. "Hiei, now that you are here, we can go back to the Demon World if you search for a way out of here with your freaky lookin' third eye- except for the human, of course. "

Hiei pondered for a moment. Gouki despised humans as much as he did… "He can be useful to us. He is no ordinary human and he has a bright intelligence, which it is not a good idea to underestimate him," Hiei said so that Gouki would change his mind and view about Kurama about being human. With this, Hiei thought of a possible strategy to not fight and Gouki unharmed to Spirit World.

Gouki shook his head. He had no other choice but to do the following: "You got it all wrong, Hiei. I know about what's goin' on between you and the red-haired princess here, and the fact that you actually became a lap dog for Spirit World."

Hiei's eyebrow furrowed. Gouki was also aware of everything…It was not time to ask. "That's fine with me, Gouki. I'm about to take your life anyways," he said seriously.

"I expected nothing more from you, Hiei. I would gladly take your soul and eat it as a victory!" Gouki exclaimed as his energy rose and eventually fully transformed into Kyukonki. He would first take care of Hiei, the other traitor, followed by Kurama, which it was going to be easy.

Kurama took some steps back as he watched the transformation sequence. He had to get prepared for this battle. His instinct told that Kyukonki was not going to be an easy opponent.

"Stay back. I will take care of him," Hiei said as took some steps forward and did a fighting stance.

"Hiei, I have a bad feeling about this. Let's—"

"I got this. He is no match for me, trust me. I'll end this quickly."

Kurama didn't say anything else as he complied with Hiei's words. Still, the bad feeling lingered inside him of what was about to come.

When Kyukonki finished with his transformation sequence, Hiei launched to attack and began with throwing some punches at the face then he did some kicks at the stomach…Kyukonki didn't do anything but to grin at Hiei. Hiei knew something immediately was wrong. His physical attacks were being ineffective against Kyukonki's body and he just figured it out just now. Unfortunately, his sword is also useless against the other demon.

Before Hiei could actually think of another strategy, Kyukonki grabbed Hiei around his torso with both hands. Hiei struggled within the stronghold and it was crushing him like a vice grip. He was grunting now.

Kyukonki laughed at Hiei's struggle and he tightened his hold on him even further. "Not so strong, aren't you, tough guy? I've trained to become stronger just take your soul for being a traitor just like that youko! I shall beat you up like a rag doll!" He said before smashed his forehead against Hiei, who received the harsh impact on his own forehead right on the Jagan eye. He gave five more head butts right before he fiercely threw Hiei to the ground.

Kurama could only stare at the cruel brutality of Kyukonki. He had to save Hiei somehow from being killed. Hiei shouldn't have underestimated the Spirit-Sucking Demon in the first place, he thought. If his senses were correct, Kyukonki should at the level of a C class demon with the training he had during nearly four months during his time of hiding.

As Hiei tried to get up from the crater like ground, Kyukonki kicked him hard in the stomach to prevent him from getting up. Hiei went out of air and grunted in more pain. Kyukonki could laugh some more as he kept kicking the fire demon in his stomach. By the seventh kick, Hiei coughed up some blood from his mouth.

Kyukonki pressed a foot on Hiei's right side of his temple. Hiei kept grunting of the pain. "Your princess surely must have made you weak…But oh well, this is where you are finished, Hiei!"

"Rose Whip Lash!"

Before Kyukonki could even look at his attacker, he howled in pain. He received several whip lashes on his back.

'As I thought…His body is solid as a rock. Now, the only way to defeat him…' Kurama thought and he turned to Hiei, who was getting up from the ground. "You are not going to defeat him on your own, Hiei. Let's fight him as a team to increase our chances."

Kyukonki growled as he looked at Kurama with a look filled with rage. "So the princess can actually put up a fight?" He said, and then he gasped in realization. "You! I remember you now! You are that Spirit Detective from before! I will get your soul!"

Kyukonki remembered the past… Kurama worked last year as a Spirit Detective, who had ruined his plan of taking dozens of human souls to sell them at the Black Market in the Demon World. He also remembered Kurama having shorter hair and a different color of clothing and his trademark weapon, the Rose Whip. Kurama's personality was more confident, cunning and ruthless than the one in present time.

"What do you have in mind to stop him?" Hiei asked to Kurama when he was up.

Kurama was yet to come up with a proper strategy. For now, he would improvise as thought of a good plan. "Just follow my lead."

"Hn," Hiei this time decided to listen to Kurama. Whatever strategy Kurama came up, he would follow at ease.

"It doesn't matter! I'll just deal with you two bratty lovebirds!" Kyukonki proceeded to attack.

Hiei and Kurama dodged together every attack from Kyukonki whether on the ground or in mid air.

"Your Rose Whip is effective on his body! Use it to counter attack!" Hiei said to Kurama so that they don't have to dodge Kyukonki all the time

Kurama did as told as he went forward with the Rose Whip still on hand to counter attack and dodge any attack on his own.

Hiei went a few distances back, almost away from Kurama and Kyukonki's fighting range. He stayed still on the spot as he started to concentrate and build a dark and flaming energy on his right hand.

Kurama looked over his shoulder to see what Hiei was actually doing. He was able to catch on Hiei's own strategy. He would distract Kyukonki in the meantime.

"What is Hiei doing over there? He must also fight!" Kyukonki said as noticed where Hiei was. He growled in pain when he received a lash from Kurama's Rose Whip.

"You are fighting me," Kurama said as a reminder as he whipped his weapon.

"I'll get you for that!" Kyukonki ran to attack Kurama at full force.

Kurama went steady, ready to again counter attack Kyukonki.

"Kurama! Move!"

Kurama listened to Hiei's voice as he moved out of the way without thinking twice. Hiei ran with speed with a dark flame on his right arm. Kyukonki stopped and before he could get away, it was too late. He got punched in the mouth by Hiei's right fist that his entire body from the inside went immediately in the dark flames. Hiei pushed the dark flame inside the other demon's mouth and expanded it with his own energy. Kyukonki couldn't put out the dark flames that screamed desperately in agony while his body went into mere ashes.

Hiei panted as he recovered from unleashing a partial amount of having to summon the dark flames from Limbo. He was getting better of managing the forbidden and dangerous technique that it didn't consummate his body this time.

Kurama approached close to the ashes of the Spirit-Sucking Demon…"Hiei, we were not supposed to kill him," he said to Hiei.

Hiei also looked at the ashes of his once partner thief that lay on the ground as souls flew in the sky. The rain had stopped in the sky… "I don't care about getting my time of probation reduced with Gouki's testimony…It would have low effect compared to having Youko Kurama captured. Koenma would agree as well."

"So you have really thought about everything, then?"

"Yes, I did," Hiei said simply, and he crossed his arms to his chest. "Come on, Kurama, we got other cases to work on."

Kurama couldn't believe what he had just heard from Hiei of all demons. It was a shock and amazement at the same time. "Wait. Did you call me Kurama?"

"Yes, Kurama, I believe I did the first time earlier and just now loud and clear. Why does it bother you?"

Kurama sighed in relief. They were slowly making progress in getting along, which means that Hiei was really beginning to accept him. "I was afraid you would never use my name and would refer me in third person for the rest of my life," he commented somewhat worried.

"I never liked your real name- that is all."

Kurama sweat dropped at the candid confession. He then smiled at his partner. "That is fine, Hiei. You can call me Kurama then. Let's go home and have dinner, okay? It is my turn to cook tonight and I'm sure you'll like it."

"Hn."

NEXT DAY AT SPIRIT WORLD:

Koenma was calmly stamping his stack of paperwork in his office until there was a knock on his door. "Come in!" he said without taking his eyes off from his work.

Just then, the door opened to reveal none other than Botan, who just came back from Genkai's Temple. "Hello, sir!" she chirped.

Koenma stopped his work to look at the ferry girl. "Ah, Botan, good to have you back. I assume that the mission over at Genkai's Temple is completed."

"Bingo! Rando, the main target of the mission, is being held to be sent to prison. Yusuke has started his training with Genkai, and Kuwabara is going to get some pointers on his psychic powers before he returns to the city."

"That is some good news," Koenma said half-heartedly and he continued to do his paperwork.

Botan blinked her eyes: Koenma wasn't in his usual mood that he was doing his paperwork without complaining or throwing fits of tantrums. There was definitely something wrong with him. "What's wrong, sir?" she asked being worried.

Koenma stopped his work once more to answer his thoughts. "Shuichi is starting to remember. He remembered his alias when he was a Spirit Detective last year."

Botan eyes went wide in realization. "You don't mean…?"

"It seems that he had indeed suffered from amnesia and the trauma and severe injuries from his torture that the last mission have caused on him."

"I see…It will be a matter of time when Shuichi remembers every detail that happened to him as a Spirit Detective last year. He will even remember the potential psychic human girl, Maya Kitajima."

"That's right, Botan. In addition, Shuichi holds a great connection to Youko Kurama... My father will let me know when to arrest him," he said as he tried to maintain his facade of a cool, calm and collected ruler.

Botan sighed: now she fully understood Koenma's state of concern. Shuichi was a valuable asset right now. Having Shuichi detained just to investigate his connection and similarities to the fugitive fox demon will keep the Human World in danger, exposed to the new and upcoming threats. Of course, there was Yusuke but it was still uncertain if Genkai will be able to help him out on neutralizing his raging demonic powers.

"Yes sir, as you wish. I will not say anything as of yet," Botan said as she bowed her head.

"Thank you, Botan. You can leave now."

MINAMINO RESIDENCE (LAST NIGHT):

Kurama was on his bed resting for the next day. However, on this night, he tossed and turned on his bed as he was dreaming during his sleep… He woke up with a gasp and his eyes went fully open.

While he recovered his breath, the first thing he remembered from the dream was how he used to look physically from last year. He used to have short hair, a dark blue school uniform that he used to wear from middle school…He grew out his hair longer during this past year, which he still wonders up to this very day why he let it grow longer as a female would do.

Anyway, on that dream, Kurama was carrying out a mission for Spirit World by himself. He had to stop Gouki from delivering human souls to the Demon World and selling it on the black market. He used the Rose Whip and other skills with mastery on Gouki that he somehow ended up sparing the other demon's life. The dream was rather a fragment since it only showed some parts of the memory and not the entire event.

"It was just another dream…" Kurama commented to himself. He couldn't believe that he used to so strong compared to present time...

"Was it from Youko this time?"

Kurama looked over to see Hiei sitting on his window. Before he could ask to Hiei when did he actually appeared to his window:

"I sensed your energy in distress. I hurried all the way here, and I saw you tossing and turning in your bed," Hiei explained to Kurama.

Kurama sighed as he took with his hand the bed sheet that covered his body, and he sat up on his bed. He looked at Hiei with tired eyes. "Well yes…but I wasn't having a dream about Youko this time. It was more of my past as a Spirit Detective. I used to be different and very strong…" Kurama trailed off his words as he pondered some more about his past self.

According to what Kurama saw so far in his dream of his past self, he had more capability of handling his powers and had an inexplicable larger amount of demonic energy. That energy was surely the one that Hiei mentioned to him the other day. Also including the fact that Karasu said about him: a different personality; and Kurama began to believe on that demon. That previous personality that he used to have was rather cold, cunning and calculating.

Hiei, on the other hand, was observing intently his partner. He was currently interested about knowing more about Kurama's old self that he forgot about the youko after he had brought up a little earlier. That other Kurama that he'd fought in the abandoned park the other night might be the perfect example. Aside from being interested, he could wait for another opportunity to fight properly the brilliant human with the powers of a demon.

Suddenly, Kurama turned quickly to Hiei. "Hiei, I just thought of something. What are the actual functions of your Jagan eye?" he asked. He was curious since day one about the actual powers of the fake evil eye that was hidden on Hiei's white bandana.

Hiei crossed his arms his before answering to the curious red haired human. "Why is it?" he asked.

"Perhaps it can search into my mind and help recover my memories?"

Hiei shook his head to what it seemed to be Kurama's request. "I could do that but I really wouldn't suggest it: the Jagan eye can actually damage your mind," he said as a fair sign of warning.

"Then… let's do it."

Hiei did a double take on Kurama, who was shifting on the bed to sit on the side with his feet on the ground. "Were you even listening to me?" he asked almost with a frown showing on his features.

"Yes, and I am willing to take the risk," Kurama said as he patted the left side of the bed for Hiei to sit next to him.

"Hn," with that grunt, Hiei did as he signaled to do without questioning his partner any further. Kurama was running on his own risk to potential danger that could hazard his health in order to gain. It seemed reckless; Hiei wouldn't admit it openly but he immediately liked that quality about Kurama. After he took his seat next to Kurama, Hiei took off his white bandana from his forehead and his Jagan eye glowed.

"I'm ready whenever you are, Hiei," Kurama said camly.

"Here I come."

A flashing blur went through Kurama's mind…then everything went black.

Kurama slowly opened his eyes to find himself lying on his own bed. He turned his body to look up to see Hiei sitting by the window.

Hiei turned his gaze to the conscious Kurama. "Good. You are awake after an hour. The Jagan eye almost consumed your mind, so I stopped and you fell unconscious. Were you able to regain some memories?"

"No, I believe I haven't...Just when I was about to, everything went blank. I should remember on my own then," Kurama said.

"It's a good idea from the start," Hiei said before changing the subject. "So when are going to our next mission?"

"As soon as I get some sleep. I have no school in the morning."

"Understood. Is something the matter? I can sense that you are troubled in your mind."

"No, not at all."

"Don't let it get to you."

Kurama smiled to Hiei's words. "Okay. Good night, Hiei."

With that, Hiei used the window to leave the red head human's room.

As he settled himself on his bed to actually sleep, Kurama wondered heavily where Hiei was actually sleeping on the past nights. Hiei was not the one to actually stay in a hotel or manage an apartment like a human. Unless he was sleeping somewhere in the cold outside…Kurama couldn't help but to feel sympathy for his partner for the second time after he found him injured and unconscious on the first day the two met.

GANDARA CITY, DEMON WORLD:

Yomi was having dinner in the large dining hall until Shunyin appeared out of nowhere in thin air, and stood next to him.

Yomi never bothered himself to look at the other becuase he could already sense the presence beforehand. "What is it, Kamui?" He asked before he sipped some of the red wine in the fine cup.

"You won't believe it but The Sleeping Youko have already awaken," Shunyin announced to the Demon Lord.

Yomi almost choked as he dranked his drink. He set the cup down to turn rather hastily at Shunyin. "Since when?"

"It was an hour ago. I believe the Jaganshi's powers that is the Jagan eye had to do with it because it was some kind of trigger to the awakening, and I have been running some checkups on Youko Kurama ever since. He is fine. You may go see him now."

After listening carefully to Shunyin's explanation, Yomi didnt waste any more time to make it down to the lower level of his own castle.

Youko Kurama stood in the middle of the laboratory like basement as he watched his surroundings. He turned around when the door opened: he saw Yomi entering the room, and stopped right on the spot. It took some time for Youko to recognize Yomi in another appearance after not seeing each other since the incident. "Yomi…Long time no see," he said simply in acknowledgment.

Yomi was very shocked to hear that voice again. He quickly rushed to Youko and hugged him with all his might. It was him, definitely him: the same voice, the same scent..."Youko Kurama…I can't believe you are alive again," he whispered by the ear.

Youko didn't do anything as he was being held by his old subordinate. He was feeling indifferent for the show of warm affection. "Where am I? That murderer of mine never told me," he said being displeased.

Yomi stopped hugging the fox demon to fully face him and talk to him properly. "You are in my castle. I am the Demon Lord of the entire Gandara territory. However, I will give you further details later on. What about you?"

"As I told you before, I was reborn as Shuichi Minamino on the Human World. My powers grew to maturity when I was 14 years old and I was working for Spirit World until on a mission, my soul and my powers somehow got doormat on my human body. I stole the three artifacts for Spirit World when I awoke in my human body, which after that my soul became separated from the body … I wonder how Shuichi is doing in the Human World."

"He has been almost an entire year in a struggle to adapt to his normal human life without your powers, which eventually he gained his own personality," Yomi explained to Youko since he has been observing the red-head human during the one year gap.

Youko chuckled at what he was hearing. He always assumed that if his own soul ever got seperated from his human body, then Shuichi would have been nothing but an empty and helpless shell. These days, Shuichi became his own person and was learning to become independent. "So he is weak without me," he said.

"Actually, Kamui let him have a portion of your own power and strength," Yomi added that fact afterwards.

Youko had a frown on his face and he shook his head. "Not good enough…Shuichi and I will meet face to face someday. For now, I am staying here. Demon World and Spirit World can't know that the youko is alive again."

Yomi nodded to him in understanding. "Of course. You can stay here as much as you like. I will inform the servants to prepare your room. You can take a look around the castle in the meantime, if you like," he said before turning to leave the basement.

Youko Kurama didn't want to stay any longer in the room that he left to wondering around the castle as curiosity led him.

Eventually, Youko was on the hallway watching the decorations. He admitted that Yomi had refined his tastes from the past…Suddenly his focus on the decorations turned elsewhere when he saw another presence in the area: "What do you want, murderer?" he said coldly to the other.

Shunyin glared at Youko. "Easy there, Youko Kurama. I killed you, brought you back to life, and I can kill you again," he said coolly.

"You are no match for me now," Youko said with confidence. He could feel that his level of strength and power were still the same as when he had reached maturity on his human body last year.

Shunyin scowled at the haughty comment. "True. All of my spiritual energy went into your revival process, you ungrateful fox."

That comment brought Youko's attention. Youko now needed to question the Demon Hunter being of why he would revive him when he had ended his life during the hunt of 15 years ago in the first place. "What's your motive?" he asked with suspicion laced in his voice.

Shunyin's simple answer was to walk away and walked right pass the fox demon.

Youko growled for the fact of being ignored. "Where are you going? Off to see your sweet ferry girl after being banned from Spirirt World?"

Shunyin stopped his tracks cold when Youko reminded him of his girlfriend…The fox had hit a nerve. "She and I no longer are item," his voice sounded for one moment of seriousness…and perhaps regret. "…Tell Yomi that I quit working for him," he said as he made his way to the castle entrance to leave Gandara City.

Youko looked carefully at the retreating form of Shunyin. He had a sudden feeling that the other was planning something of his sleeve. "Will do."

A/N: So yeah, Shuichi is now officially called Kurama (which Hiei gave his seal of approval), and to avoid that confusion, Youko Kurama will be referred as just Youko or Youko Kurama in the following chapters.

The purpose of Shuichi using the name Kurama is not only that he is starting to remember his past of being a Spirit Detective but also he is learning to use his demonic power and abilities as he also did in the past. However, he won't be as powerful to reach the A class or above until he meets Youko Kurama.

Now that the youko is finally awake, memories will begin to surface on Kurama!

See you all on the next chapter!