The sun had set, but the city was far from resting. Restaurants and bars were preparing for the nightly rush. No doubt South Street would be impossible to navigate down. Penns Landing would be packed as well. The subway at this time would be on another level. Between those commuting and crowds of people itching to get to the city's hot spots weaved with beggars and street performers, the trains were suffocating with people.

None of this deterred her from traveling through Philadelphia as she thirsted for blood. She stepped onto a full subway cart instantly hit in the face with the smell of weed. A group of young women conversed loudly and one cackled at something said. She took a spot next to the hand rail looking out at the city lights as they blurred by.

It had been too long since she started this journey of revenge. Many mysteries solved, and battles fought, yet the man she hunted was always just out of reach. She had to pull back and linger in the shadows like a tiger stalking its prey. Bit by bit she destroyed his forces setting the board up for checkmate.

Tonight will be the night, she thought hungrily.

Her eyes blazed with blood-lust and a bystander shifted uncomfortably further from her. If only they knew what creatures haunted their city's streets…How much she had sacrificed to bring forth truth and justice.

In a single swoop, she would win. Her battle would be over, and finally peace and rest would come.

"This is where Koren is," Kuwabara questioned aloud as they inspected the seemingly abandoned warehouse.

"Yes," Ryoko affirmed in her soft voice, "Lady Koren is locked away somewhere in that building." Shivers went across Kuwabara's back at the angel's voice. It sounded like the way leaves rustle in the wind on a warm moonlit night.

He glanced over at her still not believing how human she made herself look. Before they attempted across the city, Ryoko muttered more of her magical jumbo (as Kuwabara referred to it), and right before their eyes the two mystical beings turned human. Wings, alabaster skin, leaves for hands...they were replaced with average human features. It was amazing.

"Well, what are we waiting for then," Yusuke said with a determined look. "Let's kick some ass."

"Everyone remember the plan," Kurama warned before Yusuke could run off. No response was given but everyone looked serious enough that Kurama supposed he would just have to trust that alone. They had a simple enough strategy.

Ryoko could lead them directly to where she sensed Koren was being held. She and T'challa would find a side entrance and take care of any security that was posted. Kurama would take to the roof for a better vantage point and hopefully a way in. All of this would be done after Yusuke and Kuwabara took to the front of the building causing a distraction and uproar. It wasn't completely full proof much against Kurama'a cautious nature, but it definitely had the element of surprise.

They parted ways.

"You ready," Yusuke asked Kuwabara.

"Are you serious? I was born ready," Kuwabara replied with a smirk as he cracked his knuckles. "These punks are gonna he sorry for messing with our friend."

Kuwabara's determination faltered into an awkward realization of what he just said. There was a knowing silence between the two. He recalled the conversation they had back in the Makai. She was angel come to win the tournament to help her people do who knows what. But then all he could see in his mind was her sad blue eyes.

"They sure as hell will be," Yusuke growled. That was all the reassurance Kuwabara needed. To hell with tournaments, Spirit World, and angels. Koren was one of the gang now.

They were at the main doors now. Since there was nothing left to say, Yusuke opened the door and walked into a darkness. The situation instantly intensified.

"Where is everyone," Kuwabara whispered not so quietly. "This whole building and not a single guard?"

Yusuke didn't respond as he eyed the darkness in the banisters.

"Sheesh," Kuwabara continued while scratching the back if his head," I guess, we didn't really need to come up with a sneak attack plan then."

Suddenly, Yusuke moved into action lifting up his hand into his signature stance. He fired his Spirit Gun into what appeared to be a random direction, but in the attack's blue light Kuwabara saw something dodge the attack.

"Might as well come out and fight," Yusuke called out, "We know you're there."

There was a cackle.

"Hahahahahaha, only one of you did," a voice teased from the shadows. Yusuke and Kuwabara, who was on very much high alert, tensed into ready positions expecting an attack at any moment.

"How did I not sense this guy's energy," Kuwabara grunted one annoyance.

"Aww, is the little human boy upset because he isn't as special as he thought?" The voice was closer this time but no footsteps were heard.

"There," Yusuke alerted Kuwabara as two pairs of dark, blood red eyes peered are them from the dark. They wasted no time as they charged toward the demon, but before they could even get near the creature he melted into the shadows completely vanishing.

"Damn it," Yusuke shouted.

"This isn't going to be as easy as I thought," Kuwabara noted, his spirit sword crackling in his hand and providing some light. "I really was expecting some lackeys. Not this."

Another cackle shot through the darkness.

Kurama made it to the roof with extreme ease, and that worried him. There was a door, which they expected, but he wasn't entirely willing to try to enter through it. Everything was too quiet. Too empty.

Why wouldn't any of this be guarded when they went through so much trouble to capture an angel, he wondered as he scouted the grounds again.

Then he heard footsteps coming at him from behind. He turned with his rose in hand ready to make it his weapon. A fist was headed his way. He dodged it and was able to maneuver away from his attacker. They paused and held their ground knowing they lost the element of surprise.

Then Kurama was able to see her. She was human. And a small one at that. If he was right in front of her, he'd have to look down. She was petite which hardly made her look like a threat.

Looks can be deceiving, he reminded himself.

Finally, he allowed himself to notice she was pretty with her large root beer brown eyes and round face.

Then she shouted something at him in English. Being a good student, he was able to understand it as a question of who he was. She knew who to expect here, and it wasn't him.

He found that strange. She would have been more hostile if she was guarding the building.

"Someone trying to save a friend," he replied in his best English. He was confident in the words, but not necessarily his Japanese accent. She obviously picked up on his accent and narrowed her eyes at his words.

"Are you a friend or enemy," Kurama then asked. The less people he had to fight, the better.

"My enemy is Severo," she answered. He couldn't help but notice how her voice sounded. She didn't sound like an evil henchman. No, she sounded desperate and tired but determined.

"I'm not sure who that is," Kurama said raising his hands slowly in surrender," but I believe we have a common enemy."

Her features softened, and she looked him up and down while still holding her ground. She was deciding whether to trust this stranger or not. Then they heard a blast and the building shook.

Yusuke's spirit fun, Kurama realized. That was the signal. He motioned towards the door.

"Together," he asked her trying to keep his meaning easy and simple.

"You first," she demanded.

He opened the door,went down the steps, and she followed.

Koren felt the burst of energy before the building reacted to the impact.

"Yusuke," she whispered.

A/N: I am *so* sorry you had to wait four years for an update.

Thank you so much for taking time to read this.