Author's Note:
Hello, It's me again, back with another chapter, a real one, this time. Hope you enjoyed the prologue. It will make sense soon, I promise. Anyway, without further adieu, here's the next installment. Please read and review, thanks!
Chapter 1
"And that's about everything," Yusuke finished off while scratching the back of his head.
He and his friends were all gathered in Koenma's office. They've been summoned by the King of the Reikai so that they could give a complete account of what happened during the attack of the Meikai god Yakumo and his followers to the Ningenkai.
"So let me get this straight: you have managed to defeat both Yakumo and the Power Sphere, but are not completely certain as to whether or not they are truly destroyed?" the baby Koenma inquiry through teeth that were clenched around his binky. His chin rests on laced fingers, elbows resting on top of the table as he studied Yusuke with a sarcastic expression.
"What? No! I mean, I've hit him with all I've got, are you kidding me? Nothing could have survived that." Yusuke opened and closed his hands into fists, trying to relieve the appendages of the cramp starting to build in them.
Koenma raised an eyebrow at him as he shifted so that his chin now rests on the back of his left hand, while his right picked at his ear. He rolled his eyes, "Right… And you're totally not fidgeting right now, lying to yourself through your teeth."
"I-I'm not lying!" Yusuke protested, trying but failing miserably to stop the corner of his eye from twitching. "I was just hoping that since this was the Reikai, then we can at least try to track Yakumo's soul. If he's in the record of the underworld, then he must have really died, and we can assume that the Power Sphere is also destroyed." He crossed his arms and scoffed lightly, before adding, "Just to make sure!"
Koenma pinched the bridge of his nose, desperately trying not to roll his eyes again at the boy's insolence. Finally letting out a deep sigh, he answered, "Well, whatever the case, that's just the thing. Due to Meikai's attack on Reikai, we are still under renovations."
As if to prove his point, a Reikai helper whizzed past them carrying soaking wet scrolls under both arms. The four men standing talking to Koenma parted to let the helper pass, converging again to their original positions while quizzically looking at the helper's retreating back. In the background, a few more ogres could be seen going about their own businesses. Some were cleaning the walls, others were mopping the floor. Most of them scurrying around with drenched scrolls, frantically looking for spots to hang them to dry.
It was then that Yusuke actually looked around the office. The office itself was also emptier than usual. The large wooden desk behind which Koenma usually sits is not there and his high back executive chair is temporarily replaced with a simple wooden chair and a small table. This made the already ridiculous-looking child-man that runs the place look even more ridiculous.
"Like I was saying, we're currently under renovations. Everything's been washed out by the flood that even the records of those whom we KNOW to be dead are either missing or destroyed." Koenma sighed again, "It will take years to bring the archives back in order, especially since more souls come in to be processed everyday."
"I see, so it will be quite impossible for us to know for certain right now if Yakumo's soul has indeed crossed over to the underworld," Kurama thoughtfully chimed in. "In any case it seems like there is nothing we can do right now other than pray for the best, but prepare for the worst."
Koenma nodded slightly. "Very well said, Kurama."
"In that case, no point moping around, right?" Kuwabara nonchalantly chuckled. "Let's move on already, you guys."
Yusuke shook his head at him before addressing Koenma again, "How's Botan holding up, by the way?"
"Botan's fine, thank you for asking," came a familiar voice.
Everybody turned to see Hinageshi walking through the office doors and standing beside Hiei.
"And don't worry, I'm personally making sure that she gets plenty of rest. I've even taken over her duty for now." Hinageshi grinned goofily at the crowd while playfully linking arms with Hiei. "After all, what are friends for, right?" She flashed a big smile at the grumpy demon.
"Woman, you better take that hand off me. I do not appreciate being touched without permission," Hiei grumbled while glaring at the limb pulling at his right arm. Hinegeshi quickly let go and backed away.
Suddenly, the doors flew open with such a force that they hit the walls, bouncing off them slightly. Jorge scrambled into the room, frantically screaming, "Lord Koenma! Lord Koenma!"
"What is it?"
Jorge took a deep breath before attempting to speak again. "Trouble in the Makai, Sir. demon spirits are pouring through the gates. I-I…"
"Well, speak up. What happened exactly?"
"We are n-not sure wh-what exactly happened. Our guides h-have their hands full at the m-moment since many have died in both the Ningenkai and the Makai."
Yusuke piped in, concern clearly written on his visage. "The Makai? Why, what happened to the Makai?"
"We haven't got the whole story, but I think it would be best if he explained it himself." Jorge looked down at his feet, shifting uncomfortably where he stood.
"Who? Who is best to explain?" Kurama furrowed his brows.
Jorge looked up to meet Kurama's gaze. "Yomi."
Kurama burst into the room to find Yomi sitting in a chair behind a small table in the middle of the room, thoughtlessly sipping a cup of tea. Kurama walked forward briskly, stopping in front of the table before slamming both fists on it angrily.
"What is the meaning of this, Yomi?" his friends, along with Koenma start filing into the room, just in time to witness the exchange.
Yomi calmly put down his tea and looked up at Kurama. "Ah, Kurama, my beautiful Kurama. How are you? You rarely ever visit me these days. I did not think that I would have to actually die first before getting to see you again." Yomi took another long sip from his tea.
"Yomi, answer the question! What are you doing here?"
Yomi frowned. "Is it not obvious? I died." He placed his cup down before crossing his arms over his chest in a regal manner.
Everyone's eyes widened with shock. Who could possibly be so strong to be able to kill Yomi? Not even when the Three Gods of Makai were at war was any one of them able to kill the others. Was it Mukuro? Why? And how could Enki possibly allow such a violent fight in Makai? "How?!"
"How or why is not important right now." Yomi's voice took a more serious tone before turning to face Hiei. "I believe you have more urgent matters to attend to, little one. Mukuro is the only one of us left."
In the blink of an eye, Hiei was crouching on the table, both fists grabbed Yomi's collar, pulling him up closer to Hiei. Anger and concern were plainly displayed as his face twisted into a snarl. "What's happened to her?"
"I am uncertain. But since I have not yet seen her in Reikai, I am hoping against hope that she still lives." Yomi placed a comforting hand on Hiei's own. "But she might not last long. The intruder is far too powerful to be stopped. You must go to her, quickly!"
Hiei tipped his head in agreement and gratitude for the information. He gently released Yomi and ripped off the seal of his Jagan eye. Free from the seal, the Jagan slowly cracked open. Energy swirled around Hiei, a soft wind current formed, shifting their clothes slightly.
Electricity fizzled and zapped in the far corner of the room. Then, suddenly, the air around the sparks started swirling and warping the space. A portal leading to Makai opened, the foul smell of the air slowly wafting into the room.
"Thank you for this," Hiei said to Yomi before turning to his friends. "You may join me or you may not. Either way, do not try and stop me, I will go and save her."
"Heh, you don't seriously believe we won't be going with you?" Yusuke placed a hand on one hip, while the other he drew up into a fist at his side. He shifted his weight so that he leaned on his left foot, determination glinting off his eyes.
Kuwabara cracked his knuckles while rolling neck. "Let's get it on!"
Kurama stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on Hiei's shoulder. "Come on, let's go save her."
The faintest smile appeared on Hiei's lips before they all jumped into the portal leading to Makai.
Author's Note:
Hang on, Mukuro! Hiei and the gang are coming! Stay tuned to find out what happens next.