It's already been two days since we fought Kamiya. Sayomi stared at the skyline from the roof of Yusuke's school. We scrammed before the cops arrived. Yusuke said we didn't want to get caught by them. We were late meeting Kurama's group, but after that we split up and swore we wouldn't venture out alone. Turns out they were followed so they left in case it was a trap. Botan managed to help Yana, but Kido was too weak and had to go back into the hospital. His physical wounds were healed, but he blew his metaphysical stack when he moved his shadow. We can't let our guard down for a second. Six dire enemies remain!

"Kamiya knew he was doomed once the Demon Plane portal was finished," Kuwabara said. He and Yusuke were sitting on the roof with Sayomi, eating their lunch. "It's crazy, man! They don't care that they're cutting their own throats?"

"That's about it," Yusuke answered through a mouthful of food.

"What a buncha psychos!" Kuwabara yelled.

"They're not the first humans with such impulses," Yusuke reasoned.

"But it's so abstract. I can barely deal with reality." Kuwabara opened another package of sweet bun. He tossed one to Sayomi who sniffed it curiously before opening it and taking a bite.

"As for that, we have two weeks to find the portal's center and close it," Yusuke reminded him.

"Yusuke! Big-time problem!" Botan slammed through the door to the roof, waving her briefcase frantically.

"Huh?" Yusuke looked over at his assistant curiously. "What now, Botan?"

She raised a finger and said, "We thought we had two weeks to close the portal, but in fact we only have one!"

"What?!" Yusuke yelled. "How'd we lose a week?!"

Botan kneeled down and opened the briefcase. "I'll let Lord Koenma explain."

Sayomi made her way to the group so she could see the tiny ruler. Does it have to do with what Kurama's group investigated?

Koenma appeared on the screen in his toddler body. He was seated at a desk with his hands clasped in front of him. "I'm afraid it's true, Yusuke. We have only one week to close the portal."

"But why?!" Yusuke stressed. "What's happened?!"

"We... Uh..." Koenma struggled to find the words to explain. "Reexamined the data, and found that..." He turned to a large screen behind him and turned it on. A large sphere appeared with notes written here and there. "The 1.3 KM diameter hole we measured has its center 550 M underground. The spherical distortion field actually originates from deep underground. The part of the sphere we initially measured was an off-center cross section projected on the surface!"

"Well, that's not good," Sayomi commented.

"So what's the story?!" Kuwabara groaned in annoyance. "I can't see what's on that screen, y'know!"

"It's got to do with geometry, I think..." Yusuke frowned at the screen, but the data escaped him. "But the upshot is, we have a week left, and hafta go a lot further underground than we figured."

"But now we know the location – Irima Cave," Koenma continued. "It's a large cavern with a groundwater reservoir and an entrance in the suburbs."

"That's all we need to know, then!" Yusuke glared and said, "Let's notify Kurama and head over there! Hey, Kuwabara! You hear me?!"

"Um... Well..." Kuwabara stood back with his hands in his pockets. He stared at Yusuke with a serious expression. "I gotta sit this one out."

"Why?" Yusuke blinked. "You sick or somethin'?"

"Is it because of your aura?" Sayomi asked.

"Well, y'see... heh..." Kuwabara sheepishly scratched the back of his head and held up a ticket. "Megalliga's first live concert in Japan is tonight!"

"What?!" Yusuke growled.

"Mega-what?" Sayomi arched a brow in confusion. "What's a concert?"

"You've never been to a concert?!" Kuwabara reeled.

"What is it?" Sayomi asked.

"It's where different bands get up on stage and play music for crowds of thousands of people!" Kuwabara beamed in excitement.

"Kuwabara!"

"C'mon, let's get going!"

Sayomi turned to see Kuwabara's three human friends walking towards them. So, they're leaving early to go to this concert? That sounds better than sticking around here, I guess, but...

"You're ducking out for a concert?!" Yusuke growled and punched Kuwabara in the back of the head.

"It's Megallica! A guy's gotta have priorities!" Kuwabara argued. He returned Yusuke's punch with a kick and punch of his own. They scuffled on the roof while everyone else stood back out of their reach.

"What if it was you with tickets to the Mixed Martial Arts Championships?!" Kuwabara accused angrily.

"Urk!" Yusuke twitched nervously. He turned away, clutching his head. "Ai yi yi yi yi yi yi!"

"Hey!" Botan yelled at the boy. "We've got a job to do!"

"Too bad!" Kuwabara declared. "I've been looking forward to this for a whole year! If I miss it, my life won't be worth living! You can tell me the world's gonna spin out of control and hurtle into the sun! I'm still going to this concert!"

"Fine!" Yusuke picked at his ear with his pinky. "But when things get messed up, don't come cryin' t'me!"

Kuwabara grabbed Yusuke by the collar of his shirt. "Hah! Like I would!"

Yusuke pouted and said, "You get a boo-boo, don't expect me to kiss it and make it better!"

"Hey, you're talkin' to a guy with guts of steel!" Kuwabara yelled, pointing at himself. Yusuke just shrugged and shook his head. "I don't need your help to handle any crud that comes my way!"

"Arrr!" Yusuke and Kuwabara glared at each other, forgetting about everyone else.

Botan sighed. "You two are humanity's best hope?"

"At least we have the week, right?" Sayomi watched as Kuwabara left with his friends. She looked at Yusuke. He was glaring at Kuwabara's back until they shut the door behind them. This is unfortunate timing, though... I just hope Kuwabara will be okay for one night.

Later that evening, Sayomi and Botan followed Yusuke home. About an hour later, Genkai arrived with Kaito and Yanagisawa before the rain started to fall. They settled around a low glass table with tea and snacks. When Yusuke noticed someone missing, he flipped. "What?! Kurama's not here either?!"

"He wasn't at school today," Kaito answered.

Yusuke began to quiver with rage. "Is everyone playing hooky?!"

"To be fair, Yusuke, you do it all the time," Sayomi pointed out casually.

"Fine!" Yusuke yelled. "I'll tackle this myself!"

"Hold it." Genkai kicked Yusuke in the back of the head. "The portal creator's not going anywhere. We have time to get in touch with Kurama."

"There've been a lot of suicides at Irima Cave. Locals avoid it," Kaito informed the group.

"We need to prepare ourselves for this one, I think," Yanagisawa advised.

"Whatever!" Yusuke turned to the door and glared over his shoulder. "Look me up when you're ready!"

"Where at?" Yana asked.

"The nearest Pachinko parlor!"

"Grab me some cigs while you're out!" Atsuko quickly requested.

"Oh, go puff on your finger!" Yusuke turned to leave and slammed the door behind him.

"Yusuke! Wait up!" Sayomi got to her feet, but Genkai stopped her.

"Let him go, Sayomi."

Sayomi looked down at the old woman and raised an eyebrow. "But I thought..."

"Should he really go out alone like that?" Yanagisawa asked.

"Stupid people do stupid things." Genkai picked up her cup of tea and took a sip. "And he's worried about Kuwabara, I think."

Sayomi stared at the door. So, he went looking for Kuwabara? I guess that means they won't be alone, right? She took her seat next to Genkai and reached for her tea.

"I wanted to talk to you, Sayomi." Genkai sat her cup down on the table and turned to the demoness. "I noticed you didn't jump into the fight with Yusuke and the Doctor."

Sayomi looked down at her tea. Her reflection stared back at her, worry and shame clear in her eyes. Sayomi took in a deep breath before answering. "I'm not allowed to. Koenma ordered me not to fight anymore."

"He saw your markings, did he?"

Sayomi nodded. "I know it's risky, but I don't know what else to do."

Genkai crossed her arms and asked, "Did you have these markings when you were training at my temple?"

"No." Sayomi shook her head. "They didn't start showing up until after our mission at Labyrinth Castle."

"Hmm..." Genkai stared at her cup and said, "When you trained with me, you were using your aura every day. And you had no issues fighting until then, right?"

"That's right," Sayomi confirmed. "In my meditations, I realized that it started when I used my aura to fight. But it was more effective than just using a weapon or my fists."

"That may be the case, but if it's that dangerous then it's probably best if you don't fight."

Sayomi sighed and her shoulders slumped. "Yeah, that was Koenma's reasoning, too."

"Yet you enjoy fighting," Genkai continued. "Sure, you can heal pretty well, but you seem to be more in your element when you fight. The real issue boils down to your abilities."

"So, what should I do, Master?" Sayomi looked at the old woman. "I don't want to just sit back and watch everyone get hurt then heal them afterwards. I want to be able to fight beside them. I don't want to be protected."

"Pardon my intrusion, but what are your abilities exactly?" Kaito asked.

Sayomi turned to the boy and said, "I'm a shadow demon. I guess I mostly heal people, but when I fight I can do a lot more. Or I could use them neutrally, but it really depends on the situation."

"Can you elaborate?" Kaito pushed up his glasses in curiosity.

"Well..." Sayomi stared down at her tea as she thought about her various techniques. "I can become the shadows themselves or become partially shadow. I also cover my weapon in shadows to attack or create a barrier. I can manifest chains out of shadows or use them to travel. I was thinking of stealing Kido's move with his permission."

"Interesting," Kaito muttered. "Your control is diverse yet limited. You would probably not be very helpful in a well-lit space."

"It is harder, but not impossible." Sayomi lifted the hem of her cloak and said, "I can easily use this to create my own shadows to use if necessary."

"I see..." Kaito leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "So, these markings only get worse when you use these shadows to attack."

"Yeah, pretty much." Sayomi confirmed.

"With a little creativity, you could probably get away with fighting if you focus on your more passive abilities."

"What do you mean?" Sayomi sat up straight, giving the teen her full attention.

"You could rely on your weapon for attacks but use the shadows to tip the odds in your favor. Like perhaps making the immediate area darker or using the surrounding shadows to maneuver around your opponent. The possibilities are truly endless."

Sayomi listened to Kaito with wide eyes. So long as I don't use the shadows themselves as a weapon, I should be okay?

"That's one idea that could work," Genkai agreed. "You had no issues when I was training you. Who did you train with when you were preparing for the tournament? Yusuke neglected to give me a name."

Sayomi shifted her legs on her cushion and took a sip of tea before answering. "Hiei was training me... He pushed me to use my aura for longer periods of time to build my stamina and help me get over my fear."

"Hunh..." Genkai grunted. "Why does that not surprise me?"

"Didn't he realize how dangerous it was?" Yanagisawa asked.

Sayomi shook her head. "I was the one who asked him to help me. I figured, if I got strong enough, I would be able to handle it. But it only got worse."

"Try fighting without your aura and see how things go from there." Genkai took a sip of tea and said, "We'll need all the help we can get if we want to stop the tunnel from opening. Don't worry about Koenma. He's bossy, but he's only practicing caution at the sign of danger. Even he can't deny that you'll be needed in this fight."

Sayomi felt a smile spread on her face. She finished her tea and nodded firmly. "Thank you, Master Genkai. I won't disappoint you. And thank you, Kaito." The boy looked at her curiously. "You've given me some ideas to think about. Now I'll be able to really help stop this guy."

"Oh..." Kaito pushed up his glasses and turned away. "It was nothing. Just thinking out loud."

Sayomi chuckled, but let the issue go. Now I can really be part of the team!

They lapsed into conversation about how to go about handling the situation at Irima Cave. After a couple hours of discussion, Kaito and Yanagisawa departed. Soon after, the front door opened and Yusuke walked back inside. "I'm here."

"You imbecile!" Genkai yelled and kicked the boy back out the door.

Yusuke skidded out on his back until he hit the wall outside. He sat up straight and yelled, "Knock it off! What's with you?!"

"Didn't you go help Kuwabara?!" Genkai glared down at the boy, clenching her fists to keep from striking him again.

"I said I was gonna play Pachinko!" Yusuke argued.

"And yet I'd hoped..." Genkai scowled and crossed her arms. Then she got in Yusuke's face and pointed at him. "Listen! His aura's proscribed right now! He's all but defenseless!"

"It's his fault!" Yusuke growled. "He coulda stayed with us, but instead he went off to a stupid concert!" He sat back and crossed his arms and legs, glaring up at his teacher. "Besides, what does the enemy care about a guy with no aura?"

"Idiot!" Genkai snapped. "He still has it, it's just dampened down!"

Yusuke's eyes widened at the news and he stopped arguing.

"You don't notice anything when you're not fighting, do you?" Genkai lectured the boy. "Well, try to notice Kuwabara's chi next time you set eyes on him. You'll get a curious sense of anticipation, as if you were watching an egg about to hatch. Maybe then you'll realize you're not the only one achieving new levels of ability." Yusuke could only stare and listen as the information started to sink in. "If you see him again, that is. The enemy may have other ideas."

"Now you tell me! I'm off!" Yusuke jumped to his feet and took off down the stairs.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Botan called out, chasing after him.

"Yusuke!" Sayomi ran out after them. She pulled up her hood when they ran out into the rain. What were the names of those psychics again? There was the Doctor, Game Master, Sniper... Um... Crap! There were too many of them!

Her feet splashed through the puddles as she followed Yusuke and Botan through the town. They ran non-stop until they reached a large domed stadium. The area was empty and already locked up for the night.

"Dammit!" Yusuke clenched his teeth and looked around the empty lot. "Where the hell would he go now?!"

"He probably went home," Sayomi suggested.

"Yeah, right," Yusuke scoffed. "Knowing him he probably went to something stupid like karaoke."

"Where should we look first?" Botan asked in worry.

"Let's search around town first, then we'll check his place," Yusuke said. He took off running down a random street with the girls following after him.

Kuwabara! Please be okay! Sayomi tried to reach out and sense the boy's aura, but she couldn't lock onto anything.

They ran to the nearest karaoke bar, but Kuwabara wasn't there. After that they searched the nearest arcade. As they ran, the rain became heavier and lightning would flash in the sky. Sayomi found herself feeling nostalgic. The loud thunder reminded her of her dying king. I hope the old man is holding out okay...

When they reached Kuwabara's residence, an older man with a dark goatee answered the door. "No, Kazuma said he was going out with his friends tonight. He hasn't come home yet so I assume he's still out. Try again tomorrow."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Kuwabara." Botan bowed at the man politely before he shut the door.

"Now where do we look?" Sayomi asked.

"Let's go back to my place. Maybe the idiot made it there in one piece," Yusuke suggested.

"I hope you're right, Yusuke," Botan said.

Sayomi followed behind them as they ran back to Yusuke's apartment. The rain had already stopped and they were soaked to the bone. When they reached the front door, they stopped short. "Guys, I think we found him..."

"Kuwabara!" Yusuke ran to the unconscious teen on his doorstep. He was carrying his three friends on his back, along with another young boy. He had blond hair and he wore a yellow hoodie with jeans. "Who is this guy?"

"By the looks of it, he's probably one of Sensui's people," Botan suggested. "They're all breathing, but they're in bad shape. If we don't hurry, this young man will bleed to death."

"Let me take care of them," Sayomi volunteered. "We'll get them inside and I'll patch them all up. Then you can handle it from there."

"I'll help you, Sayomi," Botan smiled at the demoness. "Two healers are better than one, right?"

Sayomi smirked and nodded, accepting her offer. Sayomi and Yusuke took care of handling the unconscious boys. Once inside, Genkai helped the girls with healing their wounds. Kurama had also showed up sometime during their absence.

Once the wounded were all treated, Yusuke and Kurama took Kuwabara's friends to a separate room to find out what happened. After about 20 minutes, they sent the boys home. Sayomi waited until the two boys came back into Yusuke's room to wait for the young stranger to wake up. They only had to wait about an hour or two.

"Gasp! Unh!" The young stranger sat up straight from bed and regretted it instantly. His torso was wrapped in bandages but his wounds were still tender. When he opened his eyes, he froze.

Yusuke sat backwards in a chair, staring straight at the boy. Kurama and Sayomi were standing next to him on either side. Kurama had his hands hidden in his pockets while Sayomi crossed her arms. Yusuke smirked and said, "Hey."

"Wh-where am I?" The boy asked.

"My room," Yusuke answered. He pointed his thumb behind him where Kuwabara was snoring in his boxers. He was covered in small gauze pads and band-aids. "We got back from looking for him and there he was, collapsed in front of the apartment with four other guys in tow."

The blond boy glared at them, aware of the situation he was in.

Kurama picked up the conversation after Yusuke. "The other three are okay and told us what happened. We erased their memories of that and sent them on their way."

"You, on the other hand, get to hang with us," Yusuke said sternly. "So, tell us about you and your pals... or we'll ask Yana."

The boy glared at them for a moment longer, gauging whether he should tell them or not. Eventually, he said, "We don't believe we deserve to live."

Sayomi and the boys blinked at his answer. So, they're suicidal maniacs?

"You mean... all of you?" Kurama asked.

"All humans!" The boy blurted. "If you saw that video, you'd know why!"

"Video? Of what?" Yusuke asked curiously.

The boy turned to him and said, "It's called the Black Chapter. It clearly shows what a wretched species we are."

"Are humans really that bad?" Sayomi asked.

"The Chapter Black!" Kurama exclaimed with recognition.

"You've heard of it?" Yusuke asked.

Kurama nodded. "It's a highly classified record of humanity's darkest side, kept locked away in the Underworld's giant library. The tape contains thousands of hours of the most atrocious crimes committed by humans throughout history. As you might expect, Hiei was keen to get his hands on it. I knew about it, but I had no idea it was being used for something like this. Now that I think about it, it makes sense."

Hiei wanted to get it? Sayomi wondered to herself. I guess that doesn't surprise me, but why? Does he really hate humans that much? What is doing now, anyways?

The young boy pointed an accusing finger and yelled, "You guys play at being so goody-goody, but you don't know what people are really capable of! If you saw that video you'd change your tune on the spot and throw in with us! So – "

"So what?!" Yusuke got in the boy's face and glared down at him. "Are you saying all humans should be demon chow?!"

"Yes." The boy answered with certainty. His wide eyes expressed his desperation to convince them of the truth. "We're all beasts... savages... You don't realize it because this is a relatively peaceful country." He began to shake as he built up a nervous sweat. "But have you ever seen people lined up to be shot, their corpses to be added to the maggoty heaps of bodies around them? Did you ever watch people who knew they'd soon be 'disposed' of being used as playthings by their sneering tormentors?"

Sayomi began to shiver as she imagined the events he clearly described. I thought it was mostly demons who were so gruesome, but this just sounds insane...

The boy's voice raised as he was assaulted by the memories of events he was forced to witness. "Have you ever witnessed a child being murdered before the mother's eyes?! And a mother before her child?! While their killers enjoyed every sadistic moment?! People will kill people and not only smile about it, they'll sleep soundly afterwards! It's the same for you, you just don't know it!"

Yusuke calmly took in his words until he was finished. Then he asked, "And you're one of these people?"

"Of course!" The boy answered automatically. "We all are!"

Yusuke got up from his seat and said, "Y'know, I asked Kuwabara why he saved you. You know what he said?" The boy only stared at Yusuke, breathing heavily after his heated rant. Yusuke looked the boy in the eye and said, "He said he saw someone begging... no, screaming for help. I thought he was just being a doofus. But now I see he was right... in spades."

The boy stared at Yusuke. Then he began to tear up. In seconds, he shook in place as tears spilled down his cheeks. His eyes were open wide and he whispered, "I... I can't sleep without the nightmares... All those people dying so horribly! I was jolted awake just now because they were staring at me! As if... As if I was the one responsible! And maybe they're right! As each day passes, I feel more and more that I am!" He hung his head and clutched at the sheets. "The guilt is driving me crazy! I feel I have to atone, but how? I needed someone... Anyone... to tell me how I can be forgiven! Aw man, I'm... I'm doomed..."

Sayomi, Yusuke, and Kurama stared down at the boy in silence. Sayomi couldn't help but feel sorry for the kid. It's not like he was the one killing them, right?

"I have no answer for him," Kurama whispered quietly.

"Me neither," Yusuke whispered back.

Sayomi followed them out into the hall, leaving the boy alone in the room.

"In fact, there may not be one," Yusuke continued. He looked at Kurama and his face paled. "A video of all the bad people have done... that does sound pretty horrible. I wouldn't wanna see it."

"Yeah, neither would I," Sayomi agreed. "I thought most demons were bad, but I didn't think humans could be that extreme."

"I don't blame you two." Kurama agreed. "Most wouldn't last five minutes without falling into abject despair."

Yusuke stopped walking and glared at the red-head. "Hey, you trying to scare me?"

"It's totally one-sided..." Kurama explained. "But very compelling, and hideously persuasive. So much so that few in the Underworld are allowed to watch it."

"You are trying to scare me." Yusuke glared at Kurama over his shoulder.

The red-head smiled and waved his hand apologetically. "Sorry."

"You're even giving me the creeps, Kurama." Sayomi shivered.

Kurama smile and asked, "Did I tell you where I was yesterday?"

"Uh... no, not yet," Yusuke answered.

"I guess we were kinda distracted by everything," Sayomi reasoned. I don't even remember noticing Kurama was here until they talked to Kuwabara's friends.

"I went to see Koenma," Kurama confessed.

"You coulda just used the TV," Yusuke said.

Kurama slid Yusuke a sideways glance and said, "I required a face-to-face. He knows more about this than he's telling... especially about the ringleader."

"What?!" Yusuke gasped.

Sayomi's eyes narrowed at the news. He hid this kind of information from us? Why?

"He was evasive with me..." Kurama explained. "But I think if we have one more go..."

Sayomi blinked as Yusuke stormed towards Botan's briefcase and turned it on. "Koenma! Front and center! You've got some explaining to do, dude!"

"Here goes..." Kurama muttered.

"Now that Yusuke knows, there's no stopping him..." Sayomi quietly agreed.

The picture faded into view as Koenma shamefully faced the screen. "So... That video is being used to recruit human agents."

"So you know who's using it?!" Yusuke interrogated angrily. "Why didn't you say so?!"

"There was no proof of it... and... I really hoped I was wrong."

"Yeah? How come?" Yusuke asked.

Koenma stared at Yusuke and said, "Because this ringleader is one Shinobu Sensui. And he was once... an Underworld Detective."

What?! Sayomi couldn't believe her ears. Someone like Yusuke?

Koenma turned to the screen behind him and turned it on. Sayomi recognized a younger version of the man they saw at Swarm City. "That's him at the time. When he was still in high school."

"We saw him, but he was older!" Yusuke recognized the man too.

"He had a strong sense of justice," Koenma continued. "Upright to a fault, one could say. He disappeared about ten years ago. Shortly before that we would hear him wondering aloud about the human race... Did it deserve our protection, did it even deserve to survive? Then he vanished, as did the video. But why wait till now...? He was your predecessor, Yusuke, so be careful! I'll be at your place shortly! Koenma out!"

Sayomi bit her lip as she took in the new information. So, a former Underworld Detective is behind this? Was he the one who hunted us down back then or not? I just hope Yusuke will be able to handle him.