muie5: Okay. I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho and I'm not allowed to see Hiei for a while.

Yusuke: Well if you didn't go crazy at the party we wouldn't have had to keep you two away from each other.

muie5: I didn't know he didn't like it.

Kuwabara: muie5, it didn't help that you also pushed shorty into the punch bowl full of lime pudding.

muie5: -walks out of room- No one even ate the pudding.

Chapter 3: Hearts Are Easily Broken

Kuronue sighed deeply. There was nothing else for him to lose, and he knew it. The altercation in the classroom would be enough to get him punished severely. Let alone, if and when they found out about the previous incidents.

Kelly reached the park she was headed to. Without another word to her offender, she sat on the white bench that was shaded by a nearby tree. Kuronue stopped at her side just as she brought her gaze up to him. Her invitation to start the explanation was obvious, and Kuronue obeyed.

"It started right after I died…"

Kuronue was forcefully brought before the prince of Spirit World. Due to the fact that he had already killed five of his captures, ten oni detained him at this time.

A toddler dressed in a black-trimmed blue robe with a red obi sash over yellow/tan pants sat behind a desk. He wore a tall blue hat with a large 'Jr.' mark on it. In his mouth was a pacifier. His hands were folded patiently on his desk as he waited for Kuronue to settle down.

"Kuronue, it's time to send you off to your final resting place," stated the toddler.

Kuronue just gave a grin in response to this forward statement. Suddenly three more oni were beheaded while the others backed off just enough to dodge the assault. Kuronue took this opportunity to dart at Koenma, the prince of the Spirit World. An oni immediately seized his arms, which stopped him only a few inches short of his intended target.

"Koenma," called another oni that came in from the halls.

Kuronue once more got out of the oni's grasp, but this time he opted to head straight for the open doors. Another group of oni stationed outside of the doors, detained him once he stepped foot out of the room.

"Take him to Spirit World prison for now," Koenma ordered as soon as they brought Kuronue back into his office, "Maybe that will level him out."

"And I stayed in that dark, damp prison for over a hundred years before—" Kuronue was cut off.

"You were imprisoned? Is it because you tried to kill that Koenma person?" Kelly asked abruptly.

"It's not polite to interrupt a story. And no, it's not because I tried to kill Koenma. Even though at the time I thought it was."

It had been 107 years since Kuronue was imprisoned. The time he spent in Spirit World prison made him physically weak. This was mostly due to his own choices. He refused food for most of his time there, only eating what he needed to for survival. Despite him being dead, it appeared he still had some form of a living body. His large bat wings hung at his sides lifelessly, as they were disabled due to a spell Koenma placed on him early on.

Like every day of his imprisonment, a Spirit World guard approached his dank prison cell. Kuronue was masked in the shadows of the far right corner of his small cell. Since the very beginning, he rarely left the shadows.

"Kuronue," called a female guard.

Kuronue lifted his head ever so slightly from where it rested on his bent knees. Upon the realization of which guard it was that spoke to him, a weak smile appeared on Kuronue's dismal features. This light green haired, bright purple eyed, short female guard was one he was happy to see.

He lowered his arms so that they could rest at his sides and spoke up in a raspy whisper, "Hello, Kitai. What are you doing?"

"Lord Koenma wishes to speak to you," Kitai answered as she leaned into the bars.

With a little bit of trouble, Kuronue slowly got to his feet. Kitai waited as he stumbled over to the cell door. Once there, Kuronue leaned up against the cold bars for support. Kuronue stood a good head taller than his guard, but she made up for it by the sheer presence she held.

In the low light produced by the hall, Kitai could see visible bruises all over Kuronue's body. Several cuts, some that still bled freely, could also be seen.

"You look horrible. Kuronue, you should really eat more. It would help," Kitai encouraged as she tried to hold back her disdain for how he was treated by the other guards.

"I'm fine. Really."

Kitai took out the key to his cell and placed it into the keyhole. As soon as the cell was opened, chains were placed on Kuronue's ankles, wrists, and neck promptly. Kitai stood back up with a weak smile from her captive.

"Kitai, you know I wouldn't try to kill you. Or even escape."

"I know. It is just procedure around here," Kitai retorted solemnly.

What Kuronue said was true. Kitai and he became as close to what he would consider companions in this hellish place. She was the only one that would not try to beat him every chance they got. Throughout the years, she would even bring him gifts in an effort to make him 'comfortable' in some way. So in return, he would listen to her and follow her commands in his own endeavor to keep her out of trouble. Which is why he was sure they sent her specifically down here to retrieve him.

Kuronue went along with the chains as a favor to Kitai. As soon as she opened the doors to the main hallway, the bright lights blinded the bat demon. Due to all of the time spent in darkness, he was not use to the light that now seared his retinas. So he allowed Kitai to lead him to their destination as he closed his eyes.

Kitai abruptly stopped in front of Koenma's large office doors. This caused Kuronue, who still had his eyes shut tight, to smack right into her. He slowly opened his eyes a bit confused at the abrupt stop. Kitai's smile was completely gone as she walked behind him.

She put her mouth to his right ear as she placed her two palms in the middle of his back, "Good luck, Kuronue."

With that, she shoved Kuronue into the office and shut the door harshly. This left Kuronue and Koenma alone in the room.

Kuronue straightened his stance, "No guards?" a grin appeared on his lips, "You are either overconfident or just plain stupid. I can still kill you, even while all chained up."

"But you wouldn't, would you? You know as well as I, the severity of the punishment you would receive," Koenma confirmed calmly.

"What is it that you want? I know you didn't bring me here for meaningless chatter."

"I can imagine that you do not like it in Spirit World prison. So, I would like to make a deal with you."

"What makes you think I would agree to anything?"

"This particular deal will help get you out of prison, and lighten your sentence as well."

"I'm listening."

"It's simple, really. I will assign you to a being that needs direction. You are to stay by their side and help them in any way you can. After each assignment, you will report back here to receive a new one. Of course, you'll have to stay with them until they are safe, or have found their way once more."

"Is that smart? What if I just abandon them and disappear?"

"We'll clip your wings, for one. At least until you have finished this task. Secondly, your spirit will be linked directly to Spirit World. After you have done enough assignments, that I feel have exonerated your previous crimes, you will be able to go to your final resting place. No more prison."

"I'm sure I have no other choice."

Is that why you are following me? Am I one of the ones you need to help?" Kelly interjected once more.

"I thought you wanted to hear the story. Stop interrupting me," Kuronue ordered.

"Sorry, I just wanted to know.

"Yes, that is why I am following you."

"So how do you know Shuichi?"

"I was getting to that if you would be so kind at to let me finish."

"Okay. Go ahead."

"You know I'll reach Youko once I'm out of this place," Kuronue warned as he put his chained hands on Koenma's desk.

"Who's Youko?"

"Kelly!" Kuronue growled.

"Oh, sorry. Go on."

Kuronue sighed heavily. He knew that Kelly would not listen to any more of his story, "The one you call 'Shuichi' is my old partner in crime and dearest friend. He is an ancient fox spirit named 'Youko Kurama'. For reasons I am unsure of myself, he has taken a human form."

"Shuichi is…is…a…DEMON!"

"Yes. A very strong, cunning one."

Kelly's shock faded into a smile at this comment. Even though it was hard to believe any of what Kuronue said about his past and about Shuichi, she smiled at the genuineness of his comment. That one statement was the very first compliment she had ever heard from him, and it shined with pride towards his friend.

"You two must have been very close. So then why did he get so upset over your hat?"

"It's a reminder of an old wound that has yet to fully heal."

Kelly looked up at him with her smile completely gone, "So then how did you die?"

"If I tell you the story, will you not interrupt me till I have completed?" Kuronue asked as he looked down at her with arms crossed in front of himself.

"I promise."

"Very well, but I'll start the tale from the beginning of that day."

The sun shined brightly in the sky as the afternoon hit its peak. The woods were alive with other animals. Yet, in a quiet, dark cave slept a curled up Kuronue. His large black bat wings were wrapped around him, just to make sure none of the light reached him. His white-haired partner, on the other hand, was already up. He was in the middle of cooking himself something to eat which he had hunted down earlier that day. The white sleeveless yukata and matching pants were a huge contrast to his partner's completely black form.

As soon as Youko took the rabbit off the fire, Kuronue's eyes fluttered open. He silently stretched out his form and spread his wings before he jumped to his feet. Before Youko knew what happened, Kuronue had his meal in hand. With no remorse or hesitation, Kuronue took a large bite out of the cooked rabbit.

Youko got to his feet with sparks of anger in his eyes, "Kuro! You sloth! Get your own food!"

Youko reached out to snatch his food back, but Kuronue spun on his heels. This caused Youko to stumble forward a little bit. Then, as if to add more kindle to the fire, Kuronue took another bite out of the rabbit. Youko tried yet again to retrieve his prey but to no avail.

"Why should I, when there's perfectly good food right here?" Kuronue asked smugly.

Youko gave a small, almost inaudible, sigh, "I'm going to the river. We have a heist tonight, so I expect you prepared when I get back."

"Whatever, Youko," Kuronue answered as he threw the bones into the fire.

With that Youko strode out of the cave into the bright afternoon. After a quick scan of the area, he made his way towards a small river nearby. Now, Kuronue waited a few minutes before he, too, headed for the river.

Youko turned towards the boulder that held his clothes as he prepared to get out of the water. However, before he could take a step onto the bank, Kuronue shot out from behind that very boulder. Youko lost his footing and slipped back into the river with a fair amount of splash.

"I actually got you!" Kuronue laughed out, "I've finally got you! So much for the fearless fox."

"Kuronue! I'm going to kill you!" Youko growled as he got back onto his feet.

"Looks like I made the little foxy mad," Kuronue mocked before he turned and dashed through the thick forest.

Youko quickly threw on his pants and gave chase. Kuronue weaved in and out of trees, but Youko did not miss a beat. The next ten or so minutes were spent with the two darting through the woods. Kuronue started to spread his wings as he looked back at his partner with a grin.

"So long!" he called as he left the ground.

Youko sped up and grabbed onto his wings before he got more than an inch off the ground, "Not so fast, butterfly."

Youko gave a slight yank on Kuronue's left wing. Immediately, Kuronue fell to the ground and landed hard. He snatched his wings away from his partner with pure rage in his eyes.

"Oww! Youko, you know my wings are sensitive!" he rubbed his left wing, "Plus, I'm a bat, not a butterfly!"

"Maybe you'll learn your lesson this time," Youko sneered as he looked down at his friend with his arms crossed.

"You didn't have to –"

Kuronue was cut off mid-sentence out of pure surprise. While Kuronue continued to complain, Youko bent down and seized his hat. Quickly, Youko sprinted off through the woods again. Kuronue forgot about his throbbing wing, got to his feet, and raced after him.

It only took about three minutes for Kuronue to finally catch up to Youko. Without hesitation, Kuronue launched himself at Youko and tackled him to the ground. Youko allowed Kuronue to retrieve his hat without a fight.

The two laid there in the grass for another moment, in order to catch their breath. Youko was the first to sit up. Kuronue followed suit. He fixed his hat so it fit comfortably on his head once more.

"Okay, enough fooling around. We have to get ready for the heist this evening," Youko reminded his partner as he got to his feet.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Kuronue answered with a bit more attitude than need be.

"If you mess up this heist, your pendant is the next thing to go."

"Like you could get it away from me."

"Want to try me?"

"Maybe I do."

Youko and Kuronue were mere inches from each other's face at this point. Both stared hard into the other's eyes. Youko gave a genuine smile as he took a few steps back. Kuronue lost his scowl as he did the same.

Later that day, Youko looked over his plan for the heist one last time. Kuronue was asleep next to the right cave wall. He was curled into his ball with wings wrapped around himself.

Youko looked over at his friend, "Kuro, wake up. It's time to start going."

Kuronue did not wake up at this request, nor did he even move. Youko called his name one more time with the exact same feedback. So, frustratingly, Youko threw a small rock at his companion. Kuronue woke up immediately as the rock hit him square in the head. He gently rubbed his head as he turned to face Youko, who was now on his feet.

"You didn't have to hit me with a rock," Kuronue grumbled.

"It was either that or I kick you. Now get up! It's time to leave."

Kuronue got up off the ground sluggishly. He gave one last yawn before the two left the cave.

"Do you remember the plan?" Youko inquired as he maneuvered around some bamboo trees.

"Do you even have to ask?" Kuronue retorted as he kept up with his friend's speed.

"Do I have to remind you of the last heist you messed up because you forgot what you were supposed to do?"

"Just worry about your own part, fox."

About twenty minutes later, a loud siren went off. Its ring echoed throughout the bamboo forest as several loud voices joined it.

"That went better than expected," Youko praised as he ran down a darkened hallway.

"A bit too smoothly. There were not as many guards as originally planned," Kuronue observed as he followed his partner.

Soon they hit the outside world with at least two hundred armed guards on their tails. The two smiled triumphantly and could not care less about their pursuers.

Just as Youko was sure they were out of harm's way, he noticed Kuronue double back in his peripheral. He promptly spun around, a golden mirror in hand.

"Don't, Kuronue!" Youko called to his friend.

"I need it!" Kuronue called back to Youko as he continued to run back towards the palace they just escaped.

Kuroune reached his pendant in mere seconds. Relieved, he bent down to grab it. Abruptly, he felt a sharp pain jolt through his entire body. Instinctively he held tightly onto what he risked his life for as the pain grew. This pain signaled that something had hit a vital organ. Nanoseconds later, sharpened bamboo spears surrounded his body.

All his hard work, the plan, the multitudes of backup plans meant nothing as Youko saw his friend in dire need. Without hesitation, without regret, he started to run back for Kuronue.

"Forget about me and run, Kurama!"

Guards started to catch up to the duo when Youko took another step closer to his partner. The words rang in his ears, his brain interpreted the meaning, but his body could not accept this command. It took every ounce of composure Youko had to turn from his partner, ally, and dearest friend to run away from the palace. With a final glance back, Youko watched as guards surrounded the ensnared bat demon. This moment, this horrific scene he glimpsed back to, would turn out to be the last mental picture he had of his friend. A picture that was seared into his mind's eye. The only thing he would see when he thought back on his precious comrade.

Several of the guards that arrived first, started to pull the bamboo spears that did not hit their target out of the ground so that they could reach the prisoner. The first guard to reach Kuronue was a short, white haired male. He wore the same neutral garments and armor has all of the other guards. This guard did not hold back his resentment as he landed a punch directly in the bat demon's abdomen. Blood spewed out of Kuronue's mouth, which mixed with the blood that now stained his clothing.

The only things that kept Kuronue on his feet at this point were the bamboo spears in his legs and the few that surrounded him still. Pain from the punctured artery swept over him again as he slightly buckled over from the punch. Even if he wanted to lash out, his body would not respond to the commands his brain screamed out.

"Not so mighty now, are you?" mocked the guard before he punched Kuronue square in the nose.

When the guard pulled his fist back, blood covered his knuckle. Blood now dripped from what could be a broken nose.

"Stop!" ordered a calm, fragile voice from the crowd.

A woman dressed in royal garments slowly made her way through the parted crowd. A tiara sized, golden crown shined on top of her perfect black and silver bun. With a few strands that framed her flawless face and porcelain skin, this person looked just like a painting. Her warm features never faltered, even after she turned to the mangled, bloodied body with piercing golden eyes.

"Lady Kageryu, you should not be out of bed," reminded the white-haired guard.

"I'm fine, Zutto," Kageryu smiled at her guard as if to reassure him, "Is this one of them? The ones who stole my Hikari-Yami Mirror?"

"Yes," Zutto glared at Kuronue, "Shall we execute him straightaway?"

Kuronue knew the answer, though he did not care. If they did not kill him now, the blood loss would. There was no use for wishful thoughts now, as he knew how bad his wounds were. With all of this knowledge, Kuronue infuriated the crowd with his smug aura.

Kageryu looked into Kuronue's eyes, "No," she turned around, "Put him in the dungeon."

"Yes, Lady Kageryu," Zutto surveyed his comrades, "You heard her! Get this scumbag into the prison!"

Kuronue ground his teeth and internalized the pain caused by the spears being ripped out of his body. Until this point, he was able to keep conscious, but as soon as the last spear was pulled away he fell to the ground. The edge of his vision started to grow dark, and his eyelids felt like lead. Two guards yanked Kuronue to his feet without concern for what condition the bat demon was in.

Youko ran through bamboo trees on autopilot. He did not know where he was headed, nor did he care. Everything in his brain was focused on Kuronue and how he left him. Pure exhaustion was the only thing that stopped the Youko's frantic dash. Tears streamed down the fox demon's pale cheeks without knowledge or permission of the owner.

"Kuronue, you fool! You should have just left the pendant behind! You should have continued to run! You stupid bat!" Youko wailed into the emptiness of the bamboo forest.

Youko looked down to the Hikari-Yami Mirror he still clutched under his right arm. He clenched onto the edges of the mirror as he held it out at arm's length. More tears flowed down his face as he looked at it. The edges of the mirror started to warp under the pressure of his grip.

"Over this. It happened over this!"

The fox tossed the mirror into the air as the events ran across his vision. He swiftly pulled out a red rose and transformed it into a whip of thorns. With an effortlessly down slash, the mirror was cut in half. The surrounding area went up in a bright, almost blinding, white light as he cut it. When the light diminished, Youko was on his knees, tears poured down his cheeks without care.

For the first time in his long life, Youko felt his heart start to break. Kuronue was the first to get through his barrier. Youko allowed that goofy, big-hearted bat demon to waltz into his life and into his heart. That very fact, made him curse himself. How could he have allowed someone to enter a forbidden part of him? He lived the life of a thief, so of course, that would come with certain restrictions to survive. Yet, Kuronue grew to be the one and only exception.

"KURONUE!"

"So that's how you died?" Kelly whimpered with a sympathetic glace to Kuronue, "That's horrible!"

"No, it's not. I was actually killed about 230 years after that," Kuronue answered.

What were you doing for that long?

"Apparently Yume Kageryu was a little girl of a village I ransacked before I met Youko. I killed her parents because they got in my way. Of course, they were just protecting their daughter, and refused to back down. So they were eliminated. She held a grudge against me for that incident. Her guards tortured me for those many years. Always beating me to the edge of death, and then healing me to do it all over again. Zutto, though, one day went against his master's orders and killed me."

"Seriously? That's awful! Then again you did kill her parents for only trying to protect her."

"I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most honorable demon. Very rarely do those words even describe one of my kind. But, because of the way I lived my previous life I am in this predicament."

"So Shuichi can't see you?"

"No, he cannot. Like I have stated before, you are the only one who can see me."

"So that is why he is so upset. The last time he saw you was when he had to leave you. And I talk to you…about you like it is nothing."

"Kuronue," called a woman's voice from the darkening sky.

Kelly sat up from where she was laid out on the bench and looked around the area. Kuronue looked over to the entrance of the park nearest them. There was the blue haired girl from earlier that day. Kelly finally landed her eyes on the new girl.

"Lord Koenma wishes to speak to you," Botan announced as she made her way over to Kuronue.

Kelly got off the bench and stood slightly in front and to the side of Kuronue. Her stance showed Botan that she was ready to protect Kuronue.

"This is Kelly Anne Smort, the one I have been assigned to," Kuronue explained as he took a step in front of Kelly.

"By her reaction to me, I am guessing you told her everything?" Botan concluded with a side glace to Kelly.

Kelly stood beside Kuronue, "So what if he did? The way…"

"Yes," Kuronue cut Kelly off.

"Well, then…Kelly, you'll have to come with us since this now involves you as well."

"So what exactly were you doing to Kelly?" Yusuke inquired as they started down the steps of Genkai's temple.

Before Kurama had a chance to answer, there was a beeping sound that came from Yusuke. He pulled out a pink compact mirror from the pocket of his green school uniform. When he flipped it open, where normally a mirror would be, showed Koenma.

"I need all of you in my office as soon as possible," Koenma ordered.

"What for?" Yusuke hissed slightly.

"I'll explain everything when you get here."

With that statement, the screen went black. Yusuke snapped the communication mirror closed and shoved it back into his pocket.

"Guess we better go," Kuwabara advised his three companions.

Kelly was laid out on a white couch with her legs draped over one of the arms as she looked at the white ceiling. Kuronue sat next to her head on the same couch. They had been in this waiting room for over five minutes already.

"How much longer? This room is way too white. I honestly think it is starting to drive me crazy!"

"Kelly, be patient. You really shouldn't be in a rush to get in there," Kuronue pointed out as he laid his own head back on the couch.

"I just want to meet the demon who put you in prison for over one hundred years," Kelly growled.

"Kelly, for one thing, he is a demi-god. And for another, I'm in enough trouble, I don't need you to make it worse."

"Fine…Kuronue?"

"Yes?" Kuronue sighed as he closed his eyes.

"You've mentioned that you have wings. Will I be able to see them?"

"Why?"

Kelly scrunched up her face a little. She stayed silent for a moment while she formed her response. Finally, she started to answer, "Because I would like to see you the way Shuichi remembers you."

Kuronue did not comment on her answer. Not even a scoff. This threw Kelly off enough to have her pull herself up to a sitting position. She still had her legs over the couch so she had to twist a little to look at Kuronue. When she did, she noticed that Kuronue was asleep. This about brought a smile to her face before she realized that he had fallen asleep in the middle of their conversation.

"Kuronue, you jerk! How dare you fall asleep while we're talking! That's rude!" Kelly hollered as she sat on her heels to completely face him.

Kuronue mumbled something that Kelly could not understand as he turned onto his left side so that he faced Kelly. His eyes were still shut, but he placed a hand under his head. Kelly sat there for another moment as she watched his almost innocent sleeping face. That smile finally appeared on her face.

"He's actually cute when he's asleep," Kelly thought sweetly.

"Are you going to keep staring at me?" Kuronue asked with his eyes still closed.

"I didn't mean…" Kelly stopped midsentence with a quiet laugh, "You sure do talk a lot in your sleep, Kuronue. Better be careful or you might tell me something you don't want me to know."

Kelly got up from the couch to allow Kuronue to lie down fully. She then walked over to a white recliner that was up against the wall to the right of the couch and directly across the room from the only door. Once more, she made herself comfortable by laying across the chair so her feet hung from the left armrest.

"Dang it! We rush over here and he has us waiting!" came a male's voice from behind the door.

The door swung open as soon as Kelly looked over to it. In walked Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, and Kurama.

"Calm down, Yusuke, I'm sure he's very busy," Kurama replied peacefully.

"Hey, guys!" Kelly sat properly in the chair, "What are you all doing in Spirit World? Oh, no! You're not dead, are you?! How did it happen?! When did it happen?! Why did it happen?!"

"Nothing like that. Koenma summoned us," Kurama answered smoothly.

"Why are you here, Kelly?" Kuwabara inquired as he closed the door.

"Well, I got mixed up in stuff…so Botan brought me along with Kuronue," Kelly answered a little bit spiteful at the whole situation.

"Who's Kuronue?" Yusuke and Kuwabara asked simultaneously.

Kelly gnawed on her lip for a second. How was she supposed to explain it? Was it even her place to do so? She stole a quick glance over to Kuronue who looked as if he was still asleep. So she decided with a sigh.

"He is my…imaginary friend? Guardian angel? Something like that. He was assigned to watch over me," Kelly bit her lip once again as she looked at Kurama, "And your old partner from what I have heard. Well, when he was still alive at least."

Kurama gave her a slight glare.

Kelly lowered her gaze a tad, "Kuronue told me everything about pretty much everything. Which is why I got caught up in this mess."

She turned her eyes towards Kuronue once more. This time, Kurama followed her gaze to the empty couch. At this time Botan walked into the room, which caught everyone's attention.

"Umm, yes…Well, Koenma is ready," Botan looked at Kelly, "Sorry about the wait. Please wake up Kuronue and we will leave."

Kelly got to her feet in a huff. She stared down Botan for a moment before she turned to walk towards the couch. The others in the room watched as she shook the thin air. This was except for Botan who could see Kuronue spread out on the couch.

"What?" Kuronue grumbled as he prepared to turn over onto his other side.

"Get up. Koenma is ready for us," Kelly informed him.

"Do you see anything?" Kuwabara whispered to Yusuke.

"No…" Yusuke whispered back.

Koenma sat silently at his desk as everyone stood around the office. Kelly stood next to Kuronue in front of Koenma's desk once again with a protective demeanor. Hiei and Yusuke were leaned up against the wall to the left of the double doors. Kuwabara stood next to Kurama off to the right of Koenma's desk.

"First, I want to congratulate you all for apprehending Shinrin," Koenma praised his team solemnly in the tension-filled room.

Kelly about burst out in a demand, when she remembered who she stood in front of. Though, she harbored detest for this monster, he was the prince of Spirit World. She knew that meant he had power that she did not want to mess with. So she took a deep breath before she reworded her statement into something polite.

"May I ask something?"

"Yes. What is it that you want to know?" Koenma politely answered back.

"Who is Shinrin? I feel like I should know after all the trouble this…person?...has caused me."

"Yes, well. Shinrin is a female demon who has been terrorizing Human World. She has killed numerous humans with the help of the Light Sword."

"Oh…May I ask another question?"

"Please, go ahead."

"Are you going to punish Kuronue for telling me what he did? After all, I am the one who forced him to tell me. So you can erase my memory or whatever if that will help. I just don't believe you should punish him anymore. Especially…"

Kuronue touched Kelly's shoulder which immediately caused her to quiet. She could tell her anger was about to take the better of her.

"That is why I brought you here, Kelly Smort."

"Hey, Koenma. Who's this Kuronue?" Kuwabara spoke up.

"Oh, yes! The spell. Sorry about that," Koenma apologized.

Koenma pulled out a black cylinder from his sleeve. It did not look like anything special. The cylinder was about four inches in length and about one inch in diameter. With little effort, Koenma broke it in half. To everyone else in the room, Kuronue slowly started to become visible where he stood beside Kelly.

Kurama stood there motionless. He stared wide-eyed at his old friend and partner. Kuronue looked away from Kelly and towards Kurama. All he could manage to do was give him a small, forlorn smile.

Kelly turned to Kuronue completely with her hands folded behind her back. She grinned from ear to ear with a gleam in her eyes. Her sudden movement tore Kuronue's gaze from Kurama and brought it down to her.

"Kuronue, your wings! So this is what you really look like?" Kelly asked cheerfully.

Kuronue looked back at his wings. He tried to move the muscles in them, and to his surprise they twitched. It was really painful to move them, but he had full control of them once again. The muscles in the wings were weak from nonuse, and Kuronue knew that it would take some time to build up those muscle. Yet, he was whole for the first time in over one hundred years.

Kelly remembered the story Kuronue told her earlier as she turned towards Kurama. With that, the room fell dead silent.

"Someone fill us in now," Yusuke ordered.

Kelly was about to open her mouth when Kuronue put his hand on her shoulder, "Kelly, what did I tell you before we got here?" he asked with a harsh warning in his tone.

She balled up her fist with the rage she had since her and Kuronue were in the park. Kelly turned her head slightly to him, "I was polite when I spoke. I did not punch Koenma as soon as I saw him. Everything I have done as been in good behavior."

"How?" Kurama gasped as he drew everyone's attention to his sudden question.

Kelly looked straight into Kurama's eyes, and started to cautiously step behind Kuronue. His body langue was normal. Even his face expression was one he might normally hold. But Kelly saw something deep in Kurama's gaze that frightened her down to her very core. Something there that she never expected from the polite, calm boy she knew. Subconsciously, Kelly grabbed onto Kuronue's arm as she stared down Kurama.

"Kuronue, don't tell him anything," Kelly whispered the warning.

"Why are you here? Staying with Kelly" Kurama continued to ask questions now that he had his voice back.

"She's…my charge of sorts, Youko," Kuronue answered as he turned his attention from Kelly to his old friend.

"Charge?" Yusuke and Kuwabara questioned.

"Now for the reason, I called all of you here," Koenma interrupted in an attempt to avoid the touchy subject that was about to be hit on.

"Why are you doing this? You have been deceased for over 300 years. You should be gone by now," Kurama pressed on.

"Kuronue," Kelly whimpered, "Please don't tell him," she held tighter to his arm, "I have a bad feeling."

Kuronue tugged his arm slightly as he ignored her warning, "To get out of that blasted cell! To lighten my forsaken punishment."

"What…cell?"

Koenma coughed but Kuronue went right on, "I was thrown into Spirit World prison right after I got here."

Kelly immediately grabbed onto Kuronue's arm forcefully. This time Kuronue took her advice and stayed quiet. Kurama turned his full, undivided attention to Koenma, for whom he stood next to. He had hoped this was some sick joke. Yet, his energy flared up as his eyes began to burn. A small glint of gold appeared in his typically tranquil emerald eyes. Koenma sighed as he lowered his head in defeat. There was no use for any cover. Kuronue made sure of that.

"You placed him in Spirit World prison? For what?" Kurama asked with teeth bared.

"I needed his abilities for when this very mission came up. He needed to stay for that reason, and I couldn't just bring him back to life. It is not that simple, being that he is a demon," Koenma explained, head lowered and hands folded.

Kurama walked to the front of Koenma's desk calmly. With one swift motion, he leaned over the desk and gripped the front of Koenma's robe at the collar. Koenma was then lifted from his chair and held in mid-air. Yusuke and Kuwabara each seized one of Kurama's arms in an attempt to hold him back. Kurama did not loosen his grasp on the toddler prince. Hiei finally moved as he walked over to Kurama.

Kurama used his free arm to shove Kuwabara hard enough to fly across the room. Hiei caught Kurama's free left arm just in time to stop his fist a few inches from Koenma's face.

"Let go," Kurama hissed as he tried to free himself from his friend's grasp.

"This was the only way," Koenma spoke up, "He is a vital part of this mission."

Kelly had enough. She let go of Kuronue and took a few steps towards the commotion. Kuronue did not move to stop her, nor did any of the others.

"You kept him locked up. Not only that but you took away the ability to use his wings. 'Threw him in prison' is not how I would describe it. No, what you did was torture him. Your guards did him great harm but you did nothing to stop that. How was any of that the only way? You did everything in your power to make sure Shuichi did not know that Kuronue was actually still around. Yes, they may have done wrong together, but they were…No, I would hurt you myself if I didn't already promise Kuronue I wouldn't cause any more trouble for him," Kelly finally let go of all she held inside.

Kurama loosened his grip on Koenma as his muscles started to relax. In his blind rage, he forgot that Kuronue was the one who was to get the full brunt of what any of them did. Though he did not know what happened to Kuronue during his stay in Spirit World, he did know that Kuronue chose this path. So Kurama would have to hold his anger and allow Kuronue to do as he wished. But that did not mean that he would have to forgive Koenma for any of it.

Yusuke and Hiei let go of their friend as soon as Kurama dropped Koenma.

"I admit that what I did –" Koenma was immediately cut off.

"Just tell us why we are here," Kurama growled as he clenched his fists so he would not lose his temper again.

"Umm…Well…Yes," Koenma shuffled some papers so to keep his hands busy, "A demon that goes by the name Yume Kageryu has gotten a hold of the Visitor of Light staff."

A hint of surprise glistened behind Kuronue's violet eyes. This name also brought Kelly's attention to Kuronue as she remembered it from his story. Now she knew why Koenma needed Kuronue around.

"She is planning to take control of all three worlds. Though, her main objective appears to be Human World," Koenma continued, "I need you six to find her, figure out her plan, and then report back to me. I do not want you to attempt to take the Visitor of Light Staff until we have a well strategized plan. Now, Botan will fill you in on all the details on your way to the northern part of Demon World."

"Six?" Kelly was ignored.

"It will take us about two or three days to reach the northern part of Demon World. So let's hurry it up," Botan explained as she walked into the office.

A black circle crackled into existence among a vast stretch of desolate land. Botan was the first to walk out of the circle onto the sand and cracked stone. Kurama and Hiei appeared next. They were closely followed by Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kuronue, and Kelly.

Kelly instantly fell onto her knees and placed her hand on the firm ground, "I don't ever want to do that again!"

"Guess you will be stuck here then," Kuronue pointed out with a grin.

"I can't believe Koenma made me come. I have school today. Not to mention that my mom and dad are probably worried sick about me," Kelly scanned the area to find no sign of life anywhere, "Besides I'll just be in the way."

"Lord Koenma has taken care of everything, Kelly. He knows what he is doing. There is no need to worry," Botan explained cheerfully.

"So does anyone know what this Yume looks like? Or even what kind of power she has?" Yusuke grumbled to the group.

Kuwabara: "You don't pay attention at all, do you, Urameshi?"

Kurama: "Koenma gave her description and some of her powers, Yusuke."

Yusuke: "What?! Seriously?"

Botan: "Yusuke!"

Kelly and Kuronue kept to themselves as the group continued on.

Yusuke: "Okay. So she was last seen in this part of Demon World? This place looks kind of dead. Do the other parts of Demon World look like this?"

Kurama: "No, Yusuke. The environment here is somewhat like in Human World. It does change as you travel through the different regions."

Botan: "Let's get going. We can explain more on the move."

Kelly: "Yes. This place is starting to freak me out."

Botan: "Agreed."