Chapter 3: Investigation Gone Awry

"I'm sure they're fine," said Yusuke. Rain had immediately informed her two uncles after the shock washed over her. Shiori was resting since she was the most empathic of the three and Yukei was in the gym making mince-meat out of the punching bag.

Rain had met them in the family sitting room, Hiruiseki clutched in her lap. Yusuke knew then that it was bad. Rain hadn't openly held the rag doll Kurama had made for her since she was forty-five years old.

"Yeah, I have never known anything that could get Kurama and the shrimp down," said Kuwabara, trying to cheer his niece up. Yusuke had to smile. Even after all these years and Hiei's growth spurt Kuwabara still called the fire-demon a shrimp.

Rain smiled, happily but sadly.

"Arigato, Yusuke-oji, Kazuma-oji," she said. "I guess I just needed to hear it."

"Where were their guards," asked Yusuke.

"Evaded them," said Rain. "Apparently they wanted some time alone. All the guards heard what were yelling and they just disappeared in a gust of wind."

"A gust of wind, eh," said Yusuke thoughtfully. "Kuwabara, I think we ought to check it out."

"What about the girls and the kids," asked Kuwabara. Rain knew he didn't want to put his family in danger in their small border land home, no matter how many guards Hiei had assigned them.

"They can stay with us," said Rain. "I would feel better if the family was here, and maybe Megumi-chan can shake Shiori out of it."

Yusuke and Kuwabara nodded. Keiko and Yukina were already in Shiori's room with Megumi and Tama hoping to wake Shiori up from her shock. Yukina had already checked her for injuries but the red youko had none and there was no sign of a mental attack. Shiori just sat on her bed looking at her hands.

"She is truly in a state of shock," said Yukina, full of worry for her niece. "I do not know how to stop her out of it."

"Maybe if she sees her parents after Papa and Kazuma-oji finds them?" asked Megumi.

"I hope so," said Keiko. "Shiori's a sensitive girl. If she found out her parents were missing she'd be devastated, and I don't want to think what the effect might have on her."

"Let's leave her alone for now," suggested Yukina and she and Keiko turned to leave. When they saw that their children weren't following they turned back.

"I'm saying here," said Megumi firmly. Tama sighed

"Someone has to watch them," he said. Both mothers nodded and left their children alone. They joined their husbands and the rest of their children in the sitting room. The atmosphere there was grave and everyone was afraid to speak.

"Kuwabara and I are going to check Kurama's and Hiei's vacation home," said Yusuke. "Hopefully we'll turn up something new."

"What can you find that the guards couldn't," asked Yukei, standing next to Rain with his arms crossed. Yusuke couldn't help but see Hiei in the boy, despite the silver black hair.

"Hate to say it, boy, but I knew your father and mother before any of you were born," said Yusuke standing up and looking straight at the child-demon. "So if you can tell me something I don't already know I'll gladly listen."

Yukei just flushed and looked away. Rain stood up and displayed a very good diplomatic air.

"Thank you, Yusuke-sama, for your help," she said. Yusuke chuckled and scratched his black hair.

"Gosh, Rain," he said. "You don't have to be so formal. You guys are family."

"I know," said Rain "But I just had to say it."

Tears started forming in her eyes and she quickly wiped her eyes before they formed tear gems. Yukei placed a hand on her shoulder and everyone crowded around her.

"They'll be all right," said Kuwabara. "They're really strong."

"Hai, you're right, Kazuma-oji," said Rain wiping her eyes. "I know Daddy and Mama are all right."

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"Phase one is complete."

"Phase two is in motion."

"Let's go."

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"I don't even know what we're supposed to find here," said Kuwabara as he and Yusuke walked around the area that Kurama and Hiei had disappeared.

"Anything out of the ordinary," said Yusuke picking up a leaf.

"Urameshi, we're in Makai. Everything's out of the ordinary!"

Yusuke bent to investigate a puddle near the place Kurama and Hiei laid down. "Kuwabara, was it raining when Hiei and Kurama were kidnapped?"

"No, why?"

"There's a puddle of water here. And it's recent."

"How did a puddle of water get here? Did they bring a canteen?"

"Yeah, but it was a wine bottle, and this isn't wine."

Both were silent for several minutes before Kuwabara spoke again.

"Yusuke, there's something here."

Yusuke was about to say something when a chill ran down his back, and everywhere else on his body. "Is it just me or did it get colder?"

A blast of cold wind cut them off.

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"Papa and Kazuma-oji have been gone a long time," said Megumi as the sun began to set. Keiko and Yukina left the children on their own to wait for their husbands' return. Shiori had finally snapped out of her shock and stayed close to her twin for comfort.

"It takes a while to investigate something," said Raizen. Everyone was amazed that Yukei, Hina, Rain, and Raizen hadn't started a fight since they arrived, but took it as the tension in the air. In fact, Raizen stayed by Shiori's side the entire time. "Don't worry, they'll be back." And he gave a reassuring smile to his sister.

"I remember once, vaguely, when I wasn't with Mama and Daddy for a long time," said Rain, hugging her rag doll. "Long time ago."

"Will that happen to us?" Megumi, frightened. "Will we be without Papa?"

"Of course not," said Tama, going to the girl's side. "Besides our parent's are not the ones missing. Just Rain's, Yukei's and Shiori's."

Megumi nodded and the children fell into silence again. Shiori and Megumi took up a game of Cat's Cradle and Rain joined in.

It was a few minutes later when the Urameshi and Kuwabara kids gasped and clutched their chests.

"They're taken too," said Hina, wide eyed and scared for the first time since they knew her.

"Aw, crap on a stick," cursed Raizen.

TBC