"What...what do you mean?" she asked, thinking she'd misheard wrong. Inside, her heart was breaking- she knew what he'd said- she'd only hoped it was something else.

A sudden breeze sent strands of white and ebony flowing, but only for a moment. It was a beautiful scene, and anyone would think that the two were only talking, perhaps as lovers, in this quiet, tree-filled place.

Dog ears twitched at the strong scent of salt liquid, but when he looked, he saw nothing. Or was that just her eyes? They were blue, so they were always watery, never remaining just one shade, unlike his somber gold.

"I'm sorry," he said, almost choking on his words. It was all he would say. It was all that he could say. "I'm so sorry..."

Dear Diary,

I dreamed again. It was that same boy- it always is. He doesn't seem human at all... Lightly colored dog ears, but no tail? Golden eyes and sharp claws. Red, old-fashioned clothing... Probably from around the Fuedal Era. Sengoku Jidai, ne? Still, the dream was weird this time. He said something, and my heart broke, only... I don't remember what it was that he'd said! But then, all he could do was keep saying he was sorry... He started crying tears, and I woke up...

Why? I really want to understand what's going on. Why do I keep having these dreams? And for that matter, what is he? I keep seeing him, but I really don't know what's going on... He's definitely not human- not with those ears. So is he an angel? A demon? A monster? He doesn't have wings, so he can't be an angel... He doesn't have horns, so he can't be a demon, but those ears of his do come pretty close. He's always crying, so he can't be a mosnter... So what is he? Anyhow, I'd better go now. I'm almost late for class!

Elsewhere, an awakening was in place. A circle of glowing magic had appeared on the ground, and the glow had scared off some of the people nearby, even as it had intrigued others. From the ground came two triangles. They quickly became lighter in shade and changed in appearance to become dog ears. Long, silverish-white hair followed, almost trailing in an unseen wind as he appeared. Gold eyes followed quickly, as did the same red clothing that had been seen in her dream. Still, something differed. In his eyes was a crazed, almost maniacal gleam.

As he finally surfaced entirely, the magic died away, leaving him there. Those that had stayed were divided now. Some began to edge away, but others were frozen in place.

Those that had fled heard bone-chilling screams, even from far away. Thankful that she had fled, one in particular tossed short, newly cut, brown hair back and grinned. She had no doubt that her boyfriend wouldn't be interested in this phenomenon, if not his boss. She was upset for those that had died, it was true, but being a teen, the action that was in the here and now was more important to her. She started towards the car that she'd left parked at the side of a street. It wasn't like the cops would care, anyways. They never checked.

She entered her car and started heading back, but screamed suddenly and jerked backwards, yanking on the wheel as well, at the sudden, loud thump she'd heard. She had to manuvuer dangerously in order to regain control of the car, but regain it she did. She stopped at a gas station parking lot for a moment in order to convince herself that she had imagined it. Then, glancing at her gas meter, she figured she may as well fill up. She undid her seatbelt and got out of the car, pulling her wallet with her.

That was her mistake. No one would think it was odd to see someone being murdered in that district. Nor would anyone care to report it. It was the same reason that she'd so carelessly parked illegally. The police never cared. Of course, no one would even bat an eye at what seemed to be a young woman being clawed to pieces by what looked to be a blood-soaked monster. Who wanted to die next?

So the blood flowed, and she was never able to tell her boyfriend of the sight that she'd seen, or even of the mysterious demon that had murdered people before it had taken her life as well. He wouldn't even be able to identify her body from the chunks that had been left behind. He'd be haunted by the scent of blood that came off of what remained of her. All eight pints of her blood had been spilled from her cut up body. They'd have problems trying to put her together again, but she'd never forget the hours that had been only seconds of blistering pain that had come and gone, taking her life with it.

"...We've just recieved an important message! Please, beware of all and any people that you may not know! Earlier this morning, screams were heard from a district just south of Sarayashiki High School. We are still unsure as to whether a new gang has emerged or not, but it seems that all victims of a mass killing were found cut to pieces! No pictures of any bodies will be shown due to grotesque content, but if a family member has been deemed missing within forty-eight hours, please contact the police department..."

Kagome grimaced at the news and winced in pity for the victims and their family. She was rather worried for her own family, but Sarayashiki was still far away- roughly fifteen or twenty miles, is she remembered properly. That was around a half hour drive, so she could let herself relax. Still, she sighed, up to her elbows in dough.

She'd been in the kitchen when she'd heard the report from the television that her grandfather watched. She'd been kneading the dough so she could make cookies. Her mother had gone out shopping earlier, and her little brother Souta would be home soon as well. She wanted to give them a treat. Her long, black hair had been pinned up in a messy bun, but it stayed out of her face. Blue eyes were set in determination as she glared at the dough.

Then, as waking from a dream, she cried out in shock. "The dough! It'll set!"

Still, elsewhere, dark eyes narrowed in anger. Black hair, long since shaken from it's slicked and gelled state, fell forward into his eyes, but he only shook his head, fists clenched in anger. There was no doubt- Yusuke Urameshi was antagonated, and the name of the thorn in his side was Botan. Of course, the rock that'd been hammering it in was Koenma, Demi-God of the Underworld, which was better known to him as Reikai.

"What d'ya mean you can't get someone else?! Technically, I'm not even hired!" he cried out, frustrated. His girlfriend, Keiko had gone missing a day ago, and her parents had been in a frenzy trying to look for her. He'd spent the whole day looking for her, and he was worried because of the reports that he'd listened to that'd been on the news.

Still, the blue-haired girl wouldn't be deterred. "Yusuke, you really may want to come this time." she said, her voice level and serious. She wasn't even sitting atop her oar as she would be on a normal day. Instead, she'd dressed in the uniform that he'd recognize most- Keiko's school uniform.

"Urameshi, I don't think I quite get what's going on, but it looks ta me like you should get going as well..." his tall friend said. Tall, brawny... Kazuma Kuwabara was definitely a gentleman. He was nothing special to look at, and compared to the people that he often fought together with, he was ugly, but he definitely had his heart set in the right spot. "Maybe Koenma'll know something about Keiko, eh?"

Yusuke snapped his fingers. "That's it! I guess I might as well, then..." he looked to his carrot-top friend. "Keep looking for me?"

Kuwabara grinned at him: "Of course I will! She's a friend of mine, too! Anyways, get outta here! And don't try to drag me into your Reikai business again..."

Yusuke looked up at him gratefully. "Thanks, man! You have no idea how much this really means to me... I owe ya one!" he said, before turning to leave with Botan.

In the Underworld, or Reikai, not too far from the River Styx, a bustle had begun anew in the building that held the beginnings of the ends of the dead.

"Jorge!" Koenma called out. "I need those papers here within five minutes!" Koenma was seemingly a baby, dressed in blues with a pacifier in his mouth.

"Yessir!" Only moments later, an ogre, undoubtedly Koenma's personal helper, entered the room, a stack of files in his arms. He deposited them on an empty spot on his superior's desk, and stood at attention, waiting for orders. Only moments later, he found himself informing Koenma of the arrival of Botan and Yusuke Urameshi.

"What's going on, Koenma?" Yusuke asked, a little worried. It was true that Koenma tried to take care of things without calling in Yusuke, but if it was that important... He knew he'd have to take care of it for the benefit of the three worlds, but he was reluctant to do so as well. He was risking his life and his everything with what he did, but he got nothing from it.

"Yusuke." Koenma blinked. He hadn't expected Yusuke to get their so quickly. However, he quickly returned to his previous state- a more somber one, if possible. "I'm sorry Yusuke, but I've got some bad news for you."

"What do you mean?" the brunette asked, his voice dangerous. He'd had a shitty day, and he really didn't want to deal with anything else on top of it.

Koenma almost gulped, but he knew he had to say these words. They were the most difficult that he'd ever have to say, especially because he couldn't do anything about it. Botan simply watched, curious. She'd yet to hear the news as well.

"Well... We got a report earlier today amongst the other reports of the dead and such, but it stood out more." Koenma started, struggling for words.

"Just spit it out, Koenma." Yusuke ordered, tired of playing guess and check. He didn't even bother to try to figure out what Koenma was trying to get at, so it was only that much more of a shock when the words actually came.

"Keiko's dead, Yusuke. I'm sorry."