AN: Chapter 3 is now ready for reader enjoyment! XP Sorry, couldn't resist that line. Anyways, here are some review responses:

Foxgurl0000: I'm so glad you're enjoying it so far. I hope to continue getting reviews from you.

kurama1sasuke1: Wait until I post the next chapter. It'll be when they get to the Makai.

Lots of thanks go to my beloved beta reader, epk95m, for catching the mistakes I made, and convincing me to end the chapter how I did.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the YYH gang, just the plot for this story. *sob* I want Hiei and Kurama.

Enjoy!

All it took was one look for Hiei to know that she was serious. She just wouldn't take no for an answer this time. He sighed, already knowing that he'd regret this.

"Fine."

-_-_-_-_-

Yukina's eyes lit up at gaining permission while Hiei just closed his. Kurama fought the urge to grin. This was one adversary that Hiei would never win against, and the fire demon knew it. Clearing his throat to gain their attention, he easily took charge of the matter at hand.

"Alright, we're going to need some supplies if we're going to be spending some time in the Makai. I need to let my mother know that I'll be gone for some time, and Hiei, you should let Master Genkai know what we've decided." He frowned thoughtfully. "Ask her to set up a pack for Yukina, since I assume you won't let her return there to get it herself, am I right?"

Hiei nodded. "If she returns, she'll want to try and heal Touya or Jin. Don't bother denying it, Yukina." He cut her off as she tried to do just that. "Your softness would make you do it." He returned his attention to Kurama as Yukina pouted. "I'll pick it up once it's ready. I assume we'll be leaving as soon as possible."

Kurama nodded. "I'll be ready by nightfall at the latest. I just need to get some things together for myself and then I'll come meet you. Where shall we reconvene?"

Hiei frowned, searching for an answer to Kurama's question but it was Yukina that answered. "There's a small portal that's been set up a little ways up the mountain." When the two males turned to look at her, she smiled innocently. "Well, since Master Genkai's offered to use her temple as a safe haven for demons, it makes sense to have a portal somewhere on the grounds, doesn't it?"

Hiei sighed, trying to refrain the urge to rub his temples. "Don't tell me that it was you that…?" He trailed off, already knowing the answer.

Her smile turned into a full-out grin. "Yes, I did recommend it to Master Genkai and Lord Koenma when they were discussing it." Her grin dropped suddenly. "Why? Should I not have done so?"

Kurama stepped in before Hiei could upset the girl. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he smiled down at her. "It's perfectly fine, Yukina. It works to our advantage in this case." He raised an eyebrow at her. "Just make sure to tell us sooner next time, alright? We had no idea of the portal's existence and therefore wouldn't be able to prevent any demons from crossing that probably shouldn't be let into the Ningenkai." When she flushed guiltily, he transferred his look to Hiei. "So I'll meet you at the portal in a few hours time." He took off when his partner nodded his approval, leaving the twins alone.

For a moment there was silence, until Yukina smiled once again, more cautiously this time. "So, what shall we do until he returns?"

Hiei glanced at her before turning away, removing the ward over the Jagan. "I'm going to contact the old lady to get some things for you, and then you are going to show me where this portal is." His displeasure at not knowing there was a portal so close to the temple was clear as he fell silent, activating the Jagan.

Reaching out with his mind, he made a mental notice of any demons currently living on the mountain before seeking out Genkai's distinct energy pattern.

/Genkai./

-_-_-_-

Back at the temple, Genkai was busy trying to break the fevers of Jin and Touya, the ice master's in particular since it was far more dangerous for an ice apparition to have such a high fever than any other kind. Chuu and Rinku were set to moving everything she deemed unnecessary out of the room. Suzuka and Shishiwakamaru were sent to get bowls of cool water and some hand towels from the kitchen, and were subjected to Genkai's relentless glare when they started complaining.

As for Yusuke, he'd run off as soon as Genkai had told him to find some scrolls for her. Under normal circumstances, he'd be complaining, but since his friends could be relying on the information he dug up, he was more than willing to do whatever it took to help them. He and Jin had all but adopted each other, and since Touya was the wind master's oldest friend that meant that he'd been adopted as well.

They all returned to the room at the same time that Hiei contacted Genkai. Of course, none of them could hear his mental voice since Hiei wasn't addressing any of them, so all anybody saw was Genkai giving a little jump before smirking lightly, closing her eyes.

"What is it, Hiei?" Eyebrows were raised in surprise, and they all listened closely to what Genkai was saying, hoping to piece together an idea of exactly what was happening.

/Kurama and I will be traveling to the Makai to find the mastermind of this epidemic. It only seems to affect demons of elemental natures, but it could mutate and begin targeting other species./ Hiei's answer was blunt as always, but not without impeccable logic.

Genkai frowned thoughtfully. "I see your point." Her frown deepened. "What about Yukina? She's an elemental as well, so she can't come back here. Where will she be?"

/…/

Hiei's non-responsiveness was all the answer she needed. "Very well. I'll put a bag together for her. It will be outside for you in thirty minutes." She paused before adding with shrewd insightfulness, "Anything else I need to know before you disappear?"

There was a brief silence from Hiei. /Make sure no one else leaves the temple. They may be carrying the virus and we can't risk spreading it. Also, keep anyone else off the grounds as a precaution. There's no telling what might happen if someone with any level of power becomes exposed to the virus and then brings it to the city./

"Hmm. Agreed, Hiei. That could get quite dicey." Genkai nodded to herself. "Alright, I'll get a barrier up that will keep out humans as well once you've picked up the supplies." She felt the connection drop and opened her eyes.

Yusuke seized that moment to demand answers. "Alright Grandma, what's going on? Where did Hiei take Kurama and Yukina? What were the two of you talking about?"

Genkai looked at him in exasperation. "Take a breather before you pop a blood vessel, kid. Hiei was telling me that the three of them are going to the Makai to find the person who created this virus. I need to put together some of Yukina's things for him to pick up." She stood up and left the room, leaving four stunned demons and an angry demon king behind.

Upon reaching Yukina's room, she quickly sorted out a few changes of clothes and the few necessities the girl would need. After all, Yukina wasn't accustomed to traipsing through the country and would likely feel rather lost if she didn't have something familiar.

Hearing heavy footsteps coming down the hall, she figured that Yusuke had finally lost his temper and was coming to demand a more in-depth explanation of what was happening. Sure enough, a moment later the door to the room slammed open and Yusuke stood in the doorframe, a dark look on his face. Not bothering to look over at him, she just spoke over her shoulder. "Not right now, Slacker. I need to get this bag ready for Hiei to pick up."

Yusuke growled. "Look, Grandma, I don't give a damn right now. I want to know exactly what's going on here. Those are my friends lying in that room, and my teammates are running off to the Makai." He stepped into the room. "I want to know exactly what Hiei told you." His voice was low and dangerous, a sure sign that he was barely holding his famous temper back.

Sighing, Genkai straightened up and turned to face him. "I understand that you're frustrated, Yusuke, and I'll tell you everything I know once Hiei, Kurama, and Yukina are on their way. Just try and show some patience for once." With that said, she turned and finished packing Yukina's bag.

Walking past Yusuke, she left the bag outside for Hiei, alongside a short note for the fire demon telling him exactly what she would be doing to maintain Jin and Touya's health until the time of their return. She'd barely reentered the temple when the bag vanished. Letting a small grin surface, she returned to her charges to explain what was happening to their friends and comrades. Yusuke would likely try and follow Kurama and Hiei, and it would take a good deal of convincing to make him remain. Hopefully, if he was still around, Hiei would step in to stop him from leaving. If not, she'd be forced to use one of her wards, which was in one of the scrolls she'd had her old pupil go and find for her. It wouldn't last long, but hopefully it would remain in place long enough for the three demons to leave for the Makai and seal the portal behind them, which was what Genkai had requested they do as a precaution.

Upon entering the sickroom, she was instantly met by the glare of her ex-student and the inquiring looks of the other four demons. Sighing, she shut the door behind her. "Alright already, quit giving me those looks. I'll tell you everything I know."

AN: So what do you think? Is the story shaping up enough for you? If you want me to write longer chapters, let me know and I'll see what I can do. I won't make any promises or anything, but I'll do my best to please my readers.

Also, for anyone who's read my Sheer Embarrassment fic, you'll be happy. I have a sequel currently in the works, and it should be up fairly soon.