L: Oh my god, I am so terrible sorry that it has taken me so long to get this... pitiful excuse for a chapter out, but ew. I have exams coming up so it might be a while before I get the chance to put anything else out. That and my goddamn computer at home crashed. AGAIN. Ugh... i need a new computer.

S/V: .... Yeahhh.... anyway, She doesn't own YuYu Hakusho. Just Toshiya, the bad guys, the story line and maybe something else.


Sitting in a large group around the plant that currently held Kurama and Hiei, the assembly was composed of Koenma, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Yukina, Genkai, Sniper and Toshiya, Botan having left to retrieve something for Koenma. Conversation mingled idly about them as they discussed what they were going to do when Kurama finally awoke, when Yusuke spoke up almost hesitantly. Eyes riveted to the spirit detective as he posed a pressing question; how would they tell Kurama that his beloved human mother had been killed in a drive-by shooting? The tiny lord of the underworld was at a loss, and the only thing he knew he could tell the fox that might illicit some sign of acceptance of the topic would be to tell him that the people responsible had been hunted down by Hiei himself and disposed of. Kurama would undoubtedly be displeased that he had not been there himself in order to protect his human family, and would most likely beat himself up over it.

With a sigh, Koenma turned to Toshiya to ask for an update on what he had been doing for the past several years, and was startled to see that the plant sitting directly behind the dark fox had started to bloom and shrink. He motioned for the others to move out of the way, and the group quickly moved to the side so that the plant would be uncompromised. Petal by petal, the blossom spread out showing those present the deep glossy crimson of its inner shell, and seated directly in the middle was a hazy eyed fox demon curled up comfortable in the protective embrace of Hiei. The fire koorime merely snorted at the odd look he received from the surrounding audience, before he was distracted by Kurama sitting up and stretching.

"How are you feeling Kurama?" Yusuke's hesitant question brought emerald eyes to look directly at the male, before a small smile graced the fox's lips. Everyone sighed in relief, and Hiei watched Kurama protectively as he stood, before reaching a hand down to assist the other demon in standing. It wasn't very surprising that the red head accepted the hand, but the fact that he obviously needed the help up was rather worrisome. He caught the worried looks that were thrown his way and shook his head even as a small chuckle bubbled up from his lips; it was a strained sound and spoke volumes as to what he might have gone through.

"Trust me, within maybe two days, I'll be back in top form." His smile wasn't bitter, nor was his eyes; nonetheless, his words could not sooth their concern. He shook his head at his companions. "Really now, the plant isn't an automatic healer, it just brings rather dangerous wounds down to a more manageable size. And considering the wounds I actually had, I should be in much worse shape." He looked at them, eyes taking in the changes that had happened to the others in the time that he had been a prisoner. He was pleased that his friends looked in perfectly good health, but he did wonder about the dark air that swam so ominously behind their eyes. His perusal was halted as he laid eyes on one particular member of the group, and his eyes widened. Toshiya smiled sheepishly at his old friend.

"Hello Kurama." Emerald narrowed, and the other fox demon looked fairly worried as he gulped.

~uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu~

A resounding crash echoed throughout the broken castle as Gozaburo threw a fit within the great hall of the dilapidated building. His roars of frustration echoed within the ears of his subordinates, causing many to flinch as they came to understand that word of their Lords previous captive had finally reached him. Judging from the sound of the tantrum, the news was not at all promising. They all knew that the next time any of them entered the great hall the walls would be riddled with crater like dents, blood would be freshly dried upon the hangings and floor, and their lord would still be in a foul mood.

None dared to attempt to leave though, for several demons had already tried to leave as they feared for their lives as Gozaburo became closer and closer to the edge of sanity. They had become that nights dinner and show; Gozaburo had ordered them cooked alive, before making the rest of his horde eat them while he drank heavily of one of the demons blood. The attempt would not be made again.

"HOW COULD YOU IMBECILES LET HIM GET AWAY!?" his voice echoed in tremendous rage through the halls, sending the servants to cower in a dark corner while the horde quickly left the castle to train outside. All were quite thankful that they had not been on the retrieval team. "IT WAS A SIMPLE TASK THAT I COULD HAVE SENT THE SCULLERY MAID TO DO! AND YOU COULDN'T EVEN COMPLETE IT!?" the demons before him cowered at the lashing their lord was bestowing upon them, but did not dare to speak lest he become offended at what would be a pitiful attempt at an excuse. They had been twenty-three in total, only twenty of which that had actually engaged in combat, and only three stood before their lord. "YOU ARE A PITIFUL EXCUSE FOR A DEMON! AND YOU CALL YOURSELVES MY UNDERLINGS?! HA!" in one fell swoop, Gozaburo was the only one left living within the hall; his breath was harsh and his eyes crazy.

"Really my Lord, was it all that necessary to kill them?" cool and unconcerned, the smooth voice of a willowy male wafted down from the rafters. Gozaburo merely grunted in discontent, and the other dropped to the floor to land gracefully in an area that was unstained by blood. In comparison to the beastly Gozaburo, the demon was starkly different. Where the demon Lord was thick, dark and massive, the other was willowy, light and attractive with pale grey hair that draped masterfully over his left shoulder to fall to his waist. "After all, they did bring back some valuable information concerning your hated enemy." A scheming smirk drifted across the pale demons face as his Lord turned hard eyes towards him. "We now know he's in the ningenkai."


L: Anyway, please let me know what you think!