Kurama fiddled slightly with the mechanical components of the machine before him. The Enclyorvoca, or Portal Tracking Machine, needed to be adjusted slightly to track the path in which the man had taken. If he couldn't get it right then they would have to involve someone who wasn't a member of the Spirit Detectives and wasn't sworn to secrecy.

"Have you got it working yet?" Yusuke asked as he ate the sandwich that the Ferry Girls had left for the three of them.

Kurama ignored him, his eyes narrowed in concentration so he wouldn't mess anything up. Normally he'd leave it to an Oni, but for now he was the only one with enough intelligence to complete the job.

Kuwabara nudged Yusuke, motioning him over to the window so Kurama wouldn't overhear, "Do you think we made a mistake by calling him in? I mean, wouldn't it hurt him more than help us if we put him in danger again?"

Yusuke sighed, leaning against the frame as he regarded the man from across the room, "Yeah, it probably would. We'll keep it like this. He helps us get the portal going, but he can't go through. We'll handle things from there."

"Good because I'm kinda scared of what Kikiyo might do to me if we let him help," Kuwabara admitted.

Watching Kurama once more, they were shocked when he slammed his fist into the counter. Even as the cruse came from his mouth, Kuwabara and Yusuke were pulling him back before he could damage the console any further.

"Um, are you sure you can do?" Yusuke asked skeptically.

Kurama took a deep breath and nodded, "I apologize. I'm worried these people will come for Keinomi and Kikiyo."

Nodding, the other two men understood more than they should have. Even if they were only dating someone, the fear that their jobs, their duty as Spirit Detectives would interfere with the other lives with their families was building.

"Yeah, we understand. Don't worry. Let's just get things done then you can go to Kikiyo." Motioning towards the console, Yusuke continued, "Nothing's going to happen them, okay?"

Sighing, Kurama calmly returned to the seat as to try and stay calm. Soon he would be back with Kikiyo and Keinomi, then no one would be able to hurt his family.

/////

Staring down at the two sleeping children, Gogure could only glare. If his 'master' didn't come soon, he was sure the children would be dead before she ever got there especially if they awoke. He could stand many things but children were never one of them.

Gogure was six feet tall even and made of pure muscle he needed to weild the giant axe that was strapped to his back. His hair was a long black greasy mess that he kept pulled back in a low ponytail though the bangs fell into his face. His skin was pale and waxen, stretched taunt over the thick muscles of his body. His eyes were black as the abyss of nothingness that always stared at people with blank indifference. Dressed in camouflage, he was a retired army man that had found his way into the Makai through his new 'master'.

"Who are they?" she asked, his master stepping out into the room, a cloak hiding her from view.

He looked up at her for only a moment, "The twins of the King. They were in the garden just as you said."

She laughed lightly, stepping up beside him to regard the two children. Even as they slept you could feel the energy glowing through them. They had a power that could unite many people under the kingdom of the Reikai.

"These aren't who I wanted. I want a little girl and her mother. How else do you think I will be able to get what I want?" Glaring at the two children before her, she said, "Throw them out. We don't need these two. I'll find another way to get them to come. Some way that you can't mess up."

Spinning away, she could only glare at him as he gathered them in his arms to dispose of them. Muttering under his breath, he wondered why he was letting a weakling control him. It was obvious that he could break her in a second with just a flick of his wrist but she had a look in her eyes that frightened him. He would never admit it, but she had a power of pure evil that could rival even his own.

"I'll get rid of them," he whispered as she stood over the shoot that led outside the castle. "But I saw the look in your eyes when you stared at them. I'll make sure they get back at you when they're ready."

Gently laying them down on a tray of thin metal, he slid them down a chute so they would have a slight chance to survive. That way he could trick them into defeating her or he'd be stuck as her killer alone.

/////

KoEnma leaned against the rail just outside his office, letting the cool breeze play with his hair. Ayame was sleeping again, hopefully dreaming of being with their children. Sadly, they all knew for now that was impossible. At least until they found the children. He swore that if any of them were even slightly hurt, he'd find the man who stole them and would kill him. He'd already caused them enough problem by doing so.

"Where are you?" he whispered, feeling the sadness a parent feels when they lose their children.

He still had Ayame, but they were his children. They were supposed to depend on him for protection, but after the fight with Koro, he couldn't find the power within himself any longer. That terrified him to know that he had the power to protect them, but not the ability to call upon that power. Turning back to look at the office he used to rule the Reikai, he couldn't help but feel unworthy. He was depended on, but no one knew his problem.

It was his job to keep the peace, to protect thousands of Youkai, but he couldn't do so. They had more ability to do so than he did, but he couldn't give up his position because it was his heritage, his responsibility as the son of King Yama.

"KoEnma? Love, what are you doing?" Ayame asked quietly as she took his hand. "You look so sad. Why?"

Smiling at her, he pulled her tightly to him, "I don't deserve you or the children. I don't deserve any of this, but it's my responsibility. Yet, I don't have to power to protect anyone. I'm just...weak."

She shook her head, leaning back slightly to look up at him, "No, my dear. You're the strongest man I know. You're the only one who could keep control of so many things. Do you think just anyone would have found Yusuke and the other Spirit Detectives? You were the only person who kept everything running smoothly. Don't ever say that about yourself."

He smiled, hugging her tightly once more, "What would I do without you?"

She shrugged, "Kiss me and I'll forgive you about doubting yourself."

Chuckling, he gently pressed his lips to hers, trying to control his smile.

/////////

Sinamon tossed, her mind working double-time to keep the ice at bay. She had never experienced such a feeling, even when she had originally awoken her power. It terrified her to think whatever was happening to her could possibly kill her. Even in her unconscious slumber the distinct feeling that Hiei's life was in trouble was there. It frightened her more than the thought that she might die. Hiei needed her to complete his task, to find the solution to confronting his past so they could have a future.

"Please. I must see him again. I must help him."

Satoru could only watch and listen , occasionally bathing her forehead with a cool clothe. He could see all that she thought because he Jagan was acting out of character as the fever took its tole on her. It was hard to believe that the incredible Kitsune he had heard so much about was laying before him near death. For centuries he had tried to find where her soul had gone because he had wanted to bring her back to work for him, but he never found her.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure ya live. One way or da other."

She arched in pain, her left hand reaching out as the fire and ice battled. Steam was continuously rippling up from her body, a light sheen of sweat coating her. He could only imagine the pain with which she was going through. Everything depended on Hiei and he doubted the boy understood. Standing from Sinamon's side, Satoru walked to the door, his arms folded over his chest.

"Strange. The blizzard's stoppin," he whispered before turning to look at Sinamon curiously. 'Well, what have we here?"

/////

Hiei stared around the Koorime Isle that housed his people for so long. They all looked at him with a small smile, obviously accepting his presence with Aset. Once again, it made him wonder about who she really was.

"Where are you leading me?" he asked quietly.

She smiled, "I'm taking you to my inn. There we can eat before we search for people to help us."

He could only nod before a little girl ran up to him to give him a hug. He quickly clenched the heat that his skin admitted to make sure the young girl wouldn't be hurt. She was smiling when she pulled back, skipping away to return to her mother. Shaking his head, he didn't understand it.

These were the people that had tossed him over the edge, that had decided he wasn't worthy to live on their Isle yet now they were so nice to him. It made no sense. It was almost as if these people were suddenly accepting him, wanting him to rejoin their people.

"Why are these people so nice now?" he asked when the crowd dispersed."

"They are nice only cause they know you're spirit is not to hurt them, but you speak of the fact that they accept you now when before they didn't. That is because the woman that had ruled at the time of your banishment is no longer here. She had died and they only wish to correct their past mistakes," she explained nicely.

He sighed, watching the people walk past him. They were all so weak, but content on their Isle that floated high above others. It was understandable that they felt safe even with everything that happening. Even when Koro had been trying to control the world, they would have been unphased because they were protected by the icy tundras and by the Lady of the Isle.

Aset turned to him with a smile, "Welcome to the Frozen Paradise."

The inn that she owned was made out of glistening ice. It was remarkable that no one would have froze from the fact that everyone lived within the icy walls. The furniture, surprisingly, was made out of wood though richly carved to fashion the elegance many of the Maiden's wished to exhibit.

"How will this help lead me to the Heart of the Isle?"

She only smiled as she motioned for him to take a seat, "Are you hungry?" When he shook his head, she took a seat across from him, "There is always one thing that Lady of the Isle wishes to know. Are you worthy of the Elixir?"

He stared at her for a moment before nodding, "Yes, but I don't see a reason behind this."

"Tell me your reason then."

He was about to protest before he sighed heavily, "Sinamon." Taking a deep breath, he stared down at the table, "She came with me to confront my past, but I didn't know about the curse. She controls Fire and Ice so it hit her hard. Without the Elixir, she'll die and I'll...lose everything."

Aset took his hand in hers, nodding slightly, 'She was the one you cried for. You love her a lot?"

He smiled slightly as he nodded, thinking of the time they had spent locked in the cell by Inari. If it hadn't been for that they would never have met and he'd have missed out on love. Sinamon had always been there for him and now it was his turn.

"I need to speak to the Lady of the Isle. I need to go to the Heart of the Isle now."

Aset smiled innocently, "Do you want me to tell you about the woman who threw you off the Isle?"

He froze, his eyes widened slightly as he looked at her, "Is she still here? Is me..."

Aset lightly grabbed his hand once more, "Hino, the woman that threw you, died months ago. She was plagued with dreams of you dying because of her. Your mother, Tenshi, she died before Yukina even left. She never stopped searching for you. It was but a year after you left that she left this world. Would you like to see her grave?"

He sighed, pulling his hand from hers, "Are there...flowers on her grave?"

"Yes, everyone in the village brings her flowers. She was well liked with the Maidens. Even the Lady of the Isle liked Tenshi."

With a nod, he stood, "I need to get to the Heart of the Isle. I can't waste anymore time or Sinamon will die."

Aset watched him hurry from the room, her hands gently cradled in her lap, "As you wish, Young One. The Lady of the Isle has but one more test."

/////

Yoshi sighed, swinging down from this place in the trees. Night had set in and with it, the wind had picked up. Freezing just outside of the firelight, Yoshi watched Alise turn over in her sleep. Ever since he had met her in the cave while they had waited for Koro's demise, he had been unable to get her off his mind. When he found out about her guarding the barrier, he knew it was the perfect opportunity to get to know her, to get close to her.

The only problem he found was that he couldn't get her to see him as more than her partner. Every time he watched her sleep, he got an urge to gather her close and never let her go. If it hadn't have been for Draco, he more than likely would have done so.

"Yoshi?"

His eyes refocused, Alisee sitting up slightly to gaze at him. She lightly rubbed her eyes before getting up.

"Why are you staring at me? Is something wrong?"

He shook his head, quickly turning away as to hide the blush that lightly colored his cheeks. Feeling her hand on his shoulder, he stiffened only as he turned towards her.

"Are you sure?"

Nodding once more, he quickly said, "It's time for you to take watch."

Staring at him in confusion, she could only move to her post to think while he watched her from the other side of the fire.