"This way," Shura led them to Yomi's home. Yomi was getting his ears treated. He had taken Enki and the rest in to be treated as well.
Yusuke could see that a small infirmary area was setup. Some of creatures were hooked up to IV drip bags while others were being bandaged up by Yomi's servants. A couple of servants took Kurama from Yusuke and started to work on him.
"The little Sheila didn't come with ya?" Chu was hopeful that their good luck charm would come back. Yusuke shook his head.
"Of course, she wouldn't!" Kokou gave them a smug look as she tended to Enki. She knew that Hoshimi wouldn't come back. The rest of her group knew that as well. "He's back and she's never going to leave his side to make up all the time they were separated. I bet she's happy."
Shura put a device on Yomi so that he could see the words forming into his mind along with pictures that were transmitted by Shura.
"Who is he?" Yomi had his head bandaged. "Why is the nine-tail fox so important that Hoshimi had to break her loyalty with us?"
Kokou gave out a laugh. The rest of her group looked sullen. "Hotaka is Hoshimi's older brother. They are the last of the Gold Clan and no one knows about the other clan's if they exist still." Kokou's haughty temperament started to fall into morose and tearful. "Her clothes were so bloodied and torn! She still never told us if it was hers or not! Dammit Hotaka! You show up now! Where were you when she held her tears in believing she was the last!" Kokou started to wail and cry. Enki soothed her by embracing her. "She's been in misery her whole life and now you show up! Now both of you are going to miserable together!"
Those who didn't understand the situation were confused. They waited to hear the explanation.
"All of Hoshimi's and Hotaka's family was slaughtered," Saizou explained. "We don't know who the demons were but those friends with Hotaka said it was a horrific scene. Hotaka ordered them to leave as he cleaned up his home. We thought both were dead until we heard Hotaka was still alive. One night we saw Hoshimi wandering from populated place to another. We didn't think she survived either."
"We didn't say anything about their existence, lest we thought they were still being pursued," Natsume patted Chu's back.
"And you didn't get the two back together?" Toya tried to figure why keep the siblings apart.
"We only heard of Hotaka being alive after Hoshimi crossed paths with us," Kujou explained. "It was hard for us nomad demons to interact with one another when we ourselves kept with few contacts. We also resented Raizen at that time. That's how Hoshimi met Raizen, on her travels."
"So what do we do now?" Rinku mumbled.
"We go back to whatever we were doing before and wait to see what Hotaka does," Yusuke had thought about it. "We get back our strength and watch how Hotaka rules this world."
They stayed with Yomi until everyone was healed back to their status. That took a few months. They heard that Hotaka and his followers left the bar. Hotaka had hired out contractors to build a castle near the forest regions. He made sure to do it in an unpopulated area to make sure he didn't take away from others. The castle was built in a few months. While that was happening, Jin and the rest of the group were working on the island where the Dark Tournament was held. Hiei, Mukuro, Yomi, and Shura kept tabs on what Hotaka was doing. Yusuke was back in the human world along with Kurama. The two were living at Hoshimi's home. The three raccoon brothers had taken back the plants at the shop and home back to the demon world. They sold the flower shop and left the home in Kurama's care. Koenma was also watching and waiting to see what Hotaka would bring about.
Yukina, Keiko, Shizuru, and Kuwabara were at Hoshimi's human home. They were visiting.
"Wow, this place is incredible!" Kuwabara exclaimed.
"Thank you," Kurama was giving them a tour. "You all can stay the night, there are several rooms."
"All except two, right?" Hiei came out of a corridor scaring Kuwabara.
"Hey! Don't do that!" Kuwabara regained his composure.
"I have left her room as is," Kurama stated. "She is the owner and could come back anytime."
"Any news from the demon word?" Yusuke asked.
"Wait," Keiko interrupted. "The three of us made dinner, let's eat first before it gets cold."
All of them were sitting together and dining before they started to talk about business. Yukina was going to classes with Keiko. Kuwabara was still in a university but was free this weekend. Shizuru was working. Kurama was still recuperating along with Yusuke.
"So he's building a castle," Yusuke patted his stomach. "Hmph."
"I can't even search the castle with my Jagan," Hiei took a sip from his drink. "She must have created a barrier that protects against abilities like mine. It's not surprising that she has created a giant vault in the castle."
"Word on the street is that Hotaka's gang is welcoming any demon who wants to improve their class and fighting abilities," Yusuke clenched his fist. Keiko placed her hand over his.
"Shura has confirmed this," Hiei smiled. "We were going to ask him to join but he joined without Yomi's permission. Mukuro and some of the others are joining in as well. I, myself, would like to keep training."
"Any sign of Hoshimi?" Yukina spoke up.
Hiei shook his head. Yukina sulked. She wanted to know what happened to her friend. "Jin and the rest heard about this and decided to join in. The island is secured."
"Hotaka is gathering demons and making an impromptu army but for what exactly?" Kurama thought out loud.
"You don't think he's going to take over the Spirit World and ours, do you?" Kuwabara blurted out.
"If he wanted to, he could already have with that strength," Yusuke answered. "Kurama's right, there must be something else that he's building an army against."
"Yusuke, you join along with Hiei," Kurama had a plan. "I'm going to need further information."
"You're not joining?" Hiei sneered.
Kurama gave a half smile. He had something else in mind.
"Hey what about me?" Kuwabara felt left out.
"You're not going to throw your education away for some demon business," Shizuru shut her little brother down. "You're close to graduating."
"We'll need you on this side," Kurama nodded. "If there is some spillover, we will need allies on this side to keep things in check. Whatever Hotaka is after, I am afraid that it is going to affect all three worlds."
The group split up when they noticed how late it got. The others did as Kurama suggested. Those that joined were met with Enki and his friends. Chu and the rest joined up with them in a giant group. They stood with the rest of the demons in an empty area behind the castle. They could see builders and workers trying to finish the building.
"Welcome fellow demons," one of the demons boomed. His voice was heard even at the back of the group. "You want to be stronger than you already are and we are happy enough to train you. We will help you achieve that. Some of you had participated in some battles that we know your current strength, for those who have not, we will soon find out. Those flags indicate what class you are and those who are unsure, we have a flag for you as well. Please group yourselves accordingly."
The demons arranged themselves. The demon who spoke continued explaining that the groups formed will be the group they train in. The groups had one of Hotaka's friends as leader to train them. There were several groups. They were named military style and the demons who led them trained that whole class. Hotaka watched from the shadows. When the demons were done training, there were housing for them and food. The leaders had informed them that it was free housing and food especially for those who travelled long distances.
In the housing, Mukuro was splayed out on a bunk above Hiei. "You still can't find her?"
Hiei opened his eyes. "She has the ability to be hidden when being sought after. I have tried seeking after those who may have come in contact with her, even Hotaka but still nothing. Doesn't this seem to be too hospitable, even for demons?"
Mukuro smiled. "Hmm. Yeah, but I kind of like it." She let out a sigh. "Whatever Hotaka wants out of us at the end of this all, I'm sure we'll lend him a hand. Look how generous he is. Where was he when we were battling it out?"
Hiei leaned back against his bed. "I wonder how long he waits until he strikes?"
In the human world, Kurama met up with Yu Kaito, Asato Kido, and Mitsunari Yanagisawa about what has been happening in demon world. The three agreed to ally with them. Kurama gave them Kuwabara's contact information. Kurama then headed to the Spirit World.
Botan was flying by when she spots Kurama headed to the castle. She flew down by him.
"Hello Kurama!" She gave him a big smile. "What brings you here?"
"Hello Botan," he returned. "I have some questions about what the Spirit World has on certain demons."
"I think we need to give you a library card," Botan joked. The two headed to where Koenma was lurking about.
Koenma was going through several files. Kurama saw that they were the names of demons he was also interested.
"You're also worried about what is going to happen," Kurama spoke up. This startled Koenma.
"Oh! Kurama you're here! Good!" Koenma sucked on his pacifier. "I was beginning to worry. I have some spies telling me which demons are teaming up with Hotaka." He tapped on his file. It was thin. "Not much is on him or his friends. We never really do have enough intel on the scariest of demons when we need it. Botan, please get the rest of the information from that group." Botan nodded before passing through one of the walls. Koenma let out a mournful sigh. "No one has word on my dear Hoshimi. You don't have anything, do you?" Kurama shook his head. "My spies haven't gained much either. Hotaka, you better not do anything terrible. I don't want to make her cry by taking her brother away."
"Is there anything happening in the human world that stirs your interests?" Kurama asked instead.
"No, nothing out of the ordinary," Koenma sighed. "Less demon human tragedies at least. That's one positive thing Hotaka has done. Most demons had been flocking back to the demon world to become stronger."