Cheza awoke to the sound of a baby crying. Her heart began to race as she soaked in her surroundings. She was… floating? Below her she could see the fussy
newborn along with something that caught her off guard. Laying in a hospital bed next to the child was..herself. She stiffened as the cries of the baby were
drowned out by the sound of Kurama screaming "Cheza! Wake up!" Nurses and doctors were attempting to pull the distraught redhead away from her still
form, but he was refusing to leave her side. She turned her attention to her hands, she could see through them. She quickly realized her whole body was now
translucent. Silence ensued as Kurama was finally forced out of the room. Had the baby been taken out of the room as well? Her eyes drifted back down to
where she had last seen the infant. No, the baby was still there and it was looking right at her. Its tiny hand was reaching towards the sky, towards her.
Those familiar bright green eyes appeared to pierce through her very being, giving her the impression that the baby could in fact see her even though she was
now a ghost or something of the sort.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
A scream escaped Cheza's lips as she suddenly sat up in bed, her heart racing uncontrollably in her chest. A hand on her shoulder tore her from her foggy
state, "Another nightmare?" Cheza nodded, but said nothing. Kurama frowned, for the past few weeks the same nightmare had plagued her. Cheza would not
tell him what the nightmare was about no matter how many times he asked. The fox had noticed something odd about the nightmare, it would occur at the
same time every night. After noticing the nightmare took place at precisely 12:20 a.m every night, Kurama had concocted a plan to finally know what the
nightmare was about. The sly fox had employed the help of Hiei, by entering her mind while the nightmare occurred he would be able to inform his red headed
friend what the nightmare was about. Much to Kurama's annoyance, Hiei refused to tell him what he saw. Throwing the covers to the side, Cheza slid out of
bed. " I'm going for a walk" Alice who appeared to be sound asleep got to her feet instantly upon hearing the word "walk". Kurama nodded and growled in
frustration as Cheza and Alice exited the room. Why did she keep having this nightmare!? And what the hell was it about!?
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Cheza remained lost in thought as Alice trotted around. "What do you plan to do?" Cheza jumped and spun around to see a pair of crimson eyes staring back
at her. "Hiei! do you always have to do that!" "Hn" was Hiei's only reply. Cheza sighed, "I don't know…" "It is best that he doesn't know." Hiei commented.
Cheza nodded in agreement. Hiei knew that this nightmare was no nightmare at all, but a warning of what was to come in the future.
"Hiei, Cheza I thought I heard you two!" "Yukina, what are you doing up so late!?" The happiness that normally radiated in Yukina's eyes was replaced by a
look of sadness, "I had a nightmare."
Hiei exchanged glances with Cheza, "What was it about?" Yukina began to fidget nervously, "I..I don't want to worry you Cheza…" Cheza's eyes widened
slightly, "Please..tell me about it"
Yukina nodded, "Al..alright. Well, I keep having this dream that were both in the hospital. We are very close to giving birth, I look over at you and there's this
demon standing over you. He looks up at me and grins, then…then he plunges his hand into your chest and all these doctors race over to you..
Soon after that, everything changes and I see you hovering over your body, your baby is nearby crying and the demon is reaching for it…I..I don't know what
to make of it all." Cheza's heart begins to race, she didn't die giving birth, a demon was responsible for her death! Hiei turned his back to the two girls, "Hiei?"
Hiei turned to see Yukina staring at him. "I'm leaving now. You should go back to sleep."
Hiei vanished into the night leaving the two girls standing in silence. With worry permeating in her eyes, Yukina turned to Cheza, "Do you think..does he think
my dream..isn't just a dream?"
Cheza didn't answer her question right away, " I've been having a similar dream for the past few weeks. Yukina…I think it's a warning or something."
Yukina gasped, "You need to tell Kurama about this Cheza!"
"Tell me what?" Cheza's eyes locked onto Kurama's. A hint of gold could be seen indicating he had heard probably everything and he was upset about it to say
the least.
"I…I was just..leaving. Goodnight Cheza…Kurama." Yukina commented and began her descent back to the temple without waiting for a response.
Cheza turned to face Kurama. No emotion could be seen on his face. His eyes were cold and distant, a look she only saw him wear during the midst of a fight.
"I didn't want you to worry." Cheza commented in a near whisper. She felt his hand latch onto her wrist, the sound of barking cut through the night air.
Kurama's grip loosened as Alice appeared running full speed towards the two. Cheza frowned as she watched Alice run towards her, something was different
about her. Alice stood up on her hind legs, wrapping her arms around Cheza.
Kurama spun around upon hearing the sound of leaves crunching, his eyes widened as a familiar blue eyed husky appeared. "Alice…" Kurama whispered. If this
was Alice..then who was this other dog?
Kurama turned to see the Alice imposter's fur now glowing, the canine was still on its hind legs with its arms wrapped around Cheza's waist. Before the fox had
a chance to do anything, Cheza and the mysterious dog suddenly vanished into thin air. "CHEZA!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ \/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Cheza's heart began to race as she suddenly found herself standing in a clearing in the middle of a forest. The blood red sky and foul stench in the air were
indicators that she was no longer in human world. Staring up at the sky she noticed four giant black crow like birds flying through the air off in the distance.
Strange demonic beasts were riding on the demonic crow birds' backs. Each had large ram like horns atop their head hidden beneath an armored helmet. Their
bodies were covered in black armor, only the skin on their hands remained visible, a sickly pale purple-ish color.
The ground suddenly shook beneath Cheza's feet causing her to lose her balance. A small hand on her shoulder steadied her. Quickly she spun around and
met with a pair of emerald eyes, for a brief second she thought she was staring into Kurama's. "I know you have a lot of questions, but we need to get out of
here fast. There is a war raging right now and we're in the middle of it!" exclaimed a girl with long red hair and those green eyes that screamed familiarity to
Cheza. Grabbing Cheza's hand, the girl yanked Cheza forward. The mysterious little girl stopped short and whistled, soon the dog that had teleported her to
this place appeared. "Come on Alice! " "Alice!?" Cheza asked wide-eyed. " I'll explain everything soon, we need to go..now!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Cheza stared at the red haired girl standing in front of her, along with the dog she had referred to as "Alice." She looked around 8 years of age and had an
eerie similar appearance to Kurama. Were they somehow related? and what were they exactly running from? And at war with who? So many questions were
swimming through her mind. Snapping out of her thoughts she noticed the little girl was staring intently at her, tears were beginning to from in her eyes "Why
are you looking at me like that? " Without replying the girl ran over to Cheza and embraced her in a hug, "I always wanted to meet you.." Cheza was
dumbfounded, what was she talking about? Pulling a way she beamed up with a bright smile, " Don't you see? I'm .."
The two both snapped their head towards the entrance of the cave as the sound of voices flooded their ears. "What about in here? You think that little brat
would hide in there? "NO! NOW GET GOING, shes gotta be around here somewhere." Soon the voices became more and more distance indicating that they had
in fact left. Letting out a sigh of relief the girl looked up at Cheza. "Are they..after you?" The little girl nodded, " Daddy and Daisuke will be here soon."
Daisuke?why are they after you?" "Daisuke is my brother". Daddy went to find Daisuke and bring him back. He told me to stay here in this cave until
he returns." "Daisuke…" Cheza said in a near whisper. " Whats your name?" "Stella." The girl replied. "So…why did you bring me here? " Cheza asked.
Before Stella could reply, Cheza heard a familiar voice , "Stella! are you in here?" Cheza's eyes widened as a familiar silver haired fox appeared with a boy who
looked like a mini version of himself . The boy was caked in blood and lay unconscious in the fox's arms. "Daisuke!" Stella exclaimed. Cheza watched wide-eyed
as Youko placed the boy on the ground, numerous types of plants began to wrap around the battered boys body. The plants were glowing and wounds on the
boy were slowly beginning to heal themselves. Clearly the plants were healing ones. Cheza's mind began to race a mile a minute, clearly this was Youko..but a
different Youko. He appeared a bit older and... Cheza's heart began to race as everything began to make sense. She was in the future and this little girl..was
her future daughter. Her gaze turned to the unconscious boy, and this little boy...was her future son. Where was her future self!? Had she been captured
during the war that was currently going on or something?
"Stella, you're..my.." Cheza began to stutter.
Youko looked up from Daisuke and locked onto Cheza's eyes. The look he gave her suggested that he hadn't even noticed her until that moment. He looked
like he had seen a ghost!
The array of emotions that were being displayed on his face indicated that Stella had concocted this plan of bringing Cheza here by herself. Stella slowly
walked forward her eyes down casted, " I had to daddy..I had to bring mommy here. "
Cheza watched as Youko got to his feet, his eyes never once leaving hers. In a blink of an eye he was now inches from her. She watched as his eyes began to
change emerald, then back to gold, then back to emerald. It was as if Kurama was battling with Youko over control of his body. In the end it appeared Kurama
had won the mental battle, though he still had the appearance of Youko.
"Cheza.." he whispered while embracing her in tight hug. "please don't be mad daddy, I just thought…maybe I could change the future and you would happy
again and we could all be a family like I've always dreamed." The little girl's heart felt words nearly broke Cheza's heart. Apparently she had died at some point
in time. "HEY LOOK! Fresh blood! They must have went in here!" Cheza looked up at Kurama to see his eyes turn gold, "Kitten, stay here." Hesitantly he broke
away from Cheza, it was obvious he didn't want to let her go.
Stella ran to Cheza's side as Youko began to walk towards the entrance of the cave. "Don't worry daddy will protect us." Stella whispered.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ /\/\/\/\
Cheza sat in front of a fire laid out in the center of the cave. Daisuke had yet to awaken, though the worst of his injuries had been healed. Stella lay fast
asleep on a bed made of leaves close by. Cheza lay with her back against Youko's chest, his arms wrapped around her tightly. The two had sat in silence for
quite some time. "How…did I die?" Cheza asked finally breaking the silence. She waited for the fox to reply, but he didn't. Perhaps he had fallen asleep? "You
died giving birth to Stella and Daisuke." he finally replied. Cheza's eyes widened, " I..I'm carrying twins!?" she exclaimed while placing her hands on her belly.
Youko stiffened and quickly spun her around, " Damnit! I didn't realize you were already pregnant." It was hard to tell, after all her stomach was still flat and
she had yet to experience any morning sickness. "Did my death have anything to do with that demon I was having nightmare's about?" Cheza asked as Youko
placed his hand on her midsection.
The anger burning in Youko's eyes answered that question. He is responsible for the war that is raging at the moment. "Where's Yusuke and the others?"
Youko's hand clinched into a fist, "Yusuke is alive here in demon world, as for the others..they have all been killed." Tears began to stream from her eyes, which
Youko began to wipe away. Cheza wanted to ask if he was able to at least save his mother, but she feared what his response might be. "Don't worry kitten, I
have a plan that will prevent all these unnecessary deaths, including your own" "Why didn't Stella just warn me what was going to happen instead of sending
me here? Did she just want to spend time with me? I'm sure Trouble could send me back and then I can warn everyone"
" Warning them wouldn't be enough. The only way is to wait until after you have given birth to send you back. There is no other way. I plan on having Trouble
send you back to the past after you give birth to Stella and Daisuke. Though, months will have gone by back in your time. Youko chuckled lightly, " Shuichi and I
will be in shock once we see you're alive and have already given birth to twins four months before expected. We never sensed there was another child in
you."
"So..I have to stay here for 7 months!?" Youko nodded, " Although I don't like the idea. It is much too dangerous to keep you here, it would be even more
dangerous to leave you in the past."
Cheza frowned, "It looks like that was what you were planning on doing, judging by the look that was on your face you had no idea Stella was going to bring
me here!"
" I was going to bring you here, but I planned on waiting a few more months. " Youko explained. "So..where is my little Trouble?" " Back at my hideout. We will
begin our journey to get there when morning hits. It will take us a few days. Kuronue is there right now watching over Yukina and Taya. I asked him to watch
over Stella as well, but she must have slipped out without him seeing."
Cheza assumed Taya must be Yukina's daughter. She was a bit relieved and excited to know Yukina was alive and had given birth to a baby girl. " We will be
safe there. It is well hidden and protected by a barrier. Any demons that get to close instantly have their memories temporarily erased and are teleported back
to wherever it is they came from. Now, kitten you need to try and get some rest. I will stay up and keep guard." Cheza leaned her head against Youko's chest
and closed her eyes, eventually drifting off to sleep.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"ACHUUU!" Cheza sneezed after Youko had blew some weird type of plant pollen on her. "This will keep you invisible to the guards flying around the sky along
with anything else in the sky. "You mean those big crow things with the creepy demons on them?" Youko nodded then turned to face Stella, Daisuke and Alice,
repeating the same procedure on them.
Daisuke kept staring at Cheza, but had yet to speak to her. She wasn't sure if he knew who she was or not. "Let's get moving, we need to make as much as
ground as possible before nightfall." Stella ran over to Cheza and grabbed her hand. She stiffened for a second but then relaxed, this was all still a little weird
to her. She knew what her daughter would look like and be like before she was even born!
The four walked for hours on end, oddly enough they never ran into any demons whatsoever. By the time nightfall arrived they had taken shelter in a cave
located under a waterfall.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Staring past the fire that Youko had set up she stared at his sleeping form, Stella asleep in his lap. "You're her aren't you?" Cheza tore her gaze away from the
two and turned her attention to Daisuke who was now sitting up right. "Cheza…my..mother." Cheza nodded as the boy walked over to her and sat down
beside her. He grabbed her hand, flipping it over after examining her palm. "I never thought I'd know what your touch felt like or your smell..I can't believe it's
really you." He smiled brightly, the first time she had seen him smile. " Father is right, you are very beautiful and Stella does look just like you, as you can tell I
clearly take after father." Cheza smiled, "Yes. You are a spitting image of him."
The two talked for quite some time before eventually succumbing to sleep. Youko awoke soon after they had fallen asleep. He smiled as he took sight of
Daisuke fast asleep in Cheza's lap, Alice sleeping peacefully on her other side.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ /\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"I don't have any pollen left, so we will have to be extra careful today." Youko said while emphasizing the careful part to Stella and Daisuke. The two nodded in
unison and began to walk forward. A few miles into their journey they came across a gruesome site. Hundreds of bodies littered the blood stained ground, a
recent battle had taken place here. Cheza knew not what this whole war was about or what sides there were, but she assumed by the bodies that it was
pretty much all demons fighting against spirit world inhabitants. She wondered what had happened to the human world and if there were even any humans
left. Kuwabara, Keiko, Shizuru, and all the others had perished so she assumed there probably weren't any humans left at this point. She blocked out the
thought of her friends being killed, it was just too much to take in. Kuronue was alive, so that probably meant Hiei and Boton were alive somewhere too.
"Hey.." Youko turned to Cheza, "What is it?" "I was just wondering..if Hiei…and Boton are they.." Youko took Cheza's hand in his, "Yes they are alive. Hiei has
an entire army built up and is fighting as we speak. I haven't spoken to Boton in months but I know she is alive and well."
"Uncle Hiei is a meanie!" Stella exclaimed. Cheza chuckled, "Uncle Hiei?" Youko smirked, " Stella randomly started calling him that one day and it stuck. She got
a kick out of calling him that due to the rise she would get out of him."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Nightfall had arrived and the four were still walking. "We're almost there." Youko commented while holding tightly onto Cheza's hand. Stella stayed close to
Cheza while Daisuke led the group alongside Alice. Everything was eerily silent besides screams far off in the distance. Cheza could instantly feel the ominous
presence in the air diminish as they passed through the barrier. Soon a cave with lighted torches could be seen. Stella tugged on Cheza's arm, "I have to pee
will you come with me?" Cheza nodded. "You're safe now that you've passed through the barrier, we'll meet you two inside." Youko commented. Cheza waited
patiently for Stella, leaning against a nearby tree she soon found herself immersed in her own thoughts. She snapped out of her gaze as she heard movement
from behind her. She turned but couldn't make out much in the dark. "Stella? Is that you?" " I'm almost done!" Stella shouted from a few feet away. She turned
back around and a scream escaped her lips as someone grabbed her by the shoulders and yelled "BOO!" Laughter soon followed, "Damn it Kuronue!" Cheza
exclaimed. "Sorry, I couldn't resist!"
Kuronue pulled Cheza forward, "Come on let's get inside. Yukina has been dying to see you!" Stella came running up and soon after the three entered the
cave. "Cheza!" Yukina exclaimed while running over and embracing her in a hug. Tear gems hit the ground with a soft clink, "It's so good to see you again
Cheza." She pulled away and Cheza studied the girl, she looked exactly she same. Cheza smiled brightly, "So I hear you have a little girl." Yukina returned the
smile and grabbed her by the hand leading her further into the cave. Cheza watched as a little girl with turquoise hair and crimson eyes came running up to
Stella. "You're back! I've missed you so much Stel!" Stella turned and looked up at Cheza, " Taya there is someone I'd like you to meet. My mother!" Taya's
eyes widened as she to looked up at Cheza,
"Oh, I'm so happy for you! You finally got your wish Stel! It's nice to meet you Cheza, my name is Taya." "Dinner's ready!" Kuronue yelled and before Cheza
could reply back the kids had disappeared in a blur to another part of the cave. Yukina giggled, "They have quite a lot of energy don't they?"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Everyone had fallen asleep, except for Cheza and Youko. The two lay in each other's arms. "Kitten.." he whispered into her ear. "There's something I want to
tell you." Cheza stared at Youko, curiosity lingering in her eyes. "I will not fail you this time. I won't let you die and I will never fail to protect you again. I love
you." With that being said he kissed her and pulled her closer to him as she whispered " I love you too" back. The two soon fell asleep. This was the only night
that Youko had a peaceful sleep since her death.