The sound of laughter and splashing filled the morning air as Cheza and Yukina watched their children play in a hot spring located close to the cave they were
taking refuge in. Yukina turned her gaze away from the three and turned to Cheza, " Taya and Stella have become quite good friends over the years, they've
become nearly inseparable!" A smile appeared on Cheza's face, " I'm glad. I figured that would end up being the case." "It's been hard for Stella to grow up
without you, she was always asking me about you. It is a great feeling to see her so happy now."
The two mother's turned their attention back to the kids to see them all now staring at something behind them. "UNCLE HIEI!" In a blink of an eye Taya was
now in Hiei arms, nearly squeezing the poor demon to death in a hug. Cheza watched as the moody fire demon reached into his pocket , a raggedy looking doll
with button eyes and turquoise hair made of yarn soon made its appearance. Taya squealed with delight as Hiei handed her the doll. Cheza smiled, so Hiei did
have a sensitive side. The doll was really creepy looking and looked like something out of a horror movie, but Taya loved it nevertheless. Daisuke and Stella
soon appeared in front of Hiei as well, Stella to embracing the fire demon in a death hug. He handed both of them gifts as well. Stella received a doll similar to
the one he had given Taya, as for Daisuke he was given something much more fitting for a boy, a pocket knife.
The name Mukuro was carved into the side of the knife handle, Cheza assumed that the dolls and knife had probably belonged to Mukuro when she herself
was a child. "Thank you uncle Hiei!" they all exclaimed in unison. "Hn!" was Hiei's only reply. His crimson gaze turned away from the children and to Yukina then
his eyes landed on Cheza. His eyes widened, a look of shock was plastered on his face but it quickly disappeared. He opened his mouth to say something but
stopped as Youko and Kuronue appeared from inside the cave.
" I see you've made it here without any complications, come inside we have much to discuss." Youko commented while eying Cheza.
Hiei spared one last glance at Cheza before disappearing into the cave with the others.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ /\
Cheza watched with curiosity as Stella began to pluck the hair out of the doll Hiei had given to her. After she had removed all the hairs, all that was left were
little holes all over the scalp of the doll. Stella proceeded to place little brown seeds in each of the holes where the turquoise yarn had once been. After placing
her hand atop the dolls head, a faint green glow began to emit from Stella's hand. Soon little green buds began to sprout out of the seeds, slowly they began
to grow into long thin red like vines. Stella giggled as she held the doll up for Cheza to see. "Now me and Taya will be able to tell our dolls apart!" Stella
explained. "And now they look more like us!" The dolls mane was now a brilliant red, the very same as Stella and Kurama's. "Very good Stella, you're really
improving." Stella's grin grew wider at Yukina's compliment.
/\/\/\/\/\\MeanWhile/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\ \/\/
" You're putting Yukina and the others in danger by bringing her here, if he finds out he will not hesitate to kill them all." Hiei remarked while glaring up at
Youko. "You know as well as I do, this is the only way to change the future and prevent all this from happening. Do you honestly think Yukina is happy here? Do
you think she wants to hide in fear in this cave her whole life? " Hiei frowned but said nothing more. Hiei removed his cloak, placing it on the wooden chair
behind him. He then placed a map on the table, a big red X marked the spot where Mukuro's castle was located, the place he now called home. "I have taken
down another one of Sinister's armies, no doubt he will send more." Youko's eyes narrowed upon hearing the name of the demon who had killed his beloved
Cheza. "Mukuro has sent troops into Tourin to assist Yusuke, a surprise attack was launched on his land last nigh.." Hiei stopped short, quickly getting to his
feet and reaching for his sword. "I thought you said you weren't followed!?" Youko growled while getting to his feet as well. "I assure you I wasn't." Hiei hissed
while disappearing in a blur.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Yukina held Taya and Stella in her arms as loud banging rang through their ears, someone or something was trying to get through the barrier. Cheza glanced
worriedly at Yukina, "What is that!?" Yukina grabbed Cheza's hand pulling her towards the three, " Something is trying to enter the barrier, we need to get into
the cave. There is a secret door that leads to an underground area, we can hide out in there until Mr. Hiei or Youko says its safe to come out." "Kitten, do as
she says." Cheza turned to see Youko standing behind her along with Hiei and Kuronue, each sporting a different weapon. Cheza nodded and the four quickly
ran into the cave as the others prepared themselves for whoever was attempting to penetrate the barrier. "Zmeu.." Hiei hissed. "You know who this demon
is?" Youko asked as another loud bang echoed around them. Hiei nodded then ran forward passing through the barrier. " That name sounds familiar…"
Kuronue commented. " I have heard of him before. He is notorious for kidnapping young girls, no one knows what it is he does with them. He appears human
from what I've heard, but his natural form is that of a dragon. If I am correct, his weakness is the stone embedded in his forehead ." Youko informed before
disappearing in a silver blur through the barrier.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/
"Well well, hello there the forbidden one." Hiei's crimson eyes narrowed as the demon emphasized "the forbidden one." Hiei had engaged in battle with Zmeu
once before, the demon had barely escaped with his life. Zmeu was only one of thousands of Sinister's disposable men, though much more powerful than most
demons on Sinister's side. "I sensed you were in the area, I thought I'd see what you are up to. What are you hiding behind this barrier? Hm? I guess I'll find
out after I slaughter you and your friends."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Yukina held onto Taya as they huddled in a corner. " Its okay Taya, Mr. Hiei will protect us." Yukina whispered into her daughter's ear. Daisuke stood near the
doorway to the secret entrance with his fist clinched, while Stella held onto Cheza, who was sobbing quietly.
A series of loud bangs and the sound of trees falling to the ground flooded their ears, clearly a battle was now ensuing.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\
Zmeu began to spit fire at Hiei, his attack resembled bullets covered in flames. Hiei was yearning to fight Zemu in his natural form, for one reason or another he
had not transformed the last time he had engaged in battle with the demon. Youko stood back watching Hiei and Zmeu closely, ready to help his friend if
necessary. Kuroune had taken to the sky to make sure no other demons were approaching. "You may have one the battle last time Hiei, but you won't win the
war." Zmeu remarked while lunging at the fire demon with his sword. Youko studied the demon that was now engaging in battle with Hiei. A bright yellow oval
shaped stone was embedded in the demons forehead, the light emitting from it was nearly blinding. The fox was curious how Hiei could even see where he
was attacking, due to how bright the stone was. Hiei glanced at Youko briefly before blocking an attack with his sword, the fox was coming up with a plan that
much was clear. Youko knew destroying the stone on the demons forehead was the key to victory, but just how would he destroy it? It was quite obvious the
stone was nearly impossible to break, but there just had to be a way. Zmeu suddenly stopped his assault on Hiei and turned his attention to Youko. " The
legendary king of thieves, THE Youko, Kurama. What is it you are so determined to hide behind that barrier of yours? I sense something behind there, but just
barely. A human along with a demoness and three children, hmmm.." Youko's eyes widened. His barrier was not only meant to protect his offspring as well as
Cheza and Yukina, but it was also meant to hide their spirit energy as well to make them undetectable by other demons. How was it this demon could sense
them? Zmeu's eyes suddenly widened, " No…It couldn't be. You brought her back, but how..you couldn't have…" Youko's heart began to race, if this news
reached Sinister…he would surely send someone to kill them. Or worse yet, he would come himself. Sinister could easily destroy the barrier he had set up.
" It wouldn't be wise for me to continue this battle, you two would surely defeat me. I cannot risk my new discovery not reaching Sinister, he must know Cheza
is here" Before Hiei or Youko could react, Zmeu vanished from their sight. "Damnit!" Youko cursed while slamming
his fist into a nearby tree. "We have to get them out of here, NOW!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The door to the secret entrance opened, there stood Youko in the doorway. In a flash he was by Cheza's side. " We have to leave now kitten, come one Stella,
Daisuke, we must leave at once." Hiei appeared soon after helping Yukina to her feet. "Where are we going, did you kill the demon?" Yukina asked.
The grim look on Youko and Hiei's face made Cheza's stomach feel sick, something was clearly up.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/ \/
Hiei silently opened a large wooden door where Yukina and Taya resided. The two lay fast asleep, oblivious to how much danger they were now in. " Mark my
words Hiei, no harm will befall them."
Hiei turned to see Mukuro standing beside him. Youko and Hiei had decided to leave the cave at once and venture off to Mukuro's castle, afterall the place was
heavily guarded and protected by high A class as well as S class demons.
/\/\/\/Meanwhile…./\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Cheza gave one last glance at Stella and Daisuke who were now fast asleep before exiting the room to find Youko. Wandering down a long hall and walking for
what felt like an eternity, a familiar voice graced her ears. " I'm not sitting around any longer Hiei! He killed my mother, my friends, Keiko… I WILL NOT wait any
longer, he is going to PAY for what he's done!" the anger and pain emitting from this familiar voice was so strong it made Cheza cringe. Cheza entered the
room soon after and took site of Yusuke and Hiei. Yusuke turned upon sensing her energy, his eyes were nearly the size of saucers. Clearly, no one had told
him she was here. She thought it was bit odd, sensing how powerful he was. He could have easily sensed her spirit energy, she assumed he was probably too
distracted to have noticed.
"Hi Yusuke…" Cheza commented quietly. "Cheza.." Yusuke replied in a near whisper. So much pain was in his voice, she was surprised. Had he really cared
about her that much? Slowly he approached her, placing a hand on her face, "You're…you.." he was at a loss of words. "Stella brought her here from the past,
if we can hold out long enough we will be able to rewrite the future and this hell we now call home will never exist." Yusuke's eyes averted from Cheza to the
door as Youko entered the room.
" If we can hold out long enough for Cheza to give birth we can save Kuwabara, Shizuru, Keiko, my mother…., everyone…"