(Youko/ Kuronue flashback)
A deafening silence encircled the extravagant castle standing before him. Purple eyes scanned the perimeter from above for any signs of guards or other
unwanted guests while his silver haired accomplice stealthily slipped inside the castle walls. Kuronue's eyes suddenly shifted to his left as a dark figure flew
past him and circled around the castle. A faint blue glow flashed briefly, a signal to the bat that it was safe to enter behind Youko.
A raven demon with fair skin, spikey dark blue hair and an extravagant pair of black wings, the tips a vibrant blue, matching the color of his eyes landed in the
tree Kuronue had been in only seconds before. Both Youko and Kuronue had now slipped inside the castle.
Scanning his surroundings once more, the raven demon disappeared behind the castle walls as well.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The plan was for Youko and Kuronue to retrieve the object they sought, a light blue baseball sized jewel. The jewel possessed the power to manipulate the
weather. Many demons before them had attempted to enter the castle, only to die from one of the many traps hidden throughout. Leo, the raven demon, was
supposed to keep a lookout from outside the castle.
Silently, Leo made his way deeper into the castle's depths. His destination, the castle's formal garden. As most gardens, this one housed many pests. One in
particular was the reasoning behind Leo's spike in spirit energy. Leo had sent Youko and Kuronue on a wild goose chase way on the other side of the castle.
He had lied and told them the jewel was located in the master's chambers when in reality it lay in the garden hidden in the belly of a beast. A giant man-eating
spider is where the jewel lay hidden and the only way one could get to it is by ending the arachnoid's life. As quietly as possible Leo entered the garden gates.
His massive sword, taller than his 6'3 stature glistened in the moonlight. Not wanting to set off any alarms or draw attention, Leo lightly tapped his sword
against a nearby tree. Moments later a large shadow began to creep towards the raven demon. Leo dodged to his left as the massive spider shot webbing at
him. Using both of his arms to lift his colossal sword, Leo chopped off the beasts head with one mighty blow. A sticky black goo began to ooze from the lifeless
shell of the once spider. Lifting his sword once more, Leo sliced through the unfortunate arachnoid's abdomen revealing a large baby blue stone.
Now it was time to put his plan into action and end that damned bats life….
Icy blue eyes landed on the pendant swinging wildly from his neck. Using his sword to slice open the tip of his finger, Leo placed the digit over the pendant.
After five drops of blood the pendant began to grow a brilliant crimson color.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Kurama!" The silver haired fox spun around to scold his partner in crime for making noise when he noticed why he was trying to get his attention. Kuronue's
pendant was glowing bright red, a signal to the two that they had been caught and guards were on their way.
"Damn it!" Youko cursed before changing course and heading back towards the closest exit, Kuronue followed suit. Oddly, no alarms sounded and no guards
made their presence known. Upon exiting the castle, Kuronue took to the sky as Youko disappeared into the surrounding woods. Seconds later a flash caught
the corner of Kuronue's eye. Thunder boomed overhead, a sudden onslaught of hail and strong wind gusts through the bat off course. A startled yelp of pain
emitted from the bat as a streak of lightning singed a portion of his right wing. Unable to fly due to the injury, Kuronue fell to the earth, hitting the ground in a
jumbled heap. The terrible weather suddenly came to a stop and the calm quiet night from earlier resumed. Panting heavily, Kuronue slowly sat up and began
to inspect his burnt wing. He winced as his finger ran over the injury, no doubt he would not be able to fly home. "You killed me, you're the one responsible for
my death." Kuronue looked up to see Leo standing ahead of him a few feet away. "Leo? What are you talking about? What's going on?" Kuronue asked while
slowly getting to his feet. Kuronue leaned against a nearby tree for support, his vision beginning to blur. Wings are very delicate and very sensitive, in fact
Kuronue's one known weakness was his wings.
" I've been sharpening my physic abilities. I have gained the ability to see into the future, though for only brief seconds at a time. You…YOU..I saw you slit my
throat you traitorous bat! You ended my life! " Leo screamed in rage. "I wouldn't.." "But you did. I plan on changing the future though, it won't be me who dies
tonight." Leo interrupted.
Kuronue's eyes followed the light blue jewel as Leo held it up high for him to see, "You see this? This will be the cause of your death..NOW DIE!"
Kuronue's hand went for his scythes, but he wasn't fast enough.
Suddenly, blood began to pour from Leo's mouth and soon a bloody fist appeared in the place where his heart should be. Gurgling and choking noises emitted
from the raven, as he fell to the ground a familiar pair of golden eyes appeared. Without a word, Youko helped his wounded friend back to their hideout. Upon
reaching their hideout, Youko's men began to ask a barrage of questions. "What happened!?" " Were you caught?" "Where's Leo!?" Youko's eyes darkened at
the last question, his eyes darted down to his bloody fist. "Leo betrayed us and for that he paid the ultimate price." Youko disappeared into the cave, Kuronue
leaning on him for support.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ End of flashback/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\
All eyes fell on Hiei as he exited out of his trance like state, had he succeeded? Slowly, Hiei's eyes opened. Blood dripped from his chest and arms where deep
scratch marks lay embedded into his skin.
Kurama's attention landed on Cheza, "What happened?" Hiei eyed Cheza's sleeping form while removing a small lime green painted clay vase from his pocket.
"Kaku has been sealed away, she will be waking up any moment." Hiei replied while shoving his hands in his pockets and walking out the door. Kurama took
Cheza's hand in his and moments later her eyes opened, settling on him. "Your awake." Kurama commented with a slight squeeze of her hand. "Kurama?
what.." Confused and alarmed by the sight of all eyes on her Cheza sat up, a blur of white caught her attention and she looked down to see her arm covered
in a white bandage. She could feel another bandage wrapped tightly around her head, Hiei had no doubt succeeded. An annoying beeping noise flooded the
room and once again Yusuke fumbled around in his pocket before revealing his communicator. "YUSUKE! YUSUKE CAN YOU HEAR ME!" Koenma's voice could be
heard, but the screen remained black. Brief flashes of lightning and roars of thunder could be seen and heard every few seconds. "There are four
tornados..bzzzzzzt headedbzzzt way." Yusuke exchanged glances with Kurama, "I can't understand you binki-breath!" Yusuke replied while placing his ear
against the speaker. "THERE ARE FOUR TORNADOS HEADED YOUR WAY!" Koenma's voice came out loud and clear this time. "WHAT!?" Kurama's face hardened,
"I was afraid of this. Leo is still in possession of the jewel of four seasons." Kuronue frowned as Yusuke ran over to the window, "HE'S NOT FRIKEN KIDDING!"
Something caught the corner of Yusuke's eye, running out of the room the spirit detective caught site of Genkai calmly walking towards the front entrance. " Are
you crazy! You're going to get yourself killed you old hag!" Yusuke exclaimed while running forward. As the front entrance slid open a strong burst of wind hit
Yusuke in the chest, sending him flying back. Kuronue,Kuwabara, Kurama, and Cheza appeared from the room to see what was happening. "Genkai! No!"
Kuwabara exclaimed as she walked off the front porch and got into a fighting stance. Four tornados could be seen coming towards them from above the ocean
waters near the temple.
With a battle cry Genkai's fists began to glow, a blinding light appeared and soon after a loud banging resonated around them causing the ground to shake.
Cheza noticed the wind had died down tremendously and the lightning and thunder had ceased completely.
Yusuke's jaw looked like it was about to hit the floor, with wide eyes he locked eyes with Genkai, "Damn grandma! I didn't know you had it in you! An old hag
like you taking out for massive tornados at once! Who woulda thought!"
"Look" Kuwabara exclaimed while picking up a large black feather from the ground. "Okay, that wasn't there a few seconds ago." Yusuke commented. "He's
right, Leo must be nearby..Cheza go inside." Kurama demanded while beginning his transformation into Youko Kurama.
Cheza turned spotting Yukina, Keiko, Stella, and Daisuke standing in the door frame of the temple. Kuronue readied his scythes as Youko reached for a seed in
his silver locks. Yusuke and Kuwabara got into fighting stances as Genkai reached Yukina, Keiko, Cheza, Stella, and Daisuke who stood in the door frame
watching the scene in front of them unfold.
A man with dark blue hair and bright blue eyes touched down in front of the boys. His eyes locked with Cheza's, a smirk fell upon his features as he eyed Stella
and Daisuke. "A lot has changed, the king of thieves a father and a faithful mate. I thought I'd never see the day." Leo wise-cracked. "Don't even think of
harming them, I know many ways to kill a demon. The most agonizing and painful way I have reserved for special occasions, congratulations Leo. I'd say this
classifies as a special occasion."Youko replied. "I don't mean to interrupt this touching reunion, but enough with the small talk!" Yusuke exclaimed while
shooting off his spirit gun.
End of Chapter.