PART FIVE
SWORD DANCE

This was worse than death – it had to be. He couldn't possibly be forced to remain this way for the rest of his life. It wasn't right. How was he supposed to help others when he was like this?

Ikari sighed sadly and ran his hand over his end table for the remote control. It was only when he had it in his grip that he remembered he wouldn't be able to see what was on television, anyway.

It was very upsetting – and it angered him to like nothing else. How was a doctor supposed to help his patients if he himself was infected with the same ailment they were? Especially when the ailment in question was a blindness? Not only did it render him incapable of performing his duty, but it was also bad for the psyche of the patients. To most people, doctors were a symbol of health, healing, and wisdom. When a doctor suddenly fell ill, it seemed to those who looked up to them that all hope was lost. After all, who would heal the healer?

But now was not the time to worry about such things. Now he had to rest and relax. He'd do his body no good by not being rejuvenated – and he was trying as best he could to help his immune system fight off this new illness.

He settled back against the couch and reached for the remote control again. Maybe he'd just turn it to a music channel and listen to that, instead.

He frowned and moved his hand over the end table. The remote was gone.

"What?!" Yusuke flabbergasted, his hands tightening on the edge of the information desk. "Dr. Ikari is blind?!"

"I'm afraid so," the receptionist behind the desk affirmed. "It happened last night, in his office. Or early this morning, as it were." She gestured to the full waiting room. "And it doesn't look the blindness is showing any sign of fading away."

Yusuke thought for a moment, and then decided it couldn't hurt to ask. "And what about eye-burning?"

The receptionist blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Has anyone here had their eyes burned out?" He felt Kuwabara nudge him, but ignored the other man. "Well?"

"Young man, I can't disclose that information to you. Unless you are a relative of a victim, it's none of your business."

Yusuke's shoulders slumped. It had been worth a shot. He turned to Kuwabara. "Now what do we do?"

His friend frowned. "Would we be allowed to see Seung now?"

"If you have a friend here," the receptionist relied, "you may go and visit him now. The ICU is accepting visitors until five this evening."

Kuwabara and Yusuke exchanged glances. "Should we?" Kuwabara wondered.

"Might as well," Yusuke answered. "He must be lonely." And it would give them a chance to get some information. If Seung was in the intensive care unit, then anyone who had suffered the same attack should be there, as well.

They climbed to the fifth floor, following the signs to the ICU's wing. The nurse on duty was kind enough to show them to Seung's room, leading them into a chamber decorated with heart monitors, wheel-in trays, and blue curtains.

The chef for Keiko's restaurant was… Well, Yusuke couldn't tell if he was asleep or not. The dark-haired young man was lying back against the pillows, the blankets drawn up around his waist. His eyes were bandaged, the crisp white wrappings a contrast against his dark hair.

Yusuke took a seat next to Seung's bed and took his hand. "Hey, Seung. How are you doing? Are you awake?"

The hand he was holding twitched. "…Yusuke?" he asked.

"Yup. How are you holding up, buddy?" He gave the boy's hand a squeeze. "You doing okay?"

The younger man shrugged. "I guess so," he said in a quiet voice. "But I…I don't think I can work for Keiko anymore," he confessed, sounding guilty – guilty, of all things.

"Don't worry about it," Yusuke soothed. "You just worry about yourself. We'll be all right. But right now, there is something you could help me with." He put a hand on Seung's shoulder. "Would you help?"

"If…if you think I can, I'll try."

"Thanks, Seung. I need to know if anyone else here went through what you did."

Seung was silent for a moment. "You mean…when…when he took my eyes?" he asked timidly.

Yusuke nodded, and belatedly remembered that Seung couldn't see anymore. Anymore, he suddenly thought. Never again. Seung will never see again. He'll never watch a sunrise…he'll never see someone smile…he'll never look both ways before crossing a street… The thoughts simply fueled Yusuke's desire for justice. "Yes," he said gently. "We need to know if anyone else has gone through what you have. Is there someone else here who had his eyes…" he trailed off.

Seung thought about it for a moment. "I think… I'm pretty sure the person over there did," he said at last, raising a hand and pointing to the left.

Yusuke glanced at Kuwabara. The other young man nodded. "Thank you, Seung," Yusuke said gratefully. "I promise we'll come back and visit you soon." He ruffled the younger man's hair. "You should rest some more."

Seung nodded even as they were moving to the other section of Seung's ICU room. They moved the blue curtain aside and beheld the other patient.

She was blonde, tucked in to her hospital bed as Seung had been. There was also a bandage over her eyes. She was very still, her breathing slow and even.

Yusuke and Kuwabara pulled up the chairs next to the girl's bed. Yusuke reached out and gently touched her shoulder. "Hey… I'm sorry to wake you, but can we talk to you for a second?"

The girl twitched and whimpered a little. She looked no older than fifteen or sixteen. Her head moved from side to side, as though she was trying to look for him. "Daddy…?"

His heart suddenly ached. "No. But I'm a friend. My name is Yusuke. I was wondering if you'd be willing to answer some questions for me."

She frowned. "Are you a reporter…?" she asked.

He paused. "…I guess I'm kind of a reporter," he replied. "Would you be willing to help me out with something?"

She hesitated a moment, but then nodded.

I don't sense him.

Kurama's Voice was weaker than usual, reflecting the distance that separated them. Hiei halted his search and sent a reply. Me neither. Maybe he wouldn't try attacking another person so soon…

Maybe. But what if he's cloaked himself so securely that we aren't able to sense him at all? I know we're looking hard, but…

Hiei frowned. Can he raise his ki level in such a short time? Would he have had the reason to? Maybe he thought that Hiei had perished in the explosion they had conjured the night before, so why would he be so overprotective and cautious?

He pulled the band off his Jagan. The eye opened and he cast hi rei out again, the Jagan giving him a much larger range. Nothing unusual: a few low-class demons that generally liked being in Ningenkai and were no threat.

I can't even sense him with my Jagan, he told Kurama. I hope Yusuke and Kuwabara are having better luck.

Maybe we'd have a better chance in finding him if we switched positions, or got together and projected out rei from back to back. We could cover more ground.

Hiei nodded to himself. It was a long shot, but it was better than what they were presently doing. Maybe that would be better, he reasoned. Where do you want to-- There is was. That same tingling sensation: just the barest trickle of youki.

I've got him! he shouted to Kurama.

Where? the youko cried. Where's he headed, Firefly?

Hiei followed the ki. The renegade demon was good at shielding himself – very good. But no one could cloak their ki perfectly. There was always some sort of leak that could be sensed – if one looked hard enough, and had the gift for it, that is. Now that he'd found a trace of it, he latched on to the trail and started to follow. Kurama.

Yes?

Follow me, he instructed, making sure to keep his ki visible to the youko.

Right with you, Hiei.

Ikari tried his best to keep calm. Maybe…maybe the remote had fallen without his noticing it. He leaned over and felt around his feet. Nothing but carpet.

Then he heard it: the high-pitched sound that signified a television was on. He tried hard not to panic. Was there someone else in his house…? He wasn't alone…?

"What an odd contraption," a deep, husky voice declared. "Human inventions are so cute."

Ikari froze, still bent over the edge of the couch. Slowly, he forced himself to sit up. "Who are you?" he asked, pleased that his voice didn't shake much.

"Oh, don't worry about me," the newcomer replied. "I'll just make myself at home, if you don't mind."

Ikari breathed in a few deep breaths, trying to keep as calm as possible. "What do you want?" he demanded. "What are you doing in my house?"

The newcomer chuckled. "I want a lot of things, human. I want riches, I want good food, I want women and sexual pleasure…"

"What do you want from me?" Ikari clarified.

"From you…?" the stranger laughed. "From you, I want… You'll see soon enough."

Ikari suddenly felt very, very vulnerable.

"And then," the girl continued timidly, "he…he grabbed me…and he…put a hand over my eyes." She chewed her bottom lip. "My eyes were burning… It hurt… It hurt so much… I don't remember much of it. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Yusuke encouraged her. "So, what did he look like? The man who hurt you? Do you remember?"

She frowned in thought. "He…he had silver hair."

"Silver?" Kuwabara asked. "Not gray? Silver?"

"Silver," the girl affirmed. "I'm sure it was silver. And he was pretty tall…and his voice was…kind of…husky. Deep."

Yusuke turned to Kuwabara in shock. It was him. It had to be. It couldn't just be a coincidence. Kuwabara jerked his head toward the door.

"Thank you," Yusuke said. "You've been a great help." And with that, he and Kuwabara tore out of the room and started racing down the halls of the hospital, ignoring the startled looks from the nurses and the orderlies they dodged on their way out.

They had to find that demon, and fast.

Ikari grunted as he was thrown against the wall. He slid down to the floor and winced. "Stay away from me!" he roared. He wouldn't just sit quietly and let the bastard kill him. He'd die fighting before he let anyone take him out.

"Poor little human," the stranger chuckled. "Some of you are so valiant, but in the end it's all for naught. Why don't you just give up and give me what I want?"

"Go to Hell," Ikari snapped. No – he didn't care who this asshole was. No one walked into Ikari Hikaru's home and made demands like that. This was his house and hell if he was going to let someone push him around.

"Why do you all try to make it hard on yourselves?" the stranger wondered lazily. "It just delays the inevitable."

"Fuck you, you--" Ikari gasped as he heard the stranger roar, and then he sensed movement. His attacker was coming for him--!

"Fuuka Enbujin!"

Ikari cried out as he was flung aside. He struck the wall hard, and knew no more.

Hiei rushed at the silver-haired demon through the shower of brilliant rose petals. With the human out of the way, he could concentrate on the battle alone. He'd thought he'd be able to catch the other demon by surprise through the flurry of flower petals, but as the silver-haired warrior turned to retaliate with his blade of air, Hiei had to change tactics. He managed to get in six strikes before he had to start parrying.

"Don't you have anything better to do with your time?" the demon demanded. "I'm getting tired of having to deal with you."

"Don't you have anything better to do with your time?" Hiei shot back. "I'm getting tired of having to deal with you!"

"I should have killed you when I had the chance!" the demon spat. "You're such a little pest – like a bee that just won't buzz off."

Hiei simply grunted and continued dueling. His height was always the first thing his opponents attacked in an attempt to distract him. It no longer bothered him.

Hiei, move.

He complied, darting quickly to the side as Kurama's rose whip sailed toward the demon. He blinked as their opponent spun and deflected the weapon, and then sidestepped skillfully out of range. Hiei had been certain Kurama's whip would have struck him… Damn, he's good…

"Oh, look," the silver-haired demon remarked, "it's your pretty redhead. Does he follow you everywhere, little one? You must feel suffocated."

"Who are you?" Kurama asked. "Just what are you after?"

"Why are you both such meddlers?" the other demon retorted. "Why won't you make like bananas and split?" he added, and then laughed at his own joke. "Oh…human expressions…they're so cute!"

Just who the hell is this guy? Kurama wondered.

I don't know whether to kill him or commit him, Hiei admitted.

We should get Ikari out of here.

Ah. You can handle that. I'll handle him.

Why do you always get to have all the fun? Kurama whined in a mock pout. He's going to attack.

I see him.

"Razor Wind!"

Seems to be his favorite technique, Hiei remarked as he deflected the discus of air and retaliated with a ball of fire.

Careful, my little pyromaniac, Kurama cautioned. We don't want to burn down this nice house.

Hiei snorted and charged at the other demon again. So what? Wasn't this human a healer? He could afford a new house.

He danced with the silver-haired demon. "Dance" was the best word for the complex, detailed choreographed movements they were performing. The steps, the thrusts, the spins, the parries…each strike and counter integrating as though they had rehearsed it.

It was the coffee table that ruined the performance. Hiei had to leap to avoid hitting it, and so they broke apart. And then it happened.

"Reigan!"

The silver-haired demon ducked the glowing Spirit Gun. Hiei blinked in mild surprised as he watched Yusuke and Kuwabara barrel in through the living room's open window.

"I don't believe this," the other demon moaned. "Do you two tag-team each other?"

"Just what the hell are you?" Kuwabara demanded, his Spirit Sword shining as he held it in a ready stance.

"There's no need to be so rude," the demon replied. "Didn't your mother teach you any manners?" He grinned and brandished his blade of air. "You should all make like drummers and beat it." He grinned again, pleased at his clever joke.

"You can't win," Yusuke said. "There're four of us. You're done for. Just give up."

"Give up"? Hiei thought with a frown. Planning on taking him in, Yusuke? And where exactly do you plan on bringing him after the capture?

"Give up?" the demon echoed with a chuckle. "Oh, you silly human. I'm in no danger. I think you should worry more about yourselves."

With that, the renegade demon brought his hands together, the aura of his youki a silver nimbus around his body.

Hiei gasped as the air around him constricted, just as it had on the roof the night before. It solidified, and his knees buckled as the force pushed him to the floor. His sword fell to the ground beside him, and he took deep, strangled breaths, the air prison beginning to suffocate him. He made a desperate grab for his youki, and found a wall of Spirit between him and his Fire.

I've been shielded, he told Kurama, fingernails digging into the carpet in both pain and frustration.

Me, too, Kurama gasped.

Hiei struggled to raise his head, glancing at his allies. They appeared to be in the same predicament as he was. He's strong, Kurama.

I know… How are we going to…

It was hard to breathe; hard to concentrate… Hiei tried to organize his thoughts. They had to find a way to break free before… They had to--

"Riot Blade!"

The shower of ice that rained in through the window over their heads was certainly unexpected. Hiei watched as the silver-haired demon cried out and began deflecting the projectiles.

The prison of air dissipated, but Hiei stayed down, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. Who…? He didn't recognize the ki signature. Was it a savior or an enemy--------

--------The sphere was lost to them. The one bright light in their lives had been stolen from them, dragged away into a world of blackness--------

--------He was shoved violently to the side and pressed to the ground. He struggled for a moment before realizing that it was Kurama's weight that had settled on him. He glanced at Yusuke and Kuwabara on the other side of the room, and then at the display of air and ice taking place between them.

"Who is that?" Kurama wondered, following Hiei's gaze to the youki battle.

"Don't know." The shield wasn't in place any longer. Hiei took the opportunity to generate one of his own, wrapping both himself and Kurama in a protective orange aura of fire, lest any of the icicles happen to find their way toward them. He made to rise, but Kurama wouldn't move. The youko was giving him a serious stare. "What?"

"What happened to you?" the redhead asked.

"What do you mean?" Hiei evaded.

"When you wouldn't dodge," Kurama specified. "I had to do it for you."

Hiei shook his head once, sharply. "Kurama, later, okay?"

The youko stared a moment longer, and then rolled off of him. It was then that the ice shower stopped and their apparent savior joined them in the living room. Hiei didn't recognize her – though she did somewhat resemble the renegade demon.

And apparently, the renegade knew her, too. "Kata!" he gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"Guess," the female replied. "Or was my display not hint enough, Tasuno Itsuwari?"

"Well, I don't know," the renegade shot back. "You always were prone to random acts of violence."

Hiei blinked. They know each other well. It wasn't simply the fact that the renegade knew her name, it was how they talked to one another.

Lovers? Kurama suggested.

Maybe. I'm leaning more towards blood relation.

Oh? the redhead gave him a sidelong grin. Shall we wager?

Hiei suppressed a chuckle. Of all the times to begin joking around… You're on, youko.

If they're lovers, you owe me a massage with those nice strong hands of yours…

Fine. If they're blood-related, you owe me a large carton of… he paused, fishing for the human term that never seemed to stick, …ice cream.

Kurama rolled his eyes, managing to look amusingly exasperated even as he watched the two unfamiliar demons stare each other down. Oh, for… I can't believe you're still going on about the ice cream… He shook his head. You're on, Quickfire.

"Leave the human alone, Itsuwari," the female ordered. "Stop this madness. Go back to Jumon and make him stop. He won't listen to me."

The silver-haired demon – Itsuwari, apparently – snorted. "Kata, I never did understand why Jumon let you remain with us. He knew you'd never help."

"Leave," the one called Kata spat. "Or I'll escort you myself."

"You heard the lady," Yusuke spoke up. "Surrender. Come along quietly, and you won't get hurt."

"We can't take him in, Urameshi," Hiei pointed out. "We're not with Reikai." He stood and gripped his sword's hilt with both hands. "We're just going to have to kill him."

Kurama stood as well, cracking his whip against the ground. "If you surrender, we'll grant you an almost painless death."

Itsuwari chuckled. He didn't seem to take any opponent – or situation, for that matter – seriously. That meant one of two things: this Itsuwari was either more powerful them they could imagine, or he was one of the biggest fools Hiei had ever met. "You're all so melodramatic. Soldiers of the Spirit World…freelance fighters…meddling little pests… I don't care what you are; you're obviously naïve if you think you can stop me from getting what I want."

"Don't underestimate us," Kuwabara threatened, brandishing his Spirit Sword. He shifted from one foot to the other, on guard and slightly restless.

"Perhaps you shouldn't overestimate yourselves," Itsuwari riposted. "You didn't foresee my possible escape, did you? Do you have a 'back-up plan', as you so cutely call them?" A breath later he was wrapped in his silvery aura. "I told you she couldn't run, didn't I? I never fail in my tasks. Is she being protected, human?" he asked Yusuke. "Is she…?" The last two words were carried on the breeze of his departure, as he vanished in a puff of silver smoke.

"Shit," Kuwabara said.

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Hiei commented, his grip on his sword flexing.

"His teleportation skills are incredible," Kurama observed. "Hardly any preparation time, no portals necessary… That power is rare nowadays."

"Itsuwari is powerful," the female – Kata – explained. "He is not one to be taken lightly."

"Then where the hell did he go?" Kuwabara demanded.

Hiei frowned. "I told you she couldn't run"…

"What was that he said before he vanished?" Kurama asked worriedly, unknowingly echoing Hiei's thoughts.

They looked to Yusuke. Then it seemed to dawn on the former Tantei.

"Keiko!"

Wax on. Wax off.

Wax on. Wax off.

Wax on. Wax off.

Wax on… Hm. That stain would be more difficult…

Wax on. Scrub real hard. Wax off.

Yukina giggled and stared at her sparkling counters with pride. Kazuma was right – the "wax on, wax off" thing really worked. It made the task seem more like a game, and less like a chore. Kazuma always had such wonderful ideas. And maybe…maybe eventually he'd get the idea to court her.

She liked Kazuma. She liked him a lot. And given the chance, her strong feelings for him may very well progress to love. But he hadn't officially asked her if she would like to be his. They spent a great deal of time together, but he never gave any sign that he wanted to take it further than that. The night before, when they had been watching movies together…and he'd fallen nearly over her…she'd thought that maybe he'd ask… But then Seung had been in danger, and they'd had more important things to think about.

At this rate, she was going to see her third century before anything happened between her and Kazuma. Gods, had it taken this long for her brother and Kurama to realize their feelings for each other?

Ah. Hiei. He probably had a role in it, too. Yukina sighed and started putting away the dried dishes. Her brother meant well – she knew he did. He was only trying to make sure she got the best he could give her. But, gods, Hiei could be stubborn as a mule when he wanted to be. Besides, who was he to be responsible for making sure she got the best of the best? They were twins. Just because Hiei was a few minutes older didn't mean that he was unquestionably the eldest. Maybe she should have been making sure that he was getting the best she could give him. She giggled again at that last thought, suddenly picturing Kurama in a green and gold silken tuxedo, armed with a bouquet of vibrant red roses, asking her permission to court her brother.

A soft sniffle from the other room interrupted her reverie of defending her brother's honor. Yukina nibbled her lower lip. She was being selfish – indulging in silly fantasies while everyone else was fighting. Her brother's love life and her would-be relationship with Kazuma were nothing compared to the suffering Seung, Keiko, and Yusuke were going through.

Keiko…Keiko was strong. Yukina could see why Yusuke found her so endearing. She was the kind of woman everyone admired. Not nearly enough reiki to be noticeable, but a mouth that could scare even the strongest of demons. And when something was wrong, she remained strong, even if she was hurting. She was acting tough for everybody else – especially Yusuke – but inside, and when she was alone, she suffered.

Yukina tiptoed into the room Keiko was staying in. The brunette was sitting on the edge if the bed, her facing the window, her shoulders slumped. She looked to disheartened, Yukina wanted to cry with her. She hurried to stand next to the human, making just enough noise to make her presence known to Keiko.

"Keiko," she began, sitting down next to the brunette. The mattress sank a little more at the extra weight. "Are you going to be okay? Tell me the truth," she added. "I…I'll help you, if I can…"

"The truth?" Keiko repeated. "The truth is…I don't know." She turned her head so that she was looking at Yukina. No, not looking, Yukina corrected herself. Her eyes were facing Yukina, but they were wide, unable to focus. "Yukina…tell me: am I going to be this way forever? Am I ever going to see again?"

How did I know that was what she was going to ask…? "Keiko…I don't know. I wish I had an answer for you…but I don't know."

"I know you don't," Keiko replied sadly. "But that's really the only question I have. I'm not really worried too much about Yusuke - know he's capable of taking care of himself…but…"

Yukina wrapped Keiko in a warm, comforting hug. "Don't worry. If anyone can find a way to cure the blindness, Yusuke can." She paused a moment, and then lamented, "Or at least, Kurama will think of a way, and Yusuke will do it."

Keiko chuckled. "Yes…you're right. The second scenario is more likely than the first, though…"

Yukina laughed with her. "And if worst comes to worst, Kazuma and Hiei will do it, and Yusuke can take the credit."

They giggled some more, sticking in some more jabs at poor Yusuke, who was presently not around to defend himself.

Yukina stopped laughing abruptly and froze, Keiko's chuckles becoming a sort of drone in the background. There was another…another ki… She'd sensed it before…

"I guess it's true," a deep, rough voice said. "Girls just wanna have fun."

Keiko went stiff in her arms. "That's…"

Yukina jumped up and turned around, pulling Keiko with her. "Who are you?" she demanded.

"No one you need to know, pretty one," the silver-haired demon replied. "All I want is that girl. Now stand aside."

"No. Get out of my temple," she ordered, shoving Keiko behind her.

"Fool girl," the other demon chided. "You're only going to get hurt."

Yukina ignored the taunt and gathered her ki quickly, filling herself with Ice. She wasn't strong when it came to offensive magic, but as far as defensive and curative went, she was nearly as powerful as her brother. She threw up a barrier around herself and Keiko, reinforcing it as strongly as she could. How had he gotten past Kurama's kekkai?

The other demon chuckled. "Quite a strong force-field," he remarked. "Impressive, my pretty one. It will be a shame to get rid of you." He grinned and brought his hands together. "Say good-bye to your little force-field, my princess."

He began forming a discus of air between his hands. Yukina swallowed. It looked razor sharp. She steeled herself for the impact.

"Razor--"

"Phoenix Flame!"

The silver-haired demon cried out as a ball of bright fire exploded before him. Yukina backed away, drawing Keiko with her nearly to the wall. She kept her shield up.

The blaze shrank and materialized into a cloaked figure. Yukina blinked. The ki signature…was nearly incomprehensible. Who was this?

"Who are you?" the silver-haired demon demanded roughly. "Are you one of them?"

The figure stepped forward. "Tasuno Itsuwari." The voice was feminine, but strong. "Tasuno Itsuwari, I have come on behalf of the High Lady for your head."

The one called Itsuwari glared at the newcomer. "Fool woman. You are no match for us. Even your precious High Lady will be introduced to my Air Blade," he snarled.

"We shall see," the woman replied. She was suddenly surrounded with a purple aura. "Prepare yourself for death."

"Prepare yourself," Itsuwari shot back. "Razor--"

"Phoenix--"

"Reigan!"

Yukina dove to the side, taking Keiko wit her as she dodged the leaping strangers who evaded Yusuke's Spirit Gun.

Itsuwari growled in what could only be annoyance. "Damn it all to Hell," he spat. "It's them again!"

"Kazuma!" Yukina called in relief, clutching Keiko tighter when she saw Kazuma, her brother, Yusuke, Kurama, and another woman dash into the room. The woman, she noticed was carrying what looked like Dr. Ikari.

The cloaked woman turned to Itsuwari. "We aren't through!" she declared. "Fight, renegade!"

"My pleasure, you--" He cut off as Yusuke leapt toward him, fists glowing. Nearly quicker than her brother, Itsuwari dodged the strike, slashing at Yusuke's arm with his Air Blade.

"Yusuke!" she cried, and regretted it when Keiko tensed and gasped. "It's okay," she soothed immediately. "It's nothing I can't fix. Don't worry."

"Bastard!" Kazuma shouted, racing toward Itsuwari. "I'm gonna--"

Itsuwari held up a hand, and Kazuma halted and yelped, like he'd struck a wall. He fell on his backside. Kurama tried next, but Itsuwari merely deflected the whip and smiled apologetically at the cloaked woman.

"I'm sorry, but this room is getting much too crowded. We'll have to continue this another time." He bowed, and was gone in an instant.

"No!" the cloaked woman shouted. She whirled to face Yusuke, her fists balled up at her sides. "Human!" she growled. "Why did you interfere? This is not your affair!"

Yusuke glanced up at her, one hand clutching his wounded arm. "And just who the hell are you?" he shot back.

"It's none of your business," she stated. "None of this is any of your business! I had him! And because of you, he got away!"

"Just who do you think you are?" Hiei demanded.

The cloaked woman stared at him for a long time before she spoke. "A piece of advice for you, all of you. Stay out of things that don't concern you. It will save you a lot of grief."

"Who are you?" Kazuma asked, repeating the frequent question. "What are you?"

"Who I am is nothing that concerns you. You should be more concerned about what you will be if you interfere again." She gave them one last glance – Yukina wished her face could be seen under the cowl – and was gone in a rush of flame.

Everyone was still for a long time. Yusuke and Kazuma on the floor, Hiei and Kurama near the doorway, Yukina enfolding Keiko in her arms, and the new woman glancing around the room uncertainly, shifting her bundle of Ikari.

Kazuma swallowed. "Wow."

That single word broke the tension in the room, and everyone visibly sagged. Yukina squeezed Keiko's shoulders and led her over to Yusuke. "Are you all right?"

The former Tantei nodded, but he was wincing. "Nothing a band-aid won't fix."

"Put some peroxide on it," Keiko advised shakily.

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "That's your solution to everything," he said.

"It is not," Keiko said defensively.

"No, he's right," Hiei spoke up, catching on to Yusuke's ploy. "If my ankle were sliced off, you'd tell me to put some peroxide on it."

"I would not," Keiko growled. "But just for that remark, I should feed you some peroxide."

"See?" Yusuke cried, raising his hands like he expected a ray of light to shine down on his revelation. "Peroxide: Keiko's solution to every problem."

"Sounds like you need a helping of it, too," she snarled at him, sounding very much like her old self.

Yusuke just grinned, and Yukina smiled with him. Keiko had been so melancholic lately…it was nice to see her sounding like her usual self.

"While you're applying peroxide to various body parts and cavities," Kurama said dryly, "perhaps we could find out about this young lady." He gestured to the silver-haired female demon.

"We were kind of in a rush," Kazuma said somewhat sheepishly. "We didn't have time to conduct an interview…"

"Who are you?" Yusuke asked as Yukina knelt to begin inspecting his wound. It wasn't deep – it would be easy to mend using very little of her energy. She set to work, but kept her eyes on the conversation.

The woman set Ikari down on the bed and bowed her head to them. "My name is Tasuno Katachi," she said.

Hiei nudged Kurama. "Ha! Told you. You owe me."

Kurama shoved him. "Don't get cocky. She could be his wife."

"His wife…?" Katachi mused, raising an eyebrow. "That's--"

"Look," Kazuma interrupted, "what I want to know is, how you know about this Itsuwari, and what the hell does he want?"

"Why did he go after Keiko?" Yusuke demanded. "Why did he attack Seung? Why'd he go after Ikari? Where does he come from?"

"If you want answers," Katachi said, "you will have to give me time to speak."

"So speak," Hiei replied. "We're listening."

"Very well. Itsuwari comes from the household of Tasuno Jumon. It is Jumon, not Itsuwari, who is the master behind the recent attacks."

Yusuke frowned. "And Jumon is…?"

"A powerful Lord in Makai."

"Impossible," Hiei stated. "I've been in the presence of every powerful lord and lady in Makai as recently as two years ago. I can recite the family tree of each House, and there is no Itsuwari Jumon in the Demon World nobility."

"You wouldn't know him," Katachi said knowingly. "There are few who know him, or of him. Most are dead. He is…very dangerous. He owns the Dander territories south of Gandara." Hiei and Kurama opened their mouths, but Katachi rode over them. "And no, you've never heard of them. It exists. I should know. I spent most of my life there."

"Okay," Yusuke said. "So this Lord Jumon is controlling Itsuwari. Why?"

"I'd hesitate to call it 'controlling'," Katachi replied thoughtfully. "Itsuwari is helping Jumon of his own free will. As for why…" She cleared her throat. "They – Lord Jumon, I should say, is planning a…a rescue."

"Rescue?" Yukina echoed. "Who?"

"A woman. A woman he…he loves very much." Katachi folded her arms. "I don't know all the details, because I refused to help him, but it is Jumon who has caused the outbreak of blindness plaguing your city."

"So it's of demonic origin," Kazuma said.

"Why does Itsuwari attack the people who go blind?" Keiko asked.

Katachi frowned. "That is…one of the things I do not know. I'm sorry. But I can tell you that Jumon is causing the blindness to rescue this woman, and Itsuwari is helping him reach his goal."

"And you?" Kurama asked. "Why are you helping us?"

"I…" She took a deep breath. "My brother…Jumon is not well. He's obsessed with the woman he loves. But she…she's happy where she is. Originally this was an internal affair, but Jumon is now harming others to achieve his goal. I…I can't allow this." She cocked her head. "I've been searching for Itsuwari… You fight him, I want to stop him."

"So, you're with us, then?" Yusuke asked.

She seemed to consider it. "If you would have me." She smiled. "Itsuwari is powerful, and though I managed to catch him by surprise earlier, I am no match for him. I never figured I'd have the opportunity to fight alongside the Reikai Tantei."

Yusuke blinked. "You know us?"

"Of course. Just because you've never heard of us does not mean we are completely isolated. I know of you because I wanted to. Jumon and Itsuwari may not have cared to find out, but I did."

"So what do we do, then?" Kazuma asked. "Can you help us?"

"We have to stop this whacko brother of yours," Yusuke added.

"But if we're not here," Kurama pointed out, "who will deal with Itsuwari when he shows up again?"

For a moment, no one spoke. "We'll have to do both," Yusuke declared. "We'll split up again."

"Not tonight," Yukina said. "You should rest first." They all looked a little tired, she noticed. Besides, at the moment they were ready for battle – too ready. A night to let them calm down would do them good. They would perform better tomorrow.

"She's right," Kazuma agreed. "Besides, it's unlikely that Itsuwari will try anything tonight. Not with all of us and that other chick running around town."

"Then we leave tomorrow," Yusuke decided. "Katachi, would you be willing to take us to Dander?"

"In order to stop him…yes. I'll take you."

"Perfect." Yusuke stood. "Thanks, Yukina."

"Anytime," she replied. "You know where your rooms are," she smiled at the others. "We'll leave Seung here." She turned to Katachi. "Come with me, and I'll show you to a room."

"Thank you," the other woman said.

"Wait," Kurama spoke up. "I have a question."

Hiei rolled his eyes. "Kurama, do the math. They're blood-related."

The youko punched her brother in the arm. "Quiet. Katachi, who is Itsuwari to you?"

Katachi smiled. "Isn't I obvious? Both Jumon and Itsuwari are my brothers."

Kurama moaned. "I see."

Hiei smirked. "Told you. Now you owe me swee--ice cream. Pay up." He tugged sharply on Kurama's hair.

"Ow! Hiei, that hurt!"

"Put some peroxide on it," Keiko said snidely.

It hadn't taken long for everyone to disband. Hiei yawned and snuggled against the pillows of the futon he shared with Kurama. Yusuke and Keiko had retreated to their room almost immediately. Kuwabara had followed their lead. Yukina had shown Katachi to a room, and then said she would be tidying up before turning in herself. And Kurama…had said he'd be a few minutes. He was probably using the washroom.

He yawned again and shifted so that his shorts rubbed his skin. His black silk shorts, to be precise. Kurama had bought them for their anniversary the year before. And in Hiei's opinion, everyone should have a pair. They could have prevented many Makai wars. After all, it was hard to run around in silk underwear and stay angry.

He heard the door open and shut. Kurama was there. He didn't turn around, though. The youko was probably still a little sour over the bet he'd lost. He really liked massages…

He nearly yelped when something ice cold touched his back. He rolled over and glared up at his lover. "Kurama! What the hell is wrong with you? That was fucking cold!"

The youko chuckled and held up the plastic container. "Of course it's cold, Firefly. It's ice cream."

Hiei raised an eyebrow. "And where did you get it?"

"Yukina's kitchen," Kurama confessed. "She said I could, though, and it's brand new." He moved to straddle Hiei's hips and leaned forward. "Besides, I owe you a carton of ice cream, don't I?"

Hiei blinked before it dawned on him. "Kurama, we are not using ice cream."

"Why not?" the redhead pouted. "We've used food before. When has something ever gone wrong?"

"The butter, the margarine, the chocolate syrup, the maple syrup, the strawberries--"

"Hiei--"

"--the chocolate, the walnuts, the oranges, and bananas, the whipped cream, the icing--"

"Hiei--"

"--the fudge, the cotton candy, the--"

"Hiei!"

"Yes?"

"Shut up."