White Blindness
by Mina Lightstar

...Brother?

...'Kina?

Do you dream?

Yes. You?

Yes.

Do you dream of me?

Yes. And you of me?

Yes.

Then that is why... Are you well, Brother? Are you hurt?

I'm fine. What about you? Are you all right?

Not as well as I'd like to be, I'm afraid...

...Then you...?

...I am blind, too, my brother.

... ... ... I... I wish I could have...been there.

You could not have stopped it. I suppose it was only a matter of time. I was very close to Seung and I've been caring for Keiko and Dr. Ikari for some time now. If the ailment is truly contagious, as it seems to be, then there was no way I could have avoided it. Don't think your presence would have made a difference.

...You sound like you are taking it well...

What shall I do instead? Curl up and sob to my heart's content? That would solve nothing, Brother.

No, it would not. Now I remember why you're my sister.

I have faith in you and Yusuke. How goes the infiltration to Jumon's palace? Why are you asleep? Is it over already? If so, why are we...?

...You should not have put such faith in us.

Then...Jumon defeated both of you?! Brother, are you hurt? Tell me the truth!

I did. I'm fine. It's...it's Yusuke you should worry about.

Yusuke...?

...He is blind, too.

... ... ... Oh, by the Glacier's Peaks... Should...should I tell Keiko...?

...I...don't know, 'Kina. I could be next.

Or Kazuma...

'Kina, wait - if you're blind, who is looking after everyone at the temple?

Oh, Brother...do you doubt me so much that you think me incapable of keeping my wits about me? I do know where everything in this temple is.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean--

Hush. I know what you meant. But we are not alone. The woman called Fukuro - she said you would know her - came to us awhile ago and brought someone to look after us. He seems to be little more than an adolescent. He is called Rinto.

So you are all safe?

Yes. And Fukuro has brought Kurama's mother, as well.

Good. I'll tell him. He's probably worried about her.

So what happened? What went wrong?

We almost had him. But both he and Itsuwari have vanished. The gods only know where they are now...or what they're doing.

They may be attacking other humans even as we speak.

We'll have to figure out some way to find him again and finish the job.

...Your presence is fading, Brother.

I know... I don't feel much like sleeping now.

Neither do I...

Stay well, 'Kina. We'll be back soon.

Take care, Brother... And tell Kazuma I wish him to return safely.

...I will.

Though the dream had played a role in it, the scent was what roused him. As Hiei regained consciousness, a strange aroma filled his nostrils. It was a strange blend of cinnamon with a touch of mint. Or rather, that was as close as he could come to explaining it. It smelt wonderful. He shifted a little, feeling not only that he was in a bed, but in an expensive one. The sheets were silken and there was more than one fluffy pillow. Where was he?

He made an amused noise when a finger tapped his lips and he opened his eyes. "Kurama."

The youko smiled down at him, his emerald eyes shining happily, and Hiei had to smile back. He removed his arms from under the covers - noting absently that his shoulder no longer caused him any pain - and beckoned the redhead closer. Kurama complied, and they shared a hug. Hiei breathed in the scent of his lover's hair - which to him, smelt better than any fancy bedchamber - and closed his eyes again. No matter what was happening or what the situation was, being alone with Kurama, having tender moments such as these, was able to make him forget everything that was going on. For a few moments, they could just forget about any obligations and simply enjoy being together...

"Firefly, no offense, but you smell like you've been rolling around in a sty."

...Until Kurama ruined it, that is. "Thanks," he said bitterly. He knew Kurama was right, though. Damn uniforms...

Kurama chuckled. "Well, we couldn't wash you while you were healing." He winked. "It was tempting, though." He tugged Hiei's arm. "And you reek of sweat and dirt. Come, Quickfire, there's a bath prepared in the next room over. We can bathe ourselves - or each other," he added with a devilish smirk.

Hiei snorted to cover a chuckle. "Don't think too highly of yourself, Greeneyes. You just insulted me, remember?"

Kurama grinned and pulled him to a sitting position. "Come on, Hiei. Nothing says 'I love you' like a blow to the ego."

"Mm-hm." Hiei allowed himself to be pulled out of bed. It was then that he got a good look at the room they were in. It wasn't a room; it was a suite consisting of two adjoining rooms. The main chamber - the one they were presently occupying - was home to the very comfortable queen-sized bed, the closet, and a table and a set of chairs. The room was carpeted, and had pure white drapes covering the windows. At the moment the drapes were pulled aside, allowing the sunlight to shine in the chamber. The connecting room, he gathered, must have been where the bathing tub and accessories were kept.

"Kurama, where the hell are we?"

The redhead gave him a small smile. "To tell you the truth, Firefly, I haven't the foggiest. Fukuro and Shiryoku call it 'the Fifth'. Not long after you fell asleep, Fukuro managed to Skim us over."

"Skim?" Hiei echoed in disbelief. "Not Teleport? Skim?"

Kurama nodded. "Skim," he confirmed. "Wherever we are, this 'Fifth' is in another world. We are not in Reikai, Ningenkai, or Makai."

For a long moment, all Hiei could do was stare at the youko. Then he stalked to the window and looked out the glass. Outside...there was...nothing. All he could see what the bright sunlight. "How high up are we?" he asked, getting the feeling they were in a tower of some sort.

"Inari knows," Kurama replied. "We saw nothing. When Fukuro Skimmed us over, we were...how should I say...stagnant for a few minutes afterwards." He tapped his lips. "We did not lose consciousness, but none of us can remember anything concerning our trip from Makai to...wherever this is. We came back to ourselves not long after, but before we could ask any questions, we were shuffled to separate guest rooms by some...some Jaganshi."

Jaganshi...? "Are you serious?"

"I saw them with my own eyes, Firefly. Fukuro and Shiryoku are Jaganshi, and so far, everyone else I've seen here is, too."

"Everyone...?" Was that possible? Could there be so many Jaganshi in one place? Were they...were they Innate? Or Acquired, like himself? "Where are they?"

"I wish I could tell you. We've been here for a few hours, and no one has come save a servant or two bringing food and drink, and asking if we were comfortable enough."

"So we're not prisoners, then?" Yes, Fukuro and Shiryoku had agreed to bring them, but Hiei doubted that those two women were the rulers of this new world. From the way he had heard them talking, he could tell that outsiders were generally not permitted here. He didn't think that their status as Fukuro's guests would have saved them from whoever ruled this place.

"No," Kurama answered. "I don't think so. But I'm not sure we're entirely welcome, either. However, one of the servants who came to check on us mentioned that there was a council being held, and that we would be summoned in a couple of hours. Perhaps we will gain some explanations then." He motioned for Hiei to follow him into the bathing room.

"I hope so," Hiei replied as he entered the adjoining room behind his lover. This section of the room was tiled, and there was a tub - built into the ground, he noticed - full of water already prepared, just as Kurama had said. "I hate not being aware of my surroundings."

"So do I," Kurama agreed. "But it's best we play by their rules. We have no say in this place, wherever it is."

"Mm-hm." Hiei tugged off his clothes and winced. He did smell like he'd been rolling in a sty - and even he noticed it. When you could smell yourself, it was time to bathe. He flung his pants and shirt at Kurama, smirking when the youko yelped and clawed them off, tossing them away like they were afire.

"Hey! Don't shoot them at me!" he cried.

"Don't be a baby," Hiei chided, sinking into the water. It was nice and hot, just the way he liked it. "It wasn't those clothes that stank. It was that uniform I had to wear."

"I don't care," Kurama retorted. "It's on you, so that means it got on your clothes, too."

"Whatever." He fished around the side of the bath until he found both soap and a washcloth, and then set to work. For awhile they sat in silence, Hiei bathing methodically and Kurama seated not too far from the edge of the bath, watching.

How long were the rulers of this place going to make them wait? It wasn't as though they had Eternity to sit around and enjoy the comforts of the guest rooms. As cozy as it was, they were not on leave. They had affairs to settle. Once they were reunited with Yusuke and Kuwabara...

Yusuke and Kuwabara...

...Katachi...

...Were they...?

"Kurama?" he asked, wringing out the washcloth.

"Hm?"

"Is Yusuke...is he well?"

Kurama's tongue worked against his cheek as he thought of an answer. "I suppose...he is as well as can be expected of him right now. Kuwabara had to carry him to the guest room."

"...Is he that bad...?" Hiei frowned. Yusuke was...he was never one to wallow in self-pity. No matter what the situation, Hiei had always known Urameshi to adapt as best he could and continue fighting. Granted, White Blindness was an entirely new adversary they were facing, but still... Hiei had been sure that if anyone could have found the drive to continue after having their sight stripped from them...Yusuke could have.

"Somehow, I don't think he is feeling this way for himself, Baby," Kurama replied softly. The youko crawled closer and took the washcloth from Hiei's hands. "I'll do your back," he murmured gently before continuing. "You know as well as I that Yusuke has a strong spirit."

Hiei nodded, enjoying the feeling of having someone else - a lover - bathing him. "Katachi?" he asked. "Is she all right?" She had been unconscious after her encounter with Jumon, he recalled.

"She is well, from what I understand." Kurama let the cloth fall into the water and replaced it with his hands, working his fingers into Hiei's shoulders, trying to loosen the tensed muscles. "Thankfully, her relation to Jumon and Itsuwari does not seem to be causing her any problems here... Then again, Shiryoku lives here and she is their...mother." He stumbled a little over the last word.

Hiei nodded and let his head droop forward. "I'm glad she is well... Lower?" he added, making an appreciative sound when Kurama complied, moving to begin kneading the muscles of his upper back. He loved it when Kurama gave him massages - more so, he thought, than Kurama enjoyed getting them from him. His back, he'd discovered during his first few kisses with Kurama, was very sensitive to touch, especially the loving caresses the youko gave it. Kurama had such soft, strong hands... Hiei could think of nothing better than... Well, yes he could - but right now, he was willing to settle for the hands. "...And Kuwabara?" Not that he cared, or anything. He was only asking because he was almost-courting Yukina and she cared about him. Yeah.

"He's fine."

Hiei nodded. "Your mother is safe," he said. Kurama's hands paused for a moment. "Since we've been here, Fukuro has brought her to the temple and left someone to watch over them."

Kurama resumed his ministrations. "Thank Inari," he sighed. "That was very kind of her... I...was worried about Mother... And Yukina?"

Hiei winced. 'Kina... "She...she is blind."

Kurama moved his arms around Hiei's chest and hugged him from behind, a little awkwardly since he was sitting higher outside the bath. "I'm sorry, Firefly..."

Hiei leaned his head back against the youko's shoulder. "Don't be. The only thing that can make this better is to stop Jumon."

"Agreed."

The silence settled in again. It wasn't unusual; they often spent long periods of time together without speaking, just enjoying each other's presence. But the silence around them at the moment was a different type entirely. Hiei blinked when he felt Kurama's hands slide across his chest, and exhaled softly when the youko turned his head to nuzzle Hiei's neck. He resisted the urge to return the gesture of affection.

"Say...Firefly...?"

"Mm?"

The next words came in the form of a promising whisper. "...May I join you in there?"

Well, what kind of answer did Kurama expect him to give to such an invitation?

"...No. I'm still sour over the sty remark."

He snickered as Kurama sighed and rested his forehead on Hiei's shoulder. The youko wasn't the only one who could ruin a romantic moment.

Yusuke heard a tiny thumping sound and then heard Kuwabara hiss in pain. Probably stubbed his toe or something, he reasoned. He listened to the faint noises of shoes striding across carpet and decided that his friend was pacing. Out of anger, frustration, or impatience, Yusuke couldn't tell, because he couldn't see.

It wasn't something he was adjusting too easily. He had been in many battles, he had had many injuries, and he had often been surpassed by his opponents in terms of strength or speed. However, having a sense taken from him - stripped from him, not just momentarily disabled - was something he had never encountered before. He was doing his best to accommodate, but he hadn't realized just how dependent people were on their sight. Now that he was unable to see...it...it was frightening, and he was man enough to admit it.

But that wasn't the worst part. No, it was far from the worst part. He was blind and could see nothing around him any longer, but what hurt him so deeply was that he had, in a fashion, failed. Not only had he failed to stop the one responsible for White Blindness, but he had succumbed to it. Now...now how was he to cure Keiko and the others that had fallen victim to the epidemic? How could he be the rescuer, if he was now one that needed rescue...?

He started at the sudden knock on the door, making the mattress he was laying on bounce. Had someone finally come to get them? Gods, he wished he could see what was going on...

He heard the door open seconds later. "Kuwabara Kazuma and Urameshi Yusuke, I presume?" a young, female voice asked.

"That's us," Kuwabara replied. "May I ask who you are?"

"You may call me Sayra," she replied. "I am here to escort you to the High Lady's Throne Room."

'High Lady'? Yusuke thought. Just where are we?

"High Lady, huh?" Kuwabara mused, unknowingly echoing Yusuke's thoughts. "Is she the matriarch of this house, or something?"

There was a pause. "In a sense," the girl answered, "I suppose she is. Though were I you, I would mind my manners in her presence and refrain from referring to her as 'head female'." Yusuke heard her sniff before she went on. "The High Lady is much more than that, Outsider."

"I'm sure she is," Yusuke replied faintly, not knowing if either of them heard him. It didn't matter if they hadn't. The words had merely been a vocalization of what he thought. From what Kuwabara had told him when he'd woken up, they were in a very expensive sort of palace. And apparently, there was nothing to be seen outside but sunlight. Wherever they were, it was probably very large. The woman who ran this place had to be some sort of dignified Lady - if not a queen.

"Have you refreshed yourselves?" Sayra asked. "The High Lady is no longer in council and wishes to meet with you. I hope you took the opportunity to bathe while you had it. It would be rather disrespectful to present yourselves to the Lady looking like ruffians from slums. If you haven't, however, it is too late. It is even more disrespectful to make the Lady wait."

"We're ready," Yusuke spoke up. He turned on the bed and touched his feet gingerly to the floor. He stood, swaying a little since he was so unused to moving about without being able to see. "Let's go now."

"Very well," Sayra conceded. "Please follow me."

Yusuke started forward habitually, and began slow, careful steps across the room. Then a strong arm hooked around his arm and he was being led in the right direction. Led, not carried. Helped, but not cared for.

"Thank you," he whispered softly to Kuwabara.

"Anytime," his friend whispered back.

Kurama eyed the halls as they were led higher up through the palace to the High Lady's chambers. Everything in this place was simply...perfect. It was all so...white. White with a sort of crystalline sheen to the tiles. There were tapestries decorating the parts of the halls that weren't doors leading to other rooms.

More than once Hiei had to tug sharply at his sleeve to shift his attention back to where they were going. He tried keeping his eyes front, following the blue-haired Sayra through the palace as the others were, but his gaze kept drifting to the marvelous architecture. A place such as this must have taken decades to complete. Just what was "the Fifth"?

After what seemed like eight or nine floors, they came to a stop at a pair of wooden doors. Sayra motioned for them to stay put and stepped forward. She knocked twice on the barrier and then poked her head inside. Whatever she said, Kurama couldn't hear. When she turned back to them and bade them to come closer, Kurama obeyed, aware of the others doing the same.

"Please go in," she instructed, moving aside and holding the door open for them. "Sir Hwang will take care of you from here."

What sort of place is this? Hiei mind-spoke to him.

I'm hoping to find out, Kurama replied.

Hiei entered first and Kurama followed. Katachi went next, and then Kuwabara led Yusuke in. The door shut behind them. Kurama glanced at the figure sitting at the desk. His hair was short and black, but had streaks of red in it, too. He looked up from whatever he was doing and stared at them. Kurama had to blink - this demon was Jaganshi, too.

Kurama... Hiei uttered, ...what is this place? Is everyone here...Jaganshi?

Kurama couldn't answer. He didn't know for sure, but he did know that so far, the only ones he had seen who did not posses a Jagan were Sayra and the servant who had taken them to their chambers the first time.

"You are the humans," the demon at the desk stated. "Or rather," he corrected himself immediately, "you two are humans," he pointed to Kuwabara and Yusuke, "you are half-demon," he pointed to Kurama, "and you..." he hesitated, his finger pointed at Hiei, "you...should be with us," he finished.

"What?" Hiei bit out, more-so a question than a demand.

"Never mind. I should not disclose anything unless she wishes it." He rose and bowed his head to them. "I am Hwang, Second to the High Lady. Come," he ordered, walking to the larger double-doors at the other end of his room. "The Lady awaits you."

The doors opened and they entered the next room. It looked like a study. In the center of the room was a desk very much like Hwang's, though larger. There were papers strewn about, and the walls were lined with shelves of books. It looked rather like Koenma's office, Kurama mused, with two differences: it was slightly neater, and there weren't as many documents.

The woman occupying the desk gave them a warm smile. "Welcome."

Kurama looked at her for a moment. Yes, she was also Jaganshi - he could see the Eye through the soft green wisps of hair on her brow. Was this the High Lady?

"I hope you have found your stay in the Fifth pleasant," she went on. "You will not be here much longer, I assure you. We have plans to send you on your way as soon as I am done with you."

"So soon?" Kuwabara asked. "Have we overstayed our welcome already?"

Kurama heard someone behind them growl an oath of some sort, and realized that Hwang had followed them inside. Kuwabara... he pleaded. Please...

"You were never welcome to begin with," the woman replied. "Do not take this as a personal insult, but outsiders are not permitted in the Fifth. You are here now only because Shiryoku and Fukuro argued on your behalf. They say you fight against Jumon and are thus tentative 'allies'. They insisted to me that you deserved, at the very least, some recuperation and an explanation. I'd like to think of myself as a fair woman, so I shall provide you with both."

Katachi took a step forward. "So you are...you really are..."

The woman nodded. "I am the High Lady Eiyo. I sit on the Crystal Throne of the Fifth."

"You are the Queen, then?" Yusuke asked.

Eiyo folded her arms. "I suppose that is one equivalent to what I am, but my title is 'High Lady'. I rule neither kingdom nor empire - and even the Fifth I would hesitate to say I 'rule'."

"Would you..." Kuwabara began, "would you like us to address you as 'High Lady'?"

Eiyo chuckled. "I can't say I have been asked that question yet... My child, you may call me what you like - though I must insist you use your common sense when doing so."

Kuwabara's jaw worked. "...Okay...High Lady."

"Where are we?" Hiei asked.

"We have told you already," Eiyo replied. "You are in the Fifth."

"We know that," Hiei assented, "but what is the Fifth?"

Eiyo smiled at him. "The Fifth is exactly what its name implies: it is a fifth world, a world apart from the four you already know."

"Five?" Kurama asked. "Five worlds?" He fished as far back through his memories as he was able to, mentally going over all the knowledge of the Three Worlds he had accumulated over his long life.

"There are three worlds," Hiei said slowly. "I know only of three... Four, I suppose, if you were to consider the Nether World."

"You are correct, in a sense," Eiyo agreed, "because the Fifth is a secret. It is small, unnatural, and was created with a sole purpose in mind. It is the home of the Hand."

She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in. Kurama shifted from one foot to the other. He had so many questions... What exactly was this place? What was the 'Hand'? Where had all these Jaganshi come from? So many questions...yet he could not find his voice to speak them.

"I'm confused," Kuwabara stated, and Yusuke and Hiei nodded their agreement.

"I am not surprised," Eiyo replied. "It is not something we explain to every soul in the Three Worlds. As it is, these explanations are reserved solely for new Children joining us. But, Fukuro and Shiryoku say they owe you debts, and so I will fulfill their wishes. They do not ask for much, those two.

"Like the Nether World, the Fifth is not a world in the same sense as the three you know of. It is apart from the Human, Demon, and Spirit Worlds, and in inaccessible to anyone without the knowledge of how to come here. It has no name, because a name for a place like this is unimportant. It is what this world exists for that is. You will discover, if you have not already, that you are in the Crystal Palace. You may not venture outside, because there is no outside. The light you see when you look out the windows is simply artificial, made with magic to provide us with the natural sunlight we all crave. But you cannot go outside, because there is nothing to go out to. This is the Fifth, this palace, and nothing more. The Fifth, as I mentioned, is the home of the Hand.

"The Hand is small now, our kind has been...culled, I believe, is the best way to put it. As I'm sure you've noticed, members of the Hand are all Children of the Eye. We are commonly known as Jaganshi.

"That is not to say, however, that all Jaganshi are members of the Hand. Having an Eye bestowed upon you - whether by birth or some other means - is rare. It was rare thousands of years ago, when the Hand was formed, and if anything, is even more atypical now. Unfortunately - or fortunately - not many demons attempt to Acquire a Jagan. Jagan are hard enough to control by those who are Innate Jaganshi, and the challenge of mastering an Acquired one is increased tenfold. And sadly, not many are born Innate. But though our faction is dwindling in numbers, we will not simply proposition just any Jaganshi we happen to come across. To be of the Hand is no small task. It requires the Jaganshi to be a true master of his or her Eye."

"Okay," Yusuke uttered. "So this castle is home to a bunch of Jaganshi. You said it was 'no small task' to be part of the Hand. What exactly do you guys do?"

Eiyo tapped her lips. "It is not easy to be Accepted as part of the Hand, and those who are have, as I said, mastered their Jagan. Essentially, we are watchers. We watch the Four Worlds and all that goes on within them, and use our powers to intervene when something goes wrong."

"Oh?" Kurama asked. That didn't sound accurate to him. "But then where were you when Sensui was around, then?"

"You did not let me finish," Eiyo said pointedly. "In the case of Sensui, we were there, behind the scenes, watching. We are always there. However, when it does not directly involve us, we try to let others handle it. Where Sensui is concerned, you and the Spirit World solved that.

"This, however, concerns us. Jumon is looking to destroy us for revenge."

"For stealing Mother," Katachi put forth.

Eiyo nodded. "For 'stealing' your mother. Shiryoku is a powerful woman, and she had made it no secret that she wanted to obtain a Jagan. She had searched for someone who could grant her one, but could find nobody. After evaluating her potential and gauging her powers, we offered her one, and an opportunity to take part in the Trial. Needless to say, she succeeded, and became one of us. Unfortunately, when she bid farewell to her children, we had no idea how her eldest, Jumon, would react."

"Obviously," Kuwabara commented. "The guy's a psycho with an Oedipus Complex."

"Oedipus?" Hiei echoed.

"A psychological condition," Kurama found himself explaining. He was unsure of the equivalent in Hiei's language. "It shares its name with an ancient Greek king," he went on, "who unknowingly fell in love with his mother and had children with her. Nowadays, it is used to describe boys with a sexual infatuation for their mothers. They are often jealous of their fathers because they cannot express the amount of affection on their mothers as they can. The female equivalent is the Electra Complex, where which a girl is sexually fascinated with her father."

"I still can't believe she's his mom," Yusuke breathed. "That's...disgusting."

"He is not well," Eiyo conceded. "He is obsessed with Shiryoku, and is convinced that we have somehow stolen her from him. It has become his goal in life to 'rescue' her and be rid of us."

"If Jumon had his way," Katachi added, "Mother would be locked forever away in a fine chamber so he could protect her. You must understand that this is not Mother's fault."

"It is not," Eiyo replied with a nod. "We do not blame her, nor do we blame Jumon. He is mad, and must be stopped, but he really does love Shiryoku, misguided as this love is. Originally, this was an internal affair - others were not meant to be involved. But then Jumon did something unexpected: he began weaving the Spirit Threads. Jumon plans to do something very dangerous, just to have the power to overtake the Fifth. He plans to call forth the White Sphere."

"Which is?" Kurama prodded.

"Remember how I said the Hand had been culled? It is because of the Orb. It was, originally, the purpose of our existence. No one knows where it came from, or who had created it, but members of the Hand were charged with protecting it, and keeping it safe in the Fifth. While we did at the time watch the events of the other worlds and often advise royal figures, our primary purpose was to make sure that the Orb was kept safe and away from anyone else.

"It was several thousand years ago, when it happened. Even well before my time. Any records of what had happened that day have been lost, but something terrible happened. The White Sphere was handled by someone less than capable of controlling it. The results were disastrous. From what I understand, many lives were lost. Several Brothers and Sisters - who are gone now, may their Eyes remain closed in peaceful sleep - managed to cast away the Orb and stop its path of destruction before any more damage could be done. Wherever the Orb went, we don't know. It has been lost to us for centuries."

"What did it look like?" Hiei asked suddenly.

Eiyo gave him a strange look. "It was an orb of the purest white, very much like a crystal," she said at last. "A white crystal."

A white crystal? Kurama thought. Why did that sound so familiar?

"We have left the Orb float in whatever exiled dimension the Brothers and Sisters who sealed it away selected. We agreed it was too dangerous to keep in any World any longer - including the Fifth. But now...now Jumon has decided that only by acquiring the Orb can he have the power to destroy us and rescue Shiryoku."

"How does Jumon know about the Orb?" Yusuke asked.

"Shiryoku," Hwang declared simply, moving to stand beside Eiyo. "You must understand that there is no real 'code of silence' when it comes to family. Though we insist that the family of the Brother - or Sister, in this case - keep the knowledge to themselves. Who knew Jumon would be as...touched as he is?"

"So Jumon wants to get the White Sphere," Kurama declared. "How is planning on doing that with these 'Spirit Threads', as you call them? Where does the White Blindness come in?"

"The Spirit Threads," Eiyo began, "are the...how should I put it...means of locating powerful sources of rei. Jumon cast them out to locate any human with a large amount of rei that he would be able to take. Then he draws it out from them, since humans are rarely able to use any rei they have. Itsuwari is the one who hunts them down and takes the rei from them."

"So the White Blindness is..."

"Simply a side-effect of Jumon's Spirit Threads, of the rei building up and remaining ready to be taken. And," she added, looking at Yusuke, "it is contagious. However, not everyone is a target. Yusuke, you should not be worried about Jumon wanting your rei. You don't have much."

Yusuke blinked. Kurama exchanged confused glances with Hiei. "But Yusuke has the most reiki of us all," Kuwabara pointed out.

"No, he does not," Eiyo corrected, "he has the strongest reiki of you all. 'Strong' does not necessarily mean 'most'. That is a common misconception about rei. An ordinary human can have more rei than most think possible - it does not mean they can do anything with it, and it does not mean they are strong."

"Keiko," Yusuke breathed. "Keiko and Seung...so that's why they were targeted..."

"I would say so."

"But what does burning eyes have to do with anything?" Kuwabara demanded. "Why'd he have to take their eyes?"

Eiyo shook her head sadly. "He...does not need to take the eyes. Itsuwari...does that to amuse himself."

Kurama clenched his fists. That son of a...

"By amassing the rei he accumulates from the humans, Jumon will be able to call forth the White Sphere back to the Demon World. If he has the Orb in his possession, there's no telling what he might do. So, we will find him and stop him before it is too late."

"Right," Kuwabara agreed. "So how do we find him?"

Eiyo did not answer right away. She stared at the well-built human for nearly a minute. Then she shook her head again. "I see you have forgotten what I said before this conversation began. You will not be in this world much longer. In fact, you will be escorted out immediately after this. This is not your business."

Kurama blinked. "What? You don't expect us simply go home and forget about all this, do you?"

"On the contrary, that is exactly what I expect you to do. I gave you the explanation Fukuro and Shiryoku asked me to, and now I have done what I promised. Hwang will show you out, and someone - possibly Fukuro - will escort you back to the Human World."

"Not a chance," Yusuke snapped. "We have been through Hell, and many of our friends have suffered because of that demon, and we are not going to just give up and go home!"

"So you say," Eiyo replied, "but you...you yourself are blind. What can you do to help?"

Yusuke glared at her. "Exactly: I'm blind. And you want me to go home and forget about it?" He leaned forward as far as he could in Kuwabara's embrace. "No. Fucking. Way. We started this, and we're gonna finish it."

Eiyo's lips tightened, and her fingernails started drumming the arms of her chair. "You don't seem to understand me. This concerns the Hand. I assure you, we'll deal with Jumon."

"You've certainly done a good job so far," Kuwabara commented. "We're the ones who have been chasing Itsuwari all over the place, we're the ones who battled our way to the top of Jumon's place, and our friends are the ones Jumon is after. So we're going to be around, whether you like it or not."

"Are you the reason why Koenma won't do anything?" Kurama added.

"You are beginning to try my patience," Eiyo said coolly. "Yes, I invoked my authority to keep Reikai out of this. Fukuro was right about you," she added. "You are such meddlers. This is not your affair. How many times must it be said? This concerns only members of the Hand. If necessary, I will have one of the Brothers gifted in Mind Cleansing fix it so none of you remember any of this."

"I'd like to see you try that, you old--"

"And how," Hiei asked, silencing Kuwabara, "do you become a member?"

Kurama inhaled sharply and turned to stare at his lover. He wasn't the only one, either. Everyone was staring the fire demon now. Firefly?

"Just what," Eiyo uttered, "did you have in mind?"

"Maybe I'm interested," Hiei replied.

Hiei! Kurama cried mentally.

Hush.

"Why are you interested in being Accepted?"

Hiei snorted. "Because this is our business as much as yours, no matter what you say. But if you're going to be so stubborn about who can and cannot be involved, there's no choice but to conform, now is there?"

Eiyo gave Hiei a mild glare. "You think you can simply try to be Accepted just so you can join the fight against Jumon, and then abandon us when it is over?" She shook her head sharply. "No, child. You are gravely mistaken. Jaganshi who are Accepted into the Hand become bound to us and our duty for life. It is not a temporary status to cast off when it is no longer convenient for you."

"I gathered," Hiei replied dryly. "But if I'm willing to do it, what does it matter?"

Hiei! What are you doing?!

What choice do we have? We're just wasting time bantering like this.

But you don't know what you're...

I know what I'm doing, Kurama. "Well?" he prodded. "You said Jaganshi capable of joining the Hand were rare. I'd like to think myself quite capable, so tell me how I'd do."

A muscle in Eiyo's jaw worked. "When I heard of you," she said, "I was very surprised. You are Acquired...but you are strong. If you...if you were serious about this...I would say you were capable of trying."

"What if I am serious?"

Hiei-- Kurama blinked when he was met with a wall. Hiei had shut him out. Hiei...

"I will tell you no lie," Eiyo replied. "Strong Jaganshi are rare, and we want all the ones we can get. But I will not let you take the Trial unless you mean to stay."

"I mean to stay."

Kurama bit his tongue to keep from shouting at him. Just what the hell was Hiei doing? From what he had gathered from Eiyo, this was not a decision to be made lightly.

The room was quiet for several moments. Finally, Eiyo stood. She folded her arms beneath her breasts and glanced at Hwang. "Prepare the Arches for a Trial," she ordered.

Hwang blinked at her. "But...my Lady," he stammered, "he...is not doing this for us at all - he has an ulterior motive."

"I know that."

"And there is still the matter of Jumon..."

"It is unlikely - and unwise - of him to try anything so soon after such a blow to his plans."

"...But you said yourself that we do not just invite any--"

"Hwang," Eiyo interrupted, "in case you did not hear me correctly the first time, I said to prepare the Arches for a Trial."

Hwang's eyes widened, and he glanced uneasily at Hiei. "I..." He put a fist over his heart and bowed to her. "As you wish, my Lady," he murmured, and walked stiffly from the room, the doors closing gently behind him.

"You have two hours," Eiyo told them. "And then Hiei will take the Trial." She closed her eyes and the third eye in the middle of her forehead began to glow. "I will send for someone to show the rest of you to your rooms to wait. Hiei, you will remain here. I have some questions for you." Her Eye stopped glowing and she went right back to reading the papers on her desk. "That is all. You are dismissed."

Kurama stared in shock until he felt Hiei tug his arm. He turned away from the High Lady and left the room. Hiei went with them, and they shut the door behind them. Kuwabara still had an arm around Yusuke, steadying him. Both looked like they wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

Kurama could stand the silence no longer. "Hiei, what have you done?"

"I told you," his lover replied softly, "I know what I'm doing."

"You're fucking insane," Kuwabara commented, shaking his head. "In-fucking-sane."

"Did you have a better idea?" Hiei asked heatedly. "I didn't see you volunteer one."

Kurama tested the mental link between them. Hiei had let the barrier drop. This is largely due to Yukina, isn't it?

There was no other way to get them to leave us alone and let us do our part...

But you heard the conditions! She'll bind you to them! She said that was part of the deal.

I know.

He glared. Damn it, Hiei...

Hiei glared back. What has gotten into you? You should be glad I'm doing this. Now you'll be able to avenge what was done to your mother.

"There could have been another way," Yusuke insisted. "I'm sure we could have worked out something. You didn't have to volunteer yourself to--"

"There was no other way - and we don't have all century." Hiei made a face. "From the way it was going, I'd have seen my third century before we managed to 'work something out'. And we don't have that kind of time."

"But--"

"And in case any of you have forgotten, I'm the only Jaganshi you have."

Kurama growled low in his throat. He seized Hiei's shoulders and tugged him closer, lowering his head so they were almost nose-to-nose. Hiei...I love my mother and I want to save her...I want to save Keiko and all the others...but mark my words, I will not lose you to a bunch of three-eyed political cult members!

Hiei gently pried himself out of Kurama's hands and took them in his own. Kurama...how can someone so smart...be so stupid? I'm not leaving you, no matter what they think. He gave Kurama a quick kiss on the lips. I'll see you after the Trial...whatever that consists of.

He let go of Kurama and turned away, heading back to the High Lady's chambers. He paused before opening the door. "Kuwabara."

The human looked up. "Uh?"

"...Yukina wishes you to return to her safely."

Hiei disappeared into Eiyo's study, leaving them staring at the wooden doors. Kurama took a deep breath. Just another hurdle, he told himself. This is just another hurdle we have to get over. He hated the delay, but as Eiyo said, it was unlikely Jumon would try anything right away. Just one more hurdle...one more and we can get rid of that bastard once and for all... And if Eiyo thought he was going to sit quietly and watch her duties and obligations take away the other half of his soul...she would be in for a surprise.

"Kurama, when did Hiei talk to Yukina? Is something wrong with her?"

Kurama opened his mouth, but shut it when he saw Sayra appear in the doorway to Hwang's chamber. She had come to take them back to their rooms, he guessed. "I'll explain when we get to your room," he replied. "But you're not going to like it."

"I don't like a lot of this," Kuwabara muttered as they began following her back. "And I especially don't like the fact that Hiei has to become one of them."

"Can they really do what Ei--" he eyed Sayra walking ahead of them, "--the High Lady said they could? Mind Cleansing?"

Mind Cleansing: the art of delving into one's mind and erasing memories. "I'm not sure...but I'm willing to bet they can." She had trapped them. As long as they were in the Fifth, they were at the Hand's mercy. Hiei was right: there had been no other choice. And now, Hiei Acceptance was their only hope.

The next chapter is long... ^_^;;; Erm...feedback?