Koenma, along with Shizuru, ran through the woods. Dusk had settled, casting an eerie glow on the dark edifice. Its strange characteristics unearthly, alien yet very dominant and dangerous in appearance. At a glance, it may look like an unidentified artillery from outer space.
         " Yukina!", Shizuru started to walk towards a girl lay sprawled on the dirt a few feet from the structure.
        Koenma pulled back his companion. " Wait . . ."
         " What if we’re wrong Koenma? What if she’s hurt?", Shizuru dashed to the ice youkai. Koenma had no choice but to follow. They approached her cautiously.
        Yukina’s lashes fluttered as Koenma reached her side. Her red eyes flew open, their bright hues, staring directly at the prince. " I don’t need her anymore.", her mouth moved in tune of the words, but it wasn’t her own voice. " I already have what I wanted. She’s all yours."
        With that the glow disappeared from her eyes. Yukina blinked twice. " W-What happened?" She looked around groggily, thinking how in the world did she ended up in the middle of the woods.
         " Long story.", Shizuru answered.
        The three snapped their attention back to the structure. As a wash of light flooded over them. They gasped as the onyx situated on the empty case lit up. One by one, the silver creatures embedded on the four capsules glinted, appearing almost alive, even if they still held their place, unmoving.
         " You’re right about the fifth member, Koenma.", Shizuru said. " But if Yukina isn’t the one, then who is it?"
         " I don’t know . . I don’t know . .", Koenma whispered, his golden eyes fixed on the fifth capsule.
         " THE ONE?", they jumped as a raspy voice echoed throughout the woods. All of them shivered, listening to the cold, harsh voice.
         " That voice . . .", Koenma murmured. It was strangely familiar. He’s very much sure he had heard it before.
         " DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO’S THE ONE?", it sneered.
        Suddenly the round gem glowed like black fire, sending a beam of strong dark light towards the three.
        Yukina screamed, shielding herself with her arms, hearing her own shrill cries. Suddenly, she stopped. She could still hear the frightening shrieks. She checked herself and realized she’s fine. A lump instantly formed on her throat as she raised her eyes. What she saw made her gasp out in surprise and terror.
        Koenma struggled helplessly as the strong beam of light lay fixed on his head.
         " Koenma!", Shizuru cried out as they watched the prince flailing his arms wildly, howling. She and Yukina jumped as the booming voice spoke up again.
         " THE ONE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR, KOENMA. . . IS NONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF!!!!", it laughed maniacally drowning out the young man’s screams.
         " Nooooooooooo!!!", Koenma howled, dropping to his knees. He was being dragged into the edifice. He screamed louder as he felt the cold, clammy surface of the middle capsule. He could feel himself being sucked into it. " Aaauuuuurggghhhh!!!!!!!!!"
         " Koenma!!!", a young woman shrieked. Shizuru and Yukina looked over their shoulder and saw Botan, Keiko and George emerging out of the woods into the clearing.
         " W-What are you doing here? You should. . .", Shizuru was cut off as the largest gem glowed, preparing to attack.
        Within seconds, a long glaring beam of light shot through the air, rushing towards them at such tremendous speed.
        They all stepped back and ran to all directions as the beam struck on the ground a few inches from George’s feet.
        Koenma, on the other hand, fell unconscious. His whole body pressed against the capsule. The structure must’ve chosen to eliminate the others first before proceeding with its plan.
        The four gems lightened up sending the middle gem to glow more intensely. It whirred noisily, aiming straight at Keiko.
        The brown-haired girl stood frozen on the spot.
         " Keiko!", Botan yelled, pushing her out of harm’s way.
        Both girls landed hard on the dirt, dodging the destructive beam.
        Botan winced as pain shot up from her left thigh.
         " Botan! Are you alright?", Keiko asked, anxiously. She herself could feel a throbbing pain in her right foot. She must’ve fallen hard and twisted her right ankle.
        George started to run in Botan’s direction but as he was doing so, hundreds of lotus flower swirled around him. A death mask planted itself on his face. He shrieked, struggling to pull the mask off. Blood poured out the sides his face as small needles punctured his cheeks. He felt one sticky flower wrapped itself on his left leg. He screamed in pain as it began sucking his blood. Another stuck itself on his right shoulder and did the same.
         " George!", Botan shrieked. Shizuru had reached her side, trembling in fear.
        Botan shifted her gaze upward. " Shizuru, behind you!"
        Shizuru turned her head and gasped. The sky was filled with dark shapes. She could hear the sound of beating wings.
        Crows.
        Shizuru opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. One crow dove toward her, its beak opened wide. It grabbed a thick lock of her hair and yanked it out of her head. She felt warm blood trickled down the side of her face.
        She took out her coat and flapped it against the crows as they jabbed and pecked at her.
         " Aahhhhhh", shrill cries cut through Shizuru’s and George’s own terrified screams.
        Botan searched the clearing for her other two friends.
        Her eyes widen upon seeing Yukina and Keiko. Both screamed as a group of serpents slithered toward them. Hissing, their tongues darted in and out of their deadly mouths. The two girls hugged each other. Yukina reached out to fire a burst of cold energy. She gaped as her dainty hands only sputtered.
         " Y-You’re brother must’ve taken your power.", Keiko said fearfully.
        Yukina didn’t give up. Her baby face twisted in concentration as one of them inched closer. It was about to lunged its venomous fangs into their faces when a wall of thick ice appeared before them.
         " That’s all I could do. I don’t have enough power to freeze them.", tears flowed from Yukina’s eyes as she tried harder.
        Keiko on the other snatched up a twig and batted it down on the incoming snakes.
        Botan watched in horror as her friends were being tormented. She knew that they were only being eliminated because the edifice must’ve picked whom to finish first.
        Purple eyes could only watch in horror as the dark jewel glowed directly towards her.
        Botan hugged herself as she awaited her death. Tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks. She took one long look at Kurama through the smoky glaze of his capsule before closing her eyes.
         " I love you, Kurama.", she mouthed. She wanted it to be her last statement.
        This is it. This is really it. She silently told herself.
        She heard the strong blast from the edifice and cringed as she waited.
        Would it hurt? She thought. She could feel its heat as it approached closer. And closer . . .
        Suddenly, she felt strong arms enveloping her. Huh? She felt the person jerked and groaned as the rays made its target. She slowly opened her eyes and found herself staring into a pair of gorgeous green eyes.
         " K-Kurama . . .", Botan stammered. His entire left side’s drenched with blood. She looked past him and saw his shattered capsule. He broke free! He broke free to save her! She glanced at George and saw that the mask and the lotuses had left him.
        Botan couldn’t help herself. She cried and held Kurama tightly.
         " B-Botan, I’m sorry. So sorry . . . aaahh", his voice shook.
        She felt him stiffened. She looked up and gasped. Kurama’s eyes had taken a glassy shade. " Kurama? What’s wrong?"
        A smoky formation separated itself from Kurama’s body. The white mist thickened, forming long silver hair, golden eyes . . .
         " Youko Kurama!"
        His soul. His soul had left his body!
        Youko Kurama glared at his human form, clutching his bleeding arm. " Stupid! Look what you’ve done!" He hovered slightly above the two, scowling like a full fox on its prey.
        Botan shifted her gaze at Suuichi. Her eyes widen, seeing Kurama’s deathly white eyes slowly taking in its original color as he struggled to speak. " I-I s-saved . . her ‘cause i-it’s the right thing to do."
        With much difficulty, he turned to face his true form.
        Golden eyes met green.
        The stubborn kitsune searched his human self.
        He felt his determination. His pain. His anxiety. His fear. Not the fear out of cowardice but fear of losing something . . or someone.
        Youko Kurama saw the onyx preparing to strike a much stronger beam. Enough to neutralize a soul or two.
        But that’s not what he’s afraid of. As he stare at the blue-haired girl. Her lips quivering. Her arms around his human body. He saw himself. Denial seemed to complicate the situation, clouding out what was supposed to be just simple logic. Admission is the key. He had to admit that he loved her no matter how much she had hurt him in the past. When she died in Makai, she left him. This time, seeing the other side of himself clutching Ayuri, he knew he’s willing to join her even to death.
        He had to make up his mind. NOW!
        At the sound of the blast emission, something within him clicked. With all his strength, he rushed back to his human body and released a barricade of plants to protect them.
        Kurama held on to the barrier. The power was just too strong. Painfully, Botan reached out and helped him.
         " Botan . . .", Kurama protested.
         " You’re injured, too. You can’t do it alone.", Botan said, eyeing a patch of red on his shirt.
        Suddenly they heard the sound of splintering glass.
        Yusuke punched the glass capsule repeatedly, managing to break a small portion of it. Shards of broken glass scratched his arm. He slipped his hand and released the spirit shotgun, melting all the snakes.
        Shizuru howled as one crow tore a piece of flesh from her arm. " Heeeelppp . . . . aaaahhhhh"
        All of a sudden, one crow uttered a feeble groan. A scalpel had pierced all the way through its furry body.
         " Look!", Botan pointed at Kuwabara through the smoky glass. His expression shifted in concentration. " He’s saving his sister!"
        Out of nowhere, hundreds of golden spears rained down around Shizuru. The birds screeched. Sharp daggers pierced through their small, feathery bodies.
         " They must have been confused the moment I broke away from the alliance. We probably should be working together according the master. He must’ve lost control over us the moment I gained consciousness.", Kurama realized.
         " Keiko, Yukina, are you alright?", Botan asked.
         " Don’t worry about us. We’re fine.", Keiko replied. She had barely spoken when a sound of a rampaging dragon rumbled.
         " Hiei!", Yukina screamed, seeing her brother’s eyes shifted from bright red to their usual brownish hue.
        The two dragons on his armlet came alive. It thrashed wildly, trying to escape from the cold prison of the capsule. The two dragons broke through the glass covering and started to thrash wildly. One dragon turned at the adjoining capsule. It started to attack Kuwabara’s case. Breaking into it. It’s deadly mouth intending to swallow Kuwabara’s head.
         " Traitors! Stay in your places!", the fire demon boomed. The other dragon shifted its attention at Kurama.
        The dragon slipped under kitsune’s arms, encircling his body with its long, powerful limbs. Kurama clenched his teeth as its grip tightened. With a loud cry, his eyes emanated a bright glow, signaling a long, thorny plant bursting from beneath the ground. The plants lashed out on the dragons' body, enveloping them. Choking them.
         " K-Kuramaaaa . . . m-my hands . . . step out of the way . . ." Yusuke’s voice altered between harsh and panic-filled.
        Yusuke screamed as his hands started to move by itself. Aiming at Kurama’s head. Yusuke struggled harder.
         " Yusuke, fight it!", Keiko encouraged. She could see his face contorted with panic. If he let out his power to Kurama, the dragons will be released, killing both Kuwabara and Kurama in the process.
        You’re much stronger than this Yusuke . . . Enki’s dying voice echoed inside Yusuke’s head. He just let the monster within him kill his father’s friend. He was helpless. He had failed to control his own body.
         " I believe in you, Yusuke!", Keiko’s soft voice penetrated his ears, snapping him back to reality.
        I won’t fail you, my love. I won’t fail myself. I won’t fail anybody anymore. Yusuke professed silently
        He clenched his jaw as he redirected his finger towards the stone above Hiei’s capsule. His finger bones crackled with each effort. Wounds spurted throughout his body as he tried to repossess himself.
        With a strong burst of strength he yelled, " Rei-Gun!"
        The intense power of his rei-gun hit the stone right in the middle, shattering it into pieces.
        The impact caused the four outer capsules to explode, hurtling the four detectives out of the edifice.
         " Yusuke!", Keiko yelled, reaching out to help assist him.
         " TRAITORS!", a raspy voice accused.
        All eyes turned at the structure.
         " I DON’T NEED YOU WEAKLINGS ANYMORE! HE WILL RISE!"
        A wall of fire rose from beneath the earth, encircling the center ornate crystal case.
         " Koenma!", Yusuke called, seeing the prince of Reikai, being sucked into the tube once more.
        Without warning, a stormy gust of wind blew throughout the clearing. Trees swayed violently as a hot, yellow fire light surrounded Koenma’s entire body.
        A black mist enveloped itself around his forehead. The others gasped as another relic formed.
        A circlet crown crossed with a pair of hoops at right angles, on top of which was a sphere surmounted by an inverted cross.
        " The symbol of . . . !", Botan was too horrified to continue.
         " I-I CAN’T F-FIGHT . . . ITS. . . T-TOO . . .S-STRONG . . . K-K I . . .L L . . . . ME!!!", Koenma yelled. His voice tinged with pain. " D-DO . . . I-IT!!!"
         " What?!", Kuwabara asked dumfounded.
         " D-do . . It Y-Yusuke . . .I-I order you!!!", Koenma’s thought waved to Yusuke. Looking deep into his golden eyes, he understood what he meant. " Kill me if necessary, all of you. I’m serious."
        Yusuke shook his head. " We can’t. We’ll find another way. "
        Kurama stared back. " There is no other way, Yusuke."
        Without warning, Hiei released his flame dragon straight at Koenma. The dragon pierced into the wall of flames.
         " NOOOOOOO!!!!!", Yusuke shouted.
        Kuwabara grabbed Hiei's collar, ready to chin the short one. " Who are you to make such a decision without consulting us?! What did you do that for?! You stinking piece of shit!!!!"
        Botan let out a wail. Yukina’s mouth hung open in shock. Shizuru retreated back, not believing what had just happened. George’s jaw dropped.
        Yusuke felt his knees weakening while Kurama could only close his eyes, holding back his temper.
         " Wait! Look!", Keiko said, pointing at Koenma’s direction.
        All eyes searched the structure. The smoke cleared, revealing the ornate crystal standing unscathed. Koenma’s body’s halfway inside the case. His face looked forlorn and tired.
         " We have no choice.", Kurama spoke up. " I think it just sucks every power we force into it. Fighting it from here would be useless."
         " Then what do you suggest?", Kuwabara asked.
        All four reikai detectives met with one solution in mind --- go back in and destroy it from the inside.
         " We shouldn’t waste any time.", Hiei said.
         " George. Take charge of the girls. If we didn’t come out in ten minutes, you have to escape. Take them wherever place you think you’ll be safe. Just make sure they’ll be fine.", Yusuke said.
        Botan’s purple eyes widen in fear. " Y-You’re not thinking of . . ."
         " We have to. It’s the only way.", Kurama said.
        Keiko reached out and pulled the hem of Yusuke’s shirt. " You promised me."
         " Keiko . . .", Yusuke gazed at her worried face.
         " Let’s go!", Hiei called impatiently.
        They all took one long look at each other. Memorizing their features. As if it would be the last time they’d be seeing each other.
        Botan, Keiko, Yukina, Shizuru and George stared at their back.
         " Yusukeee!!!!!!!!!!", Keiko let out a mournful wail as their figures vanished into a wall of the raging inferno.

----------------------------------------------------------------

        The fire roared like thunder. Above the choking clouds of black smoke, the night sky brightened with a wash of angry scarlet.
        Golden pair of eyes stood witness as flames tossed and crashed like ocean waves, rolling over the ravished structure and onto a black creature, pouring out of its glaring eyes, sweeping up its long limb and over its graceful head until it was nothing more than the dark core of a raging fireball.
        Hiei’s flame dragon. Vanquished.
        It didn’t work, Koenma thought mournfully. Even the strongest flames of Makai could not withstand the rampaging flame of evil.
         " Ohhh!!!", Koenma cried out in shock as figures came into view. Figures . . and faces in flames.
        The prince gaped in horror as he stared at the wriggling bodies.
        He saw screaming women in old-fashioned clothes, blood flowing through their long hair and onto the their cheeks. Men with bronze arrows sticking out of their chest, writhing in pain.
        Koenma’s breath caught in his throat as he saw a beautiful woman with long light brown hair, her lovely eyes the shade of honey.
         " Mom . . .?", Koenma voice cracked, tears followed down his cheeks. " This people . . . They’re the victims."
        Koenma appeared shock as four figures materialized before him. A loud gasp escaped his lips as he recognized them.
         " Yusuke . . . . aaauughhhh!!!!", he yelled. Before he had the chance to warn them, a sharp pain shot up through his nape. He felt scorching flames biting his skin, his eyes burned like hell.
         " What’s wrong? Koenma! Koenma!" He could hear their panicked cries above the loud cackling.
        His ears caught a sickening crack then he felt his neck snap in place. Koenma’s golden eyes focused on the four detectives. They look so brave like a true cavalier professing the all too valued chivalry thing. Does any of them ever knew how it feels to be burned? How about Kuwabara? It’ll sure be fun too see such a demented fuck rag screaming his lungs out.
        Instantly a wave of orange flames licked at Kuwabara. The big guy cried shrilly. Jumping about, shielding himself from the tongues of fire rushing after him.
        Koenma gaped in horror, seeing Kuwabara being chased by the fire exactly as he had envisioned it. Slowly, he shook his head, not believing. " No. This isn’t happening. My thoughts my own thoughts.", Realization hit him like a jagged arrow. "I’m making THIS happen!"

        They watched helplessly as a wall of flames enveloped Kuwabara’s huge frame, singing his coat and orange hair.
         " Stop it! Stop it, Koenma or I’ll make sure you’re gonna walk on hell!", Yusuke warned.
        " N-No I-it isn’t h-him anymore.", Kuwabara stuttered. " S-somebody e-else i-is in control!"
         " Kuwabara’s right. And we have to save Koenma from it. Isn’t that the reason why we came here?", Kurama reminded Yusuke as he transformed into his youko form. Hundreds of killer plants exploded from his body, wrapping themselves tightly around the ornate capsule.
         " What’s the matter, Yusuke? Don’t tell me this skunk’s much smarter than you are?", Hiei sneered.
         " Yeah. Sorry.", Yusuke apologized. " I just lost it. That’s all."
        Hiei snatched his sword out of the sheath and slammed it into the glass covering. The tremendous clash echoed loudly, sending a burst of crystal-like energy. The impact caused Hiei’s katana to broke in half. The broken part flew into the air.
        Hiei gasped as it came rushing back at him. He yelped in pain as the sharp edge dug into his right leg. A ripping noise sounded, he looked down and saw the blade slicing through his bloody flesh as if an invisible hand’s making it to do so.
         " Hiei!", Yusuke cried.
         " Rosewhip!", Kurama snagged the blade off Hiei’s leg.
        Hiei fell to the ground. " My sword! He broke my sword!" He turned at Yusuke, for the first time he looked a bit afraid, overwhelmed by the dark power. " What’re we going to do now?"
        Yusuke shook his head. " I don’t know but we have to fulfill our mission no matter what. We have to free Koenma of this evil being! Rei-Gun!", Yusuke fired his rei-gun.
        The strong blast was sucked into the capsule. He fired another. Then another. It was no use!
         " Yusuke . . .", Kurama called gently. " Yusuke, we need to think of something."
        The spirit detective stopped, his face clouded with devastation.
         They set their gaze at Koenma through the thick glass of his cold prison. An expression of pain and inward concentration altered the pale contours of the prince’s face.
         Kurama sized up the situation. Their choices are limited. The stakes are too high. Koenma cannot beat it all by himself. They don’t stand a chance at beating the master, too but he knew they have to try. . .
        A metallic sound broke into his thoughts. He saw Kuwabara’s scepter clattered then rolled over to the ground.
        Then something hit him. He hesitated. Would it work? They haven’t done it before.
         " Hey, you! Whoever you are!", Yusuke shouted at Koenma, now seethed with fury. " Why don’t you release Kuwabara and fight fairly. Are you afraid that once we come together, we’re gonna beat you?"
        Kurama calmly placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. " Easy, Yusuke. I have a plan."
        It somehow accepted his challenge as the flames eased out on Kuwabara. The burly guy fell to the ground. " T-Thanks! But I don’t like what you said Yusuke. That’s suicide!"
         " We already have a plan.", Yusuke told him. He turned to Kurama. " What’s the plan?"
         " We have to work together.", Kurama said.
         " And combine our powers.", Hiei continued.
         " How?"
        Kurama yanked the ornate necklace with a savaged wrench. " With this."
         " Huh?", Kuwabara said, confused.
         " I think I got what you mean. But would the relics heed to our orders?", Yusuke asked.
         Kurama looked thoughtful. " I think so. If we played our cards right, it will work. Just listen from within. Think of your good intentions. Your aspirations. Your dreams.", Kurama paused. " And your loved ones."
         " We should only speak to each other through telepathy.", Hiei said.
        They all nodded in agreement.
        The four sauntered over the crystal capsule and stood on each of the side, ignoring the scorching heat of the fire. They held hands, facing outward. It was the same position they had when they released the capsule, they believe it’s the only way they could put it back again.
        Kurama knew it could be fatal. And that master may bring them with him. But it’s the price they have to pay after unleashing the evil powers. Botan’s face flashed in his mind. He never had the chance to show her how much she means to him. In fact he did just the opposite. Dragging her into this nightmare. But whatever happens, this battle I offer to you, Botan. Kurama professed silently.

        Koenma groaned inwardly. He knew what they are trying to do. They don’t realize that challenging the master outright would mean instant death!
        Koenma struggled to break free from his prison but his body refuse to obey him. He must get out of here. He must beat the monster inside him. It has taken over his speech. Pretty soon, he’ll have full control over his thoughts. It has started, he knew. But he had to fight it.

        Hiei clenched his teeth. He felt himself weaken, felt his muscles go slack, felt his body surrender. But then he remembered Yukina’s dark features. He used my sister. How dare he! He would not allow anybody to lay a finger on her, human or otherwise. I will make him pay! He coughed loudly as a thick smoke went past him.
        Yusuke gasped for breath. The choking smoke filled his lungs. He wanted to flail his arms and shield himself from the scorching heat but he have to keep steady. He could feel Hiei’s sharp nails digging into his palm. He ignored the pain. He has to. For his family. For his friends. For the three realms. For Keiko.
        Kuwabara’s pudgy hand’s slipping. Yusuke held on to it tightly. He tilted his head slightly to the left.
         " Kuwabara!", his thoughts waved to his friend. " You can’t give up now!"
         " I-I can’t hold i-it any . .more . . .", Kuwabara replied mentally.
         " How about your sister? And Yukina? Aren’t they enough reasons for you to go on?", Yusuke cried in his thoughts. " Are you just going to throw in the towel and call it quits? That’s cowardice, Kuwabara!"
        In a sudden burst of strength Kuwabara gripped Yusuke’s hand stronger.
         " A few more . . .", Kurama’s calm voice echoed in their minds.
         " How long?", Hiei asked.
         " We need more energy. We need Koenma’s help.", Kurama replied.
         " We can’t count on him now!", Hiei protested.
         " No. He have to give us just a small hint that he’s still there. We have to wait for that moment."
         " Yes. I understand now. In that case our powers would be more effective. We could make use of his innermost energy.", Yusuke said.
         " Just how do we know if its time?", Kuwabara asked.
         " I’ll give you the signal.", Kurama said. " Be patient my friends. I know he’ll come to somehow. Just hang on."

        Koenma stared at crystal covering of his case. He gaped in horror as the shimmering glass became a blinding sheet of fire.
        For the first time since he became a young adult, he felt scared. He wanted to raise both arms and shield himself but they won’t obey him. All he could muster was to utter a terrified wail. He felt like the infant that he was. Helpless. Weak.
         " Master!", his father’s voice echoed in his head. He listened intently. " Dad . . .?"
         " Master! Take me instead.", Enma pleaded. " You don’t need him. I’m stronger. MUCH stronger."
         " Dad, what do you think you’re doing?!"
         " Shut up! Look at you! You’re worst than an infant. You can’t even defend yourself!"
         " What?!"
         " Master! He was a disappointment to me. He won’t be able to please you as much as I would. Take me!"
         " Dad!!" Koenma couldn’t believe he said that! He knew he had fulfilled his duties. I’ll show him! I’ll shot him how I work. I’ll show him how powerful and determined I am!
        Kurama felt Koenma’s aura shift. It’s time. " It’s been nice working with you all!"
         " Same here."
         " Me, too."
         " Hn!"
         " Ready?", Kurama yelled. He felt Koenma’s increasing power.
         " NOW!!"
        All at once, they released their energy to the fullest, sending a burst of cold blue fire light swirling around them.
        Their bodies trembled uncontrollably. Their clothes fluttered in the sweeping winds. Their mouths opened in deafening howls as convulsion rippled through their bodies.
        The blue fire, their own powers, chased the angry fumes.
        Fiery red and serene blue fire cackled and blazed. The opposing flames grew higher and higher. They clawed at their feet. They climbed the ornate crystal. They reached past the tall trees and into the dark sky.
        The flames lapped greedily at each other. They grew brighter until all the Reikai detectives could see was a wall of fire. The clash of power. An awesome battle. A battle of good versus evil.
        The powerful conflict increased into a raging tempo.
        They all gave one last howl. Ending the dreadful confrontation in a tremendous explosion that shook the entire city.
        Then everything went still, plunging the woods into a haunting silence.

        Outside the burning structure, everyone ducked beneath the concealing shelter of the thick bushes. They saw a fleeting picture of their friends twisting inside the flames before it exploded.
        Almost instantly, the woods fell into a deep silence.
        For a few moments no one spoke.
         " Have you seen them?", Keiko asked fearfully. " Has any of you seen anyone escaped the blast?"
        Botan clamped her mouth shut. She sobbed quietly, refusing to look into Keiko’s frightened eyes.
         " Yusuke!!!!", Keiko yelled as she dashed toward the still burning structure.
        Shizuru caught her in the arm. " Keiko . . ."
        The brown-haired girl collapsed in the earth.
        Shizuru wanted to soothe her but she doesn’t know what to say. She needed consolation as much as Keiko. Probably more. She lost her brother.
        Agony whipped through their hearts as the blaze started to fizzle out and remains of the burned structure were revealed one by one.
        They had fully taken the impact of their loss when suddenly figures started to emerge from the wall of fire.
        Everyone held their breaths. Could it?
        Kuwabara and Yusuke carried Koenma in both arms as they jumped out of the blaze.
         " Their alive!", Shizuru yelled gleefully.
        Keiko ran into Yusuke’s ragged arms and felt comfort in his tattered clothed body.
         " Boss!", George aided his master and lay him on the earth.
         " He’ll be fine. He just needs a rest.", Yusuke said.
        Botan looked at Koenma’s tired face. She was glad that he was okay but . . . Botan gazed at the raging flames, tears brimming in her eyes. Then without warning, a red figure burst through.
        Botan hesitated. She wanted to ran to his side and help cure his wounds but instead asked sincerely. " Are you alright?"
         She had to ask the question. As the keeper of souls. As an inhabitant of Reikai. As a friend. She had to ask. Because she wanted to. Because she care. Still care.
         " I’m fine.", Kurama replied. " Thank you." His tired green eyes gazed lovingly at the blue-haired girl. Her purple eyes glowed with relief, happiness and --- fear? He couldn’t blame her.
        Everybody seemed relieved but then they noticed that someone’s missing.
         " Where’s Hiei?", Koenma asked.
         " I saw him right behind me.", Kurama replied, his eyes fixed on the burning structure.
        The rest watched, expecting the fire demon to come out any second. A second passed. Two seconds. Seconds became minutes. The clock ticked.
         " Hiei!", Yukina cried out. " Why isn’t he coming out? He’s going to burn! He’s going to burn!"
        Botan reached out to the distraught girl as the small lady shook in fright. Their family was torn with grief and hatred. And though they grew apart, both survived with the knowledge and a silent pledge that one day they'll be united once more. Now, after so many years of searching they found each other only to be separated again.
        Yukina uttered a high-pitched wail and dropped to her knees. The ground tilted up to meet her. She felt ready to faint.
        Kuwabara watched from a distance, a dozen questions whirled in his head. A tinge of jealousy welling up within him as he caught the pain in Yukina’s red eyes. He looked at the others sideways. None of them seemed to be bothered by her outburst. Instead of confusion, pity was well written over his friends’ faces but why? He tried to ask himself over and over, racking his brain for answers. Do they know something that I don’t? He questioned silently. Why does she care so much of Hiei? That sick, arrogant, Hiei? Maybe ---
        Kuwabara was cut off his musings as a rush of hot breeze blew across the clearing. Before anyone could react, a small dark figure emerged from the wall of fire. Hiei!
        "He’s fine! He survived!", Botan laughed happily.
        Yukina’s tears flowed nonstop. She thought he’s finished and she wouldn’t know what to do if she lost him. Deeply disturbed and shaken after all the things she went through that day, Yukina lost consciousness and fell to the ground.
         " Yukina!", Kuwabara cried, carrying her in his strong arms, still confused as to why she was so worried over Hiei.
         " Don’t worry, she’s just unconscious.", Koenma assured. " Remember she was possessed just like the five of us."
         " Which means she won’t remember anything the moment she wakes up.", Kurama added, glancing briefly at his koorime friend.
        Hiei avoided his gaze. Good, he thought, that means she never knew that he is her brother.
        Keiko sighed. " Thank god!!"
         " It’s really nice to see all of you alive and well!", Botan said.
         " Its over.", Yusuke said, taking off the ornate ring from his finger and tossing it into the fire. Kurama, Hiei, Kuwabara and Koenma did the same. They stared at the relics as the flames consumed their intricate designs. Destroying and melting them, along with all the horror they brought.
        Suddenly, they heard copters and voices nearby.
         " The fire department’s here.", Kurama informed.
         " Then let’s go!", Koenma said.

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        They all watched as a mushroom of black smoke and orange flames billowed up from the woods toward the cerulean blue sky.
         " It is said in the bible that the devil was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur . . .", Yusuke said.
         " . . . And they will be tormented day and night eternally.", Keiko finished.
         " My father and his friends failed to burn him forever because they too burned with anger and revenge.", Koenma said. " This time its different. We burned him in the flames of love for other people. We burned him with our passion to care for their brothers and sisters."
        Kurama nodded. " While a being of good virtue would be delighted in those flames. The evil one would definitely suffer in the only thing he feared. One thing that for so long he had been trying to defeat."
         " While he plundered the world with hate, we shield ourselves with the power of love.", Botan spoke up.
         "So the best thing we could do is to spread love to the whole world!", Kuwabara exclaimed, his arms outstretched.
        The others stared at him and sweatdropped.
         " Kazuma . .", Yukina smiled at him, she revived quickly and was given a slashed account of the events that happened the whole day.
        Kuwabara grinned sheepishly.
         " I gotta go back to Reikai. ", Koenma announced.
         " Your wounds . . .", they protested.
         " I’ll be fine. Besides, someone’s waiting for me.", Koenma told them as George assisted him.
        Shizuru smiled. " I’d better get going, too. I'm so tired." She waved to the others and left.

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        Hiei sat at the edge of the low stone seawall. He gazed at the firemen at the other side, bustling to put everything in order. He peered at the nearby mountain while a flock of birds flew by.
        Love? Is that the major reason why I escaped the flames? I don’t even know what it means. Thoughts whirled in his mind.
         " Kazuma, I’ll be there. I just need to talk to somebody". He heard his sister’s soft voice behind him.
         " Okay, I’ll wait for ‘ya." Mr. lamebrain replied.
        Yukina sat herself next to Hiei, facing the opposite direction.
        Silence.
        He could feel her lamentation. Her pain.
         " I loved my brother so much . . .", she suddenly spoke up.
        Hiei could see her face out of the corner of his eye. She was so . . expecting and sad at the same time. Did she remembered something? Had she somehow picked up from that terrible ordeal? Did she found out that he's her long-lost brother? But she hasn’t gained any memory all throughout her possession. Or has she?
         " I longed for the day that I would be able to embrace him", her words spoke from the heart.
        Hiei knew that she’s waiting for him to admit it. But something’s holding him back.
         " I promise you, I’ll look for him as soon as I get back to Makai.", he finally replied, avoiding her eyes.
        Yukina barely nodded. She sniffled softly, stood up and started to walk away. Her soft footsteps seemed to echo around Hiei.
         " Yukina.", Hiei called. He felt responsible for her. Never mind that he, too was hurting. All he knew was that he had to at least ease out her pain. To give her hope.
        Yukina turned almost automatically. Would he finally admit it?
         " I Promise.", he repeated. " One day, Yukina, one day . . ."
        If there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes, she didn’t let him see it. Instead she managed a faint smile. No matter how much he denies it, she knew those words were enough assurance. I’ll wait for you, my brother. I’ll wait ‘til you’re ready.
        Hiei could hear her light footfalls. If when will he tell her, he doesn’t know. Tomorrow, next week, next year, whenever he felt like saying it. All he knew is that when the time comes, he will. That time will come, he vowed to himself, no matter how distant it may be.
         " I love you, too, my sister.", he murmured, feeling her presence slipping away. " Someday your dream would come true."
        He peered at the clouds and smiled. It felt good to finally be true to himself. Does this mean he’s gonna change?
         " Hn!"

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        They found themselves staring straight at each other. About six feet apart. Unable to speak. Unable to think of something to say to the other. They just stood there and let their eyes do the talking.
         " Botan . . .", Kurama whispered, breaking the silence.
        Botan closed her eyes, trying to hold back the tears. Would I ever trust him again? Does he really hate me? She thought.
        Even after he had left her in that dark, cold, creepy mausoleum, buried her alive in that marbled casket, she never found in her heart to hate him. When he saved her, she was so elated. She felt so warm and cared for. Botan knew she love him more than ever. Does he felt the same way or did he saved her because he felt responsible?
        She slowly opened her eyes and caught his pained expression as he turned away.
         " You don’t deserve me, Botan.", he said, making his way towards the opposite direction. Away from her.
        Tears fell down on Botan’s cheeks. " That’s it?!", she exclaimed. " You’re just going to throw away everything we fought for?"
        Kurama flinched. He could feel her purple eyes boring at his back. Those words speak of unbearable pain and longingness. He nearly killed her and God knows how much pain he had brought her before that. Would he hurt her again? Would he hurt the only woman he had ever loved? On two separate worlds, at two different times?
         " Then you never really loved me, didn’t you?", Botan accused. Taking his silence as an admission.
        Kurama was snapped out of his thoughts. " Botan, that’s not what I meant. I-I . . ."
        Botan felt like crying out how much he mean to him. But she knew it would be useless. Even if her former life remained a puzzle to her, it doesn’t matter. She had to pay for it. " I understand perfectly, Kurama. I can never make it up to you.", she said, turning her back and started to walk away.
        Kurama wanted to run after her. To pull her close and bring his lips to hers. To hug her tightly and make her feel that he needed her. His doleful green eyes stared at her departing figure. If only he could turn back time, he would. But both had caused so much pain, so much hurt to each other that they have to give themselves time to heal those wounds.
        He turned his back and started pacing to the opposite direction. They have to separate for now. They needed time to rediscover their identity and immerse their consciousness to the depths of their souls.
        And when it is all over, they will once more find themselves in each other’s arms. He knew it won’t be long.
         " I’m sorry, Botan.", he whispered. " I’m so sorry."

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         " Dad? Do you really mean it when you said I was a disappointment to you?", he asked.
         " What do YOU think?", Enma countered. " Do you believe that you failed to do your job?"
         " No.", Koenma replied unwaveringly. " I don’t believe I was a disappointment to anybody."
         " Then there goes my answer.", Enma smiled.
        Koenma couldn’t resist to smile back. He glanced through the window and saw the fair weather outside the Reikai castle. Such a perfect day, he thought.
        He shifted his gaze at the side table and saw a wedding picture of his parents. He picked up the portrait. " Papa, when did you and mama first met?"
        Enma looked surprised but he broke into a smile, his eyes now picked on a faraway look.
         " I was about fourteen back then . .", he started, giving his son a boyish grin. " I started a bit early . ."
        Koenma laughed. He had never seen his father like this. The Lord of the Dead looked like a child again as he continued his story.
         " She was very beautiful and . . . . ."
        Father and son went on, occasionally interrupted by a series of banters and laughs.
        Koenma was right. It is a perfect day. A perfect day indeed.

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        The glaring sunlight reflected the gold trimmings of a book.
        Another prophecy? Hmm. Not this time.
        The friar looked on the heroes, clutching the golden book in his hands. A small black gem in his palm. He watched from a distance as the last embers were put out by the fire department.
         " The prophecy, ah yes, I forgot to tell you not to take it literally. An augury, according to Mr. Webster is simply a prediction."
         " Personally, though, I think its just guidelines. Warnings. Why did our heroes became so . . evil, you ask. Because they could be. Because they are. Just like you and me. And I’m not talking about petty evilness the creatures of Makai do but something of absolute evil."
         " The bible said something about the devil being such a deceptive creature. If you are a person of common knowledge, who do you most likely be afraid of? The person you hate? Or a person you trust?"
        The friar narrowed his eyes as he thought of something. " I don’t blame you if you chose the first one. But then again you wouldn’t know it. Unless . . . Unless a loved one stabs a glittering knife in your back."
        He gave the onyx a long look. There were five them, all in all. Four small stones and a large one. Hiei’s onyx has been destroyed. " Which means, this dark gem could be one of the remaining three.", he murmured. It’s scary enough to know that it wasn’t burned like the others. Or so, he thought – they did burned. He stared at the gem worriedly. " Just the same, I should give this onyx to Enma and ask for its destruction. In that case, I would feel at peace, knowing that one of them was confirmed to be destroyed. No one would attempt to rise the evil again without any one of the four gems."
        The friar raised his head and smiled upon feeling a presence.
        But then his smile faded when suddenly, a cloudy pair of hands gave the old man a hard shove. The friar uttered a horrified shriek as he went over the cliff, plunging down the deep ravine. A loud scrunch echoed as his body fell straight into a sharp edged branch jutting out of the sheer wall. Blood stained his pure white habit as the branch pierced through his torso, killing him instantly.
        The golden book slid from his grasp and fell all the way down to the raging river.
         " Thank you for your services, father. I’ll take it over from here.", a raspy voice sneered, gazing at the onyx on its hand evilly.

        A rush of stream water flowed through the gold trimmings. But they don’t appear drenched.
        Clear liquid sprayed over the old pages. But they weren’t wet.
        As dark ink bubbled, puddling on the rough paper.
         " Evil is not something from which we are chosen. Evil is something that we choose.
         God has created us in his own image and likeness. He is there within each and everyone of us.
         The problem is, if we shut him out and let in the wrong one.
         Evil stays as long as we learned how to vanquish it.
         There’s light at the end of the tunnel. There’s hope in the middle of destruction.
         There’s a prophecy of goodness after every suffering. All we have to do is believe. "

        There was a momentary pause as the dark ink changed color, slowly turning into a menacing shade of dark crimson. Then as if expressing an oppressive emotion, the message started appearing. This time the strokes were hard-edged. Angry. Threatening. Warning . . . .

        " EVIL RISES UPON THE DEATH OF INNOCENCE. IT GAINS POWER THROUGH A NOBLE MAN'S WEAKNESSES.
         BEWARE. FOR SOMETIMES THE END . . . . . .
         . . . . MAY ONLY BE THE BEGINNING.

        A pair of small bare feet sloshed through the clear river waters spraying lightly over the bank. Carefully, dainty hands picked up the soiled book, her young feminine violet eyes lit up at the sight of its gold cover.
         " Mama . . .", the girl, about the age five, called as she turned around. Her long dark blue hair flew swiftly around her small shoulders. With a jovial, excited spirit, she trudged her way back to their hut. The golden book held firmly against her chest.

# THE END #