Inside the great Imperial palace, a small god sat at his desk, reading about the latest problem they've had. "Okay." he muttered, chewing on his fuukuman, "Now that you're all here-"

"Koenma." Yusuke whined. "Another mission? I thought we're all through with this. It's been three years since we all last saw each other. Why can't we party instead?"

"Yusuke." Koenma answered, eyeing the young man with slanted eyes. "You know very well that-"

"Okay, okay." Yusuke said, not wanting to hear another round of sermon. "Just tell us the information."

"Hn!" the small god snorted in annoyance. "Anyway, an artifact had just been stolen. It is the-" He clicked something on his remote control.

A green-colored statue of a dragon was shown on the screen of the telivision in front of them.

"Sacred Dragon of Reikai." the god continued. "It was created to protect Reikai from evil gods. Well, that's what my father had told me anyway but I'm pretty sure we can handle it here. But anyway, it is still an important artifact so you must get it back."

The Reikai Tantei looked bored.

"Understand?" the small god erupted.

"Yeah, yeah." Yusuke muttered.

Kuwabara and Kurama just nodded.

"Hn." came the response of the little fire demon.

"Okay then." Koenma said with suspicion, handing a map to Yusuke. "The artifact was stolen by a bunch of youkai bandits who, unfortunately, we have no information about. They are now in Southern Makai and your mission is to start the moment you leave this office. Be careful. They may be dangerous."

At that, the tantei turned away from their little employer and padded out of the room.

Koenma muttered something under his breath. Why did it seem like they didn't take him seriously?
 

"So we meet back here after an hour?" Yusuke asked his teammates. It was going to be a journey travelled by foot so they had to bring some needed stuff as well.

"Hai." Kurama answered.

Kuwabara nodded his head. "One hour then."

Yusuke turned to the fire demon but saw nothing but air. Oh, well. Maybe he'd heard.
 

Hiei flitted from tree to tree, determined to get to one place. Yukina. He stopped at a tree somewhere and watched his sister. He hoped Yukina would be safe while he was going to be away again. He had been gone for three years but he knew Kuwabara had been there with Yukina. He couldn't stand Kuwabara but if the fool was out to protect his sister as well, then he guessed that it was okay. He blinked. Did he just think that it was okay for Kuwabara the fool to court his precious twin sister? Gods above, what was happening to him?
 

Kurama reached his house in record time. He grabbed a few things and headed to the apartment of his itooshi.

Mikagami opened the door to Kurama with a small smile. "Kurama."

"Kajiko." Kurama greeted with a smile.

"So where are you going?" Mikagami asked as he let his lover in.

"We have a new mission." Kurama answered as he sat at the sofa.

Mikagami sat by him. He wished he could go with them but knew better. "Kurama."

"Yes?" Kurama asked with a smile.

"Could you maybe, uh..." Mikagami began.

"Yes?"

"Could you keep an eye on Hiei for me?" Mikagami requested. "There was an incident that happened in the realm and I don't know if-"

"Don't worry." Kurama reassured his lover. "I'm sure he'll be fine. I'll keep an eye on him like I always have."

"Good then." Mikagami said before leaning forward and touching his lips to Kurama's.

Kurama smiled in the kiss as he closed his eyes and embraced his lover, opening his mouth so that Mikagami could get in.

Mikagami kissed his lover with so much passion that after they parted, both their lips were a little sore.

"I'm going to miss you." Mikagami confessed.

"Yeah, I've noticed."
 

Yusuke arrived in the meeting place with a bag of his belongins. Hiei was already there, sitting on a rock with his arms and legs crossed, a scowl on his face. "Hey, Hiei."

Hiei ignored him.

"It's been a while since we last saw each other. Three years to be precise. I guess you haven't changed, huh?"

Hiei rolled his eyes. There was little truth to that statement. He *had* changed. When he had arrived in the Ningenkai again after three years, he was relaxed, contented, peaceful. But then that all changed after the incident in the unknown realm.

Yusuke just shook his head. He had expected Hiei to at least change a little but he guessed that that was a bit too impossible for his small demon friend.

"Oi, Yusuke! Shrimp!" Kuwabara shouted as he ran towards them. He was so excited.

Yususke and Hiei both rolled their eyes. Another baka who would never change.

"Could you be quiet, moron?" Hiei demanded. "You're attracting attention."

"Little baka." Kuwabara muttered, rolling his eyes. "Anyway." he said, brightening up again. "I just called Yukina and she said that I should be careful. She's concerned! About me! About me!"

Hiei perked up at the mention of his sister but became impassive again as the moron made a total fool of himself. Where could Kurama be? Hn. He knew where. Kajiko's. Saying goodbye probably.

Kurama then arrived, panting.

Hiei rolled his eyes at the kitsune. He could see that his friend's lips was kind of swollen and he knew why. Mikagami and Kurama had probably played tongue wrestling again.

"Sorry, I'm late." Kurama muttered in between deep breaths. "There was something I had to do first."

Hiei snorted. Yeah, Kurama had to satisfy his brother first.

Noticing Hiei's behavior, Kurama smiled at the little koorime as he cupped his hands and put it by Hiei's ear. "He's worried about you." he whispered to the koorime.

Hiei slapped Kurama's hand away. "Stupid fox."

Kurama was confused. Why was Hiei acting this way? The last time he saw him he had been fine. Maybe the half-koorime was just in a bad mood.
 

They walked to the nearest portal to Makai and stepped in quickly.

They arrived in Makai, suddenly feeling hot. Too hot in fact. Why was it so hot in here?

"We're in Southern Makai." Kurama explained as he saw the familiar surroundings.

Kuwabara, Yusuke and Hiei looked annoyed but he guessed Hiei wasn't annoyed at the weather. Something was bothering the small koorime.

They then walked towards the place where the thieves stayed in. It was still far away so they tried to hurry. Unfortunately, it was already night time and they had to stop and camp for the night.
 

"Hiei, here's your dinner." Kurama said with a smile as he handed a plate of food to the little koorime.

Hiei took it without word.

"Is there anything wrong?" Kurama asked with concern. "You have any problem?"

Hiei looked annoyed. "Nothing."

"You're in a bad mood." Kurama noticed, staring at the demon.

Hiei looked away, feeling the heat of the gaze burn his insides. "I said, 'nothing'. Now leave me alone."

"Okay then." Kurama said. He knew something was bothering Hiei badly but couldn't figure what. Maybe he'd be better tommorow.

Hiei then put the dish down slowly as Kurama walked away, moving to flit away.

"Hiei!" Yusuke called out. "Stay here. It's best if we stay safe. We don't even know who we are up against and we don't want anyone injured or anything."

Hiei snorted, rolling his eyes but complied. He walked to a big tree and sat under it, willing himself to darkness and to oblivion where nothing existed but nothingness.