-sheepish grin- Um, hi. I know that you guys probably think I've given up on this story, since it –has- been 6 months since I've updated. This chapter, there will be no reader responses, but I have read and appreciated all the reviews. And feel free to throttle me for being an irresponsible authoress. After you've read the chapter, of course. ;;

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Demonic Guardians

Ch. V: Settling In

"Voldemort, we have a problem."

A tall figure cloaked in black turned around to face the other. His face resembled that of a snake's – blood red eyes with black slits for pupils, a thin lipless mouth and pale, almost white skin.

"What is it, Yuriko?" he said in a low hiss. They were standing in the parlor of the Riddle House, outlined against the shadows by the only light in the residence, a small fire crackling in the stone heathen.

"The Spirit Detectives have come to interfere with our plans," spat the demon.

"Spirit Detectives?"

The corners of Yuriko's mouth twitched in an amused smile. "Surely, one as mighty as you would have heard of the infamous Rekai Tantei," he said mockingly.

The Dark Lord seethed inwardly. He held a grudging respect for his new-founded partner, the Demon Lord Yuriko, but could not hide his anger at being treated with disrespect. Most demons regarded humans as inferior, but Voldemort would not tolerate such insolence.

He pointed his wand at Yuriko's heart, or at least where his heart should have been. "Don't play with me. I am not one to be fooled with, demon."

Yuriko smiled disarmingly. "Temper, temper," he said in a bemused voice. No matter how powerful, Voldemort was still a human, a weakling in his eyes. "We are partners, no hard feelings between us, ne?"

Voldemort lowered the wand. "Get on with it."

"The group known as the Spirit Detectives take it upon themselves to stop demons who enter the Ningenkai. Yes, that would include myself and the demons I brought here from Makai," he added, seeing the questioning look on Voldemort's face.

"Tell me more about them."

"They are a group of four: two demons, a half demon, and a human.

"Do they intend to foil our plans? Where are they now?" demanded Voldemort.

"They will attempt to stop us, no doubt about that. And as for your second question…"

Yuriko held out a hand, palm upwards. A swirl of smoky vapor-like substance condensed into an orb in the heart of his palm. Vague colors and shapes came together inside the sphere, forming into more recognizable figures.

Voldemort stepped up beside Yuriko, wand clutched tightly beside his back as he peered down into the orb.

Two boys, no older than Potter, were walking down a darkened hallway, their footsteps resonating on the stone tiles. One was dark-haired, spiked with liberal use of hair gel. He walked with an arrogant swagger, a cocky smirk fixed firmly on his face.

The other was taller, broad-shouldered with red hair and had the gangly look of one whose arms and legs were growing too fast for the rest of his body to catch up.

The half demon and human are sixteen years of age now."

"And what threat would that present to us?" asked Voldemort, an underlying skeptical tone seeping into his voice.

The demon chuckled, a low growling sound deep in his throat. "Do not underestimate them, human. Countless demons before you and I have fallen to the Reikai Tantei."

They turned back to the orb. The Detectives rounded a corner, and before them stretched the vast space of what Voldemort recognized to be Great Hall. Overhead, a red orb peeked over the horizon of the hall's bewitched ceiling.

The place was vacant, save for two lone shapes sitting together in the corner of the Ravenclaw table.

"Oy Kurama! Hiei!" greeted the black-haired boy as they approached the two.

"Those are the other two Detectives," said Yuriko. "This – " He gestured to the one on the left, a youth with long red hair and green eyes. " – is Youko Kurama. Don't be fooled by his pleasant demeanor; he was a notorious thief in the Makai in his time." He turned to the shorter, dark-haired one beside him. "Beside him is Hiei, master of a Jagan eye."

"So how was your first night at a magic school?" Yusuke was asking, leaning back in his chair casually.

"Not bad," said Kurama mildly. "However, some of the older students felt the need to throw a party in the middle of the night.

While his companions exchanged pleasantries, the boy Yuriko had called Hiei sat wordlessly to one side, face expressionless.

Voldemort studied him, then carefully, stretched his senses out, probing cautiously into the boy's mind.

He snapped his head around, and for the first time Voldemort had a clear view of his eyes.

Crimson, a shade of red much like his own.

Demonic eyes, and Voldemort found himself the subject of their uncomfortably keen glare.

He was staring straight at him.

"Can he see us?" hissed Voldemort.

Yuriko's face was expressionless. "The Jagan eye sees all…" he whispered, as if to himself.

The Dark Lord noticed something glowing faintly purple from behind the white bandana around Hiei's forehead. A low feral laugh echoed in his ears, accompanied by a mocking voice, almost as if the speaker was playing with him…

I see you.

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Hiei smirked ever so slightly at the disconcerted faces of Voldemort and Yuriko before erecting a mind-shield around himself and the rest of the Tantei.

"We were being watched."

Kuwabara, Yusuke, and Kurama stopped conversing and turned to him.

"By who?" asked Kuwabara.

The fire demon shrugged. "One was definitely a demon – his youki is exceptionally strong. The other was human. Don't worry," he snorted, seeing Kuwabara's expression. "I've already used my Jagan to shield us. They won't be seeing anything."

"Any chance they may be the ones we're after?" asked Yusuke.

"At this point of the game, Detective," said Hiei, turning to face the young Demon Lord. "anything is possible."

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Sunday passed without much incident. The Detectives spent the day familiarizing themselves with the place that would be their home for the next nine months.

Hiei wandered the school grounds, observing quietly and for the most part avoiding the teachers and students. Kurama acquainted himself with a few of his Housemates, and found some Ravenclaw girls who were more than willing to give him an extensive tour of the castle grounds.

Yusuke and Kuwabara took to life at the school much the same way as they did at school back home in Japan – that is, by resolving disagreements with fists.

"Mister Kuwabara, Urameshi," said Minerva McGonagall tersely, crossing the Quidditch turf with quick strides. Her lips were pressed together in anger, face fixed in a stern frown reserved for when dealing with the school's less…cooperative students.

"You may be new to this school, but that does not mean you are exempt from the rules – oh my." She stopped in her tracks as the two turned to face her, giving an unrestricted view of five burly Slytherins sprawled in various positions on the grass. she knew there was a fight from all the shouting, but this was not what she had expected.

"Enervate," she said, pointing her wand at the closest Slytherin, a big-boned sixth year lying face down, spread-eagle.

He moaned and raised his head, face smeared with blood that was still trickling from his nose, which was bent at an odd angle.

He saw Yusuke and Kuwabara standing off to the side, and was preparing an insulting remark when he noticed the professor standing over him, arms crossed in a 'what's-going-on?' fashion.

"Professor McGonagall!" He changed gears quickly, jumping to his feet and pointing to the two Gryffindors. "They attacked us!"

"Attacked you?" yelled Kuwabara indignantly.

"You were the ones who tried to cast spells on us for no reason!" put in Yusuke.

"Is this true, Zabini?" demanded McGonagall sharply.

Blaise Zabini faltered, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "We…er, I mean – no!" he lied unconvincingly.

McGonagall shook her head in disgust. "Ten points off from both Slytherin and Gryffindor. For each of you."

"You can't do that!" protested Blaise loudly. "Term doesn't start until Monday!"

"Then all of you can see me after school tomorrow for detention."

"WHAT!" cried Yusuke and Kuwabara in unison.

McGonagall peered at them coldly over the rim of her square glasses. "You heard me." She turned to Blaise. "Get your Housemates up and all of you can go visit the Infirmary. Madame Pomfrey is not going to be happy."

The Slytherin cast a spiteful glare at the two Japanese transfers, then turned to his task, grumbling.

"You two," she said to Yusuke and Kuwabara. "come with me to my office."

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By noon, Kurama was beginning to think that perhaps this school wasn't a terrible place to be stuck in for nine months while assigned to another mission.

The place had an extensive library, full of books about the different branches of magic, and even a few on the more obscure arts. There were also the Greenhouses, which help rows upon rows of exotic (and some dangerous) plants. He was also itching to explore the Forbidden Forest.

But before he went romping through the forest, he needed to know about it first. He glanced over at his tour guides. They would be an easy enough source for information.

"What is it that makes the Forest so forbidden?" he asked casually. He was walking with three Ravenclaw girls through the corridors of the school's North Wing.

A petite sixth-year named Melissa shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "Students aren't allowed to go in, since the Forest is filled with all sorts of dangerous things."

"Like werewolves and giant spiders," added Padma Patil, a fifth year girl with olive skin and short cut black hair.

"But there are good things too," said the third girl, another sixth year with square glasses and a permanent no-nonsense expression. "There are unicorns, and I've heard that centaurs live there too…"

Kurama was carefully storing this information away. "I see. Are there any wards or spells around the forest?" If there were, he might have to delay his little visit until he could figure out how to get past them. Admittedly, he could break through most magical defenses – one had to in order to have any success as a Makai thief – but at the moment he did not know how wizard wards differed from the ones in his past experience.

This time it was Padma who answered. "You'd think that, wouldn't you? That the Forest would have some kind of magical barrier to keep people out. But it doesn't. In fact, I do believe one could enter without any impediment, although that would be a very stupid thing to do."

Kurama smirked mentally. The humans made it too easy…the Youko was half disappointed he had been derived of some challenge.

They've gotten themselves in trouble already. Hiei's mind-voice was tinged with amusement.

Kurama stopped at the sudden presence in his mind, causing the girls to look at him strangely. "I apologize, but I need to meet up with someone," he said. "Thank you for the tour, this school has turned out quite interesting."

"Alright," said Melissa, sounding a touch disappointed. "See you around then, Shuichi."

Kurama said his good-byes, turned, and began walking in the opposite direction. As soon as he turned the corner, he asked, with barely concealed exasperation, "What did Kuwabara and Yusuke get themselves into now?"

A black figure flitted to his side. "A fight with five or so humans. From my House."

"And how did that turn out?" muttered Kurama, although he already knew the answer.

"Yusuke and the idiot knocked them out cold."

The kitsune sighed tiredly as he spotted the two coming out from McGonagall's office.

"Spare us the lecture, Kurama," grumbled Yusuke, seeing the look on the fox demon's face. "We already got an earful back in there." He jerked a thumb in the direction of the closed door he had just left.

"I can't believe she gave us detention. On our first day!" huffed Kuwabara, with an air of bruised pride.

"I can't believe you two managed to get into a fight on your first day."

"They were asking for it!" Yusuke protested indignantly.

Kurama cast his eyes upward as if to ask silently, 'Why me?' and Hiei smirked marginally at his helplessly pained look.

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After the incident with the Demon Detector, Harry, Ron, and Hermione went downstairs to the Gryffindor Common Room, followed by Dean several minutes later, who was mumbling darkly under his breath about the dorm noise levels on a Sunday morning. The grudge was soon forgotten, however, when Ron invited him to a game of Wizard Chess. A short time later, the two were deeply engaged in the game, with Harry watching over Ron's shoulder. Hermione settled down in an armchair to read.

Harry leaned back in his chair as Ron's Queen smashed Dean's bishop down and dragged him off the board. He was glad to be back at Hogwarts. It was like a sanctuary to him, a place of familiarity and safety in the turmoil of Voldemort's return and the gaping hole that Sirius's death had left.

Grimacing, Harry felt a cold knot twisting in his stomach and hastily pushed the memories of his godfather aside before they could overwhelm him. He noticed that Hermione had looked up from her book and was watching him with a worried expression. She had become particularly adept at recognizing when something was amiss with Harry. He forced a weak grin to indicate he was fine, and turned his attention back to the chess match.

Ron, unsurprisingly, had the upper hand. Dean's King was unprotected, and his Queen was already out of the game. It wouldn't be too long before –-

"Checkmate."

Dean grinned ruefully, then reached across the table with his hand. "Good game."

Ron shook his hand. "Same to you, mate." He gathered up the chess set and ran upstairs to put it away. By the time he was back, Dean had left for breakfast and several still-yawning Gryffindors were coming down from their dorms.

Hermione closed her book. "Why don't we visit Hagrid?"

Harry grinned at the mental image of Hagrid standing at the doorway of his little cabin, beaming and ushering them inside to talk and (his grin faded) inviting them to sample his cooking. "Sure."

Hermione was already climbing through the portrait hole, Harry and Ron in her wake.

Hagrid's cabin was situated at the North side of the school, facing the Quidditch field and sitting at the fringes of the Forbidden Forest. Its homeliness contrasted with the eeriness of the Forest, which, even in the bright Sunday morning light, was too dark for Harry to see more than ten feet into the vegetation.

Hermione rapped on the door, which was met by a loud bark and scratches on the other side, followed by a cry of "Down, Fang!"

The door opened to reveal Hagrid, grinning broadly with a huge black dog panting behind him. "Mornin' ye three. I was wonderin' when ye'd come by an' visit me."

"Morning, Hagrid," said Harry, as they entered the home and Hagrid closed the door behind him.

Once inside, Hagrid gestured for them to sit. Harry noted, with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, that the room was filled with a sharp acrid smell, as if something had been burning.

Ron's stomach growled. None of them had eaten breakfast yet. Harry looked at Hagrid quickly, hoping that he hadn't heard –-

"Hungry, are ye?" Hagrid turned around, holding a steaming pan of something.

Ron's ears turned distinctly red. "Oh, not really – er…I mean – "

Hagrid chuckled, as he set down the pan. "No need ter be shy, Ron. Here, try summa these biscuits. Made 'em myself," he added, smiling proudly.

They did look vaguely like biscuits, Harry thought as he stared warily at the shapeless lumps. They were a light brown, with noticeably burnt edges.

So that explained the smell. Not wanting to be rude, Harry grabbed one and bit into it cautiously. To his surprise, it wasn't too bad. It was hard to chew, with a bit too much sugar, but not terrible.

"It's very good, Hagrid."

The half-giant beamed pleasurably. Ron and Hermione sampled some tentatively.

"So, how was yer firs' night back ter 'Ogwarts?" Hagrid asked, leaninig back in his chair.

"Not bad," said, Harry, reaching for another bicuit (at which Hagrid grinned broadly).

"Ron and I helped the two new Gryffindor transfers settle in."

"Yeah, but not before they met Peeves the hard way."

Hagrid chuckled, and poured himself a cup of tea. "Those two are also serving detention with me tomorrow."

Hermione frowned. "Are they? What did they do?"

"Professor McGonagall visited not long before ye came, said she thought I might need some help with my work tomorrow night and that she had a few students who needed to serve detention. She wasn't too clear with what happened, but it sounds like the new Gryffindors got themselves inna fight with a few Slytherins."

Ron whistled. "Got into a fight with the Slytherins on their first day? Sounds like those two are Gryffindors through and through."

"Ron! You're a prefect! You shouldn't be encouraging fights," said Hermione disapprovingly.

"What are you going to have them do tomorrow night, Hagrid?"

"We're goin' out ter the Forest to collect some plants fer Professor Sprout and a few potion ingredients fer Professor Snape."

"Sounds like fun," Harry muttered.

"What if the centaurs find you?" Hermione remembered all too well how the centaurs felt about humans wandering into their forest.

"They already know what I'll be in the Forest fer." Hagrid frowned. "Speaking of which, the centaurs have been acting a bit odd lately."

"How so?"

Hagrid shrugged his broad shoulders. "They seem ter be a worried 'bout somethin'. Wouldn't tell what when I asked 'em, though."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances, all thinking the same thing. If the centaurs were worried about something, there was a good chance there was reason for them to be worried too.

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Draco –

I have a task for you. This is your chance to prove yourself. The Dark Lord wants you to keep a close watch on a few students, namely the four Japanese transfers. I believe they are in your year, and that one of them is even in your House, so this shouldn't be too difficult. Find out everything you can about them, their abilities and weaknesses, or anything remotely unusual. Be prepared to report back to me by the end of the week. Do not disappoint our Lord or me.

The letter was unsigned, but the penmanship was unmistakably that of Lucius Malfoy. Draco read the letter over again, and then threw it in the fire, wondering what about those transfers would possibly interest Voldemort so.

He was a Malfoy, and his time had finally come to be of use to the Dark Lord. Draco had not intention of letting him down.

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By the way, would anyone like to enlighten me on how old Youko really is? I've heard everything from 500 years to 3000 years. Does anyone know for certain, I mean, was his age ever mentioned in the anime or manga?