A/n: This is the redo of TIHYRM, the second story in the Nickelback Series. The first few chapters will show no real changes but the plot will be different later on.

Disclaimer: Let's wait and see what I own, for now, I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or Nickelback.

Recap: Oshiro and King Enma were finally defeated but the price was a high one. The team had to watch as one of their friends went to prison for indirectly killing two humans. Slowly, their hope of her returning is starting to fade until they get the call.

This Is How You Remind Me
Chapter One
Things NEVER Go As Planned

Decisions are the hardest thing to make when your emotions get in the way, thought a man while sitting in a shelter.

A flash of lightning lit up the shelter and with a sigh the man stood up and walked deeper into the shelter. The roar of the thunder followed him down the tunnels even after he was no longer able to see the lightning. As he walked he brushed his damp brown hair from his sea-green eyes as he surveyed the six doors before him.

Three would lead to a maze from which no one but the creators could escape. One would lead to demon eating plants and another would lead to a pit of treasures and many traps. Finally, the last door on the left would lead to where he, his partner, and his friend, for lack of a better word, were staying.

As the man started walking down the far left tunnel he silently wondered about the relationship between him and the batty-cat and whether it was safe to continue the relationships. To say it was complicated would be an understatement, but with this man things often were.

With a start, the man realized that he was at the door to her room. For a moment, he stood with his hand on the doorknob. From behind the door he heard a pen moving along paper and the rustling of turning pages. He found himself debating whether to enter and talk to the being who dwelled inside.

Finally, he decided against it and continued down the hall. He would talk to her later, he promised himself.

After a few moments he stopped in front of another door and entered without thinking. A room of chaos greeted him. Plants, used to the darkness of the tunnels, crawled over the walls while broken treasures littered the floor. Gracefully making his way across the floor to the simple and yet expensive desk, the man paused only to listen to his plants drink the acid rain which fuelled their growth. If anyone other than himself or those he considered allies entered the room, the plants wouldn't hesitate to use the acid collected from the rain to melt the skin off the intruder's bones.

Not giving the plants a second look, the man sat down at the desk. Using a piece of flint and another of steel, he lit the slightly dented lamp and reached for a book and a pen. Hopefully here he would find the answers he needed so that he would know whether to continue the relationship or not.

Things were too dangerous for him to make another mistake.

Second Mission after Demon World Tournament
Day One

The moment Koenma contacted us, Yusuke, and I rushed to Spirit World. Kazuma wanted to join us, but unfortunately had been unable to abandon his job in Human World. Once Yusuke and I were comfort sitting on the couch that had suddenly appeared in Koenma's office, the young king informed us of his plan to save Tsukino.

"We can do something similar to what we did for you and Hiei," he explained calmly. "Tsukino-san will join you for a mission, and then spend a few weeks in Human World to prove that she is safe."

Yusuke punched the air in joy. "That's awesome!"

Koenma solemnly nodded and said, "I've already sent George to get her."

If possible, Yusuke looked even happier and ready for a fight. "So what mission are we going on? Another rogue demon or something?"

Koenma's face suddenly darkened. "I'm afraid that it isn't that simple, Yusuke. Since all the demons are behaving it's been hard to find a mission that Tsukino-san would be able to join you on. The only one I was able to find is a gamble."

"In what way Koenma?" I quietly asked. When we first entered the room Koenma did not seem as proud as he should have been at finding a way to save Tsukino. Instead, he was calm, quiet, and slightly concerned as if he was worried we would not be able to handle the mission.

Taking a deep breath, Koenma hesitantly said, "The mission will take place in Demon World where there are still some demons who want you as well as Hiei dead for being traitors to the demon race."

Yusuke frowned. "We can take them."

Koenma glared at him out of the corner of his eyes. "That's easy for you to say Yusuke. You're a level S whereas Kurama is only a level A, barely in his human form, and he has managed to make a handful of other level S demons angry at him for past mistakes."

Yomi's name came to my mind but I pushed the thought out of my mind as I urged Koenma to continue. "Those demons have been after my life for many years Koenma, and with Yusuke joining me surely we can handle any attack."

Koenma shook his head. "That's just it. Only you and Tsukino-san will be going on the mission."

Yusuke's eyes widened and then narrow as he gave Koenma an angry look. "What do you mean, only Kurama? What about Kazuma, Hiei, and me?"

Koenma seemed a bit uncomfortable as he fidgets in his chair. "Hiei refused to have anything to do with the mission, and I can't force him. He's now officially off probation, but he will be around if you need help."

"What about Kazuma and me?" Yusuke repeated.

"This mission is taking place in Demon World and requires stealth. We can both agree that stealth is not your or Kazuma's style and besides, you both have jobs that you can't avoid."

"What about Kurama? He has a job too."

"But I can disappear for months on 'business trips'," I told Yusuke.

"Still. You can't expect me just to let you two waltz off into Demon World to go who knows what. What will happen if you two get into trouble?"

"I can assure you that we will take every precaution to avoid danger, Yusuke."

"And besides, Kazuma's honour code doesn't allow him to fight girls," Koenma added.

Yusuke and I turned to face Koenma. A look of confusion on Yusuke's face, and a slightly interested look on mine.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

Koenma sighed again. "The thief is a female demon that Demon World has named, 'The Fox's Rose'. We don't know anymore than that. Your job will be to apprehend her and bring her to Spirit World."

Yusuke frowned. "Why?"

Koenma glared at him. "I already told you. Because this was the only mission I could find and Spirit World needs her captured. Every person we've sent to far to find her hasn't. Hopefully Kurama and Tsukino-san will have more luck."

"What'd she do?"

"She managed to get into the vault and steal the remains of the Forlorn Hope."

"But why steal the remains of the Forlorn Hope? It's useless now," I comment.

Koenma shrugs. "Why did she steal the Mirror of Desire which was also broken?"

Horrible memories of fleeing and betrayal try to enter my mind, but I ignore them as I ask, "What else has she stolen?"

Koenma shrugs. "So far that's it."

"So Kurama has to take Tsukino-chan to Demon World, find this chick, and bring her back to Spirit World?" Yusuke asked.

Koenma nodded. "That is the basic idea."

"How is he supposed to do that without her realizing that he is a spirit detective and making a run for it? Every demon knows what his demon form and human form look like."

"I'll simply have to wear a disguise I suppose," I said quietly.

Koenma nodded and shouted at a passing ogre to take me to the 'make-up' ogres. "George and Tsukino-san won't be here for many more minutes so it might be a good idea for you to get into your disguise so we can test its effectiveness," he explained before allowing me to leave the room.

With a nod, I left the room and followed the ogre down the pink coloured hallways. For some reason, I couldn't help but be worried. Ogres were not known for their sense of fashion after all.

Now a few minutes later, I return to Koenma's office, feeling rather odd. After so many years of remaining human, I had forgotten the numbing feeling of my true form. Everything around me felt dull, not worthy of my notice. Even the news of Tsukino arriving soon filled me only with a second of anticipation before the numbness took over again. To slightly quote a famous book, the joys of 'having the emotional range of a teaspoon.'

"Nice hair Kurama," Yusuke comments as I enter the room. "I see that you dyed your tail and ears to match."

I ignore him and turn to Koenma. "Will I be forced to remain in this form the whole time I'm in Demon World?" I ask in the deeper and calm voice of my true form.

Koenma nods. "Yes, the disguise will only last as long as you are in your demon form."

I dimly feel confusion as I state, "I can only remain in this form for a few hours."

Koenma nods. "Which is why you have to eat these." He handed me a bottle of pills. "They will give your demonic energy a boost so that you can remain in your demon form. Just take one a day and you should be fine for three months."

"I hope it won't take that long."

Koenma shrugs. "It never hurts to be prepared."

I nod and suddenly hear the sound of feet running to the office and catch the scent of fear. "Something's coming," I mutter, trying to communicate the forbidding feeling I'm sensing.

No one seems worried.

"It's probably just George with Tsukino-chan," Yusuke comments.

At that moment, the door is burst open revealing a panting George. "Koenma-sama!" he says as he enters the room. "She's…"

He falls silent as we all look at the person in his arms.

"Tsukino-san," I mutter as I feel fear and anger creep into my mind. Before the numbness took over again, I promised myself that whoever had harmed her was going to pay.

I'm not the only one wishing to avenge her.

"Okay, whose butt do I have to kick for this!" Yusuke demands to know as I take Tsukino from George and lay her on the couch.

"Ogre! I want an explanation!" Koenma shouts.

George nods and says, "It was the ogres down at the prison. They received orders to beat her for some reason."

"Who authorised that?"

George pauses before saying, "The late King Enma. Apparently, he ordered that if any of you," he motions to Yusuke and I, "or any of your friends were placed in the prison you were to be beaten."

My fox side causes me to let out a small growl. "It appears King Enma has succeeded in getting his revenge," I mutter savagely.

Yusuke and Koenma nod.

"If that guy wasn't already stuck behind a barrier I would kill him!" Yusuke shouts angrily. "That coward, taking out his anger on her. She wasn't even there when we busted Sensui!"

Koenma wastes no time in muttering angrily about his father. Instead he orders George to fetch Botan to heal Tsukino. Botan arrives within seconds and gets to work healing. It is around that time, that we notice Tsukino's wings.

"Hey, weren't those red before?" Yusuke asks as he points at her wings.

For a moment, I stare at her wings in confusion and then fear starts to appear at the edge of my mind. I nod. "Yes."

"Why are they black now?"

I shake my head. "They aren't black; they are a dark blue that only appears black."

Yusuke scowls. "Still, why did they change colour?"

I refuse to answer and Koenma pales.

"Her ears and tail are black now too. You sure you got the right girl, George?"

George nods, and Koenma gulps as my fear grows.

Yusuke looks between us before accusing us. "Spill guys."

"I think she's reached the second stage," the young king says.

Yusuke stares in confusion. "Second stage?"

Koenma nods. "Let's wait for her to wake up. If I'm correct, I'll tell you then."

We nod and wait for Botan to finish healing our friend.

It has been twenty minutes since Botan has finished healing Tsukino, and it is only now that the demon is started to move around.

Finally, she opens her eyes. She looks around in confusion.

"Hey Kitty-bat, how you feeling?" Yusuke asks gently.

I sense something is wrong as she stares at Yusuke. Instead of looking at him in recognition, she seems frightened. Her eyes are wide, and she seems to want to back away from him but the couch is stopping her.

"I bet you thought we were going to leave you there, did you?" Botan asks happily, not noticing the look in her eyes.

"I do not think she understands you," I say slowly.

Yusuke stares at me in amusement. "Yeah right. Tsukino-chan, you understand me right?"

She doesn't answer and stares at him in confusion. She tries to back away again.

"What's going on Koenma? Why doesn't she recognize us?" Yusuke demands to know.

Koenma sighs. "I was afraid of this. She has reached the second stage."

"Second stage? Of what?" Botan asks.

He sighs, but I explain before he can. "Mixed breeds like Tsukino go through stages when their genes start to destroy themselves," I passively state.

"What?" Yusuke cuts in.

"Her genes are killing her because of the difference in the animals the demons were based on. Her spirit energy isn't able to adapt to her body due to the conflicting genes so the less she uses it the better. The more she uses it, the more stress it is on her body. Unfortunately, while she was staying with us, she used her energy quite a bit. Also emotional stress causes her genes to conflict even more do to the fact that each animal has a different way to deal with the stress."

"How can you say that so calmly!" Yusuke demands to know.

I ignore him, and Botan asks:

"You mentioned stages, how do you know this is the second one?"

Koenma sighs sadly. "In the first stage, the demon would appear perfectly healthy but have lost a few memories of themselves. The second stage is where the demon loses some more of their memory but also loses some abilities. Tsukino-san has lost the ability to speak in human tongues. Kurama could probably communicate with her if he tried talking like a fox. She also probably cannot hear as well now."

"What about the other stages?" Yusuke asks.

I look towards her, and briefly feel concern. "Stage three is where the demon's energy can't adapt to the body at all and tries to escape. This makes the demon very tried and usually is very painful. The fourth stage is where the demon falls into a coma, and the fifth stage is death. The start of each stage is signalled by the change of colour of some of her physical features."

Botan also looks over at Tsukino who is staring at us almost as if she was listening to us. "Is there a way to reverse it?"

I do not answer, and Koenma shrugs. "I'm not sure," he says. "The library might have something, but I don't have the time to look through it."

Yusuke suddenly perks up. "Where's your library?"

"Second door on the left but-"

Before Koenma can finish his sentence Yusuke has disappeared in the direction of what I assume to be the library. As he runs, he calls over his shoulder for Koenma to call Kazuma to help him.

"Is there anyway to bring back her memories at least a bit?" I ask after a moment. The mission will be very difficult to complete if she doesn't remember anything at all.

Koenma shrugs. "May if she had a written account of meeting you and the others but-"

Suddenly Botan runs out the door. "I'll be right back!" she shouts over her shoulder.

Koenma sighs as Botan disappears while I look at the door in dim curiosity of Botan's plan.

"Perhaps you should try to explain the situation to her," Koenma said after a moment.

I hesitate before answering. For whatever reason, I dislike the idea of Tsukino not knowing who I am. "I don't think there are any words in the animal language to explain this," I say slowly.

Koenma shrugs. "Introduce yourself at least."

"Later."

He frowns. "Kurama, you are going to be stuck with her until you apprehend The Fox's Rose. If we can't get her to remember you at all, it would be better if she has a bit of trust in you."

I hide the shiver that runs down my spine at those words. It was hard enough to get her to trust me the first time and even then, near the end, she seemed so distant.

"Let's see if she remembers me first," I say finally.

He nods, and we wait for Botan to return and inform us of her plan. Tsukino seems to sense the tension in the room and tries to distract herself by playing with her tail. The display amuses me and almost causes a small smile to come to my face. The less powerful human side of me dimly makes me hope that Tsukino won't be as distant as before after she remembers. It was painful the way she looked at me at the last celebration as if she knew every detail of my past life and hated me for it. Botan had tried to explain that it wasn't anything I did, but I wish I knew what caused that look.

Perhaps, on this trip I'll learn what my mistake was and be able to fix it. But that will only happen if Tsukino remembers me.

Hurry up Botan.

The Diary of a Mixed-Breed
Memories Come

My reason for recording this is the same as my reasons for the past manuscript I made. If I lose my memory or sanity, this might be the only thing to remind me of what I lost. It worked the first time so I'll just have to hope it works a second time.

I woke up one morning in an office surrounded by people. One was a demon with gelled black hair and brown eyes. Another was a small toddler with a brown hair and brown eyes. And there was also a female with blue hair and pink eyes as well. Finally, there was a tall demon with black fox ears, hair, and tail, and dark blue eyes. While all the others felt somewhat familiar, this man seemed completely foreign to me.

They were talking to each other and tried to talk to me once or twice but I couldn't understand. I tried to tell them that but every time I tried to speak in a human dialect, my tongue tied itself into a knot.

Suddenly the brown eyed demon ran for the door. Moments later the woman followed him. The last demon and toddler were talking about something, and I thought it was me because the demon kept looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

His gaze appeared lonely and sad but also hopeful. It made me uncomfortable so I started to play with my tail to distract myself. The demon continued to watch, but he seemed amused by my actions. The change from lonely to amused made me feel better so I continued to play with my tail. More than once, I considered trying to talk again, but I always stopped myself. It was probably a better idea to make them think I was dumb so that if they attacked me they wouldn't expect me to be able to fight back.

After a while the lady with blue hair returned and handed me a book. I stared at her in confusion for a moment before she gestured for me to start reading. After a second, I started to.

At first I was surprised that I could even understand, but as the surprise wore off, I slowly realized that the words seemed like something I would say. Then I started to realize that the lady sitting by me matched the woman the author of the book was talking about. I looked over at the toddler and saw that he was just like how I pictured the young prince in the book. Even the man that had run out was in the story.

I started to feel things that weren't mentioned in the story. The thrill of the kiss from the beautiful male's mouth while his old classmates cornered them. The pain of walking away from the office when the sentence was said. The hope at hearing his parting words, and then the pain at knowing he was just pretending.

Everything came back, and suddenly I looked around the office in a new way.

Botan seemed to notice. "Tsukino-chan!" she shouted as she strangled me in a hug.

I tried to tell her that I couldn't breathe but again my mouth was sealed. After a second, I looked over at the demon and made a small mew that meant, 'HELP!'

He seemed confused for a millisecond, but he told Botan to let me go all the same.

"Why didn't you tell me you couldn't breathe?" Botan asked.

"She can't speak in human dialects," the demon said calmly. Something about his voice was familiar.

"Does that mean that she can't understand us?" Koenma asked.

The demon shrugged. "The only way to know is to ask." He walked over, and I hid behind Botan. I hadn't forgotten about the war between dog demons and cat demons.

He seemed amused by my gesture as his blue eyes started to sparkle. "I do not take part in those wars, Tsukino-san. You should know that."

I glared at him over Botan's shoulder to say, 'I don't even know you!'

Again he seemed amused as a small smirk appeared on his face. "She understands us, Koenma."

"But why is she so frightened by you?" Botan asked.

"She thought I took part in the war between dog demons and cat demons."

"But you're a fox demon, Kurama," Koenma pointed out.

I stared at them in shock and confusion. I knew that Kurama had a demon form, but I was pretty sure it had white hair, ears, and tail, and golden eyes.

"It appears that I look dog demon than fox demon then," the demon said. "And I don't think she will believe us unless I transform back."

Koenma shrugged. "You're the one who has to go through getting the disguise again."

The demon seemed to hesitate and then sighed. The next second human Kurama was standing in the office. His hair was back to the same length it was when he fought in the Dark and Demon World Tournaments, instead of being short like it was when I first met him. He smiled kindly in my direction, but I avoided eye contact. I wasn't about to be roped into his tricks. Not this time. Not even if the longer hair did look better on him than the short hair.

He seemed to notice the change in my emotions and didn't try to talk to me further. "I'll be back," Kurama said as he went to leave the room. "I suggest you inform Tsukino-san about the plan so we can leave as soon as possible."

Koenma nodded and then turned to me. "Tsukino-san, you are here because we are giving you the chance to leave the prison."

I nodded.

"To leave the prison, you must go on a mission with one of the detectives, and then spend a few weeks in Human World to prove you are safe."

I nodded again, trying to avoid the feeling of forbidding that was growing in me.

"Do you agree to go on the mission?"

I noticed that he hadn't told me what the mission was and wondered if that was to stop me from refusing right away. For a moment, I was tempted to refuse the unknown mission but then I remembered the beating in the prison and the jobs of Human World. I missed everything about Human World and was starting to believe that my mother was at least half wrong. I still didn't think I was worth saving but those people around me didn't care. They were trying to save me anyways. If they were pretending, they would have left me to rot. But they didn't. They actually cared about me. That being said, I was going to try my best to return to them.

I nodded and sealed my fate.

Koenma sighed in relief but he did not smile or appear happy. "Very well, you will be aiding Kurama in arresting a thief calling herself The Fox's Rose."

And that was where things started to go downhill.

A/N: So for those of you who read the first version, there were a few changes. To those of you who didn't, you didn't miss out on much. And to all of you, I hope that you enjoyed the first chapter and look forward to reading more. See ya!

-D101