Merry Christmas!!

Well, here we are! At the beginning of another adventure! Are you all as excited as I am that this is finally happening? The sequel is here. This is huge for me. Now, I'll probably only be updating once a week, until I get a good flow going, but I think that should be better than dumping three chapters at once then disappearing for a month, right?

I'm really excited, I'm not going to lie. Despite very little action this chapter, I'm very happy its out there. After all, I have to get it started to get to the good stuff! I'm hoping to hit 300 reviews by the time this one ends. Not that I know when that'll happen haha. Anyways, as usual, comments, requests, corrections, let me know. I love hearing from you guys. I respond to every review I get, and every message. It's the least I can do. But I'm not going to put a "I want this many reviews or you can guys can live without the rest of the story" disclaimer on this, mainly because I love writing! XD In the end, if you guys enjoy it, the reviews aren't important. I just like them. Not going to lie.

So, let's start The Balance of Chaos Playlist, shall we? I have three songs to define this chapter. They're rather upbeat, actually, which is funny to me. Innocence, by Avril Lavigne. Saltwater Room, by Owl City. And When I Grow Up by Fever Ray. I just like that right at this point, even with the little issues insinuated, everyone in the group is happy and together.

Just so you guys know, also, Nylon magazine has a free playlist available for download through iTunes. You should check it out. It's an indie list. Haha. Also, just a warning, the ending may not seem in character for Hiei, but I wanted to show a development in his relationship with Iruni. While they still act passively towards each other, it doesn't mean their minds aren't working in other directions. Now, let's get onto the meat of this deal. The story! Enjoy it.

"By decree of Lord Enma Junior, you are commanded to peaceably surrender to me and allow me to escort you to a holding facility in Spirit World, where you will await your sentencing." Blue eyes narrowed as the short, dark haired woman calmly spoke the rehearsed line to her newest criminals.

Iruni Mikamoto stood with her knee length jacket billowing around her legs in the wind, the dark blue color matching her eyes and popped against the simple white short sleeved button-up she had donned, her khaki cargo pants thick enough to withstand the growing chill to the air. Black hair lifted and flowed around her face.

A group of four demons stood before her, keeping her from her other appointments. No one ever wanted to just shut up and come with her. No one made it easy. Her patience was starting to run out, but Koenma had specifically requested for her to not kill these buggers.

"What are we being charged with, by such a tiny human girl?" one of them laughed, moving to pet her on the head. With a flick of her wrist and a flashing of her hand he was sprawled at the feet of the others, unconscious. The child leader had said nothing about what condition they should arrive in, as long as they were breathing and in one piece.

"Endangering human children," she closed her eyes and sighed. "We can either do this the hard way or the political way, boys. But whatever way you choose, remember that I'm pressed for time here, and I want to go."

Keiko's brow was pinched in a mixture of frustration and worry as Yukina, Botan and Shizuru tried to calm her down. Yusuke and Kuwabara made a point to stay as far away as possible, not liking the angry tension.

"She's going to be here, you know Iruni, she gets behind sometimes," Botan tried to soothe the sitting brunette as her fists clutched the fabric of her skirt at her knees. The amethyst eyed woman was sitting on the table in front of the group on the couch.

"Yeah, the kid is probably just running a bit behind," the tallest of them lounged on the couch on the other side of the girl. Yukina sat on the opposite side of the psychic, patting the human's hand comfortingly.

"Ichi will be here, she always shows up," she smiled softly, and the fists unclenched. "She wouldn't miss this for anything, you know that. We're her family now, and family sticks together."

A door opened and closed with a gust of wind and a haggard looking Iruni walked in with her head down and shoulders sagging. With a sigh she frowned at Keiko, looking at the woman apologetically.

"Please say I didn't miss the fitting," she pleaded softly and then was instantly granted forgiveness as she walked over and set a small paper bag on the table. She turned and nodded at Kuwabara and Yusuke without a smile, then sat beside the ferry girl.

"No, no. The woman called to say she'd be late, but when you weren't here," the girl bit her bottom lip between her teeth delicately, looking upset.

"Keiko, I'm so sorry." Ichi ran her fingers through her tangled mess of hair. "Koenma got me coming from my house, and it was supposed to be a real quick situation, but you know how these things get."

Shrugging off the jacket she had on and folding it across their laps they were all reminded at just how out of hand some things could become so quickly. With the top two buttons of her shirt undone the top line of the scar on her chest was readily visible.

"Did you at least beat them?" the human girl asked with a sigh, trying not smile as the wolf demon flashed her a lopsided grin full of arrogance.

"I hit each of them three times. One for my energy, one for wasting my time, and one for you." She laughed and all the tension dissolved as the soft eyed girl joined in.

Iruni sat on the outside path, her feet hanging above the ground off the edge as she listened to the seamstress fuss at Botan for fidgeting while she measured and pinned the dress to be fitted closely. Her mind rolled through tangled thoughts, jerking from one subject to another as a chilling wind messed with her hair and urged her back into the temple. The door was open, allowing her to sit in the glow of the interior light, but apart from the warmth inside.

"Hey, you looked really pretty in your dress, Iruni," Kuwabara sat down next her with a smile.

"Yukina looked much more beautiful." She smiled back at him softly, "She has an air of femininity that I simply don't pull off."

"You're too hard on yourself," he laughed. "You seemed distracted earlier. Even now."

"I've just been thinking," she sighed, turning her face up to the night sky.

"About shrimp?" he asked slyly, and she narrowed her eyes, staring at him from the corner.

"About home." She took in a deep breath of crisp winter air. January was a deep winter month, too far from fall or spring to bring warmth to the air. She hated the cold. "It would be so warm there right now, and the last news I heard from Hayato was that some new villagers were coming, asking permission to build on the land. There's even a market now."

"Do you want to go back?" he asked, and she turned to her pupil.

"Shouldn't you be on your diet?" she asked him suddenly, face an empty mask as she observed the hefty plate next to him. "Your body responds to what you put in it, Kazuma. If you keep stuffing yourself to the top with junk, you're never going to improve."

"Bwech!" he shoved the plate away, his face contorted. Then, with a heavy sigh, he cut his eyes back at her. "You are a cruel mistress. Those are my favorite snacks."

"You need a more balanced diet." She told him firmly. "I'll tell Yukina, and Shizuru, and they'll help you."

"Do you think I've been making improvements?" he asked, face turned up to the sky to mirror hers. "Because I'm really trying, you know. I go through all the stances and moves, everyday. And I run, just like you said."

"You're an adult having to completely retrain himself," she sighed, turning her head to him slightly, enough to have some hair fall over her face. "It's hard work, but I think you're coming along amazingly well. Some people who've practiced all their lives never get the chance to accomplish what I'm sure you will, Kazuma."

"Thanks, Ichi." They smiled at each other for a second, before her eyes closed and looked away from him.

Dropping her jacket onto a peg, Iruni let out a burdened sigh. Her house was cold. The night air was frozen. And it looked like snow would soon fall.

She missed home.

Pausing in the hall, she stared at the only picture of her former life. Her human mother and herself, smiling and posing with peace signs aimed at the camera. They were at a festival, and she was probably ten, with short black hair pulled back with barrettes.

Home was a complicated idea.

"Are you alright?" the dark, deep voice, lifted the small girl's attention from the photo she had barely touched with her fingertips, causing her to pull her hand back. Hiei leaned against the wall at the end of the hall, ruby colored eyes watching her.

"What?" she asked casually.

"I ran into Kurama on my way here, and he said he was worried about you." He explained.

She didn't answer right away, instead choosing to duck into the kitchen where he couldn't see her face. Her back to the rest of the room, she began running water to do dishes. Was she alright? She didn't know. Between her dreams and the way her mind kept wandering, filling her head and heart with mixed up ideas, she wasn't sure which way was even okay anymore.

"I'm fine," she didn't bother faking a smile, pushing her hands into the hot water. It burned her fingers after walking so long in the cold, wintry air.

There was no response, and for a second she questioned whether the little demon had been there at all, when she felt warmth cover her skin.

"Onna," he growled gently. "What is going on in that head of yours?"

She looked out of the corner of her eyes to see him leaning against the counter on her right side, arms over his chest. She hadn't noticed in the dim hall, but he looked a bit haggard and worn.

"Is something happening in the Makai?" she asked, pulling her hands from the water, eyes riddled with concern. "You look like you've been through hell."

"There's been some trouble. Just some useless demons causing trouble," he shrugged. "There's just more of them than usual."

Her eyes went back to the dishes. "I wasn't expecting you, or I'd have been here. With hot food."

"I'm not hungry," he studied her intently. "You were at the temple?"

"A dress fitting," she nodded. "For the wedding."

"The detective's wedding that you're planning more than he is." He specified and she nodded. "I find it ridiculous that you're so willing to do someone else's work."

"It makes Keiko happy," she shrugged, going back to the dishes to keep her mind focused and hands busy. "Anyways, she's doing most of the work. I'm just moral support and muscle. I'm an excellent haggler you know. Got them their cake for half the price."

"Do you enjoy this sort of thing?" he asked.

"Weddings, or planning?" blue eyes closed as she began to hum softly.

"Weddings."

"I've never been to one," she admitted with a slight smile. He raised an eyebrow.

"Never?"

"Never."

She went to grab a drying cloth, only to realize Hiei already had it in his hand and was beginning to wipe down the soaked dishes as she let the water go down the drain. At some point, it had become easier for him to help her with the simple domestic things he had once scoffed at. She didn't question it openly, but she did wonder. The first time he'd dried the dishes had been after she'd been training with Kuwabara and Yusuke all day, then gone on a mission to round up two demons, and then come home and cooked.

"Thank you," she told him softly, but it was enough to make him look at her oddly.

"For?" he pressed.

"I'm not sure," she admitted with a crooked smile. "I just felt like I should tell you thanks."

"Are you feeling alright?" the fire demon lifted an eyebrow and received a consternated look as he finished his silent task. There was obvious concern that she had never answered him.

"I don't know, really. I feel a bit off, like something is out of place." She admitted quietly. "Inside my head I mean."

"You still haven't been sleeping," it was a stated fact, no reason for him to question it. Ever since her arrival back in Ningenkai, the wolf demoness had had issues keeping down a solid sleep schedule. Normally he wouldn't have cared, or even noticed, except it was so erratic that it had effected her fighting abilities during a training match with him and Yusuke. They had both struck her at the same time, when her eyes had glazed over and she'd stared passed them like nothing had been there.

It took a day for her to recover from the attack.

Since then he'd been watching her more closely, for her excuse had been that she was just 'running on fumes' and needed to rest. Only, she seemed to avoid sleep at all costs. She would spend hours reading, watching television and movies, listening to music, running missions for the Spirit Prince, instead of just going to sleep. It bothered him, for reasons he didn't totally understand.

He guessed whatever upset him about that, was why this new update that she was feeling 'off' didn't settle well with him.

"You look tired," she smiled at him with a bit of kindness that almost hurt sometimes.

"I am." He admitted.

"Go take a shower, I'll wash those clothes and you can wear the extra ones you left here."

Hiei stared at her softly, before cupping her chin and pulling her in for a short kiss. "You need to sleep as well."

"I know," her smile tightened into one he didn't like. The crooked grin he'd come to appreciate had started to slowly be replaced with this imposter smile. It wasn't her.

"Maybe you should shower too," he suggested, pulling at her shirt to get her to follow him as he stepped backwards. "I think one of those awful magazines you have laying around said something about hot showers being a key to a good night's rest."

"Anything that involves you, Hiei," she leaned forward a bit, taking a deep breath of his musky fire coated scent, "is going to be hot. But I doubt that it'll help me sleep."

"Trust me," he smirked. "A hot shower will leave you more than ready to pass out."

"Oh, well, when you say it like that." She laughed, a more natural sound that he wanted to hear, and followed him up her stairs.

"Baby brother really seems to enjoy being beaten into the ground," Shizuru breathed out a stream of smoke lazily, watching Iruni swipe her brother's legs from under him for the third time in a row.

"She's a hard trainer," Yusuke lulled, watching with bored eyes. "I wish I could get in on this fighting though. She spends nearly all of her time on Kuwabara now."

"Do you miss your friend, Yusuke?" Genkai snorted sarcastically, causing the young man to cut his eyes at her in slits.

"Shut up Grandma. I miss a good challenge." He glared. A small body landed in front of him, back to his face, on her toes. Iruni's hair swayed free around her shoulders and back. The hanyou stiffened slightly as a glittering blue eye landed on him.

"If you really want a challenge, Yusuke, you could always fight with Hiei." She reminded him with a smirk that clearly told him that she knew he was avoiding that fight. "Kazuma is my pupil. I owe him more attention any-"

There was a ripping noise as a Kuwabara's spirit sword flew from under the ground, cutting into the wolf demon's shirt by missing her body as she twisted out of the way, flipping backwards simultaneously. Panting on a knee, the carrot top narrowed his eyes at his mistress, who looked over her shoulder at him.

"You let your guard down," he huffed.

"Yes, I did." Like usual when he exploited one of her weaknesses she smiled at him, to let him know there was no offense taken. She had told him, once, after he had actually cut into her side during a fight, that if he saw an opening and didn't take it, she'd be more upset than if he hurt her. She wanted him to be able to see all the vulnerabilities of those around him. It was an important part of being a skilled warrior.

He was coming along amazingly well.

"Where is the shrimp anyways?" Yusuke asked, distracting her again.

"I think he may have stayed at the house, he said something about talking to Kurama." She dodged another assault, leaving Kuwabara annoyed and grunting.

"You have eyes in the back of your head!" he yelled, clearly frustrated.

"I have the ability to split my attention," she reprimanded him, appearing in a blur behind him just after he got to his feet. He ducked away without looking, rolling across the ground and coming to his feet just in time to block her kicks. Having to run backwards he blocked each hit directed at him.

"You're faster," she smiled, before disappearing again, only to appear behind him once more. This time when she lashed out to kick his knees, he caught her foot. A look of glowing triumph brightened his face.

Yusuke and Shizuru both cheered, Genkai shaking her head. The punch blind sighted him, sending him toppling backwards.

"You should have acted, instead of standing there," she sighed, bending down to offer her hand to him. The red head laid on his back, a bruise forming on his cheek where she'd struck him.

"I'll get you next time." He panted.

"Sure you will." She rolled her eyes, stepping over him. "You need a lot more practice, but you're doing good so far. Now, that was a good warm up. Time to get running."

"What?!" he shouted, barely managing to get on his knees. "We've been at this for two hours!"

Blue eyes narrowed dangerously.

"And what happens if after two hours of fighting you have to retreat?" she demanded. "Are you going to call a time out? Going to tell your enemy its not fair, Kuwabara? You have to learn to conserve your energy and use it as it is most advantageous." She took a slow breath, then straightened up. "But if you think this isn't fair, that is fine. You can come back to me when you're ready to be dedicated."

Flashes of anger and then hurt quickly passed over the man's face. Before she had to say anything else he was struggling to get on his feet, and then started to walk a bit.

"I'm a Kuwabara. We're as dedicated as they get." He told her firmly before turning, without obvious difficulty, and starting to jog.

"He has to be one of the most serious student's I've ever seen," she blinked, a small smile forming. "He's going to be my pride and joy."

"You consider that a good thing?" Yusuke blinked, earning two smacks upside the head from the black haired girl and the older sister of the man in question.

"Hello, Hiei." Kurama smiled at his friend as he let himself into the small house. "The house seems to be coming along well."

"It doesn't hold heat," the fire demon snorted. The fox demon nodded, having noticed before. Ichi never seemed to talk about it, so he didn't mention it either.

"Will you be staying longer?" the red head set his school books on the kitchen table, taking a seat. Hiei had placed himself on the counter, to stare out the window. It was foggy, which made the kitsune smile.

"Hn." The fire demon turned to look at the red head. "Probably not. There have been a number of small uprisings that require handling."

"Mukuro needs you," Kurama nodded. "Did you happen to hear anything about Iruni's land?"

"I went by," a dark head nodded. "Hayato has it under control. There are demons there now, building homes. A new village is rising."

"Ichi mentioned that." The fox told him. "She seems to want to go back, but she's been very busy lately."

"Hn." There was a look tossed to the kitsune that implied more information was necessary.

"She's been very wistful lately, especially about going home." He explained. "I think she misses the warmth, now that she's had a chance to go back once. She seems to miss Hayato and her home as well."

There was a quiet growl, then silence as the fire demon turned to glare outside.

Kuwabara had been called inside after just a few minutes of running, Iruni feeling that leaving him in the cold without the ability to breath due to exhaustion was a bit cruel, even for her. He lay strewn out in one of the bedrooms of the temple, asleep, as the rest of the group had gathered in the living room. Despite the chilling temperature, the sun was glinting delightfully from the clear blue sky, creating warm streams of light through the windows.

Yusuke had taken to teasing Yukina about Kuwabara as Shizuru and Keiko discussed wedding plans. The small demon girl blushed bright red, squeaking in a barely audible voice at some comment tossed her way by the hanyou.

"Leave my baby sister alone," Iruni peeked one eye open while still appearing lazy. Yukina looked grateful for the interruption. With the same aloof tone she continued, "Or I will dismember you."

Yusuke blanched and the koorime smiled at her savior, then turned to him with an almost smug look. "I was just teasing her."

The blue eye closed dismissively as the girl continued to lounge on the window sill, basking in the warm sunlight. As the green haired demon ran passed him Yusuke pouted.

"Traitor," he sniffed, watching as he was smiled at a little too innocently. "You just had to go and get mommy."

"If you two can behave, I'm ducking outside. I think I need to go train some more," the okami slipped from her position and stretched her back, eying the troublesome pair. Keiko grinned at her from her position on the couch, nodding her approval.

"I'll make sure they're okay," the brunette offered and received a quiet nod before a short glare was directed at her fiancé. Then Iruni disappeared outside. Yukina hurried to the kitchen to work on tea and lunch for when the others arrived, knowing that her demon friend wouldn't be gone too long.

"You know, I thought Hiei was always a bit overprotective of that girl," Yusuke threw his thumb over his shoulder to indicate Yukina as he sat beside his best friend and whole world. "But now that Iruni is watching after her, I see I was wrong."

"The sibling bond is very strong and she really misses having someone to protect. Though it is a bit strange she sees Yukina as a sister, when you know," she didn't dare vocalize the blood tie between the twins. "I mean, its creepy."

"Yeah I thought about that," he ran his hand through his hair as he scooted closer to her, the playful glint in his eye unnoticed. "But I mean, if they got married then they would be sisters, you know?"
"Oh yeah, so I guess it's not so far off base," she tapped her chin. "It still sounds weird though."

"She's perfectly fine," the sighed statement made Hiei raise an eyebrow as he leaned against a tree, just arriving behind the demon girl. "Like I'd let anything happen to her, Hiei. I check on her every day."

"Hn." He scanned his eyes on the surrounding area, watching the wolf girl stretch. "I know."

"Then why do you have that overprotective, dismissive look on your face?" she asked, pulling her hair back. A gust of wind made her shiver. "I hate the cold."

"I spoke to Kurama," he watched her pull her sword from its sheath, carefully gripping the hilt in preparation for a bit of practice. "He said you wanted to go back to Makai."

A loud sigh escaped light pink lips as she felt aggravation spark for the well meaning kitsune.

"I miss it, but I'm fine here." She closed her eyes, eyebrow ticking dangerously. "It's just nice to know, that if I wanted to go home, I could. I haven't had that choice in a long time."

"It's developing," the words made her pause as she tensed to attack the nothing around her. Indigo eyes flicked to ruby. "I stopped by before coming here. It seems to be doing well. Mukuro even commented on how peaceful it was, and how well everyone was adjusting to your land being an open zone again."

"Mukuro?" She blinked, "I didn't even think she'd notice."

"Kurama mentioned that Yomi had also commented on it." The fire demon watched her hands tighten slightly around the handle of her sword as she took in this news. Then her body relaxed and she seemed to nod to the space around her.

"Interesting," was her only response before a small circle of wind surrounded her, lifting her contained hair as she slid into a wide stance, sword held high and parallel to the ground. Knowingly, Hiei moved out of the way, a smirk on his face as he watched her move with a dangerous precision. Even with the smooth mask she held in place, and her eyes closed, he could tell there was considerable concentration under the surface. He could almost always tell what was under her surface.

The thought alone broadened his smirk.

With a controlled release of air, Iruni stepped forward, moving the sword from being parallel with her shoulder to being straight out from in front of her. The wind that had been slowly cycling around her feet followed the simple movement with a backlash of power, cutting straight ahead several yards through the trees, toppling them as it sliced through.

Long tendrils of black hair fell over the front of her chest and shoulders as the wind pulled strands from behind her to the front. Blue eyes had opened with a happy shine as the move was completed.

Hiei's smirk fell into a partial smile as he studied the okami before him. His okami. The way the sun fell over her, lighting her dark hair and adding a sparkling affect to the sapphire eyes he often missed, silently, when he was away, it made him see the strength when what the clueless humans around her would only see beauty. She was slender for a fighter, soft in the way he couldn't always understand when watching her train and practice. The sun shone off of her pale skin as well, playing off the subtle tones of color underneath the surface.

Even her smell was heightened, but it was always was after he had been gone. Red eyes took in all the details most people would've missed about the small girl, from the way she would half lower her lids with a partial smile to show her personal satisfaction with her own task, to the way she lithely controlled her movements at all times.

"Hey," she turned to him with a bright grin, the one that shone because she was in the glowing calm state of mind he enjoyed seeing her in. It almost pleased him more than being near her in a playful mood. Blue eyes were shining with laughter over the smile as she giggled a bit. "You and I should spar soon, so I can figure out if any of these new moves are worth developing. You'd be the perfect test dummy."

"Hn." He lifted the smile back into a smirk, unsure why he was nervous about the idea of her catching him watching her so closely. He'd been doing it since they had met, but this was different for some reason. It was personal to him. "As if you'd be able to land a hit."

She laughed at him, lifting her face to the sunlight and powder blue sky above them. Then with a wink, she captured his gaze again.

"You never know," she told him happily. "sometimes I'm just full of surprises."