Previously on YYH Beyond, the gang was having a friendly reunion in the park when it was cut short by a terrible disturbance. A monster, who is actually the sister of Yoko Kurama, had finally found her long lost brother. She insists that he visit the rest of their siblings in Demon world. He has to leave behind his pregnant wife, Midori, but now he is ready.
Episode 4 : Trouble In Demon World
[On a rocky mountain side in Demon World, a group of demon fighters gather.]
Leader: This way!
[Silently, they descend the mountain side and scale up other side, arriving at a bush. A Scout uses a pole to pull some branches away to reveal an opening. The leader crawls in followed by the others one by one. Inside the cave, they reach a tunnel large enough to walk through. They come to a cavern and gather in.]
Leader: We know you are here filthy beasts! Come out and face your doom!
Mob Member #1: Yeah! Show those ugly mugs so we can eradicate them!
Mob Member #2: You won't threaten us any more once we're done!
[Silence prevails as they look around. A chilly breeze blows. Some party members shiver as a fire bursts up and encircles them. Huddling together, one demon in the center feels a drop on his head and looks up. At once water pours to surround them. The wind swirls the fire and water together until the entire mob is either burned or drowned.]
* * *
[In the clearing where Yokira was reunited with her long lost brother Kurama, a few birds chirp and fly off. Yokira in human form leans against a tree at the edge of the clearing. Kurama walks in from the other side.]
Yokira: [without looking up] It's about time you got here.
Kurama: It is still early, it seems as though your eagerness to leave precedes my own.
Yokira: [pushes self off from tree into standing position] At least I didn't have to resort to drastic measures...what's concocting in your mind to make you come prematurely?
Kurama: [innocently] Must there be a reason? First I didn't come soon enough and now it's too soon?
Yokira: [raises eyebrow] You think I don't know my own brother? Planning ahead and preparing for something no doubt.
Kurama: Yet you still beat me here. [shakes head] I was hoping...might we go on a stroll before we depart?
Yokira: What for? I really want to get going.
Kurama: I understand, think of it as some personal time for us.
Yokira: [sly smile] Hmph, don't get too much one on one time with the pack around do we?
Kurama: Indeed we won't, and I trust we both have a bit of catching up to do.
Yokira: I suppose I can humor you with that for a little bit, but lets not be too long!
[They walk from the clearing back to the park and follow a sidewalk path. They converse but no audio is heard. Two kids run past them laughing with ice cream in their hands.]
Yokira: Well it sounds as though between Toguro, Sensui, and Yomi, you've been through quite a bit of adventure as a human. Some of those challenges sound exciting, [holds hands behind head] although what they accomplished is honestly pretty stupid.
Kurama: True I would have thought so myself not too long ago. But living here I learned a new way of life that is unimaginable to demons.
Yokira: Puh...I lived here for a number of years while searching for you...I still don't see what's so special about this place, and I'll be more than delighted to leave.
Kurama: [stops walking] You also lived here alone. [pauses while Yokira raises an eyebrow at him] Would you like some ice cream? [points to a nearby vendor]
Yokira: I told you I've cut all my ties here...that includes money to buy frivolous things like that.
Kurama: Do you mind if I get some?
Yokira: [sigh] Whatever.
[Kurama goes to the vendor and orders. He comes back with two cones.]
Kurama: Here, try this flavor.
Yokira: What are you trying to do? Bribe me out of taking you home?
Kurama: No, think of it as a present, no strings attached.
Yokira: Why?
Kurama: Simply to be kind.
Yokira: [snatches the ice cream offered] Or weak...letting people take advantage of you. You've become a looser!
Kurama: [shrugs] Shall we be on our way now?
Yokira: Trust me; we can't get out of here fast enough!
* * *
[In Koenma’s office in Spirit World, Botan stands in front of Koenma’s desk with Koenma in his chair and George standing beside him while holding a stack of papers.]
Botan: And that’s everything to report Koenma. What do you think we should do?
Koenma: Hm…Finding information about Kurama’s siblings is harder than looking up the Saint Beast. I’m wondering if they may be some of the Super S Class demons that have been hiding in the depths of Spirit World…
Botan: WAH! But how can that be? Kurama isn’t that strong!
Koenma: Kurama had also taken a different path of life. In the hundreds of years they have been apart, his siblings may have gained more powers and experience.
Botan: But if Hiei’s theory is true and they are plotting something, if they are all Super S Class demons, they could do a lot of damage!
Koenma: That’s what I’m worried about.
George: But Koenma sir, if they were that strong, why would they need Kurama?
Koenma: [frustrated] That is a puzzling question.
Botan: Maybe we could find out more about them from other demons?
Koenma: I sent an inquiry to Kokou. I am still waiting for a response.
George: [shuffles through papers] Oh that Koenma sir? The report has already come in, [pulls out a sheet] here it is!
Koenma: [yelling] And you’re just now giving it to me, you blue ninny?! [jumps up and grabs the report] This is important information! [reads and makes comprehensive noises]
Botan: What does is say sir?
Koenma: We have other troubles to worry about. Although there is no knowledge about the foxes, there seems to be a conspiracy plot growing in demon world…one that plans to conquer the Human and Spirit Worlds.
Botan: EEK!
Koenma: She wants Hiei and Yusuke to look into this. We certainly have our hands full. Hopefully our boys are up to it and haven’t gotten lazy since Yusuke’s dismissal.
George: [displeased] So we’re going to just sit and watch them like we always do as they risk their lives?
Koenma: [heroic pose] Time to suit up for Demon World!
George: [voiceover groan] Why do I still have this job?
* * *
[Dark night in Demon world on the same rocky mountain side as where episode started. Yokira and Kurama walk to the top of a pile of rocks and look towards their home. A sour wind blows through their hair as clouds loom above.]
Yokira: [breaths in deeply] Aw, it is good to be home again. [nudges Kurama] You really should change back now.
Kurama: No thank you, subsisting in this form is adequate.
Yokira: Be wary of your semblance...I may forget you are my own brother!
[Kurama gives Yokira a gentle but stern look. They proceed down the hill.]
***COMMERCIAL BREAK***
[Yokira and Kurama stroll down a tunnel. When they reach the heart of the cave {the same cavern from the beginning of the episode in which the mob was destroyed} they stand and look around.]
Yokira: [calling out] Osuko! Okiya! Endoya! Remayolo!
[Silence prevails after Yokira’s echoes fade.]
Kurama: Are you sure you have the right address?
Yokira: You nimcompoop! We grew up here and you know it! Perhaps if you showed your true colors, they wouldn’t remain hiding in the shadows. [calling out again] Hey you guys! It’s your sister! I have a surprise for you!
[A fire flames up in the center of the cave. A shadow flies across the wall. Water starts dripping at an increasing speed from a nearby stalactite. Wind rushes through the cave and around Kurama, hands materialize around Kurama, holding him from behind. The head of a female spirit fox appears behind him.]
Air fox: [deep whisper behind Kurama’s ear while a set of fingers caress him up towards his neck] You have brought us a mortal, a tasty morsel of flesh!
Water fox: [while emerging from the puddle created under the stalactite] Do let us have a bite!
[The Water fox slips up to meet Kurama’s face. A male spirit fox looms behind her.]
Fire fox: I haven’t tasted human in centuries!
Kurama: [sighs] That’s enough, [to the Air fox holding him] Okiya, [to the Water fox in front of him] Endoya, [to the Fire fox behind Endoya] Osuko.
Okiya: [slipping her hands off of Kurama] I see, he knows too much…
Osuko: …Indeed. [walks to Kurama] A punishable sin…
Endoya: [stands while lifting Kurama’s face with her fingernail]…To spare your life, bestow upon us all your wisdom!
Kurama: [sly smile] Clever trick, but misleading to your true intentions.
Endoya: [snarls then looks at Yokira] Why have you brought us this smart aleck? You weren’t to have returned until you brought back that little ragamuffin.
Yokira: [eyes closed, smiles] Of course…you’re looking at him.
[The three sprit foxes questionably stare at Yokira then turn their heads to Kurama.]
Osuko: Don’t joke with us! He hasn’t a trace of Yoko on him!
Yokira: Trust me…it’s him alright, but he’s too stubborn to emerge from that human shell.
Osuko: Better back-up that claim, or both of you will be dead meat.
Okiya: I say, [grabs Kurama’s hands and starts licking his fingers] we eat him now.
Endoya: We must cook him first. [brushes hand across Kurama’s forehead leaving traces of water] Boil him alive!
Kurama: Those bluffs won’t scare me. I was Yoko and this is what I have become. It is not necessary for me to change my form. You may know it is me as I am.
[Ground trembles and green vines sprout up along the walls of the cave and cover them with green leaves. Behind Kurama’s back he holds his free hand straight down with vines wrapped around it. The vines reach down and into the ground. The spirit foxes shift their eyes to see the vegetation grow yet continue to face Kurama.]
Okiya: Now that energy is familiar…
[Okiya pulls the hand she is holding behind her and gnaws on Kurama’s lower neck then rubs her face around and sets her chin on his shoulder. Endoya and Osuko follow with bending over {due to their height} to greet their brother.]
Kurama: Where is Remayolo? It is not like him to remain in hiding. Unless something has happened to him…
Male voice: Hoping me to be dead? You would like that, wouldn’t you brother? [vindictively] That really hurts though.
[Remayolo regally struts out of a cavern. The other spirit foxes stand back from Kurama. Kurama’s eyes narrow.]
Remayolo: Dear…brother…how nice of you to join us! Let our fun now commence!
[The four siblings grin evilly at Kurama. Osuko lowers the firelight till it goes completely out leaving darkness. Red eyes glow in the darkness with a diabolical chuckle. Suddenly in Yusuke’s and Kayko’s bedroom, Kayko wakes up and sits up in bed.]
Kayko: [scared] Ah!
[Kayko looks around the room. Everything appears to be normal. Yusuke is still sound asleep by her side. She turns and sits at the edge of the bed.]
Kayko Voiceover: It’s been over a week since the picnic…poor Midori. She must feel really lonely right now…especially since she and Kurama were expecting a child. [looks over at Yusuke] I know I would be. I’ll have to call her in the morning... [hears wooden boards creaking] Why am I so jittery? [stands and walks to the door] some warm milk should help me sleep better…
[Kayko opens the bedroom door to reveal standing in the hallway is a short, shadowy figure with glowing red eyes and spiky hair.]
Kayko: [screaming] ACK! PEEPING TOM GET OUT OF HERE! [slaps shadowy figure]
Yusuke: [jumping out of bed] What? What’s going on? [runs over to Kayko] Kayko! Are you allright?
[Yusuke looks at Kayko then at the trespasser. Hiei stands in the doorway, with his head turned to the side and a bright red hand print on his cheek. He turns his head back to face Yusuke, expressing minimal amusement.]
Kayko: [realizes its Hiei] Oh, I’m sorry; you just startled me.
Yusuke: Wow Hiei, I’m surprised you didn’t use a window! What brings you here in the middle of the night?
Hiei: Hn. [walks in] You are to come to Demon World with me.
Yusuke: [confused] How come?
Hiei: Certain demons are organizing together, which may have an effect on the person who wins the next Tournament for the crown; or a revolt if that person is not the demon they intend to win. I trust it would be in your best interest to aid us.
Yusuke: [hesitant] That depends. Who do they want to win? And what is their goal?
Hiei: We are as yet unsure, that is why I came to get you. We are going undercover to find out. But I presume they will want one of their selected members so as to lead a unified crusade against the Spirit and Living Worlds.
Yusuke: Uh…right…
Kayko: So you are saying that this is a secret order where everyone pledges to follow their codes to gain profit solely for their organization? So it doesn’t matter who will be the next ruler as long as he is a member of their group.
Hiei: Probably something like that. So Yusuke, does something like this spark your interest?
Yusuke: Yeah, well, I guess. Why not? A little espionage never hurt anyone right?
Hiei: Hn. Then we leave immediately.
Yusuke: What, You mean right this second?
Hiei: Are you ears clogged?
Yusuke: You know you could have given me a little notice!
Hiei: I’m only here on Kokou’s request. We don’t have to investigate. Then their movement will pull through and you might as well kiss your human life and all that’s in it goodbye.
Yusuke: Ok, ok, fine. But can I at least have 10 minutes?
Hiei: What for?
[Yusuke tilts head towards Kayko, who is looking down and eyes are hidden by shadow. Hiei nods then turns. Yusuke closes the door the goes to hold Kayko.]
Yusuke: Hey, Kayko.
Kayko: [turns away] Oh Yusuke, I thought you were done with all of this.
Yusuke: I’m sorry. [puts hands on Kayko’s shoulders] But it sounds like this is really important. Hiei wouldn’t come all this way to get me if it wasn’t. Besides…
Kayko: [looking down] Besides it gives you another reason to run off again. [flatly] How long will you be gone?
Yusuke: As long as needed. [turns Kayko] But listen, there are demons more powerful than myself out there and if I don’t go, then when it comes down to the attack, [strokes her face] I may not be able to protect you, [lifts her chin with his fingers] and losing you would be the worst thing that could happen.
[Kayko pushes Yusuke’s hands away and struts to the window.]
Kayko: [sarcastically] Fine, go off and have a blast. [turns to look at Yusuke pleadingly] Just please come back.
Yusuke: I know I know, or else [hand raises in form of firing Spirit Gun and winks] BANG!
Kayko: Yes, that’s right [half-heartedly raises Spirit Gun Imitation and looks away] …bang.
[Yusuke places his hand on Kayko’s extended hand then holds it and pulls her into an embrace then gives her a kiss.]
“Hey! It’s Yusuke letting you know that you better not miss next time with Hiei and me going undercover! Can you figure out who we are? We got some pretty good disguises, and a code to talk in as well! We are making new friends…and new enemies. Next time will we learn all the secrets and put an end to this rising rebellion? Or are we just getting ourselves into deeper danger? Ha! Danger is my middle name! Learn about the Order of Zerka, next time on YuYu Hakusho Beyond!”
