What was meant to be a friendly get together was cut short as earthquakes emerged from the nearby forest. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei were quick to get to the bottom of the situation, a demon disguised as a young woman. In attempt to stop her, Yusuke has already been knocked out for the count and Kurama took his skills to par with her. Able to coax her out of her mud armor the gang learns that she really is a female fox-demon that apparently Kurama already is familiar with. Who is she really and why has she been causing terror in the Human Realm? Find out today on YuYu Hakusho Beyond!

Episode 3 : A Past to Shape the Future

[Kurama and Yokira lunge at each other. Yusuke and Kuwabara uncover their faces then look on in shock. Kurama and Yokira are wrestling on the ground, teeth in neck and nails in back.]

Yusuke: That’s an interesting way to fight.

Kuwabara: Yeah, especially for Kurama.

Hiei: Are you fools blind? How do you expect spirit foxes to greet each other?

Yusuke: Greet? [looks closely at Yokira] Say, she does have ears and a tail like Kurama in his Yoko form.

Botan: So how do you think they know each other?

[While Yokira is on top of Kurama, they loosen their grip and Yokira props herself up, enabling them to get a good look at each other.]

Yokira: You’ve been quite rude never sending word.

Kurama: You expected me to write or something?

Yokira: I suppose not. [flipping Kurama’s hair away] My, my, look what’s become of you!

Kurama: You haven’t changed a bit. Don’t tell me you have caused so much commotion here in the human world just searching for me.

Yokira: We thought you were dead! But after the Dark Tournament rumors came back that Yoko had returned.

Kurama: You’ve become slow; the Dark Tournament was several years ago.

Yusuke: Hey! Excuse me for interrupting this intimate moment, but do you mind explaining to the rest of us what the world is going on!

Kurama: Oh I’m sorry; [nudges Yokira off and sits up facing Yusuke] this is my sister, Yokira.

Yusuke/Kuwabara/Botan: SISTER?!?!?

Hiei: Obviously. Does that surprise you?

Yusuke: Well yeah, I only ever hear him expressing care over his human mother; he never mentioned any demon relatives before.

Kurama: I never had a need to, I’m sorry.

Botan: [slaps fist in palm] I get it now! All those spontaneous burst of demon energy picked up in Spirit World were just a sister looking for a long lost brother!

Yusuke: [slyly] Oh, and I thought you were on vacation!

Botan: [nervously] Ah hahaha, [pulls a kitty face and raises paw-like hands] Meow!

Kuwabara: So do you have any other relatives we should know about?

Kurama: Two more sisters and two brothers, we were a liter of six. We all specialize over a different element. Yokira’s is over “Earth,” and if you couldn’t guess by now, mine is over plants or “Flora” as it were.

Yokira: Yokira: Yeah, the others have “Fauna” which is the power over animals, then “Water,” “Fire,” and “Air,” and out of all of us, [reaches over, giving noogies to Kurama’s head] Little Yoko here is the runt of the litter!

[Yusuke and Kuwabara try to suppress chuckles but fail and collapse laughing.]

Kurama: [hiding embarrassment] And might I add, Yokira, that you were the one always throwing tantrums?

[Yokira backs off. Yusuke and Kuwabara stop laughing, stare at Yokira and burst out in hysterical laughter again.]

Yusuke: HAHAHA You mean our “Big Bad Wolf” mud monster still throws tantrums!

Kuwabara: Kicking and hitting the ground like a little baby? [smirk] HAHAHA!

Kurama: True, she acts just like a toddler sometimes, which is how she got so good at causing earthquakes.

Yokira: Grrr [clenches fist and vein pops out of forehead] Don’t make me tell them about some of the fits you used to throw!

Hiei: Enough nonsense! Now that everything is clear, [pointing to Yokira] you made a promise.

Yokira: [stands up, pretending innocently] I did? Now let me think…

Kurama: [also rises and brushes self off] You must go back to Demon World now.

Yokira: What? Just when I am reunited with my long lost brother? [throws arms over Kurama’s shoulders and squeezes him against herself] For shame!

Hiei: Drop the act; those were you’re pathetic terms.

Yokira: [continuing to hold Kurama to her with one arm while using the other arm to gesture] Now why would I say something like that? NoNo, don’t answer! I’m in no mood to argue, I will go ahead with your silly deal, but I’m taking my brother with me!

[Hiei looks bamboozled from Yokira’s insanity while she starts to drag Kurama away with her.]

Kurama: [pushing himself away from her grasp] Yokira! It’s not as easy as all that.

Yokira: Come again? You mean after fifteen hundred years you don’t have the decency to come say hello to your siblings?

Kuwabara: Woah! FIFTEEN HUNDRED YEARS? How old are you Kurama?

Yokira: tsktsk, Weren’t you listening to you’re [pointing to Yusuke] friend here? It’s rude to ask a woman’s age!

Kurama: Yokira, please. [to others] She is very touchy about her age, you see; being of the same liter, we are the same age. She feels that by asking my age, you are indirectly asking hers.

Yusuke: [can’t stop laughing] And I thought you were referring to your brother as a sissy! hahaha, woman’s age…

Yokira: [raises eyebrow] Well I’m so glad I have you’re approval. Now if you don’t mind, you all want me back in Demon world and I need to speak with my brother first.

[Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, and Botan are taken aback, but stay and listen as Yokira turns to Kurama and they speak]

Kurama: [frowns and shakes head] I will not return to Demon World with you.

Yokira: You must. Why in heaven’s name not?

Kurama: I have changed; I am not the demon I once was. Neither you, the others, nor I would find this reunion enjoyable.

Yokira: [frowns] Then at least come and show us for our selves!

Kurama: There is no point for me to. Plus I have many duties here that prevent me from leaving.

Yokira: [examining nails] Gee, I’d hate to do this…but earlier I heard mention of a human mother you care for? [glances at Kurama’s widened eyes] Her safety should be worth some good old family time…just come visit us for a month that’s all we’re asking you.

Kurama: [looks stern] You won’t be able to put up with me that long! By the end of the first week you will all be sick of me.

Yokira: A week it is then, but if we are not sick of you after that, you must stay a whole month!

Kurama: Then I shall ask that none of you will bother me again after this trial.

Yokira: I cannot make such a promise for the whole pack, you will have to take it up with them…but you have my word on your condition. [extends hand] I’d give anything to get my brother back, even if it means to loose you forever.

Kurama: [shakes Yokira’s hand] Truly I’m touched, but I assure you that I am no longer the brother you once knew. Please give me a week to make arrangements for me to go.

Yokira: Fair enough…I have some arrangements to make of my own, you were correct in noting the time elapsed since the Dark Tournament, I have had to survive here in the Human World for a while as I searched for you. Indeed, it will feel good to cut those ties I have acquired. [shifts back into human form that she first appeared as] So in exactly one week, meet me here at this spot. [walks away from the clearing] And don’t try anything funny, remember, [looks back over shoulder towards Kurama] I’ll be watching you! [winks at Kurama then leaves]

Yusuke: [pauses] That was weird. Hey Kurama, if your siblings are all like her, a month with them can’t be that bad… [stops when he looks at Kurama and sees the saddened look in his eyes] …whoa, are you alright?

Kurama: [walks away] I must depart now. I’m glad we could meet together one last time. [leaves]

Botan: Kurama?

Yusuke: [shocked] Did I miss something?

Kuwabara: You and me both!

Hiei: You fools, like always, fail to grasp the situation. She has been searching for a while, but that is only a fraction of the time compared to before Yoko disappeared in which they could have sought him out. Their interest in him is not because he is their brother; it is his abilities in which they have use for. Why else do you think that they only need him with them for a month? They are untrustworthy, even if they keep their promises, they will find a loophole. Kurama realizes this…they can’t to bother the dead.

Kuwabara: WHAT?!?!?

Botan: That can’t be!

Yusuke: [jumps up and shakes Hiei by the collar] You mean Kurama is walking into a death trap?

Hiei: [calmly] He had no choice, wasn’t it you that let Yokira know of his weakness for his human mother?

Yusuke: [lets go of Hiei in shock] Well we can’t just stand here!

Hiei: Do what you want, Kokou wanted me to stop the disturbances and maintain peace between Human and Demon World. As much as I detest it, human safety is my only concern here. I’ll keep an eye on them both. [jumps and disappears]

***COMMERCIAL BREAK***

[The sun is starting to set on the city. Focus on a building, zooming towards a particular window, then inside an apartment. The front door opens. Zoomed shot on Kurama, excluding his head, as he enters and quietly shuts the door behind him. Without turning on lights, he walks into the next room and pulls out a chair at the desk. Angled shot on the desktop organized with books, photos, small boxes, and miscellaneous notes while Kurama sits down. His hand reaches across the desk and picks up a picture frame. In it is his wedding picture taken outside with him in a suit holding Midori, who has pink hair, teal eyes, and wearing a long-sleeved, white gown.]

***FLASHBACK OF GENKAI’S DEATH***

[Genkai is lying on the floor at the shrine, Kurama sits by her. Midori enters.]

Midori: Grandma? [runs to Genkai’s side, in tears] Grandma! Please, you can’t die now! [uses healing powers on Genkai]

Genkai: Shut up, and don’t waste your energy! I’m old and bound to kick the bucket sooner or later.

Midori: But…but I’ll be all alone.

Genkai: [turns] Kurama. I don’t believe you have met my grandniece Midori yet.

Kurama: Oh, no I haven’t. I’m pleased to meet you.

Midori: [distracted] Um…hi.

Genkai: [turns back] Midori, do you remember when you were five, how your parents died?

Midori: How could I forget? A demon murdered them in front of my very eyes!

Genkai: Describe for Kurama what the demon looked like.

Midori: [closes eyes] He was pale, like a vampire, with long slick black hair and a trench coat to match. He also wore a white mask over his mouth. He barely touched my parents and they blew up [shudders]…right there in front of me.

Kurama: [whisper] Karasu…

Genkai: Correct.

Midori: [opens eyes and looks up at Kurama] Why, do you know where I can find him so I can take my revenge?

Kurama: [averts eyes] He is dead.

Kurama Voiceover: [close-up on Kurama’s solemn expression] Fifteen years ago, Karasu was sent to kill everyone that Genkai cared about, [close-up on Midori’s amazed face] except her grandniece Midori. [close-up on Genkai smiling] Toguro’s reasoning for this action remains unclear. [scene shifts to a moonlit night over the pond in the shrine] This left distaste for demons in her mind, but it eased her to know of my actions when I myself battled Karasu. [Midori is sitting, staring at the water] She had inherited some spiritual powers, but not sufficient enough to become a demon-slayer like she desired.

[Kurama walks over and stands by her.]

Midori: [sad anger] I am so useless!

Kurama: Why do you say that?

Midori: I couldn’t save my parents then, and I couldn’t save Grandma now.

Kurama: [pauses] I know it is painful…to see someone slip away beyond your control. Believe me I know.

Midori: [doubtful] How could you?

[Image of Kuronue behind Kurama as he remembers]

Kurama: [somber] I too have helplessly watched those I care for die.

Kurama Voiceover: In a way, we had a similar situation. In discussions to help with her loss, I too was helped and comforted.

[In the kitchen at the shrine, Yukina and Midori are preparing food.]

Yukina: I’ll run and get some more water from the well. [passes Kurama on her way out]

Kurama: Is there anything I can do to help in here?

Midori: [while focused on adding and mixing ingredients] If you can cut the funeral potatoes, thank you.

[Kurama picks up a knife and a potato and starts carving it.]

Kurama Voiceover: I admit something about her intrigued me…I wanted to know more about her and what kind of person she was. [glances at Midori] Caring, Selfless, and a hard worker.

Kurama: [“accidentally” cuts hand then drops the knife and potato] Ow!

Midori: Oh no, you cut yourself! Here, let me see… [grabs his cut hand and holds it with both of hers as she heals it] …you have to be careful how you cut these.

Kurama: [nervous chuckle] After all the weapons I’ve handled, imagine cutting myself on a kitchen knife…

Kuwabara’s voice: Yukina!!!

[Kuwabara rushes in and Kurama quickly pulls his hand back. Kurama and Midori turn away from each other.]

Kuwabara: Look what I got! [holds up a hand picked bouquet wrapped with ribbon and a paper with Genkai’s face attached]…Hey, where’d she go?

Midori: [keeping back towards Kuwabara] To get water, she’ll be back soon.

Kuwabara: Oh, I better go help her! [notices knife on floor with specks of blood]…wait [looks up at Kurama]…Kurama? Are you blushing???

Kurama: [surprised at self] What?

Kuwabara: Ah…Don’t be ashamed! I cut myself lots of times, Midori and especially Yukina are really good at making the owies all better! Speaking of which, I better go find Yukina!

[By the pond at night, Kurama and Midori are talking to one another.]

Kurama Voiceover: There is no better way to love someone than to serve them. It was against my better judgment, but I let these feelings grow as I helped her.

Midori: Thank you for your support through this first year, I really appreciate it.

Kurama: Don’t mention it, you have helped me too.

Midori: [averts eyes, blushing] Don’t be silly, I could never repay your kindness.

Kurama Voiceover: She was happier when I was around, [close up on Kurama smiling] and so was I around her. The more I learned about her, [Midori smiles but a tear trickles out of her eye] the more I strived to be a better person. [Kurama lifts his hand to brush it off with his finger and steps in closer to Midori] Perhaps it was selfish of me [they hug]…but I wanted to remain in that bliss…

***END FLASHBACK***

Kurama ponders how he can leave Midori while
remembering how much he loves her

[Kurama continues to stare at the wedding photo.]

Kurama Voiceover: …and now I must leave her and my unborn child…

[He moves his hand slightly so the glass reflects his face, revealing the tears his eyes are holding back. He sets the photo back and folds his arms on the desk and lays his head on top. Zoom out to see back of Kurama sitting at the desk. Sound of the front door opening and closing is heard.]

Midori’s Voice: Suichi dear, are you home yet? [lights turn on] There you are…Suichi? [footsteps approach Kurama and places hand on Kurama’s shoulder] Is…is everything all right?

“Hey there! This is Kuwabara speaking, seeing as I’m the only one with time to make this report. Kurama heads off to Demon World for a reunion with his creepy demon siblings, and things don’t look to bright! Meanwhile, who should be stalking Yusuke but…what? That little short-pint? Suppose those two will be taking care of business in Demon World as well. Sure I may be left out, but that gives me more time to spend with my darling, Yukina! Heehee, *ahem* But back to the point, Yoko’s family is more than what it seems and there’s even more trouble to be had; and you can only find all this out by tuning into the next episode of YuYu Hakusho Beyond!”