Extra Chapter 71: The Demon Realm Chronicles of the Enchanting Fox

This is a story that takes place before the main plot of Yu Yu Hakusho begins.

Kurama had met Hiei before.

It wasn’t after one of them was gravely wounded and forced to flee to the human world, hiding within the womb of a human woman and choosing to heal in human form, while the other, having undergone the Evil Eye surgery and lost all his demonic power, left the Demon World through the isolation barrier and, by chance, crossed paths in the human world. No, it was much earlier—long before any of that.

At that time, Kurama had been in the Demon World for nearly twenty years. Though he had come to terms with his fate and new identity and was doing his best to move forward, there lingered within him a faint sense of not quite belonging.

As for Hiei, he was already a prodigiously talented demon, astonishingly powerful, having reached A-class level at the tender age of five. His reputation, though only whispered among a select few, had already carved a niche for him in the Demon World.

Yet, Kurama had never heard of Hiei during those years.

Perhaps it was due to the distance between them, or perhaps because Hiei’s fame had not yet spread widely enough. In any case, there should have been no reason for their paths to cross.

But one day, the group of thieves Kurama belonged to planned an operation.

A minor faction in the western Demon World had almost been wiped out by a rampaging horde of magical beasts. The joint investigation by several major powers found the cause to be an unremarkable, nameless plant that no one had thought much of before.

After deliberation, all parties agreed to join forces and eradicate this plant, sparing no effort or territory.

Though the thieves' group counted as a minor power, their size and influence were far from enough to secure them a seat at such a council, so naturally, they had no intention of complying with the final decision.

For this band of professional thieves, participating in the extermination campaign was far less appealing than taking advantage of the fact that all major powers would be preoccupied with the operation, leaving their headquarters poorly defended—a perfect opportunity for a daring heist!

Granted, such actions could provoke ruthless retaliation, but as long as they chose their target wisely—one whose loss would be bearable for the thieves and not worth the risk or expense of a full-scale vendetta—the consequences would be manageable.

The one responsible for devising such plans and selecting targets within the group had always been Kurama. Although he had spent years in a listless, indifferent state, recently he had regained his composure and the high esteem of his peers, so the matter naturally fell into his hands once again.

Kurama, as usual, felt little enthusiasm for the operation (at this point, he still did not see thieving as a means to integrate into life in the Demon World), but since the task was his, he approached it diligently, choosing the target and laying out a rough plan.

All that remained was to wait for the right moment.

A few days later, when the allied army indeed set out in force to wipe out the nameless plant, as agreed upon, the thieves chose a night when a blood-red full moon hung in the sky to slip quietly into the heart of their chosen target’s territory.

Kurama was not the main executor of this operation.

He was present as on-site tactical support—an emergency commander, so to speak.

Of course, that was Yomi’s explanation. Kurama knew his old friend was simply worried about his prolonged detachment and, seeing him take an interest in rejoining the group, had pulled every string to involve him in the action—hoping to reignite the rebellious, flamboyant passion for treasure and adventure that was the fox demon’s essence.

Kurama let out a low, bitter laugh. He suddenly wondered, if Yomi were ever to learn that, not long from now, Kurama would betray and hurt him, blind him, even try to kill him—how would he feel then?

Kurama had seen with his own eyes how Yomi had treated him over the years. If he could help it, Kurama would not want to be the betrayer in this friendship, for he was not, after all, the heartless demon fox of old.

Yet Kurama was also deeply wary of the immutability of fate.

For instance, he had once tried to leave the thieves’ group behind, to live in some quiet corner of the world where no one knew him or could find him. But just as he was about to carry out this plan, he was struck by a pain so searing it felt as if it would tear his soul apart.

In that moment, something seemed to pour into his mind, whispering, “You cannot defy this!”

Kurama guessed that must be what people called “fate”—or, to put it bluntly, the plot itself.

Thus, he was destined to betray and hurt Yomi. He was destined to suffer grievous wounds.

Truly, Kurama was fed up with living a life as if he were a puppet on strings.

With a frustrated frown, the silver-haired fox demon murmured a few words to the companions standing guard with him, then turned and strode into the dense forest.

Such environments always brought him a sense of peace.

Perhaps it was because Kurama’s powers lay in the control of plants, and to keep himself occupied and focused, he had conducted many deep studies and experiments on various species.

Thus, he had a natural fondness for places lush with plant life.

Closing his eyes, he breathed in the cold, crisp midnight air of the Demon World, slowed his breathing, and began to attune himself to the forest.

It was a skill he had acquired after fully mastering his body and powers: to merge with the plants, become one of them, feel what they felt…

His awareness spread farther and farther…

Just as he was about to reach his limit, Kurama suddenly stopped.

He saw someone.

Someone who should not have appeared before him at this moment.

It was Hiei.

He had not yet undergone the Evil Eye surgery—his forehead was smooth and unmarked.

That distinctive upside-down gaze, small stature, unique hairstyle, and cool expression left no room for Kurama to misidentify him.

The black-robed boy lay flat on a tree branch, staring blankly at the blood-red moon hanging in the sky, his face unusually lost in thought.

A pang of sadness struck Kurama.

This subtle shift in his emotions spread unconsciously through the plants connected to his mind. Instantly, the whole forest rustled as if the trees were whispering Kurama’s feelings to one another.

Suddenly, Hiei, who had been gazing at the blood moon in a daze, sat bolt upright.

“Who’s there?” he demanded in a low voice.

Kurama, startled, broke the connection instantly.

Hiei vanished from his mental sight.

Kurama stood for a long while, dazed, before suddenly letting out a low chuckle.

“So… there is such an adorable side to him, after all,” he murmured to himself, and the heaviness he had felt seemed to ease a little.

That first encounter was etched deeply into Kurama’s memory, though he never once mentioned it to Hiei.

“We’ve met before, you know, Hiei.”

“Oh? When, you ask?”

“I’ll tell you… when you remember it yourself.”

Teasing Hiei—what could be more amusing?

Years later, after becoming a sworn comrade-in-arms with the now short man sporting an extra eye on his forehead, the fox often used this story to tease his friend.

As for when Hiei would finally recall the truth, or simply hear it from Kurama?

With a sly smile, the fox would only say—

“When the time comes, you’ll know.”

Hiei: …Dragon of the Darkness Flame.

And so, the lives of Yu Yu Hakusho’s main cast continued—lively and joyful, as always.