Title: The Wheel of Fortune

Warnings: BL, yaoi, probably a lemon later, violence, mild language, perhaps disturbing themes, and liberal use of the mysterious nature of Kurama's character x]
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Yu Yu Hakusho characters or plot elements.

[A/n:] I've been constructing this story in my head for several years now, and Im just now writing it. Unlike my other failed stories, this one has an in-depth [five frikken pages] outline, from start to end. So whether I have inspiration or not, theres no excuse for abandonment xD I even have ideas for a short sequel, but that might just end up as an epilogue.

I have no idea how long this is going to be, just long. The time line covers the entire series, from the point when Kurama first meets Yomi, to their departure from Yusuke's tournament. However, the story will focus mainly on Kurama and Yomi, and Ive added a lot of my own plot elements, so much so that it can probably be considered an AU.

I know this first chapter is ridiculously short, I started writing late and Im all out of Root Beer. So xD expect an update soon, and longer than the beginning (consider this my motivator, cause if I leave it on my desktop I might never pick it up again).

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In the demon world the days are just a bit longer. A few more hours of sunlight, and a few more hours of darkness. All the same, it makes for much longer years.

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He bent over to examine the ground, fingers brushing lightly against dirt and moss. He straightened, took in a sharp overview of the area, and signaled for the men to follow. Youko Kurama was suspicious.

They had been traveling for a day and a half, after being forced to move camp because of the seasons. The men grumbled and complained, could not yet sense the change in the atmosphere. But Kurama could feel it, the subtle hints that meant the rains were coming. So, they were moving. "Stay ahead of the weather. If you cannot control it, then work with it." he'd said.

Although he offered them words of wisdom, taught his trade now like he were a dying master, there was coldness in his glances, and mostly only disapproval.

And they were being followed.

Whoever was tracking them was clever enough to stay ahead, rather than behind. Of course, it was only natural that anyone in their way would stand to the side, but it weren't as if they were waving flags and banners. To the contrary, they moved with relative quiet. And despite the quantity of travelers, they left few traces to follow. Their tracker was ahead of them, letting them advance just far enough to be sure of their position, and then retreating and locating them again.

So far Kurama was the only one to notice, and he had considered using the situation as a lesson. For the moment though he was waiting. The tracker was clever, but not very good. An amateur, probably a lower class demon with out much more skill than one of the bandits now making up Kurama's gang.

At night they made camp in the forest. Small below ground fires were started, tents pitched, and out came the dried meats. Scouts on the ground and up in the branches of trees kept watch and reported to their higher ups, who reported to Kurama. It was a secure system that he ran, albeit simple. "Don't over complicate things if they can be kept simple. A simple strategy is manageable, and a manageable strategy wins the game."

They drank his words up like an elixir, as though they were the secret to immortality. Funny thing is, he didn't abide by them himself. At least, he never told them anything about cheating. And Youko Kurama loved to cheat.

There was a commotion in the distance, too far away to understand, but close enough to set off alarms. In a upheaval of the quietude the men rushed towards the trouble, and towards him, shouting commands and questions and curses all at once. Kurama rose from his spot on the ground to meet one of the scouts that came running towards him, panting and bright eyed. "Sir, an intruder has attacked our men, Renguile is dead, and at least two others before him."

"I see. What would you gauge the intruder's level to be?"

"D, most likely. Maybe lower C. He wielded a blade."

"Organize the men here, prepare a holding cell. I'll deal with this." His mind reached out to the plants around him, easily locating the source of trouble. Male, young, weak. And yet somehow interesting. He leapt lightly into the trees, moving swiftly and with ease towards the point of irritation. He could feel it through the plant life, and angry aura that seared the tips of the poison oak and curled the fronds of the ferns. Unlike people, the auras of plants connect in an abstract grid, melding into one giant network energy. And plant energy is very strong; it is simple and does not involve itself with things like emotions or greed, or violence.

A few drops of blood on a branch, torn clothing. A body in the bramble and only a few paces ahead of him a seething, red aura. Kurama dropped to the ground, feet landing in soft moss and hair drifting for a moment to obscure his face. There was only one being around, his men were now searching in the completely wrong area.

"Who are you? And why have you been following me?" No curiosity gleamed in his voice now, only a cautious warning. And a demand.

Stepping through the trees with a heavily confidant stride, a young demon met Kurama's glare with a wide smile and casual posture. "I've heard a lot about you, Youko Kurama. The greatest thief who ever lived, I am in awe, and you are so much more than what the stories told. I am Yomi, and I'd like to be your second in command."

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