Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho.

"Speech"

-thoughts-

A WEB OF CONFUSION

By: JozYyh

Chapter I

Hidden Dangers

Yukina quietly moved the sliding doors just enough for her face partially poke through. She saw the old woman casually sitting on a cushion taking chase sips at her tea.

"Miss Genkai?" Yukina's sweet voice asked shyly.

Genkai didn't bother to look at the naive child; she memorized the sound of her timid voice.

"Yes, Yukina dear?"

"I am going out to collect some medicinal herbs in the garden."

"Make it quick. You never know these days."

"I will." She smiled graciously and pushed the screen doors shut behind her. A small walk later, she reached the outside of the temple and felt the morning, frigid air blow across her face. It had snowed the night before and the temple grounds were covered in white. As she discovered the misty haze of her breath, a few birds flew down to perch on her shoulders.

"Why hello there." She giggled.

Her petite hands petted the fragile bird's heads, smiling affectionately. The birds chirped beautifully in response.

She always had a spiritual connection to woolen creatures. Perhaps it was her pure and untainted soul that attracted them to her. Or maybe it was her innocence that gave them reason to trust her.

"You must be hungry. Wait one second."

She took a brief detour to her room and fetched some food for her beloved friends. When she returned from the temple she was holding a bowl full of dried fruit, berries, and assortment of seeds. She placed it on the ground and baaed the birds to come and eat there fill.

"Here. I must be going now."

The birds thanked her with an orchestrated symphony and she smiled modestly in return.

She took a final moment to stroke each of the feathery heads, and then gently rose to her feat. A small journey away, she arrived in the tenderly cared garden, full of curing antidotes. It was buried under the fallen snow, but with her ice apparition powers she was able to waft the ice away without disturbing the plants. Underneath where the herbs and remedies, still flourishing. She plucked a few to tide over her needs, securing them inside her kimono. She lifted the snowy blanket to once again cover the delicate plants from the cold. She turned to leave having completed her task when something caught her eye. It was a peachy, bright object off in the distance. The vibrant color was easy to spot in the snow. It seemed achingly familiar to her, like she had a strange sense of déjà vu. She took a moment to stare and ponder. Finally realization struck her like an electrical current.

"That's . . . ! I could easily any illness with that!"

Her joy was quickly subdued when she realized what she would have to do to get her hands on it. She had to stray from the safe, dirt road and into demon territory. Yukina may be a strong willed and enduring person, but that didn't automatically suggest she could protect herself from a hoard of demons. That 'complication' was the only thing stopping her from rushing off and taking it for herself.

She reluctantly decided to head back, the risks too high. She tilted her head to look over her shoulder, her teal eyes taking in one last glimpse. She bowed her head to watch her feet as they carried her homeward. After taking a few steps she second-guessed her decision.

The reward was well worth the trouble.

All she would have to do was check to see if the cost was clear and then high tail it out of there.

She couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. This was the panacea she was waiting for. With that flower in Yukina's possession she wouldn't have to worry about her friends dying.

She replayed those thoughts over and over in her mind, trying to convince herself to go for it. A stubborn disposition took over and she took a deep breath and shooed away the doubt.

She slowly walked onward, wary of her path. She looked all around her, making sure no one was watching or following. After what seemed like forever, her nervous steps finally stopped in front of a delicate beauty. The snow had melted on its fragile petals, giving it the appearance of dew. After a moment of admiration, she quickly pulled the roots and all from the earth. Without wasting a precious second, she retreated.

A smile graced her lips in quiet festivity. She had done it. The cheerful mood was shattered when she suddenly found herself lost. No matter what direction her eyes moved the scenery looked the same as the last. She halted in hesitant panic.

-That can't be right. I thought that I retraced my steps fluently.-

Her teal eyes looked at the ground. Her eyes broadened; the rest of her foot prints had been washed away by the icy wind. She didn't know where to turn, what to do. A sharp sound echoed through the woods. A stick cracked. Adrenaline flowed through her body, the rush you get when you're scared. She snapped her head around in the direction of the sound, but found no one.

"Miss Genkai?" She whispered.

She hoped it was Genkai trying to teach her a lesson for wandering off. But she knew that wasn't true. Someone had been stalking her.

Yukina backed up; keeping her eye on the spot where the sound was the loudest. Her back collided with the jagged bark of a tree and she cried out in shock. She jumped away in freight, expecting an ugly and evil demon to stare back at her. Noticing it was only a strong trunk of a dormant tree, she let out a relieved breath. Yukina placed a hand over her heart and was amazed how rampantly it was beating. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down to a more staid pace.

-I must have been imagining things.-

She felt a little bit more relaxed now. Thinking the worst was over; she took no more then two steps when her fears became a vicious reality.

"Little girls shouldn't wander so willingly into this place without protection."

Her breathe caught in her throat. Her whole body seemed to shut down, yet it was shaking erratically.

"Who's there!"

"The last demon you'll ever lay you're eyes on."

She growled in anger at his promising threat. Just then the bright, white ground grew gray then to black. Something towered above her and cast a shadow large enough to block out the sun. She screamed; a reverberating cry that was a desperate plea for help.

"That won't do you any good."

She was shoved into the soft snow, barely being stricken. She ran, her eyes darting around to catch sight of the attacker. There was no one. She could only hear and feel a strong gust of wind whistle by. She looked at the ground, watching her feet when her eyes widened in freight. The shadow was back above her. She peered up into the sky but she saw nothing there as well.

It was gone again.

She consumed on the pale sky that she didn't concentrate on where she was going. He body was caught in a sticky net; one that held her small form tightly. She tried to wiggle and fight her way out but it was of no use. As a last resort, Yukina used her ice apparition powers to freeze the web. Weakening the sticky cords, she was able to break her arms and legs free with a crack. Her hands were still bound, the web frozen fast like shackles. Nevertheless, she ran.

Not to long after she stumbled on a tree root, concealed beneath the snow. She quickly pealed her face from the ground and recovered from the fall. When she looked up large webs surrounded her, spanning throughout the trees.

Yukina was caught, with nowhere to run.

There, there was the giant who captured her. At first, all she could do was stare, her lungs feared to breathe. This demon was unlike anything she ever seen. It looked forbidden; a combination of good and evil mixed together.

She collected herself, her mind slipping back into a defensive rebellion. She formed a fist and a shimmer cascaded along her fingers. The ice took shape and substance, diving in the crevices of her fingers. The ice daggers grew longer extending out from her fists. Though it was made of ice, it still was as deadly as steel. She punched at the gigantic foe; the daggers sinking into the skin. The foe didn't even attempt to flinch away; it let her do as she wished and received her hit with open arms.

She pulled them out; and they were covered in the monsters blood; but no mortal wound appeared. It was as if the demon was immune to any physical attack. She wouldn't give up; she slashed at it this time. A streak of what seemed like claw marks stained his body but still no reaction from the beast.

A wicked laugh came from its mouth.

"Foolish girl! Know when to quit! There is no hope of escape!"

The wounds soon evaporated, leaving his skin clean and unmarked. He was merely watching as her futile attempts failed time and time again. Finally she stopped, frustrated and completely dumbfounded.

A lump piled in her throat. She couldn't scream she was too terrified by what she saw. This creature was out of her league and she stood no chance of winning.

"Don't worry it will only hurt for a little while. Then all the pain goes away." He reassured her.

"W—what are you going to do with me?"

"That my dear, is a surprise."

Thanks for reading!

Comments and Questions Welcome!