Title: Untamed Spirits
Chapter: 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or Inuyasha.
Summary: Someone decides to try to put the Spirit Detectives down in a new and interesting way. Unfortunately, when the final stage of their plot is delayed, the crafty Youko finds the Spirit Detectives a sanctuary in a shrine belonging to a former time-traveling miko.

Chapter 1 - Helping eases the Burden

A tree crashed through the air as four animals scattered across the park, the demon roaring angrily behind them. Glowing yellow eyes glared about, then transformed into a small lizard like creature. The chase was on. A smirk alighted the demon's features. Once they were found, the plan could be finished. They wouldn't just be transformed into animals, the second part of the spell would make sure no one could ever change them back into their normal forms. Then they would never trouble any demon again.

One of the four animals was lucky. He was used to having a similar form. Less tails, but the form was basically the same. Pure white fur covered his body, and his eyes were as golden as ever. Not only that, but it was him in control for once, and not his human counterpart.

He stopped suddenly and dove into the underbrush as his senses warned him of something strange. He waited a moment, and then realized it was his demon senses, not his fox ones. Odd, his powers didn't work but his senses were still there.

The white fox crept closer to the source of the warning and his eyes widened as he saw a shrine. The air practically reeked of miko power. The fox brightened immediately. If he was lucky, and he usually was, this would be one of those mikos who had a shield up that only kept demons with bad intent out.

He sprinted up the steps, passing through the shield with only a tingle to show he had even gone through. He was surprised there were even any mikos left. He'd only met a couple, and that had been two centuries ago when he gone on a brief stealing stint in the human world. They'd kept him from stealing anything, but one had been willing to talk, and he'd learned much from her before he'd had to go back to Makai.

He was probably one of the few demons under five centuries old who knew anything about mikos.

He sniffed around cautiously and jerked his head back at the demonic smells his nose was feeding him. His fluffy white tail swished behind him as he grinned inwardly. This was great! A miko who had reoccurring demon scents on the property!

His nose warned him an instant before he heard the door open and footsteps came towards him. He turned swiftly, drawing back slightly as he saw a young teenage boy.

The boy studied him, and he studied the boy right back. The teenager sighed. "My senses aren't as good as my sister's, but I'm guessing you're a demon?"

Youko nodded enthusiastically, trying not to be annoyed at how his human speech had been taken from him. The boy nodded to himself, then jerked his head towards the door. "Come on in then. I'll get Kagome. Since you got through the shield you're probably nice enough, but she and Shippo can interrogate you just incase, and see why you aren't in a humanoid form. You have one, right?"

Youko growled as he nodded and the boy took a step back. Youko immediately tried to look as non-threatening as possible. He wanted to be back to normal, and to do that he needed to be able to stay here so the demon wouldn't find him before he had a plan. A miko certainly wouldn't let him stay here if he scared her brother.

The boy seemed satisfied and led the way into the house, holding the door open for the white fox. Youko's nails clicked against the floor when they entered the kitchen. Two surprises awaited him.

The miko was a younger and prettier than he would have expected. Also, there was a kitsune child on her shoulder.

"Oh good. I didn't think there would be anybody who would understand me here." The white kitsune 'spoke' in a relieved tone. It wasn't really speaking so much as a combination of body language and low growls, barks, and yips, depending on what was being said. It was a canine language; a fox language to be exact, though any canine and probably most mammal predators would be able to understand him.

The fox kit seemed surprised and turned his head towards the miko he was sitting on. "Mama, that's a kitsune. A cultured kitsune, and should have a humanoid form too by the way he speaks. Can I speak to him?"

Youko was faintly surprised that the kitsune called a human 'mama', but couldn't really object to such a thing when a part of him did much the same. The woman - barely more than a girl really - smiled at her kitsune son. "Go ahead Shippo. I'm sure you know what to say and ask by now."

The kit jumped down and bounded across. Youko noticed the paw like features and pointed ears. A golden kitsune if the tail was any indication. Youko almost snorted. If Koto appeared they'd have a representative from most of the kitsune species. Besides the black ones, but some said they were just a different kind of gold, just like some said rubies were a different kind of silver.

"Hi! I'm Shippo. Basically I'm supposed to ask what your name is and what you're doing here, but I can add some questions. Like, what do you need help with? Because any stray demons we end up with usually need help of some kind."

Youko was relieved. Not only were they not being openly hostile, but also they were willing to hear him out. He sat down, his tail curling around his back end as he prepared himself to answer those questions and anymore they could throw at him.

"I'm Youko Kurama. There is another presence inside me who, while most call him Kurama, is actually Shuichi Minamino. I am here because a demon transformed I and my allies into normal animals. We were stripped of our powers, though oddly kept our senses. At least, I believe the others did. We scattered to give ourselves a better chance. Fortunately I was in a form I was extremely familiar with, and when I came upon the shrine, I made the apparently correct decision to seek refuge here."

Shippo translated all that to the blue-eyed miko and she nodded and directed the question directly at Youko this time. "Where are your friends?"

Youko was silent, then, "I don't know."

When Shippo translated that the miko sighed and got up. "Why don't you two stay here? I'll go look for regular animals that have demon auras. There can't be many of them in the city. Oh, do you know what animals they were transformed into?"

"Only that Hiei was transformed into a small dragon." Youko's eyes twinkled in amusement and Kagome grinned. "I'll have to ask you later why that's so amusing. Let's see if I can find a dragon."

Youko watched her go, and then looked at Shippo. "I don't understand. Why does she except my explanation so readily?"

"You got through the shield, didn't you? That alone is usually indication enough that you aren't bad. Besides, Mama is always ready to help. It makes her feel less guilty." Apparently the kitsune has spent so much time around humans and other demons that he automatically spoke in the human tongue. Youko sighed, and then went out of the room, his nails clicking until they reached the carpet, making Souta relieved. The clicking was a bit annoying.

Youko climbed up onto the couch and curled up, head on top of his tail as he waited. He found both boys were staring at him. He raised his head and tilted it, a clear indication of a question.

"Nothin'. Just looking. Wanna watch some TV?" When Youko indicated he did not, both boys looked disappointed, and went to one corner, playing a board game. Apparently they believed him, but didn't trust him enough to leave him in the room alone.

-I wouldn't either,- Shuichi commented grouchily from the back of his mind. Youko smirked. His favorite game. Tease his other half!

'You're just upset because I'm in control as long as we're in this body. The only control you'll get is if I let you have some. Not nice to have the table turned, is it?' Shuichi snarled. Youko laughed mentally at the canine sound. Apparently he'd rubbed off on his human counterpart. Shuichi snorted, but there was genuine friendliness in there.

Immediately, Youko became more relaxed. Not that he really cared what his counterpart though, but for a brief time he'd thought the human would hate him. Shuichi seemed to catch that thought. He laughed at him. At him!

-Why would I hate you? You're right in a way. It isn't nice, but you haven't been in control for a long time. It's about time you stretched your legs. Plus, you have a lot more experience in this fox form.- Youko agreed with that, and both souls relaxed. Youko sniffed the air once more and then his ears flickered, catching another sounds. His coal black nose rose into the air.

"A human woman is approaching who smells like the boy and the miko." Youko informed Shippo. Shippo looked startled, then groaned.

"Souta, your Mom's home. Um, can you take care of Grandma? I'm not sure how to explain that Mama's taken another thing like this. You know how she gets." Shippo's green eyes widened as he looked at the boy, pleading with him.

"Fine, fine. Maybe I'll suggest she and Grandpa go one a trip for a couple of weeks to some of the other shrines in Japan. She can get some rest and see some sites and he can go and argue with the other out of date powerless sold men." Souta stomped outside and closed the door behind him. Youko heard him speaking rapidly to the woman outside, apparently their mother.

"What? Another one? Well, if I'm going to be forced out of my own home, I want to see what for!" Youko would have smirked if it were possible in this form. He slipped off the couch and sat on the floor, curling his tail around again and trying to look his best, and look like he was just a hopeless little puppy.

"Where is this fox? I can't believe she... Oh my." Youko's golden eyes captured the woman's brown ones and he tried to look saddened.

"Well... I suppose one more time can't hurt. She is helping people after all." The woman smiled a bit at him and his eyes brightened. He had won!

"She's helping demons. Not people. Demons! Where did I go wrong! She's a miko!" An old man came stomping in, grabbing a ward from a basket nearby. "If mine don't work, let's see how well my granddaughter's do!"

"Wait Grandpa!" Souta caught the ward, relieved to see it hadn't hit. Youko actually slunk behind another chair, though his eyes were narrowed and his fur was bristling. He did not appreciate being attacked, and he was sure he could take an old man in this form.

Souta put the ward back in the basket, which to his eyes, when he focused, glowed blue and pink. His sister's pink, and his own blue. Hers was still better but he was still strong.

Mrs. Higurashi began to pull her father to a different part of the house. "We'll be going soon then. If there are more to come, I don't want to be getting in the way. Best if I allow Kagome her pet projects."

It was an hour later when kitsune, kitsune-human-fox, and one human boy gave a sigh of relief. They'd rushed them, but they were out of the house before anyone else came. The three were presently outside, exchanging congratulating looks.

Youko suddenly gave a sharp bark and Shippo bounded towards the entrance of the shrine. His eyes widened as he caught his adopted mother's scent and then quickly scrambled back. "She's a bit angry."

A singed miko crested the top of the shrine, a long rope held tightly in one hand. They followed the line of the rope and found it was around the neck of a black dragon, with red eyes that were very familiar to Youko. Hiei was tired, though he was too proud to show it.

'Hiei. Where are the others?' Hiei's dragonhead snapped up and his wings flashed out as he heard Youko's thought. Kagome swiftly unwrapped the rope before the dragon tried to take off. Hiei tried to snap at her hand. Her miko powers in return zapped him. He winced and lifted himself in the air, landing in the God Tree behind Youko. Kagome glared at him, and then at her singed clothes. Stupid dragon.

'I don't know. This girl said she was here to help. I believed she was from the demon.' Hiei sounded embarrassed. Youko went to the God Tree and looked up.

'She's a miko.' That was all the two exchanged, but Youko watched Kagome go, and then Shippo bounded after her. Hiei went to go after her, feeling a bit useless sitting there. Youko sighed inwardly as everyone but Souta left. Well, he wasn't leaving until he came up with a good plan.

Kagome noticed her two followers but said nothing. She kept to the forest part of parks, hoping that she would find another soon. Her senses tugged her in another direction and she immediately turned that way, following them as she had when she found the dragon.

What she found was surprising. A blue jay was in a tree, twittering to a black wolf below it. Once in awhile the wolf would growl and snap its teeth before going back to what could only be called sulking.

"Two more of you and Youko's friends?" Kagome asked, addressing Hiei. She expected just a nod.

'Yes. That's the detective and the spirit guide girl.' At Kagome's surprised look the dragon seemed to give a smirk. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"It would have been a lot easier if you'd just done that before." Kagome's grumble fell on deaf ears as the wolf noticed her. It sprang to its feet, black hair standing on end as it lowered its muzzle and began to growl deep in its throat. Kagome's eyes went wide.

"I thought getting you was a problem." Kagome backed up a step as the wolf advanced one. "At least I'm used to fighting something like you."

Shippo jumped down, speaking in canine. "Wait, wait! Look up in the tree!"

Hiei took his cue and swooped down nearer to the wolf. 'Detective.'

'Hiei. Who's she?'

'Someone Youko recruited.' Yusuke stopped growling at the answer but his brown eyes still eyed her suspiciously. Kagome's eyes were wide, more with shock and confusion than fear. "Nice teeth there," She managed. Shippo giggled.

Hiei opened up mind links between all of them, deciding translating would take too long. Time was of the essence. He did not want to be stuck in this form forever.

'So, who exactly are you?' Yusuke's gruff thought was directed to Kagome.

"Kagome Higurashi. You?" She began to walk back to the shrine, keeping to the inner parts of the forest. These weren't exactly normal animals. She kept her senses open for another demon aura mixed with a normal animal.

'Yusuke Urameshi. Damn demon transformed us into useless animals.' Kagome could sympathize with the feeling of helplessness and sighed herself.

"Not totally. At least you're all predators so far. Except for the blue jay. Who are you by the way?"

'I'm glad someone remembered me. I'm Botan! It's a pleasure to meet you miko! I don't suppose you've seen Kuwabara?'

"Sorry. Only you three and Youko." Kagome's explanation was brief as she stopped, her senses tugging at her. Above her, Hiei was doing much the same as her.

'The oaf is nearby.'

"That's a human aura!" Kagome exclaimed.

'Kurama didn't explain much, did he? Kuwabara's as human as you are.' There was a mental giggle after Botan's explanation and Kagome rolled her eyes.

"That would have helped a bit. Shippo, go lead them back to the shrine please." There were immediately mental protests but Kagome ignored them and plunged into the woods. She didn't like the feeling she was getting. The last one of the group she had so suddenly decided to help was in trouble. Damn her and her soft and guilty heart.

She skidded through the woods until she met with the scene of a lion being attacked by a few demons. "Our master simply wants to finish the spell. Pay you and your friends back for the trouble you've caused. Surely you wouldn't mind?" One hissed evilly. The lion roared and tried to attack, only to get caught from behind.

Then a demon simply disappeared into ash. The four remaining demons looked at the angry and glowing human girl. "Who are you?"

"A miko." Then she was over the lion and in the midst of the four. She hadn't spent four years in the feudal era for nothing. She could kick and punch with the best of them, and when they were leaden with miko powers, the demons were quickly gone. She grimaced sadly at the ashes, and then turned to the shocked lion.

"Hey, you must be Kuwabara. Are you going to attack me like all your friends seemed apt to do? Because, lion claws? Not very fun I think. Plus, a lion isn't exactly native to Japan. I don't see why the demon couldn't have given you a more normal form. None of you exactly fit it." Kagome started walking after seeing the lion shake its head and could hear him following.

By the time they arrived at the shrine, Kuwabara had heard Kagome rant through stupid demons, school and college, and how tough shopping for outfits that wouldn't get destroyed while fighting was. He was a bit relieved when he saw everyone else.

"Where did she learn how to fight? She fights almost as good as one of us!" Everyone except for Youko looked surprised at what Kuwabara 'said'. Youko looked extremely smug.

"Hey, telepathy dragon, open it up won't you?" Kagome ignored the growl and the flames that came close to her head and waited until she felt her mind seem to expand a bit into the other's she hadn't linked to yet. Including Shippo and Souta.

"So... what now?" Everyone stared at her. She stared at Youko. He looked uncomfortable.

'Do we have to have a plan now?' Kagome groaned at Youko's thought. "Mama's going to kill me."

"She went on vacation with Grandpa," Souta chimed in. Kagome stared at him, then sighed in relief. "Thank kami. So, you guys have any friends you can call?"

'Keiko,' Was the immediate reply, closely followed by, 'Shizuru.'

"Keiko first, since you guys all chimed in for that one." Kagome walked inside and brought the phone to the window. She looked out. "Number anyone?"

Youko and Yusuke both provided the number at once. Yusuke looked at Youko suspiciously. 'Why do you have Keiko's number?'

'A friend is allowed to have the number of another friend,' Youko replied pompously. Shuichi sighed inside his head, and then gasped as Youko added to his statement. 'Besides, it was Shuichi who got her number, not I. Later you can ask him.'

Kagome was ignoring the mental conversation as she talked to Keiko. At first the girl had been nervous, then suspicious, then angry, and finally had agreed to come over. Kagome wouldn't be surprised if the girl brought back up the way she'd been talking. She seemed to believe the boys had been in trouble; just not that she was trying to help.

Kagome sighed and looked out the window, groaning as Youko said something that made Yusuke bare his teeth.

"Hey, Kagome, what are you going to do when Inuyasha or Kagura come over? You know they'll attack first and ask questions later." Kagome's eyes widened. They checked on her once a week. Every Tuesday. Today was Tuesday.

'Oh Shit.' Kagome didn't even realize that the thought had gone over the telepathy lines. She was too busy going into the kitchen and desperately getting the ramen out. If Inuyasha smelled ramen first, he might hesitate. If it was Kagura, well, there wasn't anything they could do. She paused, remembered her guests, and took out some meat and nuts too. She left it all on the counter, figuring she could cook up what they wanted when they were hungry.

"I smell someone coming!' Shippo announced suddenly. Kagome sighed, quickly drank some water, and prepared to meet this Keiko girl. She arrived outside to find one girl staring at the wolf Yusuke, hands on her hips. Kagome raised an eyebrow.

"Yusuke Urameshi! Only you could get yourself turned into an animal!" Keiko stood up straight to her full height, which wasn't really that tall, but was taller than the black wolf, even if he did still look large compared to her.

'But Keiko, it wasn't my fault, and they're animals too!' Kagome held in a giggle at the whine. Apparently he didn't like being scolded by this girl. The large black wolf cowered underneath the human girl's glare.

"Not your fault! You'd think that you could manage one last favor for Koenma after you went off to the Makai for three years and became a demon! But you can't even do the favor right!"

'Aw, Keiko, it isn't all Urameshi's fault...' Kuwabara trailed off when Keiko turned her glare on him, She looked a bit taken aback by his lion form, and it was then she observed all of them.

"Hiei's a dragon, no surprise, Botan's a bird..." Kagome noticed Keiko's lips quirk at that and Botan started squawking - Both in bird language and in their minds.

"And Kurama is..." Keiko trailed off; her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. He was the most beautiful fox she'd ever seen. Youko noticed and inwardly began to snicker. Shuichi jumped nervously, not at all liking the mischievous sound.

'I know, I'm so hideous in this form. I can't believe I was stuck this way." Youko added in sad eyes and lowered ears, a small whimper sounding. 'It's so terrible to be stuck like this. I'm so depressed. I just wish I could have a hug.'

"Oh...Kurama, you're as beautiful in this form as in your normal one!" With that the young woman took the fox in her arms and hugged him to her chest. Youko took no time in snuggling to her, letting out another whimper as he did. He was giggling childishly on the inside as he heard Yusuke growl.

'Keiko! Moron! He's doing it on purpose!' Yusuke's ears flattened as he was directed with a harsh glare. "Yusuke! How could you accuse your friend of something like that! Don't be so mean!"

'Yeah. This is traumatizing Yusuke!' Youko gave a string of pathetic whimpers bound to melt anyone's heart. It had Keiko patting his head and body soothingly and the kitsune slowly made it seem as if his 'depression' was subsiding. She continued to pet him.

'B-But Keiko, that's even the real Kurama.' Youko glared harshly at Yusuke for that one. He was the original, not the human with some of his powers! 'Not the Kurama you know I mean!'

Youko eyed the detective suspiciously but let the sort of insult slide.

'That's the other fox,' Hiei added helpfully. Everyone stared at the dragon for that obscure and not very revealing statement. He snorted, a small flame coming from his mouth. They promptly forgot to stare at him

"What?" Keiko asked in confusion. Youko glared at everyone.

"They have been calling him Youko. Only Botan called him Kurama." Kagome added helpfully. Keiko stopped for a moment, and then shrugged. "Oh. Well, it doesn't matter. It's still Kurama no matter what form he's in. So..."

When Keiko just continued to pet the kitsune, Yusuke seemed to be mixing angry growls and disbelieving whimpers. 'But it's Youko dammit!'

-Remind me to let you have more control when we get back to normal. Keiko petting and getting Yusuke frustrated all at once...- Youko snorted with laughter silently in his head at his counterpart's speech.

'Much better than your boring routines, eh? See this? Females simply cannot resist Youko Kurama, thief of all treasures, including the most closely guarded hearts!' Youko was careful to direct this thought only to Shuichi.

'Keiko! Stop hugging the damn fox! He's faking it!' Keiko ignored Yusuke's whine.

Shippo was looking enviously at Youko from Kagome's shoulder. He spoke in a low whisper, not wanting to ruin the show prematurely. "He's good. I wonder if he'd give me lessons."

Kagome glared at her adopted son. "Not until you're a lot older he won't!"

'I can't believe she's petting him', Kuwabara said in awe.

-They're all just jealous,-Shuichi mentioned offhandedly.

'Of course they are. What's not to be jealous of?' Youko's smug voice made Shuichi sigh and retreat to another corner again to wait until Youko's ego had deflated.

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Yet another story for TTMSD's birthday week. Do tell me your opinions please.