Author's Note: Just a few notes. I'm changing the ages of the characters because I personally don't think they look like a bunch of 14 and 15 year olds.
Yusuke/Kuwabara - 18
Kurama - 19
and most of the other characters are demons so that doesn't really matter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho (obviously), just the random stuff I make up.
Mikami is one of the most well-known cities in the Demon World, or Makai. It lies in the Gandara territory of the Demon world, ruled over by Yomi. Located beside Mirage Lake, a giant horse-shoe shaped lake that is said to create mirages to lower-level demons, who have the misfortune of drinking its water, to lure them to an icy death, Mikami is surrounded on three sides by water. There is only one way in, and one way out.
To the naive traveler, Mikami appears to be a busy hub of travel – where "treasure collectors" gather to share tales and swap goods. However, no one in the Makai is that naïve or innocent. Mikami is the center of the black market world. "Treasure collectors", or as they are more commonly known, thieves, gather here to barter, drink, steal some more, and try to make a profit off of their stolen goods. Dirty businessmen from the human world come here for their own corrupt means. Hitman for hire lurk in the shadows of the numerous bars. Prostitutes, or as they like to be called "concubines", prey on drunk men in the dark.
All in all, Mikami is one of the more well-known cities in the Makai. And even more well-known is the clan of demons that runs the city – the Quest clan. Terrifying demons with the even more terrifying ability to create something out of nothing – making them invaluable to the black market business.
Although the city possesses modern technology: television, phones, transportation; the city looks old – Japanese style buildings, cobble stone streets, dim street lamps – rather romantic, don't you agree? It is broken up into four sections: the main section is aptly named the "Circle Market". It is located in the smack dab center of the city. It is a large open space, in a circle shape, where most vendors set up shop and sell their goods. Along the outskirts of the market are all of the city's restaurants and bars where most of the under the table deals are handled.
The second section is to the east of the Circle Market, it is called the "DC" or the "Dirty Corner." The DC is where the shanty apartments and hotels are located, as well as where most of the concubines and hitmen can be found. The poorer residents of Mikami dwell here.
The third section of Mikami is to the west of the Circle Market, it is called Horizon. It is where the middle class lives, as well as where most of the legitimate businesses (blacksmith, bakery, candlemaking) are located.
The last and most exclusive section of Mikami is to the north of the Circle Market. A most exquisite golden fence surrounds it, 10 feet high with uncuttable golden bars with fleur-de-lis at each tip. Beyond the golden gates lies Magnolia, named for the abundance of gorgeous Magnolia trees that line the neighborhood. It is where the Quest clan lives. Other rich and powerful demons live here as well, only through invite from the Quest clan, of course.
The Quest clan runs very similar to the human mafia-type groups. There is a main family, run by one patriarch or matriarch. The current patriarch of the Quest clan is Yarrow, a high A-class demon who has lead the Quest clan to become the power house it is known to be. His brothers and sisters all hold high positions within the clan. There are many, many more members of the clan – it is around 200 strong, and their Quest culture flourishes under Yarrow's reign, which is why no one has tried to overthrow him.
The Quest clan has the interesting power to create something from nothing, but it is not without it's limits. Each Quest child has the ability to only create a few types of things – for some, it's precious metals, for others it can be anything from explosives to water. Each Quest member specializes in something specific, they cannot create everything.
Yarrow and his wife, Magnolia (for whom the city was named for), had a single child - a daughter. Our story starts with finally reaching an appropriate age to marry.
Faint murmurs and the occasionally word were all that could heard from behind the partition. Through the thin rice paper screen, three figure's outlines could be seen. Two were shaking hands, exchanging excited words and amicable laughs. The third was sitting quietly, not daring to make a word out of turn.
It was a big day for the Quest clan, their clan leader, Yarrow was choosing a fiancée for his only daughter. Marriage into such a high position was a difficult task – Yarrow had to find someone powerful enough to not only keep power within the clan, but also someone powerful enough to head up the black market. It wasn't an easy position to fill – but with the position came immeasurable fame and fortune. Oh yes, being the patriarch of the Quest clan had so many benefits which is why selecting a fiancée for his only daughter proved to be the daunting task.
However, the day had arrived. Finally.
And as Yarrow's only daughter sat just outside the partition, hands fidgeting as she grew impatient, the deal had finally been struck.
"Bluebell," Yarrow called, his voice, though friendly, demanded respect.
The girl stood, careful not to trip in her haste – she was wearing a formal kimono for the occasion, it'd be a shame to tear it.
She stood about 5'6", her bountiful fair blonde hair (normally falling to just past her shoulder blades) was pinned in a formal bun on the lower right side of her neck, a few strategically places strands framing her face. Her skin was just barely sun-kissed, just enough to show that she ventured outdoors, but not too tan to suggest that she worked outdoor labor. She had well shaped brows, and though her lips were pink from her biting them, they puckered in a most appealing way that made up for her lack of check, she was a modest 'B'.
The thing that stood out the most about the girl were her eyes. They weren't deep blue like the ocean's depths, nor were they a light shining blue like the sky – they were the most unusual shade of cornflower blue. Not so different that it looked unnatural, but not so similar to the typical blue where it didn't stand out. No, her eyes were unique, and the cornflower blue color is what prompted her mother to name her Bluebell, after one of her favorite flowers.
Sliding open the partition, she lowered her eyes as she stepped into the room, making sure to mind her manners in front of her father while he performed business.
"You called?" she asked, mildly – a stark change from her usual personality.
"Ah, yes, yes. Mr. Horikawa, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Bluebell."
The girl met Mr. Horikawa's gaze and bowed deeply to show her respect. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."
Mr. Horikawa seemed like a nice enough man, once dark hair now peppered with a gray here and there, and a relatively kind face. Hopefully his son would look as kind as he did.
"Bluebell, dear, I'd like you to meet your fiancée-"
Bluebell turned, her eyes falling upon the third figure in the room. Tall, dark and handsome, but frightening all the same. His dark eyes met hers, a smirk working its way onto his features.
"Karasu."
Bluebell met his gaze, a chill running down her spine. "Pleasure to meet you," she stated quickly, almost forgetting her manners.
"Trust me, the pleasure is all mine," he said. The way he looked at her was unlike anything she had seen before. It was like he wanted to rip a bite right off of her, and she could do was stand there and smile while her stomach twisted into an uncomfortable knot.
