After collecting the proper supplies, the sisters headed off into demon teritory far beyond the tree house they called home. After walking for what seemed like miles they came across the Twisted River just like their grandfather said they would.
"I've never seen a river that loops around so much in my life," Sapphire said as she looked down at the map in her hands, "I bet we can cut our time in half if we just don't loop around."
"You don't want to do that," a voice in front of them said. They looked around a saw a young man with black hair slicked back, wearing an all white fighting uniform.
Amethyst asked, "Are you Yusuke Urameshi? A mazuku who has a boat on this river?" She examined and said, "You don't look poweful."
"Or like a demon," Sapphire said, "aren't those usually ugly?"
"Thanks," he said, "and I am Yusuke by the way. You're just a couple of human little girls so you can't sense how strong I actually am. That doesn't matter anyway. What are you doing in demon territory? Demons don't like humans much here." They explained everything. "That's far, come on, I'll take you part of the way in my boat."
As he walked them to the river Amethyst asked, "How come we can't skip the loop parts of the river? Wouldn't it be faster?"
"This isn't the water you're used to," he explained at the dock, "it doesn't flow freely, whatever current we're on it'll go. It's complicated, come on, get in." He held the boat for the girls to get in.
Sapphire asked, "Do you eat humans?"
Yusuke untied the boat and jumped in. He replied, "No, I used to be a human at one time so that's way too weird for me to do. Do you ladies know where you're going? What are you names anyway?"
"I'm Sapphire and she's Amethyst," she answered, "and yeah, our grandpa told us everything. Hey you wouldn't happen to know about the fox demon we're going to cross do you?"
"Yeah I know Kurama," he answered, "he used to be some terrifying fox demon but now he's actually human and lives in the forest peacefully. He doesn't like trespassers much though."
"Does he eat humans?" Amethyst asked.
Yusuke answered, "No way, foxes don't eat humans. He doesn't mind humans at all, but you should compliment his roses while you're there. It won't be a lie, they are beautiful, but he really likes human girls that compliment his flowers."
The sisters looked at each other strangely. Sapphire asked, "What about the guardian of the Forest of Giants? Do you know him?"
"Oh yeah Hiei," he said, "he's complicated."
"Is what the legend says true?" Amethyst asked.
"It's true alright," Yusuke replied, "how did you know about that?"
"Our grandpa told us," she answered, "so he really has a sister he doesn't see and she doesn't know who he is?"
Yusuke explained, "Oh he sees her alright, through his third eye of clairvoyance. He watches over her from a distance. Most don't even know he has it since it covers it with a headband. You'll see what I mean when you meet him."
They looped around the river's path for over an hour before Yusuke stopped and took them to where they needed to go. "It's beautiful here," Sapphire said as she got out of the boat. They looked up at the trees and that had vines wrapped around them and saw how the sun poked through the leaves and branches, leaving a beautiful pattern. Ahead they saw how green and rich everything looked and felt.
"Remember," Yusuke said, "compliment Kurama's flowers. Good luck!"
The sisters began walking through the strange forest as Yusuke got in his boat and left. "This forest is creepy," Amethyst whispered.
"I think things are moving as we're walking by," Sapphire replied and looked around. She was right, as they moved deeper into the forest vines and branches began inching around themselves.
They stuck closer together and kept moving forward slowly. They froze in place as a young man with long red hair wearing a yellow chinese warrior's outfit appeared in front of them. "Hello," he said smoothly, "what are two humans girls doing here?"
"We're looking for a cavern to find sapphire and amethyst stones," Sapphire answered nervously, "isn't there a fox demon that lives here somewhere?"
"Yes," he answered, "I'm Kurama, the fox demon that lives here. I also know where that cavern is. Would you like me to take you to it?"
"You don't look like a fox," Amethyst said. Sapphire slapped her. "Ow."
Kurama explained, "It's true, I'm no longer a fox. I'm now human, like the two of you. I also don't steal from humans anymore. Quite regrettful of my old ways actually." His expression turned sad as he remembered what he used to be like.
Sapphire said, "We'll take you up on your offer, Kurama. Would you take us to the cavern?"
"I'll only take you as far as my territory reaches," he replied, "come with me, the rose path is a quickest." He walked down a path that curved to the left, then the forest showed a clearing that was full of red roses.
"Wow," Amethyst said, "these roses are beautiful."
"Yeah seriously," Sapphire added, "it smells amazing right here."
Kurama asked, "You really like them?" He made two fully bloomed roses move in his direction, then tore them off their vines and handed them to them, "Careful of the thorns."
"You're a lot nicer than I thought you would be," Amethyst pointed out, "Are you sure you're a fox?"
Kurama explained, "I was a fox, at one time. I did horrible things to people and hoarded many pocessions. When I was captured a long time ago my soul merged with a human body in order to recouperate. The kindness humans showed me was unparrelled, so why not show the same kindness to others myself?"
Sapphire said, "And grandpa said this would be a terrifying adventure. That Yusuke guy was really nice too."
"Hiei is different," Kurama assured them, "he hasn't changed over the years like I have."