Authors Notes: Sorry for the spotty updates everyone. I still am literally making this up as I go along. So that's why the writing sounds clumsy and the plot is hard to follow. If you can find a plot at all. Also! In the middle of writing the third chapter, I realized I forgot all about Oki! Soooo... for the time being, he's now in Kamiki Village 100 years in the past, like in the game. The Spirit Gate is a time machine! It totally works!

Rating: T

Fandom: Okami/Yu Yu Hakusho crossover

Pairing(s): None

Warning(s): Mild swearing

Disclaimer: See first chapter

Chapter Four: Delicate Understanding

Moments passed in silence following Issun's outburst and weary inquiry. The Reikai Tantei had no idea what to do. The strange beings before them could be lying. But they had never seen techniques like that wielded by a creature like this. Still, suspicions aside, Koenma wanted them brought in.

"We need to discuss this amongst ourselves for a moment, if you please." Kurama hesitantly stated, reading his teammates minds. The four males gathered together and began to discuss.

Issun sighed and turned back to his divine friend. "I don't think they believe us, Ammy." Amaterasu whined in response.

"How do we know they're telling the truth?" Kuwabara questioned.

"We don't. That's the problem." Hiei replied.

"Although they did exhibit some unusual abilities. Perhaps there is at least a kernel of truth to their words." Kurama added.

As the team continued their debate, Issun returned to his post atop the sun goddess' head. "I hope everyone back in Nippon is holding out okay." he mused quietly. Amaterasu softly whined again in response. Meanwhile, Yusuke and Co. were coming to an agreement of what to do with their visitors.

"Whoever they are, let's just play along for now and take them to Koenma. Maybe we'll find out their game on the way. And if they try anything, then we kick their asses." Yusuke concluded. With that they broke their formation and turned back to the wolf and the Poncle. "Alright, we believe your story. For now." He took a few steps forward. "But we need you to come with us to see our boss, Koenma. He's the one that sent us in the first place." With that, he motioned for the odd couple to follow him. Amaterasu and Issun hesitated. They looked at one another, each thinking along the same lines: 'Can we trust them? ...Do we have a choice?' Resolve made its way into their minds. The duo straightened up and walked towards the four males. After all, this was what they wanted, right?

As soon as they began their trek to try and contact Spirit World, the Detectives fanned out in a loose circle formation around the two outsiders with Yusuke in the lead, much to their chagrin. They were walking around hoping to run into Botan again by chance, as that was prone to happen, because they discovered shortly after they had reached a tenuous ceasefire that their equipment had been damaged (Again. The guys who fix these things are not going to be happy.). Everyone was thoroughly confused; the items were supposed to be able to withstand fights like that, especially if they were just on the sidelines. Eventually, they were able to figure out that Amaterasu's unique aura overloaded the objects when she stepped forward in curiosity and the rest of the equipment frizzed and failed. Nevertheless, the wolf adapted and continued doing her godly deeds as they walked. Birds gathered and tweeted around her, giving her thanks before flying off again. Stray cats nuzzled noses with her and played at her feet, occasionally swatting at an indignant Issun. Even rats would peek out of their hiding places to give her praise as she passed.

"Well, it's nice someone appreciates us here." Issun commented. The sun goddess ignored him and planted flowers in a rather sad patch of grass.

As the pint-sized warrior babbled on and the wolf continued painting, the Reikai Tantei wondered just what the hell was going on. First, the horrible beast that had Koenma in a tiff at first came off as exactly what he was afraid of. Now that same beast was frolicking with every small animal they came across and, from the way the wolf looked at a spot on the ground and poof! instant foliage, could be a gardeners best friend. No, this was not making much sense at all. And the boys were running out of ideas. With their remaining equipment broken, they had to hoof it to a suitable meeting place, slowly loosing hope of seeing the ferrywoman, and quietly pondered where to go next. Genkai's temple seemed the only logical choice, and they altered their course towards the woman's abode. Time passed slowly as they traveled along the outskirts of the city, still not trusting the duo enough to let them near normal humans, despite their... odd behavior.

The six made their way to the old master's home, winding through the thick forest and up the many steps, all the while hoping she could help them contact Koenma. Finally, they reached the impressive wood door to the temple, Yusuke reaching up to knock and calling to her.

"Open up Grandma, we need to talk" the delinquent yelled knowing that she would recognize his aura. For a moment, there was silence, then a gravelly voice answered back

"The hell do you want, Yusuke?" With that exclamation, the entrance opened and revealed a very angry looking woman. She looked at each detective in the face before her eyes settled on the now interested creature in the middle of the four boys. Genkai paused and locked eyes with the pale beast, and the beast in turn did the same. They studied each other for a few moments before the old master spoke again, never breaking her gaze.

"Why did you bring this animal here?" She walked past Yusuke, closer to the white wolf, and stopped only a foot away from her. The creature, still not looking away from Genkai, turned her head and opened her mouth in a well known dog-like smile, her tail slowly thumping against the stone ground. Since his teammates did not seem to be in the mood for words, Yusuke again spoke, laying the sarcasm thickly.

"It followed us home. Can we keep it?" He rolled his eyes. "Koenma felt this big burst of energy and sent us out to get it. We find this pooch, fight it, and break all our equipment. That's why we're here. Don't you have a way to contact Spirit World?" Genkai paused for a moment more before finally turning back to the entrance of her home and walking in, hands clasped behind her back.

"Come on, don't just stand there like idiots. Get inside."

Amaterasu liked this woman. She gave off an aura of power, one that commanded respect from those around her. She had even looked the goddess in the eye and did not back down like most would. The wolf inwardly (and outwardly, just a bit) smirked as they walked down the entry hall. This new world just kept getting more and more interesting.

Walking down the hall, the Detectives never broke their formation around the white beast, but now with Genkai leading the way. She led them to an open room and walked toward a simple table so they could talk. But she stopped halfway and turned around when she noticed they had hesitated, unsure of what action to take.

"Oh for Heaven's sake, you can stop being so uptight. She's not going to attack now." The woman turned back to the table and sat down. '"She"?' Yusuke absently wondered. His teammates quickly looked to each other for confirmation, then warily walked around the wolf. She stood, watching them go, and then took a spot near Genkai. The others eventually found their seats in various places around the table, and were about to fully explain themselves when a familiar face walked in.

"Oh... Genkai? We have guests...?" Yukina asked, softly making herself known. Genkai smiled at the gentle girl.

"Ah, Yukina. I was just about to call you." She said.

"Oh!" The Ice Maiden looked around and recognized everyone in the room "Well, it's so nice to see you all! Would anyone like any tea?" Kuwabara, whose face had turned completely red upon seeing the girl, finally began his routine of love declarations.

"Beautiful Yukina!" He leapt in front of her and grasped her hands. "Tea made by your hands would be graced with utter perfection! Your talent is only surpassed by your beauty!" Most everyone else in the room heaved a mental sigh, with Hiei trying to maintain control in his seat. The lovestruck boy's outburst awoke Issun, who had been snoozing between his companion's shoulder blades under the warmth of the spinning disk since they entered the forest. He grunted, then climbed atop the wolf's head when he realized they weren't moving anymore. Looking around groggily, the bug-like artist did a double take when he saw the smiling Ice Maiden.

"Woah, a babe!" He squeaked, drooling over himself. He scrambled further up the sun goddess's head, preparing to make a leap of faith. Sensing that his antics might become more of a bother than it was worth, the goddess silenced Issun with her usual method. The squawk that escaped his tiny throat just before her jaws clamped shut alerted Yukina of Amaterasu's presence. She peered past the tall male in front of her and finally noticed that there was a furry, four-legged being in the room. The Ice Maiden's eyes widened slightly and she took a few curious steps around Kuwabara, hesitating momentarily before hurrying over to settle down in front of the white beast.

"What an adorable animal you are!" she cooed as she weaved her fingers through the wolf's thick mane. The other occupants of the room scratched their heads in bemusement while Yukina continued praising Amaterasu, who was clearly enjoying the attention. Genkai took a sip of her tea and addressed Yusuke in her usual manner.

"Hey dumbass, you might want to contact that boss of yours before he gets his diapers in a twist." She took another sip. "I've got a monitor in the other room, two doors down the hall. Go get it." Yusuke begrudgingly stood to retrieve the object. As he exited the room, Genkai laughed to herself. "Funny how he knows I'm talking to him, isn't it?" She glanced at the white wolf, the beast still in the lap of Yukina. "Your presence is going to cause quite a fuss, and you've got a lot of trouble brewing ahead, wolf, if my theories about you are correct." The addressed canine had already considered the possible consequences of her presence in this world, and the old woman's words only solidified her feelings further. The Spirit Gate sent her to this world because it needed her. She mentally sighed, then braced herself. Her quest in Nippon would just have to wait a little bit longer.

After all, Amaterasu thought, she was a goddess, a warrior, and most importantly, a caretaker. Who was she to pass up a cry for help?

Author's Notes: Sorry for the weak ending there, I wasn't sure how to end the chapter. And again, really sorry about the gaps in updates guys. I made this chapter a little longer to make up for it though! This past semester was hell for me, and I had to really concentrate on it. Now finals are over, but I'm in a bit of a block. Luckily, I have a loose idea for a plot now, so during my summer break I'll be brainstorming and writing things out.

And one more thing: I'm still surprised that people are still adding this story to their alerts and all. Thanks you guys, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Well, that's it, reviews and comments appreciated!