Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho

"It's the King of Thieves!" A demon shrieked out, alerting the rest.

"How'd the legendary bandit find a place like this?!"

"Protect it!" Another demon cried as he got into a fighting stance.

"Don't let them come any closer!"

"How did he get the map?!"

Youko gave a smug laugh, dropping a large scroll he no longer needed to the ground. He had his men prepare to ambush the demons from the other side, all he had to do was buy time. That is, if he didn't kill them all himself.

"Why don't you just tell me where it is?" His smooth voice came out. The confidence in his tone was apparent.

"Your head is mine! KING OF THIEVES!" A demon yelled, charging with sword in hand straight for the silver fox, who didn't even bother to let out his usual rose whip. Wanting to get this over with as soon as possible. The impatient mood was rare, but these demons had caught him at a bad time because he was eager to get back to the vixen and question her about how the centuries old scroll came into her possession.

"DIE!" Youko's demon voice bellowed into the air as his fangs and claws elongated, his eyes becoming blood red as he shifted into his demon form. His hair had grown considerably longer and -for once- looked untamed, the very air around him cackling with tension as his demon energy exploded. Holding the foolish demon that had attacked him high into the air by his neck. He snapped his neck in two with force alone, the sickening crack reverberating through the air as demons screamed and scrambled around in disarray. Dozens of man eating plants went after the demons who were stupid enough to stay, those that turned tail and run however were blocked off by his men being led by one very pissed off bat demon.

Why he was pissed, not even Youko knew.

They had been off on another raid after looking at the scroll Ayama had given them. The large scroll was actually a –stolen- map, a layout of a barren land near Southern Makai, the map led to an underground dwelling of a small clan of ice apparitions that could freeze everything their demon energy came into contact with at will. They were supposedly hiding a secret vault that housed only two things: a necklace and piles of gold and silver. This necklace was some ancient artifact –artifacts were rare, but not unusual in the Demon World- that rumor said when worn would suck the very life from your body, but in turn gave one powers, the likes of which no demon had ever seen. Youko highly disagreed with this. He had seen power that could reform acres of land, power that could obliterate mountains, power that made the very grounds of Demon World tremble in fright.

Though, even if he didn't believe the myth surrounding the necklace. He still wanted it. To be able to place it in his large collection, if nothing else. Plus, from the descriptions in the scroll, the neckwear was adorned with a blood red gem that supposedly tempted any demon to try it on.

Youko watched his men killing off the ice apparitions as his eyes scanned the area trying to find the vault. He didn't search long and instead took out a few seeds from his hair that he fueled with demon energy. They grew out into large thorn filled vines, vines he directed at the enemy whose screams of pain echoed. He walked up to one of the stronger ice apparitions who had not yet died when his vines got a hold of him. Reverting back to his usual form with each slow step he took.

"It seems it has zeroed in on you." Youko spoke smugly, taunting the demon and reveling in sadistic pleasure. "All your trembling must have caught its attention."

The demon began coughing out his own blood as the vines tightened around him.

"Where is the vault, demon?" The silver fox said lowly, intimidating the apparition as he appeared in front of the barely breathing demon with one of his death trees. Eager to eat the flesh off his bones. "Tell me unless you're interested in becoming my death trees next meal."

The demon visibly gulped, but instead of a confession he bravely whispered, "I-I'd sooner di—"

The apparition's sentence was cut off when Youko let his death tree swallow him whole, his flesh being melted off, screams of agony stifled when the tree chewed off parts of his face. Giving the apparition a death that was nothing short of, agonizingly slow. At that moment, Kuronue came down from the air next to the fox, landing in a crouch before standing to face him.

"I found the vault, Youko." Kuronue said in an irritated tone.

"If you've found it then why are you in such an irritated mood?" Youko asked as he turned to the bat demon by his side. His man eating plants surrounding them, ensuring that none could pass through.

"Because it wouldn't open!" Kuronue said, his pride seemed hurt. "I tried to pick it! Believe me, I tried! It needs to be picked by two people at once."

Youko raised a brow at the bat. "You are angry because you could not pick a lock that requires two people on your own?"

"Shut it, foxy." He said, holding a hand up to get the smirking fox to shut his mouth. Kuronue took pride in his ability to pick locks and when a lock took more than one person to pick he hated it. Hated the fact that locks like that even existed.

"Youko!" Yomi's impatient voice yelled as he dodged a death tree about to eat him. The two partners turned to Youko's second who was breathing heavily from all the death trees trying to devour him. "Call off your plants! They're starting to go after the men!"

The two partners eyed him for a moment, the thought of letting his plant eat his second in command staying in Youko's mind, before he decided against it. He had decided to give the man another chance and if he messed up again then and only then would he send him to his death. Youko's golden eyes swept the underground dwelling, seeing that all the ice apparitions had been taken care of and his plants were indeed going after his men. He brought all his plants back to him before releasing his energy from them, turning them into seeds once more, seeds he placed back in his hair for another time.

"And?" The fox turned his attention back to the huffing bat. "Where is this vault?"

"Look!" Emi and Eri yelled as they ran off ahead towards a small stall that sold a wide array of sweets.

"Eriya! Emiya!" Ayama called out keeping an eye on their small white heads that stood out from the rest of the crowd as a young kitsune boy handed her a bag filled with vegetables. "Don't go too far."

They had gone to a village a few miles off from the Forest of Tears. It was a village started by an old clan –family would be a more accurate description- of cats that were considered to be something akin to royalty here. Locals bowed as they passed, gave offerings and free service to them in each place they visited. Though started by felines, this village didn't belong to just one race. Many demons of all shapes, sizes and origin passed through and lived here in the protection of the powerful cat clan that Ayama had never actually seen walking the streets. This village was known for only two things: its seafood restaurants and its brothels, it wasn't really the best place to bring two children, but since it was still light out, there were many other kids playing around as well, so they blended in quite fine. They had even changed out of their garments to don something of considerably cheaper fabric.

The only thing that made them stand out from any other demon in the village was their hair. Which Ayama tried to get the twins to cover only for them to take it off the moment she had turned her back on them. So, there they were. Demons gawking as they went past. They were drawing too much attention to themselves.

She grabbed the bag with a hand as she saw from the corner of her eye, demon men entering a large brothel in broad daylight.

"Are they yours?" The boy that handed her the bags asked as he gestured to the twins marveling at the many sweets.

Ayama wanted to roll her eyes, but refrained from doing so. This was why she hated visiting the nearby villages. The incessant small talk bothered her. Couldn't they just leave her be? Why did they need to ask her pointless questions and pry into her life?

"Unfortunately." She said, staring after the two in mock anger. The boy let out a good natured laugh, he seemed very young. Maybe in his early fifties, unlike dogs, kitsune aged considerably faster, but still much slower than humans.

"How about playing with us, miss." A voice said from in back of her, she turned her head slowly to see two water apparitions staring at her with desire. The young kitsune had fear in his eyes as he stared up at the two older and bigger demons. Ayama didn't understand why they even went up to her, when there was literally a brothel behind them. They were probably broke fools.

She scoffed, "I'm so sorry."

"Huh?" One of the demons said, stopping in his movement to grab a hold of her arm. "Why're you apologizing?"

"Because," She drawled, eyes moving to see if the twins were still at the small candy shop. "I see your face and all I want to do is apologize to it."

"You smug bitch!" He yelled, making a move to grab her only for her to sidestep him with ease and deliver a blow to his neck that knocked him out cold.

His companion, seeing this, took out a small knife and made to lunge at her. She was preparing to fuel the seed in her hand with her demon energy only for a heavy pressure to permeate through the air. It was felt in thick waves all around, bringing some of the weaker demons to their knees. The demon dropped his knife in surprise as that heavy demonic power was directed at him in full force. He turned to his right to try and find the source of the powerful demon energy only for him to be blown back by its force as his back collided with the wall far down the dirt road of the village. Ayama turned her head towards the source of the familiar demonic energy, to see two tiny enraged twins, their eyes alive with silent fury.

"Emiya, Eriya." She called and their eyes snapped to her in concern.

"Are you okay?" Emi asked.

"She looks okay." Eri answered.

They went into their own conversation as they ran towards her, the people still stared at them. Gawking as if what they witnessed would be more believable if they continued to eye them like dimwits. She ruffled each of their small white heads with a hand as she continued down the street. This time, Eri holding onto her hand tightly as they walked, not running or scurrying off ahead.

"What did I tell you about using your powers in the village?" She reprimanded staring straight ahead as she spoke.

"Not to."

"Cause it's dangerous."

"But Master was in danger!"

"What if she was hurt?!"

"Do you think I would be hurt by simple demons?" Ayama asked them, tone serious. The two seemed to think over her question carefully. Staying quiet for quite a while as they remembered how weak the demon had looked. They nodded slightly to each other as if reading each other thoughts before turning back to Ayama.

"We're sorry!" They apologized simultaneously.

"For using our powers!" Emi brought the main problem.

"And for going ahead!" Eri clarified with a small nod of his head.

"As long as you know what you're sorry for." She said with a small grin directed at the two, who grinned back. "Now, which way was that sweets stand?"

They laughed excitedly and pulled her hand, tugging her until she stood in front of the small stand with two women that looked to be of some kind of sea creature race. They had fins for ears, scaly tails and webbed appendages. They smiled kindly at her as the two began pointing at different things in the large collection, taking what looked the sweetest and asking curious questions only children had.

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

Ayama heard the sound from behind her, the two demonesses manning the stall were entranced as they openly stared with an obvious red tint on their faces. Their gazes were fixed on someone that judging from the footsteps she heard was steadily coming closer. "I saw the show a few minutes ago." Her ear twitched as Youko's smooth voice invaded the air as the two women in front of her practically swooned. "I would've liked to have seen you release your energy."

The twins swiftly turned at the familiar voice, completely forgetting the candy and rushing to run curious eyes across the two newcomers. Ayama turned soon after, watching how the pups, after grinning up at Youko –who seemed and looked too dangerous to actually touch- they went to Kuronue and hugged his legs with all their might.

"Done already?" She asked, eyeing the twins trying to climb the bat demon from the corner of her eye.

"Did you expect anything less?" He said with a slight smirk as he walked up to her. Ayama heard the dreamy sigh come from the two women behind the stall and she rolled her eyes. As he stood fully in front of her, Ayama noticed that his seven foot height and outlandish silver hair was so unlike any kitsune she had ever seen. A superior breed among all the rest.

"And where's your gratitude for that scroll?" She said, all business.

Kuronue stepped up then, twins trailing behind him with large grins on their faces. He held up a small pouch to her, her hands immediately moving to take it from his grasp only for him to hold it high over his head.

"I don't know." He said, contemplating whether he should part with the heavy gold purse. "It hurts whenever I have to hand a part of my share from the raids over to yo—"

He was cut off, the pouch suddenly disappearing from between his fingers. The bat looked up only to see the white haired fox checking the contents of the pouch with eager eyes. How did she-

"Not bad." She said, interrupting his thoughts as she closed the pouch and placed it inside her kimono. "Emiya, Eriya. Let's go grab some lunch."

"LUNCH!" They yelled, going over to her with large smiles.

"That's no ordinary speed." Kuronue muttered under his breath. Youko silently agreed as he watched the white haired vixen speak with the two pups, debating where to eat. She was fast, if he hadn't been paying attention to her he would have missed it. Just what was this vixen? He couldn't sense her power levels at all.

"Pleasure doing business with you." She said to the two with a small nod of her head. "Will you be joining us?"

The two thieves' eyes met for a split second as they silently communicated.

"My man, Youko here will." Kuronue answered with a sly grin as he clasped the silver fox on the shoulder. Youko's golden eyes met his in all its cold glory, staring the bat down as he wondered just what he was doing. He didn't want to go with this vixen, at least not out here in a village known for its many brothels. "He'll keep the loose demons in line."

"And learn to control himself in the process." He whispered, lowly. Only for his partner in crime's ears.

Youko growled lowly at the bat, now realizing what he was trying to do. He wanted him to go with the vixen to learn self-control whenever she was around? As if he needed it, as if he didn't already know that lust for a vixen should remain a tool, not a crutch and most definitely not a passion. Besides, the only one in need of controlling his dick was this damned bat who was trying to act more cunning than he was. He'd definitely get back at him for this. Tenfold.

"I suggest you shut your mouth if you would like to live to see another day." The King of Thieves bit out menacingly, making his partner laugh. Kuronue was the only demon alive that could genuinely laugh at such a threat coming from the legendary bandit himself, because he was confident that Youko would never act on it.

"And I suggest you play the part of insect repellant." The bat shot back unfazed at the hostility radiating from Youko's figure. Though the thought of Youko's hellish retribution that would no doubt soon be on its way had him shivering slightly.

Youko shot him another scathing glance as he backed up, waving in farewell at the three white haired demons, before scurrying to the entrance of the nearest brothel. Two women under each arm, before he even entered through the door. So, that damned bat could get laid while he was stuck here practicing some kind of self-control technique imposed on him? Youko growled once more in agitation.

He felt a tug on his clothes and looked down to see Eriya with a fistful of his white tunic in his small hand as he peered those dark green eyes up at him. This kid had no sense of self-preservation to be touching him so lightly. Youko had already noticed that Emiya wouldn't get within arm's reach of him, but his counterpart seemed interested… almost fascinated by the fox. Always taking the chance to speak to him or get a closer look as if he thought that Youko knew the answers to all of the questions to ever exist.

"Are you coming?" Came the vixen's voice. He swore she used that sultry voice around him just to test his restraint.

Youko turned golden eyes to stare at her, Emiya –ever playful- was slapping the hanging sleeves of her kimono. She was staring at him expectantly with pale grey eyes that almost looked translucent. It's not like he really had to go with them, he could always go to the nearest brothel, but the longer he stared at her and those all-knowing eyes he found that he wouldn't –couldn't- go. He'd stick around and ask her some things that have been weighing on his mind. Ask her about some information that he had been wanting to get for a long time. He didn't want to go, at least for now.

Youko nodded, taking a step towards her, Eri in front of him.

"I have a few questions I'd like to ask you." He said in his usual cold, calculating tone as they walked together in some random direction. The twins leading the way, lost in their own conversation of finishing each other's thoughts. "Since we have some time."

"Why am I not surprised." She had a small smirk gracing her face. "Not going to a brothel?"

He raised an eyebrow at her blunt question.

"There's no place I'd rather be. Unfortunately, I'm to serve as your insect repellant for the time being." He practically spat out the phrase.

"Well, thank you." She said closing her eyes, letting a tiny barely perceptible grin replace her smirk.

"I'd like another freebie for it." He responded right away with zero hesitation. Taking complete advantage of his new role for the next few hours. He was a thief and if thieves knew anything, it was snatching an opportunity when it presented itself. Snatch and milk it for all its worth.

"I didn't ask you to be my insect repellant." She retorted, not being fooled by his request.

"It's free of charge." He told her, making sure to drop his voice a few octaves lower as he used her words against her. "Although, I'd like a gift of gratitude in return."

She rolled pale grey eyes. "I don't need you around, Youko." She let his name roll off her lips, testing how it felt to call him.

He almost groaned at the sound. He needed to get laid, else he'd jump the tempting vixen before him and he was sure that that wasn't why Kuronue stuck him with her. Even though he loathed the idea, at least the bat was right about one thing. He needed better discipline around her.

"And just how do you plan to protect yourself?" He teased smugly. "You have children here with you."

"Who can protect themselves just fine." She replied, slightly offended. They were young, but she trained them well, they were better than a good number of demons. Despite how they looked, they were somewhere between middle and upper C class right now.

"But, would you actually want them to show off their powers?"

"And do you think that I am incapable of protecting them?"

"Protective dog demons?" The thief replied instantaneously. "Would they really let you fight on your own?"

She was silent for a moment, he had her there. She didn't want them garnering unnecessary attention, especially in a place like this. They already drew too much attention to themselves with their rare hair color. Plus, the family of cats that ruled over this village liked rare things. She didn't want to have to deal with such troublesome, spoiled demons.

"Fine." She bit out, not liking the thought of giving him another round of free information. God. She hated that word. Fucking free.

The fox smirked in triumph.

As he looked around, he finally noticed the insane amount of stares following the four of them. Each of them naturally stood out when alone, but putting them all together was like seeing a walking rare demon show. Not many seemed to recognize him around these parts, he supposed they were too sheltered and much too close to Raizen's territory to be worrying about a legendary bandit miles and miles away. He could see many male demons eyeing the vixen as she walked past and likewise many female demons eyeing him, practically swooning. He wondered how the bystanders saw their little group of four, did they think of them as some sort of family? He hoped not.

Youko Kurama had no intention of settling down even if the kit in question vastly differed from other vixens. Had he not been who he was, he may have settled with her, in another life or another few millennia perhaps, but right now the mere idea was repulsive. Even just a rumor of him mating with anyone was an upsetting thought. Never mind the thought of having kits.

"Eriya! Emiya!" Ayama called, as always using their full names. "Don't go too far ahead."

They immediately stopped with pouts on their faces waiting for the two much older kitsune to quicken their pace. Emi, ever impatient yelled out, "Hurry up, Kaa-san!"

Youko stared, did the pup have to choose this time with so many eyes on them to yell that out. If a demon recognized them and thought they were the King of Thieves' family, then they'd be in for a load of trouble.

Ayama's eyes widened at the sudden use of her old title. When she had taken them in as pups that was all they called her, but as their older brothersargued that calling her Master would be much better after a certain incident, the two pups had easily adjusted. Treating it like a game, the one to call her by her old title would be the loser. Though, once Eriya heard the slip of tongue he grinned widely and ran to her, hugging her legs.

"Kaa-san!' He yelled in glee. Eri had never liked calling her Master, but one day, he had overheard his brothers heatedly arguing with her about the subject, to the point where she actually lost her temper and yelled at them. He felt that calling her Master was important to his brothers, who never argued with her and so that's what he did. Emiya copying him soon after, they were quick to adjust to each other's mannerisms.

Emiya soon ran after his brother, hugging the woman's legs as well. Youko watched her face transform, not into a smug smirk, not into a little amused grin, not a secretive twitch and not even into her usual all-knowing face.

She smiled, showing off sharp teeth.

And he didn't know if it was because he was thinking about her being a potential mate or because he had lived most of his life without the tender company of one, but when she smiled for that instant, the world was completely beautiful.

A/N: Sorry for the lateness :)

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