Chapter 7: The Three Artifacts and Yusuke Urameshi

I broke into the Spirit World vaults with Kurama and Hiei-sama, and we stole the Three Artifacts of Darkness. Kurama took the Forlorn Hope, Hiei-sama received the Shadow Sword, and I got some soul-stealing ball. I admit, I wanted the sword, but I was happy I didn't get the mirror. (I was worried about what I would see if I looked into it) As we returned to the Ningenkai, I looked at the green soul-stealer, which was glowing softly. I knew I would never use it. Youko probably would have. She would have gone on a random killing spree and had the time of her life.

"What the hell is your problem?"

"…Nothing, Hiei-sama."

"That half-rate Reikai Tantei of Koenma's will probably come after us soon," the crimson-eyed youkai continued. At the time, I had no idea who he was talking about. Hiei-sama glanced at me. "He'll probably come after you first," he said dismissively, "since you're the weakest one here." That muscle underneath my eye twitched again.

"Actually, he's got a point, Naoko."

"Can you handle a fight against a pathetic human…or do you want to just give me the artifact and back out now?" I glared at Hiei-sama, really wanting to hit him.

"I am a kitsune. As such, I don't ever back out of anything." I turned and started to leave when Kurama spoke.

"On that note, I fear I must withdraw from this alliance." Shocked, I slipped on a few sakura blossoms and fell with a loud thud. I rocketed up and stared at my scarlet haired brother, who looked at me. "Sorry I had to ruin your kitsune pep talk."

"Kurama," I shouted, "what in holy Inari's name is wrong with you!"

"Fine," Hiei snapped, "give me that mirror."

"I'll keep it, thanks. I need it for something."

"Kura-chan…" Suddenly, a black haired human wearing an entirely green outfit emerged from the forest.

"Finally found ya!" I stared at him, wondering, /who the hell is this idiot/ when the fire youkai beside me asked that very question.

"Who the hell are you?"
"Urameshi Yusuke, Spirit Detective! I'm here to arrest the three of you." My elder brother vanished into the shadows, saying,

"Sorry, I don't have time to get arrested tonight. Maybe next time." Hiei-sama glanced at me for a split second, then back at Yusuke.

"You seem like more trouble than you're worth…Foxgirl! Take care of him."

"Very well, Hiei-sama." He teleported into thin air, leaving just the two of us. I held up my artifact, staring at the human.

"I assume you want this…Urameshi, was it?" His dark brown eyes stared at me in suspicion.

"Yeah, as a matter of fact I do." Placing it on the ground beside me, I lightly kicked it and it rolled the seven or eight feet over to him. In one slow, deliberate motion, I removed my signature ebony flower from my apple green hair. It was a typical intimidation tactic I had used once or twice before. Yusuke stepped back and went into a fighting stance as the rose in my hand elongated to my whip.

"Please, you first. Oh, and if you have any morals or things like that about not hitting a girl, forget them if you want to live."

"Wait just one second."

"Yes?" I asked. I always gave my opponents the luxury of a short conversation before their deaths.

"Who or what are you, and why do you answer to that midget?"

"I follow Hiei-sama's orders because he has the power to kill me. That's the way it is in the Makai: the strongest make the rules. My name is Youko Naoko, and I am a kitsune."

"Who was the other guy?" he snapped impatiently.

"Temper, temper, Urameshi. That 'other guy' you speak of is Youko Kurama, my brother. If you dare speak a negative word about him, this whip will claim your head."

"Look who's talking about temper, hypocrite. Forget your meds today?" That was what really ticked me off. I cracked my whip at him, and the pre-match conversation was over.

"As I said, you first." He flew at me, and the kitsune inside of me analyzed his style. I saw he was a fighter relying on direct physical attacks. I couldn't have been facing a more perfect mismatch for my long-range weapon. Yusuke aimed a punch at me, which I sidestepped.

"Rose Whiplash!" The emerald colored whip slashed across the detective's body, and he cried out in pain. 'Kinomoto Chitose' hadn't had a good fight in sixteen years, and the fox within loved the human's screams. I relented, allowing him to catch his breath.

"Come now, won't you even present a challenge?" He snarled angrily. My full Youko form was pushing to be let out and I complied, changing into the body I had not allowed to surface for years. "Perhaps I can teach you respect. Rose Whiplash!" Yusuke screamed again and I smirked, licking my razor sharp fangs in a move maybe considered seductive.

I was sure this fight was mine.

end of chapter seven