A/N:

I really am trying to get these out more than twice a year but it's hard. I went through about 3 months of pretty intense writers block (sorry). That aside though you all have 3 weeks of updates to look forward to (YAY!).

:D

And then another 6 month wait time *shot*

Anywho, when I was inspired I actually had a wonderful time with this "Act." We take another detour from the Sailor V manga for some character development and overall plot work (yay!). Hope you all enjoy and, as always, please review!

….

Aquafina Rain: Thank you so much for always reviewing! It was your review that got me over my nasty spell of writer's block. I'm glad you liked Minako's and Youko's development in the last chapter and I hope you enjoy this one as well! Hopefully this chapter will only give you more feels for this partnership that I love way too much :3 And yes, the omake was born of nothing but pure evil and I loved every second of writing it.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor V or Yu Yu Hakusho. I did write this story though, it's my incarnation of Sailor V.

Enjoy.

Codename: Sailor V and the Thief

Youko Kurama has been captured, a botched robbery spelling the end of his infamous crime spree. He is scheduled for execution but before the sentence can be carried out, Koenma approached the jaded spirit fox with the chance to save himself but at what cost?

…

Act 4: Shadow from the Past Pt 1

Hikaru walked into class Monday morning expecting to see her best friend bent over her desk and scribbling furiously away at her math notebook in a desperate—but ultimately futile—attempt to finish the forgotten assignment. So when she found Minako sitting serenely at her desk staring out the window Hikaru felt justifiably concerned.

First, because Minako never sat that still for any reason; and, second, because the words 'serene' and 'Minako' were as incompatible as sodium and water.

"Minako-chan?"

Add the distant look in the blonde's eyes to all that and Hikaru began to wonder if her friend had fallen ill.

"Minako-chan!"

"Hmm?"

Hikaru sighed as her friend finally looked up. "Jeez, you seem more out of it than usual today. Are you feeling alright?"

Minako smiled, "Of course, I'm just a little tired. I stayed up a bit too late getting my homework done last night."

"Oh, that's good. That you got your homework done, I mean." Hikaru quickly amended, "You left in such a hurry from class on Saturday I didn't think you'd gotten the assignment."

"Well it is thanks to you that I was able to accomplish it at all, Hikaru-chan." Minako replied with a polite smile, "Thank you for texting it to me yesterday."

"Uh, you're welcome." Hikaru replied, caught off guard by Minako's polite speech. "So, how was your Sunday?"

"It was good." The blonde replied, "I spent most the day in bed to be honest, Saturday evening was…tiring."

"Well you must have had something important to do. You practically flew out of class." Hikaru pointed out.

Minako chuckled, "I suppose I did, sorry about that, Hikaru-chan. The video game store was holding a game for me so I had to get there before it closed."

"Oh! Well, that makes sense." Hikaru grinned, "You do love your video games, Mina-chan. Which one was it?"

"Cyber Girl Warrior Lurga!" Amano exclaimed, jumping between the two girls. "It's gotta be! Mina-chan is up on all the latest games! So, how'd you like it? Did it play well?" Amano demanded, his hands on Minako's desk as he leaned forward, eager for answers.

Hikaru was about to tell Amano to back off for being so rude when she glanced at Minako and froze. The blonde's expression was pinched as she skewered Amano with a look of utter loathing. The anger and irritation in her eyes was so intense that it took Hikaru's breath away.

For a moment Hikaru would have sworn Minako was going to punch Amano but then she was smiling, like nothing had happened, "I actually did not get the chance to play the game. My parents grounded me after the last math test and took away all my gaming systems! Can you believe it?"

"No way!" Amano exclaimed, "This is a crime, Minako-chan! Cyber Girl Warrior Lurga is supposed to have the latest and best graphics! It's the game of the century!"

As Amano continued to lament Minako's misfortune, Hikaru studied her friend. Minako had always had an unusual tolerance for the obnoxious Amano but the look in Minako's eyes when Amano had leaned forward spoke nothing of patience. Minako looked over and caught Hikaur staring. She flashed Hikaru a lop-sided grin that begged for sympathy and salvation. Nothing remotely resembling malice touched her eyes as she rolled them at Amano's babbling.

Maybe Hikaru just imagined it.

Class started soon after that, but Hikaru found herself oddly inattentive—something the teachers called her out on, much to her chagrin. And, really, it wasn't Hikaru's fault, because, on the other side of the isle, Minako was having the opposite issue, which was extremely distracting. The blonde followed along with every lesson, took notes and answered questions when called upon. Minako's odd attentiveness did not go unnoticed by the teachers—who praised each correct answer with enthusiasm that boarded on hysterics—or their classmates, who simply gaped and pestered the girl with questions at lunch.

Minako insisted it was all an effort to win back her beloved game system and most her classmates, including Hikaru, felt inclined to believe her. Of course Hikaru remained suspicious, not because she was unhappy with her friend's sudden 180 on school—she was quite happy to see Minako finally applying herself in classes—but because they'd been friends for five years and she knew better.

"Minako-chan, do you remember the conversation we had at the Pandora concert?" Hikaru asked that afternoon as the two girls made their way home.

The blonde girl sent her a quizzical look so she clarified, "Right before the terrorist attack, we were in the bathroom because you felt sick?" Hikaru prompted.

"A-ah, right." Minako nodded, frowning slightly at her friend, "Wow, so much happened that day, but yes I remember, why?"

Hikaru stared at the ground, uncertain as to how to continue. "W-well, I…I just wanted to remind you I'm always going to be here for you."

Minako sent Hikaru a bemused smile, "I know that, Hikaru-chan. You are my best friend, after all."

"Good." Hikaru stepped in front of her friend and took her hand, "Then I want you to tell me what's really wrong."

"What-?" Minako blinked, caught utterly off guard by Hikaru's demand.

"Mina-chan, I know something's bothering you! I've never seen you pay so much attention in class before and you were so quiet today I don't think I heard you speak more than three words unless someone asked you a question!" Hikaru tightened her grip on Minako's hand, her brown eyes wide and pleading, "Please, Mina-chan, tell me what's wrong. I want to help."

Minako stood completely still for a moment before smiling gently at her friend, "There's really no point in lying to you, Hikaru-chan, you know me too well." And though her smile sparkled it did not reach her eyes. In fact, Hikaru thought they looked very cold, and maybe a little sad, "But I must ask you to wait a while longer as I am not quite ready. For now know that I'm fine. There is just a lot on my mind and I promise I'll tell you when I'm ready, just not now." She slowly untangled herself from Hikaru's grip, "Please?"

Hikaru, crestfallen, managed to smile and nod, "Alright," she agreed, "But I'm going to hold you to that promise, Minako-chan."

The blonde smiled as she started towards her house, "I wouldn't expect anything less, Hikaru-chan! See you tomorrow!"

Hikaru waved before turning and taking the street for her own home. Her best friend was strong, stronger than she gave herself credit for, so Hikaru did not doubt she could take care of herself but she still wanted to help. She felt sad that Minako could not rely on her at the moment but knew that a promise from Minako was more than enough at the moment.

When Hikaru had transferred to Minako's grade school, she'd been scared. After just her first week she was convinced she would spend her whole year eating lunch by herself and walking home alone when, one day, Minako had plopped down in the chair across from her and declared that they were going to be best friends. Hikaru smiled at the memory of Minako's determined expression as she insisted her friends include Hikaru in their games. Even Hikaru's protests did not deter the child and before Hikaru knew it she had a small, tight-nit group of friends. She hadn't been alone since.

She shook her head to clear away the memories and sighed, "You showed me I was not alone, Minako-chan. Now it's my turn."

…

Back at the Aino residence, the blonde in question sighed as she closed the front door of the house, her shoulders slumping as she leaned against the walls, "Why are humans so interested in each other's business." She grumbled, taking off her shoes and placing them neatly to the side, "It's a wonder they keep anything private."

"Minako-chan, is that you?"

"Yes mother!" the blonde replied, "I'll be in my room, okay?"

"Okay! Dinner will be ready at six!"

"Thanks, mom!" the girl called as she made her way upstairs and into her room. She closed the door behind her with a sigh, leaning against it as she had done downstairs.

"Long day?" Minako asked, looking up from her Gameboy.

The blonde at the door cracked open a now-golden eye, "You humans are utterly exhausting creatures. It is no wonder your life span is so short, you burn yourselves out on menial tasks and irrelevant concerns."

Minako giggled as she set aside her game. She winced as a few of her bandages pulled against her wounds but her smile never dimmed, "Told you it wouldn't be easy." She teased.

"I never said it was difficult, Aino. Just exhausting."

"Whatever." Minako grinned and rolled her eyes, "Well at least we know the transformation mirror works."

"Yes." The blonde at the door pulled the crescent moon compact out of her skirt pocket and tossed it at Minako. There was a soft pop the instant the mirror left the standing girl's grip and Youko Kurama appeared in her place. Minako caught the compact and set it on her windowsill as Youko's tails swept away the remnants of smoke from his fur. "I believe I managed to fool most of your classmates with the exception of your friend, Hikaru."

Minako sighed, "Yeah, I kinda figured you'd have a hard time fooling her, Hikaru-chan's pretty smart."

"I think perceptive is the key word." Youko replied, "Her test scores don't boast any unnatural intelligence but she is obviously more aware of her surroundings than the other children in your class." He hopped onto the foot of her bed and started cleaning his coat.

"Is the energy still bothering you?" Minako asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

"It is irritating at best, Aino, nothing worse. It is unfortunate that I cannot reap the same benefits from its healing touch as you." The fox demon paused for a second and then added quietly, "Thank you, though, for your concern."

Minako grinned, "No worries, Youko-kun! That's what friends are for!"

"Your homework is in your bag." Youko reminded the girl as he returned to grooming, "I suggest you begin it now."

"Ugh, you're worse than my mom." Minako grumbled but switched off her game and shuffled over to her desk to begin her work.

Youko watched her movements from hooded eyes, "Will you be well enough to return to school tomorrow?"

"I think so." Minako replied, "Besides I don't think I could manage another whole day of hiding from my mom. I had no idea how often she came into my room when I was gone."

"Hmm." Youko muttered. The pair slipped into silence, each engrossed in their own task: Minako lamenting over her schoolwork and Youko tending to the state of his fur coat. Over all the pair's scheme—or "Operation Ultimate Undercover/School Skipping Adventures" as Minako called it—had worked fairly well. There had been a few bumps—most of them relating to the uncannily perceptive Hikaru and the celestial energy of the mirror that made Youko's skin crawl—but nothing to cause significant concern.

Youko's mind wandered back to Hikaru and her little speech in front of Aino's house. His eyes slid towards the blonde child he'd imitated all day and could not help but wonder if the kind of selfless friendship the pair shared was typical among humans. Until recently all he'd known about humans was their more barbaric side and most of that knowledge came second hand from lower class demons that had ventured into the human realm. Youko had never held much interest in the human world—it had little to offer a thief of his caliber—and at most regarded it's inhabitants with contempt but now…

Well he was not certain what he thought of humans as a whole. His gold eyes traced the slumped shoulders of his charge as she puzzled over her homework, fixing on the peach Band-Aids around her neck and arms. One thing was certain though; self-preservation was an instinct humans sourly lacked—or, at least this one did.

….flashback: Sunday….

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Aino protested as Youko changed the herbs on her back. "Jeez! That stuff stings! Don't you have anything else?" she complained.

"No." Youko lifted a particularly bloodstained leaf and set it aside with the rest of Aino's old bindings.

Changing and applying her bandages was an arduous process for both human and demon. Aino could not hope to reach behind her and tend to her injured back and shoulder so she depended on Youko to do this for her. However, Youko currently lacked opposable thumbs, which made the process very slow indeed.

The uncontrollable trembling in his legs did not help much either.

"Hold still."

"How's it look?" Aino asked hesitantly.

"Your superficial injuries are significantly healed and the more serious ones have improved since last night but you will likely need another day for your shoulder and back. I would recommend staying here tomorrow." Youko replied as he continued his work.

Aino sighed, "As much as I love that idea I don't know how I'm going to get out of school. Mom's never believed my 'sick' routine and I doubt I'll be much better at it tomorrow."

"Well you shall have to try harder or you'll bleed through your uniform." Youko advised, picking up a large Band-Aid and handing it to the blonde, "Open this."

Aino grimaced as she reached back and took the bandage from between the fox demon's teeth. She pealed back the protective layer and handed it back. Youko took the corner between his teeth and carefully laid it out across her shoulder before pressing down the edges.

"Where did you even get all these Band-Aids?" Aino asked.

"I stole them." Youko replied as he examined his work.

Aino glanced at the dozen boxes that littered the floor, "All of them?"

"I am a thief, Aino, it was child's play."

He leapt off her back and landed rather heavily on the floor. He stumbled to the side before catching himself. Shaking away the swaying of the room he looked up to see Aino watching him with concern.

"Are you okay?" she asked as she slowly sat up, wincing as her back and shoulder protested.

Youko's golden eyes narrowed as his hackles bristled with irritation, "I am fine, Aino."

"You sure?" she pressed, either ignoring or ignorant of Youko's currently shortened fuse, "You've been kinda wobbly all day. Petite didn't do anything to hurt you did she?" she gasped and looked up from her review of her smaller injures—like the cuts on her wrists and ankles—her eyes wide and panicked, "I didn't hurt you did I? I know I hit you once or twice. Oh man I didn't even think to ask if I'd hurt you at all!"

Youko's tails twitched, "Are you really that foolish?" he snapped out suddenly, making Aino jump.

"Wh-what?" she stammered, clearly surprised by his outburst.

"You worry for others when your stupidity almost got you killed. It is a wonder you have survived these thirteen years, if you continue on this trail it will take a miracle to keep you away from Spirit World's Gates." He growled.

Aino sat back, growing defensive, "What are you—"

"Leaving yourself open to attack like you did yesterday." Youko snapped, "I knew you were dense, girl, but now I know the full depths to which your stupidity reaches."

"Excuse me?!" Aino interrupted, making to stand but falling back on her bed with a hiss of pain as her injuries flared up. Youko watched with detached disinterest as Aino rode out the waves of aches and pain, "What are you talking about?" Aino managed in a quiet tone a moment later, "Why are you so mad?"

"I am mad that I misjudged the threat your stupid heroics pose to my survival." Youko snapped, "Tell me, Aino, why did you not incapacitate me during the battle? You knew I posed the biggest threat to you and your ally during the fight. At the very least you should have injured me to hinder Petite's ability to manipulate me against you."

Aino gaped at the fox, her mouth opening and closing several times before the words found her voice, "So, wait, you're mad at me because I didn't let Ace attack you yesterday?"

Youko glared, "No, Aino, I am angry that you opted to place sentiment above practicality."

"So you're saying I should have let Ace attack you?" Aino demanded, gesturing angrily with her uninjured arm, "That I should have attacked you?"

"If you continue to base your actions on sentiment you'll kill us both!" Youko snapped.

"And what if I had killed you yesterday?" Aino shouted—thank God her parents were out for the day, "What then?"

Youko's glare was cold, "That is why we train, Aino. So you can have the type of control needed to attack with precision." He sighed, "We must break you of these childish heroic notions."

Aino leapt to her feet, trading comfort for the ability to glare down at the fox demon, "No, Youko, you're wrong. Yeah, it was a hard fight yesterday—almost impossible in fact because Petite used you against me. She knew there was no way in hell I was going to harm you. Yeah, it was because of stupid heroics, and yeah I got hurt because of it, but you know what? I still won and I did it without having to hurt you." She threw up her hands in frustration, "I don't know why this is so hard for you to understand! There is no way I could have attacked you, Youko-kun!"

"Our allegiance is temporary and built on convenience, Aino." Youko replied, "You owe me nothing."

"That's bullshit and you know it!" Aino snapped, surprising the fox demon with the venom in her words, "I would be dead ten times over without your help and training, Youko. I owe you my life!" she stopped as her wounds finally caught up with her. Panting heavily she sat on the floor, sagging against her bed as she rode out the waves of pain. Slowly she regained control of her breathing and managed to open her eyes to glare at the fox demon, "Yesterday I was given an opportunity to repay you, even if only a little, for everything you've done for me. It was my turn to save you and I don't regret it for a second."

Aino straightened up against the bed, wincing as her back flared up again, "You lost your freedom in order to protect me, the least I can do is make sure you live long enough to get it back."

Youko stared at the girl, his brow furrowed in confusion, "I am not your partner out of good will, Aino."

Aino managed a small smile, "Yeah, I know, but you could have half-assed my training and focused on finding another way out of your contract or something. But you didn't. Instead, you're relying on me for your continued survival, so I'll do my best to make it a worth while gamble." She smiled ruefully at the demon, "And if that's a stupid, heroic, childish notion, then it's the one I'll hold onto to keep you alive."

Youko stared, caught completely and utterly flat-footed by someone—a human child no less—for the first time in centuries. Her actions were certainly not completely selfless—as she said so herself, she owed Youko her life—but nothing about her demeanor now implied that she expected anything in return. She truly and honestly believed she had made the right choice in protecting him; not only that, but she seemed quite determined to continue doing so in spite of his thankless attitude.

"It'll get you killed."

"No it won't." Aino promised, throwing up her fingers in a V-for-victory. "I'm a solider of "love and justice", remember? My whole purpose is to protect others." She grinned and added cheekily, "No matter how annoying they are."

Youko looked away, glaring pointedly at Aino's dresser because he could not bring himself to direct anger towards the human at the moment.

"Now." Aino said with some finality despite her heavy panting, "Answer my question: are you okay?"

The fox demon glowered at the flowered dresser for a moment longer, wishing the painted flowers would burst into flames, "Yes, Aino, I am fine." He replied with a sigh, hating that he now felt obliged to answer her questions, "I am just tired." He explained, "Using all that demon energy yesterday took a toll on my body."

Aino's head tilted to one side, "Really? Why? I mean, I guess I've never seen you use so much energy before but you're a super powerful demon right?"

Youko studied the girl for a second, wondering just how much he wanted to reveal to her, how much of his own vulnerability he wanted to trust with her. Instinct and almost a millennia of existence told him to hold his tongue but some stupid sentimental part of him—one he usually did quite tell to dismiss—insisted he repay some part of his debt to the girl. His golden eyes fixed on the bandages around her throat for a moment before he relented, "Can you see the gold marks on my leg?"

Aino frowned and shook her head.

Youko sighed, "Focus, quiet your other senses and open yourself to your spiritual eye."

Aino closed her eyes for a moment and Youko saw her spirit energy rise around her in a shimmering golden halo. When she opened her eyes again her jaw dropped, "Where did that come from?" she asked, "Have you always had it?"

"I have not had it for a my whole life, if that is what you mean." Youko replied, ignoring the blossoming pride within him at her quick control of her spiritual powers. He did not want to feel proud of the child; pride in another's accomplishments implied a deeper connection that Youko had no interest in forming. "This was a gift, of sorts, from Spirit World."

Youko would be lying if he claimed he kept any trace of anger out of his voice, "It is a seal that binds my true form and power, reducing me to the pitiful state you see me in today. When Petite took control of me she forced me to access more of my spiritual powers than the seal would normally allow. I am now paying for that overexertion."

Aino's blue eyes softened in a way that was far too close to genuine compassion for Youko's liking, "Did it hurt?"

Youko hesitated only long enough for his eyes to trace the Band-Aids around Aino's neck, "Yes." He admitted with a sigh, "Seals such as this are designed to take advantage of an opponent's weakness. In my case, it was bound to the injuries I sustained during my capture, injuries that were quite severe." He stopped for a moment, confused as to why he suddenly found it hard to move past that last bit. His injuries had indeed been severe, the pain intense and the reality of his demise very real but that was nothing that he had not dealt with in the past. So he shook his head and pushed past the small hiccup in his composure.

"Attempts to either remove the seal or access my full power will activate the seal and it will inflict those injuries again. I was able to maintain some semblance of control during our fight and prevent Petite from accessing all my powers. I doubt I could survive such injuries a second time." He admitted with great bitterness, taking a deep breath he dispelled the useless anger, "Still, the seal managed to inflict some damage, hence my…'wobbliness.'"

The seal was a truly inspired move by Spirit World and Youko hated to admit that. Though there were varying levels of restriction in how they bound demons none of them failed in actually imprisoning the demons once in place. The seal was every bit as dangerous as he told Aino is was but not quite as impossible to remove. Youko had several theories on how to remove the seal but most of them required either access to the demon world—entering which would be an act of suicide considering the limits on his demonic energy—or a wealth of external energy from a tertiary source.

He would never tell her, but Youko had some hope that Aino might be that energy source.

"Wait." Aino interrupted Youko's thoughts, holding up her hands in a "T" formation, "So, essentially, you'll die if it's removed? That's messed up! They can't keep you a prisoner forever!"

Youko cocked an eyebrow, "While your vigor in defending my rights is appreciated, Aino, you were not listening. Again." The blonde pouted and blushed under the gentle reprimand. An amused smile tugged at Youko's lips as he continued, "The seal can be removed, just not by me."

Aino sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, her features settling into a comical impression of deep thought—which was as close as Youko felt the blonde could get to the actual thing. The fox demon almost jumped when her eyes suddenly flew open, alight with inspiration, "Maybe I could remove it!"

"What?"

"Maybe I could remove your seal!" she repeated, leaning forward in her chair and smiling triumphantly at the demon, "You said you can't remove the seal but what about me? I have spiritual energy, right? So maybe I can remove it."

Only centuries of control kept the surprise off Youko's face. The eagerness with which she offered her help was more than shocking to Youko. True, Aino had been much more amiable towards him the last two days, but this was not an offer he would expect from anyone, ally or otherwise. To have a demon of Youko's caliber at one's beck and call, well, Aino got a taste of it a few days ago. That kind of power would tempt anyone, except, apparently, a human child.

She simply cannot comprehend the power Youko could wield; no logical being would refuse an opportunity to control power like that.

But then, Youko was a staunch believer that Aino was anything but logical.

"The one who placed the seal was Koenma, son of King Enma, Lord of the Spirit World." Youko informed her, making it quite clear he was unimpressed with the lofty title, "Your powers pale in comparison."

Minako flushed red again, this time though she appeared angry, "You could at least let me try." She grumbled, bracing her chin in the palms of her hands.

Youko puzzled over Aino's reaction; humans still confused him. It did no good to get upset by mere fact. He would expect a low class demon to react with violence to such a comment but Aino's anger was not physical in nature. Instead she appeared frustrated. He understood the desire for greater power but anger over lack of it was a waste of time and energy; both of which could be directed towards gaining more power.

The problem with Aino was that, as far as Youko could tell, she did not put value in personal pride (no one could be so childish and hold any claim to pride) nor did she seek a greater power (training would be less cumbersome if she did).

"Trying would only result in your injury, Aino." Youko informed, resting his head on his paws and signaling the end of the conversation; he was tired of trying to psychoanalyze creatures as illogical as Aino.

The blonde's head jerked up out of her hand, her blue eyes wide, "Oh." She frowned again in thought, "Well, when I become stronger then I'll remove it."

Youko sighed, "We do not yet know the limits of your powers, Aino. You may never get that strong."

"Yes I will." Aino replied with such conviction that Youko looked up from where he lay to study the blonde. Stubborn determination made her blue eyes hard and bold overconfidence drew a smile across her lips; she actually believed she could do it, become stronger than even the King of the Dead—technically his son but that was irrelevant, the power gap was just as wide. Where did she find such naïve confidence?

I would not recommend arguing with her, Fox. Sailor Venus' stubbornness is legendary.

Youko and Aino jumped as the Voice entered their mind.

"You're still around then." Youko grumbled with grim resignation.

"Where have you been lately?" Aino demanded, glaring on the ceiling, "I could have totally used your help yesterday!"

The Voice did not reply for a moment and Youko smirked at its flustered response, You handled yourself admirably yesterday, Sailor Venus.

"So? You still weren't there." Aino snapped, still staring at her ceiling, "What's your purpose anyways? It's like all you do is show up to spout some mysterious prose about destiny and then disappear when the shit hits the fan!"

The Solar System is bigger than just your issues, Venus. The Voice snapped and Aino winced at its harsh tone, I had other duties to attend to.

"Like what?" Aino demanded.

The Voice was silent for a second before replying, I will tell you when you are ready, Venus. Aino looked ready to protest but Youko caught her gaze and shook his head, he knew better than to press a lost cause. The blonde scowled but took his lead and sat back.

"So, what brings you back now?" Aino asked the ceiling.

I'm here to help with your problem.

Aino frowned, "What problem?"

"I believe she's referring to your injuries." Youko answered.

"Oh!" Aino perked up, "Can you help heal them?"

Unfortunately no, Venus. The Voice replied and, to its credit, it sounded genuinely remorseful of that fact, My powers are limited on Earth and I can do little but observe.

"Oh." The girl wilted in disappointment.

However, there is something I can do. Fox, will you grab the Crescent Mirror?

Youko did not budge.

Aino rolled her eyes and retrieved the mirror from her windowsill, "Okay, what next?" she asked.

The mirror has two main functions. The Voice explained though it sounded supremely irritated, Youko suspected most of it was directed at him, The first is to channel the energy of your attacks; the second function will allow you to transform.

Aino's brow furrowed and she shot Youko a confused look, "I thought that was what the pen was for?"

The pen let's you transform into Sailor V, but the mirror will let you take on any appearance you choose.

Now Youko was interested and he stepped forward to examine the compact in Aino's hands, "You mean it allows the user to shape shift?"

Correct. It was originally designed for those of Celestial descendants though and I am not certain how the energies of the mirror will react with your demonic energy, Fox.

"Why should that matter?" Aino asked, looking between Youko and the ceiling with the distinct feeling that she was missing something.

"Because," Youko replied, sounding both interested and irritated, "Our disembodied companion is recommending it as a solution to your dilemma tomorrow."

Aino looked at the mirror, "But how will shape shifting help heal my wounds?"

It won't. The Voice replied. But I am not recommending you use it, Sailor Venus.

Understanding dawned on Aino's face as she looked at Youko, and suddenly she was very, very scared.

"Oh no."

…Present….

"Hey, Youko-kun."

Youko blinked, drawn out of the past by his charge, "Yes, Aino."

The blonde fidgeted with her transformation pen, "Um, you didn't happen to run into Ace while you were at school, did you?"

The fox demon was silent for a moment before answers, "No, Aino, I did not."

"Oh." She muttered after a moment, continuing to twirl her pen, "Do…do you think he's alright?"

"I could not say know."

"I mean, he was really hurt during the fight and we haven't seen him since then and what if the Dark Kingdom captured him or something and—"

"Aino." Youko barked, interrupting her rambling. The blonde turned watery eyes on him and he sighed, "Stop and think. Do not let blind panic carry you past logic. If the Dark Kingdom had taken him prisoner they would likely have tired to use him to draw us out by now. They know you are injured and are willing to go to great lengths to save your friends—the battle with Petite Pandora proved that—so they would want to exploit that heroic nature of yours when you are already injured. Since they have not done so we can conclude that Ace is likely not in their…care."

"But what about his injuries?" Aino pressed, not yet ready to relax her fear.

Youko shook his head, "He was injured but apparently had the strength to remove himself from the battlefield. He may very well be alive."

Aino's brows furrowed, her eyes oddly blank, "You think?"

"I can only speculate, Aino."

She nodded, still fidgeting with her pen. It slipped from between her fingers and dropped to the ground. Youko watched her fumble with the pen for only a moment before changing topics, "I believe your mother will have dinner ready soon. I suggest you head downstairs now rather than later."

Aino gladly accepted the change of topic, "Thanks, Youko-kun." She stood slowly and shuffled towards the door. She paused for a moment with her hand on the doorknob, "Do you want me to bring you anything back?"

Youko hesitated for a moment as well before nodding, "By the smell of it your mother is making squid and I would not mind a change from the rats I've been relying on lately."

Aino shuddered, "Yuck. Yeah, you definitely need to start eating better than that. I'll see what I can sneak away." She pulled open the door and slipped out. Youko sat in her empty room, listening to her trudge down the staircase before pressing his head to his paws, welcoming the hour of sleep and the promise of food to come.

….Omake….

Youko placed a paw on the compact and closed his eyes, "Crescent Moon Power, Transform."

Yellow light erupted from the compact forcing Minako to shield her eyes as it consumed her companion. The light soon receded and Minako lowered her arms. She blinked furiously as she tried to clear her vision of the light spots that danced before her eyes.

"Ah." She heard Youko mutter, "There do appear to be certain…limitations induced by the conflicting energy types."

"What do you mean?" Minako asked, turning around. It was like looking in a mirror but a somewhat distorted one. Her brow furrowed and her eyes dipped slowly down the nude blonde before stopping halfway, her jaw dropping open.

"Apparently it doesn't do gender changes so well." Youko-Minako deadpanned.

Minako's face turned beat red and she buried her face in her bed, "What the absolute hell?!"

…..

A/N:

Thank you for reading guys! Please review! The next chapter will be up next weekend!