Disclaimer: I do not own yu yu hakusho or any of its characters.

I am so very sorry for not updating sooner! But school was hectic and I had so many things to do and I barely had anytime for myself! Updates should be more frequent now as I actually have time to update. Also, I shall be rewriting the chapters a bit as I could add a bit more detail and correct some errors that I did not catch earlier. So, thank you all for the great reviews. And I am sorry if I did not respond to all your reviews but once again, I barely had anytime to do anything. Now, onward!

Chapter 9

Sibling Rivalry

A soft moan escaped Shiori as she finally came to. Ruby orbs appeared as her eyes fluttered open, darting around the area to figure out where she was. After several seconds, she recognized it as her own room and that she was lying in her bed. Her soft lips broke out in a smile as she let out a sigh of relief. It had all been but a dream. Everything: Shuichi being Youko Kurama and saving her life, her mother hating her and turning her into a demon. None of it had been real.

Or at least she had thought so until the woman rolled her head to the side only to see strands of fiery red all around her. With an almost inhuman speed, Shiori was out of her bed and standing before her mirror. Crimson eyes were wide with shock as she stared dumbstruck at the reflection gazing back at her with the exact same expression. Two red, black tipped fox ears were perched comfortably atop her head, coal black hair had become a gorgeous shade of crimson being similar to her current eye color, tiny fangs were visible in her mouth and a beautiful red fox tail with a white tip waved gently behind her. Softly running her clawed fingertips along her pale face, Shiori finally came to the realization that it all had been real.

'Everything...' Tears began to swell up within her demonic eyes as her thoughts ran back to what had occurred earlier. She fell on her knees and sobbed softly. It hurt being betrayed so cruelly by the person whom she'd respected most and not just any person but her own mother! Her body stiffened upon feeling two strong arms wrap around her, leaning into the embrace once the scent of her husband's cologne reached her nostrils and then she proceeded to sob into him.

Two green-eyed observers stood watching from the doorway, their presence being completely unnoticed by Shiori.

As Kurama stared upon his once human mother, several different thoughts ran through his mind with hatred boiling up within him yet this hate was not for the monstrous woman who'd done all this but at himself. Had he never deceived this woman by stealing her son, had he just allowed himself to be killed by that bounty hunter, had he just.. Upon feeling a hand be placed on his shoulder, Kurama's head perked up as he looked over his shoulder to find his aunt staring at him with knowing, sympathetic eyes as if hearing all of his self-loathing thoughts. The eye contact was quickly broken by Kurama, who for once disliked the fact his aunt had the uncanny ability to read him like a book.

Naomi frowned at the redhead. A soft sigh left her lips as she turned her eyes onto her sister, making a promise to herself to torture Kaori instead of killing her instantly as that would be far too kind of a death for what she had done.

After several minutes, Shiori had cried herself to sleep and Kazuya gently lifted up the limp body and placed her in the bed. Once having done that, Kazuya turned towards the two standing by the door, motioning for them to leave room, which they did, and he followed, gently shutting the door behind him.

"This is not your fault, Kurama-kun." Naomi said after having followed Kurama to his room, "Not even you could've foreseen that something like this would happen."

The redhead sat down on his bed, slouching over sightly with his elbows resting on his thighs causing his hair to hang like a curtain around him. "Yes but had I not lied to her or had I just left when I was ten as I had planned, she would not be suffering as she is now."

"Kurama-kun." Mumbled Naomi as she stared down at the teen.

"Shiori has every right to despise me as I am the demon who had murdered her father, taken her child away from her, and had caused her to lose both the adoration of her mother as well as her humanity." Stated Kurama as he cast his stare onto the floor..

After several seconds of silence had passed, his aunt finally added. "That is not entirely true."

Kurama shifted his gaze from the carpet and unto Naomi. "What is?"

"That you took her child away from her. Had you not entered her womb when you did, she would never have had a child as there was a curse placed on her by a petty demon during her pregnancy which made it so she could not bear any children." Soft pink lips curved upwards into a warm smile, "So in truth you made her happy as had it not been for you, she would've been mourning the loss of an unborn child instead of celebrating your birth. Now, I need to go check on that girl, Yukina-chan, so please watch over Shiori for me, would you Shui-chan?" After receiving a nod from the fox demon, Naomi left the room and headed for the door.

Kurama let out a heavy sigh as he stood up. He decided to go make Shiori something to eat since he figured that she would most likely be hungry once she awoke. After all, making her dinner is the least he could do for her.

At Kuwabara's house, Kuwabara and Hiei were still by Yukina's side with Kuwabara sitting on a stool beside the bed while Hiei sat in a corner with arms folded across his chest and eyes shut. Hiei was trying to ignore the bumbling fool in the room with him. He did not enjoy the fact he had to be cooped up with him but his sister was here and he had to protect her from any other threats that may harm her, including the human. A soft snort left him at the thought. What did she see in this buffoon anyway?

"Yukina!"

Ruby orbs snapped open and their owner gazed in the direction of the bed by which Kuwabara was leaning over the now conscious young girl lying within it.

Yukina wearily rolled her head over and smiled gently at the carrot-headed boy, "Hello Kazuma-kun."

Kuwabara stared down at Yukina with relieved yet saddened eyes. "I'm so glad you're alright. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

"It's alright, Kazuma-kun, I understand." Said Yukina. Upon noticing Hiei standing the corner, she once again focused her gaze on Kuwabara, "Do you think you could get me a glass of water?"

He nodded, understanding the fact that his love not only wanted water but several minutes alone with her brother. "Anything for you." With that said he stood and left the room, taking his time in getting the water.

After watching Kuwabara leave, Yukina turned her eyes onto her brother who was still standing in the corner.

"I see that I'm no longer needed to be here as you appear to be alright." Hiei said as he turned around and just as he was about to leave..

"Onii-chan! Please don't leave." Yukina shouted pleadingly after having sat up abruptly in the bed.

Hiei stopped at the girl's outburst but did not turn around to face his sister.

Yukina hesitated for several seconds as she searched for the right words before finally saying. "I know you're my brother and I know you know that I am your sister so why don't you want us to be together?"

"I am not worthy of being your brother. You are undeserving of having a murderous being as your sibling." A small laugh came from Yukina causing Hiei to turn around and face her, startled slightly upon hearing laughter instead of words of disgust..

The ice maiden smiled genuinely at her brother with their identical eyes meeting. "Do you honestly believe I care about the fact you kill? Demons live by killing others. Had you not killed, you would've been killed yourself. I love you no matter what."

Hiei's eyes were focused on the girl for several seconds before closing them as he turned around, "Do as you please. Sister." With that said, he vanished from the room, leaving an overjoyed Yukina sending a smile at the place her brother had been, understanding that though he'd probably not voice it aloud, he loved her as well.

Kurama opened the door to Shiori's room somewhat hesitantly before stepping inside, carrying a tray of delicious-looking food for the woman. He'd found her inhuman eyes watching him the instant he had entered. Emerald orbs met her gaze calmly though inside the last thing Kurama was, was calm. "I brought you some food, Minamino-san."

"Quit being so formal, Shuichi." Shiori said wearily as she sat up in the bed before allowing a small smile to form, "Do you truly believe that I could hate you? My own son whom I bore? What kind of a mother would hate her own child." Shiori shut her eyes at her own words as that is what her mother had done. She bit down on her bottom lip to keep herself from allowing tears to fall so hard that the fangs pierced through the skin. After licking off the blood, crimson reappeared as Shiori reopened her eyes and looked at the fox demon. "Will you sit down?"

Kurama's gaze softened gently as he set down the tray of food before sitting down beside his mother.

Shiori's eyes caught her son's as she began speaking. "I could never hate you. I am not my mother. I would never hate you for being different."

"Okaa-san..."

"A fitting punishment for me, don't you think?" Began Shiori with a sad smile twitching at her lips as she gently tugged at one of her fox ears, "Becoming that of which I have hated since a young age. The only way it could've been worse is had I become my mother."

"Do you truly find demons so repulsive?" Inquired Kurama.

A small chuckle left Shiori. "No. I suppose I don't, after all, I don't find you the least bit repulsive Shuichi. You don't mind that I call you that, do you? Or would you prefer Kurama?"

The redhead shook his head as he found that Shiori calling him Kurama just seemed awkward to him. "Shuichi's fine."

Just as Shiori was about to say something, the door opened and revealed Kimiko standing there with an expressionless face as she stared down upon her sister who stared back at her with a questioning look before smiling at her. "Kimiko. What brings you here?"

Without hesitation, the youngest sister strode forward towards Shiori and stopping several centimeters before the bed, with her dark brown eyes glued on the demon before her. Her eyes darted from Kurama to Shiori, quickly taking in her new form.

Shiori's smile remained as she gaze up at Kimiko. "Yes, it is a change but it--"

A loud sound of flesh forcefully hitting flesh rang out through the room.

The demoness stared up at the woman before her with wide, startled eyes as she held her reddened cheek.

Emerald eyes hardened and narrowed dangerously at Kimiko, their owner not attacking her only for the sole reason that she was Shiori's sister.

Kimiko's hand was still raised as she stared down at Shiori with disgust. This thing had the nerve to actually speak with her as if nothing had occurred? As if she had not accepted a demon as her son? As if she was still human! "How dare you try to speak with me as if we were equals. You tried to kill my mother and now you are a demon yourself! Do you truly think that I consider you my sister any longer? You are nothing but a worthless demonic bitch and I hope you die."

"And I hope you learn some manners."

Three pairs of eyes turned towards the door where Naomi stood with a menacing glare directed at Kimiko. She had just returned from checking up on that young ice maiden who'd gotten injured earlier and boy was she glad she'd arrived here as soon as she did. Damned Kimiko, attacking Shiori when she was weakened.

Kimiko narrowed her eyes at the brunette, "Stay out of this."

"No. You stay out of it or I'll kill you." Naomi bluntly said with her emerald orbs burning into the psychic. She'd actually do it and kill Kimiko if the arrogant idiot annoyed her enough.

Kimiko snorted. "You wouldn't as I could--"

"You could nothing." Snapped Naomi. "You are the weakest, most pathetic person in the whole goddamned family. So, if anyone is going to die, I can with all certainty say that it shall be you."

Slight fear was visible on Kimiko's face though she tried to mask it up with anger. A low growl left her as she stomped towards the door, but not before sending one last glare at Shiori.

Once the door slammed shut, Naomi looked at Shiori, who was still slightly startled, and offered a comforting smile, "Look, don't worry about her. She's a foolish little girl who's mommy's little zombie. And you still have us and none of us will leave you."

"Yes. I know." Mumbled Shiori as she smiled weakly though anyone could see that it was fake. She knew that Naomi would always be by her side but she could not help but feel as if she was losing everyone she'd ever loved, one by one.

"You were always my favorite daughter, Kimiko." Began Kaori as she stood before her youngest daughter who'd arrived at the castle minutes earlier. "Even though you were never the strongest."

Kimiko smiled at her mother's words of praise though a small growl did escape her upon hearing the second part. She had always been second best, even third when she was younger. Naomi was her mother's pride and joy up until the age of nine when it was found out she'd befriended some demoness and then Shiori became the favorite which lasted until recently. Even though she was fairly powerful, Kimiko despised being called weaker than her sisters.

Upon noticing the scowl on her daughter's face, a slight smirk formed on Kaori's own face. "But there is a way you could become the strongest."

That caught her attention. A way she could become more powerful then her sisters? She'd do it, whatever it was. "How?"

"Kill Shiori and steal her energy and make it your own with this incantation." The elder woman handed a rolled up scroll to Kimiko and smiled up at her, "Read this and her spirit energy will become yours and then you could kill her with the greatest of ease, making you the most powerful."

Kimiko took the scroll without any hesitation as she no longer cared for Shiori. Shiori was dead to her the moment that she had accepted a demon as her son. She bowed deeply before her mother and spun around with her heels echoing in the dark halls as she walked quickly down them. Soon, she'd kill that bitch of a sister and her son would soon follow. Her lips twitched into a devious smirk as a thought occurred to her. No. Not Shiori first. There was someone else who deserved death more than she and she would make sure that that person will die a painful death.

Next chapter there will be a death, as to who's it is well, you'll just have wait and see so bring your tissues. I shall probably update during next week as I practically have a 5 day weekend because I got a field trip in psychology the day before Thanksgiving so that shall help me update most if not all of my fics, including this one which I hope to have finished by the New Year. So, until next time! Please review! Ja ne!