Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho

Youko crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe of his greenhouse where Ayama was currently holing herself up in. She had been here for two weeks, her sons apparently taking care of business in her place. But, sooner or later, she'd have to return. Her eyes were raking through his papers and dozens of her precious collection sat on his table, illuminating the room in soft colored lights. She didn't even notice him, no, perhaps she just ignored his presence. Yes, that was more likely. She looked too engrossed in her work. Had she eaten? He was tempted to ask, tempted to divert her attention from this dark room filled with their combined millennia of research. Distract her and make her face him.

She was alone. A rare thing. Youko wanted to take advantage of this unusual occasion. Takoki was taking care of business and currently watching the twins back in the Forest of Tears, while Hyoukoki was nowhere to be found. Presumably on an errand for the vixen. He needed to work fast if he wanted to get her out of here before Hyoukoki came back from wherever it was he disappeared to.

"Vixen," he called and her head shot up in a way that reminded him of a deer.

"Youko," she said, blinking once, twice, three times. She looked like she needed sleep, but she had an excited gleam in her eyes that made it difficult for him to tell her to rest.

"You're using my name again," he remarked, pushing himself off of the door's frame and slowly approaching her overworked self. "If you don't sleep, your mind won't be able to keep up with our usual games, vixen."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't worry over me, fox. My health is no concern of yours."

He smirked. "I assure you, the last thing I am is concerned over your wellbeing," he leaned down, so that his face was mere inches from hers. "I came to play."

"I have enough children around, Youko. I don't have time for another." She reached up and pulled his ear harshly. Youko grimaced, immediately backing up.

"If you always pull their ears then I can see why they're all so well behaved," Youko said, rubbing at the abused appendage. She grinned, despite herself. This new tactic he was trying was amusing, to say the least. She had been deflecting his advances for the past two weeks. All the way from sexy to sadistic, but seems he was going for some kind of cutesy act now. How… unlike him.

"What are you planning?" She asked, suspiciously.

"A break," he said simply. "It might help put things in perspective."

"You sound like Kuronue," she remarked. "In fact, that sounds just like something he'd say. Don't tell me you asked him for tips on how to seduce me?"

"Perish the thought," was his immediate reply. He wasn't going to tell her that they had thought of this tactic together and that Kuronue was out in search of Hyoukoki. The bat was going to stall and distract the ever serious wolf, so that Youko could take Ayama out and -if luck would have it- lead her into his bed. But, as he thought, it wasn't going to be easy. So he'd try a different approach. "I've been curious, vixen."

She raised an eyebrow. "When aren't you?"

"Our unfinished mating," he ran a claw down her face. A shiver ran up her spine, but she schooled her expression into a smirk. Not showing him how much his touch affected her. "I want to explore the boundaries of my attraction toward you."

"You mean you want to go out to town with me and see if you can still be attracted to other females?" She said, figuring out the truth behind his words.

He merely crossed his arms and shot her a look, not even denying it.

Ayama gave him a toothy grin in response. It was an interesting proposition, to be sure. She knew that he was after something else, not just answers to an incomplete mating ritual. Of that, she was certain, but fortunately for him, she was curious about their unfinished mating process, not that she'd ever tell him that. Ayama gave the room filled with research another once over. She didn't want to admit that she was stuck and might have needed a good dose of inspiration. Gray eyes wandered over the plants, before resting back on Youko, who was staring right at her.

She spun around, letting her tail brush against his taut body. "No brothels, fox."

Youko smirked.

He took her to a nearby village filled with their kin. Not a village of kitsune, but one filled with the scum of Demon World. Well known fighters, crooks and leaders paraded around the streets. Some recognizing Ayama as they passed. If she recognized them, she didn't show it. Whores walked in skimpy clothing; it was easy to tell which of the women in the village were locals and those that were seasoned fighters from other lands. The difference in up-tightness was far too wide. This was a village of the night. Filled with parties, shady deals and underhanded affairs.

They were currently seated in a restaurant booth by a large window, two large servings of fresh fish before them. It was a quiet place. Where the more important demons conducted their business in hushed whispers. Away from the throngs of people. Ayama sipped at the tea she had ordered as Youko poured himself some more saké. There was no way in hell she'd be drinking anything with alcohol. Not with Youko around.

"What a… lively village," Ayama commented, taking a small bite of fried fish.

"Wonderful, isn't it?" He asked, watching her in a way that made her feel like prey. Being stared down wasn't a pleasant feeling. Not even by a fox as striking as he was.

"I tend to avoid such places," she said. "I don't like noise."

"Then how, pray tell, do you meet any men?"

"I am a vixen," she smirked. "They flock to me."

"A vixen, indeed. You're such an adept liar. Even I almost believed your words."

"Lying about my sex life, why, I would never…" she said mock offended.

"Tell me," he placed his chin in the palm of his hand. His food long forgotten. "When was the last time you had a man in your bed?"

"Quite a while actually," she remarked, her eyes alight with mischief. "Are you volunteering to relieve me of all my pent up frustrations?"

Youko raised an eyebrow. He would have been tempted to take her up on that offer had he not known that she was playing him. "You're such a cruel vixen," he said, taking a bite of his food. "You shouldn't play with a demon's libido."

"I am a vixen, after all."

Yes she was. In every sense of the word.

"While I'd love to have you in my bed, that's not the point of our coming here, is it?" She said, looking out once more at the dozens of women roaming the streets. "We're here to see if anyone catches your eye. See anyone to your liking?"

He looked around, golden eyes examining those around him. They were all quite beautiful, but he searched for one that would catch and hold his eye. He found her a moment later. A brunette. Tall and fair skinned with long legs and lovely curves. She was holding up a sign. The advertiser of some kind of sweets stall. His eyes flashed in want for all of a moment, before he turned back to Ayama who was busily eyeing the demons around them.

"Found one," he said, shrugging. This bond of theirs was only sexual in nature then. But that was to be expected. It's not like they had any romantic feelings toward the other in the first place and he – they weren't looking for a mate. This was just an unfortunate side effect of an experiment they had become the first test dummies for. "And you?"

She shook her head. "These demons are so uninteresting."

"Have you no lust, vixen?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Plenty," she said, shrugging. "A sharp tongue and sexy mind on a taut body is always appealing."

"How about lust for just a… taut body?"

"But that's so boring!" She pursed her lips into a pout. "Don't tell me you're actually attracted to any warm, beautiful body?"

"I'm a man, after all," he said, carelessly. "A man without a mate. We mateless have needs that only warm bodies can fill."

"I do hope Eriya doesn't end up like you," she said, remembering how the pup never seemed to leave Youko alone. "I hope you don't go around teaching him these things. He's rather fond of you, you know?"

"Afraid he'll become uncontrollable, vixen?" Youko teased.

"Uncontrollable is fine," she said, waving a hand between them. "Womanizing is an entirely different matter."

"I don't see much difference between the two," he told her.

"You're both, so how can you?"

"Why, thank you, vixen," he smirked. "I do try."

Her eyes narrowed. "You're such a thick headed fox."

"I assure you, it's part of the charm," he countered, easily. "Women love stubbornness and… taut bodies."

Ayama smirked, despite herself. "Your ego is large enough for all of Demon World. I'm afraid what would happen once you come to power. Self-importance is a powerful enemy, couple that with greed and you have a concoction for something terrible. Something already brewing inside of you."

"All demons in Makai rise from their greed," he said. "Are you any different?"

"I never said I was," she muttered, looking out at the bustling streets. "Merely that you should watch yourself in the future. Foolish mistakes are the product of arrogance."

"No need to worry," he said, leaning back in his seat. She was always such a hassle to talk to. All kitsune were. There was always something to decode in their words, a hidden meaning. Why couldn't she just say to be careful because she didn't want to deal with any consequences from his many heists? "My future actions will bring you no harm."

"That's reassuring," she said, catching his golden eyed stare. "I will remember those words."

"Shall we go then, vixen?" Youko smirked, not waiting for an answer as he left a few bills on the table before walking out of the shop. He didn't wait for her – already certain that she'd follow.

Ayama gave him a few minutes, taking her time with ordering a cup of coffee in a small disposable cup. It wasn't her style to order take out, but it would have to do. Where they got cups like these, she hadn't a clue. Perhaps they made trips to the Human World to get their hands on such outlandish products. Though Ayama couldn't deny that cups like these were convenient – they were just so disgustingly tasteless. She felt less classy just by holding one.

By the time Ayama made her way out of the shop, Youko was surrounded by women. They practically shoved their chests in his hands. She left him for a minute and women flocked to him. As expected of a fox. Ayama unintentionally caught his eye and she gestured with her head, telling him to come back to her side immediately. But, as she suspected, Youko wasn't one to follow orders. He shot her a sexy smirk that displayed his thoughts clearly.

If you want me, come get me.

Stupid jerk kitsune. Ayama scoffed at his expression and calmly sipped at her coffee. She had time; she could wait. But after her cup was empty and he was still flirting away, her patience waned. With a sigh, she called his name. Loud enough for everyone to turn and face her. Oh, how she wished she had her pipe right now.

"Youko," she saw his ear twitch at the sound of her voice.

Said fox shot her a triumphant smirk and she could feel the glares of the women on her. Some backed down when they caught sight of her towering height and elegant appearance, others took it as a challenge and attempted to off her with their gaze. Ayama ignored them. Let their thoughts rage if it made their lives more interesting. Vixens were creatures of loveliness, style and grace. That was a fact and it was a reputation Ayama would never tarnish, so keeping her aura of aloofness and professionalism was important to her. Not only as a vixen, but also as an informant.

But right now Youko was wasting her time, and time was money. So with reluctance, she called out to him again. "How long are you going to stay there? To leave a vixen alone… the entire kitsune race would smite you, if they saw you now."

"How thoughtless of me," Youko said with a haughty smirk, making his way towards her. "You took so long following me out, I thought that you had lost all interest in my taut body."

"I was merely curious of the kind of man you were when I'm not around to watch you," she shot right back. "As I thought, my original assumption of you was correct. You're a womanizing beast."

Youko didn't take the words to heart. She was playing with him again, tinting her words in sarcasm and disdain. She wasn't angry. That wasn't her style. No. She was teasing. Youko smirked at the thought. "Just a vixen's type, you mean?"

It was Ayama's turn to smirk. "You know a vixen's heart well."

"Who do you think you're talking to? So now that we've ascertained I can still look at other women," Youko said, bringing them back to the topic at hand. The entire reason they were out here together in the first place. "What now? Will you go back to the hideout or stay with me here?"

Ayama was quiet for a moment, rolling the thought around. "I'll stay. I've hit a block in my research and need some… inspiration, I suppose is the word."

"A block?" He asked.

"Putting a soul into a plant is a good start, but how will the soul maintain its life? By taking over a plant? That's pitiful."

Youko eyed her. Ayama's eyes were glazed over as she disappeared into her own world, thinking. Constantly thinking. "Perhaps you could come on a heist with me, vixen," he suggested. "An adrenaline rush might give you that spark you need."

She eyed him. What was he planning? Taking her away from the lab and now suggesting a heist. It was almost as if he were testing her in a way. But, in what? She sighed loudly, letting herself go with his whims. She was curious about how he worked, interested in seeing the legendary bandit at his best. Perhaps she might even find something valuable. There really was no reason to refuse his offer.

"Where will we be going?"

"I was hoping you would know a place," he gave her a toothy smirk. "Being an informant, you must know some truly grand treasures the likes of which have never reached my ears."

She narrowed her eyes. He just wanted a freebie. "Just this once then," she said. Youko's eyes widened at the easiness of her agreement. "There should be a mountain path somewhere near here. A shrine sits on top, guarded by a few wind apparitions."

"You know much," he said, standing with a smirk decorating his face. "If each of our meetings could be as wonderful as this one then perhaps I'd be a happier man."

She ignored his words. "I won't be fighting, Youko."

He raised an eyebrow, recalling the words she had told him weeks ago. That the original – she was worst off. What did she mean by that? He didn't let his mind dwell on it, he'd get his answer soon. Plus, he still had one free question. "Then how do you expect to get an adrenaline rush?"

"Make it interesting for me," she said. "This is free information, after all."

"Now I have to put on a show?" He said, mockingly. "You must be joking."

Her lips twitched in amusement and his eyes narrowed at the sight.

"I imagined you dancing," she laughed, freely and without restraint. Her shoulders shaking in mirth. When she finally calmed down enough, she looked him straight in the eye. "You'd make an… interesting mate, Youko," she said, before walking off without him. Tail brushing against his leg.

Youko stared after her, giving her a few seconds before he followed. He mumbled under his breath as he caught up to her in a few quick strides, "Definitely joking."

"This is it," Ayama said, looking up at the large mountain before them. They were at the base of what was possibly thousands of steps. Looming over them intimidatingly and just daring them to climb.

"Do you hate me, vixen?" He asked, looking up at the stairs. "You could have just told me. That would have been far kinder."

"This, I truly believe, is the reason why no one has ever tried to steal from these wind apparitions," she said. "These steps look formidable."

He shrugged, taking a seed from his hair. "And I thought I'd be able to get by without using these plants of mine."

"Then this wouldn't be an interesting show, now would it?"

He ignored her remark, letting his demon energy flow into the seed in his hands. It became a small plant that attached itself to his back. Though the plant itself was small, its leaves were quite the opposite. Large enough to give him makeshift wings. He jumped into the air, trying his luck with the wind. When he was able to keep himself floating, he reached down to grab Ayama's hands and with her dangling like a vine, they made their way up the mountain. Ayama was busily looking below her with a delighted look in her eyes, clearly this was her first time being so high up.

"Having fun?" Youko asked as they hovered over the shrine.

There was a large statue in the middle of the place, a house sat directly behind it for the apparitions that maintained the area. A small vegetable farm to the side, the ground tilled perfectly. It was all surrounded by wooden walls and pillars. He could feel the energy of four demons below. Their presence was calm, perhaps they were sleeping. He wouldn't be surprised. Security was lax. Maybe the treasure they were protecting wasn't worth much. Ayama had given him the information for free, after all.

She nodded in answer to his question.

"Let's go there," Youko said, swooping down to the side of the shrine. Just outside the walls. He was surprised to find no man on guard though. This was almost too easy. He dropped her first, before falling into a crouch by her side.

"How exciting," Ayama whispered, looking at the shrine's walls.

"Why not use that mist of yours, vixen?" Youko suggested, before gesturing with his head up at the wall. "You'll head in through here, while I take them out from the skies."

"You won't take them out quietly?"

"I thought you wanted to see something fun?" He asked, a smirk on his face. "And messy kills like these are fun once in a while. Now… about that mist of yours, do you plan on using it anytime soon? I could use the cover."

She rolled the idea in her head, before shrugging and with an overly dramatic voice said, "If it pleases you."

Youko smirked.

He watched her reach into her robe and take out a small container. She leisurely popped open the lid and removed the light green soul from the safety of its jar. It was bright, looking like one of those firefliesthat he sometimes saw around lakes and plains. She powered it up with demon energy, pouring the vial of blood attached to the jar over it. It brightened, before turning a dark crimson. Just like he remembered. Her eyes were bright, alive with something. Excitement, perhaps? No. It looked more like anticipation. As if she couldn't wait to use her mist; as if seeing it light up in such a way gave her joy.

She threw the soul against the wall. The thing shattering as Youko flew up into the sky. From above, he watched her hop over the wall, leisurely walking right up to the house and knocking. Youko grinned in amusement at such an audacious move. She was confident, he'd give her that. Two demons answered the door. Dark haired men in peach tunics with pointed ears. Youko saw another go out through the back and fly into the air. He immediately silenced him with his plants. Easy prey. Was this supposed to be a challenge? He wanted to scoff, but stopped himself as he watched Ayama below. She was conversing with the two demons.

He had felt four demons, but as soon as the door opened the other presence disappeared. Seems there was a powerful one among them, to even hide his presence from him while he was actually concentrating on finding him was an extraordinary feat. Youko would've applauded the demons' sheer skill if he wasn't trying to stay hidden. Instead, his eyes roamed around, ears still listening to Ayama's conversation below.

"Oh, thank Raizen someone was up here," Ayama said, mock relieved. She smiled innocently at the two. "I ran up the steps with my plants because a fox was chasing me! I was able to injure him, but I think he'll be back!"

"Hey, lady," one said, roughly. "Don't go invitin' trouble up here, ya hear? This is a shrine! Women ain't supposed to be here and where in fuck's name did this mist come from?! It's not rainy season yet!"

"Hey, hey, relax," the other said. His voice was gentle and kind. A complete contrast to his friend. "Can't you see she's scared? Did you say that the fox was still on his way here?"

She nodded, frantically. "H-He had silver hair and a white tunic! A w-whip too! P-Please help me!"

The two demons looked at each other. "Hey… Doesn't that sound like…?"

The other nodded, then they both brought their attention back to her. "Are you carrying anything valuable on you?"

"No!" She immediately shook her head. She showed them her hands, palms up in a gesture that meant she was beyond broke. "I have children at home that need to be fed! Please help m—"

A bloody head came rolling down between them.

The three stared at it for one unbelieving moment, before the two men's eyes widened and they looked up to the sky. Youko was nonchalantly hovering above them, staring at them with cold, unforgiving eyes.

"I thought informants didn't lie," Youko said.

Ayama smirked, losing the frantic face and regaining her composure. She returned to her usual relaxed position and took three steps back from the wind apparitions before her. Running a hand through her hair.

"It's fun once in a while," she said, using his words.

"Please die," Youko said, his plants closing in. But before they could, they were set on fire as the demon Youko couldn't pinpoint appeared. Dark hair and even darker eyes. There was a flame in his hand as he stood tall. Even taller than Youko.

"Die!" He yelled and flames emerged from his hand, heading straight for him. Youko flew high into the air, narrowly evading the blow. From the corner of his eye he saw the two wind apparitions go after Ayama and he smirked. Well, what a fun thing this turned out to be.

"Think you can handle those two, vixen?" He called, eyes focused only on the fire apparition before him. "This one looks rather troublesome."

"Save your worry for those that need it," she muttered in disdain. "I told you though that I wouldn't be fighting."

"Ah, yes," he said. "But this is unavoidable."

"Fights are always avoidable."

"Will you turn tail and run then, vixen? How like a woman," he insulted, trying to get a rise out of her.

She ignored the remark. "Have you not seen me as a woman all this time? I feel insulted," her voice oozed sarcasm. "Perhaps I'll stall until you're finished. I do hate getting my hands dirty, my fragile nails might break!"

He raised an eyebrow at her overly dramatic tone, but didn't turn to look at her. "Are you so against fighting for yourse—"

Youko dodged another tunnel of pure flame. The fire licking at his skin. "That's enough chit chat!" the demon before him bellowed.

"Another demon that hates to talk," Youko narrowed his eyes. This wasn't quite the day out he had planned, but he supposed that something ridiculous like this suited them well. He flexed his hand. Something in him was burning hot, rising. What was that? His demon energy was blowing up and he felt as if he were on fire – sweltering heat all around him. But the fire apparition before his eyes wasn't doing a thing.

He had felt this before. Back when he had so easily defeated Maro. He had blamed it on his possessive nature kicking in back then, but he wasn't angry right now, so that wasn't the case. What was there back then that was the same here? His eyes widened as he looked at the mist. Before his mind could start whirring with thoughts again, another tunnel of flame shot out.

Youko dodged, flying high into the air and sneering. He could question the vixen later. Right now, he needed to focus on the nuisance before him.

"I'll deal with you first then."

A/N: Poll has been closed. A sequel will be made. There's a post of the results on my Livejournal. Thank you to those that reviewed, I'm sorry if I didn't get to reply to everyone.

Shamless Plug-In Time: A GilgameshXOC for Fate Stay Night will be released soon. More info on my Livejournal. WHITE LIES SEQUEL SUMMARY, SPECIAL LJ ONLY CHAPTER SUMMARIES, AND PREVIEWS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON MY LIVEJOURNAL. The Direct URL is on my profile.

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