Hey everyone! It's been a while. I am doing a course that gives me a bit more free time. So, I wrote this mini chapter to warm up my creative juices. Also, to those who reviewed in the last chapter, thank you so so much for your efforts to help me make this story better. I hope you like this one.

-Telepathy-

Thoughts

CHAPTER 23: COWARD

Last Chapter

Almost immediately, a blonde haired man stepped out from behind that same tree. He raised his hands in surrender as he slowly made his way towards Roy and Yusuke.

The Mazuko frowned in confusion. He could neither sense Reiki or Youki from the man in front of him. It was like this man wasn't even alive.

"What the fuck are you?" He growled, ready to shoot if necessary.

A few hours later

Genkai's Temple

Hiei's POV

I raced to Genkai's temple after I got a message from Yusuke telling me to hurry, mentioning something important about the Architect. I excused myself from the party and glanced at Kuwabara who nodded in understanding. I suspect Yusuke must have sent a text telling him to stay back.

Yusuke also mentioned that Detective Ishida was with him and there was a source from the Makai there as well. I wonder what that ningen detective knows about the Makai and the Reikai Tente, but more importantly, I'm curious about who this "source" is.

I dart through the trees of the forest that surrounded the temple, flitting from one branch to another as I follow the reiki of my mate. I could feel the presence of Ishida as well but there was no other demon energy I could pick up. A few seconds later, I drop down into the dimly lit woods beside the Mazuko and frown at a stunned looking Ishida.

"They told me you were stealthy," The human detective said, "But damn, they didn't tell me you were that stealthy."

I resisted the human urge to roll my eyes, ningens seem to have the need to point out the obvious. I glare at the man in annoyance. "What is this new information about the Architect that you have?" I asked.

Ishida cleared his throat, focusing now. "I received word that she will be sending a number of her goons to the Ningenkai to retrieve Shuichi. She wishes to lure all of you back to her kingdom where her powers would be advantageous." He narrated.

"Youko seems to be her main target but she knows that if Shuichi were to be recaptured, we'd all be there." Yusuke added.

I could feel my reiki rising in anger. "The only way she'd get to Shuichi is over my dead body." I vowed. I'm going to make that witch regret even looking at Kurama. "How do you know about us and the demon world?" I asked Ishida.

The ningen gave a stupid looking smile. "Well, my great grandmother was a former Reikai Tente and her spiritual awareness passed on to me. Although, I can't do much other than see and communicate with spirits."

I must admit, I was sceptical. Even with his spiritual awareness, how did the ningen know about the Architect? Not even Botan knew of her existence until Kurama's abduction.

"What about the source?" I asked.

Yusuke gave a sigh. -That's kind of the tricky part.- The Mazuko said through the bond.

Ishida seemed hesitant to answer. "He's a distant ancestor of mine." He then winced a little. "Yusuke has met him but… it didn't go so well."

I raise a brow and look at Yusuke. I thoroughly examine his posture and stance to see if he was favouring a leg or arm. I could not see any visible injuries on him and his reiki was normal.

–What did he do to you?- I question my mate, worry bubbling within me.

"Don't worry. I didn't harm him." A disembodied voice rung out.

I stiffened and quickly turned around, astonished. A tall figure with blond hair stood a feet metres behind me. Was he there the whole time? I then find myself frowning again and look back at Ishida in awe. The mysterious man and the human detective were almost identical; save for their hair colour and Ishida's slightly shorter stature.

I did not pick up any kind of energy from him. I also would have heard movement as well. My hearing is superior to most demons, surpassed only by Youko and his canine abilities. I loathe being taken by surprise.

I also notice the man's thick foreign accent. It was similar to the one Keiko and Shizuru fawned over from one of their foreign dramas on TV. I unsheathed my katana and growled.

There was something else about the man that seemed familiar to me but I can't seem to put my finger on it. "What are you?" I ask, griping my sword tighter.

The blond man raised his hands as a show of good faith. "My name is Edmund Morenham. I've worked for the Architect as her personal assassin from the day she turned me." He said calmly.

"Turned you?" I echoed, askance.

"He's a fucking vampire!" Yusuke growled. "That's why we can't read any kind of energy of him. He's not alive."

Edmund chuckled a bit. "You make that sound like it's a bad thing." He joked.

I don't like this man.

"Technically, yes I am not a living being but I am very much alive." The vampire continued as he lowered his hands. "Now, as for how I got to know this information, the Architect had originally ordered me to capture Shuichi and kill all of you…but I can't."

It was Ishida's turn to laugh. "Someone's in love." He taunted.

I stiffened at that and I could feel my heart skip a beat. Forgotten alien emotions flood through me as my brain recounts who this man is and fill in gaps.

-Hiei? Do you know this guy?- Yusuke asked, he must have also felt the moment of dread that filled me.

I replied, -Yes, I do.- My katana is immediately engulfed in flames, rage replacing my earlier emotions.

I speak out loud to the vampire, my speech slow and deliberate. "I'm going to break every bone in your body."

Then I charge forward.

000

Two years ago

Iro (Makai)

Youko stumbled (as gracefully as possible) through the Iro Forest deep in the north of the Makai. He was the only survivor of the massacre of another army of demons that was yet again defeated by the Architect as he attempted to rescue Shuichi. They were outnumbered three to one. The kitsune knew that the demoness allowed him to escape again, it wouldn't have taken much effort to capture him.

The kitsune hissed as his knee throbbed from its injury and the poorly healed stab wound to his side made him wheeze a bit.

At the moment Youko was on his way to the Iro tribe. They were known for their crude ways and poor manners, as well as their blood lust and adept skill at camouflage. Calling them 'barbarians' would be an injustice to other barbarians, they were worse than that. The fox spirit wanted nothing to do with these people but they seem to be his last resort if he ever wanted to even get past the Architect's fortress.

The kitsune stopped when he could smell raw meat being roasted over an open flame and he silently begged his stomach not to rumble too loudly, he could also hear at least five people around the fire talking amongst themselves.

Youko looked down at his injured knee. He had just enough Youki to heal himself properly but he wanted to save as much as he could in case the tribe got violent. The kitsune sighed and straightened his back. Even if he limped, he was going to walk into that tribe with dignity, damn it.

Youko continued his advances and emerged slowly from the flora that was the forest. Understandably, the men around the fire got defensive, aiming their arrows and spears at him.

Youko raised his hands in surrender. "I mean no harm." He said calmly. "I only wish to speak with your Chief."

The Oni-like tribesmen spoke amongst each other in an old Makai language that Youko had elementary knowledge in, then they looked at him and one growled, "Follow us. If you try anything, we will eat you for sustenance."

Youko nodded solemnly, Iro tribesmen do not make idle threats. "Fair enough." He said.

They prompted him with their weapons to walk ahead of them, the kitsune thought it wise to keep his hands up as they escorted him to their village. As they got closer, he could see the thatched roofs of mud houses. "Move it!" The demon behind him prodded him with his spear when he was moving too slow for their liking. Youko complied, ignoring the pain in his knee.

They emerged from the shrubbery and entered the village: every eye was on the Kitsune as he limped gracefully towards the Chief's home. The fox studied them all; the Iro people were Onis indeed, however, they were leaner, quicker and more deadly than their usual counterparts. The Kitsune observed his new surroundings carefully, taking in the empty, haunted looks in their eyes.

They looked miserable. Every other person was sick, bones protruded from the flesh of the domestic animals around the area and the hungry wail of one or more toddlers pierced the air. Youko came to the sad conclusion that the lean physique of the Iro people was not nature's doing.

The kitsune was snapped out of his reverie and gasped when his tail was pulled harshly and then the quick pitter patter of a child was heard, followed by laughter. Youko growled and decided he didn't like children so much anymore.

The fox spirit looked up when the shadow of a building blocked out the sun. In front of him was a castle that towered over the small village below, making the huts seem microscopic compared to the impressive structure before him. He was led through a high, spiked gate of iron and shortly after, he was ushered into the castle. They climbed a few flight of stairs and another set of heavy doors were swung open to reveal a dark and dingy throne room. A few pieces of pelt was thrown on the floor, haphazardly decorating the place. Numerous heads of prey and predators alike also covered the stone walls.

Youko almost gagged when the smell of alcohol and sex assaulted his senses. He wanted to request that a window be opened, only to realise that there were five uncovered windows in the room. The Kitsune took shallow breaths, trying as much as possible not to offend the Chief.

Said Chief was lazily thrusting into a young woman in the middle of his throne room. The man was green, old and fattened. His eyes held a disturbing kind of ambition that Youko knew all too well. The snarled as he pumped into the smaller woman beneath him, pulling her hair so harshly she began to cry.

The Kitsune took an unconscious step forward to aid the woman but stopped when the blade of a spear was placed against his jugular. The Chief looked up at the Kitsune and smirked; he reached his peak and kept his eyes firmly locked on Youko as he emptied himself into his concubine.

The green Oni pulled out of the sobbing woman and used a piece of her garment to wipe himself. "Well, well, what do we have here?" He said as he moved slowly towards the Kitsune and his men.

A guard on Youko's left forced the fox spirit to his knees and he bit back a cry of pain when his injured knee smashed roughly against the cold stone. "We found him on the outskirts of the village, your highness." The guard replied. "He demanded we bring him to you."

The naked Chief raised his brow and moved to stand in front of the guard that spoke. "Demanded?" The green Oni spoke and the Youko could feel the guard begin to quake in fear.

"Y-yes, my Chief." The guard said.

The green Oni nodded. "Alright." He replied calmly and then gestured.

Before Youko could count to two, the guard was run through with a spear from behind.

The Chief spoke again. "I give the orders. Not some commoner, do you hear me?" The guard choked on his own blood as he collapsed to the ground. The Chief then turned to the next guard. "Now, tell me why I shouldn't kill you as well?"

The guard swallowed. "W-we believe this demon to be Youko Kurama, your highness."

There was deafening silence and the angry flare of the Chief's Youki slowly faded. The green Oni then stood before the Kitsune.

"Ah, I knew I recognised that pretty face." The Chief said. "The King of Thieves himself on his knees before me, how precious."

Youko looked up defiantly at the Chief. "Greetings, great Chief." He said and blinked in awe when the green Oni laughed loudly, holding his sides together as if he might split in two.

The Chief's laughter slowly died down and he wiped a few tears away. "If you're going to kiss up to me, Youko, then you should at least pretend to do so."

The Kitsune frowned at the green Oni. "I'm not here to kiss up to you," Youko said. "I came to ask for your help."

The Chief laughed again and turned away, he walked towards his throne and snapped his fingers. "Alright, what help do you want exactly?" The green Oni asked as another concubine rushed out with a robe for the man to put on. "I didn't think the great and powerful Youko Kurama would need scums like us to help you on a heist." He said with feigned incredulity.

The guards around Youko laughed and the Kitsune growled. "I rarely carry out a heist on my own, I am not so infallible." He said hotly. "And this isn't a heist, it's a rescue mission."

The green Oni's brows rose at this. "Continue." He prompted.

"My colleague has been captured by a demoness from the East, she calls herself The Architect." Youko explained. "She kidnapped my colleague when she failed to capture me. I have been trying to reason with her and get him back but she is ruthless."

There was silence again and Youko was confident that the Chief bought his lie.

The Chief's eyes roamed his body, studying the bruises he had received while battling The Architect's army. The green Oni's eyes lingered on Youko's injured knee before he looked back up. "I see." He said slowly. "If you couldn't defeat The Architect, what makes you think we can?"

Youko spoke tactfully. "The Iro tribe are known for their stealth and speed. I believe the best way to deal with this situation is to sneak in, instead of attacking head on."

The green Oni leaned forward. "Why should I help you?" He asked. "After what you did to me."

Youko frowned in confusion this time. "I've never done you or your tribe any harm-"

"Lies!" The Chief growled dangerously. "You took my child from his home and family! Or are we so insignificant to you that you do not remember."

The Kitsune's mind was reeling; he remembers one particular demon he had recruited eons ago. He was lean with green skin and a sharp tongue. He was fast too, almost as fast as Hiei. Youko had bedded him once or twice; he liked his wit and smooth talk, and the way he practically worshipped the King of Thieves. The Kitsune remember that he had died during a job and Yomi was to blame for it.

"Basho." Youko breathed.

"Yes." The Chief said. "He was my only son and you recruited him into your band of scoundrels at such a young age."

Youko could feel his guilt piling up on him. "He was a good man and loyal to a fault. I did not know he was from this tribe. I am truly sorry, great Chief." He said solemnly.

Silence.

"So the rumours are true. He is dead then." The green Oni said.

"I'm afraid so." The fox replied.

The Chief looked like he was about to cry but then his eyes hardened as he fixed Youko with a glare. "And even with that, you still had the brawn to lie to me!" He yelled and continued when Youko sputtered a bit. "I know damn well that this colleague of yours is much more than that to you if you would demean yourself so for him." He spat. "It's your selfishness that put him there and I hope he rots."

Youko saw red at that moment. "Me? Selfish?!" He cried incredulously, diplomacy out the window. "You're the gluttonous Chief of the north that fattens himself up and does nothing for his starving subjects. Your people are sick and dying while you drink your fill of wine and sex!"

A guard on the right made to punch the Kitsune but Youko grabbed his wrist before he could make contact and squeezed, breaking bones. Another guard managed to land a blow though, stunning the Kitsune for a while.

"Guards, throw him into the dungeon!" The Chief yelled.

A beat or two passed before vines gushed into the throne room from the windows; they snatched up the guards and pinned them to the wall while others blocked the door to prevent more guards from entering. Youko limped towards to the Chief slowly, he had only a bit of Youki left so he needed to think quickly.

"You don't scare me, Kitsune." The Chief hissed.

Youko shook his head. "I'm not here to threaten you or your people." He said calmly. "I came to propose a deal." The fox spirit went silent for a moment and then spoke again when he knew he had the Oni's attention. "I will help restore your lands of the crops you lost and relieve you of the famine your people are going through. In return, I am requesting ten of your finest warriors at my disposal."

The Chief stayed quiet, studying the Kitsune closely from his throne, then that look of ambition made itself known again. "The King of Thieves - a beauty and tactician. The stories don't do you much justice, I must admit." He said. "Despite your skills and experience, you're on my turf, Kitsune.

This is my deal. I shall give you twenty men to do with as you please, as well as provide you with much…needed medical attention-" He glanced at Youko's knee. "-if you restore my land and also bear me an heir."

Youko's eyes widened. "An heir?" He said in shock.

The Chief nodded. "Yes, I demand you bear me a child to replace the one you stole from me." He said. "And I know Kitsunes of both gender can bear children so don't even think of conning your way out of this."

Youko glared at him. "I never stole him, he came to me." He replied.

"Nonetheless, that is my final offer." The Chief said. "Now, I know this colleague of yours is definitely more than a friend. A lover, maybe? If you're willing to put yourself through such physical pain, as well as come to enemy territory with only enough Youki to grow flowers, I think it is safe to say that you are desperate." The Oni smirked at Youko. "Am I right, Kitsune?"

Youko stayed stoic.

The Chief stood, confident that he has cornered the great Youko Kurama. He approached the Kitsune and stood close enough to be able to feel his breath on his face. "You know, I also heard that you were in the Ningenkai, wasting away with your human friends." He reached out to grab a lock of hair. "They can never properly appreciate such prettiness."

Youko grabbed the Chief's hand when he stroked his hair, stilling his movement. "There has to be something else I can do." The Kitsune said. "Surely, you've heard of my numerous caves of treasure. I can give you as many as you want."

The Chief laughed again. "Come now, Youko." He said lightly. "I doubt your friend is going to chastise you for selling your body to me. Besides, I've also heard Kitsunes make excellent-"

"I am not for sale." Youko growled, pushing the Oni's hand aside and stepping back.

The Chief shrugged. "Well then, neither are my men." He said. "Take your pick, Kitsune - your pride or your friend's life."

A/N:it's a short chapter, I know but I wanted to post something. It's been a while. I hope you guys like it. I'm writing part two and I intend to post it by this weekend if the workload isn't too hectic. If you could give an idea on how to continue any of the scenes, I'd gladly appreciate it. Don't forget to review!