"My Queen, Kenji has arrived to see you," the chambermaid announced in a small voice. Moriko nodded at her, sitting in a vanity provided in her a separate room of her chambers. Youko sat on a couch lazily, arms crossed looking at her. Moriko played with her hair, brushing the long wet locks.

"Your Majesty," said Kenji, bowing, "you sent for me?"

"Yes," she spoke, turning to her messenger, "Seeing as I've been indisposed the past three years, I'm expecting a full report of the events that have taken place up until now."

"Of course. After the crowning of Ozora, we moved locations again. Yomi has been leaving us alone, but he was having some trouble with Shura. He enlisted our services and was thoroughly impressed with our work. We have been aiding him when he requires it.

"Had a bit of trouble with the felions a while back. Ozora and the new general have nothing close to the skill you possess. Many casualties were taken, but we were victorious.

"Other than that, things have more or less been quiet. We don't concern ourselves with anything unless it poses a threat to your realm. That was why we kept a close eye on Taichi when he arrived.

"The news of your arrival has had a very commanding effect on both worlds. Tremendous power was released on both sides, causing every living thing to retreat. When knowledge of your awakening came to me, I took the liberty of making any information afterwards confidential. Ozora no longer had the aithority."

"Why thank you, Kenji, good help is ever so hard to find. I think this calls for a promotion. You have proven yourself most useful, I'd like to have you as a personal advisor. In addition, you will oversee everything that goes on here, and I want every scrap of information delivered to you."

"It almost sounds like you're making me Regent, my Queen."

"Perhaps, but this way you have more freedom. I'd prefer if you were able to come when I wish instead of sending somebody that cannot be trusted with valuable information."

"Understood, Majesty."

"Now, what is the word with Hiroki?"

"Not a single breath has been uttered of his arrival. Even his underlings seemed to have crawled down a hole of some sort."

"I see. What about a demon called Arashi?"

"Ah, that one has caused quite the concern in the South. Brought a whole army to Yomi's doorstep and demanded entry. Yomi of course had none of that, dismissing his demands to be named king. His army was defeated and Yomi had Arashi banished from this world. He licked his wounds for about a year before starting to cause trouble again in Ningenkai."

"Do you know his exact whereabouts?" asked Youko.

"Of course, my King."

"We'll need that location. In the meantime, what can you tell me about the demon that made this mark?" asked Youko, showing Kenji the wolf mark on his thigh.

"It was before my time, but our records indicate that she is dead."

"You are smarter than that, Kenji. We know she is dead or else the mark would not have shown. What about her sister?"

"She's been lurking around Yomi's fromer territory."

"We will require that location as well."

"Very well, your Majesties."

"For now, see if you can locate Yayoi and send her to me at the temple after I leave," commanded Moriko.

"Yayoi, your Majesty? What could you possibly want with her?"

"She held your job before you did, and has much more experience. If there is something you missed, she will find it."

Kenji bowed a little stifly before leaving the room. Morki ran a brush through her hair one more time before standing. She was aware of her mates golden eyes on her, but she didn't acknowledge them.

"This is what you did before our life?" he questioned.

"Yes," she answered simply.

"It's quite tedious and boring."

"Agreed."

"Perhaps you should hang someone, that would please me."

She smirked, "Power getting to your head already? Falling into the old ways are we?"

He grinned, taking her in his arms, "Never, koishii."

"That is good. I would hate for you to regret more of your demon side."

They sat in silence for a couple of hours. They were both thinking of what their next move. Moriko knew that once Kenji brought back the information they needed, they would be able to leave. Of course, they would have to stop by and see Yomi first to discuss the encounter he had with Arashi. Yomi was also a good asset for what has been going on in the past three years. Yusuke's group kept up with them, but Moriko knew how to handle him as a King better than anyone else did. She was, after all, monarch herself.

"When we go to Yomi, do you plan to kill him?" asked Youko.

She sighed sadly, "No, not this time. It will be stricktly bisiness with him. I'll need it done before the next tournament. A new ruler may be someone I disagree with, and that could prove tiresome."

"Agreed. And what will you do about the wolf?"

"That is another matter entirely," her voice was full of malice.

"I would prefer of you left her to me. I notice you seem to have all the fun."

"You can dispose of the bitch then."

"Gladly."

"Once we find Arashi, we'll take Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, Yayoi and Kenji with us and mount an attack. I'd like to have him blocked in from all sides."

"It will take time to prepare for an attack like that. It is obvious that we will all need to undergo some training."

"Yes. But it will have to wait until we know about Arashi and who he's been dealing with. We can discuss it after we get back to the temple."

...

It was maybe a few days later that they got all that they needed. When they were ready, they left the realm of the Wolf Clan. Moriko was happy to break free of the dull past of her life. She started to run as fast as she could, leaving her mate in her dust. She was laughing, the Makai sun was setting meaning their target would be out soon. She turned in the direction she knew her prey was and then stopped for her mate to catch up.

She may have promised the death to her mate, but that didn't mean she couldn't at least have some fun. He caught up to her faster than she thought he would. She took off again, trying to find a land mark that would tell her how close she was to the wolf's den.

Another few hours and Moriko started to slow down. This demon was old, much older than the two of them, and had the power of many mates. They would have to be careful. They kept a pace that got them close enough to catch a scent. Finally, they saw a figure in the distance. It was the wolf. She was standing there, waiting for them, a smug look occupying her face.

"I was wondering how long it would take your Majesty to find me," she said. Despite her age, she looked young, almost as young as Moriko. All the powers of her mates flowed with her, including Youko's. Moriko glared at the wolf, keeping her own powers in check. This demon obviously wanted to show off her power, try to intimidate them. Moriko knew better than that.

"Tell me, how would you like to die?" asked Moriko.

The she-wolf laughed in her face, "I was about to ask you the same thing. If I realized how powerful this young fox was to become, I would have kept him for myself. He's very handsome, isn't he? I can see why you'd leave your cushy life of a Queen to be with him."

"You have failed to answer my question, bitch."

"My beloved kitsune, come back to me and leave this used up piece of trash aside," said the wolf, her eyes glowing a strange amber. Moriko frowned, wondering what kind of trick this was. She looked at her mate. He was glaring with his arms crossed. She noticed that his stance was starting to weaken. That wasn't a good sign. Moriko charged up her powers of dark, summoning her mouri kouba. She used the sheer force her power, sending a wave towards her enemy. The wolf was hit, taking a few steps back. That amber glow was still in her eyes.

Moriko checked on her mate, his arms were down, and his stare was of wonder at the wolf. Moriko growled, turning her attention back to her enemy. She was not going to let this bitch take her mate from her. Not a chance in hell. She charged at her enemy, fully intent on severing the connection between her and her mate. Moriko was pushed back, hitting a tree hard enough to indent the thick bark. The wind was knocked out of her, this demon more powerful than she thought. Moriko was up in a manner of seconds, noting that her mate had taken a step towards their enemy. This was not going well.

The Queen tried again, utilizing her speed. It made no difference, she was just sent back. She growled again, getting up and sending a mixture of dark and light towards the bitch. Her attack was sent straight towards her. Moriko screamed, never realizing how powerful she really was. Those attacks nearly knocked her out. Her vision was blurred a little. She was on her knees, trying to focus. She had to protect her mate, but she couldn't stand. She had finally made it to her feet, her mate dangerously close to her enemy.

"Give up?" the wolf smiled.

"Never," said Moriko, standing.

"You might as well. There is no way you can ever hope to defeat me."

"You will not take him!"

"He was mine before you were even born!"

"You left him to die!"

"If I had known how important he really was, what he was to become, I would have never let him go. He was so young and innocent then," Youko had made it to the wolf, and she stroked his face, "I was the first to claim him, and you, my dear, will be the last."

"I cannot wait to sever your head."

"You'll be waiting a long time, my dear."

"Your voice grows tiresome. Let me fix that."

Moriko tried her attacks again, throwing forces of light and dark power towards her enemy. It seemed to work, she was about to launch her last attack. She felt something wrap around her stomach and move her away before her final blow could be delivered. She was confused, wondering what had happened. She looked up and saw her mate standing over her, pure killer instinct in his eyes. She studied them, worried. He had never looked at her in any other way than love. Now he looked at her like she was any other prey, one that he was going to kill if she so much as blinked the wrong way. She couldn't move, his stare piercing, freezing her in place. This was how he was in the past, how his enemies were so easy for him to take down. The unblinking golden stare was menacing, she was afraid to make a move. His rose whip was in his hand, he had used it to keep her from delivering the kill.

"Youko..." she breathed, hoping that she could get through to him.

"On your knees. It'll be easier to kill you that way," he commanded in an icy tone. Her tawny eyes widened. If she thought she couldn't move before under his gaze, the tone of his voice froze every part of her body. She was scared, more afraid than she had ever been before in her life. She had to will herself to move, do something, get out of his reach. She was faster than him, she could get away. But she didn't want to leave him, she wanted to get the psycho out of his head so that she could have him back.

"Youko, this is not you," she spoke in a light voice.

He wrapped the rose whip around her neck, forcing her on her knees and choking her. She held the vine, trying desperately to relieve the pressure on her neck. He released her and she gasped for air, holding her throat.

"Kill her!" screamed the bitch.

"My precious kitsune, do not do this..." she looked into his golden eyes. He ignored her, and she could feel his energy starting to power up. He was really going to kill her, she couldn't believe this was how she was going to lose him. She started to growl. She was not going to let this happen. She used her weapon to knock him back, something he wasn't expecting. The bitch was about to unleash another attack, but a short fire demon wasn't letting that happen.

Hiei stood at Moriko's side, facing the fox and the bitch. His sword was out, blood dripping from it. The bitch was screaming when she realized she was missing a hand. Youko attacked, but two of them were much faster than the fox. The fire and light demons unleashed a powerful dual long rang attack. The force of it was immense, Moriko not even knowing that she could combine her powers with Hiei in such a way. She was happy that she did, but not happy that her mate happened to be in the way. What choice did she have? He now wanted to kill her.

When the smoke of their attack cleared, her mate and the bitch were nowhere to be seen. Moriko knew they weren't in the area, they were gone. She had lost her mate, he was gone. She feared the next time she saw him, he was going to kill her.

...

hello my lovelies, i apologize deeply for neglecting you. thank you so much for stickin' it out, i will do my best to put another one up soon!