Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho. I am just borrowing them for a while. Don't worry I'll give them back when I'm finished. Honestly!!!

Arlyssa Nighthawke

Atatakai hito kotoba wo karite Natsukashii hi no sugata wo karite Oshiyosete-kuru akuyume-tachi Nightmare!
Borrowing the words of a warm person
Borrowing the form of nostalgic days
Bad dreams step ever closer
Nightmare!

Nightmare, by Megumi Ogata

Nightmare, Chapter 2

Itari watch her prey mingle with the other human. They talked about a lot of things but she could not hear them, nor did she care. She was only there for one thing, and that is to complete her mission to Lord Ryudo. Finally the Makai will belong to Lord Ryudo, it's rightful owner, and first one to go when he rule supreme, would be that brat of Raizen. She will make she he knew the true meaning of pain. She would enjoy it immensely.

She then followed them to an odd shaped building. Humans lived right next to each other, but yet right on top of them. She could careless on the reason why this was like this. She was not going to stay here long, besides humans were weak stupid creatures. There is nothing there for respect. She kill could all of them in that building in an instant, but then she would be wasting time, and that would not look good on Lord Ryudo's part.

She stood there on a tree branch just outside the odd looking building, planning on how to get her prey. She was a bout to make her move when she felt a powerful demonic ki coming towards her. She quickly hid herself in the dense tree, masking her sent and you-ki. Out of nowhere a little demon showed up right outside the window she was watching. It was Mukuro's heir, the arrogant little firebrat. She watched him go in. This was not good; she did not want to face him now. He would only delay her even more, but ohh she would get him, right after Raizen's brat. Then she'll go after Mukuro and Yomi. All three lords of the Makai will know what's like to be on the sharp edge of her sword. She will make sure their deaths were slow and painful. Their pain expressions forever painted on their dead bodies. Ohh what a sight that would be. She smiled at the window.

"You are save now, my pet, but soon, soon you will be mine, and then.there will be nothing but pain for you." She then quickly left the area, laughing all the way.

***********************************************************************

Kurama smiled at the conversation that was going between his family. They were at the park celebrating his 'Kaasan birthday. It was lovely spring day, perfect for a picnic. Though his attention was not on the conversation, but on his brother. He did not appear to be disturbed at all; in fact he seemed.normal. To normal. Maybe talking about it helped, but somehow Kurama doubted that.

Hiei on the other hand was more disturbed by that dream than he let on. Actions speak louder than words. He had been woken up by Hiei this morning, and Hiei had proceeded to make love to him like there was no tomorrow and it would be their last time, not that he minded mind you. Even after they were done Hiei wanted to play a bit more, that is until Shuuichi yelled in from the second bedroom for them to be quiet. If he remembered correctly, the exact quote was: "Will you two be quiet!!! You have a guest for crying out loud, learn some consideration!! Sheesh you guys were much quieter at home, think you can remember how?" Kurama literally had to keep Hiei from roasting his brother on an open flame. He did not want to explain to his parents how Shuuichi died from fire burns when there was no fire. But still for Hiei to be this disturbed by a simple dream, something must be wrong.

To tell you the truth even Kurama was nervous. He was not disturbed, no he was nervous. Hiei said it was another Youko that looked like him. There was only one Youko out there that looked like him, and he did not want to run into him anytime soon. In fact Kurama never wanted to meet him ever again, just remembering that youko gave him chills. He'd have to be extra careful from now on.

"Shu-chan?"

Kurama, startled out of his thoughts, looked up at his mother, and gave her an innocent smile. "I'm sorry "Kaasan. I was not paying attention. What were you saying?"

"Obviously!" All three heads turn to the younger Shuuichi, whom had his arms crossed. "Probably to busy thinking of Hiei to be interested in our conversation. Though you would think that this morning's activities would last you through out the day, but apparently not. Of course there I was having a good full nights sleep, what ever you put in that tea helped, thank you, when I was awoken by sounds of you and Hiei doing the naked pretzel, with virgin ears in the next room. You nii-san, are insatiable."

Through out Shuuichi's speech, Kurama blushed, turning red with every word Shuuichi spoke. 'At least he didn't give out Hiei's gender, for that I'm thankful for.' thought Kurama. Then Kurama heard laughing. Here he was expected to hear some kind of scolding, but not laughing. He turned to his 'Kaasan and 'Tousan and saw they were both indeed laughing. Laughing, and not ...appalled? 'Tousan had his head thrown back and laughing his head off, and 'Kaasan had more of a controlled laughter, she had her hand covering her mouth and her shoulders were shaking. Tears were coming out from both pairs of eyes.

Shiori wiped away tear. "Ohh Shu-chan, you should have seen your face! Its color matched your hair. Ha ha ha ha! You need not worry Shu- chan, it's a fact of life and I'm glad you found someone worthy. Though you sound like your father. He too was insatiable."

"Your mother is right Shuiichi. Your face was bright red." said Kazuya Hatanaka, still laughing. He then turned to his own son. "As for you Shuuichi, it was a good comment, but when did you learn to talk like that? I think you're spending too much time with Sakura."

Shuuichi just hmphed.

Kurama still could not get over this. Not in a million years did he think his family was this open. 'I guess things change when one moves out.' he thought sarcastically. That was when he felt a familiar you-ki. He saw a sword out of the corner of his eye coming straight for his family. He quickly predicted where the sword would land and pushed his brother out of the way, landing on top of him. He felt pain as the sword cut through the flesh of his left arm and then imbedding itself into the ground. He looked down at his brother, who looked back at him in shock. Then he got up.

"Shuuichi you ok?" he asked and Shuuichi nodded. He heard a gasp from his mother

"Shu-chan! Your arm!"

Kurama looked at his arm, then back at his mother. "It's nothing 'Kaasan, just a scratch."

"You're sure nii-san? It looks like it's bleeding pretty bad."

Kurama smiled, despite the pain, and nodded. "Yes, I'm sure." He then turned his attention back to the sword. He knew that sword, and only one person held that sword. Itari!

The sword then began to move. It wiggled back and forth until finally it was free and flew back to its master. Kurama followed the direction in which the sword was traveling to a female fox demon, standing just outside the tree line of the park. He was instantly up on his feet, standing protectively in front of his family.

The fox demon caught the sword. She wore a tight fitting black armor. Though it looked like a one-piece jumpsuit, it was made out of the toughest demon hide there was; a short black skirt adorned her waist, along with the sword's sheath and a whip hanging at her side. Knee high boots covered her feet and shins. (AN: Think of the pink Power Ranger outfit, only in black without the gloves and helmet, and there you go.) Her red hair flowed down her back and her red tail flicked in annoyance. Her cold gray eyes narrowed. It nerved her that the red haired ningen pushed her prey out of the way. That attack was not meant to kill, but to stun only. This human must have extraordinary spiritual powers to be immune to that blade. Oh she knew that he was cut, she could smell his blood from here. Never the less, she will have her prey. She sheathed her sword and started to walk towards the little family, the red haired ningen stood guard the whole time. She stopped a few yards away. Her eyes turned to cold gray steel.

"You're the first ningen to ever stay immune to my sword's power. You should be out cold on the ground right now. You're lucky I wasn't aiming to kill."

Kurama narrowed his eyes. "And I thank you for that"

Itari's eyes narrowed even more. "Do not mock me ningen! Or you'll very soon find yourself in the afterlife."

"Then do not attack my family, Youkai, or you will be the one going to hell."

"Brave words my red haired ningen, but you're wasting my time. My Lord Ryudo is waiting for his prize."

"His prize? May I ask what that is?"

Itari laughed, "Since you are ready to throw your life to protect it I'll tell you. A person with gold eyes and silver hair. To you he may seem like an ordinary human, but if you know what to look for, he stands out like a sore thumb. The boy behind you is the one I want. I suggest you stand aside, unless of course you wish plan your funeral today."

Kurama's answer was to pull out a rose from his hair. "My decision stands the same. I will not let you near anyone of these people. ROSE WHIP!"

The rose suddenly extended and turned into Kurama's favorite weapon. Itari's face turned from cold emotionless, to surprise. "How do you know that technique? The only person with that ability is dead."

Kurama smiled evilly. "Correction, he's only been in hiding. And only recently has he been able to emerge. Youko Kurama, still lives."

Itari's eyes widen even more. 'He still lives? But how?' then it suddenly hit her. How else was this human able to perform the rose whip technique. Youko Kurama has taken a human form. "How could you?! How could you degrade yourself and take a weak human body? You are a demon!"

"I am no more demon than I am human. I assure you of that. Whatever Ryudo has planned I will stand in his way."

Itari narrowed her eyes again. This human form of Youko Kurama is weaker than his original form. Youko Kurama had great strength and beauty. This Kurama has nothing. For Kurama's sake she will get rid of this hideous, yet beautiful human form. In order to set him free she must. Lord Ryudo will understand and he would agree on what she is about to do. It may break his heart, but he would agree.

"Fine than ningen! You may be Kurama in human skin, but I will still defeat you. In order to set you free, and claim Lord Ryudo's prize, I must. Prepare yourself! Today you die!"

She pulled her own whip from her side, and went into a fighting stance. They studied each other for what seemed like hours when Itari made the first move. She swung her whip out and Kurama countered hit with a swing of his own. He then turned his attention to his family, not taking his eyes off Itari.

"'Tousan, I want you to take the others and run. Find a place to hide. I'll find you later and explain everything, but right now just run away."

"But Nii-san."

"Shuuichi GO!"

Shuuichi was surprised; his brother never spoke to him with that kind of tone. His brother was always soft spoken, but now, he's harsh. Shuuichi could only nod. Now he understood why people keep saying, it is always the quiet ones you have to watch out for. He turned to his parents. He could see that 'Tousan was indeed torn. Torn from running away, and staying to help. 'Kaasan just kept worried eyes to his brother. Finally his father spoke up.

"Shuiichi I trust your judgment on this. We will go, but you have to promise me you'll be careful."

"I will 'Tousan, just take care of 'Kaasan and Shuuichi."

"Don't worry, I will." He turned to Shiori and Shuuichi. "Let's go. Shiori, I trust Shuiichi to handle this, now you must." Shiori just nodded and all three of them got up and ran in the opposite direction from which Kurama and Itari was standing.

Itari saw this and unsheathed her sword. "Oh no you don't! Lord Ryudo will have his prize!" She then threw her sword, it headed straight for Shuuichi.

Kurama knew that once the sword was thrown, nothing could stop it from alternating its coarse, so quickly he ran after Shuuichi and once again knocked him out of the way. The sword this time grazed his back, pain shot up everywhere in his body and he fell to the ground with a thud.

Shuuichi lost his balance as he felt his brother push him out of the way, once again. He too fell to the ground, hard. He looked up after the shock of pain from falling hard on the ground went away, to see his brother also on the ground, but with a big sword wound across his back.

"Nii-san!!"

His brother was starting to get up also, but Itari wasn't done. She called back her sword, having it swipe his brother's back once again. Now there were two sword marks on his back. His brother cried out in pain and fell back down to the ground. He quickly ran to Kurama's side, and gathered him into his arms. He couldn't believe all the blood, it was everywhere. His brother would die from blood loss, if they didn't find help for him soon. His parents stopped short a few feet away, having heard his brother's cries.

Kurama couldn't feel anything but pain, not even his brother's arms around him, even though he knew that they were there. The sword's power was starting to take it's coarse. His back and arm felt like they were on fire and it felt like that fire would consume him with in minutes. He tried to forget the pain and burning and get up, but it was no use, he couldn't move. He slumped back down into his brother's arms and looked up at Itari as she came closer, stopping again a few feet.

"I told you would die today, and for not listening you can suffer. I will not grant you a quick death. That is not the way I work. The more pain the better, I always said. I doubt you have forgotten that. Now for what I came here for."

She turned to Shuuichi, bringing her whip up. And just as she was about to bring it down, a sphere of spirit energy came thundering towards her. She screamed in pain as the full force of that energy ball hit her, throwing her a few feet away.

Kurama turned his head to the direction in which the energy ball came from to find Yusuke Urameshi standing not to far away.

"I don't appreciate people killing my friends." He said to the prone body of Itari lying on the ground. Yusuke quickly ran over to Kurama and asked if he was ok. Kurama laughed a little as Yusuke helped him sit up.

"Impeccable timing as always Yusuke. Do not worry, these wounds are not as bad as when I had that death plant growing inside me." That caused Yusuke to smile.

"That's the spirit Kurama. Just hold tight and we'll get you to Yukina, just as soon as we take care of Itari." He died away as he looked over to where Itari's body should be, but found nothing there. On guard he looked around trying to find her ki signature, but he couldn't find her.

"Looking for me?" said a voice from the trees. "Over that last few centuries, I have learned to completely hide my ki signature. Good for me, bad for my enemies." The voice was bouncing all over the place, making it hard to pin point it. Suddenly a whip shot out of nowhere, wrapping itself around Shuuichi. He was then holstered into the air and disappeared into the trees, to stun to yell. "I have completed my mission. I hope to see you soon." With that she left. All traces of her gone and along with Shuuichi.

TBC..

_______________________________________________________________________

*Wipes forehead with back of hand* phew that took me forever to write. As I was writing this chapter for the first time, my computer froze and then I had rewrite everything. Ohhh that was frustrating. This was not my original plan, but I like how this turned out better. So please tell me what you think. Am I not being clear enough on anything? What? Anything you have issues on, please tell me and I'll try to fix it up. In the meantime I'll be snuggling my Hiei-bear. *Snuggles Hiei and holds on tighter as he tries to get away* Once again please review.

Arlyssa.