Disclaimer: I don't own YYH, but I own this story and characters Korio and Jerin.

"What is this place?" Yusuke asked.

They were now in a small cavern of some sort, mildly decorated with different assortments of Makai plants. In the corner was what looked something like a bed, and next to it was an opening cut in the wall, probably a closet. On the wall above the bed hung a wooden katana. Opposite the bed was a small wooden table. The chairs were stones with flat tops.

"Wherever we are, it's pretty creepy."

Jerin growled softly. "This happens to be my home."

Yusuke narrowed his eyes. "Oh, well excuse me for breathing," he muttered.

"You're not excused," Jerin shot back.

Yusuke was about to reply, but a cold look from Korio stopped their argument.

"Why don't you have a seat, Yusuke?" Korio asked, gesturing to a stone with the top flattened. Yusuke sat, but continued to glare at Jerin. Both remined silent.

That issue dealt with, Korio turned to his partner. "I think it's safe for you to show him your true form," he said.

Jerin glanced at the Detective.

True form? thought Yusuke.

"Are you sure?" Jerin asked. "I don't trust him."

"Well, I do, and I think you've worked with me long enough to know that I'm never wrong about this sort of thing," Korio argued.

Jerin glared at him. "Hn. Fine."

Yusuke was reminded briefly of Hiei and Kurama. Yes, this was exactly the kind of argument those two would have. Yusuke wondered what would happen if Hiei and Jerin were ever to meet. "I bet they'd have a field day," he muttered.

"What was that?" Jerin asked. "Human?" he added under his breath.

"Oh, nothing," Yusuke said.

Jerin lowered his eyebrows. "Hn."

"Well?" Korio said, breaking a long silence. Jerin nodded.

Slowly Jerin began to change. His ears grew longer and pointed at the tip. His eyes became a brighter shade of mint green. His black hair fluttered in the breeze and changed to a turquoise color. His skin brightened from yellowy-peach to a dull yellow. He grew slightly taller, and his two canine teeth elongated and sharpened slightly. His nails grew and sharpened until they became almost claw like. Three stripes appeared on the left side of his face. They reached up from his jaw bone to about mid-cheek. Two were short and mint green like his eyes. The center one was longer and a deep blue color.

Yusuke watched with a shocked expression on his face. He'd never seen anything like this before. And these two might trust him, but he didn't trust them. He didn't know anything about them aside from their names and their jobs.

But on second thought, Yusuke didn't know if that was true, either. He stood up and began to back away.

"Don't," Korio said. "He's quite friendly."

Yusuke stopped moving, but still he stood, ready to attack if necessary.

Jerin completed his transformation. He threw a sidelong glance at his partner, then closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I've been trapped in that pathetic human form far too long," he said. Then he sighed in contentment. "It's good to be back."

Korio smiled. "Glad to have you back, my friend."

Jerin looked at him with his emotionless eyes and Korio stared into them with his own. Finally, after many curious looks from Yusuke, they broke the stare, and the wordless communication.

Jerin looked away, jumped up, flipped in midair, and dove headlong toward the ground.

"What's he doing?" Yusuke yelled. Korio simply smiled.

A split second before he hit, a pool of water erupted, and the demon hunter disappeared into it without the slightest splash.

Korio laughed at Yusuke's wide-eyed expression. "Jerin is a Sparian," he said.

Yusuke looked at him in confusion.

"A Sparian is a demon of many elements," Korio explained. "Sparians are very in tune with nature. They can talk to the trees, the water, even the earth, and make them bend to their will. Jerin is extremely skilled in this art. He can make animals, and sometimes even people, listen to his commands."

Yusuke gulped.

"Not to worry, though," Korio chuckled. "Jerin is on our side. And even if he wasn't, he could only control you if you were weak-minded. Which I hear you aren't."

Yusuke sighed in relief and nodded at Korio's words. "Yep. Hard-headed, that's me!"

At that moment, the pool of water disappeared from inside the cave. "He's coming out," Korio said, grabbing Yusuke's arm and pulling him to the entrance of the cave. "You'll want to see this."

All of a sudden, the ground outside the cave shook. A huge stream of water exploded from the ground, and with it came Jerin. He was shot high into the air.

"Wow," Yusuke said in pretend amazement.

Korio heard the Detective's sarcasm. "Just watch," he said.

The stream of water evaporated, and the ground solidified. Jerin came plummeting down to the earth. Suddenly he was caught in a burst of strong wind that whipped him around and tossed him playfully through the sky. Finally, Jerin was lowered onto the ground, his clothing completely dry and his hair not the slightest bit messy.

"Nice," said Yusuke like he didn't care, but really he was impressed.

Jerin tossed his head to the side, letting his hair fall out of his eyes. "I suppose you think I'm quite a show-off," he said with no emotion in his voice. "Really that is a way of training. I've been away from the elements for a long time, and that time was spent finding you. I had to make sure my abilities were still intact."

Yusuke shrugged. "Whatever." He turned to Korio in annoyance. "Now that the introductions are over, I'm curious. Why were you looking for me? And why did you bring me here?"

…………………

Frozen Flame: I really have nothing interesting to say, except that there is a plot here. I promise you there is a plot. I don't know where it is at the moment, though. It's here somewhere…oh wait! looks through telescope Is that the plot? No, not that! That! Over there! points to something in the distance Yeah, right there. What did you say? Oh, it's just a shrubbery. growls

Kurama: A very nice shrubbery.

Frozen Flame: Yes, a very nice shrubbery indeed.

Kurama: I planted it, you know.

Frozen Flame: Really?

Kurama: Yup.

Frozen Flame: Coolies! hugs Kurama Thank you for planting the shrubbery!

Kurama: Gah! is being strangled Could you please get off?

Frozen Flame: Only if you promise to plant another one!

Kurama: Another shrubbery?

Frozen Flame: Yes, another shrubbery, only plant this one slightly higher than that one so we can have the two level effect with a little path running down the middle.

Hiei, Yusuke, Jin, and Karasu: A path! A path! A path! A path!

FF: to Hiei, Yusuke, Jin, and Karasu Shhh!

Hiei, Yusuke, and Jin: shush

Karasu: A path!

Jin: bops Karasu on the head

Karasu: Ow! passes out

Kurama: Okay, I shall plant you your shrubbery!

Frozen Flame: hugs Kurama even tighter THANK YOU!

Kurama: You said you'd get off...

Frozen Flame: Oh, right! gets off Thank you!

Kurama: You're welcome!

Frozen Flame: What kind of shrubbery will it be?

Kurama: A plot shrubbery, of course.

Frozen Flame: Plot shrubbery?

Kurama: Yes. It's a shrubbery that tells you and the readers the plots to stories that you and the readers have know clue as to what the actual plot is.

Frozen Flame: Coolies! hugs Kurama again

Karasu: gets up; says in a dazed voice A path...

Jin: bops K on the head again

Karasu: A paaaaath...passes out

Kurama: is not being strangled this time but still feels uncomfortable Please get off.

Frozen Flame: Okay! gets off When you plant the plot shrubbery I can ask it where the plot of this story is!

Kurama: You and the readers must find the plot! I shall get to work right away!

Frozen Flame: Thank you!

Karasu: gets up, eyes crossed A path!