Disclaimer: I don't own the YYH characters, but I do reserve the rights to Takashi Ashitare. She's my little mystic.

A/N: Just some definitions. Just in case.

Kijo – means demoness, or witch

Oniisan – means (older) brother

Otousan – means father

Kaasan – means mother

Of Mystics and Youkai

Chapter 3

Meeting with a Junior God - part one

"You know you don't have to wait with me."

"What else am I gonna do around here? Besides, if we're gonna be teammates, maybe we should get to know each other."

Ashitare raises a suspicious eyebrow at the Toushin. He had insisted on coming with her to see Koenma despite her insistence that her meeting would be private. So here she was, sitting outside Koenma's office, while he was doing who knows what, starting to second guess her decision to come in the first place. She looks over at Yusuke. He's reclining on the oversized chair next to her, eyes closed, with a content smile on his face. Ashitare lets a small sigh escape her lips as she leans back in her chair, adopting the same posture.

"So what do you want to know?"

"Tell me about your otousan. You mentioned him earlier. Sounded like a pretty powerful guy."

A shadow briefly crosses over Ashitare's face at the mention of Shirogane. Not a good first question. "Not much to tell. He's a Mystic Elder. Very old, very powerful, very set in his ways. Haven't seen him in over 200 years. I don't even know where he lives."

"Mystic Elder?"

"The mystics are governed by four ruling Elders. One to represent each branch of the ancient line."

"So can your family trace its origins back to the ancients?"

Ashitare heard the awe in Yusuke's voice. She hated it when others thought that being descended from the ancients was so wonderful and such an honor. They were disillusioned morons. "Yeah. It sounds impressive until you realize all the forced marriages and breeding that took place to preserve the ancient lines. Then, you become less enthralled."

Yusuke cringed at her response. Oops… "Ok. What about your kaasan?"

"She died when I was very young. I only have faint memories."

Yusuke sits up and looks over at the young mystic reclining in the chair. She seemed unperturbed at sharing the information. "I'm sorry."

Ashitare opens one eye to peer over at Yusuke and gives him a small smile. "Thank you, but its ok now. I've had many years to deal."

Yusuke leans back in his chair, satisfied she wasn't mad at him for bringing up her kaasan. "How old are you?"

"Isn't it considered rude to ask that question of a female in the Ningenkai?"

"We're not in the Ningenkai. And neither one of us is human. If you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine."

Ashitare can't help but chuckle. She liked Yusuke. He was honest, funny, and not too bad to look at. "I'm more than 400, but less then 500."

Yusuke sits bolt upright with a shocked look on his face. "No way! How can you look like that and be that old?"

Now it was the mystic's turn to sit up in shock. "What in all the seven hells is that supposed to mean? What's wrong with the way I look?"

"Nothing! That's my point."

"Oh." Ashitare slowly slides back down in her chair, staring at the ceiling once again. "Yusuke, you're a demon. You should know how old demons can get. Your species of demon have been known to live for more than 2000 years."

"Yeah, I know. I just wasn't expecting that high a number."

"Hn."

Yusuke slid back down in his chair, relaxing once again.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"How old are you?"

Yusuke shrugged, "I guess technically I'm 10 years old."

Ashitare's laughter bounced off the high ceilings, carrying it down the expansive hallway. Yusuke sank lower in his chair, his face flushed. Ashitare is now doubled over with laughter. Yusuke gets to his feet, glowering at the guffawing mystic. "It's not that funny! I'm only that in demon years. I lived in the Ningenkai for 17 years."

"Ooooh. So now you're 27 years old. That makes you a big boy!"

To add further emphasis to her mocking, Ashitare leans in close to Yusuke's face and taps his nose on the last two words. Yusuke just stands there, red faced and angry. But the more he hears Ashitare's laughter, the more his anger fades until finally, he too is laughing.

Ashitare is wiping the tears from her eyes, her laughing and breathing under control, "Ah, Yusuke, thank you! I haven't laughed that hard since Kurama told me how he ended up in the Ningenkai."

Before Yusuke can ask about her relationship with the youko, the door to Koenma's office swings open and the teenaged Koenma emerges. "I'm glad to see someone is having a good time."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Meeting with a Junior God – part two

Koenma walks back into his office as Ashitare and Yusuke follow closely behind. She hesitates, thinking of reminding Yusuke she wanted a private meeting, but something stopped her.

Koenma sits behind his desk, his face telling Ashitare that he meant business. "Ashitare, I'm glad to see you've agreed to join this mission."

"I haven't agreed to anything Koenma. I have a few questions for you first. Why did you ask me? Did my otousan decline your request?"

Yusuke starts at the sudden change in Ashitare's demeanor. Her voice is even, business like, with no hint of the carefree girl that was just there seconds ago. He had seen a similar transformation at her home, and it unsettled him a bit.

"To be perfectly honest, we haven't asked your otousan." He fidgets in his chair, and begins straightening some papers. "We, uh, can't find him."

"So I was right. I am your second choice."

"Technically, you're our first choice, since we haven't asked anybody else."

Ashitare smirked at the junior god, "You love your technicalities, don't you?"

Koenma's voice becomes a bit sharp, not appreciating the mocking tone of the mystic. "Hey, it worked in favor of a certain fire demon friend of yours missy."

"That leads to my second question. Why send Yusuke? Why not Kurama and Hiei?"

"Two reasons actually. First, as team leader, it is Yusuke's responsibility. Second, it would put Kurama and Hiei in a very awkward position. This is a very dangerous mission and to be perfectly frank, I didn't trust them to follow through and ask you. I also don't want you involved out of loyalty."

Ashitare watches Koenma for any signs of deception. He appeared to be telling the truth. But there was still something about the whole situation that bothered her. It was a little nagging sensation at the back of her mind. Ashitare looks over at Yusuke, smiles at him, and takes a deep breath, slowly exhaling.

"Well Yusuke?"

"Well what?"

"You said at my house you didn't want me on your mission and that you were just honoring Koenma's request. Do you still feel that way?"

Yusuke smirks at the mystic next to him and throws his hands up in the air, "I guess it won't be so bad. Besides, I said that before I found out you were good friends with Hiei and Kurama. I only had Koenma's word to go on, and sorry guy, but God or no God, I'd much rather have skills verified by somebody I respect as a fighter."

"No offense taken. I'm just glad you follow orders. Well, if that does it for the inquisition, I'll see you guys back here when the whole team arrives. No sense in repeating myself."

"So what are we supposed to do in the meantime? Twiddle our thumbs?"

Ashitare got out of her chair and yanked Yusuke out of his, pulling him out the door with her. "C'mon Yusuke, I'll show you a magic trick. Kids your age like that sort of thing, right?"

Koenma can hear Yusuke start to rant over Ashitare's laughter as his door shuts tightly behind the pair. He shakes his head, hoping he's made the right decision. He hated deceiving Ashitare. They had tried to locate Shirogane for help with this mission. But the more they looked, the more it seemed he might be the one they needed help with.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Magic trick

Yusuke and Ashitare wandered around the Reikai, trying to stay out of everyone's way. They had no idea how long it would take for the rest of the Urameshi team to arrive, so they kept walking until they finally found a quiet spot on a large balcony overlooking the walkways of the Spirit World. Ashitare sank down to the floor and patted the spot next to her. "Sit down. My turn."

Yusuke eyed the mystic suspiciously as he sat down where she indicated. "Your turn for what?"

"I get to ask you questions now. If you're going to be my team leader, I feel I should know a few things about you Yusuke Urameshi of the Toushin and Reikai Tantei."

"Would you stop calling me that? And I'm not done with my questions. How did you meet Kurama?"

"He sought my services." She saw Yusuke's eyebrows raise in question, no doubt wondering what kind of services the youko would be seeking. "He needed a spell for a particularly difficult job. I obliged. End of story. Get your mind out of the gutter."

"So the great Yoko Kurama didn't do it all himself, huh? But how did you become friends? From what I understand, Kurama was quite the bastard back then. How could you be friends with someone like that?"

"You assume too much about me. I was using Kurama just as he was using me. With each new success, Kurama solidified my reputation. With a good reputation, you get more jobs. More jobs, more money."

"Ok. So that covers the business partner thing. But a friend is completely different. What happened?"

Ashitare hugs her knees to her chest and smiles. She concentrates on a small knick in the floor a few feet in front of her. "I don't know why I'm telling you this Yusuke. For some reason, I find you very easy to talk to." She turned her gaze to the toushin next to her, and she smiled. "And I don't like it."

Yusuke smiles back. He knows the feeling. Despite his initial concern about her joining the team, in the short time he'd spent with her, he had become totally at ease with her. He leaned over and bumped his shoulder into hers, causing her to sway just a little.

"So tell me."

"He wouldn't bed me." She turns her attention back to the floor, looking as if she could see the memory playing back on its surface. "He came to see me one day about a spell and I was upset about some youkai not returning my affections and needed comforting. He stayed with me and we talked, and ate and drank into the early morning hours. I seem to remember more drink then food. Then all it took was one drunken misstep into Kurama's lap and the situation became….awkward."

Yusuke watched as Ashitare's eyes seemed distant and a slight flush rose to her cheeks. "He kissed me. Just once. And it is still the most wonderful thing I have ever felt in my life. But…" Ashitare cleared her throat and turned to face Yusuke, "…instead of doing what any other youko would have done in the situation, he carried me to bed and sang me to sleep. He even left me something to get rid of the headache the next morning. That's when I knew he was my friend and not a business associate."

Yusuke looks at the mystic next to him. What is it about her? In a single afternoon, she had managed to captivate him. He found himself just wanting to be around her.

"Yusuke? You in there?"

Yusuke snapped out of his daze and realized he had been staring at Ashitare. "Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. Guess I just have a hard time picturing you drunk off your ass. Literally."

"Yeah, well, as they say, anyone can be a shapeshifter."

"Don't I know it."

Ashitare swings herself around to face Yusuke. She sits cross-legged leaning back on her palms. "Alright, no escaping. My turn." Yusuke sees the sparkle in those blue eyes and he's suddenly worried what she's going to pry out of him. "Ready?"

"I doubt it."

"I already know the folklore of Yusuke. I've heard some pretty interesting stories from Kurama and Hiei. Well, Kurama really. You know Hiei. Anyway, let's start with something easy. Family?"

"Just my kaasan. She was never much of one, but she's the only one I have. No dad. My kaasan never told me anything about him. But with my kaasan's lifestyle, she may just be hiding the fact that she doesn't know. No siblings or other members to speak of. My friends are my family."

"Do you miss the Ningenkai and your kaasan?"

Yusuke shrugs, "Every now and again. Mostly for its comforts. Soda, ice cream, movies, that sort of thing. I don't really miss my kaasan. We always had our separate lives anyway. She doesn't know anything about the Reikai, or what I was, or who I became. When I was resurrected in my Toushin form, I went home and told her I was moving to Kyoto."

Ashitare crinkled her nose as she asked the next question on her mind, "What were you like as a child?"

Yusuke chuckles and runs his hands through his hair. "I was a punk. I skipped school, got into all kinds of fights, and was generally an ass."

Ashitare laughs. Not at him, he realizes, but with him. Then she pushes off and leans in real close, her eyes boring into his, "Lover?"

Yusuke blinks at her, a slightly startled look on his face. "That's a bit personal, dontcha think?"

"C'mon, I told you about Kurama."

"Yeah, but nothing happened."

"So tell me something that 'didn't' happen to you."

Yusuke watched Ashitare lean back on her hands again. She looks like she's settling in for stories by the campfire. And gods be damned, she looks adorable doing it. Yusuke cleared his throat, "Ok, something that didn't happen to me." Yusuke thinks for a moment. He isn't sure he has any stories like that. Keiko was the only person he's had any sort of relationship with. And the two girls at the club he and Raizen frequented weren't something he was willing to share. Yusuke ran his hands through his hair again, and then looked Ashitare in the eyes. "I didn't end up with the woman I thought I would."

Yusuke leans back and stares up into the sky, with a smirk, and continues. "We had known each other since we were five years old. She was always trying to point me down the right path. Go to school, stay out of fights, that sort of thing. She was the one who believed in me and ultimately saved my body so I could be resurrected the first time. But the life of a Reikai Tantei doesn't really allow for a normal life, much less a normal relationship. She was put into danger too many times. I put her through so much, but she hung in there, always there for me."

He sighs and his smile disappears. He returns his gaze to Ashitare's intent eyes, suddenly nervous at her rapt attention to his story. "Things were always….volatile between us. We argued a lot, but we did love each other in our own way. After the whole mess with Sensui I knew it was time to end it. She couldn't live in the Makai and I couldn't live in the Ningenkai and have a normal life. So I left. She's married now, to some nice normal guy. They own a restaurant in my hometown and I visit whenever I'm in town. We still argue, but now she doesn't hit me with her right hook."

With that last statement, Yusuke's smirk returned. They remain silent for awhile, just looking at each other. Ashitare doesn't know what to say. She finally turns away, unable to hold the amber gaze any longer.

"Ashitare?"

Yusuke's voice is low, gentle. And it sounds so good to her. She looks up at Yusuke and can't help but smile. "Thank you for sharing that with me."

Yusuke just smiles back. He didn't know what it was about her, but he knew he wanted to find out. "I just realized something." He points a finger at Ashitare, "You owe me a Majik trick."

"Huh?"

"You said you'd show me a Majik trick when we left Koenma's office." Yusuke was making a "shooing" motion with his hand, "So get busy Mystic woman. Show me something!"

Ashitare's face is a mixture of incredulity and humor. She chuckles as she stands up, dragging Yusuke with her. "Ok, what do you want to see?"

"Surprise me."

"Alright. I want you to close your eyes and think of somebody. It can be anybody but yourself. Or me. I want you to concentrate on how that person looks. Ok?"

"Ok."

Ashitare closes her eyes and places her hands on Yusuke's temple. She reaches into Yusuke's mind and finds the person. Oh, this should be funny…

"Now open your eyes."

Yusuke could feel her presence within his mind and suddenly his body felt warm and tingly. "Well? What was the big deal? Hey, did you get bigger?"

Ashitare bites her lip trying to stifle the laughter welling up inside her. She places her hands in front of Yusuke's face and they become a mirror. She's sure the scream Yusuke lets out could be heard from one corner of the Renkai to the other. She can't take it anymore and bursts out laughing. "What did you do to me! Stop laughing and tell me what you did!"

Ashitare watches as Yusuke, looking like Koenma, glares up at her, big brown puppy eyes throwing daggers. "Aw, c'mon Yusuke. I think you look cute." She pats him on the head, "And you have the cutest little scowl!" Ashitare pinches his cheeks for emphasis and Yusuke/Koenma smacks her hands away and kicks her in the shin. "Hey! Watch it shorty! You picked the person."

"You change me back, right this instant or I'll--"

"Or you'll what? Throw your pacifier at me?" Ashitare starts laughing again. Yusuke/Koenma clenches his fists at his sides, his face blood red in anger. His fists begin to glow with Spirit Energy and he gets a wicked smile on his cherubic face as he realizes he may look like Koenma, but he still has his own powers.

"Change me back."

"No. I'm not afraid of your little popgun. I might just keep you this way for the meeting. Which should be soon I would imagine."

"Don't make me shoot you Ashitare! I'll do it!"

Ashitare looks down at the diminutive god figure, a smug smile taunting the toushin. "Go ahead. Take a shot."

"Fine!" Yusuke/Koenma raises his hand and shoots. It's not his full Rei Gun by any means, but it would be enough to throw her back a bit. Ashitare watches the energy blast heading towards her and readies herself. Yusuke follows his shot to its intended target and watches it explode upon impact. He winces, trying to see through the smoke if Ashitare was ok. Maybe he had acted too rash. It was a stupid thing to do. Walking towards the smoke as fast as his little legs could carry him, Yusuke/Koenma feels a tickle in the back of his head. He turns around to see Ashitare smiling down at him. She bends down and pinches his cheeks.

"You are so cute!" Yusuke yells some curses she can't quite understand around the pacifier. She dodges volley after volley as she starts to close in on Yusuke/Koenma, forcing him to change attacks. He jumps back a few paces and Ashitare halts her progress. "Are you ready to play nice young man?"

"Change me back now!"

"Uh uh. Not 'til you ask nicely."

"Go to hell!"

Yusuke/Koenma rushes Ashitare. She decides to stand her ground, see what the little guy has got in him. He launches at her with a fist aimed right at her face. She blocks the impending blow easily and follows through with a smack on his ass.

"Naughty boy! You should treat your elders with respect."

Yusuke/Koenma rushes Ashitare again. The two trade blows, blasts and insults all around the balcony. Ashitare has Yusuke/Koenma on the ground in a headlock when Koenma and the rest of the Urameshi team walk out onto the balcony.

"What in the seven hells is going on out here? And what are you doing to---? Me!"

Ashitare and Yusuke/Koenma freeze. They turn to see Koenma, Kurama, Kuwabara and Botan looking on in shock. Hiei, Ashitare notices, is smiling. Ashitare lets go of Yusuke/Koenma and they quickly get on their feet, faces red from fighting and embarrassment.

Yusuke starts to explain, his speech so fast the words seemed to blend, "Ashitare showed me a Majik trick and she told me to think of somebody and the first picture that popped into my head was you. And she teased me and you know how I don't like being teased and my temper and so…" Yusuke growled and threw his hands up in frustration, "…so naturally we fought."

"We were just playing around." Ashitare hits Yusuke on the head and he returns to normal in a puff of smoke. Koenma walks back into the building without further comment. Ashitare's face transforms into a big smile as she goes over to greet her friends. "Kurama, Hiei! I'm so glad to see you."

She jumps into Kurama's arms for a big hug. Hiei, arms crossed over his chest, looks up at the two and snorts. "And I suppose I'm invisible?"

Ashitare releases Kurama and gives Hiei a warm hug. She leans into his ear and whispers, "I was saving the best for last." Hiei gives her a quick smile before returning to his usual stoic mask.

Kuwabara jerks a thumb towards Ashitare, "Who's the girl?"

Yusuke places a hand on his friend's shoulder, smiling as he watches Ashitare with her friends, "I'll explain later."

Hiei eyes the mystic suspiciously, "What are you doing here?"

Kurama leaned in close to Ashitare, his voice carrying every bit of his kitsune playfulness, "And what were you and Yusuke doing?"

Ashitare snakes her arm in Kurama's as they walk into the building, "Uh, it's a long story. Let's go talk about it in Koenma's office." She quickly ducks her head back out onto the balcony, "Yusuke, the adults are gonna go talk now. Why don't you stay out here and play with your friend, ok?"

"That's it! You're dead!"

Yusuke sprints after Ashitare down the hallway. Kurama, Hiei, Kuwabara and Botan follow silently in shock. Ashitare's laughter and Yusuke's cursing can be heard echoing throughout the halls.

To be continued…..