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

A/N: kaasan (mother); otousan (father)

Of Mystics and Youkai

Chapter 6

Interlude

Ashitare can't fall asleep. She keeps seeing the fortress when she closes her eyes. Finally, she goes to Kurama for help. He grew a plant that would induce sleep and gave her a few leaves. She gratefully ate the leaves and laid down a few paces away from Hiei.

Kurama watches as Hiei goes over and lies down next to the mystic, putting an arm around her protectively, and raising his ki to keep her warm. A small smile appears on Kurama's face. Hiei and the girl had become the closest of friends from the day Kurama introduced them. They both shared a passion for swordplay and tormenting Kurama. They're good for each other. I really think she brings out a paternal instinct in him.

When she left her otousan's protection, Ashitare secreted herself away for fifty years. When Kurama had heard someone say they spotted her, he took a trip to the mentioned province to look for her. When he found her, she was subdued. Not the bright cheerful mystic troublemaker he knew. Ashi related some details to Kurama while they passed through the market, Kurama stealing an apple here, a bottle of wine there, whatever he wanted at the time. She had spent 35 years wandering the Makai. Kurama often wondered why she never went to stay with her master, Tagashi Masamoto. She had never answered that question. After wandering, she spent 5 years building her house. And a mystic's house was not a light undertaking. The fact that she did it herself was a testament to her power and determination. Once she had a home, she continued with her studies, gaining knowledge and power. She said Tagashi had finally found her and forced her to join the world again. She resumed her training with Tagashi, even if sporadically, and realized maybe she was missing out. So there she was, in the market, not really doing much, just enjoying the commotion around her.

He had enjoyed visiting with his friend that day. But a few years later, he lost track of her again. Then, it was Kurama's time to disappear into the Ningenkai for twenty years….

When he returned to the Makai with Hiei ten years ago, he didn't feel the need to look up old acquaintances. He happened upon her by accident. She had been searching for weeks for rare herbs, when she happened upon Kurama's garden. He had heard a slight rustling sound and went to investigate, ready to slash the throat of the animal who dared enter his garden. But when Kurama lunged forward, he was stopped in mid air. A hard pair of blue eyes were staring at him from below. The intruder was wearing a deep green cloak, hood covering most of their face. Not that big, but apparently pretty powerful. What the hell is going on here? He didn't sense any ki when he heard the rustling, so he assumed animal, not demon. Then the intruder spoke.

"Kurama?"

The intruder slipped the hood back to reveal flowing white hair and a dirt smudged face beaming up at him. It took Kurama a few seconds to recognize the figure holding him captive. She slowly lowered Kurama to the ground. By the time he landed, she was giving him a big hug. "I had heard rumors you were back!"

Kurama pulled her back to get a better look at his unexpected guest. "Ashi? What in the four worlds are you doing here?" It's been over 25 years! And she just shows up in my garden? And why didn't my guardian plants stop her?

'I've been gathering herbs. I guess I've been wandering for about 2 weeks now. And I---"

"Two weeks?"

"Yeah and I finally found what I'm looking for here! But just seeing you is worth the weeks of wandering!"

Kurama smiled down at his friend. I think she's the first being I've encountered since coming back that is genuinely glad to see me. But two weeks? For some herbs? He remembered her being a focused student, who, once she set her mind to do something, didn't let anything or anyone stop her until the task was complete. But two weeks for herbs? Sounded a little ridiculous to him...

"Well, I'm happy to see you too. What herbs are you looking for that you took two weeks to find?"

"Oh." The mystic's face reddened a little bit as she faced her long lost friend. "I was looking for horehound, red reishi and sweet woodruff."

"I have two of those here. You're welcome to them. Grab your basket and I'll fill it up for you."

Ashitare raised a surprised eyebrow, "Really? Thanks Kurama!" She turned her attention to the garden, scanning for the desired herbs. "I really appreciate it. So, are the stories I hear true?"

Kurama stiffened slightly at the question as he bent over picking some horehound. "What stories?"

Ashitare turned to face the kitsune. "You actually lived in the Ningenkai for twenty years disguised as a human?"

"Yup. True. So is the one about becoming a Reikai Tantei." Kurama was startled to hear Ashitare bellow with laughter. He looked over at the spasming girl trying to give her his best glare. But he couldn't hold it. He smiled despite himself. "What's so funny?"

"The great Yoko Kurama, master thief and all around sly fox, working as a Reikai Tantei?"

Ashitare continued laughing. She couldn't help it. Maybe all these years of not laughing have built up inside me and are just now coming out. She finally got her laughing under control and looked up at Kurama. He was just as beautiful as she remembered, and he looked happy and healthy and that made her smile.

"I know better than to ask what that little smile means." He reached down to pick more leaves, "Let's get your basket back together and make sure you have everything you need. And next time, you'll know to just come see me first, ok? Promise me you won't go wandering the Makai alone for weeks."

"Oh, I'll be fine." A small twinkle came to her eyes as she winked at Kurama, "Nobody messes with your mystic."

As Kurama stared at his long lost friend in puzzlement, he heard a grumbling noise and smiled as Ashitare's face turned crimson. He had immediately invited her home to eat something and meet Hiei. And from that point forward, they have remained friends. She became the third member of their family.

Several years later, after her master died, Hiei had offered to become her teacher. So she would spend months at a time with them, training with Hiei. Kurama would laugh whenever Hiei's and Ashitare's tempers would flare. Even though they were about the same age, she had accepted him as a mentor and showed him the proper respect. But every now and then the mystic pride would rear its head and her and Hiei would go at it. Kurama would sit off to the side and watch the two stubborn egos flare. First with words, then with blades. It was always a good show, but Kurama always made sure there was never a "winner" by making them stop before things went too far. 'Too far' meaning someone getting run through. They always cut each other up a bit, but the wounds were superficial for the most part.

And that's been life for the past ten years. After their last mission when Yusuke died and was resurrected as a Toushin, Koenma retired the team. Until a week ago. Kurama knew Koenma meant business when he sent for the Urameshi team and Ashitare. If they needed a mystic with her power level, something truly evil was happening. The youko put the dark thoughts from his mind and walked over to lie down next to Hiei, wrapping his arms around the half-koorime and lightly kissing his ear.

"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank Inari for you."

Hiei turns his head to look at Kurama. His eyes said everything Kurama needed to know. They shared a light, lingering kiss and then laid their heads down, waiting for sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Vision revisited

Ashitare approached the fortress alone, senses alert for any movement, sound or trace of ki that would indicate an attack. Where were her teammates? She reached a small door tucked under some stairs and worked an easy cast to unlock it. As she entered, the air grew heavy. It was almost tangible as she breathed it in. She couldn't detect any poison, so she continued down the corridor. She froze when she heard a faint noise. Was someone crying? She proceeded cautiously and came upon a door, slightly ajar. She peered inside, but didn't see anyone. She didn't want to alert anyone to her presence so she slipped past the doorway and continued on her quest. What was she looking for? The suspension orb? She heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see a woman running down the hall away from her. She couldn't let the woman alert anyone to her presence. Ashitare started after her but the woman was quick. She thought she'd lost her when a scream reached her ears. She turned in the direction and ran as fast as she could.

She reached a set of large, double wooden doors. One door was shut. It had a crest on it. It looked familiar. Was it mystic? The other door was open enough for her to look in. She crouched down and peered into the large room and saw the woman backing into a corner. Kaasan! Her kaasan was yelling at someone across the room, "You won't take her! Not as long as I'm alive!" Ashitare heard a laugh that sent a chill down her spine. She watched as her Kaasan frantically looked around. Now she was crying, and Ashitare wanted to run to her, hold her and kill whatever was threatening her. But she was rooted where she stood. She still couldn't make out the figure advancing on her kaasan. Whoever he was, he was powerful. Ashitare could feel the waves of energy washing over her. Her kaasan had managed to find a sword. Where had she found the sword? Was it…glowing? She was holding it defensively. Suddenly, her kaasan's eyes bugged out. She reached one hand to her throat. She dropped the sword and grasped at her neck. She was being choked! The evil presence was choking her kaasan from across the room. Her kaasan struggled for quite some time before succumbing. Ashitare had closed her eyes. She couldn't watch her die. When her kaasan's gasping stopped, Ashitare looked up. She was lying peacefully on the floor, as if she had decided it was time to sleep right there and then. Her black silken hair was forming a halo around her beautiful, pale face. Her slender hands resting on her chest, her dress draped perfectly, as if on purpose.

Ashitare's attention was pulled away from her kaasan when she heard a click and then the slamming of a door. She lunged into the room ready to strike whoever should be unfortunate enough to be standing there. But there was no evil demon to kill. Only an empty room. She turned around to attend her kaasan. Only her kaasan wasn't there! Only the sword remained. Ashitare went over to where her kaasan had fallen only moments ago. Where did she go? I only took my eyes off her for a few seconds. Was she not dead? But then why did she run away from her own daughter? Ashitare bent down to pick up the sword. When her finger touched the hilt, a blinding light flashed as a molten hot bolt of electricity surged through her. She tried to scream, but no sound came out.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ashitare woke up drenched in sweat, her body shaking. Hiei was next to her, big red eyes full of concern. She looks up to see Kuwabara lying on his back a few feet away, being helped up by Yusuke and Kurama. She drops her head back down, getting her breathing under control. When she stands up she wobbles a bit, her head throbbing. When she spoke, her voice was raspy, "What happened?"

"You were having another vision. We couldn't wake you, so Kuwabara linked into your mind."

Ashitare drew in a sharp breath. The others may not have known better, but Kuwabara did. What they did was very dangerous. Not just to her, but Kuwabara as well. Ashitare's face turns into stone and her eyes harden. Kurama recognizes the effect immediately. Hiei is the master of that technique. She turned her hard eyes on Kuwabara, her voice controlled, tight, cold, "What did you see?"

The tall redhead flinched under the gaze of the mystic, "I, uh, saw you, watching some woman in a room. The woman was choked to death."

"Did you see who did it? Did you see where my kaasan disappeared to?"

"No. I was having a vision of your vision. My perspective was a bit more limited. But I did notice you tried to grab the same sword I did. Hurt, doesn't it?"

"Hn." Kurama silently laughed. Yeah, she and Hiei were quite a pair. "You didn't see her run from the room?" Ashitare advanced on Kuwabara, her whole body tense with frustration, "She didn't walk past me. She had to walk past you!"

Kurama took a step towards the angry mystic, "Ashi, calm--"

Ashitare turns her fierce gaze on her friend and Kurama just closes his mouth and lets it play out. She turned her attention back to a nervous Kuwabara, her voice breaking, rising in pitch as she began to lose her control, "Were you not paying attention? I mean, if you're going to try something as dangerous as piggyback my vision, you could at least get me some useful information!"

Ashitare is in Kuwabara's face. He doesn't know how to respond. His head still hurt and he wished his vision hadn't cleared because then he wouldn't be able to see the look on Ashitare's face. Hiei moves up behind her and puts a hand on her shoulder. She shrugs it off, continuing to bore holes into Kuwabara's head.

"I..I was standing in the doorway. She didn't walk past. I watched you enter and when you turned around, she was gone. I was looking at you, not…not your kaasan." Kuwabara hangs his head, his voice a gruff whisper, "I didn't know she was your kaasan. I'm sorry."

Ashitare could feel the hot tears streaming down her cheeks. Her gaze faltered, and her shoulders started to shake. She places a hand on Kuwabara's chest, "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be yelling at you. It's not your fault. I thank you for your help. You risked a lot to help someone that's not even your friend."

Kuwabara takes Ashitare's hand from his chest and squeezes it tight, "No, I'm not your friend. But I am your teammate. And you never let a teammate down." He lets go of her hand and puts an arm around her shoulders, "C'mon. We can go work on the friend thing."

Kuwabara and Ashitare walk off together and the three remaining teammates just look at each other, shrug, and follow the pair down the path.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sneak in/Ambush

The plan seemed simple enough to Yusuke. Send Hiei in advance to scout the route and signal when it was ok to move in. Ashitare would cloak them with her taraa and they would pass undetected through the open area of the fortress grounds. There was just one thing he didn't understand…

"How is that thing going to cover all four of us?"

"The taraa is an instrument of the Mystics. It can be as big, small, hard, or soft as I need. It has a self-contained dimension within its folds. That is where I've been getting my supplies from. Haven't you noticed?"

Yusuke shrugged, "Not really. I just figured you were conjuring or something." He reaches out for the iridescent fabric, lightly running his fingers over the majik object. "How does it work?"

All eyes turned when Hiei's deep voice interrupted the conversation, "I hate to interrupt the lesson, but can I go now?"

"Yeah. We'll wait for your signal."

And with a quick look at his kitsune, Hiei was off in a blur. It didn't take him long to reach the fortress wall. There didn't appear to be any ground patrols. Either this demon was very powerful and confident, or very stupid. Hiei closes his eyes and concentrates on Kurama. It's all clear. East tower door. Kurama hears the message, and the warm feeling attached to it just for him. "Ok, let's go. East tower door."

Ashitare throws the taraa into the air and it covers all four completely. As soon as it reaches the ground, it seems to vanish. Yusuke looked up and around them, trying to see or sense the taraa, but he couldn't find a thing. "Did it work?"

"Yes. Now let's go. Remember, keep close or the taraa will release its hold on you and you'll become visible."

Yusuke smirks and steps closer to Ashitare, "You mean like this?"

The mystic blushed as she felt Yusuke's hands on her hips, his body brushing against hers, "T-that's close enough."

Kurama narrowed his eyes and suddenly felt that protectiveness Hiei was always demonstrating. But there was no need to be rude about it. Kurama had a much more subtle, much more amusing way of handling things. He stepped closer to the flirting toushin, wrapping his arms around his waist, his body pressed against him. "I think I like this plan." Kurama leaned in and whispered into Yusuke's ear, delighting in how uncomfortable the toushin was, "Don't you Yusuke?"

"Alright! Alright! Point taken you baka kitsune!" Yusuke inched back from Ashitare, "Just watch yourself or I'm going to tell Hiei you were flirting with me."

Ashitare rolled her eyes, knowing what Kurama was dong and why. "Are we done children? Can we get on with this please?"

Kurama pulled his arms from around Yusuke and inched back, a wicked smile on his face. Ashitare starts to walk forward, forcing the others to keep in step with her. They make it across the grounds without further incident and Ashitare removes the concealing taraa, reducing it in size and tying it around her wrist. As Hiei jumps down from his perch above the door, he notices Kurama give a blushing Yusuke a wink and a playful smile. Gods be damned what is Yusuke doing! Is he making a move on everyone I love! The fire demon narrowed his eyes at the toushin, thankful his sister wasn't around to test his theory.

Ashitare places her hand on the door, stretching her senses out and removing the locking ward placed on the door. She doesn't sense any presence beyond the door and gives the clear sign. Once the group is inside, she replaces the ward so as not to alert anyone to their presence.

"Ok Hiei, do your thing."

Hiei nods and removes the ward over his jagan. The third eye opens and glows purple at it stretches out its senses to locate the Suspension Orb and any obstacles they might encounter.

"I'm getting an incredible ki reading on the next level, far right. There's a group of guards down here. Around 40-50. Headed this way."

"Ok people, let's show 'em they're screwing with the wrong guys! Oh! And, uh, girl. I mean woman." Yusuke sighs and hangs his head, "Yeah."

Ashitare smiles and nods her head in thanks, "Thank you Yusuke."

Before Ashitare can take another step, she cries out and grabs her head. Yusuke wraps his arm around her waist and supports her weight. He lowers her down onto her knees, not sure if he should let go.

Ashitare opens her eyes to see two large blue eyes staring back at her. She jumps back a bit to see the woman smiling at her. Kaasan? She reaches out to touch her face. Her smooth, pale skin burns Ashitare's hand. When she pulls it back and looks at her hand, there is no wound. Then she hears a voice. Ethereal, yet strong. You must find me Ashitare. I am waiting for you. Before Ashitare can respond, she is pulled from the vision, staring at a cold stone floor. She blinks her eyes a few times, then looks at Yusuke who still has his arm around her. She smiles at him, sending a current of heat through his body. He quickly lets go and stands, offering her a hand up.

"What did you see?"

Ashitare looks over at Hiei and sees the intense crimson eyes trained on her. "N-nothing new."

Hiei raises an eyebrow. He senses she's lying to him. Was this Yusuke's doing? She never kept anything from him before. He keeps his eyes on her, but Ashitare can't hold his gaze. Hiei steals a quick glance at Yusuke who is still giving all his attention to Ashitare.

"Uh, guys?" All eyes turn to Kuwabara who is looking off down the corridor, "Those guards are gonna be here any minute now. We should get ready."

The teammates start running down the hallway and quickly come upon the guards. Before anybody can move, Hiei leaps into the midst of the guards and with lightening speed, disposes of all of them.

"Hiei? You didn't leave any for us!"

"Yeah! You gotta learn to share shrimp."

Hiei lets loose a string of ancient curses, and Kuwabara counters with a few of his own. Soon the passageway is filled with cursing with Yusuke and Kurama trying to settle them down. None of them sensed the movement behind Hiei. Ashitare senses the malice though and sends her dagger straight into the sniper's forehead before the arrow can be released. All stare at her with wide eyes. Ashitare's only answer is to smirk at Hiei and give him a wink.

They climb the spiral staircase to the upper level unchallenged. When they reach the top, they find themselves in what appears to be a great meeting hall. Tapestries hang on the walls, worn and dust covered. The air is musty.

Kurama looks around the vast room, a frown on his face, "Does anyone else feel that?"

To be continued…