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

A/N: Ringo (means apple)

Of Mystics and Youkai

Chapter 8

Interlude

Ashitare opens her eyes to an unfamiliar room. Was she still in the fortress? Sunlight filters through the window above her head and she can hear birds singing. The last thing she can recall is Yusuke and his warm embrace as she fell apart. She feels a tightness in her chest at the thought of the Toushin. Where was she? And where was the team? She props herself up on her elbows looks around, her eyes finally coming to rest on a sleeping figure at the other side of the room. Yusuke. She sits up and a wave of dizziness hits her. She waits for it to subside, and then swings her legs onto the floor. She stands up slowly, avoiding another wave of dizziness. Feeling confident, she shuffles over to Yusuke.

He looks so peaceful, so beautiful, that Ashitare can't resist tracing his jaw line lightly with her finger. There's that tightness in her chest again. She smiles down at him, pulling the covers up a bit higher, and heads out of the room for some answers. When Yusuke hears the door close, he lets the smallest of smiles reach his lips before falling back to sleep.

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Taking stock

Ashitare hears familiar voices down the hall. She pokes her head into the room to find Kurama trying to wrestle Hiei back into bed. But the fire demon is having no part of it and seems ready to use force on his beloved fox when he sees Ashitare standing in the doorway, smiling. Kurama takes advantage of the hesitation and pushes Hiei back down onto the cot and sits down on his chest. Kurama offers Ashitare a triumphant smile and a wink.

"Ashi! Perfect timing! How are you feeling?"

The mystic just shrugs and offers a weak smile. "Drained. Confused. How about you guys? Things seem lively enough in here."

"Hiei's just being Hiei. Thinks he's invincible, blah, blah, blah."

The fire demon fixes the youko with a glare that would make most others cringe and run for the hills. But Kurama knows better. Hiei is all show. Ashitare comes over to stand next to the fire demon's bed. "Hiei, why did you do it? You could have been killed."

Crimson eyes were leveled at the inquiring blue orbs. "If I hadn't, you would be dead."

The statement was simple and brutal. But true nonetheless. Ashitare bends down and kisses Hiei on his cheek as she lightly caresses the other. "You're right of course. Thank you. But what made you think to do it?"

"Figured it couldn't be any worse than when I have to re-absorb the Black Dragon. And I just decided to risk the Majik within the barrier."

Kurama turned to the injured youkai below him, his voice reprimanding, "What if it had done something like turn you into a Kollara, or a Greblast? There are some things Youko don't sleep with."

Hiei snorted and rolled his eyes, "Could have fooled me."

"You short, sorry excuse for a fire demon! You're never touching me again!"

"You wouldn't be able to stay away from me for one day."

"Arrogant prick."

"Narcissistic oversexed fox."

Ashitare smiles as the lovers argue. She lets them go for awhile, enjoying the banter, but finally decides she wants some questions answered. "Ok guys, break it up. I need information."

"Like?" Kurama, like magic, broke off his lover's quarrel and turned to Ashitare with a smile and calm voice.

"Well, let's start with where are we and how did we get here?"

"We're at Genkai's temple. Yusuke called Botan and Koenma sent a transporter to bring us here right away."

"What about the Suspension Orb?"

Hiei smirked as he answered the mystic, "Yusuke destroyed it."

"Koenma seemed a little pissed but he knew better than to say anything to Yusuke."

Ashitare let a small frown show, "Hn. Ok. Last question. Who undressed me and put me in these clothes?"

Kurama chuckled lightly at the look on her face, "I would imagine either Yukina or Botan."

Ashitare sighed in relief, "Good enough."

There was a knock at the door and the three friends turned to see Yukina with her infectious smile. "Kurama! You shouldn't be sitting on Oniisan like that. He needs to recover from his wounds and that won't help. Now shoo!"

The diminutive koorime bullied Kurama off Hiei and turned to Ashitare, bowing slightly in greeting. "Hello. My name is Yukina. I'm Kuwabara's wife. It's nice to finally meet you."

Ashitare bowed in greeting, "The pleasure is all mine Yukina. Why do you say "finally meet" me?"

"I've heard stories about you from Kurama, Hiei and even Botan. But whenever I go to visit the Makai, you aren't around."

Yukina turns to inspect Hiei's progress. Her little brows knit in a frown and she sighs after fastening the clean bandages. "Oniisan, you must remain here in bed until we can fully repair your wounds. I don't know why the first treatment didn't fully heal the burns. We can try again later in the day when Botan returns."

"They might never heal." Six eyes turn to Ashitare in concern. She just looks at Hiei's body, feeling the guilt squeezing her heart. "The Majik. This might be it. Your wounds may never heal. It's a common cast to attach to a barrier. It's a way of saying, 'you may have broken the barrier, but you'll live with the consequences for the rest of your life'."

"But you're a mystic. Can't you counter the spell somehow?" Kurama didn't bother to hide the worry he felt.

"Without knowing the exact cast he used, it may take some time. I might get lucky and find the right one quickly. But knowing Shirogane, he used some obscure or modified cast." Ashitare looks into her friend's large crimson eyes. There is no fear. Only the same determination she has come to count on. "I will find it Hiei."

"I know you will."

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Research & Rest

Kurama and Hiei left for the Makai when it was clear Yukina's healing powers were not working. Kuwabara and Yukina went home to their children and Yusuke remained behind to train and visit with his sensei. Genkai had offered Ashitare free reign of the library down in the catacombs below the temple and the mystic gratefully accepted. And since she would be hanging around for awhile, Genkai offered her help in manipulating the soulsword as well.

Ashitare's eyes burned. She had been up most of the previous night doing research for the spell to reverse Hiei's injuries. Ashitare had been splitting her time between training with Genkai and doing research in the catacombs. She trained in the morning with Genkai on controlling the soulsword, but as soon as she finished, she was back in the musty catacombs, searching for obscure texts and scolls on ancient casts and curses. She had brought some fruit with her and something Yusuke called soda. She really liked soda. Any drink with bubbles was alright in her book.

She looked up, not able to read all the titles on the top shelf. She sighed to herself. Her brain hurt. And her body was feeling the impact of training, and too much research with little food and no sleep. I'll sleep when Hiei is better. Ashitare slowly and carefully scales the bookcase, hoping it was going to be worth it. Her gamble paid off. Pushed all the way to the back of the shelf was the small tome she required. She put the book in her mouth and started to descend the bookcase. About halfway down, the excessive amounts of dust caused a sneezing fit and she almost fell. She let the book drop to the ground and its impact could be heard reverberating throughout the large room and into the tunnels. She descends the rest of the way and bends down to pick up the book. Only, it's not there. She looks around on the ground and can't find a trace of the book. She can't possibly be so tired that she imagined it. Could she?

Ashitare stands there dumbfounded for a few moments and then she feels the faintest flicker of a familiar ki in the back of her head. Yusuke! She clears her head and concentrates on the sensation. Yusuke has gotten good at masking his ki. I didn't even sense him until he let me. Ashitare quickly masks her ki and silently moves to the end of the long row of bookcases. Cat and mouse it is… She rounds the corner, body tense, senses working overtime trying to detect anything. She is now fairly exposed in the wide walkway between the rows of bookcases. She whirls as a thump sounds behind her several rows down. Not falling for it Yusuke. It's a diversion. She ducks into a narrow row between bookcases and decides to see if she can bait him. She uses some energy to cast a light spell five rows down from her. It would be a very small glimmer of light, but should be noticeable to a Toushin. Take the bait. Assume I made a mistake.

Ashitare waits quietly for any sign. She thinks she detects the faint sound of foot scraping dirt. She cautiously heads towards the glimmer, hoping to catch Yusuke unawares. As she approaches the row, she has an Immobile cast ready to fling at him. She steps into the aisle, shocked to find no Yusuke. But there, sitting on the floor, illuminated by the glimmer, is her book. What the seven hells is going on? Ashitare waves the glimmer away and reaches for the book. As she closes her hand around the soft, aged leather, she feels it. She whirls and throws the Immobile cast. The cast hits air. Before she can question her sanity and skills, she hears the voice.

"Lookin' for me?"

She gasps and turns around to see Yusuke, leaning against the bookcase with the smuggest grin she had ever seen. His gold-flecked chestnut eyes twinkled, even in the dim light. She couldn't help but smile back.

"I figured you could use a break."

Yusuke walks towards her and looks down at the book in her hand. A small frown creases his forehead as he looks at the upside down writing. He moves behind Ashitare and looks at it over her shoulder. She's praying to all the gods that he won't notice her blushing wildly at the closeness. She could smell him he was so close; a combination of sweat from his workout and the spicy cologne he wore. Yusuke turns his head towards Ashitare, their faces whisper close.

"A little light reading?"

Ashitare backs away from Yusuke to look at him face on, her face still hot from the close contact. "I'm hoping this might lead me to the right sources for information."

"You've been down here most of the day. Come upstairs, get something to eat and rest for awhile."

Yusuke grabs her hand and starts pulling her towards the stairs. But Ashitare pulls her hand free and remains stationary. "I can't. I only have a few days here and I still haven't covered half of the information in Genkai's library. I just can't Yusuke. Hiei's depending on me."

Yusuke looks at Ashitare. She looked tired. But he can tell she is determined to help her friend and teacher, no matter what the cost to herself. And he admired her for it. But he had to get her to realize she wasn't doing anybody any good by not taking care of herself. Yusuke closes the gap between them and grabs her hand again. He lets his thumb brush back and forth across the back of her hand. Damn her hands were soft…

"How about a compromise? You come upstairs, eat, and rest for two hours. Then you can come back down here. That's reasonable, isn't it?"

"O-Ok. You promise? Two hours?"

"I promise."

Yusuke folds her hand within his and leads her upstairs. Genkai had helped him set up the table for tea and a small meal before he had gone to fetch Ashitare. But that had been awhile ago. Genkai frowned. Hope the idiot didn't get lost. But soon enough she hears footsteps coming down the hall. Genkai is seated and waiting for the pair when they emerge from the hallway. She smiles to herself when she sees Yusuke holding Ashitare's hand. It was a good sign.

"'Bout time you two showed up. Tea's getting cold."

"Gomennasai, Master Genkai. It was my fault." The mystic bowed in respect as she apologized and joined the old master at the table.

"She's just grumpy. Don't mind her Ash."

The meal is uneventful as Ashitare and Genkai do most of the talking, discussing the progress of Ashitare's research. Yusuke eats quietly, only understanding half of what is being said, but he doesn't mind. The important thing is Ashitare was out of the catacombs. Even if it was for only two hours. At the end of the meal Yusuke offers to clear the table, much to Genkai's shock.

"Yusuke, you really shouldn't shock an old woman like me. It could kill me."

Genkai can hear a 'Shut up Grandma' from down the hall and smiles. No doubt, Ashitare is good for him…When Yusuke returned, Genkai excused herself and left the two alone.

"Ok. You ready for those two hours of promised rest?"

Ashitare crinkled her nose at the toushin, "You're really going to make me sleep for two hours?"

"You don't have to sleep. You just have to rest and not do any sort of research."

Ashitare looks down into her cup of tea as if trying to divine something from the swirled beverage. She takes another sip and faces Yusuke. "I don't know what to do. The things I do in my leisure at home are normally training related."

"Are you trying to tell me you don't know how to relax?"

The mystic just shrugs, "I could meditate. But…well I was kind of hoping to spend the time with you."

Yusuke hopes the heat rising to his face doesn't show as much as it did on Ashitare's face. He smiles at her and covers her hand with his. "Thought you'd never ask."

Ashitare hadn't realized she was holding her breath until that moment. She relaxes and returns Yusuke's smile. "So what should we do?"

Yusuke's brow furrows in concentration, "We could play tricks on Genkai. We could play some cards or board games. We can take a walk through the forest. We could---"

"A walk sounds nice."

"A walk it is. After you." Yusuke bows low and waves his hand towards the door.

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A walk in the woods

Yusuke and Ashitare had been walking for quite some time and it was starting to get dark. Ashitare stops in mid stride and eyes Yusuke suspiciously. "Yusuke? How do you know when two hours are up? I feel no sense of time in the Ningenkai."

Yusuke had to think of something quick. He didn't have a watch. In the Makai, you needed no watch. All youkai had a built in sense of time linked with the position of the sun. It was a natural instinct and Yusuke had never been able to translate the ability in the Ningenkai. "Well, since I lived in the Ningenkai for fifteen years, I have a natural link to time here. Don't worry, we're fine."

Yusuke inwardly cringes at the lie. She made him promise, only two hours. But it was such a nice day and she needed to relax so he had decided to take the chance that she would forgive him. He walks back to her and offers his arm. Ashitare looks at him, confused. He snakes his arm around hers and smiles. Ashitare tries so hard not to blush. His skin is so warm…. She can feel the pounding in her chest. This is ridiculous! I'm over 400 years old, I shouldn't be acting this way. She looks away from him, embarrassed. Yusuke steers them back towards the temple, trying to walk as slow as possible, savoring the feeling of Ashitare at his side.

They enter by the garden that is so lovingly tended to by Yukina. Yusuke picks a blossom with lavender and white petals. He places it behind Ashitare's ear, admiring how the lavender sets off her blue eyes and the white petals seem to blend right in with her hair. So beautiful….

"Did you say something?"

Yusuke froze. Did he say that out loud, or could she read his thoughts? He looks at her, not knowing what to do. Tell the truth? What if she doesn't think of him that way? Then he'd look stupid. But what if she did feel the same way, and was just waiting for him? And this is why I haven't bothered to date. I suck at this! He decides to risk telling her the truth.

"I said, you're beautiful."

Ashitare looks up at him, a smile slowly coming to her face. Yusuke brushes his fingers along her silky white hair, following it all the way down her arm, until he reaches her hand. He brings her hand up to his lips and kisses it lightly. His voice is a whisper when he speaks.

"I want to kiss you."

The words wash over Ashitare, like a gentle breeze. She wants him to kiss her, but she's scared. It had been over 200 years since she'd felt this way about anyone. But all her fear disappeared when she looked into those eyes. Those warm, inviting eyes.

"You just did."

Yusuke cups her face in his rough hands, the feel of them sending shivers down her body. He leans in and gently brushes his lips against hers, then presses the kiss a little further. Ashitare gasps, parting her lips slightly, and feels Yusuke's tongue slip between her lips, exploring her mouth slowly. Then she feels his tongue run along the length of her top lip before kissing her fully on the mouth once more. Yusuke pulls back slightly to catch his breath. Ashitare gazes at Yusuke, a twist of fear in her stomach. She doesn't understanding everything that is happening, but she knows she's not going to hide from it.

Yusuke can't stop the tightening in his chest. He closes his eyes and slides his arms around Ashitare's waist. Her hands are around his neck, fingers sending electric shocks down his spine as she lightly strokes where his hair meets the nape of his neck. He nuzzles the hair at her temple, inhaling the intoxicating fragrance of ringo blossoms and honey, enjoying the feeling of her hair tickling his face.

"Yusuke?"

"Hmmm.."

"I want to kiss you."

Yusuke nuzzles Ashitare's face from her temple down to her waiting lips. She kisses him, a little tentatively at first, then finds herself giving into the passion welling up within her body. Yusuke reacts to her hunger, letting his own guide his hands lower on her hips as he pulls her closer. Ashitare moans as she presses against his strong body. Her hands caress his chest, down to his stomach, then around his waist and up his back. Yusuke groans as each caress by Ashitare sends a wave of heated pleasure through his body. He begins kissing her neck, then lets his tongue trail from the base of her neck to her shoulder, slipping the thin strap of her top over her shoulder and he playfully bites down, causing Ashitare to gasp.

Yusuke pulls back to look at Ashitare. They're both flushed, trying to catch their breath. He can feel his body reacting strongly to her touch. I've got to stop this. We can't do this now. He caresses her cheek and wonders if he has ever seen anything as beautiful as Ashitare right now. Her caramel skin seemed to glow, and her eyes were so mesmerizing he had to remember to breathe.

"I want you so much." Yusuke kisses her hard, finding it hard to be separated from her lips. "But…we shouldn't do this now." Yusuke can see the hurt in her eyes before she looks away. "Ash, look at me. If you were just anybody, I wouldn't think twice about bedding you right now. But you're not just anybody to me. Do you understand? I'm not in this for the quick payoff."

"I understand. You're not just anybody to me either Yusuke Urameshi of the Toushin and Reikai Tantei."

Yusuke chuckles as he pulls her to him, her head resting on his chest, his nestled in her hair. Yusuke finally breaks the embrace, kisses her once, lightly, and walks her inside. He watches her walk down the hall and turn towards her room, not the catacombs. When she's out of sight, Yusuke runs his fingers through his hair and wonders how he's going to get rid of this excess energy.

To be continued….