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

A/N: Final chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed it and thank you to all who read and/or reviewed. Always good for the soul. Ashitare's adventures with the YYH gang will continue in a story called Family. Look for it to be posted within the next week. Until then…..

Of Mystics and Youkai

Chapter 11

Fair Game

Ashitare opens her eyes to see two large red eyes staring back at her. A smile lights her face as she sees her friend, alive and free of burns. "Hiei. Oh thank the gods."

"No, thank you." The fire demon leans in and kisses her on the forehead.

"Oh good, you're awake. I brought tea."

Ashitare sits up and accepts the steaming drink. She carefully sips the tea and enjoys the feeling of the hot liquid washing through her body. Then she hands the cup back to Kurama as she stands up and walks over to Hiei, giving him a big hug. She squeezes him tightly and feels his warmth wrapping around her. She breaks the hug and smiles at him, right before she punches him in the jaw. The shocked youkai staggers backward, hand on his jaw. He turns shocked eyes to her, demanding an explanation. Ashitare paces back and forth in front of Hiei, her hands flying about as she relays the details of her and Kurama's adventures.

"Are you insane! Do you know what you put Kurama through? Do you know what you put me through? Did Kurama tell you what happened at Mukuro's? Hmm? If you had just told me about the information you found, none of this would have happened!"

Hiei turned narrowed eyes to Kurama, "What happened at Mukuro's?"

"Oh nothing much. Just two growndemons acting like kits fighting over the last scrap of Larank fat. I was caught between the two of them and was forced to disable them both. I don't think I made a friend in Mukuro."

Hiei snorted and crossed his arms over his chest, "Nobody makes a friend of Mukuro. You're either loyal and obey, or you're fair game."

"Welcome to the fair game side!"

Ashitare and Kurama laugh. Hiei just rolls his eyes and takes another sip of tea.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Blue Box

It felt good to be home. Hiei was home and healthy, and no doubt paying for the little stunt he pulled on Kurama. Ashitare approached the entrance to her house and saw a blue box sitting under a bush. She looks around, but doesn't sense anybody. When she picks the box up, her senses are immediately overwhelmed with feelings of Yusuke. She smiles and clutches the box to her heart as she goes inside.

Ashitare sinks into her bed, relishing the comfy softness of the bedding. She lies there a few moments enjoying the quiet until the suspense is too much for her. She had to open the blue box. She lifts the lid and finds a hand mirror inside. It's made of ivory and has a carving on the back. It shows a woman with a slight smile, peeking out from behind a piece of billowing cloth. My taraa. She admires the cream colored image and then turns it over to look at the mirror. Yusuke…

Ashitare goes to put the mirror back in the box when she sees a small piece of paper nestled in the tissue.

Dear Ash,

Sorry I couldn't deliver this in person, but you're not home. Or you're ignoring me. Please not be home. I hope you like my little gift. I found an oni who works with ivory and got him to make this for you. You're the most beautiful vision in all four worlds and I just wanted you to see that. I'll try stopping by again in a few weeks.

Until then, I remain achingly yours,

Yusuke

Ps – hope you liked the blue box.

Ashitare nestles back into her bed and falls asleep, clutching her mirror and note.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Epilogue

Yusuke was bored. He just wanted to go home. But Raizen insisted on coming to this gods damned place again tonight. He managed to beg out of it last time, but was caught off guard this afternoon and couldn't think of an appropriate excuse. So here he was, sitting in a corner, trying not to watch the grotesque scene in front of him. Raizen, drunk as usual, was surrounded by sycophants and whores.

Yusuke looks down into his drink and wonders if it's time for a change. But what kind of change? He can't go work for either of the other two rulers of the Makai. And he had to do something. Border patrol? Maybe. If only Ash were here instead of halfway across the Makai. Or better yet, if only I were there with her. Yusuke sighs and downs the rest of his ale. He leans his head back and closes his eyes, thinking of the white-haired mystic.

"Yusuke sweetie, wake up!"

Yusuke opens his eyes to see Kanna, the one youkai in this place he liked. She's smiling warmly and holding another drink out for him. He takes the drink and winks at her.

"Thanks Kanna. Just what I need."

"Are you sure that's all you need?"

The pretty youkai sits down on his lap and nuzzles his ear, nibbling slightly. Yusuke closes his eyes and lets the small pleasure wash over him. He waits for her to stop, then offers her a boyish smile.

"I'm sure. But thanks. I appreciate you looking out for me."

Kanna gives Yusuke a quick kiss on the cheek and heads back to wait on other customers. Yusuke watches her disappear into the mob around the bar and then stares at the fresh drink. Why not? Yusuke downs the drink quickly and then gets up and heads for the door.

The fresh night air feels good. So does the quiet. He looks up at the stars, wondering what Ashitare is doing right now. He had stopped by to see Hiei and Kurama on his way back from Ashitare's to see how his friends were doing. He had heard about her and Kurama's run in with Mukuro on his way back from dropping off the mirror and wished he could have been there to see that. I bet she could beat Mukuro in a one-on-one. I know she can beat Kurama. And then there was Hiei. He gave him a dirty look the entire time he was there. Normally, he wouldn't think anything of it, but this time Yusuke sensed that the fire demon meant it. He didn't get a chance to ask Kurama about it before he left though. Oh well, a mystery for another day.

Yusuke was about to head back in to baby-sit Raizen when he saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. He reaches out and doesn't sense anything malicious. As a matter of fact, he doesn't sense anything at all. He stares at the empty space a few moments longer and decides to forget about it and go inside. Just as the door is about to close behind him, he feels a wave of heat wash over him. He goes back outside, senses alert for anything. The wave of heat hits him again. But it seems to come from the right. He starts off down the street cautiously. When he stops to scan the area, another wave hits him. Only this time it feels different. It feels…good? He follows in the direction of the wave, heading out of town. He knows he's being lured, but he has to find out by whom, and why. Besides, it was better than hanging out with Raizen. Wave after wave hits him, pulling him towards his would-be captor.

Yusuke stops a few feet before the woods. How stupid am I feeling tonight? Yusuke smiles to himself and enters the woods. Pretty stupid. His senses aren't picking up anything unusual, just the normal wildlife. He's about to give up and return to Raizen when he stops dead in his tracks. He can feel the blade pressed against his throat. Then a body presses up against his back. He can feel the warm breath in his ear as the mysterious youkai speaks.

"What's a pretty youkai like you doing wandering the woods alone?"

The voice sends chills through Yusuke's body. It's cold, controlled and full of malice. As he's deciding how best to handle this situation, a familiar smell wafts his way. Ringo blossoms. Ash… Yusuke shakes the thought from his head and concentrates on the sword at his throat. Before he can respond, the stranger slips a hand around his chest, running its hand across his chest, then down over his stomach, stopping right at the top of his pants. Yusuke doesn't wait for an opening. He sends a blast out from his body, knocking over a few trees.

He scans the woods looking for his assailant. He sees nothing in the wreckage, but a noise up in the trees catches his attention. It's laughter. He looks up to see a cloaked figure sitting on a branch, feet dangling, katana swinging playfully.

"That wasn't very nice. Did my hand not please you?"

"Not in the least. Now tell me who you are you pervert before I decide I don't care and just kill you."

The cloaked figure sheaths its sword and leaps down, landing a few yards from Yusuke, in a crouched position. The figure clears its throat and slowly removes the hood, allowing long white tresses to spill down the youkai's back and face.

"Ash?"

Ashitare looks up at Yusuke, a playful smile on her face. She can't help but let a small giggle escape her lips. She slowly stands and walks toward the stunned Yusuke. Ashitare reaches out and caresses his chest as before, only she grabs the top of his pants and pulls him the rest of the way to her. His body feels so good. She kisses him hungrily, devouring his whole mouth with hers.

It only takes Yusuke a few moments to get over his shock and realize it's truly Ashitare. He grabs the mystic, lifts her slightly and pins her against a tree, his voice low, hoarse.

"Subata."

Ashitare only moans as Yusuke runs his tongue down her neck. She slips her hand under his shirt, feeling the hot smooth skin.

"Couldn't just write, like a normal girlfriend?"

Yusuke pulls her cloak off and throws it to the ground. He slips the strap to her dress down her arm, revealing her breast. His tongue circles the already hard nipple, then he lightly grazes it with his fangs. Ashitare squirms with pleasure within his grasp.

"You put a blade to my throat?"

Yusuke pulls Ashitare roughly away from the tree and picks her up, depositing her on the discarded cloak. Ashitare watches as Yusuke pulls his shirt off, and then begins unbuckling his pants. She can feel the weight of his stare as his eyes roam over her body. Ashitare sits up, kneeling in front of Yusuke and lifts her dress over her head. Yusuke grabs two handfuls of her hair and pulls her head back, exposing her neck to his eager lips.

Yusuke lets his mouth skim the length of her neck, stopping to kiss the delicate juncture of her neck and shoulder. Ashitare revels in the softness of the gesture. Then her breath catches in her throat as Yusuke bites down. She can feel the fangs pierce her flesh, the sensation a mixture of pain and pleasure. She knows what this means. He has marked her as his. She now belonged to him. A small moan escapes her lips.

"Yusuke…"

No other words are spoken as the lovers cling to each other, satisfying the desire in their hearts.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I missed you Yusuke Urameshi of the Tou---"

Yusuke cuts off the formal oration with a deep kiss. Ashitare just giggles and snuggles in closer under the cloak. "I missed you too."

"So, was that the dive where Kuwabara says you whore around?"

"I did not whore around! Why won't anybody believe me?"

Ashitare just laughs and nuzzles his ear. "I believe you. I saw you turn that youko away tonight."

Yusuke sits up, face burning, eyes wide with shock. "You were spying on me!"

"No, baka! That's not my style." She gives Yusuke a look of indignation as she continues. "I walked into the bar looking for you. One of the guards at Raizen's said you would be there. But when I spotted you, some youko was sitting on you making herself at home with your ear. Now I will admit to wanting to tear both yours and hers eyes out in a fit of jealous rage. I'm surprised you didn't sense me then and there. She must be good."

Yusuke squeaks a small protest, but Ashitare raises her hand for quiet. "But I pulled myself together quickly and waited at the bar to see what would happen." Ashitare brings herself up to kneel in front of Yusuke, their noses almost touching, a smile on her face. "And you sent her away. So I left and decided to wait for you outside." She gives Yusuke a quick kiss and sits back down, a frown on her face. "It was too noisy in there. How do you stand it?"

"Lots of ale."

Yusuke lies back down to face Ashitare, running his fingers through her hair, and then down the length of her torso, coming to rest on her hip. He can feel the desire building in him again. But not here. He let himself lose control earlier; he had missed her so much. But they should go back to Raizen's. Yusuke stands up and offers Ashitare a hand up.

"C'mon, let's get going."

"Where?"

"Back to Raizen's. Unless you already have a place to stay?"

Ashitare lifts her wrist to indicate her taraa. "I always have a place to stay."

Yusuke grabs Ashitare to him and kisses her deeply, then lingers a few moments letting his tongue slide along her lips. "That's right. With me."

"Are you sure Raizen will be ok with this?"

Yusuke shrugged as he pulled his pants on and looked for his shoes. "He'll have to be. I'm his heir and if someone is important to me, then that someone is important to him."

Ashitare had a frown on her face as she cozied up to Yusuke. "I'm….'important'….to you?"

"You…" Yusuke kissed her deeply, "…are..." his lips trailed down her neck and he could feel her body relax into his. "…everything to me Ash." He licked over the still fresh wound at the base of her neck. "You're mine now."

Ashitare moaned as Yusuke claimed her lips once again. They tried to make it back to the fortress and Yusuke's bed before letting their passion get the better of them, but they never made it. Finally, Ashitare just teleported them to outside the fortress.

"Shall we?"

Yusuke bowed and gestured for Ashitare to enter through the large wooden gates that opened up to the large courtyard of the fortress. They walked towards the wing of the fortress where Yusuke's chambers were located, arms wrapped around each other, content smiles on their faces. Yusuke was wondering if he was going to get any sleep tonight with Ashitare lying next to him. He couldn't seem to get enough of her. But that was ok. I plan on having her around a long time. I'll get some sleep eventually.

Ashitare felt Yusuke squeeze her just a little tighter and she sighed contentedly. Yusuke made her happy. And she saw no future obstacles ahead except maybe trying to get Yusuke to go to sleep. She could feel his hand slide down to firmly grip her ass and she rolled her eyes. She saw a happy life with Yusuke, Hiei and Kurama. My true family.

The End…..

This ends the first of three stories involving the Ashitare/Yusuke history. I hope you enjoyed the story and if you want to know what happens to them next, their story will continue in Family