Okay. Here it is, the moment you've all been waiting patiently and impatiently for. I've finally updated, now that my computer is back up and working. Hopefully now all of you can rest easy for awhile. Of course you should probably review first before sleeping, just to let me know how I'm doing. You don't know how I appreciate everything that you guys tell me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho.

Meet Daija

Chapter 4

"This the place?" Yusuke yawned running a hand through his jostled hair. He stood in front of a massive shrine, not unlike Genkai's, and had to wonder why every shrine had to have so many god damn steps. "Yoko, what are you doing?" He asked noticing that the silver bandit was poking at seemingly thin air. Kuronue stood next to him, both demons looking a bit perplexed about something.

"He's testing the shrine's barrier," a smooth voice commented, indicating that Kurama had also arrived. "Isn't that right?" He looked to Yoko who merely lifted a hand and waved him off as he concentrated. Kurama simply smiled at the distracted kitsune and turned to face Yukina who was making her way towards him with small, smooth steps.

"Hello, Yukina. How are you tonight?" He asked her kindly and gladly hugged her when she reached his side.

"Hi, Kurama," She greeted him, enjoying her 'brother's' comforting warmth. She glanced at Yoko and Kuronue, noticing them examining Kagome's perfect barrier. She let go of Kurama and greeted Yusuke before stepping over to the two thieves.

Upon feeling her familiar energy, Kuronue looked up and spotted Yukina walking towards him and grinned at the petite ice apparition. She was looking very pretty tonight, wearing an emerald green kimono that really brought out her burgundy eyes. She was also carrying her staff on her back and wore her long teal colored hair back in a long braid. "Hello, Yukina," he greeted her, wrapping her in a warm hug. "You look very pretty tonight."

He chuckled as she blushed a bit at his complement, flushing even more red when Yoko looked up and whistled appreciatively at her. "Thank you," she whispered ducking away from Yoko's teasing.

"So are we going?" Yusuke broke in. "Or are we just going to stand around here all night?"

"Not with this barrier in place," Yoko answered. "It's very strong and I don't have a clue about breaking through it. I've never seen one made quite like this before."

"What do you mean, Yoko?" Kurama asked calmly, green eyes gazing questioningly upon his once counterpart.

"The barrier was made by more than one source," Kuronue answered for him. Noticing some raised eyebrows he tried to put it in words they would understand. "Meaning that this barrier was made from more than one type of energy source; that source being a powerful demon, sorcerous, wizard, something like that."

"So you're saying that there is more than one person, or source as you called it, who created this barrier," Kurama concluded.

"It's amazing!" Yoko nearly burst out. "There are so many energies within this barrier, demons of every kind, too many to be able to tell, along with the holy energy of this place. The miko of this shrine must truly be great if the demons were able to collaborate so perfectly with her to create such a powerful barrier. This explains why Spirit World wasn't able to get through to her." He turned to Yukina who had already been aware of the strange barrier from her talk with Kagome. He dashed up to her and hugged her, picking her up and spinning her around, causing her to squeak in surprise. "Yukina, you have to introduce me to this miko!"

Kuronue laughed at his partner's excitement while Kurama chuckled and shook his head amused at Yoko's spectacle.

Suddenly a chill swept over the group, causing all demon present, including Yukina, to freeze in their tracks. Yoko pulled Yukina close to his body if he needed to protect her and Kuronue moved wordlessly to his side. After years of being together both demons automatically went into defense mode and it was almost subconsciously that they moved to each other's side. Kurama and Yusuke glanced around suspiciously before a rather large raven flew out of nowhere and landed on a branch over looking them all. The bird's red eyes stared down at them all, as if it were studying them.

Suddenly Yukina gasped as she recognized Daija who was with Kagome the day before. "Is that you, Daija?" She called, causing everyone to look at her strangely. The beautiful bird was still as large as the first time she'd seen him, beak black as night and eyes as cold and calculating as Yoko's.

The bird screeched loudly as Yoko set Yukina down, but continued to hug her to his front. Suddenly Daija lifted completely off the branch and began a radical transformation that startled all present. What came out of dense smoke was a young demon, who looked suspiciously familiar, though no one could place him at the moment. He had fangs, claws, and blood red eyes as he continued to gaze at the group, calmly. He had long black hair left to hand down his back in waves. On his back were a pair of black wings, however they were shaped like a raven's and looked almost purple in the waning sun.

"Wow!" Said Yukina, the first one to speak. She was staring curiously at the handsome demon wondering how she'd missed his demon energy the day before. "I had no idea you were a demon, Daija-san."

Yukina froze as Daija's cold eyes warmed a bit as he spotted the tiny ice apparition. She was surprised when he smiled, although it didn't do much to put the others at ease. Yoko began growling in his throat, while Kuronue placed a hand on his hip where he kept his scythes.

"Who the hell are you?" Yusuke demanded, stalking up to the demon, remembering to act like he didn't know him.

Daija's head snapped in Yusuke's direction and he bared his fangs in a taunting smile. "That's none of your business. And even if it were, I still wouldn't tell you, spirit detective." His voice washed over the group as a gentle purr and Yukina shivered as his voice seemed to caress her very soul. He was very handsome, Yukina couldn't help but notice. She blushed when she realized what she was thinking. She turned her head and caught Kurama's eyes, noticing a suspicious twinkle in his sturdy gaze. She blushed even more when a smirk flashed across his face, only to disappear as if it were never there. Oh, Kami, what was she thinking? She'd never been attracted to any demon before. Not even Kuwabara with his sweet, but otherwise overbearing attentions.

Daija dismissed Yusuke, ignoring the detective's sputtering and started analyzing the silver kitsune and the black haired kumouri, searching for any threat to his mistress. They were old, he could already tell. Their power levels were immense and they were obviously very close, much like brothers; both worthy opponents and allies if he ever needed them. It would be quite fun to see what they could do. He spotted the red head standing calmly to the side of the silver, and tilted his head to the side as he tried to analyze what he was sensing. The red head's aura was very similar to the silver's and yet they didn't look anything alike. He continued glancing back and forth between the two before shrugging. They weren't the ones he was really interested in at the moment.

His eyes settled on the pretty ice apparition, noting the close and defensive stances of the other demons. She was very easy on the eyes, he'd noticed the day before. She was someone he was very interested in getting to know. Kagome had said she was strong, much stronger than a normal ice demon, that's for sure.

"Silly girl, of course I'm a demon," he addressed her earlier question. "What else would you have me be?" He shot her a teasing smile and did something that was quite unexpected. He stole Yukina right out of Yoko's grasp and hugged her.

"My name is Daija, as Kagome already told you. I've waited so long to meet you, Yukina," he told her, voice lowered about two octaves as he held the blushing girl. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, growls coming from all directions around him. His eyes lifted and he spotted Yoko and Kuronue seething at him. He bared his fangs and winked, managing to piss them off even more. "Kagome likes you, you know," he whispered to her. "And anyone Kagome likes, I like." He released her and stepped away, leaving Yukina feeling oddly alone. His embrace had felt...nice. She'd never felt like that when any of her brothers held her.

"All right, get your hands off Yukina you bastard!" Yusuke demanded and Daija fought not to throttle the arrogant man, all the while knowing this was how Yusuke was supposed to act. Ah, well he'd be sure to beat some sense into the kid later. "You even think about touching her again and I swear I'll rip off your wings."

"Well that doesn't sound very pleasant," He muttered, though his eyes were still lit with mirth.

Daija grinned and rolled his eyes, while tossing his long hair behind his shoulder. Under the watchful eye of the spirit detective he reached over and very gently placed a hand on Yukina's cheek.

"Why you!" Yusuke started towards him only for Kurama to block his way.

"Please, we are not here to start a fight," Kurama reprimanded the delinquent. "Now will you tell us who you are and what your purpose is here?"

Daija stepped away from the apparition again. "Certainly. My name is Daija. I live here. Kagome-sama asked me to take you to her," he replied. "Actually, it was more like commanded but when one deals with a woman like Kagome, you can't help but comply to her wishes."

"Oh, well my name is Kurama. Please excuse Yusuke, his mouth tends to run away with him," Kurama said, while Yusuke grumbled a bit.

"I am Yoko and this is my partner, Kuronue," Yoko growled. "Now please get your hands off my sister."

"Ah, so she's not your lover!" Daija cried happily as if he'd just won some grand prize. "Good to know." He winked at Yukina, causing the petite woman to blush and be unable to meet anyone's eyes. Kurama noticed Yukina blushing again and fought not to chuckle. It would seem his little sister was attracted to this demon. He wondered how Yoko and Kuronue were going to take this. They were the ones who were the most protective of the little apparition, Kuronue even more so than Yoko.

Yoko cringed realizing what he'd just done, hearing Kuronue growl at his side. Damn it, now some stupid bird brain was going to be sniffing at Yukina's heels all the time. It was bad enough when Kuwabara did it, but come on. He did not want some seductive demon just like him to attempt to woo his little sister into his bed.

"Anyway," Daija drawled. "I know who you are. I wouldn't be much of a demon if I didn't." His eyes observed Kuronue and Yoko. "Though I'd heard some rumors that you'd both 'disappeared' for awhile."

"Ano, Daija-san, that wasn't very nice," Yukina chastised softly as she noticed the stiffening of both bandits. She knew it was hard for her brothers to talk about their shattered pasts, especially after what happened to Kuronue. She was prepared to stick up for them no matter how handsome and charming this demon may be. Yukina's eyes widened. Did she really just think that?

Daija turned to her and smiled gently. "Of course, Yukina-chan," he caressed the endearment and Yukina lost all traces of resentment. "I do apologize as that was rather rude of me. After all, it takes a strong and cunning demon to be able to escape death's calling." His eyes held secrets as they gazed into Yukina's wide orbs and for some reason she could feel pain echoed deep within his soul, the same kind of pain Kuronue and Yoko sometimes showed.

He turned to Yoko and Kuronue and bowed in apology. "I do hope you'll accept my apology as I, too, know a thing or two about escaping death."

Yoko and Kuronue exchanged glances, wondering why this demon seemed so remorseful all of a sudden. It felt a little weird. Still. They nodded.

"We should get going," Daija spoke up. "Kagome is waiting and I know she is urgently waiting to meet you all."

Yoko perked up immediately. He really wanted to meet this woman. It took a strong woman to attract such respect from a demon. It was even harder to gain such trust. And this demon appeared to be quite strong and knowledgeable. If he'd learned to trust a human woman, a miko, no less, then she must be something extraordinary.

The five demons watched as Daija regressed back into his raven form and began forming a hole in the barrier large enough for all present to step through. Curiously enough they ended up at the top of the shrine, instead of the bottom. Yusuke was grateful that he hadn't needed to climb all those steps. He loved coming here but he hated climbing those damn steps.

Yoko's eyes immediately traveled over to the large tree situated in front of a small farm house. He could already feel the strong energy emanating from the tree and could feel its energy pulsing all around him. "Such power," he heard Kurama remark. "And all from just one tree."

"That's the god tree," Daija remarked now back in his demon form.

"Is that where the power source comes from?" Yoko asked curiously.

Daija nodded and stepped over to it. "Yes. We used this tree as the catalyst for the barrier. It was already strong on its own, it just needed a bit of a boost. Now it acts as the shield around the whole shrine." Noticing the wonder in the silver kitsune's eyes, Daija fought not to grin. He and Kagome would get along famously. This was Kagome's pride and joy. She loved this tree and even a fool could see that the tree loved her.

"It's very beautiful," Yukina whispered admiring the Sakura Blossoms already in bloom.

"Thank you," a woman's voice rang out from somewhere behind them. Instantly all present, besides Daija, went on alert. A woman was standing on a screened in porch and appeared to be observing them calmly. No one could see what she looked like, though Yukina felt the peaceful energy wash over her in waves. Just like the first time, Kagome's oppressive energy left her feeling warm, secure, and safe. Yukina noticed some of the sadness that was once present had faded a bit, though it still tingled across her senses. Now the young miko was obviously filled with delight and interest.

Almost with a will of their own, Yukina's feet began walking in Kagome's general direction, speeding up a bit with every foot fall. Behind her she could feel her teammates fall into place, Kuronue directly at her side.

Yoko moved almost subconsciously towards the source of all that pure energy. He could feel her energy all around him, caressing him and studying him. It tingled up the back of his spine and made his nerves stand on end and goose bumps start to rise. Yoko's senses were itching to taste her energy, to let it consume him. Beside him he could feel Kurama react to the energy as well, though he tried to hide it. Both kitsunes exchanged glances with each other and hurried to catch up with Yukina and Kuronue who were almost to the screened in porch. Daija just ambled along behind the group, Yusuke walking calmly at his side, growling a bit about the reaction of all his friends.

"So what do you think?" Daija asked him, voice barely above a whisper. "Do you think anyone suspects you yet?"

Yusuke looked to be sure no one else was paying attention to them and almost rolled his eyes. Of course they wouldn't be paying attention to him. They were too intent on getting to Kagome. "No, I doubt it," Yusuke grumbled. "Though I hate having to act like this around them. I hate hurting Yukina like this, but I know everything will work out in the end."

Daija nodded. "Keep a look out for any of the SDF," he warned before walking away. He shot a hooded glance behind his shoulder. "They've been sniffing around here again, trying every trick in the book to break through the barrier."

Yusuke nodded and turned his thoughts inward. Oh, Kagome I truly hope we're doing the right thing. I just hope that by the time this all ends, you'll be happy. It's been a long time since I've truly seen you smile.

Okay, I finally know why I'm writing Yusuke the way I am. He's a jerk for a reason which will not be revealed until the end. I will say right now that he knows Daija and Kagome, but I will not tell you how or why he is acting the way he is.

Anyway, I do hope everyone liked that update. I spent a lot of time reading it over and over to make it interesting enough for you all. I'd like to thank you all for waiting for so long. Just know that it won't be that long of a wait until my next update. I know where I'm going witha lot of my stories now so there should be a lot of updates over the next month or so.

Ja ne.

Kura