A/N: An update! I apologize, I really been in a mood, if you know what I mean. Haven't really felt myself these late few days, but I'm coming around…Oh, buy the way, you may have noticed that Kuronue had a scimitar in ch.1 instead of his real weapon. To clear up confusion, that will become part of the plot. So don't worry, I didn't mess it up, it was intentional. The answers to you reviewers are on the bottom. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, but I do own any characters I make in this story.

Kuronue and Youko ran down a barren street with their food they had just acquired. Youko couldn't get over how Kuronue just played that fool so flawlessly, he just kept on laughing as they ran. "Did you see the look on his face, What a fool!" He congratulated his friend over and over again.

Kuronue just grinned, personally happy to see the kitsune in such a good mood. He had been kind of down these last few days and knew something like this would cheer him up, so that was why he suggested they went and picked on old Kalrdu.

The started to slow down as they neared a small hut that had definitely seen better days. As they slowed, Kuronue looked at Youko with a bit of worry, he hoped his mood wouldn't be drug back down once they went inside.

Youko Kurama face had fallen, he really didn't have any desire to return here, not tonight, not with her in there.

Youko took the stolen food from Kuronue and pulled back the fur drape that served as a door. The bat demon followed a few paces behind his friend; he wasn't sure how this would fly.

The young kitsune entered the house and noticed her right away, she looked bummed. He took note of this and thought, 'Good, maybe she'll leave me alone.'

But his presence did not go unnoticed, this woman, with a tall, slender build, pretty face, long silver hair that had a hint of light blue with grey eyes looked up…at her son.

Youko put a mock smile on his face and gave her a greeting, "Mother." He threw down the stolen goods.

Kuronue watched the exchange between the two, Youko's tail was twitching with annoyance and his ears lowered to his head in annoyance…Shanu on the other, looked at the bag he just threw down and lowered her thin silver brows. Her ears perked up, drawing both of there attention.

She fingered the cloth bag cautiously, "What is this?"

Youko snarled angrily, "Food, something you can't finically provide us with, you don't even have anything worth value for trade!" With that he stomped off into a narrow back hallway.

Shanu just shook her head and softly addressed Kuronue who was standing uncomfortably across the room.

"You two shouldn't steal."

Kuronue went over to her and sat next to her. He felt the need to comfort this kitsune as well, after all, it was the least he could do.

Kuronue remembered. It was this woman who took him in as her own son after his parents were brutally slain. They had been close, the two families. The only thing Kuronue had to remind himself of them was the pendent around his neck. It was the only thing that he owned that represented everything he was, his beliefs, his ways, and his true heritage.

He rested a clawed hand on one of hers. His vibrant deep violet eyes looked at her with sincerity, "Don't mind him, I've noticed his been quiet edgy lately."

She just shook her head dejectedly and whispered, "He doesn't understand…"

The bat apparition looked at her, puzzled, what did she mean by that?

As he was about to say something she got up from her rickety chair and grabbed the bag to prepare food. She pulled out a small knife and started to peel the fruit, trying to forget that this was stolen food, but what choice did she have.

Pushing back his chair with a creaking sound, Kuronue stood up and stretched his arms into the air, spreading his wings as he did so. He then tried to cheer her up by turning the conversation around; he couldn't be the only content one in the small confines of the hut.

"Anyone stop by today?" he walked over and started to help her peel.

"No, not really… nobody stops by anymore…" she sighed

Biting his lip, the pale bat demon decided maybe it was better not to say anything at all.

A phantom noticed the boys escape route, he had to act quickly or he might lose them. Dashing from shadow to shadow, he didn't have too much difficulty nor was he worried if they would hear him, or detect his scent.

Like they could, anyway.

He snickered at his own brilliance; Shanu would sure be surprised to see him.

The Makai was now covered in darkness; it was not a safe time to be out doors. Night was the time of mysterious acts, deceit, and robbery in many areas.

The wind was blowing rather viciously this particular night, causing the 'door' of a certain hut to be flapping like crazy.

Everything was being blown about and with dirt floors it wasn't too pleasant. Kuronue was in the process of anchoring their 'door' with stones before they lost it altogether.

Shanu was covering the remaining food, hoping all the dust wouldn't spoil it so they had something decent for the next few days.

Youko was stubbornly sitting in the corner on a mat, refusing to help either of them.

As Kuronue struggled for the last piece that need to be anchored down, Shanu open her eyes, now that the dirt wasn't flying all over the place and glared at her son for his ill-mannered ways.

Youko saw her glare, but pretended not to; he found staring at his claws much more amusing.

A certain bat demon wearily backed away from the evil flap of a door. His hat had been blown off by the wind, it was laying in the middle of the floor in all of it torn up glory, and reveled his now hilariously wind blown hair.

None of the other occupants of the hut took notice, with his kit-mother glaring at Youko, who was marveling at his sharp claws, obviously ignoring her. Knowing that there was probably going to be a fight and not wanting to be part of it, he cautiously picked up his hat and went to his small room.

Now they were alone, Shanu slammed her fist down weakly on what served as a counter. With a hoarse, weary voice she did something she met to do earlier today: scold her son.

"Kurama!" she addressed him, knowing by just using 'Kurama' he would listen, "I can't believe you! First you steal, yet again, and then you come home, stomp off like a two year old kit, and then you don't even help Kuronue get the damn door sealed!"

The young delinquent looked up at her impassively; he could care less about what she had to say. All he heard for a while was 'growl growl growl, tisk tisk tisk' until what she said next got his attention.

"AND how many times do I have to tell you! I don't want you to be stealing!" she absently trailed of as Youko stood up in fury, he had had enough!

"Why, we'll I'd stop, if you'd get your lazy ass out there, find some stuff for us to trade or get a job! I'm sure father would love the sight of you now!"

Shanu couldn't believe he just said that! Not once had he mentioned his father since he was four (in demon years, mind you) how dare he use his name in such an ill-manner!

"KURAMA!" she shouted, bewildered beyond belief, but before she could say anything to her cold hearted son, he had already left down the hall and went into his quarters.

Later that night, Shanu went to an old wooden chest in her room. She reached up to her neck and pulled off a necklace with a small, beautifully designed key. Upon opening the chest, she pulled out a long, thin dagger. It was a mysterious white gold metal with sapphires embedded on the hilt and the sheath. It also carried the initials 'J.D.'

She slowly traced the initials and whispered, "I am so sorry, Januamaru Dioki, my love, our son doesn't mean what he just said…"

Suddenly her ears perked up, sensing movement behind her. Pulling the dagger from its sheath slowly and closing her eyes, she whipped around to strike the offender.

It was easily dogged though, even from one as skilled as Shanu.

Shanu looked up to the eyes of this oppressor, realizing who it was her eyes widened and she gasped…

"We meet at long last, Shanu…."

A/N: End of chapter two! I just thought it would be interesting to have Shanu and Youko's relationship kind of bad with each other, since Kurama (the red-head) has such a good relationship with his mother. Now answers to my reviewers!

Katzztar: Sorry about that mistake! Gosh, why didn't I catch that! (I just put 'The Demon World") Thank you for the correction!

Griffen-gal: I'm glad you liked it! Thank you and I hope this update isn't so late that you just gave up on me…

Thank you!