It was a quiet day in the northern part of Maki and snow fell on the mountain ranges known for their vast lands and skilled demons that live there. It was mid day and the first week of one of the harshest seasons of the year, Winter. The ice rains would come and may weaker demons would die. Yet the stronger ones would end up living till next year. It was an unspoken rule that no descent demon fellow would speak. Yet everyone knew this rule like it was the back of their hands or claws in some cases. A young mistress of the mountains created that rule. She followed it so now so did everyone else. The Mistress of the mountains is a legend that lives on in the children who fill the lands now and the future generations will learn about. A master of all the elements and ruler over these haunted ice caps.

The snow faded as may dead bodies laid on the floors of the artic forest. Other demons buried the bodies while other burned them into ashes. A hush came over the crowd as a hood figure walked through the valleys of the dead. Her eyes where the only trait about her visible, their pale purple color that seemed to chill the souls of anyone who looked at her. She smiled slightly as the glint of her fang turned into view. She looked at everyone who fearfully looked at her.

"Hold ye tongue this is time to honor the dead of thy whom have left use behind…" Her voice seemed the thunder over the hushed crowd of people who now just watched her in horror and pure terror. It was normal for people to fear such a higher up like her. Yet she was kinder then these demons appeared her to be yet she demanded respect from those who she ruled over.

"Milady thank you for coming on such short notice…" The one of many villages elder came up to her. He looked at her and smiled softly. He patted her shoulder blindly with his blue hazed over eyes he looked at her. It was something all elders faced in this god forsaken location. Yet the mistress in her olden age as still held her sight and if anything it has grown more acute then any man before her. It was a rare blessing she had received at birth along with the blessing of eternal life. This is what brought such fear to her name while spoken.

"Tis no burden…You are my people all of ye and it's my duty to…" The Mistress said quietly as she walked over to the people and started to ceremony.

In spirit world the normal hustle and bustle of Koenma's office remained as ogres of all colors and shapes hurried around. Koenma sitting at his desk as he worked his way through piles of papers, the piles where bigger then the ruler in his infant like form as the boys all piled into the large room. Hiei took his normal location in the corner as the other three seated themselves in the chairs laid out for them.

"I have a mission for you boys…" The toddler of a ruler spoke as he moved the pile of papers from his view.

"What else is new…?" The bad boy leader known as Yusuke Urameshi said as he crossed his arms on his yellow training top.

"Hmph, well your mission is to go to the northern mountains of Maki and bring me their leader, Mistress Artmis Le Mc'Gray and her comrade Rei Kamitari…" Koenma paused, "They are of great importance to this years Dark tournament…" his voice was its normal board as his chin rested on his child like hands, the pacifier moving in an odd fashion as he spoke. He pulled a set of pictures from his small draw and placed them on the table. The older looking female was hidden by a cloak and the other female was smiling as if she was posing from the picture. She had made peace sign and her dark brown locks braided her eyes yellow and one eye was closed in a winking fashion.

They reached the northern mountain boarder Kurama holding the pictures as Hiei stood to his right with Yusuke in the back and Kuwabara beside Kurama. They walked into the village and looked around with cloaks held close to their bodies. The temperature was at an abnormal low. The team was all shivering but Hiei, he remained warm under his thin cloak of black and white.

The hustle of daily life in these mountains was at its normal. People hurrying about as the first female came into view. Her brown hair was braided her wings where closed on her backed as she smiled softly at the villagers. The team hurried over as Kurama spoke first.

"Miss Rei..?" His voice what that of an embarrassed boy talking to a pretty girl for the first time, his normally pale face was brushed with crimson as he looked at Rei with a caring smile.

"Where is the Mistress Onno…." Hiei snapped as Rei blinked and giggled a little.

"Mistress Artmis..?" Rei said quietly, "I think she is at a meeting in the palace…" The girl smiled as she rubbed the back of her head. Her hand was grabbed by Kurama who asked her to lead them to the palace.

The palace was a beautiful sight to be seen. The castle wall where made of ice and the door was a rare type of wood. The door knobs where made of ice and they slowly opened. Inside the gates lays a world untouched by the world outside the rare wood.

A figure now stood beside Rei as she took no heed to the new comer. "Rei...I see you have….Guests…" The figures voice was cold and held harshness to it as Rei looked over and giggled.

"Jeez…You're so mean to people Arty…" Rei smiled as she pulled Artmis over to her. "Boys meet Arty or Mistress Artmis…" She smiled as Arty waved slightly.

Hiei was about one or two inches taller then Artmis was as he walked over to her and grabbed her hand, "Hurry up onno..." he said pulling her his arm turned a light blue and started to steam. He pulled his hand away from her wrist and growled as his hand was burned.

Rei blinked as she giggled; "Forgot to tell you she doesn't like being touched…" she smiled as she looked at the now annoyed Hiei.