Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to a blessed thing except my husband, daughter, house and car.

Hello there! This is another crossover featuring two of my favorite characters from Yu Yu Hakusho and Inu-yasha. Oddly enough, the story contained within is not very AU, although I did whip up a big brother for Yoko.

Notes: I use "youkai" and "demon" interchangeably. Same for "ki" and "spirit energy".

Namaki - means live tree; green wood

Belonging

Chapter 1

A Deal Is Struck

"I'll do it."

Koenma couldn't keep his shock from showing. "You will!"

"Yes. On one condition."

"Name it."

"I want you to sign an agreement stating that upon my death, whenever and however it may be, you will give Yoko the choice of living out his remaining days in the Makai, or back in the feudal era of Japan, in his former body of course."

Koenma frowned at the calm and unreadable redhead before him. This was why he picked Kurama for the mission in the first place. His unflappable calm and his sharp, calculating mind. With the exception of maybe Hiei, the rest of Kurama's team, Yusuke and Kuwabara, would be a liability on this job. It required stealth and cunning, both of which the young man had. Not to mention he had the famous kitsune thief at his disposal. Does he think he's going to die on this mission? What loyalties could he possibly owe to Yoko to make such a request? Damn it! I need him to do this mission!

"May I ask why you're making such a request?"

"Yoko's original intent was to use a ningen body to replenish his ki and then discard it when he was able to function on his own. We have reached an accord that he will not continue with his original plan if he is allowed his freedom once I am dead. That way I can live my life, and he can be much more powerful when it's time for him to continue his life."

"Nice rental agreement you've got there, Kurama."

The barest of smiles appeared on the young man's face and Koenma could have sworn he saw a glint of gold in those green eyes.

"But why give him the choice?"

The glinting eyes suddenly darkened and looked sad. "He told me a story once and I want to give him the opportunity of giving that story an ending."

"I see."

"I will spell out all the details in the contract. So, do we have a deal, Koenma?"

"Fine. I'll have George draw up the necessary paperwork."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Another Time, Another Place

He raced through the empty halls, silver hair flowing behind him, his focus trained on the quickly approaching wooden door at the end of the hallway. So close. It's almost mine.

He'd been sent on this mission with his older brother Yuudai who had been his mentor in all things thieving since he was old enough to walk. So far he'd only been allowed to do petty thievery jobs, his brother being more than a little over protective. But finally he'd convinced his brother to let him join in on a more involved mission. And this was it. He was going to show his brother how well he'd learned all those lessons and how valuable a thief he could be.

"You can taste it, can't you?"

The deep voice pulled him from his thoughts and he aimed a sly smile at the stoic face racing along next to him. He knew better than to take the calm face for the seriousness it presented. His brother's green eyes glinted with excitement and Yoko knew both their hearts pounded faster and faster the closer they got to their goal.

"Look out!"

Yoko felt a strong hand at the nape of his neck and suddenly he was yanked backwards as the floor erupted just in front of him. He was slammed back against the wall and as he regained his senses his brother quickly and silently handled the guards. Yoko watched in awe as the strong and yet lithe body danced through the air, commanding a razor-sharp whip to slice his opponents to shreds.

"You'll have to show me how to do that someday, brother."

A deep chuckle sounded in the hallway and Yuudai gestured for him to follow. Yoko walked through the wooden door and into the small room which would yield their prize.

He looked around at the none-too-spectacular room and frowned. He didn't expect their host to have the secret room labeled clearly for them or anything, but this room was especially well disguised.

"Well?"

He raised his hand to quiet any further questions and turned in a small circle, taking in every minute detail of every object within the room. Slowly he walked towards a wall that was mostly taken up with bookcases. His golden eyes scanned the various titles and he reached out, pulling on a well worn volume of green leather. When nothing happened he heard his brother's scoff.

"Is this a little too hard, kit? Need some help?"

Yoko rolled his eyes at his brother's teasing voice. "Did I say I was done?"

"Hurry up. There will be more guards on the way."

Yoko went through the entire bookcase, tipping out every green volume he found, and yet still nothing happened.

"K'so!"

"Shut up! Let me think!"

Yoko backed up from the bookcase and let his eyes roam around the room once again. I thought for sure that was it. The scripture said to "fell all the namaki". Namaki means green wood. And these books are definitely linked to a trigger mechanism. I can smell it. So why didn't---

His golden eyes narrowed as he spied the answer to his dilemma. He walked over to a side table and picked up a discarded green book. It was light considering its size and he opened it to find a jewel inside. He picked it up and turned it over in the light. It was dark blue, almost to the point of being black. It was a rectangle for the most part, with one end coming to a point like a triangle. He picked it up and examined it, mesmerized.

"Is that it? Why isn't anything happening?"

Yoko looked up at his brother, a vulpine smile his only answer.

"What is that?"

Before Yoko could answer his brother the closed door splintered apart. He covered his face and when he looked up through the settling smoke he saw several guards beginning to crowd the room. He glanced at his brother and saw the youko backing up towards the far wall. He understood immediately. He had no intentions of fighting the guards or risking a confrontation with the powerful master of the castle. They would make their escape through the window. Damn it! We're so close! But at least now I have the key.

Yoko palmed the gem and maneuvered himself next to his brother, ready to throw himself out the window when a very powerful presence suddenly appeared from behind. Both whirled to see the master of the castle looming in the very window they'd planned to use for their escape.

"You will pay for your foolishness, thieves."

Neither brother had time to react. Yoko raised his hands and braced himself against the bright blue light heading straight for him. The next thing he saw was a vortex of spinning colors which he fought not to get sucked into, but to no avail. As he went spiraling out of control, he called for his brother, but he would never see him again.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yoko came to an abrupt and painful stop. His body fell from the vortex, or rather was thrown from it, landing him in the middle of a field of tall grass. He lay there, panting, trying to get his bearings and regain control of his shaking body. As he propped himself up on unsteady arms, he blinked his vision clear of the many stars dancing before his eyes.

"Yuudai? Yuudai!"

He received no answer from his brother or anyone else. He stretched his senses out, looking for any traces of his brother or the guards, but the only thing he seemed to notice was how…..different everything felt. All the vegetation felt unfamiliar and he didn't sense any demonic energy within miles. As he stood up and took a more thorough look at his surroundings, his eyes went wide in wonder. The very sky was changed! It was blue with fluffy white clouds. He took a deep, steadying breath. The air smelled sweeter and seemed thinner somehow.

"Where in the Makai am I?"

To be continued….