I'm so sorry this took so long to update everyone! I was in and out of the hospital for two weeks because I got really sick and then I had to catch up on my schoolwork so I haven't really had time to get on the computer much. However, I've finally finished everything besides typing up a five-page paper (blah) so I decided to take a break and update! But, because I've been in the hospital I haven't been able to work on any of my stories much so this chapter is much shorter than I was planning to make it. (It was originally going to be about ten pages, whereas now it's only five.) Because of that everything I said would be happening in this chapter is now in the next chapter, which hopefully will go up sometime in the next two weeks without any problems. Thanks to everyone who waited so patiently!

"speaking"

'thinking'

:Shuichi to Yoko:

::Yoko to Shuichi::

/\/\/\/\/\Scene change/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

O time lapse/ change of POV O

Amaranth

Chapter 4: Sharing Control

Kuronue couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as Yoko wrapped his arms around the redheaded woman. Sure, the kitsune hadn't fallen ill since he had brought her to their hideout, but was there really a need for Yoko to cling to her so much?

"Stop it, Kuronue," Yoko commanded.

"Stop what?" the bat snapped back.

"Do you really think I don't know you after all this time? There's no way I'd leave you for this woman, so stop glaring at her."

"Why did you want her then? She couldn't even manage to stay awake on the journey here! It didn't even take me an hour to get back!"

"Can't you tell, Kuronue? She is me!" Yoko snapped as he laid the woman down and stood in front of his partner.

The bat blinked, trying to process what his mate had said, but still ending up confused. "What?"

Yoko sighed. "I don't know how or why. All I know is that a part of me exist inside that woman, and had we continued to be separated it would have killed us both."

Kuronue eyed his partner. "You sure about this, fox?" The Yoko only nodded, staring down at the woman. Now it was the bat's turn to sigh as he embraced the kitsune. "Whatever you say, fox. I don't understand but I'll trust you on this one. Besides, she's waking up and she owes me an explanation of how she knows my name."

Yoko turned to see the woman's emerald eyes open and half consciously take in her surroundings. In an instant the fox's cold demeanor was on. Even if he felt a part of himself inside of her he wasn't going to let down his guard around her.

"Welcome to our humble abode, human."

O

"Welcome to our humble abode, human."

Kurama was startled to full awareness by the voice. She sat up quickly to see Yoko standing in front of her, the corners of his mouth pulled up slightly, but his eyes deadly calm. Kuronue stood behind him, a cruel smirk gracing his face. They didn't intimidate Kurama at all. She knew this trick all too well.

"You know why you are here, human. So, tell me, what are you?"

"Just as you said," Kurama answered in the same cool manner as the kitsune. "I'm a simple human."

Kuronue let out a small sound of disgusted disbelief while Yoko's eyes narrowed. "A simple human would not have spoken to me in such a manner."

"Maybe you've just never meet any humans like me before." Kurama knew it wasn't a good idea to antagonize the kitsune, but she couldn't think of anything that she knew Yoko hadn't already thought of a way to counter, and that was making her desperate.

Yoko's reply was drowned out by the same voice speaking different words. ::Shuichi, transform.:: the Yoko commanded her.

:What? You know I don't have the energy for that!:

::Just try it. I can handle this better than you. You're going to get us killed and I'll be damned if I die by my own hand!::

:Yoko…:

::Enough!:: he snapped. Before Kurama could fight it off Yoko suddenly broke through, forcing his consciousness to the forefront. But something was different about this transformation.

Both human and demon had control

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Ok, here's the plan. Yukina and I will go this way to scout out the security in the forest, and…"

"Wait a minute! Why do you get to go with my Yukina!"

"She's not yours, but he does have a point, detective. She'd be better off going with me."

"Not a chance, shrimp! She'd be safer with me!"

"Only if she wanted to end up dead."

"Shut up!" Yusuke shouted, jumping between his friends. "This is why Yukina is going with me," he said, leaving no room for complaint. "Now, Hiei, Kuwabara, you two will go that and scout out the river area, and we'll meet back here in three hours to discuss the best plan from there."

"We're going to have to use stealth to get in. If Karasu knows we're here, he might kill Kurama to keep us from getting him back."

Yusuke nodded gravely. "Everyone got that? Good. Let's move out."

O

"Do you think they'll be all right?" Yukina asked. She may be kind hearted, but she wasn't as naive as everyone thought.

"Yeah, they'll be fine. As long as they share a common goal they'll be able to work together. Not very well, but enough to make progress."

They lapsed into silence as they continued through the forest that surrounded Karasu's stronghold. The fortress itself was located at the base of a large mountain range, protecting it from the west. A wide, fast flowing river flowed down from the mountains toward the south, effectively cutting off any attack from that direction. To the north and east an emeses, ancient forest dominated the landscape. Anyone who wished to attack with an army would either have to drag it through dense foliage, trek over steep mountains, or risk downing in the powerful currents of the river.

"Well," Yusuke commented, "if Kurama escapes, he'll have a huge advantage over his pursuers."

"I doubt that, Yusuke," Yukina replied in her soft voice. "Karasu probably warded Kurama's powers and placed him under strict guard. He wouldn't go through all this work just to let Kurama slip through his fingers."

Yusuke was about to answer when he sensed a group of B-level demons coming their way. "Yukina, get in a tree and hide your energy."

Yukina nodded, gracefully jumping onto a tree branch as Yusuke did the same, just with less grace.

The patrol was made of five members and as they came close to Yukina and Yusuke's positions one of the members stopped. "I quite," he said. "If you want to report to Karasu that we couldn't find his fox go ahead, but I'd rather stay alive."

Another member stepped forward, obviously the leader. "You're not going anywhere, except back to the castle with us. You'll accept whatever punishment Lord Karasu wishes to give you!" he snapped, bearing his fangs at the other demon.

"No way!" But the leader had had enough. He swiped out at the other demon with his claws so fast Yusuke had trouble seeing the blow. This guy could give Hiei a run for his money. The other demon fell in front of him, his throat slit from ear to ear.

"Any more complaints?" he questioned. When no one said anything he growled softly. "Good, now move out."

Yukina and Yusuke waited until they could no longer feel the other demons energy before dropping out of their respective trees. "So, Kurama did escape."

"We should meet back with Hiei and Kuwabara to tell them and limit our search to the forest."

Yusuke was silent for a moment. "Let's look for Kurama just a bit longer. We still have some time before we need to meet back up."

Yukina titled her head slightly, taking in the former spirit detective. "You really care for him, don't you?"

"W-w-what?" Yusuke stammered, completely taken off guard. "why would you say that?"

"Oh, Yusuke," Yukina sighed. "It's obvious that you and Kurama both care deeply for each other, except you two that is."

Yusuke thought about what Yukina said for a minute. "Kurama cares about me too?" he asked softly.

"Yukina offered him a sweet smile. "I'm sure of it."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Yoko couldn't hide his shock as the woman in front of him suddenly gained silver ears, silver streaks appearing in her crimson locks. Once green eyes were flecked with gold and nails had turned to claws. Even her clothes had changed to resemble Yoko's own outfit, although they retained the same black color as the previous gown she had been wearing.

"Okay," Kuronue said after the transformation was complete. "I was not expecting that one."

"So, there really is a part of me in you," Yoko said as he gazed into his own eyes.

The woman nodded. "Yes, I'm the you in a different world." Her voice was deeper than before, exactly what Yoko would sound like as a woman.

"Explain," the kitsune ordered.

The woman sighed and nodded, when suddenly the gold in her eyes cleared, but that was the only change this time. "What are you thinking?" she snapped, her voice back to normal.

The gold was back. "I know what I'm doing!" she said in her deeper voice. "This world is different than ours. We need to learn the rules fast."

"What is going on?" Yoko whispered.

"Isn't it obvious?" Kuronue answered. "You're turned her insane."

Kurama turned back to them, the gold flecks remaining in her eyes. "No, just a simple argument with my human side."

"Are you going to tell us what happened or not?" Yoko asked evenly.

Kurama stared at the kitsune for a moment. "Of course, just remember to keep an open mind."

"I think we're passed that point," Kuronue muttered.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Once again, sorry it's so short, but the next part that was supposed to go with this will be up shortly. Thanks for all your patience and please let me know what you think of this chapter!