TheHeartsPath: I know that in both the series and manga that Yoko and Kurama/Shuichi are not completely different and separate personalities. But I've read enough fan-fics written by others where they have them like that and I think it's cool. So here goes nothing with trying to write the first of the split personality conversations. I have a feeling I'm going to be rather dizzy by the time it's done. LOL Please read and review! Hope you like the chapter! Enjoy!

P.S. : Thanks for the reviews to Time on my hands, Azura Soul Reaver, and j.d.y. An especially big thanks to Time on my hands. It was your stories of Roses and Regrets and The Search For A Mate that made me want to give writing a fan-fic of my own a try.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its' characters. They are owned by Yoshihiro Togashi. I own only Ayla, her family, and any other characters that do not show up in the series.

"Talking" Thoughts ~Telepathy or mind-reading~ "Yoko speaking to Kurama""Kurama speaking to Yoko"

Chapter 14: Ancestry Discovered

Hiei's POV (Ayla's Mind)

Opening my eyes, I found myself in the forest that worked as Ayla's mental shield. "Now to find the onna." I had only taken a few steps in the direction I had chosen to go when something came out of one of the trees to attack me. I leapt out of the way, drawing my sword before I had even landed.

Standing several yards away from me was one of the big cats. Its fur was mostly a golden hue while the underside area was a soft tan. There were black rosettes covering its body. There weren't any animals the last time I tried to enter the onna's mind. Especially not any jaguars. So why is there now?

"Who are you and what are you doing in the onna's mind?" I demanded.

~I am the one that should be asking that of you intruder.~

Raising an eyebrow I said, "Hiei, I've entered the onna's mind to bring her back. Now answer my question."

~Your name is known to this one who is a part of Ayla.~

"A part of her?" The jaguar nodded its head in reply. It was then I realized the color of its eyes were exactly like Ayla's.

~Follow and I will lead you to her.~ The jaguar turned around and started to walk away into the trees. In the same direction that I had started going in before it attacked me.

"And why should I trust you?"

It stopped and looked back at me. ~You want to find Ayla and bring her back from her mind do you not?~

"That is what I told you."

~Then you must follow me to find her. Otherwise you will end up lost.~ With that it turned back around and walked farther into the trees.

Putting my sword away I said, "This had better not be a trick."

~Are you going to just stand there or are you going to actually move those feet of yours and follow?~

"Damn cat." I grumbled as I started to follow.

~I heard that.~

"Hn."

~Try and keep up biped. That is of course, if you can.~ The jaguar took off, up into the branches.

I followed, jumping from one branch to the next, making sure to keep the jaguar in my sight at all times. We alternated jumping from branch to branch, to running on the ground. As we made our way to wherever Ayla was I noticed the trees and plants changing. Before there seemed to be only a few types of trees and a few plants, now there were many different varieties of trees and plants. Animals were also appearing as well. Besides the plants and animals from the Ningenkai, there are also ones from both the Makai and Reikai here too.

"You're a jaguar, an animal, how the hell can you be a part of the onna?" I asked as we continued on our way through this strange forest.

~I am a part of her that has only begun to awaken. At the moment Ayla is speaking with the part that is a representation of her ancestors.~

"And what do you represent?"

~That is for Ayla to find out first, not you.~

Narrowing my eyes at the jaguar I said, "I'm beginning to think you just like to play games with the way you keep answering me."

There was a strange sound, almost a laugh, coming from the jaguar. ~I am a feline after all. What feline doesn't like to play games in some fashion?~

I felt a smirk appear on my face at the cat's retort. That sounds like something the onna would say.

~We are close now.~

The sound of moving water was coming from the direction that we were headed in. I thought I heard Ayla's voice as well. We came out of the trees beside a lake with a river connected to it. There she is.

Ayla was standing on the lakeshore and it looked as though she was talking to a panther. I couldn't quite hear what she was saying as I made my way over to her. But what she yelled made me stop dead in my tracks. "Holy shit! I'm a druid?!"

It can't be...She can't be one of them, it's not possible. That's what went through my mind after hearing the onna's words.

The onna quickly turned around and looked at me. "Hiei? Is that really you?" she asked with a look of caution on her face.

"Who else would it be onna?" I replied with a scowl.

Her cautious look changed to one that was a strange mix of relief and amusement. "Oh yeah, definitely the real Hiei." She saw the jaguar and raised an eyebrow, "Um, hello and what do you represent in my mind?"

~The protector, the guardian, and the warrior.~

Ayla blinked, "Right..."

That explains why it was so quick to attack me.

Looking back at me Ayla asked, "So who is it that you meant when you said I can't be one of them. And how is it not possible?"

My eyes widened in surprise at her questions. I must have spoken out loud what I had thought after hearing her say she was a druid. "I was speaking of the druids." I answered.

"Why do I get the feeling you don't mean the druids of the ancient Celtics?" she said with a frown.

"Because I'm not."

~He speaks of the first druids. The ones who taught humans what they could of their ways.~ The voice was different from the jaguar's so it was probably the panther speaking.

"She is one of them?" I asked the panther.

~She is a descendant, whose blood and powers have begun to awaken.~

"Would someone please tell me what or who the hell you guys are talking about?!" the onna shouted, looking back and forth between me and the cats.

"The fox and I will explain later once we're out of your mind onna. Right now we need to know why you're druidic blood and powers are awakening." I told her.

She nodded, "Alright fine. You better explain later about the druids...Not to mention whoever the hell this fox is you mentioned."

It took me a moment to realize that Ayla didn't know that I was referring to Kurama. She still hasn't been told everything about all of us and our mission.

~Ayla, you are awakening for a reason. However, we can not tell you what that reason is.~

"Why the hell not?!" both the onna and I yelled. Both the panther and jaguar just looked at us.

"Neither of you are going to tell me why all this is happening to me." Ayla stated in disbelief.

"Let's go onna."

Ayla looked at me, at the cats, then back at me. "Okay Hiei. Weird as this may sound I really want to get out of my mind and back to the world, uh worlds...whatever." I understood why she wanted to leave her mind. She was trying to deal with too many different things in too short a timespan.

She had walked over to me when the cats spoke in unison. ~Discover who you are Ayla. Discover your heart. And you shall find the answers.~

Ayla took a step back towards them, but the cats ran into the trees, out of sight. When she made to go after them I grabbed her hand to stop her. "They won't tell us anything more onna."

Nodding her head and sighing, "Yeah I know. Now I have to figure out what they meant by that oh-so-lovely cryptic message." There was a hint of aggravation in her voice as she spoke.

"Close your eyes and focus on leaving here." I told her, still keeping her hand in mine.

"You lead the way out Hiei. I'd be lucky if I managed to get myself to another part of my mind that I'm actually familiar with considering what's been happening with me lately." she replied as she closed her eyes.

With a smirk I said, "Hn, as if I'd let you lead me anywhere onna."

Opening her eyes, she turned to me and frowned. "You know, if I wasn't so happy to see you, I'd be rather tempted to give into the urge I have to kick you."

"I'd like to see you try."

She rolled her eyes before closing them, mumbling, "You are the strangest, damn male I've ever met."

I chuckled, closing my own eyes and focused on getting us out of her mind and back to everyone else.

Koenma's POV

I was busy stamping papers and worrying if Ayla did or did not have a demon ancestor. Having a demon ancestor meant that at some point her demon blood would fully awaken. Changing her into either a half-demon like Yusuke or into a full-blooded demon. Though the latter was a great rarity to have happen. Worrying about this isn't going to help matters any. It'll only give me a bigger headache than I already have.

"Koenma, are you alright?" asked Botan worriedly.

With a sigh I answered, "As alright as I can be. George and the other ogres should be just about done checking Ayla's blood line."

Almost as if on cue the door to my office opened and in came George looking worried, closing the door behind him. "It's just as you thought Lord Koenma. Ayla does have a demon ancestor." George said.

I nodded, "Good job George. Now Botan I need you to go and..."

"There's something else you need to know Koenma sir!" George interrupted.

"What is it?" I snapped, annoyed that he had interrupted me.

"It's about the type of demon Ayla's ancestor was sir. Her ancestor was one of the druids." George quickly said.

I could feel my eyes widen, my jaw fall open in shock, and my pacifier fall out of my mouth and into my lap.

Botan gasped, "One of the druids? Are you sure?"

George nodded his head rapidly. "I double checked the findings when we found out she had a demon ancestor just like Lord Koenma ordered."

"This means that Ayla will be the first true druid to have appeared in five thousand years." I heard myself say.

"Koenma we need to tell Genkai and the boys." Botan reminded me.

Nodding my head in agreement I open a portal near Genkai's temple. "Leave immediately Botan. I have to do what I can to try and make sure my father doesn't find out about Ayla having a demon ancestor." Especially the fact that her ancestor was one of the druids.

Botan conjured her oar, hopped on it and flew through the portal to notify Genkai and the guys. Once she was through the portal it closed.

"George come with me. We have work to do."

"Yes sir." he replied.

We both left my office and went to do what we could to try and keep my father from finding out about Ayla and her ancestor.

Kurama's POV

Only five minutes have passed since Hiei entered Ayla's mind to find her. Yukina had taken Kira to the kitchen to make something to eat for everyone, while the rest of us were staying in the living room waiting for Hiei to bring Ayla back. Hopefully it wouldn't take much longer.

"How much longer is it going to take for Hiei to bring Ayla back from her mind?" Kuwabara asked.

"I don't know Kuwabara. But you have to remember what Hiei said. Ayla slipped away into a part of her mind that she may not have known to exist." I told him.

"Meaning what exactly Kurama?" asked Yusuke.

"Meaning that it may take time for Hiei to locate Ayla and bring her back." I answered.

"Great." Yusuke said sarcastically.

I glanced over at Yusuke and felt my mouth twitch in amusement. After Hiei had entered Ayla's mind, Yusuke had moved to the other side of the table. Placing it between himself and Ayla. For once in his life Yusuke was actually being cautious. It took Ayla going feral and trying to rip his throat out for Yusuke to realize that pushing her buttons while her control is so bad, was most certainly not a good idea. Particularly if he wanted to stay alive and in one piece.

Hearing the sound of someone running, I looked towards the door just as it slammed open. It was none other than Botan standing there.

"Hey Botan, what's up?" greeted Kuwabara.

"We just found out that..." Botan trailed off, her eyes widening as she caught sight of Hiei cradling Ayla in his arms.

"Ayla lost control and ended up slipping into a part of her mind. Hiei is trying to find her and bring her back." I told her, answering the question that she couldn't seem to voice.

"Oh..." she replied, still standing there looking at Hiei and Ayla. A surprised look still on her face.

"You came here for a reason Botan, what is it?" Genkai asked.

Shaking her head quickly, Botan looked at her saying, "Er...right! Anyways, what I was trying to say is that we've found out that Ayla does in fact have a demon ancestor."

"Shit! Tell me that asshole father of Koenma's doesn't know." Yusuke demanded.

"I don't know. Before I left Koenma said that he was going to try and make sure that King Yama doesn't find out about it." she replied.

"Did you happen to find out what type of demon her ancestor was?" I asked.

Nodding her head, Botan answered, "Yes we did. It turns out that her ancestor was one of the druids."

"One of the what?" Yusuke asked, his confusion evident in his voice.

"The druids, they were one of the most powerful type of demons to have ever existed." I replied.

Kuwabara scratched his head, "I thought that druids were like some kind of priests from ancient Europe."

I was a bit surprised that Kuwabara knew something about druids. Even if what he knew was only about the human ones. "The human ones were yes. But they were originally taught by the demon druids.

"What kind of things were these guys able to do?" Yusuke asked.

"They were both empathic and telepathic, had the ability to change their shape into that of any animal to have existed in any of the three worlds, manipulate plants, rapidly heal themselves and others, and several other things that I would think to be more myth than truth." I answered.

Yusuke raised and eyebrow and whistled. "And Ayla's the descendant of one of these druid guys? Guess that means she's gonna be pretty powerful huh?"

I nodded, "If she trains properly then most likely she will become quite powerful." As long as no one kills her before she's had the chance to train.

"How come you keep talking about them in the past tense Kurama?" Kuwabara asked.

"Because they were wiped out five thousand years ago."

"What the hell do you mean wiped out?" Yusuke asked frowning.

I was about to explain what I meant when I saw Hiei open his eyes and heard Ayla groan. "It would appear that the two of you have returned." I said smiling.

"Took you long enough to bring her back shrimp." Kuwabara said.

Glaring at Kuwabara, Hiei was about to say something when Ayla spoke in an annoyed manner. "As soon as I get my bearings I am going to hurt you Kazuma."

Hiei stopped his glaring and looked down at Ayla with a smirk on his face.

"What? Why?" Kuwabara yelped.

"I've told you before that I dislike the way you refer to Hiei as a crustacean. So once I stop feeling fuzzy-headed I'm going to smack you upside the head." she replied, running a hand through her hair. She didn't look like she was doing as well as she had before losing control and slipping into her mind.

Yusuke laughed at what she had said before asking her in a teasing manner, "So Ayla...How long you gonna stay laying in Hiei's arms?"

Ayla looked confused for a second before she blushed and sat up quickly. "Sorry 'bout that Hiei." She pulled out of Hiei's arms and started to move so as to sit at the table.

To say the least it was quite surprising when Hiei grabbed her and made her sit with her back against his chest, his arms wrapped around her waist. Ayla's blush grew as she asked in a shaky voice, "H-Hiei? W-What are you d-doing?"

"As much as I would like to see you hit the oaf in the head, I don't think you should move a lot just yet. You haven't had a chance to recover from what just happened with your loss of control." Hiei answered her calmly.

"Oh...okay." she replied quietly, a light blush still on her face.

~That's not the only reason you have her staying where she is, now is it Hiei?~ Hiei didn't reply but I know that he heard me.

I glanced at the others and smiled in amusement. Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Botan were all looking at Hiei like he had suddenly sprouted a second head. Genkai was looking thoughtful as she continued to drink her tea. Yukina and Kira had only been looking in long enough to check if Ayla was back before returning to the kitchen. Yukina had looked slightly surprised but was smiling. Surprisingly, Kira didn't seem surprised in the slightest about how Hiei was acting with Ayla.

In fact, she seemed to be rather pleased about Hiei's actions towards her sister. Strange, it's almost as if Kira expected Hiei to act this way. It could be that she has sensed Hiei's attraction to Ayla through his Heart's Song. Whatever her reason was for being pleased with Hiei's actions, I had to admit that I was pleased as well.

It would appear that Ayla is good for Hiei and him for her. They are attracted to each other, but I doubt they realize that the attraction is mutual. If any of the girls figure out that Ayla and Hiei are attracted to each other they'll probably try to get them together by playing matchmaker.

"Now there's an interesting idea."

"What are you talking about Yoko?"

"Why playing matchmaker of course."

"Is it me or did it just sound like you were interested in playing matchmaker with Hiei and Ayla?"

"Guilty as charged."

"You suprise me Yoko."

"How is that Shuichi?"

"I'd have thought that you would try to take Ayla as yours considering your history with women."

"You wound me. Why in the three worlds would I want the druid descendant when I find her lovely sister Gwen to be a much better mate for us?"

Caught off guard by Yoko's admission of his thoughts regarding Gwen, I was momentarily rendered speechless. I was about to question him when Ayla's sudden question stopped me.

"Did I imagine it or did I really see an eye on your forehead Hiei?"

Ayla's POV

Becoming aware that I was in my body instead of in my mind, I opened my eyes and groaned. My head felt fuzzy and ached something fierce, particularly my mouth. The tips of my fingers were also hurting. Not to mention I felt like I had been drained of almost all of my energy.

I noticed that I was laying on the floor, cradled in Hiei's arms. Hiei's holding me...again. I like when he holds me in his arms, I feel safe. For some reason as I looked at Hiei's face I thought something was different. But my head was messed up enough that I couldn't put my finger on what that difference was at the moment.

"It would appear that the two of you have returned." I heard Shuichi say from somewhere to my right. Glancing at him, I saw he was sitting at the table, a small smile on his face.

"Took you long enough to bring her back shrimp." Kazuma said from next to Shuichi.

Seeing Hiei glare at him and getting ready to say something, I spoke up, annoyance clear in my voice. "As soon as I get my bearings I am going to hurt you Kazuma." Hiei stopped his glaring and looked down at me, an amused smirk on his handsome face.

Kazuma yelped, "What? Why?"

Running a hand through my hair I answered, "I've told you before that I dislike the way you refer to Hiei as a crustacean. So once I stop feeling fuzzy-headed I'm going to smack you upside the head." Ugh...I feel like shit.

Yusuke found my words amusing, if his laughter was any indication. Once he stopped laughing he teasingly asked, "So Ayla...How long you gonna stay laying in Hiei's arms?"

What is he talking...Oh. Blushing, I quickly sat up and apologized, "Sorry 'bout that Hiei." Pulling out of his arms, I started to make my way to the table so that I could sit at it.

Suddenly I felt hands grab my shoulders and pull me backwards. Hiei had grabbed me, making me sit so that my back was against his chest and wrapping his arms around my waist. What the hell is Hiei doing?! Feeling my blush grow I asked, "H-Hiei? W-What are you d-doing?"

He answered me calmly, "As much as I would like to see you hit the oaf in the head, I don't think you should move a lot just yet. You haven't had a chance to recover from what just happened with your loss of control."

"Oh...okay." I quietly replied. My face still felt a bit warm, meaning I was still blushing from Hiei pulling me against him.

Why in the world, or would that be worlds, did Hiei just do what he did? I mean I can understand the not wanting me to move around part because of what happened. But the whole pulling me up against him and wrapping his arms around me? That I don't get at all. And what was it about Hiei that seemed different when I looked at him a minute ago? His hair and eyes weren't any different. His bandanna! That's what was different, he wasn't wearing it. Hang on a second...Was that another eye on his forehead?

Since I wasn't sure if that was what I really saw or not, I decided to ask. "Did I imagine it or did I really see an eye on your forehead Hiei?"

I felt Hiei stiffen slightly behind me. "You didn't imagine it onna." he said.

I pulled myself away from him enough to turn around and look at his face. Right in the middle of his forehead, underneath some of his bangs, was another eye. It was different from his beautiful crimson eyes, but still beautiful in its own way. The eye was smaller and the iris was a light shade of purple.

Sort of a lilac or lavender. This is crazy, even Hiei's third eye is beautiful. "How come it's not the same color as your other eyes?" I asked looking Hiei in his crimson eyes.

"Because the Jagan was implanted." he replied.

"So it's not a natural eye. I get it." I said.

Yusuke said, "Man, I thought for sure that you'd freak out or something when you saw Hiei's third eye." It sort of sounded like he was disappointed that I didn't 'freak out' as he put it.

I turned to him and frowned, "You've obviously forgotten what I said earlier about why I'm not really being surprised by anything I've been told and now seen, dimwit."

"HEY!" Yusuke shouted.

Kazuma started rolling on the floor, laughing his head off. Shuichi appeared to be biting the tip of his thumb to keep from laughing. Grams chuckled before taking a sip of her tea. While Hiei didn't laugh, I did hear amusement in his Heart's Song. Since we were in physical contact I didn't have to focus that much to hear it.

On second thought, I don't think I focused even a little to hear it. I just wondered if Hiei was amused like the others and I suddenly heard his Heart's Song loud and clear. Which is rather strange.

I then noticed a girl with sky blue hair in a pink kimono was holding her sides while laughing. My eye twitched when I realized the color of her kimono. Doesn't this girl know that pink is only good in small quantities? That much pink is just a bit too much.

"You really...are...Genkai's...granddaughter." gasped the new girl as she continued to laugh.

I raised an eyebrow asking everyone in general, "Mind telling me what it was I said just now that was so amusing?"

"The fact that you called Yusuke a dimwit is what was found amusing onna." Hiei answered.

Looking at Grams I said, "Just a wild guess, but I'm gonna say that's what you call him." She was smirking as she nodded and continued to drink her tea.

Since I still felt fuzzy-headed and drained I leaned back against Hiei and looked at Yusuke again. His irritation at me calling him a dimwit was written all over his face. I grinned and decided to annoy him more. "You know, since both Grams and I call you a dimwit, it must be true."

Saying that made Shuichi lose the battle he was having with his laughter. It also made Kazuma and the blue haired girl laugh harder. My grin widened when I heard and felt Hiei chuckle behind me. Yusuke looked like he was glaring at me with everything he had.

The realization that both Kira and Yukina were no longer in the room finally registered in my brain. Oh no... I felt my grin quickly disappear and my eyes widen in fear, as I remembered that Kira had been in the room just before I lost control. No. No, no, no. I didn't hurt her. Please let me not have hurt Kira.

I tried to pull out of Hiei's arms and stand up, but he tightened his arms around me slightly. Saying without words that I wasn't going anywhere. "What do you think you are doing onna?" he asked.

"Kira. I have to find Kira. She was here when I lost control. I have to find her. I have to make sure I didn't hurt her. If I hurt her I..." I said very quickly, still struggling as best I could with my energy drained to get out of Hiei's arms. I couldn't keep my panic out of my voice as I spoke.

"You didn't hurt her." Hiei firmly said.

Immediately I stopped trying to get away from him upon hearing his words. "I didn't hurt Kira?"

"What Hiei said is true. You didn't hurt Kira at all." said Shuichi.

I leaned back against Hiei again, this time in relief. "Thank goodness I didn't hurt her." I said quietly. Feeling the burn of tears, I blinked quickly to keep them from falling.

"Now that Ayla and Hiei are back it's time to get back to what we were talking about. Also Ayla, I still want you to tell me which of the others are the different demons." Grams said.

Well that's Grams for you after all. Relentless to a fault.