Chapter Seven- Resolution

"Yukina. Enough," came a firm voice behind her as well as a hand on her shoulder. She lowered her hands, opened her still glowing eyes, and turned to face the person behind her. "Hiei?" she asked, a growl still in her voice.

"Stop this, Yukina. Calm down."

"Calm down!?" she snarled. "No one understands how strong I am and I will make everyone understand!"

"I understand and so does everyone here, but you're scaring them with your display."

"They should be afraid."

"You're also scaring Kuwabara and…your brother."

"My…brother? He's…here?"

"Yes," he said, hearing the growl fade from Yukina's voice. "Before he comes out, let me say that he had reasons for not coming forward earlier."

"I'm listening." The energy and powers lost some strength and Yukina sounded almost normal.

"He thought you wouldn't be happy having him as a brother as he's a murderer and a thief. He now knows that doesn't matter. The other reason was that he had been bound by a promise to not tell that is now null and void."

"A promise? Why would he do that?"

"To have a Jagan implant so he could watch over you no matter where he is or where you are."

Her eyes faded to normal as she looked at Hiei's bandana and then his eyes that were the same color as her own. "Brother?" she asked.

"Yes. It's me."

A bright smile made her look like her normal self as she embraced Hiei, her energy, powers, and anger vanishing in that hug. "Brother!" she said happily.

Hiei stroked her streaked hair before scratching behind an ear. He smirked in amusement when he heard a growl of pleasure come from her. "You are strong," he said softly. "I would be happy to coach you."

"I would like that."

"Good. Now I believe someone else wants to hold you."

She released Hiei and turned to see Kuwabara behind her. "Kazuma," she said softly.

"Yukina," he replied just as softly as they hugged.

"I'm sorry I scared you. I guess I let my powers' strength go to my head. I didn't think I needed training of any sort but now I see that I do."

"It'll be all right. I'm glad you're calm again."

"Yes. I just can't believe that my body happen to become a fox demon."

"It was not happenstance," Kurama said who was next to Hiei. "The medallion activates with the first animal demon you touch. The moment you touched me, the medallion's magic latched onto my fox DNA and used it on you."

"I wasn't told that."

"He might have been hoping you would come into contact with a truly horrific animal. I think it fortunate that things turned out the way it did."

"Until the medallion started reversing my temperament."

"The medallion did nothing but change your DNA and unlock you fire ability. Your anger and aggression are part of a fox's nature, particularly if one has a mate."

"I sensed I was strong and didn't want to be told I had no control and needed training. I was too arrogant for my own good."

Her voice carried a tone of bitterness and self-loathing and Hiei said, "I had moments like that myself."

"What did you do?" she asked.

"I trained while telling myself that no matter how strong I am, there is always going to be someone who's stronger."

"Could you train me? I don't want to lose control again."

"I did say I could coach you so of course I can train you instead. I'll show you how to shape your energy to create barriers as well as fire attacks like fireballs and fire swords."

Yukina smiled and her tail wagged at the thought of truly using fire that she could control. Her smile then faded. "I should probably apologize to the others I frightened."

"That would be best," Kurama said. "We will gather them for you."

"Thank you."

It took a lot of doing to get the demons to gather as they were clearly scared. The fact that it was she who scared them made her feel ashamed and it showed in her bowed head and drooped ears. She brushed back some hair that had fallen over her shoulder and wondered if she was all fox or still part ice apparition, capable of producing Hiruseki stones. I could find out in private later on.

"Yukina, everyone is gathered," Kurama whispered beside her.

She lifted her head, her ears still drooped. She saw the demons before her, some trembling but all exuded the smell of fear. Earlier, the fear had excited her, but now it saddened her.

"Please, don't be afraid," she pleaded. "I won't hurt you. I apologize for frightening you and being too arrogant of my powers to listen to anyone.

"The discovery of who my brother is and Kazuma's love has brought me back to my senses."

Hiei stepped forward. "Kurama, Kuwabara, and I will work with Yukina to prevent today's events from happening again. I will work on helping her focus her energy and fire moves as I'm a fire demon."

"I will assist her in curbing her fox nature," Kurama jumped in. "Her aggression will only surface when protecting this place, those who live and visit here, and her fiancée."

"I will support and love her as well as talk with her," Kuwabara added.

"I know I will need to work hard to regain your trust," Yukina said. "I understand it will take time, perhaps a long while."

"Not really," Nero said. "With your friends' help, you'll be back to your usual self in almost no time."

"Usual self," she repeated after the crowd had dispersed. "In personality and temperament, yes but not physically."

"I'm sure that's what he meant," Kuwabara said.

"I am never taking another sample again," she vowed. "That's what got me kidnapped after all."

"A spiked food or drink would be difficult to give you as you have a sharp nose now. Furthermore, you can alter your appearance as it is a fox demon trait."

Her ears finally perked up. "I can do that?"

Kurama laughed. "Of course. Would you like to practice now?"

"Yes, please."

Kurama smiled in amusement as he led his eager student inside. He had no doubt that she would master this technique as she was a strong fox. A curse it may have been, but we will show her that it is more of a gift now.

The End