Warning: Some sexual content in this chapter. Rating for the story has changed to M.

Chapter 7

I stretch and moan against the sudden burst of light flooding my closed eyelids.

"Whoever you are- kindly screw off." I roll over, facing away from the window and towards the wall. Something begins tickling my feet and a shiver shoots up my leg, making me jump. "Da' hell?" I see a green root slowly slither back into the plant across the room, and a flash of red hair outside my bedroom doorway. I stare at the doorway unmoving, my head swimming from sitting up too quickly. Well, his conveniently placed red hair means he wants me to follow him- that's no mistake. However, I don't play games well. I lay back down and pull the blankets back over my head.

I feel the blankets slowly being pulled off from the bottom of the bed. I roll over onto my back, sitting up on my elbows. I watch the green vines slowly pull the blankets off of the bed, another wrapping itself slowly around my ankle. You've got to be kidding me. I'm suddenly jerked off the bed with a yelp. The plant's vine is stronger than it looks, as it holds me upside down, my hair sweeping the ground. I glower at the previously docile house plant. Over the past few weeks, Kurama has taken full advantage of the fact that I'm unable to tap into my powers safely. Full. Advantage.

I glare at the plant, "Are you going to let me go?" The plant tightens its grip on my ankle, and sways me back and forth. "Okay, then." I hang there unceremoniously, staring at the plant with an annoyed face. "Please?" It reaches a tiny vine up from within its planter, and begins gently rubbing against the foot of the ankle it has a grip on, causing me to spasm and giggle.

"KURAMA!" I yell at the top of my lungs between distorted giggles and thrashing. "YOU MAKE THIS THING DROP ME. RIGHT. FUCKING. NOW!" And, with that, I fall straight to the ground, falling on my head with a dull thud.

I don't bother to change into presentable clothing, and storm out into the living room donned in only my tank top and sleeping shorts. "Kurama, I'm going to skin you alive and use your remains as fertilizer for that damned... thing, in there."

I stand in the doorway to the room, one hand rubbing the top of my head, the other resting on my hip. There's a small smirk on his face at first glance, as his eyes quickly skim over me.

His face melts into an innocent smile, although I catch a mischievous glint in his eyes. "What happened?" He's looking like a real treat in his street clothes- a simple white shirt and jeans. The shirt is gripping his lean muscles in all the right places and I can't help but look him over slowly as he sits there, smiling up at me from the couch.

"I wanted to sleep today."

"And, you did, did you not?"

"I wasn't finished."

"Then why'd you wake up?" He asks, a knowing smirk crosses his face, which he attempts to hide behind a hand.

"That was the absolute creepiest way I have ever woken up." I comment slowly, pointing behind me. "That was a thing of nightmares." He can't help it anymore, and starts laughing. "You're taking way too much advantage of my handicap." I pause as his laughter dies into a muffled chuckle. I throw my hands in the air and plop down next to him.

I huff and rub my eyes. I was up late last night meditating with Genkai. She is very insistent on me controlling my apparently 'out of control' temper. She says that having an outlet for it, and knowing how to control it, will help my anxiety and … my apparently 'rash' behavior. She thinks I'm a big meany head, I guess. I mean,... maybe? But, again, it has always served its purpose.

"Why are you here so early?"

He shakes his head, a small smirk still playing on the corner of his lips, "It's almost noon time." I moan and run a hand through my knotted bed hair. "Genkai left an hour ago."

"How long have you been here?" I try to brush out my long black locks with my fingers, side glancing at him as I do.

His eyes skim over me slowly, "I arrived just before she left." He twirls a strand of my hair around his finger. "My mother wanted me to tell you hello." I tilt my head, and he tugs on the strand, pulling my head back. I look at him then, and he lets go of the strand. He still has the same mischievous look in his eyes that sends a shiver down my spine.

As I become fully awake, it comes to my attention that I'm practically naked in front of him. This tank is thin, since I get so hot while I sleep most of the time, and these are night time shorts- so they're not restricting, short and also very thin. I give up on my hair and lean back on the couch, slouching my arms over the back, testing Kurama's resolve as the material grips my breasts and reveals some of my stomach. "So, what do I owe this wake up call from my favorite little fox?"

"I can't come and go as I please?"

"It's Genkai's place, not mine."

"She has something of mine here, though." Something of his? Oh really, fox?

"Yes, but she found me- finder's keepers, right?"

He chuckles and runs a hand through his hair, giving me a heated side glance. He leans back on the couch next to me, an arm lying lazily against his stomach. "I was thinking we could spend the day together." His glance causes my stomach to go up in knots.

I take my arms off of the back of the couch, "Isn't it a school day, little boy?"

He growls, giving me a playfully angry look, his eyes flashing gold, "Little?" I bite my bottom lip and look away. Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself, Ama. Be a good girl.

"You're such a good and studious boy. Your mommy might be upset with you for skipping." I lower my head, giving him a smug smile. He raises his eyebrows and sits up, placing a hand on the couch between us, leaning towards me. "She wouldn't want you to hang out with a dropout." I twirl the strand of hair he had earlier around my finger. In all honesty, I think Kurama takes his schooling very seriously for Shiori's sake. Neither of us necessarily need it. I mean, I'm not bothered by not being there… Am I disappointed that I've had to make a change of plans, yet again? Yes.

I side glance at Kurama, whose other hand has found its way to my knee. "On the contrary, Amaryllis, if my memory serves me well, I was the one that corrupted you." He grips my knee gently, sending a shiver up my leg. I lean back on reflex at his squeeze, looking at him through slitted eyes.

"Well… I suppose you definitely did not have to use the five finger discount on me, no." I jab, warming up under his heavy stare.

"It's called a five finger discount, Ama." Youko spins a solid gold looking bracelet around his finger, with a mischievous smile on his face. "He was over charging for it anyway, it's not even real gold."

"And, you would know?" I ask, snatching it off of his finger, analyzing it.

"Dear, Ama. I have so much to teach you." His golden eyes sparkle.

After our conversation the other day, a figurative 'switch' of sorts has been flipped with us. We have had such a tense, sexually electrified, and surreal air around us- it's been stifling. I think being a human has been the hardest for him… especially since he is a sexually charged and powerful Youkai who is used to getting whatever he wants- trapped in a human body from infancy through adulthood…

On my end, since I was betrothed to Marun, I've managed to get him to think that I am deeply honored by the betrothal. And, out of respect, I wanted abstinence to purify my body for him. Yes, it sounds like a load of bullshit- but the man 'bit' so to speak… so I suppose I'm a bit sexually frustrated, also. I'd do it again if it meant avoiding that man's touch, though.

I can see the hunger in Kurama's eyes, and when the corner of his lips twitch at my statement, I feel myself gravitate towards him. That expression is a force I cannot defeat. When our lips meet, my insides churn and react to the electricity. As he puts a hand through my hair, pulling me closer, I find myself crawling onto his lap, straddling him. A small moan escapes his lips as I grip his shoulders, lips still dancing against one another. I feel as if my heart may explode.

He moves a hand slowly up my waist, and a tiny hum rumbles from my throat at the touch. I haven't been touched like this in so long… I bite his bottom lip and pull back gently, looking into his eyes, a small smirk on my lips. I move a hand from his shoulder and slowly down his chest, feeling every muscle twitch under his shirt as my hand approaches the hem of his pants. His breathing is heavier now, and hitches when I rub my hand slowly down between his legs, rubbing him through his pants.

"Oh…" I hum, my smirk widening, "A little excited?" I go to move my hand away, wanting to take his shirt off, but his hand shoots down and holds my hand on top of his crotch, and the other pulls my head in roughly for another deep and hungry kiss. His hand squeezes mine, encouraging me to continue rubbing and squeezing.

I steady myself by shoving my other hand through his red hair, and pull it back gently, his neck arching back. I kiss down his neck slowly, as my other hand undoes his pants button and slowly unzips his pants. A throaty moan escapes his lips, louder than the last, when I bite the space between his neck and his shoulder, sucking gently.

The door to the temple suddenly beings to open, making me fall backwards off of Kurama and onto the floor, thumping onto my butt. Kurama quickly does up his pants, and straightens up in one fail swoop- a total champ. I crawl, rather loudly to the other side of the couch, and hide- why? I don't fucking know.

"Yo, Kurama." It's fucking Yusuke. I put a hand on my cheek, and it feels hot. "Ama up yet?"

"Yes." He answers sharply. His voice is dripping with venom and I have to fight to stifle a laugh. He's pissed.

I hear Kuwabara yelling about something outside and repress an annoyed moan. I was actually excited at the thought of spending a whole day alone with Kurama- no interruptions. "Alright, alright. I'll be right there." He yells behind him. There's more yelling from Kuwabara. "Let me know when Princess is available. Nothing serious."

"Yes, and Yusuke. Next time, knock." I hear Kurama stand, and I stifle another laugh.

"Knock?... OH!" Yusuke laughs pretty hard. I hear the door slam and peak my head over the arm of the couch.

"Did you just slam the door in his face?"

Kurama shoots me a look, and I laugh. "Awww, poor foxy…" I mumble as Kurama is suddenly standing over top of me, a hand extended. He has a guarded look on his face, but the ghost of a smirk at the corner of his lips.

"You're going to regret mocking me, pup." He growls, pulling me to my feet.

I put a finger on my chin and look thoughtfully into his eyes, "I dunno, you've been in this form for a while. You might be a little out of practice, there, eh?" I pull him down to me by his hair, giving his aghast face a kiss on the cheek, and run to my room. Is questioning an immensely powerful fox demon thief's sexual performance a good idea? No- but, it's hilarious.

"Amaryllis…" I hear him growl as I slam my bedroom door shut with a giggle.

"Let me shower and get changed, Youko." I say in a singsong voice through giggles. "Don't want to keep Yusuke waiting, now."

"We are not spending the day with him." He says pointedly, opening the door. Forgot- he's a thief. Locking a door in his face is nothing. I glance behind me at him as I prance into the bathroom, slamming and locking the door- putting a chair that was next to it under the handle, giggling some more. He has me in some kind of mood. I haven't felt this lighthearted in a while.

As I dry off and brush out my hair, I bite my lip, thinking about Kurama's touch. My face warms and I suddenly get a head rush imagining how hard he felt through his pants. I place down the brush and put my face in my hands, slapping my cheeks. Come on, Ama. No dirty thoughts, no dirty thoughts. You're in Genkai's dojo… fuck. This is just as thrilling as having sex knowing my father could walk in on us. Just as much of a rush. Just as frustrating. I about died when I saw how frustrated Kurama was with Yusuke, though. That was great.

I dry my hair enough so that it's not dripping, and throw on a low cut t-shirt and pair of jeans. I'm surprised Kurama gave up so easily and didn't try to break into the bathroom. Knowing him, he has something planned to get back at me for my earlier statement.

I walk out into the same room from earlier, and spy Yusuke and Kuwabara sitting on the couch. Yusuke looks up at me and smirks, "Cold shower?"

"With that attitude, I assume you're well acquainted with cold showers, ya STD, you." Kuwabara seems to choke on his own spit, flying into a coughing-laughing fit, dropping his phone onto the floor.

"GOOD ONE, AMA!" He yells, "See Urameshi? If you'd be nicer to Keiko, maybe you'd-"

"Shut your trap, Kuwabara. I don't need a lecture from you on woman."

Kuwabara punches Yusuke on the shoulder, "Yukina and I are doing very well, for your information."

I stare at the two with raised brows, folding my arms. "I don't believe either of you have girlfriends, nor do I believe anyone would show you their tits without being paid first, so…"

"I've seen Keiko's boobs plenty of times, thank you!" Yusuke yells, pointing a finger at Kuwabara. "I don't think he's even kissed Yukina."

"I HAVE TO!"

"He's a chivalrous man, unlike you, Urameshi." I say with a smile towards Kuwabara. Stirring the pot like a champ over here.

"SEE! Being nice will get you places, Urameshi." Kuwabara sticks his nose in the air triumphantly.

Yusuke folds his arms and smirks at me, "I bet Kurama doesn't play nicely, and he still gets some, eh, Ama?"

My eyes widen a bit and my mouth gapes for a few seconds before I respond, "Sorry, was thinking about all the times I've been laid in the past 1000 or so years... Bring up sex again once you get on my level." I say, waving my hand in the air and walking away. I hear both men complaining behind me as I walk away, and hear a muffled laugh from the next room.

"That wasn't very nice, Ama." Kurama comments, turning to me with a cup of water in hand.

"Not knocking isn't very nice, either." I shoot back. I grab myself a cup of water and turn to face him. He looks calm enough, but the way his eyes haven't stopped looking me over says otherwise. "Why is he even here?" I have to admit, I'm annoyed, too. The majority of my own shower was spent calming myself down. It's hard to tell your lady parts to chill the fuck out when they're ready to go in for the kill… especially when you've been void of sensual contact for a while. It's strange how all of a sudden I feel like I'm head over heels again for him- like a giddy youngen.

"He said he wishes to speak with you." He shrugs, and sighs, an exasperated look on his face as he walks by me. "You're not getting off so easily, either, for that comment earlier."

"Oh, I'm shaking." I follow after him, and sit next to Yusuke on the couch.

Kurama sits in a chair across the room. He is acting nonchalant and is avoiding eye contact, looking out the nearby window.

"Awwww the two love birds. Blue balling it today, Kurama?" Yusuke has a shit eating grin on his face, as he leans forward onto his knees. I elbow him roughly and he yelps, rubbing his side.

"Don't let me get a hold of Keiko's number, Yusuke. I'll make sure you have no balls left by the end of the year."

"Keiko already has em'." Kuwabara quips, smirking.

"At least I use mine-" Yusuke shoots a dirty look at Kuwabara.

"Hey I get laid plenty!"

"Ya, sure. Whatever you say, buddy."

I lean back on the couch, shaking my head. These two are impossible. I sit with my legs crossed, and lock eyes with Kurama across the room, the two's arguing turning into a doll background noise. There is something predatory about the way Kurama is looking at me, almost dominating- it makes my insides go up and knots and my face flush. I'd have to agree with what Koenma said when we spoke last. It seems more and more of the quiet Shuichi is disappearing, being replaced by the original Youko. Have I flipped a switch in him?

"Amaryllis- is Genkai still making you meditate? I keep trying to train with you, but meditating brings back bad memories…"

"Of her kicking your ass, I'm sure." I give him a mischievous look, "She is the one who jump started your training, no? Meditating can be a kick in the face."

"Ya- I can tell you hate it just as much as me."

"I'm not doing the same kind, Yusuke." I say nonchalantly, shrugging and taking a sip of my water. "Genkai is insisting I learn to control my temper. I don't see why." I purse my lips and glower at my cup of water, spotting a black spec in it. I sigh and place it on the arm of the couch. After past events, I've been known to be a picky eater and drinker…

"You without a temper? Hard to imagine." Kuwabara says, tilting his head to the side. "That's like Yusuke without his spirit gun."

"Ya- if she succeeds you might just disappear on us, Ama." I hear a stifled laugh from across the room, seeing Kurama smirking, looking out the window. I hmph, and shoot Yusuke a look, lightly elbowing him again.

"Hey I have control… I just get annoyed with the conversations of simpletons, sometimes."

A chuckle sounds from the other side of the room again, "That is why the you two are always arguing." Kurama is half smiling, folding his free arm over his torso.

"Hey…" Yusuke frowns as Kuwabara begins to laugh, "It's not my fault she doesn't know how to speak to people."

"Says Yusuke." Kurama quips, shrugging.

I laugh at that, earning a return elbow in the leg from Yusuke. "I've been trained to scare people off before it ever gets to the fight. I'm the big bad wolf, Urameshi, dear. Pleasant conversations don't belong in the middle of the battlefield." I give him a toothy grin, tilting my head to the side. "It's one of the reason's my clan is at the top. We don't mess around outside of the politics of it all." I fold my arms with a triumphant nod of my head. I may hate my father, but I am pretty proud of my clan when it comes down to it… most of them.

"Oh really, now? So you're pretty good in a fight? Pfft, I bet you just hide behind that wind ability of yours." I have a feeling he is trying to goad me into a fight at this point. Genkai flies the coup for a day and the predator swoops in. I frown at him, then. I only resorted to using my ability if the issue at hand needed a swift solution.

"Yusuke, you might just be strong enough that it wouldn't instantly kill you, anyway." I answer annoyed. Although my inherited ability certainly is a gem, and I enjoy using, I don't enjoy talking about it. The conversation always leads to my father.

I shift uncomfortably under Yusuke's curious gaze, and glance at Kurama across the room, who is looking at me expressionless, waiting for me to continue. He is well aware of how it works. The last time it was used on him, it didn't instantly kill him, but a little longer and it would have...

"Basically, the stronger the person the less likely it is to kill you. Unlike elemental users, I don't just whip up tornadoes of doom at a whim. I draw on the air around a person… Since it's drawn from around us, if your energy is strong enough…"

"You can't instantly burst our lungs?" Kuwabara seems completely wrapped in the explanation, making me furrow my brows. Here comes the questions, "How much can you do with it?" I sigh and purse my lips, looking at the two.

I'm weary of the question. Just how much information do I tell them? I know I promised to give these guys a chance, and I did offer help. However, do I tell them all of my secrets? I suppose as allies… friends even, the more we know of one another's weaknesses and strengths, the more in-sync we will be in a fight. "Maybe one day I can show you."

A million thoughts flow through my head, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath, remembering I promised Genkai I would at least try to reign my anger in. The ability to show him would come with freedom. Freedom comes from, unfortunately, my father, because my father has the stone. And, the stone tracks me and keeps me from jumping out of line. Destroy the stone- and I might just have a chance at freedom.

"I bet you are complete shit in your human form then- maybe that's what Genkai is working up to. Tame the beast, then train it." Yusuke breaks the ice- and causes me to scoff at him.

"Tame the beast?" I repeat incredulously.

"Or, is that Kurama's job?"

"Decidedly." Kurama shoots from the peanut gallery. I give him an exasperated look as he smirks, avoiding eye contact. Yusuke laughs. "However, I wouldn't test your luck with her, Yusuke." Kurama shifts in his seat, placing his glass on the windowsill.

"Pfft. I'm with Yusuke on this one." Kuwabara shrugs. "With an ability like that, and your temper, you'd probably just end it up front. I don't think you have anything to back it up with." Yusuke looks smug now that Kuwabara has agreed with him.

I scowl at them, "The stronger I am, the more likely it is to K.O, remember. That takes training. I'm just giving you fair warning." I tilt my head to the side. What am I doing? I'm not doing this. I'm not going to be goaded into a fight by some punk detective who just wants to test his mettle in a fight against a handicapped demon. "Actually, no. I'm not doing this with you guys."

"Amaryllis, it's only a little spar." Kurama hums. He walks towards me slowly, our eyes locking. He stands in front of me, arms folded, a smirk playing on his lips.

I glare daggers at Kurama as he offers me a hand, pulling me off of the couch. "I said no. I prefer to be sedentary at the moment and to concentrate on meditating so I stop trying to incapacitate Yusuke every time I see him." Kurama's smirk deepens, an aggravating look in his eyes. "How about I watch you guys practice- and tell you how much you suck- that'll be my 2 cents that I offered back in Koenma's office."

Kuwabara moans, standing. "What's the big deal?"

"She doesn't like being told what to do." Kurama answers for me, "She does things on her own accord, and when she feels like it." He reaches over and ruffles my hair, "And, she's probably rusty from playing a good little human girl all this time, right?" Oh. Oh, this guy. This guy.

Yusuke and Kuwabara's eyes are wide in shock at Kurama's joining their goading. "I just showered." I say slowly. My only sad defense.

"That's a weak excuse, Ama." Kurama coos, "Don't want to ruin your hair?" My eyes are wide, my mouth gaping. Is he seriously jumping ship and joining the dark side- the STDs?

"Youko Kurama." I growl, eyes still wide.

"Oh, shit." I hear Yusuke mutter from the couch.

I stand toe to toe with Kurama, glowering up at him. "I don't want to get his blood on my new shirt, I guess." I hear Yusuke begin to whine a protest, but Kurama interrupts.

"Then take it off. He's a simpleton, remember?" My mouth gapes, again. He's implying that Yusuke would be too distracted? That that's the only way I can win? I honestly don't have a response at this point, and just stare at him. So much for his good boy act.

"Well… then…" Yusuke sounds completely stuck in the middle of what he cleary started… he is the by the book definition of dimwit- Genkai is correct.

"Oh- and that wouldn't distract you any?" I ask, poking his chest hard. His smirk remains, his eyes dancing with mischief.

"Whoa whoa whoa, keep your clothes on." Kuwabara stands waving his hands around.

"Naw, Ama can take her shirt off, that's cool." Yusuke says quickly, eyebrows raised.

"I'm not taking my shirt off!" I yell, throwing my hands in the air. "Kurama, you deranged fox- stop goading me before I use that pretty red hair of yours to strangle that annoying smile off of that pretty boy face of yours!" He smirks down at me, still, an eyebrow raised. "I hate you so much."

"You're so easy to trigger." He hums, shaking his head.

"Honestly, if I'm going to spar with anyone I'd want it to be in my youkai form…" I wave a hand in the air dismissively.

"I'd like that. Sounds like you'd put up a real fight." Yusuke crosses his arms, still sitting on the couch. "I could use a real fight. Nothing interesting has happened since that Demon Tournament." Yes, please. Thank you. I'd talk about broken shoelaces for the next our if it gets them to stop talking about me.

I frown at him, "Ya- I heard that was pretty amazing…" A curious expression slowly takes over Yusuke's face.

"So… if your dad is so powerful, why didn't he throw himself into it?" I groan and rub my face with my hands. Because, my dad is a cocky bastard who doesn't believe in taking care of things the honorable way…

"Most wolf clans don't bother with the trivialities that other high class demons do." I shrug and walk over to the door, leaning against the wall next to it. The breeze from a nearby open window tickles my skin, giving me goosebumps. "You see, for example, Youko was doing it the traditional way. Build up a reputation, a close few partners in crime, scary as hell strength and power… he would have found his place when he felt ready for it, believe me. I mean, honestly, one on one between you two when he is finally at his best, do you think you could take him so easily?"

Yusuke glances at Kurama, a thoughtful expression causing small wrinkles. "I don't know."

"And, to top it, no one knew what he really had up his sleeves at any time. He showed you what he wanted you to see- so there is a mystery entangled in those silver locks that kept demons on their toes. Now, Endox…" I sigh, rubbing my forehead. Maybe I should have attempted to guide the conversation towards the shoelace idea myself...

"Endox," Kurama starts, eyeing me carefully, "Puts his power on a pedestal and allows everyone to see what he is capable of. He moves and thrives on pure fear and compliance. The war hounds, the intriguing and questionable powers certain members in his bloodline hold, his former right hand," his eyes darken, "his practiced and advanced ability to do the same as Amaryllis can."

Kuwabara seems flustered and shoots Yusuke a look, "How are we going to win this one?"

Everyone falls silent. I frown and look at the floor, my face reddening. "We don't know yet, Kuwabara. We don't know anything about him." Yusuke states, I can feel his eyes on me. "We're fighting blind." His eyes are boring through me, and I can feel my entire body heat up. Was this his real reason for coming? He's a bit more manipulative that I thought… coming here under the guise of wanting a spar.

However, all this work trying to cover my tracks and push them away… and it never occurred to me that they would be trying regardless of how hard I pushed away. But why? Why risk your lives for someone like me?

"I've said it before, and I mean it. Keep your nose out of this one, detective."

"And, I've told ya before, your being found is my fault-"

"Not really, if you think about it. He already had an idea of where I was. Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked you to search that damned human school."

Yusuke nods, "I still helped. I didn't even second guess what I was asked to do, even knowing the problems that we have had with Enma, recently. I knew better."

"Yusuke, I serious-"

"Ama, just let us help." Kuwabara shoots, "What does it matter, now? We are involved. And, we aren't leaving. We won't abandon you."

"You'll learn to abandon lost causes, Kazuma. Hopefully, sooner than later." His face flushes at my using his name. "You know that saying? Live by the sword, die by the sword? That's basically me. If I'm gonna die, let it be that I went down fighting…"

"No one is dying." Yusuke says exasperated, "And, no one is being left behind. Stop being so dramatic."

I point a finger at him, "I'm not being dramatic- if you see me willingly go with the man, then let me go. Don't follow me."

"You plan on giving yourself up after all the effort of hiding?"

"If it protects you and your families… loved ones, friends- whatever. Yes, yes I do. I'm not worth the loss of life to anyone. And, by the way, if I happen to die- don't bury my ass, just burn me please. Use my ashes to bake some cookies and then feed them to Koenma,... please."

Yusuke scoffs and shakes the smile that appeared on his face off, "Ama, for fucks sake…"

"Amaryllis." Kurama draws everyone's attention. I feel the blood rush to my face at the low drawl he put into my name, "You know of Yusuke is here to stay, as is everyone else." I scoff. That means Koenma, too, I suppose- which could be both helpful and at the same time just asking for trouble… what if his father finds out? I mean… the only reason Koenma is bothering at all at this point is because, by helping me, he would be helping clean up the Makai of my father's wild antics… and in the process, it seems, take care of his own father. That seems to be an endeavor of its own, however.

"Are you really going to let them go into this fight blindly, knowing they refuse to leave your side?" I cringe at Kurama's words.

I shake my head, and take a deep breath as I feel a wave of annoyance spread through me. "What good is it going to do? I might as well save everyone the trouble and just go back if you all plan on fighting him."

"Why would you go back if he fucked up enough to make you leave? That's stupid." Kuwabara is staring at me intensely. "We don't plan on letting him have you, Ama."

"It's inevitable that he comes for me." I state, giving him a small smile. "I don't think it matters what you plan on doing. Although, Kazuma, I appreciate the thought."

"We plan on taking him out. And, we'll need your help to do that." I groan and look towards the doorway as there is a small pop, and Koenma is standing in his teenage form, arms behind him.

We've rearranged ourselves after deciding to grab drinks before we started our little war meeting. What a thing for Genkai to walk in on when she gets home today if we are still here. And, you know what? I got asked out on a date not too long ago by my long lost lover for the first time in a shit ton ton of years- away from my father's prying eyes… and now I'm stuck in a pow wow with this lot… I'm feeling awesome. Go ahead, Koenma. Test me.

"No one invited you, Koenma." I mumble, sipping the sake Genkai had hidden on her shelves.

Koenma shoots me a look, "I'm the prince of the spirit world, Amaryllis."

"Ah, yes. Fancy title. I suppose I can counter with something you heard every so often from daddy dearest, yes? And, I, Prince Koenma, am the theoretical Princess of Wolves, per my self proclaimed King of the Wolves father. So let's talk again about invitations and untimely entrances- just like old times..." I flick him off as I lean my head against the wall. I'm sitting on the floor, one leg bent and the other stretched out in front of me. Kurama shakes his head, shooting me an exasperated look, as he sits gracefully beside me. Koenma has perched himself on the sofa next to Yusuke and Kuwabara.

There is a small silence before Koenma clears his throat, and glances around the room. "I intercepted a letter of correspondence between Endox and my father." He says slowly, rubbing his forehead.

"You have got to be shitting me!" Yusuke yells, face darkening. "What the hell did it say?"

Koenma moans, "Enma will help Endox get back Amaryllis, and Enma will have new leverage in the Makai… a man inside, so to speak. All atrocities currently known to Spirit world that are connected to Endox will be pardoned, as well. Basically, they're forming a partnership with great benefits for both sides."

I heave a sigh, and close my eyes, shaking my head. Fucking hell. I mean, I have to give it to him… that's a good deal. He will basically be able to run around like a mad man and get away with it completely. With leverage from an unknown benefactor like Enma, that'll scare himself into even more power. And, Enma will finally have that foothold he has always wanted over the Makai…one step closer to being ruler of two worlds. It's a greedy notion that will blind him to Endox's own intentions. Unless, Enma is aware that Endox may turn on him and he thinks he can just sic Yusuke on him.

"So, handing Ama over is a big fat no." I can feel Koenma's eyes on me, and I ignore him. I take another slow sip of sake and glance at Kurama. He glances down at me, eyebrows raised, probably thinking the same thing I was. It really is a good business deal…

"Well, we already weren't going to let that happen, so…" Yusuke sounds extremely annoyed. This probably isn't what he meant when he said he wanted something interesting to happen. "What the hell are we going to do about it? As much as I hate to admit it, we can't take on the Spirit World and Endox at the same time."

"Well, I would usually say subdue Endox so we can put him through a trial, but, I don't think that will go over well with my father. Even if we are able to convince him we had no idea what was going on between the two of them."

"So, we can kill him then? That makes things easier." Yusuke leans back on the couch, hands behind his head. "Just let me know when and where." It's like the boy doesn't listen.

"It's not that easy, Yusuke."

"Ya, Urameshi. Haven't you listened to Ama at all?" Kuwabara looks pensively at me, "It's not going to be that easy. None of this is."

"Yusuke, it will be like breaking into the three Saint Beasts castle, except 100 times worse." Koenma says, sighing. "That is why, again, we need Amaryllis' help."

"What? Do you expect me to jump in there and kill my entire clan?" I ask, looking up from my sake, slightly. "Great plan. That'll definitely help me turn a new leaf." I take another sip of my sake, "Plus, there's the little issue with that gem my father has. I can't transform. I can hold my own in this form, but I'd be dead weight in many circumstances…" I sigh and stare down at my sake. Maybe if I add sugar? I don't know, this is such shitty alcohol… maybe salt? It's strong, though.

"Tell us everything you can, then." Koenma begs, "Ama, this is big. This is very serious. We need to nip this in the butt."

I flex my claws. Blood that is not my own, drips to the ground, each droplet's splash echoing as it pools below me. I stand stoically, my head tilted back slightly, golden eyes peering around the fort grounds slowly.

"If you find any survivors- deal with them." I say, just above a whisper. The air is tinged with the scent of metallic liquid and broken egos. "If you find anyone important- bring them to me alive."

I step over the unmoving body before me, still peering through the darkness around me.

"Merde. Make sure those hounds of yours don't begin making a meal out of any of the corpses, here." I glance over my shoulder at the blonde. Her face contorts into a scowl as she steps to my side.

"What does it matter? They're dead- and even alive they were below us. The hounds feast on flesh, anyway." She kicks the body I had just stepped over, rolling it onto its side. A young youkai from our enemy clan stares blankly towards the moonless sky. He still has his sword gripped tightly in hand.

"You offered your assistance tonight, Merde. So, I'll overlook your ignorance this once. We do not desecrate corpses of our own kind, cousin. My men and I follow tradition."

She scoffs, her vibrant teal eyes scrutinizing me. "Tradition?"

I tilt my head to the side, still only side glancing at her. "Yes, Merde. Tradition. We all came from the same blood at some point. We give them a proper farewell."

She continues to scowl, and knocks the sword out of the young wolf's grip, cracking the bones in his fingers as she does. "He attacked you."

"We attacked first. They lost. 'Live by the sword, die by the sword' kind of scenario. He died a warrior's death- and as brethren, as kin, we shall give him a warrior's farewell."

"That's ridiculous."

"Your refusal to understand is ridiculous. Saddening, really. Even before my father it has long been tradition to treat these situations as such."

"Your father allows you to do this?"

"My father knows that I get the job done. He knows that I am thorough and that he can rely on me. I have earned my spot on my own, Merde. I have the respect of my men and of anyone I face in battle and I have earned the twinkle of fear in their eyes when they face me. Respect gets you far, cousin." I point at the young male below me, "He is just as much a cousin as you are. And, you would suffer the same fate if you were to attack me. So watch your tongue, Merde, and do as your told. You overstep your rank and impress upon our family ties in order to bad mouth me and ridicule how I get things done. I don't have time for your bullshit."

I flick my hand at the ground, shaking off the last of the young wolf's blood to the ground, spraying it onto Merde's boots as I do. "Now, you will help them line these bodies up, nice and tidy. If I even see your dogs taking a sniff, I will rid of them myself." I snarl at her as I pick up the limp body in front of me, taking a hold of his sword and putting it in his other hand.

I'm cornered and don't have anywhere to run in this conversation. I'm stuck between the stubborn side of me, telling me to tell them to leave me alone and let me handle this and then the side that is telling me to stop being such a dick. I sigh, feeling uncomfortable. I feel like a dirty traitor, although I know I shouldn't… I straighten and cross my legs, placing my sake between my legs, my hands on either knee. I take a deep breath, relaxing my shoulders. "I'll tell you what I can."

How did this go from a possibly romantic evening with Kurama, to a bombshell interrogation at my expense?

Koenma looks pleased, and folds his hands in his lap, nodding. I give him an exasperated look, "But, don't expect nice, Ama."

"There is a nice, Ama?" Yusuke raises an eyebrow.

"Yusuke, this is the nice Ama." Koenma shrugs and continues, talking over a follow-up snide remark from Yusuke, "Let's start with how to get you back in action, yes?"

Please review and let me know what you think! Let me know what you like, don't, and what you think I can improve! I feel an edit coming on for the already posted chapters, soon!