Well, I've done it. I wrote a dark fic. I never thought it was possible…

                WARNING: This IS  a dark fic! I put it under horror for a reason. If you're looking for a sweet Youko/Botan, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. This is not for you. Starring evil!Youko as a bloody and obsessive villain. There will be a lot of blood, probably a lot of language, and I'm sure there will be lemon later.

                 Dedications: For my lovely beta reader and art slave, Cheap Libertad- because she bitches about all my stories being too sweet. Here you go, sunshine! Also, for Disturbedvixen who inspired me with her amazing fic, Secrets behind Emerald eyes. Hopefully, this won't be a rip off.

Still here? You must be curious.

            Enjoy.

            ~*~

            The sounds of swords clashing filled the air. The smell of death and blood was everywhere. There were shouts – of anger, of terror. There were groans of pain.

            Battle raged.

            And Youko loved it.

            He lashed his rose whip again, it wrapped around the handle of his opponents sword and Youko yanked, pulling the weapon away from the other youkai. As it dropped to the ground, Youko lashed once more, this time severing the opposing youkai's head from his body, the sound of ripping flesh most pleasant to his ears.

            Blood sprayed everywhere. All over the nearby bushes, and trees. All over the grass.

            All over Youko.

            He threw his head back and laughed.

            ~*~

            "Botan, please, I can't send the tantie this time! They're busy on another mission… I need you to do this."

            Botan bit her lip and look uncertainly at the small Reikai prince in front of her.  He watched her with a pleading expression.

            "All you'll have to do is drop the apple of discord, then they'll destroy themselves, I promise! Please…"

            His gaze was fixed on her, his eyes wide and hopeful.

            "The fate of the living world may depend upon it…"

            Well, how could she say no? She bowed her head in aquest.

            "Alright, Koenma-sama."

            ~*~

            Hiei brought his sword down again, claiming another life as he moved through the band of demons like quicksilver. He was covered in blood and sweat – most of it wasn't his own.

            His eyes glowed a hellish red as he brought his sword up to deliver the next blow. Oh, how he lived for this… To destroy, to wreak havoc. To see the look of complete terror on his victims face. It didn't get any better.

            This was love.

            He could hear his partner laughing somewhere in the distance and knew that Youko was having just as much fun as he.

            Hiei paused a moment to survey his surroundings.

            The forest was littered with corpses. From a party of two hundred raiders, only about five were still standing. There were a few who were trying to crawl away, and some were playing dead.

            Well, Hiei thought with a smirk. There can be no survivors. He focused on the nearest demon. It was a spider youkai, three of its legs were missing and it was sobbing uncontrollably, trying to stagger off into the underbrush.

            Hiei rushed toward it.

            ~*~

            Tomorrow. She was going tomorrow.

            Botan wrung her hands nervously and paced across her balcony.

            She didn't know why she was trembling, or where this trepidatios feeling was coming from. After all, Koenma had promised it would be safe. He had sworn that she would be in no danger.

            Still… She'd have to be in a real body. No spirit form for this mission, it had to be flesh and blood. By it's nature the apple of discord could only be touched by mortal hands.

            She wouldn't have the comfortable invisibility she was used too in Maikai.

            But they'd be so intent on the battle that they probably wouldn't even notice her.

            Probably.

            And even if they did, all she'd have to do is throw the apple – then she could retreat like Koenma had said.

            Botan sighed and leaned on the balcony's railing.

            It wasn't that she was a coward, it was just… She had this feeling that if she went tomorrow, something terrible would happen.

            But Yakumo had to be stopped. He was leading his army to an uprising at dawn, he was going to try to break into the living world.

            She already knew that there would be a small skirmish between Yakumo's army and the demons whose territory Yakumo was trespassing upon – it was written in the book of fate and Koenma had already related the information to her.

            So, while they were distracted, she'd drop the golden apple into there midst. Then, due the apple of discords influence, they would slaughter each other and Ningenkai would be safe.

            That was the theory anyway.

            Botan turned to enter her room. She needed her sleep, it was going to be a busy day tomorrow.

            ~*~

            Youko pulled his whip away from the remaining youkai, watching contentedly as it fell to its knees, blood bubbling out from over its lips. It looked straight at Kurama, surprise on its features – no doubt having thought it was going to make a clean getaway before Kurama cut off it's escape – then, wordlessly, it died.

            Youko glanced around eagerly, but no one was left standing save one – his partner Hiei who was making his way over him, stepping on or over bodies of the fallen youkai as he approached.

            "Well," Hiei said when he was close enough, "That's it."

            "Pity." Youko sighed, dissolving his rose whip, "I'd have thought a group of such feared bandits would have put up a better fight."

            "But they didn't." Hiei turned, looking at the bloody mess surrounding them.

            "No." Youko agreed, looking around as well. "And whoever said that there was strength in numbers was greatly mistaken. It only took the two of us, what? Forty minutes to kill off two hundred youkai? Pathetic." He sneered, kicking the body of the demon he had just slaughtered. Blood soaked through his thin shoes – it was still warm.

            "Agreed."

            "What wouldn't I give for a good fight – a challenging kill." Kurama sighed wistfully, turning his eyes to the blood red moon of Maikai. But not before catching the smirk on Hiei's face.

            "What is it?" Youko questioned, his golden eyes still fixed on the heavens.

            "Ah… I may have just the thing."

            Kurama's eyes snapped to the fire demons face, whose eyes were glowing as brightly as the moon at which he'd just been staring.

            "Do tell." He murmured, feeling the bloodlust rising in him again.

            "You've heard of Yakumo?"

            Kurama waved his hand impatiently, "Of course, who hasn't? He's almost as infamous as myself."

            Hiei grinned again. "He's leading an army into Umae's territory tomorrow. His intent is to bring out an uprising and attack the human world…" He trailed off, his Jagan eye flashed, "But Umae suspects the trespassing. He'll send out an army of his own to meet Yakumo. It should be an interesting battle. For us anyway."

            Youko's eyes blazed, he licked his lips in prospect of bloodshed.

            "Sounds promising," He admitted, "Both Yakumo and Umae are powerful demons – no doubt they have trained their soldiers well. It would be a wonderful fight."

            "A challenge." Hiei supplied.

            "Indeed."

            "Are you up for it then?"

            Youko smiled slowly, his canines glinting maliciously in the moonlight.

            Hiei dashed off, Kurama close behind him.

            ~*~

            Botan rushed toward where the sounds of clashing mettle and shouts were coming from. Surely, this was the battle she was looking for? As she approached, the smell of blood and overheated flesh assaulted her senses and she gagged.

            She bent over her oar, slowing and catching her breath, she considered pinching her nose shut – but that would have childish and at 500 years, she was no longer a child.

            The apple of discord was wrapped in cloth and she held it tightly against her side as she surveyed the scene below her. Demons were everywhere, in more numbers and varieties than she had ever seen. Walls of them crashed against each other, she could hear weapons meeting and angry oaths and curses. And as a ferry girl, she could see souls, hundreds of them, floating above the battle – products of the chaos below and waiting to be picked up by one of her colleagues.

            Botans insides twisted and she looked down again. She really shouldn't wait any longer to complete her mission. She began a slow decent into the fray, trying to unwrap the golden apple while simultaneously steer herself continuously downward. She looked up, her eyes meeting with the yellow stare of a towering demon.

            Yakumo sneered. She'd been seen.

            Panicked, Botan grasped her oar with both hands, dropping the apple. It landed with a soft 'thunk' on the ground, unheard and unnoticed by the battling demons. Botan cursed, the apple was still wrapped in the cloth, it's magic wouldn't work! She steeled herself. She knew what she had to do.

            Botan dived into the battle, falling from her oar to the ground, grabbing the cloth-covered apple and swiftly trying to unwrap it. The battle raged all around her and her fear-addled mind couldn't concentrate, it seemed to take forever to untie the knot and unwrap the apple. At last, she felt the smooth skin of the enchanted fruit. She grabbed it, about to pull the cloth completely away-

            Cold steel at her throat.

            Botan looked up slowly, the sound of the skirmish around her fading out. Yakumo towered before her, his sword pressed against her jugular and his eyes narrowed cruelly.

            "A ferry girl, here? And in a substantial form, no less… Well, this is interesting. Did Koenma send you here to stop me?" He paused to laugh, the sound chilling Botan to the core.

            "Yes, as a matter of fact, he did."

            Yakumo's eyes instantly fixed back upon her. Sometimes, Botan regretted her big mouth.

            "Did he?" The youkai sneered, his lips curling distastefully. "And how did he plan on accomplishing anything with just a ferry girl?"

            "Like this!" Botan threw the apple away from her and instantly everything stopped. The Youkai who had been fighting around her all turned to look upon the golden apple as rolled to a stop a short distance away from Botan.

            "It's beautiful…" One demon whispered, taking a step toward it.

            "It's mine!" Another declared cutting the first demon off.

            "I saw it first!" A third snarled, lifting his sword to his former ally's throat.

            "No, I did!"

            Instantly the battle began again, more vicious than before.

            Yakumo eyed the apple hungrily, but he was powerful, and not yet completely under it's spell. He turned back to Botan, his face full of rage.

            "You bitch!" He took his sword and ran it through her abdomen.

            Botan felt nothing, but watched in shock as he withdrew the sword. Instantly, blood began to flow. Out of her side, down her legs, dripping down to the ground. As Botan dropped to her knees, Yakumo gave a mighty battle cry and – no longer able to restrain himself- joined the fray.

            The apple of discord, having fulfilled its purpose, disappeared.

            Botan remained where she was, her eyes strangely clear and focused. The fight around her intensified, a body fell on top of her, soaking her with gushes of blood. With effort, she pushed it off and brought her hands to her wounds, pressing them tightly against it.

            She remained in that position for the duration of the battle – and some time afterward.

            ~*~

            Hiei and Youko observed the open field before them. It was covered in hundreds of bodies, all very recently dead. Smoke and fog mixed together, dampening the smell of ichor and dead flesh.

            They'd obviously only just missed the battle.

            Hiei snarled and sent a fireball to the nearest body to release some of the frustration. The smell of burning flesh was invigorating.

            "We ran all night! How could we have missed it?"

            Youko remained silent, trying to sense any survivors.

            "Don't bother," Hiei said, pouting. "My jagan picks up nothing. They're all dead."

            But Youko's sensed otherwise. There was life out there… He smiled

            "Don't lose hope yet, Hiei. There's someone here. The person responsible for all of this, I can smell their guilt."

            Hiei's head snapped up.

            "Really?"

            Youko moved toward the life force, and his partner followed close behind.

            She was sitting – rather – kneeling amidst the gore she had created, head bowed, the bodies surrounding her where they had fallen. It looked almost ceremonial.

            Though the smell of death was thick in the air, the scent of her blood overwhelmed the stench of the others. It teased Youko's nose, causing his ears to twitch in delight.

            They approached her slowly, almost lazily, until they were directly in front of her. Hiei, unable to control himself any longer, smoothly drew his katana, his tongue darting across his lips, his eyes glinting with anticipation of the kill. He chuckled lightly.

            And sill she did not raise her head.

            Youko cracked his whip impatiently, his eyes narrowing with slight frustration. She was ignoring them.

            "You must be he one," he began lazily, "who so rudely deprived us of our hunt."

            At last the girl raised her head, her blood stained hair falling back to reveal her face. Her raspberry colored eyes reflected a grim amusement. The demons were surprised, she was a very lovely girl.

            "I apologize," She said simply, "I did not know you had marked them as your prey."

            Hiei stepped forward, brandishing his sword, allowing the light to glint off the blade. He smirked.

            "I believe reparations are in order, Youko. How should she make it up to us?"

            The kitsune's lips curved gracefully, he imagined this blue haired girls face contorted in fear… fear of him… he shivered with pleasure.

            "Hmmm… Perhaps her life in exchange for those she took from us."

            Hiei's smirk widened.

            "It's as if you can read my mind."

            He stepped closer to the girl, tossing his sword into the air and catching it as it came down again. The girl watched him blankly, her eyes following his motions.

            Hiei laughed, turning to his friend.

            "She is unafraid."

            Youko snorted.

            "Perhaps she is just stupid." He knelt in front of the girl, taking her chin gently in his hand. He softly caressed her cheek, his amber gaze mocking.

            "Do you understand? We are going to kill you."

            The girl smiled humorlessly.

            "I understand."

            Still the fear didn't appear in her eyes, though she was panting harshly. Youko growled in annoyance.

            "I will strangle you slowly, while my friend Hiei slices your limbs from your body."

            He watched closely, waiting for her reaction.

            "Do as you wish," she said wearily, blood spilling out over her lips. "I'm dying anyway."

            Youko released her head, watching as her chin dropped to her chest.

            "She isn't lying." Hiei interjected. For the first time they noticed the girls hands were pressed against a grievous wound on her side, trying fruitlessly to keep the precious life from spilling, but steadily the pool of blood around her grew. They all knew that if she wasn't treated very soon, she would die.

            "If you're going to kill me," She interrupted, her breath hitching. "You'd best get to it, it won't be long until your chance has passed. Otherwise you can just stand there and watch me bleed to death."

            Hiei stepped forward with his sword once more.

            "As you like."

            "No, Hiei." Youko's voice was cold as he rose and moved away from the girl.

            "She's not afraid. There's no sport." He regarded the girl coolly, noting the look of determined resignation on her features.

            Hiei frowned, but nodded slightly and sheathed his katana once more. The two demons stood, detached, to watch the girl's life drain slowly away.

            Youko felt reluctantly impressed. Though she must be in a great amount of pain, besides clenching her teeth the girl showed no other signs of her suffering.

            "What is your name?" He asked, suddenly curious. Both his companion and the girl looked at him in surprise.

            "What does it mater?" Hiei asked. The girl appeared to share his sympathies, she shrugged.

            "It doesn't." Her head dropped again, and this time she closed her eyes. Her face was extremely pale.

            "I'd like to know." Youko said simply, his eyes riveted on the beautiful girl in front of him.

            "Botan."

            The deep voice came from behind them, and the two demons turned to see another youkai. He was tall, like Youko, and had short, spiky silver hair. His eyes were fixed on the fallen woman.

            She opened her eyes.

            "Botan, is it?" Youko asked as the newcomer approached the girl. She hesitated, but after a moment she nodded to him.

            "Who are they and what are they doing here?" The new demon asked as he knelt next to her.

            "Morbid fascination." She replied, more blood spilling from her mouth. She lifted one blood soaked hand from her side and tried to wipe her lips clean. The spiky haired demon caught it.

            "You're a mess." He sneered, using his sleeve to wipe her face. She didn't argue.

            "Were they too much for you, then?" He asked, smirking. Botan frowned but shook her head.

            "A moment of carelessness."

            "What about them?" He indicated to the two demons behind him, watching.

            "They came later."

            He pulled her hands away from her wound, ignoring her groans of pain.

            "I hate humans." He stated.

            "So," she panted, "You've said." Her voice was weak.

            He examined her gaping side.

            "I'll have to burn it shut." He locked his gaze with hers. "It'll be the most excruciating pain you've ever felt."

            Youko was surprised to hear her laugh.

            "I wouldn't expect anything less from you." Her eyes sparkled with amusement, before they closed and she bit back a scream as white fire shot from the demons hand, searing her wound shut.

            "You were wrong," she moaned. "I've felt worse."

            The demon smiled at her.

            "I'm taking you back to Koenma now."

            "Good." Botan finally passed out.

            "Koenma?" Youko asked, "Why?"

            The nameless demon hoisted the girl into his arms, before glancing disdainfully at the two.

            "She's his best ferry girl."

            Hiei's eyes widened.

            "Ferry girl? From Reikai?"

            "Obviously, Hiei." Youko said dryly.

            "Why did you not try to help her?" Asked the other demon.

            Youko eyed the deity, a bored expression on his face.

            "We didn't want to."

            The demons face darkened.

            "She was dying and you didn't want to help her?"

            Hiei rested his hand on the hilt of his katana.

            "We would have gladly helped her on her way…"

            The demon glared at them.

            "I must return to Reikai."

            "We will not stop you." Said Youko, resting a hand on Hiei's shoulder.

            "I will tell Koenma of you and your threats to his deity."

            Hiei smirked.

            "We don't care, Reikai-jiins cannot touch us in this realm."

            "Perhaps not, but I can. I know your faces."

            Youko smiled icily.

            "We look forward to your return then." He approached the other demon slowly, ignoring the contemptuous expression on his face. He looked at the pale ferry girl cradled in the others arms.

            "Perhaps you will bring Botan with you?" He reached out, running a clawed hand over her cheek, grinning when the other demon snatched her away and snarled at him.

            Youko and Hiei watched him sprint quickly away.

            Hiei snorted.

            "Why would you want to see her again?"

            Youko smiled darkly.

            "She was… Interesting."

            ~*~

            AN: I think I must be very disturbed somewhere deep inside.

            This fic will updated sporadically until I finish Thief! So don't be expecting an update too soon. I'll write for this fic when I get the urge. I hoped you guys liked it!