Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Also, this story cuts into the anime storyline mid-way through episode 69, just before the conclusion of Kurama's and Kaito's game.

Chapter 1

Kaito looked around, desperately searching the surrounding area for any sign of his opponent. The lush jungle of tropical flora around him seemed to sway slightly in a nonexistent breeze, mocking him. Behind Kaito, in a small clearing, there was a table with two chairs placed opposite each other. Lying on the table was a piece of paper, which contained each letter of the alphabet in a neat, orderly script. All but the first five letters were crossed off. Another paper, hanging on the door of the room, explained the rules of the game that was being played.

"Follow the rule, both host and guest. Don't utter a letter crossed off from the list. Each 104 seconds, note too, another letter becomes taboo."

Behind one of the chairs stood three soulless bodies-- a grim reminder of the consequences of uttering something that's taboo.

From his perch upon the chandelier hanging above the table, Kurama watched Kaito. He was biding his time, calmly waiting for an opportune moment, as Kaito's anxiety grew. Glancing back at the table, Kurama saw 'C' being crossed off of the list. Only two more letters left. It's time, Kurama thought. He was confident in his ability to beat Kaito at his own game. Unfortunately, Kaito wasn't his only opponent.

Kurama shifted his precarious position atop the chandelier and began lowering himself so he would be hanging upside-down behind Kaito. Without warning, Youko assaulted Suuichi mentally, testing the barriers that kept him confined within the depths of Kurama's personality.

Such mental battles were common, for there were two souls residing within Kurama's body-- the human, Suuichi, and the demon, Youko. Neither had complete control over the body and, as a result, a persona was created drawing characteristics from both entities. This persona was known as Kurama, who had more human characteristics, as Suuichi had always been the dominant soul. Youko had been powerless to change this and had become resigned to lurking within the depths of the mind until the conclusion of the Dark Tournament. At that time, Kurama had received a potion that allowed him to transform into Youko's body, switching the roles of Youko and Suuichi. For a short while, Youko became the dominant soul; but, as with Suuichi, it was not complete dominance. Kurama remained in control of the body, but gained more demon characteristics while he was in the demon form. Youko did have more influence over Kurama's actions, but the potion was such that it only allowed him dominance for a short time. However, after Kurama drank the entire potion, enough of Youko's demonic power was retained to allow a transformation to occur at will, with no time limit.

This meant that Youko could come out whenever Suuichi allowed him to, or he overpowered his human counterpart. Suuichi had yet to let him out willingly since the tournament and the human was all but impossible to overpower. Youko believed this to be because the body was originally his, which gave the ningen innate advantages. But Youko was persistent and fought for dominance whenever the opportunity presented itself. Unfortunately, this opportunity came whenever Suuichi was otherwise distracted.

Having his attention focused on Kaito and their game, Suuichi was unprepared for Youko's attack. Kurama could not participate in the mental conflict; but, as he was a combination of Youko and Suuichi, he was connected to them both. He felt Youko's determination to win the battle, but he could also feel Suuichi's pain caused from Youko's assault. Thus distracted, Kurama lost his precarious balance on the chandelier and fell to the floor. Kaito turned when he heard the impact, his eyes widening in surprise, but he made no sound. He stared at Kurama, his surprise turning to confusion. The red haired teen was lying on his side, hands clutching his head. Kaito would have assumed that Kurama had hit his head, except for the fact that his facial expressions suggested otherwise. First, he would seem to flinch, as if he'd been hit, his face clearly showing pain and more than a little worry. Then his expression would change completely, becoming cold and displaying fierce determination to not lose. At these times, his eyes would almost seem to turn amber. He didn't seem to be aware of anything around him.

Within his mind, Suuichi was desperately trying to stave off Youko's mental barrage. The first attack had been a test, but since it caught Suuichi completely off-guard, it had easily broken through his normal barriers. Youko pressed his advantage, knowing this was the closest he had ever come to winning one of their mental battles.

Suuichi's mind painfully throbbed from the attacks, but he knew Youko was feeling the same. He'd managed to keep Youko from overpowering him completely and only needed to last a bit longer. These battles were tiring for both of them, and each knew it wouldn't last much longer.

Youko paused in his assault, gathering his energy for one last attack. He knew this was the last chance he'd get in a long time and wasn't about to let this opportunity pass him by. Suuichi, familiar with Youko's tactics, steeled himself for the last blow. He knew this one would be the worst, but if he could withstand it, the battle would be over and he would be victorious once again. He readied himself for the final attack.

Unfortunately, Suuichi had forgotten that his normal barriers had been destroyed in the first barrage and were no longer there to help shield him from the brunt of Youko's strike. On top of that, this assault came also from Youko's desperation and the fact that he was closer than he had ever been to freedom. As such, Suuichi was again unprepared for the severity of Youko's attack. It was like a whip had lashed out across his mind, causing him to involuntarily cry out in pain. This was fatal because, as he was still the dominant soul, his mental scream was echoed by his vocal cords.

Kaito jumped back in surprise as Kurama screamed. His fear and confusion quickly turned to elation as Kurama's body was consumed in blue fire. The game was still in progress and Kurama had voiced a taboo sound. Kaito smiled as Suuichi's soul rushed from his body to rest just above Kaito's outstretched hand. It was a deep, emerald green. Kaito had no more time to study it, as movement drew his attention back to the body on the ground in front of him. Confusion and fear shown clearly upon his features as he watched Suuichi's body begin to change.

Suuichi's bright red hair faded to a vibrant silver, doubling in length. Two large, fox-like ears emerged from under his hair, covered in the same colored fur. His clothes changed from the magenta colored school uniform to a loose, flowing tunic and pants with a sash about his waist, all pale white in color. His eyes, closed before in pain, opened to reveal they had changed color as well-- from a deep green to an almost glowing amber.

Kaito watched, spellbound, as what was supposed to be Suuichi's soulless body stood, towering over Kaito. The teenager also noticed a bushy tail, silver in color, as it flicked to the side.

Youko stretched, relishing his new-found freedom. Since Suuichi was no longer in the body, he had been able to take complete control, leaving Kurama to be the one to sit in the darkness of the mind for a change. Youko found it odd that he felt no resistance from Kurama. What's wrong? Are you too weak to even try to take control from me? he asked, mentally sneering.

I cannot. You are part of me, so fighting you would be fighting against myself, came the simple reply.

Youko smiled, thinking back to some of the not-so-nice things done by Kurama. That's right, I am a part of you, aren't I? Youko paused, considering something. If Suuichi is gone, why are you still here?

There was a pause before Kurama answered. I'm not sure. Originally, I was a partial merger between yours and Suuichi's souls. Suuichi's soul has grown and changed these past fifteen years as he grew older, whereas yours has remained the same. Half of me growing and changing while the other half remained the same-- this must have caused me to grow a little differently than Suuichi, such that I remain when he is gone. However, I still feel the loss of his soul. I feel... empty, Kurama answered, a little melancholy.

I suggest you get used to that feeling. I will make sure that Suuichi will never enter this body again, Youko replied, ignoring the sorrow that thought brought. He assumed the emotion to be coming from Kurama.

I am well aware of your feelings for Suuichi-- both good and bad, Kurama replied.

Are you trying to say that I care about the ningen? Foolish boy. You should know me better than that, Youko retorted.

I do.

Not liking where this conversation was going, Youko turned his attention back to the gawking human in front of him. /I thank you for assisting me in freeing myself,/ he said telepathically.

Kaito jumped upon hearing Youko's voice inside his head. Youko smiled, allowing his sharp fangs to show. /I'll even let you live, provided you keep Suuichi's soul contained. Otherwise, there will be some rather... dire consequences,/ he continued, drawing Kaito's attention to his claws as he flexed them menacingly. Kaito could only nod his head. He was still in shock from witnessing his high school rival turn into this thing.

Youko smiled again, satisfied that he had cowed this human enough to where he wouldn't dare go against the demon's wishes. Faster than Kaito's eye could follow, Youko left, quickly and silently moving through the plants to the door. Kaito vaguely registered hearing the door close about the same time he saw Youko vanish. He didn't notice the plants withdrawing back to their pots or see 'A' being crossed out on the paper, signifying the game's conclusion. He just stood there, his mind desperately trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Meanwhile, Youko wasted no time leaving the immediate vicinity. He didn't have to worry about the Reikai-Tantai hunting him, as all of its current members were either captured or out of commission. However, that didn't mean Koenma wouldn't be sending people after him. The thief didn't plan to make it easy for them to find him.

Youko was finally back. And he planned on staying.

~*~

A man, dressed in black, looked up as he felt a familiar surge of energy. He was wearing a hat that was pulled low, but didn't quite cover the long scar running through his eye and down the left side of his face. A long, thin leaf hung around his neck, the light green standing out against his dark shirt. He smiled as he recognized the energy, allowing his inhuman fangs to show while his bushy brown tail twitched in anticipation, momentarily flicking out from underneath the trench coat that concealed it. "Youko Kurama," he whispered, gleefully, twirling the leaf in his fingers. The energy had faded once again, making it difficult to locate, but the wolf demon did not mind. This was the closest he'd come to locating Youko in seventeen years. There was no way the kitsune would walk away from their encounter this time.

To Be Continued