" Hmm the gates are open and there’s not a guard in sight. Either her security is *really* bad or we’re in for a warm welcome."

" Hiei is very close."

Nuryko watched them with a faint smile. She had underestimated these friends of her fire demon - not many youkai would risk certain death for someone not of their blood. However, their timely arrival had given her the first close look at her mortal rival, Yukina.

How could he yearn for that pathetic thing? Nuryko fumed. She looked so fragile that a strong gust of wind would probably sent her tumbling into the snow. She had *his* eyes, something that made her even angrier.

No matter, Nuryko decided, they would all die and without them, Hiei would have no reason to leave her. She would kill the two more powerful youkai first, the Fox and the Dark-Hair. Later, when they had been disposed of, she would take great pleasure in carving out Yukina’s heart.

The Fox stepped over the threshold into her fortress. His eyes flickered over every corner, watching for unseen enemies. Finally, he gave them the all-clear sign and the others followed him in.

" Welcome into my parlour," Nuryko giggled.

" I feel him. There." Yukina pointed towards the corridor braching off to the right. Yuusuke frowned. " Nuryko’s youki is coming strongly from the other side."

" It might be better if we split up. Yukina can go find Hiei while we hold off Nuryko. It would probably be less dangerous that if we let her sneak up on us at a crucial moment."

The others nodded their agreement.

" You better move quickly, Yukina. I have this *bad* feeling that we might have to leave in a hurry," Yuusuke told the ice demon.

" Thank you and good luck."

They stood there until she had disappeared into the shrouded darkness of the hallway. Then Kurama reached into his silvery mane of hair and drew out the rose whip. He cracked it a few times, experimentally.

" Well, Yuusuke? Are you ready?"

" We’re certainly not getting any younger standing out here. Let’s go kill the witch."

The fox gave his friend a sly grin of approval.

" My sentiments exactly."

Yukina stared in frustration at the three ice walls surrounding her. Distorted triple images of herself looked back, looking equally frustrated. He was here, just beyond these walls - she was so sure of it.

" Hiei!" she shouted pounding at the smooth, hard surface. There was no reply from the other side but her brother’s name echoed eerily down the corridor. She tried using her powers but Nuryko had bound the entrance shut with a complex spell that was beyond her talents.

A cold hand touched her shoulder.

Yukina gasped and spun around. A little girl stood in front of her, dressed in a simple white kimono decorated with delicate azure embroidery of snowflake patterns. Her eyes were a pale blue colour, filled with an ageless sorrow that was strangely out of place in a child.

" Who are you?" Yukina asked.

Her bluish lips moved but no sound emerged. Finally, she reached out to touch Yukina’s hand. Her fingers were cold, not because of the chill but because she was not alive.

A shade - a restless spirit unable to find peace in the afterlife or to be reincarnated in a new form. But why? What was this ice demon child doing in Nuryko’s fortress? Had Nuryko murdered her as she had done to so many others? The child tugged impatiently at her hand, pulling her towards one of the walls. Reaching out one small hand, she pressed her palm against the solid ice.

A rumbling vibration shook Yukina out of her amazement. Immediately, she knew that the child was responsible. Stroking her ghostly blue hair, she murmured her thanks to this restless soul.

And then, she was gone.

Slowly, the door slid open...