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Chapter: 07:

"Unrelenting"

"How many times do I have to tell you about keeping your control!" The gruff voice yelled, accompanied by a yelp of pain from me as she smacked her gnarled hands over my head. It had been nearly a week since we had begun training, and each time, our sessions ended in the same way: me devastating some part of her estate. This time it had been one of her favorite old trees. I will admit that while the blast was still terrible, it was significantly smaller than it was the first day when I had blown Genkai's garden to smithereens.

The old psychic shook her head in disgust. The sun gleamed off her matted gray curls. "You're progressing, so you need to stop pushing it. I don't want you delving into any of your memories until you can maintain your meditative state long enough to come out of it on your own!"

I bowed my head shamefully, using my blonde hair as a shield to hide from the old woman's fury. "Why don't you get cleaned up?" She blew out her breath in a large huff. "If you hurry, you can probably make a run before dinner." I bowed once to her, before excusing myself. I didn't need to take a shower since I was just going to be getting more sweaty, but I did need to grab a tie for my hair, and my running shoes.

The shoes fit over my feet like a familiar glove. After putting upwards of twenty miles into them over the last ten days or so, they were thoroughly broken in. I paused at the sink, debating on whether or not I wanted to bring a bottle of water along. Hating the restricting feeling of the bottle in my hand I decided against it. I had pushed myself pretty hard yesterday, today was going to be more of a recovery than anything else.

I trotted outside, pausing to stretch my aching muscles. I looked at my bare wrist frowning, I really should pluck up the courage to ask for a watch. It would certainly make timing these runs much easier. Setting off in the direction of the familiar cliffside, I began to slowly jog. The foliage whizzed past me lazily as my feet thudded the ground. Gods, how could I have stopped running for so long?! I don't understand how I was able to almost a year without running regularly. Usually I became grouchy after one missed day. I ducked under a low branch, shortening my stride. The muggy air made the thin cotton of my shirt cling to my chest.

At last, I could hear the dull roar of the ocean beating against the cliffside. As I slowed to a walk I paused to take in the air. It smelled like rain. Looking overhead confirmed my suspicions. Dark clouds were rolling over the ocean, blocking out the sun's glare. The puffy clouds billowed around the sky like cotton candy. Their shades of blue and purple were a perfect compliment to the choppy aquamarine ocean waves below. I loved a good thunderstorm. Besides running, nothing sounded better than curling up on one of Genkai's expansive porches, with a mug of tea and a novel. Perhaps I could finally begin one of the new one's Kurama brought me! I licked the sweat clean from my upper lip. Oh, that's right, Kurama should be returning tonight! It was a Friday evening, which meant Kurama and Kuwabara's exams were finished so they would be coming to stay for their summer break.

A shadow flashed to my left. "H-hello?" I called back turning from the edge of the cliff. I didn't need to be afraid. The familiar heat heralded his arrival long before he appeared.

"Don't even think about jumping again, woman," A gravelly voice hissed. In a flash of black, the fire apparition appeared in the clearing some twenty meters in front of me.

"Oh, I wasn't," I could feel color dashing into my cheeks from his remark. I licked my lips hastily, "I was just admiring the sea. It's so…" Gazing at the crystal blue waters, I became lost for words. Hiei drew nearer to me, almost as if he were drawn to the waves as well.

"What are you doing here?" I asked softly. He stared impassively into the water below us. For many moments he was silent. I was considering him not hearing my question over the roar of the ocean as a viable scenario for his silence when he finally responded. "Babysitting."

I could feel my skin prickling with indignation: "Why?"

"Because you need it, stupid," He stalked away without giving me a passing glance. Trying to suppress my frustrations I followed after him. I needed two steps for every one of his lengthy strides. He may only be a meager 5'3" or 5'4", but compared to my 4 foot nothing stature his legs were infinitely longer than my own.

"You can read minds." It was not a question. Can you or was that a parlor trick? I thought biting the skin around my thumb. My attempt at goading him into an answer worked; however, because his wide cherry eyes flashed towards mine in irritation. "You're not going to dignify me with a response are you?" His face remained impassive, but his gaze was all I needed to confirm my suspicions. I fixed a harsh glare on his back before stomping after him.

"I know you can, you know. Your eyes just gave it away!" Deciding not to allow his sour demeanor ruin my most beloved daily ritual I picked my pace up, running around the fire apparition. Not unlike a few weeks before, he began to follow me. Surpassing me easily in a flash of black. God he's so fast! I thought picking up my pace to match him. A smug smirk broke out over his features.

"You're weak!" He sneered, pulling ahead of me once more. In a dash of black he had disappeared again. My pride bellowed in anguish as I once again picked up my pace. I was nearing a dead sprint, by the time the temple and the fire apparition came into sight. The demon was sitting cozily on the wide porch, arms crossed over his broad chest, eyes closed. I stumbled up to the porch huffing like an asthmatic as I tried to regain my breath. That-you, knowing he could hear me, smug jerk! His cherry eyes snapped open as his features contorted into a frown.

"Ha! I win, you can read minds," With my curiosity satisfied I jumped agilely onto the porch moved past him into the kitchen. So much for a recovery day, I thought as I sucked down my second glass of water. The liquid spilled down my sweaty chin, splashing my the breast of my shirt. Not that it mattered, I was so soaked with sweat that a little extra water wouldn't make any difference. Filling my glass for the third time I turned away from the sink with every intention of showering; however, I made contact with a solid mass of flesh first. With a start I dropped glass, and fell to the ground with an ungraceful 'thud.' Before the glass could shatter, Hiei had snatched it out of the air, but he hadn't grabbed it quick enough to save me from a premature shower. The water splashed over my head and shoulders, soaking me instantly. I groaned loudly from the floor. I didn't need to open my eyes to know the fire apparition's trademarked smirk was in place.

"You needed to bathe anyway!" His voice matched the arrogant expression on his face. "You smell." He remarked before slamming the glass into the sink and stalking back out onto the porch. That-that-that ass! I was still sitting soaking wet on the floor of the kitchen when the shoji screen opened once more.

"Oh Lady Hikari! Did you have an accident?" Kurama's mellifluous voice called. Pushing the mound of soaked blonde hair off my shoulder, I took his offered hand.

"No," I hissed through grit teeth, dabbing myself with a dish rag, "But I know a fire demon who's about to."

An all too familiar purple haze settled around the edges of my mind. You wish, woman, His voice lazily drifted through my head before our connection severed. Kurama's light chuckle broke my out of my thoughts. Pushing myself to my feet I regarded the demon with narrowed eyes. "What's so funny?" I scoffed.

"You're soaking wet!" He said reaching for a piece of my blonde hair. I stared at the demon shyly as he rubbed the damp lock between his fingers.

"Yeah, the water fell on me," I said, the tenor of my voice becoming much softer.

Deep pools of forest green roamed over my face, "And Hiei did that, did he?" I nodded, anger prickling at the back of my neck as I remembered the incident.

"How interesting," Kurama said tossing the blonde lock of hair behind my shoulder. "You should probably get ready for dinner." Without so much as another glance in my direction, Kurama walked out the door. I stood there, frozen in shock momentarily, staring after him. Did he just... I thought my face growing hot, hit on me? I didn't have long to dwell on the experience however, because the paper screen next to me snapped open making me jump with a start.

"Focusing your destruction on my kitchen now?" The old psychic said crossing behind me to the sink. I looked down at the water splotches on the ground. My mouth snapped shut with an audible 'click' as I grabbed a dish towel from the sink and began to mop up the spill. That stupid jerk! I thought heatedly. "After dinner we're going to begin the second part of your training."

I regarded the woman with eyes, narrowed in confusion. The psychic ignored my uncertain gaze and instead went about filling the tea kettle. Setting it on the stove she turned towards me and finally cleared some of my confusion by saying, "You will begin training with Hiei. Spirit World believes that the security of the temple could be compromised if you don't learn how to block psychic advances." When my blue eyes held no spark of understanding at her words she pressed on. "I'm sure you're aware of our fire demon's gift." I nodded, remembering my run. "Well, he's not the only one with that ability." Genkai ignored my shocked expression and continued on, "Koenma believes there are others who may be looking for you and that they may be using psychic abilities to do it. It's possible they could be tracking down your aura even now."

A chill raced through my spine at her words. Instinctively my arms wrapped around my body, trying to chase away the cold. I could feel panic rising within me, sweeping through my consciousness, as swift and powerful as a tidal wave. "Air," I gasped, "I need air." Blind and numb, I stumbled out of the shoji doors in the kitchen, and onto the porch. I drank the air in, relishing the feeling of it filling up my chest cavity. They could be here. I thought trying to stifle a sob,He could be here. Beneath my closed eyes, serpent like pupils danced. It was as if they were mocking me. I'll always come for you, Master had said. I placed a hand on my left rib cage, tracing the scar through my clothes. It didn't require much effort to remember the way the cold steel of the blade had sliced through my abdomen. Parting my flesh had been as easy as cutting cake. I shivered again.

A gentle hand placed on my shoulder elicited a scream from me. I whipped around bringing myself nose to nose with none other than my favorite Koorime. Her ruby eyes stared intently into my face, concern stamped all over her features. I don't know what came over me, but before I fully comprehended what I was doing, I grabbed onto the small woman, drawing her near to me. Uncontrollable sobs shook my body, bringing me (and consequently Yukina) to my knees. I gasped for breath as I clung to her kimono, staining the silk with my tears.

The ice apparition cooed gently in my ear, as her delicate hands stroked my matted blonde hair. Her movements were stiff and jerky, almost as if she was not used to displaying such affection, but I still found comfort within her embrace. "There, there." She whispered softly. "I can't heal you if you cannot tell me what ails you." I laughed at that, finally pulling away from the woman.

"I just," my voice was low-almost intelligible, "I'm...frightened. I don't want to go back to that place!" I hissed once again dissolving into a puddle of sobs. Yukina wiped my tears with my hand. "You do not have to go anywhere you do not wish to."

I shook my head remembering Genkai's words. "They'll find me!" I hissed through clenched teeth.

Her eyes opened wide as the meaning behind my cries, finally became clear. "Be that as it may, no one here will allow any harm to befall you." Yukina turned away from me, her eyes gazing out onto the forest. It took her many moments to speak, but when she did her voice was low, and almost melancholy. "I was…" She looked like she was struggling to get the words out, "Captured once. A man, an evil man, tried to take advantage of my people's unique abilities to produce precious stones. He kept me there…" She turned her gaze back onto me, I gasped, when I saw them swimming with tears. "I was in so much pain." Yukina swallowed hard before continuing, "But then, Yusuke and the others came for me. They brought me here and have kept me safe ever since. So believe me when I say," Before the drops could fall, the water disappeared from her eyes as her usually peaceful features hardened with the resolve of her next words. "You will never go back to that place. We simply will not allow it."

The confidence of her words gave me strength and I allowed myself to be helped up by the woman. "Come, let's get you bathed. You'll feel better." I let the woman pull me gingerly into the temple and up to the bathing area on the second floor. "Will you need any help dressing for dinner?" She asked softly. I shook my head no, suddenly too exhausted to speak. I was just going to have to train with Hiei and who knows what that would entail.

True to the Koorime's word, after I emerged from the bath house, I did feel better. I dressed simply in a pair of grey sweat pants and a purple crew neck sweatshirt, with my familiar running shoes. When I reached the kitchen, everyone was already seated. Instantly all conversation stopped as everyone turned to look in my direction. My eyes passed over the familiar faces-Yusuke, Kuwabara, Genkai, Yukina, Kurama, and even Hiei-were all present. Wordlessly I sat down in the empty space next to Kuwabara and Kurama. I hid from the emerald green gaze of Kurama by shoveling rice into my mouth. This couldn't be any more uncomfortable, I thought ducking behind my hair. A raspy cough shattered the silence. Five sets of eyes fixed on the elderly psychic.

"I think it best that we address a few," She tapped her chin thoughtfully for a moment, "Security concerns."

A hand brushed over mine and a low voice whispered, "Breathe." I cast a sideways glance at the redhead, lowering my chopsticks. I looked into his eyes flashing him a weak smile.

"Unfortunately, Spirit World has received information that a group of demons may be using psychic abilities to track Lady Hikari's aura." The news Genkai delivered seemed to be of little shock to anybody.

"Yeah so let em' come! We've got more than enough manpower to beat their asses and besides," Yusuke said cracking his knuckles, "I'm tired of kicking Kuwabara's ass. I need some new targets to practice with."

The old psychic ignored his outburst. "For now, we are going to teach Hikari the art of mind control."

"Genkai, do you really think that will be enough?" Kurama spoke with soft, sure words. "If our enemies have already been alerted to her presence in this world, then do you really think she will have enough time to master such an ability?" I know he didn't mean anything by his comment, but the small insult did not go unnoticed to my pride. To me, it was as if he were really saying, "she's too weak." I ground my teeth in distaste. Suddenly, losing the flavor for Yukina's wonderful cooking, I pushed my plate away from me. My actions did not go unnoticed by the redhead who was throwing curious glances in my direction. The sting of his insult smarted all the more.

"It's the only option we have, other than relocating her. Until she can get a handle on her own abilities, Hiei will use his Jagan to suppress any known intruders. It's not a perfect plan. There are psychics who are powerful enough to mask their intrusions, let's our enemies are not one of them." Genkai's eyes bore down directly into mine. I could feel the air becoming thinner and thinner. Sensing my discomfort the old woman finally turned her eyes away from mine and onto the fish on her plate.

"Are you alright my lady?" Yukina asked. I hadn't felt the weight of her crimson gaze on me. Nodding once, I collected my dishes and got up from the table.

"I, uhm," I faked a cough as I searched for an excuse to leave, "I think I left something in my...uhm room. Excuse me." I emptied my dishes and placed them in the sink before going out the door that lead to the front porch. I paled when I realized I had completely shattered my already weak cover story. Pinching the bridge of my nose with my hands I closed my eyes and groaned loudly. Well that had been uncomfortable, I thought. Before I could truly get lost within the grips of my anxiety, the door slammed open once more. A familiar spiky haired apparition walked through. Hiei paid me no mind as he walked off the porch and into the one patch of sunlight that the clouds were threatening to ink out. The sun's rays beat off of his dark hair, illuminating the indigo within the coarse strands.

Sensing my eyes on his back Hiei stopped. "Are you coming?" He asked without turning to face me. For some reason I could not discern my face began to grow hot. I pulled at the collar of my sweatshirt. Is it me or did it just get hotter? I thought fanning my face with my hand.

"Well?" The apparition said looking over his shoulder, candy apple eyes seeking my blue ones. The way the sun was glinting off of his iris made them smoulder and burn like two hot coals. Those two hot coals were currently narrowed in irritation at my lack of a response. "Whatever," He scoffed, his face contorting into a scowl as he turned his back on me once more and began walking at a slow pace into the woods.

"Oh! The training!" I had almost forgotten! I ran off the porch, following the black figure through the forest. Hiei was unrelenting as I pursued him. I wasn't even sure he was aware of my presence as I allowed him to lead me deeper and deeper into the woods. He made sure I could never catch up to him, always running just far enough ahead to keep me at a distance. Finally, after what seemed like an hour or so of chasing the stubborn man, he stopped. Naturally, I was so swept up in the moment of my run that I hadn't noticed his pause. I crashed into his back with a loud 'ooph!' He turned over his shoulder, scowl deepening.

"Stupid," He hissed, recoiling from my touch as though I had burned him. Massaging my throbbing head, I mumbled an apology. Thunder rolled ahead of us.

"It's going to rain," I said softly looking above us. The dense trees did a wonderful job of inking out the sky. Feeling very aware of the temperature change wrapped an arm around myself, trying to fight off the sudden chill the storm had brought.

"Then you had better hurry up and figure this out," The demon spat, arms crossed over his chest.

"Figure what out-" I did not have time to finish my question as a haze of purple smoke slammed into my conscious. The invasion hurt.

It really hurt. Gurgling a moan I clutched my hands to my head, and pulled at the strands. The agony of the intruder made my legs weak. I fell to my knees, hunching over and groaning again. The smoke was everywhere. It was inside me pulling at the fabric of my memories. Unraveling the delicately woven tapestry; unraveling, and now seeing. He saw everything.

My first marathon finish, Sakura, Midoriko, and I celebrating at the finish line. He saw my abduction. He saw the first time I was…

"AAHH!" I screamed driving my head into the dirt.

Force me out, the unrelenting swirl of purple smoke said.

I don't know how! I thought back, gritting my teeth with pain as he pulled the memory of my rape out of my head. Suddenly I wasn't in the forest anymore, I was there.

I lay huddled in the fetal position of my cell. I had been stripped of my running clothes when I first arrived and given a white smock, reminiscent of what a patient in a hospital would wear. It's so cold, I thought wrapping my arms around my knees. A door was thrown up, bathing the dark room in brief golden light. The light was soon obstructed by the presence of a massive man.

"Get out! Get out! Get out!" I screamed, beating my head against the dirt.

Upon spying me in my dingy corner, the man began to chuckle darkly. The laugh bellowed deep within his chest, and spilled over his lips with a tone of...malice. The edge within the chuckle made the flesh on my arms begin to curdle. Never in my life had I felt so threatened by just the mere presence of a man. As he drew closer, I backed deeper into the wall, clutching at the dank surface. Then with a tone that sounded much like the great trumpets of the apocalypse he spoke, "Come here little girl, you and I are going to play." Thin lips spread to reveal two rows of gleaming, white teeth. I could not discern any of his other features through the darkness. Just his gleaming teeth, as he hungrily lapped at them with his tongue and two shining eyes with pupils of a serpent. He trapped my ankle within his grip and yanked me free from the surface of the wall I had been clinging too. A scream punctured the pregnant silence as my nails scraped along the floor as he dragged me from the room.

"STOP!" I pleaded. Although it was below me to beg for mercy, I didn't want to see what came next. I didn't need to. I knew what had happened. Force me out, Hiei's silky voice was accompanied by a growl as the onslaught continued. I drove my head further into the dirt; leaves and grit accumulated in my wide open mouth, but I didn't care. What had Genkai said? The crystal had saved me back when I was captive, and chances were pretty good it would save me now! But I don't have it with me, I moaned inwardly, spitting out a leaf.

"WAIT!" My hoarse voice bellowed. I hadn't realized I had audibly screamed. Drool and spit dangled out of my open mouth, dampening the patch of earth my face occupied. Genkai had said that the two of us were one, so that means… "The crystal is here too!" The shock of the realization made my head snap up, flinging more mud and spit into my face. Closing my eyes against the images Hiei was dragging out of my mind, I focused on the small seed of warmth I knew the crystal to be. Sure enough, a small spot on my stomach began to exude heat. Focusing all of my energy on that spot of warmth, I willed it to grow. Hotter and hotter, the heat from the crystal's energy began to fill me up. I allowed the energy to envelop me, and once I could feel it settle deep within my bones I knew I was ready.

Opening my eyes, I stared into my hands. A small pool of light was beginning to form in the palm of my hand. Focusing all of my energy into my hand I began to imagine the crystal appearing. The small pool of light began to shine brighter, taking on a more three dimensional depth. The light refracted inward, temporarily blinding me. I closed my fingers tight around the glow, flinching away from the intense glow. So intense was the blaze of light that all of the capillaries and veins within my pale fingers were illuminated from underneath my clenched fist. After many moments, the glow began to dull, revealing in its weight a familiar object. Tentatively, I uncurled my fingers enough to peer at the object inside. The familiar faceted face of the crystal greeted me, winking in the bath of golden light. "Help me, please," I begged of the crystal softly.

The crystal pulsed in my hand before flying two feet into the air. Thin, wisps of the crystal's energy began to braid itself around my body until I could no longer see, or more importantly feel, the fire demon around me. The surface of the spherical net was warm and languid feeling. The crackling of electric energy filled my ears, followed by an intense growl. What was that? It took me a few minutes before I recalled that I was not out here alone. "Hiei!" I thought, cupping my hands into the energy. In one fluid motion, I parted the gilded gold net. Hiei was so close to me, I could feel his every breath fan out against my cheek.

"Your energy," He hissed, "it's gone!" A wide smile broke out over my face at his comment!

"It worked!" I cheered lightly. The apparition, did not seem to share my joy. Hiei wore a scowl so deep, the lines around his mouth formed two large parentheses. The weight of the gaze he wore above the scowl was even more troubling. I could sense a deep anger pooling beneath the crimson lamps.

"What is it?" I asked softly, my smile beginning to droop at the edges. Glancing down, I could see his hands fisted into two tight balls. His left hand was stained red and appeared to be slightly scalded. It was then that I remembered the crackle of energy, punctuated by a growl.

"Oh Hiei your hand!" I gasped reaching for the injured appendage. He tucked the hand deep within the pocket of his black pants, his eyes never leaving mine. My mouth closed shut with an audible clack and the two of us were enveloped in an awkward silence.

Hiei was silent for many moments before he said, "He hurt you." It was not a question. I looked at him with marked confusion. I thought my past was common knowledge to everyone. The demon reached a hand slowly to my temple, before saying: "Show me." I flinched slightly when his rough fingers brushed against my temple. Before I knew what was happening a dense purple fog rolled into my consciousness. Unlike the last time, the fog's arrival caused me no pain. I could feel it probing gently and curiously into my memories, but unlike last time, I saw nothing. Hiei broke our connection with a snarl. Thin lips, parted over pearly white incisors, as a slow roar built within the top of his chest.

"Never again!" The demon snapped. I brushed a stray lock of hair out of my eyes, my heart thudding loudly in my chest. "I won't allow it!" He roared once more before turning away from me. I shied away from the heat of his gaze. The rage I had observed earlier had only intensified. I was suddenly gripped with the notion that spontaneous combustion was actually a very real phenomena and would undoubtedly happen to me if I maintained our eye contact any longer. Hiei began to stomp loudly back in the direction that we came. To say it was a struggle to catch up with the demon would be an understatement. I had to break into a dead sprint on more than one occasion just to keep him within a three meter distance, and even then Hiei was just an inky smudge on the horizon.

By the time I reached the porch I was gasping for air. Kurama, Botan, and Genkai were seated on the wide expanse.

"Oh my goodness!" The blue haired reaper gasped, jumping down from the porch. "What happened to you?" Botan grimaced, flinging a twig out of my hair. I shot her a glare, before flopping on my back in the grass.

"Stupid," I rasped with each breath, "Temperamental demon!" Drops of rain began to plink against my face, cleansing me of the muck. At least I figured out a worthy defense, I thought opening my mouth to welcome the droplets of water. I smiled as the small specks splashed into my mouth. They tasted much sweeter than any drink of water I had ever encountered; they tasted like success.

A/N: WOO. TWO CHAPTERS IN ONE WEEK. This chapter is also the longest one to date! WOO 5000 WORDS.

Okay, so I'm really not that impressive. I've actually had this chapter waiting on my hard drive for like, three weeks now. I've been doing some major critiquing over the last few weeks though as I start to write more and more of the plot. :3 Muhaha, it's coming! I am SUPREMELY anxious to get this story going, and with it being summer, I am going to be updating a lot more frequently! Honestly, I'll probably post another one or two updates by the end of this week.

Oh! And I've decided to start doing some chapter titles. YAY CHAPTER TITLES.

Thanks again to Heve-Chan and KK1372 for leaving me reviews! As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated! And as an added incentive, I may be inclined to leave a few spoilers for people who leave reviews. Just saying. ;3

But seriously, I love getting to know and interacting with my audience! People who as into Yu Yu Hakusho as I am are growing harder and harder to come by! :)

Best Wishes,

Allie