SIM: Chapter 8! Wow, I've been writing a lot lately…

Aya: SIM doesn't own anything 'cept the ocs.

SIM: So yeah, enjoy!

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"You all be careful, you hear." Genma said with a smile as our little group stood in front of the portal that would take them to Hideki's village.

"Don't worry dad, we'll be fine." Shihira replied with a smile of her own.

"I really wish you wouldn't wear all that black, Shihira. It doesn't suit you…" Satsuka added with a frown.

"Mom, the only black I'm wearing is my shoes…" her daughter complained.

"I know, but still…"

"Just one question Shihira, before you go…" Aki started.

"What is it?" Shihira asked cautiously.

"…How much did you pay him?" he chuckled, pointing to Datenshi. Shihira twitched in silence before smacking her older brother upside the head.

"I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW I DIDN'T PAY HIM ANYTHING!!!!" Shihira exclaimed.

"Oh, so he paid you, did he? Never thought my baby sister would become a prostitute, though I see how that would happen." Aki teased, rubbing the new bump on his head.

"AKI!" Shihira screamed, turning bright red, "I'm. Going. To. Kill. You." She went to pull out her sword when Hideki grabbed her shoulder.

"Jeez, you'd think you'd be used to your brother teasing you. You need to learn how to ignore him." Hideki chuckled. "Honestly, I do the same thing to Hikari. If she got all bent out of shape, I'd probably just do it more. It's a brother's job." Shihira glared at him, fuming silently. Aki just smirked at Shihira while his parents gave him reproachful looks.

"We should get going anyway." Shihira growled, "By Mom, Dad… Aki." She forced herself to growl out her brother's name.

"We'll get everything organized here; you just try to get us more allies." Genma announced.

"Thanks." Shihira stated before turning and jumping through the portal, followed by the rest of the team.

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Aya groaned as she flopped down on the too soft bed she'd been given for the duration of her stay at the thief's guild. It was the same room she remembered from her thieving days. She had a lot of memories in this room, most of which made her blush. She had just closed her eyes when a knock came on her door. She groaned inwardly and sat up.

"Come in!" she called. The door opened and there stood Hikari, obviously tired, with a stern look on her face, "What's wrong?"

"They've crossed into my old village. I feel so bad for making Hideki go alone." Hikari said.

"Don't. With any luck, they won't even see your dad and step-mom. They said they were going straight to your mom and leaving before anyone else can find them there. Besides, Hideki didn't make his dislike for them as obvious as you did. He'll be more likely to get them on our side." Aya rationalized.

"Ok, who's upset in here?" Ami questioned with an irritated expression on her face as she stepped into the room.

"Hikari feels bad about throwing Hideki to the sharks, so to speak." Aya explained.

"Oh… well ok. Hey, aren't they going to come here after they go see your village, since they don't know where my village is?" Ami asked. Aya and Hikari looked at each other and groaned. They'd only been there for a couple of days. They'd expected to stay longer.

"I'll watch them to see when they're coming." Hikari stated with a sigh.

"But won't Hiei know if you keep watch for too long? He could get into your head and then we're all screwed." Ami retorted.

"Don't worry, I've got it covered." Aya said, pulling out a bowl and a bottle of water. She opened the bottle and filled the bowl with the liquid before drawing a rune in the surface and muttering something under her breath.

"What are you doing?" Ami asked.

"I'm scrying. It might take me a second to find them, but once I do I can watch them without any of them sensing it. It takes a lot more time than just getting into their minds or having a premonition, but it's more accurate and sneaky." Aya explained. Ami and Hikari shared a glance before turning back to Aya.

"You really do scare us sometimes." They both said in unison causing all three of them to laugh.

"Alright, what are you guys doing now?" Aya muttered to herself, turning her attention back to the bowl.

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Hideki stepped out of the portal with a sigh. He looked around at the houses and shops lining the street. It all looked so familiar, and yet so alien. He never thought he'd see this place again. The others stepped out behind him and he turned around with a finger to his lips. They all quieted and followed him through the empty streets to a little house. He knocked three times on the door and it opened to reveal a tired looking woman with dark hair to her waist and sharp golden eyes that resembled a hawk. She caught sight of Hideki and a wide smile spread across her face and she ushered them in.

"Hideki! What are you doing back here?" She asked with a smile as she pulled her son into a hug.

"Well, it's kind of a long story. You look tired." Hideki said, chuckling and scratching the back of his head.

"You dyed your hair?" she questioned, brushing a hand through the gold locks, "Where's Hikari?"

"Well that's part of what we came to talk to you about." Hideki said, looking back at the others. Hideki's mother looked over Hideki's shoulder, noticing the others for the first time.

"Who are they?" She whispered.

"Friends. This is Yusuke Urameshi, son of Raizen, Kurama, reincarnation of Youko Kurama in a way, Shihira, Datenshi, and Hiei." He finished with a smirk. He turned to his mother and whispered something in her ear.

"Her WHAT!?" she exclaimed with a shocked expression, "I need to sit down…" She said, plopping down into a black chair by the fire.

"Guys, if you haven't guessed, this is my mom, Eri." Hideki announced.

"My little girl is mated?" Eri asked with a look of incomprehension on her face. "I didn't think it was possible. I never thought that girl would settle down." Hiei twitched, "But then again, you do look like her type…"

"And guess what else. You're a grandma!" Hideki exclaimed with a laugh. Eri turned her shock gaze to her son, then to Hiei, and back to her son.

"You've got to be kidding me…" she put a hand to her head and sighed. "My little baby's all grown up. Where is she anyway?" she took a drink out of a cup that was sitting on the end table.

"Well, I'm sure you've heard about the new ruler of demon by now… Well, she has a grudge against Kurama and another of our friends, Aya. Aya wanted to go confront her and Hikari and my mate, Ami, went with her." Eri spit out what she had just sipped and immediately started coughing.

"You're mated too?" Eri questioned furiously. "And you didn't think this was something your mother would want to know?"

"Well, we just never got around to coming to see you. It's only been a year…" Hideki explained, scratching the back of his head again. Eri glared at him before sighing and sitting up.

"So you were saying something about this new ruler?" Eri prodded.

"Oh yeah, well, we're sort of organizing a rebellion against her and we were hoping the village would be with us." Hideki finished.

"Oh goody! A rebellion! I haven't been part of one of those in centuries!" Eri exclaimed with a grin, "Actually, I think your father's already plotting a rebellion. He doesn't take too kindly to tyranny…" Eri put a finger to her chin.

"Yeah, about that. I'm sure you'll understand… I would rather not talk to dad if it's all the same to you. Hikari and I never really got along with them." Hideki added with a pleading look.

"Oh, I understand. Hmph, I would have killed that woman ages ago if she wasn't under the village's protection. Don't worry; I'll talk to him for you." Eri assured him.

"Thanks mom. I don't mean to be rude, but I think it's best we leave before dad finds out we're here. That would be a little awkward…"

"Alright. I'd hoped you'd stay a little longer. It's been so long. You have to let me come visit you! I want to see my daughter and granddaughter and I know Hikari would never come back here." Eri exclaimed.

"Of course ma. Ummm… do you think you could make us a portal? Hikari's the one who usually does it." Hideki replied. Eri rolled her eyes.

"Shame on you Hideki, being so dependent on your sister." She teased. "Where do you need to go?"

"We were going to go to the thief's guild next. Kurama's going to ask them to help." Hideki responded, once again scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.

"That should be easy enough. Where is it exactly?" she asked Kurama who then told her the coordinates, "Alright, one portal coming up."

"Going somewhere, son? You're going to leave without seeing your old man?" a voice came from the doorway. Hideki immediately tensed and every trace of humor that usually adorned his face disappeared in a flash.

"That was the plan, but I suppose that's dashed now, now isn't it?" Hideki responded, barely containing a growl.

"Now why would you do that? It's been so long!" the voice replied, maintaining a good natured tone, but Hideki got the feeling he was being mocked. He took a deep breath and turned around. His face was composed in a humorous smile that showed no trace of his previous hostility.

"Yes, it really has been too long, dad." Hideki replied with a smile that to most looked completely sincere. A man stepped out of the shadows and embraced him. This man had black hair and ice blue eyes; he looked a lot like Hideki.

"I'm sure you have things to do, or else you'd never dream of leaving without visiting with us. Whatever it is can't be too important, you know your step-mother will be so upset if you leave now." Hideki's father continued. Hideki's mask faltered for an instant, but his father could not see it.

"We wouldn't want to burden you all. You two are so busy all the time." Hideki replied.

"Oh nonsense, we're never too busy for our son. But I do wonder where Hikari is. I don't think I've ever seen you without her. You two were practically joined at the hip when you were younger." Hideki's mask faltered again for longer. That had obviously struck a nerve.

"Oh she's off doing this and that." Hideki said vaguely.

"Well, there's no argument about it, you and your friends will join us for dinner tonight." His father continued.

"We really should be going. You understand." Hideki responded.

"Hideki, you will join us for dinner." A woman's voice came from the doorway that clearly said there would be no further discussion. Hideki had to fight down a snarl. This woman had bleach blonde hair that fell in waves to her thighs and grey eyes. Hideki sighed and met her gaze.

"Alright, we'll stay for dinner, but we really should be going after." Hideki replied in a pleasant voice.

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"Hikari! You might want to see this!" Aya called from her room. Hikari and Ami were beside her in an instant looking down into the bowl, "They were about to leave, but your father and step-mom showed up and dragged them all back to their house to have dinner." A snarl escaped Hikari's lips when she saw the blonde woman step out of her mother's house.

"What do you want to do?" Ami asked with concern. She could feel the waves of fury rolling off Hikari.

"I want to rip her throat out, but that wouldn't really help our cause." Hikari growled.

"They won't just let them go. It took you forever to get away the first time." Aya added.

"Maybe Hideki can talk his way out of it…" Ami said optimistically.

"I doubt it. That little witch won't just let them go." Hikari repied with another growl.

"Hikari, can you make multiple portals at a time?" Aya asked.

"Yes, but they won't hold for long." Hikari answered.

"They won't have to. Here's what we're gonna do…"

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Hideki sat down in the spot he always sat in all those years ago. He was fighting to stay composed with everything he had. He had warned the others not to eat there dinner. He knew it wasn't above his step-mom put poison or a sleeping potion in their food.

What'd she do to you? Hiei asked telepathically.

You don't want to know Hideki replied.

Just tell me fool Hiei retorted gruffly.

Alright, you asked for it. Hideki said. Memories flowed out of his mind and into the black clad demon sitting to is right.

A little boy with black hair and blue eyes sat locked in a room with stone floors and walls, a cot, and bars on the windows. He cringed as the door next door to him creaked open. He knew what was coming and he knew there was nothing he could do about it. The crack of a whip. A little girl screaming. He knew it was his turn next.

An older version of the little boy in the cell walked outside in a courtyard. A girl who looked just like him leaned back against a tree. He walked over to her and smiled. She attempted to smile back, but she winced and cradled her arm. The boy's forehead furrowed with worry and he gently pulled her arm out and lifted her sleeve back. It was scarred with burn marks. He asked her a question sharply. She nodded her head. He clenched his teeth and extended his hand over her wound. The marks disappeared and the girl sighed in relief.

The two looked around fourteen as they climbed out a window and scaled the wall to the ground. The girl made a small yellow portal that they both crawled through. The girl beamed proudly at her handiwork. She'd been working on it for months.

The memories faded and disappeared until Hiei and Hideki were back in the present.

That's not everything, of course, but if I derepress anything else, I doubt I'll be able to keep up this act. Hideki told Hiei. He was met with silence for a few long moments until Hiei spoke again.

How old were you? Hiei asked.

We were five when my parents got divorced, so that's when it started. The first memory was when we were seven, the second was when we were eleven, and we finally escaped when we were fourteen. Hideki answered. He spared a glance at Hiei who looked normal except for the fact that his teeth were clenched.

"You're not eating anything? Aren't you hungry?" Hideki's step-mom asked.

"No, not really. You know those portal rides. My stomach is still unsettled." Hideki answered pleasantly.

"Well, in that case, maybe you should all go rest up. I'll have a room prepared for you." She replied.

"That would be most welcome." Hideki replied.

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"You ready Hikari?" Aya asked, "They're in what looks like a playroom."

"Yeah, get ready to bolt as soon as I open the portals." Hikari replied.

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Hideki groaned and punched the nearest wall.

"Of course it's this room. The one room we could never get out of." Hideki growled. The room looked just like a child's playroom except it had no windows and the door was layered titanium.

"So what now?" Kurama asked.

"I don't know… last time it took months of planning to get out of this place. We don't have that kind of time…" Hideki replied, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Well we could just jump through that…" Yusuke suggested. Everyone turned around to see a yellow portal at the far wall.

"Hikari…" Hideki whispered with a smile, "Let's go. It's one of Hikari's."

They all jumped through the portal and hoped that it would bring them to the girls.

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"Okay, they're in. Let's go!" Aya exclaimed. Aya, Ami, Lina, Yuji, Takeo, and Moegi jumped through a portal that was right across from another. Hikari waited until everyone else was through to enter and closed the portal behind her. Just as she closed the portal, six people fell out of the other portal, three landing on their feet, the other three landing in a heap on the floor.

"Hey, where are we?" Yusuke asked from the bottom of the heap.

"This would be the thief's guild." A low voice replied from behind him. He turned his head to find the king of thieves himself standing in front of the fading portal.

"Youko? It's Youko Kurama! He's alive!" was heard from nearly every demon that surrounded them. Hideki held out a hand to help Shihira and Datenshi up while scanning the faces of everyone in the crowed.

"Ayaka wouldn't have happened to pass through here, would she?" the silver fox asked with an irritated voice.

"Yes sir, but they left right as you were coming." Someone replied.

"Where did they go?" Youko questioned.

"I don't know, sir. They planned it with Lina, Moegi, Yuji, and Takeo and took them with them when they left. They never said where they were going…" the voice answered. Youko sighed in frustration before looking down at the display around his feet. A bowl of water sat in the middle of the floor in front of them. In it showed a bird's-eye view of him and the other five. He smirked and turned to Hiei.

"It seems we'll catch up with them after all. Aya was scrying for us. That's how she knew to send a portal." He chuckled.

"That's great, but how's that supposed to help?" Hiei demanded in irritation.

"Well… Aya forgot to deactivate her spell… so it's still linked with the three of them…" Youko suggested with another smirk. Realization dawned on Hiei and he chuckled darkly.

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A shudder shot up Aya's spine and her forehead furrowed in concern.

"What's wrong Aya?" Ami asked.

"I just have a feeling we forgot something… like we're about to be in big… trouble… oh shit!" Aya exclaimed.

"What? What's wrong?" Hikari questioned.

"Ehehe… I might have forgotten to deactivate my scrying spell before I left…" Aya chuckled nervously. Silence covered the area before…

"WHAT!!!!!"

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SIM: Hahaha! I love torturing them. It's so fun!

Ami: AYA! How could you forget to deactivate the spell you scatter brain?!!

Aya: -has swirly eyes- We're all gonna die…

SIM: You sure are… leave a review!