The group stopped, Gaara stopping in front. He sniffed the air as sand trickled out of the gourd, writhing around his body. "It's inside. I will kill it, so find your friend," he said quietly, then vanished. Jessie nodded and turned to the rest of the group. Drawing her katana, she looked at Kurama, Yusuke, and Hiei, her eyes lingering a little too long on Hiei, then said, "Alright, the three of you, hang back, but be ready to help Gaara if he needs it. Christine, Kassie, Jamie, you're with me. We need to find Elise." Everyone nodded and split up.

--

A few minutes later, Jessie took a deep breath through her nose, reveling her new-found ability to sort through all the scents. "She's further in, girls. Come on," she whispered as she crept deeper into the demon's lair. Jamie, Kassie, and Christine all exchanged a glance, then followed their leader.

--

About half an hour later, the four girls stopped, then Jessie silently led them into the next room. Jessie gasped when she saw… "Elise…? What happened?" she whispered, moving swiftly toward her missing friend. She easily dodged when the girl lunged at her, straining at the chains holding her captive.

Elise snarled, baring long fangs as her golden brown wolf eyes narrowed. Dark brown hair with pale tips tumbled to her shoulders, almost obscuring elf-like ears. A dark brown wolf tail poked through the seat of her pants, lashing the air as she flexed black-clawed fingers. The flexing of the claws drew all eyes to her hands and wrists, and the four girls let out a collective gasp at the sight of multiple burns twining like vines around their friend's arms.

Jessie slowly approached her, casting out calming energies through her healing powers. "Elise… It's me, Jessie, remember? There you go… That's it. Good job… I'm going to cut you free now, so please stay calm," she whispered softly.

Elise blinked as she fell, released from the chains. "J-jessie…? Oh my God, I can… I can see and hear again…" she whispered, then collapsed. Jessie yelped and caught her in her arms. "It's okay, Elise… You're back with your friends now…" she whispered, and they all turned around and retraced their steps.

--

Gaara skidded backwards, sand surrounding and protecting him from a sudden deluge of water. None of his attacks were working—none of anyone's attacks were working, and the Kazekage was getting annoyed. Jessie ran past the others after handing Elise over to Jamie. Hiei's crimson eyes widened slightly. What the hell is she doing? he thought as she closed in on the water demon.

A huge wave of water crashed down on her, but barely touched her. A golden bubble had formed and protected her, and she extended a hand to touch part of the demon. As it raised a watery arm to attack once more, it froze solid. "Gaara, go ahead!" Jessie called out, moving out of the way as Gaara's sand streamed towards the demon.

"Sabakukyu!" Gaara clenched his fist, compressing the sand, which then exploded in a red mist. He looked at Jessie and nodded. "Thank you, Jessie," he said as his sand flowed back into his gourd. Jessie smiled and nodded, then dashed back over to Elise as the brown-haired demon girl stirred. "Hm? G-gaara!" Elise yelped happily as she launched herself out of Jamie's arms, her wolf tail wagging. Gaara's sky blue eyes widened fractionally as the wolf-girl glomped him. Jessie gasped quietly and held her breath as Hiei sheathed his katana and came over to stand next to her.

A couple moments passed, during which Elise was nuzzling happily against Gaara's shoulder, making little happy noises, and a sweatdrop rolled down the Kazekage's cheek. Then his lips curved into a faint, barely visible smile. "Elise…? Now I remember… You were the only person in the village that wasn't afraid of Shukaku…" he murmured, hugging her carefully, gently, before sitting up. He looked over at Jessie as he stood up with Elise in his arms. "Well, it looks as though G5 has acquired another honorary member, Jessie…" he said quietly, and Elise practically purred with satisfaction.

END CHAPTER

Oh, god... (can't stop laughing) Man, I can't help but wonder if my friend Elise will kill me or hug me when she reads this! XD Lol!

Oh, yeah... I almost forgot... ORO?? Gaara of the Sand actually SMILED?? Lol!!