Chapter 11

The next day was one of the worst days in Tokyo. A massive heat wave hit the city making all its inhabitants retreat into their home. The same thing was happening to the small temple overlooking the city. The spirit detectives were lazily lounged in the living room several fans blowing around. Shinsei had Mizu on her lap the poor water dragon all dried up and hot. The heat were harder for her since she was made for the water and because she was Shinsei's spirit beast Shinsei felt whatever she felt; basically Shinsei felt horribly weak. Hiei though was lucky since he was a fire demon, the heat didn't bother him. Shinsei finally sat up licking her dry lips as she looked around at the fans doing absolutely nothing to cool them down. They would have gone to the pool but all of them were basically packed. Shinsei's eyes widened suddenly getting an idea.

"Hey who wants to go swimming? I know a place that won't be crowded with people." Yusuke and Kuwabara poked up with newly found energy then ran off to get their stuff. Shinsei smiled a little gently resting Mizu on her shoulder as she walked off to get her swim stuff also. When everyone was ready Shinsei lead them to the lake were Hiei trained. To say he was angry at her for showing them his private training grounds was an understatement. He had kept it a secret for a reason! Shinsei noticed his anger when they all got there. It was plain to see considering he jumped up into a tree and refused to talk to her. Yusuke and Kuwabara ran off to the water and canon balled in. The girls all sat around the edge where the shallow water was and just sighed in content at the cold water. Kurama joined Yusuke and Kuwabara the three starting to wrestle around and play in the water. Yusuke suddenly hoisted Kuwabara on his shoulders and grinned at Kurama.

"Common Kurama get Hiei! We can have a Chicken fight!" Kurama smirked a little his eyes flashing golden as he looked at Hiei. Vines suddenly came up from the earth and grabbed Hiei. The fire demons eyes shot open in anger as he fought against the binds.

"Fox I will castrate you if you do not let me down!" Kurama chuckled the vines dropping Hiei in the water. Hiei came up for breath then headed back to get out practically fuming. Shinsei quickly cut him off.

"Common Hiei...It will give you a chance to show up Kuwabara…?" Hiei stopped a little then glanced back at Kuwabara on Yusuke's shoulders. He smirked a little going over to Kurama getting on Hiei shoulders. Shinsei smiled triumphantly then went back to sitting down. Kuwabara cracked his knuckles grinning.

"Ohhhhh! the shrimp thinks he can take me on!?" He glanced over to see Yukina watching. He practically beamed at the sight of the young Koorime girl in her kimono just dangling her toes in the water.

"This will be my perfect opportunity to show off to Yukina!"

"Alright then you're going down!" Hiei simply grabbed Kuwabaras arm when he came at him then flipped him into the water easily. He glared down at the bubbles then jumped off of Kurama's shoulders the the shore.

"Pitiful…" Shinsei watched this and giggled softly as did all the other girls.

"Well that was an uneven match…Hey Yusuke I'm next!" Shinsei got up revealing her light blue bikini. She turned to Hiei who was heading for his tree.

"I need a partner! Care to volunteer?" Hiei narrowed his eyes a little turning to glare at her. Shinsei pouted softly looking over to Kuwabara.

"You can embarrass him a second time…?" Hiei sighed a little then walked over getting in the water. While the four of them played their chicken fight Kurama got out of the water dried off. He walked over to the food they brought then pulled out the vile Koenma gave him when no one was looking. He grabbed one of the sandwiches then poured the liquid on the bread. It seeped right in not leaving any trace behind. Kurama glance over at Shinsei and gulped a little feeling horrible at what he was about to do. He stood up putting on a happy smile turning to them all with the platter of sandwiches.

"Come on everyone, I think it's time we eat our food." At the mention of food both Yusuke and Kuwabara ran out of the water and started munching down. Soon everyone was eating happily. While Shinsei was distracted Kurama switched her sandwich with the one with the liquid in it. She didn't even notice as she ate it whole. Kurama ate his silently; how long until it would take effect? After the food Shinsei was soaking wet, same with everyone else.

"I'm gonna run over to the apartment and get some more towels ok?" Everyone nodded then Shinsei got up and ran off into the forest. She was half way thru when she suddenly felt her legs become very heavy and her body weak. Her vision started to blur along with her throat going dry. She gasped for breath as she felt to her hands and knees her breathing raspy.

"W-What's…going on…?"

Back at the glade everyone was happily talking waiting for Shinsei to return. Hiei suddenly noticed Mizu fall over in the grass and whine out in pain. He ran over to the small dragon and looked her over quickly; her pulse was slowing down. Hiei eyes widened as he quickly raced off towards Shinsei's depleting Ki. Shinsei was now on her stomach trying to keep her eyes open as she breathed slowly. She didn't understand! She was fine a moment ago! What was happening?! Hiei suddenly picked her up looking her over worriedly. Shinsei looked up at him weakly.

"H-Hi-." He quickly shushed her hearing the barely beating heart. Shinsei looked in his eyes as tears started to fill hers. She spoke thru her mind.

"I don't want to die. Hiei please what's wrong with me?!" Hiei looked heartbroken as he gently held her shaking his head.

"I…I don't know…" Shinsei couldn't hold back her tears as she weakly clung to him feeling her vision fading.

"I-I can't hold on…much longer, everything's fuzzy, Hiei." Hiei felt his heart clench painfully at the fact she was literally dying in his arms, and he couldn't do a thing to save her! He growled angrily as she pulled her close kissing her softly. Hiei eyes widened when he tasted her lips…Poison? Not just any Poison, Makai poison. He was immune to it being a demon but to a human it was fatal. There was only one person here who had the skill let alone the know how to use such a poison. His anger overtook him as Shinsei went limp in his hold. Kurama.

Back at the glade everyone was getting a little anxious at the fact that Shinsei wasn't back yet. Yukina suddenly came running over Mizu in her arms as her eyes leaked out hiruseki stones.

"M-Mizu…Is dead…" As soon as she said that the ground shook. Black flames erupted from a part of the forest making everyone's eyes wide and alert as they readied themselves. Out from the trees walked Hiei in his true demon form holding Shinsei's dead body. All the eyes on him focused on one person. Kurama's blood ran cold in horror. He was going to die today, he knew this just from that stare. Hiei gently laid Shinsei down stalking over to the fox demon. Kurama backed off as Yusuke cut him off.

"Hey Hiei snap out of it man why are you so pissed…?" Hiei flicked him into a nearby tree with so much force that he passed out. A low and sinister growle came from him as he came right up to Kurama.

"Before I kill you. Tell me why." Kurama gulped cowering back. Would Hiei believe him?

"I-It's the only way…she can transform…" But he himself was having doubts, she shouldn't be dead still, was she not strong enough? Hiei heard this in his mind making his anger escalate.

"She is dead and not coming back. You will die now!" Kurama barely had time to dodge as Hiei attacked him. Hiei's mind was numb with the pain and anger he felt, the pain from losing Shinsei, and the anger towards the man who took her from him. Kurama tried to reason with him several times but Hiei had tuned him out, he wouldn't stop until he had revenge. Kurama suddenly transformed into Yoko and tried to restrain Hiei with his plants but it was in vain. Hiei's fully lengthened claws tore thru the vines like it was paper. That was all Kurama had strength left to do. He stood his head bowed at Hiei ran at him claws ready. Suddenly everything stopped when they all heard a pulse coming from Shinsei. Hiei slowly turned his eyes widening at what he heard. Shinsei slowly started pulsing with power as a new life took control of her. A purplish aura surrounded her as she was lifted off the ground along with Mizu. Hiei turned now facing her completely as he approached his hovering girlfriend cautiously. His eyes widened when her nails slowly lengthened as did her fangs while her ears pointed to a tip. Demon markings slowly appeared on her cheeks as she was lowered back onto the ground. Hiei knelt next to her when she floated back down to the ground looking her over worriedly, he still couldn't hear a heartbeat. She still had that glowing purple aura around her though so that gave him reassurance. He gulped licking his dry lips hopefully.

"Shinsei...?" When he called her name Shinsei's eyes shot upon revealing a pale bluish color. She just stared at the sky at first then blinked as if she just woke up. She groaned softly gently massaging her hurting throat.

"Did I just gurgle nails...?" Her eyes widened as she shot up looking at herself unbelieving.

"Wait I'm alive!? A-And I look like a demon?!" Before she could do anything else she was grabbed into a tight hug by Hiei. Shinsei's eyes widened a little then she smiled happily hugging him back. Hiei inhaled her now unique demonic scent Shinsei doing the same. She moaned softly at the heavenly scent almost melting. It was amazing! She could hear everything now, she could hear a boy in the park that hurt himself and was crying. She could smell the fresh water of the lake just across from the glade. Everything seemed so much more clear like this. Hiei finally pulled back then chuckled a little at her amazed look.

"How do you feel?" Shinsei smiled at him happily focusing in on him now.

"Amazing! I can't believe this is what it feels like to be a demon!" Hiei corrected her with a small smile.

"Half demon." Shinsei waved him off then turned when she heard a small gasp from Yukina. She was kneeling next to Mizu who was still lying on the grass unmoving. Shinsei walked over to her with a small smile as she looked up sadly.

"W-will she be ok too..." Shinsei nodded a little.

"Ya…I think I know what to do..." She gently picked Mizu up then went to the edge of the lake. She tossed her into the deep end gently then waited for the water to settle. Everyone watched as she gently touched the water. Light blue ripples traveled across the surface covering the whole lake in the shimmering bluish color. Shinsei stood up then held up three figures not turning around. She went down to two, then one. Mizu then burst through the water ten times bigger than she once was. The dragon roared loudly landing on the bank of the lake next to Shinsei. She smiled happily when Mizu bowed her head so Shinsei could pet her gently. She turned to everyone's wide eyes and giggled softly.

"They grow up so fast, don't you think?" Mizu gently nudged her shoulder making Shinsei laugh and gently pet her snout.

"Easy girl…" Hiei came up to her and looked at Mizu.

"So when you ascended to a half demon, she transformed with you?" Shinsei smiled nodding a little as she looked up.

"Yep, I say Puu is awesome but really, Mizu is the best." Mizu nodded her deep blue eyes grateful.

"Thank you for the compliment…" Shinsei's eyes widened then she laugh.

"Well there's another thing, you can talk!" Hiei stood there watching the two just happy to hear that soft voice that could only be Shinsei. He nearly lost her back there and he vowed to himself to never ever lose her again.