omg! i finished this story! not here i mean, but on paper. it's all done! -does a little dance- ah god this feels good. but now im onto my next project wich i will tell you all about when i finish this story for all of you...

Facing Your Inner Demons

Ch 21: Lon's First Move

After Kelly's breakthrough, everyone could see a profound difference in her. She was more open, less hesitant, and all around happier.

Kelly was different, it was true, but there was still a small part of her old self left behind. She never forgot that Kurama hadn't mentioned Hiei's name. She knew that in the end, he would leave and go back to demon world and she would stay in the human world and live a normal human life, only much longer. So, she tried to pull away from Hiei but every time she did, she was pulled right back in. She was so drawn to him.

Finally, she decided that if she was going to get hurt in the end by his leaving, well, she might as well enjoy the ride there. So she stopped pushing him away. She knew she would be devastated, but at this point, she didn't care; a decision that would have devastating results in the long run.

Hiei, meanwhile, always asked himself why he did what he had. He wasn't even one of the ones that would "always be there for her."

He knew the answer, but he would never admit it, even to himself.

Kelly trained almost everyday. The others were extremely impressed by the progress she had made. By the middle of July, Kurama had pronounced that Kelly had reached the level of a lower A-class demon. Unfortunately, she most likely wouldn't get much stronger.

It was around this time that Lon made his first move.

Everyone had just finished training and they were waiting for Yukina to come out with drinks for them all. Kelly was humming to the music playing from her iPod as she lounged in the grass, watching the clouds float along in the sky.

Yusuke and Kuwabara were arguing over a video game they had played the night before while Kurama tried to settle the dispute. Hiei sat in a tree not even a foot behind Kelly's head.

Two seconds later, he was gone. He reappeared in front of Kelly who now stood. He unsheathed his sword as Kelly created two swords, one in each hand with her energy. She held them at the ready and then felt the other three complete the circle around her.

"Where is he, Kuwabara?" Yusuke asked.

Kuwabara nodded to the forest that was next to them. "In there," he said. "He's about thirty meters away and closin' in fast."

"How strong?" Kurama asked. They could feel the energy approaching, but from this distance, they could not feel how strong the intruder was.

"About as strong as our girl here," Kuwabara answered with a jerk of his head toward Kelly.

Kelly swallowed and said, "He's testin' me."

"Yes, but he is seriously underestimating us," Hiei said. "Don't worry; this will be taken care of quickly."

"I want to do this," Kelly whispered.

Hiei looked at Kurama and then Yusuke. They both shrugged. He looked back at Kelly and said, "Alright, but if it seems you can't handle it, then you back off."

Kelly nodded. Hiei saw the fear in her eyes. He had expected that. What he didn't expect was that the fear was mixed with determination. He turned back to the forest just as the demon they had been waiting for stepped out.

Kelly's first thought was that everyone had made a mistake. This "demon" looked much like a human. But then she noticed his cat-like eyes and slightly green hair. He wore a dark blue cloak and black pants that ended mid-calf. He wore shoes similar to Hiei's and his hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

The demon smiled showing sharp teeth and when he spoke, Kelly was sure that he wasn't human. "Well, well, well. Lon was right, the Rekai Tentei was reinstated to protect Inoji's little science experiment," she said with his slitted eyes on Kelly.

She shivered at his voice. It was reptile-like and raspy. She glared at him and said, "I am nobody's science experiment, you stupid bastard."

The demon chuckled and said, "You mean you're not Inoji's science experiment. That was my mistake. Now, you are Lon's."

"I highly suggest you stop speaking," Hiei said through clenched teeth.

"Well, looky here. The girl's gotta boyfriend," the demon said. "And the forbidden child no less."

"I think it's time we shut the baka up. Don't you?" Hiei asked the others.

Hiei nodded at Kelly who smiled wickedly. Hiei smirked. He wasn't worried about her. She could handle it.

Kelly disappeared in a blur and reappeared in front of Lon's pawn. She held her hand out behind her, aimed at her friends. A silver barrier appeared around them. She didn't want anyone to get hit by accident.

The demon smirked and lunged forward with claws outstretched. Kelly dodged easily, swinging down both her swords. He regained his balance quickly and caught her blades in both of his hands. They disappeared from his grasp as Kelly released her energy from her control. She instead concentrated spirit energy into her right fist and punched him in the jaw. He fell down but quickly got back up to continue the fight.

Hiei, meanwhile, watched anxiously from inside the barrier. He knew she could handle herself, and yet he was still nervous. If anything were to happen to her…

"She'll be fine, Hiei," Kurama assured him. He nodded but said nothing. He was watching the fight intently.

Lon's henchman had once again lunged at Kelly. He was faster this time and Kelly was cut across the cheek, just barely dodging his attack. She cursed but didn't loose focus. She concentrated her half-demon energy into two silver orbs, one in each hand. She flung them at her opponent. They exploded, no longer having a medium to keep to two opposing energies together. The demon was flung back, against Kelly's barrier, where he slumped to the ground.

Kelly stopped to catch her breath. It was still hard for her to control her half-demon energy. She didn't pause for long. She rushed forward, dug her knee into the slumped demon's stomach, causing his torso to lurch forward. She formed a sword in her right hand and concentrated her elemental energy. Her materialized blade was covered with electricity as it sparked up and down the blade. She placed the edge of the blade centimeters away from the demon's throat. His eyes flicked upwards and met Kelly's.

"Where is Lon?" Kelly asked calmly.

"Like I'd tell," he was barely able to say. Kelly's knee was still in his stomach.

"My blade will not only cut you, it will electrocute you," Kelly said. "And don't think the charge will reach me. I control it."

"You wouldn't kill me," he said with a smile.

"Wanna bet?" Kelly asked.

Hiei saw through her bluff. She didn't have the heart to kill him. As he had discovered before, Kelly was far too kind hearted.

-Let down the barrier. - He told her telepathically.

Kelly looked up quickly at him. He didn't seem angry. She looked back down at the demon. She nodded slightly, and the barrier flitted out of sight.

Hiei and Kurama stepped forward. Kurama wrapped his rose whip around the demon after Kelly had gotten up. The thorns ripped into his skin, causing him to scream out in pain.

Hiei moved to kneel in front of the demon while Yusuke and Kuwabara came to stand on either side of Kelly.

"Kuwabara placed a hand on Kelly's shoulder and whispered, "You did well, Kelly. You should be proud. Let Kurama and Hiei handle the rest."

Kelly nodded and smiled up at him. She didn't care what anyone else said; she had a huge soft spot for the big guy.

Hiei took off his headband and opened his Jagan eye. He shut his other two eyes and his Jagan eye began to glow. The demon immediately ceased all efforts he had been making to escape. Kelly thought that he looked like he was in a trance.

Hiei knelt there for about a minute or so before he shut his Jagan eye and opened the other two. The demon laid unconscious on the ground, Kurama's rose whip still wrapped around him. Hiei turned to the others.

"He never met Lon. What he said before was a bluff. He was paid to come here by a subordinate of Lon's. The subordinate knew of Genkai's temple, but not that we would be here. It was just his or Lon's first guess," Hiei informed them.

"Anything about sendin' anyone else?" Yusuke asked.

Hiei shook his head. "No, nothing. He didn't know anything. He was given orders to bring the onna back alive by any means necessary. He wasn't told anything else."

"At any rate, we can't let this one return," Kurama said. "Hiei?"

"Right. Bring the onna back inside and calm her down," Hiei said as he waited for Kurama to unravel his rose whip from the unconscious demon.

"Calm her down?" Kuwabara asked, surprised. "But she's perfectly f-" He stopped talking when he looked beside him and saw Kelly. She was trembling from head to toe and her eyes were wide.

"She's gone into shock," Yusuke said worriedly. "Hiei's right. We need to calm her down." He grabbed Kelly and picked her up, his right arm supporting her knees and his left, her back. He nodded at Kuwabara and the two ran towards Genkai's temple.

Yukina was at the door carrying a tray with glasses and a pitcher of lemonade when she saw the two boys running at human speed to the door. Looking closer, she saw that Yusuke carried Kelly in his arms. The girl was shaking and hugging herself, as if she were trying to keep herself from literally falling apart.

Yukina quickly placed her tray down on the floor and ran out to meet them.

"What's wrong?" she asked as she got closer.

"She's not hurt," Kuwabara answered. "Kelly fought a demon that showed up to take her to Lon. She won, but I think it was all too much on her."

Yukina nodded as they rushed into the house. She motioned for Yusuke to put Kelly on the couch in the living room. Kelly instantly curled up in a ball, still hugging herself.

Yukina noticed the cut on the trembling girl's cheek and held a hand out to it. Her hand glowed slightly and the cut disappeared. She then looked into Kelly's eyes. Kelly looked up and saw the red eyes watching her, so much like the ice maiden's brother's.

"Hey… Yukina. I-I'm a mess, aren't I?" Kelly asked, still shivering. She forced a laugh and attempted to sit up.

Yukina helped her up and said, "No, Kelly. You're not." She stroked Kelly's blonde and violet hair out of her face.

Hiei and Kurama walked in then followed by Genkai who had heard the others rush in. She went over to Yusuke who stood at the arm of the couch. He quietly explained what happened as Hiei went and knelt beside his sister.

Kelly looked at him and her forced smile immediately turned into a frown.

"You probably think I'm just a baka onna, don't you?" Kelly asked quietly. "I would. I mean, look at me. Just one fight and interrogation and I get like this." A look of disgust appeared on her face. "It was just so much. Seein' it with my own eyes, hearin' it with my own ears that Lon's out there plottin' on how to get me."

Hiei shook his head. "No, onna. That is not what I think," he told her. "You are much too kind. You are not a fighter. You have the capabilities, but not the heart. You should be proud of your win, not ashamed of how you came out of the fight. And I know you're afraid, but we will never let anything happen to you."

He disappeared, surprising everyone in the room.

"Where did he g-" Kuwabara started to ask, but Hiei appeared once again in front of Kelly.

In Hiei's right hand was Kelly's iPod. She had left it outside when she had quickly discarded it before her fight. Hiei handed it to her. She smiled at him and took the iPod, immediately unwrapping the earphones and placing them in her ears. She turned it on and took a deep breath.

"Better?" Kurama asked. He moved to sit beside her.

She smiled and said, "Yeah, loads better."

"It's amazing what that thing can do for you," Kurama said to her.

"Hey, at least I'm not on crack, okay?"

I HATE WRITING FIGHT SCENES! it's so annoying cause it takes forever, so almost all of my fight scenes are short because im too lazy to write more. you hafta write every little detail and ugg i hate it... so sorry if you were expectin a better fight but i just cant do it. lol