A.N This chapter wound up being so much more dense than it is in the anime, far more than I expected. Hiei is one of my favourite characters in YYH. Like Vegeta, he starts out ruthless and morphs into an anti-hero. I think people forget just how antagonistic he was at the beginning, and I remember Episode 8 being one of my favourites when I first watched the series. So I ended up expanding the events quite a bit, thanks to Sakura. Animes may have a time limit, but I sure don't!

Damaged Forest Spirit: Yes, Yusuke is completely clueless when it comes to girls, and trust me, he's not going to improve any time soon.

Please review if you're enjoying it!

I don't own YYH, just my OCs

Chapter 11

In the distance, Sakura could see Keiko trudging along the deserted street. She hurried after her friend.

"Keiko! Wait up!" Sakura called.

Keiko stopped walking and glanced behind her. "Kura?"

Sakura caught up, breathing heavily from the running. "I need to talk to you,"

"Just like your brother did?" scoffed Keiko.

"Look, about Botan. It's not what you think. She's just...someone I'm tutoring after school,"

"Is that right?" Keiko narrowed her eyes skeptically.

Sakura nodded. "Cross my heart,"

"Where have you been lately, Kura? I've hardly seen you since Yusuke came back," Keiko bit her lip, seemingly on the verge of tears.

"I...I'm sorry Keiko. It's just been crazy, I had so much homework to catch up on…"

"Right," Keiko said tartly and turned to leave.

"Please, Keiko…" Sakura reached out and grabbed her friend's shoulder. Keiko stopped, but didn't turn around. "Keiko, I'm really sorry. You're right, I haven't been a good friend to you since Yusuke came back to life. But I swear, that's going to change starting now. And I promise, you have it wrong about Botan. I know Yusuke wants to talk to you some more. Why don't you come around later? I'll tell you anything you want to know,"

Keiko remained motionless for a moment. "I can't come tonight, but I will tomorrow," she said at last, turning to look at Sakura. "I need to be alone right now,"

"Ok," Sakura said, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Keiko stretched her lips in an attempt to smile, but she didn't have much success. And with that, she continued her walk home. Sakura watched her friend leave until she was almost out of sight. The feeling of unease that had been gnawing at her all day was starting to bubble up again. Whether from paranoia or spirit energy interference, she still didn't know. But she wasn't going to let Keiko walk away like this. Now was the perfect time to practice telepathy on her own.

Do it, Sakura. The girl gathered her spirit energy to her mind and heart, and with much less effort than she'd used in the cave, pushed it forward to the door of Keiko's thoughts. It was unlocked, almost welcoming her inside. Open! Sakura ordered, and just like that she was in. Good. Now hold it. Make sure Keiko's ok...

Keiko kept her head down as she walked, unable to shake the seemingly irrational sadness that was invading her body. Was Sakura telling the truth? Or was she just covering for Yusuke? The thought made her sick. After everything she'd done for the two of them...

"I hate boys," Keiko muttered miserably to herself.

"You needn't worry, Keiko,"

Keiko whipped her head around to see who had spoken. A short figure with black spiky hair and a white bandana stood with his back to her. He turned, revealing an icy smile and a sharp sword in his hand.

"He likes you well enough!"

Cold metal slashed through the air...

The connection slammed shut and Sakura felt her heart drop to the centre of the earth. She began sprinting faster than she'd ever run in her life. She forgot about the danger. She forgot about Yusuke and Botan. She forgot about Kurama's warning. She forgot about everything except one thought in her head: get to Keiko.

She arrived in time to see Keiko sprawled unconscious on the ground, and Hiei standing over her with his unsheathed katana.

"Keiko!" Sakura cried. "Get away from her!"

The demon looked up to see who had joined them. He saw the black-haired girl take a protective stance in front of Keiko's form. Thankfully, Keiko had no visible injuries but that was cold comfort at best.

"And who might you be, girl?" Hiei asked in a voice that sounded thoroughly disinterested.

"You won't lay a finger on Keiko," Sakura growled. "And I'm guessing that's the Shadow Sword you stole from Koenma?"

Hiei gave Sakura a cold, appraising look which quickly morphed into comprehension. "Wait...you're the twin sister of the Spirit Detective. Sakura, isn't it?"

"So what if I am?" Sakura said defensively.

"Perhaps you could prove useful to me as well…" Hiei purred, considering the new option presented to him. His grin made Sakura shudder. "I only intended to use Keiko for my amusement, but how can I pass up this opportunity?"

"You're crazy if you think I'm going to help you!" Sakura snapped. "And I won't let you hurt Keiko!"

"Too late," Hiei smirked.

Sakura's fury ignited. She raised her hands into a triangle. The three powerful orbs began crackling to life.

Far from intimidated, Hiei began to laugh. "Go ahead. Try your little trick, Sakura, for all the good it will do you!"

"You asked for it. Spirit Blast!" Sakura's magenta energy flew from her hands towards her opponent, only for him to vanish the second before the orbs crashed into him.

"Huh?! Where did he…?"

The schoolgirl frantically turned to look behind her. Just then, something heavy hit the side of her head and the world faded from view.

Botan balanced on her oar, floating out of sight above the school. She gazed at the building and waited for Yusuke and Sakura to emerge. There was so much she wanted to work on with Sakura, and Yusuke needed to learn about his other detective items...

Hello there, Botan.

The blue haired figure drew a sharp intake of breath. Who is this?

You know perfectly well who this is. Now pay close attention. I have a message for the Spirit Detective that I'm sure he'll be very interested in…

Sakura's eyes fluttered open with a groan escaping her lips. The first sensation she was aware of was pain followed by nausea. What happened? The last thing I remember is talking to Keiko and then...we got attacked.

Sakura clenched her jaw and looked around. She was lying on the floor of what appeared to be a giant warehouse. Keiko was nowhere in sight.
As she pieced the fragments together, Sakura became aware of something sticky on the right side of her throbbing head. Blood, presumably from the blow that had knocked her out cold. Her hands were tied behind her back.
Sakura's face grew hot. How could she have been so careless to have become the damsel in distress? It was stupid, ridiculous, irritating beyond belief.

Stop. She squeezed her eyes shut. You have to calm down, Sakura. Thinking like this won't help.

Yusuke would no doubt come after them once he realised they were missing. But how long would that take? Would he figure out Hiei was behind it? Is that what Hiei was planning on? Sakura took a deep breath. The only way she could know was by using telepathy. There was no way she could communicate with Yusuke yet, but she felt confident that she could at least see where he was at. Focus. Use your training. Look into Yusuke's head.

The dizziness made the job harder than it had been since her session with Master Shinsuke. Sakura pushed outwards, straining with the effort, searching for the door to his mind…

Yusuke wasn't in school. He was sprinting along the docks near the warehouse district and tapping the compass on his wrist. "I think my compass went stupid. No matter how far I run, it says one mile!"

"Hiei is using his Spirit Energy to send out a moving signal for you to follow. I'd say he's leading you to his hideout," Botan ran breathlessly alongside him.

"That's cute,"

"No, it's not. He's told me terrible things through telepathy. He's kidnapped Keiko, and he won't give her back unless we bring him the two other artefacts!"

Yusuke skidded to a halt. His face was a mix of shock and horror. "He what?!"

"And that's not all..." Botan paused to listen. "He's saying that...oh no. No…" the Grim Reaper doubled over like she was going to be sick.

Yusuke rushed over. "Botan? What is it? What's happened?"

Botan looked up hopelessly. "Yusuke...he's got Sakura as well,"

"Kura? That's impossible! He's lying!" Yusuke yelled.

Botan shook her head, looking more desperate than ever. "He's not lying, Yusuke. He's got them both,"

Yusuke's blood turned to ice. Keiko being taken was one thing. She didn't know anything about Spirit World. But Sakura? There was no way. How on earth had his intelligent, spiritually aware twin managed to get herself kidnapped? She was too smart to have fallen for any of Hiei's traps. And while she definitely didn't have his combat prowess, her Spirit Blast was strong enough to hold off a threat.

There was only one explanation, and he knew it. Keiko. She must've been caught trying to protect her.

Yusuke's heart clenched like a fist. He'd promised Sakura he'd never let anything happen to her. That night in her room, after Kurama had appeared, he'd told her he wouldn't let anyone use her to get to him. And now he'd broken that promise in a matter of days. There was no telling what Hiei might do to her or Keiko.

The flames of anger inside him suddenly burst into a raging inferno.

"Son of a BITCH!" Yusuke burst out. "Hold on Sakura. I'm coming for you,"

Sakura could no longer hold the connection, and the scene dissolved. Panic threatened to overwhelm her. She was in about the most helpless situation she could possibly find herself in and there was no way for her to contact her brother…

Think, Sakura. Take stock of the situation. What do you know?

She was sure of several things. One, Hiei had taken her and Keiko. Two, Hiei hadn't killed her so he clearly had a reason to keep her alive, at least for now. Three, she'd already used the Spirit Blast, she was tied up, and she had some sort of head injury. So physically she wasn't in great shape to fight or escape. But most crucially, she knew Yusuke and Botan were coming.

She became aware of Hiei standing over her. For the first time he'd removed the scarf around his head revealing a huge round third eye. A little further off, Sakura could see a number of human forms with blank facial expressions.

"Ah, good. You're finally awake," Hiei smirked, clearly enjoying her predicament.

Sakura raised herself into a sitting position. As far as she could see, the only option was to stall as long as possible. "Where am I?"

Hiei chuckled. "You're with me, dear Sakura,"

"Where's Keiko?" Sakura was determined not to show her fear. "And who are these people?"

"They are mind slaves, and none of your concern. As for Keiko, she's close by, "

"Why are you doing this? What do you want?"

"I want the artefacts, stupid girl. And you're the perfect bait to ensure that fool Urameshi hand delivers them to me," His laugh sent shivers down her spine.

"It never occurred to you that maybe if you just asked really nicely…?" Sakura began sarcastically but was interrupted by a hard slap from Hiei.

"Unless you wish to die quicker, I suggest you keep your mouth shut,"

"You're underestimating my brother, pal!" Sakura told her captor fiercely as her cheek burned.

"A mere human is no threat to me, least of all a teenager," Hiei scoffed.

"You think so? Well, you're right that we're only 14, but he sure knows how to fight. And when he realises you've taken me and Keiko, he's going to race over here and I promise you he's going to be really pissed off. So laugh all you want, it won't do you any good!"

Hiei's expression darkened. He lunged at Sakura and grabbed her by the hair. "Stupid girl. I'm counting on it. You have no idea of the power I possess," he snarled.

"So you have a sword, big deal," spat Sakura. "Haven't you heard that the pen is mightier?"

"As you know, this is no ordinary sword. Would you care to see the extent of its magic? I've already shown Keiko,"

"What?! What did you do to her!?" With an almost animalistic snarl, Sakura kicked out at Hiei and struggled against the ropes tying her hands.

Hiei snapped his fingers. Before Sakura could do anything, three controlled humans surged forward to restrain her.

"Let me GO!" Sakura screamed.

"Silence!" Hiei pointed the sword at her menacingly. "Perhaps I'll teach you and your idiotic brother a lesson at the same time,"

He traced the blade lightly and deliberately across Sakura's forehead. "I think...yes, this will be perfect!" He swung the sword in the air and brought it crashing down, but with a tremendous effort, Sakura jerked to the side, throwing the minions holding her off balance and dodging the Shadow sword all at once.

"Don't you touch me!"

Hiei looked at her menacingly, but suddenly turned to the door. Muted voices outside had caught his attention. "It would appear the Spirit Detective has arrived," Hiei nodded to the mind slaves.

Sakura's eyes darted to the door. "Yus-!"

A tight strip of duct tape was slapped over Sakura's mouth, cutting off her speech. Another human puppet wrenched her hair back, pulled out an ugly looking flick knife and pressed it against her throat. Hiei watched smugly as the teenage girl gave a muffled cry.

"It is time to kill Yusuke Urameshi. Now, as for you Sakura, you stay still, and stay quiet, or you die," Hiei hissed in her ear. "You understand?"

Sakura nodded slowly. Hiei melted into the shadows and disappeared from view. A slice of light cut through the darkness. The door was open, but Sakura couldn't see it.

"Get out here Hiei! I'm gonna kick your ass!" Just as she'd told Hiei, Yusuke had arrived and he sounded livid.

The warehouse door creaked shut. Sakura could just make out Yusuke and Botan through a small gap between crates.

"Keiko! Kura!? Can you hear me?"

Sakura couldn't move against the hands that held her back. The edge of the razor-sharp knife caressed her skin, drawing a few drops of blood. Sakura froze. Yusuke, help! She thought frantically. Please, see me!

"What the..? Who the hell are they?" Yusuke and Botan must have come across the army of brainwashed humans Hiei had at his disposal.

"Physically, they're normal humans. But it looks like Hiei's controlling their minds,"

"What?!"

The records department doesn't know about this," Botan muttered. "For him to control so many humans at once...he must possess the Jagan,"

"'Jagan'?" The confusion in Yusuke's voice was palpable, but before Botan could respond, Hiei's arrogant voice rang out.

"Well done!" he gave a sinister chuckle. "I used my power to round them up this morning. They won't do much good against you, but they do make excellent scenery,"

From between the crates, Sakura saw Yusuke squint slightly. "That's some pimple,"

"It's the Jagan, a third eye for the spirit," Botan explained quietly.

"A normal human would have succumbed to its power by now," Hiei drawled. "But I see the geniuses in the Spirit World found a nice pick. That's why I've brought insurance,"

Sakura caught a glimpse of two brainwashed humans holding up Keiko's limp form.

Yusuke gasped. "Keiko! Hey, what do you plan to do with her?"

"Nothing more if you've brought me the weapons,"

"I'm not showing you anything until I see my sister," snapped Yusuke.

"I can assure you that won't be happening until I have those precious items," Hiei informed Yusuke coldly. Gritting his teeth, Yusuke wordlessly held up the artefacts.

"Ooh, good boy," Hiei sounded pleasantly surprised. "Both the Orb of Baast and that precious Forlorn Hope," He carelessly gestured towards Keiko. "You may have her,"

The minions casually dropped their prisoner. "Keiko!" Yusuke and Botan ran forward.

Yusuke lifted Keiko's unconscious body. "Is she alright?"

"She appears to be," Botan said carefully.

Sakura's heart was racing. Don't be so sure. She remembered Hiei's earlier remark. He's done something to her.

She had to warn them that Keiko wasn't OK. She tried again to break free but the sharp steel pressed further into her skin. More blood seeped down her neck, causing her to whimper.

"Last warning, girl. One more sound, one more move, and you're dead," the human puppet delivered Hiei's message with a growl.

Yusuke took a breath. "Now give me back Sakura!"

"First hand over the weapons,"

"No way. Where's my sister? Where are you hiding her?" Yusuke's voice was heavy with rage. "If you've hurt her, I swear to God…!"

Hiei sighed. "You aren't going to give up on that insufferable girl, are you? Fine, if you want her so badly. Bring her out,"

Sakura was dragged to her feet. One minion took hold of her arm and yanked her out from behind the crates, still holding the knife in position.

"Kura!" Relief flooded Yusuke's voice, which faded as he noticed the blood on her face and neck. He turned to Hiei with a hard look. "Let her go,"

"Not until you give me what I want. You wouldn't want dear Sakura to get injured further, would you?"

Yusuke's face twisted in anger, but he slowly handed over the artefacts.

"Now there's a good lad," Hiei snickered. "She's all yours,"

Sakura was roughly shoved forwards. Yusuke dashed over and caught her before she hit the floor.

"Sakura, are you alright?" Botan removed the tape as gently as possible, rubbing her back while Yusuke ripped off the ropes binding her wrists. Sakura nodded violently. Even without her mouth taped, she still couldn't make a sound. "You're bleeding...what did they do to you?"

"Squirt, I'm so sorry I wasn't there," Yusuke said in a pained voice. "Don't worry though. You're safe now,"

With her hands free, Sakura gripped onto Yusuke tightly. Her face had gone very white and she was trembling all over from adrenaline meaning neither Yusuke nor Botan realised she was shaking her head. She wasn't safe. None of them were.

So far, Hiei had ignored the reunion. He only had eyes for the artefacts.

"So maybe my plan had a few setbacks," he admitted, laughing. "But the end result is the same. All three ancient weapons of darkness are in my control. And those fools in charge will soon be bowing at my feet!"

"You should stop bragging," Yusuke broke in, prompting an irritated glare from Hiei. "It'll only make it more embarrassing for you. Now that I've got the girls back, I'm gonna rip out your teeth," He gently extracted himself from Sakura and passed her to Botan. As much as he wanted to calm his terrified sister, he had work to do first.

Hiei laughed. "Try. I'll give you a head start,"

Yusuke stood up. "You know, that cocky laugh of yours is really starting to piss. Me. Off!" He swung at Hiei, only to punch thin air. "Huh? He vanished!"

The demon reappeared behind him. "I'm still here," Hiei informed Yusuke. "I only stepped gently to the side. Was that a real hit?" In the blink of an eye, Hiei leapt from the floor to the top of the pile of crates. "I was under the impression it was a joke. Oh, but wait. You're not amused,"

"He's so fast!" Yusuke breathed in alarm.

"And as for Keiko…"

"What?!"

"Do you really think I'd relinquish my hostage without the reward? Look at her closely, Yusuke. You'll see that she's still mine,"

"You're lying!" Yusuke yelled and ran over to Keiko, who still hadn't moved.

"Am I?" Hiei simpered. A slit appeared on Keiko's forehead. It was beginning to crack open, emitting a dangerous red glare.

"What is that thing?" Yusuke's voice shook. The cut opened further to reveal a third eye. "I don't understand. How?"

"You may have her body, but her future is mine. See, I've struck her with the Shadow Sword. And once that Jagan eye opens completely, she becomes a demon! Not a very smart one, I'm afraid, but perfect for a slave!" Hiei sneered.

Yusuke turned frantically to his twin. "Kura! Did he…" Sakura shook her head and looked helplessly at her brother.

"I only planned to use Keiko, but your foolish sister decided to involve herself. I was about to deal her the same fate, but you arrived," laughed Hiei.

"Move!" Botan shoved Yusuke out of the way. She raised her hands above the eye. Her energy sparked to life and forced the eye to close slightly.

"I'll try to prevent it from opening. You go and punch his brains out!" Botan ordered.

"Yes, you'd better punch them out quickly if you care about your assistant! I can feel her precious energy draining fast. Pity,"

Beads of sweat appeared on Botan's face. She was straining with the effort to fight the Jagan.

"Her poor little body is giving everything it has. Soon you'll have a girlfriend who's a demon, and an assistant who's dead,"

"Is that true?" Yusuke fixed his worried eyes on Botan.

"Don't worry about me Yusuke!" Botan gasped out. "I'll stop it as long as I can!"

"Botan…" Yusuke's voice quivered. A roar of triumphant laughter from Hiei snapped him back to his senses. He turned to Hiei with a maddened look of pure rage. "Oh, that's IT!"