Chapter Seven- Senara's Betrayal and an Unexpected Reunion

The fifth day after little Marcella's kidnapping, Senara decided it would take drastic measures to save the young hanyou (half-demon) from the cruel death her master had for her. Connan barely paid attention to either of them since they arrived to the second checkpoint. This would've been an opportune time to assist the child's godfather to her location. As luck would have it, Senara and Connan had been put in charge of the baby. This worked to her advantage. She always watched Marcella during the day,but that night, she could swiftly find Kurama, and lead him to her. From there, Kurama would be on his own to defeat Razul. At least Senara would be relieved of some of her guilt. So, all there was now was to wait.

"This is strange. I feel like we've been here before." Botan stopped the group the second day, in the middle of the Wahailin Swamp.

"That is because we have." Hiei replied coldly. "Perhaps you should let me lead for a while."

"I know where I'm going! The fog distracted me,that's all!" Botan gave Hiei a defensive Look. "Now if you'll just give me a minute, I'll get us back on the right course."

"Hey,Botan, we don't' have a minute to lose." Yusuke reminded his assistant.

"I'm well aware of that, Yusuke! But we can't get to her, if we go the wrong way." Botan's voice was chilly, as she was getting rather frazzled.

The four boys looked at each other, and shrugged. They were quite used to Botan getting a little turned around. Kurama, most of all, wished however that she's chosen another time to do this to them. His baby's life was on the line. "Botan, I don't mean to rush you, but if we don't get moving soon, this rescue mission will become pointless." He said quietly.

"I'm really sorry, Kurama. I'm trying my best." Botan apologized. The coldness that had been creeping into her voice was replaced with honest sympathy. She bent over the map a minute longer. "Ah ha! I think I've got it."

"Great. These Mesquitoes are really enjoying my flesh." Kuwabara said finally.

"Well, they're going to be enjoying a whole lot more of it. We're more than four miles to the next dry shore." Botan remarked. "We should be getting there by dark."

Again, the four boys looked at each other, and Yusuke snorted. "You're worse than my mother when it comes to directions." He remarked, avoiding a smack by Botan. He chuckled to himself, as the group continued on their way.

By the time nightfall came, Senara had put her plan into effect. She'd told Razul she was going to watch for the girl's godfather. To prepare Marcella for a night with Connan, she'd given her a sleeping draught. As long as the girl wasn't whimpering or sniveling, Connan wouldn't have any reason to whip her. "I'll bring your Kurama to you as soon as I can, Little One." She reached into the net, and touched her cheek gently. " Don't cry." Senara stood up, and began to walk out of the village, grabbing her hidden pack on the way. This was the most traitorous thing she'd done since Gouki's death. But it could not be helped. An innocent child would die if she didn't fix the mess she helped to cause.

When she was safely out of the village, Senara pulled out her seeing mirror. She needed to find Kurama fast. "The Wahailin Swamp. Right. They're going to be here in four days. That's too late. Razul only gave them three." She picked up her pack again, and began to run towards the swamp. She needed to get to them, and take them a shorter route.

"Gah! Stupid bugs! Go bite Hiei!" Kuwabara moaned, as he swatted at the insects.

"They'd be foolish to come after me right now." Hiei said in an undertone. He was concentrating his energy on a fire tunnel he planned to use on Razul. Kurama would not be alone in this fight. Not this time. For too long, the redhead had fought alone, and lived alone. Even with all his kin, Hiei knew Kurama's heart was discontent with lonliness. "Damn!" He pulled his hand out, glaring at the tunnel. He'd allowed his heart to distract him from his work, again.

"Hiei! Are you alright?" Kurama looked over at him.

"Fine." The fire apparition looked at Kurama. "Just lost focus, is all."

Kurama nodded, and returned to the firelight. Oh Cella…I should've never left you. I knew people were coming…I should've taken you with me! With those final thoughts, the fox demon curled up near Hiei, and attempted to sleep.

Senara reached the group of travelers before sunrise. She stayed hidden behind a tree while they prepared to leave. Kurama was not the only one she recognized to her surprise. Her sister Botan was among them! She hadn't seen her little sister Botan since they were really little. But there she was. And she was fine. It was all Senara could do to not go running to her. She observed them for a long time, before stepping out. "Wait. You're never going to get to her in time if you go that way."

"Who are you?" Botan squinted in the dawn light.

"Don't you recognize your own family,Tannie?" Senara dared to use Botan's childhood nickname.

"Senara?" Botan went weak, and Yusuke grabbed her. "It can't be….you were killed…."

"Wounded only. I thought you dead as well." Senara came closer. "Look at how you've grown…." Senara stared at her little sister, in utter disbelief. "How did you escape from those barbarians?"

"King Yama rescued me, believe it or not. I've been serving him and Koenma-sama ever since." Botan was staring at her elder sister as well. "And you?"

Senara frowned now, looking down at her feet. "I've….I've become less than honorable for our family name." She whispered. "I'm sort of…..I work for Razul." She looked up at Botan. "Or, at least, I used to. I came to find you, and take you to Marcella."

"How can we trust you? Was it you who stole her from her home? You who killed all she knew?" Hiei stepped forward, feeling the anger rising in him.

"Yes, I do admit that I was the one who snatched her, but I have nothing to do with the deaths in the village itself. I regret taking her. That is why I've come to get you now, before it is too late." She was not asking for forgiveness, it was plain to see.

"Then take us to her, and you'd better not be lying, or I'll kill you faster than you'll realize." Hiei threatened softly.

Botan opened her mouth to protest at Hiei's manners, but instead, she turned to Senara. "You heard him, Sister. Take us to her." With that, the group made it's way out of the swamp, and into the Ice Mountain Range.