Chapter 12: Retrieval Begins

Koenma: I've arranged for a jet to fly you to the dark forest..Apparently she has a castle in the midst..

Yusuke: Maybe we'll see Bovak again..

Hiei: I don't really think you need me to go..

Kurama: Hiei, I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a head start and confirm Hotaru's whereabouts..

Hiei: To save that brat? Count me out of this one, Kurama..

Kurama: Please?

Hiei: NO!

Kurama: For me? *sad eyes*

Hiei: Ugh..fine..*runs off*

Koenma: Ah, the jet's here..

Botan: *driving the jet*

Yusuke: Botan?! You're the pilot?!

Botan: No, silly head! I'm the co-pilot!

Kuwabara: Then who's the official pilot?

Koenma: Me!

Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara: *sweatdrop*

Kurama: I was afraid of this..

~ At the dark forest ~

Koenma: Well, that wasn't so bad!

Yusuke: Not bad?! We were lost for almost 2 hours! YOU CALL THAT NOT BAD?!?

Koenma: Yes..last time I got Botan and myself lost for 3 and 1/2 hours!

Kurama, Yusuke, and Kuwabara: *anime fall*

Koenma: Oh, and before I leave, you should know one more thing about this demon, Illusen..Botan, you tell them..

Yusuke: What?

Botan: Not only does Illusen gain the power of whom she kills, but she is also a shape-shifter..

Kuwabara: A shape-shifter? What's that?

Kurama: A person that can transform into a physical form of another..

Yusuke: Although someone of your knowledge wouldn't be able to comprehend a single word of that..

Kuwabara: You should talk..

Koenma: Be quiet, both of you..unnecessary speech makes you sound stupid..

Yusuke: Now that I didn't understand..

Kuwabara: So who's dumb now?

Yusuke: You..

Kuwabara: SHUT UP, URAMESHI!

Botan: Koenma sir, I think I should go with them..to keep them from killing each other..

Koenma: Good idea, Botan..

Kurama: I can see part of the castle from here, but I don't know a safe path through

Hiei: *in a tree* No problem

Kuwabara: Hiei!

Hiei: *jumps down from the tree* What took you so long?

Kurama: *sweatdrop; waves his hand* You don't wanna know..

Yusuke: Did you find her?

Hiei: I got all the way up to the castle front, but then I was forced to stop. I've been fighting the demons in this forest for the past 2 hours, so you should have a pretty safe trip through..

Kurama: Well, let's go then..

~ In a clearing about 1/4 mile away from the castle ~

Hiei: You feel that?

Aura: *coming closer*

Kurama: Be on your toes, guys..

Kuwabara: Hm? *goes on his tippy toes; loses balance; falls over*

Yusuke: *slaps Kuwabara on the back of the head* He didn't mean that seriously, baka!

Botan: Please, boys! Stop fighting! You need to save your energy!

Hiei: Quiet

Kuwabara, Yusuke, and Botan: Hm?

Aura: *disappears*

Kurama: I..can't feel it's power anymore..

Hiei: It's hiding..concealing it's power..

Lady Centipede: (like the one in the first episode of Inu-Yasha) *crashes out of the surrounding trees; knocks down Yusuke, Botan, Kuwabara, Hiei, and Kurama* So nice to see you..it's been so long since I last had a meal..

Yusuke: Stand your ground!

Lady Centipede: Kurama, my master has been waiting to see you..too bad you'll be in my stomach before too long..

Kurama: Hiei, will you do the honors?

Hiei: Sure, I'll handle the small fry..

Lady Centipede: Fine, I'll eat you first..a small meal, but an appetizer wouldn't hurt..

Hiei: *unsheathes his sword and runs to the back of Lady Centipede*

Lady Centipede: *turns around* C'mere, shrimp

Hiei: Wait for it..

Lady Centipede: Huh? *splits into 8 long pieces*

Yusuke: Nicely done, Hiei..

Hiei: Whatever..

Kurama: Let's go find Hotaru!

~ With Illusen and Umi ~

Illusen: *looking through a large black mirror to watch Botan, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei* So, Hotaru..your little friends managed to get past Lady Centipede..oh well, the "Death Snare" should be a bit more of a challenge..

Sumomo: Kurama..

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Funny..huh? Then you're bound to like the next one, Hiei's ultimate fear is revealed! Make sure to read the next chapter:

WATER VS. FIRE VS. PLANT!

Sayonara!