The morning light would've been bright and beautiful had it not been for the clouds that hung like a blanket across the sky. Shielding the eyes from anything that managed to get above them, creating a sense of a barrier set up around and above. But to those who knew better, this was nothing more then a fake security. A lie meant to keep the sheep calm before the slaughter.

                Wanda had called them, not long after breakfast. She said that Meibatsu had gone out for a morning flight while Yukio had left for "business reasons". The way she had said it gave the impression that the very letters left a sour taste in her mouth. This had gotten them all on edge. However, as expected, Rogue, Hiei, and Kurama were strangely calm. Then again, in Rogue's case, being an X-man (an X-woman to be more specific) could tend to ensure a level head during times of crisis.

                The group stepped out, most of them dressed in the clothes they wore yesterday. Though the flames that Wanda created had hurt them badly, their clothes had gotten out more or less intact. Rogue and Tabitha however, had to wear a few of Shizuru's clothes. Tabitha had been thoroughly (and publicly) humiliated when she had regained consciousness on yesterday's battlefield, only to realize that her blouse had been cut to ribbons, her bra visible to the whole world. There was no way she would wear that outfit again.

                "Ah'm glad the sun ain't out," Rogue said as they looked around the destroyed area. "Mah skin burns too easily when it is,"

                "You mean you're naturally that pale?" Tabitha replied, completely shocked. "I thought that was just make-up!"

                "Ah'd be flat broke buyin' that much make-up."

                "Rogue! Tabitha! Yusuke! Kuwabara!" a voice called out. Peering over their shoulders, they stood still as a teary-eyed Keiko trotted up to them. Blinking back tears, she grabbed Yusuke's shoulder and spun him around to face her. He looked at her a little confused.

                "Yusuke, you jerk!" SMACK. "What were you thinking?! You could've been killed! Again!!"

                "Good morning to you too Keiko,"

***

                The silence was wonderful. Wanda never got silence like this at the brotherhood house. It was actually very refreshing. And it felt good not to be stalked by a boy code named "Toad". Just the name made most people sick to their stomachs. She wondered if he would be jealous to see how sweetly and lovingly Kurama treated her, how tightly he held her. Jealousy was both an evil yet entertaining emotion.

                The hall, which she was walking down, allowed for many sounds to echo through the mansion. Hence, it came as no surprise that she heard the front door click shut, and the sound of shoes against the marble flooring.

                As Meibatsu turned around the corner, Wanda took great notice to a thin mask of hatred. She knew the expression well. Rogue wore it all the time. Her incapability to touch, and Meibatsu's fear to be close to anyone made them so psychologically similar it was frightening. Rogue had far more experience in masking her emotions then Meibatsu did however and it was almost pitifully easy to see that deep down, in the darkest pits of her soul that she was still afraid and horribly lonely.

                "Why is it that you stare at me Scarlet Witch?" she hissed.

                "It's nothing really," Wanda replied quickly. "I was just surprised. That's all,"

                Wanda cocked her head to the side slightly. Bundled up in Meibatsu's arms was what appeared to be folded silk, a lovely scarlet color actually. She assumed it was a new battle outfit.

                "You and Kurama," Meibatsu began setting down the bundle onto a near by table. "What is your relationship?"

                "I don't think you could at call it a relationship at all." Wanda said. "We just arrived here as exchange students not too long ago. We're just working partners, at least for now. I go back home to New York in about three months."

                "Oh"

                "Why do you ask? Since when do you care when someone gets close to the enemy?"

                She didn't even bother to reply, just quickly turned on her heel and left, leaving Wanda standing there in the hall, slowly allowing the silence to fill the void around her again like before. This time, the silence wasn't as wonderful.

                Heading into the kitchen, she picked up the bundle and unrolled some of the fabric. It was much too pretty to be worn into the battle. If she survived this short notice mission, she would definitely consider keeping it.

***

                His coffee had gone cold quite some time ago and he had only nibbled a little on his sandwich. The conversations and planning going on around him was nothing but a muddled mess of words and sounds and he really wasn't paying that much attention to be perfectly honest. Dipping his spoon into the mug, he swirled it around, not noticing the annoyed glances he was getting from both Hiei and Rogue as he absentmindedly continued stirring, the steady clink of the spoon wearing away at their patience.

                "Kurama! Ah ain't got any idea what's going on in that head o' yours but if ya don't stop that, Ah might as well take your head right off!"

                "What? Sorry, I was just thinking,"

                "'Bout Wanda," Rogue finished. It wasn't even a question; it was a statement. "Listen. Ah won't lie to ya or sugah coat it. Infiltration missions are difficult and dangerous. Ya gotta be on your guard at all times or ya gonna get caught," she said flatly. "But trust me, if anyone can pull it off, Wanda can, besides, she wouldn't want ya to be all sad and depressed like this when the whole city's in danger. We don't need ya spacin' out on us. After all, you're the smart one,"

                "What about us?" Kuwabara asked.

                "Ya'll are just the ones in denial," she replied with a smirk. With a surprisingly warm smile, Rogue reached over and rested a comforting gloved hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Everything's gonna be alright, ya hear?"

                "If you say so Rogue. Thank you,"

                "It's a sign of the Apocalypse!" Tabitha mockingly shouted. "Rogue's gone soft! Everyone, to the shelters!"

                "Tabitha, Ah am gonna drain ya till there ain't nothin' left!"

***

                Yes, she admitted it. Meibatsu was jealous. So disgustingly jealous of that girl who had received Kurama's loving attention. If she wasn't working along side her, she was sure that she would've killed her long before now. And in this case, she would've made it excruciatingly painful.

                With her back against the wood of the door, she sank down to the floor and curled herself into a ball. Her elbows on her knees, she rested her head in her hands, and her memories drifted to a time long since past. Kurama would have come and sat down beside her, and uncharacteristically wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a reassuring hug. Then she would've buried her head in his chest and cried. It didn't matter what the circumstances were, whether it be the loss of a team member in a raid gone wrong or just a moment of unsuppressed sorrow and depression, he would always hold her. Eventually, some times, she would fall asleep, there in his strong and protective arms, the gentle sound of his heart beating the most beautiful of lulling songs. And on even rarer occasions, she would wake up there too. She had even woken up in his bed on at least two occasions, with him on top of the covers beside her. It was always amazing how handsome and peaceful he looked in his sleep.

                Now, in the mansion of her benefactor, she was stuck in the same place as another woman who had also seen Kurama's kinder, more emotional side. It wasn't supposed to be that way. It was wrong! It was so horribly wrong! Kurama belonged to her and her alone! She was the only one who should be pressed against his chest, to hear the sound of his beating heart! And if she couldn't have him, no one could.

***

                For Hiei, killing had been a sort of art form. A hobby or pass time so to speak. When blood poured onto the ground, the patterns in which they fell were a far better achievement then any human painting and their screams of agony before they died were greater then any symphony.

                Since then, he had learned so much, from Kurama, Yusuke, the idiot, and everyone else about the beauty of true art and though he denied it, he had come to believe that the body of a woman was the greatest master piece God had to offer to world. His sister Yukina was the perfect example. She was dainty and slender, with flawless skin and eyes and hair that glittered like the gems that were formed of her tears. It wasn't that surprising that someone would find her attractive. He just wished that it hadn't been the idiot.

                He sliced downward with his katana. A few beads of sweat had begun to form on his forehead from the afternoons' training session. New skills would be greatly needed in the coming battle.

Looking beyond the surface, women were also the most emotionally and mentally complicated. And judging by Keiko and Yusuke's relationship, women had strange ways of showing that they cared for those they held dear. Even if that meant pushing them away, allowing themselves to be consumed by their own self pity and feelings of worthlessness. Inevitably, this only led to them falling into the shadows, their heart cold and full of malice, while deeper still they wanted nothing more then to be held and loved. They wanted to feel that they had a place, that someone out in the universe gave a damn about them.

                He lunged, blocked, and quickly attacked enemies that weren't there. Every ounce of his strength would be needed. They had yet to battle Kuromori and seeing as he held such a short leash on both Meibatsu and Wanda, this wasn't a man to be taken lightly.

For everything they had gone through trying to defeat her, Hiei held a sliver of pity toward Meibatsu. He just wished that Yukina wouldn't end up that way, because he was too ashamed to admit that he was her brother. It was pathetic yet it made some amount of sense.

                And Rogue, would she have turned out that way if she hadn't joined the X-men?

                'This is going to be dangerous. We knew it from the start,' Hiei thought. There was no way that they would leave the battlefield without substantial injury. For all he knew, they might not make it out at all. But, if anyone was to die, he desired nothing more passionately then to be sure that it wasn't her. The board had long since been set. Everything now rested solely on the skill and strength of each player's pieces.

He fingered the edge of his sleeve and could imagine the warmth of her mouth against it. Even through the fabric, he could tell that her lips were soft and smooth. If not for her power, he wondered what it would be like to kiss her. She was very pretty, though very pale and he wondered if her untainted skin was as warm to the touch as her lips were.

                His mind came to a screeching stop. Where the hell had that come from?! She was his partner (though unwilling). For some reason this term – partner – was beginning to take on a different meaning then he had originally intended.

***

There was a small break in the clouds and the warm rays of the sun were bright. There was nothing left but a little bit of the corner of his sandwich and Tabitha, in the middle of a caffeine rush, had poured him another cup of coffee. Kurama was still a little worried though. Wanda was up to her neck in risk and only made it worse by keeping in contact with them. Rogue's words, were harsh but truthful. He began to wonder if lies would've been more of a comfort to him now. It didn't matter. After all, Rogue was right. Wanda was strong, she wouldn't go down without a fight, she wouldn't go down at all. She wasn't stupid either, and knew to be careful.

                Slowly closing his eyes, Kurama tilted his head upward, the sun hitting the side of his face, as he thought to himself words that came together as the closest thing to a prayer that he could think of.

***

"Kurama is really hung up on that partner of his isn't he?" Yusuke said snickering. He, Kuwabara and a hyper active Tabitha lounged in the park, just killing a little time.

                "Those two must really have something special between them to make him worry like that. I didn't even think that Kurama could worry!" Kuwabara replied. Inwardly, they all agreed on that. Kurama was usually so cool and calm about things, no matter what, but since he had gained a female partner, he seemed different some how.

                "Trust me," Tabitha said. She said it so quickly it would put Quicksilver to shame. "Since moving into a house full of boys, there's only one reason a guy like Kurama would change like that,"

                "He loves her doesn't he?" Keiko finished.

                "Yep. Toad started acting the same way too when Wanda moved in. He's kinda become her stalker,"

                "Now that's creepy," Kuwabara shivered.

                "Saying his a stalker is putting it mildly too," Tabitha cringed.

                "That's so sweet though," Keiko cooed. "Like something out of a shojo manga!"

                "Please," Yusuke muttered rolling his eyes. "They just met, and you think that he feels that way about her after, what, two day?"

                "Oh, Yusuke, don't you believe in love at first sight?" Keiko asked.

                "Probably not since it took him and Keiko forever to get together!" Kuwabara snickered.

                "Hey. Th-that's…that's not…" They stuttered, completely embarrassed.

                "Ooh, Keiko and Yusuke sittin' in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Tabitha teased.

                "Shut up!"

***

                The vase had been cleanly sliced and the top half slid and fell, shattering on the cold ground. With a flick of the wrist, the razor tipped fan holded back together again. If anyone hadn't see it, they may have not have thought that such a seemingly harmless object could prove to be such a deadly weapon.

                It had been nearly an entire day since Yukio had left. Whatever business he was taking care of, he didn't know but already it was growing late. The clocks inside the mansion had already struck eleven pm. The moon was out and a fog had begun to roll over the area. It was both beautiful and chilling.

                Meibatsu stood from her fighter's crouch to the sound of slow clapping coming from the trees.

                "Well done," Yukio said stepping into the clearing from the bush. "I'm impressed. Those skills will certainly be useful in your final battle."

                "Final battle?"

                "Yes. You and the Scarlet Witch will be launching a final assault tomorrow morning. I want to see all of those detectives dead at my feet or I assure you, you will be the ones to die,"

                "Fine. That works for me. But how do we manage such a fight out in the open, in front of the humans?"

                "Oh no, you won't be fighting in the city my dear. You will be fighting…elsewhere."

Author's note: Well, next chapter, we will be beginning the final battle. How will it turn out? As if I would honestly tell you! See ya!