KK: Hey, thnx for the reviews. I realize that I haven't been churning out the chapters like I used to. But holiday break is almost here, and then I'll be able to again. Well, read and review plz! Btw, a lot of the stuff in the first part of the chapter is references from my other YYH story, Kaita Kembi. I haven't posted that story yet, but I plan to in the future. And, Kuga is supposed to be a lot like Yahiko from Rurouni Kenshin.

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Chapter 10: New Companions

Kurama walked through the familiar part of the forest. He had gone past these trees many times in both his lives. He pushed through a large blackberry bush that had gotten bigger since he had seen it last. As he stepped out into a large clearing, he smiled. There was only one person there, but the little wolf demon pup was exactly the person Kurama wanted to see.

Kuga was holding a large bow and a quiver full of arrows was slung over his right shoulder. His tousled hair was the same chocolate brown color as his wolf ears and fluffy tail. The boy was wearing a deep green shirt that had ripped sleeves, but fit him perfectly. His dark brown shorts had frayed edges from all the rips they received from forest branches. Both of his ears were turned in Kurama's direction, and his expression was one of grave concentration. But, when he saw the tall redhead, his face split into a huge grin.

"Kurama!" he yelled and ran over to one of his best friends.

Kurama stepped forward, "Hello Kuga." He smiled to try and hide his sadness, but some of it came through.

Kuga's ears twitched, "What's wrong?" he asked, face now changing to concern

"It's about Kaita," Kurama sighed.

Kuga's expression changed again; now to a look of shock and horror. "What? What about Kaita? Is she hurt? Is she..." he trailed off, too afraid to finish the question.

Kurama understood. He knelt down, gaze intent on the young wolf demon, "Kuga, I need your help," he said, "Kaita was captured. It's too long a story to tell you know. But I need your help to rescue her."

Kuga nodded, "I'll do whatever I can."

"Good," Kurama stood up, "I need you to get ready quickly. We've wasted enough time here already."

"All I need is a pack and some other weapons." Kuga set the bow and arrows on the ground and then hurried into his cave home. He came out five minutes later carrying a pack, a small pouch of throwing knives, and a sword. Kurama recognized the sword as Kaita's favorite double-edged self-cleaning sword.

He looked at the sword in confusion, "But I thought Kaita had that sword with her earlier."

Kuga shock his head, "Nope. She never uses this sword unless she absolutely has to. She's afraid something will happen to it." He thrust the sword into Kurama's hands along with its sheath and the food pack. "You can carry those. Strap the sheath around your waist and put the sword into it. Wear the pack on your back like those backpacks you humans always wear."

Kurama did as he was told, but looked puzzled, "But I don't need this. I use my plants to defend me."

Kuga rolled his eyes at what he called "adult ignorance", "You're not going to use Kaita's sword," he said, as if it were obvious, "Kaita told me that if she were ever caught, to bring her her sword and free her. Now come on. As you said, we've wasted enough time here." Kuga began to walk away, "You can tell me what happened on the way."

Kurama smiled behind the boys back. A year ago, when Kurama had first met Kuga, he had been hesitant to say he liked the boy. The wolf pup seemed to think that Kaita and he were more than friends, and that Kurama and him were a rivals for Kaita's love. Kuga had tried to hurt Kurama and even kill him on many occasions. But, over time, Kuga and Kurama seemed to understand each other better. And Kurama came to see that Kuga and Kaita were like brother and sister: connected no matter what.

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"Thank you, Genkai," Katie smiled as the old teacher handed her a cup of peppermint tea.

Genkai nodded, smiled a rare true smile, and walked back into her temple.

Katie sniffed the tea and sighed. She looked up at Hiei, who was sitting in the tree she was sitting under. ""Isn't this place beautiful, Hiei?" she asked wistfully.

Hiei looked down, a vague smile crossing his lips for a brief second. "Yes," he replied.

Hiei and Katie were alone in Genkai's garden. They were also practically alone in the temple. Genkai and Yukina were still there, of course. But Yuusuke and Kuwabara had left for school the morning Katie had woken up. And neither Kaita nor Kurama was anywhere to be found. Katie had tried to ask Hiei where Kaita and Kurama were, but whenever she did Hiei got very sullen and moody. Yukina acted like she didn't know. Katie had a feeling Genkai knew where they were, however, from something Genkai had said when Katie had first asked her. "If people chose to get themselves killed for the ones they love, it's not my business to stop them."

Hiei hopped down from the tree and began to walk away. Katie watched him go inside, knowing that he wanted to be alone. If he had wanted Katie to come with him, he would have stood over her and helped her up, as he sometimes did. Or he would just stare at her with his piercing red eyes, as he did more often.

After about five minutes or so, Hiei came back out. He walked over to Katie and stood in front of her. Katie stood up quickly. If she chose to ignore him, or simply didn't notice him, his gaze would get more and more piercing until Katie was sure his eyes were boring into her.

"Are you going somewhere?" she asked, looking him up and down. He had on his black coat which he hadn't worn since they had arrived there.

Hiei nodded.

Katie smiled sadly, "Well then, I guess I should go home then."

"No," Hiei said instantly, "I want you to stay here."

"What?" Katie was shocked, "But, Hiei, I haven't been home in a week, at least. My mother is probably worried sick about me. I'll bet she has the police looking for me. I have to go home. I have to tell her I'm ok."

"No!" Hiei's tone was harder this time, "You can't go back. Koi and Bito will have someone watching your house. If you go back now, you'll be taken again. And then we'll be back where we started."

"But, Hiei-"

"Katie, you have to stay here," said Hiei, "This is the safest place you can be."

Katie looked at the ground. "Ok, I'll stay."

Hiei nodded and began to walk away.

"Hiei, wait!" Katie grabbed his wrist. Hiei turned. Katie hesitated for a moment. Then she leaned in and quickly kissed Hiei on the lips. Hiei stared at her. "Um," Katie blushed, "Good luck." Then she hurried away into Genkai's temple, leaving Hiei alone in the garden.

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KK: Now review the story! Lolz, bye.