KK: Hey ya'll! Don't ask about the chapter title. I couldn't think of anything. I have one simple question...DO YOU CARE ABOUT KAITA?? Sry, had to get that out of my system. Anyways, thnx for all the totally positive reviews. This is a very good story (if I do say so myself) that I never would have written if it hadn't been for ShadowDragon TS's story, New Detective, where I got the idea to use an American in my story. Ya'll should read that story. It's hella good. Anyway, read this chapter and review.

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Chapter 11: Passing

Kaita lay on the floor of her now lit cell, trying to ignore the pains that shot through her body every time she even twitched. Her hands were tied behind her back and her feet were bound too. The wards on her wrists and ankles hadn't been removed, and she could feel them draining away what little strength she had left. Still, she mustered up what little strength she had, rolled onto her stomach, and knelt up so her back was against the wall. She coughed and blood came out of her mouth. "Well, at least I know I'm still alive," she muttered. Then she began looking around her cell for something she could cut her bonds with. In all the movies she had watched at Kurama's house, when they had cuddled on his couch, the villains always left some way for the hero to get free. But apparently real villains were a lot smarter; there was nothing around anywhere that was sharp enough to cut the ropes.

"Well if it isn't the high and mighty half-breed." Bito sneered. He was staring as her through the bars of her cell.

Kaita tried to push herself away from the wall she was resting against, but she had to support herself with her hands because the pain that shot down her back nearly made her pass out. "What are you doing here?" she growled.

"Just checking to make sure you don't try and escape," Bito said

"Yah right," Kaita spat, "If that's true, then I have three words for you: get a life!"

Bito scowled at her, "You shouldn't be so disrespectful. I hold your life-"

"Bito!" Bito's father walked up, "If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times. Keep away from Koi's prisoners!"

Bito pushed away from the cell and glared at Kaita-who stuck out her tongue-and then walked away.

After he was gone, Kaita slid down the wall and fell on her side. The pain throughout her body was so intense that she began to slip out of consciousness. The last thing she saw was the light bulb hanging from the ceiling go out.

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"Where are we, Kurama?" Kuga demanded.

Kurama looked at Kuga's small Makai map. "We're in a safe spot between three unclaimed territories.

"Then why did we stop?"

"Part of the unclaimed territory is right in front of us." said Kurama, "We can't go around it, because the barrier is just beyond it. If we go around, we'll miss the barrier."

Kuga jumped into a tree. Then he pulled out an arrow and strung it in his bow. "Well then, come on! There's no telling how long they'll keep Kaita alive."

Kurama nodded as he pulled out a rose and changed it into his Rose Whip. Kuga began to leap through the branches at a surprising speed. Kurama followed below him, dodging through trees gracefully. They only had to kill a small pack of demons that was just about to go through the barrier before they were through.

Kuga jumped out of the last tree and landed next to Kurama. He doubled over, breathing hard. "That...was pointless." He huffed.

Kurama looked around, trying to get his bearings.

Kuga stood up. "I don't get it," he said, "It took Kaita only one day to get from home, all that way to you guys. But it's taken us two and a half days to get to just here. Why did it take us so long?"

Kurama thought for a second. "Kaita had a large advantage over us," he explained, "She can fly. She doesn't have to go around deep lakes or demon clans. She can simply fly over them.

Kuga looked at the ground, wishing he had wings so that he could get to Kaita faster.

"We should camp here for tonight. It's starting to get dark. There's no telling what could get us if we keep going. We can continue tomorrow."

Kuga was about to protest, but the sound of a wolf howling in the distance stopped him.

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Hiei was sitting in a tree in the Makai. He touched his lips. He had never been kissed by anyone before, not even on the forehead or cheek. 'Why me,' he through, 'She's a young, beautiful ningen with a family and so many opportunities. I'm nothing but an unwanted youkai. How is it that she cares for me with all her heart?' He was on the edge of Mukuro's territory. He had come to talk to the only person he felt even slightly understood him: Mukuro. Katie and her kiss had stirred up emotions inside him that he didn't understand. He was hoping Mukuro could explain what was going on.

Leaves crackled under his tree, but Hiei was so preoccupied that he didn't notice. "Problems, Hiei?" Mukuro chuckled.

Hiei jumped out of the tree and landed next to the female Makai ruler. He put his hands in his pockets. Mukuro began to walk through the forest. (A.N. A little FYI: I have never ever seen a YYH episode with Mukuro in it, so the things she says may not be very accurate to her character. Help me out if you think I've gotten her completely wrong. Bear with me, though. I'll try my best to make her accurate from what I've read of her character.)

"Do you need my help with something?" Mukuro asked after a minute of silent walking.

Hiei didn't answer.

"What's wrong?" Mukuro turned to the short koorime.

"No one's ever cared about me."

Mukuro smirked, "If that's all that's bothering you Hiei, I'd say you either need better observation skills or self esteem."

Hiei scowled at her comment.

Mukuro's gazed softened to a pitying smile, "Hiei, I'm sorry, but it's true."

"Not any more," Hiei said, "I think someone finally does."

Mukuro was puzzled, "Who?" (A.N. Does Mukuro have feelings for Hiei? I read somewhere that she does. Plz tell me.)

"A human girl."

Mukuro began to see what was troubling him. "Do you care about her back?"

Hiei shrugged, "I don't know. I can't tell what I'm feeling. But it's something I've never felt for anyone before."

Mukuro stopped walking a closed her eyes. Hiei stopped to, and felt her youki swirling around him.

"Hm," Mukuro said after a minute as her youki faded, "I thought so."

Hiei looked at her expectantly.

Mukuro smiled at him, "You're in love. And you're lucky because it sounds to me like she loves you back."

"So what do I do?"

Mukuro pushed him a little, "That's easy. You go back to the Ningenkai and tell her how you feel.

"Hn," Hiei said. Then he sped away. Before he went back, there was something else he had to do.

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KK: Review plz. I'm sorry about all the A.N. (authors notes for those who're bad at acronyms.) I really want you to answer my questions and help me out plz. Thnx!!