AN: Okay time to clear a few things up. Riku and Yukina won't admit their feelings for quit a few chapters. Right now they simply have crushes on each other. It's not at the level of love, yet. The kiss Riku gave her was a friendship kiss at the end of the last chapter.

Disclaimer: Don't own Yu Yu Hakusho

Chapter 6

Toward the Wolf's Lair: Day 2

Yukina felt herself lying on something warm. She opened her eyes to see she was using Riku as a pillow. She blushed when she realized how close they were. Her looks so peaceful when he sleeps she thought. Riku's eyes started to open. He looked at her. "Thanks for helping me feel better last night" she said sweetly. "What are friends for" he replied.

Yukina stood up to look around. The alpha pair was sleeping right next to Riku cuddled up with their pups. "I'll go get you breakfast" he said before speeding into the forest. It's great having Riku for a friend she thought. The daydream she had about him yesterday came back to her mind. Riku and me are just friends. We'll probably stay like that. It doesn't mean I can't have a crush him though. *sigh* A guy like him probably has a girlfriend waiting back at his village she thought solemnly.

She felt something fury rub against her leg. Looking down she saw the black pup that fell asleep on her the night before. She smiled at it and picked it up. "You know how to cheer me up don't ya?" she said. The pup barked in return and licked her face. She giggled. "I'm going to miss you the most when I leave here with Riku" she said to it before putting it down to play with its siblings.

Riku had watched the whole thing. He had some plants and a turkey in his hand. I've never seen someone who's not a wolf demon interact with wild wolves so well. Yukina really is a special person or demon. She probably has a boyfriend in Japan, if not there's someone she already has her eye on. The alpha male seemed to read his mind. 'Yea she has an eye on someone… you' he said quietly enough so Riku couldn't hear. Riku seemed distracted watching Yukina play with the pup.

"I'm back" Riku finally said. Yukina turned around to see him leaning against the cave's entrance. "I figured you were tired of just eating meat so I picked these plants for you. Don't worry they're edible" "Thanks" Yukina said. Riku smiled in return and handed the plants to her. She took a bite into one. It was chewy but had a sweet taste to it. "Not bad" she said taking another bite. Riku put his hand under the turkey in his hand. Out of his palm a small whirlwind spun around the bird stripping it of feathers. He then gutted it, feeding the insides to the alpha female and put it over the fire he restarted. He then sat down next to Yukina.

The alpha male looked at him. 'Are you leaving soon?' it asked. 'After Yukina's eaten her fill' Riku replied. 'Yes you need to keep your mate in top condition' this caused Riku to blush. 'For the last time we're only friends' he said. 'Whatever, just remember your always welcome here' 'Thanks.'

"Riku?" Yukina asked breaking the conversation. Riku turn his attention to her. "Sorry was I interrupting something?" she asked. "Don't worry we finished our little conversation" he said looking back at the alpha male. The male and female then got up and left with ten other wolves. "Their going to hunt" Riku said watching them leave. "The bird should be done" he added. He picked it out of the fire and set it down. Yukina ate her fill and the remains were tossed to the remaining wolves. The ones that hadn't eaten recently were aloud to eat.

"We should get going" Riku said strapping the Crescent Edge to his back. Yukina nodded and got up. She gave the black pup a pat on the head. "Goodbye tell your parents I said thank you" she said smiling. The pup barked a yes. "Come on" Riku said from outside the cave. She walked up to him and let him scoop her up in his arms. He ran south toward his village.

Later that day

"Riku I'm getting hungry" Yukina said in his arms. "Very well, we'll stop soon. Hope you don't mind fish again" he replied. A few minutes later they came upon a river. Riku could see good-sized fish swimming in it. He set Yukina done on the shore placing the Crescent Edge on the bank. He went back toward the forest. "I'll be back, just relax here" he said disappearing behind the forest line. Yukina took off her shoes and socks and dipped her feet into the cool water. "This feels so good" she said out loud.

Riku soon came back carrying five long sticks. He sat next to Yukina and pulled out a pocketknife. He started to sharpen the tips of the sticks and put small notches on the points. He then pulled off his shoes and socks. Yukina watch as he jumped to a rock in the middle of the river. He tied a string to each stick then put one in his right hand holding it above his head in a throwing position. The fish swam around the rock as he waited for one to position itself just right. After a few minutes of patient waiting one came into perfect position. He threw the spear into the water impaling the fish. He reeled it in and used the string to tie it to his side. He then went back to throwing position with another stick. A half an hour later he caught five fish and jumped back to the shore. He collected wood, set it in place, and started a fire using the tips of the spears to hold the fish over the blaze. He then sat next to Yukina to let them cook.

"So how much longer will it be before we reach your village?" she asked. "At the rate we're going we should arrive by noon tomorrow" he replied looking at the sky. They heard sizzling behind them that signaled the fish were done. Riku pulled them out and placed them between himself and Yukina on the cloth he used before. Yukina took one and started eating. This time Riku took one as well. "I thought you didn't need to eat for a few days" Yukina said. "This fish is more of an energy booster" Riku said chewing on some of the meat. They at the rest in silence. Yukina at three of them and Riku had the other two. "Shall we move on?" Riku asked standing up and strapping his sword back on. "Fine by me" Yukina said moving toward him to be picked up.

Riku's hearing suddenly picked up the sound of something flying toward them at high speed. He jumped on Yukina knocking her to the ground with him on top as a blade of energy flew over them. Riku stood back up unsheathing his sword and taking a defensive stance in front of the girl. The blade flew back to its source and was caught by a hand. Riku's eyes narrowed at the intruder.

Standing in front of them was a shadow demon. He wore a cloak that covered most of his body. He had gray skin, soulless red eyes, and black hair that went to his neck. On each check were black triangles that all shadow demons had. The cloak was drawn back on his right shoulder showing a black sleeve with a gloved hand.

"Who are you?" Riku growled. "The names Blacarndra he replied (with the same voice as Vegeta when he was first introduced). He stood where he was with both arms hidden under his cloak. "What do you want?" Riku continued growling. "Simply the ice maiden's tear gems, I hear they're worth a lot" Blacarndra replied with a grin on his face. "She's not something to profit from you monster" Riku said tightening his grip on his sword. "Well I you won't cooperate then I'll just kill you" and with that the shadow demon charged. "Yukina stay behind that rock" Riku said pointing to a boulder near the forest's edge. Yukina ran behind it and looked over the top to watch the battle.

Riku stood in a fighting stance with his sword as Blacarndra neared him. Out of his cloak a he thrust a spear at Riku starling him. He just managed to dodge it. Blacarndra pulled it back swung it over his head and brought it down. Riku blocked it with his sword. They stood their pushing on their weapons trying to overpower the other. Riku then swung his leg forward and landed a kick on Blacarndra's side. The demon winced and drew back. Riku continued his assault and landed a two hit combo with his sword hilt and left fist and followed it up with a kick to the head. Blacarndra went flying. Riku then stood in place as a tornado like wind surrounded him. When it dissipated Riku was gone. A gust of wind could be felt. A small tornado appeared in Blacarndra's path. The winds died down to revel Riku standing there. He swung at Blacarndra with his sword but the demon managed to duck in midair and hit Riku on his neck with the side of his spear. Riku regained balance and his claws slashed the air. "CRESCENT CAWS" he shouted and out of his left hand came his signature technique. The blades hit the shadow demon slamming him into a tree. He lay against it not moving wounds on his torso. Riku carefully approached his fallen opponent. Blacarndra's eyes opened a little. Suddenly he pointed two of his right fingers forward. "SPECTER BEAM" he shouted. A green energy beam shout out of his fingers. Riku's eyes widened when he realized the attack was heading straight for Yukina and that the boulder she was behind would offer no protection. He ran toward her.

A split second before the beam hit Yukina Riku pushed her out of the way. The beam hit him on the left side of his chest and shout right through him. He fell to ground and landed face down, his left hand clutching the wound and his right arm under his body still holding on to the Crescent Edge. "RIKU!!!" Yukina cried taking a step toward him. "Yukina stay back" Riku said blood seeping out of his wound and some dripping from his mouth. The blat missed his heart by millimeters.  He could feel his strength giving way.

"I knew that would work, your to soft for your own good" Blacarndra said cockily getting up and walking toward the wounded wolf. His right arm held his spear and his left was clutching the wound on his torso. "You may have been more powerful than me but your feelings are your weakness" he said bringing the spear to throwing position. He started laughing at Riku's helplessness. He didn't see the Crescent Edge start to glow softly. With the last ounce of his strength Riku rolled to his back while swinging the sword upward. A white needle of energy shoot out of the sword and headed straight for the still laughing demon. He was silenced when the needle impaled the middle of his chest. He staggered a little before falling to the ground dead. The needle disappeared when he hit.

Riku lay on his back as blood continued to seep from wound. Yukina ran to him and knelled down next to him tear gems falling from her eyes. "Riku why? Why did you go and risk yourself like that?" she cried. "I had to. You're my friend and I promised to protect you" he replied weakly. He brought a hand to her face and gentle stoked her check. She brought her hand up and clutched his hand not losing eye contact. He smiled at her. His eyes closed and his hand fell as he slipped into unconsciousness. "Riku hold on I can save you" Yukina said more gems falling. She placed her hand over the wound and concentrated on healing it. The seriousness of it forced her to use most of her healing powers but she managed to fully heal the wound. Not even a scar was left.

She sat down next to him and pushed a stray hair from his face. She may have healed him but he was still weakened from blood lose. She knew she had to find a safer place for him. Predators would be attracted by the smell of blood and he couldn't defend himself. She tried to lift him but most of her strength was gone from healing him. Yukina was really starting to worry.

"What the hell!!!" a voice (just like Inuyasha's) said from behind. Yukina turned around to see a man that looked to be about 18. He was 5 foot 9 inched in height and had black hair with tan brown skin. She saw he had claws, pointed ears, and a bushy tail and realized he was a wolf demon. His black hair was tied in a high ponytail. He wore a pair of green camo pants, army style boots, and an olive green jacket that was left open reviling his shirtless, well-muscled midsection. In his hand was a wooden spear.

"Who are you?" Yukina asked nervously. He was handsome but not as much as Riku. He ran to the other side of Riku. "My name's Murakai, I'm a member of Riku's pack" he said examining Riku's body for what caused him to be in such bad shape. "He was shoot by a beam from that guy" she said pointing at Blacarndra's dead body "the attack went right through him and just missed his heart. I managed to heal it." "Good work" he said smiling "lets get him to a safer place." Murakai lifted up Riku's body and slung it over his shoulder. "You carry the Crescent Edge" he said walking into the forest. Yukina quickly picked up the sword, which was a bit heavy and caught up with Murakai. The walked in silence for a few minutes before coming to a clearing near a small stream. Murakai set Riku down near the stream and removed the unconscious wolf's shirt. "Why don't you clean the blood off while I set a fire" he said handing her a cloth. He walked into the forest to collect firewood.

Yukina dipped the cloth into the stream and wiped it over Riku's body. In no time she had completely cleaned him of any leftover blood. She sat on her knees setting the cloth next to her. She then looked back at Riku and her eyes widened. The whole time she'd been cleaning him she never really got a good look at his shirtless form but now she got a good look. Riku had a broad perfectly muscled chest and a well chiseled eight pack. His body glistened from sweat and the water she used to wash him. Yukina seemed paralyzed in place as she took in every feature of his midsection. Damn he's hot she thought still mesmerized. She sat there staring at him.

"Uh, excuse me" Murakai's voice said from behind her. She stopped staring at Riku and looked down to hide a deep blush. Murakai shook his head, he'd seen the look one her face when she saw his future pack leader without a shirt on. "Well while you were preoccupied I got us a fire going" he said pointing to a now good sized fire. He walked to Riku's body and dragged him closer to the fire. Yukina followed. The Crescent Edge was by Riku's side. "So what are you and Riku doing out here" Murakai asked. "Well you see, I was camping with my friends in South Dakota and fell into a river. I washed up miles from here and was attacked by a bear demon named Domaru. Riku saved me from him and killed him. He's offered to protect me until I found my friends again. We were heading for your village so Riku could ask to leave the pack's territory when this shadow demon named Blacarndra attacked us. You know the rest" she exclaimed. "So Riku succeeded in killing Domaru. I knew he could do it" he said swinging his fist in victory.

Riku started to groan. Yukina and Murakai looked at him as he opened his eyes and slowly sat up rubbing his head. "What happened?" he said groggily. "Riku!!!" Yukina cried in relief. "Yukina?" Riku said as Yukina ran to him ad looped her arms around his neck crying into his chest. "I was so worried about you" she said as Riku returned the hug. "Yukina thank god your safe" he said holding her close. "What happened I thought I was a goner" "I used my power to heal you and then he came and helped me bring you here" she said breaking the hug and gesturing to the other wolf who sat with one knee up and his arm slung on it. "Murakai?" Riku said with a surprised look on his face. "It's good to see you again Riku, heard you took down Domaru" Murakai said. Yukina sat next to Riku as Murakai threw another log into the fire.

Riku realized his shirt was missing and put it back on. It had a hole where the attack hit. "Looks like you need a new shirt" Yukina said blushing when she realized she had just hugged him with no shirt on. "Don't worry this isn't ordinary fabric. All my cloths, even my boots are made of a material called dragons hide. It's pretty tough but the best thing about it is it can self-repair. This hole should be gone by morning" he said. "That's amazing" Yukina said astonished. Riku looked at the fire and sat in silence.

"So how's everything been with the pack since I left?" he asked Murakai. "Everything's doing fine. Four pups were born around seven months after you left. Other than that nothing's changed" Murakai said happily. "That's good to hear" Riku said. "So why are you out here Murakai?" "I'm hunting" "Figures, so how far are we form the village?" "About 15 miles." "Good we should arrive ahead of schedule Yukina." He said looking at her. "That's wonderful" Yukina said clasping her hands together. "Care to join us Murakai?" Riku asked. "Thanks but I still have to finish the hunt I was on. I'll leave before you wake up." Murakai said looking at the now star filled sky. "Well we should get some sleep, we have a long day ahead of us" he said to Yukina. "Alright" she said cheerfully. She followed Riku to a nearby tree. He sat down and let her lay next to him. "Night Yukina" "Goodnight" she replied. She soon was asleep. Riku followed suit.

Murakai looked at the sleeping couple. It's about time Riku found a girl. He's been single way to long he thought lying down on the opposite end of the clearing. He soon fell asleep.

I know I said I couldn't update till Friday but I found time tonight. Next chapter, Riku and Yukina finally reach his village and we met more of Riku's family. Read and Review please.