Sorry I was a little late in updating. My fever's completely gone and I figured now will be a good time to update. This chapter, Riku and Yukina leave his village to start their search for her friends.

Chapter 11

Departure

"How about this one?" Maya asked holding up a white kimono with aqua flowers on it. "That ones perfect" Yukina replied smiling. She took the kimono, folded it, and placed it carefully into a red backpack on Maya's bed. Already in the pack were a light blue and the aqua kimono with snowflakes on it.

Yukina wore a light blue spaghetti strap shirt that stopped midway down her belly, a pair of jean shorts that went four inches above her knee, and hiking boots. Her hair was in its usual ponytail. Maya wore a red t-shirt with black shorts.

Today was the day Yukina and Riku will leave his village to start their search for her friends. She was now packing some supplies she would need. They were finished packing. In the bag were three pairs of shorts, four shirts, five pairs of socks, and three kimonos. They were all made of dragons hide. Some eating utensils were in the front pocket. In the pocket on the left side were some cleaning supplies like soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a cleaning cloth. In the pocket on the other side was a first aid kit. She strapped it on and followed Maya to the living room.

Riku and the others were already there. Riku was wearing his usual outfit and the Crescent Edge was strapped to his back. Hitomi and Kovu were on his left and Rogato was on his right.

"Ready?" Riku asked. Yukina nodded back. "Well see you guys in a few weeks" he said to his family. Hitomi threw her arms around his neck. "Be careful son" she said as tears started to fall. "Don't worry, I'll return safely" he replied. "Good luck Riku" his dad said hugging him. Riku said nothing but hugged back. "Come back in one piece bro" Rogato and Maya said in unison as they hugged min. "Try not to argue to much while I'm gone" Riku replied smirking. Yukina went around saying her goodbyes. "Don't forget us" Hitomi said. "Your always welcome here" Maya added while hugging her. "I'll never forget you guys and I hope we can meet again" Yukina said with teary eyes. She followed Riku out the door. His family followed.

Along the way to the village entrance, the other members of the pack said their farewells a to Riku and Yukina. They eventually reached the entrance. Riku had remained silent the entire time and his face showed no emotion. Maya had told Yukina this was how Riku usually acted. He was the silent semi-emotionless type. He started acting like this the day before. "Shall we?" he said waiting at the gate. "Yukina wait" came a voice. Yukina looked into the village to see Lila running toward them. She stopped in front of them. "I *pant* just wanted *pant* to give you this" she said. She held out a present wrapped in blue wrapping paper with stars on it. "A little something me and the others want you to remember us by" she said. Yukina took it from her hand. It was a little heavy. "Don't open it until you get back home" Lila added. "Thanks and I promise I won't open it until I'm back in Japan" Yukina said hugging Lila. She let Riku scoop her up in his arms. She waved to the pack as he started running north.

When they disappeared the pack went back to their duties. Kovu and Hitomi stood at the entrance. Kovu had his arm around his mate's waist. "Did you tell him?" Hitomi asked looking up at him. "No I think he should find out on his own. If Riku knew who he really was, he might get over confident in his abilities. Don't worry, he's a strong warrior it won't be much longer until he finds out" Kovu replied. "I hope your right" she said as they headed home.

That evening

Riku and Yukina had set up camp for the night. They were eating some ramen Riku had in a pooch in his coat. Yukina and Riku sat on a log next to each other. The fire burned in front of them.

"You've gotten faster" Yukina said when they were done. "Well I finally got the rest I needed so now I should be able to travel faster. With my new speed, we should reach the area around Mt. Rushmore in only two weeks instead of three and a half" he replied.

"Riku?" "Yea" "What's the difference between American and Japanese wolf demons?" she asked. "Well the big difference is our power. American wolves are faster and stronger than those from Japan." "Why is that?" "You see, a wolf demon's power is determined by what he or she eats. In Japan, there isn't any big game for wolves to hunt. Their forced to eat small game and humans for food. Wolf demons were never meant to eat humans. They don't have much meat and their not very nutritious. Wolves will only eat them as a last resort. In America however, there is plenty of food wolves were meant to eat. Here we can choose between deer, elk, buffalo, and a few other animals for food. They are much more nutritious and we never have to eat humans. In fact, before Europeans came here wolf demons would frequently trade some of their food with the Indians in exchange for weapons. The people regarded us as sacred spirits. You'll find more wolf hanyous in America than anywhere else.  Because of the nature of our prey here, American wolves are also smarter than our Japanese cousins. We have to know when and were the best place is to ambush a heard of elk. It takes brains to plan an attack. Wolves in Japan attack the first human village they run into. That's basically it" he explained.

"You should get to sleep, we have a lot of traveling to do" he said jumping onto a nearby tree. Yukina lay down under the branch he was in and fell asleep. She dreamed of the day they would find her friends.

In South Dakota

Yusuke and the others were having no luck finding Yukina (I wonder why). They had set up camp and were around the fire while Keiko and Boton made dinner. Hiei was in a tree.

"It's been a week and still no sign of her" Yusuke said looking at the fire. "Your right but we have no idea how far downstream the river carried her" Kurama said. "I don't care how far she went, I'll find her if it's the last thing I…" Kuwabara was silenced as he slipped of the log he was standing on. Everyone, minus Hiei, burst out laughing. Keiko and Boton past out the food. Keiko sat next to Yusuke while Boton took her seat next to Kurama. A few days ago they admitted their feelings o each other and were now a couple. "How are the supplies coming?" Kurama asked his girlfriend. "They should last us about four more days" she replied. "Hiei and I will have to get some more soon" he said. "But last time you went for supplies you said he nearly caused a landslide" Yusuke said. "It's not my fault that rock was loose" Hiei said from the tree. Everyone laughed. Hiei shook his head.

"We should hit the sake now" Yusuke said stretching. He kissed Keiko before following Kuwabara into their tent. "Do you think Yukina's alright?" Boton asked Kurama. "I have a feeling she's just find Boton" he replied putting his arms around her waist. They started kissing passionately. After a few minutes they went to their respected tents. They were soon asleep.

Hiei was still awake in his tree and looking at the stars. He was back in his outfit he wore back home. The black shirt and pants with his cloak over it all. His right hand held his katana, which was seethed.  For the past few days he tried using his Jagan eye to locate Yukina and every time he saw nothing but fog. He decided to try one more time. He closed his eyes as the Jagan glowed. Once more he saw only fog. He sighed. Where could she be? He asked himself. No sense in worrying, if the Jagan doesn't work then I'll just look for her the old fashioned way. He jumped down from the tree. He used his katana to write a note into a log that everyone would see.

It read:

Going on ahead. Don't worry about me I'll return when I find Yukina. Continue without me.

Hiei

When he finished, he started running along the river. I'll travel much faster on my own he thought.

When midnight came, he was still running. Suddenly he sensed something. He stopped and looked around. He jumped to the side just as an arrow whizzed by him. Hiei looked at the source. Out of the woods came three figures. When the moonlight hit them he could see them clearly. Standing there were three wolf demons. The one on the left was bald except for a ponytail on the back of his head. He had blues eyes. He wore nothing but black pants. In his hand was a hatchet. The one on the left had a mow hawk and gray eyes. He also wore nothing but black pants. In his hand was a bow with an arrow in firing position. The one in the middle had a buzz cut and light blue eyes. Across his face were four scars that looked like he'd been scratched by something. He wore gray pants. In his hand was a spear. Each one had a black crescent moon tattoo on their left shoulder.  (To keep things simple they'll be called Baldy, Mo, and Scar)

Scar was the first to speak " Didn't your mother tell you not to go into the woods alone kid?" "I am not a child" Hiei replied calmly "who are you?" "We are members of the Dark Moon pack, the rulers of this land and you are an intruder" Scar replied cockily. "What do you plan to do?" Hiei said still calmly. "We plan to kill you for trespassing" Baldy said. They then charged.

Mo sent an arrow at Hiei but the fire demon dodged it easily. Baldy slashed at him but Hiei disappeared. He reappeared above the wolf and sliced him down the middle. Scar thrust his spear at him but Hiei disappeared again. He reappeared behind Mo and swiftly sliced his head off. He then looked at Scar. The wolf had a terrified look on his face. "Come at me, if you want to join your friends" Hiei said smirking. "You haven't seen the last of me" Scar said before running into the woods. He's no threat so I won't waist my time chasing him Hiei thought. He then started running along the river to find his sister.

Next morning

Boton exited her tent after getting dressed. She saw Kurama sitting on a log with a worried look on his face. "What's wrong?" she asked standing in front of him. "See for yourself" Kurama replied pointing to the log to the left of him. She looked at it and read the words scratched into the wood. "Why that stubborn fire demon" Boton said through clenched teeth. "There's no use in getting angry, he's long gone by now" Kurama said smiling. "Why don't you start breakfast? I'll inform the others when the awake" he said. He gave her a quick peak on the lips before she started cooking. Good luck Hiei he thought.

With Riku and Yukina later that day

Riku put down Yukina when they reached the spot where he killed Domaru. The area still showed signs of the battle. "Where do you think the river is?" Yukina asked her crush. "Well you told me you ran from Domaru when he attacked you at the river and ran to here. He was pretty big so anywhere there are broken trees should be the way to go" he replied. They started to walk along the forest edge. Riku stopped when they came across a path of broken trees. "This way" Riku said following the trail. Yukina followed behind him.

After a few more minutes the sound of rushing water could be heard. They jogged forward and came across a river. Yukina instantly recognized it. "Riku this is it, the river that washed me hear" Yukina said happily. In her happiness, she hugged Riku. He blushed and returned the hug. After they broke the embrace Riku spoke up "we should follow it upstream. That should lead us to your friends." He picked her up and started running along the river.

Seems everyone was to slow for Hiei's taste. Next chapter, Hiei and Riku met for the first time. Keep voting for Hiei's girlfriend. Also, I'm having trouble thinking of a name for her so send suggestions. So far demon is winning. Review and vote.