Old Enemies

AN: All these characters are mine. Don't use them without permission. I know you may hate me for the next couple chapters, but just keep reading. It gets better.

It had been nearly two weeks of relative peace for Katia and Niroku. Sure, they had the normal demon attacks, but no crazy sisters or fiancée had come to try and kill/capture her. But they both knew it was too good to last.

"It's been too peaceful lately. I don't like it. Last time something even remotely close to this happened we were attacked shortly afterward." Katia said to Niroku. They had made camp and had just finished eating. It was dusk by the shade of the light.

"I know, but I have a feeling it won't last much longer." Niroku said. He was extremely worried because the more peaceful things got the worse the trouble would be when it came.

"Speak of the devil." Katia said, standing up. A man had just walked into the glade. He looked to be about thirty, but impeccably dressed.

"Why Fincara, is that any kind of greeting to give your old friend?" The man said.

Niroku looked at Katia and saw that, while she had Fincara's eyes, she had gone frighteningly pale. He knew that that couldn't be a good sign.

"Like hell you were my friend. Get out, Toku. I beat you once and I can do it again." Katia/Fincara said. 'Shit! I knew something like this was going to happen.' She thought to herself.

"That's not going to happen my dear, for you see I have gotten stronger. But I have a proposal. You come to my castle tomorrow for a one- on-one duel, and I won't attack you friend there on the night that you're human and can't defend him." Katia went, if possible, even paler. "Yes, I know about the night you turn human, and I'll use it to my advantage."

"She's not going." Niroku said. He was suddenly afraid of this man because not just anyone could scare Katia like that. In fact, this was only the second time he'd seen her remotely scared since he had first met her.

"Don't try it Niroku. He'll kill you." Katia said, making sure to keep her eyes on the sorcerer in front of her.

"I expect you tomorrow night my dear, or the next night I'll attack." And with that Toku disappeared.

Katia sat down and proceeded to curse in many, many languages. She was not happy to say the least. When she calmed down a little Niroku asked the question he'd wanted to since the man had appeared. "Who was that guy Katia?"

"The worst person who could've showed up. I should've guessed though. After all, it was really too peaceful." Katia took a deep breath. "Sit down Niroku. This might take a little time to explain." Niroku sat down and looked across the fire to her. "As I said before, his name is Toku. He's a sorcerer who, three years ago, began to attack demons, priests, priestess, and all sorts of other people to prove he was the strongest. About two and a half years ago he came and attacked me. Our fight lasted several hours. We both parried each other's blows, neither one of us making any leeway. I got lucky because I got in a lucky shot when I came at him and he got distracted and only half-blocked. I knocked him down, and then I collapsed onto my knees. He was severely injured on his right side. He teleported out of there really quickly, as though determined not to be completely beaten. I still remember his last words as he disappeared. They were 'I will come to fight you. I'll come when you least expect it.' I was tense, ready for his attack at all times during the first half of a year, but then I remembered what he said and knew it would be pointless to try and predict when he would come. The problem will be how much stronger he's gotten." Katia said. She finished the story. She had left out a few details though, but Niroku didn't notice. 'I can't tell him what else he said. That he would come back and if I didn't accept the duel then he would kill the one I love most. Why did I have to fall in love with Niroku? If I hadn't he'd be safe right now.'

Niroku noticed a strange look pass over her face, but he didn't comment because he had the feeling that she wasn't in a very talkative mood at the moment. "So, we'll go tomorrow and we can beat him together. There's no need to worry Katia." He said. 'I won't let him hurt you because, I'm still not sure how, but somehow..I've fallen in love with you.' Both were unaware of each other thoughts as the light finally faded fully into night. Katia then Niroku fell asleep as the fire burned it self down to embers then went out completely.

*~*~*~Next Morning~*~*~*

They were running toward Toku's castle at break-neck speed. As they raced they both were consumed by their own thoughts.

'I won't let her go in alone. For some strange reason I have the feeling that I may never see her again if I do. I must follow her at all costs and I will help her no matter what. I love her too much not to.' Niroku thought as he ran. Katia made sure not to run too fast and they were running at the exact same speed stride for stride.

'I can't let him come in with me. But I have to do something before I say goodbye. I will not let him come with me, no matter what. If I do, Toku will kill him, I know he will, and I couldn't bear it if the man I loved died because he tried to protect me.' Katia thought.

The next thing they knew they were standing side by side at the entrance of Toku's castle. Niroku took a step before Katia reached out to stop him.

"I'm going with you Katia. You won't stop me." Niroku said, facing her.

Katia took a step toward him and, to his immense surprise, kissed him. She broke apart and smiled sadly at him. "I'm sorry." She said. The next thing he knew his breath was knocked completely out of him and he collapsed unconscious. Katia had punched him in the stomach to knock him out. (AN: it is possible to do that for all those who think I made that up) She put a shield around Niroku's unconscious form and said, "I really am sorry about this, and I wish I could've told you that I love you." And with that she walked into the castle alone to face her greatest opponent in what may be her final battle.