~*~I'm having fun on my new laptop so you get another update! Lucky you! Enjoy!~*~

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The light of the sun pouring in through the window demanded the red haired demon to awaken from slumber. He awoke with a groan and placed his feet onto the floor of his room. The ship was still in calm waters. The gently rocking of the boat against the waves seemed to lull the others into a pleasant slumber while Kurama sat on the edge of his bed wide awake.

So as to not disturb the others, he slowly got up and left the room, heading for the deck above. The breeze was light and just barely tickled his skin. Kurama looked out into the vast sea, wondering what exactly he would be facing. "Whatever it is, I will overcome it. I know you are there and I will free you, even if it cost me my own life."

"Hopefully that won't be necessary." Kurama turned and saw Yusuke walking up the stairs from the lower level. He looked at Kurama with a determined look in his eyes.

"Yusuke. What are you doing up so early?"

"Never mind that." He walked over to the demon and rested his back against the railing. "What you should be asking is what am I talking about."

"Alright. What are you speaking of?"

"Simple. We all heard your little fit with Hiei and put the puzzle pieces together. We have a rough idea on what's going on." Kurama looked at him, slightly stunned. 'So they had all heard. They all know and yet they have no idea.' Yusuke soon interrupted his thoughts.

"If it was with Keiko, I would do the very same thing. I don't know all the circumstances, but I do know what you feel right now."

A sense of understanding went through them at that moment. They looked at each other, one with understanding and determination, one with gratitude. Kurama looked away and smiled. "Thank you Yusuke."

Yusuke just smirked and headed down the stairs from which he came. "They actually give you breakfast on this little boat. You wait too long and Kuwabara will eat it all. And I'm not kidding either."  As he was walking, he laced his fingers together and placed them behind his head, his trademark pose. Kurama nodded and smiled, watching as he departed. The demon took one last look at the waters and then went to sit with his team. He probably did have to hurry. It wasn't that he was worried about the quantity of food, but rather the fight between Kuwabara and Hiei that was bound to occur.

~After breaking the fast~

As promised, Hiei and Kuwabara got into some argument in which, of course, Hiei won. Yusuke had to hold Kuwabara back at one point and Kurama had to make Hiei believe that fight was pointless, which it was. 'And they are going to help in her rescue? Why am I suddenly worried?' Botan pretended not to know them, which was probably the wisest idea.

After that, Yusuke enlisted the help of Hiei to get in some sort of practice. Kuwabara, not knowing what to do, followed Kurama out on the top deck. "It is rather nice out here, isn't it? Huh?" He looked over to see Kurama not even paying attention to him. 'That's not like him.' He walked up closer to where he was on the side railing and leaned on it just like the others had at one point or another. "It's rather nice out here, isn't it?"

Kurama blinked a few times, as if just now realizing Kuwabara's presence. "Yes it is. Breathtaking."

They stood there in silence for a few moments, one thinking of past times while the other wondering if they should break the demon's trance.

~Flashback~

The first month had gone by and Kurama was very settled. He and Naomi were getting along very well now. Haku actually thought Kurama was the coolest thing ever created, so he had to now and then demonstrate his demonic power aka Rose Whip and such.  As he showed the boy, he noticed out of the corner of his eye the young miko was watching as well. He made sure to truly show his strength whenever she was nearby, though he didn't quite know why.

One day, early in the morning, Kurama awoke and looked outside to hear Haku yelling at someone that they were doing great. Curious, he looked over at the clock that was provided in the room. His eyes went wide when it processed in his mind the actual time. '6:30? Why would someone be up this early unless they had to?' Stretching out, Kurama threw the covers off and got up slowly. He was wearing a white tank top and plaid pajama pants. Although he was very comfortable, he walked over to the window to see what exactly was going on.

Below him, Kurama saw Haku standing outside the forest holding something in his hand while holding a clipboard in the other. Curiosity getting the better of him, Kurama got dressed and went down to find out exactly what was going on. He walked through the kitchen and into the backyard. "Haku. What's going on?"

The boy blinked repeatedly as he turned his head towards the demon, apparently shocked. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

Kurama strolled over to the boy. "It's alright. I was getting up soon anyway." 'In a few hours anyway.' "What's going on here?"

Haku looked back towards the forest and down at the clipboard. "Training. Hang on."

Kurama raised an eyebrow and turned his attention at the forest. Soon he thought he  saw a blur of  black rush by. A few moments later, Kurama heard Naomi's voice. "How was that Haku?"

The boy clicked the button in his right hand, which Kurama noticed was a stop watch, and wrote something down on the clip board. "About a minute faster this time. You're getting better everyday."

"Arigatou." Kurama turned and saw Naomi dressed in a form fitting black tank top and equally form fitting shorts. Her hair was tied back and she appeared winded. "What went on while I was sleeping?"

Naomi looked at him for the first time. "Oh, Kurama. I'm sorry. Did we wake you?"

"Don't worry about that. What just went on?"

"Training. I get up around six to train. Every other day is running."

"What are you training for?"

She blinked at him. "Miko training. I have to be in shape and be able to move quickly to dodge any attacks. I try to increase my speed as much as possible." She turned to Haku, who handed her some water. "Haku here agreed to wake up early and be my timer." Naomi did a few stretches and then walked over to one area in front of the forest. Kurama walked over with her. "So you hope to match the speed of a demon?"

She smiled. "Not match. To beat the speed of a demon. If I beat it, I can get out of harms way with no problem."

This caused Kurama to chuckle. Naomi looked at him with a look of disbelief. "What are you laughing at?"

"My apologies, but if that is your goal, it is in vain."

She walked over to him with this challenging look on her face. "Oh? And why's that?"

"No human can ever even match the speed of a demon. It's just not possible."

Naomi crossed her arms and stared into his eyes. "Is that a fact?"

Haku smiled. "It sounds like a challenge to me. Why don't you two race now? The trail is marked for you, so Naomi will not have an advantage. It's a new path each day. I'll make up the terms of what the other should get should the other win. Agreed?"

Naomi smiled as a thought entered her head. "Why not change it a bit? My whole theory is to beat a demon if it is chasing or hunting me. Well, you are a demon. Let's test my theory." Haku smiled and nodded while looking over at Kurama to see his reaction.

This is not exactly how the red haired demon planned on starting his day. He just smiled. "Why not? I could use a good morning workout."

"Wonderful. Now Naomi will take off first and about five seconds later Kurama will take off after her. Now you have to physically catch her in order to win. The exit and end of the race is over where Naomi came out before. Sound fair?" They both agreed and walked over to the starting area where Naomi had stood before. As they got set, Naomi turned her head to Kurama. "No holding back now." Kurama nodded and waited for Haku's signal.

"Ready! Set! Go!" Naomi took off into the forest and a few second later, so did Kurama. As soon as he entered, he looked around for the girl. 'She is in black so she will be harder to find.' Just that moment, a blur ran off in the distance. 'I think I just found my target.' He took off after her and soon had her in his sights. Just as he was about to reach out and grab her, she pushed off on her right foot and moved in a completely different direction.

"You're going to have to try harder then that Kurama." Her laugh echoed in the forest area. He smirked and jumped into the trees to make sure she was below him so he could just jump down and trap her. Kurama gracefully jumped from tree branch to branch, following her scent and her trial. 'She'll never expect an overhead assault.'

He slowly grew closer to her and prepared himself for his jump. 'She is pretty fast, for a human. She might even match a demon's speed.' Without a second thought, Kurama jumped down and prepared to grab her, but, to his surprise, she not only jumped up and out of the way, but back flipped over the low hanging tree branch behind her, landing softly on her feet. Without hesitation, she began running towards her goal again, leaving Kurama wide eyed staring at where she was. 'That was incredible.'

Shaking his head, he took off after her once again, pushing himself to his maximum speed. She was close to the finish, so Kurama pushed even more and launched himself at her. 'It's my only way to stop her without using any of my weapons.'

She was only a few feet from the finish when she turned her head and saw him land on her waist, pulling her down to the ground. So caught off guard, she had no time to move out of the way. He soon had her in his arms and they were falling quickly to the ground. Kurama took her into one arm and extended the other, using it to push off the ground and flip so they didn't both land hard on the ground. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck. Kurama soon landed on his feet with the miko held tightly to him on one side. Her eyes were very wide and filled with shock. He looked at her and smiled. "It appears I have won the game."

She only looked up at him, her violet eyes still wide with shock. He couldn't help but stare into their depths which he felt consumed him. It was as if they were staring into his very soul, seeing him for what he truly was.

The little moment was soon shattered, for Haku came over with a smile on his face. "Wow! That was so amazing! I mean, wow! You just came out of now where and then when I thought you were gonna hit that ground hard, you threw your hand out and sprang up and over! Even with Naomi in your arms!" Haku raised an eyebrow and gave them a weird look. "Umm…" the boy coughed. "I think you can let go of each other now." Haku smiled a sly grin.

Kurama looked at Naomi who looked at him in return. She slowly let go of him as he reluctantly released her. A small bit of pink was tinting her cheeks. 'Is she… blushing?' He also felt some heat on his cheeks. 'I am as well.' They both looked anywhere but at each other when off in the distance they heard a familiar voice. "Come on in for breakfast!"

They all walked back towards the house to where Sóra had made them something to eat in order to get on with the rest of their day. 'The day has already proven to have promise.' Kurama stole a glance over at the miko. To his surprise, she had looked over at him as well. Both quickly turned their heads and held a hint of red on their cheeks. Oh yes. This trip held much promise for these two.

~End Flashback~

"Kurama?!? Jeez, snap out of it!"

"Huh? What?" The said demon shook his head and focused on the tall man beside him. "I apologize, Kuwabara. I have not been myself lately."

Kuwabara looked over his teammate and friend. 'He has his mind somewhere else entirely. It's as if he's longing for something… or someone.' He sighed and looked out into the sky, watching the clouds as they floated by. "You know, Kurama, we're all here if you need help with anything. We'll all stand by you with whatever demons you need to face. Er, no pun intended."

Kurama smiled. "Thank you Kuwabara. It is nice to be reminded now and then of people who will stand by your side. This is a battle I know I won't be fighting alone."

"You got that right." The two looked up to see the rest of the gang there, smiling at them. Well, all but Hiei. He didn't smile but gave a nod of agreement.

"Thank you all. And I do promise when we get closer to the island, I will tell you everything about this demon that I know and why it is so urgent for me to stop him. Also why I need to save this miko that is imprisoned there."

They all nodded and went their separate ways. Kurama stayed on deck to look out at the ocean. 'I told you one day you would meet them. I had no idea it would be under these circumstances.' A glare suddenly appeared on his face. 'Natas, I'm coming for you. I promise you're evil ways will not survive after our meeting.'

~*~Hi. That's it for today. What? You want more? You are a little demanding, aren't you? Maybe you leave lots of reviews, I can get it up for you tomorrow. No promises though. Ja ne!