Disclaimer: I do not own YYH or any of it's content or characters.

Chapter 10

Training Day

Yusuke was keeping up with the match pretty well. Keiko and Botan were watching, though they didn't catch much.

The two demons kept sparring rather hostile like, but Yusuke noticed that Hiei was letting up a bit as he studied Lebiri's technique.

Suddenly they stopped for a rest. Lebiri must've been enjoying the fight; she didn't look so annoyed and angry anymore.

Botan and Keiko blinked.

Yusuke, impressed, waited for round two.

Hiei sheathed his sword and walked up to Lebiri, who watched him stand behind her, with a confused look.

"Face front," he said. "I'll guide you through that left hand slash-thrust. I take it you're right handed."

Lebiri nodded and did as she was told. She held the sword in position to do the complicated move she'd tried to pull off and had messed up.

Hiei hesitated. 'Why am I doing this again? Kurama owes me…big time.' He stepped closer.

Yusuke smirked evilly as he watched them. 'Oooh! Hiei and Lebiri! Whatta sexy couple!' he thought, trying not to fall over and bust up laughing.

Hiei showed Lebiri how to execute the move skillfully.

'This is the closest to intentionally holding a women I've been in a while,' he moaned inwardly.

Tai was in a bad mood. 'Stupid customers. I should quit. Stupid Amakita - jerk stepfather. Always tickin' me off.' He took a particularly picky customer's order and stalked off, cursing under his breath. Good thing work would be over soon. That thought actually cheered him up a little, but, as if Okami-sama planned it that way, a group of "Tai-haters" from school ambled in and caught site of him. The gang seated themselves and started pounding on their fists on the table and joking rudely.

Tai, for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, glanced around. Nope - no co-workers. He walked up to the newcomers reluctantly after reporting orders from other customers to the front counter chefs.

"Tai," one punk said, smirking. "Tai Masikusa. Nice apron."

Tai scowled, wondering what he ever did to make them hate him. "Whatever. I'll take your order now."

"Heh. Well isn't that kind." He wrapped his arm around some smutty looking female beside him and drew her closer to him. "What would you like, Kat?"

Kat, wearing chains, plaid flares, a black T and a vest, looked a lot like a Goth or something with her black nail polish and black lipstick. She smirked slightly and wrapped her arms around the punk's neck. "Mmm…" She looked Tai up and down slowly. "Kinda cute…" The gang laughed loudly, causing a waiter to yell at Tai.

"Stop socializing, Mr. Masikusa! Get to work or the manager'll be out here!" he threatened angrily, then went back to some customers.

Tai snapped. He slammed his palms onto the table, quieting the troublemakers. They looked at him awkwardly. "Don't," Tai said in a scary calm voice, "give me any more trouble."

The punk, obviously their leader, mumbled at first, then retorted with more confidence, "Or else what, pretty boy!"

Tai smirked and raised an eyebrow, his eyes reflecting fiery lava. "I'll be forced to kill you." He suddenly had a murderous glint in his eye, as if he enjoyed the thought of rearranging their body parts.

The gang shivered.

"Now," Tai continued. "Order. Or get out." He straightened and waited patiently.

Orders of drinks were muttered. Kat clicked her tongue, impressed, as she realized what Tai had reduced the gang members to. Maybe she should join Tai's gang…

"Pepsi," she said admiringly to the boy, winking at him. It seemed she was the only confident one left.

Tai wrote down the orders, his eyes fading to their usual blue. Then he left, smiling to himself.

Kurama and Shiori sat on a living room couch together. Kurama, in his explanation, decided to leave out a lot of minor details. Like booting out the real Suuichi's soul…which wasn't really so minor at all. 'Mother' didn't need to know about him being a demon either…or Lebiri, Hiei, Yukina, Botan, and any others she'd met or seen. Neither did she need to know about his true age…

So Suuichi Minomina explained to his mother that he and his friends were part of a "saving people" kind of team. They each had special powers that were rare on Earth. That was why he used nature as a weapon and Lebiri could fight. They were…gifted. When Shiori asked about the whole "Fox Boy" and "puppy" name calling, Kurama said it had to do with their fighting style.

"So basically," Shiori said questioningly in her calm voice. "You're part of a gang? Going around killing people who threaten others?" She gasped quietly.

"Mother, Mother," Kurama reassured nervously. He didn't want to lose her. "It's not a gang! Well…you see…there are more people out there like us. They try to kill us too…" Kurama skidded to a halt. Not the best wording…

Shiori's jaw fell slightly open. Her eyes fluttered shut as she fainted.

Kurama stood up and caught her. 'Ok,' he thought. 'So now I am a wanted, mutant murderer. Perfect.'

Lebiri couldn't understand why she was enjoying being in Hiei's arms so much. She tried hard not to blush and grin - this was supposed to be strict training!

Hiei, his arms around her, showed Lebiri some handy new moves. His hands guiding hers, the two practiced until Hiei decided she should try on her own.

"Now you try," he commanded, letting go of her hands and allowing his arms to rest around her waist.

Lebiri looked back at him awkwardly with a small smile on her face.

Hiei blinked. 'What now?' he thought. He looked down and blushed. "Oh. Right," he mumbled, taking a few steps away, and then a few more unneeded ones.

Lebiri looked away and frowned. Now he seemed to be scared of her or something! She shook that thought from her head and started the run through of moves Hiei had taught her.

Yusuke smirked. What a sight. 'And that's one point for Mr. Hiei Smooth!' he thought, grinning.

Keiko giggled and whispered, "Did you see that Botan? As if Hiei didn't know what he was doing!"

Botan laughed. "Smooth move," she said quietly back.

'For your sake, Keiko Yukimura, you had better not be laughing at me.'

Keiko froze. That was Hiei…

"What's the matter, Keiko?" Botan asked.

She shook her head and said nervously, "N-nothing, Botan!…"

"Ok…"

Yusuke came over to sit with them. "Yo." He lay on his back, arms up and folded under his head.

"Hey…" Keiko mumbled, glancing over at Hiei. Telepathy was spooky…

Yusuke stared through the treetops, watching the clouds. He yawned widely, a tear forming in his eye. "How's Puu, Botan?" he asked.

Botan frowned. "Well that came out of nowhere." She then stared at him intently. "He misses you! It's vacation, can't you take care of him now?"

"Actually…I guess I can. I know we're not supposed to be apart long. Poor little dude."

Botan stood up, smiling. "The sooner the better!" She summoned her oar and mounted it. "I'll be back in a jiff!" She laughed and flew away.

Lebiri stopped her training abruptly. "Where's she going," she asked Hiei, watching Botan disappear. "On an oar?"

Hiei sighed. "She'll come back." Then, as an after thought, added irritably, "She always does."

Lebiri laughed and continued her training.

"Mother…" Shiori opened her eyes and gradually the images from her dream evaporated. "Mother…!" Her blurry vision cleared and she focused on Kurama's face. "Mother! You're awake!" he said, smiling anxiously.

Shiori sat up and pulled him down onto the couch facing her.

Kurama plopped down next to her, eyes displaying mixed emotions. Apprehension and worry dominated.

"Suuichi," Shiori began in a soft voice. "I'm beginning to understand. You can take care of yourself…amazingly well," she added. "I saw you fighting. When I fainted I saw all of you…at some tournament." She raised an eyebrow. "When you said you were at camp, I might add."

Kurama smiled nervously and put his hand behind his head.

"I did feel watched that day. Now I know why. The Lord showed me. So your 'gift' changed your whole life, hm? I think I get it."

Kurama blinked. Well that was...easy. 'Thank you, God!' he thought, still amazed.

When Suuichi didn't say anything, Shiori said, "So. About Lebiri. She has powers too?"

Kurama nodded. "And some other 'gifted' de-, I mean guys, are after her. But everything will be ok - Hiei and Yusuke are very powerful too, and they are on our side."

Shiori nodded. "So, what, Lebiri visited for all of your help?…"

"Mm…yes."

"Suuichi Minomina! Then get your butt out there and train your cousin! What if they're attacked by that Acara again and-!"

"Mother, Mother! Ok I'll go! But are you sure you want to stay here alone?"

They both stood up. "I'll be fine, hun," she encouraged, smiling sweetly once again. "Take Lee-chan's cell phone - she gave me her number - and I'll call if anything goes wrong. But I'm sure nothing will. Now shoo shoo! Out you go!" She led Kurama to Lebiri's room, got her cell, and then brought him to the front door. After a peck to the cheek, she opened it and let her son outside. "Oh, and Suu-chan?"

Kurama looked back at her with a smile. That had gone well enough!

"I'm going to make a huge dinner! All of you work hard and come back around six or so. Tell that cute boy, Hiei, that I'd better see him! And call Shizuru and Kuwa-chan, too."

"Yes, Mother," Kurama laughed. Cute boy Hiei? Kuwa-chan! He waved and started, chuckling to himself, for the park.

Shiori grinned and shut the door, heading for the kitchen.

When Kurama arrived at the park and found his friends, they were all taking a break. Yusuke was arguing with Hiei over who would spar next, and Keiko and Lebiri were sitting in a tree chatting above them.

"Hey Kurama!" Lebiri yelled to him. She jumped down from the low branch and ran up to him.

"Hello Lebiri - oof!"

Lebiri jumped into him and gave him a hug.

"What has gotten into you?" he asked as she let him go and dragged him by the hand over to the rest of the group.

"Kurama, it was awesome!" she cried. "I learned so much!" She gasped dramatically. "Wanna fight me! Huh? Do ya!" She impatiently grinned and bounced up and down eagerly.

Kurama laughed. "Alright, but I want to see what you can do first. How about beating Yusuke real quick?"

Yusuke stuck his tongue out at Hiei and grinned. "HA! In your face Hiei! Hey wait…" He slowly turned to Kurama and glared at the fox demon. "KURAMA! How are you so sure she'll beat me 'real quick' huh!"

Lebiri smirked at the challenge. "Let's fight then, Mr. Spirit Detective!" She walked into the clearing and Yusuke followed.

Hiei, a bit disappointed, hopped into the tree, a few branches above Keiko, who jumped down to watch next to Kurama.

Lebiri and Yusuke faced each other, then smiled and bowed. Lebiri took her sword, along with its sheath, from her belt and tossed it to Kurama. "Now for hand to hand combat!" she announced. "Ok Yusuke. You see any flaws - tell me all right?"

"Sure," Yusuke said. "Let's get started."

"Oh, and Yusuke," Lebiri said, suddenly smirking and getting into her fighting stance. "I have some special moves to show off. You won't mind, will you?"

Yusuke smirked as well. "Take your best shot!"

With that, the two disappeared.

Keiko blinked in surprise and glanced at Kurama. He seemed to be watching, eyes darting here and there. She then looked at Hiei, a sweat drop traveling down the back of her head. Hiei was watching too, much like Kurama. Keiko rolled her eyes hopelessly and sat down to wait for Botan.

Botan, holding Puu, smiled gratefully at Koenma and summoned her oar, mounting it with a wave at the toddler. "C'mon Puu! We're gonna go see wittle Yusuke!" she said, cuddling him in her lap. With that, the ferry girl went back to the Material World.

"Puu! Puu!" he cried with delight. Botan laughed.

Lebiri dodged Yusuke's attacks, waiting for the perfect opportunity to get in a special.

Though she was part human, Yoko, and materialization demon, Lebiri also had inherited the power of telekinesis from her Mother. It was not yet completely developed, but when she rose to that level of concentration, her pupils disappeared and the color of her eyes brightened. An electric looking lavender aura would surround her, and she could lift things and levitate using her mind. Beyond those basics, Lebiri's original attacks would become at least fifty times more powerful. Lebiri, however, had never quite perfected that level. Without her mother as a tutor, she had been too frightened to practice alone. If she didn't control her energy perfectly through the whole procedure, her mind may shut down. Permanently.

Lebiri decided to go a level below what she had perfected on Yusuke. Her attacks were now fifteen times as strong. She would have to practice getting that higher for the Hideko…

Yusuke wondered why Lebiri was taking the defensive now. He couldn't get in any good hits! Suddenly there was a blinding, violet flash as Lebiri shouted out. Yusuke shielded his eyes thinking, 'This is about to get a lot harder, isn't it.' When the light died down, Yusuke looked up to see a floating Lebiri, purple aura crackling with power.

Lebiri smirked down at him and slowly descended to the ground. As she landed she said, "Ok, Yusuke. Let's get serious."

Yusuke nodded once. "Fine," he said. "ROUND TWO!" He pointed his index finger at her and screamed, "SPIRIT GUN!"

Lebiri let out another yell, countless little energy blasts forming from her aura. They easily destroyed the Spirit Gun and flew through it at Yusuke.

Yusuke held up his arms as a shield and braced himself. But the blasts, unexpectedly, surrounded him and he was forced to use, "SHOT GUN!" That destroyed them.

Lebiri glared awkwardly at him, raising an eyebrow. Then she smirked and held up her hands, palms facing him. Without a warning, she shot two beach ball size energy blasts at him.

Training went on and on, gradually getting more intense. Eventually, Lebiri defeated Yusuke by not letting up on her swift attacks until he ran out of stamina. For her finishing move, she thrust her palm in his direction and a gust of wind erupted with such force that the upheavaled ground and strong winds sent Yusuke flying. He hit a tree and before he could get up, Lebiri had a Spirit Sword to his throat. He sighed, realizing his defeat.

Lebiri smiled and, dropping her energy level, said, "Great match, Yusuke!" as her sword disappeared. She held out a hand and Yusuke took it gratefully, smiling and shaking his head. Lebiri pulled him up.

"Yeah," he said, dusting off his clothes. "Great match."

"You pulled some great moves!" Lebiri said as they walked over to where the others sat. "I love that Shot Gun of yours!"

Yusuke laughed. "Most people hate that one." He looked her up and down. "Wow, kinda messed up your outfit…" He looked down at his own damage.

"Oh yeah." Lebiri's aura glowed for a moment, then their clothes were good as new. "Uh oh…I forgot…" she mumbled, putting a hand to her forehead. She closed her eyes and started to sway as she felt more of her energy drain.

By this time, Keiko, Kurama, and Hiei had walked up to them.

"Are you ok?" Yusuke asked Lebiri, not knowing that it took energy to materialize.

"Fine," she said in a pained voice. "I'm just…gonna lay down for a minute." She tried to sit, but lost her balance to a dizzy spell.

She fell backwards, and Hiei happened to be the one to catch her. He waited for the girl to recover, while Keiko made a fuss.

"Lebiri? Are you alright! What's wrong!" she just about yelled frantically. Then she glared at Yusuke. "YUSUKE! What did you do!"

Yusuke sweat dropped and held his hands up defensively. "I - uh!"

But Kurama said, "It's alright. She will be fine. Just a wave of exhaustion."

Keiko looked suspiciously at Yusuke, then turned back to Lebiri.

Hiei said, "She's waking up." Though she was leaning against his chest, he stood her up the best he could and waited with his hands around her waist.

Lebiri blinked slowly, then opened her eyes all the way. "Whoa," she said, squinting. "That was a bad one. Jeeze, Yusuke." She yawned comfortably and turned around, finally noticing whose arms she was in. "Hiei…thanks for catching me…" She smiled at him and put her arms up and around his neck, hugging him gently.

Hiei was surprised to say the least, but his expression only slightly showed it.

Lebiri pulled away and turned to Kurama. "Ready to train?" she asked, doing some vigorous stretches.

Kurama blinked. She just hugged Hiei, and he didn't push her away… Odd…

"She's just a little delirious…" Yusuke muttered sarcastically.

Keiko chose that moment to say to her demon friend, "Lebiri! You're sure you're ok? You should rest."

"I'm fine, Keiko! Once I'm over those spells, I recover pretty quick. Besides, the Hideko wouldn't wait patiently for me to wake up." She plopped down and sat, stretching, on the ground. Then she stopped suddenly and said, "I'm hungry." Her stomach growled in agreement. She blushed. "Whoops."

Everyone sweat dropped.

Eventually, Yusuke laughed and Kurama helped her up.

"Mother said she'd have a huge meal cooking for us," he said. "By the way-." He pulled out her cell phone. "Here. In case she wanted to call."

Lebiri took it and started to materialize a purse.

"Should you really be doing that again onna?" Hiei asked, narrowing his eyes at her and folding his arms over his chest.

She glared right back at him. "So sorry. You better get into position," she said through clenched teeth.

Hiei raised an eyebrow. "Hn. I'd rather not." He jumped up into the closest tree and sat down for a nap.

Lebiri rolled her eyes and created the purse anyway.

Hiei stared at her.

She swayed and held out her arms for balance. "See…?" she told him drunkenly. "I'm perfectly…fine."

Yusuke cracked up as her eyes went cross. "Nice try!"

Hiei had to turn away to hide his would-be smile.

Lebiri blushed. "Oh c'mon! Hiei don't you laugh at me! Yusuke STOP!" Her blush deepened, but she smiled anyway.

Keiko, her hands folded neatly behind her, smiled and laughed, too.

Kurama was staring up into the sky. "Botan's coming," he said wistfully.

Lebiri looked up, too. There was the ferry girl. "Botan! Hey!" she shouted, trying to ignore Yusuke.

Botan landed beside Kurama and made her oar disappear. She was grinning widely and holding something behind her back.

"What's up?" Lebiri asked curiously. Keiko was smiling, Yusuke also grinning and kind of bouncing impatiently. Hiei didn't seem to care, but Kurama looked just as curious as she, Lebiri, felt. "So? C'mon! Whatcha got back there, Botan?"

She sucked in a breath dramatically. "Ta DA!" she yelled, holding up a strange blue creature that oddly resembled Yusuke...

"Puu!" the thing cooed, flying from Botan's hands onto Yusuke's head.

"Aww! He's so cute!" Lebiri said, walking up to Yusuke laughing.

"This," Yusuke said, patting the creature on the head, "Is Puu. He's my Spirit Beast! And we've been through a lot."

Lebiri busted up laughing. "Beast! Wait a second! I thought Spirit Beasts were like your inner self!"

Yusuke scowled. Typical.

"So really you're just a little cuddly, softy!" She finished by wiping tears from her eyes and reaching up to pet Puu.

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "Yeah. I get that a lot," he mumbled. "Heh. Makes me wonder what your Spirit Beast would look like."

Lebiri looked thoughtful. "Hey, I wonder too." She tickled Puu and he gleefully flew off of Yusuke's head and up onto Hiei's. Lebiri suppressed a laugh and tried to stay quiet. Hiei had his eyes closed and didn't notice. She crept up the tree to get to Puu.

Hiei, who indeed noticed Yusuke's "ridiculous appendage" land on his head, thought, 'What is this disgusting creature doing on my head…' But he really didn't mind...that is until the creature started rearranging his hair to get more comfortable. He was just about to bat the thing off of his head when he heard Lebiri giggle behind him. Botan shushed her and chuckled as well.

Lebiri grabbed Puu, but started to giggle again. "Hiei," she whispered. "Are you asleep?" He didn't respond. She poked him. Nothing. She sat down on Hiei's branch and let Puu go back to Yusuke. "Hiei! Wake up!" Lebiri poked him again, making Keiko start to laugh. "Hey, Kurama! What if he tries to kill us again in his sleep?" Lebiri joked, poking the fire demon once more.

Hiei tried to ignore it, he really did. You know, give her a chance to realize annoying him would get her killed in a moment.

Poke.

That finger was really annoying though...

Poke.

Ignore.

Poke.

Ignore.

Hard poke.

...Ig...nore...

Suddenly, Hiei growled, making Lebiri jump up, surprised, into the next branch. Hiei glared up at her and ruffled his hair. It went exactly back to the way it had been…

"Don't scare me like that!" the girl screeched, getting a better grip on her new branch.

Hiei appeared above her. "Hn."

Lebiri started to climb up to him, but he kept jumping higher. "Hiei!" Getting frustrated, she decided to show him that she could get that high too. So she kept on climbing, but hesitated when Kurama, Botan, Keiko, and Yusuke looked much smaller.

"Never look down," he advised cockily, staring down at her in amusement.

"Then why are you!" she asked, trying to sound like her normal self, but Hiei heard her nervousness. She gulped and started upward, but a branch snapped. And it just happened to be the one she was holding onto. 'I'm gonna fall, I'm gonna fall, noooooo!' She moaned inwardly, trying not to lose her balance. She started to lean backwards, flailing her arms. "Eeee!"

Kurama and Hiei watched to see if they were needed. (Great minds think alike. . .)

Lebiri did a little hop off the branch and started down, enough to grab onto the limb she was previously standing on. Then she looked up at Hiei and said, "Well thanks for the help." He said nothing. She looked down at the ground and faced her palm directly below her, hanging on with one hand.

Hiei wondered what she was going to do.

Lebiri shot an energy blast and, just as it reached the ground, she let go of the branch and shot her beam with two hands now, crouching on top of it. Like an elevator, it took her straight up into the air. She jumped off onto one of the very highest limbs of the huge tree. Then she grinned and sat down.

Hiei was having a hard time shutting his gaping mouth as he stared up at Lebiri. 'I...guess I lost,' he thought, now smirking. 'She may be a suitable opponent after all. She's got the brains...' He hopped up to her and stared. "Hn. Nice trick, onna."

Lebiri watched at her dangling feet. "Thanks...I have a question..."

Hiei waited for her to go on. When she didn't, he said, "Well?"

She blinked and looked up at the blue sky. "Uh...never mind. Now's not the time," she said quickly, blushing slightly and starting to climb down the tree. She stopped and went slower, the horror of being up high in a tree suddenly coming back to her.

Hiei watched her curiously. 'What was she going to ask?' he wondered. Then he shrugged and read her mind...

'Grrr, I'll ask him that later,' she was thinking. Then, 'Don't fall, won't fall, can't fall, better not fall! I wish that idiot would just take me down! Oh Okami-sama, I hate this. Don't fall, won't fall, can't fall, better not fall...' She kept repeating as she climbed down shakily.

Hiei got tired of it and exited her babbling mind. 'She's the idiot. Baka.' But he jumped down to her anyway and said, "C'mon, onna." He wrapped his arm around her waist and jumped straight down.

Lebiri's eyes widened as she looked with terror at the ground rushing up to them and her friends clearing away. She gripped Hiei's shirt and bent her legs for a better landing...if that was possible!

But, to Lebiri's horrified surprise, Hiei let her go. Not expecting that, she screamed and let go of his shirt.

Hiei landed first, then held out his arms to catch her. She landed in them with a "oof", wide eyes, clenched fists next to either side of her face, and a trembling body.

Keiko and Botan's jaws dropped. Yusuke was laughing at their expressions. Kurama looked on at Lebiri with concern. "Hiei...did you have to do all that? She was obviously scared enough…"

Hiei sweat dropped. "Kurama...you take her," he offered.

Kurama shook his head. "No way. She'll snap out of it with who knows what mood soon. She's your problem now."

Hiei scowled threateningly. "Fox...she's your cousin!"

The kitsune took a step back as Lebiri's eyes turned a fiery red.

"Put me down," she commanded suddenly.

Hiei couldn't help himself. He dropped her.

"Ouch!" She glared up at him. "You baka. Big fat piece of shimatta," she mumbled so no one else could make it out, then stood up slowly and rubbed her sore bottom. She gave Hiei a death glare and started mumbling again. "Hardly know the guy and he's bein' such a baka a-hole." She turned on her heel, and marched over to Kurama. Trying to calm herself, through gritted teeth she asked, "Can we train now?"

Kurama nodded quickly and they went over to the clearing to start.

Hiei blinked. Maybe he shouldn't have just dropped her. He sighed. They were getting off to a bad start, and it was kind of all his fault...hah! Not that he cared. Hn. Women.

"Nice, Hiei," Botan said to him sarcastically. "You really know how to treat a lady."

Hiei glared at her as she sat down, leaning against a tree, Keiko doing the same. 'She must really have a death wish.' He looked at Yusuke for support. But the Spirit Detective just shrugged and sat down with Puu, next to Keiko.

"Hn." And Hiei was up in a tree, sitting on a low branch while Kurama trained Lebiri.

And that's it for this chapter! Sorry nothing much happened. ; More of an explaining type chapter. But I'd appreciate some ideas from you guys! What do you think should happen? I have a basic plot, but I need some twists and turns, right? So review if you can and give me some suggestions. Please and thank you! Oh and two things: 1 - I took out my author's note for chapter 8. That's why I went down a chapter if you noticed. And 2 - don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the Cube of Oblivion. Though you guys might've... Anyway. Till next time, Saiya Winters!

Arigatou to all my reviewers!

YOU GUYS ROCK! THANKS SO MUCH!

(6/17/05 – Hello all! It's been so long since I've updated… gomen nasai! V.V Anywayz, I am finally finished revising all of my chapters. Therefore, chapter 11 will be out soon. I PROMISE!)