Author's Note: Once again, sorry this has taken so long. I've been trying to figure out an idea for my next Harry Potter story. Unfortunately, nothing is coming. sigh That and my asthma has been acting up, so it's a little hard to keep myself focused on writing right now.

Anyway, hope this story is so far going according to your liking, and I do hope it continues to travel that route. If you have questions or concerns, please state so in your reviews and I will address them A.S.A.P. All right?

Thanks again everyone!

Ela,

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

The fact that Kurama had returned in such condition was unnerving to many members of the group, most of all Yusuke, who had never seen the kitsune in such a way, not even after the Dark Tournament. Kurama was still unconscious. His skin and hair and clothing were charred, and countless bruises and cuts bled upon his arms and torso. He muttered now and then, but none of it was audible. Kuwabara continuously applied a cold wash rag to his friend's head to calm his tense nerves and tired, senseless ravings.

"You say you found him like that?" Hiei was talking to Inuyasha calmly since the first time they met. The hanyou nodded, a deep frown pressed upon his already dark features. "Did he say anything before he fell unconscious?"

"Nothing."

The frown on Hiei's own face deepened considerably as he gazed at the injured Kurama, Kuwabara trying desperately to soothe his pain. A number of different things were running through his mind. Inuyasha, his own eyes not moving from the scene, sensed the youkai's tension. Angling his head slightly, he began to speak so that only Hiei would hear.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"We go alone?"

Inuyasha nodded. "I'm tired of waiting for them to make a move. This Kigeko is still too human. She doesn't think like a demon, otherwise we'd have a plan by now." Hiei nodded.

"We'll wait till nightfall." said the smaller of the two. "Otherwise it will look suspicious if we leave now."

Inuyasha nodded. Their minds were made up, and there was no turning back.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Night came, and before anyone could even stir from their slumber, Inuyasha and Hiei were racing through the forest to the stone edifice that held Imashirou and his horde of demons. Sitting atop the stone wall, each peered across the long grassy field with consideration. Whatever damage that had been inflicted during Kurama's flight across the plain was now healed over, brilliantly concealed and inviting. Enough for the next intruder.

"I'm really starting to get annoyed with this man." commented Inuyasha as each set of glaring eyes focused on the stone edifice. Hiei nodded in silent agreement.

"Here is the plan then," the other started. "We race across the plain. Keeping within 3 to 5 meters of each other. That way whatever happens, if there's more than one motion sensing trap out there, we can confuse it."

Inuyasha nodded. That was the only signal they needed.

"Ready?" asked the hanyou.

"On your mark,"

"Get set."

"Go!" They nearly yelled it in unison. The thrill of competition, danger, and a near victory was almost overwhelming for the two, but they managed to keep themselves under control. In swift flights each was down upon the ground and running, or leaping.

Immediately, explosions started to ring in their ears. Tentacles of unknown demonic servants ripped up from the grounds, sending chunks of dirt and grass high into the air. Inuyasha was the first to meet up with one of the great arms of the beats, but he easily ripped through it with his legendary Tetsusiaga. Hiei's own katana easily tore through the tender flesh of the monsters. Mercilessly, both drove on, taking as many limbs with them as was necessary.

Before long they had landed upon the stone steps of the entryway to the castle. Both were covered in dirt and blood (of the monsters), and were slightly charred from the intense heat of the explosions.

"Well, that wasn't too hard." stated Inuyasha with a grin. "Are we ready to continue this venture?"

Hiei nodded, and together they passed through the entrance doors. Swords drawn and nerves set.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

"No!" Kurama sat up panting. Immediately, the others were awoken by his yells of terror.

"What!?! What's the matter!?!" Yusuke was first to respond to the sudden noise that had disrupted his sleep.

"Hiei and Inuyasha are gone." Kigeko responded.

"What?" Kuwabara gaped. "Where? Why!?!"

"Where else?" she retorted, sardonically.

"Well, we can't just let them go alone!" Yusuke nearly hollered.

"Yeah! What the heck were they thinking? Going off like that..." Kuwabara's countenance resembled more of a hurt expression than anything else, much alike to Kurama's own face that seemed disappointed and concerned, as well as wounded.

"They are an impatient bunch." he sighed.

"Yes well," Kigeko frowned. There was a tone in her voice that very easily told the others she was struggling to suppress her anger. "We're going to have to go after them."

"With Kurama in this state?" Yusuke frowned, but Kurama, as though to answer the Spirit Detective's question, stood from where he lay, smiling slightly.

"I assure you I am well enough to begin our journey."

"No. You're not." the remaining companions said simultaneously. Kurama merely chuckled.

"Well enough to accompany you, if nothing else."

"You're not coming." Yusuke retorted. "And that's final. We'll return with those block heads before we do anything else."

Kigeko and Kuwabara both nodded while Yusuke still challenged Kurama with one of his infamous glares. The kitsune merely sighed and sat back down, knowing quite well that he was defeated. Had he come, he would have been very much out of his league anyway.

"Very well," Kurama sighed. Yusuke turned and nodded to the others.

"Let's go."

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Need I tell you that I'm getting lazy? And just plain tired of this story. sigh