A/N: Thank you to all my readers. You don't know how happy your reviews make me. Ask Sage Twilight or Amanithil. Well in this chapter love will begin to blossom. I hope you like it. Ladies and Gentlemen- Act 5: Flesh to Ash, Sifting dust.

Disclaimer: I don't own them so shut up.

Chapter 5: Flesh to Ash, Sifting Dust

Relapse-Liz speaking: In our last chapter, our friends got used to each other and showed the beginning of bonding. Faen played her way into Hiei's sympathies, Amani and Munin are now on the challenge, and Dae and Youko are literally tied together. Enough with my babbling, on with the show!

Curtains open.

As the sun began to settle beyond the distant horizon, Faen and Hiei agreed that they had had enough play time outside and it was time to go home.

"Wanna race?" Hiei said as the shadows began to creep out of their daytime hiding places.

"No. We feminine types tend to take things slow." Faen answered biting her tongue to hold her laughter, but unable to stop the swishing of her tail.

Hiei smiled as he watched her struggle to keep her face straight.

"Oh come on. I'll even give you a head start."

"No. I don't like running. It makes me too tired." Faen said as she walked.

"Really. Sounds to me like someone doesn't want to lose."

"What?!" Faen said with a face of upset. She stopped walking and brought her hand to her chest. She then leaned down till she was face to face with Hiei.

"Excuse me! But are you calling me a loser?" Faen screamed.

Hiei stopped as well and smirked. "No I'm calling you a pansy."

Faen shot up as she gasped. With her eyes wide and her tail standing at end, she glared at the small man.

"How dare you! I am not a pansy! You wanna race? Bring it on!"

Hiei and Faen made eye contact and nodded.

"You still want that head start?" Hiei asked.

"No! I'm going to prove that I can beat you fair and square!" Faen yelled as she glared at him once again.

"Well don't complain later on that I didn't give you a chance."

"Whatever. Okay on the count of three. One..."

"Two..." Hiei added.

"Three!" they both said together and raced off.

**********

"Comfy?" Youko asked.

"No. That damn vine is still on my hip." Dae yelled.

"Oh sorry." Youko closed his eyes and seconds later opened them again. The vine split in two; one part wrapping around her waist, another around her thighs.

"Now?" Youko asked.

"Oh yes," Dae said sarcastically. "The whole pain in all my body and stiffness in my legs is just dandy."

"Are you always this moody?"

"Nah, just when I'm wounded. I prefer not to be weak." Dae responded.

"I believe you are far from weak."

"Thanks for the compliment, but what makes you think that?" Dae asked

"You beat the older Toguro brother. That's not an easy feat." Yoko answered.

"I did?" Dae said as she cocked her head.

"Yeah. You mean you don't remember?"

"I remember watching you about to get stabbed in the stomach and thinking 'oh no', but everything else from there is a blank." Dae retorted. "What exactly did I do?"

"I'm not quite sure, but you knock him a couple miles away."

"Oh. Usually I fight with fists, claws, and what energy I can muster." Dae said as she tried to figure out what she had done.

"Hmm...You must have used a lot of energy."

"What do you fight with?" Dae asked as she rolled her neck.

"Plants."

"Plants? That's kinda...odd."

"You haven't seen my plants. I'll show you one day." Youko said with pride.

"Yeah, I wanna see them." Dae said as she tried to think of a dangerous plant. "What's your favorite?"

"My rose whip." Youko said.

"No I mean your favorite plant." Dae said.

"Oh...I don't know."

"What a minute...you can use a whip?" Dae asked.

"Yeah." Youko said as he tried to shift his legs.

"Ooh. Can you teach me?" Dae requested.

"Why?" Youko questioned.

"Because it looks like fun weapon."

"Fun?"

"Oh you know what I mean. It looks like a weapon that would be interesting to use. Plus, not many people can use a whip."

"I'll think about it."

"Works for me."

Dae shifted her body to Youko's right shoulder and rested her head against it.

"Your hair is in my face." Youko said as he spit out a chunk of white hair.

"Sorry." Dae said as she shook her head, flinging her hair to right. She then dipped her head over his shoulder and turned her eyes sideways to stare into Youko's. "Better?"

"Yeah, but you don't look very comfy." Youko commented after looking at the very uncomfortable angle of her neck.

"I'll live. Plus I think I'm stuck anyway."

Youko smirked. "I could help you, my hands are free ya know."

Dae's eyes narrowed at the kitsune. "I'll pass thank you."

"Just trying to be friendly." Youko said as he put his hands behind his head. He inhaled deeply taking in her scent of gardenias and lavender.

"What are you doing?' Dae asked after hearing and feeling him take a breath.

"Smelling your hair. It's still in my face again."

"Oh sorry."

"Don't worry, it smells good."

"Well, I'll fix it."

"No, no. Allow me." Youko said as he raised his left arm from it resting place under is silver locks and stroke the white hair out of his face and behind Dae's ear. When he retreated from his caress, he accidentally touched one of Dae's ears. The pointed white fox ear twitched several times before settling again. Youko chuckled at the involuntary reaction. Deciding to have a little fun with the tied kitsune, Youko gently blew onto Dae's ear. The ear once again twitched.

"Stop that." Dae said as she glowered at Youko.

"But it's so interesting to watch." Youko said as he blew on it again and laughed as it spasmed.

"Stop." Dae whined as she rubbed her ear against Youko's chest.

"Aww, you're warming up to me." Youko said sarcastically.

Dae grunted and rubbed harder. "No, I'm trying to get my ear to stop itching."

"Say what you like, but I think you're finally beginning to trust me."

"Sure, whatever." Dae said as she rolled her eyes.

Youko smiled at Dae who could not help but return it.

**********

"Man, this place is a maze." Amani whispered to herself as she walked down yet another unfamiliar hall. "How is anyone supposed to find their way in this place?"

"It's very easy." A deep voice answered.

Amani jumped as a hand touched her shoulder. She spun, raising her hand to strike only to have it caught by none other than Faen.

"Wow you're jumpy." Faen said as she released Amani's hand.

"Oh sorry. I'm lost and you came up from behind me." Amani said as narrowed her eyes at the fire demoness. She looked down and finally noticed the smaller man. "Oh sorry, Hiei isn't it?"

"Yeah." Hiei grumbled.

Amani cocked an eyebrow at the small man.

"Aww, don't worry about him, Amani. He's just grumpy because he lost our little race." Faen said as she patted the top of Hiei's head.

A low growl escaped from Hiei. "I did not lose! You cheated!"

Faen gasped as she took back her hand. "I did not!"

"Did to! I don't remember hitting people in the back of the head with a fireball being legal in a race!" Hiei snapped.

"I improvised." Faen said crossing her arms tightly across her chest and turning away from Hiei.

Amani watched the fight and burst into laughing. "Man, you two act like a couple."

"What!?" the two fire demons screamed.

"Hey, what's with all the yelling?" asked a male voice.

Amani spun again and screeched. "Munin?! Where did you come from?!"

"I'm lost." He answered.

"Oh. I thought you and Youko were good friends? Shouldn't you know the house or something?" Faen asked.

"As you said, it's a maze in here, but I know the way." Hiei said.

"Youko's still with Dae in the guest room. Let's go get something and do something." Munin suggested.

"Ya, I'm bored." Amani and Faen both whined.

Munin and Hiei looked at the two demonesses and shook their heads.

"Hey, what's with the whole shaking heads thing." Amani asked.

"I'll show you to the room. Follow me." Hiei said as he turned away.

"Hey don't ignore Amani!" Faen yelled.

"You better keep up." Munin yelled as he caught up with Hiei.

"Hey! Don't ignore me!" Faen screamed. She and Amani growled as they caught up with the men.

**********

"How old are you anyway?" Youko asked.

"Hey!" Dae shrieked "How dare you ask a woman her age!"

She turned her head so she was face to face with Youko.

"You know that's very rude. I should-"

Dae was cut short when four uninvited persons entered the room. Both of the tied companions turned with a look of pure surprise to their friends who were laughing their heads off. Youko smiled as he felt Dae go rigid.

"It's not what you think!" Dae shrieked.

"Damn Dae, aim for the bed next time." Faen said as she failed to stifle her giggle.

Amani starting laughing. "Man, Dae, you got cozy really quickly."

Dae's face flushed red as she began struggling again.

"Youko, let me go." She whispered as she panicked against her binds.

"Awww Dae." Youko said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Are you ashamed of our love?"

"What?!" Dae screamed. She began to struggle more only to have Youko tightened his grip.

"Aww, they're in love." Munin taunted.

"Good hit Youko." Hiei said smirking at Dae's embarrassment.

"Don't deny our passion Dae." Youko whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

Dae's eyes narrowed as she stilled her movements. "I believe when I am out of this that I am going to slaughter you very, very painfully."

"Ah, love is in the air." Amani said as she inhaled deeply.

"Ya, and it kinda smells like blood. Damn Dae, what have you two been doing?" Amani laughed.

"Fighting." Dae responded.

"Oh ok." Amani said.

"That's nice." Faen muttered. "Okay, now I'm bored."

"What do you want to do?" Munin asked.

"I don't know, what do you wanna do?" Faen answered.

"Boy, does this sound familiar." Hiei grumbled.

"I know what I wanna do!" Dae screamed. "I wanna get up and get a shirt! I'm cold!"

"But love, I'll keep you warm." Youko whispered against her ear and laughed as it twitched.

"Would you stop that!" Dae yelled as she rubbed her head against his chest again.

"Aww, that's kawaii!" Faen and Amani cooed.

"Ahhh! I'm going to kill all of you!" Dae screamed as she managed to free a wrist and began hitting Youko in the only spot she could reach, which happened to be his thigh.

The group burst into laughter at Dae's antics to escape. Dae finally grabbed one of the vines drained the energy out of it. The lush green foliage withered to brown crust.

"Hey that's not fair." Youko whined as she killed the rest of his plants.

"It's all I could do." Dae said as she sat up.

"Aww, Dae, you killed the pretty plants." Faen said as she starting stroking Hiei's hair. Hiei glared and grumbled, but finally subjected to the petting when Faen didn't respond to his objections.

"Oh well, I'm sleepy. Fighting with bird brain over there has made me exhausted." Amani said, yawning. She turned in the doorway, purposively ramming her elbow into his stomach.

"Bitch." He grunted, but soon followed.

"Yeah, I'm kinda sick of watching you and Youko flirt, Dae. I'm hitting the sack." Faen grumbled sleepily. "Come on Hiei." Faen grabbed Hiei and pulled him to her chest.

"Let me go!" Hiei yelled, resentful for being treated like a stuffed toy.

"No, I can't sleep without my snuggles." Faen mumbled as she groggily walked out the door. "Night Dae. Night Youko." Faen soon disappeared out the door, still holding a squirming Hiei.

"Night Faen. Night Hiei." Youko and Dae bayed.

When finally alone, Youko turned his attention back to the energy demoness in front of him.

"So are you going to release me?" He asked sweetly.

"I should leave you there, but..."

"But what?"

"But I'm afraid you wouldn't show me those pretty flowers you promised." Dae said as she poked at the energy rings at Youko's ankles. The power jumped then reabsorbed into her skin.

Youko swiftly stood.

"Thank you." He said as he held out his hand to Dae.

Dae looked at the hand then back at him. She shrugged her shoulders and accepted the hand. Youko quickly pulled her to him.

"Thanks." Dae said as she brushed off her butt. Youko shifted his weight slipping a little. He looked down to see Dae's shirt still attached to his foot. He immediately removed it and handed it Dae.

"You might need this." Youko said as she handed Dae her bloodied shirt.

Dae held it up and frowned. She turned to Youko who only shrugged. She swiftly pulled it over her head, adjusted it, and pulled her hair out of the back.

"Thanks."

"Would you like a cleaner one?" Youko asked as he took a second look at her tattered shirt.

Dae held the bottom of her shirt and looked down at the crusting blood stains. She looked back at Youko and smiled.

"If you don't mind."

"Not at all, but I'm afraid I'm a bit short on women's clothes. I have a spare shirt you could use. Do you want it?"

"Sure. Sounds cool."

Youko walked out of the room and returned as few seconds later; a white shirt, identical to the one he was wearing, laid in his hand. Dae readily removed her shirt and grateful took the clean one, throwing it over her head.

"Yea!" Dae screeched. "I feel clean." Dae sniffed at the shirt. "Smells like you."

"Was that an insult or a compliment?"

"A compliment." Dae said smiling. "Thank you."

Youko smiled in return. Dae's face went slack as she yawned.

"Is there anywhere I can sleep that's not so...?" Dae sniffed the air then winced. "Bloody."

Youko cocked an eyebrow then smirked. Dae saw this and narrowed her eyes.

"Yes."

"And where would this place be?" she asked cautiously.

Youko's smirk turned into a smile. "My room."

Dae's face fell into a brief instant of shock before turning smug.

"Okay, but you have to sleep on the floor."

Youko narrowed his eyes.

"I think not."

Dae countenance dropped into a pout. "Then it looks like I'm stuck in this room. Yuck."

"You may sleep here if you like, but there is plenty of room in my bed." Youko said tauntingly.

Dae sighed. "Fine, but I call right side and if you so much as touch me, you'll be sleeping in the hall."

Youko laughed and shook his head. "Fine, honey."

Dae glared and nudged Youko toward the door. He laughed again as he lead them from the room into his personal chambers.

*********

"For the last time: Let go of me!" Hiei yelled as he twisted in Faen's arms.

"But I need my snuggles." Faen muttered groggily.

"What?"

"My snuggles." Faen whispered as she reached the room.

"What is your snuggles?"

"You." Faen said as she walked into the room and plopped down on the bed. Hiei continued to struggle.

"Release me!"

"Snn...uu...glles." Faen yawned as she drifted asleep pulling Hiei to her chest. Hiei sighed.

'Snuggles.' Hiei thought angrily as he saw he was stuck for the night. He gently closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.

***********

Amani and Munin didn't have another confrontation as they walked down the hall. They simply walked to there, rooms, bid each other good-night, and went to sleep in there separate rooms.

**********

Crickets chirped their nighttime melody as peace reigned over the hidden fortress. The moonlight flicker between the trees as they swayed gently in the breeze. Then all was silent. Nothing moved. Silence devoured the fortress as an eerie darkness swept over the ground.

Instantly noise arose. The patrons inside the fort awoke. They silently stood, transfixed in the shadows of the hallway. The silhouettes filed out one by one until all six were gathered. No body moved; no body talked. Ears twitched, eyes shifted, and heads turned, but no body spoke a word.

Hiei's eyes narrowed as he slowly unsheathed his sword and Munin flexed his hands springing forth long talons. Faen's hair and hands flickered then burst into a gently flowing flame illuminating the hall. Amani's hands paled as she raised her aura to the surface. Dae's hair began to drift upward as if in a breeze. She spread her fingers then curled them to her palm as sparks formed around her fists. Youko reached into his hair and removed his hidden rose; with a flick of his wrist it silently transformed.

"Where is he?" Dae whispered.

"They." Hiei answered.

"How many?" Faen asked softly.

"Two maybe three." Youko answered.

Amani stepped forward. "I say we split up."

"No, we don't know their skill or power." Dae responded.

"Yeah, I agree with Dae. Let's stay together." Munin said as he stared out the window.

"How long till they get here?" Faen asked.

Youko turned toward the window. "Ten, twenty minutes. Not long."

"Well, I don't intend to be in here when he comes so let's meet them halfway." Amani said as she started for the door.

"Agreed." Dae said as she followed.

"Wait, I'm coming." Faen said as she grabbed Hiei's hand and pulled him along.

"Release me woman." Hiei growled as he tried to hold his blush.

"Oh chill. We're just going outside. It won't kill you." Faen whispered.

Munin smiled but said nothing. He and Youko silently followed the rest of their posse out of the room.

*********

The group ran outside the gates just in time to be met with a bomb. The two trios easily dodged the squealing grenade, but were hustled into separate groups. Youko, Munin and Amani were barraged with an arsenal of bombs while Hiei, Faen, and Dae were having trouble dodging a giant axe.

A masked figure, covered in orange armor from head to toe, charged Dae swinging his huge battle axe in his path. Faen yelled angrily as she jumped at the attacker and knocked him away from Dae. She then persisted to pummel him, but was thrown back several feet. Faen skidded to a stop about fifteen feet away, her shoulders burrowing deep within the dirt. Immediately, she hopped back to her feet as the flames in her hair flared.

Hiei growled as he watched Faen pulled herself from the ground. He pulled his sword back to his right side and charged at the masked fighter. Seconds from the invader, he shoved his sword forward, waiting for it to sink into flesh, but the sensation never arrived. The disguised man jumped into the air above Hiei's head and began the downward swing of his axe. Hiei's eyes widened as he realized he didn't have time to move, but the invader above him suddenly disappeared. Hiei looked up to see the intruder indented into a nearby tree. Instantly, Faen was in front of him slamming her burning fists into the attacker. Hiei turned to see Dae, her hair fanned out all around her as electric sparks shot in and out of her body. Faen was once again shot backwards as the trespasser floated skyward as he glowed a deep black.

"What the Hell?!" Faen said hoarsely as she backed up to where Dae stood. The warrior soon landed and jumped at Hiei.

"Hiei look out!" Dae screamed as Hiei jumped onto the blade. Hiei swiftly smashed his foot into the man's face. He landed quickly and backed up to Dae's and Faen's side. The man's power sudden shot skyward as he became shrouded in a muggy gray light. With a loud war cry, his powered surged all around him.

"Crap." Dae whispered.

**********

Amani ended up flipping backwards as she dodged another screeching bomb from the man in black. A mask of cold iron covered the lower half of his face. His dark eyes gleamed as threw bombs in every direction that seemed to appear out of mid-air. The man soon threw another barraged of explosives at the three.

Amani jumped backwards, twisting her ankle as she lost her balance in the explosion. She tumbled to the ground and struggled to get up. Unable to stand she bent down and touched her ankle, freezing it over. It may not bend, but it was numb and could be used. She concentrated on her aura and drew three crude blades from her wrist. She carefully held them, poised herself, and thrust them at the offender. The man in black laughed as the blade burst moments from him. Amani growled as she concentrated harder and put her hands together. She slowly pulled them apart revealing a large blade being torn from her palms. The handle soon showed clear from her left palm and she eagerly grabbed it. With one swing she withdrew the remainder of the blade; in her hands was a perfectly sculpted katana. She moved the sword to her right hand and raised it high above her. With a quick movement of her arm, she pitched the blade straight at the man's chest. The man scoffed as he once again destroyed the sword before it even got close to him. Amani's face dropped. The man laughed again as he tossed another bomb in her path. Amani raised her hands up just in time as the initial force struck her. She landed roughly on the ground, but quickly recovered.

Youko had cultivated several plants in order to trap the offender, but the man in black simply destroyed them with a flick of his wrist. Youko flew sideways and rolled onto his knees prepared for the next attack. With quick snaps of his fingers, he managed to implant more seeds into the ground. The soon grew into monstrous plants. They rushed forward and bit at the dark man. The man simply grabbed on of the plants and laughed as a chained reaction occurred; one plant after another self-destructed into oblivion. Youko felt himself almost float in the air as the pressure all around him became denser. Unable to stop the feeling, he threw his arm in front of his face and rode the shocks waves backwards. He slid along the ground for a good twenty feet before coming to rest at the base of a near- by tree. Fire singed the flesh on his arm as he pulled himself from the ground. Blood drizzled in light waves to the ground from the laceration on his forearm. Gnashing against the pain, he ran to where Amani stood.

The flames soared towards the heavens as Munin took flight. Engulfed in the heavy smoke, he managed to find the outline of the intruder. With talons still extended, he descended upon the evil cretin and slashed madly at the foe. The man reached out and grasped Munin wrist, digging his long nails into the raven demon's skin. Munin tugged for freedom, but the man tightened his grip. Munin's eyes widened as he felt the heat in his body rush to his wrist. Pressure increased all around him until he screamed in pain. Blood and slices of flesh spattered across Munin's face and chest as he felt his entire arm spontaneously combusted. Pain like no other surged through Munin's veins as he was forced to retreat. He soon joined Youko at Amani's side as they tried to contemplate some plan of action.

"Munin." Amani said softly.

"Yes." He responded.

"I'm scared."

"Me too."

"How are the others doing?" Youko asked quietly.

"I believe about as good as we are doing." Amani answered as she limped forward a bit.

"Your leg." Munin stated.

"Your arm." She countered.

"Fair."

"How do we beat them?" Amani asked as she perceived another attack from the black-haired intruder.

"I don't know." Youko responded. "We need the get Dae and the rest over here before we do anything rash."

"Okay, but how do we do that? They look kinda busy." Munin said as he watched the grey aura around the other man begin to grow.

"I think we're all in trouble. Look." Youko said as he pointed his finger toward the man in black. The other two turned heads to meet a horrid sight. The man in black was glowing as well.

"Oh man, we're screwed." Amani whispered. "Well, it's now or never. Cover me while I gather our reinforcements."

"What?" Munin hissed.

"Bye."

Amani turned and ran with all her might to her friends who were right there; though they suddenly seemed so far away. A sudden sting seemed to slow time around her as the ice shattered around her ankle and the bomb in front of her throbbed outward. Amani dug her feet into the ground in an attempt to stop, but it was too late. Her eyes widened as the bomb's shell expanded. Fire leaked between the seams as the case ruptured. Sheer power and heat flew into Amani's face as she watched the flames draw near.

Munin yelled as he rushed forward to grab her, but he didn't make it. A scream rang through air as a rush of when heaved everyone to the ground.

Munin recovered quickly as he heaved the soot from his throat. He looked left and right for the ice demoness, but nothing remained. No flesh, no carcass; just ash. Tears flooded Munin's vision as he uprighted himself into a standing position and staggered to the place where she stood. He collapsed to the ground, hands and knees, as he sifted through the ash and dirt. He threw his head back and let out a strangled cry.

"Amani!"

Munin's head sunk again as a sinister cackling reached his ears. Red smeared his vision as he glared at the man in black.

"Amani!" he growled, pulling himself up. "This is for you!"

Munin charged as the pain fed his anger.

Curtains Close

(dum! Dum! DUM!)

A/N: Sorry. The fight scene is taking me awhile to think up and I need more time. I know you don't like cliff hangers, but I wanted to update before I lost what little, BUT IMPORTANT, readers I have. So enjoy. I will update as soon as possible. This is Lykaios Thephania saying, "Have fun kiddies!"