Disclaimer: This freakin' sucks! I mean, I have two guests over at my house, one of them knows Japanese even though he lived in China for most of his life and he is really nice and the other guy I don't know much about because my mom kept telling me about the other guy. Anyway, my brother had to be the pig he was and totally inhaled most of the food. Leaving next to nothing for me and everyone else. The guests were polite and brushed it off. I just wanted to smack my brother into next week. He %$#ing knows better! That stupid Bitch!

Kurama: Settle down, Yume-chan. You'll make yourself sick, weak and faint if you keep your temper unbridled. Then your fans won't be able to read the next chapter to this intensifying story that you are writing.

Yume: Yeah? And what are you gonna do about it, red-head?

Hiei: For one, we could restrain you by tying you to a chair. Or perhaps I could pull a few tricks of my own with my katana like I had with Yusuke. Holding his life in my hands.

Yume: Just try it, Hiei! I'll banish you from the story!

Hiei: See if I care.

Yume: Well, if you really don't care I'll cut your Salary and everyone else's. If you are going to be an ass, then they will suffer as well.

(Kuwabara, Yusuke, Shoken, and Kurama tower over Hiei with flames sprouting up behind them. Making them to look very intimidating. Hiei flinches and quivers slightly.)

Hiei: eh...erm...eh... ; (twitch)

Botan: (Yusuke, Kurama, Kuwabara and Shoken chase after Hiei throwing random objects at him, including clothes from the changing rooms.) Yume-kun does not own any of the original YYH cast. All of the characters you haven't heard of other than from this story are all from- My BRA! That's MY bra! Oh! Sorry, folks. From the positively superb imagination of Yume-kun. (Hinoki's panties land on Kurama's head as he still embarks on the chase after Hiei. A shirt lands on Botan's head, covering her face.)

Hinoki: That's it! Someone went into my changing room and stole my clothes! (Comes out with just a towel on.) Who ever they are, they are going to be in a world of hurt.

Hiei, Kurama, Kuwabara and Yusuke: (Stop running in midair, as if the scene was a picture. They stare at Hinoki and drool)OO;

Keiko & Yukina: (Smacks Kuwabara and Yusuke) YOU TRAITORS!

Kuwabara: But Yukina-san! You never realize that I love you in the series!

Yukina: But still! We are going to be married in a week and you're gawking at another pretty girl! She's reserved for Hiei, remember!?

Yusuke: I guess we forgot.

Hinoki: Silly boys, these Trix are for men! (Walks up to Hiei, sits on knees and hugs him)

Hiei: (As stiff as a wooden doll. Eyes take up half of his head and his face is as red as strawberries. You can't see his mouth because his eyes take up most of the room so it shows up as a little dot.) O.O;

Hinoki: (Towel blows away from an unknown wind)

All boys: (Eyes grow huge. Cheeks grow red.)OO

Hiei: (Eyes stare at Hinoki)O.O (Steam shoots out from his ears)

Koronue: Was that the lunch break whistle?

Karasu: No, that was just Hiei getting hyper over Hinoki. (Sigh) I wish Kurama would pay that much attention to me. I mean, how much more love could I show? I mean, I tried to kill him.

Koronue: Maybe that's why?

Karasu: It's called tough love. See? Watch... (Walks up to Kurama and hits him with a paper fan) Bad, Kurama! Bad!

Kurama: OW! Hey! Stop That!

Karasu: See? Tough Love.

(Meanwhile)

All Boys: (Eyeballs fall off and bounce away like marbles)

Girls: YUSUKE! KURAMA! KUWABARA!

Yume: Yeah.... I'd best get this story going. TAKE YOUR PLACES PEOPLE!

Hinoki awoke to a smiling Kurama. Her head was resting on his lap.

"How are you feeling." He asked. His smile was grim and forced, but it gave Hinoki a little comfort.

"That was a nightmare, wasn't it? None of it really happened." Hinoki said. She was hopeful, and she could feel her eyes welling with tears again. Oh, how foolish she must look. Crying every waking moment. She must have looked weak.

Kurama shook his head, "If you are speaking of Hiei's rejection, No. It wasn't a dream. It really happened. Hiei should return soon. We have to be at the selection test very soon." he said.

Hinoki looked down and sat up, "In that case, I should stop with my tears. I'm not a little girl anymore. My emotions should have nulled out long ago, but somehow they have rearisen. I'm not going to swoon over it any more. Hiei is dead to me now, whether he shows up as a teammate or not. I cannot let my feelings get in the way while I am in the ring."

Kurama looked at her sadly, "Emotions can make you stronger, or weaker. It depends on how you choose to use them. As an enemy, or an ally. The choice is solely yours. If you look at how Yusuke had them, they were his asset, and yet they had also kept him from reaching his ultimate power during his fight with Toguro. Do you choose to use them? Or not? Either way they will be there whether you choose to admit it or not. Somehow they will find a way to be there."

Hinoki looked at him, growing more and more irritated with each sentence, "I choose to ignore my emotions. I have had them secluded from my daily life until recently. I can control them again. No matter what you say. I won't let my emotions for Hiei get in my way. And if you choose to be in the way, you will be dead to me as well. Just another poor sap putting his life on the line. A goody-goody hero rising to the challenge."

With those last words Hinoki left them and went to her room to change for the occasion.

Kuwabara ended up needing to pound on Hinoki's door to get her to emerge from it.

"Come on, Hinoki! We gotta go! Now!" Kuwabara shouted.

The door opened in between Kuwabara's pounding.

Kuwabara looked down and there was a female version of Hiei. Wearing Hiei's outfit was Hinoki. It was the gift Hiei had given to Hinoki.

Kurama was taken aback by this and only stared in wonder.

"Well.... why are you all staring at me?" Hinoki snapped with a nervous sweatdrop.

"Sh-she's right. We'd best be going." Kurama said nervously.

"Great, I always thought the group needed another Hiei." Yusuke said sarcastically.

"Yeah, just what this group needs." Kuwabara said frustratedly.

"Just don't mess this up, dimwit." Genkai said, walking out of the room.

"We'll be watching!" Botan said cheerfully.

Once they had arrived outside of the forest boundaries that circled the stadium, they awaited further instructions from the committee.

"Do you think Hiei will show up?" Yusuke asked Kurama.

"I don't know. With the most recent events he has much to consider. It is hard to predict what exactly Hiei will do next." Kurama said.

"He's probably off sharpening his katana or something not very important like that." Kuwabara said.

Hinoki smacked him upside the head, "Hiei would always be ready to do something this important. He'll be here in the most dramatic moment." She assured them.

"Hinoki!" Called a familiar voice.

Hinoki turned her head in the direction of the source. It was Akubo!

"Akubo! It's you!" Hinoki said sweetly.

Her spirits were lifted a bit when she saw Akubo's smiling face. (Do you people remember Akubo? Go to chapter 11 if you don't.)

"I hope you're ready to get started! I hope to see you in the ring!" Akubo said.

"Yeah! Good luck to you! If you are ever in the human realm come drop by. I think you can trace me from my energy print, can't you?" Hinoki asked.

"Well, of course. No problem. Good luck to you!" Akubo said with a wink as he walked off waving.

"Save the luck for those who need it!" Hinoki shouted to him.

"Good luck, Hinoki." Yusuke said smartly.

"Wise ass... " Hinoki muttered.

"Okay, teams! We need all team captains to shout out the team names present! Starting from right to left." Shouted Juri.

"Team Mukete."

"Team Notori."

"Team Akubo."

"Team Koyotua."

"Team Akumu."

"Team Toru."

"Team Maio."

"Team Koro."

"Team Fukai."

"Team Kuzaha."

Hinoki heard the name Koyotua called out. It was her last name. She looked over in the direction it was called. She got a glimpse of a man with long auburn hair that was braided in split braids. He had two scars on his right cheek. He had clear blue eyes. He had a leather chacket vest that had torn sleeves. He had tight blue jeans on, and a chain hung from the belt loops. He had a black band around his muscular arm and a black bandanna on his forehead that kept his bangs out of his eyes. He wore black boots(The guy sounds hot, doesn't he?).

The man felt eyes on him and turned to see Hinoki. He obviously recognized her and stared right back, directly into her golden eyes.

"Hinoki, what is it you see?" Kurama asked.

Hinoki looked away. Her focus remained hard.

"Nothing... " She responded.

'If that man is my father, as I expect... this course should be as easy for him as for me.' She thought.

"Hinoki, before we begin may I ask to have your katana?" Kurama asked.

Hinoki was surprised by this request, "Why do you ask, Kurama?" She asked.

"Because. I believe it is wise to test your strength without a weapon. Hiei did not teach you many skills without a weapon." Kurama said.

"Yes he did." Hinoki said.

"Nonetheless, I'd still like to test you." Kurama said.

Hinoki slid the glove off of her arm. She handed it to Kurama.

"There. Happy?" She asked.

"Ecstatic." Kurama replied.

"Yeah, yeah. Fun for all, the test is about to start so shut up." Yusuke said.

"Mind if I tag along for the ride?" asked a familiar voice behind Hinoki.

Hinoki whirled around and saw Hiei standing there with a grin.

"You stupid, gothic cronie. I knew you'd show up like the idiot you are. Now get ready." Hinoki spat(Someone has anger management problems).

"Hn." Hiei replied.

"I'm so glad to see us all getting along so well. Good times." Yusuke said.

"Shut your mouth, Urameshi and concentrate on the battles to come... Jackass." Hinoki snapped.

"Okay, Hinoki! You need to cut the attitude. Urameshi didn't say anything to you, so why are you being so crabby?" Kuwabara shouted.

"Hn. It's none of your business, kono mushikera me!" Hinoki snapped.

"Uh, team Akumu... we are about to begin so if the shouting would stop..." Juri said.

"Tell that to the Shi-tappa." Hinoki said.

"Er... yes. Hipome.... Hajime!" Juri shouted.

The fighters ran into the forest in different directions.

They had to, it was a part of the rules.

Hinoki was in a deep part of the forest.

"Shit. So much for taking a straight path. I think I've been making zig zags along this damned path." Hinoki muttered to herself.

'With my katana gone I'll have to be careful on how I use my energy.' Hinoki thought to herself.

She suddenly heard a brush in the bushes and by reflex she jumped into the tree nearest to her(Come on, they're all over the place. I mean, it is a forest afterall).

She waited silently as a figure appeared through the bushes.

The person had long silver hair, golden eyes and white fox ears.

He wore a white muscle shirt and thin white hammer pants.

He had a fluffy white tail protruding from his pants.

Hinoki couldn't help but blush at this beautiful creature.

Suddenly her feet lost their grip on the treebranch and she began to fall to the ground.

She felt herself stop in midair. Her eyes were shut tight, but she soon opened them to find herself in the arms of the fox demon she had seen earlier.

"It seems falling is your strong point when up in highest of places." He said.

Hinoki blushed a beet red and struggled out of his arms.

"Who a-are you!? I didn't see you registered with any team!" Hinoki shouted.

"Quiet, or they will hear you. I am registered with your team." The creature said. "My name is Yoko."

Hinoki suddenly came to a realization, "Not... the Yoko from my bed time stories. The one who was sadly captured and thought to be dead for nearly fifteen years!?"

Yoko seemed pleased, "Ah, I am so glad you have heard of me. Yes, I am that Yoko. But you know me in my more human form as Kurama."

Hinoki's eyes grew wide, "The one who... I know as Kurama is truly Yoko? But... Yoko was just a fairytale that I was told by demons who took me in when I was little. When I was on my missions. I admired that creature, but knew he could never exist! YOU CAN'T BE YOKO!"

Something in Yoko's eyes said that he wasn't lying. She could feel her world around her swirling about, like a Twirl-a-whirl ride. She then blacked out.

She awoke to see Yoko watching over her, "I see you're finally awake." he said softly.

"H-how long have I been out.... Y-Y-Yoko...?" Hinoki stammered.

"Hinoki, do not force yourself to say my name if it makes you uncomfortable. If you feel better, just call me Kurama." he said.

"No! I want to say your name! It has been my dream since I was a child to be able to be at the King of Thieves' side! Like an accomplice." Hinoki shouted.

Yoko smiled and leaned in to her. He closed his eyes gently and pressed his lips against Hinoki's.

Hinoki closed her eyes, but when she did she saw Hiei's face. His rare smile that he had never given anyone but her the pleasure to see.

Hinoki withdrew from the kiss, "I'm sorry... I'm not ready." She said.

Yoko sadly smiled, "Of course. When you're ready. It's getting late. You should rest." He said.

Hinoki lay back down and closed her eyes. She felt Yoko's warm arms wrap around her and hold her tightly, keeping her safe and warm. It cradled her to sleep. Without her knowledge, tears of sadness rolled down her cheeks as she slipped into a dreamless sleep.

Note: I'm sure you all would like the site address to ask the characters questions. If I give it to you, you have to promise to join the site. Believe me, you will like it. I'm having a site decorator fix it up.... or one of my friends who likes to be a site decorator. Here it