Well, here's another chapter straight from my beta-reader. Yes, I know this was unexpected but I was inspired! So, enjoy!

Disclaimer: The characters within this piece of fiction are not mine (excluding Sorako, Ayashige, and Sahirah), so don't sue. Oh, but the plot is mine, so please don't steal it.

Warning: Just like the last chapter, there is nudity and violence (though nothing graphic). You have been warned.

Chapter 6

Anxious.

That was how the group felt as they hurried through the thick underbrush, screams echoing in the ears of both the fox and fire apparition. They were so terrible, even the stoic jaganashi flinched, his heart filling with rage. He couldn't imagine the torture that bastard demon was putting that human woman through, and it made his blood boil.

If that damned bastard's hurt her . . . . The thought flitted across his mind before could stop it. What the hell?! The small demon hmphed, and jumped from his position beside Kurama into a nearby tree.

Though he would never admit it, something about the terror in those crimson eyes made his heart twist. They reminded him of Yukina's . . . and to have that girl horrified of him . . . he couldn't stand it. He would never allow his beloved sister to ever look at him that way. He would never let her fear him. She can never know . . . .

The fox followed the slip of a shadow, a look of slight puzzlement crossing his face. I wonder what's troubling him? However, he did not linger on the thought long, rather turning his attention back to the makeshift path he was forging in the woods. Please, just hold on, Sorako. I'm coming.

The group of five rushed on, however, they were forced to stop within sight of their destination by a large mass of demon guards.

"Well, hello." Yusuke murmured, stepping up beside the kitsune.

"Leave, or perish." One guard, who seemed to be the leader, growled. He moved forward, brandishing a long sword-like torture device.

"I don't think so." The Spirit Detective stated firmly, moving into his spirit gun stance. "Just give us the girl, and we'll leave nice and quiet-like."

The demon's orange eyes widened, then he broke out into maniacal laughter. "Th-the girl! Hah! She belongs to Lord Ayashige, and I can't let you take her. My lord is actually quite fond of the . . . services she provides."

A smug look fell onto the man's face as he lugged the weapon over his shoulder. The smirk playing across his face absolutely disgusted everyone on the team. "Something about naive innocent girls just drives him wild. He loves to break their souls."

"Bastard!" Kuwabara barked, forming his spirit sword. "Anyone who would do that to a person should be punished, now get outta the way!"

The tall teen charged forward, followed closely by Yusuke and Kurama. Botan, who was horrified, turned. "I have to tell Koenma!" She exclaimed, flying off.

The kitsune, who was overrun by demons, was joined by the elusive fire demon, who sliced several with his sword. Back to back with his cunning friend, the pair battled the never-ending horde of demons.

After several moments, Kurama spoke. "Hiei, can you make it to the castle?"

The short male nodded. "Of course I can."

The fox lashed out with his whip, decimating another demon and spraying himself with blood. Turning, he briefly locked eyes with his friend. "Then go. You have to save her!" He said, a tone of urgency entering his voice. It startled Hiei, but he nodded and darted toward the entrance.

There was a woman he had to save, and honor he had to mend.

She shivered, wrapping her arms around her beaten shoulders, curling in on herself. Blood was everywhere, and part of her wondered how she could possibly lose so much and still live. It doesn't matter. He would never let me die. That would be too easy.

She laid motionless, fighting back the darkness that hounded her, wanting to consume her. It hurt to move, to even breathe. He was absolutely ruthless this time, and she wondered how she'd withstood it.

Not even the memory of her blue eyed man could force it away.

Even thinking about it made her tremble in absolute horror. The unending thrusts, the ripping of tender flesh, the agony of him being inside of her, his mouth on her . . . I can't take this. Someone please save me, She begged, curling up. She clamped her legs closed, hoping the blood would stop before she passed out.

Heaven only knew what the monster would do to her if he found her unconscious and still bleeding. She remembered his love of his victim's blood. She knew all too well.

I . . . I can't believe he . . . . When he had finally left, she couldn't erase the way he looked. Her blood trickling down his chin, fangs soaked in the liquid. I wish . . . I was dead.

Yet, no matter what terrible tortures he wreaked upon her, he never let her die. Death, as he said, was not for her. Sometimes, she felt as though she'd never die despite her mortal body. She knew as long as he held her, she wouldn't fall into the eternal sleep. She would never age.

He kept her forever young so he could always have her. Her endless innocence fascinated him, and he longed to crush it any way possible.

She wouldn't let that happen, though. No matter what, she wouldn't bow to the likes of him. Never.

Resting her forehead against the icy floor, she wished it would all go away and, for a moment, it did.

Then, the door opened.

It had been quite easy for the jaganashi to locate the small female in the expansive complex, but getting to her, however, was going to be a bit of a challenge. Despite the vast number of guards fighting with the rest of the team outside, the place was crawling with hordes of demons.

They would be little more than a nuisance to the skilled fighter, but he didn't want to waste anymore time. From the feel of the human girl's energy, she was severely injured. Even near death.

And he for one didn't plan on letting her die by the hands of such a beast.

Stealthily, he made his way from the ground floor, down several flights of dank candle-lit stairs to the dungeon nearly half a mile below ground.

The air was thick, making it difficult for the dark demon to breathe, but he did not relent in his quest for the girl. He quickened his steps when he felt a sharp drop in her energy, almost fearful that she would be dead before he reached her.

It occurred to him, at least in the recesses of his mind, to wonder why he felt so protective of this girl, one who was merely a human. He ignored this thought, focusing rather on the task at hand. He had to reach the girl. He needed to save her. He had to.

Racing, he flung open the heavy door separating him from the slip of woman. Eyes scanning the room, he found her heaped up in a corner of the room. Even through the darkness, he could tell she was shivering.

As he entered, he saw her still, fear creeping into her scent. Of course she would be frightened, He rationalized, but still found himself strangely saddened by the emotion.

When he neared her, the stench of blood overwhelmed him, and as he looked down was horrified to find the crimson liquid pooling several feet around the small woman. He wondered how on earth she was still alive after losing so much.

He stopped when her head whipped around to look at him. Her eyes were once again wide with fright, but she didn't shrink away like before. She simply stared at him, tears falling unmercifully down her pale face, landing on her chest.

It was only then that he realized she was naked.

Moving toward her, she closed her eyes, tightening her muscles for the inevitable blow. After a few moments of nothing happening, she opened her eyes and watched him, uncertain.

Yet, he realized there was something strange about her. Looking into her sanguine eyes, it dawned on him what it was: her eyes were lifeless.

She no longer looked at him in fear. No, she showed absolutely no emotion. Not even when the fire apparition removed his cloak to wrap around her. He sighed, fearing it was too late after all.

Reaching out, he meant to pick her up. Her voice, small and barely a whisper, stopped him. "Please . . . don't touch me."

He stared, unsure of what to say or even do. He had to pick her up, but he didn't want to hurt her. "Don't be ridiculous. I have to if I'm going to get you out of here."

At the sound of his voice, her eyes met his, and suddenly she seemed to come alive with recognition. "H-hiei?" She questioned, her voice dry and crackling.

He nodded, reaching for her again. This time, she allowed him to lift her gently into his arms. Once settled, she fell into the warmth that surrounded her savior and allowed the darkness to overtake her.

Within moments, she was safely out of the castle.

From within the darkness, a lone man cried out in agony. The torture being inflicted upon him was so horrendous, that his once strong will was breaking down. Tears filled his eyes, seeping from the corners and plopping down on the cold floor below.

The salty liquid mixed with the blood already coating the frigid surface.

Everything hurt, but the pain he could take. Just as long as the beast now torturing him left that poor girl from earlier alone. Just as long as he never again had to hear her scream with such agonizing passion, the pain would be worth it. He hoped someone would save her.

Please, let her be safe, He thought, another wave of wailing torture tearing through his every nerve, pulling at his will, breaking his soul. He wept as another bone cracked and shattered.

Before the darkness overtook him again, he vaguely wondered how he still clung to life, day after day filled with such persecution.

Her . . . .

Then, as dark inky tresses fell over his blood drenched face, he plunged into the sea of black.

Well, there you have it. I hope everyone liked it! I'm really having a great time writing this, and it seems that everytime I write a chapter, I don't know what's going to come out. Sure, I have an outline, but you know plans change.

And I'm getting closer to the main pairing! Anyone who wants to take a stab at what it might be is welcome to it!

Anyway, I'd also like it if some of you tried to guess who the guy is at the end of this chapter (he's the same one as in chappie 5). No one's guessed yet! So please try your hand at that, and I really haven't made it too hard.

Anyway, do review. I find them to be very encouraging. And it's nice to hear what the reader's think.

Fireneko: Welp, this time around you can guess! Oh, and basically it's just a dark wood, so think black here. I'm really glad you like it!

Animegirl417: Oh, you flatter me, but thank you! Glad you like. Oh, and just so you know, since I'm working during the week (12 hour days all summer) I generally update on the weekend (Friday-Sunday), and just depending on if I'm inspired I might put out 2 chapters during the weekend. Of course, that also depends on how fast I can get a chapter back from my Beta. If she's busy, then it's only one chappie a week. So now you know when to look for updates!

Welp, until next time, later.