A/N: once again….GOMEN!! I'm sorry about the other stories….I'm having such a writer's block and I'm so loaded with essays and projects and tests….T_T I'm so sorry….really I am…

~ Dark Takeover: Chapter 19 ~

--The Calm Before the Storm --

'It was like fire. No, it was an eruption….An eruption of fire. It was like being burned, yet frozen at the same time. I don't know what it was like anymore. How could I? I was so delirious I can barely remember it. Of course…I could never tell Miya that. She would be confused. She was expecting some kind of humourous comment. But, the truth was, it wasn't humourous at all.'

Aklyis sat in the dark, her thoughts consuming her. It had been three days since she had last seen Hiei, and a wave of nausea had drifted over her during this time. She couldn't even look at food without becoming sick. Sighing, the brunette slowly stood, her hair swaying gracefully as the wind blew. Miya was sound asleep in a pile of animal skins Tamoro had brought for them. He tried to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Aklyis however, didn't take any of it for a second. She didn't know comfort. Comfort was a word and a feeling that was far from anything she had ever experienced. Life was always a rush of adrenaline, pumping through her veins. Aklyis began walking through the trees, wishing and willing that the disturbing feeling at the pit of her stomach would simply go away, and leave her in peace. She wasn't sure what it was causing her to be so nauseous all the time. Was it anxiety? Nervousness? Was it maybe because she missed Hiei, and worried for his safety after he had betrayed Zoran? Or maybe it was something else…

Sighing, Aklyis continued to walk, until she reached an opening. It was small, but made her feel less claustrophobic. Plopping down on the ground, Aklyis closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. She wondered what Hiei would be doing at this very moment. Was he thinking about her? Probably not… Was he trying to find a way to save his own arse? Most likely… It didn't really matter anymore. Another wave of nausea swept over the girl, as her face drained of colour. Leaning over, she allowed the bile that rose to her throat to escape through her mouth. It was a disgusting feeling, to vomit. Wiping her mouth, Aklyis heard something in front of her. Slowly looking up, she could make out a small, dim light in the trees. It slowly became brighter, and brighter, never ceasing to stop coming nearer, and nearer. Suddenly it seemed to explode, and the world seemed to disappear, as white light blinded Aklyis to everything. Holding her hand up to her face to shield her eyes, she could hear faint laughter in the distance. The laughter of children… Something she had not heard in a long long time…

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Zoran's brow twitched slightly as images passed in front of his mind's eye. So it was true then. Hiei had betrayed him. Of course, Zoran would never break the news so quickly. Hiei had intended to fool the girl, but the girl wound up fooling him instead. How ironic. Though the great sorcerer knew how his dear nephew despised him, he was still of great use. That use would be brought up very soon.

"Lord Zoran!"

Zoran's head rose slowly, as he eyed the soldier in acknowledgment. "What is it?"

"We found her sir!"

"You found my priestess?" Zoran inquired, a smile tugging at his thin lips.

"Yes Sir! She will arrive before sunset!"

"Very good, soldier. You are dismissed," his cool voice soothed calmly.

Nodding, the soldier quickly left to make preparations for the new arrival.

"So you have finally returned to me…my dear Veyone."

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Hiei scowled in annoyance. Her scent was on the bed, her scent was on the floor, her scent was on his cloths! Her scent was everywhere, and he couldn't rid himself of it! Why had he done it? Why did he do what he had done? There was no logic, common sense, or benefit in it. The fire demon stopped pacing at this, a memory flooding back to him.

****Flashback****

"I don't understand you… why did you do that, you stupid girl?"

"Because I didn't want you to die maybe?" Aklyis retorted at the snarling fire demon in front of her.

Hiei closed his eyes, attempting to calm his oddly fast pulse, "You're a fool. Firstly, I didn't need your help. Secondly, there was absolutely no logic, reason, or rationality in leaping in front of me as a human shield to stop that attack."

Aklyis sighed. "You're so shallow... Don't you get it? Emotions have nothing to do with logic…or what you call reason, and common sense. Emotions are the cause of illogical and irrational decisions. They make us do what you call 'stupid' things. That's why people like you find feelings and emotions a weakness. Because it gets in the way of your calculating mind… Not me though… I don't need to be calculating…

Hiei quirked an eyebrow. "Oh, then what DO you need to be Miss Gandhi?"

Aklyis looked up at him slowly, a strange unreadable emotion reflecting in her multicoloured orbs as she replied,

"Understanding…"

****End Flashback****

A knock on the door sounded, rousing Hiei from his thoughts. "Come in," he stated slowly.

A soldier emerged from the door. "Sir, we found them! They're currently heading North to the sacred village of the priestess Rhyann. We believe they will be seeking shelter there. Zoran wishes for you to accompany your men in the capture of the rogues!"

Hiei sighed, a somewhat sad expression on his face. "Yes, I will be there, you may leave."

"Yes sir," the soldier replied before leaving, slightly confused at his master's melancholy expression.

Hiei stood alone for a moment, not moving a single muscle. He had always known there was something wrong. Something very, very wrong. He had seen so many subtle hints, so many hidden meanings, and he was finally beginning to understand what that hidden, unreadable emotion in her eyes was. It was love. She loved him. The realization had hit him like a thunderbolt. He had always known, somewhere in the back of his mind at least, but had never really paid much attention to it. It was unbelievable how such a small and insignificant thing could turn so enormous. He had never cared for love. In fact he had always found it to be quite stupid. But then again, he supposed that anything could change from tiny to enormous…

Once you started loving her back.

A/N: *sniffs * yes  I know…that was short….but it took me forever…I'm having trouble expressing what I'm trying to express to get on with the story..but this chapter was kinda like an interlude that's leading up to a big event. Kinda like the calm before the storm…. XD anyways…I PROMISE I'll be trying my best to get all my stories updated as soon as possible…and don't mind the spacing problems….*sigh* READ AND REVIEW!!! I LOVE YOU FOR IT!!