A/N: Hi guys! I am so sorry for not updating sooner! I thought it would be easier after school started because I have a lot of computer access, but boy was I wrong! Between ninth-grade homework and limited computer time I couldn't fit this! Actually, my homework isn't done now, but if my mom finds out I'll probably be grounded. I've tried to update before now, but it's like if I even think the word homework she remembers to ask if it's done or not! Anyway thanks to those who reviewed, I really appreciated it. O.k., let's see if I get this up today. (It's the 23rd of September.)

Disclaimer: I own everything! Mumbles (except the yyh characters.)

Chapter 3: A Week Later

After I moved my stuff to Genkai's temple, (I had moved it from the warehouse to Kurama's before) I unpacked, since Hiei had given me the day off from training. (Although declaring the next session would be more difficult.)

I got my own room in Genkai's temple, which is cool, plus I can always take a bath in hot water! I was almost done unpacking when I noticed I was short one bra. To my utter horror I realized I must have left it at Kurama's since when I moved in with him for that week, nothing had been missing. I contacted Kurama, which I'm still learning how to do, contact people I mean. Kurama, I left something at your house, do you mind if I come and get it? I asked. Sure, I'm not home, but the key is under the mat. My mom might be home though. He thought back. Ok, thanks.

'I seriously hope I do not run into his mom.' I thought to myself as I used my demonic speed to get to Kurama's house, which isn't too far away. When I got there I picked up the mat and got the key. I unlocked the door and went inside. I raced down the hall to the guest room, where I had been staying, and found the missing article on the floor. I was at the front door when I realized Kurama's human mother was home. She opened the door from the outside. "Hi." I said dumbly. "Oh, hello." She said, clearly wondering why I was in her house.

"Um, you must be Suichi's mother." I said, remembering to use Kurama's human name. "I'm a friend of Suichi's, and when I had to move out of my home, he kindly let me stay here." I half lied to her. She looked down to see what I was holding; I followed her gaze. 'Oh my gosh! The bra!' I swear I turned ten shades of red. "Well, that was nice of him. I'm glad to see he finally has a girlfriend." His mother said, smiling at me. I was now redder than red. "Um, well, gotta go, I'm moving to my new place today." I said, running past her down the steps. I handed her the key as I ran by. "Bye dear." She called after me.

Bet that was embarrassing, Hiei though to me. You be quiet! Hey, are you following me? I asked, for some reason hoping he was. No, I was looking for Kurama. Came the reply. Well, he's not home. I'm going back to the temple. I stated, heading in that direction. Hn. Sometimes, he's incredibly annoying.

The next morning, around four am, I was all ready before Hiei could wake me up. We had been training for a week and I looked forward to it. I was learning how to use my Katana, and spending time with Hiei. He may be annoying, but I couldn't help but get a crush on him. "Ready?" He asked, suddenly at my windowsill. "Yep." I answered, grinning. "I don't know why you're so happy, your just going to get beaten again." He said. I learned not to expect compliments from Hiei. After the first couple of days of showing me the basics, we had been dueling. Of course he always won, but I think I was getting better.

We had been duking it out for about a half hour when we both heard a gunshot. We both stopped and looked for the source of it. We had gotten a ways from the temple; we always dueled using demonic speed, and were currently in a tree. To my right was a cliff and on the cliff were about eleven figures. One was at the edge of the cliff, holding a pistol to the air. Those other ten behind him are the same type of demon we fought at the warehouse. Hiei thought to me, indicating he saw them too.

But I barely heard him, because the man standing on the cliff was no demon. His face was one I had been trying to forget ever since I ran away. He was my stepfather. Sakari, what's wrong? Hiei asked me telepathically. I must have paled or something. It's my stepfather. He used to beat on my mother, until she died, then he started to beat on me. He's the reason I ran away. I answered. Hiei turned and glared at the cliff that held my stepfather and what must be his demons.

"Glad I finally got your attention. If you don't mind, I'll be taking my daughter back now." Paul, my step dad, said to us. "I am not your daughter." I said at the same time Hiei retorted, "Over my dead body." "See, that can be arranged." Paul said, completely ignoring me for the moment. He snapped his fingers, and all ten demons raised their guns. "I thought you wanted me alive." I said to Paul, trying to call his bluff. Which apparently, wasn't a bluff at all. "Doesn't make much difference to me." Paul sneered.

If you don't think we can beat him, I'll go quietly. Hiei turned shocked eyes upon me. What on Earth are you talking about? There's no way I'd let you go back to him. I think he actually cares. I don't want you to get hurt because of me. We'll beat them; besides, they can't shoot us if they can't see us. Just then his visage blurred.

"Where did he go? Did he leave you all alone Sakari?" Paul asked me menacingly. "You wish!" I yelled as I followed Hiei's lead. I joined Hiei behind the startled demons. Now that we knew where to hit them, we killed them faster. Consider this part of your training. Hiei thought to me as he blurred and left me with the five remaining demons. Paul was watching us fight, probably to preview our technique so he could know it when we went to kill him.

Hiei! I thought angrily as they formed a circle around me. I knew I wasn't really in danger, I don't think Hiei would let anything happen to me. No, he was just testing my skill, and patience. You lazy bum. I thought. The demons once again drew the pistols they had put away before.

'What is it with these things?' I asked myself as I shot arrows, turning in a circle and cutting off their heads as I did so. Even though I knew the arrows didn't kill, they momentarily slowed down the enemy. I had killed three when Hiei thought to me, Sakari, get out of there! I knew better than to question him, I just blurred, and in my speed jumped over the slain bodies just a few seconds before a shot rang out. Paul had tried to shoot me while I was busy, he always was a jerk.

Then Hiei was by Paul and about to slice him in two, but surprisingly Paul drew a sword and blocked it. 'I didn't know Paul could wield a sword.' I thought to myself as I rushed over to help Hiei. Paul was, however, expecting this.

He turned and shot where I ended up. Thank goodness he was busy with Hiei, the bullet only grazed my arm. "Sakari, are you alright?" Hiei asked out loud. "Just peachy." I answered, shooting an arrow at Paul, who dodged it. It didn't come close to hitting Hiei, even though Paul dodged, because he had seen me taking aim.

Of course, going after Paul had distracted both of us enough to make us forget about the other demons. The last two came up to our struggle with Paul, and Paul jumped out of the way as the demons let loose a bunch of bullets. As we dodged I vaguely realized they had taken pistols from their fallen comrades. The cliff. I suggested and we ran to it and jumped off. The bullets were still flying as we jumped from tree branch to tree branch. We hopped from tree branch to tree branch until we reached the ground. Of course, Paul was already waiting, don't ask me how he got down so fast, I was too busy dodging bullets to notice.

"Hiei, look out!" I yelled. Too late. Hiei looked up and was shot in the shoulder by Paul, which sent him into a sitting position against the rock side of the cliff. Behind you. He thought to me. I spun already slashing and decapitated the last two demons.

Now it was Paul, Hiei, and me. Hiei had gotten back up by the time I turned to face him and Paul. Kurama, we've been attacked again, and Hiei is injured. I sent out the message, wondering why I hadn't done it when we had first been attacked. I then turned my attention to Paul, who was about to shoot Hiei again. Hiei had his katana drawn and was ready to charge, but he was breathing heavily, and I could see blood coursing down his shoulder.

"So, do you miss having a punching bag Paul, or did you marry again?" I called out, hoping to get Paul's attention away from Hiei. No such luck, he was smarter than that, and as he turned to me he shot Hiei again, this time in the other shoulder. Man, bullets must be attracted to poor Hiei.

"You be quiet, and I'll deal with you later." Paul told me. "No you won't, because I'm not going back with you." I spat at him. Hiei, head for the temple, I'll finish him off. I thought to Hiei. No way. I am not going to abandon you. He shot back as he was getting up. Besides, you're injured too. He reminded me. I rushed Paul who drew his sword. I knocked the gun out of his other hand and slashed his arm. "Payback." I told him as the cold steel of my katana sliced through his warm flesh. Hiei let us battle it out until Paul tripped me, kicking my stomach as I went down.

I heard a clang of metal upon metal above me as Hiei blocked an oncoming slash from Paul.

HIEI'S POV

I blocked Paul's sword before it could get to Sakari. I would not allow him to hurt her again. "What, don't want me to hurt your girlfriend?" Paul asked in a mocking tone. "No, I don't." I didn't bother to correct him on the girlfriend remark, but I liked the sound of that. 'Wait, what did I just think?? Why the heck did I just think that?' 'Because you like her stupid baka.' I thought back to myself. Behind Paul Sakari got up and shot him in the leg with one of her spirit arrows. That distracted him enough so I could slash him again. He managed to put his arms up to block, so I bloodied his arms again, instead of his chest. He still somehow managed to hold on to the sword though.

Then he tripped me and raised the sword. I can't believe I let him trip me, but I knew I had been growing weaker from loss of blood, and I was getting tired. I knew I wouldn't be able to get out of the way in time. Sakari noticed it too, because she rushed over and threw herself in the path of Paul's sword, firing spirit arrows all the way. "Sakari no!" the words tore themselves from my throat as I saw blood spill in front of me from the person I cared for most.

A/N

Dun dun dun. Sorry guys, this wasn't originally a cliffy, but my ride will be here any second and it's a half hour drive to my house so I can't miss it. Look how long it took me to get this up!!!! Oh my gosh!!! Even with the help of evil keyboarding class! That's actually a reason this is up today, I can type faster! Only a tiny bit though. School is really pressuring me this month. The end of the marking period is tomorrow, and I have some work to do!! Better get thid up before my step dad gets here! As always, please review, it motivates me to type faster.

Hasta Luego,

Katana Blade