A/N: hey guys! Sorry for the cliffie but I couldn't help it. Also sorry for not putting the A/N up last chapter, I didn't have time, my ride had arrived. Anyway, I have to hurry this along because my mom can't know I'm doing it. This probably won't be too long. Thanks to all my reviewers! You guys rock!

Recap: "Shut up." Paul told me, pressing the sword tip into my throat. He drew a few drops of blood, and Hiei took a step forward.

Chapter Seven: Paul's Stronghold Pt.1

Sakari's POV

Paul paused to draw his gun, and I turned my palm towards him. "If you shoot him, I'll shoot you, which will cause you to divert your attention. That's all the time we would need to cut you down." I hissed at him. Hiei's eyes widened a little. Hiei, how did he get in the temple yard without Genkai noticing? Where is she? Did he hurt her?' I mentally asked him. Genkai is safe, training with Yusuke in the woods, remember?' He asked me, not taking his eyes off of Paul. My relieved sigh went unnoticed. Paul and Hiei were locked on each other. I got an idea.

I shot arrows into a few trees behind Paul, to my delight they made a huge 'crack' as their tops came off and they exploded into flames. They had after all, been struck by lightening. Paul jumped, and I grabbed his sword arm, pushed it away from me and slipped under the sword.

Hiei materialized beside Paul, who had recovered. "Nice trick Sakari." "I thought so." I replied to Paul's statement. "It won't work again." He said as he started running into the woods, (which weren't ablaze because I picked two trees that had been in a clearing beside the temple, but far enough away not to do any damage to the temple either.) Hiei started to go after him, then stopped.

"Are you ok?" He asked, looking over his shoulder at me. My neck wasn't bleeding any more. "Yeah, but just let him go. He may lead you into a trap." I told him. His eyes softened as he said, "You could have been killed. I'm going after him." "Then I'm going too, and we'll tell Kurama to get the gang. Yusuke is already up, so they'd be able to catch up pretty quickly." I said, thinking, 'Yusuke is a moron, who would train from midnight to two a.m.?' Then again, I train from four to six.

A/N: Hopefully more to come soon. Bye guys. Review, and maybe I'll come in to Mom's work over vacation. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Katana Blade