A/N: Hey guys! I noticed that I was forgetting to italicize the text when I had Hiei and someone talking by telepathy, sorry if you got confused anywhere. I just went back and replaced three chapters that I did that in. Again, sorry. Now onto chapter 9!
Chapter Nine: Destination Reached
When we reached the guys, we could see Paul's hideout, a castle in a clearing. And, oh yeah, the guys were fighting against about twenty of those demons. This time, the demons all had swords.
We joined the fray, side by side. I'd shoot as many of the demons as I could, and Hiei would behead them while they were still stunned. We had done this to about five of them before we ran out. "That was trouble?" I muttered to myself as we all headed towards Paul's castle.
When we got inside, was when the real trouble started. Paul was in the middle of the circular stone castle, but on the walls hung Botan, Keiko and Yukina. Their arms were chained, and they were kneeling on the floor. "Keiko!" Yusuke said, surprised. "Yukina, my love!" Kuwabara said while Kurama very quietly spoke Botan's name. My sister.' Hiei thought to me, staring at Yukina. I gasped even though I already knew. How dare Paul? This had nothing to do with the other girls. Was he going to ask for a trade? Me for them?
It wouldn't work.' Hiei thought to me. "I knew you'd come." Paul said with a smile on his face. "Let them go." Yusuke said, pointing his finger at Paul. "Your powers won't work in here." Paul calmly replied. "I figured you'd bring friends, Sakari, so I had a few of my demons go and collect these lovely ladies." Paul said. He was gloating. "Now, your friends have a choice. Since this is a battle between the three of us," Paul looked at Hiei, "they can leave and take those three with them, or I can kill the ladies. One flip of a switch and the chains are electrified."
We all exchanged glances. "Go." Hiei said to the rest of the gang. "But, you might need us. We're on his turf." Kurama said. "The girls need you." I told him. They nodded and walked over to the chains, which immediately broke, and picked up the girls. Kurama carried Botan out the door, while Yusuke carried Keiko, and Kuwabara carried Yukina. The door slammed behind them as a barrier was put around it.
"Well, now that we're alone, I believe we have some unfinished business to attend to." Paul said, still smiling. I wiped the smile off his face when I said, "Yeah, I forgot to kill you last time." Hiei smirked as we unsheathed our katanas. Paul unsheathed his sword and the fight began.
Both Hiei and I blurred. I attacked Paul's left while Hiei took the right. Paul dodged every attack. He's faster.' I told Hiei. "Two on one isn't a fair fight. It's time I called in my back up." Paul ran over to the wall and pressed a button. Both Hiei and I stopped, not sure if he had triggered a trap. A stone door that I hadn't noticed before slid up on pulleys and revealed a male demon. He was about a head taller than me and had piercing blue eyes, just like mine. It was my father, a wolf demon who had left my mother because he hadn't wanted a child. He had left when I was seven, my mother had to convince him to stay that long to help raise me. A year later Paul had come into my life.
"Father." My father snapped his gaze to me. "Sakari." Our eyes met in a glaring contest. Ice blue to ice blue, making the room seem full of ice chips to me. Your father?' Hiei asked me. He left when I was seven, because he didn't want a child.' I thought back to him. I had felt my face drain of color when I first saw Hoshi, my father. I was dimly aware of Hiei's hand on my arm as I continued to glare at Hoshi.
"Hoshi, I believe you also have some…unfinished business." Said Paul, glancing at my father. "What?" I asked. I was bewildered now. My father was suddenly beside me, a whip drawn. "I don't want a mutt for a daughter. If anyone found out, my reputation would be ruined." He said as he raised his whip. I had never seen my father's weapon before, and I never expected it to be used against me. It was true I had a grudge against my father; he did after all know that my mother and I were being beaten. He worked with Paul, I think they were even friends. I had thought my father loved my mother, but apparently he loved his new reputation better.
After he left my mom, he married into a rich wolf demon's family. He had never liked me; I knew it by the way he acted around me. Ignoring me, yelling, acting sometimes as if he didn't know me. But I never expected I'd see him trying to kill me eight years later.
The metal whip was hurtling towards my head, I dove out of the way just in time to hear the whip sing as it passed where I had just been. The whip was of twisted metal, and had several barbs on it. It reminded me vaguely of Kurama's rose whip.
I turned and blocked as the whip came at me again. "I see you learned how to fight." Hoshi said. I would never again think of him as my father. I got up and felt Hiei's back against mine, and I heard a clang behind me as sword and katana met. You're not alone Sakari.' Hiei thought to me as he continued to struggle with Paul.
"So Sakari, who is your friend?" Hoshi asked me. "He taught me to fight." I answered as I ducked under the whip and slashed at him. A gash appeared in his arm as he dropped the whip. "And he did a good job." I said as my father grimaced.
A/N: Sorry, gotta go. My ride's here.