AN- thanks to all who reviewed. I know that last chapter was a little gory, but it was needed. This chapter introduces yet another oc. Please be patient with the story, though. The fun part is just beginning.

Chapter 5…Recovery

Warmth. I can feel the warmth, the softness, the comfortable bedding. But it was all uncomfortable. Breathing alone made my chest scream in pain. I smelled incense, but it was not doing much for me. The pain made me uncomfortable, making me itch to move, to try and get more sleep. But every muscle in my body felt like it had an extra twenty pounds glued to it. I moved my arm some, and then realized I couldn't move my right hand at all. Now I remember. The rain, Nieko, the thugs, and then… I didn't want to think about it. But were was I now? I opened my eyes to see two soft green eyes staring into mine inches from my face. Startled, I tried to sit up, but only made it a quarter of the way because my chest wouldn't allow it.

"I suggest you don't do that," she said soothingly, putting a hand on my shoulder for reassurance. All I could do was clench my teeth to prevent me from crying. She had long hair, going down to the edge of her waist. It was jet black with dark red highlights. She put a hand on my forehead, trying to calm me.

"Who are you?" I managed to mumble through my clenched teeth. The pain was starting to take over. It felt like a tormenting fire was taking over my whole body.

"Sahari Moto," she said, now grabbing a damp cloth from the floor. She applied it to my forehead, letting the cold water drip down my face.

"How did I get here?"

She looked me directly in the eye. "I found you being thrown into an alley way just outside of town. You were hurt pretty badly. I carried you to my temple here and mended your wounds. I highly suggest that you don't do much physical activity for the next couple weeks." Her voice seemed so soft, so…compassionate. Like she actually cared. It was quite a good feeling. I laid my head back down and went to sleep.

I woke up to find a stab of pain throbbing in my chest. But I quickly overcame it, seeing the beautiful scenery outside the windows. The light was shining through, leaving brightly lit sections on the temple floor. I tried to sit up, but couldn't. I was still too injured. But I did feel better. A lot better, in fact. Sahari's healing skills must be well developed. It might actually be a good recovery. Hell, without her, I'd be dead right now. I will have to repay her somehow.

Hiei crouched on a branch, sniffing the air for his prey. He had been hunting this 'demon' since last week, but its skills in evasion where masterful. He was having trouble just finding a scent. At times, it was if he disappeared. On other times, it was an unmistakable demon scent. And then oddly enough, it was also a human scent.

He went from branch to branch, carefully checking the trail he was following. He was getting closer, that was for sure. The demon had to be close now. As he continued, the scent just kept getting stronger. Soon enough, he would find this demon. And then he would truly find out how he got there. It was not an easy task for a demon to rip through the dimensions. But it would surely not survive now.

Nieko struggled on. He knew there was someone after him. He could tell by the way things started to revolve around him. Even worse, Nieko himself was getting weaker. It had been unbelievably difficult to come into the human world, stripping him of his powers. The only thing he could do to survive was to take the form of a human. Still, a demon was tracking him down. In this state, it would only be a few more weeks until he had to give in. It was vital for Nieko to train Mistro. Mistro would be his savior, allowing him to live.

Together they would become an entity that was even more powerful than the darkness god himself. How he longed for that day.

It is now several days since my fight with the thugs, and I am glad to say that I have healed somewhat. Sahari has useful healing qualities that have allowed me to actually stand. Unfortunately, my ribs will take a goodly amount of time to heal. As it turns out, my ribs were broken, wrist gashed into, and my lower left leg had been fractured. Amazingly, I was able to stand, but the pain was also incomprehensible.

"Are you all right, Mistro? You seem to be in pain." She was looking at my face, which was when I realized that I was grimacing. I stopped immediately.

"No, I'm fine," I said. I didn't want her to feel sorry for me. I was too weak to even defend myself. Besides, I should be able to fend for myself. I didn't want her to worry about me.

"Listen, you shouldn't be up and about. You could do more damage to your wounds. What good would you be then?" For once I hated her logic. Everything she had said seemed to make sense. Curse Sahari and her logic. She was always out to do what was best for me. Right now, I needed to think. And be a stubborn kid who obviously knew better.

"I'm fine," I said quickly. Something had been troubling me ever since I woke. I got the sense that Sahari was hiding something from me.

"Are you sure? I think that you should rest," she said, interrupting my thoughts. I sighed. Maybe I was just being too suspicious.

I woke to the sound of voices. It was dark outside, with no lights on in the temple. Crickets chirped noisily outside, but there were also voices. I heard screaming voices, from a distance. It almost sounded like someone was fighting. They were edged with pain. Someone was doing battle, and I could here it.

I slowly and painfully made my way out of bed. I whispered for Sahari, but no one answered. Perhaps she was a heavy sleeper. I headed for the door. I looked outside and saw fire in the distance. Shadows could be seen glittering against the trees of the forest. Most ironic was the glittering sky. The night was clear, the stars showing brightly overhead. It truth, the sight was quite amazing. Stars were seen clearer than ever before.

Eventually, the voices died off, leaving me to listen to the silence. A warrior appeared, walking up the hillside towards the Temple. He seemed very familiar, but favored his right shoulder. As the fighter came closer to the temple, I caught his face while he walked under the temple's light. It was Sahari. She was carrying a sword and wiping off a liquid that I suppose was blood with a rag cloth. Had she really gone off and fought those people? She did seem to be the one to fight, but every one has a secret. Even I do. I slipped off quietly back to my bed. Sahari was definitely not who she seemed to be.

It had now been close to a month and a half since I had been saved by Sahari. We were now good friends. I walked through the woods, gathering my strength and my thoughts. I knew Sahari could fight now. She actually did so in front of me when protecting her temple. She used a well balanced short sword that had encryptions on the blade. Just watching her was amazing. She seemed to flow, every movement fluid and precise. She easily fended off the raiders. Seeing her fight so effortlessly had made me start to think.

I wanted to be strong, to be able to protect myself. I started to think about Nieko. He said he could help me get stronger, to gain powers I had never dreamed of before. What Nieko had done in the forest was unreal, but what if I could do that? What if I could have that kind of power?

I didn't want to be picked on anymore. I wanted to be my own person. Nieko could at least help me. And if he doesn't, he was bound to be in similar shape since I last saw him. I wanted to be able to fight.

"Nieko," I yelled. "Come to me."

Silence. And then I heard it. Birds flew out of the trees, flying away from what came pouncing through the forest. I waited, unsure of myself. Was that Nieko coming, or was it someone else?

I could sense the demon hunting me down now. For once in my entire existence, I feared I might actually be hunted down by a demon. A demon god, perhaps, but not an ordinary demon. But this one chasing me was different. I could feel his looming power even now.

But then I heard it. It was such a wonderful sound, hearing my name being called. I hadn't heard anyone call for me in what seemed like centuries. I found renewed strength, and made my way to this person who calls me by my true name. I started running through the trees, just for the joy for it. Only a child of mine would call me by my name.

Here I come, Mistro. I will not displease a child of mine.

I was breathing heavily now. Trees were shaking maliciously now, this vile creature coming towards me at an ever increasing pace. I was scared now. What if this was someone other than Nieko? Were their actually other demons on Earth? What if they were not as…well, friendly? Nieko hadn't been exactly nice, but he wasn't mean. And definitely not nasty.

The wind began to blow, and the trees stopped shaking. A shiver went up my spine. Then I saw him. If anything, his clothes looked worse, his wounds were still fresh, but he seemed to be in the happiest of moods. A grin was spread on his face.

"I knew you would call for me. It was destiny," he said.

"Nieko, I want to become stronger. I want to protect myself. I know you can help me. You did that…that…you know. I want that power. Can you teach and train me, Nieko?"

He took a step towards me. "Yes, I can. You shall receive my direct instruction." With that, he led me further into the forest. It would be the last time I talked with another human for six months.