Kii: Disclaimer- We do not own Yu Yu Hakusho!

Kat: Yeah so don't sue.

Kii & Kat: R&R

Chapter 17: Breaking Out

"Time for you to leave," the guard said poking his head in.

"Okay," Kii said turning towards him, "She died. Do you mind if I take her to my temple to put her to rest?"

"What? How did that happen?" he asked looking at Kat then to Kii.

"Some needles came out of no where," Kii said emotionlessly.

"That's impossible," the guard excused.

"Nothing's impossible," Kii stated.

"Well, let me talk to Koenma and see if it's okay," the guard said turning to leave.

"Okay."

He came back a few minutes later. "He wasn't too happy with the news, but he said that it was okay if you take her as long as I go with you," he informed her.

"Fine," Kii answered.

The guard picked up Kat. "Where are we going?" he asked not to happy that he has to go.

"This way." Kii lead him into Makai. "Thanks. This is as far as I need you," Kii said, taking a knife out of her kimono and stabbing him in the chest.

He gave a cry in pain then fell.

Kii caught Kat, and grinned, "Well, Koenma's guards are highly overrated."

She raced off to her temple.

"Kii?" the priest exclaimed seeing Kii come in with Kat in her arms.

"Oh hi," Kii said rubbing the back of her head with a sweat drop, "You wouldn't have a place for two fugitives to hide out would you?"

He looked her shocked. "Yeah come on," he said leading her to a back room.

Kii followed, and pulled out the needles from Kat's neck.

Kat pulled in a breath of air.

"What happened?" she asked rubbing her neck.

"Welcome to the world of the living," Kii grinned.

"Kii?" she said turning to Kii. "What did you do to me?" she asked.

"I brought a death-like state when I threw those needles into your neck. Then I was able to smuggle you out of Koenma's grasp by declaring that you needed a ceremony to put you to rest," Kii said.

"You threw needles at me?" she asked shocked.

"Sure," Kii shrugged.

"I didn't see it," Kat stated. "And I still can't see."

"Aww, don't worry about that. Zuzhen-sensei can heal your eyes," Kii said.

"Sure," the priest said with a smile.

"Thanks, but why did you rescue me?" Kat asked a bit mad. "I did that for a reason."

"What reason? Don't make me stuff you in a closet," Kii threatened.

"Kii, now you are in even more danger since you rescue me," Kat excused. "So, am I."

"No actually. You're dead, remember? You're not supposed to exist anymore," Kii responded. "Oh and as for me, I got a cover story."

"How is that going to work for me? Now, I can't go anywhere for the rest of my life."

"They THINK your dead. Now you're actually safer to go where ever you want," Kii responded, crossing her arms and leaning against a wall.

Kat huffed. "If you say so. You're luck right now that I can't see," she threatened.

"Shut up. I save your sorry ass and this is how you repay me," Kii snapped.

"I didn't ASK you to save me. I didn't want you to," Kat shot back.

"Shut up," Kii snapped again.

"I'm going to go back," Kat stated getting up and trying to walk out but realized she couldn't see. "Great, what a wonderful exit," she stated bumping her head.

"Zuzhen-sensei, she isn't ready to have her sight restored," Kii said.

"Okay," he answered.

"Kii, just let me do what I need to do," Kat pleaded.

"No. Letting you go back will only get ME in more trouble," Kii responded.

"You brought it all on yourself though."

"Too bad," Kii snapped.

Kat turned to Kii sensing where she was and punched her in the stomach. "That's for being a stupid jerk," she explained. "Thanks," she added with a smile.

Kii managed to block it, and answered, "You're welcome."

"You weren't supposed to block it, you jerk," Kat said upset.

"Looks like becoming a priestess truly has strengthened me," Kii grinned.

"What?"

"I've become a priestess," Kii explained.

Kat laughed.

"Good, for you," she said after she stopped laughing.

Kii didn't smile, "I don't see the funny side of it."

"Oh, just picturing you always wearing the kimono," Kat explained. "So, can I get my eye sight back?" Kat asked.

"I won't always wear it. Just when I'm doing my duties," she replied, "And you get your eye sight back as soon as you make a promise to me that you won't try to go turn yourself in again."

Kat gave one of Kii's smiles. "I promise," she said.

"Okay, Zuzhen-sensei."

Zuzhen walked over to Kat and placed his hand over her eyes. A light blue light appeared before disappearing into Kat's eyes.

"Can you see know?" he asked her.

She opened her eyes with a smile. "Yes, thanks," she replied.

Kii was leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed, and today she was in a blue kimono with silver flowers.

"What's wrong with you?" Kat asked looking at Kii then laughed again. "Sorry, just can't get used to it yet."

"Nothing's wrong with ME," Kii answered.

"Okay," Kat answered leaving.

Kii blocked the doorway. "You aren't to go anywhere near Reikai."

"I'm not. I feel like I'm going to puke okay," Kat answered moving Kii out of the way.

"Fine," Kii said.

Kat came back not looking to hot.

"Kii, there's something wrong. What was in those needles?" Kat asked.

"Nothing," Kii responded. "They were plain needles. Clean. No poison or medicine."

"Then why do I feel like crap all of the sudden?" she questioned holding her stomach.

"I don't know. Zuzhen-sensei, is there an effect from your treatment on her eyes?" Kii asked.

"No, nothing," he replied.

"The acupuncture needles work by targeting certain nerves. There's nothing my needles could have done," Kii said.

"I did feel another life inside of her," he added.

"Another life?"

"Yes, Kat, I think that you might be pregnant," he explained with a smile.

"Pregnant!" Kii exclaimed.

Kat was shocked and her knees gave out.

Kii stood in silence.

"Well I'm off to deliver the news to Sai. Zuzhen-sensei, could you take care of her while I'm gone?" Kii asked leaving.

"Okay," he replied helping Kat up.

"Wait," Kat called slowly getting up. "I'm going with you Kii. I want to tell him myself," she explained walking over to her.

Kat and Kii slowly made their way back home.

"Where is Sai?" Kat asked ignoring all of the questions.

"I'm right here, Kitty," he said walking into the room. "What is wrong?" he asked looking at her.

"I have something to tell all of you but…" Kat started to say before looking to the floor.

Kat held her stomach still not being able to say it.

'What's so hard about saying that I'm pregnant?' she asked herself.

"I'm..." she started again then looked over at Kii for help.

"She's pregnant," Kii said bluntly.

"WHAT?" cried everyone in the room.

"Kitten, is that true?" asked Sai. Kat responded by just nodding her head.

Kii sighed and leaned against the wall with her hands behind her head, "I have to say it slower don't I? Kat's. Pregnant."

"When did you find out?" asked Sakia.

"When I woke up after Kii shot me with needles," Kat answered shooting a glare at Kii.

Kii shrugged nonchalantly.

"Hold on, Kitten, you're back, but how?" asked Sai.

"Ask little miss-needles over there," Kat answered motioning to Kii with her head.

"I kidnapped her," Kii answered.

"You didn't kidnap me. You almost killed me," Kat accused.

"Nonsense. If done right, those needles couldn't harm you at all," Kii snapped.

"Well, so you could have harm me," Kat accused.

"No way. I'm trained in this sort of thing," Kii said coolly.

Kat didn't really believe her but let it go. "Do we have anything to eat here?" she asked changing the subject.

Kii muttered something not understandable, and Sakia nodded.

"What did you say, Kii?" Kat asked hearing her talking to herself.

"Shut up," Kii answered.

"You see this is part of the reason why I chose to turn myself in," Kat stated getting angry.

Kat turned away mad and headed to the kitchen.

"If you can't handle being with me, say it to my face instead of avoiding me!" Kii said angrily, "I'm leaving permanently this time! I don't care about you or anyone else who exists in this world!" with that said, Kii left.

"Good, finally I'm not the one leaving," Kat replied, "I'm not hungry anymore," she added heading to her room.

"Okay, Déjà vu all over again," Sayo said to Sakia. "Should we talk to them this time?" she asked.

"No. They have to resolve it on they're own," Sakia answered.

"How long do you think that it well be this time?" Sayo questioned watching Kat leave with a bag over her shoulder.

"Not very long. Kat's pregnant, so she won't be gone long... But Kii on the other hand..." Sakia shrugged.

"I'm going to turn myself back in," Kat said going out the door. "Maybe I should rat on Kii too," she thought to herself out loud.

Sayo and Sakia both blocked the door quickly. "As long as we're alive, you aren't going near Reikai," they said in unison.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY," Kat hissed glaring at them as her tail swayed.

Sayo quickly pressed a pressure point on her neck, using the technique that Kii had used before, making Kat collapse once again, "Gomen."

"Turning into Kii, I see," Sakia stated picking up Kat. "I knew that she was getting heavier," she added.

"Yeah..." Sayo muttered, before she collapsed, her face red with fever.

"Sayo," Sakia cried quickly putting Kat on the couch and running to Sayo.

Then Sakia herself fell to the ground, her face also burning with fever.

"Sayo, Sakia," Sai said going to both and feeling their foreheads then pulled his hand away. "They're burning up," he muttered.

Kii?

Who is this? Kii's annoyed voice said.

Sai, he answered in a hurried tone. You are going to have to get back here now. Something's happened, and no, this is not a lure to get you two friends again, he said cutting the line.

Kii who was running blindly, branches cutting her arms and legs, stopped suddenly, and turned towards the direction she had been running from. She sighed and grumbled something, and ran in that direction.

"Kii, help me," Sai said as soon as she opened the door. He was trying to cool the two's temperature and wasn't going too well.

"What happened?" Kii asked, bending down next to the two girls.

"I don't know. All I can tell you is that Sayo knocked Kitten out then she collapsed herself then Sakia fell," he explained. "This is not a trick, by the way," he added looking at Kii.

Kii closed her eyes and a blue orb appeared between her hands and Sakia's body. She opened her eyes again and frowned, then went over to Sayo and did the same. She seemed troubled, and sat on her knees silently.

"What's going on?" Sai asked watching her.

Kii shook her head violently then put on a fake smile. "Nothing, nothing."

"We should wake Kitten, and see if she could try something," Sai suggested.

Kii shrugged and stood up, "There's nothing I can do, so you can if you want."

Sai squeezed Kat's tail causing her to open her eyes.

"I'm going to get you two," she threatened getting up and rubbing her neck. "Kii?"

"Kitten, we need you're help," Sai said.

Kii didn't answer and went into the kitchen, and the sound of rushing water was heard. Kii came out again and placed two damp wash cloths on the two girl's foreheads.

"What happened?" she asked following Kii's movement. "Oh no," she said seeing the girls on laying.

Kii pursed her lips and refused to speak, and placed one hand on each of their foreheads, and two blue orbs formed under each of them.

Her eyes snapped open and she stood and walked to the door.

Kat watched knowing a little of what was happening. "Don't tell me," Kat said watching Kii leaving. "They're becoming like Tsunami," she whispered.

"...no," she answered, "Tsunami's... was a natural disease. They... they were infected by a manmade disease."

Kat walked to the two girls placed a hand on each foreheads too, closed her eye as her tail swayed. "Come on," she whispered before her tail fell. "How? One of us was always here," Kat said.

"They lead their own lives," Kii answered, opening the door.

"So, what now, are you just going to turn your back on them?" Kat asked. "There has to be some way to cure it."

"...They can't be helped. Even if we could, they would be paralyzed for life. Is that what you want?" Kii snapped, "They would rather die than be held by something so troublesome! And I'm not turning my back! I'm getting revenge!"

"You know I don't but..." Kat started before lowering her head. "I'm going with you," she said not in her normal tone. "Sai, watch them," she stated following Kii.

"You aren't allowed to. Unless you want to kill your own child, that is," Kii said, running out the door.

"Don't worry about me or my child," Akai replied going after Kii. "I can take care of myself," she added.

"They were MY childhood friends. This is none of your concern," Kii snapped.

"They are MY friends too," Akai growled. "They've risked their life for me, I owe this to them."

"But you don't understand! I have to do this by myself!" Kii snapped, sliding to a stop.

"Kii, don't fight me. I'm going along. So, you're going to deal with it or kill me," Akai replied continuing in the direction that they were heading.

"And you have no idea how to get there, or who did this," Kii said, leaning against a tree casually.

"Yes, I do," Akai replied with a smile.

"Then why haven't you turned yet?" Kii answered.

Akai looked at Kii with a grin. "Because I know another way to get there that they might not know about," Akai replied not knowing what she was talking about, because she really didn't know where she was going.

"Sure," Kii smirked taking a right. "You can come along. But when I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it."

"I'll do it IF I want too," Akai answered following Kii.

Kii stayed silent as a large palace like building came into sight, "Ooo. I think I've robbed this place before."

"Anything good there?" Akai asked. "Dang it must have been fun getting into this place, huh?" she questioned looking all around the building guards every where.

"I think this was my favorite," Kii said grabbing Akai and slipping behind the brush, "Let me think for a minute so I can find the proper map."

"I know how to take care of the guards for you," Akai said quietly as Kii thought for the map.

"But that would be no fun," Kii answered.

"I'll leave some for you," replied Akai with a smirk.

"Fine," Kii answered.

"Okay," Akai said jumping up. "What would you like chickens or slaves?" she asked as her tail swayed back and forth.

"At least three of each," Kii grinned.

"Will do," she replied walking over to one of the guards. "Hi," she said to him with a sexy grin. "How would you like to become my slave?"

Before he was able to say anything he already was in her control and she was on the next guard also turning him into a slave then the next slave and three as chickens just like Kii asked for.

"Okay, I got the best looking ones as slaves," she replied walking to Kii.

Kii grinned and fought them all with hand-to-hand combat.

"Hey, don't beat them up. We might need them to get in," Akai said watching the blood go flying.

"I'll leave one," Kii promised.

She stopped, and wiped her hands off on her priestess robes.

Akai looked at the last one standing, grinned before slicing him to pieces and licking her fingers.

"That's gross. At least I don't eat the blood," Kii said, still wiping her hands.

"I don't eat it. I lick it," Akai replied getting the last bit off.

"Same thing," Kii answered, doing several cartwheels before she reached the outside walls and walking up them, using spirit energy to cling to the wall.

"Yeah, whatever," Akai replied also going to the wall then used her claws to cling to them.

They jumped down to the other side, diving behind bushes and looking out into the gardens beyond. Two lone guards seemed bored near the entrance.

"Would you like to take them on this time?" Akai asked hoping that she would say no.

"Hmm... We'll split them. You get the left, I get the right," Kii answered.

Akai nodded then licked her lips. She carefully inched her way forward like a cat on the prowl. When she was close enough she lunged at him and quickly cut his throat. Then of course she licked the blood off.

Kii on the other hand, took a small dagger, threw it at his head, tripped him and then slit his throat.

"Nice moves," Akai said watching Kii.

"Thanks," Kii answered, heading to the door.

"I wonder why no more guards are here," Akai thought out loud. "I mean someone must have noticed something's up."

"They're waiting for us," Kii answered, opening the door.

"Hmm... figures. No really good battles ever come when they're waiting," Akai complained.

Kii's footsteps rang through the palace as she walked in.

"So, where to?" Akai asked looking at all of the doors and hallways.

"No need to go anywhere," Kii said, sitting down in a chair, "If they're truly waiting for us, they'll come."

Akai shrugged her shoulders and sat on the floor.

"Good afternoon, ladies," a man's voice came from upstairs. "I have an announcement to make."

"What would that be?" questioned Akai getting up.

Kii also stood.

"This place is going to blow up in seven minutes! One of you can leave, but the other must stay and die!" the voice said gleefully.

"Akai. Leave," Kii said without hesitation.

"Why do I have to leave? I can get us both out," she questioned staying put.

"Nope. If you haven't noticed, your natural abilities have been disabled," he answered.

"Yeah, okay," Akai said rolling her eyes before trying to make him 'turn' into a fish. "Crap, he's right."

"Akai. Leave dammit before I make you," Kii threatened.

"Don't you dare, I've already lost three friends I can't have you gone too," Akai replied, "There must be away that we both can get out," she said thinking.

"I'm sorry. But I won't see you again," Kii said, before yelling up to the man, "I challenge you!" Then Kii shoved Akai toward the front doors, "Leave."

Akai stared at Kii angrily before turning to the doors. "I hate you. You stupid jerk," she called Kii before leaving. "You better come back too," she added.

"Ja," Kii answered, getting into her fighting stance. The man jumped down to meet her, and Akai left.

A few minutes after Akai left, the palace exploded.

Akai turned to the rubble in disbelief. "No," she cried not sensing Kii. Kii? Come on please Kii, answer me, she said telepathically only to get static back.

Akai slowly turned around then ran to Reikai. Not caring that Koenma thinks that she's dead and she could get killed too, but she had to go some where any where but home.

"Kurama," Akai said bursting into Koenma's office tears stained her face.

"Akai Noraneko?" Koenma asked from the desk.

"Yeah, so what?" she snapped before turning back to Kurama. "You're stupid girlfriend got herself killed," she angrily stated.

"What are you talking about?" he asked a bit shocked.

"You're kidding right?" Yusuke asked.

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" she questioned glaring at him.

"No!" Yusuke shouted, slamming his fist on Koenma's desk.

"Hey! Watch it! Don't break my desk!" Koenma squeaked.

"Screw your freaking desk. Kii's dead and all you care about is your desk?" Akai snapped.

Everyone frowned.

One year later

"Hey, Uncle Kurama, why do you look so down?" a little version of Kat asked looking up at the sad Kurama as she answered the door.

"I'm okay, Rain. Where's everyone?" he asked picking the girl up.

"They're inside too. Everyone's' looking down today. It's odd," she stated.

Kurama walked in with Rain in his arms.

"Hey, mommy, daddy, look who's here," Rain squealed.

Akai looked up, saw Kurama and gave a sad smile. "Hi, Kurama," she stated.

Kii came into the room, a frown on her face, "Hey what's will the all the long faces?" she asked.

Her hair was cut- it was now neck length, and her bangs brushed her eyebrows. She was now a head taller than Hiei, when before she had been a head shorter. She was wearing a red kimono with a golden dragon design on it.

Everyone turned to look at Kii and was shocked. Akai got up went over to Kii and landed a hard punch into Kii's stomach before Kii was able to react.

Kii grinned, hardly affected, "Hello to you too. I see YOU aren't glad to see me. Hi Yusuke! I know YOU'RE happy to see me," Kii said.

Akai then turned around and left the room.

Kii frowned, "I see I'm in a bit of trouble."

"We thought that you were dead. Akai told us that she saw everything," Kurama stated still shocked.

Kii shrugged, "Things happen."

"Uncle Kurama, who is that?" Rain asked pulling on his pants.

"You must be Akai's daughter," Kii said bending down to see her, "My name's Kii. I'm an old friend of your mother's," she said with a smile.

Rain took one look at her and hid behind Kurama.

Kii mumbled an "I hate kids" quietly before standing up strait.

I hate you too, a voice answered her.

Kii ignored the voice and turned to Kurama, "Well, you don't seem very happy to see me."

"How can I be?" he asked, "I thought that you have been dead for a year. Now, you come back like nothing happened."

"I didn't mean to be gone so long..." Kii whispered, "But I couldn't help it. For months I was hardly able to move."

"You could have tried to contact Akai. Do you even know what happened all this time with her or us for that matter?" he questioned.

"No...-Ack!" Kii was suddenly knocked over by a small silver fox. "Takumi! Great to see you to. I'm glad at least someone's happy," Kii said, laughing and petting her pet.

"Kii, I'm glad to see you," Sai said with a sad smile.

"Thanks," Kii said with a smile. "Oh and about the contact thing... I tried. But everyone I tried was blocked." Kii answered Kurama.

"That's odd because Akai tried every day," Kurama replied.

Kii looked sadly down at the fox in her lap, "I wish I could have been here sooner."

"It would have helped. Kitten had gotten a lot worse since she thought that you were dead. She even went back to Reikai and turned herself in yet again," Sai said.

"I'm sorry," Kii began to cry.

Akai came walking out of her room to the living room. "I'm going hunting," she announced then turned to Rain. "Honey, don't go anywhere near Kii. Just stay away from her unless your dad or your uncles are around. Okay?" she asked the little girl.

"Okay, mommy. I wasn't planning on going near her anyways. She's scary," Rain said with a smile.

"That's right. I'm a terrible, terrible person," Kii growled seriously. "But I wouldn't worry about it. I'm not staying here long so it doesn't matter," Kii said wiping her eyes and heading towards the door, "I only came to say hi and good-bye."

"Why don't you stay?" Kurama asked grabbing her arm.

"Isn't it obvious I'm a danger to everyone? Everything that happened was my fault." Kii answered, looking down.

"You're sounding to act like Kat and Akai," Kurama stated. "Maybe everything will work out in the end," he added.

"Maybe," she replied.

"Please, for me," he begged a little tilting her head so that she could see his eyes.

"Fine, I guess," Kii answered, uncertain.

Rain stepped out behind Sai and looked up at Kii and tilted her head to the side.

Kii looked down at her curiously.

"Why is mommy mad at you?" she asked.

"Well..." Kii began, "...I didn't come back for a long time."

"Why?"

"I...First of all, for most of the year I was injured and unable to come. For the rest of it was rehabilitation, and locating were everyone was at," Kii answered, hoping that this wasn't going to become a huge discussion.

"What happened?" Rain asked curious.

"Well..." Kii paused wondering if she should tell then continued, "Your mother and I were in a situation...where only one of us were to come out alive. I forced her to go and tried to fix everything. It turned out okay, I guess. Something worse could have happened," she added.

"Like what?"

"Rain, you shouldn't ask all of these questions," Sai said looking at Rain then to Kii.

Kii was silent for a moment before saying, "We both could have died. Then you wouldn't have been born because she was pregnant with you at the time."

"Okay," Rain said happily then skipped over to the couch.

"She seems like a nice girl," Kii commented.

"Yeah, it's a good think though that she hasn't picked up any bad habits from her mother," Sai answered.

"Bad habits?" Kii quoted questionably, "I think her only bad habit she ever had was drinking."

"It's gotten worse, Kii," he answered.

Kii sighed, knowing that another thing went on the long list of things that were her fault.

"You shouldn't blame it all on yourself either," Sai said knowing what she was thinking.

"I don't see why not," Kii answered casually.

"Well, it isn't," Sai stated, "If it was anyone's faults then it would be both of yours not just you," he explained.

Kii didn't say anything.

"Come with me," he instructed heading to he door.

Kii shook her head and followed Sai.

Sai lead her to the waterfall in Kat's past but then hid in a bush.

"Look," he said pointing to Akai who was staring in the pond. "She's been doing that everyday since you left trying to find ways to get you back."

Kii sighed, "See. It IS my fault."

"No, it's not," he said again. "She never really blamed you for any of it. She blames herself."

Kii stood and walked towards Akai, "Grow up," she said simply.

Akai looked up then looked back down. "Just get out of here."

"Stop blaming yourself for things you know isn't your fault," Kii said, ignoring Akai's demand.

"No," Akai said stubbornly. "This was all of MY fault."

"How?" Kii demanded, "Tell me exactly how!"

"I've should have been around more. Maybe if I didn't turn myself in then Sayo and Sakia might still be alive," she cried. "And then we wouldn't have to have looked for their killers."

"You're wrong," Kii answered, "I know something that you don't. About Sayo and Sakia's killers. They weren't after Sayo and Sakia..."

Akai looked at her confused. "Who then?"

"They were after the Key to the Forbidden World," Kii answered, staring at her reflection in the water, "They were after me. I always had a reason to blame myself. And here you are, blaming yourself for something that has nothing to do with you."

"You're a freaken' Jerk," Akai stated getting up.

"I suppose so," Kii answered.

"This does has something to do with me," she started. "WE are friends. WE have to stick up for each other, and help each other out," she explained.

"Well, you're acting like we're enemies," Kii countered.

"Not enemies. I'm just really mad at you, that's all," Akai said.

"Well THAT'S a nice greeting. Your daughter's nice by the way," Kii added.

"Sorry, about that," Akai said, "You did deserve it though. With all of the times that you knocked me out. And she is, isn't she?" she added.

"Yeah. I hate kids though. But I think I might like this one," Kii answered.

"She hates jerks too, but who knows she might start to like you," Akai laughed.

Kii shrugged, "I won't be heartbroken if she doesn't. Kids have problems with me."

"Everyone seems to have a problem with you," Akai joked. "But I am glad that you're back," she said placing an arm around Kii's shoulder. "Hey, did you get taller?"

"Yep," Kii answered.

"Crap, now I can't pick on you anymore, huh?"

"Damn strait," Kii replied.

"See, Kii, you're not a danger to everyone," Sai said as the two headed back.

"Hello Sai..." Kii started before she sniffed the air, "Your daughter was eavesdropping. Jeez, she's smart; she knows how to get information when she wants it."

"How did you know that I was here?" Rain asked jumping down from a tree.

"Let's just say, never try to outsmart a fox," Kii replied shrugging.

"Yeah, especially Auntie Kii," Akai said with a smile. "Come on, Rain, do you want some ice cream?"

Rain began to jump up and down, "I WANT CAT NIP KIND," she yelled running a head.

"She's just like you," Kii said with a sweat drop.

"Hey, what can I say?" asked Akai. "Want to join us?"

"Sure. I don't see why not," Kii shrugged, "I'll pay for it."

"NO you don't. I'll pay," Akai answered with a devilish grin. "Sai, you coming too?" she asked her husband.

"No, I think that you two should catch up," he replied.

Kii grinned back, "Up to your old tricks, na? Well, I suppose."

"No, why do you say that?" she asked innocently. "Actually I was thinking maybe Rain should be the one to do it. What do you think, Kii?"

Mommy, Auntie Kii, come on, Rain's little voice rang in their heads.

Akai looked at Kii with a smile. "See, she likes you already," she added.

Kii shook her head in an impatient way, and was in front of Rain in three minutes flat.

"Ahh," Rain screamed stopping. "How did you do that?" she asked.

"Running," Kii replied coolly.

"Can you teach me to run that fast, please, Auntie Kii?" Rain said with a sad smile and huge eyes.

"Practice," Kii replied, shrugging, "It took me a few months to get above normal levels."

"Still running like always," Akai said catching up to them.

"Yep," Kii answered

"So, could you help me?" Rain asked.

"Ask you mother," Kii answered.

"Mommy, can Auntie Kii teach me how to run like that?" the little girl asked.

"If she wants too," Akai replied.

Kii raised an eyebrow, "Its not going to be easy."

"I don't care," Rain said bouncing up and down happy.

"All right." She turned to Akai, "You don't mind that she's going to be really, really, really tired after each session?"

"Please do it then," Akai said watching Rain bouncing around.

"Okay," Kii shrugged.

"Yes," Rain answered then hugged Kii. "Thank you, Auntie Kii. Now, let's get some ice cream," she stated heading to the village.

Kii smiled and followed the happy girl.

Akai watched as Rain took Kii's hand and lead her to the village with a smile. Then she too followed along.

Later

Kii came back, smiling with a happy Rain skipping ahead of her; she smiled at Kurama in a greeting.

"I see everything's better now?" he asked.

Kii shrugged, "Wounds of the heart never heal."

"Uncle Kurama, you should have seen Auntie Kii beat some of the guys up because they were yelling at her. It was cool," Rain said licking her ice cream then zoomed past him into the house.

Kii sweat dropped.

"I told you not to tell anyone about that!"

"Sorry," Rain said.

"What happened?" Kurama asked interested in what happened.

"It's okay. Just don't tell your mother," Kii answered.

"Oops," Rain said inching her way from Kii.

"Um... Nothing interesting," Kii reassured Kurama, ignoring Rain's 'oops'.

"Okay," he answered. "Where is Akai?" he asked noticing that she wasn't there.

"I don't know," Kii answered looking around, "She must have went somewhere with Sai, because he's not here either."

"Oh, mommy went to the bar, but she told me not to tell anyone and then daddy went after her," Rain said with a smile.

Kii sweat dropped, "Old habits die hard."

"You're not going to tell her I told you are you, Auntie Kii?"

"No, of course not. A little voice in the back of my head told me," Kii winked at her.

Rain's face lit up and gave her a hug.

"You're welcome," Kii answered, a little taken aback.

"Would you train me now?" she asked.

Kii shrugged. "I don't see why not."

"What are you training her?" Kurama asked.

"To run faster. Could you get these for me..." she whispered what she needed in his ear. (Two ten pound weights)

Kurama looked at her then to Rain. "Are you sure that much?"

"Okay fine. Five," she said stubbornly.

"I'll be right back then," Kurama said going inside.

"Rain. Walk this ring until Kurama gets back," Kii instructed.

"Okay," Rain said following Kii's order with a smile.

Kii smiled, and watched Rain walk.

Kurama came back a few minutes later with two five pound weights in his hands.

"Okay, good job. Come here Rain," Kii called. "Thanks Kurama," she added.

Rain came running over.

"What are those?" she asked looking at the weights.

Kii grinned, "Save your energy. Now let me see your leg. Weights," Kii replied, strapping one of the weights to her leg, and then doing the same to the next leg.

"They're heavy," Rain complained trying to lift her leg but couldn't.

Kii frowned, "Okay then. Kurama, could you go get two pound weights?"

Kii unstrapped the weights and set them aside.

"Sure," he said going back in.

He came back with two more weights and handed them to Kii.

"Thank you," Kii said, taking the weights, and strapping them to Rain's legs. "Can you move them now?"

Rain tried again with a bit less difficulty and lifted her leg a little. Rain smiled to Kii and nodded.

"Okay good. Basically, wear those around everywhere until you get used to them. Then I'll make you do laps," Kii said.

"Even to bed?" questioned Rain not liking the sound of it.

"No. You can take them off to sleep. I had to do the same, only I started out with ten pound weights. But then again, I was a bit older than you," Kii said, thinking.

"Good," Rain said slowly making her way back to the house.

Kii followed her, "When you become fast in weights, your speed without the weights will be double," Kii smiled reassuringly.

"Okay," Rain smiled trying to run now. Thank you," she added.

"I wouldn't try running just yet," Kii advised, "And you're welcome."

"She's really taking a liking to you," Kurama said smiling. "More then any of us, when she first met us," he added.

"I'm surprised. Usually kids hate me at first...and long after." She smiled sheepishly.

"She's different though," Kurama answered. "And I'm shocked that you're taking good care of her, so far."

"What's THAT supposed to mean!" Kii asked, offended.

"Nothing just that I don't picture you a kid type of person," Kurama replied.

"I missed you, Kurama," Kii said suddenly, avoiding his previous comment.

"I've missed you too," he answered.

Kii smiled.

Kurama looked at Kii then lowered his head to hers and gave her a kiss on the lips. Kii looked a little surprised.

"Sorry," Kurama said after breaking the kiss.

"No its okay," Kii said, placing her head against his chest.

"Eewww," Rain said after seeing them kiss.

"I think we should get your mother, don't you think, Rain?" Kii asked.

"Okay," Rain replied.

"Hey, Kii," Kurama said before she started to leave.

"Yeah?" Kii asked, turning towards him.

"I love you," he said.

Kii seemed taken aback, but recovered, and answered, "I love you too."

"Let's go," Rain said pulling on Kii's arm for her to get going.

"Huh? Oh. Coming, coming," Kii said, waving bye to Kurama and following Rain.

"I know which bar she's at," Rain said leading the way.

It began to rain, and Kii sighed, "Aww. It's raining."

Kii: The rain got heavier and heavier as the time went by, Rain and Kii were soaked.

The weight on Rain's legs were getting heavier with every drop.

"Here, let me take those off," Kii said, bending down to unstrap them.

"Auntie Kii, did you hear that?" Rain said going still.

Kii paused and listened, "Yeah. Stay close."

"What's happening?" Rain asked hiding behind Kii's legs.

Kii was in her hand-to-hand combat position, listening carefully.

A chuckle echoed around them.

Kii remained silent.

Then suddenly she said, "What do you want?"

"Ah, her," a demon said stepping out pointing to the scared child behind her leg.

"You can't have her," Kii responded.

"We'll see about that," he said signaling the others to attack.

Kii, unable to manipulate flames in the rain, was stuck fighting with hand-to-hand combat. "Run! Rain, Run!" Kii shouted.

Rain did what she was told and ran as fast as her legs could take her. "Ahhhhhhhh," she cried as a demon jumped out in front of her.

"Rain!" Kii cried out in an alarm.

"See, I knew we would be taking her," the demon said knocking Rain out and picked her up.

Kii tried to run to Rain's rescue, but the demons blocked her path.

"Bye!" a demon nearby said, as they all disappeared. "By the way," he added. "Tell Akai Noraneko, this isn't over," he chuckled.

Kii suddenly was all alone, in the rain, soaked, dreading what she had to tell the others. Uncertainly, she turned towards the direction they had come from.

"What's the matter Kii?" Kurama asked as she entered soaked.

"Where's Rain?" Akai asked not seeing her daughter.

"Rain's gone," Kii answered, not looking him in the eye.

"Is this some cruel joke to get back at me for earlier? Because this isn't funny Kii," Akai snapped.

Kii shook her head, and her eyes still were still staring at the floor.

"How did it happen? And who?" Akai asked shocked and getting angrier.

"I don't know. It began to rain... so... I couldn't... They said, "Tell Akai Noraneko this isn't over," Kii quoted, not looking anybody in the eye.

"Where were you two going?" Akai asked.

"Rain was taking me to get you... Wait," Kii sighed, "You weren't at the bar were you?"

"No, I was here the whole time," Akai answered as she figured out what happened. "I know what was going on here," Akai said softly. "The demon also has the power to manipulate people. He must have done that to Rain."

Kii sighed.

"Do you at least know where they went?" Akai asked.

"Someone out-smarted a fox. And they will regret it too. Not at all," Kii responded. "I know how to get Rain back," Kii said slowly, as if she didn't like her own idea.

"What is it?" questioned Akai.

Kii ignored her, "I'll be back. Kurama, could you come along? I can't use flames in the rain," she explained.

"Sure," Kurama nodded.

"Arigatou. We'll be back. Stay here and don't do anything hasty," Kii said, heading out the door.

"It's okay. Kii's just trying to fix her mistakes, like always. You should let her," Sai told Akai.

Akai didn't answer, her own thoughts racing.

Kii knocked on a door, shivering from the rain. She looked worried about something -other than Rain- Kurama noticed.

"Coming!" a female voice snapped.

There was quick footsteps and then the door was opened to reveal a beautiful girl with blue hair and green eyes. She wore a white dress, with snowflakes hanging from the hem.

"Sorry," Kii apologized, "But I need your help."

The girl looked at Kii coldly, and growled, "You're wasting your time."

The girl tried to shut the door, but Kii stopped it, "Please? You still owe me," she added.

The girl growled and said, "Hang on a moment." She closed the door and left Kurama and Kii out in the rain.

Kii nodded reassuringly to Kurama, "Don't do anything violent, even if she does. I'll tell you when I'm truly in danger."

"Truly?" he questioned.

Kii only nodded and the girl opened the door, "Come on in," she said like she rather have them dead.

Kii smiled at Kurama and walked through the door.

A little girl greeted them warmly, "Welcome back, Kii-san."

"Hi Tsume," Kii answered, smiling down at her.

The little girl, called Tsume, grinned.

"Tsume. Go upstairs and play with the animals," the girl said sharply.

Tsume obeyed, although not eagerly.

"Sorry to come out of nowhere like this," Kii began, "But Nela... I need some help."

The girl, Nela, as Kii called her, glared.

Kii took this as a signal to continue, "You see... there's this little girl named Rain. She was kidnapped. And I was wondering if you could help us."

"No," Nela said simply.

"But... Please!" Kii grabbed Nela's arm as she tried to turn around.

Nela's fist swung around and hit Kii in the face.

Kii had a bruise on her cheek now, but she forced herself to stay calm and not hit her back, "Nela, you owe me."

"Kii, are you all right?" Kurama asked.

Kii nodded.

Nela bit her lip, a sign that she was thinking.

"If I do this for you, will we be even?"

"Yes," Kii answered.

Nela seemed to be a bit frustrated. "Fine. I'll have her back soon."

"Thanks," Kii said heading towards the door with Kurama at her heels, "Nela, I'm leaving everything to you. Don't let me down." With that said, she left.