Mia: First off, I'd like to wish everyone a very happy new year. I know it has been months since we've updated this story and I would like to sincerely apologize for so long a period of time in between updates. It has not been a very easy year for me, as a writer, as I seem to have been facing a terrible case of writer's block constantly - though, trust me, I'm not one to want to make excuses. I feel that the first day of 2005 is a perfect opportunity to thank you all for reading and wanting to continue reading the story that Cresent and I have been working so hard on and an even better opportunity to begin updating regularly again. Once again, my apologies for not continuing the story sooner. I hope you enjoy Chapter 18 of our story!

Chapter 18: Run

Kai stumbled forwards, his silken crimson pants stained by the damp soil. He tossed his hair out of his face, getting to his feet with a single glace over his shoulder. Suddenly, cold laughter rang out before him. Kai turned his sharp, silver eyes to the front and was startled to find Naraku standing in his path.

With a yelp, Kai stumbled backwards, turning to run from the terrible half-demon. "Run away, little Kai, you pathetic father is no longer here to help you." Naraku called after the young boy. A tall, deathly pale man stood beside Naraku, his pastel blue eyes flashing as he chuckled.

"As if Tsume could ever defeat you, Lord Auron." Naraku addressed his master, bowing ever so slightly. Auron's lips curved into a wicked smile, twisting his features to create almost a smug visage. "Bastard!" Kai roared at the two, no longer running, but standing his ground.

"Run, you little fool! Or do you wish to avenge the death of your father? I could do with some amusement, you see." Auron sneered at the fourteen-year-old prince. Kai was livid.

"I'll kill you! I'LL KILL THE BOTH OF YOU!" He roared, unsheathing a katana of the finest detail. The smile slid from the face of Naraku in a liquid manner. Auron's intense eyes narrowed, surveying the boy before him.

"Summon Chito." Auron commanded, turning to Naraku, "I want him here - now." Kai swallowed hard, gripping his blade so hard that his hand was going numb. He had never before killed a man, let alone fought one in true combat…

Kai tumbled backwards as flames burst from the ground before him. Kai could just make out the form of a kneeling man amidst the flames, as he climbed to his feet once again. "Ah, Chito, always so prompt." Auron eyes remained narrowed, though the same wicked smile as before now rest upon the man's paper-white features.

"My lord." Chito bowed his head once, before standing. Long, straight hair fell to the man's shoulders. Kai had never seen such a vivid shade of red as the shade upon Chito's head. It seemed to be the very color of the flames from which this man had appeared.

"I can see you've changed your appearance again." Naraku spat, "Do try to save some of your new ability to accomplish at least one worthwhile endeavor." Chito rolled his eyes.

"Don't wet your pants Naraku, the spell will wear off in a few moments. Just because I look better than you doesn't mean you have to be such a prick."

Naraku wrinkled his nose in disgust. "You looking better than I? You've got to be kidding me." With that, Naraku flipped back his dark hair, and took his position, at the side of Auron.

"Well, may I ask why it is you have summoned me, Lord?" the new arrival questioned his master, raising a single brow in question.

The rain grew from a light sprinkle to an intense downpour.

Auron's smile vanished. "Tsume is dead. Unfortunately, his son will not die so easily." He informed Chito, all the while staring directly at Kai. Chito grinned.

"I'd like you to teach the insolent boy a lesson." Auron stated simply, as he met the metallic eyes of Kai. The boy refused to look away, narrowing his eyes in a similar manner to Auron himself.

Finally the moment of contact between the two ceased, Kai breathed a sigh of relief discreetly. Chito was now stepping towards him, a blade of his own in hand. Kai raised his weapon defensively. "You actually think you're going to fight me and live to tell about it?" Chito said arrogantly.

Auron turned to Naraku. "We shall take our leave now, Naraku." Auron closed his eyes calmly, raised the palm of his left hand, murmured some incantation under his breath. In a flash of brilliant, pale blue light the two were gone.

Kai drew a single deep breath, brought his katana up, ready to attack. Chito simply continued grinning maliciously, the long blade that he held in his hand glowing. With the will of Chito, the blade was engulfed in flames, despite the rain.

The fire licked at the steel, though never touching it at all. Kai stared at the blade for a moment, the flames reflecting in his bright, silver eyes.

'I can't win this…I can't…' Kai glanced at his weapon, at the still grinning Chito. Everything seemed to freeze, in that instant, and Kai knew the only chance that he would survive this day, the only way…He had to run.

Kai had been running without end for what felt like a eternity, the rain still pouring down unmercifully. He was drenched, his raven and silver hair hanging lank. He considered stopping, his breathing erratic and his knees weak.

"Run, you coward! I'll find you!" Rang a loud, familiar voice. Chito. He was far away, but close enough for discomfort. Kai paused for a moment, took a deep breath, swallowed, and began running again. 'Find…help…' Kai thought weakly, stumbling into a clearing.

Before him stood a very old, broken down well. This was all that Kai saw, before he collapsed against the well. Kai was overwhelmed with his exhaustion, just as his eyes began to close, the murmur of voices could be heard. Kai was certain it was Chito.

'Father…I'll see you soon…' In that instant, Kai was willing to accept any fate that could possibly make this exhaustion leave him.

Mia: Well, unfortunately, my computer was in Best Buy for servicing, so I was not able to update the 1st of the year like I planned to. I hope you can all forgive me. Hopefully, my computer will remain useable so that we can really begin updating regularly. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to review!