Random: Not much to say now..................

Kai: She used up all her sugar power.

Random: No more sugar....................... i own nothing still. Pooh.

Last Time:

Back in the deep confines of the Makai forest, a dark demon watches teh entire scene. His cruel smile curled and he laughed softly to himself.

"Oh, no Mariko, my dear girl. You belong to me and only to me!"

Chap.6

Hiei's POV

She said, " I think that I love you." And what did I do? I walked away. I did not know what to do or say. I am a fool. An absolute fool. She is back in the cave with us now. She is laying down with her back to everyone, but I can tell that she is only trying to hide her tears from them. From me. How could I hurt so without saying anything? Kurama always told me that words killed, not silence.

He is awake and carefully watching us. I can just tell. Stupid fox. When will he learn that he cannot keep anything from me? I nudge him in the ribs and he sits up, looking guiltily at me.

"Why did you walk away?" he asked with concern and slight disappointment. His words burned in my mind and my heart.

" I…I need to talk to you," I mumbled as quietly as I could.

He stood and walked out of the cave, beckoning for me to follow him. I scowled and slowly followed him. He turned around and crossed his arms.

" What is it that you need to talk to me about, Hiei?"

" You know very well what I want to talk about, fox. I know you were awake and eavesdropping on us."

" I am sorry, Hiei, but I have to hear you say it," he smiles at me, mocking me.

" Baka kitsune! What s-should I do about M-M-Mariko? What can I do? You saw what happened!" I stuttered, trying not to show my hurt and nervousness that I always feel when I am talking about or thinking about Mariko.

" Yes. Well, Hiei, there is not much to say. You hurt her, obviously. The only thing to do is to tell her or show her your true feelings, whatever they may be."

Kurama turned and went back into the cave, leaving my alone with my thoughts and churning emotions. I walked for a while, confused and angry. I eventually fell asleep against a tree, and then sprang awake as an idea came to me. Running into the forest, I knew exactly what I must do. This just had to work. The mission depended on it. The entire mission to save Mariko's spirit rested on my shoulders.

Normal POV

At 9:00, everyone awoke. They wandered out of the cave, stretching and yawning. Kurama silently noted that Hiei was still gone. Botan sent a call to Koenma to report the past day's happenings. When Mariko awoke and joined the others outside, she felt different and changed.

" Botan, I feel odd. Like that raging beast inside me is, well, frankly, I cannot fell it at all! It is… gone!"

Botan stared at her, and then clapped her hands as shrieked in realization," Oh, Mariko! That is absolutely wonderful! That means you have gotten your demon spirit back! It must have been in the cave and found you! Now we can head home!"

Waving everyone over, as Mariko looked thoroughly confused and flustered, Botan started shrieking again, " hey, guys! Guess what!"

" Um, I dunno," mumbled Yusuke.

"You love me?" suggested Kuwabara hopefully.

" We have to fight again?" winced Keiko.

" No, over-my-dead-body no, and no. Mariko's demon side has been found! We can go home now!"

Everyone congratulated in their own way and Mariko was stuck trying to figure out what exactly was going on. Hiei appeared at Kurama's side, looking out of breath for once in his life. Kurama studied him, trying to figure out what it was that could cause Hiei of all people to be panting and sweating.

" Did it find her?" he gasped out.

"Say what?" asked a very confused Kurama.

" Her demon spirit. I tracked it down and chased it here, but that thing is just as feisty as she is. It really did not want to come."

"Then, yes it found her. We will be leaving soon. The portal will open about a mile from here."

Hiei straightened himself, his face now portraying no emotion. He "hned" and crossed his arms over his chest. Yukina came running over and grabbed Kurama's arm with one hand and Hiei's arm with the other one.

" Come on, come on!" she cried eagerly, "Let's go home!" Her eyes sparkled with the pure joy of a child, though she had wisdom beyond her apparent years. Finally, she let go as Kurama relented and followed her into the group. Hiei stole a glance at Mariko. She noticed and her eyes hardened and turned cold as she put her back to him while talking to Keiko. Desperately, she tried to ignore his unblinking gaze.

About half an hour later, they were still on the way to the portal. When they were about halfway to their destination, Hiei and Kurama sensed some unusual energy. They pushed the group on a little faster, trying to avoid and fighting. Then it started. At first only one or two came out, which Yusuke disposed of quickly. Then more and more came on, all of them centering their attacks on Mariko. Realizing what was happening, everyone began to form a protective ring around her, but Mariko would have none of it. Kurama's whip slashed again and again. Yusuke and Kuwabara had used up all their spirit energy and were down to using their fists. Yukina darted around, healing people fro a few seconds before moving on to the next injured fighter.

Once everyone was low on energy, they stumbled into a small cave. Hiei was nowhere in sight. No demons followed them into the cave. Botan searched the cave frantically.

"This is where the portal is supposed to be!" she cried, panicking.

" Calm down," chided Keiko, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her gently to make her breath a little more. Suddenly the portal appeared, emitting its unusual, eerie green glow.

"Just like in my dream," Mariko thought, stifling a gasp of surprise.

Botan and Keiko jumped through. Kuwabara followed after a moment's hesitation. Yusuke, Kurama, and Yukina hesitated, waiting for Mariko. Looking she around, she gasped, realizing that Hiei was with them.

" Where is Hiei? I…we can 't leave without him!" she cried, running out.

Telling Yusuke and Yukina to head back, Kurama raced after Mariko. As soon as the other two jumped through the portal, it closed with one last bright glow. Kurama disappeared into the darkness of the woods.

Back at Home

"Well, now what?" asked Yusuke.

" I guess we better get Koenma to open another portal," sighed Botan.

" Okay, I better tell Kurama," she said brightly, after some screaming, panicking, and cursing, Botan closed her communicator.

In the Makai

Mariko was running through the forest. Kurama trailed behind her, trying to not lose sight of her. His eyes widened as he realized what Mariko was running into. Surging ahead, he yelled to Mariko to stop. She burst into the clearing, panting. Kurama saw as three demons materialized, catching her by surprise. He realized with horror that he could not reach her in time to help her in any way.

" Now what is this? Yer a purty little thing, ain't ya?" one slurred, swaggering up.

" Hey, you, watch it. Boss says he wants her," another said, "Alive and well."

" I wouldn't come near me if I were you. I…I am very dangerous. More powerful than you could imagine," she bluffed, trying to pull out her katana with no success.

" You lie," said one, advancing toward her.

" Oh? How can you tell?" challenged Mariko.

" Simple. You stuttered. You could not unsheathe your sword. You are bleeding and you are still hurt and still bandaged. Your spirit energy is low," one smirked.

All of them lunged at Mariko. The first one hit her in the back of her injured knee, causing her to collapse. Kurama stumbled forward into the clearing and started to pull out his rose whip. Before he could get it out, a very angry Hiei sped into the clearing. The demons, still attacking Mariko, did into acknowledge his presence. The normal scowl he wore deepened, darkening his face. He glanced at Kurama, who put away his whip.

Hiei darted and a demon's head rolled across the grass. The other two noticed him, mostly because he held one up by the neck and he other was gasping in pain on the ground, a long gash in his chest and stomach area.

" Don't ever touch her again!" growled Hiei, tightening his hold on the demon's throat. The demon gasped a clawed at Hiei's hand. Then he stopped, his eyes lifeless and body limp. Hiei threw him aside, and then beckoned for Kurama and Mariko to follow him as if nothing had just happened. Suddenly a ringing noise made them all jump. It was Kurama's communicator. He opened it hurriedly.

" Hey there," chirped Botan's tinny voice, "I have a portal set up for you."

As Kurama turned away to receive instructions to the portal, Mariko shifted away from Hiei, uncomfortable. He looked away, trying not to show his feelings.

Mariko's POV

"He is uncomfortable, I can tell. So am I. I wish Kurama would come back. Oh, please, hurry up. This is breaking my heart," I thought.

Kurama returned, saying that the portal is just ahead. I noticed something moving out in front of us.

" Let go of me!" I could hear myself scream. Two demons have captured Kurama and Hiei, catching them by surprise. This time I know that it is up to me to save myself… and to save them.

Random: ooooo, drama!

Hiei: Shut up, foolish ningen girl.

Random: you shut up!

Hiei: you!

Random: YOU!

Kai: (Hiei and Random still fightig in background) this could go on for a while...........reveiew for Random please