Random: Well, this is a brand new chappie!

Kai: And we found out that there is no difference between a procratinator and a slacker. SO THERE!!!

Random: Oh, yeah, the disclaimer, I own nothing!!! GO AWAY!!!!!!!!1

Last Time:

Mariko stood, glowering at the boys. She looked over her shoulder at Keiko,

Botan, and Yukina, one eyebrow cocked. Grinning wickedly at the cowering boys, Botan

picked up a roll of duct-tape as the four girls advanced on them.

Chap. 10

"EeeYOW!" screeched Yusuke as Kuwabara pulled off yet another piece of duct- tape from Yusuke's arms.

"It's no more than you deserved," said Mariko curtly as she and the girls sat at the kitchen table, watching the show over their morning coffee.

Yusuke let loose a string of cuss words that would make a sailor blush. Keiko smiled and shook her head. Yukina looked at Yusuke sorrowfully, but a small smile tugged at her lips. Kurama sat silently on the couch; a grimace on his face as he rubbed his sore arms.

"Did you really have to use up seven rolls of duct-tape? I mean, you didn't have to cover us with it and stick to the wall," he said irritably.

"Yes, we did!" the happy girls chorused.

That Night

"Yet again, this is spectacular, Mariko," commented Kurama as they ate.

"Really, it is," said Botan as Mariko shrugged off the praise.

Suddenly a crash came from the kitchen. Before anyone could moves, Taru strode into the room. Yusuke and Kurama stood, ready to fight, but Taru simply waved them away carelessly.

"I am not here to fight, just to warn you. Mariko, come to me before your nightmare becomes a reality. I will stop at nothing!"

"Are you threatening me?" growled Mariko, her voice strong but face pale.

"Yes," was Taru's answer as he, yet again, disappeared.

"Must he always knock out our kitchen any time he visits?" sighed Yukina, looking forlorn.

Late at Night, Two Months Later

' I need to get out of here,' thought Mariko as she stared out the window from her bed, 'They'll be in so much danger if I don't leave. If I go, Taru will chase me and leave them alone. So that is it then. I'm outta here. Tonight.'

Two months had passed since Taru had appeared for the first time. The gang, with the exception of Hiei, had been fighting him ever since. Multiple attacks had been bestowed upon their household and their forces were slowly weakening. Hiei dropped by mow and again, but he and Mariko and not met up since the incident.

Mariko rolled off here bed, glancing at the clock. It read 1:04. Hearing Yusuke's snores, she knew everyone else was asleep. Yusuke was always the last to go to sleep. She stood, grabbed her katanas, and strapped them to her back. Quickly, she packed as much of her clothing as she could into her black pack. With grim satisfaction, she threw all her schoolbooks to the floor.

"Not gonna need them anymore," she mumbled, half-happily.

Satisfied that she had all she needed and all her money, she took one last look around the room. Her eyes strayed to her dresser and a glint caught her eye. Dropping her pack, she walked over, letting her curiosity best her. The glint had come from a silver picture frame. Mariko picked it up, staring at the photo.

In it, the whole gang stood in front of the house. Yukina was shyly glancing at Kurama as he smiled winningly. Yusuke's arm was wrapped around Keiko's waist, both of them smiling. Kuwabara stood in the back, a stupid grin on his face and his arms waving in the air. Botan was winking and giving the peace sign with both hands, tongue out. Hiei stood on the right, arms crossed, glaring at the camera. Mariko saw herself in the same pose on the left. The photo had been taken two days after Hiei and Kurama had rescued her.

Expressionless, she stuffed the print into the already overflowing backpack. Seeing her tiny, framed photo of Hiei, she slid it in a well. Then, with a heavy soul, she leapt to her windowsill. Sliding it open as quietly as she could, she leapt out into the tree and slid down. Without a backward glance, she strode into the forest, leaving her sleeping friends behind.

That Morning at the House

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!" Botan's scream echoed from the second story.

"Whoa, what's wrong?" shouted Yusuke as he and the others ran up the stairs.

"Mariko's gone! So are her clothes and katanas! God knows what has happened to her! We have got to find her!"

Soon everyone had searched the entire house, but with no luck. Mariko was nowhere to be found. With their communicators in hand, everyone split up and began to search the city. Kurama stayed at he house, just in case she was to return.

With Mariko, Soon after she had left

Mariko walked until she grew too tired to go any further. Slipping out of her backpack straps, she sat under a huge pine. Hanging her pack on a branch, she yanked off her hoodie and bunched it up into a pillow. Seconds later, she was asleep with her katanas close at her side.

A dark figure appeared next to her. Crouching down, the figure brushed a lock of hair from her face. He sighed, running a hand through his own hair. He stood and looked down at Mariko. He quickly strapped her katanas and backpack to his back and carefully picked her up.

"I can't believe I am doing this," he grumbled as he started off in the direction of the house.

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