Hey There! Since you people have been so patient with me, I decided to reward you with yet another chapter! Ain't it great! It might be to you, but not really to me, for I find it extremely hard to be typing on a laptop while being tied to a tree. Hiei, you no-good sneaky bastard….

: Hiei returns with a chair and a bowl of popcorn:

HIEI: Hello. Are you having fun with this game? :says it in a deeply sarcastic voice:

ANNEMARIEH: No. :replies just as sarcastically: Why did you bring the goods? Can I have some?

HIEI: No, this is mine! :holds them tight to his chest like it was his child: You're lucky I was nice enough to give you that computer-thingy so you can continue that pathetic excuse of a story.

ANNEMARIEH: But I thought you said it was great! :looking put-out and ready to cry:

HIEI: Hn. No I didn't. :starts munching down on the popcorn:

:suddenly, Kurama appears. I might be saved after all:

KURAMA: Actually Hiei, you did say the story was great. Just in the last chapter, too.

HIEI: Shut up, kitsune. I know what I said.

KURAMA: If you say so….

:sees me tied up to the tree as I stare at him pleadingly:

KURAMA: Hiei, why do you have her tied to the tree?

HIEI: Oh, no reason. You should join me and watch what happens when that computer starts slipping out of her hands…

:Kurama is silent for a moment:

Kurama: Okay! Let's just watch her for awhile, then we can let her go…. :starts sounding like Youko:

ANNEMARIEH: Aww, come on guys, that's not fair! Let me go!

:crickets chirping:

Please? Won't somebody help me? No?... :sigh:

I waited with bated breath as Kurama slid open the door and ushered me inside, and I was immediately met with the inquisitive gazes of the people he had told me about yesterday. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Yukina, and Botan watched me while some old woman sitting at the far end of the table had yet to look up at me. I guess I should thank her for not staring…

But then I saw him, as my eyes took in the rest of the room. There he was, sitting casually on the floor by Yukina, staring down at the ground and ignoring me the moment I entered. Hiei… I shivered and looked up at Kurama, silently begging him to let me return to my room instead of facing all of these strange people… especially Hiei. The red-head smiled and patted my shoulder before whispering, "Don't worry. They won't bite…except for Hiei." He grinned afterwards at his own sorry joke, and I glared up at him. "Not funny" I said, as he pulled me over to the table where everyone had already been enjoying their breakfast before I had come in.

The tension grew when I had no idea where I was supposed to sit. Great! First I look like a timid mouse in front of all these strangers, and then I can't sit down to save my life! My frustration was about to send me through the roof until Botan spoke up. "Psst! Akira! Sit by me!" she whispered cheerfully, and I looked over at Kurama who merely smiled with that innocent 'What-do-you-want-me-to-do-now?-look'. I sighed and sat down by Botan, who immediately set to getting a plate filled with food.

I found myself able to relax after a few minutes when everyone got over me and went back to what they had originally been doing. I just might be able to enjoy my breakfast after all… despite the fact that Hiei sat directly across from me. I pretended to ignore him, and (no small wonder) he ignored me just as well. I wasn't afraid of him or what he was capable of. No, I was afraid of the feeling he aroused within me. A feeling I had never experienced before… and had absolutely no control over either. I was fearful that if I wasn't careful, I would lose my control around him… and do something I was bound to regret.

But… whatever. This was a time that I should be enjoying myself! Not fretting over some foolish nonsense! I was free now of just about everything, and I needed to get used to the feeling.

Botan was the first person to try and engage me in conversation. "So, how have you enjoyed your stay here, Aki?" she asked, and I looked over at her questioningly. "What do you mean Botan? I've only been here for about a day." I replied, and I smirked inwardly at the sheepish grin on her face. She rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "Ahahaha… yes, well, what I meant was, how are you feeling? You were very tense and untrusting towards all of us yesterday!" she said, smiling slightly. Oh. Figures she would bring up a question like that. I looked away dismissively and busied myself with the rice in my bowl.

"Botan, please, I don't wanna talk about anything right now, okay?" I whispered softly, in a pathetic pleading tone that I'm sure Hiei picked up on in no time, for he glanced up at me before snorting and directing his attention to Yukina when she tapped him on the shoulder. Botan noted the grim expression on my face and kept quiet…. For about five seconds. I jumped as she draped her arm across my shoulder sympathetically. "Aw, cheer up Aki! You're among good people now! Relax and learn to live a little! You'll have lots of friends here in no time!" she said, and I had extreme difficulty not turning around and sinking my nails into her wrist….

Kurama saved me by handing me a glass of warm tea. I took it from him and he smiled. "Drink up Aki. That tea has lots of herbs and minerals to help you regain all of your strength." He said, and I shrugged. Okay, if he said so…

Breakfast came to a close when both Yusuke and Kuwabara started a brawl, nearly knocking their bowls on the floor as they wrestled around. Genkai shook her head and Botan stood up to help Yukina clear the table. Kurama went to stop the fight and I found my chance to sneak away unnoticed. I silently stood and disappeared outside, glancing back to make sure no one saw me, including Hiei. But Hiei…. Wasn't even there. I looked around the room carefully, making sure he wasn't watching me from a dark corner or something. That's strange. He just disappeared? Without a trace? I shrugged dismissively. Oh well. Like I should care. Finally, a chance without him trying to stare me down!

While all the commotion continued inside, I quietly slipped outside on the porch, to be greeted by the warm wild smells of Nature and the pleasant chirping of the birds. Yes, I much preferred the outdoors. Being locked inside gave me that 'caged bird' feeling, a feeling I was most uncomfortable with. It reminded me too much of the feeling of my father…. I shivered as though an icy wind had struck me and rubbed my arms. Damn, I seriously needed to adapt to freedom, or else it would drive me crazy! But, then again, being around these crazy people just might drive me crazy a lot quicker. I walked around the porch before slumping down on the steps and letting out a very loud yawn. My eyes widen in alarm. Whoa! I sounded like I hadn't slept in ages! I grinned to myself, careful not to let it show on my face too much.

Suddenly, a dark figure appeared out of the corner of my eye. I snapped my head around sharply, only to yelp in surprise. It was Hiei…. He had found me. I quickly hid my bewilderment behind a blank mask, smooth of any expression. It was a mask I always wore around my father, so he would never know what it was I happened to be thinking. And I sure as hell didn't want Hiei to know what it was I thought about him. Period. I stood up and stretched casually, glancing at him mid-way. He said nothing but continued to stare me down, as though he were trying to figure me out. Hey, I knew that look was familiar! It's the same look Kurama wears! I hardened my features so he couldn't conclude anything else further. I didn't know what it was he had found out already, and I probably didn't want to know!

He probably knew a lot about me already. After all, he was the first freak I had met, and he was the one who had brought me to this mad house in the first place. Who knew how much he had discovered since then? And it was then that I wondered. Would he continue to haunt me and shadow my every footstep until he had discovered every little thing, every hidden secret? Would he not rest until he had driven me into madness? I shivered and snapped out of my thoughts by his movements, as he stepped forward towards me. My body jumped to full alert, still untrusting around males, ESPECIALLY this one. He was a male I would never trust. He didn't seem to trust me…

My body tensed painfully as he came to stop directly in front of me, not even a hands width from me. I shuddered as the immense heat from his body came to encircle me, luring me deeper into a seductive trap. I needed to watch my step around him. I should. But suddenly…. I just didn't seem to care. He was so warm, and it was starting to make me drowsy….. I jerked as he reached up and grabbed hold of a stray black strand, twirling the hair around his fingers lazily. I watched him, confused by his actions. Just the heck was he trying to pull? What was he up to? The dark Goth said nothing but continued to play with the hair before slowly meeting my inquisitive gaze. I froze. That look! I've seen it too many times before! The heated look of want, that seemed only to intensify with each passing moment. I faintly registered that he had stepped closer, his body slightly pressing against mine. The sudden close, unwarranted contact alarmed me and I quickly jumped back, away from his heat, away from him. Damn, that was close. Too close.

Hiei smirked and his eyes narrowed mockingly, as though he had discovered a juicy secret he just couldn't let go. " Something in Japanese.> " he said, his tone highly amused. I looked to him in question, but he straightened his posture before turning on his heel and disappearing back inside the temple without a word. I stared after him in shock. What… the hell… just happened here? What was going on!

It took my mind a moment to comprehend what had just transpired: the close contact, the look, the smirk, the Japanese…. I pieced it all together, and his intention became horribly clear. 'I can't believe it! He was playing games with me!' My mind shrieked in indignation. He was just trying to rile me up, and see how I reacted to him! Why that rotten little prick! I turned around, ready to storm back in there and give him a piece of my mind. Who cares if I didn't speak Japanese? I'm sure he'd know exactly what I said when I get through with him!

Feeling incredibly brave (and stupid) I turn and march right through the sliding door… only to come to an abrupt halt and land backwards on my butt. I look up into the surprised face of Kurama, who looks down at me a second before offering his hand to help me up. "Sorry Akira. I didn't mean to run into you like that!" he says, and I smiled back in return. Hmm, Kurama is different from all those freaks. He has a nice aura, and I could live with that. I waved a hand dismissively. "Oh don't worry about it! It's my fault really. I wasn't paying attention where I was going." I said. He nodded. "Aki, would you mind coming with me for a moment? There's someone here I would like you to meet." He said, and I shrugged before following him inside. Great. Let me guess. He was going to introduce me to another freak? Okay. All right. Let's see if this one is any different.

He led me into the main room, and I stopped in my tracks. A tall male with short brown hair and the initials 'Jr.' on his forehead turned to welcome us. I took in the rest of his features and I had to bite my tongue to stop from bursting into hysterics. Apart from the weird lettering on his forehead, he had a pacifier in his mouth and a red cape. 'He was GOT to be one of the biggest freaks here.' I think absently, as he and Kurama start speaking in rapid Japanese. 'I mean, who does he think he is? Superman? Binky Boy?' I covered my mouth with my hands as a few of the louder giggles were hard to suppress. Both Kurama and the new dude turn me, the latter eyeing me in serious concern, as though he thought I were the freak here. I valiantly regained my composure and I smiled at them cheerfully, I bit too much I think.

"Aki, this is Koenma. He needs to talk to you about some things, okay?" Kurama said, and I noticed the tone he had used. Kinda like a mother assuring her kid everything was going to be all right. Was there something going on here that I hadn't been informed of? I eyed this Koenma questioningly. He said nothing but pulled out some papers and flipped through them. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aki. But I have to make introductions short for now." Koenma said, talking to me though he wasn't really looking at me.

He was still flipping through the pages looking for something. At last, he came to a stop and pulled loose a paper. He looked up at me, expression grave. "No need to alarm you now, Akira, but I'm afraid I have some bad news. You see, there are some people who are after you.' He said, and my brain took a moment o register the information. What? Someone was after me? W-what the hell for? What had I done?

"Now, this is really important, Akira. There are people after you because of what you ARE. You see, you're not really human. You're part demon. And bounty hunters are trying to get a hold of you to kill you. You're a very rare…."

I didn't hear the rest of what he was saying as my vision darkened and I fainted. This is just too much. Too much. Aw man. I need to get outta here. A wave of pain coursed through my body as my head collided with the floor with a sickening crack. That was all I knew, as my world vanished once more…..

Well, I know I have been taking forever to get to this story, so I hope this chapter made up for it. I've finally beaten my writer's block, and I'm ready to go! Once Hiei unties me. I love leaving cliff hangers, because it makes you guys want to read more. Man, I'm bad. Hehehehe. So, in the meantime, send me all the reviews you can if you want to now what happens to the poor hanyou next! Hurry!