Well, to start things off, I know it'll be pointless asking you all for forgiveness. I've been a very bad authoress :looks ashamed:. So! I decided, since it's been such a long wait, that I'll offer you all TWO LONG chapters! Sounds good?

Anyways, this chapter is contributed to a special and hopelessly addicted fan of mine. If it hadn't been for her, I would've never been able to finish this chapter. I want everyone to thank her for beating the snot out of writer's block for me! :I'm the only one clapping at this point:

Also, I was wondering if you guys would like it if I tried to write a sequel after this? I know, kinda early for me to say this, but it's good to be prepared! And….

:sounds of sudden loud whacking:

ANNEMARIEH: X-X;

HIEI: Finally. No more baka onna to interfere with my plans. Now, to erase this foolish chapter of hers and rewrite it… hehehe…

:loud typing:

HIEI: Now, those crazy fan girls will never want to read her story again…

:sudden loud whacking again:

HIEI: X-X

ANNEMARIEH::rubbing her head while glaring at Hiei: HA! You may think you've ruined my chapter, but you forget! A writer is always prepared for these types of situations! I have a back-up copy! HAHAHAHAHAA!

ANNENARIEH: Now you peoples can enjoy my story. I'm quite sure Hiei will be out for a while. I did kinda hit him pretty hard… :glances down at him in worry: I think he'll be okay… I mean, it's alright to go to sleep with a concussion, right?

:sadly, I pass out as well…:

I sighed, finishing up my breakfast. Alas, my two days of rest were up, and Hiei made sure I didn't get to waste an extra minute in bed. I glared at him as I put down my glass of tea, and he glared right back. I couldn't help but to shudder At the dangerous look he gave to me in warning. Damn, he was scary!

I sighed and stood up, stretching my muscles while Yukina took my plate for me. I smiled at her and thanked her. She was the nicest person here… and she wasn't a freak like the others, even though she had special 'healing powers'. At least I could put up with that alot easier than I could with the others.

"Come woman, it's time for your training." Hiei said, interrupting my thoughts. I felt the anger rising up in me at the nasty tone he had used. I may be getting over my fear of males, but it was only because of the anger I felt at him and his stubborn attitude. I mean, really, didn't the guy know how to be nice? Even for a minute?

I huffed and followed him outside, to be immediately greeted by the cool wind and brilliant sunshine. I smiled. Yes, I loved the outdoors. At least here, I could relax a lot easier… I shot a glance at Hiei, who was already walking way ahead of me, not caring if I fell behind or not. A part of me wanted to run and catch up to him, but the other half of my mind told me 'NO! Don't get any closer to him! He's crazy!' I couldn't help but to grin at that thought. Yes… Hiei certainly was the craziest one here…

We arrived at the outskirts of the forest beside Genkai's Temple, and Hiei came to a halt. He faced me with a deep scowl of impatience and agitation. His compliant disposition around Yukina had just dropped from the face of the earth. Standing before me was a demon, his true nature finally revealing itself to me. I shivered and resisted the urge to look away. I could hold his gaze. He wasn't going to get to me.

"Stay close to me woman. If you happen to get lost, don't expect me to go back and save you. You're on your own. That's part of your training, got it?" he said, and his tone was a direct indication his words were not meant to be taken lightly. I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat. Maybe I should've replied, "sir, yes sir?"

His face grimaced before he shifted on his feet and resumed walking, right into the forest. I followed, as a strange ominous feeling washed over me. I wasn't so confident about training now. This place was dark and foreboding. And I didn't like it. I glanced up at Hiei, who was a little ways ahead of me, but not by a whole lot. How could he act like there was nothing wrong here? Didn't he sense the dark aura around this place!

The forest grew darker and denser the further he led me into it. The air grew cold, and I couldn't help but to shiver. Just where was he taking me anyway? I thought he was supposed to be training me! Not taking me on a stupid nature hike!

My thoughts were suddenly cut short as I realized Hiei wasn't standing before me anymore…. He was behind me. I yelped as he slammed my back into a tree, pressing right up against me. Fear and alarm flooded my senses and I struggled to free myself from his grasp. Just what the hell was his problem anyway? Why is he doing this to me!

But I soon discovered, resistance is futile. He was a lot stronger than he looked, and easily overpowered me. I shivered at how close he was to me, pressing himself so intimately against my body I couldn't tell where he ended and I began. He needed to knock his crap off! He just needed to leave me alone!

But at the same time…. He needed to stay. Right here, against me… he was calling to my demon half. and I was surely responding. And we both knew there was nothing I could do about it. My fate was in his hands now…

I forced back the sudden wave of desire as it hit me hard, rendering me speechless and weak. My body writhed anxiously against his, in its need to get even closer. Not that I wasn't already. I squeezed my eyes shut tight as he drew his mouth close to my ear, so his breath blew straight in it. Another wave crashed my body.

"Find your way out of this forest… and back to me. I'll be waiting." Hiei whispered, slowly and purposely.

And then he was gone.

It took my mind a moment to realize in its clouded haze of lust that he wasn't against me anymore. That he had left the clearing completely. I looked around frantically. Surely he hadn't abandoned me here? In this creepy forest? I shuddered, biting back the tears. Why? Why does this always happen to me?

That was a question I just couldn't answer…

But I knew I had more important things to focus on instead of my knack for bad luck. I could worry about that another time. Not now. That was for sure. If this was Hiei's idea of training me, I had better do exactly as he said… find my way out of this forest and back to him. And when I get to him, he is seriously going to regret ever toying with me. I am no one's pet.

I have no idea how late it's gotten. I feel like I've been walking and walking for hours… in circles! I stop to catch my breath, wiping the sweat from my brow. I swear, when I get out of this forest, I'm gonna kill Hiei! How dare he abandon me in this terrible place! I'll make sure Kurama hears of this. He's the only one that knows how to control Hiei, so if I can't do anything, the red-head most certainly can…

Suddenly, a loud crashing sound reached my ears, followed by a horrific roar. I watched in horror as many birds flew from the trees, shrieking loudly in fear. My heart froze, a tremendous wave of absolute terror paralyzing me in place. Something bad was coming this way. Something really bad. Something… evil. My mind was screaming at me to run, but my body seemed incapable of processing that response. The thundering of something drawing closer finally snapped me out of my daze and I fled, running as fast as I could in the opposite direction.

Never before did I have to run for my life. Never before have I experienced such an overwhelming feeling of fear and desperation. Now I know what the prey feels like when it's being hunted by the predator. The need and instinct to escape, but the inevitable feeling that failure and death is close at hand. I doubt I'd be able to outrun whatever was after me.

So I did the first thing that came to my mind. I cried for help… I cried for Hiei.

And just as I thought, he did not come to my rescue. He did not save me. I received no reply. I was truly alone out here, and the deafening realization of it all splashed tears upon my cheeks and hopelessness across my heart. I was doomed. There was nothing I could do about it. Nothing.

I ran blindly now, unaware and not caring where I was headed. My only desire was to get out of this forest and away from the thing that pursued me. That was the only thing on my mind at this point. Branches and stems slashed at me viciously, mixing my tears and sweat with blood. They threatened to hold me back, slowing me down, and my frustration mounted. Damn it all! Where was the way out of this place!

And then I made it. That one fatal mistake. I didn't look where I was going… and stumbled over a large root in my path. I crashed face-first to the ground, scraping the skin from my elbows and knees. The momentary pain was quickly blocked out by fear, as the creature pursuing me finally stopped. I dared myself to turn around….

I wished I hadn't.

The creature was large demonic boar, long sharp tusks protruding from the sides of its face as its thin red eyes glittered down at me maliciously. This was the evil thing I had sensed when entering the forest with Hiei. This was the thing that was going to kill me.

The boar gave a loud snarl before lurching forward. I screamed and covered my face with my arms, a last defense. I knew it was useless. I knew. How could this protect me from death! I closed my eyes shut tight, waiting to feel its sharp teeth tear me to pieces…..

……It never came… the death blow. It never came.

After several moments of realizing I wasn't dead, or even bleeding to death, I lowered my arms…. and jumped. The animal was inches from my face, frozen in mid-step. It's eyes still filled with that starving look for blood. But it didn't move. Not even the slightest. It didn't even breath. It was as if the creature was forever frozen in time; a living statue. It was ne3ver going to attack me.

I rose shakily to my feet, my legs threatening to collapse beneath me at any moment, my heart pounding so fiercely I feared it would burst through my chest. I cautiously stepped around the frozen animal, making sure it wouldn't suddenly spring to life and finish its task, before breaking into a run.

I kept running, not bothering to stop or catch my breath, the fear I would be hunted yet again driving me forward. And then suddenly…. I'm free. The warm sun greeted my fear-soaked body, and I gave in to the feeling of its gentle rays. I never felt so grateful to se the sun again.

"Woman?" a voice behind me questions, and I spin around to come face to face with Hiei. I should be beyond angry with him. I should beat him and hurt him brutally for what he did to me. I really should. But I can't. Relief washes over me, erasing my fear and anger. My thoughts are halted as I lunge at him, gripping him tightly about the waist and holding on for dear life. He'll protect me now. He won't let any thing bad happen to me. I just know he won't.

I sense Hiei freeze. It's almost like he's become another living statue, frozen in time. He doesn't hold me, or offer words of comfort. He just stands there quietly. Why won't he say something? Why doesn't he do something? The choking pain of it explodes within me, bringing forth fresh tears as I cry into his chest, my hands still clutching him tightly in my grasp.

I tense when I feel his arms quietly snake around me, pulling me in closer to him. His grip tightens as he raises his energy several degrees, in an attempt to calm me down. The heat from his burning body engulfs me, luring me into heavenly bliss. I sigh, my tears finally abating, and loosen my tight grip. This feels so nice. And he's so warm. I'm safe now. I'm safe as long as I'm in his arms. No harm can come to me while I'm here.

After several moments of quiet holding, he lets his guard down. His grip becomes possessive and he leans down on one leg, pulling me with him so I'm leaning against his chest. He rests his chin on top of my head, his fingers gently stroking my side. I shiver, as that hot feeling of desire lurks below the surface. I hold it back with all the strength I could muster. No, I don't want to scare him off. Not when he's being so nice to me now. Because I know, he will never treat me like this ever again. This is a moment I will cherish forever.

A silent yawn escapes my lips as I close my eyes, surrendering to the peaceful dark… and Hiei's warm embrace.

Well, I hope this chapter was worth it for you all. I tried to spark up the action and romance, since that's usually what fans like the most. I hope I did okay. Now go red the next chapter!