I'm alive, I swear! I am sooooo sorry that I've taken so long to update, I really am. Writer's block is a horrible, horrible thing. I hope you guys aren't too terribly mad at me. If you are, I understand why... Anyway, I'll let you get reading.

I own nothing.

18. Unexpected confrontations

Leaves danced overhead. Sunlight filtered through the trees, landing squarely across Saira's eyes. Flinching slightly, she opened them. Pulling herself up to sit, she surveyed their surroundings, taking in the immobile forms of her friends beside her. The sight of blue sky and the fluffy squirrel that watched them intently took her aback for a moment. The memories of the past few days flooded into her mind, and the red kitsune jumped to her feet.

"Minai, Kurama, Kuronue, get up!" The only one who responded to her shouting was Minai, who groaned and rolled over. Moving closer to her old friend, Saira said softly. "We're in Ningenkai."

Minai's dark eyes shot open. "Ningenkai?" Realization dawned in her eyes. "Kalani!"

"Took you long enough," Saira grunted, annoyed by the dull pounding in her head. Silently, she woke Kurama and Kuronue.

Minai climbed unsteadily to her feet, gazing around at the forest that spread out on all sides. The deep, unnerving feeling of being watched had come over her as soon as she had woken. Something was wrong with their surroundings; it was quiet. The only sound was the chittering of the squirrel.

"Where could Kalani have gone?" Kurama asked softly, looking up to the deep azure sky.

Minai frowned, staring into the bushes. Something stared back. Cautiously, she drew a short knife from a sheath at her side. She felt tension thicken the air as her friends noticed her actions. Kuronue put one hand on his scythe. Pushing aside the leaves with her knife, Minai let out a soft sigh. Staring back at her was a small bobcat kitten. She shook her head, putting her blade away. She turned back to her friends, closing her eyes lightly. A sudden, harsh rustling caused her to open them again. Before she could turn around, her shoulder exploded with pain. Gritting her teeth, she glanced back at a large demon-cat, it's fangs sunk deep into her shoulder an arm. Kuronue called her name, drawing out his weapon. Minai gasped slightly, drawing her dagger and stabbing it deep into the beast's neck. The creature let go of her, yowling sharply. Kuronue grabbed a hold of the moon demons arm, puller her away from the cat-like monster. His scythe flashed slightly as it tore through the air toward the cat. The scythe caught it across the face, causing it to falter. Slowly, the monster pulled itself back up, bleeding thick, grayish blood from the wounds on its face and neck.

"Doesn't this thing die?" Kurama asked, flicking his rose whip slightly.

The beast dashed at them, only to be halted by Kurama's weapon. The whip severed on e of the cat's front paws; it stumbled, but lashed out again at the closest thing: Kuronue. Sharp fangs enclosed around his leg. Swearing softly, the bat slashed at his attacker. The scythe again tore open the creature's flesh, this time across it's back. It let him go, eyeing the four of them uneasily. Saira formed a sword from the twig hidden in her hair, while Minai simply stayed back, her only weapon way embedded in the creature's neck.

"Strong little thing, huh?" Saira snarled. Minai shot her a glance. Was it her imagination, or had Saira changed? The old friend Minai remember was only a shadow of the kitsune-woman before her. Have I changed like that, too? What happened to us? Low growls drug her from her thoughts. The monster had lunged again, only to be speared by Saira's sword. It howled and, twisting sharply, it tore the weapon from her hand. Saira gasped and dropped back, letting Kurama and Kuronue slash at the beast. Again, it dove forward, snapping at Kurama. A glimmering silver blade tore across its neck, severing its head. Kuronue stepped back, breathing hard. His dark blue eyes caught his partner's gold ones.

Shaking his head, Kuronue stepped over to Minai, taking her shoulder gently. Behind them, Kurama moved to investigate their attacker. He stumbled back slightly as the decapitated head snapped at his fingers. Saira quickly snatched up her sword and plunged it into the monster's head as it lunged for Kurama's face.

"I guess it really didn't want to die," she said softly.

Minai winced slightly as Kuronue's fingers gently probed her wound, making sure nothing was caught in it. "I never heard of things like that living in Ningenkai..."

"That's because there aren't. Something is wrong," Kurama growled.

"Kalani couldn't have influenced the human world that fast, could she?" Kuronue asked, frowning.

"I don't know, but the best thing we can do is to find her. As fast as we can," Minai said. All sadness from her friend's betrayal had left her eyes and face, leaving only grim determination.

Seeing her face, Kuronue's expression softened slightly. "She's right. We should go." His voice was lighter than normal, causing Minai to send him a confused look. He simply shook his head.

"Why don't we get you two bandaged up first?" Saira said softly, a slightly amused smirk crossing her face.

The other's agreed and, moving away from the monster's body, settled down to take care of their wounds.

Soon. I just want this all over. I just want...peace...to be with Kuronue and not have to fear someone coming after us... Anyone who would dare threaten him or my other friends will face my wrath, no matter who they are. Minai closed her eyes tightly. ...No matter who they are...or were... Kuronue touched her arm lightly and she glanced up at him, flashing him a weak smile. The bat demon smiled back, taking one of her hands in his.

Well, that's all I've got in me right now. I still have horrible writer's block. If any of you have any suggestions or ways to help, I will gladly accept them. I will try to update as soon as I can, and yes, I know this chapter sucked...sorry. Thanks for sticking with me this long, and I hope I'll see y'all soon. See ya