Pt 8

The forest seemed to beckon to her from all around. Night music greeted them, echoing a joy she did not feel. She wondered how far she could get before he noticed she was gone. Probably only a few steps; she debated on whether or not trying to run for it would be worthwhile.

"We don't have time for sightseeing Kirai. Move it!" Mentally she snarled at his back, then pressed her heels against the horses side to catch up with the obnoxious lord. He was determined to break her, well she was determined to make is pathetic existence a living hell. He wasn't going to win this; no way in hell would she let him win.

Suddenly there was a slight rustle behind them, almost perfectly blended in with the quiet night. If they hadn't been silent they would have missed. Fighter's instinct kicked in.

Kirai was fast.

Shikijou was faster.

Kirai barely got a chance to see it. The okami's sword sliced through the air, severing the creature from its head. The headless bear-yokai stumbled a few steps forward before falling to the ground, blood gushing in spurts from its neck.

Whinnying nervously, the horse back away from the body.

"Are you alright?"

"I didn't need your help."

"It's a lord's job to take care of his property."

"I'm not your property!"

"Most people say thank you."

Rage boiled up in her again, clouding her judgment. She didn't even hear the cracks behind her.

His arm shot out and yanked her off the back of her horse. The sudden shift of weight sent them both tumbling to the floor, him covering her almost…protectively.

The horse screamed as the bear's claws tore through its back. Shikijou felt her stiffen beneath him.

Damn it, she's stopped thinking straight!

Instantly the bear was on fire.

That's Shinji's power.

It lasted only a few seconds before the forest returned to dark. He stood and pulled her up with him, regarding her intently. She stared off into the forest, as if lost in a memory for quite some time before noticing his stare.

"Well, what the hell are you staring?"

"This is the second time I had to save you from the exact same creature. It's almost as if the fighter in the ring evaporates the moment you step out. You can duplicate other people's attacks and your aim is basically accurate but when you get angry you get careless. Try using your anger to help you."

I've got a million ways to kill you right now. I'm sure my anger will help me then. If he heard her thoughts he showed no sign of it.

He walked over to the still-screaming horse. One look told him that it was beyond help. Its stomach was ripped open and it would die in the most painful manner. Quickly he put it out of its misery and silence reigned once more.

"Here." He tossed a second sword to her. "You had this when we found you." She couldn't help but gawk at the intricate creeping-vine design of the scabbard and the perfect-ness of the blade. In the hilt a beautiful clear stone shimmered.

When she looked up Shikijou was cutting up pieces of the bear and putting it in a saddle-bag. The head of the creature looked as if it were in the process of re-growing when it had been flambéed.

"Don't just stand there, give me a hand with this."

"You're really going to eat that?"

"If not me, then somebody else. Might as well be me. If you behave I may actually let you eat something every once in a while too. Besides, it's already partially cooked." He smirked at her face. "Get used to it. Judging by the size of this guy, we'll be eating bear meat for a while. Be grateful it's not the horse."

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Jen listened out before heading to the door. All day Hiei had followed her around. None of her friends had noticed him but it was painfully obvious to her. Her father's friend was stifling her. Hiei knew nothing about girls; no wonder he was still single. She silently slid open the door and headed down the stairs. She froze on the bottom step. There, sleeping on the living-room couch was the koorime himself.

Silently she cursed using every swear she ever heard. There was no way in hell she'd be able to get past him. She climbed back up to the room. The window seemed to be her only means of escape.

She grabbed the rain pipe and slid down quickly. As she hit the floor she heard a slight commotion from inside. DAMN IT he heard her! Well what the hell did she expect from the koorime? Just before he came into view a sports car swerved up to the curve. She jumped in and slammed the door.

"Go, go now!" The car sped out onto the street.

"You know, it's not everyday I have to rescue my date from her own house." Jen giggled.

"I'm just glad you got my message."

"So who was that?"

"Friend of my dad." She glanced back just to make sure they weren't being followed. "I appreciate that he's just being cautious but he's stifling me. So, your email said you had some place special to take me. I'm curious…where are we going Shikijou?"

He smiled.

"Let's just say it's gonna be something you'll never forget."

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This was it. This was where they were going to train. He had told her as much before disappearing. There was something set up around the castle. She couldn't get near to the wall without a drumming in the back of her head. The moment she tried to get through the gates, pain exploded in her head.

She was trapped.

And Shikijou was nowhere in sight.

There had to be a way to get out of here. She checked everywhere but to no avail. There was no way out.

She could practically see him mocking her. She could see him watching her. It was a frustrating feeling: knowing that any move she made could be watched. Suddenly she went cold. Something was wrong…

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"Yusuke! Yusuke , dammit, get up!" He jumped up.

"Wha…what is it?"

"Jen's slipped out of the house. I think the guy she's with is a yokai!"

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Gently she touched the door. Something was going on inside. There was somebody she needed to help.

"Going somewhere?" Kirai whirled to face the okami. "You really should mind your own business. People who keep to themselves tend to live longer."

"Who do you have in there! I know you've got someone in there!"

"That's my business, dear." He grasped her chin and forced her to look up at him. "Curiosity can get you killed." He whispered softly. "I'll make a deal with you. You pass my training here, and the person inside can go free. Do we have a deal?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"There is always a choice."

"I need to see her. I need to make sure she's alive."

"Why would you assume that it's a she?"

"I can pretty much figure out the way your twisted mind works."

"Very well then." He stepped aside and she pushed open the door, keeping a wary eye on him.

"Kami!" She ran over to the bed where a girl was tied hand and foot. She broke the ropes and helped her to sit up. "Damn you!" She glared at Shikijou. "What kind of monster are you!" He chuckled.

"Why do I get the feeling that the next thing you're going to ask me to do requires letting her go?"

"Why do you have to do this?"

"It's a pity that a fighter such as yourself can be so weighted down with other's problems."

Jen leaned on her shoulder for support, breathing heavily.

"It's all right. I'm gonna get you back home." She nodded and made sure not to look at him, at the man in the doorway. The girl was helping her to her feet.

"Just what do you think you're doing?"

"I'm not leaving her in here with you Shikijou. I don't want to know what you've done to her already; I'm not going to let you get near her."

"Suit yourself; just don't expect me to go easy on you."

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"Kami, do you see that?" Hiei nodded and gulped.

"Is Jen with her?"

"Yeah, it seems like she's made a deal with the guy. Jen's safe…for now. But Hiei, what about…" The koorime shook his head.

"I'll go after her. I must talk to her…"