Pt 9

"So let's sum this up, shall we? You know her, even though you're sure you've never met her before; we need her for something, but you're not sure what that something is; You think Boton's still alive even though we all saw her killed; you think that his girl is an incredibly powerful fighter, yet you also think she's in life threatening danger; you think this girl can tell us where Boton, Banshi and Shinbi are even though the first time you've ever laid eyes on her is an hour ago. Did I miss anything?"

"No, that about covers it."

"My brain hurts." Kuwabara complained.

"Hiei, you realize that this is the utmost crap that I've ever heard, especially from you? We're chasing shadows here!"

"Not exactly. If we were chasing shadows there would at least be some semblance of a hint." All eyes fastened on the koorime. He sighed.

"Look, I know this sounds farfetched…"

"…That's a heluva lot more than far fetched, dude."

"Whatever. There are too many questions that we can't answer. Like, why is Kuwabara the only one of us who hasn't aged? How long have we been fighting this guy? How did Kurama die and if he didn't, where the hell is he now? Who the hell has been messing with our memories?"

Yusuke scratched his head. "I never thought about that. I guess I just figured that it was just the way things were. I never looked for an explanation…"

"Something happened to us, something we can't even begin to explain." Koenma paced. "But what…or more importantly, why?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was probably going to rain soon. Kirai looked up at the sky critically. She sighed, realizing that she was trying desperately to think of anything else but the okami. Boton was right: she need luck right now. Maybe she should have told Hikari after all, then he would at least help her out. But now she was in this on her own, and there was no way out.

It was evening and soon her 'training' would begin.

"You're Kurama's daughter, aren't you?" She whirled to face him. She didn't even hear his approach.

"Who the hell are you?" He stepped out of the shadows. He wasn't tall, yet something about the way he carried himself commanded respect. She could tell instantly that this was a lord.

"I'm a friend. I think we can help each other. I just want to talk to you."

"So talk." She crossed her arms, not trusting this yokai.

"Not here. Come, I know a place not far from here." He turned and walked away, as if certain she would follow. After a moment's hesitation, she did just that.

Instinct told her that she shouldn't trust him. Everything in her screamed danger but there was this little nagging in the back of her mind. Curiosity won over all and she followed.

Finally, a good distance from the castle's main hall, he stopped.

"Alright, I doubt he'll be able to hear us here and I at least can block his telepathy."

"You still haven't told me what you want."

"You want the truth?" She nodded. "The truth is I have no idea why I'm here…"

"…Well thank you sir for an incredible waste of my time…"

"Hold on a minute! I don't know how to explain it; at least hear me out."

"I'm listening."

"I can't really explain it, the connection I feel for you, like I've known you my whole life. I would never have found you if you hadn't helped Jen…"

"You know her?"

"Yes, her father is a friend of mine. I need to know, is Kurama your father?"

"I don't know. I don't remember; I don't remember anything. Like I still don't remember you telling me your name."

"It's Hiei."

"Hiei!" Her eyes narrowed. "You're telling the truth?"

"So you do remember!"

"I'm not sure." Hiei reached out and held her arms.

"You must remember Kirai. We need to help each other. Something's going on here that's bigger than each of us on our own but if we would work together…Just remember…"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For four days Hiei kept him in the woods without food or water. Although he was anxious to start training he needed to make sure this slave was submissive. Not a single hour passed when Hiei did not hit or kick him. Kirai's body was covered in cuts, slashes and bruises. Surprisingly Hiei also bore a few marks where Kirai had managed to hit back. Very rarely was Kirai able to catch Hiei but when he did he made sure that He remembered.

Hiei saw to it that every moment for Kirai was spent in constant pain. He'd shove him into the river more than once until Kirai finally understood that he couldn't get away. No matter how fast or far he swam, Hiei was always there when he managed to pull himself out of the water. At times when he thought the koorime wasn't alert he would try to slip away but never managed more than a few steps before He found him. These attempts were always met with a beating and occasional kicks. Once he broke into run, not caring about stealth. Then Hiei had pulled his sword and delivered a slash to his retreating back. Kirai fell, the sting felt like a fire burning his entire body.

Faster than even Miya could move, Hiei moved forward and his hand connected with her gut. The sickening thud echoed loudly through the stable.

Hiei counted ten, then walked closer to the suffering fighter.

"I will stop now, but only if you beg for forgiveness and swear never to challenge me like that again." Slowly Miya shook her head.

"I can't beg for forgiveness; I'm not sorry." Her voice came out a choked whisper. "If you order me to hurt another innocent know that I will react the same way I did today."

Hiei nodded slightly. "Understood."

Miya's eyes squeezed shut as Hiei raised the whip again.

Blood rushed down her back as He tirelessly rained blows down on her back. She tasted blood in her mouth, this time her own as she bit her tongue in order to remain silent.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Her eyes glowed red as the memories came flooding back. Hate took over as she blasted at his mind with her own. He stumbled back, his hand tearing away from her arm.

"Get the hell away from me!"

"Kirai!"

"I don't want to hear any more from you." She followed it up with a blinding flash of light. Hiei covered his eyes. By the time he reopened his eyes she was gone.

"Damn."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She was rushing blindly, trying to get away; trying to get anywhere but there. Tears filled her eyes for reasons she couldn't quite understand. Damn him, why the hell did Hiei have to show up and ruin her already fragile state of mind. Why do all memories have to be bad.

Without seeing anything she crashed head-first into the next to last person she wanted to see.

"Is something wrong dear?" She glared up at Shikijou.

"Why the hell would you care?" His hands caressed her cheek. Slowly the sea-blue orbs turned dark, and gave way to blackness. "Don't touch me. Damn you Demon, don't you ever touch me!"

Out of a sense of caution he drew back as dark energies surrounded her. "What the…" She looked directly at him and chills filled him. Her fingers closed around his neck and slowly plants started wrapping around him.

"You are going to die here today."