Well we have reached Chapter Three of this twelve chapter story. Yes, I know exactly how many chapters this is going to be. All the lyrics of the song...I really love that song. But anyways, lets get this chapter started shall we? Hello Destiny Scouts! I know you're out there reading.../scans eyes/ Hah! I found you. Oh wait, that's a bush...lol.

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies.

She knows, she's so much more than worthless

She needs to find her purpose

She wonders what she did to deserve this and

She's calling out to you

-Thousand Foot Krutch; This Is A Call

Chapter Three: A Journey Begins

The sun is not even up and our two heroes are currently treking around the city, searching for a portal out of Ningenkai and into Makai. Briefly they consider heading to Spirit World first but then they would be detained by Koenma, and that is not something that they want at the moment. So they must leave early to avoid curious stares of the regular, stupid humans who always seem to be watching them. Stars shine overhead and the wind sings a soft lullaby for them as they continue searching, hour upon hour. Finally, at daybreak, they find the familiar spiritual aura associated with a portal. Exhausted, the two flop down on the soft grass to catch their breaths.

"Hiei..."

"Hn?"

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this," Kurama gives him a weak smile. "It must seem pretty stupid to you."

Hiei gives his companion a hurt look. How could he think that just because he didn't grow up in a good environment, that this journey is not important to him? Anything that is important to Kurama is important to Hiei; that's how it's always been. Even the smallest things, the stupidest things. Hiei voices his opinion outloud to Kurama, happy when he recieves a smile in return. Kurama always did have that smile that could make all other problems disappear. But at the moment, it is wavering a bit. Sighing the said stands up, reaching his hand out to Hiei.

"Shall we head out then?"

In reply Hiei merely grabs his hand and allows himself to be pulled gently up. Kurama activates the portal and the two jump through, preparing themselves from the icy feeling the portal gives as one jumps from one world to another. It rakes through their skin, to their very bones, chilling them. It is particularly bad for Hiei who is accustomed to being warm all the time. He shivers, only to have Kurama pull him close. Mm...so nice. They hit soft ground, landing on their feet. Pulling away from Kurama, Hiei commands him to run as fast as he can.

"But where are we going?"

"To a guide."

"A guide?"

"Hn. Yes," Hiei growls, dragging him along. "We need as little conflict as possible thus we are getting the best damn guide in Makai. So come."

Silent, Kurama follows. This part of Makai is desolate, with little to no places to hide. Thus the two are very much in the open. And having long since been labeled 'demon tratiors' that is the last thing they need. Which is precisely why the two need a guide to drag them through all the dangerous places of Makai. Not that they can't do it themselves but two months may not be enough time. The two travel for hours until they reach a spot surrounded in demonic energy. Hiei pushes forward, still dragging the kitsune along.

"Hiei, can't you feel the demonic aura?"

"Hn, yes. That's our guide."

"That's our guide!"

"Yes, now come on!"

Hiei retakes Kurama's wrist and drags him forward until the two are standing beneath a very large tree. The demonic aura is strongest here, much to Kurama's unease. Hiei whistles lowly and before the two a figure drops from the farthest branches in the tree. As the figure stands up, Kurama is shocked. It is a girl--a wolf demon--with a tail and two pointy wolf ears. She is dressed in black cargo pants with gothic style boots and a black and white shirt, tightly fitted. She is smiling wickedly as she pounces on Hiei, pinning him to the ground.

"Hiei!"

"Ack, Olivia get off me!"

But the demon thus labeled Olivia merely tightens her hold on the enraged fire demon. Needless to say, Kurama is a bit shocked. While Hiei and Olivia roll about the ground in an enormous romp--Hiei becoming happier as the game goes on--Kurama takes it upon himself to scope out the area. The tree looks inviting, thus he jumps to it and moves all the way to the top. It offers him a good view, laying the area out before him like a roadmap. Desolate valleys and plains to the west (1), and thick forests to the north. They'll be heading north soon... North is where her castle is located. Forcing a grim smile on his face Kurama heads back down. The wind blows scents of lower demons to him.

"Feh...easily dealt with."

Back on the ground, as Kurama lands softly, Hiei is busy fastening something around Olivia's neck. A necklace... Focusing in on it more Kurama notes that it is... Oh, Kami. As Olivia takes it in her hands to examine it, the kitsune sees that it is a black tear gem. One of Hiei's very own. Kurama's throat closes up as he realizes how important that demon must be to Hiei. Much more important than himself. But he is happy for Hiei. The demon never did have a very good life, starting from when he was a small child, so why should Kurama try to forbid him from his happiness? It is only when he sees Hiei bend down and kiss Olivia softly on the mouth that he interrupts.

"So this is Kurama..."

The said gulps as the wolf demon circles him, running her sharp eyes over his body again and again. Presently he feels that he is the equivelant of a piece of meat hanging in a shop somewhere and sends a pleading look towards Hiei. Oblidging with a smirk, Hiei pulls Olivia towards him and explains that they need to get going; they need to make it as far towards the woods as possible before night fall. Nodding Olivia shoots off into her tree, reappearing two minutes later ready to go. Curious, the kitsune has to ask what it was she went in for.

"Hm...? Oh."

Pulling her spiderweb shawl from her waist the two demons are shocked to see so many knives hidden beneath her belt. She grins at them, pointy teeth bared.

"But what about food?"

Instantly a knife is pulled from the selection and held towards Kurama's neck. Olivia's grin goes up a notch, "This one."

Twitch. Kurama turns to Hiei. What kind of guide did you get?

The best.

The scariest, too.

Hn. Yes she is a bit scary but she knows how to fight and she knows Makai like the back of her hand. She has ways into everything.

If you say so...

I say so. And just to let you know, she can tap into our conversations.

...Why did you not inform me of this earlier?

"Let's go," Hiei informs, taking Kurama's hand. "Where to?"

"Well there is this one place," Kurama admits. "I think we could get some of the materials there. Old abandoned castle of the--"

"S...Sangrant Sest Leve?" Olivia squeaks.

Kurama nods.

"How do you know about Eunice?"

Olivia's voice is angry and panicked all at the same time. Her hold on the knife slips and it slices deeply into her palm. Fresh blood spills but she pays no heed. Hiei is lost as Kurama and Olivia hold each others gaze with a firey passion, not willing to back down. It is only when Kurama spots tears in Olivia's eyes does he relent, answering her question.

"We...knew each other."

"Shkk..."

The three turn upon the arrival of three demons. All properties of the demons are hidden under the thick black coats the three are currently wearing. Their scents are distant, as if they went too fast for the scents to follow. Hiei draws his sword, Kurama his whip; they are ready to attack. But Olivia merely gestures for them to lower their weapons. Moving closer the three demons drop their hoods and bow before Olivia.

"They are of my pack," Olivia explains, patting one on the head. "I called them over to watch my tree."

"You hung around me too much..." Hiei mutters, rolling his eyes.

"It's true," she admits. "You've had too much influence on me, to be sure."

While she gives instructions to her pack Kurama tries very hard to understand her connection to Eunice. A wolf-demon and a human normally do not mix. They certainly didn't mix thousands of years ago. But despite all of his doubts Kurama is secretly relieved. Another who pangs for Eunice's return. Sadly there is to be no resurection. If there were...he would have come back to Makai a long time ago. Woosh. Olivia is off in a burst of speed, beckoning for the other two to follow quickly. With a quick glimpse to Hiei, the kitsune is also off. Up front Olivia too is contemplating all the ways Kurama could have known Eunice. And suddenly...it dawns on her.

You killed her...

Yay! It is finished! Wow Olivia turned out a bit...innocent. Well not exactly--she's still hungry for blood--but I'd originally had it planned for her to be a bit more sluttish. Just couldn't do it in the end. Oh well, her time will come. /evil grin/ How many more chapters until this thing is done...? Eh, quite a few. Plenty of time to get a real plot going. Anyways, REVIEW PLEASE!

(1) They came from the west...