Midnight had rolled around rather slowly, and by this time, Yusuke and Kurama were undoubtedly exhausted. Taking time out to enjoy a break beside a rapidly flowing river, Yusuke had fallen asleep; Kurama rested, but remained alert---there was no telling when the dragons would come back for another fight. He had just been thinking the exact same thoughts, when as if on cue, a loud roar echoed through the air toward them. He sat up in alert, and upon noticing that Yusuke had missed the sound, stood, and ventured forth to find and exterminate the creature before it could group with others. Picking his way through dense bits of forest and tangling underbrush, he appeared in a small clearing, and in doing so, he caught sight of the thing that had caused the roar. It was no Raptor Dragon. Before him, there was what looked to be a very large lake, having a cascade of waterfalls to one side of it, and tall, thick grasses around the bank of the water. From the looks, it supplied water to the river beside which Yusuke slept, and there was an odd glow about the surroundings…There was also an enormous Aqua Dragon emerging from the largest of the waterfalls, which made him back up a few paces into the trees to avoid being seen by the creature.

Large and the colors of the open sea, it appeared completely and slithered its way through the water to the grass around the lake, undoubtedly coming in Kurama's direction. The fox would have taken the chance to fight it, but he didn't have to---apparently, he wasn't the only one in danger. Up from the sea of grasses, a figure shot out, and landed away from the path of the beast approaching; the figure also caught the attention of the serpent dragon, and it changed course rather abruptly. To Kurama, this seemed to be a rather odd action for it to take, seeing as how it was so intent on going in his direction, but then he noticed something equally as odd. The figure that the dragon was turning to attack was one with a very human-like energy pattern.

'…What is a human doing here, of all places…' He thought silently to himself as he watched, but before his eyes, this human changed shape and appearance. From the distance he had, he could still see the silhouette of the being, and as a bright ray of moonlight suddenly shone down over it, Kurama noticed that it was also a woman. 'Odd…' He kept his distance, but also his focus, and before his eyes as well as the approaching dragon, she morphed, not into a beast, but a beautiful Moon Spirit, and one with a powerful aura. He didn't have to be close to tell that the woman was powerful, and just as the dragon came within her striking range, she extended a palm toward it, and a blast of white light was all that it took to disintegrate the creature. "…but impressive…"

As if hearing his thoughts, she turned to him, and just as she disappeared from his sights, he felt a presence behind him, and stood slowly, to turn and look at her. A cold wind blew between them, and as he focused on her pale skin and cold eyes, his own green orbs filled with shock. Her hair was long and black, but the look it gave to her features was far to familiar to be coincidence; her narrow eyes were sharp, and like ice, but the azure coloring was far more than enough to give her true identity away…But still, he had to be sure…

Kurama: Who are you?

: My name is Satsuki.

Her voice was angelic, and calm, but it held a hidden harsh tone that Kurama pin-pointed automatically. He took a step backward from her, and made a note to register her scent. Sure enough, she was exactly whom he had thought her to be, and he couldn't hide the slightest of frowns. His change of attitude, however, only made her smile, and as she did so, he saw two fangs appear, growing from where they previously weren't. Her skin went from white to a creamy complexion, and her eyes even lightened a shade, going from sky blue to very pale, almost having no color at all. Her hair gained blue streaks, and in the front, grew longer. On her back, large, dragonic wings emerged, and after she stretched them, she folded them back; she also grew a black tail, and silver claws. Kurama couldn't believe his eyes, and though he hid his astonishment, he couldn't deny the fact that he was surprised and confused. Satsuki's smile left, and as she pulled the long hair in front of her face behind one of her ears, shorter blue strands fell free before her eyes.

Satsuki: So, I'd suppose that you know who I am, hmm?

Kurama: Unfortunately.

Satsuki: Yeah, well…Don't get my father wrong; it's just that he has control issues.

Kurama: Your father…Hitairu…You do know what's going on, don't you?

Satsuki: Sadly, yes. He wants the stones…(she reached out, and grasped the emerald around Kurama's neck, but he quickly pushed her hand away.)

Kurama: I know that.

Satsuki: Then you should also know that he only wants them to protect someone. It's Grandfather that wants them to destroy your kind.

Kurama: Demons?

Satsuki: (nods) As well as humans…But that doesn't explain why you are here.

Kurama: One of his dragonesses captured our comrade. We came to take him back.

Satsuki: We?

Just as she said it, Yusuke came through the trees toward them, having tracked down Kurama to find where he had gone. Satsuki looked at Yusuke, and closed her eyes, smiling slightly as she shook her head. Her pale irises met Yusuke's perplexed brown eyes, and she made a small tisking sound.

Satsuki: Oh, I see. You're worried for your friend…I must ask, can you find it in your heart to trust the daughter of your enemy?

Yusuke: Daughter! What'd I miss…?

Kurama: Nothing really. But, Satsuki, can you take us to him?

Satsuki: Your friend? Sure. I know where he's being kept, but I hope you don't mind another tag-along…

Kurama: Who?

Satsuki: A woman named Hisaka…She is also looking for someone. Come. I'll take you to her, and we'll be off. (She walked away, and Kurama immediately followed, but he felt a tug, and hung back a step or two to talk to Yusuke, who lagged uncertainly. )

Yusuke: Are you sure we can trust her? And who's daughter is she?

Kurama: Yes, I'd believe so, and her father is Hitairu…Apparently, he wants the gemstones, but it's not because he's being controlled by his father…but something just doesn't click…

Yusuke: I agree. Let's ditch her, and go on our own.

Kurama: No, that's not what I meant…Nevermind.

Yusuke: Whatever…

The daylight had faded rapidly, leaving the lands around the castle in a cloak of darkness, and faint moonlight. Hours had passed since Hiei and Kenyusa found themselves fighting each other, and now, they were resting in the main room with Taisei and Abunai; Inuyasha had left his daughter with them for the night and gone home---she was currently playing with a toy of some kind on the floor. Kenyusa watched her wistfully, and Hiei was silently and absently watching her as well; Taisei was reading a book he had snatched from Sesshoumaru's room, and Abunai played with her hair…All of them wondered where the white-haired demon lord had run off to., when Abunai broke the silence.

Abunai: You think he's alright?

Taisei: (looks over the top of his book) What are you talking about?

Abunai: Sesshoumaru…He never came back.

Kenyusa: He seems pretty strong. I think he can take care of himself; relax, Abunai.

Taisei: Yes, woman. Calm down; there isn't an opponent alive that my cousin can't destroy and come out of it unscathed.

Hiei:…Are you positive about that?

Taisei: What do you mean?

Hiei: Before he left…He had an open wound on his arm near his shoulder, where the flesh had been torn away and his muscle ripped. I doubt that you can consider that unscathed…

Taisei gave him a scowl, but Kenyusa suddenly felt a change in Hiei's energy, and became worried. His voice had changed tone from the usual way he spoke his words, and he spoke them more slowly…What was wrong with him?

Abunai: You really think that, Hiei?

Hiei: I say what I mean…

Kenyusa: Hiei…What's wrong with you?

Hiei cast her a side glance, and as he did so, he stood, and walked out of the room. Going down the hallway, the torches lit as he passed, illuminating his way, and the first window he found, he leapt through, landing on an area of thick grass beneath it. After he stood straight, he looked around, and ran off, not realizing he was going in the same direction Sesshoumaru had gone before him.

'Something's calling me…But what? Why now?'

He kept running, not knowing where he was going, but knowing that the direction was right. He felt a tugging in the pit of his stomach, and it made him uneasy as he swiftly picked through unfamiliar forests. Things were deathly silent, and the only sounds were those of the crunching underbrush that he ran over; this also troubled him some, but still, he ran on, trying to ignore is instincts to go back the way he had come…but soon enough, he realized that he should have followed his first impulse. A person dropped from the trees in front of him, causing Hiei to halt abruptly--it could very well have been the last person that he really wanted to see.

Hitairu: Hiei?

Hiei: Hitairu…What are you doing here? Why are you in the Demon World?

Hitairu: It would do nicely for you to speak a slight bit lower; I don't want him to hear you…

Hiei: Talk straight.

Hitairu: Listen, I'm not here because I want to be.

Hiei: You want a fight, then? When Sesshoumaru finds you in his territory--

Hitairu: He won't. He went after someone else, which is why I am here, rather in that dog-demon's path. (Hiei's tense stance shifted, and he seemed to relax slightly at the low tone of Hitairu's voice--it reflected in his words.)

Hiei: So you're hiding? Not from Sesshoumaru, I'd hope.

Hitairu: Possibly. I hear he has a nasty disposition toward dragons. (He closed his eyes and shook his head briefly.) However, he isn't my main concern…Kuro is.

Hiei: Your father? Why?

Hitairu: He's trying to use me to get the Gemstones from you…He controls me, you know that.

Hiei: You make it painfully obvious. But just for the record, what side are you on--His, or ours?

Hitairu: I'm on no side. I just want my freedom.

Sesshoumaru: Freedom…my, that sounds familiar.

They turned to see Sesshoumaru leaning against one of the trees close to the forest path. His arms were crossed and his eyes closed, but it was clear that he had been standing there for some time--the tone of his voice gave it away. Hitairu backed slightly away from Sesshoumaru, and at this, his golden eyes opened slowly, and though the look on his face never really changed, there was something more dangerous and more lethal about the look in those golden eyes. His arms dropped, and he approached the retreating dragon, ignoring Hiei's presence altogether.

Hitairu: Sesshoumaru…I--

Sesshoumaru: Leave. (Hitairu shook his head.)

Hitairu: I cannot. (He was met with narrowing eyes, and his heart jumped as a chill washed through his stomach. But he hid his fear, and only shook his head again, knowing that he was going to be told to leave again.)

Sesshoumaru: So you choose to defy me. (The claws on his right hand began to glow a bright green.) Very well, then. I will force you to go.

Hitairu: No. I have too much to lose, to just turn and run from you. If it is what you want, (his hand clutched the hilt of his sword) then I will fight you, here, and now.

Sesshoumaru studied Hitairu for a moment, before making something of a tisking sound, and casting the glow in his hand away. Hitairu seemed perplexed for a moment, but after a minute of hesitation, he took his hand from his sword--apparently, it wasn't a trick.

Hitairu: You could have killed me just now. Why did you refrain, Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru: A victory is senseless if honor is lost. One of you has the appearance…(he looked at Hiei through the corner of his eyes)…but you, dragon, have the voice. I will not do battle against the son of my ally---Not when the two souls are one. You will understand.

He turned and walked away from them, leaving both Hiei and Hitairu perplexed as to what he meant. Hiei just shook his head and let the thought drop--he wasn't going to ponder over it, but Hitairu kept trying to find the rhyme and reason to what Sesshoumaru meant. He said it over and over in his mind, trying to figure it out, but couldn't. Instead of frustrating himself with it, he was suddenly reminded of the reason he was there, and turned back to Hiei.

Hitairu: I would love to finish our chat, but I have elsewhere to be. I'd suppose you do as well, otherwise you wouldn't be here.

They split ways, and Hiei started to follow the path again, just as Hitairu sped off in the opposite direction. Something bugged him worse now, and he began to be annoyed by it. What was it that was panging him so much, and why was it now, all of a sudden, doing that? Something somewhere wasn't right, and he was about to find out what it was…

Kijou: It's never gonna work. (He winced as Kuwabara rammed the door again) You're gonna break something that way…

Kuwabara slid down the metallic surface of the door, and sat on the ground. Turning, he leaned his back against it, and looked up at the high ceiling of the dungeon. He thought for a while, and tried to catch a feeling of the others' energy, but he found none, and got no ideas; sighing heavily, he turned his attention to the tiger demon lying on the floor in the shadowed corner, and scowled slightly.

Kuwabara: You know, it may be easier if you just help me. (Two bright, golden-hazel eyes glowed though the dark.)

Satsu: I would, were it not pointless. I am not about to assist an asinine mortal in his futile attempts to break through a reinforced-steel-dragonic door.

Kuwabara: A what-kinda door?

Kijou: Reinforced-steel-dragonic. It's backed by dragonic energy, and a strong barrier; it's also made from this kinda stuff. (he lifted his tail, and pointed to the blades) Go ahead, give 'em a knock or two.

Kuwabara rapped on the upper blade with his knuckles, resulting in a dull ring that echoed through the room. Satsu growled and covered his ears, rolling over to turn his back to them and mumbling while doing so; Kuwabara gave a low whistle, and Kijou lowered his tail, before backing up to sit against the wall.

Kijou: Yeah, it's some durable stuff. (he reached beside him, and picked up a black sheath. Laying it on the ground, he pulled out a golden-bladed sword, and in the hilt, shone a large, beautiful sapphire.) Kuwabara, you see this sword? It's made of the same material.

Kuwabara: Wow…I'd like to see the guy who made that thing…

Kijou: You already have--I'm right here.

Kuwabara: YOU made that? No way!

Kijou: Oh, yeah. Before I came in here, I made swords for the best of them--demons AND dragons alike.

Kuwabara: You must'a been pretty good. Looks kinda heavy though.

Kijou: Well, I'd give you a feel, but you'd get a bit of a nasty shock--your energy would mess with that of the sapphire--

Kuwabara: Hey, is that a Gemstone? You know, one of the Legendary kind?

Kijou: Ssshhh. Keep it down, or you'll blow the secret. Actually, it is, and it's part of the reason I'm being kept here. The Grouch over there's got one too, but they don't know where. (He grinned, and a fang glittered--Kuwabara took the hint)

Kuwabara: Oohhh…But, how would you use one if its there?

Kijou: Well, luckily it's the Pearl, but I'm not quite sure what it's suppose to do…(he shrugged) Oh well; I guess he'll use it if need be.

A thick silence passed between them while Kijou pondered over something, and Kuwabara wondered when the others were going to show, but a deep, purring sound snapped them both from their thoughts, and Kijou sweat-dropped.

Kijou: Cats…Living in a dungeon with a tiger wouldn't be so bad…if he wouldn't purr in his sleep…

Kuwabara: I guess…I love cats, so don't get me wrong, but…something about that one…

Kijou: I know what you mean…Hey, remember when you said I looked like someone named Hiei?

Kuwabara: Yeah. So what?

Kijou: Can you tell me some more about him?

And she's BACK! Finally, I got AOL to connect! Thank the gods! Alrighty, I know I took forever, but I'm back now, and I'll try to update again REALLY soon, since school is drawing to a close.

zee: Glad you reviewed, and it's been a long time since I heard from you…probably because it took me so long to update, but whatever…Sorry for such a delay, but stuff happens. Well, thanks for the review, and I hope to hear from you again. See Ya!