Disclaimer: I own nothing of importance in this story.

Also, I'd like to include a special thanks to anony for reviewing chapter one. I sent you an email, but it came back as undeliverable, so I guess you must have changed your address. Anyway, thanks for your review!

Chapter 2

Hiei sat a tree, inspecting his sword. He could see his reflection in the folded steel, crimson eyes staring back at him. Sliding the weapon back into its sheath, he glanced at the sun slowly lowering in the western sky. Kurama was supposed to be here by now, he thought, annoyed. A familiar ki caught his attention as it spiked in fear and he immediately leapt from the tree, hurrying towards the source.

Yukina ran through the brush, the dread of being captured again spurring her on. She didn't dare look back to check the progress of her pursuers. The branches tore at her hair and clothes as she rushed past, seeming to be trying to slow her escape. She tripped over an unseen root, landing heavily on the ground. As she struggled to her feet, strong arms grabbed her from behind, spinning her around.

"You gave us quite a chase, but the game's over," a man said, his firm grip keeping her from escaping.

No! I will not allow myself to be taken! Not again! Yukina thought, her eyes hardening. The temperature of the air dropped dramatically, ice starting at her feet and spreading out across the ground. It touched the man's boots, but did not go any higher. Yukina's blood ran cold, her eyes widening as they landed on the talisman hanging around the ningen's neck.

He laughed cruelly. "Your powers won't work on me--" His words were interrupted by a sickening crack as he crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Unprepared for the sudden release, Yukina stumbled backwards, falling as her foot caught on a rock. A snake in the grass raised its head slightly, looking at her, but she didn't see it. Her eyes were fixed on the figure standing over her unconscious captor.

Hiei stood with his back to his sister, Jagan scanning the trees in front of him. I know there is at least one more out here, he thought, searching for the human's accomplice. A soft gasp caused him to turn around. His eyes narrowed slightly.

Yukina was sitting on the ground where she had fallen, terrified eyes fixed on the short swordsman. A demon was crouched behind her, holding a knife to her throat. "So we meet again, Hiei. I'm sure you don't remember me," the demon said, smiling as if he were greeting an old friend. "I would not suggest attempting anything. The life of this woman is very important to you, isn't it?"

Hiei's scowl deepened. How did he get behind me?! Is he so much faster that even I can't detect his movements?! If that is the case, then I can't risk attacking because he will have killed her before I take two steps! What does he want?

The youkai's smile grew wider. "I thought as much. I have no qualms about killing her, but I'll let her go if you cooperate. Throw down your sword."

Yukina closed her eyes when she heard those words, knowing it was over. She did not believe for a second that the demon would release her if Hiei did as instructed. She was far too valuable a commodity to simply be released. However, she also knew it would never come to that, either. She didn't know much about the quiet swordsman, but Kuwabara had told her enough to know he wouldn't go out of his way to save her. There was a special bond between the fire apparition and Kurama, but Hiei had no use for anyone weaker than himself. A soft shink made her open her eyes, crimson orbs widening in disbelief. The ice maiden watched, confused as the short demon dropped his sheathed katana on the ground. I-I don't understand. Why is Hiei doing this...? she wondered, not being able to fathom why the powerful youkai would leave himself vulnerable in the hope that she would be spared.

Hiei clenched his fist, trying to figure out how to turn the situation around. He couldn't use any fire attacks or summon the dragon of the darkness without hitting Yukina and giving his opponent plenty of warning beforehand. His speed was all but useless, as well. He was just about to curse the fact that he couldn't control the plants behind the demon, when he felt a sharp prick in his neck. He pulled out the dart, staggering slightly as he looked in the direction it had come from. There was still someone behind me, he thought, his sight already blurring as he turned back. His sister's worried face swam across his vision as he fell to his knees.

"Hiei!" Yukina cried, helpless to do anything but watch as the fire demon's eyes glazed over, the drugs hitting him fast and hard. His red gaze seemed to focus on her, their eyes meeting briefly, before he slumped forward onto the ground.

The ice maiden stared at the fire demon's still form in shock. It seemed impossible. Hiei, the only one to ever master the dragon of the darkness flame, the only one to not have lost a single fight in the dark tournament, had been brought down and possibly killed without so much as drawing his sword. Tears stung her eyes as emotions swelled in her chest. She fought against the demon holding her, uncaring if she accidentally slit her own throat in the process, only knowing that she had to help Hiei. Not noticing as the blade was removed, she ran to the prone fighter that she felt an odd attachment to, quickly checking to make sure he was alive. Relief flooded her features, several tears sliding down her cheeks as she saw the rise and fall of the fire demon's chest as he breathed. She felt a sharp prick on her neck as she raised her hands to heal him. Feeling her throat, she found a small dart, her mind belatedly remembering the danger she was in. It only took a few seconds before her world slid out of focus, vertigo hitting her hard. She slumped forward over Hiei, unconscious.

A tall, green-haired demon emerged from his hiding place, moving towards the fallen twins. He carried a long, narrow pipe in his hand, several darts attached to a strap running across his chest. His right sleeve was torn off, the stump of his arm visible through the ripped material. The right side of his face was badly scarred and he limped when he walked, favoring his left leg. He stopped, staring down at the koorime. "That was ridiculously easy. Hiei sure doesn't live up to his reputation. He didn't even see you transform!"

The other demon joined him. He had shaggy brown hair that brushed his shoulders, and was wearing a blue tunic with brown leggings. "Make no mistake, he is not someone to be taken lightly. However, anyone can be brought down easily if you have the right leverage," he replied, evenly. "If you had not still been out there 'posing a threat,' I have no doubt that he would have noticed the snake and killed me." Something caught his eye and he leaned down, picking up several hirazuki stones.

The second youkai whistled. "That'll fetch a fine price," he commented. "You planning on keeping her?"

The changeling looked down at the innocent ice maiden that reminded him so much of his wife. Maliha. "No. We'll return her to the temple," he said, tucking the tear gems into the pocket in the sleeve of her kimono.

"I think you should reconsider. He won't know the difference and we could make quite a bit of money off of her," the scarred youkai pressed, gesturing with his blowgun.

The leader's eyes hardened. "I think you should stop questioning me and do as I tell you, Robun," he said, his voice cold.

Robun backed off, not wanting to incur his boss's ire. "I was jus' sayin'..."

"I'll take care of her. You take Hiei to Makai. I'll meet you later," he said, gently gathering the ice maiden in his arms.

"What about him?" the taller youkai asked, nudging the unconscious ningen with his foot.

"Leave him. He's of no further use to us." Turning, he disappeared into the forest, carrying Yukina away as her brother was taken in the opposite direction.

. . .

Kurama walked through the park, his pace brisk. Hiei is not going to be happy with me. I thought I would be able to get away sooner, but... In any case, his irritation at my tardiness should only prove to make the sparring match very interesting indeed, he thought, scanning the trees for his friend. Where is he? I highly doubt he would have left.

Flashing lights caught his attention and the redhead turned, noticing a group of people gathered together a little ways into the trees. Hoping Hiei's impatience hadn't gotten either of them in trouble, the kitsune went to investigate.

Not having any luck pushing through the group, Kurama took to the trees; carefully moving closer to the area that had been taped off. He stopped when he was almost over an unconscious man lying on the ground being checked for injuries by paramedics. Settling himself on the branch, he listened to the conversation below.

"--no other apparent injuries. He appears to have been knocked unconscious by a blow to the back of the head with a blunt object," one of the paramedics said. The redhead watched as they lifted the man onto a gurney, one almost tripping over something in the tall grass. The paramedic looked down, expecting to see a large rock. His eyebrows rose in surprise. "We've got a weapon over here!" he called out, letting the police take care of it as he helped get the gurney to the waiting ambulance.

An officer walked over, searching through the tall grass until he found it. Leaning down with a gloved hand, he lifted a sheathed sword from the ground.

The kitsune's eye widened as he recognized the katana belonging to Hiei. That's the sword I gave him after his last one broke! He sniffed the air. Hiei is nowhere near here and he would not willingly leave his weapon behind. What happened? Kurama wondered, looking around at the obvious lack of blood and scorch marks that he would associate with the fire demon being subdued and captured. Hiei was not one that would go down without a fight. I will have to find out what that human knows later. My fingerprints are on the sheath and if they examine the tallow on the blade, they will find that it is certainly not human. Thinking quickly, Kurama pulled a seed from his hair and threw it on the other side of the officers examining the scene of the crime. Silently, he made his way back, dropping to the ground behind the group.

The policeman walked towards the patrol cars, holding the sword carefully between his gloved hands to keep from smudging any fingerprints that might be on the saya. A vine suddenly shot out of nowhere, wrapping around the sheath and ripping it out of the officer's hands. Like elastic, the vine bounced back; taking the sword with it and disappearing from view.

"You men go get that sword back and arrest whoever has that whip!" the sergeant barked, pointing to three of his men. The crowd moved, allowing the policemen through.

Some distance away, the sword was slapped lengthwise against a large branch of a tree, the vine holding it in place. The limb bulged out to cover the sword, the rough bark breaking up its outline as a few leaves sprouted from the crossbars. The vine shrank back into a small seed, falling on the ground as the first officer came within sight. He ran past, not even giving the tree a second look.

Satisfied his hiding spot for the weapon would not be discovered until he could retrieve it later, Kurama turned and looked at the name of the hospital on the side of the ambulance as it pulled out of the parking lot. That's the same hospital my mother stayed in when she was ill. Good, that will make this much easier, since I already know the layout. Now, all I need to do is find out what that human knows.

. . .

Hiei awoke slowly, his mind having difficultly piercing the drug-induced fog shrouding it. He blinked, trying to look at his surroundings; but it was too dark to see anything, even with his superior night vision. He was lying on a slab of metal, possibly a makeshift bed or the floor of a cell. He tried to sit up, hitting his head before he had risen two inches and falling back, surprised by the unexpected obstacle. Exploring with his hands, he found that he was being held in a metal box that was barely bigger than he was. He hit the side of the coffin with as much force as he could muster in the cramped space, the hollow sound echoing all around him. He ran his hand along the side panel, not even feeling a dent in the metal. Raising his left hand, he focused his youki and tried to summon the living flame. Nothing happened. Hiei's gaze narrowed as he realized that he had been warded and could no longer access his demonic energy. He laid back and closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind and remember the sequence of events that had led up to this point.

I was at the park, waiting for Kurama. He was late and I felt Yukina panicking. Yukina... Hiei's hand slammed against the unyielding metal again as the memory came back to him. What happened to Yukina? I doubt that demon would simply let her go. I can't believe I let myself get distracted enough to not notice there was still someone behind me! I failed to protect her again, he thought, staring into the impenetrable darkness surrounding him.

He was pulled from his thoughts as icy water spread across the bottom of his prison, seeping through his clothes and chilling his skin. He growled softly, annoyed as his body shuddered involuntarily. The liquid continued to crawl up his clothing, sapping all the heat it could. Hiei's blood ran cold as he realized that the water level was rising. Being a fire demon, his worst innate fear was death by drowning.

The water continued to fill the small space and Hiei fought to calm his breathing. Why would someone go through all this trouble to capture me only to turn around and let me drown without even torturing me first? They could have killed me before this, so the fact that they haven't means they want me to suffer. They won't kill me just yet. This must be a scare tactic, he reasoned, trying to ignore the water now sliding into his ear. He shivered against the cold as the liquid chilled his body, the wards preventing him from raising his body temperature to compensate for the lost heat.

Panic overtook him as the water rose higher; rapidly taking what little breathing space there was left. He beat against metal walls with all his might, desperation adding strength to his blows, but still they did not budge. He held his face pressed to the top of his cage, trying to keep his nose and mouth as far away from the liquid as possible as it continued to creep higher.

Hiei took a deep breath and held it as the water reached the ceiling, filling the box completely. He continued to pound on the sides of his metal coffin, all rational thought having fled from his mind. The liquid slowed his movements, making the blows even less effective than they had been previously. His lungs screamed for air as he thrashed about, icy terror griping his heart as he desperately tried to get out of what was soon to become his watery grave.

After was seemed like an eternity, the water began to recede. Hiei coughed, choking as he greedily gulped the air, some of his panic subsiding now that he could breathe again. He held his head against the top of his cell, still trying to keep the receding liquid as far from his nose and mouth as he could. The water continued to drain out, stopping when the metal box was about half full.

Hiei didn't move from his position, trying to ignore the water as it gently lapped against his ear. His chest heaved, his breathing harsh, as he tried to calm himself and dispel the panic still partially clouding his mind. He was shaking almost violently, although whether from the cold, excess adrenaline, or the terror that refused to release him, he could not say. Holding himself still for a few moments, he tried to clear his mind and balance himself, desperately trying to regain the control he had lost over his emotions. His normal stoic façade had been shattered. Tears unexpectedly stung the corners of his eyes, but he blinked them back furiously, refusing to give his tormentor the satisfaction of seeing the hirazuki stones or the monetary gain he would receive for selling them. I was right. It seems that whomever is behind this does not wish to kill me just yet, he thought, taking a bit of comfort from the grim thought. His arms and back began to ache from the awkward position they were in to hold his head up. Not willing to lay back down in the water, Hiei shifted a little bit to try to relieve some of the stress on his arms. This is going to be a long night.

. . .

Kurama leaned casually against a tree, dark shadows hiding his form from view as he watched the front entrance of the hospital. All entrances were locked after visiting hours were over, with the exception of the emergency entrance. Several cars pulled into the parking lot, a group of people dressed in hospital scrubs getting out and walking towards the front doors. The redhead watched as one person swiped his badge; the glass doors sliding open in response and admitting the night shift employees. Several minutes later a different group of people emerged from the hospital, separating as they climbed into their cars and headed home.

After the last one had left the parking lot, Kurama stepped away from the tree, slipping on a pair of white gloves as he headed towards the building. He avoided the front entrance, opting instead to use one of the emergency exits near the security room. He quickly picked the lock, disarming the alarm before silently opening the door and slipping inside. After looking around to make sure no one had seen him, he silently stole down the empty hallway. It's amusing how much information the nurses are willing to provide for a 'distraught young man worried about his mother's safety,' he thought, opening a door. Just as I thought. There's no one watching the cameras. Seating himself in front of the computer, he quickly located which camera had recorded his breaking and entering. Turning the entire surveillance system off, he pulled out the tape with him on it and slipped it inside his jacket pocket.

Checking first to make sure the hallway still was clear, he left the room and headed towards the desk at the front entrance. Since the secretaries had gone home and the shifts had already changed, it was unlikely that he would be seen.

Senses on alert for anyone coming towards him, Kurama sat down behind the front desk, looking through the computer's files of patients recently admitted. "Akatsuka Hirotsugu, came in at 7:12 pm, head injury. Fractured skull? That might be him. If it is, I wonder what he did to upset Hiei so? He's usually better at controlling his strength when ningen are involved," Kurama muttered softly, scanning the rest of the list. He nodded. "Yes, he is the one I am looking for. Room 431. I just hope Hiei didn't cause any brain damage." His ear pricked up, the sound of a squeaky wheel catching his attention. He hid underneath the desk, pulling the chair in front of him to conceal himself in case the person came behind the counter. The noise grew louder as the person drew nearer. Kurama pulled a seed of the dream flower from his hair and waited.

Tomiji walked down the hallway, pushing the maintenance cart in front of him. Front wheel needs to be oiled again, he thought, cringing at the shrill noise. He stopped by the front desk, grabbing the trash can sitting behind it. He had tied off the bag and replaced it with a new one when something caught his attention. Kurama tensed, tightly clutching the dream flower in his hand as the ningen stepped closer to his hiding spot.

"It would be nice if day shift would do what they are supposed to before going home," Tomiji muttered, his tone annoyed as he closed out of the program. He turned, grabbing the full trash bag and throwing it on top of his cart before continuing down the hallway. Kurama sighed, replacing the seed in his hair and waiting a few minutes before crawling out from under the desk. Making sure the janitor was gone; he quickly headed in the opposite direction.

Deciding against taking the elevator, the redhead walked over to a door that was labeled 'Stairs,' and let himself in. The stairway was dark, but Kurama paused for a moment anyway, listening for the sounds of footsteps on the metal platforms. Satisfied he was alone, he quickly made his way up the long staircase, counting the doors he passed. When he reached the fourth one, he carefully looked out the small window in the door. The hallway was empty. Opening the door, he walked down the hall, eyes and ears on alert for anyone coming his way.

He looked up at the numbers on the doors to the patients' rooms. Room 417, room 419, room 421... Room 431 must be in this next corridor, he thought, pressing himself against the wall as he neared a hallway that branched off from the one he was currently in. Cautiously, he peeked his head around the corner, quickly pulling it back out of sight. I am fairly certain the two police officers are stationed right outside of the door I need to get in. Time for a different plan, Kurama thought. He glanced down the hallway again, looking at the number on the first two doors. Room 423 and room 425. Odd number rooms on one side of the hall, even on the other. I should be able to find it, he thought, backing down the hallway.

Deciding against possibly waking anyone up, he placed his ear to the door of a patient's room, moving on to the next when he heard the sound of someone breathing inside. He continued listening at each door, looking for an empty room. He paused, another sound catching his attention. Someone was coming.

He ducked into the room he was standing in front of, quickly closing the door behind him. An unexpected voice from the darkness made him jump.

"Who's there?" a groggy voice asked, coming from the direction of the bed.

Kurama hit the floor, quickly crawling across the tile when he noticed the red call light on above the bed. He had just made it to the bathroom when a nurse opened the door, light shining in from the hallway.

"Did you need something, Muruyama-san?" she asked.

Kurama heard a snort. "Yes, I need something. I need you to quit coming and waking me up every five minutes! Haven't you got anything better to do than hassle the patients?!" he demanded, more than a little grouchy.

"But, your call light was on--" she began.

"I never pushed the call button! You people have already woken me up ten times tonight, claiming I pushed the call button! Can't you go bother the other patients?! You wake me up enough as it is, saying you're just doing your job, and now you wake me up 'cuz you're bored, too! I just want some sleep!"

She walked over to the bed, turning off the call light. "I'm sorry, Muruyama-san. I'll try not to disturb you any more than I have to," she said, bowing. "Probably hitting the button in his sleep," she muttered, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

Kurama waited until Muruyama was snoring softly before he crept back over to the door. Pressing his ear against it, he listened carefully. It didn't sound like anyone was in the hall. Standing, he opened the door a little bit, hearing a soft snort come from behind him as the patient woke up.

"Who's there?"

"Sorry, wrong room," Kurama said, his pitch higher than normal as he tried to imitate the nurse's voice. He could hear Muruyama grumbling as he closed the door behind him. Sighing, he continued listening at each door in the hopes of running across an empty room. He was about halfway down the hall when he found what he was looking for.

Closing the door behind him, he walked up to the bed, making sure no one was occupying the room. Satisfied that it was vacant, he moved to the window, looking at it disapprovingly. A crank handle. The windows in mother's room slid up and locked in place. I hope the window in the ningen's room is not like this one, Kurama thought, turning the handle to open the window. He carefully climbed outside, pulling a seed from his hair and growing it. The vine slithered up the wall, filling and rooting itself within the many cracks and crevices in the rough brick. It went around the corner of the building, growing in a line above the windows. When he was sure it had gone far enough, Kurama carefully began to scale the wall. The uneven stone helped him find purchase as he climbed, one hand holding on to the vine in case he slipped and fell.

Coming around the corner, he began counting the windows as he went past them. He stopped above the fifth one down, hoping it was the one he needed. Pulling another seed from his hair, he grew it into a leaf large enough for him to stand on, anchoring it to the vine above him. Dropping down onto the new platform, Kurama peered in through the glass. The curtain was pulled just forward enough to hide the occupant of the bed from view. Good it seems to be like the window in mother's room, he thought, noting the latch on the window was open. Pushing the glass up enough to get his fingers underneath it, he started to slide the window open. He was a little surprised when it stopped after only moving a few inches. He pulled harder, stopping when he felt the metal start to give under the pressure. Apparently, that was as far as the window was going to open.

Kurama leaned closer, examining the small gap. It's too small for a human, but perhaps... his thoughts trailed off as he took the tape out of his pocket, setting it on the leaf. His body began to change, shifting from a redheaded ningen to a small silver fox with five tails. The kitsune stepped forward, crouching down and crawling through on his belly. It was a tight fit, but Kurama managed to squeeze his head and shoulders through the narrow opening before his progress was halted. His claws scraped across the windowsill as he tried to pull himself free. Not making any progress, he stretched his front legs forward and bent his paws over the window ledge and pulled harder. He still didn't budge. Trying a new tactic, he placed his paws against the metal strip underneath him, pushing with all his might, but only succeeded in digging the metal deeper into his rib cage.

I would appear to be stuck, Kurama thought, panting as he considered his new predicament. The pressure on his chest and back wasn't getting any lighter and he knew a nurse would be by soon to check the ningen's vital signs. It would be a little embarrassing if he were still lodged in the window.

Stretching his paws out over the ledge, he tried pulling again, this time wiggling his body a little bit to work it through. Little by little, he inched his way forward, trying to ignore the sharp pains in his chest and back. Just-- a little bit-- more-- he thought, straining against the ledge. Suddenly, he was free, tumbling across the floor and sliding into the side of the bed. He stood up carefully, placing one paw on his rib cage as if he could suppress the pain. After waiting to make sure the officers outside the door hadn't heard his entrance, Kurama jumped lightly onto the bed and seated himself next to the human. /Akatsuka Hirotsugu!/ Kurama yelled telepathically, startling the ningen out of his slumber.

Glazed eyes opened, blearily regarding the kitsune in front of them. "Wha...?" he asked, his speech a little slurred.

He isn't fully cognizant of what is going on around him. Good, he will most likely give me the answers I need with little or no coaxing, Kurama thought. /There was an incident in the park earlier this evening. I would like you to tell me what happened/ the kitsune stated in a commanding tone.

"Chasing girl..."

/You were chasing a girl through the park?/ Kurama asked.

"Yeah."

/Why?/

"Atshushi hired me," the ningen replied, his voice soft as if talking was difficult for him.

/What did Atshushi hire you to do?/ the kitsune asked, memorizing the name.

"Wanted me to chase her..." Hirotsugu's eyes were unfocused, resting somewhere to the right of the silver fox.

He was hired by 'Atshushi' to chase a girl through the park. Why did Hiei get involved? He could care less about ningen affairs. Unless... Kurama's thoughts trailed off, one piece of the puzzle falling into place. /Describe the girl you were chasing/ he said, noticing the ningen's eyes droop a little farther. The discussion was obviously at an end.

"Bluish hair...short...wore red contacts..." he muttered, his eyes shutting completely as he fell back asleep.

The door opened and an officer stuck his head in the room. A soft breeze from the window ruffled the curtains hanging down at the side of the bed, casting shadows on its occupant as the moonlight streamed in. Hirotsugu was sleeping peacefully on the bed, murmuring something unintelligible as he turned his head to the side. "He's just talkin' in his sleep again," the officer said, closing the door behind him.

The kitsune crawled out from underneath the chair where he had hidden himself when the door opened. So, someone was chasing Yukina and Hiei intervened. However, there was no sign of a struggle, yet both of them are gone. I am certain that Atshushi is a demon-- no ningen would be able to subdue Hiei without leaving any visible sign of a struggle. It seems as though my search will have to be conducted in Makai, he thought, padding silently back to the open window. He looked up, his ribs still sore from the first time through. I don't have any time to waste, Kurama thought, jumping onto the ledge and wiggling through the window. He got stuck at the same place. Remembering his tumble across the floor, he caused several vines to grow out and around the leaf outside the window to form a net which came up to attach to the vine on the wall above him. Biting back a whimper, he used the outside ledge to drag himself through, the metal strips scraping across his ribs and spine. With one last pull, he was free of the window, the vines catching him and halting his momentum.

Shifting back to his human form, Kurama held one hand to his abused chest as he carefully checked the windowsill, removing any fur that had pulled loose before closing the window. Having accomplished that, he replaced the security tape in his jacket pocket, holding on to one of the vines as he shrank the leaf back to a seed and replaced it in his hair. Lengthening the vine he was holding, he lowered himself to the ground, his feet gently landing on the grass. Withdrawing his youki caused the plants to shrink back to their dormant state, falling away from the building. Kurama caught both seeds, stowing them in his hair, and casually walked through the parking lot and down the street.

. . .

To Be Continued

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