They had continued walking for a while after that, following the mikos directions was far easier than using their senses and she proved to know more about the history of Makai than some of the ancient (and passive) demons they'd met.

The only thing annoying Kurama now was that Youko wouldn't slip back into his conscious. Even during the lull of his companions, he had to listen to the fox's excited chatter ring through his head.

"Can we stop now?" Kuwabara whined, interrupting his otherwise inescapable torture. "This place is freakier after dark you know. I don't think it would be good for you to be walking then."

She turned to Kuwabara with a strange half-smile quirking her lips. "Kazuma–kun; the dark won't matter to me." Kuwabara blushed hotly and the miko's smile seemed to widen at his plight.

The ever-stoic Hiei had paused ahead of the group and was watching them impassively. 'Or not…'

'What?'

'His hand is very close to the hilt of his sword.' Youko gave a mental nudge to look down towards the hybrids waist.

Sure enough, Hiei's hand was twitching near the sheath of his weapon. The miko laughed, drawing them back to the real world and their cohort's conversation.

"But I do think we should stop here," her head tilted toward the setting sun in the pink sky, "I rather anticipate a fight out of this. It will do us good to be just as well rested as he."

Kuwabara sighed almost inaudibly, and Yusuke cuffed him upside the head in response. "Hey!" …needless to say, it escalated into their ritual fistfight to relieve tension.

Youko sniffed haughtily in his mind. 'Barbarians.'

Kurama stifled a laugh; in agreement with the comment or at the picture Youko presented in his mind he knew not.

Hiei had made his way slowly back to where they were settling down to rest and leaned against a tree near Kagome. She slowly settled herself in between two of the very same tree's gargantuan roots, taking care to situate her bags in her lap where they wouldn't fall away from her.

The case rattled again, and Kurama noticed the way both Kuwabara and Yusuke glanced out of the corner of their eyes at her briefly. Hiei scowled at them but otherwise said and did nothing.

'I wonder what she'd look like in ningen clothes…the girls of your realm are absolutely indecent.'

'Youko…' He warned. 'If Hiei respects her to such a level then she deserves much of that respect.'

Youko pouted stubbornly in his mind. Sighing out his vexation, Kurama himself settled into a convenient patch of tall grass. His fingers absently played through the blades, and his eyes – with no where else to turn – found themselves inexplicably drawn to the miko.

The rattling case had been opened and she was slowly running steady hands up whittled shafts; the fresh cut wood smell wafting up into the air and around their group. The two ningens had given up all pretense of being otherwise occupied and were watching her nimble fingers swiftly inspect each piece of wood.

A pile was growing on the right of her folded legs, just as surely as another pile was being added to on her left. Curious now, the whole group seemed to move closer. Silently the miko reached into the case and withdrew some fine wire… 'That's hair.'

'Nani?'

'That isn't wire. It is the hair of someone she wants to protect; it will help increase the power of her arrows.' Youko was standing aloofly, his arms crossed over his chest and his head tilted to view the unseeing miko.

She pulled out some arrow head and the ningens eyes finally widened in realization. Deftly, as if she could still see the wood and stone in her hand, she created arrows.

They were rather plain arrows, and looked to fall apart as soon as they met the taut string. Slowly she drew one hair from the knot beside her and, as if to belie her previous sloth, swiftly wrapped it taught against the arrows head and shaft.

Kuwabara was so close to her working hands Kurama was surprised that she hadn't clipped his nose with her toil. She paused and her hand rose up to Kazuma's face.

He fell to his seat in shock to the otherwise gentle push she bestowed on him before her hands glowed in a soft light. A resounding crack filled the clearing and the air around her project pulsed.

'So that's how they used to do it…'

'They all make arrows with their own power?'

Youko paced one round before stopping and facing the miko directly. 'Usually…a miko hasn't found her center.'

'…'

Yusuke was talking with the miko as he looked over the arrows. His curiosity got the better of him and he picked one up. It flashed red in his hands briefly before settling. More questions ensued and their conversation continued.

As with cases such as these when the conversation he had with Youko was more interesting than the one without, Kurama was completely tuned out from the world.

'The center of a persons being is where the mind the soul and the heart meet with the body. That is where the powers balance can be achieved. Only if you have near perfect balance and all these that make the balance are working in tandem can you actually achieve a marking with your spirit.'

Kurama gazed steadily at the ruckus the three were making and watched the amused Hiei watch them. He remembered Hiei telling him about soul marking. With his Jagan eye Hiei needed to know how to manipulate and mark a soul to enforce his will upon the subject.

It was true that Kurama had Youko's memories but the silver fox didn't share everything. Even if the kitsune were renown for their skill in manipulating the powers and spirit of nature and beings around them, even Silvers were unaware of such a fine level of control as Hiei.

What he knew on the subject was even rudimentary to what the hybrid actually knew, and he was willing to bet that the miko knew more than the hybrid could ever guess. 'She's a very powerful gem.'

Kurama sighed in long-suffering. If Youko could ever refrain from drawing an allusion to his thieving days the very heavens would open and accept the demons into its midst. 'She is a mystery, a living one.' He threw a sharp look at the kitsune in his head. 'You'd best do well to remember her mortality.'

'And what is that supposed to mean?' He drawled in his head, the silky purr rushing along his senses.

'A mortal is no gem, they have feelings and emotions that need to be taken into account.'

Youko snorted, even that action managing to sound regal and dignified, as he turned his head to watch the miko and silently snub his permanent companion. The miko was enticing, as kitsune loved mysteries. A miko was unheard of now days and a blind one should be even less possible.

The ability to train a miko was lost as their line died out two -almost three centuries ago. For her to be trained and not have the ability to read any of the scrolls that would make this possible was uncanny. And for her to be silent and accepting of demons she would sense and her instincts perceive as a threat was an altogether separate mystery.

Mikos and demons do not mix.

Still, as if to belie the confidant vehemence in his thoughts the miko lightly slapped Yusuke's hands away from her pile of hama no ya. Coming back to the real world, of substance and mysteries, he watched her closer. She would be an interesting puzzle.

Hiei stood from his leaning against the tree, silently walking towards the miko and stopping the hand of Yusuke as he attempted to catch the miko's gesturing hands. Kagome stopped. As she looked towards Hiei her hands were gathering her belongings and shifting all the arrows into a dark grey quiver.

Standing up as she swung her duffel over one shoulder and her quiver over the other, she smiled grimly. "Thank you Hiei-san." She turned to the remaining group. "It is best we get going."

Amidst the shuffle and noise of the two more or less human companions he watched the woman. The way she interacted with the ever threatening Hiei was disturbing. One couldn't tell if he was her guardian, an ally, her agreeable companion, or lover. Even with the threatening presence of his jyaki, the miko, one who was pure and naturally disposed to deal with such forces, accepted an easy camaraderie with the youkai around her.

As they moved out with the miko now walking by herself, bow drawn and ready – they continued on towards their target. The way she moved was curious as well, as if to testify her skill and prove her no weakness, she moved like a demon.

Silently and as if she didn't lack her sight at all she shifted her weight smoothly as she moved. Hiei usually one to take to the trees and disappear to surprise his opponents was beside her, keeping up with her gentle lope with the easeof a kid skipping.

"We'll be near soon." She shivered and her mouth twisted in disgust. She banished her expression away before anyone could catch it, but the ever watchful fox never missed one nuance of her behavior.

Finally, after a quick few minutes of their pace, Kagome stopped and settled her duffel bag onto the ground by her foot. As she drew an arrow from her quiver the group slowly made their way beside her, all standing back to back and getting into their battle-ready stances.

Hiei actually took the back of the miko, not bothering to send any looks to the two almost humans that occupied her side. Kurama himself stood beside Hiei, facing the path coming from the deeper woods.

"He is nearing."

The battle that ensued was rather anticlimactic, Ketsueki proving to only be a strong opponent when he was bathed in more blood than was present in the clearing they were in. When he was beaten and kneeling in between Hiei and Kuwabara, who were resting heavy hands on his shoulders, Yusuke deemed it appropriate to start the questioning.

The demon was actually rather disappointing. With all the fuss about being a blood user he was rather weak. 'Or he is…' Youko was cut off.

"You must be stupid." A feminine hand quickly moved to cover an equally feminine mouth to smother an especially femininegiggle trying to emerge at Yusuke's words. "You left your area of advantage to come fight a team of five warriors?"

Kurama caught the veiled look the demon threw towards the miko and was painfully aware of the silent snarl he directed at her. She seemed to react to his actions, veiled as they were, and angrily strung her bow tighter to reclaim the tension lost when she released an arrow.

"What reasons do you have for giving up your advantage?"

The demon snarled from his unimpressive position, spitting onto the ground at Kurama's feet. His eyes flashed golden and he stepped forward in a silent threat making the demon cower away. With his bruised stump of a left leg and the burn across his right shoulder he made for a pitiful sight.

'It's a good thing the miko can't see this.' Kurama sensed Youko's underlying distaste towards his comment, as if he disagreed with it vehemently.

He ignored at and took another threatening step towards Ketsueki. Raising his youki levels subtly,just enough to feel oppressive to a weak youkai, no one could escape his intentions- he waited for the bloody demon to start talking.

He looked about to deny answering anything but Hiei's grip tightened on his arm. Suitably subdued he only growled softly before he gave in.

"I had heard she had become blind." He spat out at them, snarling dangerously at the miko. "But if I had known she had taken to hiding behind the hybrid I would have come more prepared."

Kagome stiffened and Hiei's eyes seemed to flash in rage before he calmed himself and watched the miko.

"How would you know who she is? We just brought her here!" Yusuke exclaimed.

The demon continued. "Don't be daft! Anyone can tell who she is!" One of his arms jerked free and he uselessly swiped at the stoic miko. "Even if you've never known, never felt, her power you'd recognize her on sight!"

The miko raised one eyebrow in incredulity and turned slightly to 'watch' the forest. Her hands were playing with the cuff of her sleeves and every nervous move she made set Hiei off into clutching harder on the shoulder in his possession.

Ketsueki snarled. "Even without seeing her eyes – without seeing what she was renowned for! – One would recognize her just from the tales. The renowned power! The divine protector! The endless rumors that circulated about you were interesting to say the least…" He sneered at her, letting his eyes bore into her back while trying to get her attention. "You would be such a lovely power source…" He cut himself off with a gasp due to pain inflicted by Kuwabara.

Kurama looked at the gangly young man askance.

The demon struggled, the ugly scowl on his face making Kurama uneasy. "Pathetic!" He grinned feral at her back.

The miko whirled around to face him. Her hair created a violent raven storm around her head, almost like a tainted halo. But the expressions on her face…

The restrained demon oddly stilled under her gaze, almost looking fearful before he pulled up a mask of distaste to cover his lapse. "You are blind! And you are even weaker than before! You still hide behind your protectors!" He laughed insanely, sending a shiver up Kurama's spine and making Kuwabara tense.

The miko acted.

Before anyone could blink she was before Ketsueki. Her eyes were open and intense, staring straight into the demons eyes. He gasped in shock and tried to back away from her.

Snarling her hand shot out to grab his hair; twisting it in her grasp she made him snake his neck uncomfortably while still staring at her eyes. She snarled, the stars in her eyes flashing. "I never hide." She snarled out. Violently throwing his head away from her she backed away. Her arms were tense and ready, her hands and knuckles white with the seizing grip she held her bow in.

The demon spat at the ground again.

He laughed mockingly. "Is that what you tell yourself?" An amused smirk played across his scarred face. "When you're all alone at night, tornwith your pain? Knowing that your protector you hid behind was maimed?" Ketsueki drew one restrained hand up to his face, clawing at the skin before his eye as he laughed. "You replace them, you hide, you damn th-"

He was cut off abruptly when Hiei's sword was cutting his neck. Her eyes, previously closed in her annoyance, flashed open as panic washed across her face. "Hiei don't!"

Too late.

'Oh shit! The blood-'

Ketsueki laughed rising up with new vigor from his bonds. His elbow hit Kuwabara in the gut, catching him off guard, followed up by a strong fist to the face.

Kuwabara went down.

Ketueski stood slowly as Hiei went on guard near the miko. One of his hands wiped the blood of his neck. Lazily, almost to spite them, he liked the blood of his middle finger. Smirking, all madness gone from his visage he slowly drew symbols in the air.

The blood seemed to turn to red and gold dust as it stayed on the air portrayed symbols. When he finished the symbols started to glow. For the little time he took to create it the spell was powerful.

Youko was growling deeply in his mind.

Kuwabara shakily stood to his feet with the help of Yusuke. The group made its way to each other and silently stood on either side of the apprehensive miko.

The battle was a flurry of blood and weaponry. Ketsueki seemed to be in rabid fury one minute and then coldly calculating the next.

Pained yells were few and battle cries were sparse. This was a true battle, one between seasoned warriors. A battle yell was saved for when you were at the last dregs of your strength -when you needed the extra burst of adrenaline to accomplish a wound to your opponent and a strike for you honor.

This battle had barely gotten to that point.

It was another flurry of blows and hits before they drew apart again. In the lull Kurama could see wounds slowly appearing on his comrades and the blood on Ketsueki was only aiding him with his spell work.

Another flurry had Kuwabara grunting in pain on the ground and Yusuke braced over him in a defensive stance. Youko was stunned into silence in their mind, his earlier growling quieted, oddly foreboding in the sudden silence.

Hiei was bleeding.

The miko's arrows, sparse as they were, were running low. She only had the one in her quiver and the one in her hand. She turned her head to Hiei and her eyes softened. "I do not hide."

"I know."

"I can protect myself."

Hiei nodded.

Ketsueki watched, an oddly amused light glinting in his immoral eyes.

They ignored him.

"I can protect you."

Hiei tilted his head forward, when he raised it again there was an odd tilt to his lips. "You can."

The miko sighed. Her body relaxed and seemed to flow like water. Ketsueki smirked. Their battle began.

As his first capture was anticlimactic, this fight was epic.

Ketsueki used his own blood to boost his natural powers. A gasp from Kuwabara made Kurama realize that he was also drawing the blood out from the air around them.

'I hate to say it but he's clever.'

Kurama could only smile grimly and watch the miko best his one trick with a repertoire of techniques that both awed and frightened him. Finally, they were close enough together for her to place both of her hands on his face.

All movement stilled.

Ketsueki was looking into her eyes. They couldn't see what he saw, but the look of relief on his face confused the warriors. Slowly the miko drew his head to her face and she kissed his forehead. A relieved sigh was heard on the winds. "Praise Kami! The tales are true! Bless you miko. Live long and forever greet the dawn." His whispered reverence ended.

Ashes to ashes.

Ketsueki's remains slowly started to pour out blood, a puddle forming around it as a grave marker. Kagome stood stiffly and faced them.

Her eyes were closed and her hands were held openly in front of her. Blood.

Her face was anguished yet a cracking anger was slowly working its way up her stiff form. Silently she clasped her hands tightly together.

Hiei picked up her bag and walked foreward to stand beside her. His eyes took on the unfocused look of his telepathy.

"Take me to Koenma." She growled out. "Now!"

Yusuke opened up the communicator and they heard no cheerful greeting from Botan. Only the sound of energy ripping through the distance and realms sounded as Koenma's office came into view.

Koenma looked startled at them; he had been expecting it to take longer maybe.

"What are you…"

Kagome stepped forward. Her head was tilted and she seemed to be staring at her blood-soaked hands. Koenma made a strangled noise.Her head snapped up, unadulterated fury marring her usually serene features.

"When?" Came the low haunting growl.

Koenma stuttered.

She snarled. Her hands came up to cup the demi-gods face. Slowly, she drew her bloodied hands down, leaving a blood trail of blame. "When were the scrolls stolen?" It was a harsh whisper. "Since when has Enma-san let anything of this importance be guarded so negligently?" Her face sobered and she drew herself away. "Have you even told you father?"

Youko was very aware of the tension between the two now. Kurama by default was as well and he was treated with the show of their powers clashing in the ancient battle of wills.

It was Miko and spirit against the Prince of spirits.

The weakly pulsing purple of Koenma's seemed to warp and bend under the pounding green blue and pink opalescence of the miko's.

"You are incompetent."

Koenma spluttered. "I don't see how it's any of your busine-"

She sent him a sharp look. "Inform the Lords and Lady. They'll send guards to train you and yours. Order has to be maintained Koenma, see to it that this never happens again." Her words ended in a hiss.

"It's not my fault!" Koenma sweated out.

She turned her back on him, facing Hiei and a portal standing ready. "You let the blood rites get into the Makai. You don't train your staff adequately. You dismiss the bigger and more important picture with your petty paranoia. You should be removed from your station."

Just as simply as she stated these facts - for they were just facts to her – she left with Hiei.

Silently.

Calmly.

Resignedly.

.x.X.x.

((.)/) YAY! I finished the chappie! (\(.)/)Hehee.