Disclaimer: We interrupt your usual program for a ground-breaking announcement: Hell has just frozen over and Moondagger666 now owns Yu-Yu Hakusho! (I wish...)

Chapter 9

(A.N.) I want to thank all of you that have been reviewing. It's nice to know that someone is actually reading this. So... Arigatoo gozaimashita. It means a lot.

Next time we make a plan, I get to choose how we split up because Uremeshi suck ass at it.

I was not happy with the fact that Hiei and I had been partnered up. Ok, maybe a little, but not for practical reasons, and practical was what was needed right now. We were supposed to be canvassing the city's slums where the local demons hung out for a lead on where Mizuru's newest victim might have been taken. We had started at about seven o'clock in the evening, just as the sun was setting.

It was midnight now, and we still had had no luck. We had trekked up and down the streets, threatened the ones who wouldn't talk to us, and still had nothing.

Did I mention the fact that Hiei was not being the least bit encouraging?

He kept pointing out that the girl was probably dead and that we were wasting time. This irked me a lot. I mean, I'm a realist and I know he's probably right, but that didn't make it any less annoying. We also have...differing opinions of how to proceed with each informant...and which street to use...and attracting too much attention...and our personal space...

You get the picture.

Of course, this set-up did have its perks. I admit it, I'm shallow as hell and fire-boy was just great eye-candy...until he caught you staring. Then the rounds of arguing began anew.

And this is so completely not how I usually act, or feel, for that matter. I've never been one to let myself get distracted by a good-looking guy. It's so...unprofessional. Plus, the whole trust issue so... It never really bothered me until now. Maybe...

AHH! NO! I WAS NOT GOING TO GO THERE!

I shook my head hard as we continued to walk down a new street. God, I must be tired to even consider this bullshit. I sighed.

"What is it?" Hiei asked, frowning.

"Nothing," I replied quickly. That was one discussion I was going to stay far away from, out loud and in my thoughts.

We came to a stop in front of an old, run-down structure that had started life as an office building, but was now a gathering place for one of the numerous demon gangs in the area. I rolled my neck and shoulders, cracking them. Another sigh escaped me as I said, "Here we go again." Hiei shrugged and we went together up the chipped concrete steps. I straightened my leather jacket. "Are we going to knock?"

Hiei had already broken down the doors.

"Guess not." He glared at me.

Shouts were coming from inside, and I could feel a great deal of demonic energy from within. This wasn't your run of the mill gang. This gang had a very powerful friend and a lot of middle-class friends. Regardless, we both made our way passed the doorway into the dark entrance area. A quick scan revealed no one on this level.

Saying nothing, Hiei went over to the side door that, for some reason, had its own fire escape stair landing. It was the ground floor for Christ's sake. Even as I thought it, Hiei had disappeared up the steps. I knew the drill. It was what we had done in the last ten or twenty buildings. He would go from the outside, and I would come from the inside. People tended to underestimate me, so they got to see me first. I guess it's true because it had been working quite effectively.

Poor, gullible demons...not.

I slipped off my jacket and jogged up the stairs, not bothering to be quiet. They already knew someone was here, and they expected someone from the inside, so it gave Hiei time to get in place. See, I can play nice when I try. The key word there is "try".

I made it to the top floor hardly winded. It had probably had once had walls for separating the space into separate offices, but they had been decimated. Now, the space was filled with old weaponry and corpses. I hadn't even noticed the smell. Bad sign. I was getting used to it, which caused me not to notice the stench of rotting meat.

The demons themselves were gathered in the center of the room, all looking ready for a fight. One of them sneered, "Look guys, looks like a little bird has come to call." He turned around and looked at someone standing behind all the rest, "I thought you said it was someone dangerous was coming, Tojitsu!" The rest of them laughed.

I, on the other hand, paled. Tojitsu? Oh God, please tell me there is no relation. Life could not possibly hate me that much. The figure in question stepped forward.

Shit, life hated me that much.

He looked almost exactly like Dojitsu. Same hair, eyes, and skin, but he was smaller. Probably just under six foot. Unfortunately for me, though, he felt a hell of a lot more powerful.

You know the saying, "It went from bad to worse"? Yeah, well, that definitely applied.

Someone up there has a either a bad, sick sense of humor, or just flat out loathes me.

Tojitsu glared at the demon who had spoken, "Are you questioning me, worm?" His voice was low, gravely, but carried well, kinda like thunder. I have a feeling that Tojitsu has a control complex. But just a minor one I'm sure.

"N-no, Tojitsu, never," the demon stammered.

Satisfied, Tojitsu turned to me. I shivered under that gaze and hated myself for it. I kept repeating to myself that I had killed his brother already for what he had done to me and that I would do the same to him if he tried. But somehow, it just wasn't comforting enough.

"Are you scared of me, human?" Tojitsu breathed.

I gave him my best blank look. "You wish."

I guess that wasn't the answer he wanted because he growled angrily. Before I could say anything, he was in motion, and so was I. I shifted sideways to avoid his punch and then ducked under the kick that was waiting for me. I felt the other demons begin to move as well, and I also felt Hiei make his move.

I couldn't concentrated on him too long, however, as Tojitsu was trying to bash in my head.

I dodged another round of kicks and punches, and then countered with my own. I landed a solid strike to his abdomen, but it didn't wind him long enough for a follow up. I danced back as he lashed out.

As I backed away I found that Hiei was busy trying to disable the gang while trying to leave one or two alive. We needed someone to question after all.

I felt Tojitsu move before I saw it. I had kept my eyes away from him too long and I moved too late.

The punch caught me in the jaw, send me flying. I crashed into an already cracked mirror, the pieces slicing and raining down on me. I pulled myself up, pissed, and putting pressure on a deep cut in my arm. My back was cut up too, damn it. "That's it," I mutter, "no more Miss Nice-Girl." I narrowed my eyes at the brown demon, reaching for my powers.

Fire swirled out of nowhere around my body, entwining herself with my limbs. Tojitsu's eyes widened and I smiled menacingly. With a thought, I directed the flames to hold him, but not to burn...not yet.

He rolled out of the way at the last second.

I sent out another rope, faster, and this time he didn't escape. And this time, I asked the fire to burn him just a little.

She wrapped around him, and he grunted as he fought the bonds she had created. Satisfied, I turned to see how Hiei was doing.

He threw the last of them near my feet.

I looked from the unconscious demon back up to Hiei, raising an eyebrow. "Overdid it much?"

He glared. "Who do you want to interrogate first?"

"Well, since he," I said, indicating to Tojitsu, "is the only one still in the shape to talk; I guess we start with him."

Another glare, then he frowned. "How bad are you injured?"

"Not too bad, but let's be quick. Some of them are bleeding a little too much for my liking. The ones on my back feel deep." I said in nonchalantly, but it hurt like a bitch. Scarring guaranteed if didn't get help.

He nodded, but was still frowning. Concern? Surely not.

I turned to Tojitsu. In all honesty, he would have been my first choice for interrogation anyway, for obvious reasons. I also had a feeling he wasn't going to tell us anything willingly. Fine by me.

"So, Tojitsu, have you talked to your brother as of late?" I asked sweetly. "He is your brother isn't he? You and Dojitsu look so much alike."

The demon's eyes widened, and then narrowed. "What are you talking about, bitch? How do you know my brother?"

"Kira," Hiei said in warning.

Ignoring him, I asked, "Are you like him, Tojitsu? Do you like to help Mizuru break his victims?"

Something flashed through his eyes, and even though he never answered, that flash was all I needed. I sensed something snapping deep down inside me as my rage filled me.

I was going to enjoy this very, very much.

Hiei's P.O.V... (One hour later)

I watched her as we exited the building. She gave no outward sign of distress, but after what I saw her do to that demon for information, her faquade didn't fool me. Her wounds were still bleeding as well, but refused to take care of them.

"Let me see your back," I commanded.

She stared at me like I had lost my mind. I frowned at her. "You're bleeding all over the place. Do you want someone to trace...that," I nodded back at the building, "to you?"

Kira sighed in defeat, "Fine, you pushy bastard."

I almost smiled, but caught myself. She turned and presented her back to me. Deep, crimson marks crisscrossed the flesh, and many were still dripping sluggishly with blood. I probed the wounds lightly with my fingers, trying to figure out how deep they really were. She hissed as I touched a particularly ragged wound.

"Watch what your doing, Hiei!" she yelped quietly.

"Hold still, and sit down," I told her.

She obeyed, grudgingly, and sat down on a bench. I pulled off my shirt and tore it into long strips.

"What are you doing?" Kira asked, turning slightly.

I manually turned her back, and began winding the cloth around her torso and the wounds. She stiffened at first, but gradually relaxed as she realized what I was doing. When I finished, she stood, turning, and said quietly, "Thanks." She slipped her jacket back on, zipping the front.

I nodded and we headed back to Uremeshi's.

Kurama's P.O.V...

I turned as they walked in.

Yusuke, the others and I had been waiting for Hiei and Kira for hours. Botan had started considering a search party, but I held back the idea. They could take care of themselves, and I had my own suspicions that they would protect each other.

Keiko, who had shown up a while ago, stood and began to shake Yusuke away. He and Kuwabara had completely crashed about two hours previously. She poked and prodded to no avail, though, finally resorting to dumping a cup of cold tea down the back of his shirt.

Yusuke awoke with a shout, waking Kuwabara in the process and causing both returning parties (Kira and Hiei) to raise an eyebrow. Kira smiled Keiko as the girl berated Yusuke.

"I always knew you two were perfect for each other," Kira teased. I noticed that her gait was tired and that she held her back perfectly straight, almost like it was...wounded. I scented the air and detected fresh blood.

Keiko, unaware, returned the other girl's grin, and hugged her. Kira froze for a moment, and then returned the embrace awkwardly. While they began to reacquaint with each other, I made my way passed Hiei and out into the hall. I knew he would follow.

Once in the hall, out the hearing range of a human, I asked, "What happened?"

He knew what I meant. "She went flying into a mirror. She'll be fine."

"I take you checked the wounds yourself, then?" I made it a question.

"Hn."

I hid my smile. I had a feeling that Hiei would not find this amusing. He obviously cared for the girl, to some extent. More than he cared for most.

"You're right, my friend, she'll be fine. She is strong for a human."

"I suppose," he answered with a shrug. "We did find out some relevant facts though."

"Really? Good, because the rest of us found virtually nothing," I replied.

Another shrug and he returned to the room. I waited a moment, smiling. He'd figure it out eventually, and Kira would too. Kira was harder to read, but my instincts told me that she had feelings for the Fire Apparition, much as she tried to be as distant as possible with everyone.

When this case was over, I wonder if it will all work out for the better?