A/N: Ok, I kind of had to do some research for this chapter… since I wanted my phoenix mythology to be as accurate as possible. Yes, I'm weird, but I've accepted this fact and grown to love it. Hehe.

Oh and sorry for the length in time between updates. The muse did not leave, but ever since I got this part-time job, life has been extremely last minute and all over the place. Thankfully today is my day off. First real weekend in about two months. Not to mention, I really wanted to think this chapter through.

Dedications to all reviewers as per usual.

Chapter 8: Mythological Complex

With his ear close to the communicator, Hiei studied the ground with his eyes impatiently. "Well? What did you find?"

Sensing the ferocity in the fire demon's voice, Kurama laughed. "Relax man. Botan relayed your mission to me after you were sent out from Koenma's office, and I can't help but find it a huge coincidence you discovered this book.

"Just tell me what is in it already!"

"Sure, sure. Of course, your majesty. I'm basically going to read what is says. There are several different stories here. All basically the same though.

"The Phoenix is a large bird that is revered around the world as a symbol of immortality and re-incarnation.

"In Greek legend, the Phoenix lived in Arabia near a cool well. Every morning as the Sun rose and dawn broke, it would immerse itself in the cool clear water of the well and sing such a delightful and sweet song that the Sun God would stop his chariot to listen to the beautiful sound. When it has lived five hundred years, it builds itself a nest in the branches of an oak tree.

"Ovid tells the story of the Phoenix as follows: "Most beings spring from other individuals; but there is a certain kind which reproduces itself. The Assyrians call it the Phoenix. It does not live on fruit or flowers, but on frankincense and odoriferous gums. When it has lived five hundred years, it builds itself a nest in the branches of an oak tree… In this it collects cinnamon, and spikenard, and myrrh, and of these materials builds a pile on which it deposits itself, and dying, breathes out its last breath amidst odors. From the body of the parent bird, a young Phoenix issues forth, destined to live as long a life as its predecessor. When this has grown up and gained sufficient strength, it lifts its nest from the tree, and carries it to the city of Heliopolis in Egypt, and deposits it in the temple of the Sun." Such is the account given by a poet.

"His instinct teaches him to keep out of the way of the tyrant of the creation, man, for if he were to be hot at, some wealthy glutton would surely devour him, though there were no more in the world."

Listening intently, Hiei was surprised to hear Kurama stop. "That's all there is?"

"Well, all that's important anyway. Don't you see the connection to spirit world? There is only one phoenix in the world at a time. It builds a fire in an oak tree every five hundred years that only its new-born can stop, and the bird fears humans and evil creatures because they can devour and steal its powers."

Along with such reasoning came an extended silence from both sides. This information was obviously important, seeing as how Yukina's bird led him straight to the book containing such information. And his dreams with Phennix. And the fires… all of the premonitions and foretelling was true, so did that mean only Phennix could stop the fires?

But the more pressing matter which concerned Hiei was if she spoke the truth about the fires, then did the same go for Yukina? What was going on here?

"Hiei, you there?…Didn't you use to have partner that was a Phoenix?"

"Yeah, a traitor though. She disappeared in the middle of stealing an incredibly rare and sacred item. Worth fortunes. The finances I got from that paid for my Jagan eye," he added numbly. "I barely got away. And I never really saw her again."

"And, when was this?"

"I don't know."

"Well, is she 500 years old this year?"

"I wouldn't know."

"You better find out Hiei. The only way it seems to stop this fire is to find her, or the phoenix following her."

A/N: Sincerest, sincerest apologies for how short this chapter is. It is extremely short… Sorry! I seriously wanted to think out this one better…but I guess it didn't really work out as I had planned. Next chapter will all be in Yukina's point of view. Hehe, so stay tuned guys.

Oh, and yes, the phoenix actually uses an oak tree. Ha! I told you the description of the tree in the first chapter would come back to haunt you… Well sort of. And I got my information from: Goodrich, Norma Lorre. The Age of Fable. (p.353-4). Hehe, I don't know where the book went, so I can't write down the rest of the bibliography stuff. My bad!