Recovery

The carrot top had searched everywhere in his team's small apartment. But there was absolutely no clue. Confused he turned around to knock on the door again. Instead he found his body stopped by the smaller one of Hiei's.

"Why are you standing around like a fool?"

Kuwabara growled, "I'm not a fool! I was just trying to figure out where Bara went."

"Obviously she left, baka." And with that the demon vanished from sight. The only sound to announce his departure was the opening and closing of the door.

Annoyed the man that was left behind quickly checked on the three who were currently unconscious. As he had predicted they were still sleeping meaning that he had time to kill. Sighing he left the room. But the second he walked through the door he ran directly into a cloaked man who was slightly shorter than him. The cloak shifted for a moment to reveal a glimpse of creamy bronze skin before it fell back into place.

Turning to face the tall man, the demon studied him carefully before putting on a stance of recognition. Nodding his head he turned to leave only to be stopped by Kuwabara's hand. He was sure that this demon's power was familiar but he couldn't quite put his finger on where he knew it from. Realizing he wasn't going to get anywhere, he released the shoulder. Once he was free the other being continued his stroll down the corridor until he came to a door at the far end of the hallway. Then he disappeared inside.

Confused the carrot top scratched his head before deciding that he would rather be in the apartment.


Hiei wandered the building as a way to relieve himself of the boredom he felt. Unfortunately this task was failing miserably leaving him more frustrated then anything else. Inside he was hoping that one of the demons around him would be stupid enough to cross his path. The very idea caused his mouth to twitch into a smirk.

'However many of these demons are fighters who can sense my strength.'

Then something caught his attention. Just a few feet away a group of children had cornered a small boy with unusually tanned skin. His thumb was tucked safely in his mouth as golden eyes studied them carefully. The child was obviously bored with whatever was being said to him and yet there was something more. The demon was so distracted he barely noticed the sudden appearance of a female with what seemed to be glowing skin.

A sigh escaped her lips. Turning to face Hiei she smiled. Her pale blue braid fell in front of her right shoulder. Large deep blue eyes watched his face for several seconds before her fur tipped ears lifted.

"You'll have to be careful with that boy. Chibi is a dangerous one."

The Jaganshi didn't reply as he watched her leave his side with a quick adjustment of her tight gray tunic. Slowly she lifted the small boy into her arms. Rustling his dark hair she carried him back to where she had been standing.

"Sorry, had to go and get him before someone got hurt. I am Tari and you are?" She asked politely.

Smirking he turned away and began walking then paused. "It's Hiei. I'll be seeing you later, Chibi."

Tari frowned upon hearing this. Glancing down at the boy in her arms she whispered, "I think he just issued you a challenge. Well, you won't be doing any fighting until I can get you to take a nap between then and now."


She hugged her thin body against the wind. The cave she was in provided little protection against the elements. However it was the perfect place for what she was about to do. Tears began to form in her gold eyes at the thought. But she couldn't have them worrying about her. In the end it would only hurt their cause.

Calling upon a milky white dagger, she hesitated before using it. Even in the dark it still glowed with a faint light. With a small smile she placed it on the ground. It was a symbol of the strength that she didn't possess. No, that was something that had been given entirely to her sibling. And just this small thought caused a solitary tear to fall. Upon landing on the blade, a bright light filled the chamber.

When it died down the entire room was covered in vines. However she ignored this as she stared at the dagger. As she had suspected, the plan had failed. She couldn't cause the blade to grow into a sword. Slowly she fell to her knees sobbing.

Time seemed to freeze as the vines wrapped around her body. It was an odd sort of comfort but one that she welcomed. Breathing deeply she listened to their voices. Then she realized something. Releasing herself, she studied the plants surrounding her. Perhaps there was a way after all.

"Hey her stomach is glowing again," Voleta pointed out indicating the sleeping demoness again.

Wu glanced over with mild interest. This was the third time that the glowing had occurred. So, what was the big deal? Didn't all demonic pregnancies have problems like this? Staring at the demoness she asked these questions aloud.

"You baka! This isn't normal no matter what the creature is! If her stomach is glowing like this then it means that the child she carries is aware of the world surrounding it. That alone could be dangerous if we don't handle this properly."


Next Time on To Challenge a Child:

Wow, it's Hoshi ready to tell you that I never thought we'd see the day when Hiei would insist upon battling a child. Yet here he is insisting that he find the little baby on the other team. Just what has he realized that we missed?