Author's Note:Thanks for being so patient guys! If you haven't noticed, that really long chapter that held me up has been added to the chapter before this one. Hope you like!


I bit my lip to keep from screaming as I fell towards the earth that seemed so far away. "Akumei…?" I whispered but he was already asleep. With a slight whimper, I tightened my grip on him and closed my eyes, picturing the great black wings in my head. Before they had even started coming out, I collided with the ground. "D-damn it…" I stammered, regaining the breath that had been knocked out of me.

I sat up slowly, looking around. I was in a village, complete with small wooden houses and buildings everywhere. "Well, this is a change from the city." I sighed as I got to my feet, only to fall right back over. "What's wrong with me?" I frowned, forcing myself to sit up again. "Why am I so dizzy?" I whirled around as I heard footsteps approaching, clutching helplessly at my head.

"Well, what do we have here?" A man smirked down at me. He looked to be in his middle ages.

"She doesn't seem to be from around here. Look at her clothes…" Another said. I was wearing a black sleeveless shirt with baggy gray pants, plus the bandana, and they all seemed to have robes.

"Quite exotic." A man snuck up behind me and hauled me up by the waist.

"Let go!" I screamed, trying to get away, but my movements were sluggish due to the headache.

He laughed at my feeble attempts. "Oh, she's feisty too. We could get a fair price for this one." He chuckled. "I may even have a go…"

"W-what?" I gasped, renewing my efforts to get away. "Let go, get away from me!" I thrashed out, hitting a nearby pot and sending my foot straight through.

All three men stared at me and then one laughed loudly. "Well, now we have a good reason! Girl, do you have any money to pay for that pot you just broke? I didn't think so… You're coming to work for us until it's all paid back."

"What is a girl doing with a sword?" One of them reached out towards it, caught sight of my face, and froze. "What's with that look, girl? Someone needs to teach you your place…"

"Yeah…" The one holding me spoke up. "I bet these clothes come off real nice…"

I tensed as his hand ran along the back of my leg and then tugged at the pants line, the elastic pants line, which did in fact come off easily. "I said, let… go!" I screamed, slamming an elbow back into his face. He fell to the ground with a thump and I scrambled away from him and back to Akumei.

"Hey, you bitch. What do you think you're doing?" A man screamed at me.

"What does it look like?" I yelled back as my fist collided with his face. I glared at the third man as if daring him to try anything and he froze uncertainly. Quickly I draped Akumei's arm over my shoulder and took off through the narrow alleyways in between houses. Soon after I heard shouting and knew they were coming after me. Why me…? I thought in exasperation. I skidded to a halt as some one leapt out of a doorway and pretty much tackled me to the ground. "G-get off!" I screamed, still feeling dazed and weak from the headache.

"No way, girl." He smirked. "You'd better get used to being in this position."

I struggled under him. "No!" He just laughed and called out that he had me. A group of six men came out of nowhere to grab me up and hauled me away. "A-Akumei!" I screamed, reaching out to him as I was carried away. "Wait, stop!"

"That man's as good as dead." One of my captors said. "You might as well forget about him now."

"Besides," Another spoke up. "Where you're going, you'll probably get several men a day! You won't be missing him." He flinched back involuntarily from my glare.

With a snarl, I lashed out at one of the men that held me. He screamed, clutching at his torn arm, and the others dropped me as well in shock. I scrambled away but was stopped as a foot collided with the back of my head and forced my face into the ground. I growled in my throat as I felt my hands and feet being bound.

"She's a crazy one… Might have to keep her tied up during everything! Not that anyone would mind…" He stepped away as I snarled at him.

Two of them haled me up and dragged me forward as another walked behind with a sword point in my back so I wouldn't try anything.

The one I had scratched struck me across the face with his hand but I continued glaring at him. "She's got some spirit, this one…" He spat. "I think I'll have to break it for her." He grabbed my face hard in his hand and made me look at him as the others watched in amusement. "How about it, little girl?" There was a small snapping sound and he went skidding back, landing against a building. I was immediately tackled to the ground as they retied my hands.

"How the hell did she break loose?" A man asked as he kicked me hard in the side.

"I don't know, but we'll have to be very careful with her." Another replied as he stomped on my back. They dragged me up again and made their way to a large building with several floors. Men lined the walls and women sat inside, flirting with them through thick, wooden bars. I watched disgustedly as a man made his selection and the chosen girl giggled happily.

I snapped out of my thoughts as I was thrown into the cage with the rest of them. "I wouldn't try anything if I were you." One of the men warned. "You're on thin ice as it is."

"Thanks for the tip." I snarled sarcastically as he left. I looked around myself and glared at the few people watching me until they turned away uneasily. I could easily get out of here…I thought to myself. Just not when it's so crowded. I sighed and backed away to a far corner away from everyone else and curled up in it, feet and hands still tied. Eventually blocking out the unpleasant sounds from surrounding rooms, I drifted into sleep.

"That one in the back, why is she tied up?" A young man asked a nearby worker.

"Well, sir, we just got her today. She's still a little… wild."

He grinned. "I want her. Bring her to my room."

"But she hasn't been cleaned up yet, sir."

"I said, I want her."

"…Y-yes sir."


"Hey, girl, wake up! I have time limit."

"Akumei…" I moaned quietly.

"Akuemi?" A voice echoed curiously. I forced my eyes open as the hand on my shoulder kept shaking me and glared at whoever it was. I jumped as I realized I was no longer in the room I had fallen asleep in. This one was smaller and I was lying on a mat that was placed on the floor. I saw my bag and sword against a nearby wall. A young man, well built and athletic, with black hair pulled into a ponytail, was sitting in front of me. He had no shirt on. "W-what's going on?" I screamed, noting the headache had cleared somewhat.

He chuckled and leaned over me, picking a clump of dirt out of my hair. "What do you think?" I stared at him wide eyed as I struggled rapidly with the ropes around my hands. He noticed and smiled. "It's useless, you can't break through that on your own. I'm guessing this is your first time? Don't worry, I'll go slow…" He leaned down and began kissing my neck gently. I screamed and thrashed around wildly in response. "Hey, no need to go crazy. The fun hasn't even begun yet!" He paused at the tears in my eyes and then leaned over me again. I shivered as he whispered in my ear, "I'm sorry but I had to pay a lot for this. I won't waste it."

I whimpered as he kissed my neck again. "P-please don't!"

"Why not?" He murmured. "I'll make it enjoyable for you too, ok?" He made to straddle my waist, but I rolled onto my side. "Silly girl, that will not work at all." He said as he forced me onto my back again. He sat on my stomach, running a hand through my hair and freezing as he felt an ear. He quickly jerked off the bandana to stare."You… really are exotic." He breathed as he rubbed it, smiling as he saw my body go limp. "Found your weakness."

"Stop it…" I whispered faintly as his hand felt around my waist and up my back. I shivered again as his fingers brushed lightly across the skin. Tears streamed from my eyes as I recalled the last time this had happened, back in the woods at home. I whimpered loudly as he kissed along my jawbone.

"Aw, don't be like this." He pouted. "I want to have a good time, and you should too. You're lucky you got someone close to your own age for your first time so you might as well enjoy it."

I paused for a moment and then closed my eyes. "Y-you're right. I'm sorry…" I sighed. "I bet I could do even better if you'd let me…" I added with the most seductive smile I could manage.

His pout immediately faded back into a grin. "Oh really? Well, sorry, but I like to be in charge."

I screamed again, realizing my idea hadn't worked. "No, let me go! Please! I'm just trying to get home! I have to find Akumei! What if they did something to him? Untie me now!"

He straddled my waist and grabbed my shoulders to hold me to the ground. "I already told you that I paid good money for this! Just let me have my fun!"

"What about what I want?" I pleaded, tears returning.

"You're in a brothel. No one cares what you want!" He growled, thrusting his lips towards mine, but I turned my head at the last second so he hit my cheek instead. "Do you really hate me that much…?"

"Yes! I hate anyone who'd do this to a girl against her will!"

"I'm tired of being nice when you obviously don't appreciate it!" He cried as he cupped my face in his hand. "Please, I'll give you one last chance. You can make this easy or hard on yourself. Which do you choose?"

"Same to you." I glared. "Which do you choose?"

"…Fine." He kissed my neck again as his hands ran down my waist and began sliding the pants down. In a panic, I hit him full in the face, knocking him off me, and jerked them back into place. With a quick swipe, I freed my feet as well.

"I warned you, I did!" I cried, grabbing up my sword and holding it towards him as he nursed his jaw.

He watched as I pulled the bag onto my back and tied the bandana rapidly back around my head. "You pack quite a punch… Planning on breaking out of here? You won't get far."

"We'll see…" I growled as I backed towards the window.

"There's a two story drop." He warned.

"That's nothing." I snapped as I swung one leg over it.

I jumped as he grabbed my arm. "Just one kiss, just one!" He begged. Before I could respond, he leaned forward and his lips collided on mine. My sword clattered to the ground as he licked my lips and I gasped, letting him slip inside. He threw his arms around my waist, lifted me forcefully, and dropped me back on the mat, his tongue all the while exploring my mouth. I pushed him but he wouldn't get off, his hands moving along my back, sides, waist. He jerked the bag from my back and threw it to the side. I let out a muffled cry as my shirt began rising and I felt his bare stomach against mine. My claws were digging into his shoulders but he didn't seem to mind at all. I began shoving him away but as he rose, he pulled me with him. We ended up falling the other way so I was on top, but he still held me tightly to him. I pulled my bottom half away and got to my knees but it was like our mouths were surgically connected and his arms clung tightly around my back. The tears were falling rapidly now. Finally, I managed to wrestle my hand free and slam a fist into his stomach.

He grunted and let go, sitting up to grin at me as I backed away. "Now, wasn't that fun?"

"N-no!" I screamed at him, wiping my eyes and realizing the headache had returned full force. "You asked for one kiss and you didn't even wait for a reply to that! I'm leaving and there's no way anyone is going to stop me!"

"Well if they do manage to get you back, I'll be sure to come visit again." He smirked, catching my wrist again as I turned away. "Wait a moment. If you tell me what you are, then I won't tell anyone you've gotten away."

"R-really?" I stammered, surprised by his offer, and then narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "And what else are you expecting to get to keep quiet?"

"Nothing, but if you really want to…" He pulled me close to him, laughing as I turned crimson and pushed away. "Just sit with me and tell me what you are."

I frowned and sat on my knees across from him. "I'm a mix of wolf demon, dog demon, and human." I said bluntly. "Can I go now?"

I stood again to go, grew dizzy, and toppled over into him. "You know you want me, I can tell." He whispered in my ear, chuckling as I shivered. "You can't keep yourself off of me."

"Shut up." I growled. "Now I've told you so you have to let me go!"

"Hold on." He pulled me closely to him again. "I do have something you have to do for me…"

"Forget it." I spat, eyes narrowing again as I started pushing him away. The headache was worsening though, so I felt very helpless. I couldn't even get away from a regular human!

His grip tightened around my waist as he pulled me onto his lap. "I need you to…" He paused to kiss my neck, pouting as I struggled again. "…hit me."

I froze. "What…?"

"I'll get in trouble if they know I let you get away willingly. If it looks like you beat me in a struggle, I'll get off the hook and you'll get away. They were talking about how wild you were so they'll believe it."

"Where?"

He laughed at the quickness of my answer. "Anywhere, and try leaving a bruise. I'd appreciate if you didn't kill me though." I smiled mischievously as I looked him over, causing him to flinch back lightly. "Don't break anything." He added quickly.

"I can't promise anything…" I said quietly and then lashed out, my foot colliding with his chest to send him sliding backwards. He grunted as it hit and there were a couple cracking sounds. "Crap…" I muttered under my breath as I crouched at his side.

"I asked you… not to break anything!" He gasped angrily.

"Shut up for a second." I frowned as I placed my hands on the rapidly forming bruise on his chest. I saw him flinching as I closed my eyes and focused. I sent my energy past the bruised skin to the cracked ribs underneath. After a moment, I pulled away again.

"Shit, girl…" He winced as he prodded the bruise lightly. "Couldn't you have healed this too?"

"Don't push your luck." I growled gently. "Besides, that would ruin the point of hitting you in the first place."

"Yeah…" He sighed as he sat up slowly and then collapsed backwards again.

He was definitely making me feel guilty. "Are you going to be alright?" I asked, leaning over him. I gasped as he reached out and pulled my head down with his hand, sending my lips crashing onto his. I smacked him in the face and he let me go again. "Leave me alone!" I shrieked.

He just smirked. "A good bye and good luck kiss." He said simply.

I glared at him before leaping out the open window into the darkened sky and started off. It seemed I had barely taken a few steps before someone shouted to go after me. I sprinted back towards Akumei and was relieved to see him still there where I had left him in the streets, though he had been dragged closer to the building and out of the way by someone. Quickly I looped his arm around my neck and ran on, hearing pounding footsteps behind me. I swerved into an alley and continued running.

"Ah-!" As I rounded a corner, a hand reached out and covered my mouth, causing me to drop Akumei.

I squirmed wildly, trying to free myself and worsening the headache more, but froze when I heard an agitated male's voice in my ear. "Hey, you idiot, do you want to get yourself caught?" He pulled me close and withdrew into the shadowed doorway of a building. Somehow, I managed to drag Akumei in as well. His hand remained firmly over my mouth and the other around my waist as we waited with bated breath while the sound of pounding footsteps rushed past.

Once the sounds had faded, he finally released me and plopped down on the floor. "Whew, I wasn't sure if we'd make it." He said, looking me up and down. He had wild brown hair and was tall and skinny.

I blushed slightly and sat down as well. "Well, thank you for helping me…"

"What'd you do to get them after you?"

"They tried to take me and… I kicked a pot." I frowned. "Then they brought me to a… brothel, but I got out."

"A brothel, huh?" He said, sticking a finger in his ear. "Want to give me a session? Ow! What the hell was that for?"

"What do you think?" I replied hotly, tears leaking out again.

"Hey, calm down. It's not worth crying over."

"You try being in my position!" I screamed.

"Oh… So you're a virgin then?"

I glared at him as he watched me with a bored expression and then looked around the room I was now in. It was small with no furniture at all and lit only by the moonlight entering through a small window. I didn't notice the girl coming up behind me through the pounding headache. "Mugen?" I jumped as I heard her speak. "Who's this?"

I turned and looked at her quickly. She had brown hair, pulled up and wore a kimono. "S-sorry!" I stammered, dizzy from spinning around. "He helped me. I'll go if it's a problem."

"Oh no, it's fine!" She said hastily. "How'd he help you?"

"She ran from a brothel." The man, Mugen, replied before I could. "I pulled her in here and out of the way."

The girl shivered slightly. "Oh yeah, I was locked in one of those for a while. It's horrible, isn't it?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, but the boy I was with helped me get out. Well, after ensuring he wouldn't get in trouble for it…"

"Why do you carry a sword?"

I jumped and spun around again as I heard yet another voice. God, my senses are messed up right now. I thought in annoyance as I picked out the man in robes sitting in the shadows against a wall. He wore glasses and at his side were two swords. "For protection." I said simply. He nodded slightly but kept watching me, strands of loose black hair from his ponytail in his eyes. I shifted uneasily as I noticed every eye was on me. "I'll just be going now…" I whispered, standing.

"No, they'll still be looking for you!" The girl cried. "You can hide out with us tonight. Oh, and my name is Fuu. He's Mugen and he's Jin." She said, pointing first to the man who had helped me and then to the other.

"I'm Kira." I smiled slightly. "And this is Akumei."

"You sure he's not dead?" Mugen asked.

"Yes, I'm sure." I frowned. "He's fine. He's just sleeping…"

"How much can one man sleep?" Jin asked.

"Umm…" I began but didn't finish as I went to Akumei and propped him against a wall. My headache seemed to fade almost instantly. Wow, do I really need him this much? I frowned to myself. Away for a day and it killed my head… I'm so glad I didn't come alone. I shook my head roughly. Wow, that sounded really selfish. I looked up now to see the three others staring at me. "S-sorry…" I whispered.

"It's alright." Fuu smiled uncertainly.

I managed a weak smile in return before I plopped down against the wall at Akumei's side. Soon after, I got up impatiently and looked out the window. My ear twitched and I rolled to the side, drawing my sword to deflect Jin's next attack. "What are you doing?" I shrieked as he swung again and I blocked once more.

"Jin, what are you doing?" Fuu shouted.

He paused, staring at me, and then sheathed his sword again. I kept mine pointed at him as he spoke. "You know how to use a sword fairly well for only carrying it for protection." He stated.

"Well, how can I protect myself if I don't know how to use it?" I retorted angrily.

"You're reflexes are extremely well." He continued.

"Well I couldn't let that hit me!"

"I assure you, I would have stopped it in time."

"Hey… Why's your sword triple the size of the sheathe?" Mugen asked suddenly.

"W-well, that's…" I began slowly, but Mugen cut me off.

"What's with those clothes?" He asked.

"What do you…?" I began, looking down at myself.

"Is that a tail? What are those markings on your face?" Fuu paused. "And… are you wearing cat ears?"

My hand darted to my head, noting that the bandana had come off when Jin lunged at me. "Wolf!" I snapped. "They're wolf ears!"

"Why do you wear them?" Jin pressed.

"I uh…" I closed my eyes, regaining my composure as I sheathed my sword. "I think it's time that I leave."

I peeked my head out the door, pulling back quickly as I heard someone shouting, "Have you found her yet?"

"No, but she can't have gotten far carrying that man with her!" Another answered.

Mugen nodded towards me. "And you wouldn't have gotten away in the first place without my help, so you owe it to me to tell."

"I don't owe you anything. I could have gotten away on my own!" I met his steady gaze for a while and finally plopped down moodily beside Akumei, ignoring his superior smirking. "Fine… First off, I'm a wolf demon, dog demon, and human, mixed, so the tail and ears are real. I was born with the markings because my father had them as well. The sword was a gift from him, made from his fang. I was sent from my home world so now I'm switching between them at random until I find my own again. And if you don't believe me, I really don't care." I added irritably.

"A demon." Jin echoed.

"Yeah, that's what I said!" I replied sharply, crossing my arms over my chest. All three were staring at me and I wanted nothing more than to disappear. Instead, I closed my eyes and leaned forward. The image of black wings appeared in my head, exploding from my back. I bit my lip as I felt the feathers sliding against my skin as they began to emerge for real.

"W-what's going on?" Fuu gasped.

I forced a pained smile. "J-just something to help me later…" I concentrated harder and the wings spread faster. I bit my tongue to stifle a yelp, but the whimpering continued. My hands were now the only thing holding me up as I sat on hands and knees, head gradually sinking lower to the ground and my face screwed up in pain. All three were staring at me in alarm, having no idea what was happening.

"What the hell…?" Mugen frowned as Fuu inched forward to try to help.

"I-I'm fine…" I whispered.

"No you're not!" She exclaimed, keeping a slight distance as the wings were almost entirely out. Finally, they stopped and I collapsed forward, lifting up an arm and allowing it to drop onto my back and heal the torn skin around the newly formed wings. Then I fell back against the wall, trying to catch my breath.

"You can heal yourself?" Fuu gaped.

"You can fly?" Mugen added. Jin just watched in silence.

I nodded to both their questions, hiding a yawn.

"You should… get some rest." Jin finally spoke up. "We'll watch out for any men who may be after you."

"…Thank you." I sighed and slipped down on my side, closing my eyes and soon passing out, wings draped over my body.

"Think we can trust her?" Mugen immediately asked.

"Why not? Anyway, she's asleep right now." Fuu replied.

"She doesn't mean any harm." Jin said calmly.

"How do you know that?" Mugen argued.

"Has she tried anything since she got here?"

"She hit me." He sulked.

"You asked her for a session." Jin recalled aloud and Mugen flinched from the glare Fuu gave him.

"…Fine." He said finally.


I awoke early the next morning, yawning silently as I sat up and stretched my arms above my head.

"Get some good sleep?"

I jumped but turned, smiling, towards Jin. "Yes, and yourself?" He simply nodded and kept watching me as I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "Is there… something you want to say?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No, not really."

"O-ok… I'm going to step outside for a second." I quickly got up and went through the door to the alleyway outside. Sighing, I stared up at the sky above me and thought about returning home. How long has it been now? I've lost track… I frowned and then stifled another yawn as I returned inside.

Mugen was still asleep, sprawled on his back in the middle of the room, snoring and slightly drooling, and Fuu was leaning against a wall clutching at her stomach. Jin was staring silently at the floor. I plopped down next to Akumei and poked his side uselessly.

The next second I was on my knees, gripping my head tightly with both hands.

Kira?

Yeah, I'm here…

K, are you ready?

Of course. I replied and then her voice faded. I looked up at Fuu and Jin. "Time for me to go!" I quickly grabbed my bag and sword and strapped them on. "Oh, can I take your pictures?" I asked, pulling out the camera. They gazed at it curiously as I explained to them what it did and finally both agreed. "All right, do you think we could wake him up." I asked as I pointed over to Mugen.

"Yeah, it's getting pretty late." Fuu replied.

I nodded and crawled to his side. "Hey, time to wake up!" I murmured as I shook his shoulder lightly. "Ah-!" I cried as he jerked me on top of him.

His eyes opened and he pouted at me. "Oh, it's you… You just ruined a really good dream."

I shivered as his hand ran along my back. "S-sorry…" I whispered, eyes wide and face red. "Could you let me go?" Reluctantly his hands left my waist and I quickly clambered off of him, trying to calm myself down. "Can I take your picture?" I finally asked. "Quick, I don't have much time."

I gathered the three together and then plopped down beside Fuu just before the camera flashed. "Thank you very much!" I exclaimed as I jumped over to Akumei's side and put the camera away again just as I began to glow a faint white. They stared at me as I slung Akumei's arm around my shoulder and then smiled at them. "Bye…" I disappeared in mid wave.

They all exchanged glances and then Mugen stretched out. "Well, I'm bored of this place. Let's go."


"I've sent her again." The young cat girl said. "She should be back soon I think."

"It had better be more than an 'I think'" Hiei muttered.

"Come on, give her a break. Look how much she's done already!" Kyoshi replied.

"It was her fault in the first place!" Hiei snarled.

"Yeah, well…" Kyoshi's voice faded as he fingered the small bottle of smoke in his hand, blue and silver swirling together.

The girl closed her eyes. "I'll try harder…" She said faintly.