Disclaimer: Yep, there's not ours.

A/N: Second chapter today! Yes! Enjoy!
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Ruby

Here we are again, about to begin a fight against almost impossible odds. It seems to happen a lot.

I guess that being traitors really attracts attention.

He's wearing that unreadable expression, the one that even I can't see through. But I can guess why.

These odds are much worse than we've ever faced. He doesn't know if we'll survive. Neither do I.

"Worry is a human emotion," I tell him dryly.

It earns a tiny smile from him. "But I am human. You know that."

Grinning, I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. "No, you're not." The horde around us seems to be moving closer. Their weapons glint in what's left of the sunlight… and they seems to be drooling all over the place.

"They aren't exactly the poster-boys for the demon race, are they?" he laughs gently. Then more seriously, he asks, "You really aren't afraid?"

"No." But something in my head nags at me, telling me that I'm lying. "I'm not afraid of death," I add, more to myself than to him.

His eyes flicker across my face, turning quickly back to the advancing enemy. "It isn't a weakness to feel fear, you know. Some might even say it's a strength."

I bristle, though I know it isn't a taunt. "Don't preach to me."

He's silent, eyes focused straight ahead. He obviously doesn't want to continue this conversation, so I turn my full attention on our foes as well.

Yet, as I watch their eyes flash in anticipation, and his wary stance grow increasingly nervous, that voice in my head keeps talking. It asks me questions that I don't have answers to, questions such as how I know what death is like, and why I'm not afraid.

Then is asks me one last question, and this one shakes my resolve. Do you fear his death? it says.

I glance over at him briefly, and here's nervous, he's afraid. Is he afraid of his own death? No, I don't think so. Then, who does he…?

And I shiver, because all of a sudden I know the answer to both questions. Yes, I am afraid that he might die, and…

"I wonder if we'll get ceremonies if we die here?" He smiles, a smile too bright for him.

The enemy is almost here, and my time is almost up. But I can't find the words to say what I need to say. All that comes out is, "Maybe if they find enough of our bodies."

He grimaces slightly. "Always the worst case scenario, huh?"

I don't respond; I can't. Because I know he's worried for me, and… I'm terrified for him.

So, without thinking about anything but the possibility of death, I grab his hand. He blinks at me, surprised, but not unhappy.

They've arrived. The battle is about to start.

I blurt out, "I'm not going to let you die, Kurama!"

And he smiles at me, squeezes my hand, and replies, "And nothing will happen to you either. I'm glad you're with me, Hiei."

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Hiei and Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho

A/N: Yay! Please review! I know all of you out there are capable, so please, be nice readers and review the damn story.