A whole month had passed since they left. From that time, I received only one card from Kage; it was a small piece of paper with a simple drawing of a smiling face. On the other side was Akari's paw print. No words. So simple, yet it made me smile.

Inuko's fighting skills increased. We trained every day after her school, but unfortunately, Koenma had signed Team Urameshi to a Tournament and I had to concentrate on MY own trainings. Inuko signed herself to a karate class in her school and was doing great.

Yusuke was teasing me a lot. About my ears, about my tail, about everything! But, he'd never, EVER insult me. Of course, that didn't change the fact that I kept getting angry at him for all those mean comments, which drove us to a fight. There was another reason for our battles: food. Urameshi can eat nearly the same amount of food than I can. Oddly enough, deep down inside, I couldn't help but smile widely. In one way or another, I liked those fights, it was like fighting with an older brother. Yep, I definitely grew fond of those fights, not to mention entertaining the rest of the Team with them.

Kuwabara helped me a lot, but unknowingly. You see, I remembered a weapon that Kage gave me a long time ago, it was a sword. Medium size, with an average looking, silver blade and a dark blue handle, with a small black stone in it. Although it looked quite normal, my partner told me that the little stone will unleash its mysterious power when the right time will come. "The power comes straight from me," as Kage had said.

Well, the deal is, that I had never use it, I just simply forgot about it. I couldn't just ASK Hiei for help, so I came up with a better idea. I was spying on Kuwabara when he was practicing with his Spirit Sword and copying his movements. Stupid, huh? Well, believe it or not, it worked. I was able to hold the heavy sword firmly in my hands and do a couple of simple moves.

I was learning. From Kuwabara. Tell anyone and die.

Kurama found a quick way to befriend me. I guess that a master cook and a cough half cough demon with a bottomless stomach can be friends almost immediately. Also, I had the feeling that Kurama was able to understand me, from glancing at me he'd guess in what mood I was currently in.

Kurama is a skilled fighter, who knows his strong points and weaknesses, which is why he gained my respect. During our fights, once he had learnt he didn't have to hold back on me, he fought with all he got. That satisfied me.

My relationship with Hiei was pretty simple: Mind your own business. We didn't talk too much, only that what had to be said. Surprisingly, I felt that he was the closest one to me from the strange group. When I learnt about him more, I noticed that we had some things in common: we were different than the rest from the date of our birth. We both were... unwanted.

Hiei could understand me without words. I felt the most comfortable around him, just like I felt around Kage...

There were also Yukina, Keiko and Botan. They didn't bother me, but I hadn't grow fond of them as much as I did with the Team. I still regret the evening when I agreed to go shopping with them. The girls hid my ears and tail behind some clothes and we took off. I felt horrible in the mall, it made me feel so small and lost. In the end, I beat up some guys, who had touch me where they shouldn't, if you know what I mean. We had to scram out of there.

After that incident, the girl decided that the mall isn't a place for me, and that it's better for everyone not to take me to the city. I wasn't planning to be upset about it.

The trip wasn't so pointless, though. I'd manage to steal a nice pedant, just for Inuko. No one found out. So, shh!

"C'mon, doggy! Catch me if you can!"

With a loud, frustrated growl, I lunged at the grinning Yusuke, a grimace stretched on my face. ''Doggy!' How dare he...' All the tiredness I felt a moment before vanished; my narrowed eyes were focused on my victim, Urameshi.

However, after 10 minutes of running around, my tired body stopped obeying me; please, bare with me - I've managed to tie with Kurama after a long, REALLY long battle. I gritted my teeth and jumped forward, my body crashing into Yusuke's causing us both to hit the ground. Gathering the last piece of strength, I curled my fist and gave our Leader a nice, big bump on the back of his head.

"Yeowch!" he yelped, "Get off!" He was lying on his stomach, with me on his back, so he couldn't stand up.

"No, I don't think I will," I smirked in satisfaction, I really didn't wish to stand up, not in my current state (I mean, my legs were killing me!). Laying on my stomach on top of him, I stretched my arms to show him that I'm comfortable.

"Fine then," I could almost see Yusuke smirking back by the tone of his voice "Stay on top. I can feel your breasts and I'm starting to like it..."

SMACK!SMACK!

Forgetting about all the pain I stormed off to the rest of our team after leaving two red palm marks on Urameshi's face. Their reactions made me blush even harder from embarrassment; Kuwabara was rolling on the ground clutching his stomach and laughing really loudly, Kurama tried to hold himself from laughing by biting his finger (key word?: tried) and failing miserably and Hiei was smirking at me in a cocky way. Are they all asking for similar hand prints on their amused faces?!

I was sitting on a rock, gazing at the moon above me. The wind blew past me, whispering a calming melody into my ear. I closed my eyes, enjoying the moment. The Tournament was coming closer and closer, day by day. But I wasn't worried about it. Well, at least not about those few first matches, anyway. But the rest... A slight chill ran up and down my spine.

Visions...

If only I could control them somehow... Maybe I could... see? All I had to do was concentrate and maybe I could be able to see the Tournament... Who will win... Sounds like a challenge. So, I had to concentrate... Breath calmly... In and out, in and out...

I couldn't feel anything physically anymore, I was in my mind. Focus the pressure... To break the barrier around my mind and reach further... To see...

'Stop,'

My eyes snapped open and my thoughts were interrupted, making me fail the task. I twirled around and spotted Hiei himself, his arms crossed and his eyes staring right into mine.

"What the Hell, Hiei...?" I asked, a bit irritated.

"Hn," was his (typical) response. I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Could you please leave me alone?" I questioned whispering, turned around again and closed my eyes. Breathe calmly...

'Don't.'

"Shut up!" Damn, I almost made it!

"You shouldn't try to do that, inu-onna," Hiei stated calmly, not looking at me.

"And why's that?" what the Hell did he wanted from me now?!

The fire demon didn't respond at first. He gazed thoughtfully at the dark sky and stayed silent. Just when I wanted to ignore him and try again, he spoke up.

"Sometimes, it's better not to know what lies ahead."

I looked at him surprised.

I waited a couple of seconds to let those words sink into my brain. He was right. Again. And I was wrong... Again. Do I owe him something? Should I thank him? I felt stupid and awkward at the moment. 'What should I do...?'

"Come on, let's spare." said Hiei, his emotionless gaze landed on me. I raised my eyebrows in further surprise. Talking about mood swings! "You need to work on your sword fighting style," he continued.

This caught me off guard. Sword...?!

"Wha...?" I managed to stutter out, gulping slightly.

A smug smirk appeared on Hiei's lips. "Your sword technique. I saw you practicing..."

My cheeks were getting warmer and warmer from embarrassment. He saw me. Copying Kuwabara. But, when? And, why didn't I sense him?! Oh, goddness...

"Were you spying at me or something?" I growled in annoyance, trying to make the embarrassment to vanish and forcing natural colors on my face. In the corner of my eye, I caught Hiei turning his head and frown. He tossed my sword without a word.

It was my turn to smirk at him, eyeing him slyly. "Oh, you did?" I teased, grasping the sword in my fist. The fire demon twitched slightly, which was a signal for me to be careful. I could sense anger and annoyance from him. I was suspecting that Hiei wasn't aware of the signals he was sending me. I, as a dog demon, knew body language quite well.

About a second later, he attacked, raising his katana. I was prepared, blocking the hit clumsily. Hiei, being more skilled in sword fighting, gained the upper hand quickly. I had to pay attention on his movements and focus on dodging and ducking from his sharp blade. I had no chance to attack.

Distract him, a quiet voice spoke in my head; it wasn't Hiei. It was a brilliant plan. But, how? The 'look-behind-you' trick was old and childish. There was no way Hiei would fall for it. What could I do...?

I gulped as an idea came to my mind. It was risky, as Hell. But, I had to try it. To show him that I can win against him...

Jumping back, I threw my sword in the direction of Hiei's head, missing it purposely. The blade dug into a tree and the fire demon was standing just next to it, smirking. He didn't have to move - he knew that I'd miss.

There goes nothing... I told myself and lunged at him. That had surprised him; I was weaponless and still wished to fight against his katana. He lowered his sword - big mistake.

I got a hold of his shoulders in a firm grip and pressed his back against the tree trunk. His eyes widened slightly, wandering what I'll do next. Good question.

What next?! I shouted in my head, making sure that my mind was blocked properly.

'Oh, you know... Kiss him,' the sly voice whispered, making me shiver uncomfortably. Now, I was more surprised than Hiei!

KISS?!?!

Deciding to do whatever to win and prove to HIM and myself that I am able to reach that goal, I brought my face close to Hiei's, not breaking the eye contact. I could feel his muscles tense under my grip. He was way stronger than me, he could release himself any minute, but since he didn't expect THAT, he froze. The element of surprise rocks.

The distraction worked, but I knew that it wouldn't last for long. I had to end this, NOW!

One of my hands slowly released Hiei's shoulder and made its way up, the other one went down. I was staring into Hiei's deep red eyes and he was gazing back. Our faces were flushed slightly, from both, exhaustion and the closeness. Yep, we were TOO close, I just hoped it'll be worth...

I held my breath unconsciously. That's when Hiei saw right through me, reading my true intentions. He narrowed his eyebrows and raised his arm angrily, but the katana wasn't in his hand...

Two sharp blades flashed dangerously in the dark, their tips pointed to each side of Hiei's neck, forming an X shape. For the first time I could recall, I ended the fight with the fire youkai...

... Winning.