CHAPTER 9

Raven sensed something was up when two of the hooded things came out of the shadows and headed toward her, their four red eyes boring into her. "What do you want?" she demanded, glaring at the Robes.

"It's almost time," the one said, releasing the girl.

"Almost time for what?" she asked, not knowing what they were talking about. What are they planning on doing to me? Is this going to tell me why they captured me and brought me here? I knew it had to be for some reason. They need me for something. But what? What are they planning on doing with me? What could I possibly do for them?

As the Robes led her away she looked around herself, taking in what little she could through the strange mist that spread all around them. From what she could see it looked like she was in some kind of strange Underworld. She saw no people though, only more Robes. They wandered seemingly aimlessly all around the area, as if they didn't have anything else to do. When they noticed Raven, the Robes escorting her through the gloom, they stopped what they were doing and, creating low moaning sounds, bowed to them as if she was their queen or something.

What's going on? she wondered. Why are they acting that way? Where am I going?

Hiei lunged across the room, trying to use the force to break the chain holding him to the wall. So far he wasn't having any luck but he was going to keep trying anyway. He had to find Raven. He couldn't let something happen to her. He especially couldn't let those things do whatever they wanted with her. She sure makes you act totally unlike yourself doesn't she? a voice in his head wanted to know.

The Koorime froze. Who are you? he wanted to know. What are you doing in my head?

Hiei, a smooth sounding voice said. You should know very well who I am. You broke into my hideout earlier this evening, remember?

Slade! Hiei ground his teeth in anger. What do you want? How did you get into my mind?

It's easy when your guard is down, was the reply. You're so obsessed with freeing Raven you are funerable. Anyone could get into your mind.

What do you want?

I was thinking we could make a deal.

Hn! I would never make a deal with you!

Fine, but I was planning on stopping by and letting you out of your prison seeing as being free will make it easier or you to save the one you love. If you had agreed to help me that is but if you're not going to then forget I even said anything.

"..." Hiei couldn't think of anything to say in return. If Slade could get him out of there then he would be able to get to Raven easier. He still wasn't sure what was going on but that didn't matter. All that mattered was Raven.

I'm waiting. Slade spoke after a few minutes of silence.

Hn, fine. Hiei replied, knowing he didn't have any other choice at the moment. But this only lasts until after I get Raven.

Fine with me, Hiei.

At that moment the door opened and Slade stepped into the room. Hiei glared at him. "You bastard!" he shouted. "You were standing out there the whole time!"

"Now let's not start off on the wrong foot, Hiei," Slade said, walking up to him. "I could just as easily leave you here and find Raven and Terra myself." he held up the key. "Move over."

Hiei did so and Slade knelt down to release him. "Terra?" the fire demon said, looking over his shoulder at the man. "What do you want Terra for?"

"She's a traitor," the older man replied, unlocking the chain. "I want to teach her a lesson."

"Why?"

"Don't ask me why," Slade said, standing up. "The answer is obvious."

Hiei rubbed his wrists as he stood. "You want to kill her?" that was what he would do to a traitor.

"No," Slade said. He cocked him head. "Why? Is that something you would do if you were betrayed?"

"Hn!" the koorime turned away from him. "That does not concern you." he started for the door.

Slade grabbed his arm. The demon looked back at him. "I would advice you to let me go," he said in a threatening voice. "Unless you harbor a death wish."

Slade didn't loosen his hold. "Before you go out and play "Hero" I need you to do me a favor," he said.

"Forget it," Hiei snapped.

Slade lost his temper and smashed the demon against the wall before he knew what was happening. "I don't have time for this, boy," he snapped, his face close to Hiei's. "What I need you to do is very important."

"I will not help you with your revenge," Hiei shot back. "Whatever you plan on doing isn't any of my business. It has nothing to do with me."

"Oh yes it does," the man said, bluntly.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It involves your little girlfriend," Slade replied. "These creatures have some kind of obsession with her. I don't know what they are planning to do with her but it involves something I tried once and failed."

"And what is that?"

"..." Slade let go of Hiei's wrists and turned away. "It's best if you didn't know."

"Then why did you ask for my help?"

"Just find Terra for me," he ordered.

"Why can't you look for her?" the demon demanded. "All I care about is Raven."

"I have something else I need to do," Slade replied. "It's important but I can't tell you what it is."

"I don't want to know anyway," Hiei informed him. "But fine. I'll look for that little wench then I'm going to get Raven."

"Agreed," Slade said. He put out his hand but Hiei didn't shake. "I don't shake," he told the man. "That's a foolish gesture and tells people you trust them more than you want to."

Slade said nothing. He turned away from Hiei and went down the hall. Hiei watched him go then went the other way. I just hope I wasn't tricked.

"Friend Kurama," Starfire said as she and Kurama walked around the city, searching for the place the demons were coming from. "Where do you think the demons are coming from? How are they getting to our world?"

Kurama shook his head. "I don't know yet," he replied. "But I think they're coming from an open portal."

"Portal?" the alien girl question. "Like the thing you and friend Hiei came from?"

"Probably." he looked around then noticed a subway station. "Hmmm..." he walked toward it.

"What is it, Kurama?" Starfire asked, hanging back.

"That station," he said walking toward it then hesitating. "I'm sensing something coming from it."

"What would that be?" she asked, coming up behind him and peeking over his shoulder.

"... Demons," he replied.

Starfre gasped and looked toward the station. She didn't see anything but she felt a cold wind coming up the stairs. "Could that be what we're looking for?" she asked, nervously, staring into the blackness below them.

"I think so," he said, taking her hand. 'Let's go."

A/N

I am NOT dragging this! I'm trying to get things rolling smoothly so not to bore you all. I'm also trying to use more detail than usual. I hope that's okay. I have a strange writing style, I know but bear with me. I'll get better as I go. BTW thanx for the reviews so far (even if there isn't a lot) I really appreciate them. They help me want to finish this. I'm trying not to stop in mid story. I hate when people do that.