Author: Well… It is almost over. I think I may go into withdraw once this is over.

Hiei: What is withdraw?

Author: Withdraw is when you get so accustomed to having something and then all of a sudden you don't and you miss it so much that it interrupts with your daily habits. It is normally associated with drugs, but that is so something I would never do.

Hiei: Okay, on with the chapter.

Author: Enjoy!

"Kirana's telepathy"

"Hiei's telepathy"

Hiei's thoughts

"Hiei's Jagan"

Kurama's thoughts

Youko's thoughts

'People talking telepathically with Hiei'

'People talking telepathically with Kirana'

(Author's note)

---------Time and/or location change---------

---------------------------------------------

Chapter 38

---------With the Reikai Tantei---------

After the nap the group talked over a few general things going over how best to get their friends out of their fears. It was decided that if at all possible they would have to overcome their own fear and then they would all help in retrieving Kirana from her mind. The group quickly set about pairing up to begin running again, when suddenly Yukina gasped.

"Yukina, what is it what is wrong?" Youko and Kuwabara asked simultaneously.

"I am almost home," she said dreamily staring off in the direction they were headed.

"Yukina! Snap out of it we have to save Kirana and Hiei!" Youko said taking hold of her shoulder not wanting the others in the group to know they were headed to Koorime Island.

Yukina blinked and shook her head, "I didn't know we were going to be close to Koorime Island."

Youko was impressed with how quickly she recovered and made it seem like she had no idea they would be getting even closer to her homeland. They ran again for about another four hours and then it was decided that they should make camp for the night. Once again Yukina and Youko found food and discussed plans on how to make sure they not get to Koorime Island before they were wanted. They could only hope they were not too early or too late because either option was disastrous.

---------With Hiei---------

Hiei had spent the morning getting out of his fear and then spent the rest of the day trying to pry Kirana out of her mind. It was not working however, and Yokoshima had underestimated the power of his Jagan. He could not do much, but telepathically speaking to his mate was something he was glad he could do. He could not enter her mind, no matter how hard he tried, and he wasn't sure if it was the ward or his mate's defenses. He could only wait.

Then Yokoshima approached the two, and handed Hiei a hunk of bread and meat for himself and a bowl of soup for Kirana. He quickly set aside his own meal and began to try to get Kirana to eat. He was dejected when he could not seem to get her body to eat anything. Then he remembered what they had done for Yusuke once when he was severely wounded and could not respond. He poured a bit of soup into his mate's mouth and gently massaged her throat encouraging her to swallow. Thankfully it worked and he got her to eat the whole bowl.

Then he turned to his meal and quickly devoured it. He could only wait and hope his friends would arrive soon.

---------With Kirana---------

She had no idea how long she had been in that room. There was no window and no lights, and she preferred it that way. She did not want to think about how long she had been trapped in that room by herself, and she did not want to be able to see just how disgusting she was. She could only hope that maybe one day she would find the strength to face the world, but until then this little room was fine for her. She felt so safe here. Almost like she was being cradled in warm arms. She looked around and saw something lying on the floor by the door. Quickly and quietly she went over and found the teddy bear her brother had given to her all those years ago. She picked it up and cradled it to her chest. It still smelled like him and it radiated his energy. Then she saw something else lying on the floor again she went to the door and picked it up. It was a black tear gem. One of the gems Hiei had cried when he was holding her after… The Episode. That would be what she would call it. The Episode. It sounded right to her for some reason. She quickly tore a bit of her shirt and placed the tear gem inside a strip and tied it to her wrist. The gem was touching her skin and she could almost feel Hiei's arms around her. Quickly and quietly she made her way back to her corner. Now at least she had something to help her keep her memories in her head and maybe she would learn not to trust people again.

----------------------------

Author: Well there you have it… the next chapter.

Hilu: You are almost done with this right?

Author: Yes, I am! And I am so excited about it too!

Hilu: So am I!

Author: Well please review. Ja ne!