A/N: I'm finally back! To repay your patience and kindness in your reviews (RRgirl ;D), this chapter is long (relatively speaking). Hope it's to your liking!

Thanks to all who reviewed, your input was great! I think you can smirk out loud….

Disclaimer: Oh, definitely, I own nothing at all, which makes me quite depressed. Thanks for reminding me, by the way.

SPOILERS (maybe)

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"Blah" Talking

Blah- Thinking

Blah- Telepathic

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Last time:

Turning around, Yusuke ventured off towards the sun with Kurama and Hiei, closely followed by the new members of their group.

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Hermione grimaced. Ever since they had rejoined the other three, they had again been trekking through the woods. Their companions, stopping only when they deemed suitable, had driven the Hogwarts trio relentlessly. Which also was when Hermione felt like her feet would crumble. The humans plodded on, only worrying about putting one foot in front of the other.

Up ahead, Yusuke turned his head to look back at the other three. They were walking, staring unseeingly down at their fee. "Kurama, the others are tired." He said softly.

Kurama looked back briefly and turned to Yusuke. "An excellent observation. Do you think we should stop here, then?" He looked around at the tightly packed foliage surrounding them.

Yusuke reddened a shade. "Not here, I guess."

They walked on in silence, deep in their own thoughts, until they reached a fork in path. Hiei immediately led them to the right. Yusuke and Kurama followed close behind him.

The humans, however, didn't. Tired and weary, they wandered onto the left trail, where they thought they heard the Tantei.

A bush rustled as the three walked past.

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Something was wrong. Hiei could feel it. The ningens. He could not sense their energies, there was no trace. He whirled around and cursed, earning a questioning glance from Yusuke.

"They're gone." Hiei stated flatly.

At this, Kurama looked up. "That's what was wrong," he breathed. "Why did I not

notice?"

Yusuke groaned loudly. "You mean we have to walk all the way back and get them?"

"Or," Kurama began, "I can go back and get them. You two can go ahead."

"Alright!" Yusuke agreed. "Thanks, Kurama!"

"Hn." Hiei said. "We'll meet at the next clearing."

Kurama turned around and with one last smile towards Yusuke and Hiei, bounded back the way they had come.

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"Where did they go?" Ron yelled.

The Hogwarts trio had just discovered the absence of their guides. The fact that they were lost in a forest, as well as tired, did nothing to improve their mood.

"Maybe we were walking too slowly," Hermione suggested. She sank down onto a nearby log. "Can we please rest for awhile? I'm so tired!"

Both Ron and Harry plopped down onto the log. "Maybe they'll come get us." Harry mused, before they fell into a peaceful silence.

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Kurama ran quickly down the faint path the humans had made. Now, something else that gave off an air of menace bothered him. His worry for the others increased. Yusuke and Hiei could take care of themselves, he knew, but the other three….they were vulnerable. With this thought, his pace quickened to a near sprint.

In minutes, he had soundlessly come to the edge of a clearing. What he saw made Kurama chuckle quietly. The three had fallen asleep on a log. He strode across the space and gently shook Harry.

Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and awoke instantly. Tense, he raised his head to see Kurama, smiling.

"Relax." Kurama grinned. "I will not eat you." Suddenly, the smile vanished from his face. "Wake the others, quickly, and be silent." His hand crept up to his hair and fingered one of his seeds, the Rose Whip.

Now awake, the other three could only watch as a rustling, gradually getting louder, was heard from the underbrush.

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Yusuke paced the small clearing as Hiei stood near a tree, almost blending in with the shadows.

Suddenly, Hiei stepped towards the direction they had come.

Yusuke cocked his head to the side. "What's up?"

"Something is wrong with the others." Hiei said, voice filled with tension. Kurama, what is going on?

There was no reply for some time. Then, all of a sudden, came an answer.

Hiei! Yusuke! I can't protect them myself! Come quickly!

What is it? Hiei asked urgently, but no reply was heard through the other side.

Kurama?

Thoughts raced in Hiei's mind as he analyzed the situation. If Kurama was alone, he would have not problem defeating almost any enemy. With the ningens there, though…Hiei cursed a second time that day. Chances were, Kurama really would need help.

"What's wrong?" Yusuke asked, puzzled.

"The humans met some trouble, and Kurama is caught in between fighting the creatures and protecting those ningens." Hiei explained impatiently. "We have to go help."

"Oh." Yusuke transferred this information through his head. "……Oh! Well, let's go then!" Turning around, Yusuke raced back toward the path Kurama took with Hiei by his side.

"Baka."

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Kurama's eyes were focused on the two huge bears standing in front of him. Never before had he seen such enormous creatures.

"Get back." Kurama instructed the Hogwarts trio. "Go behind me and do not move."

Hermione, fearing the bears, went behind Kurama and stared at the giant animals. Soon, Ron and Harry got out of their daze, and cowered behind Kurama.

Once there, all three took out their wands and held it in front of them in defense.

"What are they?" Ron asked, panicking.

"Bears." Kurama said calmly. "Do not move anymore."

Ron made an undignified voice, but complied.

How can I fight these while protecting them? Kurama thought.

"Rose Whip!"

"Step back, and don't get in the way." Kurama glanced back. "I do not want to hurt you."

With that, he darted back and dropped a seed, from which sprouted long, transparent green vines. These vines then bent over to form a dome enclosing the Hogwarts trio.

"Wha-?" Reaching forwards, Harry touched the hardened plants gingerly.

"Don't touch it, Harry!" Hermione warned. "I know what this is. It's the Shielding Thorn. After developing and growing into a hard shell, it'll grow poisonous thorns that will cause extreme pain to the victim. But….it usually takes hundreds of years to fully develop. Kurama grew it in seconds."

Harry quickly withdrew his hands from the already hardening plant, and stepped back.

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"So, Hiei," Yusuke questioned sheepishly. "Are we going the right way? I kinda lost track."

Hiei almost rolled his eyes at Yusuke's lack of directional skills. "We are, baka. Don't you think I would have went another way if we were going in the wrong direction?"

Yusuke grinned. "So…let's hurry and go save the day!"

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It charged. Fangs wide open, on all fours. Kurama held out his Rose Whip at the ready. His eyes were focused directly on the animal. At the exact time the bear lifted it's head to give a threatening roar, the whip flew across the distance to tangle itself around the bear's neck. With it's long claws, the bear batted at the vine.

Kurama narrowed his eyes as he watched his beloved Rose Whip snap in half. Now I am certain that these are not normal bears.

With that, he backed towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione, eyes never leaving the animal while analyzing possible strategies to kill the creatures.

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"Hiei! Can you hear that?" Yusuke called out when he heard roaring sounds. "I think that's where Kurama is!"

"Hn. I know." Hiei replied, already leaping towards the source of the noise, towards Kurama and the ningens.

"Kurama!" Bursting through the bushes blocking the view of Hiei and Yusuke, they were greeted with the sight of Kurama fighting two gigantic bears, with his back facing the Hogwarts trio. The three seemed to be trapped in some sort of plant, but it appeared to be Kurama's doing.

Yusuke rushed up to Kurama. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." Kurama said calmly, never taking his eyes off of his foes. He deflected the strong blows, though they rocked him back on his feet.

Yusuke cast a withering glare towards the three humans cowering in the spiked, greenish bubble. "A lot of help they are," he said in disgust. "Throwing you to the wolves…or bears."

Kurama sighed. "Please, Yusuke, I put the Tate-bara around them. There is poison in the thorns. They couldn't help if they wanted to. You can, though."

"Oh, right. Sorry." Yusuke grinned and stuck out his finger, in preparation for his Reigun.

Hiei was already locked in combat with one of the two huge animals. His katana was a blur as he slashed at the towering brown bear. Its red eyes glittered as it roared in pain, after getting multiple slashes on its shoulder. The creature raised one giant claw to swipe at Hiei, who dodged it easily. However, he failed to see the other paw clawing at him. He raised his katana to try to block the coming blow, but before it even hit, a familiar green vine snaked around the arm and stopped it.

Hiei looked up to see Kurama holding the vine taught, a few metres away.

"Ready, Hiei?" Kurama called out. Hiei nodded and prepared to strike the killing blow. AT the same time, the other gear, which had been held back by Yusuke, dodged a Reigun bolt and charged towards Kurama. Jumping out of the bear's bath, Kurama was unharmed. In doing so though, he was forced to loosen the vine he was holding. The creature that had previously been held by Kurama gave one final swipe at Hiei, and ran, following it's companion into the forest.

Yusuke smirked as he saw his enemies retreating. "Look at them run!" He laughed. "Hey, Kurama, Hiei, you guys are all right, right?"

"Hn."

"Yes, thank you"

Kurama turned back to the wide-eyed students huddled together in the Tate-bara, half scared and half indignant.

"Thanks for helping us, but you didn't have to trap us in this poisonous plant! We can fight too!" Hermione protested, after Kurama un-grew the Shielding Thorn.

"Oi, oi, don't complain! He saved you, aren't you supposed to be grateful?" Yusuke frowned, not understanding their reason for complaint.

"We are!" Hermione said, answering Yusuke's question. "But when the time comes, Harry's the one who has to kill the Dark Lord. So shouldn't you let us help and practice our fighting skills to get ready for that fight?"

Kurama thought for a while. "You are right, of course. From now on, please feel free to assist us in the battles to strengthen your skills. Harry does need to be ready for the fight with Voldemort."

Ron flinched at the name, but nodded with the other two at Kurama's words.

"Hn. Just don't expect me to help you when you are about to die." Hiei growled out.

Harry scowled. "We'll be fine!"

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The small group traveled further towards the trail that the bears left. The Hogwarts trio lagged behind the demonic three as night fell upon them. Soon, Kurama lifted his head. "Let's camp here for the night. I'm sure everyone is tired."

He grew several large, soft leaves and handed them out. "These will be your beds and blankets tonight. Hiei and I will be back with dinner."

With that, Kurama and Hiei hiked out of the campsite.

Several minutes later, they returned with the usual meal of meat, vegetables, and water, and everyone ate in silence.

And soon, with the fire crackling in the background, the three humans fell asleep. Kurama busied himself with cleaning up the remains of their food. Hiei stood and watched, his gaze impassive. Yusuke flopped down with a sigh. Surprisingly, it was Hiei who broke the silence.

"How much more of them are you going to take, kitsune?"

Yusuke reopened his eyes to look up at Hiei. Kurama put down what he was holding and turned surprised green eyes to the demon.

"Pardon me?"

"We know you. You do not appreciate taking orders, especially from humans. You have humbled yourself, but the Youko cries out in protest."

Kurama stopped, then gave a small smile. "You see right through me."

"So he's right then," Yusuke asked.

Kurama hesitated. "Yes. Part of me understands that helping and listening to them is the greater good; that it will get everything accomplished faster. However, my inner being is…..angry. He does not take kindly to being treated disrespectfully. Youko feels that we should not help them at all, and if we do, that they should show gratitude, and now object to our methods. He feels that they are insolent."

Yusuke nodded, then grinned. "They are annoying sometimes. I'm just looking forward to when they finally meet Youko."

"It's not funny, Yusuke," Kurama groaned. "Already, I can feel him nudging at me."

Yusuke grinned once again. "Well, just make sure Youko's on our side, and we'll be fine."

Kurama smiled. "Let's get some rest. It will be a long day tomorrow."

" 'night!"

"Hn."

"Good night."

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The next day, the group of six set out again, towards the trail the bears left behind.

The scent of the strange bears was still strong after a night's rest. The trampled foliage that was left made Kurama cringe.

"How long before we catch up to those bloody bears?" Ron grumbled, not wanting to walk any further. "Can't we take a break?"

Yusuke looked back. "Don't be a wimp. I'm sure we're almost there. Right, Hiei?"

"Hn."

Yusuke turned to Kurama, in hopes of a translation. Kurama laughed, "Yes, Yusuke. The scent is getting stronger."

"See?"

Hiei suddenly spun around.

"What is it, Hiei?" Kurama asked, when he could not feel anything.

"I scented a demon."

Hermione's eyes widened in fear before a determined light replaced the anxiety. "We will help this time!"

"Do whatever you want." Hiei said indifferently.

Yusuke.

…

Yusuke!

"Huh? What?" Yusuke yelped in surprise, startled by Kurama's voice inside his head.

Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Did you hear something?"

Don't tell them about our way of communicating.

I know, I know. Yusuke thought. To Harry, he just shook his head. So, fox-boy, what did you want to say?

Since those three wish to fight as well, we must always keep an eye on them. We cannot afford to let them be injured.

Sure! That shouldn't be too hard.

Hiei growled, getting the attention of the others. "The youkai is coming."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione formed a circle and held their wands.

"Keep your guard up." Kurama instructed. "Never underestimate your opponent."

The three nodded, wanting to prove themselves strong. Suddenly, the whole forest erupted to the cackling of a deep voice.

"Watch out, everyone. Here it comes…"

TO BE CONTINUED…

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Phew! Now, to take care of some business……

I'm SORRY! No, really, I am. I realize that I haven't updated for the longest time, but I really was busy. And now that summer is coming, it's going to get worse. (Surprisingly)

I'll try to update, and thanks to all who reviewed again!

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Like it? Hate it? Won't know if you don't tell me!

Cya L8tr!