Disclaimer: I do not claim to own the plot concepts of "Yu Yu Hakusho," nor do I claim ownership over the characters as both were created by Yoshihiro Togashi and published by Shueisha. "Yu Yu Hakusho," the television series, was directed by Akiyuki Arafusa and Noriyuki Abe and written by Yukiyoshi Ōhashi. The television series of "Yu Yu Hakusho" was licensed by Madman Entertainment, MVM Films, and Funimation. Due to the fact that I have clearly accredited both genres of "Yu Yu Hakusho" I expect to remain free of all plagiaristic directed allegations. I will not be making money through this work; therefore, there is no copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 12

I'm Sorry

Thieves moved with sly grace out of the thick forest. Fight filled cries echoed across the battle lands and Yusuke continued to move away from the danger. The fox demons face began to swell with each passing minute, and Koenma groaned in pain with from every movement the spirit detective made. Suddenly, a figure moved before him and the brunette felt his gut turn. "Where is he?" One thief asked the spirit detective. "Where is our leader?" The young man paused in his steps, unsure how to respond. Their eyes met quietly, an understanding between them. A pregnant pause, and then, "Did he die with honor?" He asked Yusuke. Brown eyes glimmered with sadness. "Yes." Yusuke answered. He didn't have the heart to tell him that their leader died in a way one would consider cowardly. "Thank you for showing us our true enemy." He said mournfully. The thief then bowed low, a fist pressed against his chest before running to war. Yusuke watched for a fleeting moment before he continued to move to a safe location. There wasn't much else he could do except wait.

In the distance Hiei could hear loud fires from Whitney's weapon. There was a reason why demons kept to their old ways. Guns were too risky, loud. He followed the noise, keeping his sword tucked against him tightly. Whoever was causing the woman danger made his blood boil with anger. He needed to get to her quickly. The less they were out in the open the better, and if Kishou found out where the oracle resided it would be the death of them all.

The Makai wind hit Whitney's body like razorblades as she tried to maneuver her way out of the woods. Three bullets only remained in the clip of her gun and one in the barrel. Whitney turned her head slightly to catch another glimpse of her capturers and felt the fear grip her tighter. They continued to jump tree from tree above her, slowly gaining with each move. She suddenly turned right, hoping to add to the distance between them. Out of the corner of her eye she was able to lose one, but S'Yak continued to get closer. Spinning into the opposite direction, Whitney aimed her gun again and fired. The sound echoed into the night, and she fired again. The sound of agony confirmed her hit and she pushed herself into another direction.

Two bullets left now.

Hiei spotted the oracle in the distance making his cold limbs move faster. The smell of demon blood was thick against his tongue, and he could only assume she wounded them with her weapon. When you fight a demon, you fight to kill. That is what he tried to tell her. Injuring them will only piss them off, and conjure enough energy to act upon a slow revenge. His Jagan swept over the area to see if the demon still lurked by, while his eyes stay focused on the woman. She was scared, her labored breathing evident from the distance. The fire demons dragon burned against his skin like flames, and Hiei gripped his swords handle tighter. It wanted to protect her, fight for her, but Hiei never took the chance. He needed to wait for the perfect opportunity before he attacked.

Whitney moved around another tree and then another before stopping behind a large trunk. Her body rattled and knees ached from the pressure. She closed her dry eyes and silently prayed he wouldn't find her. Hiei was right when he called her weak, but her ancient Grecian genes kept her stubborn. The oracle fingered her gun as she tried to catch her breath. If Whitney wanted to live she had to be careful. 'Remember what dad always said. Think smart not hard.' The brunette listened for a few moments before quietly taking off her shoes and placing them beside her. They poked out just enough that the illusion of her standing there would have S'Yak come closer.

Again she moved quickly, unaware of Hiei's eyes and climbed up a neighboring tree. She only had two more shots left before all else failed. She needed to survive, a promise she secretly made to herself to see her family again. The white haired demon stopped when he felt her energy falter and turned around. There was no chance she could have escaped in these woods. The coldness in his shoulder moved down his arm and he hissed trying to remove the piece of embedded metal. He had to admit she was quick with her weapon, but how much longer would she be able to hold out. In the distance his eyes landed on a pair of dirtied shoes and S'Yak almost laughed at her poor sense of strategy.

When S'Yak moved closer, Whitney aimed her gun. Her body leaned against a larger branch to steady herself for the blow. Her left eye was shut as she gazed through the scope with her right. The cold whipped against her skin, but she was unmoved by the sudden change. Her pointer finger pressed lightly against the trigger, waiting for him to close in. As soon as she exhaled, a hand pressed firmly around her own and a deep voice whispered in her ear. "Stop."

Whitney almost screamed.

Almost.

Her head turned slightly, catching a glimpse of Hiei's ruby eyes. They were deep in color almost making the twisted forest nonexistent. His skin felt hot against hers and Whitney tried to calm her heart. "Wha-" Immediately his hand lifted to cover her mouth. "I will take care of him." Chocolate eyes widened as he moved away from her and began his way towards the white haired demon. Whitney watched silently as her protector revealed himself to S'Yak.

Whitney still held on tight to her gun.

"I must say this is a surprise." S'Yak spoke. "It has been many seasons since we met last." A small smirk graced the fire apparition's lips as he flicked his katana into the moonlight making the weapon glow. "I had thought Kishou finished you off." They both began to move in sync. A cloud of earthen ash making its way into the Makai air. In the tree nearby, Whitney continued to gaze through her scope. Her finger placed on the trigger. She was still unsure how strong her protector was and seeing him in the midst of danger surprisingly frightened her. S'Yak removed his hand from his shoulder, letting the blood flow freely from his wound. Deep red began to spread amongst his clothes as it started to soak in. "The mortal is full of surprises." He spoke, as if Hiei was already going to comment. "I am taking her." The fire demon began. "You can let me and live, or I can kill you instead." The older demon smiled showing sharpened teeth. "That is something I cannot do." S'Yak said. "She has a purpose for me."

A strange flow traveled up Hiei's arm, the dragon understanding what he planned to use Whitney for. "Then you wish to die." S'Yak slowly bowed his head before charging forward, and before the demon made it to the oracles protector Whitney fired. The blow pushed S'Yak away, making Hiei's sword miss its target. In the tree Whitney aimed again and fired her last round, hitting their enemy in the chest. The demons feet swayed trying to gain balance. A darkness settling around his vision as he tried to focus on the fire apparition. The brunette watched with uncertainty as S'Yak's knee gave out making him hit the ground. "Clever, clever girl."

Mortified, the woman watched as blood dripped from his mouth before he fell forward into the dirt. To her the world was quiet now, and the cold was unnoticed. Her breathing was the only thing she noticed.

Whitney didn't just stop the enemy, she killed him.

Hiei turned in her direction in silence, as a different heat started to flow through his veins. Unlike a damsel in distress, this mortal took action to save the fire demon. His eyelids became heavy with need as he gazed into the tree. Whitney tried to slow her racing heart as she turned her attention away from bleeding corpse. The gun felt cold in her hand and she let go, making the piece of metal fall to the ground with a thump. When the feeling in her limbs came back she slowly climbed down the twisted branches.

Her protector moved towards her, sheathing the sharpened sword. Her eyes refused to look up at Hiei as he stood in front of her. The guilt hard to bear. S'Yak only wanted to take revenge for his lover's death, and she stopped him from completing his goal. As if reading her thoughts Hiei gently rested his hand onto her arm. "You have brought them together again." He began. "Guilt will get you nowhere."

Watery eyes finally raised up to the demons face. "How do you know?" She questioned. "Is there really a place after death?" Whitney waited for him to respond and when he didn't she took a step forward. "Could you hold me?" She pleaded quietly. "Please." Carefully he pulled her into an embrace. The warmth from his body seeping into hers. A shaky sigh left her cracked lips as she wrapped her arms around his torso. He smelled of burning wood and crisp air and Whitney tried to solely focus on him. "Thank you." She mumbled. "You don't know how good this feels." The heat grew a bit more, and she wondered if he was doing it on purpose. "I know." He told her. "I am afraid to let go."

Surprised, the brunette gazed up at him. The days spent together, Hiei always kept his feelings hidden and tried to avoid her as best as one could in a small home. Her eyes traveled from the side of his face towards his lips and hesitantly she moved forward. Hiei didn't stop her or push away when Whitney gently placed her lips against his own. Time stopped for the fire demon and S'Yak's body laid forgotten a few feet away. His hands moved up her body to the back of her head and pushed harder against her lips. Submissively Whitney's mouth opened to welcome the tongue that begged for entry, and played with his. A need began to throb between her legs and she moved her body against his.

"Give me the girl."

Instantly, Whitney was thrown away from the warmth and safety of Hiei's arms onto the cold ground. The other hog demon she thought was lost stood behind Hiei, a sword pointed to the back of his head. "Your master is dead." Hiei said. "You have no purpose for her anymore." Immediately the dull weapon pushed harder onto his skull. Beady eyes gleamed at the fallen oracle. "I wanted her for other reasons, traitor." Unsure how to act Whitney stayed planted where she was. She didn't have anything else to protect her with. "You will not survive this." The fire apparition warned. As soon as the sword moved away from his head, Hiei moved with stealth and anger.

Whitney barely noticed his movements, only the glimmer of metal. A few swipes from the speed of Hiei's sword was heard before he suddenly appeared behind the demon, again flicking his sword to remove the thick droplets of blood. The hog's dark eyes widened as he looked upon the young woman, and painfully gasped before falling to the ground in large pieces. A scream loudly echoed throughout the large forest. Whitney's ribs rattled in terror at the view before her. A fast spray of blood soaking into her pants and quickly she backed away. Immediately she rolled over and pushed herself up ready to run away, but Hiei stood before her. A trail of scared tears cleared pathways into the caked dirt on her cheeks.

Calmly, Hiei took her by the arm and lifted her before running through the forest. The corpses would have to be dealt with tomorrow when he knew Whitney was safe at the hideout. The dead may not be able to speak but they could still tell an onlooker anything they needed to be told. Ruby eyes glanced at the petrified woman in his arms as he made his way back. Her knuckles turning white as she grasped at his shirt. There were others looking for her now. Word had gotten out the oracle was being kept hidden from the world. He could feel the power of his dragon throb up his arm. It still wanted him to mark her for his own, but Hiei still fought the urge. The woman was mortal, and a connection of mated demons would be too strong to handle if or when the woman in his arms would pass on. He truly needed Kurama for the first time.

Authors Note: Thank you! Thank you! You guys rock and I couldn't ask for better followers and reviewers! I am trying as hard as I can to update quicker. Being an adult is hard :p.