I don't own anyone you know…duh

"I don't know. I don't want to be a distraction" Raven continued to stare at the tickets. She wanted to go so bad she could taste it, just to know Hiei was alright. But she did know that there was a reason Hiei didn't ask her to come along one, he feared that she couldn't fend for herself amongst so many demons and two she would split his concentration.

"We'll go all incognito, No one will ever know we're there" Cheri grinned popping her gum as she spoke pretending to duck and cover.

'Yes because blending in is our forte" Raven rolled her eyes. She could hide her energy, she'd been doing that for years but spying and sneaking around someplace sounded like a difficult task.

"You hid from me for years, we can do it" Connor nodded in agreement with Cheri.

"Maybe. But still why would Toguro send us tickets I don't trust anything that's free" She remembered Kuwabara saying that he thought he killed Toguro but in fact he was alive and the one that informed Yuske that they were being forced into the tournament. She shook her head "We shouldn't go"

"When has the word shouldn't ever stopped you" Eli grinned he knew her better than Cheri and Connor combined he truly was her best friend and the blonde haired boy knew that Raven would make herself sick worrying about that ungrateful little demon.

"True" Raven grinned. "Maybe we'll stop in real quick make sure everyone worthwhile isn't dead and then we'll skedaddle" She stated more to herself than her friends.

"Skedaddle? Who says that? Old men who talk about good old days when the Charleston was in say skedaddle" Cheri scoffed.

"Well now that we decided we're going how are we going to get there?" Connor snatched a ticked from Raven's hands mouthing an apology when her head snapped up at him. "Break Neck Island that sounds terribly inviting" He said a bit nervously.

"Well we could steal a boat? Cheri suggested.

"We're not stealing a boat-"

"Leave it to me" Eli volunteered.

"Oh good god. Whenever one of you says that I find myself either in county jail or eye to eye with a hooker. I'll find a boat ok?" raven sighed. 'Why would Toguro invite me? I haven't done anything with the spirit detective since the beasts of maze castle most people don't even know about me. Could he know about me and Hiei no one knows about us except my friends and Kurama. Does he have people watching me?' She was beginning to rethink it was a bad idea. She glanced out her window planning to see an apparition hiding in the bushes paranoia creeping over her 'They obviously wouldn't invite me for no reason. What's their motive?'

--Break neck island--

They had won their first mach but at what cost. Hiei was at the shore of the island where he could be sure no one would see him injured and vulnerable. He unsheathed his sword with his left hand when he tried to place his right hand on the hilt he was gripped with hurt. He tried to ignore the pain giving sharp grunts as he continued to try and grasp the sword. 'I can't let this slow me down I have to overcome this or I'll die. I refuse. I won't let them kill me those filthy beasts.' As the day passed he was on his knees his whole body curled inward his head on the rock beneath him. He gave a small yell of pain. Would he be able fight their next competitors would he be able to admit to himself that it wasn't going away he would have to find a way to deal with this. Hiei the matter a fact precise fighter who had spent his whole life getting stronger had met a hurdle, he couldn't control the dragon and that might be the end of him.

--Boat dock--

"Ok lets gets get this ship a moving I'm sure the fun's already started" Cheri stepped on the piece of crap vessel.

"Ugh I can already feel myself getting sea sick" Connor turned a bit green.

"Puke that way buddy" Eli pointed to the ocean as he helped raven onto the boat.

"I still don't think this is a good idea" raven sat down her head in her hands.

"Yeah but good ideas are boring and we specialize in bad ideas" Cheri put one arm over Eli and the other over Raven. Connor sat there awkwardly Eli and Cheri weren't Connor's biggest fan; they didn't really like the whole Raven's old life idea.

"If only we knew a witch that specialized in the manipulation of the elements to move the water and air to our advantage" Eli looked over at Raven. He knew she didn't especially like to use her powers but he also knew they had to get to that island. "Raven?" He had a sound of pleading in his voice.

"Huh?" Connor knew Raven was a witch but this whole element thing was new to him. Raven sighed pulling the six marbles from her sweatshirt's pocket. "You showed me those the day you-"

"Were kicked out into the forest.' Raven nodded. "I'm an elemental witch, I can manipulate fire water earth air light and darkness. I can't create any of them accept for fire, I can only manipulate them" She looked down at the orbs that had both damned her and saved her. "The people back…home"

"No" Eli corrected her; Raven's home was in the human world. He gave a stare at Connor whose face was as red as his hair, flushed with embarrassment.

"Anyway they thought I'd grow up and be a threat to them so… well you know how the story goes" Raven shrugged.



"Wow, with those stones you must have some nifty powers" He looked at her hands imagining what she could do with the elements at her disposal.

"Who says nifty? God you fire demons are so out dated I bet you watch silent movies" Cheri snorted.

"What are movies?" Connor looked up from Raven's palm.

"Don't give me another reason to dislike you." Cheri rolled her eyes.

"If I had really perfected my craft it'd be something to reckon with, some elemental witches can kill a being simply by drying them dead manipulating the water inside them. I only ever really used it to survive back in the woods". It was those marbles in her hands that had brought her to Hiei; two members of his gang of thieves had seen them and thought them to be valuable. She shuddered to think why they brought her along with the stones, why they hadn't tried to kill her. 'Even Hiei was impressed. My understanding of my powers was bleak at that time but he knew I could hold my own and he let me travel with them. He didn't need me to survive he could do that on his own but he kept me around to keep him sharp, to fight with, and make himself stronger both physically and mentally at least that's what it was at first'

"Are you thinking about the stupid demon that we're traveling to see" Eli sighed he wasn't too fond of Hiei. He didn't like how rough and harsh they treated one another he didn't trust the demon not to break her. The fire demon never showed affection to Raven, only indifference, at least that's all Eli saw. Yet again he frowned upon those from her past life.

"What makes you think that" She gripped her hand around the stones and snapped out of her flashback.

"That goofy grin you get on your face when you think about him" Cheri rolled her eyes then made a fake gagging sound.

"I doubt he does the same for you' Eli frowned. Raven gave a stifled laugh imagining Hiei looking out the window lamenting over her. She knew Hiei wasn't like that, but she also knew Hiei cared about her in a way that Eli or anyone would never understand.

"I'm sure he thinks of her and I'm sure while he thinks of her he-"

"If you make a sex joke I'll kick you in the ovaries" Raven snapped.

"What happened to old fashioned threats like I'll kick your ass or Ill brake your nose" Eli sighed shaking his head at his weird friends.

"Boring" Raven retorted. 'Maybe Hiei's rubbing off on me' She thought to herself concentrating on not making a goofy grin. 'I'll choke you with your own braid' She couldn't help but smile at those words she did miss her snarky demon with his quick threats and burning demeanor she missed his intensity. If you saw how they kissed how they pulled each other close till their bodies couldn't be pulled anymore they weren't whole without the other. Maybe not love but passion and intensity and the need to see each other smile, it was close to love as close as the two would get.



'So are you going to help us or what?" Cheri shook Raven to get her attention. Raven sighed shoving all the stones except for two a blue one and a clear one. She closed her eyes focusing on the stones the boat was propelled forward by hard winds and swift waves.

--Break neck mountain--

Hiei walked through the woods clenching his right arm in the other still grunting in pain. occasionally falling to his knees as he tried relentlessly to make it move. "is this wise Hiei?" Kurama was perched on a tree staring down at his injured friend.

"What do you mean?" Hiei got to his feet.

"It won't be easy to keep wining without the use of your dominant hand. Perhaps you should withdraw" Kurama was always the sensible one always making sure not to run blindly into battle he feared his friend was doing just that.

"Ha. You heard what Toguro said we don't have a choice" 'Only a fool and a coward would back down from a fight' he gritted his teeth at the thought... Just then the two noticed they weren't alone. "If We don't make it through this tournament. He will kill us all" 'Your no good to me dead' He heard her voice again 'I'm no good to anyone if I run with my tail between my legs'. "Fighting is our only way out" That's the way life was, the strongest weed out the weaklings; strength is the cornerstone of survival.

"Seems the doctor's team has gotten lost" Kurama stared at the two demons that had emerged from the brush.

'Yes. What a horrible coincidence for us both" Hiei sneered unimpressed by the foes. The first demon charged at them his snake like tongue waging in the air. Hiei and Kurama easily cut him to bits. "hn. And that was using my left arm Kurama" Hiei was satisfied with the fact that he could still fight adequately with only the use of his left arm yet looking over at his right he did wish that he wouldn't have to rely on an undertrained appendage. "Would you like to try us next?" Hiei pointed his blade at the remaining demon.

"Thanks but I'd rather not. Death gives me the shivers" The demon laughed confidently. A huge mechanical beast erupted from the trees stomping over to the group. "catasabile is what we like to call him. Part demon mostly machine no feelings no pain and no fear. Go Castasabile destroy those lowlifes" And with that the arms of the beast chased after Hiei and Kurama. Hiei tried to slice the machine's appendage with no avail 'not a scratch' he whisked off to avoid a strike contemplating his next move.

"Nice try but Catasable's whole body is covered with hybridized metal no substance in the whole world can break it" The demon gloated watching Hiei and Kurama run from the doctor's creation.

"Maybe I can't kill the beast but at least I can still kill you!" Hiei would not go down without a fight he had sworn that many times before. The cocky bastard below him would pay for his unwarranted confidence for messing with him in the first place. But his assault was thwarted an arm of the beast knocked him off balance sending him crashing down Hiei fell on his right hand sending crippling pain 

throughout him. Quickly the monster pinned Hiei to a tree, his katana was lying where he had originally fell and even if he had it, the weapon would be no use against steal flesh. He wouldn't die he couldn't he had to watch over his sister he had to return to raven's window sill. He wouldn't be known as the Hiei the great thief, who was killed by a meager robot.

"it has no feelings or thoughts to distract it. He thinks only of the kill" The demon gloated smugly.

"I can appreciate that" Hiei lifted his left palm, he would summon the dragon again if he could not fight he would die at the hands of an adversary, not some metallic creation. Hiei had the will to overcome the pain that plagued him he could not overcome the shame of a loss to an opponent with no thoughts. He refused to have his last sight to be that lizard like demon laughing at him. Kurama had to stop Hiei quickly. Hiei would be obliterated if he tried to summon the dragon again. Kurama wouldn't let Hiei's anger cloud his judgment he wouldn't allow him to throw away the ability to fight another round. Because like Hiei said 'fighting was their only way out'. Kurama used Catasbile's own strengths against him crashing the monster into itself. The monster had been defeated.

--The arena--

The group scampered in after being told that team urameshi was fighting at that moment. "oh shit hurry hurry we might miss your lover in action" Cheri laughed.

"Oh screw you just come one" Raven sighed as they ran down the arena's steps to get a good look.

"I bet Hiei wouldn't like it to know your screwing around" Cheri grinned. Raven wasn't listening. "he's…He's not here." Her eyes scanned the area again but with the same result Hiei was nowhere to be found. Her heart ached he couldn't be dead could he? Why else wouldn't he be there?

"its three on three maybe Hiei and Kurama just opted out on the fight" Eli tried to comfort her.

"Does Hiei seem like a demon who would opt out of a fight?" Raven snapped. She couldn't believe it. What the hell happened to him? How could he have been killed? Why were his friends still alive? Why didn't they help him? Her face got red with anger tears crept out the corners of her eyes. Not even thinking about Kurama's absence as well.

"Raven don't go and jump to conclusions" Cheri didn't pop her bubble gum she just chewed at it slowly watching her friend's body clench with emotion.

"He's dead. I told him not to. I told him not to die" She repeated from a yell to a murmur.

"I don't think he did it on purpose" Connor tried to be helpful but again his good hearted nature backfired.

"Shut up. just shut up! don't mock the dead alright." Raven balled up her fist she wanted to punch something she wanted to punch a wall till her knuckles were bloodied and raw to take away from the pain that was gripping her. Was he hurt when he died? Scared? She should have come sooner she would've helped him she would've died with him if it came down to it.



'Do you want to head back home or do you-"Eli was cut short

"I'm going to stay find out what happened and kill the son of a bitch that took his life" She stated, fuming with anger completely ignoring the fact that anything that could kill Hiei could just as easily kill her. she sat down she couldn't see much of the match her eyes were wet and blurry. Not that it mattered she couldn't care less what happened. There was a crash. Raven didn't look up it could've been meteors and still she wouldn't have been fazed. There was a second crash Raven looked down at her boots 'Hiei stole these boots for me' she smiled remembering the days they spent in the demon world.

"Holy crap Raven look" Eli shook his friend.

"Not in the mood Eli just sit down alright" she sighed not looking up from her shoes, until she heard his voice.

"Sorry a thirty foot killing machine wanted a word with us" Hiei stood atop the hunk of junk. Raven let out a breath. This day had been a roller coaster she didn't know how much more she could handle.

"Hiei' She said under her breath she looked at him perched on top some horrid looking beast. "He's hurt. Not dead that's good. But his arm" She saw the charred flesh that covered his right arm. 'he hasn't even bandaged it yet. God what an idiot' Just a moment ago she was mourning his death going through past memories they had shared. After finding out he wasn't dead she already was knocking the demon. The fight continued between team urameshi and team Ichigaki. It was a heart gripping battle between humans. The masked fighter used the spirit wave to win the battle without killing the mind controlled fighters.

"They did it!" Keiko exclaimed tears in her eyes. She looked across the arena a smile on her face. Someone caught her eye. "Raven?" Why would she be here how does she know about this tournament. "Raven!" Keiko waved furiously at the group a few rows below her. Hiei looked up

'What is that human yapping about?' He followed the path her eyes were taking to a group of…of Raven's friends 'Eli and...Cheri, two of the demons raven lives with. Hn They hate me I'm sure they came to see me lose. And the other one a fire demon she must've gone to the demon world and brought back a souvenir. But where is she?' he couldn't see her and as always he couldn't sense her energy due to the talisman in her boot. She was hiding under the chair in front of her holding her breath hoping Hiei wouldn't see her.

'So much for incognito. Ew what's sticky?' she put her hands over her mouth to keep from exclaiming her disgust. "Raven what are you doing?!" Keiko jogged in the direction of Raven. 'She shouldn't be here its dangerous' Keiko worried not knowing that Raven had any attachment to the Urameshi team. 'she's here? Damnit the fool can't keep out of trouble' He sneered but still inside he felt a bit comforted by her presence, he wanted to hold her close, the only being on the island he could truly trust.

"Stay in your place little woman you're not welcome here" A demon stood up blocking Keiko's path.

"Why would we want to be creep" shizuru lit a cigarette waiting for the demon to move.



"I won't be talked to liked that, by some human swine" The demon produced spikes from his flesh Keiko let out a high pitched shriek. A handful of spikes went soaring at the girls.

"Ahhhhh!" Raven placed her hand on her shoulder to pull out the spike as she yelped in pain; she had run from her spot under the chair to help Keiko. Her muscle burned 'venom. Just great' She cringed as the spike was completely removed. She hoped the venom was slow acting she could deal with that later 'Raven!' Hiei tried to look nonchalant if people knew he cared for her they could both be in trouble.

"Raven watch out!" Connor led the group of her friends as they ran to her.

'Die" Another onslaught of spikes.

"God damnit that's annoying" She took the spike that had been embedded in her and stabbed the apparition in the heart. She watched as other demons rose from their seats.

"You really have a way with people" Cheri spouted as she avoided demons that were clawing to get them. Hiei was fighting as hard as he could not sprint to her side, fighting off whatever demon dared to touch her. He wanted to go back to the hotel room away from all the beast and just sleep in bed with her. 'Fool what are you doing here!' He spouted in her brain.

'I'm sorry I just...well Ill leave soon I swear right after I bandage that wound of yours. I'm just a bit preoccupied at the moment In case you die or something I just need to say um I love you. She rushed the last part out and Immediately regretted it 'Scratch that idiot I'm a bit out of wack here just try not to get injured further till I get down there' "Um Keiko, Shizuru this is the part where we run" Raven sent a flash of flames to keep the demons at bay as they ran. Hiei stood there dumbfounded no one could love him one he wouldn't allow it and two he was the forbidden child who could love that. Raven knew they couldn't out run demons forever. She might but definitely not the humans. One they exited the arena Raven stopped running.

"You are going to let them beat the crap out of you. Is this a new hobby of yours first the ankle then the bruises now this-"Cheri counted on her fingers Raven's latest injuries.

"Raven what's going on?" Keiko looked horrified as the demons filtered out of the arena as well.

"Just stay behind me and everything will be alright I pinky promise" Raven turned to give a slight smile when she felt an orb of electricity zoom by her. 'Why me? I could be home right now…googling things or something else non dangerous, stamp collecting or-' She sighed digging around in her pockets for her marbles. She knew dangerous was her style she just couldn't escape it. When she pulled them out in a clenched fist she closed her eyes concentrating hard hoping she could still control the elements well enough to attack. The ground began to shake the winds began to whirl water from the sea around them swirled in the ever growing tornado in her palm light and darkness created sparks within it As fire turned the whole thing red. Inside the arena everyone could see it.

"Crap we need to go help them" Yuske ran for the door.

"Raven has it under control there's no need-"Hiei's explanation was interrupted. He was heading toward the arena's exit in case Raven did need a little help. 'Told that fool not to get in over her head she wont be dressing only my wounds tonight at this rate' He put a hand on his arm imagining her delicate touch and how good a bandage would feel from a woman who loved him the word sounded odd even in his head. He did not love her back he assured himself. 'Then what do I feel?' He looked up at the committee's box.



"Attention the third round will begin immediately with Team Urameshi vs. Team Masho" The loud speaker's womanly voice announced. Hiei and Raven only reunited for a moment were yet again apart and fighting for their lives. Raven's admittance of love hovering over them how would it affect their future?

Sorry yet again for a long ass chapter with little Raven Hiei action but it's coming soon pinky swear. Thanks to Rachaeltje by the way for the positive feedback…yay