I'm sure you all hate me by now. (sweatdrop) I took so long to update, and now this is pretty much a filler chapter. But it's necessary! I promise! And hey, at least I updated finally!

Unfortunately, I fear I may have created the characters to be rather... OOC. 'Tis very unfortunate.

Also, much of this chapter might be confusing right now, but it'll all be explained later! (waves arms mysteriously)

Also! I choose to blame my lack of updating this time on these two distractions. (points)

Matt: (plays video games)

Mello: (munches chocolate)

NL: ...Don't you two ignore me now! First you wouldn't leave me alone and now... Ugh!

Matt and Mello: (makes out)

NL: Yeah... Distracting, isn't it? YOU SEE?!... Also, for those who are interested, I decided to take part in a little fanart contest. My entry consists of Hiei dressed in a cute little Cinderella-esce dress. (grins) It's soooo cuuuute!

Fear. Hate. Anger.

Run away, run away.

Blood. Cage. Death. Sex.

Run away, run away, run away.

Woodcutter's axe slung carelessly over one shoulder, the man wandered through the peaceful forest. The grin that split his features seemed both serene and excited. He walked further and further into the expanse of trees, eventually stopping at an overgrown clearing.

A chuckle fell from his lips as his gaze landed on a small figure crumpled on the ground, nearly entangled with the undergrowth who ruled the domain. "You got in over your head, didn't you, Shorty?"

He crouched down to inspect his discovery. The small male lay unconscious, spiked hair pasted to the unnaturally pale skin of his forehead with coagulated blood. His clothing was tattered and his hands were bloodied from thorns and battle. Dirt was crusted on his body, streaked in some places from blood flow.

The man dropped the axe to his side as he took hold of the smaller male by his midsection and positioned him so that his body occupied the axe's former resting place. A pleasant tune came from the man's pursed lips as he began the trek back to his home- a small cabin in the woods.

Hiei's eyes snapped open and he immediately assumed a defensive stance. A soft thud was heard as a fist impacted with his skull. He bared his teeth at the offending creature with slicked-back hair.

"Knock it the hell off!" the man shouted in annoyance. "You're reopening your wounds!"

The fire demon's crimson eyes searched his surroundings a moment before he settled as far away from the other demon as he possibly could. He brought his knees up to his chest, peering over them with a piercing glare directed at the loud man before him.

" I carried you back here, so you better damn well appreciate my efforts." The man grinned arrogantly at the confused-looking slave. "I'm Yusuke, by the way. You've been here for about.. Three weeks?"

Hiei's eyes widened considerably and Yusuke burst into a fit of laughter. "You should see your face!"

"Please don't tease him," a soft voice chimed from the doorway. The demon it belonged to appeared far more angelic than her heritage should have allowed. She had a childish face framed by soft blue hair and defined by large, almond-shaped eyes. She was dressed in a beautiful cerulean kimono and lingered in the doorway like a scared little bird.

Yusuke noticed how the fire demon's eyes were locked on the demoness and nudged him roughly in the side. To this, Hiei started and shrank back into the little space left between himself and the wall. Yusuke grinned, seemingly unperturbed by the fire demon's discomfort. "Pretty, isn't she? Yukina, come introduce yourself!"

The attractive demoness bowed and floated closer to the males. "I'm Yukina. I hope you don't mind, but I have been tending to you while you were unconscious. Oh, and you've only been here for a few days! Yusuke-kun was just joking."

The man laughed once again. "Yeah, and your reaction was priceless!" He suddenly stood from where he'd been at rest on the floor, slapping his hands against his thighs. "Welp, time to work!"

Hiei and Yukina watched him wave as he departed from the cabin, axe in hand. There was a silence as they sat there, the runaway slave observing his surroundings, and the girl nervously fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. "Um.. I should probably go start dinner…" Yukina said, her eyes diverted nervously from Hiei. When her ears picked up on no response, she began to leave, but was prevented from doing so by fingers quickly wrapping around her delicate wrist.

Her eyes followed along the path of his arm to meet with his gaze. It held such a sense of pleading desperation that she immediately fell to her knees at his bedside, her captive arm resting on the mattress. After a few moments a calm seemed to settle over Hiei. His posture became more relaxed, though he guarded himself with arms crossed before his chest. His eyes now refused to meet Yukina's and his face held a look that could be interpreted as perplexed embarrassment.

"I wish you would speak to me," Yukina admitted meekly. "I mean, I know that I don't know you or anything, but… I think I could help you better if you would tell me what's wrong.."

She rested her head on the arm that still lay on the bed. Her gaze was left toward the open doorway, so she was unable to see the demon staring at her. Silence overtook the small room, both of its occupants losing themselves in their thoughts.

So many screams piercing the beautiful night. So harsh the flames that melted the houses of glass.

The sight was enough to leave anyone breathless. Fire and water raining down- painting their glorious portrait of destruction.

And so the city of angels fell to the earth, shattering like so many broken mirrors. A lovely assortment of scars and bloodied hearts left in the wake of the flowing waterfall.

"I'm home!" Yusuke shouted, rudely slamming open the cabin door. He proudly presented a small rope from which dangled to dead rabbits. "Brought dinner!"

Yukina blinked the sleep from her eyes and Hiei glared angrily from being awakened as well. Yukina's eyes widened in horror as they fell upon the small creatures that had fallen victim to the arrogant demon in the doorway. "Yusuke-kun!" she cried, tears welling up.

He frowned, setting his catch on the table. "Oh c'mon, Yukina, we have to eat. Especially since we have to feed Shorty now." Hiei's glare intensified at the remark while the demoness nodded sadly.

"I suppose you're right," she reluctantly admitted. Yusuke crouched down so that he was eye level with her as she continued to kneel on the floor. A tint of sympathy found its way into his expression. "I'll make food tonight, okay?"

She smiled gratefully. "Yes. Thank you, Yusuke-kun."

Time passed and gradually life fell into an odd sort of order. Bonds seemed to grow between the three residents of the small cabin until Yusuke found himself gazing upon what he had deemed to be his small, acquired family. They may have been of no blood relation, but he felt a protective instinct to watch over them in a way akin to that of a father or older brother.

Exchanges were no longer so tense as when Hiei had first appeared in their lives. Days were spent with Yusuke teasing the two younger demons, often making Yukina smile as he chuckled at Hiei's annoyed glares. Eventually, the fire demon was even found helping with the many chores required of the self-sustaining household. This, of course, was much due to Yukina's persuasion, as Hiei seemed more than willing to do what he could to please her.

In fact, Yusuke quickly found that Hiei seemed to have developed an especially strong bond with the girl. The fire demon became quite protective whenever Yusuke's teasing went too far for the demoness' liking. To the fire demon's credit, though, he did try with all his might to stay as excluded from the family as possible with Yukina trying her hardest to make him welcome. Despite this, the girl, too, found her own way too distance herself.

Never in their time spent together did any of the three bring up their pasts. They focused solely on the present tasks life presented them. Though they would wish to disillusion themselves into believing otherwise, they all knew that soon enough the past would wriggle its way back into their lives. It would travel the path to their secluded area of the woods and once again sink its teeth into their souls.

It was impossible to hide forever.

I promise I really DO love you all and I will get up a chapter will more content someday!

Please review. (happychibismile)