Lone Wolf: Hiatus is OVER. Ice is probably going to have, at most, ten chapters. It's only an approximate.
Hiei: Finally after one and a half months, receiving only one review for Chapter 3, Chapter 4 is up.
Lone Wolf: Thanks to Mika (Chapter 1), and CosmicMoonGoddess (Chapter 3.)


Chapter 4: Icy Departure

Two days had gone by. Yukina practiced her swordsmanship whenever she had a chance. Yusuke and the others had received another mission from Koenma. Hiei had reluctantly agreed to go; she no longer had a training partner.

I'll leave tonight.

She could always ask Genkai to help her, but Yukina wished not to bother to old master. Currently Genkai was playing a new video game she had received from Yusuke. (A/N: Random things are flooding my mind...RUN!)

Yukina had gone grocery shopping the previous day. She had bought everything on Genkai's list as well as everything she might need to bring along the following day.

The sun was setting.

Yukina went and prepared dinner, like she did every other day.

It's best if I don't arouse any suspicion...

She started dinner, running back to the kitchen every couple of minutes to check the pot.

Run a little more. It'll do some good if you were to be chased. (A/N: She's basically talking to herself...just not aloud, in case you were wondering about the 'you' part.)

Yukina sat on her bed during one of these trips. She fingered the blade of what was now her sword, delicately, careful not to cut her fingers.

Hopefully, I won't need to use you...

After dinner, Yukina took a quick shower. She put on her T-shirt and pants, attaching her katana to the belt. She grabbed the knapsack that she had packed the previous day, containing food, water, and bandages, and slipped it on. She threw on the white cloak, concealing all of her belongings as if the cloak were the snow itself.

Yukina closed the door. She practiced unsheathing her sword from under the cloak. Genkai was still awake; Yukina couldn't leave yet.

It was 10. Genkai was finally asleep. Yukina retrieved the note from under her pillow and placed it on the coffee table in the living room. She opened the door of the temple and took off.

Yukina had notified Koenma that she would be returning to Makai. She was allowed through the gate without any trouble.

It was cold. Yukina made her way to her birthplace, the floating isle of Koorime. She would visit her mother's grave first. It was almost the anniversary of Hina's death; perhaps her brother would be there.

Yukina knelt before the grave, tracing her mother's name. She looked up at Rui, her mother's best friend, the one who had thrown her brother off the isle. Rui had tagged along with Yukina.

"Did he...ever return here? My brother, I mean," Yukina asked. Rui thought about the question, "Yes, he did...a few years ago...but only that one time I think. He might've come before or after that and I just didn't know..." Yukina's eyes widened, "Why didn't you tell me?" Rui remained silent.

You were too young at the time...

"At least...do you remember what he looks like?" Yukina questioned. "He had..." Rui paused, "The same crimson eyes...and black hair..." Rui shook her head, "I don't remember much of him. Gomen."

It's as if she's describing Hiei-san...do all of his race look similar to each other? Perhaps. After all, the Koorime look pretty much the same...

Yukina stood up, "Arigatou Rui-san. I'll be leaving now." "So soon?" Rui replied. Yukina nodded and walked off.

Maybe looking around here isn't such a good idea. He is a fire demon...oh well.

Yukina continued walking around the snowy scape. No sign of life was present. Yukina couldn't even sense another apparition's energy. She sighed. Her sixth sense was nowhere near Kuwabara's. This wasn't going to be easy.

He's not dead. He's still alive. I know it.

Yukina looked down. Clear prints could be seen in the snow.

Not good.

A frozen river came in view.

Perfect.

Yukina smudged the last few prints she made and tested the ice; it was firm. She walked down the river's path, careful not to slip. After walking for about twenty minutes, she got off the ice on the other side of the river. No one could follow her by her footprints anymore. Yukina smiled; she resumed walking.

Another few minutes passed. They seemed more like hours. A foul stench reached the ice maiden's nose. She could see a large group of figures a few yards away.

Low-class apparitions. It'd be best to not disturb them...or get their attention...

"Oi, Manako! What's that over there?" one of the demons pointed, "The green thing." The one called Manako turned his head and looked in the direction of his companion's finger. Manako was probably the most normal of the fourteen demons. His skin was pale and his shoulder-length hair was purple with eyes to match. He was also the only one who didn't reek. "An ice maiden, one of the Koorime," Manako responded, "What you see is her hair." "Aren't they the ones who cry jewels?" came the reply. "I believe so."

"How about we sell her to one of them rich humans?" another demon in the group chimed in. He was large like the twelve others, with dark skin. (A/N: I'm comparing it to Manako's pale skin so of course it's dark. Manako's the smallest since everyone else is big. Duh.) His pitch black eyes glinted with greed. Twelve heads nodded in agreement. Manako rolled his eyes and stayed seated.

Fools.

Yukina saw the group of demons stand up; they were huge, almost twice her size. They began running toward her. Yukina's eyes widened.

I really don't wish to hurt anyone...but I guess I must...

She readied herself and put her hands on the sheath and hilt under her cloak.

Wait until the last possible moment...NOW!

Yukina pulled out the katana and unleashed it on the demons. A few limbs went flying. Screams of pain could be heard a mile away. Five were dead. Yukina continued swinging with accuracy. The blade always hit its target. Four were left now; they surrounded her. She ran toward a youkai, the one who had spoken of the 'green thing' earlier, and swung her sword. He was dead within moments. Three left. The snow was a deep red. Two were left. The wind burned Yukina's cheeks as she ran. One more. She stopped running. The remaining demon was nowhere to be seen.

Yukina turned her head to one side, then the other. Her head returned to where it had been, only to meet the figure of the surviving apparition. He grabbed her neck and lifted her up. Yukina dropped her katana and tried to break free. "Well, well, well. Somebody's going to be filthy rich pretty soon," the greedy one smirked. (A/N: Yeah. He's the one who's left.) His grip loosened slightly as he said these eleven words.

Yukina screamed.


Lone Wolf: Long enough? Good enough? I think it's the longest chapter so far.
Hiei: Review if you want to see what happens next.
Lone Wolf: Status in profile.