Lone Wolf: Chapter 7's up! Thank you to all of my reviewers!
Touya: (No comment)
Yukina: Touya-kun!
Touya: What? (Leaves room)
Lone Wolf: Wahh. I'm all by myself now. Hiei-kun! Come back!
Hiei: (Walks in)
Lone Wolf: Yay! Oh, and note to astricjaster: To tell you the truth, it's really annoying for me putting in all the italics for Manako pronouns. Heh. I only do that so they can talk freely without having to always include Manako's name in their conversation and so that if they just say 'blah blah blah he blah blah blah,' they all know who the other's talking about. Yeah...something along those lines. It's not because he's super strong. Your email address wasn't working or something so I couldn't reply that way.

--

Chapter 7: Icy Allies P1

"We'll leave at dawn tomorrow to find allies," Kurama said, relieving Touya for the moment. (A/N: As in, taking Touya's position of leader for a little bit.) "Hiei, you'll go find Mukuro. Yusuke and Chu, find Enki's group, as well as Hokushin and the other two. I myself will get Yomi," the kitsune continued. "Hn. Figured as much," Hiei commented, bored.

"What about me?" Kuwabara asked. "The rest of you pair off in twos and find anyone else who's on our side. Of course, there will be one group of three," Kurama answered. "Aw. No fair. Chu gets ta go with Urameshi," Jin whined."Haha!" Chu laughed an 'in your face' laugh. The wind master pouted. Most of the others sweat dropped. "Ah! And I'll be able to see Natsume!" Chu added happily.

The little episode being finished, Hiei spoke, "You're seriously going to have Yukina go along?" "Would you rather she stay here by herself?" came Kurama's reply. "Hn."

"Yukina! I'll go with you, my love!" Kuwabara yelled at the top of his lungs. (A/N: Sweat drop. Ah, but we all love Kuwabara when he's crazy...normal...right?)

In an instant, Hiei was behind Kuwabara, katana at the human's neck. "Don't you dare," the fire demon threatened. "What's it to you who she goes with? Huh? It's not like you're her brother or something. And I thought you were on our side! Get that thing away from me!" Kuwabara screamed. Everyone minus Yukina, Kazuma, and Hiei exchanged glances. Kuwabara really was clueless sometimes.

"I'll go with Rinku," Suzuki volunteered. Kurama nodded in approval, "It's fine as long as he doesn't go with Jin. If they were to be attacked, there's no telling what might happen. The two of them were just healed." "Then...Kuwabara will go with Yu-" Suzuki stopped when he received a death glare from Hiei. "I mean, Shishi," he finished. Kuwabara winced.

Great. Stuck with the guy who made me disappear to the old arena 1000 times during the Anoku Bujutsukai.

"And of course the remaining three will form a group," Kurama decided, "It's about time for us to eat a little bit."

--

After their meal, Hiei pulled Touya aside, "Why did you show up with her?" "Hm? You mean Yukina?" Touya replied. "Who else would I be talking about?" To this, the ice master did not answer. "Well? Why did you show up with her?" Hiei demanded. He showed no hint of having overheard part of Touya and Jin's conversation from before.

"She was attacked," Touya replied simply. "And you just happened to be in the same area watching?" "No. I was resting when I heard a scream and smelled blood. I took off in the direction, thinking it might concern Manako; I found your sister being choked to death." "And I suppose you went and saved her?" Hiei said. "Of course."

The fire demon regretted having not used his Jagan.

"Hn. Better you than that baka," Hiei said, walking away. "Are you implying that..." Touya stopped. Hiei wasn't listening anyway. The ice master watched him return to the group.

He's too overprotective.

--

It was dark out; everyone began making their way into the cave...well, everyone except Hiei. He preferred to sleep in a large oak nearby.

Yusuke and Kuwabara were out within seconds, sprawled out on the cave floor, taking up quite a bit of space on the right. Kurama sat by the mouth of the cave, leaning against the wall. Chu walked over and joined the two sleeping idiots on the right. (A/N: I couldn't think of any other way to refer to them...eheh...)

Suzuki, Rinku, and Shishi were against the left wall, sitting in upright positions much like Kurama's. Jin stayed at the other side of the cave entrance. Touya and Yukina, walking in last, ended up sitting together at the back of the cave.

--

The night dragged by slowly. Hiei, feeling that he had gotten enough sleep, took off to find Mukuro. Why wait until dawn? He would only be wasting away the night and his time.

Touya remained half awake at all times, as did Kurama, both prepared to fight in case they needed to. Everyone else was sound asleep. Yukina's head had fallen onto Touya's shoulder, where it currently was. Fearing he would wake her, Touya didn't move her. Of course, being that the ice maiden could sleep through Yusuke and Kuwabara's snoring, a little movement probably wouldn't wake her up.

Kurama, seeing the shadows of the two ice demons, smiled to himself.

I wonder what Hiei would say about this...

The kitsune got up and walked out of the cave to get some air...and to get away from the terrible snoring. Walking toward the oak that Hiei had claimed as his own, Kurama noticed that the fire demon was not there.

Figures he'd leave earlier than scheduled. He has no patience.

As if Hiei had heard the redhead, the Jagan user showed up at the tree with Mukuro behind him.

Speak of the devil.

Kurama sighed, "And of course, you decided to go find her before you were supposed to." "So? I'd rather not waste my time sitting in a tree waiting for light to come," came Hiei's reply. "Then you'll do what the others are doing in the morning and look for more allies with her," Kurama motioned to Mukuro, "That is, if it's all right with you, Mukuro-san." The only present former ruler remained silent and did not voice a reply. (A/N: I couldn't exactly say 'former ruler' because that would technically be inaccurate. Soooo, I settled for what's written...yeah...okay, back to the story.)

"She's going to go find Kirin. He disappeared sometime after the last tournament," Hiei said simply, "So I'll-" "You'll go with Jin then," Kurama said, smiling. "What are you talking about? I'm going with Yukina," Hiei said, annoyed.

Kurama chuckled, "There is really no need for you to be worried about her. She can fend for herself. You don't need to protect her. Besides, Touya will be with her." "So what does it matter who goes with her? She'll be going with someone either way." The fire demon was losing what little patience he had. Mukuro watched, amused.

"Come see for yourself," was all Kurama said as he made his way back toward the cave. Hiei followed as did Mukuro.

--

"I won't strangle him for Yukina's sake," Hiei muttered.

--

Morning came and soon everyone was awake and ready to leave. Having told Jin that the wind master would be going with Hiei, Kurama took off. Yusuke and Chu were next to leave, Yusuke actually wide awake. Suzuki and Rinku left the cave not long after, going west. Yusuke and Chu had taken east. Yukina and Touya set out for the south after Shishi pulled Kuwabara out of the cave and Touya sealed the opening. Hiei followed the flying Jin, having refused to leave until Yukina had. They went toward the south as well, but more to the east than west. Half an hour later, Shishi and Kuwabara took to the north, Kuwabara having finally woken up from his slumber.

--

"Should we check Raizen's grave first?" Yusuke asked, as he and Chu continued walking. "Sure, why not," Chu replied. They changed their course.

--

"Oh! I wonder if we'll find Sasuga," Rinku said, happily, playing with a yo-yo. "Don't get your hopes up, Rinku, but I'm sure someone in our group will come across her," Suzuki stated. "I hope it's us!" Rinku replied, almost ignoring the clown's statement. Suzuki sighed.

--

Touya put his arm out in front of Yukina, motioning for her to stop. There were flashes of purple and green in the distance. "Stay here," the ice master said. He ran toward the flashes, forming his ice sword. Reaching the two fighting demons, Touya stuck his leg out, stopping the combat. Both heads turned to him, he marked his target and swung his sword.

"You have time to fight some random demon, but you don't have time to fight me? Are you scared of us or something? Huh!" Touya demanded as he continued swinging his ice sword at Manako "Let's just say I save the best for last," was all the purple demon said before vanishing.

Shimatta.

Seeing the ice master had stopped fighting, Yukina ran to him and the other youkai. She knelt down, "Are you okay?" Yukina gasped, noticing the blood trailing down the blonde demon's cheek. Taking out a first aid kit from her knapsack, the ice maiden stopped the bleeding and began to heal the gash on the youkai's cheek as well as the one on his arm. "What's your name?" Touya asked the wounded demon as Yukina healed him. "Kiikuro," the blonde replied, "You're Touya right? The ice master?" Touya nodded.

"And who's she?" Kiikuro asked, indicating Yukina, "Your girlfriend?" Touya raised an eyebrow. This one was a strange one. "No, she's just another ally."

"So you wouldn't mind if I liked her or anything? Cause she is kind of cute," Kiikuro said, teasingly. "I know someone who would," Touya replied, having Hiei in mind. "You didn't answer the question," Kiikuro told the ice master, sticking his tongue out.

So...annoying...help...

"There," Yukina said, interrupting the two male youkai. She finished tying the knot on the cloth bandage that covered the wound on Kiikuro's arm. "Thanks," the blonde told her, smiling.

Yukina looked the new ally over: blonde spiky hair, green eyes, dark-green pants similar to Touya's, and a long sleeved shirt of a lighter shade of green. "Kii...kuro-san, was it?" "Mm," came the response. "Will you help us overthrow the new ruler? We need all the help we can get," Yukina said, getting straight down to business.

"Sure," Kiikuro replied, green eyes twinkling.

Touya sighed. At least he wouldn't be the only one that would hate the blonde.

--

"Aw. Come on, Hiei. Say a word at least," Jin pouted, now walking beside the fire demon. "Hn."

"Oi, what's that?" Jin asked a few minutes later, pointing to a trail of smoke. "Looks like a fire," Hiei replied simply. "Let's go see!" Jin said, taking off the ground. A vein throbbed violently on Hiei's forehead.

My head hurts now.

Hiei continued walking at an even pace, not in the mood to waste his energy and run.

"It's a campfire," Jin said when both youkai had reached the source of the smoke. "Hn..."

"Hello? Anybody here?" Jin cupped his hands and yelled. Hiei flinched at the loud sound.

How do Touya and the others put up with this?

"Eh?" came a voice. A female youkai walked out of a small cave. (A/N: Okay, seriously. What is it with me and caves all of a sudden?)

A light breeze rustled the demon's dark blue hair, "Who...are you?" She readied herself in a fighting stance. "We're not here to fight," Hiei said curtly. The girl lowered her guard slightly, "Then what do you want?"

"It's a simple question: Are you friend or foe?" Hiei asked. "Depends what side you're on."

"What comes ta mind when I say 'Manako?'" Jin asked. The girl's eyes narrowed, "That no good purple freak...Can't even rule one world and he's trying to make all three his. Pathetic." "Welcome to the team!" Jin exclaimed happily, "Oh! What's your name?" The navy-haired demon eyed the wind master curiously. He was a hyper one.

"...Mizuiro." "Light blue? But your hair's dark blue..." Jin said, confused. The girl laughed, "Does it really matter? Besides, it could also mean 'water color.' I think that fits better. What's your name anyway?" "I'm Jin. And that over there is Hiei."

"Is this everyone we have so far?" Mizuiro asked, "It's not even near enough to beat him." Her grey-blue eyes showed her worry. "Naw. We just split up to find more allies," Jin told her.

"I see...will we continue searching or return to the larger group now?" "Keep searching," Hiei said simply. "Oh..." Mizuiro replied, somewhat intimidated by the fire demon, "I'll just get my bag..." The youkai began walking back to the cave, putting out the fire with her water abilities, along the way.

--

"This sucks. We haven't even found one ally yet," Kuwabara grumbled, as he walked along; Shishi was perched on the human's shoulder. "And why do I have to walk while you get to ride?" Shishi gave no response having fallen asleep in bat form.

--

"So what did you do to get into a fight with him?" Touya asked Kiikuro as they, along with Yukina, walked along. "Nothing really. Just wanted to kill him like almost everyone else," Kiikuro answered, a grin plastered on his face.

"Ah...so...Kiikuro-san...do you have any special...elemental attacks? Like Touya-san and his ice?" Yukina asked politely. "Well, I usually just use my lightning arrows. They're a lot like that Saint Beast, Suzaku's. But of course, that gets boring. When that happens, I switch to my leaf shuriken. If it turns into close combat, I use fists that I mix with my aura. So no. I don't really have a specific element," Kiikuro explained. "I see."

Touya sighed. This area of Makai was practically deserted. There was no way they could find even five allies. "What's wrong, Touya-san?" Yukina asked the ice master, concerned. "Nothing."

"You're losing your touch with your poker face, aren't you?" Kiikuro laughed. Touya ignored the blonde. This one was carefree...too carefree. Jin was one thing, but Kiikuro was something else completely. Maybe it was because Touya had respect for Jin; he knew the wind master could fight. Kiikuro seemed practically useless and if Touya had not seen the fight between the blonde and Manako, he would've thought that Kiikuro was useless. (A/N: Confusing much?)

"So Yukina, I take it that you're one of the koorime?" Kiikuro asked. "H-Hai..." the ice maiden replied. The blonde laughed, "Quit the keigo. Try." "Kii...kuro, " Yukina said, leaving out the honorific. "Yosh! Just get used to it," Kiikiro smiled. Yukina returned it with one of her own. (A/N: Smile.)

Touya watched on silently.

--

Lone Wolf: Soo...who do you like better? Kiikuro or Mizuiro? ...Even though there wasn't much Mizuiro yet...they're really not THAT important...meh.
Hiei: Review...