Wolfie: Hey guys! Wolfie here! Sorry it's been so long an explanation can be found at the bottom of my profile page. It's really been busy for me the last couple years and my damn muse abandoned me because of it.

Kuwabara: *growls* If I ever get my hands on that jerk i'm going to...

Yusuke: What? Are you going to swat flies in front of him or something? You can't even fight your way out of a wet paper bag.

Kuwabara: Now you've asked for it Urameshi!

*The boys start fighting*

Wolfie: *Sweatdrops* ok i think it's time to get on with the story. You know the routine!

Chapter 5: And the Plot Thickens

Ebony awoke to a setting sun and a missing Hiei that had been lying next to her. With a sigh she stood up, straightened her clothes and hair and began the short trek back to Capsule Corp. It was already getting late she was sure that Vegeta and Bulma were beginning to wonder if she would be coming home at all.

'I wonder why Hiei left. Maybe he woke up and got tired of waiting for me.' She mused to herself as she walked. 'That was some weird dream though. It still feels like someone is watching me. It's giving me goosebumps.'

She purposely avoided looking around as she began scanning the area for any possible intruders. Not detecting any abnormal energy signals she shrugged it off as to being a rough couple of days. She needed to get home and rest up for school the next day. Fortunately she was able to get all her homework done before school let out on Friday. It saved her from having to do any assignments over the weekend.

The feeling of being watched continued until she reached Capsule Corp. As soon as she stepped through the door she felt instant relief as the normal energies around the house surrounded her. She sensed Bulma, Vegeta and Trunks in the kitchen so she made her way there.

"Sorry I'm late guys…" She said walking through the kitchen's swinging doors but was stopped as a little girl flew into her arms. She looked down at the demi-saiyan in surprise. "Pan? What are you doing here?"

A five year old Pan looked up at her and grinned. "Papa's going to train me!" She squealed and ran back to the table dragging Ebony by the hand the whole way.

"Training?" She asked. Ebony had more or less moved into Capsule Corp. when Pan was born because her parents hadn't been totally prepared for a second child. Everyone had agreed that between training, school and distractions with the new baby that it would be easier for Ebony to keep up with her classes if she had less time traveling between school and home without having to help with a newborn baby.

Between her dad working, her parent's super-hero gig, and the new baby Ebony had all but officially moved into Capsule Corp. and it had worked out just fine for everyone, including her. She got her school, training and socializing whenever she had time in all in one place.

It had never once bothered her to stay there throughout High School. Her dad came over every day after work to check on her and she made sure to go see her mom at least once a week so long as her studies permitted it. Pan was always doing something so she saw her whenever their schedules could agree. Pan usually spent her afternoons at Hercule's gym training and beating up his students. It was about time for her to begin some real training.

"Yes," Said Gohan as he sat at the table with Vegeta, Bulma and Trunks. They had yet to start eating and were obviously discussing something. "I was speaking to everyone about starting Pan's training. Your mother agrees its time to move past basic moves and begin her self-defense work. Vegeta and Trunks have already agreed to help and it would be great if you could too when you have time."

Ebony gave a small frown as she contemplated what was going on. It seemed like there really wasn't anyone else to help with her sister's training. Grandpa was always off on some kind of training or other, Goten was just starting to spend all his time with his girlfriend. Bra had little interest in training. Grandpa's friends rarely got together anymore, as they were always busy with something or other, and usually only during group events, though Bulma made sure that they kept in contact. And Piccolo, with all the things he taught Gohan, had very little tolerance for children. Pan was innocent enough that he would not like training her unless necessary.

That only left Vegeta, Trunks, her parents and herself to train the young saiyan. She sighed and nodded in agreement. She wasn't quite sure what she could do as she was still learning herself but she was willing to try. "I'll help train her," She turned to Pan "But no crying over it you hear? You want to train you have to be a big girl. Understood?"

Pan nodded and squealed as she hugged her older sister. "Thank you Ebony. This will be great! I get to train!" She cried and began dancing around happily.

Ebony looked over at Vegeta to see him analyzing the child. It was obvious that he was unsure whether he could teach her his ways or if she would even be willing to listen to him. It was obvious they had already discussed this issue and he had reluctantly agreed.

Bulma stood up cheerily. "Well now that that's settled. Just bring Pan over on the weekends and we'll start her on a slow training regimen until we can determine her abilities." She clapped her hands happily and turned towards the kitchen. "If I'm going to get dinner done I better get started. Gohan are you and Pan staying for dinner?"

Gohan stood up calmly and picked up Pan. "Thanks for the offer but not tonight Bulma. Videl has a special dinner designed for Pans graduation from Hercule's training."

"Well alright then. We'll see you tomorrow then." She said leaving through the kitchen door.

Gohan said his good-byes to Vegeta and Trunks, promising to bring Pan over on Friday. With a small look to Ebony he headed out the front door still holding his youngest daughter. Ebony Followed him out curious as to what he had to say to her.

As they left the doorway he set Pan down and told her to go play for a minute. The five year old ran off and began running in the yard and swinging from the trees. "Ebony we need to talk."

Ebony looked confused, what did they have to talk about? Her grades were extremely good and she wasn't having problems at school. No one was sick as far as she knew and she was still in everyone's good graces. "Talk about what dad?" She asked sitting on the nearby bench.

Gohan watch Pan thoughtfully as he tried to decide how to phrase things. "First off…do you like living here, or would you prefer to move back home?"

Ebony thought about this one for a moment trying to decide where it was going. "I like it here dad. It's a nicer walk home and I get to spend more time with Goten and Trunks. Besides I still see you every day and I stay out of your hair when you have stuff to do. Why is something wrong?"

Gohan gave a small smile as he thought for a moment. "No nothing's wrong. Your mother and I just feel a bit guilty for sending you to live here. My mom wanted you to move in with her and we had all agreed to not doing that even though it was closer to home. She hates that Goten and I were both fighters and would try to force you to be what she wanted.

I just wanted to make sure you still liked it here. Just remember you're always welcome back at home. Dad, Goten, Trunks and I can always add on that extra room in less than a week if you ever decide to move back in. We're not going to force you…"

Before Gohan could continue Ebony broke in. It was obvious her father was upset and she definitely didn't want that! "Dad! It's okay I'm happy here. Yeah I miss you, mom, grandma and grandpa but it's ok. I still come to visit every week and I don't have to be alone if you go and fight crime on a daily basis. Besides, I wouldn't have gotten the same training if I had lived with you. Vegeta would've considered me corrupted."

She gave a son grin. "Go take Pan home and tell mom I'm okay. I'll come visit you guys sometime this week if it will make you feel better. I'm happy dad, I don't regret moving here or anything so stop worrying"

Gohan gave her a tight hug and called Pan back. "I'll see you tomorrow kiddo." He ruffled her hair, packed Pan into the car and drove off just in time for Bulma to announce dinner was done.

Ebony smiled as she watched her dad and sister drive off before returning to the house and sharing a meal with her second family.

*After Dinner*

With a full belly Ebony made her way to her room and closed the door behind her. With a smirk she went to get stuff ready for bed and a shower. She cleaned up, being highly careful of her injuries, and thought about Hiei. 'I wonder where he went earlier. It was a perfect day for a nap and he didn't seem to object.'

She re-bandaged her wounds and got dressed. With a yawn she got her school bag packed up and ready for the next day. She laid down and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

**Hiei's P.O.V**

I woke up just before the sun started setting and was unsure why until I got the feeling of something watching us. My instincts kicked in and I began scanning. Finding a faint trail I gave one glance to Ebony who still lay sleeping. She seemed too vulnerable to just leave there alone but I had seen the damage she could do when threatened and did not worry for her.

I kneeled down next to her and whispered in her ear though I'm not sure as to why I did it. "Wake up and go straight home. You are in danger out here. Something is nearby and I'm going to search for it."

Afterwards I took off into the trees, waiting just long enough to see that she had woken up and started walking home. I followed her there before returning to follow the scent of whatever demon had deemed to stalk us.

'Was he after me or the girl?' I wondered as I followed the faint trail. 'I don't recognize this scent. It seems strange, yet powerful. It must have been after her.'

I stopped as the scent disappeared completely next to a portal that lead to the southern end of Makai. My instincts said to follow it, but a small part of me was arguing that we had to protect the girl. I decided against it and turned back to report into Kurama and the others. They needed to know if we were to protect this foolish girl.

**Mysterious Demon's Lair Somewhere in Makai**

"She will be mine. I need her to provide me with an heir. It has to be someone powerful enough to take over all of Makai." The demon muttered to himself as he paced back and forth in his throne room. A small reptilian demon entered the room shaking slightly.

"You…you called Lord Mizuchi?" He stuttered in face of the demon. His lord had Ice Blue hair and matching eyes. He wore a white tunic and pants. The only thing, other than the hair color, keeping him from looking human was the pair of scaly long ears, the long scaly tail trailing behind him and his long sharp nails.

"Yes Cornelius, I did…" He trailed off as he continued pacing leaving his underling shifting and twitching with nervousness. After a few minutes of standing there the small reptile broke.

"What did you need my lord?" He all but whispered awaiting a reprimand. The dragon lord looked over at him almost having forgotten he was there. A look crossed his face as if he just remembered something.

"How are the tests coming for the girl? Has she proven herself to be strong enough to be my mate?" Mizuchi asked the smaller demon. The demon shuffled his feet and hesitated to answer. "Well?"

"The tests have returned from the observing demons that I sent out to watch her battles. She is still young but I believe her to be intelligent and strong enough to provide you the heir you desire." He hesitated here for a moment before clearing his throat and continuing. "I believe she may be too powerful and too guarded to capture her easily. Perhaps if we drugged her or managed to blackmail her into coming willingly…?" He trailed off leaving it up to his lord to decide.

The dragon-lord nodded thinking it over carefully. "Have her observed for the next few weeks then. I want to know when and where she is most vulnerable. If she is as powerful as we believe then I wouldn't expect anything less than that."

The snake demon nodded and began to back out of the room bowing. "oh and Cornelius…" The demon stopped just as he opened the door.

"Yes my lord?" He asked hesitantly knowing the threats were to come.

"If we fail to capture this girl it will be on your head. Is that understood? You have until the full moon two months from now to capture her or I will find someone else who will." The Dragon-lord warned him. "I don't have much longer to conceive an heir before the Dragon Battles Begin."

Cornelius swallowed hard hoping it wouldn't come to that. "Yes my lord I will get you this girl as you have requested. I take my leave now." The snake demon bowed and hurried out the door unwilling to wait for the next set of threats to come.

Wolfie: I know it's my shortest one but i'm still trying to get back into the writing and I do know where this is going...just not sure how it's going to get there yet.

Hiei: You never know anything do you?

Wolfie: *Thinks* Nope I guess not. But i like it that way so everyone...R&R and for those people who dislike this story don't bother flaming because it just shows how bored and stupid you are! Laters!