Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. Never have, never will.

"I saw you, human. Hiding is pointless. Why not make this simple?"

It took everything I had to remain still. Every fiber of my being was screaming for me to run, to bolt like hell and pray I got out. Of course, I was well aware of how stupid an idea that was.

There was no way this intruder, this demon, was going to let me out. And I was sure that he was indeed a demon. Everything about him seemed demonic: his stench, his gravelly voice, the eerie way he had gotten in. I had to assume that he had picked the lock while I was concentrating on my work and then taken the opportunity when I bent down to enter, catching me off guard.

Taking a deep breath I pulled the pan I was holding back and held it against me chest. I doubted that it would provide me with much defense against the demon but it was comforting to know I had a weapon of some kind.

I pressed my back against the cabinets behind me and tried to get my thoughts in order. If I could distract him somehow, I could bolt out into the street and get someone's attention. The obvious flaw with that plan being that I probably wouldn't be able to hurt him badly enough to actually distract him. Not to mention that he was in all likelihood stronger and faster than me.

The stench of rotting meat hit me in another wave as I heard him come closer to the counter that was my protection. His heavy, scuffing footsteps reaffirmed my assumption that he would be stronger than me.

"It's silly of you to hide," he said, his rough voice a confident purr. "Are you planning something?"

I didn't respond, instead adjusting my white-knuckled grip on the pan. My hand was trembling and I tried for a second to make it stop. Realizing my efforts were in vain, I tried to think of a distraction, something I could possible do to get myself out of this.

Before I could get my thoughts into any kind of order, the demon said, "Here I come, little girl."

He seemed to leap over the counter and landed only a few yards from me. He was a beast of a demon, broad-chested and easily taller than Kuwabara. He wore human clothing, but it was clear after just a second of looking at him that he was not human. His eyes were those of a cat, the irises a molten gold. His shaggy brown hair fell forward into his eyes and he shook it back, watching me hungrily. Muscle bulged beneath the fabric of his shirt and I tried not to think how easy it would be for him to kill me.

Scrambling out of my crouch, I stumbled back, trying desperately to get into a defensive position. Before I could even get my balance, the demon lunged forward. I swung my pan wildly but he batted it away, knocking it free of my grip.

His hand closed around my throat, his jagged nails digging into my skin. Immediately my hands came up, scrabbling to get a hold of his wrist. Lifting me off the ground, he shook me once violently and then leaned forward, his breath fanning across my face. "Hm, you don't look like the picture I was shown."

I wouldn't have responded even if I could have. I averted my eyes from his, looking instead down at his hand. Praying it would make him let me go or, at the very least, hurt him, I dug my nails into his skin.

He chuckled, hitting me in the face with a blast of rancid breath. I gagged and then began to choke as he tightened his grip on my throat.

I was going to die. The desperate thought hit me as I struggled in his grip, my attempts becoming weaker as I started to give up.

And then he stopped squeezing. "You aren't her, are you? Well, I'll be damned."

Then, as though I weighed nothing more than a rag doll, he tossed me away. I slammed into the counter, my cheek colliding painfully with the edge, and then lay still on the ground.

Without sparing my prone form a glance, the demon once more leapt the counter and disappeared from view. A few seconds later I heard the tinkle of the bell and the sound of the door falling shut.

He didn't kill me?

I didn't understand what had caused the sudden change in his behavior and I certainly couldn't fathom why he had left like that, but I wasn't going to complain.

I pushed myself into a sitting position and moaned as my back protested. Grabbing the edge of the counter I pulled myself to me feet and then paused, trying to calm my racing heart.

My eyes landed on the edge of the counter, watching as a drop of blood dripped to the floor. Without thinking, I reached up and pressed my fingers to my battered right cheek. "Ow," I murmured as I pulled by fingers away. They came away covered in blood and I sighed.

Shaking my head to pull myself free from my daze, I grabbed my jacket and pulled my cell phone free of the pocket. I quickly punched in Yusuke's number and waited impatiently as it rang.

"What, Shy? I'm kind of on a date right now," Yusuke said, not even bothering with a greeting.

"I just got attacked by a demon."

"What? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, pretty much. I mean, I'm alive."

"Alright, um, stay there, okay? Lock the door and stay there. I'm going to call the others."

He hung up before I could tell him that the door had been locked when the demon broke in. Heaving a groan, I flipped the phone closed and stood still.

Quickly forming a plan of action, I slipped out from behind the counter and locked the door. Then, I grabbed a chair and wedged it beneath the door handle so that no one could get in without me noticing. All that was left for me to do was wait for someone to get here.

I glanced at my phone, checking the time. It had been fifteen minutes since I'd called Yusuke and still no one had shown up.

I shifted the bag of ice I held against my cheek and flexed my jaw. I'd washed the wound as best I could and figured that the best thing I could do was ice it. I had no doubt that it was going to bruise. I was going to look like I'd been in a bar fight, and, all things considered, I had been. A weird, one-sided, restaurant-version bar fight.

I had to assume that when Yusuke said he was calling the others he meant Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei. Quite frankly, I was hoping that Yusuke or Kuwabara got here first.

It's not that I don't like the other two; it's just that I don't know them. And I really just needed to see someone I was comfortable with.

Tears had yet to come, despite how much I wanted to cry, but I knew that as soon as I started talking about what happened I was going to start bawling my eyes out. Crying wasn't exactly something I wanted to do in front of two people I didn't really know.

I looked up when I heard someone rap their fist against the door. Kuwabara waved at me and smiled sympathetically. Dropping my ice on the table, I got up and pulled the chair away from the door, allowing my friend inside. He immediately wrapped his arms around me and said, "Wow, Shy, I'd never taken you for the fighting type."

I managed a slight laugh, but even to my own ears it sounded forced. Picking up on my distress, Kuwabara sighed. "Sorry, no jokes. Come on let's sit down and then you can try to explain to me what happened."

I nodded and pulled free from his embrace. Returning to my seat, I organized my thoughts and said, "Okay, I guess I don't really know where to begin."

Kuwabara sat down opposite me. "Well, why not start with how he got in?"

"What makes you assume it was a guy?"

Kuwabara grinned, "So I can't make jokes, but you can? That isn't fair."

"Sure it is. You didn't almost die within the last two hours; therefore you have fewer privileges than me."

"Whatever you say, little miss victim."

"Damn straight. Anyway, um, I'm not entirely sure how he got in."

"So it was a guy," Kuwabara interrupted, leaning back in his chair victoriously.

"Yes, it was. Does that make you feel better about yourself?" Without giving him a chance to respond, I restarted my explanation. "I was putting away dishes when I heard the door open. I was crouched behind the counter so I couldn't see him, but I could smell him. He jumped the counter and grabbed me by the throat."

For the first time, Kuwabara actually took in my physical appearance – my bloody cheek, my red throat. "He really did a number on you, huh?"

I nodded. "Yeah, pretty much. I can't imagine what he would have done if I was who he was looking for."

"What?" Kuwabara asked alarmed. "He was looking for someone?"

"I think so. He said something about me not looking like some picture. Then he threw me and I hit the counter, which is what happened to my cheek."

"Shit."

"What? What's wrong?"

"Beyond you getting beat up? Well, if this demon was looking for someone then he probably realizes that Urameshi lives here. He was probably looking for Keiko."

"Shit."

"Exactly."

We lapsed into silence for few minutes, each considering the horrible implications of what Kuwabara had said. Finally, he looked at me and asked, "How are you feeling? Anything really sore?"

"My cheek is stinging, my throat hurts when I swallow, and my entire body aches, but otherwise I'm fine." I sighed. "I'm proud of how long it's taken me to start crying though."

Laughing, Kuwabara said, "You're probably in shock. I bet you start crying at some really random moment."

"Can't wait," I muttered sarcastically. "Where do you think the others are?"

"I think Urameshi went to pick up Kurama and Hiei, so they only have to take one car or whatever."

"Ah, I see," I replied, picking up my ice and pressing it to my cheek.

"I bet Yukina will heal that for you."

The idea of Yukina's healing powers made me feel sick to my stomach and I frowned at myself. Why did the thought of Yukina healing me suddenly bother me so much? The ice maiden had healed me before when I had sprained my ankle on a run and it hadn't bothered me at all. But right then, sitting across from Yukina's fiancé, I wanted nothing to do with the girl's abilities.

And then the explanation clicked. I didn't want Yukina touching me because a demon, one of her kind, had almost just killed me. The idea of letting her use her powers on me was unsettling due to my near death experience.

Wow, I was a shallow person. Just because of some complete stranger I stop trusting my friends. That's pathetic.

"Shy? You still with me?"

I looked up at Kuwabara and smiled. "I, um, think I'll just let it heal on its own."

"Really?" Kuwabara asked in confusion. "You sure?"

"Totally. Maybe I'll end up with a neat, little scar."

Kuwabara frowned at me and I resisted the urge to do the same. I should have just let Yukina heal me. Why did I have to be so stupid? Not to mention how much I did not want a scar.

"Shy, I'm so glad you're alright!"

I turned to find Keiko entering the shop, Yusuke, Kurama, and Hiei behind her. She rushed to my side and wrapped her arms around me, bending awkwardly because I was sitting.

"Hey, Keiko."

"I was so worried when Yusuke explained what had happened. I knew I shouldn't have left you here tonight."

"Don't be silly. It's not like you could have known what would happen."

She shook her head and gave me a squeeze, before dropping into the seat beside me.

"So you going to explain what happened?" Yusuke asked, turning a chair around and straddling it.

I quickly ran through the events of the attack and then Kuwabara announced his suspicions that the demon had been after Keiko.

"Damn it. I was hoping they would leave us alone," Yusuke groaned.

His forehead creased in worry, Kurama said, "I don't think it is wise for you two to continue to stay here if demons are after you. Their sudden interest may have something to do with the trouble stirring in the Makai. The last thing we need is for Keiko to be easily accessible to anyone meaning her harm."

"What do you suggest we do?" Keiko asked her worry clear in her voice.

I allowed myself a flicker of jealous. How was it that I was attacked and the first thing everyone worried about was Keiko?

What was it I had thought about myself early? Oh, yeah, I'm a shallow person. A really shallow person.

"My suggestion would be to close the restaurant for a time and go somewhere safe. Genkai's temple for example," Kurama answered.

Yusuke sighed, dragging his hands down his face. "I think Kurama is right. It would be best if we lay low until we figure out what exactly is going on. Can you see if anyone knows anything?"

The question was aimed at Hiei and he spoke up for the first time, "Hn, I'll see what I can find out." The guy really needed to work on his people skills. Short monotone sentences were not the way to make friends.

Kuwabara turned to me and said, "I'll drive you home if you want."

"Just because I got beat up doesn't mean I can't drive myself home. My car is here anyway."

"You sure? I don't mind."

I was about to wave off his offer when I was struck by the fact that my apartment was going to be dark and empty, which just happened to be exactly what I didn't need right now. I glanced at the others and, embarrassment coloring my cheeks, asked, "Actually, would you mind staying the night? I don't really want to be alone."

"Sure, no problem." He stood up and I followed suit, leaving my bag of ice on the table.

"See you guys later," I said.

"I'll call you tomorrow," Keiko replied, standing to give me a hug.

I waved over my shoulder at the others and left, heading for my car. I backed out of my spot and pulled onto the road, Kuwabara following in his own car.

The next morning I stood in front of my mirror, admiring the bruises that had formed on my neck and cheek. I looked like a freak. The cut on my cheek had become a raised, red welt and the bruise spread across my entire cheekbone. As for my neck, I found myself wishing it was midwinter instead of late spring. At least then I would have been able to wear turtlenecks to hide the horrible bruise.

My hair fell in limp, loose strands into my brown eyes and, turning away from the mirror, I finger-combed it back into a messy bun.

I left my room and slipped into the living room where Kuwabara was sprawled across the couch, one arm hanging down so that his fingertips grazed the rug. I snorted at my friend's odd and no doubt uncomfortable position and continued on into the kitchen.

I was finishing a bagel when the phone rang and I answered through a mouthful of food. "Hello."

"Morning, Shy."

Swallowing I said, "Morning, Keiko. Why are you calling so early?" A glance at the clock showed that it was only nine.

"Well, Yusuke and I were talking last night and I think you should come with us to Genkai's."

"What? Why?" I asked.

"I'd feel safer if you were with us. What if the demons realize that you're close to us? What if you're their next target? I would feel horrible if something happened to you because of us."

"Keiko, I'm sorry to burst your bubble but something already happened to me, I got beat up. But I still don't want to go to Genkai's. You're worried, I get that, but I'm going to be fine. There's no need for me to go with you."

"Please, Shy. I'd feel so much better if you came."

"No," I answered shortly.

"You're being stupid. You could die. I mean, for goodness sake, you already almost did. Just do this for me. It'll probably just be for a week or two. The shop will be closed anyway so you won't have anything to do."

"Keiko, I said no. I don't want to go. It's unnecessary. No demons are going to come after me."

"You don't know that. Shy, you don't have any experience with demons. And no, Yusuke does not count. Demons can be violent, unpredictable, cunning, the list goes on. If you're in the city and we're all the way out at Genkai's, we will have no way to protect you."

"I'm not going to argue about this with you. I'm not going to Genkai's. Period, end of discussion." I was being stubborn, maybe a little dumb, but I couldn't help it. I'd officially had more than enough to do with demons and all the crap that went with them. I needed a break, even if it was just a short one, and I wasn't going to get one by going to Genkai's.

"Shyle, why are you being so pig-headed? I'm just trying to look out for you."

"When are you leaving? I want to come over and say goodbye before you go."

"No, I'm not going to let you avoid this."

"I'm not avoiding it. I already told you I'm not coming."

There was silence on the line for a few seconds and I thought that Keiko might have hung up, but then she spoke, a self-satisfied tone to her voice. "It doesn't really matter what you want because you're coming."

"How do you figure that is?" I snapped.

"Because you owe me. I believe I won our bet two to one." She was going to use the magazine bet to make me go to Genkai's? That was crazy.

"Keiko, you know that wasn't the point of the bet. You were supposed to make me do something stupid or annoying, not blackmail me."

"The rules were any time, any place. There was nothing restricting the use of blackmail." I could hear the smug smirk she had on, even though I couldn't see her. "Pack and be at the restaurant in three hours. Kuwabara should come too, but he already has stuff at Genkai's so he won't need to pack. I'll see you when you get here."

"I hate you for this."

"That's what you say now, but you'll thank me later. Bye, Shyle."

"Yeah, whatever." The line clicked dead and I hit the end button on my phone. "Some best friend she is," I muttered.

"What was that conversation about?" I glanced up to see Kuwabara leaning against the doorframe, watching me in amusement.

"Keiko is making me go to Genkai's with you guys."

"Oh, good. I was wondering how we were going to make you go."

"What? You were in on this?"

"No, but I thought that you should come. It may not be safe for you in the city."

I rolled my eyes but didn't answer. I tossed my napkin in the trash, finished the last bite of my bagel, and pushed past Kuwabara out of the kitchen. "I have to pack," I snapped.

He followed me to my room, watching as I pulled my suitcase from my closet and lay it on my bead. I packed systematically, loading in clothes, toiletries, a pair of sandals, and a few other odds and ends. Then I grabbed my duffel bag and filled it with running clothes and sneakers. I stood back and scanned my room, trying to figure out if there was anything else I needed to pack. My eyes landed on the stack of unread books in the corner of my room and I quickly tossed a few into my duffel bag.

"You pack fast," Kuwabara observed.

I glanced at him and said, "It's not hard when I don't want to go. Who cares what I have with me?"

"Come on, Shy. Going to Genkai's won't be that bad. I don't see what the bid deal is."

I shoved a piece of hair back behind my ear and looked away. "Come on, let's go." I couldn't explain the truth to him. I doubted telling him that I didn't want anything to do with demons for the time being would go over well.

So there's the next chapter. I'm probably going to be updating once a week until summer. When I first started posting I was on vacation and had a lot of free time. Now that I'm back in school my schedule will be a little hectic. I've got AP tests in a week, track everyday, and I'm not home for the next three weekends. I'll due my best to update but I can't guarantee fast updates. Anyway, thanks to everyone that has reviewed. Hope you liked the chapter.