Hello! Sorry for the delay in posting (or at least my normal posting speed ;P ) I was on a lovely fishing trip for the Holiday weekend!

Enjoy!

-B.J.

Chapter 9: Nightmares and New Comrades.

"Hiei," Kurama called out into the forest, halting in his tracks as he closed his large emerald eyes, peacefully placing his hands in his pockets. As he suspected, Hiei was quick to appear in front of him.

"What?" Hiei replied lamely, holding a similar disposition.

"I, of all people, needn't remind you, this is not the time to become clouded," Kurama explained calmly before continuing, "We are already aware how intensely powerful these beings are. It would be… Unwise for distraction."

Hiei scoffed, closing his eyes to the demon before beginning to walk away, "I don't know what you're on about, fox."

"Do not take me for a fool, Hiei," Kurama warned, "Perhaps you've forgotten, but I have known you long enough to detect a change in your behaviour,"

Hiei continued to trail away, stopping only momentarily, "I don't get distracted."

Hiei sat absentmindedly in a large tree on the edge of the field they had previously used for training, silently keeping an eye over a soundly sleeping Kirazuki, who was only a few branches below him. She was far less irritating when she slept. Kurama had no idea what he was talking about; Hiei felt an...obligation to ensure the dog's well being, surely they would need her alliance when they travelled to the Makai. She was strong, and they needed that strength, he reasoned with himself.

Kira almost looked like a small child when she slept, all of her normally tense muscles relaxed; until her breathing had suddenly became labored. Hiei also sensed her once low heart rate skyrocketing. 'Probably another foolish dream...' He thought grudgingly to himself, his Jagan beginning to glow behind the thin white fabric across his forehead.

Kirazuki stood sternly, Tobikuma and Tatsumi on either side of her. Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei and Kurama stood in front of them, Kuwabara seemed badly injured, struggling to hold himself upright in the desolate Makai sand field.

"Welcome to the dark side," Tatsumi hissed, a deviant smile on her scaley face as her hollow, black stare met Kira's large golden eyes.

Kira smirked, fisting her right hand as her spirit energy began to swirl around it, "Shall we teach Koenma his lesson?" She said innocently, her long ice sword forming before her, "Shall we let him know of our great displeasures in so many years of captivity?"

Tobikuma laughed, outstretching his massive brown wings as the air around them began to swirl dangerously, "But of course.." The trio disappeared in a massive flurry of his wind.

Tobikuma appeared first, picking off Kuwabara as if he were a harmless insect, his large talons sinking into his chest as he took off with him high into the sky, his terror filled screams slowly disappearing to no more than a distant echo. Tatsumi was next, engulfing Yusuke in a brightly glowing ball of water, she squeezed her hands out in front of her as the water compressed inward, crushing Yusuke's bones one by one from the pressure with sickening cracks as he attempted to gasp for air that was only filled by a surge of liquid.

Kira reappeared last, sinking her blade into Kurama's abdomend, the nails of her left hand digging into the flesh around his shoulder, she cast her stare up towards his once vibrant green eyes, taking great joy in the life slowly fading out of them. She had never experienced such excitement.

Hiei sighed in exasperation, hoisting himself down onto Kira's branch; the damn dog was disturbing his peace yet again, "Mutt," He said sternly, nudging one of her crossed legs with his foot in a poor attempt to wake her. She didn't budge; even in her sleep she was a pain. Hiei gritted his teeth, crouching down in front of the small creature and cautiously placing a hand on her shoulder, noting that she was almost warm for once, "Kira," He spoke again, giving her tiny frame a rough shake.

Almost instantly her small hand had somehow shot it's way to his neck, he hadn't even seen the movement; her honey eyes flying open in panic, every inch of them was covered in fear. Hiei raised his eyebrow as Kira blinked in confusion, taking in her surroundings before quickly removing her grip around his throat, "I'm sorry, I was-"

"Having another nightmare." Hiei finished her sentence with a smirk.

Kira didn't have the will to argue about the invasion, simply nodding in response. She was truly terrified of herself. Kurama's eyes were still burned in her mind; surely she would never join Tobikuma and Tatsumi, her loyalty was strictly with the Spirit Detective.. "What if that really happens?" She asked, knowing all too well he had been in her head.

Hiei sat down with another sigh, his legs dangling from the branch, but the smirk still remained, "The fox won't be finished so easily," Was his only answer; although he highly doubted the creature would change her alliance.

Kira gave a small, sad laugh, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees, "That's comforting I suppose," She yawned, her ears folding back as she placed her cheeks in her palms, the urge to sleep once again washing over her, "How long?" She asked as her large eyes began to slowly shut.

Hiei flicked his crimson eyes towards the sky only momentarily, "A few more hours,"

"Good," Kira muttered, inching forward slightly on the branch, Hiei glanced towards her cautiously, noticing the movement, "Thank you," She smiled, leaning her forehead against his jaw; he instantly tensed from the contact, "Yet again," She laughed; Hiei involuntarily shuddered as the cold air washed over his skin. She was slowly getting familiar with the warmth the fire demon constantly radiated, it was almost comforting at this point.

Although Hiei would normally protest, she was already drifting off into peaceful sleep, "Hn," Was his only response as he relaxed under the cold touch against his neck.

'Perhaps just a black cloak...'

"YUKINA, MY LOVE!" Kuwabara shouted out excitedly, Kira winced in pain, her ears folding back against her head.

As Yusuke suspected, they had met with Genkai as soon as they had stepped through the portal, Kira had regarded it as quite the honor, while Yusuke had simply mumbled something about her age. They had just entered Genkai's temple, it was an amazing place, secluded within an expansive forest in the Ningenkai; although Kira found it quite curious the elderly woman didn't grow bored within it's walls. She could already sense Genkai was powerful beyond any normal humans wildest dreams.

Upon entrance, a beautiful young demoness with long, coarse mint hair had greeted them; Kira assumed this was Yukina, whom Kuwabara was currently gushing over, "And who's this?" Yukina asked kindly, casting her crimson eyes in Kira's direction.

'She has the same eyes as the fire demon. What irony.' Kira thought amusedly to herself, stepping forward, "Kirazuki, just Kira," She bowed her head in respect.

Yukina, instead, took it upon herself to embrace the creature, causing Kira to tense against her will, although it went unnoticed Hiei flinched as well, "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard much about you from Genkai," She laughed lightheartedly. She seemed so.. nice. It was refreshing. Kira cast a cautious glance towards Genkai, whom she had never met before today, but she simply sent her an all-knowing smile.

"Kirazuki," Another voice greeted; Kira recognized it instantly, her eye twitching in annoyance, "It's nice to see you again,"

There she stood, leaning against a door frame, a weary smile plastered on her gorgeous face, her bright crystal-like blue eyes shined in the poorly-lit temple. Her elegantly long waving white-blue hair tucked over her shoulder, while her long slender legs were crossed out in front of her, she had no animalistic characteristics like the rest of the creatures, although she was clearly familiar with them; or at least with Kirazuki.

Kurama chuckled, sensing the sudden irritation from Kira, these two were clearly not on the best of terms, "Care to introduce us to your.. friend?"

Kira narrowed her eyes, her jaw tensing; it was as if her entire demeanor had shifted. Her shoulders had squared, and her eyes no longer held a joyous look to them, but a stern strength; the temperature within the complex temple walls had dropped considerably. "Kanami," She regarded coldly, her muscular body turning in her direction, "Yes, how lovely to see you among the Ningenkai. I was unaware you would be assisting us, I would have presumed if anyone was sent it would have been Ryuu." Honestly, Koenma couldn't at least send someone she liked, if not more powerful? If Kirazuki was the equivalent of an alpha within the creatures, Taryuu would have been her beta.

Hiei had instantly picked up on this sudden personality change; fascinated that the crying mess he had seen just yesterday was standing in front of him as a presumed leader, 'That woman is one of her underlings,' He realized; she was no longer around equals, but those she had a certain dominance over.

Kanami smiled shyly, "Lord Koenma thought you could use my talent, and that Genkai could help to foster it," She paused momentarily, a blush flickering across her cheeks, "Taryuu sends his regards, he had wanted to join us but.. Lord Koenma thought it unwise."

'Of course..' Kira thought to herself, her fist inadvertently clenching, 'He still doesn't trust us..'

Yusuke finally chipped in from where he stood next to Kurama, "Alright, alright, enough with the introductions already. When do we start training to kick these things asses?"