So, I'm starting college tomorrow. I'll be there from 8am-9am, then from 3pm-9:30pm. I have no clue about how the homework load will be, or how tired I'm going to be. So if my posting schedule becomes a little sloppy from here on out, I apologize.

Inside The Fire

Chapter 07:

"Morse Code is Easier"

The mid-May air was warm against my skin. Hiei and I both were in the clearing where we still met to go through my training. Since my little freakout a week ago, things between us seemed calmer. The fire demon is basically the only one I feel comfortable being myself around, though it goes without saying that the changes were minimal. That and I still wasn't completely open with him, but it was a step in the right direction, I think. I mean, I sort of understood his odd speech patterns. Damned anti-social demon.

We had moved from illusion assaults to actual barriers. It wasn't too difficult or time consuming to learn, hence why I was laying in a patch of grass under one of the outside trees. I wonder where Hiei wen- What just fell on my face? I picked up the object with my fingers and promptly flung it away before scrambling up and away from my resting spot.

"What the hell?" My lungs heaving and my posture screaming upset. I looked up to see Hiei in the tree above where I had been.

"What, onna?" He sighed.

"You just knocked a spider onto me, that's what!" I yelled, pointing up at him.

"Hn."

"Ch, man of a thousand words." I scoffed sarcastically, composing myself.

"Baka."

Glaring up at him, I walked out of the clearing and through the forest. A new habit of mine was wandering off during my work hours. Nearby was a stream that carried cool fresh water. Dried leaves crunched under my feet as I walked the familiar path. The surrounding area had become memorized, from the way the trees grew to which path took me back to the temple. I walked down the slope to the streams edge and squatted down. I cupped my hands in the cool water and splashed my face with it. It calmed my nerves from the spider attack and my skin settled instead of having that crawling feeling wash over my flesh.

I sat back on the dirt and rested my elbows on my knees. My shoes were mere inches away from the waterway. My mind cleared as I watched the liquid move over rocks and pebbles. As I sat there, a feeling of unease gnawed at my gut. Something was off. Glancing around, I noticed nothing out of the ordinary, my eyes passed over the rocks along the ground and around the nearby trees. I eyed an odd shaped reddish rock for a few moments before getting up to inspect it.

Pulling myself up and brushing off my jeans, I sauntered over to the mysterious rock. When I caught sight of the other side of it, I quickly realized it wasn't a rock, but a newborn pup of some sort. My eyes widened and I cupped it in both hands. The baby was cold and not breathing. A deep frown etched my face, the heartbeat was so faint. The newborn laid against my chest easily, his unresponsive body flopping around as I repositioned him. I rubbed his body quickly, but as gently as I could. His skin began to heat up and I leaned my face down to his, blowing a soft puff of air against his nose.

"Come on," I murmured to his unresponsive form.

Repeating the process, I blew another breath of air against his muzzle. His lungs shuddered and pulled in a small breath, and a small smile crept over my lips. Another blow of air, this time his head lifted a centimeter and he whimpered. With the puppy breathing on his own, I resigned to just warming him up. Holding the baby close in my arms, I made my way up the path toward the temple.

The animal was weak and running his wet nose over my arm by the time I was on the front porch. Immediately, I made my way through the mass of halls to the wash room. In the linen closet, I found a thick white hand towel. This is what I used to wrap the animal up in. Whimpering, he wiggled and searched blindly for a spot to nurse. Frowning, I left the bundle on one of the mats in my room and marched back through the house.

I ended up in the kitchen, where I found Yusuke talking to Kurama at the table. He glared at me when I walked in, and Kurama greeted me politely. Ignoring his hello, I faced the brunette.

"Do you mind if I use your communicator?" My voice was even and lacking an argumentative tone.

"And why would I let you use my fucking communicator?" He bit back irritatedly.

Sighing, I rubbed my forehead. I really didn't need his shit right now. When I was through easing the oncoming ache in my skull, I looked back at him, straight in the eye. " I need to talk to Botan, it's important."

He stared me down, "Please, Yusuke."

Huffing, he flicked out the communicator and I caught it, "Bring it right back when you're done." I nodded and walked back down the hall for some privacy.

When I opened the compact, Botan's smiling face flickered into view, "Oh, Devin-san! It's nice to see you."

"Botan, I have a favor to ask of you."

"How can I help?" She looked a little worried now, probably because of my upset expression.

"Could you possibly take me shopping? I need to pick something up, and I have no money.." I wasn't able to finish my explanation when she broke out into a giddy grin and got super close to the screen.

"Of course! I'm on my way!" Her picture fizzed out and the screen went blank.

Pulling away, I blinked and shut the mirror. Wandering back out into the kitchen, I handed the mirror back to Yusuke while dipped in a slight bow, "Thank you."

When he snatched it back I walked back out and toward my room. Once I was inside and the door was locked, I flipped on the light and checked the puppy. He was still squirming, but not as frequent. With a single fingertip, I rubbed his small head. He calmed and whined. Knowing Botan would be here any minute, I wrenched open my drawer full of jackets and picked up one of the zip ups. The dark navy material slipped over my plain white tank top easily, and I zippered it up halfway.

Moving back over to the hungry baby animal, I lifted the bundle gently and tucked it into my jacket before zippering it up higher to conceal his presence. The jacket was just baggy enough to hide the small bulge. I pushed up the sleeves to my elbows and stuffed my hand into my pocket to help hold the cargo I carried. The elastic band around the bottom of the coat, though it easily slipped around my hips, could become lose easily enough to let the dog fall from the band.

Just as I was unlocking my door, a loud knock resounded. I pushed my hair back and pulled open the door. I kept a mask of calm over my features and greeted Botan, she smiled at me and led me from the temple. This time, like the last, Kurama also accompanied us to the cab. The drive was nerve racking, I silently prayed the puppy wouldn't cry while the car moved along the road. But, of course, the gods ignored my pleas, and he whimpered.

Abruptly, I coughed into my exposed right fist and looked out the window I was seated against. My face flushed, They're going to figure it out, they're going to figure it out~, my brain teased me.

"Are you alright Devin?" Kurama leaned forward and asked me, concern showing on his face.

"I'm fine, my throat was just a little scratchy, that's all." I lied.

He eyed me a moment before sitting back against the seat.

When the cab finally pulled up to the curb of the mall, we all piled out. Kurama politely excused himself and we parted ways. His excuse was he had to take care of things at home. Botan and I waved after him before going inside.

"Okay, Devin, what do you need?" She smiled at me as we walked through the usual mall crowd.

"Oh, uhm, I need some summer shirts, mostly what I have is long sleeved." I lied.

"Oh, of course! Let's start with this store." Botan started pulling me in the general direction of a boutique.

"Hey, Botan?"

"Hmm?" She hummed while looking through the racks.

"Do you mind if I look around while you shop here? There's a music store across the hall."

"Sure," she smiled at me and handed me a wad of cash. My mouth dropped open and she pushed me toward the door.

"Don't worry about anything here, go ahead and have some fun!" She laughed in a way that almost changed my mind, but remembering my mission, I left.

When I was sure Botan wasn't looking, I passed the music shop and walked further back into the building. A large pet store with rows and rows of fish, small rodents, cats, dogs and lizards. I passed all of the animals to the product isle's and began searching for the puppy supplies. I spotted a display of canned powder mix for newborns and red the label, Mineral and vitamin enriched powder for newborn puppies. Mix one part powder with two parts water, keep formula refrigerated. It would have to do. I held the can in the crook of my arm with the pocketed hand and walked down the isle. I quickly found a pack of two bottles and various nipples of all sizes. Picking up one of the packages I roamed the isle.

By the look of the dog, he could have been wild like a Coyote, but he could have been just a mutt. I frowned as I stood at the collar display and looked at the many different styles and colors. Oh, what the hell, I sighed and picked up a purple dyed leather collar. It had plenty of holes so the size could be adjusted and a thick metal ring for a leash or tags to be connected. Just in case, I thought as I looked down into my jacket at the pup. He was too young for me to even determine the sex yet, or if he'll live, I added mentally. Shaking my head I grabbed a sturdy leather leash. At the clasp, six inches of chain ran up until it switched to the rough brown leather. It was long and I added it to my armful of supplies.

What else do I need.. I looked around and spotted a shelf with bowls. I grabbed two stainless steel bowls and a bag of kibble before dropping my armload onto the check out counter.

"Will that be all miss?" The young man asked from behind the counter.

"Yes," I nodded and pulled the wad of cash from my pocket, leaning against the counter as I used my other hand to be ready to count it out.

"We also have a dog tag service if your interested." He said in a robotic manner as he scanned the collar.

"How much does it cost?" The amount he recited was something near ten American collars, approximately seven-hundred sixty-seven yen.

"Sure, I'll get one made," he handed me s small booklet of dog tag styles. He paused in his work to take down the number of the style I chose. It was a simple oval, silver and plain.

"What would you like inscribed on it?"

I thought for a few moments, my eyes staring at the at my distorted reflection that bounced off of the bottom of the metal bowl. A unisex name. What would be a fitting name for it? My look lightened as it dawned on me and I looked up to the cashier, "Kira."

He nodded and proceeded to finish ringing up all of my things.

When I found Botan still in the same store, but at the register, I meandered over to her. My bag of pet supplies was neatly covered by a few books of sheet music, all in the same brown paper bag. Switching my arm load, I pulled out the still large wad of cash. She turned it down and told me to keep it, so I didn't have to rely on her for all of my shopping. With a chuckle I accepted her response. She was obviously trying to deter my annoyance at the random shirts of bright color I saw amongst the darker colors of my liking. This must have been her plan all along.

"Thank you, Botan." I said to her as we plopped into the back seat of the cab again. The driver pulled off from the curb and made his way back toward the temple.

"Don't worry about it." She smiled, "so, what did you find?"

"Oh, just this and that. Some sheet music." She nodded at my explanation and we rode back with a bit of small talk conspiring between us.

The cab dropped us off at the spot it picked us up at, and we gathered our bags. As we wandered back thru the forest, Botan told me, in her usual excited way, that she even found a really cute summer dress for herself. She was mid-description when an annoyed fire demon landed in front of us. His bare arms were crossed over his chest as he glared at me.

"Uh, Devin, I'm going to go on ahead." She hurriedly excused herself and ran up the steps.

I stared surprised at Hiei, a blush covering my cheeks as I glanced away. I carried my four bags of clothes in my non-pocketed hand and my paper bag was tucked neatly in the crook of the same arm.

"I had an emergency," I tried to reason.

"Emergency shopping?"

"Yeah, actually."

He just shook his head and moved from my path, "Baka onna."

"Shaddup," I sighed and walked around him.

We walked along the beaten path to the stairs. When my foot fell on the first stone step, he asked me something.

"So what's in your shirt?"

My blush returned and I froze. Hiei turned back to me, hands in his pockets. He was five steps ahead of me now, and I took my foot off the step. From my position I was looking up at him. My eyes cut downward at the bulge and I instinctively moved my arm closer to it. My bags sat on the ground with a rustle and I pulled my zipper down.

With both hands, I reached into my coat and pulled the white bundle from inside. It sat easily between my palms, warm from my body heat. It wiggled and whimpered and Hiei's eyes widened. I moved up two of the steps as I cradled it in the crook of one of my arms and pulled back the cloth.

Sitting inside was the thin, auburn haired pup, his eyes sealed shut and his ears small on the sides of his head. His black nose twitched as he sniffed the air. I rubbed a finger over his head and held him out to the red eyed demon.

"I found him all alone in the woods near the stream. There were no others, and his mom wasn't there." When Hiei didn't take the pup I pulled him back into the crook of my arm and held him close.

"He wasn't even breathing when I picked him up, but he got better once he was warm." A small smile played on my lips and I talked softly as I admired the baby's face. He was really rather cute for a blind wriggly creature.

"Baka, you should have left it," he grunted and turned back around before moving back up the steps.

I tucked the bundle back in my jacket and held the bottom of it from within my pocket. Quickly, I snatched up my bags and ran up the stairs after him. "And let him die, without even trying to help? I couldn't do that." I argued.

Hiei was quiet when we ended up on the porch. I breezed past him and took the long way to my room instead of passing through the kitchen. I dumped my bags near the vanity and left Kira on the floor mat closest to my door. He whimpered and I shushed him. In a flurry of movements I shoved off my coat and made my way out to the kitchen. No one was there, luckily. I picked out a glass leftovers container from a cabinet, a fork, and a funnel. Before I left I snatched a pair of scissors out of a drawer and trotted back to my room.

I let myself back into my already a-light room and walked past the dog. Kneeling, I sat down all of my found objects and set aside the keyboard. Searching through the stuffed paper bag, I tossed the sheet music books to the side and dumped the rest of the things on the floor. The can of powder rolled to my feet and I snatched it.

After removing the metal covering that kept it fresh, I took out the plastic scoop and filled it the soft formula mix. When I tapped it on the inside of the class jar, it fell into the bottom with a plop. Quickly, I snagged the fork and left for the wash room. Leaning over the sink, I added a little over two parts hot water. The powder grew lumpy and floated around the top. The scent of it was creamy and sweet, in an odd way. I beat the mixture with the fork to break up any lumps. The final product was a rich creamy white and still warm.

I rinsed the fork before carrying everything back with me. Carefully, with the funnel, I poured the mixture into the opened bottle. When it was filled to the marked line, I sat the funnel and capped the jar with the silicone lid. The bottle sat unattended when I reached the the scissor and appropriate size nipple. I cut a hole in the top and squeezed the bottle to test it. Milk squirted from it onto my jeans and I sighed.

Okay baby, meal time. I moved against the wall by the door and picked up the bundle from the mat. Unrolling it, the puppy squirmed into my hand and I held it's head as I rested the rubber tip against its doggy lips. Kira attached to it after a little fussing and slurped greedily. Keeping gentle pressure on the bottle, I squeezed as the puppy drank, the sides falling in fast.

"That's a good baby," I murmured to Kira as it chugged down the food.

It wasn't until after I had cleaned up Kira and got him to sleep that I finally put away my new shirts. Now, I say 'him' because something in my gut just told me that it would be a boy, though from checking him, there was no real way to tell yet for sure. Dinner had passed, and I had skipped after hiding the formula container in the fridge. While the puppy slept I took a shower and redressed in pajamas. Even though the night was warm, I wore pants, but the shirt I wore was a spaghetti strap. This way I wouldn't overheat, hopefully.

No one other then Hiei had found out about Kira, and I snuggled up to the wrapped up pup when I laid down on my futon. It was early still, but I was tired, which was rare. Yawning, I folded my arm under my pillow and shut my eyes. Sleep found me immediately.

When I woke up, it was pitch black in my room and Kira was whimpering. I hushed the puppy and left to grab the hidden bottle from the kitchen. The container was half full of formula. I removed the rubber feeder tip and ran the plastic bottle under the faucet. Hot water stung my fingers and I waited for five minutes before someone appeared.

In all of his gloomy glory, Hiei walked over to the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice before pouring himself a glass. I looked away from him and tested the milk on my palm. It was warm, but not too warm. I rinsed my hand and recapped the bottle and shut off the water. I was leaving the kitchen when the light shut off behind me and I herd feet following me.

I knew we both lived down the same hall, and he was my teacher, but it was unnerving to no end. When his steps followed me past his room, I rolled my eyes. Opening the door, I stepped aside and let him enter. I pulled the door behind myself when I walked in, and I ignored him as I crossed the room.

His glass sat on my table and I plopped down onto my futon. I uncovered Kira fully and gave him the bottle while he sat on the floor. I held his head in place while he drank the mixture down without a fuss.

"So what brings you here this evening?" I asked in a tone unlike the one I had earlier. My usual low voice came to life as words spilled from my throat.

He eyed me a moment, took a sip of his drink, and spoke. " You're hiding again."

Sighing, I shook my head, "No, I'm not."

"Your voice changes."

I didn't look back up at him, "Everyone's does, Hiei."

"So do your eyes," he added.

"You studying me now or something?" I stole a glance at him.

His lip curled in a disgusted way, and I could have smirked, but I chose to put my attention back on Kira.

"Don't be so full of yourself."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Tell me."

"Tell you what?" I could hear his teeth clack against each other as he ground his teeth.

"Baka onna," he growled.

"Calm down," sighing, I sat the bottle aside and picked up the napping pup. He wiggled before settling in my arms as I ran my fingers over his silky fur, "You'll chip a fang," I drawled before releasing a yawn behind my hand.

"Hn," he grunted and left, taking his glass with him.

I shook my head at him and laid on my side with Kira against my chest. Yawning again, I closed my eyes and went back to sleep.

When I woke up, I cleaned out the bottle in the kitchen before Yukina was even up. Refilling it and heating it took only a few minutes and I was back in my room again before anyone in the temple even stirred. Kira waddled on soft legs to me when I sat down on my bed. He nuzzled my hand with his nose and I fed him his breakfast.

When the bottle was half empty and he was full, I took to fixing myself up for the day. I left to wash my face and brush my teeth and when I was back in my room I changed. A navy spaghetti strap went over my bra and light jeans over my panties. Socks covered my feet and I made my way to breakfast.

An hour or so had passed and everyone was awake and either at the table or making their way there. Kuwabara was at the table when I was shoved roughly from behind. Stumbling, I caught myself on the counter. A smirking Yusuke passed me by and my lip curled in a snarl. Something just, well, snapped. I mean, who wouldn't be tired of being shoved around after months of it continuing?

Taking a irritated step toward the table I growled at the taller man just as he got to his seat, "What the fuck is your problem?"

He whipped around and stomped back over to me. He was very intimidating but I stood my ground, not flinching. "You're my fucking problem, bitch!"

"For what reason? I haven't done shit to you!"

"You're the fucking enemy! I don't believe Koenma's bullshit about you telling the truth and I sure as hell don't believe your bullshit story!" he snapped.

"You think I fucking came here out of my own god damn free will, you son of a bitch? If you're really that fucking crazy, you belong in a fucking mental hospital!"

"Why you little shit," he growled and swiped at me.

I dodged his hand and glared at his irritated expression, "Stop taking whatever dumb-ass issues you have out on me and get your shit together."

"Why don't you make me, bitch!"

"Fine, then fucking come at me, pussy!" I screamed.

He was about to lunge at me when Genkai yelled at us to take our bullshit outside and that she'd kill us both if we fucked up her temple.

We both marched into the courtyard. My shoes were on in a flash and so were his. We took to opposite sides of the field, and then he ran at me. He was fast, but not faster then Hiei. His aura was immense too. Glaring, I blocked his jab at my face and flipped back when he went to kick out my legs. When I landed I surged forward and threw an array of punches, kicks, and elbows at him. He was on the defensive and only a few of my attacks landed. Soon enough we were just beating the life out of each other without blocking much of anything.

We both slid back and away from each other, "Fucking old bat taught you well," he grunted.

"Yeah, she did." I panted and pushed my bangs out of my face.

He pointed a glowing fingertip at me, and I knew what was coming. "Spirit Gun!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.

My eyes widened and I changed my stance just as the high speed energy burst hit. When the dust settled, he swore.

"What the fuck is that?" he glared irritatedly at me.

A kaleidoscope of transparent colors shone in the sun. They swirled and shimmered like water. My left arm was high above my head, my palm facing the sky. My right was parallel with the ground, palm facing out. A smirk played on my lips, "This is my Crystalline Shield."

The shield shimmered out of existence and I faced my palm out at the Detective. The familiar target like symbol appeared over my hand and my eyes grew brighter. My vision enhanced ten fold and I faced my palm at the brunette, "Vista Cannon!" I yelled, and a ball of bright silvery-purple energy flew out at Yusuke.

Unfortunately, he just hit the blast away with his arm. It veered off and exploded through the forest, breaking a few trees as it went. My eyes went back to their usual ocean blue and the target on my hand vanished. I grit my teeth and we dashed back out at one another. Before he could sock me in the face, I blurred out of sight.

Moving around Yusuke, I sent out random attacks. Like the old lady, I caught him off guard and slipped up under his arms and slammed my right fist up under his ribs. He flipped back and landed in a crouch before flying at me. We were once again locked in a whirlwind of punches, kicks, and heightened tempers. When he appeared before me with his finger in the shape of a gun, glowing and whining like a high pitch whistle, I froze. He shot me point blank in the chest and I flew back.

I stopped when I slammed into a thick oak tree. Blood spurted from my mouth and I fell on my face into the dirt. On shaking hands, I pulled myself up onto my palms and knees. Looking up, his finger was in my face, pointing dead between my eyes. Memories made me freeze, like before, and then I relaxed. Stumbling with my arms up to protect myself, I stared down the brunette.

"Why do you hate me?" I whispered.

"Does it matter?" he snapped.

"Yeah, it does." With one arm moving to wrap around my ribs, I reached out and covered his gun shaped hand with my own. The shocked half demon blinked at me.

"Look, if me being here fucked some shit up for you or something, I'm sorry."

I didn't pull my hand away as I straightened myself up so I wasn't hunched over as much, "I didn't mean to die and crash land here in your world. I've got bad luck, and shit just happens." I wasn't sure why I was confessing to this ill tempered kid, but I felt like he needed to hear it.

"I don't want to fight with you, you've probably got too much to worry about without me giving you any extra grief," I smiled at him a little, "right?"

His shock dissipated and his expression softened, "Yeah, you're right." He moved his hand out from under mine, and gripped it. We stood there a moment taking in the others appearance. Our hands were holding onto one another tightly.

"I just," he spoke up, "with the new mission, and then you coming here, and my girlfr... Ex-girlfriend..." He trailed off after that.

"Girlfriend?" I eyed him.

"With the Hisato mission, I haven't had any time for her, then she refused my proposal and we had an argument, we split after that." His frown was deep and his eyes dark with grief.

Instinct took over and I let the guys hand go, and hugged him. Using only one arm I pulled myself to him and his breathing stopped for a second before he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. The other arm was singed and bleeding from my Vista Cannon blast. His grin was priceless, and I knew we had patched things up and he had vented. In truth, I had been able to vent as well, and without the extra tension making me hold onto my tough mask, I let out a chuckle at his stupid face.

Yusuke Urameshi, enemy turned friend, I shook my head and we walked back to the porch using each other as support, who'd have thought that? Everyone was on the porch watching us, and probably witnessed our fight as well. Kuwabara jumped from the side and ran toward us. Yusuke let me go and he proceeded to wrestle with the carrot top. They argued and rolled around over the ground.

The only coherent sentence I caught was, "Urameshi, you punk! How could you be so rough on her like that? Why I aughtta!"

With a leap, I hopped up on to the side of the porch and sat down on the floor. My shirt was torn to shreds and burnt where I was shot by Yusuke's gun. My skin, like his, was burnt and bleeding. I had plenty of scrapes, bruises, and cuts too. Not to mention a few broken ribs at the least.

"Oh, Devin!" Yukina immediately came to my side and fussed over me. I took her hand and smiled at her a little.

"I'll be fine, Yukina. Please don't worry about me." I tried to console her.

She would have none of it, and immediately moved my arm aside and healed my ribs. Her energy seeped into my skin and the cold made my chest numb. Next I felt the bones moving back into place and the breaks being mended back together. Over my left side is where her hand went next, just under my collar bone. The skin regrew, the charred black flaked away and new skin wove into the edges of the still healthy old flesh. The places where her hands were, blotches of red appeared and I felt cold, but good as new none the less.

I thanked her and she accepted it. Standing, I no longer wobbled, but I did notice Hiei eying me. He looked away and I left to go eat the probably cold food that was breakfast. Then it was time to throw this shirt out.

After the morning rush of things, I was in the clearing with Kira. Hiei had yet to show up, and I kept the pups bottle out of the sun above my head. It was covered in a zip-lock bag to keep away ants. I laid on my side in one of the patches of plush grass. Kira wiggled toward me on his blanket and I smiled at the infant.

"Kira," I clicked my tongue at the small dog, "come here Kira."

The puppy whined and rolled toward me. My smile grew and I cuddled him into my side. He lapped at my fingers and I watched him with half-lidded eyes.

"Coddling the mutt now?" Translated from Hiei-speak: "Did you really bring the dog with you?"

I looked up to see Hiei staring over me, "No, just talking to him." Translated from Devin-speak: "Yeah, what was I going to do, leave him?"

"Why did you hug the detective?" His tone was curious.

With a deadpan look, I replied, "He asked me to be his girlfriend."

Hiei stared back at me blankly and I sighed before rolling back on my side. "He just looked like he needed a hug," I mumbled.

"People don't need hugs."

"Seems like you do, jerk."

"Onna," he growled in warning.

"Yeah, yeah." I waved my hand at him, the one attached to the arm I was using as a pillow.

We laid around in silence for awhile. Or at least he did. I continued to talk to and play with my pet. When he grew fussy, I reached over for the plastic bag with his bottle. It was still cool from coming from the fridge and I shook it, my hand gripping it for a few minutes until it warmed. When I tapped Kira's muzzle with the rubber tip, he whined and quickly latched on, slurping sounds ensued. Again, I caught myself smiling at him, though it was small.

"Why was Yusuke holding back earlier?" I ventured.

Cloth shuffled, "Because if he even used a tenth more of his power, he could have easily killed you."

"So he wasn't even at half strength?"

"No."

Sighing, I curled my legs closer to my body. My shoes and socks laid somewhere off to the side of the circle near a tree. I had trained hard with Genkai, and I was strong. Strong enough to kill a fly, that is. Irritatedly, I kept my eyes on my puppy.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does if Hisato decides he wants to come look for me."

"He wont get you," Hiei growled, I figured he was annoyed with my talking.

"What, are you gonna protect me then?"

"Hn."

Man of a thousand words, indeed. I sighed before shaking it off and going back to focusing on Kira. The garnet eyed demon was too cryptic to understand sometimes.

Disclaimer & Author Note:

Uh oh, what's going on with Hiei?

We'll find out soon, I think.

I loved the little scene between Yusuke and Devin. We finally figure out what's happened with the brunette, and it's just adding to all the drama. And dang, Devin can be just as foul mouthed as he is. Looks like he's got some competition in the bad attitude category.

I'd like to thank: O T A K U T A K U, jennyz, Erika Hearken, CoCoa-Hime

Also, thanks to all of my subscribers.

See you, Space Cowboy.