I'd like to thank MissOogieBoogie for the review. I greatly appreciate it. I know this took forever for me to get out and I apoligize for that. It seems I got a bit stuck. But I also have Chapter 10 written aswell, I just have to edit it a little more and I should have it out soon. So stay with me folks. Okay you guys enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Chapter 9

When I awoke I could see the sun was still down. I grunted knowing I wasn't going to be able to sleep anymore. So I opted to get up and train a little before going to see Koenma with the others. I stretched my back, satisfied when I heard the pop. Then proceeded to dress in stretchy shorts and a white long-sleeved shirt grabbing my MP3 player and shoving it in my ears. I glanced at my Katana by my bed.

I'll leave it here, I'm just doing physical training.

I reasoned as I opened my window jumping to the ground gracefully. I took a moment to take in the scenery lifting my nose and inhaling deeply. I could smell the dew forming on the grass, the decaying leaves on the trees around the temple..and firewood. I looked in the direction I smelt him and sure enough I could sence Hiei in one of the trees sleeping.

Part of me wanted to wake him in a very rude way and another part wanted to leave him be. He did, in his own way, help me out the past two days. So I decided to leave him alone..for now.

I walked toward the forest intending to go to my small clearing. As I made it into the forest's path I started to shiver.

Really don't like the cold.

I felt movement and shifted to find where it was coming from. I took out my earphones and extended my energy to try to pinpoint who or what was near. The tree above me, there.

"What are you doing here?" Hiei's voice spoke from above.

I almost smiled at the familiar tone. I continued walking before answering.

"Couldn't sleep." I shrugged.

"Hn"

He didn't talk anymore but I could feel him following me. I reached the clearing and smiled at the sight. Luckily it wasn't cold enough to freeze the lake. I walked toward it craving to take a dip.

"Don't be and idiot. You'll catch your death." Hiei snapped at me from somewhere behind me.

I looked over my shoulder to see him at the entrance of the clearing.

"Why didn't you just go back to sleep?" I asked curious.

"I couldn't sleep." He said using my words.

I shrugged accepting that as an answer.

"Will you be going with us to see Koenma?" I asked as I walked forward and kneeled in front of the lake.

He took a moment to answer as I dipped my hand into the cold water. Water was my element and cold or not I always love it.

"Yes." Hiei answered.

I nodded in acknowledgement as I heard the rustle of leaves signaling Hiei had gone back into the trees. I played with the water for a few more moments making it swirl around me as I sat peacefully on the ledge. After a few minutes I stood shaking the water from my hand and walking to the center of the clearing. I put my earphones back in my ear and took a deep breath and began trivial stretches to get my body relaxed.

I began doing back hand springs, twist, and other gymnastics to test how flexible I still was. Although I've been training with Hiei since I had arrived I know I wasn't nearly as good as I was when I lived in the Makai. Being around humans will do that I suppose.

So I spent the next hour or so practicing combat moves without my katana and doing basic cardio. I stopped when I saw the sun rising above the canopy. It was magnificent really, the way the sun's light shined made everything come to life.

"The others are awake."

His voice was muffled by the music but I heard him none the less. I shot a glance over my shoulder to see Hiei leaning against one of the many trees. I nodded at him taking one last look around before jumping into a nearby tree and dashing off toward the temple.

We arrived quickly. I could smell Yukina's cooking, my stomach rumbled in response. I heard Hiei scoff at me but decided to ignore it and walked into the Temple with him in tow. We walked into the kitchen to see Kurama, Yusuke, and Genkai sitting at the table with fresh plates in front of them. Yukina was making our plates as well as her own and greeted us with a smile and wave.

"Where have you two been?" Yusuke question with a mouthful of egg.

I frowned. "Haven't I told you not to talk with your mouth full. It's rude."

I sat next to Kurama with my plate with Hiei on the other side of him.

"To answer your question, while you were snoring I was in the woods training. It seems like the proper thing to do when my life is threatened." I stated before taking a bite of egg.

"She's right. You all should begin training on a daily basis." Genkai's gruff voice was heard.

Yusuke gawked. "Why do I have to train?! I'm not the one he's got beef with!" He yelled food spilling out of his mouth.

I grimaced at the sight. I really detest bad manners. I rolled up a piece of napkin infusing it with my energy and shot it at him at an incredible speed. It hit its target nailing Yusuke in the forehead causing him to fall over with the force. I smiled happy that I hit my target.

At least my aim is still good.

Yusuke was dragging himself off the floor and from the look of it he was upset. I suppose I would be too if I had a knot on my head from a piece of napkin.

"What are you smiling at shorty!" Yusuke yelled pointing at Hiei.

I looked over to see Hiei smirking next to Kurama who had a small smile on his face. Genkai had a smirk on her face as well and Yukina looked somewhat concerned.

"Hn" Was all he said.

Yusuke let out a frustrated growl. "What the hell was that for anyway?" He grumbled rubbing his head.

"I told you not to talk with your mouthfull...it's rude." I said calmly taking a bite of food.

It was only about an hour after everyone had finished breakfast when everyone was ready to leave. So we were behind Genkai's temples waiting for the portal to open. After a few minutes it finally did and one by one we jumped through.

Once through we landed in a familiar hallway outside two large doors. Kurama made a move to knock but Yusuke being his brash self just walked into the office unannounced.

"Whaa!" I heard Koenma yell before giving Yusuke a lecture on manners.

I chuckled at the image of a toddler lecturing Yusuke. Kurama looked over at me and smiled before walking into the office. I followed aswell as Hiei. Once we got to the office Yusuke had a sour expression and Koenma looked irritated. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

Kurama cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention.

"The matter at hand." His words directed toward Koenma.

"Ahh yes, Kurama contacted me yesterday to see if I could find a location that Takani might be at." He started shuffling through paperwork.

I took a few steps forward getting closer to the desk the child ruler sat at.

"Koenma," I started getting his attentions. "Do you know what class demon he is now?" I asked.

He looked at me somewhat nervous before looking at everyone else whose interest seemed to peak. He sighed rubbing his temples.

"I-I don't really know."

I gaped at him. "You've got to be kidding me! A demon strong enough to pass the border unnoticed and you don't even know his class?! What kind of king are you?!" I shouted.

Koenma winced before looking back at the paper work in front of him.

"I have to agree with Mai on this one. How is it that you don't know his class?" Kurama joined in.

Koenma shifted positions in his chair seeming uncomfortable. I crossed my arms waiting for him to speak.

"Well, you see...he's very good at hiding his energy. The power he displayed at Genkai's was that of a middle A class demon-" He was cut off.

"Psh A class, we can easily beat that!" Yusuke boasted.

Koenma cut his eyes at him. "Let me finish."

Yusuke rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Whatever pacifier breath." He mumbled.

"Like I was saying. He was a middle A class demon then..but..well it's rather complicated.." He began rambling.

"Just spit it out!" I yelled getting agitated.

His eye twitched in irritation before he continued.

"It's not normal demon energy."

There was a series of "Whats!?" from around the room. I remained silent, thinking. I focused on Koenma waiting for him to explain.

"Well you see, it's an ancient type of energy that hasn't been seen in many many years. We don't have much information on it apart from rumors. But it is said that to obtain this evil energy one must sale his or her soul. And not only that but they must also kill frequently or else he or she will die." He finished.

The room was quiet for a moment while everyone took in the information they had just received.

He sold his soul and became a murderer just to get back at me...what an idiot.

I thought to myself before Kurama spoke up.

"What sort of powers does he have?" He asked with his finger on his chin.

"Well it's not really known. He of course still has the ability to control fire, but it seems he can do other things as well. Like manipulate his energy as well as humans and demons alike. We believe we have connected a few human murders in the area, as well as demon, to him. He's very dangerous which is why I am appointing you three as well as Kuwabara, if he is willing, to track him down and kill him."

I opened my mouth to object but Yusuke did it for me.

"Look we'll help but this guy is Mai's to kill or do whatever with. We promised." He said in a final sort of tone.

I smiled as he looked in my direction giving me a thumbs up. Koenma seemed baffled for a moment but quickly recovered.

"Fine, I will except that but she will not leave your sight while she is in the Makai. You are still a criminal." He spoke.

I scowled slightly. He could be obnoxious at times. But I nodded in agreement along with everyone else.

"Have you located him?" Kurama asked.

Koenma rubbed the back of his neck. "Not exactly. You have to understand it will take sometime to find him if he doesn't come to you first." He paused. "Until that time comes I will have to ask you guys to stay at Genkai's temple. It will be easier for you all the train that way."

The boys all nodded at once. We spoke of other trivial thing before Koenma made a portal appear. Everyone stepped through, except me. I stayed for a moment. I turned my head to look at Koenma, he gulped. I smiled.

"I want you to know that I will kill him. And it will be brutal."

As I spoke I could feel the chill running up my spine from my cold words. I no longer felt sympathy or any form of love or kindness toward the man I once knew. He was a soulless killer, he was everything I wanted him to be, everything I used to be. And I despised it. I exited through the portal to see Kurama waiting on the other side.

"What took you so long?" He asked calmly.

I shrugged. "Just needed to remind Koenma of something." I walked past him and into the temple.

He followed shortly after. Once we entered it was rather noisy really. It seems in the short time he had been back Yusuke had set up and began to play one of the rather violent video games. Genkai was setting next to him and from the yelling Yusuke was doing I guessed she was winning. I chuckled and shook my head at the sight. Kurama did the same.

It only took a moment before Yukina came into the living room carrying tea for everyone. I took mine thanking her.

"I hear Kurama and Yusuke will be staying at the Temple to train. Is it true?" She asked as she took a seat.

I nodded my head before taking a sip. "Yes they will be staying. They have offered to help train me and I them until Koenma find the location of this guy." I answered.

She nodded taking in the information.

"What of Kazuma? Will he stay as well?" She asked.

I smiled at her. "I'm really not sure. Koenma said he could help on this mission if he liked. Maybe you should call him and see what he would like to do." I said.

Her ruby eyes lit up as she nodded before excusing herself. I chuckled. The girl obviously had a thing for this human.

I wonder how her brother will take it?

I could almost picture Hiei's scowl. It truly made me want to laugh. But for fear of the others thinking I have completely lost it I remained silent.

The rest of the day went by rather uneventfully. Yukina had called Kuwabara and he had agreed to help train with us (mainly to see Yukina everyday) but declined going to the Makai. He was smart on that aspect. It would be very dangerous even for a demon, let alone a human. So it was settled training would start the next day and Kuwabara would arrive sometime tomorrow as well.

To be completely honest I was nervous about going into this battle. I would never admit this, but the thought of Takani being this evil being that held mass amounts of power, well it sort of scared me. I was glad to have these guys by my side, without them I would have most likely ran or worse, died. So as I laid my head on my pillow that night I thanked my lucky stars that somehow I managed to fall into this group of misfits.