Disclaimer: I own nothing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, nor any works by Yoshihiro Togashi.

Note: Sorry for the delay. I ended up in the hospital, and then bed-rest for a week. I want to thank everyone who reviewed, and especially to all those who helped. Thank you!

Kurama speaking

-Yoko speaking

/Hiei speaking/

Thinking

Chapter 7: Walk in the dark…

“Earth Witch of Wind and Shadow? The Caller of Slayers?” Koenma mumbled to him, as he sat crossed legged right on top of his desk. He had his arms folded over his chest, his hands placed under his armpits as he slowly sucked on the pacifier stuck in his mouth. Why do those words sound so familiar? Witch…Slayer…Suddenly, as if hit by lightening, his mind made the connection. His thoughts cleared and he jumped to his feet in excitement. Of course! It must be her, but I have to make sure…

“George!” Bellowed the Prince of Spirit World just as he hopped down to the floor and ran to his seat.

“Yes Sire?” The ogre questioned as he timidly stepped into the room. He had good reason to be wary. Ever since this whole mess had started, Prince Koenma was like a being possessed. No one wanted to make him angrier then he was already.

“Get me the files on The Slayer, current. Cross match with Slayer’s Witch, Hell-mouth, and especially with the titles of ‘Earth Witch of Wind and Shadow’ and ‘Caller of Slayers’”. George blinked, silently wondering what the Files of the Slayer had to do with anything. Koenma narrowed his gaze at the delay. “George, did I stutter? Go get them now!”

&

Willow peeked around the corner and saw that Yusuke was still asleep. The two of them had woken up late in the morning, and they had talked a bit more. It was nice to reminisce about the summers they had spent together. Soon after, they had some breakfast, and they had tidied up the kitchen. Right after that, they did some laundry; Yusuke seemed to have forgotten he needed some clean clothes. In between the loads of laundry, they had taken up tasks, with Yusuke clearing out his late mother’s room, while Willow used the phone to arrange for the reopening of the Tokyo Joyce Summer’s School.

The hours passed, the clothes folded and put away, when Yusuke came back to the living room, looking depressed once more. Willow made some tea, and the two of them settled down to watch some television. In no time at all, Yusuke was asleep; his body trying to catch up with the rest he had missed.

It was the best thing for him…Willow realized. She let out a sigh of relief as she turned away. She would have to go out alone then. She placed the note she wrote on the kitchen table, explaining she was out shopping for groceries and would be back soon. She put her wallet and cell phone in her back pockets, and then picked up the spare key Yusuke had left for her on the kitchen counter top.

She glanced over at the windows of the Living Room as she passed by on her way to the front door. Due to the Wards surrounding the building, she could not teleport out. She would have to take the elevator.

She checked her wristwatch, and saw that it was just past six pm. Night…when all the creepy crawlies come out…She grabbed her leather jacket with a tiny smile curving her lips. It was her very special coat…a gift Spike had left for her after the fall of the First; with many hidden pockets full of weapons that any gal fighting the undead needed to survive. As an added bonus, there was a never-ending spell attached to the material; any weapons stored in the coat remained invisible to the human eye.

Willow loved the coat, and she never went out at night with out it. She was a Sunnydale-Girl after all; she’d learned the hard way to always be prepared, besides, she had sensed the two new arrivals outside last night, and wanted to investigate.

She stepped outside, pausing on the sidewalk to take a deep breath of brisk air. She let the breath out slowly, and shoved her hands deep in her front jean pockets. She looked up, giving the building nearby a side-glance from the corner of her eye. She could see the three shadows standing on the roof, and she could feel their stares fixed on her location. They knew! They knew she is the one responsible for the wards surrounding Yusuke’s apartment!

She turned away, a blank expression on her face, though her stomach twitched at the turn of events. The force field surrounding her body covered her scent and aura, but a bit of her power still leaked out. It was one of the down falls of being such a powerful witch. Giles had once explained to Willow, that with age, her shielding would improve, but that wouldn’t be for many years to come. They would track her…Her gaze narrowed slightly as she sensed two of the three watching Yusuke’s apartment pull away from the shadows. They began to follow her down the street.

Well…that’s just great then! Let’s follow the little witch, why don’t you? Oh, can we say stalker anyone? Willow’s steps faltered for a moment as she became aware of other demons some distance away. A vampire gang, if she was not mistaken, with a Master in attendance no less. Demons in front, demons at her back…decisions, decisions…what should I do?

Her mouth curved up after she made her choice. She looked down the street and found what she was looking for. She slid into the deserted alleyway, keeping an eye out for any innocent by-standers. When she determined it was safe to do so, she called forth her magics. In the next breath, a wind funnel formed, circling her body, and then it disappeared with her along with it.

&

- Hurry, over there! She is doing something... - Yoko urged Kurama as the red head rushed around the corner. They headed into the alleyway, but came to a dead stop. Kurama’s green eyes widened in shock at the sight of the empty dead-end.

- Wha…the girl’s gone. How did she do that? -

/ Where is the woman? / Hiei questioned as he jumped down to the street from the roof above.

I do not know… Kurama replied with a confused look on his face as he glanced around. He could feel no residue magics from a portal. Yoko sensed something, and now she is nowhere to be seen.

Hiei’s lips tightened in a rare show of emotion. He was frustrated with the delay. They should have confronted this woman sooner. He tore off the bandanna on his forehead, and allowed the Jagan Eye full rein. The woman could possible hide her aura and scent, but not her magical signature. It was too large. The Jagan Eye searched the city and soon located the woman. She was strong, one of the strongest humans he had ever sensed, and he could freely admit that, but not enough to get by his detection.

/ She is up ahead, in the City Park. /

In moments, the two of them arrived at the park, hiding themselves up high in the trees. They had a clear view of the woman and a large group or gang just meters away in the middle of the park. The woman stood tall and silent as she faced the others, no expression on her face, and her hands loose at her sides. She stared straight ahead at the supposed leader of the group, her green colored eyes hard as glass.

/ Hell spawn. / Hiei commented as he leaned forward on a branch. His gaze narrowed on the woman. Why could he not sense her emotions?

Hell spawn? Kurama wondered.

- Dead human possessed by the souls of Hell Demons. They are what you would call vampires. There is no life within their bodies, no spirit power, thus we do not feel them. - Yoko explained, watching the clearing below from within Kurama’s mind. He was very interested in what the human woman was capable of... – Hell spawn do no interact with our kind. -

&

“Willow?” Yusuke murmured as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He glanced around, a frown growing on his face when he could not feel her presence within the apartment. He rolled off the couch and got to his feet. He shoved his fingers through his hair as he walked into the kitchen, taming the mess. He caught sight of the note. He reached out and picked up the piece of paper.

His dark colored eyes narrowed as he read the note. He glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was just a little after six. “Damn.” He swore. Willow would have walked, and the closest store was just a few blocks away. The neighborhood was dangers at night, with the gangs and such. “Stupid girl…couldn’t she have waited?”

No use in complaining, have to find her. Yusuke took a deep breath, and released a bit of his demon aura. The resistance he felt shocked him. There was a protection barrier surrounding his building. “Son of a…” He closed his eyes, and concentrated on the power signature. Soon a baffled look appeared on his face. Willow? How… the barrier even carried her scent of fresh fruit and cinnamon.

He walked back into the living room, where the barrier was strongest. He fingered the glass of the window, once more surprised when the barrier did not reject him. Guess she was trying to protect him…strange girl. His gaze narrowed on a shadow on the roof of the building across from his own. He would know that balky form anywhere.

He spun around and grabbed his cell phone from the coffee table. He dialed and on the second ring, one of his partners answered it. Yusuke got right to the point. “Dumb-ass, why are you watching my apartment?”

“Ah…we were worried, and…” Kuwabara hesitantly replied.

Eyes narrowing with suspicion, Yusuke growled out, “We? What’s going on, and don’t you dare lie to me!?”

“Whoa, relax okay? We couldn’t get inside, alright, and that girl…”

Girl? Yusuke paused thinking about his friends words, and then his face flushed with anger. He’s talking about Willow. He sprinted out of the room, taking his coat out of the closet as he passed on his way to the apartment door. He nearly tore the door from the hinges in his rush to get out.

“Damn, stupid…that’s Willow, you moron!” Yusuke yelled into the phone as he rushed down the emergency staircase, talking three steps at a time as he made his way to the ground floor. “Kazuma, you must remember her. She used to spend her summer vacations with my family.”

“Oh…OH! So that’s her name…I knew it had something to do with trees…” Kuwabara spoke partly to himself as he shook his head. “Sorry Yusuke, I didn’t recognize her. She’s changed.” He said into the phone as he made his way to the street below.

“Yeah, no kidding.” Yusuke snapped back as he burst out the front doors of his building. Kuwabara flinched at the sight. His friend looked pissed.

Yusuke stood there and waited, his aura pulsing. If Kuwabara was here, that meant…“Tell me that Kurama and Hiei didn’t follow her?”

Kuwabara swallowed nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Hum…I can’t?”

Yusuke’s hands fisted at his sides, and his eyes flashed with demonic power. “Where? Where did they go?” He demanded to know.

“Th…that way!” Kuwabara stuttered as he pointed down the street.

Yusuke took off, with his friend right behind him. “Those guys better have a damn good excuse. If Willow is hurt in anyway…” he left the rest of his words unspoken, but the threat was there. Kuwabara shivered. He recalled how protective Yusuke had been over Willow in the past…he knew this wouldn’t be pretty.

Yusuke turned down the street, heading for the park. He could sense Willow up ahead, and he prayed she would be all right until he got to her. Hold on Wills, I’m almost there!

Hope you like,

Magik.