It had been two months since the attack on the castle, and it was now April. Though there had been no signs of another attack anytime soon; the tension around the inhabitants had not died down. It had intensified and mingled itself into confusion, doubt; but most of all fear and sadness.

Brianey, though surviving the fight with Akki and his helpers, had fallen into a coma from trauma to her head and also from loss of blood from her injuries. Her demon blood, along with several transfusions, were keeping her alive and healing her, but the nurses said it could be some time before she awoke. Shadow and the others could only wait and hope that the Ookmai would pull through, however they were dreading when she would, for worse news was to come for their lifeless companion.

Not long after the attack had ceased on the Rekiai castle, there had been a small disturbance in England. From what they learnt soon after; Akki had found Brianey's profile, including the information of her parent's whereabouts and the activation code to reset the portals there. Their bodies had been found soon after when the detectives had gone to aid them. Even Brianey's adopted brother, had been killed.

Shadow seemed the most affected by the attack and news thereafter, and spent most of her time either at Brianey's side or locked away in her room, immersed in her own thoughts. The others understood Shadows position, knowing Brianey was like her sister, she was grieving for both Brianey and for her parents. Blaming herself for not being there when Brianey needed help.

Kurama had tried to help her; but she had asked him to leave her be, for the time being anyway.

Hiei, too was blaming himself, though he was more immersed in trying to get Brianey to be well again. He had even asked Yukina privately, to try and help her healing. To his misfortune his unknowing sister had informed him there was nothing she could do.

Hiei was also spending a lot of time talking to Kurama, having found he was not under any potion that was influencing him to feel the way he was, though he too, had heard Akki before he left, and was wondering if he was actually being controlled.

As the days went by the routines of the castle remained continuous, save for a large party on the 27th March to celebrate Yusuke's, along with Keiko's, Kazuma's, Shadow's and Hiei's missed 21st birthdays that had been so due to the various problems they had, had. (Hiei: 11th November, Shadow: 14th November, Kuwabara: 3rd December, Keiko: 31st January and Yusuke's: 27^th March. To let you know.)

Today was 1st April, and as expected nothing had changed.

Hiei's Point of View

You slowly crept into the silent, eerie blankness of the infirmary, your eyes shifted around quickly for any sign of one of the others. You had been coming here over the past weeks, to make sure Brianey was recovering. Though you hated to admit it, and probably never would, you were worried for her, worried she could die.

Good, they're all not here. You closed the door moving over to her bedside.

Looking down you watched her deathly pale face as the heart monitor beeped rhythmically into the quietness of the room. You sighed.

Of all the onna's...  I have to be worried about this baka. You grunt quietly at the thought and just stared down at her. So foolish of myself. I would have thought I could control my feelings, even after what happened with Mukuro. I managed to forget her. But this one...

"Just don't die on me. I still need you to finish your training; you've missed a lot of it in your carelessness so you better be ready when you get up." You voiced monotonously. With that said, you moved from her bedside and out into the corridor disappearing to train.

Shadow's Point of View

We should never have come here, I should never have agreed to them ever bringing her here.

You were lying on your bed. The rich vibrant plum colour of your bed cover was beneath you, creating a warm but empty support to which your body slightly sunk into. The emptiness of the ceiling was almost mockingly calm today, but you didn't feel at all happy about the calmness.

You hated it.

Brianey still had not woken, and far worse from that she had unknowingly lost all of her family, and you didn't and couldn't stop it. In all of your days of thinking, and all the sleepless nights you had, had, you had somehow come to one conclusion.

I could have been there. I could have helped. I've failed. In being a friend, I've failed.

You knew deep down that this wasn't true. But your body was tired of fighting the endless conclusions, and too deep in depression for you to even bother to try and rationalise, at all.

 Knock, knock.

Your dull blue eyes shifted for a moment to the blue door of your room, before they went back to staring at the ceiling. You didn't want to see anyone.

"Shadow-san." It was Yukina; you sighed, and looked to the left. She sounded happy. You frowned. How can she possibly be happy?

"What, Yukina, I asked to no-"

"Brianey is-" You didn't let her finish the sentence; you were already out of the door and halfway down the corridor, running slightly too fast you skidded around the corner. Oh no... Please don't say- Your mind was racing, anxious as to what was going on and you were also cursing yourself for not letting Yukina finish her sentence. Getting to the infirmary you found everyone else, but Hiei, there too; crowding around the small bed in the corner.

"What's going on?" You asked, panicked. Kurama turned to you and smiled a small smile before moving for you to see. Your eyes became wide.

"Where is Brianey?"

"She ... went for a shower." Kurama replied calmly coming to you. "She woke up and didn't like how she smelt."

Brianey Your Point of View

You were sitting at the bottom of the shower with the water cascading down onto the top of your matted and unkempt hair. You were too weak to stand up, and had only barley been able to walk when Kazuma had found you awake and fetched the others. My whole body is so. Heavy. You leaned your head on the wall, sighing at the coldness. It even hurt to think. Closing your eyes, you slipped into a light slumber as you let the water run over you.

"You should let her rest, she has only just woken, let her recuperate. Get her bearings." You lift your head drowsily upwards. Hearing Kurama outside your room you sighed. Shadow knows I'm up, but I'm too tired to even talk yet. You heard them discussing outside before faint footsteps traced away form the door. You smile lightly.

Thank you Kurama, I don't think I can deal with people yet.

Hiei's Point of View

Contemplating against yourself, you were looking through Brianey's bedroom window, knowing full well she was up now; as Kuwabara had been running around shouting it to everyone in existence it seemed. News travels fast.

You were deciding whether or not to go see her, or to leave her alone for a while. Currently the first one was winning.

Leave her be, she needs her rest.

But she might want company.

You sighed in pure exhaustion and closed your eyes, before teleporting away to join the habitants of the small living room of the apartment.

Making a grunt of acknowledgement to them as they said hello, you placed yourself on the window-sill and watched the on goings of the outdoor world before turning to Shadow and Kurama as they came in.

"-But she will be hungry." Kurama explained. "In need of rest though, please Shadow visit later." He advised. You watched intently as Shadow glumly nodded her head in defeat you felt a twinge of sympathy for her. The onna must be worried sick.

"Don't be too upset Onna; Brianey will come to us when she is better. In the mean time, why not train?" You relayed; you saw her eyes come to yours and a small smile greeted her lips, nodding she disappeared. You grunted slightly; returning to looking outside.

I don't know why, but everyone seems closer to each other. Even me. Could she really have had... this much of an effect?

You listened slightly to the conversation in the room, just to keep alerted in case, but zone out for the most part as you continue to wait, and think.

You stopped however as a cold, and unpleasant thought crashed into your mind.

Has anyone told Brianey of her parents and brother? You teleport to the training room.

Shadow's Point of View

You were sitting, crossed legged in the far right hand corner of the training room, meditating to prepare for your magick training. You were already an expert at most of the basics and intermediate spells, but you knew you definitely needed to try the more advanced. Basic incantations and spells will not work on a S- class, wolf demon. You reminded yourself, as you breathed out quietly.

"Shadow."

You sighed, replying. "Yes Hiei? Could you please come back, I'm trying to do my magick." You asked politely, though you were slightly annoyed. You heard him neither disappear nor move so you opened your eyes. He was standing looking at you, his arms folded.

"Has anyone told Brianey of her parents?" He asks quietly. Your eyes widened as you heard it. Pain hitting you full force, as well as panic.

"I guess not." He replied turning to go, you shouted out. He turned.

"I... I will do it, Hiei. Thank you for reminding me." He continued looking at you before nodding, for a split second you saw understanding on his face; before he teleported. You were left sitting in wonder.

 He does care for her. You registered, before slowly moving to get up. Heading back to the main house slowly you hoped Kurama had finished the food, as you needed an excuse and a reason, to go and break this news to her.

Brianey/Your Point of View

After a good two hours sitting in the shower, you'd finally mustered up enough strength to move to the comforts of your room and slowly but surely, you had changed into some baggy training clothes before collapsing onto your bed. Lying down, your hair obscured your vision into a haze of brown, black and white. You sighed.

"My hair needs re-dying."

"It looks nice brown." You smiled lightly knowing who it was, thought you didn't move. You felt her come to your side as she placed something down and the sweet smell of home-made beef chow-mai entered your nostrils, making you instantly hungry.

"Kurama said you need to eat, and I agreed to bring you this." She stated quietly, making a small noise of acknowledgement; you allowed her to help you to sit up, before she started feeding you your food. You both remained quiet as you do. But after a time she spoke.

"Brianey, I... I have something to tell you and. Well." You watched her fumble with the fork in her hand.

"Tell me then, Shad." You encouraged, gently; yawning only slightly.

"Well... After the attack." You perked up. Dread hitting you as the memories flooded back into your system. Lethargy made itself known too, you were exhausted, but hyperaware at the same time. What else was there to know? Apart from some little things? You made a mental note to find Hiei when you could again.

Focusing back on her you jumped, seeing her body shaking and you slowly moved to hug her, frowning. Letting her cry you began to get confused.

Yes you had missed two months but nothing would have happened much, well... no one had mentioned anything.

Then again I did only just wake up, no ones told me anything.

"What's the matter, Shad?" You mumbled, stroking her hair. She was trying to say something but you couldn't hear. Trying again she eventually managed.

"Bri, they got your parents. They're dead. They're... They're all dead and I-I'm... I-I'm s-so sorry I-" She began sobbing again. You were rooted in shock.

"W-What?" You whispered, you moved her to look at her as the words she spoke slowly and painfully sank in.

"No."