Kurama and Sam stood in an open, empty, field training over and over again battle stands and technique. Time and time again though, Sam was defeated by him, or fell flat on her face. She had received numerous cuts to her arms, and she refused to heal them. Kurama had suggested several times to take a break, but Sam was determined to get everything right. If Acro was as old as they had said, he would be a strong opponent to take down and she had to be ready. Kurama sat under a tree for a slight rest and watched as Sam practice her stands, kicks, and punches over and over. She was progressing, but she still left herself open in so many places. She could be dead before she even got arms length of any demon.
�She is not ready Kurama and you know it.� Hiei watched from above in the tree Kurama rested under.
�She just needs more practice.�
�Stop playing with her. She has to realize her full power and now. Without it, we are wasting our time.� Kurama frowned and looked skyward.
�Why are you so impatient Hiei? What has gotten you so ruffled these past few days? It is as though every time I or she mentions Acro�� He watched Hiei tightened his fists at the mention of the demon�s name. ��You get angry and take out your anger on her. Tell me, have you run into him in the past?� Hiei turned his head. Kurama had him figured and soon he was going to have to spill all that he knew and kept inside of him. Without a word, he vanished and appeared in front of Sam. She jumped back, startled. Kurama shot up.
�Hiei what are you doing?� Hiei winced.
�If she is who we think she is, then when I attack her, whatever power she has should come out and protect her. She may not have any skill at all, then again�� Sam was worried, Hiei had suddenly turned dark, and he took his stand, and then ran towards Sam full speed. Sam was terrified; she did not know what to do. Was he trying to hurt her�purposely?
�Concentrate Sam, focus your energy and use it against him.� Sam nodded and did as she was told. Hiei was closing in and yet, Sam still did not move. She focused all her energy on Hiei and felt his power surround her. She could hear his feet hit the ground one at a time, it was as though he was running in slow motion. She heard his heart beat and she could fell a punch coming on, but which hand was it? She waited to nearly the last second.
�SAM!� Kurama screamed out and Sam opened her eyes. Hiei came around with a low punch to her stomach, he was not holding anything back. Just as he thought, she blocked his attack and stepped aside. A slick and clever move, but she didn�t attack at all�or did she? Hiei felt the side of his cheek, there was a slight cut on it and blood oozed out. Hiei took a finger to the dripping blood and licked it. He was fired up now, no more going easy on her. He wound up for another attack. Sam had her back to him and she tapped once more into the energy she had within her. She put out one of her arms and opened a portal. Kurama sat in disbelief at what he just saw.
�What on earth is she doing and how did she do that?� He thought to himself. His mouth dropped when he saw that she pulled out a sword and then a dagger just in time to block Hiei and his sword attack. The two fought endlessly, neither one letting the other have the upper hand. Sam was tougher than she seemed once she focused. She was strong, flexible, and even cute. Kurama shook his head at his thoughts. He came back to reality and saw that Hiei had Sam on the ground at the edge of his sword.
�Your good, but you have much to learn. If this were a real battle you would have been killed.�
�Not so Hiei. If this were real it would be you who would be dead.� Hiei hesitated and thought. He could not move his body at all. He used his Jagan eye to make a way out of her spell, but there was no use, his magic and hers just clashed. Kurama had to shield his eyes as a thunderous wave of power split right and left. Hiei and Sam�s power came to a crashing meet. Sam stood up and smirked at the frozen Hiei. He could not move his body at all. Her power was at its full and she was not backing down. Suddenly she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Kurama stood behind her and she took her focus off Hiei for the moment. Hiei came crashing down to the ground and he held his head.
�You did well�Sam.� Sam looked up into his green eyes. Her eyes were still dark and she did not notice it, but she had a mark on her forehead. It was the mark of a sacred guardian. Hiei was right to be so hard on her, fore his not holding back, made it all the more real for her power to reach it�s maximum strength. In order to protect herself fully from Hiei, she had to tap into all her energy or she would have been killed. Hiei rubbed his head and glared at Sam. She smiled a cute �I�m sorry� back at him and he stood. She was afraid of what Hiei would do next, being defeated so easily, and by a girl at that was not going to sit well with him or his big ego. Hiei stuck out his hand and grinned.
�You did very well�Sam.� Sam was taken back, then realized that he was just helping her the whole time. Rather than shack hands with Hiei, she jumped in his arms and gave him a hug.
�Thank you Hiei. I couldn�t have done it without you.� That day, the three united and were ready to take on the next challenge.
Suddenly, the three of them shielded their eyes as a bright light appeared before them. Sam screamed as a clammy claw wrapped around her waist and pulled her out of the reach of Kurama and Hiei.
�Kurama! Help me!�
�Sam!� Kurama reached out for her hand, but felt nothing. Hiei zipped past him and ran into the light. After a few seconds Hiei saw that the light was no more than demon trickery, a fa�ade. He found Sam, unconscious, lying in the arms of the ugliest demon he had ever seen. The demon spat at him, hitting his eyes with a warm, gooey drool, that stung. Hiei backed off, and the demon made off with Sam, back into the portal laughing and snickering. Kurama grabbed Hiei by the collar of his jacket and they both flew into the portal. It closed behind them, leaving the field empty once again.