Youji concentrates his energy into his finger, forehead creasing in concentration. As he does this, his finger glows a golden color. He puts the thumb and forefinger of his right hand up to the glowing tip of the other finger. With a deft motion he pulls a string of glowing energy out of his finger, stretching it and then directing it as he throws, wrapping around the base of a tree stump. He clenches his teeth together and yanks his hands back toward himself, eyes widening as his pupils contract with the effort. In a moment, the string contracts and sections of the stump slowly slide off, thumping on top of each other dully, on the ground.

"Not bad." Genkai says beside him. "It only took you five hours to get control of it." She looks pleased.

Youji straightens, his black overcoat flapping in the wind, he gives her a winning smile coupled with a wink. "Beauty is motivation."

Genkai raises an eyebrow at his bold remark, then she turns to Aya. For some reason, the amulet has stimulated her reiki enough to keep her body young. She steps forward, watching Aya stab forward with his sword. He is facing a large boulder, about his height, and almost the same width and depth. The sword slides cleanly into the solid surface, as though melting through butter, to the hilt. He pulls it back out and looks at the opening he has created.

Botan is inside, drinking milk with Yukina and looking slightly worn out. Kuwabara was nice enough to bring her a change of clothes after raiding Shizuru's closet. Her kimono was just too tight against her injured shoulder, so instead she is wearing a white tank top and a pair of jeans with tennis shoes. Her neck is wrapped and her hair is pulled back into it's customary ponytail.

"Are you sure you don't feel any differently, Botan-san?" Yukina asks in worry.

"Mm… a little warm, but otherwise normal. Aside from my neck anyway." She smiles at Yukina. "Thank you for looking after me."

Yukina shakes her head. "Don't mention it, it's the least I can do after everything you guys have done for me." Her hands drop primly into her lap as she turns and glances out the door, seeing Kurama and Hiei observing the humans' progress. "Has any word come about my brother?"

Botan stiffens for a moment, Hiei's voice going through her head. If you tell her you might not live to regret it. Botan shivers with the though of death by combustion. She decides she most decidedly doesn't want to go out as a ball of fire, and clutches her hands in her lap. "I haven't heard anything new, no."

Yukina sighs in disappointment her whole body drooping sadly. Botan feels a nagging guilt but remains quiet. She looks back out the door at Hiei and wonders why he can't tell his sister the truth. Both siblings are suffering and it makes Botan sad to see the dejection in the small koorime every time she hears bad news.

They both glance out the door as Kuwabara's voice rings out in a Star Wars impression. "Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him." He has his Rei-ken blazing and Ken stands opposite him with a deck of cards. He'd traded in tearing up paper, for already stacked and ready to use projectiles. He seems to be enjoying himself as he injects power into his hands and the cards. He then flicks the cards out toward the taller boy in quick direct shots. Kuwabara in turn, uses his sword to stop them before they can hit him. "Luke Skywalker never looses! Jedi training techniques own you!" He crows.

"Oh yeah?" Ken grins and tosses two cards at once, as Kuwabara scrambles to block them. He tosses another card above the younger boy's head , slicing through a branch of the nearest tree, toppling it down on top of Kuwabara. "I may not be your father, but I can still teach you a thing or two." He puts his hands on his hips and snickers.

Kuwabara rubs his head where the branch had hit, and grins. "Not bad. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Only use your powers for good." He chuckles with Ken.

Kurama and Hiei join Genkai. "I think they're ready for a confrontation." She says calmly.

Kurama turns to the humans, "You've been through how to protect oneself with ki, I think it's the most we can hope for in our current position. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes for Yuusuke and Omi." He holds his chin as he muses aloud.

Hiei glances back inside when he sees movement in the corner of his eye. Botan is hurriedly fumbling with her compact clasp and Yukina scoots around the table to look over her shoulder as she gets it open.

In a moment, KoEnma's face is on the screen. His eyes are tired and worried. "Botan." He speaks through the pacifier in his mouth with a practiced ease. "I spoke to my father."

Botan doesn't answer, waiting to see what he has to say. KoEnma sighs and begins to speak again. "Apparently my father was the last one to fight with her, well, we think it's a she. Anyway, he said he thought he'd mortally wounded Lillith, apparently it wasn't malignant. She probably hid on the border of Ningenkai and Makai, traveling back and forth to collect souls when she could, and increase her strength. Botan, you have to be careful, Lillith can absorb souls, merging their energy with her own. Because of this, she may gain a little of the abilities of those she's merged with." He glances to the side, talking to someone in a muffled voice before turning back. "Botan, if Yuusuke's been absorbed you guys could be in trouble. Lillith is already stocked up on energy, with Yuusuke's she could be explosive."

Botan nods. "KoEnma-sama, the humans have gained some sort f power." She glances out the door seeing Hiei watching before returning her attention to the screen. "That amulet we asked you about before, it sort of showed up and…" she frowns. "I've got it now, but it's changed everyone. Did Enma-sama say anything about that?"

KoEnma steeples his hands on the desk, propping his chin on the pointer fingers. "He didn't know about that, he said he had heard there was one but no one could find it. What do you mean it's changed everyone?"

She bites her lip. "Genkai's been young for the last six hours straight, all three humans have gained strange ki-like abilities, Kurama, Hiei and Yukina feel stronger."

Yukina speaks up. "The amulet is inside Botan's body and we can't seem to get it out."

KoEnma starts in surprise. "Inside?!"

Yukina nods and Botan sighs. "It sort of activated and I guess I still had traces of Lillith on me from the bite. It entered through my chest and hasn't come out."

The toddler rubs his eyes looking exhausted. "I don't know enough about it. Keep me updated, Botan. Enma's put this on top priority."

"Hai, KoEnma-sama!" Botan says enthusiastically. She closes the compact and lays back on the ground, looking up at Yukina, who looks worried still.

"Are you OK Botan-san?" she asks with concern, hoping Botan isn't going to pass out.

Botan smiles and pats her knee. "Yeah, I'm fine, just a little worried."

Yukina smiles. "They'll be ok."

Botan sits up and hugs Yukina. "Thanks again for being such a great person." She says, letting the surprised demon go.

Yukina blushes and smiles back. "You too Botan-san."

Both girls look up as the others enter the house. Botan stands and takes a breath. "I just got word from KoEnma."

Genkai nods while the others watch Botan. "Enma has fought once with Lillith, he didn't use the amulet, but he did wound her. The important thing to know is that Lillith can absorb souls and because of this she sometimes gains the abilities of the people she has absorbed."

"Didn't you say Yuusuke was really strong?" Youji asks with a frown.

"Let's hope Yuusuke hasn't been absorbed enough to pass on his abilities or we're in trouble." Genkai says.

Kurama and Hiei exchange a glance before Kuwabara's voice cuts in. "You mean we may be fighting a shape-shifting, ki-blasting, rei-gun wielding, S-class demon?!?" His voice reaches a fevered pitch with his dismay, then he catches Yukina watching him with wide, apprehensive eyes. "No worries though! I Kazuma Kuwabara will catch the demon and save Yuusuke!!" He postures for Yukina like a peacock unfurling it's feathers.

Hiei makes a noise of disgust behind him but remains silent.

"We should go soon then." Kurama says, next to Hiei.

The others nod and they become a procession, heading toward the door. Kurama frowns as Botan walks next to him. "Maybe you should stay here, Botan-chan, you're still injured."

Botan returns the frown. "Don't be silly. I have the only thing we know can slow down Lillith. I have to go."

Kurama looks at her in surprise. "That's true… but…" he is quiet as they trudge down the shrine stairs. As they reach the bottom, he reaches out, his hand catching her wrist, causing her to look at him in question. "At least be careful, try to stay back, OK?" His eyes search hers for confirmation, which she finally gives.

"I'll try, Kurama-kun."

Both decide this is the most she can promise as they continue on their way in silence.

The grass on the ground around Botan and Yukina freezes as the ice demon goes into defensive mode. There is an audible crunching sound as Lillith steps forward, crushing the frozen turf beneath her feet. All three of those who remain standing, have visible breath, coming out in soft puffs, before freezing in midair. :You'll have to do better than that to stop me, little one." Lillith's blue eyes are now tinted red, amused by the small show of frost, a last defense by two weak opponents. Victory is in her sight and her form draws up seeming to grow taller with confidence.

Yukina steps around Botan, defiantly refusing to give up. She spreads her arms, burgundy eyes alight with challenge. "Stop where you are." Her normally soft voice has found an ageless timber, taking on an air of command. With her shoulders thrown back and chin raised she looks more confident and her presence demands the opponent's attention.

Lillith's moment of hesitation is her fatal flaw. In the moment she stops, breath freezing before her, Yukina has summoned the power to attack from a distance. Icicles appear around her, quivering in the air, the soft hum of their hovering causing Lillith's eyes to widen in surprise. Then, without a moment's hesitation, Yukina lets loose the attack. Sharpened ice slices through the air, small frozen arrows that pierce Lillith's skin, freezing parts of her as she lets out an anguished scream. She surrounds herself with Hiei's fire, the flames engulf her body, melting the oncoming attack.

As the fire rages, the silhouette inside changes, growing, the height extends, then the hair visibly grows longer, flying above the new form's head. It is wild with the force of the flame, the body becomes more slender. As the flames die down, Botan and Yukina are both struck dumb by the new form in front of the, not at all recognizeable, golden hair flutters to rest on Lillith's shoulders, cascading down her back in lush waves, the eyes that watch them are a bright, angry green, and the woman standing before them has dusky skin, the color of tea and milk richly mixed together. She is devastatingly beautiful, but her eyes are cruel. For the first time, when Botan again has control of her thoughts, she wonders if this could be Lillith's true form. But now is not the time for such musings as Lillith's voice makes itself heard again, the blood still dripping from wounds. "The weakest of you, has injured me. But that is all. You can not win. Accept your defeat." She strides forward and slaps Yukina with such force, the small girl is thrown to the side, leaving four deep gashes from where Lillith's nails cut into the tender flesh of her cheek.

Botan reaches out to help but Lillith catches her wrist and twists it painfully. "I think I've earned your attention, don't be rude, Servant of Enma." Lillith spits her words out with rage in her voice. Botan looks at her, eyes wide but for reasons she cannot comprehend, she is no longer afraid.

Lillith glares, obviously unhappy with the curiosity she sees in Botan's eyes. Botan opens her mouth. "Your intense rage enters my heart." Her expression softens and she puts her free hand, gently, on Lillith's cheek.

Lillith's eyes widen and she releases her hold on Botan, jumping back and glaring at the blue-haired girl. "Don't presume to know me, Servant of Enma." She says with a shaking voice.

Botan simply watches her quietly, then steps forward. Her actions are obviously not hostile and Lillith is confused, fingers twitching with alertness. "Don't come near me!" she shrieks, and Botan pauses for a moment.

They watch each other, quietly. Violet eyes meeting electric green in a look that resembles pity. Lillith can take no more. This time she gathers her own energy into a ball in front of her. The golden glow shimmers in the dusky air and Botan's eyes shut in dismay. But inside her body warms in direct relation to the size of the growing energy ball that Lillith is forming.

Suddenly, Botan is glowing with the same golden light. Her clothes whip around her form and the amulet shoots out of her chest. Lillith screams in rage as suddenly the golden light begins to turn in on itself, then shoot forward toward the hovering amulet. "No! It can't be!" Lillith's cry becomes anguished as the energy is sucked out of her body. She falls to her knees, hair pooled around her. "Damn you to Jigoku Enma, you egotist bastard! You have made my eternal life hell and taken everything from me!" Her shout is strong at first but breaks at the end as her body becomes transparent, and tears flow down her cheeks. Botan watches, helplessly as the last ghosted figure of the demon who tormented her, looks beseechingly back, heart breakingly sad. Then Lillith is gone, the amulet hovers for a moment longer before turning from the white gold to a bronzed color, then it falls to the ground.

Botan kneels down, touching the amulet gently, before lifting the heavy metal and slipping it into her pocket. She lifts a hand to her cheek and frowns, realizing that she too has been crying. She shakes her head and runs over to Yukina who is shakily standing up.

"Yukina-chan! Are you ok?" she asks worriedly before getting a shaky nod. She turns to run to Kurama's fallen form as Yukina moves toward Hiei.

By this time, Yuusuke has managed to break free of the chain as whatever charm had been on it, liftend with Lillith's defeat. He runs forward, looking down at Kuwabara's bloodied torso and making a face.

Yukina makes a noise as Hiei stirs, Genkai comes back, carrying Ken and wincing in pain, Aya hauls himself upright, glancing at Youji who has a trail of blood coming down the side of his head. He stands and begins heaving his teammate up and dragging him over to the rest. Botan, Genkai and Yukina begin healing the most wounded members of the group, the rest are roused and they all begin the trek back to Genkai's temple, carrying those who can't walk.