Shippo quivered from atop Brent's back; his teeth chattered lightly as the three Demons stared down at them. Their smiles and gazes spoke of only one thing...hunger. The two Demon Brothers started to circle to the sides in order to surround their newfound prey. Somehow, Brent had managed to keep a hold of his Tanto; his fingers gripped tightly around the handle. He looked up at their captors and knew that he wouldn't be able to take them all on. He only barely was able to stave off Setsuko's brother, and he was unarmed then.

            "I wouldn't bother with that little toothpick you have there. You should just give that to me." The Bat Demon stepped forward with his hand outstretched.

            "You know, I'd feel a lot more comfortable keeping it. So I think I'll pass." Brent kept eye contact as he got up on one knee.

            "Hand it over and your death won't be as messy!" One of the brothers smirked and took a step forward.

            "Brent...I got an idea...Just be ready!" Shippo whispered into Brent's ear, who made sure to not let on they were up to something.

            "Boys, I know you thought you found some lunch, but I have to share some bad news with you..."

            The second Brent paused Shippo made his move and leaped into the air.

            "TAKE THIS!"

            Out of nowhere a gigantic Spinning Top Toy appeared and landed on the Bat Demon's head; making him yell in fright along with his companions.

            "GET IT OFF GET IT OFF!"

            Not a second was wasted as Brent jumped up and took off when Shippo landed back on his shoulder. The Demon Brothers rushed to their leader and tried to help with the Spinning Top, but couldn't do anything but panic.

            "Shippo! How did you do that?! That was incredible!"

            "It's only an illusion. It's part of my Fox Magic!" Shippo was grinning from ear to ear and looking proud.

            "You keep that up little man and we may just stay alive until we find the others!"

            "Or until they find us!"

            Back by the riverbank the Bat Demon was still in a panic over the massive top on his head while the two brothers were trying to help.

            "GET IT OFF GET IF OFF GYAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

            "IT'LL BURROW INTO HIS HEAD!"

            "IT'S SPINNING TOO FAST!"

            Just as they thought the worst was about to happen the Spinning Top began to shrink. The moment the top had minimized to its normal size it fell from the Bat Demon's head. All three of them looked down at the tiny toy with utter dumbfounded looks.

            "It was a toy..." The Bat said with incredulity.

            "Gee...Guess we panicked for nothing."

            "Wait til' the others hear this!"

            "It...was...a...TOY!!! YOU IDIOTS! GET AFTER THEM!"

            With the realization hitting him just like the toy had he screamed at the top of his lungs and furiously pointed into the forest. Stumbling at first, the Demon Brothers ran in the direction of Brent and Shippo.

            "That little kid is MINE!"

            There was a loud flap as the Bat spread his wings, leaped into the air, and took flight over the canopy of the forest. A little child gets the better of him? He wasn't going to have it. Red with rage he soared over the forest waiting for some sort of sign from his dopey cohorts.

            Brent and Shippo were now walking along in the forest. Bright rays of sunlight shone down through the canopy in various spots around them. The two were sharing a good laugh; cackling over the reaction of the leader of the trio who had intended to hurt them.

            "Did you hear how he screamed?" Brent did a mock impression of the Bat which made Shippo laugh all the more.

            "He didn't know what to do!"

            Voices echoed behind them and brought them to a halt. They looked toward their previously trodden path and listened.

            "They gotta be close by!"

            "They're really in for it!"

            Brent withdrew his Tanto and prepared himself physically and mentally to fight. Shippo on the other hand started to panic.

            "They're coming this way! We can't fight them! They aren't gonna fall for my tricks again!"

            "I hate to say it but you're right little man." With Shippo perched on his shoulder Brent began to run in the opposite direction. "Hopefully we can outrun them!"

            Brent was ready to fight if need be, but his thoughts soon returned to when he had confronted the Lizard Demon. Any normal person, human that is, would have been down for quite a long time after the blow he landed. However, this Demon had rather quickly gotten back onto his feet and was able to do some serious damage. His strength was incredible and he was relentless in his pursuits. If that is a testament to Demons as a whole then how would these three stack up? Are they just as strong? Just how ruthless were they? The idea of fighting them began to actually frighten him a little; especially when the memory of the bite resurfaced. The pain...

            They could see the edge of the forest approaching. Blinding light was just beyond the final line of trees. It was far too late to try and turn another direction now. Brent and Shippo exited the forest...but were promptly greeted by an unseen hill just at the forest's edge. A shout from Brent echoed as he stumbled, and both he and Shippo, who fell from his shoulder, both took a long tumble down the hill.

            Flying overhead was the Bat Demon. After hearing some shouting he looked down and a wicked grin crossed his lips. Immediately he broke into a dive with his eyes set on the little Fox Demon who had humiliated him.

            Brent had reached the bottom of the hill first near the next stretch of forest. The tumble had caused him to roll along the ground until he hit one of the trees with his back; making him emit a grunt of pain. Slowly getting to his feet with a pained groan he saw Shippo lying flat on his face near the base of the hill...with a shadow shrinking around him. He looked up to see the Bat Demon diving straight for him.

            "SHIPPO WATCH OUT!" Brent took off straight for them.

            "Uuuugggghhhh...Whuh-AAAGGGHHH!" Shippo screamed as he looked up to see the Bat Demon's hands outstretched towards him; hunger filling his eyes.

            Another scream and a plea for help filled the air as the Bat grabbed Shippo and made to leap back into the air. Not one to give up, Brent leaped into the air at the same moment and only barely grabbed the Bat's ankle and yanked out right out of the sky. Both of them hit the Earth with a thud while Shippo flew from the Bat's grip and landed upon one of his Mushroom Decoys. When he looked over to where the other two were he could see them in a furious struggle; Brent taking swipes with his blade as the Bat tried to grab him.

            "Oh no, Brent! Hold on!"

            "Hold still you filthy-GYAAAAGGGHHH!"

            The Bat screamed after he had just pinned Brent to the ground, but failed to restrain the threatening Tanto in his right hand; which was now jammed into his chest. Another scream escapes the Bat as Brent twists his weapon.

            "Do you get the point now? GET OFF!"

            Getting a leg free finally, Brent kicked the Bat off of himself. Blood spurted from the wound in the chest of the Demon as the human jumped to his feet.

            "There they are!"

            "Grab em'!"

            "Come on Shippo!"

            Shippo soon found himself back on his ally's shoulder as he was picked up and taken into the next section of forest. The two Brothers stopped for a moment to check on their Leader who quickly berated them.

            "GET AFTER THEM YOU FOOLS! GRRRNNNGGG!"

            Not another word was uttered as they ran straight after their prey trying to keep them in sight.

            Brent was running out of breath from running so hard, but he had no choice but to try to outrun them. Both he and Shippo could hear the other two Demons behind them shouting at them.

            "Come on Brent! Don't give up!"

            "I'm...trying buddy...this is...turning...into too much...hah...hah..."

            His breathes were becoming heavier and worn out; beads of sweat dripping down his face. If he slowed down at all it would mean the end of their lives, but his body was starting to fail him. Brent's legs were burning as he tried pushing off the trees to keep going. Suddenly his legs gave out and he falls face first to the ground with Shippo taking yet another tumble. Immediately turning over to his back Brent sees the two Brothers quickly catch up, and slowly approach.

            "Thought you were gonna run away from us huh?"

            "We're on to you two now! No more tricks little Fox!"

            Brent held up his Tanto ready to fight as they drew nearer with drooling mouths. This was it...fight, or die. It was just as the pair of siblings were reaching for him that both were struck by some sort of projectile. This was quickly followed by a great puff of smoke suddenly appearing in front of Brent and Shippo. Wincing in pain, the Brothers were dumbfounded to their would-be-lunch gone as the smoke disappeared; vanished into thin air.

            "What? Where'd they go?!"

            "And what are these?"

            The blue Brother pulled the projectile out of his shoulder and held it up. It was a Shuriken with four deadly sharp points on it. Now they knew what happened to their prey. Ninjas had just barely saved them.

Shippo quivered from atop Brent's back; his teeth chattered lightly as the three Demons stared down at them. Their smiles and gazes spoke of only one thing...hunger. The two Demon Brothers started to circle to the sides in order to surround their newfound prey. Somehow, Brent had managed to keep a hold of his Tanto; his fingers gripped tightly around the handle. He looked up at their captors and knew that he wouldn't be able to take them all on. He only barely was able to stave off Setsuko's brother, and he was unarmed then.

            "I wouldn't bother with that little toothpick you have there. You should just give that to me." The Bat Demon stepped forward with his hand outstretched.

            "You know, I'd feel a lot more comfortable keeping it. So I think I'll pass." Brent kept eye contact as he got up on one knee.

            "Hand it over and your death won't be as messy!" One of the brothers smirked and took a step forward.

            "Brent...I got an idea...Just be ready!" Shippo whispered into Brent's ear, who made sure to not let on they were up to something.

            "Boys, I know you thought you found some lunch, but I have to share some bad news with you..."

            The second Brent paused Shippo made his move and leaped into the air.

            "TAKE THIS!"

            Out of nowhere a gigantic Spinning Top Toy appeared and landed on the Bat Demon's head; making him yell in fright along with his companions.

            "GET IT OFF GET IT OFF!"

            Not a second was wasted as Brent jumped up and took off when Shippo landed back on his shoulder. The Demon Brothers rushed to their leader and tried to help with the Spinning Top, but couldn't do anything but panic.

            "Shippo! How did you do that?! That was incredible!"

            "It's only an illusion. It's part of my Fox Magic!" Shippo was grinning from ear to ear and looking proud.

            "You keep that up little man and we may just stay alive until we find the others!"

            "Or until they find us!"

            Back by the riverbank the Bat Demon was still in a panic over the massive top on his head while the two brothers were trying to help.

            "GET IT OFF GET IF OFF GYAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

            "IT'LL BURROW INTO HIS HEAD!"

            "IT'S SPINNING TOO FAST!"

            Just as they thought the worst was about to happen the Spinning Top began to shrink. The moment the top had minimized to its normal size it fell from the Bat Demon's head. All three of them looked down at the tiny toy with utter dumbfounded looks.

            "It was a toy..." The Bat said with incredulity.

            "Gee...Guess we panicked for nothing."

            "Wait til' the others hear this!"

            "It...was...a...TOY!!! YOU IDIOTS! GET AFTER THEM!"

            With the realization hitting him just like the toy had he screamed at the top of his lungs and furiously pointed into the forest. Stumbling at first, the Demon Brothers ran in the direction of Brent and Shippo.

            "That little kid is MINE!"

            There was a loud flap as the Bat spread his wings, leaped into the air, and took flight over the canopy of the forest. A little child gets the better of him? He wasn't going to have it. Red with rage he soared over the forest waiting for some sort of sign from his dopey cohorts.

            Brent and Shippo were now walking along in the forest. Bright rays of sunlight shone down through the canopy in various spots around them. The two were sharing a good laugh; cackling over the reaction of the leader of the trio who had intended to hurt them.

            "Did you hear how he screamed?" Brent did a mock impression of the Bat which made Shippo laugh all the more.

            "He didn't know what to do!"

            Voices echoed behind them and brought them to a halt. They looked toward their previously trodden path and listened.

            "They gotta be close by!"

            "They're really in for it!"

            Brent withdrew his Tanto and prepared himself physically and mentally to fight. Shippo on the other hand started to panic.

            "They're coming this way! We can't fight them! They aren't gonna fall for my tricks again!"

            "I hate to say it but you're right little man." With Shippo perched on his shoulder Brent began to run in the opposite direction. "Hopefully we can outrun them!"

            Brent was ready to fight if need be, but his thoughts soon returned to when he had confronted the Lizard Demon. Any normal person, human that is, would have been down for quite a long time after the blow he landed. However, this Demon had rather quickly gotten back onto his feet and was able to do some serious damage. His strength was incredible and he was relentless in his pursuits. If that is a testament to Demons as a whole then how would these three stack up? Are they just as strong? Just how ruthless were they? The idea of fighting them began to actually frighten him a little; especially when the memory of the bite resurfaced. The pain...

            They could see the edge of the forest approaching. Blinding light was just beyond the final line of trees. It was far too late to try and turn another direction now. Brent and Shippo exited the forest...but were promptly greeted by an unseen hill just at the forest's edge. A shout from Brent echoed as he stumbled, and both he and Shippo, who fell from his shoulder, both took a long tumble down the hill.

            Flying overhead was the Bat Demon. After hearing some shouting he looked down and a wicked grin crossed his lips. Immediately he broke into a dive with his eyes set on the little Fox Demon who had humiliated him.

            Brent had reached the bottom of the hill first near the next stretch of forest. The tumble had caused him to roll along the ground until he hit one of the trees with his back; making him emit a grunt of pain. Slowly getting to his feet with a pained groan he saw Shippo lying flat on his face near the base of the hill...with a shadow shrinking around him. He looked up to see the Bat Demon diving straight for him.

            "SHIPPO WATCH OUT!" Brent took off straight for them.

            "Uuuugggghhhh...Whuh-AAAGGGHHH!" Shippo screamed as he looked up to see the Bat Demon's hands outstretched towards him; hunger filling his eyes.

            Another scream and a plea for help filled the air as the Bat grabbed Shippo and made to leap back into the air. Not one to give up, Brent leaped into the air at the same moment and only barely grabbed the Bat's ankle and yanked out right out of the sky. Both of them hit the Earth with a thud while Shippo flew from the Bat's grip and landed upon one of his Mushroom Decoys. When he looked over to where the other two were he could see them in a furious struggle; Brent taking swipes with his blade as the Bat tried to grab him.

            "Oh no, Brent! Hold on!"

            "Hold still you filthy-GYAAAAGGGHHH!"

            The Bat screamed after he had just pinned Brent to the ground, but failed to restrain the threatening Tanto in his right hand; which was now jammed into his chest. Another scream escapes the Bat as Brent twists his weapon.

            "Do you get the point now? GET OFF!"

            Getting a leg free finally, Brent kicked the Bat off of himself. Blood spurted from the wound in the chest of the Demon as the human jumped to his feet.

            "There they are!"

            "Grab em'!"

            "Come on Shippo!"

            Shippo soon found himself back on his ally's shoulder as he was picked up and taken into the next section of forest. The two Brothers stopped for a moment to check on their Leader who quickly berated them.

            "GET AFTER THEM YOU FOOLS! GRRRNNNGGG!"

            Not another word was uttered as they ran straight after their prey trying to keep them in sight.

            Brent was running out of breath from running so hard, but he had no choice but to try to outrun them. Both he and Shippo could hear the other two Demons behind them shouting at them.

            "Come on Brent! Don't give up!"

            "I'm...trying buddy...this is...turning...into too much...hah...hah..."

            His breathes were becoming heavier and worn out; beads of sweat dripping down his face. If he slowed down at all it would mean the end of their lives, but his body was starting to fail him. Brent's legs were burning as he tried pushing off the trees to keep going. Suddenly his legs gave out and he falls face first to the ground with Shippo taking yet another tumble. Immediately turning over to his back Brent sees the two Brothers quickly catch up, and slowly approach.

            "Thought you were gonna run away from us huh?"

            "We're on to you two now! No more tricks little Fox!"

            Brent held up his Tanto ready to fight as they drew nearer with drooling mouths. This was it...fight, or die. It was just as the pair of siblings were reaching for him that both were struck by some sort of projectile. This was quickly followed by a great puff of smoke suddenly appearing in front of Brent and Shippo. Wincing in pain, the Brothers were dumbfounded to their would-be-lunch gone as the smoke disappeared; vanished into thin air.

            "What? Where'd they go?!"

            "And what are these?"

            The blue Brother pulled the projectile out of his shoulder and held it up. It was a Shuriken with four deadly sharp points on it. Now they knew what happened to their prey. Ninjas had just barely saved them.