The Bruise

"But this is not honorable, Risho. It's not right", Touya, the ice master, stood there, arguing with his sect leader, Risho, the earth master.
He was beginning to aggravate Risho, "Well, unless you have a better way of a guaranteed victory, I suggest you keep your mouth shut."

Touya wanted the light even more, it seemed, than some of his sect members, but he didn't want to stoop to this level. He did not want to win by cheating. He stared into Risho's dark eyes and began to answer, "But-". He was cut off. Risho whacked him in the face, which sent him into a nearby tree. He struggled to get up and wiped the blood streaming from his lip. He has no honor, Touya thought to himself as he looked up a Risho.

Risho walked up to him and smirked, "Not another word out of your mouth, do you understand?"
Touya spat, he refused to keep his mouth shut about something he believed in. Risho's smirk disappeared when the ice master didn't answer him. He kicked Touya in the stomach. He was satisfied, for now, with Touya gasp as he went down hard. Risho walked away. After seeing that his leader wasn't coming back, Touya slowly got up and made his way back to the hotel. that he and the rest of his teammates were staying at.

Gama was in the room when Touya arrived. Gama was a master of deadly "paints", which were different poisons and acids. As he looked up he noticed the bruise on Touya's right cheek, near his mouth. It was hard to miss. He also noticed that Touya was walking a bit uneasily, as if hurt in the stomach. It was obvious that Touya was trying to hide this. He immediately knew Risho that had done it, but said nothing. He simply greeted Touya, "Hey, you have a nice walk?".

Touya nodded, then walked over to the bathroom and washed off his face. He looked in the mirror and shook his head. There is no way Jin won't notice this. He is going to be so pissed. He dried his face off and tried fix his appearance a little. He straightened his shirt and played with his hair. Once he was satisfied he reentered the main room of the suite.

As Touya sat down next to Gama, Bakken burst into the room. He was loud and obnoxious, as usual. He noticed the bruise on Touya's pale skin and sneered, "Hey Touya. What happened? You get in a fight? Or did you talk back to Reishou again?".
Touya's eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything Gama spoke up, "I'd be quite Bakken. That doesn't concern you". Touya looked at Gama gratefully. He was a horrible liar and was glad that Gama had been there.

Bakken, on the other hand was furious."Stay out of this Gama. I wasn't talking to you!", he barked.
Gama sighed and answered Bakken very calmly, "Yes, you're right. You weren't

talking to me, I guess I'll just leave then. If you need me, I'll be mixing another batch of my lovely paint."
The way Gama had said that last sentence sent shivers down Bakken's spine. Gama was always quite, but there was something merciless and very deadly about him. Bakken was a coward, and was all show. He was only good for brute force. After Gama's comment, he looked at Touya once more then left the room.

Gama glanced at Touya, there was a sparkle in his eyes. It was very rare that he took the time to spook out Bakken. "I'm guessing that you didn't want to tell Bakken about Risho. Knowing him, he'd go blabbing off to Jin. And we all know that Jin would get angry. Especially since it was you that was involved. And you, like I, prefer to keep things calm", he spoke quietly, but with assurance.

Touya grinned, "yes, Gama. You have me figured out. You, however, are harder to read. I've never seen you threaten him before, like you said, you normally like things calm".

Gama smiled, then sighed, "Well, if he stayed here, things wouldn't have stayed calm, now would they?".
Touya nodded. He told Gama what had happened, though Gama had already guessed most of it. It wasn't the first time that Touya had spoken up against Risho's plans. "I agree. I do not want to win this way. We must stay as honorable as we can, while still following our sect master's orders". Gama would fight dirty, but not "cheat", so to speak. It just happened that his talents were very hard to counter.

Bakken was just a moron and coward, he would do whatever he could to win. Jin didn't pay attention to any of this. He was carefree most of the time, and just enjoyed a good fight. He was the strongest and most talented fighter on the team. Touya was his best friend and, although they were so different, they were almost inseparable.

A grinning wind master entered the room. Jin broke the short moment of silence with his laughter, followed by Risho and Bakken. Bakken went straight into his room, without even glancing at Gama and Touya. Jin looked at Touya and Gama, then spotted the bruise. His face became serious and he stopped joking around. He walked over to Touya, to get a closer look. He tilted his head and touched Touya's cheek. His bright eyes showed the concern he had for his friend.

Reishou's face distorted and he grabbed Jin's arm, "Hold on Jin. You should get some rest. Our match will be starting soon", he snapped. Although he was the leader, they all feared Jin.
Jin shook him off without looking back. "Hold on a sec Risho. Touya's got a bruise on his cheek. Touya, what happened?", he asked.

"Uh, well I.…….…", Touya mumbled the begining of a false explanation. Risho glared at him and opened his mouth to interrupt with his own lie. However, neither of them finished before Gama spoke up.

"Touya and I were sparring. I caught him off guard", he said smoothly. Jin watched him suspiciously but Gama kept his face unreadable. Gama could easily keep a straight face, and Jin wasn't one to be distrusting anyway.

He bought it and grinned, "well ok then", then he shoved Touya, "and you, Touya, don't let your guard down during our match with Team Urameshi today, got it?". Jin

nodded at his three teammates and went to his room to get ready for the upcoming match. Risho did the same, relieved that Touya had kept his mouth shut.

The room was silent for a minute before Touya stood up and stretched. He thanked Gama, "thanks again. I guess you are also aware of my inability to lie"

"Yes Touya. I am aware of that. Now I am going to prepare for our match. I think you should do the same", Gama answered.

Touya nodded as Gama left the room. We will win this tournament and claim this island. We will get the Light. But I will stay honorable during my match. Risho may punish me for it, but he can't take my honor.