Suddenly there was a blinding flash of purple light, almost like lightning. A circular symbol appeared on the ground under Hiei's feet. He felt a gush of pain shoot through his body, but he couldn't move, he couldn't yell, he was immobilized completely. The cloaked figure backed off slightly, and stared at Hiei as if with complete disinterest, as if he were bored. Hiei stared back at the figure under the cloak, wondering how he could be caught so off guard and left helpless.
There was a slight movement under the cloak, and a gloved hand came forward, right in front of Hiei's face, and then backed off...as if taking aim. The fighter braced his feet, and seemed to make a small hand gesture his his fingers, too fast for Hiei to see. Then, there was another flash of light, this time it was blue. Pushing forward, the energy issued from the cloaked figure's hand with such force, it knocked Hiei out of the stunning circle, out of the ring, smashing into the wall behind the detectives.
"What he hell was that?!" Yusuke looked from the cloaked figure standing above them on the right, back over his shoulder to the hole in the wall where Hiei was struggling. "Hey Hiei, I thought you said you had this! Don't tell me you're gonna lose to this weirdo."
Rubble and dust issued from the hole as Hiei stood up and gathered his composure. He was staring straight at the cloaked figure, wondering what the strange magic was that caught him so off guard. I've never seen energy like that...I'll have to watch out. He might have more than those two at the ready. "Don't worry Detective. I haven't lost yet." With that, Hiei jumped back onto the arena stage, and the cloaked figure did the same, back to where they first stood before the match started.
"Thanks for showing me your little light tricks early on. I'll know to watch out for them now. You won't catch me off guard a second time." Hiei threw off his cloak and adopted a fighting stance, his katana at the ready. He would not make the same mistake again. Underestimating an opponent with unknown energy attacks was a dangerous thing to do. Even so, it was strange...the energy he used wasn't demon or human energy, it was something new he hasn't encountered before. Something dangerous.
The figure threw one side of the cloak back, revealing the hilts of two swords on his...wait...her back?
It's a woman...Hiei managed to get a better look at his opponent. She was wearing mostly leather armor, with cloth underneath. She had various pouches and belts hanging from her waist. Hardened leather boots and gloves looked weathered with age and blood. She took hold of one of the sword hilts on her back, and effortlessly glided it out of its sheathe. The handle was intricate, almost delicate with engravings and spirals. On the end there seemed to be the head of a snarling wolf. The blade clashed with the worn armor, shining like clean water in the sunlight. It was straight, long, and sharp. There seemed to be engravings on the blade, but Hiei couldn't make them out at this distance. So she's skilled with a sword as well? She might not be so confident when...
He couldn't finish the thought. She lunged forward with full force, sword in hand. Hiei caught the blade on his own, pushing her back and jumping to the side. She followed effortlessly, meeting her blade with his in a clash of sparks and metal. Every swing, every movement had purpose, there was not a single wasted slice or jab. She aimed for his neck, his chest, his stomach. She aimed for vitals, things that would get him killed if she hit her mark. They seemed to dance across the arena, up and down, side to side, neither one giving in to the other. The longer they fought, the more uneasy Hiei felt. Something tugged at him, something which made him shiver, and yet the feeling was...familiar. His Jagan was burning under the bandage on his forehead. Is it angry that I'm struggling in this fight? How is she so effortlessly powerful? No...my Jagan senses something in her, and it is...afraid.
This sudden realization that his Jagan could actually interpret fear caught him off guard, and this was her chance. She slid her blade between Hiei's shoulder and neck, blood spurting on her cloak.
"AAAHHGH!" was all Hiei could muster as the blade burned and stung at his flesh. This wasn't a normal sword wound, something about this sword hurt far worse than any blade he had tasted before. He could see the blade better now, and for a moment noticed the inscriptions were glowing, and a green steam seemed to pour off of the blade closest to his burning skin.
She pushed him to the ground, foot on his chest, blade still lodged in his shoulder. She spat in his face from under the cloak, and said "You are a disgrace. So weak and pitiful."
Her voice was cold, uncaring, and malevolent. It poured with animosity, but it was also eerily calm. Hiei could make out the features under the cloak. Her mouth was pursed and straight, as if it had been sewn shut. But...her eyes, they glowed gold under the darkness of the cloak, they pierced his own as he struggled with his sword, trying to push her off. They were the eyes of revenge.
That sword...those strange energy blasts. They seem so...distant and familiar. Do I know her? Kurama was watching the fight intently. He could tell it was going badly for Hiei, but couldn't jump in to help. He noticed the helpless looks on his teammates' faces as well as they watched Hiei struggle on the ground under this cloaked figure. Something isn't right; this isn't just a regular fight, this woman fights with hatred. Does she know Hiei? Is there a grudge between them? Before he could continue the thought, a massive fireball erupted from the area where the fighters were, catching everyone off-guard.
"Hiei!" Team Urameshi looked towards the blast origin. The gloved hand of the figure had smoke coming from her palm. Apparently she used another strange spell, this time producing a powerful blast of fire. Hiei had managed to escape the blast, as well as free himself from her bade. He stood off to the side, blood drenching his shoulder. His left arm seemed useless now, she had cut straight through the muscles and ligaments, giving Hiei a one-armed disadvantage.
What is she...? His breathing was haggard, and trying to keep up with her incredible speed and skill was wearing him down. She has the scent of a demon...but the energy she releases isn't demon energy. She doesn't even seem tired, like she's...is this all a game? Is she even trying?
A voice entered his head, making it into a dizzying swirl. You are so foolish...to think you could actually defeat me? I am your superior, your weak Jagan is no match for me. You are a disgrace. That cold voice echoed in his head, and his Jagan was pounding. He tried to shut her out, he thought his mental defenses were strong, but she ripped through his mind effortlessly. Images of fire, a burning village, the cries of terrified people dying. Those cold golden eyes...
Hiei was brought back to reality as she retreated from his mind. "What do you want?" He called out to her. "You're not just here for a fight, although I'd have to say you're better than I thought you'd be," Hiei said with a small smirk. This fight was something he had been craving ever since he lost against the Detective. He wanted an opponent to truly test his strength and skill, but was this too much...? Was she stronger than Urameshi? No, he wouldn't lose before his rematch, he couldn't lose now.
He started gathering energy into his right arm. This might be the only way...I'll probably die in the process.
"Hiei, no! Don't do it! You still aren't fully healed from the first time you used the Dragon of the Darkness Flame!" Kurama called out to his teammate and friend. He knew Hiei would not lose a fight while he was still alive, but risking this again? So soon? Who is this woman? I swear she seems so familiar...but I can't place my finger on it. Is she strong enough to put Hiei in the position of suicide in order to win?
"Your dragon is weak and reckless. You cannot control it. And besides, I need you alive, at least until I get what I want." Her voice echoed from under the brown hooded cloak, stinging Hiei's pride. "But, if you insist, we can go Dragon to Dragon if you wish, just to prove how weak you are." With that she pulled back the cloak.