Chapter Eight

Dead Meat

Once again I added six more bagged hands to my collection. It took only about an hour and a half. This tournament would leave me with more scars than I wanted, and I was exhausted.

My next opponent who entered the ring was a big demon. When I say big I mean huge! This guy wasn't only tall, but very muscular. He was a bear demon, and he looked a lot like one.

The battle with him cost me even thought I won. But even then I won by only a few seconds. If he was one step faster I would have lost the battle. It left me completely winded. He was one who tried Waves little squeeze trick; it worked for him. I believe he broke over half of my ribs, if not all of them! It felt like he was trying to squeeze the life out of me, and he was.

My next opponent walked in as I tossed the bag down by the others. I could hardly breathe anymore! This guy might be as skinny as a twig, but if I couldn't breathe, he could still win easily.

It took me half an hour to kill him, longer than it should have. And worse he got a dagger to the bone of my left thigh. It was almost useless, and I still couldn't breathe! But my next opponent still stepped up on to the platform, waiting for me to cast the bag out of my hand and turn to face him.

I slipped, skidded, and tripped around on the platform losing my balance and grace I once had. I had blood dripping off my small form, from my various wounds and the blood of others. I had killed four more demons, adding hands to the pile, but I could barely move anymore.

My last battle was with a small fire demon from the Reikai Team. He was fast, and deadly with a katana. I was so… out of it, I guess, that I could barley keep up. My breathing had become ragged and shallow. My eyes stung from the blood and sweat that creped into them. My legs shook, wanting to just lie down; even for just five minutes.

I fell to the ground with from the slightest touch of his katana on my back. Once on the floor I couldn't move. I knew he was standing over me, waiting, just like the crowd, for me to stand. I tried, but my legs refused to move, and my shaking arms couldn't hold up my body weight long enough for me to command them to move.

So I laid there. What else could I do? I couldn't move. I could barley move enough to breathe and it hurt like Hell! Why wouldn't he just end my life quickly? Just get it over with and put me out of my misery.

I had collected twenty hands today in the six hours I was on this damn platform of Hell. No it was my turn to have my hand added. Before I realized it, he was kneeling down next to me. He grabbed my wrist roughly, like he didn't want to do what he was going to do. He reached for one of my daggers, took it, and slowly cut a thin red line on my wrist.

I don't know why he didn't kill me, I wish he had. After he left the hospital boys came up. They stayed their distance. Fang was the first one by my side.

"You okay Paw?" he whispered.

"Yeah." I weakly managed.

"Do you want help up, or are you gonna lay there all day?" A voice from behind Fang asked. It was both hard and soft at the same time. A hand reached out, I grabbed it. It pulled me to my feet, and didn't let go until he knew I was balanced.

"Thanks." I said looking up and finding Kurama's green eyes staring into my own.

When I looked around I saw crowds gathering at the doors. It was over for the day.

"You should get to the hospital." He told me in the same voice as before.

"I'll be fine." I said more to myself than anyone else. Turning to Fang I asked, "Ready to go?"

"Yeah. See you tomorrow Kurama." Fang said walking next to me as we walked out of the arena.

We walked in silence to the hotel. We had to take the elevator up though. Once we got up onto our floor, we went our different ways. When I entered my room, Tiger came up to me with her eyes downcast and something in a hand.

She handed me the note that was in her hands and said a quick, "Sorry." Before going back into her room. I took the note and went to my room to read it.

Dear Paw,

I am sorry to inform you, but we can not allow someone as weak as you to be associated with us anymore. As from this moment you are not one of my assassins. As far as I know you are nothing, but in the way. You have failed ME for the last time. I will give you twenty-four hours before your WANTED poster goes up. That should be enough time. If not, too bad.

This tournament was a test for you and you failed greatly. You let not only your name, but OUR name go down in flames. Good-bye! I never again want to see your face free. As of now you are an outcast.

Terrain

That is what the letter read. I couldn't believe how I just worked my ass off to stay alive and win in this tournament, but yet he still throws me out. I'm his best assassin! But I guess not anymore.

I started to pack my bags. Replacing my weapons that I had lost, and making sure they were on the top of my bags, ready for use. I took a shower that was cold, wrapped my worst wounds with whatever bandage I had left, and changed into black jeans, and navy tank. I then threw my navy cloak around me shoulders, and put the hood up. I then took my bag and slung it over my shoulder. I almost fell over from the weight.

I made my way slowly to the hospital area to pick up some more bandages and a walking stick. The walking stick so I could actually move faster than what I was.

It was midnight when I was finally ready to leave. I took one glance back then disappeared into the surrounding forest.

I know i didn't give you anytime to review. but i had the time and i was in the mood so i wrote another chapter. Be happy! I don't know when i'll be able to write the next chapter.

Rose