I wasn't able to face Kurama after our little 'chat' with Yusuke, so I chose to meditate in our team's waiting room at the stadium before the next match against Dr Ichigaki's team. I told Yusuke I would be there waiting when we headed to the ring.

Hiei had disappeared before I even got to say good morning, and I assume it had something to do with his arm. I could tell by his behavior that he was most likely in serious pain. Yusuke said Kurama went to go find him, but I'm sure that was more of an excuse to avoid me. This was so awkward now. If Kurama and I had any chance of maintaining some sort of friendship, Yusuke set that on fire last night.

When it was time for the tournament to start, we were short two members: Hiei and Kurama. I wasn't sure what to expect from Dr Ichigaki, and I'm sure he was no pushover- but I was definitely more worried about the reason our members hadn't showed up.

Yusuke and Kuwabara seemed reluctant when I mentioned I would inevitably be stepping into the ring with them, but they obviously had no choice. I was the alternate, and they needed the help.

The first thing I noticed was the two uglier, scalier members of his team seemed to be absent. I wasn't stupid enough to chalk it up to good luck.

"So Dr Frankenstein, where's your Igors? Did they turn tail, or are they up to something unsportsmanlike?" I gruffed irritably at the doctor.

He grinned at me maniacally. "Who exactly are you? I don't appreciate how much mystery hangs around this team. Two masked fighters? It's insulting."

He avoided the question with questions.

Something seemed off about the three fighters in the ring with us, and it didn't help that one of our team's resident psychics had a dream about them the night before. I had a feeling the doctor wasn't playing fair.

I couldn't bring myself to take the offensive, despite how powerful their attacks were. Something in my instincts told me I needed to find out what was up with them. Turns out my instincts were right, but I unfortunately found out a little too late.

Kuwabara told us their story and risked his life like an idiot. I ran to see if he was okay when one of the angel blades got me on my left arm and across my shoulder blades. The cuts weren't too deep, but they would tear if I used my arms too much.

DAMN IT! Rooky move Amaya. ROOKY MOVE.

I scolded myself and didn't make it apparent to the others I was also injured. Kuwabara was much more critical. I would live.

The rest of the battle was a bit of a blur. I had to step back on the fighting so no one would find out about my injury. I tried to use that time wisely and figure out a plan of action. The only problem was I had no idea how to deal with those damn Verrucae.

Hiei and Kurama showed up with some giant robot that was apparently sent to kill them, (yeah right) but were ineligible to fight because the battle had already commenced. I was so pissed.

I could tell that I had lost a bit of blood from my flailing and dodging and felt lightheaded. I couldn't focus.

In the end, Yusuke saved the day with his Spirit Wave technique and the men were spared. I couldn't believe how emotional I felt over it all. Yusuke teared up like a baby.

My first thought was getting Kurama or Hiei to bandage me, but my thoughts were cut off when there was an announcement. Hiei and the masked fighter were ruled unable to fight because of their energies. Before I was able to protest, the enchantress Ruka ensnared them. Fucking whore.

Somehow we were thrown into another round. This shit is sooo rigged. I noticed that when I was in my demon element, I swore more and used less words. (lol)

I walked over to Yusuke and Kurama and we discussed tactics. Before I could reach them, Kurama whirled on me.

His face was that of surprise and worry. "You're bleeding. Badly. Where?"

I nodded, knowing it wasn't the time to debate, and turned around, showing him my shoulders. He and Yusuke hissed.

"Well that's just fucking perfect." Yusuke droned. "She's and Kuwabara are both in no condition to fight."

I turned back to face them.

"I just need a quick bandaging and I'll be fine. Unfortunately I'll need some assist-"

Kurama pressed his finger to my mouth. "No. Amaya. You cannot fight. We don't know the extent of what damage has been done. Yusuke and I will manage. If we fail, you may step in and try to win the match for us. Hopefully it doesn't come to that."

I gaped like a fish. "Do you guys think your fucking invincible? You've gotta be fucking kidding me!"

Before I could protest further, they began discussing their strategy- which was basically Kurama fighting until he lost. I didn't like this idea.

My eyes were fogging and I noticed soon that I was crying. I was scared that they would die and I couldn't help them, they wouldn't let me. I swore to myself then and there that if either of them came even close to dying I would tear this entire place apart until there was nothing but ash and rubble. Kurama stepped into the ring.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kurama's fight with Gama was a nail-biter. When he pull that rose whip out of his hair- I gained a ton of new respect for him. He really was a clever fox.

However, his fight with Toya nearly ended me. I begged from the sidelines for Kurama to be careful, but it seemed like he was done for. I threatened Toya that I would kill him if he hurt Kurama- he just smirked and fired more ice shards.

When Kurama pulled his reckless stunt and summoned his death plant from inside himself, I was both relieved and horrified. But nothing I felt could compare with how I felt when Bakken stepped up and toyed with him. I couldn't control myself.

The limiters on my power all began to snap with tremendous force. I could feel the ripples my power made in the air around me and I could hear Yusuke and Botan mutter in confusion and apprehension. I didn't care. If that motherfucker kills Kurama, this whole stadium will be his grave.

My canines elongated slightly and my tattoos appeared and stretched across my body, slowly sprouting real feathers. The whites of my eyes slowly darkened into a grey and my pupil's glowed greener- the hazel ring becoming a ring of fire.

I could smell the fear rolling off of Botan and Kuwabara and couldn't bring myself to care what they were thinking. I was just waiting for Bakken to make the wrong move. Yusuke turned back to the fight, obviously having the same idea as me because he poised his hand- ready to form his spirit gun and shoot Bakken in the back. We were ready to watch the world burn.

Bakken suddenly stopped after his teammate tipped him off on what was happening. He finally threw Kurama's limp body out of the ring, where I moved quicker than I normally would to catch him gently. I sent Bakken a glare that made him shrink back instinctually, his eyes wide in fear. Fortunately for him I was more worried about Kurama's wellbeing than taking revenge on the sorry, soulless blood-sack.

I carried Kurama safely to the far wall and sat down with him cradled in my arms. Yusuke walked over to me.

"Is he gonna be okay?"

I looked at Yusuke, my features still freakish. "I can use my energy to try and repair some of the damage and minimize his pain. However I will have to fall unconscious and will be of no use in this round."

Yusuke looked at me seriously. "Will he live?"

I placed my hand on Kurama's stomach and scanned his vital organs with my energy. I looked back to Yusuke.

"He will, but when he awakes he will be in great pain. He needs help."

Yusuke nodded. "Do what you gotta do to help him. I'll take care of the rest."

I thanked Yusuke and wished him luck. He patted my head and headed toward the stadium, obviously ready for some blood.

I began my work on Kurama immediately. I repaired any broken bones and internal bleeding first. I was surprised to find little broken of even fractured. He's strong.

Once I was sure he was whole and wasn't at risk of bleeding out on the inside, I took notice of the plant still tightly wound into his body. I wasn't sure if I had the energy enough to remove it.

As if reading my thoughts, Kurama stirred in my arms, his head lifting slightly from my bosom to look at me.

His eyebrow creased. "What happened?"

I brushed his messy hair from his face. "You fell unconscious while you were still in the ring and Bakken tried to kill you." Kurama's eyes widened. At first I thought it was because of what I had said, but then I realized it was my appearance. I looked away.

"I'm sorry. I must look like a monster. I got carried away when I thought you were going to be killed. My power used my emotions to escape. I've been using it to heal you and keep your physical pain at bay."

I looked down at Kurama and noticed he wasn't actually afraid, merely curious. I felt a little better about it, but kept it to myself.

"I can remove the plant for you, but I'm afraid you'll be in a bit of pain and I will lose consciousness after it's done. Is that alright? Your body will heal faster with it gone. You'll be in no shape to fight, but perhaps you'll at least be able to stand on your own."

Kurama frowned and thought about it for a second. "Are you sure you won't be in anyway hurt?"

I smiled and shook my head. "It will only make me tired. I'm not even entirely sure if I'll lose consciousness. It's only a possibility." He finally agreed with a nod.

I let my power surge through my body and multiply. When it reached its peak, I reached down close to where the plant was protruding from hiss chest.

I looked into his eyes. "This may hurt a little bit. Brace yourself. You can grab my arm if you wish." He reached up and grasped my uninjured bicep, his head still against my left bosom.

I looked in his eyes and I grasped the vine and poured my energy into it. Kurama's face scrunched in pain but he remained still.

"There may be a brief uncomfortable sensation, but it will pass." Once my energy was done funneling through the plant, it dissolved in a slight burst of energy.

Kurama flinched and looked at me, surprise on his face.

"My energy will work through your body and rid it of any remnant of the plant and it's toxins, healing torn tissue along the way. It won't heal everything, but it will definitely help."

Kurama looked down at his chest and breathed deeply. "It feels as if you're inside me. Where did you learn this healing technique?"

I shook my head. "It's something I figured out a few decades back."

Kurama sat up with difficulty, but his energy was returning. Before we could continue our conversation or turn to watch the fight, I blacked out.

When I woke up I was back in our hotel, laying on the couch. I looked around for any familiar faces, but found only one. Kurama sat in the corner, reading a book with no cover.

He noticed my stirring and placed his book down, walking over to me. He seemed to be healing extremely well, considering he moved as if nothing had happened.

He must have sensed my mental questioning. "Yukina made an appearance just after you fell unconscious. She healed us all quiet nicely. With the exception of Hiei of course. He doesn't want to get too close to her."

Kurama smirked evilly at Hiei's bashful nature and I laughed. I sat up carefully, testing my body. I didn't fell dizzy, but my shoulder hurt badly.

"Yukina healed your arm, but wasn't able to heal your shoulder completely because she ran out of energy. She said she would gladly heal it completely once it returned. Naturally she healed Kuwabara and I first because of the severity of our injuries. That and Yusuke insisted that you were tougher than you looked and would insist on being treated last."

I smiled. "Well Yusuke does know me quite well." Kurama's face fell for a moment, and a hint of jealous flashed through his eyes. It immediately disappeared.

"Well." He smiled. "How about I give you a basic bandaging before the girls and Kuwabara return with the food and drinks. Apparently there is talk of a card game." I nodded and proceeded to take of my shirt. I hissed in pain and realized that was impossible.

Kurama looked at me and blushed. "Uh… should we just cut it off?"

I thought for a moment and nodded. He reached behind his ear and pulled out a blade of grass, instantly turning it into an actually blade. "I'm starting to get jealous of your abilities Kurama…" I pouted. He chuckled and gently cut through the back of my shirt, successfully removing it.

I looked down and noticed my tattoos were back to their normal size, my tiny looser feathers wrapping around my side and onto my hips. I suppose my energy calmed down again. I should put my limiters back on after I recover.

Kurama paused his work for a moment and I became curious in what he was doing. He seemed to notice.

"I never noticed these tattoos before. Do you hide them somehow when you're in your human camouflage?"

"Yeah, actually. I just used a specially seal to make them invisible to someone who didn't already know they were there. You'll probably see them all the time now."

I didn't mean that comment to sound as suggestive as it did, but Kurama blushed and it caused my own face to heat up. I turned away as he dug into the first aid kit.

It was then that we faced another problem.

"Um. Amaya? It seems that some of your… ahem, breast bindings were cut and have stuck to your wounds. We may have to soften them and remove them. Perhaps we should take this task to one of the rooms."

I nodded and walked into my room after grabbing a washcloth and a bowl of warm water. I sat the bowl and cloth on the nightstand and myself on the bed. I then moved my hair over my shoulder so it wouldn't be in the way. I thought I heard Kurama swallow audibly.

He reached around me, his breath pouring heavily over my shoulder, and grabbed the cloth- dipping it into the warm water and ringing it out slightly before bringing back to dab at my breast bindings.

His nervousness seemed to fade away as he focused on his work. Mine didn't however. The feel of his hands gently touching my back and shoulders unraveled my insides. I was so filled with emotional need I just wanted to throw myself into his arms and let him read my thoughts.

He finally worked the first loop of bandages away from my wound and unwound them, accidently grazing my left nipple- causing me to flinch. He apologized and continued wetting the bandage.

Once the bandage was totally free, he unwound it with ease, removing it from my body. He set the unclean bandage to the side and removed some disinfectant from the kit. He gently poured the disinfectant onto the wound, noticing some of it run down the length of my back and disappear beneath my pants.

I felt incredibly uncomfortable as my butt got gradually wetter and the mood got progressively less sexy. I smiled at the turn of events.

Once I was disinfected, Kurama squeezed some ointment onto the wound, mixed with some of his own healing herbs, and place a moist cotton patch over its entirety. He began wrapping the bandage again and the mood shifted back to physical.

He had no choice but to graze my breasts as I tried to guide the bandages around them. Once my breasts and the bandages were firmly in place, I breathed a sigh of relief. Kurama closed the first aid kit and stood.

"I wouldn't suggest putting a shirt back on until Yukina can heal you properly. Perhaps you could just slip something over yourself partially?"

I thought for a moment and looked into my bag on the floor. I had a plain black tube bra that would cover just more than the bandages.

"I think this would work, but I'll need help slipping it on." I couldn't look him in the eye. He reached out and took the cloth from my hand.

Looking at it in confusion, he turned it over in his hands, obviously having no idea what to do.

"The tag goes in the back." I hinted. "If you hold it I can step into it and you can gently pull it up and into place." He got the idea and bent over, arranging the object.

I held his shoulder for added balance and stepped both feet in. He gingerly raised the item slowly passed my knees, up my thighs, over my hips until he reached my stomach. He noticed his face was inches from my chest and decided it was a good time to check and make sure the bandages were secured. He touch them gently and examined them before bringing the bra carefully to its destination. He straightened it and then released it. I was surprised he wasn't red.

"Thank you." I said. "Would you please help me into my hoodie? That will be it." I pointed to an emerald green jacket draped over a chair at the vanity. He reached over, plucking it swiftly from the chair and holding it out. I carefully inserted my arms and let him adjust it onto my body. Once it was in place I turned and kissed his cheek without thinking.

I instantly regretted it. "Uh… thanks." He nodded and suggested we wait in the living area for the rest to arrive. I agreed.