A Single Flower
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A/N: And now the next round in the Dark Tournament!
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Hiei and I walked through the forest to make our way back to the arena. The way he held his arm, though, it must have hurt a lot. He was walking slower than usual. He was really awful. Making me worry like this. Though…I couldn't heal him either.
"I'm not going to die so stop concerning yourself." Hiei remarked.
"Did you read my mind again?" I asked with a frown but I didn't get mad as usual.
"No, it's written all over your face." That was probably true, but I wonder if Hiei really hadn't. Maybe he was starting to respect me. I should go summon electrical beings more often.
"Are you coming?" He asked and I noticed he had left me while I was in mid-thought. So much for respect. I ran to catch up with him.
At one point, the pain was rather burdening as he fell to his knees and grumbled. I could only watch. I wish I could have done more…
"Is this wise Hiei?" We both looked up to see Kurama standing in the trees.
"What do you mean?" Hiei asked.
"Worrying Sakura like that. Also, it won't be easy to keep winning without the use of your dominant hand. Perhaps you should withdraw." Kurama suggested much to my surprise.
"Let me guess, and let Sakura be my replacement? Hah! You heard what Toguro said. We don't have a choice." He shot back. He didn't have to deny me as the replacement though I thought with a grumble.
I could sense two demons approaching and no doubt Kurama and Hiei could too as Kurama jumped down, but Hiei continued to talk. "If we don't make it through this tournament, he will kill us all. Fighting is our only way out."
As he finished two lizard like demons approached us. "Talk about ugly." I sneered.
Kurama chuckled. "Now that's not very nice, Sakura. Seems the doctor's team has gotten lost."
"Yes, what a horrible coincidence for us both." Hiei chuckled. We all knew where this was going to go.
The lizard that resembled an old man charged at us without a word of explanation. Kurama's rose whip was bared as well as Hiei's sword. "I hope you boys realize…I'm fighting too." I said as I summoned my bladed spinner.
"Of course you would." Hiei dully commented.
Within moments the three of us had moved in a split second and behind us was the weakling chopped to pieces by the each of us.
"What the hell?" The other one called out.
"Huh, and that was using my left arm Kurama." Hiei remarked looking at the dead demon.
"I'm sorry, I used my right. Next time I'll use my left to be fair." I chuckled at their friendly banter and we turned to the remaining team member of Dr. Ichigaki's team.
Hiei pointed his sword at him. "Would you like to try us next?" He questioned but the demon only seemed to laugh.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Thanks but I'd rather not. Death gives me the shivers." He answered both me and Hiei before pulling out a remote and pushing a button.
Our attentions were turned to something moving in the forest. It revealed itself to be a rather large mechanical machine with one glowing red eye.
"You had to ask." Hiei grumbled at me.
The large grey and red robot walked over to the demon and stood there obediently. "Gatasaburu is what we like to call him." He informed us. "One of the doctor's earlier projects. Part demon, mostly machine. Almost like the girl you have by your side, however not as revolting and useless. No feelings, no pain, and no fear! Go Gatasaburu! Destroy those three low-lifes!" He commanded.
"What was that about being useless?" I screamed even though it was heading for us.
"We've covered this." Hiei remarked. "Sakura, get out of the way now." He ordered and something about his voice made me listen. I moved up into the trees for a safe spot and a view.
The machine stretched its arms out towards Kurama and Hiei. The two dodged no problem, but that wasn't over. It only seemed to stretch backwards following their movements. "Watch out!" I called to the two of them.
Kurama jumped from place to place as Hiei 'warped' around. At one point, his arm was stuck to a tree trying to pin Hiei down and he struck the steel beast with his sword, but nothing.
I heard the demon laugh and I looked down on him. "Gatasaburu's body is made with a special formula of hybridized metal. Combining the hardest steel with actual living cells, no substance in the whole world can break it!" he called out.
"Maybe I can't kill the beast," Hiei said in midair. "But I can at least kill you!" He dived for the demon, however his plans were cut short as the arm managed to hit his leg causing him to lose balance. When he landed, he landed on his injured arm.
"Hiei!" I called out leaping from my spot, but it was too late, in his moment of distraction the arm pinned Hiei to a tree.
I made my way over and summoned my weapon hitting the arm. "You let him go you disgusting robot creature!" I shouted while hitting it even though I didn't make a dent.
The demon started to spout off nonsense as if he had already won. "I'll get you…" I said turning towards him.
"Don't move, it'll only attack you if you try to hit him." Hiei grumbled and I watched him hold out his other arm.
"No, you can't!" I yelled realizing what he was doing once I saw the energy formed.
"Hiei don't!" Kurama yelled out. Kurama weaved in between trees and headed towards Hiei. "Sakura move!" I did as prompted when he leapt over the other arm causing the following arm to hit it and releasing Hiei.
I went to his side automatically to make sure he was okay. However, it was Kurama who needed help as now both arms were aimed at him. They landed with a crash and only dust could be seen.
"Kurama!" Both Hiei and I shouted.
"Excellent Gatasaburu, now kill the other one too!" The demon shouted, but there was no movement. "What's wrong with you? I said kill!"
Once the dust cleared I was relieved to see Kurama unscathed, but rather it was the robot who was severely damaged. Its arms were caught in a tangled mess of Kurama's rose whip and sparks were flying from the stupid contraption.
"You were wrong on two counts." Kurama stated.
"What just happened?" The demon was shocked that his machine had failed to kill us all. Hiei and I walked over to Kurama's side.
"Even the hardest substance can be broken when crashed into itself. And the ability to feel pain is not a weakness it is a strength. Pain tells a creature its vulnerabilities and not to expose them to attack." Kurama lectured as the demon started to walk away. "Your robot is dead, and so I'm afraid are you."
The demon turned around to run away but was met by me. "Going somewhere?" I asked as I held out my hand shooting a spark wave at the coward to paralyze him. "Don't kill him just yet." I suggested to Kurama and Hiei who made their way over. "If the doctor was trying to keep you two away from the fight, who knows what dirty tricks the other three are left to deal with." I said.
Kurama nodded. "Yes, the fight has no doubt started." He turned to the demon. "If you value your life, you best tell us everything." He threatened.
He didn't speak, but then again I had paralyzed him. I held out my hand and decided to try something new. I pulled back the electrical energy that was causing his paralysis and it actually worked as he started to speak. "I…I don't know anything!" He yelled as he tried to escape.
Hiei however grabbed him by his tail and had a most cruel look on his face. "Yes, perhaps you need something to refresh your memory." He got a good beating before he spilled the details of the fighters that Yusuke was dealing with back at the arena.
"Sakura, this could take some time. Let Hiei have his fun. Shall we sit?" Kurama asked as he sat on the shoulder of the now tamed machine.
I smiled watching Hiei continue to beat the demon. "Poor fool doesn't know what he's gotten himself into." I said joining Kurama. "Remember not to kill him Hiei!" I called out from where I sat.
Time passed and we learned of what the doctor had planned. "How revolting…" I said to Kurama. "Those guys are innocent and Yusuke and them have no choice but to fight them…"
"Hiei," Kurama called out. "Perhaps you can have him reveal the whereabouts of their master." Kurama suggested and Hiei went back to beating the lizard. Or so he thought had the demon not been so terrified of the last, that he uttered more without so much as a command.
"He's in a cave not too far from here. Let's hurry so we can join Yusuke." He said nonchalantly.
I nodded with a smile and leapt off the robot. I followed Kurama and Hiei as they led the way. It was near the edge of the island that we found the cave and sure enough inside was a frail looking man who seemed to be dying of a sickness.
"Can you heal him?" I asked Kurama immediately knowing my healing would be of no use in this situation.
Kurama helped the man up. "With the proper herbs yes. Sakura can you go search for some."
I nodded. "Yeah, anything to help." Kurama gave me the descriptions of what was needed and I headed out. When I came back with what was needed, Kurama quickly put together a remedy.
"He will recover." Kurama stated. "We should head back to the tournament."
"We're on the other side of the island. How do you expect us to get there in time with the frail master?" Hiei brought up.
I looked at the demon he still held by the tail. "Do you think we can use the machine to travel?" I asked. "Kurama basically just short circuited the thing, but I could charge it so it could move us." I suggested. The two looked at me and nodded. It was worth a try.
I sent out my electrical energy into the machine and after a bit its eyes retained its glowing red color. I walked over to the barely alive lizard creature and stole his remote. "Give me that." I took it and started to mess with the buttons. Within seconds it was moving. "Success!" I said as both Kurama and Hiei got on. "How's that for being useful?" I asked Hiei.
"Will you just hurry up and get on." I laughed and joined Hiei on the shoulder that he was on. With the remote in hand we made our way to the tournament.
We made our way to the arena and Hiei and Kurama leapt off. "Enter through that wall, Sakura." Kurama instructed. "We have to take care of this vile creature and place the master somewhere safe." I nodded wondering if they were going to just throw him into the ring but I would ask later as I made the creature strike its way into the stadium.
Once I got past all the rubble and the dust cleared, I could hear a rather odd voice call out from the stadium. "My robot Gatasaburu! What's happened to you?"
I climbed up on its head from behind since I didn't want to be in front when it smacked through the stadium. "He's in my control, duh!" I said and both Hiei and Kurama had both landed on the machine's shoulders.
"Hey guys, you're late!" Yusuke called out to us.
"Sorry!" I said with a wave.
"The missing members of the Urameshi team have appeared as well!" Koto announced climbing her way into the ring. "Hiei and Kurama, can you tell us where you've been?" She asked.
"Sorry, a thirty foot killing machine wanted a word with us." Hiei said with sarcasm.
"M5 told us everything." Kurama said referring to the guy they had tossed into the stadium. "And we're relieved you three are still alive." I turned to see Yusuke and Kuwabara were fine…but the masked fighter…well he…was a she, but she was okay nonetheless. She had soft brown eyes and vibrant pink hair.
"The veruki on their backs are the doctor's source of their mind control." Kurama continued to explain. "And in their present state, I'm afraid it would be fatal to remove them. The three are completely innocent. They didn't know the implant would control them. They were told it was blood research. And that's not even the extent of it I'm afraid. It seems the doctor caused the illness of their master in the first place."
We all turned our heads to the nasty imp of a doctor as he seemed only to cackle at the revealing of his plans.
He explained how he didn't care and his only goal was to be able to have those fighters survive long enough to get Yusuke's body to experiment on him.
"That rotten-"
"Control yourself." Hiei warned me. Of course I wasn't the only one whose temper needed to be kept controlled. Yusuke and Kuwabara both angered by his words abandoned the fight and started to charge for the doctor.
"Now!" Hiei called out and both him and Kurama ran towards the ring but Koto intervened.
"I'm sorry guys, they already agreed on a three on three fight. Step in the ring now and your whole team forfeits." Koto explained.
"You're a heartless mess you know that?" I heard Botan call her. You tell her Botan!
I turned to see that Yusuke and Kuwabara had been knocked out by the three humans for attempting to take the doctor's life. They tried again, but the humans stepped in to block them.
"What are they doing?" I shouted. "Dammit I should just make this stupid robot kill the doctor myself!" I said slapping the machine. I was angry as I leapt off the machine and headed to where Hiei and Kurama were.
The doctor soaked in his so-called ingenious plan and it was sickening to have it be heard. He allowed them to attack Yusuke and Kuwabara, but only Yusuke retreated.
"Kuwabara run!" I shouted seeing that he was just standing there ready to take the blow.
"What is he talking about?" Hiei asked as Kuwabara had shouted out random tangents that didn't make sense to us who just showed up.
"This is not wise." Kurama stated on edge.
Within moments, their attacks connected and Kuwabara was sent flying out of the ring. Botan immediately went to see if he would be okay, thought I was doubting it since he had gotten three direct hits.
Yusuke was greatly angered by this and charged at all three alone. What seemed difficult, he made it look easily. He dodged each of their attacks and retaliated with a brutal hit.
As Yusuke fought, Hiei and Kurama made their way over to the doctor and I decided to follow.
"Fifty two point seven two five percent?" The doctor exclaimed.
"Percentages are for poker." Hiei commented.
"You can factor strength and stamina, I'll give you that doctor. But determining the true heart of a person is quite a different thing." Kurama told him.
"Buzz off, I must've just punched a wrong number. What's the delay you lab rats! Destroy him!" He instructed them.
"Ooh, how dare you speak like that to them!" I said ready to charge at the doctor but Hiei held me back.
"Don't bother. Yusuke is going to destroy him soon." I looked at the arena to see Yusuke was now in the air powering up for a spirit gun attack. This was going to be the end.
However, before Yusuke could fire, the masked fighter stopped him. The two of them landed safely back down on the arena and she proceeded to chant words I had never heard of nor knew the meaning. As a result though, she summoned a large tornado of energy.
"W-Wow…" I said admiring it from the sidelines. Regardless of the mass of energy, Dr. Ichigaki still commanded his fighters to attack which they did. However, whatever the masked fighter did, she stopped them in mid-air and then quickly stabbed them with her two fingers in the heart area.
The veruki contraption on their back exploded and were removed and the three collapsed to the arena. Suddenly I couldn't feel their spirit energy at all. The masked fighter had killed them herself?
With all three knocked out, Koto made it her duty to continue to count to ten and when she reached the last number, a win was secured for the team.
The crowed, as usual, jeered that Yusuke lived yet again. Man, they just wanted him dead no matter what the means. Yusuke didn't care as he was rather angry about the whole situation of the thing. He marched his way over to the doctor.
"Hey asshole! You know you're not walking away from this aren't you?" Yusuke shouted at the doctor.
Hiei and Kurama decided to sneak up behind him and I was going to follow until I could hear Hiei. Go get the master and escort him out here. He instructed me and I decided to do just that. I'm sure Hiei thought the doctor would try to use him as a trump card of sorts.
I went and got those young boy's masters and saw that he was fully awake now. "Here, let me help you." I said to him and helped support him up and I helped him walk over to Yusuke's group.
"But I'm the only person who knows where he's hidden and how to reverse his disease!" My ears heard the doctor's lame excuse of trying to stay alive. I saw Kurama point backwards in my direction to show Ichigaki that the master was in fact still alive and that his information was not needed.
"You evil man!" The master shouted at Ichigaki and I couldn't help but agree as I guided him closer.
"After seeing his symptoms, Kurama was easily able to make an antidote." Hiei explained.
"I've acquired a few poisonous herbs on this island as well. Care to try one doctor?" Kurama threatened.
"No need for that Kurama." Yusuke said. "You ready to die?" He asked.
It seemed the doctor, despite being surrounded, was still trying to escape his death. He pulled out a needle and started to spout off some science crap before he stabbed himself and injected himself with whatever fluids were in there.
The nasty little imp hastily transformed before everyone's eyes into a large dark green goblin like mess. Like his robot, his arms too could extend and easily hit others. "How unoriginal." I remarked as I helped move the master out of the way so he wouldn't get hit by Ichigaki.
I watched as now he only aimed for Yusuke and he managed to cause a scratch to Yusuke. Hiei was able to make it to Yusuke ready to protect him. However, Yusuke wanted to take this personally and he told Hiei this was his fight. Hiei quickly moved away reminding Yusuke not to die. You big softy.
Call me softy again and I'll gladly slit your throat. I heard Hiei and my eyes narrowed.
Here I thought you were going to stop reading my thoughts.
It's a work in progress. I looked over at him and couldn't help but smile a little. I wonder how dumb I looked though smiling as Yusuke relentlessly beat Ichigaki and eventually sent him flying. "Good riddance!" I yelled out.
Though the boys had managed to secure a victory, it was rather bittersweet as those three innocent fighters had lost their lives as a result. I couldn't help but bow my head down in respect.
"Perhaps you should look before you grieve." I looked to see Hiei had made his way over to me. I looked at the arena to see that the three that had been knocked down, were up…and alive.
"They're alive!" I said shocked but with happiness. I watched as they reunited with their masters. "They're so happy!" I cheered as out of instinct I hugged Hiei. "This is great!"
I then realized what I was doing. My face felt red and I quickly pulled away from Hiei. "P-Put a shirt on!" I found myself yelling at him and my face was probably going to explode as I realized what I had said. I started to mutter more incoherent things as I made my way to farthest side of the arena. "Hiei's right…I talk too much."
After I calmed myself I thought that we would be able to get leave and rest up. But I was wrong. "May I have your attention please. The third round will begin immediately." I heard a female announcer and I looked at the screen to see it was Yusuke's team having to fight.
"What? Again?" I heard Hiei spoke.
I ran over to him. "You guys just fought!" I exclaimed. "They must be cheating!" I shouted at the demon fans who were excited that now the worn out Team Urameshi would be fighting again. They really had no choice.
A rush of wind swept over the stadium and out of nowhere the next team, Team Masho appeared. They each donned black robes with black pointed hats over them. This was really happening.
Team Masho's captain revealed himself as a gust of wind swept off his cloak. He was a red-haired demon with a horn on his head. He had a jolly walk about him as he made his went to the center and Yusuke followed suit.
"Jin has asked for a series of one-on-one matches with the advancing teams taking five wins and Yusuke gives the nod!" Koto announced the conditions the two captains set.
I watched as the crowd cheered. One-on-one…that wasn't so bad if someone could rack up two wins to make up for Kuwabara who was still passed out on the ground.
"May I have your attention please. The tournament committee will be instituting a medical examination before the next round. Due to the Urameshi team fighting without a rest and in accordance to section thirteen of the tournament index, report to the medical tent." The female announcer who had declared Yusuke's team to fight twice in a row was actually looking out for them now? Too good to be true.
"As long as they don't grab my balls and make me cough." Yusuke said with a shrug.
"You have such a way with words." I rolled my eyes at Yusuke as I spotted the medical tent that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Emerging from the tent was a female demon. She had long red hair and donned a nurse outfit.
I heard Yusuke seemed to be taken away and some other whistles from the crowd. Well this was just annoying, what was so great about her?
"Hello gentleman." She greeted the team and held out her hand as if she was scanning each member. She stopped at the masked fighter and Hiei. "Yes, you two fighters will follow me to the medical tent." I couldn't help but glare at her.
"Don't be ridiculous. We need no medical attention. Why don't you go nurse the fool lying on his back?" You tell her Hiei!
"Because his wounds do not interest me in the way yours do Hiei." She said with a smirk. "Maybe I can help you." She said as she headed to the tent and Hiei and the masked fighter followed.
"If I couldn't do it, what makes you think you can!" I yelled out.
"Something the matter, Sakura?" Kurama asked me regarding my outburst.
I crossed my arms and looked away. "I don't trust her, that's all." I watched from a distance as she seemed to be asking them medical questions. I was relieved when I started to see Hiei walk away and give her no attention whatsoever.
Of course, nothing ever goes according to plan with this team, as soon as Hiei and the masked fighter tried to leave, a barrier surrounded them and prevented them from leaving. I ran over to the so-called 'medical tent'.
"Dammit, what's happening to them Kurama?" Yusuke asked as he followed me.
"It's a force field." Kurama explained.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" I pointed an accusing finger at the 'nurse.'
"Hey redhead, why do I get the feeling you're not a licensed nurse!" Yusuke called out after me.
"That's right Yusuke." She said completely ignoring me as she removed her nurse clothing. I stood back to see she was wearing nothing but yellow threads that barely covered her womanly features. "Enchantress is more like it. Ruka is my name and I'm regarded as the most talented creature alive in spell defense incantations." She announced.
"Give me my damn team back!" Yusuke yelled at Ruka.
"Didn't you hear the announcement Yusuke?" She started. "They're both very sick. They're going to need a little time recover." She said.
I stood there in disbelief. "Does recovery only come from lack of clothing?" I seethed under my tongue.
"Ahha, perhaps if you were more of a woman, you could be able to control Hiei as I am with my abilities to hold these two fighters back." She taunted me.
"WHAT!" I screeched. I could feel my energy start to emit from anger. "Why don't you say that to my fist." I said angrily.
"Such a violent temper from a girl." Ruka said.
I would've launched at her had Kurama not held me back and have Yusuke drag me away. "Let me go! Where in the damn rules does it say I can't slit her throat to pieces!" I yelled as I flailed about.
"Jeez, she just had to get Hiei's girl riled up." Yusuke exasperated.
"Don't make me turn on you too Yusuke!" I yelled at the comment I had reminded him many times not to say. "She's just contributing to their damn rules! I am not angry over anything else!" I yelled.
"Hiei and the masked fighter have been ruled unfit to fight. They will sit out for the duration of the round while they are suitably treated." The announcer came on and declared the new ruling for this round.
"Cheating bastards!" I yelled.
"I'll say!" Yusuke agreed as he jumped into the ring to confront Koto about what was going on.
Koto swore that she was neutral, and there was no choice but to fight under these stupid conditions. Especially when another member of Team Masho revealed themselves onto the ring and ready to fight. He was a pale, sickly looking demon and the only color on him was the green bandana he wore.
Yusuke was ready to fight, but Kurama stopped him volunteering to take as many matches as he could before Yusuke stepped in.
Don't die, Kurama. I told him as Yusuke got off and Kurama was ready to fight against his opponent called Gama.
It was a strange fight as the once pale demon started it off rather early by painting himself with bizarre markings referring to it as his own personal type of 'make-up'. It's like his body was pale because he used himself as a canvas.
Whatever that make-up stuff he put on, it greatly benefited him as his body glowed a vibrant red and he seemed to get stronger. He immediately started to attack Kurama, but Kurama was able to dodge each move.
Despite the fact that it looked this was going to be another easy win for Kurama, something was wrong. Kurama looked like he had dodged all of Gama's attack, but at one point during the dodging, Gama managed to put paint on Kurama's lower left ankle.
I couldn't believe it when he said that Kurama could no longer move just because of that artsy crap.
"Let me get this straight, you can't move your body that gets marked up by that junk?" Yusuke asked.
"Looks like it." I said seeing that Kurama's left leg was now unable to move. Now what was going to happen?
The fight suddenly became a nightmare as the rest of Kurama's body was being confined by the stupid paint like substance. He was completely immobile. "This…can't be good." I said as I watched Gama ready to make the final blow now that Kurama was at his mercy.
"Kurama!" I yelled, but there was no need. Before Gama could finish the fight, he was the one who had been severely hurt.
My eyes blinked at the sight I had just seen. Gama was severed by Kurama's rose whip alright, but that wasn't what caught me off guard. It was the fact that Kurama had wielded his weapon with just his head and hair. The whip was wrapped around his hair, but he was still able to maneuver it.
Gama collapsed and his blood was oozing out onto the stadium. It was over, but Kurama still couldn't move. I listened as Kurama told Gama he was going to spare his life if he freed Kurama from the curse of his paint, but instead Gama got up and moved around. He just made his blood spill everywhere. What an idiot fighter, I thought. He was basically killing himself.
He collapsed over, but I could hear his last words. His paint was made with his own blood. He was going to die, but the blood that had been spilled on Kurama was a last resort. Kurama's energy was now sealed and could not be used.
A win for Team Urameshi…but how was Kurama going to last in the next fight?
The next member came onto the arena and his cloak was taken off and revealed the next fighter. He seemed young and had blue hair with strands of green sticking out.
"It's Touya, the master of ice. Get him out of there Yusuke!" I could hear Hiei say from the tent. That wasn't a good sign…
Kurama couldn't move and Touya was ready to fight. "Damn this is wrong." I heard Yusuke seethe.
Kuwabara too complained and Botan tried to comfort him as he still had his own injuries to deal with. Of course, I couldn't help but agree with both of them. This wasn't fair. Someone was out to get them. But who?
"There you are Sakyo."
I stood still as my ears tuned into the crowd to search for a familiar voice. "How do you like that medical tent scheme I came up with?"
"What?" I yelled out into the crowd. I scanned it fervently. So it was the old man's fault?
Something the matter? I heard Hiei's voice in my head.
Nothing, soon as I find that geezer and kill him. I said not turning my attention away from the crowd. And there, I spotted him. He was talking to another human but he wasn't my concern. I gripped my fists and somehow found myself walking in that direction.
Sakura, stop. You know you're not allowed to kill humans. Besides what good will it do killing him now? The rules have already been set. I turned to Hiei who had communicated this all to me.
But you're stuck in there and Kurama's having to go another round because of him…and you're one to talk! You nearly killed Tarukane that one time! I reminded him. The situations to me were no different.
"What are you looking at?" I looked to see it was Ruka who was talking to me. "Staring and wishing for something you can't have?" She waved her hand at her figure.
I yelled vigorously at Hiei. "Not to mention I want to chop his head off for hiring someone like her!" I said waving furiously an accusing finger at Ruka.
"Jealously isn't the best expression for you dear," Ruka chuckled.
"Maybe I'll rip your head off instead!" I shouted as I angrily walked back over to Yusuke. Stupid grandfather, stupid enchantress. "STUPID TOURNAMENT!" I yelled shocking Yusuke.
"Hey, the match is starting, shut up!" He yelled back at me and turned his attention to the fight. I decided to calm myself and watch the fight as well.
Touya started the fight by completely freezing the arena and though he had set up a 'wall' to prevent Kurama from escaping, the cold air still managed to escape out to where we stood.
"Whoa, it's cold." Yusuke said with a shiver.
I nodded, also shivering. "S-So c-cold." It was worse than the time we faced Seiryu.
Kurama had stalled for as long as he could, because Touya was prepping for an attack. Just as he launched shards of ice he called 'shards of winter', Kurama had regained mobility. "Move!" I shouted, but he was a little too late as some of the attack did manage to connect.
Kurama spent most of the fight dodging as he couldn't use any of his energy. It was awful having to watch him be knocked down. "Tell fox girl you'll give up! I swear I'll take it from here!" Yusuke would tell Kurama and I just wish he would listen.
"I can't watch." I said turning around and running over to the tent.
"What the hell's wrong with you Kurama?" I could hear Yusuke shout and turned to see Kurama struggling to get up. "Kurama don't get up! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
I covered my ears but I knew that was useless. "Strange, almost as if Kurama's taking this fight personally." I heard Hiei remark.
"He shouldn't die over it!" I told Hiei but he was affixed to the fight. "If I have to see someone I care about die one more time…" I quickly wiped away my tears. "This is all your fault!" I yelled at Hiei using anger to hide my fear. "You just had to hurt yourself with that darkness technique and now your arms hurt and you're stuck in here and Kurama's getting beat up and this stupid Ruka keeps insulting me." I wailed towards the end of my accusation.
Hiei let out a sigh. "You really are hopeless." You underestimate us both greatly. Neither of us have died yet.
It was my turn to sigh at Hiei. I've never underestimated either of you. Unlike you, I'm not afraid to admit that I worry about you guys. I told you…you're…very important to me.
I didn't get to see what Hiei was going to say as I heard Koto begin to count. I turned around to see who was knocked down. To my great relief it was Touya. However he started to get up towards the end. I ran over to where Yusuke stood. "K-Kurama won?"
"Not just yet…" Yusuke said in apprehension over Touya beginning to get up.
"Eight…Nine…TEN!" Touya had stayed down. Kurama had won, but he slipped into consciousness.
"Get him out of there Yusuke." I said as the scoreboard change.
Yusuke nodded. "Hey, fox girl just so we're clear, the rest of the fights are all mine!" Yusuke declared.
"Not so fast!" Another member of Team Masho entered the arena. He was an ugly brute. Tall and built in muscles. He was tanned and had short brown hair. "You forgot something. He's standing in the ring." He pointed to Kurama.
"Oh give me a break! Kurama's not even conscious in the ring!" Yusuke complained.
The announcer, who had set all the rules and conditions for the fights thus far, went off. "Correction, the next fight will be Kurama versus Bakken!"
The crowd was cheering over the ruling. "Dammit, Hiei, you should've let me gone after my grandfather." I said hoping to find him among the crowd again. "This isn't going to turn out well at all!"
-x-
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed reading and leave a review! Oh and for those wondering, Sakura's summon is similar to that of the dragon where she uses energy. However, you'll find out later it's much trickier to summon and not nearly as strong as the dragon considering it doesn't want to consume and or do damage to Sakura after the attack.