Chapter X
I woke up to the feeling of warmth across the bottom half of my legs and the sun shining obnoxiously through the curtains and into my face. My neck felt horribly stiff from my lack of a pillow, and the first thought that entered my mind upon seeing sunlight was than I had horribly overslept. Then realizing that I wasn't in Hell Cabin anymore, that I didn't have to wake up at four anymore. I was so excited for a moment there, until realizing that the clock only read seven, and sudden depression swept over after thinking that waking up at seven was oversleeping. But I then quickly forgot about that as I looked down to see Yusuke curled up against my legs, in a different position than I could remember him in before I fell asleep. Quickly and gently pulling my legs from underneath him, I fell flat on the floor, onto my face, something that didn't feel all that great, while Yusuke laid there, not even stirring from my moving. Rummaging through my bag I found my toiletries and my clothes, rushed into the bathroom and attempted to make myself looked a bit presentable. My hair looked rather fly away, so I pulled it up into a high pony tail, amusing myself in the process by playing with my curls. The only good point about having curly hair. After that, I realized that this place was like an apartment and as I found Hiei and Kurama, completely dressed and already sipping coffee and eating a served breakfast from what I assumed was room service.
Rubbing my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, I then wondered what possessed those two to wake up so damn early, and how they did it was another entirety on its own. But the food was grand; I'd never seen such beautifully designed food in my life. It almost looked to pretty to eat. The cinnamon rolls were glazed and its icing zigzagged across it and the plate to make it look like a dessert, the bacon had such a heavenly aroma that was mixed with grease and fat along with some potatoes that had been quickly pan fried with some buttery golden biscuits to the side. Whoever these people, they'd won me over.
"Whoa, talk about hospitality," I said in utter amazement. Hiei nodded slightly, as if he agreed, but disagreed at the same time.
"It seems they wish to fatten us up like pigs before the slaughter," he commented sadistically. Shuddering, I knew that Hiei was a great guy and all, but someone had to do something about that pessimistic twisted outlook of his, cause it was really creeping me out. Majorly. Parking myself between Hiei and Kurama, I reached for a biscuit and globbed mountains of butter on top of it before digging in.
Taking a bite, I then noticed that Kuwabara wasn't here, and to top it off, Yusuke himself had not awoken. What the hell were they doing? I thought as I quickly got up, shoving the last bite into my mouth, going back into the living room. Taking a quick left flank towards Kuwabara's room, I tip toed in towards the side of his bed, leaned in close to his ear and-
"Kuzuma Kuwabara! Get your lazy ass up!" I screamed gleefully. Kuwabara sprang up and hit his head against the back board and clutched his chest as sweat seeped through his shirt.
"What the fuck is going on?!" he yelped. Not being able to contain myself any longer, I doubled over in hysteria, tears flowing from my eyes and down my cheeks as Kuwabara sent a vicious glare in my direction.
"That's not cool." He said sternly.
"No, but it sure as hell was funny, damn you should have seen the look on your face!" I replied, still laughing, my hands clutching my sore sides. Kuwabara turned his nose to the air and slid off his bed and into the bathroom, proceeding to slam the door quite loudly in response to my continuing laughter. It was just so amusing to scare Kuwabara; my big cousin's expressions were just to priceless to give up. Skipping out into the living room, I noticed Yusuke was still snug on the side of the couch. And while I knew that I had scared Kuwabara, and not him, his scream was loud enough to wake the dead.
Walking over there, I kneeled down and started to poke him obnoxiously in his stomach, hoping to see some kind of reaction. I didn't. He didn't even stir. I then decided to punch him in the arm. He still didn't budge. Then I slapped him across the face, leaving a nice red imprint on his cheek. Still nothing. Finally I pushed him head first on the ground, thinking that now he was just messing with me. He still didn't move. Terror.
"KURAMA!" I screamed, horrified. Kurama and Hiei darted into the room with their brows furrowed and their eyes in fear.
"What's going on?!" they asked in unison, which normally would have made me giggle, but I my brain was too frantic as of this moment. I pointed at Yusuke, while backing away, I was almost in tears.
"Yusuke's dead!!" I screamed. Kurama and Hiei exchanged puzzled looks, then looked curiously at me.
"What are you talking about?" Hiei asked, with Kurama nodding in agreement.
"Please, what's going on?"
I just kept frantically pointing.
"Yusuke, he won't wake up! I poked him, pushed him, slapped him, and he still didn't move!!" I explained, my spasm still not ceasing. I was almost half expecting for Yusuke to start laughing any moment now, telling me that he'd gotten me good. I waited, hoped, but it didn't come.
As Kurama bent over beside Yusuke, I was in a panic. What if he really was dead? What would've happened then? What would I do? What would any of us do for that matter. Thoughts jittered and bubbled as I bit furiously at my nails, when Kurama's chuckle broke the silence.
"No, Kit. He's not dead. He still has a heartbeat, a rather loud one at that. I believe that because of his intense training, his body is compensating for the lack of rest that he's had. So, he's recuperating by sleeping. Silly," I blushed a deep crimson. Even Hiei was chuckling quietly in the background. Damn was I dumb.
Storming out of the hotel room in rants of English slang swears all slurred together in a strange lyrical sense and then I slumped against the wall, hoping to get some fresh air. Closing my eyes, I tried to force myself to calm down. Just calm down, just calm down, just cal-
"Hey, you're Kazuma's cousin! What are you doing here?"
I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar, high pitch, and dare I say, girly? voice that rang through my ears like screeching chimes.
Keiko Yukimura.
I sprang up in an instant, almost hitting my head.
"What the hell-I mean, why the hell are-I mean, what are you doing here?!" I demanded, almost swearing at her too. This was no place for Keiko! (or for myself for that matter, but certainly not for her!) I thought, stabbing my nails into my arm in hopes that I was in a nightmare and I was going to wake up at any minute now.
"I came to see Yusuke," she said a-matter-of-fact-ly, her eyes narrowing down on me. Did she know that I liked Yusuke too? But, that would be silly, since she is dating that one guy, what on earth would possess her to come here? I raised an eyebrow. She wouldn't have found out on her own…oh.
"Did Botan have anything to do with you coming here?" I asked, knowing deep down that babbler mouth Botan probably spilled the beans before we left. Keiko nodded, and I felt exasperated; my hands to my face, tugging down on the skin. This was going to be horrible, I could just feel it. There was just something about her coming here that left a bad aftertaste lingering in my mouth and a strange sensation in the pit of my stomach. Turning, swishing, and burning. I didn't like it. And I certainly had to get rid of her for right now.
"Well, Keiko, I hate to break it to you, but Yusuke is still asleep and we're about to go to the fight, as a team, (I almost wanted to add "without you") and well, it's just a team thing, so no offense or anything, but you can't really…come…along, yah," I lied, scratching the back of my head, a bad habit I did when I lied blatantly. Luckily she didn't know those things. So she flashed a sweet smile and twirled in the other direction as she casually trotted down the hall. I cursed under my breath, my molars gritting fiercely. I wasn't so much angry at her as I was at her looks. Perfect little Asian girl, that's what she was. Straight, brown black hair that swept her shoulders, her bangs cut just right above her eyebrows, her abnormally large honey eyes that light crisp, dewy olive skin…
I suddenly felt quite disgusted at my own burnt skin, which was so dry that I was surprised I didn't see cacti growing from it. I hadn't done much during my training to keep my appearances up, and it certainly showed. My skin was flakey, my hair was coarse, messy, and rough, and my eyes now had dark circles underneath them. My arms had grown in size from the muscle I had gained as well as my legs, certainly contrasting from Keiko's slender arms and fragile white legs. I didn't stand a chance. Not if she still liked him, like I suspected she did. I loathed being in the same room as her, it made me feel so inferior that I wanted to gouge out her own eyes, rip out her hair and tear her skin, like the animal I really was.
Then the door behind me creaked to reveal Kuwabara with Yusuke slung over his back with Kurama and Hiei not too far behind. Exchanging looks of agreement and slight apprehension, we all walked down the hallway, not sure of what to expect.
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Hiei's eyes scanned the stadium, and its audience. Rowdy, loud, obnoxious, and clearly disproving of their team, he wasn't too impressed with anything that this place offered. Then again, it wasn't often that Hiei was impressed with anything. The demons in the stands threw taunting remarks particularly at him and Kurama, feelings of bitterness and betrayal fueling their words. He simply shrugged them off, low life demons didn't have any room to be barking at them. Though it could be said that Hiei didn't have to say anything at them at all, for Kit, who seemed even more peeved than when she'd stormed out of her room, wasn't taking the negative attention, too, how do you say, professionally?
"What was that you fucking pieces of shit?! God damn it, shut the fuck up for I tear all of you into pieces and send you to hell!" she replied in the same barking tone as they threw at her. Hiei couldn't help but smile, despite knowing that this sudden burst of energy was derived from some anger inside of her. Kit was the only on that could do that to him, he knew that if Kuwabara was doing the same thing, he'd probably toss a sarcastic comment towards him, finding the oaf as annoying as the crowd. As they stood there, waiting for the other team to arrive, Hiei's mind drifted into thoughts he wasn't quite used to.
Yukina.
Whenever he thought of Kit now a days, Yukina was often close behind it. Since Kit gave off that little sister appeal, maybe she indirectly reminded him of what life could have slightly been if he and Yukina would have been allowed to live together. Would they have been doting siblings? Would Yukina have clung to him like Kit clung to him? Would he risk his life for her numerous times over and over, not wanting to let her out of his sight? Hiei wanted, no, he longed to tell Yukina of the truth buried deep within his heart. But, he shouldn't, he wouldn't, there was no need to. Besides, she didn't need him anymore than anyone else did, he thought as Kuwabara marched up to the middle of the arena as the other team's captain too walked up there.
A bit taller than Kuwabara, his hair was a bleach blond with narrow squinty eyes and a black shirt that clung to his chest, trying to reveal what Hiei would assume was his proud muscles. Pfft, like he was compensating for something. Hiei didn't quite like the guy, since last night he and the small one, Rinku was it? Mad their appearance while Yusuke and Kit were sound asleep. The man, Zeru, made idiots out of all of them, so that definitely left a black mark on Hiei's account. If anyone was killing him, Hiei was going to be the lucky bastard that did.
The first opponent was the small kid, Rinku, whose annoyingly large grin never faltered and who stood no higher than three feet from what Hiei guessed. Clown like attire, three red stars tattooed underneath his eyes, Kuwabara better beat the little twerp if he knew what was good for him.
But still, Hiei didn't pay attention, if that's what you were looking for. He just zoned in and out, his mind relaxing in a blank state, and despite his want for Kuwabara to win, he knew he wasn't. It was just like Kuwabara to get his ass handed to him by a child. Which he did. Call it instinct, or telepathy, he really didn't care, he just knew Kuwabara well enough (which scared him slightly). The next fight though, left room for doubt.
It was Kurama vs. Roto; sure enough his gut told him that Kurama wouldn't get beat by a low life like that, but Hiei couldn't help but feel anxious and the next fight progressed.
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Whacking Kuwabara over the head, I said something along the lines of "I can't believe you got your assed kicked by a kid!" he not saying anything in return, but flushing magenta, which only slightly satisfied me. But I still couldn't believe he'd lost, I mean, I knew it was a totally idiot at times, but fighting was supposed to be his forte! He'd grew up beating up on people for Christ's sake! But not too long into the previous fight, Botan made her appearance, hoping the fence and to come and cheer us on from a closer look. Unfortunately, after that, I could see where Keiko, Shizuru, and…Atsuko1? Botan really did screw up, didn't she? I thought as I sent a horrid glare in Keiko's direction, hoping she could see it that it was intended for her.
"Go Kurama!" I cheered, hugging the wall of the raised arena floor as Kurama seemingly waltzed into the ring. He turned around halfway, smiled, though he didn't respond as he continued towards the middle. He was always so freakishly calm whenever anything occurred, and though you'd never get me to admit it out loud, it kind of scared me a little. It was one thing to be cocky, but it was another thing to be so calm.
Honestly, I was on pins and needles. I studied Kurama's fluid moments as he dodged, no, danced around Roto's strikes and attempts to attack. He was completely missed Kurama, or rather, Kurama was just too good for Roto. Or at least, that's impression I originally got, but something was just too weird about everything.
"For some reason, maybe I'm just crazy, but I don't like the feeling that I get from that guy. It's too weird," I commented to no one in particular, while twiddling my thumbs. Hiei nodded in agreement.
"I agree, despite the odds against Roto. Kurama clearly has the advantage, and his aura surpasses most demons, especially this low life, but I too can't shake the feeling like something peculiar is going to occur." Kuwabara couldn't comprehend what we were going on about, even though his sixth sense was stronger than mine.
"Yah, you two thing that. I still think Kurama's got this in the bag, though he wouldn't kill him to stop toying with him…but Hiei, I gotta ask you, where does Kurama keep his rose whip, I mean, it would hurt to keep it tangled up in his hair…" he asked, folding his arms against his chest. Hiei returned the stupefied look that Kuwabara had previously given us.
"You must be an idiot, he doesn't keep a whip, he just carries a simple rose bud with him, and makes it grow with his aura. A small garden weed can be turned into a deadly weapon in Kurama's hand," Hiei commented, like it was given knowledge. I blushed slightly with embarrassment; I didn't know that either, but I'd be damned if I let Hiei know that.
"What the-?!"
I turned, in Kuwabara's reaction, to the ring, and let out a small gasp. Blood was trickling down the side of Kurama's cheek, a slash mark from the right underneath his eye to his ear. The wound wasn't deep, and the fact that Kurama was hurt didn't necessarily bother me, but I could see Kurama's hands behind his back, and his stance open. He was clearly not defending himself.
"Hiei, what-what is Kurama doing?" I stuttered, still stunned. Hiei shrugged, he too not knowing the reason behind Kurama's actions. Roto then grinned slyly, and spoke a few words that my ears failed to pick up, and then he started punching.
Brutally, punching. Kurama was just taking it, his body acting like a limp rag doll, no retaliation. My mind refused to comprehend what was going on, he was just taking it, and taking it, why the hell wouldn't he fight back?!
"Fucking Kurama! Fight back!" I screamed, until my voice went hoarse and my throat dried up. I knew it wasn't helping anyone, not even me, but maybe the sound of his name comforted me a little, and he turned around and smiled his usual sweet smile, not fazed by the injuries inflicted upon him at all. O how evil I was. So fickle in my emotions, I couldn't even bear to watch him fight. Burying my face into my hands, I was so cruel in my lack of response, I had taken advantage of Kurama's kindness to try and sort out my own problems. But I did like him, I knew that, and I knew that if he were to go now, I would be devastated, he was my family, and I felt so cruel in avoiding him these past few weeks. So please, please don't die! I thought, the thought bearing down on me like a thousand pounds.
But then I heard the crowd go crazy again, but, not in cheers, but in jeers. I felt a small tap on my shoulder, and I looked from my hiding place that Hiei was pointing to the ring.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
Kurama was standing there, only the one cut on his face and a few bruises on his arms, but that was it. Roto was nowhere to be found, and in his stead was a garden of exquisite flowers in full bloom. Kurama…Kurama won?
"What the hell?" I asked, pleasantly puzzled, but still perplexed at the same time as I wiped the tears from my face. The corners of Hiei's mouth turned upward into a crooked grin.
"Simple, Kurama outsmarted him."
Kurama hopped down from the ring, only to be knocked over by me, who had tackled him the moment his feet touched the ground. I didn't care right now if Kuwabara said if I was being improper, or that my dumb American personality had taken over what I knew was proper etiquette. I didn't care if I knew deep down I still liked Yusuke. I was just so overcome by joy that I couldn't contain myself. May God punish me later, but right now, I was too happy; Kurama was alive. His heart still beating, his breath still warm and comforting. I could feel Kurama's arms slip around me and give a small squeeze before I took my head from his chest as he chuckled.
"I'm sorry, but since I am a bit injured, you're a bit heavier than normal," he said, grinning as he lightly bonked his head against mine. I blushed a vibrant pink, but I still smiled as I slid off of him. Kuwabara like I had anticipated was screaming some sort of lecture, but my ears didn't even process the words coming from his lips. Too foreign, and I just didn't care for that matter.
Not too long afterwards, at the eve of our celebration, the blond hair man named Zeru stepped up, his arms folded sternly and his stare focused on Hiei. Hiei returned the look, rather happily as he threw off his scarf.
"Wait, Hiei, what are you doing?" I asked, as he started for the ring.
"What does it look like? I'm going to vent off some steam by killing him," he said simply, while he and Zeru stood face to face, Hiei looking rather small in comparison.
While I had the utmost faith in Hiei, I was convinced he was going into this way too cocky for his own good. Glancing over at Yusuke, I sighed; still sleeping at a time like this? I was half way tempted to give him a quick swift kick in the side, and see if that did anything for me, but since nothing had really worked before, I wasn't going to waste my time with such trivial matters.
But it wasn't a moment into the fight, before Hiei even had a chance to move, I had just blinked, when Zeru made his move.
Instantaneous.
Fire.
Lots and lots of fire.
Consuming fire.
Engulfing Hiei.
Silent.
"Kuwabara…" That's all I could muster to say. Words refused to escape my lips, and my lungs started to close up on me, I couldn't breathe. I looked for my cousin for some form of comfort, some form of hope.
"No…it can't be…" Kuwabara replied, just as stunned as I was. Kurama, too, said nothing. Choking back the tears, I started screaming, even worse than I was with Kurama.
"Hiei! Hiei! Wake up Hiei! Please wake up! God damn it please wake up! Don't be dead! Who else can I talk to! God damn it! Get up!" I could feel Kurama pulling me back from going on top of the ring, I was struggling. I had to help him, he could be dying and I was just standing here! The tears were flowing, I was screaming louder than before, that's all I ever did.
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Hiei's eyes flickered open as he heard a pounding scream echoing in his ears. His name, over and over and over again. Not only that, but numbers were being called out as well, "3-4-", if he didn't get up, that would be one more loss for them, he'd be even with Kuwabara, and that was humiliation that he couldn't live with. His hand twitched as he gritted his teeth; damn.
*****************
My heart soared when Hiei staggered to his feet, but then it was immediately swamped in fear as black flames engulfed him as his bandanna burst into flames and his jagan eye, the first time I'd seen it, glowed a deep violet and his crimson eyes burned with such intensity. The flames that consumed him transformed into a lavender hue, and it intensified around his right arm.
And then it shot out. Taking the form of a dragon, it rushed towards Zeru in a moment's time frame, a blinding light emitted from it. My hands flew to face to cover my eyes. And after a few seconds I opened my eyes, and after my eyes adjusted for a few seconds, and then Zeru was gone.
Obliterated.
Not a trace.
I ran over to Hiei as soon as the call was made, I wanted to go and pound against him, to tell him never to do something like that again. For worrying me so. His arm was charred black, and he could hardly even move a finger. I took out the bandages that I had tucked behind my arm, and held them out. He shook his head.
"It wouldn't matter at this point," he said, flinching as he pushed his arm into his pocket. He was in such pain.
"But, but at least cover it, let me get some cold water or something," I pleaded; I wanted to help, in any way shape or form. This tournament was really had an effect on my nerves. But he brushed me off as he leaned against the stadium wall.
"Hiei…"
Kurama came up and shook his head as well, "Just leave him be, he'll come around in a few moments," he said reassuringly. I sighed, hoping that he was right.
The two other remaining members of the opposing team started to scrabble for their lives and darted out to one of the exits, leaving Rinku behind, or at least, attempted to leave Rinku. They didn't make it a few feet into it when a loud crash could be heard.
"Who is…?"
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Yusuke gagged as the familiar pungent stench of cheap booze invaded his nostrils and stung his nose. He blinked, as his eyes opened, and he reached for his throat. After quietly getting up, he could see that everyone's attention was focused on a mysterious figure that lingered in the exit, silhouetted in the shadows. This left Yusuke to make his dramatic entrance. Grinning, Yusuke leaped up in one motion and into the arena without anyone noticing.
"…if Yusuke doesn't wake…up?"
"Where's Yusuke?"
"Up here!" Yusuke replied, shouting as he stretched his arms and legs. Everyone's eyes went big, except for Kit, he tried with all her might to look as angry as she could, but as usual, failing horribly.
"You freaking loser! You've been asleep this whole time!" she shouted angrily. Yusuke's lips split into a large grin.
"Sorry bout that, I just needed some time. But now I'm back and ready for action!" he then sucked in some air, and he elevated his voice, "So listen up you demons! I've been trying to sleep through your crap long enough and now I'm ready to kick some ass!" he yelled over the roaring crowd, a feat worth noting. Looking over at Kit, he noticed her trying terribly trying to stifle laughter, and Kuwabara looking like, well, looking like Kuwabara. But his opponent didn't seem too impressed by his speech. His expression was static, and he his appearances were even more clown like than Rinku's. His hair was cut Mohawk style and was dyed a light purple, his skin was a rich tan color and he looked as though he hadn't shaved in a few weeks, and bottle of booze in hand, and his entire body reeked with alcohol, as if he'd been drinking since sun up. Though Botan was being a nag as usual, her brow furrowed with worry.
"Yusuke, are you sure you want to fight? I mean, you've been sleeping for almost a whole day!" Yusuke shrugged.
"That's why I'm taking on this jerk. I always get some exercise in the morning," he replied happily, walking up to him while cracking his knuckles. Staring into the eyes of his opponents, he hoped the this would be a worthy fight.
1 Atsuko, is Yusuke's mother for those of you that don't remember. In the anime, she's absent from the Tournament, but in the manga, which is where I base most of this fanfiction from, she's is actually present throughout the entire thing, giving her a more prominent role. Since I personally enjoy all of her quirks, I included her in here.