Chapter 11: Healing, pt. III
Season 2, episodes 59 & 60
Hey everyone, Botan here! The arena is in shambles after Kurama and Hiei's fights, so the tournament officials decided to put the final round on pause while they ready the replacement ring. But don't go anywhere, the long-awaited fight between Michiko and the elder Toguro is up next!
You will be the death of me.
∞ Time is Running Out - Muse
Koto cleared her throat, tapping the microphone before speaking. Her voice rang out throughout the stadium. "Alright people, I've just received word that we'll have a long intermission while the replacement ring is brought in. Feel free to move around the parts of the stadium that still exist, and as always, don't forget the snack bars!"
Michiko slipped her hands into her pockets, studying the tattered ring before gazing up at the massive hole in the stadium. Yusuke followed her gaze. "You've got to hand it to him, when Hiei's feeling serious, he really lets you know," he murmured.
Kurama nodded in agreement. "With this technique mastered, his power is overwhelming indeed." The red-haired demon smirked slightly. "We'll have to stay on his good side."
"I could kill you in an instant if I wanted to."
He wasn't kidding.
Michiko stole a glance at Team Toguro, her expression hard. The elder Toguro smirked at her.
Sighing, Michiko turned away, moving to sit at the edge of the arena. She sank to the ground, her legs sprawled out in front of her. She closed her eyes for several moments.
"Are you okay?" Michiko blinked and looked up at Kuwabara, smiling a little.
"Yeah. I'm okay."
Kuwabara moved to sit beside the small girl, his eyes straying to the shambled ring. "Seems an awful lot like they're trying to show off," he mumbled. Michiko chuckled softly.
"Our fighters, or theirs?"
Kuwabara snorted in response.
The two were silent a moment. Michiko finally looked over at Kuwabara, biting her lip. "Hey, um… I'm sorry I told you to shut up earlier."
Kuwabara laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, don't worry about it! Besides, I hear it from my sister all the time."
Michiko glanced up towards the stands. "Your sister? Is she one of the girls up there?"
Kuwabara nodded. "Yeah, Shizuru. She's the one who…" he trailed off, unsure if he should offer up that Shizuru told them what had happened between Toguro and Michiko. Michiko looked back at Kuwabara and smiled a little.
"It's okay," she said quietly. She leaned back, resting against the stone arena. "I don't mind that she told you guys what happened." She glanced at Hiei, who was still dozing beside her.
Kuwabara followed her gaze. After a moment he cleared his throat. "Hey, uh… are you sure you want to fight him? If you don't, I'm sure I could crush him for you!"
Michiko smiled ruefully, looking over at Kuwabara again. "I appreciate the offer," she said softly. Her gaze trailed to Team Toguro again. The younger brother had vanished, leaving the elder brother and the strange man in the suit alone. "But I need to fight him myself."
Kuwabara sighed. "Man, I'm gonna be missing out on all the fun," he grumbled. Michiko frowned and looked at him. He smiled apologetically. "I mean- I'm gonna be the only one who doesn't get to kick some ass."
Michiko nodded slightly, understanding. "I guess Scarface over there is too good to fight," she mused.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them started to rumble. "What- what is that?" She got to her feet, slightly alarmed.
"I think something's coming," Kuwabara said. He stood up, frowning. Yusuke jogged over to them.
"Hey guys? I think we better check this out."
The conscious team members moved to the massive hole in the wall of the stadium, looking out at the wide expanse of green.
...You've got to be kidding me.
The ground shuddered as the younger Toguro brother took another step. On his back was a massive stone ring.
Koto's voice suddenly echoed through the stadium again. "Why, it's unbelievable people! Toguro's carrying the ring from the old stadium on his back! Seems we'll be able to get on with the finals earlier than expected!"
Michiko glanced over at Kuwabara. "Who's showing off now?" she murmured.
∞ 6 hours later
This waiting is unbearable. Michiko stood at the edge of the cliff, the waves crashing against the shoreline. She had needed out of that stadium, away from the crowd, away from Toguro's greedy gaze, away from the increasing pressure building in her chest.
Michiko pulled a deep breath into her lungs and closed her eyes momentarily. Her mind wandered, venturing away from this island, from the impending battle.
"Akari." She swallowed thickly, staring down at the ground before her. A small headstone stared back at her, the pale grey marble silent. Her eyes grazed the butterflies etched into the stone.
"I… I'm sorry." Tears burned her eyes as she looked away, a lump tight in her throat. She swallowed thickly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to protect you."
Her eyes travelled to a nearby funeral procession. She watched as people walked, slowly, towards the horrible green tent to put their loved one to rest. She looked back down at Akari.
"I'll make it up to you," she said softly. She kneeled down, pressing her hand against the cool marble. "I promise."
"Meditating?"
Michiko blinked, looking up from the ground. Her hand was pressed against the jagged cliff side.
Hiei walked towards her, staring at her a moment before looking out at the ocean. "You should know. The ring is almost ready."
Michiko straightened, looking out over the ocean as well. "I didn't expect you to wake up so soon," she finally said softly. Hiei smirked slightly.
"Well, sorry to disappoint."
The two remained silent for several moments, watching as the waves crashed against the cliff side. "You know," Michiko finally said. "I decided that you were right."
"Hm?"
Michiko glanced over at him. She grinned slightly after a moment. "You really could have killed me in an instant if you wanted to."
"Still could," Hiei deadpanned. Michiko snorted.
The two watched the waves for a moment longer before Hiei eventually turned away. "Come on," he said. "Can't daydream all day. You have work to do."
Michiko's eyes grazed the skyline for a moment longer before she turned, following Hiei wordlessly back to the stadium.
"Hello fans!" Juri raised her hand above her head, grinning. "It's time at last to start the third match of the finals! Did everyone out there have a good break?" The crowd roared, cheering in excitement.
Michiko stood at the edge of the new stone ring, staring hard at Team Toguro. She could feel her stomach churning with anxiety. The sound of her own heart beating drowned out the crowd. This is it.
"Hey." Michiko blinked out of her thoughts, glancing over at Kuwabara. He smiled sheepishly. "Uh… kick his ass for me, okay?"
Michiko couldn't help but laugh slightly. "Don't worry," she said softly. "I plan on it." Michiko grasped the edge of the ring, pulling herself up. She glanced back at her team for a moment. Kuwabara had stepped back to join the others, a grin on his lips. Kurama looked concerned. Yusuke looked pissed.
Hiei had his arms crossed over his chest. For the life of her, she couldn't read his expression.
Michiko took a deep breath and turned her attention to the other side of the arena. The elder Toguro brother leapt off his brother's shoulder, landing lithely on his feet in the ring. A smirk twisted his lips.
The two came to a stop in the center of the ring, facing one another. Toguro tsked. "Well well well. After all this time, we meet again. How fortuitous." Michiko remained silent, watching him warily. Toguro laughed after a moment. "What? Aren't you happy to see me?"
Michiko's hands balled into fists at her sides. "What do you think?" The words shot out of her mouth before she could fully stop them. Toguro laughed again.
"Ready?" Juri glanced between the two fighters. "Begin!"
Neither Michiko nor Toguro moved. Juri blinked, looking between them. "Hello? Didn't you hear me? Let the bloodbath begin!"
"Well?" Toguro slipped his hands into his pockets, relaxed. He smirked at Michiko again. "I know you're here to kill me. Get on with it."
Something's wrong, Michiko thought warily. She frowned at him. "Are you going to fight back?" she finally asked.
Toguro laughed once more. "I somehow doubt I'll have to," he said. "You're still the scared little girl from all those years ago, otherwise you wouldn't just be standing there."
Anger boiled in Michiko's veins. With a yell she charged at Toguro, her spirit energy sparking to life between her fingers. Two spirit daggers formed, one in each hand, as she lunged for him.
Michiko thrust her left hand, then her right. The bladed energy pulsate in her hands, burning. Toguro side-stepped, avoiding the blades gracefully. Michiko remained light on her feet, maintaining a close proximity to Toguro. Her small size allowed her to move quickly. However, Toguro never moved to strike. He simply stepped, ducked, leapt away from her strikes.
What was likely several moments felt like ages. As Michiko moved, her feet three steps ahead of her mind, she realized anger was not going to help her here. This was no dream. Toguro wouldn't go down without a fight.
She would have to outsmart him.
"My sweet girl," he murmured. "Are you even trying?"
Michiko grit her teeth. Despite her anger, her head felt clear. She couldn't hear the crowd. She couldn't hear anything but him.
I'll show you trying.
Quick as a flash, she darted for his legs, sliding through them at the last second. She thrust her right hand up, slashing into Toguro's inner thigh with her spirit dagger.
Toguro shrill scream echoed throughout the stadium. Michiko moved away from him quickly, watching him warily.
Toguro hunched over for a moment, his scream fading. Eventually, a laugh bubbled from his lips. He stood up straight once more, looking down at his hand curiously. Blood coated his skin.
"My my." Toguro wiped the blood onto his shirt mindlessly, his gaze not leaving Michiko. "Looks like you got me." Suddenly the demon threw his hands in front of him. His fingers lashed out, extending rapidly, reaching greedily for Michiko.
Michiko darted quickly, avoiding the sharp edges of Toguro's skin. At least there's only ten of them.
It was Michiko's turn to dodge.
She knew she likely hadn't hurt him with the cut to the thigh. If anything, it surprised him.
She needed to surprise him again.
Michiko moved lithely, light on her feet, skillfully avoiding Toguro's piercing fingers. When she saw an opportunity, she would swipe, severing one of the appendages from Toguro's hand; but they inevitably grew back but a moment later.
"How long are you going to run?" Toguro purred. He smirked, watching her. "You'll surely run out of energy. You can't keep this going forever."
Michiko ducked away from another vise, only to meet another, and another. He was right, and she knew it. She had to make a move.
It has to be quick.
Michiko suddenly came to a stop, digging her feet into the ring. Her spirit daggers fizzled out, quickly being replaced with a large shield in front of her. Toguro's fingers attempted to plunge into the barrier, but they simply turned to ash.
Michiko smirked at Toguro from behind her defenses. He finally let his fingers fall from the air, their long tentacles resting on the ground.
"Looks like you need a new tactic now," she said. Her voice was strong, clear. "You haven't even touched me."
And he hadn't. The only contact they had physically had in this fight was when she slashed his thigh. And that was her decision.
She was in control.
Toguro chuckled at her words. "You may be able to use spirit energy now," he said. He smirked at her. "But you're still just a little girl."
Michiko's feet were suddenly yanked out from underneath her. As she lost her footing her shield fizzled, crackling out with a small burst of smoke. A scream tore its way from her throat as she was quickly flipped upside down, her hair dangling down to the ground. As she looked up at her feet, she saw Toguro's fingers snaked around her ankles.
Toguro brought the girl closer to him, holding her face level with his.
"Tsk, tsk." He wagged his finger in front of her face slowly. "What a silly mistake. You're always supposed to watch your back." Toguro's fingers gradually tightened, snaking up her ankles towards her knees.
Michiko's heart swam up into her throat. She could feel the blood rushing to her head, making her vision fuzzy around the edges. This isn't good, she thought dimly.
The sound of the crowd gradually came back into focus. Screams, cheers, snide remarks bounced around the stone arena.
"Finish her!"
"Gut her Toguro! Do it!"
"Let's see some blood!"
Michiko turned her head, looking towards her team. It was hard to see them. She could see their mouths moving, screaming, but she couldn't pick out their voices from the roar of the crowd.
Did I fail?
Michiko looked back at Toguro once more. She could feel his vice grip on her thighs, tightening still.
He could very well rip me apart.
Michiko struggled, trying to see if she could cut herself free. But for the two restraints wrapped around her legs, eight more remained. They lurked at the edges of her vision, ready to dart in at a moment's notice.
Suddenly, her mind went back to Kurama's fight, as Karasu's green orbs floated around the red-headed demon. Kurama had nowhere to go. No way to escape.
Maybe I could shield him.
A blinding light suddenly enveloped the two fighters in the ring. For a moment, no one could bear to look at them. Even Hiei winced, bringing a hand up to shield his eyes from the intense radiance.
What is happening?
Michiko tumbled to the ground, sharp pain shooting through her shoulder as it took the brunt of the impact. She rolled quickly, struggling to get onto her feet. Her head pounded as blood suddenly rushed to other parts of her body.
As the blinding light finally faded, Michiko's eyes came to rest on Toguro.
His entire body was wrapped in her shield.
He was caged. He was trapped.
Toguro screeched as he tried to break the barrier. His fingers, hands… any past of his body that attempted to pierce the shield immediately disintegrated. He tried again and again, but to no avail.
Slowly, Michiko walked towards him. She had never created something such as this. It was almost like a net, snaked around Toguro's entire body.
He had no way to escape.
Toguro glared at her, seething with anger. "Let me out of here!" He punched into the barrier, his fist dissolving to ash. "Let me out right now you little bitch!"
Michiko's hands drifted in front of her, her fingers dancing over the barrier. A sense of calm had washed over her. She knew exactly what she needed to do.
A small smile graced her lips as she met Toguro's frenzied gaze. "See you in hell," she said softly.
Suddenly the net began to tighten. It squeezed Toguro, pressing into his skin. The smell of burning flesh filled Michiko's nostrils as it compressed, shrinking, erasing Toguro into nothingness.
Eventually, there was nothing left to squeeze. Nothing left to erase.
Toguro was gone.
Michiko's feet gave out from underneath her. She collapsed to her knees, her body trembling. She could see the crowd going wild, but she couldn't hear them. Juri eventually approached her. Juri was counting.
I need to get up, Michiko thought dimly.
With the last of her remaining energy, Michiko forced herself to her feet. She swayed unsteadily.
Juri was still counting. Michiko's eyes travelled to the place where Toguro had been standing. She half expected him to still be there, waiting, smirking at her.
He didn't appear.
Yusuke and Kuwabara eventually rushed into the ring, gently taking Michiko by her arms. Kuwabara was saying something to her. But her head was underwater. She couldn't hear him.
As her team lowered her out of the ring, her legs once again gave out from underneath her. Kurama kneeled down in front of her. He touched her forehead. He seemed to be asking her something.
I did it.
Michiko closed her eyes momentarily. She could hear Kurama's voice, but she still could not make out his words. I did it. I did it.
There was a soft nudge in her mind, someone poking, prodding. Suddenly, it was like she was pulled out of the water. Her eyes flew open, startled.
"Whoa, whoa. Easy," Kurama said soothingly. He had two fingers pressed against her neck, his face etched into an expression filled with concern. "I think you're in shock."
Michiko looked up at Yusuke and Kuwabara, who were hovering over her. They looked just as concerned as Kurama. Her eyes eventually travelled past them to rest on Hiei.
"I'm okay," she finally said softly. She gently brushed Kurama's hand away from her neck, struggling to get to her feet.
"Hey, uh- don't you think you should sit down some more?" Kuwabara asked worriedly. He held out his hand, wanting to help her to her feet.
"No, no… I'm fine." Michiko waved off his hand, wanting to stand on her own. She was dimly away of her muscles aching, her head pounding. Her eyes once again met Hiei's. His expression was unreadable.
For a moment, I thought you were dead. Hiei's voice echoed through her head, loud and clear. Michiko smiled weakly, her gaze not leaving Hiei.
For a moment, I did too.
Hiei smirked slightly in response. He crossed his arms over his chest and turned his attention to the announcer's board.
Don't worry. Hiei's gaze remained on the screen, studying the team score. We all could still very well die at the end of all this.
Michiko followed his gaze, taking in the team scores. It was now 2-1, with Team Urameshi in the lead.