Chapter 11

The next day Risika sat with her brows furrowed wondering how in seven hells did she end up in her current situation. She'd been trying to figure it out for the last half hour as, across the table from her, Chu and Rinku were trying to eat a lifetime's worth of food. She just couldn't believe that earlier this morning she'd been watching the second half of the first round of the Dark Tournament in the V.I.P. box with Sakyo, and now she was being forced to treat a drunken demon and a starving boy to lunch at the concession stand located in the arena's lobby.

As Chu practically swallowed a whole chicken leg, he somehow had enough room in his mouth to order another round of Takoyaki for Rinku and a new bottle of sake for himself. Risika wondered what the bill will total out to be – at this rate she just might go broke and that was saying something considering she'd saved up quite a sum of money over the centuries.

And speaking of money…

Risika thought back on the conversation she had had with Sakyo earlier today and the bet they'd made…

One hour ago…

Risika yawned as the first round continued. It was the second day of the Dark Tournament and none of the teams fighting right now really interested her. It was obvious who was going to win as soon as she sensed each team's spirit energy.

"Is this boring you, Miss Kagane?" asked Sakyo, who was sitting right next to her. They were the only two in the V.I.P. box today. It seemed Rasputin and Kinjo had lost the majority of their fortune when Team Urameshi defeated Team Rokuyukai and were basically booted from the island.

But with Spirit Energy like Yusuke's and a dangerous technique like Hiei's Dragon of the Darkness Flame, did those fools really think Team Urameshi would lose to a hastily put-together team like Team Rokuyukai?

Rinku was strong for his age but he could barely fight on par with some of the stronger demons in this tournament. Chu, on the other hand, had been an unexpected ace for Team Rokuyukai. The fact that he and Yusuke's Spirit Energy level were evenly matched really said something for the drunken demon. Risika hated to admit it but she would probably have lost to Chu – mainly because she'd have passed out from the stench of alcohol.

Zeru had also been strong – the fire demon had forced Hiei into a corner and Risika suspected the demon had no choice but to use the Darkness Technique to win the match. Risika was secretly glad Team Urameshi had faced an opponent like Zeru in the first match, where she was least likely to be needed. During the episode with the coffee cup, the hairs on the back of Risika's neck had been standing up the whole time that the demon was in the room. She always got edgy when a fire demon used his powers near her.

Toji, who'd been closer to the flames, was still recovering back in her private suite. Fire was both their greatest weakness. She'd grown strong enough over the centuries so that normal fire had no affect on her but just being near demonic flames still completely sapped the strength from Risika's body. If she'd been down in the ring when Zeru had unleashed his flames, she'd probably still be lying in bed right now, trying to regain feeling back into her body.

Luckily I've got V.I.P. passes for the rest of the tournament.

"None of these teams were nearly as interesting as the first one – the Urameshi team," she said, fanning herself. "I hope your team can provide me with much more entertainment, Sakyo."

Sakyo smiled. "Naturally, but you'll have to wait until the eighth match."

"You seem very confident in your team," commented Risika.

"Well, they are the reigning champions, Miss Kagane."

"I see… then the odds are in your favor, Mister Sakyo. If you do win, what do you plan to do with your winnings?" asked Risika.

Sakyo smiled and shrugged. "I suppose I'll invest it in my hobby."

"And that is?"

Sakyo remained silent, watching the current fight with amusement in his eyes. After a while he took a sip of his champagne and asked, "How about a wager, Miss Kagane, to keep things interesting."

Risika blinked at the change in subject and raised a brow. "I'm listening…"

"How about we wager on who wins the tournament?"

"Well, that can hardly be a fair wager, considering you own the reigning champions."

"All's fair in love and war, Miss Kagane. You never know what can happen in this tournament."

"True. So what are the stakes?"

"If I win, I get a full tour of your private vault and I get to take one item of my choice – free of charge, of course," smiled Sakyo.

"What's there to see?" asked Risika. "Everything in my vault is on sale."

"Yes but every collector, whether they buy or sell, always keeps their own personal collection in a special vault for the collector's eyes only. That is the vault I want to see and choose from."

"Hmm…" Risika frowned behind her fan. She did not like where this was going. "And if I win?"

"Well, what do you want from me, Miss Kagane?"

That was a good question. What did she want? It was a pretty big risk allowing a human to not only tour her most private vault but to also allow him to take one item of his choice from it… no matter what item he chose it would bring dangerous consequences to Human World. Her private vault was, well private for a reason. A large handful of the items in there were dangerous supernatural weapons that Risika didn't trust anyone to wield. That was why she had locked them away – so no one could abuse their dangerous powers.

And what was Sakyo after? It must be something in her private vault that was connected to the scroll Sakyo had purchased from her.

Risika knew she needed to force Sakyo to take just as great of a risk and still have the prize benefit her…

"If I win, I want you to make me your partner in your company. That includes sharing all current, past, and future projects with me and of course the profits will be divided evenly between us – fifty-fifty. And this partnership also includes full access to your own private dealings."

"An interesting offer… But can you really say it's a fair deal – one measly artifact for a partnership in a global, trillion-dollar corporation? Plus, why should I confide in you my private affairs?"

"I show you my private vault, you show me your private life; and if you consider the value of just one of the artifacts in my private vault then yes, that does sound about right."

Sakyo chuckled. "Hmm, you know how to drive a hard bargain, Miss Kagane. Tell me, are you truly willing to make this bet?"

"It depends on who you're betting on. If you're betting on the same team as I am, then the deals off," replied Risika.

"Well then, I'll have to disappoint you because I will, naturally, bet on my team to win."

"Disappoint me? Who said I was going to bet on your team? My money's on Team Urameshi."

Sakyo eyebrows shot up. "Really? But I thought – "

"All's fair in love and war, right Sakyo? Might as well bet it all on the underdogs and see where it takes me."

"Very well, then." He raised his glass of champagne. "Are we in an accord?"

"Yes." Risika tapped her glass of water against Sakyo's glass and downed the whole thing.

"Well, now that that's taken care of, excuse me while I stretch my legs. I'll return when a more interesting team shows up to fight." Risika stood up and exited the room.

She made her way down the dark corridor, intending to go find the others and see how they were doing. She'd spotted Kurama in the stands when she'd been in the V.I.P. box but Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, and the masked fighter had been nowhere in sight.

They were probably back at the hotel, mused Risika as she headed for the locker rooms. She'd stowed her duffle bag in one of the lockers before going up to the V.I.P. box. Risika quickly changed out of her disguise and into a black hoodie, blue jeans, and white sneakers. She switched back to her glasses and hastily braided her hair as she hurried out of the locker room to look for Kurama.

Where did that Fox Demon go?

At the moment, the tournament was taking a fifteen minute intermission so hundreds of demons were leaving their seats to head for the lobby. Risika couldn't spot Kurama anywhere in the stands – and you'd think with hair as red as his the Fox Demon would've been like a beacon in the darkness.

Risika doubled back into the lobby only to realize that without her heels, she was a good two inches shorter than most demons. She was forced to jump up and down to try and see over the heads of the demons. Unfortunately, she wasn't looking where she was jumping and had accidentally landed on a demon's tail. If she'd known the trouble that one act would get her into she would've stayed upstairs in the V.I.P. box with Sakyo.

The demon had been furious and attacked her. He dived for her but Risika dodged him, causing him to miss and collide with another demon. The new demon had been standing in line for the nearest snack bar and wheeled around, thinking the other demon had been trying to cut him. One thing led to another and a brawl soon broke out as demons piled on each other, trying to get a piece of the action.

Risika ended up trapped under all the bodies and was sure she was going to suffocate soon if they didn't get off her.

Suddenly, a slightly slurred voice boomed over the noise of the fight. "Move along, will yah? What's a bloke got to do to get some grub around here?"

Risika felt the weight on her back suddenly lifted and she was able to take a breath of much needed air. She coughed as she pushed herself onto her knees.

"Oi, Shella, watcha doing down there?"

Risika looked up to see a man with a purple Mohawk and two purple rat tails peering down at her. He wore a mixture of leather and fur and reeked of alcohol. Risika wrinkled her nose as she recognized the demon – Chu. And what did he call her? Shella?

"Are you talking to me?" asked Risika, slightly confused.

"Course I'm talking to yah. Do you see any other Shellas around here? And why were you buried under all them demon trash?" he asked.

Risika got to her feet and brushed the dirt off her jeans. "I got caught in the crossfire."

"I'm surprised you're not dead, considering you're a human and all."

Risika shrugged. "I got lucky, I guess."

"Well enough with this chit chat. I came here to get me some grub and I ain't leaving till I got it… and I don't think I'll say no to a few bottles of booze on the side neither," Chu muttered as he headed for the now deserted snack bar. The other demons who had been in line earlier either ran off already or were lying unconscious on the floor.

"Hey, you big dummy! Don't hog all the food!" exclaimed Rinku, running up to Chu. "And how exactly are you going to pay for it? Last I checked we're broke."

"Aw damn it, Rinku. Why'd yah have to go and ruin my fun?"

"Well you're not the only one that's starving here," Rinku protested as his stomach gave a ferocious growl. "I'm still a growing kid. If anyone should be eating, it's me."

"Well then we'll just have to get the money from somebody else… yah don't suppose Urameshi'll led us a few yen, do yah?"

"Maybe, but we'll have to find him first," said Rinku, turning in the direction of the arena.

"Er, Yusuke's not here right now. I think he's back at the hotel," interrupted Risika.

"What? What's that bloke doing all the way back there? He should be here watching the fights – and lending a mate a couple of yen so I can get me a drink," mumbled Chu, stumbling slightly. He suddenly threw an arm over Risika's shoulder as he lost his balance.

Risika staggered under the demon's weight. He was a good head and a half taller than her and probably twice her weight. Before her knees could give out on her, Risika dragged the drunkard to a nearby table and set him down.

"Thanks, Shella. Hey, yah got any money on you?"

"Yeah but – "

"Great! You're treating us to lunch! Hey waiter, we're ready tah order!"

"Wait, hold on, I never said I would – "

"Ah, come on, Shella, I did save yah life back there, right? You could've been squished under that lard's fat arse. Don't yah think you owe me a bit of gratitude?"

Risika scratched her head. "Um, I suppose…"

"Great! Okay, I'll have the whole roasted chicken, five plates of fried squid, ten plates of the Takoyaki for the kid, two bottles of sake, seven hamburgers …"

And that was how things went for the next hour.

Damn, these two can eat…

Risika could hear the wooden table groaning in protest under the weight of all the dirty dishes those two had accumulated. She watched with a slightly nauseous feeling in her stomach as they continued to eat nonstop.

"Would either of you care to explain to me exactly how you two ended up broke and starving? Didn't you guys get hired by a rich human to fight?" she asked, remembering how Kinjo had been bragging about his ingenious method of organizing Team Rokuyukai.

"Yeah we did," said Rinku with his mouth stuffed full of food. "We were going to divide up the money after the first round. Zeru kept it in his wallet for safe keeping since he's the team leader and all, and his wallet was in his back-pocket when Hiei, uh…"

"Blasted Zeru into oblivion?" filled in Risika.

Rinku nodded.

"Why didn't you just put it into a safe or have Chu hold onto it? He was the alternate right?"

Rinku snorted. "Lady, didn't you see what he did the minute you said you had money on you? If Zeru gave Chu our paycheck, he'd buy a year's worth of booze and drink it all before the first match was over."

The kid had a point there, thought Risika as Chu ordered yet another bottle of sake. Holy Hell, how much alcohol could this demon drink?!

"Hey, Rinku! Want tah share this bottle with me? It's more fun to drink with others," said Chu, his eyes slightly crossed and his cheeks turning red.

"Sure!"

Rinku reached for the bottle but Risika snatched the bottle out of Chu's hand.

"How can you offer him alcohol like that? He's just a kid!" exclaimed Risika. "You can drink all you want but leave the minor out of this."

"Aw, come on, Shella!" Chu hiccupped as he tried to grab the bottle out of her hand. "I need a drinking buddy and the brats the only one around."

"Rinku's not getting a single drop – not under my watch."

"Hey lady, who are you to say what I can and can't drink?" protested Rinku.

"Shut it, kid. I'm paying for your meal so that means I have a great deal of say in what you put in your stomach," snapped Risika. "And this drunkard needs to remember that or else you'll both find yourself in a very deep debt."

"Aw, you're no fun neither. Where's Urameshi? I bet that bastard will have a couple of rounds with me…"

Chu tried to get up to look for Yusuke but only ended up falling over the table, sending the majority of the dishes crashing to the floor.

"Opps! Tricky little devil these tables are…" Chu mumbled getting up again.

Risika smacked her forehead as this time the clumsy drunk collided with a nearby pole.

Damn you Hiei. Why did you have to blast Zeru and his wallet into oblivion? I should make you pay for this mess…

Risika glanced up at the giant big screen that was broadcasting what was happening in the ring. It looked like they were getting ready for the next fight.

"All right, fans. Let me recap what's happened so far. Seven of the eight teams that will be advancing to the next round have already been chosen. All that's left is to determine who the eighth team will be. The next round will be The Spirit Warriors versus Team Toguro!" Cheers from the demon audience followed Koto's announcement.

Risika jumped to her feet. "It's the eighth match already?!"

"Hey, where you going in such a hurry?" asked Chu, hanging off the pole, trying to stay vertical.

Risika quickly signed the check for the food and placed a few bills in front of Rinku. "Here, this'll cover another round if you're still hungry but you're on your own from there." She ran across the lobby and entered the stands.

Down in the ring, the Spirit Warriors stood in the center of the ring and they were huge! And judging from their spirit energy, Risika knew they would be a hard team to beat. Toguro, apparently didn't think so since he was arrogantly standing alone in the ring.

Where were his teammates, wondered Risika. She hurried down the stairs looking for a seat and spotted Yusuke and Kuwabara sitting next to Botan and the masked fighter. Risika quickly hopped over the demons in her way to sit next to them.

"There you are! Where the hell have you been?" exclaimed Kuwabara. "You freakin never came back from that stupid party the first night we got here."

"Sorry, I was busy taking care of some stuff."

"What stuff?"

"Shut up, Kuwabara. The fight's starting," said Yusuke, teeth gritted as Koto announced that this round would be fought with the Spirit Warriors fighting Toguro all at once. "That bastard…"

The combined spirit energy of the Spirit Warriors was nothing compared to Toguro's as the demon powered up. His muscle bulged and grew as demon energy poured from his body. He was twice as powerful as the last time Risika fought him in Tarukane's mansion.

She watched in amazement as Toguro easily punched gaping holes into each of the Spirit Warriors. This was just absurd! How could Toguro be this strong? The only kinds of demons Risika had ever met that were this strong were locked in Demon World. What was one of Toguro's class doing in Human World? And how could Koenma have allowed this demon to cross over?

The fight was over in less than a few minutes. Koto the announcer didn't even have time to comment as one by one the Spirit Warriors fell to Toguro's fist. His strength was very intimidating and he was only at forty-five percent of his full power! Risika glanced at the others and realized she wasn't the only one who'd been scared shitless.

"Hey, Urameshi. Can you get your powers back soon and, like, multiply it by a hundred?" asked Kuwabara, his voice slightly shaking.

"Damn it…" Yusuke growled, glaring death at Toguro as the demon exited the arena. His hands were balled into fists as his body began to shake – but Risika wasn't sure if it was from fear or frustration. Either way, it was clear Toguro was much stronger than the Spirit Detective.

Hell, he's much stronger than our entire team! In her current state, Risika knew she was no match for Toguro. If only she could reach deeper and tap into her full demon strength...

"Hey, where are you going, Urameshi?" asked Kuwabara as Yusuke stood up abruptly and marched up the stairs. Kuwabara and Botan chased after him, leaving Risika and the masked fighter alone.

Risika sighed and got up too. She headed past the lobby and down towards the changing room, intending to grab her duffle and head back to the hotel. She was twirling the lock on the locker when she sensed someone behind her.

Risika wheeled around, drawing the demonic weapon and changing it into a twelve inch dagger, and came face to face with Toguro. The demon had donned his green trench coat and was standing there with a smirk on his face. His eyes were hidden by his opaque shades but Risika sensed they were watching her with amusement.

"So Urameshi really did bring you along," said the demon. "We've never really introduced ourselves."

"We don't need to. You'll be dead soon enough so knowing my name is a waste of breath," said Risika in a cold voice.

Toguro chuckled. "Really? Last I checked you were the one shaking in your seat."

Risika shrugged. "What can I say? I was itching to rip your heart out of your ridiculously muscular chest." She purposely turned her back to him and opened her locker.

"Is it wise to turn your back on an enemy? I thought you were smarter than that?"

Risika pulled out her duffle bag and slung it over one shoulder. "It's only unwise if the enemy is a threat."

"You have a really big mouth, little girl. It makes me want to put you in your place," said a new voice. It was higher than Toguro's and slimier. A man in blue stepped out from behind the row of lockers to Risika's left. She immediately recognized his sickly grey skin and green-grey hair.

"Brother," Toguro nodded.

"You know, I can kill you right now with just my index finger," sneered Toguro's brother. "Your total spirit energy can't even make me blink."

"Sorry to disappoint, but I never wanted you to blink in the first place. I'm here to kill you. I couldn't care less if you died with your eyes open or closed so long as I stop that creepy little heart of yours," retorted Risika, slamming the locker shut. "Now if you boys would excuse me, I need to get going."

Risika moved pasted the little guy and headed for the door.

"You arrogant bitch!"

Suddenly, Risika felt a slimy flesh appendage wrap around her neck and dragged her backwards. She was thrown into the row of lockers as the smaller Toguro brother used his snake-like fingers to choke her. He lifted her up, her feet dangling uselessly in the air while she used her hands to try and relieve some of the pressure on her windpipes.

"Temper, temper little man," taunted Risika, refusing to show fear and knowing full well she didn't have the strength to break the demon's hold at the moment. "I thought half the fun was watching me get my ass whooped by the other teams in this tournament?"

"If you make it to the finals I will personally see to it that you beg for your pathetic, weak life in the ring. I will make you wish you were never born," he snarled.

Risika chuckled. "Too late Toguro, someone already beat you to it."

The demon growled and finally released her. Risika managed to stay on her feet and rubbed her bruised throat as the Toguro brothers left the locker room.

"You know they could have killed you," said someone from the doorway and in stepped the masked fighter. "Your powers are nothing compared to Toguro's."

"Yeah I already figured that out about ten minutes ago during the eighth match." Risika noted that the masked fighter's voice was very feminine and smooth with a strange calming feel to it.

"And yet you intentionally antagonized him? Hmphf, retirement must have gone to your head, Shikori. The underworld is not as weak as you remember it to be."

"If you're talking about Toguro, I'd say he's about the same as the guys I fought five hundred years ago – "

"But five hundred years ago, you were at your full strength," cut in the masked fighter.

Risika arched a brow, surprised.

"Koenma told me," she said, answering Risika's unasked question. "In order for you to remain in the Human World, you struck a deal with him. He set you up with a human identity and in return you sealed your demonic strength away, making it inaccessible unless in dire situation. From what I can sense, what little spirit energy those glasses of yours are suppressing can barely scratch Toguro."

"So what? You want me to pop the seals off my true demon strength? You want the Human World to fall apart in chaos and mayhem?" Risika snorted. "Lady, you need to get your priorities straight. Winning this tournament isn't worth that."

The masked fighter turned around, arms behind her back. "Do what you will but cut the crap. Who's side are you really on – ours or Sakyo's? You're playing a dangerous game, and it's not only your life that's on the line but many innocent ones as well. I suggest you get your priorities straight, Shikori – or should I say Alice Kagane?"

Risika froze in shock as the masked fighter left. How did that woman know about that alias? Could she have been following her? Risika didn't even sense the woman when she'd been standing just outside the locker room. And here she thought she was the only big anomaly on their team.

Still thinking about what the masked fighter had said, Risika entered the lobby and was stopped by Chu. The demon's face was as red as a tomato and he reeked of sake.

"Hey, Shella, you still got another couple of yen to spare?"

Risika shook her head. "I think you've had enough to drink. Why don't you go back to the hotel and lie down. The fights are over for today."

"Ah, loved to Shella, except one problem." Chu took another hug swig of alcohol. "Got no keys."

Risika groaned and turned to Rinku. "Let me guess, they were in Zeru's other pocket?"

"Uh, basically…"

"I thought each member got a separate room key."

"Yeah we did but Zeru likes treating me like a kid so he said he'd hold onto mine and this big lump over here lost his while going on his daily drinking binge."

Risika sighed. This was getting ridiculous.

"All right come on you two. You can crash at my place."

It's not like I don't have room to spare… I just hope they don't cause a racket and wake Toji.