Alternate Tournament

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Chapter 14

Note: I know that I haven't emphasized it before but Kagome's mask is like what Sango uses so the hair is visible.

(Kurama's P.O.V.)

I awoke to the scent of food. It seems that I was taken to our room but by whom? I detect Kagome's scent yet it is different somewhat. Other than that, how could she be here when Ruka had her and Hiei under her control? Honestly, this woman is a mystery. I tried to stand but my injuries wouldn't let me so I settled for a sitting position. Kagome poked her head through the door and my eyes widened at her blood-red ones.

"Oh, you're finally awake. Good." She fully went into the room and I noticed that her hair was longer. She walked towards my bed and sat down beside me. She put her hand on my forehead and I assumed that it was to check if I have a fever but it seems that she is transferring her energy slowly into me.

"You know that that is unnecessary." I protested gently.

"I know but you'll heal faster with more energy. We will need you to be able to fight again soon."

"Indeed, but-"

"Speaking of which, we're in the last round of the battle. I can hear Kuwabara screaming already." She giggled at the thought of Kuwabara. And I have to admit that it was kind of ridiculous for him to do such a thing in battle but that is Kuwabara, after all. Kagome put her hand down gently and stood up.

"Not to seem rude but, what are we doing here?"

"Oh, right, well it is quite simple: me and Hiei escaped Ruka's hold; you were beaten badly by Bakken; me and Yusuke threatened him; he let you go; I took you here; Yusuke was disqualified due to a technicality; now Kuwabara is fighting and I know this because I can hear them even from way over here." Her eyes were filled with amusement as she watched my reaction.

I could only blink at the female in front of me as she enumerated the events after I passed out. The moment of silence was broken when she spoke,

"I'll get you some food now. Please try not to stand." I nodded and waited for her. My feels as if it's been run over by a tank.

I wonder what happened to Touya and the other Shinobi. Is it true that what the Shinobi sought for was light and freedom? That may be understandable since I, too, have lived in the darkness for far too long; practically, my whole life. But still it is not wise to assume that that is what all Shinobi think. After all, it is not possible for them to share the same ideals for long. Sooner or later, they will crave power and be engulfed in another type of darkness…

Much like me…Nobody knew my true intentions and I liked to keep it that way for as long as possible. I thought that having friends was nothing but a nuisance; a burden. I have held onto that thought until I met Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Genkai, Koenma, Botan and now Kagome… All of them have opened my eyes and helped me to embrace my weaknesses and turn them into my greatest power. The have shown me that one does not have to carry the weight all by himself rather they share whatever burden one person carries…

"What's with the long face, Kurama?" asked Kagome as she went in the room with a tray in her hands.

"Nothing, I was just thinking…" She neared the bed and sat back down. I could see a bowl of Oden, tea, and chopsticks. It smelled delicious and if not for my self-control I would be drooling.

"If you want more, there are lots in the kitchen. Just tell me, okay?" She handed me the tray and I nodded. She remained on the bed and leaned comfortably on the headboard with her hands folded under her head. She raised one leg up on the bed and shut her eyes. She must really be tired. I started to eat and we sat there in peaceful silence. She then asked me,

"Do you want to tell me what you were thinking about when I came back?" I looked at her, surprised. And here I thought she forgot all about it. I sighed inwardly before answering,

"I was thinking about what the Shinobi said; about acquiring their share of light and freedom."

"I see. Maybe they are and maybe they're not."

"Kindly elaborate."

"Some of them, or maybe all of them, crave what they cannot have at the moment but by now, some of them have already planned on gaining power for themselves, forever. They are the kind of people who start out with an innocent goal but as time goes by, they are consumed with greed and their own darkness. So one might wonder whether they truly want light for its bright hope or they want it so that they will stay in the dark and cry out for the one thing they can't have enough of: power…

I have experienced such and it is not worth the pain you'll go through just to try and reach it… Believe me, Kurama: if you will choose the light for hope and future then remember that your friends will be right behind you… I will be behind you… but if you choose to dwell in your own thoughts forever then you'll be close to going insane but so be it… for I will not hesitate to put you out of your misery…"

"I shall keep that in mind." I smiled at her and decided to tell her more,

"What you have said is quite true and I did choose to dwell in darkness for as long as I can remember until I met all of you and… my human mother..."

"Your mother must be a wonderful person for you to mention her." Kagome was looking at me now. Her eyes showed a spark of amusement when I mentioned my mother.

"I would like to meet her sometime… Yes, I can picture it now: a 1,000 yr. old baby kitsune in the arms of a gentle human woman. *giggle*" I shook my head at her childishness. Still, it's nice to see her loosen up in my presence. I started to continue eating as Kagome's giggles died down and she looked at the ceiling.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked.

"I already had 3 bowls of it. I don't think there's space for a fourth." I chuckled once more. Her company is much more enjoyable than I originally thought.

Silence passed between us until I finished eating,

"I'll take these to the kitchen and I suggest that you indulge yourself in a well-deserved sleep." She told me while taking the tray and heading to the door.

"Thank you."

She smiled and went out. I had lain down gently on the bed and it was the first time that I noticed the bandages around my body. They were neatly placed around my wounds and I wondered how she could still have so much energy after everything they've been through. She also mentioned Sesshomaru before and so did Genkai. In that case, Kagome trained under the Lord of the West no wonder she's strong.

I have been lost in my own musings for a time that I didn't notice anyone come in until I heard Yusuke's voice shout,

"Hey, Kurama, how are you doing?! You look like you went through a shredder back there!" he laughed as Botan came in with an injured Kuwabara who was grinning like an idiot and murmuring Yukina's name. Botan screeched at Yusuke,

"Why don't you help me with Kuwabara, you lazy as-!?"

"A, a, ah; no cursing, Ms. Grim reaper." snickered the spirit detective. In the corner of my eye I saw that girl, Sango, argue with Hiei while holding on to the kit, Shippo. It seems that the Jaganshi has finally met his match. *smirk* Now this is intriguing…

"Why won't you let me bandage that damned wound?!" yelled an aggravated demon slayer.

"Hn. What would you know about bandaging this type of wound, wench."

"For your information, I know how to bandage that thing not for healing-"

"Useless." Interrupted the Jaganshi. However the demon slayer continued as if he said nothing

"- but for training, you twerp."

"Hn." With that Hiei took off, probably needing sometime to think about that offer.

"He's as stubborn as Inuyasha!" commented the kit on Sango's shoulder. She only nodded in disappointment.

Botan laid Kuwabara on his bed while Yusuke plopped unceremoniously on his. Both were asleep before I could blink. Botan went on with healing them in their sleep while the taijiya applied some medicinal herbs on them. Shippo brought back some hot water for them to use. I could see Keiko, Shizuru, Yukina, and surprisingly Genkai enter the room and ask how each of us were doing. After confirming that no one was near death, they gathered in another room to give us some room but they left the door open just in case. I smiled as I watched them; such a happy bunch.

I heard Kagome greet them all before coming back in to check on us. She was assaulted by Shippo and his embrace. Her eyes softened as she looked at him and Sango. Seeing as Yusuke and Kuwabara were in good hands, she turned to me with her kit in her hands. Sitting down on my bed she said,

"Seems like you didn't do what I told you."

"It was impossible with all of them going around and making a fuss."

"I see, so the great Youko Kurama can't sleep in the company of his friends without earplugs." She smirked again. Her eyes showed me everything even when her mouth is covered.

"Fine, I'll sleep." I sighed in defeat. With that I closed my eyes but I did not sleep yet. I listened to the conversation between Kagome, Sango and Botan. To tell you the truth, I was interested in what Kagome and the other two would talk about. I was a little surprised when I felt Kagome gently brush her hand against my cheek and fix a stray strand of hair...

"I see you're getting along with Kurama, eh, Kagome." Teased Sango but Kagome merely replied,

"Yes, like you are with the Jaganshi, ne, Sango. No wonder you offered to bandage his arm." I could tell by the way the taijiya spoke that she was blushing.

"I-I just said that to… uh…?" stuttered Sango.

"HA! You're cornered, aren't you?" teased Kagome.

"Oh, shut up, why don't you! Like I would have feelings for that midget? Give me a break!" protested Sango.

"Oh my, it seems that you both have some interests in the boys don't you girls? Well, I can't blame you since both boys are cute and both are free~." Came Botan's merry voice. It was silent after that; I assumed that Kagome gave them a cold stare, signaling them to shut up.

Later that afternoon, after everyone settled down, I stood up from my bed and decided to go for a walk again, after all, everyone was asleep. Kagome, however, caught me and decided that she, too, would go out for a walk.

"Have you heard anything of Karasu?" She suddenly asked, tense; despising the name as she spat it out.

"Unfortunately, no, He seems to have avoided all of Reikai's surveillance." I replied grimly.

"I see. Well, I want to show to show you something later. But for now, why don't we get a relaxing stroll while we're at it?" her suggestion was inviting but I was curious as to what she would want to show for now, I let it slide and nodded. We talked as we stolled on the shores of Kubikukuri Island… enjoying each other's company...

TBC…

Sorry for the typographical errors.

Sorry for the long wait folks but I had some difficulties coming up on what will happen next. Any way "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

Read and review please! ^-^