Chapter Fourteen
"This match is ours." Onji said with confidence. "Now Kuro is immune to both Hiei's sword and his Fists of the Mortal Flame. Hiei is far too weak now to deal with the dragon flame, and he knows it. There is simply nothing left for him to do. It still bothers m, though. No fighter should ever have to use more than one Steaming Sphere on one opponent."
"Yes, this Hiei character must be a pretty decent fighter to have scared Kuro into using two in one fight." said Shishi.
"I'd say more than decent. Make no mistake—this is still Kuro's match to lose. I have faith in those weapons. But I'd feel much better if he'd stop showing off and take care of his business." said Onji.
In the ring, Hiei seemed to be losing his stamina as his chest heaved up and down visible. While Kuro seemed to still be in his peak. "Too bad you can't call up that little Dragon. I'd like to show the world I can beat you even with a level playing field. But then again..." Kuro pulled out another sphere from his belt. "It might be just fun to go all the way. Prepare yourself for the next Kuro, I'll take great pleasure in killing you!" He crushed the sphere in his hand, and began to breathe in the steam deeply.
"First he was an ape, and then a phoenix. What will Kuro transform into now—could it possibly be a purple hippopotamus?!" said Koto, as she, like the rest of the crowd, watched as Kuro took on his next form.
Kuro's transformation was a sight to behold, as his feathers receded to be replaced by fur. His claws becoming longer, sharper. His hair growing and turning into a white mane, as his face morphed into a more feral canine appearance, and his teeth becoming sharp and carnivorous. "I'm now protected with the Third Beast Armor...The Armor of the Wolf! I'm a hell of a lot stronger than before! And as you can see I have a few sharp new toys on my hands that I'd love to share with you—If you're in the mood to play." Kuro said, flexing his clawed hand and flashing his sharp fangs. He sprung forward, faster than Hiei had anticipated but had escaped nonetheless as Kuro's claws dug into the concrete floor. "I promise I won't miss your flesh again...Just needed a moment to get used to this body."
Hiei took a cautionary step back from Kuro.
"I've never known Hiei to back away from a challenger." Kurama said, worried for his teammate.
"Well, it does have a lot of teeth!" said Kuwabara.
Hiei took another step back, and was slightly startled as his foot had touched the hilt of his broken sword. "What the hell." he shrugged, as he kicked it up and caught it in his hand.
"Does that mean the great Hiei is ready to quit?" taunted Kuro, as he stalked forward.
"No you incompetent fool, but I will give you one last chance to give up." Hiei said.
"That's so sporting of you—I think I'll pass however...Your memory isn't like mine so I'll give you a hint. If your sword didn't work on my first Beast Armor, it sure won't work on the third." said Kuro.
"I know...I hate to use this attack...I find it totally devoid of any taste or artistry." Hiei said.
"Well that's hard to believe. There's actually a move that's too barbaric for Hiei." said Kuwabara.
"Then it's probably going to be very messy." Kurama said, anticipating Hiei's next move.
"Ha! Don't hold back on me because something's offensive. I'm no snob. I was planning on a vulgar move myself!" said Kuro, as he jumped into the air, howling as he came down, baring his fangs. Blood immediately spilled out, as Kuro had Hiei in his grip, his fangs in the crook of his neck. For a moment, neither of them moved. Hiei then smirked, as a blade of black flames stuck out of Kuro's body, his fangs hardly even grazing his skin.
"I'm...confused." said Kuwabara, as he watched Hiei cut through Kuro. Kuro's body parts burning in the black flames.
"Sword of the Darkness Flame!" Hiei said.
"What's...going on?" Kuwabara wondered.
"Now I understand. Hiei did summon the Darkness Flame from the pits of Reikai." said Kurama.
"I thought you said that was impossible 'cause he'd be swallowed." said Kuwabara.
"That's why he didn't use his arm. Hiei transferred his reiki into his sword to lure the Darkness Flame, containing it apart from his body. It wasn't as strong, but—Hiei's weapon became powerful enough to pierce the Beast Armor..." Kurama said, "Kuro was dead even before his teeth sank in...quite clever."
"I don't know all about this 'clever' business. I mean it's not all that different from what I do with my Rei Ken and nobody calls that 'genius'..." Kuwabara said, pondering on the thought. "Hey, wait a second! Were you saying back there that my Rei Ken didn't have any taste or artistry?!"
"Ha, of course I did." said Hiei, swinging his sword once to extinguish the black flames and then tossed aside the broken sword.
"Okay, that's it!" Kuwabara said through gritted teeth.
"Since all the pieces of Kuro have stayed down for more than ten seconds, the winner of the match is Hiei!" announced Juri, getting words of disagreement from the crowd as they all booed and yelled in protest. "I'm sorry folks, but the rules are the rules...If it makes you feel any better, Hiei looks like he hurt himself pretty bad."
xxxxx
Elsewhere, the remaining party of Yusuke's supporters were all walking through the path towards the stadium with Botan in the lead. Sakura looked down in her arms at Puu, seeing the poor creature looking miserable.
"Poor Puu. I hate to see you look like this." Sakura said.
"It may have been best to have left him behind." said Tenten.
"He isn't just nervous, Tenten. There's something really wrong with him, we need to get to the fights and see Yusuke-san as soon as possible." said Sakura.
"Botan-san, are you sure you know where you're going? It feels like we've been walking for hours." Naruto complained.
"What if we don't make it to the stadium in time?" Ino asked, "Shuichi-senpai needs our support after all."
"Then we'll unfortunately miss a few more pulse-pounding seconds of people cramming their fists into one another, and then I might get very angry, Botan." said Shizuru.
"Don't worry; we'll be there in a jiff! This way, everyone!" said Botan, pointing to her right.
"We just went that way, Botan-san." Kiba said, pointing to his nose. "Believe me."
"Do you think that's the reason why we passed by the same rock formation three times on the way?" asked Yukina.
"Honestly, Botan, this short cut isn't exactly turning out to be what I would call short." said Shizuru.
"I know exactly where we're going. We just have to keep walking in the direction that I'm pointing!" said Botan.
"You really have no idea, do you?" Tenten accused, the weapons master crossing her arms over her chest. Botan rubbed her arm in a nervous manner. "If we head back to the village and go the normal way, we might make it by sundown."
"That's right! We just need to see this as a learning experience." said Botan.
"Yeah, to not trust your sense of direction." Tenten said.
xxxxx
"Come on, roll the dice. I have an urge for three in a row." Hiei said. Shishi only clicked his tongue as he pulled out the dice from the inside of his shirt, and tossed them into the air. The dies rolled to the ground, putting everyone on the ends of the seat.
Don't roll on my name yet. I wanna go last. Team leader always goes last. I'm the team leader, and I wanna go last! Kuwabara thought, as the dices continued to roll.
Let it be me. Hiei thought.
Please, fall on mine. Kurama thought.
Finally, the dice came to a halt. Revealing the next two fighters.
Yes.
Yes!
Damn!
"After rolling the dice, both fighters are in place for the third match of the semi-finals!" announced Juri. "Fighting for Team Urameshi, Kurama! And for Team Urayutogi, Urayurishima!" Kurama stepped up into the ring and faced his opponent holding the fishing pole and a wooden box strapped to his back. "By the authority of the Tournament Committee, let the third match begin! Start your fight!" Juri announced. Ura leaped back and twirled his fishing line over his head. Kurama held up his rose, transforming it into his Rose Whip, and did the same.
"It looks like this match is going to be a duel of lashing weapons, with Ura twirling his fishing line and Kurama wielding his trademark Rose Whip. This one's gonna be all about skill!" said Koto.
Ura made the first initial attack and Kurama blocked by parrying it with his whip. Soon, both fighters were lashing out with their whips, attacking and parrying, but without hitting one another. The sharp snapping with their weapons ringing in the air, the audience almost silenced in anticipation for the first blow.
"Wow! This is an incredible display of equally matched talents, and while there's no blood to speak of yet, those sparks keep me hopeful!" said Koto.
"Whoa...This is a fight!" Kuwabara gaped.
"Kurama needs to stop fooling around and start fighting for real." Hiei said, crossing his arms over his chest.
xxxxx
"What a skilled boy," Kakashi said, "I've heard Shuuichi-kun was a brilliant shinobi among his graduating class and I see why."
"And helping Yusuke along the way has only made him stronger." said the Sandaime.
xxxxx
"What? He's whip-swinging like a maniac!" said Kuwabara.
"Have you learned anything? It's Kurama's obnoxious habit...He never creates his own strategy until after he fully understands his opponents." said Hiei.
Ura disappeared out of sight, surprising Kurama from behind as the fishing line wrapped around his body. The fine fishing line cutting painfully through his clothes and into his skin.
"Kurama!" Kuwabara called out, as he watched Kurama fall to the ring floor. His whip falling into a heap before reverting back into a simple rose.
"And he's down!" called Juri, as she ran to count. Kurama pushed his upper body up as Ura stepped on his rose, laughing down at him.
"I studied your fighting and found your only weakness is your kindness..." Ura said as he grinned wickedly down at Kurama. "In that regard I'd suggest you change the way—the way you live your life! But it's too late now! How did you put up with this goody-two-shoes garbage. I had to choke back some major chunks while I was pretending to be an upstanding citizen, but does it feel good to be bad again!" Kurama quickly leapt up to his feet and sprinted away, as Ura chased after him, lashing out his fish line about his feet. Reaching the edge, Kurama was stopped by an invisible force field. "Come on, Kurama, give me some credit here! You didn't think I was really trying to hit you with these attacks, did you? Hook, line, and sinker. And you're the stupid fish." said Ura, in triumph.
"This was not part of my job description! Isn't there anybody who can break me out of this thing? I'm not supposed to be in here!" Juri cried.
"And before you get any ideas, know that my force field won't be shredded nearly as easily as that enchantress, Ruka. In fact it's impossible to break out from the inside...so get comfortable." Ura said, as he pulled the wooden box off his back. "And let me introduce you to the Idonn Box. Anybody but the possessor who breaths its air will quickly return to their younger age. Back to those awkward adolescent years, the terrible twos, or even infancy! Once infected, you'll be so tiny and inexperienced, it'll be like taking candy from a—Oh well, I guess there's no point in cliché expressions. You'll see soon enough what I mean!" Ura took off the lid of the box, allowing a cloud of smoke to spill out and quickly fill the ring. Not spreading towards the audience as it was trapped within the force field made by Ura. Kurama held his breath as the smoke poured over him.
"You can't hold your breath forever!" Ura laughed.
"Why isn't that stuff coming any closer—is it scared?" Kuwabara asked as the smoke didn't travel past the ring's edge.
"Maybe you don't understand the concept of force field." Hiei quipped.
"Way to go, Ura, I really did it! I can feel his reiki getting weaker!" said Ura.
Within the smoke, Kurama felt dizzy as he coughed from lack of air, unable to hold his breath any longer as he breathed in the smoke. His head feeling light as he breathed in more of the smoke. His mind and body going backwards as his age decreased.
You're going to be late for school, Shuichi.
I love you, kaa-san.
Today's the most joyful day of my life. I'll call him...Shuichi.
"You know, maybe I have gone a bit too far this time." said Ura. "Hold on, his reiki has completely vanished. That's not supposed to happen." Suddenly, he felt a different presence, something...stronger than before. It sent a frightening chill down his spine as the reiki he felt was dangerous…sinister.
"What the...? Do you feel that too?" Kuwabara asked, feeling a reiki he didn't recognize as its power quickly spiked.
xxxxx
"What's happening in there?" Gai wondered.
"I'm not sure; the smoke is in the way." Kakashi said.
"Do you feel that? I've never sensed such enormous chakra." said Kurenai, shivering at the sensation.
"It is the true face of Shuichi's alter-ego…Yoko Kurama." the Hokage said.
"Yoko Kurama?" Kurenai repeated, "As in the stories?"
"They're more than just stories." the Hokage said.
xxxxx
"Where in the world did this power surge come from? I could've sworn I felt his power weakening as he regressed all the way back." said Ura, trying to see through the smoke.
"I think I have regressed further than you intended..." came a rich deep voice. Ura turned around to meet face to face with a beautiful silver demon as the smoke parted to reveal him. "And just as I had come to accept my human captivity; 'Yoko has returned,' they cry."
"Did you say Yoko? Yoko the Spirit Fox? 'Yoko the legendary bandit' Yoko?" Ura fumbled out, falling on his rump in shock. "What'd you do with Kurama? I liked him a lot better!"
"He's here...He's me. Only now you've brought me out in full...Thank you for that." Yoko said coolly, glaring down at Ura's shrinking form.
"—Yes...The ring is shrouded in fog...And with Juri M.I.A., who knows what fantastic action is happening within those cloudy walls!" said Koto.
"Please...Be a nightmare..." Ura said in a quivering voice, dripping with fear as he crawled backwards from the silver demon before him.
"There is no room for your fantasies of denial, little vermin. Be assured—I am alive." said Yoko in his cold voice.
"But the stories all say you're dead! You were caught! You were killed!" squealed Ura.
"Yes...I'm so flattered you've heard of me...But as you see the stories were incorrect." said Yoko. While outside the ring, all anyone could see was the cloud and electrical waves of pure energy.
"It's like a thunderstorm in there!" said Kuwabara. "Where's all that weird ki I'm feeling comin' from?"
"It's all Kurama, down to the last drop." said Hiei.
"But...It's different somehow, and a heck of a lot more powerful!" said Kuwabara.
"Seems that fool he's been fighting has turned him back into his youkai form—before he was tainted by you ningens." Hiei said, "Fifteen years ago, the Spirit Fox Yoko Kurama was thought to have been killed while escaping from a botched burglary. In desperation he hid himself in your world, using a human body to slowly recover his energy. He thought no one would find him...I did."
"So you're telling me this is him!" said Goki, looking down at Kurama. "That's very funny, Hiei! I heard boogie-man stories about Yoko in lockdown, and this red-haired princess ain't it. You want me to believe you're the real legend? You're gonna have to get out of that skin."
"I cannot do that..." Kurama replied coolly. "This is a merger, not a possession, and I can no more separate from my current human biology than you can from you Kyukonki Horns."
"Convenient excuse! We're about to storm the King's most guarded vault...and you can't prove you're not some human kid playing pretend! I don't like it!" said Goki.
"Why don't you settle it then...If you don't trust his abilities then fight him and see." said Hiei in confidence.
"That's why I'm running with you, Hiei...You're always keeping it simple. Yeah...I'll have to crush him." said Goki, cracking his knuckles in a threatening manner.
"It is true I'm not as strong as before. But...I've also acquired priorities to protect. I'm glad to show you what those priorities can make me do...If you care to try." said Kurama, as he held up his rose.
"Ha! Are we going on a date?" Goki mocked.
"Rose Whip." Kurama said, transforming his rose to a deadly whip, cutting down the trees around him with one swift move.
"Okay Kurama...I was just joking! I'm sure you'll be fine to work with for a while." said Goki, fully convinced.
"Now...We'll see what the purest form of Kurama can do." Hiei said.
Within the thick fog, Yoko was contemplating in many ways to kill Ura. Frightening the small man as he said his thoughts out loud. "Let's see...How best shall I deal with my prey?" he mused.
"I'm barely making out two silhouettes in the center of the ring, which I can only assume are the combatants." Koto said, standing on the edge of her seat. "But the voice I've just picked up with my ears doesn't quite sound like either of them! What in the world is going on? Has another fighter entered the ring now? And what about Juri—she's still not reporting! Has she been a casualty in this shrouded fight? Will I be forced to replace her in the ring?"
"Wait, I'm here!" came a child's voice. "Is it snack time yet, momma?"
"Okay people! This is ridiculous!—In addition to a new fighter, there seems to be a small child in the ring too!" said Koto.
Yoko reached up to his hair and pulled out a tiny seed, feeding it his reiki and allowing it to sprout into many branches, the root twisting itself around his arm as a base. Ura gave a choked scream as he stared up in fear.
"Each branch of this tree has a mouth, and each mouth of the branch has saliva that will melt your bones in under a minute, though the pain will make every second seem like its own eternity to you. I never take anything in battle personal, you realize...It's only that I do not stand for trespassers, and that my Death Tree enjoys a good meal." said Yoko, as the branches moved closer to Ura.
"Please help me! Please help me! Please help me!" He screamed, as he groveled in front of Yoko. "I'll do anything you ask me to! I'll fight for your team! Don't melt me!"
"Tell me the secret of the Idunn Box." said Yoko.
"Well-uh-I don't know about that..." Ura said, but cowed as a branch came close to him. "I just took what they gave me! Ask Shishi! He's the only one who knows!"
"I can smell you're lying. It makes my tree want to eat you more." Yoko said, the branches inching closer to Ura.
"Okay, I'll tell you everything! It's Onji! Him and Shishi! They came to us and said they'd give us anything if we fought! I'm not even Ura! We were all together—Makintaro and Kuro and me—They came to us and gave us special items and said we could all be high-class like them. And that's not all—I can tell you who really gave us all the items!" Ura confessed. A distant click was heard, and then the sound of shattering glass. And then, Ura was pierced through the neck by a sword. The force field was broken, and the fog quickly lifted. The Death Tree regressed back into a seed, as everything cleared.
"Just a lower-class beast...Always the easiest of pawns." Yoko tsked, disappointed that he didn't get to finish the worm himself.
"Look—the smoke's goin' away!" said Kuwabara.
"Hold the microphone, people; I've just seen my personal fantasy!" Koto said, practically swooning in her seat. "Sexy ears, a dreamy tail—who is this love god? Oh! Shishi's sword is there too—stabbed in a beast? Neither of the original combatants are even in the ring! How in the world do we call this thing?"
xxxxx
"Very impressive..." said Kakashi.
"Shuichi-kun sure is looking good in his youkai form, isn't he, Kurenai-san?" asked Anko, nudging her elbow into Kurenai's side, making the other woman blush slightly. "Yuu-chan's a lucky girl to have someone like him on her side. It's just a shame he's under-aged."
"A-Anko-sensei!" Kurenai gasped, scandalized by the brazen woman.
xxxxx
"Kurama really is a kitsune thing! Gee, and to think I let him near my kitten!" said Kuwabara, as he scratched the back of his head.
You're as you should be. Hiei thought.
Yoko felt himself slipping away, as he was forced to become dormant once again. Looks like my time on the outside is short...Don't ruin this, Shuichi. Yoko thought, as Kurama took over again.
Agreed. Kurama replied, as he returned to his human self. Even Juri had turned back into her adult form.
"I can't explain it—my silver-haired hunk has transformed into the sadly tail-less Kurama! My whole weekend is shot!" said Koto in disappointment.
"Kurama is—the winner!" announce Juri.
"Its official and on the board! Team Urameshi keeps the lead over Team Urayutogi in the semi-final round—Three to zero!" said Koto.
"These primitives! Never reliable!" said Shishi as he jumped up, into the ring and taking his sword out of the dead demon. "But...We did neglect to tell him about the danger of that item with your unusual case...Now... Let's continue, shall we?"
xxxxx
Back in the outskirts of the woods, the group of nine shinobi, one ice apparition, one shinigami and one spiritually aware woman (aka Shizuru), continued their trek towards the stadium.
"Let's just keep going! They've probably started the third match!" said Botan.
"They've probably already lost it." said Shizuru.
"Um, guys? Small problem." said Sakura, stopping the group.
"Oh dear. What is it now, Sakura-chan?" asked Botan.
"It's Puu..." said Sakura, looking down at the miserable Spirit Beast.
"He looks absolutely awful." said Tenten.
"He's in pain. He's supposed to be a reflection of Yusuke-san's soul, right? I think it means Yusuke-san's hurting, too." said Sakura, panic beginning to well up inside her. Suddenly, Puu began to scream as he struggled out of Sakura's arms. "Calm down, you're okay!" Sakura said, trying to keep a hold on the small creature, but failed as Puu freed himself and quickly flew off.
"Puu! Where are you going? Don't leave!" Sakura called out, but then realized that Yusuke must be in terrible pain for Puu to act strangely. Neji felt his gut clench, hiding his worry from the others as he fought the urge to chase after Puu, knowing the blue creature would lead him straight to Yusuke.
xxxxx
The die were rolled again, landing on two more names. "And I'm getting the signal from Juri on the floor. Looks like it'll be Shishi versus anyone on the Urameshi Team!" said Koto.
"About time I took control..." Shishi said. "Now which one of you lovely fighters do I get to beat?"
Up in the higher stands were a large portion of Shishi's fans. Mainly filled with screaming women, cheering him on.
"Make a kill for me, babe!" screamed one of the women.
"I hope he doesn't kill Kurama, though—he's a cutie!" said a blonde girl.
"You are so fickle blondie!" accused another girl.
"Shishi's definitely brought a cheer section with him. Oh—I think we've lost some tops!" said Koto.
"Hey, why doesn't someone cheer for me okay? A real man's attractive cause he's tough, not cause of charming good looks!" said Kuwabara in utter annoyance.
"Yes...You with the inferior face." said Shishi, pointing his finger at Kuwabara.
"Y-you mean this one?" Kuwabara asked, pointing at himself.
"Well of course...Who else would I mean? You must be bored as a sideshow freak. Why don't you come fight?" said Shishi, tweaking a nerve in Kuwabara.
"I'll show you, pretty boy!" Kuwabara yelled.
"Seems Shishi's struck a sensitive chord." said Kurama, as Kuwabara tripped trying to climb up into the ring.
"Let me handle this...Shishi appears to be their strongest fighter." said Hiei.
"No...I'll fight him...Onji could be unpredictable. Recover your powers for the final match." said Kurama.
"You know all you're deciding is the order of defeat." said Shishi.
"Kurama...it's obvious you only want to fight him so you can learn the secrets of that age-reversal...We can't afford any priorities to rank above victory...You let me fight." said Hiei.
"Why are you even talkin' about it? This guy just insulted me—He's all mine!" said Kuwabara.
"I will take this fight." Hiei said.
"No...this fight is mine." Kurama insisted.
"I'm fighting him!" Kuwabara growled.
xxxxx
"Uh-oh, group conflict." Asuma said, blowing out a puff of smoke. "Pretty predictable for such a young group of ambitious fighters to go at each other for something so trivial as this, don't you think?"
"I guess without Yusuke around their teamwork simply falls apart." Kurenai said.
Anko snorted at that theory, "Nah, the way they work together wouldn't change whether Yuu-chan were here or not. More than anything, she'd probably be in the middle of that argument, too."
xxxxx
"Perhaps this can only be decided with a game of Janken." suggested Kurama.
"Oh yeah! Bring it on! I'm a Janken master!" boasted Kuwabara.
"Janken? And what the hell is that?" asked Hiei.
"Gee man, you really didn't have a childhood, huh?" said Kuwabara, irritating Hiei.
"I pursue strength! I do not have time for your trivial—!"
"It's a ningen game." said Kurama, holding out his hand to show the different signs. "Scissors is bested by rock. Rock is bested by paper. And paper by scissors."
"Pitifully simple." said Hiei.
"So you ready to get beat?" taunted Kuwabara.
"Try me." said Hiei in a confident manner.
"Never played before and he's already cocky! First-timers can only use rock, by the way." said Kuwabara.
"Don't listen to him. He's pulling your leg." said Kurama.
"Jan-ken-bon!" They all said, as they shot out the hands in whichever the three they had chosen. Kurama and Hiei both did rock, as Kuwabara did paper.
"Oh yeah! I always win this game!" Kuwabara whooped in triumph, pumping up his fists over his head.
"Wait...You made your sign a fraction after we did." said Hiei.
"Come on! It went by way too fast! How do we know you didn't make it up!" said Kuwabara.
"Trust me. I can see." said Hiei.
Again, the three of them went into several rounds of the game, not one gaining on top of the other.
"Unbelievable! Team Urameshi seems to be deciding who will fight with a game of paper-rock-scissors! I can hardly see the strategy behind this!" said Koto.
xxxxx
In the stands, the Hokage, the jounins, and Sasuke, all visibly sweat-dropped.
"How is that a strategy?" Sasuke wondered.
"I can't believe two of them are shinobi from my village." the Sandaime said, tilting his hat downward a bit in humiliation underneath his black cloak.
"What a bunch of children, settling their dispute by a mere game." said Susumu, his right eye twitching. "Maybe it's for the best that my sister isn't here."
xxxxx
"World Champion! Read 'em and weep you guys!" Kuwabara cheered, as he won with rock, while Kurama and Hiei lost with scissors.
"Well, I would say from their body language that we definitely have a winner! Kuwabara will be facing Shishiwakamaru! It'll be steel sword versus energy sword in this vital fourth match!" said Koto.
"I've won every single game of Janken I've ever played...And now I'll win against you!" Kuwabara boasted, pointing up at Shishi with a smug look.
"Just get yourself in the ring." said Shishi calmly.
"You're dreamy Shishi! Beat that nasty beast!" cheered down the girls.
"Yeah, you go ahead ladies! Scream all you want! I don't need your stinkin' support...I've already got the best fan in the world—and as long as she's watchin' I'm invincible!" said Kuwabara.
xxxxx
On the trail, Yukina stopped abruptly. The group turning around to check on her.
"What is it, Yukina nee-chan? Something the matter?" asked Naruto. Yukina was about to answer when she suddenly sneezed.
"Sneezy, sneezy...A-choo! Somebody special's thinking 'bout you!" said Botan.
"Botan, you have got to be the biggest freak in the world." said Shizuru, as she looked over at Neji who was staring at the grass. "You'll burn a hole into the grass if you stare any longer, kid. Listen, whatever trouble Yuu-chan's in, worrying about it won't help her or you...Just concentrate on how happy you'll both be when she's back, alright?"
"What makes you think I was thinking about—"
"I can tell these things. Your feelings about Yuu-chan are very strong, and they're easy for me to sense." Shizuru said in a low voice for only him to hear. Naji felt his cheeks heat up as he looked away from the older girl.
xxxxx
Back in the cave, Yusuke's screams of pain continued to echo throughout the cavern. Random bursts of energy shooting out from her body, breaking off the rocks from all around her. The pain was so blinding that Yusuke had ran to a wall and began smashing her head against it. Creating a crevasse indent as her skull bashed into the stone. But that was not enough to free Yusuke's mind from the pain, as her horsed screams tore through the cave. And finally Yusuke had fallen to the floor in exhaustion, her body too tired to go on even when in pain. All sense of time had escaped her as she numbly lied there. She tried to move her arm, but a sharp jolt shot through her entire body, making her whimper with pain.
You can't even move an inch without feeling a freakin' electro-shock...Face it Yusuke. You screwed it up. she thought. Sorry, Neji. I gotta let you down. I'm sure you can find someone else to boss around. If it just...If it just wasn't so damn hot in here...
Yusuke's mouth and throat were dry from all her screaming and panting, her body still on fire and not once noticing her thirst until now. And as if waiting for her to have stopped moving, a drop of water had spilled into her mouth. Which Yusuke greedily drank and felt some instant relief.
See—now that's what I'm talking about. I'm burning up so bad, one little drop of water and I feel like I'm swimming in it! Yeah...Wait a second—Water? Yusuke opened her eyes to see her Spirit Beast, looking just as worn out as she was, staring back at her.
"Puu." It said.
"H-hey..." Yusuke breathed, as Puu weakly flew off, unable to fly straight as it hit against pillar of stone, but continued onward. What's that little guy doing? Yusuke wondered, as Puu then came back, only now it was walking on its short legs, carrying water carefully back to Yusuke within the folds of its long floppy ears. Puu's stubby feet tripped, spilling the water it had been carrying and then weakly pushed himself up, and hurried back for more.
"What a stupid little bastard." Yusuke mumbled weakly, as tears flowed down from her tired eyes. As Puu failed to fly on, Yusuke then remembered Koenma's words about her Spirit Beast.
"The connection with your Spirit Beast is a full package deal, Yuu-chan. It is like your reflection. When you're happy it will be happy, when you're in pain, it will suffer, and if you die, so will it...It is a reflection of your true self."
"Oh…that's just perfect. I even get to let down my own inner self, too." she said, as more tears spilled from her eyes. He's in pain because I am—cause I couldn't hold my weight...
The roof of the cave was beginning to crumble, alerting Yusuke as a giant piece was breaking off from above her Spirit Beast. Instantly, Yusuke jumped back up onto her feet. The sharp pain returning as blood spontaneously shot out from various places of her body.
She screamed from the pain, but forced herself to push forward—to save her Spirit Beast. To save herself. Suddenly, for a brief moment, Yusuke had stopped, as the Reikoudan was finally accepted into her body, fully and completely.
"Screw this test! I'm getting us out of here!" she screamed, as a surge of power emitted from her entire body. She ran forward, kicking the large rock away from her Spirit Beast, as an explosion from her body engulfed everything in the cave in a flash of blue light.
Outside the cave, Genkai sat at the base of the tree, waiting for her student. She had felt the surge of reiki and as soon as it came it vanished, indicating that something had happened.
"Hey, Genkai…" came Yusuke's tired voice as she walked up to her teacher. She was covered in wounds that were already beginning to heal and the pure exhaustion on her face showed that the ordeal had been a real struggle. "Will you take care of this guy for me?" Yusuke held out Puu to Genkai.
Genkai stood up and smiled at Yusuke gently as she took Puu from her student. "Anything you want, Yusuke. You've completed your training under me."
A relieved smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Nice..." she breathed, and without concern she fell forward onto the grass with an audible thump.
"You really did surprise me, Yuu-chan...I was certain that my eagerness had killed my favorite dimwit." Genkai said, as she smiled fondly down at Yusuke's sleeping form. "You better rest easy until the final round. I'll make sure your team gets that far; it's the least I can do for you."she knelt down beside Yusuke, brushing the strands of hair out of Yusuke's face.
"Puu." cooed the little Spirit Beast weakly.
"Same for you, little one. Guess I owe Koenma one for getting you here. You really are a guide for your more...thick-headed self..." Genkai laid Puu down beside Yusuke before rolling the unconscious girl onto her back and pulled her up against the tree she had been sitting at earlier. She moved Puu closer to Yusuke, letting it rest in its master's lap. "The last chapter starts."
Thank you...Now an old lady can die in peace. Genkai thought, as she headed back towards the stadium.
xxxxx
In the stadium, all the girls were swooning over Shishi as the two fighters stood in the center, facing one another.
"Well Shishi, those girls are really into you...Too bad after I'm done you'll be Shishi-kabob!" said Kuwabara.
"Hurt one hair on his pretty head and we'll kick your butt!" yelled a girl.
"No one wants to kiss you!" yelled another girl.
"That's not true! I've got a girl who wants to kiss me all day long, and she's a lot prettier than you!" Kuwabara yelled up into the stands.
"Let's get started, my defective friend. I've got fame to achieve." said Shishi, as he flailed his translucent cape.
"Oh, that is so it! You are totally going down! Come on!" Kuwabara yelled, as he summoned up his Rei Ken.
"We've got the fourth match—Shishi versus Kuwabara! And begin!" announced Juri.
Better start cheering Yukina. I think I'm gonna need your help on this one. Kuwabara thought.
xxxxx
Within the old stadium, the lost group arrived to see it deserted. Not one soul was around.
"Not much of a turnout..." Ino said.
"What happened? Is it possible we've come too late?" asked Tenten.
"No, absolutely not! The one thing that I'm sure about is three o'clock sharp, and that was less than an hour ago." said Botan.
"Maybe it took less than an hour for the fights to end..." said Naruto, folding his hands behind his head.
"Wait a second—the semi-finals. Weren't those supposed to be different?" Shikamaru asked.
Botan gasped, "A true gumshoe as always! Shikamaru-kun you're right! All we have to do now is go to the new stadium!"
"Great...and where is that?" asked Neji. Botan hung her head in defeat.
"This is bad..." said Yukina.
xxxxx
"Got ya!" Kuwabara said, as he cut through Shishi, only to realize it was his after-image. While the real Shishi appeared behind him.
"Don't be ridiculous." said Shishi. Kuwabara spun around and began swinging his sword at Shishi from left to right, only for Shishi to dodge every swing.
"And here's my brand of fighting! No tricks or troublesome fog...Just an open neck and a sword!" said Koto.
"Shishi can read his every maneuver." said Kurama while Hiei merely scuffed in irritation.
Kuwabara swung his sword again, only for Shishi to this time leap into the air, bouncing off of Kuwabara's head and landing gracefully behind him.
"That's it..." Kuwabara ground out, turning around to face his opponent. "My head as a trampoline is where I draw the line!"
Kuwabara sprang forward for another attack, only to have Shishi leap into the air again. His translucent cape swirled as if it had a life of its own. Wrapping around Kuwabara.
"What are you doing to me?" Kuwabara yelled, as he felt himself being sucked into a void. "I'm not ugly, okay!"
"Nice last words." said Hiei.
"I've lost all trace of him—it's as if he's ceased to exist." said Kurama.
"Um, what's the rule on this one? He was in the ring, but now he's not—But that cloth he was wrapped in still is—uh..." Juri wracked her brain as she thought for a simple conclusion.
"He lost." Shishi simply stated, picking up his translucent cape. "Clearly, he's not in the ring. As to where he actually is, I don't know or care...You'll have to ask the Cape of No Return for such trivial details. Somewhere in this world or maybe the next, or maybe another dimension...I just know he's uncomfortable."
"Juri, we're waiting for a decision!" said Koto impatiently.
"Right. Well Kuwabara is indeed not in the ring and hasn't been for over ten counts! I say Shishi wins!" said Juri.
"We wanna see some blood next time!" shouted the men in the crowd.
"Give us the kind of pain we can remember!" shouted another.
"Guess I'll have to entertain the demon boys with this next one." said Shishi.
xxxxx
Inside the void, Kuwabara was spat out through a hole, falling straight for the center of the old stadium ring. "Somebody catch me!" he screamed, slamming right onto the hard arena floor. Getting back onto his feet, Kuwabara shook off the effect of the shock. "You're gonna pay for that Shi—What the—" he stopped and looked around, confused as to where he was.
"Yoo-hoo! Hey, Kuwabara!" Kuwabara looked up to see Botan and the others high in the stands. "You wouldn't happen to know how to get to the new stadium, would you?" she called down to him.
"Hey, Yukina-chan!" Kuwabara said, as Neji and the group walked down into the stadium floor. "Did you and the others get lost in the cape thingy, too?"
"What do you mean 'the others'?" asked Shizuru.
"We're not lost, either!" said Botan, steam coming out of her ears.
"Long time no see, tulip! Felt my rockin' rhythm and had to follow?" asked Kuwabara, showing off to Yukina.
"Actually, we just went to the wrong ring on accident." said Yukina.
"Now, now, there's no accident here...No...It's a thing we call destiny!" said Kuwabara.
"Lost another fight, didn't you, baby brother?" asked Shizuru, her appearance eerily dark as she stood behind her brother.
"Well...I guess you could say that." said Kuwabara, scratching the back of his head. Shizuru swung her fist around, catching Kuwabara by the jaw, and knocking him over.
"Our lives are on the line and you're fighting like a pathetic ten-year-old?!" Shizuru said, as she began to beat her brother. "Keep your guard up! Jab with you left, follow with your right! What's so hard about that?"
"I guess we know where Kuwabara gets the motivation to win so badly." said Tenten.
"Sorry sis, my fault...I'm sure I'll do better on the next one—okeedoke." said Kuwabara as he staggered over to Yukina. "Hey sweetie, do you have any more of that healing power?"
Yukina nodded.
xxxxx
The dice were rolled again, revealing the next two fighters to step forward.
"Team Urayutogi receives a free space, and for Team Urameshi it's the Masked Fighter!" said Juri.
"I'll be happy to go again...How about yourself?" asked Shishi.
"I said from the start I would be the substitute...I just didn't know it would be this much fun." said Hiei. "Assuming you don't mind...Kurama."
"Wait." came a voice, as a weathered hand reached up to Hiei shoulder. He and Kurama looked down to see the Masked Fighter...Only thing was...something was off.
"Just who the hell are you?" Hiei demanded in a stern voice. "I hope you don't expect me to believe you're the same Masked Fighter who was on our team before, you imposter...She had tremendous power. You're just a weakling."
"Yusuke has it now." answered the Masked Fighter. Neither Hiei nor Kurama said a word of protest as the Masked Fighter stepped up to the ring.
She could be telling the truth. It's the same smell, only...older. Kurama thought.
"How awfully disappointing. I wanted a good match...I can feel your fragility from here. Although—" Shishi unsheathed his sword. "I don't know who you are. What do you say we remove that little mask."
"It's match five, everyone! Shishi versus the Masked Fighter! Let's go!" announced Juri.
The Masked Fighter leaped back as Shishi had lashed his blade out at her. Moving nimbly across the floor with a great fluid motion.
He's swift! Thought the Masked Fighter, as she avoided Shishi's sword. Clearly on pure defense.
"Now it's Team Urameshi who's running from the blade—though I'd say this young lass' dodging technique are a little more extensive." said Koto.
"You seem to have lost a great deal of strength since I last saw you fight..." Shishi said, as he kept a close range of the Masked Fighter. "But more importantly. The intrigue of your identity is stealing my spotlight!" The Masked Fighter had flipped into the air, several yards away from Shishi. But she was not left unscathed, as her mask had been cut, and all was revealed to the public.
"Wait a second—Didn't she have pink hair last time?" asked a demon in the crowd.
"She's—old!" said another.
"She is an imposter." Hiei said under his breath. The revealed Masked Fighter took in deep breaths, feeling age finally catching up to her.
I didn't realize how much older I'd feel without my Reikoudan. Genkai thought.
"Hopefully I don't need to tell you that's a different person." said Shishi. "Their team is obviously using that mask as a way to sneak additional players into their rotation."
"Um, and that's against the rules, isn't it?" Juri asked, unsure of what to do.
"Even if this woman is the one substitute they're allowed, she cannot enter the ring unless the one she replaces is already dead!" said Shishi.
"That is what the book says." said Juri, flipping through the pages of her handbook.
"I demand to see proof of their team member's death. Otherwise I am forced to ask for their disqualification." said Shishi.
"Okay, let me see here..." Juri said, going through the pages of her handbook.
"They're cheaters! They've broken the rules!" shouted the demons.
"The penalty for cheating is death!" shouted others.
"String 'em up!"
"Let's send a message to those human filth!"
"Kill 'em!"
"Well...This is a little unexpected. The legality of the Urameshi Team has been called into question, and the bloodbath's been delayed in the hopes of some kind of group lynching!" said Koto, as the giant screen showed the last battle with the Masked Fighter. "A replay of Team Urameshi's fight against the Dr. Ichigaki Team is now on the jumbo-screen! This was the first time we saw beneath the mask, and as we see, it was definitely a much younger girl!" Koto was then handed a note by one of the committee members. "I've just received word from the Tournament Committee. They are reviewing the situation as we speak and ask for your patience as they come to final decision.
xxxxx
"I don't see what's so hard about it—" said Gai. "First we had the beautiful Genkai with the flames of youth...And now we've got the old one with years of wisdom. It's easy!"
"So, that's the old psychic I've heard my dear sister complain about, huh?" said Susumu, "I was under the impression of an oni after what Yusuke's been saying."
"Yusuke must have completed her final test, which means the bulk of Genkai's power is now in her. Genkai can't return to her younger form because she doesn't have the power." said the Hokage.
xxxxx
"This is crazy...Kinda feels like an award show..." Koto said, as she opened a red envelop. "Well, anyway...I'll just go ahead and read here—'By the authority of the Tournament Committee, in a unanimous decision, the Masked Fighter's eligibility and Team Urameshi's future, is ruled..." Koto stopped and then folded the paper. "No problem! The fight between Shishi and the Masked Fighter will continue!"
"Are you serious?" Shishi yelled out in rage, as the crowd began to throw garbage down at Koto.
"My goodness—where do you guys get these things to throw at me?" Koto whined as she covered herself with her arms. A stray can knocking over her microphone. Koto scrambled to catch it but someone else had beaten her to the punch.
"That isn't very polite." said a low, masculine voice.
"It's Toguro!" shouted one of the demons, making the entire stadium go silent as a graveyard.
"Team Urameshi did not cheat." said Toguro. "I wanted you all to know that. To understand why, you merely have to know who that woman is. While employing the technique she's so fond of, the body of the user does a most impressive thing...its cells return to the moment when they were strongest. The young girl you saw before, and the old woman there now, is the same person. The psychic who created the Reikoudan. It's been such a long time since we've talked, hasn't it...Genkai?" Toguro returned the microphone to Koto, before he turned and walked back up the stairs. The entire stadium was now gasping and whispering to their neighbors as they all stared down at the old woman.
"The Genkai?" asked a demon.
"But why would such a legend hide behind a mask?" asked another.
"You're the renowned psychic Genkai—so fate smiles on me after all..." said Shishi. "I won't have to wait for Toguro before I get my celebrity! You seem like just an old woman to me, but your name is known by nearly every apparition. And now I will be famous too, as the one who killed you. I won't dally around with you any more...We'll need to give an appropriate death!" Shishi stretched his sword's hilt, revealing a fleshy chain of skulls, as his aura spiked higher than before.
"That weapon..." Kurama gasped.
"The Banshee Shriek—I think it's such a lovely name for a sword. It has the power to beckon lost demon soul into the ring with us...It should be the perfect way to make myself a reputation..." said Shishi, as he dragged the blade's edge across the stone floor, and then holding it in front of him. A faint moaning was coming from his sword's strange hilt.
"I've seen a sword like that before, and I don't believe he understands the danger of it. It has more power than he does." Kurama explained.
xxxxx
"It should be pretty close." Kuwabara said, as he lead the group towards the new stadium.
"We better not have missed it because of your little detour." said Botan.
"Hey, I just went the way I felt! I'm sure they're fine, anyway—Hiei was all fired up." said Kuwabara.
"Hiei—He's the quiet one with the gifted eyes, isn't he?" asked Yukina. "The one who didn't want to play cards with us all..."
"Oh sure, if by gifted eyes you mean freakish! Why you all interested in him?" asked Kuwabara stopping in front of Yukina. "Listen, don't start thinking he's cool or anything...He's scary and he'll bite off your head!"
"Take that back, Kuwabara! That's no way to talk of a perfectly decent guy!" said Botan.
"Decent guy? That's not what you said before!" said Kuwabara.
"Uh—you must be confused. I've always thought Hiei was a swell person, and you should too, especially since Yukina happens to be..." Botan froze when she thought about what Hiei would do to her if he found out. Her face paling at the thought of being tortured at the hands of a sadist like Hiei.
"What's wrong with her, all of a sudden?" Naruto wondered.
"Maybe she ate some bad meat. Who knows, maybe I ate it too. My stomach's felt squirmy ever since we started walkin'..." Kuwabara trailed off from his sentence as he saw something through the brush. "Hey! Urameshi!"
Neji immediately was on alert as he followed Kuwabara's gaze and ran out ahead of everyone towards the prone girl. He feared the worst when he saw all the wounds and dried blood on her as he crouched down and felt for her pulse in her neck, letting out a breath of relief when he felt her strong pulse beneath his fingers.
"Is she okay?" Ino asked.
"It's all right. She's just sleeping." Neji said.
You gave us a real scare, Yuu-chan. Tenten thought, seeing the condition Yusuke was in. Neji might not have shown it, but he was really worried about you.
"Okay, what's with her? At first she doesn't show for our match, and now she's daydreaming under a tree!" Kuwabara said in irritation as he and the group all walked up to where Yusuke was sleeping. Then he got a good look at his team leader. "Ew—Look at all those cuts! Gross!"
"But what could have happened to her?" Chouji asked.
"Something very painful—something that made her stronger." said Shizuru.
"Thanks a lot, Miss Psychic Reader." Kuwabara deadpanned, only turning his eyes away to avoid a glare from his sister. "Well okay guys, we better get to the stadium. Pretty important fight, you know."
"Puu..." came a tired coo, as Neji looked down to see the blue Spirit Beast on her lap.
"Puu—we didn't even see you! Did you take care of our favorite girl?" Ino said, as she leaned down and picked Puu up, cradling the blue plushie in her arms.
Neji took hold of one of Yusuke's arms, and pulled it over his shoulder while Kuwabara took the other arm and pulled it over his shoulder. Together they walked ahead of the group, leading them to the new stadium as they equally carried Yusuke's dead weight. The sound of cheering could be heard in the distance, gradually getting louder the closer the group got to the new stadium.
"Sounds like another match is getting started." Kuwabara said.
xxxxx
Within the ring, Genkai readied herself as she took on a strong stance. Calculating how she would win. If I convert everything I've got left into energy blasts, I'll have three shots. That's all. I better not waste them. Genkai thought.
"Are you ready?" asked Shishi, holding up his sword threateningly.
I have to survive this fight. And face him once more. My reiki's almost completely drained. If I channel it all into the Spirit Gun, as Yuu-chan would, I might have just enough for three solid blasts. Genkai thought.
Shishi swung his blade, slowly, from side to side with both hands. And then held it above his head and began to twirl it with practiced ease.
Showoff. Genkai scuffed, as she continued to wait for the initial move.
"So Shishi can twirl his Banshee Shriek as well as any band majorette I've ever seen, but will he shed any blood before he makes this fight vanish?" said Koto.
I've got to be careful. I can't afford to waste any energy now. Not before Toguro. Genkai thought. From outside the ring, Hiei watched with disdain, impatient for the fight to begin.
Genkai is weak. I should've taken her turn when I had the chance. Hiei thought bitterly.
A low moaning sound was coming from Shishi twirling sword. His energy flaring into it, as it spread across the arena.
"That noise doesn't sound so good." said Juri.
Everyone in the stadium were covering their ears, screaming in agony from the wailings of Shishi's sword. Some even went as far as ripping off their ears, or even killing themselves as to escape the agony.
"I can't begin to describe the sound coming from Shishi's sword!" Koto said, pressing her cat ears to her head. "It feels like my ears are bleeding! And now it's draining the life right out of the audience, causing them to collapse! This kind of violence just isn't fun 'cause it's happening to me!"
Genkai appeared unbothered by the shrill wailing like all the others.
"Did you know the shrill call of the Reaper steals the lives of those weak souls unable to resist its siren song?" asked Shishi, as he continued to twirl his sword. "I myself think it sounds more like a choir of singing cherubs. But what matters is how it sounds to you. Right Genkai?"
Juri fell to her knees, holding her ears down behind Genkai.
"Let her rip!" Shishi called out, as his blade's aura eclipsed the entire stadium in a red light. Genkai stood her ground as Shishi leaped into the air. Juri made a run for it, as Shishi came down. "Summoned from the depths of Reikai, The Chorus of a Thousand Skulls!" Shishi said, as a great explosion erupted as he cut down through the air. Souls streaming out from the cloud, taking away the lives of choice members of the audience, as many ran for cover.
"Demon souls stripped of their bodies, it's said their fury will destroy any living creature they touch. I advise using an energy barrier to ward them off." Kurama said.
As the smoke cleared, and the souls all have vanished, Shishi stood before a crater in the arena. Smiling smugly to himself, as he found no sign of Genkai. "Now that you've witnessed the most awesome display of power ever unleashed at the Dark Tournament, there should be no debate about who the greatest showman is! Such impact on the audience! They will never forget the famous Shishiwakamaru! In killing the renowned Genkai I've adopted her repute, bolstering my status as living legend! I waited a long time for this. I only wish Genkai had been stronger so I could show my full power!" said Shishi.
Juri peeked her head up from behind the ring, seeing the crater in horror as she shivered. "That giant crater is right where I was standing! That means it could've been me who was blown apart!" Juri shrieked.
"I know how you feel, little girl. That could've been me, too." Everyone looked to the side, seeing Genkai standing not far behind Shishi. Looking well, and unharmed.
"You still think she's weak?" Kurama asked Hiei, smiling slightly at the koorime who remained silent.
"I'm surprised my sword's sound alone didn't kill you, you withered old hag." Shishi bit out.
"Yes, silly me. I must've forgotten to turn my hearing aid on." Genkai joked, "When you get to be a wash-up old lady like me, the memory is the first to go!"
"Shut up! I won't be humiliated on my own stage! Don't think for a minute you can keep running from my Chorus of a Thousand Skulls. Either your luck or your knees are bound to give out in time!" yelled Shishi.
"He's not really planning on using that thing again?" asked one of the demons.
"Nah, the guy's gotta be kidding around!" said another.
"Everyone, let's run for our lives!" yelled a third. Everyone in the stands all began to push their way through towards the many exits, wanting to avoid a certain death.
"Wow! Hundreds of fans are fleeing the stadium in droves, trying to get out of the way of Shishi's next violent attack! I have to admit I'm a little afraid myself of what's coming next, but I'm sticking around because we announcers have to be held to a higher standard! Wouldn't you agree, Juri? Juri where are you?" said Koto, as she searched the arena.
Juri was standing at the exit of the arena, tossing her microphone up, and then catching it again in one hand. "Forget this!" she said, "They don't pay me enough!"
"Sit down and shut up, ya lily-livered cowards!" said a die-hard demon, as he and a few other fans remained.
"I'd rather die than miss the chance of seeing Genkai get what she deserves!" said another.
"Looks like some dedicated fans are staying put in their seats to watch the carnage unfold! Of course, it doesn't matter how many people are in the stands, this place is gonna gush blood as long as there are two fighters in the ring!" Koto said, determined to continue her broadcast.
xxxxx
"Not surprising to hear the youkais' distaste of Genkai-sama." said Kurenai.
"Of course not, she is responsible for many youkai deaths." said Asuma, "I've been told a lot of fantastic stories about her when I was a kid by my father."
"I doubt everyone here will agree to the fantastic part." Kakashi said.
xxxxx
"We're almost at the stadium entrance, you guys." said Kuwabara. Ahead of them, screams could be heard as demons came running out from the gates. "What's this? The match can't already be over?"
"Maybe we won. Those uncivil demon fans always riot when they're upset about the fight." said Botan, as two demons stopped nearby, panting heavily.
"The nerve of that guy attacking the audience like that, who does he think he is?" said one.
"You wanted to stick around longer to get mutilated and massacred, ya' glutton for masochism!" said the other.
"Sorry your majesty for wanting to see Genkai meet her end." said the first.
"And lose our heads in the process, I don't think so! Take me home! Next time we're going to the theatre." said the second, as they walked away.
"Geez, what was that all about?" Kiba wondered.
Genkai? Than I was right about the Masked Fighter. So Shishi is attacking the audience now, huh? That mad man must be stopped! And I'm just the man mad enough to do it! Kuwabara thought.
"Hey, I'm gonna go take a closer look to make sure it's safe and all." said Kuwabara, as he pushed the rest of Yusuke's weight on Neji and ran towards the entrance gate.
"Get your ass back here!" Shizuru yelled.
"Okay, sis! I'll be right back!" Kuwabara called over his shoulder.
"Why's he leaving us?" Naruto asked, sprinting after Kuwabara. "Wait up!"
"Naruto! Don't go running off, you idiot!" Sakura yelled.
"Coming through, weirdoes! The hero arrives!" Kuwabara said, as he mowed down the youkai in his path to get back to the arena and join his team. I'm sure under the circumstances; my team needs their true leader now more than ever! Kuwabara thought, as he came to the stadiums arena, seeing Genkai and Shishi in the ring.
"The show goes on." said Shishi, as he held up his Banshee Shriek, the wails returning again.
"My ears are crawling inside my skull to die!" screamed the youkais, as they squirmed in discomfort from the horrible wails.
Kuwabara brought his hands up to cover his ears quickly, feeling goose bumps rose up on his arms. "Who knows what that horrible sound is, but I sure don't like the sound of it!" he said.
"I should warn you that my sword knows many impressive tricks beyond the Chorus of a Thousand Skulls." Shishi said, as he turned his sword upside down, pointing the tip of the blade at the ring floor. "Surround us with—The Cage of Hell!" Shishi struck the floor with his sword, creating the wails of the lost souls then materialized into a wall, surrounding the two fighters within its wailing walls. "Run! Run as fast as you like! You'll run out of breath before you get out! There's no escape for you this time!" Shishi laughed, clearly drunk on his own power.
xxxxx
"He's taken the disenfranchised cries of the dead and materialized them into an enclosure." said the Hokage.
"Is that even possible?" Anko asked.
"Apparently it is." Susumu said.
xxxxx
"It's one hell of a cage match to the death!" Shishi laughed, "Idealists like you who fight for justice make me retch. Stardom is the purest fuel for strength and that's how it should always be. You softies are only crowding the room."
"Where'd you get the impression I'm some kind of crime fighting hero? I thought you were familiar with my past." Genkai scoffed.
"Yes, like every other apparition in the stadium who cares one inkling for history? And the choice you're famous for is an insult I will replace! I will be a big star!" Shishi said with boosted confidence.
"I already am one, pretty boy. Pay attention, you'll learn something." Genkai said, striking a chord in Shishi's pride as he leapt into the air, holding his sword in a striking position.
"Shut up! You're worth nothing to me alive! I'll slice you in half, worm!" He yelled. Genkai was prepared, as she stopped the blade with her own bare hands. Her body emitting a great surge of power as her strength was renewing itself.
"That's hard core!" Kuwabara breathed, as he, and everyone else in the stadium watched in amazement at Genkai's great skill.
"I thought she was drained. Where did she get all this power?" Kurama wondered.
Shishi struggled to break his sword free from Genkai's hold, as he watched Genkai's form change back to her youthful, powerful self.
"You're back?" he asked in surprise.
"Rei Kou Kyou Han Shou!" Genkai shouted, pulling the blade down to her side, and then thrusting her hands forward. Summoning a great blast of energy it shot out into Shishi, breaking his Cage of Hell, as the force threw Shishi to the floor.
"How?" he asked, lifting his head up to meeting Genkai's gaze.
"I can't afford to waste my own ki, so I borrowed some of yours. I hope you can understand. I am a very busy old lady." said the youthful Genkai.
"How could you do such a vindictive thing to me, you second rate thief!" Shishi said, as he pushed himself off the floor. "The ki in that attack was mine, and it was destined to—to earn my greatness! Don't you...Don't you realize what I am supposed to become? It'll take more than parlor tricks to keep a consummate champion like me down!" Shishi held up his sword again, though now his stamina was wavering as was his power. His body shaking from fatigue. "The Chorus of a Thousand Skulls!" He said, as the souls appeared again, streaming out towards Genkai.
Genkai merely stood her ground, crossing her arms and then pulling them back as the tips of her fingers touched. Creating a force field around her it prevented the souls from touching her.
"No! This can't be!" Shishi screamed.
"Apparently Shishi had a lot more energy than we first give him credit for." said Hiei.
"Had is right. Little good it's doing him now that Genkai's claimed it." said Kurama.
"Give it back!" Shishi demanded, as he rampaged towards Genkai. "Die!" he screamed, as Genkai formed a sphere of energy.
"Rei Kou Kyou Han Shou!" she yelled again, shooting another blast of energy at Shishi. This time, destroying the Banshee Shriek.
Shishi was hurtled to the floor, skidding to a halt as his broken sword fell in shattered pieces. "Cheating thief..." Shishi choked out, as he raised his head to look at Genkai. "You really don't fight for justice."
"No, I fight to get what I need for myself, and always have. I attack whoever stands in my way. It just so happens that a great deal of those people happen to be demons." said Genkai.
"I think I may have fallen in love. If things had turned out differently for us...and you still looked like this all the time...we could've been together...once." Shishi said, before his eyes rolled back, and his head fell to the floor.
"Aren't I the lucky one?" said Genkai sarcastically.
"Woo-hoo!" Juri cheered, as she reappeared and hopped back into the ring. "Way to go girl power! What's it like being a young gal in a mostly male—" Juri faltered as she looked at Genkai, who had returned back into her older self again. "Oh, never mind. Good job! The winner of the match is Genkai! That victory gives Team Urameshi a strong four to one lead in this semi-final round! One more and they advance! And only one man is left standing on Team Urayutogi to stop them!"
"And he's barely standing." noted Hiei, as Genkai walked back to where he and Kurama were standing at the side lines.
"That's right." said Onji, as he stepped up into the ring.
"He's supposed to be the great white-haired hope for us all?" asked a demon.
"First the old lady, then the old man. When did this become a geriatric tournament?" asked another demon.
"I'd say break a leg, but I'm afraid he might take it literally." said a plump demon.
"I'm more worried about his hip." said an orange, scaly demon.
"That's fine. Mock me all you want you fair-weathered demons, but I can break both leg and a hip. Just as soon as we can determine to whom they'll belong." said Onji. "I can see no reason to cast the die for my team, do you? Kind of lacks the suspense. So if you don't mind, I'll just give your die a solo roll." Onji tossed the die. "Well, what have we here?"
"Team Urameshi's die calls for Kuwabara to step into the ring now, but the poor fellow is stranded in another dimension. Let's roll again!" said Juri.
"Not so fast, referee!" Kuwabara shouted through Koto's microphone.
"You've come back to us!" Juri said.
"See, I never get lost anywhere for long." said Kuwabara.
"Oh my! We thought you were dead-and-gone for sure. I guess the 'Cape of No Return' is a misleading name." said Koto.
"Ladies and gentlemen and other spooky stuff, Kuwabara Kazuma returns!" His team looked well past the point of embarrassment, as they were equally wishing he would just jump into the ring. "Well, this is a tough crowd! I've seen funeral parlors more festive!"
It's far from over. With that big mouth as my opponent I know exactly the attack to recycle. Onji thought, as Kuwabara continued on his blathering.
"As acting captain it's my job to end this with dignity. So let's get ready to rock and roll! Yee-ha!"
xxxxx
"Did you hear that jackass?" said Shizuru, hearing her brother's loud mouth coming from the stadium. "If he has to act lame over the speakers, he could at least not use our family name. Idiot!" Shizuru then sprinted off towards the stadium, but stopped as Botan called out to her.
"Wait, Shizuru-san!" said Botan, about to follow her but then stopped as she looked back. Neji was supporting Yusuke's body up, while the rest of the group stood beside him. Prancing back, Botan took hold of Yukina's hand and began to head towards the stadium. "Come on, everyone. Hurry, let's go!" she said over her shoulder.
"Wait! Don't leave me here!" Neji called out. "What am I supposed to do?" Botan stopped as she looked back with a sly smile.
"Oh, you know. Don't they teach you anything in school anymore?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Neji asked, suddenly not liking that Cheshire grin on Botan's face.
"Look around, the birds, the bees, the flowers, and the trees!" Botan hinted, as she winked. Neji suddenly caught on quickly to what Botan was implying and his face began to turn red immediately.
"I'm not that kind of person, Botan!" Neji sputtered defensively.
"I know a nosy, journal-reading kitten who says otherwise! Meow!" said Botan.
"We'll leave you alone to get comfortable." said Shizuru, as she and Botan turned to hurry off towards the stadium. Leading the rest of the group.
"Have fun with birds and bees." said Yukina, as she left to follow, while the boys all grinned teasingly at Neji as they caught up with the girls.
"Guys! Don't go in there without me! She's not even conscious!" Neji shouted, trying to readjust Yusuke's weight against his side but her body shifted backwards, making Neji unbalanced as they both fell back against a tree. Sitting up, Neji pulled Yusuke into a sitting position next to him before leaning back with a heavy sigh, feeling obligated to not leave her side. He took a side-long look at Yusuke, sizing her up as they sat together. Sitting like this they were at eye level but when he looked down at their legs, he noticed how his legs were longer than hers.
I've gotten taller. Hard to believe that not too long ago we were arguing about silly little things like her technique and style. I guess we've both really changed a lot. Neji thought, as Yusuke slid down to where her head was now resting against Neji's shoulder. The memory of what she had said to him about where they both were in their relationship. Yusuke, we're gonna be okay. Aren't we?
AN: Sorry for the long wait. I do hope you enjoyed this chapter that has been long overdue.