Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu hakusho, it's characters, or anything affiliated with it. I use the characters and locations for my own personal enjoyment and yours. I own Kitanoe Jyoni. I do use Wikia for information on locations and characters that I may need later. Rating is for language, violence, drug references, and intimacy scenes in future chapters. Please Review! Good and bad are accepted, as I value the opinions of my readers.
Chapter 13
"Well that was weird." Yusuke murmured as he held the elevator door open for his friends and comrades. Once they were all piled in the spacious elevator they pressed button 23 and waited for their ascent up the building.
"Yeah. That guy kept glaring at us. Think you guys will fight him in the tournament?" Kuwabara crossed his arms, as if deep in thought.
"It could be possible. Everyone here knows who we are. Our blood will be the victory they desire if they defeat us." Kurama had his eyes closed as he leaned against the wall next to Hiei, who was silent as usual.
"That girl looked scared to death. I bet she's not fighting in this thing." Kuwabara mused. Yukina shifted uncomfortably next to him. She knew that girl had been Kitanoe, and she didn't like keeping secrets. She felt as if she was lying to her friends.
"This tournament isn't for cowards." Yusuke looked at Kuwabara. "For all we know that could have been an act so we'd let our guards down."
"You're always so paranoid." Keiko butted in. "Maybe not everyone here is after you, there is a bigger prize at stake. " She coddled her son close to her chest. He was 3 months old and looked like a mini version of Yusuke.
Yusuke sighed as he ran a hand through his slicked back hair. "I really wish you would have stayed at home with him Keiko. It's too dangerous here."
"I can handle myself just fine, Yusuke!" Keiko glared.
The elevator remained quiet after that until they got to the 23 floor. The two large rooms were joined into one by a connecting door in the center. They sat down with drinks and a deck of playing cards, and as usual Hiei sat out and stared at the ocean while sitting in the window.
"Next time you go wandering, perhaps it's best if Kaoru or I escort you." Yuki scolded Kitanoe lightly as they walked up the stairs.
"Kaoru can die and rot in a snake pit." Kitanoe glared up at Yuki.
Yuki sighed with a slight smile on his face. "Then I suppose I will do the escorting. Tell me, was that red eyed male the one you've been pining after?"
Kitanoe just stared at him as she stopped in the stair well. "What does it matter?"
"I can read your mind, Milady. I am a Shadow."
Kitanoe grew pale. "A...Shadow? They don't exist, they're just-"
"Legend? Oh I assure you, I am very real." Yuki spoke, and he sounded intimidating for the first time since Kitanoe first spoke to him. "How else would I have the ability to go through walls, floors, and ceilings? My powers can not be measured. I am both the master of stealth and psychic abilities. "
"You're just now telling me this?" Kitanoe tried to sound calm but her voice failed her.
"It never came up in conversation, so I never said anything." Yuki shrugged as he folded his arms over his chest. "Now, are you going to answer my question?"
Kitanoe glared. "It...It was a one night thing and I let my bloody emotions get the best of me. He made his point clear, which is why I accepted this job."
"Hm...His thoughts were all about you. I am not certain he knew it was you under that dreadful hood, but he was thinking about you, Kitanoe. "
"So, why do you care? Let's just drop it alright." Kitanoe made an attempt to pass him and was stopped by his arm. "Let me pass Yuki."
"I can read your mind." He reminded her. "Think about killing Kaoru and I and King Enma will know about it immediately. You will be tried for treason and he won't let you bypass another execution."
Kitanoe's eyes widened as she looked at her commanding officer. "Yuki, what the hell!"
"I can see into your past. I know every detail inside and out."
"Make your fucking point."
"Such language." Yuki continued to tease in a calm voice. "My point is, if it's love you want, look no further then I. I said Hiei's thoughts were about you, I didn't say they were in any way positive. He wants you to die by his hand, in a horrible, painful death."
Kitanoe felt the air leave her lungs. "You're lying."
"Why would I lie?" Yuki's hand caressed Kitanoe's cheek. In an instant Kitanoe felt a wave of anger over take her entire body as she grabbed Yuki's wrist with quick precise motion, nearly breaking the Shadow's wrist.
"Stay off me, Shadow. I have no reason to believe you and I never have. I work for King Enma, not you or Kaoru. I am free to do as I please starting tomorrow, where I will confront Koenma's team. May King Enma have mercy on your soul if you're lying to me." Kitanoe released him, nearly knocking him over the railing.
Yuki found his footing and adjusted himself accordingly with a smirk on his face. "So I take it your answer is no to the love thing?"
"No. Negative. Absolutely not. Not for a million dollars, not if my life depended on it. Straight up NO." Kitanoe turned and left the stair well, making sure her disguise was still in tact. She felt powerful. She had no idea what had come over her, and Yuki was the last person she thought she'd blow up on, but she liked feeling this way. She was in control and she stood up for herself.
Yuki made his way back to Kaoru looking triumpant. Once he shut the door he sighed and sat down with his book. Kaoru gave him a questionable stare. "What's your problem?"
"Our Kitty-Cat is coming into her own. If she wasn't holding back she would have broken my arm." Yuki almost looked distraught.
"She attacked you! We must report this immediately!" Kaoru stood.
"That won't be necessary. I provoked the poor girl. I needed to make sure her head was in the right place. She keeps losing sight of what's important."
"And what would that be?" Kaoru frowned.
"Do you remember when we replayed all of Yusuke Urameshi's missions to gain an insight on his commitment, and we watched him fight Suzaku of the Four Saint Beasts? And again when he faced Toguro?"
"Make your point Yuki."
"He couldn't tap into his full potential because he couldn't figure out what he was fighting for. Even Kuwabara had to "die" before Yusuke could snap just enough to tap into his power. You know as well as I do that Kitty-Cat is one tantrum away from becoming an S class Demon. She will become stronger then either of us and I think it's our responsibility to bring it out of her."
"You're joking!" Kaoru snapped. "An S class Demon on King Enma's Army will further shame us! We are a symbol of justice and righteousness, and her Demon blood in this army has tainted our beliefs!"
"Wrong, Kaoru." Yuki glared. "Her Demon blood has strengthened our army and has brought us closer together as a unit. There isn't an ounce of judgment or prejudice in that female, and through training, she has strengthened you as well."
Kaoru glared as she sat back down. "What are you suggesting."
"We piss her off. The seeds of mistrust have already been sown. I convinced her that her beloved Jagan master wants to murder her, and she believed me, whether she outwardly admitted to it or not her mind says otherwise."
"So how do we set off her tantrum?"
"I haven't thought that far yet."
"YUKI!" Kaoru exclaimed in shock.
Kitanoe sat crossed legged on the rocks. The oceans waves broke violently against the wet stones. Her eyes were closed as she was in a deep meditative state. It was hard to clear her mind. An aura of ice surrounded her as she inhaled, and as she exhaled the aura tuned into fire. She did this repeatedly to establish balance with her Demon halves. The ice would freeze the waves while the fire would melt and evaporate them. She snapped her eyes open and threw a punch behind her. Her fist was caught by an ice apparition with pale blue hair and sea green bangs. His eyes were the same color as his hair, and the lack of emotion in them sent her on edge.
"Who the hell are you?"
"My name is Touya." He still held her fist.
Kitanoe thought that name was familiar. It took her longer then she wanted to admit that she remembered him from the Dark Tournaments; a former member of Team Masho. Kitanoe slowly withdrew her fist but kept her guard up. "Can I help you, Touya?"
"I was intrigued by your display. How is it you can conjure both fire and ice with such precision?"
"I've been training my ass off for this tournament."
Touya was silent for a moment. "Do you honestly think you can win?"
"No." She answered honestly. "I am here to get as far as I can, for myself. I want to prove something to-" She stopped as she stared at the rock under their feet. She sighed. "I want to prove something to someone, and to myself. I don't care if I lose."
Touya just nodded. "The tournament preliminaries are to be selected tomorrow in 6 arenas. A winner will be chosen from each arena and they will go head to head in one on one combat with another. The finals will continue with the 3 strongest competitors."
Kitanoe stared at him oddly. "Okay, I appreciate that considering I didn't know, but why are you telling me?"
Touya shrugged. "Those of us who have been here before are tracking down the new comers. We find it's much easier and orderly when everyone is informed. In Demon World, orderly can be life saving."
Kitanoe nodded. "Yeah I can agree with you on that..." Touya stood there in silence. The waves crashing onto the rock brought a peaceful surrounding. Kitanoe spoke again. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"How is it a Demon is in King Enma's Army?"
"What!? How did you-" Kitanoe couldn't breathe.
Touya held his hand up. "Rumors. I saw the Kings Mark on your arm."
Kitanoe quickly pulled her cloak over herself and gave Touya a begging look. "I can't believe how fast word travels in this world! I am supposed to stay in disguise! Please, Touya, I am begging for your mercy! Don't say a word!"
Touya stayed silent for a moment, pondering over his discovery. "You were used to work with Yusuke and Kurama?" He watched as Kitanoe nodded her head yes silently. Touya closed his eyes. "I will keep your secret. However if we face each other in this tournament I will gaurentee nothing. I will reveal you if it gets me further ahead should you pose a problem to me. " He bowed before jumping from rock to rock until he made it to the cliff looking over the ocean. She watched him walk away as she fell to her knees.
"Everyone here wants me dead...It's no wonder I need a damn disguise."
Early the next morning Kitanoe was staring at the roster for the 6 round preliminaries. She was alone in arena 1; no one else she knew would be there. Arena 2 would be difficult. Kurama, Touya and Jin were the names she recognized. Arena 3 had Yusuke. Arena 4 had King Enki. Arena 5 had Hiei, and lastly Arena 6 didn't have anyone she recognized either.
Kitanoe sighed in relief. She believed she could make it passed the first round. The second round would be difficult, and so would the final round. In less than a week the tournament would begin.
"Oh shit!" She realized as she stood up.
Yuki yawned as he exited his bedroom. "What are you distraught about now?"
"My name is on the roster! I forgot to write down a fake name!"
Yuki's eyes snapped open as he snatched the roster away and reread the playing fields. "You were just begging to be caught, weren't you?"
"It didn't occur to me to have a fake name too!"
"Well, so much for your disguise. Just go out there and don't get killed." Kaoru spoke from the door way of her room.
Hiei stared at the roster in his hands. Kurama and Yusuke read it over his shoulder and gave each other knowing looks. Yusuke grinned. "Well at least none of us will have to fight each other until the semi finals. "
"Not now, Yusuke." Kurama whispered.
About that time Kuwabara waltzed over and read over the same name they were all stuck on. "Oh hey, so Kitanoe is here!" Having it said out loud made Hiei snap. He left the room in a rage they hadn't seen before. "Was it something I said?" Kuwabara mumbled.
"Well yeah, you big idiot." Yusuke shook his head.
Hiei had half a mind to beat on every door until he found her. He tried to reach her through telepathy and thought he had failed, until she responded.
What do you want, Hiei? Something wasn't right with her voice.
Where are you?
Why do you care? I thought you wanted to tear me apart, if mangling me meant you winning.
I didn't mean that. Why the hell did he just admit that?
It's too late, Hiei, what's done is done. What was said can't be unsaid.
Will you see me?
I will tomorrow before my Arena starts.
Just like that she was gone. Hiei couldn't feel her in his head anymore. He tried reaching out again but he was unsuccessful this time.
"She's here..." He said out loud to himself.
"Is everything in place, Yuki?" Kaoru looked at her second in command. Their plan was about to unveil. She had sent Kitanoe off on a small errand for food so she could talk to Yuki.
"Yes. Kitanoe has no idea I have entered the tournament and that I am under a different name. Shadows may not be Demons, but only Humans are excluded from participating. I will kidnap Yusuke Urameshi's child, and I will kill the boy if necessary."
"Yuki, it was pleasure working with you." Kaoru bowed.
"As it was a pleasure to work with you. Remember, this is for the good of all races. Demon's need to learn to love Humans, and so long as Enki or Yusuke win this tournament that can be possible. But it is more important for King Enma to learn to love Demon's as well. Kitanoe is the key to Spirit World's tolerance and success. This will be the first step to Worldly order, Kaoru. You and I are creating history."
"And Kitanoe has to be all powerful for that? Yuki she will kill you if you threaten Yusuke, his family or his friends." Kaoru, the stone cold warrior of Spirit World, was nearly in tears.
"Not all powerful. Just powerful enough to gain the respect of King Enma and the rest of our soldiers. No one will take her seriously if she can't rise to the challenge. "
"When will you take the boy?"
"Only when Kitanoe and I are left. I am a Shadow after all, I can be in more then one place at a time. Once I have the boy our plan will fall into action." Yuki sounded eerily calm.
"Yuki, she will kill you."
"And you will have a new second by your side."
"She'll never forgive me if she finds out I knew about your plan. She may even kill me too."
"Then Spirit World will have a new leader for it's Army. Farewell Kaoru, I must take my leave before Kitanoe returns." Yuki bowed before sliding through the floor.
Kaoru collapsed onto the floor, holding back her tears.