A/N: Okay, I can explain. I got carried away. Yeah, I had a lot to cover in this chapter and, so, it turned out to be a little longer than I intended. But, I still like it and it's actually one of my favorite chapters. I hope you guys like it! Let me know what you think!

Chapter 20: Love on the Battlefield

Kurama stepped away from Taka in his dragon form. He had known that there was some kind of power that the calm demon was holding on to but not even could've foreseen this. The transformation came rather quickly considering what he turned into and his power even increased. Quite the predicament the plant master found himself in.

Yusuke ran to edge of the ring and yelled, "If there was ever a time for you to go all silver haired and fox tailed, Kurama, it's RIGHT! FREEKIN'! NOW!"

Kurama couldn't deny that Yusuke was right.

Taka laughed. "Your captain is correct. Come, Kurama. Show us the fox."

He asked for it. Kurama was happy to oblige. He started the process and quickly shifted into his Yoko form. Unlike previous instances where he simply shifted his physical appearance to look like Yoko, this time around he completely took on his form. After a few seconds, the process was complete. He is Yoko Kurama, once more.

"You sure that's a good idea?" Kuwabara asked his team leader.

"He has no other choice," Hiei said. "He won't survive otherwise."

"Don't worry, my friends," Yoko said. "I am very much in control of myself. I have all I require to defeat this monster."

Kuwabara paused. "I don't know if that made me feel any better."

"It's like Hiei said, though," Yusuke spoke up again. "He's got no choice."

Kurama turned his attention back to Taka. The silver haired fox threw a few seeds on the ground, performed a chant, and the Ojigi Plant sprouted forward.

Kurama looked at Koto, "Get out of the ring, now!"

Remembering the previous use of this dangerous plant, Koto wasted no time in scrambling out of the battle stage while Kurama had the Ojigi attack Taka. The plant moved in for the kill against Taka. The demon smirked then roared at the plant, diving at its carnivorous petals. He managed to grab hold of one of the plants, flying up to meet it and wrestling with it while still in the air. He opened his mouth and blasted a beam of green energy into the petal's mouth. That petal was obliterated and another was right on top of Taka. It latched on to his arm, causing him to roar in pain. Taka was about to fire another beam when the Binding Fist of the Demonic Vine grazed his cheek. He looked and didn't see Kurama but found another petal latching on his arm. He wanted to attack it but he found himself pierced through the chest by the Demonic Vine again.

Taka gasped and looked into Kurama's gold eyes.

"Sad, really," the fox mocked. "I honestly was hoping for a more enjoyable fight. Oh, well. You're dead." He removed the Vine, landed on the ring, and motioned for the Ojigi Plant to completely cover Taka and finish its work.

He started to walk away when a sudden spike of demon energy caught his attention. He turned back around to see the Ojigi plan erupt into pieces. Kurama was unmoved by the display but did squint his eyes in irritation when he saw Taka flying in the air with his wings flapping.

Taka opened his eyes and smiled. He looked at his enemy, chuckling. "Cute attack. Care to try again?"

He flew at Kurama with supersonic speed and punched, sending Kurama sailing across the ring. Taka laughed and flew up in the air. Kurama caught himself, performed a flip, and landed on his feet. Taka smiled, his eyes flashed with energy, and he fired another energy beam. Kurama dodged out of the way, grew his Death Tree, quickly, and charged at Taka. Taka smiled and flew right at him. They collided and the impact and explosion destroyed the Death Tree but that didn't stop their fists from connecting. They pressed against one another until Kurama ducked underneath and gave Taka an uppercut. Taka grunted from the punched but turned, swiftly, hitting Kurama with his tail. Kurama saved himself in another flip and formed the Demonic Vine again, slashing at Taka again. Taka dodged what he could but took a few slashes but they hardly mattered. He kept healing himself and chuckling at Kurama's efforts. Kurama went for one more swing but Taka grabbed his arm then his throat.

"Be truthful, Kurama," Taka smiled. "You knew that this could end no other way."

Kurama gritted his teeth. He unleashed his Rose Whip, striking Taka across the face and breaking his grip. Kurama wrapped the Whip around Taka's ankles and hauled off of his feet. He swung him hard enough to send him flying out of the ring and into the ceiling. He pulled the Whip but it wasn't even retracted fully before Taka flew back and punched Kurama, followed by a kick, another punch, a knee, and an uppercut. Kurama hit ground hard, dazed from the attack and now bleeding from his head.

Taka smiled. "There is no victory for you here, Yoko. It all ends."

Botan was going numb. Her tears were falling and she didn't even realize it. This was a nightmare. A living nightmare. She wanted to wake up. She wanted to wake up in a bed, no matter where it was, in Kurama's arms like she did this morning. Every blow she witnessed Kurama absorb was another to her heart. She knew that nothing that Arashi had planned for her was as painful as what she was witnessing.

She didn't want this. She wanted to Kurama to live. She wanted him to survive, to come back to her, to kiss her.

To love her.

One last blow sent Kurama careening across the ring. He landed hard and struggled to get to his feet, refusing to lose by count-out. He stared at Taka and exhaled. He knew the truth: this demon was nearly impossible to stop. 'That's it. I don't know what else I can do.'

Taka folded his arms and laughed. "It must sting. Your whole team can win, even the pure blood human. But you, great fox? You will die."

Kurama growled.

In a flash, Taka was on top of him and Kurama could only react by using his own plants to shield himself from Taka's punch. He couldn't block another energy blast from Taka that sent Kurama sailing through the air before he landed on the ground hard enough to make his allies cringe and Arashi smile.

Despite all of the injuries, Kurama, again, forced himself to his feet.

"Still getting up?" Taka asked. "Foolish. You're going to die, Kurama. Accept it. It is inevitable."

Kurama could only pant in exhaustion and pain. Maybe, Taka was right; perhaps, it was inevitable. But he fought and he fought hard. No shame in death as long as he battled his hardest. He was ready to accept defeat. 'Yusuke, take good care of Botan in my stead. She is so innocent… so pure… so beautiful. She doesn't deserve this.' He closed his eyes. 'Botan… please, forgive me. I am so sorry I couldn't keep my promise… and… and so much more… promises… I didn't make yet… at least… not out loud.'

He stood his ground as Taka walked toward him. Kurama had a few strategies left but they would all take time or a lot of power to execute with any possibility of them succeeding or even doing any damage. He wouldn't be given the chance for either. Taka was being devilishly slow with his steps but that was for intimidation; he was ready to attack as fast and as furious as he had already. Kurama knew this all too well but maybe he could some damage before his death. He was certainly going to try. He took a deep breath and readied himself for one last stand.

Tears falling from her eyes, Botan stared in complete shock at what she was witnessing. She didn't know how she knew but she did: Kurama was out of options. He was going to call it. But that meant she was going to lose him. And she couldn't. She could lose her position as a Grim Reaper, her home in Spirit World, and even her friends there but she couldn't lose Kurama, not him. She tried to figure out something to do save him but all she could think to do was stand up and speak. "KURAMA!"

Botan's yell got everyone's attention, even Taka was distracted.

"DON'T GIVE UP! PLEASE!"

He looked at her and he could already hear what she was about to say.

"I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU, KURAMA! DON'T DIE, PLEASE!"

Keiko's eyes welled up, "Oh, Botan…"

From somewhere he never felt before, Kurama grabbed all the strength he had left. He gazed at Taka and his energy began to swirl.

"I won't lose," Kurama declared. "I have to win. I made her a promise. More than that… I love her." He spoke loud enough for her to hear, "I love you, Botan. I will survive this and return to you."

That declaration gave her hope again. She didn't know why but it did. She knew he would win.

Yusuke just laughed. "Well, whadda ya know?"

Hiei chuckled, "I'll be damned."

"HEY!" Kuwabara yelled. "What the hell?! I'm the only one who gets to make loud declarations of love around here!"

"Apparently, you missed your cue, then," Mukuro joked.

Kuwabara just gritted his teeth. "Stealin' my thunder…"

"To have love declared for him, mid-fight. A first for Kurama." Hiei shrugged, "Oh, well. I guess that's how it goes for guys like him."

"Jealous?" Yusuke asked.

"In no way, shape, or form."

"Well… let's see if it makes a difference."

Kurama couldn't help but still have a smile. Botan's declaration actually calmed him down and renewed his vigor. He was able to come up with a plan: the last one he had. He pulled a few seeds from his pocket. "I promised her," he said. "I promised."

Taka scoffed. "Promises. Promises are as fleeting as wind."

"Maybe to someone like you. But not to me."

Taka narrowed his eyes and his demon energy swirled. "Then I will break your promise. Just as I will break you!" He charged at Kurama.

This was it. All or nothing.

Kurama jumped in the air, Taka flew after him, Kurama threw his seeds, using his energy to force them to grow in the middle of the air and quickly binding Taka in his movement. The weeds grew, ensnared the dragon, and latched on to the ground, drawing Taka back to the ground and holding him there. With his plants holding Taka for a moment, Kurama only had one chance. As he descended, Kurama formed the Demonic Vine in his left hand and sliced his right hand to his wrist, confusing everyone looking on. Once he was close enough to Taka, he sliced his enemy's neck and slammed his bloody hand right on the injury, holding it there. Already knowing the weeds were a temporary restraint and his enemy would heal in moments, Kurama sensed that Taka was preparing to break from and charge another energy blast; he knew that he had to end this, quickly. With a yell, he summoned all of his energy and caused his body to glow, sending through his body and Taka's. The resulting energies caused an explosion that threw Kurama away from his nemesis and pushed him back to his human form.

Everyone watched with stunted breath as Kurama got to his feet, breathing hard and his body near broken. No one knew exactly what just happened, save Kurama, but the whole crowd thought the fox's strategy was all for nothing when they looked to see Taka emerge from the smoke. He was back to his normal form, as well, but that didn't make him any less dangerous and most could tell that Kurama was out of power. The match seemed to be over; all that was left was for Taka to finish this job.

"You think that little explosion was enough to stop me?" Taka asked.

"The explosion?" Kurama asked, clutching his injured right arm. He shook his head, "No, of course not."

"Good. Then, I'll end this little…" He stopped and coughed. He coughed, violently. He covered his mouth to deal with the next coughing fit. He looked at his hand and saw something like ash on his hand. His eyes went wide, "What… what is this?"

Kurama sighed in relief. "Yes. It worked."

Taka realized he was shaking, involuntarily. He looked at his hands and that they seemed to be crumbling into dust. He looked up at his opponent, "What the hell did you do to me?!"

"I planted a seed in your body."

He narrowed his eyes, "What… what seed?!"

"A seed of the Kokutan Plant. It's a plant that absorbs all the body has to offer. And I mean everything."

"Wh… when…" Taka started shaking more. "H-how? How?!"

"Through a very dangerous gamble, I'll admit. I've never used that plant before because of the danger attached to it, primarily on the time it takes to make it grow and how it's transferred. It only grows and cultivates inside the bloodstream, hence the reason I cut my hand and wounded you. It was the only way to plant the seed. The explosion you experience was me transferring all of my energy to force it to grow."

Taka's eyes went wide as he tried to breathe normally, "You… you little…"

"It's a very rare plant; I don't use it due to the power it takes and the danger, as I stated before. It kills the host and turns the body to bits of coal, hence its name." He winced in pain. "I'm glad this is my only fight. I don't think I could continue any further." He smirked. "But it was worth it."

Taka lurched forward with a violent cough his body began to, literally, fall apart. "No, no…" He stumbled when his leg broke apart and he fell to the ground. "Kurama!"

Kurama's voice turned cold, as though he were back in his Yoko form. "I warned you about threatening Botan, Taka. I told you not to do it. I told you to not even look at her. But you didn't listen. So… such is your punishment." He stared at him in hatred. "Go to hell."

"NO!" He reached out for Kurama in hatred, "YOU BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…" He didn't finish as his body completed its transformation in ashes of coal and he fell to pieces.

Koto stared for a second longer then raised her hand and declared, "Since I'm more than positive Taka is dead and all pieces of him that didn't get scattered by the wind have stayed down for a ten count, the winner of the match is Kurama!" The crowd was no longer split; they all cheered for Kurama. After all, that was an impressive victory.

Kurama exhaled in exhaustion. He took a step to leave the ring but everything hurt. He stopped to adjust to it then walked back to his comrades. They helped down from the ring and sat him against it. Hiei ripped a part of his cloak to make a bandage to bind Kurama's injury.

"That was badass, man," Yusuke smiled.

"Way to kick that guy's ass!" Kuwabara shouted.

"A good strategy," Hiei finished tying the bandage. "Nicely done."

Kurama nodded, "Thank you."

"Even if you did burn yourself out," Mukuro pointed out.

"I'm not too worried." He looked up at Botan. "It was worth it."

Botan was looking at her love, every part of her wanting to be near him.

Genkai could clearly see it. She got over to her and nudged her, "Get down there."

Botan looked at the old psychic, "But…"

"If anyone has a problem with it, they can try and do something about it then we'll all jump in and beat their asses."

Botan didn't even think to argue; she didn't want to, anyway. She nodded. Genkai took her hand, putting the girl's arm over her shoulder, and they descended from the stands to the arena floor. Once they landed, Botan ran for Kurama. He saw her coming and got to his feet. She jumped into his waiting arms and held on to him with all she had.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, too," he whispered back.

Yusuke smiled. "Alright, that's pretty cool."

"Good on ya, guys," Kuwabara gave a thumbs up. Even Hiei and Mukuro were smiling.

The Mazoku looked over at the seething Arashi. He smiled a grand Urameshi smile of arrogance and yelled out, "Ya know: you said soul rhythms match up for people in love! Bet it's off the charts now, huh?"

Admittedly curious as to if Yusuke was right, Arashi squinted his eyes and looked at his minion, "Tap?"

The short demon pulled out his device and aimed it at the couple. Seconds later, the machine exploded, causing Tap to shout in surprise.

Kuwabara laughed. "Loser!"

Yusuke sneered. "I'll take that as a yes!" He walked up to the ring and stopped, "If you wanna bitch out now and go home, you can. I'll be more than happy to kick your sorry ass some other day!"

"You forget you still haven't achieved your five points," Arashi replied.

"And you only have one. Big freakin' difference. Since you sent all your people in ahead of you, I'm starting to wonder if you have any skill at all."

Arashi sat in silence for a few seconds. He slowly rose from his seat. "You underestimate me, boy." He undid the knot on his cloak. "You underestimate me, greatly." He tossed the cloak aside.

"That's what you think," Yusuke whispered. He hopped on the ring.

Botan looked up from her embrace, she stepped toward her friend, her best friend, the one who spearheaded this endeavor to protect her. And, now he was going to take the ring against her father. "Yusuke."

He looked at her.

"Please, be careful."

He just gave her a thumbs up. He walked to the center of the ring and waited for his opponent. Arashi stepped up, walked to the center, stopped, and stared daggers at Yusuke. All attention was now focused on these two. The last match of the Dark Tournament.

It was time.

The Mazoku versus the Lord of Deathlocke.

A/N: So, what did you guys think? I would love some reviews! Please and thank you! We are coming to end of our tale but, oh, we are so not done yet. After all, it's time to see what Arashi is made of. After all, he gives demons nightmares. What power does he hold? Yusuke is about to find out.

Next Chapter: Legends Collide

Yusuke VS. Arashi. The last battle of the Finals is about to begin and there will be no holding back, no restraint, and no mercy.

Don't miss this!