After Kuwabara's mild heart attack, we went back to our locker room to try to calm him.
"It's not that big of a deal, Kuwabara and us bitching about it isn't going to help," Yusuke said. "You probably feel their powers now because your senses got better. Tuguro's the one who made us come to this tournament. None of us thought it was going to be a joyride, but we can beat him, okay?'
"Tisk, tisk, tisk." Our door swung open and Team Urautogi stood in our door way.
"Don't you all think you are forgetting about someone?" Shishi asked. His whole team chuckled.
"No one of real importance," I said dismissively.
"Who's that?" Kuwabara asked.
"My guess is the freak show rejects," Yusuke said.
They all introduced themselves—Kuro Momotaro, Makintaro, Ura Urishima, Shishi Wakamaru, and Onji.
"If you guys are looking for us to go easy on you you're wasting your, and more importantly our precious time," Yusuke said.
Kuro was chewing something and spit it out on the floor.
"Gross," I said.
"Nah, it's the exact opposite, we want a good fight," he said.
"We will be famous, but we're going to need more than two minutes of exposure to get that way, Shishi said.
"You know, just because you're cute doesn't mean you can open your mouth and spew out whatever arrogant bullshit you want," I said.
Shishi laughed. "Hi pot. I'm kettle. You're black."
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"Pretty girl alternate goes running her mouth off about giving everyone hell just because Spirit World says she can? And she does with a sparkle in her eye and a skip in her step," he said. "Spirit Detective or not, it's dangerous for a human girl to go spouting off like that in front of all those demons. Those little nothings in the audience may not be a bother to you, but there are others among you who might take what you said as a challenge."
"And I might take what you said as a threat," I said.
"You would do well to, because tomorrow when defeat Team Urameshi we intend to be rid of the whole team, even the pretty ones," he said.
"Gosh, I know I should be frightened, but I can't help but feel flattered," I said.
"Laugh now, Detective, but you won't be able to hide behind your boys forever," he said.
"I'm not hiding, Shishi. Trust me, if circumstances were different I would be kicking your ass tomorrow with a smile on my face," I said.
"I would love to see that," Shishi said finally turning to leave.
"Whichever of you boys takes on Shishi tomorrow, please, don't touch his face. That would be such a waste and I'm sure he wouldn't like it," I said.
Shishi stopped and turned back. Suddenly, he'd grown horns and fangs.
"We'll get ugly soon enough, Detective! Just you wait!" he declared, before leaving.
I rolled my eyes.
"Well, Kairi, I'd say your ability to instantly make someone want to kill you surpasses even Hiei's," Kurama said.
"I try," I said. "As for the rest of you, try not to make me eat my words. It'd be super awkward if we lost tomorrow after that flagrant display of assholery I just put on."
"Meh, those guys aren't even worth two minutes. Their power is nothing compared to Tuguro's," Kuwabara said.
"We could always wear blindfolds. That way it would be more amusing," Yusuke said.
"Pride is for the weak, Yusuke," Genkai said suddenly.
"Leave me alone!" he shouted at her as Botan popped up in the door way carrying soda. "Stop looking at me like that, you masked freak!" Yusuke punched a wall, startling Botan into dropping the drinks. "If you got something to say, say it!"
"It's quite simple really, if the leader of team Tuguro is Tuguro, then the leader of team Urameshi should be Yusuke Urameshi. The question I'm posing is do you have what it takes to beat Tuguro all by yourself, Yusuke Urameshi?" Genkai asked.
"Guys, break it up. Let's try and get along," Kuwabara said.
"Kuwabara's right. Can we please talk this through peacefully?" Botan asked.
"You think you should lead this team instead of me?" Yusuke asked.
"If necessary. Follow me," she said walking out of the locker room.
"Yeah! Let's take this outside!" Yusuke said angrily.
"Yusuke! Don't be so stupid!" Botan called after him.
"Let them be," Hiei said. "They're going to have to settle this on their own."
"Yeah, that's what we're afraid of. Those two are so strong and so angry they might settle this all the way to the death and that's no good," Kuwabara said.
"It's a shame, but there's nothing we can do," Hiei said.
"And even if there were anything that could be done it's hardly our place to interfere with their affairs," Kurama said.
"How can you possibly say those things? Can't you see they could tear this team apart!" Botan said. ". . . And none of you even seem to be bothered enough to care."
Botan ran out of the room in a huff.
"Not going to console her, Kairi? That hardly seems like you," Kurama said.
"She's in a fuss over nothing. They're not going to tear the team apart. They're not going to kill each other. I doubt they'll even want to fight each other," I said.
"What makes you so sure?" Hiei asked.
"Let's chalk it up to woman's intuition and leave it at that," I said.
"You are hiding something," Hiei said. "Obviously you know more about this situation than you're letting on."
"You are correct my good sir! And I intend to keep this itsy bitsy but ever so crucial detail to myself until it's actually relevant so. . . End of discussion," I said. "What do you say we go find some food? I'm famished."
888
It was late into the afternoon and Yusuke and Genkai didn't turn back up. I wasn't worried though. She was probably scolding him or something like always.
The sky had grown dark and it had started to pour down rain and being that all of my teammates were still recuperating in one form or another, we were all gathered in the common room eating snacks and playing cards, except for Hiei mostly just stared out of the window.
"That masked lady and Urameshi sure have been gone a long time," Kuwabara said.
"Indeed," Kurama said.
"Are you sure nobody needs to go out and look for them?" Kuwabara asked.
"Yes," I replied. "Don't you trust me?"
"Not as far as I can throw you," Kurama said.
"In all fairness you're pretty strong and I'm pretty tiny—you could probably throw me pretty far," I said.
"What do you think about or chances? Two more rounds and we get to go home," Kuwabara said.
"These are the semi-finals. It will definitely be a challenge to overcome. We'll be moved to a new stadium with an even wilder crowd, and I'm sure the committee will do anything to thwart us," Kurama said.
"It doesn't bother me. Bring on the guns and the arrows. It's nothing I'm afraid of," Kuwabara said.
As the conversation ended, the door swung open and the girls appeared with more snacks and soda.
"You know, you could've knocked, Botan. We're discussing important business here," Kuwabara said.
"And how do you explain the cards in your hand?" Botan asked.
"I guess you've never seen a mobster movie," Kuwabara said.
"Has your back injury healed yet, Kazuma?" Yukina asked.
"Oh, yeah, it was just a scratch. You want to play some cards with us?" Kuwabara asked.
"Sure! Sounds fun," she said.
"Um. . . Have you seen, Yusuke?" Kayko asked.
"He's still out with the masked fighter," Kurama said. "We're not sure where."
"I see. I hope he's all right. Puu's been acting really funny. He doesn't even want to fly," Kayko said.
"Whatever he's doing, I'm sure he can handle it, Kayko," Botan said. "Let's just have some fun, okay?"
"That's right baby brother. Enjoy yourself. This might be your last night in the living. I won't tell mom if you drink your first beer," Shizuru teased.
"Gosh darn it, Shizuru, you always gotta embarrass me in front of my friends!" Kuwabara complained.
It wasn't long before our thoughts drifted away from Yusuke and Genkai and turned to actually relaxing before we were sent back to the wolves tomorrow. I hated the card games, but I did enjoy the company for once and to be talking about something other than wondering how people were going to try kill everyone tomorrow.
"I'm getting the hang of this five card draw," Kuwabara said.
"You should come join us, Hiei. We're all practically family over here," Kurama teased.
"Quiet, Kurama, before I rip out your precious voice box," Hiei threatened from the window.
"Yeah. Kurama, leave him alone. You know Hiei doesn't enjoy social activities that don't allow him to hit people in the face, and can you blame him?" I asked.
"You're quite right, Kairi. Besides, I'm sure Hiei has had enough of our teasing for a day," Kurama agreed.
"Yeah, Kairi, let's talk about you," Shizuru said.
"Me? I'm afraid there's not much to tease me about," I said.
"Oh, sure there," Kuwabara said. "Give me a second and I'll think of something."
"I know!" Kayko said suddenly, "have you talked to Trunks lately?"
I leered at her.
"Who's Trunks?" Shizuru asked.
"A boy from school that Kairi likes," Kayko said.
"Oh, please, where'd you get an idea like that?" I asked.
"From watching the two of you. Where else?" Kuwabara put in.
"You too, Kuwabara? You're supposed to be on my side," I said. "You know I don't like Trunks."
"Is he cute?" Shizuru asked.
"He's okay," I said with a shrug.
Kayko scoffed. "Kairi, you're lying through your teeth! I can't believe you!"
"What? I didn't say he was ugly did I?" I asked.
"No, but you did grossly misrepresent him," Kayko said.
"Oh, wait, is this the boy with the purple hair who's best friends with your brother?" Botan asked thinking to herself.
"Yes," I said.
"Kairi, he's so handsome!" Botan said.
"What does it matter how cute he is anyway?" I asked.
"I think I have picture of him and Goten on my phone actually," Kayko said scrolling through her pictures. "Yeah! Here you go!"
She handed her phone over to Yukina and Shizuru.
"Oh, my goodness! This is the Capsule Corp. boy!" Shizuru said. "The heir to biggest technology company in the world has a thing for you?"
"I've known him my whole life. His mom and my dad have been best friends since they were my age. We grew up together," I said. "It'd be too weird if we dated. And like I said, I don't even like him."
"Now how come I don't believe you?" Shizuru asked.
"Because crazy runs in the Kuwabara family?" I asked.
"Haha, very funny, Kairi," Kuwabara said.
"Kairi, exactly how many times have you made out with Trunks?" Kayko asked.
I glared at her as everyone started to laugh.
"Come on you guys, is this really the topic of conversation we want to be having right now?" I asked.
"I think so," Kurama replied.
"So you're telling him you don't want to date him, but you're also kissing him? Sounds like somebody is sending mixed signals," Botan said.
"I do not send him mixed signals. I don't do anything at all to lead him on," I said.
"With the exception of calling him every evening just to 'check in' I assume," Hiei said, out of nowhere from the window, sending the whole room into a hysterical fit of laughter.
"I defend you and this is how you pay me back? What did I ever do to you?" I asked. Hiei looked at me knowingly, implying that this was probably just revenge for teasing him about Yukina, or for invading his personal space yesterday. But I didn't like this. I was not going to take this lying down.
"You are going to regret that you ever mentioned that," I said.
"How so?" Hiei asked.
I wouldn't betray his secret about Yukina, but there were other things I'd learned about Hiei since I'd been here that I could easily use.
"Hiei talks in his sleep," I said.
"I do not," Hiei said indignantly.
"Yes you do," I replied.
"How would you even know?" he asked.
"I sleep in the same room as you, and years of being Spirit Detective has made me paranoid, therefore a light sleeper. I heard you," I said as the others laughed.
Hiei was clearly embarrassed was obviously not going to take that lying down.
"Kairi was born with a tail," he said.
The room went silent as humiliation flushed over my face.
". . . How do you know that?" I said sinisterly.
"I have my ways," he said reclining back against his spot in the window.
"Were you really born with a tail?" Kuwabara asked.
". . . Yes," I said. They all started laughing. I looked over to Hiei and glared. He loked just as smug as ever.
"I'm going to kill you," I mouth silently to him.
He shook his head. "No you're not."
"Do you still have it? Do you like keep it in a jar or something weird like that?" Kayko asked.
"No! It's just. . ." I sighed. "I'm like. . . It's difficult, Kayko."
"Go on, Kairi. This can't be any weirder than us sitting around watching a bunch of demon's fight," Shizuru said.
"It's like this okay, I'm like, not exactly one hundred percent human," I said.
"You're like an apparition?" Yukina asked.
"No. . . My dad is, like, an alien or whatever," I said. Shizuru, Kayko, and Yukina all stared at me incredulously. "I'm serious. My dad was born on this planet called Vegeta, which, incidentally, is the same planet Trunks' dad is from and his dad was the prince of the planet. They're Saiyans. And I'm half Saiyan."
". . . What?" Kayko laughed. "You're kidding. You're half alien."
"Yes. My dad got sent to earth when he was a baby and shortly thereafter planet Vegeta was destroyed and only a few Saiyan survived. The only two pureblood Saiyans still living are my dad and Vegeta. All Saiyans are born with tails," I said. "Mine was removed when I was a baby. End of story."
"No it's not," Kurama said.
"Yes. It. Is," I said firmly.
"You're not going to tell them why it got cut off?" Kurama cut it odd.
"Because all of the children would've made fun of me," I said.
"Liar," Kurama said.
"Ugh! Fine. If I had kept my tail every time I looked at the full moon I would turn into a giant monkey and go crazy and destroy everything in my path," I said.
"Are you serious?" Hiei asked.
"Shut up," I said.