Author's note: many thanks to everyone who reviewed/favorited/story alerted! i probably won't be able to update until next weekend so i hope you enjoy this chapter and see you all next time!

Chapter 20

Risika blinked at the bright sunlight streaming through the trees above her. It was so beautiful and at the same time painful. Her eyes stung from the light and she let them drift close wearily. She felt so tired and the grass was very soft. The birds were chirping lightly in the woods and the wind was soothing to her skin. Everything was so peaceful… so quiet…

Wait, how did she get here?

She opened her eyes and sat up slowly, feeling very sore and bruised. She was lightheaded and really disorientated. She had no idea where she was and she was drawing up a blank of how she got here. She was still dressed in her pajamas and wearing a sling for her right arm. The arm in question still throbbed with pain so she couldn't have lost that much time or else it'd have already healed.

Last night… last night Sakyo brought me to the new stadium… And there she became immersed in her dark past, reliving it. Natsume's innocent face leaped to the foreground of Risika's mind and the heartache crippled her. Risika gripped her chest as tears of the past threatened to fall.

She'd spent the last five hundred years trying to move on, live the life she'd wanted when she still had her family. She'd tried to find the peaceful home she had when Natsume and Toji were with her. But everything seemed so empty and off-balanced without the boy… Even Toji's presence was diminished since he was locked in his miniature form.

She had felt more alone than ever before.

Suddenly a groan behind her made her whip her head around. Lying in the grass a little ways away from her was Toji – and he was in his humanoid form!

Risika's eyes widen. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Toji!" Risika dragged herself over to his side, not trusting her legs to support her. "Toji!"

Why was he in this form? What'd happened to his seals?

Risika placed a hesitant hand on his arm and turned the Tiger Demon from his side onto his back. There was a giant black bruise covering his entire chest. It was gruesome and he looked like he'd been hit by a train. And the fact that his strips were visible on his pale skin was a sign of how badly injured Toji really was. If he couldn't even spare the energy to hide his strips then…

"Toji! Come on, wake up. Toji!" She shook his shoulder, trying to not cause him any more pain but at the same time trying to bring him back from unconsciousness.

"Toji!"

Toji groaned and opened his topaz eyes weakly. "Risika?" he breathed.

Risika let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "Hey, how are you feeling?"

Toji groaned in pain. "Like a truck hit me and then decided to throw it in reverse to have a second go."

"What happened to you? Why is the seal broken?"

Toji sighed and then grunted in pain. "Damn, it hurts to breathe," he muttered.

"All right, shhh. We can talk later. Let's get you back to the hotel so you can rest. I wish I could heal you but my energy is all spent..."

Toji snorted and rolled his eyes. "I'm not surprised. You're a real idiot when you're pissed, you know that?"

Risika blinked in confusion. "Huh? What are you talking about?" When had she been angry recently?

She felt a tickling sensation at the back of her head, like a memory was floating just barely out of her reach… What exactly had happened last night?

Toji just shook his head in answer and closed his eyes. He was obviously exhausted from just that short conversation.

Risika sighed. "All right, just relax. I'll take care of you." She carefully pulled one of Toji's arms over her shoulder and hoisted his limp form onto her back. It was bad enough that he was bigger than her, but the fact that she could only hold onto him with one arm made the ordeal twice as hard. Then there was the fact that the Tiger Demon was very noticeably naked…

Risika shook her head and got shakily to her feet to begin her slow, painful trek through the woods. She had no idea where on the island they were and she sensed it was some time in the afternoon. The sun was still relatively high in the sky and the forest was alive with sounds of life.

Maybe I can take him to the stadium's medical wing… All she'd have to do was keep her ears open for the roar of the crowd and she was sure she'd find her way to the stadium entrance. Today's matches were probably still going on, and that made Risika wonder if her team had survived the semifinals or not. Their round must be over by now…

"Hey, Risika, I'm just wondering but do you have any idea where you're going?" asked Toji weakly from her back.

"Tsch. If you're in so much pain you should stop talking and go to sleep," muttered Risika.

Toji chuckled and flinched in pain. "Guess not. Looks like I'm screwed…"

Risika rolled her eyes. "You're not screwed. I'm going to get you help so just trust me and shut up."

Toji chuckled but didn't say anymore.

Several minutes of silence passed as Risika concentrated on the ground, trying to avoid tripping over hidden roots or rocks. Toji's breathing was labored and his head felt warm against the side of Risika's neck. Did the Tiger Demon have a fever, she wondered.

"Hey, Toji, you okay back there?"

"Hmm?" He tilted his head to the side to look over her shoulder. "Yeah… just a little dizzy, not to mention in excruciating pain."

"Just hang on, I'll get you help," said Risika and tried to increase her stride. It was hard. Toji seemed to get heavier and heavier – either that or she was getting weaker and weaker.

She eventually had to stop and rest. She sat Toji down and leaned him against a tree as she doubled over to try and catch her breath. When she looked up, she saw Toji watching her with such sadness in his eyes… the look was heart-breaking.

"What is it, Toji?" she asked.

Toji shook his head. "Just thinking…"

"About what?"

The Tiger demon sighed and leaned his head back against the trunk of the tree, gazing up at the leaves with sunlight flittering through in small rays.

"It's been five hundred years since Natsume died… it's hard to believe so much time has passed." Toji closed his eyes, as if he was picturing the boy in his mind. "I missed the little brat, but I know you've missed him more."

Risika remained silent, her eyes on the grassy forest floor. Yes, she missed the boy deeply. She hadn't been able to let him go, even after five hundred years. She'd only been able to bury him and her past, locking the pain and grief away. But deep down she knew that she still mourned for the brother she lost. And after last night, she felt like all those old wounds had been ripped wide open –like she'd relived that nightmare all over again.

"What happened last night, Toji?" she asked softly. "What happened between me and Sakyo? And how did you get that wound?"

Toji chuckled and the corner of his lips twitched. "The fool picked the wrong person to piss off." He pushed himself into a more comfortable sitting position while letting out a small groan and clutching his abdomen.

"I felt your energy spike all the way from the hotel," he continued, slightly breathless. "You had the whole building in a frenzy. Hell, you should've seen the look on your teammates' faces when they felt your demon energy going off the charts. They thought it was Toguro trying to intimidate them, but I knew it was you… how could I ever forget the feel of your demon energy when it was filled with so much rage? It was just like five hundred years ago, in the village..."

Risika remained silent. She didn't trust herself to speak with the past so close to the surface.

Toji sighed heavily. "When I arrived in the lab, you were leaping for Sakyo's throat. Stupid move, in my opinion, since you were in no condition to do anything except stay in bed," Toji snorted. "But then again, when you're pissed you never think with your head. Toguro stopped you, knocking you back with about sixty percent of his strength. Sakyo then ordered Toguro to capture you, muttering something about using you to power his portal – honestly, Risika, did you have to tell him that?"

Risika shrugged. "I didn't even know I told him until just now. I don't remember anything after he first showed me the painting… I was back in the village, Toji. It was like I was slaughtering the villagers all over again. And the look in Natsume's eyes… it was so real. He was so real…" Risika gripped her wounded arm, her fingers digging into her skin as her heart twisted in pain.

Toji watched her knowingly. "So Shikori took charge... Hmphf, figures. Your psychotic side needs to learn to keep her mouth shut. I know it probably sounded really intimidating to brag about powering the portal to Demon World and all, but honestly, now the man is going to focus all his resources on capturing you." Toji blew his bangs out of his face as he shifted positions gingerly. "Freakin human's a psychopath, no doubt about that. And he's probably stubborn too, which means he won't stop until he reaches his goal, aka you."

"Well, if that's the case why hasn't he ordered Toguro to come rampaging through the forest after us? And how did we get here in the first place?" asked Risika glancing around, probing the area with her mind and trying to sense if anyone was nearby.

Toji sighed wearily. "That demon freak bastard can really throw a punch. In your weakened state, it was obvious that with one punch he could knock you unconscious, not to mention add bruises to your bruises. And being the dumb sidekick that I am, I just jumped in front of the guy's fist. Don't know what I was thinking at the time – must have been some of your idiocy rubbing off on me. His punch obviously didn't kill me, but it did break two of my three seals. That's probably what saved my life. Somehow I managed to teleport us out. Then I blacked out and here we are."

Risika felt the edge of her lip twitch and couldn't help but tease him. "Wow, that must have been a huge blow to your ego, Mr. Leader-of-the-Tiger-Demon-Clan. A lowly B-class demon beating you into nearly an inch of your life?" Risika chuckled. "Some S-class demon you are."

"Shut up. I'm barely at an A-class level right now, and I was saving your sorry-hide from getting killed, again. What is it, the third time in two days? Must be a record… The mighty Shikori is probably fuming in the back of your head," retorted Toji with a toothy grin.

Risika rolled her eyes. "Like I care about my track record anymore. Come on, let's get you help before you talk yourself to death. I know it's taking a lot out of you just to stay conscious."

Toji chuckled. "You're just saying that because you want me to shut up."

"Exactly, so shut up already," she snapped as she bent down and once again heaved him onto her back.

It didn't take him long to fall into unconsciousness. He must have used up a lot of energy talking to her. He was probably not going to wake up again until he was healed. But it had been nice to talk to him.

Risika hadn't spoken to Toji verbally since the day she cast the seals on him. Whenever he did transform into his human self during the full moon, she had also transformed, allowing Shikori to stretch her limbs every month. For Risika, it was more like taking a light nap while her darker side took control.

Well, now she had the opportunity to spend some time with the Tiger Demon… at least, until the next full moon. She'll need to recast the seals when she was at her full strength in order for the seals to be as strong as the original ones.

Still, she had a whole month left… it'll definitely be a nice change of pace in the apartment when she could actually come home and be greeted by someone who could talk back to her out loud. Man, she really missed the sounds of conversation filling a home. It just felt so right… But to even get to that point Risika first needed to survive this twisted demon tournament.

Risika was beginning to sweat as she continued her hike through the seemingly endless forest. It was really irritating to have absolutely no idea which direction she was walking in. Everything in the damn forest looked exactly the same! For all she knew she could be walking in a giant circle.

There's gotta be a path or trail around here somewhere…

Suddenly, she spotted a figure up ahead standing by a tree. As Risika drew near she realized it was an old woman with wirily grey hair that had a faint, pink hue to it in the sunlight. She looked so frail standing with one hand on the tree as the wind blew through her hair. And there was something about her that seemed strangely familiar.

Those clothes… I've seen them before… A red tunic with blue lining and a green sash on top of white sleeves and pants…

The old woman turned around and Risika gasped. Those old brown eyes! They were the eyes of a seasoned warrior. This woman had been a fighter… no, she still was a fighter, even in her old age. Her skin was wrinkled and dry and she stood with a slight hunch, but there was no mistaking that fighting aura around her. This old woman could still mop the floor with Risika's face if she'd wanted to.

"Well don't you look like crap, Shikori," said the old woman in a familiar, raspy voice.

Risika gaped in shock. "G-genkai?!" she sputtered. "You're Genkai?"

"Yes, now what are you doing here? What the hell happened to you and who is that?" barked the woman.

Risika gulped. The woman was actually really intimidating when she demanded answers like that. "It's…complicated. Basically I woke up in the forest a while ago and found him like this. He's a really close friend of mine. Can you heal him?"

"Set him down and we'll see."

Risika gently laid Toji down on the grass on his back and stood up to massage her sore back.

Genkai knelt down and examined Toji's chest. "Hmmm, his ribcage has collapsed and he's bleeding internally. The kid took a huge beating – actually, by all rights he should be dead, but I suspect his spirit energy is the only thing that's keeping him alive." Genkai sighed and shook her head. "He is beyond my healing abilities right now. I don't have the energy to heal him in my current state."

Risika nodded, disappointed. Guess she was back to plan A. To the stadium! Yay, she mentally rolled her eyes.

Risika took a deep breath before she bent down and lifted Toji onto her weary back. "Thank you, Genkai. Would it be possible if you could point me in the direction of the stadium? Maybe one of the doctors in the medical wing can help him."

Genkai snorted. "You're better off heading back to the hotel, Shikori. Botan, Yukina, or Kurama are far more capable in healing your friend than any of those morons the tournament committee call doctors."

"Oh… right. Um, which way would that be?"

Genkai pointed to Risika's left and she nodded in thanks. "I'll see you around, Genkai."

Genkai nodded stiffly, making Risika pause. The woman seemed distant, like her mind was somewhere else…

"Are you all right, Genkai?"

The old woman remained silent, her eyes staring off into the distance. Then she said softly, "Time puts everything into perspective, doesn't it? Being alive for as long as you have, have you ever just wanted to let it go? Grow old and let Death embrace you?"

Risika dropped her eyes, her mind immediately going back to her memories of Natsume. He'd been so young that she hadn't really thought about it then. True, over the past five hundred years she did let herself age, but not to the point that she was an old woman like Genkai. There hadn't been any point, she'd thought. She had said she wanted to live a peaceful life, but that didn't necessarily involve her growing grey hair and wrinkles, right?

Yet, for some reason, Risika was starting to feel like she'd just wasted the last five hundred years doing nothing, not even living.

Looking at the old psychic now, Risika felt like the woman had done more with her seventy years alive than Risika ever did in the five hundred years she walked the Human World.

But why was she feeling like this now? Why was she feeling like she'd been lying to herself for the last five centuries? Natsume had been dead for five hundred years so what more was she living for? What had been her purpose, wondered Risika.

Genkai sighed. "I didn't think so," she muttered. "Time has little effect on you demons, but you still have to face it one day. Death will come for each of us, one way or another. It's a fate all living things must face. Everyone has to fight with time to find their place before the inevitable end. Tell, me, Shikori, after the five centuries you've lived in this world, have you found yours?"

"My place…?" What was her place? What did Genkai mean?

The old psychic raised her head to the sky, a small smile on her face as the trees rustled in the wind.

"Koenma doesn't speak well of you, Shikori. And I have a feeling all of Spirit World sees you the same way. But you stood up for what you wanted and you weren't afraid to fight for it. That's something to be proud of – don't you let others tell you any different. Don't regret the things you did for those you love. Every decision you make will always affect the people who care about you, like that boy on your back."

"Huh? You mean Toji?"

"He has a good soul and he cares about you, you know that. So treasure the living and let the dead go."

Her old, knowing eyes met Risika's and she immediately felt her heart clench as she thought of Natsume. The old wounds had been reopened because of last night… and they still hurt – maybe even more than they did when they'd been fresh.

But how did Genkai know? How did the old woman know that Risika had been grieving for Natsume for the last five hundred years? Even though she'd buried it deep inside her she still grieved for him... for the brother she lost.

Tears began to form at the edge of her eyes. "Genkai…"

"Well, what are you waiting for?" snapped the psychic. "Your friend is dying on your back and you're standing around wasting time talking to a fossil like me?"

Risika blinked back the tears at the woman's sudden sharpness. Her tone had done a complete 180, baffling Risika.

"But Genkai – "

The psychic growled with irritation, "Move that sorry ass of yours before I kick it for you!" she barked.

Risika took a step backwards, intimidated. "Um, right…" She turned and quickly headed in the direction of the hotel. When she glanced back at the old psychic, the woman had her back to Risika, hands folded behind her as she stared up at the sky again. She seemed to be thinking about something, and at the same time had an air of resignation, like she was set on some decision and at peace with it.

Maybe she had some business to attend to later, thought Risika. It would explain the psychic's distracted and distant demeanor.

But why do I get the feeling that she'd just said good bye to me?

Risika tried to shake that feeling as she continued down the path but it continued to haunt her thoughts.

However, soon all thoughts of Genkai were pushed out of her mind as she ran into Botan, Shizuru, Yukina, and Keiko. She was just as surprised to see them as they were to see her.

"Risika!" exclaimed Botan as she and the others rushed over to her.

"What on earth are you doing out here and who's that?" pointed Botan as she stood on tiptoes to try to peer over Risika's shoulder. Before Risika could explain, the reaper got a good look at Toji and leaped back dramatically exclaiming, "GAH!!! HE'S NAKED!"

"Oh, my." Yukina and Keiko blushed and covered their eyes.

Shizuru, on the other hand, rolled her eyes, took off her brown coat, and draped it over Toji's shoulders. "You girls can look now."

"Sorry," Risika muttered to the others. "Would it be too much trouble to ask if either of you two could heal him?" she asked Botan and Yukina. "He's injured and he could really use your help."

"Oh, of course, Risika," said Yukina. She stepped forward, hands glowing a soft aqua blue, and reached out to Toji.

"Hang on, we should probably do this inside the hotel," interrupted Shizuru. "Do you need some help carrying him?"

"Uh, I think I can manage if the hotel isn't too far," said Risika, adjusting Toji's position on her back. She was starting to lose feeling in her left shoulder and was really hoping the hotel wasn't farther than maybe fifteen minutes from here.

"All right then. I'll lead the way," said Botan. "I know a shortcut that'll get us back to the hotel in a jiffy."

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Botan? The last shortcut wasn't exactly short," said Keiko, clutching Puu in her arms.

"I'll say. We wasted a whole hour walking in circles," said Shizuru.

"Eh heh heh," Botan scratched her head and gave a hesitant smile in embarrassment. "Okay, maybe we should take the normal way back…"

"Glad you learned your lesson," said Shizuru as she led the way.

Risika thanked Kami that it only took ten minutes to reach the hotel. They had a hard time trying to smuggle Toji inside without burning someone's eyes out with his blatant naked state. They managed to form a circle around him and moved in unison through the lobby to the elevator. They received weird looks from the other humans and a few women actually giggled, catching glimpses of Toji.

It made Risika's blood boil. Did they think it was funny that Toji was barely holding onto his life while those stupid bitches ogled his ass – even though it was a very nice one…

Risika shook her head even as her cheeks flamed. Damn it, this was why she hated when Toji was in his human form. He always made her mind go off track and cause too much trouble for her, especially with his problem with clothing. As far as she knew, no other types of demons had that problem when switching forms, so why did she have to be saddled with the one that lost his clothes every time he transformed?

"I should find a way to glue the stupid clothes to his body," she muttered under her breath. "I wonder if it's true that when all else fails, use duck tape…"

"Hm? Did you say something Risika?" asked Botan, who'd been standing to Riska's left.

Risika shook her head. "It was nothing."

The elevator doors opened with a ding and they suddenly came face to face with a huffing and very frustrated-looking Spirit Detective – bed hair and all.

"Yusuke?" Keiko stepped out first. "You're finally awake. Are you hungry? What's wrong?"

"Where's the old hag?" he demanded, hands balled into fists anxiously.

Keiko blinked. "Uh, you mean Genkai?"

"We haven't seen her," said Botan.

"I saw her in the forest not too long ago," said Risika.

"Damn it! That stupid hag!" Yusuke shouted.

"Is something wrong, Yusuke?" asked Keiko with worry in her eyes.

Yusuke didn't reply. Instead he charged off towards the stairs and threw open the door, making it bang against the wall. They could hear his thundering footsteps all the way down as the boy ran as fast as he could.

"Wonder what's got him so worked up," said Risika, staring after him in surprise.

The others shrugged.