Alternate Tournament
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 25
On the ring...
Kuwabara stared at Elder Toguro in shock. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Kagome and Genkai were... He shook his head viciously, trying to remove those thoughts from his head. He faced his opponent and shouted,
"You're lying! They would never be defeated by you freaks!" With that Kuwabara push himself off the ground and charged at him, intending to get back his hilt. It was right behind his enemy. His attempt failed when the demon pierced his right shoulder causing him to fall to his knees and cough up more blood. Elder Toguro laughed at his pathetic face,
"I'm not lying, Kuwabara. This is one of those rare times when I do tell the truth. It's a real shame that you didn't see them. Hahahahaha!"
Kuwabara gritted his teeth, it was true. Everything this punk's saying is true... 'Why didn't they tell me...?' It suddenly occurred to him why everyone told him that Kagome was unavailable today. It explained the strange forlorn feeling he got two days ago. 'So all this time...they were lying to me...Telling me Kagome and Genkai were sick...was a frickin' lie!' It all made perfect sense now. Everyone knew about it except him. They didn't even bother telling him anything. Memories of their previous conversations concerning Kagome flashed in his mind...
"Okay... let me guess, Kagome is above me."
"Let's go back to the hotel."
"Um…Where's Kagome? I haven't seen her since yesterday."
"She's…not feeling well…"
"What? How can she not feel well? It's the night of the finals!"
"Why are you so depressed anyways, Urameshi? Heck, even shrimpy, here is too quiet."
"What's wrong with everyone today!"
"What the hell is going on with you people!"
"Who the hell are you?"
"You will do well to watch your tongue, human, lest I detach it from your mouth. I am Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands and I am here as a favor to Kagome. Be thankful that she deemed you worthy of my time."
"Whaddya mean 'as a favor to Kagome'? Isn't she just sick or something?"
"Hehehe, Kagome sure is like an old lady. Does it take forever to get out of bed?"
"H-Hey, Urameshi, is Kagome gonna be coming any time soon 'cause she should really-"
"She's not coming Kuwabara. I told you, she's not well."
"What is it with Kagome and Genkai getting sick at the same time anyway? They looked really healthy to me the other day..."
"Well they aren't healthy right now, okay!"
"If only Kagome were here she would take my place for me..."
"No, you pull your own weight from now on."
Kuwabara slowly stood up and glared at Elder Toguro...'This bastard is gonna pay!' Kuwabara clenched his fists and let his spirit flare. With enough concentration, the orange-haired boy summoned his energy and formed a different attack. He had shaped his spirit energy into small versions of his spirit sword around him before firing them at the Elder Toguro. The latter did not expect such an attack and had himself impaled on Kuwabara's attack. The boy retrieved his hilt and formed his sword while anticipating his opponent's next move...
With Keiko, Shizuru, Botan, and Puu...
"I-is that true? Are they really?" Keiko trembled at the news and refused to believe it. Her eyes drifted to Shizuru who threw away her cigarette. Botan was already clutching her sides to keep her unceasing tears from falling. Keiko's eyes widened and slowly shook her head before burying it in her hands.
In Reikai...
Kagome and Genkai have already started to prepare for their departure. Sesshomaru was in Koenma's office. They watched as the tall, orange-haired teenager struggled to absorb the bad news before regaining his resolve. The prince sighed in irritation,
"Why do I have the feeling that Naraku will not be defeated here?" This has been bugging him ever since the half-breed appeared. 'Something was wrong about his presence. It's like he's not even there to begin with.'
"He is not." replied the Taiyoukai. Koenma looked at him in confusion. The demon's answer was not really appropriate for his earlier question. Sesshomaru looked at him blankly,
"Have you forgotten that like the Jaganshi, I, too, am able to read minds to some degree?" Realization dawned the prince's face,
"Oh yes, right. Forgive me."
"Hn. That half-breed is too much of a coward to risk his flesh in an era he knows nothing of. For someone like me who has fought him before, it is clear that he is using his favorite puppets to deceive us." Koenma groaned,
"So this means that the gathering of Kagome's friends here is useless or perhaps a trap? If that's the case then why would he bother to come here? The Jewel is hidden and he cannot get it for now. What's his motive?" Sesshomaru started walking towards the doors,
"If I knew, I would not waste my time staying here."
When the demon lord left, Koenma sank back in his chair and let out a breath that he had been unconsciously holding ever since Sesshomaru entered his office with him. 'It's not easy being around that guy...how does Kagome do it?' Koenma turned his attention back to the fight, surprisingly Kuwabara had already won. As the orange-haired boy got off the ring, he immediately landed a powerful right to Yusuke's jaw. Koenma was so deep in thought that while the detective was explaining something, the prince involuntarily transformed into a toddler and sucked his pacifier.
Everything seemed to be getting quite out of hand. For now though, Koenma could only guess and follow the rules. Not to mention, keep an eye on that hanyou. If what Sesshomaru said was true, and that the real Naraku was in hiding, then they could only hope to be prepared for the worst to come...
"Ahhh! I can't take it any more! My brain was not built for deep thinking! It was built for signing documents and sorting papers! AAAARRRGGHHH!"
As Koenma continued his tantrum, George walked in with a pile of papers. The ogre was about to gently put the pile on his boss' desk when a remote suddenly hit his head. 'Why me?'
With the Inu-gang...
Kikyo eyed Naraku carefully. Normally, he would've already gone for the jewel and left. Why was he sitting there? Doing nothing? The undead priestess knew that the Jewel was with the fox. She could sense it but its aura was faint. Probably because, the one known as Kurama was currently emitting a strong youki. Enough to drown out the Jewel's own presence.
"Kikyo?" She turned her head to face the concern on Inuyasha's face. She gave him a small smile of reassurance and looked back at the fight. The man known as Sakyo had already announced that he was betting his life on Yusuke's and Toguro's fight. Kikyo's brows furrowed, does this mean that Naraku had no intention of fighting at all...?
With Kagome and Genkai...
Kagome looked outside the window of the room. There wasn't anything but clouds and a faraway view of the River Styx. Genkai was sitting on a chair next to her,
"Kagome, what do you know of Naraku's plans?" Kagome narrowed her eyes,
"It's obvious that he wants the Jewel but he didn't come to this time himself to retrieve it. He obviously made a pact with Sakyo and the Toguro team. But no matter how I think about it, it seems too simple. I had covered the Jewel's aura with my own and it blends with Kurama's perfectly. We should have no trouble about Naraku finding it as of yet. When we go back, I need to ask for Sesshomaru's help in gathering information on the half-breed."
"Why don't you ask your friends? They seem more than capable enough in helping you." Kagome turned to her and smiled,
"They are. I will need them in fighting against Naraku but as for the information, me and Sesshomaru and perhaps, Kikyo as well, would be enough." Genkai looked at her, too,
"After this tournament, I was planning on testing Yusuke and the others." Kagome raised an eyebrow,
"Why would you need to test them still? Is something gonna happen?" Genkai shrugged,
"I have no idea. But I have a strange feeling. I just want them to be prepared." Kagome gave her a look before nodding,
"It seems like I'm gonna have my work cut out for me. I can't guarantee anything yet, though. I may be wrong in my assumptions." Genkai smirked before sobering up again,
"I'll inform you about anything unusual on this side." Kagome gave her a grateful smile,
"Hm, I have a feeling that Naraku's defeat will be the least of our problems." Genkai nodded.
With the Urameshi team...
The ring and the stadium were nothing short of destroyed. Yusuke was fighting Toguro fiercely. Their attacks caused the weak demons in the crowd to have their souls sucked out or have their butts fried to a crisp. Kuwabara lay on the ground. It was Toguro's doing. He had stabbed the boy in the chest and was left there to die. It was the reason why the detective's strength increased ten-fold. His power had matched Toguro's and the latter kept saying how much fun they were having.
Kurama ignored his own wounds and carried the body of the carrot-top away from the two clashing powers. Hiei followed him. Sesshomaru was still sitting on that boulder with narrowed eyes. Something was annoying him to no end. As soon as the detective's battle became serious, and the energies started going haywire, that despicable creature had disappeared without a trace...again.
The demon lord stood and walked away. He had no interest in this fight, he wanted to find Naraku. As he exited the stadium, the Inu-gang had followed him out wondering what was he up to. They all tried to sneak behind him but he was still too good for that,
"Sneaking is rather pointless. Follow if you wish, however, don't get in the way." they came out and Inuyasha 'humphed',
"Why would we follow you anyway?" Kikyo glared at him, effectively shutting up. Sesshomaru continued to walk away.
They had reached the forest surrounding the area, when a shadow emerged from the trees. Sango and Miroku readied their weapons, Kikyo put Shippo behind her. She wanted to protect the kit in honor of Kagome. She notched an arrow, Kirara transformed,baring her sharp teeth, and Inuyasha unsheathed Tetsuaiga. Sesshomaru remained still and eyed the shadow as it revealed itself to be Naraku (A/N: That's a surprise...not).
"Kukuku, well if it isn't Lord Sesshomaru himself. Not to mention, Inuyasha and his friends." He sneered evilly. Inuyasha barked,
"What are you doing here, Naraku?" The dark-haired hanyou smirked,
"I figured you would know by now."
"Enough of your nonesense, Naraku. What are you planning?" cut Kikyo. Her anger was almost getting the best of her.
"Ah, Kikyo. Tell me, do you plan on fooling these people the way you fooled me? Such a shame, I couldn't have you and I still coudn't have that young miko. Ah well." There were several warning growls from the group. However, it only made Naraku's smirked bigger. He knew he hit a delicate nerve among them.
"Hmm, do not fret, I have no interest in fighting you as of now. My business is finished. We shall see if you can keep the Jewel from me any longer." Then he disappeared leaving only his wooden doll behind.
"That was strange." stated Miroku. Sango nodded,
"In any case, we should be on our guard. You guys should return to the past. Shippo and I will stay here and wait for the rest."
Inuyasha, who was sulking, grunted before picking up Kikyo and headed off. Kirara let Miroku get on and flew away as well. Sesshomaru was out of sight already. Sango and Shippo headed back inside when the stadium started to collapse...
TBC...
A/N: Sorry for the late update. Please forgive the errors and I hope you enjoyed. Honestly, I don't know what to right next so it's gonna take a while for another update. Sorry...
Please read and review.