Chapter 25- Converging Enemies
"Welcome to the first ever Demon Battle Tournament!" Faust called to the crowd gathered around.
Demons from all over stared at him. Tsukichikara looked all around, spotting a large demon that stood taller than most of the houses.
"Go to the registration booths to receive your tokens," Faust said, "The competition begins at noon, so make your final preparations"
"What a pain," Inuyasha complained.
"Patience is a noble virtue to aspire towards, Dad," Akito said.
"Whatever," he replied.
They stood in line for some time as the record keepers gave the demons in front some kind of small items. When Tsukichikara got to the front, she was given a white stone.
"What did you get?" she asked Akito.
"White," he replied, "I suppose these show what division we're in."
"So I guess we'll be fighting each other," Tsukichikara said.
"Dad, what did you get?" Akito asked.
"Red," he held up his stone.
Looking around, Tsukichikara eyed the competition. Demons from all over the world had gathered to fight.
"Bunch a wimps," Inuyasha yawned, "This'll be boring."
"Don't underestimate anyone," Akito replied.
"Are you all ready?" Kagome asked.
"Sure thing," Inuyasha nodded, "This should all be over by sunset."
"I'll be placing my bets on you," Miroku said, "Unless someone better comes along."
"What are you doing here?' Tsukichikara asked.
"I heard about Inuyasha's trip to the mainland and decided to tag along," Miroku said.
"Where's Sango?" Akito asked.
"Back home, but Aimi's here," Miroku smiled, "She's entering the completion."
"Aimi?" Akito asked nervously.
"Akito!" a young female voice shouted over the crowd.
Akito flinched as a young woman resembling Sango jumped out of the crowd and knocked him over.
"I haven't seen you in months!" Aimi said, "Why didn't you write to me?"
"I've been busy," he replied, "Aimi, could you get off me?"
"Oh," she stood up, "Sorry. I just go so excited."
"You haven't changed," Tsukichikara noted.
"Hi Tsuki," Aimi smiled, "Oh! You've got a fox sprite!"
Aimi took a close look at Moesashi. The fox retreated behind Tsukichikara's head.
"He's shy?" Aimi asked.
"I guess," Tsukichikara replied.
Suddenly, Tsukichikara's nose picked up a strange scent. One she had not smelled in a long time. Whipping around, she spotted a woman walking towards the registration booth.
"Isn't that..." Akito stared at the woman.
"That witch," Inuyasha grabbed his sword.
Drawing Tessaiga, he stood between the woman and the registration booth.
"You must have a death wish if you're showing up in front of me, Kimiko," Inuyasha said.
"Well well, if it isn't the half-breed mongrel," Kimiko sneered.
"You got a lot of nerve, wench," he said, "Say your prayers!"
Inuyasha swung his sword, attacking Kimiko. She deflected his blow with one of her shadow tendrils. The crowd cleared around them as they both got ready to attack. Inuyasha swung his sword while Kimiko launched a tendril.
Clang!
Tsukichikara's eyes widened as Faust himself stepped into the middle of the attack. He held off Inuyasha's sword with his hand, and had grabbed Kimiko's tendril with the other.
"Competition rules state no fighting outside the arena," he smiled at both of them.
"Stay out of this, Faust," Kimiko said, withdrawing her tendril.
"Yeah, get out of the way!" Inuyasha swung his sword.
Faust flicked his finger at Inuyasha, who was pushed several yards back on his onto the ground.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called.
"Need I repeat myself?" Faust asked.
"What's going on here?" Ryuu's voice asked from behind her.
"Nothing to be concerned about," Faust replied, "Just a pre-tournament spat between old enemies."
Ryuu's eyes narrowed in on Kimiko.
"You're either courageous or stupid to appear here, Kimiko," Ryuu said, "You're not welcome in my land."
"I'm not here to cause trouble," she said sweetly, "I'm here to compete."
"Faust," Ryuu glared at the other demon.
"I have nothing to do with this," Faust said, "Whatever feud is between you two isn't my concern."
"As it is, you are a criminal in the Western Lands," Ryuu said, "For attempting murder on Rin and Tsukichikara."
"In my defense, I didn't kill the brat last time," Kimiko said, "I did manage to separate her demon powers from her half-demon body. It was actually quite easy."
"Tsukichikara is under my protection," Ryuu stepped forward, "If you lay an hand on her, I will personally hunt you down and skin you alive."
Kimiko's face cringed as she looked at Ryuu.
"Even the mighty dragon clan has been tainted by weakness," she spat, "Whatever possessed you to get engaged to a half-demon?"
"That doesn't matter here and now," Faust said, "As it is… Ryuu, is this woman a criminal in your land?"
"Not technically," he replied.
"Then she shall be allowed to compete," Faust said, "But no killing, unless both parties agree to lethal combat. And I will be watching both of you closely."
"Fine," Inuyasha said, "We'll settle this on the battlefield."
Tsukichikara watched as Kimiko strode away. She borrowed paper and a pen from the record keepers and wrote a message to her father.
"Moesashi, get this to Father," Tsukichikara told her fox sprite.
With a yip, the sprite flew off into the air with the message.
…
Walking through the city, Kimiko looked around for the one she hoped to see. Spotting Lin's house, she planned on making a small visit.
"What do you think you're doing?" a voice boomed behind her.
Spinning around, she spotted Tiger standing on the street. The red headed man who had rescued her so long ago.
"Looking for my daughter," she replied.
"Are you stupid or something?" he asked, "Now the dogs will be sniffing around for you."
"I don't care about that. I'll deal with them when the time comes."
"You know, in twenty years, you've accomplished a bunch of nothing," Tiger said, "You've placed one little curse on a kid and run from Sesshomaru with your tail between your legs."
Growling, Kimiko slashed at Tiger with her claws.
"Don't you dare insult me!" she demanded.
"Face it lady, you've lost your touch," Tiger said, not flinching as she slashed him.
Her claws made no mark on him. Tiger stood as if the slash was nothing.
"What are you?" she asked.
"A tiger," he grinned, "You know you still owe my mistress a favor for letting you out of that cell."
"She's taken her time to collect," Kimiko remarked.
"Why don't you come with me?" Tiger asked, "We'll go someplace we can talk."
Tiger looked up at the sky, spotting a small fox staring at them. Kimiko glared up at it, recognizing it as the fox Tsukichikara had kept with her. Her eyes glanced around for other less obvious spies.
"Lead the way," she replied.
Tiger ran down a series of roads and alleyways. In the back streets, he led her to a dingy shop with rancid smells. Covering her nose, she followed him to the back of the store. A hidden wall lead to an underground tunnel. They walked for some time before they came to another wall. Tiger knocked on the wall.
The stone shifted aside, allowing them entry to an underground cellar. From what Kimiko could tell, the building was a mixture of European and Chinese architecture. Not unusual for the city ruled by European dragons and nestled on China's shore.
They went up a flight of stairs to the public part of the house. Large windows showed a view of the docks and port below. Kimiko realized they were in the rich district of the city.
"I see you brought her, Tiger," a woman said.
Kimiko looked at the owner's voice. A woman with blackish skin and long ebony hair walked towards Kimiko. Her dress was weaved to look like the pattern of a spider web. Behind her, two spider demons crawled in her wake.
"I hope you'll forgive my little ones," she said, petting the head of one of the spiders, "They're not ready to be separated from their mother just yet."
"Morgana," Kimiko greeted.
"Kimiko," Morgana replied.
"So you're the one who sent him to free me," Kimiko looked at Tiger, "Whatever for?"
"Call it an investment," Morgana replied, "We must go, they are growing impatient."
"They?" Kimiko asked.
With a smile, Morgana turned around and lead them to a large dining room. There at the table sat Rigast, his grand-daughter Longwei, and her grandfather.
"Grandfather?" Kimiko asked.
"I see you've decided to show your face," Hideyoshi said with distain, "As disgraced as you are."
Kimiko fell silent, her eyes falling away from her grandfather's stare.
"Now, let's not be too harsh on her," Morgana said, "She was bested by Sesshomaru after all."
"It wasn't Sesshomaru," Hideyoshi replied, "That defeat would be understandable. She lost to inferior demons and a human."
Gritting her teeth, Kimiko stayed silent.
"We're not here to rub salt into old wounds," Rigast said, "I am not particular about my allies at this point. Take a seat."
Following the old demon's orders, Kimiko sat opposite the group. Tiger and Morgana sat with her.
"We have an assignment for you," Rigast said, "One suited for your talents. It will require you to drop out of the demon tournament."
"Drop out?" she asked.
"We only need one participant involved," he replied.
Tiger smiled at her.
"I have waited a long time to fight those half-breeds," Kimiko replied.
"I have claim on the life of the female half-breed," Rigast said, "She is my prey. You will have a chance to strike at the one you truly have to thank for your failure to marry Sesshomaru. If you are allowed to kill the human demon slayer, I assume that will quench your thirst for vengeance, correct?"
"That would be… satisfying," Kimiko smiled.
"You can take care of her second spawn while you're at it," Rigast said, "After your other assignment is over."
"You're planning something large, aren't you?" she asked.
"We're going to put my granddaughter on the throne of the Dragon Kingdom," Rigast said.
Longwei smiled at Kimiko.
"You're going to overthrow Ryuu," Kimiko realized.
"We will take hold of the Dragon Kingdom. And then we will strike the Western Lands and take every single treat out of power. All of Sesshoumaru's followers and those that follow that half-breed will fall."
"That will be difficult," Kimiko said, "Sesshomaru is here with Gina. Neither of them will simply let you take control of the Dragon Kingdom."
"While Sesshomaru and Gina are here, the Western Lands are weak to attack," Hideyoshi pointed out, "Your mother already has a plan in place to take control of the castle and the demon council."
"Inukimi won't go down easily."
"But she will go down," Hideyoshi said, "That woman is no longer my daughter."
"Twenty years of planning has gone into these takeovers," Rigast said, "We will target the weakest elements first. Then we will see to the powerful players."
"A shame Sesshomaru isn't in the tournament," Tiger said, "How are you going to deal with him?"
"Leave that to me," Morgana said, "As soon as the tournament starts, we will spring our trap. Ryuu will surely be kept busy by the tournament."
"What about Dracula?" Hideoyoshi asked, "Is he with us?"
"In exchange for lost territories," Rigast nodded, "He has agreed to lend his armies to us."
"What about Faust?" Longwei asked.
"He'll stay out of things," Rigast said, "He has no loyalty to anyone."
"Then it's settled," Tiger said, "I must return to the arena. The tournament begins soon."
With that, the man ran out of the room onto a balcony. Leaping off the building, he jumped from roof to roof back to Faust's estates.
"Let the games begin," Morgana smiled, "Kimiko, we should prepare."
"Set your men into position," Rigast told Hideyoshi.
…
Tsukichikara sat with her uncle on the roof of a house waiting for the tournament to begin. Moesashi flew towards her with a note.
Tsukichikara,
Do not concern yourself with Kimiko. I will deal with her.
Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands
"That's helpful," Inuyasha said snidely, reading over her shoulder.
"There's nothing else to be done," she folded the note up and tucked into her kimono.
"Hey!" Akito said from below.
He tossed meat buns up to the pair of them. Tsukichikara caught both and gave one to her uncle.
"Meh," he said, "Gotta eat."
As she bit into the bun, a reptilian scent filled her nose. Hearing the flapping of wings, she looked up. Ryuu hovered right above her.
"I'm not dropping out just because Kimiko's in the completion," she said.
"That is not why I came to find you," he said.
"So what do you want?" Inuyasha asked.
"I was going to inform you that we lost sight of Kimiko in the city," Ryuu said, "She's disappeared."
"She was with some red headed guy, right?" Tsukichikara asked.
"Yes, but he disappeared with her," Ryuu said, "They went into the back streets of the city. They could be anywhere by now."
"I'll be careful," Tsukichikara replied, chomping down her lunch.
"See that you are," he said.
"Well, I'm sure if I get in trouble, you'll pull that annoying stunt of saving me at the last minute," she grinned, "You the one who said you'd protect me."
A bit startled at her words, Ryuu chuckled.
"I did say that," he said, "What's come over me?"
"Maybe you're falling for me," Tsukichikara teased.
"I doubt that," he looked away from her, red faced.
"I thought we promised to be truthful towards each other."
"I'll see you in the competition," he replied, "And this time, I won't hold back."
"Neither will I."
With that, Ryuu flew off.
"Who was that guy?" Inuyasha asked.
"How many times do I have to tell you that's Lord Ryuu?"
"Oh," Inuyasha nodded, "Wait… that's the creep you're marrying? He looks pathetic."
"You're a poor judge of character," Tsukichikara shot back at him.
"I just thought he'd look tougher," Inuyasha said.
"All participants, please gather at your designated areas!" Faut announced.
On the plaza below, four circles appeared. Each was a colored ring. White and black, red and blue. Jumping down, Tsukichikara stepped into the white ring with Akito. Eight other demons gathered in their ring. Inuyasha stood in the red ring. Ryuu was in the black ring with nine others. Gina stood in the blue ring along with a red haired man.
"That scent…" Akito sniffed the air, "I know it."
"What scent?" Tsukichikara asked.
Moesashi yipped, pointing his tail at the red head. The man grinned at them.
Just then, a flash of light appeared around them. The plaza disappeared and was replaced by a wooded area with high walls. All of the demons looked around at the trapezoid shaped space. Looking around, Tsukichikara spotted a gate with ten circular holes in it. Looking at her stone, she estimated that it would fit inside the holes perfectly.
"Welcome to the arena," Faust's voice said.
"Ahh!" a demon shouted.
Flying above them was an eyeball with batwings growing out of its side.
"Don't be alarmed by the cyclops eyes," Faust said, "They are observing the events and sending the images back to crystal balls and mirrors in the city. That way, we are able to track your progress and your matches."
The demons looked around at each other.
"The first round of the tournament is battle royal style. Each of you will fight for the stone tokens you received on entry. The demon who gets all ten stones will unlock the gate to the finals."
Two demons looked at Tsukichikara with wide grins, spotting her as an easy target.
"I say we fight together until the others are dealt with," Akito said.
"Right," she said.
Standing back to back with her cousin, Tsukichikara eyed the other demons as she drew her sword.
"All fights are non-lethal," Faust continued, "Unless you want to fight to the death, then by all means. But all participants in a fight must agree. If you drag in a demon who hasn't agreed, the match is forfeit."
A demon tried to attack Tsukichikara. His attack bounced right off her before she rose her sword to deflect it.
"I'm not done talking," Faust said, "Anyway, those who try to use illegal lethal force will be instantly pulled out of the arena and disqualified. You'll also be pulled out if you lose all your tokens. When you win your division, you will be allowed into the inner arena. There, you will fight the other champions. And with that…"
He cleared his throat.
"Let the tournament begin!" he shouted.