Amaya opened her eyes and looked up at the full moon in the night sky. The wind lightly caressed her naked face and whipped her short hair in all directions like a loose veil. The wind brought the taste of upcoming spring in the Human World, just rightly so for all Amaya could smell was the budding cherry blossom trees around her and her home. Her home. Yards away was the plain home erected on wooden posts she had built herself. Amaya was proud of her work on the house, for it constantly reminded her of how she came to be if not for her enormous will to survive. Leaves on the cherry blossom trees moved with the wind and some were even carried in its wake. Amaya felt a calm wash over her, almost making her forget for a moment that she had been training. She silently thanked Hiei for showing her the loophole in Koenma's "brilliant" plan to keep her tame in Spirit World.
It was near midnight, too late for her to be outside in the middle of the remote forest where her home was located in, but she didnt care. It's been a week, a whole week of slowly regaining her strength. She reflected on how humiliating and frustrating it had been to know that the boys were training without her, going on missions, however small, without her. She didn't give up trying to come with them though, especially in the first few days of her vulnerability. It was only when Koenma, and telepathically Hiei, threatened to lock her up in the confines of her room long after she was fully healed that she reluctantly stopped. She had sulked many times over the week, even after she was allowed to be up after the three day period was over. It was only until two days ago had she remembered about the loophole, and at midnight had she taken to escaping Spirit World to her home to train.
Amaya knew it was risky, the whole sneaking out business. She was certain Koenma still didnt trust her, but then she had come to terms with that and accepted it. He wasn't the one she worked with on the missions, and frankly, she was very thankful for that. Of course, Amaya couldn't really blame him for not trusting her, given her past. Yet, it was still annoying how the toddler persists in having at least one of the boys watch her, especially Hiei for obvious reasons. Amaya rolled her eyes at that thought as she blew a strand of a neon red streak of her hair away from her blood red and obsidian eyes. She missed being in this form because it just gave her unexplained confidence. Of course it could be that this was her most powerful form, but she didnt think it was that obvious. Not one of the boys has seen her in this form save for her eyes. It was better that way; saves for fewer complications on her part.
Amaya focused back on training and gripped the hilt of her katana in her left hand. The silver blade sliced through the air with a practiced precision, glinting under the moons light. Amaya moved as if in a choreographed dance, almost gliding on her toes across the forest floor. Kicking it up a notch as her confidence grew, Amaya used her psychic powers to gather large stones from the forest and suspended them mid-air. With a casual wave of her right hand, though in truth this feat needed much concentration, Amaya sent the stones hurtling at her. She sliced at the rocks and dodged the ones that were too close for her blade to attack until the last one was cut in half and she lowered her weapon. All around her were pieces of rock, too many of them enclosing her. Amaya sheathed her katana in its broken scabbard and smirked at the thought of what today meant. Changing into her humane form, Amaya made her way around the rocks and shadowed to the Spirit World hospital wing.
Amaya stepped out from behind a metal door and found herself in the main office. Sick and injured humans and demons sat or scuffled around the room. The humans shot suspicious looks at the demons and the majority of latter did the same. Amaya could normally understand why the majority of demons still hate and despise the humans for she was in the same boat, but right now as she walked past everyone, she didn't care. Amaya walked up to the front desk and knocked loudly on the window, startling the dozing nurse.
"I am Amaya Toshi, and I was a patient here a week ago. Could you tell me where I can get my stitches removed?" Amaya attempted to ask as politely as she could muster, though she swore she felt a muscle in her jaw twitch.
The nurse looked at Amaya as if she had talked in an alien language. "Do you know what time it is?" she asked indignantly.
Amaya narrowed her eyes dangerously, insulted. In an icy voice, Amaya said, "Yes, I do know what time it is, but I still need these stitches off. Now, tell me what I need to know."
The nurse looked at Amaya this time with fear in her eyes. The demons and the humans who were psychic turned warily towards the demon at the front desk whose energy pulsated through the room, creating a stir between the two factions. "Y-Yes of course, the nurse stuttered." She pointed to her left. "Go right down that hallway and look for the room labeled Recuperations." The nurse then turned to her computer and typed something in. Without taking her eyes off the screen, she told Amaya, "I have informed your doctor and he will be waiting there for you."
Without a word of thanks, Amaya moved off towards the direction the nurse indicated with feelings of intense dislike for hospitals of any kind coming over her. She found the room called Recuperations and entered. Inside, the same doctor that had attended her a week ago stood by an operation table at the other side of the room, surrounded by machines that clicked and beeped.
The doctor smiled widely showing straight, white teeth, as Amaya cautiously walked in. "Amaya Toshi! Just in time!" He patted the table beside him. "C'mon and lie down here, and we will begin as soon as possible. I can tell that you are very anxious to get rid of those stitches!" The doctor guffawed warmly. He continued to make small chat as Amaya laid on the cool metal operation table. He pulled towards her a tray full of surgical items. The doctor didn't seem the least bit perturbed at Amaya's lack of enthusiasm for conversation, but he must have been used to that in many of his patients by now. He appeared at Amaya's right side with a curious tweezer-looking instrument in his right hand. "By the way, I'm Dr. Carter. Now, I want you to close your eyes now and I will begin. You may feel a slight soreness for at least an hour or two after this procedure. Other than that, you'll be good as new," the doctor informed his patient.
Amaya stayed silent and after a moment's hesitation closed her eyes. Simultaneously, her body instinctively stiffened as she let her guard down this third time in her life.
"Hey, do any of you know where Amaya could be?" Boton asked the boys. They were all in the cafeteria eating breakfast save for Boton who had just joined them. Spirit World morning sunshine shone through the windows and lit the entire room, to a great irritation to those few shadow demon spies working for King Enma and his toddler son. Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama shook their heads at the Grim Reaper. None had seen Amaya. Earlier Kurama had knocked at her bedroom door and had not only found the door unlocked, but the room was empty. They were worried.
Hiei sat at inside one of the many wide windows a few ways from their table, not touching the food Kurama had brought to share with everyone. He was secretly worried himself, though for much more definite reasons than the others; reasons that he wanted so much to deny right now. Worry was making him sick and irritated inside. Where is that onna? he wondered. Hiei looked out into Spirit World through the window with a tiny frown on his brow. He regretted ever showing her the loophole. Even if he had known her for not even three months, Hiei could get a feel on what Amaya could be possibly doing with the information. Blasted onna, Hiei cursed. When I get a hold of you- Hiei sensed a presence near him and felt their gaze on his back. "What do you want fox?" he grunted, not looking towards his friend.
"I know you're worried about her too Hiei, but don't think she's left us," Kurama said.
Hiei tore his gaze away from the forest and glared at the kitsune. "What makes you think that I am worried about her?" Hiei growled, fists clenched tightly. However, his eyes betrayed him and he knew that. Hiei looked quickly away. "Let me be Kurama," he demanded.
Kurama opened his mouth to reply when someone cleared their throat at them.
"Koenma, where the hell did you come from?" Yusuke exclaimed in surprise to the toddler that stood before them.
A vein appeared at the temple of the prince's head. "This is my mansion! I have a right to be here!" he yelled. Several demons at the tables close to theirs recoiled away from the angry prince.
"Well you don't have to yell!" Yusuke shouted back.
Kurama stepped in between them with hands raised. "Yusuke, just calm down," he said.
"I am calm," Yusuke muttered and settled back in his chair.
Koenma took a deep breath and straightened up. He looked around the group as if searching for someone. "Where is Amaya?" Koenma demanded when he didn't see the cloaked demon. There was an undertone of suspicion and fear in his voice as his eyes darted to each of the group.
"I'm right here baby-butt," came a feminine voice from behind. Koenma jumped out of the way in surprise, revealing the rest of Amaya to the group. She leaned on her left leg, her hips attracting the unwanted attention of the male demons around her. Amaya looked exhausted, though she did try to hide it. Her dark hair framed her pale face like half-closed curtains. Despite how she held the image of looking weather-worn, her eyes held amusement and a secret as they looked at Koenma. Amaya looked around the bright cafeteria and wrinkled her nose in disgust. Why is there so much light? she thought.
Hiei stared at her with curiosity and feeling a bit peeved inside. He wanted to know where she went. Koenma seemed to be in the same boat.
"Amaya, care to explain where have you been?" Koenma asked with false politeness, but anyone within hearing distance could hear the bite in his tone.
Amaya rolled her eyes, not wanting this. It was too early and she was tired as hell. "All I did was get my stitches taken out," she explained lazily as she walked past him and took a seat close to Hiei at the window, facing him. She turned her head towards the simmering toddler and tilted her head to the left as if daring him to challenge her statement.
Koenma glared at her, not liking it one bit that she had deliberately showed disrespect towards him, but he had to accept what she told him as valid. Snubbing her, he turned to the four boys.
--You had the others worried onna-- Hiei told her as Koenma began to explain to them that Team Uremeshi had once again been called to participate in a tournament.
Amaya looked at Hiei out of the corner of her eyes, still focused on the baby prince. --Even you Hiei?-- she asked tentatively. She hoped he had also worried about her.
Hiei chose to ignore the question, but he knew Amaya could feel from their telepathic link that he had. --Where did you really go?--
--Training-- came the blunt reply, and yet it still held a tone of mystery.
Hiei also felt vibes of hurt coming from Amaya and he felt slightly guilty for not telling her that he also had been worried. --You can't hide anything from me Amaya-- Hiei warned her to distract her from reading his thoughts.
Amaya squashed the hurt she felt and smirked impishly. --Wanna bet?-- she taunted as she turned her attention back to Koenma.
"So there can only be four people in a team?" Yusuke asked to make sure he heard right. "No substitutes?"
Koenma shook his head to verify it. "None," he told him. He further explained the rule, "If you happen to lose a team mate by death or fatal injuries, the team must fight with the remaining three."
"No way!" Kuwabara exclaimed.
"Is there some sort of catch for entering in this tournament?" Kurama asked.
Koenma thought for a moment and after a moment shook his head. "Not that we know of. So I'm just assuming that it is for only prizes-"
"Prizes?! We are so going to win!" Kuwabara exclaimed. Yusuke smacked him upside his head and shouted for him to be quiet.
"Who are the four that's going to participate?" Boton yelled above the two humans. That got everyone's attention. Well, everyone except Amaya. She turned to the window and stared moodily at the River Styx.
Hiei noticed this and then spoke up. "Let's leave the baka," he suggested, jabbing his thumb at Kuwabara. "We don't need anyone weak."
Kuwabara was on his feet in a flash and stomped over to the demon. "I am NOT weak you shrimp!" Kuwabara yelled indignantly. "Why I oughta-!"
"That's enough!!" Koenma barked before the carrot top teen could try to do anything to Hiei with his raised hands. "I have already made my decision," Koenma announced and all eyes were on him. A look of uncertainty passed his face before being replaced with hard authority. "I am sorry to say this," Koenma turned to the lone figure next to Hiei who still refused to look at him, "but Amaya, you are not to participate in the tournament."
Instantly, shouting exploded from Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei.
"You can't-!"
"-part of the team!"
"How can you-?!"
"Why should we be stuck with the baka-?!"
Amaya's reflection rolled its eyes at her. Turning away from the window, Amaya put to fingers to her lips and blew hard. The shouting was instantly drowned out by the ear-splitting whistle erupting from the demon. Half of the cafeteria turned their surprised attention towards Amaya.
She threw a dark look towards the unwanted attention directed at her before focusing her own attention back to the boys. "It's ahh, a lovely gesture to stand up for me, but I don't do well with team mates," she told them. "You all should go. Koenma may want me here to take over your missions. Right, Koenma?" she asked the prince. They were fake: the question, the forced light tone in her voice, her cold smile, and the glint in her dark eyes as she stared unblinkingly at the toddler. The boys and Boton all knew it was a charade, but no one wanted to voice out their opinions.
Never breaking her penetrating gaze, Koenma slowly nodded. Koenma could see the inner fire in her eyes, a hidden devil caged in waiting to be released. He suppressed shivering and snapped himself back to reality. Koenma cleared his throat. "Yes. I will have Amaya do any mission that would arise when you four are in the tournament," he said firmly.
Amaya nodded. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Hiei eyeing her but ignored him. She still felt hurt because of him. "Don't worry about me." She smirked. "Just win. That's all I ask." If they can. She stood up from the window and began walking towards the cafeteria entrance. Over her shoulder, she told the group, "Now that we are done with this little chat, I'm going to rest now." She left the group silent after her departure.
Koenma eventually left with a final word for the boys to drop by his office later. The boys kept silent with their thoughts to themselves. It was Boton who ventured to say something, "Well, I think we should all go out somewhere since this may be the last day we have together!"
Kurama smiled, attempting to make the best of the situation. "Sure Boton. Are any of you up to it?" he asked the others.
Yusuke and Kuwabara nodded. Everyone turned to Hiei who "hn"ed.
"Yes or no shrimp," Kuwabara said, still remembering the offence Hiei had said of him earlier.
Hiei glared at the carrot top and stalked off.
"Nice going Kuwa-baka," Yusuke said sarcastically.