Because of Small Things
Chapter 25

For once I was right as Tsutomu stepped forward, his broad figure looming on top of the stage. I walked forward, my heart beating loudly in my chest to the point where I cold almost feel my heart pounding against my sternum. I reached up and rubbed my chest before pulling my hair from its braid and pulling it into a very tight bun. I sighed and bit my lower lip.

I stared over at Tsutomu with regret in my eyes but I knew I had to do this. I couldn't back out now that I've come with peace with the fact that I'm about to kill my godfather, the man that I could've had raised me to be a respectful demon with the heart to never murder, but knock unconscious. He had told me the other day that he ordered his teammates to not kill anyone on Team Urameshi, which they agreed too. That team is very honorable and I found myself loving them when I noticed they just knocked Kuwabara out. I sighed as I conjured my shadow sword.

He had told me the technique to kill him, to finish him off and I remembered exactly what he said. I didn't want to do it, but I had to. I had to give him peace, like he asked. It'd kill me in the process but I had to do it. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the picture he had slipped me the other day (without me seeing him of course). Worn and torn as it was, I loved it. My cute eight year old face was goofy and kind of insane looking while Tsutomu (holding me) was behind me, making a much distorted, funny look. His face wasn't scarred and he was a very handsome guy. He was handsome with the scars, but even more without them since his smile wasn't put aside by the grotesque scar under his lip.

I tucked the picture back into my pocket and zipped it shut so it wouldn't fall out. I frowned at him as he unzipped his blazer and tossed it aside. He was wearing a pair of exercise pants and a white tank that really didn't seem large enough for his broad chest. I swung my sword around my knuckles, trying to concentrate on seeing someone else instead of him. He smiled at me and I sighed, closing my eyes and snapping them open, rushing toward him. He easily dodged and shoved me away with his fingertips, yet I flew a good foot away. He had told me that his ability was brute strength and iron-like skin (as well as immortality). I swung around and my Sword of Shadowed Metal (this was what Kurama explained it was called since mine had a solid form instead of smoky like the one used from Team Shadow).

My sword made a very loud cracking noise against his skin and Tsutomu grabbed the blade of my sword, picking me up and tossing me aside like a rag doll. I pummeled into the ground and grunted, standing instantly and bracing myself as Tsutomu rushed toward me, his large fist raised. I pivoted as his fist came crashing down and I shoved my entire body into his large shoulders, causing us to tumble. I kicked off his chest and landed on my feet, eyeing him as he stood, narrowing his eyes at me. He really was going to give it his all (well, almost he had said). If he gave his all, he'd kill me instantly because he was like a falling boulder crashing toward a small puppy or a child. I hated that comparison but deal with it.

He rushed toward me, using his entire speed (which wasn't slow I might add). I barely dodged his grasp but he turned toward me, slamming his large forearm into my face. I knew what he was doing and it was working. My demon side was stirring and getting pissed off. My back hit the stage hard and a small crater appeared, followed by a large puff of dust. I coughed and began trying to push myself up. I was almost on my knees when a powerful blow caught me on my back. I fell hard against the concrete and my eyes dulled.

Tsutomu smirked and jumped back as my body shook violently once and my veins began moving hastily under my skin. He backed away from the large crater and braced himself as I crawled from the crater, my braid still intact. I glared at Tsutomu and tilted my head hard to the left, earning a large pop from my bones. Tsutomu crouched and smirked at me, nodding his head in a mocking fashion. I growled and vanished, reappearing behind him to slam my knee into his head but he ducked and reached up, grabbing my ankle and slamming me into the ground but I managed to block the pain out as I kicked off the ground, my free foot connecting with his jaw. He released my ankle and I spun around to him, grabbing him by his jaw, throwing him over me. He flew a good distance but landed in a very large crash as I smirked, waiting. I knew he wasn't down for good.

In a flash, I felt a powerful blow in my back and I flew forward, flipping carelessly on the ground before finally snapping out of my daze and snapping together, sliding slightly on my worn out shoes. I smirked at Tsutomu and my veins began weaving even more as I held my palms out to him. He smirked, knowing what was going on. I pulled my arms back quickly and Tsutomu's form flew forward into the ground, his gasp loud and clear in my mind. I almost faltered but I had to do this.

I weaved my fingers in an uncomfortable fashion and watched the pain contort on his face so my weakness kicked in and I stopped. Tsutomu growled and stood up, rushing toward me and grabbing me by my neck and slamming me into the ground. I knew that would piss my demon side off and it wouldn't want to listen to me anymore. My back stung slightly from that hit and suddenly, I was flying through the air again. I glanced over at Tsutomu as I flew through the air and even though his face looked pissed off, his eyes held grief.

I flipped in the air and landed gracefully before rage completely taking me over, also known as my demon side. My veins were moving so rapidly under my skin that it was the most pleasure I've ever felt. It made my head fuzzy momentarily as I stared at Tsutomu, my eyes turned entirely black, including the white portion of my eyes. The weird thing was that I felt like a million cuts were on my face and I reached up to feel a burning sensation when my fingers touched my skin but when I looked at my fingers, they were coated in a little blood. I narrowed my eyes and looked at Tsutomu, emotionless.

"The angrier you get, the more restless your veins get and they can tear your skin," Tsutomu explained and I smirked, rushing toward him and slamming my body into his, causing us to fall back before I stopped and grabbed his shirt, pulling up and slamming him into the ground with a very large bang. "The angrier you get," he strained out as I glared down at him in my demon side, "the stronger you become, Etsuko. Remember that."

I blinked and smirked, backing away and motioning my hands again as he grunted in pain. I weaved my fingers and growled as I clenched my fingers in. Tsutomu's eyes rolled back as he began to go into epileptic shock, his body quivering as his chest looked as if it was caving in. I felt like my face was tearing as my mind soared with power. Tears welled up in my blackened eyes and fell down my cheeks, stinging painfully. I winced slightly but didn't lose my concentration as my veins moved all over my body, restlessly. I looked down and saw cuts appearing all over my arms and revealed legs. I frowned. My mind was too powerful for my weak skin, I figured. I ignored them and kept my mind focused on my task despite how I wanted to just say forget it.

As I began flexing my fingers before I made tight fists with my hands and pulled my arms back, my fists clenched at my hips as a loud crack echoed from Tsutomu's body and his eyes became lifeless as his lips began curving upward in a small smile. Instantly, my demon side went back inside and I fell to my knees, my sobs echoing throughout the dome. My team didn't move, just watched. The two still living from Team Yang were staring at the scene with eyes slightly filled with tears but my sobs were heard throughout the entire stadium and the demons didn't know whether to cheer or cry as well, so they stayed quiet.

I leaned forward, my palms pushing into my face as my shoulders shuddered with my sobs. I placed my palms on the ground and took in a very choked breath that wavered before crawling toward Tsutomu's lifeless form. I sprawled out over his broad chest and my body shook with my unspoken sobs. I got enraged and looked up at the three-way mirror where I knew that bastard was sitting. "You're next you fucking bastard!" I screamed out and I felt my eye shift before I stared down at Tsutomu, my fingers clenching his shirt.

Slowly, Yusuke began making his way toward me and I saw him out of my peripheral vision. I looked up at him as he became close and he frowned down at me, kneeling and allowing me to clench onto him. I buried my head into his chest as he stood; my body was limp against his. He slipped his arm under my knees and began carrying me off the stadium as some people came out with the gurney, loading Tsutomu on it and carrying him off.

I looked away and let my head fall against Yusuke's chest as another wave of sobs wanted to hit me. I forced them back as I unzipped my pocket and pulled my solitary picture out, clenching it hard in my hand against my chest as tears just fell from my eyes. Yusuke walked me into the back room and laid me on the couch. I was in a big dazed state as he walked out, shutting the door softly. I knew I was going to miss his fight, but I didn't care. I was beginning to feel the wash of depression that I knew was going to hit me, either now or later.

I didn't remember falling asleep, but I woke up in the hotel room, in complete darkness. I sat up and for once, I didn't feel my demon side one bit. It was like I was completely human again for the split second. I stared down at my knees and frowned. I looked over and saw the worn out picture of Tsutomu and me and reached out, grabbing it and staring at it for what seemed like an endless amount of time. I sighed and looked out the window to see it was completely dark. I got up and walked to my window, staring out and frowning. I was now completely alone in the sense of family.

I looked to my door and sighed. Like Tsutomu had said…

"A little something I learned from your father was that beings like you didn't go far without company… You have those four boys you're traveling with! I can sense they care a whole lot about you, especially the red headed one…" he explained. I sighed.

"Kurama's like my brother…"

"Those four boys are your family, Etsuko… Having me out of your life won't change anything," he mumbled.

I sighed and walked out of my room, tossing the worn picture on my bed beforehand. I walked into the living room and saw the four boys sitting around but they looked up as I walked in. Kurama smiled sweetly at me as Yusuke forced a semi-happy smile toward me. I walked forward and sat between Yusuke and Kurama, sighing. "Did that bastard demon leave?" I asked.

"Yes, very soon after Yusuke won his fight against Kimiko," Kurama answered. I nodded.

"Then the next thing I'm doing is searching for him," I whispered, distracting my mind and finally feeling my demon side shift within me. I couldn't stay depressed for long. I had bigger fish to worry about and I knew that demon would be after me soon enough. "When are we heading home?"

"Tomorrow morning," Yusuke answered. I nodded.

"I'll be in my room, ok?" I stated and the boys nodded. I got up and walked toward my room but I paused. I felt this was needed. "I love you guys," I mumbled but I knew they all heard me. I sighed and walked into my bedroom, shutting the door and making my way to my windowsill, sitting and staring out the window at the cloudy sky and semi-bright horizon.