Fanfiction server! Gah! Why can't you work when I want you to!
(sigh) Whatever. On a brighter note... HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, FIRE-CHAN! (evil smile)
Chapter 33
Kurama…
A portal sprang open and dumped the wrestling Yusuke and Kuwabara to the ground from a height of three feet. Just as he might have won their friendly match Kuwabara rolled to the side with a nauseous groan and a sickly green face. "Argh…" he moaned. "I'll never get used to those things."
Yusuke laughed obnoxiously as he stood, brushing red dirt from his jeans. "If you can't even handle the portal how are you going to handle the tournament?" he asked with a sneer.
"Oh, stuff it, Urameshi. You're just mad 'cause I was about to beat you."
Yusuke snorted as Hiei and Kurama appeared in the light behind him. "Like that could ever happen," the teen said disdainfully.
Both dropped from the unexpected height soundlessly and effortlessly, barely even causing a disturbance to the dry dirt under their feet. Hiei wore the same stony expression he had since his return. And Kurama's, though darkly amused, held less compassion than it had when this began. The other two, however, had sprung right back. The knowledge that Kisu hadn't left willingly and they were on their way to save her satisfied their dark moods and allowed them to return to normal. Neither considered that the girl they tried to rescue might not be the same by the time they got there.
Five months ago Hiei returned. They still didn't know much about where he had gone, because he claimed he couldn't remember, and, because of new time restraints, had to accept this as the truth because they didn't have time to drag it out of him. Within minutes of their discovery of Hiei's return they were forced to open another case; a case that intersected with that of Kisuko in so many ways that they became essentially one. This was the Hakujou case, more often called, The Tournament of Artifacts.
And what a bang it had started with. At the same instant Koenma had finally acknowledged the case might be something he should look at, the Chalice of Blood was stolen from the Reikai vault. The months following were plagued with a string of rare artifact thefts, each committed by a different group and connected only by the note always left in place of the stolen item.
This artifact has been taken to fulfill the entry requirements of the Tournament of Artifacts. To see your possession safely returned the Reakai Tentai must participate in and win our game. We request their honored presence.
XXX HakujouXXX Kisuko Tanira
The theft locations stretched far across Makai, Ningenkai, some of which, following the first, had even successfully penetrated the vaults of Reikai. And the detectives had failed to recover a single one.
After three months of failure Koenma finally admitted defeat and sent them to Genkai, giving them only two months to heal wounds and train greater heights.
"What did Koenma give us again?" Yusuke asked out of the blue, staring across the red desert that stretched endlessly out from them. The only difference between their location and any other on the horizon was a mid-sized boulder.
"The Mirror of Light," Kurama responded, eyes gold as the scents of Makai permeated his nose. "It prevents spells from affecting us, so it serves a double purpose as long it is with us." His eyes slowly melted back to emerald. "Koenma has traced a number of the residual energy signatures at theft locations to some of the most powerful spell casters in his dossiers."
"Huh…" What a boring answer. He kind of wished he hadn't asked. Except for the powerful casters. That could prove interesting in a fight.
"Hey, isn't this were the tournament's supposed to be?" Kuwa suddenly asked.
The desert was eerily silent under its overcast sky. "Yes," Kurama said slowly, tasting the air again. How long since he last smelt this sweet air? Too long, surely. "I suppose it's merely a checkpoint, a precaution to insure we aren't bringing a tail of goons to disrupt the sport."
"Huh…" Kuwabara's next question was a little more alarming. "What's wrong with Hiei?"
"What?" Kurama's distant attitude and enjoyment of his home world disappeared. "Where is he?" The fox spun around and found the koorime balanced on the boulder, entire body stiff and eyes wide.
"It's the same desert," Hiei mumbled.
Kurama narrowed his eyes at him. "What are you talking about, Hiei?"
The demon tilted his head back and pulled in a long breath of the air. "It's this place."
Kurama took a step towards him. "Hiei…"
"I suppose he really did follow me then."
The entire scene froze. Heads swiveled to the center, where their portal had been. A young woman wearing a dark purple silk yukata over black knee-length leggings was suddenly where there had been no one. Her blue-tinged hair was pulled back in a loose braid that hit her mid-back, and hostile ambers shone out of a familiar face.
Grins split across Yusuke and Kuwabara's faces. "Kisu! Almost didn't recognize you with the new face!" Yusuke sprang at her to grab her in a friendly headlock, as he would have a handful of months ago. The cold eyes stopped him short.
"You will not touch me." Surprise flashed across Yusuke's face as power pulsed from her, accompanying her words. Her weapons, unnoticed before, became suddenly obvious. A familiar glaive hung from her back and a familiar belt graced her hips. "I am here to escort you to the stadium, nothing more. Don't get any ideas about friendship." With those harsh words she turned and began stalking away from them. "Follow me or don't. I couldn't care less, but I am the only one who will show you the next portal location."
"But…"
She turned and fixed Yusuke with a vicious stare. "But what?"
"We're here to help you," the boy stated helplessly.
She sneered. "Like I'd ever need help from the likes of you."
A sudden snarl rent the air as Hiei launched himself at her in a blur of power. "Yarou hanyou!" Her eyes widened a moment before he reached her, hands ready to claw her, and then she was gone. No one saw how, but suddenly Hiei was on the ground, Kisu's knee to his back and one of his knives to his throat.
"Watch yourself, aisuhana." She seemed to mentally catch herself and wince at the familiar insult. She drove the dagger into the sand by his head, inches from his nose. "Next time I won't be so kind." She stood and marched off without another word.
Kurama waved for Yusuke and Kuwabara to follow her as he helped Hiei to his feet. The demon threw his hand off violently and glared at her retreating back.
The fox sighed. "She didn't mean it, Hiei."
Hiei's angry glare flicked to him before dropping to the dagger. "Yes, she did." Kurama didn't answer, kneeling to pull the dagger out of the ground. He held it out to him. Hiei's lips twisted. "Why would I want that, fox?" Kurama ignored his query, until Hiei finally took the dagger and grudgingly hid it in the folds of his cloak.
"Let's go," he said, straightening his outfit as he stood, "before we get left behind." With that he strolled after the three figures that were already growing distant.
As soon as the fox's back was turned Hiei pulled the dagger out again. He drew his hand back to chuck it away from him and out of site, but froze at the last moment. He held it in his hand, staring at it.
Kurama glanced over his shoulder. "Come on, Hiei. The only way to go is forward."
Hiei's anger sizzled through the air, but the dagger went back under the cloak, and his feet started for the horizon.
"Welcome! It's good to see that everyone is here." Hakujou flashed a lively grin at the detectives as Kisu left them and joined him on the raised fighting platform. Her face was devoid of expression as he placed a hand on her head, as one would a beloved pet.
This region was just as sandy as the last, but was occupied by an open stadium. Granite bleachers rose from the red desert, surrounding an equally gray fighters ring. Demons stood in groups of four around it, and the detectives moved into the last open spot. In the bleachers there were only a spattering of observers. Though everyone in Makai and Reikai was aware of this tournament few had known where they could buy tickets and even fewer where it was located. Besides, this wasn't a monetary adventure.
"Now," Hakujou said brightly, "I suppose all of you are wondering as to the purpose of this tournament."
A murmur of curiosity shot through the contestants.
"Well, then. I suppose I shall have to be completely honest and say that I was merely bored."
A round of rowdy chuckles swelled.
"And, what better way to remedy dullness than with bloodshed?"
A cheer went up.
Hakujou smiled modestly. "Though I can't take all of the credit. Half must go to my subordinate here." He ran a finger down around Kisu's ear and under her chin, smiling warmly. Catcalls and whistles exploded from the youki as Kisu's back stiffened. "It's for her that I do this. And it is her that will hold the fourth place on my team."
Kurama placed a hand on Hiei's shoulder to keep him in place.
"But we don't need to dwell on that." His arm dropped around her shoulder. "A quick review of the rules and then we shall start."
"First, as all of you should know, this tournament is by invitation only. To enter your first match you must present that invitation, along with a list of the four members of your team. Also, before beginning, you must present to us your artifact. At the end of each round the winner will claim the other team's artifact, meaning, to advance to the next stage, you must have enough artifacts, won from battles, to match the number of that stage. Therefore, the prize in this tournament is a chance to kill to your heart's content while in the ring, and sixteen rare artifacts of power, the number of teams participating." The smile on his face was now one that chilled to the bone. "I trust that you won't disappoint my bloodthirsty tendencies. Last one standing in the match is the winner. Whether to strike the final blow or not is your choice." His gaze fixed on the detective's. "And since our special guests were the last to arrive, we shall allow them to go first. Please choose your first fighter and send them forward with your invitation. The artifact may stay with you."
Kurama glanced at Yusuke and Kuwabara, about to suggest that he go first, but Hiei snatched the invitation and flashed up onto the platform. Hakujou's eyes crinkled in amusement. "Very well." He took the card from Hiei, whose eyes were locked with Kisu's. The girl showed no emotion in the face of Hiei's famous death glare. "Ookami, send forth a fighter. The rest of you are welcome to take places in the stands." Hakujou turned his back on the koorime and walked away, arm still around Kisu.
This brought a shout from a group on the other side of the stadium as other grumbled and made their way out of the area immediately surrounding the ring.
Forward came a lithe wolf, twice Hiei's height. Pale gold hair framed his tanned brown face. Cruel green eyes danced over a slash of a mouth, and black ears and tail gave his heritage. Excitement wrought the air.
"To whom do I owe the honor of my first kill in a year," snarled Hiei as Hakujou took his place in the stands, lounging in a group of equally lithe and sensuous being. Among them Kisu stuck out like a sore thumb, face stormy verses relaxed and expectant, back straight and angry verses graceful danger.
The wolf sneered. "Killer. Just Killer. And I believe it is you who will die, not me…" He drew Hiei's name out distastefully. "… Jaganshi."
Hiei snarled, haunches rising, metaphorically. His face was feral.
"And what gives you that idea, scum?"
The sneer widened. "Why, all those rumors flying around. The street has it that the Jaganshi has gone soft, actually giving his heart away to someone."
With a roar Hiei disappeared. The wolf froze, face draining of all cockiness when he felt the 'soft' Jaganshi behind him, and his steely katana against his throat. "You lie," Hiei hissed. "The Jaganshi does not go soft. Move and I will kill you." He kicked the wolf's legs out from under him, forcing him to his knees. Hiei stared at Hakujou over the offender's head. "Begin the match, Hakujou."
A grin spread across the man's lips. "What ruthlessness. Of course, Jaganshi. Begin."
Hiei's blade sliced the flesh like butter. Killer gurgled as his blood bubbled out of the open gash, and clawed at his throat as Hiei stepped away, letting the dying demon fall to the ground. Silence prevailed as blood pooled around the thrashing body, until it too fell silent.
A lone demon began to clap, and, with the breaking of that spell, a roar engulfed the crowd. Everything and everyone was whistling and shouts for the brutality, but for Hakujou's team, and Hiei's own comrades.
Hiei turned to face Hakujou, slowly lifting his blade as thick redness dripped from its end. Its silver sheen dulled, hidden by the vile substance. He ran a finger down the length of it before looking up and meeting their faces, wearing a sadistic grin. Kisu met his eyes, and then looked away.
MMmm... Blood... This chapter made me happy.
REVIEW RESPONSES:
Silent Storm 2000: Thanks, and, as always, I'm working on it!
Baka Hanyou Rahvin: (smirks) For me to know and you to find out. And it's not her demon form; it's her true form. (wink) Everything about her appearance before now has been a sort of illusion.
OneWhoWalksWithPigeons: Nope. The signature is most definitely real. And… yeah… we're beginning to draw to a close. But that just means I'll finally have time to start some of my other Yu Yu ficcies.
SilverDragon63: (hums innocently) Only time will tell.
Pen Against Sword: You know, announcing it kind of ruins the disguise. And look! It's not a month! Unless the server continues to stay down. This one was completed Monday. Oh! Hitting people is fun!
Luna's (the moon) lady-love: But being mysterious is fun…
Jasmine Reinier: And I don't want to make Hiei chop him up. Hiei needs to save the chopping for other peoples…
Dolphinfirl32173: (grins) Well, getting you to hate him was the point.
Arano Honou: Actually, Hakujou literally means cruel as well. Though whatever floats your boat! Hmmm... Ice cream good… Tournaments… Cool, but annoying to write… It's going to be rather condensed. As for Hiei, I couldn't resist! Torturing characters is my favorite pastime!
Katana Blade: Congratulations on the foal, and my plays are thankfully finished! Which is actually a rather depressing thing…
Darkness Shall Set You Free: (sweatdrops) Poor Chocolate… (brightens) But Koenma had an excuse for being an idiot this time. Sensory and work overload! Whee!
Mistress of the Keys: Thanks, and I'm glad you're looking forward to it.
TeikaiAnshou114: Summer! Good news indeed.
Gothic-ember: (shrugs) All in a days work. Gotta get some torture in.
Asilin Kheldarson: Gah! (glomps) Yay! (happy) And thanks.
Devonny of the Other Dead: I'm going to hope that almost making you cry is a good thing.