Okay, all you lovely lovely people. Here's the deal. I'm, once again, at my father's. If you remember correctly, this means Darkness has no Internet! She must drag her butt down to the library and fight all the other computer deprived freaks for her measly thirty minutes! Last time I was up here, the number of responses I was getting was much less… That it takes me almost half an hour to answer them all now is probably good.
Except for this time. This time it means you get the chapter today, without responses, or you wait until next week for it. I'm guessing you'd hurt me more for withholding the chapter than you will for painfully cutting the responses; or that's what I'm hoping. All that aside, please don't abandon me! I read every single review, and it would make me sad if they went away…
Gah… A/N too long… Go read already.
Chapter 35
Hiei…
"I can't fight her! She's a girl!" Kuwabara shouted, face red. "It's against my code of honor!"
"Get over yourself, idiot! If you don't get in there right now I'll kill you myself!" With that Yusuke kicked his friend towards the ring, where Ketsueki waited impatiently.
"Urameshi! I can't!" he whined.
"I… don't… care!"
Ketsueki sighed in aggravation. "If the ningen is too scared to fight me, you can always forfeit the round." She flicked invisible dust off her shoulder. "That would be disappointing, but acceptable." Cruelty curled her lips. "So come forward, coward, or fail before you even start."
"What!" The comment had Kuwabara up in the ring in an instant, leaving Yusuke to fall on his face and curse his idiot friend. "Fighting a girl may be against my code, but so is letting my friends down."
Ketsueki scoffed. "Friends. What a trivial thing to get slaughtered over."
Kuwabara stood a little straighter, composure returning. "That's obviously something you can't understand."
"Enough." Hakujou suddenly dropped in the center of the ring, wearing an overly sweet smile. "Save the venom for the battle. It wouldn't do to use it all up now."
Ketsueki rolled her eyes. "He is ningen, Haku. I don't think exhausting my supply for his kind is possible."
He turned a special smile on her. "Very well." The grin grew to include all present. "Then let us begin!"
Kuwabara, always direct, summoned his sword and charged forward with a yell. Chime-like laughter dripped from Ketsueki's lips, and she easily maneuvered out of his way with a swirl of satin skirts. "So slow! You won't even be a challenge."
"You!" Kuwa roared and spun to attack again.
Again, Ketsueki slipped out of his reach at the last moment, a hand trailing casually over his shoulders as she danced past. Kuwa turned and chopped down on her, only to find her suddenly behind him. "Better," she purred, slipping an arm around Kuwabara's neck. "But you're still holding back."
He yanked her over his shoulder, and she flipped gracefully to land in a crouch. She was dressed for a ball, not a fight, in her extravagant gown, but the skirts hid her movements as well as any hakima. "Good…" She moved once more, feet tapping out a rhythm on the stones and finger nails scratching out accompaniment. "But I still have first blood."
Kuwabara froze for a second, hand slapping his neck as he felt blood well from claw marks. Ketsueki took the chance to dart forward, planting a chaste kiss on his lips. He yelped and pushed her away. She allowed herself to be dislodged, sweeping a leg through his ankles to knock him over as she plunged fingers into his shoulder and tore deep furrows.
He landed with a thud, face twisting with pain, before leaping at her with righteous fury. "Cheater! You're cheating!"
She dodged his punch and whipped her hand out, this time slicing deep into his forearm. "Oh…" she said coldly. "Are you sure? I believe I'm being practical." She paused, eyes flashing as his arm shot out and the sword clipped her side by pure accident. "Though you seem to be getting a bit better as well."
Kuwabara smirked and came in for another hit. "The great Kazuma always wins!"
"Really?" The attack grazed her cheek. "That seems doubtful, considering minutes ago, you couldn't stand the thought of hitting me."
Horror flashed across the human's face as he realized his breach of honor, and he faltered. She laughed, darting at him and dragging claws across his stomach before he could react. He raised a hand to defend himself, too off kilter from her logic to do much else. "So gullible…" she muttered under her breath, happily.
His eye twitched. "Gullible! I'm gullible! You're the one that's working for that monster!" He took another swing at her. "You're the one that's trying to disrupt the balance of Spirit World!" His eyes lost track of her as she blurred around him at high speeds.
He froze as her arm again snaked around his neck, the other firmly around his waist. "Maybe so," she murmured. "But I am still the winner." She bit down on his neck, and he convulsed, trying to dislodge her as he had earlier. He moved to grip her arms, but her teeth dug deeper, and his eyes flew wide, head tilting back.
"Uhhh…"
She released him, and licked her lips contemplatively as he dropped to the ground and twitched. "Too bitter for my taste…" She wrinkled her nose and prodded him with a foot. "And you truly are weak if losing that much blood affects you." Kuwa's eyes stared into the sky, uncomprehending. She crouched by him and examined him gleefully. "Or maybe it's the sedative in my fangs."
Hakujou reappeared at her side, gazing down over her shoulder. "He'll recover. He really must taste awful then." He nodded. "Very well, then. Ketsueki is the winner of this match! Up next is Yusuke Urameshi verse Toku of the Blood Tribes! The match will begin in five minutes, after the arena has been cleared."
Yusuke bounded up, immediately falling to his knees by Kuwabara. "Hey, man, speak to me."
His eyes blinked once, expression coming down from Heaven.
Kurama joined Yusuke, to take their teammate and leave him to his fight, peering closely at him. "His pulse appears to be fine, Yusuke, though I don't doubt that the girl did have poison in her."
Toku entered the ring from the other side, pausing a minute to discuss something with Haku. Yusuke clenched his fist. "Okay, then. Get him out of here." He patted Kuwabara on the shoulder, eyes smoldering darkly, though the youth still showed no sign of hearing him. "I'll get these cheaters back for you."
One win, one loss. That Yusuke would lose the battle had been impossible. By the time it was over, Toku wished it had never happened. It would have saved him the humiliation.
Toku's eyes went wide and his illusion shattered as Yusuke's attack hit him square in the chest, throwing him out of the ring. It had taken three tries, but he had hit him.
"How…" The man wrinkled his forehead in bewilderment, unsuccessfully trying to raise his broken body from the rubble caused by his impact. If he didn't return to the ring within five seconds, he would be disqualified. "You are human…" The boy had managed to shoot him with his energy blast, his spirit gun, even while Toku used his physic abilities to shield himself from physical and mental eyes. How had the boy hit him, when he could not see him?
Yusuke smiled darkly. "Eyes aren't my only sense." The boy had won through intelligence, a rare and astonishing feat. "I used my ears."
Toku barely contained his flinch as Yusuke appeared in front of him, believing the teen would now finish him, even though he had clearly won. Even a demon is afraid of death, if given the chance. "You've got terrible footwork." He brought his hand up, fingertip glowing, to prepare for another blast.
Toku's face drained of color.
"Bang." A harmless ping of energy flew from Yusuke, dissipating before it even reached him. Yusuke turned his back on him, laughing as he fainted away.
"Aiieee!" Kurama roared, the sheer force of power in his shout dissipating the energy blast heading straight for him. "I will not surrender!" He yanked on the twin whips binding Iyaku's wrists, shoving power into them and growing the thorns right into his opponent's flesh. In response, Iyaku again drained the power from them, using the inverse of his healing techniques. Yusuke sat on the sidelines, reproving Kuwabara for his miserable performance earlier, now that the oaf had woken up, while tending to his own minor wounds. Hiei watched, shrewdly categorizing strengths and weaknesses to give the fox his opinion of the battle later on.
"I didn't say you should," he murmured, façade blank. "Just that your defeat is inevitable." He leaned against the force of Kurama's pulling before using the fox's own strength to spring himself at his foe, foot burying itself in his face with a sickening crunch. Kurama shook his hands free of his whips just in time to slow the attack enough to prevent serious harm, but not before it sent him flying.
Iyaku calmly disentangled himself from the quickly shriveling vines while Kurama came to one knee and spat out a mouthful of blood, reaching up to snap his nose back into alignment. His hair had long since broken free of its tie, and blood streaked his face. His eyes flashed uncontrollably beneath the wild mass. Iyaku was not much better, light hair and garments stained black in numerous places. All in all, the two were equally matched.
"Still," he snarled, "I'd rather win." Another whip sprouted in Kurama's hand as he buried fingers in his hair.
Iyaku smiled tersely, another blast growing in his palm. "Actually, I agree with you, but I haven't much choice this time around."
Kurama's whip snaked across the ring, managing to slash Iyaku's arm before he could slip out of range, firing another attack. Kurama leapt into the air deftly, catching Iyaku's leg on the recoil. He yanked the green man's leg out from under him, thorns digging deep into the muscles. Iyaku cupped the growing energy in his hands and slammed it into the whip at the same instant vines sprouted from the seeds hidden in Kurama's palm and shot at him like living spears, charged with youki to explode upon impact. Iyaku's energy surged up whip, crackling like green electricity around the taut rose plant.
Time seemed to freeze for a moment, as Kurama found Iyaku's eyes on the other end of the incoming technique. Realization blossomed, and the two wore matching smirks of understanding as twin explosions blasted them, paralyzing their nerves with shock.
"What a waste," Kurama muttered as his limp body landed with a bang, amused despite his loss.
A chuckle floated to him from the other side of the ring as Iyaku landed in a like state. "You have no idea, friend."
Kurama stared at the sky. The green man was probably right.
"So…" Hakujou said, amused as Kisu dragged Iyaku from the ring, and Hiei chased Ketsueki from Kurama with a growl, then lifting the larger demon and slinging him over his back. "We have reached the final battle, in a perfect tie." A grin spread across his face. "And we've each only one fighter left." Hiei and Kisu's heads shot up, faces identical voids.
"Yes," Kisu breathed, some sort of weight dropping from her posture. "Just us."
"Yes," Hiei responded stiffly.
Hakujou's familiar smile widened. "Then I have a proposition, to make this more interesting for all of us. I suggest a fight to the death."
Surprisingly, Kisu's eyes glinted with excitement. "Of course, what other way is there?"
"Hiei." The demon almost dropped the fox, having nearly forgotten he was holding him. Kurama's legs almost touched the ground, even while on Hiei's back, and his head rested awkwardly on his friend's shoulder. "Get out of the ring." Hiei's eyes flicked to him, but he started walking again.
Kisu kneeled and pulled Iyaku's arm over her shoulder, lifting him when Ketsueki joined her on his other side.
Hiei gently lowered Kurama to the ground by Kuwabara. Moving away, he halted when Kurama's fingers caught his pant leg, urging him to return. Hiei lowered his head to hear the fox's faint whisper. "Will you be alright?"
Hiei narrowed his eyes. "Do you doubt me?"
Kurama's expression showed concern, overlapped by a need to know that all the work would not have been for nothing. "In this case, yes."
Hiei stood with a foul snort. "Well, don't. That's what gets you killed." Quickly settling his katana more firmly on his hip, he leapt back into the ring. "If she wants to kill me, I can very well kill her."
Kisu lowered Iyaku, gently patting his shoulder, before scooping up the glaive and slipping it through the harness on her back. She levered herself back into the ring with the boneless grace the others had come to associate with her teammates, but not her.
Hakujou attempted to offer her a hand up, but she shrugged him off. He grabbed her arm and yanked her close. "I'm surprised," he whispered. "What are you up to?"
She flashed a cold smile. "Exactly what you want me to be, Hakujou." She pulled away, leaving him behind without a backwards glance. "Ready to see which of us is really better, Hiei?"
"Me, hanyou."
She turned the cold smile on him. Are you that sure?
His eyes widened slightly, and suddenly his body was thrumming with the urge to fight. All the ones before had been a chore, but this…
His trademark smirk flared to life. Possibly. Want to find out?
Her eyes danced, and she raised an arm in the air. Hiei mirrored her, ignoring the pang of memory the motion brought. "Hajime!"
Both disappeared, instantly coming back together with a crash of wood and metal, and just as quickly breaking apart before coming together again.
You're stronger.
Her eyes flicked to Hiei a second before they collided again. Her glaive slipped past his block, nicking him on the arm. You would be, too.
He growled and flashed to her rear. She brought the glaive up just in time, using the staff portion to block the downward cut. She tilted it to the side, forcing his blade to the left. He flickered out of sight, and she turned, again catching his attack at the last instant. Maybe so, but you could have gotten stronger anywhere.
She broke away and thrust back with the butt of the weapon. If I had the choice.
Only the weak don't have choices! He snarled, dodging the slow attack. He whipped one of his own across her arm, slashing it deep.
It is the weak that let themselves be controlled. It is the weak that allow themselves to be conquered. It is the weak that allow themselves to manipulated! Each point was accompanied by an attack of such great speed and strength Kisu barely managed to block each one. They gouged deep scores in even the extra hard wood of her glaive.
Her eyes burned in her face, and she disappeared from in front of him, attacking from the rear with a powerful slice. What do you know of the life I lead? How much do you know of my past? Besides what I have told you, nothing! He blocked with enough force to send her flying. She rose, hair sweeping across her face. Who are you to speak of being manipulated, when the only other option is instant death? When you serve that stupid toddler to avoid prison?
The hatred in her eyes stung. No one. No one but one of those you betrayed. His eyes sparked. But who are you, who so easily forsook vows of friendship? His attack knocked her across the ring, and sent her weapon flying from her hands. She drew a dagger without hesitation, rising to rejoin the circling game. I may have to play dog, but at least I haven't given up on freedom. He barely gave time for her to get to her feet before coming at her. Sparks flew as she quickly drew a second dagger and blocked his blade two-handed.
Give up my freedom? Her mental voice was a low growl, barely recognizable. Do you know why I gave it up? Again? She pushed his sword back, striking back in its wave. Her knives danced across Hiei's arms, leaving a trail of blood. You weakling, you fool… Are you that blind? She disappeared, and Hiei used his own arm to block the knife cut headed for his skull. You worthless aisuhana! I hate you!
He felt her signature freeze behind him, a second before it struck. His sword arm instinctively came back, intuitively knowing where to strike. It slid through her defenses, and straight through her chest before she even had a chance to finish her attack; before Hiei had a chance to realize what he was doing.
She gasped, and the knife slipped from suddenly limp fingers, clattering to the ground. Her hand caught at his shoulder as her body convulsed around the blade, and she fell into his arms as he half-turned, eyes unbelieving. The sword was buried hilt-deep, the perfect attack. He released it, arms wrapping around her shoulders as she started to slip to the ground, fingers grappling for a hold on his clothing as her knees gave way. "You… you ran away… " she breathed. "And left me…" Another wave of pain racked her body. Blood dribbled from the corner of her mouth. Burning eyes drifted closed, rolling back. The glimpse Hiei had seared him, showing him not only pure, unadulterated hatred, but also confusion, and a relief that it was finally over.
No. His brain spun, unable to comprehend this sudden turn of events. No…
She drew a rattling breath, hands clenching, eyes squeezed shut, head pressed to his chest. For a second she was safe within the circle of his arms, secluded from everything.
Right where she was meant to be, his mind whispered.
"Kisuko, I…"
Her eyes opened languidly, highly focused for someone on the verge of death. "You what? Love me?" She laughed, though the affect was ruined when she coughed, crumpling to the side and spewing blood. She gazed up at him, breathless and bloody. "Don't worry, Hiei. I hate you too."
No!
"Hanyou."
She flipped a quick smile, and then with one final shudder, her eyes went dull, fingers releasing their death grip on his cloak. He stumbled as the life drained from her body, and she became nothing more than weight. Her body dragged him to his knees, limp in his arms.
No… Not dead. Not dead not dead not dead. The mantra continued in his skull.
A shadow fell to its knees in front of him, franticly tugging her from his arms. "No… All wrong," it muttered. Hiei numbly let Hakujou pull her from him.
Yes. She's dead. Dead dead dead dead dead…"Koishii. Kisu." He held her tightly, gently holding her, cradling her, clutching the broken shell to him. "It went wrong," he breathed.
And it's your fault. All your fault…Hiei's anger gathered, trying to find anything to strike out at, to blame. Anyone except himself.
No, not your fault. Can't be your fault.
"So terribly wrong…"
Not your fault… His fault.
"Your fault," Hiei growled, lunging for the blood demon. "This is your fault."
Hakujou's head shot up, and he leapt away. "My fault?" He laughed mockingly, eyes radiating hatred of the highest degree. He backed away slowly, subordinates rushing to his side. "I'm not the one who killed her, Hiei." His voice caught, and the disdain increased tenfold. "I didn't stab her through the heart, you fool. I wasn't the one who couldn't sort out their feelings." He sneered at the frozen soul crouched at his feet, staring up at him with feral anger. "Maybe if you had been smarter I would have left her alone." He gently stroked her cheek. Her head lolled to the side. Amber eyes starred blankly at her killer. He nodded 'now' and Iyaku and Ketsueki quickly placed hands on his shoulders, the unconscious Toku suspended between them. "If you hadn't waited until the last second possible…"
Hiei's chest tightened, and his fingers clenched, digging gouges in the cement.
No… not his fault…Hakujou's arms tightened around her, unwilling to let her go. "No, forbidden one," Hakujou said, voice pained. "This is your fault." His eyes glittered. "And I will make sure you pay for it."
Bright light flashed through the ring, and they disappeared.
A fissure forced itself into his reality, titling the world sideways. No, his traitor mind hissed. It's not his fault…
"Snap out of it, Hiei!" Yusuke whacked him on the shoulder, glaring angrily. Hiei blinked and looked up at him.
Because it's your fault.
"My fault…" he muttered disgustedly.