Although Shishi initially seemed disappointed with the challenge, Genkai proved herself a formidable foe. However, when her mask is ripped from her face he calls a foul, believing her to be a different person than the fighter in previous fights. May understands where he's coming from, but also knows just how wrong he is.
"I knew it was a different person." Hiei scoffs, making May glance at him.
"No," she starts, surprising him and Kurama. "It's been Genkai all along." she reveals.
"Genkai?" Kurama asks surprised.
May can tell he recognizes the name. She is very well known for her power, so it's no wonder.
He turns his eyes to his girlfriend, "You knew it was her." he states instead of asking, knowing he's right.
May nods. "I've known her for a very long time. I told no one, because it wasn't up to me," she explains. "But now I understand her picking a fight with Yusuke earlier. She needed him to herself, to give to him her power, so he can have a chance at defeating Toguro." she muses, looking back towards the veteran fighter.
"Tell me, if that old woman is Genkai… how did she look appear so young earlier? No one is going to believe her to be the same person as before now." Hiei grumbles.
"This is rather problematic." Kurama muses as the crowd starts to demand their execution for cheating. Koto decides to pause the fight so the committee can figure out what to do. And seeing as said committee has always helped them so much in the past… note the sarcasm.
After a moment, Koto receives the verdict, "In regards to the Uraotogi's team's claim that the Urameshi team is using different contestants, the outcome of our deliberation is; 'No problem!' There will be no penalty and the match is to continue as-is!" she announces.
"That's…. unexpected." May deadpans.
However, Shishi and the crowd are outraged. It is then that help comes from an unexpected corner. Toguro has taken the microphone from Koto, "I will explain." Immediately everyone falls silent.
He supports that Genkai is the same person who fought before. "Practitioners of the Spirit wave, when they use their powers at their maximum, have their cells activated, and their bodies are returned to the age when they were at their peak. In other words, her appearance now is her true appearance." he explains calmly. "Will that do for you Genkai?" he smirks, looking down at the woman in the ring who has not said a word yet.
Murmurs echo throughout the stadium at the mention of her name. Having said what needed to be said, Toguro takes his leave without another word.
Shishi now looks to be over the moon. He is entertained by the idea of killing someone as renown as Genkai. He feels fame is within an arm's reach. However, despite having given Yusuke most of her power, Genkai is, by no means, ready to lie down and die to oblige the spoiled demon.
The fight continues without further interruption and Genkai shows everyone that she is no pushover. Despite all his cruel tactics, Shishi is just not powerful to beat her. When the match finishes, he is, although his pride is hurt, very much impressed with her.
Juri pronounces Genkai the winner, leaving only one final fighter on the opposing team, whose age must be close to Genkai's. He would have appeared human if it weren't for the pointed ears.
He's very excited as he rolls the dice to decide his opponent. It lands on Kuwabara. Juri asks him to try again, believing Kuwabara to be dead, but said boy's voice rings through the stadium, announcing his presence.
"Kazuma Kuwabara is back in action!" he calls, striking a pose making his teammates look embarrassed at his antics.
"I'm guessing it was too much to ask if that veil could have transported him a little further off?" Hiei mutters.
May cuts Kuwabara short as he keeps on ranting, "Hey, if you don't get down here in two seconds, I'm telling Shizuru how you botched up your last fight." she threatens.
"She already knows… but yeah, coming." he grumbles, toning it down before finally making his way to the ring. At least he got the message.
Finally the fight starts and Onji, Kuwabara's opponent, looks to be pretty spry for an old guy. He taunts Kuwabara who is unable to lay a hand on him as he bounces around from one end of the ring to the other. He's really giving him the run around.
May sighs, glancing towards Genkai. "How's Yusuke?" she asks. The woman returns the glance.
"He'll be okay. He came trough." she tells May with a tiny smile. May can tell that Genkai is glad the boy reached her expectations.
"Will he be ready?" May questions next, seeing Genkai's smile falter into a look of thoughtfulness. "As ready as he'll ever be. He has the tools, and I suppose if he can use them… There are no promises, but there's hope." she states. May muses over this. "Maybe that's enough." "Maybe." Genkai agrees.
"It's no good. It's a trap!" Kurama calls, pulling their attention back to the fight. They observe Kuwabara rushing towards Onji aimlessly. Before he can put on the breaks, Onji has created a bubble of sorts and although Kuwabara tries to slash through it, he finds himself being taken in and stuck.
"To think he would fall for a trap into the trap on his own." Kurama sighs. "He's truly is a fool." Hiei reminds him pointedly. "An fool and an idiot." Genkai pipes up in agreement before Onji reveals to be the maker of Shishi's veil.
May dully waves Kuwabara goodbye as the bubble rises in the air, shrinking as it goes. She already knows where there is going. With an angry rant, he disappears from sight. He'll be back.
Onji takes back a familiar dice from his pocket. "So then, who will be next? I have a hunch it will be Kurama's name who will come up. If you beat me, then I won't mind telling the secret of the smoke from the Reverse Treasure Box that Uraurashima used." he taunts.
Kurama narrows his eyes dangerously. "Why don't you hurry up and roll the die?" he sneers uncharacteristically. It seems Onji hit a snare. May glances towards Kurama worriedly. She's guessing he's more desperate to find out more about what happened then he let on.
Before she can think it over further, the die is rolled and lands on 'Mask'. Genkai steps forward looking unamused as Onji starts taunting her. "How about you put end to that grating old-timer talk and disguise already." she scoffs, surprising her teammates. What disguise?
Onji chuckles. "Well now, you have seen right through me haven't you? And here I even changed the wavelength of my demon energy. Disguises are a hobby of mine. Please don't think ill of me." He explains lightheartedly. "But very well, pleased to make your acquaintance."
"The reason I disguised myself as an old man is because the elderly are the creatures I hate the most." He explains as he literally tears his costume off to reveal something none of them expected: a clown, as brightly colored as they might come.
May zones out as he starts to speak, noting he has a taste for drama. Despite all of this, she can't focus on his words when the sight of the guy is making her eyes hurt. She might need therapy for this.
As the fight commences, it appears he's not only a showman in looks alone. But despite her lack of energy, Genkai makes quick work of 'Suzuki the beautiful', all the while making more of a fool of him then he manages to do so himself.
"If it weren't for those nifty things he created for his teammates, he'd be pretty useless, wouldn't he?" May muses.
"Speaking of useless…" Hiei comments, seeing Kuwabara make his way back towards them.
May shakes her head, watching the final seconds of the glory that was Suzuki absentmindedly. They have practically won today's matches already. Soon the boy's most difficult challenge waits. If she could wish on anything, anything at all, even Suzuki's silly painted star would do, she would wish for them all to get through this Tournament alive. Nothing else mattered.
G'day to you all! Best wishes! I hope you had fun over the holidays.
Again, many thanks to HoneyBunnyLemon for Beta reading. I think the next part won't be a very long wait. I have it pretty much written down. So hang tight people.