Chapter 51

The sisters, Hiei, and Kurama had agreed that M5 must have information regarding the three human fighters on Dr. Ichigaki's team. They knew that the best way to get the answers out of him was to beat it out of him since he wouldn't give them answers otherwise. Hiei had volunteered to do the beating, but before he did, he noticed a gash on Etsu's arm caused by the robot and Etsu was doing her best to hide it since she didn't want him to worry.

"Let me see your arm," said Hiei.

Etsu had a hand over her wound and sighed as she didn't want him to see how bad it was.

"Don't worry, Hiei," said Etsu. "It'll be healing up soon."

Hiei wasn't convinced as blood trickled down Etsu's arm from the gash and her self-healing powers not seeming to take effect. Seeing that Hiei wasn't convinced and Kiyoko and Kurama being equally worried, Etsu decided to uncover her wound to reveal that it was deep, too deep for the self-healing to work it's magic.

"That needs mending," said Kurama. "But it needs to be cleaned up first."

Kiyoko had already taken out a cloth to clean Etsu's wound as Hiei was glaring at his bandana he had taken off since it wasn't enough to help clean up Etsu's wound. Kurama smiled as he knew what he was thinking.

"Hiei, you can use your bandana as a bandage after I'm done mending Etsu's wound," said Kurama.

Hiei nodded, but didn't look at Etsu as he knew that she was smiling while looking at him. He didn't want to risk blushing in front of the enemy who was frozen with fear a few feet in front of the group. While Kurama was getting out his mending plant, he glanced at Kiyoko's pant leg to notice that it was soaked in blood. Kiyoko noticed Kurama's concern and told him to take care of Etsu's wound before worrying about her. Kurama nodded and started to mend Etsu's wound.

'They're distracted,' thought M5. 'Here's my chance to escape.'

M5 was about to sneak off until Hiei glared at him to let him know that he wasn't getting away. While mending Etsu's wound, Kurama noticed something different about her scent that he had slightly noticed since the night the sisters came to greet them after he and the others checked into the hotel. He realized that it was hidden when her scent was clouded by the sickness the day before. Now he could smell that the difference in her scent was much stronger since he first noticed it and looked at her in surprise as he had just figured it out.

"What?" asked Etsu. "What is it?"

Kurama didn't want to say anything at that moment as it was clear that Etsu didn't know about it herself and didn't want her and Hiei to have any added stress since it wasn't needed. However, he knew he had to say something as he could feel Kiyoko and Hiei stare at him in concern while waiting for him to reply. He finally replied before Hiei could demand an answer from him.

"It's nothing serious," Kurama relied. "Just that you need to refrain from stress."

"Easier said than done," said Etsu.

Kurama wanted to urge her that it was in her best interest to not push herself too hard, but he knew that it would give away that he knew something that they didn't. He decided to finish mending her wound without saying anything else, getting Hiei's attention when he was finished.

"Hiei, I'm finished mending Etsu's wound," said Kurama. "You can use your bandana to bandage it."

Hiei nodded and attempted to bandage Etsu's wounded arm, but he was having a hard time since he couldn't use both hands. Etsu helped Hiei by holding one end of the bandana until he was able to do the rest by himself. Kurama raised up Kiyoko's pant leg and examined her wounds to discover that they were deep, but not as deep as Etsu's and was relieved that there were no pieces of glass stuck in her wounds. Kiyoko had gotten his attention as he treated and bandaged her wounds since her self-healing powers seemed to be slow acting at the moment.

"What was that all about?" asked Kiyoko. "Your surprised reaction at Etsu."

"Just something I sensed," Kurama replied. "Good news for both Etsu and Hiei, but at horrible timing due to this tournament situation."

Before Kiyoko could process Kurama's hint, M5 took off running in attempt to make another escape. It was pointless, however, as the sisters summoned their Crystal Stars and shot them to both of M5's legs. They absorbed into M5's legs. Instead of expanding his legs abnormally, the Crystal Stars spiked his legs from the inside, crystal spikes sticking out of his legs. M5 screamed in pain as he writhed on the ground.

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" M5 screamed. "Crazy bitches!"

The group paid no attention to M5 or even acknowledged him. Hiei was finishing up bandaging Etsu's arm as he used his teeth to help tie up the bandage. Etsu smiled and kissed him on the cheek as a way thanking him for bandaging her wound, Hiei forcing himself not to blush even though M5 was rolling on the ground screaming in agony. Kurama stood back up as he just finished bandaging Kiyoko's wounds and looked at her curiously. After learning about Etsu's condition, Kurama wondered if Kiyoko had the same condition, but her scent told him that she didn't.

"What's wrong, Kurama?" asked Kiyoko.

"Nothing, my sweet," Kurama replied. "I was curious about something."

Kiyoko was about to ask Kurama what he was curious about until M5's agonized screaming was starting to get on her nerves and approached him as the others watched.

"Shut the hell up!" Kiyoko snapped. "If you weren't such a dumbass and tried to run away like you did, your legs wouldn't have gotten all messed up!"

M5 glared at Kiyoko in response.

"Instead of glaring at me, you're going to tell us about those three human fighters on your team," Kiyoko demanded. "Like what those things on their backs are, why they're here, and other stuff."

"Ha, you're not going to get any answers out of me," M5 scoffed. "You can't make me."

Kiyoko didn't say anything thing as she formed a Crystal Kunai in her hand. As she was getting angrier, the sky started to get darker with thunder. Knowing that Kiyoko's anger was getting the best of her, Etsu and Kurama decided to go calm her down before she accidentally killed M5.

"Calm down, Kiyoko," said Kurama. "Don't let your anger get the best of you."

"How can I be calm when this asshole nearly killed us all with his dumbass robot?" asked Kiyoko. "As if that wasn't enough, he had the nerve to-"

"I don't like to be underestimated, either," Etsu interrupted. "But, you know that you have to keep a clear head when getting answers."

"Oh, come on, Etsu, you're worse than I am when stressed out or pushed over the edge," Kiyoko retorted.

"Yeah, but that doesn't matter right now," said Etsu. "The point is that we're not in battle right now, we're getting answers and you usually don't let petty comments get in the way of interrogating someone. You usually wait until after the interrogation is over."

"Yes, Etsu's right," Kurama agreed. "We know you can keep a clear head when getting answers. You're just under a lot of stress right now and that's what's keeping you from thinking clearly."

The sky had suddenly gotten lighter and the thunder had ceased as Kiyoko started to calm down, but that didn't stop her from kicking M5. The sisters and Kurama decided to let Hiei "convince" M5 to answer their questions. Hiei was pleased from the honor of being able to "convince" M5 as he wanted him pay for nearly getting the group killed and injuring Etsu with his robot, the sisters and Kurama watching while sitting on the robot's shoulders. They were disturbed of what they've learned, but weren't surprised at the same time, Hiei beating M5 again.

"That's very good," said Hiei, grabbing up M5 by his shirt collar. "Now tell us where Mitamura is!"

M5 didn't reply right away as he stuttered in fear.

"Your tail is next," Hiei threatened.

"I don't remember exactly," said M5. "It's some cave!"

"Where?!" Etsu shouted.

"Wha-?" asked M5.

"Where's the cave?!" Etsu shouted. "It's obvious that you know where the cave is so you've better answer if you want to avoid getting beat up some more."

"Ha, like I'm going to tell you!" M5 scoffed.

Hiei dropped M5 to the ground and shoved one of his still Crystal Star spiked legs into his tail, causing M5 to scream.

"Answer her question!" Hiei demanded. "Now!"

M5 gave up the information to where the cave was to find Mitamura. The sisters and Kurama jumped down from the robot's shoulders and went over to Hiei as M5 panted from the pain.

"So I guess now we go find Mitamura," said Kiyoko.

"Yes," Kurama agreed.

"But before we do, we're going to have to do something about M5," said Etsu.

"Hn," Hiei agreed, nodding. "We can't let him get away."

"Well, it doesn't seem like he's going anywhere anytime soon seeing that he's injured," Kurama pointed out. "But, it is best the we take precautions just in case."

"We can always kill him," Hiei suggested.

"I think it's best that Kiyoko and Etsu decides what we should do with him," said Kurama. "After all, they've gotten the most injuries from his robot."

Hiei instantly nodded in agreement as he and Kurama addressed the sisters.

"What do you two think?" asked Hiei. "Should we kill him or not?"

"It's up to you to decided whether or not he's a threat," said Kurama. "We'll support whatever you decide."

"Hn," Hiei agreed, nodding.

The sisters looked from Hiei and Kurama to M5 lying on the ground, consumed by pain. Resentment burned within them as they were furious that they've all been nearly killed by his robot and underestimated by him. They wanted him to suffer more and die for his actions, but at the same time, they saw how pathetic he was lying on the ground in agony and knew he wasn't worth killing. Hiei and Kurama could read what the sisters were feeling as they could see it in their eyes and knew what the decision was before they said it, but didn't say anything as they let them say what their decision was.

"Let's let the asshole live," said Kiyoko. "He's suffered enough."

"Yeah, he's not worth spending anymore of our energy on," Etsu agreed. "He's not a threat to us and it's doubtful he'll cause anymore harm."

Hiei and Kurama nodded in agreement as they knew that the sisters were right. M5 wasn't the type to make himself strong and come after them as he was mostly a lackey for Dr. Ichigaki than a fighter.

"What we should do is just leave him here since it's obvious he can't walk," Etsu continued.

"Yeah, then we can drag his ass back to the stadium after we find Mitamura," said Kiyoko.

Hiei and Kurama agreed as they were about to leave until M5 had pleaded for the sisters to remove the Crystal Stars spiked in his legs.

"You'd want them to stay in your legs," Kiyoko advised.

"If they're removed, you'll bleed out like crazy since the arteries are damaged," Etsu explained.

"It hurts!" M5 complained, clearly not listening. "Take them out!"

Kiyoko was losing her temper again, but then scowled as she, Etsu, Hiei, and Kurama left to find Mitamura. While on their way to the cave where Mitamura was being held, Etsu reached into her pocket and grabbed a hold of something she made about three months earlier for Hiei. She planned on giving it to him once the tournament was won, but decided it was the right time as she stopped in her tracks.

"Hiei," said Etsu.

Hiei, Kiyoko, and Kurama stopped to look at Etsu.

"What is it?" asked Hiei.

"I was going to wait to give this to you," started Etsu. "but it looks like you need it now."

What Etsu had taken out of her pocket was a beautifully made red bandana with Hiei's name embroidered on the end of one side of it. Hiei was surprised at first as he didn't expect it, but then felt honored. Hiei had let Etsu put the bandana on him since he couldn't do it himself and was surprised to realize that it was made from a superior silk. Spirit World silk, one of the most delicate yet strong silks in existence.

"There," said Etsu, nodding in approval. "It suits you."

Hiei suddenly shifted his eyes every which way possible and forced himself not to blush as receiving Spirit World or Demon World silks from a loved one was considered as the highest honor. Kiyoko and Kurama smiled as they hoped that Etsu making the first move would calm some of Hiei's nerves. His attempt to not blush had failed as his face turned red. He growled and then snapped at Kiyoko and Kurama when he noticed them smiling at him.

"Well, what are you smiling at me for?" Hiei snapped.

"Oh, it's nothing," said Kurama.

"Yeah, don't mind us," Kiyoko agreed.

"I think we should continue on our way finding Mitamura," said Etsu.

Hiei, Kiyoko, and Kurama nodded in agreement and they all continued on their way. Kiyoko went to talk to Etsu as Kurama talked to Hiei, neither paying attention to the other's conversation.

"Well, now Hiei knows how deeply you care for him," said Kiyoko.

"Yeah," said Etsu. "Are you done with your gift for Kurama yet?"

"Yeah, but I left it at home," Kiyoko complained. "Not to mention that it looks completely crappy!"

"When did you finish it?" asked Etsu.

"About a day before we came to this Island," Kiyoko replied. "I can't believe that I've poked myself about a million times making that crappy thing and I go leave it at home!"

"Don't worry, Kiyoko," Etsu reassured. "You can give it to him when we get home."

"Yeah, but I think I want to work on it a little bit more first before giving it him," said Kiyoko. "You know, so it would look less crappy."

"Don't be ridiculous," said Etsu. "I'm sure Kurama will like it regardless of how it looks."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Kiyoko sighed.

Kurama started the conversation with Hiei by commenting, "It seems like your question has been answered. Etsu giving you that bandana she made with love proves that she wants to be with you."

"Hn, I'll propose to her when I'm ready," said Hiei. "Right now is not a good time when our lives are on the line."

"Yes, it would be best for you to wait until this tournament is over for you to propose to her," Kurama agreed. "It would be terrible for you to do so now and end up losing in the finals."

"Is that why you're also waiting until after this tournament to propose to Kiyoko?" asked Hiei.

"That's part of it," Kurama replied. "The other part is that I haven't found the proper ring yet."

Kurama sighed in disappointment before he continued.

"All of the rings I've looked at back home are either too simple or gaudy," said Kurama. "I want to get Kiyoko a ring that would suit her."

"Then you should stop looking around at jewelry made by human hands," Hiei advised. "There is plenty of Demon World jewelry being sold in Human World without Spirit World's knowledge."

"That's what I've been thinking about," Kurama confessed. "To find a ring that's superior as Kiyoko, I would need to-"

"Does it really matter if you want to be with Kiyoko?" Hiei interrupted. "If you want to find a ring as superior as she is, you'll need to get one not made by humans. Face it, humans have no taste."

Kurama nodded as he knew that Hiei had a point as jewelry from Demon World was more durable to those that are fighters and superior in style without it being too simple or gaudy. Before he could think anymore about it, the group had reached the cave where Mitamura was being held and went inside to find the guy unconscious. Once Mitamura was taken out of the cave, he groaned as he was carefully sat down against a tree so he could be examined.

"Is he going to be alright?" asked Kiyoko.

"Can he be cured?" asked Etsu.

"Yes," Kurama replied. "I just need to make an antidote and he'll be fine."

After Mitamura was given the antidote, the group went back for M5 and Gatasubal the robot before going to the stadium.