HEY! It's me. SOrry for the delay. I actually have up to chapter 43 completed. I just have been slow to upload. I will upload weekly so stay tuned! Thank you all for the wonderful comments! I am so grateful for you all 3 onward to the story!
Aiko P.O.V:
I didn't wake up startled this time. More so I laid there, hand behind my head as I listened to the hotel occupants wake. The slow hum of some to the raucous bellowing of other patrons, lulled me into a sense of peace, as I lay counting the times Kuwabara and Yusuke muttered in their sleep. Kazuma still laid in bed snoring, unaffected by the impending match. Clueless of the severity of the situation. Maybe not so much clueless just not aware of the seriousness of the current situation. I envied him. I raised my free hand, allowing my energy to play along the spaces of my fingers, toying with it as it slowly formed into a crackling ball in my hand. Slowly, pulling my second hand from behind my head, I tossed it from hand to hand, feeling it trail along my arm dispersing at my elbow. It flowed, not chaotic, more so as lazy as I was, flowing against my nerves in an almost lethargic fashion. Calm before the impending storm.
"Good morning Aiko. Did you sleep well?" Kurama asked suddenly, from his seat, no longer content with silently watching my lightshow. I hadn't forgotten they were here, aware of the silent regards. The 'They' being Hiei, the Masked Fighter and of course, Kurama. We had all sat silently, all in our own thoughts, not interfering with each other's pre-battle routine. I shut my hand extinguishing the spark and resting it on my stomach not bothering to look at him the quiet peacefulness crumbling under the scrutiny of his gaze.
"Like a baby." I grumbled out; voice husky from sleep. He chuckled at my reply. I slowly locked eyes with his as he sipped his coffee. The room service was wonderful in the swanky hotel, I don't think I'd get tired of it. If they had served fresh demon on the menu, I'd be sold. Sadly, I had to eat out instead. He lowered his cool stare roved over to the cup from last night. The coffee had long been wiped clean, the only remains was cool white porcelain of the cup, the polished reminder of last night's pleasant get together with our opponents. Hiei and Kurama had been fixated on it like angry wasps to a threat, Hiei growing more and more irritated as they did. I understood why, getting spooked in front of the enemy only to find out it was a little fire manipulation. Hiei's pride was far too immense to suffer the insult from that moment of weakness. "Zeru…" I trailed off looking at the ceiling again deciding to kick off the unspoken conversation that was buzzing in the room.
"Is a pompous fool who thinks too highly of himself." Hiei finished causing me to close my eyes with a sigh. Progress, from glaring at the poor cup to growling an answer out. It may not have been what I was going to say, but Zeru did seem fit the description. Threatening us while being outnumbered. Overconfident indeed.
Sitting up finally, rolling my shoulders, twisting from side to side, I looked to see a still slumbering Yusuke. Between him and I, he had the worst of the training. It wasn't because Genkai was favoriting him over me, no, Yusuke's rebellious nature and stubbornness got him into more trouble than not the entire time. She worked him over harder, pushing him past his comfort zone, breaking every wall he had. Sometimes using his thick skull to smash through walls. Yusuke and I were two different people, it made the training methods differ vastly. When I broke rules with Genkai, I was not in control. It was her or me or worse, Yusuke or I. There was no boundary she didn't push, no reprieve from her brutal training. She even used us both to further the training. I didn't think I could thank her enough for how unbiased and unforgiving she was. The training had changed something within me, balancing an imbalance I did not know I had.
"Who's going to carry him?" I asked the two demons, breaking out of my thoughts, focusing on the present.
"The oaf can make himself useful." Hiei answered reaching for the cup and crushing it into a fine dust. Yep, room service was a blessing with teammates like mine.
The walk to the ring was deafening, my nerves not jittering as much as I had anticipated. Demons roared and crowed from the seats, demanding blood, screeching for our deaths. The manners were lacking in this stadium, obviously most of these demons were raised in a barn. My energy buzzed on my skin, alert and looking at the apparitions. Funny enough, they looked like they belonged in a barn too. I kept my excitement locked in tight, focusing on the grass underfoot, the cracks along the walls, the clouds forming in the open ceiling of the arena and the stone slabs of the ring. A small technique Genkai had taught me to reign in my prey drive. I was no different from a predatory animal, affected by the outside stimuli unless I controlled that side of me. Training a dog to fetch or stay essentially, that is if your dog could tear a full-grown man in half with one bite. Creating focal points for my attention, my energy sitting beneath the surface, not straining as it fed off my poise.
Eyeing the announcer in the center of the ring, I cocked my head as we made eye contact. A demoness stood in the center, with short and unruly dark orange hair. Two tan ears stood atop her head twitching as frequently as her equally tan tail. Her outfit reminded me of those the women in Kazuma's naughty magazines wore, the ones he swore up and down didn't belong to him. It was a one-piece outfit, a pale-yellow top with an equally pale purple bottom. The marigold sleeves resembled a man's shirt collar, tied with a sky-blue bow, revealing her clavicle and the elegant curve of her neck. Red arm cuffs, a short red tailcoat and a dainty red choker with a bow completed the outfit. Pretty eye candy with a thirst for carnage. A demon's fantasy. A dressed-up meal for me.
"This is sure one heck of a greeting for special guests. I don't think these monsters took their grumpy pills today." Kuwabara muttered, eyes darting from side to side as he half carried Yusuke to the ring. Yusuke hung limply, feet dragging behind him, one arm over Kazuma's shoulder.
"Agreed Kuwabara. It most certainly isn't pleasant being called a traitor by creatures you've never even met." Kurama added emerald eyes darting around the ring, his lips pulled into a straight line. Climbing up onto the ring with my team, I glanced at Zeru who bared his teeth at me, dismissing me as he turned to a sleeping Yusuke.
"Is that big idiot still asleep?" the child from last night asked leaning forward to get a better look at our snoring Sleeping Beauty.
"He is, it's a shame, he sure does love clowns." I taunted with a smile which was nothing more than a quick baring of teeth. The child scowled at that, bristling now.
"As always the terms of the fighting for each match can be decided by the leaders of the two teams. Of course, if the leaders can't agree we'll default to one on one fights determining the winning team by the most individual wins. Does that make sense?" the demoness, Koto, explained to us, my attention now all on her.
"Uhh-Not exactly miss. Our team leader is still asleep." Kuwabara hissed out between clenched teeth as he glared at Yusuke. Yes, that would be a problem.
"Well then Kuwabara, you would have to be the one to do it." Kurama piped up, the statement making me wince.
"Really?" he responded with the goofiest smirk on his face turning sharply as Yusuke mumbled.
"I don't want to go to school today mom, just let Kuwabara be the leader in this stupid tournament. Has anyone seen my green jacket?" The sleeping boy drawled out. This was the final push the boy needed.
"If that's not a transfer of power, I don't know what is. Of course, I really don't like the fact I was second choice but oh well. Let's do this tournament terms thing." The boy grimaced as he walked forward.
"Poor fool." A rather unimpressed Hiei muttered. Chewing my lip nervously, I looked at the back of the boy's head. It doesn't feel like he understands what's on the table. His stare down with Zeru further proved he was acting a part. The tough guy code.
"I don't care how we play this fight, it's not like it's going to make any difference in the end. Just as long as I have time to enjoy my victory." Zeru told Kuwabara, facial expression remaining bored.
"Let's do man to man. That's how real men fight after all." Kazuma replied voice hoarse. I rolled my eyes. Did he not see he was speaking to a demon, not a man?
"Alright! Sounds like an agreement. We are looking at one on one!" Koto declared raising her arm in the air.
"See you there." Kazuma added turning around, face still stoic. Noticing Zeru turn slightly to look over at the retreating boy, I felt my energy leap to the defensive. Was he going to attack Kazuma? No- he was glaring holes in the back of Yusuke's head. A low rumble started in my chest as I watched for his next move. His eyes began to glow, like a burning ember, his youkai gathering around him. The rumble in my chest deepened as I bared my teeth my own began to build beneath my flesh. His energy swirled around him like a wildfire before igniting instantly, drawing Kazuma's attention. My own responded in like, permeating the air around us, slowly sucking up his. Consuming the energy and empowering itself, as I felt the familiar burn of my fangs along my gums.
"His spirit energy just shot through the roof. Gee, I hope he's not mad because of what I said." Kazuma slowly turned noticing the demon's hostility finally.
"I suggest you get closer to us Kazuma." I managed out through the growl that was building the boy nodding as he did just that.
"Hiei, we had better be careful with this one." Kurama warned, stepping closer to me as he did. The heat from Zeru had kicked up a wind, my hair whipping around my face, irritating me as it did.
"Hey, Urameshi, you've got to wake up! Come on!" Kuwabara shook the sleeping Yusuke as Zeru released a torrent of his power. My energy shields lit off immediately encircling us as it feasted on the energy. The slight pull on his spirit energy increased and Zeru's eyes widened, before he forced his energy to shoot towards the crowd. The wail of the victims of his redirected attack did nothing to draw my attention from him. His eyes bounced from Yusuke to me then back, unsure of where the energy had come from. He schooled his features as Kuwabara pulled Yusuke up further by the front of his jacket. Now he was scared. "Come on Urameshi! We've got problems here." As Yusuke didn't so much as stir, Kazuma sucked his teeth. "It's no use." He hissed out finally.
"Well people the flames are out. I noticed everyone is pretty quiet after that little outburst- b-but remember that's half the fun." Koto announced, trying to jump start the crowd's cheering again. The smell of charred flesh imbued the air, the morbid stench making my nose tingle. A waste of a meal. "Now send out your fighters, teams." She raised her arm again, the crowd slowly picking up momentum again. I watched as the little boy lifted his leg dramatically, letting his captain know he'd take on the first match. He walked forward, hands behind his head as he basked in the applause from the crowd.
"I'll take him." I said starting to walk forward only for Kazuma to step in front of me earning a growl from me. He stiffened but held his ground.
"No, that little brat is definitely mine. You are just the spare fighter Aiko. Only in emergencies. I don't want to see you get hurt." He added making me bristle.
"Gee thanks Kazuma. How will I ever repay you…" was my reply as I stared holes in the back of his head, cheeks hot. How dare he?
"It's no big deal." He answered scratching the back of his head missing my sarcasm. I could break his legs at this very moment.
"You can take him out Kuwabara! I have to go hike-" Yusuke yelled out suddenly, the words bringing me back down. If he believed Kazuma could do this, then I wasn't going to argue. Much. The demons in the bleachers screamed and snarled for the boy to end Kazuma's life in all colorful ways. Hell. I was right there with them at this moment. All this training, and putting me on the back burner? Did he not learn from when I put him on his ass at my most minimal level of strength?
"He means well, Aiko." Kurama spoke as we retreated to the grass. I looked at the fox, ignoring the fluttering of my gut as I did. I had ignored him a bit since coming back. The reasons were stupid, probably ridiculous. However, how do you live with the fact you had developed a crush on your boyfriend's best friend. How goddamn cliché. Me living a soap opera lifestyle.
"Do not defend his stupidity, Kurama." I grumble pinching the bridge of my nose. He chuckled at that and held a finger to his chin.
"I would never dream of it; I however don't want you to strangle the poor boy for it." He defended, those green eyes gleaming with laughter.
"Me? Strangling Kazuma? Never. Castration? Oh absolutely." I answered examining the end of my hair, pretending I hadn't said anything along the lines of taking Kazuma's family jewels. His grin vanished as he stared at me mortified making me laugh this time.
"Teasing." I assured him, gently punching his arm. He let out a sigh of relief before looking at me. Not a simple look as in paying attention either. The Kurama examination stare. The stare of, he has noticed something and is taking notes. It used to upset me, now, I was preening under it. I was such a terrible cliché, I cringed internally.
I'm a sore loser. Spending years getting beaten at chess by Kurama and Takeshi have done nothing to ease that side of me. Came second on a test, lost a race, didn't finish an all you can eat challenge? I felt like my world was ending. Now, losing because your teammate was an idiot? I bared my teeth at the chanting crowd eyes narrowing as they applauded Kuwabara's loss. I was a sore loser. My power lashed out at the first row of spectators who held up the 'Kill Yusuke' signs, their bodies seizing as my current fried them from the inside out. A hush settled amongst the viewers who watched their comrades fall to the ground, husks of electrified meat. A hand gripped my wrist harshly, earning a scowl from me. Cool brown eyes met mine, my energy sinking deep into the recesses of body. Practically bowing under this familiar gaze of this masked fighter. Maybe I took it too far. Just a bit.
"It looks like someone from Team Urameshi has brought the action to the crowd, the first row of spectators dropping like flies! On a good note, there are more seats readily available for all you blood thirsty fans!" a voice rang out. Man, Koto was damn good at this job never missing a beat.
"Whoops?" I shrugged, choosing to ignore the looks from my teammates. They continued to stare. "Should I be celebrating our first loss?" I asked now exasperated, their attention now on Kazuma.
"Sorry guys." Kazuma began only for me to hold my finger up to shut him up.
"You lost. Sorry, isn't going to fix this. Get serious or you take my spot on the back burner." I began. He stopped mid-pull on the strings and had the audacity to blush and smile sheepishly. "Did you forget that we are fighting for our lives and more importantly for those we care about." I snarled out feeling my teeth lengthen as my power returned with a vengeance. The hand on my wrist tightened its hold and like a well-trained pet, my power retreats again. Curiously, I eyed our masked teammate. Only Genkai could pull the reins of my energy like that, but she wouldn't waste her time for us. So, who was he? Gently pulling my hand away from him, my attention returned to Kuwabara who winced and looked down pulling at the strings constricting him. My comment was harsh, I was aware of that, I didn't care though. We lose we die. This wasn't a game, there were no restarts. On top of that I was merely a substitute, only added if one of the boys died or failed to show. I could only watch as he failed to protect us.
"We have four more fights left Aiko. No need to worry just yet." Kurama attempted to smooth over the situation his hand gently squeezing my shoulder as he spoke. The heat from his hand melted through the thin shirt I wore stopping my train of thought and quickening my pulse. A simple touch, yet it made my skin pebble up and my heart skip a beat. With a sigh, I calmed myself not from wanting to pummel poor Kuwabara but from the touch that made my blood quicken. His hand squeezed again briefly, a quiet prompt to confirm I wasn't going to strangle the boy. I rested my hand on his, squeezing it as I did, ignoring the flutter in my gut. The lightning I had unintentionally brought about flashed again through the opening of the arena's ceiling, my energy greedily lapping it up.
"Will these other teammates be an issue, Pretty Boy?" I asked him, crossing my arms as I gave a once over of the remaining enemy team. My electricity shot out towards them, gauging their threat levels making some of them squirm. The two taller ones on the outer edges were cannon fodder, probably filling some slots. Now, Zeru, the one who was glaring at me, that one was going to be an issue. Behind them to the farthest wall sat Rinku, his hands hovering over a wound to his gut. I grit my teeth. The kid was cold yesterday, all macho then. Now he looked terrified and exhausted, looks like Kuwabara gave him a run for his money at the end of it. I'd have to apologize to him later. With a huff, I felt my energy constrict around the child demon, causing him to yelp from the initial bite. It seeped into his wound and began sealing the flesh bit by bit, expending the excess I was building. Giving my energy somewhere to go. A calming thought to know my power could take as well as give. For now, it eased my need to do something. Satisfied with the amount he had healed I pulled back meeting his turquoise eyes as he patted the wound. His eyes widened, as he gulped visibly as I gave him a curt nod. He responded back with his own before looking away. Seeing an injured child, no matter how evil they appeared didn't sit well with me. I care too much, bite me.
"We are hoping they won't be an issue..." Kurama responded to my question finally, trailing off his gaze on the boy as well. "Healing. Something you learned at Genkai's I take it?" he asked after a moment his curiosity getting the better of him.
"One of the things I learned. Are we gonna ask the girls why they are here? Or…" I changed the subject as I watched someone jump into the ring. I turned back to see a doe eyed Keiko in the crowd of demons, Takeshi radiating a shadowy aura, the other demons steering clear of him.
"I am sure Takeshi will explain during a less pressing time." He eyed the new opponent, dropping the conversation.
"Oooo the next competitor has already stepped up." Koto called out.
"Please, I'll handle this one." Kurama said walking forward to the ring, his hand brushing mine as he did. Did he do that on purpose or was I overthinking now? I took the time to finally look at his choice of attire. He wore a white Chinese fighter's garb with gold trim, a pale dark purple sash tied at the waist. Elegant and poised as usual. I let my eyes roam his figure as he made his way to the center, still taken at how his muscles moved as if there was a panther beneath his flesh. No doubt he was studying the demon as he stalked into the ring, already running mock battles in his head. Looking away briefly to observe his opponent, I scoffed. The demon was a sickly greyish blue demon with navy blue spiked hair, split along the middle reminding me of a certain 3 eyed teammate's demon form. He wore a dark green trench coat that revealed a malnourished looking chest. Weak. His beady eyes flashed to me, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he gave me his attention. Gross. I narrowed my eyes at him with a quick baring of my teeth. His grin grew wider and he ran his tongue against his lips. Bristling I gave him a look, doing my best to portray just what he was to me. Not a threat, just a poor meal. His smile disappeared replaced by a grimace as he focused back on Kurama, his eyes narrowing as he looked between us, the smile returning to his face.
The two fighters met in the center even as the crowd yelled for Kurama's death. They chanted often off beat from one another, but the message was clear. They wanted our heads on a pike. I shifted uncomfortably on my legs, feeling an equal mix of anxious and protective for him. I was not keen of this much aggression towards him even knowing that these demons were nothing more than barking dogs. That demon in the center though, Roto, he continued to grin at Kurama, as if he wasn't aware, they were nowhere close in power. It made me bristle; something was off. He should not be this confident. My gut churned and I narrowed my eyes, if anything happened to that fox, that demon was not leaving that ring alive or in one piece.
"Kurama." Hiei called to the fox who turned his head to the Koorime. "Considering the stakes, we can't afford to take any chances. Don't leave the ring with him still alive." Hiei motioned his head towards me. Kurama's eyes met mine, the look hardening as we held each other's gaze. I let my wall drop, conveying that I wanted Roto dead, flooding our link with unbridled aggression. He nodded at me; his face already set into that cool calculating look he got before a battle. Our walls both dropped once more, the demand answered.
"Naturally." Was all Kurama said as he looked at his opponent again, his voice void of emotion. Still, my skin crawled as I eyed Roto. He was up to something.
"I don't know if you want to fight him. Be careful, Kurama." Yusuke spoke making the hairs on my neck stand up as I eyed his opponent. There was nothing that screamed threat; however, Yusuke was sensing something. Something Kurama and I hadn't seen. I didn't like it.
Kurama P.O.V:
The heat in his eyes when he looked at Aiko made my blood run cold. I didn't need Hiei's reminder when I eyed the vicious look Aiko was sporting. Her link to me verified the demand I thought I saw in her eyes. His death, and I would be a terrible friend if I denied such a simple request. Roto. He wasn't anything to raise a brow at, yet he looked as if he had this match in the bag. I made note of that as the referee signaled the match had begun.
"I know you've been spending years in the human world." He started his voice almost drowned out by the roaring crowd. That was his strategy then, to get under my skin. A pathetic ploy from a pathetic foe. "We all do what we must. I only hope you didn't say, get attached to one or two of them. I don't blame you for that one especially. Such a wild look to her eyes must be a quite the wild cat in the bedroom, no?" My face didn't change but a cold rage began to grow. I was going to make his death painless, now I was going make sure he suffered. Oblivious to the danger he was in, nevertheless, the fool continued. "You wouldn't…for example, be mournful of their death." He hissed out as a scythe like blade grew from his hand, his posture changing to an aggressive stance. That made me curious, he wasn't threatening Aiko now was he. There was no way for him to make it past me to her regardless.
"What is your point?" I asked, indulging his stupidity, much too curious on how this would play out. He let out a yell as he charged me, brandishing his blade and swinging wildly. Erratically. No tact and no skill. Nimbly I dodged out of the way, dancing away from each blow. A game of cat and mouse before I ended his pitiful life. Each time he swung and missed he became more frenzied, realizing he did not stand a chance against me. I continued the dance, before deciding to end this poor excuse of a match.
"Your skills weren't enough for this tournament. Say your last words." I jeered as I shifted behind him, raising my hand for the blow that would sever his vertebrae. I had changed my mind and decided for a quick death, him realizing this was pointless was suffering enough.
"I have your human mother Kurama, or should I say Shuichi." Roto hissed out before my hand connected. My body locked up, hearing my human name catching me off guard. A mistake. He swung back sharply with the blade, nicking my cheek. Scowling, I leapt away, landing on the opposite side of the ring, the familiar trickle of blood on my face a brief reminder of my failure to control the situation. The stinging pain was nothing compared to the fury that continued to cultivate within me. It would seem he was going to suffer in the end, and I had the perfect plant for it.
"Allow me to introduce my little button. When I press it, a signal will be sent to my demon brother who has been tracking your mother for some time you see. And he's been very anxious to bite her head off." He cackled at me brandishing a black switch, his thumb above the red button on the top. My face was no longer behind a mask, my teeth bared as I glared at the filth before me. If that was the game, he wanted to play, I'd make him pay for it in his blood. To bring my mother into this, to try and manipulate the match in his favor? Schooling my features and standing up straight, I only glowered at him, a plot already forming in my head. That button in his hand, all I had to do was immobilize his body. An idiot to show me what all his cards were. To use only this switch to try and control this match. I'd play his game.
"So, you understand." He hissed as he retracted his blade and charged at me. Blow after blow connected as he swung at me with wild abandon. His onslaught was vicious, his blows lacked finesse or strength to injure. Just a weak demon trying to establish dominance. I feigned a stumble as I picked up a pebble from the ground fisting it in my hand with a seed that would end this match and his miserable life. "No fighting back." Roto wheezed out, out of breath from his ministrations, eyes unfocused, savoring his false victory. Perfect. I lobbed a pebble I had picked up at his face, firing a seed into the flesh of his chest right next to his beating rancid heart. His adrenaline would be too high to notice the seed versus the pebble, sadly for him but perfect for me. Now I had to bide time for it to grow.
"Oh honestly, do you think throwing a pebble at my face is the best thing to do in this situation." He asked, unaware of the creeping death sitting so close to his heart. Again, I stood up, remaining silent even as I felt the blood from my wound trickle down my face, his attack having caused it to tear more. This pain was nothing compared to the agony I was to unleash on him. "You've been warned! With a push of this button your mother will meet her death in a very unsightly manner. Now fold your arms behind your back and let me hit you as I please." He ordered me. I did just that, appeasing him as the seed drank down my youkai. This worm honestly thought this ploy was his key to winning this tournament. Comical.
Aiko's audible gasp tugged at my heart and I had to fight to not look at her. Instead I let my wall fall, knocking on hers. Thankfully she let hers drop, her concern meeting my comforting reassurance. She quickly restrained it, the torrent changing into a trickle. She had learned a great deal of control under Genkai, Shino may have been quite correct with using the human psychic. Yet, I'd have to speak to her about schooling her emotions in battle, it was a weakness that could be exploited. Her concern faltered and she breathed a sigh of relief through our link receding quickly as I turned my attention back onto Roto.
"Oh yes. That's much better. I love the posture of forced submission. Why try hard to be one of the best if you can hold on to one of these." Roto rejoiced as he waved the switch. "You should see the look on your little pet's face. She looks so upset, it oh so precious. Pity she's spread her legs for scum like you. Has the whole team had her, yet? Is she as good as she looks? What's wrong little whore, your traitor lover is about to die?" He taunted her. Again, my insides roiled, hearing him speak to her, insult her. The reminder that she could rip his heart out with her bare hands steadied me.
"Mysterious, Kurama has become totally obedient to his opponent." Koto announced stirring up the crowd who called for my death louder than before. The chanting was of no concern of mine, no, I was watching a fatigued Roto walk towards me, sweat drenching his skin, the smell as horrid as he was. There was a gleam of triumph in his eyes, but that was faltering due to my expression. One that showed I was always in control. The death plant was done taking root, riding along his blood ways, slowing down his blood flow and roots spreading into his muscles.
"You want to try; I can see it in your pretty eyes. I know what you are thinking, what if I can quickly cut off that left arm of his-"he boasted holding the switch in front of me. "But what if his severed finger still presses the button." He continues, so full of himself. It was both deplorable and laughable, watching him think he had this match. He hadn't noticed his exhaustion or the sprout growing from his chest, too full of himself to notice his bodies warning signs.
"Kurama remains absolutely motionless. What is the cause? Could it be he lost his willingness to fight?" Koto asked, the crowd growing more vicious by the minute.
"Why don't you answer her." Roto sneered as he kicked me in the gut, the impact doubling me over briefly, though I never ceased staring him down.
"Tell the crowd the truth. Tell them you refuse to fight for the sake of a human tramp." Roto sniggered as he proceeded to strike at me. Aiko's low growl created a focus point for me, if I showed no pain, she'd calm. If I remained stoic, she'd catch on that he was in danger.
"It's brutal, it's violent, it's WONDERFUL! Roto is punching him like a sack of meat and there is no retaliation!" Koto yelled eagerly into the mic, as the sound of flesh meeting flesh met my ears. Roto's blows were becoming weaker, sweat gleaming on his brow as the roots burrowed deeper into muscle, now possibly causing aches.
"Damn you." He puffed out stepping back as I glowered at him. I felt the blood begin to dry on my cheek, smeared messily against my face by his attacks. My lip ached where my tooth had sunk into it during his onslaught. His blade appeared again as he probably was too exhausted to keep swinging. The tip of it sunk into my injured cheek as he sneered at me. "I hate that look. Despite all I've done you still have that look like you're superior to me." He menaced applying pressure to the blade. He dragged it across the wound, the flesh coming apart easily as he did. I never reacted to the sharp pain, it was not the worst I had ever felt. "Stop…That…Look!" He ordered, the blade cutting deeper as he jerked my face to the side with it, sending my blood spilling into the air.
"It doesn't matter anyway, because I'm the one that has the power now." Roto dismissed the look as he raised his leg, resting his arm on it as he did. "I would like you to lick the scum off my boot. I just can't seem to keep it clean. Annnd, after you've wiped the whole thing clean, I will decapitate you and spare your nasty mother's life. And since you care about her so much Shuichi's it's really, your only choice." He ended proudly. The show was over though, he was already a dead man walking.
"I will not." I answered him, his face twisting in confusion.
"What?" he asked, face growing pale as I dusted myself off, checking to see ho.
"Go ahead. Press it now if you wish." I spoke coolly, eyeing him as sweat ran down his face.
"In the end your true character emerges. You're nothing special, nothing high-class just a selfish demon like all the rest of us here." Roto shouted pointing a warped finger at me. "Look at me like I'm dirt, but in the end that's a lie. You think of only yourself." He cackled realizing his fatal error. He was a one trick pony.
"PUSH IT!" I ordered growing tired of his stalling.
"I will!" he replied laughing maniacally. His laugh cut off as he locked up, thumb midway to the button, the pant in his system constricting sharply. I wasn't oblivious to the spark that lit in his hand though.
"I can't move." He stammered; eyes wide. Walking to him, I snatched the switch from his outstretched hand eyeing the contraption. Sparks of electricity pulsed through it, long have rendering it useless. So, I did have a fail-safe.
"Fighting on the strength of one threat is a very risky gamble. What if I truly didn't care or what if I could just make you- immobile." I explained holding the switch out towards him, a smile on my face. I watched as the color drained from his.
"It's hard to tell what's happening right now, but it's clear Kurama has control." Koto broadcasted. Unknown to the feline demoness, I never lost control during this battle.
"I've sown the seed of the Death Plant in your body and it has had plenty of time to take root." I explain one arm crossed and the other to my chin as I assessed the damage to my face and ribs. "I feed it with my energy, I have but to will it and it will instantly bloom. I'm afraid there won't be anything left of your evil life after that." With that I turned from him to see a grinning Aiko. I gave her a knowing smirk and watched her eyes glow as her power continued to spark along the switch. I hid my look of shock; she must have heard at some point and attacked the switch. My mother was truly never in danger.
"Wait Kurama, you don't have to do this, I never would have pushed the button. I swear it. I'm just a low class, I don't know any better. Come on you believe in mercy, don't you?" He pleaded with me. As suspected, he'd turn into a whimpering mess when he realized his death was imminent. Sadly, for him, he had threatened the human mother I had become attached to and called Aiko my whore. There was no mercy here for him.
"No." I answered him stoically as I cast him a sideways glance feeling the nesting plant in his body coil to life at the feel of my Youki. He gargled and cried out briefly as the plant burst from him in a spray of blood. Beautiful buds bloomed as blood coated them like a macabre painting.
"What irony. Such beauty sprung from such an ugly soil." I spoke aloud stuffing my hands in my pockets. As my feet hit the grass Aiko met me and eyed me, her eyes staying at the wound on my face.
"What a fool, so intent on proving himself he didn't notice your moves. Don't worry about his demon friend they vanished the moment Roto died." Hiei jeered as she pressed a finger against the wound.
"Then you knew. And you Aiko… the switch?" I asked as I felt her energy prickle against my cheek, the skin itching as it began to pull together.
"I thought he hypnotized you at first. But when you opened our link, I figured it was something else. Then I saw that switch he was waving around, and when he got close enough... when he made you put your hands behind your back. I heard. I melted the transmitter portion about 30 seconds before you were going to polish his boots." She explained as her power continued to work its way along my cheek. Her eyes never met mine. She was so focused on my injuries, her iris glowing eerily. I felt the spark as it healed the bruising Roto had caused, travelling in search of more injuries, though I knew none were life threatening.
Gently, I lowered her hand from my face stopping her. "Thank you." I thanked her for more than the healing. She nibbled her lip, my eye immediately tracking the movement much to my dismay. I was beyond infatuated with her.
"You had me a little worried there. If he kept cutting your face up, I'd have to choose a whole new nickname." She teased, though her posture sagged slightly, her fingers tracing the almost healed face wound.
"Of course. I understand, picking a new nickname for me would be difficult. I've been Pretty Boy for eight years." I teased back earning a bark of laughter from her.
"I'm glad you're okay, Shuichi." She ended through laughter, my name falling from her lips breathlessly making my gut twist in a different way. Kami help me.
"What a relief…" Yusuke murmured out from his spot against the wall, still very much asleep snaring Aiko's attention and saving me from making a fool of myself. She knelt in front of the boy, tilting his face with a finger on his chin.
"Yes." I answered the boy, smirking at his awareness even if he was asleep.
"Good eye, you brute." She told him, though her voice held a hint of laughter. She ruffled his hair, pulling her hand back from his face. I quirked a brow as she grabbed his legs and pulled him, so he was lying down. "You'll mess up your posture sleeping like that dummy. Like that one-time in that cave. I'm not going to spend another day listening to you whine." She told him pleasantly.
"Okay enough with the secret glancing stuff, what just happened?" Kuwabara asked hands on hips as he tried to gather information. Aiko got to her feet and crossed her arms as she narrowed her eyes on him.
"Yes, do tell." Botan joined in eagerly also earning a glare. Ever the curious types.
"It's passed." Hiei answered turning away.
"Agreed." I offered turning my attention towards our next opponents. That Zeru, he was going to be a problem, casting a glance at our remaining members I frowned. One I desperately hoped we could handle.