Kurama's POV:

Remember…

As I created distance from my opponent I tried to flesh out his next move based on how his muscles tensed and flexed. As expected he shifted most of his weight on his right leg, allowing me even more time to take a step further away, whip hitting him before his left leg barely had time to lift an inch from the ground.

All my battles have been fought with a certain tactic in mind, knowing very well I had to perform, try not to take too many hits. I knew she would be watching the fights, wide eyes casting worried glances at those around her, yet still be too absorbed in the action display on the screen.

Hana, watching, ready to heal her loved ones at a moment's notice, despite draining herself during the scanning process. I could not afford to cause her anymore grief. Enough is enough.

Grief…

A bitter smile stole my concentration for a moment, allowing my opponent to get a bit too close for comfort. Not hit me, yet too close. How could I even believe grief was the thing I had been causing her? When I…

Remember what…

No, this was much more, she was in Demon World because of me, not because of us, but because of what I represented to her and her to me. Because she dared to develop feelings for me, love me. At times I had hoped and wished for her to hate me. Perhaps whose ideas are not so farfetched.

Perhaps that involuntary feeling, that first encounter between her and the real Kurama, that instinctual fear that engulfed her when she came face to face with me in the high school green house was the exact feeling she needed to stick with. Trust her gut feeling as many creatures do.

If she only knew, if she ever even got an idea of what I had planned.

Remember what we…

Light…the light.

Even before that name had been bestowed onto her, my mind forged a dangerous plan. She was after all the only one who could possibly get close. And that's how I knew and realized she needed to be the one taken away.

I hated myself for it, still do.

Deflecting the attack hurling my way, my body reacted more on muscle memory alone. I was tired yet still preserving strength. I did not come here to win. I came here to weaken the competition. As I took a hit, Hana's bright hazel eyes flashed in my mind. Like sweet unfiltered honey, such were her eyes, not golden, most certainly not, darker, just a smidge, as if shadows danced in them alongside the light.

My Hana.

My heart.

Remember what we are…

You did not listen to me when I uttered words of wisdom, advising you to stay away, not approach this world, us demons. "You are human, you smell human."Yet warm and inviting as a perfect spring day. You played games and challenged me, urged me to push myself into your arms. Me.

How can I stand now before you? How can I look you in the eyes and tell you it was me? Small, subtle hints, pushing you, advising you to pull through but also tread carefully? Planting subconscious ideas, making you feel loved and secure while also leaning into your powers.

As I took the final blow, my body released a heavy groan, not necessarily because of the pain, but because my heart was breaking inside my own chest. Blinking rapidly, the air in the atmosphere shifted, lighting striking before me, as I laid on the ground.

I gasped as rain hit my face, blood stained hand lifting as if it was for the very first time I was experiencing it. Truth be told, I could not remember the last time I have seen rain in Demon World. It was different than the storms in Human World. The air felt thicker, as if the atmosphere was afraid and tried to stick to your skin, invade you entirely in an attempt to hide. The water landed, feeling heavier, sting evident once it impacted the skin. Heavy, unearthly.

"Why is it raining?" once more my mind drifted back to her, always and forever her. I despised when she did not trust my intentions, I wanted to truly be a better man for her. To still be at the temple running around spraying beers on our clothes, laughing, playing games.

Laughable, how could I even think of suck things? When I….

I was coddling her in a sense, Hiei was right, evidently he had eyes on the outside, even if he did and still cares for her. He had not believed my words when I related to him that I was indeed preparing her, training her differently. Planting in her mind the idea that she can do this, withstand.

All for the sakes of finding out where that things is hiding.

Remember what we are fighting…

"And Kurama is out." Koto's voice rang in my ear after the count, snapping me back to the crude reality I was stuck in. I had lost the fight.

Shifting my feet through the now muddy terrain, my eyes searched the crowd as I made my way to a bench, eyes focusing on the fight Hiei was having. The rain was relentless, thunder roaring in my ears, thoughts jumbling in my head. We have at least reached the semifinals, Hiei holding his own with all his might. Shifting my eyes to the other screen, Yusuke was already going in the finals. In a sense, I was sad I missed it, I am certain it must have been an impressive fight.

A hand on my shoulder made me turn, Kido locking me in with a wide alert stare. He did not even have to utter her name, it did not register, I did not see his lips moving, I just knew. Hana had been taken.

Nodding once, I turned my eyes back to the fights, urging him to take a seat near me "No." stepping in front of me, I kept a trained eye on him "Didn't you hear what I said? Hana was taken!" letting out a heavy sigh, I turned my gaze upward, rain now slowly beginning to dissipate.

Just how strong was the one that came to take her? Is that thing the reason behind the shift in the atmosphere? Or was it just another soul being controlled and the weather shift is merely a coincidence not even worth mentioning?

Kido's arms coiled in my robes, his face inches from mine, wide stare betraying the anger and agitation within him. His pulse picked up, flesh trembling as he maintained the same posture, actively trying to prove a point. Gently my hand wrapped around his wrist "I heard you. Loud and clear."

"No you didn't, how can you be so calm? It's Hana! Hana!" as if I did not know? Why was he insisting in mocking me to such a degree?

Remember what we are fighting for…

My grip tightened, jaw tensing a fraction before speaking "Release me Kido, I will not say it again. I am not asking, but telling. Most definitely not in the mood to deal with your childish display however I can assure you I know exactly what needs to be done." Trembling digits released me, frightened pale face taking me in "Now sit."

He did comply to my order, body slipping next to me, however several eyes stares directed our way. Despite years passing, I was still in the eyes of many demons Yoko Kurama. He would have not allowed for a human to even step in front of him, much less grab him by his clothes, those fugitive stares told me that much, how disgusted they were with the display. With me allowing a feeble human to sit near me as my equal and not as my feet in a pool of his own blood.

"I called Spirit World, spoke with Botan." He trailed off, however I kept my eyes trained on the battles before me "They can't track her, lost her somewhere along the way." However I knew their gadgets were useless, less than even that.

I needed Hiei to finish his fight, see how far he was able to track her, if he could "Do not threat, Darkness will not kill her. He made an effort to capture her, trust me there is a message that needs delivered."

Kido sighed, shoulders rigid, hand trying to break against the other with how hard he rubbed them together "I want to believe that, but it doesn't mean she won't suffer or worse."

"Careful." One side glance was enough to silence him completely. I knew very well what was coursing through his mind. Images of Hana being sent back in pieces, tortured, dismembered, broken, destroyed. Yes, I took in account all of them, relieved them inside my head endlessly. Threating now when the deed is done cannot help.

"Look" he insisted "I know you and Hiei were also keeping your eyes on her one way or another, but what if none of that work? What if she is actually all alone right now?"

I did not look at him another time, I did not answer.

I only kept thinking, trying to find a flaw in my plan.

The first attack, they referred to her as the light because of how much time she spent in Demon World working on saving Yomi's soul. The first attack was uncoordinated, a manic display.

Second attack, Darkness sent his regards, Hana got infected and almost died in the process. That was when I thought she was indeed a target, however it did not add up with Mukuro's infection that saw her, more than likely knew she was human.

By then the plan was already set in motion, the other niche I clung to being that if that thing wanted more dead, we would not have stood a chance.

Third attack was upon Spirit World and that cemented it. Hana was not the target, Spirit World was, Human World being just caught in the middle. The message sent by Darkness directly was the last one, first ones were either men out of control or a distraction.

Regardless, based on that premises alone I knew that they would surely take Hana and not harm her. She was the opposite, she was and is the Light, she needs to deliver his message and do it properly.

A strong hand gripping my shoulder brought me back to reality "You ok there buddy?" Yusuke's eyes pierced mine, brows raised, however his orbs were harsh, transfixed on my face.

"Naturally." His grip grew tighter.

"Then maybe you want to call back your plants eh?" every seed I had on me encompassed the area surrounding me, Kido having scurried off somewhere else. With a curt nod, everything slowly began to retreat "Now where were you?"

Remember what you are fighting for…remember who….

"Hana has been taken. She did not even make it to see the first fights." He kept the same fixed gaze on me, taking a seat. He did not gesture anything else, instead asking if I felt anything "No, however the seeds planted on her are different. They also leave an energy trail that I can track."

Cracking his knuckles, he spit to the side "Mmmm." Was all he provided as Hiei also joined us. Judging by our faces alone he knew very well what was happening.

"I felt the connection break, just beyond the third layer." His eyes focused on Yusuke who now popped his neck with a sickening sound while he provided the same dry response as before. He was blaming us, but also bit his tongue since he could not contribute with anything "I won, I got another round, but I can forfeit..."

"No need, we need to give her time." I felt Yusuke tense near me when my words reached him.

Remember what you are fighting for…remember who you are….

But I pressed forward, insisted through gritted teeth "You have not once not trusted my judgement, do not start now. She is alive." It was a necessary risk giving her up, however I felt that if those words left my tongue, it would trigger Yusuke and that was not something I wish to face.

"I know, just worried." Hiei glanced between us, opting to in the end focus on the ongoing fights as well. Lifting my body from the bench, I nodded my head, Hiei understanding to come after me the moment he was done with the tournament.

On my way out I was met with only one obstacle, Yomi casually leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. His head turned my way, silent steps leading him to me. One hand was placed on my shoulder as he reached me "Welcome back Yoko. Hope you can bring her back."

"She is not yours to worry about Yomi." He chuckled, low, but audible.

Remember what you are fighting for…remember who you are fighting for…

"No, but I would like to see her again. She's different." Indeed she is.

Hana, I will track you down.

Stay strong.

I'm coming.