Chapter 17: The Dark Tournament
Third POV
The week went by swiftly and it was now the night before the dark tournament. Groups of demons surrounded a bonfire as they wait for the ship that will bring them to the island. Hayami, Hiei, Kurama, and Kuwabara are all present and just waiting patiently for Yusuke to show up until Kuwabara complained about how late he is.
"Urameshi still hasn't shown up. What could that dummy be doing now?" Kuwabara asked in annoyance.
"Hopefully not lost." Kurama said,
"Why don't you worry about yourself, Kuwabara? Have you gotten any better since our last fight?" Hiei said, holding Hayami's hand in his pocket and glaring at gave all the demons a death glare for looking at his mate pervertedly.
Before Kuwabara could say anything else, Hayami stepped on his foot, and he cries in pain.
"What was that for Hayami?" He asked holding his foot.
"Will you stop complaining?" She said to him, "Yusuke will be here soon. I already told him where to go upon going here."
Right then, the captain of the ship told them to get on board the ship to the island.
"Wait a minute sir! Our team still has some stragglers!" Kuwabara said,
The captain then began to make a small threat if their last teammate didn't show up.
"Now, now that is not necessary." They heard Yusuke's voice as he walked up to his team. "Sorry to keep you waiting guys."
"You nearly gave me a heart attack, Urameshi." Kuwabara said,
"These forest hikes really wiped me out." Yusuke said, leaning his hand on the tree beside him.
"Yeah, you look awful. Oh wait, that's just you." Kuwabara said as Hiei walked closer,
"Yusuke." Hiei said rather loudly, catching the team's attention.
Hiei then charged him, slashing his sword quickly as Yusuke dodged his attempts.
The demons in the background questioned them as to why they are fighting, while Kuwabara complained that he could barely keep up on seeing them
Yusuke was then able to grab the tip of Hiei's sword. "Damn Hiei, is this how you say hello to people now?" He asked sarcastically.
"Hm, I don't know where you've been all this time, but it seemed you've improved your skills a little bit." Hiei complimented him,
"Improved a little bit? Oh man, I say he improved a LOT a bit!" Kuwabara said,
"Don't be discouraged. The fact that you could follow their moves means that you've improved as well." Kurama said,
"So Hayami, ready for the fights tomorrow?" Yusuke asked as he faced their female fighter,
"You bet. I've been itching to just fight any demons at the moment." Hayami smirked, "At least I could get a small warm-up for that."
"For a girl, you're the type to be violent in battle." Kuwabara said,
"I try to be." She said,
"Never mind you Kuwabara. Yusuke and I are all that will require." Hiei said,
They then got on board the ship as they leave for the island. The team stayed on the side of the boat. Hiei was standing on the railings with Hayami sitting on it beside him, Kuwabara and Kurama are leaning against them, and Yusuke was on the ground sleeping.
"Shoot, there's nothing here but ugly monsters." Kuwabara complained, "I thought cruises are supposed to be full of pretty girls."
Hayami rolled her eyes at the mention of this.
"I sure hope the island isn't as boring at this." Hiei said,
"We're not on vacation, you know." Kurama said crossing his arms,
"I know but could've gotten us a place to eat...with pretty waitresses." Kuwabara said mumbling the last part.
The captain of the ship then said that there was only one spot for the team to get to the island, saying that they will need to fight.
"A preliminary for the competition." Hiei said,
"Now that we can't go anywhere." Kurama said,
There was a sudden shake on the boat.
"WHOA EARTHQUAKE!" Kuwabara yelled,
"Fool! There can't be earthquakes on the water." Hiei said,
"Obviously he didn't learn anything in geology class." Hayami said,
"Look!" Kurama said, pointing at the center of the boat as a ring rise above the boat.
"Whoa, that's huge." Kuwabara said,
The captain explained that only one fighter from each team should fight to determine which team gets to the island. Hayami smirked at what she was hearing. Kuwabara was about to volunteer until he cowardly step back after hearing some big demons saying about killing the human team.
"You know these guys are pretty big when you see them up close." Kuwabara said before chuckling and facing Yusuke. "Hey! You're the one who wanted to fight them and as team leader, it is your responsibility." He went closer to see him still asleep and grabbed his shirt. "Hey! I said it's the group leader's responsibility! Why do I feel like I'm talking to myself?!" He started to shake him up.
"Stop it. The training Yusuke went through must be immense." Kurama said, "We must give him time to recuperate."
"Then who's gonna fight those big ugly monsters?" Kuwabara asked as Hayami got off the railing and started walking to the ring.
"Hn, it seems we have a volunteer. Good, after the training we all went through, I'm anxious to see what else she can do." Hiei said, smirking proudly at his girl as she walked up to the ring.
"Are you serious?! She's small and a girl! What happens if she loses, and we get booted from the tournament?" Kuwabara said,
"If that happens, which I doubt it. All we have to do is kill everyone else on this boat. We'll say we're the right team and no one will complain." Hiei said, still staring at his mate.
"You didn't have too many friends growing up, did you and Hayami was your only friend?" Kuwabara said dumbfounded about what Hiei said,
Meanwhile in the Ezume residents...
"Come on now...there's no need to be violent." Botan said as she backed onto the couch.
Ryuji and Ranumi are watching Shizuru, and Keiko as they interrogate Botan to where Yusuke and Kuwabara are. And from the looks of things, Botan easily spilled it all out.
"They're entering what's called a dark tournament." Shizuru said,
"Against creatures from a completely different world." Keiko said,
"Pretty much, Keiko." Ranumi said, getting worried about her sister,
"Okay." Keiko said before suddenly fainting.
They all rushed towards her in alarm.
"Oh dear, Keiko." Botan said as Ryuji caught Keiko before completely falling on the floor.
"I can't believe they could be this reckless." Shizuru said,
"Even if they wanted to avoid this, they have to fight." Ryuji said holding Keiko.
"The ones in charge wouldn't let them refuse." Botan said,
Keiko then grabbed Ryuji's arms. "Mr. Ezume, you have to take me there." She begged, "I need to know if Yusuke is alright."
"Yes. I'm coming to." Shizuru said,
"Me too, father. I just can't sit here and do nothing other than sulk in worry about everyone's condition in that tournament." Ranumi said, begging her father to give in. "And who knows what will happen to Hayami if she gets seriously injured."
Ryuji sighed in defeat, knowing that the girls are only worried for the team and that he was also worried about his daughter's wellbeing as well.
"Botan, tell Koenma we're going to the island." He said,
"Koenma's going to kill me." Botan said,
Back with the team
Hayami stood firm on the ringed platform as all the demons stared at her. Saying that she should be taken out first before taking on each other.
"We gotta do something, they're all ganging up and she's trapped herself in a corner." Kuwabara said as he watched,
"Be patient." Kurama said,
'Be careful, Onna.' Hiei thought as he watched his mate,
All the demons started to charge after Hayami. She smirked as she took a stance, her fist glowing brightly as it formed a water twister around her arm.
"Whirlpool Fist." She said, shooting out a water whirlpool from her arm in front of her, knocking all the demons on the platform and into the ocean as she used her powers to pull them to the bottom.
Hiei smirked at the sight while Kuwabara was still amazed to see her attack.
"She took out everyone with one blow." Kuwabara said,
"I guess that explains why Yusuke can sleep peacefully around the crowd of demons." Kurama said as they saw Hayami walk back to them.
Right then they were surrounded by the demons who lost their strongest men and were willing to kill the human team.
"I think they stole my idea, we'll have to make them pay dearly for that." Hiei said,
"Of course." Kurama said as he, Hayami, and Hiei jumped away, leaving Kuwabara behind as he started to slice every demon within sight.
Hayami used her water rings, killing the demons who tried to kill her with their swords. Throwing them across their midsections, leaving a line of half-bodied corpses on the floor.
Hiei swiftly killed the group of demons who charged at him in a blink of an eye with his blade as they just dropped dead in his wake.
Kurama circled his rose whip around him, slicing every demon who comes near him. "Rose Whip Thorn Wheel!"
Kuwabara then saw a demon about to kill Yusuke and rushed to help him, until unexpectedly the demon was knocked out by Yusuke's spiraling punches.
"COME ON, YOU CAN'T SCARE ME, GRANDMA! I'LL KNOCK YOU BACK TO YOUR GRAVE!" Yusuke said, continuously punching,
"That's a relief, he's finally awake." Kuwabara said,
"No fool. He's sleeping." Hiei said as Kurama and Hayami stood beside him.
"You mean right now."
"QUIT IT YOU, STUPID OLD LADY!" Yusuke said before sitting down and going back to rest.
"Even in his slumber, Yusuke's reliving his training. His preparations should make us all jealous." Kurama said,
"Oh wait, what happened in the fight just now?" Kuwabara asked,
"Everyone's dead." Hayami said bluntly,
Everyone went in front of the boat to see the island as they approached it. Getting off the ship they headed to the hotel they were supposed to stay in.
They entered the lobby and noticed rich humans staring at them. Hiei secretly held Hayami's hand and put it in his pocket. A servant came to them, and he leads them to their hotel room.
Kuwabara was too mesmerized by the decor of the hotel and failed to see Hiei wrapping his arm around Hayami's waist. He still didn't notice the ring on her finger. Ever since the two became mates, Hayami has been wearing the ring constantly and Kurama was the first to notice ever since the training they all had
They all made it to the room that they'll be staying in. There were three bedrooms with two beds in each room provided for them. Kuwabara and Yusuke shared a room, Hayami and Hiei shared as well while Kurama took the remaining room. They all sat in the living room as a servant brought them their evening coffee.
Hayami sat at the edge of the couch with Hiei beside her and Kurama beside him while Kuwabara sat on the other couch with a sleeping Yusuke.
"Careful, those guys must be trying to poison us." Kuwabara said,
"Does that really make sense, Kuwabara? Why would they bring us all the way here just to poison us." Kurama said taking his cup.
"The organizers want to see us fight. They'll save their murder attempt for tomorrow." Hiei said as Hayami gave him his cup as she took a sip of hers.
"And don't worry about the coffee on the table. There's no poison in it." Hayami reassured him.
"You guys keep talking logic all you want. I'm sticking with the trusty old aluminum." Kuwabara said as he grabbed a can of coffee from his bag.
"Why is there only one coffee cup on the table?" Kurama asked,
"That's the one I'm not drinking remember? Duh, we just had this conversation." He said, pointing out the obvious.
"Yes, then there should be two." Kurama said, "One for you and one for Yusuke."
"Wow, do you think Urameshi can drink in his sleep?" Kuwabara asked,
"No." Hayami said, "Because someone else is in this room aside from us."
A loud sip was heard from behind the couch where the three demons are sitting. They all turned to see a boy smiling at them with the missing coffee cup.
"How did you get in here?" Kurama asked as they all stood up,
"He must've been in the room before we got in here." Kuwabara said,
The boy then explained how he got in and told that his name was Rinku. He told them that he was on the Rokuyukai team and that they'll be fighting tomorrow. Another presence made themselves known to the group as everyone looked at the two demons leaning against the wall.
'They seemed to be siblings or something.' Hayami thought as she looked at the two demons who looked alike.
"Hey Zeru, Hera. I was just saying how-di-doo to our new enemies." Rinku said as he approached his teammates.
"Good to know. We just came to see the daughter of the great Lady Wakumi." The female name Hera said, "It would be an honor for me to kill you, but my dear brother has plans."
Hayami narrowed her eyes at Hera as they both gave each other a death glare.
"Enjoy your last night with the living." Zeru said as the two followed him to the door. "Let's just say that tomorrow would strongly resemble your coffee cup."
"What?!" Kuwabara said as the team turned to see the cup sliced in half and the coffee spilled.
"And as for the girl..." Zero stared at Hayami, looking at her from head to toe. "...I'll enjoy having you as my prize after the tournament."
He then left with his team, leaving everyone in silence at the occurrence. Hayami picked up half of the sliced cup and examined the cut. Hiei went near her to examine it as well and they both instantly knew what type of demon he is.
"They really wanted to kill you, huh Hayami." Kuwabara said, "Your mom must be famous or something since you're her daughter."
"She is. Her name could give fear into the hearts and eyes of demons on whoever witnessed her power." Hayami said sitting back on the couch. "But of course, having me made almost every demon want to kill me just to have fame."
"In demon world, Hayami is always targeted and was the closes connection to Lady Wakumi. For that everyone thinks she's weak because of her origins." Kurama said also sitting back down, along with the others.
"Of course, the foolish demons underestimated her power and didn't think that she would be strong enough to face them." Hiei said, "Her mother trained her since she was a child."
"Mother and I only think of it as a means of survival for whenever I explore some areas of demon world when I'm on my own." Hayami said, "Over time, my skills and power just develop gradually through training when I reached the age of forty."
"Forty?" Kuwabara asked, "WAIT A MINUTE, HOW OLD ARE YOU?!"
"Ninety years old, turned ninety-one a few months ago. I only look eighteen but I'm actually older than a normal human." Hayami said, "Kurama is about 2,000 years older than me and Ranumi, while Hiei is older than me by ten years."
Kuwabara paled at the age difference between his demon friends as he stared at them.
"Anyways, we should all head to bed." Kurama said, "Our first fight is tomorrow."
They all stood up and went to their respective rooms, while Kuwabara carried Yusuke to his bed. The first match is then to come.