Disclaimer: Lost the fight for YYH's ownership… ~_~; (we can dream right? ü)

Message: Last chappie! (But there's still an epilogue ~_~;) Sorry, this was a hurried chapter. Too excited...

Part 9

"Kurama!"

The redhead winced, his body, shaking with disgust. He continued his walking, rapidly this time. The call rang out again, "KURAMA! FOX!"

The black figure stopped in front of him, and finally, he stopped, and faced the person who had called him. Hiei froze when he saw the expression on Kurama's face. It was a mixture of fear and hate. "What do you want?" The voice was cold, perfectly emotionless, but the flicker in his eyes gave him away.

Hiei snorted, "Hn. You're stupid! What are you thinking betting your freedom? Do you have that much pride in yourself?"

"There's nothing much in myself to begin with, am I right, Hiei? Move out of my way."

Not waiting for the shocked Koorime to move, the half-youko pushed his way through. Hiei snorted to cover his embarrassment, and watched the retreating back. Suddenly, he turned around, sword drawn. Li laughed, "Feisty little one..."

"Yes. And that redhead too, ne, Koorime?" Shiji purposely tried to provoke Hiei.

Hiei bared his fangs, "Don't you dare-"

Li smirked and replied as Shiji started to move away, and he followed, "Dare what? Defeat him? Of, course... We would. You know how much he may be worth when sold into the Slave trade. Or maybe, we could... use him. Bye Koorime."

Hiei wanted to go after them, but Li had waved a paper-like thing with inscriptions, and both disappeared. He cursed, "K'so! Kitsune no Baka!"

Yuusuke was worriedly looking for Kurama. In his search, he bumped into Yomi, who looked down at him, smiling. Yuusuke scratched his head, "Have you seen-"

"Kurama? As a matter of fact, I'm looking for him myself. And he is right... there."

The two found the redhead sitting under a tree, the wind blowing his hair freely, his eyes closed, and his whole body was relaxed. Yuusuke started towards Kurama, smiling as he started to say, "There-"

Suddenly, something snapped, and the tree and the breeze suddenly disappeared, and the youko opened his eyes, "Yuusuke."

The descendant of Raizen finally caught his voice and after deciding he would ask about what happened later, started to speak, "Oi... Um... Why your freedom? I mean, Kurama it's too much a risk!"

Kurama faced him, his eyes unreadable, "Am I THAT weak, Yuusuke? Don't you trust my capabilities?" He glanced at Yomi, who was still standing, watching the two.

Yuusuke regretted ever having asked that question. So he changed the topic, sort of, "What did Tokiya say about it?"

"They left Makai with Kuwabara yesterday. School starts today."

"Didn't he want to stay?"

"He tried... But I managed to convince him not to stay."

Yuusuke couldn't help himself, "Is that why you're acting like this? Because no one is watching over you?" He wanted to bop himself, but he really couldn't help himself. He was worried for his friend. The redhead didn't reply. There was a moment of awkward silence, and it was broken by the rustle of movements by the blind youkai. Kurama looked at the horned ruler and finally spoke up, "Yuusuke, can you leave Yomi and I alone for a while? We need to talk."

The black-haired youth could do nothing but comply. As he walked away, he heard Kurama's alto voice, asking, iya, it was like he was begging, "Am I really weak, Yomi?"

The sky started to loom over. The tournament would begin soon.

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

He was concentrating hard on Soun. It was not a piece of cake trying to jump from up surging grounds and to attack at the same time. He heaved a sigh when he saw an opening, and began to throw release his strings swiftly, but he lost his balance. The soil-controller suddenly appeared in front of him, laughing teasingly, "Poor child. You shouldn't have joined such a brutal game- Ack!"

Rinku smiled as he pulled on one cord that went through his opponent's body. Soun tried to cut the string, but when he moved, the more it cut him. Now it was the yoyo boy who laughed, "Poor old man. You shouldn't have-" A very beautiful voice stopped him. The boy's line suddenly went slack and released Soun. The song was so tantalizing... He was not aware anymore of his adversary, not even when a large chunk of rock went sailing towards him.

Soun was thankful for Natsumi's sister. Finally, she's put to use... He commanded the mold to bash his young "playmate's" head, to finally proceed to other more... worthy opponents, so the large chunk of boulder sailed true. Before it reached the target, however, the earth-controller saw a flash of red, and his massive weapon was destroyed. He trembled when he met green points of light, which were narrowed. When they suddenly blurred out of sight, he was immediately cold, and was sailing out of the ring. As he opened his eyes to curse the entity, he noticed Chuu and Touya exchanging smiles before he finally landed. He was out of the game.

Meanwhile, Kurama turned to Rinku and shook him, "Snap out of it."

The smell of roses, plus that alto voice instantly woke the boy up. He sheepishly grinned and nodded before going after the siren who had victimized him a while ago.

Amidst the sea of fists and ki, Shigure sought out only one person. After trading a few blows with unknown faces, he finally reached his target. The half-youko was with the smallest member of their group, and when the latter moved away to go after someone, he quickly shifted and went to attack, even though the redhead's back was facing him. Not surprisingly though, he was caught in mid-strike, and was sent sprawling backwards, "Weren't you taught that charging from behind is dishonorable?"

The stitched guy shrugged, "Not when the enemy is like you, it's not gonna apply."

They started. Shigure made good use of his weapon, swung it in arcs, and after myriad tries, he didn't manage to graze the redhead. He's gone way faster... "Aren't you going to use a weapon? You'd be at a disadvantage." But not with me...

This time, it was Kurama who shrugged. Their fight resumed, "You are not surprised to see me alive?"

"With Mukuro's regenerating tanks, nothing is impossible."

"But there had to be a will to live for one to be brought back again."

The two passed by Jin who winked. "I had a reason."

They both leapt into the air. Kurama saw an opening and caught the blue-clad guy on the ribs, sending him down, all the while thinking, 'What's he driving at?' Then, he followed to deliver the final blow, but what Shigure said made him freeze.

"You. You were my reason: My WILL to live."

Hiei was toying with Ten. A punch here, a kick, a fake swing of the sword... The koorime was actually enjoying himself, if not bored, with most of the youkai who had joined this final round. Although his first goal, was of course, Kurama. What was that stupid fox thinking anyway, risking his freedom? All of a sudden, the little and fast member of Yuusuke's group disappeared, only to reappear in front of him, and Hiei started to become more serious in their battle. Just a little bit, anyway.

The fire demon assessed his opponent during their exchange. Ten WAS very fast and agile, but the sword he carried slowed him down, and it was clear that it wasn't his choice of weapon. A dagger, maybe, but a sword was just too big for him. As they landed, Hiei turned to look at his teammate's progress. He cursed when he saw Tsuroza jump and started to descend at break-neck speed to end his rival, Kedo, but then Li suddenly got a talisman and invoked Lightning. The unprepared high jumper, was, of course, electrocuted and fell conveniently outside the ring. Hn. Mukuro's lover sure is pathetic.

Hiei dodged another deadly blow. He sneered, "Give up. You're no match for me."

This enraged the young fighter and he lunged at the fire demon, extending himself beyond his limits. Hiei effortlessly brushed off every attack, and was content to leave everything that way until Ten tired of his senselessness, until he noticed whom Shigure was fighting with - Kurama? Damn it! He's got a passion for that youko. I have to get there, fast.

With one, smooth motion, he unsheathed his katana, and Ten was out of the game. Decapitated.

Iraza began singing again. She directed her song towards the boy whose attention got nabbed a while ago.

Rinku stopped dead in his tracks. It was as if someone else was controlling his body. His mind was going blank, only the song was stuck to his head. He neared Suzuki, who was clashing with Kedo at the moment, "What is it, kid? I'm busy here-"

Without warning, he was bound up in yoyo strings, and out of balance, he started swinging down.

Kedo silently thanked Iraza and gave the cardmaster a kick.

"I'll win you in this tournament, Kurama."

The redhead's eyebrows furrowed a millimeter. A hand reached out to grab one of his feet and brought him down, to be levelled with his opponent. Shigure smiled triumphantly, "I'm glad you risked your freedom..."

Kurama perked his head up as he saw Suzuki in Rinku's strings, being kicked by Kedo, resulting to him and the yoyo boy to fall out of the ring, "Iya!"

Shigure was surprised when a blast of ki hit him, and that sent him flying out of the battle area. He smiled, "I'll come back for you. I promise."

Kurama ran towards Suzuki, but it was too late. He called out, "Jin, take care of Kedo." "Hai."

Kedo looked up and saw a flying youkai going towards him. Shit! I haven't gotten enough energy yet! I'll-

Before he knew it, a blast of wind knocked him off the arena. He was too tired to prevent himself from falling.

Natsumi was having the hell of her life. She was here, paralyzed, tortured slowly by Tenchi. She hoped that he would just throw her out of the ring. He was coming closer again, and as she braced herself, she smelled liquor. She opened one battered eye, to see Chuu attacking the offending guy. She silently sighed and felt her sister coming. With an affirmation, she was put gently out of the ring. Natsumi thanked the blonde appreciatively.

As she was drifting off to unconsciousness, she heard Iraza scream and felt her land on the soft grass a few meters away. Oh well... It's better this way. She crawled painfully towards her blood link and unconsciousness sprung in.

Kuroi started laughing triumphantly, No more singing diva... Before he could fully celebrate, however, Shura began attacking him, "Oi! Stupid Boy! Do you think you can defeat me?"

Yomi's son smiled, "Just fight."

A few moments later, Kuroi's head flew off to the audience.

Yuusuke and Mukuro were fighting back-to-back. The boy joked, "First to finish?"

The deformed ruler agreed, "I'll see you to that?"

Yuusuke was having a hard time with Onaji. He couldn't push through because of the water barrier. As he landed, he nearly slipped on a drop. Onaji laughed, "Is that all? I can't believe that you are a ruler of the third of Makai!"

Yuusuke flared up. Then, and idea hit his head.

Mukuro was not doing so well, either. Her battle with Coco had started its second part, from the former Makai tournament. It seemed so hard to get an opening. Damn... Finally, a break.

Two bodies, one of Onaji, the other, Coco's, flew out of the stage. Both Yuusuke and Mukuro looked at each other, "A tie, I suppose."

Yomi had suddenly become a multi-tasker. He was fighting not one, but THREE youkais! He spread his ki to feel for Kurama.

"You are powerful. I can make you even more. What I offer you is not a joke. Believe me, in no time, you will be a Quest-class demon."

Yomi smiled when he heard those words. Kurama... Always the businessman...

Taiyo seemed confused. Kurama smiled gently at him and gave him a light pat. He gestured at the timer. Only ten seconds to go. He told the young youkai, "I'll wait for your reply in the second round. Got to go!"

Taiyo watched as the redhead left, slightly fascinated.

The redhead went fast to aid his master. When he arrived, Yomi nodded at his presence. Nazoka had given up on attacking Yomi, only Li and Kagami were left. They could hear the announcer blaring, "5..."

Kagami took the opportunity to attack Yomi.

"4..."

Nazoka cursed when he noticed Kurama moving in to save Yomi.

"3..."

Kagami hissed in shock when a redhead blocked his blow.

"2..."

Li acted, to hit the redhead. Nazoka ran towards the fight.

"1..."

Soon, Kagami's world went dark, and he went sailing towards Nazoka. They both fell out of the ring.

Li was about to punch the half-youko. Kurama turned, surprised.

"0! Everybody, STOP!!!"

The punch was cut short a centimeter from Kurama's face. Li gazed at the green eyes, and the slightly parted lips (in surprise), and a thought inevitably escaped him, Kirei...

Li gave up his pose, and the two exchanged glances, before Kurama strode towards the six-eared youkai. Everyone else relaxed and looked around. After the first round, it was clear who had the advantage according to number: Yomi's group.

The screen flashed the names of those who qualified to the next round:

Mukuro || Hiei || Tenchi || Taiyo

Yuusuke || Enki || Shiji || Li

Yomi || Kurama || Shura || Chuu || Shiwa || Touya || Jin

The next round is to start soon.

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

Yuusuke could not help but curse, "Shit! We're definitely in a bad situation. Only four of us are left!"

Enki tried to placate the half-human, "Yes, but we can take them on. Come on! Be positive!"

Shiji looked at Li, and the latter whispered, "Yes. The redhead. There's something about him..."

Shiji nodded, "We'll take him down."

Hiei was in the same sour state. What made it worse, was that he was not the only one, Mukuro was also pissed off, "Dammit! FOUR! Out of ten! What happened to our training?!"

Tenchi thought the situation funny and started to laugh. This only managed to agitate the Makai ruler more, "What's so funny? Stop laughing or I'll wring your neck!"

The one whose name meant 'God's revenge' suddenly became serious and looked over at Hiei, his forever-sworn enemy, then at Mukuro, "They were pathetic. We're not. And Hiei- I will take your head out there when I can." He started to go out into the arena. Hiei only 'hned'. He looked over at Taiyo.

The new recruit only looked down, still contemplating.

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

"FINALLY! The second round's going to start ladies and gentle youkai! Participants, please get up the arena!"

First to climb up were Mukuro and her group(Ladies' first rule), then, Yomi's, and finally, Yuusuke's. Not wasting any time, the new announcer, Mae, shouted, "BEGIN!!"

The groups split up. Shiwa, Chuu, Jin and Touya, and even Yomi, lingered at the sidelines for a while, having no one to fight. Instead, they set their eyes on the ongoing fights, particularly, Kurama's fight.

Yuusuke suddenly appeared in view, who was currently being attacked by Shura, and greeted them as they passed by, "Oi! Relax for a while, okay?"

Shura was agitated. No matter how hard he tried to deliver a punch, his opponent always seemed to catch it. The young youkai gritted his teeth and growled out, "I promised I'll be stronger than you, and I will!" He did a gesture with his hands and brought out his secret weapon, a new move he had learned, "Fiery thunder!"

Kurama glanced up from his fight with Shiji and thought, 'A big mistake, Shura. You shouldn't have showed your aces so soon...'

Yuusuke smiled when he saw the cackling field of energy coming near. He had just wanted to see what Shura could really do before he would put the young one down, "REI-GUN!"

The small shot split through the energy ball, and straight at Shura, and he went sailing out of the ring.

The sideline guys suddenly jumped when Hiei started attacking Yomi. The latter seemed happy to finally have a challenge. He provoked the fire demon, "So, forbidden child. Talked to Kurama lately?"

Hiei only gritted his teeth, and concentrated on his disparage of blows at the horned youkai. Yomi, of course, easily dodged them, and once-in-a-while, sent a few of his own. Hiei grew impatient and drew out his sword.

Shiji took out an axe blade and threw it at the place where his target used to be. Smiling, he turned around and threw a bomb in thin air. It blew up, and a body fell. Kurama managed to land on his feet, and slightly winced at his new injuries. The master of weaponry laughed manically, saying, "It's regrettable that I have to damage you first..."

This time, he got a katana. It looked similar to Hiei's, and Kurama, not failing to notice, only grew rage inside him. It spread out, like a monster, reaching towards his sword-wielding opponent. From where Kurama was, a new world formed, with sharp bones and skulls on the barren land. Shiji was swept by unseen forces, and he fell slowly, down... down towards the protruding bones. His scream called everyone's attention, and they were surprised to see a a different spot forming from around the half-youko, and then, it disappeared, taking with it the horrible graveyard of bones, and leaving behind, the battered body of Shiji. The redhead only didn't notice that Li was going to attack. Touya jumped in the way, calling the half-youko's attention. Touya noticed the regret in the verdant eyes, before he ended up outside the stage.

Li snorted, "Too bad. He got in the way."

The others continued to fight, unshaken by the scene they just witnessed. But both Yomi and Hiei had lingered, and finally, Hiei went and attacked Li. Kurama growled slightly at Hiei's interference, then before he could do something again, someone else attacked him. Tenchi smiled, "Since Hiei's still busy, I'll play with you first!"

Tenchi drew in a deep breath and jumped up. Kurama warily stood below, trying to figure out what his opponent was trying to do. He easily side-stepped when Tenchi swooped down, and then around him, up again, and finally, beside him. 'God's revenge' laughed, "You've fallen under my trap! HAHAHAHA!!!"

Before Kurama could do anything, his knees gave, and his hands immediately went to his neck, unable to breathe. Taiyo contemplated carefully, as he watched the scene. Tenchi laughed again, "You can't escape! You're mine-"

Taiyo decided. A card flipped past, and Kurama could breathe again, A kick, an Tenchi sailed out of the ring, cursing, "I'll get you for this, Taiyo! You traitor!"

Kurama stood up and looked at Taiyo, HIS new recruit. They both smiled, vaguely hearing Li's hoarse scream near them.

Mukuro drove a kick into Enki's belly. The latter slid across the floor and almost bumped into Yomi. Suddenly, Mukuro saw how Taiyo helped Kurama, and excused herself, "Sorry, have to run. A case of a traitor."

Enki only shrugged and waited for Yomi to start their fight. The latter disappeared. So did Enki.

Taiyo walked slowly, back to the corner of the ring, where he had stayed. Suddenly, Mukuro appeared in front of him, and started attacking. The lady ruler reprimanded, "Why, Taiyo? Why'd you choose to betray our group?"

Furious, she managed to knock her ex-recruit down. "If there's anything I hate, it's traitors!" She sent a kick that could cut through anything, and Taiyo, defenseless, lay frozen on the floor. His view was blocked when someone appeared in front of him, and blocked the move with his arm. It was Kurama. "I believe that one good turn deserves another."

Everything went dark, but Taiyo knew he was safe, at least. Mukuro hissed, "I should have known you were behind this. You have a great tongue."

Kurama bowed slightly, "Arigatou."

"But that won't keep me from attacking you."

The two started an exchange of blows, and Kurama purposefully steered them towards where Jin, Chuu and Shiwa were. He instructed them, "Go help Yomi."

The three obeyed without question. A few moments later, Mukuro lay on the floor, unconscious.

Hiei was starting towards Kurama, but then, Yuusuke suddenly started attacking him. Yuusuke, without any hesitation, spoke up, "I hate you, Hiei. For what you did to Kurama. I'll make you pay!" The fire demon only growled.

It was a heated fight.

When the three arrived to where Yomi and Enki were, they could barely keep up. As Yomi avoided some attacks Enki sent, he asked them, "Is Kurama alright?"

Jin explained, "He has more injuries than expected."

The six-eared ruler was worried, "Take care of Enki." He moved out to check on his... comrade.

Enki roared out a laughter, "I guess it's just us!. Hey, look, only ten more seconds to go!"

Their battle started. With the three of them, they gamely matched Enki's level. The announcer was already blaring out, "5... 4..."

The three nodded at each other. The count was reaching 1. They tackled Enki out of the ring. The bell sounded.

Yomi started to carry Kurama, but Yuusuke and Hiei still wouldn't stop fighting. Mae panicked, "Oi! You two should stop! STOP! STOP!"

Neither of the two listened. They continued. Mae finally screamed, "Stop, or I'll disqualify you both!"

That served to stop them. The announcer breathed a sigh of relief, "OKAY! WOW! ONLY FOUR ARE LEFT!"

The screen flashed out:

Hiei || Yuusuke || Kurama || Yomi

The story is about to end.

"Hiei."

The koorime turned around as the door to their waiting room opened, and saw Yuusuke entering. "Hn. Came here to tell me to keep off Kurama? Well, tough luck. I'm not letting that goat get him."

Yuusuke refrained himself from attacking. He had a purpose, and he would accomplish it, "That's partially what I'm here for. I want to keep Kurama safe from Yomi."

This time, Hiei faced him fully, "I thought you hated me."

"Don't get me wrong. I will still bash your head for what you did to Kurama, but it'll have to wait. What's important now is to keep him safe from Yomi's reach."

"What do you intend to do? That we both fight Yomi? You saw how much Kurama tries to protect his 'master'," Hiei thrust his sword through the table, "Why? Doesn't he know that Yomi's a friggin' maniac?"

Yuusuke was half-amused, "I can't answer your questions. But my plan is that we team up. We'll be powerful-"

"But against Yomi-"

"Who said it's Yomi we're taking down?"

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

When the Kurama and Yomi appeared in the venue, both Yuusuke and Hiei were already waiting. Kurama had changed his clothes, after having it tattered in the round a while ago, and there seemed to be a strange light in his eyes. Another announcer, Aki, came up and said, "Well! It seems that our finalists are ready! Listen: The jury said that this will be the final round. It will be 'fight until there is the champion.' Understood?"

They all nodded. Aki smiled, "Yoshi! Then what are you waiting for, climb up!"

The crowd went wild as they all entered the ring. The announcer moved out and said, "This is the crucial moment! Good luck and.... BEGIN!!!"

Yuusuke swallowed slowly. Just one mistake and our plans are ruined... Hiei snorted half-heartedly beside him, thinking the same things. They exchanged glances, and in a flash, started their move. Aki announced, "Oh my! Urameshi and Hiei have disappeared! What will happen? Where will they appear?"

Yomi and Kurama stood impassively, and then, the redhead moved to be beside the ruler. Suddenly, both Hiei and Yuusuke appeared in front of him, ready to bring him down. Yomi whispered in his mind, Are you ready?

The redhead nodded. Yuusuke was taken aback when Yomi suddenly appeared in front of him. His mind screamed, They KNEW! He gave a panicked look at Hiei, but the latter didn't seem to notice, because he was busy dodging fast blows from the redhead. Yomi spoke up, "You shouldn't occupy your mind, descendant of Raizen, especially at this time."

A blow slipped and Yuusuke slid across the ring. He noticed that Hiei was, too, and both ended up back-to-back. Yuusuke spoke up, "Switch?"

Hiei agreed, and they crossed paths. As they did, Yomi and Kurama mimicked - it seemed that they were bent on fighting the same people. Shit! This is not going as planned... Yuusuke delivered a blow to Yomi.

The horned youkai easily dodged, caught the arm and dug his knee into Yuusuke's stomach. The latter could barely breathe, and he staggered backwards. Yomi 'tsked', "I thought you were more than that. What's the matter?"

Yuusuke spit out blood, "Heh. Don't be too cocky. We're just starting."

Raizen's descendant started his attacks.

"Kurama! Do you want Yomi to get you?"

The redhead ignored him. He took a seed from hair, "Fuuka Enbujin!"

Hiei put a hand up to protect himself, "Dammit, kitsune!"

Kurama seemed enraged, "DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME THAT AGAIN!"

The spot where Hiei used to be cracked, and a demon plant rose up and chased after the fire demon. "I HATE YOU HIEI!"

Hiei called out his fire sword. He sliced the demon plant, and saw Kurama's enraged look, that glint in the eyes still there. "Do you hear me, Hiei? I HATE YOU!"

Hiei paused. What have I done?

Yuusuke paused when he heard Kurama's outbreak. Another blow reached him. "I told you to focus on our fight, Urameshi. Stop filling your mind with things that don't concern you."

The youth groggily stood up, 'He's right. If I keep up like this, I won't be able to save Kurama.'

He pointed his finger, I'll put my all... "REEEEIIIII-"

For you, Kurama. "GUNNN!!!!"

Darkness overcame him, For you...

Hiei turned around and was alarmed when he saw Yuusuke falling to the floor, unconscious. The ball of energy he created launched itself at Yomi, and the latter held it between his two hands. It started pushing him out the ring. The horned youkai struggled, saying, "Iya! I'll win, like the last time. You can't take me with you, Yuusuke, I won't allow you!"

As Hiei turned his attention to Kurama, he was only mildly surprised to not see him there. Kurama appeared beside Yomi, and shouted, as he let out some ki, "HAAAA!!!"

The cackling 'Rei-gun' suddenly dissipated. Hiei went to his last resort, "Jaoh Ensatstu..."

Kurama... I won't let that goat... get you! Even if... I have to kill you.

He aimed at the pair, "Korkuryuuha!!!!"

The roaring dragon went from his arm towards the stunned pair. Kurama... "Kurama! Ai shiteru!"

A flash of red, and the dragon suddenly dissipated. "This is my world, Hiei. You can't defeat me in my world. Here, I am happy. Here, there IS no HIEI."

The surroundings seemed to be vacuumed, and peeled away. Indeed, it was just an illusion created by Kurama. Now, Hiei could hear the audience screaming. I didn't notice...

The last thing he dizzily saw, after the effect of releasing the dragon took over, was Yomi and Kurama, going towards him...

Slowly, he went sailing out the ring, and when he landed, darkness overtook him. He thought he would not wake again. But even if he did, he would have wished he hadn't done that.

Hiei looked up through blurred eyes. The announcer was saying something like, "Now, the champion will be decided. An exciting fight, viewers! Both are from the Gandara's side!"

Hiei walked heavily, in a zigzag pattern, towards the ring. As he passed Yuusuke, the latter sat up painfully, hand on his dislocated shoulder bone. The fire demon dragged his large sword as he treaded the path towards the stage. I failed... Kurama... His freedom...

Yuusuke worriedly looked at his friend, forgetting his anger, "Hiei..." He turned to look at the last two fighters on the platform. He silently prayed, Kamisama... Let Kurama win.

Kurama may have heard him, because he looked straight at Yuusuke's way. His eyes showed something scary... And when he nodded... Yuusuke knew this was not a good sign.

Pausing in midtrack, Hiei's head painfully perked up when he heard Kurama speak, "Iya. There is no need to fight."

Yomi smiled quietly. He knew what was going to happen. Hiei, meanwhile, was in denial, No... He could not be thinking... not that...

"I accept your proposal, Yomi. I admit defeat. I... I'm yours."

The crowd was in an uproar, and so was the announcer, "This is amazing, all of you! Yes, we heard it straight from Kurama's mouth! He gives himself to Yomi!"

Yuusuke made as if to stand, protesting, "Kurama!" He froze when his eyes met Hiei's shaking form.

Hiei dragged his sword forward. Slowly, he raised it high. Mukuro, from the sidelines, looked worriedly, as it came crashing down, and was buried on the soil. The clouds ominously packed closer, and it became dark, communing with the fire demon, as he gave one final cry:

"IYA!!!!!"

Hehe... made Yuusuke and Hiei too weak... told ya. I was too excited to finish this chapter. ~_~;