Chapter 8: Time Came Too Soon
The young man and the girl who was residing at the Minamino residence left early the mourning of the tournament. It was a bit to easy, in Neyoko's mind, because they just left, not a word to 'Shuichi's' okasan. He must have disappeared a lot, especially for the (Dark Tournament). Yusuke had it easy; his okasan was usually to drunk to care what happened to him. Kuwabara was able to explain everything to his sister, and she didn't mind. Hiei was alone as far as close relatives went.
Neyoko was able to brood on the past a bit on the bus the Urameshi team took to get to the forest. People continuously stared at them. Occasionally, Neyoko would glare back. Those people had no reason to stare. Of course they were traveling with Hiei...
There was a time when glaring at the ordinary humans grew tiresome. Neyoko used that time to think back on the events of last night.
She had accidentally slipped, calling Kurama by his real name, in front of his okasan. They attempted a cover up story; Kurama was his nickname at school. Ms. Shiori still looked suspicious, but she let the matter drop.
After Ms. Shiori had gone to bed, Neyoko brought out a bottle of (1)sake. She smiled; telling Kurama it was a 'good luck on the fights' party. It took a while to persuade Kurama to drink any, but he did.
Soon, the two were having a great time. Kurama and Neyoko were almost done with the bottle when Kurama leaned forward. The two locked eyes for a moment. Then Kurama leaned forward and kissed Neyoko. She had leaned back a little, her eyes wide with shock.
When he stopped, she sat a few moments, blinking. Slowly, she got up walking to the bathroom. Water ran for a few seconds, then a splash. A neko walked out of the room, dragging clothes behind it. The tabby walked over to the bed and lay down, glaring at Kurama.
Kurama was uncomfortable under the harsh glare. So he got up, threw away the bottle, and went to his room.
Neyoko decided she was still a bit mad at the way Kurama had acted. He shouldn't have taken advantage over the fact that they had been drinking. Then again, she didn't care. It was the first time a guy had ever kissed her. Neyoko took a nap, then, letting everything drift away.
She fell over when the bus stopped. Yusuke, Hiei Kuwabara and Kurama were waiting for her to stand up. Neyoko stood up, embarrassed. She mumbled a quick apology when she caught up to the group.
The few people remaining on the bus were glad the strange people had left, although some thought it was odd that they had left together. The people didn't even bother to show how relieved they were.
The team walked into the forest. There wasn't much of a path, so they tried just walking through the trees.
"Are you guys sure we have to walk through a forest? I mean, shouldn't there be a path or something?" Neyoko asked.
"What's a matter? You having trouble back there? Just think of it as a bit or training," Yusuke replied.
Neyoko had realized there were several times when Yusuke had gotten mad at their surrounding, but didn't mention it.
Even though the forest seamed thick, it only took a matter of minutes to reach their destination.
It was a marvelous site for Neyoko. She had grown up fighting and had enjoyed seeing the battle domes, but now she was going to partake in one of her own. Neyoko couldn't wait to go inside.
But she was disappointed, because the team went to a series of smaller, regular buildings close by.
"What are we supposed to do anyway? I mean, there's gotta be rules or something. No one's told me anything so far," Neyoko asked, annoyed for some reason.
"The five of us are going to fight teams of demons. The rules are almost like the ones we used in the Dark Tournament. The ref. will go over them in more detail tomorrow," Hiei obviously forgot Neyoko wasn't with them in the Dark Tournament, or just enjoyed picking n her for that reason.
"Anything goes?" Neyoko asked.
"Pretty much. Oh, yeah. I heard they fixed the ring-out problem," Yusuke added, remembering the unfair ruling on his third match. The committee had said both he and Jin the Wind Master were disqualified. (2)
The team got to their designated building without any trouble. Neyoko wondered why, considering the encampment was probably crawling with demons.
Before going in, Kurama finally spoke up. "Yusuke-kun, do you think it would be all right if I took Neyoko-san out the woods for a bit of last minute training?"
"I don't care what you do with her, so long as we win. I'll see if you two can be shown to your room when you get back."
Hiei, Kuwabara and Yusuke walked inside the building, where, in turn, they were led to their own individual rooms. Kurama led Neyoko to the side of the hotel. As they walked, Neyoko realized Kurama had something in each of his hands. His left hand was loosely closed around something, while his right fiddled with an object Neyoko was unable to discern. The two stopped, Kurama walked a few steps away from the Chinese girl. Although she was curious, Neyoko refused t talk to Kurama until he apologized. So Neyoko looked off into the forest.
Kurama hesitated. Why was it so hard to tell Neyoko now? he wondered.
"Neyoko-san?" Kurama said lightly, trying to get her attention. Realizing that it wouldn't work, he demanded she pay attention with his tone. "Neyoko!"
Neyoko looked up, startled Kurama had dropped formalities. She locked eyes and found she was unable to look away.
Knowing that he had gained Neyoko's attention, Kurama continued, calm again. "Neyoko-san, what I did yesterday was wrong. I do not know what is wrong with me. But I am sorry. I am truly sorry."
As he spoke he stepped toward Neyoko, grasping her hands. When he moved away, Neyoko had a small bracelet clasped in her hands. The bracelet was made with a twine-like string and supported a small oval green bead.
"Thank you. I...I wish I could give you something, too. But I'm broke." Neyoko slid the bracelet on to her right wrist. She remembered that Kurama had to things in his hands. If one was the bracelet, then what was the other thing? "What do you have in your hand? Don't say it was nothing; you were playing with it as we walked."
Kurama blushed, slightly embarrassed. "You have a thieves' eyes, Neyoko- san. It's a good luck charm for me. It belonged to a friend of mine."
He held it out for Neyoko to see. It was a gold chain with a pendant on it. On the pendant was a blood-red gem. (3)
An idea hit Neyoko. She grabbed the pendant and turned, preventing Kurama from reclaiming it. "I've got it, Kurama-kun. I'm going to try putting a bit of my rei in the pendant. I'm still alive, so maybe I'm a lucky cat."
"Do you know what you are trying to do? I don't want it to break."
"Nope," Neyoko replied. She closed her sapphire eyes so she could concentrate. She stood with the pendant dangling from her fingers. Neyoko concentrated on the flow of her rei, and selected a small strand of it. She wound the strand down the chain into the pendant. It glowed for a moment, and then it looked like an ordinary charm.
Neyoko turned, smiling. Sun caught her eyes, making them sparkle. Neyoko handed the pendant back to Kurama.
"Promise me something, Kurama-kun. Promise me that we will both leave this contest alive. And that we'll help each other, if necessary. Promise?"
Neyoko's smile made Kurama smile as well. "Yes, Neyoko-san. I promise you that we will both see the end of this tournament."
Neyoko's smile widened. She turned, skipping back to the building. Sunlight glinted green of the bracelet.
Kurama shook his head. Was she really aware of rei? Neyoko obviously didn't realize that he had done the same as thing that had for her. He had put a bit of his rei into her bracelet.
Neyoko found her room without any problem. When she went in, and lay on the ground. Neyoko pulled the sheets off the bed around her. She never really did enjoy sleeping in beds.
She cried. Neyoko was too confused; she felt happy, and sad. She missed her foster-mom; she didn't know what was wrong with her.
Neyoko didn't want one of the guys to come in and see her because she was acting like a true girl. If the team saw her attitude, then they might kick her out. Now that she was there, it be awful if she had to leave.
Neyoko didn't realize it, but she cried herself to sleep.
Neyoko woke to a pounding on her door. The fact that she wasn't used to the American style doors and that she was still half asleep, Neyoko tried sliding the door open before finally finding the knob.
Yusuke stood in the doorframe. "Your not very intelligent, are you. We're leaving soon and you're still half asleep. Hurry up."
"Good morning to you too," Neyoko replied, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. "You could have woken me up sooner if you're that eager to go. I need food. Wait a while." Neyoko finished with a yawn.
"We're leaving in fifteen minutes. If you're not ready, you're late, end of story." Yusuke walked down the hall, and turned the corner. A door slammed.
Neyoko shook her head, and then went in search for a bite to eat.
Neyoko was surprised to find that she was actually on time for once. She wore her cloak with the hood up. She didn't want the yokai to go easy on her because of her looks.
When the Urameshi team got to the main building, they found the arena to be levitating above the ground. A closer look suggested there was a strong rei holding up the arena. Around them, there were four giant screens that looked a lot like television screens. The audience seats reached the top of the stadium.
For the time being, the whole team climbed to the top, using a rope ladder. There were five teams already up on the levitating plat form. There was also a harmless looking female yokai standing in the center of it. She had fox ears and strange eyes. As the yokai audience calmed down, the announcer raised a mike.
"Excuse me. We are about to get started here. I'd like you all to quiet down a bit." She paused, waiting for the audience to be quiet. "OK. My name's Koto. Some of you may know me from my previous jobs, including my announcing at the most recent Dark Tournament.
"We are here to decide the ruling of the Ningenkai in the best way possible. Weather the humans are allowed to keep to themselves or yokai are enabled to traverse freely from the two worlds rest with these six teams. As I announce their names, please welcome them."
Neyoko paid the teams no mind as Koto introduced them. Koto would say the name; let the audience cheer a while, then order for silence.
"The yokai teams are representing the Makai. They will be going up against the winners of last year's Dark Tournament. Please welcome, as politely as possible, the human team of Team Urameshi. (4) The team consists of Contestant Kuwabara, Contestant Hiei, the foxy Contestant Kurama, as their fifth member, Contestant Neyoko, and the team leader, Contestant Urameshi. Please welcome them with the best of your abilities."
That was saying something. The best things that were said were " kill the humans" and stuff. It was all a horrible jumble of noise.
Neyoko was about to yell back, her temper reaching the breaking point. Kurama placed a hand on her shoulder, calming her down a bit.
Briefly, Koto explained the rules. There would be five fights spanning over the next five days, Team Urameshi fighting the five yokai teams on one-on-one fights. Losing meant almost certain death. If a ring out resulted, game over for that player. This was caused by the height of the ring. If someone were to fall, death was guaranteed. Anything was possible.
"The first match will start soon. Team Urameshi and team (Amy, can you come with a name. I too lazy...) The rest of the teams are free to watch from the sideline."
And that was how the first fight began. Nothing really happened that was memorable. Neyoko decided she didn't want to fall. A yokai did and was splattered to smithereens.
The Urameshi team went back to the hotel, victorious, dripping in the blood of yokai.
Definitions: It's a Japanese drink. It means booze, but it's rice wine. It comes in bottles and I think they drink it out of dishes. They do on Rurouni Kenshin, anyway...Drinking laws in Japan are 18 and older, but you get it in vending machines anywhere, so it's kinda pointless. Sorry. I just had to mention Jin. F.Y.I.: In the third match of the dark tournament, Hiei and the "Masked Fighter" were stuck in a force field, and Kuwabara was injured from the fight with Dr. Ichigaki. Kurama fought the first two, lost his third fight ( and Yusuke took over. He killed the guy and fought Jin. Jin should have had a full loss, but the committee said that Yusuke had been out of the rink for more than 10 counts. They win anyway, though. Sorry for the interruption, I just had to add kawaii Jin. (Muse Jin: Thanks.) If you haven't seen the Yu Yu Hakusho movie Poltergeist Report: Bonds of Fire you wouldn't get it. For those of you who haven't seen it, I'll fill you in. You all should at least know that Yoko Kurama was a professional thief. Well in the movie, he had a friend and partner named Kuroune. He always carried the 'pendant' as I described above. On a thieving mission, Kuroune dropped the pendant and died trying to get it back. Later in the movie, a nether world demon god takes that part of Kurama's past, alters it to a negative version, and practically drives him crazy with it. Kurama discovers the trick when the demon throws the pendant and is assured when the demon attacks from behind, something Kuroune never would have done. When Kurama tells the demon his mistake, he holds up the pendant. If you haven't seen the movie, I'd highly recommend it. But, anyway, I think Kurama keeps the pendant to remind him of Kuroune. OK. Just a little FYI: This is cuz it made me feel really proud of myself. This is the first story that I have written so much on. First I write everything down on paper, and then I type. It's always better when I type. But, any ways...This is the first story I have written and the written page number is 100!!!!!!!!!! Tears Stream down overly proud face in rivers I'm sooooo proud of myself.
Author's note: I got the idea for the bracelet from one that my friend made for me. It's got the names of my three favorite bishies separated by black beads. Of course you should know Kurama's name is on it. The other two are Jin (off Yu Yu, not Dragon ball or anything) and Kenshin. Thanks go to her, and all the people who reviewed.
The young man and the girl who was residing at the Minamino residence left early the mourning of the tournament. It was a bit to easy, in Neyoko's mind, because they just left, not a word to 'Shuichi's' okasan. He must have disappeared a lot, especially for the (Dark Tournament). Yusuke had it easy; his okasan was usually to drunk to care what happened to him. Kuwabara was able to explain everything to his sister, and she didn't mind. Hiei was alone as far as close relatives went.
Neyoko was able to brood on the past a bit on the bus the Urameshi team took to get to the forest. People continuously stared at them. Occasionally, Neyoko would glare back. Those people had no reason to stare. Of course they were traveling with Hiei...
There was a time when glaring at the ordinary humans grew tiresome. Neyoko used that time to think back on the events of last night.
She had accidentally slipped, calling Kurama by his real name, in front of his okasan. They attempted a cover up story; Kurama was his nickname at school. Ms. Shiori still looked suspicious, but she let the matter drop.
After Ms. Shiori had gone to bed, Neyoko brought out a bottle of (1)sake. She smiled; telling Kurama it was a 'good luck on the fights' party. It took a while to persuade Kurama to drink any, but he did.
Soon, the two were having a great time. Kurama and Neyoko were almost done with the bottle when Kurama leaned forward. The two locked eyes for a moment. Then Kurama leaned forward and kissed Neyoko. She had leaned back a little, her eyes wide with shock.
When he stopped, she sat a few moments, blinking. Slowly, she got up walking to the bathroom. Water ran for a few seconds, then a splash. A neko walked out of the room, dragging clothes behind it. The tabby walked over to the bed and lay down, glaring at Kurama.
Kurama was uncomfortable under the harsh glare. So he got up, threw away the bottle, and went to his room.
Neyoko decided she was still a bit mad at the way Kurama had acted. He shouldn't have taken advantage over the fact that they had been drinking. Then again, she didn't care. It was the first time a guy had ever kissed her. Neyoko took a nap, then, letting everything drift away.
She fell over when the bus stopped. Yusuke, Hiei Kuwabara and Kurama were waiting for her to stand up. Neyoko stood up, embarrassed. She mumbled a quick apology when she caught up to the group.
The few people remaining on the bus were glad the strange people had left, although some thought it was odd that they had left together. The people didn't even bother to show how relieved they were.
The team walked into the forest. There wasn't much of a path, so they tried just walking through the trees.
"Are you guys sure we have to walk through a forest? I mean, shouldn't there be a path or something?" Neyoko asked.
"What's a matter? You having trouble back there? Just think of it as a bit or training," Yusuke replied.
Neyoko had realized there were several times when Yusuke had gotten mad at their surrounding, but didn't mention it.
Even though the forest seamed thick, it only took a matter of minutes to reach their destination.
It was a marvelous site for Neyoko. She had grown up fighting and had enjoyed seeing the battle domes, but now she was going to partake in one of her own. Neyoko couldn't wait to go inside.
But she was disappointed, because the team went to a series of smaller, regular buildings close by.
"What are we supposed to do anyway? I mean, there's gotta be rules or something. No one's told me anything so far," Neyoko asked, annoyed for some reason.
"The five of us are going to fight teams of demons. The rules are almost like the ones we used in the Dark Tournament. The ref. will go over them in more detail tomorrow," Hiei obviously forgot Neyoko wasn't with them in the Dark Tournament, or just enjoyed picking n her for that reason.
"Anything goes?" Neyoko asked.
"Pretty much. Oh, yeah. I heard they fixed the ring-out problem," Yusuke added, remembering the unfair ruling on his third match. The committee had said both he and Jin the Wind Master were disqualified. (2)
The team got to their designated building without any trouble. Neyoko wondered why, considering the encampment was probably crawling with demons.
Before going in, Kurama finally spoke up. "Yusuke-kun, do you think it would be all right if I took Neyoko-san out the woods for a bit of last minute training?"
"I don't care what you do with her, so long as we win. I'll see if you two can be shown to your room when you get back."
Hiei, Kuwabara and Yusuke walked inside the building, where, in turn, they were led to their own individual rooms. Kurama led Neyoko to the side of the hotel. As they walked, Neyoko realized Kurama had something in each of his hands. His left hand was loosely closed around something, while his right fiddled with an object Neyoko was unable to discern. The two stopped, Kurama walked a few steps away from the Chinese girl. Although she was curious, Neyoko refused t talk to Kurama until he apologized. So Neyoko looked off into the forest.
Kurama hesitated. Why was it so hard to tell Neyoko now? he wondered.
"Neyoko-san?" Kurama said lightly, trying to get her attention. Realizing that it wouldn't work, he demanded she pay attention with his tone. "Neyoko!"
Neyoko looked up, startled Kurama had dropped formalities. She locked eyes and found she was unable to look away.
Knowing that he had gained Neyoko's attention, Kurama continued, calm again. "Neyoko-san, what I did yesterday was wrong. I do not know what is wrong with me. But I am sorry. I am truly sorry."
As he spoke he stepped toward Neyoko, grasping her hands. When he moved away, Neyoko had a small bracelet clasped in her hands. The bracelet was made with a twine-like string and supported a small oval green bead.
"Thank you. I...I wish I could give you something, too. But I'm broke." Neyoko slid the bracelet on to her right wrist. She remembered that Kurama had to things in his hands. If one was the bracelet, then what was the other thing? "What do you have in your hand? Don't say it was nothing; you were playing with it as we walked."
Kurama blushed, slightly embarrassed. "You have a thieves' eyes, Neyoko- san. It's a good luck charm for me. It belonged to a friend of mine."
He held it out for Neyoko to see. It was a gold chain with a pendant on it. On the pendant was a blood-red gem. (3)
An idea hit Neyoko. She grabbed the pendant and turned, preventing Kurama from reclaiming it. "I've got it, Kurama-kun. I'm going to try putting a bit of my rei in the pendant. I'm still alive, so maybe I'm a lucky cat."
"Do you know what you are trying to do? I don't want it to break."
"Nope," Neyoko replied. She closed her sapphire eyes so she could concentrate. She stood with the pendant dangling from her fingers. Neyoko concentrated on the flow of her rei, and selected a small strand of it. She wound the strand down the chain into the pendant. It glowed for a moment, and then it looked like an ordinary charm.
Neyoko turned, smiling. Sun caught her eyes, making them sparkle. Neyoko handed the pendant back to Kurama.
"Promise me something, Kurama-kun. Promise me that we will both leave this contest alive. And that we'll help each other, if necessary. Promise?"
Neyoko's smile made Kurama smile as well. "Yes, Neyoko-san. I promise you that we will both see the end of this tournament."
Neyoko's smile widened. She turned, skipping back to the building. Sunlight glinted green of the bracelet.
Kurama shook his head. Was she really aware of rei? Neyoko obviously didn't realize that he had done the same as thing that had for her. He had put a bit of his rei into her bracelet.
Neyoko found her room without any problem. When she went in, and lay on the ground. Neyoko pulled the sheets off the bed around her. She never really did enjoy sleeping in beds.
She cried. Neyoko was too confused; she felt happy, and sad. She missed her foster-mom; she didn't know what was wrong with her.
Neyoko didn't want one of the guys to come in and see her because she was acting like a true girl. If the team saw her attitude, then they might kick her out. Now that she was there, it be awful if she had to leave.
Neyoko didn't realize it, but she cried herself to sleep.
Neyoko woke to a pounding on her door. The fact that she wasn't used to the American style doors and that she was still half asleep, Neyoko tried sliding the door open before finally finding the knob.
Yusuke stood in the doorframe. "Your not very intelligent, are you. We're leaving soon and you're still half asleep. Hurry up."
"Good morning to you too," Neyoko replied, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. "You could have woken me up sooner if you're that eager to go. I need food. Wait a while." Neyoko finished with a yawn.
"We're leaving in fifteen minutes. If you're not ready, you're late, end of story." Yusuke walked down the hall, and turned the corner. A door slammed.
Neyoko shook her head, and then went in search for a bite to eat.
Neyoko was surprised to find that she was actually on time for once. She wore her cloak with the hood up. She didn't want the yokai to go easy on her because of her looks.
When the Urameshi team got to the main building, they found the arena to be levitating above the ground. A closer look suggested there was a strong rei holding up the arena. Around them, there were four giant screens that looked a lot like television screens. The audience seats reached the top of the stadium.
For the time being, the whole team climbed to the top, using a rope ladder. There were five teams already up on the levitating plat form. There was also a harmless looking female yokai standing in the center of it. She had fox ears and strange eyes. As the yokai audience calmed down, the announcer raised a mike.
"Excuse me. We are about to get started here. I'd like you all to quiet down a bit." She paused, waiting for the audience to be quiet. "OK. My name's Koto. Some of you may know me from my previous jobs, including my announcing at the most recent Dark Tournament.
"We are here to decide the ruling of the Ningenkai in the best way possible. Weather the humans are allowed to keep to themselves or yokai are enabled to traverse freely from the two worlds rest with these six teams. As I announce their names, please welcome them."
Neyoko paid the teams no mind as Koto introduced them. Koto would say the name; let the audience cheer a while, then order for silence.
"The yokai teams are representing the Makai. They will be going up against the winners of last year's Dark Tournament. Please welcome, as politely as possible, the human team of Team Urameshi. (4) The team consists of Contestant Kuwabara, Contestant Hiei, the foxy Contestant Kurama, as their fifth member, Contestant Neyoko, and the team leader, Contestant Urameshi. Please welcome them with the best of your abilities."
That was saying something. The best things that were said were " kill the humans" and stuff. It was all a horrible jumble of noise.
Neyoko was about to yell back, her temper reaching the breaking point. Kurama placed a hand on her shoulder, calming her down a bit.
Briefly, Koto explained the rules. There would be five fights spanning over the next five days, Team Urameshi fighting the five yokai teams on one-on-one fights. Losing meant almost certain death. If a ring out resulted, game over for that player. This was caused by the height of the ring. If someone were to fall, death was guaranteed. Anything was possible.
"The first match will start soon. Team Urameshi and team (Amy, can you come with a name. I too lazy...) The rest of the teams are free to watch from the sideline."
And that was how the first fight began. Nothing really happened that was memorable. Neyoko decided she didn't want to fall. A yokai did and was splattered to smithereens.
The Urameshi team went back to the hotel, victorious, dripping in the blood of yokai.
Definitions: It's a Japanese drink. It means booze, but it's rice wine. It comes in bottles and I think they drink it out of dishes. They do on Rurouni Kenshin, anyway...Drinking laws in Japan are 18 and older, but you get it in vending machines anywhere, so it's kinda pointless. Sorry. I just had to mention Jin. F.Y.I.: In the third match of the dark tournament, Hiei and the "Masked Fighter" were stuck in a force field, and Kuwabara was injured from the fight with Dr. Ichigaki. Kurama fought the first two, lost his third fight ( and Yusuke took over. He killed the guy and fought Jin. Jin should have had a full loss, but the committee said that Yusuke had been out of the rink for more than 10 counts. They win anyway, though. Sorry for the interruption, I just had to add kawaii Jin. (Muse Jin: Thanks.) If you haven't seen the Yu Yu Hakusho movie Poltergeist Report: Bonds of Fire you wouldn't get it. For those of you who haven't seen it, I'll fill you in. You all should at least know that Yoko Kurama was a professional thief. Well in the movie, he had a friend and partner named Kuroune. He always carried the 'pendant' as I described above. On a thieving mission, Kuroune dropped the pendant and died trying to get it back. Later in the movie, a nether world demon god takes that part of Kurama's past, alters it to a negative version, and practically drives him crazy with it. Kurama discovers the trick when the demon throws the pendant and is assured when the demon attacks from behind, something Kuroune never would have done. When Kurama tells the demon his mistake, he holds up the pendant. If you haven't seen the movie, I'd highly recommend it. But, anyway, I think Kurama keeps the pendant to remind him of Kuroune. OK. Just a little FYI: This is cuz it made me feel really proud of myself. This is the first story that I have written so much on. First I write everything down on paper, and then I type. It's always better when I type. But, any ways...This is the first story I have written and the written page number is 100!!!!!!!!!! Tears Stream down overly proud face in rivers I'm sooooo proud of myself.
Author's note: I got the idea for the bracelet from one that my friend made for me. It's got the names of my three favorite bishies separated by black beads. Of course you should know Kurama's name is on it. The other two are Jin (off Yu Yu, not Dragon ball or anything) and Kenshin. Thanks go to her, and all the people who reviewed.
