Chapter 9: True Fights
The team stayed up half of the night celebrating the small victory. The team went up to their rooms around midnight.
The young Chinese girl wasn't ready to sleep that night. She kept watch at the window although she didn't expect anything to happen. Torashi lay on the windowsill with her arms crossed and her head lying across them. After a while, she thought she saw something move, but she was too relaxed to care.
She thought that if all of the fights went the same way as the one that day, then everything would be simple. But, she doubted, as she slipped off to sleep, that things would be as simple.
Torashi opened her eyes as a bird flew past her window. She was sore from sleeping at the window. Torashi looked up into the sun. That made her stand up rubbing her eyes. She yawned, stretching, and wondering why it was so quiet.
Realization set in as she started her training stretches to wake herself up.
"Oh, shit! I'm gonna miss out on the match!"
She ran out of the room barely grabbing her key and locking the door, before she was running as fast she could. Torashi wasn't that good of a long-distance runner since she never cared for running from fights.
Torashi arrived at the stadium, barely out of breath. Apparently, her rei was helping her with running. There was a long line of yokai waiting to get in. They were not going to be happy. She was in a bad mood, being late and all. As she walked up to the front of the line, she started feeling more like herself.
Torashi ignored all of the yokai protesting. She almost thought she was home free when she got all the way to the entrance without being stopped, but that didn't last. A heavy hand clamped onto her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.
"You can't go in without a ticket," the guard yokai said in a gruff voice.
"Remove your hand. I'm a fighter for the human team," Torashi replied in a venomous tone of voice.
"No way! A hot little chick like you? Don't even look like you could hurt a fly! Besides you got no proof."
Torashi turned, a murderous gleam in her eyes. "Remove your hand, now, or else I will remove it permanently for you."
The guy jumped back, removing his hand, stuttering, "I...I'm sorry. Please...go right on ahead. And let's say we forget about any of this, ok?"
"Thanks, I was beginning to think I would be even later." Torashi turned away, flipping a hand over her shoulder in a careless 'see ya later' gesture.
When Torashi approached the bottom area of the rink, she realized that most of the audience watched the fight on the rink. But there were several rows towards the bottom. Probably for the occasional chance one of the fighters would fall like the last fight. Those yokai watched the fight above on the screens.
When she got to the bottom, she sat down next to the team.
"What took you? You were almost disqualified baka," Yusuke greeted.
"Someone didn't fricken wake me up. That and the guard gave me trouble. Hiei's up?"
The sound of unanimous 'boo's" came from the audience.
"I think Hiei just won. It only took him five minutes. He must not be having a good day either," Kurama replied.
"Torashi, you wanna go next? Vent off a little anger," Yusuke asked hopefully.
"Why not? Should be good, ne?" she asked, standing up and walking over to the ladder.
Hiei climbed down, jumping off at the end. As he walked past Torashi muttered, "Show-off." As Torashi climbed, she felt someone's glare at her back. She climbed all the way to the top enduring it.
The announcer girl announced, "The next fight will be Urameshi team's Torashi, against an opponent by the name of Jason. (Truth be told, I was at a sleepover and my friends were talking about Jason to freak us all out. So, I don't know, I just decided to use the name. No connections.) Begin when ready."
"You're quite pretty. I'm almost grieved to fight such a sexy thing. Shame you aren't a yokai or I'd ask for a date," Jason coaxed.
Shouts from the audience showed many of the yokai thought the same.
Oh, crap! I forgot the cloak, so now the world knows...Oh, well... Torashi thought. "Shut up! You are so pathetic! First it's all complaints that the fricken humans are winning now this! Just shut up!" Torashi shouted at the audience.
"Oh, common. Give me a date, I let you live. Don't act like you'll fight." Jason continued.
"You wish, pig. I just happen to be in a bad mood. You know what I do when I'm in a bad mood? I like to kick ass. Pay!" Torashi charged at the yokai.
Jason jumped, and that was how they fought. Jumping around, dodging here, attacking there, but Torashi grew agitated. This Jason wasn't trying hard at all, just because she was a female.
Die, sexist pig, Torashi thought as she sliced through the yokai with her Rei Tsume. Torashi licked blood of her claws. "The fight's over. If you still want a date, talk to me in Hell." She tuned and climbed down the rope ladder as the announcer declared her the winner.
The rest of the Urameshi team backed up as Torashi returned. "What the hell? I won't bite.... that is unless you wantta say the same damned things as those yokai. Just don't get it wrong, I fight my own battles." She said the last thing mainly to assure herself.
Yusuke went next, then Kuwabara and lastly Kurama. Yusuke and Kurama won easily, and Kuwabara won in a come-from-behind win. (Ok, these are brief cuz I don't wantta screw up images of the guys. They all grow and change, so I don't know where it'd be... Besides, it's easier for me!)
The team went back to the hotel after that. Torashi stayed outside, practicing in the forest. She wore out her anger, then, after a while, herself. It was around midday so she went inside, got a cup of instant noodles, filled it with hot water (because this isn't like Cowboy Bebop.) and went to her room to eat. Torashi at on the sheetless bed with her back to the door, eating slowly.
Torashi didn't fear death, she decided. She just didn't want to die again. But what she couldn't figure out was why. She shrugged. She just didn't want to. She had gotten attached to this life, hanging with the guys and stuff. Curse all of those yokai and their perverted fantasies. No way in hell that they'd be able to win. The Urameshi team was too powerful to be beaten by weaklings like them.
Torashi threw the cup on the ground, put the chopsticks on the desk and moved to the ground, where she fell asleep to a bizarre dream.
Torashi woke up, immediately sitting up. She was breathing heavily. It was dark outside and dark in the room.
Torashi closed her eyes; her left hand covered her face. She remembered the dream way to clearly. She had lost, and the penalty was death. It was in the tournament, and she lost. Torashi shook at the memory.
Torashi stood up. "Damn dreams always ruin my sleep. And mine always seem to mean something. Damn them."
The sleep had revitalized her, so she went outside to practice a little more. If she were going to die, she wanted to know that she tried her hardest.
This time, Torashi made sure she was waiting for the rest of the team. It was as if to make up for the previous day.
The Urameshi team walked to the stadium. Torashi wanted to know a bit about the team, so se walked next to Kurama and asked questions. She didn't find much out; much of the demons were young and Kurama didn't know of them.
The rest of the way, Torashi was lost in her own private thoughts. Was she actually nervous before a fight, all because of a dream? What was wrong with her?
Did she actually fear death? No not really. Then what was wrong? Everything. No, specifically. The fights. Things would be difficult now that the yokai knew I am a girl. But they all know you are strong. I hope so...
Torashi's private question-and-answer ended when she bumped into Kurama when the rest of the team stopped at the door.
"Gomen-asi Kurama-kun. I wasn't watching where I was going." Torashi apologized.
"It's all right," he replied.
Torashi decided to go last this time. From what she could tell, the rest of the fights were good. Kurama's fight took a while. Hiei said that was Kurama's bad habit. Kurama always tested his opponent before finishing him off.
Hiei's fight was fairly quick and Torashi wished she could see it. The rest of the team said that it would be a miracle because Hiei used speed to his advantage.
Kuwabara stumbled around with his Rei-ken. Torashi found out that was what he did.
Yusuke was 'lazy' and he just used his fists. That was Yusuke's tactics.
Finally, it was Torashi's turn. She climbed up the ladder quickly before getting a look at her opponent. When he finally got up, Torashi decided she didn't like yokai.
The demon that stood before her was the snake yokai that had helped her discover the Rei-tsumi. The only difference was the scar that ran across its chest.
"Holy shit," Torashi muttered. What the hell was she going up against? Kurama had killed the demon, but there it was, standing in front of her like nothing had happened.
The yokai smiled at the look of surprise on Torashi's face. "We weren't properly introduced before. I am Tsi. Your name has been mentioned a lot around here, Torashi. But let's not let that get in the way. Don't hold back, if that is even possible."
That last comment made Torashi forget her confusion. It was replaced by anger and made her cocky. "Thanks for telling me your name. I'll write it on your grave, if I care enough. And you insulted me, something I do not take kindly to. You can call me a bitch and live, but you just insulted my strength. Prepare to die."
Torashi charged the yokai, rei-tsume out, to show the snake the power she had. Her anger made her naive and Tsi easily avoided her. Torashi had her back to him for only an instant, but that was all the time the yokai needed. He grabbed Torashi by the collar, lifting her above the ground.
"I'll write bitch on your grave, since you like it so much. Of course, if there is anything left of you after this," Tsi said in a hushed tone. A slight flick of his scaly wrist sent the young cat girl flying off the arena.
This happened so fast, Torashi was unable to react until she saw the ground. The team below shouted "Torashi!" at once.
As she fell her shirtsleeves and pants leg pants bunched. The force of the wind pulled most of Torashi's long red hair out of the ponytail she used to keep it out of her face. Her breathing quickened.
As Torashi fell, her life flashed before her eyes. She saw it as if a bystander had videotaped the accents of her life. Her mom's training, starting form when she first fell into the Spring of Drown Cat, to the most valuable lessons. She saw the kids and the ball, and everything else she missed the day not too long ago when she had wished her life was exciting. She remembered meeting Botan, Koenma, the later Kuwabara and the rest of the gang. Her first fight, failed miserably. The fight against her current opponent, and the discovery of her Rei-Tsume. The way she felt when she was around Kurama, the drunken kiss, the bracelet. Torashi looked down at the bracelet, also down where the ground was. All this happened in an instant.
Torashi didn't want to die today, at least not in this manner. She had to prove she was strong to everyone, including herself, by living through this and killing Tsi.
Without thinking, Torashi closed her eyes, hands flat together in front of her, right behind left, angling down. Her thoughts directing themselves through the bracelet. She felt her power growing.
A small bit of Rei formed between the ground and the falling cat. She was to close to fully achieve a stop, but she succeeded in dulling the momentum. When she made contact with the ground Torashi stumbled and then went down to one knee, the impact that great. Torashi opened her eyes, looking down at her hands.
Koto was saying, "Amazing! It appears Contestant Torashi has somehow managed to survive the fall. Um.... How should this be ruled? I don't recall this happening before...."
The Urameshi team shouted reasons why Torashi should be allowed to fight, but it was Tsi who provided the most support, saying, "If her will to live is that strong, (1) let her back up so I can kill her that way. It'll please the audience more too."
"Ok. With permission from the opposing team, Contestant Torashi is allowed to continue the fight. Begin when ready."
Torashi finally succeeded in getting her breathing close back to normal. She gripped the first rung of the ladder, releasing a deep breath to sooth her nerves. Tsi had defiantly meant what he said, but it could be his eagerness to be the best that spurred him to speak. Of course what Torashi didn't know was that Tsi was planning an ambush from the trap door. Torashi climbed up the rope ladder quickly, angered and ready to continue the fight. Once at the top, she decided against the door, and jumped, gripping the side of the arena and pulling herself up that way.
Torashi launched herself at the yokai, knocking him aside and finishing like a fighting cat. "Yes, that speech of yours was great and all, but let's not think of it as a favor," she commented, dodging a punch.
As the two talked, they exchanged blows, blocking and dodging here, striking there. "I mainly did it for me. Now, let's fight fair and square."
"Yeah, fair as in ambushing?" Torashi asked, even though she had done just that. Of course, she wasn't the one who said she would.
She took a step back, preparing for a kick, when she slipped on some yokai blood left over from a previous fight. "Cosoy!" she hissed as she fell again. She was unable to move very fast.
Tsi chose this time to attack the helpless cat, hammering her with punches and kicks. After a while, Torashi decided she had had enough. She pushed herself forward sliding out of the blood. Tsi followed.
"After all that, I didn't think you'd go down that easy," the yokai said as they resumed the exchange of blows. But, instead of being slowed, the exchange was faster, and more violent.
"Wow, did you learn not to underestimate me? Sex doesn't matter when you step into battle. Rule number two."
Distraction made Tsi loose his focus a little as he asked, "Then what's rule number one?"
Torashi took the opportunity to swipe in for the kill. She stabbed her rei- tsume through the yokai's neck and twisted. "Rule number one: Pay attention to the fight. That one should have been obvious."
Koto's shocked expression was almost as enjoyable as the fight had been of Torashi. Koto's look bordered on disgust.
"Hey, you gonna announce it, or do ya quit?" Torashi asked.
"Oh, yeah. With another grueling display of blood, Contestant Torashi helps Team Urameshi to their third victory."
As soon as Torashi got off the ladder she intentionally collapsed. She tried to figure out what in the world had happened. She jerked u when Kurama touched her shoulder.
"Niisan," (2) she whispered, hugging Kurama around the waist. Torashi had been raised as an only child, and the only kids she had been around was at school, so she never had felt close to most people other that her okaasan. At school, no one cared about her either.
Torashi leaned back as Kurama stood up. She gripped his hand as he helped her up.
Torashi smiled. "Gomen nasai. I was just so relieved I beat that damned snake."
"Yeah! That's the spirit!" Yusuke shouted, clamping a hand on her shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"And how did you do such a trifle thing like that?" Hiei asked, his back to the group.
"I don't know how I lived through that fall, but I didn't want to die like that." Torashi shrugged, "Besides, if I lost, we'd be down a player. Let's head back now, I'm starving."
She turned, prancing like a cat that caught the big rat.
The rest of the team sighed all at once and, in chorus, said, "I'll never understand that girl."
Only Hiei bothered to add, "And I'm not sure I'd care too."
Torashi was disappointed by the lack of varying foods. The only thing they had was instant noodles. Angered, she took a cup to her room and threw it at the window. Harmless, they fell to the ground. She glared at them form the bed. The cup of hot water cooled on the bedside table.
"I hate instant noodles. They don't frickin have any flavor, and I don't like that. But...it is food..." She got off the bed with the cup of water in her hand to get the cup of noodles. Torashi ate under the window and, worn from the fights, fell asleep.
For some reason, Torashi knew it was a dream. Dreams were the only time other that death that you got to float through nothingness, and there was a multi-colored background.
There was a man standing casually not far from where she was sitting. He was fairly tall and had flowing raven black hair.
"So, the girl Kurama has chosen is beautiful. Nothing compared to himself, but pretty all the same," he said.
Groggy, Torashi said, "What are you talking about? I don't even know who the hell you are."
"My mistake. Kurama obviously doesn't talk about me much. What a shame."
"Wonder why," Torashi muttered. Aloud she said, "And who are you?"
"I am Karasu. I fought on Toguro's team during the finals of the Dark Tournament. If you can't tell, I lost."
"So why should I care?"
"He takes a liking to you, little cat. He made promises to you he would never have made to someone like me, or to any one else, even if circumstances were different."
"Yeah, so what?"
Karasu smiled. "You're a pretty good fighter. Don't get yourself killed, for Kurama's sake. I don't want to see you in Reikai.
"
The dream faded into nothingness. Torashi jerked awake, barely aware of what she was doing. She looked around, realizing no one was there besides the darkness.
She dressed in the black shirt and capris before going down stairs. She shuffled around for a wile, looking for anything other than stupid instant noodles, but found nothing. Then she went outside to warm-up before the fourth match.
Torashi was in as good of a mood as she had been in for a while. She attempted to make soup for the group, but that didn't work out too well. Instead, she waited for the group while eating a cup of noodles.
The team was down an hour before the match started, and Torashi wanted to know a little of what was going on. Kurama, Hiei and Yusuke looked ready for the fight, but Kuwabara looked ready to go back to sleep. They sat at the table without saying anything.
Torashi had been quiet since she had gotten up and the tension in the room was killing her. "Did I do something wrong? You guys would tell me if I did, right?"
"You didn't do anything wrong," Kurama replied shortly.
"Then, what's wrong?"
Yusuke changed the subject. "I think I'm hungry. How bout you Kuwabara? What'll ya have?"
Kuwabara took a while before realizing all they had was noodles. "Urameshi, don't trick me like that!"
Torashi found it odd that Hiei hadn't commented on Kuwabara's stupidity. She looked over at him and found him looking elsewhere. He looked up at her and Torashi quickly looked away.
"I think I need to practice a little bit. I won't be late for the match," Hiei said before leaving.
There was something strange going on, and Torashi wanted to know what. She had a feeling that it had to do with her, which was why the guys weren't telling her, which made her want to know more. Her mind was rolling with ideas, and most of them were just junk. Hiei was always the most reclusive, but he wasn't acting like himself today. He seemed even more uncomfortable than usual, too.
Torashi shook her head, trying to clear out the thoughts. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Maybe it had something to do with her own prediction of her own death, but that seemed like to crazy of a coincidence.
She might not ever really know. But she finally decided she didn't care. Torashi thought that, but she still was a little curious.
Torashi stood up, a fake smile spread across her face. "I think we should be going now. The match might start soon."
The guys nodded their agreement. They ignored the half-eaten noodles, leaving them to remain on the table.
They left, Torashi way ahead of the rest of the group. The rest of the team followed slowly, as if to keep their distance from the ganky (3) girl.
They passed Hiei about half way to the stadium. He glared at Torashi, asking "What's wrong with her?"
Everyone shrugged, and Kuwabara said, "I dunno. Maybe it was something she ate."
The walk was boring and way too quiet in Torashi's opinion. She hummed a bit of a song as she walked, hoping to get the tune out of her head before she fought. She reached the stadium way before the others, and waited for them outside. They walked in as a group.
"What order are we going to go in?" Torashi asked.
The guys exchanged a glance before Kurama offered to go first. Then, Hiei, followed by Kuwabara and then Yusuke.
"I guess you're going last, eh Torashi?" Yusuke joked.
Torashi ignored the joke, saying, "Whatever. Just don't kill all of 'em. I want to get at least one fight today."
The guys exchanged a worried glance that Torashi chose to ignore, even though she did see it.
They entered the arena area and waited for the match to start. When it did, Kurama climbed up the rope ladder.
Nothing much happened during the fights. All of Team Urameshi won with little or no scratches, including Kuwabara. Torashi got her fight in so she was happy. The boys just seemed relieved about something that Torashi was unable to determine. She decided that she was going to try to find out as they walked back to the hotel.
"Hey guys, what's going on? You've been avoiding me all day. There's something wrong, so don't deny it, and everyone knows but me."
The group was quiet a moment, then Kurama said, "Hiei predicted one of us may die by the end of the tournament. We didn't want to bother you with such a minor thing."
"Look, you guys can tell me just about anything. As that one saying goes, 'I'm an open book.' Tell me next time," Torashi was agitated by this, but it didn't really matter. Of course, she thought, that really could mean something. First I have a dream about it, and then Hiei predicts it. I'd better watch myself.
The Urameshi team finished the walk back to the hotel they were staying at with no problems. And, for once, that didn't bother Torashi.
I can't fight without you,
But I can't win with you.
What should I do to satisfy both?
For fighting is necessary,
But winning is crucial.
Lives hang in balance,
One a win can tip.
If I lose you, why bother to win?
But why let feelings like these determine our lives?
I feel like I am loosing,
Or already have lost.
Explanations:
Sorry, I've watched way too much Kenshin lately.... Brother, or better is older brother... (3) Happy or hyper active, like Excel Saga....
Author's note: Ok, that was chapter nine. We're getting closer to the end and I'm getting crazier. That poem up above, I came up with that. It fit in nicely with things, so I put it in. In this story, it sounds like it's from Kurama's viewpoint. So, keep reading and reviewing for me and it might get updated again. Of course, I've been really lazy lately, so I haven't typed for a while, so maybe reviews will help me with the pain...
That's all for now, so have fun.
The team stayed up half of the night celebrating the small victory. The team went up to their rooms around midnight.
The young Chinese girl wasn't ready to sleep that night. She kept watch at the window although she didn't expect anything to happen. Torashi lay on the windowsill with her arms crossed and her head lying across them. After a while, she thought she saw something move, but she was too relaxed to care.
She thought that if all of the fights went the same way as the one that day, then everything would be simple. But, she doubted, as she slipped off to sleep, that things would be as simple.
Torashi opened her eyes as a bird flew past her window. She was sore from sleeping at the window. Torashi looked up into the sun. That made her stand up rubbing her eyes. She yawned, stretching, and wondering why it was so quiet.
Realization set in as she started her training stretches to wake herself up.
"Oh, shit! I'm gonna miss out on the match!"
She ran out of the room barely grabbing her key and locking the door, before she was running as fast she could. Torashi wasn't that good of a long-distance runner since she never cared for running from fights.
Torashi arrived at the stadium, barely out of breath. Apparently, her rei was helping her with running. There was a long line of yokai waiting to get in. They were not going to be happy. She was in a bad mood, being late and all. As she walked up to the front of the line, she started feeling more like herself.
Torashi ignored all of the yokai protesting. She almost thought she was home free when she got all the way to the entrance without being stopped, but that didn't last. A heavy hand clamped onto her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.
"You can't go in without a ticket," the guard yokai said in a gruff voice.
"Remove your hand. I'm a fighter for the human team," Torashi replied in a venomous tone of voice.
"No way! A hot little chick like you? Don't even look like you could hurt a fly! Besides you got no proof."
Torashi turned, a murderous gleam in her eyes. "Remove your hand, now, or else I will remove it permanently for you."
The guy jumped back, removing his hand, stuttering, "I...I'm sorry. Please...go right on ahead. And let's say we forget about any of this, ok?"
"Thanks, I was beginning to think I would be even later." Torashi turned away, flipping a hand over her shoulder in a careless 'see ya later' gesture.
When Torashi approached the bottom area of the rink, she realized that most of the audience watched the fight on the rink. But there were several rows towards the bottom. Probably for the occasional chance one of the fighters would fall like the last fight. Those yokai watched the fight above on the screens.
When she got to the bottom, she sat down next to the team.
"What took you? You were almost disqualified baka," Yusuke greeted.
"Someone didn't fricken wake me up. That and the guard gave me trouble. Hiei's up?"
The sound of unanimous 'boo's" came from the audience.
"I think Hiei just won. It only took him five minutes. He must not be having a good day either," Kurama replied.
"Torashi, you wanna go next? Vent off a little anger," Yusuke asked hopefully.
"Why not? Should be good, ne?" she asked, standing up and walking over to the ladder.
Hiei climbed down, jumping off at the end. As he walked past Torashi muttered, "Show-off." As Torashi climbed, she felt someone's glare at her back. She climbed all the way to the top enduring it.
The announcer girl announced, "The next fight will be Urameshi team's Torashi, against an opponent by the name of Jason. (Truth be told, I was at a sleepover and my friends were talking about Jason to freak us all out. So, I don't know, I just decided to use the name. No connections.) Begin when ready."
"You're quite pretty. I'm almost grieved to fight such a sexy thing. Shame you aren't a yokai or I'd ask for a date," Jason coaxed.
Shouts from the audience showed many of the yokai thought the same.
Oh, crap! I forgot the cloak, so now the world knows...Oh, well... Torashi thought. "Shut up! You are so pathetic! First it's all complaints that the fricken humans are winning now this! Just shut up!" Torashi shouted at the audience.
"Oh, common. Give me a date, I let you live. Don't act like you'll fight." Jason continued.
"You wish, pig. I just happen to be in a bad mood. You know what I do when I'm in a bad mood? I like to kick ass. Pay!" Torashi charged at the yokai.
Jason jumped, and that was how they fought. Jumping around, dodging here, attacking there, but Torashi grew agitated. This Jason wasn't trying hard at all, just because she was a female.
Die, sexist pig, Torashi thought as she sliced through the yokai with her Rei Tsume. Torashi licked blood of her claws. "The fight's over. If you still want a date, talk to me in Hell." She tuned and climbed down the rope ladder as the announcer declared her the winner.
The rest of the Urameshi team backed up as Torashi returned. "What the hell? I won't bite.... that is unless you wantta say the same damned things as those yokai. Just don't get it wrong, I fight my own battles." She said the last thing mainly to assure herself.
Yusuke went next, then Kuwabara and lastly Kurama. Yusuke and Kurama won easily, and Kuwabara won in a come-from-behind win. (Ok, these are brief cuz I don't wantta screw up images of the guys. They all grow and change, so I don't know where it'd be... Besides, it's easier for me!)
The team went back to the hotel after that. Torashi stayed outside, practicing in the forest. She wore out her anger, then, after a while, herself. It was around midday so she went inside, got a cup of instant noodles, filled it with hot water (because this isn't like Cowboy Bebop.) and went to her room to eat. Torashi at on the sheetless bed with her back to the door, eating slowly.
Torashi didn't fear death, she decided. She just didn't want to die again. But what she couldn't figure out was why. She shrugged. She just didn't want to. She had gotten attached to this life, hanging with the guys and stuff. Curse all of those yokai and their perverted fantasies. No way in hell that they'd be able to win. The Urameshi team was too powerful to be beaten by weaklings like them.
Torashi threw the cup on the ground, put the chopsticks on the desk and moved to the ground, where she fell asleep to a bizarre dream.
Torashi woke up, immediately sitting up. She was breathing heavily. It was dark outside and dark in the room.
Torashi closed her eyes; her left hand covered her face. She remembered the dream way to clearly. She had lost, and the penalty was death. It was in the tournament, and she lost. Torashi shook at the memory.
Torashi stood up. "Damn dreams always ruin my sleep. And mine always seem to mean something. Damn them."
The sleep had revitalized her, so she went outside to practice a little more. If she were going to die, she wanted to know that she tried her hardest.
This time, Torashi made sure she was waiting for the rest of the team. It was as if to make up for the previous day.
The Urameshi team walked to the stadium. Torashi wanted to know a bit about the team, so se walked next to Kurama and asked questions. She didn't find much out; much of the demons were young and Kurama didn't know of them.
The rest of the way, Torashi was lost in her own private thoughts. Was she actually nervous before a fight, all because of a dream? What was wrong with her?
Did she actually fear death? No not really. Then what was wrong? Everything. No, specifically. The fights. Things would be difficult now that the yokai knew I am a girl. But they all know you are strong. I hope so...
Torashi's private question-and-answer ended when she bumped into Kurama when the rest of the team stopped at the door.
"Gomen-asi Kurama-kun. I wasn't watching where I was going." Torashi apologized.
"It's all right," he replied.
Torashi decided to go last this time. From what she could tell, the rest of the fights were good. Kurama's fight took a while. Hiei said that was Kurama's bad habit. Kurama always tested his opponent before finishing him off.
Hiei's fight was fairly quick and Torashi wished she could see it. The rest of the team said that it would be a miracle because Hiei used speed to his advantage.
Kuwabara stumbled around with his Rei-ken. Torashi found out that was what he did.
Yusuke was 'lazy' and he just used his fists. That was Yusuke's tactics.
Finally, it was Torashi's turn. She climbed up the ladder quickly before getting a look at her opponent. When he finally got up, Torashi decided she didn't like yokai.
The demon that stood before her was the snake yokai that had helped her discover the Rei-tsumi. The only difference was the scar that ran across its chest.
"Holy shit," Torashi muttered. What the hell was she going up against? Kurama had killed the demon, but there it was, standing in front of her like nothing had happened.
The yokai smiled at the look of surprise on Torashi's face. "We weren't properly introduced before. I am Tsi. Your name has been mentioned a lot around here, Torashi. But let's not let that get in the way. Don't hold back, if that is even possible."
That last comment made Torashi forget her confusion. It was replaced by anger and made her cocky. "Thanks for telling me your name. I'll write it on your grave, if I care enough. And you insulted me, something I do not take kindly to. You can call me a bitch and live, but you just insulted my strength. Prepare to die."
Torashi charged the yokai, rei-tsume out, to show the snake the power she had. Her anger made her naive and Tsi easily avoided her. Torashi had her back to him for only an instant, but that was all the time the yokai needed. He grabbed Torashi by the collar, lifting her above the ground.
"I'll write bitch on your grave, since you like it so much. Of course, if there is anything left of you after this," Tsi said in a hushed tone. A slight flick of his scaly wrist sent the young cat girl flying off the arena.
This happened so fast, Torashi was unable to react until she saw the ground. The team below shouted "Torashi!" at once.
As she fell her shirtsleeves and pants leg pants bunched. The force of the wind pulled most of Torashi's long red hair out of the ponytail she used to keep it out of her face. Her breathing quickened.
As Torashi fell, her life flashed before her eyes. She saw it as if a bystander had videotaped the accents of her life. Her mom's training, starting form when she first fell into the Spring of Drown Cat, to the most valuable lessons. She saw the kids and the ball, and everything else she missed the day not too long ago when she had wished her life was exciting. She remembered meeting Botan, Koenma, the later Kuwabara and the rest of the gang. Her first fight, failed miserably. The fight against her current opponent, and the discovery of her Rei-Tsume. The way she felt when she was around Kurama, the drunken kiss, the bracelet. Torashi looked down at the bracelet, also down where the ground was. All this happened in an instant.
Torashi didn't want to die today, at least not in this manner. She had to prove she was strong to everyone, including herself, by living through this and killing Tsi.
Without thinking, Torashi closed her eyes, hands flat together in front of her, right behind left, angling down. Her thoughts directing themselves through the bracelet. She felt her power growing.
A small bit of Rei formed between the ground and the falling cat. She was to close to fully achieve a stop, but she succeeded in dulling the momentum. When she made contact with the ground Torashi stumbled and then went down to one knee, the impact that great. Torashi opened her eyes, looking down at her hands.
Koto was saying, "Amazing! It appears Contestant Torashi has somehow managed to survive the fall. Um.... How should this be ruled? I don't recall this happening before...."
The Urameshi team shouted reasons why Torashi should be allowed to fight, but it was Tsi who provided the most support, saying, "If her will to live is that strong, (1) let her back up so I can kill her that way. It'll please the audience more too."
"Ok. With permission from the opposing team, Contestant Torashi is allowed to continue the fight. Begin when ready."
Torashi finally succeeded in getting her breathing close back to normal. She gripped the first rung of the ladder, releasing a deep breath to sooth her nerves. Tsi had defiantly meant what he said, but it could be his eagerness to be the best that spurred him to speak. Of course what Torashi didn't know was that Tsi was planning an ambush from the trap door. Torashi climbed up the rope ladder quickly, angered and ready to continue the fight. Once at the top, she decided against the door, and jumped, gripping the side of the arena and pulling herself up that way.
Torashi launched herself at the yokai, knocking him aside and finishing like a fighting cat. "Yes, that speech of yours was great and all, but let's not think of it as a favor," she commented, dodging a punch.
As the two talked, they exchanged blows, blocking and dodging here, striking there. "I mainly did it for me. Now, let's fight fair and square."
"Yeah, fair as in ambushing?" Torashi asked, even though she had done just that. Of course, she wasn't the one who said she would.
She took a step back, preparing for a kick, when she slipped on some yokai blood left over from a previous fight. "Cosoy!" she hissed as she fell again. She was unable to move very fast.
Tsi chose this time to attack the helpless cat, hammering her with punches and kicks. After a while, Torashi decided she had had enough. She pushed herself forward sliding out of the blood. Tsi followed.
"After all that, I didn't think you'd go down that easy," the yokai said as they resumed the exchange of blows. But, instead of being slowed, the exchange was faster, and more violent.
"Wow, did you learn not to underestimate me? Sex doesn't matter when you step into battle. Rule number two."
Distraction made Tsi loose his focus a little as he asked, "Then what's rule number one?"
Torashi took the opportunity to swipe in for the kill. She stabbed her rei- tsume through the yokai's neck and twisted. "Rule number one: Pay attention to the fight. That one should have been obvious."
Koto's shocked expression was almost as enjoyable as the fight had been of Torashi. Koto's look bordered on disgust.
"Hey, you gonna announce it, or do ya quit?" Torashi asked.
"Oh, yeah. With another grueling display of blood, Contestant Torashi helps Team Urameshi to their third victory."
As soon as Torashi got off the ladder she intentionally collapsed. She tried to figure out what in the world had happened. She jerked u when Kurama touched her shoulder.
"Niisan," (2) she whispered, hugging Kurama around the waist. Torashi had been raised as an only child, and the only kids she had been around was at school, so she never had felt close to most people other that her okaasan. At school, no one cared about her either.
Torashi leaned back as Kurama stood up. She gripped his hand as he helped her up.
Torashi smiled. "Gomen nasai. I was just so relieved I beat that damned snake."
"Yeah! That's the spirit!" Yusuke shouted, clamping a hand on her shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"And how did you do such a trifle thing like that?" Hiei asked, his back to the group.
"I don't know how I lived through that fall, but I didn't want to die like that." Torashi shrugged, "Besides, if I lost, we'd be down a player. Let's head back now, I'm starving."
She turned, prancing like a cat that caught the big rat.
The rest of the team sighed all at once and, in chorus, said, "I'll never understand that girl."
Only Hiei bothered to add, "And I'm not sure I'd care too."
Torashi was disappointed by the lack of varying foods. The only thing they had was instant noodles. Angered, she took a cup to her room and threw it at the window. Harmless, they fell to the ground. She glared at them form the bed. The cup of hot water cooled on the bedside table.
"I hate instant noodles. They don't frickin have any flavor, and I don't like that. But...it is food..." She got off the bed with the cup of water in her hand to get the cup of noodles. Torashi ate under the window and, worn from the fights, fell asleep.
For some reason, Torashi knew it was a dream. Dreams were the only time other that death that you got to float through nothingness, and there was a multi-colored background.
There was a man standing casually not far from where she was sitting. He was fairly tall and had flowing raven black hair.
"So, the girl Kurama has chosen is beautiful. Nothing compared to himself, but pretty all the same," he said.
Groggy, Torashi said, "What are you talking about? I don't even know who the hell you are."
"My mistake. Kurama obviously doesn't talk about me much. What a shame."
"Wonder why," Torashi muttered. Aloud she said, "And who are you?"
"I am Karasu. I fought on Toguro's team during the finals of the Dark Tournament. If you can't tell, I lost."
"So why should I care?"
"He takes a liking to you, little cat. He made promises to you he would never have made to someone like me, or to any one else, even if circumstances were different."
"Yeah, so what?"
Karasu smiled. "You're a pretty good fighter. Don't get yourself killed, for Kurama's sake. I don't want to see you in Reikai.
"
The dream faded into nothingness. Torashi jerked awake, barely aware of what she was doing. She looked around, realizing no one was there besides the darkness.
She dressed in the black shirt and capris before going down stairs. She shuffled around for a wile, looking for anything other than stupid instant noodles, but found nothing. Then she went outside to warm-up before the fourth match.
Torashi was in as good of a mood as she had been in for a while. She attempted to make soup for the group, but that didn't work out too well. Instead, she waited for the group while eating a cup of noodles.
The team was down an hour before the match started, and Torashi wanted to know a little of what was going on. Kurama, Hiei and Yusuke looked ready for the fight, but Kuwabara looked ready to go back to sleep. They sat at the table without saying anything.
Torashi had been quiet since she had gotten up and the tension in the room was killing her. "Did I do something wrong? You guys would tell me if I did, right?"
"You didn't do anything wrong," Kurama replied shortly.
"Then, what's wrong?"
Yusuke changed the subject. "I think I'm hungry. How bout you Kuwabara? What'll ya have?"
Kuwabara took a while before realizing all they had was noodles. "Urameshi, don't trick me like that!"
Torashi found it odd that Hiei hadn't commented on Kuwabara's stupidity. She looked over at him and found him looking elsewhere. He looked up at her and Torashi quickly looked away.
"I think I need to practice a little bit. I won't be late for the match," Hiei said before leaving.
There was something strange going on, and Torashi wanted to know what. She had a feeling that it had to do with her, which was why the guys weren't telling her, which made her want to know more. Her mind was rolling with ideas, and most of them were just junk. Hiei was always the most reclusive, but he wasn't acting like himself today. He seemed even more uncomfortable than usual, too.
Torashi shook her head, trying to clear out the thoughts. Unfortunately, it didn't work. Maybe it had something to do with her own prediction of her own death, but that seemed like to crazy of a coincidence.
She might not ever really know. But she finally decided she didn't care. Torashi thought that, but she still was a little curious.
Torashi stood up, a fake smile spread across her face. "I think we should be going now. The match might start soon."
The guys nodded their agreement. They ignored the half-eaten noodles, leaving them to remain on the table.
They left, Torashi way ahead of the rest of the group. The rest of the team followed slowly, as if to keep their distance from the ganky (3) girl.
They passed Hiei about half way to the stadium. He glared at Torashi, asking "What's wrong with her?"
Everyone shrugged, and Kuwabara said, "I dunno. Maybe it was something she ate."
The walk was boring and way too quiet in Torashi's opinion. She hummed a bit of a song as she walked, hoping to get the tune out of her head before she fought. She reached the stadium way before the others, and waited for them outside. They walked in as a group.
"What order are we going to go in?" Torashi asked.
The guys exchanged a glance before Kurama offered to go first. Then, Hiei, followed by Kuwabara and then Yusuke.
"I guess you're going last, eh Torashi?" Yusuke joked.
Torashi ignored the joke, saying, "Whatever. Just don't kill all of 'em. I want to get at least one fight today."
The guys exchanged a worried glance that Torashi chose to ignore, even though she did see it.
They entered the arena area and waited for the match to start. When it did, Kurama climbed up the rope ladder.
Nothing much happened during the fights. All of Team Urameshi won with little or no scratches, including Kuwabara. Torashi got her fight in so she was happy. The boys just seemed relieved about something that Torashi was unable to determine. She decided that she was going to try to find out as they walked back to the hotel.
"Hey guys, what's going on? You've been avoiding me all day. There's something wrong, so don't deny it, and everyone knows but me."
The group was quiet a moment, then Kurama said, "Hiei predicted one of us may die by the end of the tournament. We didn't want to bother you with such a minor thing."
"Look, you guys can tell me just about anything. As that one saying goes, 'I'm an open book.' Tell me next time," Torashi was agitated by this, but it didn't really matter. Of course, she thought, that really could mean something. First I have a dream about it, and then Hiei predicts it. I'd better watch myself.
The Urameshi team finished the walk back to the hotel they were staying at with no problems. And, for once, that didn't bother Torashi.
I can't fight without you,
But I can't win with you.
What should I do to satisfy both?
For fighting is necessary,
But winning is crucial.
Lives hang in balance,
One a win can tip.
If I lose you, why bother to win?
But why let feelings like these determine our lives?
I feel like I am loosing,
Or already have lost.
Explanations:
Sorry, I've watched way too much Kenshin lately.... Brother, or better is older brother... (3) Happy or hyper active, like Excel Saga....
Author's note: Ok, that was chapter nine. We're getting closer to the end and I'm getting crazier. That poem up above, I came up with that. It fit in nicely with things, so I put it in. In this story, it sounds like it's from Kurama's viewpoint. So, keep reading and reviewing for me and it might get updated again. Of course, I've been really lazy lately, so I haven't typed for a while, so maybe reviews will help me with the pain...
That's all for now, so have fun.
