The fighting ensued. Kurama squared off with his twin. As Yoko
Kurama unleashed his trademark Rosewhip, pulling a single red rose from
behind his right fox ear, Ashanti reached atop his head for a weapon of his
own. In the palm of Ashanti's left hand was a poison ivy leaf. "I see you
still use poison ivy in your weaponry. Tell me, Brother, are you able to
withstand its toxic properties?" "Of course, Kurama, and I have slain many
enemies with it. Though I must admit, your rosewhip does cut through a
demon's flesh pretty well." Standing away from Yoko Kurama, Ashanti
presented his weapon, creating it from his rei-powers. "Ivy Whip," he
announced. From his hands, the poison ivy grew rapidly to form a thick
vine, which twirled down the length of his body. Instead of thorns, like
on his brother's whip, Ashanti's ivywhip was patterned with poison ivy
leaves. "Kurama, I wish I didn't have to fight you." "So why are you
fighting me then?" "I have no choice, Ani has forced me to fight." "Maybe
we can keep up the appearance then," smiled Kurama. Ashanti felt relieved
to hear his brother accepting his wish. Ashanti twirled his whip at the
same time Kurama was twirling his. "So, why is it you are forced to fight,
Ashanti?" "Simple really Kurama, my family's life is at stake. Ani
threatened he would kill my wife, my cubs and their families if I didn't
going his group." "What puzzles me Ashanti is who released him from that
tree I made grow around him on Anonuk Island about 8 or 9 years ago. After
that year's Dark Tournament, for his torture since he can't die, I grew a
tree imprisoning his body forever." Ashanti's face became drawn. "I was
the one who released him, at the time I had no idea why he was in there. I
was passing by that island; I was remembering that was the island I fought
on one time. I suddenly heard a tree speak to me. The demon looked so sad
so desperate to get out of that tree. I guess I should have known better
to leave him there." "Are you saying you fought there yourself?" asked
Kurama. "Years ago, 59 years to be more accurate, I was in a tournament
there. I was a member of the Toguro team. I knew the family. Otouto was
the leader and a friend of mine. However after the tournament was over, we
went our separate ways." Yoko Kurama could barely believe Ashanti's words,
the way they seemed to reflect his own fight with the Toguro team. "So why
are you fighting, Kurama?" "Same reason you are. You see that temple at
the center back here of this courtyard. Inside that temple are my wife and
son. Not only are they inside, but so are Yusuke's wife and daughter."
"You mean that spirit detective I have heard so much about?" The silver
fox nodded, his eyes glazed with a sad expression. Kurama gazed back over
to the other side of the courtyard where Yomi and Dakota were in battle.
