Part 09

I don't know how long I slept, but when I woke up I saw nobody in the room, until I looked at the end of my bed. If I didn't see the familiar black flaring hair, I would have probably stabbed the resting Hiei in the chest with one of my elemental swords.

"What are you doing in here?" I questioned him.

"Everyone has gone to eat lunch and I volunteered to stay behind to make sure nobody tried anything funny while you were sleeping," Hiei answered, without even opening his eyes.

I scratched my head, "Oh...thanks, I guess."

Hiei opened his eyes and stood up. He walked to the door, "Coming?"

I jumped up out of bed, "Yeah!"

When we arrived downstairs everyone was still eating at the buffet they had set up for the fighters and guests. "Hey Stephanie, good to see you're awake!" Botan smiled brightly.

I grinned, "Yep, and I'm ready to fight!" A few seconds later, my stomach growled loudly and everyone laughed. "Well, maybe I should get something to eat first..."

"Sit down here, Steph!" Tiffany exclaimed to me. I nodded as I went and got a plate of food. I then went and sat down by her and Hiei took the remaining seat next to me. I ate my food quickly and tasted some weird juice. It tasted alright, so I drank the whole glass down. I jumped up and left the room while Kurama followed behind me.

"Stephanie?"

"Hm?" I asked, turning around.

"During this fight, be careful, okay?"

"Of course, after all, I'm not Jin."

"Hey, I heard that!" Jin exclaimed from the other room.

"Kurama, can I ask you something?"

He nodded, "Go ahead."

"Why does Hiei act so secretive around everyone?"

"I am not the one you should be asking that, Stephanie. I do know as of why he acts like he does, but I think that you should ask him instead."

"Stephanie does not know her true feelings for our friend, Kurama. We know very well how she feels, but she is still confused. It does not help that he is stubborn," I whispered to him.

Kurama laughed, "That's Hiei alright."

Hiei walked into the room where we stood and looked at us, "Talking about me behind my back, Kurama?"

"You could say that," he nodded as he walked passed Hiei and back into the buffet room.

I looked at Hiei, "Why do you assume to be so secretive around everyone?"

Hiei walked right past me and stopped, "Because, Izanami, I can be."

"Y-you know who I am?"

"I know much more than you think..." Hiei said as he continued out of the hotel.

I walked back into the buffet room to see everyone finishing their meals. "Are you ready to go, Stephanie?" Botan asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, let's do this."

Our overly large group walked outside and met up with Hiei. When we arrived at the arena we saw Ogre and Koenma. "Welcome to your second bout of the day, Team Kouken Gurentai. Again, I wish you luck, and be careful."

We all nodded and went inside. Koenma, Ogre, Yukina, Botan, and the Spirit Beasts went off to their seats while our team continued on to the sign-in. When we finally arrived at the entrance to the battle floor, the same two guards were standing there.

"Our opening team is myself, Stephanie, the leader and Elemental Youkai; Touya, the Ice Master; Jin, the Wind Master; Kurama, the Fox Youkai; and Keishou, the Elemental Youkai." The left guard inputted the information into the computer like he did before. As soon as the information was in we continued all the way out onto the field like we had done earlier.

"Hello, faithful tournament fans! I am Shanie, the referee for this year's Dark Tournament elimination rounds! This team needs no introduction after their first round; Team Kouken Gurentai!" Shanie announced as our group once again walked out in a line. The reserve fighters stopped and we took a few more steps forward. We turned and nodded so they all jumped up into the stands and took their seats. Myself and the other fighters continued on to the ring and joined Shanie.

Shanie turned towards the other entrance, "And our next team is Team Sukido! This team made up of beast demons is one not to be taken lightly. We all witnessed their amazing abilities in their first round, I just hope Team Kouken Gurentai is prepared for such an awesome opposition!" The team of overly large demons all walked out and joined us on the stage. "Now, Team Leaders step forward." I stepped forward as one of the large demons came forward. "You know our rules, the team that wins three out of five of the battles shall win the match. Now each of you pick your own conditions."

"Any weapons may be used in the battle, and there is no holding back!" the giant demon bellowed.

"Fine with me. My rule is simple, I will fight as long as I possibly can. Then one of my team mates may take my place in battle at any time--even in the middle of a fight."

"The rules have once again been set, now let the round begin!" Shanie announced.

My team and the opposing team all walked off the arena stage. "Stephanie, are you crazy?"

I looked up at Kurama, "So what if I am? I am not willing to let any of you get hurt again. I will fight until I have to stop, then one of you can take my place. Promise me you won't interfere until I ask for your help." Everyone looked wearily at each other and the nodded. I jumped back up onto the stage and was met in the middle by one of the giant demons.

"You are a pathetic fool," he laughed loudly.

"Am I?" I smirked, disappearing. I reappeared behind him and sent a powered up light sword through his back, "One down, two to go."

Shanie counted to ten and then another one of the large demons appeared inside the ring to take me on. I faked a jump into the air and ran underneath the demon. Once behind him I jumped and hit his neck, knocking him unconscious. Once again, Shanie counted to ten. A third demon was about to enter the ring, but was stopped by the leader.

Their leader entered the stage and stopped in front of me, "I am Okado...and you really are a fool, half-breed."

I snarled and jumped up in Okado's face, preparing to kick him, but he was gone. I dropped to the ground and looked around. I peered upwards and was instantly crushed underneath his massive weight.

Hiei stood up only to have his cloak grabbed by Rinku, "You can't go in there! You'll get them disqualified!"

"Er..." Hiei growled as Okado stood up and Shanie walked over to start the ten count. I was knocked completely unconscious, so there was no way I was getting up. When ten was finally called Touya came into the ring and pulled me from my place in the stone. When he turned his back, Okado swung at him, as to defeat him as well. Touya, jumped into the air and landed on Okado's hand. He then jumped off and out of the ring.

"Kurama, take her to Yukina and Botan, they can take care of her from there."

Kurama took me and nodded as Touya returned to the ring right before he was counted out. Okado stared down at him, only to be met with an ice cold stare, one that was out for blood. "You will pay dearly for what you've done..."

"I'd like to see you try, Ice Master, Touya. I know all about you and your powers."

"Oh yeah? Ice Storm..."

Suddenly a howling storm appeared; cold wind rushed through the stadium, followed by a shower of ice. As Okado was distracted from trying to not be hit, Touya snuck around him and jumped into the air. "What!" Okado yelled.

"Blizzard Bullets!" Touya releashed his upgraded version of Shards of Winter, sending bullets of pure ice piercing through Okado's chest; straight into his heart and lungs. Within seconds, his heart stopped, and he was literally frozen to death.

Shanie called the ten count, "And once again Kouken Gurentai wins their battle against powerful opponents! We will continue the Dark Tournament elimination rounds tomorrow! Be prepared for even more awesome battles!"

When my team arrived in our room, I was laying unconscious in my bed, being looked after by Yukina. "Where's Botan?" Kurama asked.

Yukina looked down at the floor, "King Yama called for her. I fear that he may retract his deal and take back Stephanie's life. Even then my healing powers are useless."

Seconds later, Botan entered the room. Everyone looked over at her to figure out what King Yama wanted. She sighed, "King Yama was impressed by Stephanie's improvement over these past months. He said he is interested to see what move our Leader will make next."

"So, you mean, she's not going to lose her life?" Tiffany asked, eagerly.

Botan shook her head, "No, she's not." Everyone let out a large sigh of relief.

"We should let her get some rest, after all, that was a nasty incident. I don't believe she will be awakening any time soon," Yukina said as she got up and walked out of the room. Slowly everyone followed her into the middle room. Touya and Hiei were the last two inside the room.

"You did very well out there, Touya."

"Hm, I was only interested in getting up here to see if she was alright. Without her we cannot continue in the tournament. What about you, Hiei? You were up here even before Rinku, Tyler, and Tiffany."

"I also wanted to see if she was going to be alright. Stephanie is very powerful, but she takes it for granted."

Touya nodded, "She does, but she does it to protect those she loves. If what Keishou says is true, Stephanie has seen much bloodshed in her life. Though, for some reason, I do not truly trust his story."

"Neither do I," Hiei whispered, "I don't trust him at all."

"Why?"

"I cannot really say, all I know is that he is not who he seems to be. There is something about him that just gets on my nerves."

"Well, I will keep my ears open for you, and for all of our sakes," Touya said. Hiei nodded and Touya left the room.

Hiei walked over to my bed with Goukaryuu at his side, "Stay and keep her warm, Gouka. Puu and Kamikaze are with the others." Gouka nodded and laid down next to me. Hiei then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Later that night, everyone was down at dinner when I was paid an unexpected visit from an unknown visitor. The window next to my bed opened at I began to float in the air. Still being unconscious, I had no clue what was happening, but Goukaryuu did. He jumped up and began to growl at whatever was pulling me out of the room. Gouka grabbed onto my shirt and held on tight. Within seconds he flew backwards and landed hard against the wall across the room, and I was taken from the room.

Downstairs, Hiei felt the pain that Gouka had experienced when he hit the wall. Hiei stood up and quickly went back upstairs, followed by Puu and Kamikaze. When Hiei opened the door to the girls' room, he found Gouka clawing at the glass, trying to get out. Hiei opened the window and looked outside and then at Gouka, "Do you know what direction she went?"

The little dragon nodded and they took off out the window, along with Puu and Kamikaze. Kurama perked up during dinner and excused himself. When he arrived outside he saw Hiei heading into the forest with the Spirit Beasts and followed behind him. Hiei noticed that Kurama was following and slowed his pace to allow him to catch up.

When Kurama was below Hiei he looked upwards, "What's going on?"

"Stephanie has been kidnapped."

"What? How?"

"Right out the window. I don't know how, exactly, all I know is that I felt a pain through my body, and I knew it had to be from Gouka. When I arrived upstairs, Stephanie was gone, and Gouka was trying to claw through the window."

"Great, our unconscious leader has been kidnapped by an unknown force that will most likely kill her or use her powers for their own personal gain. Yeah, that's real perfect," Kurama said.

"Shut up, Kurama; the last thing I want to hear from you is sarcasm," Hiei replied bluntly.

Deep in the forest outside of the hotel a group of demons from Team Datean were plotting a plan on how to defeat my team. "...Trikoy, haven't you gotten her here yet?"

"Patience, Ceran. I can only go as fast as my mind will allow. Once she gets into Hallaia's territory, I will be able to move her more quickly because I will be able to see her. Until then calm yourself, it won't be anymore than ten minutes."

Ceran sat down next to his teammate and waited for my arrival. Their team was the one we were supposed to be meeting up against first thing the next day. Unlike most teams, they only consisted of five fighters instead of nine. Their owner pulled a few strings to get them into the tournament, and they were willing to do anything to win. Trikoy, the one who had taken me from my room, has a power that allows him to move objects or even living beings from one place to another, whether or not he can see them. As long as he knows where it or they are, he can move them.

Trikoy's eyes flared open as I finally entered Hallaia's territory. Her ability of mind-connecting and either sharing what she is seeing with others, or seeing what others are, makes her a dangerous adversary for anyone. Ten minutes later, Hallaia and I arrived where the others were. Another team member, Jamena, took me from the sky and jumped to the ground. The four of them took off towards a cave where their leader, Matraien, and owner, Ms. Lucia, awaited them.

Back in the forest, Kurama, Hiei, and the Spirit Beasts, were at a stand still. Gouka sniffed the air as Kamikaze closed his eyes and listened to the wind. Seconds later they both looked at one another and took off once again in the direction Trikoy had taken me with his mind control. Only minutes later they stopped once again at the place where the demos had just been.

"They were just here," Kurama said looking around, "Where could they be taking her?"

"Who knows, but we have to get her back. Most likely they're planning on killing her, so we'll be taken out of the tournament," Hiei replied as the Spirit Beasts once again took off, "Looks like they've found the trail."

"Good, then let's get going before it's too late," Kurama nodded as they took off after the three beasts.

When the four demons entered the cave with me, Trikoy erected an invisible wall that would keep others out and their energies hidden. After that they continued on into the cave, not stopping until they came to a well lit room. Jamena tossed me in front of Matraien as Ms. Lucia walked up.

"Be gentle with her, Jamena, we wouldn't want our guest to die such a painless death. If we are going to take her out of this tournament, then she must suffer like everyone else we have destroyed," Ms. Lucia told her as she sat down on a rock.

Matraien stood up from where he was sitting. He picked me up by the collar of my shirt and stared at me, "She's completely knocked unconscious."

"After a body slam like the one she got from Team Sukido's leader, you'd be knocked completely unconscious too, moron," Hallaia smirked.

"No, because I wouldn't have fallen for his stupid trick... Now, let us see who or what this girl fears most..." Matraien said as his eyes began to glow and he dug into my mind. Seconds later a bright flash of light repelled him back and he released me.

"What happened?" Ms. Lucia asked.

Matraien shook his head, "Her mind is barricaded by a strong barrier; I couldn't even make it past the first wall."

"That's not good coming from you," Ceran grinned as he walked over to me, "Hell, if she was awake, I could easily take her out."

My body began to float in the air and everyone looked over at Jamena. She looked up from where she was leaning against a wall, "Let me take care of her, I don't have to read her mind or her movements to destroy her. All it takes is my wires and a little tightening to slice through her frail human body."

"Very well," Ms. Lucia said as Jamena began to tighten the wires around my body.

Outside of the cave, Puu ran face first into the invisible barrier. He slid down to the ground and Kamikaze helped him up. Kurama put his hand on the barrier, "It's very powerful and pulsating with a lot of spirit energy. It does have a flaw, though, there is no top or bottom to it, so it is just a wall, not a complete barrier."

Hiei removed his headband and his Jagan eye opened. He then held his arm out in front of him, "I'd move if I were you, this dragon is going straight into that wall." Kurama nodded as he and the Spirit Beasts moved out of the way. "Jaou Ensatsu Kokuryuhaa!"

The Darkness Dragon burst forth from his arm and ran straight into the invisible wall, shattering it into pieces. In the room where the demons were with me, Trikoy got a hit to the head when he felt his energy plummet from its destruction.

"What's going on, Trikoy?" Ceran asked him, "I felt your barrier disappear."

"I'm not sure..."

Hallaia closed her eyes as she tried to see who had destroyed the barrier. Her eyes opened when she failed, "I cannot connect with any demon or human mind, so I'm figuring that the ones who destroyed the barrier are none other than the fire youkai, Hiei, who wields the Jagan, and the kitsune, Kurama."

Ms. Lucia smiled, "That is good to know, Hallaia, thank you. Team, let us take our leave, we will finish this tomorrow during your battle against them."

The wires disappeared from around me and the six of them vanished in a mere second. I fell to the ground and minutes later, Kurama, Hiei, and the Spirit Beasts, came running into the room where I was left. Hiei stared at my bleeding body as Kurama walked over to me, "These wounds were created with thin wire. It must have been by a demon."

"Let's just get her back to the hotel, and quickly," Hiei said as Kurama nodded and picked me up. They left the cave and headed back to the hotel as quickly as possible.

When the five of them arrived at the hotel, they went instantly upto our room. Hiei opened the door and they entered the middle room. Hiei threw down his cloak on the couch and Kurama placed me down on top of it. Hiei turned to Goukaryuu, "Go get Yukina, and only Yukina."

Gouka nodded as he disappeared back down the hall and Hiei closed the door. Right at that moment my body and mind decided it was time for me to wake up and pain shot through my entire being. I let out a cry as I clenched my hands tightly. My eyes shot open and I saw Kurama and Hiei standing over me.

"Wha...what happened to me? W-why is my body pul...sating with p-pain...! Ahh!" I screamed as I grabbed my chest. I felt something warm and liquid-like when I did. I held my hand up and I saw blood dripping down my hand and arm, along with the deep cuts that covered them, "What in the hell is going on!"

"Calm down, Stephanie, before you cause yourself to go into shock!" Hiei yelled at me. My whole body went numb as tears weld up in my eyes. I seriously thought I was going to die and I was actually scared of the thought.

Kurama wiped my tears from my face, "You're going to be alright. We'll explain what happened later, after you get some help."

I nodded as I heard the door open and close. I felt the presence of Yukina, Jin, Touya, Rinku, Keishou, and Goukaryuu.

"Stephanie!" Rinku exclaimed.

"What happened to her?" Keishou asked.

"I told you to get only Yukina," Hiei said to Gouka. Gouka shrugged and gave him a 'it isn't my fault they followed me' look.

"We will tell all of you what happened later," Kurama told the five of them.

Hiei looked over at his sister, "Yukina, please help her."

Yukina nodded as she walked over and sat down beside me. She placed her hands over my body as she began to heal the cuts. My whole body burned as the wounds began to heal. Finally, when it was done, Yukina stood and my body finally quit pulsating with pain. Jin walked over and helped me slowly sit up as Yukina turned to Kurama, "Now, tell us what happened."

"Yeah," I nodded, "I want to know too..."

"Following your battle with Okado, you were completely knocked unconscious. Later, after Yukina had healed you, Hiei left Goukaryuu in the room with you. During dinner, Hiei disappeared upstairs with Kamikaze and Puu, and, minutes later, I sensed something wasn't right. I excused myself and went outside to see them heading into the forest," Kurama told us.

I shook my head in confusion, "Why?"

"You had been kidnapped, right out of the window by your bed," Hiei replied, "After awhile of chasing your energy trail, we came upon a cave and it was sealed off by a barrier wall. I used the dragon to destroy it, and by the time we found you inside of it, whoever it was that had taken you was gone."

I stared at the ground as my unconscious mind began to fill in the blanks, "My unconsciousness has always kept a type of journal when I've slipped into a coma, so later I can know what happened during that time. I can't exactly tell you who it was who took me, but I can clearly remember what their energy felt like. One of them especially...whomever it was, they tried to get into my mind. Unfortunately for them, my mind has a barrier wall that is instantly put up when I am sleeping, or worse, fall into a coma."

"That's probably a good thing, too," Keishou said to me, "If they would have been able to read your mind, only Yama knows what they could do with the information they would have found."

"I agree," Jin replied, "But one thing bothers me, why would they kidnap you?"

Rinku snorted, "That's simple, they wanted to get rid of her. You saw those cuts all over her body, they were trying to kill her. If they would have succeeded, we would have been kicked out of the tournament."

"He's right," Touya told his friend, "Without Stephanie, we cannot continue in the tournament because, one, we wouldn't have enough fighters, and, two, the only reason we're all here is because we are here with her."

I looked over at the window and my unconsciousness recognized a demon's energy. I stood up and walked over to the window, opened the shades, and thrust the glass pane open. "What are you doing?" Yukina questioned.

I stared through the darkness and down into the forest as Kurama joined me by the window. Suddenly I felt something slice my face, followed by a trickle of blood. "They're watching us..."

"What?" everyone replied, looking at me. I closed the window and turned around, letting everyone see the new cut on my face.

"I have a bad feeling about tonight..." I said as the door opened and the rest of our friends walked into the room.

"Steph, you're awake!" Tiffany exclaimed, happily.

I nodded as returned to the couch and sat down, "Everyone should turn in for the night. We all have to be well rested for the tournament tomorrow, and for our third bout."

"But..." Jin started.

I shook my head, "I'll be fine, it's just a scratch." I grinned as they all let out an unsure, quiet laugh. Slowly, but surely, I watched as each of my friends disappeared into the appropriate room. Finally, only Hiei, Kurama, and the three Spirit Beasts remained with me.

"What about you, Stephanie?"

"I'm going to sleep in here tonight. If they try to attack me again, I don't want anyone else to get hurt," I replied.

Hiei sat down on the opposite couch, "I'll stay up with you, then. I'm not planning on fighting in tomorrow's bout, so I don't need any extra rest."

I smiled slightly, "Thanks, I guess."

"Alright, see you two in the morning," Kurama nodded as he walked towards the guys' room.

"Good night, Kurama," I replied as he disappeared.

"You should get some rest, too, Stephanie, you've gone through a lot today. I'll stay up and watch over you, I promise."

"Are you sure, Hiei?"

"I'll be fine, now get some rest."

"Okay, good night," I said laying down on the couch. Gouka, Puu, and Kamikaze all curled up with me to keep me warm and we all fell asleep. Hiei smiled slightly as he prepared for a long, uneventful night.