You sleep until noon, recovering from the damage. You finally get up and get a cup of cocoa, with a little bit of cinnamon in it, and an herb you grow in your yard. It heightens the senses, improves brain flow, and ensures peak fighting condition. It also had a pleasant taste, like wintergreen, giving a minty flavor to the drink. You finish your cup, and grab your weapons.
I don't want to do this…But hey! At least I don't have to win…
You arrive at the arena, and try to ignore the cheering crowd. You push your way through the crowd and in the entrance. You see the two humans and the redheaded demon. Hotaru was with them. You rush over.
"I fulfilled your requirements. Now let her go!" You say coldly.
The redhead glares at the two humans who had started laughing, then back at you. "I'm sorry but-"
" Will Miss Kazemaru please report to the arena- Hey what are you doing! Get away from there! Hey-"
The lady who had been announcing was pushed off, and a voice that was getting more and more familiar came on.
"Shut it, Juri! Rai, I know you can hear me; here are the terms of your compromise- you fight in the Finale. If you win, both you and Hotaru are free to go. If you lose, Hotaru goes, but you stay, under my control. What is your answer?"
You look around, trying to locate where he is. You find the booth and make a rather rude gesture?
"…. I'll take that as a yes…Here Juri, you can have your mike back "
"Eek! Uh, thanks. Anyway, Miss Kazemaru…yeah, the arena is waiting, and the challenger is getting restless. Please come before he decides to hurt me."
You were fuming but walk onto the court anyway. And lo and behold, who is it?
Hiei.
The person who you really wanted to shred to pieces right now. You glare at him and take off your cloak, something you hadn't done in any of the previous battles. It was a form of respect among ninjas. You had never given it to anyone but your Kage before. He seemed to notice because he took of his too. You tried to concentrate on his face, and not let your eyes wander. (Keyword: tried) You pulled out your katanas, and he pulled out his. Your eyes lock. Then he is right next to you. You hastily block his attack. He pulls back and then dashes around for another attack. You dodge it and try to slash him. He blocks and then slashes your side where Killer had hit yesterday. You wince, but retaliate with two strikes on his side. He seems a little shocked that you managed to hit him, but then he simply smirks and disappears.
Where did he go?
A pain up your back told you the answer. You fall to your knees. You swirl around, and come face to face with a dragon of darkness and flame. You flinch and form an ice shield. While all your efforts concentrated on the shield, you didn't notice when he snuck up behind you and held his katana to your neck. "Relax, it's just an illusion"
He whispers in your ear. "Your temper has clouded your mind, and you have lost all common sense."
You growl and then realize that you had lost. You drop your katanas, and slowly stand up.
"You win."
He smirks.
" I believe you'll uphold our bargain."
You nod. He leads you off the arena and into a separate room, where Hotaru and the others are waiting.
" You can let her go now, Kurama." Hiei says to him. Hotaru runs up and hugs you.
"I'll tell Sori…" You nod, face emotionless. She stares, and then runs off. You watch her go, then turn glaring back to the Hiei. He shrugs it off.
"Come on…we better go take her to see Koenma."