Hey, I guess it's time i right another chapter.

So here goes nothin'...

Chapter 24: It all begins

Hiei woke up the next morning and set off in search of a river or lake that he could bathe in. He found one not to far off. As he bathed he couldn't help but think about the fights ahead. He knew that most of them would be easy, but he had a certain suspicion that one was going to be more than he had exspected. There was a voice that kept telling him to be carefull. He had heard this voice enough to know not to just brush it aside. He was going to have to be cautious, and keep his wits about him. For if he were to fail, he would never be with his precious Katana.

He got out and cleaned and sharpened his sword. He decided that he was going to keep his Jagan a secret untill he absolutly needed it. It had come in handy from previous fights, but he could beat most without its use. He then left to find Katana.

Katana woke up the next morning and began roaming around the familiar castle. She visited her brother along with her one and only childhood friend, Riuha. She went to Riuha's chamber door and knocked. When the KItsune opened the door, she practically knocked her friend over from the glomping. "Where've you been? I've been worried that you would get hurt all by yourself out in the world," her friend said acusingly. Katana laughed lightly, "You always were worried about every one. But as for where I was, I was in Makkai doing odd jobs for Koenma."

"So how are things between you two?" Riuha asked. Katana smirked, "That's why I came here. I have found a lover that will prove more than Koenma could ever be." "Who is he? Do I know him?"

"Well you might have heared of him."

"Then who is he?"

"Do you remember Hiei from the last Dark Tournament?"

"You mean the one with the dragon?"

"Yes."

"Oh My God! You are so joking."

"I am not. It turns out he has a soft spot after all. Although he is very astranged."

"I can't remember what he looks like. Is he here?"

"Yeah, infact he should be in the entrance hall waiting for me. Come on." The two girls made their way to the hall, and found Hiei just entering the castle. He looked at the puple haired Kitsune strangly. She was wearing a dress almost identical to Katana's except for the fact that it was dark blue. "How many hours of sleep did you get?" Katana asked the fire yokai. "Nice greeting," Hiei replied. "That doesn't answer my question," Katana said rolling her eyes. "Five," he stated.

"Ooh Katana. He's a lot cuter than I thought," Riuha stated. "Who's that?" Hiei asked looking at the kitsune. "How rude of me. Hiei this is Riuha, Riuha, Hiei," Katana introduced. Hiei nodded his greeting. "Nice to meet 'cha!" Riuha greeted. Hiei rolled his eyes, great. Another Botan. Hiei glared.

"Is he always this adorable?" Riuha asked. "Unfortunatly, yes," Katana replied. Riuha noticed something on her friends neck and moved her hair back to see it. "Holy shit Katana!" she said noticing what it was. "What?" asked Katana, unaware of what her friend was so upset about. "You let him mark you!" she whispered/screamed. "I didn't know!" Katana said. She turned to Hiei, "You marked me?" "Yes, at the same time you did me. Although I felt yours," he replied with a smirk, moving his scarf to reveal the bite mark.

"Ooooooo, you're gonna be in trouble when you father finds out," Riuha stated in that your-in-trouble-now voice. "Hiei, isn't it time when headed to the arena?" Katana asked purposley changing the subject. Katana led the way as they walked. She tuned Riuha out, who was currently talking about her and Hiei's little secret. Hiei on the other hand was getting quite annoyed. And this is why it was a good thing they reached the stadium rather quickly. They bid Hiei farewell and good luck as they went to find seats. Even though the place was empty, they still couldn't had a hard time finding somewhere with a good view.

A few minuets later, Hiei came out into the arena along with a refery and who Katana recognised to be one of her fathers Elven Hunters.

to the arena!

Hiei watched as his opponent entered the ring. It was an elf who wore a type of armor that he was unfamiliar with. The refery started the match, and Hiei wasn't too impressed. The elf ran at him with a rapier (double-edged sword) drawn. Hiei easily dodged the blow and with-drew his katana.

The elf stared at his opponent, how could anyone have that kind of speed. He hadn't even seen the man draw his weapon or dodge. This was going to be interesting for him, but boring to Hiei.

Hiei again dodged the elf's strike, but this time he sliced into his arm, carefull not to fatally wound or cause much harm to the elf. The elf was now clutching his arm as blood slipped through his fingers. How could that have happened? He had been carefull to gard himself in every possible way! This warrior was experianced. He would have to bring out some new tacticks.

Hiei was momentarily caught off gaurd when the elf threw his sword one way and went the other. The elf then pulled a dagger from his tunic, and tried to stab Hiei. Unfortunatly for the elf, Hiei caught the blade. Hiei then decided it was best to end the match rather quickly. He waited for the elf to get close enough, then hit him in the back of the neck knocking the elf unconsious.

In the stands

Lord Luthien now looked at the boy on the floor with interest. He was fast and skilled. This would be harder than excpected. He had thought the first hunter would have atleast wounded the fellow, but this was not the case. It was a good thing he was going backwards in order of strength. Though even his stronger elves might have trouble. This could be bad. He had no intention of leting his daughter marry a demon. It was one thing that he had done, but would not allow her to do. The only way for this to happen would be to beat him fairly. He would have to call his special forces.

With Hiei and second opponent

Hiei was now getting extremely bored. He couldn't wait untill he got to the stronger fighters. He knew the trick they were using, so it was of no use to them, to bad they didn't know that. He got through that fight just as quickly and painlessly as the first.

He looked at his next opponent as he walked into the ring. He had seen this man before some where. Where was the question. It took him a few minuets of pondering before he realized that this was the man that had broken into Katana's apartment. He glared a baleful glare at him.

Arathorn noticed the look that his sisters mate was giving him and realized a once that he had been in Katana's apartment that night. Great...this was gonna need an explination. "Hello, my name is Arathorn," he greeted bowing to the demon infront of him. Hiei only scoffed at this gesture. "I see that you are the one from the apartment. That means that you are here on account of my sister," Arathorn continued, making sure to announce his relationship with Katana.

Hiei looked at the man that claimed to be Katana's older brother. He had shoulder length brown hair, and the same mysterius(i really can't spell ;;) eyes. Thus he had to be some sort of relative. Hiei nodded to show that he had been listening. "Now now don't be like that. If you want my sister your going to have to be nicer," Arathorn playfully scalded. "What game are you playing at hanyou?" Hiei asked sencing the half-demon blood in his veins(another engenious spelling error I'm sure). Arathorn was taken aback. Before the demon had not believed his relationship with Katana, if he didn't...how would he know of my blood unless... "Tell me demon, how did you know of my half blood?" "I could sence it coursing through you. You reik of the scent of hanyou. The only hanyous I can stand are thoughs that have gained my respect, and you are doing a poor job of that," Hiei stated.

"So the demon is well witted. I will have to watch what I say," Arathorn thought. "Alas our talking must come to an end, but a warning before we begin. I am the strongest member of my fathers army, but I am nothing compared to the next two fighters you will face. So prepare yourself for what is to come." "No need warning me, I can feel their energies, so I have a clue as to how strong they really are," Hiei finished. Arathorn almost gawked. Could this man really sence their energies? Even I cannot do such a thing. Maybe he is more than father bargained for. After all he is a Reikai tantei. And that was a job most demons, and elves respected. Humans were oblivious of it though. How stupid they really are.

Hiei began the match by flashing around the stadium a few times, puposefully leaving a trail that Arathorn could follow. He watched as Arathorn began his attack. After a few minuets of dodging, Hiei recognised his swordsmanship style. This should be easy to beat. Hiei threw a few attacks at his opponent, missing all vitals, but still making critical hits.

Arathorn sank to the ground as he felt the cool metal peirce him several times. He looked at Hiei who was standing in front of him. How had he known where to hit? "You cough sputter How? coughcough," Arathorn managed to ask. "An assasin should stick to the dark," Hiei stated. Arathorn looked at him again, this time seeing him in a new light. He was definatly amazing. It was not everyday that someone can tell what kind of attacks you use just by watching you. "Arathorn slowly got up and walked off the arena. He looked back for a moment. "Hiei, I wish you luck. You are a good warrior and will do a fine job of protecting my sister. More than that brat Koenma could ever hope to do," Arathorn stated before walking off to dress his wounds.

Hiei's POV

I stared off in the direction that Arathorn had walk off too. Did this man really not want him to marry his sister? or did he just want to test my abilities as a fighter? I can't figure him out, and that is a feit in itself. I look upon my next fighter. He is an apparition, and is only about a C class. It should be an easy job. He looks to be human though, and only a handful of demons can manage that. Maybe there is something that I am not seeing.

Regular POV

His next opponent was atleast six feet tall. He had long black hair that came to about his knees. His eyes were of a royal purple and had a hint of malice. (A/N: 0o that stangly sounds like Karasu, but I didn't notice untill I had reread it, but oh well.) Hiei eyed him strangly. The referee started the match once again. The demon charged at Hiei, and Hiei, being oh so smart, didn't dodge untill the last moment causing the demon to think he had gotten a hit.

"You should asses your opponents before blindly charging in. It might save your life. Just a little warning from a fellow demon," Hiei stated. The demon stared at him. "So you say you are a demon? I can feel no demonic aura coming from you," the demon replied in a baratone like voice. "Yes, I haven't had a reason to reveal it to anyone yet," Hiei replied cooly. "Well, would you let it out so I can 'asses' your power?" "No" "Yes, well, you should at least know the name of your killer." "And who would that be. I won't lose to a petty C class." This must have struck a cord for his opponents eyes grew with such hatred that it was practically radiating off the guy. "How did you know?" "I can sence your energy, not to mention that I work for Koenma and know the demon rating system."

"Well, we'll just see who kills who. But in any case my name is Hatori. Remeber it." "I doubt I'll have to. For I don't remember all of the demons I have killed for there number is too great." This struck another cord. "Enough talk! Let's begin!" the demon yelled and lunged at Hiei. Once again Hiei dodged. The demon continued to use it's claws to try and rip at Hiei's flesh. Hiei had still not even attempted to make a hit. He knew that the demon was not giving its all, and it would need to be smart enough to try and when.

Hatori became tiered of trying to slice Hiei to shreds, and started throughing energy bombs. Hiei was once again getting bored. In two seconds he was behind Hatori and had his sword to Hatori's neck. Hatori glared from his possition. "I could end the battle now, but you're not giving your all. Show me your real strength and I'll give you a fight," Hiei urged. He wanted to show this demon that you don't mess with a Jaganshi and get away with it. The demon was simply toying with him.

Hiei felt a change in the air as Hatori let his full power out into his aura. Hatori once again charged and threw a blast of energy at Hiei. THis time Hiei let his own blast hit the demon. He watched as the demon go down to his knees. Hatori turned to Hiei. Only one blast and he was about to die. He knew he was going to die because that last had his his vitals. "Please bless me with the name of my murderer," the demon begged as he began to cough up blood. "Hiei." The demon's eyes lit up in fear at the sound of his name. No wonder he had been beaten. He would have never considered fighting if he would have known that he would be fighting one of the highest class demons. With that he hacked up more blood, and fell to the ground. At least he had died at the hands of someone worthy of taking his life.

Hiei stared at the lifeless body infront of him. Katana's father would not be pleased with this. He stood and waited for his next opponent. This demon was of atleast a C class, possibly higher. He stood about five feet tall and had platinum blonde tresses. His eyes were of the purist shade of blue. He looked to Hatori. "You are no ametuer," the demon stated. Hiei said nothing. "My name is Sateo. I hope this will be a pleasant match."

The two demons began there fight without waiting for the refferre to start. Both demons hit with energy blasts, but neither fighter seemed too injured. Infact Hiei was almost normal. 'Hm, I might have to use the Jagan on this one. My normal energy blast had no effect on him. I'll give it one more shot before I jump to any conclusions,' Hiei thought. Hiei threw another energy blast hitting the demon's arm. It looked to be a only a little chared. "I guess play time is over. I was hoping I wouldn't have to use this, but desparate times call for deapirate measures," Hiei stated removing the wards from his Jagan.

Sateo gasped as Hiei revealed his third eye. This was not going to be pleasant. More than lickly this would be his end, but he would not let Hiei know this. For if you admit or show you are frightened it makes you more vulnerable.

Hiei decided that as since he was already reveiling this much, it wouldn't hurt to unmask his energy. He slowly let his energy out, and was engulfed by the flames. He could see the his opponent visibly shaking now. Good, both demons had been far too cocky for his likeing (I really need help with my spelling, since I'm such a genius ;;).

He hit Sateo a few times with his fists of the mortal flame, and once again he was the winner.

in the stands

"No. No he can't! How could he? He was decieving me with his energy! Now I have to let them wed! My only daughter, married off to some demon. This can't be right. No. I'm not seeing this. He didn't just kill both of my strongest demons and wound my elves! No, I'm hallucinating," Luthien started mumbling over and over again. He would not allow them back to his castle, and they would not be wed here. She would have to be an exile for the rest of her life. For he would not allow this fellony inside his kingdom.

With Katana

"You did it Hiei! Now we shall be together with no inconveinences!" Katana stated hugging him close to her. "Wow, I didn't think that it was possible to be stronger than those two demons," Ryuha stated. Katana and Hiei just sweat dropped. This girl was completely clue less.

That's all for now folks! I'm sorry for not updating, but well we all get side tracked. ;; Any way Summer's almost here ha ha ha ha ha ha! Yay! I watched the best movie last night and I strongly ecommend it for anyone over the age of 13. The movie was Interveiw with a Vampire based on the book Interveiw with a Vampire by Anne Rice. A very good movie to go with a very good book. It was kinda funny cause my sister got all mad cause my mom wouldn't let her watch it. lol. Any way I don't know when I'll update next but, it will be updated sooner or later.

Bye!

ElfRanger