I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Thank you miyako14 and RAW19 for reviewing. And thank you for the belated B-day wish miyako14.
This is really starting to develop.....and in more than one way.
Chapter 9
The group all sat at a table in the hotel they were staying at. "What!" Yusuke cried upon hearing what had happened, "How can they make Era fight?!"
"Simply," Hiei muttered in agitation, "Those fools she came here with set her up."
"It's not her fault," Kurama reminded him, "We had not known this contest was taking place and this is our world. We couldn't have expected Era to know since this world is still foreign to her."
Era played with Zeek as she listened. She had gotten herself into this mess, but she did not know how to get herself out. Jin had tried to explain that she was a pacifist, which was true for the most part, but that had done nothing. And if that did not work, Era did not know what would.
"What happened after your fall sheila?" Chu asked, attempting to change the direction of the conversation.
"I waked," Era shook her head, "Woke up in snow."
"Where'd you fall to?" Kuwabara asked.
The water maiden shrugged, "Mountain was up."
"Up?" Kurama questioned, "You fell off the mountain?"
"I ti- think so," she corrected herself mid sentence.
"How'd you survive a fall like that?" Suzuka asked, not quite believing her story.
Era once again shrugged, "I no know." Zeek backed up slightly and shook his head before sneezing, causing a bit of ice to come from his mouth. Era jumped slightly before she giggled and picked the wrymling up.
"It's coming out of infancy," Shishiwakamaru said with a frown, "Soon it will be a threat to everyone's health, more so than it is now."
The ancient being shrugged and gave Zeek a quick kiss. She was obviously not worried about the small detail. She did not think the small dragon could be much of a threat, but she would keep a careful watch on her beloved pet.
-----
A figure with no real physical form walked through the fast falling snow on the Diath Mountains. His 'body' was completely flowing like a black fire and his eyes glowed a blood red color. This creature was known as Van-Gareth in the ancient tongue, or 'Giver of Death' when translated into the common language of this time.
He was becoming more agitated by the moment as the snow came down faster and in more blinding bits. He had felt the faint aura of his prey heading this way, but because it was faint it disappeared when she got too far away.
The snow was hindering him in his hunt. If he had wanted he could have taken the form of a flying beast and flown over the mountains, but he knew that it would give off enough energy for Era to know exactly where he was, where as of now all she knew was that he was behind her.
He would eventually get through the storm and when he did he would finish the hunt for his prey.
And this time he would make sure she would perish.
-----
It was now dark outside, but no stars or moon lit the sky. Even though it had stopped raining the cloud still lingered in the air, which was very humid.
Touya sat on the banister of the balcony connected to his room. His belt, shoes and shirt lay strewn on the chair off to the side. Only his fishnet covered his chest and even though his pants were still soaked he refused to remove them until he was to turn in for the night.
A light knock came to Touya's ears, but he gave no response to the person at his door. There was another knock, but he did not respond once again. He heard the door open and close even though it had been done quietly, but he never turned to see who it was.
His ears traced the footsteps as they came up behind him and, without turning around, figured who it was from the light female voice that soon followed. "Touya?"
Touya stiffened slightly. Era walked to his side and leaned on the railing looking out over the vast city, "What wrong Touya?"
The ice master shook his head and kept his gaze on the city. Era knew better and looked at his before saying, "You no talk all day. What wrong?"
When no answer came the ancient being sighed and looked down. Her eyes came to rest upon the ice master's hand, which was on the banister. For the first time she saw the bite marks that lay between his thumb and index finger. "Did Zeek do it?" She asked as she picked Touya's hand up to examine it.
The ice master involuntarily pulled his hand away. Era looked shocked before looking saddened, causing Touya's heart to drop. "Sorry," Era said sadly as she turned to leave.
Era stopped almost abruptly as she felt a strong grip on her arm; Touya had straddled the banister in time to stop the departing water maiden. She looked at his curiously, wondering why he had stopped her.
"I'm sorry Era," Touya said almost inaudibly, it was the first time he had spoke in over a day.
Era asked the question she had before, "What wrong?"
Touya sighed and took his hand away; resting it on his leg, "Don't worry about it."
In a quick and simple movement Touya found a pair of arms wrapped around him in a genital hug, "No being sad Touya."
Color found its way to the ice master's face as he felt the ancient beings skin through his fishnet. "I'm alright now Era," he told her, "I had been worried about you, but now I know you're safe."
Feeling the tension in the ice master's muscles Era let go, "I'm sorry for Zeek."
Touya shook his head, "It's alright, I've had worse."
With a nod Era said, "I know." She place her hand over his bitten one before her hand began to glow a light yellow. When she removed her hand no wound was seen on Touya's hand. This however did not surprise the ice master since he had seen her healing abilities before.
"Thank you," Touya said with a small smile. He sighed and murmured, "I'm sorry."
"Sorry? For what?" Era asked in confusion.
Touya sighed once more as he looked up to Era, "I should have saved you from that fall and from this tournament."
Era laughed, "You not able to help Touya." She looked at him in a semi sternly way, "I need be more careful."
"I could have at least taken your place in the tournament."
"No," Era said as she shook her head, "I no let you if you tried. I can fight, but I no like to." She thought a moment, "I only want to fight Van-Gareth for my people."
Touya pulled his other leg around and stood in front of Era, "You'll get him Era. I know you will." He put his hands on her arms, "But we have to get out of here first, he's headed this way."
Era nodded, "I know. I felt him when I was on my way here."
"We have to find a –" Touya was cut off as Era placed her index finger on his lips.
"We need to stay Touya. Rules say so."
With a sigh Touya said, "I know, but it just isn't right that you are being forced to fight in this tournament."
"Tis alright," she said as she hugged him once more.
The ice master returned the hug, "I know."
This was a more of a cute chapter than anything. Lol. But we get to see the stadium in the next one! It's real nice too! ...took me a while to think of though --;; Oh well.
But Van-Gareth made his first real appearance (the last time he was only mentioned). Will Era be able to get out of the city before he reaches it? Or is she doomed to face him without the aid of her goddess?
Until next time.
