DISCLAIMER: I don't own yyh, but I do own Mai and all my original characters and original storyline…yay? Lol
A/N: holy crap I'm finally updating!! ::nervous laugh:: although I have kinda been neglecting this story entirely when I started a new one…er…yeah sorry about that; lately I just haven't been in the mood to write this; I've been having a few issues and just the entire school-thing has been somewhat stressful lately…
But I really must give you guys my deepest apologies for not updating for awhile…but I must warn you that this chapter will have a lot of Kurama/Mai fluffiness and very little Kuwabara-getting-his-ass-kicked because I'm probably going to use this chapter as more of a flashback…as well as the next chapter too…but since I don't really feel up to writing Kuwabara-asswhooping stuff right now, que sera sera…
But thank you to all of those who reviewed!
Sarah1281: I didn't say she perfected it, did I? so you'll just have to find out : )
Umeko Saito: o no!! you stopped your story??!! I was really enjoying it! And I mean it! And I'm sorry that the Imaginary Files scared you…I didn't really think it was that scary ::laughs nervously:: but anywhos…I'm still thinking over the Keiko thing, so nothing's final and stuff…
TonyDiMerasbedroomslave: I'll keep that in mind! Thanx! I was just kinda looking for ways to make the plot a little thicker and more challenging for all of our little favorite characters!
XxXRoseVixenXxX: I'll also keep a note of your opinions too! Thank you so much for reviewing!
Naoko Asakura 009: you bet there'll be Kurama/Mai scenes! I may not have them paired up in this story, but I just can't help but liking Kurama!! Thanx for your review!
Dolphingirl32173: That's kinda what I was thinking! But I just want to know if it's alright with my other reviewers if i add her in to the story. But I'm glad you like this story! I'm so glad to find someone else who enjoys this fic!
Fire Angel
:: Kuwabara's Fight:: (yes sucky title)
"Kurama! Kurama hurry up or we're gonna miss our train!" the girl beamed as she dragged the redhead across the platform; beaming brightly.
He smiled serenely and followed her without complaint, "And where are we going again, Mai?" he pondered teasingly and nudged her in the side, "Enough of your secrets, where are you taking me this time?"
The Guardian giggled, "I told you before, I'm not telling; it's a secret!" she chimed and turned towards the tracks as the steam engine pulled up to the platform. In her hand she carried a bag nearly bulging with its contents, Kurama eyed it suspiciously, but she caught him looking and grinned without saying a word…
The guardian suddenly jolted out of her thoughts when a sudden crashing sound sent her back into reality. She blinked quickly as her attention returned to the battle going on in the ring…How could she have zoned out like that? It was the Dark Tournament for crying out loud!
Her eyes slowly scrolled towards Kurama standing next to her. His expression was grave as he watched Kuwabara continue to fight with Rinku…and start to lose…
Behind them, the thunderous chants of the audience drowned out almost the entire battle and seemed to cause the earth to tremble. The noise was deafening and Mai silently closed her eyes to block out the sound…
So much hatred…
She felt herself sway slightly and she staggered to keep her balance. Her hand went to her head as it began to throb painfully…
Suddenly, from beside her, she heard Kurama cry out in surprise and she quickly glanced upwards towards the arena.
Either opponent stood on each end of the ring facing one another. Kuwabara had unsheathed his double spirit sword…but his enemy was now suddenly surrounded with a deep, demonic aura…and several snake-like yoyos that entwined around him.
"His spirit energy is rising…" Hiei stated quietly without taking his eyes off of the fight.
Both Kurama and Mai agreed and watched on nervously as their companion eyed the tiny fighter uncertainly.
"I should warn you…that I'm much stronger with my weapons in hand…" Rinku smirked deviously, "So I'd watch your back if I were you!"
And even as he was saying this, the yoyos in his hands suddenly whipped out towards Kazuma. The redhead staggered in surprise, but then quickly regained his senses and tightened his grip on the two swords.
He made a swift effort to charge after his opponent and his weapon by making vigorous swipes at the yoyos entangled in the air. But as the team continued to watch, they soon realized that no matter how he tried to attack the strings, they would find some way to avoid the blade of his sword.
Rinku laughed deceitfully at Kazuma's attempts, and the redhead paused when his eyes widened in understanding, his fists tightening angrily.
"His spirit energy is being transferred into the yoyos…" Kurama observed what his team mate had finally discovered, "He's bending them at his own will."
Mai stared up at him curiously before understanding what he was talking about. It was true, she decided when she glanced back towards the arena; Rinku's spirit energy could be sensed traveling through the yoyos as Kuwabara tried to avoid them…
Despondently, the Guardian realized that it would be nearly impossible for him to avoid any of his opponent's attacks.
But the child took no notice of Kuwabara's anger and retrieved his weapons from the air, preparing to strike again. Kazuma was ready, however…
All of a sudden, Rinku's yoyos lashed out at the redhead with such speed that it was unlikely that he would be able to maneuver around them.
Kuwabara however, unexpectedly raised his swords over his head as the weapons charged towards him.
"You're going down, punk!" he roared. Swinging them downwards, they collided with the stone blocks beneath him, causing the debris to fly up around him and into the paths of the weapons.
He smirked at his cunning while it appeared as though his tactics had stopped the yoyos from coming any closer—
That is until they broke through his barricade of rubble.
Kuwabara suddenly cried out in pain as Rinku's weapons hit him dead on; drilling into his flesh with a massive force. The rest of his team cried out in surprise as he was thrown to the ground. Kazuma skidded across the arena until he nearly fell off the platform. Shakily, he rose to his feet as he panted heavily.
Rinku frowned however that his attack hadn't harmed him as much as he had hoped. Angrily, he sent his weapon charging after the redhead and the yoyos continued to pummel him by whipping through the air quickly so that he couldn't evade the attack. Kuwabara grunted painfully as the yoyos drilled into his chest, back, and arms…
"Dammit Kuwabara!" Mai cried desperately, and took a step closer towards the ring, "Fight back!"
She suddenly staggered as the world around her began to spin. The Guardian clutched her head and closed her eyes uncertainly as she felt her body tremble from fatigue…
Dammit…I knew Genkai's training would drain me…but I didn't realize it would be this much…
Before she could stop herself, her body collapsed onto the ground; spinning her into her world of darkness
I'm sorry, Yusuke…she thought weakly to herself.
"Mai!" Kurama swiftly knelt next to her as she fell to the earth and flet her forehead. But her temperature was normal…just as she had seemed only moments before.
Hiei suddenly appeared next to him as he continued to inspect the Guardian, "What happened to her?"
The redhead briefly glanced up at the ring where Kazuma continued to battle Rinku, but was also getting his ass kicked by the child's yoyos. Kurama then lifted Mai into his arms and gently brought her next to the place where Yusuke continued to sleep as well…
"I guess we're down ourselves now," he said quietly, "I think the training she received with Yusuke and Genkai has finally caught up with her."
Hiei cracked his knuckles, "More fun for us then," he muttered.
The redhead didn't answer, but silently brushed a strand of the girl's crimson hair out of her eyes. She sighed as if sensing his presence and shifted her position slightly as if searching for the source of the warmth.
Rest peacefully, Mai…he thought quietly to himself, we'll make sure that we win this round for you…
-:-
"Close your eyes, Kurama-kun!" the Guardian chimed as the train slowed to a halt. The redhead laughed along with her cheerfulness and followed her directions, but just to make sure; Mai moved behind him and placed her hands gently over his emerald orbs.
The pair maneuvered awkwardly out of the train and onto the platform. From behind him, Kurama heard Mai giggle softly as the caws of seagulls resounded above them.
It was a few more moments before the Guardian removed her hands from his eyes and the redhead blinked as the sun blazed above them. She clapped her hands together and jumped in front of him, her arms outspread as if to model the sight before them.
"Ta da!!!" she laughed and backed away so that Kurama could see the wide expanse of the turquoise ocean before them.
He laughed too, "So this is why you've been keeping all your secrets?"
Mai nodded and quickly clasped her hand around his while dragging him onto the beach, "Come on! I brought your swimsuit too!" and she giggled even louder when she noticed the red-head blushing.
"Come on Kurama-san! I promise you'll have fun!"
-:-
Rinku smirked as his yoyos recoiled back to his hands. He watched triumphantly as Kuwabara lay helplessly wounded on the arena floor after being hit continuously with his opponent's weapons.
But his grin suddenly vanished from his face as the redhead began to rise from the ground. He clenched his fists angrily as Kazuma began to stand, but Kuwabara did not relent from showing the same agitation towards Rinku.
"Dammit!" the child yelled angrily, "What's it gonna take to kill you?!"
"Finish him off!!" someone from the stadium cried.
"Yeah! Kill the filthy human bastard!"
Kurama and Hiei glanced at the crowd from the sidelines as they continued to chant profanities towards their teammate and throw insults at Rinku for not killing Kazuma off by now. The masked fighter beside them said nothing but kept their attention on the fight going on.
"You're going down, punk! I've had enough of you playing around with me!" Kuwabara muttered furiously at his opponent.
The child clenched his teeth while clutching his weapons in his hands angrily.
Unexpectedly, Rinku threw out his hand, letting the yoyos charge after the redhead across from him. And before he could cry out, Kazuma was suddenly entangled in the strings of Rinku's weapons.
"I'm getting tired of this," Kazuma's opponent replied, and suddenly he whipped the redhead into the air above him; sending him flying high above the stadium. Kuwabara cried out in both surprise and fear as he hovered suddenly over a hundred feet off the ground.
"A fall from that high in the air could kill him!" Kurama cried out in alarm.
"Looks like this match is about ready to come to an end!" Koto yelled into the microphone excitedly as if anticipating the moment Kazuma would plummet to the earth, "Any minute now we might be able to see some blood and gore along the arena floor!" she paused suddenly, "Oh! I just rhymed!"
"Oh that's pleasant!!" they heard Kuwabara cry from above them, "Get me the hell down from here, dammit!!!"
-:-
"Are you ready, Kurama?" Mai called from outside of the changing room and in response, the redhead's quiet mumbling could be heard.
She frowned slightly, "Kurama? Oh come on, it can't be that bad!! Hell, I'm sitting out here in a bikini for crying out loud!"
There was a bit of shuffling before the changing room door slowly creaked open to reveal Kurama's head peeking meekly out from beyond, "Promise you won't laugh?" he mumbled self-consciously.
Mai laughed and smiled encouragingly; giving him a scout's solute, "I promise, Kurama-san!"
He sighed and opened the door fully. The Guardian watched as he stepped outside wearing a pair of forest-green trunks and a towel draped nervously over his shoulders. Mai blushed furiously when she noticed his well-toned muscles beneath his towel…
The redhead scratched his head nervously, "Um…well…"
She paused briefly, but suddenly laughed and the redhead eyed her curiously; she smiled and cocked her head innocently, "I'm sorry! I just expected with you acting so self-conscious that your mom had forced you to buy a speedo or something!" her smile grew bigger at her own attempt at a joke and Kurama grinned as well.
The Guardian then quickly grabbed his hand and began to drag him towards the shore, "Come on! We're wasting daylight!" she beamed and skipped off towards the cerulean water lining the beach.
He laughed, "Alright, alright! I'm coming, Mai!" and quickly ran after her into the sea.
Droplets of crystal water sprayed around them as the waves lifted them up and down. Mai couldn't keep herself from laughing as she lifted her hands to the sky and seemed to twirl around in the water; as if embracing the beauty around her.
Kurama smiled gently as she continued to enjoy herself in the vast ocean. He watched as she closed her eyes and allowed the sun to bask over her.
But from behind her, an unexpected wave suddenly collided with her. She cried out in surprise as she fell forward right into Kurama.
The pair was suddenly forced underwater as the wave passed over them. By the time they were able to come up, they were both coughing up the salt-water they had gathered in their fall.
Kurama quickly glanced towards the crimson-haired girl in front of him, "Are you alright, Mai—?"
He was suddenly cut off as the girl began to laugh cheerfully and brushed her hand through her now drenched hair.
"Oops!" she giggled and merely splashed back into the water. Curious, Kurama followed after her and dove beneath the surface as well.
Beneath the water, he glanced around quickly for Mai when he felt a soft tap on his shoulder. He spun around quickly, only to have his lips come in contact with Mai's.
He noticed her eyes grow wide in surprise, but then they softened and relaxed slightly. When they pulled away they looked at one another curiously, but the Guardian grinned encouragingly and then drew him to her again.
The two locked lips with one another and let the sweet, sultry drifting current sway them back and forth; but neither of them noticed whilst they were already occupied with the tender caress of one another…
I love you, Kurama…the Guardian murmured mentally to him as they continued to drift beneath the surface…
-:-
A/N: yeah, well it was a little awkward, yes…but I just didn't have any ideas for this chapter, so I apologize for it being so short, but I just wanted to update so that you all were satisfied for awhile…
I HOPE YOU LIKED THE KURAMA/MAI FLUFFINESS!!
Please review! And if you're new and haven't told me your opinions on whether or not Keiko should be in this story or who Mai should fight, I would gladly appreciate any advice you have for me!
Please enjoy!
Ciao!!