A/N : Thanks can be found at the bottom :)
Chapter Seven : Submission to a Powerful Opponent
The sound of birds twittering outside her window was the sound that Sora awoke to the next morning. Her eyes were heavy from a restless night, and her body was aching from the uncomfortable positions that she had attempted to sleep in. She knew that she had been awake for hours, thinking...but in the sunlight, she was having a lot of trouble remembering what she had been thinking about.
She heard a soft tapping at her door, and turned slowly to the sound of the noise. Kurama opened the door, fully dressed, bright eyed and bushy tailed.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Kurama said softly, "Did you just get up?"
"Mmm," Sora said softly, wiping sleep out of her eyes. "What time is it?"
"Not too late," Kurama said, leaning casually against her doorframe, "Only about 10."
"No wonder I'm so bushed," Sora muttered, throwing herself back into her pillow, "Wake me up in a year."
"Ah ah," Kurama said, wiggling his finger. He walked over to Sora's bed, and pulled the covers off her. "That's enough of that. Come on, you're awake. Time to get up."
"No thanks," Sora muttered into her pillow.
Kurama paused, and looked at her curiously, "There is something bothering you, isn't there Sora?"
"Nmmm," Sora groaned, allowing herself to roll over, and glare up at Kurama, "You've known me for what, 1 day? And already you assume you know me."
"You're avoiding the question," Kurama said quietly, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"Hmph," Sora said, slipping out of bed, and adjusting the straps of the blue spaghetti strap shirt that she had worn to bed. She walked all the way over to the door before stopping, leaning against the door frame, glaring at a spot on the floor close enough that she could see Kurama in her peripheral vision, and said, "Let's go for a walk."
Kurama smiled, and walked over and followed her out of the room.
"It doesn't make any sense, Kurama," Sora said to him the as they walked through the forest surrounding Genkai's house. "I mean, Hiei had the upper hand I suppose...the element of surprise, and apparently the talent...but...how could I lose?"
"Everyone has fights they win, and fights they lose," Kurama said wisely, "This was just your time to lose."
"I don't lose fights," Sora argued. "I have lost only 4 other fights in my lifetime: 2 to Raizen, 1 to you...well, 1 to Yoko, and 1 to Enki in the Demon World Tournament. Now, I have lost to Hiei. I don't understand it."
"Hiei is a talented fighter," Kurama said thoughtfully, "And he was prepared for your attack. Perhaps he is just stronger than you."
Sora grumbled in annoyance. Kurama smiled.
"You don't think that is the case?"
"You are probably right Kurama," Sora muttered, "I just don't want to admit it."
"None of us like to admit our weaknesses," Kurama said thoughtfully.
"I do not need your wisdom Kurama."
"Maybe you don't feel you do. But you may at some point. Keep it for safekeeping."
Sora growled in frustration. Several birds in nearby trees scattered in annoyance.
"This is ridiculous!" Sora growled, "Why can't I stop thinking about how he smirked at me as the blade connected with my throat! Why do I keep seeing the pain in his eyes?"
Kurama looked at her curiously for a moment, and then smiled innocently, "There is, of course, another possible reason as to why you lost..." he said.
Sora paused, and turned very slowly to look at Kurama. Obviously trying very hard to keep herself calm, she said in a dangerous voice, "Oh? And what would that be, Kurama?"
"Well," Kurama said, his eyes showing deep satisfaction, "You could have lost deliberately."
Sora froze in complete shock. Her mouth opened, as if she was going to speak, and then closed again. Her mouth opened again, but she seemed to still have nothing to say. Then, with enormous effort, she managed to gasp out, "What?"
"You could have thrown the fight," Kurama explained patiently. "Subconsciously," he added quickly, seeing the daggers in Sora's eyes.
"What on earth would possess me to do that?" Sora growled dangerously.
"Oh, I don't know..." Kurama said slyly, "Perhaps a certain...shall we say...attraction...to the attacker?"
Sora froze in her tracks quite suddenly. Her eyes glared at Kurama with a fiery passion, and she growled out 5 words in a voice that would make King Enma himself tremble with momentary fear.
"What did you just say!"
Kurama simply smiled at her.
"Let's get this straight, fox," Sora said harshly, "I am NOT developing a CRUSH on that LITTLE PUNK!"
"Very well," Kurama said pleasantly, "I believe you. The question is, do you believe yourself?"
"Of course I believe myself! Why else would I say it!" Sora spat out, trying and failing to hide the doubt in her eyes. She expected Kurama saw it anyway.
"Hey Kurama, Sora!" Yusuke called out. Turning around, Sora and Kurama saw Keiko and Yusuke making their way towards the two. "What are you two doing out here?"
"Just...talking," Kurama said innocently.
"Oh, of course!" Keiko said teasingly, winking at Sora. Sora glared at her, trying to stop the flood of memories before they overcame her, and Keiko blinked in surprise. Sora forced herself to calm down; Keiko didn't know of her past with Kurama. There was no sense in taking it out on her.
"Hey, have either of you seen Hiei this morning?" Yusuke asked, "I wanted to talk to him." He glanced at Sora with mild curiosity as she flinched at the sound of Hiei's name.
"I have not seen him," Kurama said, "But I know why you're looking for him. I recommend giving him some time to relax. He will tell us on his own if we give him time."
"In the same way that he will tell 'you know who' on his own if we give him time, right?" Yusuke said sarcastically.
Kurama smiled, "Exactly."
"Hiei's 'own time' is too long," Yusuke muttered.
"Who's 'you know who' Yusuke?" Keiko asked, narrowing her eyes.
"If you don't know who it is Keiko, I can't tell you," Yusuke said carefully. Then he looked at Kurama, and sighed, "Well, I don't want to wait around and then find that Hiei has decided that he has no more purpose in life, and bites the bullet," Yusuke said, "If you know what I mean."
"Hiei would never take his own life," Kurama said, "He will surrender his life only to a powerful opponent, or he will not die at all. This is probably why he has chosen to come back to human world; so that he is not tempted to challenge a powerful opponent."
"Well, if he's looking for me to do him in, he's got another thing coming," Yusuke said, gritting his teeth. "Make sure to tell him that if he even suggests it."
"Have no fear, I feel the same," Kurama said, smiling, "In any case, I think Hiei knows we would never do that to him. As I said, that's why he came here, so as not to be tempted."
"And with demon world so anti-death now, he'd be hard pressed to find someone willing anyway," Yusuke said with a grin.
"All thanks to you Yusuke," Kurama said with a smile, "Well, I'm off. It was nice talking to you Sora. And you Yusuke, Keiko. Have a good morning everyone!"
"Bye Kurama!" Keiko called out as the red haired fox walked away from the group. "He's so sweet! Why can't you been sweet like that Yusuke?"
"Because the overdose of sugar would kill me," Yusuke replied, "How are you doing Sora?" he paused, and then snickered, "You're neck okay?"
"...It's fine," Sora mumbled.
"Something wrong, Sora?" Keiko asked concerned.
"Nothing I particularly want to admit," Sora muttered.
"Are you hurt?" Yusuke asked sharply, dropping his arm from Keiko's shoulder to grab Sora's neck and examine it, "Because if that little mouse hurt you I'll kill him myself..."
"I'm fine Yusuke," Sora said, cracking a smile. She liked that he cared. "He didn't hurt me."
"Well than what's up?" Yusuke asked, "Keiko's right, there's definitely something wrong with you."
"I'm not denying it," Sora said mischievously, "I'm just not telling."
Keiko looked at her curiously for a moment, and then her eyes widened, "Oh my goodness I know what it is!"
"What?" Yusuke asked.
"Yes, I'm interested to hear this," Sora teased.
"You like Hiei!" Keiko announced triumphantly.
Sora's smiling face paled before she could stop it. She forced herself to laugh, but the damage had been done. Both Yusuke and Keiko had seen it.
"Uh...oh..." Yusuke said, "Someone's got a CRUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSHH!"
"Shut up Yusuke!" Sora growled, deciding there was no point in hiding it. Apparently, she was as see through as a glass window.
"Aw, Sora that is too cute!" Keiko said, "But be careful, you don't want to just end up a rebound."
"I do not intend to act upon this!" Sora said, so nervous that they would be overheard that her voice squeaked, "Can we just drop it? It is a minor infatuation it will go away if I just ignore it!"
"Awww! That it so cute!" Keiko squealed, "Isn't it cute, Yusuke?"
"It's adorable," Yusuke teased.
"I am never going to live this down," Sora muttered, turning away from her friends, "Goodbye."
"Aw, come on Sora, come back! We were only teasing!" Yusuke called, racing up to her as she speed walked away, and attempting to grab her arm. Sora just kept walking. Keiko made Yusuke drop back, sensing that Sora wasn't really mad, but needed some time to herself.
"Some friends they are," Sora muttered to herself when she was a safe distance away. "I don't have a crush on Hiei." But Kurama's words echoed in her head.
I believe you. But do you believe yourself?
"Of course I believe myself!" Sora nearly shouted. Then she paused, "Don't I?"
I would like to thank everyone who has read my story a reviewed :) it really does mean the world to me that you take the time to leave a comment saying you liked (or even didn't like) the story! Special thanks goes out to Wicked102 for reviewing every chapter with excellent advice :D THANK YOU (hearts)
Give me a week to put the finishing touches on chapter eight, and I promise that you will have it soon! ;)