Past Tricks

Once again he dashed forward with death written in his eyes. The curtain was being drawn up. Smirking, he unhinged his jaw. Instantaneously, venom poured out and slammed into his victim. When he was done, he stood back. One by one the flowers fell until all that was left was a kneeling man.

"Yes," he spat, "now our fight can truly begin."

Kurama took a deep breath as he brought himself back to his feet. He couldn't feel his body anymore. Just that one shot of poison had caused everything to go numb. Taking another breath, he released his hold on the whip. Then he felt a bolt of white hot pain course through his veins. Locking his jaw, his arms took hold of his abdomen. When the pain finally subsided he brought his eyes up to study the predator that stood before him.

He wasn't going to last much longer. Already the paralysis was beginning to take hold. If he allowed this to continue then he would not only lose but his death would be unavoidable. An image of Sasha appeared before him. No, he couldn't let himself die. She still needed him, as did their unborn child. Closing his eyes, he cleared his head. He had been in harder scrapes than this. Surely he could find a solution for this problem as well. Then he saw it.

Not that far away, Seni watched in amusement. The wheels were turning for sure. Not that it mattered of course. In the end it wouldn't make any difference. That Venom's Kiss had had a dose of Death Bite in it. Therefore the poison shouldn't have a cure. Even if it did, then a plant surely wouldn't have it. Laughing, he placed a hand to his chest.

Not quite yet. Just a few more minutes and then his ultimate weapon could be revealed. But until then he could go ahead and have some fun. Besides, he still held one more trick up his sleeve. Slowly he moved the hand further up until his fingers were pressed to his fangs. Already their size was receding to be replaced by tiny blades that were diamond hard. The perfect addition for later.

However, the kitsune was paying little attention to this. Instead, he led himself down a road he had not taken in many years. A road into his memories…


His back collided with the ground knocking what little breath he had from his body. Above him knelt a muscular demon. He was licking blood from his claws like he had all the time in the world. A small hint of amusement was flashing through his black eyes. When the long fingers were clean he rolled until he was lying on his side.

"You know," the harsh voice said, "for a kitsune, you really aren't very clever."

Youko frowned, "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

"If you wish to take over as the leader of these thieves then you are going to have to be far more sly than what you've been showing off today. Hell! You're making a rabbit look like it has more brains."

The insult stung but he kept his mouth shut. His leader was right after all. So what would be the use of denying it? In a huff, he rose to his feet. Seconds later he was back on the ground.

His leader laughed, "Now just hold on. I'm not through with you yet. Now I am going to tell you something that I expect you to remember for the rest of your life. You got that?" A silver head nodded in agreement. "Excellent now listen closely because I am only going to say this once."


The fangs were complete now, as was his draw for power. Laughing aloud, he pressed his arms to his sides. His entire body melted into a slender black light. Then, as if some invisible force was pulling on him, it lengthened until it was that of a twenty-foot cobra. This was Final Form; something his brother never had a chance to reveal before his unexpected death.

Below remained the still human. Scaly lips grinned as he dove for his victim. He could already taste the sweet meat that would soon be provided to him. The venom had taken enough of effect now that there would be no moving of the tiny man. A moment later, his head had smashed into the ground. And there upon his nose stood his chosen target.

Somewhere in the distance he could hear Kaze explaining the situation but Seni ignored this. For now the crimson hair was driving him insane. He was transforming in mind into a bull chasing a matador. Hissing in anger he tossed his head through the air in hopes of dislodging Kurama. All of his attempts were too useless.

For there upon his head remained the human. Taking a seed from his hair, he imbedded it deep with the scales of his opponent. Then, with an unnatural grace, he removed himself. Breathing heavily, he drew another seed and began to pump his energy into it. Soon red vines had wrapped their way up his arm. At the end of each of was a solitary head that seemed to moan with the pain of hunger.

"You were right, Seni," he stated calmly, "The fight could truly begin. And now, I can bring it to an end."

Seni lowered his head dangerously close to the smaller being. "How are you planning on accomplishing something like that?"

"Simple," Kurama replied, "I am going to apply a piece of knowledge to this fight that I was taught centuries ago. 'As a fox, you were born to be the slyest of creatures. Use this to your advantage.'"

"That doesn't make sense!"

A cruel smile worked its way to his face. "Your poison was dangerous until I removed it from my body." He held of two seeds. "This first one holds half of the poison and this second one has the rest. Now I believe it is time for you to meet your death."

From deep within Seni's body, thousands of petals emerged. Moments later he was nothing more than food for the Shokuyou Butsu that resided on Kurama's arm. When its task had been completed, it was once again nothing more than a harmless seed.

Kaze's eyebrows rose. "Well, by default Team Urameshi gains another victory! Next draw!"


Next Time on The Leaders' Battle:

This is Kurama ready to inform you of Yusuke's next fight. This time he will be fighting a former opponent of our team from the last tournament. However, Anthony has become far stronger and also has a more open personality. Will these two become friends only to be required to be enemies in the end?