The Rest

Kurama awoke the next morning to a strange sensation. Looking around the room he noticed nothing different. Curious, he stepped out into the hall and was surprised by what he found there. For before him was his son with his sister held tightly in his arms. Both were fast asleep against the wall. Smiling, he watched as Hiei stepped out of his room to the sight. As usual, the small demon said nothing and instead made his way out the door.

'I see that he hasn't changed,' the kitsune thought as he used some vines to gather his children off the floor. Then he placed them on his bed while he got dressed. As badly as he wanted to stay here by their sides, he had to go into town to study the other fighters.

When he was finished, he looked upon their sleeping faces and sighed. They had been through so much in this tournament. It showed on their young faces. Unfortunately, Team Urameshi had few allies here meaning that his children were needed here. They knew this in their hearts. Even if he asked it of them they would not return home. Turning away, he walked out the door.

Once he was outside, Kurama noticed that all of the demons around him either feared him or despised him. Amused by this, he continued forward until he came across a wooded area. From here he made his way deep inside. Upon reaching a clearing, he stopped and looked around. This was perfect. Carefully, he knelt and removed several seeds from his hair. Gently he placed them around him before closing his eyes to meditate. Then his lips curved into a smile.

"I know that you are watching."

From behind a nearby tree, a hooded figure stepped out. Despite this factor he knew who the half-breed was. He would be able to recognize that presence anywhere. Calmly, the demon approached him then sat on the kitsune's right. When he was settled, he removed his hood to reveal a smiling Tony Mera. His dark eyes told another story though. One of worry.

"Was I that obvious?" the wind youkai sighed, "Normally I am able to hide my aura better than that."

Kurama nodded…The fact normally would have been true. "Something distracts you."

"Indeed." Falling onto his back, Tony studied the sky above him. "Things like that happen when your pregnant wife is in danger, no?"

Green eyes blinked in surprise. Him as well? Just what was happening here? Sighing, he closed his eyes completely. It was pointless to think about questions that couldn't be answered. Besides, his companion was too cheerful for Kathjina to be missing…


Another slam against the post in the training area caused the surrounding demons to all turn in surprise. But Yusuke mostly ignored this as he attempted to remove his frustrations. He should be at home with his wife and child right now. Instead, he was here fighting for his life and for the life of a friend. When was this madness going to stop? Even he, who loved a good fight, no longer wanted to face those battles anymore. He was tired.

Growling in annoyance, he slammed his leg into the post. No, he couldn't think that way. Doing so wouldn't help anyone. Least of all him. It would only serve to distract him from what he needed to be doing. And just what was that? Well, he wasn't even really sure anymore.

Behind him, a girl with dark brown hair watched with interest. She had come here to do the same thing. To see that she was the only one who punched posts to remove tension was almost refreshing. Sighing, she brought her knees up to her chest while remaining balanced upon the training bar. If she remembered Ishimaru's description correctly, this was Yusuke Urameshi. A man who was technically no longer a spirit detective. However much of the demon world seemed to believe otherwise.

Shrugging at the thought, she reached up to clasp the choker around her neck. In a way, he was very much like her. Forced to be here in order to protect friends. Standing, she looked down on him. Well at least he had a chance of winning this tournament with that spirit. Knowing Ishimaru though, he was probably working on a way to break that at this very moment. With another sigh, she vanished from sight in a pillar of flames.


Hiei came to a stop on the edge of a cliff just outside of the city. Below him the waves were breaking with loud crashes. Any attack made upon him here would not be heard by any. A perfect location for the person who had called him here. Turning, he found her behind him with a swirl of leaves settling to the ground. With his hidden eye, he studied her aura. Then he smirked. Whoever she was, she wasn't demonic…but she was only half-human. On the other hand, her appearance caused her to look like a medieval huntress.

"What do you want?" he asked bluntly.

"I came to give you a message," she replied as she gazed upon him. She wasn't much taller than him but it was clear that she did not wish to be here. Her oddly colored eyes displayed that much. "Koenma sent me here."

Crossing his arms, he looked at her doubtfully. "Sent you?"

"Yes, he says that if your team does not win this tournament then something terrible will occur. He never told me what it was…He just said I had to tell you."

The Jaganshi glared at her. Neither her blue nor her green eye told him if this was the truth. Annoyed by this, he dove into her mind. Unfortunately, he discovered that everything she had said was the truth. What he did find though irritated him more than he wished to admit. Removing himself, he walked up to her and glared at the helpless girl.

"Don't you dare try to help your team lose when you fight us," Hiei warned, "We will determine whether or not we are strong enough to win." With that, he turned and left. The small girl remained behind clearly shaken by the event.


The final member of Team Urameshi was on the roof just watching the world around him. His loses were finally starting to get to him. Why was it always like this? Everytime his friends took two steps forward, he was taking only one. In the end, he was only dragging them down. If he continued to fight with them then he would just jeopardize their chances. Because of him, they could lose Sasha and her baby.

Kuwabara's frown deepened as a presence appeared behind him. He really did not need this now. Glancing over his shoulder, he found a pale man with white hair and eyes smiling back at him. His white pants were gently blowing in the breeze as he stepped forward. Instantly, the human was on edge. There was something about this youkai that bothered him.

"Who are you?"

The demon smirked. "My name is Setanta."

"And what are doing here?"

"Simple, I came to tell you that when you fight Team Anutsa…You're mine." Then he vanished from sight. Kuwabara slammed his fist into the rail behind him. Looks like he had been right. He really didn't need that.


Next Time on Team Anutsa:

This is Bara and while I will not be fighting against this team, everyone else will. However, it is clear that the leader of this team has no control. And so the three youngest members are completely oblivious to the danger they are facing. Just what do the three older members have in mind here?