Team Anutsa

Hikari giggled brightly as she looked at the arena. True, she had no idea what was happening but whatever it was excited her. Besides, doing this judging thing seemed easy enough. If she didn't like it, then she wouldn't have to do anything after today. Ishimaru had promised her that. And he never lied about things like that. Smiling, she waved to everyone as the teams walked in. Then she brought the microphone to her lips.

"Hi everybody! We are going to have so much fun today! Today, we have Team Anutsa verses the infamous Team Urameshi!" She listened to the crowd for a bit then continued. "I, Hikari, will be watching the fights today to make sure all rules are followed. Now as your judge, I ask that the team leaders come forward! We need your desires met here!"

Naturally, Yusuke approached the center and was met by a very pale woman with white hair and eyes. She was dressed in loose white pants and tube top. It was clear that she enjoyed distracting men with her body just by the way she carried herself. Sighing, he crossed his arms behind his head. He really didn't care about any terms. However, this demon gave him the creeps.

When she didn't speak, he began. "So you're Gretchen huh?"

She smirked at the question. "I am not. She is the fourteen-year-old behind me. I am here in her place. Therefore, I will make the terms in her name."

"Do you have some then?"

"I do. Here is the fighting order that I would like." Then she noticed their missing teammate and frowned. "My brother against Kuwabara followed by me fighting Hoshi. Then you will fight Lark and after you, Hiei with Kayla Okudo. The final two fights shall be as follows: First, Kurama verses Gretchen Aino then Kurama verses Lugh." She paused. "Any questions?"

Yusuke shrugged then went back to his team. Everything was pretty self-explanatory. He didn't need further details. Instead, he nodded for the carrot top to go up then made his was over to the Minaminos. Both were clearly worried but were doing their best to hide it. Bara hadn't woken up in two days. Frowning, he leaned over to Kurama and patted his shoulder. The kitsune merely ignored him as he watched his other teammate.

In the ring, Kuwabara was attempting to mentally prepare himself. He was failing miserably though…Especially when he saw who the demon's brother was. Setanta. Well, at least he wasn't going to have to worry about reserving the fight. In fact, it had fallen right into his lap. To his right, Hikari announced the start of the fight. Just what he needed. An announcement telling his to begin his losing match.

Setanta seemed to be thinking the same thing as he took his time walking up to his prey. He had chosen his target wisely. This pathetic human knew that he was the weakest on the team. And that thought was his ultimate weakness. Just before he was a foot away from the man, he changed his arms into swords. Then he dashed forward giving his opponent no time to react. Seconds later, both blades were imbedded in the other's muscular stomach.

Pulling back, the youkai smirked at the man. The look of surprise on his face was beyond amusing. Shifting his the blades back into his arms, he grabbed his victim by his shirt. And to think, he had only just begun to play with this pathetic being. Using the air around him, he lifted the heavy body into the air then dropped it like a deadweight. Afterwards he knelt next to the human as he struggled to rise.

"My aren't you just the weak one," he laughed then kicked Kuwabara onto his back, "You're such a let down to the infamous Team Urameshi. And to think, the rumors were that you could actually fight."

The carrot top coughed causing blood to cover his lips. He knew that Setanta was right. There was no point in fighting that fact. And yet, he found that he couldn't bring himself to give up. It didn't make any sense. Everything was telling him to surrender. If he just did that then he wouldn't be a burden anymore. So what was stopping him?

Above him, the wind demon smirked. "You're still fighting? How interesting. Just what do you think you're fighting for?" Gently, he lifted the man high into the air. "Whatever it is, it mustn't be too important. After all, if it was then you would be fighting." With a flick of his wrist, Kuwabara had slammed back into the ground.

Struggling to rise, the ningen fought with the words being thrown at him. It wasn't true. This cause was important to him. Sasha was his friend and the baby inside of her was innocent in all of this. Besides, Kurama had needed him. He had made a promise to himself that he would help. But they were all stronger than he was. His entire team.

Why couldn't he get any stronger? Why were they always so far ahead of him? Behind him, he could hear that Yusuke was furious with him. But he couldn't do it. He couldn't get up. The strength had left his body. Even the blows that Setanta were dealing could no longer be felt. Why didn't Hikari start the countdown?

Suddenly, he felt himself pushing his own body up. The pain was almost unbearable to the point where he almost fell back. Across from him, his opponent was frozen in shock. Not that he could blame him. He couldn't really explain this himself. All he knew was that he couldn't give up. Despite everything, he just could not do that. The other recovered quickly though and smirked.

With a small laugh, Setanta taunted, "Oh come now. We both know that you don't have the power to win this fight. Why don't you just give up? The pain will overcome you in the end. Wouldn't it just be much easier to give in?"

Upon hearing the question, Kuwabara summoned his Rei Ken Nitouryuu. He could feel they were different somehow but ignored this. The only thing he could think about was that he knew why he had to fight. Stumbling forward, he made his way over to the demon. When he got there he spat blood onto the white face.

"Yeah…it would…be so easy…to give up," he growled, "But…I can't. Yusuke tr-trusted me…to fight…by his side. I have…to show him…that…I can." And with that, he thrust his swords forward. When he looked down at them, he was surprised by what he found…


Next Time on Deirdre:

Yusuke here! Well, Kuwabara's fight is done and over with. Therefore it's time for Hoshi to start his battle. However, he is in for one hell of a match against Setanta's sister. She obviously has the same personality and powers as him but with one difference. Deirdre is much stronger. After what we saw with Kuwabara, will Hoshi even survive?