Finally early one morning in mid June Kurama awoke me with a soft shake of my shoulder. "Today's the day." He whispered.
My eyes widened for a moment and I nodded slowly. He left and I slid out of bed, quickly changing into black baggy pants and a small black t-shirt. I packed a little bag of extra clothes and threw in the camera as well, growing nervous as more time passed. Today's the day, I thought. The day we leave for the tournament. I rubbed my eyes and picked up my bag, heading down the stairs. I passed Kurri on the way and smiled as I snuggled him close. "Bye, hopefully I'll be back to take care of you…" I whispered. My parents were there and I couldn't keep my eyes from swirling blue as I hugged them both goodbye.
Slowly we split apart and I handed them the kitten as I exited with the guys and we gathered outside. "We're stopping by to get Botan." Yusuke said as he adjusted the settings of the watch he was wearing. Everyone took hold of him and we went by his house to get Botan and Yukina too. He next brought us to a dark forest where we started walking.
As we traveled I wrinkled my nose at the foul smell of demon that surrounded me. "Why can't we just transport the rest of the way?" I asked.
"Barriers." Kurama replied simply so I quieted.
Soon we came upon a huge boat in front of us. Loading quickly onto it were every type of demon you could imagine but every one of them was as ugly as the next. We approached it slowly, attracting many stares and paused at the base of the ramp that led to the deck. "It's larger than last time…" Kurama said, mostly to himself. Then he spoke to all of us. "This is it. Once you step onto this boat there's no turning back."
Slowly we all agreed and, taking a deep breath, I stepped onto the ramp after them and followed up to the deck. All the demons turned to glare at us with bloodshot eyes, daring us to make a wrong move. I could almost smell the hate in the air that they sent at us as we made our way to a large room on the boat, a room for seven. My ears twitched as I heard them muttering about another demon traitor who had taken the human's side and I knew they were talking about me. I refused to show any signs of weakness though, and proceeded with my head up until we entered the room and the door was safely shut.
As soon as we were in private, I sat down on a couch, my head in my hands. A hand found my back and I looked up to see Kurama. "Are you ok?" He asked.
I nodded slowly. "I'll be fine…" I replied quietly as I looked around. The room was fairly normal looking with a few couches placed around a table and seven separate beds placed around the room. There was also a bathroom off in a room to the side. Yukina, Botan and I claimed beds on one side of the room and Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke and Kuwabara on the other.
The day passed by sluggishly with all of us staying safe inside our secluded room, listening to the ramblings and fights of the demons outside. Towards nightfall we all climbed into our chosen beds and tried to sleep. Mine was furthest from the guys, against a wall.
I lay there for hours, staring at the ceiling yet unable to even close my eyes. All I could think about was the island where the tournament would be held that was drawing ever nearer. My ear twitched and I sat up suddenly, peering into the darkness in front of me.
Before I had time to see if there really was a shadowy figure crouched there, a hand was already covering my mouth. My eyes widened and I clawed at the hand but another held my own down. "Easy now." A voice breathed in my ear, causing me to shiver. "I'm just here to warn you that an ambush is being planned at this very moment. No one on this boat wants you to make it to the island alive."
The hand loosened and I spoke in barely a whisper. "And why are you telling me this?" I asked fearfully. The man behind me was obviously a demon as well, I could tell from his scent. Plus, we were supposed to be the only team with humans there.
A small laugh escaped him as he stroked my cheek, still holding my hands behind my back to keep me from jumping away. "I want a chance to fight you in the ring. So, until we meet again…" His voice trailed off and I was released. I spun around quickly, my eyes following as a shadow darted quickly out the door.
I wiped my cheek where he had touched me and slipped from my bed, crossing to Kurama's. "Kurama!" I whispered urgently, lightly shaking his shoulder. He rolled over and looked at me, slowly blinking so I continued. "They're planning to attack us right now in our sleep!"
He smiled softly at me and replied, "No I'm afraid you must have been dreaming."
I shook my head violently. "No! Someone was just in here and they warned me!"
At this Kurama sat up quickly and snapped on the light beside his bed. This in turn disturbed the others who were still sleeping and they all turned as well as Kurama spoke. "What? How? Did they hurt you?"
I shook my head. "No, he just warned me and left. He said… he said he wanted a chance to fight me in the ring…" I said quietly.
"Well if they're planning on attacking us, I say we should go attack them right now before they get a chance!" Kuwabara suggested.
Very reluctantly everyone agreed but Kurama turned to me once more. "You stay here. They don't expect much from you so let's keep that an advantage and not give things away tonight. Don't worry, we'll be fine." He added as I began to protest.
I crossed over to the bed that both Botan and Yukina were sitting on and sat with them, huddled with my knees pulled to my chest. "He snuck up on me so easily!" I said angrily.
Botan sighed and tried to comfort me. "It's ok, you were half asleep! I'm sure that when you meet later you'll definitely give it to him!" She said enthusiastically punching the air.
I smiled and nodded, amazed at how optimistic she could be while riding to our doom on a boat full of demons who wanted us dead. Eventually she got me to get back into my bed and calmed me down enough that I was able to close my eyes. After a few more hours I was out yet still somewhatuneasy in my mind.
I awoke with a start the next morning as a soft light hit my face. At first I looked around wildly, unsure of where I was but slowly it all came back to me. I looked around to see all other beds in the room empty and quickly darted out the door. I went down the hall and came out on deck where the others all stood near the front of the boat.
I approached them slowly, looking around to find the place pretty much abandoned. I was half hoping to catch the scent of the one who had warned me last night but couldn't find it anywhere. Instead I hurried to the others and stood with them at the rail.
I followed Yusuke's glare to see an island ahead. It looked like a curved claw reaching up to the sky with the base like the palm of a hand. I jumped as lightening clashed over just it like a dark omen warning us to turn back. I shivered wishing I could. I sensed that nothing but trouble would come from this and I suddenly became very afraid though I tried to hide it as best I could.
When we were almost to it, we all turned and entered the room, gathering up our stuff. We went to the exit ramp and piled off onto the foreboding island as I looked around for whoever had warned me. Still unsuccessful I turned and followed the others up a well worn path to the center of the island.
After an hour or so we arrived at a massive stadium. Turning to the right we entered a hotel that was next door. "Looks like they've rebuilt everything…" Yusuke muttered as he looked around. The hotel was fancy with potted plants scattered around and a large fountain in the middle of the room. Red velvet carpet lay across the floor and a person behind the main desk called us over. He appeared to be the only one in the entire hotel and I couldn't sense anyone else either.
The man entrusted Kurama with our room keys and we climbed the stairs, reluctant to trust an elevator. The room was much like the one from the boat though even larger. It wasn't just one room but instead two with a door linking them in the middle. One contained three beds and the other four. In both there was a large bathroom with a tub and shower and beside it a large closet big enough to be a small room. Also in each was a fairly big table with couches along three of its four sides. So all in all there was much more space than needed.
Sometime during the afternoon someone came knocking on our door. Kurama hesitantly opened it and was handed a letter from a man who bowed and left after handing it over. The door was closed and Kurama crossed the room towards us and opened the letter. His eyes quickly scanned over its contents and he looked up at us. "Tomorrow morning at ten will be our first match against team Shiru." He announced.
Everyone paused to register this until Yusuke asked, "And they are…?"
"We don't know." Botan replied. "I guess we'll have to wait and see."
Night arrived very slowly but as soon as it came I was wide awake with worry over tomorrow. Maybe I won't even have to fight! I thought hopefully as I tried to sleep.
I must have managed it during the night for I was shaken lightly awake the next morning, greeted by a grunt from Hiei. I climbed from the bed and he handed me my sword. I strapped it to my waist and headed outside to where the others waited.
In one large group we headed next door to the quickly filling stadium and entered through the back. Inside the walls were a cold gray stone that just added to my nervousness. We stood at the entrance of a dark tunnel as the announcer called out our name, team Urameshi. "Is everyone ready?" Kurama asked as he stepped forward. I took a deep breath and went forward with the rest, blinking in the light and wincing at the sneers of the demons in the crowd.
Kurama came to my side. "Kira, do you sense Keiko or Shizuru anywhere?"
"Shizuru?" I questioned.
"Kuwabara's sister."
My eyes scanned the crowd and rested on a box with glass windows near the top of the stadium. I nodded towards it. "They're up there." I said quietly.
Kurama nodded and informed Yusuke and Kuwabara who at least looked a little relieved at this news. I saw some of their tension drain away and wished mine would too.
The cat like announcer stepped into the ring and pointed to the tunnel opposite us and yelled out. "Vs. team Shiru!" Shapes appeared in the darkness as the crowd erupted with cheers. Soon they were able to be made out as a group of five cat demons. The hair of my tail stood on end as one of them caught my eye and sneered but I quickly averted my gaze.
"This will be a five on five match." The announcer continued. "Five separate matches with one on one. The team with the most wins at the end is the victor. You win either by killing or knocking out your opponent for a ten count or keeping them out of the ring for a ten count. Ready? Teams, decide who will go first." Kurama volunteered for us and no one objected as one of the cat demons stepped into the ring from the other side as well. The announcer looked at them both and shouted, "Begin!"
The cat demon immediately leapt forward, slashing at Kurama who lashed back with his rose whip. The demon yowled as the thorn lined rope found its mark. Kurama stepped back as the announcer rushed forward making faces as she surveyed what was left of the cat. Finally stepping back she pointed a hand at Kurama. "Team Urameshi gets the first win! Can we get someone to clean this up?" She added to the side.
After the stage was clear she asked for two more and another cat demon and Kuwabara stepped forward. Their fight started and caught up in rage for his fallen comrade, the cat demon made short work of Kuwabara. Though badly injured, Kuwabara was just barely out of the ring for ten seconds before he was climbing back up though that was enough. "Win for team Shiru!" The announcer cried.
Yusuke and another cat entered the ring next and the battle raged on for over half an hour. Both beaten and tired, they each gave one last great attack but Yusuke was the one to fall. He limped back over to us and plopped down, cursing himself. "There's another win for team Shiru! That makes the count two to one in favor of Shiru." The crowd erupted again at these words, screaming about killing us all in horrible ways.
As Hiei stepped into the ring Kurama turned to me. "You know this means you'll have to fight, right?" I swallowed hard and nodded and he smiled reassuringly at me. "It's alright. Just remember the training. I know you can do it!"
He turned back in time to see Hiei's sword slicing through the cat's waist, leaving both halves lying apart on the ground. "Win for team Urameshi! This round decides the match."
Hesitantly I stepped forward terrified to see that the demon who had caught my eye was the one I had to fight. "Begin!" He charged at me throwing a punch at my face. I leapt to the side, landing a knee in his stomach. He stumbled forward, surprised at my quick movement but smirked and ran at me again. He swiped his claws at my face but I caught his hand and clawed him back. He caught my hand as well and spoke softly so no others could hear. "What are you? A dog or a wolf? Or maybe both… I smell human as well."
"So, what's wrong with that?" I snarled. "You hate me because I have different blood than you?" We sprung apart and charged at each other once more. I ducked his punch and landed my own to his cheek and then quickly knocked his feet from under him.
He leapt back up and we caught each other's hands again. "Shouldn't I? Aren't cats and dogs supposed to hate each other?"
I glared at him with red eyes. "No! Why should I care about ancient grudges? I have a kitten at home that's waiting for me."
His eyes widened for a moment. "Really?" He shook his head and spoke once more. "Then fight seriously so I won't have to kill you!" He sprang back and I growled chasing after him. I reached out and pulled him close with my left hand and punched him hard with my right. The shirt ripped in my claws and he went sliding back. He leapt to his feet, wiping blood from his busted lip as he ran at me. Leaping to the side I stuck a foot out and he tripped, falling to his face. I ran forward, kicking him in the stomach as he staggered upright and he fell back and off the stage, clutching it. He coughed up blood and his eyes closed. The announcer ran in front of me to see him and began slowly counting to ten. Finally she said it and I breathed a sigh of relief as she exclaimed. "Team Urameshi wins the first round!"
I turned and walked shakily back to the others. "That was not cool…" I sighed. "But I don't think he's dead."
They congratulated me with smiles and we were told we could go back to our room. So we hastily did, not wanting any unneeded fights that could get us into trouble later on. We entered the large room and as they all talked at the couches around the table, I headed out to the balcony.
I stood there staring off into the distance with the wind lightly blowing my hair around my face, slightly obscuring it. I sighed and ignored it, my mind wandering back to Inuyasha and the others. Something tapped me on the shoulder and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I turned, expecting one of the guys but instead saw the cat demon I had just fought. I backed slowly away from him, instantly on guard and asked, "What do you want?"
He laughed and raised his hands harmlessly. "Relax, if I wanted to hurt you I would've already." Slowly I nodded, realizing he was right and relaxed a bit, moving back to my original spot at the rail. I placed my elbows on it and stared off to the distance again, watching the water lapping on the beach far away. He watched me silently for a while and then spoke again. "Well, I just wanted to say that was a nice fight but why didn't you finish me? I see now your skill greatly surpasses mine."
I blinked and smiled at him. "I don't want to kill anyone needlessly. It'd be great if I could survive this without taking a single life." With my mind clear of worries, I finally really looked at him for the first time. He had light brown hair that was shaggy and thick, sticking up in odd directions. Two somewhatrounded ears stuck up on either side. He had claws and fangs and slightly slanted and narrow pupils like that of a real cat. The tail's fur was similar to his hair, fuzzy and wild, and was long and slender. It flicked around behind him, never still as my own wagged slightly.
He regarded me carefully. "You're either foolish or kind." He said slowly. "But I think it's the later." He leaned against the rail beside me and continued. "Though you know how ruthless these demons are here and you're team is the most hated out of them all. Ours even had more supporters." He turned and stared off towards the beach as I had been doing. "You won't last very long thinking like that. If you hadn't beaten me so quickly you would've had to face my special powers though something gives me the feeling I still would've lost." He said, scratching the back of his head with embarrassment.
"Well it may have been close at least!" I teased lightly before growing serious. "And I know. I've just grown up with humans, living with different families for over five hundred years so I've learned a lot from them. I don't feel its right to take another's life, no matter how bad they are. To me there's always a chance they'll change but they just have to embrace it." I paused and laughed softly. "Though I'm probably just being overly optimistic and I have actually killed before…" I added quietly as an afterthought.
He regarded me for a moment more as if to decide if I was serious or just pretending. Finally he smiled and nodded. "Well that's a great way to think. If only more agreed…" His voice trailed off as we heard footsteps approaching. The window was closed behind me with the drapes closed though so no one could see out. "That's my cue to leave." He whispered. "I'll be cheering for you in the crowd." He promised as he stood on the rail. "Oh, and my name's Shiru." He added.
"I'm Kira." I responded quietly. He smiled and leapt over the balcony, slipping away in the shadows. A thought popped into my head and I breathed in his scent but quickly decided it wasn't the same as the one who was in my room on the boat.
The window opened and I turned around to see Kurama. He smiled softly and came to my side, standing where Shiru had just been. "Are you ok? You've been out here a while."
I nodded and smiled softly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking…" I replied, turning my gaze back to the ocean.
Making totally sure I was perfectly ok, Kurama finally returned inside. Sometime after nightfall I entered as well and joined the others, still around the table. As I sat down they changed their talk to that of heading to bed and Botan urged me and Yukina to come into the other room that held the three beds with her. Slowly we obeyed and the guys stayed around talking. We each climbed in the beds but I remained awake, staring at the ceiling once more and thinking of what Shiru had told me about not being able to keep from taking lives. Already Kurama and Hiei had each killed one. I knew it was just a matter of time before I was driven to as well.
My ear twitched as I heard someone sliding out of bed and I followed with my eyes as Botan slipped through the door that adjoined our rooms. I returned my gaze to the ceiling for a moment before deciding to listen in. I crept to the door and crouched behind it, pressing my head to it. I heard them talking but nothing really concerned me. I jumped as a knock sounded on their door and something was handed through. I strained to hear as Kurama tore something open and read aloud that our next fight would be against team Mishou. I listened for further information but none was said so I slowly crossed back to my bed. Climbing under the covers I settled back down laying on my side to stare at the wall.
Suddenly I felt my bed dip down as another climbed on behind me and my head darted up but something held it down. Another hand found my mouth and I realized it was the same person as the one on the boat. He chuckled quietly. "They don't guard you very well yet you do a horrible job of helping yourself too." I growled softly but he held me tightly down so I couldn't move as he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "I could kill you at any moment but I haven't yet. Why is that? It was a nice fight today though I wanted to see more. I wanted some of your hidden talents revealed. Why is it they've forced a young girl to fight in this tournament of monsters? That is why I haven't killed you. I could steal you away. Wouldn't it be fun to see their faces when they walked in to find you gone? And I'd get to make you show your skills to me in private, so only I could enjoy the secret so many wish to know. It's bothering me, I must know! I shall be the one to fight you in the final round of the tournament. Be ready for many hardships once there and you better not die before then. Then I shall be most disappointed. I won't go easy on you as so many probably have in the past. They don't believe you to have strength but I do. I can feel it even now, surging through you in your desperation to find who I am. Do not worry. Use that very longing to drive you to make it to the finals and then I shall reveal myself to you but only then. So until that day, love, do not expect many more nightly visits from me. Sleep in peace and keep your strength up." The hand lifted from my mouth but before I could cry out it waved across my eyes and I was sent quickly into a peaceful sleep.
