Chapter 11

"The Fountain"

"This is ridiculous, Kuwabara," Koren growled in frustration. She thought her fight with Kuwabara would be a noble one. Two fighters with respect for one another giving it all they had. Little did she know that Kuwabara's honor code would interfere with their battle.

"I told you," Kuwabara gasped between heavy breaths from running away from Koren, "I don't hit girls!'

Growing annoyed Koren charged towards him with a fist ready. He would eventually be forced to defend himself and retaliate she had convinced herself. That time had not come as Kuwabara continued to evade her attacks while refusing to draw his spirit sword.

It was quite the scene. A contestant of the dark tournament, a formidable human opponent, fleeing an irritated angel who scrambled in pursuit. She was clear she was holding back, but until Kuwabara drew his sword and took this fight seriously Koren refused to rely on any of her special attacks. She wanted a clean and fair fight. One both fighters could be proud of.

After a few more laps of pointless cat and mouse, Koren stopped to stomp her foot. She couldn't believe how persistent Kuwabara was refusing to face her.

"Kuwabara," she exclaimed, "I can handle myself, and this game of yours is insulting!"

"It's not a game," Kuwabara called back sounding closely like a whine, "It's my honor code! Real men don't hit girls."

He kept his distance, so he could catch his breath. He knew Koren could stand up to him. Hell, she was capable of beating him to a pulp if he wasn't careful. But still...still! He didn't want to get in her way of proving herself to her people. On the other-hand, were the angels going to do more harm than good if they got control over demon world. T'challa freaked him out seeming kind of heartless and nothing like their Koren. Wait, their Koren?

Maybe Kurama's right, Kuwabara cursed inwardly, maybe I am getting too close...

As Koren's and Kuwabara's fight commenced, Kurama and Hiei watched with the crowd. Their fights would come afterwards, so they could watch every vain attempt Koren made to force their comrade to fight. They also had the embarrassment of watching Kuwabara run around like a chicken without its head.

"Hn, I don't know why he even bothered to get in the ring, " Hiei said watching in bewilderment, "It's less than 'honorable' if you ask me."

Kurama gave up watching the fight to view Yusuke's math with Chu on a neighboring TV, which had actual fighting taking place. With a sigh, he replied, "I suspect Kuwabara's fighting himself more than anything. His feelings for Koren have more to do with this than his honor."

Hiei's gaze turned to Kurama, who was doing an excellent job of ignoring it.

"You're not fooling me, fox. Your feelings for the angel are no different from Kuwabara's. At least he doesn't try to hide them," he stated without any mockery or malice. Just honesty.

"And what of your feelings, Hiei," Kurama asked in sheer curiosity, "of the young girl Mukuro has acquired?"

Before Hiei could either come up with a snarky reply or even a dismissal grunt, there was a disturbance between Koren's and Kuwabara's fight. An excited clamor erupted from the surrounding demons at the sight of four unknown beasts suddenly appearing before Koren.

"I don't have a good feeling about this," Kurama said, alarmed, "We should go. Now."

The four demons appeared out of thin air cutting Koren off as she was charging at Kuwabara.

"Here's our angel, boys," a large demon with shades announced to his front men. Instincts gave Koren immense dread. She could expect nothing good from the intruders.

"Alright, bag her up and let's go," the same demon then ordered.

With her fists clenched and eyes narrowed Koren growled, "Do not challenge me."

"Hey," Kuwabara's gruff voice erupted, "aren't you forgetting someone?" Spirit sword finally formed Kuwabara was now ready to defend his friend. Before he could even take a single step forward, though, he was met with a swift kick in the face by the smallest of the four. He fell back slightly dazed by its force. Kuwabara's aggressor landed on his feet gracefully with a twisted smirk on his face.

"Kuwabara," Koren cried out.

"Atta' boy, Raymond. Just keep him out of the way," the ring leader praised then addressed the biggest of his group, "Buddy, get the angel."

Koren's energy spiked as her anger rose, ad she as ready to take on her attacker. He was fierce beast with a terrible grin, and he proved capable of keeping up with her moves. Despite his size he was quite swift, but Koren knew that one she could land a solid hit the fight would be hers to win. Focusing her energy into her right fist that became engulfed in a white flaming aura, Koren was ready to make a deciding blow. She allowed the beast to get close enough allowing him to believe he had the upper hand to grab her before evading him with ease. It would of been a clean hit, but before her punch collided with its target the flames extinguished and the force of her attack dispersed into nothing.

"What's happening," Koren gasped as she felt her strength melt away. The toothy demon grinned even wider as he took hold of Koren's weak body. She struggled but to no avail. Darkness began clouding her vision and as she drifted into unconsciousness she became aware of a faint chanting. Groggily she tilted her head to the sound.

It was a cloaked figure. Had he always been standing there? She couldn't see his face for it was a covered by a high brim cloak and a dark hat dipped across his face, but she knew the enchantment was coming from his lips. Ancient words that she didn't realize she knew echoed in her mind; every word registering with her. Each syllable pulled at her energy draining her of her abilities. A seal was being placed on them similar to the what Rhiannon used to conceal Koren's wings.

Then she blacked out.

Buddy caught the defenseless angel. She looked like a rag doll in his giant clawed hands. How easily he could rip her apart.

"Alright, boys, time to get going," Tony called out as he placed a hand on Buddy shoulder. Raymond made an impressive leap to Buddy's opposite side mimicking Tony's action. Vinnie appeared soon after following the same pattern. With everyone making contact with Buddy, they vanished just as they had appeared.

Chu was having the time of his life as he fought Yusuke Urameshi. Ever since the first round of the Dark Tournament where Yusuke and he fought with everything they had resulting in a death match, he had been dying to have a rematch. He had grown stronger since then but so had Yusuke. It was an amazing battle. Fists flying, kicks soaring, and energy flaring. He hadn't had this much fun in ages. It was a shame it had to end. Yusuke caught Chu off guard and readied his Spirit Gun. If Yusuke's signature move had Chu on the run a few years ago, it would sure send him to hell and back now.

"It's been fun, Chu, maybe you'll win next time," Yusuke smirked, cocky as always. Chu knew he couldn't avoid that kind of blast. His only choice was to focus his energy towards defense, so he could at least walk away from the fight to try another round for another time. Except it never came.

"Wha-," Chu said confused. The delay in Yusuke's attack allowed him to catch his fall and get back on his feet. Technically he was back in the game and could challenge Yusuke head on again. One look at Yusuke, though, and he could tell that this fight would just have to wait as far as the Spirit Detective was concerned. "Er, mate," he called out," what's got your knickers in a wad?"

Yusuke looked off into the distance in utter shock. Chu's light joke went unnoticed as he was trying to understand what he just felt. Kuwabara and Koren's energy signatures were there and thriving. Then out of the blue there were four others before Kuwabara was the only one left. This didn't make sense...

"Urameshi?" Chu was closer now and became concerned.

"She's gone," Yusuke finally answered in complete disbelief, "She...she just disappeared."

"Who's gone," Chu questioned not catching on. By the look on Yusuke's face, Chu would've thought Yusuke meant his sheila (the human girl with brown hair). That couldn't be right, though. The girl would never have survived demon world's toxic atmosphere. "Listen, mate, you're not makin' any sense. What's going on?"

"We have to go to them," Yusuke said decidedly before taking off.

"Aw, bloody hell," Chu grumbled before following after him. They both would just have to be disqualified from the tournament then, he silently accepted.

The whole event took place in a matter of minutes. Kuwabara had just recovered when he saw Koren getting kidnapped just out of his reach. He was too late. Shocked he stared at the spot she once was. Tears began to fill his eyes. He cursed himself for being so weak and helpless. For letting her be taken. Kurama and Hiei arrived only to realize as well that they were too late.

"Kuwabara," Kurama said as he knelt next to his fallen friend, "what happened?" Kuwabara couldn't bring himself to look at Kurama's face. He ducked his head down staring at the ground as tears fell making droplets on the dirt.

"They...they took her," he had a hard time finally getting out. "I didn't stop it. She's gone because of me." His voice broke at the words, and he punched the ground as more tears flowed down his face. He hated himself at that moment. Internally ridiculed himself for being "man" enough to not fight her, yet not enough of a man to save her. Kurama placed a hand on Kuwabara's shoulder.

"Blaming yourself will not bring her back," Kurama attempted to console, "All that can be done now is finding out how we can bring her back."

"You're not serious," Hiei cut in looking at Kurama in a sort of disgusted astonishment. "You're going to risk forfeiting the tournament for the enemy. Am I the only one who hasn't forgotten what the angel is here for?"

"I know you don't know what it means to have friends, Hiei," Kuwabara then snapped. Getting to his feet Kuwabara grabbed Hiei's shirt to bring him up closer to his face to stare in him the eyes as he continued, "but Koren's mine and I can't just standby while god knows what happens to her!"

"Hn, you're a fool," Hiei said resorting to his usual insult. He had not interest in Koren's safety or Kuwabara's pride.

Kuwabara's grip tightened as Hiei's word struck a chord. Ready to punch the living daylights out of Hiei or at least die trying he prepared a fist. Kurama's firm hand locked itself in the bend of Kuwabara's arm, and this was enough to hesitate the action allowing the anger to drain until Kuwabara finally let go of Hiei. Fighting was just as useless as blaming. Koren would still be lost.

"HEY," a shout came from a distance. The three fighters looked in its direction to see Yusuke followed by Chu.

"Urameshi," Kuwabara acknowledge as his friend got close enough.

"What the hell happened," Yusuke inquired. All mockery and ease were erased from his voice replaced instead by solemnity.

"Koren was kidnapped. By who, we do not know," Kurama explained with ease saving Kuwabara the distress.

"Well, 'ey couldn't have gotten far," Chu observed out loud. "If we go now, we can get her back!"

"They're no longer here. It seems they were able to transport completely out of the area...they might not even be in demon world," Kurama regretted to inform them.

"Damn it," Yusuke cursed looking like he was ready to destroy mountain ranges. "We still have to try. Any idea where they could've gone, Kuwabara?"

"They were seriously here for a couple of minutes, and they said nothing about where they were going," Kuwabara answered through gritted teeth. Everything was beginning to feel hopeless.

"I still don't see why you all care. Let the angel face her fate and focus on the tournament," Hiei interjected. Graceless as ever.

"That's it," Kuwabara roared hurling himself at the fire demon. The skies darkened without warning as furious lightening danced and bellows of thunder followed. Once again, Kuwabara was distracted from his assault, and they all beheld the rage above them. Several zig-zags of lightening came together within the clouds followed by immense light. When the smoke cleared and their eyes adjusted, they saw a figure lingering among the clouds.

"What the hell," Yusuke murmured to himself.

Another angel was sent.

Severo was enjoying a glass of fine wine and a steak dinner when a sniveling crony hired for simple and dirty tasks came running in. Not one to be interrupted so rudely during his leisure time Severo rose his hand ready to snap his fingers. The sound would indicate to his guards to dispose of the small demon in means of execution. After all, every single one of them were expendable. The little demon recognizing this gesture immediately fell to his knees begging to be heard.

"That demon, Tony, and his men are back. They have the angel. Oh, please, spare me!" Speed and good news were his saving grace. Taking the linen napkin from his lap and giving his lips a slight tap he left his meal to follow the messenger to wherever his recruits had his prize.

"My secretary will set you up with your payment," he casually said upon entering the room. Tony was blocking his view from his angel, and the assurance of the transaction prompted the demon to step to the side. He didn't have expectations of what he'd behold once he had the angel, yet he was quite intrigued at how human she appeared. Like any young broad on the street. They had her chained to a metal chair. Ankles to the legs of the chair. Hands fastened behind her. Lengths of chains were wrapped around her mid section, and then they were attached to metal rings that were screwed down into the floor.

"She's still dangerous, huh," Severo commented as he inspected the chains stalking around the trapped being. Tony snorted.

"Hardly. We just like to keep our guests comfortable."

Severo said nothing as he eyed her wings, which were more beautiful than he ever would have imagined. He could get millions if not billions for a single feather. Rarity meant luxury. He reached out to stroke the inviting softness of the feathers. Yet again, he was surprised by downy touch unlike any he had ever experienced before. The wing jerked away from his touch, and that's when he noticed the aquamarine orb staring him down.

"Look who's awake," Tony laughed. Severo made his way back to her front to take in her appearance once more. Her eyes never left him, and he felt them pierce his damned soul. Blonde tresses framed her angry face. He knew then he could rent her out as a show piece at parties for a ridiculous price and still get buyers. She was a beautiful and rare gem. The angel began mumbling; the words barely audible. Before anyone could force her to speak up, there was a flash of light. Nothing happened at first, but then Severo saw what just took place.

Her wings were gone.

"What the hell just happened," Severo asked calmly.

"Vinnie," Tony stated turning towards the shadowy figure.

"It was an enchantment," Vinnie explained, his voice soft and ethereal, " similar to what I used to suppress her strength. She had hidden her wings within her."

"Want us to make her reconsider, boss," Raymond hissed, a gleeful glint in his horrible black eyes.

"That won't be necessary," Severo answered instead. "All I ask is that you guard her for the night...yes, yes, you'll be paid. I'll take care of the rest in the morning." He took a step towards his prize lightly stroking her yellow hair.

"Don't touch me," she snapped at him. Her voice was like church bells on a bright Sunday morning. In fact, everything about her brought nothing but good memories to Severo. Of course, that didn't stop him from grabbing her chin forcefully.

"I would change your attitude," he softly sang to her, "or you won't like me very much..."

A/N: Sorry, it took so long. I love this story, the characters, and Koren especially. I want to see this to the end, but writer's block (and laziness) make it a slow process.

"The Fountain" is by Bad Omens. It's my muse song for the next couple of chapters.

Thank you to all who reviewed! It so makes my day. Please, continue to let me know how you feel about the story thus far. If you have any suggestions, criticisms , or concerns- please feel free to let me know in the reviews as well.

Until next time!