FANG: sorry it took so long, but here is the next chapter, extra long to say just how sorry I am.
TOSHI: …enjoy!
NOTE: thanks for the reviews guys. I really appreciate them. And to answer one review I got where they asked how come Toshi doesn't send them back and let them come back in human form i have this to say: if they came back in human form, where would they stay? Surely it would be strange and questioning if the YYH suddenly appeared in real life and lived with her. They wouldn't be close to the guy they want to catch, since he practically lives with Toshi, coming over all the time. Plus they wouldn't be able to protect her (meaning that they wouldn't be right there if she was in trouble.). Also, in big form, they wouldn't be able to sneak about like they want to and being small will give them an advantage of not being noticed. And last but not least, who would give up gigantic portions of their favorite food?
Kuwabara: point well made.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN YYH (only toshi and a few added characters).
The sun was merciless. It sent its heat, wave after wave to the green field below. The plant life suffered under its intense stare, hoping that a cloud would soon come along to shield, even if so for a brief moment. The people in the stands had protection as they brought umbrellas and cold ice drinks. The guys or 'colored munchkins' were protected somewhat by the big oak tree and its green leaves. However, the only people suffering were the players on the field, and Toshi's team was already at the mercy of Santisiki High School.
This team wasted no time starting their dirty play. Already, some of Toshi's team mates have been called to bench by the referee, which she thinks was a set up, two were injured but still played despite the shoe mark on their claves from when the team tried to steal the ball, and they had that stupid chant of theirs:
We are the winner of Santiski High!
We beat up our opponents
Till they reach the sky!
They're a bunch of losers,
They cant make a signal hit,
So we won't ease up on them
Not one bit!
That raked her nerves.
Toshi herself was doing fairly well. She had been able to block the goal and prevent most of the balls from coming in. her concentration was clearly shown, when she played it was like she was a whole different person. That brave, courageous fearless girl that she always dreamed of becoming. She became invincible and her pride didn't allow her to make a mistake.
In the stands her brother was screaming at the referee for making a fowl count. "They have six points! Not eight! SIX POINTS! Are you blind or are the black and white strips making you senial!" he screamed. Toshi shook her head.
As the sweat rolled down her head, her knocking knees supporting her weight were grass stained from all the saves. Slowly, her mind drifted to her small friends. She wondered if they were all right there, sitting underneath the tree all by themselves. She hopped Kuwabara wasn't injured again from one of his fights with Yusuke, she hopped Kurama would calm them and she hopped that Hiei…well, what could she hope for him? Giving the tree a quick glance she let out a tired blow of hot air. The heat was getting to her a little.
The ball was pummeled, it was kicked and a bee shirt took him and ran down the grassy field. The tigers tried to steal the ball, but the bee was to fast for them. As its natural nature to be attracted to flowers, the ball was attracted to the goal post, Toshi's goal post.
"Block that ball TOSHI!" screamed her coach gripping her clipboard. Toshi nodded and raised her hands. The bee smirked and readied its stinger, or the ball in this matter. And when Toshi dropped her guard slightly, he attacked. The ball came hard and fast. Almost to fast for her to block, but like she said before, she had practiced hard. All those rainy and hot days practicing on the field with her brother, perfecting her skills until she passed out of exhaustion. She wasn't about to let all that, and Treys constant complain of lifting her hippo form, go down the drain.
"And the ball is coming in fast folks, would Toshi be able to save it?" screamed the announcer from his upper boast in the stands.
Her feet moved and skidded to halt. Her hands caught the ball and felt the sting from the bee. She could have sworn she heard a snap came from somewhere, but she couldn't decide, nor had the time to know where. She dropped the ball and served it back. The bee caught it, a slight shock on his before it turned to a deep scowl. She just smirked back.
"SAVED!" roared the announcer into the microphone, almost making her ears pop.
"GO TOSHI! THAT'S THE WAY TO BLOCK, YES!" cheered her bother, his voice going over the crowd that went wild when she saved the ball.
San merrily watched her. He was surprised to see such stamina from her. Of course, that only drew him more to her. How he loved a good fight, how he wanted to hear her scream his name for what he was going to do to her. An evil smirk spread across his face, knowing that the fool Trey was too much into the game to notice. It was easy making her brother fall for him; he suspected he knew nothing of his true purpose.
"Sorry, love, but I'll have to put a stop to your game," he whispered smirking. His hands enclosed around the whistle in his pockets.
He might like her smile, but he loved to hear her scream.
The boys watched from up in the trees as the game went its way, Yusuke and Kuwabara cheering once and while when they made a goal. Things were really heating up and Toshi's team was close behind them in points. It was true from what they heard, the other team loved to cheat. Even though they weren't closer like the others, they still could make her out and the other players.
"Alright Toshi!" cheered Kuwabara jumping up and down. She had just saved another ball.
"Quit jumping up and down like the fool you are before I make you!" threatened Yusuke, who was right beside him. He didn't mind him cheering for Toshi, but he was as big a pain as he was ugly. And that's pretty big. "If you fall out his tree it wont be my fault!"
"Shut it Urameshi! I have the grace and skill of a swan," Kuwabara said, nose in the air.
Yusuke snorted. "More like a hit deer."
"What's that!"
"I said, you're denser than a hit deer! In fact, I'm sure it would have more sense than you!"
"Why you little-!"
Thus began a quarrel between the two. Not that it was anything new but it was certainly annoying. Especially to a certain fox demon who was trying to watch Toshi play. Although he was suppose to be watching out for when the demon made his move, he couldn't help but be fascinated by the girl. She played very hard, he noticed, and concentrated fully on the task ahead. Unlike two certain boys he knew. However, during that last save he thought he saw a pained expression flash through her face. Was she injured?
"Don't worry fox, the onna might be stupid, but she's got guts," Hiei commented from his spot on the tree branch. He looked towards the field, watching.
"Are you actually commenting her, Hiei?" asked a surprised Kurama smiling. Hiei glared at him. "Hn," was his reply. That conversation died.
"And here comes the tigers racing down the track, passing to number seven, then to number eleven! By god folks, I think their gonna…yes, they did it! SCORE!" the announcers voice was pretty loud, even with out the power of technology. "THEY SCORE IS TIED! THE SCORE IS TIED! NEXT POINT WINS!"
Hiei gave another one of his short replies and closed his eyes. Stupid humans and their sources of entertainment. His jagan glowed suddenly and his eyes snapped opened. Jumping to his feet he scanned the stadium, searching. His eyes landed on a figure standing on top of the stadium dressed in a cloak. "We got company," he said.
Kurama directed his gaze and spotted the figure. "So he is here."
"Huh?" asked Yusuke stopping his assault on Kuwabara. "He's here?
"Hey, we got to stop him! He's gonna mess up Toshi's game!" cried Kuwabara, whose face resembled someone who broke a mirror. He can still do that without the bruises.
The figure withdrew something, and held it up. Soon the slow flow of a whistle filled the air, gathering no attention to itself from the stands. What happened next gave the boys chills up their spins. A white cloud emerged from person and they dropped onto the ground. Others followed, dropping like swatted flies. Even in the stands people were falling, their bodies becoming limp and lifeless.
Kuwabara shivered and hugged himself at the beautiful, yet deadly sight. "Guys, I have that terrible feeling. Those are…they're…" he could hardly finish his sentence when he dropped to his knees.
"They're souls," Hiei said bluntly, his crimson eyes narrowing at the cloaked figure.
"So, he has moved his pawn," Kurama said more to himself than to the others.
Yusuke growled, clenching his fists. He couldn't allow the bastard to get away with this. "We have to stop him!"
"I know, but how?" asked Kuwabara. "Were so tiny, I downsized to the size of the shrimp!" Kuwabara halved whined while pointing at Hiei. "If we go out there now, we'll be flatten before either one of us raises a finger!"
"I have to agree with him Yusuke, we are no match for him in our current state," sighed Kurama dreadfully. He watched as the souls continued to flow and gather around the figure. "Were completely and utterly useless."
Yusuke growled again, anger welling up inside of him. This was what he was worried about! Because he was a stupid toothpick he couldn't even give the guy a splinter! Stupid Botan, she should have given them the spell before she left! Now they cant do anything but wait and watch while this guy got away with this.
"I got the prickly feeling," shudder Kuwabara gripping himself. He didn't like this feeling. It was different from his 'tickly' feeling, which meat ghost was near by. But this, the 'prickly' feeling, only meant something bad was going to happen. Very bad.
And to make him feel worse, a blood-chilling scream filled the air.
Yusuke snapped his head towards the field. "TOSHI!"
This wasn't happening to her! It wasn't real! It had to be a dream. That's right, a simple pleasant dream turned into a horrific nightmare!
She was playing field.
'NO! Why me, why me!' she chanted over and over again in her head. 'Why did coach pick me to be on field instead at the post?'
Oh, maybe because one of her teammates got injured really badly and had to sit out leaving them few since the others were injured or benched. Anything other than that, it was stumping her constantly.
"Toshi," the coach had told her in a stern voice while the medics came and carried away a broken Britney on a stretcher, "I know how you feel playing on field, but I need you to go out for me."
"But…" she had said. The coach shook her head. "No buts, just go out there and win it for the team!"
Her teammates silently cheered her on, waving pom-poms from who knows where they got it. Toshi cried silently and pathetically to herself as she made her way to her grave. Why was she so scared? Why was she such a coward? She hated being used, and right now she felt more as a sacrifice than a replacement.
"Ho-HO! Look here folks, Toshi, who is the worst field player I have ever seen, has taken to the field. Well, I guess desperate times call for desperate measures," joked the announcer, not helping Toshi feel any better.
She took her place as backup, and looked towards the stands. She nearly screamed at what she saw.
It was her mother! Her mother was there, waving and smiling a big smile at her. Toshi figured she had just come from work since she hadn't changed from her work clothes. Her mother stood there on the other side of her brother, her short brunette hair bouncing every time she waved. The proud gleam in her sunset eyes told her to do the best she could.
"HI HONEY!" screamed her mother like a schoolgirl, waving her hands to a fro. People looked at her as she continued to shout. "I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT! DON'T BE AFRAID! BEAT THOSE BEES AND SHOW THEM HOW TO WORK IT!"
Trey was sitting down, embarrassment across his face. Clearly he didn't want to be seen with her out in public, one can only wonder why. "I don't know her," he said to a person who was eating a hotdog. The man only blinked.
A sudden energy, more positive and trustworthy filled Toshi as the referee got ready. She felt more confident as she faced her opponent's glares and jeers. She stuck out her tongue, one thing that she would never normally do out of manners and sincerity. But this was soccer. This…was war! The bee looked stunned at her and was even more surprised when she stole the ball from him.
"What's this folks! It seems that Toshi has token a leap of courage and stole the ball, now she's heading down wind," cried the announcer.
Her heart raced and her legs pumped as she directed the ball around her hunters. Fellow teammates made sure to clear her way whenever she got stuck. She made her way to the goal. Suddenly, from her right a guy appeared and blocked her. Toshi almost skidded to a stop: one rule her father always taught her, never stop going! Taking in a breath Toshi twisted her foot to prevent him from stealing the ball. Their backs were smacked together, so was his hand on her rear.
"HEY, GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY DAUGHTER YOU FROG EYED PEVERT!" screeched her mother in a rage.
"YOU BETTER REMOVE YOUR HAND BEFORE I REMOVE SOEMTHING IRREPLACEABLE!" Trey added to the threat shaking his fist.
The guy faltered a bit and Toshi took her chance. Using her feet, she kicked the ball up off the ground the sailed it over the guys head. He blinked at how fast she moved around and made way with the ball again.
Close to the goal, her breath short, Toshi readied herself. If she didn't make this shot then all of this would have been in vain. All of this depended on her. Time seemed to slow. Her steps became heavy. It was all up to her. A jagged rush went through her and soon she wasn't sure if she could make the hit. It was going to be like last time: she would hit the ball and miss, loosing to everything, everyone.
'No, I must not think that,' she told herself, closing her eyes for a brief moment. 'I must clear my head, just like in practice, I must rid of all noise, all voices, all music…wait, music?' her eyes snapped open and grew big. Around her everyone was dropping to the ground as if all their energy had been suck out of them. In the stands too, people were falling. She took notice that a white cloud emerged from each falling body and slowly made it's way upwards. She followed them and her gaze landed on a dark cloaked figure. Her breath stopped. It was he.
He cackled, looking down at her, stopping his music. "I see that you are still standing."
Toshi, finding herself alone and vulnerable to attack, took a step backwards to put some distance in between them. He noticed this and cackled more. There was hint in his voice that made her uncomfortable: it sounded like this amused him.
With one leap he landed on the goal she was suppose to score. To bad about the soul sucked people in her way. Although his features were hidden she could tell he was smiling.
"Do you like my work?" he asked her. She said nothing. He frowned slightly. "Not much of a talker, are you? Actually, I am kind of disappointed. I would have thought Koenma would have heard of my plans by now and made an effort to stop me by sending one of his…detectives."
Toshi stiffened and made a wrong move by glancing at the tree. He saw this and turned to look. "Ah, so over there?" she whimpered when he raised his hand. A slight glow came from them, followed by an electric pop. His fingertip held a small-formed orb of yellow light. He pointed it to the tree. And before she could even scream, he released it.
The tree exploded in a bight light, and split in two. The sound it made was like a tree falling in the rainforest, and the wench pull at heart. A cry came from her lips, echoing around them. She dropped to her knees, starring, not believing what she just saw.
The man lowered his hand and turned to her. "Guess they weren't all that strong." Disappearing, he reappeared in front of her. His hand shot out and grabbed her by the throat roughly pulling her up. She choked, struggled and tried to kick him. But he was strong and the grip he had on her was slowly tightening.
Toshi gasped, trying to wench his hands away. "Nnngh…!"
"Try as you might, but you cant escape." His voice was cold, mocking her of how weak and pathetic she really was. Crack, his bones started to change and form. Toshi widened her eyes in pure terror as the man holding her transformed into something you only see in nightmares. His face changed and molded into a hideous beast with sharp fangs and beady eyes. The arm holding her grew and expanded into muscles and fierce strength, his claws sinking into her skin. He grew taller, more bulky like a boar than human.
'But he isn't human,' she told herself. 'He's just a monster.'
With transformation complete, he now looked down on the girl with hungry eyes. "Now you see me, out of my shell as they say. I have successfully taken all of the souls," he held up the whistle. "An easy attempt given to me by my master who could not attend today."
"A…pawn?" choked Toshi. That's what he was, a pawn played to be sacrificed.
"With all the souls I have gathered, I will devour them and become unstoppable," he continued to growl out. "And you my dear, like my meat fresh and stirred."
With that said he tightened his grip became more like a death grip. Toshi let out a gurgled cry of pain and shut her eyes. Things couldn't end like this. She had to break free and prove she wasn't weak. Her feet dangled ten feet off the ground. It would be wrong for her to die without ever seeing him again. Her heart throbbed. Why was she only thinking of him? The bones in her neck couldn't take the pressure.
"Hey, UGLY!"
A sudden jolt came to her as she was thrown back. She landed in someone's arms and looked up into smiling green orbs. "Kurama!" he settled her down, allowing her to get the breath back in her body.
"Who do you think you are disrupting this game?" came Yusuke as he walked next to the red head. He glanced down at Toshi. "Hey, you okay?"
"Yes…but…" she struggled to her feet, swaying. 'How did they become big? When I left them they were ant sized, so how…?'
"Baka onna, the ferry girl was able to make it," Hiei spoke from besides her making her jump. He glared at the girl floating in the sky. "Just barely."
"Yeh, I mean even I thought we were goners," Kuwabaras goffy voice run in her ears as he took his stance next to Yusuke. "Another second longer and we would have been the four burnt little munchkins."
"Well I came didn't I!" she hotly replied soaring on her oar. A smile came to her face however when she saw that Toshi was all right. "Toshi dear! Up here!"
"Botan!" she cried waving at her friend. She was glad everyone was all right. But, what about her family? She glanced to the stands where she last saw them. As if they were asleep, they laid there motionless.
A sudden movement caught everyone's attention. The demon sat up, its legs and arms pushing its heavy body off of the ground. Toshi gagged when she saw the monsters head was turned in an inhumanly position. Upside down. The layers of skin were twisted along with his head. It took its clawed hands and with a sick crunch that sounded like cracked bones, snapped its head back into place.
"That's just gross," Kuwabara said disgusted. Yusuke and Toshi nodded their heads in agreement.
"I see that you have survived my attack," the demon growled. His eyes swept over them. "It does not matter. I already have all the souls and will become invincible!"
"Where is your master? Clearly you are nothing more than a puppet in his attempt to rule over this world," demanded Kurama, knowing that this couldn't possibly be the demon Botan was talking about. He didn't answer.
"I would answer if I were you," Hiei spoke, his eyes traveling to the whistle in his hand.
Yusuke took a step forward cracking his knuckles. Botan descend next to Toshi and grabbed her arm roughly yet lightly. "Lets go Toshi, it's too dangerous for you to stay here," Botan whispered to her urgently.
Toshi nodded and turned to leave.
"Where do you think your going wench?" demanded the demon taking a powerful step forward and crushing the earth beneath his feet. Dust rose up around them, a wind howling in their ears. He raised a hand and smirked. "My master would love for you to join him."
Toshi whimpered at the way he was looking at her. It scared her to the bone. Yusuke growled, stepping in front of her. "You wont lay one hand on her you got that!"
"Protective I see," he mused. "That's what I expect out of a mate."
Toshi face went red, while Yusuke was glaring daggers at the demon. "Botan," he said. She snapped too, "Yes?" Yusuke glanced at her in the corner of his eye. "I want you to take Toshi away from here."
The ferry girl nodded her head in understanding and led Toshi away. "Lets go dear." The soccer player took one worried glance back at the determined detective. "Be…careful," she whispered. The two rose in the air with Botans oar and away from the fight.
When they were far enough, Yusuke took a fighting stance. Kurama withdrew a red rose from his hair. Kuwabara powered up his sword with a, "Alright lets do this!" and Hiei merrily unfolded his arms. The boys were ready to fight.
The demon chuckled seeing them. "You want to fight? Lets fight."
Lighting cracked in the sky. The once clear day was now over run with storm clouds. Thunder rumbled as the group stood waiting and watching. The demon cackled, his power surging from him in great amounts. "You all have underestimated me. I will suck your souls and eat them like this!" he raised the flute that was surrounded by a demonic aura, the mass ball of souls that had gathered now moved towards them. The demon was laughing like he just won a million dollars.
"Man, ugly people really shouldn't be allowed to laugh," Yusuke said, growing more angry by the minute. He wasn't angry by the fact the thing thought he was Toshi's mate or whatever, that was a different feeling, but he was mad by the fact this thing wanted to take her away from him. And that really made him boil.
Hiei glance at the fuming detective and how much energy he was giving off. "Calm yourself detective."
"He's right Yusuke. Your emitting great amount of your energy, when you should be controlling it for the battle we have on our hands," Kurama told him trying to calm him down. He glance up the massive ball of souls and how they were emerging together to form one hug orb. "I've believe were going to need all of your energy for this one."
"Yeah Urameshi, you shouldn't be angry he called you Toshi's boyfriend," joked Kuwabara chuckling.
The orb sank to the demons hands and with one powerful thrust he combined the souls. That's when the fight began.
Toshi clung to Botan with one hand and with the other clutched the oar. They flew in the sky hovering above the soccer field while lighting and thunder clashed and roared in the clouds.
"I hope the guys are alright, that fellow looks awfully hideous," Botan smiled back at Toshi. "Don't you think so?"
Toshi nodded her head and watched the fight emensing down below. Since that creature absorbed all those souls, it seemed that the guys hands became overflowed. The demon had grown extra arms, more like squid arms, and now was bigger and more powerful than ever. Kurama was able to land some attacks on him, but they just seemed to be bouncing off the guy. Kuwabara was dodging attacks sent to him by one of the extra arms. It was like each new arm had a mind of its own. Hiei was slicing and dicing things like a chef and Yusuke, well, Yusuke was being Yusuke. Attacking the main boss head on.
"Oh dear," Botan said worriedly as she saw him be thrown back by an attack. "It doesn't look like they're making any progress, does it?"
"Yeah…" Toshi agreed. She felt useless again, flying up here around on an oar doing nothing. This was the one thing she didn't want to feel. Sure she attacked like a mouse whose been afraid to venture out of its hole at times, but right now, she felt like a rat more than mouse hiding up here. She wanted to help. "Botan."
"Yes, what is it?"
"I…want to…help," Toshi told her. Botan eyes widened a little then softened in understanding. "I want to help too." She turned her head back to the battle. "But what can we do?"
Toshi hadn't gotten that far. It took all of her nerves just to say she wanted to help. She laughed uneasily. "Maybe…"
Botan suddenly let out a startled yell as the oar jerked to the side to avoid an energy ball. She steadied it and sighed. "Hey, watch it down there!"
The demon looked up to her. Botan cringed back, realizing what she did. "Uhh…"
"B-b-b-b-b-BOTAN!" screamed Toshi grabbing her around the waist as the blue haired girl suddenly dived to the left barley avoiding a whipped out arm. But it didn't stop there; it made a sharp turn and came back towards them.
"Hold on Toshi!" cried Botan maneuvering through the air, trying her best to escape from the hand. Her hands gripped the oar handle as she swerved left and right, up and down.
Toshi was screaming her head off. This felt like a roller coaster and she was afraid of roller coasters. Her stomach churned and shook with every dive and crazy stunt Botan did. She pride her eyes opened, the sharp wind peering her sockets. "Botan…the building!"
"Huh? AH!" they barely dodged it and climbed into the air. The hand would just not give up. Toshi didn't like it how close they were getting to those clouds. But before she could say anything about, they were struck by lighting. The shock of the encounter left them sizzled likes barbecued chicken. It ran through their bodies as if they were conductors. Toshi screamed along with Botan. And like a sprayed fly, they fell. Toshi say the ground plummeting towards them, coming closer and closer. She turned and saw the body form of Botan, knocked out. Reaching out, she grabbed a piece of her clothing and held on.
Toshi heard someone cry out her name. The wind whistled and whipped around them. Suddenly she was jerked forward as something sharp wrapped around her body. Her eyes snapped open and saw a green whip around her torso.
"Are you alright Toshi, Botan?" asked Kurama holding the end of the whip. Apparently he was quick enough to see them in trouble and react fast enough to react. He rested her down as gently as he could. Next he did the same to Botan. The small cuts in her stomach stung like bee stings and her stomach was arguing whether or not to throw up.
"I'm…fine," managed Toshi winching. A bit of regret flashed through his face before he returned to the battle. She knew he was sorry for hurting her but it was the only way. Botan lay a few inches to her left. Toshi crawled over to her and noticed the all the little cuts in her clothing and skin. Tearing a piece of cloth from her shirt, Toshi was able to tie a bandaged around the girl's head. It wasn't much but…
"Damn it all!" her head snapped towards the battle, where each hand held on tightly to the boys, slowly draining their energy. Their life energy flowed down to the main core. It all linked up to the controller, who was getting bigger and stronger.
"Yes…YES! I feel the power!" roared the demon laughing. And he was.
Her eyes were wide, saucer sized. What could she do? What could a little mouse like her do to save them? Their cries of pain echoed in her ear. But she had to help them. But how? He was string as long as he has that whistle. The whistle…that was the answer! Her eyes darted to the instrument held in the demons hand. If she could destroy the whistle then they would be saved. But if all the guys' attacks couldn't do it, then how could she? She had no weapon. Only a soccer ball.
'A soccer ball,' she thought wondering. A plan formed in her head. A risky plan. If she didn't get this right then… Her body hurt and felt dry as she stumbled to her feet. The soccer ball was only a few feet away. Slowly she inched her way towards it until…
"Hey, ugly! Leave…m-my friends alone!" she yelled at him. The beast turned, whistle held high in a victory pose. "What can a little cricket like you do?"
"Toshi, stay back!" Yusuke ordered and continued yelling in pain.
She shook her head. The demon laughed at her bold move. "I must say the mouse has come out of its hole. Only to die! What can you possibly do to hurt me?"
"THIS!" she reared her foot back and drove it into the ball sending it hurtling to an unexpected demon, and smashing the whistle into pieces. He let out an angry cry as the souls from him burst free. The light was blinding. She shielded her eyes…
…The crowd voices roared in her ears as she reopened her eyes. Toshi looked around, confused. Everyone was back up; everything had gone back to the way it was before the attack. What was even more confusing was that she found the ball in the net and an angry golly sulking away.
Something hard rammed into her, knocking the wind out her. Then a scream said, "TOSHI YOU DID IT! WE WON! WE WON!"
"Oro?" Toshi demanded even more confused. What were they talking about?
"I never saw you hit that soccer ball so hard in my life!" her teammate yelled out of control. "It went right past that kid! He didn't even have a chance to blink!"
"But…but…" Toshi tried to explain. But her teammates started to surround her and she was swept off her feet and placed on someone's shoulders. They started to sing their victory song, one it haven't said in a long time and Toshi, not fully understanding was going on, couldn't help to join in:
We won this battle!
We beat them fair
We beat them square!
We kick them in the cattle!
They're goalies were slow,
They're players were last!
Oh Ah! We feel good!
OH AH! WE FEEL REAL DAMN GOOD!
The winner sighed contended. Today was a good day. They won the game and afterwards went for ice cream. They wanted her to give a speech. And surprisingly she was able to say two words at a time. It had been a long treacherous wait, but in the end they were able to beat the bees…and fairly.
Toshi giggled and glanced at the huge trophy that shinned and sparkled at its high perch on her bearur. The coach insisted she take it home, since that it was she who slammed the final goal to win. There was no way to back down from her persistent offer.
What really made her happy was that her mother was there to see her. She remembered how she had cried when they hugged after the match, saying she was proud of her daughter. Her brother, for once, made no comment and only patted her on the head smiling like the fool he was. That was enough for her.
"Hmmm." She got up from her bed and looked herself in the mirror. The cuts in her stomach from the rose whip Kurama used to save her were still the there. No one had noticed it, or the small blood dry bloodstains around that area. Carefully she pulled off her soccer shirt and plopped it on the floor. Then she took a look at her stomach. They weren't deep, but they still stung like hell.
Stupidly she poked it. "OW!"
"Toshi! Dear are you alright?" called her mother from behind the door. Toshi shuffled over and lean against it. "I'm fine…mom."
"You must be, your speech is improving. Whatever you're doing keep it up!" and with that she listened as her mothers footsteps disappeared.
A click, followed by a thump. Toshi swung around. "AHHH!"
"Hey, calm down will you!" hissed Yusuke getting up off of the floor. Toshi quickly grabbed a nearby shirt and covered herself as he helped a clumsy Kuwabara through the window.
"Man, I thought we never make it up that tree," he mumbled rubbing his head. He spotted the silent girl. "Hey Toshi! What sup?"
Kurama calmly slid in and closed the window after Hiei entered. The guys stood there for a while as Toshi blinked in complete disbelieve. They were big. Not big as in the house big, but big in their normal size! She couldn't believe they, the whole boy crew of Yu Yu Hakusho, was standing in her room! Toshi's mouth fell open and a tiny squeak escaped her mouth.
Yusuke turned his attention to her and grinned. "Well, if it isn't the hero."
"That's what I call a shot! Did you see how she slammed that soccer ball into the net!" Kuwabara did a poor imitation of her kick. "That was killer!"
"I have to agree, I never before say you so…aggressive," Kurama added, pleased that she was able to swallow some of her fears down. There was a hint of excitement in his voice when he said this, making Toshi blush looking down at her toes.
Hiei gave his usual reply of communication and turned to the window. There he saw a floating fairy girl. She signaled for him to open up. He just looked at her, considering. Some time during their talk it had started to pour cats and dogs out there and leaving the baka onna to get soaked was a pleasing idea to him. To bad the fox had to ruin his fun by letting her in and giving him a disapproval look.
Botan stood amongst them soaked to her skin. The kimono she wore clung to her body and gave off any shape it hide when dry. Her blue wavy hair now hung lifeless in its hold and glued to her scalp. Her eyes were set at a cross glare at Hiei. She knew perfectly well he had seen her, yet he refused or made no attempt to let her inside. This made her very cross.
"Baka kimoorie," she mumbled wringing out her hair. Toshi made a move to stop her, she didn't puddles leaking through the floor. Botan gratefully accepted the towel she was offered, "Thank you Toshi. At least someone cares about my well being." She directed the last part a bit harshly towards Hiei who was leaning on the window sill.
"Hn," was his reply.
"Hey Botan, any news about what happened back there?" asked Yusuke. He had put down the question most of them were thinking.
"Well," Botan began drying her hair, "I suppose the impact from Toshi's soccer kick was powerful enough to break the whistle and-"
"We already know that," interrupted Yusuke impatiently as Toshi searched for some clothes for her female friend. "She kicked and she scored. What I would like to know is how come no one remembers. Better why there isn't any evidence of the fight."
"Yeah, I mean shouldn't the field be nothing but ash and the news crew?" Kuwabara said, giving his point of view on what should have been there. "I mean, for all I know we might have been on the latest news report."
"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," Botan said glaring at Yusuke. He only turned his head to look interested in the trophy. "The reason why no one remembers is because it's an after effect."
"After…e-effect?" asked Toshi handing her the extra clothes. She wondered what the blue haired girl mean.
Kurama answered, "Toshi, do you remember what happened when the impact with the whistle?"
"Um, well…there was…this…bight...light…And…and…" she fought to remember but the events of the day had her brain scrambled.
"And everything went back to normal as it would have been before the attack. Right?"
Toshi nodded. Botan patted her on the back.
"But what I don't understand is why," Kuwabara firmly said confused.
"Baka, the brat must have found a way to erase peoples memories after the battle," Hiei stated, not looking at them. "I bet he plans on doing it every time we fight."
"Because he doesn't want people finding out about us?"
"That," his crimson eyes went over the group he was stuck to work with, "and I'm, sure something else."
Toshi sat on the bed, pulling her legs up to her chest and resting her head down. So every time they fought no one would remember, only them. It seemed like a logical explanation to do it. The last thing she wanted was unwanted questions from her mother and brother, and dealing with a horde of fang girls ramming the door down just to catch a glance of the famous Spirit Detectives. That very thought made her shiver. Scary.
Yusuke remained silent as Botan explained about the weapon the man used. His eyes glanced over to Toshi who was listening with interest. She had saved them without hesitation, willingly to put her life on the line for them. He knew she wasn't very brave or had the strength when it came to stand up for herself. Heck, she could hardly take bullying. But what she did amazed him to some extent to what he thought of her. Maybe he needed to get to know her better.
Right now though, he wondered why Hiei thought the toddler had another reason for doing what he did. It wasn't new to them for finding out he had a second reason for the whole matter, so it wouldn't surprise him if the prince pulled a fast one. Question was, what was it?
Botan looked at her watch. "Its almost time."
"Almost time for what?" asked Kuwabara looking over her shoulder. He saw nothing but an ordinary watch. "What is it?"
She just smiled at them all to pleasantly. Kurama raised an eyebrow. What was she planning? And why was she getting to tall? Wait, she wasn't getting taller, he soon noticed as her height increased ten fold, he was getting smaller. He shrunk to the normal thumb size he had entered the world in. he jerked his head upwards. "Botan…" he said in a certain tone.
"Oops," she said, trying to sound sympathetic. "I must have forgotten. The spell only lasts for a few hours." Toshi gasped. "Wow."
"Baka onna!" the miniature Hiei yelled from his new position on the bed. "How could you forget something like that!"
"Like the height would make a difference to you, Hiei," she mumbled.
Stupid.
Toshi scooted away from the flaring apparition. He might be small, but he still had all his powers. Which was proven once again when he fired his dragon at the blue haird girl, who narrowly dodged the attack. It hit and melted, yes, melted, the trophy. For a while they all just sat there, watching the gold ooze into nothing more than a disfigured disk.
"Ungh…the…trophy," she whispered, not wanting to believe what just happened. Botan felt sympathy for the girl. "Toshi, I-we're sorry. Aren't we Hiei?" she growled at him.
He gave a look that said he could care less. Toshi got up, picked up the cool disk and just starred at it. Kuwabara was glaring at Hiei, "Way to go, you just destroyed all of Toshi's hard work!" he yelled at him.
"Really Hiei, you should learn to control your anger," Kurama told him trying to keep his own anger in check.
Yusuke was to busy watching the once proud and happy hero, cry silent sobs as she clutched it close while Hiei bickered with Kuwabara and Botan. He knew she wasn't crying just for her, but for the team who put all the effort and sweat just to hold that trophy and claim that they won it fairly. It was a symbol for what they had achieved. Now, it was nothing more than a hunk of melted metal. She had every right to cry.
"At least you could apologize to her!" Botan said. "She deserves it!"
"The onna doesn't deserve anything!" Hiei threw back.
"She saved your life!"
"It was a cheap shot."
Toshi winched.
"I cant believe you just said that," Botan said shocked.
"I never met someone so ungrateful," mumbled Kuwabara darkly. Kurama couldn't help but agree with him on this.
Hiei only 'hpmhed' and disappeared to who know where. Toshi slowly made her way to the bathroom where she closed and locked the door behind her. Everyone exchanged worried glances. They knew how hard she worked for it…just not how much.
"That little bastard," Kuwabara mumbled darkly. He sat down.
Botan sighed. "No, it's my fault. If I hadn't made Hiei so angry then none of this wouldn't have happened."
"That may be," Kurama said watching as Yusuke silently made his way over to the bathroom door, "but Hiei needs to realize that, despite his strength, he has to be dependant on others at times."
Botan nodded her head in agreement, looking at hands. Kuwabara let out a frustrated grunt and stood up. He then made his way to the side of the bed.
"Where are you going Kuwabara?" asked Botan as he slid down onto the floor. He didn't answer her, his determined look never faltering as he rounded the bed and disappeared from view.
The remaining two glanced at each other.
"You don't think…" she started.
Kurama nodded his head and smiled slightly. "He might not be bright but his honor is strong."
"Lets hope so."
Inside the bathroom Toshi had placed the melted figure on the counter and was in the process of preparing for a hot shower. Whenever she felt like this the only thing to sooth her was a nice shower. Baths were used for something else. Sniffling, Toshi leaned against the wall, sliding down to the floor. She wasn't mad at Hiei, no; her sadness over ran that emotion. Her chest felt tight and the sobs escaping her didn't help.
"I'm…such…an idiot," she whispered. Leave it to her to ruin something for someone else. She was always ruining things, even when she tried her best to be careful. But it ends up in disaster.
What was even worse was that she thought she did something good by making that shot. Not by chance or luck like Hiei said, but because she was actually good at something and the tables had turned on her. She had turned those tables…but now she doubted herself again.
"Wow, you're really messed up huh?" Yusuke suddenly said, making her jump from fright. He was seated on the counter facing her.
Toshi blushed slightly and looked down at her hands. "I…just."
"Look, I can't apologize for Hiei's behavior," Yusuke told her. "But I can thank you for saving our lives." He smirked at her surprised expression.
"But…Hiei…"
Yusuke made a rude noise. "Forget about Hiei. What matter is…" he trailed off starring at her.
Toshi blinked. Why was he looking at her like that? More importantly, why was she starring back? In fact, why did it feel nice to look into his eyes. Her heart throbbed just like it did on the field. She remembered thinking why this was happening to her. And she remembers thinking about only one person. Out of all the people she had to think about, only he entered her mind. Only-
"Hey, Toshi!" came the loud annoying voice of Kuwabara. The two snapped out of their trance, Yusuke quickly looking away and putting up the punk mode, and Toshi trying to calm down her burning face. She could hear Yusuke mumble, "Stupid Kuwabara!"
"Hey! TOSHI! Open up!"
She sighed and crawled over to the door. She unlocked it, realizing how Yusuke got in here the first place, and opened the door.
What she saw surprised her so much that she couldn't speak. Kuwabara was holding an angry, cursing fire demon by the collar and was dragging him inside. Toshi scooted out of the way for him to pass and place Hiei firmly in front of her. Botan poked her head in to see what all the shouting was and her eyes widened at the sight. Kurama came also, a smudged look on his face.
"I think Hiei has something to say to you," Kuwabara told Toshi looking up at her. Hiei made another curse, only to revive a knock in the head by Kuwabara.
Toshi's hands flew up to her mouth in a silent scream. Kuwabara, did not just hit Hiei…she inched closer to the wall and away from them.
"What's all this Kuwabara?" asked Yusuke amused, snickering a little.
Hiei glared daggers at the detective, silently swearing to kill him. Yusuke stopped abruptly and looked somewhere else uneasily.
"Me…?" Toshi squeaked pointing to herself. Kuwabara nodded and shoved Hiei forward. It made you wonder why Hiei was allowing this and not cutting him up into pieces.
Hiei narrowed his eyes at the carrot top and turned his gaze to Toshi who 'eped' and froze. It was clear she was still afraid of him.
"The baka, said I had to apologize," he hissed, wanting nothing more than to burn him. Toshi felt a sweat roll down her head. He was really scary. "For…burning, your stupid trophy."
The others starred silently at him. Well, you would to if the Hiei Jaganashi was being made to apologize by someone like Kuwabara. Yusuke, how had turned his head back to watch, dropped his mouth open in surprise. He sat down comfortably and waited. This was too interesting.
"I'm…I'm…grrr," Hiei growled. How did he get tricked into this?
"Sorry?" Toshi finished for him smiling. He looked up at her, then away. "Hn," was his reply.
"I'll take that as a yes," Kurama chuckled. Botan nodded her head, giggling because this was rare. Hiei never apologized before, well from her knowledge of knowing.
"See, wasn't that easy Hiei?" asked Kuwabara smiling. He smacked Hiei on the back. "Don't you feel better?"
"Ummm…" Toshi said uneasily as she watched Hiei flare up with fire and turn slowly on the fool.
"Kuwabara?" Yusuke said.
"What?" he asked not realizing the danger in front of him.
"I'd run if I were you."
"Huh?"
"NOW."
It didn't take less than a second.
Toshi gasped covering her mouth again while watching Kuwabara be chased around by the famous 'demon torch'. She laughed along with everyone else as Hiei fired his fireballs. Soon she was feeling better, much better than before. It was nice to have friends that cared about you. And…she stole a glance at Yusuke who was rolling with laughter, to have someone to care about.
Maybe things would work out for them. Yeah, she sighed. Maybe.
FANG: to talk...or to hide for my dear life, that is the question.
HIEI: run.
FANG: running! Oh, before i flee for my life, i just wanted to say that...well, since my schedule has changed for the packed like college students, i must decline a few of my stories, basically what i'm saying is...YOU ONLY HAVE TWO TO CHOSE PEOPLE!
TOSHI: so make them count!
Everyone...o.o
FANG: i didnt know she could do that...
Review!