Demons and Fairies
Chapter 5
Bad Ideas
Hiei and Bloom were walking through the forest on their way to a sea shore that was thought of as a good place to train. Hiei wanted to train alone, but Bloom insisted on coming along and heal him if he pushes himself too far with his still inured hand. The other Winx were all back at the hotel and staying there with the other visitors consisting of Botan, Keiko, and Shizuru. All they were doing is getting to know one another, although, she suspected that Flora was off with Kurama and learning about the new species of plants she could add to her arsenal, fairy of nature isn't just bound by common plants.
They reached the sea shore and Hiei began his training, he wanted to scream out in pain about his arm, but didn't as not to look weak in front of Bloom. Bloom saw this and wanted to say something, "if you're holding back looking weak in front of me, you forget that the band on our fingers is for all cases. In sickness and in health, and I think that an arm that shot off such a powerful attack is a good case of sickness, don't you." She walked up to him and began using her own dragon's fire to heal his injuries, and by the look in his eyes, Hiei felt some relief.
"You're right, sorry, I still don't like to be weak, but guess I need to work on that," Hiei stated as the pain was still killing him, but he couldn't let Bloom know that. The day drug on and the same process was enacted each time, Hiei would train until he couldn't take it anymore, then Bloom would try and heal him. This continued until the night, where they reluctantly went back to where everyone else was staying in order to get rest until tomorrow.
They met up with the other Winx and the married couple stayed with them instead with Hiei's team, and in the morning, they left without telling anyone to make their way to the arena. Hiei and Bloom were walking down a path to the arena when they were stopped by Kurama's voice, "is this wise you two?"
They looked up and saw Kurama, as well as Flora on a tree, "what do you mean," Hiei asked as he put up with the pain in his arm as to not look weak in front of the fox.
"It won't be easy to win without the use of your dominant hand," Kurama stated.
"Perhaps you should withdraw for the time being until your arm can completely recover," Flora suggested.
"Hugh, you know what Toguro said, we don't have a choice in this matter," Hiei stated before him and Kurama sensed something. "If we don't make it through this tournament, he will kill us all, fighting is our only way out," two demons approached them, one with blonde hair, the other with gray.
"It seems the doctor's team has gotten lost," Kurama pointed out.
"Yes, what a horrible coincidence for us both," Hiei commented himself as the two groups stared down each other. The gray haired demon maid the first move and began running at them ready to strike, but Hiei and Kurama were faster and used their sword and rose whip to kill the man in an instant. Hiei looked back and ignored the shock from the blonde demon, "and that was using my left arm Kurama."
"I'm sorry, I was using my right, next time I'll use my left arm to be fair," Kurama commented before both demons turned to the blonde demon.
"Would you like to try us next," Hiei asked as he pointed his sword at the demon who just chuckled at them.
"Thanks, but I'd rather not, death gives me the shivers," he said as he brought up a remote control of some kind and pushed a button on it. There was a beeping sound before a giant robot appeared out from within the woods. It was black and gray with only one red eye and looked a little menacing to the group of demons and fairies. "Gatasubal is what we like to call him, one of the doctor's earlier projects, part demon, mostly machine, no feelings, no pain, and no fear, go Gatasubal, destroy those two low lifes."
The machine began walking to them as the prepared themselves, "Bloom, you and Flora transform and take to the skies and avoid the fight with the machine directly," Hiei ordered. They nodded and transformed into their fairy forms, Bloom into her blue regular outfit, and Flora into a pink dress that Kurama was a little stunned by, but got over it for the fight.
The machine launched its extendable arms at them and they dodged to the side in opposite directions, Kurama used the trees to help him maneuver while Hiei used his speed until he got the arm stuck in a tree trunk. Hiei then tried to cut the arm with his sword, but it didn't even leave a scratch, 'not a scratch,' he thought.
The blonde demon chuckled a bit, "Gatasubal's whole body is covered in a special formula of hibernized metal, combining the hardest steel with actual living cells, no substance in the whole world can break it."
Hiei dodged an attack by jumping upwards, "maybe I can't kill the beast, but at least I can still kill you," he said before descending towards the demon. The machine knew this though and attacked Hiei as he descended and caused him to dodge and as he landed, he used his injured hand where he fell to the floor in agonizing pain. The robot arm came for him and crashed the injured Hiei into a tree and pinned him to it.
"See the genius of the doctor's work, it has no feelings or thoughts to distract, it thinks only of the kill," the demon informed with a chuckle.
"I can appreciate that," Hiei stated as he raised his left arm to prepare an attack, but stopped as Kurama used his quick thinking to cause the other arm to crash into the pinning arm. This caused significant damage to the arm and both arms crashed into the ground and seemingly crushed the fox, it created a dust cloud so what really happened couldn't be seen.
"Excellent Gatasubal, now kill the other one too," the demon ordered, but something was wrong, the machine wasn't moving, not an inch, "what's wrong with you, I said kill."
"You were wrong on two counts," the voice of Kurama was heard by the demon, he looked and saw that the fox was there with his rose whip in the arm of the machine.
"I'm wrong, what do you mean, what just happened," the demon asked as he looked on in fright.
"Even the hardest substance can be broken when crashed into itself, and the ability to feel pain is not a weakness, it's a strength. Pain tells a creature its vulnerabilities, and not to expose them to attack, your robot is dead, and so I'm afraid, are you," Kurama stated as the demon began backing away.
Later
Hiei and Kurama arrived after throwing the robot and the demon from the other team in the ring, the arrived with Bloom and Flora flying down to the ground as they jumped and landed on the shoulders of the downed machine.
"Hey guys, you're late," Yusuke stated as the whole arena broke out into shocked murmurs and some silence as well.
"Bloom, you and Flora go back to the rest of the Winx, we'll handle the rest," Hiei told his wife who nodded and left with Flora to do as he asked, in standard Hiei fashion.
"The missing members of the Urameshi team has appeared as well, Hiei and Kurama, can you tell me where you've been," Koto, the ref, asked.
"Sorry, a thirty-foot killing machine wanted a word with us," Hiei stated stoically.
"M5 told us everything, I'm relieved you three are still alive, verrucae on the human fighter's backs are the source of Dr. Ichigaki's mind control. In their present state, I'm afraid it would be fatal to remove them, the three are completely innocent, they didn't know the implants would control them. They were told it was blood research," Kurama informed as Kuwabara go very angry at the news.
"I told you guys, that no good liar," Kuwabara exclaimed.
"That's not the extent of it I'm afraid, it seems the doctor caused their master's illness in the first place," the fox announced to the team. The doctor himself was just laughing like a mad man while everyone was shocked he would do such a thing, although most demons didn't really care.
What was next was a callus speech from Dr. Ichigaki about how smart he is and the true purpose of the verrucae. Then Kuwabara doing something so stupid as to actively take the hits from all three of those controlled fighters, and even the Winx club thought he was stupid for it. Yusuke got his spirit powers back and fought against the three opponents, and then the masked fight stopping Yusuke from delivering the final blow. Then she used a chant to detach the verrucae from the fighter's bodies and winning the match for them.
Then the rest of the team confronting the doctor who turned into a giant green monster before giving the team a little trouble. The monster doctor however, was soon dispatched by Yusuke while listing all the reasons why the doctor was about to die. Then the fighters whose bodies were controlled were awoken and they found out that she used what was called the spirit wave technique to use their own spirit energy to free themselves. All in all, it was a rush of emotion and the entire thing left the Winx Club teary eyed and smiling, then the crazy happened.
There was a dinging sounding all around the arena before a voice was heard, "may I have your attention please, the third round of the dark tournament will begin immediately."
"What, give me a break," Yusuke yelled out in outrage at the announcement.
"Furthermore, the tournament committee has unanimously decided to begin the round in accordance to the match diagram starting to the left, Team Urameshi and Team Masho, please report to the ring," the voice said.
"What, again," Hiei asked in annoyance as he looked to see Bloom having a worried look on her face so he mouthed, "don't worry," so she would calm down.
Yusuke ran to Koto and got right in her face as he yelled out, "hey, why don't you tell your stupid friends up there to let one of the other teams fight."
"I'm sorry sir, if you have a complaint you'll have to take it up with the committee, I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason for their decision," Koto nervously stated.
The demons didn't care about fairness though, they were all yelling for blood, and the team knew whose blood they wanted. "Okay, if a double header's the call, I might as well enjoy it, I've got plenty of anger left from the troll doctor anyway," Yusuke stated.
"Team Masho, this is your final call, enter or be disqualified," Koto asked using the microphone as they had waited for the fights long enough. Soon a small tornado came out of nowhere and dropped off five very scarily dressed people. "And here they are people, appearing in the same mysterious fashion as always, Team Masho."
"and why do I get the feeling, this'll be a tough one," Yusuke rhetorically asked himself before Kuwabara soon came back into the ring after being took out in a stumbling mess.
"Why would he return to this mess, wouldn't the more logical thing to do is stay in the sick bed," Tecna asked as she saw the fool return.
"From what I remember about Hiei mentioning the guy to us, he's a fool that only thinks of a ridiculous code of manly honor," Musa pointed out.
"That does explain why he refuses to stay down when the rest of his team is out fighting," Flora commented to them.
"You got that right, my little bro doesn't know the meaning of the words smart move," Shizuru said from in front of the girls.
"Normally I wouldn't so something as that about someone, but it does seem to be the case," the nature fairy commented again.
"Guys, I think the captains decided," Stella pointed out as the captains did indeed decide on a match type, five wins is what was needed to advance.
"They're on a roll Shizuru, they can do it," Keiko stated in certainty.
"I'm not sure what tournament you're watching, half the team I'm rooting for can't even walk now," Shizuru commented as she saw the shape of the team.
The bell was heard again and a pit in their stomachs dropped, "may I have your attention please, the tournament committee will be issuing a medical examination before the next round. Do to Team Urameshi fighting without rest and accordance to section thirteen of the tournament index, report to the medical tent."
Soon the tent was seen by everyone and a nurse with red hair like Bloom came out from it and made her way over to Team Urameshi. "Hello gentlemen," she said as she raised her arm and seemingly scanned all but Kuwabara and stopped on Hiei and the masked fighter. "Yes, you two fighters, would you please follow me to the medical tent," she asked.
"Don't be ridiculous, we don't need medical attention, why don't you go nurse the fool lying on his back," Hiei stated.
"Because his wounds do not interest me in the ways that yours do Hiei, and maybe I can help you," was her answer.
'What do you think,' Hiei thought out to Bloom and asked her opinion of the subject.
'Well, I don't trust her, but we've tried all that we can using my minimal healing abilities, so maybe if we used a different method it might work,' Bloom thought back to him. He wordlessly followed after them and went to the medical tent where they both knew something was about to happen.
"Are you experiencing any fatigue or any sharp, reoccurring pains," the nurse asked.
"No," was the masked fighter's simple answer.
"And you Hiei, surely that last attack had some effect on you," she asked him directly.
"Why do you ask, isn't it your job to know," Hiei asked her back stoically.
"Hm, it must be hard to fight with your arm in excruciating pain," she commented as he growled, "clearly you both will have to stay with me until your health has improved.
"I don't go where people tell me to lady, you can treat yourself," he stated before he began to walk away, only for an electrical barrier to force both he and the masked fighter to stay in place.
Bloom saw this and she immediately speed into action in her fairy form and flew down saying, "give me my husband back you witch."
"Didn't you hear the announcement, your husband and his teammate are very sick, they're going to need a little time to recover," Ruka the enchantress said. Her spirit power raised and she forced Hiei and the masked fighter back further into the fake tent as Bloom growled.
"That energy thread, it uses their own spirit energy against them, the more they struggle, the more powerful it will become," Kurama informed.
"As a result of the medical examination, Hiei and the masked fighter have been ruled unfit to fight, they will sit out the rest of the round while they are suitably treated," the voice over the intercom stated.
"Like I care, you better release them or else," Bloom threatened from where she stood in front of Ruka.
"Will the one known as the wife of the demon Hiei please return to your seat, if you do not, your husband's team will be disqualified," the voice over the intercom said.
"Go Bloom, I will be fine, she can't hold us forever," Hiei grounded out as he struggled to move.
"Fine, but the moment you let them go, I'll kill you myself," Bloom warned as she returned to her seat in the stands. "I really want to kill that witch now, and nobody better try and talk me out of it," she warned her friends who all chuckled nervously at the glare she was giving them.
"And it's Kurama vs Gama, you may begin," Koto announced as everyone turned their attention to the fighters and saw Kurama approach this carefully.
Gama took two tools out from his belt, each in one hand, they glowed and when the glowing died down, two paint brushes were revealed to the crowd. "Tell me demon traitor, what does the word makeup bring to mind, human females no doubt, a little gloss to attract the next mate. Disgusting isn't it, the way humans manage to bastardize everything they touch, over centuries human influence has infected the spirit world as well. Now few demons even know of its original power," Gama said as he began doing something that attracted the girl's attention, he put on makeup.
"Red eye-liner, blue lipstick, I think I'm going to be sick," Stella exclaimed as she saw the horrible fashion she was witnessing, not the blood and gore, but the fashion mishaps.
"He said it's original power Stella, maybe this means that something big is about to be revealed," Musa guessed as they got a huge surprise, the makeup on the guy caused his energy to skyrocket.
"Now I haven't seen that one before, Gama has covered his whole body in some kind of face paint and now his spirit energy is going insane," Koto announced. Gama made the first move as he moved in for a big and powerful blow, but was dodged by Kurama but forced the fox to go on the defense as he wasn't letting up on the assault.
'He's playing a dangerous game, waiting to gauge the enemy's weakness before he attacks, he could at least draw his weapon,' Hiei's voice rang through Bloom's head.
'I know, and I don't know how far the anticipation can drive Flora either, she likes Kurama and this danger is killing her,' Bloom thought back.
"Comfort her the best you can, this will not end well, no matter what we do,' he informed her.
Bloom put a comforting hand on Flora's hand and gave it a little squeeze to for comfort, that seemed to calm Flora's nerves a little and let her relax a bit.
"I know all about your plant concoctions Kurama, and I don't plan on giving you time to make them, let me demonstrate what I mean," Gama stated as he kept going for Kurama. The fox eventually tripped and that's when Gama went for his brushes and marked the fox as he jumped back to a safe distance, but found he couldn't move his left leg after the jump.
"If you don't mind me asking, what have you done to me," Kurama asked as he had to take a knee.
"Your leg feels like a giant block of lead, doesn't it," Gama asked rhetorically since he knew the effects his own makeup had on his opponents.
"So that's the power of makeup, if I could style it how I wanted, I wouldn't mind using it to increase my own power," Stella said thoughtfully out loud.
"You going around supercharged with makeup enhancements is a bad idea, plus from what Hiei told me, some powers need to be done a certain way, this makeup power seems to be one of them," Tecna stated.
"Why would he tell you that, are you two buddies now," Musa asked her curiously.
"No, I wanted knowledge and I caught Hiei in a good mood one day after classes and talked to him about demons and such," she stated.
"Why try to fight the inevitable," Gama asked and brought the girl's attention back to the fight in time to see Kurama start to limp away. "The makeup of death has already marked you Kurama, there's no hope for escape."
"Gama's makeup seems to take on a reverse effect when painted on his enemies, and with Kurama barely able to walk, Gama's slowly moving in on his target like a tiger stalking his wounded pray," Koto announced.
Just then, Gama rushed ahead of Kurama and turned back with paintbrushes drawn and finished painting Kurama's other limbs, before saying "hahaha, the costume is completed, the makeup of chains. Go ahead and try to limp away now, and don't be naïve enough to think getting rid of your cloths can change a thing. Nearly two thousand pounds of wait is chained directly to your skin," now Gama began jumping around and getting Kurama in different angles for an attack.
"Kurama's arms and legs are completely useless, he can do nothing but stand and wait for his bloody demise," Koto announced.
Gama now finally got a good angle on the fox and was ready to make his move, "and now you die demon traitor," the demon growled as he moved in for the kill. Just as he was about to end Kurama, the fox said, "rose whip," and used a rose whip from his hair and cut the demon eight times with the whip.
"Now that's how you use a plant, but I'm sorry that it took a life," Flora said with a little sadness in her eyes.
"I guess I can't get any makeup power ups now," Stella moaned out in a pout while the other girls laughed at their friend
"Only an amateur relies on arms and legs for victory," Kurama stated out as Gama was kneeling in front of him and bleeding out.
"An unbelievable one eighty people, Kurama has somehow taken control of this fight," Koto announced as she got over her shock.
"Damn you, don't take the credit for this, I've killed myself on this day by not sealing your spirit energy as well," Gama groaned out while in pain.
"Don't waste your breath in conversation, I know with the power you're using to restrain me you could easily heal your injuries, release me and I will let you walk away with your life," Kurama offered.
"Convincing aren't you, but the battle isn't over yet," he groaned out again.
"Even with my arms and legs bound, you are in no shape to fight me, don't die pointlessly Gama, you're too intelligent for that," the fox tried to sway. Gama got up and began walked to Kurama and tried to punch him with a right, but Kurama dodged the attack with ease. "Don't move, you'll bleed to death if you try to fight," again the fox was attacked for his efforts, "it's of no use, be wise." More attacks came, and more attacks were dodged, each leaving a splatter of blood on Kurama's clothing, but the fox was too concerned with Gama's needless sacrifice.
Finally, Gama's body gave way from under him and he fell to the floor, "that was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," Koto announced and began the countdown.
"You are correct after all, it's wholly your fault that you die in vain, I cannot pitty you," Kurama commented, but something was wrong, Gama was smiling.
"The death is yours, you never asked me what gave my makeup it's power, what made it different from the makeup of those other human fools. The difference is the main ingredient Kurama, it's made of my blood, I have given you the makeup of the seal. It's what I should have done from the start, I've sealed your spirit energy, your entire power trapped inside your body, even as I fade the effect will live on, I've secured victory for my shinobi set. So, I die knowing that it is not in vain," Gama explained before he finally passed on and left his team to finish what he started.
"Urameshi team takes the first point will the next fighters please approach the ring," Koto announced as the next masked fighter stepped forward.
The hooded figure took off his cloak and revealed him to be a man with blue hair and four green strands over his left eye. "It's Toya, the master of ice, get him out of there Yusuke," Hiei pleaded out loud but it was still inside of Bloom's head.
"You fought bravely Gama, I assure you, your death will be honored, Kurama will pay," Toya stated to the fallen shinobi as he glared at the fox.
"Alright people, time's up, by the rules I must consider those in the ring, the next opponents, that means it's Kurama vs Toya," Koto announced.
"This is very bad, isn't it," Musa asked to nobody unparticular.
"Yep, but if anyone can pull a win out of their but, it's any friend of little bro," Shizuru stated.
"It's hopeless," Hiei stated as he forgot that the link was still on so Bloom heard everything that he said or heard himself.
"Kurama still as one weapon he can use, time, the first curse should ware off soon, and Kurama will be able to move, if he can stall Toya long enough, perhaps he can regain his energy too," the masked fighter theorized.
"That's nice, but I'd rather stay realistic," he said back to her as he checked on Bloom and the others again to see how they were fairing.
"We're fine, just worry about getting out of there, and when you do, you leave that bitch to me," Bloom thought with a dark chuckle that made Hiei gulp a little.
"Please answer me one thing first, why, the shinobi have always dealt with their affairs in secret, why expose yourselves now," Kurama asked to stall for time.
Toya took a moment to answer before saying one word, "light."
"Explain," the fox pressed as a means to stall for more time, he could obviously still feel the effects of the curse.
"It's simple, even the strongest tree will die if left in the dark, I find that's the best way to describe us, a giant oak crashing through the soil bringing order to an otherwise chaotic land. The shinobi have done their job for centuries, and done it well, but in recent years we have caught glimpses of the outside world and asked, 'why not us, have we not earned the privilege others take for free?' We are entering a new era, and we will begin with a land of our own, this island, it has already been arranged that if we when the tournament, hanging neck island will be our prize. And when this blinding light pours over us all like branches we will cover the world," Toya explained.
"Hmpf, the ninjas are revolting," Hiei commented.
"The shinobi have existed for centuries by one master passing on his knowledge to one apprentice before he dies, the previous masters must have made poor selections, these fighters don't know their place," the masked fighter stated.
"I don't give a damn about their internal disputes, the only important thing is how strong they are, I've fought my share of ice warriors, Seiryu the blue dragon fell to my sword quickly enough, but he was no master. He was a fool who thought he could get by on half of his lessons, but if there is any true ice master, anyone who completed the full training that his master intended that knows the art of ice, it is Toya," Hiei stated.
"Let's cease with the conversation, I know you're simply trying to buy time for that seal to wear off," Toya guessed.
"I admit, you've caught me with my hands red," Kurama admitted.
"You boys are having way too much fun, begin," Koto announced so the match could start and the demons could see some bloodshed.
"Gama made the mistake of giving you too much time to think, not me," Toya said before he raised his power to the point where the ring froze.
"What's that, COLD, Toya's jetting his power to freezing air and this girl's wishing she had worn warmer tights," Koto commented.
"Your own climate control, that's very impressive," Kurama commented.
"In addition to improving my attacks, it will serve as a barrier, giving you fewer options for escape," Toya said as green balls formed in his hands that turned into dozens of white lights in his hand. "Even with your energy sealed I must admit that I'm somewhat hesitant to get near you, what with your little rose whip maneuver, you understand, I prefer to kill long distance, shards of winter." Kurama, who was finally able to move, was only slightly able to dodge some of the volley of ice headed his way.
"It seems Kurama can finally move his arms and legs again, but it may not be in time to dodge this assault," Koto announced. Kurama began to move and run as fast as he could as Toya followed and began to blow wave after wave of his attack at him. "Despite awesome acrobatics, Kurama can't avoid these razor-sharp blades of ice." Finally, a few hit Kurama and force him down to the ground, "and Kurama hits the deck."
"Hurry Yusuke, what are you standing around for, get in there and save your friend's life," Keiko yelled out to them.
Shizuru took the cigarette out of her mouth before saying, "don't bother, you know it's against the rules for him to do that."
"It's somebody's life, who cares about the dumb rules, get in there Yusuke," Keiko yelled out to him.
"Well, there's a change of attitude," she commented as the Winx nodded along with the elder Kuwabara.
Kurama began to slowly get back up and to his feet, "that hit was not enough to beat you, I know that you stayed down intentionally in another attempt to buy time. I don't suggest you trying it again," Toya advised before they both acted. Kurama used his own blood to try and get rid of the seal, at least, that's how it looked to the Winx. "Now don't underestimate Gama's abilities, it'll take much more than smearing to get rid of that seal."For a moment it looked like Kurama could access his rose whip, but that was quickly put to rest as he grunted out in pain. "I see, you've noticed inklings of your spirit energy inside your blood, to release enough to beat me you'd have to bleed yourself dry."
Toya attacked again and this time, Kurama wasn't able to dodge, "I know that facial expression, pure, lovely, excruciating agony, and yet he's still trying to get up, he's determined to take some more," koto announced. Kurama slowly got back up, "he's back on his feet, the fight continues."
Then it looked like Toya realized something, "you really are dangerous aren't you, I haven't been making direct hits, you've been blocking your vital points with your own body, you must be very old, experienced, perhaps as I am."
"More alike than you know, now tell me, this new life on the outside, what do you truly plan to do with it," Kurama asked.
"The world will know just as soon as we get there," was his answer.
"Kurama used his own body as a shield, who would do such a thing for a single match," Tecna asked.
"It's not just the match, it's the fact that if Kurama falls here, he knows that Yusuke will have to take on four opponents in a row, but if Kurama could find a way to take out Toya, the team would have a chance," Bloom stated.
"Don't assume," Kurama said almost in a whisper, that was where there was realization in Toya's eyes, and not a moment later was when the ice master made a blade of ice.
"Wow people, Toya's made a sword out of ice, it's the barbaric finish we've been waiting for," Koto announced as everyone else was helpless but to look on.
Toya ran for Kurama and forced him to dodge and kept on him and wouldn't let up until Toya was sure he could take Kurama down, and in one moment, Toya was able to make a deep cut on Kurama's left forearm.
Flora obviously sensed something because her eyes shown it, so Bloom had to ask, "what do you sense, has Kurama pulled something?"
"I think, but I don't want to give anything away that might put his plan in motion," Flora said with a little hope and worry in her eyes.
"It seems I've gotten to know you quite well in such a short fight, and I rather like you, let's not let this slay ruin our friendship," Toya said.
"My thoughts exactly," Kurama said before running.
"Now you shouldn't have run, I can't ensure a painless death that way," the ice master said before running after Kurama. Soon Toya caught up with the fox and in one swift motion, Toya went for his heart but Kurama made a move of his own. A plant came from himself and grabbed the blade while also impaling his opponent, "but how, your energy is locked inside you, how could you manipulate your death plant?" That was when Toya saw a shocking sight, "insane, you actually sowed the seed of the death plant into your own body."
"It was my only option, my power is locked inside, by inserting the seed into my open wound, the plant could enter my bloodstream and take root in my imprisoned energy," Kurama explained.
"You really are something," Toya stated before going down for the count.
"That's a very creative way to fight, I wonder what that just did to his body though," Tecna mentioned.
"I don't know, and I'm not sure if I want to, but when he's back on his feet I'm going to see how he thought it up," Flora stated.
"Oh, does Flora have a crush on a certain fox," Stella asked in a teasing voice.
"And if I do," the nature fairy asked her friend back.
"Then we'll have two demons on our side, a fire demon and a fox plant demon-human hybrid or whatever Kurama is with a soul of a demon in him," the sun fairy answered.
"Kurama wins, please update the scoreboard," Koto requested as everyone with Team Urameshi cheered.
"You have won the match I admit, please kill me," Toya bit out to Kurama.
"I will not, you never answered what you plan to do with this island, if you get it, because I too have spent years in shadow, interesting how unexpected regret can appear. That's what this light does, I only wanted to know if you can make your life better, nobler than mine has been," Kurama stated as he passed out again while standing up.
Koto went to check on his vital signs and made the announcement, "Kurama still has a faint heartbeat, it appears he has slipped into unconsciousness while still on his feet."
"That's the third time I've seen someone do that, I'm pretty sure that isn't normal, not by a long shot," Tecna guessed.
"Hey fox girl, just so we're clear, the rest of the fights are all mine," Yusuke yelled to the announcer.
"Not so fast," came the voice of a muscular man from the other team as he approached, "you forgot something, he's standing in the ring, yes, it looks to me that he's volunteering to fight again."
"Oh give me a break, Kurama's not even conscious anymore, I'm taking this fight," Yusuke yelled back.
Koto looked in-between them for a second as if unsure of what to do before saying, "alright, team captain decides, Yusuke vs Bakken."
Then the worst thing happened when the voice over the intercom came on, "correction, the next fight will be Kurama vs Bakken, a fighter in the ring cannot be removed against his will, as will cannot be determined here, the fighter remains."
Hiei had enough stepped forward before Ruka got in front of him with the force field between them, "don't try it Hiei, unless you want another close encounter with my force field."
Bakken picked up Koto by her back collar and spoke, "looks like you're not needed here anymore kitten," before tossing her out of the ring. "Now that the ruff is out of the picture we can really have some fun," Bakken punched Kurama across the ring.
Everyone was very mad about that, Bloom noticed that Hiei's mind tensed up when he saw the hit on his friend, so she sent a calming aura to him to help release the stress.
Bakken walked up to Kurama and said, "you look so peaceful with your little flowers," before kicking the limp body.
"Kurama is definitely down Bakken, step away so I can start the count and do my job," Koto stated before going to do the ten count.
"You must think you're a comedian, nobody humiliates my sept and gets to slip away with a ten count," he said before walking to Kurama and picking him up. "Oh look, he's on his feet again, I guess that means he wants more," and again punched him, but this time in the gut and kept beating Kurama as Bakken held him up until the shirt holding him tore.
Koto chose that moment to get between Bakken and Kurama, "stop, I'm all for extreme pain and torture you disgusting horse, but this guy's not even awake to enjoy it, I'm taking a ten count."
"Count yourself out then," Bakken said before knocking Koto away with a smack, "we're making the rules now, not you." He walked up to Kurama and picked him up by the shirt, "I'll just break your face now," he stated before preparing to cave Kurama's head in.
"Bakken, stop," one of the still cloaked figures called.
"Why Risho," Bakken asked.
"Lay him outside of the ring," Risho ordered.
"But he's killed out sect members," Bakken argued.
"Yes, and if you had landed that punch, you would have died as well," Risho informed and when Bakken turned around, not only was Yusuke standing there and aiming his spirit gun at him, but a large plant was ready to impale him. "Or do you think you would've survived a bullet in the back, or a plant impaling your heart. It's clear that Yusuke cares more about that demon's life than this tournament, he's ready to fight every apparition in this stadium if he must. That plant seems to come from an ally of theirs with deep feelings for the demon as well, and it will end with the same result, we need to win, not be involved in a revolt."
"You're getting soft Risho, you'll end up like Gama and Toya, if this prize is what we really want, then we shouldn't be making concessions, but fine, take your precious buddy," Bakken stated before tossing Kurama out of the ring.
"Well I think we can all agree that Kurama will stay outside the ring, just change the blasted board already," Koto announced irritably.
"Your friend got a lucky reprieve," Ruka commented as Yusuke took Kurama's unconscious form away from the ring.
"So did you, witch, or should I say, so did everyone else in this stadium," Hiei commented.
"Yusuke and that plant weren't the only ones about to attack, so was Hiei, and their combined power wouldn't have been contained in the ring, Risho felt it, didn't you," the masked fighter asked.
"Hiei mounting an assault, well that's very funny, have you forgotten you're trapped inside my force-field," Ruka stated.
"Drop the act, Ruka, you've already realized you can't keep us in here for much longer, our powers are returning and yours will stay as meager as always," the masked fighter stated.
After that was the fight between Bakken and Yusuke, that fight grossed the girls out because of his use of sweat in order to fight. Then Yusuke gave him some just deserts as he completely demolished Bakken.
Then Bloom noticed something, Hiei's arm is actually improving, meaning that Ruka's force field actually has a healing element to it, something that doesn't clash the powers of opposite dragons. She was a little hurt at that, but as long as Hiei gets healed, it didn't matter how as long as it helped.
Then there was Yusuke's fight with Jin, all the while the girls complained about how the wind was messing with their hair. Jin using a tornado fist and taking out some of the audience, something that Koto called audience participation. Then Yusuke using a point-blank spirit gun on Jin's second tornado fist and causing a massive explosion that forced Hiei to see if Bloom was alright.
Finally, was the use of Genkai's signature spirit wave by Yusuke to finally take out Jin, and sending him flying in the air. Shizuru sensed him coming and warned the group to get out of the way, and so they did and when Jin came crashing down, he landed right where they were sitting. He was sent toppling to the ground and took out as many of the demons as he could along the way.
Then the tournament committee turning over Yusuke's win and ruling the fight a double out, and therefore forcing Hiei to almost release all the power he's reformed. Yusuke was about to go off as well before the unexpected happened, Kuwabara came into the ring and decided to take the fight so they wouldn't have to lose the whole tournament.
Bloom soon noticed that Keiko and Shizuru left but knew they could at least take care of themselves in some form at least. She watched the fight and had to say, the fool was very messed up to get hit over and over and each time getting back up. She looked at Hiei and noticed the same thing on his face and noticed something else as well, Kuwabara's life energy was being tapped into.
Soon Kuwabara actually did do an emotional speech to the rest of the team, then he made the move to end the fight using all his life energy, but an unlikely thing happened. Yukina showed up at the last second and Kuwabara got a boost of spirit energy from his love of her, and finally beat Risho. Kuwabara just barely was able to get back to the ring when Koto finished her count.
Ruka let down the barrier and Bloom made her move before anyone could stop her, Bloom appeared in front of her faster than Ruka could follow and looked cruelly at her. "You thought you could lock away my husband from me, you have just sealed your fate," she said before casting a spell to actually burn the woman alive. This wasn't a normal burn alive though, this was a burning alive on the minimal of heat required for someone to be burned. Ruka was left there as she was burning from the inside out for as long as Bloom could hold the heat and temperature, or until Ruka died, whichever came first.
"Why on earth is my sister here instead of at a safe place, Bloom I'm fine with since she can protect herself, but Yukina I'm not sure about," Hiei stated.
"I know, but I get the feeling that nobody is going to touch her from now on," Bloom said as she stood right beside him. "You do know that this means you'll have to introduce us, don't you," she asked with a cheeky grin.
"I know, I just didn't think it would be this soon, I was hoping that we could wait until after and that we could settle in somewhere first," he mentioned.
"I don't know about you but the only place I know of to settle is back in Magix, unless you still have a trick up your sleeve," she asked suspiciously.
"Of course I still have something, but I won't tell you until after the tournament, now let's let you meet the rest of your family," Hiei suggested as they walked over to Yukina.
As soon as Yukina saw them, she ran away from Kuwabara, whom deflated, and ran to Hiei and Bloom with everyone else looking on. "You didn't tell me you found her, but I guess you two were having too much fun," Yukina stated before turning to Bloom. "Hello, I am Yukina of the ice apparitions, and the sister of Hiei, as well as your sister-in-law, it's very nice to meet you."
"It's good to meet you as well, now give your sister a hug," Bloom said before scooping up Yukina in a hug and was rewarded with a hug in return.
"Great, now that your done with introducing one another, let's leave the arena and stop drawing attention to ourselves," Hiei suggested as he made his way back to the hotel.