Okay, I am so sorry that this is so late. I've been going through a lot of life changes right now including falling back into my depression, then getting back on track, then getting a job, and so much more. I'm not particularly happy with this chapter, but I would like to hear your opinions. So, lets cut the chit-chat and get this show on the road!
The sun rose behind me as I jogged from the forest. I expected to feel tired after running all night, but my mind felt clear and my body refreshed. My hearing had mostly returned, and my shin only hurt when I put weight on it for too long. When I reached the hotel, I took the empty stairs instead of the small elevator to keep from standing still. Almost everyone seemed to be in a panic as I walked into the room. Only Genkai, Kurama, and Hiei seemed to be at ease. Finally Botan spotted me.
"Suteki, there you are! We've been worried sick!" She placed her hands on her hips and glared at me.
"There was nothing to worry about." I casually shrugged and grabbed a bowl of rice that sat on the table and placed myself on the couch beside Genkai.
"You could have at least told us where you were going!" The rest had just looked relieved, but Botan was absolutely furious.
"I didn't know where I was going, so I couldn't tell you." I met her burning gaze and kept my eyes calm. When her anger finally faltered, I turned to Genkai and spoke through a mouthful of rice. "I've been thinking. The second round is held on tile, right?"
"Don't talk with your mouth full, dumbass. But yes, it is." Genkai didn't open her eyes, just continued drinking her tea.
"Okay, and Jin is a wind demon. I want to try that last thing we went over." My toes dug into the carpet excitedly. Kurama was the only one paying attention to our conversation, everyone else was getting ready for the day.
"You never once completed it correctly, what makes you think you can do it in actual combat?" Her eyes slid to mine with a doubtful glint in them.
"I can do it. Did you bring the bō?" I sat my bowl down and stood.
"If you say so. I put it next to your futon last night."
"Thank you, Genkai." I bowed and ran to the bedroom, snatching up the staff and smiling.
"Suteki." I turned to see Kurama closing the door.
"Yes?" I ran my fingers along the grooves carved in the wood absentmindedly. It seemed to hum, as if it missed my hold.
"We need to talk about something." He scratched the back of his head, looking around as if he didn't want to be here. I shifted from foot to foot, waiting for him to continue. My legs felt itchy when they were still. "You know that your heat is due at any time, right?"
"Yes, I know. Once a year, right?" I ran my fingers through my hair and paused for a moment to tie it back. A haircut was needed immediately. I had let it grow much too long.
"I think you should lose your match today. The quicker you leave the Makai, the safer you'll be. Your urge to wander and move is a sign that it's rapidly approaching already." Kurama motioned to my ever moving legs.
"I'm not going to throw a fight. I'll lose when someone beats me." I shot him a glare. "When will you all realize that I'm able to protect myself?" I pushed past him and left the room. I was getting so sick of them thinking I was a weakling. It was time to prove myself.
I stepped onto the tiled circle without taking my eyes off of the wind demon across from me.
"Ya've got a weapon today, do ya?" He chuckled as he floated a few inches from the ground.
"Sure do." I smiled and twirled the staff fluidly in my right hand.
"Ya know I can't let ya win this, na matter how pretty ya are." Jin's eyebrows wiggled.
"Thank you for the complement, but I didn't expect you to let me win. I wouldn't respect you if you did." I smiled as we started circling each other, neither of us wanting to make the first move.
"Block D, round two, match five: Jin versus Suteki. Begin!"
Suddenly he shot upward till he was out of sight. It was the opportunity I had been waiting for. I focused as much energy as I could into the staff and launched it outside the arena where it buried deep into the ground. A whistling alerted me to Jin's decent, and I snapped my eyes up. I saw where he was and just barely managed to dodge. We started exchanging blows, and eventually we seemed to fall into a rhythm, dancing instead of fighting. I landed a solid hit on his jaw and he seemed to falter a bit. Slipping behind him, I buried my foot in the back of his knee. Before I could bring my leg around for a kick to his shoulder or head though, he shot upward again.
"Damn it, he's quick to take a break." I kept my eyes on him, watching as he spiraled down, coming in at my side this time. I noticed his fist was surrounded by a little tornado and figured out which way it was turning. I braced myself and gathered as much energy in my right foot. His fist landed hard on my jaw. The tornado twisted me violently, but I managed to control my foot at hit his chin with it just as hard as he hit my jaw. I slid a few feet before stilling myself. I smiled when I saw him laughing and rubbing his chin.
"That was a strong hit, I tell ya." Jin pulled himself back up into the air.
I needed to ground him quickly. I tested the strength of the strand of energy that ran between myself and the staff ten yards away and found it decent enough. I focused hard and pulled at the earth as hard as I could with my energy. Slowly, the ground started to rumble. It seemed to take Jin by surprise, so I took the opportunity to force the dirt into a towering wave behind me. I was going to just clamp his feet down, but if I could get it going fast enough I could bury him. Soon the wall of earth towered above both of us and crashed down in the blink of an eye. He didn't have time to fly away. I caught a glimpse of his surprised face before he was covered. The earth dusted up around me, but I remained above the burial. Poking my foot forward into the soil, I felt around for his energy. He was about a yard deep, unmoving but pulse still strong. He seemed to be unconscious, but just in case I hardened the soil around his feet to anchor him down. After doing that I pulled the remaining dirt off of him so he could breath. I felt drained, but dragged my feet towards him nonetheless. He didn't seem badly hurt, just unconscious and filthy.
I smiled and plopped myself down next to him, making sure to keep a good distance in case he woke up. Digging my toes into the soil, I tried to recover some of my energy, but my body was too tired and wouldn't hold it.
"Since it seems Jin in unable to continue, he is disqualified from the tournament! Winner of Block D, round two, match five: Suteki!"
The ground around Jin relaxed as the last hold on my power slipped. With much effort, I grabbed his wrist and brought his arm around my shoulder. He was a heavy man, but I managed to lift him up.
"Ohhh…" A pained and amused moan pushed past his lips. "You sure pack a wallop."
"Can you walk? Are you in pain?" A twinge ran through my shin when I put our weight on it, it seemed it had not fully healed yesterday.
"I'm fine, lassie." Slowly he pulled away from me, testing his legs and dusting the dirt from his pants. "I'll getcha' next time." I didn't have time to brace myself when he slapped my back. I managed to catch myself before my face hit the ground, but just barely.
"If you say so." I laughed softly, starting my way back to the crowds. With my energy sapped and body weak, just the thought of having to walk through the people made me anxious.
"Oh, I'd say I do!" Jin started following after me. "What do ya say we spar sometime after the tournament is over, hmm?" I glanced toward the red-headed wind demon just in time to catch his playful smirk and quirked eyebrow.
"I don't know. Maybe if we run into each other." My lips set in a firm line and my eyes held the stadium in front of me.
"Ah! Such cold words from a beautiful face! Ya hurt my heart, dearie!" He feigned physical pain and laughed boisterously.
"Don't be ridiculous." I scoffed, but couldn't force back the blood that tinted my cheeks. I picked up my pace, leaving behind his laughter.
Pausing at the edge of the pulsing sea of people, I took a deep breath. There was no one waiting to help me through this. I was on my own. It seemed to suck me in, shuffling me around and jostling my reserve. I couldn't make sense of which direction I should take, let alone find the others. The world was nothing but bodies and uncomfortable closeness. I could feel my stomach churning, my mind blurring. Vaguely, I felt someone grab my arm, dragging me into a dark hall.
"So this is Suteki."
I tried to focus my eyes on the figure in front of me, but everything was shutting down.
"Remember this voice, girl. This is the voice of your executioner." I heard a faraway laugh before a sharp pain to my ribs rushed me into the darkness.
"Teki! Teki, wake up!" Yusuke shook me by the shoulder, causing my head to rap uncomfortably against the wall that supported me.
"Stop it, you dimwit, she's awake." Genkai was here too then.
I sighed as a cold towel pressed against my forehead. Opening my eyes, I saw everyone's concerned faces. Well, everyone but Hiei. He stood to the side, gaze averted and arm's crossed.
"Suteki, are you alright? We were waiting for you by the East Gate but you never came." Kurama hooked a hand under my arm and hoisted me to my feet.
"East Gate?" I mumbled, waiting for my legs to stop trembling.
"Yes, that's where we told you that we'd meet up." His emerald eyes shone with a sharp, calculating concern.
"Oh… I guess I went to the wrong one." I forced a laugh, hand traveling to my ribs, feeling the thick bruise that stained the skin under my bandages. I glanced towards Hiei and pushed the foggy memories of the experience towards his consciousness. I felt him take it in, sending me a side look before turning and walking away. Was he still mad at me?
"Did Jin hurt you? Are you seeing double or anything?" Yukina nudged her way in front of me and examined my head for any signs of injury.
"No, no, I'm fine. I guess I just got overwhelmed." I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes tight, trying to clear my mind and shake off the weakness that filled my bones.
"The crowds?" She whispered, leaning forward and placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. I nodded in response before opening my eyes and giving a small smile.
"I think I should go back to the room. Are you guys staying to watch the other matches?"
"We are." Yusuke gestured to himself, Kuwabara, Koenma, Botan, Keiko, Kurama, and Shizuru.
"I'll go back with you." Yukina hooked her arm with mine and we said our goodbyes. Kurama sent me one last look before we left.
"So what else happened?" Yukina kept her eyes forward, guiding me through the bustling coliseum and finally out into the fresh air.
"Nothing, I just got overwhelmed." I pulled away from her and stretched as I walked.
"You're a terrible liar. If it was the crowd, you would've never made it to the hall." Her crimson pools caught my golden ones and I cursed the whole interaction.
"Fine." I crossed my arms and huffed. "Someone grabbed me right before I collapsed and dragged me there. I don't know who it was. I couldn't recognize their voice or see their face. I was already too far gone. I guess they saved me from getting trampled." I left out the dark words and kick to the side, deeming it unnecessary to tell.
"You've gotten lucky then. How are you going to overcome this fear of crowds?" I held open the door as she asked the pointed question.
"It's not a fear." The florescent lights blinked above as we boarded the small elevator. "I don't know what it is."
"It doesn't seem to bother you when it's all of us. We're a good number, and the boys can get pretty loud." The blue-haired maiden looked upward at the arrow that showed what floors we were passing.
"Well… It's because you all are my pack." I looked up as well, scratching my chin and trying to play off the weight that my words carried. I hadn't even realized it was true until I said it. I heard her laugh quietly as she stepped out of the elevator and unlocked the door to our suite. "I'm starving, is there anything to eat?" I opened the fridge, scanning around but leaving disappointed.
"I heard they have a kitchen. We can call and see if they deliver." She picked up the phone and dialed the number.
While she did so, I clicked on the screen that showed the matches and grabbed the tournament bracket sheet that Koenma had sitting on the table. I just caught the announcement of my Block's schedule for tomorrow. The camera stayed on the Koto woman the entire time. My next match was against a demon named Taichi[1]. I cocked my head to the side, trying to remember where I had heard the name before. It wouldn't come though.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Hiei come through the door. He had a stern look, a piece of paper in his hand. He crossed the room in several dominating strides and shoved the paper in my face. I jumped back, startled by the aggression in the movement. I glanced up at him before hesitantly taking the paper. It was another bracket, one with pictures and stats beside the names.
"Oh, Hiei. Would you like anything particular from the kitchen downstairs?" Yukina asked as she held her hand over the bottom of the phone. "I'm ordering dinner before everyone gets back."
"Sake." His eyes never left my face.
I scanned the bracket, trying to figure out why it was so important. Then I caught his face. The name of my next opponent finally fell into place. I had seen his picture and name before. I remembered the pages full of the women that had been sold. Mimi's picture, 'deceased' typed next to it. At the very corner of the page, a smaller picture. The same picture that was used on the bracket. My next fight was against the man that beat Mimi to death. The man with long black hair and blue eyes. A noble's face.
I could feel my control slipping. My lips pulled back and a vicious snarl ripped from my throat. I threw the papers across the room and started pacing. My legs needed to kick out, my fists needed to hit something. My body was no longer tired, it was only angry. Just as everything in the room took on a blood-colored tint, I felt a hand grab the back of my shirt and pull me backward. I snatched away, sending a fist flying in the direction of the fool that dared to touch me. Another snarl bubbled forth when my hand was caught. I could barely make out Hiei's stern face behind the haze. I didn't care. My other fist came forward, catching him right in the mouth. The next thing I knew I was face-first in the soft carpet, arms pinned to my back, and knees pressed into the backs of my own.
"Let me up!" I struggled against his firm hold.
"You're acting like a child. Control yourself." His voice seemed to clear away the red and I took a deep, shaking breath. I felt his hand splayed across my back, reaching from shoulder blade to shoulder blade. I focused on the warmth from his palm, closing my eyes and pushing away the anger.
"Is she okay?" Yukina hesitantly whispered from across the room.
My heart started to slow back to its normal pace, and I ran a finger along the side of Hiei's hand to signal that I was calm. When he rose I rolled over and gazed up at the man that, no matter what the situation, could control my rage so easily. He knew how to flip the switch, whether it be on or off, and he did so with ease. As he stood there, looking down at me with blood running from the split in his lip, I felt calm again. I stood slowly, keeping my body language submissive.
"What's wrong, Suteki?" Yukina walked over, placing a hand on my shoulder. Usually Yukina's touch comforted me, but as of right now it only irritated me. Hiei seemed to sense this and removed her hand. I knit my eyebrows together, rubbed my temple and sat back on the couch.
"The man I fight next killed one of the other slaves from the camp. We were close before she was sold." It felt like the routine I had established to overcome loss was falling apart. I wasn't supposed to feel pain this deep after my grieving process, but I did. The two pairs of crimson eyes that watched me were pulled away by a knock on the door.
"I'll get it." Yukina mumbled, going to the door and thanking the guy who delivered the food and drinks. He didn't seem to be bothered by the sight of a bleeding man and two women, one disheveled on several levels and the other fidgeting like a concerned mother.
"Thanks, ma'am." The plain-looking boy tipped his hat, apparently bored and disappointed with the tip, and left.
I eyed the food warily, feeling my stomach turn at the smell of it. Food just didn't sound appealing anymore. Hiei went over and grabbed a green bottle and two small glasses. I felt far away while he sat across from me, setting a cup in front of me and filling it to the brim.
"Drink." I stared at the small ceramic bowl for a moment, then watched as he poured a cup of his own and downed it in one fluid movement, setting his cup back down and giving me a pointed stare. It felt like my body went into autopilot as it mimicked him, pouring the liquid down my throat.
"This is disgusting." The clear liquid burned a path down my chest. I saw a smirk play across Hiei's bloody lip as he poured more into my cup.
"It's alcohol. It will help you sleep tonight." He downed his second shot, examining the glass afterwards as he held it with his fingertips.
"Hiei, are you sure that you should be giving that to her?" Yukina set our food before us, giving me a concerned look.
"She'll be fine." He nodded towards me as I threw back the liquid and hissed as the trail of fire to my stomach intensified. Anything to help me sleep. A few quiet moments passed.
"It's not working, give me another." I held my cup up.
"No. Give it time, On'na." He sat back with his full cup and crossed his legs, relaxing. I knit my eyebrows and snatched up the bottle, bypassing the cup taking a long swig.
"Suteki, maybe you should take a break and eat. If you drink too much it will make you sick." Yukina grimaced, looking to Hiei for support.
"You've had enough." He leaned forward and pulled the bottle from my grasp. I was about to argue with him, but the look on his face silenced me. Instead I obeyed Yukina and began eating. The food was sub-par, nothing like at home. As I forced the rice and beef down, I began to feel lightheaded.
"Where… where are the others?" The words felt like they were drug out, and my chopsticks started to feel heavy.
"They're coming up in a bit. Are you feeling okay?" Yukina walked over from the kitchen and knelt so she was eye level with me.
"I think so… I think I'm tired…" It was becoming hard to keep my eyes open. For some reason a giggle pushed its way from my stomach, and soon it turned into a full blown laughing fit.
"Well why doesn't Hiei take you to your futon? He'll get you all tucked in." I barely heard what she was saying though, I was still trying to figure out why I was laughing. Trying to figure it out only made it worse.
"I'm not babysitting." Hiei scoffed, throwing back another cup of sake.
"You're the one that thought it was a good idea to get her drunk." Yukina sent him a soft glare and went back to cleaning the kitchen.
"Hn." He sighed, pushing himself up and grabbed my arm, pulling me up.
"Hi." I smiled, no longer in control of my tongue or actions. I laughed as he rolled his eyes and lead me towards the girl's room. It was dark when he slowly sat me down on the blankets. I smoothed the sheets and felt content, the spinning room feeling oddly satisfying.
"Sleep." He placed a hand on my head for balance as he righted himself, but before he could leave I grabbed his wrist.
"Help." I frowned, pulling him back down.
"Help with what, On'na?" He looked annoyed and bored, obviously just wanting to get out of the room.
"These." I sloppily gestured to my clothes. I knew that I needed to change from the filthy combat uniform and into my night clothes, but I couldn't express it.
Hiei sighed but complied, if only to appease his sister. I laughed as he grabbed the back of my shirt and yanked it over my head like the women of the camp used to do when I was very small.
"Sit still." He held my shoulder as he leaned back on his heels to grab the first nightgown he could find from my bag. "Put it on." I wrestled the thin fabric over my head, but then remembered my bandages.
I pouted as I tried to reach back to tear them off. Hiei rolled his eyes again and pulled my hands way, cutting through the strips with ease. A blush flooded my cheeks and I pulled the necklace of a nightgown down to cover my breasts.
"Is this where he kicked you?" I felt the tickle of his fingers trace across the bruise on my ribs.
"I thought you were..." I paused to hiccup, "Mad at me?" As carefully as I could I put my arms through the sleeves and adjusted the nightgown so I could pull off my pants.
"Hn…" Hiei ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "Get under the covers." He helped me maneuver my way under the thick blanket, but I kept a hold on his arm.
"Stay." The heaviness was closing in around me, sinking me deep into my futon.
He didn't seem to resist much as I pulled him down. He leaned against the wall and brought one knee up near his chest. I shoved my pillow away and used his lap instead, curling toward him and relaxing into his scent.
"Goodnight, Hiei. Thank you." I mumbled right before I fell into a deep sleep.
[1] Thick/Big One