The group went to get seats together. Team Isae was in the ring. Toya went out to talk to the other team for rules. The team they were fighting against had a variety of teammates. One of them was 1/3 of the size of the ring they fight on. One was tall and slender, another average and muscular, one had long horns that were that same height as his short body, and one was very round and average. The replacements were both average and muscular.
The giant one came up to the ring. "Our way of fighting is one fighter will choose the first fight, if that fighter wins, he can keep fighting the next opponent or switch out. If that fighter wants to fight all the team one on one and wins, then so be it. And if that fighter wants to fight the replacements he can." The crowd gasped and cheered at the rule.
"Is he crazy?" Kuwabara yelled. "Take them out!"
Toya looked back to the team. Hoshimi nodded. Toya looked back to him. "We agree."
"Good," the giant spoke. "I will fight first and I will choose to fight the little guy first." He pointed to Rinku.
Rinku nodded and was ready. He switched Toya places.
"First up from Team Grim is Boahs," Juri announced. The crowd cheered and yelled for him. "And from Team Isae, Rinku." Less cheering could be heard for him. "Let the fight begin!" She yelled.
"I'm gonna squash you like a bug," Boahs laughed.
"If you can catch me," Rinku sneered.
"The two fighters have already started to trash talk one another," Koto narrated.
Keiko was looking at the teammates to see who was fighting. She gasped when she saw Hoshimi standing there next to them.
"Keiko what's wrong?" Shizuru asked. She followed her line of sight. "Wait, isn't that the girl you were telling me about?"
Keiko nodded. "She helps teach at school from time to time. We heard rumors that she was great at almost everything, sports, strategy, cooking, gardening, anything you can name she would beat you in it. Her brothers always dropped her off and waited for her after school was finished. Some of the professors tried to get a word in from her but they would always be stopped by one of her brothers."
"That sounds like Isae alright," Yusuke crossed his arms as he watched the match. It was a tough battle between Rinku and Boahs. Boahs had the upper hand. Rinku had a few good hits in but they weren't enough for the grey demon. He grabbed Rinku and squeezed his hand. Rinku yelled out in pain as the whole audience could hear bones break.
"Rinku!" The team shouted.
"What horrifying pain Rinku must be in," Koto stood up in her seat. "With one squeeze, Boahs broke almost every bone in Rinku's body."
Boahs laughed and threw Rinku out of the ring. Juri started to countdown. Rinku could not get up as the time ended on him. The team ran over to him.
"Rinku, I'm here," Hoshimi was the first to reach him with parasol still in hand. She tried to hide him from the view of the audience. He moaned in pain. The rest of the group stared angry at Boahs.
"With the first match gone to Boahs, who will he choose next," Koto was anticipating for his answer.
"I'll go with the next weak individual, the second replacement," he pointed to Hoshimi.
The crowd was shocked. Genkai and Yukina showed up next to Yusuke and the gang.
"How much did we miss?" Genkai sat down by Yusuke. Yukina sat over by the girls.
"Rinku just got crushed and Isae is going to be dead next," Yusuke jumped up. "I'll go in." Kuwabara and Kurama grabbed a hold of him.
"You can't interfere Yusuke," Kurama tried to reason with him. "Let the team fight on their own. We all want to help but we can't."
Hoshimi stood up as Suzuki and the rest took Rinku. She turned around to shoot Boahs with an evil look.
Boahs laughed. "Too bad your looks can't kill. A poor mere human girl like you will be easy to squash."
The group was about to take Rinku out of the ring until Ruka stood in their way.
"I can't let you disqualify yourself just yet," Ruka put a barrier around Rinku. The others stepped back. "He'll be fine in here after the fight is over." She winked at Jin.
The others nodded and headed back to watch Hoshimi fight. She stepped onto the ring with a somber face.
"For the next round, Boahs verses the sponsor and second replacement of the Team, Isae," Juri announced. "Let the fight begin."
"I hope the Sheila knows what she's doing," Chu was worried.
Toya and the rest nodded.
Boahs gave her menacing looks but Hoshimi never wavered. He started to lunge towards her then stop midway. Hoshimi never flinched. She closed her parasol and placed it on the ground.
"Looks like Boahs is trying to strike fear into Isae but she doesn't move an inch," Koto smiled. She was rooting for Hoshimi secretly.
"I'll scare you soon enough," Boahs reached for her but she was gone. "Huh? Where did you go?"
Hoshimi was on his shoulder with her arms crossed. He saw her out of the corner of his eye and tried to grab her with the other hand. She disappeared as he tried to swipe at her again. She was on his other hand now.
"Isae is lightning fast," Koto was on the edge of her seat. "Every time Boahs tries to grab her, she's out of reach. I can only spot her when she reappears."
He tried to grab her again but this time she was on the other side of the ring. "What too slow?"
"I'll just have to use another move on you," Boahs opened his mouth and out came burst of energy. Hoshimi was too fast and came up behind him. She elbowed him in the back of the neck that he started to fall to the ground. She whirled around the neck and kneed him in the face knocking him out. As he stumbled backwards, Hoshimi blew at him while he was on the edge of the ring. He landed on his back creating a small tremor in the stadium.
Juri started to count. Boahs never got back up. "And the winner is Isae."
Hoshimi dusted her hands off and started to walk away. She stayed on the ring but looked over to the other team. "Is there a way I can fight the rest of you all at once."
"Isae must have high confidence in herself that she can defeat the rest of the team all at once, or she is really crazy," Koto announced. A demon handed Koto a letter. "The Dark Tournament Committee agrees to this."
The rest of the team went up to the ring. Hoshimi headed back to her original spot in the ring.
"The rest of Team Grim verses Isae," Juri announced. "Let the fight begin."
"Isae's going to get herself killed," Yusuke looked over to Kurama while trying to get out of his hold.
"She beat Boahs with little strength, I think she could win this one as well," Kurama watched.
"Heh," Hiei laughed. "Maybe you should have told her about getting into the Dark Tournament first. We would have no problem winning."
The other team did not move yet. They were waiting for Hoshimi to make her move since they saw that Boahs was a bit too cocky.
"Waiting for me?" Hoshimi gave them a small smile. "How nice of you. Either way you won't win." Hoshimi disappeared with her lightning fast speed and knocked every single one of them out. They all landed in a pile with Hoshimi sitting on top of them. "Teach you to mess with my team."
The crowd was silent then the cheers started to roar and shake the stadium.
"Team Isae won this match!" Koto stood up with the rest of the crowd. "In a mere five seconds Team Grim was totally defeated."
Hoshimi jumped down to pick up here parasol. She twirled it open as she headed to Ruka. Yusuke and gang headed out as well to meet them down below. Ruka's barrier was holding Rinku in who was still moaning in pain. Hoshimi walked past her team as they let her through. Ruka still had her barrier up.
"I have not been told to take down the barrier just yet," Ruka warned her.
Hoshimi flicked an eyebrow. "Then let me do that for you." She reached her hand to the barrier. It sparked and disappeared by a touch of a few fingers.
"How did you?" Ruka was taken aback. "I even had the strength." She had been training to increase her skills.
The team rushed to get Rinku. They would ask Hoshimi about that later. Chu grabbed Rinku in his arms. The team headed out. Shishi and Suzuki went back for Hoshimi.
"Your barrier has several weaknesses," Hoshimi explained to her. "You may have a powerful barrier to imprison others but its' not strong enough. I watched your barrier be tested by Hiei in the archives. You don't have much resilience went it comes to fighting or putting up a good bluff. It was too easy for me. Train some more and you'll be good in time."
Shishi and Suzuki walked with Hoshimi. Ruka watched the team go.
"Isae strength is unknown, she just took down Ruka's barrier with a touch of a few fingers," Koto was amazed. "And it seems like Isae gave some much needed advice to Ruka as well."
"Koto!" Ruka spoke out in embarrassment. She turned and headed out of the arena.
Toya was arguing with a demon about the hospital ward. The three came up to them.
"What's wrong?" Suzuki asked.
"He's saying that there are no more beds since Team Grim took the last of them," Toya explained.
"What about the private wards?" Hoshimi went to the demon.
"They're all vacant," the demon answered her.
"Rinku will have one of those rooms then," Hoshimi gave no implication that it was up for a discussion.
"Wait, you can't do that," the demon yelled at her. "Those rooms are only for-"
"I can and will," Hoshimi stood in front of the demon. "Those rooms are not for the committee members since they are not allowed to fight in the tournament. The main hospital ward for the fighters is at full capacity, due to an increase of teams and team members. The private rooms should be open to fill vacancy."
The demon stared at her dumbfounded.
"Let's go," Hoshimi turned around to lead the way. She had to remember to calm herself. This was just a step towards avenging the demons that fell to the Black Book Club.
Rinku was laying on a bed and hooked up to fluids. Demon technology was helping him recuperate. One of the nurses had told them that it would be a few days before he awakes.
"You've been holding out on us Isae," Yusuke spoke out to her as the group met up with the team.
Hoshimi gave a small laugh out of embarrassment. "Not at all."
"So what kind of a demon are you?" Genkai asked with a straight face.
Everyone froze at that question but Hoshimi only laughed again. "I can't tell you that, but I can tell you that I am a demon."
Genkai smirked. "You're too fast to be human with any Spirit power and I would have sensed the spirit power you were giving off, and that automatically took you out of being from the Spirit World itself. I know a few probably have already gotten that far on trying to figure you out."
"Yes, I knew that there were some who have already had those thoughts," Hoshimi acknowledged. "You're the first to ask that question."
"I hear a certain demon is after you," Genkai kept going on.
"Not just him anymore," Hoshimi dropped her shoulders. "But hoping the past fight shows them that I am not to be messed with."
"You did that to prove a point," Kuwabara commented.
"No," Hoshimi placed her hand on Rinku's forehead. "I did it because I didn't want anyone else of my teammates hurt."
The group talked some more and decided to head out. Hoshimi would watch him for the first few hours. She wanted her team to have a good rest. Hoshimi sat down on a chair next to Rinku. She grabbed one hand with both of hers and closed her eyes. She was trying to help him heal. A demon was trying to sneak up on her.
As the demon was about to grab her, a green vine with thorns wrapped around his neck. Kurama jerked the demon away.
"It was well worth it to come back," Kurama spoke aloud. Hoshimi stood up to turn around as she had let her guard down. The demon fought against the hold. "I have brought Yukina to help heal, full well knowing you would use up more of your energy to try to heal Rinku."
"Shuichi," Hohsimi gave him a kind smile.
"Now, demon who are you?" Kurama jerked a bit on the whip.
"Just brute force," the demon was clawing at the vines. "I was sent here to kidnap her."
"Who sent you?" Kurama asked.
"The Dark Tournament Committee," he chocked. Hoshimi's eyes flashed.
"Why would they want Isae?" Kurama thought out loud.
"They found out my secret," Hoshimi answered. She wanted them to take the bait.
The demon laughed. "You told them your secret. It was only a matter of time."
Hoshimi knocked out the demon before he could say anything else. Kurama watched her with curiosity.
"Yukina you can come in now," Kurama called out. Yukina came in, stepping over the demon to get to Rinku. "Isae can I talk to you in the hallway?"
Hoshimi nodded. She watched as Yukina was holding onto Rinku's hand before Kurama shut the door.
"I can't tell you everything," Hoshimi reminded him. Kurama pulled Hoshimi into a hug. She felt the warmth coming off of him. This surprised her. "Huh?"
"I'm glad you are alright," Kurama sighed in relief. "You had us worried as well. Rinku will get better." He let go of her. Hoshimi was still stunned by the fact. She didn't see that he was fond of her until now.
"Shuichi, I-I am grateful for everything you have done but this is too much," Hoshimi stepped back trying to hide the blushing in her cheeks. "I cannot allow anymore to happen. I cannot allow your safety to be compromised." Not now at least. She still had to act on her revenge.
Kurama placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her head up. "I am well aware and can hold my own quite well. Remember I won this tournament last time." Their faces started to get closer. "Trust me." They were about to kiss when she grabbed his hand away and had her other hand blocking his mouth.
"I know what you are," Hoshimi moved away from him. "I am on to you and your charms. I will let my secret be known when I am ready not when you want the information." She walked back into the room. "I will be with Rinku." That was close. I can't stray from this path. I made a promise.
Kurama clenched his fist. He was trying to figure out the secret but was getting attached along the way. He left back to the room to detain the demon.