The semifinalists were headed to their arenas. Part of Yusuke's group was split between the two. Enki's friends were gathered around him. Hotaka's allies were walking behind him with Hoshimi in the center.
The four were standing in their circles waiting for the cue to attack.
"Raizen would be proud that you have made it this far," Enki praised Yusuke while waiting. "It is a privilege to finally fight against you. Don't go easy on me now." He chuckled.
"The same to you," Yusuke was getting fired up. "Just because I'm your friend's son, doesn't mean you need to hold back. Fight with all you got."
The two got into a fighting stance waiting to be released. At the other arena, the atmosphere was different.
"Kurama," Hotaka's smirk became vicious. "She hasn't figured out who you are, yet. Why haven't you exacted your revenge?"
"It was my own fault, there is no need to go after her in that way," Kurama narrowed his eyes. "What are your intentions with her?"
Yomi and Mukuro tried to get close to Hoshimi without the rest of Hotaka's friends noticing. The demons were watching the screen while her eyes were down cast. Shura was ready to spring at her. He was going to take her away once the other two distracted the others.
"She'll stay by my side, as she intended," he braced himself as they were about to be released.
The rings disappeared and the semifinals began. Enki and Yusuke drew in power before attacking. Kurama anticipated Hotaka's lunge at him. Hotaka would chase after him while Kurama tried not to take any hits.
Hoshimi started to watch the fight between Hotaka and Kurama. The battle was looking to be one sided with Kurama taking the blows but he was calculating how to win against him.
"I know what you are, a tactician who sacrifices himself to find the enemy's weak point," Hotaka slashed at him. "Clever but that won't do."
Kurama held his wound while gritting his teeth. "It got me to this point, didn't it?"
"Just show your true form, I'll show mine," Hotaka mocked.
"Even though that seems intriguing, you only want to provoke me to shatter my image with Hoshimi watching," Kurama flicked blood droplets to help his plants grow.
"That won't work on me," Hotaka grabbed Kurama by the throat. "But this will work on you."
Kurama transformed by the energy Hotaka was giving off. His changed into his fox demon form. Kurama tried to peer underneath the hat but was thrown back into ground.
Hoshimi stood frozen as she saw that Shuichi was Kurama or rather Kurama's human form was Shuichi. The thoughts in her mind started to create chains that gripped tight on her breathing and anxiety. She started to panic thus leading to her fainting. She was caught by Jin's wind. He lifted her away from them.
Chu grabbed her. "The little Sheila couldn't take it." He brushed the sweat from her forehead. The group gathered around her. Hotaka's friends noticed her absence.
"Hey!" One came over to them. "Give her back! She doesn't belong to you!"
"She doesn't belong to you either," Yomi created a barrier around all of them.
As one of the demons was about to attack, an official came between them. "If you start a fight now, it will disqualify your friends. If this matter persists, just take it up with the new king." He stared the group down.
The two groups relaxed their fighting stances. Yomi still had his barrier up. Each of them gave death glares before watching the fights again.
Enki and Yusuke were a blur with their abilities. It was hard to keep up with them. It seemed as if Yusuke was winning but Enki could not let Yusuke win if Hotaka wins. Hotaka would break Yusuke in half. Enki decided to end this battle. He couldn't wait any more. Enki raged to draw in more power. He pummeled Yusuke into the ground where he couldn't move for the ten count. Enki won his battle but still had honor. He came over to help Yusuke. Enki flung him over his shoulder.
"You're lucky this time but next time," Yusuke choked out. He became unconscious as Enki walked to the elevator to bring them down. Enki just chuckled.
Hotaka sensed that their battle was finished. "Enki won. Hm. Doesn't matter who my opponent is, I will become King." He kept his attack on Kurama. Kurama would counter attack but it wasn't enough. Hotaka had endless energy. Plants ensnared Hotaka. "These? I thought you had tact." Hotaka killed the plants with the touch of his hands.
Kurama was surprised as his plants shriveled up by a single touch. He was near his last resort. Kurama didn't want to use it but he it was his best option to win this fight. It may cause a bigger rift between him and Hoshimi but that didn't matter now, what mattered was winning this fight. Kurama let his demon side take over. He drew in more power to attack with this demon instinct taking control.
"There it is," Hotaka smiled. "That's the side I want." He peered at the tail and scoffed. "You want to be worthy enough for Hoshimi, you have a lot to learn little fox!" Hotaka attacked Kurama. It felt as if thousands of needles were piercing into Kurama as Hotaka hit his gut. "You have a lot to learn. I'll teach you." Hotaka drove his fist further into him causing Kurama to scream out in pain. Blood spurted from his mouth as he cried in pain. "I'll train you and your friends." Hotaka kept punching him. A crater was being formed around them. He paused for Kurama. "I caused the rift between you two, I'll mend it." Hotaka delivered the final blow that knocked out Kurama. He staid unconscious for the ten count. Hotaka flung him over his shoulder and headed to the exit. Part of his friends were there to meet him.
"Hotaka!" One was chattering. "She fainted at the sight of Kurama and then she disappeared. They took her! They have Hoshimi!"
Hotaka shoved Kurama in one of the other's arms. "Take care of him. He's dear to Hoshimi. As for her, they won't have her for long. This battle will end soon. I'll take her back by royal decree if I must. I lost her once, I won't lose her again. She's all I have." Hotaka snapped around to go to his next battle. He started to fume.
Enki dropped Yusuke off with the rest. They didn't inform him about the current situation between the groups. They just wished him good luck as he went off to his last battle. He met Hotaka on the arena. "It's been a long time, Hotaka. Last time was when Raizen was still alive. This will be the first time we have dueled against one another. I hope we can still be the same after this battle is over." The countdown went on while Enki tried to make conversation.
"I'm not in the mood Enki," Hotaka warned. "I'll warn you now, this battle will be short lived. I don't have any more time to waste. It will be an honor to fight against you but no hard feelings when you end up the loser."
"I hope it's a short battle as well," Enki nodded.
The signal let them know they could fight. Enki drew in his power to the maximum. Strong winds whipped Hotaka's hat around but Hotaka ripped it off along taking off his coat that was draped over him. It revealed silver hair and fox ears and nine tails. Hotaka drew in energy as well. The audience was in shock about the reveal.
"No wonder why Hoshimi cuddled up to him, he's a hunk!" Koto drooled over him. "One-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight-nine! I counted nine tails! I repeat nine! One of the legendary NINE tailed foxes! The crowds around me are loving this. Who is going to be our new Demon King? Is it going to be Enki who was out first winner out of the tournament or is it going to be the newest rival, Hotaka?"
Hotaka and Enki lunged towards another with full force creating an explosion. Debris and a loud pitched noise echoed throughout the land. Demons covered their ears in protest. Yomi's ears started to bleed. Shura caught his father as he fell to his knees. Hoshimi gasped in pain she fluttered her eyes open to the sound. Hotaka and Enki kept attacking with full force until the other was knocked out. Hoshimi lurched forward.
"Huh?" Chu saw that she moved. "Hey! You're awake!"
"Where is he?" Hoshimi panicked.
"Who?" Toya rushed to her side.
"Shui-no Kurama, where did he take him?" Hoshimi got up.
"He hasn't come back, he must be in the infirmary, he didn't stand a chance against Hotaka," Suzuki mentioned. "Hotaka was about to kill him."
"Lies!" Hoshimi sniffed the air. "Hotaka would not kill another demon if it was unnecessary. They will keep on battling but it doesn't matter. I know the outcome already. Hotaka won't back down. Where's the-never mind I found them." She walked towards Hotaka's friends.
"Hoshimi where are you going?" Rinku grabbed her arm. "Aren't we all a team? Remember?"
Hoshimi paused. "Yes, we are but right now, Kurama needs me as well and he's held by childhood friends of mine. I'll introduce them once the tournament is over." She gave him a comforting smile before continuing to walk away again. "Besides Hotaka knows I'm alive, he will turn every world upside down until I am found, even if I he couldn't sense me. It's no use hiding anymore."
The group watched in silence as Hotaka's friends led Hoshimi away from the crowds. They led her to the bar that had a TV showcasing the fight. She pushed back the friends to get to Kurama who was patched up. He was still unconscious but breathing. He had regressed to his human form. She commanded them to do different tasks while she brought out herbs hidden in her pockets. She started to make a poultice out of them.
"Hotaka!" Enki growled. "Give this up!"
"Never!" Hotaka leaped in the air with his nine tails forming into a spike he drilled it into Enki. His arms crossed in front of him, Enki was being pushed to the outskirts of the arena. Enki uncrossed his arms making Hotaka bounce back. Enki stepped forward and hit him with his gut, sending Hotaka flying even more without the chance to attack again. Hotaka panted as he stood back up. "You won't be able to handle the rest who are moving about." He chuckled. His tails started to swish back and forth. He hypnotized Enki to stand in one place before being smacked to the ground with all nine tails.
Dust enveloped them. The announcers were having a hard time trying to decipher the outcome. Enki raised his head before letting out a groan. He passed out. The dust started to settle and the count started. Enki didn't get up. Hotaka had won the tournament. He was the new king.
"Our New Demon King is the nine-tailed hunk, Hotaka!" Koto announced.
Hotaka smirked as he sauntered over to Enki. "You did well." He grabbed Enki's hand and pulled him up to a sitting position. He then hauled up him to a standing position. Hotaka gradually got Enki back to the elevator. Enki's friends met the two. They grabbed him from Hotaka. The group was civil towards him. Hotaka made sure Enki was taken care of before leaving. An underling of Hotaka was waiting for him on the fray.
"She came back," the underling informed him. "She's with that fox thief."
Hotaka sighed in relief. "Let's go welcome my new reign." The two headed off to the podium where they drew their lottery numbers for the brackets.
Crowds of demons were swarming around them. Hotaka stood next to Koto, who held a microphone. "How does it feel to be the new King of the Demon World?"
"Riveting," he smirked. The crowd cheered.
"Do you have any decrees that you want to establish as King?" Koto continued.
"Yes," he eyed the demons and the cameras. "Former King Enki's rule shall remain intact. No human is to be harmed by Demons. The next decree, anyone or being dares to hunt or harm my sister, Hoshimi, shall now answer to me!" This caused confusion and whispers. "There will be more decrees, but don't worry, those will pertain to growing the GREAT DEMON WORLD!" The demons rallied and cheered. He stepped off the stage to head back to the bar. His underlings surrounded him.
At the bar, there was a cold rag placed on Kurama's forehead. He felt a breeze now and then as if someone was fanning him. His torso was throbbing and hot from the damage he suffered. He could hear the steps of people coming towards him. The fanning stopped.
Hotaka chuckled. "Ignoring me. Don't hide behind your tails."
Kurama opened his eyes to see Hoshimi in her true form. She had her head turned to listen to her brother. Her nine tails were blocking both from his view.
"I didn't hurt him as much as I wanted," Hotaka pleaded. "How is the great thief doing anyway?"
"He's alive," Hoshimi sensed him coming closer. "You hurt several demons with your outburst. I sent our friends to take care of them with the medicine I made."
"So caring," Hotaka sat down at the table. A cup and bottle was sitting on the table. He gave her the notion to pour a drink for him.
She nodded. Hoshimi rose from her sitting position to pour her brother a drink. Kurama watched them. Their nine tails together made it seem as if they were in front of a white background.
"To my new reign," Hotaka toasted to himself. He threw the drink back before setting it down. Hoshimi poured more into the glass.
Yusuke had woken up from his knock out. He lunged forward, surprising his friends around him.
"What happened? Who won? How long was I out this time?" Yusuke looked at the sullen faces. "Don't tell that mysterious guy won?"
"Beat Enki without breaking a sweat," Chu sniffled.
"Hey, where's Kurama?" Yusuke jumped out of bed. They were at the infirmary.
"He's with Hoshimi back at the bar," Toya informed him. "He was beaten badly."
"We had saved Hoshimi from them but she walked right back in," Jin sighed.
"Let's get going then, who knows what else will happen," Yusuke clenched his fist. "Lead the way."
The group headed to the bar just time as Hotaka was enjoying his drinks.
"Where are they?!" Yusuke stared down the underlings blocking his view. "Where is the new King?"
"Send him in," Hotaka called.
Yusuke shoved passed them with a smug look on his face. He headed to the area where Hotaka was lounging. Hoshimi had poured another drink before standing in front of Kurama's body. Kurama was placed on the couch with a blanket and pillow.
Yusuke looked between the two siblings before settling on Hotaka. "Don't think I would bow to you."
Hotaka let out a laugh. "Raizen's son indeed. What do you want?"
"How about giving back my friends," Yusuke ordered. Hotaka feigned innocence. Hoshimi turned around to see an alert Kurama. He looked away. She glanced back to the others as she changed the hot rag to a cold one. "Nice trick of showing two of yourself but you can get rid of it. Now where is Hoshimi and Kurama?"
Hotaka smirked as he looked over to Hoshimi. "Amusing but that's not me. Little Sister." He beckoned.
Hoshimi turned around giving Yusuke a shock. "What!" Kurama sighed in embarrassment. Yusuke looked at the two. "But you two look so alike!"
"We're siblings, I am the eldest and she is the youngest," Hotaka explained. "Your friend is behind her, getting much needed medical treatment." Hoshimi stepped over to her brother.
Yusuke rushed over to Kurama. "Hey how bad are you hurt!"
"I've had worse," Kurama gave a weak smile.
Yusuke jerked to look at Hotaka. "You didn't have to go so hard on him. I heard you took Enki down without effort."
"Indeed," Hotaka nodded. "However, I had to set the rumor straight that the Great Yoko Kurama was no longer after my dear little sister Hoshimi. If you had siblings, you would understand."
Yusuke lifted Kurama out of bed. "Can you walk?" Kurama nodded. Yusuke and Kurama hobbled out. He didn't even ask if Hoshimi was coming. He just assumed she would follow but Hoshimi stayed next to her brother. The two got outside. Chu held Kurama in his arms. The group was headed back to their apartments when Shura found them.