A/N: First off, I would like to thank the support of this book. In truth, this book is originally written and published in my Wattpad account, so I decided to publish another here. Though in this, I have made some rewrites/edits on the chapters so it might take me a while. But again, I appreciate the support of everyone who has read, liked, and followed this book.

To add on, I mostly spend my time writing in Wattpad, so go check it out if you want to read the complete version and its ongoing sequel. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the book since it helps me feel motivated to write.

Chapter 21: Dragon of the Darkness Flame

Hayami's POV

After the little squabbling with Kuwabara, everyone was able to calm down. I saw Hiei inspects any injuries from the corner of his eyes when he looked at me. Yes, I have some light burn marks on me, some parts of my clothes that were burnt, but it was nothing serious.

"Hiei, there's really no need for you to keep staring at me for injuries." I quietly told him as he tightens his hold on my hand and averted his gaze to mine.

"Hn, maybe Onna. But I don't want to see the girl I love get hurt." Hiei said turning his head to face me, "Or have you forgotten that even if we are mated, we could still feel the partner's injuries and for that, I felt those small burns on your skin."

"Don't worry, I'll heal myself once this fight is over." I told him, "Besides, it's nothing too serious."

"Still, you should at least heal your wounds, Hayami." He said,

I sighed and let it be as I looked down at the ring on my finger, to see that it was still in perfect condition even after the whole flames on my part. My gaze went back to the ring to see Zeru, the team leader of the Rokuyukai team walking towards the center.

"What? Their team leader is fighting now?" Kurama asked in a bit of shock to see Zeru now in the ring,

"But he's supposed to go last, maybe there's a mistake." Kuwabara said,

"No." Hiei said, having all our attention on him as he glared at Zeru, "Zeru's definitely strongest out of the three remaining. He's fighting angry. It's obvious that he isn't taking this seriously. Especially now that his dear sister is dead."

"Yes, and we're just the picture of professionalism." Botan said glaring at the sleeping Yusuke.

"I'll go. This one's been irritating me ever since last night and will pay for claiming Hayami as his prize." He said removing his scarf as he wraps it around my neck before jumping onto the ring.

Kuwabara questioned the sudden actions as he stared at Hiei confusedly and went near Ranumi for a question.

"Hey Ranumi, what's up with shorty?" Kuwabara asked in a whisper,

"Hm?" Ranumi hummed in question,

"I mean I know that him and Hayami are close friends and all, but it looks like they're a lot closer when I first met them." He said, "Not to mention during training, they would often stay together."

Ranumi smirked, "That is something you need to figure out on your own, Kuwabara." She said, "It's not my place to tell, besides it's pretty obvious." She walked away going towards her sister, leaving a very confused Kuwabara,

"What does she mean by obvious?" He asked looking at Kurama who only chuckled, covering his mouth.

Ranumi came near me with a smirk on her face. "Looks like your fire demon is showing jealousy." She said making Hayami look at her with a hint of blush on her cheeks. "So, was it true that that Zeru guy wanted to claim you as his prize after the whole tournament?" She asked in concern as I nodded a yes while touching the scarf Hiei gave me as I took in his scent.

"TEAM ROKUYUKAI, ZERU! TEAM URAMESHI, HIEI!" Koto said,

Third POV

"I know a great deal of your technique." Hiei said to Zeru, "You and your sister harness heat energy with such great precision that it resembles a knife cut, but one of the edges is sloppily melted." He then smirked at him, "You had your flaw."

"As do you." Zeru said crossing his arms, "I don't think I need an advice from someone who had to use a fake eye." He said,

Hiei glared at him for insulting the Jagan eye as it slowly opens up under the bandana.

"FIGHT!" Koto announced the fight to begin as flames started to spread throughout the ring coming from Zeru, making her back away and avoid the flames while Hiei stood firm.

"Not intimidated yet." Zeru said to Hiei as he just continued to glare at him.

The flames grew bigger causing it to spread further out of the ring, heading toward the crowd and the teams.

Ranumi created her barrier, shielding the team from the flames as the fire bounced off it and headed toward the crowd, much to their unfortunate.

Ryuji led Shizuru and Keiko away from the flames to where their previous seats were and moved further away.

"These are some good seats." Shizuru said looking toward the burning demons,

"We should stay here for a while until Hiei's fight is over." Ryuji said as they sat down in their new seats as the fight continues.

Hiei only chuckled at the attempt of intimidation that Zeru was giving from the flames.

"I wouldn't laugh just yet." Zeru said lifting his hand as flames began to burst out from it, heading toward Hiei,

Hiei jumped, dodging the flames coming towards him.

"UNFORTUNATELY, HIEI WAS NOT KNOCKED OUT FROM THE FIRE, BUT THERE ARE MORE COMING HIS WAY!" Koto said watching Hiei as he kept dodging the flames.

He landed safely on the ring, still glaring at Zeru who chuckled. Ranumi brought down her barrier and noticed her older sister clutching onto the scarf tighter, showing signs of worry for her mate.

Hayami knows that Hiei could handle this fight, but she couldn't help but be worried about what might happen to him. Same with what Hiei wanted, she doesn't want to lose him, especially in this tournament.

"ZERU'S BLOWS ARE FANTASTIC AND HIEI BETTER RUN FOR HIS LIFE! ALONG WITH THE GOOD DEAL OF THE FAN BASE!" Koto said,

"You've become so quiet." Zeru said, "To frighten to know more of my supposed flaws?"

"Actually, I'm bored." Hiei said,

"Actually, you're dead. Your female fighter will soon be mine." Zeru said, making Hiei glare daggers at him,

"As if I would ever let you touch her." He said with a slight anger in his voice as he kept glaring.

Zeru released a powerful burst of flames above him, that went up to the top of the stadium. The flames then went into him, causing his whole body to change color, and filled with heat.

"OH WOW! HIS SKIN IS CHANGING COLOR!" Koto said, "HE SEEMS TO BE ENGULFED IN HEAT. HE'S GLOWING LIKE A POKER."

Hiei smirked at him, causing Zeru to be angry as he charged at him. He jabbed Hiei right through the stomach as his body was engulfed with flames. Hiei groan as he was sent back.

Everyone on the team was shocked at the sight. Ranumi covered her mouth in shock. Hayami just had her eyes widen, but it could plainly see that she was shocked and worried for Hiei. Her left hand hovered her own stomach to where Hiei was jabbed, feeling a light pain from him.

"Wow, nice one!" Koto said as she watched Hiei go down in flames.

"I'm not finished yet." Zeru said as he released the rest of his heat energy towards Hiei, adding the burning sensation to the previous flames.

"HIEI!" Hayami cries in worry, her eyes still widening in shock.

"Wow Zeru. You never told us you can be so...savage." Koto said, "I LOVE IT!"

"No. No, I can't believe it." Kuwabara said in shock as they watched Hiei's body, still engulfed in flames as it hits the ring tiles.

"YOU SEE YOURSELF, PEOPLE! HIEI IS DONE!" Koto said as everyone stared silently at the sight.

"You really think he's beaten?" Keiko asked,

"Hiei's more than what he seems to be, Keiko." Ryuji said to her,

"Yeah, I'm afraid he's a little more than that." Shizuru agreed,

"Ha! What a weak thing!" Zeru said walking away, "You can rest in hell. While I would gladly enjoy my prize."

Ranumi glared at the demon who wanted her sister, knowing that even if Hayami will be forced, she would never go with any other demons except for her mate.

Hayami closed her eyes trying to calm her nerves as she focused on reaching Hiei's energy.

'Hiei?'

'Did I scare you, Onna?'

Hayami chuckled mentally at the question he gave, happy to know that he was all right.

'Don't worry, Onna. I'm all right and I will end that fool's life for ever claiming you.'

'I'm yours forever, Hiei. You know that.'

Hiei smirked at what she said to him. Hayami opened her eyes with a slight smile on her lips. The small talk with Hiei made her ease her worries.

"UH, WELL YES! THAT FIGHT WASN'T A LONG ONE, BUT IF YOU HAVE SCORCHING MOVES LIKE ZERU'S, A LITTLE COULD COME A LONG WAY!" Koto said, starring at the said demon,

"Yes." Hiei said huskily as he got up on his feet, still covered in flames. "He's so talented I'm reluctant to make the kill."

Zeru gasped lightly to hear that he was just fine as everyone turned to see Hiei standing engulfed in flames. His clothes were burned away, leaving him in his black pants and a blue tank top that has a hole in the stomach where Zeru jabbed him.

"OH MY, HIEI SURVIVED! HE'S ON HIS FEET. HE'S SMOLDERING!" Koto said,

Zeru turned around shocked to see him standing. "My fire...he survived it all...How could you?" He said in shock,

"I believe we've covered that." Hiei said as the bandana on his forehead burned away, revealing the Jagan eye, opened and awake. "So, my Jagan eye may not be natural, but it does give me exactly what I need! DRAGON OF THE DARKNESS FLAME!" He cried out as the Jagan glowed with power.

Hayami and Ranumi's eyes went in shock as to what Hiei said, knowing that they'd heard this technique from their father.

"I don't believe it's true. He's going to attempt the darkness technique." Kurama said,

"The darkness? What does that mean?" Botan asked,

"I didn't know that Hiei actually learn that technique." Ranumi said in shock,

"Neither did I." Hayami said as she stared at her mate in worry about the attack he is about to give.

Hiei raised his right arm as black flames starts to come out from his palm.

"Black flames, but they're...from the deepest pit of the spirit world. Oh, help me." Zeru said in shock and worry.

"You know it's impossible to control it completely. Once I release it I have no say." Hiei said as black lighting starts to strike around the stadium. "I have the power to pull you into oblivion, I assume that just my right arm will do. You should've never insulted the Jagan eye because in a way it has its own mind and loathes disrespect. Resisting it is something I wouldn't do." He said, smirking at the terror in his opponent's face.

Zeru cried in fright as the flames around Hiei began to grow.

"I realize that I'm supposed to stay, but in light of the little situation we have here. RETREAT!" Koto said as she jumped off the ring and hid at the side.

"Should I put up my barrier for this?" Ranumi suggested hesitantly,

"Well, the attack isn't aimed at us, but just in case." Hayami said as Ranumi gulped and put up her barrier again, shielding them from the upcoming attack.

"DRAGON OF THE DARKNESS FLAME!" Hiei said as his tank top burned away in releasing the dragon.

Right after the attack, everyone was speechless.

"Hiei has succeeded." Kurama said as he, Ranumi, and Botan were shocked while Kuwabara's colors just washed away upon seeing the attack and his mind was blank.

Hayami was surprised to see that the attack managed to kill Zeru, but her worries are all on Hiei, yet she was glad to see that he was all right. Hiei looked at his burned-up arm in shock and glanced at Hayami, sending a secret smile at her.

"Where's Zeru?" Koto asked as she got back on the ring to see Zeru's body shape on the side of the wall. "Well, there's his outline at least. Well, his definitely out of the ring."

"Believe me, he is not coming back." Hiei said shaking his injured arm a bit, "That cinder is all that is left."

"Yes, and I suppose counting to ten would be a little ridiculous." Koto said, "LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR HIEI!"

Everyone in the crowd was still shocked by the sight of the attack. This now leads that Team Urameshi with three points in the lead.

Ranumi went to Kuwabara and snapped him out with a splash of cold water to the face. He quickly wiped the water off his face and jumped up.

"Yeah! We're punching our way to the top! Hiei can beat anyone with that move." Kuwabara said and paled in realization, "Hiei can beat anyone with that move, am I even listening to myself? What if he decided to be a bad guy again? WHAT IF HE DECIDED TO SHOOT US WITH THE DRAGON?!" He cried out then turned to Hayami who was staring at him, sweat dropping at his antics. "WHAT IF HAYAMI TURNS EVIL AND DECIDED TO ALSO KILL US WITH HER DRAGON?!" He said pointing at the half-breed,

Ranumi and Botan hit him on the head to stop babbling.

"Like Hayami would ever do such a thing!" Botan said,

"Her life code is just like our mother: Serve and Protect the ones we love." Ranumi said, "AND SHE'S NOT GONNA TURN EVIL YOU IDIOT!" She screamed at his ears, causing him to fall on his back at the sudden outburst.

"Don't worry fool, we've entered into an alliance and I'm not the type to break it." Hiei said walking towards him as he was still in the ring. "Of course, after we win the tournament I can't guarantee a thing." He then winces in pain as he walked towards Hayami who was patiently waiting for him.

Hayami didn't think twice and immediately hugged him after he got off the ring. Hiei smirked softly and returned it and kissed the side of her head.

"And here I thought I was the one reckless." Hayami chuckled as she looked up at him. "Turns out I'm not the only one."

Hiei smirks and gently caressed her cheek. "Then we're even, Onna." He said as she leaned into his touch,

Hayami held the hand on her cheek, which was the injured one, and began to heal his arm as a small layer of water covers his injured arm. Hiei gasped lightly in pain from the cold touch of the water but then relaxed as he stared at her, admiring to see her focus yet relaxed face as she heals him.

Little do they know is that Ranumi and Botan were giggling at the sight, Kurama smiled happily at the two mates while Kuwabara was dumbfounded and questioned the girls to why they are giggling.