It's time for another chapter. This time it's the second semifinal match. Yagyū vs. Naraku, who'll win and advance to the finals to take on Renka? Read on and find out.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Senran Kagura. I only own the story and a few Ocs.

Warning: Violence, language, the usual.

Chapter 28: Ice vs. Steel

Naraku blew a bubble, "Guess it was only a matter of time till we faced off. But I am curious, Shiki withdrew from the last match, saying you couldn't give her enough reward to face off against you, Yagyū."

Naraku blew another bubble, "It was almost like she knew you..."

Yagyū crossed her arms and tilted her head with a scowl. "Hmph. Spare me your ridiculous theories, Naraku. They won't help you win this match."

Naraku blew another bubble, this one seemingly louder than the previous ones. "I wouldn't call it ridiculous. It pays to be observant after all."

Yagyū scoffed, waving her right hand dismissively "Yeah, yeah. You just keep stalling with all of these speculations. It delays your inevitable loss against me."

Naraku's head perked up a bit when she heard that, "Loss?" Her voice rang out in a chuckle, her shoulders shaking at the sudden noise. "You really think you're gonna beat me this time? Might I remind you who won our little bout last time?"

Yagyū's face turned sour like she had eaten a lemon gone bad, "I didn't have any chakra last time! I wasn't fighting at my full power! You can hardly call that a win!"

Naraku kept a straight face as she blew another bubble, "Sure, sure. Keep making excuses for yourself if it makes you feel better. But we both know the truth, don't we?"

Yagyū's Ki flared up, her fists clenching at her sides, "You know... I think it's time I ended you like I promised I would!"

Yagyū grabbed her eye patch and Naraku quickly kicked out her steel orbs and started to circle them around her like before.

From where I sat, I tilted my head with large eyes. "Wait, are they gonna launch their Ultimates right off the bat!?" Are they trying to get each other killed so early on?!

Yagyū growled as she removed the eye patch, ripping it off. "Demon Slice!"

Naraku spun faster and faster, aiming at Yagyū, "Fall From Heaven!"

The attacks collided and the whole arena started to shake. I held onto the chair in front of me as I thought to myself, 'Those two... are two of the most powerful Shinobi I have ever met!'

I saw both Yagyū and Naraku get blown back due to how much power they had used. These two were extraordinary. If any one of them slips up now, it will cost them the battle and possibly their life. As both Yagyū and Naraku stood, I heard a voice cry out, "Let me go! I'm here to see the match!"

I looked over and saw the girl from earlier being carried out by a male Shinobi. The Shinobi grunted, struggling with the girl, "You're too young to be here without an adult!"

I quickly got up and went over to them, raising my hand to get his attention. "Sir, actually she's with me," I said politely, with a slight smile to make it seem like I was speaking the truth.

They both looked at me, and the girl's eyes went wide, "You!"

The male Shinobi was shocked, his eyes shifting over me as if to confirm my identity, "R-Renka Mikagura!? The finalist!?"

I felt an embarrassing itch all over my body, 'Just how famous am I getting!?' Instead of saying that out loud, I nodded, shifting my feet to distribute weight.

The Shinobi places the girl down on her feet, "Alright. If you insist, Miss Mikagura. She can't wander around alone, however. Please be aware of that."

I nodded, "Gotcha. I'll see to it she sticks with me."

I looked at the little girl, who looked really embarrassed at me. I offered a friendly smile, "Hello again. I haven't seen you since the day I saved you from that big oaf. It's very nice to meet you, I'm Renka Mikagura."

The little girl nodded with a sly smirk, "I know who you are, Renka. I've known about you ever since you saved me. My sister has taken quite a liking to you."

I just offered an awkward chuckle, "Your sister, huh?" Just what the hell was I supposed to say to that!? How did she know my name the day we just met!? Please don't tell me I have a bad reputation outside of school.

It was at this point, I really got a good look at this girl. She had short black hair with red ribbons in it that helped everything frame her face. She was wearing a long white and red overcoat that's apparently too long for her cause it covered her hands. She also had pink bloomers that had red etching on them. There are odd emblems where her pupils should be in her black eyes that seemed to look not only at me but through me. Even though she had the appearance of a child, this girl screamed "not normal" the first time I got a good look at her.

The girl smirked, "Renka, do you know that you are blessed?"

I gave her a smile, tight and forced and a chill ran up my spine. 'Just what is with this nutso girl anyway? Why does she seem like some kind of fictional character from a manga?'

The girl suddenly laughed, giving me this smile that just seemed like she knew what I was thinking. Suddenly another explosion of power came from the match, and the girl looked over to it and for the first time, real emotion flashed through her eyes. I patted the spot next to me, "Sit next to me. Depending on how long the match goes your feet will get sore."

The girl looked at me, seemingly weighing her options, and then sat down next to me. I looked to the girl as she watched the match, a swirl of painful emotions flashed through her eyes. After I looked back to the match to see that both girls were breathing heavily.

Yagyū coughed, "Damn it! Why're you so hard to get rid of!? If only that blonde didn't weaken me yesterday. I would've crushed you instantly!" I somehow doubt this if I were going, to be honest with literally everything in existence.

Naraku chuckled, "All I hear are excuses Yagyū. Shinobi don't make excuses! They kill their opponents!"

Yagyū seethed in rage, "Gooodddddd dammmnnnn iiitttt!"

"Shouting at me isn't going to win you the fight. It just destroys your throat, Yagyū…" Naraku taunted.

Suddenly, I heard, "Do you know why you didn't die?"

I looked at the little girl beside me, "What?"

The girl smirked, "Nevermind."

I looked at this girl amazed, "Just who the hell even are you?"

The girl looked back to the match, "Well, I guess you can call me a destroyer if that makes you happy."

I just chucked a bit, trying to calm my frazzled nerves. This kid makes me nervous just by being near her. She's a kid! "A destroyer? Man, you've got some crazy imagination, kid. When I asked that, I meant your name."

The little one just stared at me, like I asked the world's hardest question. Her eyes drifted towards the upper left as if lost in thought. However before she got to answer, she looked out to the battle, and quickly jumped up to her feet, "Naraku!"

I quickly looked to the battle and Naraku was being lifted off the ground being choked by Yagyu. My eyes widened at the sight of Naraku's face turning blue, tears down her face. The next moment, an ear-piercing scream fills the stadium. I had to cover my ears because of how loud it was, the sound vibrating into my bones. But after my throat started to hurt, I realized that that scream was coming from me.

My element coursed through my legs and I took off like a speeding bullet. My fist connected with Yagyū's face before she or I had the time to realize what had happened. Ryobi's voice came next, "What the fuck was that!?"

Yagyū's face went from surprised to angry in a second. She quickly recovered and was about to hit me until a certain blue flash stopped her. I looked up and saw a certain Pinkette standing before me.

I blinked once, trying to register everything that had just happened in a matter of seconds, "Hi-Hibari?"

Hibari smiled cheekily as she held back Yagyū's strike, "Hey, Renka! How are you doing, girl?"

Hibari looked at Yagyū and was about to speak but stopped after seeing the look on Yagyū's face. Tears formed at the corners of Yagyū's eyes, "Th-That's impossible!"

Yagyū dropped her weapon and reached out her free hand to Hibari. Hibari hesitated at first but once she felt no killing intent behind her hand, she let Yagyū proceed. Yagyu tenderly touched Hibari's face, and for some reason, Hibari leaned into her touch. The next time Yagyū spoke, I could hear the hurt in her voice as it cracked like shattering glass, "H-How are you alive… Nozomi-Chan!?"

I mouthed the name in pure confusion, as Hibari's hands tenderly touched Yagyu's, and I heard these words escape her lips, "Big sis Yagyu."

My eyes widened, "D-Did she just say… Big Sister!?"

I put my hand on my head in exasperation. If I wasn't confused before, now I am. Even Ryobi stared straight at the sight that was unfolding before her, "L-Lieutenant Iguchi? What the hell are you doing!?" Hibari looked over and her eyes were so distant, so Ryobi yelled, "Hibari!"

At that point, the distant look in her eyes vanished, "What happened? Was I out long?"

My head tilted, did she really think she was passed out? Hibari looked to Yagyū and her eyebrow twitched in confusion, "You seem familiar. Like you were someone very important to me at one time."

Ryobi looked surprised at her, "But you don't know her Lieutenant, or at least, I don't think you do."

Hibari closed her eyes and shook her head, "No, I know I don't know her, but it feels like I do."

Yagyū began to step closer to Hibari, "Of course you know me, Nozomi-Chan! I'm your big sister!" Tears fell down her cheek as she seemed to be keeping herself from throwing herself on Hibari.

Hibari's eyes went wide, "Y-You are!? Then why don't I remember you from my childhood!? I grew up with many brothers and sisters in the Iguchi Family! My name is Hibari Iguchi!"

Yagyū shook her head, "No, you're not! Your name is Nozomi Mizuhashi! You're my sister!"

Suddenly a voice chimed in, sounding weak, "Mi-Mikagura."

I looked to the source of the voice and saw it was Naraku. She started to get up, coughing and massaging her throat, "That damn bitch! She cheated! She pulled a dirty move!"

Yagyū dried her eyes a bit, "Excuse me!? Wasn't it you who looked away during our match?"

Naraku looked away, "I know but…"

I didn't think the match went that way. Naraku explained how the match went...

After Yagyū yelled, she put two fingers up and her squid appeared behind her. Naraku looked at it, "Why do I suddenly crave calamari?"

Yagyū seethed and shouted out, "Icy Feet!"

The squid started to launch ice spells Naraku's way, relentless and quick. Naraku stared the spells down without flinching even once. Yagyū, fed up with all of this, shouted, "Now freeze to death!"

As the ice came at Naraku, Naraku suddenly shot out her steel orb and shattered the Ice easily. As the squid kept firing spells, Naraku kept kicking her orbs at the ice-breaking it and flinging the orbs like yo-yos again. Yagyū seethed again, "How are you able to break my ice so easily!?"

Naraku smirked, "Ice is fragile. My steel orbs can break it easily... after all, steel orbs are heavier than ice."

Yagyu grimaced, "Tch, shut the hell up, bitch!"

In a flash, Naraku was right next to Yagyū's squid and grabbed ahold of one of its legs and pulled it with all of her might. The strength of Naraku's pull ripped out the tentacle and caused the squid to cry out in pain.

"Leave my guardian alone, you bitch!" Yagyū shouted out in rage.

The squid tried to strike at Naraku, but she dodged and used one of her orbs to crush its leg, earning another scream. Yagyū got under it, "Quickly!" The squid placed itself on her umbrella and Yagyū started spinning really quickly, "Sweeping Tentacles!"

Naraku quickly backed up to dodge, but as soon as she did that, Yagyū stopped and put her hand out, "Now!"

Suddenly, the squid started to spray ink straight at Naraku, but she quickly put her hands onto the ground and spun around like a breakdancer, spinning both metal orbs around really quickly deflecting the ink away from her. Yagyū then saw Naraku coming at her, so Yagyū yelled out, "Retreat!"

The squid instantly vanished and Yagyū dodged back as Naraku clashed both her steel orbs together, "Reform at the path of Shura!"

Yagyū flew back from the speed at which she threw herself, and her body crashed into the wall. Her uniform ripped in the process and her body slumped to the ground. Yagyū groaned and glared at Naraku. Naraku stared at her back with a serious face, "You really need to chill."

Yagyū seethed with rage as Naraku looked at her hands and sighed, "I really hate this stadium's dirt ground."

At that point, Yagyū looked at something behind Naraku, "Wh-Who's that talking with Mikagura?"

Naraku turned around and saw both myself and the girl talking together. Her mouth quivered for the first time. Sweat went down her brow, "I-It can't be! S-She…"

Yagyū suddenly appeared in front of her and punched Naraku straight in the abdomen. Naraku recoiled and gasped for air, but then Yagyū grabbed her neck and lifted her high off the ground.

And with that, Naraku was done with her retelling.

Naraku rubbed her midsection, "You cheated and hit me when I wasn't looking!"

Yagyū scoffed and tilted her nose up, "Haven't you learned to never take your eyes off your opponent!?"

Naraku groaned in frustration. Yagyū smirked, "Wasn't it you that said Shinobi do not make excuses, they kill their opponent."

Naraku looked away. Suddenly Ryōbi spoke up, "I think we're forgetting that I have the last say in the matches."

I crossed my arms, "Well, who won?"

Ryōbi sighed, "I hate to do this, and I mean I really hate to do this, but even though it was blatantly obvious who was stronger here today, however, the winner of the semifinal second match is Yagyū Mizuhashi!"

Naraku protested but Ryōbi raised her arm making it official, "Due to outside interference."

Naraku's eyes went wide, "O-Outside interference?"

My eyes widened and I awkwardly rubbed the back of my head, "Naraku, I'm so so sorry, but after seeing you in that predicament, I couldn't hold myself back. It was like my body moved on its own."

Naraku shook her head, "No, Yagyū was right. I am ashamed for looking away in battle. But I thought…. Oh yeah! Who were you talking to during the match?"

I looked at Naraku and shrugged without a care, "Oh, some random girl with a really vivid imagination."

Naraku placed her hands on my shoulders, "Did you manage to catch her name?"

I shook my head, "No. She was about to tell me until she saw you in trouble."

Naraku sighed then glanced around, "Well, is she still there?"

I quickly looked back to where I was sitting and saw the seats were vacant. I looked back to Naraku, "Sorry, but she's gone."

Naraku's face visibly darkened and removed her hands from my shoulders, "Oh… I see..."

I took Naraku's hand to help her stay steady, noticing that her feet were a little on the wobbly side. "Naraku, why are you asking about some random little girl?"

Naraku pulled her hand away, tucking it close to her body. "It's just… I couldn't tell from here, but she looked just like…"

Naraku looked away, and I could feel my eyebrow raise, "Just like?"

Naraku shook her head, "No, nevermind. Forget I said anything."

I took a hold of Naraku's hands and held them in between us, "Are you sure?" I don't know why but I want her to tell me more, go more into detail than just the obvious. There was so much more going on that I don't know or understand.

Naraku's face turned slightly red, "Stop, please. My hands are dirty. And yeah, I'm sure."

I chuckled at how bashful Naraku was being and smiled, "Okay. Well, if you feel like you need to talk to someone, you know where to find me."

Naraku's shade of red brightened at my smirk, "I-I don't know what you're so happy about… But I'll… er… think about your offer." I chuckled at Naraku's reaction, and Naraku coughed into her hand awkwardly. "Anyway, tomorrow is the day, huh?"

I nodded, "Yeah, tomorrow I'll participate in the final match. I never thought I'd get so far in a tournament that I didn't even want to be in."

Naraku raised an eyebrow, "Why'd you enter this tournament if you didn't want to be in it?"

I sighed, "I didn't willingly enter. Kat entered both Minori and me without our consent."

Naraku rubbed the back of her head, "I am so sorry."

I gave Naraku another smile, "Don't worry. I'm really glad she entered me into this tournament. I found out so much of myself in this tournament and I learned more about others close to me than I could have under normal circumstances. I know I won't be able to win against Yagyū, but I've discovered so much of my power and I've even got a goal now."

Naraku smiled, "That's great! I'm glad!"

"But I think I'll take a page from your books and not look away from her, that chokehold did not look fun in the slightest." We laughed, even if it hurt Naraku's throat more than anything. I needed this laugh, otherwise, my nerves would never leave me and I'll never be prepared for tomorrow.

Chapter End

Well, another chapter and match down. With the epic final match of Renka vs. Yagyū coming up next, shit is definitely gonna hit the fan next time. Which will set up the next three final chapters of the Kohana tournament arc. Look forward to that. Anyway, thank you for reading. Ayame out.