InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ An Inseparable Bond ❯ Matching Decisions ( Chapter 17 )

An Inseparable Bond

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho.

 

Summary: What is a miko to do when fate thrusts two troubled demons directly in her path? With her responsibility of reforming the jewel looming over her head, Kagome takes on the nearly impossible challenge that appear in the forms of a silver kitsune and forbidden child. Will the miko be enough to melt the ice around these demons' hearts or will their darkness over cloud her purity?

 

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Chapter 17: Matching Decisions

 

“I want to fight Jin.” Kagome argued.

 

“He's too powerful Kagome, we know he won't hurt you but he's not going to let you win either.” Yusuke protested.

 

“Indeed, it would be best for you to fight Touya.” Kurama suggested.

 

“But his ice powers have no effect on me because of my purification. Both of our powers will be canceled out and it will result to mere hand to hand combat.” She complained.

 

“Exactly.” Hiei snorted.

 

Kagome glared up at him in irritation. “Why are you such an asshole?”

 

“Not right now please, we need to finish figuring this out.” Kurama sighed, trying to defuse the fight that was just moments away from breaking lose.

 

“Why not have Kagome face the runt?” Kuwabara asked.

 

“Rinku? No I will not throw a child around the battle ring.” Kagome refused. “I want to fight Jin.”

 

Yusuke sighed. “What about Wakamaru? Why not fight him?”

 

“I don't want to mess up his pretty face that he worships.” Kagome snorted. She liked all the fighters on Jin's team but she was being quite sour right now because she wanted to face Jin. She knew it would be an interesting fight and wanted the challenge. Even though she could feel how powerful Wakamaru, Rinku, Touya, and Chu were, she was dead set on fighting Jin.

 

`Let her fight Jin, she's not going to back down. She's far too stubborn to back down until she gets her way. And if she doesn't she'll simply lock us in a barrier once Jin steps onto the platform.' Youko stated.

 

Kurama sighed. “Alright Kagome, you can face Jin. I will fight Wakamaru, Hiei can fight Chu, Yusuke can take Rinku and Kuwabara can take Touya.”

 

Kagome grinned. “Thank you Kurama.

 

“Aw why do I have to fight the runt?” Yusuke complained.

 

“You can shower with me if you stop complaining.” Kagome stated. The detective turned wide eyes to her before smirking and making the motion of zipping his lips shut. Hiei and Kurama glared at Yusuke angrily.

 

`Shouldn't we be getting the special treatment? We just allowed her to have her way.' Youko pouted.

 

Kagome noticed the distant look in Kurama eyes and sighed. Stepping toward him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his ear. “Relax; I never said when he could shower with me. And you'll be sleeping in my room tonight.” she whispered before pulling away and making her way to the stadium. Their match against Jin's team was about to start and they needed to get to the arena doors. After all the push over fights they'd been through, Kagome was excited to actually get a decent workout.

 

Upon arrival, the miko's mood was darkened when she heard the yells from the crowd. Her team wasn't exactly a favorite among the audience and since she was part of the team, they also found ways to bash her. Several demons hollered insulting names down at her and the guys. She could particular catch any that were directed toward her. After their first match and the first time everyone saw them together, word leaked out that Kagome was eventually going to mate three of the men on her team. Although it was very common for demons to take on more than one mate, everyone knew Kagome was human and therefore dubbed her a `whore'.

 

Kagome's thoughts were interrupted when she heard a chorus of snarls coming from various locations around the stadium. Glancing around, she smiled slightly when she spotted Kouga, Shippo, and Inuyasha causing a riot in the audience to her right. Behind her; Hiei, Yusuke, and Kurama were throwing deadly glares at anyone who dared to peep a single word about Kagome. And lastly, across the arena, Chu and his teammates were yelling threats out to the crowd, swearing they'd slaughter anyone who discriminated the little miko.

 

Her smile widened when Rinku turned a bright smile toward her and winked. “No worries Kagome, we've got your back.”

 

Kagome returned the little boy's smile happily. “Thank you Rinku, I appreciate the help.”

 

“Ok I think that's enough verbal abuse everyone, I'd like to get on to the physical abuse please!” Koto yelled into her microphone.

 

“I agree, so everyone settle down. Team Wakamaru and Team Urameshi, please choose your first fighters.” Juri announced, turning her attention to the opposing teams.

 

Yusuke and his team glanced over to their friends and grinned. Chu and Jin saluted toward them before turning to their comrades. It wasn't long before Wakamaru removed himself from the group and lifted himself onto the platform. Kurama silently stepped forward to join the blonde fighter in the ring. Juri smiled brightly as the two males approached each other before shaking hands tightly.

 

“Let the best man win.” Wakamaru stated with a sly smirk.

 

“Indeed my friend.” Kurama retaliated.

 

“First fight between Teams Wakamaru and Urameshi! Kurama versus Wakamaru… BEGIN!” Juri announced before backing away from the fighters. She remembered how deadly both fighters were in the last tournament and didn't want to remain as close this time around.

 

“I hope you've improved your skills since the last tournament Kurama.” Wakamaru said softly.

 

“I possess the same expectations for you Wakamaru.” the kitsune replied, watching the blonde trickster closely.

 

“Oh I've most definitely improved. I knew I would need to if I wanted another chance to beat you guys.” he smirked before springing forward to strike his opponent. Kurama skillfully dodged but just barely. Wakamaru hadn't been the type for close combat before and favored distance attacks but that definitely wasn't the case anymore apparently. Determined not to be caught off guard again, the avatar examined the blonde demon. Closer observation revealed that he had improved himself physically. His muscles were more defined than before and Kurama scolded himself silently for not realizing that detail sooner.

 

“Damn he's changed up his tactics since we last saw him.” Yusuke muttered as he watched Kurama continue to dodge the multiple attacks Wakamaru would rush at him with.

 

“What do you mean?” Kagome questioned though her eyes never left the battle.

 

“At the last tournament, Wakamaru liked to use tricks, disguises, and weapons with weird powers to win his fights. He avoided hand to hand combat as much as he could.” Kuwabara explained.

 

“That makes sense with how much he worships his physical appearance but why do you think he changed his game up?” Yusuke asked, watching the blonde demon's movements closely.

 

“What do you see onna.” Hiei asked, noticing the slight smile breaking through her concentrated expression. Yusuke and Kuwabara turned their attention to her briefly as well.

 

“Watch Wakamaru; it may look like he's changed his strategy but he hasn't. It's obvious that he still values his appearance because when he rushes in to attack, he quickly distances himself before Kurama has time to retaliate. And he hasn't stopped with his tricks either.” Kagome explained as her trained eyes followed their movements.

 

Hiei, Yusuke, and Kuwabara turned their gazes back to the fight. Kagome was indeed correct with her analysis of Wakamaru's style. He definitely wasn't allowing himself to stay close to Kurama long enough for him to do too much damage if he was able to get a hit in. What confused them though was what Kagome meant when she said he was still using his tricks.

 

“You guys can't see them. Wakamaru planned this quite well but he never expected that you guys would get a miko on your team. This is why it's useful that no one else knows of my powers yet. He's placing traps everywhere and I just hope Kurama's realized that by now.” Kagome said, sensing their confusion.

 

“How come we can't see any of this and you can? He's a demon so anything he dishes out should be visible to all of us except Kuwabara.” Yusuke piped up.

 

“Have you forgotten Karasu's power? We could not see his attacks.” Hiei pointed out. “Mikos can see any type of demonic and spiritual energy whereas there are some that demons cannot detect.”

 

“Precisely.” Kagome nodded, watching as Wakamaru stealthily planted yet another trap. It wouldn't be long before either Kurama stumbled upon one of the traps or he finished the fight. Unfortunately it was not the latter. Yusuke and Kuwabara's eyes widened when Kurama suddenly found he couldn't move his feet. The avatar tried pulling his feet from the ground but it was futile. It was as if his shoes were glued to the ground.

 

Wakamaru grinned triumphantly as he casually stood at the opposite side of the platform. He remembered from the last tournament that Kurama didn't need to move in order to be deadly. He didn't even need his hands but it did leave him at a great disadvantage that he was stuck in one stop. Now all he had to do was get his rose whip away from him and he could win. A small smirk spread across his face when the red head revealed his favored weapon and held it ready to defend himself.

 

“Come on Kurama… think this through. You have to know he's got a plan for your rose whip.” Kagome muttered under her breath, though the guys standing beside her easily heard.

 

“Why can't he move?” Kuwabara asked.

 

“Wakamaru placed small patches of glue in various spots across the platform. It's obvious that he cannot see them just as you guys can't but he's placed them in places he will remember. His movements are quick and calculated meaning he takes note of all the traps' locations.” Kagome informed them.

 

“Well played, he has improved but how is he possibly going to get the rose whip away?” Yusuke asked, his attention completely on the fight. Wakamaru was rushing in for quick attacks just as he was in the beginning but he couldn't get anywhere near Kurama. With his quick reflexes and his deadly whip, the avatar was practically untouchable.

 

“I'm not sure but it's obvious that he has a plan…”

 

As if on cue, a wave of gasps could be heard from the crown when Kurama's whip suddenly got caught. The very tip of it was stuck to the ground on the opposite side of the platform just as his feet were. After a few tugs, Kurama dropped his weapon and focused his complete attention on the blonde trickster. Little did he know, the avatar had a plan the entire time. Once he realized his feet were stuck to the ground, he knew exactly how to defeat Wakamaru.

 

Kurama kept his expression unreadable as Wakamaru smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you going to do now Kurama? You have no weapon and you can't move. You could try using your seeds but I know that all the most deadly ones need either time or something else to sprout.”

 

“I must admit this was well thought out Wakamaru.” Kurama stated calmly.

 

“Why thank you, so do I need to take you down or are you going to just surrender?” He asked, hoping his friend and opponent would go down easy. He didn't want to actually harm him and he knew Kurama didn't want to hurt him either.

 

“I cannot back down, you will have to beat me.”

 

Sighing heavily, the clueless demon rushed toward Kurama for the last time and intended to knock him out but was caught by surprise when the avatar suddenly jumped to the side. Before he could react, Kurama kicked him out of the ring. Quickly standing, Wakamaru was about to leap back onto the platform but nearly shrieked when he realized he couldn't move. Kurama used his power over plants to force the roots to hold him in place… outside the boundaries.

 

“Well I'll start the count then I guess.” Juri murmured as she stared at the struggling blonde demon. “1…2…3”

 

“This isn't fair! I was so close!” Wakamaru whined.

 

“4…5…6…7.”

 

“How did you possibly escape? This just isn't fair!”

 

“8…9.”

 

“I failed again, how disappointing.” Wakamaru sighed, giving up on fighting against his restrains.

 

“10! Wakamaru is out of the ring for more than ten counts so Kurama is the winner!” Juri said into her microphone.

 

“Boo! Where's the blood!?” several demons complained.

 

“Kill the traitor!” others yelled.

 

Kagome glared at the demon crowd as Kurama rejoined them calmly. She briefly noticed him release Wakamaru and smile toward the demon before he ventured toward his team to sulk silently. The nerve of these demons… and to think that she was trying to save their lives from Kikyou. Did they even deserve her help? Probably not but there was nothing she could do. If Kikyou won this tournament then every single demon would suffer, including the ones she cared for.

 

`The crowd is bothering her.' Youko murmured when Kurama's gaze landed on Kagome.

 

He rolled his eyes. `I'm not a complete idiot Youko; I can read her almost as clearly as you can.'

 

“Just let it go Kagome, don't let them get to you.” Kurama told her quietly as he pulled her into his arms for a quick embrace before releasing her.

 

“I bet they'd appreciate us more if they knew we were here trying to save their pathetic asses.” she growled, quite well for a human.

 

Yusuke sighed. “If you think this is bad, just wait til they find out that not only are you a miko but that there's two mikos in this competition. There's going to be a riot.”

 

“It will be even worst since they all know we're courting her.” Kurama pointed out.

 

“We'll kill anyone who tries to harm her.” Hiei stated simply. “And so will Inuyasha, Jin and the others.”

 

“Teams, please choose your next fighters!” Koto yelled into the speaker, gaining everyone's attention. They turned their gazes to the opposing team and awaited their decision before sending out their next fighter. Yusuke sighed as Rinku hopped up and skipped over to stand near Juri. Kagome rolled her eyes and placed a quick kiss on his cheek before pushing his forward. Rinku grinned up at Yusuke as he dragged himself across the platform.

 

“I'll make this challenging for you Yusuke, don't worry.”

 

“I hope so kid, I haven't had a decent fight yet.”

 

“Rinku from Team Wakamaru against Yusuke from Team Urameshi, let the fight begin!” Koto cheered.

 

“I'm not gunna go easy on you kid.” Yusuke warned as he cracked his knuckles.

 

“It wouldn't be any fun if you held back.” Rinku grinned as he dropped into a defensive stance.

 

Both teams watched in boredom as Rinku and Yusuke switched from defensive to offensive over and over again. Everyone knew the young demon didn't have a chance against the spirit detective. Yusuke defeated several of the most powerful demons to ever exist and Rinku's skills were nowhere near comparable. After watching the fight for a few more minutes, it was obvious that Yusuke wasn't being serious and was humoring Rinku by not beating him quickly.

 

Kagome relocated herself a few feet away from her team when she noticed Yusuke was preparing to end the fight, ignoring the questioning looks from her teammates. Just as she'd called it, the detective delivered a powerful kick that knocked Rinku into the air and straight for Kagome. The miko caught him effortlessly and sighed when she realized the small boy was unconscious. Sighing to herself, she held him securely in her arms and turned toward his fellow teammates.

 

“Hold onto him sweetheart! He'll be in a much happier mood to wake up in your arms rather than over here.” Chu grinned.

 

Kagome laughed softly and nodded before making her way back to her team as Juri announced Yusuke the winner. Glaring at the detective, she smacked him over the head once she was within range. “Did you have to kick him so hard?!”

 

“I'm sorry! I told him I wouldn't go easy on him!” Yusuke muttered back, rubbing his head where she'd hit him.

 

Rolling her eyes, she repositioned Rinku in her arms so she could stand comfortably and watch the next fight while holding him. Before Juri even requested for the next fighters to step forth, Chu was already making his way over to her. Hiei silently followed suit and met the tall demon at the center of the ring.

 

“This should be interesting.” Touya mused.

 

“No doubt about that.” Jin agreed.

 

“Well hello there Hiei, don't you go holdin back on me now.” Chu grinned, swaying on his unstable feet.

 

Hiei merely nodded as Juri brought the microphone to her lips. “Alright Hiei versus Chu! Let the fight begin!”

 

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A/N:

 

That wraps up chapter seventeen! WOW this is the longest fic I've ever wrote… jeez I hope everyone is enjoying it! It's taking forever to finish… but eh as long as it's good. R&R please!

 

~*Icyfire*~

 

Next chapter - Chapter Eighteen: Tender Adoration