Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Right Here Waiting For You ❯ Chapter 52 ( Chapter 52 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

~*~*~*Story Start*~*~*~


“Before we proceed, lets go over what we know about our enemy,” Kurama said, grabbing our attention.


Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke, Botan, Genkai, Yana, Kaito, a blonde haired boy I've never seen before, and I stood around in a circle. I stood between Hiei and Kurama, listening intently on what was going to be said, as I've been gone for three days and apparently a lot has happened since I left. It made me annoyed and obviously angry, if I had stayed with them at the Mansion and went out with them then I probably would have had a better chance of helping Kuwabara and he wouldn't have been in this mess to begin with. My fist clenched tightly by my sides, but I kept the look of anger and guilt off my face, now wasn't the time. Once we find Sensui, that brat and the huge guy that tried to eat me then I would let off this steam by bashing their fucking faces in for taking my friend.


“We know that there were seven of them to begin with. Yusuke took out Doctor,” Kurama spoke up once again, knocking me out of my thoughts and back into the conversation at hand.


“And I did away with Sniper,” Hiei added.


“Yes.” Kurama nodded. “Seven minus two leaves five,” he stated.


Botan gestured to the blond haired ningen that stood before me in the circle. “And Mitarai's with us now, which leaves just four,” she pointed out,  I quickly took note of the new boys name, and the fact that he had once been the enemy.


“We know they'll head back to Demon's Door Cave,” Kurama informed with a serious gaze in his eyes. “That's where we'll go to intercept them and retrieve Kuwabara.”


Yusuke crossed his arms. “Oh? We're done sitting on our asses waiting patiently?” he asked sarcastically.


“Stick a sock in it, you impulsive twit,” Genkai snapped in annoyance, glaring at her apprentice who decided to ignore the heat of her stare and the tone of her voice, while I couldn't help but smile. Man I missed this. “The tunnel opens in two days, your sarcasm won't close it any faster.”


“But that's four days earlier than our team in Reikai was estimating,” Botan pointed out, frowning.


I groaned. “Hurray.”


“Yeah.” Yana nodded in agreement with me. “Why do they keep moving up the deadline? It's like every day the tunnel's growing faster,” he said, his eyes narrowing in confusion.


Kurama frowned, eyes narrowing at the news. “When a psychic tampers with the sort of power Itsuki has there is a tendency to be overpowered  and lose control,” he pointed out, and that didn't help put me at ease about the tunnel either.


“Now that you mention it he did say its going faster than he thought,”Mitarai jumped into the conversation. “Like the tunnel has a life of its own, and wants to grow.”


“Or you could tell how fasts its going just by looking at our fair city.” Kaito fixed his glasses with a troubled frown on his lips at that, and I was happy to know that this guy wasn't acting like an obnoxious jerk anymore. That's one good thing about me leaving I guess, I didn't have to listen to any comments he made. “Well...once fair,” he mumbled.


Kurama's eyes swept over all of us. “All the more reason for us to storm the cave now before the Gateway can expand any wider, especially now that they have Kuwabara.” I flinched when I heard that last part, guilt flickering across my face, dammit me I just had to get myself into trouble only for Kuwabara to get me out of it like a child. “If they can use his new found power to cut through dimensions and release the higher youkai, we're done. Or I seriously doubt Kuwabara would ever willingly help Sensui,” he stated.


My face paled once those words left Kurama's lips, and my stomach churned painfully as a wave of nausea washed over me. Oh, god... I was glad that I held my feet firmly on the ground or I would have swayed in my spot. I just single handedly brought upon the end of the world, or I might to be more accurate, because of my fucking inability to hold my own in a fight against these super powered ningens. Sweat trickled down my temple, remembering that Kuwabara has a new power that can CUT through dimensions. If they were able to somehow make Kuwabara use that power of his, which I really doubt, then there will be nothing for us to do to stop the end of Ningenkai. However, to keep myself from causing myself an anxiety attack, I thought about the last thing Kurama said. Kuwabara would never willingly help Sensui, so that means that there is a really big chance that they won't be able to make the cut. ...Right?


I relaxed a bit, but only a little bit. “Yeah, we don't have to worry about Kuwabara cutting through the dimension to Makai, one less thing to worry about,” I said with a forced grin on my lips.


“But they don't need him to because they have Gourmet,” Mitarai informed me.


Now I was confused. “Who?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.


“Right.” Kurama nodded, and apparently my question is going unanswered... “According to Mitarai they're most likely going to have Gourmet eat his powers so that he can then use to break the Kekkai Barrier,” he informed us all, but that didn't really help considering I didn't know who that was.  


“I saw him do it once and it was the most horrific thing I had ever seen,” Mitarai spoke up again, making us look at him. “He consumes their abilities by literally eating them whole while they're still alive.”


Botan let out a shout of disgust while I paled again. Oh no...


Yusuke turned to Mitarai, raising an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. “Does he at least put something on 'em? Mustard? Chili?” he asked, and I wasn't sure if he was kidding or not, but I didn't really care, it was NOT funny.


“No, he just eats them,” Mitarai explained. “Once they're inside him their powers become his, his Territory exists entirely within his stomach.”


I buried my face in my hands. “Oh, I'm so fucking stupid,” I mumbled pitifully.


Everyone turned to me, some narrowing their eyes in confusion, while some had their eyes narrowed in concern. “What's wrong, Kira?” Kurama asked, placing his hand on my shoulder, and I looked up at him with guilt ridden eyes, the anguish easily able to be seen on my entire face. I can't believe how very fucking stupid I am.


“I was the reason they got Kuwabara, the reason GOURMET'S got Kuwabara,” I stressed with a frown.


Yusuke's eyes narrowed even more. “Oh yeah, you said something like that while you and I were running after Kuwabara and the those psychics, minus the Gourmet part of course. Care to explain?” he asked.


I really wanted to kill myself for doing this to Kuwabara. “Kurama, you remember me being thrown through that wall in that garage thing right? When you were with Keiko before you two saw Kuwabara being taken in that truck?” I asked, looking down at the ground, not seeing someone's gaze narrow dangerously.


Kurama nodded. “Yes.”


“Gourmet did that,” I mumbled.


“What?!” Mitarai asked, his eyes widening in shock. “You actually got away from him? How did he not eat you?”


I flinched. “That's were Kuwabara comes in...” I looked up, and I saw a lot of stares telling me to go on. “I'll start at the beginning,” I mumbled looking down once again, my fists clenching at my side once again.


Genkai rolled her eyes. “Should have done that in the first place,” she said.


I ignored her. “I used my Portal of Shadows to get back to Ningenkai because Koenma phoned me to, and I appeared in that garage place. Kuwabara was in there with this little kid and Gourmet, and Gourmet tried to get Kuwabara with this freaky, worm finger attack (shut up Yusuke). I deflected it, fought him, but got caught and like Mitarai said about Gourmet's victims, I was almost eaten whole.” I shivered at the memory from this morning, the fear still clear in my head as it was in my body. “Kuwabara made a deal with them, he would go with them to Sensui if Gourmet and the little kid would let me leave alive. Gourmet agreed, through me through the wall, and you know what happened after that...” I trailed off, eyes closed tightly.


“You...you were almost eaten?” Botan asked, eyes wide.


I shuddered again. “It wasn't fun, the scariest fucking thing that's ever happened to me,” I mumbled.


“Shit,” Yusuke said, running his hand through his hair. “This is just getting worse and worse, now isn't it?” he asked, his eyes narrowing even further as the information processed itself in his mind.


“I'm sorry,” I said quietly, looking down.


Yusuke sighed, putting his hand on my head, making me look up at him. “Hey, its not your fault, besides I'd be surprised if Kuwabara didn't do something like that. He likes to be the good guy,” he muttered, a frown returning to his lips. Obviously worried about the idiotic red head we all were missing.


A silence fell over the whole group, no-one knowing what to say at all. I just looked down once again, Yusuke taking his hand back. Despite Yusuke saying it wasn't my fault I knew it was, and narrowed my eyes, wanting nothing more than to punch holes through these fuckers faces for putting Kuwabara in such a situation. Kuwabara was the most innocent person out of this whole group and they want him to be responsible for millions of deaths? Kuwabara's never even killed anyone, even when he was faced against stronger opponents then him, and I don't know what would become of him if he were to survive while the rest of mankind didn't. The guilt would be too horrible. Oh, Kuwabara, I'm so sorry...


“There goes that old familiar wind again,” Hiei spoke up breaking the silence, closing his eyes as a breeze went by. “I think two days is overly optimistic.”


Yusuke suddenly got a smirk on his face, although his fists clenched tightly as he rose them. “I guess that means its time for me to kick a little ass,” he said, both of them bringing the conversation back to where it was suppose to be.


“Down boy.” Genkai stared at Yusuke blankly. “Before you go getting all dimwitted and fist-happy we should send a small group to scout out the cave. Yusuke, Kurama, Hiei, Kira, you'll be the first wave.” We had no objections. “That way just incase you all get killed while you're down in there the rest of the world still has a chance of surviving this disaster. We'll be the second line of defense, hang back here, see how it goes,” she explained, and I was happy with being in the first wave. I'll be able to rescue Kuwabara this time.


Mitarai stepped forward, holding up a hand. “Pardon me, Master Genkai, but shouldn't I go, too? To show them the way? Inside that cave its a maze, and I know it better than anyone else here,” he explained.


“Uh, why the hell should we trust you?” Hiei asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.


I smacked Hiei's arm. “Hiei! Be nice,” I hissed, giving him a glare of disapproval while he ignored me. Ass.


Mitarai's eyes had widened at Hiei's blunt question before he looked down. “Because I'm also indebted to Mr. Kuwabara as much as  Ms. Kira is,” he said causing me to widen my eyes, and I watched as Mitarai looked over at Yusuke, each of them holding the others gaze.


*So, Kuwabara saved Mitarai's life, too?* I thought in confusion.


I looked back between the two that continued to stare at each other, before Yana walked over to Yusuke. “Urameshi, you want me to run a polygraph on him with my Copy Technique?”  he asked.


Yusuke waved Yana off, walking over to Mitarai his eyes softening at the boy slightly as he placed his hand on Mitarai's shoulder, making him gasp in surprise. “You're all right, lets go,” he said, and I couldn't help but smile at Yusuke. It seems like the impulsive, reckless fourteen year old I met a year ago was starting to really become a leader. Well, as serious as Yusuke can get, I guess...


“I won't let you down,” Mitarai said, a smile playing across his lips.


“Yusuke!” Genkai suddenly snapped. “Recall the last time you raced into something without thinking?”


Yusuke and I rose an eyebrow at the old pink haired woman. “Which time was that?” we both asked at the same time, and I had to stop myself from letting out a laugh at that. Ha.


“Shut up, Kira,” Yusuke growled, an irk mark on his temple.


“Oh, you love me and you know it,” I teased with a grin, not noticing someone glaring at my back.


Yusuke rolled his eyes at me before he turned back to Genkai, and crossed his arms, looking up as he recalled what Genkai had told him to do. “Oh!” The Spirit Detective jumped, recognition in his eyes as he pointed towards Yana and Kaito. “You mean when these guys' group captured me,” he said, remembering.


“That's right,” Genkai said, crossing her arms. “So, looking back, Yusuke, what lessons can we take with us from that experience and hopefully apply to this next one?”


“Oh, don't get caught.” Yusuke smirked down at his teacher, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at that cocky look in his eyes. “Yeah, I'll keep that little pearl of wisdom in mind when I'm kicking Sensui's ass,” he said before he motioned Hiei, Kurama, Mitarai and I after him, heading to the direction of the cave that I saw behind them when Hiei, Yusuke and I got here not that long ago.


“Idiot,” I heard Genkai mumble from behind us, making me smirk. Ha.


~*~*~*~*~


Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke, Mitarai and I stood before the large mouth of the cave, a broken down fence sitting in front of it with a warning sign attached. On the side of the cave was the familiar green truck that Kuwabara had been kidnapped it, and I couldn't help but frown at it. However, I was snapped out of my thoughts when a clap of thunder met my sensitive ears, a flash of yellow quickly covering the area as the loud rumble rolled off into the distance. I liked thunder and lightning and all, but sometimes I don't need it in a situation that is stressing me it out. It isn't good for my health at all, thank you.


“Well, that's definitely the truck they took Kuwabara in,” Yusuke said, eying the truck as well.


Hiei looked around at the Demon's Door Cave, an expressionless look on his face like always. “So, this is the entrance to Hell, its drearier than I expected,” he said, and I wasn't sure if he was being sarcastic or not, his tone matching his expression.


I rolled my eyes. “'Cause the place where the damned are tormented for all eternity because of the horrible sins they committed in life is so suppose to be cheerful and happy,' I said sarcastically.


Hiei glanced over at me blankly. “Shut up, Onna,” he said bluntly.


I only stuck my tongue out at him.


“Mitarai,” Kurama called, breaking Hiei and I from our 'argument'. “Approximately how long should it take to get to Itsuki?”


Mitarai turned to the red haired kitsune with a serious look on his face, obviously holding true to his word to Yusuke. “If we proceed quickly, but with caution, it should take us about two hours to get there,” he stated.


“What?!” Yusuke and I shouted, our eyes wide.


Mitarai didn't pay us any mind. “That is if we don't encounter any problems along the way,” he added.


I frowned. “Great,” I muttered.


“Well?” Yusuke looked at all four of us, seeing none of us making a move towards the cave. “What are we waiting for?!” he shouted with an irk mark on his temple, and I couldn't help but stare at him blankly.


“For you to stop talking,” Hiei retorted easily.


Yusuke ignored him. “Well, lets go!” he said with a determined look on his face, and I covered up a laugh.


We all began walking towards the cave, and I glanced over at Hiei with a smirk falling on my lips. *It looks like I'm rubbing off on you, Hiei, you're never really sarcastic with people,” I thought with my head held  up with pride, that's right I got Hiei to start acting like me! Take that!


{Great,} Hiei muttered lowly.


*See! I use 'Great' all the time! Yes, I'm converting you over to my side!* I grinned happily now.


{Excuse me, Onna, while I go kill myself,} Hiei said blank look.


I got an irk mark on my temple and sent my balled up hand into Hiei's stomach, earning a satisfying -yet quiet- grunt from Hiei who through me a glare, an irk mark pulsing. *Take that you asshole, you don't get cookies now!* I thought giving him a glare back, crossing my arms with a pout on my lips. Jerk, I would seriously give him cookies, too!


Hiei only sweat dropped.


Minutes later he darkness of the cave would have left a normal ningen completely blind, but thankfully for my youkai eye sight I was still able to see well enough to maneuver my way around rocks or anything that could trip me. However, I stayed close to the others, remembering that one of the psychics could be somewhere in this tunnel, and I really didn't want Gourmet to get his freaky hands on me and finish what he started to do. That sent a shiver up and down my spine, a frown tugging at my lips. Great, if we don't kill that fucker I don't think I'll be comfortable in the dark ever again. I practically live in the dark, I'm half fucking Shadow Youkai goddammit! Deny me my peace of mind in my natural habitat will you?! Castration is in your future you goddamn bastard!


And death!


Death by castration!


{Onna,} Hiei suddenly called to me.


I blinked, looking over at him with a confused look on my face.


Hiei's right eye was twitching in annoyance. {Refrain from projecting every thought that comes to mind. You're idiotic thoughts are driving me insane,} he thought, an irk mark beginning to pulse on his temple.


I blinked once again, not noticing that we all came to a stop before a fork in the road...cave... I continued to stare at Hiei before I realized what he said and laughter broke free from my lips, my words coming back to me. Those visuals must have been painful, and I felt bad, but I still couldn't control myself or my laughter. Yusuke, Kurama and Mitarai all looked at each other in confusion, but when they all shrugged to indicate they had no idea they turned back to me and sweat dropped  while Hiei was trying to control himself, keeping his hand from striking me upside the head. Although he really wanted to right now...


“Kira?” Kurama asked uncertainly, probably fearing for my sanity right now about now, and even I couldn't blame him. “What are you laughing at?”


All I did was laugh harder.


“Hiei?” Kurama asked, casting a blank look over to the fire youkai.


Hiei's right eye twitched even more, his fists clenching in annoyance. “Nothing, she's just being an idiot. Like always,” he said, throwing me a glare, he was NEVER going to be with me in a cave ever again, apparently the lack of activity was making me amused by the most simplistic things.


My laughter immediately died and I straightened up, making Kurama, Yusuke and Mitarai move away from me, especially when they saw the look that was on my face. Poor Mitarai, not even an hour with me and he already knew to stay away from me when I was 'mad'. An anime mad face was there, and only Hiei was brave enough to stand his ground, and this time that proved to be a bad thing. The next thing he knew the back of my fist hit him in the same exact spot that it had hit before we went into the cave a few minute earlier. Another grunt met my ears, as well as the others, and Hiei couldn't help but place his hand over the 'wounded' spot. I can hit pretty hard when I want to, but that wasn't even that hard, I just aimed it well. Asshole! However, I smirked when I heard Yusuke let out laugh as well, obviously enjoying the satisfying noise of slight discomfort from Hiei. Hiei, although, sent a murderous glare at the poor boy.


“U-uh...hahaha...” Yusuke laughed nervously, placing his gaze on the two split paths before us. “Which way?”


Mitarai only had to look for a second. “To the right.”


Kurama began to dig in his pockets, catching all of our attention with the sound of his clothes rustling. Pulling his hand out of his pockets we all saw a small, yellow glowing seed between his fingers. Kurama threw the seed over his shoulder,  and once it landed on the ground roots exploded and sank into the ground, while a bulb like bud appeared on the rich green stem. Light produced from bulb, illuminating a small patch of the cave and I blinked in surprise and awe at Kurama. He has to be the smartest guy I have ever met in my entire life, again, thank god he is on our side because I don't know what this team would do without him.


“Spreading your seeds, Kurama?” Yusuke asked jokingly.


I stared at the boy blankly. “My god, does everything that falls out of your mouth relate to sex?” I asked.


Yusuke opened his mouth.


“Oh, shut up!” I shouted with an irk mark.


Kurama cleared his voice, this time breaking Yusuke and I from our argument. “These are Lamp Weeds, they're to show us the way out like...phosphorescent bread crumbs,” he said with a blank look on his face.


“Assuming of course that we live to come back,” Hiei added cynically.


“Well, aren't we cheerful,” I asked sarcastically, a sweat drop going down the back of my head.


Hiei just shrugged.


I rolled my eyes.


Kurama let out a small laugh, smirking over at the two of us but before we could notice he turned around and began walking in the direction Mitarai had said to go in a few moments ago. Seeing him start to go the rest of us followed his example, the walk turning quiet with none of us saying a word. Through the course of the walk Kurama kept throwing seeds down for our path, and we stopped when we came to another fork in the road, and I could tell that we were only going to see more of them. It was a good thing Kurama has those Lamp Weeds.


“And here we go, that way,” Mitarai said, pointing to the right tunnel.


Yusuke narrowed his eyes, but not at the blond haired boy. “Mitarai, I don't know what we would have done without you here, this place has more forks than one of those fancy table settings. We better hope those lights don't burn out or we'll be wandering around here through our mid-twenties,” he said with a frown.


Mitarai turned to him. “Don't be worried, I won't let us get lost,” he promised.


“We should go,” Kurama stated.


We all turned to each other and nodded, heading towards the right tunnel, Kurama planting seeds along the way. The minutes dragged on, I was sure that an hour hadn't passed already, and I was getting sick and tired of walking around a very dark cave  with nothing to do. I was getting bored so easily that it wasn't even funny and I swear I was going to cry out of boredom soon. We weren't even half-way into the cave as far as I knew, only making me more depressed than I already was about this. However, if it meant that I would be able to save Kuwabara and thank him for saving my life then I would keep quiet about it for now.


“We should be coming across a large cavern, once we pass that we'll be about half-way there.” Mitarai  bringing me out of my depressed and bored thoughts. Thank. God. However, when Mitarai gasped I had to suppress a groan, oh no. “Hold on!” he shouted with wide eyes, holding out his arms to stop us.


“Whats wrong?” Yusuke asked, us stopping on a dime.


Mitarai narrowed his eyes before us. “See that door?” He pointed ahead and we all followed. “There isn't suppose to be any doorway there!” he said, his eyes narrowing.


My eyes took in the sight of the door before me, and I narrowed my eyes at it. It was a tall door with a curved top, and it was made of rusted iron. There was a large capital 'G' in the middle, it being cut in the middle thanks to the double door. If there wasn't suppose to be a doorway up ahead then what the hell was this? Did he somehow take us the wrong way? No...I don't think this kid would lie to us, he seems too innocent for that. Was this a Territory? That was the only thing I could think of and considering this left a lot to the imagination I was incredibly nervous, who knows what could be behind that door. However, I snapped out of my thoughts and walked with the boys when they headed and stopped in front of said door, looking up at it with narrowed eyes.


“Perhaps...we took a wrong turn?” Kurama suggest, slightly confused.


I threw my hands up in mock happiness. “Hurray, we have to go back and waste another hour of our life!” I shouted sarcastically, a blank look on my face. PFF.


Mitarai shook his head, his eyes narrowing even more at the door. “No, I'm sure of it, we've done everything right this, door's a new edition. And I would be willing to bet that absolutely nothing good can be lying behind it,” he said, and I swallowed thickly, my body tensing at the sound of that. Great.


“Hm, that's odd...” Yusuke putt his hand to his chin. “I know I've seen this door somewhere before but I just can't remember where!” He put a hand to his head, eyes narrowing in concentration as we watched him.  “Come on, give me a break! I've seen it recently so it can't be the school gate!” I had to suppress an eye roll at that, watching him as he crossed his arms now, fidgeting to remember a clue. “Why can't I figure this one out?! Where the hell have I seen this damn door?!” he shouted angrily as he pointed at it.


“Welcome to Goblin City--”


At the sound of the new, loud voice coming from the door, I jumped back. “What the fuck?!” I shouted with wide eyes, my heart beating rapidly and only Yusuke gasped, the others staying silent and still.


“--where your team of seven heroes must clash iron with the evil Goblin King, and restore peace to the town.”


Kurama blinked. “That's peculiar,” he said, not sure how to react.


Yusuke gasped once again, but this time in remembrance, and I turned to him but casted a weary glance at the door when I did. “Oh yeah, of course! I've seen it a million times! That's the gate of Goblin City!” he shouted as he pointed at the door, his eyes wide.


“Goblin City?” Hiei asked, raising an eyebrow.


“And what the hell is that?” I asked as well, repeating Hiei's exact words from the Dark Tournament.


Kurama turned to us two, and I had to stop the pout that wanted to come to my lips, its always Hiei and I being out the loop isn't it? “Its a popular arcade game,” he explained briefly.


“Uh...?” I mumbled.


Yusuke, however, ignored me. “Uh-huh, it's not any video game, it's THE video game. You've gotta kill the Goblin King, whose like this master of every single game, but what's so sweet about it is that it combines all the different kinds of games into one. Sports, fighting, trivia, puzzles and so on. The King challenges you to different games at random, and you've got to beat him four out of seven to free Goblin City. Of course, that doesn't explain why its come to life in a cave,” he finished, raising an eyebrow at the door.


“Amanuma,” Mitarai spoke up. “He IS the Game Master.”


“Welcome to my Territory.”


At the sound of the young boy's voice from behind the door Mitarai narrowed his eyes. “Oh yeah, that's him all right,” he said with a sneer on his lips, obviously not liking the boy.


“The rules of the game are the rules of my Territory, and the rules of my Territory are the rules of the game,” Amanuma spoke once again, and I could already tell that I was going to want to bash this kids head in very quickly. He sounded like a goddamn brat, and I had a hunch who that might be.


A worried frown now appeared on Mitarai's lips. “If his Territory's the game then we can't even enter that door unless we fit into the game somehow, and unfortunately we have to pass through there if we want to get to where Itsuki is and save Mr. Kuwabara from Gourmet,” he said, and I frowned as well.


Yusuke got an annoyed look on his face. “Does fitting in mean we got to dress up like medieval knights? 'Cause I left my shield in my closet,” he said sarcastically.


“I don't understand any of this!” I shouted in a whine, what the hell are medieval knights dammit?!


“I can't see how many players are out there but your team must have seven heroes to clash iron with me!” Amanuma shouted from the door.


Yusuke glared at the door in annoyance. “We've got enough heroes to beat you four times out of seven!”


“The rules say seven!” Amanuma shouted back.


Mitarai frowned, looking over at the black haired Spirit Detective. “We have no choice but to follow every guideline, that's the only way we're going to get through that door,” he explained, while I was quickly growing fed up with this Territory and we haven't even got in it yet.


Kurama nodded. “Yes, it doesn't seem he's going to be very flexible with the rule that we be a party of seven,” he said with a serious gaze, his lips pressed into a thin line.


“Seven, there must be seven heroes to clash iron with me!” Amanuma shouted.


Yusuke and I glared at the door this time. “Shut up!”


Kurama turned back to the door as well. “They must have guessed we'd be cautious and enter as a small group at first and designed this to get us all in here together,” he said with a frown.


“I'll just follow your light thingies and run back to get two from the outside,” Yusuke suggested.


“It's too dangerous for you to go alone,” Kurama said, shaking his head. “We'll loose precious time but it's not as though we can move any further.”


“Crap,” Yusuke whined, slouching over.


I couldn't help but follow his example. “I hate ningen games,” I mumbled.


“Shut up, Kira,” Yusuke muttered, throwing me a glare.


I sent him a look as well, making both of us hold the others gaze. “Make me, Yusuke,” I said, not about to back down from him. Hell, I don't even back down from Hiei and that's not a smart thing to do!


Yusuke suddenly smirked. “You don't want to say that, remember I'm not afraid to touch you,” he grinned.


“Oh yeah,” I said blushing, before a smirk came to my lips. “Kurama! Yusuke groped me!”


The next thing Yusuke knew, both Kurama and Hiei punched Yusuke upside the head, sending him sailing down the dark cave. He landed with a thud as he slid across the floor, a trail of dust being created behind him as he kept going. Only when he stop did he let out a groan of pain, while I smirked in victory. He thinks he can hold that over my head? I got Hiei AND Kurama on my side, little brat.


~*~*~*~*~


An hour later we got to Genkai and the others, and once we got the two we doubled back, another hour awaiting us. I was seriously about to shoot myself in the head, finding that to be more enjoyable than this fucking walk that we had to keep doing! Three times we walked this goddamn gave, and I swear if Amanuma has another thing that we have to do I'm blowing down the fucking door and shoving my foot through his face! However, thankfully my anger simmered down when we finally reached the door once again, eight of us in total and I was glad that it was seven or more or I don't think I would have been able to go with them into the room. I can't play games considering I've never played them before in my life.


“Best laid plans,” Genkai said sarcastically looking up at the door before her.


Yusuke stepped forward. “We're seven, now where do we stick the quarter?” he asked sarcastically as well, and I had to stop myself from smirking at the two of them. Like master, like student. How cute. Ha.


“Welcome to Goblin City, where your team of seven heroes must clash iron with the evil Goblin King and restore peace to the town.”


The original, deeper voice, of the door spoke and I had to suppress and eye roll at it. That was really starting to get old, really fast. However, keeping my comments to myself, I watched with the others as the doors to 'Goblin City' opened up, spreading a blinding white light over us, making me wince ever so slightly considering how long we've been walking in a very dim cave for over two hours. The next thing we knew we stood in a green blinking room that made my eyes hurt even more, and a large yellow sign with a green 'G' in the middle appeared before us, and the room bled away to a more eye resting room. Thankfully. Inside the room was a piped walls, tiled floors, a large TV screen, a rectangular machine before the screen,  and two other things on the side of the room that I didn't care enough to make out. Yes, I'm lazy, shut up.


“Not in Mushiyori anymore,” Yusuke said with a blink of his eyes.


I shook my head. “Nope.”


“You're in my Territory now,” Amanuma's voice spoke, a smirk easily heard in his young voice. “Sure took you long enough to find seven people, sheesh even I've  got six friends.”


We all looked over when we heard Amanuma's voice, and a light flashed on, a golden light showering over the familiar looking young boy as he sat in a chair wearing a green hooded, horned cloak. His face was shadowed by the horned hood, and I had to raise an eyebrow at that. What the hell was he wearing? Did ningen children usually wear weird clothing like that around in Ningenkai? If so then they really need to rethink their style cause that's just dumb.


“You're telling me that that's the Game Master? But he's just a little pipsqueak!” Yusuke shouted.


Amanuma smirked despite that. “I may be small, but when it comes to video games my talents huge. So, lets play shall we?” he asked, a glint in his eyes that made me a bit unnerved. Usually, from what I saw, ningen children are suppose to be innocent, but this kid is obviously not. He does want to kill everyone...


“Hey Yusuke, what's that?” I asked, pointing to a machine in the corner of the room.


 Yusuke looked down at me. “That big slot machine looking thing over there?” he asked, pointing over near Amanuma.


I nodded, looking over as the rest of us did, and we saw a multicolored box that had a slant on the top. On the slant there were three rectangular shapes boarded by a light blue frame. Inside the shapes were a question mark, and on the side of the slot machine was a lever. Next to the slot machine was a brown skinned...goblin? He was wearing baggy green pants, a yellow sash around his abdomen and yellow pointed shoes that curved backwards, a dagger inside the sash. I blinked, well ningen really have strange things in their world, don't they? ...But it's actually kind of cool, I just wish that we couldn't die from it though.


“That picks the category, game type and difficulty level,” Yusuke explained briefly.


"Ooh," I mumbled.


Kurama decided to pick up from there. “It's teamwork, each of us seven heroes may play one game only. We must win four games to beat the Goblin King,” he explained, better than Yusuke. But he tried.


“Who is played by me!” Amanuma said. “Now stop dawdling so I can finally pull the lever and we can play!”


“Chill out, kid!” Yusuke shouted in annoyance. “Give us a minute!”


Amanuma glared, and I briefly worried that we'd have a tantrum on our hands. “But I don't want to give you a minute! This is my Territory, I say I wanna play now,  we play now,” he said lowly, his eyes darkening dangerously, but I only rolled my eyes at him.


“I'm really beginning to hate this kid,” Yusuke said through clenched teeth, clenching a fist.


“Agreed,” I mumbled, crossing my arms.


“I always thought if the Goblin King was a kid he'd be this way,” Kaito added his two cents in boredly.


Kurama shook his head. “Never mind him, we need to develop a strategy. Now, who among us has played Goblin City before?” he asked, looking around at all of us while we turned to him.


Hiei and I were out.


“Ooh! I have!” Yusuke shouted happily as he raised a hand. “I have all the time!”


“I as well,” Kaito said.


Mitarai turned to Kurama. “I play it from time to time, too.”


A smile formed on Kurama's lips, and I let out a sigh of relief, that's good or we would have been screwed. “Excellent, that's four of us including myself,” he said, obviously very pleased with the turn out.


“Make that five,” Genkai spoke up.


“We're not talking about Pong here, Grandma,” Yusuke pointed out, looking down at his teacher.


Genkai smirked up at Yusuke despite his old age crack. “You think I've been playing Solitaire the last fifty years?” she asked with a raised eyebrow, and I was completely lost again. Pong? Solitaire? What the fuck are these ningen games?! I hate this!


“All right, so out of all of us here who has actually beaten the game?” Kurama asked.


Yusuke got a sheepish look on his face, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, to tell you the truth I'm kind of hung up in the middle somewhere,” he said, a bit embarrassed.


“I've only gotten to the ending just a couple of times,” Genkai answered bluntly.


“You've really gotten that far, Grandma?!” Yusuke asked with a gasp, his eyes widening as a sweat drop went down his temple. Ha.


Genkai gave a peace sign.  


“On my home system I can win 76% of the time,” Kaito said, smirking as he glanced over at Kurama, and I rolled my eyes. “But I'm sure that's no comparison to the success rate of the great Shuichi is it?”


“No.” Kurama shook his head. “That's about my skill level,” he corrected.


Yusuke held his head, a look of disbelieve on his face. “Damn, I did set the game's record for suckiest!”


“Still, those scores were all against the real Goblin King,” Kurama pointed out. “The Game Master must be an even stronger player.”


“Or else why would he have chosen this game to recreate in his Territory?” Kaito added.


“Exactly.” Kurama nodded, and I was really getting confused with all of this game talk. “But before we even challenge the Goblin King we must defeat three lower goblins,” he reminded us, and I hoped that was the last of this conversation so we could get the hell out of this damn Territory.


“Bored now!” Amanuma informed us. “I'm spinning the slots and you can't stop me!”


Kurama nodded to Amanuma. “That's just fine.” He was completely calm while I had an irk mark on head, but I stopped when we got serious. “Master Genkai,” he said as he turned to the pink haired woman.


“Yeah,” Genkai smirked.


Kurama turned to the blonde haired boy next. “Mitarai.”


Mitarai only nodded, eyes determined.


“And Yusuke,” Kurama finished calling them, obviously grouping them together.


Yusuke narrowed his eyes, punching his fist into this palm. “Oh, hell yeah,” he said seriously, and I had to stop myself from laughing at that.


Kurama looked at all three, their attention on him. Hiei, Yana and I feeling left out. Or just me. “Your group will take on the three lower goblins, then after you've done that Kaito and I will face Game Master,” he said turning to Kaito, who only nodded in agreement.


“Well, its about time,” Amanuma said in annoyance. “Pull the lever!”


The goblin next to the slot machine did as his master asked and pulled the lever down, the three rectangular slots spinning rapidly with different symbols. The clatter from the rotating rectangles resounded around the room, and we all waited tensely, our eyes narrowing as we waited for the category, game type and difficulty level was picked for us. Then finally, after what seemed like forever the rectangles finally started to slow down before dings went off, showing that those three were picked.


“Sports. Tennis. Level 7,” Amanuma read off the slot before he turned to us, a dark smirk on his lips.  “Which one of you is up for a round of tennis?”


Mitarai got a smile on his lips, excitement and determination shinning in his blue eyes. “Oh, perfect! Tennis is my specialty! Please, I've got this one,” he said as he turned to the black haired Spirit Detective for permission to go up.


“Help yourself,” Yusuke said.


Purple lightning suddenly struck down a few feet before us, making us turn towards the hologram that began to take shape. It materialized into another brown skinned goblin, but this one was a different looking one from before. The goblin was muscular with shaggy short black hair parted down the middle, a gold chain around his neck and he was wearing a black...speedo. I snorted in laughter, slapping my hands over my mouth as I began to laugh quietly, ignoring the sweat drops I got, and I saw Genkai and Hiei roll their eyes at me in unison. I couldn't help it! I mean, who does NOT laugh when there is a goblin -or anyone really- that muscular is in a fucking speedo?! It's fucking hilarious! xD


Amanuma smirked at us and I quickly calmed down. “You're all familiar with the Sports Goblin, I'm sure you already know the skill of the goblin is equal to the level of the game selected, making this one a level 7.” None of us said anything, our eyes narrowing at him dangerously. “Will you stop looking so unhappy? We're about to have a lot of fun,” he said darkly.


Mitarai said nothing as the opening screen played and landed on start, and he walked forward mutely.


“No hello for an old friend?” Amanuma asked mockingly, feigning  a hurt look but smirked once again. “No, but seriously, no time no see, man. Get it? Seaman! Its a pun because of your name!”


“Semen?!” I shouted with wide eyes. “What kind of name is that?!”


A smack met my ears as my head ached horribly, and I let out a cry of pain as I clutched the burning spot on my scalp. Tears of pain welled up in my eyes as I opened them, and I saw Hiei staring down at me blankly, his hand raised. The others either trying to hide their laughter at my idiocy or were rolling their eyes at me for being so stupid. Yusuke, however, was full out laughing as hard as he could, and I swear there were tears in his eyes. A blush appeared on my cheeks, realizing what I had practically just screamed out. Oh god...


“Leave me alone, I bet some of you guys thought that at first!” I shouted with an irk mark.


Hiei continued to stare at me blankly. “No, none of us besides you and the Detective have the maturity level of a fifteen year old teenager,” he said bluntly. Bastard!


Yusuke and I got glared. “Hey!”


“I'll have you know that I would have just turned sixteen in ningen years!” I shouted as I crossed my arms over my chest.


Hiei rolled his eyes. “Baka Onna,” he mumbled.


Mitarai had apparently ignored us all together, his eyes narrowed at Amanuma. Quickly growing serious, remembering the situation, I watched the two as they stared at each other, or glared for Mitarai.


“I see you haven't lost your sense of humor,” Amanuma asked sarcastically, smirking mockingly. Fucking annoying brat. “So, what's the deal? Have you really jumped ship? Or, are you just playing both sides? 'Cause you know that's what I'd be doing if I was you, and even if you aren't it's never too late to start.”


Mitarai's glare strengthen. “I'm on their side for real.”


“You do know, they'll never trust you,” Amanuma stated, a sadistic grin playing across his lips now.


I rose my hand. “I trust him,” I said.


Mitarai glanced at me and I saw a look of gratitude in his eyes, and I grinned happily at him, making me feel bad about the...thing I said earlier. However, I stopped my guilt trips when Mitarai turned back around and stood in front of the rectangular box that sat in front of the giant TV screen. There were two buttons and a stick that had a red ball on the top. Sports Goblin suddenly got a smirk on his face and walked over to Mitarai, placing his hands on his hips and I had to hide another snort of laughter, silently feeling sorry for Mitarai.


“I'm Sports Goblin! I like to work out and flex my pecs!” Sports Goblin said, flexing his muscles, and I let out a squeak, laughing. ”Just look that them dance! And I want you to have a good game! Put 'er there!”


Sports Goblin held out his hand and Mitarai took it hesitantly, shaking his hand. Once they let go of their hands Mitarai turned back to the monitor that now showed two pictures on it. One was Mitarai in a weird orange and white uniform with a white band on his head, and Sports Goblin with blue and red clothes on. In between the two pictures was 'V.S' and under that had a map of a tennis court with 1P on the bottom and 2P on the top.


“Singles Match. Best of five,” A computerized voice spoke, making me jump.


Sports Goblin turned to Mitarai. “That means whoever wins three sets first wins the match,” he said as he raised his arms above his hand and disappeared in a flash of white electricity.


We all turned to the screen, and Mitarai let out a gasp as he suddenly found himself on the court filled with people instead of the in the room with us. However, we just saw him in his original spot, but I had to blink in surprise when the Mitarai with the orange and white clothing stepped before him on the screen carrying a racket, while Sports Goblin in his blue attire stood opposite on the other side of the net, bouncing a green ball against the ground and his racket. I looked away from the screen for a second and looked behind me, seeing a nice place for me to sit down. My side was still aching from the running and walking I had done and if I wanted to fight at all it would be a good idea for me to sit down and rest for as long as I could. Quickly walking over to the wall, I sat down and leaned against the piped wall, my legs and side feeling the relief almost instantly. Thank. God.


“Game start,” the computerized male voice said once again, making me look up. “Service: Sports Goblin.”


A whistle went off on the screen and Sports Goblin threw the ball up and hit it with the racket, it sailing over the net and heading towards the side of Mitarai's court. Mitarai let out a gasp, snapping out of his shocked state and moved the joy stick and made his character run to the side, hitting the ball back over the net once the ball bounced once on the ground. The two players hit the ball back and forth before Sports Goblin sent a high lob over the net towards Mitarai's player, and with the good opportunity he slammed the ball onto the ground, hitting out of the court before Sports Goblin could send it back, giving Mitarai the first set.


Mitarai sighed in relief. “Thank you,” he mumbled, sweat trickling down his temple.


“And the first point goes to the challenger. The score's 15-LOVE, too bad you can't really play.” Amanuma said as he sat on a tall chair in between the two courts, inside the game as well.


Mitarai stared at Amanuma with wide eyes filled with surprise, but thanks to Amanuma's distraction Mitarai missed a ball that Sports Goblin sent at him, tying the scores, and Mitarai tried to focus on the game once again. He sent his player after the ball once Sports Goblin sent the next ball and this time hit it back. Sports Goblin and Mitarai continued to hit back and forth, none of them gaining a point.


Amanuma grinned smugly as he glanced out of his peripheral at Mitarai. “He told me that you were always picked last in gym class, and how all your life you've been labeled an outsider and excluded by all of your peers. It was the same for me, always picked on and looked at like I was some kind of freak. Alienated from by kids my own age and looked down upon by everyone else. But Mr. Sensui says that I was left out because I was superior to them, while you were just excluded because you were too weak,” he said cruelly, trying to hit a sensitive spot on Mitarai, wanting him to mess up and lose the game.


“How the hells he suppose to concentrate when that little bitch won't shut up?!” Yusuke shouted angrily.


I nodded stiffly. “Seriously! Why haven't we knocked the little fucking brat out yet?!” I asked annoyed as well, my arms crossed over my chest, my fingers tightening their hold on my skin, but I ignored the pain.


Kaito continued to watch the game, him being the only one to answer either of our questions, although I knew I would be ignored. We aren't exactly friends. “But that's what the real Goblin King does to distract you. If you have ever made it past the intro you'd know that,” he said to Yusuke, and I stared blankly, told you he would ignore me.


“Six to One, first set: Seaman!” the computerized voice announced.


We all turned back to the match, watching as Mitarai and Sports Goblin began the next set. “Mr. Sensui said he knew you'd be the weak link from the start,” he said smiling sadistically as Mitarai's player missed the ball.


“Five to Seven, second set: Sports Goblin,” the voice announced once again.


Mitarai made his character run and hit the ball back to Sports Goblin, trying to block out Amanuma's voice as he gritted his teeth in concentration, sweat trickling down his temple once again. “Do your new pals know what a disloyal coward you are,” he asked wickedly, waiting for the poor boy to crack.


However, Mitarai didn't say anything and kept his eyes on the match. The sets went by and I wasn't sure of the scores at all, the numbers reseting back to zero before I could blink and I forgot which one had been Mitarai's. All I could do now was wait for the game to be over and to see who would be announced as the winner. As the match was drawing to a close my leg was bouncing out of anticipation and nerves, and I bit my lip to try and calm myself down. I didn't lie when I said that I trusted Mitarai, but you never know what can happen at the end of a match, it being tennis or not. But, I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the score board finally appear on the screen, and showed the players names with the results.


“Game, Set, Match Winner: Seaman.”


I let a grin fall on my face, before my gaze turned over to Sports Goblin. “Good game! I am the loser!” he shouted with a  laugh, a wide grin on his face, and I had to sweat drop at that. Okay...


Mitarai was breathing heavily from his spot in front of the machine, and he let go of the joy stick when he was once again inside the room with us. The giant screen was back once again and on it in red letters was: GAME OVER. My smile didn't diminish  in the least, not even Amanuma's annoying remarks could put me in a bad mood now. We only had three more wins to go and with the experience that most of our team has we'll be leaving shortly. Smirking cockily I leaned further back against the wall, my arms now relaxingly crossed over my chest. Once we beat this little brat it's going to be smooth sailing for the rest of the walk. I'm just concerned about Gourmet, Itsuki and Sensui...


“Yes!” Yusuke shouted with a smirk on his lips as well. “You are the man, Mitarai!”  


Mitarai began walking back towards us, but suddenly came to a stop and turned to face the little brat I was really coming to hate. “Amanuma, Mr. Sensui was right about one thing he said: I was weak and that I lacked the courage to accept responsibility for my unhappiness. It was because of that weakness that I bought into Sensui's mission. Blaming the world is the cowards way out, but I'm no weak link. It was ultimately my inner strength that enabled me to break free of the chain,” he stated confidently, glaring.


“So HA!” I shouted, pointing at Amanuma.


And said little brat just glared at us, or more specifically Mitarai, while I only continued to smirk.


~*~*~*~*~


Hi, everyone~! That was the new chapter and I really liked it so I hope you all did, too! Sorry that I took so long though! Dx Please forgive me!
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