Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Two Hearts, Two Minds, One Soul ❯ The Third Round ( Chapter 23 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Mitsukai no Awai 
Round Three of the Dark Tournament.
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.03.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 196 | Status: Completed
Round Three of the Dark Tournament.
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.03.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 196 | Status: Completed
Well, I managed to write this chapter with my editor's help. I give you, Ran, half the chapter's credit and full editing credit. I'm glad you had a great time writing the battle scenes. ^_^
And! I also see no new reviews. Come on, people. Tell me what ya think! I'm always looking forward to the reviews, good or bad. And I'm wondering how you guys picture Gwen. So, if you really want, can you please draw and upload your pics of my fic? Sorry if I'm being a bother, I just really want to see your input on how Gwen looks in your perspective.
Hiei: You really are a bother.
MNA: And you're really mean and hot!
Hiei: *looking pissed off* Can you keep your trap shut?
MNA: No...
Hiei rolls his eyes as he walks away.
MNA: DON'T LEAVE! *runs after him*
Carnation: MNA doesn't own YYH. She only owns me and Gwen.
Yusuke: R&R or you'll have to face my fist. >: )
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Two Hearts, Two Minds, One Soul
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Third Round
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"What in the name of Enma!?" Gwen exclaimed, blinking a couple of times to see if her vision was correct. There seemed to be a medical tent, but a force field was keeping anything in or out. Trapped inside were a slightly calm Masked Fighter (a.k.a. Young Genkai) and a pissed off Hiei. Out of the tent was a woman laughing at how she pulled that off.
Gwen looked at Kurama in a puzzlingly and angry expression. "Since both Hiei and the Masked Fighter are both injured, they went in the tent because the committee had ordered them to be treated. It was all a trap, as you see here. The only two eligible fighters now are Yusuke and myself," Kurama explained. Gwen looked at Yusuke who was arguing with Koto, as Team Urameshi's next opponent came into view. They varied in size, and wore black hooded cloaks that covered their entire bodies.
"Our next match is Team Urameshi versus Team Mashotsukai!" Koto announced, ignoring Yusuke. "First fighters, come to the middle of the ring.
Yusuke stepped forward, but Kurama claimed the spot first. "No, you must leave this one to me.
"We're going to have to play this round very carefully, Yusuke. Let me fight them as long as I can and ascertain their weaknessess. You'll take over when I fall."
Yusuke nodded once and left the ring.
Kurama stepped to the center of the ring to face the first opponent, Gama. Gwen stood against the edge of the ring, watching the two stare each other down. Gama leapt in the air, losing his cloak at the pinnacle of his jump and landing firmly before Kurama. His pasty white skin reflected the light in an unpleasant glare, a dark green wraparound and lime-colored bandana doing nothing for image.
"And it's Kurama versus Gama. Begin!" Koto shouted.
Gama laughed smartly as the two circled each other. Reaching down to the holsters by his waist, he withdrew two rods that then became two paint brushes. He rambled on for a moment about makeup and foolish humans ruining everything they touched, which Gwen only found slightly offensive.
He drew the brushes about his body, creating odd designs of lines and swirls before replacing them at his belt. "Sentonosho!"
A red aura surrounded him and Kurama felt his youki spike, Koto shouting to the crowd about how Gama's energies were going insane. Kurama was not focused on her, however. Gama was laughing again.
"Allow me to show you!"
Gama pushed off the floor and launched himself towards Kurama, brushes at the ready. Kurama neatly leapt out of the way, and Gama crashed into the floor, missing his target.
'His youki is strong,' Kurama admitted to himself, 'but it does not extend far from his body.' He dodged another of Gama's attacks. 'Close combat is clearly his strength.'
"So...Team Mashotsukai are the Shinobi of Makai..." Gwen muttered.
"What are you mumbling about, Gwen?" Yusuke asked as they watched the fight.
"Team Mashotsukai must be the Shinobi of Makai. You've heard of their other name, I bet - the ninja. They work in secret, underground, and each specialize in a different style of techniques. Apparently, Gama's specialty is makeup."
Kurama continued his acrobatic leaps, completing a perfect backflip as Gama took a particularly close swing. His landing faltered, however, and Gama snatched the chance to rush in and paint an infinity symbol around his ankle. Kurama landed around his marked leg, noting with no small amount of shock that he could barely move it.
"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly have you done to me?"
Gama only laughed again. "Gokujo no Sho," he pronounced gleefully. "Your leg feels like a giant block of lead, doesn't it?" He smirked as Kurama tried to move. "Why try to fight the inevitable?" he asked as Kurama limped away. "The makeup of death has already marked you, Kurama, there's no hope for escape."
Despite all logical thinking, Kurama attempted to jump away from Gama's next assault, but only gave the Shinobi a better target: he landed with his arms and legs each marked with the infinity sign, and each weighted down.
"The costume is completed!" Gama announced as Kurama started. "And now you die, demon traitor!"
Something odd happened next. Gama shot towards Kurama, brushes poised to strike, and Kurama only stood passively before him, apparently not doing anything at all. As Gama neared him, however, Kurama shouted out clearly - "Rose Whip!" - and turned his head aside. Gama's blood spilled forth, dripping onto Kurama's tunic and forming an "X" over his torso.
Kurama glared down at Gama bitterly, his whip arcing from its position, twisted elegantly around his long hair, and brushing at his face. "You were correct after all. It's wholly your fault that you die pain in vain. I cannot pity you."
Gama struggled with his last breath to raise his head, looking at Kurama in the eye, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"You never asked me...what gave my makeup its power. What made it different from the makeup of those other ningen fools. The difference is the main ingredient, Kurama," he choked out, blood continuing to flow. "It's made of my blood."
Kurama gaped slightly at his foe, shocked at the revelation. Blood was indeed a potent ingredient, and could have posed a real problem. As he continued to look down, the blood makeup seeped down his clothes, creating a symbol over his chest.
Gama would have laughed if he he had the strength. "I have given you the...Nembaku Fuju no Sho. It's what I should have done from the start. I've sealed your youki inside your body - your entire power, trapped inside your body. Even as I fade, the effect will live on." Kurama balked as Gama continued. "I have secured victory for my Shinobi sect. And so I die, knowing it is not in vain..."
Koto, seeing Gama dead, declared loudly, "Kurama is the winner! Next fighters come to the ring."
Gwen sighed in relief. "Now we can get him out of there..."
A moment later, Koto announced the next fight. "Next match, Kurama versus Touya!"
"NANI?!" Gwen and Yusuke shouted.
"Sorry guys, but Kurama is still in the ringn, and now, so is Touya!"
Touya discarded his cloak to reveal sharp blue hair and sharper ice blue eyes, fixing his gaze down on Gama.
"Your death will not be in vain, Gama. I will defeat him," Touya said, looking up at Kurama.
Kurama gazed at him evenly, refusing to show fear.
"Hm," Touya said smartly. "Let's begin."
"Wait," Kurama interrupted. "Answer me one question first." Touya tilted his head slightly, looking curious.
"Why? The Shinobi have always carried out their affairs in secret. Why expose yourselves now?"
Touya smirked, looking away. He paused for a moment, then answered: "Light."
"Ah - Explain."
"It's simple," Touya elaborated. "Even the strongest tree will die, if left in the dark. I find that to be the best way to describe us - a giant oak crashing down. It has already been arranged that when we win this tournament, Hanging Neck Island will be our prize. Then this blinding light will pour over us all and like branches, we shall cover the world."
"Hm..." Kurama murmured disapprovingly. Touya laughed.
"You boys are having way too much fun, okay?" Koto interrupted suddenly. "BEGIN!"
"Enough dawdling," Touya said loudly, his voice commanding and deep. "I know you're just biding time until that first curse wears off. Now, I must admit, I am a little hesitant to get near you, what with your little Rose Whip maneuver. You understand - I'd rather kill long distance." Kurama blinked. The ice master leapt up and towards him, one palm outstretched. Glittering golden sparkles hovered over it, and Touya blew on them, facing Kurama midair. "Ma Teki Sandansha!"
At the last moment, Kurama leapt out of the way, but was still grazed by the shards of ice. Touya laughed again. "You can't dodge these forever, Kurama! Ma Teki Sandansha!"
Kurama dodged again, and the hunt began. Touya continued firing his attack, Kurama continuing dodging, and each attack appeared to him him anyway. Back handspring followed sidestep, and each move confused Touya further.
'This doesn't make sense. No one could take all those direct hits from my ice attack. Not unless -' He gasped. "You really are dangerous. I haven't been making direct hits - you've been blocking your vital points with your own body."
Kurama knelt to the ground, panting slightly, and Touya smiled. "You must be old, experienced - perhaps as I am. But I cannot allow this to continue." Holding out his arm, Touya summoned a spiral of ice that swirled around it to form a sword, which he laid it in his palm. "Sei no Ken. You understand. Let's not have this slaying ruin our friendship!"
Kurama smirked. "My thoughts exactly."
Touya frowned slightly. 'Could it be that he still plans to win this...?' Shaking his head, he noticed Kurama had begun to run. "Now, you shouldn't have run," he scolded. "I can't guarantee a painless kill that way!"
He neared Kurama dangerously, taking wild slashes with his sword. Kurama dodged each blow, but the became increasingly close and he became increasingly anxious. After nearly a full minute of the swing-and-dodge pattern, he stopped short. 'No more delaying the inevitable. It's time to take my stand!'
Touya reared back to strike Kurama down, his sword poised and ready, until -
A thin vine snaked around Touya's chest, trapping him in place and twining around his arms, as well. Touya looked down in shock. "But - how were able to manipulate your death plant? Your energy is trapped inside yoy and - Ah!" His eyes landed on Kurama's severely wounded arm, where the rooted vine was growing out. "Insane... You actually sowed the death plant seed into your own body!"
"It was my only option..." Kurama managed weakly. "By inserting the seed into my open wound, it could take root in my imprisoned energy."
Touya gaped. "You really are...something," he said softly as he fell to the ground.
Koto quickly wracked off a ten-count as Kurama murmured to Touya that perhaps, they were not so different. "I, too, have spent years in shadow," he whispered. "Regret...that's what this light brings."
His arm fell to his side as he lost consciousness.
"Kurama!" Gwen cried, leaning forward as a third fighter from Team Mashotsukai lumbered to the ring, shedding his cloak as he walked.
He was enormous - dark skin blending with a deep navy wraparound were set off by white boot straps and close-cropped black hair. Gwen shuddered.
"Hey, fox girl!" Yusuke shouted suddenly, stepping forward. "just so we're clear - the rest of the fights are all mine."
Koto looked flustered for a moment, but recovered herself with a stumbled declaration. "A-alright, team captain decides, Yusuke versus Bakken."
"Correction," rang the metallic voice of the committee speaker over the loudspeakers, "the next fight will be Kurama versus Bakken. A fighter cannot be removed from the ring against his will. As will cannot be determined here, the fighter remains."
Gwen began trembling in fear, murmuring, "No...he might die!" Yusuke gaped up at the loudspeakers angrily, seemingly unable to speak. Bakken laughed deeply.
"Let's go," he rumbled, kicking Kurama over on his side. He walked over and lifted the unconscious fighter by the collar of his shirt, leering at him and dropping him heavily to the floor.
"STOP THE FIGHT!" Yusuke shouted. Bakken kicked Kurama again. Gwen turned away, never noticing that her legs gave out, sitting on the grass and trying not to cry.
The carnage continued for nearly five full minutes before Koto stepped forwad, blocking Kurama from Bakken's range. "I'm all for extreme pain and torture, you disgusting horse," she said loudly, "but this guy's not even awake to enjoy it! Step away so I can start the count!"
Bakken leered at her as well, rearing back and kicking her squarely out of the ring to continue his mutilation of Kurama's limp form.
"Stop, Bakken," said a new voice suddenly, that of the mysterious team leader. "Lay him outside of the ring."
"But why, Risho?" Bakken asked perplexedly. "He's defeated our sect members! He needs to be punished!"
"Hai. But if you landed that punch, you would have died as well."
"Huh?"
Bakken turned around and saw Yusuke next to a trembling Gwen, Rei Gan at the ready, aiming at Bakken's large form.
"Or do you think you would have survived a bullet in the back? Lay him outside of the ring."
Muttering angrily, Bakken threw Kurama's body to Gwen, who had turned to watch upong hearing Risho's order.
"Can you help him, Gwen?" Yusuke asked as he looked down at the unconscious Kurama.
"Well, I'm not that good a healer, and I can't produce my Linhgea tears in my ningen form. I can heal him a little bit if I concentrate hard enough," Gwen said, fighting back tears as she held Kurama close to her.
Yusuke nodded and walked to the ring, ready to fight.
Gwen looked at Yusuke before turning her gaze back on Kurama. She also noticed Kuwabara was out there, wanting to help the team, but Botan had Kuwabara from running to the ring.
Gwen began chanting as her ki glowed around her, and placed her hands above Kurama, making him glow as well. She concentrated hard, closing her eyes. She was beginning to feel weak, but ignored it, wanting to heal Kurama. When she finished, she opened her eyes to see green eyes looking up at her.
"I'm glad you're awake, Kurama," she said, smiling as she helped him sit up, leaning against the wall.
He smiled and said, "It seems that you have grown tired after healing me."
"Oh, I usually get exhausted after healing. I'm not used to my healing powers, yet."
~Gwen, you should get some sleep. You're going to have a big day tomorrow,~ Genkai's voice rang in Gwen's mind.
~What? Yusuke's gonna have his test tomorrow?~ she asked.
~Probably.~
'I'm not that tired,' she thought to herself as she sat next to Kurama, her head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her, somehow knowing that she needed some sleep. Gwen stifled a yawn, closing her eyes. The scent of roses filled her senses and she fell asleep.
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"Nani!? I can't believe this!"
"Huh? I didn't know I had lingered the count."
"Yusuke Urameshi is disqualified and can no longer participate in this round."
Gwen opened her eyes slowly, seeing Yusuke mad as hell, and Koto clearly dumbstruck. She guessed that the third voice was the committee. 'I can't believe this...' she thought as she figured that Koto had lingered the count when Yusuke was down.
She looked at Botan and saw her running out of the stadium, muttering, "Where did those two girls run off to?"
Gwen glanced up at Kurama, but he was watching Yusuke and was in deep thought. She slipped out of his hold and followed Botan.
When she was out of the stadium, she saw Botan, Keiko, and Shizuru around someone, but she couldn't see who with them in the way. She walked up to them and saw the person was Yukina.
"Konnichiwa, Yukina! Never thought to have seen you here," Gwen said as she hugged the Koorime.
"Well, I'm here to search for my brother," she replied. "I've heard that he was a fighter, so I came here to see if I might find him." Botan silently freaked out and so did Gwen, both knowing Botan's a blabbermouth.
"We'll help you look for him," Keiko said as she held Carnation, who was smirking at Botan, seeing if she'd crack.
"Yeah, just count on us, Yukina," Shizuru said, looking down at her with a smile. Botan freaked out even more, seeing as she knew that Shizuru knew Hiei was Yukina's brother. Shizuru noticed Botan's behavior, and winked, leaning in and whispering, "Don't worry. I won't tell. Just play along." Botan smiled and nodded.
"Right! We will help you all the way!" Botan piped to Yukina.
"So let's go in the stadium to look for your brother," Gwen said as she led the girls to the ticket booth.
"Can't let you in," the youkai who was dealing with the tickets said.
"But we have two floor passes and four tickets! There is enough for all of us!" Botan argued.
"Four girls go out and five come back in, don't smell like good math to me. I can't let you back in with the fifth girl... But, you are onna, who can give something in return..." he said, eyeing the girls in amusement. He had stepped forward, and touched Keiko, who was closest to him. Keiko got scared and slapped the youkai hard.
"Keiko's right. The only thing that makes us, ningen onna, different is how hard we..." Shizuru started to say as she kicked the youkai to the ground. "kick."
"Are you sure this is all right?" Yukina asked as she and Botan walked passed the ticket booth.
"Oh, of course! Things are much more exciting with Keiko, Shizuru, and Gwen around," Botan said happily as Keiko walked behind them, holding her hand that slapped the youkai.
"Ow..." she muttered as Carnation looked back at Gwen and Shizuru kicking the crap out of the youkai.
"Oh, Shizuru, Gwen! We have to run from security now!" Botan shouted as they started running from lizard youkai approaching them, all decked out in security uniforms.
They ran to a room with a huge screen showing Kuwabara standing in the ring. More lizard youkai came in the room and surrounded the girls.
"What'll we do now, Botan?" Gwen asked sarcastically as they watched the youkai coming closer to them. "Ugh! I am tired of this!" she exclaimed, running to the youkai, and beating them up. Shizuru smirked and joined in the fun. The girls ran ahead of Gwen and Shizuru who were still beating security and Gwen caught up to them. When they reached another room, they saw a ningen along with...the Torguro brothers! Gwen clenched her fists as Yukina grew frightened, both remembering the brothers' cruel acts.
They all remained silent until the Yonger Torguro smirked and said, "Run along."
The girls ran without second thought, never noticing Shizuru's absence.
They reached the stands and Gwen ran up to the edge, leaning over the wall btween their level and the ring. It looked like Kuwabara was fighting his opponent and losing, until he saw Yukina.
"Yukina!!!" he said happily.
"Nani? Who's that girl?" his opponent asked.
Kuwabara glared at Risho furiously, his Reiken suddenly gaining another layer. "She's not 'some girl'!" he shouted, swinging the sword around in a full arc. "She's - my - GIRLFRIEND!"
Risho took the full force of the blow and landed outside the ring on his head, Kuwabara running immediately to Yukina to show off for her. "So how ya doin', baby?"
The rest of the group looked toward the girls and Hiei's expression was absolutely priceless as he gazed at Yukina, standing next to Gwen.
'She's here...' he thought, still looking at the two most important women he cared for: Yukina, who would never know he was her brother, and Gwen, who would never know how much he cared for her.
Kuwabara ran up to the wall, and acting like a lost puppy who had found his owner. "Yukina! I'm so glad you're here!"
Yukina smiled and then saw that his fight was not over. "Oh, Kazuma, look out!"
Rishho gathered another layer of earth to his body, forming a second layer of armor, and shot towards them. "Ah!" Kuwabara narrowly leapt out of the way, bounding back into the ring, Reiken over his shoulder.
The Shinobi smirked and leapt into the air, preparing for another attack. "Ready?!" he shouted loudly as he plummeted towards the earth. Kuwabara set his stance, thinking of Yukina. 'I can do this.'
As Risho neared, Kuwabara took the chance to power up his Reiken even further, slashing at Risho's armor with a loud shout and neatly bisecting it. As the earth master's protection shattered, he fell to the ground, suffering in no small manner from the sudden shift in weight and the force of Kuwabara's Reiken.
"And Kuwabara is the winner!"
After that round, everyone exited the stadium except Kurama who wanted to watch the fights, Shizuru heading to the hotel with Carnation, Botan spying on Keiko and Yusuke, Yukina healing Kuwabara near the ocean, and Gwen laying against a tree trunk with Hiei sitting on a tree branch.
Gwen was glad that Hiei stayed with her, afraid that if she was alone, her thoughts would focus on the dream, making her cry and feel depressed.
"So are you surprised that Yukina's here?" she asked as she looked up at Hiei.
"Hn."
She giggled, and her smile widened. "That's what I expected."
They stayed silent, closing their eyes, enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature.
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Another chapter done! YAY! Please review! I'll get the next chap up between now and next week. ja ne!
And! I also see no new reviews. Come on, people. Tell me what ya think! I'm always looking forward to the reviews, good or bad. And I'm wondering how you guys picture Gwen. So, if you really want, can you please draw and upload your pics of my fic? Sorry if I'm being a bother, I just really want to see your input on how Gwen looks in your perspective.
Hiei: You really are a bother.
MNA: And you're really mean and hot!
Hiei: *looking pissed off* Can you keep your trap shut?
MNA: No...
Hiei rolls his eyes as he walks away.
MNA: DON'T LEAVE! *runs after him*
Carnation: MNA doesn't own YYH. She only owns me and Gwen.
Yusuke: R&R or you'll have to face my fist. >: )
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Two Hearts, Two Minds, One Soul
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Third Round
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"What in the name of Enma!?" Gwen exclaimed, blinking a couple of times to see if her vision was correct. There seemed to be a medical tent, but a force field was keeping anything in or out. Trapped inside were a slightly calm Masked Fighter (a.k.a. Young Genkai) and a pissed off Hiei. Out of the tent was a woman laughing at how she pulled that off.
Gwen looked at Kurama in a puzzlingly and angry expression. "Since both Hiei and the Masked Fighter are both injured, they went in the tent because the committee had ordered them to be treated. It was all a trap, as you see here. The only two eligible fighters now are Yusuke and myself," Kurama explained. Gwen looked at Yusuke who was arguing with Koto, as Team Urameshi's next opponent came into view. They varied in size, and wore black hooded cloaks that covered their entire bodies.
"Our next match is Team Urameshi versus Team Mashotsukai!" Koto announced, ignoring Yusuke. "First fighters, come to the middle of the ring.
Yusuke stepped forward, but Kurama claimed the spot first. "No, you must leave this one to me.
"We're going to have to play this round very carefully, Yusuke. Let me fight them as long as I can and ascertain their weaknessess. You'll take over when I fall."
Yusuke nodded once and left the ring.
Kurama stepped to the center of the ring to face the first opponent, Gama. Gwen stood against the edge of the ring, watching the two stare each other down. Gama leapt in the air, losing his cloak at the pinnacle of his jump and landing firmly before Kurama. His pasty white skin reflected the light in an unpleasant glare, a dark green wraparound and lime-colored bandana doing nothing for image.
"And it's Kurama versus Gama. Begin!" Koto shouted.
Gama laughed smartly as the two circled each other. Reaching down to the holsters by his waist, he withdrew two rods that then became two paint brushes. He rambled on for a moment about makeup and foolish humans ruining everything they touched, which Gwen only found slightly offensive.
He drew the brushes about his body, creating odd designs of lines and swirls before replacing them at his belt. "Sentonosho!"
A red aura surrounded him and Kurama felt his youki spike, Koto shouting to the crowd about how Gama's energies were going insane. Kurama was not focused on her, however. Gama was laughing again.
"Allow me to show you!"
Gama pushed off the floor and launched himself towards Kurama, brushes at the ready. Kurama neatly leapt out of the way, and Gama crashed into the floor, missing his target.
'His youki is strong,' Kurama admitted to himself, 'but it does not extend far from his body.' He dodged another of Gama's attacks. 'Close combat is clearly his strength.'
"So...Team Mashotsukai are the Shinobi of Makai..." Gwen muttered.
"What are you mumbling about, Gwen?" Yusuke asked as they watched the fight.
"Team Mashotsukai must be the Shinobi of Makai. You've heard of their other name, I bet - the ninja. They work in secret, underground, and each specialize in a different style of techniques. Apparently, Gama's specialty is makeup."
Kurama continued his acrobatic leaps, completing a perfect backflip as Gama took a particularly close swing. His landing faltered, however, and Gama snatched the chance to rush in and paint an infinity symbol around his ankle. Kurama landed around his marked leg, noting with no small amount of shock that he could barely move it.
"If you don't mind me asking, what exactly have you done to me?"
Gama only laughed again. "Gokujo no Sho," he pronounced gleefully. "Your leg feels like a giant block of lead, doesn't it?" He smirked as Kurama tried to move. "Why try to fight the inevitable?" he asked as Kurama limped away. "The makeup of death has already marked you, Kurama, there's no hope for escape."
Despite all logical thinking, Kurama attempted to jump away from Gama's next assault, but only gave the Shinobi a better target: he landed with his arms and legs each marked with the infinity sign, and each weighted down.
"The costume is completed!" Gama announced as Kurama started. "And now you die, demon traitor!"
Something odd happened next. Gama shot towards Kurama, brushes poised to strike, and Kurama only stood passively before him, apparently not doing anything at all. As Gama neared him, however, Kurama shouted out clearly - "Rose Whip!" - and turned his head aside. Gama's blood spilled forth, dripping onto Kurama's tunic and forming an "X" over his torso.
Kurama glared down at Gama bitterly, his whip arcing from its position, twisted elegantly around his long hair, and brushing at his face. "You were correct after all. It's wholly your fault that you die pain in vain. I cannot pity you."
Gama struggled with his last breath to raise his head, looking at Kurama in the eye, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"You never asked me...what gave my makeup its power. What made it different from the makeup of those other ningen fools. The difference is the main ingredient, Kurama," he choked out, blood continuing to flow. "It's made of my blood."
Kurama gaped slightly at his foe, shocked at the revelation. Blood was indeed a potent ingredient, and could have posed a real problem. As he continued to look down, the blood makeup seeped down his clothes, creating a symbol over his chest.
Gama would have laughed if he he had the strength. "I have given you the...Nembaku Fuju no Sho. It's what I should have done from the start. I've sealed your youki inside your body - your entire power, trapped inside your body. Even as I fade, the effect will live on." Kurama balked as Gama continued. "I have secured victory for my Shinobi sect. And so I die, knowing it is not in vain..."
Koto, seeing Gama dead, declared loudly, "Kurama is the winner! Next fighters come to the ring."
Gwen sighed in relief. "Now we can get him out of there..."
A moment later, Koto announced the next fight. "Next match, Kurama versus Touya!"
"NANI?!" Gwen and Yusuke shouted.
"Sorry guys, but Kurama is still in the ringn, and now, so is Touya!"
Touya discarded his cloak to reveal sharp blue hair and sharper ice blue eyes, fixing his gaze down on Gama.
"Your death will not be in vain, Gama. I will defeat him," Touya said, looking up at Kurama.
Kurama gazed at him evenly, refusing to show fear.
"Hm," Touya said smartly. "Let's begin."
"Wait," Kurama interrupted. "Answer me one question first." Touya tilted his head slightly, looking curious.
"Why? The Shinobi have always carried out their affairs in secret. Why expose yourselves now?"
Touya smirked, looking away. He paused for a moment, then answered: "Light."
"Ah - Explain."
"It's simple," Touya elaborated. "Even the strongest tree will die, if left in the dark. I find that to be the best way to describe us - a giant oak crashing down. It has already been arranged that when we win this tournament, Hanging Neck Island will be our prize. Then this blinding light will pour over us all and like branches, we shall cover the world."
"Hm..." Kurama murmured disapprovingly. Touya laughed.
"You boys are having way too much fun, okay?" Koto interrupted suddenly. "BEGIN!"
"Enough dawdling," Touya said loudly, his voice commanding and deep. "I know you're just biding time until that first curse wears off. Now, I must admit, I am a little hesitant to get near you, what with your little Rose Whip maneuver. You understand - I'd rather kill long distance." Kurama blinked. The ice master leapt up and towards him, one palm outstretched. Glittering golden sparkles hovered over it, and Touya blew on them, facing Kurama midair. "Ma Teki Sandansha!"
At the last moment, Kurama leapt out of the way, but was still grazed by the shards of ice. Touya laughed again. "You can't dodge these forever, Kurama! Ma Teki Sandansha!"
Kurama dodged again, and the hunt began. Touya continued firing his attack, Kurama continuing dodging, and each attack appeared to him him anyway. Back handspring followed sidestep, and each move confused Touya further.
'This doesn't make sense. No one could take all those direct hits from my ice attack. Not unless -' He gasped. "You really are dangerous. I haven't been making direct hits - you've been blocking your vital points with your own body."
Kurama knelt to the ground, panting slightly, and Touya smiled. "You must be old, experienced - perhaps as I am. But I cannot allow this to continue." Holding out his arm, Touya summoned a spiral of ice that swirled around it to form a sword, which he laid it in his palm. "Sei no Ken. You understand. Let's not have this slaying ruin our friendship!"
Kurama smirked. "My thoughts exactly."
Touya frowned slightly. 'Could it be that he still plans to win this...?' Shaking his head, he noticed Kurama had begun to run. "Now, you shouldn't have run," he scolded. "I can't guarantee a painless kill that way!"
He neared Kurama dangerously, taking wild slashes with his sword. Kurama dodged each blow, but the became increasingly close and he became increasingly anxious. After nearly a full minute of the swing-and-dodge pattern, he stopped short. 'No more delaying the inevitable. It's time to take my stand!'
Touya reared back to strike Kurama down, his sword poised and ready, until -
A thin vine snaked around Touya's chest, trapping him in place and twining around his arms, as well. Touya looked down in shock. "But - how were able to manipulate your death plant? Your energy is trapped inside yoy and - Ah!" His eyes landed on Kurama's severely wounded arm, where the rooted vine was growing out. "Insane... You actually sowed the death plant seed into your own body!"
"It was my only option..." Kurama managed weakly. "By inserting the seed into my open wound, it could take root in my imprisoned energy."
Touya gaped. "You really are...something," he said softly as he fell to the ground.
Koto quickly wracked off a ten-count as Kurama murmured to Touya that perhaps, they were not so different. "I, too, have spent years in shadow," he whispered. "Regret...that's what this light brings."
His arm fell to his side as he lost consciousness.
"Kurama!" Gwen cried, leaning forward as a third fighter from Team Mashotsukai lumbered to the ring, shedding his cloak as he walked.
He was enormous - dark skin blending with a deep navy wraparound were set off by white boot straps and close-cropped black hair. Gwen shuddered.
"Hey, fox girl!" Yusuke shouted suddenly, stepping forward. "just so we're clear - the rest of the fights are all mine."
Koto looked flustered for a moment, but recovered herself with a stumbled declaration. "A-alright, team captain decides, Yusuke versus Bakken."
"Correction," rang the metallic voice of the committee speaker over the loudspeakers, "the next fight will be Kurama versus Bakken. A fighter cannot be removed from the ring against his will. As will cannot be determined here, the fighter remains."
Gwen began trembling in fear, murmuring, "No...he might die!" Yusuke gaped up at the loudspeakers angrily, seemingly unable to speak. Bakken laughed deeply.
"Let's go," he rumbled, kicking Kurama over on his side. He walked over and lifted the unconscious fighter by the collar of his shirt, leering at him and dropping him heavily to the floor.
"STOP THE FIGHT!" Yusuke shouted. Bakken kicked Kurama again. Gwen turned away, never noticing that her legs gave out, sitting on the grass and trying not to cry.
The carnage continued for nearly five full minutes before Koto stepped forwad, blocking Kurama from Bakken's range. "I'm all for extreme pain and torture, you disgusting horse," she said loudly, "but this guy's not even awake to enjoy it! Step away so I can start the count!"
Bakken leered at her as well, rearing back and kicking her squarely out of the ring to continue his mutilation of Kurama's limp form.
"Stop, Bakken," said a new voice suddenly, that of the mysterious team leader. "Lay him outside of the ring."
"But why, Risho?" Bakken asked perplexedly. "He's defeated our sect members! He needs to be punished!"
"Hai. But if you landed that punch, you would have died as well."
"Huh?"
Bakken turned around and saw Yusuke next to a trembling Gwen, Rei Gan at the ready, aiming at Bakken's large form.
"Or do you think you would have survived a bullet in the back? Lay him outside of the ring."
Muttering angrily, Bakken threw Kurama's body to Gwen, who had turned to watch upong hearing Risho's order.
"Can you help him, Gwen?" Yusuke asked as he looked down at the unconscious Kurama.
"Well, I'm not that good a healer, and I can't produce my Linhgea tears in my ningen form. I can heal him a little bit if I concentrate hard enough," Gwen said, fighting back tears as she held Kurama close to her.
Yusuke nodded and walked to the ring, ready to fight.
Gwen looked at Yusuke before turning her gaze back on Kurama. She also noticed Kuwabara was out there, wanting to help the team, but Botan had Kuwabara from running to the ring.
Gwen began chanting as her ki glowed around her, and placed her hands above Kurama, making him glow as well. She concentrated hard, closing her eyes. She was beginning to feel weak, but ignored it, wanting to heal Kurama. When she finished, she opened her eyes to see green eyes looking up at her.
"I'm glad you're awake, Kurama," she said, smiling as she helped him sit up, leaning against the wall.
He smiled and said, "It seems that you have grown tired after healing me."
"Oh, I usually get exhausted after healing. I'm not used to my healing powers, yet."
~Gwen, you should get some sleep. You're going to have a big day tomorrow,~ Genkai's voice rang in Gwen's mind.
~What? Yusuke's gonna have his test tomorrow?~ she asked.
~Probably.~
'I'm not that tired,' she thought to herself as she sat next to Kurama, her head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her, somehow knowing that she needed some sleep. Gwen stifled a yawn, closing her eyes. The scent of roses filled her senses and she fell asleep.
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"Nani!? I can't believe this!"
"Huh? I didn't know I had lingered the count."
"Yusuke Urameshi is disqualified and can no longer participate in this round."
Gwen opened her eyes slowly, seeing Yusuke mad as hell, and Koto clearly dumbstruck. She guessed that the third voice was the committee. 'I can't believe this...' she thought as she figured that Koto had lingered the count when Yusuke was down.
She looked at Botan and saw her running out of the stadium, muttering, "Where did those two girls run off to?"
Gwen glanced up at Kurama, but he was watching Yusuke and was in deep thought. She slipped out of his hold and followed Botan.
When she was out of the stadium, she saw Botan, Keiko, and Shizuru around someone, but she couldn't see who with them in the way. She walked up to them and saw the person was Yukina.
"Konnichiwa, Yukina! Never thought to have seen you here," Gwen said as she hugged the Koorime.
"Well, I'm here to search for my brother," she replied. "I've heard that he was a fighter, so I came here to see if I might find him." Botan silently freaked out and so did Gwen, both knowing Botan's a blabbermouth.
"We'll help you look for him," Keiko said as she held Carnation, who was smirking at Botan, seeing if she'd crack.
"Yeah, just count on us, Yukina," Shizuru said, looking down at her with a smile. Botan freaked out even more, seeing as she knew that Shizuru knew Hiei was Yukina's brother. Shizuru noticed Botan's behavior, and winked, leaning in and whispering, "Don't worry. I won't tell. Just play along." Botan smiled and nodded.
"Right! We will help you all the way!" Botan piped to Yukina.
"So let's go in the stadium to look for your brother," Gwen said as she led the girls to the ticket booth.
"Can't let you in," the youkai who was dealing with the tickets said.
"But we have two floor passes and four tickets! There is enough for all of us!" Botan argued.
"Four girls go out and five come back in, don't smell like good math to me. I can't let you back in with the fifth girl... But, you are onna, who can give something in return..." he said, eyeing the girls in amusement. He had stepped forward, and touched Keiko, who was closest to him. Keiko got scared and slapped the youkai hard.
"Keiko's right. The only thing that makes us, ningen onna, different is how hard we..." Shizuru started to say as she kicked the youkai to the ground. "kick."
"Are you sure this is all right?" Yukina asked as she and Botan walked passed the ticket booth.
"Oh, of course! Things are much more exciting with Keiko, Shizuru, and Gwen around," Botan said happily as Keiko walked behind them, holding her hand that slapped the youkai.
"Ow..." she muttered as Carnation looked back at Gwen and Shizuru kicking the crap out of the youkai.
"Oh, Shizuru, Gwen! We have to run from security now!" Botan shouted as they started running from lizard youkai approaching them, all decked out in security uniforms.
They ran to a room with a huge screen showing Kuwabara standing in the ring. More lizard youkai came in the room and surrounded the girls.
"What'll we do now, Botan?" Gwen asked sarcastically as they watched the youkai coming closer to them. "Ugh! I am tired of this!" she exclaimed, running to the youkai, and beating them up. Shizuru smirked and joined in the fun. The girls ran ahead of Gwen and Shizuru who were still beating security and Gwen caught up to them. When they reached another room, they saw a ningen along with...the Torguro brothers! Gwen clenched her fists as Yukina grew frightened, both remembering the brothers' cruel acts.
They all remained silent until the Yonger Torguro smirked and said, "Run along."
The girls ran without second thought, never noticing Shizuru's absence.
They reached the stands and Gwen ran up to the edge, leaning over the wall btween their level and the ring. It looked like Kuwabara was fighting his opponent and losing, until he saw Yukina.
"Yukina!!!" he said happily.
"Nani? Who's that girl?" his opponent asked.
Kuwabara glared at Risho furiously, his Reiken suddenly gaining another layer. "She's not 'some girl'!" he shouted, swinging the sword around in a full arc. "She's - my - GIRLFRIEND!"
Risho took the full force of the blow and landed outside the ring on his head, Kuwabara running immediately to Yukina to show off for her. "So how ya doin', baby?"
The rest of the group looked toward the girls and Hiei's expression was absolutely priceless as he gazed at Yukina, standing next to Gwen.
'She's here...' he thought, still looking at the two most important women he cared for: Yukina, who would never know he was her brother, and Gwen, who would never know how much he cared for her.
Kuwabara ran up to the wall, and acting like a lost puppy who had found his owner. "Yukina! I'm so glad you're here!"
Yukina smiled and then saw that his fight was not over. "Oh, Kazuma, look out!"
Rishho gathered another layer of earth to his body, forming a second layer of armor, and shot towards them. "Ah!" Kuwabara narrowly leapt out of the way, bounding back into the ring, Reiken over his shoulder.
The Shinobi smirked and leapt into the air, preparing for another attack. "Ready?!" he shouted loudly as he plummeted towards the earth. Kuwabara set his stance, thinking of Yukina. 'I can do this.'
As Risho neared, Kuwabara took the chance to power up his Reiken even further, slashing at Risho's armor with a loud shout and neatly bisecting it. As the earth master's protection shattered, he fell to the ground, suffering in no small manner from the sudden shift in weight and the force of Kuwabara's Reiken.
"And Kuwabara is the winner!"
After that round, everyone exited the stadium except Kurama who wanted to watch the fights, Shizuru heading to the hotel with Carnation, Botan spying on Keiko and Yusuke, Yukina healing Kuwabara near the ocean, and Gwen laying against a tree trunk with Hiei sitting on a tree branch.
Gwen was glad that Hiei stayed with her, afraid that if she was alone, her thoughts would focus on the dream, making her cry and feel depressed.
"So are you surprised that Yukina's here?" she asked as she looked up at Hiei.
"Hn."
She giggled, and her smile widened. "That's what I expected."
They stayed silent, closing their eyes, enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature.
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Another chapter done! YAY! Please review! I'll get the next chap up between now and next week. ja ne!