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Chapter Two,Cloaks and Veils
"This place is unbelievable!" Dawn exclaimed, running from room to room,admiring her team's luxurious accomidations.
Ember had stretched out on a very comfortable couch and was unusually quiet.
Letha and Mist paced around the huge suite,their patience wearing terribly thin. It had taken much longer than expected for their escort to arrive and accompany them to the stadium.
Letha couldn't help but be amused by Dawn's behavior though, "She's so cute,isn't she Mist? The poor girl must have never seen any luxury. I can definatly tell she hasn't ever been to our home world, can't wait to see that reaction."
Mist ignored her friend,she was only focusing on the sound coming from the hallway outside of the room ; the escort had finally arrived.
The door to the suite opened,and in stepped a huge,dark green male demon,with arms nearly the size of barrels. He carried several capes slung over one broad shoulder.
Upon seeing Mist,the demon bowed deeply, "Welcome to Hanging Neck Island ladies." He said,with a voice like far off thunder before a storm," I am Rikutu and I will be your body guard today."
Jayba,who had been staring blankly out of a window ever since the teams arrival at the hotel,turned and glared at the impetuous newcomer,"As if we need a bodyguard," the she demon sneered at Rikutu, "I'm sure we would all have no problem taking care of ourselves."
Jayba
The big demon grinned at Jayba,revealing two rows of yellow dagger-like teeth,he bowed again, "Master Toguro informed me that you would not necessarily need my assistance,but I am under direct orders from him to escort you and give you these."
"At least he is polite." Ember said,now up and ready to go.
Rikutu handed the pile of black velvet cloaks to Mist. Oniami became extremely excited upon hearing her master's name,the little dog began to pace back and forth in front of the door.
"I supppose we are to wear them." Mist said. "Yes" the demon replied, "You are all to be completely covered." Mist nodded,then turned to the other girls,"You heard him,master's orders. Put these on; we do have to be careful you know,this is definatly not a free show."
The team captain handed everyone a cloak. "We even have to wear veils?" Ember whined. "Yes" Mist told her matter of factly,"cloak and veil."
All of the girls reluctantly donned their disguises,then followed the body guard single file,out into and down the hall. Oniami ran along beside the huge horned demon,dying to be reunited with her dear master.
"Where exactly are we going first Rikutu?" Mist asked.
"We are going to Master Sakyo's V.I.P. room to meet with him and Master Toguro." "I see." Mist replied and then fell silent,attempting to hide her excitement. This is it, she thought,she could sense her teammates anxiety as well.
After climbing down several flights of stairs,the body guard being far too large for the elevators,they were finally outside. The wind whipped at their black cloaks.
Several demons who were loitering around outside of the hotel noticed the odd group. "Who the hecks that?" A tall,skanky looking demon poked his chubby companion;the fat demon glanced up from his greasy sandwich. "Beats me,but they're with one of Toguro's body guards."
"Yeah,like that guy needs any body guards!" The skinny one replied, "I wonder who's under those cloaks"
"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough man,maybe it's another team or something. I've heard a few rumors about Toguro training some really awesome new team."
"Really, cool! Can't wait to see those guys! Trained by the Dark Tournament champion himself, wow!"
"No doubt man,no doubt. Now can I please stop yapping with you and eat?"
The demon looked at his friend disgusted, "You never stop eating man!"
Mist
Mist almost jumped into Sakyo's limousine when it arrived. "I could definatly get used to all this!" Dawn sighed wistfully,still in awe of all the luxury,"how far to the stadium?"
"Just a few minutes." Rikutu answered,while Oniami licked at his green face. "Who's fighting now?" Ember asked. "Yusuke Urameshi of Team Urameshi is fighting Chu of Team Rokuyukai." Ember's cat ears twitched uncontrollably,along with her tail.
Rikutu gave the cat demon a puzzeled look. "Don't ask." Mist told him. Suddenly,there was a deafening clap of thunder.Ember jumped,and Oniami growled at her. "Quiet you!",the cat demon hissed at the dog,"I knew there was a big storm coming." she said.
Letha leaned back in her seat,smiling,"Yes Ember,I knew it was too."
The long,black car finally came to stop in front of the huge stadium. Team Chaos walked silently through the entrance to the shock of a few apparitions standing around outside.They all whispered and pointed at the cloaked group.
Rikutu led them up many flights of stairs to large door,he nodded to two other demons who stepped aside to allow them passage.As soon as they all enterd the hazy,smoke filled room,Oniami found younger Toguro sitting in a large chair near a window that gave a perfect view of the ring below.
The little she-dog jumped into her master's lap,much to the dismay of his older brother.Her stubby tail nearly fell off with all of it's wagging. The big man smiled,"I'm glad to see you too girl." he said.
Mist almost ran over to Sakyo,who barely had enough time to stand and greet her. The reunited couple embraced, "Hello darling," he said, "how was your trip?" "Forgotten,now that I'm finally here with you." Mist said,hugging Sakyo even tighter.
Letha found her Karasu,he was watching the two fighters battling in the bloody ring below.Upon seing Letha though,the demon wrapped his arms around her,leaned close,and whispered in her ear, " I knew it was you dear,even with that horrid veil." The demon ess giggled, "I knew you were here too,as soon as I heard the thunder."
Jayba, Dawn,and Ember stood watching the fight,all three girl's eyes were transfixed on the life and death struggle below. One of the combatants was a tall,extremely muscular demon with a blue mohawk; the other was an obviously young human boy.They were continuously pummeling each other hard in the face,both had one heel against a large knife driven into the floor of the ring.
"Ouch,that's gotta hurt!" Dawn said,watching the blood fly from their heels, "So,who's who?"
Letha and Karasu walked over to the three girls,"The human is Yusuke Urameshi, team captain of Team Urameshi,the demon is Chu of Team Rokuyukai.", Karasu told them in his whispery,sarcasm tinged voice, "They are having a knife-edge death match because both have used up all of their spirit energy already."
Ember hadn't spoken a single word since she had enterd the room. The cat demon had moved directly to the window as soon as they came in.She seemed to be in a trance, staring at a very handsome boy with long,flame red hair who was standing ringside watching his team captain fight.
Dawn elbowed her preoccupied friend,"So,there's your Yoko again huh?" Ember nodded,"Yes that's him,sort of." she replied softly,her cat eyes never leaving the red-head below.
Ember
"Sort of,what do you mean sort of Ember?" Dawn said, a bit puzzled,then she stopped and took a good look at the boy. She noticed what appeared to be two figures standing as one,the red-headed teenager,and the hazy outline of a slightly taller figure,he had silver hair,fox like ears and even a tail.
"Oh,I see now Ember,he's in his human form right now." Ember silently nodded,and continued to stare. She'll stare a hole right through the poor thing, Dawn thought, noticing the demon who was standing beside the object of her friends affection.
He was short,very short and stoic; it almost seemed as if he was not completely interested in the fight at all.Man is he gorgeous, Dawn thought dreamily, perfectly beautiful, the demon ess stopped herself in mid-thought. Now that's enough of that bullshit, she scolded herself mentally, are you going nuts girl? Snap out of it, you're acting just like you did the first time you saw this guy! I must have been listening to that love-sick Ember too much that's all.
But Dawn could not bring herself to look away from the demon boy who suddenly looked up, sensing that he was being watched. The she demon felt as if she had been struck by lightining, his deep, blood red eyes were seemingly gazing into her very soul. Dawn closed her eyes and backed away from the window.
That's definatly the same demon I saw at Tarukane's stronghold, but now he's become even more powerful, unbelievable! Her mind raced as she tried to calm down and recall the night when she had first saw the fire apparition.
Master Toguro had requested that Dawn accompany him and his older brother to a human man named Tarukane's. There, she had first met Ember,the two had gotten along quite well,much to her surprise.
Her master had introduced the two and explained that Ember was the reason he had decided to form his new female team. As to why they had to come with him to Tarukane's, Toguro had told them that there was something he wanted the girls to witness in preparation for the upcoming Dark Tournament.
Dawn
Ember was already at the stronghold when Dawn had arrived,being sent there a day before. The perky, blonde cat demon was very happy to meet her teammate,and asked her questions continuously.
"What's your power Dawn? I have alot of them,but for this mission,Master Toguro needed me to be a spy, see," the girl grinned, then transformed herself into a little white cat with black on the tips of her ears and tail.
Dawn laughed, "That's cool but you're in trouble." "Why?" the little cat purred,then realized she was staring a huge wolf,with dark red fur, right in the face. It's fangs were barred and it's eyes sparkled like two huge blue sapphires.
"Wow, what are you Dawn,a werewolf?" Ember had said,taking a few steps back. "No,but I am a shape shifter." the wolf told her. After that, the cat demon had talked non stop about some demon that she had been in love with ever since childhood. A spirit fox named Yoko Kurama,he had been a close friend of Ember's father long ago,until he had been killed by a hunter.
Dawn had tried to be polite and listen to the love sick girl's ramblings,but she certainly was not interested in love or anything to do with love.As far as she was concerned,there was no such thing.
Ember was in mid-sentence, when she suddenly became extremely restless,and just had to get out of the room where their master had told the two girls to stay until he called for them.
Both had transformed into cats, and climbed out of a window onto the roof. There,they saw a group of four boys and two girls,running away from the stronghold. Yusuke Urameshi was one of them,along with the red-head Ember had said was her long lost Yoko. The short, black haired demon boy was with them as well.
That was the first time Dawn had ever seen,or even heard of Hiei. Upon first sight of him, she had felt the same sensation she experienced when he had noticed her watching him a moment ago,but today's feeling was undeniably stronger, and that was not good.
What's wrong with me, she thought, daring another look below, Hiei had looked away though,refocusing his attention on the fight. The huge crowd of demon spectators screams were nearly deafening, their bloodlust unbelievable.
Glancing around the room for the first time,Dawn noticed how many humans were there,all wearing exspensive looking suits. Her master sat with Oniami curled up in his lap asleep. Toguro smiled at his pupil,and she waved to him.
The she demon admired her master alot more than she had ever expected herself to; Toguro was a true demon and completely unstoppable. She could only hope to be as powerful of a fighter as he was one day. Dawn smiled, she was glad to be on the island now, ready and anxious to fight.
By now,nearly everyone in the room had gathered close to the windows to watch the end of Urameshi's round. Jayba,who had been standing slightly apart from the others,couldn't help but stare at the handsome demon fighting for his life,as well as his honor,below.
He is a true warrior,Jayba thought,I would definatly enjoy meeting this Chu. The mohawked demon was preparing to finish the oddly resilient Urameshi with a head-butt,the human saw it coming though,and countered with a tremendous head smash of his own. "You had better win this one Chu," an ugly man in a dark suit sitting near Sakyo and Mist growled, " I've got alot riding on this fight!"
After Yusuke's skull crushing head-butt however,the demon fell. The fight was over,Urameshi had won.Sakyo looked to the angry man beside him and said," I've grown tired of your lies,you may now leave my V.I.P. room." Mist laughed at the startled human,who quickly left the room.
The crowd was angry about Urameshi's team's victory too,"Filthy humans!",screamed some,"Die!",yelled others. "How stupid!" Dawn exclaimed to Ember, "Let's see those weaklings get down there and fight!"
Yusuke decided to answer the ridiculous demon spectators," If any of you got something you wanna say,then say it to my face or else say it to my fist!" "Yeah," a goofy looking red headed human boy standing next to Yusuke spat, " just shut up already!"
Master Toguro stood to address everyone remaining in the room, "That my friends is Yusuke Urameshi,we'll be up against his team in the finals." Karasu laughed, "Seems he's made a grave mistake," the demon said," he's used up his reigun already."
"Now then," younger Toguro began again,turning to his cloaked team, " I reveal to you all my side project,the team that will win the next Dark Tournament,gentlemen,meet Team Chaos." All of the girls removed their cloaks,and there was a collective gasp throughout the room.
Then the humans all began to applaud,a few men even whistled at the five beautiful fighters. They walked around the team,looking the girls up and down. "Yes," ,elder Toguro gave them all an evil grin and said, " they are gorgeous,and quite deadly. You will have an opportunity to see them in action tomorrow."
"That's right," his younger brother cut in,"tomorrow they will give the world a preview of their powers,until then gentlemen,good afternoon." With that,the men filed out,some of them still muttering angrily about Chu's defeat,all were obviously pleased wit Toguro's teams though.
Sakyo fell back into a chair as soon as they left; he pulled Mist onto his lap,"Finally,some peace and quiet!",he exclaimed,lighting a ciggarette. Karasu was running his slender fingers through Letha's long,midnight black hair, "Yes finally,now isn't it about time for us to retire?"
All of Team Chaos looked to younger Toguro expectantly.The big man smiled at his female prote'ge'e's, "I think so,you all know the rules right?" "Rules Master?",Ember asked sheepishly. Toguro nodded,"Yes,there are a few rules I want you all to abide by before I reveal you tomorrow."
Simultaneously,Jayba and Dawn glanced at one another,both frowning,knowing what their master was about to say. Dawn smiled and winked at her quiet teammate,you read my mind! ,she telepathically told the dark skinned demon woman. Jayba smiled and nodded back at her. See,I knew she was cool!, Dawn thought excitedly,glad to know her instincts about Jayba had been correct.
"First of all," Toguro said," I do not want any of you roaming around anywhere alone,you are to be accompanied at all times. Jayba,Ember and Dawn will stay in the suite I have chosen for them.Letha and Mist are allowed to stay with sakyo and Karasu,for now." Mist winked at Letha,and the demon ess laughed softly.
"You are all to be completely covered at all times as well," Toguro continued," unless I inform you otherwise.Lastly; I want to see each of you,on the beach,on the western end of the island,at sunrise for your training. Tomorrow is the big day after all." Jayba looked very confused,"Are we to wear veils to train in master?",she asked, " how will that work?"
" You will wear them to train and even fight if we wish!" The short,scraggily haired older brother to their master hissed at the red-head, " We are your masters now girl and you do not question any request we make!" The hideous little demon walked intimidatingly close to the red-head,his pale grey eyes suddenly turned blood red. " You belong to Team Toguro now." ,he told her. Jayba only silently glared at him,not risking a word.
Elder Toguro walked away from Jayba,laughing manically.He paused as he passed Dawn and stared at her.His eyes made her feel unclean,she could sense his disgusting thoughts. Toguro grinned up at the girl,getting ever closer,"Don't!" Dawn said,taking a step back. The evil demon laughed again,then reclaimed his place atop his younger brother's broad shoulders. "Come now ladies," he cackled, " time to go! " Then Team Chaos replaced their cloaks,and all left for the hotel.
In the next chapter,
Dawn isn't very happy about being left with a "baby sitter",
while Ember wonders about Kurama.
Escapes will be made,as well as an unexpected encounter with powerful demons!
All in Chapter 3,Curious Cats!!
See ya soon!!
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