Kurama's Spring Flower

Chapter Eighty One

Umiko's POV

I watch as Touya finally collapses to the ring's floor and his cold atmosphere surrounding the ring disappears, indicating to me this nightmare is truly over. "Unbelievable turn around! I'll take a ten count." Koto announces making me release a breathless laugh as all I want to do is rush over to Kurama, damn the rules that Goro and I have made and just heal him so that we can be rid of this pain. "Now it's my turn." Yusuke says beside me with a happy grin before looking at me and saying, "And I do mean MY turn, not yours, you hear?" I start chuckling and shake my head before admitting, "I'm too emotional right now to arguing with you right now." Yusuke looks at me shocked before shifting to relief. "One!" Koto starts to count. "Well thank God for that, because I don't know if I can spare anymore strength for fighting you either sis." Yusuke admits with a goofy grin on his face.

"Two." Koto continues counting, but of course whilst me and Yusuke are being grateful for the count, the bloody audience is getting rowdy as usual. "Get your butt off the floor, Touya! I thought you guys were Shinobi!" Yusuke looks over at me and asks, "Hey sis, do you think you would be able to help Kurama with the killer plant in him once he's allowed out of the ring?" I look over to him and say, "I possibly could if I was sound of mind to do so, but as I am currently filled with the urge to kill it may be best if Goro be able to assist after he has assisted Hiei and the Masked Fighter." It is after I say those words that Goro appears beside me and speaks up, "The runes are active and are working quite nicely with little input from me, so I am now spare to assist with other things." Yusuke looks between us two and repeats in a confused tone, "Runes?" Goro looks to my twin and says, "Ancient symbols that carry power. They will now assist in restoring Hiei's and the Masked Fighter's Spirit Energy fast enough and make the enchantress' force field begin to act against her. So they should be joining us soon. But for now let's focus on Kurama." With Goro's last words I quickly voice my agreement, "Yes, let's."

"Five!" Koto continues to count even as I notice Touya attempt to try and get himself up. "Six! Seven!" Touya truly starts to try and force himself up on his knees. "Eight! Nine!" But then collapses to the ground when he tries to pushes his form up even more. "Ten. Kurama wins!" Koto announces as she looks away from Touya's collapsed form and turns to the board that now shows Kurama and Touya's images. "Please update the score board!" And with that another point was awarded to our team as Touya's photo faded from the screen. But it seems Touya is not yet done as he forces his head to look up at Kurama and speak to him, "You have won the match I admit. Please. Kill me." I watch as Kurama closes his eyes and bows his head as he replies, "I will not." This makes Touya gasp, which leads to Kurama speaking more, "You never answered. What do you plan to do with this island if you get it?" But it would seem even if defeated Touya is not will to answer as he stubbornly spits out, "Who cares!" But this doesn't seem to deter Kurama as he instead says something that pains me. "I too have spent years in shadow. Interesting how unexpected regret can appear. That's what this light does. I only wanted to know if you could make your life better, nobler...than mine has been." Kurama then looks away from Touya with shame and sadness and seems to let all of himself go limb and lifeless, despite his form continuing to stand. "Kurama!" Yusuke shouts from beside me, whilst I do nothing but stare speechless at Kurama, taking in his bloodied state and the plants casually sprouting from his wounds.