Rebirth -- Book 4

Chapter 2 - Fighting Tension

Keiko walked along silently for a time as she listened to Hisoka explain Heaven's Arena. "Once you reach the 200th floor you see, the establishment makes sufficient profit on the fighters to allow them any accommodation and concessions they could wish," he droned on.

"Don't they lose revenue when contestants kill each other," Keiko asked in disgust. Just judging from how Hisoka talked about it, she doubted it was a place for only competitive sparring.

"Well certainly they don't have to kill each other. In fact they're not supposed to," Hisoka drawled, "but at that level it is no longer friendly duels or new faces with something to prove. Many desire something more precious." His bloodlust began leaking out, causing Keiko to shiver. "They long for the blood of a strong opponent," Hisoka finished, need apparent on his face.

Keiko rolled her eyes. Things were not much different in the shinobi world; at least until recently now that there was more international cooperation. Shinobi still fought to hone their skills against other strong opponents. But these days, killing was not so frequently on the menu, even in many missions. There were still rogue factions of ninja not keen to let the old ways die, but the nations had been working together to weed them out.

Hisoka seemed impressed that she did not seem afraid of him by this point as he continued to go over the art of waiting for an opponent to mature before challenging them.

Keiko continued to just listen as Hisoka rambled on. Good gods he was so self absorbed. He hadn't even tried to ask her name again. It played to her benefit though as she did not feel pressured to reveal anything about herself.

Hisoka continued with this ruse, not pushing her for information until he could catch her off her guard with defenses down. She seemed fairly disinterested in what he had to say but still politely asked questions occasionally.

It would take another day before they arrived at Heaven's Arena at this pace, so they made camp such as it was. Keiko's elemental releases had greatly improved and she was able to fashion them a shelter.

"Hmm, now that is rather fascinating," Hisoka mused, though he didn't ask her any additional questions about her power.

Keiko fell asleep rather quickly, though not deeply knowing she could not trust the man lying next to her. Hisoka watched her face soften as she drifted off to sleep. She looked so gentle and beautiful. She was not so rigid as when she was awake. A small part of him stirred unexpectedly, and it wasn't any cunning or evil motive for once. He wasn't really sure what it was, but for once in a long time he got enjoyment out of a small moment that did not bring him any physical pleasure. She was quite the mystery indeed.

---

The next day as they reached the arena, Keiko's senses were overwhelmed by the activity in the lobby and out in the city below. TV's were placed throughout the lobby showing current matched. Ticket booths strung across the far wall sold passes to the days fights and collected bet slips. People of all ages and types milled about talking angrily or excitedly about the results of each fight. Though outwardly, her expression didn't change, her heartrate rose.

Hisoka pulled her along towards the elevator, where he inserted a pass as he pressed the button for the 200th floor. As the elevator ascended, Keiko felt the presence of menacing aura increase and her palms began to sweat.

"You may want to shield yourself my dear," Hisoka said. "If you cannot, you won't make it long on this floor I'm afraid."

Keiko adjusted her chakra accordingly. Hisoka eyed her. He could not see any flow of Nen protecting her, yet she visibly became entirely relaxed. Her use of aura did not seem to fall in line with the Four Major Principles: Ren, Ten, Hatsu, and Zetsu. At least not in the way he was used to. He pondered if perhaps on her world, aura was honed differently. It would definitely give her tactical advantage over others on this world who were unfamiliar with this. Conversely, she would be at a disadvantage for being unaware of the basic principles of Nen. He was considering how he could use this when the doors to the elevator slowed to a stop.