“Hmm… sure is a nice day out.” Siano said staring up at the black rain
clouds. Venus looked down at her; the cat’s eyes were dark blue, proof
enough of her relaxed state. She let a little smile slide by, normally Siano
kept herself emotionless as possible, kind of nice that today she wasn’t.
Her ears twitched, sensing that she was being watched. Siano turned to her
friend. “What’s a matter Venus?” She shook her head “Nothing…” Siano looked
back up at the shadowing clouds. “So what are we doing here again?” She
asked dropping her head again to glance around.

Venus had taken her to the Black Forest Market. It was a place between the
demon and spirit world. Demons and dark, or just curious, humans came here
for the bars, the shops, and every now and then a street brawl that would
break out.

Siano normally didn’t come because she felt very small; and way too young;
compared to everyone.  She didn’t have a real clue how old she was, all she
knew was that she barely passed off as a seventeen year old.

“Just thought we’d cruise around, you need to get out more Siano.” Venus
stopped to look at a shop where they had a few cauldrons in the window. “If
you always keep yourself locked up in the shrine you’re never going to meet
new people.” They moved a little so they were through the window of the same
shop, but now there was some various kimonos hung in the window. “Hell, even
Hiei gets out more than you.” Siano turned narrowed sapphire eyes at her, a
few golden strands of her hair blowing in the slowly picking up wind.

Venus was wearing a bright red kimono that ruffled in the wind; with a pair
of baggy light grey pants underneath. Siano had on a long sleeve baggy black
shirt that she practically drowned in; and dark blue jeans.

They continued walking along when they saw a large gather of people. “What’s
that?” Siano said as they stopped a few paces away from the crowd. The fox
demon just shrugged “Probably just a street fight.” A panther demon came up
from behind them. “What are you two, tourists? That’s the tournament Lady
Kalrine is holding.” They both turned to her. Lady Kalrine owned a castle
not far from the market, she wasn’t the richest, but she had a powerful
organization of assassins at her disposal. “What’s it for?” Venus asked
tilting her head slightly at the demon who happened to be the same height as
her. The panther folded her arms across her chest
”Didn’t you here? Two of her assassins resigned. She’s holding this
tournament…” she jerked her head towards the crowd. “to pick two new ones.”
Siano looked up curiously her eyes fading more to a violet. “There are two
divisions. Division ‘A’ and Division ‘B’, the winner of each division will
be her new assassins.” Venus put one finger up two her lower lip. The little
cat stayed silent watching her. Venus’s eyes brightened as she turned to
Siano. “You want to try it?” A crooked smile came across her face. “Sounds
like fun.” They both turned as the panther demon laughed. “Oh please! A fox
and a child trying out to be assassins! That’s pathetic.” Siano narrowed one
eye slightly. “We’ll see.”

The two of them weaved they’re way through the crowd and approached the sign
up desk. “You here to sign up?” one demon said gruffly. “Yeah but I have a
few questions… what’s the difference between the divisions?” The demon
sighed and picked up a stack of papers. He flipped through them a few times
before looking up at her. “Let’s see… Division ‘A’ is for full breed demons
only. Division ‘B’ is for humans and half- breeds.” He glanced over at
Siano. “Typical.” She sighed. “Well I guess we know who’s going to what
division, huh?” Venus nodded and signed them both up. “Looks like we got the
last two spots.” Venus said as the two demons packed up the sign up desk and
handed a girl, who looked human, the sign up papers.

“So… what do we do if we win?” Siano asked. Venus tilted her head “I haven’t
thought about that yet.” She groaned “…you idiot…” Venus turned over to look
at the human girl again. “Don’t worry… we can always resign… or maybe we’ll
like the job!” The blonde snorted. “Whatever.” The wind started to pick up.
Venus’s white hair blew in circles around her head. Siano reached inside her
bag and produced a green ribbon. The fox looked down at it. “I don’t think
so! You know I never put up my hair .”  Venus folded her arms across her
chest. “You know the wind’s only going to pick up.” Siano said putting one
hand on her hip, the other still holding the ribbon out to her. Venus
sighed, she knew that Siano was right. She took the ribbon and gathered up
as much of her hair as she could catch. Siano watched as she finished the
last slip in her knot. Then she tugged at it experimentally for a second
before putting her arms back down.

“Ladies and Gentleman!” the girls voice boomed through the speakers
overhead. “Demons and humans of all ages! Let the tournament begin! Will all
contestants please approach the arena?” The fox demon and her smaller
companion slowly made their way to a dirt ring outlined with a white chalk
line and some blue ribbon held up by wooden stakes. Siano glanced around at
the various demons around the arena. There were very few humans if any. On
the other side of the arena she saw the panther demon they had bumped into
earlier. “For the first round it will division be ‘A’ Kalo verses Venus!”
Venus tightened her fists and walked into the arena. “Good luck…” Siano
murmured to her watching a bear demon enter the ring. He was huge, he looked
more like a regular bear than a bear demon; his voice echoed in growling
words.

“Venus? What kind of a name is that?” He laughed. Venus let a smile snake
across her face. “Not sure, the real question is what kind of a face is
that?!” She narrowed her eyes as he let out a snarl. “For the round one the
rules are- powers only!” The girl spoke. “No weapons- no claws- only your
special abilities!” Venus smirked, easy. “Let round one begin!” The demon
opened his mouth and let out a series of purple sparks that shot out at
Venus. She dodged each one effortlessly as her eyes began to glow. Finally
the bear stopped and looked at her. “What? Can’t attack?” His beady black
eyes narrowed. Venus lifted her arm and pointed behind the demon. He stopped
dead as three thorned vines bound his legs; “No-! What is this!?” The fox
merely laughed and waved her arm to signal the vines to tighten. As they
did, each thorn punctured his skin, and he was lifted above the ground and
held in the air. As he dangled in the damp wind she walked slowly towards
him. He barked out a few more purple sparks at her; trying to warn her to
stay away. “Pathetic…” she whispered as she caught the sparks in her hand,
and crumbled them. With another wave of her hand, she had the vines throw
him out of the ring. Kalo hit a large boulder when the vines released him.
He lay motionless before opening his eyes.

“Ring- Out!” The girl’s voice called out. “Winner- Venus!” There were a few
hisses from the crowd amongst the cheers as Venus left the arena. The bear
demon hung his head in shame and left into the forest. A few more cheers
came from the crowd as Venus walked over to her friend. “Have fun?” Siano
asked. She shrugged “It was boring; I feel worse for you though; you’ll have
to fight a human.” The little cat laughed “I feel worse for them.” They both
watched as the human girl’s voice came on again.

“Next match! Division ‘B’! Keeto verses Destiny!” They watched as two humans
entered the ring. One was a girl wrapped up in a black robe with short
auburn hair; the other was a tall black-haired man in long brown pants and a
white t-shirt. Many hisses came from the crowd; humans were not very
popular. “Macth one! The rules are- hand to hand combat only! No weapons, no
powers!” Both humans got into a fighting stance; as destiny moved her black
robes were blown back, revealing a long red dress. “This should be amusing…”
Siano muttered her violet eyes focused on the two. “Ready… Begin!”

As the words left her mouth Keeto had flown across the gap between the two
and slammed one fist into Destiny’s abdomen. The human jumped back; but she
didn’t crumple. “Nice shot…” after saying so she broke across the ring and
did a standing jump. For a moment Keeto stood wondering what had happened
when he realized she was above him. She slammed the heal of her boot to the
back of his head, sending him almost out of the ring. She stood still;
watching closely as the other human got up to regain his balance. “Well this
battle has defiantly rocketed off between these two humans!” The announcer’s
voice rang out. Destiny came at him again; but he dodged it quickly and
seared the side of his hand into the back of her head as she flew by. The
human girl landed in the middle of the arena; completely unconscious. The
announcer ran into the middle of the ring and bent down next to the girl.
Yes- she was alive, just merely unconscious. “Destiny is knocked out!
Winner- Keeto!”

Siano shook her head; it was a short; but actually quite entertaining fight.
Destiny was carried gently out of the ring by two large humans. Keeto walked
out of the ring with a smug look on his face. “Hope I get to be the one to
wipe that smile off of him.” Siano muttered watching as half the crowd
cheered and the other hissed. Venus came up from behind and tapped her on
the shoulder. Siano jumped and turned to see what the… Venus smiled “Didn’t
even realize I was gone did you?” Siano let out breath and shook her head.
Her friends arm shot out “Got this for you.” The hand held a can of green
tea in it. Siano took it and popped the tab open “Thanks…” The fox settled
herself next to her friend. “So, who won?” Siano closed her eyes and took a
sip “The boy…” Venus nodded before popping the tab on a can of lemon tea.

The girl’s voice came back “Round 2! Division ‘A’! Hentai verses Koga!”
Siano sputtered as she took a sip. “Koga?!” She repeated. Koga was a wolf
demon from her own time, he had not been brought here by Venus though. Siano
was sure he didn’t even know she came here, even though he was a friend and
ally as well. “How’d he get here?” Venus said wide eyed watching the wolf
demon enter the ring followed by a small demon dressed in blue. He waved to
Siano and smiled. The cat smacked her hand to her forehead. “If doesn’t get
himself killed I’m gonna half to chew out about this later!” She whispered
to herself.

Both demons were like Venus and herself, they could occasionally pass off as
humans if they wished. Hentai wore a pair of dark blue pants and a light
blue jacket. He wasn’t much taller than Siano and had long flame red hair
pulled back into a braid. He had narrowed blue eyes focused on Koga. Koga
had on a couple of wolf skin bracers on his wrists along with a black
t-shirt and pants. He had a wolf skin pelt wrapped around his waist that
almost looked like a skirt. His black hair was pulled back and he had had on
his wolf headband right above his own narrowed blue eyes. Siano had always
wondered why Koga wore so much wolf pelt, he was so overprotective of his
pack of wolves; sometimes it didn’t make sense to her.

“Round 2 Match 1! Rules are… hand to hand combat only! Same as the last
battle!” Hentai crouched down into a fighting position and Koga just stood
where he was with his tail swishing. “Don’t worry…” Venus told her. “Hand to
hand is his specialty; this should be easy for him.” Siano sighed, stupid
little…
“Begin!”

Like the last fight, this one rocketed off as well; Hentai shot out at Koga
like a whirlwind; launching a fist at his unprotected jaw. Koga got out the
way quickly and threw his own fist at the others jaw. It hit dead on and
Hentai spiraled across the arena, but he didn’t get knocked out. He stood up
and wiped some of the blood that trickled down from the corner of his mouth.
“You - !” Koga laughed at his reaction “What? You seemed surprised.” Hentai
gathered himself up and straightened out. “Just wasn’t expecting it…” Koga
wavered; watching his opponent in anticipation. Hentai slid himself back
into his original fighting stance. “Huwa! ... I dare you to try that again…”
Koga stayed where he was staring at his opponent. Then, without warning, the
smaller demon lunged at him, delivering a blow straight to his chest.
“Nnnjhh … !” The wolf demon flew backwards before catching himself just
within the arena boundaries. He stood up and crossed one arm over his chest;
his breaths came in heaves as he regained his balance. A crooked smile came
across him. “Nice shot…” Then he bolted across the arena; changing
directions at the last moment … “Now you’re dead!”… He crashed a blow right
across the demon head. Hentai flew across the arena and hit the ground; he
didn’t move. His whole face glowed a violent crimson; his body had gone
completely lax.

The human girl ran into the ring next to Hentai. “It’s a miracle folks! He’s
alive!” Koga folded his arms across chest and glared down at the unconscious
demon. “Hentai is out! Winner- Koga!”

“Well the idiot actually did it.” Siano mused as he walked over to them from
the ring; wearing that same smug smile. Once more he folded his arms, Siano
mimicked his pose while tilting her hips slightly to one side. “So… what are
you doing here?” he said watching her eyes narrow. “I should be asking you
that! I come to this time era all the time, how did you get here?”  He
brought one hand up behind his head and let the other one fall loose. “Well
the thing is…” he gave her a weak smile and closed his eyes. “…I followed
you here last time you came.” Siano groaned, wasn’t too much of a big deal,
but who knew how much trouble he could get into in this time era. The
tournament was actually a good example. “You need to drop out.” Koga looked
down at her “Why?”  Siano sighed and looked up at looming clouds overhead
and sighed. “Because… what would happen if you won… before that could even
happen you’d have to fight this stupid kitsune here…”  she jerked her thumb
towards Venus before looking back at him. He just smirked “I don’t care…
I’ll figure it out when it happens.” She sighed, no use arguing; he was
almost as stubborn as Venus.

“So… are you actually going to fight in this tournament?” Lilac eyes turned
to him before fading to a midnight blue. “Yeah… why?” He shrugged; “Just
never seen you fight before. Was starting to wonder if you could.” She
turned back to the sky. “Guess you’ll find out.”

Venus watched as he left to the other side of the contestant arena. The
announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers once again “Round 2 Match 2!
Division ‘B’! Siano verses Shido!”

“You’re up!” Venus said. Siano shoved her hands down in her pockets and
walked to the arena. As she stepped inside the announcer began with “Here’s
a real treat! Our first half breeds of the tournament! Shido, a half vampire
demon, and Siano, a half cat demon!” Siano glowed green eyes at her. “You
don’t have to make such a big deal of it.” She muttered. The vampire turned
to grimace at the wooden stakes surrounding the arena. “Do we half to have
those?” He whined. Siano looked at him “Don’t worry… I don’t need to use
them to kill the likes of you.” He turned and gave her a sharp look.

Shido was a tall demon, white hair and bright red eyes; he wore a long
orange robe that covered down to his ankles.

“The rules are…” the announcer came up “Powers only! Do these half breeds
even have any?” Siano scowled down at the human girl. “Match one… Begin!”

Siano brought out her hands and her eyes grew a dark lavender as a crooked
smile snaked over her face. Both demons raised up their energy, a matching
lavender surrounded Siano as a crimson one surrounded Shido. They both
positioned themselves as their energy grew. “You ready little girl?” The
demon sneered at her. “Let’s go.” As the words left her mouth her energy
shot out in dangerous sparks. She closed her eyes; taking a deep breath and
sealed it back within her. She opened them and shot herself up into the air.
Shido followed her slowly with his eyes. Once she was directly above him she
hovered for a moment. He watched as her left hand shot out; open handed down
towards him “Fading Light!” Shido was caught off guard and got hit head on
with the spell.

Siano landed with a flip to the ground and watched the now blinded demon
whimper. He blinked several time, still unable to regain his vision. “You
…wretch!” he screamed throwing a black fireball it the direction her scent
came from. She sidestepped to dodge it, but not before another hurtled in
her direction. She jumped, dodging that one too; then he let out another
scream and threw a larger one. Landing on the ground, she decided to stick
to her feet; it would be easier to dodge them that way. Shido was still
blinded, but he could hear and smell everywhere she was.

“I think you pissed him off Siano!” Venus called jokingly from just out side
the ring. “Naw; ya’ think!” Siano growled; dodging another fireball.

Gotta find a way to distract him…She glanced around while she ran away from
three more black flames. “Unjhhh…!” she winced as one grazed her right
shoulder. His hearing. Yeah, if she could throw an energy ball behind him,
perhaps that would be enough. The vampire gathered up a few more orbs and
cast them at the direction of her cry. Siano shot by two small orbs, but not
before getting hit full force with one large one. She hit the ground with a
thud; crimson liquid trailing from the gaping hole in her stomach. The small
demon got up shakily and fled from another onslaught of black fire balls. I
can’t keep running…Shido gathered up four fire orbs in his hand at once and
threw them all in the direction he heard Siano’s breath coming from. Siano
ran but it was no good, she saw the four fireballs come right at her
“Aaaahhnnnn-!” Three of them hit her knocking the cat backwards. Now! As she
was falling; she gathered up a ball of glowing black energy and threw it
behind Shido.

Time seemed to move in slow motion as the vampire demon gathered up another
fire ball; bigger this time, he intended it to be the finishing blow, and
aimed it right at Siano… Venus gasped, she knew it easily could be the
finishing one… Siano squinted through one eye… Where will he throw it? The
crowd went silent… Shido hesitated before turning around and threw the fire
ball behind him! This was her chance! Siano leapt into the air; like she had
done the first time and gathered a dark aura around her; her eyes faded to
an autumn yellow. Her energy held her up there as Shido turned, realizing
he’d made a mistake. The first spell had worn off now and he regained his
vision; his eyes opened further in horror as he saw her. He launched another
fire orb at her, but it was too late; the spell had already been put into
motion. The orb bounced off a black energy shield surrounding Siano.

Her eyes slid shut as the energy gathered; the crowd gasped and pointed at
her. Venus watched… she knew this spell all to well; Siano had used it once
on her when they fought. Only those who truly had a strong will and
constitution could survive it. Venus watched, “A spell of true darkness…”
Slowly, Siano’s eyes opened.
Venus continued to murmur to herself “A spell of pain and fear beyond
imagination…”
Siano lowered her gaze to Shido “Haunted Night…” At her words an aura began
to surround him; one that was not his own. It shot up and spiraled; he
started to let out a terrible scream; when a black energy wall engulfed him,
blocking out all noise of his screams as well as the twisting energy. The
crowd watched as all was silent.
The shield dissipated and his mangled body was left on the ground. As the
crowd screamed and gasped, some twisted demons even cheered, Siano silently
lowered herself down to the ground.
“A spell where no one hears your screams as you die, in a horrible, twisted
agony.”

The announcer ran into the middle of the arena. “He’s… dead…” She
straightened herself and looked at the half demon; standing there with her
eyes a blank, dull, autumn yellow. “Shido is dead! Winner- Siano! That’s it
for the first half of the tournament! We’ll have an hour intermission break
for our contestants before we have the last four matches!” Siano swallowed
hard before exiting the arena.

Once she had, she stood silent next to Venus for a moment. Sensing her
uneasiness, Venus spoke “Well… that was interesting for a first fight.”
Siano looked up at her; eyes glinting at her through the clouds shadows.
“Don’t, don’t start. You know I hate that spell.” With that she turned and
left into the market. Koga approached Venus and stood in there in silence
for a moment. “Waz wrong with her?” She merely shook her head, then she
darted off after her.

Siano walked with her head down; hands deep into her pockets.  Damn it. She
felt like she was going to be sick; the sight of Shido came back into her
head. Slowly Siano turned out of the market and into the thick woods. I have
an hour…maybe I should be the one to drop out. She hated that spell more
than anything, and truly despised herself for even knowing. The few times
she had barely been able to convince herself that it was necessary. Was it
this time though?

Venus gazed around the market with Koga behind her. They were completely
stumped where she could have gone to, wasn’t that big of a market. She
turned to the wolf demon behind her and he merely shrugged. “Too many scents
to find hers…” Venus thought out loud. Koga sniffed the air just to check…
there was the faint scent of a cat in the air. Was it Siano’s though?

Siano flopped down in the grass and leaned back up against the huge pine
tree. Why couldn’t she convince herself that it was okay this time? Curling
up she hugged her knees and let her mind drift somewhere else. The thing
was, though Venus didn’t even know it, was that every time she used that
spell, the barriers made it so that she could still hear they’re screams.
Just no one else could. Her black ears laid back as she thought about it.
She didn’t even know what the spell really did. Those who survived ended up
unconscious for a long period of time and never remembered a thing of what
happened. It was said that it brought all of your worst fears, plus all the
pain you’ve ever felt in your life, and put it all together in that confined
shield, forcing you to experience it all over again at the same time. She
felt nauseous again, leaning back she curled up even tighter.
Venus and Koga decided to go on the scent he had picked up. As he followed,
it grew stronger. “It’s Siano, we’re close!” Venus turned and followed him.
They started to enter the forest, Siano lifted her head when she smelled
them. The forest was dark, but they spotted her anyways. Venus waved and in
one swift jump she landed right beside her. Koga came running up behind her.
Siano’s eye twitched a little at their approach. “Go away. Just come and get
me before the second half starts.” Venus watched as her eyes flickered
around, brown, red, green, red, brown, red. She giggled a little at the
flashing colors before Siano let them go a blank gold. Venus knelt beside
her friend and put a hand on her shoulder. “Do I gotta spell it out… GO
AWAY!” After staring at her for a moment longer, Venus straightened up
“Alright… either stay here, or come into the market. Got it?” Siano
stretched out and closed her eyes. “Don’t treat me like a kid…” Venus
crossed her arms “Got it?” One lavender eye cracked open. “Yeah, yeah, I got
it.” Venus smiled brightly and motioned for Koga to follow her. The cat
demon watched as they left the dense woods into the bustling market.

A few minutes after they left she stood up and looked about. She had enough
time to try and shrug off what happened. It would still bother her for a
couple days; but not too badly. Letting out a long sigh her eyes returned to
they’re ocean blue state. I’ll just go check out the market. She exited the
dark woods and into the market. Those black clouds still hovered overhead,
it was comforting in a way.

She walked over to the kimono shop Venus and her had been looking at
earlier. Looking through the window she could see quite a few imported ones.
This shop was one of Venus’s favorite, because slaves didn’t make the items.
Most of the shops in demon world had items provided by slaves that were
bought. Venus used to be a slave, so did Siano but it didn’t phase her as
bad. This shop however, had items that were made by the owner of the
original shop. She lived a good deal away, but her items are sold
everywhere. One kimono happened to be a long shimmering, pine green, one.
The kimono had a lighter shade of green on the trim of the sleeves and on
the base. It was decorated with turquoise vines that twisted and then
bloomed into deep scarlet rose blossoms. Venus would love that. She was
thinking for a minute before she brought out her drawstring bag and fumbled
through it. She just had enough for it. She looked up at it and smiled. I’ll
get it for her after the tournament.

Venus spotted her friend walking around in her usual posture, head bent
down, hands deep in pockets. “Hey there!” Venus called to her. She raised
her head slightly; those deep blue eyes showing much to her relief. Looks
like she’s okay now… She thought absently. Siano grinned slightly as the fox
approached; she noticed Koga wasn’t with her though. “You didn’t let him go
off on his own, did you?” Venus fidgeted a little; she thought he’d be
alright on his own. She outwardly surprised when all Siano did was laugh.
“You- you, mean you don’t care?!” Venus gasped. Siano shook her head, still
giggling slightly. “It’s not that… it’s just… I’m imagining what’s gonna
happen when he gets jumped.” She stared down at her for a moment before
realizing what she meant. “ohhh… right.”

Venus remembered that a tradition for a lot of demons at The Black Forest
Market was that if you won a street brawl, or any other type of fight; you
get jumped by all of them. Venus didn’t ever have to worry too much about
that since she tried to be pretty agreeable and never got in a fight. On the
other hand; when Venus first took Siano to the market; she had gotten into a
huge fight with some guy named Draco at the bar. Siano hadn’t drank
anything; but the other had a little and came onto her while Venus was
dancing. That really pissed her off and well… After the fight she got jumped
in the alley way. Venus happened to know some of them and asked what the
heck was going on and they explained it to her. Realizing the girl was with
Venus, they were quickly called off. Siano hadn’t done too badly though; she
had a little blood trickling down the side of her mouth and her sleeve was
torn. Otherwise it was nothing. Neither Venus nor Siano would have to worry
about that now, but Koga…

She grimaced a little. “Maybe we should go find him.” The half demon nodded
and they left to search for him.
He wasn’t too hard to find; and yes; he was about to get jumped when they
found him. Siano saw the demons waiting for him in an alley way as they
approached. He saw them and turned to wave “Hey Siano-…aaauuugghh!” About
nine demons attacked the wolf. Siano quickly went over to him, Venus right
behind her. “Alright! Alright!” Venus shouted. “That’s quite enough of
that!” They backed off and they looked at the slightly injured wolf. Siano
went over and put one hand on her hip. “What’d I tell ya? Keep it up and
you’re gonna get hurt.” He glowered up at her. “Stop lecturing and help me
up.” The little cat tsked and offered out a hand to him.
“Hey Venus,” one of the shorter demons drawled. “What’cha up to?” Venus
copied Siano’s earlier pose and put both hands on her hip. “Well if you were
watching the tournament other than just to find a new victim, you woulda
known.” She replied evenly. Koga brushed himself off as Siano listened to
the others conversation. The demon gave her a cocky grin “Aw… C’mon. What’s
wrong?” Venus looked coldly down at him. “The tournament starting up soon…
Siano?” She jerked her head up to look at her friend. “… ready?” Siano
nodded to her and then looked to see if Koga was alright. “The tournament
doesn’t start for a couple minutes,” The demon pursued. “And your point?”
She snapped “Don’t be like that, I just wanted to know if you wanted to have
a drink of something.” From behind them Siano snorted “Pathetic…” with that
she brushed past them and left towards the center of the market. Koga
followed, not wanting to get involved with those demons.

“Hey Siano… wait up!!” he called. She stopped and turned, waiting for him to
catch up. Once he had she continued walking, her hands deep in her pockets
once again. Not long after Venus came up behind them. “C’mon Siano… don’t
give me that look!” Siano turned narrowed violet eyes on her. “I wasn’t
going to go with them!” Siano smiled. “I know.” She turned her attention
back to the arena they were approaching. The tournament would be re-
starting up again soon.

“Will all tournament contestants please approach the arena!” The human girl
shouted.
“Right on cue.” Siano muttered getting to their earlier spot.
“Welcome everyone to the second half of the tournament. Remember the winner
of each division will be the new assasins for Lady  Kalrine!”
After a pause she announced “Second half! Match one, Division A! Venus
verses Koga!”  At this Siano could not contain her laughter as they both
went pale. “Told ya Koga!” she smirked behind her hand. Both demons entered
the ring and went to opposite ends of the arena. “The rules are… hand to
hand combat again! Ready? Begin!” Both of them stood for a moment, staring
each other down. Then Venus shifted slightly to a fighting position. “You
ready?” She asked him, yellow eyes narrowing. He nodded “Bring it on!”

That was all Venus needed. In an instant she was across the gap, swinging
hard, and missing slightly. The fox drew back before he could hit her and
stood in front of him. Koga moved next, with a cyclone created by his jewel
shards he came at her and kicked out at her, it hit her arm lightly as she
stepped out of the way and brought it up as a block. As he drew back, Venus
struck out, her fist landing hard against the side of his head. Koga flew
across the ring and skidded out. He was completely unconscious. The
announcer sang out “Koga is out of the ring, Winner Venus!” The crowd
cheered as Venus exited the stage. Siano congratulated her, then they both
looked over at Koga. He was still knocked out, but no one came to get him. 
Siano sighed “Guess we better go get him.” Venus nodded and they walked
around the ring and Venus picked him up. Siano shook her head “ I told him…”
They walked back over and set him down by them.
“Second half! “Match two division B! Keeto verses Siano!”
Siano looked up from her seat. “Oh wee…” she said sarcastically walking into
the ring. Keeto eyed her suspiciously for a moment.
“The rules are… hand to hand combat! Ready? Begin!”
For a moment both fighters stood, wavering slightly in anticipation. Siano
shifted slightly so that she could dodge if needed, she was accustom to
fighting styles where your opponent took the first swing. When she saw him
towards her, she shot of as well, seeming to flicker in place as he swung
and missed. The cat demon dealt him a sharp elbow in the back of his head.
He fell forward, but he did not fall unconscious. His vision was blurred
horribly as he searched the ring in vain. She watched curiously, only a few
feet in front of him. She walked in a slow pace towards him. He heard her
footsteps and swung carelessly, missing badly. She stopped right in front of
him and shook her heads. “Give it up.” The demon said evenly “You can’t
fight like that.” He shook his head and tried to regain his vision. Still
seeing nothing he spoke “No, I’m not going to give up.” Siano sighed “Than I
have no choice.” Extending her hand in a razor motion, she karate chopped
him in the back of the neck. Keeto hit the ground with a thud. His eyes were
shut and he was unconscious. The announcer ran to the ring again.
“Keeto is out- Winner, Siano!” Siano shook her bangs out of her eyes and
walked over to Venus. Her expression blank “These battles have been pretty
boring… except for my first one.” Venus nodded. “How’s stupid doing?” She
asked looking down at Koga. “Oh he’s been running around playing games and
skipping through flowers, he’s just napping now.” Venus replied
sarcastically. “Shut up.” Her friend replied.

They both watched as the final round was about to take place, Siano’s black
cat ears twitched a little in anticipation. They hadn’t seen the fighters
that would be participating in the final rounds yet. Watching, the human
girl ran to the middle of the arena. “Okay everyone… final round! Each
division will be competing against the assassins that are quitting!” The
crowd gasped and Venus’s eyes widened slightly as Siano’s only narrowed.
“The real test is coming! Are our competitors strong enough to beat who they
are replacing? We’ll find out!” A demon girl ran into the middle of the
arena next to her and handed her a piece of paper. She stared at it for a
moment. “I have been informed that both finalists are to come to the arena.”
She held the paper over her head. “They are the spirit fox Venus! From
division A! And the cat demon Siano! From division B!”

They both got up and straightened out a little. “Will our finalists please
enter the arena!” They exchanged looks and walked slowly where they were
told. Once they had entered Venus stood straight facing the center of the
ring, Siano wavered to the right side slightly, one hand in her pocket. Her
body faced the right but her head was tilted towards the center as well.
They both looked at the announcer as she sang out. “Venus will be battling…
Moon Raven!” a tall demon dressed all in black stepped into the ring from
one side and Venus slit her eyes half shut to glare at her. “And Siano will
be battling… Black Axe!” at that an equally tall demon stepped into the ring
with a large, ceremonially decorated axe. Siano brought her hand from her
pocket and watched slowly. “You will be battling at the same time!” Siano
and Venus both jerked they’re head towards the girl as she exited the ring.
“You may only attack you’re opponent alright. The rules are… weapons only!
Ready? Begin!”

Siano unsheathed both blades from her back and stood into a fighting
position. Venus pulled a seed from her hair and it quickly grew into her
Rose Sword. Moon Raven pulled back her cape to reveal a crystal handled
katana. They stared each other down for a moment before the two assassins
shot from their positions, Black Axe moving slower from his weapon. Siano
jumped from her place on the ground as Venus jolted from her position.

Moon Raven slashed out and grazed Venus’s shoulder with the blade, Venus
struck out as well hitting her across the leg. They both landed a few feet
away from each other. “Nice shot.” The assassin smirked, looking down at her
bleeding lag. “Not a bad one either.” Venus remarked clutching her shoulder.

Black Axe swung his weapon viscously as she landed lightly behind him, then
running to dodge. He swung again, the very tip grazing her cheek. She ducked
below the outstretched axe and stabbed one blade through his arm. She jerked
it out and jumped backwards, her eyes glittered in anticipation of the next
attack.

Venus dodged as Moon Raven dove at her again, slicing considerably deep into
the assassins back. She made a small noise of pain as she fell flat. In the
flicker of an eye she got back up and glared at her. Venus held her sword in
front of her defensively. Moon Raven was bleeding badly, she looked at
Venus, and chuckled “Why didn’t you kill me just now? You know you could
have easily.” Venus regarded her slightly. “Yeah, but it isn’t necessary.”
The assassin looked up at her.

Black Axe held his arm and laughed. “So you can get in one hit, can those
little blades do anything more.” He swung out again and Siano jumped up,
landing weightlessly on the flat side of the axe. “Lets see.” She replied,
striking out her blades ans spinning on her heels, it looked like a dance
almost. She missed all vitals as she swung about, leaving deep incisions on
his body. Then she quickly leapt off the axe and on to the ground.

Moon Raven acknowledged that neither had tried to kill because it wasn’t
necessary, or whatever their reason was. “You two are the replacements we
need. You have passed you’re final test.” Moon Raven and Black Axe both
raised their arm to the sky, shooting a white light from it.

“And we have our new assassins! Siano and Venus!” The crowd cheered as the
two ex-assassins left the arena. “You two will be good.” Moon Raven nodded
to them as she silently left behind her ex-teammate.

The crowd continued cheering as Venus and Siano both stood in the middle of
the ring, bloody weapons still in hand. It took them a minute before they
processed what happened. Siano, in a slick jerk of each hand, swung the
blood off of her blades before sheathing them. Venus straightened up and her
sword transformed into a rose and broke apart in the wind. The rain came
down in a cold rush. Siano gazed up at the clouds, “Bout time” she thought.
They both took in a long breath and let the rain wash over them. The staff
and crowd dissipated until both new assassins were left alone (with the
exception of the unconscious wolf) in the stadium. Venus met Siano’s eyes
and she smiled, Siano did as well. Then both left to collect Koga and find a
dry place for the night.

The End!!!