Terry looked over to his brother. "I think they've fallen for each other."

Andy frowned. "Geeze when did you notice Einstein?"

"Hey, not that wasn't nice Andy." Interjected Mai as she shook her finger at her lover.

The last fight for round one was between Bishimon, and Maximov Soul.

Morrigan looked to Maximov. "Try not to beat him too badly Maxy." She smiled sweetly at him, the look making her look almost harmless.

He sighed. "If you wish."

Bishimon stepped into the arena.

"Come let us see who is the stronger."

Maximov yawned and entered the ring.

"If you bore me sir, you will lose this fight much quicker." With that Mavimov removed his shirt and vest to reveal his chiseled features. Maximov then put on a mask that resembled Vega's.

"FIGHT!"

Bishimon wasted no time to begin charging forward brandishing his sword. Maximov stood his ground, waiting for the attack.
The samurai armor charged in bringing his sword around in a wide arc. As the blade neared Maximov he seemed to fade into thin air and reappear behind his foe, striking him with his fist. The Demon was quite angry as he turned around. He again struck out with thhe blade. Again Maximov disappeared, though this time he appeared on the other side of the ring.

Bishimon caught a glimpse of Morrigan in his eyes, a look of pity came across her fair face.

Maximov looked at the Demon. "This battle bores me."

A feeling of dread embedded itself on the samurai spirit's stomach.

Maximov took the Stroheim fighting stance as energy gathered around his arms. "Give my regards to oblivion Bishimon. KAISER WAVE!"

Bishimon dropped to the ground.

Morrigan walked on to the battle field.

"Well he lasted longer than I expected."

Max yawned. "It was dull. Anyway, let us go celebrate the day's victory."

Wolfgang Krauser looked on as the winner put on his shirt and vest. Intriguing, he used my kaiser wave. This proves to be verry intresting. A smile came across his face.

"I see you have witnessed my brother in action."

Krauser spun around on his heels to see who had entered his booth. To his suprize it was his beloved Rimsala.

"He is YOUR brother, Rimsala?" He asked.

"Yes," She simply responded.

END ROUND ONE!!

Ray: **Sits back** Man we're finally done with the first round of fights

Kit: **Jumps up in praise** YES! Now let's get on with the rest. **Takes her seat again in the judges box.**(thinking out loud)

Hm.. It needs more mystery. . . . And of course more romance an . . . .

*Ray stares at her and Kit shuts up.

Kit: Right. Don't blow the story.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Rei?" It was the first morning of the second round. Rei had slept alone in her room needing rest before she could even think about facing Howard. Joe knocked again. Still no one answered. He opened the door and saw that her pack with her dogi was missing, as well as her headband.

Damn, she promised she'd wait. She knows I don't want her to be alone until after her match with Geese. Joe thought as he turned running to the arena.

"KIYAI!" Rei landed turning and holding out her hand as the darts fell to the ground. She heard clapping from behind her as she had started into her next Kata. She froze. "Nan . . ." She turned looking over her shoulder seeing Geese standing by the ring.

"Your form isn't bad. Yavie school right?"

"You would know. You killed the second to the last master." She jumped back to the other side of the ring.

Hito had watched Geese all morning. He knew that the American wasn't up to any good. When Geese went to the arena he knew that Rei was in trouble.

Geese Howard stepped into the ring.

"REI!" Hito started for the ring.

"So you have a second. As do I." Billy stepped into view.

"I will not fight you until the time for the fight to begin." She started for the ropes.

"Who do you think owns this tournament?"

The hum of electricity filled the air.

That trick was played on Joe. And this guy thinks I can't feel the pull of forces. She glanced at Billy and Hito, who were both running to the ring.

Geese started the fight, swinging at her. The hit connected with her stomach. Rei coughed falling to the ring floor.

"REI!" Hito rolled his wheelchair towards the ring.

Rei rolled out of the way of Geese's foot as he went to kick her. She rolled to her feet holding her side. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Ahh, so the fighter is scared." Hito got into the ring.

"I knew you fought to when, but this is insane.. JITSUZAI HENKOOSURU!" Lights flashed around the trio. Geese and Rei split into four, surrounding Hito, who was still trying to get to his feet.

"RAGING STORM!"

"FIRE SEED!" Both yelled at the same time.

Hito screamed in pain as the eight attacks hit him, throwing him into the air.

"Shit!"

"Iie!"

Geese and Rei dived off the ring's platform.

The place they had stood exploded.

Joe heard the explosion as he got to the arena.

"REI!" Joe ran in as she started to come around.

Geese stood pulling her roughly to her feet.

"Let . . . go . . ." Rei struggled.

"Not until you've joined your father." Geese's eyes were black as night.

He's not in control. She smiled weakly. "HELLCAT!"

Geese was caught off guard as she kicked out. Once free she worked on just knocking him out and getting him out of there before the fire consumed them. She went down on one knee coughing as Joe got there.

"Rei!"

"Ka..karada ga itaidesu.. . ." She started to fade. Billy knelt next to Hito.

"He's gone."

"Who won?"

"Lady Yavie. Get er out of here, we got Howard."

"Right."

"Just don't tell anyone else we're letting you walk out of here with her."

"Yeah, gotta keep your tough guy attitude." Joe took Rei out as Bear and Billy took care of Geese.

Rei woke, there were still two hours until she was supposed to fight Geese.

"How . . ." She sat up. Joe looked over from the window.

"You were supposed to wait for me Rei." He looked at her with concern. "And I was hoping I'd be the next fighter to beat him."

"Howard was being controlled during the last bit of the fight." She said remembering looking into his cold eyes.

"What?"

"His eyes were black. I mean real black. There were no whites to them at all. I think something's going on around here Joe." She stood looking at him.

Gun smiled. She did well against my puppet Howard. Maybe I'll be able to break her when Higashi goes into the ring. I'll unleash her bloodlust, even the dark stalkers wouldn't fight her. He looked at the orb.

"Soon the last of the druid warriors will be mine." Gun smiled as he started for the door.

"You were not to kill Hito yet."

"Huh? Oh, heh, that really wasn't my doing. The fool's too good for his own health." Gun smiled, trying to get the attractive woman to as well. She ignored him.

"I noticed. Leave the girl alone for a while Gun, I don't need you to ruin her will to fight. I want her to win until the last round." Rimsala said as she turned walking away.

"Bitch." Gun fell back into his chair. "Fine, I'll wait, only because she's older." And has that fucking scythe. He added in thought.

The tournament was moved out of the town. The hotel staff had set up tents for the guests.

Rei and Joe stood next to each other as the others were informed about Hito's death. Rei looked both sad and relieved at the same time. She pulled away from the group of fighters and rand off crying.

Joe watched her leave and stayed back, knowing she needed some time alone.

Rei knelt on the ground closing her eyes. The ground started to glow.

"Chichi to Haha, Gomenasai. Watashi . . ." She couldn't finish what she wanted to say. She brushed the tears from her eyes and stood.