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Carne Vale
Chapter 3: Even the Odds
Raitsu froze, eyes wide in shock as if she'd seen a ghost, mouth slightly agape. Her arm remained raised, her hand poised to her mouth as if taking a bite of something, but the apple had already hit the ground moments ago.
"H-Hey, are you okay?" The taller neko beside her asked, quickly scanning Rai up and down with concern. "Your face is white- more so than before, I mean! Hey! Can you hear me?"
The blonde, cyan-tipped vixen didn't seem to notice her friend at all. Her amethyst eyes were glued to the figure - the human - that had been escorted into the pit. There's... no way. This c-couldn't be... Those eyes widened even further as he turned around to take in his new surroundings. There was no mistaking that face, that stupidly gorgeous pretty-boy face. Her stomache dropped, and she could feel her heart beating in her throat. Ri'anha continued to ask her questions, but she couldn't hear them. It wasn't until the feline moved in front of her, clawed fingers grabbing at her shoulders, that her suspended arm finally rested at her side.
"Shit, Rai!"
Her lips trembled, but she couldn't seem to find her voice. She glanced up to her friend, who then took the cue to step to the side and turn around to try and spot whatever paralyzing horror there was, but could only see that human male, turning now to stare at the large titan made of solid rock that stood before him. Strange, the tan-colored girl thought, he doesn't look as scared-shitless as I imagined a human would be right now... in fact he looks more angry than anything el-
"Ri'anha."
The cat-eared female snapped her attention back to the other. "What? What is it?!"
Rai's hands clenched tightly, and her horror-stricken expression had been replaced with a more neutral look. "Get me my guitar." She glanced over to the other, who nodded at her request and spun on her heels, disappearing at once into the crowd without a question or moment of hesitation. Above, the announcer's voice croaked out the obvious guidelines of the match, and she watched with a strange pain in her chest as the human male visibly flinched at the harsh, crowd-pleasing words. This wasn't fair, this was too far, even for a place like Carne Vale.
Before the bell rang to start the fight, those laced up knee-high boots carried the she-demon straight into the pit.
"Whoa~!" she loudly exclaimed, though in a very bright and cheery manner, and in an instant her whole demeanor had changed. "Now wait a minute here, does that sound right to you all?" She looked up to the audience above her, beaming as a wave of whistles and cheers washed over the arena.
The male could only stare at her in shock and disbelief. He quickly held the very same paralyzed-in-fear expression she'd held just seconds ago. There's... no way, he thought, watching the spritely little diva laugh and grin and speak to those in the crowd as if they were a child, stirring them up into a bumbling mass of applause. What was she doing here...?!
He wasn't the only one whose face was struck with horror at her sudden, inexplicable interference. Two men in suits, one much older than the other, quickly pushed through the fighters as they tried to reach the pit. "What the fuck is that snake-tongued bitch doing?!" the younger one hissed, his clean-shaven face flushed with rage. The older simply watched in silence, for now.
"I mean," she continued, dramatically moving her hands to rest on her hips as she gave a playful wink to the audience, "I love blood and guts as much as the next demon, but come on! A human? That's hardly an event - what's next, they bring in cats for us to kick around? Where's the entertainment value?" Throwing her hands up into an exaggerated shrug, she closed her eyes and scoffed. "I just don't see it~"
Judging by the crowd's reaction, they were going along with whatever point she was trying to make. Hagiri's heart raced within his throat, though his body appeared calm. What was she getting at? Was she trying to stop the match, or provoke something else? Did she even recognize him? Had she seen his face?
By this point, the two suited men had reached them, though it was the younger one who huffed and puffed to catch his breath, while nearly shaking with anger. "Rai, you arrogant little brat," he hissed out, quiet enough for his words to be lost under the crowd's noise, but plenty loud enough to catch the girl's attention. She quickly went and stood in front of them, bowing her head for a moment before turning to the older man.
"My apologies, sirs, I just thought-"
"You aren't here to think, goddammit-"
A hand rose up to stop the man mid-sentence. The calm, older man merely smiled, turning to his partner. "I'd like to hear her thoughts."
"Th-thank you, masters!" She quickly bowed again, then straightened up. "But they seem to agree, merely watching a human get pummeled isn't nearly as seat-gripping as a heated battle. Drama is what really sells, after all!"
"No shit, princess-" but again he was cut off by the older man's hand. He growled for a moment in ill attempt to suppress his swelling anger. "So what are you saying?"
"I'm saying..." As her voice began to trail, she glanced over to the human, and for the first time that day their eyes met. Her lips suddenly spread into a cocky grin as she turned back to the suited masters. "I'm saying I should give him a hand in the fight, to fill in for his handicap!"
Everyone's faces around her quickly turned into a mix of surprise, shock, and confusion. The noise of the crowd had died down and she could see the individuals beginning to squirm and wriggle in their seats. They were becoming anxious, and she waited just as anxiously for her masters' approval. They turned towards each other to whisper business, and she took the opportunity to turn towards the human.
"So, how's that sound?" She asked in a perky tone.
Hagiri's brow twitched as he stared at her. Was she happy? Did this make her happy? "What the hell is this place?" He growled, leaning closer to her. "Those dipshits are really forcing me to fight this thing? The fuck is even going on?"
Her giddy expression slowly faded. It hadn't dawned on her just how overwhelming and bizarre this must have all seemed to him. "Look, all you need to know right now is that I can make sure you leave this place alive." As she looked at him, her eyes gazing into his own, another realization dawned on her. Her brow suddenly cocked, the corners of her lips curving up into a devious smirk, and she leaned in closely. "If~ you go on a date with me~"
"ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS." He reeled back, glaring at her and her stupid fucking smirk. Was that her plan this whole time? Or was she just dumb enough to push that stupid ass issue at a time like this?
Her lips pouted at his reaction. "Yes," she replied, blinking for a moment before her brows furrowed, "I never joke."
He had to fight the urge to punch her in the face, but as stupid as it was, she seemed to be the only one working in his favor right now. God-fucking-dammit, he cursed to himself, continuing to glare at this unbelievable creature.
"Rai!"
They both looked up as the neko, Ri'anha, came running forward, tightly holding the neck of Rai's black guitar. The blonde thanked her profusely and slung the instrument over her back with a grin, and he could do nothing but watch in absolute stupor. What in the hell was going on? Did she really fucking have to have her damn guitar right now? Would she play him a nice song, at least, as he's pounded into oblivion by that giant fucking rock monster?!
The masters turned back to Rai and she jumped back over to their company, eager for their answer. He watched with extremely mixed feelings as they gave her a nod and she grinned, giving a little jump in victory, and she raced back over to him.
"Yes! They agreed! See? I'm able to help~" she gave him a wink, "so, I blast apart that rock titan and you'll take me on a date, right?"
He could only glare at her again, taking a deep breath. "I don't date," he stated simply, feeling slightly like a dumbass for not being able to meet the one damn requirement from someone about to save his ass, but he also didn't want to lie either.
"What?! What kind of bullshit is th-"
Her response was cut off abuptly as the masters approached them. "Excuse me, but Rai, you didn't let us finish..."
The both of them suddenly felt a heavy sinking sensation within the pit of their stomachs as they waited for whatever was to follow that up. However, it wouldn't be them but the announcer to deliver the update.
"Well, looks like there's a turn of events here today!" Everyone grew quiet. "Looks like Vale's own diva has stepped in to fight alongside a human!" There was an audible mix of feelings from the spectators; some cheered, while others boo'd or grumbled. "However~~" he continued in a sing-songy tune, "that would flip the odds in the other direction, now, wouldn't it? After all, if Miss Cyanide herself demands a fair fight..."
Once again, Rai began to get that sinking feeling as she and her now-partner clung helplessly to every announced word.
"...then we should even those odds a bit."
Shit.
Moments later, a snarling roar came from the barracks behind the rock titan, and the unlikely pair watched with absolute dread as a much larger, 15-meter-tall serpentine demon slithered and writhed out into the pit. Its head was adorned with spiked fins, its slender but upright body covered in slimy fish-like scales. After getting over the initial shock of its entrance, Rai turned to the male with a coy smile. "See that? A fishy demon. Now if that's not karma, I don't-"
"Hey, focus!" He snapped at her. "I at least stood a chance against Rocky over there. Can you really take them both on?!"
With a cocky grin, she waved her hand in front of her face as if it were no big deal, although on the inside she was slightly panicking. "Do I have a date~?"
His scowl nearly caused her to jump back, his normally indifferent expression twisted into that of a subtle but powerful rage.
A bell suddenly rang, signaling for the fight to begin. His focus immediately switched to the rock titan, who began stomping in long strides towards them, its dark eyes locked onto him. Shit! His eyes darted around, but there was nothing he could use - he was a gun without ammo, and had never felt so terribly helpless as he did in that brief moment.
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author's notes Aaaaaand this is where I left off for like the past two years, lmao. What a cliffhanger, amirite? xD But yeah. Raitsu's priorities seem a little off, but at least she's trying to help Hagiri?
story synopsis Years following the Chapter Black incident, one of the seven human psychics - Kaname Hagiri, codename "Sniper" - grew up to become a mercenary, working for both humans and demons. He built a steady, simple, easy life for himself, wanting to stay under the radar as well as exercise and improve his supernatural abilities, but all of that becomes flipped upside down when he's captured and enslaved in an underground youkai fighting arena, Carne Vale. Pit against ridiculously powerful demons and monsters, his only chance of survival may come in the form of a prissy, spoiled diva who seems more interested in entertaining her fans than actually winning matches. Even if his enemies can't claw his eyes out, he may do it himself.
table of contents Chapter 1: Predator & Prey
Chapter 3: Even the Odds
I do not own Kaname Hagiri / Sniper or any other characters and/or settings directly related to YuYu Hakusho.
I do own the character Raitsu (Raikou Tsumi).
Preview image artwork NOT made by me, I only edited the colors.
© 2015 - 2024 SinfulFox
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