Author: Jedi Goddess Zara 
E-mail: jedigoddesszara@cutey.com 
URL: http://embark.to/goddessbaz 
Rated: PG 

Special thanks on this one go to Jedi Goddess Bixy-chan and
Hunter Goddess Ayila-chan for their support and encouragement.
Thanks also go to Ranma-Jadeite for the positive feedback.

Night to Night: The Flaming Wind Tournament
--------------------------------------------

Part Five: Night


	Billy sighed as he walked down the hallway and turned to the person
walking with him. "Please remind me why we have to be the ones to approach the
scary chi senshi," he said.
	Jason smiled. "Because nothing about us would tip them off. We're not
fighters. They haven't seen us with Kaze. In short, we are of no concern to them."
	Billy fidgeted nervously. "Hai, that's all well and good, but that doesn't
make it any easier. Let's just deliver the message and get out of here."
	Jason nodded. "Hai, that sounds like a good idea," he replied as the
pair entered the lobby. Suzu and Reshi sat on a loveseat, engrossed in quiet
conversation. Billy stepped forward and cleared his throat.
	"Excuse me," he said quietly. Suzu and Reshi looked up at him. "Are
you Reshi-san?"
	"Hai," the blue haired man replied in a surprisingly deep voice.
	Billy glanced back at Jason, who nodded in encouragement. "Sensei
Nishi would like to speak with you. He wishes for you to come to his chambers
immediatly."
	Reshi frowned slightly. "What is this concerning?" he asked.
	"I don't know," Billy lied. "He only told me to deliver this message and
give you directions to his chambers if you don't know where they are."
	Reshi stood. "I know where they are," he said. He looked toward Suzu.
"Well then love, I guess we're going to see the headmaster."
	Billy cleared his throat. "Um, Sensei Nishi wishes to see you alone, sir."
	Reshi frowned at him, and Billy felt his heart catch in his throat. A
moment of silence passed, and Billy wondered if the man had caught on.
	Another heartbeat passed before the man answered. "Very well," he
said with a small smile. He kissed Suzu on the forehead, nodded at Billy and
Jason, and made his way to the hallway. Billy managed to stifle his instinctive sigh
of relief.
	Turning, he prepared to leave when Suzu spoke. "Do you know Hino
Kaze?" she asked quietly.
	Billy gulped and turned. "Yuh, I don't belive that I do," he replied. Suzu
held his gaze for a moment, then shrugged.
	"Hai, arigato."
	Turning, Billy grabbed Jason's arm. "Well," he said in a low voice. "At
least our role is over."



	Kaze took a deep breath as Jana gently placed her hands on the
fighter's forehead. "Now, what is this supposed to do?" she asked.
	Jana smiled. "It helps you feel more balanced and inwardly calm. Uncle
taught me this when I was a little girl."
	Sitting next to Jana, Hikari smiled. "That would be really useful," she
commented lightly.
	Jana smiled back. "Hai, it has been in the past."
	Kaze took another deep breath. "I'm really glad that you guys are here
to help me."
	Jana put one of her hands on top of Kaze's head. "Well, aside from you,
Oni-sama and Uncle, Hikari and I have the strongest chi around here. I guess
Oni-sama figured that it was your chi that needed training and not your body."
	Hikari brushed a strand of hair away from her sister's face. "Hai, I
agree. You just relax sis, and we'll help you as much as we can.



	Ryu sighed as he sat down on the small couch in one of Flaming Wind's
many sitting rooms. The fight between Suzu and Kaze had been delayed, which
hadn't had a very calming effect on his nerves. The longer the fight was dragged
out, the more he regretted his decision of dropping out of the tournament. If he
truly was a better fighter than Kaze, than he would have been the one to face Suzu,
which would have been better all the way around. He had a strange feeling that
having Kaze face either Suzu or Reshi could mean big trouble. That was why he
had decided to stay at the Flaming Wind until the tournament was over, to keep an
eye on Kaze and make sure that nothing went wrong.
	Ryu, a male voice said softly, interrupting his thoughts. The young
fighter turned and looked around the sitting room, but saw no one around. Ryu, the
voice said again.
	"Who's there?" he called.
	I'm not near you, the voice said with a hint of humor in it. I'm in your
head.
	Ryu frowned. His first instinct was to assume that his stress was
making him hear things, but something in him told him not to dismiss the voice.
"Who are you?" he asked.
	Someone who's here to help you, the voice replied. And you needn't
speak aloud. Just focus on what you want to say and I'll hear you.
	Ryu nodded although the voice couldn't see him. What's your name?
	Oni. I'm a friend of Hino Kaze's, and she needs your help.
	Kaze! Ryu thought back, alarmed. What's happened to Kaze!?
	Nothing yet, Oni replied. But if you don't help her, something will.
	Ryu took a deep breath. What can I do?
	Listen to me, Oni answered. Focus on Kaze and how you feel about her.
As long as you hold those feelings in your mind and your heart, she will be safe.
	Ryu nodded, closing his eyes. Kaze...



	Jana gently focused her energy into Kaze, supporting the young woman
in cleansing herself. She felt as if Kaze was nearing something...
	"Itai!" Hikari cried from her place next to Jana. Both girls immediatly
removed their hands from Kaze's forehead and temples.
	"What happened?" Kaze asked, sitting up.
	"I'm not sure. I just felt a kind of shock come from you, like electricity or
something."
	Jana's eyes widened and she turned to look at Kaze. "What were you
just thinking about Kaze-san?" she asked quickly.
	"Nani?"
	"Please, just tell me. It's very important."
	Kaze looked down slightly. "Ryu," she answered simply.
	A smile crept over Jana's face. "He did it," she whispered. Both Hikari
and Kaze stared at her in confusion. "Oni-sama," she explained. "When Hikari and
the others went to warn you about Suzu and Reshi, Oni-sama told Jason-san and
I about an idea he had. He said that he would try to get Ryu-san to mind link with
you and support you while you fight. He thought that that might help you."
	"So you think that that's what happened?" Hikari asked. "You think that
Ryu just mind linked with Kaze?"
	"Hai, with Oni-sama as a medium. That way, they can be shielded a bit
and protected from the chi senshi."
	Kaze frowned. "Ryu..."
	Hikari looked at her sister sadly. "Don't worry Kaze," she said gently.
"I have a feeling that you'll be able to see Ryu again after this is all over. Just don't
worry..."



	Reshi stepped cautiously into the dimly lit room, straining his eyes to
see. He felt strange being away from Suzu, as if a part of himself was missing. It
won't be for long though, he told himself. As soon as I see what this Sensei wants,
I can be on my way to Suzu's match.
	Clearing his throat, Reshi stood politely in the doorway waiting for Nishi
to call him in. After a moment passed, the older man looked up from his work and
gestured for him to step forward.
	"You're Reshi-san?" Nishi asked, his clear blue eyes seeming to look
through him and into his chi.
	"Hai Sensei," the man said with a bow. "You wanted to see me?"
	Nishi smiled softly. "Hai, I did. Please, have a seat." Reshi did as he
was told, silently wondering how a Sensei of such a successful training hall could
look so young but be so powerful.
	"So Reshi-san - is there a last name that goes with that?"
	The young fighter shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Uh, hai, it's
Himura," he lied.
	Nishi raised an eyebrow. "And that young woman, Suzu, what is her last
name?"
	Reshi fidgeted again. "Himura as well," he lied again. "She is my wife."
	"Ah," Nishi replied easily. "You two seem a bit young to be married."
	Reshi smiled. "We're older than we look."
	Nishi smiled in return. "That is part of the reason that I wanted to see
you. Reiko-san?" A petite young woman with short hair emerged from the
shadows, handing Nishi a file folder. Reshi frowned at the girl, trying to place
where he'd seen her before.
	"Oi, weren't you talking to Suzu earlier today? I noticed you after I left
her to go to my match."
	"Hai," Reiko replied, her face serious. "That is when this matter was
brought to my attention."
	Reshi's frown deepened. "What matter? Is something wrong?"
	"I'd say so," Nishi replied. "I have here your application for participation
in today's tournament. There are several questionable areas in it that we must go
over..."



	Kaze tensed slightly as she caught sight of Suzu on the other side of the
battle arena. Jana immediatly place her hand on Kaze's forhead and spoke a few
words. "Be calm Kaze-san. That's the key to maintaining the mind link, and that's
the only way you can do this."
	"Hai," the fighter replied, a look of determination on her face. Her
features softened as she looked at Hikari and Jana. "Minna..." she said giving
them a hug. "Arigato. For everything."
	Hikari and Jana smiled. "You're welcome," Jana replied softly.
	"Ganbatte Kaze," Hikari said.
	Kaze smiled. "I will," she said, turning toward the arena. "Ja ne! Be
here to congratulate me!" Both girls waved as Kaze entered the arena.
	Jana bit her lip, worried, and Hikari took her hand. "Don't worry," she
said softly. "She'll be okay."
	Jana smiled. "Hai," she said firmly. "Hai."



	Suzu felt herself tense as Kaze entered the arena. If I don't go in there,
I'll forfeit my place, she thought nervously. But I can't fight without Reshi near me. I
can't focus.
	Squinting, Suzu looked at Kaze again. She seemed different somehow,
more balanced. Before she had seemed to be ablaze with passion, but now the
heat of her chi seemed to be more...tempered, both hot and cold at the same time.
	"This is the last call for all competing fighters to report to the battle
arena," a voice said over the loudspeaker. "All who do not will forfeit their place in
the tournament."
	Suzu bit her lip in frustration, entering the arena. Reshi, she thought
desperatly. Hayaku.



	Reiko knew something was wrong when Reshi began to sniff the air.
"That smell..." he muttered. "Like a night in a day..." His eyes widened. "Oni!"
	Reiko took a step backward as Nishi and Reshi stood. "All right
Sensei, where's the battle spirit?" Reshi growled.
	"I don't know what -"
	"Don't play games with me you fool! Where is the battle spirit!?"
	Nishi brought his hand up, and Reiko ran behind Reshi, barring the
doors. The chi senshi didn't turn, but kept his gaze focused on Nishi. "If you want
Oni," the sensei said. "You'll have to go through me."
	"Baka! You don't know what you're dealing with."
	Nishi brought his hands up in a defensive position. "No Reshi, you don't
know what you're dealing with." The sensei began to glow softly, and Reshi's eyes
widened.
	"A fellow chi senshi," he said quietly. "I thought you looked too young to
be a sensei."
	"You're not going anywhere," Nishi said calmly. "I won't let you turn Kaze
into one of us. She deserves a full life."
	Reshi gave him a feral smile, and Reiko felt a chill go up her spine.
"Oni-sama," she whispered fearfully. "Help us."



	Kaze had been doing well, and Suzu, surprisingly, hadn't been living up
to the impression she'd given only half and hour ago. The fighter knew that Ryu
was with her, could feel his influence balancing her, calming her. She just hoped
that it would be enough.



	Oni felt his concentration waver, and knew something was wrong. Ryu,
he thought to the young fighter. I have to help Reiko. She's in danger.
	What about Kaze!? Ryu thought back desperately. She needs you too!
	You can maintain the mind link on your own, Oni thought. Just focus,
and believe in your feelings for her. There was a silence, and Oni could feel Ryu
thinking about what he'd said.
	Hai, he answered. Be careful, and don't let Reiko get hurt.
	Oni smiled. Hai. Good luck.



	Kaze felt like she was falling rapidly, and she knew in her gut that
something was wrong. Ryu? she thought, dodging Suzu's kick. What's going on?
	Oni's gone, Ryu thought back. We have to do this on our own.
	Nani!? she thought, throwing herself to the left and landing a punch on
her opponent.
	We can do this Kaze, I know we can. Don't you remember what I told
you in that letter? At the end?
	Kaze rolled backward, flipping up and narrowly dodging another kick.
You told me that you love me.
	And I do, he thought back. Please, remember that.
	Kaze felt her heart flutter in her chest. Promise me that you'll let me see
you one more time before you leave again.
	She could sense him smile. I promise you Kaze. I promise.



	Reiko shook as she crouched in the corner of the room. "Oni-sama,"
she whispered over and over again. "Oni-sama."
	A loud crash momentarily halted the fighting, and the shadow of a figure
filled the doorway. "Reiko," Oni said. "Are you all right?"
	"Oni-sama!" the frightened girl cried, running up to the battle spirit. "Hai,
I'm okay."
	"Good," he replied tensely, keeping his eyes on Reshi. "Go find Jana
and Hikari and stay with them."
	"Hai," she said scurrying away. Oni took an offensive stance as he
gazed at Reshi.
	"It's over," he growled to the blue haired senshi. "Give up and we'll let
you go."
	Reshi chuckled. "Think again weakling," he spat out. "I can defeat you."
	"But can you defeat a chi senshi as well?" Nishi asked, stepping
forward. "With both Oni and I fighting at the same time, you can't win. Cut your
losses and get to Suzu."
	The confidence in Reshi's eyes faded as he looked back and forth
between the spirit and the sensei. Wordlessly, he ran from the room.
	"Do you think that we should worry about Kaze?" Nishi asked quietly.
	"Yuh," Oni replied. "With everyone supporting her, I think that she'll be
okay."



	Suzu felt fear grip her heart, and she knew that she was going to lose.
She had completely underestimated Kaze, and was now paying the price.
	Stepping back, the chi senshi felt as if she was moving in slow motion,
and her opponent took the opportunity to step forward. As Kaze's fist moved
toward her, Suzu saw Yuki Ryu, faded and ghostly looking, moving with her.
	The fist connected. Suzu slumped down. "Reshi," she whispered,
falling. "Gomen."



	Kaze felt shock swirl in her. Suzu fell and didn't get up, and it all
seemed unreal. In her head, Ryu was quiet. In the sidelines, Hikari, Jana and
Reiko stood in silence. The crowd in the stands was silent as well.
	"The winner," the referee said. "Is Hino Kaze!"
	The crowd erupted in cheers as Kaze stumbled back in shock. Jana
and Reiko jumped up and down as they cheered, and Hikari ran into the arena to
help her sister walk. In her head, Kaze felt the mind link fade.
	"Ryu..." she whispered, feeling Hikari lift her arm and help her walk.
She was too tired to try to reach him again.