"And I won! Why do you always have to judge everything I do?!" Miyuki snapped, crossing her arms as she stared into Alvar's cold eyes. Damion didn't understand why Alvar was so upset. He thought Miyuki had done so well, tricking Arata at the last minute with the kick to the gut. He slowly backed up as the two continued to bicker, knowing he probably shouldn't get involved. He bumped into something and whirled around, finding himself at the pole with the holographic boards.

I should see which round they're on. Damion thought as he scanned the board. He inhaled a quick breath as he realized they were already on the sixth round and a minute later a name flashed across, announcing the winner.

"Winner of round six: Hiro Kukan." Damion froze as he read it, feeling like he had heard that last name before. He shrugged and turned around to find Miyuki waving at him madly. He rushed over to her, following her as she led him to the right side of the curtain.

"You need to get ready for your round. Good luck! Whatever you do; don't lose." Miyuki said, pushing him through a set of black curtains. He gulped as he focused and let himself become a fox, crawling out of his Yukata. He shook himself and picked up his Yukata in his mouth and put it up on a long bench. 

That tastes disgusting. Damion thought, trying to rid the taste of his Yukata from his mouth as he leaped up beside his Yukata and waited for his round. He looked around the room, noting it was like the locker room at his school. He suddenly deflated as he realized they were still a long ways off from finding the mask, and even longer before he would go back to his normal life. 

Mrs. Akata is going to be steamed when I don't show up for class. Damion thought sullenly, laying down on the bench and resting his head on his paws. Time slowly ticked by, making every minute more agonizing than the last.

"Damion Hawke!" Damion jumped to his paws, grateful his round was finally here. The elderly Kitsune came over to him and held out a small white pill. Damion tilted his head at it, his one ear flopping ever so slightly as he did so. 

"What is that?" He asked, sniffing it cautiously. He knew to be wary of any Kitsune's offering, especially if it came from Kiki. 

"An Endurance Pill. It'll harden your skin so you are less likely to get seriously hurt." The older Kitsune said, sounding impatient. Damion took a breath and lapped it out of the man's hand. His eyes widened in surprise as a sweet floral flavor bathed his tongue and slid down his throat. He felt his skin grow thicker and harder, like a harder shell protecting his soft skin underneath.

"Come now; your match is going to start." The man snapped, striding out the black curtain and towards the red curtain. Damion followed quickly after him, glancing around the main room. He found Miyuki staring at him with hopeful eyes, Kiki with an encouraging smile, and even Alvar glancing at him, his gaze unreadable. 

"We don't have all day!" The elderly announcer growled, holding the curtain open with one hand. He was immediately stunned by the bright lights that illuminated the ring. He let his eyes adjust to the light and saw the crowds roaring around him, their excitement channeling energy into the air. 

Chieko, his opponent, entered the ring, swishing her three blond-colored tails. She was sleek but muscles rippled under her gleaming pelt. Damion gulped under her icy blue glare, nervous butterflies fluttering madly in his stomach.

"On this side of the ring, we have a first-time contender; Damion Hawke!" Damion looked around in awe as the crowd rippled with excitement, quieting as the announcer raised his hands. Damion shifted his weight as the cavern grew silent, gritting his teeth as his stomach clenched. 

I can't believe my stomach can think about Honey Root right now. Thanks, Miyuki. Damion thought irritably, glancing up as the elderly Kitsune smiled and began to speak.

"Now on this side of the ring, a champion in the making, let's give it up for; Chieko Hiragana!" He exclaimed, holding his hands out to show her off. She held her head up and smirked as the crowd's cheers rang out. The announcer waited patiently for the crowd to die down then stepped back.

"Let's watch as the contenders exchange a few words." The announcer said as he gestured to both Damion and Chieko. They both sat down and stared at each other. Damion wished she would say something first but her hard gaze told him she wasn't going to speak.

"Well, uh, good luck and may the best Kitsune win." Damion finally mustered out, surprised at how smooth and calm his voice sounded when he was a total mess on the inside. Chieko smirked at him and replied coldly.

"I plan on winning, thanks anyway." Damion scowled at her remark and turned to the announcer, but found him smiling brightly at Chieko. Only when she turned to him did he glance at Damion, his dislike clear in his eyes. Damion nodded, feeling rage build up inside him as Chieko nodded as well and they readied themselves. He took a deep breath, remembering what Alvar said to him during their training.

"BEGIN!" Damion was jerked back into reality as the announcer screeched the start of the match. Chieko wasted no time and charged at Damion. He tried to dodge to the right but she was there in an instant, swiping her paw across his muzzle. He recoiled at the power behind the move and shook his head to clear it.

Where did she go? Damion thought anxiously as he glanced around wildly. Hot breath tickled his neck fur and he instantly dropped to the ground, just narrowly avoiding her snapping jaws. Snarling angrily she spat a plume of fire from her mouth at his face. Damion rolled away from her as quickly as possible, yelping as a flicker of the flame she spat hit his hindquarters as he jumped away. He gritted his teeth as he faced her, glancing back at his hindquarters for a brief second when he realized something. His fur was just warm in that spot, no singed fur or burnt skin, just blazingly hot heat.

With this realization, Damion grinned as he faced Chieko once more. She narrowed her eyes to slits before she changed her stance and threw open her mouth, letting out a wall of red, hot flames. Gulping Damion closed his eyes and raced into the fire.

The flames licked his body and legs, his tail and his head, trying to burn him. He felt like he was being boiled alive but he rushed on. Chieko snarled in surprise, the fire abruptly stopping as she tried to counter him. With the fire gone he opened his eyes and leaped over her. After the long night of training, he instinctively turned in midair, landing squarely on her back. 

Before she could do anything he snatched her scruff, causing her to collapse to the ground with an outraged growl. Releasing her scruff he leaped off of her, breathing heavily as he looked around the cavern at the crowds. They were silent. Damion lowered his ears, not sure what he did wrong when the whole cave erupted into cheers.

He glanced behind him and saw Miyuki shouting excitedly with Kiki at her side. Off to their left was Alvar, quiet as ever. Damion met his gaze, feeling everything go quiet except for his madly beating heart. After what felt like ages Alvar smiled slightly and gave him a thumbs up.

Damion felt pride well up in his chest as he basked in the cheers. He never knew he could feel this way. He turned to the announcer, waiting for him to say his name as the winner of the match when an ugly howl broke the jovial shouting. He whirled around, fur on end when he saw Chieko was the one who had emitted the awful noise.

Her eyes were blazing with anger and her tails lashed behind her, causing the crowd to fall silent. She lifted one of her shaking paws and pointed it accusingly at Damion. Damion looked to the announcer, hoping he would end the round already, but he was speaking urgently with another Kitsune. Damion turned back to 

Chieko, just in time for her to snarl at him.

"He cheated!" The crowd erupted into moans and snarls, causing Damion to cover his ears and close his eyes at the awful clamor. A sudden force knocked him to the ground and paws wrapped around his neck, causing him to struggle for air. He opened his eyes and found Chieko glaring at him as she tried to strangle him.