"So you are ready?" Alannah asked in the changing room. Bruce was with her for emotional support.
"I'll be fine. Alannah, I know you are worried, but I know how to handle myself, " Kurt said confidently as he bound his hands up." He just needed to get the sword out of Haraku's hands, and then it should be pretty easy.
"Besides, he will have me with him as his second," James said with a wink. Alannah gave Bruce an odd look, and he pulled James away to give them some privacy.
"Are you ever going to teach me that language of yours?" Kurt said as he drew Alannah into a hug.
"If you promise me you will come back alive, then yes," Alannah grumped.
"Alannah, I love you, but your lack of faith in me is disturbing," Kurt said with a weak smile.
"Kurt, he is a professional fighter. This is not some street brawl!" Alannah said.
"I know and I will be careful," Kurt said.
"I know you will," Alannah said, as Kurt suddenly felt a pinprick. Suddenly, it all made sense: the reason she trained Haraku, the reason she wanted the fan back, and the twins training him. It was all a plan to keep Kurt busy whilst she trained to fight.
"Alannah! What?" Kurt said, as he suddenly felt dizzy. "No, no! This can't be happening; Alannah can't fight! If I lose her, I will lose everything!" Kurt thought furiously as he tried to fight the effects of the drug.
"Shhh, it is OK. Kurt, I love you. I would never let you die if I could prevent it," Alannah said, sensing Kurt was fighting.
"No! I love you! " These were all the words Kurt could manage before the darkness took him. Alannah gently laid him down on the floor, placing a towel under his head. Bruce came in, dragging an unconscious James in. "Any issues?" Alannah asked.
"As if!" Bruce snorted as he dumped James's body next to Kurt's.
"Good," Alannah said quietly.
"Are you sure about this, Alannah? Bruce said, "Kurt is going to kill you, never mind anyone else."
"Yes, I am. You know, these two idiots would not stand a chance," Alannah said, and Bruce said nothing. "Yes, Kurt has some skills, but he was a boxer and not on the same level as Hakaru. If I don't come back..." Alannah started to say.
"Don't talk like that, Alannah," Bruce snapped.
"It is always a possibility. If I don't then I wanted to be cremated and buried next to my mother. I also want you to tell Kurt that I could not bear a life without him and that I would meet him again in the next world. " Alannah said, breaking her voice.
"You can tell him yourself. Now, it is time to go." Bruce sighed and they both walked to the ring.
The ring was inside, as it was an official match. For security reasons, the Nine-Tails, Mad Dogs, Black Bears, Anastasia, and Demitri were all watching via an internet link. The arena went quiet when Alannah walked out with Bruce. "What the fuck?!? I am going to kill her! Stop the match! " Alannah could hear Theo shouting through a screen.
Alannah stopped and looked at Hakaru. "Surprise shit for the brains!" Alannah said with a smile.
"What are you doing here?" Hakaru asked, confused.
"I am here to fight, of course!" Alannah said it smoothly.
"I will not allow it. I protest!" Hakaru shouted at the match official.
"Alannah Seaswell, you are not of the Forger', but of the Evans Gang. You are not allowed to fight," the match official said sternly.
"I am officially engaged to Kurt Blackwood, the leader of The Forger's Gang. Therefore, I am a member of the Forger's and I am Kurt's advocate. " Alannah said there was a loud voice. The arena gasped.
"It is allowed," the match official said.
"I am going to kill you very slowly, Alannah," Hakaru said.
"We will see," Alannah said as she walked over to Bruce. Bruce handed Alannah her fighting fan.
"Remember the plan?" Disarm and go in for the kill. No messing around and no showboating. I don't trust Hakaru; he is far too happy, "Bruce murmured.
"You are right, I will be careful," Alannah said with a smile, and Bruce nodded.
"Positions! " The official said Alannah and Hakaru got into position as the match official continued. "This is an official match and it is to the death. Surrender is not acceptable. This is your last chance to back out. Is anyone going to? "
"No!" They both said it in unison. Alannah bent down and rubbed sand between her hands.
"Therefore, you are now both fighting for the honour of your gang and syndicate. Good luck and the fight will now commence, " The official said.
As soon as the match started, Hakaru attacked. Alannah quickly blocked it with her fan and twisted him away. "Nice try," Alannah said as they circled each other.
"Well, I should be grateful you brought your best weapon." Hakaru hissed as he lunged again. "I want everyone to know that I beat you at your best."
This time, Hakaru managed to slice Alannah's shoulder, but she managed to twist herself and kick him in the back. Hakaru landed on the floor, and Alannah wasted no time in attacking. She stabbed his shoulder, but he moved before she could fully finish. "Still, it made a nasty wound!" Alannah thought satisfied.
Hakaru laughed as he got up, which surprised Alannah. Alannah then attacked again and managed to punch him in the nose. Blood poured down his face and he started to laugh again.
"What is so funny?" Alannah asked. As far as she was concerned, she was winning.
"Oh, can't you feel it, little fox?" Hakaru said with a smirk. Alannah looked confused and then she felt it. She could not feel her arm.
"You dipped your blade!" Alannah gasped as she could feel the numbness spreading. Dipping the blade was blatant cheating.
She signalled to Bruce, who shouted, "He has dipped his blade!"
The official tried to stop the fight, but it was too late. Once a death match started, it could not be stopped by anyone. If Hakaru won, the Forgers could seek justice.
Hakaru said with joy, "Yes little fox, soon you will be helpless soon!" He attacked, and Alannah just about managed to block him, but he head-butted her. Alannah stumbled back, and Hakaru stabbed her in the shoulder.
"Oh, I am so going to enjoy this," Hakaru said. Alannah swapped her weapon hand and swiped. She caught his forehead, cutting it deep. Blood poured into Hakaru's eyes. "You stupid bitch!" Hakaru shouted. He kicked her in the stomach, making her gasp. She then felt the hilt of his sword on the back of her head. She fell to her knees as Hakaru continued to slice, kick, and punch her. Not that Alannah could feel much at this point. She could
"Alannah! " Bruce shouted moving forward.
"Stay back, Bruce. I won't have you risk your life! " Alannah shouted as she saw Hakaru throw her weapon out of the ring.
"How sweet! You know you are going to die by my hand, yet you are still protecting your so-called family. They make you weak, Alannah! They always have!" Hakaru spat.
"Wrong. They make me strong. " Alannah gasped, and Hakaru laughed as he slapped her hard. Alannah saw stars, and a memory flashed through her brain. It was when she had just started training.
"A fighter knows when their time is up, they feel it in their bones. You have two choices at this point. One goes quietly into the night, the other is to take the son of the bitch who took your life with you. You are a Nine-Tails, and we go on our terms! Do you get it?" Tao roared.
The memory faded, but she knew her time was up. If the poison had killed her, her injuries would have. All she could do was go out on her terms. With what little strength she had left, she struggled to her feet as Hakaru laughed.
"What is this? Is this my final last stand, or do you think you can honestly win? You have no weapon, no family to protect you, and you soon will not be able to move. I win, Alannah! " Hakaru said
"Make your move, Hakaru, or do you want me to die of boredom?" Alannah said.
Hakaru laughed and said, "All good things must come to an end." He walked forward and stabbed Alannah in the stomach.
"Die knowing I will kill your precious family and Kurt. They will die horribly, slowly and in pain. Hakaru said, gleefully pushing the sword deeper into her.
"No!" Alannah screamed and she started to move forward, the sword going even deeper into her. Shear agony rippled up and down her body. She kept going; it was the only way to get close enough.
"Trying to hasten your death?" Hakaru Said
"No, hasten yours!" Alannah said, and with a final effort, she slashed Hakaru's neck with her Assassin's ring. Blood spurted from Haraku as he let go of his sword and dropped to his knees.
"You will never hurt my family, you son of a bitch," Alannah said as Hakaru drew his last breath.
"The Forgers have won!" The official confirmed the report. Relief flooded through Alannah's body as she dropped to the ground.
"Alannah! " Bruce screamed as he ran towards her. He pulled her into his lap, assessing the damage.
"He dipped..." Alannah said.
"I know Princess, don't talk now. We will catch up later, won't we? Like we always do after a fight! I will buy you your first beer, I promise, " Bruce said, his voice breaking with emotion.
"I am... sorry... I... love... you all," Alannah said, gasping.
"Where are the fucking meds?" Bruce roared.
Alannah was finding it increasingly difficult to talk. Her vision was blurred. She suddenly saw the face of her mother looking down on her.
"Shh! It is almost over, sweetheart. You did so well!" Alannah's mom said with a smile.
"Mum!" Alannah whispered,
"Don't you dare, Alannah! Do you hear me? Don't you dare? Stay with me now! Fight it! " Bruce was shouting.
"You did well. They are safe. Are you ready to come with me, sweetheart? It is almost time to go, "Alannah's mother said.
"Yes mum, I am ready to go," Alannah said. Alannah's mother nodded, and Alannah felt herself slip into painless darkness.
"No! No! No!" Bruce screamed. The medics arrived and had to wrestle with the body of a distraught Bruce.
Bruce broke down sobbing as he watched the lifeless body of his best friend being wheeled away.
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A few hours later, Kurt came round to find himself in a hospital bed. He had an oxygen mask on and a heart monitor. He looked around and instantly noticed that Alannah was not there. Memories came flooding back of Alannah and the fight.
"Alannah? " Kurt said, sitting up.
"Kurt, you are awake," James said. He was sitting in a hospital chair and looked like shit.
"What's up, James?" Kurt said, confused.
"Bruce and Alannah drugged us, mate. Then Alannah went to fight, " James said, looking at the floor.
"What happened?" Kurt said, panicked.
"Kurt," James said softly and closed his eyes.
"Tell me what happened. Where is she? " Kurt shouted,
"Hakaru dipped his blade. Bruce tried to stop the fight, but it co...dn't be. She managed to kill Hakaru, but.. " James said, tears filling his eyes. But..she sustained..severe injuries. Kurt and the doctors said it was wise if we... say our farewells, "James said.
"That is a cruel joke, James! Why would you say such a thing? " Kurt said his brain or his heart could not possibly process the information.
"It is not a joke, Kurt. She is hanging on for you. It is time to say goodbye, so she can..rest, " Theo said as he walked into the room. His face was white and pinched in pain.
"I can't!" Kurt said.
"We have all done it. You must...for her. Please come now, Kurt," Theo said sadly.
"I am so sorry, mate," James said as he watched his boss break before his eyes.