The following is a co-creation of mine and another author. After rambling about YYH and would be characters (Kari and Hana), we made the first chapter and are continuing for there. None of my other stories will be effected by the publication of this one.
Please enjoy.
"'e're in, Kari!" Jin nearly tackled the demon girl in excitement. "'e're going to the dark tournament."
"That's wonderful." She hugged him and let go. "I'll be anxiously watching the news coverage."
"Why do 'hat when I 'ave got..." A mischievous smile spread across his face as he took out two tickets. "These! I got two so you don't 'ave to go alone."
"I wonder who I should bring..." Kari looked inquisitive.
"I don't think you'll have any problems." He shook his head. "Just don't bring that damn Mr. Fieldswood. I don't like the way he looks a' ye."
"Oh, Jin, of course not." She rolled her eyes. "It will be my first day off in ages, I will not spoil it by discussing an old demon's health problems."
Jin couldn't help but laugh at her quip. Kari worked long hard days at her apothecary. She claimed to prefer the busy lifestyle, but she was really just trying to help her mind off the past. That is, until she met Jin. One day he wandered into her shop, looking a little worse for wear. As if wounded men in her shop was common, she stitched him up and tended his wounds without question. When she finished, she let him sleep until he was fully healed.
They formed a close friendship since then. He pulled her back into the world outside her shop. She was the calm, voice of reason the impetuous man needed. They balanced each other out.
"I believe I'll ask an old friend to join me." She announced. "She shouldn't be too busy. Either way, I think she'll make an exception for an old friend."
Hana sat at her dresser brushing her hair. After separating with Hiei, Hana felt rather unhappy. Hana sighed and put down her brush down when she heard a knock on her door.
"Who is it?" Hana asked.
"It's me, Helen," A demon maid replied, "You have a visitor."
"Send him in," Hana replied thinking it was another suitor that her parents sent for. Hana's parents decided she should get married and take over the kingdom but all the suitors Hana turned down.
"You mean her," Helen corrected opening the door.
"Her?" Hana said surprised and turned around to see Kari.
And that was how Kari found herself waiting in line for the dark tournament with Princess Hana. The young royalty didn't quite fit in with the crowd of large, loud demons. She stuck out like a sore thumb. Kari was thankful the demons were too excited to see some blood to bother them.
"Do you think the line will move soon?" Kari leaned against a stone pillar.
Hana didn't respond. She looked lost in thought.
"Makai world to Hana, Hana do you read?" Kari waved a hand in front of her face.
"What?" She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I thought I saw something."
"What?" Kari peered behind the pillar. "I don't see anything strange." Two demons started a drunken brawl. "They do that all the time."
"I don't mean..." Hana sighed. "But look! The line is moving finally."
"It's a shame you missed out on team Masho's last match." Kari walked with Hana. "Team Masho had quite an exciting match with Team Urameshi yesterday. Jin would have won his fight if he didn't act like he did. Everything is a game to him, I swear." Hana nodded. "That's why we are waiting this fight between Urameshi and Uraotogi. If Jin lost to them, they better win. And judging by their cheer section yesterday, they'll need some fans and smiling faces."
"Urameshi?" Hana titled her head. "You mean the human team? I haven't seen them fight yet."
"No time like the semi-finals to start." Kari beamed. "We're in! Let's find our seats..."
After some fights Hana decided she wanted a break of watching fights and told Kari to watch Team Masho fight Team Urameshi by herself. Hana was not used to violence, despite honing her fire and holy abilities better, so she decided that she wanted a break from all the violence. Now Hana was waiting in line for the next match with Kari. Hana thought she saw someone familiar but dismissed it immediately as just seeing things.
On his way to the match, Kurama sorted his way through the crowd. He thought it strange that as a competitor, he had a difficult time getting to the arena. Out of the corner on his eye he thought he saw a female demon he hadn't seen in years. But as quickly as she appeared, she disappeared. In her place, was a fairy…
'A fairy?' Kurama thought, 'She looks like-'
However, the bustling crowd didn't let Kurama finish his thought. He was pushed and shoved until all traces of the vision disappeared.
"Sorry to keep you waiting all you demons out there." The tournament referee said, "Hello, everyone it's so nice to meet you. My name's Juri and I'll be the referee. It's my first time so be friendly, ok?" The crowd continued to cheer loudly.
"That's right you pain enthusiast, the semi-finals of the dark tournament are about to begin..."
Kari drifted off as Koto rattled on about emergency exits and possible deaths. She was worried about Jin. Since he wasn't in the tournament anymore, she hoped he'd watch the rest with her.
Kari was pulled out of her thoughts by a tugging at her sleeve. It was Hana. Her eyes were wide and she looked pale. Following her gaze to the screen, Kari's jaw dropped. On the big screen, Kari saw Team Urameshi in full for the first time.
"Why is Hiei up there?" Hana finally managed to say something.
"I guess he's on Team Urameshi?" Kari laughed nervously.
"And you didn't think to tell me this earlier?" Hana's normally calm voice held a hint of anger.
"I didn't know." Kari defended herself. "The nurse during his fight with team Masho said some demons was unable to fight, so I didn't think to look twice at the demons in the tent. I was much more concerned about Jin not killing himself."
The arena darkened and spotlights shown on two doors. Hana's grip on Kari's sleeve tightened as the doors opened. The demons surrounding the girls started to shout obscenities and jeer at Team Urameshi.
"They really aren't a crowd favorite…" Kari muttered. "Wait, why is there only three?"
Team Urameshi and Team Uraotogi met in the middle of the ring. After exchange some trash talk, a demon with long blue hair tied in a loose ponytail and a sword at his hip rolled a pair of dice.
"It's our first match up in the semi-finals, Hiei versus the big man Makintaro." Juri announced. "Begin."
In one quick movement Hiei sliced and diced off Makintaro's arm.
"Could he always do that?" Kari gulped.
Hana was silent.
Hana was still finding it hard to believe that Hiei was here and in it no less. Hana watched the battle especially worried for Hiei, but after he took off Makintaro's arm Hana calmed down a bit. Hiei threw the arm to Juri and walked away from Makintaro. Makintaro clearly pissed off and turned the stump of his arm into an axe. Hana inhaled sharply and was wondering whether to call out and tell Hiei to turn around. Hiei glanced behind him just as Makintaro swung his axe hand at Hiei. Hana gasped and covered her mouth as she saw the blade go through Hiei's...cloak?
"Huh?" Hana thought confused and saw that Hiei used his speed and was right on Makintaro's back. Hiei finished off the demon by stabbing him through the head. Hana let out a sigh of relief as Juri confirmed Hiei as the winner. Hana was starting to finally relax her muscles tell the next fight showed it was Kuro Momotaro against Hiei. "I-i don't think I can watch much more of this," Hana stuttered.
"But Hana," Kari reached out for her, "what would leaving do? You sit out there fretting about how he was doing. I think he just proved he can defeat whatever he may have to. What are the odds his name will be rolled again anyways?"
"And now the second match between Kuro Momotaro and Hiei will begin!" Juri announced.
Kari laughed nervously, "He'll be fine. Don't worry."
The match started. Kuro cut his arm. Twice. Kari winced in pain. Then some strange smoke filled the arena and the once blond demon turned into a hairy beast that resembled an ape.
"I hate monkeys." Kari shuttered.
Hiei went into attack, but upon impact his sword broke in half. He smirked and threw his sword to the side. The two started to exchange blows. Just when it looked like the two were evenly matched, Kuro hit Hiei. Lightening was created in the blow.
Hana jumped up, "I-I can't take this anymore."
With a grunt, Hiei jumped into the ring and took off his bandana.
"He's going to let the dragon out again." Kari shuttered.
She heard of the attack being used against Zeru. She didn't want to have the pleasure to see it in person.
"Fist of the Mortal Flame!" Hiei shouted.
Kuro screamed in pain and then…. laughed? It seemed like nothing Hiei did would keep him down. He took out another peach and smoke came out.
"Feathers?" Kari whispered.
Hana was about to leave but when she hear Hiei shout "Fist of the Mortal Flame!" she turned around thinking that Hiei might have a chance after all. The peach that Kuro used this time covered his body with feathers. Kuro jumped into the air and went straight toward Hiei punching him. Hana winced but Hiei immediately got up from the punches and started running around Kuro. Hiei then jumped at Kuro who tried to punch at him but Hiei managed to dodge that and used double fist of the mortal flame to retaliate.
"He did it," Hana thought happily.
Kuro all the sudden laughed apparently the move was useless. Kuro immediately starting overwhelming Hiei with a whole bunch of moves. Hana turned her head away she couldn't watch this. When Hiei landed heavily on the ground Hana turned her head back to the ring. Apparently Kuro would probably let Hiei go if he surrendered.
"With his pride he'll never give up," Hana muttered.
Kuro decided to use another peach and this time he transformed into a wolf. Kuro striked at Hiei twice missing the first time and the second time just scratching Hiei's shirt.
Hana closed her eyes and thought, "Hiei just give up I want you to live."
Hiei started to back away then paused when his foot hit something. Hiei looked down at the katana hilt and used his foot to toss it up to his hand. Hana opened her eyes just in time to see Kuro jump at Hiei. Next thing Hana knew blood was spurting out of Kuro. Hiei slashed through Kuro holding a sword that was covered with dark flames.
Hana sighed in relief. Hiei survived. Without a moment to lose the dice was rolled again to decide the next match.
"Kurama versus Ura Urashima." Juri announced as the dice stopped.
The demon and the human took out their own whip and began slashing at each other. They were evenly matched, but something didn't seem right to Kari. Suddenly, Kurama's whip missed Ura and the fishing line wrapped around Kurama. Blood squirted everywhere. Ura laughed as Kurama barely rose from the ground. With a few short movements, Ura surrounded the ring with the fishing line making a net like force field.
"What's that box?" Kari asked.
"'at's an Idunn Box." Jin said as he took a seat next to her. "Sorry I'm late. I slept long 'an I planned."
"With your injuries I'm not surprised." Kari frowned. "What exactly does the box do?"
"You'll know when you see it." Jin's ears twitched in excitement.
A fog engulfed the arena. Kari's breath caught in her throat and she tried to peer through the fog. Her eyes widened as Kurama's energy disappeared and a new energy took its place. Well, new for the observers. Kari knew that presence all too well.
"Youko…" She breathed.
Black lightning surged from the fog, but the fighters were still hidden. Even with her demon ears, she could barely make out the voices from within. Kari's heart beat faster.
'It can't be…' She thought. 'How?'
"Since you can't see, I'll explain." Jin started, making Kari jump. "The Idunn Box makes everyone, but the user, in the barrier regress to their later years."
Just then the clouds cleared. In the center of the ring stood Youko Kurama; His opponent dead at his feet. Kari couldn't breath. Youko looked right at her and Kari fainted.
"Kari?" Hana looked at her unconscious friend. "Oh, my goodness! Jin we need to take her back to the room. Kari's fainted!"
"Oh, but I just got 'ere." Jin faked a pout as he cradled her in his arms and lifted her body.
Right at that moment Youko started to transform back to Shuichi. The pair had a brief conversation before it was complete.
'It seems my time on the outside was short.' Youko told Shuichi as he looked at Kari in the stands. 'Don't mess this up, Shuichi.'
'Agreed.' The human boy replied.
Once Hana made sure Jin had Kari settled back at the hotel room Hana left. She immediately went towards the woods to walk and think.
"I don't know how to approach Hiei," Hana thought, "It's been too long and-." Hana broke off with a sigh, "He hasn't seen me. If I just try to avoid running into him then maybe I won't have to worry about this." Hana stopped walking and thought, "But I miss him."
Hiei walked through the forest after the tournament, trying to clear his mind. Hiei had this strange prickling feeling on the back of his neck during his fights like someone was watching him intently. After his fights he scanned the crowd but couldn't find anyone he recognized.
"I wonder if that person left after my battles," Hiei thought.
Hiei paused when he sensed a spirit energy that was very familiar. Hiei immediately went in the direction he sensed the energy. Hiei paused when he saw who the person was. It was Hana she looked lost and thought and was not moving. Hiei didn't know what to do it's been so long since he last saw Hana he didn't know how to react. Hana seemed to notice that someone was looking at her and glanced in his direction.
Hana felt like someone was looking at her. Hana glanced to her left and saw Hiei. Hana gasped and covered her mouth with both her hands.
Hiei took a step toward her, "Hana?" Hana took a step back she couldn't find her voice. Hiei took another step toward Hana but when he noticed her step back he stopped.
"Hana, what's wrong?" Hiei asked.
"I-I'm sorry Hiei," Hana stuttered then turned to run.
"Hana wait!" Hiei said then grabbed her wrist, "Don't run."
Hana turned back to face Hiei and just seeing Hiei's face immediately made the tears come out of Hana's eyes. Hiei saw the tears and let go of Hana's wrist. Hana didn't try another attempt to run away instead she rushed to Hiei and hugged him.
"I missed you," Hana spoke.
Kari woke up with her head throbbing. Against her better judgment, she sat up and looked around. She was in her hotel room. Alone.
"Maybe it was just a dream." Kari crawled out of bed. While stretching she noticed her clothes. "I'm not in my pajamas and its-" She grabbed the clocked blinked 4:50. "It's already afternoon."
But that would mean…
"Youko is alive." Kari fell backwards onto the bed. "That's not possible. The demon hunter…"
~Flashback~
"I wish you would stop this." Kari helped Youko prepared for the raid tonight. "With what happened with Kuronue… We're trying to start a family, Youko, you can't go gallivanting around raiding."
"It's all the more reason to go raiding." Youko kissed her forehead. "I need to pay for another mouth to feed."
"I can be an apothecary." She argued. "If you grow the plants it would cost us almost nothing."
"Don't worry about me."
"I worry about us." Kari looked down at her stomach.
"You mean… You're..." Youko hugged her tightly. "After tonight, I'll find another way."
"Thank you."
~End~
'He never came back.' She shook her head.
"And now I learn he's been alive for god knows how many years in human body?" She exclaimed. "Damnit, Youko or Kurama or whatever they call you! Just wait 'til I get my bloody hands on you!"
Kari stormed out the hotel. She didn't know where she was going. All she knew was she was going to find him.