In no way do I claim ownership of the characters or world(s) of Yu Yu Hakusho.
However, I do own the rights to my OC character of Senshu.
There is no profit to be made from this, it's just a bit of fun like all my works.
Rated M for general content and set after the end of the series. Manga or anime, take your pick, they aren't too different near the end to be honest. Just a little more explanation in the manga.
The Road Ahead
Ch I
A lone figure sat atop a rocky outcrop in Demon World. Dressed in the wooden armor of an ancient samurai warrior, they ran a whetstone along the blade of a katana. As the warrior looked out over the surprisingly lush forests of the demon realm, Mukuro's insectoid rumbled past as it patrolled the borders for humans.
"Such a pretty young woman," a male voice rumbled from behind the oni mask that covered the lower half of his face. This, combined with his helmet, made it so the only part of his face visible was his amethyst eyes.
His hand suddenly stopped in the steady sharpening of his sword as he felt a presence behind him. "What do you want, Botan?" he asked with a slight rasp.
The Grim Reaper in question had been just about to yell "Boo!" when Senshu had detected her. With a pout, she straightened up on her floating oar. "Now is that really a way to greet an old friend, Senshu?"
"We were more than that once. More than merely teammates, far closer than just friends." For the faintest moment, sadness flashed across his eyes before he steeled himself once more. Rising to his feet, he sheathed his blade and turned to face his former lover.
There was a faint blush on Botan's cheeks and regret etched on her face. "You know why we had to stop," she countered weakly, unable to meet his glare.
Frankly, no, he didn't. He knew the crap reason she'd given all those years ago, but it had been nothing but a pathetic excuse. "What is it you want? My bridges with you lot have long since been burned."
"It's time for them to come home, so Koenma needs you to go to Living World and bring them back."
"After all these years without contact from any of you, and suddenly I'm to be an errand boy again?!" Senshu exclaimed.
Botan huffed and puffed out her cheeks for a moment in annoyance. "I seem to recall that when we parted ways, you wanted us to leave you alone."
"And since when has Koenma given a damn about what I, or anyone else, wants? From what I've heard, he never gave his spirit detectives a moment's peace." The warrior turned away at this point to once more look out over the landscape.
Landing, Botan approached Senshu and hugged him from behind. "Please, Senshu? If you still feel anything for me other than anger, will you do this? They're my friends, just like you. If you don't convince them to come back, the SDF will be deployed to forcibly return them."
"I hate you. I hate you so much," came the reply. That was a low blow from her and for the briefest moment, he'd actually placed a hand on the hilt of his blade.
Kurama stood before the office window, looking out over the city as he took a little break from work. After a moment, his brilliant green eyes shifted towards a shadowy corner of his office. "Are you going to stand there all day, Senshu, or would you like to discuss why you're here?"
"I'm impressed," came Senshu's voice from the darkness. "I didn't think your sense of smell would be so strong in your current form." The warrior stepped into view, clad in a somber black suit with his bone white hair pulled up into a high ponytail. A jagged scar ran from his left cheek to the right edge of his chin. The hint of an even more unnerving scar peeked out from under the tight collar of his shirt.
"You also have a uniquely oppressive aura about you," Kurama said as he turned to face the warrior. He himself was wearing a red suit not much different in appearance from the uniform he'd worn in school. "To what do I owe the pleasure? The last time we met, I wound up looking like this."
"Rest assured, I would not be here if I did not have to be. I would much rather be home in Demon World right now. Sadly, it seems I have been coerced into running a rather annoying errand for that manipulative bastard Koenma." Though Senshu kept his hands in his pockets, the old warrior was ready to fight if need be.
"And just what might this errand be?" Kurama asked, his pose and attitude the same. These two had a rather rough history, after all.
"I've been sent to bring you and Yusuke Urameshi to Demon World."
"But the tournament's not for another year and a half. What is this really about?" Kurama's tone was growing suspicious.
Senshu sighed. "I didn't give enough of a damn to care. Still don't. If you wish to know, ask him yourself as we're to stop off in Spirit World first."
"I could fight you."
"But you won't. I may no longer give a damn about human life, but in this body, Kurama, you have grown a heart. You wouldn't dare risk anyone innocent in this building getting hurt. Especially not your stepbrother." It was no threat against the fox's family, merely an observation.
Though Kurama hated to admit it, Senshu had a good point. "Very well. When must I return?"
"You have three days to get your affairs in order, then you must report to Koenma immediately. If you don't, the SDF will be dispatched to... force your cooperation."
Senshu stood at the entrance to Genkai's vast lands. Though the eccentric was long since dead, again, her expansive territory was immaculately maintained by those she had entrusted it to. It was somewhere within this dense forest that he sensed Urameshi.
Though he could have simply traveled through the shadows to his target, he missed the beauty of his homeland. So he'd taken the scenic route. He'd ridden on something called a "train" to get out here. Due to the limited time he would be spending in this modern world, there was no point in bothering to understand the sciences in it.
As soon as he stepped over the barrier rope, he became aware of many apparitions and demons scattered about the grounds. Not surprising, these lands had been designated as a sanctuary for non-human entities in this world.
The walk to the main house was uneventful. At least until he arrived at the clearing the house was located in. The moment he left the shaded path, Senshu had to leap sideways to avoid an impaling from some sort of energy lance. Looking towards the source of the attack, he was slightly surprised to see his assailant was a child.
His attacker was roughly ten years old with bright red hair and sharp cheekbones. Narrowed red eyes glared at Senshu as a fresh javelin shaped lance of spirit energy formed in the boy's hands.
"Alright, Mister. You better tell me what you're doing here before I give you the beating of a lifetime," the boy said in a somewhat throaty voice.
"Toshin, Mother said you aren't supposed to challenge everyone you meet," a young female said from nearby. From her ice blue hair and kimono, she was clearly a snow maiden. A snow maiden with a brother? A rarity indeed.
"C'mon Yuki, can't you feel how dark this guy's aura is? No one around here has anything close to this guy's energy, not even Uncle Yusuke. And you remember Dad's stories about guys like Tugoro and Sensui, right? He could be just like them." And with that in mind, the lad threw his spirit lance at Senshu.
The warrior saw the attack coming this time and caught the lance with one hand. He looked down at it, felt the energy coursing through the weapon. This attack would probably be quite effective on most of the forest's inhabitants, but he was something different altogether. With a simple squeeze of his hand, Senshu snapped the lance in half as the children gasped. "You have potential, child. But you will need many years of training before you are able to stand against one such as I."
"Grrr... I'll show you!" Toshin growled as he palmed two lances at once while his twin bounced nervously from one foot to the other. Should she run and get one of their parents, or stay here and help her brother?
Before those fresh lances could be launched, however, the twins' father, Kazuma Kwuabara, came around the corner of the house. He'd gotten a bit more muscular over the years, and though his looks had not improved, his "sparring" matches with Yusuke had not made them worse. Upon seeing his son about to attack someone- yet again, he rushed over and gave Toshin a solid pounding on top of his head.
Toshin's lances fizzled out as his hands flew to the lump forming on top of his head. "Ow! What was that for?!"
"You little punk! How many times do we have to tell you not to attack people?" Kuwabara snapped, fist ready to teach another lesson if need be.
"But Dad, feel how dark his energy is. I was just making sure he wasn't a bad guy like the ones in your stories."
While the kid definitely needed a few lessons in manners, Kuwabara couldn't really fault his son for simply being protective in this case. And heck, he'd thought this stranger's aura was just Yusuke's in a relaxed state. But this close, the newcomer's energy gave him a shudder.
"Who are you, anyway?" Kuwabara asked Senshu, a bit on guard now.
"My name is Senshu. I have been sent by Koenma to bring Yusuke Urameshi back to Demon World."
"Already? But the tournament for the king isn't for over a year, isn't it?"
"I do not know the reason for this summoning. I am merely doing as I have been instructed," Senshu said with a casual shrug.
"Sounds pretty typical of that little brat," a new voice said in annoyance.
All eyes turned to see Yusuke emerging from the forest, dusting off his t-shirt. "If Koenma wants me back, why didn't he just send Botan instead of some Armani ad reject?" Well, the years hadn't done anything to tame the boy's tongue it seemed. But then, that would have been asking for the moon now, wouldn't it?
"Why, indeed," Senshi replied. "Res assured that I wish she were here in my place, but she has more pressing concerns at the moment. As I'm to bring you to Spirit World first because Koenma insists on making sure I'm doing my job, you may get the chance to ask her yourself."
"But why now?" Kuwabara asked again. "Are you sure Koenma didn't tell you anything about why it's time to bring Yusuke back so soon?"
The ancient warrior nodded, a pale lock of hair falling across his face. "He did provide a rather weak and dubious excuse. According to Koenma, you are being called back because with your mother now dead and you not being in a relationship with Keiko, you have no reason for lingering in the living world."
"I thought you said you didn't know why," Kuwabara said with narrowed eyes.
"He doesn't," Yusuke said with a scoff. "That reason is straight up bullshit."
"Hey! Watch your language around the kids!" Kuwabara snapped.
Ignoring him, Yusuke kept his attention on Senshu. "Well, buddy, I'd like to help you, I really would. But even if you are telling the truth, and with an aura like that that's a pretty big if, I'm going to have to decline." He shrugged. "Can't go running off with just any guy who claims be here on official Spirit World business."
"I don't recall mentioning a choice being involved," Senshu said, his demon energy starting to build. It was almost like a physical pressure was beginning to fill the air, pressing down on everyone. He quite expected the boy to put up a fight. And with hoe irritated about this whole clandestine affair he was, he was looking forward to it. Unbuttoning his suit jacket, he added, "I believe I must insist. By force if need be."
Yusuke grinned and cracked his knuckles, spirit energy flaring. "Glad you see it my way. So all you gotta do to get me to come with you is kick my ass."
Author's Note: So typical of Yusuke to think the way to work things out is by hitting stuff. But, hey, what can you do, right? Boys will be boys. And just what the hell was that with this Senshu guy and Botan, huh?
But by far the most amusing aspect of this brave new world is the obvious fact that Kuwabara and Yukina got busy. Bet Hiei just loves that, if he knows. He cares about his sister, but I'd imagine Mukoro can be a demanding lover once things get going.
Stick around for this one folks, I've got some fun twists and turns planned along the road. And as always, I'm looking forward to reading your reviews, so long as you don't flame.