Dimensional Fight Club
Chapter 1
*Ring, Ring Ring
"Hello," a soft voice answered the phone. "No, why do you ask." With hand on the phone the other towling his hair dry, Kurama sat down his chair to have a chat with his good friend Kuwabara.
"Don't blame me for what's about to happen in about a few seconds kay."
"What do you mean Kuwabara," Kurama said as he set out a brush and gently combed his hair.
"Well, I kinda gave your number to Kieko; seeing as she keeps calling me about Yurameshi and all."
"Not really, but what does this have to do with me?"
"Well, seems that Yurameshi is out on one of his many escapades and isn't coming home. I mean um, it's not like we're teenagers you know, we're adults and we shouldn't be sneaking out at all hours of the nights and not coming home days at a time –not that it's any of my business and well um... It just that I don't care about Yurameshi –it's just that he's not my husband and I can't always be the ones keeping tabs on him, so I thought that since you and him are good friends as well, I thought well hey, why not give her Kurama's number and bother him sometimes –uh, I mean- ask him if he knows where that Yusuke's is – ah, ha ha. Okay now bye!"
"Bye, I guess." As Kurama hung up the phone, not a second later was there a call coming from an unfamiliar caller ID. He let it ring a few times before he answered and boy, was it a mistake that was.
* * * For the Next 4 Weeks
Yes, he's fine Kieko. I spoke to him no longer than 2 days ago." Kurama said over the phone. "It was two days after his meeting with him. . . No, I don't think it's in his character to commit infidelity. It seems that he is indeed" he said with a reluctant sigh, " . . . training."
"Kurama, why the hell does he need to train for anyways? Its not like his skills are rusty geez!" He had to hold the phone an arm's length away for he felt that he had already lost hearing in one, he couldn't bear do damage to the other.
"Kieko please, as for his whereabouts now, I can only tell you that only when he wants to be found that we'll know for sure where to find him. Until then, there isn't any point calling me every hour of the day."
This charade was getting old and Kurama by this point was getting a little annoyed. It has been 3 weeks since Yusuke snuck out of his apartment and hadn't been found. It felt too draining on his spirit energy to keep up with the affairs of humans and this human especially. But before he was about to give up and change his numbers, the calls began to stop. It was not long that Kieko's relationship with Yusuke had reached its braking point. And then, the once happy fairytale was over. And they no longer began seeing each other. It was devastating to hear that Yusuke's callous behavior had cost him his marriage. The women had rallied behind Kieko and the men covertly behind Yusuke.
It was not long before things fell apart even further for Yusuke once he realized what he had done.
"Remember the first time we met Yusuke? It was not so long ago that you were just a naive detective on his first mission." Kurama said as he sipped his coffee and glanced softly at Yusuke across the table. They were outside the Cafe on a warm Sunday mourning. Too early if you asked his raven haired friend who seemed deprived of sleep yet nonetheless happy to meet up with his long time friend after so many years.
"Yeah, of course I remember. You and Hiei sure didn't give me a warm welcome." He chortled in his signature boyish ways. He then leaned against his chair and looked up at the partly clouded skies as if reminiscing about those good old days, "As I recalled, none of you guys didn't even take me seriously." Then he frowned, and recalled how Kurama gave him the cold shoulder and Hiei kidnapping Kieko. Yes, Kieko And living on borrowed time as a spirit detective. If those weren't very stressing times back in the day.
"Ah, yes, but you see, little did I know you were so skilled and oh so very charming." Kurama emphasized sarcastically as he leaned across the table with his chin resting gently on hand.
Yusuke couldn't help but have a bitter laugh at Kurama, "You damn right I'm so freaking charming; didn't take you long to get friendly with me. . .Especially since your paying."
He said as he grabbed the blueberry muffins and vanilla scones and shoved them generously down his mouth. "Mmm, damn these are good."
"Have as much as you like." he smiled warmly
"Don't mind if I do," as Yusuke gulped down his coffee, he looked over the table to his ruby haired friend and asked unceremoniously. "So I get it you didn't ask me here to try the pastries and bask in the sunshine Kurama. We haven't seen or spoken each other in 10 months. Then suddenly I get a call from out of the blue to have drink with an old buddy of mine; this wasn't necessarily what I had in mind." He said looking slightly disappointed as he looked down at his hot black coffee. It seemed that the beverage he had in mind was more cold and in a bar setting with bad music and plastered chicks. "Why did you ask me here."
"Yes, you were never one for beating around the bush then, but there is no reason for old friends to play catch up after a while. After all Yusuke, we've had a long history together, wouldn't you agree."
"Kurama look," the raven haired boy sighed in resign, "after Kieko left me, yeah, I've been in a wreck. I know your thinking of it when I walked through the door, I can tell you thought I looked like hell. Truth is, I don't really give a shit anymore, the past was in the past, I've moved on alright."
There was a brief silence across the table when Kurama looked over his friend with genuine concern; "Yusuke," he said gently, "you still have the IV needle in your arm, and your bracelet indicates you were admitted two days ago." When Yusuke heard Kurama's deductions, he must have thought the worst when he saw the healing lacerations around his wrists and body. "You look famished and it doesn't look like you haven't had a decent meal in a long time. And what's that unusual scar-"
Yusuke quickly interrupted Kurama. Trying to stealthy steer the conversation elsewhere. He must have thought Kurama assumed the worst and thought him suicidal. And from the looks of it; Kurama was concocting all sorts of theories as to why he was so screwed up looking. "Look Kurama, if you think I'm stupid enough to try and kill myself; don't you think I would have just used my spirit gun and blasted me into smithereens and left you guys a happy little creator instead of going out some pussy way like slicing my wrists? What do you take me for?"
Kurama usually gentle countenance was interrupted by Yusuke's sudden indignations. He felt slightly red for assuming such a thing. He should have know better. But how can he blame himself by coming towards such a conclusion given his friends impetuous and foolish nature. "I'm sorry Yusuke. You must forgive me, I only care for your well being you see." But there was still that look of uncertainty. Then why are your wrists so badly damaged if you don't mind me saying?"
"It's simple," he said with gusto ". . .I uh. . . fell." said Yusuke with hesitant bravado.
"Into-a-fight!" He sneezed.
Kurama was about to fall over his chair. Not only was he stunned by Yusuke lame admission, but also at the fact he was offend because Yusuke had greatly insulted his intelligence. ". . .Yusuke, now it is my turn to get offended. Do you honestly believe that I would –
"Before you get all judgmental again, let me add that it was from training." After he got a skeptical look from his good friend, he further add, "Its very vigorous. In fact –its –good –for –me –soul." He pounded his chest a in tandem with the last phrase. "Keeps my mind healthy and stimulated, not to mention sane." he added snidely.
Kurama suddenly composed himself; not willing to go down with Yusuke to this potentially dark road.
Yusuke took this as a que, and quickly finished the rest of his coffee and slammed his cup on his table with a loud bang. "Well Kurama,. . . Thanks!" he said as he grabbed his jacket off the chair as walked briskly away. Not bothering to look back.
"Yusuke, wait -" Kurama protested as he got money out of his wallet and generously left a fine tip on the table and quickly dashed after Yusuke. "Please Yusuke -"
He quickly caught up with his friend and placed his hand over his shoulder. "Kurama," Yusuke abruptly turned around to face his good friend, but it was so close to each other now that they were literally inches apart. Kurama was suddenly struck with the sight of those large breathtaking eyes he had so long admired. But admired from afar with respect and high regard. Now he gazed into them with uncertainty as if they were as mysterious as they first were when they met. "You don't need to worry about me, I can take care of myself."
He was so calm and collective when he said those words that Kurama could not argue with him. His eyes were so gentle and his smile genuine that Kurama smiled in returned. His hand that was on Yusuke's shoulder was slowly getting warm as Yusuke's callous palm rested on top of his. He gently squeezed it for reassurance and they both left it at that.
3 Years Later
"What's this Hiei?" Kurama said as Hiei handed him a dirty cloth with scorch marks on it. Japanese characters down the length of the fragile cloth as if it were a scroll.
It was all that was left of the Demon Sheguro. I wouldn't have given it much thought; but since he was a lower middle class demon, I thought I'd look into it." As he walked circles around Kurama on top of his 20 story apartment building overlooking the city, it was night time and windy. "I didn't like what I saw Kurama."
". . . Explain."
"It seems there running an illegal underground fight club. Demon Vs. Demon, but there are some humans involved in this new trend as well."
"Humans? Betting on the game- making a profit? It seems like another dark tournament being sponsored no doubt by obscenely rich and powerful."
On the contrary Kurama, its not so crystal as you'd expect. Its actually humans participating in the event. There fighting the demons to the death- its almost comical if you ask me.
"What? The demons are using humans as catalyst in their schemes? Hiei, we must put a stop to this!"
"Your so quick to jump to conclusions Kurama," Hiei said as he jumped on the railings overlooking the deep plunge of the city below. "But no, the humans aren't the victims but rather the participants in this 'competition', if you can call it that."
"Hiei, though that hardly sounds plausible, there must be a catch to this. After all, these are humans were talking about- how can they even stand a chance in the first place? But more importantly; how is this able to operate. Isn't there rules delegated from Koenma or the Great King Yama preventing this."
"There's only so much Spirit World can do especially when they know absolutely nothing about it. Especially when this 'competition isn't exactly in this dimension, and neither is it in the Demon or Spirit world.
"What do you mean? This sounds serious." Kurama looked out into the moon, more concerned over the possibility of a new threat beyond him or any thing above else.
"The person running this whole charade is an unknown demon. But rumored to be extremely powerful. This person orchestrated this entire new dimension and possibly many others we don't know about. Anyone who's willing to forfeit their lives in search of power can participate. As a matter of fact, there are millions of players –or so I've been told."
Hiei walked over to corner where there was a demon that had been ensnared and tied up with brusies and gashes all over his body. "Isn't that right? Jogi" The demon seemed to cower in fear and nodded emphatically at Hiei's question. "Even humans have the ability to assume massive amounts of power by playing. All one needs to do is merely seek out another player about this new dimension. Only someone from the inside can really tap into this exclusive club – am I right?" Hiei devilishly smiled to which the demon looked even more frightened.
Kurama, normally I wouldn't even bother with these kind of trivialities but he said something that piked my interest." Hiei quickly sliced the gag with the swipe of his sword, "Would you mind telling my friend what you told me Jogi. But better yet, why don't you show him!" Hiei yelled that last part, he seemed angry at this new found revelation as he rammed his fist into Jogi's face.
The creature that was knocked down clumsily tried to get up. He could have done without the deafening blow to the head as he positioned himself on one knee. Then with much surprise he did something that Kurama was almost taken aback by. The monster pointed his index finger at Kurama and took aim, (Hiei looking disgusted) then suddenly as if by slow motion he uttered the words, ". . .Spirit Gun!"
A sudden burst of energy escaped his index finger as the blinding light which accumulated in his index finger suddenly shot out like a laser with a huge mass of energy at the end of the light went a million miles a second towards Kurama. Suddenly surprised by what he saw could hardly move, but the Hiei was quicker, deflected the blast away from Kurama and into the sky like a shooting star. Then without preamble he sliced the demon's arm off.
". . . What was that Hiei," Kurama slowly asked as if to test the realization of what he saw. "If I didn't know any better, that blast would have leveled an entire city block."
"That my friend," Hiei said, "was Yusuke's spirit gun –superbly executed."
TBC
Hey, gang, the author Demonchryselus here. This is my first fanfic, please be nice and all comments and reviews are welcomed. Even flames are necessary if an author wants to improve their stories.