Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho. They belong to Yoshihiro Togashi.

A Darkness Shall Rise

Chapter One: A Picnic and an Opponent

Yusuke Urameshi leaned against the wall of the school. He was waiting for his close friend, Kayko Ukimura. She had convinced him to go on a picnic with her. Kuwabara and Kurama were going to meet them there in the park. He didn't really want to go but didn't want to her Kayko either. He told himself that he would just go through with the picnic. Who knows? It could be fun.

Kayko stepped out of the school and saw Yusuke standing not too far from the doors. He had gone home and changed out of his green uniform and was now wearing the usual, jeans with a white shirt and tennis shoes. She thought he looked handsome for a sixteen-year-old and his grades had managed to rise a little since she was helping him out. Actually, she was pushing him to do so. She hurried over to him, her brown hair flowing behind her.

"Yusuke, come on. We don't want to be late." Kayko grabbed his arm and practically dragged him away from the wall. They walked towards the park in silence. The silence was a comfortable one though. The breeze that blew around them was relaxing. They needed to relax anyway. They had finally finished their exams.

A figure stood quietly in an alley, watching patiently as Kayko and Yusuke walked to the park. His ice blue eyes took in the sight of the park. The trees were swaying in the breeze, while the flowers were leaning towards Kurama. The figure shook his head. Of course it would have to be Kurama. The kitsune was the only one he knew who seemed to be attractive to the flowers and other plants. Slowly, he moved away from his hiding place spot, being careful not to be seen.

"Hiei, you decided to make it. Are we your family?" The fire apparition lifted his head at Kurama's question. He glared at the redhead, who was chuckling softly, when he saw Yukina next to Kuwabara. She still didn't know that he was her brother.

"Shut up, Kurama, or would you prefer that I take out my sword and cut out your voice?" Kurama was still laughing as Hiei threatened him. Hiei scowled darkly but said nothing more to the fox. As long as Yukina was around, the redhead would continue to make fun of him. He sat down on the grass away from Kurama and watched his sister and Kuwabara. The orange-haired boy was playing with a kitten and Yukina was holding Puu. The fuzzy blue being of Yusuke's inner self had been brought over by the spirit detective himself before he went back to the school to get Kayko. Hiei found himself with pictures forming in his mind of roasting the cat.

"Hey, Urameshi, you're late. What took you so long?" Yusuke only shrugged his shoulders at the question. He thought he was on time. His eyes drifted around the group, a smiled playing on his lips when he saw Hiei. That was the last thing he expected.

"What's up, Hiei? We didn't think you'd show." Hiei only snorted in reply. Kayko sat down, Yusuke beside her. Kurama produced a picnic basket and started taking things out.

"Hiei was just getting lonely, Yusuke. He wanted to be with his family." Kurama smiled, his eyes laughing outwardly for him. Yusuke started the chuckle. Hiei made to pounce on Kurama but the fox had already moved. The fire apparition spun around and faced the kitsune. He gave Kurama a rare smile and lunged at the surprised demon. Before Kurama knew it, he had been tackled by Hiei and was lying flat on his back. The smaller demon sat on his chest, the katana out and poised.

"It's all right, Hiei. Don't kill Kurama." Yusuke calmed down long enough to talk to Hiei. The fire apparition narrowed his eyes but he didn't wan to kill Kurama, just scare him. It didn't work. The fox demon looked as calm as ever. He knew that Hiei wouldn't do anything regrettable.

Kayko was right, Yusuke thought. This would be fun, especially to see Hiei go after Kurama like that. Yusuke grinned and went back to eating. Kurama sat up as soon as Hiei got off him and examined his jeans. He had grass stains on his knees but other than that, there was nothing else on them except some dirt. He looked at the fire apparition and heard the others laughing. Usually he was perfect, his clothes clean but now they were dirty. He would just ignore them and wash them when he got home.

Ice blue eyes watched them have their little fight. He was glad to see that Kurama was well again. He sighed inwardly. Now was the time to make himself known. He had a message that he had to give and was not going to wait any longer. He had already waited long enough. He moved out of his hiding spot once again.

Hiei's food stopped halfway to his mouth. He could sense someone's spirit energy but it was no one in the group. He looked around, putting his food back on the napkin. He didn't see anything yet but could feel it. Kurama was on his feet and he followed. A figure suddenly appeared behind them and they turned to see who it was. Kurama's jaw dropped. He wasn't expecting to see him. The bluish-silver hair with green eyes. The ice blue eyes. It was the ice master he had fought with in the Dark Tournament.

"Touya?" was the only thing he could say.

Yusuke here. Whoa, I don't know what more surprising, Touya showing up or the look on Kurama's face. Anyway, the ice master is going to tell us why he is here. I hope it's nothing bad. See ya next time on Yu Yu Hakusho.

How was the first chapter? I'm so nervous at the moment. This is my first fanfiction and I don't know how people will think about it. Constructive criticism, suggestions and comments are welcome. Please don't be afraid to.

Shall I continue? Let me know.

Sojourn