This story is based mainly off the anime.

WARNING: This story contains spoilers, bad language, and adult (sexual) situations. Mature audience please.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Yu Yu Hakusho characters or any concepts belonging to the series and creator. I do own my original characters and story.

Summary: The gang goes back for round two of the Dark Tournament, as is required of the reigning champions. Genkai has refused the invitation to accompany them. Kurama pulls through with a new, unknown friend to fill the spot of their fifth member. But as the tournament progresses, things take a trip on the dark side, and the Urameshi team fighters find themselves caught in the midst of it.

Secrets of the Portal Keepers

Chapter 1

"Decisions"

by: Katroom

Kurama walked casually down the park path, shifting his suitcase-like school bag to his other hand. It was a warm autumn day and he was a little uncomfortable in his red school uniform. Only one more year of the attire and then he'd be done with high school, preparing to take the entrance exams at Tokyo-U. He wasn't worried about getting in, as he still ranked top in his class, but his mother did, so he continued to study hard to make the older woman happy, even if he didn't need it.

That topic was far from important right now. Today he was meeting with his friends to talk about the recent events in demon society. In other words, the beginning of a second Dark Tournament. The invite had come to him via imp during the middle of the night. Kurama had been less than pleased and glared threateningly at the small demon as he relayed the message, running off as soon as his job was done. Too tired to really care about it then, he had gone back to bed. Next day Yusuke called him to set up the meeting he was heading to now.

He spotted his friends up ahead sitting on a park bench, indulged in what seemed to be a light conversation. Kurama smiled at seeing Hiei actually talking and not just making noises as a response. The two stopped when they caught sight of the lone fox demon strolling towards them. The former spirit detective waved enthusiastically, calling out an "Oi!" in greeting. Kurama lifted his hand to wave back.

The former Spirit Detective, while still in his teens, had grown taller. His shoulders were broader, muscles and physique more defined. His training with Raizen had helped to sculpt him into a distinguished fighter. He still wore the green jumpsuit from his earlier years when attending school (much to Keiko's dislike) and his hair was still in its greased back style. Keiko had convinced him to finish his schooling after his return from the Makai. Yusuke reluctantly complied with the girls wishes having to start again a year behind all his former classmates.

As for Hiei – he was still short and fierce. But at least his wardrobe didn't consist of only black anymore. At the moment, he was wearing his customary black pants and a uniform cloak to show his rank. Kurama sometimes found himself wondering if the fire demon was actually getting taller. It was probably from his own training with the Demon Lord Mukuro. At least he didn't have the urge to take the Ningenkai over anymore.

Kurama finally stopped before the pair.

"Hey Kurama, long time no see," Yusuke greeted.

"Indeed," Kurama nodded towards his long time friend. "Hiei."

"Kurama."

"Where's Kuwabara?"

Yusuke ran his fingers thought his greased hair. "Who knows? He was supposed to come here with me after school, but something came up and he had to run home first."

"I see."

The three caught up with each other while they waited for their fourth companion. The four fighters didn't hang out quite as much as they use to. Granted they still made arrangements to get together at Genkai's or someplace every once in a while, but priorities and distances made the task a bit more of a hassle. Regardless of how much they hung out, they would forever be faithful friends and trusted allies.

Finally they spotted Kuwabara, madly dashing up the path Kurama had just previously traveled. By the time he'd reached them he was already winded, body shuddering from the force of his gasps. "Sorry I'm late guys. I forgot I had to take Eikichi to the vet."

"You still have that cat?" Yusuke teased. "I was sure it would have killed itself by now, living with you and all."

"Watch it Urameshi! I can still beat you to a pulp!"

"Is that a threat?"

Kurama and Hiei watched as the two squared-off in a stare down.

Yusuke pulled away and leaned back against the bench. "Kuwabara, if you want a fight, we'll do it at school. But right now we have more important things to talk about."

Kuwabara crossed his arms in front of his chest and stuck his nose in the air. "Hm. Yeah whatever."

Suddenly Yusuke took on a much more serious demeanor as he eyed each of his companions. They were waiting for him to say something, assuming him to take over the role as leader like he had in the past. Taking a deep breath, he asked the question that had brought them here in the first place. "So…are we gonna go?"

There was a moment of silence as everyone considered their options. After the first Dark Tournament, they were sure there wouldn't be another one. Not only had both stadiums been destroyed, but almost the entire Black Black club had been killed off. Plus, there was the Makai Tournament. What was the point of having another tournament?

Well someone had done it. And as the reigning champs, they were required to go back and participate. Actually, they weren't really "required" to do anything, seeing as there was nothing they could do to force them to (the messengers barely had enough courage to come and ask). They'd all come a long way since then. Everyone was stronger, smarter, and more experienced. So if they were going to go, they would of their own free will, and no one would tell them otherwise.

Kuwabara was the first to voice his opinion. "I think we should go. These punks need to know who they're dealing with." Another pause.

"We do have a reputation to keep," Kurama said. The thought of fighting together was quite appealing.

"Hiei," Yusuke turned to his more distant friend.

The fire demon shrugged, "I'm sure Mukuro would give me some time off."

"Great, now that that's settled, what are we going to do about a fifth member?" Yusuke moved forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "We know Genkai isn't going to do it. She's too old to be fighting."

"Who do we know that's willing to fight with us?" Kuwabara crossed his arm and rested his chin in his hand. There was a break in the conversation.

"Hey Kuwabara," Yusuke had one of those looks on his face, "why don't you ask your sister? She's pretty tough."

"What? No way! She'd scare away everyone before we'd even get to fight them."

Kurama tried not to laugh. "He has a point."

They all stood there for a moment brainstorming on people they knew. A couple ideas were mentioned, but quickly shot down. Every time they came up with a candidate, some reason besides their fighting ability was mentioned, eliminating that person.

Finally Yusuke let out a frustrated sigh. "Kami! Don't we know anybody?"

Kurama picked his school bag up off the ground. "Perhaps it would be better if we thought about this on our own time."

"In a rush to get away from us?" Yusuke teased.

"No, nothing like that. I just have some errands to run for my mother."

Hiei scoffed, "Still weak." He was already up and getting ready to leave.

Yusuke got up as well and stretched. "Ah, I guess your right. No point in just sittin' here if we can't think of anyone. Besides, if Keiko finds me she's going to drag me back to detention." Yusuke picked his own suitcase up off the ground. "Call me if you get any ideas." They said their good-byes and parted.

Kurama made his way into town for the groceries his mother had asked him to buy for dinner while he was out. He continued to think about the Dark Tournament and fighting as a team again. The practice would be good for him and give him time to unwind before the school year got into full swing again.

He had just left the grocery store and rounded the corner when he was attacked from behind. Cool, nimble hands covered over his eyes, tilting his head back a bit, the body connected to them close behind.

"Guess who?" said the not-so-mysterious voice.

Kurama found himself smiling for about the hundredth time that day, "Well, it's nice to see you up and about again." He tried to move his head out of the way given that his hands were full.

The hands pulled away, allowing Kurama to face his captor. He was greeted with the sight of Kyra Imagawa, the adopted daughter of family friends and one of his favorite secrets. They'd had the pleasure of meeting each other when they were seven and had since then become close friends…and reserved allies.

Kyra was a tall, fit woman, thanks to her many years of training as a martial artist. Her hair was brown, and long, reaching just past her backside in a kept braid. Her body was somewhat disproportioned, with an abnormally large chest area and a very mild flare of hips. He'd blushed when she herself had blantly said that she didn't have an "ass" (which he knew to be her goal) and though Kurama never told her, he had to agree. Her features were very uncommon amongst Japanese people, having blue eyes that weren't as slanted and higher cheekbones. Not even her skin was normal, having gotten a somewhat dark tan that almost appeared to have permeated itself in her flesh over the course of the summer.

But looks weren't everything.

"How are you?" he asked giving her the once over. Last time they talked had been a couple of weeks ago on the phone. Since then she'd been cooped up at home healing herself after a vigorous outing.

"I'm good. My hands are all better." She held them up for Kurama's inspection.

"You never did tell me how you burned them."

"By touching something hot."

Kurama rolled his eyes. "There are plenty of other ways to burn yourself."

Kyra changed the subject, "So what are you up to? Running some errands for your mom again?"

"Yes, she asked me to after I was done meeting with my friends."

"Oh really? School friends or other friends?"

"Other friends."

"Ah. You guys don't hang out as much as you did last year. Something happen?"

"Work…and the lack of it."

"I bet you really miss it, don't you."

"Tons." She laughed at his sarcasm. Kyra stood beside him as they began walking down the streets of Tokyo.

"So Kyra, what has you out and about today?"

She held out a small shopping bag. "I ran out of supplies."

"I thought you were healed?"

"I am, I just wanted to be stocked up."

"Looks like you bought quite a bit."

"I go through this stuff pretty fast, with as often as I get hurt."

"You're right, you do need it. Where are you headed now?"

"Home."

"No car?"

"No gas," she gave him a skeptical glance. "Why? Hoping for a ride?"

"It would have been nice."

"You're gonna have to settle with walking back with me."

"Darn."

Kyra playfully hit him on the shoulder as they made their way out of the city.

"So you're going back to the Dark Tournament?"

"If we can find a fifth member."

"And how's that going?"

"At the moment, not to good."

"Figures. You actually want to go back and you can't."

"That's not for certain yet."

"What are you going to tell your mom if you end up going?"

Kurama shrugged, "I'm sure I'll think of something."

Kurama and Kyra put their conversation on hold as they neared the Minamino household. Entering into the house, the two removed their shoes, then headed into the kitchen, where Kurama set his bags down. Shiori was there to greet them.

The older woman looked up from the dishes she was drying. "Kyra! What a nice surprise!" she exclaimed, apparently skipping the acknowledgement of her son.

Kyra kindly embraced her friend's mother. "It's nice to see you too, Shiori."

Kurama only smiled at the females' interaction as he put the groceries away. His mother had always acted more caringly towards Kyra, knowing that the girl had had a hard time as a child. Not that his mother wasn't kind to everyone, it was just that Kyra was a little bit more special. Then there was the fact that Shiori had been trying to subtly hook the girl up with him, getting the two together whenever ever the chance presented itself. Unfortunately for her, the teenagers had caught onto her schemes long ago and were able to easily avoid any tricks thrown their way.

"Tell me what you've been up to. It's been so long since Shuichi has brought you around." Kurama sweat dropped from his mother's teasing scold. Kyra picked up on it and set out to correct her.

"Oh no, it's not Shuichi's fault, I've just been really busy lately helping my dad in finishing up his research from Africa and all that other good stuff. Plus I started a little late in my schooling."

"That's right! Shuichi told me you were going to Africa this summer. How was it?"

"It was quite the adventure. Hot, too."

Shiori gave a polite chuckle. "I bet it was. Did you like it?"

"Very much."

"Why don't you stay for dinner and you can tell me all about it."

"Thanks Shiori, but Shuichi already agreed to walk me home so…"

The woman's eye sparkled at the comment. "Well then don't let me keep you waiting. Shuichi, don't worry about the groceries, I'll put them away."

Kurama stopped himself from grabbing another bag. "Are you sure? It'll just take me a sec-"

"I'm sure. You don't want to keep Kyra waiting."

"Yeah Shuichi, listen to your mother." Kyra smiled smugly. Kurama wanted to roll his eyes, but refrained from doing so. His mother would expect him to be a gentleman.

He sighed quietly in defeat. "Yes, of course."

Kyra tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "I guess we better get going."

Shiori walked the couple to the door. "Tell your mother I'll call her soon and then we can all get together to hear about your trip."

"Will do. Bye Shiori." Kyra waited until Kurama finished adjusting his shoe before opening the door and heading out.

"I'll be right back, mother." Kurama called, closing the door behind him.

Kyra waited until they were on the side walk before saying anything. Smiling, she shook her head, "Poor Shiori. She really wants us together."

"Yes, she does."

"I almost hate to disappoint her."

"I know the feeling."

There was a moment of silence as they crossed the street.

Kurama put his hands in his pockets, "Why did you want me to walk you home? So you could tell me how it was exactly you got hurt. It must have been serious to keep you bed ridden for so long."

Kyra gave a little shrug, "Not really. We had just gotten off the plane and I was tired and hungry and not in the mood to deal with anyone wanting to pass over."

"Hm."

"And when I got there I wasn't expecting a whole frickin' army to be waiting for me."

"A whole army?" Kurama raised an eyebrow at her exaggeration.

"Ok, not an army, but there was a least ten of them."

"Definitely more than the usual."

"They weren't lower class youkai either."

"Interesting."

"Quite."

"I take it you didn't finish them off then?"

She shook her head, "Nope."

"That still doesn't explain how you got hurt."

"Why does it matter?" she lightly snapped.

Kurama felt a little sting from her words. "I was just curious," he said offhandedly.

Hetensed a little when Kyra gripped him by the bicep, effectively stopping him in his tracks. She tilted her head up an inch to look in his eyes, a gentle smile on her face. "Kurama, you shouldn't worry about me so much. You'll drive yourself insane."

The red-head relax, waiting until she let go to say something. "I know, but it's hard to do sometimes. There are things you do that make me think you're crazier then Yusuke."

The two finished walking the short distance to Kyra's house. After Kurama's mother had remarried they'd moved into a house only a couple blocks away from hers to accommodate the new family. It was certainly an improvement from where they use to live. She knew it relieved Kurama to see his mother happy and not living in the cramped up space of a two bedroom apartment.

They stopped just before the porch steps. Kyra turned to look at her friend. "Kurama, the reason I wanted you to walk me home was to tell you that if worst comes to worst and you can't find a fifth member, don't be afraid to give me a ring."

"Thanks Kyra, but I don't think that will be necessary. Besides, you're supposed to be in hiding."

"I want to return all the favors I owe you. Especially after all the favors you've done for me. Besides, it's not like anyone would know me. I always cover my face when I go out. To them I'd just be a normal human."

"Maybe…"

Kyra cut him off. "You don't have to decide anything right now. It would only be a last resort." She walked up the porch steps to go inside, pausing when Kurama called her name.

"Kyra."

She turned to look at him.

"When are you coming back to school? The terms already started and you haven't been there once."

"Soon."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

"I'm holding you to it. Bye then."

Kyra waved good-bye as she entered her house.

Kurama turned to leave. He'd have to give her offer a little more thought.

A/N: First chapter of the revised edition. I don't have a beta, so there might still be some mistakes. This is going to take a while takes a deep breath. I'm hoping to post once a week. We're going to be moving in a couple weeks, so we'll see how that affects my updating.

P.S. This version follows the summary much better.