Revised as 7-21-09
This will be the edited version of the first chapter. I realized that it could be a lot better, so I set out to try and improve it. So at any rate, this can at least be seen as an improvement over the first draft.
.o.o.o.
YU YU HAKUSHO: DARK SEASON
Episode 01: "The Strangers"
.o.o.o.
The wind blew across his face. The man was tall and slender, and well dressed in a black suit and red tie- complete with a silver clip. His hair was jet black and was slicked back neatly and wore a pair of small glasses over his strangely gray eyes. He turned slowly to face the trio standing before him. He reached up and covered his mouth, clearing his throat and offering a smile.
The man in the suit held out his arms in a friendly gesture as a light breeze moved between them. His thin lips curled into a smile as he began to speak. "Thank you, all of you, for coming." He spoke in a cordial tone to them.
The city line could be seen behind him, like a massive theatrical backdrop. He spoke once more with the cloudless blue sky behind him. "I have called you here today because I have need of your services." He explained, crossing his arms- the brass buttons on his sleeves catching the light of the midday sun nicely.
The penthouse was secluded on top of a large office building in the heart of the city's business district. It was largely obscured from view by the people in the city. The man in black crossed his arms behind his back and looked out onto the city. "The dreams of my employers will soon be realized- but there are many obstacles standing in the way." He paused. "…Chief amoung them are the Spirit World Agents."
One of the trio stepped forward. He had long black hair that down along his back and against the sides of his face. He was dressed in a simply full-length mens kimono. He wore straw sandals and a samurai-style katana was tucked into his dark blue obi. His eyes were covered with a blindfold, but he seemed to know where everyone was. "Don't waist our time- get to the point Harada."
The business man glanced over at the swordsman and smiled. "Right to the point, as usual, eh Kagamaru?" He asked in a somewhat weary tone. "Very well then- I'll forgo the alliterations and get to the point…" He reached into his jacket and withdrew a a small three photographs.
Off to the side, a very tall man sat at a table, silently watching the scene unfold. He had his long brown hair pulled tightly into a braided ponytail in the back and sideburns ran down along his jaw. He was dressed in tasseled brown jacket and worn in jeans, along with snake-skin boots. He had small gold ear rings in both ears and a small scar resided over his right eyebrow.
He poured wine into a glass and set the bottle down on a round patio table that was covered with a red and white checker-pattern table cloth. He smiled, taking a sip from it. His crimson eyes narrowed in amusement while he listened to the others conversing.
Another one of the figures stepped forward. He was tall and lanky, dressed in a simple maroon shirt and black pants and leather jackboots. He was very pale and his long dark brown hair was bound in the back. Two white locks of hair hung down in front of his face while the hair ran white on the sides. His sideburns extended out across his cheeks and hair marked his chin in the style of s soul patch.
He held out a hand with long slender fingers. White bands were tide around his sleeves and kanji charms hung from them. "Harada, what is it that you want us to do?"
Harada looked up at him and smiled in response. He adjusted his glasses and placed something in his hand. "Puppet Master," He began. "You, along with Kagamaru, and Shrapnel," He spoke, nodding to the third figure- who was covered in a thick hooded cloak.
"…Will kill the Spirit Detectives." He added with a smile and handed the other two photos to the swordsman and the cloaked figure. The all looked down at the glossy photos in their hands.
"Yusuke Urimeshi…" Kagamaru remarked, staring at the photo intently, despite the fabric over his eyes. He quickly tucked the picture into his kimono and looked back up- casting his 'gaze' towards Harada. "Interesting…" He muttered simply and crossed his arms.
Puppet master looked down at his- the photo was of Kuwabara. He frowned, is if somehow disappointed. "How come I get the clown?" He asked curtly. "Killing him won't even be worth my time." He complained.
"Don't be so sure of that." Shrapnel spoke in a muffled whisper, while looking down at the photograph of Kurama in 'his' hand. "Underestimating one opponent is the greatest mistake a warrior can make- besides, you should know by now not to judge something soley by its appearance." Shrapnel admonished. "That 'clown', as you call him, has killed quite a few powerful demons."
Puppet Master turned to look at the concealed warrior and growled. "That's easy for you to say," He exclaimed in frustration. "You get to go after the reincarnation of the legendary Youko." He snapped back. "…While I get the damn human."
Harada intervened, grinning at the other man. "You should give the boy more credit," He began coolly. "Kazuma Kuwabara is descended from a long line of powerful mystics and warriors." He explained. "His mastery of Rei-ki and his extra-sensory perception make him very formidable."
Puppet Master thought about the last bit of information for a moment. He looked back at Harada. "Sure, what the hell..." He replied. "It might be fun after all… If he's the kind of man you say he is- then he may be the entertainment I've been looking for."
Harada turned to Kagamaru and approached him, stopping at his side. "Yusuke Urameshi is strong- dangerously so. However, he lacks focus and- like most humans- does little more then act on his emotions." He explained. "I feel that this is something that you can use to your advantage."
The man in the tasseled jacket continued to watch the scene. He set the now empty glass down and took a seat, crossing his legs as he leaned back in the chair. A black cat walked up and hopped onto the table the man and the cat appeared to exchange a glance and then looked back up. "Dead man walking…" He whispered with a smile while petting the cat.
Harada then turned to face Shrapnel. "Kurama is a tactician and very dangerous, but he has his limits, like anything else." Harada explained. "So I feel that you are best suited for this because of your unique abilities and experience." He added, regarding the other warrior.
The cloaked figure, easily the shortest of the trio, seemed to laugh from deep within the heavy garment. A large object stuck up into the air behind the cloak, it was wrapped up in canvas and bound with rope. "None of his clever little plans will stop me- he'll soon learn what it means to fight a real opponent."
"There's one thing wrong with this picture," Puppet Master interjected. "I seem to recall that there was a forth member of the team- what about him?" He demanded; looking over at Harada expectantly, along with the other two.
He smiled darkly at them. "If by that, you mean Heie…" He began. "...It would seem that he has hidden himself deep within the Demon World- probably somewhere in the heart of Mukuro's territories." He explained in an even tone. "We don't really expect him to come to the mortal world right now, but rest assured that we are investigating him even as we speak."
"The bottom line is that I want them all dead… I can't have those meddlers sticking their noses where they don't belong." He explained. "Now that we've cleared all of this up, I think it's time that you set about eliminating your targets." Harada finished, tucking his hands into his trouser pockets.
Kagamaru nodded and walked away, towards the elevator. The Puppet Master smiled and put the picture of Kuwabara in his pocket before walking towards the edge of the roof and stepping off of it. Shrapnel tucked the picture of Kurama away and vanished in a cloud of smoke.
At last, Harada turned to face the other man sitting nearby and grinned strangely at him. "What do you think, Gado?" Harada asked, walking over to him. "I'd like to know you're on my choice of assassins?" He asked coolly as he pulled up the chair next to him and sat down.
The man smiled, and rested his chin in his hand, his palm brushing against a thin layer of stubble as he thought about it. He smiled and looked up at him, crossing his arms as he did so. "Well, they seem eager enough." He began. "But desire and reality are two very different things."
The tall man took the bottle of wine and filled the glass again while Harada watched him with a smile. "The others will be here soon- then we can get started with the next phase of the plan." He explained in an even tone. "...I still have a few loose ends to wrap up- but they shouldn't take long."
Gado twirled the glass around in his hand, watching the wine shift and move around inside it. After a moment, the liquid began to bubble slightly as the tall man smiled strangely, narrowing his eyes as he looked at the glass. The black cat hopped off of the table- back onto the floor. It turned to look back over its shoulder.
Red light shown on the lenses of Harada's glasses as he watched the glass explode in the other man's hand- only to be replaced with a small reddish ball of flame in his open palm. The man moved his hand up to his face and pursed his lips. He blew gently at the fire and extinguished it. The entire time, he remained silent.
.o.o.o.
The five youths (though only in appearance for two of them) made their way up a curving flight of stone steps that adorned an isolated path in the mountains. The final destination they had in mind was the compound of the renowned (and retired) psychic fighter- Genkai.
Kuwabara had been the catalyst for the outing, he'd simply wanted to pay a certain little ice maiden a visit. As for the others, well- Yusuke had been roped into going when Keiko had learned of it. He'd grumbled a bit, but conceded that he actually wanted to see how 'the old lady was doing.'
Keiko admonished him for being so rude- much to the amusement of Kuwabara and Botan. For her part, the Grim Reaper Girl also wanted to check in with Genkai, as well as pay a visit to Yukina- whom she'd grown rather fond of. Kurama had been the last to join their excursion, having appeared abruptly and asking to join them. Like the others, he also wished to check up on their old mentor.
They paused when they reached the protective wards and glanced up at the top of the steps where they could just see a bit of the compound. The tall, orange-haired young man smiled to himself and quickly made his way up the steps- easily sensing that Yukina was nearby. "Alright, we're almost there." He announced.
Yusuke tucked his hands in his pockets and kept moving while Keiko chatted with Botan. The two girls had grown close over the years and he was secretly glad that Keiko and Botan had become such good friends, and of course it also meant that she had another girl to relate to. Not that he didn't like being around her, but he sometimes sensed that she felt a little out of place with him and the guys, so he reasoned having someone to be 'girly' with was good for her.
Kurama glanced at the various people around him, noting how close they'd become over the years. It had been a little over two years since the end of the Demon tournament and he was glad to be back 'home' as it were.
They'd all changed some, but mostly they were the same people they'd always been. He started putting his long sleek red hair into a ponytail- a subtle change, but something to denote that his human form was changing as well. As he got into his later teens- his ability to see things close up had degraded. He could have simply altered his chi, but instead opted to wear glasses (at least when he was home or in class). Botan has sqealed in delight when she saw him wearing them- remarking that they made him look 'very scholarly.'
As for the others, well- Yusuke had stopped slicking his hair all the time- which Keiko was fine with. However, he'd also recently stopped shaving, something that she was not as nearly enamored with. As for Keiko, she looked much as she always had. Though she'd matured and was clearly blossoming into a woman.
Kuwabara had also stayed much the same, but his changes were still apparent. He'd sometimes pull his hair back into a tie in the back, or could slick it if he felt so inclined. The biggest change being how much more calm he'd become as time went on. And with this new-found adultness, he'd been better able to articulate his feeling to Yukina- feelings that the Ice Spirit was eventually able to reciprocate as time went on.
Then of course, there was the missing member of their little group (not that he'd ever really socialized with them though). He and Kuwabara had vanished during the incident with the "Shadow Leep Stone"- appearently ending up in some sort of alternate reality. Kurama had noted how he seemed much more introspective and restrained afterwards.
Heie never spoke in great detail about what had happened in that dark alternate world- becoming evasive when asked about it. Still, Kurama was able to get an answer from on one issue... The small fire demon had cryptically explained he'd performed the blood transfer to ensure that someone else (namely Kuwabara) would be around in the very long term to keep an eye on Yukina… if something were to befall him.
Kurama nodded to himself. 'Well, my friend- it looks like we're going to be seeing that human around far longer then we thought.' Kurama commented silently as he glanced briefly at Kuwabara- sensing the trace amount of demon blood in him.
…
At the top of the staircase, Kuwabara quickly set out to find Yukina- the bond they shared made it easy for him to locate her. She was sitting in one of the gardens in the front of the compound and looked up with a smile when the tall orange-haired young man appeared at her side.
Delicate features curved into an attractive smile while crimson eyes sparkled. "Kazuma, how are you?" Yukina asked in a sweet voice as he neared. She quickly brushed the dirt from her hands and walked over to greet him.
Because he was so much taller then her, Kuwabara had to slouch down a bit to get closer to Yukina. He smiled warmly at her and took her small hand in his. "Perfect, now that I'm near you." He replied.
The Ice Maiden felt her cheeks redden from his declaration. Truthfully, she was only starting to understand what the human really meant to her and the strange way he made her feel when he said and did certain things. "Oh my… Kazuma, you're making me blush…" She confessed; glancing away as he her pale skin flushed a rosy color.
Yusuke rolled his eyes, but Keiko gave him a nudge in his side, causing him to turn to glance at her. The little brunet smirked at him and turned back to Kuwabara and Yukina- who were sitting on the steps of the compound.
Kurama looked at the two of them and turned to Botan. "Well, it would seem that those two have things pretty much worked out." He remarked to the blue-haired reaper standing beside him.
Botan nodded. "Young love- it's so sweet." She said in a dreamy tone. "If only Yusuke could pick up on some of Kuwa's ways, then he might have an easier time in his relationship." She added sagely as the two of them looked on.
The Ferry Girl looked over at Kurama, noting how he'd changed subtly over the years. He seemed… well, more masculine now. He'd been a very attractive youth, but now he was becoming what she would call 'handsome'. The blue-haired girl cursed the fact that getting involved with co-workers was a no-no in Spirit World. Oh well…
"I'm glad we can all get together like this again," Botan began. "It's nice to be able to see the others again." She remarked.
"Not quite," Kurama shook his head. "One is missing." He replied to the blue-haired girl.
Yusuke popped up between the two of them, startling Botan in the process. He snaked an arm around each of them. "Yeah, now that you mention it, where the heck is Hiei anyway?" He asked loudly. "What could be keeping him so busy in demon world that he can't pay us a visit?"
Kurama slipped out from under the dark-haired young man's arm and smiled at him. "Actually, it's not so much a matter of what, but rather who is keeping his busy." He offered with a devious smile as he walked by him.
A look of confusion passed over Yusuke's face as the fox passed him. Others, however, picked up on the innuendo in his words. Kuwabara flushed slightly- he'd met Mukuro briefly during a mission in Demon World. She was somewhat distant most of the time, but at times- she had betrayed a more relaxed manner. From what little he know about her, the notion of the two of them somehow made sense.
"Hiei has to live his own life…" Kuwabara stated from his spot on the steps, beside Yukina. "If he's found something important in Demon Wolrd… then that's what matters." He finished, looking up as Yusuke walked over him.
Raizen's descendant smiled down at him, his slight facial hair visible as he leaned forward. "You know, I'd like to know when the two of you got so tight with each other." He asked, tucking his hands in his pockets.
Kuwabara looked up at him for a moment. "People can change…" He told him. "We went through a lot together in that terrible place." He explained cryptically.
Yusuke nodded and straightened back up. He smiled down at Kuwabara as a sense of understanding passed through him at that moment. "Yeah… I guess that makes sense." He replied, glancing off to the side. "...Well, I'd better go check on Grandma and see how she's doing." He finished and ascended the steps up into the compound.
Keiko smiled at the human and the Ice Apparition and then moved to follow Yusuke as he walked further into the structure.
Kurama watched with a smile and then turned to look at Botan. "I think I'll go check on the garden- my specimens should be almost ready to bloom by now." He explained with a quick glance into the distance. "Would you care to join me?" He asked courteously. Botan nodded with a quick smile and followed Kurama off into another part of the compound.
.o.o.o.
Yusuke and Keiko walked down the long hall. The wooden floor and walls picked up the glow from the lamps as they moved. Keiko glanced down at Puu- in her arms- and gave him a pat on the head. She looked over the dark-haired youth walking along beside her.
"You really care about him, don't you?" Keiko asked with a gentle expression on her face. He looked over at her, his gaze showing some small amount of confusion on his part. "…I mean Kuwabara- admit it, he's important to you."
The young man sighed and crossed his arms behind his head as they continued walking. "…You make it sound like I'm gay for him." He replied with a frown. He exhaled. "...But yeah, the big oaf is like a brother to me… He's as close to family to me as anyone could get." He added with a calm look on his face. "But you better not tell him I was saying this stuff!" He replied abruptly.
She nodded with a smirk. "Don't worry, Yusuke, you're secret is safe with me." She assured him.
Yusuke shrugged and stepped under an archway, out into the courtyard. "Hey, Grandma, how you doing?" He asked loudly and glanced around.
Keiko glanced to the side and spotted something. She quickly grabbed his arm. "Look!" She exclaimed, pointing to the left. "It's Genkai!" She blurted out as Yusuke spotted the motionless form of the Psychic Master laying on the ground, under the branches of an old tree.
He rushed over to her and glared at her. "What the hell happened?!" He exclaimed, checking to see if she was still alive. "Who got to her?" He thought out loud as Keiko rushed over to join him. "I don't understand... how could anyone get the drop on her…?" He wondered, noting that she was unconscious and not responding at all.
"So that is really the legendary Genkai?" A voice asked from behind them. They turned to see a man standing on the awning covering the nearby walkway. He was wearing a man's kimono, complete with a katana tucked into the sash around his waste. He glanced down at them- his covered eyes seeming to spot the two of them somehow.
He leapt up into the air and landed in a crouching position off to the side of where Yusuke and Keiko stood. Yusuke stepped in front of her and narrowed his eyes as the stranger slowly rose to his feet. "Who the hell are you and what did you do to her?!" He demanded, pointing a finger at him.
The man frowned. "Though old, your teacher is truly powerful and would have still proved difficult to deal with in a head-on fight." He paused and held up what looked to be a kunai with a small round object fixed to it. "A gas bomb… The bobble attached to this releases a potent vapor that can render anyone unconscious for many hours." He explained with a frown. "I really don't like using subterfuge… but it was necessary to remove her from the playing field."
Yusuke clenched his fist angrily as the man put the bomb away. "You still haven't said who you are or why you're here." He spat back.
He rested his hands on his hips, hitching his thumbs into his sash. "I am known as Kagamaru- the one who is cursed to walk in darkness." He replied, taking a step towards them. "...And I have come here to kill you." He added bluntly. He then paused and looked at Keiko briefly. "…However, as a warrior- I only fight those who can fight back." He added.
"...So no harm shall come to either the girl or the old woman." He announced. He then reached down and clutched the long handle of his sword firmly and drew it out from the sheath. He pointed the blade towards Yusuke. "My fight is with you, and you alone."
Yusuke turned to Keiko. "Quick, get Genkai and get the hell out of here!" He ordered before turning back to face his challenger. "I don't really give a crap who you are- the only important thing is that if you've come looking for a fight- then you'll get it!"
Kagamaru smiled broadly at the declaration. "Excellent, that's just what I expected- now show me your true power." He spoke as Yusuke took up a defensive position. Kagamaru shifted his stance and gripped the handle of his katana with both hands and lifted blade up beside his head.
(- End of Episode 01 -)
.o.o.o.
I'm actually going to try and format this series to run more like the anime with a clear beginning and end for each installment.
I've been wanting to post this story for a while now- I've been tossing it around for a few years and it would have come out long ago, but the original draft is gone- taking a good deal of its creative energy with it.
I'm pretty happy with this and I hope you all like it too. I'll have more to say in later chapters, but for the moment- I'm looking forward to working on this.
-Bojack727