Tsunami bolted up from her bed, face red as a tomato. That was an incredibly vivid dream she had, and somehow she had the feeling it wasn't a dream at all.

She had kissed her older brother on the mouth and he had woken up. She thought he had lost his chance to come back last month after that fire, but apparently not.

Fon yawned, before curling closer into her natural body heat. She didn't feel as cold as she was used to, especially after the fire.

And Fon seemed more determined than ever to train her even harder.

Today was one of her days off from training with Ryohei. He had to prepare for a tournament next week. And Takeshi had a game this weekend.

The less said about Kyouya's "patrols" in the other part of town, the better. It was only because of him that Kuwabara only had a few...mild... beat downs from the local gangs in the area than multiple ones because of a deal he made with a rather skeezy teacher.

Unsurprisingly the one who left the teen battered and bruised after the fact for having to deal with the "crowding of the fake carnivores" was Kyouya himself. He was only in the hospital for three days, which considering how annoyed Hibari was, had to be a record of some sort.

She cuddled with Fon a bit more. Somehow she had the feeling it was going to take a while for Yusuke's body to "charge" up enough to start glowing.


Outside the house...

"Come on! Why'd you have to rope Nami-chan into this?" complained Yusuke.

Kuwabara was horrifying, Keiko was understandable, but why was little Tsunami picked too?!

"Out of the people around you, only those three have the highest resonance with your soul enough to pass on their life force. Though I have to admit, I was surprised the little princess was picked over your mother."

Yusuke gave Botan an odd look.

"Little Princess?"

"Long story, and not important right now. Though if she's the one that wakes you it's an almost guarantee something will happen soon after you return," said Botan.

Yusuke was a Latent Flame, one that was never "destined" to wake up. Tsunami was a sealed Flame, one that was slowly breaking down the force keeping her powers forcibly locked.

If she was the one who gave him the kiss of life to come back, then there was a very, very high chance that Yusuke's Dying Will Flames would shift from "Latent" to "Active". And if that happened, it was practically a guarantee he would end up one of her Guardians as a result.

Considering who she was related to, it was probably a kinder fate for the teen than just the one he was going to have when he came back. At least he'd fit right in with those people.

Yusuke clearly wanted to know more, but there was no way she was telling him when it was unlikely Tsunami was going to be involved outside of the minor bit of gambling she did on the side.

Tsuna's first and only thought once school let out was to head straight to the apartment Atsuko got after the house was burned down. There she found Yusuke glowing like a light bulb. She didn't even think twice, following what the dream told her to do.

She just kept telling herself it was like CPR, even if she didn't know how to do that.

She heard the first exhalation of real breathing, before Yusuke woke up. There was a weird warmth in her chest and she would almost swear she was blushing.

"Hey. Thanks little sister."

Tears were flowing freely down her face.

"Yusuke-nii-chan!" she bawled, hugging him tightly. He hugged her awkwardly, just glad to be alive again.


The next day...

Kyouya was somewhat pleased to have Yusuke alive again, and if he was happy, Kuwabara was thrilled. And not just because the other teen saved his cat.

"You're damn terrifying when you're bored," said Yusuke to Hibari. The other teen smirked.

"You saw?"

"Hell yes I saw what you did! I thought only I could inspire that level of respect from those losers! Thanks for helping that idiot, by the way."

Hibari smirked and didn't say anything. At least at first.

"You retake control of the lower wards for me, and call me in for any fun fights and I'll consider us even."

"Deal," said Yusuke. He saw how Hibari fought... that guy earned the title of demon prefect. He'd rather be on his good side than against him, even if it was sure to be a fun fight.

"So if you were watching me, how did you like seeing your little Tora-hime learning how to fight?"

Yusuke was positively grinning at Tsunami, who was blushing.

"You've got a great right hook!" he said proudly. "And that teacher of yours is pretty damn awesome!"

"Fon-sensei is really amazing."

Yusuke almost put Tsunami in a headlock. Hibari had already left the second he realized the conversation was about to shift to his uncle.

Besides, he had the agreement Yusuke would bring him in on the fun fights, since he was so bored lately.

"Thank you for the compliment. So, you're her 'big brother'," said a voice behind them on the wall. It was Fon.

Yusuke put his hands behind his head and grinned. He could tell Fon was a pretty "cool" character. Tiny, but strong as hell.

He wished his teachers were more like this guy...he might actually pay attention in class!

Fon jumped onto Yusuke's shoulder.

"Hm... you look like you might become a decent fighter with some polishing up. Your friend Kazuma has yet to awaken to his natural potential however," said Fon.

"Fon-sensei got Hibari-san started on his tonfas, years ago. He knows a lot about hand to hand fighting," said Tsunami. He was nice, patient and he was willing to explain things properly when he realized she didn't understand.

Thanks to him she had mastered most of the basic forms of Chinese Kenpo, at least enough to be considered a novice rather than a total greenhorn. Strangely she didn't seem so clumsy when she practiced her fighting skills.

"So, which style would you suggest I try?" asked Yusuke, wanting an honest opinion.

"Why don't we go somewhere and have a sparring match first. I would have to become acquainted with your natural fighting style before we consider anything specific," said Fon easily.

"That reminds me! Tsuyoshi-san said that he'd make something special to celebrate you coming back!" said Tsunami.

Yusuke perked up. Hello free food!

"So you're going to be working as a Spirit Detective, boy?" said Tsuyoshi, serving some of his special teas.

He wasn't about to serve alcohol to a minor.

"I told Botan if they wanted me to work then they damn well better pay me properly or I'd sick Nami-chan and her puppy dog eyes of doom on them!" laughed Yusuke.

Tsunami promptly turned said eyes on Tsuyoshi who flinched. No normal human should have eyes that innocent and cute, let alone the weird sparkles and flower effect she had going on. Add in just the right head tilt and it was no wonder Yusuke considered it a deadly weapon.

Tsunami hummed with a happy expression.

"Botan was able to set up a way for me to talk to Koenma-sama, and he agreed to pay him so long as the paperwork was filled out properly to the point he just had to stamp and file it," she explained, before a slightly irritated look came upon her face. "Which means I'm going to have to fill it out for him, since his handwriting it barely legible."

Kuwabara and the others snickered at Yusuke.

"Though at this point I'm just thrilled to have him back!" said Tsunami, hugging Yusuke tightly.

"She's going to be extra clingy for weeks, isn't she?"

"Like you wouldn't believe," chuckled Tsuyoshi. Tsunami had been positively devastated when she lost him, and it was only the knowledge he had a chance to come back that kept her going.

Yusuke was openly impressed at the improvement to Tsunami's fighting skills. Before she was like Keiko... able to throw a decent punch, but not much else.

Now though... now she had something that was close to an actual spine and she could do more than simply break someone's nose.

And with him back, he could teach her how to fight dirty or at least supplement the lessons Kyouya's unofficial gang had been giving her on the subject. Most of them were former delinquents after all, barely held in check by a much bigger predator.

Of course nothing could have prepared him for what Fon was about to put him through the second he found out Yusuke could now use his spiritual energy.

Which also went hand in hand with his "Flames". Yusuke was firmly a Lightning primary, which meant Tsunami wouldn't have to go searching for one later.

"If you wish to be useful to Tsunami, then you will have to train until you can no longer move. Otherwise you'll be a sitting duck to demons at the very least," said Fon bluntly.

Nearby Tsunami was running laps with Ryohei and Takeshi to build up their stamina... she would spar with Kyouya later since she had a firm handle on the basics.

She was used to taking hits. It was past time that she learned to dish them out, in her opinion. And while Kyouya wouldn't pull his punches, at least she knew that if she could last against him she could handle almost anyone else in the city.

The fact she kept coming back to him, despite the multiple beat downs he gave her during training, only garnered his respect.

She was slowly turning from a timid kitten into a fierce tiger.

Fon dodged Yusuke's clumsy brawling style.

"Sloppy, inefficient, and you waste too much movement. I can see room for vast improvement," said Fon bluntly.

"Well I ain't never had anyone teach me," said Yusuke.

Fon's smile was positively predatory.

"Well I can fix that. But only if you're willing to learn."

Yusuke spared a glance to Tsunami, who was trying her hardest.

"If I learn this, will it help me keep her safe?"

"If you had learned how to properly fight and use your Flames, you might have avoided the accident or at least taken the brunt of it without dying. The property of Lightning is 'Hardening', which means you should be a tank, fighting wise."

Yusuke grinned at the idea of taking hits and dishing out even harder ones in return.

"Well what are we waiting for then?"

Fon smirked.

Yusuke would almost regret saying those words...except even he could tell his loose brawling style was becoming a bit more structured, and while Fon was a strict task master he was still better than any of the teachers at his school.

For almost a solid month, Fon trained the teen into the ground, slowly increasing his ability to use reiki and Flames. It wasn't much, but it was more than what he had started with and he could tell a real difference. Tsunami had made her own improvements. She could now fight Yusuke and Kuwabara for five full minutes without giving an inch.

Which, considering how often she visited their side of town and how the rival gangs were still getting the memo that Urameshi was back and planning to reclaim his territory, was a good thing.

And then came Yusuke's first "official" case since he took the mantle of Spirit Detective.

He had to find and retrieve the Three Treasures and if necessary take out the trio who stole them.

The first demon he ran into was too rough for him to risk his little sister. Goki was a brute, no two ways about it.

Kurama though...


Tsunami blinked when she saw the red haired teen at the school gates. Considering how badly he had been beaten up by Goki, she thought Yusuke might appreciate a 'friendly' face waiting for him.

"Hello. Who are you waiting for?" she asked politely. He seemed more like he was from her side of town than a local.

"Urameshi Yusuke."

Tsunami blinked, before she remembered something Yusuke was talking to Botan about a few days ago.

"You're Kurama-san, aren't you?"

Kurama, blinked.

"How do you know that name?"

"Yusuke-nii mentioned you were planning to return the treasure you took in a few days. It's probably a good thing you came to pick him up, otherwise he would have forgotten. I'm Sawada Tsunami," she said with a polite bow.

"I didn't know he had a little sister."

"We might not share blood, but he's the closest thing to an older brother I've ever had. Why did you take the treasure anyway?" she asked, tilting her head.

"I needed it to save someone important to me."

Tsunami seemed to look right into his soul, and he wasn't sure how to feel about that.

"It's your mother, isn't it?"

Kurama almost jumped, before slowly nodding. His eyes were wide that she had guessed it so fast.

"'Mother is name of god in the hearts of all children'. From what your file said you don't have any younger siblings, and you are single...not surprising considering the fan club of yours. Which means the only person you'd risk angering Enma-sama over would be your mother."

"You're very perceptive, aren't you?" he asked with a sad smile.

"If I couldn't see past the mask people put up, I never would have gotten an older brother as kind as Yusuke-nii. He might act all tough, but inside he's a caring and loyal person who wouldn't hesitate to jump into danger to protect his precious people. Just like I can tell you didn't steal that treasure out of greed or some dark desire, but to save the person you love the most," she said simply, her eyes almost glowing amber.

There was something almost unnerving about her eyes. But at the same time he didn't feel anything evil from the girl...quite the opposite.

"Ah! Kurama! Tsunami!"

"Hi, Yusuke-nii! I was just having a chat with your friend!" said Tsunami cheerfully.

"Before I return the treasure, I'd like to introduce you to someone," said Kurama. He took the addition of Tsunami in stride.

She had some mixed feelings finding out her guess was right. Happy that she had figured out what was really going on before Kurama used the mirror...and upset that his mother was in such bad condition in the first place to push him into such extremes.

"Botan said the mirror needs something in order to work," said Yusuke.

Kurama nodded. Before he could say anything, the doctor came up to warn him of his mother's declining health.

"It requires life! Specifically the life of the one who's using it," said Kurama.

"What?!" yelped Tsunami horrified.

Kurama did his best not to flinch.

Tsunami stalked up to him, eyes furious.

"Are you really going to put your mother through the agony of losing her only child just like that?" she said angrily.

"She's young enough to have more, and this way I know she'll be safe. It's to atone for my sins..." said Kurama.

The moonlight was caught by the mirror, awakening it's full power.

Kurama placed his hand over it, fully prepared to die for his mother's health and happiness.

Feeling his very life drain, he wasn't expecting what happened next.

There were two hands over the mirror as well.

"Take part of our lives as well," said Tsunami firmly, her eyes almost burning with power.

"No mother should have to outlive her child! It's too cruel!" said Yusuke in agreement.

There was almost a surge of power...and it didn't originate from either of the boys. Instead it almost seemed to come directly from Tsunami.

She felt something being freed from a long confinement, and a surge of fire in her body. If she had remained aware once whatever was being taken occurred, she would have seen an orange blaze on her forehead and her eyes changed color to the warm amber. It felt like a part of her was being returned after a long slumber.

She passed out, and remained out cold for the rest of the night and well into the next day.