Disclaimer: No, I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho so get off my back! I only own this spiffy plot and the non-canon characters.

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Chapter 6: Fuki Saiku (Unexpected Tactics)

"Absolutly not." Kusari said sternly.

Catherine dropped into a chair with an unhopeful sigh. It had been ten minutes since Kuro, Keihihana and Catherine had left the forest and it was only a matter of seconds when Catherine's mother caught her sneaking through the window. Kusari wore a black and silky robe, covering her shoulders to half-way between her knees and thighs. 'I should have known better.' the woman thought. It didn't look like Catherine was just about to give up either. The two ookami had requested for Catherine's help, though her mother did not give her blessings for the teen even before she had a chance to explain the situation.

"But--" Catherine began, though her mother cut her off, "No means no. You were nearly killed today and I won't have you about protecting---of all the things--- wolves."

"It's not like I haven't died before..." Catherine mumered. She then realized what she had said and waved her hands defensively as Kusari's eyes widened. "Figure of speech... though I guess it's pronounced differently in Japanese." she said quickly. Her tense body relaxed as her mother sighed exasperatedly.

Neither of them seemed to be willing to give up, from what the wolves could tell. They watched as the two psychics debated about the subject. Kuro yawned as he arched in a streching position and layed on the ground. It'd been his first time actually seeing a mother and daughter bicker but he didn't seem to be fully interested, just hoped that they still had a chance to have supervisors. He glanced over towards Keihi, who was sitting up as she continued to watch. She glanced over towards him with disbelif, though the ojii-ookami gestured his head slightly, meaning everything would be all right. It didn't look like things were going well to her point of view.

"No is still no." Kusari said, once again in a stern voice. With that, Kusari left the room and stalked off to her own room.

(("Nope. No can do; when my mom says no, she means it.")) Catherine said to the two wolves.

(("S'not your fault.")) Kuro said.

(("It looks like we'll be loosing the tournament afterall. With only three teams and no support, it's hopless.")) Keihi sighed.

(("It can't be that bad... maybe we're just missing an oppurtunity.")) Catherine said.

"Already got yourself into trouble I see." a slightly familar voice said.

Catherine sprung up from her chair, glancing around the room until she spotted a rather tall, young adult. Odd enough, he had a pacifire in his mouth, much like Koenma's, and seemed to dress similar to him. Short, shaggy-brown hair covered over his forhead, though the letters of "Jr." were still legable. A red sash wrapped on top of his shoulders, giving him a somewhat royal essence. Most of his clothes matched the blue bib in his mouth along with black shoes. His eyes matched his hair color, though seemed sharper but with amusment twinkling in his iris' as she gaped at him.

"And who gave you premission to come in here? OUT!" Catherine said, oblivious to who this 'stranger' was.

"Is that any way to speak to the Prince of Spirit World, Catherine?" the young adult questioned.

"Spirit World? ... Then... Koenma!"

"As Botan would put it, Bingo." Koenma replied.

"But-but how? I mean, you're still a pacifire-sucking... but... but..." Catherine spluttered. Two plus two just didn't seem to agree with her at the moment. She rubbed her eyes lightly, just to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She watched him chuckle in amusement, though calmed down before he continued.

"This is my Human World appearence." he said. "Anyways, I came here to check up on how you were doing. From what Hiei has mentioned, you've been in quite the trouble."

(("It's my fault she got into this, don't blame it on her.")) the wolf said.

Koenma glanced towards the wolf, appearing to not understand what Kuro had just stated. The wolf stood up on his lower legs-- as he did, his snout, tail, and ears sunk into his fur (though it wasn't fur anymore but wrinkled flesh) and his paws grew into fingers. He appeared to be an old man at 6'4" with a black and silver beard as well as gray hair with hints of black. A chinese-style long sleeved shirt hung over his shoulders, tucked into matching pants. His feet were bare.

Standing beside him, Keihi changed as well, but into a young teenager slightly older than Catherine. Her bob-cut hair was a blonde clolor with hints of cinnamon and her eyes were a piercing green. A tight, gray long-sleeved shirt hid under her black short sleeved shirt, hanging above a pair of black jeans. Black and white sneakers-- with white ankle socks inside--- covered her feet. She was dressed more casually than Kuro and seemed to like tight clothing.

"As I was saying, it's not Catherine's fault that she got into this mess." Kuro said.

Catherine stared at the two in awe and astonishment. Although she had been in a psychic family, she had never seen anyone transform before; it would take a bit of getting use to.

"And you are...?" Koenma questioned.

"Kuro, of the Mika Clan." he replied.

"Ah yes, the Eiki Tournament is suppose to begin in a few months, isn't it?" Koenma questioned.

"Eiki Tournament?" Catherine asked.

"So, you haven't explained the rules to Catherine yet?" Koenma asked.

"No, not yet. You see, some of our clan members are either missing or have been badly injured. We're down to five teams." Kuro explained.

"Seven? That's not that bad, is it?" Catherine questioned. Clearly, she didn't know much about tournaments.

"Seven, out of our twenty." Keihi replied.

"Twenty?" Catherine breathed.

"That's not much compaired to the previous Dark Tournament." Koenma said.

"Anyways..." Kuro began, "... the Eiki Tournament is named after phasing moons. It starts on every new moon and the tournament ends after three new moons have passed. The thing is, only clan members from either our clan--- Mika-- and the other clan, Mangetsu can be participants. The only acceptions are if one of either clan's members are injured are unable to fight, we are allowed substitutions but they must be of Ookami, Inu, or Mai blood---"

"Why's that?" Catherine asked.

"You see, our clan and their clan have been in a feud for a few centuries--" Catherine dropped her jaw "-- yes quite a brutal feud, ne ojii-san?" Keihi finished and glanced over towards Kuro.

"I myself was a participant of that war, and Keihi was born at the beginning of the war. She's actually older than she looks---"

"You're one to talk." Catherine said. She then realized what she had said and raised her hands defensively, "Go on, go on."

"--- as I was saying, after several years, the Spirit World king, Enma, had proposed a tournament to end the feud. It would be every thirty years and it would ease our tension. Though the new clan bastard from Mangestu had been sending his clan members to sabotage our members and there are too many to have substitutions, which brings us to the rules. Each team is allowed 8 members and is set a time by the moon phases, don't know why but the system seems to work. Each clan is allowed no more than twenty teams and no less than nine. If some sort of miracle happens, we don't have a chance. Basically there's no killing or poisoning which is basically why there are no acception of other apperations, it's because ookami, mai and inu don't kill their own kind or cousins. Other than that, there are no other rules except don't fight dirty."

"So, you'd need three more teams?" Catherine questioned.

"Yeah, and we haven't had any luck searching for relative clans. They didn't agree with the tournament from the start and it doesn't look like we'll find any recruiters soon." Kuro said.

"Ever thought of getting some healers or something?" Catherine asked.

"We have, though where on Earth are we going to find healers?" Keihi said, doubtfully.

"My obaa had mentioned that we have some psychic healers in our family. A few of them went off to... I think it was America... to study at medical collages. Ten percent of our family are psychic healers, though three percent of them are the ones studying at the collages." Catherine said. "If I could just get my mom's blessing to let me... well, us go. I'm sure she'd reason if I had a few family members go."

"I'll explain the matter to her. For now, just sit tight." Koenma said.

"She's not easy to break once she's set her mind." Catherine warned.

Koenma smirked under his pacifire, "And just who do you think you're talking to?"

------

Two weeks had passed--- every morning starting with a debate though Catherine's pleads were declined--- and since she had healed quickly, she was able to presume training. She had also gained some tips from Kuro-sensei and Keihi-sempai. Catherine had finally caved in with the stubborn thought that 'honorifics are useless' from somewhat threats of getting her hands bitten again. Kuro gazed at the teenage form of Keihi and Catherine, in his wolf form, as he examined the two while he began with the 'lesson'. To his surprise, Catherine would have made a better wolf demon, than whatever demon she was-- he still hadn't figured it out, since he was always inturrupted with an annoying inturruption through his thougs-- though she did lack in defense, but had a great offense if she could control it.

(("Stop! Catherine, you're doing it again. Can't you even block? That was pathetic!")) Kuro snarled.

(("It's not my fault! You're making me use sheer flesh and won't even let me use a drop of power!")) Catherine protested.

(("I'm teaching you how to guard without using that magic-what'chya-ma-call-it! If you can guard, you won't need that power and can store it for an offense!")) he growled.

Keihi sighed in exasperation, 'They're at it again... I honestly don't know how Kuro-ojiisan can keep up with this...' she thought. She watched as Catherine walked out of the training feild and walked over towards Kuro with an aggrivated expression. Keihi also couldn't understand how she could dress in the riddiculous garnments. It looked too traditional, or at least that was Keihi's opinion-- a royal blue Jiaoling Youren ("Crossed collars, tying to the right." ) shirt- the sleeves were a different type of material, more smooth than the Jiaoling Youren and were white, but the cuffs were blue and wide. Underneath the Jaioling Youren was a black T-shirt which was tucked into royal blue pants which were tight at the waste, but loose at the ankles. Keihi also thought that Catherine's black shoes were a little odd as well.

(("It's not magic! It's Wanaki!")) Catherine said.

(("Whatever! Just get back to training! Remember, no energy!")) Kuro said.

"Associating with ookami, Rine-san? I always thought you were a peculiar member of the Akako branch." a voice said.

Catherine widened her eyes as she felt arms coming from behind. Without warning, Catherine spun and attacked the person from behind with a tight fist. To her astonishment, the blow didn't effect him at all, though she should have known. "Shiromi Shouheki-san." she breathed. This was the last of the Shiromi branch she had wanted to see. His pale lips wryed into a smirk, which did not suit his ebony hair and sharp gray eyes. He was much taller than Catherine and had only managed to punch one of his livers, but the barrier around him cancled her strength. She retreated her fist and gave a glare, "I thought Shiromi and Akako were not to approach eachother without a shaperone." she said cooly.

"Indeed, my shaparone is here. Though Kusari-obasan had been so kind as to invite eleven of the Shiromi branch members today. Seven of the Kawaki members and three more of the Akako branches are coming soon as well. Strange, most of them are healers. You haven't been in any trouble now, have you?"

She slapped his hand as it approached her cheek-- or even more surprisingly, she spotted Hiei gripping Shouheki's wrist with a glare cold enough to freeze the surface of the bare Earth. He released Shouheki's hand as a woman approached them.

"Shouheki-san that's enough. Gomen nasai Rine-san, I would have came sooner if I knew where Shouheki had run off to." she said. Her hair was short, and like most of the members was in a shade of black. Her hazy brown eyes were full of concern and anger as she glanced towards Shouheki who gave a wince as she placed a tight grip onto his shoulder and lead him to the house. Hiei watched with warning eyes.

Catherine opened her mouth to say something, but Keihi inturrupted, "Ne, Catherine-san, shouldn't you go and see what's going on? They are your family afterall." she stated. Catherine looked back towards Keihi and hesitated a moment. She then nodded shortly and left, hesitatingly arriving in her home. The living room was packed, though if it weren't for the extra room they had, it would be very stuffy and clustered.

"Rin-neechyan!" a voice called. The voice was too familiar to Catherine, since she grabbed Aiko by the back of her shirt as she was close to pouncing onto Catherine. Naomi followed behind, quietly and gave a short bow, "Konnichiwa, Rin-neechan." she said quietly.

"Rin-neechyan you finally caught me! Ne, ne. Is it true that you started training?" Aiko asked.

"Yes, that is the rumor everyone's spreading. Rine-san, it's been a while." another voice said. The voice came from a young woman-- to Catherine's guess, she must have been at least a little older than Keihi, in appearence-- with brown hair and charcoal eyes. She wore a buisness-like suit, which must have meant she had just left from a meeting.

"Ah, Utsumi Kawaki-san, was it?" Catherine questioned.

"Ara, ara. Using honorifics? Last time I saw you, you said they were useless." she said. Though, she hadn't said it to be rude, more of a rememberance.

Catherine gave a short shrug, though remembered she still had Aiko clutched in her hand so she released the youngling. As Aiko touched the ground, she sprinted off, grabbing Naomi's hand, more entergetic than ever. Catherine then looked up to the small crowd; it was odd to see so many people at the same time at her home.

"Why is everyone here?" Catherine mumered.

"Ah, you don't know? Kusari-neesama called the family branches. Most of them are Shiromi since they aren't quite as busy as Kawaki and Akako. She didn't explain why everyone's here though, I suspect we'll find out." Utsumi explained.

"Why are the Kawaki and Akako branches busy?"

Utsumi gave a hesitant answer, "... Kawaki is trying to find something while the Akako branch are trying to search for someone..."

Catherine blinked, though before she could ask anymore, the voices died down and seemed to be focused in a cerain direction. Catherine tried stepping up on her toes to see what was going on, but as she figured, they were too clustered. 'And just too damn tall.' she thought at the back of her mind.

"Good, it seems almost everyone was able to come. I'd like to introduce you to Kuro-san, Keihihana-san and Koenma-sama." Kusari said.

There were silent mumers as Koenma's name was mentioned, though the voices soon died down as Koenma stepped up. Apparentally, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama and Hiei were behind him (though Catherine couldn't see them).

"Thank you for coming. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the situation, I will explain what is going on. Kuro-san will fill in the extra details if needed." Koenma said.

Catherine knew the situation all too well, though she wonderd how Koenma managed to get an approval from her mother. 'She wouldn't have just given in so easily... so why...'

"Rine-san, Koenma-sama want's a word with you. He's at the back of the house." Utsumi said.

Catherine looked up to Utsumi, snapping out of thought, and then nodded shortly. Apparently, her thoughts had drifted away while the details were being explained. She would have to find out how Koenma persuaded Kusari some other time. Catherine sighed as she walked through the clustered room and headed towards the glass door, opened it, and closed it as she was on the pattio. She looked around, not seeing anyone. 'He must be near my sparring spot.' she thought. She continued to walk on the trail that lead from her pattio to a vast area where she had been training with her Obaa-san and with Kuro-sensei. Her eyes widened as she saw Yusuke and Kuwabara, who both gave sheepish grins. "What are you two doing here?" she asked.

"Catherine--- no it's Rine-san, right? I'd like you to meet the Spirit Detectives. They will be guarding you as well as the others that will be at the tournament. Though it seems you already know them." Koenma said.

"Yeah..."

"Just'a nickname, eh?" Yusuke said, reffering to their previous encounter with the twins.

"Somewhat..." Catherine replied with a shrug.

"Anyways, the portal to Makai will be open in a few hours. If there are things you need, you'll have to get them sorted out now. I know the tournament doesn't start for another two months, but within the time the Miki clan will need the protection." Koenma explained.

Catherine nodded, "Yeah. I guess it'd be pointless if we just healed them and left them unguarded. They would've gotten ambushed again."

"Well then, I suggest you start to get ready now. The portal doesn't stay open for long."


People/Animals

Mai: Dance, Coyote

Inu: Dog

Other

Eiki: Phases of Moon

Ara, ara: My, my

Utsumi: Bay

Shouheki: Enclosing wall, Barrier