Chapter 14: An extended invitation:
It had been a week since the Haruko case had been resolved and ever since that case Ren had noticed that Koenma had, based on the reports given to Koenma by his (Koenma's) spies, become even more suspicious of Ren's actions. However, rather paradoxically, Koenma had appeared to have reduced the number of spies he had had employed to "observe" Ren. Ren thought that the reasons for this decision on Koenma's behalf, was either because Koenma had actually found competent and qualified spies (capable of escaping Ren's notice and suspicion) who could do their job properly. Or Koenma had found a new source of worry (beyond Ren) to spend sleepless nights thinking about. Out of the two possibilities Ren (and Genkai) believed the reason for Koenma's decision, on the balance of probability, to be due to the latter option.
Although Koenma's hired (found through actual job applications and interviews) spies had all but disappeared, Ren also noticed that Hiei (and on some occasions Kurama) had increasingly began to shadow Ren. He sensed their spirit energy metres away, or just on the fringes of crowds in the streets. Rather than finding their actions (potential stalking) irritating, Ren found it somewhat amusing. He understood their wariness and paranoia towards himself and his actions. However Ren had originally thought that the two demon and more intelligent (in regards to Kurama more than Hiei) members of the Reikai Tantei, that they would have been capable to see past their paranoia long enough to understand that Ren had no intention nor plan to do anything in opposition towards them or Reikai. Besides if Ren had any such inclination, he would have already acted upon it before they had even began their search for him for Koenma. Ren believed that, in the grand scale of things, Hiei and Kurama's suspicions and paranoia were an unnecessary waste of time and energy.
Between reading the textbook in front of him and Ren's absent musing of current goings on in Reikai and the other members of the Reikai Tantei, Ren was so absorbed in his thoughts that he almost didn't notice someone approach his table in the library he was sat in. Sensing someone walking closer and once their shadow eclipsed the florescent light, Ren looked up to see the very tall Younger Toguro staring down through his dark sunglasses at him.
"Is this seat taken?" The Younger Toguro asked quietly in his deep voice, indicating to the vacant seat across from Ren. Since the Younger Toguro was very tall and Ren was considerable shorter than him (and sat down) Ren was forced to crane his neck in order to look carefully at the Younger Toguro and spent a moment conserving whether he should let the man sit down. After a moment of consideration Ren silently gestured for the Younger Toguro to sit down and as the towering man pulled the wooden chair out, Ren also gestured to a nearby sign that asked for silence in the library. Toguro's face remained impassive as he read the sign and then looked back at Ren. He did not seem impressed at the reminder from Ren.
"I hope you realise that this is not a social visit." The Younger Toguro said stoically after a few moments of sitting silently as Ren, for all intents and purposes, ignored Toguro in favour of reading his textbook. Ren, in reply, nodded absently, unbothered by the Younger Toguro's staring and presence.
"Of course," Ren replied, as he glanced up at the Younger Toguro. "You're not exactly the social visit kind of person, potentially internally self-recriminating over things and events beyond your control perhaps, and a little too focused on the prospect of death and he status of (your own) humanity, but no, you're not a social visit kind of person."
Ren's words made Toguro stare down hard at the person sat across from him, sunglasses glinting dangerously in the florescent lights. Ren could feel Toguro's displeasure at his words and daring. However even under Toguro's hard stare and sensing a subtle shift and change in his demonic energy, Ren continued to sit calmly and expectantly waiting for Toguro to tell him the reason behind the visit.
After sitting silently, Toguro stopped glaring down at Ren, realising that Ren wouldn't be so easily intimidated. Toguro's jaw clenched as he contemplated his next words and looked around the library. Unsurprisingly it was practically empty since it was the middle of the night.
"It's getting closer to that time of year." The Younger Toguro said, leaning back a little in his seat, while Ren inclined his head in a nod and made a sound of agreement.
"Indeed. It's around the time that my mother and father would be getting ready to harvest the peaches and last year's fruit wines should be ready to drink." Ren replied with a soft and gentle smile.
Toguro simply stared at Ren, not amused with his response. He suspected that Ren was purposefully acting dumb and pretending to misunderstand his meaning. Seeing that Toguro was not in the mood for anything but business, Ren sighed. His expression changed, and returned to looking bored and disinterested
"I assume that they now know of your continued existence?" Ren asked. Toguro's lips twitched a little as he smirked down at Ren.
"Sakyo has invited Yusuke Urameshi and his friends to the honorary guest team this year." Toguro replied, as he watched Ren carefully for his reaction. Ren appeared to be apathetic to the news and seemed to be a little impatient, as though he wanted the "visit" to be over so he could continue with his studies.
"Sakyo has decided to extend the same invitation to you." Toguro said with a smirk, and watched in amusement as Ren seemed to go completely still before blinking and glancing up at Toguro. "Your invitation as the fifth member of Team Urameshi is optional, but a strong fifth fighter would be in their best interest."
What little interest Ren appeared to have had in the conversation disappeared as his attention returned to his textbook. Toguro frowned down at him at his apparent ease and apathy towards his so called team mates, considering the fact that Ren was supposed to be a vital member of the Reikai Tantei, to help Yusuke Urameshi in his missions and whatever tasks assigned to him by Reikai. Toguro had thought that Ren would have shown at least some sign of concern for his teammates, or at least some interest in the up and coming tournament. Yet Ren was sat in front him, acting as though this news was of nothing of interest to him. Toguro's eyebrows twitched closer together in a slight frown but continued none the less, it wouldn't do if Team Urameshi failed to find a fifth member and was disqualified before they could even enter the tournament.
"Sakyo believes this year's tournament will prove to be quite interesting. A demon ninja sect has joined the tournament this year." Said Toguro, who didn't truly believe that Ren felt nothing for his team.
Hearing this, Ren raised an eyebrow in disbelief because ninja's were supposed to work in the shadows and in secret as they always had. It was strange to hear that a "ninja" sect had suddenly decided to join a very public tournament.
"It doesn't matter whether or not a team has five capable fighters or just one capable fighter in order to carry the team; its common knowledge in this tournament that "accidents" happen. Win or lose, teams have a tendency to die inside and outside of the ring." Ren said, barely paying any attention to Toguro in favour of the textbook in front of him. "Regardless of who or what the opposing teams are, the tournament remains the same. It's still mindless violence and a thinly veiled excuse for the rich to get richer and financially ruin their rivals. It's not exactly riveting entertainment."
"And Urameshi needs a fifth team mate in order to enter the tournament." Toguro reminded Ren stoically.
'Or you will kill him.' Ren thought. 'Or so you claim.'
"You and Sakyo needn't worry about Yusuke finding a fifth member." Ren said with a curt smile, speaking if only to humour the Younger Toguro. "Even without me joing them and even if Kurama and Hiei fail to find a fifth fighter; then Koenma will undoubtedly find a competent fighter to join them from either in this world or Reikai. Perhaps it would make for an actually an interesting or even an enlightening tournament."
"We'll see." Toguro said with a smirk, his sunglasses glinting as he titled his head slightly.
"Hm, yes, I'm sure you and Sakyo will." Ren agreed in disinterest, his curt smile dropping.
"And so will you." Said Toguro, his voice full of promise, as if knowing that Ren would indeed be witness to the Dark Tournament. He then stood up and left without another word as Ren looked up and glared at the man's retreating figure. Ren's hands curled into fists as he turned Toguro's words over in his mind.