SailorStar9: Figured was about time I updated this fic, considering I finally found the subbed version of the anime; another chapter up and no reviews. You guys don't love me anymore. (Pouts). This is Chapter 20.

Disclaimers: YYH, D. Gray Man and Sailor Moon aren't mine.

Chapter 20: Before The Storm! Overcoming Sorrow

"Koenma-sama?" the grief-stricken Botan approached her employer as Koenma and George watched Yusuke before the cave he had his final test in. "Is Genkai-shihan really…"

"I must've told you, haven't I?" Koenma reminded. "Genkai was destined to raise up a successor, and then vanish."

"Toguro…" Hiei muttered, arriving at the battle site to see the large hole the younger Toguro had created on the ground. His Jagen eye flaring, he slammed a punch onto the earth beside the gaping hole. "Damn! I will master the Kokuryu-Ha technique by tomorrow." He swore. "You miserable monster…" he hissed, seeing that the hole he created was significantly smaller than Toguro's.

It's not use! Kurama cursed, his image-training wielding no results. He's got it all over me in speed, spectral power and everything else. No matter how many times I try fighting the image of Karasu, I can't find so much as a clue as to how to beat him.

"Hey, Kurama!" Kuwabara called. "Finally I've found someone. Have you seen Uramashi around?"

"No." Kurama blinked.

"Where could he have gone?" Kuwabara wondered. "The moment he woke up, he took off someplace looking pale. And Baa-san said she had some important business to take care off by herself and she hasn't come back either. Of all the…!"

Then it's true. Kurama realized what Karasu had met earlier. The Reiki that disappeared… was that Genkai-shihan? "Who's there?" he demanded, hearing a rustle in the bushes.

"You two are alone, huh?" The unmasked Suzuki mused. "Perfect."

"Who are you?" Kuwabara pressed.

"The Beautiful Demon Battler, Suzuki." Suzuki replied.

"Suzuki?" Kuwabara echoed. "You mean…? You're the one who was beaten so horribly by Genkai, the one who was also Onji from the Uratogi Team? That Suzuki?"

"When you speak of me, do not forget to attach the word 'beautiful' before my name." Suzuki snapped. "Although now, that name only rings hollow." He sighed. "After having the difference in our abilities driven home to me like that, I've been reduced to being an ordinary circus clown."

And here I thought he was clown enough from the start… Kurama mused. "It's nothing." He assured, noting Suzuki's look. "I would ask what business you have with us."

"I've come to give you something." Suzuki replied.

"What are those?" Kuwabara inquired, seeing the bottle and sword hilt in the blonde's hands.

"'The Fruit of Former Life' and the 'Sword of Trials'." Suzuki answered.

"The Fruit of Former Life?" Kurama blinked, taking the bottle.

"These are the items that I gave to Uraurashima and Shishiwakamaru." Suzuki explained. "The Fruit of Former Life is the fleshy part of the Tokitadare blossom recently discovered in the Demon Realm. Uraurashima used it in a mist form. However, if you would drink it in liquid form, you should be able to return to your Yoko form for a long time. The Sword of Trials is made from leechcedar and draws out the Ki of whomever holds it in order to grow. This is a shape-shifting spectral sword." He added, catching the hilt the terrified Kuwabara tossed at him. "The form it takes depends on the disposition of whomever is holding it. I should tell you two something about both items. That is, they are both still in the experimental stages. Once you use them, even I don't know what kind of terrible side effects they might have. Use them or toss them away is up to you. See you around." He bade the two farewell.

"Why are you giving these to us?" Kurama asked.

"I once fought against Toguro myself." Suzuki replied. "Just by seeing him at 30%, I was so overcome by terror I would have licked the bottoms of Toguro's boots to save my life. That's how badly I fell apart, begging for my life. When I did, he was moved to compassion and said the following: When someone goes beyond disgracing themselves like this, I lose even my will to kill them. I see you as nothing more than scum. Afterward, I improved my skills, changed my name and appearance and led the Uratogi Team to the tournament. But then, you guys completely worked us over. I'm not asking you to take revenge for me. I just want to believe that there's someone even stronger than Toguro. I've learned well during this fight that it's not me. I want to believe that someone will come along and destroy Toguro's sense of values."

"Is that…" Kuwabara gaped, seeing Yusuke's 'Spirit Gun' blast shoot up into the night sky.

"Yusuke…" Kurama breathed.

"It couldn't be!" even Hiei was stunned.

"Incredible!" Suzuki gaped. "What force! Unbelievable! Knowing him… knowing Uramashi Yusuke…"

"Yusuke…" Ami breathed in relief back in her shared hotel room with Kurama, knowing that Spirit Detective had straightened his emotions. What the… her senses went on high alert went she picked up an overtly familiar presence in the room. "Yoko…" she slowly turned to face the silver fox demon who was smirking at her.

"Hi Princess." The golden-eyed demon's smirk widened.

"This…" Ami gaped. "Shouldn't be possible."

"Well, it is." The five-tailed demon grinned. Picking his astonished lover up bridal-style, he carried her over to the bed. "Now, how about we continue where we left off last time?"

"Well, I can't say I'm disappointed." Ami joked, Yoko having returned to his Kurama self fifteen minutes later.

"Looks like Suzuki was right." Kurama remarked.

"Suzuki?" Ami echoed. "The one from Uratogi Team?"

"The very same." Kurama nodded. "I need to meet up with the others." He sat up.

"About Genkai…" Ami whispered. "You knew, right?"

"Yes." Kurama nodded. "Kinda of."

Tomorrow," Ami started. "Don't get killed."

"I won't." Kurama assured, kissing her on the forehead before exiting the room.

"That's what I'm afraid of." Ami sighed.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.