Rain patters on the window as it comes down in heavy torrents. The sky has grown dark over the course of the next few hours. It's silent in the room except for the occasional voices signaling a card game is in play. Meanwhile, I find myself staring at the ceiling, deep in thought.

"Urameshi hasn't come back to the hotel? Where the hell is he gone?" Kuwabara suddenly wonders out loud the question that is on all our minds but for myself. He's with Genkai and that's all I need to know.

"Indeed…" Kurama muses, glancing at me. I can feel his stare burning at the back of my mind. He knows that I know more than they do, but as of yet, he hasn't dared ask about it. In response to his stare, I close my eyes for a moment. It's not up to me to say anything, but I'm sue he'll figure it out somehow.

"Still, there's no way around it. The semi-finals are next." Kuwabara states, as Kurama takes one of his cards. "Beginning with the semi-finals, I hear we'll be moved to a different arena, so the conditions will be more severe too. No doubt about it." Kurama says.

"Fine with me!" Kuwabara says confidently. "Let them bring guns and arrows against us, I say!" he continues, grabbing one of Kurama's cards, only to pull a face.

Lifting my head from the couch's' backrest, I look up when the door opens; surprised to see the girls all there, carrying snacks and drinks. "We've come to visit!" Botan pipes up. No doubt she came up with the idea. "Sorry for the intrusion." Keiko apologizes as they step inside.

"What are you doing? We're having a serious talk here." Kuwabara complains. "So why are there playing cards in your hands?" Botan counters. "T-these? Don't look!" he scolds.

"Have your injuries been okay since earlier?" Yukina questions, stepping up to our carrot-topped friend. His reaction can be easily predicted as his voice takes a certain pitch to it and starts to swoon over the apparition.

Keiko steps up to us, hesitantly. "Um, where is Yusuke?" she asks Kurama who casually answers: "Yusuke had something to do, so he's out right now." he explains. "I see. For some reason, Puu-chan isn't feeling well, so I've been concerned…" she admits. And looking at the blue creature in her arms, it doesn't look to be very energetic. It let's out a miserable "Puu".

Standing up, I take the tiny creature from her. Seeing as Puu represents Yusuke, that must mean that Yusuke is having a hard time right now. "There, there." I coo, feeling a bit odd. I couldn't imagine behaving like this towards Yusuke. "It will be alright. Yusuke will be fine, you'll see." I tell it, patting it over its head full of black tufts of hair. "He's in good hands." I whisper as an afterthought. I catch Keiko giving me a sad smile as I talk to the Spirit beast.

"Well now, why don't we get revved up for the semi-finals by throwing a real blast ourselves?" Botan suggests. "Yeah!" Kuwabara agrees full-hearted. Popping a cigarette in her mouth, Shizuru smiles at her brother. "Be sure that you enjoy yourself in particular. This might be your last bash in this world." she states as a matter of factly, earning a glare from him. "I can't believe you would talk like that to your only brother!"

The girls soon make themselves at home and cards are dealt out. The atmosphere grows relaxed and I feel myself getting dragged into it, joining in on their games.

The rest of the evening was pretty fun. It was nice to hang out and forget about the tournament, but my mind never quite left the thought of how Yusuke could be doing alone.

It was very early the next morning, before sunrise that I awoke and got dressed. Sneaking out of the room, I made my way out of the hotel and into the woods. From there on, I follow a faint energy signal deep into said woods until I finally reach a small clearing by a rock face. There is a cave entrance. Hesitantly, I step closer.

Shuffling inside, my eyes soon catch the sight of Yusuke. It was not quite what I expected. He looks miserable to say the least. No…he looks more like he's stuck in hell and tries to get out with every fiber of his body. He writhes around on the floor, looking like he's in so much pain, I can only imagine. I don't even think that he knows I'm here. His senses are unforced, too pre-occupied with the pain. So this is what receiving another one's powers does to you.

"Will he be okay?" I ask, sensing Genkai nearby, though her Spirit energy is faint. It has reduced quite drastically. "I don't know." she answers honestly. "It will be up to Yusuke."

Turning to her, I see she has turned back to her original form: old and frail looking. I doubt she is though. "Will this help him beat Toguro?" I question, wondering to what extent his strength will grow after this, assuming he will overcome this. Genkai shrugs in response. "Probably. I guess 'help' is the right word though. It is no guarantee that it will be enough to beat him."

Looking down at the junior-detective, I frown as I can hear him grinding his teeth, sucking in breathes between grunts of pain. It's sad that this is needed, that he has to go through this. Why does Toguro want to fight him so badly? What could he possibly want from someone like Yusuke, who is still so new to this world? Why could he not face me instead?

I don't know about the extend of Togoru's power, and I suppose it's beyond whatever I've ever encountered, but shouldn't it be me to try and beat him? Isn't it my responsibility? After all, I'm the senior, I'm stronger than Yusuke as of yet and…I can be missed, Yusuke however…he has still so many people depending on him. How can we…how can I let him put his life on the line like this, when the odds are stacked against him?

"Rosa." Genkai speaks up, dragging me from my thoughts. For a moment, I was scared she caught on to my train of thoughts. I don't know what she would say to that, but I feel relieved when she smiles. "It's about time you head for the arena. The sun is rising and the match will start soon. Don't be tardy. They need you."

I nod hesitantly, turning to Yusuke. Crouching down close to him, I hesitate to lay a hand on him. When I do, I can feel the energy coursing through his body, making me flinch. "Don't worry Yusuke, I'll look after everyone, Keiko too." I tell him before getting to my feet and turning to my godmother. "Take care of him for me." I tell her. "He's like a brother to me you know." I reveal, coming to terms with how much I've come to care for the boy in such a short time.

Genkai nods. "I will. Hurry along now." she urges. I nod and rush out of the cave, catching a whisper in the wind. "Goodbye, my dear girl."

Rushing out of the woods, I'm not all that surprised to run into Kurama. "Are you okay?" he asks, probably able to see me trying to hide my fears and other negative emotions. "You left so early, quietly." he states when I don't answer. "Not quiet enough." I mutter. He wouldn't be here if he didn't hear me leave, that is obvious.

"I waited here for you." he continues, signaling he didn't follow me all the way. I nod, grateful. I don't think it would do Yusuke and Genkai any good if so many of us came to take a look. It could attract unwanted attention.

I look down, scratching my head nervously. "I'm sorry for acting so sneaky. It's just.." I start, stopping when he puts his hand on my shoulder. "You are just worried about Yusuke. That's fine. I'm not going to ask questions on what he's doing or where he is. I'm satisfied knowing that he's alive…and returning in due time I assuming." he assures me. I look up at him relieved, nodding with a slight smile. "Thanks Kurama."

I suddenly have to blink hard as tears start to gather at the corner of my eyes. I'm feeling emotional as the situation seems to be getting to me and Kurama, being so understanding, is like a hammer that just broke through the wall I've been building in the last few days.

Suddenly, I let myself fall forward, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist as I feel like I need to hold on for dear life, else the world might collapse. I can feel his arms wrap around my shoulders and his chest heave as a sigh pours from his lips, tickling the top of my head. Closing my eyes, I let the silence envelop us, shooing everything else away from my thoughts. I need this right now; a hug, a hug from Kurama.

It lasts perhaps only a minute, but I gathered myself by the time he lets go. I sigh, feeling a mix of shame, tiredness and a bit silly. Still, those are better feelings than the once I carried before.

Holding out his hand with a smile he asks: "Are you coming? The others are waiting." I nod, taking his hand. "Yeah. I think I will feel a little better if I get to take out my frustrations on the other team." I say, making him chuckle as he pulls me further away from the woods and Yusuke and Genkai. "I feel sorry for them already."