A/N 1: Just as a heads up to anyone who feels like checking to judge my quotes from the show, I'm very very tired. I skipped a lot and tweaked a lot. So, it's not all direct quotes. I know that. Much love. Enjoy.
Something tells me I should wait until Kurama is done with whatever the hell he's doing before striking up a conversation. I would probably have to yell from this distance anyway, seeing as a few of the less friendly plants are looking my way. This guy really would think having a courtyard full of murderous plants is a good idea. He and Yomi both.
After a minute or two, Kurama removes his arm from the plant's mouth completely unscathed, although the sleeve of his uniform is completely gone. I can count the number of times I've seen that much of his skin on one hand. My anger at him is gone, so I guess this dry-mouthed feeling is what's going to replace it.
"I'm sorry," are the first words out of his mouth when he stops in front of me. "I shouldn't have reacted the way I did."
"No, it was my fault," I say, sighing. "You were right. As usual."
"If you knew how often I was wrong, you wouldn't say as much," he replies. "You only ever seem to be around when I'm not."
"I don't know that I want to be there when you're wrong," I say. "Seems dangerous."
He smiles, and I think I'm in love again. "So, what was it you and Yomi were talking about earlier?"
"Nothing big," I say, shrugging. "He asked if I wanted to be his partner so he could take control of all three worlds."
The look on Kurama's face...that expression only lasts for a second before he carefully hides it away, but I would not have liked to be the person that face was for. "Is that so?" he asks, his voice very steady.
"Mm-hm. I told him I wasn't interested. Maybe he should ask my father for his hand instead, since that's who he really wants."
"I'm sure that would go well," Kurama replies.
"Uh-huh. The biggest asshole in the three realms and the second most conniving demon I know trying to have a conversation? Impossible."
"If Yomi's the second…" Kurama raises an eyebrow as I level a look at him. "You really have a terrible opinion of me, don't you?"
"It's pretty bad," I reply, grinning.
"If you were any cheekier, you'd look like a squirrel."
"Thaaaanks," I drawl. "Anyway, what were you doing with that plant? It murdered that poor jacket."
"I wasn't much a fan of it," he replies, shrugging. "The plant had swallowed something wrong, so I had reached in to fish it out and let it try again."
"Plants can do that?" I ask, frowning.
"If they bite off more than they can chew."
This is the strangest conversation I've ever had about plants. "I'll take your word for it." Sighing, I look back at the door I came in through, saying, "It would appear we're going to be roomies for a while."
"So it would seem. Maybe we should head back to our room and figure that out."
Our room. I hope he chalks up my blushing face to maidenly shyness or something stupid like that. He'd have to be some kind of mind reader to know that that phrase both makes me happy and terrifies me. "Right. Well, I'm lost, so feel free to lead the way."
We chat on the way back, talking about completely banal things, but I silently commit the path to memory, just in case. When we reach the room, Kurama goes inside first, asking me to wait outside for a moment. He gestures for me to enter, saying, "I wanted to make sure we were alone."
Does he really think Yomi will spy on us when he can just listen to all our conversations? Apparently so. Sighing, I run a hand over my face, feeling exhausted. "I've done nothing today, but I'm so tired."
"You're welcome to the bed," Kurama says, moving to sit at the desk. "I can sleep on the floor."
"No way," I reply, holding up my hands. "This was your room first. I can sleep on the floor."
"I'd rather not argue this point with you," he says. Rifling through some papers, he finds one he's looking for and starts to read.
"Then don't." I start to move some of the bedding to the floor, and I swear I feel Kurama sigh.
"Why don't we just share the bed?"
I freeze at his words, a million thoughts racing through my head. Some are good, and some are very very bad. The last time I shared a bed with someone…. No, stop it. It's fine. He can't get to you here. "Um?"
"It's large enough that we wouldn't need to be close," he says. "We can even build a barrier out of blankets if you're that concerned."
"No, it's fine." I turn to face him, gripping a blanket tightly. "Sorry, I was just thinking. That's...that's fine."
Kurama's stern expression turns soft when our eyes meet, and he sets his paper down. I won't hurt you, he mouths, almost as if he knows exactly where my thoughts have turned.
"I know," I reply, shrugging. "Still, it's hard to shake bad feelings sometimes." It's still kind of early, but maybe I should just sleep. Or at least try. I don't know how well I'll be able to sleep knowing Kurama will be in this bed with me at some point in the night.
I'd brought a small bag of clothes and necessities with me that someone had taken in here for me, so I grab that, head to the restroom that's through a door in the room, and change into my pajamas, a matching tank top and shorts. When I come back out, Kurama's nose is buried in his work, which is both relieving and vexing. I'm not all that vain, but I think I look pretty cute like this. Sighing, I crawl into bed, throwing the covers over my head.
Sleep comes relatively quickly, but it's light and fitful. At the sound of a door closing, I grimace, opening my eyes to catch a glimpse of Kurama wearing sleep pants and a T-shirt, which is honestly the most dressed down I've ever seen him. He looks...really comfy. Squeezing my eyes shut, I swallow hard. I want to hug him.
I feel his weight settle into bed, and then the lights go out. Suddenly, this bed seems so much smaller, knowing he's right behind me.
"Sorry if it gets too warm," I mumble as he pulls on the blanket a little.
"Promise me I won't wake up in a pile of ashes," he says, yawning.
"You're more likely to wake up as a pile of ashes," I reply. After a beat or two of silence, I quickly add, "I'm kidding. I haven't done that in ages."
"Good night, Asaki," he says, and I swear I can feel him shaking his head.
"Good night, Kurama. Sleep well."
"Sweet dreams."
Something tells me if I dream, it'll be of him.
…
When I open my eyes in the morning, the first thing I see is Kurama's sleeping face. My instinct is to jerk back, to get away from him, just in case he wakes up. However, I just manage to hold myself in place, taking him in. Who knows if I'll get the chance to do this again.
He looks so peaceful in sleep, like he doesn't have a care in the world. I wish he had occasion to look like this when he was awake. He's got these long eyelashes, and his hair's a mess. I want to run my fingers through it to try and get rid of the tangles. Instead, I just close my eyes, trying to deal with a whole rush of emotions. It would be so easy to come just a little closer. To touch him, put my hand on his arm or his chest. He's sleeping, you asshole. How messed up would that be?
Opening my eyes, I stiffen as I realize his eyes are open too. He's staring at me, but he doesn't look like he's fully awake just yet. "Asaki?" he mumbles, his voice thick with sleep. It's adorable and I feel my stomach flip at the sound as my face grows very very warm. I can't believe I've been staring at him all this time. I scoot back in the bed, a little too far. There's nothing but floor beneath me as I fall.
"Ow!" I cry, my tailbone taking the brunt of the landing.
"Asaki!" He sounds awake now. Kurama is before me in an instant, his green eyes wide with concern as he extends a hand to me. "Are you okay?"
"F-fine," I stutter, grabbing his hand and letting him pull me up. My backside hurts, but other than that, I'm unscathed. "Sorry, I must have turned over at some point last night."
"It's all right," he replies. "Me too." I see him look at my shoulder, and then a slight blush slides across his face. That's when I realize my tank top strap has slid down my shoulder, exposing a bit more skin than I'm comfortable with in this situation.
"I-I'm going to get changed."
And with that, I grab my bag and head into the restroom. Am I being punished? I must be, because this is some kind of supreme torture. My body is aching with all these feelings I don't know how to put names to, things I've never wanted before and never thought I would. I'm not sure I like them right now.
Things don't get any easier. Over the next week, Kurama and I play this awful game of trying to avoid making things awkward. I walk in on him about to change two or three times, and we keep waking up closer and closer to each other. One time, I woke up and our fingers were just barely touching. I thought my heart might stop.
Most of my days are spent in Yomi's massive library. He's got books on every subject, many of which I've never even heard of. Sometimes, Kurama joins me here. Other times, it's Yomi. Once or twice, they were here with me at the same time, and we all just resolutely ignored each other. When it's just one or the other, we chat. Kurama asks me what my plans are for the day, and Yomi tests me. He's always testing me.
Sometimes, I think he just wants to know my scope of knowledge. Other times, it's like he's judging how good a partner I'd make. He asks me questions about politics and life, my goals, hobbies, things like that. I can't get a read on him, but I also can't not answer. I'd told myself I would do my best not to provoke him anymore, so Kurama wouldn't worry quite as much.
One day, on a whim, I'd decided on my human form, wondering if the miasma in this world was just as strong as I remembered from when I was young. It wasn't, but I think my training had more to do with that than anything else. Even so, it wasn't pleasant. Grabbing hold of the "mi" charm around my neck, I push out with my spirit energy, creating a barrier that keeps the worst of it away. That's how Yomi found me.
"A human in my stronghold?"
The sound of his voice sends chills down my spine, and I set down the book I'd been reading to look up at him from the floor where I sit. "It's just Asaki," I reply.
"I see." He smiles to himself like he thinks he's funny. Either that or I'm the joke. "This is your other half."
"It is."
"I don't recommend staying like that," he says, his tone mild. "Any demon for miles around can smell you. You're attracting...attention."
At his last word, I hear a door open somewhere in the library, and seconds later, Kurama is here. "Asaki. Yomi." He looks between us, frowning.
"Sorry." I slide into my demon form, getting to my feet. "I won't do it again."
Conversations like that permeate my free time.
Training is punctuated by the rumbles of Raizen's stomach. Kurama had filled us in on his state as well. By starving himself of human flesh, he was dying, which was what was causing this power shuffle in the first place. I can't help but think it's stupid not to eat what you were born to eat. It's by no fault of his that he's a human-eating demon. Still, part of me admires his resolve. So many years of abstaining. I kind of want to know what would drive someone like that.
It's because of how regular his stomach's growling is that we know something is wrong when the sound doesn't come. Jin and Touya are in the middle of a bout, but once the normal interval comes and goes, they stop, turning to face us.
"Nothing?" Touya says.
"Maybe he finally got a bite," Chu replies, shrugging.
"After this long, you really think he's just going to give in so easily?" Touya asks.
"But, what does it mean if his stomach isn't going anymore?" Rinku says.
Swallowing hard, I say, "He's dead?"
The silence that meets my words is broken by the sound of pounding footsteps, and we all turn to see Youda coming our way. "Lord Yomi requests your presence immediately."
"Hold your horses," Chu replies, earning a withering glare. "All right, mates. Looks like things are finally starting to get interesting."
"You're too eager for battle," Shishi says, shaking his head.
"Maybe you're not eager enough," Suzuki replies, leading the way. We all follow, the guys making clowns of themselves. I don't trust myself to speak right now. If Raizen is dead, then this war is really about to start. Hiei. Yusuke. What's going to happen next?
Yomi and Kurama are talking when we arrive in that same hall we first met Yomi in, but they fall silent at the sight of us. After a moment or two, Kurama leaves Yomi at his throne to stand before us. "I need you all on standby," he tells us. "Go to your rooms. Expect to be called shortly." And that's it. I know he can't afford to clue us in on what's going on, but that doesn't mean I don't want some kind of sign.
I need everything to be okay.
As I flop down on the bed in Kurama's and my room, I smother a groan with my pillow before rolling over and staring up at the ceiling. I'm not ready for this. As much as I love Kurama, I can't fight them. And I don't believe he can either.
Trust. A whole lot of trust.
…
Sitting in a room off to the side from where Yomi intends to meet Yusuke for the first time, I can't shake my nerves. According to Kurama, the eight of us were to wait in this room for Yomi to give the order to kill Yusuke. The others are just excited to be seeing him again. It's like they have not a care in the world. I wish I could feel the same.
Kurama kneels down in front of where I'm sitting, putting a hand on my shoulder. "All right?" he whispers, his gaze serious as I meet his eyes.
I shrug, saying, "Fine."
Sighing, he gives my shoulder a squeeze before getting to his feet and settling near the sliding door. Jin is sitting directly in front of the door, peeking out it. Everyone starts writing on pieces of paper, and I stare blankly. Where the hell did those come from?
Everything is along the lines that they're happy to see Yusuke again, which is all well and good until Kurama asks us to make our choice. On whose side do we stand if the order to kill comes up?
It's near unanimous, all of us holding up a paper that bears Yusuke's name. Of course. Shishi claims he's undecided until Suzuki fixes his little kanji error. Yusuke. Always, we'll stand by that dumbass.
Kurama smiles, and I wonder if he was really worried. Either way, he's definitely sincerely relieved as he writes "Thank you." And then, Yomi's voice emanates from the other side of the door.
"Why have you come to see me?" Yomi asks. "And please, be direct. I have neither time nor patience to waste beating around the bush."
"Well, Raizen is dead now," Yusuke says, making my stomach clench. I'll have to see if I can't pay my respects when this is all over. To thank him for what he did for me all those years ago. "As the new king on the block, I figured it'd only be fair for me to tell you in person exactly how I'm going to rip you off your throne."
I have to cover my mouth and nose to prevent a snort from escaping me. Dumbass. What do you have planned? If you screw this up, you're going to get us all killed.
"All right," Yomi replies, his tone even, "in the interest of full disclosure, allow me to show you how I plan to stop you."
Yomi begins to power up, and everyone leans forward, ready to spring into action. I get to my feet, balling my hands into fists. Is this really going to be it? Is this the throw down? No. Yomi lets his energy settle, but now Yusuke knows what he's dealing with. What's his next move going to be?
I hear a sound like something being dropped, and then Yusuke says, "That's cool, but first I got something for you." So casual, as though his life isn't in danger. I wish I had half his guts. "We'll call it a gift."
"How thoughtful of you," Yomi replies. "Do you mind unwrapping it too? I'm afraid I can't see things as well as I used to."
"Sure. Now they might scatter a bit, so I hope you don't mind."
I knew he had a plan, but it sounds pretty crazy to me. What on earth is going on, Yusuke?
What sounds like a whole mess of marbles scatters in the other room, and I hear someone get to their feet. A voice I don't recognize sounds frantic. "But that's our entire national treasure."
Which is the funniest thing I've heard in a while. What the actual hell, Yusuke? There's no way he's trying to bribe Yomi. Something else must be going on.
"I thank you, Mr. Urameshi, for this most generous gift," Yomi says. "But what is your true purpose? There's something carved in this stone. It says Mukuro. And that one says Kurama…." He names a few more people I don't know, saying, "You engraved names in all of these stones?"
"Yeah, well I would have just painted them on, but I figure this way you can read 'em yourself."
"Aah!" the stranger in the room cries. "You've desecrated the treasure! How could you do such a thing?"
That's Yusuke for you. Kurama and I exchange a look, and I have a feeling he's thinking the exact same thing. Yusuke's not much for things like tradition or priceless heirlooms. All he cares about are the people dear to him and fighting to get stronger. Honestly, what else does a person need?
"Now, I'm not a particularly bright guy," Yusuke says, ignoring the outburst, "and just because I'm Raizen's heir doesn't mean I'm qualified to replace him. So, maybe it's time we found another way of crowning the big cheese around here. Each of these has the name of someone from Demon World on here. We'll all face off in a big tournament, representing not kingdoms...but ourselves. And the one who wins the tournament will be the one to rule us all. For a period of time at least, until we have the next tournament and do it all over again.
"From what I understood in Social Studies, it's called democracy, and it's all the rage back home. Except we'll cast our votes with fists. What do you say, big guy?"
Well, that was unexpected, and yet it's so perfectly Yusuke that I can't help but laugh. The others are grinning too, and I know Yomi can hear us. I don't even care anymore. Leave it to this crazy guy to come up with something like this.
"Do you honestly think that I or anyone else-"
Jin slides the door open before us, saying, "Sign me up, so I say." The rest of us stand beside him, and I feel my heart grow a bit lighter at the sight of that smile on Yusuke's face.
"What are you guys doing here?" Yusuke laughs, walking up to Jin and giving him a friendly punch to the gut.
"To see you of course!" Chu replies, throwing an arm around Yusuke's shoulder.
"Chu, are you sober?" Yusuke asks, and they headbutt, making both of their eyes spin.
"I'm sorry, Yomi," Kurama says, taking the lead. "But from now on, I represent only Kurama's side. But, if you don't go along with this, I can assure you, none of us will hesitate to take his side over yours."
Yomi and Kurama stare at each other, and despite the clowning around on Kurama's left, the air is still tense. Yomi flinches, like he's heard something he really didn't want to before getting to his feet.
"Fine," he says. "I accept."
The guys start cheering, Kurama and I leaning into each other's shoulders out of relief. We look at one another, and we smile. Yusuke's crazy antics save the day, yet again. We're not completely out of the woods yet, but our odds look much better now than before.
"Hey, love birds!" Yusuke says, drawing my attention toward him. "The hell are you doing here, Asaki? You're totally buff."
"Thank you," I reply, smiling wryly. "Just what every girl wants to hear."
"You're welcome," he laughs. "Don't tell me you're going to fight too."
"You bet your ass," I say.
Chu slaps me on the back as he walks over, saying, "This little firebrand here schooled all of us a time or two since you been gone."
"No kidding?" Yusuke whistles, clearly impressed. "I can see how much stronger you are. Man, I'm dying for a good spar right about now."
"Perhaps wait until we are no longer treading on Yomi's hospitality," Kurama says, casting a wary eye at the other demon who is talking with Youda.
Yomi inclines his head our way, saying, "You're welcome to stay in my territory until this tournament, but I'd rather you not stay here. I've business to attend to."
"Of course," Kurama says, bowing despite the fact Yomi can't see it. "Thank you for allowing us to stay as long as you have."
"Leave."
Everyone moves to do just that, but I lag behind until it's just me, Yomi, and Youda. I can sense Kurama is still close, but he's not hovering, which I appreciate. I had promised I wouldn't stir up trouble, after all.
"Thanks again for everything," I tell him.
"I did nothing deserving of your thanks," Yomi replies. "I sought only to serve my interests."
"Even so. I don't think Kurama's had this much fun in ages."
"Fun?" Yomi considers my words for a moment before smiling slowly. "I have to agree. It's been enjoyable to see how he maneuvered his pieces against my own."
"Too bad none of us factored in Yusuke."
"Either way, it will still work out in my favor. If you change your mind, that spot beside me still stands."
"Thanks, but I won't," I reply. "Even if you were king of all three worlds, I wouldn't be interested. Good luck in the tournament."
"You as well."
When I step out into the courtyard where the others are waiting, Suzuki narrows his eyes at me. "What kept you?"
"I wanted to thank him myself," I say, shrugging. "My father raised me to be polite."
"Please," Shishi grumbles. "I don't see that we have much to thank him for."
"He could have said no to this tournament," Kurama says.
"Or he could have had us all killed in our sleep," I offer, shrugging. "Besides, the war we've averted is what brought us together like this."
"She's right," Chu says. "Now we have to make the most of it."
"Where are we going to go now?" Rinku asks Kurama. "You heard Yomi. We've got to be somewhere that isn't here."
"We'll manage," Kurama says. "When do you want to hold this tournament?"
"I dunno, man, a week from now?" Yusuke replies, making the man at his shoulder's face fall.
"You do realize how big an event this is?" he asks, his voice trembling. "To organize in such a short amount of time…."
"I know a few people," Yusuke says. "No sweat. We should get back and let the others know, though."
"Oh, hey," I say, "do you mind if I come along? I want to pay my respects to Raizen."
"You knew the old man?" Yusuke says, frowning.
"Yeah. He saved my life once, and I never really got the chance to thank him." I shrug, saying, "I also wanted to ask some of your men about someone who used to serve Raizen."
"Well, Hokushin can probably help with that," Yusuke says, gesturing to the still horrified-looking man at his side. "I don't care if you come with. You all right with that, Kurama?"
"She's welcome to do as she pleases," Kurama replies, his tone unnaturally light. "Just look after her."
"I'm right here," I say, waving a hand in the air. "I'll be fine. It's not like I'm walking into hostile territory anymore."
"Plus, she's way tough now," Yusuke says, grinning. "If you're coming with me, you've gotta let me kick your ass at least once."
"Yeah, yeah," I reply. "I'll see you guys in a week, I guess?"
"Good luck, sheila!" Chu says, putting his hand on my shoulder. "I expect you to be even stronger when we meet again."
"Aye, I'll be looking forward to that, I will," Jin says. "And to fighting Yusuke."
Yusuke laughs, thumbing his nose. "If we don't fight in the tournament, maybe when it's all over, I'll show all of you just how much stronger I am."
"Sounds good to me," Suzuki says.
"All right, let's head out. We'll go nice and slow so Asaki can keep up," Yusuke teases.
"You're an asshole," I reply, waving goodbye to everyone. "See you guys soon." Kurama holds my gaze for longer than the rest, and I give him a small smile. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
"I worry whenever you're not in sight," he says, shaking his head. "You've a propensity for trouble."
"You're one to talk."
"Come on, Red, or we're really going to leave you," Yusuke says.
With one last wave, I set off for a part of Demon World I haven't seen in ages.
…
Yusuke's words to all of the demons under his reign about the tournament are met with a real level of discontent. Everyone is worried their foolish leader has made a terrible mistake. It's a wonder to me that they thought they stood a chance any other way. All of the demons here are strong, but they still can't hold a candle to Yomi. I think Kurama could give them a run for their money as well.
"They'll get over it," Yusuke says, placing flowers at Raizen's grave. We'd run into Mukuro and Hiei on the way out of Gandara, the latter of whom had given Yusuke flowers for his old man. It was good to know Hiei was alive, even if he hadn't acknowledged us at all. After having gauged his power level and Mukuro's, more than ever I found myself glad Yusuke had come up with this crazy scheme.
"You're such a good king," I tease, pressing my hands together and bowing my head a little. I'd told Yusuke my story on the way over about how Raizen had found me as a child and kept me from getting eaten, which he'd found funny for some reason. If he'd been the near-dinner, I'm not sure he would have been laughing.
"At least Miss Asaki shows the proper amount of respect," Hokushin says, standing off to one side.
"Yeah, well, 'Miss Asaki' was raised proper. I wasn't." Yusuke shrugs, saying, "I respected him in the only way I knew how. He didn't give a shit that it wasn't all polite or whatever."
Hokushin sighs, saying, "You had questions for me, did you not, Miss Asaki?"
"You don't have to keep adding the 'Miss,'" I say, "but yeah, I do. Do you know a guy named Hata?"
Hokushin stiffens at my words. "Did something happen to him?"
"No, no," I reply, "it's just, he's been looking out for me and for some family of mine, and I thought maybe you could tell me about him."
"You're a member of the Takeda family?" Hokushin asks.
"Sort of. Asami Takeda was my mother."
"Asaki Anno," he says, and when I nod, he sighs. "Oh, good. He managed to find you, after all this time."
"I'm missing something," Yusuke says.
"There was once one among our ranks who ventured into Living World on behalf of Lord Raizen," Hokushin says. "He ran afoul of humans he couldn't fight, lest he reveal himself to Spirit World, but Asami Takeda saved him. He pledged his life to her. When she died, Spirit World forced him to return to us."
"And then he learned I was alive, and he came to live with my mother's family. I only just met him last summer."
"Does that mean you have family other than your asshole old man?" Yusuke asks.
"I do," I say, smiling. "When you come back home, you'll have to meet them."
"Damn straight," Yusuke says.
"I'm glad to hear that Hata is doing well," Hokushin says. "While I may not agree with his choices, I can understand why he made them."
"Wait, so that means there's one of you guys running around Living World?" Yusuke asks. "All bald and serious and crap?"
"Yes," Hokushin says, and I swear I see a vein bulge on his forehead. Clearly, this man isn't used to Yusuke's nonsense even after just over a year.
"That's pretty legit," Yusuke says. "My old man had some really good people around him."
The sound of footsteps, and very loud ones, reaches my ears, and the three of us turn our heads to see a very tall demon and a much smaller one approach. "We're here!" the tall one calls, a bag slung over his shoulder. The smaller one's face is red, and I can smell the stench of booze on her from here.
"Who or what the hell are you?" Yusuke asks, eyes wide. I really wish I had the lack of sense to ask questions like that. On him, it's endearing, I guess.
"When we heard that Raizen croaked," the woman says, "we set out for this dump as fast as we could to pay our respects."
"Hi, my name is Enki," the large, red-skinned demon says. "This little firecracker here is my wife, Kokou." Said firecracker has puffy green hair and pale skin, under the red of her cheeks from all her drinking.
"And what exactly is your relation to our late king?" Hokushin asks.
"Well, we used to be sparring buddies back in the old days."
After the rest of the introductions are out of the way, Kokou pushes past us, crying on Raizen's grave. Watching her is kind of heartbreaking, and I feel like I shouldn't be here, like I'm spying on something private.
"And she promised she wasn't going to cry," Enki says. "After we parted from Raizen when he said he wouldn't eat humans anymore, we lost our passion for fighting too. We've come to live a quiet, peaceful life. I wish we'd told him that while he was still alive. It's funny. We thought he'd lost his mind, but maybe this was his intention all along. To change the way we lived through example."
"Hello!"
This time, a small group of demons comes up behind us, Yusuke's men cautiously around them. They look strong, and I wonder what kind of company we're going to have now.
"It certainly did take them long enough to get here," Enki says, which is when I notice a few of them are carrying bouquets. More people to mourn Raizen?
"An army of freaks," Yusuke says. "I hope this is a social visit. Do you know these guys?"
"Yeah, all of them used to fight with Raizen as well."
Yusuke, Hokushin, and I stand off a bit as the group settles around Raizen's grave, mourning the loss of an old friend. After a little while, Yusuke speaks.
"Hokushin? I always thought Raizen was just a bastard, but I really didn't get to know him at all. There was more to him, and now seeing through their eyes, I can't help but feel proud...of my father. I think in a way I can finally call him that."
"I'm happy for you, Yusuke," I say, smiling. "I think sometimes, learning to call someone family makes them just as important as the ones you're born knowing belong to you."
"Yeah," he replies, nodding a little.
"Hey, Raizen Junior!"
The three of us look over at where the demons are standing now, Enki waving at us. "Guess what? We're all going to be taking part in that tournament. Let's make this tournament so brutal that Raizen rolls over in his grave in jealous rage!" He turns to his friends, pumping a fist in the air, and they all cheer. Suddenly, they're powering up, and the resulting wave is so strong, it knocks me and Yusuke off our feet. Hokushin catches Yusuke, and another of Yusuke's men catches me, but just barely.
"Sweet!" Yusuke cheers. "Now this is getting good!" He's laughing, and I wonder if he's really lost it. That amount of energy is terrifying, but when he smiles at me, I start to question my own sanity as I smile back. Maybe...maybe this will actually be kind of fun. I've never been the sort to enjoy fighting, but I've been getting so much stronger. I want to keep pushing myself. There's no sense in holding back now, right?
A/N: Woo-hoo! We're almost there, guys! The tournament is about to begin. There'll be heartache and pain, suffering, agony, and everything else you're liable to find in Koto's best dreams. Yes, I had to do the cliche thing with them sharing beds. You know you loved it. What am I going to do when I can't ship-tease anymore?
Heads up, school's back in, so these might slow down. Which is really agitating for me because we're soooo close to soooo many things. I'll try to keep up, but that stuff's gotta come first.
Thanks so much for reading, everyone, and a special thanks to bluerose921, Katsip12, Layla1234567, Sammie, Lestatsgirl15, AmericanNidiot, and one Guest for the reviews! Thank you for sticking with me for so long. I promise, the payoff is coming soon. I appreciate everyone who's been here, putting up with my crazy school schedule and self by extension.