"So what's with the sweet tooth? You finally get the chance to grow one in?" with a snide smile Yusuke raised his hands, signaling to a nearby waitress "Hey can I get a menu!" the café was unusually busy for the day, and unless he spoke up, he'd just be sitting there with his arms crossed.
Sitting from him was another young man.
He was handsome in every sense of the word, and dressed to match with a fashionably woven dark blue suit. Its white sleeves rolled up his arms, and his suits jacket was currently resting on the top rail of his chair. The top of his shirt was unbuttoned, and relaxed, adding to his overall cool demeanor. A sharp contrast to Yusuke, who was much more rugged looking, and dressed in his regular green school outfit.
Strangely though, he wore a teal colored headband over his forehead.
He paid no attention to Yusukes small jab, choosing instead to take another spoonful of the frozen treat he'd order prior to Yusukes arrival.
"You know you're late." he said simply, clearing his spoon, before going back for more.
Carelessly Yusuke merely waved him away.
"Hey, I had school work to do you know? Entrance exams are coming up soon, and everyone, from Kuwabara, Keiko, Takenaka, even my mom are pushing me to focus on doing good." resting his head into hands tiredly, he took a wistful look outside the café "Meanwhile, I don't even know what I want to do going ahead. Kuwabara and Keiko seem to have everything else planned ahead it looks like, and here I am meandering, talking with an over-sized toddler."
"I had no idea Kuwabara was so concerned with you studies." once again, he ignored his insult.
Yusuke smiled at that.
"He isn't, but you know him, he'll find what ever reason he can get to compete against me. Only this time it looks like he might actually win. Ah well, guess it was bound to happen at some point." at this, the waitress had finally handed him his menu, he thanked her telling her it'd just be a moment before he would ordered "So anyways Koenma, why'd you call me out here like this? Something new about Spirit World?"
The child of the King Yama and until recent events, his boss, Koenma once helped in maintaining order, and protecting the human world from the demons of the Makai realm. It was only after the events surrounding the former spirit detective, Sensui, that he found himself removed of his former position, and currently on the run from Spirit World. Still, it wasn't as though he lacked connections, and right about now, he was the closest thing he had to ears about what Spirit World might be planning for him.
"Unfortunately, its not much that we didn't already know. Currently, my father is still sending out those loyal to me far beyond where they might help or otherwise assist me. Botan has been lucky to stay in the inside, but its only a matter of time until my father passes his gaze over to her, so she's treading carefully over eggshells. This of course means the amount of information she can provide us is a best limited, and at worst lacking large bits of vital context. All the same, you and I are still in Spirit Worlds cross-hairs, so I advise you to remain cautious."
Yusuke could tell the situation was frustrating to him, and he felt it himself. He didn't like the idea of having to watch over his shoulder either. Especially not when the person you were hiding from was your own father.
Still, this wasn't anything he didn't already know before, and despite his attitude, he wasn't dumb enough to ignore a warning from a close friend.
"So then whats changed? Don't think you'd risk us being in the same place just to tell me something I didn't already know." he asked seriously, trying to avoid any of his usual snark, and attitude. Koenma had mentioned his father would have his head, if and when he returned to Spirit World, whether by choice or not. His life was something he could play with sure, but not the lives of others.
"I'm just trying to make sure we both have our bases covered from this point onward. Neither of us can afford any slip ups, or faltering in our judgement." Another spoonful was taken to Koenmas lips "Besides, with your track record, I think it bears repeating."
Yusukes teeth ground themselves as he leaned forward in his seat.
Given his reputation, most anyone else would have been either nervous or cowering beneath the gaze of one Yusuke Urameshi. It was only naturally after all, given his reputation.
Without any delay, Koenma merely placed more frozen goodness into his mouth, completely unaffected by him.
"Don't give me that look." Koenma said dryly, waving his spoon directly in Yusukes face "Your attitude and tendency to follow your gut and heart has landed you and the rest of us in unneeded danger. If you'd think at little bit about the consequences of your actions I wouldn't have to chide you like this, but that's just the reality of the situation."
Yusuke almost spat to the side.
"Genkai said if I wanted, really wanted, I could cause some actual damage to the world." He leaned back, and Koenma raised his brow "Dunno if she was trying to scare me, if she was being serious, or both. Point is, Spirit World wants to come after me, I say let them. They'll get what's coming to them. Not like their goons aren't anything to piss myself over. Matter of fact, don't know if they told you, but those wusses damn near crap themselves when I came back. If that's the best your old man can do, then I've got nothing to worry about."
Koenma shook his head in frustration, visibly disapproving of Yusukes boast.
"So it comes down to might makes right? Is that it?" upset, though restraining his tone "Tell me again, how you were captured at the start of your last case?"
Yusuke narrowed his eyes into a glare. That was a low blow Koenma was trying pulling on him right now.
"So I was caught off guard. Not like I'm Kuwabara and can see the future or whatever." Genkai as he had come to know her was someone that never held back when it came to teaching her students vital lessons. This even extended to facing otherworldly, or truly supernatural effects like those of the psychics, and their territories.
Koenmas balled handed slammed onto the table, nearly knocking over his ice-cream. Yusukes face was unrelenting however, unmoved by this show of force. Koenma himself was not as composed, instead looked as angry as he sounded.
"That's exactly my point, still the stubborn hot-headed kid that rushes into danger first, and walks away with a broken arm." though his voice was quiet, there was an underlying anger that threatened to change that "Brute force is fine, but even that has its limits. What are you gonna do if Spirit World sends someone after you that refuses to fight things your way? Chooses to fight you the way the psychics did? Will you blow up the whole country just to show how strong your way is?"
Yusuke moved up from his seat, resting his forearms on the table as he looked deep into Koenma's unwavering eyes.
"Yeah?" Yusuke snarled as he curled up his fists "And just who do they send, huh?"
Whether or not Yusuke had intended for that to come out as more of a threat than a question, neither could know.
Koenma looked stunned, solemn almost.
"... The worlds far bigger than you know Yusuke. Even with everything you've seen and done. And Spirit Worlds influence extends far past what you might think it does." Koenma's tone eased up, the frustration replaced with instead with a defeated tone "My father always told me there was one absolute rule in this world above all others: That nothing, no matter how strong, or old, or young, or vast, was ever truly invincible. Whether we knew it or not, our weakness and downfall existed somewhere in this vast world of ours. Think then, what three worlds might hold for you."
He wanted to kick himself just then. Angry, and displeased with himself, he dug his nails into his palm.
He got it just then, understood it. His words were wise, and his advice came from a place of concern. Truly Koenma sought nothing more than making sure Yusuke would remain safe. Of that he could be absolutely certain.
And so, he ended being at odds with himself.
Koenma was trying to offer him assistance, that of help and wisdom seen over his centuries long life.
But this nagging feeling that, on some level, with or without knowing it, Koenma doubted his ability caused him to get angry at lashed out.
It was true that the psychics had floored him the first time he had encountered them, their abilities being nothing he had and that the fact he'd know nothing about Sensui up until he actually reared his head was telling of what else Spirit World could be hiding from them. And yes, Koenma stood correct that it wasn't just even his regular world or even Spirit World that could hold these new threats, but even the Makai realm.
Both Raizens possession of his body, and his near death at the hands of Shuten cemented this reality.
But still... Admitting he'd be wrong would be handing his normally pint-sized friend a deadly weapon.
"Hey lady." Yusuke said falling back into his seat, his eyes closed, and one of his hands tucked away in his pocket. The waitress turned to him, walking over as he merely handed her his menu.
"Gimme a number sixteen, and hold off on any extra toppings." he'd just move the conversation on from this, not ceding anything, but not outright ignoring anything. A nice compromise, Yusuke felt.
Across from him, Koenma seemed to agree with him, returning to eating his desert.
"... Anyways, retreading ground is not the only reason why I called you out here like this."
Koenma took following spoonful with less enthusiasm than before, like he was considering what he had to say,
Finally, he dug his empty spoon into his dairy treat, and left it there, resting his chin on clasped hands.
"According to Botan, Spirit World reported two newly emerged demonic presences around three days ago. They're saying both of them are S-Class." an odd knot formed in his stomach. Remembering how gravely he talked about the S-class of demons when the plot to tear down the barrier was revealed, the idea that one of them might have somehow slipped past it was sure to leave him rattled.
But wait-
"Two?" asked Yusuke raising an eyebrow, as Koenma nodded.
Yusuke felt his stomach churn. Just from looking at him, Koenma looked like his did too.
"Yes, two. Now Spirit World is on high alert, and from what Botan has told me, my fathers men are begin to mobilize for the worst case scenario. The worst of it is the barrier is still fully erect, and nothing above B-class has walked through. They've combed over it, and as far as they can tell, nothing tampered with it, and its as strong as ever. Which can only mean one of two things."
Yusuke almost didn't want to ask.
"... Whats that?"
Almost.
"Either something managed to slip in during the brief instance that the barrier had been torn down, or..." Koenma paused, not wanting to consider it "The demons have found a way around the barrier completely, and if the S-Class can pass through with ease, then that would just leave the Three Demon Kings and their respective Kingdoms to begin making their moves." a balled up hand shook the table as Koenma took on a desperate look.
As he looked at him, Yusuke's eyes became softer, as did his expression. One could find sympathy, maybe even pity, if they looked close enough.
Koenma for all the crap he'd given him, was someone that looked out for others first, plain and simple. His infant-like appearance was a result of this, as he'd pooled energy into his pacifier for the when the next Dark Age struck humanity in the next centuries to come. For the jabs, and jokes Yusuke had taken against him, to see him like this... He didn't like it. That was all there was to it. Yusuke didn't like seeing him like this.
"I met one." Yusuke said rapidly glancing off to the side just as quickly, Koenma blinking twice trying to register what he had said.
"What?" Koenma asked, once again blinking in bewilderment.
Yusuke took a quick glance, meeting Koenmas eyes before averting his gaze.
He'd been meaning to tell him about Shuten sure, he just didn't know how to break it to him that another S-Class demon was stalking around, one that had nearly taken him out without much resistance on his part. With the current situation it felt like something he might have wanted to ease into, rather than laying out for him. Spirit World looked like they had other ideas in mind it seems.
Yusuke sighed, turning back to Koenma. He just hope he was paying attention.
"Okay, look, about a day after we closed up the demon portal and saved the world, a demon started to stalk me. Didn't think much about it at the time, she just showed up following me. and when I turned to face her, she talked a bit to me then took off. Then a few days after that, she followed me all the way to my house. talked a little bit more before she took off again. Then about a night ago, she met me again, and she and I had a drink together."
To his credit, and to Yusukes surprise, Koenma hadn't reacted like he had expected. A coolness befitting his current look. So he decided to continue.
"Yeah, and she almost killed me too." what had happened before wouldn't happen again. She wouldn't get the best of him next time, and he sure as hell wouldn't need that bastard Raizens help in getting out of trouble "Before you ask, she got away. Don't know where, but I agreed to have another drink with her, so she'll probably just track me down again."
"And the other one?"
Yusuke shrugged. On that front he was just as clueless as both Koenma and Spirit World.
"Dunno, she was by herself, and didn't mention anything about being with anyone. But I'm just assuming, maybe she does have someone else with her. Seemed to me like she was more concerned with... crap, I don't know what to call it, eating me or make out with me? Both? The whole thing was really bizarre. I'll make sure to ask next time I see her if shes got a pal with her. Who knows, maybe this time I'll have two pint-sized monsters trying to take a bite outta me."
"And your certain it's one of them? Not just another demon."
"She was S-Class for sure, if that's what your asking me. But if you want to know if it's on of the two demons that Spirit World Is freaking out over, I can't say for sure
Koenma gently cupped his chin into his hand deeply thinking the information Yusuke had told him, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. He decided that his look fit Koenma much more than that of a scared one.
Whether or not Shuten was their mysterious demon was still to be determined, but it was at least something to begin going off of. There was still the matter of finding the other demon, and then finding out how they made it past the barrier at all, but Yusuke was certainthe answer would rear its head soon enough.
"Hey, don't forget about your ice-cream. I know you're busy crappin' yourself, but now that you're cut off from Spirit World, can't be letting your allowance go to waste like that." Koenma smiled, grasping his spoon once again, taking the slightly running, but still frozen, treat into his mouth.
"Thanks Yusuke." just as he said that, the waitress arrived bringing what he'd asked for. It wasn't much, just a small bowl with three different kinds of ice cream, layered with a thin coat of chocolate, sprinkled with bits of waffers that even now began the delicate process of striking that perfect balance between crunchiness and sogginess. Beside it were various kinds of toppings, including regular sprinkles, fruits like cherries, and even caramel if he wanted.
Now Yusuke would never say that he had anything remotely like a sweet tooth, but he was just a teenager, and what teenager wouldn't like a treat like this, especially after school.
"Don't worry about paying for it." just as Yusuke went to pick up his spoon he quickly looked up, and smiled at Koenma "What was that old proverb "If you always give, you will always have", yes I think thats the one."
"Hey, schools out for the day, don't be trying to teach me things." Koenma laughed at that, and Yusuke did too.
"I wouldn't dream of it Yusuke." with that, Yusuke took a large spoonful, gleefully shoveling it into his mouth. A sweet-coldness spread over his tongue, the various flavors of the ice-cream melting quickly, just before the sweet-bitterness of the chocolate hit. Next came the waffers, slight crunches coming from his mouth as they like wise joined the other parts of his snack. This was what he had needed, something brief to pull him away from all the demons, demon ancestry, school, and the rest of the troubles he faced. If only for a little bit.
Koenma likewise too another spoonful, savoring its taste, though not quite as intensely as Yusuke had done.
"By the way Yusuke, this demon, the one you met." Koenma paused as Yusuke just finished another spoon, looking at him with almost comically inflated cheeks "You said you had talked to her, did you by chance managed to get her name? It might help to know that Spirit World does keep records on those above A-class. Admittedly, given the lack of control over the greater demon plane, this isn't much, but more than a few individuals have found themselves in said records. Maybe your mysterious date might be in one of them?"
"Mhe nah mah dhade." Yusuke said, voice muffled by the ice-cream in his mouth.
"Its rude to talk with you mouth full."
"Mhreh guh." taking a hard swallow, Yusuke grasped the side of his head in visible pain, shutting his eyes, and groaning in irritation, followed by pain "Dammit! Brain freeze! NNNRRRAAAHHH-!"
Koenma responded by taking another spoonful calmly, taking in no way shape or form any kind of amusement at his spirit detectives current predicament.
"Damn it man, you gotta kidding me with this crap. I can take dozens of hits that would dust mountains, but a measly spoonful of ice-cream lays me out like that?" Yusuke whinned, looking at the content Koenma, no doubt still wanting an answer to his question "Oh right, yeah, her name was Shuten-dōji."
Koenma's spoon fell to the table with a sudden clank.
The color faded from Koenmas face, literally as if someone had drained his skins normal tone, and replaced with with a sickly white one.
He began to mutter something repeatedly, in a language and dialect that Yusuke had no knowledge of. Worse, the muttering came out as a dry gasps, like something was pressing down on his wind pipe, yet he was still forcing out what little bits of air that he could get out. Had he chocked on something? Couldn't have been, Koenmas food didn't have anything he could have choked on in the first place.
"Uh, Koenma?" Yusuke asked with a raised eyebrow. Koenmas white suddenly began to turn a sick blue, Yusuke got up from his seat in shock, dropping his spoon "W-wow, hey!"
He knocked over his seat, as he rush around to Koenma frantically. People around him began to mutter, and the workers present whispered among themselves as to what was happening.
"H-hey breathe, you dumb-ass!" shouted Yusuke as he grabbed onto his shirt and began shaking him back and forth rapidly "C'mon pacifier breath, you don't want me to have to give you the kiss of life, right?! Dammit, I don't want to have to give you the breath of life!"
Behind him, he could hear one of the workers finally do something, as they reached over to a nearby phone and dialed some numbers, more likely than not, emergency services.
'Dammit this is bad!' he was panicking, if Koenma died here, who knows what people would think 'Who am I kidding, with my reputation, everyone's just gonna assume I poisoned him or something'
Pulled from his thoughts, Koenmas hands latched onto his suit, gripping them tightly and forcing Yusukes faces closer to his.
And as the surrounding people began to exclaim "Oh my!" Yusuke had to force himself not to drop him, reminding himself that he was his friend, and was choking.
More weak noises came out from his mouth. He began to feel ill, Koenma had never sounded so weak. What could be causing this?
"yu... suke..."
He understood, and leaned his ear closer to his mouth, to try and catch whatever it was that ailed him like this. He could practically hear his heart beat against his ears with thunderous power.
"C'mon Koenma, spit it out already what the hell is causing this?" Yusuke begged behind gritted teeth, hoping beyond hope that he would respond or at least continue.
Suddenly the life, and color returned to his skin. His mouth opened wide, sucking in enough air for two people. A massive vein popped from beneath his headband. And his grip on Yusukes suit became such that in that brief moment in time, Yusuke could not imagine there being anything in this world, heck, this universe, that could produce as much force as his hands were doing in that instance.
Koenma, child of King Yama, finally spoke.
"YOU! IDIOT!"
With a loud ringing that drowned out the world, everything went white as Yusukes eyes rolled up into his skull.
*********** Next Day, Sarayashiki Junior High ***********
"... Urameshi." Quiet talks spread throughout the students as a tall, broad bodied, bespectacled man in a plain tanned suit read off from his attendance sheet. His square shape face turned into a cocky, borderline pleased smile.
"And he had been doing so well." a faked compliment anyone paying attention could see through "Students, it's not enough to just correct bad behaviors for a few days. A sense of discipline must be cultivated in order to truly break bad habits and delinquent behavior. Rest assured, his behavior will not drag the rest of you down!"
Among the students, a single collective thought spread across all of them in unison.
'Oh brother'
Just then door to the class swung open, as if on que, Yusuke stood there at the doors entrance. A small, and quiet talk spread amount his fellow classmates. Walking inside the class room, and giving Iwamoto a quick look, the murmuring from the class ceased, the tension being built just by his presence making it difficult for them to focus on any of their school work.
With school bag slung over his shoulder, Yusuke walked past the now flabbergasted teacher as he went towards his seat calmly. All the while, his classmates avoided his light of sight, as best they could, turning away or digging their heads in their school work. Yusuke was seldom someone who came to class either willingly or without making some sort of fuss. So these last few days had been something of an odd experience for all of them.
"I'm here, sorry for cutting your speech short. I'm sure it was shaping up to be something good." Said Yusuke earnestly, before he took his seat, placing his school bag beside him. With out wasting a moment, he began resting his head on his hand lazily.
"Late is still late, Mr. Urameshi." began Iwamoto, sneering as Yusuke looked out the nearest window wistfully "And what's that? You went an damaged your ear? I'd sincerely hope you aren't getting into trouble of any kind. You've made wonderful progress as of late, but some habits die hard as they say."
True to his word, Yusukes right ear had been covered underneath a patch work of bandage and medical tape.
"You should know better then accusin' your students about things, Mr. Iwamoto." Yusuke retorted, never once turning away from his gaze at the outside "But if you wanna start gossiping, I got this after I poked out my ear with my pencil. I was really cramming you see, but I got super tired, and I fell asleep right on my pencil. Next thing I know I wake up and I got my pencil sticking outta my ear. There, that good enough of an explanation for you?"
Some of the class began to laugh at his story, Iwamoto however, grounded his teeth out of embarrassment. Yusuke paid no attention to him at all.
"Why you lit-!"
A hand shot up, one belonging to a young girl with dark brown hair, and equally brown eyes. Yusukes childhood sweetheart, Keiko Yukimura.
"Mr. Iwamoto." called out Keiko, lowering her hand as she got Iwamotos attention "Weren't we gonna discuss the social-economical effects of agriculture on society as a whole?" being the class representative, Keiko often tried to diffuse, or outright prevent, conflicts from forming. Usually, and sadly, these were trying to make sure Yusuke came to class so as to keep him from starting fight with thugs out of school grounds, and that he didn't start fights with either the students or the teachers.
Despite her politeness, eyes came down on Iwamoto, who quickly stammered, coughing as he attempted to recompose himself. His dislike of Yusuke was something that was well known across the school. In truth, Iwamoto hated all kinds of hoodlums or delinquents, seeing them as stains in the image of the school, something to be cleaned or removed. However to him, Yusuke was the source of it all, the cause of the symptoms so to speak.
This however has so far proven to be his downfall given both Principal Takenakas overall investment in his students futures, especially those like Yusuke, and Yusukes own efforts at dodging, and misdirecting, his efforts to get him expelled.
"Ah-hem, yes, thank you Miss Yukimura." he shot one final hardened glare at the inattentive Yusuke "I'll have a word with you later Mr. Urameshi." Yusuke merely stuck his tongue out in defiance, and with that he class had started, beginning with his lecture on the days material. Silently Yusuke shot her a thanks, though instead of accepting it, Keiko had returned to her school work. He didn't take offense to that of course, Keiko had always been laser focused on her school work.
He couldn't say the same for himself though. Learning about how farmers and their farms lead to society becoming more advanced wasn't anything that really got his blood flowing at all. In-fact, just staring outside proved to be more of an entertainment. He could feel a rather loud yawn coming through, and was tempted to let out a really loud, exaggerated yawn, just to interrupt Iwamotos lecture.
It was sure to get a laugh or two.
A small prod to his shoulder, however, stopped that brilliant plan.
"Yo Urameshi." spoke a teen much taller than even Iwamoto "Whats the real deal with the patch work?"
"C'mon Kuwabara, I'm trying to focus here." whispered Yusuke, feigning interest.
Kuwabara only sneered, obviously unconvinced.
"Yeah like I'm gonna believe that for a second!" shot Kuwabara back, with just as whispered a tone as Yusuke "C'mon man, spill it, who managed to bust your ear up like that?"
"... I don't wanna talk about it." replied Yusuke, with more than a bit of irritation "Besides, whats done is done, no point in sweatin' over it." Not like he can go back in time and punish the one who did it anyways. If there was such a way though, he might be inclined to give it a shot. Really though he just wanted to Kuwabara to drop it already, thinking about it was giving as bad a headache as what actually caused the injury.
Kuwabara once again was unconvinced, and undeterred, glaring at him.
"Hey, if something managed to hurt you then you have to talk about it." said Kuwabara, darting his eyes quickly to make sure Iwamoto wasn't paying attention to them "I still remembered how you cleaned Sensui's clock, not one just anyone can hurt you. If someone did, it must really be big." Yusuke hesitated biting his lip, Kuwabara was fully aware that was not himself that had taken out Sensui.
"... You know, a couple of days ago, my senses went through the roof. I swear, it was like I was in the middle of an earthquake the way I was feelin'. Maybe whatever caused that, caused this?"
Yusukes eye twitched, so it wasn't just Spirit World that had taken note, Kuwabara had too. Though he shouldn't be too surprised, this was the same guy who's precognition prepared him months in advanced by stockpiling energy for a battle he didn't even know was coming. Even before he became involved in the supernatural, Kuwabara was attuned to it in ways he wasn't.
"... I swear, I poked my ear out with a pencil, honest truth here." he tried sounding sincere, either hoping that Kuwabara would buy it, or take the hint, and ask him again later. Kuwabara, though obvious unsatisfied, seem to accept this, at least for now. He was sure later on Kuwabara would ambush him about the truth, but that was something he would deal with later on down the road.
He turned away, going back to his notes, and listening to Iwamoto.
Yusuke let out a soft sigh. So far, this week had been shaping up rather poorly. He wondered if he had run amuck of an old hag or something to attract one bad thing after another thus.
Thinking about it, the café meeting could have ended better.
*********** Yesterday, Yusukes home ***********
He let out a sharp hiss, jerking his head back from Atsuko, his young mother. Who had raised and taken care of him ever since she had him at the young age of fourteen. And much like any responsible mother would with their young, she was currently, and careful, treating the injuries of her only child.
"Hey any rougher, and I'll really have to go the hospital!" Yusuke whined, his mother merely taking her cigarette' from her mouth coolly. Blowing a large cloud directly into Yusukes face.
"Fine, but you're paying the bill alright? And just so you know, we don't have health insurance. So it'll really cost you." Yusuke merely looked away, pouting like an angry child "What? Don't have the scratch for it? Well alright, sit down, and let me finish." With less willingness than one injured might have shown, he remained still as his mother ashed her cigarette in a nearby tray.
Just his luck, now everyone at school would think he got into a fight or something. They'll probably think he lost or that he didn't give as good as he got. About the last time he was hurt this badly that everyone in school could note and tell was when he had died.
Then there was Keiko and Kuwabara. No doubt the former would be crossed with the idea of him starting fights when he should be studying, while the latter would question him almost endlessly about who it was that actually hurt. It wasn't something he was looking forward to. Honestly, kinda made him want to skip school altogether.
He sucked in air through his teeth as mom finished tying up the bandage. Of course he have to change the bandage later, at least to something that didn't look like he was a walking mummy. But that was for later, in the mean time however...
"Again madam, I'm terribly sorry for an inconvenience I might have caused you."
"And again with the madam crap. I don't mind you yelling at my kid, but I could do without the extra formalities"
Yeah. Him.
After nearly costing him his right ear, Koenma had been nice enough to get him home, but insisted on waiting until Yusuke was up and walking before he would leave him.
On the surface, this was an act kindness, and slight penance.
But as he watched Koenma sit there patiently, eyes calm and as still as the night, Yusuke knew better.
"Anyways Yusuke, my stories are about to start on. If you start bleeding again, call me. During commercial break of course." without saying anything else, his mother left him, laying down right in-front of the TV in the living room.
He gave his mom a thanks, though it came out much less heart than he even he thought he should have. Thankfully though, years of having to raise him had left her almost entirely in the know when it came to her sons behaviors.
So now it was just him and Koenma. And the pregnant silence, and tension that permeated between them of course.
Yusuke looked crossed of course, while Koenma remained impassive.
Neither saw themselves as being in the wrong. Yusuke for his part couldn't pinpoint when and why Koenma had sought to nearly destroy one of his ears. Far as he could tell, the entire thing had gone well between the two.
If it had been anyone else, Yusuke would have certainly shoved his foot up their asses. With a close friend, he felt as though he would give him a chance to explain what had compelled him to do that.
And then he would shove his foot up his royal ass.
"If you expecting an apology, don't. Erase the idea from your mind right now." like a finely crafted weapon of the highest caliber, Koenma words sunder the silence.
Yusuke scoffed, unimpressed.
" 'Course I'm not expecting an apology. If you gave me one, I'd flatten you for sure." a small lie. Yusuke did expect an apology of some kind, just not in overly obvious way. Something like him snagging him tickets for the next Tokyo dome event.
He brought his hand down rough on his wrist, leaning forward on his chair.
"What I want to know is why the hell you did that!" he spat, his face turning into a snarl. Koenma remained unaffected, and ever the cool head.
"Yusuke keep it down." his mom called out to him, quickly he snapped a glaring look at her.
"Stay outta this mom!"
"My apartment, my rules. You got a problem you know where the door is."
His moms uncaring words, and even more uncaring attitude had him sneering. Maybe if she'd been the one with a busted ear, she'd be weighing in more on his side!
"Your mothers right Yusuke." Yusuke turned back to him, eyes practically ablaze "And at the very least, concentrate you anger towards me. Honestly. Your lack of focus is sometimes very irritating."
Like a haughty little kid that thought themselves the smartest person in the room, his voice dripped with condescension.
Yusuke opened his mouth to reply, quickly sucking in air in order to shout loudly back at him. If Koenma had such an issue with his lack of focus, well then he'd show him just how much he could focus by sending everything at him all at once!
"So then..." Koenma voice abandoned its prior tone, switch it out for a tone that would put ice to shame with its frigidness, and splinter stone with how clear it was "Shuten-dōji. Tell me about him."
Somehow, and in strange way that Yusuke could not explain, the very utterance of her name eased the anger, and outrage he had felt. Much like his fateful night with her, it was as if it was being lifted and directed elsewhere.
"First of all, he is a girl. Thought I told you this. No way a guy can get curves like hers." Koenmas eyes twitched every slightly as he said this. Nothing like how one might do it if they were upset or angry, but rather as if something they had suspected had come true but in the worst way possible. If Yusuke had to put a word to it, he would have thought Koenma looked somewhat grave or under threat of some great force.
He continued.
"And I already told you everything else that happened. She showed up offered me a drink, so we drank, I got a little buzzed, and then she tried to take advantage of that to do who knows what to me. 'Course when everything was said and done, I basically offered to do it over again." and it didn't sound like it made any more sense now then it did back at the cafe, or when he accepted her offer.
"Wow, and after Keiko went to the Dark Tournament, risking health and life just to support you, you repay her by going after the first demon tail that goes your way? Gotta say, never figured you for the kind to go after more than one girl, but I guess that's all the rage nowadays. Just make sure Keiko doesn't spot you, okay? Doesn't matter how strong you've gotten, an angry, scorned woman is the most dangerous thing. Don't believe me? Just ask your father." his mothers 'advice' had a large vein popping on his forehead, and he wanted to retort, but instead Koenma pressed on.
"And you're certain? Certain that its him, ah... her, Yusuke?" like a child trying desperately to make a reality not what it was, it looked as though Koenma wanted him to deny her identity.
"All I know is that she told me who she was, and her name end up being Shuten-dōji. Anything else I don't know." Koenma bit his lip, Yusuke raised an eyebrow at this.
"Idiot."
Yusukes ear twitched as the small utter nearly went unheard.
"What was that?" he asked rhetorically.
"I said you're an idiot." Koenma said in a completely cold, and matter-of-fact tone.
"Again with that." Yusuke said, his own tone the direct opposite, fiery and brimming to burst "How about you drop this all on me, right all at once? Why the hell does she scare you?"
Koenma stammered, looking down at his hands. His thumbs climb over themselves in quick succession, fumbling nervous as he strained to explain it to Yusuke.
Still, despite his nervousness, Koenma moved forward.
"Beyond being S-Class, Yusuke?" he asked, a question that might have been seen as humorous or smart in any other context, but here, only made it seem like it was only the tip of the iceberg "Yusuke, Shuten-dōji was... or rather is as the case might be, one of the most ferocious, terrible, and horrible demons Spirit World, and the world at large, has ever had the misfortune of encountering or dealing with."
He didn't say anything, instead he chose to listen carefully. If he was going to meet her again, and odds are that he was, he wanted to go in with a full hand compared to an empty one.
"She terrorized Japan during the Heian period. From the lords of Japan, to the simple farmers, nothing withstood her and her band demons. They rolled over anything and anyone that dared come in their way, like a flood pushing and crushing everything underneath its wake. They took what they wanted, when they wanted it with unmatched gluttony. Finally, my father had, had enough." Koenma spoke dramatically "He took the strongest spirit world had to offer, an army of five-hundred A-class warriors, and marched on her domain in Mount Ōeyama. They had one goal in mind; to rid the world of Shuten and those that served under her once and for all. Only when the time came for the battle..."
"They got got creamed, didn't they?"
"They were eviscerated Yusuke." his tone was dire, and it spoke of a truly gruesome scene "Worse, they never even reached her clan, Shuten had come down by herself and single-handily tore apart the entire army by herself. Never once using anything more than her bare hands to rend flesh from bone." he could imagine it. A drunken smile as she moved across a field of men, tearing into who or whatever she could grab onto. They would scream, angry and afraid, but none of these would register with her. She wouldn't stop, not until they had all been crushed.
"To these warriors, its was a battle for survival against a foe that would not relent. To her however, it might have simply been playing with ants using a magnifying glass. My father could only watch in horror as she took the bones from each corpses, and ground up their remains into her gourd, to feast on later. To serve as a cautionary warning, my father saw fit to record the entire event to memory, in the hopes that he himself would never forget the dangers posed by Shuten and others of her Class. Most important of all, it was also herein where the Class of S-rank was developed and classified."
Yusuke felt sick, not because of the details of what Shuten had done, rather the strange copper taste he'd remembered feeling, when she'd offered him her sake and he had drunk it.. Could it have bee-
"So what happened to her? From what it sounds like, she was invincible." No, he wouldn't consider it, something that awful, that disgusting, and she would have tricked him into doing it. It made him want to burn with rage and disgust.
If Koenma had noticed his disgust, he didn't say.
"As I said before Yusuke, nothing is invincible. Eventually, she and her group ran afoul of the imperial capital at the time, taking daughters and other youths belonging to noble families until finally a response was given. The Emperor sent out six men, and only six men, in order to deal with Shuten once and for all. And where Spirit World had tried and failed in taking her head on in open battle, they however employed deceit and trickery, using a special sake to pacify her and the others in her group."
"And then what?" Yusuke felt dumb for asking, but he knew the outcome.
"Minamoto no Raikō, leader of the group of men, struck her in her sleep, cutting her head off in a single swing. While this happened, his men killed the other demons, and the threat of the drunken demon had come to an end."
Yusuke looked shocked, Shuten had died? The thought seemed like a clear contradiction when he recalled his meeting with her the other night. She wasn't a ghost, or a specter, the fact he could feel her and her warmth let him know she was as alive as he or anyone else.
"I am truly surprised you don't know about her Yusuke, truly I am, and I mean complete insult in that regard. Given her overall prominence in the culture of Japan, such a thing is truly shocking to me." he ignored him, choosing instead to focus on the important detail.
"So then how is she alive?"
"I don't know Yusuke. Spirit World holds records of the most notorious demons that had ever been record, and hers, or rather his, file is there. Sentenced to the same punishment Toguro had chosen for himself."
So a demon, the one who had defined the class Spirit World was afraid of, had somehow returned to life, pulling themselves from a torment that was to have lasted ten thousand years, and was now wandering across the city, completely free to do whatever she so damn well pleased. And that was without mentioning the fact that Koenma had mentioned another S-class demon had also appeared alongside her.
"Damn it." Yusuke groaned, running his hands through his hair in frustration. Bad enough Shuten had made a punk out of him, now he understood exactly what he was up against, and had to deal with the prospect that another unknown demon was also stalking around, either in service to Shuten or a free agent looking out for their interests. Now he was being reminded that Spirit World was also after him, and if Koenmas story was anything to go by, they wouldn't fight fair at all, like he'd said back at the cafe.
This whole situation was shaping up to be another colossal pain in the ass.
"Yusuke." Koenma said, pulling him from his thoughts "I have to ask you an important question, and please listen, and listen well, alright?"
Leaning forward, Koenmas hands were pressed tightly together, acting in support of one another as they shook. A small bead of sweat flowed down from the side of his forehead. Finally, he saw Koenma swallow heavily as if to brace himself for what answer Yusuke would give him.
"Yeah? What is it?" he said, trying his best to sound absolute and sure of himself, if only for Koenmas sake.
Once more, Koenma spoke.
*********** Sarayashiki Junior High ***********
"... Which is how we arrive to metallurgy and its roll in changing the landscape of agriculture through the advancing of... advancing of... of... of... ah... ah... ah...ngh-!" Iwamoto froze in-between his lecture, his whole body beginning to shake and quiver with anxiety, fear, and anxiousness. It wasn't fear akin to failure or fear of shame. No it was something much more primal, as if a wild, and hungry animal had gotten him in its sights, waiting for him to move, to make the slightest of actions so that it could lunge for his throat.
However it wasn't just him, his entire class had fallen underneath the same spell. All frozen in place by a sense of fear they could not explain or understand. Each under the same threat of death as the other.
Save two students.
"Damn it, I should have guessed." said Yusuke in an annoyed, but knowing tone. He stood up from his chair, stretching himself briefly before looking over at Keiko. Just like the others, she was frozen in fear as well, her eyes shut, and hand clenched tightly against her chest. The sight angered Yusuke, and unlike before, he felt that anger stay put. Glancing to the other-side, Kuwabara sat there, his teeth grinding against themselves, and nails digging into his seat as his grip on it tightened.
Everyone around the lack any kind of spiritual awareness, and what was happening now was definitely related to the supernatural. They were lost, and confused amidst the fear that was being pumped into them.
"H-hey wait up Urameshi!" shouted Kuwabara as he stood up from his chair, shooting upward like a road as he shattered whatever was holding the other students with ease. A testament to his strength, for thanks to his spiritual awareness, whatever it was they were feeling, Kuwabara was assured feeling a hundred times over.
Both took off from the class room into the hallway.
"Alright so tell me you're not feeling that!" shouted Kuwabara, looking into other class rooms as they passed them, finding the teachers and students to be under ths same effect as their own classmates "Them too? Damn, the whole school must be getting hit by it... Hold on, were are we going!?"
"Where else? The roof of course, that's where this is coming from." there was no mistaking it, it was her, it was too potent to not be hers "We're up there to fix this."
"Yeah, but the last time I felt something like this was when I was taking a trip to the demon world just to throw down with Sensui!"
"And I beat him, so whats the deal?"
"That's not the point! If we throw down right here and now, there's gonna be nothing left of the school!" It was only a stair case up, and the sensation was getting stronger and more potent. A stench filled of dried, rotten blood, and blackened meat filled the air. It made the air thick, and any normal human would have found themselves being slowly suffocated to death by it. Not before they had to shut their eyes thanks to the sheer acidity found in the air.
"This-! It reeks just like the demon world-!" said Kuwabara plugging his nose, as he and Yusuke climbed up the stairs, ascending to the door that lead to the schools rooftop.
"Say Kuwabara." Yusuke turned looking down at Kuwabara who had his nose plugged, and eyes full of water "Koenma gave me this bandage. Shouted my ear right to death. You wanna know why?"
"Nows not the time for your funny mystery's Urameshi, open that door and lets kick whosoever ass is causing this!" he shouted, Yusuke could only smile, turning the doors handle, pushing against it as the wind on the roof tried to keep it shut. The air had reached its peak, the force that was pushing down on the school, and its students had concentrated itself onto the wind coming in through the door. It spoke of blood, death, carnage, animal-like brutality, and combat.
Yet despite its odor, it made his blood begin to pump faster than before. He could practically hear his heart through his chest. No, not his human heart, which no longer served its function. Instead, this smell spoke directly to his demon core, pulsing as he remained in its presence, pushing Yusuke to hurry and engage in whoever this was in battle.
With a powerful swing, both boys rushed onto the roof, looking across its surface to find the source.
"Alright! Come get some!" shouted Kuwabara, a beam of greenish-yellow light shooting forth from his hand, condensing itself until it resembled a sword. He grasped both ends, and assumed a powerful pose. Meanwhile Yusuke remained calmed, looking around the the vacant area before them. She was here, around them, somewhere just out of sight. He couldn't find where however, despite the rooftop being clear, there was nobody here besides him and Kuwabara, and the thickness of the force around them made it difficult to discern where exactly it was coming from.
Then, without warning, it vanished.
The pungent smell of blood was replaced by the clear smell of a cold, but sunny day. In place of the feeling of carnage, an the days calmness and stillness had taken over.
Both stood there looking around confused, and unsure of what exactly had happened.
Something powerful had been bearing down on them, something vicious, and overwhelming. Yet without warning it had vanished.
"The hell." Yusuke said "Kuwabara, you getting anything?"
His sword vanished, and he shook his head.
"None, whatever the heck that was, it completely dropped off the radar. I don't like it." Yusuke shared his feeling, something that strong couldn't have just vanished like that without some kind of trace. And yet, it had done exactly that. He looked out from rooftop. One thing however was sure. Perhaps it had been his imagination, or maybe he was still in denial of just how vicious a monster he had let slip past him with Shuten, but he was certain of something.
Who or whatever that was, was not Shuten-Dōji.
"Yusuke, can you defeat her?"
He grasped onto the metal fence, warping it with sheer strength.
"I'll have to get back to you on that one." he said under his breath, turning and walking towards the door that led back into the school "C'mon Kuwabara, lets head back to class. We'll talk after school alright?"
Kuwabara didn't say anything, merely nodding as he followed his friend back into school, unsure of what to make of what had just happened. But certain of one thing.
This was not the end. Only a start.