Chapter 2 Journey to Earthland

(I do not own YYH or Fairy Tail)

It was late when Yusuke returned to Kuroko's house. As he stood there in the guest room, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. For the past few years, it was almost starting to feel like home to him. All the little things, from doing the dishes with Shogo to training with Kuroko and the brats, made him a bit wistful knowing that such things would no longer be part of his routine. As he began to pack his clothes, he reminisced about how the rest of his meeting with Koenma went down.

Flashback

"I know that dropping the life you've made for yourself here is a lot to ask of you, but the choice is yours", Koenma said in a reassuring yet firm tone, "I can give you some time think it over, but I'll understand if-".

"I'll do it", Yusuke interuppted.

Koenma's eyes widened at the response, completely caught offguard by Yusuke's quick reaction. Even Botan was surprised, thinking that the young half demon would have wanted more time to consider.

"Really? Uhh...are you sure"? Koenma asked in a surprised tone.

"Think about it Yusuke, you won't just be leaving your old life behind, but your whole world as well", Botan added, "You'll be a complete stranger, a fish out of water. And what about your own mother"?

"It's not as if I live with her anymore", Yusuke said shrugging his shoulders, "Besides, if she's like any parent, she'd want me to go out and live my own life at some point. It's not like I have that much going on for me on Earth, anyway. I already finished school, there's no more demons causing trouble, and the Ramen stand doesn't get that many regulars. If there was ever a time for me to hit the road and make a fresh start, it would be now".

Botan and Koenma couldn't help but agree with what he said. It was a rare event whenever Yusuke said anything that made sense. Nonetheless, they couldn't help but smile.

"I should have known that'd be your answer", Koenma said shaking his head.

"That's our Yusuke", Botan noted with a smirk, "Can't sit still even if you paid him".

"Whatever", Yusuke huffed, rolling his eyes, "Is there anything else I should know"?

End of Flashback

As Yusuke finished packing his bag, he looked around at the room one last time. He also looked over himself in the mirror. He hadn't planned to dress up, but he still figured he'd put on a clean shirt. Over that, he wore a brown leather jacket, clean blue jeans, and his white sneakers. His hair was slicked back, as usual, and there was the slightest noticeable stubble appearing in the form of a barely visible 5 o'clock shadow. After confirming that he looked presentable, he picked up his bag and opened the door to his a rather heavy heart, he sighed before exiting the room and closing the door. Upon reaching the front door, he stopped after immediately detecting the presence of someone else in the room.

"You can come out now, I know you're there", he said.

A figure stepped out of the shadows, who was revealed to be Kuroko. As Yusuke turned to see her, he saw that she was smiling.

"Seems you weren't half assing during our training sessions after all", Kuroko said jokingly.

"Very funny", Yusuke said with a smirk.

"Were you really going to leave without saying goodbye"? Kuroko said, slightly offended by Yusuke's departure.

"I figured it'd be easier this way", Yusuke replied with a shrug, "Besides, I didn't think you'd want me here taking up space any longer than I'd have to".

"Don't be like that", Kuroko chided gently, "Remember, I invited you to live here. If you ever thought you were ever a burden, you're wrong".

Never having been one for sentiments, Yusuke scoffed and rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"I'm glad, but not because you're leaving", Kuroko said, "But because you're finally beginning to stand on your feet again. I know it's been hard since Keiko and Genkai died, but...".

"Just stop", Yusuke said, holding up a hand, "I get the point, you don't have to go into some dramatic long winded speech".

Kuroko frowned at him, unamused at the fact that he had just cut her off from finishing her thoughts on the matter.

"I'd be lying, though, if I said I...wasn't going to miss you guys", Yusuke muttered, looking off to the side.

Upon hearing this, the former Spirit Detective smiled. Even though Yusuke always came off as the stoic lone wolf, it was times like this that proved he did care about the people in his life in the end. Without saying a word, the older woman went over to Yusuke and suddenly embraced him in a hug. Though he was surprised, Yusuke soon returned the hug and smiled.

"Try not to die, alright"? Kuroko said.

"In our line of work, I don't know if I can make that promise", Yusuke joked.

They laughed as they released each other from the hug.

"You'll say goodbye to the others for me"? Yusuke asked, referring to her husband and the kids.

"Of course", Kuroko replied.

"Good", Yusuke said, "Didn't want to have to put up with all the mushy bullshit that comes with long goodbyes".

"Believe me, I know", Kuroko said with a knowing smile, "Hey so, is it just you? Or will your friends be joining you"?

Yusuke said nothing as he thought back to when he asked the same question.

Flashback

"So are the others wanting in on this too"? Yusuke asked Koenma.

"Unfortunately, for now, I think that it's best if you went solo on this", Koenma said, sitting back down in his chair.

"And why's that"? Yusuke asked.

"We would be playing our best hand prematurely if I were to send all four of you to Earthland", Koenma began, "When the time comes, I will send them to join you, but for now, you'll have to make do".

"Make do how exactly"? Yusuke asked, still not fully understanding.

"When you join the guild, you'll be working with other wizards who are as adept with their powers as you are with your spirit and demon energy", Koenma explained, "Before the others join you, you should take some time to get to know each of them and work with them. Who knows? There may be some people who you'll have better workplace chemistry with. Either way, once you start to get settled and know enough about the guild, its' members, as well as Earthland, I will send Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei to join you. Once they arrive, you'll be able to fill them in on their new environment. For now though, since there's no better way to put it, you'll be the trial run".

"Well don't I feel special"? Yusuke said sardonically, a bit offended by the offhanded label, "Either way, I guess going solo for a while won't be so bad. At least I won't have to put up with Kuwabara and Hiei's bullshit for a while, so I'm grateful for that".

"If I were in your position, so would I", Koenma commented knowingly.

End of Flashback

"I'll be dealing with this one solo", Yusuke replied.

"Well then, I wish you luck", Kuroko said with a nod, "You know, back when I was Spirit Detective, I pretty much handled all my cases solo. Sure, there was occasional assist from Koenma's men and there was an informant here or there, but aside from that, I was a lone wolf. I learned from watching enough cop shows to know what happens if you have a partner".

Yusuke nodded in understanding.

"Well, I'd better get out of here", Yusuke said motioning to the door.

"Yeah", Kuroko said in understanding, "I'll uhh...leave the door unlocked. If you ever decide to come back and catch up, maybe have a drink"?

"Sure", Yusuke said, opening the door, "And uhhh, thanks. For...y'know".

"No problem", Kuroko said with a smile, "Good luck".

"Thanks".

And with that, Yusuke walked out the door, not bothering to glance back as he left. He didn't know why but, he felt that if he did then he would not want to leave. As he left, Kuroko watched him as he continued down the path leading him out.

"It's hard to see him leave", Kuroko noted sadly, "But if he plans to one day rise above the sadness caused by the hole in heart, then this is what needs to be done".

Later that night, Yusuke found himself at a familiar setting; his old apartment. He pulled out a small white envelope. As he looked at it, he remembered something else that Koenma told him.

Flashback

"I'm afraid it will be a long time before you see your friends again", Koenma said, "So it'd be best if you didn't leave any loose ends".

"They'll be fine without me for a while", Yusuke said nonchalantly, "Only thing I'm worried about is how my mom will react. It's bad enough I'm leaving, but could you imagine the look on her face if I told her I'm going off to live with wizards"?

Yusuke chuckled at his own joke. In truth, though, he knew this would be tough, especially for his mother. But he knew she'd probably understand.

End of flashback

Yusuke sighed as he slid the envelope into the mailbox next to the door. As he left, he couldn't help but wonder when we would see her again. Even though she wasn't the ideal mother growing up, Yusuke had noted the change in her behavior after he was brought back from the dead (the first time). Even so, from the few conversations they had up to this point, he knew his mother would want him to live his life however he wanted.

As he left the apartment, he smiled in the knowledge that things would be okay after he was gone. Later that night, Yusuke met Botan at the city park.

"So this is the place where the gate is supposed to open"? Yusuke asked looking around.

"Yep, Koenma had planned for the portal to open in this specific part of the city", Botan replied, "It's a good thing that we're doing this at night when few people are around".

"Yeah, can't imagine how they'd react to two people walking into a portal to another world", Yusuke joked, "They'd probably think they were losing their marbles".

"Indeed", Botan said with a chuckle.

Suddenly, they both heard a loud, audible sound that began to grow. The sound resembled that of a heartbeat. As Yusuke listened carefully, it sounded more like a large set of wings flapping. Looking up in the sky, he smiled as he saw a large, birdlike creature beginning its' descent. There was no mistaking it; the creature in question was Puu, Yusuke's spirit beast. The large spirit beast let out a loud, happy cry as he landed in front of Yusuke and immediately started nudging at his face.

"Heheheheh, good to see you too buddy", Yusuke said, petting Puu's head, "Bet you've been lonely since Genkai's no longer able to take care of you".

"I thought you could use a travelling companion", Botan said, "Not that it would matter. I'm sure he'd want to go with you whether I objected or not".

"I appreciate it", Yusuke said as Puu pulled away, "Beats having to walk everywhere, and I don't suppose they'd have buses in Earthland".

"Not from what Koenma's told me, no", Botan said shaking her head, "Though they do have their own versions of automobiles and even railways, Puu would be a better suited mode of transport. Plus, think of the money you'll save on train tickets".

"Good point", Yusuke replied.

Suddenly, a large portal appeared in front of them. Without hesitation, Yusuke leapt onto Puu's back with Botan following suite by summoning her oar.

"Ready, Yusuke"? She asked.

"Do I really have a choice at this point"? Yusuke quipped.

Botan smirked impishly. If there was one thing that never seemed to change, it was Yusuke's sarcasm. Immediately after that, they all flew into the portal which disappeared in a flash of light. They soon found themselves in a dark, tunnel like area with large white rings that kept appearing as they flew. This was what was known as Pseudo-space, the neutral zone between worlds.

"This place seems more empty than the last time I flew through it", Yusuke observed.

"Nothing really changes in the Pseudo-space, it's all essentially a limbo where time stands still", Botan replied.

"Guess you still don't know when I'm joking or not", Yusuke commented jokingly.

"Stow the wisecracks for a minute, Yusuke", Botan scolded, "Are you really sure about this? You're going to a world that's unlike any other you've been to so far".

"You're asking me this NOW"? Yusuke asked in disbelief.

"It just seems like you're trying to run away from your problems", Botan worried, "I know I can't possibly imagine what it was like for you, but if you went back, you can try to make things better for yourself".

"Look, cut the soap opera crap already"! Yusuke exclaimed, "I'm not running away from anything! I mean Koenma said it himself; A land full of magic and wizards, it sounds like a pretty kickass adventure if you ask me! Besides, I'll be starting off with a clean slate. No one will know me. So if I said that I was the richest man in the world where I came from, they'd have no reason not to believe me! Hahahahaha"!

"You won't say that after they get to know you", Botan said with a thoughtful smirk.

"Whatever"! Yusuke huffed, crossing his arms, "Besides, thing's have gotten stale since I helped bring peace to the world. I'm tired of sitting around getting flabby when I should be out kicking ass and taking names! That's just how I am".

"No argument there", Botan said, smiling as she rolled her eyes, "What about the Makai Tournament"?

The Makai Tournament; a battle royale featuring all different kinds of apparitions and demons, all of whom hoped to win and become the next ruler of Demon World. After his ancestral father, Raizen, passed away, Yusuke created the tournament to help select a new ruler that would hopefully prevent anymore demon related disasters. Unfortunately, he was unable to defeat Yomi and move on to the next round, with Hiei and Kurama preceding him with losses of their own. In the end, Enki, Raizen's old friend, had won and created a law banning any criminal activity from the demons before promising that in 3 years he would step down and the tournament would be held to determine his successor.

In the years that followed, Enki kept his promise and stepped down and the Makai Tournament took place once again. However, Yusuke was the only one who did not return to participate, having lost his will to fight after Keiko passed away. That said, things still managed to work out; Enki's wife, Kokou, who was another old friend of Raizen's, had stepped up her game and managed to clinch the win. After becoming Demon World's new ruler, Kokou promised to maintain her husband's peace treaty between the humans and demons, thus ensuring the safety of Earth that came with it.

"What about it"? Yusuke asked, "Sure it sucks I didn't go back to participate in the tournament, but it all worked out. Besides, Kokou loves the job. She's made a great leader of Demon World so far, hasn't she"?

"I suppose you're right", Botan said with a shrug, "We still haven't had any monkey business involving Demon World. And she even stated she would be acting ruler until she decides to retire. Knowing her, I'm sure she won't be stepping down for a long time to come".

"Yeah. Hey umm...do me a favor, will ya"? Yusuke asked, "Make sure my mom doesn't end up pickling her liver or whatever".

Botan's eyes widened at the request. For as long as she's known him, Yusuke rarely, if ever, showed any type of concern for his mother. Even after she got her act together, Yusuke still remained somewhat bitter towards he. The grim reaper smiled as she realized that Yusuke was more complex than he let on.

"Of course", she said softly.

Yusuke smiled, grateful for Botan's assistance. They both then turned their attention to the front as a bright light at the end of the tunnel began to grow brighter and brighter.

"Earthland, dead ahead"! Botan observed.

"Alright, about time"! Yusuke said eagerly, "Alright Puu, kick it into high gear"!

"KRAAAAWWW"! Puu exclaimed as he began to pick up speed.

Earthland - East Forest of Magnolia

Deep in a forest outside of Magnolia in the Kingdom of Fiore, a bright light suddenly appeared before revealing a ethereal portal. Out of it flew Botan and Puu, with Yusuke atop the spirit beasts' back. The young Spirit Detective promptly hopped off Puu's back and took in his surroundings. The air felt different, as if there was something else emanating within the natural elements.

"So this is Earthland, huh"? Yusuke said to himself, "Well I didn't really know what to suspect coming here so I guess I don't have much room to make any judgements".

"Remember, there's more to this world than anywhere back on Earth", Botan reminded, "Not even Spirit World knows what truly makes this world tick. You're already expected at Fairy Tail, so you won't need to worry about introductions from the Guild Master".

"So what's this "Guild Master" going to have me do"? Yusuke inquired, "I know Koenma wants me to join and all, otherwise he wouldn't have recommended it. But what exactly are their plans for me"?

"Koenma and the Guild Master have already worked out a plan for you", Botan explained, "They're intended position for you will actually be something that will act as a trial run for a proposal that will hopefully be integrated into the other guilds in Fiore".

"I was never one for starting trends", Yusuke said bluntly, "But whatever".

"Don't forget, you're not to tell anyone of your...condition", Botan said subtley.

"What? You mean that I'm half demon and have the potential to destroy the world"? Yusuke asked jokingly.

"I'm serious, Yusuke", Botan said firmly, "Koenma said how imperative it was that you kept your secret. If the wrong person were to find out about this, you could be exiled, and that's only the best case scenario".

"Yeah, I get it, demons are bad no matter what world I'm in", Yusuke said, waving her off, "Don't worry, I don't plan on getting killed by some exorcism gone wrong or whatever".

"It's that complete disregard of danger of yours that makes me worry about you sometimes", Botan chided, shaking her head, "But it's not like there's any point in trying to change you so, what are you gonna do"?

Botan smiled as she looked over at the portal.

"Well, I'd better get back", Botan said, "Take care of yourself, Yusuke".

"You too", He replied, smirking as he watched her head towards the portal, "Don't forget to check in on my mom. And don't be a stranger either".

"I will", Botan said hopping onto her oar, "Bye for now".

With that, the pilot of the River Styx flew into the portal and with a flash of light, she was gone. Yusuke sighed, smiling sadly as he looked around. A whole new world of possibilities was at his feet. New places to go, new people to meet, and possibly down the road, new enemies to beat the crap out of. With all that in mind, he couldn't help but feel a little excited.

"Well, come on Puu", he said, turning to his faithful spirit beast, "Let's get a move on".

"Puu! Puu"! Puu said enthusiastically, sharing his master's eagerness.

With that, the young half demon Spirit Detective set off into the forest with his large bestial companion following close behind. Both were completely unsure of what awaited them here, and were also unaware of the surprise company that was headed their way.

(Coming up next: Yusuke's first encounter with Fairy Tail mages is LESS than ideal. Then again, who puts much effort into first impressions nowadays?)