YU YU KOMBAT!

"You have got to be kidding me," Kurama exclaims dropping his video game controller and placing his hands on his head. He's in total shock because he's engaged in a fighting game tournament with Yusuke and Kuwabara…and he came in dead last. "I was so close. I had one of the strongest characters," he wallows in shame.

"You may have had one of the strongest guys, but you seriously suck at the controls," Kuwabara informs (Kurama's loss puts Kuwabara in second place), "Better luck next time."

"Geez, I thought a bookworm like you would at least study the control moves for this game," says the first place winner, Yusuke.

"I do study the control moves, for your information," Kurama states.

"By the way you're playing, I doubt it," Yusuke replies before ingesting a handful of popcorn.

"Yeah, yeah. Why don't you stick to puzzles and other brainy games," Kuwabara suggests.

Frustrated, Kurama gets up and makes a declaration, "I propose another challenge. How about a two-on-two battle?"

Both Kuwabara and Yusuke give Kurama a "Really?" face. "You can't be serious," Yusuke goes on, "Kuwabara and I against you and who? Hiei?"

Kuwabara bursts into laughter, "Good one, Urameshi. Shrimp boy and video games? Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

Kurama crosses his arms, "Actually…yes. Hiei will my partner."

"Dude, you have a better shot at becoming a girl than Hiei playing video games," Yusuke answers.

"What is that supposed to mean," Kurama gives Yusuke a side eye.

"Duh, remember what happened at that train station. You know, when those two girls thought-" Kuwabara chimes in.

"-Don't remind me," Kurama quickly interrupts.

"Calm down, fox boy," Yusuke says, "I accept your challenge. What about you, Kuwabara?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm in," Kuwabara raises an eyebrow, "What are we playing for?"

Kurama looks up, "Hm. I'm sure bragging rights will be in order."

"I got it," Yusuke exclaims, "Losing team has to do whatever the winning team says. No matter how embarrassing it is." His inner mazoku smiles in anticipation.

"Anything," Kurama asks.

"Oh, yeah. Anything." Kuwabara raises an eyebrow again.

Kurama thinks about it, "…Fine. I'll go recruit Hiei. When I do, we'll start our challenge," he sticks out a fist, Yusuke and Kuwabara meet him. The challenge is made.

"Hiei playing video games, this will be hilarious," Yusuke says.


One week later, Yusuke and Kuwabara gather at the Kuwabara household eagerly awaiting their opponents. They sit in the living room watching a baseball game and eating snacks. "So, Kuwabara. Judging by what you know of the characters, who do you think Hiei would choose," Yusuke asks.

"Hmm. I don't know, Urameshi." Kuwabara replies, "He can pick anybody considering he's a walking mystery." Just then, the doorbell rings. Kuwabara gets up to answer it.

"Well, well, well. I never thought I'd see you at my doorstep," he says. At the door, is a confident Kurama and a brooding Hiei.

"Calm down, you fool," Hiei goes on, "I'm only here to keep my eye on Yukina while participating in this ridiculous challenge."

"Kuwabara, how's it going? Ready to play," Kurama charges inside, tugging Hiei along with him. Out of the four companions, Kurama seems to be the most eager.

After removing his shoes, Kurama meets Yusuke in the living room, "Yusuke."

Yusuke looks back, "Kurama. Hey, you brought three eyes! I should tell you, Hiei, this game may be up your alley."

"Kurama has already informed me about the death scenes. He said it might give me some ideas," Hiei takes a seat next to Kurama and takes a controller.

As Kuwabara returns to the room and takes his seat, he whispers to Yusuke, "They have no chance." Yusuke gives Kuwabara a pound in agreement.

"Now, Hiei. Do your best to remember the combos you learned," Kurama informs sounding like his mother.

"Talk to me like that again and I will slit your throat," Hiei threatens.

Kurama awkwardly laughs, "Sorry."

"Alright, here's the rules," Yusuke declares, "Best out of five matches. We can pick whoever we want, everything is on the table. Winning team gets bragging rights and a special prize from the losing team. Got it?" Everyone nods their heads.

Kuwabara activates the game and everyone else chooses their character. Yusuke and Kuwabara both choose ninja characters, Kurama chooses a boss character, and Hiei chooses a female assassin character. Each round is a best two-out-of-three match. The first round goes to Yusuke and Kuwabara with Kuwabara ending the fight with a fatality on Hiei.

"Yeah! Eat that, shrimp," he exclaims. Hiei smirks at Kuwabara. For the second round, only Kurama changes his character and chooses a wind master. Both he and Hiei lose the second round by timeout.

"That's two," Yusuke holds out two fingers towards his opponents, "Is your confidence slipping, fox boy?"

Kurama flips his hair back, regaining his composure, "There's more to come."

In the third round, everyone keeps their characters. At the conclusion, the score is 2-1 in favor of Yusuke and Kuwabara. "Impressive, Hiei," Kuwabara says, "You're starting to learn, huh?"

"Yes, and now that I'm familiar with this game, I will have my victory," Hiei claims.

In the fourth round, Yusuke changes his character by selecting a different female assassin. With a fatality from Kurama, both he and Hiei tie the game. "What?! I had you right where I wanted you! How did you stop me," Yusuke asks.

Kurama stands up for a quick stretch, "I know my moves, Yusuke."

During the final round, tensions run high. All four competitors do their best to keep their composure. Running out of energy, the tiebreaker falls on Hiei and Kuwabara: female assassin versus ninja. The fight is gruesome. Both players are giving it their all, executing their characters' move list with the utmost precision. The fight comes to a surprising end when Kuwabara misses a button to perform a signature combo on his opponent. Hiei takes advantage of the mishap and comes at his opponent with a hard left kick. Kuwabara's fate is sealed when Hiei performs a decapitation fatality on the ninja. The battle is over with the spirit fox and the Jaganashi as the victors.

"Noooooo! Kuwabara, you idiot," Yusuke exclaims.

"Hey, my finger slipped," Kuwabara exclaims in return.

Hiei laughs, "Looks like the fool and the detective were too cocky for their own good."

"Agreed. A sweet taste of victory, indeed," Kurama adds on.

"Okay, okay, you won. So what's gonna happen, now," Yusuke wonders.

"Well, I think Hiei can answer that question," Kurama implies. Hiei does have an idea, a very embarrassing idea.


Two days later, a group of young women arrive outside a maid café. The group is comprised of Botan, Keiko, Yukina, and Shizuru. They received an invitation to attend this café for a special event. "Um, does anyone know why we were invited to come here," Keiko questions.

"The invitation said that we're special guests for a performance," Botan answers.

"What kind of performance," Yukina interrogates.

"We'll just have to see," Shizuru responds. The women walk inside and take their seats at a reserved table in the middle of the dining hall.

The lights of the building dim as a giant spotlight is focused on the stage. Hiei exits from behind the curtain.

"Oh, look. It's Hiei," Keiko realizes.

"What's he doing here," Shizuru claims.

Hiei takes the mic, "Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on our special performance. I present to you: The Maid Detective Squad!" The giant red curtain rises, revealing three unusual performers. Once the music starts, the performers make themselves known.

Botan immediately laughs, "I can't believe this!"

Shizuru takes out her phone, "Oh, this is so going on social media."

"Um, girls. Are those three maids who I think they are," Yukina asks. The maids on stage are Yusuke (in a green maid's outfit), Kuwabara (in a blue maid's outfit), and Kurama (in a pink maid's outfit) all performing a caramelldasen based routine. The audience is in hysterics, including the girls. Hiei is eating it all up watching from backstage.

When the performance is done, the boys take a bow and run off the stage, highly embarrassed by what they just done. "Ooh, let me get my hands on that demon. I'll definitely win round three," Yusuke claims clenching his fists.

"You can do that, Urameshi so long as I get his eye," Kuwabara states popping his knuckles.

Kurama sighs, "Just be glad it's over, you two."

"What?! No way," Yusuke continues, "No way, I'm letting three eyes walk away like that. It's one thing for Kuwabara and me to do something like this, but he got you involved too. What gives?"

"If only you knew, Yusuke." Kurama assures.

"What's that supposed to mean," Kuwabara asks.

Hiei walks over to meet the boys, still laughing, "Oh, that was golden. I definitely have to ask Shizuru to send me the video."

"Wait a second, how do you know my sister has a phone," Kuwabara raises an eyebrow. As Hiei laughs, his form begins to change. His stance is taller, his skin tone darkens, and his masculine voice and physique is replaced with a feminine one.

It doesn't take long to figure out who the mastermind of this performance is, "Hello, boys!"

"Kiyoni," shouts Yusuke and Kuwabara.

"That's right. This whole charade was set up by none other than yours truly," Kiyoni takes a proud bow.

"Hey, what gives? Did you know about this, Kurama," Yusuke looks at the spirit fox.

Kurama hangs his head in shame, "Sadly, yes. I did."

"I'm…confused," Kuwabara states.

"Allow me to explain," Kiyoni chimes in, "You see? Kurama came to me asking for my help with your little challenge. However, he told me that he told you that he was going ask Hiei to join him, knowing damn well the real Hiei doesn't do video games. Since I heard that the special prize would go to the winning team, I joined dressed as Hiei on the condition that if we become the winners, only I would relish in that victory. And having you guys do what you just did was icing on the cake." She smiles with glee, "Good thing you guys gave us a week to prepare. That was just enough time to train Suu'chi in the art of fighting games."

"Let me get this straight. Kurama asked you to participate in our game dressed as Hiei just so that you can get the three of us to look like idiots out on that stage," Yusuke summarizes.

"I sure did," Kiyoni places her hands on her hips, "And you looked so cute doing it, too."

Yusuke smiles angrily at Kiyoni, "Hey, Ikeda? How fast can you run?"

Kiyoni looks up, "Uh, not sure. Why?"

"I'm gonna give you a five second start," Yusuke responds.

"Why do I need a head start," Kiyoni wonders.

"BECAUSE THAT'S HOW MUCH TIME I'M GONNA GIVE YOU UNTIL I START KICKING YOUR ASS FOR MAKING ME LOOK LIKE ONE," Yusuke exclaims.

"Oh…Bye," Kiyoni takes off, Yusuke follows along with Kurama and Kuwabara.

"Come here, you little witch," Yusuke shouts. The chase goes through the dining hall and out of the restaurant. The girls follow the chase.

As the gang runs down the street, Kiyoni cheerfully pleads, "Yusuke, please forgive me!"


This chapter is inspired by writing prompt #44: Hiei and Kurama must pair up together to beat Yusuke and Kuwabara at video games. Bonus: Winners get gloating rights and something special.

Thanks to all who leave comments for me. Keep them coming!