I don't need your promises

by sylverein

YYH/FOR Crossover. A new life for the Tantei and the consequences of Hiei and Kurama's separation. Yup, this is an old fic, but kind of improved (some grammar, spelling changes, etc). Flames are welcomed. ~_~

7. Part 7

Disclaimers: Trying to own them… but still don't

Part 7

"You're not taking the training seriously! Concentrate!" Hiei reprimanded as he saw more of his soon-to-be teammates fumble to the ground. As he met eyes with Shigure, he snorted disdainfully. As he was about to leave, a hand reached out for him, and he slapped it away with the hilt of his sword. He growled when he saw the stitched guy, "What do you want?"

"Kurama."

"Nani?"

"I want Kurama. I'll fight him in the tournament. I'll make him mine."

Hiei growled inwardly as he gritted his teeth, "I couldn't care less." It came out more as a hiss. He did a sharp turn and disappeared into a door. Shigure watched this, "Your lips say 'no', but you act like he's yours. Make up your mind, Jaganshi."

"Good! Keep it up!" Yuusuke turned and nearly bumped into Enki's big belly, "Haha! It's nice to see you have fun!"

"Just making sure we don't lose to the competition. It's a big piece of land we're risking..."

As he left, Enki gave out a hearty laugh, making sure it reverberated through the kingdom (~_~;) as he thought, But will you be able to fight your redheaded friend, when the time comes?

As Yuusuke plopped himself down the bed, his thoughts ran towards that time when he saved the redhead from that maniac. 'God, I'm glad I wasn't the one to tell his overly protective cousin. Man, he may have skinned me alive for not going there on time... And I can't lay a finger on him because Kurama will get mad! Kurama... The things I do for you...'

Being a ningen really gives you a lot of feelings. Maybe that's why Hiei- Hmph! No way I'm thinking about that brat. It'll just sour up my mood. And speaking of ningens... I wonder who the ningen group will be this time, ours not counted since it's only Kuwabara who is truly human...

Yuusuke's eyes started to grow heavy, but he remained awake, when his thoughts centered once more on Kurama, I promised not to hurt you, or to never let anyone hurt you... Will I be able to fight you in the tournament?

Thunder flashed and a dark silhouette could be seen looking out a large window. When everything cleared, it could be seen that it was Yomi, currently putting a hand against the glass, "Kurama, it's almost time... Use your anger well..."

"Homura! Nadare!"

Tokiya easily dodged the blasts. He paused when his sparring partner stopped to catch his breath, "Tired already? That's pathetic, Hanabishi."

"Feh. Let's talk for a while. Are you sure-"

The two jumped away as the ground suddenly pulled up and Doumon landed heavily, then quickly got up, and moved towards another area. Fuuko abruptly appeared and managed to apologize, before going after the big guy, "Sorry, didn't mean to."

"At least I see some people improving."

"Cut it out Tokiya, criticize me later. Are you sure you're bringing Minamino to Makai? It's very dangerous there-"

"And you're dragging along Yanagi-san and Ganko?"

"We need Hime-"

"And Ganko?" Silence. "Face it, Hanabishi. It would be better for the three of them together to ward off youkais. Besides, Shuu-chan is also sought after in here. He's had one too many kidnapping attempts, and I don't trust his block-headed friends to protect him well. If he is with me, I can watch him closely. AND, I've already talked about this with him."

Recca expected to hear more, but nothing else came out. Resigning, he called out, "Guys, time to pack! Already Saturday tomorrow..."

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

"Where's that damn rock?"

The group walked lazily under the suppressing heat of the sun. Yanagi was fanning herself, Ganko, using Condo to cover her now warm head. Fuuko was VERY tempted to use her Fujin, but was constrained due to the presence of "commoners". Kaoru had taken off his vest and had slung it over his right shoulder, his cheeks slightly red from the tepidity of the place, and even Kagero had taken off her long black dress and wore the sleeveless white one inside. And Doumon and Recca? Let's just say the place was going to be flooded soon due to their excretions (~.~; sweat). The bulkier guy looked at Recca through narrowed eyes, partly from the sun's blaring brightness, and partly from suspicion, "Oi! Hanabishi! I thought flamecasters... um... you know, have high tolerance to heat..."

If Recca had ever sweatdropped at that moment, it could not have been distinguished from other numerous drops, "Eh... That was for flames, idiot!"

Doumon slapped the back of Recca's neck, retorting, "Aren't they the same? There's still heat when fires burn and-"

"Will you two shut up? Someone is trying to catch some shut-eye here."

The people mentioned above turned to see Tokiya wearing only his undershirt, a body snuggly placed on his arms, the jacket the elder usually wore was covering his load's face, and the bright red hair. Recca almost did a double take when Fuuko and his Hime said, "Kawaii..." Even Doumon seemed to lighten up when he watched the scene. Recca caught himself and pondered evilly, 'I'll tease them to hell and back after they find out that they're really not... lovers. Then I'll have the time of my life! But I won't do anything to hurt hime-' His thoughts were cut short when Tokiya suddenly passed by him, glaring, as if knowing. Recca sheepishly grinned, "Eh...heheheh..."

Suddenly, Kaoru waved, "Over here! There are a lot of rocks with strange markings..."

The guys hurried up, for the exception of Tokiya. The group ended up staring at two big rocks per corner of this square, and another pair at the center, each surrounded by tiny pebbles. Though not clearly seen, there were visible signs on them. Recca huffed, "I guess this is it. But which one?"

Doumon proceeded to knock on each one, "We won't know until we've tried."

To their surprise, an attendant suddenly appeared and shook his hand in anger at Doumon, "What do you think you're doing?! That is a holy place! One should not step on the tiny pebbles! You've brought bad luck to our place! OUT! OUT! You NINCOMPOOP! Don't ever come back!"

As the bulky man made his way to the group beet red, he took notice of Kaoru whistling happily at the side. He grabbed the little one by the collar, "You knew all along, didn't you?"

"Only idiots won't know that that was a sacred ground." All else sweatdropped. By now, Tokiya had arrived at the place they were currently on, "What are you doing here? Didn't that horned guy say that the rock was near a pond? It's over there." The Hyoumon Ken Master disappeared, muttering something like 'incompetent fools', or something close. Kaoru stuck a tongue out at Doumon before running after Tokiya and his baggage.

"What is this place?"

"Ah! A ghost!"

"Doumon, quit yapping!"

"But I'm scared, Fuuko..."

Yomi sighed quietly. He wasn't sure whether he had made the right decision. He "eyed" each one quietly and gently stopped to know how Kurama was faring, and was slightly surprised when the person carrying him made a protective gesture and held him closer. A lover? No.. Kurama didn't tell me that he had one... Demo... Yomi tore away his gaze and forcefully returned it to the ungraceful ningen who had once again said he was a ghost, even though he HAD explained several times that he was youkai. A big difference. His thoughts wandered again to Kurama and his possible lover. Even if he took a lover, I don't have the right to know... He hid a knowing smile, At least, not yet... "Welcome to my domain. This place is called Gandara. We will provide you your needs for the duration of the tournament. Now, we will bring you to your rooms."

At this, Tokiya spoke up, "Will we be in separate rooms?" Adding slightly to himself, 'I don't trust you...'

Yomi's suspicion grew, "Hai. It is to give you more rest and time to meditate. ALONE."

Tokiya was about to protest, but Recca spoke up for him, "Nah. Tokiya doesn't need those. All he needs is to be with his cou- with Shuuichi." The flamecaster congratulated himself for managing to catch on that perfect give-away about Tokiya and his cousin's relationship.

Yomi simply shrugged, "Fine then. Would you like to rest now, or tour Gandara?"

They didn't need to consult one another. "TOUR GANDARA! Yeah!!!!"

For once, Tokiya had left him. The latter had to practice some moves that might endanger him, so he was to stay back a few meters away from the ensui-wielder. Tokiya was in the forest, and Kurama was in the garden, just outside the forest. Kurama regretted not having to see the technique, his knowledge of it might be useful to him, if ever he and Tokiya... were matched. The tournament was unpredictable. The players, decided with dice, although each fighter only gets to fight once. But the redhead wasn't wishing anything like that to happen. In fact, he wanted to remain as anonymous as possible. He remembered his conversation with Tokiya early that morning:

"Tokiya..."

"Hai?" The voice was patient, as ever as it was with him.

"I... I have a secret... something... I-"

Tokiya looked at his hesitating cousin and decided, "If that secret hurts so much to tell, then I would not want to know about it, ok?"

Kurama sighed, relieved, "Arigatou. But... I do need to tell you. When it's time. When I'm ready. When it's my time."

His reminiscing was shattered when he felt a presence coming, "Yomi."

The blind youkai only nodded in reply. He sensed the redhead turning to face him, and he stated, rather than asked, "You've found a lover?"

Kurama shifted a bit, uncomfortable why Yomi would ask such a question, torn whether to laugh or just sneer at the other's misconception, "He's my cousin."

This seemed to relax the taller youkai a bit. A moment of silence passed between them. Kurama knew what the horned youkai wanted. Finally, Yomi asked, "Have you considered about my proposal yet, kitsune?"

The redhead flinched at the nickname Yomi just called him. It reminded him too much of Hiei. He gripped the grass tightly, and the blades of grass beneath him seemed to wither slowly. Yomi noticed the change of air around the half-youko, remained silent, for he too, was shocked about the reaction. He had purposely called Kurama that name, wanting to see the teenager's reaction. It worked. Finally, when he noticed that if he didn't stop this, the redhead would lose control, so he simply turned to catch Kurama's attention, "Think about it again, Kurama. I'll give you until about the end of the tournament to decide. After that... I'll do anything to get you, Kurama. I will try anything..."

The half-youko looked up at him, "What's the point in asking then?"

"I want it to be from your will, Kurama. The results would be much better that way..."

Things remained quiet again. Then, as Yomi left, he asked a last question, "Will you be fighting in the tournament Kurama?"

"I hope not." But deep inside, Kurama knew he was lying to himself.

Tokiya paused as he saw their host leaving his cousin. He hurriedly went to the young one's side, who, by now, was innocently (~_~) twirling a flower between his fingers. He gave a barrage of questions, "Did he hurt you? Are you okay? What did he do?"

The Hyoumon Ken Master knelt before him, and so he placed his head on the other's chest before he replied, "He asked if I would be fighting in the tournament."

"What did you tell him?"

"I said, 'I hope not.'"

Tokiya nodded and lifted his cousin. I really don't like that Yomi guy.

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

"The fight's over! Hokage wins again!"

The crowd boos in disapproval. The disheveled group walked out of the stadium. It had been their second fight. Only two more to win and they would advance to the finals. Recca was smiling happily on the way back, "Hahaha!!! They're no match for us! They fight like human sissies!"

"'Speak for yourself!" came his teammates' reply.

As they each headed to their rooms, Recca pondered on seeing Yuusuke in the area. So... He's got his own group. I can't wait to face him in a match... But why is he here? Were they invited too? Even the loud mouth is here. But they had youkais in their team. That's unfaiZzzzzzzz......'

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

Hmmm... The first time I'm using this. This Nozomi guy's something... "REI-GUN!!!"

The blast caught the brown-haired opponent off-guard and he vainly tried to put a hand in front of him, to protect himself. For a while, Yuusuke thought it would work, that his Rei-gun would somehow lose to that hand, but then the blue light engulfed the hand, and soon, Nozomi was sent flying out of the ring, medium-rare. The raven-haired youth cheekily grinned, "Whew... Too close."

Recca and his friends seemed to choke when they saw the blue ray going out from Shuuichi's friend's finger. Doumon's mouth was left gaping, as Fuuko stuttered, "Wha...Wha-"

Kagero recovered first, followed by Koganei, who managed to speak out, "What was that?"

Everyone turned to Miss Kagero and was dismayed when she just shook her head. Finally, she stated, "I think we shouldn't have been so surprised. This IS the Demon world after all. So far, I think we have seen so much display of those rays and lights..."

"But- But... I mean, they're Shuuichi's friends! That redhead's like... so.... incapable of protecting himself! Why would he have friends who are... like THAT?" Recca seemed to find it so unreal.

Yanagi thought for a while, then replied, "I guess it's just practical." Everyone turned to hear her out. "If he's um... weak, from my point of view and from experience, then he WOULD need those kinds of friends..."

Recca noticed the sad look on his hime's face, "O, Princess, you're not weak at all! In fact, you're one of our strongest members..."

Yanagi turned to him, teary-eyed, "You really think so? Thank you, Recca...."

Fuuko suddenly protested and pointed at this guy with a horn from Urameshi's team, "But even so, a guy with a horn? A kid with tattoos? And this guy with unusual hair and eyes? Shuuichi has demon friends? Why, I wouldn't be surprised if he is at all associated to that Yomi guy!"

Everyone was silent for a while, then Ganko pouted and hugged her stuffed toy closer, "I think that's too much. A scary guy like Sir Yomi... I even shiver when I hear that name..."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Fuuko seemed to shrink in size, I was only exaggerating...

"Choo!"

Tokiya looked worriedly at his cousin, "Hey, you okay?"

Kurama smiled softly, "Hai. It's probably just the pollens..."

Tokiya also smiled and the redhead turned his attention back to the clouds, "It's a rabbit. Look, it's your sword..."

The two had gone to the greenery outside before the first fight for the day had begun. Now, they were happily lying on the grass, under the shade of this big tree, admiring nature. Although they were already a quite distant from the stadium, they could still hear the loud applause of the audience, the cheering, and of course the announcement that the battle would begin. This time, they vaguely heard, though neither really paid any attention, "Urameshi wins! The next fight... The dice is rolling... A! The next fight if Rinku vs. Tomitsu!"

Tokiya didn't really look at the sky like his relative was; instead, he was watching the contented and smiling face of the younger youth. This is the way it should be: Him happy, and me watching him... A voice interrupted his thoughts, "Ne, Tokiya-kun?"

"Huh?"

The voice was slightly annoyed now, but just for show, "You're not listening! I said it looks like your ensui!"

The older of the two gave a short laugh, to be rewarded by a confused look from the redhead. Tokiya shook his head and took Kurama's hand, kissed it and lay it down on the grass. The half-youko still observed his cousin. Finally, the latter spoke up and asked, "Aren't you going to sleep yet? You didn't get enough last night..."

Kurama almost sweatdropped, Ten hours wasn't enough? He turned his head from side to side and protested, "But I'm not tired! I don't want to sleep..."

Tokiya only gave him a stern look and then pulled the smaller guy into an embrace. Soon, the redhead's breathing had become shallow, his body, relaxed.

Unheeded by the two, a black-clad figure watched from somewhere close.

Recca looked around, "Hey... Why didn't Tokiya and Shuuichi return yet? He said he'd be watching to learn their techniques..."

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is so amazing! This is already the fourth battle, and so far, the Urameshi team has not lost even one match still! If the Kijutsu group wants to survive the game, they better win these last three matches. Ah... The players for this round are... Ta-da! Jin vs. Kemuri! An interesting fight! We will begin!"

"Oi, Doumon! Have you by any chance seen those re- I mean, Tokiya and Minamino? Where are they?"

Suddenly, Doumon had this evil look to him, "Maybe... They... you know... did something-"

Ganko cringed her nose up, "That's gross, Doumon!"

The big guy also received a hit from Fuuko's fist, "Stop thinking hentai thoughts, idiot!"

Yanagi nodded, "Hai. They're probably just around here somewhere, touring the place..."

Recca sweatdropped at the group's assumptions. Before he could say anything, however, Koganei had called their attention, "Hey, look!"

As the five turned their heads, they were once again surprised. Especially Fuuko. The said 'Jin' also used wind for his weapon.

Tokiya suddenly stood up, managing not to wake his cousin up, "Show yourself. Who are you? What do you want?"

"Hn." Hiei stepped out from the shadows. He didn't feel inclined to answer any of the questions thrown at him. All he did was glance at the sleeping redhead, then at the tall guy demanding his name, and his motive.

Tokiya was getting pissed off at how the short... shrimp was totally ignoring his questions, and choosing to remain so impassive. Suddenly, he remembered seeing a picture of that guy in Shuuichi's room... He hissed out a curse when he finally remembered, "Hiei... You're Hiei." He couldn't think now. All he could see in his mind's eye was Shuuichi so depressed, Shuuichi losing faith in people, Shuuichi yearning for his best friend... THIS best friend who suddenly left him... He grabbed his ensui.

Hiei watched as the ningen slowly seethed and then finally grab something from under his jacket. He smirked at how the youth had actually spit out his name like it was poison. But he could only notice Kurama. The way Kurama was contentedly snuggling closer to the ningen. The way he smiled at the ningen. The way he was touched by the ningen. And he too, started to boil over.

Shuuichi was sad... just because of this ungrateful bastard? The teenager suddenly attacked, saying "KISAMA! Who do you think you are? I'll kill you for what you did to Shuuichi!"

Hiei was thinking about the redhead too. Kurama in his arms... "Not before I kill you, ningen."

Hiei suddenly blurred and appeared in front of Tokiya, sword poised. The latter was taken aback, but managed to dodge the blow. The sword's edge missed him by millimeters. As the koorime withdrew to strike again, a voice made him pause, "Hiei. Stop that. Our match is starting."

Tokiya looked around to see a woman, her face half-burnt, walking towards them.

Jin ducked as Kemuri fired a ball of energy, sweatdropping as it only turned to follow him. He flew upwards, higher and higher, until he was with the clouds, but he still caught sight of the cackling circle. Below, Kemuri was laughing cockily, deciding that the match was already his. Meanwhile, Jin swooped down again, and the ball stopped, then changed direction to give chase to the youkai. Jin passed by the audience who screamed in fear as they saw the ball coming down towards them. What should I do? What can I do? He glanced at the ring and saw his opponent's confident look and manic laughter. Then he remembered.

"If your opponent is too confident, that is his weakness. Learn to turn things to your advantage, Jin."

"Like this?" The wind-controlling youkai flipped Kurama towards the ground, and they were now in a change of positions. A while ago, the short-haired youkai had fallen into Kurama's trap during their training, which had him end up lying flat on his back. The redhead smiled, "Hai."

To my advantage... Jin smiled and started towards the sky again. The ball obediently followed. Up there, Jin used the wind to move the clouds towards the stadium, and now, everyone's view of the sky was blocked. Kemuri snickered and got impatient, so he decided to follow up, and then jumped. Before he could react however, Jin descended and gave him a kick upwards, and the ball of energy suddenly appeared, still chasing Jin, and ended up colliding with its maker. Kemuri fell to the ground lifelessly. Jin landed proudly and gave a smile, "Yeah! I'm so good!" He could hear Yuusuke, Kuwabara and Rinku's hooting. He looked around, I wish Kurama were here to see me though... He noticed that Touya was staring at him and seemed to know what he was thinking, so he laughed nervously.

"Amazing! Simply amazing! Jin wins! The Urameshi team is moving to the semi-finals!!!"

Recca almost choked, "Wow!"

Fuuko and Doumon were so surprised that they were left maimed. Koganei asked quietly, "If we win our next match, we'll... fight them?"

The announcer, Koto, had already called in the next groups to fight. Mukuro's group and the Dorobo group. The Urameshi team had lingered for a while, and then started to exit. By this time, Kagami, Tenchi, Nazoka, Kuroi and Hiei had already entered. As Yuusuke passed by the fire demon, he gave a deathglare that Hiei returned. Sparks flew, and the temperature must have dropped, because the rest of their team members had paused to see the commotion. Kuwabara also approached and warned, "I'll make you pay, shrimp!"

"In your dreams, ningen."

A fight seemed clear to erupt, but Touya had called out, "Yuusuke, Kuwabara. Let's go."

Hiei was finally left to his peace. But with a troubled mind.

"I'm sorry for Hiei's attitude. He's really like that."

"'I'm only sorry that Shuuichi had met someone like him."

Mukuro smiled softly as she brushed a few red locks of Kurama. In truth, she really didn't know why Hiei left the redhead. She knew that the fire demon also depended on the kitsune, trusted him to cover his back, and knew that with Kurama, he always had somewhere to return to. Maybe he found it as a threat. Just like when he worries about Yukina. But then... "They were so close, you know. Though neither of them would admit it... They trusted each other enough to maybe sleep through a stampede of demons, knowing that the other would be there to save him... What a waste of friendship."

"But it was one-sided! Shuuichi kept on giving. Hiei received and received until he was full, then just went away. Where was friendship there? And I can't still figure out how my cousin could have lasted being with someone who didn't give a damn about him."

Mukuro looked up at the brown-haired youth, "So you're cousins." She didn't wait for a reply. "Believe me, Mikagami-san, Hiei gave a damn for your cousin. And I think that's why he left. Because he worried about Kura- Shuuichi's safety. That brat has a lot of enemies you know."

Tokiya seemed amused, "Then he's a fool to think that it would keep Shuuichi safe if he left. My cousin would be a lot safer if he were actually around to protect him."

Mukuro sighed, "I suppose you're right. But he's too damn stubborn..."

The two paused when they heard that the first match was to be between Nazoka and Zainin. The ruler smiled softly, let go of Kurama's locks that she had been holding, gave a light pat on Tokiya's shoulder and proceeded to get up to head towards the stadium, "It was a pleasure talking to you, Mikagami-san."

Tokiya only nodded and watched as the woman slowly made her way. He lifted Shuuichi to lie against his chest and leaned on the tree. He also closed his eyes to take a light nap. Kurama opened his own; he had been awake all the time. Curiously though, there was a dark glow in his eyes.

"Mi-chan, where have you been? Our fight's already begun! Good thing you weren't called yet to fight, or else we would have forfeited."

Tokiya looked impassively at Fuuko, then went to the side of the ring, Kurama following him. At present, Doumon was fighting Kinoko. The Hokage team had already won two matches out of two matches, fought by Saicho and Koganei. The ensui-wielder snorted when he saw Doumon fumble and fall outside the ring. Fuuko screamed, "Doumon!"

Koto pronounced, "Ladies and gentlemen! The winner for this match is Kinoko!"

Tokiya insulted the large guy, "Weak. To be beaten by a girl..."

Even Fuuko seemed agitated, "Yeah! And I thought you were winning..."

Recca protested, "Guys, give him a break. See? He's unconscious."

They all turned as Koto announced, "The next fight: Recca vs. Moju."

"Well... My turn." The flamecaster cracked his knuckles and went up the steps.

Fuuko shouted, "Don't you dare lose, Recca!"

He smiled, "Don't worry, I won't."

Don't worry my ass... Damn! He's so fast! Unh. He doubled over as he was hit by a punch. He slid towards the edge of the stage, but managed to stop just in time. As he heavily panted, he heard Yanagi scream, "Recca-kun!" After, there was Fuuko, "Recca, what are you doing? I thought you would win this match?"

Recca turned, agitated, "I'M TRYING!"

A voice interrupted him, "Never turn your back when you're still fighting."

He turned and saw Moju flying towards him with a kick prepared. He smiled suddenly, "And someone said, 'There is no honor in attacking your opponent from behind. Nadare!"

Wide-eyed, Moju flew outside the ring, as fireballs hit him hard on the chest. Recca sighed with relief as the announcer proclaimed him the winner. He gave a 'V' sign and proceeded to go down, thinking, Only one more to go...

Koto excitedly proclaimed, "Audience, will this be the last fight?" The audience boos in disapproval. "Well... Our next fight will be between... Tokiya and Okii!"

Fuuko suddenly appeared behind the Hyoumon Ken Master and started massaging his shoulders, "Go, Mi-chan! I know you can do it!"

Tokiya 'hned' and then gave his cousin a reassuring look. Kurama returned it with a smile. He proceeded to go towards the stage. The redhead's attention was suddenly caught when Koganei told Recca, "If we win this right, we'll proceed to the semi-finals and then fight Urameshi's group?"

Recca seemed to sober and then shrugged and teased, "Hai. Why? Are you scared?"

"Idiot! I'm not afraid of anything."

Kurama tried to collect his thoughts, If they win this... They'll fight the Urameshi team? That means... Iya.

Meanwhile, the fight had already begun. Okii was very nimble and easily used his bone-like weapon called Tomurau. As he gave a barrage of strikes at Tokiya, he asked, "Do you know why my weapon is called 'Tomurau'? Eh, pretty boy?"

Tokiya easily evaded all attacks, sometimes by blocking using his ice sword, "I don't care, old man."

Okii seemed a bit annoyed, but he quickly recovered, "But you must know. It's called that way, because it brings sorrow to loved ones. "Mourn" as they call it, like you will after I do this." He paused from attacking, and to Tokiya's horror, the bone-like weapon elongated, and its tip evolved into a sharp tip, going rapidly towards his cousin. "Shuuichi!"

Tokiya's teammates were shocked as well, but the flamemaster managed to utter, "Mado-"

But he didn't need to, because a shadow had appeared before the redhead, and as the tip of the Tomurau came in contact with it, it shattered into a thousand pieces. The group shouted, "Yomi!"

Kurama looked up from his shocked state and saw his "master" looking down at him, and he was asked, "Are you okay?"

The redhead only nodded, and finally, after catching his breath, he managed to let out a 'thank you'. The horned youkai nodded, then walked away. After all this, Tokiya, enraged, lifted his sword and called out, "Tsurara Hebi!"

Immediately, a snake made out of ice came out and started going out to Okii, and the latter, weaponless, took the raging snake head-on. Screaming, he was pushed out of the ring between the snake's mouth.

The announcer was shocked, and finally, when she managed to compose herself, she shakily announced, "And the winner for this round: Mikagami Tokiya. The Hokage team is moving on to the semi-finals!"

Tokiya stormed down the stage and immediately went to his cousin's side, "Are you okay? Did you get hurt? Tell me, and I'll kill that bastard Okii!"

Kurama smiled slightly and let himself be embraced in Tokiya's arms, "I'm fine... I'm fine..."

~ÀÀÀÀÀ~

"Let me get this straight, Hanabishi. You want to use my cousin like some information booth?"

Recca sweatdropped at the comparison, "Well... NOT exactly. Just... you know. A few... tidbits. A little info could not harm anyone. We all know that Shuuichi is associated with that Yuusuke and the loud-mouthed Kuwabara..."

Tokiya frowned deeply, "I won't really agree to your plan, but I won't disagree to it either. I'll allow you to ask a few questions: he's probably tired, and that's that."

That's why they were here, uncomfortably so, Shuuichi sitting on the sofa, cringing from everyone's stares, playing with the leaves of a potted plant situated on top of the table. They had remained that way for a few minutes now, no one knowing how to start. Recca scratched his head for ideas, watching how the redhead toyed with whatever plant it was on the table, deciding that it was only Tokiya who said the redhead was tired. In fact, he seemed so full of energy. Finally, Fuuko must have had enough, "Okay. I give up. I'll start this."

They all turned to look at her. "See here, Shuuichi, I think you know we'll be fighting the Urameshi team next..."

Kurama nodded, let go of the plant, and he leaned on Tokiya. The latter put an arm in front of his cousin's chest to secure the younger, and to keep him from falling. This time, Doumon continued, "Let's cut the crap. Shuuichi, how do we defeat your friend?"

A bunch of fists found their way to the tomahawk guy's head. Recca decided to continue, "What he means is that... Um..."

Kagero sighed, and decided to speak for the group, "They want to know their techniques, so it will be... quite easy for them to device tactics against them. We all know how you're in close ties with them, but-"

"Yuusuke..."

Everyone paused from looking at Kagero and turned towards the redhead. "He is very fast, and strong. His custom attack is the 'Rei-gun'. KUWABARA. He may be a bit slow and impulsive... But he makes up for those with his courage and determination. In most times, he devices plans easily and so out-of-the-blue. His choice of weapon, and his only weapon is the 'Rei-ken'. JIN. Well... You may have guessed that he's a youkai. And that he uses the wind as well, like Ms. Kirisawa. He's very agile too... RINKU. Still very young, Childish in most times when he fights, but it's good for deception. He's actually a very good fighter. He uses yoyos-"

Doumon cackled with laughter, "Yoyos? Boy! He really must be a kid!" "Shut up, Doumon."

Kurama took a deep breath, "- he may seem not so tough, but take note that he has defeated Kuwabara in a match."

Doumon laughed even more. Recca joined in. The redhead didn't pay any attention as he continued, "Take note that Kuwabara was just starting his career in fighting then. He's improved much... SO much... Before I forget, Rinku is also a youkai. Then, there's Touya..."

Everyone waited expectantly for Shuuichi to continue. The latter looked up at Tokiya as he explained, "He's youkai. He may not look like much, but he's very strong. His choice of weapon is..."

They all came closer. Kurama never lost his eye contact with Tokiya, "Ice. He can make ICE SWORDS or ICICLES, and even an ice barrier..."

Tokiya nodded and to ease off worry from his cousin, brushed red locks away from the verdant eyes. Recca forced his mouth to close, "You mean he's so much like Tokiya? Damn! It's like Jin and Fuuko too!"

Koganei, who hadn't made so much noise yet, shifted loudly, causing the people to turn his way, "Did you ever see their sixth member? 'Coz I never did. Every time I see them fight, there are only five of them."

"You're right, Koganei-chan! I noticed that too," Yanagi stated.

Recca nodded thoughtfully and turned towards the redhead, "Oi, Shuu-kun. Do you have any idea who-"

He paused under Tokiya's stern look. The redhead had already fallen asleep.

"I don't think you can hide anymore, can you?"

Kurama didn't need to turn to know it was Yomi who approached him at this time of the night. He was looking at Gandara through the big glass window, when he managed to slip out of his and Tokiya's room without waking the latter up. Yomi went closer and even more when Kurama didn't seem to protest. He put his arms around the redhead, and the half-youko tensed up for a while, before fully relaxing. "Why are you up so late, Kurama?"

"I wanted to think... About tomorrow. If... If somehow I get picked by the dice. I wonder... Will Tokiya get mad?"

Yomi sighed quietly. For all he cares, the boy could be his lover already. "If he really cares for you, he wouldn't. If he were like Hiei, then-"

Kurama rapidly turned around, his palms against Yomi's chest and he almost shouted, "Don't you dare mention that name to me again!"

Yomi hid a smile, That's good... Hate him. The redhead rested his forehead on top of the backs of his hands as he spoke, "That's one of the things that's keeping me awake. I want to defeat HIM in the tournament. I want to make him PAY. I will make him suffer like I did."

The redhead was shaking now. Yomi held him tighter. "But I... I don't know if I trained enough, or if I will be emotionally stable when I see HIM again, FACE-TO-FACE..."

The horned youkai separated them and tilted the half-youko's chin up, "I'll help you. I told you... You could use your anger. You may not know it yet, but your full potential is locked up inside you."

Clearly, Kurama was confused. "Close your eyes, redhead."

He did as told. "Create a picture of a world in your mind. That's it... see it in your mind. Feel in your heart..."

Kurama felt warmth spreading from him. "Open your eyes."

When he did, he saw a mini-world had formed around him, a luscious green, and flowers... Kurama could not believe it, "I made this? My lord? Yomi?"

"Hai. And you can also use this talent as a weapon. Think of Hiei."

The world he created seemed to change quickly, and soon, the flowers were gone, replaced by lifeless vines that crawled on the parched earth. There was no sound of birds, only screams of terror and suffering. "The power to create ad to destroy... They are both in you, Kurama. That's what I've been trying to unlock from inside you. You are very powerful. You can be what you want to be with just a thought. And that is why... You will have no problem in defeating that brat."

Kurama looked down as his own world dissipated slowly towards him, feeling very drained and as his knees buckled, the ruler of Makai caught him. The redhead suddenly smiled. There was a manic tinge to it.

Another day, another chapter ended.