Lost Partnership

Disclaimer: Uh, don't wanna get sue. Nu-huh…

A/N: I thank you, my reviewers, pointing out my primary grammar mistakes, while giving me more encouragement to continue this story. Like I have said, I understand my grammar mustn't be excellent, in fact, I think they are horrible. So, spare me and correct me, if it is needed.

Ane: *laugh* I'll keep that in mind.

Anime_05: Hmmm, perhaps, most of the questions you have asked will be answered in this chapter. Also, thank you for volunteering being a beta-reader for my story. I'll see where does this go, if the grammar doesn't improve over time, I'll have to get a beta-reader.

Estel: *cough* I am sorry to keep you anxious for the whole time.

This chapter might be the chapter that might bring your liking down toward this story, yet keep reading; I promise good stuff to those who proceed.

Chapter 2

"So, how is he?" Anxiety was well hinted in the voice of Kazuma Kuwabara, his voice was spoken smoothly and the volume was shallow, unlike his hyper personality. He was still devastated by what have happened during their walk toward the primitive temple.

It took Kuwabara exactly eighteen minutes to carry the kitsune in to the footstep of Genkai's temple. By the time Kuwabara has arrived to Yukina for aid, Kurama's wound was bleeding in an intensive rate. The attack that the unknown demon has inflicted seems feeble, compared to Karasu and Touya and other battle that Kuwabara has witness, it was unimaginable that one well aimed knife can dive deep in to Kurama's chest, causing a dreadful effect.

"Don't worry, Kazuma-san, Kurama-kun would be fine, though I regret saying that his left lung have been injured as well, I wasn't able to heal it." Yukina bow in apology, not knowing that Kuwabara was grateful that she has saved his friend.

The ice maiden always has a trend of thinking that she has done a futile job, Kuwabara thought in silence.

"I think the knife must have injured his lung, Kazuma-san." The koorime frowned at the thought of seeing her good friend being stabbed at the upper chest area, "When he wakes up, you should prevent him from fighting until he stop coughing."

Kuwabara shook his head, "We can't just let Kurama lay in the bed though! He is the intelligent one and has even met that demon more then I do." It was then, realization hit him. "You… want him to stay at the bed, so his lung can return to full ability."

"Kazuma-san, please, Kurama-kun is a strong being, I am certain that he will make a fast recovery." Yukina spoke meekly. She really did feel sorry, if her power was stronger, she might have held the ability to fully heal Kurama.

"How is he?" Kuwabara's voice destroyed Yukina's thoughts of guilt.

"He is currently unconscious." Yukina replied, without making any eye contact, she continued, "You might want to call Yusuke-san, at least tell him about what has happened."

According to her tone and lack of eye contact, Kuwabara knows Yukina wanted to be alone. It was just another excuse to throw him off to another place.

"Yukina-chan, you really did you best. Don't feel guilty." Those words, somehow, came out adamant, almost as if he was stressing himself. He did manage to sound humble, though he wished he could have done a lot more then just give words of confidents.

Kuwabara turned around, leaving the room, exiting the room and Yukina with his words of comfort. It was then, there was a sense of flashing shadow, flashing in to the forest and then… it was gone. The one sound that remains was the rattling leaves, which was why Yukina look up and saw the unexpected.

*****

"This is hella boring!" Yusuke complained as he tapped his fingers at the wooden desk, annoying, which belongs to his home. He had no idea why did he buy this junk at the first place. It wasn't like he will do any work at it, read any books or actually using the desk to its fullest capacity. The only use for the desk was probably for Yusuke to tap his fingers and having his legs up there for comfort. Not mentioning, the usage of decoration and an item to waste his room's space.

"Don't complain, I think life here is better then life in Makai." Hiei snorted in reply. Hiei was rather lying at Yusuke's bed and his bandage has been tainted by blood, hiding the gash beneath the once-white strip of bandage. It was certain that both of them don't want the raven-hair teenager fix up Hiei's bandages that is still being wrapped tight around Hiei's gashed wound. "Like… beating up that baka ningen?"

"Baka ningen?" Yusuke repeated Hiei's words; the fire demon can sense a sort of confusion in his voice. It has been such a long time that Yusuke doesn't remember who is indicated as baka ningen. Finally, it hit him, striking him an extremely cheerful laugh. "You still call Kuwabara that?"

A nod was Yusuke's answer, "He is still a baka, I believe."

"Maybe, we rarely beat each other up. 'Cause ya know, Kuwabara is now a hardworking soul nowadays. It is even rare for me to see him. The only people that has probably seen him the most is Yukina and Kurama." Yusuke casually shrugged. Yusuke has been musing about how life was boring in Ningenkai; it wasn't as exciting as a Reikai Tantei or during the Makai Tournament. His last fight with Yomi was still remarkable that he wished he can fight with the formidable warrior once again.

"What are you talking about? Kurama still pay visit to that baka ningen?" Hiei asked, wondering if Kurama has lost his sanity to even meet that noisy and annoying human that existed.

"Not exactly meet, Hiei." Yusuke did not fail to notice the disbelief in Hiei's red pupil, ignoring the fact that Hiei can actually think Kurama as an ignorant person; he shrugged again. Before he can stop himself from having a defensive tone, keeping Kurama's well-deserve reputation, he spoke up, "Kurama always somehow meet Kuwabara. It could be in the street, in the train or basically anywhere else inside of Japan."

It was then a phone ringing that disrupted their pleasant conversation.

"I am gonna get the phone, be right back, Hiei." Yusuke stood up, preparing to have a good 'This is Urameshi Resident' reply to anyone who called his home.

"I don't understand why you answer to those ningen calls." Hiei called after him, which manage to catch Yusuke's ear for a second.

"Well, I mean, it could be Kurama or Kuwabara. It isn't nice to miss their calls." Yusuke smirked, as he left.

It took a few steps to reach the phone; the ringer shouldn't be waiting too long, according to Yusuke's estimating.

"Yusuke speaking." Yusuke spoke up; he decided to ignore the pleasant greetings. After all, he wasn't the type to have an excellent manner during a phone call. It wasn't like Atsuko, Yusuke's mother, would call him anytime. All she did was an unemotional nod to send Yusuke off. He did consider moving in to Keiko's, but then…

"Hey Urameshi, it is me, Kuwabara." A very familiar and semi-deep voice replied Yusuke's impolite greetings. "You might want to come here, Kurama has been injured. I mean, we met a youkai during our walk to Genkai."

Yusuke snickered at the fact he mentioned to Hiei earlier. "Did I mention we got a Jaganshi coming over as well?"

"That shorty is coming?!" Kuwabara's voice was filled with skepticism. His voice became slightly pitchy as well. He knows Hiei was there, but by the fact, he know that he doesn't want the Jaganshi to visit him.

"Yeah, he is injured though." Yusuke stated.

A pitch of scream rang clear at both of their ears.

"Jesus Christ! Yusuke, pick Hiei up and come here as quickly as possible!" Kuwabara spoke quickly that Yusuke managed to only catch the last bit about coming to Genkai's temple as quickly as possible. A felt of joy was arising beyond his spirit and he can feel it. There is going to be a fight.

In a flash, he was carrying the injured Jaganshi on his back and running out of the door. Not bothering to answer Hiei's growls about where are they going.

"At least tell me where the hell are you going, Yusuke." Hiei growled.

"Alright, we are now going to Genkai's temple." Yusuke panted, ignoring the tiredness, he ran faster. He was eager to meet whoever is there to cause wrecks at the temple.

"Aren't we supposed to take that baka ningen transportation?" Hiei grimaced, as Yusuke running was very bumpy; he was having his injury bumping against Yusuke's muscular back.

"My running is faster then that baka ningen transportation!" Yusuke grinned widely as Hiei noticed not only a battle is engaging, Yusuke's usage of word made him flash a near transparent grin.

*****

A very sore and a lot of pain against his chest was what Kurama felt when consciousness came to him. Another thing he started to do was clutching at his wound and coughing in an unstoppable rate. Of course, he did remember clearly that he didn't managed to deflect all of the flying knifes, thus having one striking him down. He kept coughing, almost insuring that he will get a sore throat after this. His lung felt like if a fire has been burning in it for a little while. He knows that he should stay at bed and let the pain subside, which what he has done.

Kurama took this moment to observe his surroundings. It looked like any very typical temple would, at least, at Japan that is. He has no doubt that this is Genkai's Temple, what made him wonder was where Genkai is. According to his information, Genkai have not passed away, even though she did made a meeting about what will happen to the temple when she have passed on to Reikai.

It was the same scream that beyond his knowledge has called Hiei and Yusuke here, bounced him back to action, ignoring the burning pain and difficulty in breathing. He slid open the door, facing the shadow demon who has did a lot of unforgivable things toward him. Kuwabara has already arrived and Kurama can sense a red boiling aura surrounding the carrot-head ningen.

"Reiken!" Kuwabara started, as he summoned the orange spiritual sword and finished the attack with an unforeseen move toward the youkai. "Extend!"

As Kuwabara's words meant true, his sword extended to an exclusive rate, aiming for the shadowed demon's chest. With a smirk, the unknown demon dodged his attack gracefully.

It was no doubt why Kuwabara was unhappy. Yukina was knocked aside; the wall gave in easily, showing no resistance to the sudden force. It was budged inward.

The demon has not known Kuwabara's moves. His smirk was disappeared quickly, as the spirit sword bend and all he knows, it was tracking him. The cloaked demon flashed away and appeared outside of the temple.

Kuwabara can note what "it" was hinting, with that, the long and bended sword disappear in to thin air, leaving a small spark, the only thing that shown what has been here before, it soon disappeared in to nothingness as well.

"I can't believe you are still disturbing us." Kurama spoke up, clutching the slide door, almost angrily.

"Kurama!" Kuwabara was shocked the fox has woken up and is already engaging battle. He knows also was implied the fact, which told him Kurama was a very stubborn fox, very. "You are injured; Yukina-chan said you aren't supposed to fight until you reached full recovery." He explained in hurry as he fended off an eerie glowing knifes with his Reiken.

Kurama took a moment to consider Kuwabara's explanation. His thoughts were shattered when he sensed the familiar ki that belongs to the old woman, who was once called the Master of Rei Hadouken. He remembered when Kuwabara told him that it seemed like if there were two thousand people, trying to inherit Genkai's powerful attacks.

"I just came back from a little walk and I already see a demon wrecking trouble in my grounds." A cranky voice spoke up, it was well hinted the familiar voice belong to Genkai's. Even though, she was no match of Yakumo in the previous battles, she can still be a formidable opponent in certain battles. 

"Nyah!" Kuwabara fended off another attack from the demon before greeting the old master, "You are more then welcome to join the fray, and it seems like Kurama won't be settled at his bed as long as there are no allies!" Kuwabara batter away another targeted knifes with his Reiken.

"It really won't matter anyway!" Another familiar, yet cheerful voice spoken up, as he stepped in to Kurama's view, Yusuke and Hiei, Yusuke's was smiling madly, knowing well that he is going to pummel this demon back to Makai.

Even if the cloaked demon knows that the others can't see his face, he flashed a smile, a smile that holds amusement of a five versus one skirmish. His even voice revealed his exciting attitude of this battle, "This tends to be an interesting battle. I won't be blinking away this time."

"Blinking? You won't even have a chance to blink!" Yusuke yelled, in silence he smirked. Enthusiasm exposed freely in his loud voice, the enthusiasm was hinted so well in the dark haired teenager, it can even be easily told by a deaf. His hand has morphed in to a signature of a gun, index finger pointing and targeting, energy was gathering at the very tip of the finger. "Reigun!"

A blue glowing blast exploded out of the small and circular ki, enlarging the blast's size in to a fairly large blast. Seeing the enormous ki attack, the cloaked demon braced him from the attack, moving faster then the light of speed, he went out of the blast's range, allowing it to explode to a nearby wall.

His cloak was a sacrifice to that attack though. Even though, the blast did no severe injuries to the youkai, the cloak has been destroyed. Standing there revealed a tone of grey and purple tanned skin, on its chest and upper arm, laid a several runes code. As if it was glyph giving the unusual looking monster its power, the first thing to him, was to check if the black ink was still on his skin. Similar to one's tale of elves, his ears was pointy and sticking out. His hair was long, but yet it was grey. Kurama estimated the hair was longer then 2 feet. It's eyes, though, was unrevealed. It was bind by a strip of purple colored clothing, what Kurama saw, was not his eyes. It was the glow that radiates sparks of purple. It only wore a plain black pant, his foot was clawed, yet in a limited way, it has a look of a human being's foot.

Yusuke, still holding his hand at position, observed the demon's unique look. From his three years at Makai, he never saw a demon that has such… interesting look. It was beyond Yusuke's knowledge to put the demon's look in to words. In his thought, he thinks this youkai looks pretty good, why cover his look with a wrecked cloak, a cloak which only managed to cover his body and face.

"You saw my true appearance. Probably the first one that managed to tore my cloak from my body." The demon growled. "I might as well introduce myself, ningen, except for that one," He pointed to Hiei, "Koorime. I am Karaksu." As he spoke his name, his eyes glowed eerily, blue, underneath the purple clothing, "The only surviving demon of my race in the Netherworld, which was destroyed. My hope went with the report of Lord Yakumo's death. I have been told of you people, you people who destroy the lord, I once have served."

"What are you planning to do then, revenge?" Kurama spoke up, stepping closer to the battle scene, still clutching to his bleeding wound.

Karaksu unseen eyes directed his face toward Kurama, just before answering, "No, that was not my plan, I abandoned everything. I am now serves another master, another place. I am inviting you, the people who destroyed my lord, to the Dark Tournament."

"Wait… Didn't the tournament ground was destroyed by that blast explosion five years ago?" Yusuke asked, relaxing his position, now just standing.

"It was mysterious to those in Ningen, not to those in Makai. You must have heard of the construction of the Dark Tournament grounds, Hiei?" Karaksu pulled away from Yusuke's question, and fired one of his owns toward the fire youkai, "You now know why I wound you severely in the shadows. I thought dragging you with me toward Ningenkai would be a good and interesting concept."

There was only a grunt in reply, as Hiei replied toward the questions and toward the attention he was having. He hated how everyone is giving him a curiosity look of their own, just as much as how he hated guilt.

"I thought so." Karaksu replied monotonously, "I do notice that this 'baasan doesn't wish to join this coming event, perhaps, I'll just feed your curiosity, you'll find your fifth member at the same old dock."

"This chap seems to know me well enough." Genkai spat at the demon sarcastically, she would do anything to help her pupil.

"Your tricks would not work upon this tournament, elder. Without the border, A level youkai will be anticipating this tournament. It is yet to be the interesting, if there isn't our favorite hero, whom has saved this world numerous, yet has no famousness." A smirk was printed in to the features of the Meikai being. "I'll let you consider, Urameshi Yusuke, you have three weeks of time for consideration. Once you have decided, just head to the Hanging Neck Island Dock destination." With those words, a wind blew past, picking up the mysterious Meikai demon within the gust.

******

"What is the verdict then?" The adolescent redhead asked. After a long argument with Yukina, Kurama has managed to have the mint-hair koorime, reluctantly, agreed on allowing the redhead to join the discussion about the up coming event.

"I already know what Yusuke is going to say, so be quiet." Hiei replied coldly, Yukina's reaction toward Hiei's wound was alarming. The koorime has not seen her unknown brother since she has passed her tear gem toward him. That day, when she handed the tear gem to him, was still ringing clear to her mind. Much to Yukina's surprise and Hiei's unexpected meeting with his sister, Yukina found Hiei wearing two tear gems. Regretfully, she decided to push the questioning in to a further time, in any case, wait till this is over, the discussion, to be precise.

"I am going to be beaten up in to a pulp, I mean, A Level youkai!" Kuwabara tone was judged that he doesn't want to take any part of this event. His reasoning was pushed aside by Kurama's decision.

"I certainly don't want to lie to my 'kaasan. Even though, I have moved out, she still visits me… commonly." Kurama said in a forceful tone. At once, they all know Kurama would go, yet lying to his mother once again is reprehensible. Yusuke can understand what Kurama meant; he suffered the same problem from his mother as well. Of course, it was easier for him, as Atsuko is a very heavy drinker that can demolish the thought of visiting her beloved son.

"I am coming, patrolling in Makai isn't exactly a picnic." As arrogant as usual, Hiei replied dully, though, similar to Yusuke's, he was partly excited to practice his katana skill on some careless monsters, instead of cutting through docile trees. Maintaining his agility was another problem, he could, of course, asked Mukuro to help him train. But, even he could sense it. The calmness in her eye, it was so revealing, it crushed Hiei's ideas.

Kurama snickered silently, having all attention brought upon himself, jokingly he beamed at Hiei, "I thought you would have a relationship with Mukuro." Amusement danced around his eyes, it was clearly visible to Hiei, as his face turned red.

"Baka Kitsune! How could you have thought that I have such relationship with Mukuro?" Hiei growled nastily, as he was ready to rip and tore his best friend apart.

Kurama ignored Hiei's furious red ruby eyes, he simply shrugged in reply, "What do you expect? You went missing for two years," A light hearty chuckle escaped Kurama's lips, "Don't give me that look Hiei, I am just kidding. You can plan on slicing me in to pieces later on."

Hiei was face was red; he was both embarrassed and annoyed that the innocent-looking kitsune could pull out such joke on him.

Yusuke took a glance at Hiei, before bursting in to a vigorous laughter, Hiei immediately sent glares that guarantee Yusuke's grave, and the laughter was immediately covered up by light coughing as he noticed the deadly glare.

"Well, I am going to go with Yusuke and Hiei." Kurama decided out loud, however he was still staring at the content of his cup, which happened to be tea. His other hand was out of the sights of the others, which was clutching his wound. The kitsune didn't let out an expression of pain in to his appearance. Kuwabara noticed his hand was grasping his injury though; this was mainly due to sitting beside him.

Leaning over slightly, Kuwabara whispered in worry, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just need the pain to subside." Kurama whispered back. Kuwabara frowned, the redhead always said he was fine, yet he was far from that. This brought Kurama in an edge of danger one time in the previous tournament, during the match against the Mashotsukai Team; he thought he could take at least three of them, of course, that succeeded; he was injured gravely though.

After Kuwabara moved to his former position, he announced his decision, "I am sorry guys, I don't think I will be going." If Yusuke was sitting beside the carrot-head adolescent, he would be griping on the hard-working teenager's shirt. Hiei's face turned to an alarmed one, Kurama's face was giving Kuwabara an intense glance, hiding a secret message saying 'why?' Kuwabara caught it though, he continued with a hint of guiltiness in his voice, "I am really sorry guys, I believe I won't be helpful in this one."

Silence draped around the four former Reikai Tantei, it was a rare scene to have Kuwabara admit he was useless in a case. Yusuke was clearly surprised; the raven hair teenager had his mouth slightly open. Kurama had turned away from the truth, his eyes were closed. Out of all four of them, Hiei was the unanticipated. "Baka, what do you mean you can't help?"

"I mean, Toguro was only B level youkai. I almost got killed…" Kuwabara's reasoning was immediately cut off by Hiei.

"What do you mean you almost got killed? That was five years ago! Five, ningen!" Hiei snapped. It rendered Kuwabara silence, knowing well enough there won't be any distraction, the Jaganshi continued, his voice was calmer this time, "Plus, you weren't killed during our little scuffle with Sensui. He resembles a power of an S level, even though he is a human."

Kuwabara's thought was now in deep concentration. There is a decision he had to make, a decision that might cause a major disappointment in his friends.

*****

A/N: I hope I didn't cause a major disappointment in this story. I just sort of felt that Dark Tournament is indeed a good place to start off and work off in my trilogy (Yep, there is a sequels coming). Leave a review and tell me what you think off, I'll appreciate your comments on this story, yes, this includes flames. You can flame this story and give it an over-all criticism comment, I rather think doing this must have been almost the same result as breaking a bone of a human being. *bows* Once again, I apologize for wasting your time (If you think this fic no longer worth your attention).