Before starting this chapter I'd like to clear a few things up. Katana isn't still alive, Koenma allowed him to temporarily enter the living realm. And I'm only doing one fic at a time. I'll start my DBGT fic when I finish this one. For more information consult my bio. Now, on with the fic. 

Chapter 87

The Lone Wolf Within

"You two get back here!!!" Kairi said as she, Botan, Crystal, and Keiko chased the two. "No, I don't want to take a bath" Yugi said. "Me to" Mimiru said as the two ran. "I never thought cat demons would be afraid of water" Keiko said. "They love hot springs but can't stand bathtubs" Kairi said.

Nami watched on from her spot on the windowsill. She'd woken up three days ago only to find out Hiei had left to train on his own. It hurt her slightly but she knew it was probably for the best. She hadn't gotten any training because of her injuries. She still had a few broken ribs and bruised backbones.

She smirked when Botan grabbed the kittens by their tails and literally dragged them to the bathroom. Kairi, Keiko, and Crystal were close behind. When will those two learn? she thought.

Outside, Kurama and Kage were sparing while Yusuke and Kuwabara watched from the porch. Kurama was dodging Kage's bullets while Kage had to look out for a few seeds Kurama had managed to plant.

Kage suddenly stopped and looked to the forest. "What is it?" Kurama asked. "An unfamiliar scent is heading here" Kage replied. Yusuke and Kuwabara ran up to them. "Sense anything Kuwabara?" Yusuke asked. "It feels like it's coming from all directions" Kuwabara replied. "I can't figure out what species it is" Kage replied sniffing the air. "Wait over there" Kuwabara said pointing to the right. They spun in that direction and readied to attack.

A rustle could be heard from the bushes before a chipmunk jumped out with a nut in its paws. "First the mouse, now this!!!" Yusuke said backhanding Kuwabara. "Hey!!!" Kuwabara said rubbing his face.

"You need much help with your senses" a familiar voice said. "Oh no" Yusuke said turning to the source. Standing at the edge of the forest was Gurumin. "Well, well, grandpa's here" he said. "It is good to see you Urameshi" Gurumin replied tilting his head downward. "So what brings you here? Come to apologize for all those times you hit me on the head with that cane of yours?" Yusuke asked. Gurumin disappeared and suddenly Yusuke had a new bump on his head. "Damit what was that for?!" Yusuke yelled rubbing his head.

"You deserved to be hit on the noggin all those times" Gurumin replied. "He's fast" Kurama mumbled to Kage. "I hate old people!!!" Yusuke yelled. "Will you shut up already?" Genkai said as she walked up to them. "Great now we got two old farts to deal with" Yusuke said. This earned him another hit in the head from Gurumin and a Spirit Wave from Genkai. "Kage, would you take the trash inside?" Genkai asked. "Sure" Kage replied walking to where Yusuke lay and picking him up. "Come on Kurama, you to Kuwabara" Kage said.

"You guys go on ahead. Crystal wants to go shopping soon and I must be there to protect her" Kuwabara said. "She'd be safer with Eikachi" Genkai mumbled. Kuwabara didn't hear it and went to the bottom of the step to wait for Crystal.

"What brings you here?" Genkai asked looking at Gurumin. "I have come to see Riku. Do you know where he is?" Gurumin asked. "I believe he's at his house with Yukina" Genkai replied rubbing her chin. "Which way is that?" Gurumin asked. "In that direction" Genkai said pointing toward the east. "Thank you" Gurumin said before walking in the direction Genka pointed.

After a few minutes of walking he came across the cottage Riku and Yukina called home. "Impressive house" Gurumin said as he walked up to porch steps. He stopped at the door and knocked.

Riku was woken from his sleep by a knock at the door. Wonder who that is he thought. He quietly got out of bed being careful not to wake up Yukina. He got dressed and after putting his shirt on noticed two crimson eyes looking at him. "Sleep well?" he asked. "What is it Riku?" Yukina asked rubbing her eyes. "Someone's at the door. You get dressed while I see who it is" Riku said. Yukina nodded. Riku walked to her and gave her a kiss before heading for the door.

He was surprised to see Gurumin standing outside the door. "What's up Gurumin?" Riku asked after opening the door to let his teacher in. "It is good to see you again Riku. I take it you have heard of the Demon King's plans?" Gurumin asked. "Yeah, unfortunately" Riku replied.

Yukina walked in as she tied her hair in its usually ponytail. "Oh hello Gurumin" she said cheerfully. "Hello Yukina" Gurumin replied. "Have you come to visit?" she asked. "I will be leaving before sundown" Gurumin replied. "Well can I get you anything to drink?" Yukina asked. "Tea would be nice please" Gurumin said. Yukina nodded and went to the kitchen.

Riku and Gurumin discussed a few random things while waiting for Yukina to come back. Shiro, Mizu, Aurora, and the ninjas had made it safely to the wall defending the portal. They had been attacked along the way but came out without a scratch. Yukina came back and handed the cup to Gurumin. He thanked her and took a sip.

"So why have you come here?" Riku asked taking a seat on the couch next to Yukina. "Remember at the end of your training before the tournament?" Gurumin asked. "Yeah, you told me I would have one final test" Riku replied. "Well it is time I gave you the final test" Gurumin replied. "So what is it?" Riku asked. "I cannot tell you now. You must come with me" Gurumin replied. The room fell silent as Riku thought about the offer. "Alright, I'll go with you" Riku replied. Gurumin nodded and gulped his tea down. "I will give you time to get ready and say goodbye to your mate" he said before walking out.

Riku looked over to Yukina. She only sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. "So you won't try and stop me?" Riku asked. "This is more important at the moment" Yukina replied. Riku cupped her chin and tilted her head toward him. "It will all be over in two months. One way or the other" he said. Yukina smiled before he pressed his lips on hers.

Gurumin watched from outside. He is so much like Ryu. I hope he will be ready for what I must tell him he thought.

A few days later

"How much further?" Riku asked the old man riding on his back. "It should be just up ahead" Gurumin replied. Riku sighed and picked up the pace. They'd traveled to Asia and were now in the Himalayas where Gurumin lived. "That's the fifteenth time you've said that. Are you sure we're not lost?" Riku asked. Gurumin hit Riku's head with his cane. "Yes I am sure now stop complaining and keep walking" he said. Riku growled and continued on.

"See there it is" Gurumin said pointing to a small house up ahead. Riku looked in front of him and saw a small house on a cliff. It was made of cobblestone and had a thatched roof. They walked to the entrance and Gurumin hopped off Riku's back. "Come in" he said opening the door and walking in. Riku had to crouch to get in since the door was a few inches shorter than him. The room he walked into was small with a fireplace, two comfortable chairs, a table with three chairs around it, a bearskin rug, and a stove. "Cozy place you got here" Riku said. "Why thank you" Gurumin replied.

"You will sleep in that corner" Gurumin said pointing to a corner with a sleeping mat and a blanket. "I take it the room over there is where you sleep" Riku said pointing to the entrance of the next room. Gurumin nodded and headed for it. "Get some rest. The test will be tomorrow" Gurumin said before walking into his room.

Riku sighed and headed for the corner. "Well, it's better than nothing" he said before lying down and pulling the blanket over him. Days of walking had exhausted him and he soon fell into a deep sleep.

Next morning

Riku was having a nice dream that involved Yukina and ice cream when something hit his head. He jolted up from his sleep only to find Gurumin standing with his cane ready to hit the wolf again. "Gurumin" Riku whined. "Well you were on the verge of putting the chocolate sauce on and I do not want to hear that" Gurumin replied. "How'd you know?" Riku asked. "Do you know you mumble in your sleep?" Gurumin asked.

"Well that would be one of my faults" Riku replied. "So you admit you have others?" Gurumin said. "No one's perfect. Heck I'm afraid of airplanes, jellyfish, needles, and my sister when Rogato pisses her off. On top of that I'm allergic to apple juice, white chocolate, and if I eat oysters I pass out on the spot. So I guess you could say all those are my weaknesses" Riku replied. "Those are some interesting weaknesses. So if your opponent makes you swallow some oysters…" Gurumin said. "I'd be as helpless as a fly without wings" Riku replied. "Well at least the oyster demons are safe from you" Gurumin said. The two chuckled.

"So, what exactly is this final test?" Riku asked. "First we must eat breakfast" Gurumin replied pointing to the table. Riku looked over and his mouth watered at the sight of various meats on the table. In the blink of an eye he was devouring it. "It's…not as…good…as Yukin…a's…but…it's not…bad" Riku said between mouthfuls. Gurumin sweatdropped as he watched the food disappear down Riku's throat.

When it was all gone a happy wolf demon patted his stomach. "Man that was delicious" Riku said. "And I thought Ryu was a pig" Gurumin said. "Ryu ate like this?" Riku asked. "Well of coarse he did. You wolf demons are notorious for you appetites" Gurumin replied. "So now can we start the test?" Riku asked. "Follow me" Gurumin replied before walking out the door.

Riku followed him out and they were soon walking on a thin path through the boulders and cliffs of the Himalayas. "It is a five mile walk" Gurumin replied. "In that case" Riku said. He grabbed Gurumin's robes and they wind morphed. "Put me down" Gurumin said. "Just tell me where to go" Riku replied. "That way" Gurumin said pointing in the direction they were going. Riku smirked and headed in that direction.

He slowed down when he saw a cave up ahead. Along the entrance were symbols Riku didn't recognize. "Is that the place?" Riku asked. "Yes" Gurumin replied. Riku descended toward it and landed at the entrance. "What is this place?" Riku asked. "This is the specter cave. Three thousand years ago Ryu lead an enemy army into this cave and slaughtered them all by himself. Since then the ghosts of those enemies have haunted the place" Gurumin said. "So what's my test got to do with this?" Riku asked. "You are to go into this cave and put those spirits to rest" Gurumin replied. "I got to kill them all? But they're ghosts" Riku said. "Yes but the Crescent Edge will allow you to banish their spirits to the next world. There is another entrance on the other side of the mountain. If you can reach it then you pass" Gurumin said.

"Sounds easy enough" Riku said taking a step forward. Gurumin held his cane in Riku's path. "Let me warn you. The only one who has been able to defeat his army without any help was Ryu. If you pass this test then you are ready to fight the Demon King" Gurumin said. Riku nodded and Gurumin allowed him to continue on.

Riku walked through the cave slowly so his eyes could adjust to the darkness. "Creepy place" he mumbled as he walked. He heard a crunch under his foot and looked down. "What the fuck?!" Riku said. Under his foot was what was left of a skull. Riku looked around and saw various skeletons littering the floor and walls. A few were even pinned to the ceiling. "Gurumin wasn't kidding" Riku said as he looked around.

The bones mostly belonged to Ghouls but Riku could see oni, trolls, serpents, giants, vampires, werewolves, giant spiders, and various other demons on the floor. "Man, that Ryu guy was tough" Riku said.

He was a little freaked out so he continued on. Gurumin was right about the battle and Riku doubted the old man was kidding about the ghosts. Riku gripped his sword's handle just incase something flew out at him. The further he walked into the cave, the more bodies littered the floor. He stopped when he came across a large chamber. He looked around and saw bodies literally stacked on top of each other. Riku cringed when he saw a few of the weapons in their skeletal hands that looked a lot like needles. The sooner I leave this cave the better he thought.

He had only taken a few steps when he felt a cold breeze go through the room. The temperature dropped sharply until Riku could see the breath coming out of his nostrils. He unsheathed his sword knowing a fight was on the way. The bodies started to glow and a white mist rose from each of them. The mist started to condense into physical shapes until Riku could see transparent demons fill the room.

They were pretty much bones with skin hanging off them and some armor. The Ghouls were armed with swords, spears, pikes, maces, axes, and daggers. The oni and trolls wielded clubs while the vampires turned to bats and the werewolves had their claws ready. "I guess there's no way I can talk my way out of this" Riku said.

"Ryu" one of them hissed. "We never thought you'd come back" another said. "Now we can bring your head to the master, eat your body, and carry your limbs into battle as a warning to all those that oppose us" an oni said. "I think you fail to realize you're all dead. And the name's Riku, not Ryu" he replied. "Kill him" one said before they all charged.

Riku powered up and readied himself. The first to reach him was a Ghoul. He quickly dispatched it with a side step and a horizontal swing forward. The Ghoul screamed before fading away.

Riku spun around and pushed off a swing from another Ghoul. He parried a thrust coming from the left and sliced the Ghoul's throat. He turned to the one that swung at him and thrust his sword at it. It tried to stop his sword with its own but it the Crescent Edge shattered it and cut the Ghoul down. Riku wind morphed as an oni swung at him, swiping away a few more Ghouls. The ghosts could only be destroyed by the Crescent Edge or by each other. The ghosts looked around for any sign of the wolf.

A vampire in human from was standing on a high ledge looked around. "I can sense him!!!' he yelled. Everyone turned their attention to him. "He is…" he was cut off when the tip of a sword jutted out from his chest. It was pulled back and Riku ran passed him slicing his head off as he passed.

Riku leaped into the air and prepared to attack. "CRESCENT CLAWS" his attack passed through a dozen of them but they weren't destroyed by the attack. While they were trying to put themselves back together Riku sliced through their ranks and vaporized them.

He flipped back in time to avoid an oni's club. The oni raised the weapon and brought it down. Riku jumped over it and landed on the oni's shoulder. A troll stupidly swung at him and he easily flitted out of the way. I think we know what happened to the oni.

Riku raised his sword and sliced the troll in half. He winced when a Ghoul managed to slash his back. He spun around and sliced it across the waist. He flitted to a ledge to inspect his wound. The gash started about half way down his back and went down to just above his waist.

He growled but was brought out of his thoughts when a werewolf jumped toward him and slashed his right shoulder. Riku grabbed the beast's muzzle and raised its head so its neck was exposed. Riku thrust his sword straight through its neck and pulled back out. A troll threw a boulder at him but he leapt out of the way before it reached him. The rubble fell on top of some Ghouls but they were soon trying to get out. When their heads popped out Riku took them down.

The enemy swarmed him but he fought back, and fiercely. The caves echoed with their screams as Riku slashed his way through them. They got a few lucky slashes in but every one of Riku's hit its mark. The sword reflected the glow radiating off the ghosts' transparent bodies and it glistened as Riku slashed his way forward.

A red glow surrounded his body and with each slain enemy the glow intensified. His eyes turned blood red with white pupils, his hair took on a crimson glow, his tail started to grow some, and his back arched as a pair of wings started to sprout. With one final swing his body erupted in power as he transformed. It was the same transformation he experienced at the tournament. With a yell he continued forward.

He could see the entrance up ahead and spread his wings. The force blew back the ghosts. Riku smirked as the light from the entrance got brighter and bright until he could feel the breeze from outside. He suddenly felt something wrap around his waist and pull him back. He slammed into the wall but managed to land on his feet.

"Not so fast Devil Wolf" a voice said. Riku looked to the source and saw a chain retract into the shadows. "Who's there?" he said. The voice merely chuckled as a figure walked to where Riku could see it.

It was another ghost but this one was different. It wore a black armor vest top that was open in the middle to reveal a white long sleeve gi. The armor stopped at his shoulders and the shoulder pads had a curved spike coming out of them. The gi's sleeves covered his arms and on each hand was a black glove. He had a white belt tied around his waist and a black sash tucked under it. The sash continued down to his ankles. His pants were also white and he wore a pair of black boots. His face was concealed by a black helmet with a thin visor. Three one-foot long, silver spikes stuck out of his helmet, two to the sides and one straight up.  Around his arms and across his chest were a bunch of chains with spikes and small blades along them.

"Who are you?" Riku asked. "I am Chain of the Apocalypse Ten" the ghost replied. "I take it Ryu killed you here" Riku said. "That he did but I don't plan on losing again. Prepare yourself" Chain replied. Riku got into a fight stance.

Chain extended his hand forward and the chains around his arm extended toward Riku. Riku stepped from side to side to avoid them. Chain lifted his other hand and sent more chains at Riku. Riku raised his sword and sliced the through the chains. The chains retracted and repaired themselves.

"My chains cannot be stopped. They are linked to my spirit energy. If they are damaged I can repair them easily. Just give yourself up" Chain said. Riku gave him the finger. Chin growled and made his chains point at Riku and fly toward him.

Riku smirked and spread his wings. He flew back into the cave toward the other ghosts. As he slashed his way through them the chains took care of any he missed. Chain realized he was killing his own troops and ordered his chains back to him. Riku saw his chance and charged.

Chain extended his hands to the sides and the chains spun around him creating a barrier. Riku had to keep his distance to avoid being turned to mincemeat by them.  

"Here goes nothing" Riku said as he gripped his sword. The Crescent Edge started to glow and Riku prepared to thrust. He waited for the chains to get in the right position. Now he thought before charging.

He thrust his sword forward and a vortex surrounded his body. "You can't break through" Chain said. "We'll just see about that" Riku said. The barrier and the vortex collided, sending sparks in all directions. Riku let out a yell and broke through the barrier. Chain watched in horror as his chains broke into smaller pieces. The vortex slammed into him and blew him into the wall.

Chain looked up to see Riku walking toward him. "It was fun but I've got a test to pass" Riku said. Chain started to chuckle. "What's so funny?" Riku asked. "You fell for it!!!" Chain yelled. The pieces of his chains flew into the air and coiled around Riku. They became one solid chain that Chain gripped in his right hand.

"I've got you" Chain said. Riku struggled to get free but yelled in pain as Chain sent a surge of spirit energy through his chain and into Riku's body. "You should have never come here. Now finish him" Chain said.

The ghosts flew into the air and formed a ball of energy. Riku couldn't move anymore as Chain's spirit energy surged through his body. "Now die" Chain said. The ball of energy flew toward Riku. Just before it hit, Chain withdrew his chains and the ball hit Riku. Riku screamed even louder as the energy around his body started to drain his life energy away.

Just when he was on the verge of passing out a white light filled the room making the ghosts disappear. Riku fell to the ground and reverted back to his normal form. He heard footsteps heading for him before he lost consciousness.

He woke up to find himself back in Gurumin's cabin. "It is good to see you are awake" Gurumin said. "What happened?" Riku asked. "You failed the test. They were about to kill you but I came just in time" Gurumin said. "I…I failed?" Riku said. Gurumin nodded. Riku sighed and looked at the ceiling.

"So what does this mean?" Riku asked. "It means you are no match for the Demon King" Gurumin replied. "But, I'm the Devil Wolf. Shouldn't I be able to take him down?" Riku asked. "Only one warrior can defeat Satanos, and that warrior is Ryu" Gurumin said. "So you're going to revive him" Riku said. "There is no need for that. He is right here as we speak" Gurumin said.

"Where?" Riku asked. "Right here" Gurumin said placing his hand over Riku's heart. "What?" Riku said. "Riku, you will never be able to bring out the Devil Wolf's full potential. Ryu is the only one that can do that. Which is why in two months you must go fight Satanos" Gurumin replied. "But you said I couldn't beat him" Riku said. "You cannot but Ryu can. You are his reincarnation. His spirit resides within you" Gurumin said. "In me?" Riku said.

"Remember during the war your pack was in when you were transforming into a lone wolf? That was Ryu. He has always been with you to protect you and those you care about. At times he has even been able to take over. The stresses the war put on you caused his sprit to take a stronger hold on you. The trauma brought on by Kage's death caused him to lose his hold on you and you have reverted back to your normal self" Gurumin said.  

"So Ryu was the cause of my change" Riku said. "In a sense you were becoming Ryu. Ryu himself was a lone wolf; the Demon King's army wiped out his pack. He wandered alone for years before I took him in and taught him to control his power. That power is inside you but only he can unlock its full potential" Gurumin said. "So what must I do? Get Stronger?" Riku asked. "You must find Ryu within you Riku. For your final battle you must let him take complete control. His mind and spirit will use your body to fight" Gurumin said. "So I'm just a tool" Riku said.

"Not necessarily. Ryu gets his power from your emotions. While he is fighting you must think about everything you are fighting for; your mate, your family, your friends, and the entire human world. Those thoughts will make Ryu stronger and stronger so he will be able to vanquish Satanos once and for all" Gurumin said.

"So really, I'll have to train my mind is that it?" Riku asked. "Like I said you must awaken Ryu's spirit. You are like your friend Kurama. You both are two souls in one body. Let the lone wolf inside you take over" Gurumin said. Riku sat up in bed and looked at the old man. "So what are we waiting for? I've got some extreme meditation to do" Riku said smirking.

Somewhere inside Riku's subconscious Ryu looked up and smiled. "That's the spirit Riku. Together we can beat Satanos and save this world" he said.

Well, Riku can't win all the time. But at least he's learned something new about himself. This chapter also helped me clear up something else. I bet some of you were wondering why this fic is entitled 'The Lone Wolf'. It refers to Ryu who is the actual lone wolf inside Riku. That's one question answered. Anyway the next chapter will be up next Sunday.

Next chapter, Kage teaches Yusuke how to use the Spirit Bomb. Review please.