"Obligation and Duty"

Chapter 45

.oO{I was hoping for 50, but I don't think that'll happen.}

Manta shakes head Such high hopes back to his dictionary

Author smirks Unlike you, shorty. thumbs up

"Their energies are at the same level now," Hiei said. "Yes, but their energies are totally different," Kurama added.

Yusuke's energy flared and Toguro laughed at him, "You must be heartbroken, Urameshi. Think of this as measles: if you heal from the disease once, it will never torment you again. And what torments you the most... isn't it your weakness? Don't you wish to become stronger? Who doesn't? Take this chance now and forget everything around you, and get to the top like I did."

Toguro's own energy flared and he added, "Believe it deeply: strength is everything."

"I won't be like you, Toguro," Yusuke spat. I won't forget those around me. I've gotten this far because of my friends."

"You idiot! You don't need anyone else, can't you understand it?"

Yusuke shook his head no. "Then it seems I have to kill another to make you understand..." Toguro turned to the four where they were huddled beside Kuwabara's body. Kurama and Hiei stood straight, but Koenma yelped back in fear. Rei sat there, disconnected with the world and Yusuke appeared next to Toguro, holding his wrist.

"Once I admired you, Toguro," Urameshi said. "I felt attracted to your strength, not knowing your true character." The ground cracked beneath them. "Genkai warned me about it, taught me many things. I was willing to throw everything away and become as strong as you are."

"I hope you do," Toguro said.

"Don't worry, I won't," Yusuke smirked. "Now I know why you abandoned everything. I won't to the same. I will protect my friends!"

Toguro commented on how much Yusuke was like Genkai. Yusuke promised not to let anyone else die by Toguro's hands and hit him by surprise with a very powerful punch. Toguro crashed into some blocks on the other side of the stadium and stood. His neck was broken but there was no time for anyone to notice before Yusuke shot off a Spirit Gun. It knocked Toguro down and crashed through the wall like the other had.

"Next one is my last one," Yusuke announced. "I'm gonna put all my energy in it. So come to fight me with all your strength and let's see what happens. No matter what, I'm gonna win and destroy you completely."

Toguro laughed and stood, pushing his neck back into place. He summoned all the rest of his power and transformed. Saying little more, Yusuke powered up his Spirit Gun and shot it. Toguro ran up to it and tried to hold it with his hand. At first it worked, but not for long. He was pushed backwards and his over-worked muscles started oozing blood. He lifted his other hand and Yusuke finished the blast. Urameshi sank to his knees as Toguro tried to stop the blast. Toguro's back muscles exploded and he crushed the energy ball his his huge arms. Yusuke chose that time to pass out.

Toguro walked over to Yusuke's body as the crowd panicked. Toguro thanked Yusuke for letting him use his 100% as his grey skin cracked, revealing his wounded flesh underneath. "You are complete if you manage to use 120% against someone in a fight."

With that, Toguro fell over. Dead. Juri came out of hiding to check Toguro's corpse, but he really was dead. She almost said there was no living winner, until Koto told her to turn around. Yusuke was standing up. The whole stadium roared with cheers. Even Hiei smiled a little. Juri and Koto pronounced Yusuke the winner and he fell flat on his face. Kurama and Koenma run over to cheer Yusuke up.

"He died because I was too weak," Yusuke said. He punched his fists into the ground and called Kuwabara's name. Kuwabara stood up and laughed at Yusuke, "The great Kazuma Kuwabara can't die!"

Yusuke was in shock and Kurama explained that he had told Kuwabara to stay down so Yusuke would get angry and fight better. Yusuke went over and started punching Kuwabara, until Koenma told him to stop before he REALLY killed Kuwabara. The guys talked about Toguro's intentions and why he didn't kill Kuwabara when Sakyo walked over to them. He was ready to die, but Koenma said the bet was over. But Sakyo told him not to underestimate the victory. He pulled out a remote and pressed the button, showing a counter for 15 minutes. The walls start shaking and the voice over the intercom said the stadium would explode in 15 minutes and counting.

The public panicked again and started looking for an exit. Rei stayed with the guys as Koenma and Shizuru ran off to follow Sakyo. Kurama had to help Yusuke walk and Keiko wouldn't move, so Yukina and Botan were trying vainly to wake her up. Kuwabara tried to make his way towards Yukina as a chunk of ceiling came crashing down. When the dust settled they saw Hiei had pushed her out of the way. Kuwabara wasn't too happy with that.

There was 5 minutes left, and Keiko still wouldn't move. Yusuke walked over to her and slapped her a few times. She woke up and slapped him. They all ran towards one of the doors and started down a hallway.

3 minutes.

The hallway they're running down had caved in. Yusuke was going to blow a passage, but Kurama wouldn't let him. They were trapped until one of the blocks moved. Chuu, with Rinku, Touya and Jin were standing there.

"Boy, am I glad to see you guys," Yusuke called.

"We couldn't just let you die, could we?" Chuu called back, moving more blocks.

"After all, beating you in the next Dark Tournament is our goal," Jin added. They ran through the newly made passage when Puu stopped Keiko. The eight got out of the stadium just in time. They saw Koenma and Shizuru making their way out of the smoke when the stadium blew. Standing there, they all thought about what their wish would have been for winning the tournament.

"We did it, Grandma. We won," Yusuke yelled towards the rising smoke of the stadium.

The Team walked back to the hotel and started packing up. Rei's stuff was already packed, so she sat on the couch nearest the bedroom and watched as the boys tried to find all their clothes. Hiei was the first done and Kurama soon after. Yusuke took the longest and they stood there-- in Rei's case, sat-- as he tied the drawstring of his bag.

"That's all the quiet staring I can handle. Lets get outta here, okay?" Yusuke said. Kuwabara got off the couch across from Rei, "Right."

There was a little silence for a moment before Yusuke smiled, "After all this time it's gonna feel weird not fearing for my life."

"Don't sweat it, Urameshi. I can beat you up at school every day if that makes you feel better," Kuwabara scratched his cheek.

Kurama chuckled a little and said, "Yusuke's right. Normal life for us all will seem... pale, for a while."

Yusuke was looking out the window when Puu flew up. "Hey..." he started, "There you are." He unlocked the window and opened it. "Alright, Puu, I didn't think you'd ever come back after Genkai started talking through you."

He grabbed for Puu, but the blue creature didn't seem to like him. Yusuke finally caught him and pulled him into the room, "You're kinda like a telephone to the other side, aren't you?" There was a pause. "Well, what are you waiting for, Operator. Patch me in to Grandma."

Yusuke lifted him, "C'mon, which side's your receiver?" He shook Puu a little and asked, "What what? You'll do it for her but not for me?"

Kuwabara and Kurama shared a sad look as Yusuke said, "You're my Spirit Animal, y'know."

"Stop it," Kurama closed his eyes.

"Coooommme onn," Yusuke squished Puu's cheeks the same time Kurama said, "Yusuke."

"Puu!"

"It's not possible anymore."

Yusuke finally turned, "What do you mean?"

"The Spirit World Genkai spoke from is the land BETWEEN the living and the dead," Kurama said.

"I thought humans went to Spirit World when they die," Kuwabara asked.

"Yes, for a short time," Kurama started again as Yusuke let Puu go to fly over to Rei. "But it's merely a junction from which their real journey begins."

"Oh," Kuwabara slouched a little.

Kurama sighed, "In truth, Spirit World is a complex system of many seperate worlds."

Kurama turned to his left a little as Yusuke turned and leaned against the window. Kurama looked up and finished, "And with the lands of the dead, there is no communication. Genkai's was a priority case. Her placement should have been quick. Listen to me, Yusuke. It's time we said our goodbyes to her... for real."

Yusuke straightened up. "It's so... dumb."

"We just gotta let her go," Kuwabara said.

Yusuke turned from the window and put on a happy face. "FINE! You heard it, Fox-boy! There's nothing we can do for the old hag if she's already limp," he let his shoulders and head slump. He started walking towards the door, "Just gotta keep on chuckin', yessir. I'm gonna go outside and make myself a nice, big, shiney first-place metal, sit in the sun," Yusuke opened the door, "And have a stupendous stupid day, darn it."

Yusuke shut the door and the three at the couch exchanged a look.

Puu pulled away from Rei and flew around the room as Hiei stood up straight from where he was leaning against the wall. "Hnh, He's so neck-deep in repression, even I feel sorry for him."

Puu headed towards the door and they all picked up their packs.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the last boat will be leaving within the hour," the voice over the intercom said. The boys plus Rei were sitting in the small cafe, drinking coffee.

"Jeez, what's taking those girls so long? We're gonna get left," Kuwabara complained.

Kurama seemed tired as well, "Not everyone packed just one set of clothes. No offense, Rei."

"None taken," she mumbled through the sip of Yusuke's coffee. She had ordered a flavored thing, but wanted to taste Yusuke's regular coffee.

"It's just like family vacation," Kuwabara continued. "My dumb sister is always making us late. Probably pluckin' her mustache."

Just the Shizuru appeared behind him with a 'cross me, you're dead' look and said as Kurama stood up, "Should I tell them about your... lucky doll?"

Kuwabara jumped into the air and into the seat Kurama had just vacated, even though he was across the table. "Uh, uh, Hi Sis!" Kuwabara held up his hands. "Nothin about family stories, I was just tellin everyone how PRETTY you are!"

"You're a moron," Shizuru said as Botan, Keiko and Yukina came up. "Sorry we're late," all three of them said. The boys winced and Yusuke said, "Oh look, the tone-deaf sirens."

Shizuru threw her bags at Kuwabara and he asked why he had to carry them. Shizuru made up some story that Yukina liked guys who were nice to their sisters and Botan even tried to make Kuwabara carry her stuff. Puu was flying around and Yusuke handed him to Keiko. "You don't mind having Puu-duty, right?"

She didn't and Yusuke turned to leave and said, "Thanks, no one's gonna take the champ seriously if he's holding a blue teddy-bear with a beak." He slung his pack over his shoulder and walked away. Puu whined after him, but Keiko said Yusuke was just being a jerk. Outside, Yusuke asked Rei what happened to Chiba. Her eyes widened and she threw her bag at him. He caught it with his other hand and watched as she ran back to the hotel.

"Y'know, I'm actually gonna miss this stupid place," Yusuke muttered. They talked a little when Rei came back, holding Chiba in her arms so he wouldn't get away. Just then the boat's horn blew.

"Oh, lookie here. Our ship's arrived," Kuwabara let go of Botan's mouth. "Isn't that happy?"

There was another pause and Yusuke said, "Back to skipping detentions."

"Mmmmm... Video games," Kuwabara smiled.

Kurama looked up, "My human mother."

"Various crimes," was all Hiei said. .oO{Back to my crazy house,} Rei thought.

"Alright, let's GO HOME!" Yusuke pumped his fist in the air. Everyone laughed and yelled "Yay!"

Then behind them came Genkai's voice. "Well, exCUSE me if I'm a little insulted."

Everyone stopped cheering and Yusuke turned slowly, "Hold on a sec...."

"You just gonna leave the old fossil behind?" Genkai smiled. Yusuke made a look very close to one being about ready to cry.

"GENKAI!" Botan squealed and ran towards her.

"Genkai! She's really alive!" Kuwabara ran after. Everyone started running towards her. Yusuke just stood there until Genkai said, "You must've rubbed off on me, dimwit. I died like you.... Halfhearted."

"Hehh... Genkai... GENKAI! C'mere you beautiful hag!" he yelled. Rei smiled as Yusuke hugged Genkai quickly. She had noticed for the past half-hour Genkai's old purple hat flying around, but no one seemed to care. The horn blew again and they all quickly got onto the boat. Everyone was standing on the deck of the ship, but Rei was a little ways away. Sitting on the floor, she let her legs dangle through the metal fence and watched the waves.

"It's over.... for now, atleast," she sighed.