Kuronue's Back

Written By: Anikara

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters.

Hello, I have finally updated at last. Sorry for the delay, but I had difficulty writing it sigh. Wow, I've received more reviews than I expected! Thank you all, I loved reading every single one. Votes have been tallied up and non-yaoi wins! Sorry to the one person who voted differently, but I did say that the one with the most votes would win and that it would be tallied up by this chapter. Well, hope you enjoy this it! Review!

Chapter 3: A Fight of Amusement

(Kuronue's POV)

I sit down against a large tree that resided in a peaceful park, which is empty from annoying ningens, much to my enjoyment. I have my legs stretched out in front of me while my arms are behind my head for support.

I sigh heavily to myself; the search wasn't going entirely well. I'd never thought that this Urameshi guy would be so hard to locate!

He must be hiding his energy signal, but why? Isn't he known to be careless? Had those feeble apparitions misinformed me? I find myself thinking.

I knew from the beginning this wasn't going to be easy, but this is embarrassing! I used to be a master thief, and not only that, but I was one of the best.

It is humiliating that I, Kuronue, am loosing my touch. I had great skills in locating objects and people, for that matter. What would Yoko think if he were to see me in this kind of state?

I frown lightly. I guess he'll just have to accept the changed me or if not, he'll just have to reject me if he so desires.

I sigh once again and look up at the sky for comfort. No matter, I'll still remain in pursuit of him, whether it is to my liking or disliking in the end.

"…Yoko, I promise that I will find out if you're alive, and if you are, we shall return to Makai and regain our titles," I whisper to myself.

To be completely honest, the curiously is killing me! I want to know more information about my old friend, Yoko. How was it that demons believed him dead? Is it true that he really is dead? Was he reborn with his past memories or is he even aware of his true being? Does he look different or is he a different person? All these questions are swarming through my mind and, still they're left unanswered, but soon…they will be answered.

The apparitions that told me that, Yoko, was indeed alive brought up my hopes. But I am worried, what if the demons were wrong and were mistaken about Yoko's appearance in the tournament of which they spoke? The answer was I didn't know, but the information was too great to be ignored, I had to take the risk.

I rub the temples of my forehead in faith that it'd clear up my mind as I continue to look up at the sky. I observe that it is beginning to receive a purple tint to its natural blue color, a sign that night is approaching soon.

I didn't think that this much time had passed! But I have been searching hours for this ningen boy, so that would be a logical answer. The sad truth from it was that I haven't gotten any results in return of my long hours; this was most frustrating and is testing my patience.

I have never been a patient sort of guy; even in my former life I didn't posses that trait. That was Yoko's job to keep me from loosing it. Now that I was no longer with him, it is impossible for me to control my lack of patience.

I heave a sigh. I guess I should go home. Tomorrow is another day and one that I can continue my hunt for the kitsune. My mother might be waiting for me; she might even be worried for me. I didn't tell her how long I would be out so it'd be for the best to go back.

I get up from my sitting spot and stop abruptly. I feel someone's energy near by, and not only that, but it is youki…a demon is here.

I turn back to normal and act natural, as if I never knew of the sudden presence of a demon. If he or she is looking at me, it's best that he or she think I am only a normal ningen boy, and nothing more.

I walk towards a bench and sit down calmly. If this demon is after me, I don't want to lead him or her to my home. Since I do have a ningen family that I do love, much to my disgust, it would be most unwise…centuries have taught me that much.

I then begin doing a set of basic exercise movements to fool who ever set eyes on me that I am only doing a set of stretches. In truth, I am in full alert of my surroundings, constantly looking left and right for any odd thing or person that didn't belong.

The demon will catch on to me sooner or later, depending on its intelligence. But it is best to start off with an act soon. It would provide me with more detail of what I am going to face, for I have a hunch that I'm not leaving this park without a fight erupting.

(Hiei POV)

I speedily flit to a tree, one that I have been familiar with since my time here in Nigenkai. I find my place on one of the highest branches that the tree contained.

Putting myself into a position I find comfortable, I stretch out one of my legs before bending it and then leave the other to hang off the tree branch. I cross both of my arms against my chest tightly and rest my head against the firm tree.

I wasn't in any light mood; in fact I had a bored expression on my face. Just how long could I manage to remain in this pathetic place? This place is tedious; I can't see how ningens can stand living in such a dull world!

A nerved look comes upon my face as I begin thinking of my visit to the kitsune's ningen home, the place where I had been only a short time ago.

He seemed off today, but I knew clearly and well that the dying plant life around the city is getting to him. It is all a part of his whole weakness towards the season of fall. Since this was the first day that fall began, it affected the kitsune far worse than what the rest of the season would offer him.

I smirked to myself. Damn fox thought I would forget about his time of weakness. I'll make sure to remind him of it again.

My thoughts were broken when I notice a ningen teenager get up and stop unexpectedly for a brief moment. Then he turned to normal, walked towards a bench, sat down, and began doing a set of stretches.

A typical frown crosses my face. Usually, ningens didn't catch my attention, but this one some how managed to do so. It irritates me to know of such a fact.

I take a closer look at the ningen boy. He looks like an average teenager stretching out his muscles as if it was a routine he performed in every day life. But I knew better than to underestimate this particular ningen. He had some slight difference, it sort of reminded me of the first time I came across the fox.

When I met Kurama for the first time, he had been hiding his youki from all, which fooled me into believing he was a ningen for a short time.

This ningen in particular felt the same way, but there is a difference about them. This one feels as if he couldn't mask his energy completely. Kurama, on the other hand, knew how to expertly mask his youki from all prying senses, from both ningens and demons.

It was barely noticeable, but with my sharp perspective and my jagan to enhance my ability, I caught on to the ningen's abnormally high energy. The question is, who is he and what is the extent of his power?

I sustain my view of the ningen boy who continued with his stretches, but I took note of his alert state of being. He couldn't fool me; I knew he was searching for someone.

A reasonable answer comes to mind; my sudden appearance must have startled the poor ningen boy. This would explain his watchful eyes and supplied me the knowledge that he could defiantly sense some unusual disturbance within the area. I grin as an idea begins to formulate from the small amount of information I just gathered.

There haven't been any conflicts for some time now and I'm yearning for some action. I smirked to myself. Perhaps he could present some amusement towards me.

It is very atypical of me to want to start a fight with a ningen, but I couldn't help myself. I felt that I needed to do this. And to be honest, I didn't care if he is a ningen.

I lift myself from my sitting spot and make sure that my katana is with me. A grin plays around my mouth as I flit to a closer area.

(Kuronue's POV)

I finally caught on to the location of the demon; he is several feet away from me on top of a large tree. My eyes narrow to some extent and then widen when the demon's energy signal vanishes abruptly. One reason comes into mind…the demon is moving at an alarming speed…

He or she is on to me; I must have let out a knowledgeable amount of energy. I guess my alertness must have disrupted my concentration in masking my energy.

A small smile graces my lips as I feel the energy signal reappear right behind me, just a few feet from where I am located.

I grin inwardly to myself as I stop my stretches. It appears that this demon has underestimated my true power and is looking for a fight. It'd be rude to ignore the obvious invitation. Besides, I haven't used my abilities on anyone by far the longest time and I've been craving for some action. And this can come to my advantage, this demon might know some information.

I lift myself from the bench and turn backwards. Since there were no ningens in sight I would be more than happy to begin the fight. My calm face broke into a large grin, it was the most I could do to warn the demon.

(Hiei's POV)

I flitted to a tree, simply a few feet behind the ningen boy. It was imprudent to go so close to someone who I knew nothing of or the power he contained, especially since he was a ningen and I was still on probation from Koenma. It would be a shame that I would be unable to end his pathetic life if the fight were to prove worthy.

I knew he acknowledged my presence for he turned around and looked over at my direction. But that was expected, I myself purposely let a bit of my youki flow free. He gives out a grin; this shows that he most likely knows of my species and the invitation I started, or not he might just be plain stupid. I grin. This ningen is different and is proving to be amusing. And it also looks like he's accepted my invitation.

Might as well make myself known. I don't want him to be the first to attack.

I jump down from the tree I had been standing on and land gracefully on the ground. A calculating look seemed to take place within the ningen's mind and face once he gazed upon my appearance.

A small frown came upon my face, this boy had the instincts and traits that a thief possessed; he reminded me of the fox, a little too much.

(Kuronue's POV)

I look up at the spot where I sensed the demon last. While looking up at that particular area, I hear leaves rustle slightly. The demon that I sensed appeared and landed upon the ground with a grace I hadn't been expecting. I also didn't expect him to show himself.

I growl silently, I had been hoping to chase him out, I guess that wouldn't be the case. It would have been fun, but I guess this way can also bring some enjoyment.

I look at his appearance. I take note of his short and slender figure right away, but I know better to wait till he could show me what he's truly capable of. I chuckle lightly to myself anyway. I had been expecting a taller, gruffer-looking demon, but this one would do for the time being.

He had hard red eyes that you could automatically tell, have seen many things during its lifetime. The demon had somewhat long black hair that stood up unnaturally with a small amount of white hair in the front that was, like his hair, spread oddly.

He is dressed in all black except for the white scarf and bandages he had around his legs and arms. He also had a white bandage around his forehead, most liking a ward or it could be for appearance, but he didn't look like the kind who cared for appearance.

I take a closer look and notice that it is indeed a ward, and it wasn't the only one, there is the one he had on his right arm to considered as well. I would have to be very careful with this one; he looked like a demon with experience.

Suddenly, he let loose a large amount of energy that emitted around the entire area. It seemed to pulse with the power it contained. I narrowed my eyes. Pathetic. Trying to intimidate and frighten me, ch, won't have no effect over me.

I stood still and took in the smirk he gave me, an amused smirk. I relaxed to some extent, it seemed that it would only be a battle of the skills and for our personal amusement. I smiled; I could live with that.

I put on a defensive pose. I saw that the demon grinned as he as well put on a defensive pose.

At the same time we both ran towards each other at an alarming speed. I'm proud to say that I have a speed that's not normal for humans. After a year of training in endless hours, I've improved my velocity dramatically, and now I can finally use it seriously.

Our fists were the first to make contact with each other, and then our left knees kicked in, in equal strength, much to my amusement and displeasure. What did I expect… to be stronger than a skilled demon with the ningen body I had? No. But I was satisfied, this proved that I haven't lost my touch in fighting with my years here in the human world, and here I had been worried that my human body would alter it, but alas it didn't. Yoko would be proud to know.

"You're better that I expected. Well… for a ningen, that is," he spoke for the first time with a deep voice. I winced when I heard the word, 'ningen,' and I gave a disgusted look.

I hate being referred to as a human, I utterly hate it, but I swallowed my pride. I couldn't afford to give any information about myself to this demon.

A gave a large grin to make up for my disgusted expression. "You're not so bad either. Well…for a small demon, that is," I said wittily. He didn't take well to my humor, as repayment he threw a lightening-fast punch directly at my face. Luckily, I slightly block it by crossing both my arms in front. I had to admit; he had accurate blows when it came to his fighting. The punch left my bones ringing with pain and my skin throbbing.

I then go into high speed of flying punches in revenge for such an attack. I kept on going, but he kept dodging every single one I threw.

I grinned. "Not enough?"

The demon smirked, "Naturally."

Playtime was over; I went into a faster pace and threw in some kicks. I noticed he was finding it harder to dodge. So, he joined along in the rampage of flying fists and kicks along with me for several minutes.

After a long period of endless punches and kicks, we both backed off at the same time and stood staring at each other through our huffs for breath. I relaxed a bit, stupid of me, but sheesh, he knew how to tire someone. Recklessly, I began to gather my youki. The battle was too much for me; I couldn't keep in my youki any longer. My entire body was tense from holding it in, the youki had to escape or not I'd burst from it all.

Finally after gathering it I let it emit around my entire body. I smile in pleasure as the sensation of freedom envelops me. It had been too long since the last time I let loose my energy, ever since my former life to be exact.

A surprised look came upon the demon's face as he sensed my energy for what it truly was. I was a demon stuck in a human's body, but I still had energy of that of a demon.

I was angry with myself. I wasn't planning to let the demon get this much information from me. How could I let myself loose control of my youki like that! I scowled, oh well, it was loose and I might as well use it now that the demon was aware of what I truly am.

I forge a smile; it was all I could do. Trying to play it off I ask in a cool voice, "surprised? I would think that you would be more considerate about you're enemies or those you pick a fight with." In all honesty, I am a bit nervous of my situation.

His face turns expressionless. "You're a demon in a ningen's body. Pitiful. It's a coward's act to escape Makai into Ningenkai to inhabit a ningen's body. But I've learned by now that even the strongest take that cowardly path."

I grimace. "So it may be. You speak as if experienced, have you met one who has supposedly committed this 'cowardly act' of which you speak of?"

A knowing look passes through his face. "Hn."

I smile. Seems I won't get a more specific answer. I suddenly vanish and throw a high kick towards the demon's face. My foot barely scrapes the tip of his nose as he dodged it.

He flipped backwards while his hands began emitting fire. The fire appeared to be dancing elegantly around his hands. I looked at him. …A fire demon, I see, why does this ring a bell?

I back flip as he throws a punch towards me, narrowly missing it by a centimeter. I felt the flares of fire rub against my skin for that brief moment, but the burning sensation went away as I landed on the floor. I sent my hand flying towards his face and at last it made contact with his left cheek harshly, throwing him to the ground roughly.

I speedily got on top of him and raised a dagger I had in my clothing, against his throat brutally. His eyes widened in pure shock, but soon turned into eyes of rage. I completely ignored them.

Blood trickled down the demon's throat. I looked at it fascination, but that distraction was enough for me to be thrown off him. He grabbed my shirt and forcibly tossed me against a large tree, my head banging hard against it.

He took out a katana and pressed it against my throat, as I had done previously to him with my dagger. My sensitive skin tour beneath the sharp blade and blood began to flow in a small, but large, amount.

"Well, it seems I have your life within my grasp, ningen," he said with enjoyment evident in his voice.

I smirked. Well… we were both taken off guard. But I don't approve of being the one beneath someone who has my life within his or her grasps.

"Glad you're enjoying the fight, but I'm sorry to say that I totally hate being at the end of one's clutches."

I pulled my hands up and put them over the blade. My blood hurriedly began to seep down the blade as I pushed it back. With all my strength I pushed the sword along with the demon backwards, causing him to fall.

I got up and gave a tight hold of my dagger. I ran towards the demon and slashed his right check. A small slit appeared and bright red blood steamed out. I grinned in satisfaction before his and my hands clashed together in a competition of strength.

"HIEI! What the hell do you think you're doing," I heard a teenage voice come a few feet from where the demon and I were wrestling.

'…Hiei, is that the name of this demon…'

"He's a human! Koenma is so going to be after your ass if he hears about this."

The demon and I back off and look at each other with glares before the teenage boy comes up to where the both of us were. He was shorter than I, but taller than Hiei. He had black hair that was gelled back and chocolate colored eyes.

"Stay out of this detective," Hiei said angrily.

"Urameshi!" came another teenage boy, this one being taller than the first. He had carrot colored hair and a larger body than the other teenager.

My eyes broaden. '…Urameshi, the spirit detective who fought in the dark tournament, the one I have been looking for. And Hiei, the fire demon that mastered the dragon of the darkness flame, that's the reason why he seemed familiar. Those apparitions mentioned him. These are the fighters who fought in the tournament. They know about Kurama.'

I gave a high jump landing on top of a tree and flitted from view. Urameshi and the carrot head looked at me in awe. Hiei growled and gave the two teenage boys a menacing glare.

The fire demon that I recently discovered was Hiei was about to chase me down, but the sprit detective restrained him from doing so. Some arguing occurred, but I was from earshot to hear their words.

"I found them," I said happily. "They might know about Kurama."

To Be Continued…
I had so much trouble writing this chapter. Sorry if it sucked, but I couldn't write this chapter properly. It doesn't help much that I'm making up the story as I go. Sigh I should plan out my stories before I post. Well, I hope that you all review and tell me what you thought of it. Reply and thank you for reading.

Anikara