**Standard Disclaimers Apply**
This chapter, we're moving to Tourin to see what Yusuke is up to. The pace should start picking up from here.
"Man! This being King thing is more boring than a drawn out Dragonball fight scene," exclaimed Urameshi Yusuke. Leaning back on his throne with his legs on the desk, he turned to his late father's top advisor, Hokushin, who was in the midst of an intelligence update on Alaric and Gandara. "Are you done your rambling yet?"
"Your Highness, it is imperative that you understand our current circumstances!"
"What's the big deal? Some Alarican General got named heir to Mukuro. What's that gotta do with me?"
"Your Highness, General Hiei is known to be a prodigy in swordsmanship and his appointment as heir have been spreading like wildfire among the common folk. Even before this announcement, there's been reports of common folk migrating to Alaric to join his army. But now that he is heir, the numbers have grown! In fact, there's been a mass exodus of Tourinese common folk to Alaric." Hokushin narrowed his eyes and emphasized, "Tourin's strength lies in our large labor force. If we have no miners working in the metal mines and no farmers in the fields, then there's no reason King Mukuro would want to be allied to us!"
"Yeah well, none of this would be a problem right now if you would only let me settle the conflict with a one-on-one fight with Yomi!" Yusuke thumped the heavy table with his fist.
"Your Highness, now is not the right time. A fight would result in you..."
"Getting my ass handed to me, right?" Yusuke finished the sentence.
"You got that right," Kuwabara, Yusuke's best friend and part-time advisor chimed in. "Remember what happened at your succession celebration? You're no where near ready yet."
"Aww man! Look, that was an accident, ok?" Yusuke pleaded. "I'm still trying to get used to this demon energy thing! Give me a break!"
It wasn't fair that everybody expects him to be as strong as his late father, Raizen. While it was true that Yusuke had inherited his father's incredible powers, Yusuke had spent most of his life as a normal human boy. It wasn't until Hokushin showed up at his apartment ten months ago that he learned the truth about his father and his powers. He had always assumed his father was a deadbeat dad who ran off on him and his mom.
"You'd better start training harder, Urameshi!" Kuwabara teased. While Kuwabara was 100% human, he had a high spirit awareness that allowed him to train alongside Yusuke. Although his powers were not nearly as strong, he had been able to master several essential skills.
"At least I don't need any training to beat you up!" Yusuke ignored Kuwabara's protests and turned his attention back to Hokushin, "so what are we going to do about Mukuro?"
"Your Highness, I do not advise taking any actions against Alaric for the time being." Hokushin continued, "In other news, there's been increased reports of both humans and demons being kidnapped. These culprits seem to be from Gandara."
"Yomi's up to no good then." Yusuke concluded.
"Your Highness, we don't know that for sure."
"Any idea what the kidnappers are doing with the victims?" asked Kuwabara.
"Regrettably, there is no intelligence on that. With adviser Shuichi away, we do not have updates from all of our sources."
"Damnit. When's he coming back?" Kuwabara crossed his arms. "He's been gone for almost a month now!"
"Oh, he's supposed to be back soon," said Yusuke. "Had some ningenkai issues to take care of. Something about his father's business."
"We're pretty much at war here! How can you still let him travel back and forth like this?" Kuwabara exclaimed.
"Well, that was the agreement. Besides, you've been travelling back and forth too! It's only because of summer vacation that you're able to be here for two months. You've gotta do what you've gotta do." Yusuke shrugged then turned his attention back to Hokushin, "Any more updates?"
"This is the end of the intelligence report, your Highness. We are still trying to reach your father's old sparring partners. Even if we are unable to convince them to join our cause, we at least need assurances that they will not join Mukuro or Yomi either." At this, Hokushin rolled up his report and placed it back into his pocket. "Shall we take a recess for lunch before we commence our afternoon training?"
"Sure. sure." Yusuke dejectedly waved Hokushin and the rest of his advisors away and then made a face at no one in particular.
Kuwabara leaned on his desk. As soon as he thought Hokushin and the other advisers were out of earshot, he said, "You ain't cut out for this."
"No shit, Sherlock!" Yusuke snapped. "It was supposed to be all fun and games, a chance to flex these demon powers, you know? I didn't expect to be sucked into the middle of a huge Makai conflict!"
Yusuke rested his head with his right arm and sighed again. "Where the hell is Shuuichi when I need him?"
Although he had invited both Shuichi and Kuwabara to be his advisers, it was Shuichi who always gave him the best advice. It was Shuichi who suggested setting up an intelligence network, it was Shuichi who advised him to invite Mukuro to his crowning ceremony to strengthen the two countries' relationships, and it was Shuichi who sent outriders to find his father's retired sparring partners.
"That girly red-head?" exclaimed Kuwabara. "You barely know him! You've only known him for what? A year? What's the deal, man? Why are you so attached to him?"
"He knows more about Makai than the two of us put together! I don't know where we would be without him!" Yusuke complained. "Besides, he doesn't 'Your Highness me' like all those other stuffy advisers!"
"Hey! I don't "Your Highness" you either!"
Yusuke realized with a start that Kuwabara was jealous over his attachment to Shuichi. Even though he would never express it, Yusuke was actually glad that Kuwabara was here in Makai with him. He kept him company and more importantly, made him feel like he wasn't the only one who didn't understand what's going on. Besides, Kuwabara was one of the few people who believed him when he announced his mazoku heritage.
Yusuke decided to lighten the mood, "That's because I'm a pain in your anus!" Yusuke laughed.
"Idiot!" Kuwabara exclaimed in an offended tone. "Forget you! I'm gonna get me a snack!" The carrot-top got up and then looked down at Yusuke, who was still sitting. "You coming?"
"Neh. I think I'm just gonna chill here."
Yusuke got up from his desk to look out of one of the large bay windows. Even after nine months here, he still hasn't gotten used to the purple Makai sky and strange vegetation.
Yusuke's mind wandered back to Shuichi. The redhead had been a frequent customer of his ramen stall. Early on, Yusuke had correctly deducted that Shuichi was different from most Japanese boys. Even though the redhead had been accepted into Todai, the best university in Japan, he had decided to work at his father's small business instead. There was also something about his expressive green eyes, his graceful movements, his calculating intelligence, and his knowing smile that gave him an otherworldly aura.
When Yusuke confided in Shuichi about his mazoku heritage, Shuichi had in turn confessed that he was in fact, part demon as well. Although he had lost his demonic powers, his human body contains a demon's soul. Shuichi had then admitted the was drawn to Yusuke's ramen stall because he had sensed demonic powers in him. Since then, Shuichi had been guiding him on what it means to be a demon and helping him understand Makai customs. Though Shuichi's human responsibilities have prevented him from being in Makai full-time, Yusuke found him to be his most valuable adviser nonetheless.
There was something else about Shuichi too, something that made his opinion matter more to Yusuke than that of other advisers. And then there was that night...No, Yusuke shook his head. That night was a mistake. He hadn't meant to do what he did.
Yusuke was so deep in thought that he didn't notice Hokushin reentering the throne room until the door clicked shut behind him. Thinking his recess was over, Yusuke turned to see the alarmed expression on Hokushin's normally composed face.
"What's wrong?
"Your Highness," Hokushin exclaimed. "I've just heard reports of a large group of Class A demons approaching our borders from Alaric! There are also reports of an active ki signature that is suspiciously similar to Mukuro's energy!
"Guess there's no helping it then," Yusuke grinned, ready for a distraction. "We'd better go kick some ass!"
Author's Note: Thanks for reading all the way through! I hope I was able to accurately capture Kuwabara and Yusuke's characters! Once I started writing their dialogue, it was easy to get side tracked, and I had to go back to cut it down... I hope it didn't slow the pace of the story too much. Once again, feedback is much appreciated!