**Standard Disclaimers Apply** In this chapter, implied Shuichi x Yusuke. Also - feedback appreciated!
"Spirit wave!" shouted Yusuke as he released a burst of energy at his attackers. Though he had trouble controlling his ki levels, he had no trouble steering it in the right direction. After all, he's been fighting all his life, and muscle memory as well as instincts guided him where his uneven ki levels failed. The blast hit its three targets and was strong enough to dispel two of his attackers.
Next to him, Kuwabara was using his Spirit sword to defend himself against his attacker. He was able to parry the moves though he was unable to counter attack. Yusuke could tell that Kuwabara was getting desperate when he started smack talking, probably in hopes of agitating his opponent into making a mistake. Ahead of them, Hokushin, Seitei, and Toshin were fighting off a group of demons.
Hokushin had cautioned them against engaging in battle given the lack of information and preparation. As soon as Yusuke had heard the news about the disturbance at the border, the hot-blooded King had charged out of the throne room with no planning and little regard for his own safety. There was little Hokushin and his other advisers could do but to follow him. Yusuke did, however, have the presence of mind to grab Kuwabara so that they could make use of his dimension sword technique to create a portal to the border.
When they had first arrived, Yusuke had heeded Hokushin's advice to stand down. But when a group of bloodthirsty Alaricans stumbled into Tourinese territory, Hokushin was the first to attack and ambush them.
Having knocked off his opponents for now, Yusuke rushed to Kuwabara's aid with his spirit punch attack. Hokushin followed with a spiritual light attack that disabled the rest of the Alaricans. Yusuke let out a roar of approval while Kuwabara plastered a silly grin on his face that signaled his relief.
A quick appraisal of their surroundings counted a total of twelve enemies down. Having been in the front lines, Seitei and Touou were slightly injured but were well enough to continue on. The two of them were supporting each other.
"What poor excuses for Class A demons," Touou observed.
"Yes, that was too easy." Hokushin looked thoughtful. "Under normal circumstances, demons of this caliber would not have their guard down so close to enemy territory. They seemed distracted, as if they were looking for something."
All at once, they jumped to attention as a barrage of energy resonated in the hills not too far ahead on the Alarican side of the border. Yusuke caught a gust of strange aroma. It was a mixture of smoke, incense, explosions, gun powder, rose, and cedar. He could feel three distinct energies flaring and interlocked in conflict.
"Hmph. Class S demons." Touou remarked.
"Oi! This I've gotta see for myself!" Yusuke blurted. The only other Class S demons he'd ever seen in action have been Hokushin and Raizen. At this exact moment, Yusuke could not think of anything more exciting than seeing the raw power of three Class S demons in battle.
"Your Highness! Who ever they are, we are definitely no match for them." Hokushin cautioned. "Especially since one of them is definitely Mukuro."
Kuwabara arched both his eyebrows in surprise. "Mukuro? Isn't she insanely powerful? There's no way we can take her down even if it was five against one!"
"What a coward!" Yusuke scoffed. "Why don't you run back home to your sister and kittens, you wimp!"
"Your Highness, this is no time for jests," the normally quiet Seitei interjected. "However, I do believe we should investigate. Hokushin, Touou, and I can create a ki barrier that will hide our presence and allow us to observe at a safe distance."
In silent agreement, the three demon monks started chanting. A green bubble appeared and started to rapidly expand between them until it finally engulfed the whole group.
"Awesome!" Yusuke poked at the edge of the bubble while Kuwabara started sniffing at it.
"Your Highness and Kuwabara san, while there is no physical restraint that holds you within this barrier, please do not leave until we are beyond the sensory range of the Class S demons." Hokushin warned. With that, they started heading towards the hills.
Once they got closer, the scent Yusuke had noticed earlier became overwhelming. The whole hillside in front of them was alive with activity. Patches of the hill were completely scorched, while the vegetation in other parts was actively joining the foray. There was a big explosion of energy, followed by flashes from a sword. After that, all Yusuke could see were two blurs of activity. One black, one purple. The third fighter was missing, and Yusuke assumed, defeated.
Just ahead of them, on the Tourinese side of the border, there was another flurry of activity. Something or someone was heading away from the battle and hurtling towards them. Before he realized what he was doing and before Hokushin or any of the others could stop him, Yusuke had fired his Spirit Gun towards the new threat. The beam of energy easily exited the ki barrier and hit the unsuspecting intruder. As the intruder dropped to the ground, Yusuke noticed the familiar mane of red hair.
"Shuichi!" Yusuke vaulted towards his fallen adviser.
Picking up the redhead from the ground, Yusuke silently thanked the gods that he didn't have full control of his powers. Shuichi was conscious but stunned. He put his hands lightly on his abdomen, where the blast of Spirit Gun had made contact. "Ah..Yusuke san.."
"I'm sorry for attacking you!" Yusuke followed up his apology with a flood of questions. "Can you walk? Are you alright? What are you doing here?"
"I was returning to Makai...the portal opened…there was this mass of energy…"
Before Shuichi could continue, Hokushin and the rest of the group caught up to them and once again enveloped them in the green ki barrier. "Your Highness, we have to go now! Mukuro might have sensed your presence when you fired the spirit gun! Kuwabara san, if you would please take us back to the castle…."
With a nod of acknowledgement, Kuwabara sliced the air with his dimension sword and pulled the tear apart for everyone to pass through.
Yusuke kept watch over Shuichi while he recovered from the Spirit Gun attack. The redhead was sleeping in Yusuke's quarters as the guilt ridden king wanted to be close to him when he woke. Yusuke kneeled next to the bed and swepted Shuichi's long red fringe from his face. Emerald eyes fluttered open at his touch.
"Yusuke san…"
"How are you feeling? Does it still hurt?"
"No. I believe I'm in much better shape now. Thank you for asking." Shuichi peered up at him with a look of concern of his face. "How have you been?"
"You mean since I knocked you down with the Spirit Gun or since you left for ningenkai?"
Shuichi managed a small laugh. "Both, I guess."
"I think the answer to both of those are I've been feeling like shit." Yusuke put his hand on Shuichi's forehead. "I'm so sorry.."
"About what?"
"About the Spirit Gun and well…you know…after my succession ceremony.." Yusuke trailed off.
"Which part? The drinking contest? The strip tease? The hole in the banquet hall ceiling? Or the passing out?" Shuichi teased.
"For pinning you down and kissing you!" Yusuke blurted and then turned a deep shade of crimson. He stood up and turned away. He couldn't bring himself to look at Shuichi any more. "I was drunk and confused and you were the first person I saw when I came to, and you just smelled so nice and before I knew what I was doing, I was already doing it."
"I was a willing participant."
Yusuke's ears suddenly felt very hot. "I forced you." And it had felt good. He thought to himself.
"As my King, you have every right to exercise your dominance over your subjects. I was perfectly aware of that when I agreed to be your adviser." Shuichi sat up.
"No, you didn't sign up for dealing with a horny moron."
"No, but I did sign up for guiding my wayward King be it through Makai conflicts or demonic growing pains." Shuichi reached for Yusuke's hand. "Should you require such services again, you need only request."
Feeling insulted, Yusuke pulled his hand away. "I told you, I wasn't myself! It would never happen again."
"Very well." Shuichi maintained his composure, though his skin paled a little. "Any news on Mukuro and the conflict at the borders?"
Glad for the change of subject, Yusuke responded, "Not really. It seems that the fight at the border is over. We don't know who Mukuro was fighting and we haven't noticed any surge in ki from that direction since. We did however, kill some of the Class A demons that trampled on to our territory. Hokushin says there may be repercussions." Yusuke narrowed his eyes, "what do you think they were doing there?"
"Perhaps a show of power. Perhaps to tempt you into battle. Regardless, it doesn't bode well. What of Yomi?" Shuichi started absentmindedly rubbing his temples.
"Little news since Hokushin hasn't been able to reach your spy network. But there's been talks of increased kidnapping coming from Gandara."
Suddenly, Shuichi got up from the bed and started smoothing out the wrinkles on his clothes. He slipped on his shoes and started for the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" Yusuke asked.
"To talk to my informants and find out what our dear friend, Yomi, is up to."
"You can't leave now. We're on the verge of major political unrest here. What if I need your advice?"
"Until I ascertain the situation between Alaric and Gandara, I don't have sound advice to provide. Besides, if it comes to a fight, there is nothing I or anyone else can do to stop you." Kurama flashed one of his meek but knowing smiles that never quite reaches his eyes. "Your power levels rival Mukuro. Now if only you were able to fully control them..."
Yusuke's face lit up as if a light bulb went off in his head. He ran out of his room shouting, "Hokushin! Get your lazy ass over here! We're training!"
Author's Notes: The first part of this chapter was so hard to do. Not only are fight scenes hard, I also had trouble deciding what to portray and what to save for later. Is the pace still ok? Feedback is much appreciated!
Next chapter, we are shifting POV again. This time we're seeing things through Shuichi's eyes so we can go with him to Gandara and find out what the hell is going on.