Review reply: Craven Fox: Though I know I already answered this you brought up a good point so I thought I mention it here for everyone. By 'Sequel' I meant that this story has the established romance between Yuki and Kurama that is happening in the other story. Hence it is after that story. However the plot of that story and the plot of this story don't mix and the KuramaxOC is only off on the side so I didn't see an issue with posting them at the same time. Sorry for the confusion.
The month until the tournament flew past so fast it didn't seem possible by the laws of physics. But none the less all four members of Team Urameshi were standing at the meeting place waiting for Yuki to show up with their fifth member. "Who do you think Koenma found?" Kuwabara asked looking over to where Yusuke was leaning up against a tree, his bag on the ground at his feet.
"No idea. I just hope Keiko and Shizuru don't show up this time. They practically started a riot during the Dark Tournament." Yusuke replied.
"I don't recall any riots, Yusuke." Kurama said with a half smile.
"I said practically." Yusuke grumbled. "Besides, this is bound to be more dangerous than the Dark Tournament. They don't need to go and put themselves in situations like that. Bad enough we have to do it…"
"Aww…he's getting all protective. Isn't that just darling?" Yuki's voice drifted out from the trees. A few minutes later the vixen appeared with another person walking next to her.
The person wore a heavy black trench coat over top of a pair of black baggy pants tucked into a pair of dark brown knee high boots, a thick black leather vest and long sleeved green button down shirt. A green scarf wrapped around the new person's neck and hung on either side of the left shoulder. A pair of tiny circular sunglasses only partly obscured a pair of dark green eyes. Short brown hair streaked with an almost-white grey and cut very short except for a small amount of bangs. The trench coat obscured most of their new teammate's form so they could only see he was short, only five feet tall. A sword almost as big as it's owner was strapped to his back. He reached up and adjusted his sunglasses with his gloved hand.
"Everyone, this is Shinobu. Shinobu, this is Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and the one in the tree is Hiei." Yuki introduced pointing to people as she said their name. Shinobu nodded slightly at them. "Shinobu is a retired detective that Koenma dug up for this little tournament."
"Little?" Shinobu echoed. Yusuke and Kuwabara winced. The guy's voice sounded like he tried to eat razor blades or something. Kurama didn't wince but he did clearly notice as he shifted his weight uneasily. "This is the Blood Tournament. This is on a whole different level than the Dark Tournament."
"Eh…nice voice." Yusuke said still grimacing.
Shinobu gave a slight glare. "You give up a lot when you're constantly fighting demons. But this tournament will hopefully change that."
"What'dya mean?" Kuwabara asked.
"Clearly Shinobu's participation in our team is being bartered for something else." Kurama supplied before Shinobu had a chance to answer.
"Can we go now?" Hiei asked impatiently.
Yuki raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised you even asked, Hiei."
"The last thing you want to do is arrive to the tournament alone. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered." Hiei replied gruffly.
"Well, aren't you the charmer?" Shinobu asked sarcastically. Hiei cast a glare at the newest member of their rag-tag team, who steadfastly ignored him. "Well, I guess there's no point in waiting." He added as he started walking.
It wasn't long before Kuwabara and Yusuke grew tired of silently walking to their destination. "Yo, Shinobu? What kinda powers you packing anyway?" Kuwabara asked studying the huge sword warily.
"I believe you fought the bigger Toguro, yes?"
"Uh…yeah…" Yusuke answered.
"I have a similar ability. Luckily, I don't become disfigured as I use it but then again the two of us came about our abilities in very different ways." Shinobu said in his rough voice. "He got his through demonic means. I found the ability on my own. I also have a few other abilities but I use them far less often."
"Such as?" Kurama inquired glancing over his shoulder at Shinobu.
Shinobu sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Such as…I can focus my energies through special crystals which I then use to do anything from creating explosions to healing wounds and seeing across large distances. Crystals like the one in the pommel of my sword." He added pointing to the large clear orb at the end of the handle.
"Hn. So without your toys you're utterly weak." Hiei stated unimpressed.
Shinobu, surprising enough, smiled. "Well…I am only human. Besides…I was under the distinct impression that this team was strong enough without my help. Perhaps I've overestimated your abilities though."
Yuki laughed a bit as Hiei, for once, was unsure whether that had been a complement or an insult. Hiei settled for folding his arms over his chest and looking away in a huff. Yusuke and Kuwabara joined in loudly while Kurama hid his amusement behind his hand. Hiei glared off into the distance; something about this human just…dug under the small fire demon's skin.
"So how did you become a spirit detective, Shinobu?" Yusuke asked remembering his own introduction into all things demonic and creepy. A nice slam into a car and everything's suddenly different.
"Later. We're here." Shinobu said pointing ahead of them. Just past the trees they could see a platform in the middle of a clearing. Other than the large platform there were three demons waiting. None of the demons were particularly powerful but they all wore similar outfits of red and brown.
"Where's here?" Yusuke asked looking around for any signs that might help end his confusion.
"We're entering the place the tournament is held through a portal that's going to show up on that platform." Yuki answered. "The three demons there work for the Blood Tournament."
"So how long do we have to wait for this stupid portal?" Kuwabara asked.
There was a huge flash of light and a portal of swirling energies in dozens of colors appeared on the platform. "Not long at all it seems." Kurama answered as the portal flared a few times before becoming stable.
"You're right on time." One of the demons said.
"Go ahead and step right on in." Another said. "It'll take you to the stadium."
"Riiight. I hope this thing's safe…" Yusuke muttered as he approached the swirling vortex of energy. After a moment's hesitation he took a deep breath and boldly walked straight into the portal. One after another all six of them walked through the portal. Then as suddenly as it appeared, the portal shrunk and disappeared with a much smaller flash.